People's Daily - March 26, 2026

Opinions on Accelerating the Establishment of a Long-Term Care Insurance System from the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council

The long-term care insurance system is a social insurance system that provides services or financial security for the basic living care and closely related medical care of disabled individuals. It is an important part of China's social security system and a significant component of implementing the national strategy to actively address population aging. To accelerate the establishment of a long-term care insurance system and promote the resolution of the basic long-term care security needs of disabled individuals, with the consent of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, the following opinions are now proposed.

I. Overall Requirements

Adhere to Xi Jinping (习近平) Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as guidance, thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, adhere to the leadership of the Party, adhere to a people-centered approach, adhere to the general tone of seeking progress while maintaining stability, adhere to fairness and moderation, ensuring basic needs, and coordinated order, establish a long-term care insurance system that adapts to China's basic national conditions, covers all people, integrates urban and rural areas, is fair and unified, safe and standardized, and sustainable, and continuously enhance the people's sense of gain, happiness, and security.

The main goals are: to basically establish a system arrangement that integrates urban and rural areas in about 3 years, gradually improve the fund-raising mechanism with shared responsibilities and the fair and moderate treatment security mechanism, basically form a scientific and standardized management and operation mechanism, and basically establish a long-term care insurance system that adapts to China's basic national conditions.

II. Establish a Policy System Integrating Urban and Rural Areas

The state level unifies and standardizes policies and systems, coordinates the design of urban and rural systems, seeks truth from facts, adapts to local conditions, and steadily and orderly promotes the construction of a long-term care insurance system.

(I) Coordinate urban and rural system arrangements. Employers (including enterprises, institutions, government agencies, social organizations) as well as employees, retirees, flexible employees, and unemployed urban and rural residents participate in long-term care insurance in accordance with the principle of territorial management. The long-term care insurance fund (hereinafter referred to as the Fund) establishes unified accounts, and funds are used in a coordinated manner. Localities can start establishing a long-term care insurance system by covering groups such as employees, retirees, and flexible employees, and gradually include unemployed urban and rural residents in the scope of security.

(II) Unify the insurance pooling level. Long-term care insurance starts from the city-level pooling. City-level pooled areas have unified system policies, unified fund collection and expenditure, and integrated management services. Provinces with conditions can explore promoting provincial-level pooling in accordance with the requirements of unified and standardized policies, balanced fund allocation, improved hierarchical management, strengthened budget assessment, and optimized management services. Adhere to the unity and standardization of the system to ensure relative balance between pooled areas in terms of participation and payment, treatment payment, disability level assessment, fund management, management, and information construction.

III. Establish a Stable and Sustainable Funding Mechanism

Establish a diversified funding mechanism that adapts to the level of economic development, matches the affordability of all parties, and coordinates with sustainable requirements, adhere to determining expenditure based on income, balancing income and expenditure, and achieving stable fund raising, independent operation, and actuarial balance.

(III) Establish stable funding channels. Establish and improve diversified funding channels such as units, individuals, governments, and society. The state level establishes a benchmark premium rate system for long-term care insurance, standardizes the policy on payment bases, reasonably determines premium rates, and implements dynamic adjustments. In areas where the balance of the employee basic medical insurance pooled fund is relatively sufficient, the employer rate of employee basic medical insurance can be reasonably adjusted on the basis of full calculation and evaluation, ensuring the rights and interests of insured persons' medical insurance benefits, and ensuring the medium and long-term sustainability of the employee basic medical insurance fund. The adjusted portion is used as the employer rate for long-term care insurance. Specific regulations are formulated by the National Healthcare Security Administration (国家医保局), the Ministry of Finance (财政部), and the State Taxation Administration (税务总局).

(IV) Reasonably set funding standards and sharing mechanisms. The long-term care insurance rate is uniformly controlled at around 0.3%. The employee rate is shared equally by employers and individuals. The employer's payment base is the total salary of employees, and the individual's payment base is the individual's wage income. Employers and individuals pay together. The retiree rate is the same as the individual rate for employees. The payment base is linked to the pension level and is paid by the individual. The original employer does not pay. The funding for long-term care insurance for unemployed urban and rural residents is reasonably shared by individuals and the government. Individuals pay, and the government provides subsidies as required. Government subsidies are jointly borne by the central and local finances; fully consider urban-rural differences, and local governments combine actual actuarial calculations, which can be based on the per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents in the pooled area in the previous year as the payment base, or the per capita disposable income of rural residents in the previous year in rural areas. Determine the payment base and encourage exploration to improve a more scientific and refined funding mechanism. In the year when each region establishes a long-term care insurance system, the rate for unemployed urban and rural residents will be halved, starting from about 0.15%, and gradually transition to about 0.3% in about 5 years. Areas with conditions can also start from about 0.3%. Encourage flexible employees to participate in insurance according to the employee rate standard. The payment base can be determined according to a certain percentage (not less than 60%) of the average social wage in the pooled area in the previous year, and individuals pay as required; flexible employees can also choose to participate in insurance and pay according to the insurance policy for unemployed urban and rural residents. The government provides classified assistance to the personal payment part of eligible disadvantaged groups. People under the age of 18 participate in insurance with their parents or other legal guardians and do not raise funds separately. Employee basic medical insurance individual accounts can be used for personal payments for long-term care insurance for themselves and close relatives (including spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, maternal grandparents, grandchildren, and maternal grandchildren).

IV. Implement Fair and Moderate Treatment Security

Comprehensively consider factors such as the level of economic development, fund support capacity, and the basic security needs of the masses, do our best and act according to our capabilities, reasonably determine the security objects, service items, and treatment standards, and ensure the bottom line of people's livelihood.

(V) Reasonably determine the security objects. Disabled persons who have participated in insurance and paid premiums as required and whose disability status is long-term (generally more than 6 months) and who have been assessed and recognized through application can enjoy relevant treatments as required. In the initial stage of the long-term care insurance system, severely disabled persons are guaranteed. With economic development and system improvement, the state level will uniformly study and gradually expand the scope of security objects and dynamically adjust premium rates according to fund expenditure needs.

(VI) Reasonably determine treatment security standards. The state level clarifies the benchmark treatment standards for long-term care insurance, and localities can moderately adjust according to actual conditions. There is no deductible standard for treatment enjoyment. For long-term care service expenses that meet the regulations, those who participate in insurance according to the insurance policy for unemployed urban and rural residents have a fund payment ratio of about 50%; those who participate in insurance according to the employee insurance policy have a fund payment ratio of about 70%, and retirees enjoy employee insurance benefits; flexible employees enjoy corresponding benefits based on the type of insurance policy they choose. On the basis of improving the funding mechanism and balancing the payment responsibilities of employed and unemployed persons, the treatment level will be gradually and moderately balanced. The maximum annual payment limit of the fund does not exceed 50% of the per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents in the pooled area in the previous year. Implement differentiated treatment security policies according to disability level, service provision method, etc. Encourage the use of home and community care services and give appropriate inclination in the payment ratio.

(VII) Standardize treatment enjoyment. The fund is mainly used to pay for the expenses incurred by long-term care service institutions and personnel that meet the regulations to provide basic long-term care services, and in principle, it does not directly distribute cash to disabled persons. The state level uniformly formulates a long-term care insurance service item catalog, clarifies the project connotation and service requirements. Cities that have previously carried out long-term care insurance system pilots will gradually standardize according to the unified service item requirements at the national level. According to population changes and system development, research and explore the inclusion of long-term care-related intelligent services and supportive assistive devices into the payment scope. Explore the establishment of a continuous insurance incentive mechanism that links payment duration and treatment level, and appropriately increase the payment ratio for continuous insurance participants as required. With the exception of special groups such as newborns, for situations where they do not participate in the initial insurance when the long-term care insurance system is launched, and for situations where they re-participate in insurance after interrupting payment, formulate restrictive measures such as a waiting period for treatment enjoyment and a phased reduction in treatment level. Explore the establishment of an insurance participation integrity mechanism.

(VIII) Do a good job in policy coordination. Do a good job in coordinating long-term care insurance with subsidies for elderly people with economic difficulties and disabilities and nursing subsidies for severely disabled people. The fund will not pay for non-nursing service expenses such as institutional bed fees and food expenses, as well as medical expenses that should be paid by medical insurance. Insured persons who receive work-related injury insurance living care expenses will not repeatedly enjoy relevant long-term care insurance service benefits.

V. Establish a Scientific and Standardized Management and Operation Mechanism

Adhere to government leadership and social participation, strengthen policy and management coordination, innovate management service systems and mechanisms, and provide refined and standardized management services.

(IX) Establish and improve a disability level assessment standard system. Improve the nationally unified disability level assessment standards, promote mutual recognition of assessment results nationwide, relevant departments use them as needed, and explore the formulation of relevant regulations on long-term care needs identification standards and service plans. Encourage and support the development of independent assessment institutions, implement designated management, and formulate and improve corresponding management measures. Establish and improve a reasonable sharing mechanism for assessment service fees.

(X) Establish and improve a fund payment management mechanism. Long-term care service institutions implement designated management. Establish and improve a long-term care insurance service quality evaluation mechanism and a cost control incentive and restraint mechanism. Establish a payment mechanism and a consultation and negotiation mechanism that meet the characteristics of long-term care insurance services, improve payment methods for different service models, and strengthen fund settlement management.

(XI) Strengthen fund management and supervision. The fund is included in the special financial account of the social security fund, with separate accounts, separate management, and special funds for special purposes. Strengthen budget performance management, establish a fund operation monitoring and risk prevention mechanism, and do a good job in medium and long-term actuarial analysis. Establish and improve a fund supervision system, improve the punishment mechanism for fraudulent personnel and institutions, strengthen fund supervision, strengthen financial and accounting supervision and audit supervision, strictly enforce financial and economic discipline, and ensure fund safety.

(XII) Improve management and service. Strengthen management capacity building and establish and improve a management service system. Tax authorities should do a good job in premium collection. Long-term care insurance and basic medical insurance are jointly paid. Explore the introduction of social forces to participate in management services, strengthen incentive and restraint mechanisms, and pay relevant expenses as required. Establish and improve a training and training mechanism for long-term care workers and a standardized training mechanism for assessment personnel. Study and do a good job in the transfer and continuation of long-term care insurance relationships across pooled areas, and accelerate the improvement of regulations for participating in insurance in different places and enjoying benefits in different places.

VI. Strengthen Organization and Implementation

All regions and relevant departments should, under the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, combine their actual conditions to implement this opinion and actively and steadily promote reforms. Party committees and governments at all levels should effectively strengthen organizational leadership, formulate specific policies under the policy and system framework clearly defined by the state, conduct thorough investigations and research, widely listen to opinions and suggestions, respect the wishes of the masses, and scientifically determine the insured objects, funding, and security levels in light of local realities. Promote the timely transformation of long-term care insurance-related system requirements into legal norms to provide legal support for the implementation of the long-term care insurance system. Strengthen publicity and guidance, do a good job in policy interpretation, strengthen the concept of mutual assistance, and form reasonable social expectations.

The provincial governments should coordinate and grasp the pace of reform, avoid taking uniform steps or applying a "**一刀切**" (yī dāo qiē - "one knife cut," a one-size-fits-all approach), and provide targeted guidance to cities and regions with different conditions to promote reform in stages and batches on the basis of full assessment. Cities and regions with definite conditions should steadily and orderly promote it. Cities and regions that do not have the conditions for the time being should consolidate the foundation of their work and start implementation at an appropriate time in accordance with procedures. Cities that have previously carried out long-term care insurance system pilots should adjust and improve their policies in accordance with the requirements of this opinion and make a smooth transition in about 3 years. Major matters should be reported to the Party Central Committee and the State Council in a timely manner in accordance with procedures.

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, March 25)

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"The city and the lake should complement and enhance each other."

By: 本报记者 黄 超 程 龙

The spring breeze tailors new willows, and the Baiyangdian (白洋淀) water surface ripples gently with the chirping of birds.

At the pier, tourists gather in small groups, some discussing the legend of Sister-in-law Shui Sheng from *Lotus Reed Marshes*, while others tell their children the story of Little Soldier Zhang Ga.

On March 23, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) inspected the Xiong'an New Area (雄安新区) in Hebei (河北) and chaired a symposium on further promoting the high-quality construction and development of the Xiong'an New Area. "One of my long-cherished wishes is to see the Baiyangdian (白洋淀) in Sun Li's (孙犁) *Baiyangdian Chronicles* and *Little Soldier Zhang Ga*." The General Secretary recalled this story from his time working in Hebei (河北), expressing the longing of many people for this hot land on the North China Plain.

A collection of novels and essays, a film, in recent years, "traveling with literature" has made Baiyangdian (白洋淀) a popular "check-in" destination.

Coming to Baiyangdian (白洋淀) in search of the "Lotus Reed Marshes" is not just tourism for many people, but also a journey to a collective memory that exists in textbooks, on the screen, and deep in their hearts. These classic works are like invitations across time and space, converging into the cultural impression of today's Xiong'an (雄安).

"The Wild Goose Platoon is a divine force, appearing and disappearing without a trace. Thousands of acres of reed marshes are the battlefield, raising their guns to specifically target the Japanese soldiers..." At the Baiyangdian Wild Goose Platoon Memorial Hall (白洋淀雁翎队纪念馆), students who come to study recite in low voices this folk song that is still sung today, pausing before exhibits such as muskets, wild goose feathers, and harpoons.

One of the prototypes of Little Soldier Zhang Ga was Zhao Bo (赵波), the old captain and combat hero of the Wild Goose Platoon. "The guerrillas used muskets with wild goose feathers inserted, and drove small boats in neat '人' shapes, like a flock of geese spreading their wings and flying high, hence the name Wild Goose Platoon," Wang Mutou (王木头), Zhao Bo's (赵波) son-in-law and volunteer docent, told the audience about the legends that once took place in this reed marsh.

"Baiyangdian (白洋淀) has many heroes, and everyone is a Brother Ga." Zhang Qiyuan (张奇元), the former curator of the memorial hall, said that not only the members of the Wild Goose Platoon, but also the men, women, old, and young of Baiyangdian (白洋淀) were all heroic "Brother Ga's," and they had a deep bond with the Eighth Route Army and fought together.

This inheritance of revolutionary culture has been transformed into a vivid new era of civilized practice in the Xiong'an New Area (雄安新区), and is an epitome of the sons and daughters of Yanzhao (燕赵) carrying forward the great spirit of the War of Resistance.

The local area has integrated resources such as the Sun Li Memorial Hall (孙犁纪念馆) and the Baiyangdian Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall (白洋淀抗战纪念馆) to create a number of "doorstep" red education bases, attracting many young people to visit and study here.

In the autumn of 2023, the newly established Yanling Primary School (雁翎小学) in Anxin County (安新县) enrolled its first students. The school's teachers and students created and performed the red drama *The Wild Goose Platoon*, reproducing the history of the War of Resistance and passing on the red gene.

Baiyangdian (白洋淀) is red, and it is also green. "Restoring and protecting Baiyangdian (白洋淀)" is the only way to benefit the people of the New Area for a long time.

"The reason for choosing this location at the time was to protect Baiyangdian (白洋淀)." When explaining the relationship between the city and the lake, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) once talked about the considerations for choosing the location.

More than 80 years ago, Sister-in-law Shui Sheng in Sun Li's (孙犁) writing learned to shoot and fight the Japanese, reflecting the tenacity in the great righteousness of the family and the country. Today, the figure of the new era "Sister-in-law Shui Sheng" shuttles through the green waves.

Women in Quantou Township (圈头乡), Anxin County (安新县), spontaneously formed the "Sister-in-law Shui Sheng" volunteer service team, wearing red vests with "Baiyangdian Guardians" printed on them, carrying long-handled nets, and fishing for debris in the reed marshes, guarding this clear wave as if guarding their own yard. They exclaimed: "These good days are given by the water!"

Outside of Baiyangdian (白洋淀), the green chapter of the "Millennium Forest" is also slowly unfolding.

Yang Li (杨丽), a doctor who came from the Saihanba Forest Farm (塞罕坝林场) to build the New Area, regards the "Millennium Forest" as her own child, carefully studying how to make ash and pagoda trees take root here for a long time. "Planting greenery first, then building the city" is not only a planning concept, but also an ecological answer sheet that Xiong'an (雄安) writes to the new era.

The cultivation of ecological culture is nourishing this thriving and vibrant millennial city.

The number of wild bird species in the lake area has reached 296, an increase of 90 compared to before the establishment of the New Area; the number of wild fish species has recovered to 50, an increase of 23 compared to before the establishment of the New Area; and the Baer's pochard, known as the "giant panda of birds," has settled in Baiyangdian (白洋淀)... With clear waves rippling and water birds soaring, the ecological civilization construction of the Xiong'an New Area (雄安新区) has a bright name card.

So close, so beautiful, weekends in Hebei (河北). Now is not the peak tourist season for lotus flowers to bloom, but many people still come to experience a cultural journey that satisfies their curiosity. Visiting Baiyangdian (白洋淀) and seeing Xiong'an City (雄安城) has become a new way to unlock the city of the future.

Overlooking the Xiong'an Station (雄安站), located on the northeast side of Baiyangdian (白洋淀), from a high altitude, its appearance is a teardrop-shaped oval, like a drop of dew on a green lotus. The ecological background of the "Pearl of North China" carries the pulse of rapid change.

On the west side of the lake area, Baiyangdian Road (白洋淀路) runs north-south, and not far away, the China Sinochem Building (中国中化大厦), which uses the "golden reed" of Baiyangdian (白洋淀) as its design concept, presents a layered, clustered, and growing form. Technology and culture, tradition and innovation, fully demonstrate Chinese aesthetics...

Throughout what I saw and heard, the story of Baiyangdian's (白洋淀) cultural preservation and innovation tells the urban cultural taste and heritage of the Xiong'an New Area (雄安新区). From the anti-Japanese stories in the novel, to the ecological changes in the reed marshes, to the fertile ground for "building a new highland of innovation in the new era and promoting a model of high-quality development," the urban spiritual backbone of the Xiong'an New Area (雄安新区) is becoming more and more upright.

"The city and the lake should complement each other and enhance each other." "Building a beautiful Xiong'an (雄安) with blue skies, green land, and clear water," General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) personally drew the blueprint, allowing the Baiyangdian Chronicles (白洋淀纪事) to have an extraordinary new chapter in the new era.

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Li Qiang Holds Phone Conversation with Dutch Prime Minister Rutte

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, March 25th (北京). On the afternoon of March 25th, Premier of the State Council Li Qiang (李强) had a phone call with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (耶滕).

Li Qiang (李强) stated that since the establishment of the open and pragmatic comprehensive cooperative partnership between China and the Netherlands more than 10 years ago, with the joint efforts of both sides, the relationship and cooperation between the two countries have continued to deepen. "Openness and pragmatism" has always been a distinct feature, effectively benefiting the people of both countries. The current international situation is increasingly turbulent, and unilateralism and protectionism have had a huge impact on the global economy. The more this is the case, the more we must adhere to promoting cooperation through openness and promoting win-win results through pragmatism. China is willing to work with the Netherlands to consolidate political mutual trust, adhere to mutual respect and equal dialogue, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and continuously add new impetus to the common development of the two countries, and inject positive energy into promoting world peace and prosperity.

Li Qiang (李强) pointed out that China and the Netherlands are important economic and trade partners to each other, and strengthening cooperation is in the common interest of both sides. With the implementation of China's "15th Five-Year Plan," China's total economic volume will reach a new level in the next five years, which will bring greater space for China and the Netherlands to deepen economic and trade cooperation. China is willing to strengthen connections with the Netherlands at all levels, better leverage the role of dialogue mechanisms such as economy and trade, science and technology, further explore the potential for cooperation in areas such as green development and innovation, and achieve a higher level of mutual benefit and win-win results. The Netherlands has long been an important gateway for China-Europe cooperation and a core member of the European Union. It is hoped that the Netherlands will play a positive role in promoting EU institutions to view China-Europe relations and cooperation objectively and rationally, and work with China to properly resolve differences and problems through dialogue and consultation, and promote the healthy and stable development of China-Europe relations.

Rutte (耶滕) said that China is an important trading partner of the Netherlands, and the Dutch-Chinese relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships for the Netherlands. The relationship between the two countries has developed very strongly in recent years. The new Dutch government attaches importance to its relationship with China and is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, promote mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields such as economy and trade, innovation, and climate change, jointly address global challenges, and safeguard common interests. Next year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level between the Netherlands and China. The Netherlands is willing to work with China to promote the continuous progress of the open and pragmatic comprehensive cooperative partnership between the Netherlands and China. Europe-China relations are crucial, and the Netherlands is willing to play a positive role in promoting Europe-China dialogue and cooperation.

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Zhao Leji Meets with Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Speaker Gafarova and Kazakh First Deputy Prime Minister Sklyar Respectively

The National People's Congress Standing Committee Chairman Zhao Leji (赵乐际) met with Sahiba Gafarova, Chairman of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, and Roman Sklyar, First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, in Boao (博鳌), Hainan (海南) on the morning of March 25, who were in China to attend the Boao Forum for Asia (博鳌亚洲论坛) Annual Conference 2026. In the afternoon, he collectively met with the board members and senior advisors of the Boao Forum for Asia (博鳌亚洲论坛).

During the meeting with Gafarova, Zhao Leji (赵乐际) stated that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping (习近平) and President Aliyev, China-Azerbaijan relations are entering a new stage of high-quality and all-round development. China is willing to work with Azerbaijan to follow the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, carry forward the traditional friendship of mutual support, create new space for win-win development, expand economic, trade and investment, expand interconnection, promote people-to-people connectivity, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The National People's Congress of China is willing to strengthen exchanges with the National Assembly of Azerbaijan to provide legal guarantees for China-Azerbaijan pragmatic cooperation. Zhao Leji (赵乐际) also introduced China's progress in promoting high-quality economic development.

Gafarova said that the Boao Forum for Asia (博鳌亚洲论坛) Annual Conference reflects China's important role in promoting dialogue and cooperation. Azerbaijan firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields and deepen exchanges between legislative bodies.

During the meeting with Sklyar, Zhao Leji (赵乐际) stated that China and Kazakhstan are friendly neighbors connected by mountains and rivers and permanent comprehensive strategic partners with a high degree of mutual trust. Last year, President Xi Jinping (习近平) and President Tokayev held two meetings, making strategic arrangements for the development of China-Kazakhstan relations. China is willing to work with Kazakhstan to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, consolidate the foundation of political mutual trust, take high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road" as the main line, deepen pragmatic cooperation, enrich the connotation of cultural exchanges, strengthen international coordination and cooperation, and promote China-Kazakhstan relations to a higher level, wider field, and deeper level. The National People's Congress of China is willing to play a positive role as a legislative body in promoting China-Kazakhstan friendship.

Sklyar said that Kazakhstan supports the series of global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping (习近平). Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, Kazakhstan-China relations have been continuously deepened. Kazakhstan is willing to strengthen cooperation in various fields such as legislation, economy and trade, and energy to promote the development of bilateral relations.

During the collective meeting with the board members and senior advisors of the Boao Forum for Asia (博鳌亚洲论坛), Zhao Leji (赵乐际) stated that China is willing to work with all parties to jointly practice the global governance initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping (习近平) and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. China will, as always, support the development of the forum, and hopes that all board members and senior advisors will contribute to the development of the forum. It is necessary to adhere to the original intention of the forum and give play to the "Asian characteristics" of the forum; adhere to keeping pace with the times and enhance the "intellectual leadership" of the forum; adhere to openness and inclusiveness, and serve as an "interactive window" between China and the world. Zhao Leji (赵乐际) introduced China's "15th Five-Year Plan" goals and tasks and the legal protection of the ecological environment, and expressed his willingness to work with all countries to promote the joint construction of a clean, beautiful, and sustainable world.

Chairman Ban Ki-moon (潘基文) and other representatives of the forum highly appreciated the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind and the series of global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping (习近平), and expressed their willingness to make unremitting efforts to promote the development of the forum.

Mu Hong (穆虹), Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (全国政协), attended the collective meeting.

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Cai Qi Meets with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, March 25th. Cai Qi (蔡奇), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni (西哈莫尼) and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk (莫尼列) in Beijing (北京) on the 25th.

Cai Qi (蔡奇) stated that no matter how the international situation changes, the friendship between China and Cambodia has always been 同舟共济 (tóng zhōu gòng jì - "cross river in same boat," to share weal and woe) and has stood the test of time. In April of last year, President Xi Jinping (习近平) and King Norodom Sihamoni (西哈莫尼) jointly guided the elevation of China-Cambodia relations to a new era of an all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future. China is willing to work with Cambodia to take the important consensus of the two heads of state as a guide, enhance strategic mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the continuous achievement of new results in the construction of a new era of an all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future.

Norodom Sihamoni (西哈莫尼) and Norodom Monineath Sihanouk (莫尼列) stated that the ironclad friendship between Cambodia and China was personally forged by the older generation of leaders of the two countries, is unwavering, and remains unchanged. The Cambodian side firmly adheres to the one-China principle, supports the major concepts and initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping (习近平), and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields, strengthen multilateral coordination and cooperation, and jointly inject more certainty into a world intertwined with changes and chaos.

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Ding Xuexiang Attends and Addresses Opening Ceremony of 2026 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference

The 2026 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Meeting opened in Beijing (北京) on March 25th, reported by Xinhua News Agency (新华社). Ding Xuexiang (丁薛祥), member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

Ding Xuexiang (丁薛祥) stated that during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, which China (中国) just concluded, new and significant achievements have been made in the development of science and technology, the country's (中国) scientific and technological strength has been significantly enhanced, and its influence as an important pole of global innovation has markedly increased.

Ding Xuexiang (丁薛祥) pointed out that during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, China (中国) will accelerate the advancement of high-level self-reliance and self-strengthening in science and technology, focus on building international science and technology innovation centers, and create important strategic pillars for a science and technology powerhouse. At last year's Central Economic Work Conference, President Xi Jinping (习近平) announced the expansion of the Beijing International Science and Technology Innovation Center to include the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (京津冀) region, the expansion of the Shanghai International Science and Technology Innovation Center to include the Yangtze River Delta (长三角) region, and made major deployments for the construction of the three major international science and technology innovation centers. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (京津冀) region, the Yangtze River Delta (长三角) region, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (粤港澳大湾区) are the three major sources of power for China's (中国) high-quality development. Concentrating efforts in these three regions to promote the construction of international science and technology innovation centers from single-city breakthroughs to regional integrated development is conducive to achieving resource coordination, policy superposition, strength synergy, and complementary advantages, forming outstanding scientific and technological innovation source capabilities, high-end industrial leadership capabilities, and the ability to gather scientific and technological resources and talents, so as to better play the role of pioneer, demonstration leader, and radiation driver in the process of Chinese-style modernization. We support building the Beijing (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei) International Science and Technology Innovation Center into an important world science center, talent center, and innovation highland.

Ding Xuexiang (丁薛祥) stated that China (中国) is willing to work with all parties to jointly build a global science and technology community. He put forward three suggestions: First, build a more open and inclusive innovation network to tighten the cooperative ties between various innovation entities. Second, carry out more extensive and diverse scientific and technological cooperation, strengthen collaborative research on basic frontier research and the promotion and application of emerging technologies, and empower the economic and social development of various countries. Third, promote more equal and virtuous scientific and technological governance, and properly address the rule conflicts, social risks, and ethical challenges that technological development may bring.

After the opening ceremony, Ding Xuexiang (丁薛祥) inspected the permanent exhibition of the Zhongguancun (中关村) Exhibition Center and exchanged ideas with scientific and technological personnel.

Yin Li (尹力), member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Beijing (北京市委) Municipal Party Committee, participated in relevant activities.

The theme of the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Meeting is "Deep Integration of Scientific and Technological Innovation and Industrial Innovation." Approximately 1,000 domestic and foreign scientific and technological personnel, business leaders, government officials, and heads of international organizations attended the opening ceremony.

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Han Zheng Visits Kenya

This is a report from our Nairobi correspondent on March 25th (Reporter Huang Weixin (黄炜鑫)). From March 22nd to 25th, 2026, local time, at the invitation of Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (金迪基), State Vice President Han Zheng (韩正) visited Kenya. He met with Kenyan President William Ruto (鲁托) in Nairobi (内罗毕), exchanged views with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (金迪基), and attended and addressed the Kenya Zero-Tariff Export to China Commodity Exhibition and the China-Kenya Business Forum.

During the meeting with Ruto (鲁托), Han Zheng (韩正) conveyed President Xi Jinping's (习近平) cordial greetings and best wishes to President Ruto (鲁托). Han Zheng (韩正) stated that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Kenya more than 60 years ago, the two sides have always adhered to mutual respect, equal treatment, and mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and bilateral relations have continued to reach new heights. In April last year, President Xi Jinping (习近平) and the President jointly decided to build a China-Kenya community with a shared future in the new era, which has charted a new blueprint for the development of China-Kenya relations. China is willing to work with Kenya to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state and the achievements of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, inject new impetus into China-Kenya cooperation, and play a leading and exemplary role in building a closer China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

Han Zheng (韩正) said that this year is the first year of China's "15th Five-Year Plan," and China will further expand high-level opening up to the outside world and share high-quality development opportunities with African countries, including Kenya. China and Kenya should consolidate high-level political mutual trust and consolidate the foundation of the China-Kenya community with a shared future in the new era. Thank you to Kenya for its strong support on issues involving China's core interests, such as Taiwan, and China will continue to firmly support Kenya in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security, and development interests. The two sides should expand high-quality practical cooperation, make good use of the dividends of China's comprehensive implementation of zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China starting from May 1, and accelerate China and Kenya's joint efforts to achieve modernization. China appreciates Kenya's active support for the major concepts and initiatives proposed by China and is willing to strengthen high-level strategic coordination with Kenya to jointly promote the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction.

Ruto (鲁托) asked Han Zheng (韩正) to convey his cordial greetings and best wishes to President Xi Jinping (习近平), saying that Kenya always adheres to the one-China principle, supports the global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping (习近平), and is willing to take the full implementation of the zero-tariff policy as an opportunity to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with China, deepen cooperation in various fields, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

After the meeting, the two sides jointly attended the signing and exchange of texts of relevant cooperation documents.

During the exchange with Rigathi Gachagua (金迪基), Han Zheng (韩正) said that China supports Kenya in following a development path that suits its own national conditions and welcomes Kenya to make good use of the trade facilitation measures provided by China and share the great development opportunities brought about by the Chinese market.

Rigathi Gachagua (金迪基) said that Kenya is willing to make full use of the benefits brought about by the zero-tariff policy and build itself into a gateway for China to the African market.

When attending the Kenya Zero-Tariff Export to China Commodity Exhibition and the China-Kenya Business Forum, Han Zheng (韩正) said that the current global political and economic landscape is undergoing profound and complex changes, the challenges facing the development and free trade of various countries have increased significantly, and strengthening cooperation is more urgent and requires more foresight. China is willing to consolidate strategic mutual trust with African countries, including Kenya, and be partners on the road to modernization; deepen economic and trade cooperation and be true friends of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation; and uphold multilateralism and be builders of an open world economy. China's "15th Five-Year Plan" outlines the development blueprint for the next five years. China will unswervingly expand high-level opening up to the outside world, better connect international circulation, and share opportunities and achieve mutual success with all countries, including Kenya, in open development.

During his visit to Kenya, Han Zheng (韩正) collectively met with Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura (班古拉), Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, and other heads of UN agencies in Kenya, saying that China will always be a reliable partner of the United Nations and is willing to work with UN agencies to safeguard the authority and status of the United Nations and promote the building of a more just and reasonable global governance system, and make greater contributions to world peace, stability, prosperity, and development.

Han Zheng (韩正) also inspected the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway (蒙内铁路) Dispatch Center and attended the launching ceremony of the first freight train for Kenya's zero-tariff exports to China.

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Introduction

Theory

Promote the decisive progress of Healthy China construction during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period.

Ninth Edition

My Railway Scenery

Journey Lenses, Flowing Fireworks

Eighth Edition

Dialogue with Young Scholars and Frontline Creators

What New Look Does Comedy Have Today? Why Are Young People Fond of Comedy?

Twentieth Edition

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Four Sets of Data Offer a Glimpse into the "City of the Future" (Economic New Orientation)

By: 本报记者 邵玉姿

On March 23, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) visited the Xiong'an New Area (雄安新区) in Hebei (河北), and affirmed the orderly progress and vibrant scene of the New Area's construction.

The establishment of the Xiong'an New Area (雄安新区) in Hebei (河北) is a major decision and deployment made by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core to further promote the coordinated development of Beijing (北京), Tianjin (天津), and Hebei (河北). In April 2017, the news of the decision by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council to establish the Xiong'an New Area (雄安新区) in Hebei (河北) was announced. Over the past 9 years, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee and through the joint efforts of all parties, significant phased achievements have been made in the construction and development of the Xiong'an New Area (雄安新区). Let us look at the "city of the future" striding forward through four lenses and four sets of data.

——Editor

Relief
More than 400 branches of central enterprises
Agglomerate development
[Scene] It only took Jing Hao (景昊) 15 minutes to get from home to the office.

"Such a commute speed is difficult in Beijing (北京)." Jing Hao (景昊), 32, is an employee of the Operation Monitoring and Emergency Command Center of China Huaneng Group Co., Ltd. (中国华能集团有限公司), responsible for meteorological early warning, earthquake information collation and comprehensive analysis, emergency command, and other tasks. After arriving at his post every day, he first carefully checks the meteorological early warning information from all over the country. "Extreme weather such as heavy fog, lightning, and strong winds have a great impact on power facilities. If there is a heavy fog warning, we will guide all stations in the affected area to seal and dehumidify electronic equipment and insulate important equipment pipelines," Jing Hao (景昊) said.

In 2021, Jing Hao (景昊) joined China Huaneng (中国华能) after graduating from North China Electric Power University (华北电力大学). In August 2025, he came to Xiong'an (雄安) as a relocated employee. Soon after, his wife, children, and mother also came. In October of the same year, more than 1,000 employees of China Huaneng's (中国华能) headquarters and related subsidiaries completed their relocation and entered a normalized office state in Xiong'an (雄安).

"Every day is full of hope and opportunities." For Jing Hao (景昊), Xiong'an (雄安) is not only a hot land for starting a business, but also a happy home for settling down.

His family is preparing to settle down in Xiong'an (雄安), "We plan to buy a house in the second half of the year, and we have chosen a location near Xiong'an Beihai Kindergarten (雄安北海幼儿园)." Jing Hao (景昊) is full of expectations for his child to enter kindergarten the year after next.

[Data] The cumulative development area of Xiong'an New Area (雄安新区) covers 215 square kilometers, with 5,345 buildings rising from the ground, and the completed investment exceeds 1 trillion yuan. The headquarters of three central enterprises, China Satellite Network (中国星网), China Sinochem (中国中化), and China Huaneng (中国华能), are operating stably. The first batch of 4 universities and 2 hospitals are under full-scale construction, and more than 400 branches of central enterprises are gathering and developing.

Innovation
767 enterprises
"Upstairs and downstairs" collaborative innovation
[Scene] "The safe and reliable intelligent body that we jointly developed with our brother enterprises has completed several updates and iterations, and is expected to achieve revenue in the second quarter." At the canteen table of the Artificial Intelligence Industrial Park, Yao Ming (姚明), chairman of Insight Technology (Xiong'an) Co., Ltd. (洞见科技（雄安）有限公司), exchanged ideas with members of the joint research and development team while eating.

Insight Technology (洞见科技) is a technology service company focusing on privacy computing and secret intelligence. In September 2025, the company moved to Xiong'an (雄安), and Yao Ming (姚明) and his team settled in the Artificial Intelligence Industrial Park.

The industrial park gathers more than 60 upstream and downstream artificial intelligence enterprises, and upstairs and downstairs are upstream and downstream. Yao Ming (姚明) is often invited to participate in enterprise technology exchange meetings and demand docking meetings organized by the Science Park Management Committee and other departments of the New Area to analyze the market and discuss technology together.

"As the core application of artificial intelligence 'active service', the intelligent body urgently needs a safe and reliable data base." In one meeting after another, Insight Technology (洞见科技) and Xiong'an Huaqing Zhiyan Technology Co., Ltd. (雄安华清智言科技有限公司) targeted market demand, formed a joint research and development team, and started "upstairs and downstairs" collaborative innovation.

"In Xiong'an (雄安), industry chain partners can jointly explore market demands and collide with innovative ideas, truly realizing '1+1>2'." Yao Ming (姚明) said that in less than a year, Insight Technology (洞见科技) has reached cooperation with more than 10 enterprises in Xiong'an (雄安).

[Data] The Xiong'an Center (雄安中心) of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei National Technology Innovation Center (京津冀国家技术创新中心) has been built and put into use, and the China Aerospace Information and Satellite Internet Innovation Alliance (中国空天信息和卫星互联网创新联盟) has been put into operation. Xiong'an Aerospace Information Research Institute (雄安空天信息研究院) and Xiong'an Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (雄安人工智能研究院) have been established. Xiong'an High-tech Zone (雄安高新区) has been approved and upgraded to a national high-tech zone. The pilot base of the Science and Technology Innovation Center and Zhongguancun Science and Technology Park (中关村科技园) are operating with high quality, and 767 innovative enterprises have signed contracts for 33 themed buildings.

Green
Baiyangdian (白洋淀) water quality
Stably maintained at Class III
[Scene] As spring sprouts, Qiao Yajun (乔雅君), head of the Monitoring Department of the Xiong'an New Area (雄安新区) Ecological Environment Bureau, went to the Baiyangdian (白洋淀) again to inspect the national control points and conduct water ecological monitoring and sampling. In May 2018, Qiao Yajun (乔雅君) joined the newly established Xiong'an New Area (雄安新区) Ecological Environment Bureau, and since then has forged an indissoluble bond with the water of Baiyangdian (白洋淀), fully witnessing the changes in the water quality of this "Pearl of North China".

"In the early days, there was a lot of emergency monitoring. When we encountered water quality early warnings, we often chased the water head for sampling overnight, and we had to run every few hours." Qiao Yajun (乔雅君) recalled that at that time, there were few people and heavy tasks, and colleagues often worked all night, spending many sleepless nights by the Dian (淀). Later, the intelligent monitoring system was built, and equipment such as boundary early warning stations were put into use one after another. "Intelligent monitoring has improved efficiency, and the data is more timely and accurate," Qiao Yajun (乔雅君) said.

After the continuous improvement of water quality, Qiao Yajun (乔雅君) and her team turned their attention to deeper water ecological monitoring. This work is more challenging. "For example, when monitoring large benthic invertebrates, in order to facilitate sample selection, we should try to pick them while the organisms are alive, which needs to be completed on the same day." In the past two years, they have monitored clean indicator species such as Ephemera orientalis. "The reappearance of these 'aquatic residents' that are sensitive to water quality in the Dian (淀) area has become the most direct proof of ecological improvement." Qiao Yajun (乔雅君) said, "I will continue to guard Baiyangdian (白洋淀) and help build a beautiful Xiong'an (雄安) with blue sky, green land, and clear water."

[Data] Since the launch of the "Millennium Forest" project in 2017, Xiong'an New Area (雄安新区) has added 483,000 mu of afforestation, and the forest coverage rate has increased from 11% to 35.1%. The ecological vision of "entering the forest in 3 kilometers, entering the forest belt in 1 kilometer, and entering the park in 300 meters" is gradually becoming a reality. The water quality of Baiyangdian (白洋淀) is stably maintained at Class III; the number of wild birds has reached 296, an increase of 90 compared with before the establishment of the New Area.

Livable
15-minute living circle
Gradually formed
[Scene] At 8 am, after sending her grandson to school, Yuan Yuxin (袁玉新), a resident of Nanwenying Community (南文营社区) in Rongdong Area (容东片区) of Xiong'an New Area (雄安新区), began her daily routine walk: walking around the green parks around the community, looking at the flowers and trees, and breathing fresh air.

"Walking" is a new habit of Yuan Yuxin (袁玉新), 57, after moving. Yuan Yuxin (袁玉新) originally lived in Xiaowang Village (小王村), Dawang Town (大王镇), Anxin County (安新县), Xiong'an New Area (雄安新区), and moved into her current home in 2023.

The change from a bungalow to a building, the improvement of the living environment made Yuan Yuxin (袁玉新) very happy, "The house is well decorated and very warm in winter." Yuan Yuxin (袁玉新) said, "Not only is the house good, but look at how clean the road is, and someone waters and prunes the flowers and trees, it's really good!"

From a villager to a citizen, Yuan Yuxin (袁玉新) feels that life is more convenient. "There is a supermarket a few minutes downstairs, and it is not far for grandchildren to go to school, and you can walk there in 5 minutes."

Yuan Yuxin (袁玉新) has also become a regular visitor to the community elderly care station, practicing calligraphy and playing ball when she has nothing to do, and her life is very fulfilling.

Medical services are also not a problem. Not only has Xiong'an Xuanwu Hospital (雄安宣武医院) fully opened, but you can also enjoy high-quality medical resources from Beijing (北京) at your doorstep, and the community health station is also close, which is convenient for daily medical treatment. "If you feel uncomfortable, you can immediately go to measure your blood pressure and blood sugar," Yuan Yuxin (袁玉新) said.

[Data] In the past 9 years, the appearance of the "city of the people" has become increasingly clear. 105 primary and secondary schools and kindergartens, 80 elderly care service facilities, and 43 community activity centers have been put into operation, and a "15-minute living circle" is gradually taking shape. Xiong'an Xuanwu Hospital (雄安宣武医院) is operating stably, with a cumulative outpatient volume of more than 520,000 visits. Xiong'an (雄安) and Beijing (北京) have cumulatively achieved the same city handling of 278 items, mutual recognition of 209 qualifications, and mutual recognition of 40 electronic licenses.

Layout design: Zhang Fangman (张芳曼)

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Elderly care service vouchers benefit over one million people.

This newspaper reported from Beijing on March 25th (Reporter Wu Chuqi (吴储岐)): This reporter recently learned from the Ministry of Civil Affairs (民政部) that starting from January 1st this year, the Ministry of Civil Affairs (民政部) and the Ministry of Finance (财政部) have launched a project nationwide to subsidize the consumption of elderly care services for moderately or severely disabled elderly people. As of now, a total of 3.328 million consumption coupons have been redeemed nationwide, with a redeemed amount of 2.35 billion yuan, driving consumption of elderly care services to 11.5 billion yuan, benefiting more than 1.05 million disabled elderly people from the project.

In terms of eligibility, the subsidy is available to elderly people who have been uniformly assessed and determined to be moderately, severely, or completely disabled. Those who are already receiving special assistance for impoverished people, centralized care service subsidies for economically disadvantaged disabled elderly people, and other related policies are not temporarily included. This policy breaks the household registration restriction, and eligible elderly people nationwide can apply directly in their current place of residence. At the same time, the policy can be combined with long-term care insurance. Elderly people who are already enjoying long-term care insurance can still use consumption coupons to offset their personal out-of-pocket expenses for elderly care services after deducting relevant benefits.

In terms of the use of consumption coupons, all subsidies are in the form of electronic discount coupons, which are used to offset related expenses for elderly care services. The policy will be implemented until the end of December 2026. The deduction standard is divided into two categories: a 40% deduction ratio for institutional elderly care services and a 50% deduction ratio for community-based home elderly care services. The maximum monthly deduction for each person for both types of services is 800 yuan.

Consumption coupons are uniformly applied for through the "MZT" ("民政通") application of the Ministry of Civil Affairs (民政部). Elderly people or agents can operate according to the guidelines on the special page of the platform. Currently, an agent can handle related businesses for up to 12 elderly people. The Ministry of Civil Affairs (民政部) reminds that the implementation policies of subsidies vary slightly from region to region. It is recommended that elderly people and their families directly consult the local civil affairs departments and elderly care service institutions for specific handling matters.

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Clearly defining the principal's responsibility system for kindergarten food safety.

This newspaper's Beijing (北京) dispatch on March 25th (Reporter Lin Lili (林丽鹂)) - Recently, the State Administration for Market Regulation (市场监管总局) together with the Ministry of Education (教育部) organized and drafted the "Supervision and Administration Regulations on Kindergartens Implementing the Main Responsibility for Food Safety (Draft for Solicitation of Comments)," and openly solicited opinions from the public for a period of 30 days. The draft for solicitation of comments contains 32 articles, aiming to further consolidate the main responsibility of kindergartens, contracted operating enterprises, and meal supply units for food safety, and to effectively ensure the dietary safety of children.

The draft for solicitation of comments proposes that centralized dining in kindergartens should adhere to the principles of public welfare, convenience, and health. It clarifies that the food safety of kindergartens implements a principal responsibility system, legally equips food safety directors and safety officers, implements the "daily management, weekly inspection, and monthly scheduling" system mechanism, and combines the food safety risk characteristics of kindergartens to focus on key links such as the selection of meal supply models, ingredient procurement and acceptance, processing and production process control, high-risk food restrictions, and cleaning and disinfection of tableware, clarifying responsibility implementation requirements, and striving to build a full-chain risk prevention and control system for kindergarten food safety.

The draft for solicitation of comments makes provisions for improving the quality of practitioners, strengthening co-governance between home and school, and social supervision, and clarifies that kindergarten canteens, contracted operating enterprises, and meal supply units that violate food safety laws, regulations, and rules should be severely punished, and penalties should be implemented to individuals and occupational bans should be imposed in accordance with the law.

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Further Strengthen the Operation and Maintenance of Rural Water Supply Projects

This newspaper reported from Beijing on March 25th (Reporter Deng Jianyang (邓剑洋)): The reporter learned from the Ministry of Water Resources (水利部) that recently, the Ministry of Water Resources (水利部), the National Development and Reform Commission (国家发展改革委), and other 6 departments jointly issued the "Notice on Further Strengthening the Operation and Management of Rural Water Supply Projects," focusing on building a full-chain standardized system from water source to tap, and improving the ability to guarantee rural water supply and the level of operation and service.

Strengthen the guarantee of rural water supply in terms of quantity and quality. The notice requires strengthening water resources management and water source protection, equipping and standardizing the operation of purification and disinfection facilities and equipment as required, and strengthening water quality testing and monitoring.

Strengthen emergency water supply for projects. Scientifically arrange emergency backup water sources, and do a good job in disaster resistance and water supply according to local conditions.

Steadily promote the reform of rural water supply prices. The notice clarifies that when formulating and adjusting prices, cost audits or investigations should be carried out in strict accordance with regulations. While adhering to the public welfare attributes and ensuring people's livelihoods, factors such as water supply costs, production capacity utilization, farmers' affordability, and financial subsidies should be considered in a coordinated manner. Non-residential water and residential water prices in rural areas should be priced separately according to different principles. Urban-rural integrated projects should implement the same prices as rural areas and the towns where they are located. Explore the implementation of a two-part water price system of "basic water price + metered water price." Improve the water fee collection mechanism.

Accelerate the promotion of county-level unified management of rural water supply. The notice requires that areas that have not yet achieved county-level unified management should seize the time to achieve professional management and protection, and areas that have already achieved county-level unified management should gradually achieve digital and intelligent management. At the same time, according to the requirements of the central government's normalized assistance policy, continue to consolidate the achievements in guaranteeing rural water supply.

Implement support policies. The notice clarifies that financial funds at all levels should provide support for the operation and maintenance of rural water supply projects in accordance with regulations, and strengthen the supervision and management of the use of financial subsidies. Encourage social capital to participate in the operation and management of rural water supply projects through investment, construction, management integration models, etc. Local governments should continue to implement preferential policies for rural water supply in terms of electricity, land use, and taxation. Rewards should be given based on local conditions for those with low pipe network leakage rates, water quantity and quality that meet standards, proper handling of complaints, strong emergency guarantees, high-quality and efficient services, and technological innovation and improvement.

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"Jun Wang," Self-Developed New Generation Very Large Crude Carrier, Delivered

The 307,000-ton new generation very large crude carrier (VLCC) "Jun Wang" (君望) built by CSSC Dalian Shipbuilding was delivered ahead of schedule on March 25, according to a report in this newspaper from Beijing on March 25 (Reporters Liu Zhiqiang (刘志强) and Xin Yang (辛阳)).

The "Jun Wang" (君望) vessel was independently researched and designed by Dalian Shipbuilding, with a length of approximately 333 meters, a width of 60 meters, and a deck area of over 18,000 square meters; a molded depth of 30 meters, with the height from the bottom of the ship to the wheelhouse approaching 20 stories; and a total coating area of over 540,000 square meters, equivalent to the area of 76 standard football fields.

The "Jun Wang" (君望) vessel innovatively adopts a 6-cylinder main engine and specifically utilizes a high-efficiency propeller, a pre-swirl duct, and an integrated wake fraction fin design. It is equipped with a waste gas desulfurization device, significantly improving overall energy-saving effects and environmental protection levels, and can save approximately 35 million yuan in fuel costs annually. The ship has good port and waterway adaptability and can load more than 2 million barrels of crude oil at a design draft of 20.5 meters.

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China's Engineering Machinery Exports Increased by 33.4% in the First Two Months

This newspaper's Beijing (北京) March 25th dispatch (Reporter Li Xinping (李心萍)): The reporter learned from the China Construction Machinery Association (中国工程机械工业协会) that in the first two months, China's (中国) construction machinery import and export trade volume was 11.072 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 31.4%. Among them, the export value was 10.686 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 33.4%.

From the perspective of export regions, exports of construction machinery products to all continents have achieved growth. Among them, exports to Africa increased by 77%, exports to Oceania increased by 50.6%, and exports to Europe increased by 28.1%. Exports to countries and regions jointly building the "Belt and Road" (一带一路) totaled 4.638 billion US dollars, accounting for 43.4% of the total export value, a year-on-year increase of 24.6%.

From the perspective of product types, the export value of construction machinery parts, crawler excavators, non-highway mining dump trucks and other categories has increased significantly. High-end and electric models have become new highlights in exports.

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Opinions on Accelerating the Establishment of a Long-Term Care Insurance System from the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council

The long-term care insurance system is a social insurance system that provides services or financial security for the basic living care and closely related medical care of disabled individuals. It is an important component of China's social security system and a significant aspect of implementing the national strategy to actively address population aging. To accelerate the establishment of a long-term care insurance system and promote the resolution of the basic long-term care security needs of disabled individuals, with the consent of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, the following opinions are hereby proposed.

I. Overall Requirements

Adhere to Xi Jinping (习近平)'s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as guidance, thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, adhere to the leadership of the Party, adhere to a people-centered approach, adhere to the general tone of seeking progress while maintaining stability, adhere to fairness and moderation, ensuring basic needs, and coordinated order, establish a long-term care insurance system that adapts to China's basic national conditions, covers the entire population, integrates urban and rural areas, is fair and unified, safe and standardized, and sustainable, and continuously enhance the people's sense of gain, happiness, and security.

The main goals are: to basically establish a system arrangement that integrates urban and rural areas in about 3 years, gradually improve the fund-raising mechanism for shared responsibility and the benefit security mechanism that is fair and moderate, basically form a scientific and standardized management and operation mechanism, and basically establish a long-term care insurance system that adapts to China's basic national conditions.

II. Establish a Policy System Integrating Urban and Rural Areas

The state level will unify and standardize policies and systems, coordinate the design of urban and rural systems, seek truth from facts, adapt to local conditions, and steadily and orderly promote the construction of a long-term care insurance system.

(1) Coordinate urban and rural system arrangements. Employers (including enterprises, institutions, government agencies, social organizations) as well as employees, retirees, flexible employees, and unemployed urban and rural residents, etc., shall participate in long-term care insurance in accordance with the principle of territorial management. The long-term care insurance fund (hereinafter referred to as the fund) will be uniformly established, and funds will be used in a coordinated manner. Localities can establish a long-term care insurance system starting from covering employees, retirees, flexible employees, and other groups, and gradually include unemployed urban and rural residents in the scope of security.

(2) Unify the insurance pooling level. Long-term care insurance will start from the city-level pooling. City-level pooling areas will have unified system policies, unified fund collection and expenditure, and integrated management services. Provinces with conditions can explore promoting provincial-level pooling in accordance with the requirements of unified and standardized policies, balanced fund allocation, improved hierarchical management, strengthened budget assessment, and optimized management services. Adhere to the unity and standardization of the system to ensure relative balance between pooling areas in terms of participation and payment, benefit payment, disability level assessment, fund management, management, and information technology construction.

III. Establish a Stable and Sustainable Funding Mechanism

Establish a diversified funding mechanism that adapts to the level of economic development, matches the affordability of all parties, and coordinates with sustainable requirements, adhere to determining expenditures based on income, balancing income and expenditure, and achieving stable fund raising, independent operation, and actuarial balance.

(3) Establish stable funding channels. Establish and improve diversified funding channels such as units, individuals, governments, and society. The state level will establish a benchmark premium rate system for long-term care insurance, standardize the policy on payment bases, reasonably determine premium rates, and implement dynamic adjustments. In places where the balance of the employee basic medical insurance pooling fund is relatively sufficient, the employer rate of employee basic medical insurance can be reasonably adjusted on the basis of full calculation and assessment, ensuring the rights and interests of insured persons in medical insurance benefits, and ensuring the medium and long-term sustainability of the employee basic medical insurance fund. The adjusted portion will be used as the employer rate for long-term care insurance. Specific regulations will be formulated by the National Healthcare Security Administration (国家医保局), the Ministry of Finance (财政部), and the State Taxation Administration (税务总局).

(4) Reasonably set funding standards and sharing mechanisms. The long-term care insurance rate will be uniformly controlled at around 0.3%. The employee rate will be shared by employers and individuals in the same proportion. The employer's payment base will be the total wages of employees, and the individual's payment base will be their own wage income. Employers and individuals will jointly pay. The retiree rate is the same as the individual rate for employees, and the payment base is linked to the pension level, which is paid by the individual, and the original employer does not pay. The funding for long-term care insurance for unemployed urban and rural residents will be reasonably shared by individuals and the government. Individuals will pay, and the government will provide subsidies in accordance with regulations. Government subsidies will be jointly borne by the central and local governments; fully consider urban-rural differences, and the local government will combine actual actuarial calculations. The per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents in the pooling area in the previous year can be used as the payment base, or the per capita disposable income of rural residents in the previous year can be used to determine the payment base in rural areas. Encourage exploration and improvement of a more scientific and refined funding mechanism. In the year when each region establishes a long-term care insurance system, the rate for unemployed urban and rural residents will be halved, starting from about 0.15%, and gradually transition to about 0.3% in about 5 years. Areas with conditions can also start from about 0.3%. Encourage flexible employees to participate in insurance according to the employee rate standard. The payment base can be determined according to a certain percentage (no less than 60%) of the average social wage in the pooling area in the previous year, and individuals will pay according to regulations; flexible employees can also choose to participate in insurance and pay according to the insurance policy for unemployed urban and rural residents. The government will provide classified assistance to the personal payment portion of eligible disadvantaged groups. People under the age of 18 who follow their parents or other legal guardians to participate in insurance will not be funded separately. Individual accounts of employee basic medical insurance can be used for personal payments for long-term care insurance for themselves and close relatives (including spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, maternal grandparents, grandchildren, and maternal grandchildren).

