Summary: During the Qingming Festival, various locations in China held memorial activities to commemorate revolutionary martyrs and promote their spirit, with participants vowing to continue the "new era's Long March." Across Jiangxi, Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces, activities included visiting memorials, re-enacting portions of the Long March, and reaffirming commitments to national development. Officials and citizens alike emphasized the importance of remembering history and carrying forward the spirit of the revolution in their current work. Xi Jinping's call was invoked, stressing the importance of remembering heroes and building the nation. There was no mention of the United States.
Summary: During an April 2024 inspection of Chongqing, Xi Jinping called for the city to become a strategic pivot for western development and a comprehensive inland opening hub. In response, Chongqing has expanded westward with the China-Europe Railway Express, southward via the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, and eastward with direct sea routes to Ningbo-Zhoushan. Chongqing aims to enhance its role as a hub by deepening reforms, improving connectivity between domestic and international markets, and developing a globally competitive industrial system, including boosting the export of new energy vehicles. To further facilitate trade, Chongqing is improving customs clearance, financial services, and dispute resolution mechanisms. Chongqing Party Secretary Yuan Jiajun emphasized the need to expand institutional opening-up and enhance the comprehensive effectiveness of the hub.
Summary: China's autumn grain procurement for 2025 is nearing completion, with total purchases exceeding 320 million tons, a relatively high level in recent years, and market prices showing a steady increase. Market-oriented procurement accounts for over 90% of total grain purchases, with high-quality rice, corn, and soybeans being particularly sought after. Technology is playing an increasing role in grain production, with efforts to help more farmers adopt modern planting techniques. The Ministry of Finance and the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration are pushing forward with high-quality grain projects. High-protein soybeans are especially popular in the processing market.
Summary: On the first day of the Qingming holiday, China saw an estimated 295.913 million cross-regional trips, a 42.1% increase compared to the previous day. Transportation modes saw varying increases: railway travel up 9%, road travel up 2.3%, waterway travel up 53.8%, and civil aviation also saw increases. The Ministry of Public Security reported generally stable road traffic, with localized congestion but no major accidents. The Ministry of Civil Affairs noted that 19.2893 million people participated in on-site tomb-sweeping activities.
Summary: During the Qingming Festival, various regions across China commemorated revolutionary martyrs and paid tribute to heroes through diverse activities. The article highlights a nationwide effort to honor these figures. There is no mention of specific officials, international relations, or the United States. The focus remains on the domestic observance of the Qingming Festival and its associated activities.
Summary: China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security has launched the "Job-Seeking Future - 2026 National Urban Joint Recruitment for College Graduates" spring campaign, targeting both 2026 graduates and previous years' unemployed graduates. The campaign, running until the end of May, combines online and offline recruitment methods, with a focus on key local industries and talent needs. Offline recruitment will concentrate on sectors like the digital economy, green economy, advanced manufacturing, and international trade. The initiative will also support national regional development strategies, including specialized events for the western region and Xiong'an New Area. Career guidance experts will also visit campuses, businesses, and industrial parks to provide advice and promote employment policies.
Summary: Haikou Customs reports that Hainan's "buy-and-take" and "guarantee-and-take" duty-free policies have facilitated significant sales, totaling 10.618 billion yuan and 177 million yuan respectively over the past three years. These policies, particularly "buy-and-take," have enhanced the shopping experience and supported the integration of duty-free shopping with Hainan's cultural, sports, business, and tourism sectors. In November 2025, the duty-free shopping policy will undergo its tenth optimization, expanding the beneficiaries and scope of the "buy-and-take" option to include local residents with prior departures from the island. The adjustment aims to further boost the policy's benefits for Hainan residents. There is no mention of the United States.
Summary: The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs jointly issued guidance on establishing a normalized employment assistance mechanism to prevent a return to poverty and promote rural revitalization. The guidance outlines six policy measures to maintain stable employment assistance policies, integrate employment assistance into the rural revitalization strategy, and prevent large-scale poverty due to unemployment. Key areas of focus include precise identification of assistance targets, promotion of both outbound and local employment, strengthened employment services and vocational training, and reinforced employment security. The guidance also emphasizes support for key areas through mechanisms like East-West collaboration and targeted assistance, encouraging investment and talent flow to these regions. The United States, or U.S.-China relations, are not mentioned in this article.
Summary: Anhui province is promoting entrepreneurship and innovation through its "Entrepreneurial Anhui" initiative, resulting in a significant increase in newly registered businesses and support for key demographics. The province is focusing on connecting startups with technical experts and offering tailored support, as illustrated by the case of a water-guided laser equipment company that received crucial funding and guidance from the Keda Silicon Valley. Local governments are also emphasizing strategic industry selection and fostering collaborative ecosystems, such as in the case of an auto parts company in Wuhu benefiting from proximity to Chery and regional supply chains. Furthermore, the province is fostering a supportive environment for young entrepreneurs like Qin Jiaming, who chose to base their AI company in Chuzhou. The province is set to host the 'Winning the Future' 2026 National Entrepreneurship Competition.
Summary: Nine Chinese government departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, jointly issued an action plan to promote the innovative development of the Internet of Things (IoT) industry from 2026-2028. The plan aims to achieve significant breakthroughs in key technologies like sensing, networking, data processing, and security, and to improve the intelligence level of terminals and platforms. It sets targets for the creation of standards, cultivation of large-scale IoT application areas, and a core IoT industry scale exceeding 3.5 trillion yuan. The plan identifies existing challenges like dependence on foreign core technologies, interoperability issues, and network security risks. Sixteen specific tasks are outlined to integrate IoT technologies into production, consumption, social governance, and promote the deep integration of the digital and real economies.
Summary: The article reports a surge in travel demand, particularly for local and short-distance trips, including study tours, due to the spring break for primary and secondary schools coinciding with the Qingming holiday in various regions. The article contains a photo of children viewing exhibits at the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan. There is no mention of the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Beijing has initiated the development and application of commercial insurance for intelligent connected new energy vehicles, covering L2 to L4 levels of automation. Owners of L2 vehicles in Beijing can choose between dedicated products or existing auto insurance, while dedicated products will be available for L3 and L4 vehicles that have been tested or authorized for road use. These specialized insurance products aim to address the unique requirements of intelligent connected vehicles, clarifying definitions, standardizing terms, and expanding coverage. The Beijing Financial Supervision Bureau is collaborating with industry associations and insurance companies to develop these products, establish data exchange mechanisms, and facilitate system upgrades. The Beijing Financial Supervision Bureau also reminded consumers that insurance cannot replace legal liability, and that the driver remains responsible for ensuring traffic safety even when assisted driving functions are activated.
Summary: China's autumn grain procurement for 2025 is nearing completion, with total purchases exceeding 320 million tons, a relatively high level in recent years, driven by market-oriented acquisitions accounting for over 90% of the total. Grain prices have remained stable with a slight increase, highlighting the value of high-quality grains like high-protein soybeans, which are in high demand for processing into products for both domestic and international markets, with exports to over 60 countries and regions. Technological advancements, including improved seed varieties and modernized farming techniques, continue to contribute to increased grain yields and quality, as well as improving incomes for farmers. The report did not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: China Power Construction Group (中国电建) completed three solar power projects in Colombia at the end of 2025, providing clean energy to over 350,000 households. The projects achieved a high degree of localization, exceeding 98%, and created over 500 direct jobs, reversing the trend of young people leaving for work. These projects also provided systematic training programs for the local population, fostering professional growth in the renewable energy sector. Beyond employment, the projects engaged in community outreach, including educational activities and skills training. These initiatives helped to improve living standards and promote sustainable development in the surrounding areas.
Summary: China and Pakistan jointly issued a five-point initiative on March 31st, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities, peace talks, and protection of non-military targets in the Gulf and Middle East, while also emphasizing the UN charter amidst escalating conflicts involving the US, Israel, and Iran. The initiative seeks to address the rising pressures on the regional situation and the world economy. China and Pakistan have maintained close communication and coordination through various channels, including high-level talks between their foreign ministers. The article asserts this initiative reflects a broader effort to reform global governance and counter unilateralism.
Summary: The African Union Commission, in a statement released by Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, welcomed the five-point initiative proposed by China and Pakistan aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East. Mahamat highlighted the initiative's key elements, including the cessation of hostilities, civilian protection, and adherence to international law. He expressed deep concern over the escalating situation's global impact, particularly on Africa's energy, food, and economic stability. Mahamat urged all parties to exercise restraint and emphasized adherence to the UN Charter and international law. The statement made no mention of the United States.
Summary: The 47th Bangkok International Motor Show showcased the growing popularity of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) in Thailand. Chinese brands are leading in Thailand's EV market with over 80% market share, driven by competitive pricing and technology. Thai Prime Minister Anutin praised the competitiveness of Chinese brands, stating they contribute to the development of the Thai automobile industry. Chinese automakers are also investing in service infrastructure and localized product customization to address local market needs, particularly regarding charging technology and range. The exhibition was also said to have been a major boost to Thailand's move toward environmentally friendly practices.
Summary: A Chinese company, China Railway 20th Bureau Group, completed Angola's largest water supply project in Cabinda province, benefiting over 600,000 residents. The project, built to Chinese standards, includes a water treatment plant and 74 water collection points, providing clean drinking water and reducing waterborne diseases. The project involved overcoming engineering challenges such as unstable ground conditions, and the water treatment plant employs a local engineer trained by the Chinese. A Cabinda water official highlighted the project as an important public welfare initiative.
Summary: The Lemi National Cement Plant, co-invested by China Western Cement and East Africa Holdings and built by China National Building Material, was inaugurated in Ethiopia in September 2024. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hailed the plant as an "important milestone" for the country's industrial sector. The plant, which utilizes advanced Chinese technology, has significantly increased Ethiopia's cement production capacity, easing shortages and supporting infrastructure development. The project has also created jobs and spurred economic growth in the local Lemi town. The plant emphasizes efficient resource utilization and environmental protection through advanced production techniques and waste water treatment.
Summary: International students from Huzhou Normal University in Zhejiang Province visited Guzhu Village in Changxing County to experience traditional tea-picking and other techniques. The visit aimed to allow them to appreciate the charm of Chinese tea culture. The article focuses on cultural exchange and does not discuss Chinese politics, U.S.-China relations, or the statements of any officials.
Summary: Ahead of the Qingming Festival, the "Yang Gensi Company" of the 83rd Group Army of the PLA held a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers, including peacekeeping martyrs Li Lei and Yang Shupeng, who died in South Sudan in 2016. These soldiers were part of the over 50,000 Chinese peacekeepers deployed since 1990. The article highlights their dedication to UN peacekeeping missions and China's commitment to world peace. China is described as a major contributor to UN peacekeeping efforts, both financially and in terms of personnel. A UN official is quoted praising the kindness and wisdom of Chinese peacekeepers, thanking China for making the world a better place.
Summary: This article discusses the expansion of affordable childcare services in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, specifically focusing on extended "night care" (夜托) to address the needs of dual-income families. The Youyou Nursery (优优托育园), a publicly supported private childcare center, is highlighted as an example, offering care from 8 AM to midnight. This program addresses the difficulty of balancing work and childcare for families where both parents work late. According to Zhou Renjing (周任婧), head of the Population Monitoring and Family Development Section of the Health and Health Bureau of Linping District, there are 7 nurseries in the area that provide "night care" services. The article states the expansion of these services is in accordance with the "15th Five-Year Plan."
Summary: The article discusses the rise of evening childcare services in China, addressing the common problem of dual-income families struggling with childcare due to early closing times and late work hours. These services offer a safe and stable environment for children with professional care, personalized growth training, and reasonable fees, which alleviates parents’ anxiety. This is seen as a step toward inclusive childcare and refined services that precisely meets people's needs. The article hopes more institutions will join this initiative to support families.
Summary: China's Ministry of Education issued a notice outlining eight key tasks for the "Sunshine Enrollment Special Action for Primary and Secondary Schools (2026)," aiming to standardize enrollment practices. The notice emphasizes fair access, prohibiting selective admissions tactics like interviews and resumes for compulsory education, and barring elite high schools from poaching talent from counties. It also bans the creation of de facto "key classes" in compulsory education and promotes balanced teacher allocation. A special channel was established for reporting violations, and local education authorities are required to establish hotlines to handle admissions concerns. The notice does not discuss or allude to the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The Chongqing-Wanzhou High-Speed Railway (渝万高铁) officially began track laying on April 3rd. The railway is a crucial component of China's "eight vertical and eight horizontal" high-speed rail network, specifically the Baotou-Haikou and Beijing-Kunming corridors. The 251-kilometer line, designed for speeds of 350 km/h, runs from Chongqing East Station to Wanzhou North Station. Subgrade, bridge, and tunnel construction are largely complete, with station and "four electricity" (四电) engineering proceeding on schedule. No officials or U.S.-China relations were mentioned.
Summary: Ten departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, jointly issued the "Measures for Ethical Review and Services of Artificial Intelligence Technology (Trial)," aiming to regulate AI ethics and promote healthy industrial development. The measures focus on establishing ethical standards, supporting technological innovation in ethical review, and mitigating ethical risks through technical means. Key areas of ethical review include human well-being, fairness, controllability, transparency, accountability, and privacy protection. The review will assess aspects like the scientific/social value of AI activities, data selection, algorithm design, information disclosure, and privacy protection measures.
Summary: Wang Duhong, deputy director of the Pengxi County Epidemic Control Center in Sichuan, used a "shared official car" (共享公务车) obtained via a mobile app to visit a cattle farm in Huaihua Township for blood sampling. Pengxi County has implemented a time-sharing rental model for government vehicles, using a platform called 交建智行 to manage bookings and track usage. This system aims to address the high costs and limited availability of traditional government vehicles. The platform also provides oversight of vehicle usage, including tracking routes and expenses, to prevent misuse. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
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Summary: Here's a summary of the provided articles for analysts of Chinese politics: The articles highlight various local initiatives to promote nationwide participation in tree planting, following Xi Jinping's call to mobilize society for ecological improvement to enhance China's modernization. Beijing is integrating tree planting into community micro-garden construction, while Yichang is pioneering a "forestry carbon sink + voluntary tree planting" model allowing online carbon credit purchases to fulfill planting obligations. Similarly, Lanzhou is exploring "cloud-based" donation models for tree planting. Chengdu is promoting the conservation of ancient trees by encouraging citizens to donate and adopt them.
Summary: The article celebrates the 45th anniversary of China's national voluntary tree planting program, highlighting its significant contribution to increasing the country's forest coverage and ecological improvement. While acknowledging China as a global leader in afforestation, the piece emphasizes the need to further expand and improve the quality of forests, focusing on diverse tree species and sustainable management. It calls for innovative approaches to engage citizens in tree planting, promoting a green lifestyle and ecological awareness. The piece also advocates for integrating forestry with economic development and improving livelihoods through ecological tourism. Ultimately, the article promotes a vision of ecological civilization with continued afforestation efforts.
Summary: Please provide the article you would like me to summarize. I need the text of the article to give you an accurate and concise summary for professional analysts of Chinese politics.
Summary: The article discusses efforts in Guizhou, Shandong, and Yunnan provinces to improve rural transportation and boost tourism in traditional villages. Guizhou's Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture has created a 2,180 km rural tourism route connecting 49 villages. Rongcheng, Shandong has launched 13 bus lines to link traditional villages, addressing accessibility issues. In Yunnan, the reopening of a historic narrow-gauge railway line in Jianshui County has revitalized tourism in 10 traditional villages. These initiatives aim to both preserve cultural heritage and improve villagers' livelihoods through enhanced connectivity.
Summary: Li Zhong, deputy head of the Hongguozi Management Station in the Helan Mountain National Nature Reserve in Ningxia, is responsible for the care and monitoring of Przewalski's horses reintroduced to the area from Xinjiang. These horses, once native to the Helan Mountains, are being monitored and managed with a "group management + adaptive training + gradual release into the wild" approach, with collaboration from Beijing Forestry University, with the goal of preventing inbreeding and enhancing genetic diversity. Li and his team track the horses' activity through Beidou-equipped collars, monitor their health through fecal analysis, and provide supplementary feeding. The Przewalski's horse population has grown to 20 with the birth of several foals, marking a successful reintroduction and positive impact on the ecosystem.
Summary: This article discusses China's successful efforts to reintroduce Przewalski's horses, considered a "living fossil" with a unique genetic makeup, back into their native habitat after their extinction in the wild in China in the 1970s. Beginning in 1985, 24 horses were brought to Xinjiang, and the first foal was born in 1988. By 2000, the population reached 100, and in 2001, 27 horses were released into the Junggar Desert. China has developed a three-step method for breeding and releasing the horses, leading to a population exceeding 900 by the end of 2023, achieving a world-leading survival rate.
Summary: This article describes the traditional production process and cultural significance of Gaocheng Gongmian, a type of hollow noodle originating from Shijiazhuang, Hebei province. The noodles, made from high-quality flour, oil, and salt, require a meticulous and time-consuming process involving kneading, resting ("xing"), and stretching. The unique hollow structure, achieved through the "xing" process, allows the noodles to absorb flavors well. Gaocheng is planning to open a cultural center by the end of 2025 to promote Gongmian culture. There is no discussion of the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Please provide the article you would like me to summarize. I need the text of the article to create a summary for you.
Summary: In Henan's Dongzhai National Nature Reserve, the wild population of Crested Ibis has surpassed 700, with breeding pairs observed in both the ecological aviary and the wild. Cai Dejing, deputy director of the breeding station, noted the early nesting this year as a positive sign, indicating a higher breeding success rate. The reserve has released 133 artificially bred Ibis since 2013, and now the species' range extends to 11 counties and districts across Henan and Hubei provinces. Dongzhai shared its "Dongzhai Plan" for Crested Ibis protection at the COP15 in 2022. The success has also spurred local economic growth through birdwatching tourism.
Summary: The article reports on the successful repopulation of Crested Ibis in Deqing County, Zhejiang Province, where the population has grown from 10 to 960 since 2008. This success is attributed to scientific breeding techniques, including genetic screening in cooperation with universities, and habitat restoration efforts that improved water quality and biodiversity. The "Deqing Ibis" are now being used to rebuild populations in other regions of China. The growing ibis population has also spurred local economic development through ecotourism and related industries. There is no discussion of the United States or U.S.-China relations in the article.
Summary: Staff at the Shaanxi Hanzhong Crested Ibis National Nature Reserve are working to protect and expand the population of the endangered crested ibis. Through optimized breeding environments, strict enforcement of environmental protections, and advanced monitoring technologies like the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, the crested ibis population has expanded throughout Shaanxi province. The reserve has also released over 500 crested ibises into the wild and established artificial populations domestically and internationally. Local communities actively participate in conservation efforts, contributing to ecological tourism and organic agriculture. The article does not discuss the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The "World Tropical Fruit Window" in Qionghai, Hainan, is cultivating over 700 exotic fruit varieties, aiming to transform them into locally grown produce. The park serves as a national germplasm resource bank, focusing on breeding and improving tropical fruits, including sending seeds into space for mutation breeding. Through collaboration with research institutions and a "company + cooperative + farmer" model, Qionghai is promoting the cultivation of these fruits, such as finger limes, boosting farmer incomes. The region is also exporting seedlings and technology, including jackfruit to Thailand and mamey sapote to Vietnam, to countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. The initiative is presented as a means to enhance agricultural production levels in participating countries.
Summary: Please provide the article you would like me to summarize. I need the text of the article to provide an accurate and concise summary tailored for professional analysts of Chinese politics.
Summary: This article introduces a series of essays commemorating Qingming Festival, a time for remembrance and connection with nature. Five experts will explore the festival's traditions, including calligraphy appreciation, painting analysis, tea tasting, spring outings, and kite flying. The essays aim to connect historical practices with contemporary individual experiences and cultivate a sense of national identity. The compilation will reflect on artistic interpretations of the festival and its associated cultural significance. The editor hopes to elicit a sense of inheritance and cultural resonance.
Summary: This article discusses the essence of calligraphy, arguing that true artistry lies not just in the technical skill but in the spirit and character of the calligrapher. It uses the example of Liu Bojian's final letter before his execution, filled with patriotism and family devotion, to illustrate how calligraphy reflects the writer's inner self. The piece also references Huang Tingjian's calligraphy during his exile, highlighting the "wind-and-frost" feeling that reflected his life's ups and downs, as well as He Shaoji's dedication to reviving ancient inscriptions. The author concludes that in the age of AI, the unique charm of human-written calligraphy is even more prominent, as it embodies the spirit, realm, pattern, and personality of the individual. The article does not discuss the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: This article discusses the cultural significance of trees in Chinese art and tradition, particularly pine, willow, and梧桐 (wutong) trees. Pine trees symbolize resilience and longevity, often depicted with scholars to represent noble character. Willow trees embody grace and are associated with 清明 (Qingming) Festival, representing spring and tranquility. 梧桐 trees, with their broad leaves and shade, symbolize a space for both physical and mental repose and are often depicted with scholars.
Summary: To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Long March, the China National Academy of Painting organized an event where hundreds of painters retraced the route of the Red Army, seeking inspiration and honoring the spirit of the Long March. The article connects this artistic endeavor with the Qingming festival, emphasizing themes of remembrance, reverence for revolutionary history, and the appreciation of nature. Qingming is a time not only for honoring ancestors and revolutionary heroes but also for embracing the natural world and its poetic essence through activities like "taqing" (踏青), or spring outing.
Summary: The article discusses the cultural significance of "Qingming Tea" in China, referencing two paintings by Wen Zhengming titled "Huishan Tea Gathering," depicting a tea party with friends at the Huishan Spring in Wuxi during the Qingming Festival in 1518. The author highlights the historical context, noting that the practice of drinking tea at this spring dates back to the Tang Dynasty and was favored by scholars and artists. The gathering represented a continuation of cultural traditions, emphasizing the importance of friendship and shared appreciation for poetry, calligraphy, and tea. The author also notes that the area around Wuxi is known for the highest concentration of tea-producing regions in Jiangnan. The author concludes by reflecting on the enduring cultural value associated with the appreciation of tea.
Summary: The article discusses the cultural significance of kite-flying during the Qingming festival in China, highlighting its historical roots, regional variations, and symbolic meanings of dispelling evil and seeking blessings. It notes the differences between "Southern Kites" (南鹞) and "Northern Kites" (北鸢), emphasizing the unique characteristics of kite-making traditions in regions like Nantong, Beijing, Tianjin and Weifang. The piece also touches on the modern adaptations of kite-making through new materials and technologies.