IV. Implement Fair and Moderate Benefit Security

Comprehensively consider factors such as the level of economic development, fund support capabilities, and the basic security needs of the masses, do our best and act according to our capabilities, reasonably determine the security objects, service items, and benefit standards, and ensure the bottom line of people's livelihood.

(5) Reasonably determine the security objects. Disabled persons who have participated in insurance and paid fees in accordance with regulations and whose disability status is long-term (generally more than 6 months) and who have been assessed and recognized through application can enjoy relevant benefits in accordance with regulations. The long-term care insurance system will initially protect severely disabled persons. With economic development and system improvement, the state level will uniformly study and gradually expand the scope of security objects and dynamically adjust premium rates according to fund expenditure needs.

(6) Reasonably determine the standard of benefit security. The state level will clarify the benchmark benefit standard for long-term care insurance, and localities can moderately adjust according to actual conditions. There is no deductible for enjoying benefits. For long-term care service expenses that meet the regulations, the fund payment ratio is about 50% for those who participate in insurance according to the insurance policy for unemployed urban and rural residents; for those who participate in insurance according to the employee insurance policy, the fund payment ratio is about 70%, and retirees enjoy employee insurance benefits; flexible employees enjoy corresponding benefits based on the type of insurance policy they choose. On the basis of improving the funding mechanism and balancing the payment responsibilities of employed and unemployed persons, the level of benefits will be gradually and moderately balanced. The maximum annual payment limit of the fund shall not exceed 50% of the per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents in the pooling area in the previous year. Implement differentiated benefit security policies according to disability level, service provision method, etc. Encourage the use of home and community care services and give appropriate inclination in the payment ratio.

(7) Standardize benefit enjoyment. The fund is mainly used to pay for the expenses incurred by long-term care service institutions and personnel who provide basic long-term care services that meet the regulations, and in principle, it does not directly distribute cash to disabled persons. The state level will uniformly formulate a long-term care insurance service item catalog, clarify the connotation of items and service requirements, and cities that have previously carried out long-term care insurance system pilots will gradually standardize according to the unified service item requirements at the state level. According to changes in the population situation and system development, study and explore including long-term care-related intelligent services and supportive assistive devices in the scope of payment. Explore the establishment of a continuous insurance incentive mechanism that links the length of payment to the level of benefits, and appropriately increase the payment ratio for continuous insurance in accordance with regulations. With the exception of special groups such as newborns, restrictive measures such as a waiting period for enjoying benefits and a phased reduction in the level of benefits will be formulated for situations where they do not participate in insurance for the first time when the long-term care insurance system is launched, and for re-participation after interrupting payment. Explore the establishment of an insurance integrity mechanism.

(8) Do a good job in policy convergence. Do a good job in the convergence of long-term care insurance and subsidies for elderly people with economic difficulties and disabilities, as well as nursing subsidies for severely disabled people. The fund will not pay for non-nursing service expenses such as institutional bed fees and food expenses, as well as medical expenses that should be paid by medical insurance. Insured persons who receive work-related injury insurance living care expenses will not repeatedly enjoy relevant long-term care insurance service benefits.

V. Establish a Scientific and Standardized Management and Operation Mechanism

Adhere to government leadership and social participation, strengthen policy and management coordination, innovate management and service systems and mechanisms, and provide refined and standardized management services.

(9) Establish and improve the disability level assessment standard system. Improve the nationally unified disability level assessment standard, promote mutual recognition of assessment results nationwide, relevant departments use it as needed, and explore the formulation of relevant regulations on long-term care needs identification standards and service plans. Encourage and support the development of independent assessment institutions, implement designated management, and formulate and improve corresponding management measures. Establish and improve a reasonable sharing mechanism for assessment service fees.

(10) Establish and improve the fund payment management mechanism. Long-term care service institutions will implement designated management. Establish and improve a long-term care insurance service quality evaluation mechanism and a cost control incentive and restraint mechanism. Establish a payment mechanism and a consultation and negotiation mechanism that meet the characteristics of long-term care insurance services, improve payment methods for different service models, and strengthen fund settlement management.

(11) Strengthen fund management and supervision. The fund will be included in the special financial account of the social security fund, with separate accounts, separate management, and special funds for special purposes. Strengthen budget performance management, establish a fund operation monitoring and risk prevention mechanism, and do a good job in medium and long-term actuarial analysis. Establish and improve a fund supervision system, improve the punishment mechanism for fraudulent and insurance-cheating personnel and institutions, strengthen fund supervision, strengthen financial and accounting supervision and audit supervision, strictly enforce financial and economic discipline, and ensure fund security.

(12) Improve management and service. Strengthen management capacity building and establish and improve a management service system. Tax authorities should do a good job in premium collection, and long-term care insurance and basic medical insurance will be paid together. Explore the introduction of social forces to participate in management services, strengthen incentive and restraint mechanisms, and pay relevant expenses in accordance with regulations. Establish and improve a long-term care worker training and cultivation mechanism and a standardized training mechanism for assessment personnel. Study and do a good job in the transfer and continuation of long-term care insurance relationships across pooling areas, and accelerate the improvement of regulations for participating in insurance and enjoying benefits in different places.

VI. Strengthen Organization and Implementation

All regions and relevant departments should, under the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, combine their actual conditions to grasp the implementation of these opinions and actively and steadily promote reforms. Local Party committees and governments at all levels must effectively strengthen organizational leadership, formulate specific policies under the policy and system framework clearly defined by the state, conduct thorough investigations and research, widely listen to opinions and suggestions, respect the wishes of the masses, and scientifically determine the insured objects, funding, and security levels in light of local realities. Promote the timely transformation of long-term care insurance-related system requirements into legal norms to provide legal support for the implementation of the long-term care insurance system. Strengthen publicity and guidance, do a good job in policy interpretation, strengthen the concept of mutual assistance and mutual assistance, and form reasonable social expectations.

The provincial governments should coordinate and grasp the pace of reform, and not engage in **齐步走** (qí bù zǒu - "marching in step," acting uniformly) or "one-size-fits-all" approaches, and provide targeted guidance to cities and regions with different conditions to promote reform in batches and in stages on the basis of full assessment. Cities and regions with definite conditions should steadily and orderly promote it. Cities and regions that do not have the conditions for the time being should consolidate the work foundation and start implementation in due course according to procedures. Cities that have previously carried out long-term care insurance system pilots should adjust and improve their policies in accordance with the requirements of these opinions and transition smoothly in about 3 years. Major matters should be reported to the Party Central Committee and the State Council in a timely manner in accordance with procedures.

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, March 25)

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Asian Regional Cooperation Holds Great Significance and Enormous Potential (Focus on the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026)

On March 24th, the press conference for the Boao Forum for Asia (博鳌亚洲论坛) 2026 Annual Conference and the release conference for flagship reports were held in Boao, Hainan (海南博鳌). The "Asian Economic Outlook and Integration Progress 2026 Annual Report" and the "Sustainable Development of Asia and the World 2026 Annual Report" released at the conference showed that the Asian economy is showing strong resilience and a positive trend, making important contributions to the world economy and sustainable development. Attendees believed that Asian regional cooperation is of great significance and has huge potential, and all parties should strengthen their confidence in cooperation, work together to meet challenges, and inject more certainty and positive energy into the turbulent world.

The Asian Economy Demonstrates Strong Resilience

The "Sustainable Development of Asia and the World 2026 Annual Report" pointed out that Asia shoulders an important mission and plays a key role in promoting global economic growth, leading the transformation of the world economy, and improving global governance. With the joint efforts of various economies in the region, Asia's overall progress in implementing the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals is at a good level globally, with 10 of the 17 goals progressing beyond the average level of other regions, and the Asian economy demonstrating strong resilience. Yose Rizal Damuri, Executive Director of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Indonesia, said that it is expected that the GDP of Asian economies will account for 49.7% of the world economy this year. "Asia is a major provider of global trade demand and commodities, and an important driver for promoting global economic progress."

Currently, cross-border power grids, renewable energy projects and other infrastructure are steadily advancing within the region, and the connection of rules and standards has expanded to areas such as digital trade and cross-border payments. "Against the backdrop of a major global transformation, Asia's development faces many new opportunities." Kirill Babaev (基里尔·巴巴耶夫), Director of the Institute of China and Modern Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said that Asian economies all hope to promote the development of high technology. China is focusing on promoting high-quality development with new quality productive forces, providing cooperation opportunities for all parties in the region.

Holger Bingmann, Vice-Chair of the Executive Board of the International Chamber of Commerce, believes that the real opportunity lies in rebuilding confidence in global free trade, and in an era full of uncertainty, openness itself is a powerful strength. He said: "We want to build new bridges to connect different regions and people."

The current international situation is turbulent, and "stability" has become a high-frequency word at the forum's annual conference. "The theme of this annual conference directly addresses practical problems and fits the new situation of the current global economic landscape, geopolitical environment, etc." Denis Depoux (戴璞), Global Managing Director of Roland Berger, said that countries in the Asia-Pacific region such as China are committed to using peace, cooperation and multilateralism as anchors of stability, playing an important role in a turbulent environment, which is crucial for boosting investor confidence and creating a stable investment environment.

Technological Innovation Broadens Cooperation Opportunities

The "Asian Economic Outlook and Integration Progress 2026 Annual Report" shows that as the center of global artificial intelligence development shifts to Asia, Asian economies are transforming from followers to leaders in artificial intelligence by virtue of their huge digital population, rich application scenarios and systematic policy promotion, reshaping the global artificial intelligence innovation order.

What is the deep-seated driving force behind Asia's "intelligent rise"? "Judging from the '15th Five-Year Plan' outline, China has made scientific plans for the development of artificial intelligence." Chen Lan (陈岚), a partner at Deloitte China Research Center, said that China has formed a systematic layout in terms of computing infrastructure, talent training, industrial support, and governance systems. Asian countries should build a talent training and exchange ecosystem, build a transnational technology cooperation platform, and form long-term and effective development advantages.

Artificial intelligence is accelerating its integration into all walks of life, and the embodied intelligence industry is accelerating the transformation of achievements, opening up broader cooperation space for Asian countries. "Currently, the embodied intelligence industry is accelerating commercialization and large-scale development, which will promote the pace of technological innovation and cooperation in Asia." Wang Xiaogang (王晓刚), chairman of Da Xiao Robot, said, "We are conducting in-depth cooperation with overseas universities such as Nanyang Technological University (南洋理工大学) in Singapore to develop technologies such as data collection and embodied interaction, and promote the intelligent leap of embodied intelligence through transnational scientific research cooperation."

Technological empowerment is profoundly changing the Asian economic landscape, and deepening regional cooperation is allowing more and more Asian countries and people to benefit from technological dividends. Michele Geraci (米凯莱·杰拉奇), former Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Italy, shared his personal experience: "Now, I take the train from Laos to China. Thanks to the construction of the China-Laos Railway (中老铁路), the train speed has reached 150 kilometers per hour, shortening the travel time." In his opinion, cooperation in technology, infrastructure and other fields is promoting the common development of Asian countries.

"This is my third time in Hainan (海南), and I feel that innovation is everywhere." Robert Koopman (罗伯特·库普曼), former Chief Economist of the World Trade Organization and professor at American University, said that China has made extraordinary progress in the field of artificial intelligence, and its spillover effects benefit the world.

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar (卡卡尔), former caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, said that countries should give full play to their own advantages to carry out in-depth cooperation. "China adheres to an open and inclusive attitude, works hand in hand with partners from all countries to achieve win-win cooperation, and Pakistan benefits from it."

"Asia is developing very rapidly in terms of digital infrastructure." Volkan Bozkir (沃尔坎·博兹克尔), President of the 75th United Nations General Assembly, said that Asia-Pacific countries are building a multi-level and multi-path digital infrastructure system, laying a more solid foundation for Asia's digital transformation and sustainable development.

The Promotion of Integration Boosts Confidence

Since its establishment 25 years ago, the Boao Forum for Asia (博鳌亚洲论坛) has witnessed the important process of Asian development. From the departure of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to the official signing of the upgraded protocol of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0, from the opened China-Laos Railway (中老铁路) and Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (雅万高铁) to the East Coast Rail Link (马来西亚东海岸铁路) under construction, Asian regional cooperation is full of vitality.

Under the new situation, regional cooperation is more important and urgent. This annual conference will explore how to further promote regional integration cooperation, enhance connectivity in key areas, and provide strong support for building an open, stable and inclusive regional economic landscape.

"This year's annual conference is a milestone in the development of the Boao Forum for Asia. With China's increasing global influence, the role of the Boao Forum for Asia is becoming increasingly prominent, becoming an important platform for gathering people from political, business and academic circles from the Asia-Pacific region and many countries around the world to exchange dialogues." Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (阿罗约), former President of the Philippines, said that China's important voices at the forum have helped boost the world's confidence in development.

Talking about regional integration, Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria (佩德罗萨), Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat, said that APEC members are becoming more and more diverse, and more effectively promote economic integration, trade integration and investment integration.

"Asian countries hope to further promote integrated economic cooperation." Kairat Sarybay (萨雷拜), Executive Director of the Secretariat of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), said that geopolitical tensions, instability and protectionism facing international trade have brought challenges to world development, and the promotion of Asian economic integration will enhance confidence among all parties.

"China is crucial to promoting Asian regional cooperation and development." Leonora Storzyska (斯托奇斯卡), Director General of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), said that exchanges and mutual learning will promote the digital process and the promotion and use of new technology products.

Zhang Jun (张军), Secretary-General of the Boao Forum for Asia, said that the forum has always been based in Asia and has the world in mind, and is committed to promoting Asian economic integration, promoting exchanges and cooperation between regional countries and countries around the world, enhancing understanding and trust, and achieving mutual benefit and win-win results. The process of Asian economic integration and sustainable development will inevitably be accompanied by difficulties and challenges. As long as all parties strengthen their confidence, unite and cooperate, and move forward bravely, they can further promote Asian economy towards high-quality development and create a new development pattern that supports the "Asian Century".

(Reporters Liu Juanxi (刘涓溪), Li Yan (李琰), Liu Ge (刘歌), Bai Zhenzhi (白真智), Zhao Xiaoxi (赵晓曦), Zhai Qinqi (翟钦奇), He Yuche (何宇澈), Dong Zeyang (董泽扬), Wang Donghui (王东辉), Mike Oduro, Peng Xiangshan, Hannan Jilani participated in writing)

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Strengthening Rule Alignment, Promoting Free Trade (Focus on the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026)

By: 本报记者 董泽扬 李 琰 王东辉

On the afternoon of March 24, the 6th Global Free Trade Port Development Forum was held at the Boao Forum for Asia International Conference Center, as one of the thematic forums under the framework of the Boao Forum for Asia 2026 Annual Conference.

This year is the opening year of the "15th Five-Year Plan" and the first full year after the Hainan Free Trade Port (海南自贸港) has fully implemented independent customs operations. How the Hainan Free Trade Port (海南自贸港), as a gateway for opening up to the outside world, aligns with the rules of global free trade ports, and how it helps China's economic high-quality development and enhances global economic stability were topics of in-depth discussion among Chinese and foreign guests.

On December 18 last year, the Hainan Free Trade Port (海南自贸港) officially launched its independent customs operations. In nearly 100 days of operation, this young free trade port has shown vitality, accelerated the release of policy dividends, facilitated the smooth flow of goods and people, and initially demonstrated the effects of traffic aggregation. Among them, the number of newly added foreign-funded enterprises increased by 33.5%, foreign trade import and export increased by 32.9%, and visa-free entry tourists increased by 53.6%. Hainan (海南) is becoming a new frontier for China's opening up to the outside world and a new hot spot for regional mutually beneficial cooperation.

Feng Fei (冯飞), Secretary of the Hainan Provincial Party Committee, said that as a firm leader and the biggest beneficiary of the global free trade system, free trade zones (ports) shoulder the important mission of promoting the construction of an open world economy. Hainan (海南) will strengthen the alignment of rules, economic and trade cooperation, and exchanges and mutual learning with various free trade zones (ports) around the world.

John Lee (李家超), Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (香港特别行政区), said that as a free trade port, Hong Kong (香港) firmly chooses to respond to many uncertainties with openness rather than closure. The Hainan Free Trade Port (海南自贸港) and Hong Kong (香港) will complement each other and jointly build a powerful engine for promoting free trade.

"Free trade zones (ports) in the world have some common characteristics, including compliance with the rule of law, protection of property rights, and efficient arbitration. The Hainan Free Trade Port (海南自贸港) is aligning with international standards in all aspects," said George Yeo (杨荣文), former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore. Rules and policy dividends, culture and population composition are the elements of free trade zones (ports). Hainan (海南) has similar cultures and close ties with ASEAN countries, including Singapore, and it is believed that the Hainan Free Trade Port (海南自贸港) will play a positive role in promoting mutual trust and expanding cooperation between China and Singapore.

"I am very pleased to see that the Hainan Free Trade Port (海南自贸港) has attracted the attention of more and more international investors with its unique location advantages and stable institutional framework at this Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference," said Jack Perry, Chairman of the 48 Group Club of the UK and Executive Chairman of LEC Robotics. The policy of exempting tariffs on domestic sales of processed and value-added products is very attractive to British companies. The superposition of this policy with advantages such as geographical location and supply chain stability will make the Hainan Free Trade Port (海南自贸港) an ideal place for global investment. "We will strengthen cooperation with Chinese companies and carry out more trade through the Hainan Free Trade Port (海南自贸港)," Perry said.

"The real opportunity lies not only in free trade zones (ports), but also in reshaping global trade trust," said Holger Bingmann, Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of the International Chamber of Commerce. At present, global tensions are escalating and trade protectionism is rising. The Hainan Free Trade Port (海南自贸港) has built a stable, interconnected and opportunity-filled ecosystem, contributing to maintaining global free trade and the safety and smooth flow of production and supply chains.

Free trade ports are the highest level of openness in the world today. Various free trade zones (ports) promote the convergence and compatibility of rules and standards, and expand new spaces for economic and trade cooperation, which will help build an open world and achieve win-win cooperation. "The certainty of institutional opening will add more stability to the world economy," said Cao Yuanzheng (曹远征), Visiting Professor of Management Practice at the School of Economics and Management of Tsinghua University. Today, as global trade fragmentation intensifies, the independent customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port (海南自贸港) have taken a solid step towards high-standard construction. The coordinated development of the Hainan Free Trade Port (海南自贸港) and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (粤港澳大湾区), and the expansion of cooperation with ASEAN will add new vitality to regional economic development.

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Jointly Building the "Belt and Road" Initiative to Help All Parties Achieve Sustainable Development (International Forum)

By: 佩德罗·巴拉甘

The "Belt and Road" Initiative has transcended regional infrastructure cooperation and become a global cooperation program based on pragmatic cooperation and respect for diversity.

At present, global development is facing severe challenges, and the role of the "Belt and Road" Initiative in promoting international cooperation is even more important. Over the past decade, the initiative has developed from a grand vision into an important pillar of international cooperation, connecting more than 150 countries through cooperation in infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation, and people-to-people exchanges, promoting common development.

High-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road" is not only a transportation network, but also an overall cooperation framework. Taking ports, railways, and industrial parks as its manifestations, the deeper meaning of the initiative lies in promoting the establishment of an inclusive and sustainable economic order. The "Belt and Road" Initiative respects sovereignty, does not attach political conditions, and does not require choosing sides. It provides opportunities through pragmatic cooperation, focuses on infrastructure construction, connectivity, and regional industrial complementarity, and truly helps all parties achieve sustainable development. The initiative has resulted in more than 200 cooperation documents, and related cooperation concepts and propositions have been written into outcome documents of multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations (联合国) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (亚太经合组织), gaining widespread support from the international community.

Infrastructure investment is an important part of the "Belt and Road" cooperation with long-term significance. The New Eurasian Land Bridge Economic Corridor connects Europe and Asia, and the China-Europe Railway Express reaches major logistics centers in China and Europe, greatly shortening transportation time and saving transportation costs. For example, the number of China-Europe (Central Asia) Railway Express routes passing through the Alashankou Railway Port (阿拉山口铁路口岸) has reached 127, covering 21 countries, and is expected to exceed 6,000 trains in 2025. Connectivity has reshaped the logistics efficiency of the automotive, electronics, and fast fashion industries, and changed the map of Eurasian trade. Railway hubs, distribution centers, and science and technology parks are constantly emerging in medium-sized cities that were originally on the periphery of global trade. The construction and modernization of highways, tunnels, border crossings, and multimodal transport platforms have opened up new logistics options for some landlocked countries and regions, bringing development opportunities to the hinterland of the continent, increasing local economic benefits, and enhancing the strategic autonomy of participating countries.

The "Belt and Road" Initiative not only invests in "steel and cement," but also promotes cultural exchanges, academic cooperation, and friendly city pairings, promoting people-to-people connectivity. These projects effectively break stereotypes, drive tourism development, build a shared knowledge network, and enhance mutual understanding among people. On the basis of infrastructure connectivity, the "Belt and Road" expands the connotation of cooperation through exchanges, promotes policy coordination, standard alignment, and green sustainable development, and achieves deeper regional integration and development.

At present, protectionism has led to the fragmentation of global trade, and the world economy is facing high uncertainty. Individual countries use trade, investment, and technology as tools for geopolitical games, frequently resorting to measures such as technology blockades, export controls, financial sanctions, and increased tariffs. These practices drive up the prices of key global commodities and create logistical obstacles. In this situation, more and more economies are choosing to participate in international cooperation platforms based on collective consultation rather than unilateralism. The "Belt and Road" Initiative has transcended regional infrastructure cooperation and become a global cooperation program based on pragmatic cooperation and respect for diversity.

(The author is a Spanish economist and writer.)

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Co-writing a New Chapter of Shared Destiny Between China and Cameroon (Ambassador's Article)

By: 徐 永

Cameroon (喀麦隆) is located in Central Africa, rich in natural resources and diverse in culture, and is known as the "granary of Central Africa." Although China (中国) and Cameroon (喀麦隆) are separated by vast distances, the friendly exchanges between the two peoples have a long history. On March 26, 1971, China (中国) and Cameroon (喀麦隆) officially established diplomatic relations. Over the past fifty-five years, China-Cameroon (中喀) relations have moved forward steadily, with tangible cooperation results and broad prospects for future development.

Mutual respect and solidarity are a true reflection of the political mutual trust between China (中国) and Cameroon (喀麦隆). Similar historical experiences and common development goals closely link the two countries. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 55 years ago, the traditional friendship between China (中国) and Cameroon (喀麦隆) has become stronger, and the two countries have always treated each other with sincerity and equality, and firmly supported each other on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns. The two sides maintain close cooperation under the frameworks of high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road" (一带一路) and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (中非合作论坛), and work together to promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping (习近平). As members of the Global South, the two countries firmly safeguard the status and authority of the United Nations, practice true multilateralism, adhere to the global governance concept of consultation, joint construction, and sharing, jointly defend the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, cooperate to address global challenges such as food security, climate change, and terrorism, and continue to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. In September 2024, the heads of state of the two countries announced the upgrading of China-Cameroon (中喀) relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, providing top-level design for the future development of bilateral relations and pointing out the direction for advancement.

Working together in harmony and mutual benefit and win-win results are the inexhaustible driving force for China-Cameroon (中喀) pragmatic cooperation. China (中国) has long maintained its position as Cameroon's (喀麦隆) largest trading partner and major source of investment, and the increasingly deepening economic and trade cooperation has injected strong impetus into the respective development of the two countries. Many large-scale projects built by Chinese companies in Cameroon (喀麦隆) have been widely praised. The modern Kribi Deep-Water Port (克里比深水港) near the Gulf of Guinea is becoming an important sea outlet and trade hub in the Central African region. The Memve'ele Hydropower Station (曼维莱水电站) located in the Southern Region not only lights up thousands of households locally, but also provides stable and clean energy for Cameroon's (喀麦隆) economic and social development. The new National Assembly Building named "Paul Biya Glass Palace" (保罗·比亚玻璃宫), together with the Yaoundé Conference Center (雅温得会议大厦) and the multi-functional gymnasium, have built a monument of friendship between the two countries that the people of Cameroon (喀麦隆) are proud of. In December 2025, China (中国) and Cameroon (喀麦隆) officially signed a framework agreement on jointly developing economic partnership. With the implementation of China's (中国) "zero tariff" measures for Africa in Cameroon (喀麦隆), modern agriculture, green development, and the digital economy will create new growth points for the common development of China (中国) and Cameroon (喀麦隆).

Mutual assistance and affinity are the source of vitality for the people-to-people connectivity between China (中国) and Cameroon (喀麦隆). Since 1975, China (中国) has successively sent 25 medical teams to Cameroon (喀麦隆), providing outpatient and emergency services to more than 3.3 million patients locally, and promoting the spirit of the Chinese medical team, which is not afraid of hardship, willing to dedicate, heals the wounded and rescues the dying, and is full of boundless love, with practical actions. Exchanges and interactions between the two countries in the fields of education, culture, youth, and sports are active and lively. The Ministry of Secondary Education of Cameroon (喀麦隆中等教育部) has incorporated Chinese into the national education system of secondary schools and compiled and published the local Chinese series textbooks "Hello Cameroon" (《你好喀麦隆》). The Confucius Institute at the University of Yaoundé II (雅温得第二大学孔子学院) adopts a "one institute, multiple locations" model, providing rich opportunities for Cameroonian (喀麦隆) teenagers to learn Chinese and experience Chinese culture. Activities such as the "Chinese Bridge" (汉语桥) Chinese competition and the "Cameroon Good Voice" Chinese song competition have become important brands for China-Cameroon (中喀) cultural exchanges. Walking through the streets and alleys of Cameroon (喀麦隆), you can often hear local people greeting you in Chinese with "你好" (nǐ hǎo - "hello"). China's (中国) development concepts and achievements in building a Chinese-style modernization are increasingly attracting the attention of the younger generation in Cameroon (喀麦隆), and they have a beautiful dream of "studying in China (中国)" and "learning from China's (中国) experience" in their hearts, and the friendship between the Chinese (中国) and Cameroonian (喀麦隆) people is becoming more and more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

At present, China (中国) is comprehensively promoting the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation with Chinese-style modernization, and the people of Cameroon (喀麦隆) are also working hard to achieve the strategic goals of national development. The "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五规划纲要) not only outlines a new blueprint for China's (中国) development, but also provides a new vision for China's (中国) cooperation and win-win results with the world. On the new journey of achieving modernization, China (中国) and Cameroon (喀麦隆) will continue to work together, earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries, continue the traditional friendship, share development opportunities, seek benefits for the people of the two countries, add new colors to China-Africa (中非) cooperation, and continue to write a new chapter of a community with a shared future.

(The author is the Chinese Ambassador to Cameroon (中国驻喀麦隆大使))

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Han Zheng Visits Kenya

This is a report from our newspaper in Nairobi on March 25th (Reporter Huang Weixin (黄炜鑫)) From March 22nd to 25th, 2026 local time, at the invitation of Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (金迪基), Chinese Vice President Han Zheng (韩正) visited Kenya, met with Kenyan President William Ruto (鲁托) in Nairobi (内罗毕), exchanged views with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (金迪基), and attended and addressed the Kenya Zero-Tariff Export to China Commodities Exhibition and the China-Kenya Business Forum.

During the meeting with Ruto (鲁托), Han Zheng (韩正) conveyed President Xi Jinping's (习近平) cordial greetings and best wishes to President Ruto (鲁托). Han Zheng (韩正) said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Kenya more than 60 years ago, the two sides have always adhered to mutual respect, equal treatment, and mutual benefit and win-win results, and bilateral relations have continued to reach new levels. In April last year, President Xi Jinping (习近平) and the President jointly decided to build a China-Kenya community with a shared future in the new era, which has drawn a new blueprint for the development of China-Kenya relations. China is willing to work with Kenya to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state and the achievements of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, inject new impetus into China-Kenya cooperation, and play a leading and exemplary role in building a closer China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

Han Zheng (韩正) said that this year is the first year of China's "15th Five-Year Plan," and China will further expand high-level opening up to the outside world and share high-quality development opportunities with African countries, including Kenya. China and Kenya should consolidate high-level political mutual trust and consolidate the foundation of the China-Kenya community with a shared future in the new era. Thank you to Kenya for its strong support on issues involving China's core interests, such as Taiwan, and China will continue to firmly support Kenya in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security, and development interests. The two sides should expand high-quality and pragmatic cooperation, make good use of the dividends of China's comprehensive implementation of zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China starting from May 1, and accelerate China and Kenya's joint efforts to achieve modernization. China appreciates Kenya's active support for the major concepts and initiatives proposed by China and is willing to strengthen high-level strategic coordination with Kenya to jointly promote the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction.

Ruto (鲁托) asked Han Zheng (韩正) to convey his cordial greetings and best wishes to President Xi Jinping (习近平), saying that Kenya always adheres to the one-China principle, supports the global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping (习近平), and is willing to take the full implementation of the zero-tariff policy as an opportunity to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with China, deepen cooperation in various fields, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

After the meeting, the two sides jointly attended the signing and exchange of documents related to cooperation.

During the exchange with Rigathi Gachagua (金迪基), Han Zheng (韩正) said that China supports Kenya in following a development path that suits its own national conditions, and welcomes Kenya to make good use of the trade facilitation measures provided by China and share the great development opportunities brought by the Chinese market.

Rigathi Gachagua (金迪基) said that Kenya is willing to make full use of the benefits brought by the zero-tariff policy and build itself into a gateway for China to the African market.

When attending the Kenya Zero-Tariff Export to China Commodities Exhibition and the China-Kenya Business Forum, Han Zheng (韩正) said that the current global political and economic landscape is undergoing profound and complex changes, the challenges faced by the development and free trade of various countries have increased significantly, and strengthening cooperation is more urgent and requires more foresight. China is willing to consolidate strategic mutual trust with African countries, including Kenya, and be fellow travelers on the road to modernization; deepen economic and trade cooperation and be true friends of mutual benefit and win-win results; and safeguard multilateralism and be builders of an open world economy. China's "15th Five-Year Plan" outlines a blueprint for development in the next five years. China will unswervingly expand high-level opening up to the outside world, better connect international cycles, and share opportunities and achieve mutual success with all countries, including Kenya, in open development.

During his visit to Kenya, Han Zheng (韩正) collectively met with Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura (班古拉), Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, and other heads of UN agencies in Kenya, saying that China will always be a reliable partner of the United Nations and is willing to work with UN agencies to safeguard the authority and status of the United Nations and promote the building of a more just and reasonable global governance system, and make greater contributions to world peace, stability, prosperity, and development.

Han Zheng (韩正) also inspected the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway (蒙内铁路) Dispatch Center and attended the launching ceremony of the first freight train for Kenya's zero-tariff exports to China.

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Wang Yi Speaks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on the Phone

This newspaper reported from Beijing on March 25th. Wang Yi (王毅), Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke by telephone with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (阿卜杜勒阿提) on March 25th at the latter's request.

Sameh Shoukry (阿卜杜勒阿提) introduced his views on the development of the regional situation, saying that Egypt is deeply concerned about the current situation, especially that if energy and power facilities are attacked and paralyzed, it will lead to chaos throughout the region. In order to promote the de-escalation of the situation, Egypt is communicating with all parties and actively promoting negotiations. Egypt and China are comprehensive strategic partners, and Egypt is willing to maintain close coordination with China to jointly strengthen diplomatic efforts and prevent the region and the world from falling into turmoil.

Wang Yi (王毅) said that both China and Egypt are responsible major countries, and both oppose military actions not authorized by the UN Security Council, oppose attacks on civilians and civilian facilities, and do not approve of affecting the Gulf countries. The situation in the Middle East is changing rapidly, and the United States and Iran are both releasing negotiation information, and a glimmer of peace has appeared. Continuing this war will only bring more casualties and unnecessary losses, leading to further spillover of the situation. The international community should actively promote the parties to the conflict to start a dialogue. As long as they talk, there is hope for peace. The actions of the Security Council should help ease the situation and promote dialogue, and help prevent the expansion of the war, rather than giving a license to use force. China supports Egypt in continuing to play a mediation role, promoting the resumption of peace talks and stopping the war, and China is also willing to continue to make constructive efforts for this.

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Wang Yi Speaks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the Phone

Beijing, March 25 (People's Daily) -- Wang Yi (王毅), member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (费丹) on March 25 at the latter's request.

Wang Yi (王毅) stated that the rights and wrongs of the Middle East conflict are very clear, and the international community needs to maintain an objective and impartial stance on this. Currently, the conflict is rapidly spilling over and spreading throughout the region. The urgent task is to actively promote peace talks, seize the opportunity for peace, and push for the cessation of hostilities. China supports regional countries in maintaining calm, rationally responding to the current crisis from a long-term and fundamental perspective, adhering to resolving contradictions and differences through dialogue, and supports Turkey in playing a constructive role in promoting the resumption of negotiations.

Fidan (费丹) expressed that Turkey's position is highly consistent with China's regarding the current situation in the Middle East. Both oppose military attacks launched without the authorization of the UN Security Council and oppose the further spillover of the conflict. China has always been committed to maintaining regional and world peace, and we believe that China will continue to play an important role. Turkey is willing to work with China to promote a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, and bring the world back to the right track of peace and development.

The two sides also exchanged views on other regional issues.

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Wang Yi Addresses the Third Session of the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction

This newspaper reported from Beijing on March 25th: On March 25th, Wang Yi (王毅), member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, delivered a video address to the third meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the "Agreement on Marine Biodiversity."

Wang Yi (王毅) stated that the conclusion and entry into force of the "Agreement on Marine Biodiversity" is a victory for multilateralism and an important milestone in global ocean governance. The comprehensive and effective implementation of the "Agreement" is crucial to the common well-being of all mankind. China is a staunch supporter, defender, and builder of the United Nations. Faced with a turbulent and intertwined international situation, China firmly safeguards the central role of the United Nations and is determined to be the 中流砥柱 (zhōng liú dǐ zhù - "pillar in midstream," a mainstay; a key supporting force) of multilateralism.

Wang Yi (王毅) said that China has a long and profound maritime civilization. As early as more than 600 years ago, the Chinese navigator Zheng He (郑和) sailed to the Western Seas seven times, using the sea as a medium to promote friendly exchanges with various countries. Today, China is committed to promoting modernization in which humans and nature coexist in harmony, adhering to the equal importance of protecting the ocean and sustainably utilizing the ocean, and promoting the joint construction of a community of life on Earth. China is willing and able to make new contributions to global ocean governance. China's application for the "Agreement" Secretariat to be located in Xiamen (厦门) reflects the responsibility of a major developing country. China is willing to work with all parties to promote the comprehensive and effective implementation of the "Agreement" and jointly build a more just and reasonable global ocean governance system.

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Wang Dongming Meets with Gabonese National Assembly Speaker Onanga

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, March 25th. Wang Dongming (王东明), Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, met with Gabon National Assembly Speaker, Faustin Boukoubi (奥南加), in Beijing on the 25th. The two sides exchanged views on developing China-Gabon relations, strengthening exchanges between the two countries' legislative bodies, and promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

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Moscow State Institute of International Relations Holds Special Screening of the Film "The Musician"

This newspaper's Moscow (莫斯科) March 25th dispatch (Reporters Sui Xin (隋鑫), Xiao Xinxin (肖新新)) The special screening event for the Sino-Kazakh co-produced film "The Composer" was held on the 23rd at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (莫斯科国际关系学院) in Russia (俄罗斯). Representatives of faculty and students from institutions such as the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (莫斯科国际关系学院) and the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia (俄罗斯外交部外交学院), as well as diplomats from the Chinese Embassy in Russia (中国驻俄罗斯大使馆) and the producer of "The Composer," participated in the event.

Anatoly Torkunov (阿纳托利·托尔库诺夫), President of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (莫斯科国际关系学院), stated that "The Composer" is based on the legendary experiences of the Chinese musician Xian Xinghai (冼星海) who traveled to Moscow (莫斯科) during World War II and then to Almaty (阿拉木图) in Kazakhstan (哈萨克斯坦), showcasing the historical friendship between Russia (俄罗斯), China (中国), and Kazakhstan (哈萨克斯坦).

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Style Construction Inspires Enthusiasm Among基层 Cadres (In-Depth Reading)

By: 本报记者 窦瀚洋 张雪妍 李 蕊 徐驭尧

The mental outlook and work ethic of cadres are related to the people's sense of gain, happiness, and security. How can we eliminate cadres' worries about starting businesses and doing practical work? How can we resolve the "fingertip burden" of formalism? How can we implement the incentive guidance of "the capable go up, the excellent are rewarded"? Answering these questions well requires precise policies and institutional innovation.

Dinglan Street (丁兰街道) in Hangzhou (杭州), Zhejiang (浙江) Province, refines the standards for fault tolerance and correction to encourage cadres to take responsibility; Zhanhua District (沾化区) in Binzhou (滨州), Shandong (山东) Province, clarifies the list of powers and responsibilities and breaks down data barriers to relieve the burden on grassroots cadres; the Tibet (西藏) organization department focuses its assessment on the front lines of urgent, difficult, dangerous, and heavy tasks and on daily performance, allowing outstanding talents to stand out... By stimulating the enthusiasm of cadres to start businesses and do practical work through institutional innovation, the vast number of grassroots cadres are taking on the mission and tasks of the new era with excellent work styles.

Improve the fault tolerance and correction mechanism, making it more reassuring to start businesses and do practical work.

During this period, several projects in Yanshan Village (沿山村), Dinglan Street (丁兰街道), Shangcheng District (上城区), Hangzhou (杭州), Zhejiang (浙江) Province, were at a critical stage of implementation, and Jin Huarong (金华荣), the village party branch secretary, was extremely busy.

Jin Huarong (金华荣) introduced that in recent years, the village has vigorously introduced agricultural, cultural, and tourism projects, and the collective income has increased from 7.58 million yuan in 2021 to 20.37 million yuan in 2025, and the village is full of energy.

Taking advantage of the momentum, the village prepared to hold a folk lantern festival. Unexpectedly, this event almost extinguished Jin Huarong's (金华荣) enthusiasm.

"In the past, the village held events with a daily traffic of no more than a thousand people. We reported to the local police station as a general mass activity, but did not report to the higher authorities for approval," said Jin Huarong (金华荣).

On the opening night of the lantern festival, tens of thousands of people poured in, causing traffic paralysis in the surrounding area and a sharp increase in safety risks. The event was urgently called off the next day, and merchants suffered losses, tourists refunded tickets, and questions followed one after another.

Was Jin Huarong (金华荣) at fault? Zhou Lijun (周理军), deputy secretary of the Discipline Inspection Working Committee and deputy director of the Supervision Office of Dinglan Street (丁兰街道), introduced that a safety permit application should be submitted before organizing activities with more than a thousand people. This event had potential safety risks due to the organizer's poor organization, and Jin Huarong (金华荣), as the main organizer, did have some responsibility.

In June 2023, Zhejiang (浙江) Province issued implementation measures to improve the fault tolerance and correction mechanism to encourage cadres to take responsibility, making clear provisions on the specific circumstances, scope of application, operating procedures, and responsibility implementation of fault tolerance and correction.

The Dinglan Street (丁兰街道) Party Working Committee coordinated discipline inspection and supervision, organization and personnel, and other departments to form a joint investigation team, and simultaneously launched a fault tolerance investigation. Through multiple rounds of talks with the parties involved, village committee members, village group leaders, and heads of cooperative enterprises, a multi-dimensional analysis was conducted.

Looking at the motivation, this was a bold attempt to seek collective economic development; looking at the performance, the village committee and Jin Huarong (金华荣) actively took countermeasures, and no problems were found in terms of integrity; looking at the consequences, no other adverse effects were caused. In conjunction with relevant regulations, the Dinglan Street (丁兰街道) Party Working Committee ultimately granted Jin Huarong (金华荣) fault tolerance and reduced responsibility, and only gave him a talking-to as a reminder.

"I felt the organization's care and tolerance, and I can do my job and start a business with more peace of mind," said Jin Huarong (金华荣). "With the fault tolerance and correction mechanism, everyone is more willing to let go and try."

Rectify the "fingertip burden," bringing cadres closer to the masses.

"Grid inspections found a leak in the home of an elderly person living alone, and coordinated property management to carry out emergency repairs overnight; on-site mediation of a dispute between two neighbors in Minghu Jiayuan (明湖佳苑) caused by noise; this week, we need to follow up on the installation progress of fitness equipment in 3 residential areas..." Opening the community work log for March, Li Chunpeng's (李春鹏) words, the Party Committee Secretary of Fuyuan Community (富源社区), Fuyuan Street (富源街道), Zhanhua District (沾化区), Binzhou (滨州), Shandong (山东) Province, are full of enthusiasm.

Looking back at the logs from a few years ago, the situation was different: "Wednesday morning, fill in the minimum living security system, report population and industry data in the afternoon, and urgently upload visit photos in the evening..."

"There are more and more government service APPs and WeChat work groups, and we are busy checking in, earning points, and uploading photos." Li Chunpeng (李春鹏) frankly said, "When residents come to us for help, they see us always buried in filling out forms and reporting numbers, and they inevitably feel dissatisfied."

Since 2025, Zhanhua District (沾化区) has vigorously rectified formalism and carried out special actions to reduce the burden on grassroots units. The District Committee Organization Office has compiled a "List of Responsibilities for Townships (Streets)," clearly defining the main responsibilities and assisting and cooperating matters, and clarifying the boundaries of responsibilities from the source.

In response to the stubborn problem of repeated information filling, the District Committee Organization Office, together with the District "Two Offices," organization, publicity, and other departments, carried out a centralized cleanup of government service APPs, WeChat work groups, and random signage, and sorted out key "data sharing lists" for population, enterprises, and people's livelihood to achieve "one-time collection and multi-party reuse."

After the burden was reduced, where did Li Chunpeng (李春鹏) and his colleagues' time go? The answer lies in every corner of the community. He led the team to focus on building a "Safe Community" as a starting point, promoting the installation of elevators in old residential areas, organizing "Neighborhood Watch Projects" to resolve conflicts and disputes, and opening "Filial Piety Canteens" for the elderly...

Walking in the community, Li Chunpeng (李春鹏) walks briskly. The phone rings, but it is no longer a reminder to report data. "Now it's basically residents calling, some to report problems, and some to invite us to participate in community activities. This should be the norm for our community work—revolving around the masses, not revolving around the screen," said Li Chunpeng (李春鹏).

Discover talents based on actual performance, and encourage cadres to grow better.

Born in 1997, Mima Zhaxi (米玛扎西), a second-level firefighter, is the youngest recipient of the Second Class Merit in the Tibet (西藏) Fire and Rescue Corps in recent years. A set of figures witnessed his work results in the Dingri (定日) earthquake rescue—arrived at Changsuo Township (长所乡), the epicenter of Dingri County (定日县), half an hour after the earthquake; rescued 15 people from the earthquake ruins with his teammates; during the post-earthquake resettlement, took the lead in setting up 150 tents, investigating 312 dangerous houses, and searching for 23,000 items of property...

"Due to his outstanding performance in the Dingri (定日) earthquake, the Corps Party Committee decided to award Comrade Mima Zhaxi (米玛扎西) the Second Class Merit. We focus on examining and identifying outstanding talents in actual combat, and encourage commanders and fighters to take the lead, be pioneers, and take the lead in urgent, difficult, dangerous, and heavy tasks," said Liu Chenggang (刘成刚), director of the Political Department of the Tibet (西藏) Fire and Rescue Corps.

For cadres who perform outstandingly, the Tibet (西藏) organization departments at all levels provide strong support for cadres and help cadres who can take on important responsibilities grow better.

In the home of Jiba (吉巴), a villager in Yejang Village (野江村), Cuoguo Township (措果乡), Dingri County (定日县), the old mother thanked Jiang Jinzhong (蒋进忠), the secretary of the township party committee, repeatedly: "Thank you to the Party and the government for helping to build houses and for helping to connect tap water." After the Dingri (定日) earthquake, Jiang Jinzhong (蒋进忠) and other cadres worked together to help the masses solve various difficulties at the disaster reconstruction project site. "When grassroots party members and cadres take practical steps, the weight of the masses' trust becomes heavier," said Jiang Jinzhong (蒋进忠).

In May 2025, Jiang Jinzhong (蒋进忠) was promoted to deputy county magistrate of Dingri County (定日县), and still served concurrently as the secretary of the Cuoguo Township (措果乡) Party Committee. He will continue to promote the post-disaster reconstruction work in Cuoguo Township (措果乡) in his new position.

In addition to stepping forward in major moments, routine assessments have also become an important standard for discovering outstanding cadres. In the past 4 years, Tibet (西藏) has cumulatively discovered and mastered more than 1,200 outstanding cadres through assessments. More than 90% of the cadres promoted and appointed by the Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区) Party Committee are outstanding cadres discovered through assessments or cadres rated as "excellent," building an evaluation mechanism of "**干得好、考得好、用得好**" (gàn dé hǎo, kǎo dé hǎo, yòng dé hǎo - "do well, assess well, use well," a system where good performance leads to good evaluation and good opportunities).

"We use cadres based on ability and judge heroes based on performance, promote work through assessment, select people through assessment, and provide strong support for the high-quality development of the economy and society with high-quality organizational work," said a relevant person in charge of the Organization Department of the Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区) Party Committee.

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Self-improvement and tireless efforts to achieve greater success and win more honor for the motherland and the people.

Beijing, March 25 (Reporter Li Changyu (李昌禹)) State Councilor and Director of the State Council Working Committee on Disability Affairs, Chen Yiqin (谌贻琴), met in Beijing on the 25th with the Chinese sports delegation to the Milan Winter Paralympics, who returned with honors. She conveyed the cordial greetings of the Party Central Committee and the State Council to all disabled athletes, coaches, and staff, and expressed warm congratulations on the delegation's outstanding achievements.

Chen Yiqin (谌贻琴) pointed out that the Chinese sports delegation worked hard and went all out at the Winter Paralympics, achieving excellent results with the first place in both the gold medal and medal standings. They achieved a double harvest of sports performance and spiritual civilization, winning honor for the motherland and the people, and greatly encouraged the vast number of disabled people to bravely face life's challenges, actively rehabilitate and exercise, and live a wonderful life. In the new preparation cycle, she hopes that everyone will keep in mind the entrustment of General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平), avoid arrogance and impetuosity, and continue to work hard to win more honors for the motherland and the people.

Chen Yiqin (谌贻琴) emphasized that on the new journey, disability federations and sports departments at all levels should take Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as guidance, earnestly implement the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, strengthen talent training, make up for shortcomings and weaknesses, improve service guarantees, and jointly promote the work of disabled sports to a new level, and continuously promote the comprehensive and high-quality development of the cause of disabled persons, and strive to make new and greater contributions to building a strong sports country and promoting Chinese-style modernization.

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In February, 16,299 Cases of Violations of the Eight-Point Regulation Spirit Were Investigated and Handled Nationwide

This newspaper Beijing (北京), March 25th (Reporter Zhao Cheng (赵成)) - The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission (中央纪委国家监委) announced on the 25th the monthly report data on the handling of violations of the Eight-Point Regulation spirit nationwide. The report shows that in February this year, a total of 16,299 cases of violations of the Eight-Point Regulation spirit were investigated and dealt with nationwide, with 20,350 people being criticized, educated, and processed (including 3 provincial and ministerial-level cadres and 84 prefectural and departmental-level cadres), and 14,012 people being given Party disciplinary and administrative sanctions.

According to the report, a total of 7,981 cases of formalism and bureaucracy were investigated and dealt with nationwide in February this year, with 10,284 people being criticized, educated, and processed. Among them, the most cases were found in the area of "failure to assume responsibility, failure to act,乱作为,假作为 in performing duties, serving economic and social development, and ecological and environmental protection, seriously affecting high-quality development," with 6,817 cases investigated and dealt with, and 8,798 people criticized, educated, and processed.

According to the report, a total of 8,318 cases of hedonism and extravagance were investigated and dealt with nationwide in February this year, with 10,066 people being criticized, educated, and processed. Among them, 4,883 cases of violating regulations on accepting and giving valuable special products, gifts, and gift money, 874 cases of violating regulations on issuing allowances or benefits, and 1,773 cases of violating regulations on eating and drinking were investigated and dealt with.

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Barrier-free Children's Park Filled with Warmth (Striving for the "15th Five-Year Plan" - First-hand Observations)

By: 本报记者 吴齐强 贺林平

Strengthen the construction of barrier-free environments for public facilities, information exchange, and social services.

——Excerpt from the "15th Five-Year Plan" Outline

"I heard some time ago that a 'special' new park had opened here. Taking advantage of the good weather these days, I specifically brought my child to experience it, and found it was really different!" said Ms. Yang, a resident of Xinyi (信宜) City, Maoming (茂名) City, Guangdong (广东) Province. Next to the park's sandpit, several children in wheelchairs were swinging alongside ordinary children.

The new park Ms. Yang mentioned is Guangdong's first barrier-free themed children-friendly park, which opened on February 10 this year in the Yudu New District (玉都新区) of Xinyi (信宜) City. This new landmark for people's livelihood, themed "Love Without Barriers, Children's Hearts Together," has become a recreational platform shared by children with physical, hearing, visual, and cognitive impairments, as well as ordinary children.

The fully accessible walking paths allow wheelchairs to easily reach all play areas, allowing children with different physical and mental conditions to play freely and share happiness equally. "Seeing children with disabilities being able to freely build sandcastles and swing, I feel that this park has been built into everyone's hearts," Ms. Yang said.

Mr. Zhang, a citizen, paused and gazed at the park's Wall of Ten Thousand Loves. The wall is densely covered with the names of caring people from all walks of life, and he is one of them.

"Last September, I saw a donation appeal on 'Xinyi Release' (信宜发布) and immediately donated 20 yuan," Mr. Zhang admitted. Although the money was not much, it stemmed from a simple idea: children with disabilities are also children of Xinyi (信宜) and should have a place to play to their heart's content. Now, watching the children frolic in the park fills him with pride.

From one yuan donations to ten thousand yuan contributions, from children to the elderly, small acts of kindness have gathered into a sea. On the Wall of Ten Thousand Loves, each name represents an act of kindness, allowing love to be passed on.

According to the relevant person in charge of the Xinyi (信宜) City Natural Resources Bureau, in the past, although there were many public spaces in Xinyi (信宜), they lacked consideration for special needs. Playing on slides and swings may have been a luxury for children with disabilities. The original intention of building this park was to remove the "threshold" for children with disabilities to leave their homes and enter the park.

Adhering to the design principles of "age-friendly, fully accessible, and sensory companionship," the park has been built into a public space that integrates "barrier-free recreation, multi-sensory experience, and public welfare culture dissemination."

The fully accessible main park road without steps allows wheelchairs and strollers to pass unhindered. Tactile guidance systems, Braille signage, and low-level sinks are visible everywhere. Sound interactive devices, simulated emergency vehicles, and science interactive facilities cater to the needs of children of different ages and with different physical and mental conditions.

In terms of construction, Xinyi (信宜) City innovatively adopted a "government-led + social participation" model. In addition to government investment, the 2.92 million yuan construction cost of barrier-free recreational facilities was raised through public welfare donations jointly initiated by the Municipal Charity Federation (市慈善总会), the Municipal Disabled Persons' Federation (市残联), the Municipal Committee of the Communist Youth League (团市委), and the Municipal Red Cross Society (市红十字会).

"This is not just a matter of money, but also a reflection of the city's cohesion," said the relevant person in charge of the Xinyi (信宜) City Natural Resources Bureau. The donations from more than 140,000 people have made this sense of accomplishment of "building a home together" irreplaceable. Now that the park is open, parents of children with disabilities have a place to take their children to play with peace of mind, and ordinary citizens also feel the city's civilization and inclusiveness.

(Tu Sheng (涂胜) participated in the writing)

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Focus on Concrete Efforts, Prevent "Putting a Cat in Charge of the Creamery" (People's Forum)

By: 邹 翔

Chatting with a friend, we talked about the changes between the past and the present. He shared a unique observation: the phenomenon of "specially supplied liquor," "specially supplied tea," and "specially supplied cigarettes" in the market has significantly decreased and almost disappeared.

Behind this, the continuous weaving of the institutional network and the continuous improvement of governance methods are indispensable, and the power of transforming customs cannot be ignored. Previously, "special supply" had a market because it satisfied some people's obsession with privilege. With the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party advancing in depth, the idea that "there is no privilege in abiding by laws and regulations" has taken root in people's hearts, and the "special supply" phenomenon has become a **过街老鼠** (guò jiē lǎo shǔ - "a rat crossing the street," someone or something universally despised).

The Party's self-revolution focuses on governing power. Governing power ultimately depends on the system. General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) gave a very vivid example: "Establishing rules and regulations is very important. The cage must be tightened a little. A cattle fence cannot hold a cat. The gaps are too large, and the cat can come and go freely."

To prevent "cattle fences from holding cats" and prevent power from escaping the cage, the prerequisite is to establish a scientific, effective, systematic, and complete institutional system. How can we avoid being cumbersome and trivial while effectively solving the problem of the "cage" being not strict or strong enough? The General Secretary emphasized: "The number of laws and regulations is not important, but their quality is; not in flashy forms, but in practical use; not in complex content, but in simplicity and ease of implementation." What runs through it is a "practical" word.

"Practical" means strong pertinence and operability.

The system is not for hanging on the wall, but for use on the ground. Do not engage in empty and general principles, do not pull the same rough alignment standards up and down, and avoid setting up systems for the sake of numbers or good looks. Adhering to problem-oriented and aiming at simplicity and ease of implementation, such a system can stand, work, and be managed well when put into practice.

In the past, the spouses, children, and their spouses of some leading cadres engaged in business and operated enterprises, and even engaged in the transfer of benefits, which seriously disrupted the market economic order and business environment, and undermined social fairness and justice. In response, the introduction of management regulations has effectively solved the difficult problems that have always been wanted to be solved but have not been solved well in the past, and has won the support of the majority of cadres and the masses. Practice shows that the more problem-oriented and practically operable the system is, the stronger its deterrent and binding force will be.

"Practical" means bridging gaps and plugging loopholes.

The TV special program "Never Stop, Never Retreat Half a Step" revealed a case: Two staff members of the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau of Longlin Various Nationalities Autonomous County (隆林各族自治县) in Guangxi (广西) discovered that there were loopholes in the design of the social security business system at that time, but instead of thinking about plugging the loopholes, they used the loopholes to defraud themselves and their families of pension funds, and eventually fell into prison.

This serves as a negative warning to us that to weave a tight and secure institutional cage, we must be good at starting from the insufficient connection between laws and regulations and the existence of gaps and loopholes, strengthen the connection between the front and the back, the linkage between the left and the right, the supporting between the top and the bottom, and the systematic integration, and continuously improve the penetration of anti-corruption.

"Practical" means adapting to the times and advancing with the times.

How to solve the problems of discovering, obtaining evidence, and defining new types of corruption and hidden corruption? The "Evidence Guidelines for Investigating New Types of Corruption and Hidden Corruption Issues" issued at the end of last year provides comprehensive, specific, and operable evidence collection guidance, making the new not "new" and the hidden difficult to "hide."

The system is used to solve problems and promote work, and old methods cannot answer new questions. The anti-corruption struggle faces new situations and new challenges. To prevent "cattle fences from holding cats," we must repair them in time and strengthen them as things change, tighten the institutional cage, establish those that are blank and missing as soon as possible, and revise and supplement those that are incomplete and lagging behind as soon as possible, so as to protect high-quality development with improved laws and regulations.

Governing the Party by the system and governing the Party according to regulations is the most reliable, effective, and lasting way to manage and govern the Party. By doing enough solid work and not engaging in empty work, and putting power into the institutional cage more scientifically and effectively, we can promote the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party to achieve more substantial results.

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The State Council Appoints and Removes National Personnel

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, March 25th (Xinhua) -- The State Council has appointed and removed national personnel.

Xu Biju (徐必久) has been appointed as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment; Liu Haibo (刘海波) has been appointed as Deputy Director of the National Government Offices Administration; Zhang Dongmei (章冬梅) (female) has been appointed as Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council; Yang Zhengwei (杨正位) has been appointed as Deputy Director of the Development Research Center of the State Council; Yang Weiqun (杨伟群) has been appointed as Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region; Zheng Yongqiang (郑永强) has been appointed as Deputy Commander of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (新疆生产建设兵团).

Yang Weiqun (杨伟群) is removed from the post of Deputy Director of the China International Development Cooperation Agency; Zhang Yu (张愚) is removed from the post of Deputy Director of the National Government Offices Administration; Huang Liuquan (黄柳权) is removed from the posts of Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region and National Security Technology Advisor of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Macao Special Administrative Region; Li Guo (栗国) is removed from the post of Deputy Commander of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (新疆生产建设兵团).

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China's groundwater monitoring capabilities achieve leapfrog development

This newspaper's Beijing (北京) dispatch on March 25th (Reporter Wang Hao (王浩)) - The reporter learned from the Ministry of Water Resources (水利部) that China has been continuously promoting the National Groundwater Monitoring Project since 2015. At present, it has built a world-class national groundwater automatic monitoring system with the most comprehensive coverage of groundwater types, complete monitoring elements, and leading technology, realizing the overall technological innovation of "construction-management-application." China's groundwater monitoring capabilities have achieved leapfrog development.

Groundwater is an indispensable water supply source and strategic resource for economic and social development, and plays an important role in maintaining the health of the ecological environment. Groundwater monitoring is an important task to understand and grasp the dynamic change characteristics of groundwater, analyze and evaluate groundwater resources, formulate reasonable development and utilization and effective protection measures, and support water resources management and conservation. In September 2015, the Ministry of Water Resources (水利部) and other departments jointly launched the National Groundwater Monitoring Project in accordance with the principles of "**统一布局、分工协作、避免重复、信息共享**" (tǒng yī bù jú, fēn gōng xié zuò, bì miǎn chóng fù, xìn xī gòng xiǎng - "unified layout, division of labor and cooperation, avoid duplication, information sharing," emphasizing coordinated and efficient resource allocation), and the project was fully completed and put into operation in 2019. The completion acceptance was completed in 2020, with a total of 20,469 national-level groundwater monitoring stations built, and the first national-level groundwater monitoring system with a full-chain architecture was constructed.

Currently, more than 20,000 national-level monitoring stations across the country have become the "eyes and ears" for groundwater over-extraction supervision. Data shows that the over-extraction of groundwater in the North China (华北) Plain has begun to improve, and the groundwater level has generally rebounded compared with before the treatment. The average rise of shallow groundwater level in the treatment area is 3.76 meters, and the average rise of deep groundwater level is 7.65 meters. In Hebei Province (河北省), the national-level monitoring station supports the precise scheduling of groundwater level control, and directs and supervises cities and counties to implement control measures. Groundwater in Hebei Province (河北省) has basically achieved a balance between extraction and recharge, the groundwater level has stopped falling and rebounded, the area of over-extraction areas has decreased by 31%, and 46 counties have withdrawn from the ranks of over-extraction.

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Photo Report

On March 25th, Fushan District Menloudouyu Primary School in Yantai (烟台), Shandong (山东) Province, launched the "Drama Culture Enters Campus" activity, allowing students to experience the charm of traditional drama culture up close. The picture shows a opera teacher (戏曲老师) (left) guiding students of the Peking Opera (京剧) troupe in practicing basic drama performance skills.

Photo by Sun Wentan (孙文潭) (Image China (影像中国))

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China wins 90 gold medals at Geneva International Invention Exhibition

This newspaper reported from Beijing on March 25th (Reporter Gu Yekai (谷业凯)): The reporter learned from the China Association of Inventions (中国发明协会) that at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva held in Geneva, Switzerland, the Chinese delegation won a total of 90 gold medals, 95 silver medals, and 52 bronze medals.

At this year's International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, the Chinese delegation organized a total of 237 invention achievements and 212 booths, reaching a high level in terms of both quantity and quality of exhibits. The exhibited invention achievements are mainly concentrated in the fields of environmental protection, renewable energy, electronics, medicine, construction, and transportation, among which the number of software, cybersecurity, blockchain, and Internet of Things related exhibits has increased significantly.

The International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva was founded in 1973 and is co-sponsored by the Swiss Federal Government, the Geneva State Government, the Geneva Municipal Government, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (世界知识产权组织). It is one of the world's longest-running and largest invention exhibitions. The exhibition lasted for 5 days, with more than 1,000 invention projects from 35 countries and regions showcasing innovative achievements in different fields and industries.

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First Edition Editors: Xu Nuo, Zhao Zheng, Zhao Chuanbo; Second Edition Editors: Jiang Xuejie, Guo Xueyan, Cui Bin; Third Edition Editors: Wu Gang, Zhou Zhou, Wang Xuchen; Fourth Edition Editors: Bai Zhiyu, Han Chunyao, Chen Zhen

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Safeguarding High-Quality Consumption with the Rule of Law (People's Daily Commentary)

By: 李子硕

Promoting the high-quality development of lifestyle service industries hinges on deepening supply-side structural reforms, while also requiring the effective use of the rule of law and legal thinking to create a detailed and vivid picture of robust supply and demand, dynamic order, and heartfelt warmth.

From a bowl of hot porridge in the early morning to a late-night repair, from the attentive care of infants to the reassuring health and wellness of the elderly, lifestyle service scenarios are closely related to the happiness of the people. The "15th Five-Year Plan" outline dedicates a specific section to deploying "promoting the high-quality, diversified, and convenient development of lifestyle service industries." Promoting the high-quality development of lifestyle service industries, allowing the people to enjoy high-quality consumption, has become a necessity of the times and the desire of the people.

However, contracts with "buried traps" before construction, "mismatched goods" after construction begins, and frequent water seepage and leaks after completion... An investigative reporter found that there are many problems in the home decoration service field, making it difficult for consumers to protect their rights. Not only in the home decoration market, but also prepaid card "running away" traps, renewed tricks of hidden consumption, and lagging supervision of some new business formats, many chaotic phenomena in the lifestyle service field affect the consumer experience and are "stumbling blocks" to boosting consumption. The "Analysis of Complaint Handling by National Consumer Associations in 2025" released by the China Consumers Association (中国消费者协会) shows that annual consumer complaint hotspots involve lifestyle service industries such as the home decoration market and tourism.

Currently, the people's lifestyle service needs exhibit distinct characteristics of personalization, refinement, and high quality. This is not just a simple satisfaction of a meal, a cleaning service, or a consumption experience, but also contains a comprehensive expectation of safety, integrity, comfort, and even spiritual pleasure. Promoting the high-quality development of lifestyle service industries hinges on deepening supply-side structural reforms, while also requiring the effective use of the rule of law and legal thinking to create a detailed and vivid picture of robust supply and demand, dynamic order, and heartfelt warmth.

Lifestyle service industries have many categories, dispersed entities, and long chains, and problems such as low standards and weak supervision have existed for a long time. Establishing behavioral boundaries with the rigidity of the rule of law is an inevitable choice for curbing malpractices and restoring order.

The Yangshuo County Market Supervision Bureau (阳朔县市场监管局) in Guangxi Province, targeting the characteristics of the travel photography industry, explored a "supervision + service" model, with law enforcement personnel proactively providing advertising compliance guidance. Under the protection of this model, from January to August 2025, a local tourism base received approximately 180,000 tourists, with a satisfaction rate of 97%. Referring to laws and regulations such as the Civil Code, accelerating the construction of service standards, and improving the market access and exit mechanisms, "opening green lights" for those who keep their promises and "showing red cards" to those who break their promises will help compress the survival space of inferior services.

Some netizens complained: "I have collected more than 200 'avoiding pitfalls' guides and joined 5 renovation groups. I thought I was already half an expert, but on the first day of construction, reality taught me a lesson." Consumers are in a weak position of information asymmetry and are often unable to cope with problems such as "material swapping" in decoration, "qualification forgery" in domestic services, and "false promises" in elderly care. Holding up a "protective umbrella" for consumers is a necessary part of the rule of law construction.

The regulatory authorities in Hangzhou (杭州), Zhejiang Province, innovatively launched an online "one-click reconciliation" model for offline consumer disputes, relying on payment data chains to promote the reengineering of the rights protection process. Consumers submit rights protection materials at one time, and relevant departments handle them collaboratively, greatly reducing the cost of rights protection. Optimizing the allocation of evidentiary responsibilities through the rule of law, unblocking diversified dispute resolution channels, and increasing the intensity of punitive damages can effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of consumers.

Without rules, there can be no order; without standards, it is difficult to discuss quality. The rule of law is not only a sword of punishment, but also a cornerstone of construction. In reality, some enterprises that adhere to service quality face the dilemma of high costs, difficulty in acquiring customers, and thin profits, making it difficult to resist low-price vicious competition. To achieve "good money driving out bad money" in the lifestyle service industry, it is necessary to use the rule of law to rectify the names and expand the space for high-quality enterprises, and allow honest operators to stand tall.

The Hulunbuir City Market Supervision Bureau (呼伦贝尔市市场监管局) in Inner Mongolia issued the "Worry-Free Consumption Catering Environment Construction Specification," building a publicity and promotion platform for "Food Worry-Free" demonstration enterprises to help them reduce operating costs. Credit is an intangible asset, and the rule of law is the best guarantee. When credit information flows, market choices will become more accurate, and resource allocation will become more efficient.

The high-quality development of lifestyle service industries is connected to the people's clothing, food, housing, and transportation, and reflects the level of social governance. Effectively leveraging the fundamental, stabilizing, and long-term guarantee role of the rule of law, making the "human fireworks" of lifestyle service industries more standardized, warmer, and more brilliant, will surely continuously add bricks and tiles to a better life.

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Hand-crafted" Witnessing the Innovation of "Made in China" (Jin Tai Essay)

By: 陈炳旭

Handcrafting seems to be a connecting point, linking the upstream and downstream of the industrial chain, and even the internal and external circulation of the economy; it is also like a fulcrum, leveraging the flow of resources and capital, and stimulating new momentum in the interaction between innovation and the market.

Using foam rollers and motors to make smart massagers and sell them globally; independently developing 10-kilometer-range rockets in spare time and flying them to high altitudes; starting from scavenging old appliances from waste stations, independently completing sketches, 3D printing, and programming to create mechanical armor that can automatically open and close and intelligently interact; using microcontrollers and open-source tutorials to create interactive electronic pets with expressions, resulting in a flood of online traffic and orders... For some time now, "handcrafting everything" has been popular, spreading out an innovation test field.

What is innovation? Ultimately, it is the process of satisfying social needs and promoting production development through creative practice. "Handcrafting" is not a joke, but refers to completing creative production with only manual labor or simple tools. In the process of kneading and shaping, and meticulous carving, one can glimpse the birth and growth of innovation, and witness the matching of individual creativity with socialized needs. The trend of handcrafting emerging in large numbers precisely illustrates that the effective combination of rich creation and development needs will unleash vigorous innovation vitality. Further investigation into the reasons for its emergence reveals that it is inseparable from the popularization of scientific knowledge, the abundance and accessibility of materials, and the universal availability of tools.

From the course of technological development, we can glimpse the innovative energy of handcrafting. In 2009, Wang Xingxing (王兴兴), 19 years old, couldn't afford a 3D printer, so he spent 200 yuan to handcraft parts and create a walking bipedal robot. Today, the humanoid robots developed by Wang Xingxing's company, Unitree Robotics (宇树科技), already have the hard skills to perform Yangko dances and martial arts. This "evolutionary history" reflects the evolution from small innovation to large creation: innovation can not only be born in the laboratory, but also originate from a strong heart full of desire for the unknown and daring to turn blueprints into reality with one's own hands.

Handcrafting achieves dreams, which is not only a victory of personal talent and diligence, but also an epitome of the dividends of the times. Gao Xingyu (高星宇), born after 2000, crafted exquisite mecha models in his dormitory, gained market recognition, founded his own brand and signed a contract with a listed company; an electronic component small-batch customization platform had a revenue of nearly 8 billion yuan and a net profit of 998 million yuan in 2024, representing year-on-year increases of 18.55% and 35.19% respectively; in Huaqiangbei (华强北), Shenzhen (深圳), Guangdong (广东), a group of foreign makers are working side by side with local engineers and solution providers, releasing innovative magnetic attraction... Handcrafting seems to be a connecting point, linking the upstream and downstream of the industrial chain, and even the internal and external circulation of the economy; it is also like a fulcrum, leveraging the flow of resources and capital, and stimulating new momentum in the interaction between innovation and the market.

To allow whimsical ideas to take root and flourish, and to allow hobbies to blossom and bear fruit, personal effort is the main reason, but government services can also play a significant role. Understanding the needs and expectations of these handcrafting makers and providing more suitable support and services will better stimulate innovation and creativity. For example, Huaqiangbei (华强北) has established an innovation community to provide AI (Artificial Intelligence) entrepreneurs with certain capabilities with full-cycle support from creative incubation to market transformation; another example is Qingdao (青岛), Shandong (山东), which has launched a single-person AI entrepreneur platform, using the "single-person + AI" new entrepreneurial model to integrate core elements such as computing power, data, and technology to build a deeply integrated innovation system. Integrating resources, building an ecosystem, and providing more good tools and good helpers will help more golden ideas to emerge, and technological innovation and industrial development will be full of vitality.

No groundbreaking emergence is without reason. Why is innovation valuable? It lies in its characteristics and significance. Once handcrafting becomes homogeneous or loses its practicality, it will not only deviate from the original intention of innovation, but also be difficult to be favored by the market. Whether it is strengthening technical research and judgment and supervision, or correctly guiding the direction of innovation and promoting smooth connection between supply and demand, actively connecting the "ivory tower" and the "production line" can promote the leap in innovation capabilities, so that small innovations have the opportunity to break into the big market and become a big industry.

With dreams in our hearts, light in our eyes, skills in our hands, and a path under our feet. Every new departure is a long journey to climb higher. By cherishing the seeds of innovation hidden in handcrafting and activating more extraordinary creations from ordinary alleys, Made in China (中国制造) will surely move towards a better future in one bold idea and bold creation after another.

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Intangible Cultural Heritage Performance Demonstrates the Power of Inheritance (On-the-Spot Commentary)

By: 武卫政

Some say that the Spring Festival contains two magnetic fields: an emotional magnetic field and a cultural magnetic field. The Year of the Horse Spring Festival has passed, but many people are still savoring the festive atmosphere.

What kind of festive atmosphere counts as sufficient? During exchanges, some blurted out, "Looking forward to the flower fair to make some noise." Flower fairs have considerable renown in Tianjin (天津). This year, the Beichen District (北辰区) of Tianjin (天津) held the 29th "Wanmin Tongle Da Lianhuan" (万民同乐大联欢) Flower Fair Performance, with 14 folk flower fair troupes from Beijing (北京), Tianjin (天津), and Hebei (河北) performing on the same stage. On the banks of the Grand Canal in Jinghai District (静海区), 17 flower fair teams were in high spirits, with classic folk programs such as the Denggan (登杆) of Daliufen Village (大六分村), stilt walking, drum dances, Yangko dances, and Xiaochehui (小车会) taking turns on stage. The ancient charm of intangible cultural heritage and the everyday life of the people complemented each other, tightening emotional bonds and conveying cultural charm.

Observing these cultural and artistic performances, two phenomena are striking. One is the combination of old, middle-aged, and young people in the performing teams; the other is the simultaneous appearance of intangible cultural heritage programs from Beijing (北京), Tianjin (天津), Hebei (河北), and other places, which is both a competition and an exchange. Upon closer reflection, the spirit of the performing teams, the lively atmosphere of the scenes, and the cheers of the surrounding masses allow people to truly perceive the practical pulse of the inheritance and development of outstanding Chinese traditional culture.

First, revere tradition, and then dare to innovate. The national-level intangible cultural heritage "Jinmen Fagu (Yangjiazhuang Yongyin Fagu)" (津门法鼓（杨家庄永音法鼓）), used to be passed down with the master drumming and the apprentice watching, without sheet music, relying entirely on memory and comprehension. Wu Yang (吴漾), a young inheritor, spent four years compiling the sheet music for the five musical instruments used to play the Fagu drum, turning the vague craft into clear knowledge, which was an eye-opener for the old masters.

How can the century-old Fagu drum resonate with the times? He plans to write a play that integrates the origin history of the Fagu drum, the stories of the old artists' perseverance, and his own experiences of learning the art, using forms that young people like to hear and see to tell the story of intangible cultural heritage. Cultural inheritance has its logic. Only by studying it thoroughly and finding a balance between preserving the essence and innovating can it be better developed.

Orderly inheritance requires the right people. The national-level intangible cultural heritage representative project "Mazu (妈祖) Ritual Ceremony (Gegu Baonianhui)" (妈祖祭典（葛沽宝辇会）) showcased a brand-new lineup, traditional rituals, and widespread participation this year. The upgraded "Nine Litters and Five Pavilions" appeared on the same stage, with six small litters carried by a group of teenagers, who walked steadily and with high spirits. Carrying the litter is not simple; there are subtleties in stepping and listening to commands. Intangible cultural heritage activities have stimulated a strong interest among young people in loving and learning about intangible cultural heritage.

Where does the new generation of intangible cultural heritage inheritors come from? Children, teenagers, and young people are the hope. Bringing intangible cultural heritage classes into primary schools, middle schools, and universities, so that intangible cultural heritage projects have people to pass them on and people to learn them, will ensure that inheritance is a long-lasting and vibrant stream.

Focus on exhibitions and performances to cultivate the soil for inheritance. Not long ago, in a museum at Tianjin University (天津大学), Sichuan Zigong Lanterns (四川自贡彩灯) and Jinmen Fagu (津门法鼓), Tianjin Gaoqiao (天津高跷) celebrated the Lantern Festival together, becoming the biggest highlight of the day. In Yangliuqing Ancient Town (杨柳青古镇) in Xiqing District (西青区), eight performing teams from Beijing (北京), Tianjin (天津), and Hebei (河北) took turns on stage, with the Zhongfan (中幡) performance being thrilling and exciting, the Taiping Drum (太平鼓) having a lively rhythm, the lion dance being agile and playful, and the stilt walking being nimble and swift.

The inheritance of intangible cultural heritage projects requires putting in "clumsy effort" (笨功夫 (bèn gōng fū - "stupid effort," diligent and painstaking work)) at ordinary times, so that one can see the true results at critical moments. Closely linked to important festivals such as the Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival, with old, middle-aged, and young people on the same stage and various intangible cultural heritage projects in the same venue, safeguarding the traditions of a place and opening up a stage for exchange and mutual learning is not only a display of achievements but also an opportunity to learn from each other's strengths and make up for one's weaknesses. It is not only a cultural feast for the masses but also enhances people's love for it. Frequent exhibitions and performances, and continuous interaction with the public, are conducive to cultivating the social foundation for inheritance.

The "15th Five-Year Plan" proposes to "improve the public cultural service system, inherit and promote outstanding Chinese traditional culture, and enable the people to enjoy a higher quality of cultural life." Revering tradition without being constrained by it, daring to innovate without losing authenticity, allowing intangible cultural heritage classes to enter campuses and exhibitions and performances to reach the masses, making outstanding Chinese traditional culture visible, tangible, audible, and passed down, will inject more power into promoting the inheritance and development of cultural heritage and the prosperity of cultural undertakings.

(The author is a reporter from the Tianjin Branch of this newspaper.)

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Photo Story

Spring returns to the earth, and myriad flowers bloom in profusion. People flock to the outdoors to enjoy the spring scenery and appreciate the flowers, reveling in the spring sunshine. Drinking coffee and savoring local delicacies by the flower fields, taking hot air balloons to overlook the sea of flowers, and listening to a concert... Various regions are using flowers as a medium to create diverse cultural tourism models, promoting the upgrade from simple sightseeing to comprehensive experiences. With the expansion of the industrial chain, the "flower economy" is becoming more colorful, injecting strong momentum into the comprehensive revitalization of the countryside.

This is precisely:

A sea of flowers reflects the clear sky,
Laughter chases the warm breeze.
Cultural tourism adds new charm,
The countryside is exceptionally red.

Xu Zhiwen (徐之文)

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The Silver Economy Needs to "Understand" the Elderly, Not Just "Rely" on Them

By: 李 娜

Looking at today's elderly products, it can be seen that they are no longer just walking sticks, wheelchairs, and elderly shoes, but are constantly innovating.

Automatic cane chairs that can be put in a bag, fashionable casual shoes with stylish colors, electric nail clippers... These items are selling well in a silver-haired store in Beijing (北京); at an elderly university in Shanghai (上海), special courses such as silver-haired image management and AI (artificial intelligence) applications are quickly fully booked as soon as they are launched; in an elderly service center in a community in Shenzhen (深圳), Guangdong (广东), the elderly come to "check in" early every morning to experience the "technological feel" of moxibustion robots and intelligent massage equipment... From "elderly care" to "enjoying old age," the consumption structure of the silver-haired population is undergoing profound changes, and some "new" age-friendly products and supplies are favored.

As the consumption concepts of the elderly group change, and the demand stratification becomes more refined and presents new trends, how should the silver-haired economy achieve high-quality development?

"Relying on the elderly" is the foundation and the premise. No matter how new the supply is, it is futile if the elderly cannot use it or do not know how to use it. Some elderly people report that companion robots are basically never used after being bought home, "because the operation is too complicated." The massage chair has too many functions to remember, and the intelligent device's recognition function is "unfriendly" to elderly people who are used to speaking dialects. These situations reflect the mismatch between supply and demand in the design and development of some age-friendly products. Age-friendliness is not only about cool technology, but also about adapting to the habits of the elderly and empathizing with their psychology.

The real "relying on the elderly" is to break out of the traditional elderly care thinking, see and embrace the new needs of the elderly group. The group that is currently entering old age is called the "new silver-haired generation." They have broader knowledge, higher requirements for the quality of life in old age, and a strong interest in new products and new scenarios. For example, spending on pet consumption is increasing year by year, off-peak travel is a prominent feature, and some people follow online streamers to learn how to cook and use smart speakers to listen to storytelling... These new consumption needs that combine rationality and sensibility and focus on cost performance are quietly changing the pattern of the silver-haired economy and inspiring the market to write new economic stories with new thinking and new supply.

In short, this is a topic about how the silver-haired economy can better "understand the elderly." The key to the high-quality development of the silver-haired economy also lies in this. Only by truly "relying" on the hearts of the elderly can we find that blue ocean of development.

(Excerpted and compiled from *Tianjin Daily (天津日报)*, originally titled *Silver-Haired Economy: "Relying on the Elderly" Cannot Mean "Selling the Old"*.)

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A Micro Look at Agricultural Modernization Through "New Farm Tools"

By: 秦望舒

On the fields of Tianchang (天长), Anhui, five drones completed the fertilization of over a thousand acres of weak rapeseed seedlings in just one day; in the kiwifruit greenhouses of Fuyang (富阳), Zhejiang, intelligent harvesting robots gently pluck ripe fruits from the vines; in the smart farms of Zouping (邹平), Shandong, unmanned harvesters automatically operate along preset routes, significantly improving efficiency compared to traditional methods... These new scenes in the fields throughout the year make people marvel: the changes in agricultural tools far exceed imagination.

This year's No. 1 Central Document proposed, "Expand application scenarios for drones, the Internet of Things, robots, etc.," with drones and robots being written into the No. 1 Central Document for the first time. Each iteration of agricultural tools marks a leap in agricultural productivity. As the development of agricultural intelligent equipment accelerates, more "new agricultural tools" that meet the needs of agricultural production will unleash greater potential in the vast fields.

From knowing how to farm to "wise" farming, "new agricultural tools" are reshaping the face of field labor. It must also be seen that promoting more "new agricultural tools" from exhibition halls to fields still requires overcoming many thresholds. Under the constraints of resource conditions with more people and less land, a large country with small farmers is China's basic national and agricultural condition. Intelligent equipment is naturally adapted to large-scale operations, while small farmers still face practical problems such as "cannot afford to buy, cannot use." Currently, China's contribution rate of agricultural scientific and technological progress exceeds 64%, but there is still a gap compared with the agricultural scientific and technological progress contribution rate of over 80% in some developed countries. How to better benefit the vast number of farmers with "new agricultural tools" is a question that must be answered well.

Precisely because of this, this year's No. 1 Central Document clearly proposed, "Promote the reform and construction of the grassroots agricultural technology extension system, and promote the entry of agricultural scientific and technological achievements into villages and households." Teachers and students from science and technology courtyards come to the fields to help villagers solve technical problems at any time; socialized service organizations provide small farmers with托管 services from plowing to harvesting; various regions explore agricultural machinery sharing and intelligent scheduling to integrate scattered resources and reduce usage costs. Only when technology can enter the village and be used easily can more "new agricultural tools" play a role and create benefits.

Agricultural modernization, the key is the modernization of agricultural science and technology. From "growing grain in the desert" to "data-driven farming," from building over 1 billion mu of high-standard farmland to investing more than 800,000 combine harvesters in the summer harvest... Technological innovation, this key variable, is reshaping all elements, processes, and chains of agricultural production. Putting the development of new quality productive forces in agriculture in a prominent position, and making more achievements of technological breakthroughs "used for agriculture," can enhance the resilience and stability of agricultural development.

The improvement of agricultural comprehensive production capacity is inseparable from the support of the modern agricultural innovation system. Shandong (山东) proposed building a wheat artificial intelligence breeding platform and cultivating 100 smart agriculture scenarios; Heilongjiang (黑龙江) clarified the need to build and make good use of the national "Artificial Intelligence +" agricultural field pilot base; Chongqing (重庆) implemented the "Agricultural Science and Technology Breakthrough Year" action, planning to focus on supporting the cultivation of more than 100 leading agricultural technology enterprises by 2026... Facing the future, improving the technological content of agriculture requires the deep integration of good fields, good seeds, good machines, and good methods, and also requires the joint efforts of the government, research institutions, enterprises, and farmers.

Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized: "We must put the development of agricultural science and technology in a more prominent position, vigorously promote agricultural mechanization and intelligence, and give agricultural modernization the wings of science and technology." When more "new agricultural tools" take root in fertile soil, and when more farmers enjoy the convenience brought by scientific and technological achievements, we will surely be able to write the big article on agricultural modernization better, and the Chinese people's rice bowl will surely be held more firmly and with better quality.

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Editor in charge of this edition: Chen Ling, Sheng Yulei, Meng Fanzhe

This edition's email: rmrbl@peopledaily.cn (Please indicate the column name when submitting manuscripts)

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Murals Become Dance, Divine Rhythm Flows (A Lifetime Devoted to One Thing)

By: 本报记者 宋朝军

Biography

Gao Jinrong (高金荣), born in Beijing (北京) in 1935, is a dance educator, honorary professor at Lanzhou University of Arts and Sciences (兰州文理学院), and former principal of Gansu Provincial Art School (甘肃省艺术学校). For many years, she has been dedicated to the teaching and innovation of Dunhuang dance, and has authored works such as "Dunhuang Dance" (《敦煌舞蹈》), "Dunhuang Grotto Dance and Music Art" (《敦煌石窟舞乐艺术》), and "Dunhuang Dance Tutorial" (《敦煌舞教程》). Her created teaching repertoire includes "Wonderful Sound Rebound" (《妙音反弹》), "Dunhuang Dream" (《敦煌梦幻》), and "Step by Step Lotus" (《步步生莲》). She has received honors such as "Most Beautiful Teacher," "National Advanced Worker in the Cultural System," and "Dancer with Outstanding Contributions to Chinese Dance Art."

"A single hand bends three fingers like a flower, opens three fingers like a bird's head, and the hand shapes include holding a sheng and playing..." In Lanzhou (兰州市), Gansu Province (甘肃省), 91-year-old dance educator Gao Jinrong (高金荣) speaks of Dunhuang dance with eyes full of love. From basic movements to combined movements and character expressions, Gao Jinrong's (高金荣) thinking is clear and well-organized.

Since 1979, Gao Jinrong (高金荣) has been deeply involved in the study of Dunhuang dance. Over the past 47 years, she has created teaching materials, choreographed repertoires, and cultivated talents, bringing Dunhuang dance from Gansu (甘肃) to all over the world, allowing the Mogao Grottoes (莫高窟) murals, which have been static for thousands of years, to "come alive" on the stage.

From a Dance Drama to Hundreds of Caves, Dunhuang Dance Emerges from Murals

"Dun, great; Huang, prosperous." In the Eastern Han Dynasty, the ancients gave such an evaluation. Thousands of years later, when Gao Jinrong (高金荣) sought "dance" in the Mogao Grottoes (莫高窟), her heart was equally deeply struck.

As a native of Beijing (北京), how did she come to Dunhuang (敦煌), thousands of miles away, to seek "dance"? This originated from a dance drama.

At the age of 16, Gao Jinrong (高金荣), who loved to dance, was admitted to the Central Academy of Drama (中央戏剧学院), becoming one of the first dance majors in the country. After graduating, Gao Jinrong (高金荣) responded to the call of the state and came to the west. After that, she entered the Gansu Provincial Song and Dance Troupe (甘肃省歌舞剧团) and served as a dance teacher at Lanzhou Academy of Arts (兰州艺术学院), participating in the creation of Gansu Provincial Art School (甘肃省艺术学校).

In 1979, the large-scale national dance drama "Silk Road Flower Rain" (《丝路花雨》) was launched. At the premiere, as the chairman of the Gansu Provincial Dancers Association (甘肃省舞蹈家协会) and vice principal of the Provincial Art School (省艺术学校), Gao Jinrong (高金荣) watched intently from the audience. Among them, the "Reversed Pipa" dance performance is still fresh in Gao Jinrong's (高金荣) memory: "It was beautiful and novel, but it was only a small segment, and it wasn't enough to watch."

Gao Jinrong (高金荣) learned that the crew had gone to the Mogao Grottoes (莫高窟) to collect materials before the performance. "This dance has strong artistic and national characteristics, and good things must be constantly inherited and carried forward." She made up her mind to use Dunhuang (敦煌) elements as the basis to research a unique dance style.

Murals are the foundation and nourishment. In order to lay a good foundation, Gao Jinrong (高金荣) came to Dunhuang (敦煌) five times this year. The caves were dark, but seeing the dance images on the walls that had lasted for thousands of years, she strengthened her confidence.

It was not easy to do. The Mogao Grottoes (莫高窟) have 735 caves and 45,000 square meters of murals, of which more than 400 caves have the dance material Gao Jinrong (高金荣) needed, and only one female assistant could help her.

At that time, Dunhuang (敦煌) had a lot of wind and sand. From the train to the bus and then to the car, they drank bitter and salty water all the way. When staying on the road, they often flicked off patches of lice from the bedding.

Although the conditions were difficult, the opportunity was just right. After learning about their intentions, Chang Shuhong (常书鸿), the founder of Dunhuang studies and then director of the Dunhuang Research Institute (敦煌文物研究所), took the initiative to provide assistance. He lent Gao Jinrong (高金荣) 102 treasured line drawings of dance postures for copying and sorting. With limited time, Gao Jinrong (高金荣) often worked through the night to catch up with the progress. When the power went out at night, she lit candles and carefully drew in the candlelight... "I drew one by one, rubbed one by one, and didn't lose a single line. It was very tiring, but I felt like I had discovered a treasure!" Recalling the scene, Gao Jinrong (高金荣) is still very excited.

In addition to copying, Gao Jinrong (高金荣) also drew 135 dance posture patterns by studying the murals in the caves, and recorded more than 100,000 words of notes. Now, in this notebook, the ink has settled with the color of the paper, and the pages are crispy and yellow. "This notebook should be read repeatedly and carefully pondered," said Gao Jinrong (高金荣). The free and unrestrained Hu Xuan dance, the stretched and soaring flying apsaras, the agile and skillful reversed pipa... In more than 400 caves, Gao Jinrong (高金荣) summarized and summarized more than 200 dance postures, laying the foundation for the formation of the Dunhuang dance teaching system.

From a Syllabus to a Standardized System, Dunhuang Dance Blooms in the Classroom

The murals are static, how to create a "dance" and show the flowing charm? Gao Jinrong (高金荣) repeatedly explored this transformation process from static to dynamic.

She returned to Lanzhou (兰州), pasted the drawn dance posture pictures all over the walls, designed and gestured against them, and also consulted classics to learn about Dunhuang (敦煌) history and Mogao Grottoes (莫高窟) history. She also collected folk customs all the way along the Hexi Corridor (河西走廊), looking for inspiration in folk dances, and gradually integrated gestures, steps, and postures...

She explored many results, but it was not enough to carry out teaching. "Teaching materials, talents, and repertoires are indispensable in the dance teaching system," said Gao Jinrong (高金荣).

Gao Jinrong (高金荣) referred to many teaching materials and teaching models of other dance genres. In 1980, she compiled the "Dunhuang Dance Teaching Syllabus" (《敦煌舞教学大纲》), which was arranged according to elements, basic movements, and character combinations, taking the first step in the disciplinary teaching of Dunhuang dance. Dunhuang dance finally "moved."

Gao Jinrong (高金荣) has a vivid memory of the opening of the first Dunhuang dance class. "Only 10 students are recruited, and the best are selected from the best!" In the summer of 1980, facing applicants from all over the country, Gao Jinrong (高金荣) set a "hard standard." In the following six years, she took the first students to practice and improve little by little. From breathing to eyes, and then to rib, hip, knee, and curve training, Gao Jinrong (高金荣) was strict: "The school system is six years, two years for element training, two years for movement training, and the last two years for formal repertoire."

Taking the breathing training in the basic element training as an example, breathing in, breathing out, exhaling, and lifting the breath seem simple, but each has its own standards, and must also be coordinated with movements, eyes, and body shapes. Therefore, every time she trained, Gao Jinrong (高金荣) did it while reminding the students, and also created a special course on breathing rhythm. "**抠好细节** (kōu hǎo xì jié - "scrutinize the details," pay close attention to the details)" to form a good style, said Gao Jinrong (高金荣).

In 1981, Gao Jinrong (高金荣) took her students to Dunhuang (敦煌) to show the basic element movements of Dunhuang dance on the spot; in 1986, they were invited to Beijing (北京) to report on their performance... The excellent performance and exquisite design earned them a lot of affirmation and encouragement.

In the following decades, Gao Jinrong (高金荣) continued to innovate and successively created many Dunhuang dance repertoires, which went from Gansu (甘肃) to the whole country, and then to the international stage, and even attracted some overseas scholars to come to Gansu (甘肃) to study.

From One Person's Research to More People's Inheritance, Dunhuang Dance is Promoted in Innovation

"Pay attention to the three-bend body shape, and the eyes should be majestic and solemn!" In the practice room of the Art Vocational College of Lanzhou University of Arts and Sciences (兰州文理学院艺术职业学院), Jin Liang (金亮), the vice president of the Art Vocational College, is correcting the students' movements. The 20 young men playing the Vajra are strong and steady, sometimes supporting their hands in the "Vajra Palm" gesture, and sometimes glaring angrily.

Jin Liang (金亮) is 52 years old this year. She has been learning Dunhuang dance with Gao Jinrong (高金荣) since she was 13 years old, and is also Gao Jinrong's (高金荣) first master's student.

Not long ago, Jin Liang (金亮) guided 70 students to complete the first performance of the stage play "Flying Feast Silk Road Chapter" (《飞天盛宴  丝路华章》). Since 2023, with the support and guidance of Gao Jinrong (高金荣), Lanzhou University of Arts and Sciences (兰州文理学院) has successively created a number of original stage plays.

Since 2021, Lanzhou University of Arts and Sciences (兰州文理学院) has officially opened the Dunhuang Dance undergraduate class, realizing a comprehensive expansion of the training space compared to the previous secondary vocational training stage. The school has carried out the construction of a boutique system of Dunhuang dance, established a "Dunhuang Dance Performing Arts Talent Training" scientific research platform, and promoted the centralized performance training and standardized presentation of the originally scattered Dunhuang dance repertoires. Jin Liang (金亮) said that from the rehearsal of classic repertoires to the creation of innovative repertoires, new technologies and new concepts provide more possibilities for the inheritance and development of Dunhuang dance. The graceful and graceful Mogao sculptures, the gentle and elegant reversed pipa fairies, and the agile and unrestrained Silk Road Hu Teng... "In the new repertoires, the national, cultural, and aesthetic characteristics of Dunhuang dance are fully displayed." Gao Jinrong (高金荣) gave Jin Liang (金亮) a thumbs up.

At the same time, Gao Jinrong (高金荣) has also been looking for more "windows" for Dunhuang dance. On the vast Gobi Desert, red willows sway their姿势 freely. Even in the face of violent sandstorms, they still stand still... This is a scene from Gao Jinrong's (高金荣) recent new repertoire "Desert Red Willow" (《沙漠红柳》). It integrates the typical body shape and soft rhythm of Dunhuang dance, simulating the flexibility of the red willow swaying in the wind; at the same time, it expresses its tenacity in rooting in the desert through steady and powerful movements. "The dance posture remains unchanged, but the theme jumps out of the Mogao Grottoes (莫高窟)," said Gao Jinrong (高金荣).

Today, more and more people are appreciating and learning Dunhuang dance. Whenever she communicates with everyone, Gao Jinrong (高金荣) is quite emotional: "47 years of hard work have not been in vain. Everyone's love for Dunhuang dance will support us to continue walking."

■Reporter's Notes

Her Confidence Comes from Traditional Culture

During the interview, Gao Jinrong (高金荣), although more than 90 years old, still frequently demonstrated Dunhuang dance movements. In the bookcase, she collected some old photos, most of which were her performance movements and teaching scenes. No matter when and where, Gao Jinrong's (高金荣) movements, postures, eyes, and expressions are full of enthusiasm, from which you can see her confidence in inheriting and promoting excellent Chinese traditional culture for many years.

This confidence stems from the accumulation of tradition. The study of Dunhuang murals is her greatest confidence, and gestures, steps, and postures all grow from this. Dunhuang culture is not only the material for dance choreography, but also the support for artistic character.

This confidence stems from innovative expression. Dunhuang dance is not a simple replica of murals, but uses contemporary aesthetics and scientific methods to awaken the "genetic code" in them, so that excellent traditional culture has a lasting and long-lasting vitality.

Spanning nearly half a century, with the joint efforts of Gao Jinrong (高金荣) and other dance workers, Dunhuang dance has been reborn and out of the circle time and time again, constantly proving the eternal charm of excellent Chinese traditional culture that transcends time and space.

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"I will always remember the warmth of his palm" (Watching)

By: 本报记者 吴 勇

Recently, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) Party Committee of the State Council released the "Central Enterprise Role Models" for 2025. Huang Qidong (黄启东) (pictured left, file photo), an employee of China National Aviation Holding Corporation (中航集团), was awarded the honorary title of "Central Enterprise Role Model" for bravely saving a father and son from drowning.

On October 2, 2025, a sudden emergency broke the tranquility on the bank of the Xiaohei River (小黑河) in Hohhot (呼和浩特), Inner Mongolia (内蒙古).

At around 4:00 PM, under the Rainbow Bridge (彩虹桥) opposite the Jingyuan Community (景苑小区) on Yinhe South Street (银河南街) in Saihan District (赛罕区), Hohhot (呼和浩特市), a 6-year-old boy accidentally fell into the river. In a moment of desperation, the child's father, Mr. Xin (辛先生), jumped into the river to rescue him, but because he was not familiar with the water, both father and son were in trouble. Despite struggling hard, they were unable to swim out of the deep water, and their lives were in danger.

At this critical moment, Huang Qidong (黄启东), who was taking a walk with his wife, discovered the emergency. Without the slightest hesitation, this 60-year-old man jumped into the icy river without even taking off his clothes or glasses, and swam towards the drowning father and son.

"Save the child first!" This was his last cry in life, and also his instinctive choice in a moment of crisis.

Huang Qidong (黄启东) first swam to the boy and safely delivered him to the shore. Without taking a break, he immediately turned around and swam again towards the child's father, who was still struggling in the water.

At this time, the cold river water had consumed a lot of Huang Qidong's (黄启东) physical strength. However, seeing the child's father about to be swallowed by the river, he selflessly swam towards the deep water again, doing his best to drag Mr. Xin (辛先生) towards the shore.

"The shore was all soft mud, too slippery, we tried several times but couldn't get up," Mr. Xin (辛先生) recalled with a sob after being rescued. "Just as our strength was about to run out, Uncle Huang (黄叔叔) used all his strength to push me hard towards the shore."

The drowning people were saved, but Huang Qidong (黄启东) sank into the water due to exhaustion and was washed away by the river, disappearing from people's sight.

Multiple forces were mobilized upon hearing the news and launched an emergency search and rescue operation. After more than two hours of effort, at 6:55 PM that day, Huang Qidong (黄启东) was salvaged ashore, but the flame of his life had already been extinguished.

Mr. Xin (辛先生) described to reporters, sobbing, "He tried his best to grab my frozen hand, and my son and I were rescued, but Uncle Huang (黄叔叔) didn't come up... I will always remember the warmth of his palm."

After Huang Qidong's (黄启东) sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the titles of "Outstanding Communist Party Member of Central Enterprises" and "Outstanding Communist Party Member of China National Aviation Holding Corporation Limited (中国航空集团有限公司)" by the SASAC Party Committee of the State Council and the China National Aviation Holding Corporation (中航集团) Party Group, respectively, and was successively named "Role Model of Northern Xinjiang (北疆楷模)", "Good Person of Inner Mongolia (内蒙古好人)", and "Good Person of Qingcheng (青城好人)". His deeds have attracted the attention of a large number of netizens.

Huang Qidong's (黄启东) heroic act was not accidental; it was the eruption of responsibility and commitment deeply rooted in his heart in a moment of crisis. Sorting through Huang Qidong's (黄启东) belongings, there was a thick stack of certificates of merit, each one imprinted with his hard work and dedication.

Before his death, Huang Qidong (黄启东) was a duty manager of the Operation Control Center and an inspector of the Aviation Safety Management Department of China International Aviation Inner Mongolia Co., Ltd. (中国国际航空内蒙古有限公司), a subsidiary of China National Aviation Holding Corporation (中航集团). Since joining the workforce in January 1984, he had devoted himself wholeheartedly to the civil aviation industry.

As a safety management officer, Huang Qidong (黄启东) knew that "safety is the lifeline of the civil aviation industry." He paid special attention to the continuous improvement of his own safety qualities and business capabilities, constantly studying safety production laws, regulations, and operating procedures, and strengthening his safety awareness. Approaching retirement, he also took the initiative to participate in safety management training to continuously improve his safety management level. In his position in aviation safety management, Huang Qidong (黄启东) compiled the risk prevention and control points and emergency response skills he had summarized over the years into easy-to-understand training materials. Every time new employees joined the company, he would take them to familiarize themselves with the scheduling process, simulate flight deployment scenarios under severe weather conditions, and use real-life cases to explain "why to operate according to regulations" and "how to minimize safety risks."

"Work must be meticulous, and we must make 尽百分之百的努力 (jìn bǎi fēn zhī bǎi de nǔ lì - "give 100% effort," to exert oneself fully and completely)." This was what Huang Qidong (黄启东) often said. Even as he approached retirement, he still insisted on going to the apron for inspection every day, rain or shine.

In the eyes of his son, Huang Jingyao (黄景尧), Huang Qidong (黄启东) was a gentle and loving father who never scolded him harshly, but instead educated him with his words and deeds. "Be trustworthy and keep your promises." "Make 尽百分之百的努力 (jìn bǎi fēn zhī bǎi de nǔ lì - "give 100% effort," to exert oneself fully and completely) to do your job well." These simple words are the precious spiritual wealth that Huang Qidong (黄启东) left to his son.

Although Huang Qidong (黄启东) has passed away, his spirit is still being passed on. Mr. Xin (辛先生), who was rescued, said that he would educate his children to pass on this love and help more people in need. Huang Jingyao (黄景尧) said, "Although it is very sad, I will carry on strongly with my father's love."

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Standing Firm in the Market with Technology (Innovation Story)

By: 卢 鑫

In 2025, a breathable and waterproof shoe sole developed by our team was launched on the market and received a good response.
The technology of shoes is 70% in the sole. We spent nearly a year developing this small sole, and we don't know how many sets of molds we opened. It incorporates many of our research and development achievements—the innovative structural design of the hollow part of the sole effectively achieves breathability; the improved processing technology improves the performance of the waterproof cloth, and high-temperature processing does not affect the tiny breathable gaps; the midsole material uses EVA supercritical foaming technology, which has excellent cushioning and rebound performance.
Our company is located in Chendai Town (陈埭镇), Jinjiang City (晋江市), Quanzhou (泉州), Fujian (福建) Province, which has gathered more than 7,000 shoe companies and supporting enterprises, and has an industrial ecosystem of "procuring all shoe materials in half an hour." The transformation path of our company in recent years is also a microcosm of the development and changes of Chendai Town (陈埭镇).
I remember when I first joined the company in 2011, most shoe material companies in Chendai Town (陈埭镇) were still in the stage of simple OEM production. The molds and material formulas were provided by upstream and downstream companies. They lacked their own core technology, the cooperation stickiness was low, and the order volume was greatly affected by market fluctuations. Over time, we found that the technology was in the hands of others, and the profits were getting lower and lower.
Starting in 2020, we made up our minds to increase innovation and research and development efforts, and try to develop niche areas to specialize in shoe sole materials.
After market analysis, we aimed at breathability, slip resistance, antistatic and other properties to tackle key problems. We independently developed a lightweight anti-slip rubber sole, which is 20% lighter than traditional vulcanized rubber and thermoplastic rubber, and its wear resistance and slip resistance are significantly improved, and it also has excellent anti-aging performance. After the sole was launched, it achieved mass production, not only obtaining orders from many sports brands, but also entering the professional shoe market such as electrician shoes.
In addition to improving the functionality of materials, we also pay attention to the market's emphasis on environmental protection. In the past, shoe soles were bonded with glue, and the organic solvent content of glue exceeded 85%, which easily caused pollution to the environment. To this end, we developed an in-mold integrated molding process to replace glue. Calculated on the basis of an annual output of 10 million pairs of composite soles, it will reduce the emission of 330 tons of organic solvents. The production process is also reduced accordingly, the production cycle is shortened by at least 40%, and the production cost is reduced by more than 35%.
On the road of innovation, we have felt the support of many forces. In recent years, the local area has continued to introduce scientific research institutes in the fields of shoe materials and equipment manufacturing, and build industry-research docking platforms, allowing us to accurately obtain professional guidance and solve R&D bottlenecks and difficulties. We are also making our own efforts for the long-term development of the shoe sole material industry. In December 2023, our company's Fujian (福建) Province Rubber and Plastic New Material Key Laboratory passed the evaluation of the Fujian (福建) Provincial Department of Science and Technology (福建省科技厅), which is an open platform for application research of rubber and plastic new materials facing the entire province.
Now, we invest more than 20 million yuan in research and development every year to further focus on product quality and strive to create our own brand advantages. Chendai Town (陈埭镇) has a complete shoe material industry chain and a good research and development foundation. Many shoe material companies in the town are increasing their innovation and research and development efforts. I believe we can continue to make products with market competitiveness.
(The author is the technology manager of Maotai (Fujian) New Material Technology Co., Ltd. (茂泰（福建）新材料科技有限公司). This report was compiled by Shi Yu (施钰), a reporter from this newspaper.)

■Link
In recent years, Jinjiang City (晋江市), Fujian (福建) Province, has actively promoted scientific and technological innovation and technological transformation and upgrading, and promoted the transformation and upgrading of the textile and apparel industry to high-end, intelligent, and green.
Focusing on the public innovation needs of key industrial chains, Jinjiang City (晋江市) has built 14 high-level scientific research platforms, accelerated the layout and construction of concept verification, pilot test, and pilot-scale bases, and driven the overall upgrading of the industrial chain by taking supply chain innovation as a breakthrough. In terms of talent support, Jinjiang City (晋江市) will promote 16 specially-appointed expert team members to go deep into 35 textile and apparel chain companies in 2025 to carry out technical research, and promote 13 cooperation projects with a value of more than 100 million yuan.
(Compiled by Shi Yu (施钰), a reporter from this newspaper)

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The Incremental Path to Innovation: A Quick Take

By: 刘用通

The innovative advancement path of Jinjiang (晋江) footwear industry is a vivid example of the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries. Starting from OEM manufacturing, to mastering core technologies and leading the trend of green intelligent manufacturing, Jinjiang (晋江) footwear companies use practice to interpret the profound connotation of 积微致著 (jī wēi zhì zhù - "accumulate small things to achieve great results," small beginnings lead to great achievements). The innovative advancement path of Jinjiang (晋江) footwear industry is underpinned by the triple logic of Jinjiang (晋江) manufacturing leaping towards "intelligent manufacturing."

Accumulating core competitiveness through technological precipitation. "OEM manufacturing" was once a common label for Jinjiang (晋江) footwear companies, lacking pricing power and voice. Jinjiang (晋江) enterprises have proven with nearly ten years of development that only by mastering core technologies can they gain a firm foothold in the market. This transformation from "simple OEM manufacturing" to "independent research and development" is precisely the proof that Jinjiang (晋江) enterprises are constantly moving towards the mid-to-high end of the industrial chain.

Leading the new trend of the industry with green intelligent manufacturing. Innovation lies not only in the improvement of performance but also in the transformation of production methods. Jinjiang (晋江) footwear companies strive to practice the concept of green development, and green intelligent manufacturing has become a necessary option for the survival and development of Jinjiang (晋江) enterprises, promoting the entire industrial cluster to move towards a more sustainable direction.

Stimulating innovation cluster effect with a collaborative ecosystem. With the government building the stage and enterprises performing the opera, Jinjiang (晋江) has introduced scientific research institutes to build high-level scientific research platforms, from specially-appointed expert teams delving into enterprises to tackle key problems, to close collaboration between upstream and downstream of the industrial chain. This innovative ecosystem of deep integration of "industry, academia, research, and application" allows the technological breakthroughs of individual enterprises to be quickly transformed into the common wealth of the industrial cluster, allowing Jinjiang (晋江) footwear industry to always maintain resilience and vitality in the fierce global competition.

(The author is the Party Secretary and Chairman of Fujian Provincial Radio and Television Group (福建省广播影视集团).)

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The Third Round of National Demonstration Zones for the Protection and Utilization of Cultural Relics Launched

This newspaper reported from Beijing on March 25th (Reporter Wang Jue (王珏)): On March 25th, the National Cultural Heritage Administration (国家文物局) held a regular press conference for the first quarter in Beijing, releasing information on the publicity and selection of "National Craftsmen of Cultural Relics," introducing the construction of national demonstration zones for the protection and utilization of cultural relics, a three-year action plan for tackling the root causes of safety production in the cultural relics industry, the protection and utilization of Long March (长征) cultural relics, and the progress and effectiveness of vocational skills training and vocational skill level identification in the cultural relics industry.

The reporter learned from the meeting that the National Cultural Heritage Administration (国家文物局) has deployed two batches of national demonstration zone creation tasks for the protection and utilization of cultural relics, involving 21 cities and counties, which have played a positive role in systematically integrating policy resources, stimulating local enthusiasm and creativity, and promoting pilot reforms in the protection and utilization of cultural relics. The first batch, including Haidian (海淀) in Beijing (北京), Lushunkou (旅顺口) in Dalian (大连), Liaoning (辽宁), Yangpu (杨浦) in Shanghai (上海), Suzhou (苏州) in Jiangsu (江苏), Guanghan (广汉) in Sichuan (四川), and Yan'an (延安) in Shaanxi (陕西), has entered a stage of normalized construction, continuously promoting the improvement of the quality and efficiency of cultural relics work in their respective regions. The second batch of creation tasks is unfolding in an orderly manner and has achieved positive results. Heping District (和平区) in Tianjin (天津) and Qingdao (青岛) in Shandong (山东) are focusing on coordinating the protection and development of the core urban area; Chengde (承德) in Hebei (河北), Licheng District (鲤城区) in Quanzhou (泉州), Fujian (福建), Kaifeng (开封) in Henan (河南), and Chaozhou (潮州) in Guangdong (广东) are focusing on the inheritance and development of historical towns; Jincheng (晋城) in Shanxi (山西), Yuhang District (余杭区) in Hangzhou (杭州), Zhejiang (浙江), Huangshan (黄山) in Anhui (安徽), Hong'an (红安) in Hubei (湖北), and Jiayuguan (嘉峪关) in Gansu (甘肃) are aiming at key types of cultural relics to form models for protection and utilization; Jingdezhen (景德镇) in Jiangxi (江西), Changsha (长沙) in Hunan (湖南), Dali (大理) in Yunnan (云南), and Kuqa (库车) in Xinjiang (新疆) are combining their own cultural relic resource endowments to strengthen systematic protection and highlight overall value. Recently, the National Cultural Heritage Administration (国家文物局) revised and released the "Administrative Measures for National Demonstration Zones for the Protection and Utilization of Cultural Relics" and launched the third batch of creation application work, which is expected to finalize and announce the third batch of creation lists within this year.