Summary: This article provides contact information for submissions to a section of the *People's Daily* newspaper. No political figures, events, or viewpoints are discussed. The subject matter does not touch upon U.S.-China relations.
By: 本报记者
Grass and trees flourish, and the tung flowers begin to bloom. This is a time to pay tribute to heroes and martyrs.
General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized: "We should always remember the heroes and martyrs who sacrificed themselves for the country and the people, and give them great honor and admiration." "We must continue to make good use of historical experience to build the country better, so that the cause pioneered by the older generation of leaders and revolutionary martyrs will continue to prosper."
On the long Long March, green hills bury loyal bones. At the time of Qingming, many places hold commemorative activities to remember the revolutionary martyrs, promote the spirit of heroes and martyrs, inspire people to strengthen their ideals and beliefs, strive forward with high spirits, and unite to embark on the "new era of the Long March."
Remembering History, Remembering the Loyal Souls of Martyrs
During the Qingming Festival, in the Central Red Army Long March Decision-Making and Departure Key Exhibition Park in Ruijin (瑞金), Jiangxi Province, pine and cypress trees are verdant, and monuments stand tall. Accompanied by the affectionate "Flower Offering Song," more than 150 Young Pioneers from Jinsui School (金穗学校) in Ruijin (瑞金) held self-made paper chrysanthemums and stood solemnly in front of the Ruijin Central Red Army Long March Departure Monument, bowing three times to pay tribute to the revolutionary martyrs.
After the ceremony, the Young Pioneers raised their team flags and embarked on the winding path of Yunshi Mountain (云石山), the "First Mountain of the Long March," retracing the Long March. Along the way, teachers explained the glorious history of the Long March, and the team members walked and thought, but their spirits were even more invigorated.
"We must study hard, carry forward the spirit of the martyrs, and repay the motherland with practical actions," said Liu Qianyu (刘芊妤), a fifth-grade student at Jinsui School (金穗学校). During the Qingming Festival, Ruijin City (瑞金市) widely carried out activities to sweep the tombs of martyrs. As of now, more than 110 government agencies and a total of more than 11,000 people in Ruijin City (瑞金市) have gone to red sites, martyrs' cemeteries and other places to carry out Qingming tomb sweeping activities.
The Yudu River (于都河) flows quietly, with green pines and cypresses on both banks. More than 90 years ago, the main force of the Central Red Army, with more than 86,000 people, gathered here, crossed the Yudu River (于都河) under the starry night, and embarked on the long Long March. On April 4, more than 300 young party members and cadres in Yudu County (于都县), Jiangxi (江西), came to the Central Red Army Long March Assembly and Departure Memorial Park on the banks of the river to carry out the theme activity of "Qingming Festival Sacrificing Martyrs." In the Central Red Army Long March Departure Memorial Hall in the park, a mottled wooden boat is quietly displayed. Pointing to the deep wear marks on the side of the boat, the docent introduced the scene of the masses using wooden boats to ferry the Red Army at the Liyu Ferry (鲤鱼渡口) in those years.
"The martyrs used their lives to bring us the beautiful life we have today. We can only continue to struggle to live up to this red land," said Chen Jiahui (陈嘉辉), a cadre of the Organization Department of the Yudu County (于都县) Party Committee, emotionally.
During the Qingming Festival, representatives of teachers and students from Xing'an County (兴安县) No. 1 Elementary School in Guangxi (广西) went to the Xing'an Red Army Long March Breakthrough Xiangjiang Martyrs Memorial Park (兴安红军长征突破湘江烈士纪念碑园) to carry out the Qingming Festival activity of "Inheriting the Red Gene and Striving to Be a Strong Country Youth." "As young people in the new era, we should remember history and cherish the hard-won happy life. We must study diligently, temper our character, integrate the red gene into our blood, and inherit the spirit of the Long March with practical actions," said Peng Xinfeng (彭馨凤), a Young Pioneer in the fifth grade.
Passing on the Torch, Continuing the Red Bloodline
The Zunyi Red Army Martyrs Cemetery (遵义红军烈士陵园) is full of pine and cypress trees, solemn and solemn. Surrounded by green hills, the inscription "The Red Army Martyrs Will Live Forever" shines brightly, quietly telling the story of the glorious years on the Long March.
Guizhou Province's (贵州省) "Our Festival Qingming" New Era Civilization Practice Activity was held here. At the event, the Young Pioneers sang "We Are the Successors of Communism" together, and all the people presented flower baskets and observed a moment of silence to mourn the martyrs with solemn ceremonies.
"We must make good use of red resources, base ourselves on our jobs, carry forward the spirit of the Long March and the spirit of the Zunyi Conference, continue the red bloodline, and practice our original mission with educational responsibility," said Chen Nijuan (陈妮娟), vice principal of Zunyi Old City Primary School (遵义市老城小学). "As grassroots cadres, we must practice our original aspirations with hard work, interpret loyalty with responsibility, and embark on the Long March of our generation!" said Cao Guopi (曹国丕), secretary of the Party General Branch of Xinhuaqiao Community (新华桥社区), Zhongshan Road Street (中山路街道), Honghuagang District (红花岗区), Zunyi City (遵义市).
The heroic spirit of heaven and earth is still awe-inspiring for thousands of years. On the banks of the Dadu River (大渡河), the red songs are loud, and the iron chains of the Luding Bridge (泸定桥) clang in the wind. On the eve of Qingming, Luding County (泸定县), Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (甘孜藏族自治州), Sichuan Province (四川省), launched the "Ideological and Political Class Under the Monument," where more than a thousand young people touched history and commemorated the heroic souls in real scenes.
Looking back at history, the Central Red Army was blocked by the Dadu River (大渡河) during its northward march on the Long March. Faced with the enemy's firepower blockade, a commando team composed of 22 soldiers held iron chains and rushed through the hail of bullets, capturing the Luding Bridge (泸定桥).
Standing on the Luding Bridge (泸定桥), Liu Jiaxinrui (刘佳欣蕊), a junior high school student at Luding Middle School (泸定中学), held the iron chain tightly, her eyes firm: "Looking at the rushing river under my feet, I have a deeper understanding of the weight of 'the Dadu Bridge is cold with iron chains.' The bravery of the revolutionary martyrs has deeply shocked me. We must learn our skills well, be self-reliant and self-reliant, and be builders and successors of the socialist cause."
Continuing the Struggle, Embarking on the New Era of the Long March
During the Qingming Festival, in the Central Red Army Long March Victory Memorial Park (中央红军长征胜利纪念园) on Victory Mountain (胜利山) in Wuqi County (吴起县), Yan'an City (延安市), Shaanxi Province (陕西省), veteran Red Army soldiers, counselors, and representatives of Young Pioneers lined up neatly, solemnly and quietly, deeply mourning the revolutionary martyrs who heroically dedicated themselves to national liberation and the happiness of the people.
At the scene, the veteran Red Army soldiers recalled the past glorious years with deep affection. At the red fire seed collection ceremony, everyone held the fire seed sticks together, symbolizing that the fire seed of the spirit of the martyrs and the red bloodline was solemnly lit. The Young Pioneers placed heartfelt letters into the "time and space mailbox" and sealed them together with the fire seed for remembrance. "As the landing point for the victory of the Central Red Army's Long March, Wuqi (吴起) bears the glory of history and shoulders the sacred mission of embarking on the new era of the Long March," said He Yi (贺毅), Secretary of the Wuqi County (吴起县) Party Committee.
Huining County (会宁县), Gansu Province (甘肃省), has been known as the "Key to Qin and Long" since ancient times. In October 1936, the three main forces of the Red Army victoriously joined forces in Huining (会宁), marking the end of the 25,000-mile Long March. This year's Qingming Festival, Huining County (会宁县) organized a series of activities of "Qingming Festival Sacrificing Martyrs and Retracing the Long March," turning the red old sites into "real-life classrooms" and letting the spirit of the Long March enter the minds and hearts.
"The revolutionary spirit of the martyrs is a valuable asset. We must transform our mourning into the driving force for starting a business, take root at the grassroots level, and serve the masses." Standing in front of the Huishi Tower (会师塔) at the site of the Huining (会宁) Meeting of the Red Army, Liu Shengli (刘胜利), director of the Party Building Office of Zhongchuan Town (中川镇), Huining County (会宁县), had many thoughts.
Huining County's (会宁县) "Qingming Festival Sacrificing Martyrs and Retracing the Long March" series of activities closely focuses on the theme of the Long March, highlighting the integration of online and offline activities and civilized remembrance, actively promoting the "cloud tomb sweeping" platform, and people from all walks of life can use online flower offerings, message postings, and watching red broadcasts to commemorate, organically combining the sacrifice of martyrs with ideological and political education, red research and study, and civilized practice, creating a strong atmosphere of respecting martyrs, remembering martyrs, learning from martyrs, and defending martyrs.
The monument will last forever, and the spirit will live on. The Long March, a great feat in human history, has left us with the most valuable spiritual wealth, which is the great spirit of the Long March forged by the Communist Party of China and the Red Army soldiers with their lives and blood. After 90 years of inheritance, on the new Long March, we must continue to carry forward the great cause pioneered by our revolutionary predecessors and create new glories.
(Reporters Zhao Zheng (赵政), Zhou Huan (周欢), Zhu Jiaqi (祝佳祺), Chen Junyi (陈隽逸), Li Kaixuan (李凯旋), Gao Bing (高炳), Song Chaojun (宋朝军) of this newspaper)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 李增辉 姜 峰 沈靖然
The Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, from west to east, the first gorge is the Qutang Gorge in Fengjie, Chongqing (重庆奉节).
The entrance to the Qutang Gorge is historically known as Kuimen (夔门). There is an old saying among the people of Bayu (巴渝): "Only by breaking through Kuimen (夔门) can one become a dragon." In the past, Chongqing (重庆) relied solely on water transportation due to its mountainous terrain. Only by heading east could it connect with a better life.
"Breaking through" represents ambition and aspiration.
In April 2024, during his inspection in Chongqing (重庆), General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized, "Strive to build an important strategic fulcrum for the large-scale development of the western region in the new era and a comprehensive inland opening hub." "Chongqing (重庆) must have the courage to be the first, comprehensively deepen reform, and expand high-level opening to the outside world."
With the General Secretary's (总书记) orders and the Party Central Committee's (党中央) deployment, Chongqing (重庆) is taking action: To the west, by the end of 2025, the China-Europe Railway Express (Chengdu-Chongqing) (中欧班列（成渝）) will have operated more than 38,000 trains cumulatively; to the south, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (西部陆海新通道) reaches 590 ports in 127 countries and regions; to the east, the ancient Kuimen (夔门) witnessed for the first time a 10,000-ton sea vessel sailing directly from Chongqing (重庆) to Ningbo-Zhoushan Port (宁波舟山港).
The "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五) proposes to "promote reform and development through opening up." During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, Chongqing (重庆) will give full play to its comparative advantages and late-mover advantages, and strive to significantly enhance the energy level and radiation of the comprehensive inland opening hub, becoming a strategic highland for China's (我国) south-bound and west-bound opening.
——Breaking through "Kuimen (夔门)" relies on deepening reform to promote efficient connectivity between the domestic and international markets.
At the Yuzui Station (鱼嘴站) of Guoyuan Port (果园港) in Liangjiang New Area (两江新区), the first rail-sea intermodal transport special train for new energy vehicles from Chongqing (重庆) to Guangzhou (广州) set off, with 108 "Chongqing-made" vehicles heading to Nansha Port (南沙港) in Guangzhou (广州), and then shipped to overseas markets.
"Inspect containers at the loading site, inspect ships at the shipping site." Fang Kun (方坤), Deputy General Manager of Chongqing Yusui Port Railway International Logistics Co., Ltd. (重庆渝穗港铁国际物流有限公司), said about the new regulatory mutual recognition model established between Chongqing (重庆) and Guangdong (广东), "The overall logistics efficiency has increased by about 20%, and the cost has been reduced by about 25%."
The Yusui train, which directly reaches the hub port of the Greater Bay Area (大湾区), cooperates with more than 10 major shipping companies in the world, and empowers inland enterprises to go overseas with "one entrustment, one order to the end"; Chongqing High People's Court (重庆市高级人民法院) took the lead in establishing a "13+2" inter-provincial judicial cooperation mechanism to serve the construction of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (西部陆海新通道), making enterprises more confident in entering the market...
Striving for the "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五), Chongqing (重庆) will promote reform through opening up, accelerate pilot projects in transportation, customs clearance, finance, dispute resolution, and other fields, and create more regular "integrated express lines," including the "ASEAN Express" from Southeast Asia via Chongqing (重庆) to Europe, and the "door-to-warehouse" short-distance transportation service of Chongqing Highway Logistics Base (重庆公路物流基地). "It is not only transportation capacity integration, but also policy integration," said Wang Shanli (王善礼), Deputy Director of the Port and Logistics Office of Chongqing Municipal Government (重庆市政府口岸物流办).
——Breaking through "Kuimen (夔门)" is anchored in high-quality development, using the domestic cycle to better drive the international cycle.
At the Tuanjie Village Central Station (团结村中心站), containers are stacked in rows, and "new three items" such as new energy vehicles are increasing. In 2025, Chongqing's (重庆) export value through the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (西部陆海新通道) was 41.36 billion yuan, an increase of 144.9% year-on-year, of which the "new three items" exports increased by 332.9% year-on-year.
Promoting development through opening up, facing the "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五), Chongqing (重庆) will accelerate the construction of a modern industrial system with international competitiveness, guide the efficient aggregation and circulation of industrial elements such as logistics, finance, and data, and actively serve and integrate into the new development pattern. Not only selling products, but also comprehensively "exporting" technology, brands, and services.
"In the Rayong factory in Thailand (泰国罗勇工厂), in the next 3 years, we will strive to increase the localization rate of the supply chain to more than 70%." Deng Zhitao (邓智涛), General Manager of the Southeast Asia Division of China Changan Automobile (中国长安汽车东南亚事业部), said firmly. Changan Automobile (长安汽车) is deploying globally, with overseas sales reaching 637,300 vehicles in 2025, an increase of 18.9% year-on-year.
——Breaking through "Kuimen (夔门)" urgently needs to further open up thinking and continuously optimize the opening environment and service scenarios.
Looking at "going out." Xiao Hong (肖洪), Head of Sales Support Department of Chongqing Shenchi Import and Export Trade Co., Ltd. (重庆神驰进出口贸易有限公司), calculated an account: In 2025, the company's export tax rebate was more than 93 million yuan, with an average tax rebate time of 2.5 days. Supported by the digital New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (数字陆海新通道), Chongqing (重庆) will continue to optimize and strengthen the "three-in-one" comprehensive service platform for trade, logistics, and finance.
Looking at "bringing in." At the end of 2025, Chongqing (重庆) was selected as a pilot city for new consumption formats, new models, new scenarios, and the construction of an internationalized consumption environment. The coverage rate of foreign card POS machines in key areas such as Jiefangbei (解放碑) and Hongyadong (洪崖洞) reached 98%, and more than 120,000 merchants were connected to the overseas versions of Alipay (支付宝) and WeChat Pay (微信支付). In 2025, the number of overseas tourists with departure tax refunds increased by about 4 times year-on-year.
Facing the future, Chongqing (重庆) will actively connect with high-standard international economic and trade rules, and deepen international cultural exchange and cooperation in finance, education, medical care, culture, and tourism. High-level opening up is never a two-dimensional or linear thinking; only with three-dimensional divergence can we suddenly see the light.
Yuan Jiajun (袁家军), Secretary of the Chongqing Municipal Party Committee (重庆市委书记), said that it is necessary to fully implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平总书记) important instructions during his inspection in Chongqing (重庆) and the spirit of the National People's Congress (全国两会), focus on creating landmark achievements in the construction of a comprehensive inland opening hub, promote Chongqing's (重庆) opening pattern from platform construction and channel links to accelerating the expansion of institutional opening and amplifying the comprehensive effectiveness of the hub, and strive to achieve a good start for the "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五).
New start, new beginning, new mission. Breaking through "Kuimen (夔门)", with firm confidence, Chongqing (重庆) is striving to open up a new world for reform and development.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 郁静娴 王东辉
With the advancement of spring plowing, the 2025 autumn grain peak purchase season is coming to an end. The latest data from the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration (国家粮食和物资储备局) shows that, to date, various grain business entities across the country have cumulatively purchased over 320 million tons of autumn grain, a relatively high level in recent years. Market prices have been stable with slight increases, and the characteristics of high-quality grains fetching premium prices are even more prominent.
Autumn Grain Quantity and Quality Increase Simultaneously
Market-based Purchases Account for Over 90% of Total Grain Purchases
It is understood that the peak purchase season for mid- and late-season rice in China has ended, with a cumulative purchase of 103 million tons; corn purchases reached 210 million tons, and soybean purchases neared 13 million tons. In Northeast China, North China, and other regions, the purchase of corn and soybeans continues to advance.
In Jianlou Village (箭楼村), Jinzhou Town (金洲镇), Ningxiang City (宁乡市), Hunan Province (湖南省), Huang Yong (黄勇), a large grain grower, sold all 1,200 mu of his late-season rice by the end of last year. "It's all high-quality fragrant rice, with a yield of over 800 jin per mu, including varieties such as Shaoxiang 100 (韶香100), Yuzhenxiang (玉针香), and Nongxiang 42 (农香42), with prices generally around 155 yuan per 100 jin," said Huang Yong (黄勇).
The Jiansanjiang Directly Subordinate Grain Depot Co., Ltd. (建三江直属库有限公司) of the Central Grain Reserve (中央储备粮) in Heilongjiang Province (黑龙江省) purchased approximately 500,000 tons of rice in 2025. Qu Chen (曲臣), the company's deputy general manager, stated that this year's rice quality and moisture content are good, farmers are highly motivated to sell their grain, and diverse purchasing entities entered the market early, ensuring smooth sales channels and active procurement by traders from outside the province. Due to adjustments in the rice planting structure within the region, some common round-grain varieties have been adjusted to high-quality varieties such as glutinous rice, which has led to faster rice sales in the jurisdiction this year compared to previous years.
The bulk of the autumn grain peak purchase season has been completed, with increased quantity, improved quality, and favorable prices as highlights.
The reserve warehouses of the Suihua Directly Subordinate Grain Depot Co., Ltd. (绥化直属库有限公司) of the Central Grain Reserve (中央储备粮) stand tall and majestic. Inside the warehouses, rice and corn are neatly stacked. The panoramic digital grain depot system provides assistance for grain storage, with all monitoring indicators clearly visible.
Suihua (绥化) is a major grain-producing city in Heilongjiang Province (黑龙江省), with a planting area of 27.3 million mu for corn, rice, and soybeans. Last year, the area experienced abundant rainfall, moderate accumulated temperature, and generally good soil moisture conditions, with a total grain output of 12.379 million tons, an increase of 350,000 tons year-on-year.
While output increased, the local grain quality was better than in previous years, and good prices are expected. "This round of autumn grain purchases is mainly focused on japonica rice, with some corn purchases as well, totaling 43,939 tons of rice and 8,079 tons of corn," said Ma Honglin (马洪琳), deputy general manager of the Suihua Directly Subordinate Grain Depot Co., Ltd. (绥化直属库有限公司). The yield of corn per mu is over one ton, and the crude protein content and bulk density are higher than the average level of previous years. The average yield per mu, thousand-grain weight, head rice rate of rice, and the whole grain rate and protein content of soybeans are also generally higher than the average level of previous years. The average price of purchased corn is 2066.6 yuan per ton, and the average price of rice is 2727.51 yuan per ton, an increase of 0.69% and 0.28% year-on-year, respectively.
Heilongjiang (黑龙江), Henan (河南), and Hunan (湖南) provinces purchased 4.18 million tons of mid- and late-season rice at the minimum purchase price, a decrease of 2.92 million tons year-on-year. "Against the backdrop of consecutive years of bumper harvests and increased grain production, the decline in the amount of supportive purchases to a certain extent reflects the continuous deepening of marketization in China's grain purchase and sales market," said Wang Xiudong (王秀东), deputy director of the Strategic Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (中国农业科学院) and a researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Economics. Currently, market-based purchases account for more than 90% of total grain purchases in China, with processing enterprises, traders, and reserve depots becoming the main players, especially with the accelerated market circulation of high-quality rice. On the basis of stabilizing the minimum purchase price policy, fully leveraging the role of the market is conducive to sending positive signals to grain farmers.
High-Quality Grain Purchases and Sales are Booming
High-Quality Rice, Corn, etc. are Popular
Luo Shouquan (罗守全), Director of the Grain Reserve Department of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration (国家粮食和物资储备局), introduced that in recent times, the autumn grain purchase market has continued the active trend of the previous period, with various entities such as grain trade, processing, and reserve enterprises actively entering the market for purchases. The prices of major varieties have been stable with slight increases, and the demand for high-quality rice, corn, and high-protein soybeans is particularly strong.
Where does the driving force for the booming purchases and sales come from?
From the perspective of edible consumption, the dietary structure of urban and rural residents is accelerating towards "eating well."
In Qingfeng Village (庆丰村), Nandu Town (南渡镇), Liyang City (溧阳市), Jiangsu Province (江苏省), a joint venture between a research institute and an enterprise has created a large-scale, standardized planting base for high-quality food-flavor varieties. "Last year, rice sales were nearly 9,000 tons, an increase of about 11% compared to the previous year," said Wang Linsong (王林松), head of the base and head of Liyang Suifeng Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (溧阳市岁丰农业科技有限公司). Good rice is not difficult to sell, and downstream suppliers such as catering and supermarkets have high repurchase rates, driving an increase in the average yield per mu for cooperative farmers by more than 400 yuan.
Supporting the reputation and sales is the high-quality food-flavor rice variety "Nanjing 46 (南粳46)" bred by the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences (江苏省农科院): the rice grains are crystal clear, with a fragrant aroma, moderate softness and hardness after steaming, and remain elastic after cooling. The food-flavor value of this variety reaches 89 points, far exceeding the 70 points of ordinary rice, and has become a dedicated variety for the provincial public brand "Shuiyun Sumi (水韵苏米)". In Jiangsu (江苏), the planting area of high-quality food-flavor rice reached 22.9 million mu last year, driving an annual income increase of over 1.3 billion yuan for farmers.
Since 2021, the Ministry of Finance (财政部) and the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration (国家粮食和物资储备局) have been deeply promoting the High-Quality Grain Project. Various regions have formulated 286 high-quality grain group and local standards, and carefully created 34 provincial-level grain regional public brands such as "Shanxi Millet (山西小米)" and "Jilin Rice (吉林大米)", driving enterprises to extend and strengthen the chain, forming a virtuous cycle of industrial efficiency and increased farmer income. According to JD.com data, since the beginning of this year, the transaction volume of organic rice has increased by 25% year-on-year, and the transaction volume of Xinjiang flour has increased by 60% year-on-year.
From the perspective of the processing market, high-protein soybeans are widely popular.
At Shandong Yuwang Ecological Food Co., Ltd. (山东禹王生态食业有限公司), the overall purchase scale of this season's soybeans has increased by nearly 50% year-on-year, mainly from high-quality producing areas such as Heihe (黑河) and Qiqihar (齐齐哈尔) in Heilongjiang (黑龙江), with protein content controlled at around 39%, whole grain size above 90%, and moisture content within 13%.
"During this period, the production lines mainly produce deep-processed products such as soy protein isolate and low-temperature edible soybean meal, while also producing derivative products such as soybean oil and plant-based meat," said Zhang Jing (张静), director of the company's marketing department. Soy protein isolate is used in various fields such as plant-based foods and beverages, and the products are sold to more than 60 countries and regions. Low-temperature soybean meal is an important raw material for the food processing industry.
"The downstream market has high requirements for protein raw materials, and good soybeans help maximize the value of raw materials and enhance processing efficiency and product market competitiveness," said Sun Yingjun (孙英军), director of the company's purchasing center.
The Contribution Rate of Science and Technology Continues to Increase
Helping More Farmers Use Modern Planting Techniques
What varieties are good to plant? In Mingyue Village (明月村), Lukou Town (路口镇), Changsha County (长沙县), Hunan Province (湖南省), the "Double New" rice exhibition is held here every year.
"This year, 200 mu of cultivated land will be divided into single-season rice and double-season late rice areas, mainly showcasing about 400 green, high-quality, high-yield, and multi-resistant rice varieties, as well as supporting technologies such as full mechanization and smart agriculture Internet of Things," said the person in charge of Changsha Zhenong Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (长沙哲农农业科技有限公司), the organizer of the exhibition. During the harvest season last September, 30,000 people came to observe and exchange ideas.
"This year, we will focus on promoting edible high-quality rice of second grade or above, high-grade fragrant rice, and special rice varieties for rice flour processing," said Wang Shaoxi (王少希), deputy director of the Changsha Municipal Agricultural Technology Extension Center (长沙市农业技术推广中心). In order to promote the connection between variety layout and market demand, on the one hand, we will build demonstration bases for leading varieties in four major grain-producing counties, organize experts and large growers, and field evaluations by processing enterprises to guide farmers to "choose varieties based on the market, choose varieties based on quality, and choose varieties based on resistance"; on the other hand, we will support the promotion and service of key technologies such as green, high-quality, and efficient cultivation, precise water and fertilizer management, and green prevention and control of plant diseases and insect pests, and strengthen the linkage between order production and high-quality grain purchases at premium prices.
With good varieties, there must also be good techniques. From the performance of major producing areas, the contribution of science and technology to grain production is constantly increasing.
Beidahuang Group Baoquanling Branch (北大荒集团宝泉岭分公司) is responsible for operating 12 farms, mainly producing soybeans. Although it experienced a local drought last year, the yield per unit area was still the same as the average value of the past three years. "The key lies in the full-chain technology empowerment," said Yu Jiaao (于家傲), secretary of the company's party committee. High-oil and high-protein varieties are selected to achieve full coverage of improved varieties; the "wide ridge, wide platform, uniform density" planting model is fully promoted, and dual-electric control seeders are used to ensure precise control of sowing depth and plant spacing; soybean seed coating and rhizobium inoculation technologies are promoted to effectively enhance soil nitrogen fixation capacity; during the field management period, Internet of Things technology and intelligent monitoring are used to achieve refined management.
How to enable more farmers to use modern planting techniques? In Baoqing County (宝清县), Heilongjiang Province (黑龙江省), in-depth cooperation between reclamation areas and local areas has formed a "large-scale trusteeship" model, which is conducive to the integration and implementation of technologies.
"Last year, the cooperative and the 853 Farm jointly built a 2,400-mu corn and soybean demonstration area. Reclamation enterprises provide full-chain services of 'cultivation, planting, management, harvesting, and sales,' which saves worry and promotes increased income," said Li Chenqing (李臣卿), head of Dongfeng Grain Planting Cooperative (东丰谷物种植合作社). After the autumn harvest, the cooperative carried out large-scale joint land preparation, breaking the plow pan through deep loosening and ridging to lay the foundation for water conservation and spring sowing.
"Taking socialized services as a link and sharing agricultural production resources in the reclamation area can effectively solve the problems of inconsistent planting techniques and unstandardized management of individual farmers. It can increase crop yields per unit area and ensure consistency in quality," said Cui Jihang (崔记杭), head of the Planting Management Section of the Baoqing County Agriculture and Rural Bureau (宝清县农业农村局). Through in-depth cooperation between reclamation areas and local areas, 125 demonstration bases have been built in the main corn and soybean producing areas, with a total area of 506,000 mu, driving an increase in production and quality of 300,000 mu of corn and soybeans in the surrounding areas. This year, we will continue to promote cooperation models such as "full trusteeship and guaranteed yield," and it is expected that 180 reclamation-local cooperation demonstration bases will be created in the county, striving to achieve a breakthrough of 1.2 million mu in the area of reclamation-local cooperation.
Return to TopAccording to reports, Beijing (北京), April 4th (Reporters Han Xin (韩鑫), Zhang Tianpei (张天培), and Wu Chuqi (吴储岐)) On the first day of the Qingming holiday, the total cross-regional flow of people in the whole society is expected to exceed 290 million, the national road traffic is generally stable, and the masses' tomb-sweeping activities are safe, civilized, and orderly.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Transport (交通运输部), on the first day of the Qingming holiday, the total cross-regional flow of people in the whole society is expected to be 295.913 million, an increase of 42.1% compared to the previous period. By mode of transportation, railway passenger traffic was 21.9 million, an increase of 20.0% compared to the previous period and 9.0% year-on-year. Highway passenger traffic was 270.74 million, an increase of 44.8% compared to the previous period and 2.3% year-on-year. Among them, highway commercial passenger traffic was 37.71 million, an increase of 11.9% compared to the previous period and 3.3% year-on-year; non-commercial passenger car trips on expressways and ordinary national and provincial highways were 233.03 million, an increase of 52.0% compared to the previous period and 2.1% year-on-year. Waterway passenger traffic was 1.353 million, an increase of 68.9% compared to the previous period and 53.8% year-on-year. Civil aviation passenger traffic was 1.92 million.
According to a briefing from the Ministry of Public Security (公安部), the superposition of ancestor worship, tomb sweeping, spring outings, tourism, and migrant workers returning to their hometowns for farming has resulted in large traffic flows on roads in and out of cities and around scenic spots and cemeteries in some areas. As of 6:00 PM on the 4th, except for individual road sections where traffic flow was large, resulting in slow traffic, no reports of serious traffic congestion or major road traffic accidents have been received. Local public security traffic management departments, combined with the characteristics of holiday travel patterns and traffic flow changes, have strengthened guidance and control efforts on key road sections to ensure smooth road traffic and the safe travel of the masses.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Civil Affairs (民政部): On April 4th, a total of 66,300 funeral service institutions nationwide provided on-site tomb-sweeping services, with 377,600 staff members participating in tomb-sweeping service guarantees. A total of 19.2893 million people were received for on-site tomb sweeping throughout the day, and 4.5722 million vehicles were received for tomb sweeping, of which 12.0996 million people chose green and low-carbon tomb-sweeping methods, accounting for 62.73% of the total number of on-site tomb sweepers. Changing customs and habits and the concept of green funerals are gradually taking root in people's hearts. Civil affairs departments and funeral service institutions at all levels have strengthened organizational guarantees, actively carried out convenient services for the people, and strengthened tomb-sweeping safety management, ensuring that the masses' tomb-sweeping activities are safe, civilized, and orderly.
Return to TopDuring the Qingming Festival, various regions across the country commemorate revolutionary martyrs and pay tribute to heroes through diverse forms.
Return to TopThis newspaper Beijing (北京) April 4th (Reporter Li Linwei (李林蔚)) reported: The reporter learned from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (人力资源社会保障部) that the "Leading the Future through Employment—2026 National Urban Joint Recruitment Spring Special Event for College Graduates" has recently been launched. The event focuses on 2026 college graduates and previous graduates who have not yet found employment, adopting a combination of online and offline methods, and will continue until the end of May.
The online recruitment will set up a main venue on the China National Talent Network (中国国家人才网), opening special zones and columns, closely focusing on local key industries and talent needs, and organizing a series of urban live-streaming job promotion activities.
Offline recruitment will focus on digital economy, green economy, advanced manufacturing, international trade and other fields, launching industry-specific special events; serving national regional development strategies, organizing regional special events in western regions, Xiong'an New Area (雄安新区) and other regions; combining future industrial layout, holding high-level talent special recruitment activities; and organizing comprehensive or industry-specific cross-regional roving recruitment for cities with concentrated universities, large numbers of graduates, and heavy employment tasks in the central and western regions and Northeast China.
During the event, employment and entrepreneurship guidance experts will be organized to enter campuses, enterprises, and industrial parks to carry out employment and entrepreneurship policy publicity, job search consultation, and career guidance; graduates will be organized to visit enterprises, grassroots units, and industrial parks for visits and job experience; and outstanding workplace graduates with "Ordinary Positions, Wonderful Lives" will be organized to enter campuses and communities to carry out deeds publicity, promoting the idea that 三百六十行，行行出状元 (sān bǎi liù shí háng, háng háng chū zhuàng yuán - "360 professions, every profession produces an expert," every job can lead to success if done well).
Return to TopHaikou, April 4th (People's Daily reporter Sun Haitian (孙海天)) -- The reporter learned from Haikou Customs (海口海关) that in the three years since the implementation of the "buy-and-take" and "guarantee-and-take" policies for Hainan offshore duty-free shopping, as of April 3, the "buy-and-take" method has accumulated a shopping value of 10.618 billion yuan, 11.7273 million items, and 5.3463 million people; "guarantee-and-take" has accumulated a shopping value of 177 million yuan, 1,673 items, and 1,667 people.
With the support of various pick-up methods, the policy dividend release effect has been significantly improved. Many duty-free operators have stated that after the introduction of "buy-and-take" and "guarantee-and-take," travelers can conveniently purchase travel supplies and high-end goods through corresponding models, effectively improving the shopping experience for travelers, and also providing a better environment for the coordinated development of offshore duty-free shopping and Hainan's cultural, sports, business, tourism, and exhibition industries.
In order to continuously release policy dividends and benefit Hainan's local residents, on November 1, 2025, the Hainan offshore duty-free shopping policy will usher in its tenth optimization and adjustment, including expanding the beneficiaries and scope of application of "buy-and-take." Island residents with offshore records within a natural year can purchase duty-free goods under this pick-up model without any limit on the number of purchases.
Return to TopThis newspaper reported from Beijing on April 4th (Reporter Qiu Chaoyi (邱超奕)) Recently, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (人力资源社会保障部), the National Development and Reform Commission (国家发展改革委), and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (农业农村部) issued the "Guiding Opinions on Establishing a Regular Mechanism to Prevent Returning to Poverty Through Employment Assistance and Promote the Comprehensive Revitalization of Rural Areas." The document proposes six aspects of policies and measures to maintain the overall stability of employment assistance policies after the transition period, incorporate regular employment assistance into the overall implementation of the rural revitalization strategy, and ensure that large-scale poverty and return to poverty due to unemployment do not occur.
Regarding the accurate identification of assistance targets, the opinion proposes that those at risk of returning to poverty who have the ability and willingness to work, as well as underdeveloped areas, should be regarded as regular employment assistance targets after the transition period, and precise assistance and dynamic management should be implemented. Employment assistance will continue to be provided to the original registered and card-holding poverty-alleviated population who are at risk of returning to poverty if they leave the assistance policies.
Regarding promoting orderly employment outside the area, the opinion clarifies that the labor cooperation mechanism should be adhered to and improved, labor brands should be innovatively developed, stable employment service guarantees should be strengthened, and assistance should be provided to prevent those at risk of returning to poverty (including the original registered and card-holding poverty-alleviated population who are at risk of returning to poverty if they leave the assistance policies) to go out and stay stable.
Regarding promoting local employment nearby, the opinion proposes developing county-level industries that enrich the people and rural characteristic industries, enhancing the employment absorption capacity of the county economy, supporting eligible employment assistance workshops to revitalize and upgrade, increasing the implementation of work-for-relief projects, and supporting returning home to start businesses.
Regarding strengthening employment services and vocational training, the opinion requires carrying out "dual support of aspiration and intelligence" actions on a regular basis, promoting integrated project-based employment assistance that integrates job matching, skills training, skills evaluation, and employment services; implementing the "Skills Illuminate the Future" training action, special vocational skills training for domestic services, and other actions; deeply promoting the cultivation project of rural craftsmen; and optimizing the implementation of the "Rain and Dew Program+".
Regarding strengthening the bottom-line guarantee for employment, the opinion clarifies that those at risk of returning to poverty who meet the conditions for employment-disadvantaged individuals should be included in the scope of employment assistance and employment assistance policies should be implemented; the policy of paying basic pension insurance premiums for urban and rural residents should continue to be implemented to ensure that eligible individuals at risk of returning to poverty are included in the scope of policy support; and for those who are difficult to achieve employment through market channels, public welfare positions should be reasonably developed to provide bottom-line placement.
The opinion also proposes strengthening the inclination towards key areas. Relying on mechanisms such as East-West collaboration, counterpart support, and fixed-point assistance, support key assistance counties for rural revitalization and resettlement areas for relocation to carry out integrated employment assistance projects; give inclination when adjusting industrial development layouts, carrying out employment assistance actions, and arranging work-for-relief projects; encourage enterprises in the eastern region to invest and develop industries in western collaboration counties; and promote high-level talent service grassroots activities and farmer training projects to incline towards key assistance counties for rural revitalization.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 邱超奕 罗阳奇
Entrepreneurship and innovation are inseparable. At a time when the economy faces more complex challenges, the courage and willingness to start a business reflect a region's confidence in development and are related to the future driving force of development.
This year, Anhui Province launched an upgraded action for entrepreneurship in Anhui. Since the implementation of the Entrepreneurship Anhui Action in 2022, the region has seen an average of 1.25 million newly registered business entities per year, supporting more than 200,000 college graduates, migrant workers, and other groups to start businesses, with an average of 20 new technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) established every day.
How was this achieved? What is different about starting a business in Anhui? A reporter recently conducted an investigation.
Looking at the transformation of achievements—
Running a "Children's Hospital" requires "Senior Doctors"
Mei Lingliang, an entrepreneur in water-guided laser equipment, talked to more than a dozen investors but did not expect that only the technology managers at Hefei Keda Silicon Valley (合肥科大硅谷) truly understood him.
More than a year ago, Mei Lingliang was in a "desperate situation"—after two years of prototype development, the 20 million yuan of self-raised funds on the account were almost exhausted. "If I continue to invest, the capital chain may break. If I stop now, will I fall at the last step towards the market? I am not reconciled."
Mei Lingliang is confident in the technology in his hands. Water-guided laser equipment is a powerful tool for precision processing in industries such as semiconductors and aerospace. Previously, this equipment was monopolized by foreign manufacturers, and technical data was almost nowhere to be found. The water-guided laser equipment they independently developed has 100% domestic core components.
But when it comes to financing, Mei Lingliang is worried. "In order to promote the technology, I looked for a circle of investment institutions. But investors only care about the profitability and when to go public. We have been doing research and development for the past two years, so we are definitely losing money." Every time he talked about this, he couldn't continue.
"No revenue, no profit, no collateral, and a large investment. Investors don't think it's optimistic, but I think they don't understand it," Mei Lingliang said unconvinced. "A semiconductor company asked us to process products, and the yield increased from 30% to more than 90%. Foreign equipment can't handle it, but we can. What a huge market prospect!"
When the company was on the verge of collapse, at the end of 2024, Keda Silicon Valley (科大硅谷) discovered Mei Lingliang's project through alumni resources. Soon, technology manager Ding Wuchen (丁戊辰) came to visit.
"Ding Wuchen has a Ph.D. from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院). I was surprised that such a highly educated person would serve a small company, which is too wasteful," Mei Lingliang recalled.
But as soon as Ding Wuchen opened his mouth, he hit Mei Lingliang's heart.
"Before meeting, I learned about the relevant water-guided laser content at home and abroad. It has high technical content, and the early investment must have been very hard," Ding Wuchen said.
"From asking about technical difficulties to understanding the main customers, he has a deep understanding of the technology, talks professionally, and is completely different from others," Mei Lingliang said with emotion. Ding Wuchen immediately said, "This is exactly the company we are looking for." Four months later, the 20 million yuan of financing funds really arrived.
The subsequent story verified the judgment of both parties. In June 2025, Mei Lingliang established Hefei Kesite Technology Co., Ltd. (合肥科诗特技术有限公司), and achieved break-even in August, and the business has been growing since then.
Why can Keda Silicon Valley (科大硅谷) understand projects that others cannot understand or dare to invest in?
Technology managers like Ding Wuchen (丁戊辰) are the key.
"All regions want to invest early and invest small, but science and technology innovation projects have high thresholds, difficult valuations, and long cycles. It is difficult for outsiders to grasp accurately," said Wu Hailong (吴海龙), chairman of Keda Silicon Valley (科大硅谷), revealing the "secret recipe," "To run a 'Children's Hospital' well, you need to invite 'Senior Doctors.' For science and technology innovation enterprises like newborn babies, only those who truly understand hard technology, understand the difficulties of entrepreneurship, and understand industry trends can provide accurate and effective services."
Last year, Keda Silicon Valley (科大硅谷) established the province's first technology manager firm, with personnel selected from universities, research institutes, and technology companies, recruiting more than 200 people, and bringing back more than 600 science and technology innovation projects in one year.
Focusing on "finding people, finding money, and finding scenarios," this team of technology managers has made Keda Silicon Valley (科大硅谷) a science and technology innovation paradise, attracting more than 7,000 enterprises and gathering more than 80,000 entrepreneurs.
Let's look at Mei Lingliang again. "We are expanding our recruitment, and the new factory will be put into use soon. We will definitely be profitable this year, it's just a question of whether it will double or double," he said with a very different tone.
Looking at the industrial layout—
Attracting and cultivating enterprises cannot mean **捡进篮子都是菜** (jiǎn jìn lán zi dōu shì cài - "everything in the basket is a vegetable," accepting everything indiscriminately).
Wei Qishan (韦淇山), factory director of Zhenqu Technology (Wuhu) Co., Ltd. (臻驱科技（芜湖）有限公司), who has been in the industry for 15 years, did not expect that building a factory in the Fanchang Economic Development Zone (繁昌经济开发区) in Wuhu City (芜湖市) would be so efficient and profitable.
"From signing the contract, building the factory to the product rolling off the production line, it only took 133 days, which is much faster than expected!" Recalling the experience of the past year or so, Wei Qishan (韦淇山) could not hide his excitement, "We started construction, put into production, and reached the designated size in the same year of 2024, with revenue exceeding 20 million yuan."
Zhenqu Technology (臻驱科技) is headquartered in Shanghai (上海), and its main products include motor controllers, which are the power "brain" of new energy vehicles.
Looking at the whole country, there are many new energy vehicle towns. Why come to Wuhu (芜湖) to start a business?
"A company chooses where to take root, and the first thing it looks at is the market," Wei Qishan (韦淇山) said, explaining the key. Wuhu's (芜湖) automobile sales account for nearly 60% of Anhui Province (安徽省), and the leading enterprise Chery (奇瑞) has ranked first in China's brand passenger car exports for 23 consecutive years.
With a strong leader and large production and sales volume, there is no need to worry about the market.
In Zhenqu Technology's (臻驱科技) clean workshop, the production line is running busily, producing sets of motor controllers. The Chery Aike Super Factory (奇瑞埃科超级工厂) is only one kilometer away, and the products go directly to the leading enterprise after leaving the factory.
"Last year, the factory supplied 250,000 sets to the leading enterprise, and the supply volume in the first two months of this year doubled year-on-year, and it is expected to exceed 500,000 sets for the whole year," Wei Qishan (韦淇山) said confidently.
"Another thing to look at is whether the industrial support is strong," Wei Qishan (韦淇山) analyzed. Although many places are engaged in new energy vehicles, not many develop automotive electronics businesses. "It just so happens that in Wuhu (芜湖), there are many automotive electronics companies that are deeply involved in sensors and micro-controllers, which are helpful to us in terms of talent and technology."
Regional collaboration is another advantage of Wuhu (芜湖).
Looking at the upstream of the industrial chain, Wuhu (芜湖) is deeply embedded in the Yangtze River Delta (长三角) new energy vehicle industry circle. "80% of the parts and components required for the products, such as boards and die-casting parts, are in Jiangsu (江苏), Zhejiang (浙江), and Shanghai (上海)," Wei Qishan (韦淇山) admitted frankly. The company also has factories in other places. In the past, it took several days to transport parts and components, but now it can be reached on the same day, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
Another point is the strong support measures.
"Once, when construction was about to start, the factory had to build a new circuit. At that time, it was close to the holiday. Unexpectedly, after we raised the demand, the relevant departments completed the power transformation in less than a week. The human resources department also visited many times to help introduce urgently needed high-level talents." These service details are still unforgettable for Wei Qishan (韦淇山).
Automobile is Wuhu's (芜湖) leading industry that has been operating for many years, and there is no shortage of participants. Why does the local government take such good care of SMEs like Zhenqu Technology (臻驱科技)?
"The competition in the automobile industry is fierce. To go further, we must build an industrial pattern of differentiated collaboration, characteristic agglomeration, and tiered development. Like Zhenqu Technology (臻驱科技), it is one of the few companies that can provide a complete set of motor control solutions. It has scarcity and growth potential, which is exactly what we need to strengthen the industrial puzzle," said Fan Ning (范宁), deputy director of the Fanchang Economic Development Zone (繁昌经开区) Management Committee.