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army (中国工农红军) in the Long March (长征). The National Cultural Heritage Administration (国家文物局) will jointly host a theme event season for the protection and display of Long March (长征) cultural relics, clarify the resources of Long March (长征) cultural relics, compile a list of Long March (长征) sites and a directory of Long March (长征) memorial halls, focus on investigating the preservation status of Long March (长征) sites, announce the "Special Plan for the Protection and Inheritance of Long March (长征) Cultural Relics and Cultural Resources," support the implementation of a number of key Long March (长征) cultural relic protection projects, jointly promote a series of Long March (长征) themed exhibitions and organize national tours, build a "Re-walking the Long March (长征) Road" cultural relic themed tourist route, jointly hold Long March (长征) story lectures, jointly promote high-quality resources of revolutionary cultural relics + "Great Ideological and Political Class," and promote the improvement of the quality and efficiency of public services in Long March (长征) sites and venues.

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Editor in charge of this edition: Zhang Yanchun, Song Yu, Zhang Zhiq

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Tourism + Performing Arts: Activating New Spaces for Consumption (Big Data Observation)

By: 本报记者 杨 迅 祝佳祺 张文豪

After watching a small theater performance, young people stroll through the surrounding shopping malls and night markets; the atmosphere at the concert is lively, and the cultural and creative stalls outside the venue are also crowded; when visiting scenic spots, you can also immerse yourself in experiencing intangible cultural heritage projects... In recent years, vivid scenes have reflected the new trend of cultural tourism development that deeply integrates tourism and performing arts.

The "15th Five-Year Plan" outline proposes to cultivate distinctive themed tourism routes and high-quality tourism performing arts projects. The "Work Plan for Accelerating the Cultivation of New Growth Points in Service Consumption" issued by the General Office of the State Council also clarifies the need to cultivate performance services, sports event services, and the development momentum of potential areas such as emotional and experiential services. How can "tourism + performing arts" continue to iterate and upgrade, and how can it activate new spaces for service consumption? The reporter conducted an exploration.

Small Theaters Enter Business Districts and Scenic Spots, Extending the Consumption Chain

In the Hunan Provincial Flower Drum Opera Theater (湖南省花鼓戏剧院), a small theater converted from a warehouse is gaining popularity. The new Guofeng immersive fantasy show "New Liu Hai Cuts Firewood" (《新刘海砍樵》), which integrates flower drum opera elements, immerses the audience with its wonderful plot and special effects. "After watching the performance, I plan to take my child to the nearby night market to experience Changsha's nightlife," said tourist Ms. Li.

According to statistics, nighttime consumption in Changsha accounts for about 60% of the total daily consumption, and small theaters are becoming a new engine for the "night economy." The Changsha Jinxiu Shiguang business district has formed a "watch live + eat late-night snacks" night economy ecosystem. Young people linger in the surrounding night markets after watching live music performances, and the nighttime consumption chain continues to extend; the immersive night tour performance "Tianxin Pavilion Kui Xing Lighting" (《天心阁魁星点灯》) attracts over 10,000 tourists in a single day, driving the simultaneous boom in surrounding late-night snack, cultural and creative, and other consumption formats. "Visiting scenic spots during the day and enjoying small theaters at night" has become a new calling card for Changsha's cultural tourism.

In the Changsha Wuyi business district, small theaters are also "new magnets" attracting customers. Changsha Yuefang ID MALL shopping center has gathered 6 small theaters, with a cumulative box office of 7.5 million yuan in 2025. Data shows that the small theater cluster in the Wuyi business district has formed a consumption chain of "watching performances + dining + shopping + accommodation," and catering consumption within 3 kilometers around has increased by 62% due to theater traffic.

The linkage between theaters and scenic spots makes cultural tourism consumption more meaningful. Many scenic spots in Changsha have broken the "superficial sightseeing" tourism model, using small theaters as carriers to enable natural scenery and cultural performances to empower each other. In the "Just a Teenager" (《恰同学少年》) youth theater in Orange Isle (橘子洲头), a red immersive drama is being staged, and the audience transforms into "young students," conversing with the Hunan youth of a century ago in a real scene created by sound, light, and electricity.

Stand-up comedy between green bricks and gray tiles, immersive performances in scenic spots, and theatrical performances interacting with the audience in business districts... In Changsha, the integrated model of "theater + shopping mall," "theater + scenic spot," and "theater + night economy" has become a new trend in cultural tourism consumption. In 2025, 71 new performing arts spaces in Changsha held more than 17,000 performances, attracting more than 4.5 million viewers and generating a box office revenue of over 366 million yuan. "We strive to drive tourists to Changsha with performing arts, and transform cultural traffic into consumption increment," said Yi Ying (易鹰), Party Secretary and Director of the Changsha Municipal Bureau of Culture, Tourism, Radio, and Television (长沙市文化旅游广电局).

Concerts Combine with Unique Culture to Boost City Cultural Tourism

In Nanning (南宁), Guangxi (广西), the Guangxi Sports Center (广西体育中心) under the night is brightly lit, and the "City of Love" platter concert kicks off, bringing together fans from all over the world.

"I heard there was a 'fan-loving gift package,' so I stayed in the Sanjie Liangxiang scenic area two days in advance, and enjoyed many catering consumption discounts with my ticket stub, and tasted all the local specialties," said Huang Shi (黄狮), a fan from Guangzhou (广州), Guangdong (广东).

The Nanning Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism (南宁市文化广电和旅游局) jointly launched the "fan-loving gift package" with catering companies and hotels, covering multiple benefits such as catering and accommodation, and scenic spot tickets. The transportation department extended the subway operating hours and added special bus lines during large-scale performances, so that tens of thousands of fans would not have to worry about the way home after the concert.

How to turn "traffic" into "retention"? Nanning uses concerts to showcase the city's image, and themed promotional activities such as the "Lao You Nanning" music season continue to gain popularity. At the market at the entrance of the concert, stalls selling surrounding cultural and creative products, agricultural specialties, and intangible cultural heritage handicrafts are doing brisk business.

"I have two stalls here, and I also set up stalls at the entrance every time there is a concert. I basically have an income of over 1,000 yuan every night," said vendor Zhou Lihua (周李华) while neatly packing two bags of coconut juice. With the help of the market, distinctive products such as intangible cultural heritage Lao You Fen (老友粉) have reached fans across the country through the "fan-loving gift package."

In Nanning, the "long tail effect" of the performing arts economy continues to ferment. "The attendance rate of this performance reached 90%, and more than 50% of the audience came from other places. The concert has become a mobile business card for Nanning," said Wang Keya (王科雅), the general director of the concert. "The 'City of Love' concert deeply integrates stage performances with Nanning's local culture and distinctive consumption scenes, while also presenting famous scenic spots in various parts of Guangxi. During the concert, guests also deeply promoted Nanning's food and scenery, and shared and exchanged with the audience."

In recent years, Nanning has successively introduced a "combination punch" of policies to support and encourage the holding of small and medium-sized music festivals and support the development of commercial performances, optimizing the concert environment and increasing the capacity of the Guangxi Sports Center to 50,000 people. At the same time, the time limit for application and approval of large-scale events has been shortened to 5 days.

From 2023 to 2025, the number of concerts held in Nanning each year increased from 21 to about 40. In 2025, the concerts held in Nanning attracted 646,300 viewers, driving economic growth of 3.642 billion yuan. "Traveling with concerts" has become a new fashion.

Scenic Spots Enrich Interactive Scenes and Upgrade Immersive Experiences

In the Great Song Military Training Ground of the Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden (清明上河园) in Kaifeng (开封), Henan (河南), the stands are packed. "Which hero is willing to try riding a horse?" Tourist Zhao Ji (赵骥) came to the training ground and jumped on horseback. After receiving the scenic area currency "Great Song Exchange Note" handed over by the old soldier of the training ground, Zhao Ji was very excited, "This link is very interesting, and I will try it if I have the opportunity."

After the warm-up session, warhorses neighed and entered the arena. Accompanied by thunderous drums, the classic horse battle program "Yue Fei Picks Xiao Liang Wang" (《岳飞枪挑小梁王》) began. How to make the old program new? "We have set up a series of interactive activities to allow tourists to transform from bystanders into participants," said Zhang Xinyue (张馨月), a staff member of the scenic spot.

As a large-scale historical and cultural park with the Song culture as its theme, the Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden is built based on the famous Northern Song Dynasty painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" (《清明上河图》). Interactive performance programs such as "The Great Song: Tokyo Defense War" (《大宋·东京保卫战》) and "Wang Yuanwai's Marriage Recruitment" (《王员外招婿》) are staged in turn, creating a multi-time period and immersive park experience for tourists.

In the Gengzhi Yifang Hanfu Museum, tourists use the "Great Song Exchange Note" won by interactive tasks to rent Song-style clothing for free. Outside the museum, signs indicate the exchange merchants, locations, and redeemable entertainment, catering, cruise and other services. "Wearing Song clothes to visit the Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, going to the Rainbow Bridge, taking a cruise, and buying services with exchange notes, there is a sense of crossing time and space," said Zhao Ji.

Beside the Shangshan Gate in the park, a "Song Banquet" is in full swing. Antique long tables are arranged one by one, with melodious music lingering between the seats, and Henan cuisine is presented in turn, with each dish corresponding to a program performance. "We integrate performing arts and technology into the banquet, and launch an immersive Song-style meal show, so that tourists can experience the elegance of the ancients in person," said Zhang Xinyue.

Kaifeng, as the ancient capital of eight dynasties, has continued to "break the circle" in cultural tourism in recent years. Many scenic spots in the city have built "white + black" all-time consumption scenes, and launched preferential strategies such as joint scenic spot tickets and "unlimited entry to the park for three days" to retain more tourists.

As dusk falls, the lights reflect the water, and the large-scale live-action performance "The Great Song: Tokyo Menghua" (《大宋·东京梦华》) begins on the wide lake. The newly added water moon device and movable arch bridge are intertwined with the all-area lighting and virtual and real multimedia pictures, outlining a more poetic scene. Tourists can see the painted boats and bright lights from the window, as if staying in a painting. "Everyone's aesthetics are improving, and classic programs must be performed frequently and innovatively in order to reach the audience in a more vivid way," said director Mei Shuaiyuan (梅帅元).

Zhang Xiangyu (张祥宇), Dean of the Henan Provincial Academy of Culture and Tourism Planning (河南省文化和旅游规划研究院), introduced that through cultural scene upgrades, consumption route reconstruction, and technology-enabled experiences, the Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden and other scenic spots have built a new cultural tourism format of "**日观百戏** (rì guān bǎi xì - "day watch hundred plays," watching various performances during the day), **夜赏华梦** (yè shǎng huá mèng - "night admire splendid dreams," enjoying magnificent dreams at night), **食在汴京** (shí zài biàn jīng - "eat in Bianjing," eating in Bianjing), **宿于宋风** (sù yú sòng fēng - "stay in Song style," staying in Song style)." In 2025, Kaifeng received a cumulative total of 116 million tourists, realizing a comprehensive cultural tourism income of 87.068 billion yuan.

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From "Watching the Scenery" to "Entering the Scene" (Editor's Notes)

By: 高 尚

Concerts, live performances, immersive dramas... Walking into scenic spots across various regions, in addition to natural scenery and historical relics, performing arts programs are becoming an important factor in attracting tourists. Transforming from sightseeing and checking-in with a simple "been there, done that" mentality to in-depth, participatory scenario experiences, "tourism + performing arts" is enriching the supply of products in the cultural tourism market and diversifying the forms of experience.

To achieve a consumption upgrade from "seeing the scenery" to "entering the scene," it is necessary to strengthen content innovation, deepen technological applications, and optimize industrial linkages. In Shanghai (上海), audiences can enter a stage consisting of hundreds of rooms in the immersive drama "Sleep No More," where their choices and behaviors determine the development of the plot, and the audience becomes part of the story. In Chongqing (重庆), a water-land-air linked drone light show weaves a three-dimensional light and shadow picture in the night sky, bringing a new visual experience with cutting-edge technology. In Qingdao (青岛), the Ticket Economy Business Alliance was established to guide the influx of theatergoers to consumer spaces in every corner of the city, creating a chain-like consumption new scene with interconnected links of "eating, lodging, transportation, travel, shopping, and entertainment"... Whether it is colorful performances that extend tourists' stay, or "rushing to a city for a performance," tourism and performing arts complement each other, becoming a bright landscape in the field of service consumption.

"Tourism + performing arts" still has great potential for development. With the creation of more high-quality tourism performing arts projects, the diverse cultural needs of tourists can be better met, and cultural tourism traffic will continue to be transformed into incremental consumption, activating a new engine for the high-quality development of the cultural tourism industry.

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A Good Life Grows in the Fields (Great Nation, Small Village)

By: 本报记者 李俊杰

In the early morning, before the tourists arrive, Sun Ruijing (孙瑞景), a villager from Maying Village (马郢村), Yangmiao Town (杨庙镇), Changfeng County (长丰县), Anhui Province (安徽省), has already swept his courtyard clean. This 86-year-old man, with dark skin and rough hands, is a typical farmer. But as soon as he puts on his work badge and picks up his small loudspeaker, he immediately transforms—his voice is loud and his steps are brisk as he leads tourists to experience farm work and explains farming details, skillfully and warmly.

"I never dared to imagine that I, a farmer, could become a tour guide and even give lectures to others," Sun Ruijing (孙瑞景) said with a smile. Zhong Yu (钟宇), the first secretary stationed in Maying Village (马郢村), still remembers what the village looked like when he first arrived at the end of 2014: "There wasn't a decent cement road in the whole village, and most of the villagers went out to make a living." In 2015, Zhong Yu (钟宇) proposed the "Maying Plan (马郢计划)" of "helping students, helping farmers, and helping the village," trying to open up a channel for rural areas to connect with urban development resources.

The plan started with charitable assistance to students, and volunteers came from the city to teach the children in the village. As they brought more and more relatives and friends to visit, Zhong Yu (钟宇) discovered that urban people were very interested in rural life. After discussion, the village decided to transform and develop rural tourism. "We have no mountains, no water, and no scenery, so we will use the courtyards, field ridges, old houses, and vegetable gardens and turn them into scenery," Zhong Yu (钟宇) explained. The village reshaped its appearance with "micro-transformation and refined improvement": adobe houses were renovated to look like old ones, becoming nostalgic courtyards; dirt roads were widened and leveled into pastoral walkways; and scattered vegetable plots were uniformly planned into pastoral landscapes that combined production and viewing. Wang Yiqiang (王义强), chairman of the Anhui Maying Rural Tourism Farmers Professional Cooperative (安徽马郢乡村旅游农民专业合作社), took the lead in integrating idle houses and land, connecting points into surfaces to create native rural scenery.

"At first, the villagers didn't understand. Isn't this what we see every day? Will anyone come?" Wang Yiqiang (王义强) recalled. "As a result, tourists came and said that Maying (马郢) was clean and comfortable, the rural appearance they longed for."

With scenery and people, how can the countryside truly become rich and vibrant? Maying's (马郢) answer is: turn farm work into products and let farmers be tour guides.

Wu Lei (吴磊) was one of the earliest volunteers to come to Maying (马郢) and also one of the earliest entrepreneurs to settle in Maying (马郢). She focuses on the development of agricultural research and study products, turning the fields into mobile classrooms. Rice planting, harvesting, vegetable planting, poultry feeding... These ordinary farm works have become popular products for research and study experiences and parent-child interaction.

"Research and study have scenes, experience has content, but what really keeps tourists is the warm atmosphere of daily life." With this concept, Zhong Yu (钟宇) and the village cadres mobilized door to door. Sun Ruijing (孙瑞景) initially declined, fearing that he was not good at speaking and would neglect the tourists. Zhong Yu (钟宇) persuaded him: "Just talk about how you farm and how you live every day." The old man tried to take tourists to recognize farm tools, go to the fields to experience, and explain farming techniques, and the result was very popular.

"I was so excited when I received the explanation subsidy for the first time," Sun Ruijing (孙瑞景) said. "It turns out that you can earn money by guarding your home and guarding your land." What made him even more gratified was that his children and grandchildren, who were away from home for many years, took the initiative to return to the village to work as tour guides and open restaurants with him. Sun Ruijing's (孙瑞景) family became lively, which also allowed more villagers to see the hope of increasing income and becoming rich at their doorstep.

Today, Maying Village (马郢村) has gathered 49 creators, who jointly activate the rural industry with the villagers. Homestays, catering, agricultural product sales, team building activities, and research and study courses have been successively implemented, and Maying (马郢) has gradually formed an integrated industrial system of "agriculture + cultural tourism + research and study."

From a village collective income of only 21,500 yuan to the current 2.6 million yuan; from no visitors to nearly 400,000 tourists a year; from scattered small farmers to an industrial map with an annual output value of more than 40 million yuan—the days of each family are getting better and better, awakening the vitality of the village.

"Activate people, revitalize the scenery, and invigorate the industry, so that villagers truly become beneficiaries and guardians of rural development," Zhong Yu (钟宇) said.

(Related new media reports can be found on the People's Daily National Party Media Information Public Platform's "Big Country, Small Village" Communication Cloud Platform, the Farmer's Daily official WeChat account, and the "Study the Great Nation" learning platform with the same name)

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China's 5G mobile phone users reach 1.235 billion

This newspaper reported from Beijing on March 25th (Reporter Wang Zheng (王政), Liu Wenxin (刘温馨)) According to data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (工业和信息化部), as of the end of February, the total number of mobile phone users of the three basic telecommunications companies and China Broadcasting Network (中国广电) reached 1.826 billion, of which 5G mobile phone users reached 1.235 billion, a net increase of 30.44 million compared with the end of last year, accounting for 67.6% of mobile phone users.

In the first two months, China's communications industry operated smoothly. The total amount of telecommunications services maintained growth, and the construction of network infrastructure such as 5G, gigabit optical networks, and the Internet of Things was advanced in an orderly manner. The scale of connected users continued to expand, and mobile Internet access traffic continued to grow rapidly.

The construction of 5G networks is steadily advancing. As of the end of February, the total number of 5G base stations reached 4.909 million, a net increase of 70,000 compared with the end of last year, accounting for 38% of the total number of mobile base stations, an increase of 0.4 percentage points compared with the end of last year.

The scale of gigabit users continues to expand. As of the end of February, the total number of fixed Internet broadband access users of the three basic telecommunications companies reached 694 million, a net increase of 3.167 million compared with the end of last year. Among them, the number of fixed Internet broadband access users with an access rate of 1000Mbps (megabits per second) and above reached 245 million, a net increase of 6.37 million compared with the end of last year.

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China-Laos Railway Handles Over 80 Million Tons of Goods

This report Kunming (昆明), March 25 (Reporter Ye Chuanzeng (叶传增)) On the morning of the 25th, an international freight train fully loaded with goods on the China-Laos Railway departed from Kunming (昆明) Container Center Station in Yunnan (云南) for Vientiane (万象), Laos (老挝), marking the official breakthrough of 80 million tons of cargo transported by the China-Laos Railway, including over 18 million tons of cross-border cargo, which has powerfully promoted regional economic development. This was learned by the reporter from China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd. (中国铁路昆明局集团有限公司).

Since the opening and operation of the China-Laos Railway, a total of 71,000 freight trains have been operated on the entire line. The daily number of international freight trains has increased from 2 at the beginning of operation to a maximum of 23, and the traction tonnage of trains has increased from 2,000 tons to 2,800 tons. The volume of transported goods has been increasing year by year, and it has become a "golden channel" for interconnection between China and ASEAN.

As of now, more than 20,000 international freight trains have been operated on the China-Laos Railway. Two fixed-schedule China-Central Asia train operation lines with a speed of 120 kilometers per hour and six lines with a speed of 80 kilometers per hour have been opened, promoting the connection of cross-regional industrial chains and promoting the steady growth of cross-border freight volume.

The transportation map of the China-Laos Railway continues to expand, covering 19 countries and regions including Laos (老挝), Myanmar (缅甸), Cambodia (柬埔寨), Thailand (泰国), Vietnam (越南), Malaysia (马来西亚), Singapore (新加坡), and Bangladesh (孟加拉国). The types of cross-border commodities have expanded from more than 10 types such as fertilizers and rubber at the beginning of operation to more than 3,800 types such as chemicals, textiles, electrical appliances, and minerals, injecting new vitality and adding new impetus to regional prosperity and development.

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Photo Report

On March 24th, in Haizhu District (海珠区), Guangzhou (广州), Guangdong Province (广东省), passengers ride in a self-driving minibus on Luoxuan Avenue (螺旋大道).

Since the commencement of autonomous driving road tests in 2017, Guangzhou (广州) has cumulatively opened 1364 autonomous driving test roads, with 941 vehicles conducting road tests and demonstration operations, covering various vehicle types such as autonomous driving mobility services, public transport minibuses, and environmental sanitation sweeping. Currently, Guangzhou (广州) has gathered industry enterprises involved in automobile vehicle manufacturing, autonomous driving system integration, shared mobility platforms, third-party inspection and testing institutions, and intelligent connected vehicle component production, forming a relatively complete industrial ecosystem.

Xinhua News Agency reporter Deng Hua (邓华) photograph

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Evaluation Guidelines for Smart Port Levels Released

This newspaper's Beijing (北京) March 25th dispatch (Reporter Han Xin (韩鑫)) Recently, the Ministry of Transport (交通运输部) officially issued the "Smart Port Grade Evaluation Guidelines (Trial Implementation)," establishing a scientific and systematic smart port grade evaluation system. This sets a benchmark for China's (我国) smart port construction, promoting construction and application through evaluation, and accelerating the construction of world-class ports.

Currently, China's (我国) smart port construction has made positive progress, and the overall level and scale of application of automation technology rank among the international forefront. A total of 60 automated container and dry bulk cargo terminals have been built, of which the proportion of automated berths above 10,000 tons accounts for approximately 28%. The overall level of automated terminals has achieved "partial leading" status.

Combining the current development status of China's (我国) smart ports, the guidelines propose 13 first-level indicators and 25 second-level indicators based on four dimensions: digital base, production operations, operation management, and external services. It divides smart ports into three levels: Level 1 (Leading), Level 2 (Advanced), and Level 3 (Basic). In terms of organization and implementation, it clarifies the evaluation procedures of port enterprises' self-evaluation and the China Ports & Harbours Association (中国港口协会) and China Water Transport Construction Industry Association (中国水运建设行业协会)'s verification and publication, as well as the dynamic management and application of evaluation results.

The guidelines take specialized terminals, port areas, or ports of two major cargo types, containers and dry bulk cargo, that have been officially put into operation for no less than 2 years as the evaluation objects. It is also applicable to the grade evaluation activities of the smart development level of major ports across the country.

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Editors of this page: Guan Xuanyue, Lu Tao, Xian Gan

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Lens of a Journey, Flowing Fireworks

A line of speeding trains travels through mountains, rivers, flowers, and seas, fully loaded with anticipation and joy for journeys to distant places. China in spring presents a thriving scene.

This is "My Railway Scenery," and even more so, it is our new era scroll.

The 2026 "My Railway Scenery" themed publicity event, jointly organized by the Bureau of Civilization Construction of the Central Propaganda Department (中宣部文明创建局), the Bureau of Internet Communication of the Central Cyberspace Administration (中央网信办网络传播局), the Publicity Department of the State Administration of Radio and Television (广电总局宣传司), the Department of Resource Development of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (文化和旅游部资源开发司), the Domestic Liaison Department of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (中国文联国内联络部), the Creation Liaison Department of the Chinese Writers Association (中国作协创作联络部), and the Publicity Department of the Party Leadership Group of the China National Railway Group (国家铁路集团党组宣传部), was launched in January, marking the second consecutive year of the event. This newspaper has selected wonderful moments of light and shadow from more than 830,000 works collected for the event, using the lenses of netizens to focus on vivid faces and appreciate scenes of flowing poetry. Inside and outside the train windows, a magnificent and beautiful scroll unfolds across the mountains and rivers.

This scroll records the deepest patriotic feelings. As the train passes through the crisscrossing fields, familiar scenes gradually unfold, and the attachment in the heart begins to quietly spread. The train window is like a viewfinder of time, one end connecting the distant places where builders pursue their dreams and struggle, and the other end connecting the hometowns that travelers yearn for. Every stop and start of the train connects individual struggles and family expectations, converging into a vast and warm emotional pulse.

This scroll witnesses the most surging development vitality. Looking out the window, the green mountains are stacked, the green waters are affectionate, and the fertile fields are hidden with the poetry of fireworks; the tall buildings are lined up, the road network is vertical and horizontal, and the smart towns are surging with vigorous vitality. The sigh of "The road to Shu is difficult, more difficult than ascending to the blue sky" (蜀道之难，难于上青天) has now been transformed into the realistic picture of "returning a thousand miles to Jiangling in a day" (千里江陵一日还). This is a direct reflection of the historic achievements of China's infrastructure construction, and even more so, a vivid footnote to regional coordinated development and comprehensive rural revitalization.

"My Railway Scenery" is still unfolding forward, and the event will run throughout the year.

The new journey has begun. May this steel dragon carry the wishes of hundreds of millions of Chinese people, hold up moments of peace and happiness, and write warm chapters belonging to the new era.

(Our reporter Liu Zihe (刘子赫))

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This edition's editors: Bai Zhenzhi, Liu Mengdan, Liu Zihe, Min Fangzheng

Coordinated by: Cheng Chen (程晨), Tang Tianyi (唐天奕)
Layout Design: Zhang Danfeng (张丹峰)

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Striving for Decisive Progress in Building a Healthy China During the 15th Five-Year Plan Period (In-depth Study and Implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era)

By: 王贺胜

Health is the foundation of people's happiness and the key to national prosperity. During this year's "Two Sessions" (全国两会) (Quánguó liǎnghuì - collective term for the annual sessions of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference), General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) visited the members of the China National Democratic Construction Association, the Jiusan Society, the medical and health circles, and the social welfare and social security circles who were attending the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and made a series of new and important expositions on accelerating the construction of a healthy China at the joint group meeting. At the critical juncture of the start of the "15th Five-Year Plan," General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) personally diagnosed and oriented the work of health and health, pointing out the direction, providing fundamental guidelines, and injecting strong impetus for accelerating the construction of a healthy China. We must adhere to Xi Jinping's (习近平) Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as our guide, adhere to the people-centered approach, work hard and persistently, strive to make decisive progress in the construction of a healthy China during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, and make new and greater contributions to building a healthy China by 2035 and comprehensively promoting the construction of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernization.

Deeply Understand the Rich Connotation of General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) Important Exposition on Building a Healthy China

General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) series of important expositions on building a healthy China are far-sighted, profound in thought, and rich in connotation. They are an important part of Xi Jinping's (习近平) Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and have extremely strong political, ideological, and guiding significance. We must deeply understand its rich connotation and study, grasp, and implement it as a whole.

It has enriched and developed the Marxist view of people's health. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) has made a series of important instructions and approvals on the construction of a healthy China, emphasizing that people's health is an important symbol of national prosperity and national strength, adhering to the public welfare of basic medical and health undertakings, adhering to the correct handling of the relationship between the government and the market, and promoting the equalization of basic public services in urban and rural areas. These important expositions not only inherit the core essence of Marxism's emphasis on people's health and the pursuit of social justice, but also give it distinctive Chinese characteristics and contemporary connotations, promoting the Sinicization and modernization of the Marxist view of people's health. Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) as the core, China's health and health undertakings have undergone historic changes and achieved historic achievements. The basic medical and health system and system with Chinese characteristics have been continuously improved, and the main health indicators of residents have jumped to the forefront of middle- and high-income countries. In particular, we have withstood the severe impact of the century-old epidemic and created a miracle in the history of human civilization in which a large country with a large population successfully emerged from the epidemic. We have demonstrated the unique advantages of the Party's leadership and the socialist system with concrete results, and vividly demonstrated the powerful truth and practical power of Xi Jinping's (习近平) Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We must consciously maintain a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) as the core in terms of ideology, politics, and action, adhere to the Party's leadership over health and health work without wavering, unswervingly implement the new era's health and health work policy without wavering, and always move steadily and far along the road of health and health development with Chinese characteristics.

It demonstrates the value orientation of putting the people first. General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) has always been concerned about the health and well-being of the people, consistently and personally practicing it. He served as a barefoot doctor during his seven years as an educated youth, and effectively improved farmers' production, life, and health environment by promoting biogas and other measures. When working in Zhengding (正定) (Zhèngdìng) in Hebei (河北), he attached great importance to rural environmental sanitation. When working in Fujian (福建), he clearly required solving the problems brought about by "using medicine to support medicine" (以药养医) (yǐ yào yǎng yī), deepening the reform of the medical and health system, and focusing on making up for the shortcomings of rural health services. When working in Zhejiang (浙江), he took the lead in proposing the "strong health province" strategy in the country, incorporating health and health work into the overall economic and social development, which can be described as "every branch and leaf is always concerned." Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) has personally checked and directed the deepening of the reform of the medical and health system, eliminated obstacles, and personally deployed important work related to the people's health and well-being, such as infectious disease prevention and control, maternal and child health, adolescent myopia prevention and control, chronic disease prevention and control, elderly health, and mental health, fully reflecting his deep feelings for the people and the people-centered development thought. General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that we must adhere to putting the people first and life first, and adhere to the public welfare of basic medical and health undertakings. This is determined by the nature and fundamental purpose of our Party, and it is also a vivid embodiment of the significant advantages of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics. We must always keep in mind the urgent needs, difficulties, anxieties, and cold and warmth of the people in terms of health prevention, medical treatment, and medical care, take the initiative to go deep into the grassroots and get close to the masses, listen to the voices of the masses, reflect the demands of the masses, and act as a "bridge and link" between the Party and the government and the masses, convey the voices of the masses upward, explain the Party's policies in place, and respond to the expectations of the masses with practical actions.

It contains profound dialectical thinking and scientific methodology. General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that building a healthy China is a systematic project. Facing the people's growing and diversified health needs, we must highlight key points, firmly grasp the work that benefits a wide range of people and affects the whole body, concentrate efforts and resources in improving the public health system, building a high-quality and efficient medical service system, and advocating healthy and civilized lifestyles, and take effective measures to promote them, and constantly achieve new results. These important expositions not only emphasize the important methodology of adhering to the concept of the system and grasping the key points and key points, but also clearly point out the key tasks and main directions of the construction of a healthy China, providing a powerful ideological weapon and scientific practical guidance for health and health work.

Unswervingly Follow the Road of Health and Health Development with Chinese Characteristics, and Unswervingly Implement the New Era's Health and Health Work Policy

General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that China is a socialist country and a developing country with a huge population and a large gap between urban and rural areas. To build a healthy China, we must adhere to starting from China's national conditions, unswervingly follow the road of health and health development with Chinese characteristics, and unswervingly implement the new era's health and health work policy. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, great progress has been made in the construction of a healthy China, the health level of the people has steadily improved, the prevention and control of major diseases has achieved remarkable results, the quality and level of health services have been significantly improved, the health of the masses throughout their life cycle has been effectively maintained, and the strength of health science and technology innovation has steadily improved. This fully shows that the road of health and health development with Chinese characteristics under the leadership of the Party is a scientific and correct road that has been proven by long-term practice to conform to China's basic national conditions, and it is the only way to ensure people's health and achieve the strategic goal of a healthy China. We must implement the important requirements of the two "unswervingly" and take this road of health and health development with Chinese characteristics steadily, practically, and well.

Adhere to the Party's comprehensive leadership. The leadership of the Communist Party of China is the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the greatest advantage of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics. Adhering to the Party's comprehensive leadership is the fundamental guarantee for doing a good job in health and health work. Since the founding of New China, especially since the new era, China's health and health work has undergone historic changes and achieved historic achievements, which is fundamentally due to adhering to and strengthening the Party's comprehensive leadership. At present, facing the "deep water area" and "hard bones" of the construction of a healthy China and the deepening of the reform of the medical and health system, only by running the Party's comprehensive leadership through all aspects and the whole process of the reform and development of the health and health cause can we provide a strong political and organizational guarantee for the construction of a healthy China.

Firmly establish institutional self-confidence. Since the 1980s, influenced by neoliberalism and other ideological trends, the health systems of some countries have experienced varying degrees of excessive commercialization and marketization, insufficient provision of primary and public health services, rising medical costs, and declining fairness and accessibility. The Western medical model attaches importance to individuals but ignores the population, attaches importance to treatment but ignores prevention, and attaches importance to biological factors but ignores the impact of social and cultural factors on health, resulting in a too rapid increase in medical costs. We must give full play to the advantages of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, promote the excellent traditional Chinese health culture such as the unity of nature and man, treating diseases before they occur, and nourishing both body and spirit, practice the Party's mass line in the new era, attach importance to grassroots and mass work, better implement the policy of prevention first, obtain greater health effects at a lower cost, both meet the people's growing health needs, and avoid falling into the "welfare trap," take the road of health and health development with Chinese characteristics, and make positive contributions to maintaining human health and well-being.

Unswervingly implement the new era's health and health work policy. Comprehensively implement the policy of "focusing on the grassroots, taking reform and innovation as the driving force, giving priority to prevention, combining Chinese and Western medicine, integrating health into all policies, and building and sharing by the people," and promote the all-round transformation of health and health work concepts, service methods, and governance models. Pay more attention to prevention first and the integration of medical treatment and prevention, promote the shift of the focus of work from disease treatment to health maintenance, accelerate the construction of a strong public health system, and prevent and control major diseases from the source. Pay more attention to the combination of Chinese and Western medicine, promote the mutual complementation and coordinated development of Chinese and Western medicine, give full play to the unique advantages of traditional Chinese medicine in treating diseases before they occur, treating major diseases, and rehabilitating diseases, and inherit, innovate, and develop traditional Chinese medicine. Pay more attention to relying on science and technology and talents, strengthen scientific and technological innovation, build a strong talent team, and provide lasting impetus for the development of health and health undertakings.

Adhere to the public welfare of basic medical and health undertakings. Public welfare is the essential attribute of China's medical and health undertakings and an important manifestation of the superiority of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics. General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) profoundly expounded the important significance of adhering to the public welfare of basic medical and health undertakings from the height of "our Party is a party that serves the people wholeheartedly, and our country is a socialist country where the people are the masters of the country." We must deepen the reform of public hospitals oriented by public welfare and improve the new operating mechanism that maintains public welfare, mobilizes enthusiasm, and guarantees sustainability. Resolutely eliminate the profit-seeking mechanism, standardize medical service behaviors, control the unreasonable growth of medical costs, and enable the masses to afford medical treatment, receive good medical treatment, and receive medical treatment with peace of mind. Adhering to the fairness and accessibility of basic medical and health services and accelerating the equalization of basic public health services, taking fairness and accessibility and benefiting the masses as the starting point and foothold of reform and development, is the essential requirement of socialist health and health undertakings.

Adhere to the strategy of giving priority to health development. General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out: "The most important indicator of modernization is still people's health." The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee clearly proposed the implementation of a health-first development strategy, further highlighting the important position of people's health in economic and social development. We must take guaranteeing and improving health as the priority goal of high-quality economic and social development, promote the comprehensive establishment of a disease and health risk factor monitoring, investigation, and risk assessment system in various places, continuously improve the policies and regulations system for guaranteeing health-first development in terms of planning, investment, governance, and performance, improve the health promotion policy system led by the Party committee, dominated by the government, widely mobilized by society, and actively participated by individuals, continuously improve the per capita life expectancy and health level of residents, and promote China's health performance to be generally ahead of other economic and social development indicators in the international ranking.

Adhere to the concept of the system and promote it in a coordinated manner. The construction of a healthy China covers the entire population, the entire life cycle, and the entire process of health services, involving many fields such as medical treatment, medical insurance, medicine, public health, sports and fitness, and environmental protection. It is a systematic project across departments, regions, and industries. We must strengthen system integration, coordination, and efficiency, strengthen departmental coordination, vertical linkage, and social participation, and coordinate and handle a series of major relationships such as government and market, efficiency and fairness, development and security, prevention and treatment, Chinese and Western medicine, upholding integrity and innovation, and domestic and international, strengthen departmental coordination and central and local linkage, and promote the mutual coordination of various policies and the co-frequency resonance of various measures. Fully consider local economic conditions and the development status of other industries, reasonably guide adaptation expectations, prevent and resolve major risks and hidden dangers, and maintain the overall stability of the economic and social situation.

Focus on Key Tasks and Write a New Chapter in the Construction of a Healthy China

General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that building a healthy China by 2035 is a strategic decision made by the CPC Central Committee, and the "15th Five-Year Plan" is a critical period for achieving this goal. We must plan as a whole, accelerate the pace, and strive to achieve decisive progress. This sets a timetable and roadmap for building a healthy China. We must resolutely implement the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) and the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee with the spirit of reverse scheduling and fighting on the map.

Improve the public health system and build a high-level public health security barrier. Adhere to taking public health security as an important part of national security, comprehensively summarize the experience and practices of fighting the COVID-19 epidemic, accelerate the construction of a complete, scientific, standardized, efficient, and combined public health system, promote social co-governance, medical prevention coordination, and medical prevention integration, comprehensively improve the risk prevention capabilities in the field of health and health, and effectively guarantee biosafety, information security, emergency security, blood safety, and food and drug safety. Improve the disease prevention and control system, strengthen monitoring and early warning, risk assessment, epidemiological investigation, inspection and testing, and emergency response capacity building, improve the level of early detection, early reporting, early disposal, and early treatment of epidemics, and effectively prevent and control major epidemics and public health emergencies. Promote the integration of medical treatment and prevention, improve the coordination mechanism between medical institutions and disease control institutions, promote the sinking of prevention and control resources and forces, and build a strong and good health "gatekeeper" system.

Build a high-quality and efficient medical and health service system and promote the expansion and sinking of resources. Proactively respond to the trend characteristics of fewer children, aging, and regional population growth and decline differentiation, adapt to changes in the disease spectrum, and aim to meet the people's needs for medical treatment, accelerate the construction of a high-quality, balanced, efficient, and convenient medical and health service system. Implement the functional positioning of medical and health institutions, promote the expansion of high-quality medical resources and the balanced regional layout, build strong national medical centers and regional medical centers, improve the diagnostic and treatment capabilities of provinces, and reduce the cross-regional medical treatment of the masses. Vigorously develop primary medical and health institutions, improve the family doctor system, and enable the masses to enjoy high-quality medical and health services at their doorsteps.

Deepen the coordinated development and governance of medical treatment, medical insurance, and medicine, and enhance the driving force and vitality of development. Adhere to system integration, coordination, and efficiency, continue to deepen the reform of the medical and health system, promote the coordinated development and governance of medical treatment, medical insurance, and medicine, and promote the implementation of Sanming (三明) (Sānmíng) medical reform experience in light of local conditions. Deepen the reform of public hospitals oriented by public welfare, optimize the financial subsidy policy for public hospitals, establish a dynamic adjustment mechanism for staffing, improve the charging mechanism dominated by medical services, continue to deepen the salary system reform, and strengthen internal and external supervision and management. Deepen the reform of the medical insurance system and optimize the policy on the use of surplus medical insurance funds. Promote the reform of the drug supply guarantee and use management system, and consolidate and improve the national essential drug system.

Advocate a healthy and civilized lifestyle and improve the health literacy of the whole people. A healthy China is built and shared by everyone. The Patriotic Health Campaign (爱国卫生运动) (Àiguó wèishēng yùndòng) is a valuable historical experience created in the early days of the founding of New China. It has distinctive Chinese characteristics, is enduring and new, and is a powerful tool for promoting the construction of a healthy China. We must deeply summarize the long-term practice and successful experience of the Patriotic Health Campaign (爱国卫生运动), accurately grasp the unique advantages, core role, and historical mission of the Patriotic Health Campaign (爱国卫生运动) in promoting the construction of a healthy China, closely focus on the goal of building a healthy China by 2035, continuously enrich the connotation of the Patriotic Health Campaign (爱国卫生运动), innovate working methods, consolidate the mass base, strengthen the multi-party synergy, and deeply carry out the Patriotic Health Campaign (爱国卫生运动). Guide the masses to establish a correct view of health. Strengthen food safety, drinking water safety, and environmental governance, and continuously consolidate the environmental foundation for the construction of a healthy China.
Accelerate the transformation and application of scientific research results and strengthen the support of scientific and technological talents. Adhere to the principle that science and technology are the primary productive forces, talent is the primary resource, and innovation is the primary driving force, and strengthen the high-quality development support of the health and health cause. Improve the health science and technology innovation system, strengthen the tackling of key core technologies in the health field, focus on key areas such as disease prevention and control, drug research and development, medical equipment, and vaccines, accelerate the breakthrough of a number of "chokehold" technologies, and achieve high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement. In particular, it is necessary to clear the "last mile" of the transformation of scientific research results, improve the collaborative innovation mechanism of "production, learning, research, medicine, and use," and establish a scientific research project establishment and achievement evaluation system oriented to clinical needs. Firmly grasp the working idea of closely combining investment in things and investment in people, strengthen the training of high-level talents, grassroots talents, and urgently needed talents in the health field, create a good environment that encourages innovation and tolerates failure, and provide solid scientific and technological and talent support for the construction of a Healthy China.

Promote the inheritance, innovation, and development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and revitalize the treasure of Chinese health. Adhere to the equal emphasis on traditional Chinese and Western medicine and the combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and inherit, develop, and utilize the valuable wealth of traditional Chinese medicine. Strengthen the construction of the TCM service system, improve the comprehensive service capacity of TCM hospitals, and promote the integration of TCM into the grassroots, into families, and into the whole life cycle health management. Promote TCM scientific and technological innovation, accelerate the research, development, and application of classic prescriptions, new TCM drugs, and characteristic therapies, and promote the integrated development of TCM and modern science and technology. Promote the dissemination of TCM culture, popularize TCM health knowledge, and improve the TCM health and cultural literacy of the people.

Promote the digital and intelligent construction of national health and empower high-quality development. Make good use of data, a new factor of production, and artificial intelligence, a new production tool, to accelerate the digital and intelligent transformation of the health industry. Improve the national and provincial national health information platforms, promote data interconnection and sharing, and collaborative business processing, and improve the precision and convenience of health management services. Promote and standardize the application and development of "artificial intelligence + medical and health care," innovate continuous intelligent services for the entire chain of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and health management, and empower the construction of a Healthy China with digitalization and intelligence.

Strengthen Party building in the health industry and stimulate endogenous motivation. The vast number of medical workers are the main force in promoting the construction of a Healthy China. We must strengthen Party building in medical and health institutions, guide the vast number of medical workers to consciously adhere to the direction of public welfare, practice the noble professional spirit and the great anti-epidemic spirit, promote good medical ethics and conduct, and create a clean and upright industry environment. Comprehensively implement policies from the aspects of salary and benefits, career development, practice environment, and social status, and establish and improve an operating mechanism that combines security and incentives. Deepen the reform of the salary system in public hospitals, smooth the career development channels for medical workers, and create a social atmosphere of respecting doctors and valuing health.

(The author is a member of the Education, Science, Health and Sports Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (全国政协教科卫体委员会), and the former Deputy Director of the National Health Commission (国家卫生健康委).)

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Precisely Grasping the Policy Boundaries and Scope (Thinking Across Disciplines)

By: 李应瑞

The vitality of a policy lies in its implementation, and the key to implementation lies in precision. General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that it is necessary to "accurately grasp the boundaries and standards of policies, and do what should be done, strive to do what can be done, and never do what should not be done." Accurately grasping the boundaries and standards of policies requires integrating a correct view of performance into the entire process of policy formulation and implementation. This is not only a methodological guide for policy implementation, but also an important manifestation of a correct view of performance in development practice.

Boundaries are the lifeline of a policy, as well as the value criteria and bottom-line benchmark for a correct view of performance. They clearly mark the responsible direction of "must do" and the forbidden red line of "never do," fundamentally distinguishing between true achievements and false achievements, long-term solid achievements and short-term empty achievements. In reality, the emergence of false achievements such as "vanity projects" and "image projects" in some places often lies in the ambiguity or even loss of awareness of boundaries. Once the awareness of boundaries is blurred or even lost, it can easily lead to the accumulation of risks and trigger systemic risks. At present, China's development is in a period where strategic opportunities and risk challenges coexist, and uncertain and unpredictable factors are increasing. The more uncertain and unpredictable it is, the more we need to use clear and solid policy boundaries to resolve disputes and stabilize expectations. This is not only to build a "firewall" for preventing risks, but also to provide a "reassurance pill" for social innovation and entrepreneurship. In fact, clear boundaries are by no means a constraint on development, but rather an escort for high-quality development and a solid foundation for creating long-term solid achievements.

Scale is the source of policy vitality. Within clear boundaries, how to transform "should do" and "can do" into "do well" and "achieve something" tests the accurate grasp of the policy implementation path, intensity, and rhythm, and reflects the wisdom and responsibility of practicing a correct view of performance. To possess this wisdom and master this "art," party members and cadres need to both prevent the "disorderly actions" of breaking through boundaries and overcome the "lying flat" mentality of "rather not do things in order to avoid problems," and resolutely eliminate the inertia thinking of "copying and pasting, and being the same from top to bottom." The key to scientifically grasping the scale is to balance principle and flexibility, unity and difference in the process of policy implementation, and to seek the optimal solution in coordinating complex relationships such as development and security, efficiency and fairness, and the present and the long term. This is not only a key link in realizing policy intentions and stimulating social vitality, but also a "touchstone" for testing the spirit of responsibility and the ability to tackle tough problems of party members and cadres.

In the process of policy formulation and implementation, boundaries and scales complement each other and are dialectically unified in the entire process of creating solid achievements. Clear and stable boundaries are the premise and guarantee for the scientific and flexible grasp of the scale, ensuring that the creation of achievements does not overstep the rules or deviate. A "scale" without boundaries can easily lead to arbitrary use of power and reckless actions. A scientific and precise scale is a "converter" and "catalyst" for achieving policy goals and releasing policy effectiveness. A "boundary" without a scale may cause principles to be shelved due to being divorced from reality, or lack vitality and waste resources due to rigid implementation. Guarding the boundaries is the prerequisite, and grasping the scale is the art; only with boundaries can there be scale, and only with scale can things be accomplished. The true ability of party members and cadres is reflected in resolutely not doing what "should not be done," and being good at doing and striving to take responsibility for what "should be done" and "can be done." Only by adhering to the principle of not overstepping the boundaries and not losing the accuracy of the scale can we achieve the unity of policy intentions and practical effects, open up space in adhering to the bottom line, and create solid achievements in precise actions.

Realizing the grand blueprint of the "15th Five-Year Plan" puts forward new and higher requirements for party members and cadres to accurately grasp policy boundaries and scales and create solid achievements. Party members and cadres must first adhere to the concept of systems, always keep in mind the "big picture of the country" (国之大者 - guó zhī dà zhě - "the most important affairs of the state," refers to the overall interests of the country), consciously examine all tasks in the overall situation of the development of the Party and the country, make more big plans and calculate big accounts, and take into account both the local and the overall, the present and the long term. On this basis and premise, deeply understand the complex evolution of "time" and "situation," both maintain strategic focus, maintain the continuity and stability of policies, and keenly grasp the new changes and trends in development conditions, mass expectations, and practical feedback, accurately identify the actual situations and urgent demands of different regions, fields, and industries, improve the pertinence and adaptability of policies, and play a good "combination punch" of systematic integration and coordinated and efficient policies. In this way, we can scientifically and accurately optimize the intensity, rhythm, and focus of policy implementation according to the time and situation, ensure that policy dividends are accurately released and directly reach the key points, and create solid achievements that can stand the test of practice, the people, and history.

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Promoting Comprehensive Governance Throughout the Entire Process and Accelerating the Construction of "Zero-Waste Cities" (In-Depth Thinking on a Specific Topic)

By: 徐 鹤

General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out: "We must strengthen the comprehensive management of solid waste and accelerate the construction of 'zero-waste cities'." The "15th Five-Year Plan" outline proposes: "Implement solid waste comprehensive management actions." The recently adopted "Environmental Code of the People's Republic of China" emphasizes "strengthening the entire process control of solid waste generation, collection, storage, transportation, utilization, and disposal." China produces more than 4 billion tons of industrial solid waste every year, and the hidden dangers of environmental pollution continue to rise. Since the pilot work of "zero-waste city" construction was officially launched in 2019, the number of pilot cities has continued to increase, and the intensity of industrial solid waste generation has decreased significantly, but the focus is mainly on end-of-pipe treatment, and most of them are in a state of individual operations by various institutions, and the comprehensiveness and systematicness of governance are still insufficient.

The "Solid Waste Comprehensive Management Action Plan" (hereinafter referred to as the "Action Plan") issued by the State Council is China's first special document that makes systematic arrangements for comprehensive solid waste management. It provides a top-level design and action plan for China to systematically promote the construction of "zero-waste cities," marking the transformation of "zero-waste city" construction to cross-departmental and cross-link collaborative governance, and entering a new stage of systematic and whole-process governance. The "Action Plan" deeply integrates the whole-process comprehensive governance system, quantitative target constraints, and the "dual carbon" goal, and outlines the future blueprint of "zero-waste cities." Promoting the construction of "zero-waste cities" from regional pilots to national practice is a key step in thoroughly implementing the concept that green mountains are golden mountains, and it is also a concrete implementation plan for the strategic deployment of the "15th Five-Year Plan" outline on accelerating the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development and building a beautiful China. We must thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on ecological civilization, promote comprehensive governance of the whole process, and accelerate the construction of "zero-waste cities."

Taking the "Action Plan" as a blueprint, clarify the quantitative path for the construction of "zero-waste cities." The "Action Plan" emphasizes "accelerating the construction of 'zero-waste cities'." The construction of "zero-waste cities" takes the city as a governance unit and is an important part of the implementation of the concept of comprehensive solid waste management. The "Action Plan" clarifies action indicators in several key areas, such as bulk solid waste and major renewable resources; strengthens source reduction, promotes the gradual realization of dynamic balance between the generation and comprehensive consumption of solid waste in key industries, and implements special rectification in key areas; and formulates precise quantitative indicators and governance time limit standards, marking the comprehensive transformation of solid waste governance from the past focus on end-of-pipe working methods to a new model of systematic governance and equal emphasis on source and stock. The construction of "zero-waste cities" is an important starting point for promoting the reduction, resource utilization, and harmlessness of solid waste, and achieving national quantitative indicators. Guiding cities to integrate the "zero-waste" concept into land and space planning, industrial structure upgrading, and consumption concept transformation will help make comprehensive solid waste management truly implemented and become a quantifiable and accountable rigid task for each city.

Taking comprehensive governance of the whole process as the core, consolidate the system foundation for the construction of "zero-waste cities." Construct a comprehensive solid waste management system that integrates source reduction, process control, end-of-pipe utilization, and whole-process harmless management, and establish a standardized operating procedure for whole life cycle comprehensive governance. At the source end, eliminate outdated production capacity, promote green design, support cleaner production, develop prefabricated buildings, and promote the green transformation of express packaging to reduce the generation of various solid wastes from the source. At the process end, rely on the industrial solid waste management ledger system, the "two-network integration" of domestic waste classification outlets and waste material recycling outlets, the "Internet + recycling" model, and the information-based dynamic supervision mechanism of transportation vehicles to achieve refined management and control. At the end of governance, prioritize the promotion of high-value resource utilization, explore large-scale safe consumption, and ensure that the risks of treatment and disposal are controllable by improving the capacity of end-of-pipe harmless treatment, carrying out special rectification, and strengthening end-of-pipe supervision and law enforcement. Comprehensive governance of the whole process puts the responsibility for waste management in advance on producers and builders, and inhibits incremental growth from the root cause; focuses on solving the "black box" problem in the collection and transfer links in traditional management, and provides sources for subsequent comprehensive utilization; and excavates economic value through precise matching of resource utilization and harmlessness, and strictly adheres to the bottom line of environmental safety. Promoting comprehensive governance of the whole process and realizing the coordinated promotion of "reduction, resource utilization, and harmlessness" within a unified management framework fundamentally reduces environmental risks and governance costs. Comprehensive governance of the whole process is not a simple superposition of links, but an optimization of institutional design to organically connect each link and provide solid system support for the high-quality and sustainable operation of "zero-waste cities." For example, Xiong'an New Area (雄安新区) has integrated the "zero-waste" concept into the entire process of urban construction from the beginning of planning, realizing the incineration of domestic waste for power generation, using slag to make recycled aggregates, and completely reusing wastewater after treatment, connecting the entire chain of source reduction, process control, and resource utilization.

Improve the level of resource utilization and stimulate the value potential of "zero-waste city" construction. Solid waste is both a source of pollution and a "second mine." The "Action Plan" points out: "Strengthen the comprehensive utilization of bulk solid waste," "Improve the level of recycling of renewable resources," and "Strengthen the application and promotion of recycled materials." Deeply implement the producer responsibility extension system, vigorously develop the remanufacturing industry, and promote "urban minerals" into the resource recycling system. Solid waste resource utilization reflects the core value of the circular economy, emphasizing that waste can obtain the same functions as virgin materials through processes such as sorting, smelting, modification, and remanufacturing. Because the circular industry is technology-intensive and has strict standards, it can effectively promote emerging green industries and promote the innovation of low-carbon and energy-saving technologies. For example, Bishan District (璧山区) in Chongqing (重庆) promotes the whole-process management of construction waste, builds a complete chain of recycling, basically forms a network for the resource utilization of construction waste, with an annual processing capacity of 200,000 tons, and can produce recycled permeable bricks, roadbed materials, dry-mixed mortar and other products, with a resource utilization rate of 68.23%, and strives to achieve a win-win situation for economic, ecological and social benefits. We must step up the construction of a complete path for the comprehensive utilization of solid waste, help build a circular economy, develop new quality productive forces, and make "zero-waste cities" not only environmentally livable cities, but also value-creating entities with efficient resource recycling and low-carbon development, providing new impetus for high-quality development.