To strengthen the industry, attract enterprises with the market; to cultivate enterprises, empower the industry with innovation. This virtuous circle is conducive to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and helps local development. In the past three years, 84 new start-ups have been added to the Fanchang Economic Development Zone (繁昌经开区).
"Attracting and cultivating enterprises cannot mean **捡进篮子都是菜** (jiǎn jìn lán zi dōu shì cài - "everything in the basket is a vegetable," accepting everything indiscriminately). Which companies to attract and which not to attract, what to invest in and what not to invest in, we don't follow the trend, and our focus is always on the 'science' and 'gold' content," Fan Ning (范宁) said.
Looking at the entrepreneurial atmosphere—
This is my second hometown
Within a year and a half, the number of employees increased from 12 to 70, and revenue increased from less than 10 million yuan to more than 100 million yuan. Qin Jiaming (秦家明), chairman of Chuzhou Mingsheng Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (滁州明晟智能科技有限公司), did not expect that Chuzhou (滁州) would be so inclusive for entrepreneurship and that the company would develop so quickly.
Qin Jiaming (秦家明) is 27 years old this year. When he was studying at a university in Hubei (湖北), he participated in an artificial intelligence entrepreneurship project and developed a set of vertical large model algorithms.
Although there are innovative achievements, he has repeatedly encountered obstacles when he wants to implement them. Since the beginning of 2024, Qin Jiaming (秦家明) has traveled to more than 20 cities to negotiate, but has made almost no progress. "People may think I am too young, and it is not easy to gain trust."
The turning point occurred on March 8, 2024. "I visited the Sino-Singapore Suzhou-Chuzhou High-tech Zone (中新苏滁高新区) Management Committee in Chuzhou (滁州). A week later, the Management Committee sent a team of 10 people to visit. A month later, the two sides finalized the details of the cooperation. Within half a year, the company was officially listed," Qin Jiaming (秦家明) recalled the entrepreneurial process vividly.
The Management Committee also weighed whether to accept this young man: "Most of the projects introduced before were large projects such as equipment manufacturing. Can this small team do it?" "They want to invest several million yuan as soon as they open their mouths. Is the asking price too high?"
"The leadership team discussed it twice in a row and finally decided to cast a vote of confidence and help him introduce 6 million yuan of angel investment," said Zhang Rui (张瑞), deputy director of the Management Committee. At that time, the city's artificial intelligence industry was almost blank, and they judged that Qin Jiaming's (秦家明) project had light assets and a new perspective, which was a breakthrough.
After settling in the Sino-Singapore Suzhou-Chuzhou High-tech Zone (中新苏滁高新区), Qin Jiaming (秦家明) quickly felt the warm service here.
Before the company was officially listed, in order to better connect scientific research resources, Qin Jiaming (秦家明) hoped to establish an artificial intelligence research institute in the name of the company, but the application materials were returned.
"We are the first enterprise in the province to want to establish a private non-profit artificial intelligence research institute, and the review standards are relatively strict," Qin Jiaming (秦家明) once worried that if he waited to complete the materials and reapply, he would not be able to catch up with the company's listing.
Wang Xianliang (王宪亮), then deputy director of the Sino-Singapore Suzhou-Chuzhou High-tech Zone (中新苏滁高新区) Management Committee, learned about the situation and took him to the civil affairs department the next day to explain the situation and complete the materials. The research institute completed registration within a few days.
For large model enterprises, finding suitable application scenarios is the key.
Walking in the Sino-Singapore Suzhou-Chuzhou High-tech Zone (中新苏滁高新区), you can often see drones hovering in the air. After identifying garbage or illegally parked vehicles on the road, the drones will upload the photos to the Management Committee.
"This is the government affairs scenario provided by the Management Committee. We use this to optimize the algorithm model and achieve better technical results," Qin Jiaming (秦家明) said.
Cooperating with China Tower Chuzhou Branch (中国铁塔滁州市分公司) to build a full-domain video network platform, jointly developing industry large models with China Telecom Chuzhou Branch (中国电信滁州分公司)... With the Management Committee recommending scenarios, the company quickly opened up the market, and its revenue reached 137 million yuan last year.
The Sino-Singapore Suzhou-Chuzhou High-tech Zone (中新苏滁高新区) also regularly holds the "Chain on Suzhou-Chuzhou" series of activities to give entrepreneurs more opportunities to get together and chat about cooperation.
"I not only negotiated orders at the event, but also made a group of good partners." Whenever Qin Jiaming (秦家明) leaves Chuzhou (滁州), he actively promotes local policies, "This is my second hometown!"
"In July, the 'Creating the Future' 2026 Entrepreneurship Competition National Competition hosted by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (人力资源社会保障部) and Anhui Province (安徽省) will be held in Anhui (安徽)," said the relevant person in charge of the Anhui Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security (安徽省人力资源和社会保障厅), "We will vigorously build an employment and entrepreneurship-friendly province, cultivate an entrepreneurial ecosystem with differentiated competition, distinctive characteristics, and vibrant vitality, and promote the deep integration of entrepreneurial concepts, policies, and services into urban development and industrial upgrading."
Return to TopThis newspaper's Beijing (北京) April 4th dispatch (reporter Liu Wenxin (刘温馨)) - Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (工业和信息化部) and eight other departments jointly issued the "Action Plan for Promoting the Innovative Development of the Internet of Things Industry (2026-2028)," proposing that by 2028, new Internet of Things technologies, products, and models will continue to emerge, the industry's innovation capabilities will continue to strengthen, breakthroughs will be made in key technologies such as sensing, network and communication, data processing, and security, the level of intelligence of terminals and platforms will be significantly improved, more than 50 advanced and applicable standards will be formulated and revised, 10 application areas with billion-level connections and 15 application areas with ten-million-level connections will be cultivated and built, the number of Internet of Things terminal connections will strive to reach the 10 billion level, and the scale of the core Internet of Things industry will exceed 3.5 trillion yuan.
The Internet of Things is based on sensing technology, and through communication networks, it realizes the ubiquitous intelligent connection of people, machines, and things, connecting the digital world and the physical world. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, China's Internet of Things industry as a whole has shown a vigorous trend of large scale, leading standards, and wide application, but at the same time, there are also problems and challenges such as some key core technologies being controlled by others, different terminal devices being unable to interconnect, and increased network and data security risks.
The action plan proposes 16 specific tasks from the aspects of promoting the innovative upgrading of Internet of Things devices, improving the service effectiveness of Internet of Things platforms, cultivating Internet of Things application scenarios, consolidating the underlying foundation of Internet of Things networks, and creating an ecological environment for the development of the Internet of Things industry, to promote the innovative development of the Internet of Things industry, further accelerate the comprehensive integration of Internet of Things technology into various fields of production, consumption, and social governance, promote the deep integration of the digital economy and the real economy, and help develop new quality productive forces.
Return to TopOn April 3rd, children view exhibits at the Sanxingdui Museum (三星堆博物馆) in Sichuan (四川).
Recently, primary and secondary schools in many places have started spring break, connecting with the Qingming Festival (清明节) holiday, activating travel demand, and significantly boosting surrounding tours, short-distance tours, and study tours.
Xinhua News Agency reporter Lu Zhe (卢哲) photographed.
Return to TopBeijing, April 4th (Reporter Qu Xinming (屈信明)) - The reporter learned from the Beijing Local Financial Supervision and Administration (北京金融监管局) that Beijing has launched the development and application of commercial insurance for intelligent connected new energy vehicles. For L2-level assisted driving vehicles, after purchasing a new car in Beijing (北京), car owners can choose to purchase exclusive products or existing car insurance products. The Beijing Insurance Industry Association (北京保险行业协会) will announce the applicable automobile companies and models for exclusive products in batches. For L3 and L4 level autonomous driving vehicles, vehicles that conduct tests in Beijing (北京) in accordance with laws and regulations or obtain formal road qualifications can all be applicable to exclusive products, and related exclusive products will be launched as soon as conditions are ripe.
The relevant person in charge of the Beijing Local Financial Supervision and Administration (北京金融监管局) introduced that with the widespread application of cutting-edge technologies such as intelligent driving, existing commercial auto insurance can hardly accurately adapt to the unique usage scenarios and hardware and software protection needs of intelligent connected vehicles. In order to adapt to industrial development and new consumer demands, exclusive insurance products are optimized and upgraded on the basis of existing new energy vehicle insurance, clarifying conceptual definitions, standardizing clause expressions, and expanding protection content to achieve unified adaptation of L2 to L4 full-level intelligent connected new energy vehicles.
The Beijing Local Financial Supervision and Administration (北京金融监管局) will work with the Insurance Association of China (中国保险行业协会), the Actuarial Association of China (中国精算师协会), and major insurance companies to form a special working group to concentrate industry efforts to develop exclusive product clauses, do a good job in rate calculation, and scientifically and reasonably price them. It will work with China Banking and Insurance Information Technology Management Co., Ltd. (中国银保信公司) to establish a cross-industry data interaction mechanism, promote insurance companies to carry out information system transformation and upgrading, and ensure convenient insurance purchase and efficient claims settlement for exclusive products.
The Beijing Local Financial Supervision and Administration (北京金融监管局) reminds consumers that insurance can only alleviate the economic compensation pressure of drivers and cannot replace the assumption of legal responsibility. A guiding case recently released by the Supreme People's Court (最高人民法院) shows that the vehicle-mounted assisted driving system cannot replace the driver as the driving subject. After the driver activates the assisted driving function, he or she is still the person who actually performs the driving task and is responsible for ensuring driving safety.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 郁静娴 王东辉
With the advancement of spring plowing, the 2025 autumn grain peak season purchase is coming to an end. The latest data from the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration (国家粮食和物资储备局) shows that, to date, various grain operating entities across the country have cumulatively purchased over 320 million tons of autumn grain, a relatively high level in recent years; market prices have been stable and rising, and the characteristics of high-quality and high-price are more prominent.
Autumn Grain Increases in Quantity and Quality
Market-oriented Purchases Account for Over 90% of Total Grain Purchases
It is understood that the peak season purchase of medium- and late-season rice in China has ended, with a cumulative purchase of 103 million tons; corn purchase reached 210 million tons, and soybean purchase nearly 13 million tons. In Northeast China, North China and other places, the purchase of corn and soybeans continues to advance.
In Jianlou Village (箭楼村), Jinzhou Town (金洲镇), Ningxiang City (宁乡市), Hunan Province (湖南省), Huang Yong (黄勇), a large grain grower, sold out his 1,200 mu of late-season rice by the end of last year. "All of them are high-quality fragrant rice, with a yield of more than 800 jin per mu, including varieties such as Shaoxiang 100 (韶香100), Yuzhenxiang (玉针香), and Nongxiang 42 (农香42), with prices generally around 155 yuan per 100 jin," said Huang Yong (黄勇).
Central Reserve Grain Jiansanjiang Directly Affiliated Depot Co., Ltd. (中央储备粮建三江直属库有限公司), located in Heilongjiang Province (黑龙江省), purchased approximately 500,000 tons of rice in 2025. Qu Chen (曲臣), Deputy General Manager of the company, said that this year's rice quality and moisture content are good, farmers are highly motivated to sell grain, and diverse purchasing entities entered the market early, sales channels are smooth, and traders from outside the province are actively purchasing. Due to the adjustment of the rice planting structure in the region, some common round-grain varieties have been adjusted to high-quality varieties such as glutinous rice, which has led to faster rice sales in the jurisdiction this year than in previous years.
The bulk of the autumn grain peak season purchase has been completed, with increased quantity, improved quality, and optimized prices becoming highlights.
The reserve warehouses of Central Reserve Grain Suihua Directly Affiliated Depot Co., Ltd. (中央储备粮绥化直属库有限公司) stand tall and majestic. Inside the warehouses, rice and corn are neatly stacked. The panoramic digital grain depot system provides assistance for grain storage, and various monitoring indicators are clear at a glance.
Suihua (绥化) is a major grain-producing city in Heilongjiang Province (黑龙江省), with a planting area of 27.3 million mu for corn, rice, and soybeans. Last year, the local rainfall was abundant, the accumulated temperature was moderate, and the soil moisture was generally good, with a total grain output of 12.379 million tons, an increase of 350,000 tons year-on-year.
While the output increased, the quality of local grain was better than in previous years, and it is expected to sell at a good price. "This round of autumn grain purchase is mainly japonica rice, with some corn, totaling 43,939 tons of rice and 8,079 tons of corn," introduced Ma Honglin (马洪琳), Deputy General Manager of Suihua Directly Affiliated Depot Co., Ltd. (绥化直属库有限公司). The corn yield per mu is over one ton, and the crude protein content and bulk density are higher than the average level of previous years. The average yield per mu, thousand-grain weight, head rice rate of rice, and the complete grain rate and protein content of soybeans are also generally higher than the average level of previous years. The average price of corn purchased is 2066.6 yuan per ton, and the average price of rice is 2727.51 yuan per ton, an increase of 0.69% and 0.28% year-on-year, respectively.
Heilongjiang (黑龙江), Henan (河南), and Hunan (湖南) provinces purchased 4.18 million tons of minimum purchase price medium- and late-season rice, a decrease of 2.92 million tons year-on-year. "Against the backdrop of consecutive years of bumper grain harvests, the decline in the amount of supportive purchases to a certain extent reflects the continuous deepening of marketization in China's grain purchase and sales market," said Wang Xiudong (王秀东), Deputy Director of the Strategic Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (中国农业科学院) and researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Economics. Currently, market-oriented purchases account for more than 90% of the total grain purchases in China, with processing enterprises, traders, and reserve depots becoming the main force, especially the accelerated market circulation of high-quality rice. On the basis of stabilizing the minimum purchase price policy, giving full play to the role of the market is conducive to sending positive signals to grain farmers.
High-Quality Grain is Selling Well
High-Quality Rice, Corn, etc. are Popular
Luo Shouquan (罗守全), Director of the Grain Reserve Division of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration (国家粮食和物资储备局), introduced that in recent times, the autumn grain purchase market has continued the active trend of the previous period, with various entities such as grain trade, processing, and reserve enterprises actively entering the market to purchase, and the prices of major varieties have been stable and rising, especially the strong demand for high-quality rice, corn, and high-protein soybeans.
Where does the driving force for the booming purchase and sales come from?
From the perspective of edible consumption, the dietary structure of urban and rural residents is accelerating towards "eating well."
In Qingfeng Village (庆丰村), Nandu Town (南渡镇), Liyang City (溧阳市), Jiangsu Province (江苏省), enterprises and research institutes jointly built a large-scale standardized planting base for high-quality food-flavored varieties. "Last year, rice sales were nearly 9,000 tons, an increase of about 11% compared to the previous year," said Wang Linsong (王林松), head of the base and head of Liyang Suifeng Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (溧阳市岁丰农业科技有限公司). Good rice is not worried about sales, and downstream suppliers such as catering and supermarkets have high repurchase rates, driving the average benefit per mu of cooperative farmers to increase by more than 400 yuan.
Supporting the reputation and sales is the high-quality food-flavored rice variety "Nanjing 46 (南粳46)" bred by the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences (江苏省农科院): the rice grains are crystal clear, the aroma is fragrant after steaming, the softness and hardness are moderate, and it remains elastic after cooling... The food flavor value of this variety reaches 89 points, far exceeding the 70 points of ordinary rice, and it has become a special variety of the provincial public brand "Shuiyun Sumi (水韵苏米)". In Jiangsu (江苏), the planting area of high-quality food-flavored rice reached 22.9 million mu last year, driving farmers to increase their annual income by more than 1.3 billion yuan.
Since 2021, the Ministry of Finance (财政部) and the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration (国家粮食和物资储备局) have been deeply promoting the high-quality grain project. Various regions have formulated 286 high-quality grain group and local standards, and carefully created 34 provincial-level grain regional public brands such as "Shanxi Millet (山西小米)" and "Jilin Rice (吉林大米)", driving enterprises to extend and strengthen the chain, forming a virtuous cycle of industrial efficiency and increased farmer income. Jingdong (京东) data shows that since this year, the transaction volume of organic rice has increased by 25% year-on-year, and the transaction volume of Xinjiang (新疆) flour has increased by 60% year-on-year.
From the perspective of the processing market, high-protein soybeans are widely popular.
In Shandong Yuwang Ecological Food Co., Ltd. (山东禹王生态食业有限公司), the overall purchase scale of this season's soybeans has increased by nearly 50% year-on-year, mainly from high-quality producing areas such as Heihe (黑河) and Qiqihar (齐齐哈尔) in Heilongjiang (黑龙江), with protein content controlled at around 39%, complete grain size above 90%, and moisture content within 13%.
"During this period, the production line mainly produces deep-processed products such as soy protein isolate and low-temperature edible soybean meal, and also produces derivative products such as soybean oil and plant-based meat," introduced Zhang Jing (张静), Director of the Marketing Department of the company. Soy protein isolate is used in many fields such as plant-based foods and beverages, and the products are sold to more than 60 countries and regions. Low-temperature soybean meal is an important raw material for the food processing industry.
"The downstream market has high requirements for protein raw materials, and good soybeans help maximize the value of raw materials and enhance processing efficiency and product market competitiveness," introduced Sun Yingjun (孙英军), Director of the Purchasing Center of the company.
The Contribution Rate of Science and Technology Continues to Increase
Helping More Farmers Use Modern Planting Technologies
What varieties are good to plant? In Mingyue Village (明月村), Lukou Town (路口镇), Changsha County (长沙县), Hunan Province (湖南省), the "Double New" rice exhibition is held here every year.
"This year, 200 mu of cultivated land will be divided into single-season rice and double-season late rice areas, mainly displaying about 400 green, high-quality, high-yield, and multi-resistant rice varieties, as well as supporting technologies such as full mechanization and smart agriculture Internet of Things," said the person in charge of Changsha Zhenong Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (长沙哲农农业科技有限公司), the organizer of the exhibition. Last year, during the harvest season in September, 30,000 people came to observe and exchange ideas.
"This year, we will focus on promoting edible high-quality rice above the second grade, high-grade fragrant rice, and special rice varieties for rice flour processing," introduced Wang Shaoxi (王少希), Deputy Director of the Changsha Municipal Agricultural Technology Extension Center (长沙市农业技术推广中心). In order to promote the connection between variety layout and market demand, on the one hand, we will build demonstration bases for leading varieties in 4 major grain-producing counties, organize experts and large growers, and field appraisals by processing enterprises to guide farmers to "choose varieties based on the market, choose varieties based on quality, and choose varieties based on resistance"; on the other hand, we will support the promotion and service of key technologies such as green, high-quality, and high-efficiency cultivation, precise water and fertilizer management, and green prevention and control of diseases and insect pests, and strengthen the linkage between order production and high-quality and high-price purchase.
With good varieties, there must also be good techniques. From the performance of the main producing areas, the contribution of science and technology to grain production is constantly increasing.
Beidahuang Group Baoquanling Branch (北大荒集团宝泉岭分公司) is responsible for operating 12 farms, mainly producing soybeans. Although it experienced a local drought last year, the yield per unit area was still the same as the average value of the past 3 years. "The key lies in the full-chain technology empowerment," introduced Yu Jiaao (于家傲), Secretary of the Party Committee of the company. We screen high-oil and high-protein varieties to achieve full coverage of good varieties; comprehensively promote the "wide ridge and wide platform uniform density" planting model, and support dual-electric control seeders to ensure that the seeding depth and row spacing are accurately controllable; promote soybean seed coating and rhizobium inoculation technology to effectively enhance soil nitrogen fixation capacity; during the field management period, Internet of Things technology and intelligent monitoring realize refined management.
How to enable more farmers to use modern planting technology? In Baoqing County (宝清县), Heilongjiang Province (黑龙江省), the cooperation between the reclamation area and the local area has formed a "large-scale trusteeship" model, which is conducive to the implementation of technology integration.
"Last year, the cooperative and the 853 Farm (八五三农场) jointly built a 2,400-mu corn and soybean demonstration square. The reclamation enterprise provides 'cultivation, planting, management, harvesting, and sales' full-chain services, which saves worry and promotes income increase," said Li Chenqing (李臣卿), head of Dongfeng Grain Planting Cooperative (东丰谷物种植合作社). After the autumn harvest, the cooperative carried out large-scale joint land preparation, breaking the plow bottom through deep loosening and ridging, laying the foundation for water conservation and spring sowing.
"Taking socialized services as a link and sharing agricultural production resources in the reclamation area can effectively solve the problems of inconsistent planting techniques and unstandardized management of individual farmers. It can increase crop yield per unit area and ensure consistency in quality," introduced Cui Jihang (崔记杭), head of the Planting Management Section of the Baoqing County Agriculture and Rural Bureau (宝清县农业农村局). Through in-depth cooperation between the reclamation area and the local area, 125 demonstration bases have been built in the main corn and soybean producing areas, with a total area of 506,000 mu, driving the surrounding 300,000 mu of corn and soybeans to increase production and improve quality. This year, we will continue to promote cooperation models such as "full trusteeship and guaranteed yield", and it is expected to create 180 reclamation-local cooperation demonstration bases in the county, striving to achieve a breakthrough of 1.2 million mu in the area of reclamation-local cooperation.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 谢佳宁
By the end of 2025, the Balanora Phase III, Guayepo Phase III, and Escobarales three large-scale ground-mounted photovoltaic projects undertaken by China Power Construction Group (中国电力建设集团) (hereinafter referred to as "China Power Construction") in Colombia were all connected to the grid for power generation. The three projects have a total installed capacity of 260 megawatts, with an average annual power generation of approximately 520 million kilowatt-hours, which can meet the electricity needs of more than 350,000 Colombian households and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 420,000 tons per year.
The three photovoltaic power stations located in small and medium-sized cities in Colombia are providing more impetus for local development. Recently, reporters witnessed the economic and social benefits brought by the three photovoltaic power stations to the local area and felt the positive changes in people's lives through on-the-spot visits.
The project localization rate exceeds 98%, and many young people have returned to work locally.
In the early morning, the reporter took a car to Baranoa (巴拉诺阿) City, Atlántico (大西洋省) Department. Breakfast stalls have been set up on both sides of the main road, and the aroma of sandwiches, coffee, and fried corn cakes fills the air.
In 2024, the Balanora Phase III photovoltaic project undertaken by the China Power Construction Hydroelectric Eleventh Bureau (中国电建水电十一局) was launched. Liang Minghua (梁明华), the project leader, said that with the introduction of a large number of positions such as engineers, technicians, administrative staff, environmental protection specialists, and community coordinators, the labor market in Baranoa (巴拉诺阿) has become active. According to statistics, the project localization rate exceeds 98%, creating more than 500 direct employment opportunities. "A few years ago, most young people went out to work, and the city was relatively deserted. Now, many young people can find jobs at their doorstep, and the project has brought positive changes to the local area," said Carlos Bello (卡洛斯·贝略), the Colombian manager of the Balanora Phase III photovoltaic project.
Choosing to stay in his hometown is not only a career plan for Luis Eduardo (路易斯·爱德华多), but also a change in his life path. He has grown from an ordinary technician to a mechanical supervisor, and also participates in electrical supervision support and on-site coordination. He is currently studying for a degree in energy engineering. "I am very motivated to come to the company every day. It feels very different to work in my hometown and see the city getting better and better," said Eduardo (爱德华多).
Luz (露斯) works for a transportation company that provides commuting services for project employees, and the employees of the transportation company are all locals. She said, "I have friends around me who work on the project, and there are also indirect beneficiaries like me. Having a stable job at the doorstep gives many families hope."
"After work, people will take their families into the restaurant. Our restaurant's turnover has increased significantly, and we have also hired more employees," said Jean Duran (让·杜兰), a local restaurant operator.
"The project has brought significant economic and social benefits and changed the face of urban development," said Cristian González (克里斯蒂安·冈萨雷斯), Secretary of Planning and Infrastructure of Baranoa (巴拉诺阿) City.
Systematic training has become a development focus, and local professionals are growing rapidly.
"Today, many local young people have started from scratch and grown into professionals in the field of new energy in the project construction. The experience of working in Chinese enterprises has laid the foundation for their long-term career development. Their future is here," Javier Tomases (哈维尔·托马塞斯), the site manager of the Guayepo (瓜耶波) Phase III photovoltaic project in Ponedera (波内德拉) City, Atlántico (大西洋省) Department, said with emotion.
The Guayepo (瓜耶波) Phase III photovoltaic power station project takes systematic training as the focus of localization development, forming a training path of "must-train upon entry, re-train by post, train by work, and continuous growth." Zhao Zhongjie (赵忠杰), Executive General Manager of the Americas Regional Headquarters of China Power Construction Jiangxi Electric Power Design Institute Co., Ltd. (中国电建江西省电力设计院有限公司), the project contractor, said that the project has cultivated a group of local professionals involved in key links such as project management, on-site installation, and technical operation, and promoted the upgrading of the local employment structure to technical and professional directions.
José Torres (何塞·托雷斯) has a deep feeling from growing from an ordinary electrician to an electrical inspector. "There is a shortage of talents in the renewable energy field in Colombia. The project provides us with opportunities to learn skills and accumulate experience. Many of my friends have also participated in project training and grown into qualified technicians."
Tomases (托马塞斯) said that through cooperation with Chinese enterprises, Colombia's energy structure is shifting from mainly hydropower and supplemented by fossil energy to a cleaner energy mix. "Colombia has very favorable conditions in terms of solar and wind energy resources, and the development potential is huge." Tomases (托马塞斯) said that Chinese enterprises have brought experience and technology in the construction of large-scale photovoltaic power stations, and the Colombian side has combined these experiences with local norms. This cooperation is positive and effective, and promotes the rapid growth of talents in practice.
"The important value of the project lies in systematic training," emphasized Felipe Sarmiento (费利佩·萨米恩托), Secretary of Administration and Governance Affairs of the Ponedera (波内德拉) Municipal Government. "The combination of employment and training truly improves skills and employment levels, which is what local sustainable development needs."
Carry out regular community activities to drive people to improve their lives together.
How does sunlight turn into electricity? In the Picaleña (皮卡莱尼亚) community, Ibagué (伊瓦格) City, Tolima (托利马) Department, Colombia, the Escobarales (埃斯科巴勒斯) photovoltaic project undertaken by China Power Construction Hydroelectric Eleventh Bureau (中国电建水电十一局) carried out a solar panel display activity, demonstrating the photovoltaic power generation process and explaining the power generation principle. Many children were very interested.
After the event, 12-year-old Juan (胡安) used solar panels, small motors, and simple components to make new energy components and light up small light bulbs. "The child has a strong interest in solar energy. I feel that my work is affecting the next generation," said Juan's (胡安) mother, Jennifer Cárdenas (詹妮弗·卡德纳斯), a project mechanical assistant.
Victoria Heredia (维多利亚·埃雷迪亚), Chairman of the Picaleña (皮卡莱尼亚) Community Action Committee, said that the project has carried out activities such as women's skills training, children's education, safety and environmental protection knowledge popularization in surrounding communities and schools, and also helped the community improve facilities, connect employment positions, and enhance community cohesion. Cárdenas (卡德纳斯) successfully entered the project through community recruitment after participating in the women's mechanical assistant training class held by the project. Fernanda Oliveira (费尔南达·奥利维拉), the project's social affairs负责人, introduced that the training class is committed to creating more development opportunities for women, and many people directly participated in the project work after the training. According to reports, the project focuses on attracting women to participate in fine work such as electrical and electromechanical installation. During the peak of construction, about 300 women worked on site.
Tang Liang (唐亮), the project's on-site production负责人, said that the project carries out regular community activities: understanding the construction plan and impact through daily communication with residents, prioritizing the employment of local labor and opening up subcontracting opportunities to small and medium-sized enterprises; regularly carrying out environmental protection and safety publicity, helping vulnerable groups to find employment; and driving the development of local businesses such as catering, transportation, and maintenance. "Local residents said that the project drives everyone to participate and improve their lives together, and achieve long-term win-win results in cooperation."
James Medina (詹姆斯·梅迪纳), the project's ecology and environment负责人, introduced that the project also practices environmental protection concepts and promotes environmental protection knowledge. The project's entire construction process is equipped with strict ecological protection measures, and hundreds of animal and plant transfers and rescues have been completed. Local residents also actively report animal traces to the project. "Everyone understands that development does not mean destruction."
Return to TopBy: 姜再冬
Against the backdrop of escalating conflicts between the US, Israel, and Iran, and the continuous pressure on regional situations and the global economy, on March 31st, China and Pakistan jointly released the "Five-Point Initiative of China and Pakistan on Restoring Peace and Stability in the Gulf and the Middle East" in Beijing (北京). The initiative calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the prompt commencement of peace talks, ensuring the safety of non-military targets, ensuring the safety of waterways, and ensuring the primacy of the UN Charter. These five points not only represent the common position of China and Pakistan but also conform to the universal expectations of the international community, receiving high attention and broad support upon their proposal.
As ironclad friends, China and Pakistan have always maintained close communication and collaboration on major hot issues, committed to promoting regional and even global peace and stability. This is both a traditional advantage of all-weather strategic cooperation and the inherent meaning of the China-Pakistan community of destiny. Since the beginning of the US-Israel-Iran conflict, China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a responsible major country, has been in close contact and strengthened communication with all relevant parties, including the parties to the conflict, to jointly promote a ceasefire and the start of diplomatic negotiations. Pakistan has used its own advantages to actively promote peace talks and made sincere efforts to prevent further escalation of the situation. In this process, China and Pakistan have maintained close communication and strengthened coordination through the capitals of both countries and the UN Security Council channels. The foreign ministers of the two countries have spoken twice and held talks in Beijing (北京), jointly issuing a voice of peace and justice.
Currently, the world is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, and the international situation is intertwined with turbulence and chaos. The smoke of the US-Israel-Iran conflict has once again made the world recognize the heavy cost of war. Faced with the increasingly rampant hegemony, domineering behavior, and bullying, and the repeated erosion of the authority of the United Nations, the international community, especially the countries of the Global South, is more eager to reform the international governance architecture and safeguard international fairness and justice. At last year's Shanghai Cooperation Organization Tianjin (天津) Summit, President Xi Jinping (习近平), with the future and destiny of mankind in mind and grasping the trend of the times, solemnly proposed the Global Governance Initiative, emphasizing adherence to sovereign equality, compliance with international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating a people-centered approach, and focusing on action-oriented, providing a systematic plan for building a more just and reasonable global governance system. Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz (夏巴兹) who attended the summit, immediately expressed his firm support. The joint proposal of the five-point initiative by China and Pakistan is a vivid practice of both sides implementing the Global Governance Initiative with concrete actions.
The five-point initiative of China and Pakistan has received support and response from many countries and international organizations, gathering strength to promote the restoration of peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East. This fully demonstrates that a ceasefire is what people want and peace and stability are what all countries expect. History has repeatedly shown that force is not the solution to problems, and dialogue and negotiation are the only correct direction. China will continue to work with Pakistan to unite all peace-loving countries and people in the world to promote the cessation of this war that should not have happened, so that the region can restore peace and tranquility as soon as possible, and the global energy supply and international production and supply chains can resume smoothly as soon as possible.
This year is the opening year of China's "15th Five-Year Plan" and the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. We will work with Pakistan to fully implement the important consensus reached by President Xi Jinping (习近平) and Pakistani leaders, strengthen high-level exchanges, promote pragmatic cooperation, enhance people-to-people connectivity, deepen multilateral cooperation, and deeply practice the four global initiatives, working together to promote the reform of the global governance system and safeguard international fairness and justice, and make new contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
(The author is the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan (巴基斯坦))
Return to TopXinhua News Agency, Addis Ababa, April 4 (Reporter Liu Fangqiang (刘方强)) The African Union Commission issued a statement on the 3rd, welcoming the five-point initiative proposed by China (中国) and Pakistan (巴基斯坦) aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region.
In a statement, African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat (优素福) pointed out that the initiative makes a timely and constructive contribution to easing regional tensions and promoting political and diplomatic processes. The initiative emphasizes an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians, respect for international humanitarian law, and maintenance of maritime security, reflecting the key elements needed to manage the current crisis.
Moussa Faki Mahamat (优素福) also reiterated his "deep concern" about the continued escalation of the situation in the Gulf and Middle East region. He believes that the impact of the conflict has affected the world, including areas such as energy supply chains, food systems, and economic stability - especially for Africa, because Africa is already a continent facing multiple challenges.
Moussa Faki Mahamat (优素福) called on all parties to the conflict to exercise restraint, ease the situation as soon as possible, and maintain continuous contact, emphasizing that all parties must act fully in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law to maintain international peace and security.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 白元琪
From March 25th to April 5th, the 47th Bangkok International Motor Show was held at the IMPACT Exhibition Center in Bangkok (曼谷), Thailand. The motor show brought together 37 car brands and 8 motorcycle brands, with multiple Chinese brands making an appearance. Chinese new energy vehicles attracted many local residents to inquire and purchase.
Compared to previous years, new energy vehicles received significantly more attention at this year's exhibition. Chinese brand exhibition areas were larger, and more types of vehicles were on display. On-site visitors experienced test drives, and long queues formed in front of some exhibition areas. Behind this enthusiasm is the high recognition of "Made in China" by Thai consumers. According to statistics from the Federation of Thai Industries, in 2025, electric vehicle sales in Thailand will exceed 120,000 units, an increase of 80% year-on-year, with Chinese brand electric vehicles maintaining a leading position with over 80% market share.
At the exhibition, Chinese automakers showcased a variety of pure electric and plug-in hybrid models, highlighting advantages such as long range and intelligence. After visiting the Chinese automaker exhibition area, Thai Prime Minister Anutin (阿努廷) stated that Chinese brands have strong competitiveness in terms of technology and price, which strongly promotes the high-quality development of the Thai automotive industry.
The intensive entry of new models into the market is driving rapid iteration of the Thai automotive industry. In the BYD (比亚迪) exhibition area, the "blade battery" became the focus; in the GAC Aion (广汽埃安) exhibition area, solid-state battery samples attracted professional visitors to stop; Dongfeng Fengxing Leiting (东风风行雷霆) strengthened the sealing and wading capabilities of the battery pack in response to the Thai climate and road conditions... Chinese brand automakers not only brought the latest complete vehicle products, but also new energy vehicle technology and localized product customization solutions, deeply participating in and empowering the local industrial ecosystem. Renit, an engineer who regularly follows motor show trends, said: "New energy vehicles have become the absolute 'protagonist' of the exhibition, and this year everyone is more concerned about charging technology and range."
Against the backdrop of rising international oil prices, the high cost performance of Chinese new energy vehicles has gained favor with more consumers. Tano (塔诺), a Bangkok (曼谷) citizen who visited the exhibition, told reporters: "Vehicle cost is an important consideration for us when choosing a car. Chinese brands offer many spacious and low-energy family cars with outstanding cost performance."
Chinese automakers are focusing on the entire vehicle life cycle to make up for service shortcomings and extend the service chain. To solve the "pain points" of long maintenance cycles and slow parts supply that are common in the Thai market, GAC Group (广汽集团) launched its first overseas service brand, GAC CARE, at the motor show. Wang Haoyong (王浩勇), General Manager of GAC International Thailand Sales Company, said that the company is accelerating the improvement of the auto parts network and plans to deploy battery swap services within the year to reduce operating costs for high-frequency usage scenarios such as ride-hailing.
Chaturon Komolmit (乍都龙·哥蒙密), Vice Chairman of the 47th Bangkok International Motor Show, said that Chinese car brands have enriched the choices of Thai consumers. At the same time, China's investment in the new energy vehicle industry chain is increasing, and related products are also being adopted by local Thai companies, effectively reducing electricity costs. Uttamot (乌塔莫特), consultant of the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand, said that Chinese automakers are expanding from complete vehicle sales to service, energy, and industrial chain collaborative layout, injecting strong momentum into the green transformation of the Southeast Asian industry.
(Reported from Bangkok (曼谷) on April 4th by Xi Zhimiao (奚之淼), intern)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 黄培昭
Before dawn, people used to get up and travel several kilometers back and forth along the muddy riverbank to fetch water from the river; or they would gather by the roadside with buckets and kettles under the scorching sun, anxiously waiting for the water delivery truck, their clothes soaked with sweat... In Cabinda Province in northern Angola, these "water shortage" scenes that were commonplace in the past are now history. With the comprehensive completion and commissioning of the water supply project undertaken by China Railway 20th Bureau Group (中铁二十局集团) last year, more than 600,000 local residents have bid farewell to traditional water collection methods.
The Cabinda Water Supply Project is the largest water supply project in Angola. The project is designed to supply 50,000 cubic meters of water per day, with a total length of about 80 kilometers of water supply pipelines, and 74 centralized water collection points, covering about 92% of the population of Cabinda Province (卡宾达省). The project is built according to Chinese standards and is currently one of the most modern water supply systems in the area.
The reporter came to Xifimbu Village (西芬布村) in Cabinda, where villager Maria was going to the nearby centralized water collection point. "In the past, fetching water was a chore. We had to travel two kilometers back and forth, and we had to leave before dawn, sometimes several times a day. In the rainy season, the river water swells, and it is dirty and muddy, but we have no other choice. Many people in the village get sick from drinking unclean water, especially the children, which is really heartbreaking." Maria said, "Now the water collection point is right at our doorstep, we don't have to run so far anymore, and we don't have to worry about the water quality. This water tastes a bit sweet."
The reporter came to the water treatment plant located in Sassa Zau (萨萨扎乌). The plant covers an area of approximately 19,200 square meters. After training by the Chinese side, local engineer Reuca (雷乌卡) is already familiar with the entire process and has mastered the operation of the equipment: "After the raw water is taken from the Chiluangu River (赤鲁昂古河), it is transported to the water plant through a pumping station, and then undergoes a series of treatments such as a mechanical rapid mixing pool, a stirring clarification pool, a filter pool, and a clear water pool to become clean and safe tap water."
Zhang Guoxu (张国需), General Manager of China Railway 20th Bureau Group (中铁二十局集团) Angola International Co., Ltd., said: "In order to ensure the smooth progress of the project, we have optimized and adjusted the design plan more than 10 times. Since the local foundation is mainly composed of silt layers, we drove 64 cast-in-place piles about 30 meters deep to ensure the stability of the structure. The 4 sets of vertical long-shaft pumps equipped in the pumping station adopt the 'three-use and one-standby' operation mode to ensure that the raw water can be stably transmitted to the water treatment plant."
Frank (弗兰克), Chairman of the Cabinda Water Authority (卡宾达水务局), introduced: "Clean and safe water quality has also greatly reduced the risk of disease. Chinese companies have built an important livelihood project for us."
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 戴楷然 黄炜鑫
Driving north from Addis Ababa (亚的斯亚贝巴), the capital of Ethiopia, for about 4 hours, the reporter and his party arrived in the town of Lemi (莱米镇) in the Amhara (阿姆哈拉州) region. The Lemi National Cement Factory (莱米国家水泥厂) is located in the northwest of the town. Trucks loaded with cement were constantly driving out of the factory gate.
In September 2024, the Lemi National Cement Factory (莱米国家水泥厂), jointly invested by China Western Cement Co., Ltd. (中国西部水泥有限公司) and East Africa Holdings (埃塞俄比亚东非控股公司) of Ethiopia and constructed by China National Materials International Engineering Co., Ltd. (中国中材国际工程股份有限公司), was inaugurated and put into operation, launching the first daily production line of 10,000 tons of cement clinker in Africa. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (阿比) called it "an important milestone event in Ethiopia's industrial sector."
"Previously, it was difficult for Ethiopia to find a stable supply of cement." Zhao Xinhai (赵新海), general manager of Lemi National Cement Factory (莱米国家水泥厂), said that less than half a year after the cement factory was put into operation, the production line released 100% of its design capacity, with an average daily output of more than 12,000 tons of cement. At present, the daily production capacity of the cement factory accounts for more than 1/3 of the total cement production capacity of Ethiopia, which effectively alleviates the local cement shortage and meets the infrastructure construction needs of various places. "Hundreds of trucks come to the factory to purchase cement every day. We are negotiating with the local government to upgrade and transform the road from Lemi Town (莱米镇) to the cement factory to create more convenient conditions for cement transportation."
Walking into the central control room of the cement factory, local employees are closely monitoring the operation of raw material grinding, rotary kiln, cement grinding, packaging and other links through the screens in front of them. Ye Fei (叶飞), project manager of the cement factory, said that more than 800 cameras have been installed on the entire production line, and globally leading intelligent manufacturing technologies such as condition awareness, industrial control, network interconnection, and information transmission have been introduced. "Workers only need to click the mouse in the central control room to schedule and control the production process."
The energy consumption and carbon emissions of cement production are relatively high. This production line pays close attention to the efficient use of resources and strives to reduce the impact on the environment. "From the perspective of technology, the production line has introduced the most advanced second-generation new dry process cement production technology, and selected preheaters, decomposition furnaces and other equipment suitable for the local plateau environment." Zhao Xinhai (赵新海) said that the cement factory is equipped with two sewage treatment plants, and the waste water from the production process is purified and used to irrigate green vegetation to reduce waste emissions.
The construction and operation of the cement factory have brought positive changes to Lemi Town (莱米镇). During the peak of construction, the project provided more than 3,000 jobs for Lemi Town (莱米镇). After the cement factory was put into operation, more than 600 people remained in the factory to work. Israel Debebe (伊斯拉埃尔·德贝贝) has worked in the cement factory since the initial stage of project construction, and has grown from an ordinary worker to a deputy manager of mechanical management. "Under the guidance of the Chinese team, I can now skillfully maintain the production line equipment and have a stable job." Debebe (德贝贝) said.
Abaye Ishetela (阿巴耶·伊希特拉), a cement factory production operator, is a native of Lemi Town (莱米镇). "In the past, very few people lived in Lemi Town (莱米镇). After the cement factory started construction, many people from surrounding villages joined the construction team and moved to the town to live, and Lemi Town (莱米镇) became lively." Ishetela (伊希特拉) said that nowadays some people in the town have started cement transportation businesses, and others have opened hostels and restaurants. "My family and I are considering building a new house in the town."
Return to TopRecently, international students from Huzhou University (湖州师范大学) in Zhejiang Province (浙江省) visited Guzhu Village (顾渚村), Shuikou Township (水口乡), Changxing County (长兴县), to experience traditional skills such as tea picking and to feel the charm of Chinese tea culture.
Shi Wei (施伟) Photo (People's Vision (人民视觉))
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 金正波 李龙伊
On the eve of the Qingming Festival, officers and soldiers of the "Yang Gensi Company" (杨根思连) of a certain brigade of the 83rd Group Army of the Army stood in neat formation in the memorial square of the Martyrs' Cemetery. Pine and cypress trees stood silently, and sorrow lingered.
"Old squad leaders Li Lei (李磊) and Yang Shupeng (杨树朋), it has been 10 years since you left us..." Squad leader Xiao Rongji (肖荣基) held a letter in his hand, his voice low. Each word and sentence was a heartfelt message to the old squad leaders. When he read "The mountains and rivers are safe, and the country is prosperous and the people are at peace," the officers and soldiers present all had tears in their eyes.
Even when the country is not at war, soldiers make sacrifices.
Since China first participated in the United Nations peacekeeping operations in 1990, over the past 36 years, it has sent a total of more than 50,000 peacekeeping officers and soldiers, producing "People's Hero" Shen Liangliang (申亮亮), peacekeeping martyrs Li Lei (李磊) and Yang Shupeng (杨树朋), and 17 other soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the cause of peace. They fulfilled their solemn oath to faithfully fulfill their mission and safeguard world peace with their actions.
Departing for Peace, Committing to the Mission with Life
In the "Three Unbelievables" Heroic Declaration Education Center of a certain brigade of the 83rd Group Army of the Army, an application to join the Party is on display. This was left by Li Lei (李磊), a peacekeeping martyr of the "Yang Gensi Company" (杨根思连). In his application, he wrote: If one day I am gone, it is all my own choice, and I have no regrets.
In 2016, the "Yang Gensi Company" (杨根思连) received an order from its superiors to participate in the formation of a peacekeeping infantry battalion and went to South Sudan to carry out peacekeeping missions. On July 8, local time, the South Sudanese government army and anti-government armed forces engaged in fierce fighting. This day was exactly the birthday of soldier Li Lei (李磊). Although the weather was hot, Li Lei (李磊) still wore thick body armor, carrying a load of more than 20 kilograms.