(The author is the Deputy Dean of the Institute of Ecological Civilization, Nankai University (南开大学))

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Why are young people favoring snack shops? (China Focus)

By: 湖南日报记者 曹 娴 彭可心

Every Friday evening, Chen Xing (陈星), a Gen Z living in Changsha (长沙), Hunan (湖南), walks into a discount snack store near his company after work, as usual. "Going to the supermarket requires searching for a while to find what I want, but here the target is clear, and there are many snack choices," he said, adding that he comes two or three times a month to regularly "restock" his snack supply.

In today's world where "one-click ordering" on mobile phones delivers goods to your door, discount snack stores are rapidly developing in many places.

Every time she returns to Tianjin (天津) for vacation, college student Song Xiaofang (宋小芳) most often visits a chain discount snack store near her home. She skillfully navigates the shelves, and in less than 10 minutes, she heads to the checkout with various snacks such as dried tofu and instant noodles, spending less than 50 yuan.

"After dinner, I naturally walk over there," Song Xiaofang (宋小芳) said, noting that she can get a little of every flavor at the snack store, and the prices are lower than in supermarkets. Near her university, she and her roommates often visit a chain discount snack store that has a fixed 12% discount on everything on the 8th of every month, which has become "dormitory stocking day."

Snack stores located near schools and residential areas are always popular. Two snack stores near Hunan University of Technology and Business, though not far apart, both maintain good customer traffic. "Students purchase frequently, and although the amount per purchase is not large, the advantage is a stable customer base," said a clerk at one of the snack stores.

Wu Xiao (武萧), a sophomore at the university, regularly visits snack stores twice a month to stock up on his favorite snacks such as jerky, potato chips, spicy sticks, and beverages.

"Snack stores update their products quickly. I specifically went to buy spicy konjac snacks and potato chips that I saw 'recommended' online," Wu Xiao (武萧) said. New faces often appear on the shelves, especially various co-branded and popular products, which always stimulate his desire to "try new things."

In Changsha (长沙), the bright yellow signs of chain snack stores are visible everywhere. The stores are transparent and bright, with neat shelves, making a strong impression on young people.

"Traditional supermarkets are 'large and comprehensive,' while we focus on 'refined and deep' in the food sector, striving to be 'good and not expensive,'" said the relevant person in charge of this snack company. They believe that the entire industry is shifting from a "seller's market" to a "buyer's market," from manufacturers deciding "what to sell" to consumers deciding "what they want."

Consumers want to try new things but are afraid of buying the wrong product, so merchants use customized specifications, transparent packaging, small packaging, and bulk sales to lower the purchasing threshold and meet consumer demand.

Consumer choices are also driving the birth of new products. For example, in response to many consumers' clear preference for sesame sauce flavor, two snack companies jointly launched "sesame sauce flavored vegetarian tripe," which sold 960 million units in 9 months.

Walking on the streets of third- and fourth-tier cities and even counties, it is difficult for people to ignore the bright colors of discount snack stores. In recent years, various chain brands have introduced classic IPs, forming a product matrix covering snacks, trendy toys, and peripherals, deeply cultivating the young market. They have also connected to instant retail channels, and their revenue continues to increase.

With a wide variety of products, affordable prices, and online "recommendations," discount snack stores have timely met the needs of young people. "Actually, our requirements are not high," Song Xiaofang (宋小芳) said, "Delicious, not expensive, convenient to buy, and happy to eat, that's enough."

Xie Julan (谢菊兰), associate professor at the Business School of Central South University (中南大学), believes that discount snack stores effectively embed themselves into the daily lives of young people through high-density store layouts, small-packaged product forms, and immediate consumption, reducing time costs and decision-making burdens, transforming them from optional consumption to routine life supplies, enhancing consumer stickiness, and thus increasing consumption willingness and repurchase levels.

Xie Julan (谢菊兰) believes that to gain an advantage in the competition, companies can use digital technology to build dynamic user profiles, realize real-time and visualized demand capture, integrate multi-dimensional data such as mini-programs and store traffic lines, accurately identify the consumption preferences of target groups, and make supply-demand matching a growth engine. They can also optimize consumption scenarios with immersive experiences, emphasizing both selling products and selling services, and create strong memory point theme scenarios to enhance spatial attractiveness and social communication power.

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Making Emotion-Driven Consumption Healthy, Stable, and Sustainable (Listening to the World)

By: 江 萌

Selecting a template, choosing the beads, arranging the pattern, and ironing it into shape, a highly personalized handmade work is successfully produced - this is the currently popular Perler beads. Consumption data related to the 2026 Spring Festival holiday shows a significant increase in group-buying orders for Perler beads among Generation Z. As a form of emotional consumption on social platforms, Perler beads, with their unique healing power and underlying creativity, have created a large market. The popularity of Perler beads is a vivid microcosm of the current wave of emotional consumption.

Why are Perler beads so popular? The answer lies in the word "Perler." Arranging each bead, waiting for each ironing, immersing oneself in the creation at hand, time quietly slows down in the process of "Perler." What's even better is that Perler beads have low cost and low barriers to entry, but can provide instant gratification for young people. Completing a pattern is a small satisfaction.

From "buying things" to "buying feelings," starting with Perler beads, we see the change in young people's consumption concepts. In the past, consumption paid more attention to practical value; now, emotional value has become an important consideration. Soft and cute healing trendy toys, ritualistic "pleasing oneself" tours, artificial intelligence emotional companionship that breaks through the limitations of time and space... From physical consumption to experiential consumption to digital consumption, changes are everywhere.

Emotional consumption has shifted from a personal choice to a market orientation, and the supply side is also constantly upgrading. Surprise-creating blind boxes, healing camping and hiking, heartwarming pet photography... In the consumer market, more and more warm products and services are emerging.

A small bead, piecing together a large market, also reflects a major trend. At the same time, it should also be seen that emotional consumption is both a development opportunity and a social issue. How to make emotional consumption healthy, stable, and sustainable is worthy of common attention and reflection. The background color of a better life is the dual abundance of material and spirit. May every consumer who pays for emotional value reap full happiness.

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"Field Classroom" Talks Spring Management

By: 新华社记者 叶 婧

In Wenshang County (汶上县), Jining City (济宁市), Shandong Province (山东省), wheat is successively entering the critical period of greening and rising. In the fields, wheat seedlings spread like a green carpet.

In a drizzle, several people quickly walked into the wheat field of Yuan Shengfa (袁盛法), a large grain grower in Yiqiao Town (义桥镇), Wenshang County (汶上县), sometimes parting the wheat seedlings to check the roots, and sometimes grabbing the soil to check the soil moisture.

"Look, with this 'timely rain,' this wheat has recovered!" The leader was Shen Zhihe (沈志河), a researcher at the Wenshang County Agricultural Technology Extension Center (汶上县农技推广中心). He casually pulled up a wheat seedling and gave on-site teaching to the farmers beside him, "How developed these white roots are, and how strong the new tillers are. This completes the task of 'promoting the weak to the strong'."

Just over a month ago, Yuan Shengfa (袁盛法) was still very worried about the growth of more than 800 mu of wheat he managed. Due to the large-scale late sowing, the wheat seedlings had insufficient tillering before winter, some with only one leaf, or even "one needle."

Affected by the autumn floods of 2025, the area of late-sown wheat in Shandong (山东), a major agricultural province, is large, and the overall seedling situation before winter is weaker than in normal years, and the production situation is complex.

On February 24, Shandong (山东) held a province-wide work deployment meeting for the "Striving for Agricultural Time, Seizing Field Management, Promoting Technology, and Ensuring High Yield" wheat spring production "Agricultural Technology Strong Seedling" action, dividing the province's wheat producing areas into five ecological zones: Lunan (鲁南) Hilly Early-Mature Area, Luxi (鲁西) Plain Early-Mature Area, Luzhong (鲁中) Hilly Mid-Mature Area, Lubei (鲁北) Plain Late-Mature Area, and Ludong (鲁东) Hilly Late-Mature Area, and established provincial expert groups to provide assistance and guidance by region.

Yang Jiutao (杨久涛), a senior agronomist of the Crop Department of Shandong Provincial Agricultural Technology Extension Center (山东省农技推广中心), said that the Luxi (鲁西) Plain Early-Mature Area includes the three cities of Liaocheng (聊城), Heze (菏泽), and Jining (济宁), with a wheat planting area of over 20 million mu, accounting for about 1/3 of the province, and is the main wheat producing area and high-yield advantage area of Shandong (山东). By keeping a close eye on it and seizing the opportunity early, we can seize the window period and promote the transformation and upgrading of seedling conditions.

As a member of the Luxi (鲁西) Plain Early-Mature Area expert group, Shen Zhihe (沈志河) has lost count of how many times he has "patrolled" the fields in the past month.

Experts enter the fields to diagnose and prescribe prescriptions. Aiming at weak seedling plots, Shen Zhihe (沈志河) tailored a set of spring field management plans for "promoting the weak to the strong": "Focusing on promotion, shifting fertilizer and water forward", immediately carry out shallow hoeing to break the crust when the ground surface just thaws in early spring to increase temperature and conserve moisture; during the returning green period, apply quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer with the help of soil moisture, and apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to promote root development and spring tillering.

"It's right to listen to the experts!" Under Shen Zhihe's (沈志河) hands-on guidance, Yuan Shengfa (袁盛法) strictly followed the "prescription" operation. In just over 20 days, the leaves of the original weak and yellow seedlings gradually turned dark green, and the new secondary roots and tillers increased significantly.

Zhu Wenjun (朱文君), Director of the Wenshang County Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau (汶上县农业农村局), introduced that thanks to the rapid development of the "Agricultural Technology Strong Seedling" action and the precise guidance of agricultural technicians, the proportion of first- and second-class seedlings in the county has increased significantly compared with before winter, and has basically approached the normal level.

At present, the provincial expert groups participating in the Shandong (山东) "Agricultural Technology Strong Seedling" action have gone deep into 456 townships (streets) in 126 counties across the province to open "field classrooms", providing direct services to nearly 2,000 farmers through "one-to-one" docking and "face-to-face" guidance, covering a wheat field area of 1.1 million mu, and driving the continuous positive transformation of wheat seedling conditions throughout the province.

Spring rain moistens the fields and wheat draws green, and the "field classroom" has not "finished school." Taking advantage of the good soil moisture, Shen Zhihe (沈志河) plunged into a wheat field with relatively strong growth, followed by several large grain growers.

"Your management focus should be shifted to 'controlling excessive growth and preventing diseases' and preventing 'cold spring'. If there is a cold wave, be sure to water in advance and in time to regulate the microclimate in the field," said Shen Zhihe (沈志河).

(According to Xinhua News Agency (新华社))

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Snack Festival: A Taste of Fireworks

On March 21st, the 13th Dali Weishan Snack Festival opened in Weishan Yi and Hui Autonomous County (巍山彝族回族自治县), Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture (大理白族自治州), Yunnan (云南). The snack festival brings together local intangible cultural heritage snacks and national specialty foods, allowing tourists to experience the local flavor of Weishan (巍山) in one stop. This year's snack festival will last until March 29th.

The above pictures are all taken by Chen Chang (陈畅).

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Static text becomes dynamic light and shadow

By: 北京日报记者 路艳霞

"The holiday has arrived, and Peppa Pig plans to give herself a good vacation, but she didn't expect this vacation to give her a vivid lesson..." A shadow puppet show, "Peppa Pig's Anti-Fraud Story," performed by staff from the Jiuwen Bookstore New Era Civilization Practice Base (九问书库新时代文明实践基地) in Huairou District (怀柔区), Beijing (北京), was recently staged in the report hall of a primary school in Huairou (怀柔). More than 120 students from the fourth to sixth grades of the school watched the performance, and bursts of laughter were heard from time to time.

As a modern public reading entity integrating books, leisure, exhibitions, cultural creations, and performances, the Jiuwen Bookstore New Era Civilization Practice Base (九问书库新时代文明实践基地) integrates intangible cultural heritage shadow puppetry with reading, bringing a brand-new reading experience to citizens.

"Combining the ancient intangible cultural heritage art of shadow puppetry with classic reading allows the words in the book to stand up in the light and shadow, which not only makes reading lively and interesting, but also gives intangible cultural heritage a new path of inheritance in the new era," said Kou Chunyu (寇春雨), head of the base.

The bookstore staff abandoned the single mode of traditional reading and actively explored the artistic value of shadow puppetry and the cultural core of reading, drawing inspiration from classic books, arranging scripts, making shadow puppet props, and jointly building a shadow puppet stage, turning the original static text into a dynamic light and shadow performance.

"We arrange scripts based on classic stories or wonderful excerpts from books, and create stories suitable for shadow puppet performances," said Kou Chunyu (寇春雨). Up to now, more than 10 works have been created, and more than 60 themed reading sessions have been held, with a cumulative participation of 5,000 people. The base also sends this innovative experience to rural areas, communities, campuses, enterprises, institutions, and nursing homes, allowing the cross-border integrated reading experience to cross age and identity boundaries.

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Express Delivery from All Directions

100% Green Electricity Supply for the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference Venue

Hainan Daily, Boao (博鳌), March 25th (Reporter Shao Changchun (邵长春)) - The Boao Forum for Asia (博鳌亚洲论坛) Annual Conference has implemented special power supply guarantees for many consecutive years. Important venues have now fully completed full-load testing, and all important loads requiring uninterrupted power supply have been connected to UPS power supplies to ensure 100% green electricity supply to all venues for the first forum annual conference after the Hainan Free Trade Port (海南自贸港) implements full island closure operations.

Shaanxi Launches "Worry-Free Consumption in Sanqin (三秦)" Map

Shaanxi Daily, Xi'an (西安), March 25th (Reporter Wu Yongjie (仵永杰)) - Recently, Shaanxi (陕西) launched the "Worry-Free Consumption in Sanqin (三秦)" map public service project. Relying on data foundation, technical advantages, and related information, the project builds a special map module to accurately locate worry-free merchants and provide navigation guidance for consumers.

"Su Chao (苏超)" Mascot "Su Dudu (苏嘟嘟)" Released

Xinhua Daily, Nanjing (南京), March 25th (Reporter Gao Wei (高伟)) - The "Su Chao (苏超) Eye-Catching Package" meeting and the "Su Chao (苏超)" mascot release conference were held in Nanjing (南京), Jiangsu (江苏) on March 20th. The "Su Chao (苏超)" exclusive mascot "Su Dudu (苏嘟嘟)" was officially unveiled. The overall shape of "Su Dudu (苏嘟嘟)" continues the streamlined outline of the Yangtze finless porpoise, combined with its iconic "smile," conveying a sense of healing and vitality.

Xinjiang Museum's Cultural and Creative Products Win Global Design Award

Xinjiang Daily, Urumqi (乌鲁木齐), March 25th (Reporter Yin Lu (银璐)) - The list of winners of the 18th IAI Global Design Awards was recently announced. The Xinjiang Museum's (新疆博物馆) "Five Stars Rise in the East Cultural and Creative Products and Art Installation Design" won the Gold Award for Cultural and Creative Products (Cultural Intangible Heritage). The IAI Global Design Award is an international authoritative platform covering all design fields founded by the Asia-Pacific Designers Federation. This year's competition attracted 1,531 entries from nearly 20 countries and regions around the world.

Fujian Releases "Three Teas" Coordinated Standard System

Fujian Daily, Fuzhou (福州), March 25th (Reporter Huang Xiaojing (黄筱菁)) - The "Fujian Province 'Three Teas' Coordinated Standard System (2026 Edition)" was officially released on March 23rd. This standard system covers 4 primary sub-systems and 24 secondary sub-systems, with a total of 836 standards, covering all links in the tea industry chain, including planting, processing, circulation, and cultural tourism.

Zhejiang Jinhua Establishes Wuju Development Fund

Zhejiang Daily, Jinhua (金华), March 25th (Reporter Shen Chao (沈超)) - The Zhejiang (浙江) Jinhua Wuju (金华婺剧) Development Fund was officially established recently.
Wuju (婺剧), commonly known as "Jinhua Opera (金华戏)," is a national intangible cultural heritage. This fund will be specifically used to support the creation of high-quality Wuju (婺剧) repertoires, and will focus on supporting high-quality creation projects with Chinese style, Zhejiang (浙江) recognition, and Wuju (婺剧) characteristics.

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Behind the On-the-Spot Signing of 42 Fruit Farmers

By: 本报通讯员 范小勇

On March 19th, a *Cuiguan* pear planting technical specification training session was held in the training room of a fruit company in Xiajiang County (峡江县), Ji'an City (吉安市), Jiangxi Province (江西省). Mi Zuowen (糜作文), the head of the company, acted as a technician, starting with winter fertilization and focusing on disease and pest control. The fruit farmers listened attentively, some taking notes and others asking questions from time to time.

"Last year, a batch of *Cuiguan* pears shipped overseas took more than 20 days on the road, and many of them deteriorated in quality upon arrival, almost losing the customer," said Mi Zuowen (糜作文). "Customers have particularly high requirements for quality, and we must ensure the quality of the fruit."

The turning point came thanks to the local government's matchmaking. The company jointly established a joint experimental point for fruit preservation technology with the院士 (yuàn shì - "academician," member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences or Chinese Academy of Engineering) team of South China University of Technology (华南理工大学). After tackling key problems, the fruit achieved full temperature control from picking to storage, reducing the loss rate by 30%.

Last year, Xiajiang (峡江) *Cuiguan* pears were rated as the first batch of "Small, Beautiful, Special, and Refined" agricultural products in Jiangxi Province (江西省), and the supply was in short supply in the high-end market. Mi Zuowen (糜作文) struck while the iron was hot and revealed to everyone: "Now that we have brand endorsement, only by planting according to standards can our fruits truly go abroad and sell at good prices."

The company's confidence stems from the government's continued efforts. In recent years, Xiajiang County (峡江县) has made high-quality fruit industry a key focus of development, and has introduced a three-year action plan for high-quality development, which not only helps enterprises connect with technical teams and upgrade cold chain systems, but also takes the lead in cooperating with enterprises to establish overseas direct procurement bases, opening up new channels for Xiajiang (峡江) fruit to go to sea.

As soon as the training ended, a queue formed in front of the signing table, and 42 fruit farmers signed contracts for more than 4,000 *mu* of standardized *Cuiguan* pear planting area.

Outside the window, spring is in full swing. Fruit farmer Zhou Jiamao (周家茂) walked home with the contract in his arms, his steps much lighter than when he came: "With technicians teaching how to plant, cold chain preservation to prevent long distances, and the company guaranteeing sales, I have more confidence this year!"

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Connecting the "Green Ring" Breakpoints: Parks "Strung Together Like Beads"

By: 解放日报记者 陈玺撼

On March 21st, hundreds of citizens set off from Xinyang Park (新杨公园) in Putuo District (普陀区), Shanghai (上海), hiking nearly 4 kilometers along the greenway, passing through Qidonglin Park (启动林公园) and arriving at Chunguang Park (春光公园) in the south. On that day, the 2026 Shanghai Outer Ring Park Life Season kicked off. The event will last from March to May, taking place successively in the outer ring parks of Putuo (普陀), Jiading (嘉定), Baoshan (宝山), Changning (长宁), Minhang (闵行), Pudong (浦东), Xuhui (徐汇) and other districts.

Continuously checking in at three newly opened outer ring parks along one road was impossible a year ago, until the four breakpoints along the route were connected due to the construction of the outer ring ecological park belt. Now, the outer ring greenway goes south along the Xinchapu River (新槎浦) and the Outer Ring Expressway (外环高速), not only connecting three outer ring parks in Putuo District (普陀区), but also connecting Fengxiang Zhixiu Park (丰翔智秀公园) in Baoshan District (宝山区) to the north. This greenway allows citizens and tourists to immerse themselves in the scenery of the Shanghai Outer Ring Ecological Park Belt, which is like "stringing beads into a line."

Zhu Yanzhen (朱燕珍), a resident of Xinyang Heyuan (新杨和苑), told reporters: "Residents are very happy since Xinyang Park (新杨公园) opened at their doorstep." Now, a bridge has been erected over the Xinchapu River (新槎浦), and Zhu Yanzhen (朱燕珍) can walk to the east bank of the river and reach Qidonglin Park (启动林公园) by walking less than 500 meters south along the greenway.

As of the end of last year, all 36 outer ring parks newly planned during Shanghai's (上海) "14th Five-Year Plan" period have been completed, plus the 14 outer ring parks that had been built and opened previously, forming a group of outer ring parks. Zhang Yingping (张莹萍), director of the Shanghai Municipal Public Green Space Construction Affairs Center (上海市公共绿地建设事务中心), introduced that unblocking the breakpoints on the outer ring greenway and between the outer ring parks is one of the key points of Shanghai's (上海) greening work this year. The outer ring greenway has now been built to 105 kilometers, with 40 stations on the greenway. As of now, 75 of the 140 breakpoints on the outer ring greenway have been unblocked, and another 6 are planned to be unblocked this year, with enriched designs to turn breakpoints into highlights.

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"Checking the 'Health' of Black Soil: Promoting Grain Saving and Loss Reduction"

By: 黑龙江日报记者 姜 斌 刘 畅

In recent days, at the high-standard farmland construction project site of Changshuihe Farm (长水河农场) in the Beidahuang Group (北大荒集团), Heilongjiang (黑龙江) Province, excavators' iron arms rise and fall, turning over fresh soil, loaders shuttle back and forth transporting sand and gravel, and engineering vehicle wheels roll out neat work tracks, with scattered plots being straightened into squares...

"Reducing food loss and waste is a crucial link in safeguarding food security," said Liu Yang (刘洋), member of the Party Committee and Deputy General Manager of Changshuihe Farm Co., Ltd. (长水河农场有限公司). From 2025 to 2026, the farm implemented a high-standard farmland construction project consisting of field consolidation projects, irrigation and drainage projects, field road projects, and farmland protection and ecological environment maintenance projects.

In the farm's soil testing and fertilizer recommendation laboratory, Tian Qiaoling (田巧玲), Deputy Director of the Agricultural Science and Technology Service Center of Changshuihe Farm (长水河农场农业科技服务中心), is focused on conducting a detailed "physical examination" of the black soil. From field sampling to precise laboratory testing, from fine seed selection to grain storage, the farm strives for excellence in every环节, injecting scientific and technological momentum into improving the quality and efficiency of agriculture.

Within the farm's various management areas, pioneer teams composed of party members, cadres, and youth volunteers are active in the fields and at the forefront of warehousing, providing full-process tracking and guidance from spring sowing to autumn harvest, deeply integrating food loss and waste reduction into the entire chain of grain production, storage, and circulation.

"Full托管 services give us a sense of security," said Liu Changlin (柳长林), head of the second management area of Changshuihe Farm (长水河农场第二管理区) and a large-scale family farm. Through land托管, technical services, and other methods, the farm has achieved a scaled operation area of 284,000 mu, increasing income by 8.53 million yuan last year.

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Editor(s) for this section: Zhang Ye, Yang Xiaoyu, Dong Wenxin

Layout Design: Shen Yiling (沈亦伶)
Submission Email: rmrbbgdcz@peopledaily.cn

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Focusing on Core Business, Old State-Owned Enterprises Spark New Vitality (Economic Focus)

The "15th Five-Year Plan"纲要 proposes to enhance the core functions of state-owned enterprises and improve their core competitiveness. State-owned enterprises are an important force in strengthening the country's overall strength and safeguarding the common interests of the people. They bravely shoulder their missions and take the initiative. In recent years, old state-owned enterprises have deeply cultivated their main businesses and released surging momentum in pragmatic and dedicated work. Recently, reporters visited Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide Group Co., Ltd. (株洲硬质合金集团有限公司) in Hunan, Yunnan Copper Co., Ltd. (云南铜业股份有限公司), and Xi'an XD High Voltage Porcelain Insulator Co., Ltd. (西安西电高压电瓷有限责任公司) in Shaanxi to see how these industrial enterprises, born during the "First Five-Year Plan" period of the country, activate internal driving forces and cultivate competitive advantages.
　　——Editor

　　Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide Group Co., Ltd. (株洲硬质合金集团有限公司)
　　Strengthen R&D to Equip Industrial Production with "Teeth"
　　By Sun Chao (孙超), Reporter of this newspaper
　　In the hinterland of the Taklamakan Desert, the drilling depth of the China National Petroleum Corporation's Tarim Oilfield's Tacco 1 well has exceeded the 10,000-meter mark. In the high-temperature and high-pressure underground, a contest of hardness is staged every day. Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide Group Co., Ltd. (株洲硬质合金集团有限公司), far away in Zhuzhou, Hunan, is one of the "equipment supply depots" for this contest.
　　"The new generation of ultra-deep well ball teeth for drilling is made of special materials and processes. The outer layer has ultra-high hardness and corrosion resistance, while the inside can maintain high toughness and can work stably in a 600-degree Celsius high-temperature environment," said Zhang Hao (张颢), chief engineer of drilling tool products at Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide Group (株硬集团).
　　Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide Group (株硬集团), established in 1954, is one of the "156 Projects" of the country's "First Five-Year Plan." "In the industrial sector, all needs involving cutting, wear resistance, and rock drilling are inseparable from cemented carbide," said Zhao Shengzhi (赵声志), member of the Party Committee and Deputy General Manager of the Group.
　　Rebar plays a pivotal role in China's steel production. Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide Group (株硬集团) began producing alloy rolls for rolling rebar in 1985, but for a long time, domestic steel companies preferred foreign brands.
　　"Instability, short lifespan, and poor product consistency are common pain points reported by customers," said Wang Wei (汪巍), R&D Manager of the Enterprise Hard Material R&D Center. After years of tackling key problems, the team developed a new type of alloy material, which greatly improved product performance.
　　Currently, Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide Group's (株硬集团) alloy rolls for low-temperature rolling have been sold to more than 70 countries. "Data shows that the service life of the new product exceeds that of similar foreign products by 1.8 times," said Wang Wei (汪巍).
　　How to drill 2,500 holes of the same size on a 1-square-centimeter fine printed circuit board?
　　This is a new requirement for cemented carbide materials and tools in the electronic information industry. "The drill bit has a diameter of 0.01 mm, only a fraction of the thickness of a hair, and must also have high reliability," said Zeng Ruilin (曾瑞霖), Chief Engineer of Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide Group (株硬集团).
　　From powder materials to molding processes, Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide Group (株硬集团) has made early arrangements and seized the initiative. At present, several micro-drill material products for printed circuit boards have successfully entered the market, realizing import substitution.
　　Walking into an L-shaped, more than 300-meter-long intelligent production line, unmanned vehicles shuttle back and forth, with full-process automation from feeding to output, and industrial waste heat is recycled, achieving carbon emission reduction of more than 1,700 tons per year. This is the ultra-fine tungsten carbide powder intelligent production line workshop newly launched by Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide Group (株硬集团) in 2025.
　　"High-end products such as micro-drills and rods are inseparable from micron-precision ultra-fine tungsten carbide powder," Zhao Shengzhi (赵声志) introduced. The Group has built an intelligent production line with an annual capacity of 3,000 tons of ultra-fine tungsten carbide powder, ensuring the future needs of high-end industries from the source of materials.
　　"Facing the '15th Five-Year Plan,' the enterprise will refine and strengthen the main business of hard materials, focus on the frontier fields of hard materials and tool manufacturing and supporting services, and promote the high-end, intelligent, and green development of products and production lines," said Zhao Shengzhi (赵声志).

　　Yunnan Copper Co., Ltd. (云南铜业股份有限公司)
　　Innovation Leads, Intelligent Production Creates High-End Copper Plates
　　By Ye Chuanzeng (叶传增), Reporter of this newspaper
　　In Anning City, Yunnan Province, in the production workshop of the Southwest Copper Industry Intelligent Factory (西南铜业智能工厂) affiliated to Yunnan Copper Co., Ltd. (云南铜业股份有限公司), automated equipment is working in an orderly manner. Handling robots transport raw materials into the production line, and unmanned overhead cranes (a type of lifting equipment) precisely place copper plates weighing several tons in designated areas. On the large screen in the central control room, data on equipment operation, logistics warehousing, and other aspects are updated in real time, providing a clear view of the factory's operating status.
　　"The real-time data collection rate of the entire factory exceeds 95%, the numerical control rate of key processes reaches 100%, and more than 50 intelligent equipment are used on the production site," said Zeng Wenbin (曾文斌), Secretary of the Party Branch of the Electrolytic Operation Zone of Southwest Copper Industry (西南铜业).
　　The predecessor of Yunnan Copper (云南铜业) was the Yunnan Smelting Plant (云南冶炼厂) established in 1958, which was one of the "156 Projects" of the country's "First Five-Year Plan." In recent years, Yunnan Copper (云南铜业) has been driven by new quality productive forces, leading the company's high-end, intelligent, and green development, and the vitality of traditional metallurgical enterprises has emerged.
　　Under the leadership of scientific and technological innovation, how high can the purity of a copper plate be?
　　According to national standards, the impurity content of 1 ton of cathode copper should not exceed 65 grams. In April 2024, Southwest Copper Industry (西南铜业) produced cathode copper with only 18 grams of impurities per ton of copper plate, with a main grade as high as 99.998%, which is at the leading level in the industry. High-purity products have not only become the preferred material for manufacturing wires and cables, but are also favored by high-end manufacturing companies in new energy vehicles, aerospace, and other industries.
　　How is extreme purity achieved?
　　The answer lies in the electrolysis process. In the electrolytic cell, the anode copper plate is placed in a copper sulfate electrolyte solution through which current is passed, and copper ions migrate directionally and are adsorbed onto the cathode stainless steel plate. Zeng Wenbin (曾文斌) used an analogy, saying that this process is like coating chicken fillets, with copper ions evenly plated on both sides of the stainless steel plate to form cathode copper with higher purity. Under traditional processes, a stainless steel plate is sandwiched between the two copper layers, and the interlayer is prone to residual other metal elements in the electrolyte, resulting in higher impurities.
　　Improving purity requires peeling the cathode copper sheets, but traditional manual peeling has large errors and low efficiency. To address this industry problem, Southwest Copper Industry (西南铜业) uses a robotic arm equipped with three-dimensional vision detection technology for precise peeling, followed by secondary washing, and innovatively developed multi-point collaborative detection technology for cathode copper quality and multi-loop conductive copper busbar technology, which significantly reduces product impurities.
　　During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, the comprehensive energy consumption of Yunnan Copper's (云南铜业) crude copper decreased by a maximum of 17.06%, and the copper smelting full-process intelligent control integrated intelligent factory of its Southwest Copper Industry Branch (西南铜业分公司) was successfully rated as a 2025 Excellent Intelligent Factory project. Kong Desong (孔德颂), Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Yunnan Copper (云南铜业), said that the company will continue to cultivate new quality productive forces and steadily move towards the goal of building a world-class mining and copper company.

　　Xi'an XD High Voltage Porcelain Insulator Co., Ltd. (西安西电高压电瓷有限责任公司)
　　Innovate Processes to Create Insulating "Joints" for UHV Projects
　　By Jia Fengfeng (贾丰丰), Reporter of this newspaper
　　Walking into the workshop of Xi'an XD High Voltage Porcelain Insulator Co., Ltd. (西安西电高压电瓷有限责任公司), a heat wave mixed with roaring sounds hits you, and the four-story-high vertical clay mixing machine rotates smoothly.
　　The clay rolls and squeezes in the machine, and soon transforms into an insulator clay blank that is 3.05 meters high and weighs 5.8 tons. After being quenched at a high temperature of 1300 degrees Celsius, this clay blank is "clad" in a shiny brown-red coat and becomes an 800 to 1100 kV ultra-high voltage porcelain insulator, which is used in China's ultra-high voltage power grid construction.
　　Insulator products are equivalent to the "joints" of ultra-high voltage transmission lines, and their performance directly affects the feasibility and reliability of ultra-high voltage power transmission and transformation technology.
　　"These new products are much more powerful than before. They are taller, bigger, and can stand up," said Fan Gang (范刚), Deputy Minister of the Wet Porcelain Sleeve Insulator Division of the company.
　　The changes contain more than 60 years of hard work by XD High Voltage Porcelain Insulator (西电西瓷). Taller and bigger means that the insulator can withstand higher levels of ultra-high voltage electricity; being able to stand up is a process innovation—from lying flat and naturally air-drying to standing upright and electrically air-drying, the moisture uniformity is increased by more than 80%, and the production efficiency is increased by 50%.
　　As one of the "156 Projects" of the country's "First Five-Year Plan," XD High Voltage Porcelain Insulator (西电西瓷) has shouldered the mission of serving power grid construction since its birth. China's first 750 kV and 1000 kV demonstration projects, Zhangbei-Xiongan 1000 kV UHV, Baihetan-Jiangsu ±800 kV UHV... XD High Voltage Porcelain Insulator (西电西瓷) products are present in more than 30 national key projects.
　　"In the 1990s, all the trimming relied on hands," recalled Wang Zhenpeng (王振鹏), head of the pillar insulator forming section. "An iron turntable held the clay blank and turned, and it was shaved little by little with a carving knife. After a day, my head was spinning more than the clay blank." Now the workshop uses a dual-station fully automatic trimming machine, which realizes automatic loading and unloading. "Just move the keyboard, the environment is better, and the product performance is more stable."
　　From manual hammering to intelligent production, from following foreign countries to international leadership, Wang Zhenpeng's (王振鹏) experience is a microcosm of the transformation and upgrading of XD High Voltage Porcelain Insulator (西电西瓷).
　　"Innovation is the key to the renewal of the old factory," said Fan Gang (范刚). In order to solve the problems of many pores and uneven color on the glaze surface, the team traveled all over the country to find mineral sources, and the glaze formula was changed hundreds of times—overturning the old process, increasing investment, and constantly trying and making mistakes. With this persistence, the old factory is still full of vitality.
　　XD High Voltage Porcelain Insulator (西电西瓷) adheres to innovation-driven development, has established an insulator R&D center, and built a complete intellectual property and technological innovation system. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, the company's R&D investment exceeded 90 million yuan, and it has applied for 47 patents. Technologies such as 550 kV and above circuit breaker resistor chips, 750 kV and 1000 kV inorganic bonding hollow porcelain insulators have filled domestic gaps. One problem after another has been overcome, and the porcelain sleeve technology has reached the international leading level.

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Revitalizing Old Factories: Innovation is Key (Editor's Note)

By: 韩春瑶

Born in the "First Five-Year Plan" period, these old state-owned factories witnessed China's glorious journey from a state of 百废待兴 (bǎi fèi dài xīng - "a hundred things waiting to be revived," a situation where everything is waiting to be rebuilt and developed) to having the world's most complete industrial system. Along the way, many traditional old industrial factories have kept up with the pace of the times and have been revitalized in the transformation and upgrading process.

The key to the renewal of old factories is innovation. Guided by innovation, traditional old factories broaden their development ideas, cultivate new quality productive forces, and continuously reach new levels on the road of high-end, intelligent, and green development.

Innovation drives the development of more high-end star products. XD Xici (西电西瓷) improves its processes and constantly experiments to serve power grid construction with high-quality products. Facing a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, traditional enterprises focus on key core technologies, strengthen scientific and technological research, break through technical bottlenecks, and shape the core competitiveness of the market with high-quality products.

Innovation drives the construction of more intelligent production workshops. Yunnan Copper (云南铜业) has promoted intelligent transformation, and production efficiency has been greatly improved. Digital and intelligent transformation has become a necessary path for traditional manufacturing to move towards high-quality development.

Innovation drives the optimization of greener process flows. Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide Group (株硬集团) promoted the greening of production, achieving carbon emission reductions of more than 1,700 tons in one year. Anchored to the "dual carbon" goal, old factories actively explore energy conservation and emission reduction, innovate green processes, and continuously cultivate new momentum for green development, embarking on a sustainable development path that achieves a win-win situation for economic and ecological benefits.

With scientific and technological innovation leading industrial upgrading, traditional industries are constantly bursting with new vitality. Entering the opening year of the "15th Five-Year Plan," it is expected that these industrial "veterans" will further cultivate new quality productive forces and continue to contribute to China's construction of a modern industrial system.

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Vinegar Aroma Brings Prosperity to the Region (People's Stories)

By: 本报记者 马睿姗

In the third month of the lunar calendar, in the Derunze Traditional Handmade Brewing Factory in Beizhai Township, Yushe County (榆社县), Jinzhong (晋中), Shanxi (山西) Province, Niu Sanzhong (牛三忠), the inheritor of the traditional handmade vinegar brewing technique of Beizhai (北寨) food vinegar in Jinzhong, is preparing materials for the new season of vinegar brewing, carefully selecting raw materials such as sorghum and wheat bran, and accurately controlling the ratio, in preparation for moistening the materials and mixing the starter in April. His daughter, Niu Ziqun (牛子群), squatted beside him, using her mobile phone to record her father's focused preparation process.

Returning to her hometown during the Spring Festival of 2022, Niu Ziqun saw her parents' persistence in guarding the old vinegar vats, as well as the villagers' adherence to traditional techniques, and a desire to start a business welled up in her heart. After several months of consideration, she decided to resign from her job in the city and use the new media knowledge she had accumulated in her work to introduce the aged vinegar of her hometown to more people.

However, the road to entrepreneurship was not smooth, and the operational problems of the vinegar factory followed one after another: few local express delivery companies had teams to undertake large-volume shipments, and 23 of the 50 orders of vinegar sent out were returned due to packaging leaks; the factory workers lacked e-commerce knowledge, making it difficult to carry out many tasks...

Niu Ziqun thought of many ways: improving the product packaging overnight with the employees, visiting express delivery companies door-to-door to discuss cooperation, and regularly explaining e-commerce knowledge in the factory office. In addition, she also tried shooting short videos and live broadcasts, using the camera to introduce the local customs and the story of craftsmanship behind vinegar brewing.

During the days of preparing to shoot short videos, there were many quarrels between the old Niu (牛) and the young Niu (牛). "What kind of videos are you shooting? Will anyone watch them? My Mandarin is not standard, will netizens understand it?" Although Niu Sanzhong (牛三忠) was worried about his daughter's idea, he decided to give it a try in order to support her career. In order to correct his pronunciation, he practiced Mandarin with his daughter word by word, and before filming, Niu Ziqun (牛子群) would help her father rehearse several times until the words and sentences were smooth and the expression was natural. Over time, Niu Sanzhong (牛三忠) gradually got into the groove in front of the camera. In the camera, he took netizens to experience the production process of aged vinegar, visit the ancient buildings of Yushe (榆社), and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the mountain village.

The turning point came in a short video of "scooping ice vinegar". One day after a snowfall, Niu Sanzhong (牛三忠) swept away the snow covering the vinegar vat, preparing to demonstrate the ancient method of scooping ice. He held a colander in his hand, chiseled open the ice layer, scooped out the ice residue floating on the upper layer, shook it up and down, and then poured the vinegar ice into a bamboo sieve next to him. "Shanxi people make vinegar without complicated equipment, relying entirely on the wisdom passed down from generation to generation by craftsmen. By scooping ice to remove excess moisture, the aged vinegar can be naturally purified. As you can see, the full vat of vinegar from five or six years ago now has less than half a vat left after scooping." Niu Sanzhong (牛三忠) narrated to the camera.

Unexpectedly, this short video became popular, with nearly 10 million views across the entire network, evoking the nostalgia of many netizens. Niu Ziqun (牛子群) opened online stores on major social media platforms overnight, selling more than 2,000 orders that night, so excited that she didn't sleep all night. Soon after, she formed an entrepreneurial team and began to systematically promote local specialties through new media.

Walking into the Derunze Traditional Handmade Brewing Factory, the old craftsmen still follow the ancient brewing methods, but the workshop has been equipped with modern filling equipment. In the packaging workshop, worker Niu Jianping (牛建平) is skillfully packaging the ice-scooped vinegar products. Niu Jianping (牛建平) is a villager from Maling Village (马陵村), Beizhai Township (北寨乡), Yushe County (榆社县). His elder brother has physical disabilities and difficulty moving, and his family conditions are relatively difficult. Previously, he could only rely on planting corn and doing odd jobs to subsidize his family. After coming to work at the vinegar factory, he has an additional stable income of 4,000 yuan per month. Not only Niu Jianping (牛建平), but also more than 500 farmers have been employed at their doorsteps under the leadership of Niu Ziqun (牛子群), with an average monthly income increase of 3,000 yuan for the villagers.

Faced with new consumption trends, Niu Ziqun (牛子群) believes that "product design should pay more attention to the psychological feelings and emotional satisfaction of young people." She began to look for emotional connections from life, using cartoon hand-painted packaging to launch the "Only Eat Your Vinegar" gift. Since then, she and her partners have designed a variety of aged vinegar cultural and creative products such as "Dumpling Dipping Vinegar" dolls and keychains, which are popular among young consumers.

A few days ago, the father and daughter sat down together to calculate the accounts. Since Niu Ziqun (牛子群) returned to the village, the annual output value of the vinegar factory has been nearly 10 million yuan. At the same time, Niu Sanzhong's (牛三忠) social media account has accumulated more than 100,000 fans across the entire network.

Niu Ziqun (牛子群) talked about this year's plan: "Dad, I want to build a vinegar culture experience workshop to turn intangible cultural heritage into a real experience and drive rural tourism in our village!"

Old Niu (老牛) grinned and said, "How to do it, this time Dad will listen to you!"

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Guangzhou's new airport breaks ground in Gaoming District, Foshan City

Foshan, March 25th (Reported by Li Gang (李刚)) On the morning of the 25th, the Guangzhou New Airport commenced construction in Gaoming District (高明区), Foshan City (佛山市), Guangdong Province (广东省).

As a major transportation project of Guangdong Province (广东省) in the first year of the "Fifteenth Five-Year Plan," the Guangzhou New Airport's initial phase has a total investment of 41.808 billion yuan, covering an area of approximately 1213 hectares. It is planned to have 3 runways and 2 terminals, and is scheduled to be completed and put into operation during the "Fifteenth Five-Year Plan" period. The initial phase of the project is designed to handle an annual passenger throughput of 30 million passengers and a cargo and mail throughput of 500,000 tons. It is expected to meet the demand of 60 million passengers and 2.2 million tons of cargo and mail by 2050. After the airport is put into operation, it will effectively make up for the shortcomings of civil aviation airports on the west bank of the Pearl River Estuary (珠江口), better meet the aviation travel needs of people in Foshan (佛山), Zhaoqing (肇庆), Jiangmen (江门), Yunfu (云浮) and other places, and at the same time form an east-west echo and complementary functions with airports such as Guangzhou Baiyun (广州白云), Shenzhen Bao'an (深圳宝安), Hong Kong (香港), and Macau (澳门), forming a more balanced coverage and a wider radiation of world-class airport clusters.

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China's First Dual-Power Intelligent Tamping Machine for Railway Tunnels Rolls Off Production Line

This newspaper's Beijing (北京) dispatch on March 25th (Reporter Li Xinping (李心萍)) On the 25th, the "Guoneng Fenjin (国能奋进) Hao" (National Energy Striving) , China's first railway tunnel dual-power intelligent tamping machine jointly developed by the Railway Equipment Company of the National Energy Group (国家能源集团) and China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (中国铁建高新装备股份有限公司), rolled off the production line, marking a breakthrough in the high-end, intelligent, and green development of China's large railway maintenance machinery.

The railway tamping machine is a key maintenance equipment to ensure the safety and stability of railway lines. The key breakthrough of the dual-power intelligent tamping machine that rolled off the production line this time lies in the comprehensive innovation of the power system. The equipment adopts a dual-power system of diesel generator set and power battery, which can realize seamless switching of modes according to the operation scene. When operating in the tunnel, the pure electric drive mode can be used throughout the whole process to achieve zero exhaust emissions and greatly reduce operating noise; when operating in long-distance transfer and open-air interval lines, it can be switched to hybrid mode to fully meet the endurance and efficiency requirements of full-scene operation.

In addition to the green power upgrade, this system integrates intelligent technologies such as automatic image recognition, automatic tamping, and adaptive operation, which is equivalent to installing a "smart brain" and "sensitive senses" on the equipment, realizing the automation and precision of railway tamping operations, and greatly improving the operation efficiency.

According to reports, the successful development of this equipment has formed a systematic solution for green and intelligent tunnel maintenance. This new type of equipment for tunnel maintenance will be officially put into use in April this year.

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Tianjin Deepens Two-Way Empowerment of Artificial Intelligence and Manufacturing

This newspaper reported from Tianjin (天津) on March 25th (Reporter: Gong Xiangjuan (龚相娟)) - The Tianjin (天津) "Artificial Intelligence + Manufacturing" Promotion Conference was held on the 24th. The conference focused on building a collaborative innovation platform for industry, academia, research, and application, and showcased the latest achievements in the field of intelligent manufacturing in Tianjin (天津).

In recent years, Tianjin (天津) has taken the promotion of "Artificial Intelligence + Manufacturing" as a key initiative to build a national advanced manufacturing research and development base and cultivate new quality productive forces, successfully creating the Tianjin (Binhai New Area) (天津（滨海新区）) National Artificial Intelligence Innovation Application Pioneer Zone, among others.

During the achievement release and launch signing ceremony, eight new national-level excellent intelligent factories were awarded licenses, and the conference simultaneously released a list of 50 typical "Artificial Intelligence + Manufacturing" application scenarios, among others. Next, Tianjin (天津) will 锚定 (máo dìng - "anchor," to fix or lock onto a target) the goal of building an influential source of innovation for underlying artificial intelligence technologies and an empowering application leading zone with national influence, and continue to deepen the two-way empowerment of artificial intelligence and manufacturing.

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Editor in Charge for This Edition: Lü Zhongzheng, Wu Kai, Huang Jinyu

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Latest Achievements in Lunar Soil Research and Other Projects Selected as "Top Ten Scientific Advances in China" for 2025 (Technological Self-Reliance and Strength)

This newspaper reported from Beijing on March 25th (Reporter Liu Shiyao (刘诗瑶), Shi Fang (施芳)) The 2026 Zhongguancun Forum (中关村论坛) Annual Conference opened on March 25th. The theme of this year's annual conference is "Deep Integration of Scientific and Technological Innovation and Industrial Innovation."

The National Natural Science Foundation of China (国家自然科学基金委员会) released the "Top Ten Advances in Science in China" for 2025 at the opening ceremony of the forum's annual conference. These are: Chang'e-6 (嫦娥六号) samples reveal the evolutionary history and giant impact effects of the lunar far side for the first time; Innovative methods achieve large-scale preparation of flexible ultra-smooth diamond films; Controlled nuclear fusion large scientific device achieves "100 million degree" operation; Discovery of ceramide receptors and bacterial source regulators and their role in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases; Gene-edited pig liver implantation into the human body breaks through the barrier of cross-species organ transplantation; Analysis of inflammatory aging mechanisms and multi-dimensional targeted intervention; Discovery of thriving chemosynthetic biological communities at the deepest part of the Mariana Trench; Full-functional two-dimensional semiconductor/silicon-based hybrid architecture heterogeneous integrated flash memory chip; Realization of thorium-uranium nuclear fuel conversion based on molten salt reactors; A new method of interface regulation creates high-performance flexible stacked solar cells for aerospace applications.

The "Top Ten Advances in Science in China" selection activity has been held for 21 sessions since its launch in 2005. The 2025 "Top Ten Advances in Science in China" selection activity (the 21st) was sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (国家自然科学基金委员会) and organized by the High Technology Research and Development Center of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (国家自然科学基金委员会高技术研究发展中心) (Basic Research Management Center of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (国家自然科学基金委员会基础研究管理中心)), and divided into four stages: recommendation, preliminary selection, final selection, and review. The preliminary selection involved more than 150 experts and scholars in related disciplines selecting 30 candidate advances from more than 600 basic research advances. The final selection involved more than 3,000 experts and scholars, including more than 480 academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (中国工程院), conducting online real-name voting to select 10 advances. These were then reviewed by the Advisory Committee of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (国家自然科学基金委员会咨询委员会) to finally determine the "Top Ten Advances in Science in China" for 2025.

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Beijing (Jing-Jin-Ji) International Science and Technology Innovation Center Support Policies Released

This newspaper reported from Beijing on March 25th (Reporter Wang Haonan (王昊男)). On March 25th, the support policies for the Beijing (京津冀) International Science and Technology Innovation Center were released at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Meeting. Relevant national ministries and central units jointly launched 40 policies.

In strengthening the strategic scientific and technological power layout, universities and research institutes affiliated to central departments are allowed to apply local science and technology policies under the premise of complying with national regulations; explore the establishment of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (国家自然科学基金) Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (京津冀) Joint Fund to support high-level new R&D institutions and enterprise-based science and technology innovation platforms to participate in the application; and build high-quality university regional technology transfer and transformation centers.

In promoting the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, establish a sandbox regulatory system for the artificial intelligence industry and improve the risk monitoring and early warning mechanism; for innovative drugs and urgently needed clinical drugs with special requirements for production processes, facilities, and equipment, support Beijing (北京), Tianjin (天津), and Hebei (河北) to explore a phased production model; and support high-level hospitals to carry out clinical research on exploratory new technologies and therapies.

In attracting and gathering outstanding global talents, improve the comprehensive supporting services for foreign talents and steadily expand the scope of recognition of overseas professional qualifications; encourage universities to make unconventional layouts of a number of cutting-edge, interdisciplinary, and emerging disciplines and majors.

In strengthening the linkage of fiscal and financial policies, establish and improve the evaluation mechanism of state-owned capital venture capital funds with a "long-term overall account"; under the premise of legal compliance and controllable risks, support financial asset investment companies to do a good job in equity investment pilot projects, encourage insurance institutions to participate in venture capital funds in accordance with commercial voluntary principles; and support Beijing (北京) to deepen the comprehensive pilot work of intellectual property financial ecology.

In improving the science and technology service system, promote comprehensive science and technology innovation land use and allow entrepreneurial institutions and enterprises to flexibly adjust their business activities; support central enterprises and state-owned enterprises affiliated to provinces (municipalities) to carry out the reform of empowering employees with the ownership of scientific and technological achievements, and explore the pilot of "empowering first to promote transformation."

In expanding open innovation, carry out cross-border equity investment pilots to support equity investment institutions to "bring in" and "go out"; support the initiation and establishment of international science and technology organizations, and improve policies such as cross-border use of funds and foreign affairs approval.

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"2025 Global Engineering Frontiers" Report Highlights Four Major Trends

This newspaper's Beijing (北京) March 25th dispatch (Reporter Pan Junqiang (潘俊强)) On March 25th, the "2025 Global Engineering Frontiers" report was released at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum (中关村论坛) Annual Meeting. The report analyzed 2.16 million high-impact papers, 530,000 high-impact patents, and scientific and technological news from multiple sources around the world to determine 189 engineering frontiers, providing a key perspective for understanding the development of global engineering science and technology.

The report shows that in 2025, the overall global engineering frontier presents four distinct trends: First, artificial intelligence is helping the engineering paradigm move towards generational leaps; second, scenario-driven acceleration of engineering frontiers is transforming into new quality productive forces; third, the territory of engineering innovation is constantly breaking through the boundaries of human cognition; fourth, green and low-carbon development is driving the deep reconstruction of the entire chain of the engineering system.

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"Action Plan for International Cooperation on Open Science" to Share 10 Major Scientific Research Facilities

This newspaper's Beijing (北京) March 25th dispatch (Reporter Wang Zhou (王洲)) On March 25th, at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum (中关村论坛) Annual Meeting, the "Open Science International Cooperation Action Plan" was officially released, opening and sharing 10 major scientific research infrastructures to the world.

The major scientific research infrastructures opened and shared this time include: Ultra-Deep Underground and Ultra-Low Radiation Background Frontier Physics Experiment Facility, Space Environment Ground Simulation Device, Pulsed High Magnetic Field Experimental Device, Steady-State High Magnetic Field Experimental Device, Space Environment Ground-Based Comprehensive Monitoring Network (Meridian Project (子午工程)), Comprehensive Extreme Condition Experimental Device, High Altitude Cosmic Ray Observatory, Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope, "Fendouzhe" (奋斗者) manned submersible, and Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak.

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A Series of Intellectual Property Achievements Released at the Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference

This newspaper reported from Beijing on March 25th (Reporter Shi Fang (施芳)) On March 25th, the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference's Global Intellectual Property Protection and Innovation Forum released a series of the latest intellectual property achievements, such as the "small, fast, and flexible" working mechanism for overseas intellectual property protection, providing comprehensive support for innovation entities.

At the forum, the Beijing Intellectual Property Office (北京市知识产权局) and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (新加坡知识产权局) International Affairs Agency signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation. The Beijing Intellectual Property Office (北京市知识产权局), together with several universities in Beijing (北京) as well as industry associations, professional institutions, and innovation entities, launched the joint construction of a collaborative network for cultivating intellectual property talents in the capital.

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AI trainers are in high demand.

By: 本报记者 黄晓慧

"How to optimize database management?" "How should human-computer interaction design be adjusted?"... Inside a training classroom in downtown Shanghai (上海), the atmosphere is buzzing with "recharging." The instructor carefully guides the students, conducting practical training in artificial intelligence model optimization. In Shanghai (上海), a city that pioneered the artificial intelligence industry in China, this scene has become commonplace.

In 2025, 16,300 people in Shanghai (上海) participated in the vocational skill level evaluation for artificial intelligence trainers, and 10,900 people passed the evaluation and obtained vocational skill level certificates. How did artificial intelligence trainers become so sought-after?

"Industry demand is the fundamental driving force," said Zhong Junhao (钟俊浩), Secretary-General of the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Industry Association (上海市人工智能行业协会). Currently, the scale of China's (中国) core artificial intelligence industry continues to expand, creating abundant employment opportunities. Among the 72 new occupations released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (人力资源和社会保障部) in the past five years, more than 20 are related to artificial intelligence. From intelligent manufacturing to smart healthcare, from financial services to urban governance, as artificial intelligence technology accelerates its iteration, the demand for artificial intelligence talent is experiencing explosive growth.

As a bridge connecting technology and applications, artificial intelligence trainers are the guarantee for the implementation of artificial intelligence products. As the capabilities of artificial intelligence increase, the requirements for artificial intelligence trainers are also increasing. The work content of artificial intelligence trainers has evolved from the initial simple data labeling and effect evaluation to professional data processing of vertical models, model parameter optimization, and the design of embodied intelligent workflows.

The feeling is most direct on the enterprise side. In the Shanghai (上海) area, the demand for artificial intelligence trainer positions has increased by more than 30%. "We are particularly lacking compound talents with 'technology + vertical industry' backgrounds. The market supply of qualified personnel cannot meet the demand, and prolonged recruitment cycles and rising costs have become common phenomena," said the head of a company in "Model Speed Space" (模速空间) in Xuhui District (徐汇区), Shanghai (上海).

Obtaining certification is only the starting point of a career, and continuous learning is the norm. "The iteration cycle of artificial intelligence technology is getting shorter and shorter, which means that our training content must be updated quickly. Some artificial intelligence trainers in vertical fields can only work with certain professional background knowledge," Zhong Junhao (钟俊浩) introduced, the practical operation accounts for as high as 70% in the courses, and closely follows the latest application scenarios in the industry. Training teachers also need to constantly participate in cutting-edge technology seminars to ensure that the teaching content keeps up with technological advancements.

"We focus on industries such as artificial intelligence, implement the concept of 'investing in people,' anchor skills training on the technological innovation chain and high-end industrial chain, promote the transformation of skills training from 'following the industry' to 'running alongside the industry,' and provide solid human resources support for high-quality development," said Yang Jia Ying (杨佳瑛), Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director of the Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau (上海市人力资源和社会保障局).

In Zhong Junhao's (钟俊浩) view, the healthy development of the artificial intelligence trainer profession is a window to observe the competitiveness of China's (中国) artificial intelligence industry. "The more technology develops, the more scarce talent becomes. This is a challenge, but also an opportunity. We must work hard to deepen the integration of industry and education, explore the connection mechanism between vocational skill levels and lifelong learning outcomes, and help the artificial intelligence industry move steadily and far," said Zhong Junhao (钟俊浩).

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Guangxi comprehensively deepens medical insurance reform, striving to secure the bottom line of protection.

During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, the medical security undertaking in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (广西壮族自治区) achieved leapfrog development. The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Medical Security Bureau (广西壮族自治区医疗保障局) adhered to a people-centered approach, focusing on the fundamental goal of "striving to eliminate the people's worries about disease and medical treatment," deepening medical insurance reform, continuously improving the quality of medical security for the masses, and vigorously promoting the positive achievements of Guangxi's medical insurance undertaking.

The foundation of basic medical insurance has been continuously consolidated, and a tight safety net for people's livelihood has been woven.

The fund operates safely and steadily. Guangxi (广西) has established an incentive mechanism for continuous participation in insurance and zero reimbursement of medical insurance funds, and a constraint mechanism for non-participation in insurance during the centralized collection period or non-continuous participation in insurance. From 2021 to 2025, the total income of the region's basic medical insurance fund was 421.393 billion yuan, the total expenditure was 386.124 billion yuan, and the cumulative balance of the overall fund was 96.358 billion yuan, consolidating the financial foundation for benefit security.

Benefit security is more fair and reliable. The burden-reducing function of the "three-tier security" system has been continuously consolidated. The reimbursement ratio of inpatient expenses within the policy for insured employees and residents reached 86% and 72% respectively, and the medical assistance channel cumulatively spent 17.667 billion yuan, benefiting 43,132,800 people. The "three reforms" of basic medical insurance outpatient security were promoted, and a separate outpatient overall payment system for special drugs was established. A long-term care insurance system was established, with 4,234,000 people in the region participating in long-term care insurance, properly solving the long-term care problems of disabled people.

The coordinated development of "three medical services" has been deeply promoted, empowering the health of the masses and the development of the pharmaceutical industry.

The medical insurance payment mechanism has been optimized. The National Medical Insurance Drug Catalog has been fully implemented, and 3,253 drugs and 892 Chinese medicinal herbs have been included in medical insurance reimbursement. A "dual-channel" mechanism has been established, so that insured persons can buy and reimburse negotiated drugs and special drugs paid for by separate outpatient overall planning in designated hospitals or pharmacies. The reform of diversified and composite medical insurance payment methods has been promoted, and the monthly settlement cycle with medical institutions has been shortened to 15 days. The National Regional Medical Center (国家区域医疗中心) is supported to use new medical technologies to carry out 109 medical services, and medical service price items that meet the conditions are included in medical insurance payment.

The reform of medical service prices has been deepened. The centralized procurement of drugs and medical consumables has been improved in quality and expanded in scope, and the results of centralized procurement of 900 commonly used drugs and 94 types of medical consumables have been implemented. The inter-provincial alliance of traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture instruments covering 26 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government) was led to form, and the first national centralized volume procurement of intradermal needles, acupuncture needles, blade needles, and plum blossom needles was realized, with a procurement volume of more than 2.5 billion pieces. The cumulative online direct settlement of centralized procurement payments reached 34.244 billion yuan, reducing the financial pressure on pharmaceutical companies. A dynamic adjustment mechanism for medical service prices has been established, and 30 batches of project establishment guidelines have been implemented, adding price items such as premature infant care, non-accompaniment care, and brain-computer interface, further improving the special medical service price policy. The China-ASEAN Regional Pharmaceutical Trading (Centralized Procurement) Platform (中国—东盟区域医药交易（集采）平台) has been built, with a transaction amount exceeding 10 million yuan, helping Chinese pharmaceutical companies go overseas to ASEAN, and injecting new medical insurance momentum into promoting the expansion of China's innovative pharmaceutical industry into the global market.

The price governance of listed drugs has been promoted. The price governance of listed drugs has been carried out in depth, and a full amount of price screening of more than 40,000 listed drugs has been completed. A drug price comparison mini-program has been launched, covering 14 cities in the autonomous region and 15,000 designated pharmacies, which can provide consumers with real-time comparison of nearly 40,000 medical insurance drug prices and provide navigation.

The operation and management of medical insurance funds are effective, guarding the people's "money for seeing a doctor" and "life-saving money."

The foundation for the stable operation of medical insurance funds has been consolidated. The management of fund budget and final accounts has been strengthened, and a multi-factor analysis model has been established to realize the transformation of budget from empirical estimation to scientific calculation. Budget performance management has been promoted, and a budget management system of "determining expenditure by income, accurate preparation, rigid execution, and dynamic optimization" has been constructed. A "monitoring-analysis-early warning-disposal" mechanism has been established to regularly supervise key indicators.

The supervision of medical insurance funds has been continuously strengthened. Comprehensive measures such as flying inspections and self-inspection and self-correction have been implemented, an administrative penalty benchmark system and a medical insurance payment qualification management system have been established, and the intensity of inspection and punishment has been increased. The application of intelligent supervision and big data anti-fraud models has been strengthened to realize intelligent auditing and safeguard the people's "money for seeing a doctor" and "life-saving money."

Medical insurance services have been optimized and upgraded to meet the diversified medical security needs of the masses.

Service locations are more dense. A "one-body and five-support" service network has been built, with 1,090 medical insurance service stations, 2,150 medical insurance homes, and 14 university medical insurance stations. 1,830 bank outlets and 3,571 rural inclusive financial service points can handle medical insurance, and a "15-minute medical insurance service circle" has been built.

Online and offline are more convenient. The medical insurance code realizes "one code" for seeing a doctor, handling affairs, and paying. 44 medical insurance public service items can be "handled online and well on the palm," and 15 overall planning zones have launched "medical insurance wallets." Mobile payment, face-swiping payment, and AI digital customer service "Gui Yibao Er (桂医保儿)" and other convenient services have been launched and applied. Four-level linkage assistance and agency services are promoted to serve special groups such as the elderly and the disabled.

The service process is more simplified. Newborns are "insured upon landing," maternity allowances are "applied for and processed immediately, and paid directly to individuals," and medical assistance recipients "enjoy benefits without application." All 15 overall planning zones in the region have achieved full coverage of direct settlement of outpatient medical treatment in different places, and outpatient medical treatment in different places within the region is exempted from filing. There are 19,100 designated medical institutions across provinces, benefiting 12,526,900 people, and 10 types of outpatient chronic diseases have been included in cross-provincial settlement. The "Village Doctor Tong+" project has been implemented, and 15 common outpatient chronic and special diseases can be directly settled in village health rooms.

The Guangxi (广西) medical insurance system has united as one, worked hard, and successfully completed the goals and tasks of the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, and handed over a satisfactory answer to the masses. 2026 is the first year of the "15th Five-Year Plan." The medical insurance departments of the whole region will adhere to the principle of "doing practical work is the key, innovation is the soul, speaking with performance, and letting the people evaluate," deepen medical insurance reform with greater efforts, and strive to write a new chapter in the high-quality development of Guangxi's medical insurance undertaking during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period.

Data source: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Medical Security Bureau (广西壮族自治区医疗保障局)

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This edition's editors: Cao Yiqing, Chen Shihan, Zhao Shuaijie

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Drawing a "Concentric Circle" Online and Offline, Solidifying a Performance-Oriented View of Benefiting the People

By: 本报记者 张 驰

The mass line is the Party's lifeline and fundamental work line. Seventy years ago, the Party's mass line was officially written into the Party Constitution. In 2016, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) first proposed that "Party and government organs and leading cadres at all levels should learn to follow the mass line through the internet," emphasizing that "the internet should become a new way to understand the masses, get close to the masses, and solve problems for the masses, and a new channel to promote people's democracy and accept people's supervision."

In the internet era, online platforms have a significant role to play in doing a good job in mass work and building ideological consensus. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the "Leaders' Message Board" of People's Daily has promoted central ministries and local governments to respond to more than 6 million opinions and suggestions from enterprises and the masses regarding urgent and difficult issues.

Recently, the Online Mass Work Conference, hosted by People's Daily, was held in Kunming (昆明市), Yunnan Province (云南省). Party and government cadres, experts, and scholars from all over the country gathered to discuss practical measures to establish and practice a correct view of performance and the practical path to follow the mass line online.

Reflecting Public Opinion
Responding to Public Concerns

Where can an online message reach? At the conference, there were the freshest and most vivid answers.

"Last year, netizens left more than 20,000 messages to our province, and the completion rate exceeded 98%," said Wang Ning (王宁), Secretary of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee, in his opening speech at the conference, sharing Yunnan's practice of solving people's livelihood problems starting from online messages.

After couriers and sanitation workers reported difficulties in charging and inconvenient rest, Yunnan built and renovated more than 3,600 trade union stations to facilitate new employment groups; migrant workers proposed that they hoped someone would help take care of their children at home, and 180,000 "caring mothers" paired up to care for 320,000 left-behind children, making migrant workers more at ease; young people returning to their hometowns left messages hoping for more employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, and 106 employment "Happiness Lane" communities and 16,000 employment service stations were built to help more than 8.5 million people find employment locally and nearby "at their doorstep."

The people's hearts are the biggest politics. At present, the scale of internet users in China has reached 1.125 billion. One thin internet cable connects and gathers the voices of hundreds of millions of netizens. How to better "link" public opinion, respond to public concerns, and enhance the effectiveness of responses tests the original intention and performance view of party members and cadres.

"Whether we can truly serve the masses well ultimately depends on whether we have established a correct view of performance and whether we have stood firmly on the people's position," said Xu Lijing (徐立京), Deputy Editor-in-Chief of People's Daily. "We must deeply understand the rich connotation and practical requirements of 'achieving performance for the people and achieving performance through hard work,' continue to follow the mass line online, and let every response to the demands of the masses become a yardstick for testing the view of performance, and let every online and offline interaction carry the practical effect of solving people's worries, warming people's hearts, and gathering people's strength."

Wang Quanchun (王全春), Deputy Director of the Central Party History and Literature Research Institute, said that to do a good job in online mass work in the new era, we must not forget our original intention and keep our mission in mind. The first is to "ideologically connect" with the masses, the key is to "ability connect" with the masses, and the fundamental is to "service connect" with the masses. We must deeply integrate following the mass line online into establishing and practicing a correct view of performance, adhere to a people-centered value orientation, and always take the people's sense of gain, happiness, and security as the fundamental yardstick for measuring our work.

As an online mass work platform specially built by People's Daily for the main responsible comrades of central ministries and local party committees and governments at all levels, the "Leaders' Message Board" of People's Daily has become an important bridge for conveying the voices of the people over the past 20 years since its launch.

The "Data Analysis Report on the 'Leaders' Message Board' of People's Daily during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period" released at the meeting showed that during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, the number of valid messages received by the "Leaders' Message Board" of People's Daily increased by 178.8% compared with the "13th Five-Year Plan" period, and more than 3.8 million valid messages were processed and replied to by various regions and departments.

"The 'Leaders' Message Board' is gradually developing from a problem reflection platform to a governance data platform," said Fan Zhengwei (范正伟), Secretary of the Party Committee and President of People's Daily, when releasing the report. He hopes that this "map of public opinion" drawn with data can contribute the strength of a Party media to leading cadres to better understand public sentiment, listen to public voices, and gather public wisdom during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, and also strive to provide a reference for the current study and education on establishing and practicing a correct view of performance.

Adhering to the mass line of the Party in the new era, the forms and carriers are changing, but what remains unchanged is the original intention, mission, and fine style.

"As a telephone operator, 'listening to the voices of the masses and conveying the voices of the Party and the government with heart' is our duty and mission," said Liu Huan (刘缓), leader of the duty team of the Beijing 12345 Citizen Service Hotline, a representative of front-line workers, introducing how Beijing does a good job in handling messages written to the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and the Mayor by the masses through Party building-led reform of accepting and handling complaints.

Zhong Bin (钟斌), Deputy Director and First-Class Inspector of the Soil Ecological Environment Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, introduced that since 2024, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment has relied on People's Daily to solicit rural ecological environment problems and opinions and suggestions from across the country, and has solved a number of prominent problems. The solicitation in 2025 has been upgraded again, and now it is further soliciting other ecological environment problems such as rural environment and water environment through the "Leaders' Message Board," collecting and solving them at the same time, and implementing the reflections of the masses.

Su Zheng (苏政), Assistant Dean and Special Researcher of the Institute of Digital Government and Governance of Tsinghua University, said that carrying out mass service work through the internet can play a greater role in improving the ability to analyze public opinion data and strengthening the connection between online public opinion and offline governance, empowering the intelligent development of government services.

Gathering Public Wisdom and Strength
Helping Reform and Development

"The pool has been repaired and put into use, and the problem of fruit tree irrigation has been solved!" In February 2025, villagers of Huaping No. 1 Society, Shuitian Village, Yongshan County, Zhaotong City (昭通市), Yunnan Province (云南省), left a message on the "Leaders' Message Board" of People's Daily. More than a year ago, local people left a message to the Secretary of the Zhaotong Municipal Party Committee, reflecting the problem of insufficient irrigation water for fruit forests. The Yongshan County Party Committee and County Government immediately formulated a solution to the problem, allowing online suggestions from the masses to be transformed into smiles on the faces of the people.

Ma Xiang (马翔), Deputy Director of the Social Work Department of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee, Deputy Secretary-General of the Provincial Government, and Director of the Provincial Letters and Calls Bureau, introduced at the meeting that in addition to irrigating forests and fields, in Yunnan, the "Leaders' Message Board" of People's Daily has also changed the replacement of board houses with new buildings in rural primary schools in Lincang City (临沧市) and the opening of "Huimin Insurance" in Lijiang (丽江). "We have formed a closed-loop mechanism of 'message-response-handling-feedback'," Ma Xiang (马翔) said. Yunnan has carried out the work of provincial party and government leaders contracting cases for resolution for 11 consecutive years, and formulated the "Yunnan Provincial People's Suggestions Collection Work Guidelines," so that the "golden ideas" of the people are continuously transformed into "golden keys" for serving the province's economic and social development.

Better use online platforms to think, stand, and work together with the masses. More than 3,000 functional departments in Jiangsu Province (江苏省) have settled in the message handling platform of People's Daily, and urgent and difficult problems such as guaranteed delivery of buildings in urban areas and renovation of old residential areas have been solved. Jilin Province (吉林省) has transformed the suggestions of the masses, such as polishing the golden signboard of agricultural products and "one physical education class per day for primary and secondary school students," into practical policies that have been implemented; Jinan City (济南市), Shandong Province (山东省), attaches great importance to netizens' ideas on building library lending points, and has built 70 high-quality, standardized lending points, which have received a total of more than 14.8 million readers.

From listening carefully to what the masses say to promoting the upgrading of governance concepts, mechanism optimization, and efficiency improvement, representatives from central ministries and local message handling units shared their experiences and achievements, turning the conference into a "sharing meeting" for serving the people's livelihood with practical work.

Yu Zhifang (余志芳), Director of the Taxpayer Rights Protection and Business Environment Division of the Taxpayer Service Department of the State Taxation Administration, introduced the bureau's handling of people's livelihood demands in the tax field. "In the process of solving demands, we feel that the 'Leaders' Message Board' of People's Daily has played a significant role in unblocking public opinion. In 2025, the tax departments at the general and provincial levels cumulatively solved 1,303 hot issues for taxpayers and payers, achieving the effect of 'solving one demand and optimizing one type of service'."

Wang Lin (王琳), Deputy Director of the General Office of the Henan Provincial Party Committee, introduced that Henan has long regarded the handling of netizens' messages on the "Leaders' Message Board" as a "knowing the people's hearts and warming the people's hearts" project, and pioneered the "People's Daily Netizens' Key Message Double Screening Joint Supervision Mechanism" in the country. In 2025, the average satisfaction rate of message replies in the province exceeded 85%. "Although this work cannot create much **轰轰烈烈** (hōng hōng liè liè - "vigorous and dramatic," grand and sensational achievements), it can create 'potential achievements' that win the hearts of the people, promote development, and consolidate the foundation of governance in solving the urgent and difficult problems of the masses with heart, affection, and effort."

Deng Pengpeng (邓芃芃), Deputy Director of the Jinan Municipal Letters and Calls Bureau of Shandong Province (山东省), introduced Jinan's "4321" message handling mechanism - a four-dimensional layout to consolidate the handling mechanism, three-member linkage and collaboration to grasp the process links, two-layer closed-loop supervision to ensure thorough and stable resolution, and first-class standard positioning to brighten the "Quancheng for the People" brand. Among them, the "three-member linkage" is quite distinctive: the helper runs errands on behalf of the people, the online connector follows the whole process, and the supervisor grasps the bottom line, realizing "everything is managed, followed, and supervised."

"Every message from the masses is a duty whistle that needs to be responded to urgently." From promoting the solution of the "difficult gas use" problem for 654 residents in a certain community for many years to "finding back" the names of 7 female militia members of the "Tunnel Warfare," Liu Yongqi (刘永奇), a supervisor of the Baoding Municipal Party Committee of Hebei Province (河北省), shared his experience, that is, establishing an immediate retention, immediate delivery, immediate handling, immediate verification, and immediate feedback system, and jointly establishing a "2+1" linkage working mechanism with the Municipal Letters and Calls Bureau and the Administrative Approval Bureau to realize information sharing and coordinated handling.

Han Xu (韩旭), Director of the Political System Research Office of the Institute of Political Science of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out that the key to a correct view of performance lies in implementation. Evaluating the work of cadres should not only rely on simple quantitative "visible achievements" indicators, but also pay more attention to the process and method of exercising their power. Han Xu (韩旭) suggested establishing a process evaluation mechanism, not only caring about "what" cadres have done, but also caring about "how" they have done it. Platforms such as the "Leaders' Message Board" of People's Daily have formed an orderly and interactive new mechanism for online participation. Applying such concepts and mechanisms to the construction of people's cities and promoting the modernization of social governance with the people as the center is an important path to implement the correct view of performance.

Leveraging Innovative Technologies
Exploring Diverse Services

At present, artificial intelligence technology is widely used. How to use technology to empower the correct view of performance to take root and take effect in smart governance has become a hot topic among many participants. The conference introduced the intelligent applications continuously launched by People's Daily, and a series of People's Daily online mass work theme activities such as the 2026 case collection of the whole-process people's democracy case library were also launched at the conference.

Su Xianlong (苏显龙), Editor-in-Chief of the Political Edition of the General Editorial Office of People's Daily, and Zhao Bing (赵兵), Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the "Letters from Readers" Editorial Office of the Political and Cultural Department, shared their observations and thoughts on the work of public opinion supervision and people's suggestions collection by Party newspapers at the meeting. In the context of the systematic transformation of mainstream media, the "Leaders' Message Board" of People's Daily has established a normalized mechanism for the editorial departments of People's Daily to establish news report problem clues and opinion and suggestion transformation, and the sources of supervision report clues from People's Daily and the "Letters from Readers" edition are more abundant and timely. From the various pages of the newspaper to the "Political Inquiry" of the People's Daily client, from the integrated media work "Things Around Us" that meets readers every Monday to various data news products, the urgent and difficult problems and constructive opinions of the masses are constantly transformed into more thoughtful, warm, and high-quality news products. A message board is transforming from a traditional online political inquiry channel to a national-level intelligent online public opinion platform with broad social influence.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) as the core has thoroughly implemented the people-centered development thought, and party and government organs and leading cadres at all levels have also strived to carry out mass work through new technologies and new means, so that technology has become a driving force for better serving the masses.

"We are constantly weaving a tight security network, improving the ability and level of grassroots governance, and safeguarding the peace of thousands of families," Wang Ning (王宁) introduced. Yunnan has innovatively established a "1262" flood prevention and early warning mechanism, developed the "Yunxunda" early warning APP, and used precise information services to help grassroots organizations orderly transfer the masses when floods come, effectively safeguarding the lives and property safety of the people.

"AI technology helps realize intelligent input, intelligent judgment, applicable law recommendation, and intelligent review of documents, which greatly improves the effectiveness of message handling," said Tao Jianquan (陶建全), Deputy Director of the Letters and Calls Bureau of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (广西壮族自治区). Wu Wentang (吴文堂), a second-level researcher at the Supervision Office of the Gansu Provincial Party Committee, introduced that in 2025, with the support of People's Daily, Gansu Province (甘肃省) developed a customized information system for the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee section of the "Leaders' Message Board" of People's Daily, which automatically transferred 8,269 messages from netizens to the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee throughout the year, accounting for 78.4%, which is far more efficient than manual work.

How to make technological innovation accurately connect with the people's livelihood expectations?

Relying on the smart elderly care platform to carry out the "Curtain Appointment" to protect the health and safety of the elderly in the community; applying intelligent robots to form mobile tidal lanes to improve traffic efficiency during peak hours... Cheng Qianyi (程千宜), Deputy Secretary-General of the Hefei Municipal Government of Anhui Province (安徽省) and Director of the Municipal Government Office, brought many "smart" cases of technological innovation empowering service to the masses. "We must give play to the advantages of technological innovation, create a smart service model, and strive to achieve an upgrade from 'responding to every call' and 'responding to one call with a hundred responses' to 'responding before calling'," Cheng Qianyi (程千宜) said.

From the heart-warming response to messages, the systematic governance of problems, to the innovative empowerment of technology, in vivid sharing and heated discussions, the path of following the mass line online in the new era is becoming clearer, and doing a good job in online mass work resonates with establishing a correct view of performance for the benefit of the people. On the new journey in the new era, the hearts of the Party and the people are deeply integrated online and offline, and party members and cadres are jointly writing a new era answer sheet for the benefit of the people and practical responsibility.

(Yang Wenming (杨文明), Yang Jia (杨佳), Yang Wenquan (杨文全), Zhu Hongwei (祝鸿伟), Zhu Hongxia (朱红霞), Cheng Hao (程浩), and Li Faxing (李发兴) participated in the writing)

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Promoting the handling of messages from "having a response" to "being handled well."

By: 胡永明 彭姝婷

On March 20th, the Online Mass Work Conference, hosted by People's Daily (人民网), was held in Kunming (昆明), Yunnan Province (云南省). At the conference, the "Data Analysis Report of 'Leaders' Message Board' of People's Daily During the '14th Five-Year Plan' Period" was released. The report shows that in the past five years, the "Leaders' Message Board" (领导留言板), an online platform built by People's Daily for interaction between leading cadres and the masses, received 178.8% more valid messages from the masses than during the "13th Five-Year Plan" period. Six aspects of data changes are obvious:

First, the growth of messages from the masses in some regions is prominent. The proportion of messages from the masses in Guangdong (广东), Shandong (山东), and Jiangsu (江苏) provinces in the total number of messages in various regions increased from 5.6%, 4.1%, and 2.4% in 2021 to 10.7%, 6.8%, and 4.5% in 2025, respectively, an increase of 5.1, 2.7, and 2.1 percentage points. With the rapid economic and social development and population flow, the awareness of the masses, especially in economically developed areas, to participate in grassroots social governance by leaving messages on the online mass work platform is increasing.

Second, the proportion of messages in the fields of housing and urban-rural development, education, and other fields has decreased significantly. The proportion of messages in the field of housing and urban-rural development decreased from 37.6% in 2021 to 24.9% in 2025, a decrease of 12.7 percentage points. The data change is related to the continuous improvement of China's housing security system and the practical improvement of the urban and rural living environment. With the continuous advancement of the equalization of educational resources and the "Double Reduction" policy, the proportion of messages related to education, such as compulsory education, teacher treatment security, and off-campus training, has shown a downward trend, and the urgent and difficult problems in the field of education have been effectively responded to and resolved, with the proportion decreasing by 3.8 percentage points.

Third, the proportion of messages in the fields of human resources and social security, market supervision, and other fields has generally increased significantly. Specifically, the proportion of messages in the field of human resources and social security in 2025 increased by 8.7 percentage points compared with 2021, and issues such as wage payment and labor contracts have attracted the attention of the masses. This change is closely related to the booming development of new business forms and the increasingly diversified forms of employment in the era. The "15th Five-Year Plan" outline proposes to "build an employment-friendly development mode" and strengthen employment services and the protection of workers' rights and interests, which is a positive response to this demand of people's livelihood. In addition, the proportion in the field of market supervision increased by 6.1 percentage points, the awareness of consumer rights protection has been greatly improved, and the intensity of market supervision has been continuously strengthened.

Fourth, during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, more than 3.8 million valid messages from the masses were handled and replied to, an increase of more than 2 million compared with the "13th Five-Year Plan" period; the effective message reply rate increased from 83.1% during the "13th Five-Year Plan" period to 94.3% during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period. From the perspective of geographical distribution, Henan (河南), Guangdong (广东), Shandong (山东) and other populous provinces lead in the total number of message replies, and Liaoning (辽宁), Hainan (海南), Beijing (北京), Anhui (安徽) and other provinces and cities have a reply rate of more than 99%. All regions and departments actively implement the work requirements of "every message from the masses has a response and every matter has a solution," and take the authenticity, effectiveness, and rationality of the reply as an important yardstick, and strive to shift from "having a response" to "doing a good job."

Fifth, during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, the number of constructive opinions put forward by the masses from all walks of life has increased significantly, of which 300,000 have been replied to. By field, in 2025, the proportion of mass suggestions in the fields of commerce, civil affairs, development and reform, water conservancy, etc., in all messages in the field increased by more than 10 percentage points compared with 2021. People's Daily established the "People's Suggestions" column on the basis of the "Leaders' Message Board" in 2021, actively cultivating the Internet suggestion culture and enhancing the enthusiasm of all sectors to make suggestions for the Party and the country.

Sixth, more than 2.45 million message replies on the "Leaders' Message Board" have received evaluations from the masses, of which more than 2.04 million have received satisfactory evaluations, with a satisfaction rate of 83.3%. By field, the mass satisfaction rate for message handling in the fields of human resources and social security, culture and tourism, and market supervision is high, at 91.2%, 90.6%, and 89.8%, respectively. The masses express their demands and receive responses through the Party's platform, and the Party and government organs listen to public opinion and patiently answer questions through the platform, forming a 双向奔赴 (shuāng xiàng bēn fù - "two-way rush," a mutual effort or commitment).

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Photo Story

All of the above pictures were taken by People's Daily Online reporter Fu Hao (符皓).

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Guest discussion

Ma Xiang (马翔), Deputy Director of the Social Work Department of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee, Deputy Secretary-General of the Provincial Government, and Director of the Provincial Bureau of Letters and Calls:

We always regard properly addressing the messages from netizens on People's Daily Online as an important starting point for following the online mass line. From listening online and implementing offline to tracking effectiveness, we have formed a closed-loop mechanism of "message—response—handling—feedback." Leading cadres at all levels in the province take the lead in handling message requests online, go deep into fields, enterprises, and communities offline, listen to requests face-to-face, and solve problems practically, truly allowing the masses to feel the warmth of the Party and the government.

Han Song (韩松), Deputy Director of the Urban Management Supervision Bureau of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development:

Whether urban work is done well is reflected in all aspects of food, clothing, housing, transportation, birth, aging, illness, death, and living and working in peace and contentment. Whether the people are satisfied and supportive is the standard for measuring our work. In urban management, we resolutely practice the important concept of "the people's city is built by the people, and the people's city is for the people," highlighting the people's main position and the people's livelihood orientation of development, focusing on providing refined and intelligent services for the people, investing in people, serving people, and promoting the all-round development of people.

Tong Di (佟迪), Director of the Supervision Office of the State Post Bureau:

In 2025, China's express delivery volume will approach 200 billion pieces. This "remarkable achievement" is encouraging, but we should not only look at the speed and scale of development, but also at the temperature and depth of service; we should not only calculate the "economic account" of enterprises, but also the "popular support account" of the masses. We always regard netizens' messages as an important reference for our work, and the "warmth and coldness" of express delivery workers as the "barometer" of the industry, and strive to promote postal express delivery services that are more convenient, more widely covered, and of higher quality.

Min Kunbin (闵坤斌), Deputy Director of the Jiangsu Provincial Bureau of Letters and Calls:

We must not only do a good job in handling "one thing" wholeheartedly, but also 举一反三 (jǔ yī fǎn sān - "infer the rest from one fact," to draw inferences about other cases from one instance) to do a good job in handling "one type of thing." The key lies in always adhering to "three aspects in place." First, the "chief official-led" political responsibility of "leading leaders taking the lead and all parties grasping and managing together" is in place; second, the "immediate response and immediate handling" handling mechanism of more than 3,000 departments stationed on the platform and handling matters by level and category is in place; third, the "long-term and effective" governance effectiveness of analyzing message trends and promoting scientific decision-making is in place.

Zhang Dawei (张大伟), Director of the Online Mass Work Office of the General Office of the Jilin Provincial Party Committee:

What is the correct view of political achievements? For us, it is first reflected in the fact that the things that netizens care about are all implemented and the sense of gain is real. The problems reflected in the messages from the masses are of varying sizes, all reflecting the trust and expectations of the masses in the Party and the government. If we have more patience and a little more warmth, the masses will have more understanding and more recognition.

Mu Hejun (穆和军), Secretary-General of the Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture (巴音郭楞蒙古自治州) Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (新疆维吾尔自治区):

Based on the state of the prefecture, which is the largest prefecture-level administrative region in the country in terms of area, we will run the mass line of the Party in the new era throughout urban governance, rely on the online public service platform to promote resource devolution and service extension, improve the temperature of people's livelihood with the precision of governance, and demonstrate our responsibility in enriching the people, consolidating the border, and ensuring long-term peace and stability.

(Compiled by Cheng Hao (程浩), reporter from People's Daily Online)

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Editor in charge of this edition: Su Xianlong, Xu Leipeng, Chi Jiarui

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Warmth Abounds, Embracing Spring (Sports Grandstand)

The grass grows and the orioles fly, the spring is beautiful, and it is a good time for outdoor exercise. Spring sports are wonderful and enrich people's lives. Cycling routes connect the city's poetic residences, hiking routes meander into the wild mountains, and kite strings pull on the hope that a year's plan lies in spring... Let us "move" and embrace the spring.
——Editor

Qiandao Lake (千岛湖), Hangzhou (杭州), Zhejiang (浙江)——
Happy Cycling, Full of Sparkling Waves
People's Daily reporter Dou Hanyang (窦瀚洋)
Recently, Qiandao Lake Scenic Area (千岛湖风景区), located in Chun'an County (淳安县), Hangzhou (杭州), has welcomed batches of sports enthusiasts. Liu Yanhuan (刘严欢), a cycling coach from Wuhan (武汉), is one of them. He led members of the Wuhan Yundong Ketang Children's Sports Club (武汉运动刻堂儿童体育俱乐部) to plan a cycling trip around the lake.
The spring breeze wraps the moist water vapor from the lake surface, the wheels roll over the smooth greenway around the lake, the roadside is a continuous stretch of blooming rapeseed flowers, and the eye is the vast Qiandao Lake (千岛湖)... The scenery is picturesque, and Liu Yanhuan (刘严欢) and his cycling friends enjoy this moment.
The Qiandao Lake Greenway (千岛湖环湖绿道) is more than 200 kilometers long, with a large loop of more than 150 kilometers and a small loop of more than 50 kilometers. It extends along the mountains and rivers and is a good place for cycling. At the same time, it can also meet the needs of jogging, parent-child walking and other sports.
Since trying Qiandao Lake (千岛湖) cycling for the first time a few years ago, Liu Yanhuan (刘严欢) has become a regular here, bringing a team several times every year. Gong Cheng (龚诚), a member of the club, felt the changes here. In recent years, the Qiandao Lake Greenway (千岛湖环湖绿道) has been continuously optimized and upgraded to connect the Qiandao Lake Cycling Bridge (千岛湖骑行桥), Qiandao Lake Tunnel Art Museum (千岛湖隧道艺术馆), Qinchuan Ancient Village (芹川古村) and other attractions. Nine cycling stations and six tourist information points have also been set up along the route. "The cycling station provides material supply, cycling rental and other services, which can provide various logistical support for participating athletes and cycling enthusiasts," said Wang Weijun (汪伟军), president of the Qiandao Lake Cycling Association (千岛湖自行车运动协会).
Huang Hongting (黄红婷), Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the Chun'an County Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports (淳安县文广旅体局), introduced that in recent years, Chun'an County (淳安县) has issued the "Greenway Management Implementation Opinions" (《绿道管理实施意见》) and "Bicycle Cycling Friendly Hotel Construction Guidelines" (《自行车骑行友好酒店建设指引》), added a high-speed rail station bicycle self-service point, launched the "Super Cycling Weekend" (超级骑行周末) gameplay, set up 4 boutique routes, and launched the "Cycling Meets Qiandao Lake" (骑遇千岛湖) mobile application to comprehensively fill the gaps in supporting facilities.
Now, the Qiandao Lake (千岛湖) cycling trip of Liu Yanhuan (刘严欢) and his cycling friends has been upgraded to a deep "slow" tour. Every spring, everyone will book rural homestays along the greenway, rent vehicles at professional cycling stations in the city, and travel through the green mountains and rivers along the boutique routes recommended by the scenic spot. "We take a break at the stations and coffee courtyards along the way, check in at the rapeseed flower fields and viewing platforms, and experience tea picking in addition to cycling..." Liu Yanhuan (刘严欢) shared the details of the trip.
Last year, the cycling stations in Chun'an County (淳安县) received a total of 823,000 tourists, driving direct consumption of 49.52 million yuan. The homestays and farmhouses along the greenway are booming, and villagers are eating "tourism meals" at their doorsteps.

Wushan (巫山), Chongqing (重庆)——
Hiking on the Ridge, Overlooking Layers of New Green
People's Daily reporter Wang Xin Yue (王欣悦)
"Hiking on the 'tip of the knife' at a height of 800 meters, overlooking the Three Gorges Plain Lake (三峡平湖) and overlooking the mountains of new green, this experience is so cool!" Zhang Xi (张溪), a citizen who took a high-speed train from the central urban area of Chongqing (重庆) to Wushan County (巫山县) to check in, said excitedly. The "tip of the knife" in her mouth is the Wushan Three Gorges Dragon Ridge Trail (巫山三峡龙脊步道), which has recently become popular.
This trail, known as the karst blade ridge, is a spectacle sculpted by geological movement and natural weathering. Overlooking the ridge, the spring blossoms and the magnificent landscape complement each other, attracting countless tourists.
A variety of colorful events have been launched one after another. "It's fun to check in at 4 points in an hour and a half, like breaking through levels!" The Three Gorges Dragon Ridge Spring Hiking Challenge (三峡龙脊春日徒步挑战赛) was held recently, and Liu Dong (刘东), who successfully completed the race, happily showed off the medal engraved with the beautiful scenery of Wushan (巫山).
"We also integrate various game tasks to attract more tourists to experience," said Li Xin (李昕), the relevant person in charge of Wushan Cultural Tourism Group (巫山文旅集团), the operator of Three Gorges Dragon Ridge (三峡龙脊). For example, in the environmental protection hiking competition, participants pick up garbage along the way and exchange rewards according to the weight of the garbage. "2 kilograms can be exchanged for steamed bun coupons, more than 3 kilograms can get medals, and more than 5 kilograms can be exchanged for a box of local specialty Wushan Love Oranges (巫山恋橙)."
"It is especially meaningful to exercise, enjoy the spring, and contribute to environmental protection," said Mr. Li (李先生), a tourist from Gansu (甘肃), who participated in the environmental protection hiking competition and picked up more than 2 kilograms of garbage, successfully exchanging it for 10 steamed buns. "The steamed buns are fragrant and I feel very happy."
In order to enhance the hiking experience of tourists, Wushan Cultural Tourism Group (巫山文旅集团) has taken a series of considerate measures: opening a flexible tourist line directly from the city to the starting point of the hiking trail, and investing 20 shuttle buses to ensure connection; scientifically dividing the trail into 3 sections, adding rest points, clear signs and volunteer service stations along the way, and reinforcing guardrails and building steps in dangerous locations to fully protect the personal safety of hikers.
As the sun sets, the viewing platform at the top of the trail welcomes the last batch of tourists today. Xu (徐先生), a photography enthusiast and tourist from Jiangsu (江苏), is full of nostalgia, "One side is the sea of clouds, and the other side is the new green and the sea of flowers. This hiking experience is full!"

Weifang (潍坊), Shandong (山东)——
Kites Flying in the Sky, Dancing with the Warm East Wind
People's Daily reporters Xiao Jiaxin (肖家鑫) and Li Rui (李蕊)
On the bank of the Bailang River (白浪河), the spring breeze is blowing. "First find the air eye on the kite, use a plastic needle to pass the short line through it to form a short loop..." Walking into the public welfare class of Dongshangyu Community (东上虞社区), Guangwen Street (广文街道), Kuiwen District (奎文区), Weifang City (潍坊市), Fan Jingpei (范景佩), a master of arts and crafts in Shandong Province (山东省工艺美术大师), is teaching children how to tie kite lines by hand. The children clutched the lines and learned seriously. When they came to the small square, Fan Jingpei (范景佩) taught the children the knack of flying: "Release it when there is wind, and take it back when there is no wind." A little girl tried it, and the line in her hand loosened and tightened, and the butterfly kite rose up wobbly.
In Weifang (潍坊), kites not only carry intangible cultural heritage skills, but also become a mass sports movement rooted in the soil. Schools incorporate kite making and flying into physical education classes, communities have kite interest groups, and rural markets often have stalls selling kite reels.
"Kites here have never been anyone's exclusive secret." Yang Hongwei (杨红卫), a representative inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage project Weifang Kites (潍坊风筝) who is 60 years old this year, recalled that when he was a child, his grandfather would take the whole family to fly kites in the fields every spring. At that time, most of the kites were made of old newspapers, and the bamboo strips were split broom branches. Children chased kites in the wheat fields, and people gathered together to compare who could fly higher and more stably. The scene was lively and warm.
In 1984, the first Weifang International Kite Festival (潍坊国际风筝会) was held, and kite teams from 11 countries and regions competed with local experts in Weifang (潍坊). That year, Yang Hongwei (杨红卫) had just learned art from his grandfather for two years. She remembered that the dragon-headed centipede kite made by her grandfather was particularly eye-catching on the flying field. "Foreign friends watched around, and my grandfather gestured to explain how to adjust the balance and how to use the wind."
The Weifang International Kite Festival (潍坊国际风筝会) has set up competition rules to comprehensively score the kite's tying process, painting art, and flying skills. Flying kites is no longer just entertainment, but has become a sports project with clear rules and standards. Today, the Weifang International Kite Festival (潍坊国际风筝会) attracts kite teams from more than 60 countries and regions to participate in the competition. In recent years, special competitions such as luminous kites, sports kites, and fighting kites have been added.
This love not only flies kites all over the sky, but also gives birth to an industry with considerable output value. At present, the total scale of the Weifang (潍坊) kite culture industry chain exceeds 10 billion yuan, and its products are sold to more than 70 countries and regions, accounting for more than 85% and 80% of the international and domestic markets respectively, with more than 100,000 employees.
(Shi Ying (石莹) participated in writing)

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Which Sports Pair Best With Spring? (Tips)

By: 本报记者 曾华锋

What sports are suitable for spring? What should you pay attention to? The reporter interviewed athletes and experts.

"Winter sports test cold resistance and warm-up, while the particularity of spring outdoor sports lies in dealing with the changeable climate." Huang Lisheng (黄力生), associate professor of the Physical Education Department of Xiamen University (厦门大学), recommended some sports suitable for spring. Hiking can enhance physical functions in low-intensity activities, mountain climbing helps improve cardiopulmonary function, and cycling puts less pressure on the knees. In the spring, with the breeze and sunshine, kite flying is also a good choice, which can exercise the shoulders and back and effectively relieve cervical spine fatigue. You can also choose frisbee, which has simple rules. The moment you run and catch the disc, you are full of pleasure. "Which sport to choose specifically, each person needs to judge according to their own conditions." Huang Lisheng (黄力生) said that no matter which sport you participate in, you must warm up fully before exercise to prevent muscle strain; after exercise, you should dry your sweat in time to prevent catching a cold; do not exercise excessively, and you must combine work and rest.

For spring outdoor sports, dressing needs to cope with the unstable weather of "one day through four seasons." Li Meizhen (李美珍), an international marathon athlete, recommends the "three-layer dressing method", that is, the superposition of the close-fitting layer, the middle layer, and the protective layer. The close-fitting layer can choose sweat-wicking underwear and quick-drying clothes, which can quickly wick away sweat and keep the body dry. The middle layer is the warm layer, which needs to lock in body heat and be easy to remove when it is hot, such as a fleece jacket, which is light, breathable, and quick-drying. The outer layer is the protective layer, which needs to be windproof, rainproof, and scratch-resistant. Hard-shell jackets have strong protection and are suitable for hiking and mountain climbing in complex weather; soft-shell jackets have good elasticity, are more breathable, and have certain windproof and water-repellent capabilities, making them suitable for hiking or trail running in cloudy weather; skin windbreakers are light and portable, and are suitable for city parks, cycling, or spare use in sunny weather.

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Why the "slowest" child is so touching.

By: 本报记者 张 驰

"1, 2, 3...20!" Everyone cheered when they counted to 20. On the playground of Danini Primary School in Jiayi Town (稼依镇), Yanshan County (砚山县), Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (文山壮族苗族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省), the children surrounded Yangyang (阳阳) (pseudonym), applauding his progress.
　　Yangyang (阳阳) is a fourth-grade student at Danini Primary School (大尼尼小学). The short video taken by his head teacher, Lu Fuchuan (陆富川), recorded his process of slowly learning to jump rope, which moved many people. Some netizens commented: "The teacher doesn't give up, the child doesn't give up, the classmates are always there, such companionship is very touching."
　　In 2021, Lu Fuchuan (陆富川) came to Danini Primary School (大尼尼小学) to teach, serving as the head teacher and teaching physical education. This semester, Yanshan County (砚山县) promoted the "Zhuang Miao Action" (壮苗行动), and rope skipping was included in the big break exercise program. Lu Fuchuan (陆富川) found that Yangyang (阳阳) was the "slowest" child in the class to learn rope skipping. Although he couldn't jump, he kept trying to swing the rope forward, crossing the rope over and over again. "He is working so hard, I must teach him," said Lu Fuchuan (陆富川).
　　Lu Fuchuan (陆富川) tried to teach him a few times, but it didn't go well. "Is the rope too soft?" He searched the school for suitable materials and selected a discarded wire as a skipping rope for Yangyang (阳阳).
　　"Swing, good, keep going..." In the second day's physical education class, Lu Fuchuan (陆富川) called two students to take Yangyang (阳阳) to learn to jump in the air first. The three children put their arms on each other's shoulders and jumped together, and Yangyang (阳阳) gradually mastered the sense of rhythm. After using the special skipping rope, 1, 2, 3... Yangyang (阳阳) jumped more and more, and the children's laughter spread far away.
　　After learning to jump rope, Yangyang (阳阳) fell in love with the sport. He would practice by himself in the yard, kitchen, and hall at home. "Learning to jump rope is a small thing. I hope he can learn to persevere from it and have more courage to break through himself in his life," Lu Fuchuan (陆富川) said happily, seeing Yangyang (阳阳) becoming more and more active.
　　When Lu Fuchuan (陆富川) first came to the school, he often played basketball. The children often watched, with curiosity and desire in their eyes. Later, the school opened basketball courses, and Lu Fuchuan (陆富川) taught the children how to dribble and dribble little by little. He became the coach of the school's women's basketball team. Basketball has made many children more confident and understand teamwork. In recent years, Yanshan County (砚山县) has launched a home-and-away system for campus basketball games and teacher-student competitions. Lu Fuchuan (陆富川) often leads the children to participate in inter-school basketball games in the town and has won many awards.
　　"I was very surprised and encouraged that the video I shot became popular on the Internet," said Lu Fuchuan (陆富川). "The children's optimism and strength often move me. I will continue to work hard and accompany them to grow up."

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Chinese team wins 6 golds at Belgian Open Taekwondo Championships

People's Daily, Beijing, March 25th (Reporter Liu Shuoyang (刘硕阳)) The 2026 Belgian Open Taekwondo Championships recently concluded in Lommel, Belgium. A total of 562 athletes from 76 countries (regions) participated in the event. The Chinese Taekwondo Team, with 26 members, competed in all 16 weight classes, achieving 6 gold, 4 silver, and 4 bronze medals.

In the women's competition across 8 weight classes, the Chinese team secured medals in 7 weight classes. Notably, the women's 49kg final was contested between two Chinese athletes, with Ma Jingyue (马静月) ultimately winning gold and Fu Xiaolu (傅晓璐) taking silver. Additionally, Ye Xiaoting (叶晓婷), Zhang Chuling (张楚玲), Xing Jiani (邢佳妮), and Song Jie (宋洁) each won gold in their respective weight classes, while Wang Shiyi (王诗怡), Wang Xiaolu (王肖璐), and Xu Lei (徐蕾) earned bronze medals.

The Chinese team achieved breakthroughs in several men's weight classes, securing a total of 5 medals. In the men's 74kg final, Cai Zhaoxun (蔡兆勋) defeated Turkish athlete Ferhat to win the gold medal. Cheng Kai (程凯), Xiang Qizhang (项启彰), and Yin Yushai (尹雨帅) won silver medals in the men's 58kg, 80kg, and +87kg weight classes, respectively, while Meng Mingkuan (孟明宽) secured a bronze medal in the men's 87kg weight class.

The Belgian Open is the second international event of the season for the Chinese team after concluding their winter training. On March 15th, local time, the Chinese team won 2 gold, 6 silver, and 6 bronze medals at the Dutch Open Taekwondo Championships.

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The 10th World Junior Wushu Championships Open in Tianjin

This newspaper Tianjin (天津) March 25th (Reporter Li Yanfei (厉衍飞)) On the 25th, the 10th World Junior Wushu Championships opened in Tianjin (天津). This competition is hosted by the International Wushu Federation and organized by the Wushu Sports Management Center of the State General Administration of Sport (国家体育总局武术运动管理中心), the Chinese Wushu Association (中国武术协会), and the Tianjin Municipal Sports Bureau (天津市体育局). The event attracted 1,179 participants from 78 countries and regions, setting a new record for the event's history. This event will last until March 31st. In addition to the competition, there will also be supporting activities such as cultural exchanges and folk customs displays to promote the deep integration of cultural, sports, and tourism industries.

As the most influential youth event of the International Wushu Federation, the World Junior Wushu Championships, since its inception in 2006, has not only become a stage for cultivating reserve talents, exchanging skills, and pursuing dreams, but also plays a positive role in promoting mutual learning among civilizations.

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The preparations for the 6th Asian Beach Games have entered the final sprint stage.

Sanya, March 25th (Reported by Dong Zeyang (董泽扬) and Tao Xiang'an (陶相安)) The reporter learned from the press conference for the 30-day countdown to the 6th Asian Beach Games (hereinafter referred to as "Asian Beach Games") that the preparations for this Asian Beach Games have entered the final sprint stage, and progress has been made in areas such as event organization, venue construction, and logistical support. The flame collection ceremony is scheduled to be held on March 30th at the southern ignition platform of the 11th Asian Games.

The Asian Beach Games will be held in Sanya (三亚), Hainan Province (海南省) from April 22nd to 30th and is the first large-scale international comprehensive sports event after the Hainan Free Trade Port's (海南自贸港) island-wide customs clearance operation. The event has 14 major events, 15 sub-events, and 62 minor events. The Olympic Council of Asia's (亚奥理事会) 45 national and regional Olympic committees have registered, with 1,790 athletes participating. The competition schedule, equipment allocation, selection of technical officials, anti-doping, and other tasks have been implemented. The competition command system has been established, the operating teams of each venue are in place, and the intelligent competition system has been launched after testing.

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Photo Report

The 2026 National Chinese-style Wrestling Championship recently concluded at the Emeishan (峨眉山) Gymnasium in Leshan (乐山), Sichuan (四川) Province, with over 300 athletes participating. The picture shows athletes competing in the competition.

Photo by Li Huashi (李华时).

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Circling and circling, gliding into the distance.

By: 本报记者 郑智文

"Maintain a squatting position, alternately extend and retract your legs to the sides, imagining you are ice skating." In Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture (延边朝鲜族自治州), Jilin Province (吉林省), under the patient guidance of Li Chao (李超), the vice principal and coach of Wangqing County (汪清县) Youth Amateur Sports School, dozens of eight- and nine-year-old team members are undergoing speed skating land training.

Li Chao (李超) works alongside the children year-round, explaining technical essentials, demonstrating movements... On the ice rink in the freezing cold, the young team members brave the cold wind, practicing starts, step-overs, and cornering, their rosy faces full of concentration. As the weather warms up, training continues uninterrupted, transitioning to land training, roller skating training, and specialized indoor ice rink training.

Wangqing (汪清), a small city in Northeast China, has a fervent speed skating atmosphere. Since the 1960s, this small city located at the eastern foot of Changbai Mountain (长白山) has relied on its natural conditions of early winter freezing, long ice periods, and high-quality ice to build ice rinks, leading many to fall in love with skating. For over sixty years, through cold and heat, speed skating has been etched into the city's sporting DNA.

"Initially, the sports school trained young team members, and the children passed on their love for speed skating to friends and relatives. Over time, a good atmosphere of public participation formed, and this good atmosphere further promoted talent cultivation," said Yang Chuanxi (杨传喜), the principal of Wangqing County (汪清县) Youth Amateur Sports School, who has witnessed the development of speed skating in Wangqing (汪清).

In recent years, athletes from Wangqing (汪清) have won medals in multiple international speed skating events and have won 17 gold medals, 20 silver medals, and 11 bronze medals in national-level events. Wangqing County (汪清县) Youth Amateur Sports School has been awarded honors such as "National Advanced Unit for Mass Sports" by the General Administration of Sport of China (国家体育总局).

"In earlier years, conditions were poor, but that couldn't stop everyone's enthusiasm for speed skating. What we looked forward to most was having a professional ice rink," Yang Chuanxi (杨传喜) recalled. In the past, ice was poured on flat ground, relying entirely on manual connection of fire hoses and then using iron buckets to flatten it. In recent years, Wangqing County (汪清县) has continuously increased investment in speed skating infrastructure, successively building standard speed skating tracks, mobile ice rinks, and other facilities, and using professional equipment such as ice resurfacing machines and forklifts to build the ice surface.

Not only have hardware conditions improved, but in order to get more students to love ice sports, Wangqing County (汪清县) has continued to promote the "Ice and Snow Entering Campus" activity, offering speed skating courses to all elementary school students in the county, teaching speed skating skills, and also providing professional training for school sports teachers, so that systematic and standardized speed skating training covers more young people.

Wang Bingwang (王炳旺), who went from Wangqing (汪清) to the national stage, is now an athlete at the Ice Sports Management Center of the Jilin Provincial Sports Bureau (吉林省体育局), winning multiple medals in national events such as the "14th National Winter Games." "When I was a child, I trained on outdoor ice rinks. As soon as I changed my equipment, I was already frozen through before I even started practicing, but because of my love for it, I persevered, skating circle after circle into the distance."

"We dare not slack off, hoping to produce world champions from Wangqing (汪清). More importantly, we hope the children enjoy the fun that speed skating brings," said Li Chao (李超).

(Su Jiayi (苏嘉怡) participated in the writing)

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This edition's editors: Gong Yuhua, Shi Zhe, Wang Zhe

Layout Design: Zhang Fangman (张芳曼)

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Songs and Oars: Fishermen Call the Water Home (Cultural China Tour: Visiting Traditional Villages)

By: 本报记者 董泽扬

Located north of the wharf district and south of the mountainous Monkey Island (猴岛), where waterways connect the lagoon and the open sea, fishing rafts are linked together, forming rows of boat houses. From an aerial view, the wooden frame crisscrosses, resembling countless "fields"; listening carefully, the Dan (疍) songs are melodious and long, singing of the "flowers" of the four seasons.

This is Xincun Town (新村镇), Lingshui Li Autonomous County (陵水黎族自治县), Hainan Province (海南省), where the Dan people live along the coast and make the water their home. Haiying Village (海鹰村), Haiyan Village (海燕村), and Haiou Village (海鸥村), three villages named after the sea, each support the Dan fishing village with a portion of the water area. In recent years, locals have been protecting the ocean, singing Dan songs, and promoting cultural tourism. In 2019, the Dan Fishing Village (Haiying Village, Haiyan Village, Haiou Village) was included in the fifth batch of Chinese Traditional Villages List.

Floating houses on the water, fishermen jointly protect a scenic view.

"Beautiful Xincun Port (新村港), pearl treasures are on the sea. The sea is vast, and the Dan fishing rafts are built on the sea..."

——《Protecting the Ocean》

To visit the Dan fishing village, first go to the fishing raft pier. Villagers' fishing boats, homestay reception boats, and sea bus boats dock here to pick up people. Guo Yuguang (郭玉光), president of the Dan Fishing Raft Association, is also waiting at the pier to welcome guests.