On July 10, local time, Li Lei (李磊), after being on duty for a day, took the initiative to ask the company for permission to continue staying on the front line of gunfire. During the mission, armored vehicle No. 105 was destroyed. In the ambulance, Tian Feiheng (田飞衡), the then deputy squad leader, held Li Lei (李磊). Halfway there, Li Lei (李磊) suddenly grabbed Tian Feiheng's (田飞衡) hand and said to him: "Squad leader Tian (田班长), I will give my life to the Party." This was the last sentence Li Lei (李磊) left behind.
Yang Shupeng (杨树朋), a peacekeeping soldier who sacrificed with Li Lei (李磊), was not supposed to participate in the duty mission that day, but he found the company commander and said: "I am a 15-year veteran and an 11-year veteran Party member. At this critical moment, how can I stay in the rear? I must go!" In this way, Yang Shupeng (杨树朋) went to the post again. After armored vehicle No. 105 was attacked by artillery shells, seven soldiers on the vehicle were injured to varying degrees. Li Lei (李磊) and Yang Shupeng (杨树朋) died heroically due to their serious injuries after rescue efforts failed.
Departing for Peace, Committing to the Mission with Life.
During overseas peacekeeping missions, 17 Chinese peacekeeping officers and soldiers, 17 young lives, were forever frozen in the land of foreign countries. They either died unfortunately while performing their missions, or were killed in air raids, or died of illness in the mission area... The heroes proved with their actions that Chinese soldiers are always warriors who set out for peace.
The Motherland Will Not Forget, the People Will Not Forget
"Papa Shen (申爸爸), Mama Yang (杨妈妈), we have come to see you!" In Wen County (温县), Henan (河南), the hometown of Shen Liangliang (申亮亮), a cordial greeting broke the silence of the early morning.
In the simple living room, Tang Honghua (汤宏华), a soldier from a certain brigade of the 78th Group Army of the Army, where Shen Liangliang (申亮亮) served before his death, stood tall and solemnly presented Shen Liangliang's (申亮亮) application to join the Party and his peacekeeping application to the martyr's family.
The two application letters were written in neat handwriting and with sincere emotion, and the lines were full of an excellent soldier's infinite loyalty to the Party and his firm pursuit of the peacekeeping cause. Looking at his son's familiar handwriting, Shen Tianguo (申天国), Shen Liangliang's (申亮亮) father, had tears in his eyes: "Liangliang (亮亮) was determined to join the army and serve the country since he was a child. He did it, and we are proud of him..."
On May 31, 2016, local time, peacekeeping soldier Shen Liangliang (申亮亮) was attacked by terrorists while performing a peacekeeping mission in Mali (马里). At the critical moment, he issued a warning at the first time and pushed his comrades away at the moment of the explosion. He was only 29 years old when he sacrificed.
The peacekeeping heroes dedicated their lives to peace, the motherland will not forget, and the people will not forget.
In the Martyrs' Cemetery in the garrison of the brigade, commentator Zhang Shuo (张硕) looked at Shen Liangliang's (申亮亮) relics in the display cabinet and introduced to the students with deep affection: "Shen Liangliang (申亮亮) is a hero of the army and also a hero in my heart. When we welcomed the hero home that year, everyone took to the streets to see Shen Liangliang (申亮亮) off on his last journey."
"Uncle Shen Liangliang (申亮亮叔叔), you are a great hero! I will study hard and protect the motherland like you when I grow up." On the message board in the exhibition hall, the childish handwriting of elementary school students was full of admiration for the hero. Every year, tens of thousands of people from all walks of life come to this cemetery to remember the "People's Hero" who sacrificed to maintain world peace.
The flowers in the exhibition hall are updated daily and never interrupted, just like people's thoughts, which extend year after year and never fade. The heroes have fallen, but their lives are immortal and will always be remembered.
In the year Shen Liangliang (申亮亮) sacrificed, Southwest Wang Village (西南王村) in Wen County (温县) named the 2-kilometer road "Liangliang Road" (亮亮路), and the cultural square was renamed "Liangliang Square" (亮亮广场). Wen County (温县) later built a memorial hall in the name of Shen Liangliang (申亮亮).
What Falls is the Body, What Stands is the Spirit
The martyrs should smile in retrospect, and there will be successors to hold the flag.
At the end of 2020, the Henan Opera "Shen Liangliang" (申亮亮) was staged. When it was performed in Wen County (温县), villagers from all over the area came to watch.
In the cold wind, a student named Wang Jinzhe (王锦哲) accompanied his grandfather to the stage. Shen Liangliang's (申亮亮) battlefield heroism and heroic deeds deeply touched Wang Jinzhe (王锦哲). On the way back, he said to his grandfather: "Grandpa, I want to join the army too."
Later, the unit where Shen Liangliang (申亮亮) served before his death recruited new recruits from Wen County (温县), and Wang Jinzhe (王锦哲) came to the camp of the company where Shen Liangliang (申亮亮) served on the Songhua River (松花江) as he wished.
In the company, the first lesson for new recruits was to learn about Shen Liangliang's (申亮亮) advanced deeds, the first book they read was "Shen Liangliang's (申亮亮) Story Collection," and the first person they called out at the roll call every day was Shen Liangliang (申亮亮), and all the officers and soldiers of the company answered "Here" in unison... The heroic spirit influenced the officers and soldiers of the company. One late night, Wang Jinzhe (王锦哲) wrote a motto in his notebook: "I come from the hero's hometown and want to be a hero's successor."
Wang Jinzhe (王锦哲) found that his comrades around him were like him, inspired by the heroic spirit. In August 2023, the garrison suffered a rare flood, and everyone volunteered to fight. When rescuing the local people, they charged to the most dangerous front line and built a solid defense line.
What falls is the body, what stands is the spirit. To carry forward the spirit of the martyrs is to unremittingly and forever struggle on the road they have opened up with their lives and blood.
China actively supports the United Nations peacekeeping operations, is one of the main contributors to the United Nations peacekeeping operations, and is the largest troop-contributing country among the permanent members of the Security Council.
Whether it is the sacrificed peacekeeping heroes such as Shen Liangliang (申亮亮), Li Lei (李磊), and Yang Shupeng (杨树朋), or other Chinese soldiers who stick to their overseas peacekeeping posts, for 36 years, the "Chinese Blue Helmets" have always maintained professionalism, efficiency, well-trained, and discipline, and have been widely praised.
"In the Chinese peacekeeping soldiers, we see the greatest advantages of the Chinese nation: kindness and wisdom. Thank you China for making the world a better place," a United Nations official once commented.
Peace is like air and sunshine, benefiting without being aware of it, but difficult to preserve if lost.
Today, the "Chinese Blue Helmets" have become a key force in the United Nations peacekeeping operations. The Chinese army will, as always, support the United Nations peacekeeping operations, fulfill its solemn commitment to safeguard peace, bring more confidence to conflict areas, and give local people greater hope.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 窦瀚洋
Accelerate the construction of an inclusive childcare service system and expand the supply of service resources through multiple channels.
——Excerpt from the "15th Five-Year Plan" Outline
At a little past 7 p.m., Shen Chunyan (沈春燕), a resident of Linping District (临平区), Hangzhou (杭州), Zhejiang (浙江), arrived at the Youyou Nursery (优优托育园) near her workplace after getting off work to pick up her child and go home together. "My child's father is away on business for a long time, and the availability of evening childcare here is convenient and reassuring," said Shen Chunyan (沈春燕).
Pushing open the door, her two-year-old son, Yiyi (奕奕), was sitting on a soft mat with two other children, listening to a caregiver tell a picture book story. "Yiyi's (奕奕) mom, your child had 4 diaper changes today, no bowel movement, and slept for two and a half hours at noon. He ate well for dinner, you can give him some warm water when you get home." Caregiver Yang Yifan (杨一帆) squatted down, changed the child's shoes, and quietly told Shen Chunyan (沈春燕).
Half a year ago, the elderly family member who helped take care of the child had health problems, and her partner was not around, so Shen Chunyan (沈春燕) thought of finding a nursery. "I asked around, and the surrounding nurseries closed at four or five in the afternoon, so I had to ask for leave to leave work early to pick up the child." Accidentally, she came across information about Youyou Nursery (优优托育园) on a social media platform and learned that it was a publicly-built, privately-operated inclusive nursery with childcare services from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m., which immediately appealed to her.
"The cost of the night care service is 1,000 yuan on top of the monthly daycare fee of 1,780 yuan, including dinner," Shen Chunyan (沈春燕) explained. Parents drop off their children at 8 a.m. and pick them up after work in the evening, solving the "time difference" problem for many dual-income families.
Wang Jijuan (汪继娟), head of Youyou Nursery (优优托育园), introduced that the nursery was established in August 2023, and more than a year after opening, it launched a flexible "worry-free night care" service for infants and toddlers aged 0 to 3.
"Originally, we only provided daytime childcare services, but later we found that more and more parents were inquiring about night care, so after research, we launched the night care service," Wang Jijuan (汪继娟) said. To this end, the nursery has specially formed a night care team and has also improved the digital night safety facilities.
More than 80% of the children in the nursery come from dual-income families, and 30% of families have chosen night care. "Recently, all the children are basically picked up by 8 p.m., and in the summer, we wait until 12 a.m. at the latest," Wang Jijuan (汪继娟) said. The childcare time is extended, but the service will not be discounted. The caregivers use these hours of night care to formulate exclusive childcare plans based on each child's different situation.
Yang Yifan (杨一帆) straightened the broken hair in front of Nuan Nuan's (暖暖) forehead and waited with her for her parents to pick her up. In January 2025, Nuan Nuan (暖暖), who had just turned 6 months old, was enrolled in the nursery. At that time, her motor development was significantly lagging behind. In order to help Nuan Nuan (暖暖) catch up with the pace of development, the nursery tailored an exclusive training plan for her. The teacher used brightly colored toys to attract her, guided her to actively raise her head and reach out her hand, and used her hand to help her support her upper body, gradually exercising her core strength and limb coordination.
"I remember very clearly that in one of the training sessions a few weeks later, Nuan Nuan's (暖暖) calf suddenly moved forward subconsciously," Yang Yifan (杨一帆) said. Starting from this small step, Nuan Nuan (暖暖) slowly learned to roll over, sit alone, and crawl, and various motor development indicators gradually caught up with children of the same age.
Zhou Renjing (周任婧), head of the Population Monitoring and Family Development Section of the Linping District (临平区) Health Bureau, introduced that "late work and difficulty in picking up children" is a realistic pain point for many dual-income families. In response to this concern of the people, Linping District (临平区) is exploring and promoting the "digital intelligent night care" service model to promote the extension of childcare services to precision and personalization. At present, 7 childcare institutions in the district provide night care services, with a coverage rate of over 50% in towns and streets.
"In the first year of the '15th Five-Year Plan,' we will use flexible models and professional care to run 'inclusive childcare' well, not only seeking quantity but also quality, not only focusing on care but also on education," said Zhou Renjing (周任婧).
Return to TopBy: 张雪妍
Without the help of elders at home, the early closing of childcare centers, and parents getting off work late, Shen Chunyan (沈春燕) had no choice but to ask for leave and leave early – the problem Shen Chunyan (沈春燕) encountered is a common worry for many dual-income families. The emergence of nighttime childcare services has alleviated this anxiety for parents.
Reasonable fees, professional childcare teams, personalized growth training... Childcare institutions launching nighttime childcare services not only provide children with a safe and stable growth environment, but also allow parents in need to entrust their children with peace of mind.
Nighttime childcare is not only an extension of service hours, but also an important step for "inclusive childcare" to accurately connect with people's livelihood needs and move towards refined services. We look forward to more childcare institutions joining this "heart-warming extended hours" initiative, so that the lights of nighttime childcare can illuminate more families in need, and help each small family move more calmly and with more peace of mind.
Return to TopThis newspaper reported from Beijing on April 4th (Reporter Wu Yue (吴月)): The General Office of the Ministry of Education (教育部办公厅) recently issued a notice, making arrangements for carrying out the special action of "Sunshine Enrollment" in primary and secondary schools (2026), proposing to strengthen the forward-looking layout of resources, strictly prohibit all kinds of illegal enrollment, strictly regulate the enrollment of specific types, comprehensively promote the balanced class arrangement of compulsory education, ensure the fair enrollment of key groups, strengthen the information disclosure of enrollment, deepen the "one thing for education enrollment," and strengthen risk prevention work, and other 8 key tasks.
Regarding strictly prohibiting all kinds of illegal enrollment, the notice requires that compulsory education schools should fully implement tuition-free enrollment in the vicinity, and strictly prohibit selecting students through interviews, evaluations, receiving resumes, and other methods. Ordinary high schools should fully implement the requirements of local enrollment, strictly implement the "public and private schools enroll simultaneously" policy, strictly prohibit affiliated high schools of universities under the Ministry (部属高校附中), provincial high schools (省属高中), and high schools in districts and cities from illegally recruiting top students from counties, and strictly regulate various bonus point projects and scores. Earnestly implement the policy of reasonably allocating high-quality ordinary high school enrollment quotas to weak junior high schools in the region, and strictly prohibit recruiting top students across regions in the name of quota allocation to schools. Primary and secondary schools are strictly prohibited from illegally enrolling students in advance, enrolling students beyond the plan, and enrolling students across regions, and are strictly prohibited from indirectly enrolling students in advance through "intention registration," "pre-admission agreement," "bottom-line admission agreement," "class guarantee agreement," and other names.
Regarding strictly regulating the enrollment of specific types, the notice proposes that a provincial review and filing system for specific types of enrollment should be fully implemented. It is strictly forbidden for any place or any school to carry out special enrollment in the name of innovative talent early training programs in the compulsory education stage without provincial approval.
Regarding comprehensively promoting the balanced class arrangement of compulsory education, the notice proposes that compulsory education schools are strictly prohibited from establishing or indirectly establishing key classes, experimental classes, or fast and slow classes. Promote the balanced allocation of teachers and the random assignment of students to classes, and fully implement balanced class arrangement. The school's class arrangement plan, process, and results should be made public to the society. Once the class arrangement results are announced and determined, they shall not be changed without authorization.
From April to September this year, the Ministry of Education (教育部) will set up a special column on "Problems of Illegal Enrollment in Primary and Secondary Schools" on the WeChat public platform of China Education Supervision (中国教育督导微信公众平台). Local education administrative departments should unblock the channels for accepting reports and complaints. County-level education administrative departments must set up a special enrollment hotline and actively disclose it to the public, and establish a ledger for the problems reflected by the masses, and verify and deal with them one by one.
Return to TopOn April 3rd, the track laying project for the new Chongqing-to-Wanzhou High-Speed Railway officially commenced. Currently, the subgrade, bridge, and tunnel engineering of the Yu-Wan High-Speed Railway have been basically completed, and the station buildings and "four electricity" (四电) engineering are progressing in an orderly manner according to schedule.
The Yu-Wan High-Speed Railway is an important component of the Baotou (Yinchuan)-Haikou and Beijing-Kunming corridors in China's "eight vertical and eight horizontal" (八纵八横 - bā zòng bā héng - "eight vertical eight horizontal," a national high-speed rail network) high-speed rail network. The line starts from Chongqing East Station (重庆东站) and ends at Wanzhou North Station (万州北站), with a main line length of 251 kilometers and a designed speed of 350 kilometers per hour.
All of the above pictures were taken by Tang Yi (唐奕), a reporter from Xinhua News Agency (新华社).
Return to TopBeijing, April 4th (People's Daily reporter Wang Zheng (王政) and Liu Wenxin (刘温馨)) In order to regulate the ethical governance of artificial intelligence (AI) technology activities and promote the healthy development of the AI industry, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (工业和信息化部) and ten other departments recently issued the "Measures for Ethical Review and Services of Artificial Intelligence Technology (Trial)" (《人工智能科技伦理审查与服务办法（试行）》), proposing to establish and improve the ethical standards system for AI technology, support technological innovation in AI technology ethical review, and strengthen the prevention of AI technology ethical risks through technical means.
The measures propose that ethical reviews of AI technology should focus on six aspects: human well-being, fairness and justice, controllability and trustworthiness, transparency and explainability, traceability of responsibility, and privacy protection. This includes whether AI technology activities have scientific and social value; the selection criteria for training data, and whether the design of algorithms, models, and systems is reasonable; whether information such as the purpose and operating logic of algorithms, models, and systems is reasonably disclosed; and whether sufficient measures are taken to ensure that privacy data is effectively protected.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 王永战
In the morning, as soon as he arrived at work, Wang Duhong (王杜红), deputy director of the Disease Control Center of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau of Pengxi County (蓬溪县), Suining (遂宁), Sichuan (四川), walked to a government vehicle in the courtyard, preparing to go out for work.
He scanned the QR code posted outside the carport with his mobile phone, entered the mini-program, and applied for the vehicle. Wang Duhong (王杜红) entered the reason for using the vehicle, the number of people using the vehicle, and filled in the starting point and destination. "Submit!" As he spoke, the vehicle application was submitted to the bureau office for approval, and the application was quickly approved.
After clicking to use the car, the lights of the electric car turned on. Wang Duhong (王杜红) and his colleagues got into the car and headed to a cattle farm in Huaihua Town (槐花镇), Pengxi County (蓬溪县). "We are going to draw blood samples from the cattle to check whether the newly introduced batch of cattle has any diseases," Wang Duhong (王杜红) said, with the "shared government car," it is much more convenient for colleagues to go out for work.
The Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau of Pengxi County (蓬溪县) has more than 260 cadres and employees, and the demand for vehicles is relatively large. Previously, the bureau only had 2 emergency support vehicles. "Our unit is large in scale and has many functions, and the demand for official vehicles is large, but there are not enough vehicles, and we are usually 捉襟见肘 (zhuō jīn jiàn zhǒu - "pull lapel expose elbow," to be in a tight spot; inadequate to meet needs)." said Lu Juan (芦娟), director of the office of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau of Pengxi County (蓬溪县).
Pengxi County (蓬溪县) is equipped with 72 official vehicles, but some departments and townships have a large demand for vehicles, and the existing vehicles are difficult to meet. If we continue to purchase official vehicles, the cost is high, the process is long, and the guarantee costs are high. How to solve the problem?
In October 2024, after preliminary research, the Pengxi County (蓬溪县) Government Affairs Service Center explored the "shared government car" time-sharing rental model, built an online platform, and leased new energy vehicles from state-owned companies for use as official vehicles, realizing one-click application, nearby pick-up and return, and time-sharing billing.
Pengxi County (蓬溪县) Zhonghang Transportation Co., Ltd. is a partner. On the Jiaojian Zhixing (交建智行) platform operated by the company, Wang Duhong's (王杜红) application for vehicle use is clearly visible, and the driving track can be checked in real time through the map.
"The platform can calculate the time and cost of vehicle rental, and can also view the driving track," said Wang Li (王丽), the relevant person in charge of Zhonghang Company (众航公司). As of now, Pengxi County (蓬溪县) has leased 5 official vehicles, with more than 1,100 uses.
Arriving at Huaihua Town (槐花镇), Wang Duhong (王杜红) quickly completed the task of drawing blood and sampling. More than two hours later, he returned to the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau and opened his mobile phone to submit a car return application.
On the Jiaojian Zhixing (交建智行) platform, the screen showed that Wang Duhong's (王杜红) vehicle use had ended. "The whole process took more than two hours, and the cost was less than 60 yuan," Wang Li (王丽) said, "shared government cars" are billed by time and mileage, and the maximum daily cost does not exceed 280 yuan.
Compared with purchasing and using official vehicles, what is the cost of time-sharing rental of "shared government cars"?
Ran Kunhua (冉坤华), deputy director of the Pengxi County (蓬溪县) Government Affairs Service Center, calculated an account: it costs more than 100,000 yuan to purchase an official vehicle, 48,000 yuan per vehicle per year for guarantee costs, and the salary cost of the driver is more than 60,000 yuan. "Excluding the purchase cost, the average daily official travel cost of each in-service official vehicle exceeds 500 yuan," Ran Kunhua (冉坤华) said, "shared government cars" cost a maximum of 280 yuan per day, even including the driver's salary, it is only about 400 yuan.
The mobility of "shared government cars" is also stronger. "When personnel from various units need to use a car, they directly enter the mini-program to apply for a car, and the platform will automatically match nearby," Ran Kunhua (冉坤华) introduced, the county also concentrates "shared government cars" in high-frequency car-using departments such as the County Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau based on research, to facilitate the use of cars by unit personnel.
Through the Jiaojian Zhixing (交建智行) platform, a supervision network covering the use of official vehicles has been opened. "Through platform data, we can track driving trajectories and costs, and conduct key spot checks on abnormal orders and high-frequency car-using units," said Luo Xianqing (罗先清), director of the Party Conduct and Government Style Supervision Office of the Pengxi County (蓬溪县) Discipline Inspection Commission and Supervision Commission, the local area will regularly organize inspections to ensure that "shared government cars" are managed and used well.
Xi Jinping (习近平), General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, emphasized during his participation in the capital's voluntary tree planting activity, "It is necessary to organize and mobilize the whole society to widely participate in afforestation, adding splendor to the mountains and rivers, and making the background color of Chinese-style modernization more bright."
Good ecology is shared by everyone and also requires joint construction. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the National Voluntary Tree Planting Campaign. Over the past 45 years, the national voluntary tree planting work has shown distinct characteristics such as continuous demonstration and leading role, continuous innovation and expansion of responsibility forms, a strong atmosphere of national participation and responsibility, and publicity and guidance in forms that are popular with the masses. National voluntary tree planting has become an ecological project with the largest number of participants, the longest duration, and the most far-reaching impact in the world. This edition plans to explore the innovative voluntary tree planting activities carried out in various places, and show the measures and results of various localities and departments in promoting the formation of a new pattern of "year-round responsibility, diverse responsibility, and convenient responsibility."
——Editor
Beijing Integrates Voluntary Tree Planting into Community Micro-Garden Construction
"Small Beauty" Around Us Beautifies the City
By Pan Junqiang, People's Daily Reporter
Spring is full of vigor, and all things are growing vigorously. In Zijing Yayuan Community, Tongzhou District, Beijing (北京市通州区), residents are renovating the land, preparing to plant flowers and seedlings. In recent years, resident Zhang Wenxia has been actively involved, and has also transplanted her own flowers into the community micro-garden, sharing them with other neighbors. "I used to think that participating in voluntary tree planting meant running to suburban forest farms, but now managing flowers and seedlings at my doorstep is considered fulfilling my responsibility, and I can also get an official certificate," said Zhang Wenxia.