Waiting for a bus boat, the sound of the motor comes to the ear, as well as the loud and melodious Dan ballads. Traveling through the fishing village, you can see boat houses floating on the sea with sloping roofs, and fishing rafts composed of "field"-shaped breeding cages. "Passing by" returning fishing boats, the salty and humid sea breeze is mixed with the freshness of the catch and the fragrance of dishes.

"In the past, the fishing rafts were crowded and the seawater smelled bad." Guo Yuguang recalled that 20 years ago, a large number of foreign aquaculture farmers began to pour into this lagoon. While the environment was "overwhelmed," it also affected the traditional style of the Dan fishing village. The haphazardly built fishing rafts, the discharged sewage, and the floating garbage made Guo Yuguang and the villagers realize that this sea was already "sick."

The change started with "returning the rafts to the sea." The local government delineated no-fishing zones and cleared aquaculture facilities in the area; it issued development plans to control the style of rebuilt and expanded fishing rafts. The number of fishing rafts, which once surged to more than 1,200, is now maintained at more than 500. Building heights and waterway widths are regulated, and the fishing rafts are more staggered, leaving enough space for navigation and lighting.

The ideas of the Dan fishermen who have moved ashore have also gradually "come ashore." In 2021, Guo Yuguang and the fishermen spontaneously established the Dan Fishing Raft Association to regularly salvage floating garbage at sea and install sewage treatment facilities. Everyone no longer relies solely on traditional sea fishing and aquaculture, but also develops catering, accommodation, and leisure tourism industries that integrate intangible cultural heritage elements.

Passing on Dan songs, children sing long melodies together.

"Lots of fish, big shrimp, it's fun to return with a good harvest. Lots of crabs, big snails, Dad and Mom are most energetic..."

——《We Dan People》

A chorus of a newly composed song, "Protecting the Ocean," which has been performed in universities, expresses the Dan fishermen's heartfelt desire to protect the "ancestral sea" where they have lived for generations. A high-pitched and uplifting song, "We Dan People," is now gradually being sung in Lingshui (陵水) schools, and Dan songs are becoming known to more young people.

"Our ancestors lived on the sea and used singing to relieve loneliness and sorrow. Now that the Dan people have come ashore, they also use Dan songs to sing out a new atmosphere." Li Qiulan (李秋兰) is an inheritor of Dan songs. In recent years, she and her team have entered schools and performed exhibitions, teaching children to sing long melodies together, and also allowing the audience to appreciate the charm of Dan songs, a national intangible cultural heritage.

Dan songs, also known as "saltwater songs," are sung in Cantonese Dan dialect. The tunes include Bailuo tune, Jiajie tune, Gulimei tune, and Muyishi tune. There is no accompaniment, only a cappella. The lyrics are often closely related to labor, rituals, and emotions. In terms of singing form, they can be sung alone, in duets on boats, or in singing contests on stage, which are connected and integrated with various production and life scenes of the Dan people. Over the years, after learning that fewer and fewer people know how to sing and love to sing Dan songs, Li Qiulan and her team members began to work hard to inherit Dan songs.

Dan songs are mostly passed down orally, and song scores are difficult to preserve. Li Qiulan went into the recording studio and directed stage plays to make the representative Dan song "Narcissus" audible and visible, and widely spread it on social platforms. Young people listen less and cannot sing, so she and her team named "Narcissus" have entered schools many times to organize choruses, so that melodious tones accompany the sound of reading.

With the joint efforts of everyone, revitalized Dan songs appear in daily life in various ways. At Lingshui Middle School (陵水中学), students won awards in competitions for their chorus of "October Planting Flowers," which reflects labor scenes, encouraging more people to learn to sing Dan songs and participate in performances; at the fishing village pier, Dan song lyrics are displayed in the newly established cultural corridor, and the sound system broadcasts and boatmen hum, leaving a deep impression on tourists from afar about Dan songs.

A "school on the crest of the waves" roamed the fishing village in the 1960s and 1970s. Today, clean school buildings have replaced fishing boats, and the school opens its doors to left-behind children. "I hope that Dan songs will not only be sung among the old fishermen at sea, but also be liked by students who come ashore to study." Li Qiulan expects that "youthful" Dan songs can be passed down for a long time, and that Dan song inheritors can have more opportunities and more support.

Opening homestays, tourists live in a home far away.

"When spring is warm and flowers bloom, larks sing, the Dan people chase their dreams and go out to fish... In winter, leisure is happy and carefree, the Dan people welcome the spring with singing and dancing."

——《Dan Fishing Song》

Borrowing the notation of "October Planting Flowers," the teachers of Lingshui Middle School filled in the lyrics and created a new song, "Dan Fishing Song," which no longer sings of the "flowers" of the four seasons, but of the new scenes of the Dan fishermen's production and life throughout the year.

"Teaching Dan songs and learning sea fishing, our family is having a great time here." Ms. Zhao (赵女士) from Inner Mongolia (内蒙古) and her family are learning to be good "new fishermen."

During the holidays, many tourists come to the seaside homestays in the Dan fishing village to experience a unique water life. Zhou Kangbin (周康斌), a post-95 store manager who just took tourists to experience sea catching and pulling ground cages, turned around and went to the front desk to check the check-in situation. "These days, business is booming and I'm very busy."

Seaside homestays are the "masterpiece" of the Dan fishing village's development of leisure fisheries, transformed from aquaculture fishing rafts. The boat houses in the first phase, the sloping roof buildings in the second phase, and the play pier in the third phase, the homestays are formed in pieces, with detailed divisions. The beaded curtains woven by Dan girls are ingeniously hung on the doors, contrasting with the modern living facilities in the guest rooms.

"We have retained the style of traditional Dan architecture, and also let tourists feel the interest of sleeping by the sea." Zhou Kangbin introduced that the second phase of the homestay also added a Dan exhibition hall, using Dan objects such as clothing and wedding fans to show tourists the details of the Dan people's lives. With more guests staying, the fishermen who live ashore come to work in the seaside homestays, increasing their income while also showing the simplicity and enthusiasm of the Dan people.

Standing on the balcony of the homestay and looking out, tourists are catching the sea on the beach after the tide recedes, and children who have caught starfish and picked up sea urchins excitedly show off their spoils.

A Dan museum stands on the shore, facing the fishing village from afar. The circular interlocking buildings present the Dan people's migration and development, customs and habits. Connecting the museum, the pier, the fishing village homestays, and even the tourist route to Monkey Island on the opposite bank, allows tourists who visit here to feel the diverse aspects of the traditional village and experience the beauty of the intertwining of good ecology and long-standing culture.

There are "fields" on the sea, and fishery aquaculture nourishes the Dan people, and also shares the natural flavor with tourists; there are "flowers" on the sea, and the Dan ballads that express emotions through flowers allow the younger generation to feel the beauty of intangible cultural heritage. The Dan people, who make the water their home and cultivate the sea for a living, are exploring a balance of harmonious coexistence between man and nature, and exploring a new path for village protection and cultural inheritance.

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Diving into the Deep Sea, Capturing the Beauty of the Ocean (Chasing Dreams)

By: 本报记者 张武军

As a pioneer in the field of blackwater photography in China, Zhang Fan (张帆), a photographer born in the 1980s, has spent more than 10 years exploring hidden life in the dark deep sea. His collection of photographic works, "Blackwater: The Unknown World of the Endless Abyss," was published in 2023.

"Blackwater photography is when divers use light to lure plankton at the ocean's surface at night, and then photograph and record them," Zhang Fan (张帆) explained. "Currently, there are very few people in China engaged in this field, but its unique charm is enough to make people willing to go to the deep sea." Today, Zhang Fan (张帆) has traveled to dozens of seas around the world, including the Maldives and Mexico (墨西哥), photographing thousands of marine organisms, allowing more people to see the fairy-tale world in the dark ocean.

Under his lens, the transparent and soft siphonophore, the flying fish with colorful wings like butterflies, and the deep-sea sea cucumber shining brightly under fluorescent lights have all broken free from the shackles of darkness and bloomed with ultimate beauty. Even more shocking is a group of photos of marine life preying—in the cold and dark background, the moment of a flying fish hunting is accurately captured. Such fleeting moments test the photographer's skill in framing and composing in the vast waters in a flash.

Zhang Fan's (张帆) "encounter" with blackwater photography happened during his university years. As a student at an art school, he accidentally read a book of underwater photography by a foreign photographer in the library and was quickly attracted by the content. As a pioneer in this field in China, Zhang Fan (张帆) had almost no precedents to refer to. In order to realize his blackwater photography dream, in 2010, he began to learn scuba diving, and in 2014, he learned freediving. During this period, Zhang Fan (张帆) constantly searched for information online and in books to learn on his own. But when he actually started shooting, he felt a huge gap between theory and practice.

"The first attempt was in the waters of the Philippines (菲律宾). I found two local guides and rented a 60-centimeter-wide boat to set off to sea," Zhang Fan (张帆) recalled. "I lowered a thick rope from the boat, tied a large light to the rope, and, using the light, went into the water along the rope. Carrying heavy photographic equipment and diving in the dark and cold sea, the excitement of exploring new marine life far outweighed the tension and fear of the unknown environment."

But the first result did not satisfy him: the lighting effect was not good, resulting in improper photo exposure; the seawater flow rate was too fast, making it difficult to accurately capture underwater biological images... After continuous failures, attempts, and adjustments, Zhang Fan's (张帆) experience continued to accumulate, and his lens gradually recorded more and more stunning moments.

Having traveled through so many beautiful sceneries and recorded so many species, will he experience aesthetic fatigue? "The love has never changed. The same species can also be expressed in different ways." He plans to recreate a group of works with close-up lenses to show the detailed beauty of deep-sea creatures with a stronger impact. In the future, he also wants to expand the boundaries of blackwater photography, explore marine shipwreck relics, the Amazon (亚马孙) pristine rainforest and other scenes, and also enter marine colleges and universities to share his works and experiences, so that more people can understand the magnificence of the ocean.

"The sea is my spiritual home, and every dive is like coming home," he confessed. "I am willing to continue to be a visitor knocking on the door of the ocean, using the lens to record the unknown, and convey the splendor and fragility of the deep sea to more people, awakening public concern and love for marine ecology."

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Choosing a Small Thermos: Things to Consider (Information Service Desk)

By: 龚研成

Nowadays, many people like to carry insulated cups when going out, so they can drink hot beverages anytime, anywhere. This seemingly ordinary daily necessity may have hidden health risks if chosen improperly.
　　Insulated cups are made of different materials, among which stainless steel is the most popular. Among stainless steel materials, three "codes" are very common, namely 201, 304, and 316.
　　201 stainless steel has a high manganese content and poor corrosion resistance. If it is used as the inner liner of an insulated cup, long-term storage of beverages will cause manganese to leach out. Excessive intake of manganese can harm the body, especially the nervous system.
　　For health considerations, it is recommended to use 304 or 316 stainless steel materials. 304 stainless steel has good processing performance and corrosion resistance, and is the most common food-grade stainless steel. 316 stainless steel adds elements such as molybdenum to the 304 base to improve corrosion resistance, especially in chlorine-containing and acidic environments.
　　When purchasing an insulated cup, check whether the label indicates "inner liner 304/316", whether it indicates food grade, and whether it has a vacuum double-layer structure. Also, pay attention to checking the lid and sealing ring. If the seal is poor, the insulation effect will be poor.
　　In addition to hot water, people often use insulated cups to store various beverages, and there is a lot of attention to this aspect.
　　Using an insulated cup to brew tea is equivalent to cooking it with high-temperature water for a long time, which will destroy tea vitamins, cause tea aroma oils to evaporate, and cause a large amount of tannic acid and theophylline to leach out, thereby reducing the nutritional value of the tea soup.
　　Putting heated milk into an insulated cup, the long-term warm state easily causes microorganisms to multiply, leading to spoilage. Soy milk contains nutrients such as protein, and it is easy to spoil when heated and placed in an insulated cup, which may affect health.
　　Decocted Chinese medicine (中药) usually contains more acidic substances, which easily react with the metal elements on the inner wall of the insulated cup, so that the efficacy of the medicine is affected to a certain extent. It is best to use glass or ceramic containers.
　　(The author is a director of the Chinese Society for Composite Materials (中国复合材料学会). This report was compiled and edited by Shi Fang (施芳), a reporter from this newspaper.)

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AI Meets the Common Table (New Life, New Experiences)

By: 本报记者 王 洲

No. 45, Shatan Back Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing (北京市东城区沙滩后街), has recently become lively during mealtimes. Covering an area of 260 square meters with 80 seats, it serves three meals a day... This is the "Jingshan AI Canteen (景山AI食堂)" created by Shoukai Group (首开集团) based on urban renewal. As artificial intelligence encounters the dining tables of ordinary people, a subtle but profound transformation is taking place in the daily lives of the neighborhood.

"Prepare the ingredients, and leave the rest to the machine." Standing in front of a person-sized AI cooking machine, Chef Cheng Wei (程伟), who has nearly 20 years of culinary experience, introduced the machine while selecting the "Stir-fried Pork" recipe on the cooking machine's electronic screen and pressing the "One-click Cooking" button. The machine automatically heats the wok, adds oil, and sequentially adds ingredients such as scallions, ginger, garlic, sliced pork, and chili peppers, precisely adding seasonings. Throughout the process, the electronic screen displays the oil temperature, heat level, and stir-frying speed in real-time, operating in an orderly manner, just like an experienced chef in charge.

In less than 3 minutes, a portion of stir-fried pork sufficient for 50 people is steaming hot and ready. Subsequently, Cheng Wei lightly touches the "Automatic Cleaning" button, and the high-pressure nozzle, in coordination with the rotating wok, cleans the wok in just 10 seconds.

Two AI cooking machines and two chefs can easily handle the lunch peak of more than 200 diners – a workload that would require at least 10 people in a traditional canteen. "AI not only frees up manpower but also achieves standardization of taste and heat, ensuring consistent quality," Cheng Wei admitted, adding that this was the first time he felt that cooking could be so easy and efficient.

"The canteen caters to the residents of the neighborhood, white-collar workers in nearby parks, and also takes into account social groups. The efficient operation of the cooking machine significantly reduces labor costs, helping the canteen achieve 'less cooking, frequent cooking, and refined cooking,' thereby enabling it to flexibly adjust the supply of dishes based on real-time customer flow, reducing waste at the source," introduced Meng Haigang (孟海刚), the project leader of Shoukai Group (首开集团). With the help of the AI cooking machine's memory function, it can also analyze diners' taste preferences, dynamically optimize the menu, and accurately meet diverse catering needs.

At 11:40 a.m., during the peak lunch hour, the queue for food in the courtyard is nearly 15 meters long, but the speed of movement is surprisingly fast.

"Facial recognition, self-service food selection, and seamless payment – the whole process takes less than 1 minute," Wang Dan (王丹), who works in a nearby park, told reporters. After scanning her facial information to confirm her identity, she picked up a plate and selected food. Mu Shu Pork, stir-fried broccoli... the system instantly calculates the price of each dish according to different unit prices. After taking the food, the system automatically deducts the meal fee from the stored-value card. There is no cashier and no need to scan a code for payment, greatly improving the efficiency of food retrieval.

This meal cost Wang Dan (王丹) less than 30 yuan: "The price is right, it's light and healthy, and the open kitchen operation makes me feel at ease." After the meal, the system also categorizes and displays the calories, protein, vitamins, and other nutrients ingested in the meal, providing healthy eating tips.

Like Wang Dan (王丹), residents of Jingshan Street (景山街道) have often come here to "try something new" since the AI canteen opened. "Our street has a high degree of aging, and the AI canteen is a useful supplement to the original elderly meal assistance points," said Dong Dong (董冬), Deputy Director of the Jingshan Street Office (景山街道办事处). The intelligent services make dining more convenient for the elderly, and the affordable prices and delicious meals warm the hearts of community residents.

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Editor in Charge: Meng Yang, Tang Zhongke, Xu Yang

Layout Design Zhang Danfeng (张丹峰)

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We firmly oppose Japan moving towards war. (International Perspective)

By: 本报记者 刘文璋

For some time, the dangerous policy trends of the Japanese Sanae Takaichi (高市早苗) government, such as promoting constitutional amendments and increasing the defense budget, have been on the rise, triggering concerns and criticisms from various sectors within Japan. On March 24, a Japanese Self-Defense Force (自卫队) officer forcibly broke into the Chinese Embassy in Japan (中国驻日本大使馆). On the evening of March 25, over 20,000 people from all walks of life in Japan gathered in front of the National Diet Building (国会) in Tokyo to protest against the dangerous policy trends of the Takaichi government (see photo, taken by Liu Wenzhang (刘文璋), reporter of this newspaper). More and more people with insight are calling for the maintenance of the pacifist constitution and opposing extreme right-wing ideologies and reckless military expansion.

"The forced entry into the embassy is the result of incitement by extreme right-wing ideologies and erroneous words and deeds"

In response to the incident of a Japanese Self-Defense Force (自卫队) personnel forcibly breaking into the Chinese Embassy in Japan (中国驻日本大使馆), insightful people in Japan voiced their opinions on March 25 through various means such as social media and online comments, criticizing the egregious nature of the act and questioning the Japanese government's response so far.

"I was shocked and outraged to learn that a Japanese Self-Defense Force (自卫队) officer illegally broke into the Chinese Embassy in Japan (中国驻日本大使馆). Regarding the background of the incident, I believe it is necessary to conduct a thorough investigation and not simply dismiss it as a personal motive," Kazuhisa Kitazaka (北中一永), Secretary-General of the Tokyo Federation of Japan-China Friendship Associations (日中友好协会东京都联合会), told reporters. "The person who broke into the embassy was a third lieutenant, not an ordinary soldier. It is clear that the forced entry into the embassy is the result of incitement by extreme right-wing ideologies and erroneous words and deeds. The Japanese government should promptly handle the matter and hold those responsible accountable."

Japanese historian Masahiro Yamazaki (山崎雅弘) said that the incident was egregious. "Shouldn't Prime Minister Takaichi (高市首相), as the supreme commander of the Self-Defense Forces (自卫队), make an explanation? Is it enough to end the matter with just a 'deep regret' from Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara (木原稔)?" He said that the Japanese government's response to this matter may seriously affect the future direction of Japan-China relations and must be handled seriously.

A professor at Hosei University (法政大学) told reporters that the incident of an active-duty Self-Defense Force (自卫队) officer threatening the security of a foreign embassy during their tenure is absolutely not allowed under international law and constitutes a "major blunder." The organizational responsibility of the Self-Defense Forces (自卫队) cannot be excused, and it must be handled seriously based on international principles to avoid further deterioration of the situation.

"Japan's insistence on promoting increasingly radical policies will only lead to self-destruction"

"I am very concerned about the recent series of right-leaning policy trends of the Takaichi government (高市政府). Japan is being led onto a track of launching wars at any time." Natsuki Mitomi (见富夏树), a Tokyo citizen in his twenties who participated in the rally, told reporters that he strongly opposes Takaichi's (高市) policy proposals. "The government is trying to drag the people into unnecessary wars and spend a large amount of national tax money. In the current international context, Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution plays an irreplaceable role in maintaining peace and must not be arbitrarily amended or weakened. Japan's insistence on promoting increasingly radical policies will only lead to self-destruction."

"Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, which carries the concept of peace and maintains the order of peace, must not be amended. The act of right-wing politicians promoting constitutional amendments is essentially an erroneous act that violates the original intention of peace and harms the interests of the people, and must never be done." Misawa (三泽), a Tokyo citizen, told reporters, "We must cherish peace and protect peace. Allowing the people to live healthy and happy lives is the fundamental goal of the government's governance."

Ryoko (僚子), a citizen who participated in the rally, told reporters that the Takaichi government's (高市政府) policies are becoming increasingly radical and dangerous, involving many complex political and interest issues, which has caused widespread anxiety in Japanese society. "There are not enough people in Japan participating in rallies and demonstrations, and they are even being labeled. If we remain silent at this moment, the Takaichi government (高市政府) may continue to compress the space for speech and deprive citizens of their rights in the future. I hope more people will speak out and defend their rights in a timely manner, which is now imperative."

"Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution is an important barrier for Japan to adhere to peace, and this line of defense must not be abandoned." Kyoko Oe (大江京子), a lawyer at the Tokyo Eastern Law Office (东京东部法律事务所) and a member of the "Liaison Council of Six Major Legal Groups Addressing Constitutional Amendments" ("应对修宪问题六大法律团体联络会"), said that after the Takaichi government (高市政府) came to power, it openly listed constitutional amendments as a core agenda, not only planning to add a clause to Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution to explicitly include the Self-Defense Forces (自卫队), but also intending to add emergency clauses. Once this is implemented, it will completely give the Self-Defense Forces (自卫队) the attributes of an army and hollow out the core spirit of the pacifist constitution. Emergency clauses are more likely to deprive citizens of their rights and concentrate government power, paving the way for the promotion of military expansion. What the Japanese people really care about is improving people's livelihoods and social stability, not constitutional amendments and military expansion.

"Japan's blind military expansion is difficult to gain the trust of its neighbors"

"Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution is a vow of renunciation of war made to the international community and its own people based on deep reflection on the history of aggression and colonial rule, and must not be amended." Taku Yamazoe (山添拓), Chairman of the Policy Committee of the Japanese Communist Party (日本共产党) and a member of the House of Councillors, said that Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution is an important cornerstone for Japan to adhere to peace. It is precisely by relying on this clause that Japan has been able to adhere to its position of renouncing war. Currently, Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution still plays a key restraining role. The Japanese right-wing forces' insistence on military expansion not only violates the spirit of the pacifist constitution, but will also exacerbate regional tensions, which is absolutely unacceptable. "Japan should work with all countries to build a lasting and peaceful Asia. We firmly oppose Japan's march towards war, oppose amending the pacifist constitution, and always insist on resolving crises and preventing wars through dialogue and diplomatic means."

Mika Matsumura (松村美佳), an expert in the socio-economic field in Japan, said: "I have witnessed the heavy damage caused by Japan's war of aggression in many Asian countries. The lessons of the war are very profound. Today, Japan's wealth gap is widening, political chaos is rampant, and the momentum of military expansion is obvious, which is very worrying. Kind people should jointly safeguard Japan's pacifist constitution and resolutely oppose war."

"Have those right-wing politicians who are keen on constitutional amendments really read the constitution? They neither understand the constitution nor have they ever used the constitution to safeguard the interests of the people. They are not qualified to amend the constitution at all." Naho Hishiyama (菱山南帆子), Secretary-General of the Japanese civil organization "Civil Liaison Council to Absolutely Not Allow Constitutional Amendments" ("绝不允许改宪市民联络会"), believes that the basic living rights of many people in Japan have not yet been fully guaranteed. "The Takaichi government (高市政府) does not concentrate its efforts on solving social problems, but attempts to strengthen the military and expand armaments and amend the constitution, which is what an extremely irresponsible government does."

"We firmly oppose war, oppose all military actions, firmly uphold international law, and do our best to safeguard peace." Atsuko Furukawa (古川敦子), a member of the international non-governmental organization "Peace Boat" ("和平之舟"), said that as the only country in the world that has suffered nuclear weapons attacks, Japan should adhere to the "three non-nuclear principles" (无核三原则). "The pain brought by war and nuclear explosions will span many years and continue between generations. We oppose war and are unwilling to condone governments that advocate war. Japan's blind military expansion is difficult to gain the trust of its neighbors. Japan should adhere to multilateralism and the spirit of international law and demonstrate a responsible diplomatic posture."

(Reported from Tokyo on March 25 by this newspaper)

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The Shifting Global Automotive Sales Crown Is Not a Zero-Sum Game (Economic Perspective)

By: 李晓华

The global automotive industry landscape is ushering in a historic moment. Recently, according to statistics from the *Nikkei*, in 2025, the global cumulative sales of Chinese automakers are approaching 27 million vehicles, surpassing the approximately 25 million vehicles of Japanese automakers, ending Japan's 25-year reign as the world's top auto seller since 2000. This change in ranking is a clear signal of the restructuring of the global automotive industry landscape and a significant milestone in the global automotive industry's transformation towards electrification and intelligence.

In the past century, the internal combustion engine was the "heart" of the automotive industry. European, American, and Japanese automotive giants have long dominated the global value chain with their patent barriers in engines and transmissions. However, the innovation of energy paradigms has broken this pattern. When the driving source shifts from fossil fuels to electricity, and batteries replace engine engines as core components, the focus of competition in the industrial chain also shifts from a single mechanical manufacturing capability to a comprehensive competition of "three electrics" (battery, motor, and electronic control) core technologies, supply chain integration capabilities, and intelligent levels. Data shows that in 2025, the sales of new energy vehicles and pure electric vehicles of BYD (比亚迪) will be approximately 4.6 million and 2.26 million respectively, both ranking first in the world; CATL's (宁德时代) power battery market share has remained the world's first for nine consecutive years. The rise of these phenomenal enterprises is precisely because they have taken the lead in mastering the "engine" and "transmission" of the new era under the new technological paradigm, thereby gaining an advantage in the new round of global division of labor.

The reason why China's automotive industry can stand out in this transformation is the result of the resonance of multiple factors such as strategic foresight, market vitality, and industrial foundation. As early as 2001, China launched the "863" Program (863计划) electric vehicle major project, listing new energy vehicles as a national strategy. Over the past 20 years, facing the new track of uncertain technology routes, large investment, and high risks, China has continuously increased scientific research investment, accelerated scenario cultivation, built charging piles and other infrastructure, and fully mobilized the enthusiasm of micro-business entities. Chinese vehicle companies and battery manufacturers have achieved rapid technological iteration in fierce market competition, accurately solving market pain points such as early technology immaturity, high costs, and imperfect supporting facilities, and achieving a technological leap from follower to leader.

In this process, China's complete industrial system has played a vital role. The complete supporting facilities of upstream and downstream industries such as new materials have accelerated the technological breakthrough and scale leadership of power batteries, and a good manufacturing foundation has provided talent and technical support. This cluster advantage of the entire industrial chain not only forms a synergy of collaborative innovation, but also significantly reduces costs and shortens the research and development cycle. As experts from Mizuho Bank (瑞穗银行) in Japan said, this is a concentrated reflection of the comprehensive strength of advanced technology, cost advantages, and research and development speed.

It should be noted that the development and evolution of the automotive industry is not a zero-sum game, but a deepening and reshaping of the global industrial division of labor. The rapid development of emerging markets represented by China cannot be separated from the openness and cooperation of the global market. In recent years, the global automotive industry's demand for upstream key mineral resources has driven the industrial development of resource countries such as Australia, Chile, and Indonesia, making them more deeply integrated into the global electric vehicle value chain. The "going global" of Chinese automakers is not a simple product export, but an innovation and sharing of technology, standards, and services. Localized production not only better meets the needs of regional markets, but also improves the local manufacturing capabilities of electric vehicles and key components. International traditional giants such as Volkswagen (大众), Stellantis (斯特兰蒂斯), and Renault (雷诺) have also chosen to cooperate with Chinese companies to accelerate their transformation through shared platforms and technology licensing. This deep integration of "**你中有我、我中有你**" (nǐ zhōng yǒu wǒ, wǒ zhōng yǒu nǐ - "you have me, I have you," mutually dependent) shows that under the global consensus of green and low-carbon transformation, open cooperation is still the strongest voice of industrial development. Any attempt to decouple and break the chain violates the inherent logic of the automotive industry's high degree of globalization.

Looking to the future, with the rapid penetration of artificial intelligence technology, the global automotive industry has entered the "intelligent" track. Autonomous driving and intelligent cockpits are redefining the product form and value space of automobiles. From the algorithm innovation of Silicon Valley (硅谷) in the United States, to the luxury experience upgrade of European automakers, and the rapid iteration of Asian countries in hardware manufacturing and scenario applications, global innovation resources are accelerating their convergence in this new field. Chinese technology companies such as Pony.ai (小马智行) and Horizon Robotics (地平线), together with global technology giants, are jointly promoting the maturity and implementation of intelligent driving, and are providing global consumers with safer and more convenient travel solutions.

Facing a new round of technological revolution, no country can be immune or eat alone. Only by adhering to openness and inclusiveness, giving play to the advantages of various countries in technology, supply chain support, talent, capital, and market, and strengthening cross-border technology collaboration, standard interoperability, data flow, and rule co-construction, can the wave of electrification and intelligence truly benefit the world.

(The author is a professor at the School of Applied Economics, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (中国社会科学院大学).)

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Again Urging Japan to Immediately Thoroughly Investigate the Incident of Lawless Individuals Forcibly Entering the Chinese Embassy in Japan

This newspaper reported from Beijing on March 25th (Reporter Chu Jun) Regarding the illegal intrusion into the Chinese Embassy in Japan by Japanese lawbreakers on March 24th, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian (林剑) stated on the 25th that this incident once again reflects the rampant extreme right-wing ideology and forces within Japan. China has lodged solemn representations and expressed strong dissatisfaction with Japan in both Beijing (北京) and Tokyo (东京), and once again urged Japan to immediately thoroughly investigate the incident, severely punish the lawbreakers, and provide China with a responsible explanation.

During the regular press conference that day, a reporter asked: What is the latest progress on the incident of Japanese Self-Defense Forces personnel breaking into the Chinese Embassy in Japan? What further statement does China have on this?

Lin Jian (林剑) said that the Chinese Embassy in Japan is coordinating follow-up matters with the Japanese police, and the lawbreaker has been handed over to the Japanese police. The information verified and released by the Japanese police shows that this person is an active-duty officer of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, with the rank of Third Lieutenant, who carried a knife with a blade length of 18 centimeters and climbed over the wall to break into the Chinese Embassy in Japan.

Lin Jian (林剑) stated that China has lodged solemn representations and expressed strong dissatisfaction with Japan in both Beijing (北京) and Tokyo (东京), pointing out that the incident seriously threatens the safety of embassy personnel, disrupts the tranquility of the embassy, and damages the dignity of the embassy, indicating that Japan has failed to effectively fulfill its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and has failed to fulfill its special responsibility to protect the inviolability of embassies and diplomatic representatives.

"We once again urge Japan to immediately thoroughly investigate the incident, severely punish the lawbreakers, and provide China with a responsible explanation," he said.

A reporter asked: Has Japan guaranteed to China that similar intrusion incidents will not happen again? Will this incident deepen the rift in Sino-Japanese relations?

Lin Jian (林剑) stated that this incident once again reflects the rampant extreme right-wing ideology and forces within Japan, the "new type of militarism" is 成势为患 (chéng shì wéi huàn - "becoming a menace," a situation where something is gaining momentum and becoming a problem), and it also exposes the deep-rooted errors in the Japanese government's policies on history, Taiwan, and other major core issues involving Sino-Japanese relations. Japan has failed to supervise and educate its Self-Defense Forces personnel and has failed to fulfill its security responsibilities for Chinese embassies and consulates and diplomatic personnel.

Lin Jian (林剑) said: "As for what measures Japan will take to properly handle this incident and how to fundamentally ensure that similar incidents do not happen again, I suggest you ask the Japanese side directly. The international community, including China, is watching with bated breath."

A reporter asked: According to Japanese media reports, the Self-Defense Force member who broke into the Chinese Embassy claimed that his purpose was to talk to the Chinese Ambassador, which is inconsistent with China's statement. What is China's comment on Japan's explanation?

"Have you ever seen a precedent for entering an embassy with a knife to talk to the ambassador without permission?" Lin Jian (林剑) said that the lawbreaker is an officer of the Self-Defense Forces, who carried a knife with a blade length of 18 centimeters and illegally climbed over the wall to break into the Chinese Embassy. This is a fact that the Japanese police have already verified, and it is also an indisputable fact that he threatened to kill Chinese diplomatic personnel in the "name of God." Japan must conduct a comprehensive and serious investigation into the incident.

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Sternly Urging Japan to Let the Younger Generation Understand the Truth of History

Beijing (北京), March 25th (Reporter Chu Jun (褚君)) Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian (林剑) stated on the 25th that China solemnly urges Japan to face up to and reflect on its history of aggression, draw a clear line with militarism, allow Japan's younger generation to understand the truth of history, and properly handle historical issues with a responsible attitude, so as to avoid further losing the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community.
At the regular press conference that day, a reporter asked: According to reports, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (文部科学省) reviewed high school textbooks to be used from fiscal year 2027 on March 24. Some textbooks use the expression "there was no coercion" regarding the issue of "comfort women" and forced laborers of the Japanese army, and solidify the expression that the Diaoyu Islands (钓鱼岛) are Japan's "inherent territory." What is China's comment on this?
Lin Jian (林剑) pointed out that tampering with words in textbook reviews to blur historical facts and dilute and evade historical responsibilities is a common trick used by Japan to deny and distort its own history of aggression. China expresses its strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this, and has lodged solemn representations with Japan.
Lin Jian (林剑) said that post-war Japan has consistently failed to completely sever ties with militarism, and the Yasukuni Shrine (靖国神社) still enshrines 14 Class-A war criminals. The forced recruitment of "comfort women" and forced laborers were serious crimes against humanity committed by Japanese militarism during its external aggression and expansion. This is an internationally recognized historical fact, with irrefutable evidence, and cannot be tampered with.
"The Diaoyu Islands (钓鱼岛) and their affiliated islands have been China's inherent territory since ancient times, and China has indisputable sovereignty over them. No matter what actions Japan takes in textbooks, it will not change the fact that the Diaoyu Islands (钓鱼岛) belong to China. Any words or deeds that attempt to undermine China's territorial sovereignty are futile," he said.
Lin Jian (林剑) said that China has noted that South Korea has also made solemn representations and expressed strong protests regarding the content of Japanese textbooks, including issues involving Dokdo (独岛) and "comfort women," reflecting that the actions of Japanese right-wing forces to tamper with history and mislead the historical views of the Japanese people have aroused high vigilance and strong indignation from the international community, including Asian neighbors.
"We solemnly urge Japan to face up to and reflect on its history of aggression, draw a clear line with militarism, allow Japan's younger generation to understand the truth of history, and properly handle historical issues with a responsible attitude, so as to avoid further losing the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community," Lin Jian (林剑) said.

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Global Scan

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Serbia to mourn the victims of the NATO bombing.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Vranje, Serbia (金丹依) March 25th - On the evening of the 24th, more than 10,000 people gathered in Vranje (弗拉涅), a city in southern Serbia (塞尔维亚), to mourn the victims of the NATO bombing of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 27 years ago.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić (武契奇) said in a speech at the rally that the NATO bombing brought profound disasters to the Serbian people, and Serbia (塞尔维亚) will always remember this history. He said that this not only marked a military aggression against a sovereign country, but also meant that international law and international order were seriously damaged.

Milorad Dodik (米洛拉德·多迪克), the former president of the Republika Srpska (波黑塞族共和国), who attended the event, said that the NATO bombing brought "historical injustice" to the Serbian (塞尔维亚) and Serb people. A large number of civilian facilities were attacked, including bridges, schools, hospitals and public transportation. NATO even used depleted uranium bombs in the bombing, causing long-term harm to the public, especially children.

On March 24, 1999, NATO, led by the United States, bypassing the UN Security Council under the banner of "avoiding humanitarian disasters," began bombing the then Yugoslavia. The 78-day bombing resulted in the deaths of more than 2,000 civilians, injured more than 6,000 people, and displaced nearly 1 million people.

Iran Rejects US Ceasefire Plan and Proposes 5 Iranian Conditions
According to Xinhua News Agency, Tehran (德黑兰), March 25th - Iran's Press TV quoted a senior Iranian official on the 25th as saying that Iran (伊朗) has rejected the ceasefire plan proposed by the United States and put forward five Iranian conditions for a ceasefire.

The official said that Iran (伊朗) would not agree to a timetable set by US President Donald Trump for ending the war, and that "Iran (伊朗) will only end the war when it decides to end the war and its own conditions are met."

The official elaborated on the five conditions for Iran's (伊朗) agreement to end the war: the enemy must completely stop "aggression and assassination"; a practical mechanism must be established to ensure that war will not be imposed on Iran (伊朗) again; guarantees and clear payment of war reparations and compensation for losses; all fronts and all resistance organizations throughout the region end the war; Iran's (伊朗) exercise of sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz (霍尔木兹海峡) is and will remain Iran's (伊朗) natural and legitimate right, and this must be recognized.

The Trump administration was exposed on the 24th to have handed over a "15-point plan" aimed at ending the conflict to the Iranian side. From Iran's (伊朗) perspective, the "strategic failure" of the United States is "asking an exorbitant price" and "has impure motives," and has long been "bankrupt of credibility" 诚信破产 (chéngxìn pòchǎn - "credibility bankrupt," lacking credibility; untrustworthy).

International Aid Ship Arrives in Havana to Support Cuba
According to Xinhua News Agency, Havana (哈瓦那), March 24 (Reporter Jiang Biao (蒋彪)) - The international aid ship "Granma 2.0" from Mexico (墨西哥) arrived in Havana (哈瓦那), the capital of Cuba (古巴), on the 24th, carrying aid materials such as food, medical supplies, and solar panels to support Cuba (古巴), which is blockaded by the United States.

Ernandez (埃尔南德斯), the governor of Havana Province (哈瓦那省), Cuba (古巴), expressed his gratitude for the assistance. She said that the long-term US blockade of Cuba (古巴) has had a serious impact on Cuba's (古巴) economy and people's livelihood. Under the current situation, the United States has restricted the entry of oil into Cuba (古巴) in an attempt to "strangle" Cuba (古巴). The arrival of the aid ship shows that international support has transcended national borders and Cuba (古巴) is not alone.

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European Countries Focus on Addressing Rising Energy Prices

By: 本报记者 尚凯元

Recently, the Middle East situation has remained tense, and international energy prices have continued to climb. As one of the world's largest net energy importing regions, European energy prices are rising rapidly. The latest data shows that the Dutch TTF natural gas futures price has risen from 25-30 euros per megawatt-hour before the Middle East war to 50-60 euros, an increase of nearly double; international oil prices once approached 100 US dollars per barrel, an increase of 50%-60% within the year. Market expectations have also gradually shifted from the initial "short-term conflict" to "medium-term tension."

This round of Middle East war, coupled with the Russia-Ukraine conflict, is comprehensively pushing up European energy costs. Taking France as an example, according to statistics from France Business Radio, the average price of diesel in France has risen by more than 20% compared to before the outbreak of the Middle East war, and the price of gasoline has risen by more than 11%. Rising energy prices have had a significant impact on many industries. Taking the fishing industry as an example, fuel costs account for a very high proportion of offshore costs, and rising oil prices have significantly reduced the income of some fishing boats, and even a situation of "loss upon going to sea" has occurred. Representatives of the French Fisheries Shipowners Alliance stated that the French fishing fleet may face "large-scale shutdowns," the direct reason for which is the sharp rise in diesel prices.

The soaring energy prices have led to continued pressure on Europe's energy-intensive industries, bringing obvious downside risks to the economic outlook. Goldman Sachs estimates show that if oil prices continue to rise by 10%, the Eurozone economy will fall by about 0.2 percentage points, and the decline in Central and Eastern Europe can reach 0.4 percentage points, while Eurozone inflation will rise by about 0.3 percentage points. The latest data from S&P Global shows that the Eurozone's March composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 50.5, significantly lower than the previous month's 51.9. According to a recent forecast released by the German IFO Institute for Economic Research, under the scenario of further conflict easing, Germany's economy is expected to grow by 0.8% in 2026 and 1.2% in 2027, a decrease of about 0.2 percentage points compared to the no-impact scenario; under the scenario of escalating conflict, it is expected to fall to 0.6% and 0.8% respectively, and the recovery will be significantly slowed down. At the same time, the initial value of the UK's March composite PMI was 51.0, lower than 53.7 in February, falling to the lowest level in six months.

In order to cope with the impact, the EU is discussing adjusting natural gas reserve rules, and European countries have also successively taken a number of measures to cope with rising energy prices, but the actual effect of specific policies remains to be seen. The French Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (Institut du développement durable et des relations internationales) analysis believes that this round of Middle East war once again highlights Europe's dependence on imported fossil energy, which is a manifestation of its economic vulnerability. Some countries are calling for weakening the carbon market or postponing the implementation of climate policies, but this logic is flawed. The problem is not that the energy transition is too fast, but that the transition is still insufficient. In the long run, European countries urgently need to accelerate the transformation of the energy structure and reduce their dependence on fossil energy. Against the background of increased geopolitical uncertainty, accelerating the advancement of electrification, industrial decarbonization, and reducing dependence on natural gas are the key paths to achieving energy security, enhancing economic competitiveness, and strategic autonomy.

(Reported by this newspaper from Paris (巴黎), March 25)

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Editors of this page: Zou Zhipeng, Zhang Huizhong, Chu Jun

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Effectively Implement the "Second Half" of People's Congress Oversight in Accordance with the Law (Upholding and Improving the System of People's Congresses)

By: 本报记者 倪 弋

In December 2025, Fang Yan, a National People's Congress (NPC) representative and senior partner at Beijing Jincheng Tongda Law Firm (北京金诚同达律师事务所), logged onto the National People's Congress website (中国人大网) as usual. A newly released "Report of the State Council on the Implementation of the Deliberation Opinions of the NPC Standing Committee on the Report on the Environmental Situation and the Completion of Environmental Protection Targets in 2024" caught her attention.

The newly released report specifically addressed the issue of "straw burning," clearly responding that it would guide various regions to construct a straw burning control system that combines dredging and blocking, is practical and feasible, and is precise and scientific, based on local conditions; and arrange approximately 2.8 billion yuan in funding to support various regions in promoting the comprehensive utilization of crop straw.

Since September 2025, the National People's Congress website (中国人大网) has successively disclosed more than 10 feedback reports from the State Council (国务院), the National Supervisory Commission (国家监察委员会), the Supreme People's Court (最高人民法院), and the Supreme People's Procuratorate (最高人民检察院) on the implementation of the deliberation opinions of the NPC Standing Committee, involving key areas of national economy and people's livelihood such as arable land protection, social insurance, desertification prevention and control, and rectification of unhealthy tendencies around the masses.

Practical measures, specific data, and clear paths are the solemn answers of the "one government, one commission, and two courts" ("一府一委两院") to the "questions of the NPC," interpreting the responsibility of "the people have demands, and the government responds" ("民有所呼、政有所应"), and outlining the vivid practice of whole-process people's democracy.

Closed Loop

Consolidating Responsibilities in All Links

In April 2025, the 15th meeting of the 14th NPC Standing Committee deliberated the State Council's report on the environmental situation and the completion of environmental protection targets in 2024. The "old problem" of straw burning sparked heated discussions among many members of the Standing Committee.

"During my grassroots research, some farmers reflected that some places simply implement a 'one-size-fits-all' ('一刀切') ban on straw burning, which has high processing costs and affects cultivation," a member of the Standing Committee said, taking out research notes and making deliberation remarks, "I suggest implementing differentiated and staggered management based on different regions and environmental conditions, while improving the subsidy policy for comprehensive utilization of straw."

This practical issue, which concerns the production and life of the vast number of farmers and involves the balance between ecological environmental protection and agricultural development, resonated with many members of the Standing Committee. The deliberation opinions were recorded in detail, fully absorbed, sorted, and refined, and incorporated into the "Deliberation Opinions of the NPC Standing Committee on the Report on the Environmental Situation and the Completion of Environmental Protection Targets in 2024." This document, carrying the feelings and opinions of the people, was transferred to the State Council (国务院) for research and handling according to procedures.

A few months later, the State Council (国务院) made targeted deployments on the "straw burning" issue in its publicly released feedback report.

"From discovering problems, proposing opinions and suggestions, to researching and handling, implementing feedback, and then to disclosing results, a complete supervision closed loop is formed," said the relevant person in charge of the General Office of the NPC Standing Committee.

In response to the problems pointed out by the law enforcement inspection of the Yellow River Protection Law, a series of measures such as strengthening the ecological environment restoration of the basin and strengthening the conservation and intensive use of water resources were listed in detail; around the shortcomings discovered by the law enforcement inspection of the Social Insurance Law, improvement suggestions were put forward from the perspectives of improving the system and strengthening law enforcement and judicial protection; for the management of state-owned assets, it was clearly proposed to establish a list of rectification and accountability... Flipping through the already disclosed feedback reports, such pragmatic "responses" can be seen everywhere, and the logic of the supervision "closed loop" is clearly perceptible.

Discovering problems is only the starting point of NPC supervision, and promoting problem-solving is the goal. The disclosure of feedback reports is precisely to solidify the "second half of the article" of law-based supervision, forming a complete work closed loop of "deliberation-transfer-implementation-feedback-disclosure," so that each link consolidates responsibilities and law-based supervision is fully transformed into governance effectiveness.

Transparency

Accepting Supervision from the People

Yang Zhusong, associate professor at the School of Public Policy and Management of Tsinghua University (清华大学), said, "The 'transparency' of the disclosed feedback report is a vivid embodiment of whole-process people's democracy in the supervision link. It guarantees the people's right to know, participate, express, and supervise, so that the work of the NPC and the work of the 'one government, one commission, and two courts' ('一府一委两院') can better accept the supervision of the people."

Opening the "Report of the State Council on the Implementation of the Deliberation Opinions of the NPC Standing Committee on the Work of Desertification Prevention and Control," it not only lists the investment of "32 billion yuan allocated by the central government" and the 2024 annual results of "completing comprehensive management tasks of over 57 million mu," but also elaborates in detail on the specific spatial layout and engineering arrangements such as "the preliminary formation of a green protective belt locking the edge of the Taklimakan Desert in the western blocking war zone" and "planning and construction of 7,892 kilometers of desert-crossing highways, which can drive desertification control of more than 14 million mu," and is further refined to key data concerning people's livelihood and ecology such as "issuing labor remuneration of 1.54 billion yuan through work-for-relief, absorbing 233,000 people to find employment and increase income at their doorstep" and "replenishing 103 million cubic meters of water to the Shiyang River."

This detailed report with overall goals, specific paths, and quantified results fully reflects the cognitive awareness and pragmatic style of being open and transparent, accepting supervision, and improving work.

"As NPC representatives, when we see that the opinions and suggestions we put forward in relevant deliberations have received solemn responses and effective implementation in subsequent feedback reports, this closed loop of 'suggestions have echoes and implementation is visible' allows us to feel the responsibilities and values we shoulder. This encourages us to listen to the voices of the people and gather the wisdom of the people with greater enthusiasm and more solid research, and put forward more targeted and constructive opinions and suggestions," Fang Yan said, this transparency forms a virtuous cycle of "performance-feedback-re-improvement," further stimulating the performance effectiveness of NPC representatives.

In Yang Zhusong's view, the disclosure of feedback reports also produces a unique learning and reference effect: "When a report proposes governance measures on 'water resource conservation and intensive use,' some regions can fully learn from it; when the rectification measures for state-owned asset supervision are disclosed, other fields can also refer to them. This disclosure promotes the sharing and expansion of governance experience, and amplifies the positive spillover effect of supervision."

"In the past, I always felt that the words deliberation and supervision were a bit far away from us. Now I see that even specific things like how to burn straw and how to protect social security are being legally supervised by the NPC and the government is coming up with practical measures, and the process and results are all disclosed, allowing us ordinary people to see real and useful democracy," said Zhang Lu, a resident of Liangjiang New Area (两江新区) in Chongqing (重庆).

Deepening

Further Follow-up and Accountability

"The disclosure of feedback reports is not to put a 'period' on supervision, but a new starting point for further strengthening NPC supervision and follow-up accountability," explained the relevant comrade in charge of the General Office of the NPC Standing Committee. According to the provisions of the Supervision Law, the Chairperson's Council or the Presiding Officers' Meeting may decide to submit the report on the research and handling of deliberation opinions (and law enforcement inspection reports) or the implementation of resolutions to the Standing Committee meeting for deliberation. When necessary, the Standing Committee may organize and carry out follow-up supervision. "We are exploring the establishment of a progressive supervision mechanism of 'deliberation-feedback-follow-up-re-deliberation,' and we will not let go of key and difficult issues, and we will grasp them to the end."

For example, since 2024, it has become a regular practice to listen to and deliberate the State Council's report on the research and handling of deliberation opinions and the report on rectification and accountability regarding the management of state-owned assets at the NPC Standing Committee meeting in April each year, and the report is disclosed on the National People's Congress website (中国人大网).

Fang Yan believes that "for problems involving a wide range and greater difficulty, the NPC can continuously pay attention to, consolidate responsibilities, and promote implementation through this normalized follow-up supervision mechanism until effective results are achieved. This 'nail-nailing' ('钉钉子') spirit ensures the rigidity and resilience of supervision."

The disclosure of feedback reports has also promoted the improvement of report quality and the effectiveness of measures. In the early days, some reports still had a certain degree of "more principled responses and fewer specific measures." As disclosure becomes the norm, feedback reports are becoming more and more "real" - with data, time limits, and responsible entities, and some can also see the reasons for matters that have not been completed as scheduled and subsequent arrangements.

Yang Zhusong said, "This measure, on the one hand, promotes the 'one government, one commission, and two courts' ('一府一委两院') to institutionalize and make long-term the rectification measures; on the other hand, through disclosure, it more closely connects NPC supervision, social supervision, and public opinion supervision, and gathers them into a broader synergy."

On this "closed loop" chain, the people's will, the deliberation opinions of the Standing Committee meetings, and the governance measures of the "one government, one commission, and two courts" ("一府一委两院") are connected from beginning to end, and the governance effectiveness is accepted by the people through the public feedback report. Whole-process people's democracy has taken root and blossomed in the practice of promoting the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity, further demonstrating its vitality.

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Voice of the Representatives

The "15th Five-Year Plan"纲要 proposes "running education that satisfies the people." How can we adhere to the priority development of education, implement the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education, and build a high-quality education system? Our reporter interviewed four National People's Congress (全国人大) deputies.
　　——Editor

　　National People's Congress (全国人大) Deputy and President of Sun Yat-sen University (中山大学), Gao Song (高松):
　　Promote the Improvement and Expansion of Higher Education, Ensuring Both Quantity and Quality
　　During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, higher education must both expand to meet the needs of economic and social development and satisfy the people's expectations for receiving quality education; it must also improve quality to better serve high-level self-reliance in science and technology and lead the development of new quality productive forces. To achieve "quantity and quality together," it is necessary to increase investment and optimize the structure.
　　High-level research universities are the main force in basic research and the source of major scientific and technological breakthroughs. It is necessary to strengthen the construction of "Double First-Class" (双一流) universities, increase stable support in terms of funding, optimize the competitive funding investment mechanism, improve the dynamic adjustment mechanism of higher education fee standards, and support high-level research universities to strengthen the construction of basic frontier interdisciplinary disciplines, so as to provide continuous impetus for innovation-driven development with breakthroughs in original innovation.
　　Unlike the nature of compulsory education as a purely public product, higher education has a certain quasi-public product nature. While government investment is the main source, it is also necessary to mobilize the enthusiasm of society, enterprises, and individuals, and exert efforts in multiple aspects such as policy formulation, industry-university-research cooperation, and social donations to establish a diversified and sustainable investment system.
　　Optimizing the structure requires clarifying priorities and taking overall consideration. It is necessary to guide different types of universities to strive for advantages and develop their own characteristics on their respective tracks; in terms of enrollment structure, it is necessary to encourage the expansion of quality higher education and support the orderly expansion of training scale in science, engineering, agriculture, and medicine; in terms of disciplinary structure, it is necessary to increase support for basic disciplines and frontier interdisciplinary disciplines around national strategic needs, and do a good job in dynamic adjustment and optimization; in terms of regional structure, it is necessary to increase support for relatively backward areas.
　　(Our reporter Li Zong (李纵) compiled the interview)

　　National People's Congress (全国人大) Deputy and Dean of the School of Pharmacy, Nanhua University (南华大学), Wang Zhen (王震):
　　Effectively Integrate Ideological and Political Education Classrooms with Social Classrooms
　　Promoting the effective integration of ideological and political education classrooms and social classrooms is an important part of the new era's project of fostering virtue through education. The core lies in building an effective practical education system that allows students to "learn by doing" and "understand in practice."
　　Identify "real problems" to allow practical classrooms to take root in real needs. "Real problems" originate from social reality and meet student needs, serving as a key bridge connecting the two classrooms. It is necessary to delve into the front lines of industries to discover real problems, transform industrial bottlenecks in rural revitalization, technical difficulties in scientific and technological breakthroughs, and contradictions in grassroots governance into practical topics that can be implemented, allowing students to achieve a leap from "knowing" to "identifying" and then to "practicing" in the process of solving real problems.
　　Build a collaborative education platform to allow practical resources to connect with educational needs. It is necessary to transform the vivid resources of the large social classroom into vivid materials for ideological and political education, further increase the number of practical bases jointly built with local governments, enterprises, and institutions, establish a stable supply and demand docking mechanism, solve the closed-door predicament of "one-way output" in practical education in universities, build a collaborative education ecosystem of "university-led, social participation," and promote the transformation of practical education from "partial participation" to "deep integration."
　　Improve the process evaluation system to strengthen the guiding role of practical education. Change the evaluation method based on a single standard of practical reports and credit recognition, introduce multiple dimensions such as process observation, peer evaluation, and feedback from service recipients, incorporate the problem-solving situation in social practice into the ideological and political evaluation system, encourage students to actively participate and think actively, and achieve the unity of "knowing" and "doing."
　　(Our reporter Yang Xun (杨迅) compiled the interview)

　　National People's Congress (全国人大) Deputy and Party Secretary of Wuhan Electronic Information Vocational Technical School (武汉市电子信息职业技术学校), Ma Dan (马丹):
　　Vocational Education Should Resonate with Industrial Development
　　Currently, the important problems facing vocational education are: slow pace in professional adjustment, slow pace in curriculum updates, and teachers' practical abilities lagging behind. The three are intertwined, restricting the quality of training highly skilled talents.
　　Let the majors follow the industry. At present, many schools still operate majors with the inertia of "offering whatever majors the conditions allow." Facing the "15th Five-Year Plan," we must shift to "offering whatever majors the market needs." It is recommended to establish a dynamic professional adjustment mechanism and regularly release "three lists" of shortage, transformation, and cancellation, so that schools know where to go. In particular, emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and the low-altitude economy require the establishment of a rapid approval channel, so that schools do not react only after the industry has already developed.
　　Let teachers follow the practice. On the one hand, it is necessary to establish a "green channel" for enterprise talents to teach, so that master craftsmen can smoothly enter the campus; on the other hand, school teachers should regularly go to enterprises for practical training, not just visiting superficially, but truly participating in production and research and development, and incorporating practical results into professional title evaluation and appointment. In this way, teachers can understand enterprises, understand technology, and the students they teach can understand the market and understand the positions.
　　Let students keep up with the pace of digitalization. Digital transformation is not simply "going online." Facing the "15th Five-Year Plan," it is necessary to build a good digital base, connect teaching and management data, and break down "data silos"; it is necessary to improve teachers' digital literacy, so that teachers can first use and make good use of new tools such as artificial intelligence; it is also necessary to build a lifelong learning platform, so that graduates can return to recharge at any time after leaving school.
　　(Our reporter Fan Haotian (范昊天) compiled the interview)

　　National People's Congress (全国人大) Deputy and Joint Party Secretary of Baoding Middle School Education Group (保定中学教育集团), Wang Shuying (王淑英):
　　Promote the "Structural Optimization" of Senior High School Education
　　Promoting the expansion and quality improvement of senior high school education is an important base point for basic education to serve the construction of a strong education nation. It is necessary to promote educational equity, narrow regional gaps, cultivate diversified, top-notch, and innovative talents, and respond to the people's realistic expectations from "having access to education" to "having access to good education."
　　Currently, senior high school education still faces some urgent problems to be solved. For example, uneven distribution of high-quality educational resources, homogenization of school-running models, and insufficient supply of characteristic education. Solving these problems requires promoting the transformation of senior high school education from "scale expansion" to "structural optimization" and from "homogeneous competition" to "diverse symbiosis."
　　Form a "senior high school expansion and quality improvement community," build a batch of high-quality senior high schools with high standards and high starting points in key areas undertaking relocation and alleviation, promote "famous school +" cooperative school-running, share curriculum, teachers, and teaching and research resources, and carry out joint teaching and research and student research activities.
　　Classify and formulate construction standards for characteristic senior high schools in science and technology, humanities, art, and sports, support senior high school education to develop characteristic courses such as new technologies, new energy sources, traditional culture, and traditional Chinese medicine, and incorporate science and technology innovation laboratories, humanities research bases, and art workshops into the scope, break down barriers with vertical coordination and horizontal collaboration of education, activate students' growth potential with diversified development, so that every child can enjoy fair and high-quality education, and build a talent foundation for the construction of a strong education nation.
　　(Our reporter Shao Yuzi (邵玉姿) compiled the interview)

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The Two Sessions spirit is preached with fervor.

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Reshaping the Logic of Urban Green Development with the Rule of Law

By: 本报记者 亓玉昆

On a spring morning, the Mengye Mijing Garden Farm in Shuangpu Town (双浦镇), Xihu District (西湖区), Hangzhou (杭州) City, Zhejiang (浙江) Province, is already filled with laughter. Flower-filled grassy slopes stretch out, dotted with green-tiled and white-walled buildings, and bustling with tourists.

However, this beautiful scenery was once an abandoned mine pit. Zhuang Xun (庄寻), the head of the farm, said, "In the past, this place was exposed ore, construction waste, and an abandoned chicken farm." Last year, Zhuang Xun (庄寻) and his team came to transform the area, reducing slopes and restoring greenery in the mine pit, recreating the landscape, and turning it into a composite rural "trendy" ecological space, attracting citizens to come in droves.

The farm's transformation is a vivid microcosm of Hangzhou's practice of the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets (绿水青山就是金山银山)."

How to transform the positioning of "Capital of Ecological Civilization" given to Hangzhou (杭州) by General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) into a vivid practice of Xi Jinping's (习近平) ecological civilization thought? On October 1, 2025, the "Hangzhou Ecological Civilization Capital Construction Regulations" (杭州市生态文明之都建设条例) (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations") came into effect, providing a solid legal answer to this proposition.

"During the formulation process, we closely focused on the characteristic positioning of Hangzhou (杭州) as the 'Capital of Ecological Civilization'," introduced the relevant person in charge of the Standing Committee of the Hangzhou (杭州) Municipal People's Congress. The "Regulations" systematically improve the institutional design of ecological spatial patterns, ecological economic development, ecological environmental protection, ecological culture cultivation, and ecological governance systems, covering multiple key areas such as spatial layout, green development, livable urban and rural areas, ecological culture, and safeguard measures. It is a leading and dominant regulation. At the same time, it works with the previously formulated and implemented small-incision regulations such as the regulations on the prevention and control of air pollution and the regulations on the management of construction waste to jointly build a "1+N" regulatory system for ecological civilization construction in Hangzhou (杭州).

The vitality of regulations lies in their implementation, and their effect is directly reflected in the green transformation of development methods.

In the Linping Economic and Technological Development Zone (临平经济技术开发区) in Hangzhou (杭州), the "Xin'ao Energy - Beta Pharma" waste gas collaborative disposal project has been recognized as a provincial benchmark. A pipeline transports the organic waste gas generated during the pharmaceutical company's production process to the energy company, where it is converted into clean fuel. "The 'Regulations' for the first time wrote the 'dual carbon' goal requirements such as carbon footprint management and ecological carbon sinks into the regulations, giving companies like us engaged in resource recycling more stable policy expectations and greater development space," said Gao Weijiang (高伟江), the person in charge of the project. This is not only a win-win for the two companies, but also a vivid practice of the concept of "reducing pollution and carbon, synergistic efficiency" at the industrial level.

The "sword" of the regulations is aimed at stubborn diseases that damage the ecological environment. Xu Qiong (徐琼), a representative of the Hangzhou (杭州) Municipal People's Congress, found in her research that in the past, some construction sites had the phenomenon of "installing but not using" online dust monitoring facilities. The "Regulations" not only clarified that installation and use are mandatory, but also established corresponding penalties, giving supervision a harder grip. "From 'having' to 'being useful', and then to 'must be used well', the binding force of the rule of law is being transformed into the freshness of the air," said Xu Qiong (徐琼).

In Qingshan Village (青山村), Yuhang District (余杭区), the "beneficiary pays" mechanism established through the "Good Water Fund (善水基金)" has raised more than one million yuan in feedback funds for source water protection; in Yueliangqiao Village (月亮桥村), Tianmushan Town (天目山镇), Lin'an District (临安区), the village is operated according to "scenic spot" standards, forging a path of ecological prosperity for the people. These grassroots innovations now have broader promotion space and institutional guarantees under the framework of the "Regulations."

"The deep value of the 'Regulations' lies in reshaping the logic of urban development and realizing the deep connection and virtuous cycle between urban development and ecological civilization construction," said Qiu Xiaodong (钭晓东), a professor at the Guanghua Law School of Zhejiang University (浙江大学) who participated in the legislative demonstration. He believes that it is not only an environmental protection regulation, but also a promotion law for urban green development.

From the rebirth of mine pits to the abundance of flowers, from waste gas recycling to community greening, from industrial transformation to common prosperity in rural areas, the "Regulations" transform the ecological "green content" into the urban development "gold content" and the people's livelihood "happiness index", painting a new picture of the rule of law protecting ecology and urban co-prosperity.

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This edition's editor: Ni Yi

Layout Design: Shen Yiling (沈亦伶)

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Moving from "Individual Case Adjudication" to "Rule-Based Governance" (Legal Headlines)

By: 本报记者 魏哲哲

The order of finance relies on the rule of law. As the national financial management center, Beijing (北京) gathers nearly half of the country's financial assets and is the core hub of financial institutions and resources. In March 2021, the Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院) was inaugurated.

"The establishment of the Financial Court is an important measure to serve and safeguard the implementation of the national financial strategy, create a good financial legal environment, and promote the healthy development of the economy." Zhang Wen (张雯), President of the Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院), introduced that in the past five years, the Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院) has accelerated the modernization of financial trial work, closely connected with the forefront needs of financial governance, strengthened the rule extraction of the first case and new types of cases, and strived to promote the transformation from "individual case trial" to "rule governance," and set up a legal "traffic light" for the financial market through professional justice.

"Piercing" Trial
Consolidate Occupational Risk Protection for Workers in New Forms of Employment

Delivery riders shuttling through the streets and alleys provide instant services to thousands of households. At present, many delivery riders purchase commercial insurance through platforms to disperse risks and protect their rights and interests. In practice, once an accident occurs, can the rights and interests of workers in new forms of employment be successfully realized? How should the law "lend a helping hand"?

Tian (田) was a crowdsourced rider. Before taking orders every day, Tian (田) had to click on the platform system to purchase crowdsourced rider accident insurance (commonly known as "one-day insurance") before starting work. The premium of 3 yuan was automatically deducted from Tian's (田) remuneration by the system. Unfortunately, Tian (田) died suddenly in the rental house. When his legal heir, Zhou (周), claimed compensation, he was rejected by an insurance company.

"The insurance policy shows that the policyholder is the platform partner, not the rider Tian (田)." The insurance company believes that Tian's (田) situation does not fall under the "working hours and working position" stipulated in the terms, and the insurance company has given a reminder to the insurance brokerage company regarding the sudden death insurance clause, fulfilling its obligation to remind.

"We found that disputes concerning riders' commercial insurance may involve multiple parties, including insurance companies, delivery platforms, platform employment cooperation enterprises, insurance brokerage companies, and riders. Insurance companies cooperate with platforms in the form of industrial chain integration to develop insurance products and sell commercial insurance through forms such as 'opening orders and binding insurance,' giving rise to multi-layered commercial nesting." Shu Xiang (舒翔), a judge at the Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院), introduced that if judged solely from the commercial appearance, delivery riders have no direct contractual relationship with insurance companies.

Turning from commercial appearance to substantive fairness, the Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院) used "piercing" trial thinking to analyze the transaction structure and explore the purpose of the contract: focusing on key facts such as "employment facts + fund flow + ownership of rights and interests," and identifying the real legal relationship and insurance liability through "subject piercing," and legally confirming Tian (田) as the actual purchaser of insurance.

Does this mean that the claim requirements can be met?

"The insurance company uses the 'working hours and working position' in the sudden death insurance clause as a condition for assuming insurance liability, which substantially limits the scope of insurance coverage and belongs to a hidden exemption clause." Shu Xiang (舒翔) said that if the insurance company wants to exclude the time and space outside the rider's delivery, it should give a reminder and clear explanation of the relevant clauses.

In practice, riders must first insure "one-day insurance" every day before taking orders, and the premium is automatically deducted from the rider's remuneration. The insurance brokerage company deducts the brokerage fee and then settles with the insurance company. "The rider's right to choose and bargaining power are deprived." The Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院) believes that in the absence of evidence showing that the rider can understand the insurance clauses from the insurance brokerage company or the platform employment cooperation enterprise, the insurance company only gives a disclaimer reminder to the insurance brokerage company, and the rider cannot know the content of the clauses, so the disclaimer clause does not take effect on Tian (田). Ultimately, the Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院) ordered the insurance company to compensate Zhou (周) with insurance money of 600,000 yuan.

"Through 'piercing' trials, identifying key exemption conditions hidden in multi-layered nesting, avoiding the risk of 'hollowing out' the insurance rights and interests of workers, responding to the governance difficulties of the platform economy, and legally protecting the legitimate rights and interests of workers in new forms of employment," said Song Yi (宋毅), Vice President of the Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院).

Exemplary Judgment
Driving the Efficient Resolution of a Large Number of Related Disputes

In order to improve family life, Wang (王) wanted to buy a truck to make a living. What if he didn't have enough money? After being introduced by a car dealer, Wang (王) learned that financial leasing could solve the problem.

"In layman's terms, financial leasing means that if you want to buy a car but don't have enough money, you can ask a financial leasing company to help you buy it, and Wang (王) will pay the company rent in installments. When the lease term ends, the car belongs to Wang (王)." Wang Sisi (王思思), a judge at the Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院), introduced that in September 2020, Wang (王) signed an agreement with a financial leasing company, stipulating a lease term of 36 months.

However, since January 2023, Wang (王) has been in arrears with rent due to operating difficulties, triggering the debt acceleration clause, which led the financial leasing company to file a lawsuit, seeking recovery of arrears from the truck driver (lessee), car dealer, and guarantor, demanding payment of rent, liquidated damages, etc., and realizing the vehicle mortgage right.

It is understood that the number of truck drivers cooperating with the financial leasing company is very large, reaching tens of thousands. Like Wang (王), there have been hundreds of people who have defaulted over the years. If they all enter the litigation process one after another, not only will the judiciary face pressure, but it will also cause litigation fatigue for the parties involved.

In response to the characteristics of potential batch cases, such as group nature, commonality of disputes, and decentralization of parties, the Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院) strengthened the linkage of various links and gathered the joint force of dispute governance and resolution. After the court of first instance made 34 judgments, the parties successively appealed. The Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院) carefully selected 10 representative cases to make exemplary judgments, covering all types of potential litigation cases.

"With exemplary judgments, other parties have reasonable expectations and can better achieve the source resolution and substantive resolution of group disputes." Wang Sisi (王思思) introduced that the other 24 cases that entered the second-instance procedure of the Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院) were closed by means of withdrawal of the lawsuit with reference to the exemplary judgments.

In addition, the exemplary judgments drove and promoted the "batch reconciliation and rapid resolution" of other cases that had entered the litigation and enforcement procedures. For disputes that have not yet been filed, the Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院) also intervened in advance to guide enterprises to issue general mediation commitments, controlling the incremental increase of disputes at the source.

Exemplary judgments promote the realization of the collaborative governance goal of "trying one case, resolving a batch, and preventing a category." From the perspective of all parties involved, Wang (王) and other drivers have a chance to breathe through judgments or mediation, relieving the pressure of repayment; and financial leasing companies can also expect to recover rent.

Xue Feng (薛峰), Vice President of the Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院), introduced that based on the principle of equal protection, while protecting the creditor's rights of financial institutions in accordance with the law, it also takes into account the protection of the survival rights of truck drivers and the sustainable operating space of car sales companies, avoiding the breakdown of the transportation chain caused by debt deadlock, effectively maintaining the ecological stability of the inclusive car leasing industry, and providing strong judicial support for the industry's benign development of "promoting production through finance and assisting finance through production."

"In the past five years, the Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院) has strengthened cooperation with the Beijing Federation of Industry and Commerce (北京市工商联), improved the construction of the optimization of the business environment studio mechanism, promoted the extension from 'back-end resolution' to 'front-end prevention,' and helped enterprises substantially resolve disputes, relieve difficulties, and innovate and develop," said Xue Feng (薛峰).

Cross-border Guardianship
Playing an Active Role in International Dispute Resolution

How to protect the legitimate rights and interests of domestic investors when overseas listed companies make false statements and damage them?

"The delisting of an overseas listed company due to violations has made it impossible for ordinary retail investors to trade, exit, and realize the stocks they hold." After the overseas rights protection fell into a deadlock, investor Mr. Li (李) and others pinned their hopes on the Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院).

After that, Mr. Li (李) and other 24 investors sued an overseas listed company to the court on the grounds of securities misrepresentation, demanding that the overseas listed company and its executives bear compensation liability.

However, the overseas listed company immediately raised an objection to jurisdiction, arguing that the case had weak connections with the Chinese court and should not be under the jurisdiction of the Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院).

"According to the provisions of China's Securities Law, securities issuance and trading activities outside the territory of the People's Republic of China that disrupt the market order within the territory of the People's Republic of China and damage the legitimate rights and interests of domestic investors can be tried in our courts." Wu Yinjiao (吴银娇), a judge assistant at the Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院), said that this is also the first case to apply the extraterritorial application of the Securities Law to determine that the mainland court has jurisdiction.

After the case entered substantive trial, the collegial panel comprehensively considered the objective realities such as the delisting of the overseas listed company and the loss of trading channels for investors. "The longer the time is delayed, the more unfavorable it will be for ordinary retail investors. Even if they win the case, there will be great uncertainty in the defendant's ability to compensate." Wu Yinjiao (吴银娇) said that the key is to substantially solve the problem and realize the rights.

Ultimately, the Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院) promoted the parties to reach a settlement through more than 40 rounds of communication and negotiation, and resolved 24 cases in a package. After the Spring Festival this year, all the obligations determined in the mediation agreement were fulfilled, achieving the goal of substantive dispute resolution.

"The Chinese court has given investors a reassurance. It allows Chinese investors and entrepreneurs to have a better capital market environment." Mr. Li (李) and others specially sent a banner to the Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院).

This case was written into the 2026 "Supreme People's Court Work Report" (《最高人民法院工作报告》). "The proper handling of this case demonstrates China's judicial strong protection of domestic investors, and also provides practical support for improving the judicial jurisdiction of cross-border securities disputes." Zhang Wen (张雯) said that financial justice protects investors' firm confidence in China's rule of law.

Another Chinese enterprise has a deep feeling for the protection of the rule of law.

A few years ago, the enterprise contracted an engineering project for a company in another country. During the project's performance, the company in the other country confirmed that the epidemic constituted force majeure and exempted the Chinese side from liability for construction delays. Last April, the project passed acceptance and was put into operation. However, the enterprise did not expect that the company in the other country would demand from the bank the full amount of US$179 million for the "performance guarantee."

"The court ruled to suspend payment upon application, recognizing that although the independent guarantee has the characteristic of 'payment upon demand,' the fraud exception principle applies, and the situation is urgent. Failure to stop payment will lead to irreparable losses for the Chinese side." Wang Sisi (王思思) said that the court quickly ruled to stop payment within 48 hours, legally preventing the transfer of commercial risks to Chinese enterprises, demonstrating China's judicial ability to efficiently safeguard the overseas rights and interests of enterprises.

"The Beijing Financial Court (北京金融法院) is not only a case-handling unit, but also a governance unit. It clarifies financial transaction rules through judicial judgments, provides stable expectations for the market, and escorts the healthy operation of the financial market." Zhang Wen (张雯) said that it will closely connect with the needs of financial governance, accelerate the modernization of the financial trial system and trial capabilities, continue to solve the practical difficulties and key issues in judicial practice, and better support and serve the construction of Chinese-style modernization.

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Drones Must Not Fly Beyond the Boundaries of Law and Safety (Jin Tai Commentary)

By: 张天培

Recently, the Ministry of State Security (国安部) released a typical case. A drone aerial photography "enthusiast" illegally cracked the drone's flight altitude and no-fly zone restriction system using software, and repeatedly operated the drone for "black flights" within the civil aviation route range, seriously threatening civil aviation safety. National security agencies, together with relevant departments, took criminal compulsory measures against him in accordance with the law. This case sounds an alarm: drones must not fly beyond the boundaries of law and safety.

In recent years, drone aerial photography, surveying and mapping, plant protection, cultural tourism and other applications have become increasingly popular. At the same time, some violations of excessive altitude and unauthorized "black flights" need to be vigilant. Some pilots take chances, some crack the height limit and break into the ten-thousand-meter altitude; some ignore the route and fly close to the civil aviation route; and some publish dangerous flight videos to gain traffic, treating the public airspace as a "private playground." The hazards brought by these ultra-high "black flights" are far beyond imagination. Once a drone enters the route, it is very easy to collide with an aircraft, leading to disastrous consequences; "black flights" in airport clearance areas, military management areas, and core sensitive areas seriously threaten national defense security; and situations such as loss of control and falling, interference with communication signals, and leakage of personal privacy during "black flights" will directly infringe upon the safety of people's lives and property. One shocking consequence after another warns us: ultra-high "black flights" are not "personalized games," and there are many hidden dangers behind them.

Airspace is not a place outside the law, and flying cannot be arbitrary. China implements management measures such as real-name registration, airspace approval, and restricted-height flight for drone flights, and has built a relatively complete legal system through a series of laws and regulations. Among them, Article 46 of the newly revised Public Security Administration Punishment Law lists illegal flights as acts endangering public safety, and those with serious circumstances will be detained; according to China's Criminal Law, if "black flight" behavior endangers national security or causes major accidents, criminal responsibility may be investigated; the "Interim Regulations on the Flight Management of Unmanned Aircraft" clarifies the whole-process management requirements for the production, sale, registration, and use of drones. Legal norms are clearly visible, and it is by no means a fuzzy zone of "ignorance is no excuse."

This year's "Supreme People's Procuratorate Work Report" mentioned that, in response to problems such as drones "black flying" into military areas for aerial photography, the Supreme People's Procuratorate guided procuratorial organs in many places to supervise relevant departments to strengthen supervision through public interest litigation. Public security organs at all levels, under the unified deployment of the Ministry of Public Security (公安部), have strengthened source control, strengthened routine inspections, and squeezed the space for illegal and criminal activities of drones flying at ultra-high altitudes. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (中国民航局) took the lead in formulating unmanned aircraft management specifications to ensure the operational safety of civil drones from the source. A series of actions to combat and rectify have drawn a red line and clarified the bottom line for the legal and compliant flight of drones.

To govern the chaos of ultra-high "black flights" of drones, we must adhere to a "zero tolerance" attitude, further promote strict management in accordance with the law, multi-party co-governance, strengthen the combination of precise strikes and systematic governance, and build a low-altitude safety defense line with legal means. Law enforcement and regulatory departments should strengthen technological empowerment, improve monitoring and early warning, precise investigation and control mechanisms, maintain a high-pressure posture, achieve early detection, early prevention, and strict investigation and handling, so that "black flights" have nowhere to hide. Drone manufacturers should earnestly fulfill their main responsibilities, strictly abide by technical standards, strengthen factory height limit control, and strictly prevent technical loopholes in illegal modification and cracking equipment. The majority of flight enthusiasts should establish a firm awareness of the rule of law and safety awareness, deeply understand the serious harm of illegal flights, and consciously abide by flight rules. The public should enhance their awareness of supervision, report ultra-high "black flight" behavior in a timely manner, and jointly safeguard low-altitude safety.

The more prosperous the low-altitude economy, the more we must tighten the string of safety and strictly abide by the rules of law. Only by taking the rule of law as the纲 (gāng - "main rope," guiding principle) and safety as the foundation, severely cracking down on illegal and irregular behaviors such as ultra-high "black flights," and guiding the whole society to form a good atmosphere of respecting rules, flying in compliance with the law, and safeguarding safety, can the low-altitude economy move steadily and far on a safe and orderly track, and make technological progress better serve national development and benefit people's lives.

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Will the insurance company pay if an accident occurs with an expired driver's license? (Legal Case Study)

By: 本报记者 亓玉昆

In March 2025, Wei (韦某) was driving a small car when it collided with a two-wheeled electric vehicle driven by Yang (杨某), causing injuries to Yang. The traffic accident liability certificate determined that Wei was fully responsible.

At the time of the accident, Wei's driver's license had been expired for several months, and his vehicle was insured with compulsory traffic insurance by an insurance company. After the accident, apart from Wei paying 4,000 yuan in advance to Yang for medical expenses, Wei and the insurance company did not pay or compensate for other expenses. Yang's injuries were assessed and constituted a Grade 10 disability. In November 2025, Yang jointly sued Wei and the insurance company in the Changshun County People's Court (贵州省长顺县人民法院) of Guizhou Province (贵州省), demanding compensation for disability compensation and other losses.

"We acknowledge the accident liability determination, but we disagree that the company should bear the insurance liability," the insurance company负责人 (fù zé rén - "person in charge," the responsible person) said, arguing that Wei's driver's license had expired at the time of the accident, which constituted "driving without a license."

The负责人 (fù zé rén - "person in charge," the responsible person) stated that Wei had signed a "Compulsory Traffic Insurance Policy Reminder" (《交强险投保提示书》) with the insurance company, and the insurance company had informed him of the compulsory traffic insurance exemption clauses in bold and underlined font in the reminder. The exemption clauses stipulated that "the insurance company shall not be liable for compulsory traffic insurance compensation in the event of a traffic accident caused by the policyholder driving without a license."

"The main dispute in this case is whether the expiration of the driver's license constitutes a statutory exemption for the insurance company," the handling judge said. The expiration of a driver's license is not directly equivalent to "driving without a license" in the legal sense. Wei's driver's license had not been inspected within one year of its expiration and had not been legally revoked, so it was not "driving without a license," and there was no direct causal relationship with the occurrence of this traffic accident. The traffic management department of the public security organ also did not determine that Wei was "driving without a license" when the traffic accident occurred.

"The payment of compulsory traffic insurance is a statutory obligation and takes precedence over the insurance contract agreement," the handling judge explained. The main legislative purpose of compulsory traffic insurance is to ensure that accident victims can receive basic compensation in a timely manner. If a motor vehicle causes damage in a traffic accident, the insurance company underwriting the compulsory traffic insurance should first compensate within the liability limit. Even if the driver is at fault, the insurance company must first compensate the victim in accordance with the law.

Furthermore, although the insurance company has the right to seek recourse from the infringer (i.e., the at-fault driver) after compensating within the compulsory traffic insurance liability limit, this is an internal recourse relationship between the insurance company and the infringer and must not become a "shield" for the insurance company to refuse to fulfill its statutory compensation obligation to the victim. Therefore, Yang's request that the insurance company bear the liability for compensation for his losses within the compulsory traffic insurance liability limit is based on law.

In summary, the court ruled that the insurance company should compensate Yang for a total loss of 167,900 yuan within the compulsory traffic insurance liability limit. At the same time, in order to reduce the burden of litigation on the parties, the court ordered the insurance company to directly return the 4,000 yuan previously paid by Wei in the compensation payment.

"Whether a driver is considered 'driving without a license' if their driver's license is overdue needs to be determined according to the circumstances, and simply equating the expiration of a driver's license with 'driving without a license' is not appropriate," the handling judge said. Nevertheless, he reminded drivers to pay attention to the validity period of their documents, remember the principle of "**无证不上路**" (wú zhèng bù shàng lù - "no license, no road," do not drive without a license), renew their licenses in a timely manner when they expire, "have a license on the road," drive safely, and protect the safety of their own and others' lives and property.

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Evening Chat on Fire Safety, Jointly Safeguarding Peace

By: 亓玉昆 薛思远

As the lanterns light up, in Jiangle County (将乐县), Sanming City (三明市), Fujian (福建) Province, the evening breeze carries the fragrance of grass and trees, drifting over the bluestone paths of Dongmen Community (东门社区), Guyong Town (古镛镇). In the community activity center, a few long tables are simply put together, and four firefighters from the Zheng Zhonghua (郑忠华) Fire and Rescue Station sit around with a dozen residents. The aroma of tea rises from enamel mugs, and a night talk focused on fire safety begins.

"This is the scene of a fire in a certain residential area some time ago." Firefighter Liu Xu (刘旭) holds up his mobile phone, and a shocking photo is displayed in front of everyone: a civilian house is engulfed in flames and a scene of devastation remains, the walls are blackened, charred furniture debris is scattered all over the ground, and the window frames are twisted and deformed.

"Fire safety is never a distant slogan. An electric iron forgotten to be turned off, cardboard boxes piled up in the corridor, aging and damaged wires – any small oversight can lead to an irreversible tragedy." After Liu Xu (刘旭) finished speaking, the scene instantly quieted down, and several elderly people frowned and clenched the enamel mugs in their hands.

Dongmen Community (东门社区) is a concentrated area of old residential areas, with a high proportion of elderly residents, and safety hazards such as stacking items in corridors and illegal charging of electric vehicles are relatively prominent. Taking advantage of this case around them, Liu Xu (刘旭) used easy-to-understand language to meticulously explain safety knowledge such as household fire and electricity use, and fire extinguisher operation.

"My kitchen wires have been used for several years, how can I tell if they are aging?" "There are always people piling up debris in the corridor, and fire lanes are often occupied by private cars, what can be done about this?"... Following the topic of fire safety governance, the atmosphere at the night talk became more and more heated, and the residents opened their hearts, each speaking their mind.

Liu Xu (刘旭) and his teammates responded patiently, sometimes squatting down and leaning close to the ears of the elderly to slow down their speech, and sometimes picking up enamel mugs to simulate the use of fire extinguishers, teaching everyone the key points of operation hand-in-hand.

"I used to think that fire knowledge was far away from me, but after listening to the explanation, I realized that many safety hazards are hidden in the details of daily life." Resident Aunt Wang (王阿姨) said with emotion that the night talk taught everyone practical knowledge of self-prevention and self-rescue.

Every demand reflected by the residents was carefully recorded in the notebook by the firefighters. As the night deepened, the night talk gradually came to an end, and the residents left one after another with full of fire knowledge and a sense of security.

"If the night talk is a 'stethoscope' for discovering hidden dangers, then 'fire prevention and joint duty' is a 'scalpel' for solving problems." The person in charge of the Sanming City (三明市) Fire and Rescue Detachment said, "The 'fire prevention and joint duty' mechanism and the substantive operation of township (street) fire stations help to solve the problem of grassroots fire governance. After each night talk, the firefighters will rely on the "fire prevention and joint duty" mechanism to link up with the property management of the residential area and community grid members to form a special rectification team to carry out centralized rectification door-to-door.

In response to the pain points such as the unsound grassroots fire organizations, the Sanming City (三明市) Fire and Rescue Detachment began to explore solutions from 2021 – relying on the comprehensive law enforcement and comprehensive service centers of townships (streets) to coordinate the construction of 141 township (street) fire stations, introduce management methods, refine work responsibilities, establish assessment and training mechanisms, and request the Sanming City (三明市) People's Congress to legislate to consolidate and promote them, so that the tentacles of fire services extend to every township (street) and reach every village.

"In the past, once a fire occurred in a rural area, it often took more than an hour for fire and rescue vehicles from the county seat to arrive. With full-time fire teams in the townships, they can arrive and deal with the fire within a few minutes after it occurs." Chen Xiarong (陈夏荣), a full-time member of the Balian Town (白莲镇) Fire Station in Jiangle County (将乐县), said that the grassroots fire stations effectively solve the dilemma of 远水救不了近火 (yuǎn shuǐ jiù bù liǎo jìn huǒ - "distant water cannot put out a nearby fire," a slow remedy cannot help a pressing need), and minimize the loss of property of the masses.

The members of the Dayuan Township (大源乡) Fire Station conduct night patrols every day, focusing on investigating the hidden dangers of wooden ancient building complexes, and guarding the millennium cultural context and the safety of the masses; the Gaotang Town (高唐镇) Fire Station jointly with multiple departments to carry out special rectification of "three-in-one" shops, guiding merchants to operate in a standardized manner... Nowadays, township fire stations extend the fire safety defense line to the grassroots level, becoming an important force in safeguarding rural peace.

"Since the establishment of grassroots fire stations, they have played an important role in pre-prevention and post-rescue, and the goal of 'fighting early and extinguishing small' has been initially achieved, and the effectiveness of grassroots fire governance has been significantly improved." The person in charge of the Sanming City (三明市) Fire and Rescue Detachment said that they will improve the grassroots fire governance mechanism, comprehensively consolidate the foundation of fire prevention and control, and safeguard the lives and property safety of the masses in the jurisdiction.

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This edition's editor: Qi Yukun

Layout Design: Zhang Fangman (张芳曼)

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Why Are Young People So Fond of Comedy? (Face to Face)

Ye Qing (叶青) (Young Teacher, Central Academy of Drama (中央戏剧学院))
Shi Jiepu (石介甫) (Founder, Danliren Comedy (单立人喜剧))
Li Nannan (李楠楠) (General Producer, comedy variety show "Delightful Wonderful Night" 《喜人奇妙夜》)
Wang Jin (王瑨) (Reporter, this newspaper)

Today, comedy has its own "twelve hours."

During the day, tourists drag their suitcases straight to xiangsheng teahouses and small theaters; on the way home from work, there are more young people rushing to "tell jokes," and on the "open mic" stage with zero threshold for stand-up comedy, anyone can have 5 minutes of spotlight as long as they have something to say; at night, comedy variety shows are popular online, and new comedy forms such as stand-up comedy and sketch comedy emerge one after another. Opening short video platforms, comedy clips are doing their best to deliver dense "gags," and on various podcast platforms, the number of plays of xiangsheng is always high.

In today's world where "laughter" is reconstructed by algorithms, what new look does comedy have? Why are young people so fond of comedy? Recently, this newspaper interviewed young scholars and front-line comedy creators to discuss this together.

A Window of Emotion
From "I amuse you" to "I am you," acting as a "mouthpiece" for the audience

Reporter: From theaters and teahouses to "xiangsheng buses," from traditional opera to emerging new forms of comedy, comedy is an echo of the times. In the Internet era, what new characteristics does comedy present?

Li Nannan: After 4 years of making comedy variety shows, my biggest feeling is that "different flowers enter different eyes," and the audience's acceptance of new comedy concepts and forms is getting higher and higher, and comedy aesthetics are becoming more and more personalized.

Shi Jiepu: From "I amuse you" to "I am you," everyone expects comedy not only to be funny, but also to provide emotional value, have stronger resonance, and act as a "mouthpiece" for the audience. The art of life and the life of art are moving towards each other.

Ye Qing: That's right, we can see the coverage of the "comedy personality" in stand-up comedy works. Comedy is no longer just a closed, self-sufficient work display by actors on the stage, but has evolved into a continuous text that revolves around the actor and runs through the inside and outside of the program, online and offline, and even social media. This "comedy personality" itself is the sum of the works. It relies on continuity and requires that every performance and every appearance be recycled into the framework of this "comedy personality," thus forming a deliberate retrospective and thematic effect. This is a reflection of the deep integration of comedy aesthetics and Internet culture.

Reporter: Is there also a "generational" aspect to comedy aesthetics? For example, the older generation is used to watching skits and listening to xiangsheng, while young people like stand-up comedy, chasing online variety shows, and watching sketch comedy. How do you view the changes in comedy forms and preferences?

Ye Qing: Behind the changes in forms and preferences are the influences brought about by cultural psychology, media and other "infrastructure." Watching skits and listening to xiangsheng is based on the living room culture created by television sets in Chinese families, and the works often establish resonance through the balance of satire and warmth. In the Internet era, emerging comedies based on individual life experiences emphasize emotional pleasure, quickly produce gags, and constantly "upgrade the show," and "humor" is about laughing purely.

Shi Jiepu: Form is just a carrier, and what the audience cares most about is the content itself. The classic lines in the sitcom "My Own Swordsman" 《武林外传》 20 years ago are still talked about by today's audience, which shows that the solidity of the core of expression is the hard currency of comedy. When I was a child, I watched "Quyuan Zatan" 《曲苑杂坛》, which used storytelling to talk about the weather forecast, which left me with the "ear sound" of comedy. Maybe in the future, Generation Z will remember the golden sentences of stand-up comedy and the bridges of sketch comedy.

A Power of Recognition
Grasp the moments that everyone sees but doesn't realize

Reporter: A simpler form, a deeper resonance, and a more lingering connotation... The popularity of comedy needs a "trigger point." What is the "point" that today's comedy "hits" young audiences?

Shi Jiepu: The essence of stand-up comedy is face-to-face communication between people. Resonance is built on moments that everyone sees but doesn't realize. What the audience loves is not the novelty of the label, but the novelty of insight. Young people's language habits, emotional pain points, and life experiences are all packaged into jokes. Among them, the most important thing is sincerity, to convey the temperature you feel and the angle of your observation to the audience. Stand-up comedian Zhou Qimo (周奇墨) once talked about how to teach his father to use online shopping platforms, and described how his father wore reading glasses and how he typed... This delicate imitation is wrapped in his attitude and his warmth, which the audience likes very much and has a strong sense of substitution.

Li Nannan: Comedy is a flash of inspiration in life, and comedy must be reborn with life. In our program, the work "Sanmao Defense War" 《三毛保卫战》, 3 actors play 3 hairs, looking at and telling the lives of modern people from the perspective of hair, which is very interesting. Every work that appears on "Delightful Wonderful Night" 《喜人奇妙夜》 has undergone multiple rounds of offline performances. The creators will record where the audience laughed and where it was "wrong," and verify which "burdens" are established. In frequent interaction with the audience, find the "point" that touches the audience.

Ye Qing: The skit "The Protagonist and the Supporting Role" 《主角与配角》, born in 1990, is still an excellent work today. Its superficial laugh comes from the misplaced identity of the character - the "supporting role" insists on playing the "protagonist." The deeper reason is that it accurately captures the public mentality in the period of rapid social change. People hope to seek breakthroughs through struggle and become the protagonists of their own lives.

It can be said that a comedy work that touches the audience must be a "messenger" of its era, reflecting the emotional memory of an era, and even breaking through the limitations of the era and touching the common emotional structure and survival proposition of mankind.

Reporter: Many creators lament that hundreds of thousands of people are "writing scripts" in the barrage, and "creation" is extremely efficient. Now, many "amateur" comedy practitioners have joined the creative team and appeared on the stage of comedy and stand-up comedy. How do you view this phenomenon?

Ye Qing: The rise of "amateur" comedy practitioners is an epitome of the new mass literature and art under the conditions of the Internet. The emerging comedy form simultaneously produces its own audience and actors. The key is how to effectively integrate with "professional" and use professional methods to refine and structure their life materials.

Shi Jiepu: People from different industries have brought richer perspectives to comedy creation, which is actually the cultural gene of stand-up comedy. People find their own "comedy personality" on stage through performance and look for another possibility and sense of accomplishment.

Li Nannan: When creating sketch comedy, everyone revolves around the creative idea proposed by anyone, that is, the "idea," and "jumps" materials in the structure, constantly adding bricks and tiles, and finally forming a complete work. Everyone's comedy talent is different. Using the concept of "co-creation" to polish the work, the observation of people and things will be more common.

An Attitude to Life
On stage, playing yourself, the art of comedy is the art of hope

Reporter: In the future, what possibilities are there for comedy in terms of artistic form and expression? How can new forms of comedy maintain their vitality?

Ye Qing: Currently, comedy has been closely integrated with the lives of young people, which not only meets the needs of relaxation, but also provides atmosphere and companionship. In the future, this trend will be more obvious, and the comedy market will expand from professional theaters and variety shows to a wider range of consumption scenarios, social scenarios, and psychological healing scenarios.

Cross-media and super-type comedy will bring surprises. AI (artificial intelligence) itself may give birth to new comedy languages. The language and logic generated by AI have their own characteristics, and there is a certain "misalignment" with daily communication, which may allow us to see a new "comedy grammar" of human-machine collaboration.

Shi Jiepu: Comedy head actors will further expand their performance methods around their stable "comedy personality." The comedy market will further become more segmented, and more stand-up comedians will explore more stylized and more label-like expressions, and will also have a more stable audience base.

Li Nannan: No matter how rich the means of expression are, we must follow the laws of art. When every comedy idea is born, its growth direction is traceable to a certain extent, and the emotions and expressions that are born with it will naturally flow out. I believe that the audience will always embrace the expression of true feelings.

Reporter: So some young audiences concluded that comedy is about "the art of life," which is an unrepeatable life experience and the tastes of the world.

Shi Jiepu: When we discuss comedy, we are actually discussing a philosophy of life. For example, we often say "on stage, play yourself," and use comedy to "process" our daily life, which shows an attitude - no difficulties in life can defeat us and make us lose the courage to express ourselves. We are doing small-scale comedy experience classes. In the past, we trained actors, but now we invite ordinary audiences to listen, hoping that they can understand the creation of stand-up comedians, and more importantly, understand how comedy creators face setbacks with a smile and build confidence in living a good life, so that more people can feel this optimism.

Li Nannan: I still remember the theme of the book "The Thing About Comedy": Comedy is the story of ordinary people. Although we have flaws, everyone can be understood and loved. Humor provides a "cognitive safe distance." Looking at life in a comedic way will comfort us in life. "The art of comedy is the art of hope."

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"The broth must be rich, the ingredients must be fresh, and the cooking time must be just right."

By: 冯 巩

As an actor, if you want to serve the audience, you must constantly expand the stage for performance. I have experienced the transition from theater to radio, and from radio to television. I have caught up with the Internet era, and I must also strive to adapt to this new stage.

If the crosstalk and skits of the past were "bicycles," then today's short video creation is like "shared bicycles" – people scan the code and leave. If they're not amused in a few seconds, they'll switch to another one with a "beep"! Short videos require brevity and fast pacing, but for me, the spirit and philosophy of creation remain unchanged: it is essential to be rooted in life and synchronized with the times.

During this year's Spring Festival, the several works I participated in pursued their own unique flavors, such as the festive atmosphere of the Beijing TV Spring Festival Gala (北京台春晚), the regional flavor of the Liaoning TV Spring Festival Gala (辽宁台春晚), the sentimental flavor of the Senior Spring Festival Gala (乐龄春晚), and the fashionable flavor of the Bilibili (B站) Spring Festival Gala (B站春晚). My biggest feeling is that I must constantly learn. The work we performed at the Bilibili (B站) Spring Festival Gala (B站春晚) was called "Internet Feast," and the creative team searched for all the latest internet slang. For the first performance, we went to a university, and the effect was very good, which boosted my confidence. The second performance was for primary and middle school students. At that time, I was worried, would the children be able to accept it? Unexpectedly, the effect was still explosive. While performing this program, I felt that there was no generation gap with young people, no barriers on the stage, and I myself became younger! When I returned home and had dinner with my family, I used these internet buzzwords to communicate with my grandson, and I felt that there were many more common topics between grandparents and grandchildren.

Gaining the audience's laughter is like eating hot pot – the base must be sufficient, the ingredients must be fresh, and the heat must be just right. A sufficient base means that the idea and structure of the work must be solid; fresh ingredients mean that the content and language must be vivid; the right heat means that the punchlines and rhythm cannot be dragged out, if the heat is insufficient, it will not be cooked, and if the heat is too high, it will be overcooked. It can be said that grasping the audience's appreciation rhythm is finding the aesthetic rhythm of the times. Only by constantly innovating on the basis of inheritance can we create excellent works with the spirit of the times. Those comedy classics that can settle down and stand the test of time are precisely because they are down-to-earth and have a foundation, so they can sprout and grow in the soil and maintain strong vitality.

Today's young creators have caught up with a good time. New media brings new opportunities, but also new challenges. For creators, AI (Artificial Intelligence) is a "helper," not an "opponent." Now AI can serve many fields, but it has not yet reached a high level in the creation of crosstalk and skits. It can imitate "routines," but it cannot copy "inspiration" and "style." I would like to share my feelings with comedy creators, that is, angle, attitude, and warmth. Choosing a clever angle will make the work interesting and twice the result with half the effort; expressing the creator's attitude will give the work an idea, and only when it is meaningful can it resonate with people; after the audience laughs, there must be aftertaste, there must be care, to convey positive energy, and promote truth, goodness, and beauty. Future comedy creators should put more energy into "idea" and "sentiment." As long as you have the audience in your heart and grasp the pulse of the times, the road of comedy will become wider and wider!

(The author is the chairman of the China Quyi (Folk Art) Association (中国曲艺家协会) and a first-class actor, interviewed and compiled by Wang Jin (王瑨), a reporter from this newspaper)

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Restoring the Warmth of History (A Discussion on Creation)

By: 喻 溟

Dutch documentary master Joris Ivens (伊文思) shot more than 80 films in his lifetime, and the four films he shot in China recorded important moments in 20th-century China. In 1938, he came to China amidst the flames of war to shoot "The 400 Million," allowing the world to see for the first time a relatively complete picture of the Chinese people defending their national independence and freedom and their arduous struggle at a time of national crisis, thus beginning his half-century-long relationship with China.

Thereafter, he came to China time and again, filming China and spreading awareness of China: "Early Spring" in the 1950s used poetic imagery to depict the hopeful labor and life on the land of the new China; "How Yukong Moved the Mountains" in the 1970s recorded the voices and expressions of ordinary Chinese people; and until the 1980s, he integrated his understanding of Chinese culture and civilization into his last work, "A Tale of the Wind," using philosophical thinking to build a bridge connecting Chinese and Western cultures.

Why did Joris Ivens (伊文思) turn from the Spanish war to the Chinese anti-Japanese war front in the 1930s? Through what path did he enter China? What kind of historical opportunity and internal motivation made him return to China again and again in the decades that followed? With these questions in mind, we began the creation of "Joris Ivens's China Love Affair." The film takes the pursuit of contemporary Dutch director René Heinersdorff (荷内·希格斯) as a clue. When René (荷内) watched Joris Ivens's (伊文思) films in college, there was an lingering mystery in his mind: Why was Joris Ivens (伊文思) so attracted to China? So he came to China, wanting to explore Joris Ivens's (伊文思) mental journey. René's (荷内) perspective is both personal and a way for contemporary Westerners to understand China anew. His search follows in Joris Ivens's (伊文思) footsteps, moving back and forth between archives and reality, contrasting historical images with contemporary life.

The filming of the film lasted two years, spanning the Netherlands, France, Germany, Russia, Canada and other countries, and also traveled to many cities and regions in China, from Hong Kong, Wuhan (武汉), and Taierzhuang (台儿庄), to the Hulunbuir (呼伦贝尔) Grassland, the Jiangnan (江南) water towns, and then to middle schools in Beijing (北京), pharmacies in Shanghai (上海), and the summit of Huangshan (黄山). We always believe that the people and places that were once recorded by Joris Ivens's (伊文思) lens are the key to understanding the historical value of his works.

When we arrived in Taierzhuang (台儿庄), it was difficult to associate the spring scenery before us with the bloody battlefield in the historical images. This place was once destroyed by the flames of war during the Anti-Japanese War. Today, the ancient city has been rebuilt, and peach blossoms are in full bloom on both sides of the Grand Canal. We also revisited the family of the horse lassoer in "Early Spring" and the little sisters who performed "Double Millstone Pushing." The vibrant scenes of labor and cooperation in Joris Ivens's (伊文思) images and the people's desire to improve their lives have been answered by time decades later.

The revisit of "The Ball Story" is particularly critical. This film is an episode in "How Yukong Moved the Mountains." In 1977, it won the French César Award and attracted widespread attention in the international community, but it also encountered questions about "whether it was staged." In response to this controversy, the crew finally found the protagonist Jia Yumin (贾裕民) in Hong Kong after several twists and turns. The middle school student in the film is now a sixty-year-old engineer. He returned to his alma mater with his teacher and photographer from that year, returning to the classroom where the discussion had taken place. When the past is retold in the real space, memories and images confirm each other, and history becomes a fact that can be perceived and confirmed.

At the end of "Joris Ivens's China Love Affair," director René (荷内) also experienced the charm of Chinese culture like his fellow countryman Joris Ivens (伊文思). He fell in love with China and decided to move to China. He found a farmhouse at the foot of the Great Wall and enjoyed the wonderful life as a Beijinger. The legendary story of two generations of Dutch people and China shows the gentle and lasting vitality of Chinese culture, and also demonstrates the beautiful prospect of mutual learning between Chinese and Western civilizations. It is precisely in this sense that Joris Ivens's (伊文思) China love affair has not ended with time, but has continued to this day.

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Reflecting on the Entrustment of Life

By: 张建珍

In the emergency room of Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital (江苏省人民医院), a 27-year-old cancer patient asked with the last of her strength, "Am I going to die?" Half an hour later, she passed away in front of our cameras. At that moment, no one could hold back their tears. Such moments played out repeatedly in the 24 hours of the emergency room, forming the original impulse for us to film the documentary "Chinese Doctors 3: Emergency 24 Hours" (中国医生3：急诊24小时) – to record how this space that never turns off its lights becomes a window for observing a country's life support system, and how it condenses the most extreme trust, choices, and protection when humanity faces life and death.

The prototype of this documentary originated from an initial aspiration of Professor Lü Chuanzhu (吕传柱), the former chairman of the Emergency Medicine Branch of the Chinese Medical Association (中华医学会急诊医学分会): to present a complete picture of emergency medicine in China through images. This idea deeply inspired me. The value of a medical documentary goes far beyond telling a few moving stories. It should place the stories within the broad context in which they occur – the system that supports life and collaborates precisely, and the discipline and industry that constantly explore and revere life.

Our cameras attempt to outline a panoramic view of "Emergency in China": from national medical centers to provincial, municipal, and county-level hospitals, and even to the most basic village clinics. We hope that through the three-dimensional presentation of different levels, the audience can see how the "life relay" from pre-hospital emergency care to multidisciplinary surgery unfolds when life is in danger; and how grassroots doctors identify risks at the first time and open green channels with the help of the system when villagers suffer from sudden critical illnesses. The emergency room is the most direct manifestation of the "pulse" of the national medical system, and it tests the system's ability to interlock and cooperate from village outposts to national medical centers.

The emergency department is the most intensive and cruel battlefield facing life-and-death choices. What doctors experience here is not only the ultimate challenge of medical skills, but also the continuous roasting of humanity, ethics, and emotions. Therefore, the doctor-patient relationship here is often the most tense, and undercurrents of conflict often surge. Being an emergency room doctor requires a kind of responsibility that surpasses ordinary people.

So, what supports them? In "casting" and filming, "personality charm" is an invisible yardstick in my heart. It has nothing to do with appearance or reputation, but a kind of temperament that can make people feel at ease to entrust their lives in the darkest moments. This charm is the calmness that village doctor Li Junyi (李俊义) can always maintain during his 365-day house calls; it is the true empathy of Dr. Ma Shicheng (马士程) from Peking Union Medical College Hospital (北京协和医院) with his patients; it is the calmness of a 120 emergency doctor in Jiashan, Zhejiang (浙江嘉善) when independently dealing with an elderly person with sudden cardiac arrest for the first time; it is the growth of a young resident doctor in Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital (陕西省人民医院) who is in charge of the emergency room and constantly reflects on the way of communication. They are not perfect, but the professional belief that internalizes "healing the wounded and rescuing the dying" into instinct, and the responsibility that naturally flows from this belief, constitute their common personality background.

Therefore, our records never shy away from their fragility, confusion, and softness. The mission of a documentary is to seek truth, then goodness, and finally to achieve beauty. "Truth" is the cornerstone. We do not beautify the predicament, nor do we avoid the limitations of medicine; "goodness" is the bottom line. We protect the dignity of every patient and understand every collapse and choice under extreme pressure; "beauty" is our artistic pursuit and presentation standard as creators. We strive to approach feature films in terms of picture composition, scene scheduling, narrative rhythm, and information density control, and reach the emotional concentration and ideological intensity of feature film narration.

The editing took a year and a half, and every story has been repeatedly considered. I often say to team members that this film may have another name: everyone is their own hero. Long after the filming ended, those intertwined scenes often appeared in my mind. I suddenly understood that the so-called protection of life is never an abstract concept, but is woven together by countless ordinary heartbeats in different positions.

(The author is the director of the documentary "Chinese Doctors 3: Emergency 24 Hours" (中国医生3：急诊24小时))

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Seeing the truth allows us to understand each other (Art Proximity)

By: 孙子荀

For the "Generation Z" on the other side of the ocean, what is the real China like?

On the mobile phone screens of overseas teenagers, China's image is sometimes reflected in amazing robots, electric vehicles, and modern cities, and sometimes as an indifferent "other" with negative labels and threatening filters under political narratives. The Internet has accelerated the flow of information, but it has also brought about information cocoons reinforced by algorithms. Breaking prejudice may require an "unscripted" experience.

The cross-cultural exchange activity "Looking China Youth Film Project" (hereinafter referred to as "Looking China") organized by Beijing Normal University (北京师范大学) was launched in 2011. For 16 years, "Looking China" has invited foreign youths to China in a "small but beautiful, deep and lively" way to conduct on-the-spot visits and shoot short films, immersing themselves in exploring the real China in a 10-day trip. The 2025 event invited 112 young people from 40 countries to travel to 10 provinces and cities including Beijing (北京), Chongqing (重庆), Anhui (安徽), and Fujian (福建). These young people carried out cultural experiences on the vibrant and colorful land of China and completed 112 short films.

"One-on-one" is the key to the project. Each foreign young director will partner with a Chinese young producer to become working partners along the way. From impromptu interviews in the streets and alleys to meals during filming breaks, their cooperation is like building a miniature "cross-cultural bridge," turning brief contact into stable interaction. How to determine the topic, how to shoot the characters, and how to grasp the boundaries must be discussed openly until a consensus is reached. In this process, they work together, encourage each other, spark inspiration, and friendship quietly arises in deep interaction. Ecuadorian director Marco Lopez said: "When I arrived in China by plane, I was very scared because Beijing (北京) is 10 times bigger than my hometown, until I met my producer on the first night, now he is my brother across the ocean." American director Jim Dandy said: "The sadness of leaving that day was the greatest sadness I have ever experienced. I not only left China, but also left my producer. A part of me was lost at that time." Many foreign directors used "friendship," "partner," and "moved" as keywords to summarize their 10-day experience. Some people shed tears at the airport when they parted, while others began to plan their next trip to China.

From "watching the scenery" to "telling stories," shooting becomes the key to understanding. Foreign youths have in-depth exchanges with the shooting objects, and even eat and live together, capturing stories in specific life scenarios. This prompts them to actively observe, ask questions, and reflect—the lens seems to have become a key, guiding them to postpone judgment, advance curiosity, and shift from watching to thinking and understanding.

Every year, "Looking China" sets a vivid and open theme. For example, the theme of "Beauty, Deliciousness, and Scenery" in 2024 organizes creations around life-like content such as travel and food; the theme of "Creativity, Imagination, and Creation" in 2025 focuses on the innovative vitality of Chinese society. The annual theme is like a friendly signpost, which not only provides a clear direction for exploration, but also leaves huge room for interpretation, turning the grand impression of China into a tangible and in-depth life section. Under the same theme, young directors from different cultural backgrounds gave diverse answers. Taking the 10 directors of "Liaoning Trip" as an example, the shooting topics range from traditional boat twisting skills to modern fishing technology, from shadow puppeteers to street dancers, from professional acrobats to citizens doing morning exercises in the sea breeze... Scattered and different personal narratives echo under the same sky, jointly piecing together a real, three-dimensional, and vivid China.

"Looking China" also encourages directors to bring their works back to their respective countries for dissemination. Young directors from different countries share their works and behind-the-scenes stories on overseas social platforms: shaking pictures, impromptu interviews, enthusiastic exclamations... These first-person, humanistic, and down-to-earth short films explain the diverse and real charm of China. Outside the film, their experiences also trigger ripple-like discussions among friends, family, and communities. Portuguese instructor Goncalo said half-jokingly: "'Looking China' should be renamed 'Loving China'. It makes every participant fall in love with China. It more or less changes our world view, values, and even life trajectory."

Only by seeing the truth can we understand each other. When the 10-day trip ends, what is really left is often not a certain "answer," but a warm feeling composed of countless small moments: the smile of a stranger on the street, the company of a partner during late-night editing, and the temperature transmitted from the palm of the shooting object. These memories, together with those slightly shaky but extremely sincere images, jointly converge into a force that transcends language and national boundaries—look, this is the China I have encountered.

(Author's unit: Beijing Normal University (北京师范大学))

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This edition's editor: Zhou Feiya

This edition's email: ysbjs@peopledaily.cn
Layout design: Zhao Siru (赵偲汝)

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