After more than 40 years of continuous promotion, planting and protecting greenery has become a conscious action of the citizens of the capital. To date, more than 120 million people in Beijing (北京) have fulfilled their tree planting obligations in various forms, planting more than 230 million trees.
In recent years, Beijing (北京) is accelerating the construction of garden cities. In order to promote the participation model of "everyone is a gardener," the Capital Greening Committee Office (首都绿化委员会办公室) has continuously innovated and expanded the forms of fulfilling national voluntary tree planting responsibilities. The new version of the "Capital National Voluntary Tree Planting Responsibility Forms" will include greening balconies, carrying out the "One Tree in the Courtyard" construction, and incorporating popular greening and beautification activities such as building flower boxes in public spaces into the scope of responsibility.
Combining with the construction of garden cities, Beijing (北京) also integrates the capital's national voluntary tree planting work into the construction of community micro-gardens. "The construction of community micro-gardens breaks through the traditional boundaries of forest land and green space, allowing greenery to integrate into the surrounding scenes and daily life of citizens, truly realizing 'fulfilling obligations without leaving home and adding new greenery in a small space'," said Chang Xiangzhen (常祥祯), Director of the Voluntary Tree Planting Division of the Capital Greening Committee Office (首都绿化委员会办公室义务植树处处长). By the end of 2025, Beijing (北京) will build 200 community micro-gardens. This year, Beijing (北京) will continue to build no less than 100 high-quality community micro-gardens.
In order to ensure the professional and orderly development of community micro-garden construction, the Capital Greening Committee Office (首都绿化委员会办公室) has organized professional technical teams to provide assistance and guidance for the construction of micro-gardens in various communities. Chen Jinhua (陈金花), head of the "Internet + National Voluntary Tree Planting" base in Zhangjiawan Park (张家湾公园), participated in the construction of the Zijing Yayuan Community (紫荆雅园社区) micro-garden. "Before building the community micro-garden, we held resident council meetings, program communication meetings, etc., to widely solicit opinions from the masses and incorporate residents' suggestions into the design plan," said Chen Jinhua (陈金花).
In addition, residents spontaneously formed the "Ziyue Huayang" gardening team, with retired horticultural workers serving as technical guidance, and residents taking turns on duty for maintenance. In May last year, Zhang Wenxia (张文霞) and her old neighbors also participated in the "Thousands of Households and Ten Thousand Pots of Flowers Blessing the Motherland" activity, receiving free flower seedlings and supporting planting materials from the gardening and greening department, and planting them themselves. "The gardening and greening department not only organized experts to carry out centralized guidance, but also went into residents' homes to provide one-on-one technical assistance," said Zhang Wenxia (张文霞). She carefully cultivated begonias and placed them in public areas during last year's National Day, which made her feel very proud.
"The rich and diverse forms of responsibility fulfillment have transformed voluntary tree planting from a 'seasonal activity' to a 'normalized life,' and expanded from 'centralized participation' to 'localized responsibility fulfillment'," said Chang Xiangzhen (常祥祯). Turning community micro-gardens into "micro-positions" for planting and protecting greenery around the masses will help promote the "great beauty" of garden cities with the "small beauty" around them.
Yichang, Hubei (湖北宜昌), Innovatively Launches "Forestry Carbon Sink + Voluntary Tree Planting"
Plant Greenery with a "Code" Without Leaving Home
By Fan Haotian, People's Daily Reporter
This year's Arbor Day, Li Yonghua (李永华), an employee of a construction company in Yichang, Hubei (湖北宜昌), clicked on the "E Lin Tan Hui" WeChat mini-program and purchased 200 yuan of Changyang Yazi Kou Yichang (长阳鸭子口宜昌) Forestry Carbon Tickets in the "Alternative Voluntary Tree Planting" module. The system immediately generated an electronic version of the National Voluntary Tree Planting Responsibility Certificate, prompting him to complete the equivalent of planting 20 trees.
"This is the first time I have participated in voluntary tree planting by purchasing carbon sinks, which is both new and proud." Due to work reasons, Li Yonghua (李永华) has participated in the construction projects of multiple pocket parks in recent years. "Seeing the former marginal land become small parks, bringing laughter to the surrounding residents, I feel it is particularly worthwhile." Li Yonghua (李永华) said that through a friend's introduction, he learned that Yichang (宜昌) had launched the "E Lin Tan Hui" WeChat mini-program.
In order to make it more convenient for the public to fulfill their responsibilities, Yichang City (宜昌市) innovatively launched the "Forestry Carbon Sink + Voluntary Tree Planting" model, and formulated the "Yichang City Voluntary Purchase of Forestry Carbon Sinks to Fulfill Tree Planting Obligations Management Measures," which clearly stipulates that each person can be deemed to have completed the annual voluntary tree planting task by purchasing forestry carbon sinks worth 30 yuan or more each year, allowing citizens to "plant greenery with a code" without leaving home.
"The design idea of this mechanism is to accurately connect ecological value with social responsibility." Mei Pengsen (梅朋森), Deputy Director of the Yichang Municipal Forestry and Landscaping Bureau (宜昌市林业和园林局副局长), introduced that in 2024, Yichang (宜昌) took the lead in implementing the forestry carbon ticket system in the province; in August last year, the Hubei Forestry Carbon Inclusive Platform "E Lin Tan Hui" initiated by the Hubei Provincial Forestry Bureau (湖北省林业局) and the Yichang Municipal Forestry and Landscaping Bureau (宜昌市林业和园林局) was officially launched, and citizens can purchase forestry carbon tickets like online shopping.
What is the use of this carbon ticket? Opening the mini-program, you can see modules such as zero-carbon activities, zero-carbon units, personal carbon neutrality, alternative voluntary tree planting, and carbon sink justice. Citizens can not only choose to purchase forestry carbon ticket carbon emission reductions to replace voluntary tree planting, but also use them for carbon sink justice, carbon neutrality for large-scale events, and carbon neutrality for units and individuals. "This model extends voluntary tree planting from 'face-to-face' shoveling to 'key-to-key' finger afforestation, and expands from 'single labor' to 'diverse responsibility fulfillment,' building a closed loop of 'carbon ticket + obligation + incentive,' which is not only convenient for public participation, but also supports forest quality improvement and efficiency enhancement." Mei Pengsen (梅朋森) said that in the future, the carbon emission reductions of these carbon tickets will also be linked to points, which citizens can use to redeem goods or services such as hotels and scenic spots; an online trading hall will also be gradually launched to realize the online collection, storage, and transfer of carbon tickets.
How is the funds used by citizens to replace voluntary tree planting specifically? Mei Pengsen (梅朋森) said that the sales funds of forestry carbon ticket carbon emission reductions are allocated to the forest rights owners through the trading platform, such as state-owned forest farms, nature reserves, village collectives, and forest farmers who contract forest land, who will invest in forest protection and restoration, continue to cultivate forests, and expand the forest carbon sink. There are strict transaction rules for fund transfer, and there are corresponding management systems for fund use. As of April 1, hundreds of people in Yichang (宜昌) have purchased 126.25 tons of forestry carbon sinks through this method, completing the national voluntary tree planting task for 2026.
(Liu Yue (刘玥) participated in writing)
Lanzhou, Gansu (甘肃兰州), Explores "Cloud" Responsibility Fulfillment Model
Add Greenery to the Mountains with a Move of Your Finger
By Song Chaojun, People's Daily Reporter
In Lanzhou, Gansu (甘肃兰州), the Yellow River (黄河) flows through the city, with high mountains rising on both the north and south banks. Gaolan Mountain (皋兰山), where W泉shan Park (五泉山公园) is located, is a natural barrier in the south of Lanzhou (兰州). Lanzhou citizen Ju Shunqing (巨舜庆) walked up a hillside and stopped in front of several trees, "I didn't make it to plant and maintain the trees myself, so now I'm here to see how well they are growing." Ju Shunqing (巨舜庆) said to Du Qiong (杜琼), an employee of the Lanzhou Municipal Forestry and Grassland Bureau (兰州市林业和草原局), who came with him.
"Although you didn't directly participate at the time, you contributed a lot to the maintenance of existing trees and the planting of new seedlings through online 'cloud' donation and responsibility fulfillment," said Du Qiong (杜琼).
Ju Shunqing (巨舜庆) is a native of Lanzhou (兰州). Since elementary school, he has participated in collective tree planting every year. Later, he became an individual engaged in freight transportation, and he needed to transport goods to various places. He always felt regretful when he could not participate in tree planting activities. There are many people who have similar situations with Ju Shunqing (巨舜庆). How can they fulfill their national voluntary tree planting responsibilities without affecting normal production and life?
Starting in 2023, with the official operation of the "Lanzhou Municipal National Voluntary Tree Planting Network" as the starting point, Lanzhou (兰州) explored the "cloud" responsibility fulfillment model for voluntary tree planting. In the past three years, Lanzhou (兰州) has launched three key donation and responsibility fulfillment projects, namely "Remembering Nostalgia by the Yellow River Bank - Loving Ancient Trees and Loving Jincheng (金城)," "The Yellow River (黄河) Bank is also Beautiful - Loving Jincheng (金城) and Sowing New Greenery," and "Green and Beautiful Lanzhou (兰州) - I Plant a Tree for the Two Mountains," according to the local "Three-North" Shelterbelt Project construction, the "Green Gansu (陇原)" Action, the greening of the north and south mountains, and the construction of urban pocket parks.
"With a move of your finger, you can fulfill your responsibility no matter where you are." Ju Shunqing (巨舜庆) recalled that on the Lanzhou Municipal National Voluntary Tree Planting website, the location, organizing unit, implementation content, and funding composition of each project are clear at a glance, and you can choose the projects you are interested in. At the beginning, Ju Shunqing (巨舜庆) chose projects related to the protection of ancient trees, and later he participated in every project in the "cloud."
"'Cloud' responsibility fulfillment model provides convenience for the masses who cannot go to the site to plant trees, and supplements the participation methods of afforestation." Cheng Xi (成曦), Director of the Gardening and Greening Division of the Lanzhou Municipal Forestry and Grassland Bureau (兰州市林业和草原局园林绿化科科长), introduced that to date, the three key donation and responsibility fulfillment projects have accumulated nearly 20,000 participants, with a cumulative donation of more than 870,000 yuan.
After fulfilling the responsibility, in addition to seeing the effect offline, you can also receive a certificate online. Taking out his mobile phone, Ju Shunqing (巨舜庆) clicked on the "Voluntary Tree Planting Responsibility Certificate" and "National Land Greening Honorary Certificate" pages, and the certificates inside recorded every activity he participated in. "This makes me feel very rewarded and proud." Ju Shunqing (巨舜庆) said. In 2025, Lanzhou (兰州) issued nearly 10,000 copies of the two certificates, and the annual equivalent of completing 2.1 million voluntary tree plantings.
"On the one hand, it is to mobilize everyone to fulfill their responsibilities, and on the other hand, it is to popularize and promote ecological culture." Cheng Xi (成曦) introduced that the "cloud" responsibility fulfillment model has become an important way for local cadres and the masses to fulfill their national voluntary tree planting responsibilities. In 2025, Lanzhou (兰州) released a total of 174 voluntary tree planting activities through the Lanzhou Municipal National Voluntary Tree Planting Network, with nearly 14,000 participants.
Chengdu, Sichuan (四川成都), Carries Out Ancient Tree Donation and Adoption Activities
Protect Ecology and Inherit Culture
By You Yi, People's Daily Reporter
"The crown of the tree I chose is heart-shaped, which is particularly easy to recognize. I just took a photo with it last weekend!" Sichuan Chengdu citizen Yuan Yuge (袁雨歌) said excitedly, flipping through photos on his mobile phone. This year's Arbor Day, he adopted a camphor tree online located on the south gate lawn of Baihuatan Park (百花潭公园). This camphor tree is 110 years old, and the adoption card hanging on the trunk indicates the adopter and the adoption period.
Yuan Yuge's (袁雨歌) connection with ancient trees began more than 10 years ago. At that time, Baihuatan Park (百花潭公园) had ancient tree adoption activities, "At that time, there were white signs on the ancient trees, with the names of the adopters written on them." Yuan Yuge (袁雨歌) said that he has loved visiting parks since he was a child and is also very interested in ancient trees, but he did not know how to adopt them.
On March 11 this year, Chengdu's (成都) "I Have a Tree in Chengdu - Protecting the Roots of Tianfu (天府) and Building a Park City Together" ancient tree donation and adoption activity was launched, with the first phase landing in Wangjianglou Park (望江楼公园) and Baihuatan Park (百花潭公园). Yuan Yuge (袁雨歌) became one of the earliest people to participate in the adoption.
Adopting an ancient tree, for Yuan Yuge (袁雨歌), is not only fulfilling a long-cherished wish, but also combining ecological awareness with cultural feelings. "I adopted it with my sister and chose a two-year adoption period." His sister is 9 years old this year and does not yet have too many feelings about tree growth. "This is also a kind of nature education. Seeing photos is not as vivid and interesting as seeing the real changes of the tree. Taking my sister to visit this tree is like having a partner to grow up with her, which is a very meaningful thing."
This ancient tree donation and adoption activity provided 117 ancient trees for citizens to adopt, including species such as ginkgo, red bean tree, and Podocarpus. Adoption is divided into designated adoption and non-designated adoption. Citizens can choose an exclusive ancient tree for adoption, or they can be matched by the system. The adoption standard is generally not less than 500 yuan/tree/year for groups and not less than 200 yuan/tree/year for individuals, and the adoption period is at least 1 year and no more than 3 years.
As an adopter, Yuan Yuge (袁雨歌) received an ancient tree adoption honorary certificate and a national voluntary tree planting responsibility certificate. During the adoption period, during the normal opening hours of the park, he and his sister plan to "visit" the adopted ancient tree at least once a month.
In fact, as early as January 2021, Sichuan (四川) issued the "Sichuan Province Ancient Tree and Famous Tree Adoption Measures." "Previously, it mainly relied on local self-promotion, and the adoption funds were collected to the local government financial platform, which made it difficult to achieve dedicated funds for special purposes." Zhou Zhigang (周治刚), Secretary-General of the Sichuan Greening Foundation (四川省绿化基金会秘书长), said.
The adoption funds for this activity will be uniformly entered into a special account of the Sichuan Greening Foundation (四川省绿化基金会), and independent accounting will be implemented, with dedicated funds for special purposes, mainly for the publicity, daily maintenance and management of ancient trees and famous trees, the production of adoption certificates, and the setting of adoption signs, and will be regularly announced to the public and subject to social supervision. "Each region has its own fund pool. For example, the adoption funds for Baihuatan Park (百花潭公园) are specifically used for the protection of ancient trees in this park." Zhou Zhigang (周治刚) explained that this fund is a supplement to administrative financial funds and allows more citizens to participate in the protection of ancient trees.
Return to TopBy: 蒋雪鸿
Spring is bright and clear, with a gentle breeze, making it the perfect time for planting trees. From afforestation in the barren Gobi Desert to adding greenery to community courtyards; from the hands-on practice of planting trees with shovels to the innovative participation of "cloud planting"... the land of China is surging with a wave of expanding, revitalizing, and protecting greenery everywhere.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the National Voluntary Tree Planting Campaign. The recently passed Ecological Environment Code emphasizes that "planting trees and protecting forests is the duty of citizens." Generation after generation, the National Voluntary Tree Planting Campaign has become the world's largest, longest-running, and most far-reaching ecological project.
With the strong impetus of voluntary tree planting, since the new era, China has become the country with the most and fastest-growing green area in the world. Last year, China completed 127 million mu of land greening tasks, the national forest coverage rate reached 25.09%, and the forest stock volume reached 20.988 billion cubic meters. Experts estimate that China has an average of 100 trees "owned" per person. While the achievements are gratifying, overall, China is still a country with a lack of forests and greenery and a fragile ecology. China's forest coverage rate is nearly 6 percentage points lower than the global average, and the per capita forest area is only about 30% of the world average.
Faced with such a "green foundation," and aiming to build a beautiful China, our country must continue to scientifically promote large-scale land greening, of which voluntary tree planting is an important part. Voluntary tree planting should further consolidate the main responsibility, and at the same time, continuously innovate participation forms, striving to allow citizens of the right age to "fulfill their responsibilities everywhere and at all times," and improve the fulfillment rate of voluntary tree planting. In recent years, many places have accumulated many good experiences and practices. Beijing (北京) has added a "garden scene construction" type of responsibility fulfillment, incorporating one-meter balconies, rooftop and wall greening, and ecological transformation of urban gray spaces into the content of voluntary tree planting, realizing "fulfilling obligations without leaving home and adding new greenery in every inch." Last year, the "Internet + National Voluntary Tree Planting" platform launched more than 62,000 various responsible activities, and "fulfilling responsibilities with a code" has become a new fashion. We should summarize and promote these good practices, continue to innovate the forms of fulfilling responsibilities, and everyone should contribute, accumulate over time, and gather wood into forests.
In addition to planting many trees, we must also plant good trees and manage them well. We should choose tree species that are adapted to the local climate and soil according to local conditions, determine the amount of greening based on the amount of water available, strengthen later management and maintenance, plant many trees, plant good trees, and manage them well, and strive to achieve "planting one tree and making it live, and creating a forest and making it a forest." While doing a good job in land greening and achieving the "three greens" of expanding, revitalizing, and protecting greenery, we should pay more attention to "improving quality," optimizing forest stand structure, doing a good job in forest management, and simultaneously improving the ecological quality of grasslands; we should pay more attention to "revitalizing industries," using more reform methods to revitalize forest and grass resources, and strengthen forest understory economy, ecological tourism, carbon sink trading and other forest and grass industries; we should pay more attention to "benefiting the people," adding greenery and beauty around the people, expanding forest and grass employment and income space, and better greening for the people, greening to benefit the people, and greening to enrich the people.
Voluntary tree planting is essentially practicing a green and low-carbon lifestyle. Planting green on the land and sowing green in the heart, voluntary tree planting is not a one-time activity, but a long-term effort to cultivate and promote ecological culture and practice the concept of green development - planting a tree is fulfilling a low-carbon commitment; protecting a piece of green is conveying an ecological concept. Every citizen of the right age should fulfill their obligations, sow green hope with practical actions, and strengthen the ecological advantages of a beautiful China. Relevant departments should strengthen service support and mobilize the enthusiasm of citizens of the right age to participate. Many places have explored new models of innovative integration of voluntary tree planting with ecological education, nature protection, and volunteer services, enhancing the public's sense of experience, gain, and honor in participating in voluntary tree planting, with remarkable results, which are worth learning from.
Planting trees and creating forests benefits the present and the future. When "everyone fulfills their responsibilities" becomes a conscious action, and when "being able to do it at all times" becomes a daily habit, every new green is not only an embellishment of mountains and rivers, but also a vivid footnote to the concept of ecological civilization taking root in people's hearts. From "wanting me to plant" to "I want to plant," from "planting a few trees" to "planting good trees," the National Voluntary Tree Planting Campaign has gone through forty-five years, reflecting the profound changes in the ecological civilization awareness of the entire society, and supporting a modern picture of harmonious coexistence between man and nature. Let us accumulate the benefits of thousands of years with the efforts of every inch, and with years of perseverance, sow green into every spring, so that a beautiful China will become greener and brighter in the relay of "doing one thing after another."
Return to TopTraditional villages are vivid carriers of China's outstanding traditional culture, bearing the memories of nostalgia and ethnic customs. However, poor transportation has left many ancient villages "hidden in the boudoir, unknown to others" and has also restricted the improvement of villagers' lives and rural development.
In recent years, many places have based themselves on the actual situation of traditional village protection and development, improved the transportation road network according to local conditions, innovated transportation formats, and used roads as a medium to connect ancient villages, activate cultural tourism, and improve people's livelihoods. One transportation line after another has not only broken the barriers between ancient villages and the outside world, but also paved the way for the comprehensive revitalization of the countryside and the inheritance of culture.
——Editor
Guizhou Qiandongnan Prefecture Creates 2,180-Kilometer Rural Tourism Boutique Route
Prospering All Industries Along the Way, Miao Villages Welcome Distant Guests
People's Daily Reporter Cheng Huan (程焕)
The morning light sweeps across the ridge, and the village is dyed a warm golden color. Stilted buildings are lined up one after another. Climbing up along the stone slab road, the walls of the houses are painted with various ancient biological fossil murals, and the ethnic customs and the charm of the ocean complement each other. This is Balang Village (八郎村), Gedong Town (革东镇), Jianhe County (剑河县), Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture (黔东南苗族侗族自治州), Guizhou (贵州), a Miao village hidden deep in the mountains. Because of the Cambrian ancient biological fossil group buried underground 520 million years ago, it is also known as the "Fossil Miao Village."
In the past, Balang Village (八郎村) was surrounded by mountains. "There were only a few small roads out of the mountains, and the village was almost isolated from the world." At that time, the most people who came to the village were research teams of paleontology and geology. Villager Liu Feng (刘锋) acted as their guide and often helped to knock on stones.
In 2018, the standard section and point of the common bottom boundary of the third system and the fifth stage of the global Cambrian system were established in Balang Village (八郎村), which is also Guizhou's first "golden spike." The following year, Liu Feng (刘锋) vacated two rooms to build a paleobiological fossil exhibition hall, displaying more than 400 fossils he had carefully collected. "Will anyone really come to visit?" The villagers were skeptical. Liu Feng (刘锋) smiled firmly: "If the road is open, all industries will prosper. This is no longer a forgotten corner."
Liu Feng's (刘锋) foresight was soon confirmed. With the in-depth advancement of the "Village to Village" and "Group to Group" projects, Qiandongnan (黔东南) has woven a dense rural transportation network, and scientific research teams, parent-child groups, and summer camp groups have come one after another.
The change in Balang Village (八郎村) is a microcosm of the transformation of traditional villages in Qiandongnan Prefecture (黔东南州). It has 415 Chinese traditional villages, with picturesque landscapes and diverse ethnic cultures. In recent years, taking the opportunity of creating a high-quality rural tourism highway self-driving route, Qiandongnan Prefecture (黔东南州) has formed a road network with a total length of 2,180 kilometers, connecting 49 traditional villages in a line.
With the road open, another change is quietly taking place. Basha Village (岜沙村), Bingmei Town (丙妹镇), Congjiang County (从江县) is a traditional village where the Miao ethnic group has lived for generations. The villagers still retain ancient living customs such as wearing muskets and worshiping ancient trees. "It's not worth it to come all the way and only see one village." In the past, due to its remote location and simple attractions, tourists who came from afar often felt unsatisfied.
To this end, Qiandongnan Prefecture (黔东南州) has innovatively launched new transportation formats such as direct scenic spot buses and "small car and small group" customized tours. Nowadays, the prefecture has opened 30 direct scenic spot buses and 8 customized tourist passenger transport lines, and has carefully designed 12 high-quality routes. Convenient transportation has allowed Basha (岜沙) to join hands with well-known scenic spots such as Zhaoxing Dong Village (肇兴侗寨), complementing each other's advantages, and the cultural tourism map is accelerating its integration.
Shandong Rongcheng City Opens 13 Bus Lines to Connect Traditional Villages
Buses Connect Ancient Villages, Connecting New Life
People's Daily Reporter Li Rui (李蕊)
In Yandunjiao Village (烟墩角村), Lidao Town (俚岛镇), Rongcheng City (荣成市), Weihai (威海), Shandong (山东), flocks of swans arrive and rest leisurely in the blue bay in front of the village. Strolling through the village, old houses with stone walls and seaweed roofs have been carefully repaired, and many fishermen have transformed their idle old houses into distinctive homestays. Flat hardened roads extend to the eaves of the seaweed houses, and brand-new buses shuttle between the mountain and sea villages, carrying tourists who come to admire the birds, enjoy the scenery, and seek nostalgia.
In the past, traditional villages like Yandunjiao Village (烟墩角村), scattered along the coastline, were in a relatively closed state for a long time due to insufficient accessibility. In 2023, Rongcheng City (荣成市) launched the "Household Access" construction project for traditional villages, newly built and renovated 70 kilometers of main and secondary roads and village roads, opened 13 bus lines to connect traditional villages, and built 25 bus shelters. All construction tasks will be completed and put into use by the end of 2024, realizing "village roads hardened to the fields, public transportation to the village entrance, and tourist homestays to the door."
Xing Xiao (邢晓), Director of the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau of Rongcheng City (荣成市), introduced that promoting this project can solve the problem of "dead-end roads" and "muddy roads" in the village and open up the "last mile" for people to travel. At the same time, it can also connect with the development needs of rural tourism, solve the problem of insufficient accessibility of traditional villages, and promote the transformation of "beautiful resources" into economic benefits.
During the construction process, how to seek a balance between convenient travel and protecting the traditional style?
Rongcheng City (荣成市) adheres to the principle of "protection first, micro-innovation construction" during the construction process. In the early stage, a professional team was organized to conduct a comprehensive survey. The roads should use the original road network as much as possible to avoid large-scale demolition and construction; small machinery should be used first during construction, and ancient streets and lanes should be manually excavated and constructed in sections to reduce noise and dust; measures such as sprinkling water to reduce dust and enclosure protection should be taken to control the impact on the environment, and construction time should be arranged reasonably, and villagers should be informed of the construction plan in advance to minimize the interference to villagers' lives.
"The construction of 25 bus shelters takes into account both practicality and aesthetics. The site selection gives priority to convenient areas such as village entrances and public squares. The design is unified in combination with the traditional village style, so that the waiting facilities become an organic part of the village style," Xing Xiao (邢晓) introduced. Bus line planning also focuses on balancing the daily and tourism needs of villagers: based on the residential areas of administrative villages, it meets the needs of villagers for commuting and going to market, and at the same time connects scenic spots, popular check-in points, and homestays; during the peak tourist season, exquisite lines and short-distance shuttle buses are added, and extra buses are run on market days, and the line network, stations, and departure intervals are optimized based on big data on passenger flow.
Yunnan Jianshui County Operates Sightseeing Meter-Gauge Railway Project
Meter-Gauge Connects Ancient and Modern, Ancient Villages Show New Look
People's Daily Reporter Ye Chuanzeng (叶传增)
"Woo——" The whistle sounded long, the wooden carriages shook gently, and the rails and wheels collided with a "clang clang" rhythm. The "Jianshui Ancient City (建水古城) " train set off.
"Dear passengers, there are 4 stations along the small train, passing through 10 national traditional villages. You can get off at each station to visit." The tour guide's introduction in the carriage attracted the audience to listen attentively. As the train started, patches of lotus ponds and rice fields flashed by, and a beautiful picture of pastoral scenery slowly unfolded.
This meter-gauge railway with a speed of only 25 kilometers per hour was formerly a railway connecting Mengzi Bisezhai (蒙自碧色寨), Gejiu (个旧) and other places, and was built in 1915. In 2015, Jianshui County (建水县), Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州), Yunnan (云南) Province, cooperated with Kunming Railway Bureau of China National Railway Group to restart the operation of the 12.82-kilometer sightseeing meter-gauge railway project, connecting the quiet ancient villages along the line into a line, and also revitalizing this century-old railway.
Jianshui County (建水县) has 34 national traditional villages. How to drive the development of traditional villages through sightseeing meter-gauge? "We use 'embroidery' skills to repair and protect the traditional village style, and at the same time develop small train sightseeing tours," said Su Yali (苏亚丽), head of the Urban and Rural Style Management Section of the Jianshui County (建水县) Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau.
At Tuanshan Station (团山站), the terminal station of the small train, tourists can walk for about 10 minutes after getting off the train to reach Tuanshan Village (团山村), Xizhuang Town (西庄镇), a traditional village with a history of more than 600 years. Walking on the bluestone road in the village, surrounded by the Tuanshan (团山) residential buildings with green bricks and black tiles, time seems to slow down here.
The small train runs once in the morning and afternoon every day. After arriving at Tuanshan Station (团山站), it will stay for two and a half hours, leaving tourists with plenty of time to play. Zhang Minghui (张明慧), a tour guide at Tuanshan Scenic Area Tourism Management Company, introduced that after the small train opened, tourists came to Tuanshan Village (团山村) in an endless stream, which not only promoted the growth of scenic spot ticket revenue, but also drove the development of catering, accommodation and other industries, bringing business opportunities and income to the villagers.
Pu Limei (普丽梅), a villager in Tuanshan Village (团山村), is one of the beneficiaries. She runs a homestay in the village, and the rooms are in short supply during holidays. "In the past, my lover and I worked in other places. After the small train opened, we returned to the village to run a homestay, and our income exceeded 100,000 yuan last year." Pu Limei (普丽梅) is very satisfied with her current life.
In order to enhance the travel experience of the sightseeing small train, Jianshui County (建水县) continues to promote the environmental management of the villages along the line, improve the living environment and infrastructure of traditional villages, and at the same time develop diversified formats such as ecological sightseeing and sketching photography. Since its opening, the "Jianshui Ancient City (建水古城)" small train has received a total of 1.24 million passengers and generated operating income of 105 million yuan, driving the rapid development of tourism in traditional villages along the line.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 焦思雨
In the spring of Helan Mountain (贺兰山), the morning breeze carries warmth, and chestnut-colored Przewalski's horses gallop across the mountainous terrain, their hooves kicking up shallow dust.
Li Zhong (李忠), deputy director of the Hongguozi Management Station of the Ningxia Helan Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration (宁夏贺兰山国家级自然保护区管理局红果子管理站), starts his pickup truck and drives onto the winding mountain road. In the truck bed, alfalfa hay bales and corn are neatly stacked, supplies he and his colleagues have prepared for the wild horses.
"Now that we've entered the spring forest and grassland fire prevention season, we come every other day to add feed and check on the horses' health. Taking care of them requires precision; we can't be careless." As he speaks, Li Zhong neatly spreads the feed into the troughs.
Speaking of his first encounter with Przewalski's horses, Li Zhong's memory is still fresh. One evening in December 2024, several special transport vehicles drove into the Helan Mountain (贺兰山) Reserve. In the dim light, Li Zhong saw these "guests" from afar for the first time—smaller than domestic horses, with long faces, black hooves, white muzzles, and short, upright manes.
Helan Mountain (贺兰山) was historically the native distribution area of Przewalski's horses. The rock paintings drawn by ancient humans on Helan Mountain (贺兰山) still retain images of wild horses. However, due to various reasons, they once disappeared from this land. In recent years, as the Helan Mountain (贺兰山) Reserve has continued to promote ecological restoration, the vegetation coverage has significantly increased, and the former "abandoned mine pits" are gradually turning back into "homes" suitable for wildlife survival.
These Przewalski's horses in front of him have come from afar from the Xinjiang Kalamaili Reserve (新疆卡拉麦里保护区). This is not only a reintroduction of species but also a belated "return home."
"I've raised sheep and cattle, but never wild horses," Li Zhong admits. He has worked in Helan Mountain (贺兰山) for 17 years, guarding argali sheep and monitoring snow leopards, but facing this group of wild horses known as "living fossils," he can only start from scratch.
To be a good "nanny" for Przewalski's horses, Li Zhong and his colleagues started an "intensive study" mode, studying wild horse habits, preparing nutritious meals, closely monitoring monitoring data, tracking activity trajectories through Beidou positioning collars, and establishing detailed health records for each horse. At the same time, the management station is cooperating with Beijing Forestry University (北京林业大学) to conduct monitoring research and prevent inbreeding and enhance genetic diversity through a model of "group management + adaptive training + gradual release into the wild."
"Every day, we drive around the mountains to count the number of wild horses and observe their condition," Li Zhong said. Helan Mountain (贺兰山) has complex terrain with ravines and gullies, and wild horses have a very wide range of activities. Sometimes, they drive hundreds of kilometers a day without seeing even a shadow of a horse.
Even so, Li Zhong, with his keen eyes, can always spot traces of wild horses in the vast mountains. "You can't do this job without good eyesight," he says proudly.
In order not to disturb the wild horses, Li Zhong and his colleagues always get out of the car and walk when they get close, observing from a distance. When they encounter fresh feces, they carefully collect them for the research team to analyze the health status and dietary preferences of the wild horses.
"I treat every animal in Helan Mountain (贺兰山) as my own child." Li Zhong's feelings for wild horses have long surpassed his job responsibilities. "Many horses were listless when they first arrived, but now their fur is shiny and their bodies are strong, much stronger than before." Li Zhong looks at the running wild horses, his smile full of relief.
April 13, 2025, this date is deeply engraved in Li Zhong's heart—the Helan Mountain (贺兰山) Reserve welcomed its first newborn foal. "That day, we came to the wild horse farm and were surprised to find an extra foal. We were so excited that we immediately looked for a mobile phone signal to report the good news to the outside world," Li Zhong recalled.
In the following 3 months, 4 more foals were born one after another. The staff established detailed health records for each foal, recording their every change. As of now, the Przewalski's horse population at the Hongguozi Management Station (红果子管理站) has increased to 20.
Despite being full of concern, Li Zhong has always adhered to the boundaries of science: "Przewalski's horses are, after all, wild horses, and should not be interfered with too much artificially." In their daily work, they try to let the wild horses forage freely, monitor their health status by analyzing their feces, and adjust their nutritional ratios and conduct epidemic disease monitoring in a timely manner to ensure basic safety.
The arrival of Przewalski's horses has also brought vitality to Helan Mountain (贺兰山). "Their hooves can turn the soil and promote seed dispersal; their feces can not only nourish the soil but also provide food for insects," Li Zhong said. They are veritable "mobile ecological engineers."
Looking to the future, Li Zhong has a clear blueprint in his mind: "I hope all the foals can be born safely; within 3 years, the wild horse population can expand to 40."
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 李亚楠
Przewalski's horses have 66 chromosomes, one more pair than domestic horses. They retain the original genetic map from 60 million years ago, making them a "living fossil of biological genes." As other subspecies of wild horses became extinct, Przewalski's horses were once considered the last wild horses existing on Earth. In the 1970s, China announced that Przewalski's horses had become extinct in the wild in China.
Thus began a "wild horse return home" campaign spanning more than 40 years. In 1985, China officially launched the "Wild Horse Return Home" plan, and 24 wild horses were successively transported back to the Kalamaili Mountain Ungulate Wildlife Nature Reserve (新疆卡拉麦里山有蹄类野生动物自然保护区) in Xinjiang (新疆). The wild horse's hometown ended its history without wild horses.
On March 8, 1988, the Xinjiang Wild Horse Breeding Research Center (新疆野马繁殖研究中心) (now the Xinjiang Wild Horse Breeding Research Institute (新疆野马繁殖研究所)) under the management center of the reserve welcomed its first healthy foal, named "Junggar No. 1 (准噶尔一号)."
The state's breeding task for the Wild Horse Breeding Research Center was to complete 80 horses by 2000. In fact, the breeding number at that time reached 100. After expert evaluation, Przewalski's horses already had the conditions for release into the wild. On August 28, 2001, 27 wild horses rushed out of the enclosure and stepped into the vast Junggar Desert (准噶尔大漠).
Gansu (甘肃), Inner Mongolia (内蒙古), Ningxia (宁夏) and other places are also participating in the protection and release of Przewalski's horses. After years of practice, Chinese researchers have summarized a three-step method of wild horse captive breeding, semi-free-range training, and soft release, accumulating valuable experience for endangered species protection. By the end of 2025, the population of Przewalski's horses in China has exceeded 900, with a world-leading breeding survival rate.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 邵玉姿
Kneading the dough to gather strength, stretching the strands to display vigor, placing them on racks to set the shape... In the Gongmian production workshop in Gaocheng District (藁城区), Shijiazhuang (石家庄), Hebei (河北) Province, thumb-thick dough is stretched into fine "hair-like" strands through a series of processes, cascading down from the drying racks like silver threads.
These "silver threads" are Gaocheng Gongmian (藁城宫面) (see picture, photo by Liang Zidong (梁子栋)). Using refined flour, oil, and salt as raw materials, it is bright white, with thin and hollow strands. When cooked, the hollow interior is filled with soup, creating a unique flavor. Its production technique has a long history, originating in the Sui and Tang Dynasties and flourishing in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. During the Guangxu (光绪) period of the Qing Dynasty, it was selected by the local government as a tribute to the imperial palace, hence the name "Gongmian" (宫面), or "Palace Noodles."
Making Gongmian is extremely meticulous, allowing for no haste. The creation of a portion of Gongmian requires more than a dozen traditional processes such as mixing, resting, and coiling the dough, taking more than 20 hours.
Mixing the dough requires 看天行事 (kàn tiān xíng shì - "act according to the weather," to do things according to actual circumstances; to adapt to the situation). The ratio of flour to saltwater must be adjusted according to temperature and humidity. The dough needs to be repeatedly kneaded until it reaches the standard of "smooth dough, clean basin, clean hands." When coiling the dough, the hands need to continuously twist and rub, coiling the dough into uniform round strands layer by layer into the basin, without stopping midway. The stretching process requires even more focus, accumulating enough strength to apply force evenly and repeatedly stretch it into shape. If the force is uneven, the noodles will break.
The unique flavor of Gongmian lies in the "resting" process. Resting the dough, also known as waking the dough, involves letting the mixed dough sit quietly. Repeated resting allows the flour to fully absorb water and expand, not only creating its elastic and chewy texture but also allowing air pockets to form in the dough. After stretching and shaping, it forms a hollow shape like bamboo joints, achieving the characteristic of "hollow center storing freshness." This meticulously crafted Gongmian does not become mushy after prolonged cooking or spoil after prolonged storage, remaining chewy, smooth, and fragrant.
For the people of Gaocheng (藁城), Gongmian is a deeply ingrained love. Cooking a handful of Gongmian in the morning, adding an egg, and sprinkling some chopped green onions is the most authentic taste of home. Today, Gongmian has become a cultural symbol that carries nostalgia. At the end of 2025, the Gaocheng District (藁城区) Gongmian Impression Intangible Cultural Heritage Exchange Center will open, integrating "Gongmian culture" into daily life through study tours and other activities.
(Shi Zixian (石梓鲜) participated in writing)
Return to TopLayout Design: Zhang Danfeng (张丹峰)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 张文豪
In spring, the Henan Dongzhai National Nature Reserve (河南董寨国家级自然保护区), located on the northern slope of the Dabie Mountains (大别山) and the southern bank of the Huai River (淮河), is filled with melodious bird songs. Several crested ibises with red beaks flutter their wings, flying gracefully among the green hills and clear waters.
"At the beginning of the Lunar New Year, a pair of crested ibis parent birds in the ecological aviary began to incubate. At almost the same time, our field monitoring staff also discovered a pair of parent birds nesting and laying eggs in Yanmiao Village (晏庙村), Shihe District (浉河区), Xinyang (信阳), Henan (河南). This is the 'first nest of the New Year' for the Dongzhai Reserve (董寨保护区) in 2026, and also a testament to the 20th anniversary of crested ibis protection," said Cai Dejing (蔡德靖), deputy director of the Crested Ibis Breeding Station of the Dongzhai Reserve (董寨保护区朱鹮繁育站).
As a world-renowned rare and endangered bird and a national first-class key protected wild animal, the crested ibis is known as the "Oriental Gem." From the first batch of 17 crested ibises settling in Dongzhai (董寨) in 2007 to the wild population exceeding 700 and the range of activity spreading to 11 counties and districts in 3 cities in Henan (豫) and Hubei (鄂) provinces, this place has witnessed the unremitting exploration of species rescue.
Careful Care
Revitalizing the Crested Ibis Population
Before the morning mist dissipates, Cai Dejing (蔡德靖) has already shouldered his bag and binoculars, embarking on the familiar mountain road to begin his day's patrol. The crested ibis breeding season from January to June every year is his busiest time. He needs to stay in the wild for a long time, accurately recording every nesting, incubation, and chick-rearing activity of the crested ibis. "This year, the crested ibis built their nests 4 days earlier than last year, which is a good sign, meaning a higher breeding success rate," said Cai Dejing (蔡德靖).
Dongzhai (董寨) is located in the southern part of Luoshan County (罗山县), Xinyang (信阳), Henan (河南), with the main protection objects being rare mountain forest birds and their habitats. It has 356 species of birds, accounting for 85% of Henan Province (河南省) and 24.5% of the country, including 74 species of national key protected birds. In 2001, Dongzhai (董寨) was upgraded to a national nature reserve. "The climate here is warm and humid, and the forest ecosystem is good. It belongs to the north-south climate transition zone, the same as Yangxian County (洋县), Hanzhong (汉中), Shaanxi (陕西), where the crested ibis was discovered," introduced Cai Dejing (蔡德靖), who has been involved in crested ibis protection for many years. The unique natural conditions allowed Dongzhai (董寨) to be officially approved as the first crested ibis reintroduction protection site in China in 2006.
In 2007, the first batch of 17 crested ibis species came to Dongzhai (董寨). Recalling the first meeting, Cai Dejing's (蔡德靖) memory is still fresh: they were dressed in plain white feathers, with red cheeks like rouge. In order to take good care of these national treasures like "red-clothed fairies," the staff of the breeding station put in a lot of effort: feeding them regularly and quantitatively, and meticulously filling in feeding observation, feeding, and disinfection records. "Exploring reintroduction protection and protecting biodiversity, we cannot be careless," said Cai Dejing (蔡德靖).
Twenty years of day and night companionship have trained Cai Dejing (蔡德靖) to have a pair of **火眼金睛** (huǒ yǎn jīn jīng - "fiery golden eyes," possessing keen insight). In the wild, he can quickly locate the nesting and roosting sites of the crested ibis based on details such as environmental traces, fecal characteristics, and feather shedding.
Careful care has paid off. Up to now, the reserve has artificially bred a total of 344 crested ibises. The annual natural breeding number of wild crested ibises has exceeded 100, and the wild population size has exceeded 700.
"The crested ibis has very demanding requirements for the ecological environment. The establishment of wild populations and the continuous increase in numbers indicate that Luoshan County (罗山县) has an excellent ecological background, which is suitable for crested ibises to settle, survive, and reproduce from generation to generation," said Li Yongqiang (李永强), director of the Dongzhai Reserve (董寨保护区).
Scientific Release
Achieving Population Expansion
In the Crested Ibis Breeding Station, a huge circular net cage is eye-catching - inside the net cage, ponds, swamps, streams, paddy fields, dry land, and trees are all available.
"This net cage is 32 meters high and covers an area of 2,850 square meters, which can simulate the wild survival environment of the crested ibis. The crested ibis practice flying, foraging, and defending against natural enemies here, adapting to nature in advance," introduced Cai Dejing (蔡德靖). The introduction of species, artificial breeding, and wild training are not the entire chain of protection work, and wild release is the key link to test the effectiveness.
In October 2013, Dongzhai (董寨) held its first crested ibis release activity, and 34 crested ibises that had undergone artificial breeding and wild training spread their wings and flew into the blue sky. "This is a key step in the protection of the national treasure crested ibis," introduced Li Yongqiang (李永强). Since then, the reserve has also successively implemented 6 wild releases, with a total of 133 released.
Release is not a one-off event. In order to understand the survival status of wild populations, Dongzhai (董寨) is equipped with a professional technical team to carry out wild monitoring all year round. Relying on the first bird ringing station in Henan Province (河南省) established in 2006, the reserve continues to carry out dynamic monitoring of rare birds, and has accumulated a total of more than 130,000 birds of 11 orders, 46 families, and 153 species. Every year, the newly bred crested ibises will be uniformly fitted with metal rings provided by the National Bird Ringing Center and easy-to-identify color rings, and detailed pedigree files will be established. At the same time, staff also use telescopes, satellite trackers and other equipment to closely track the movement of the crested ibis.
Monitoring recorded the clear footprint of population growth. Cai Dejing (蔡德靖) introduced: "Last November, we launched the latest survey of the wild crested ibis roosting sites. The data shows that there are more wild crested ibis sub-adults than in previous years, and the natural breeding ability of crested ibis continues to improve: 63 natural breeding in 2021, 56 in 2022, 89 in 2023, and the first breakthrough of 100 in 2024, and more than 100 again in 2025."
"This means that the crested ibis Dabie Mountain (大别山) population has completely adapted to the wild environment and realized the self-continuation and expansion of the population," said Li Yongqiang (李永强). At present, the activity range of wild crested ibises has widely covered 11 counties and districts, including Luoshan County (罗山县) and Guangshan County (光山县) in Henan (豫) and Hubei (鄂) provinces.
Harmonious Coexistence
Activating Birdwatching Economy
Luoshan County (罗山县), located in the Dabie Mountain (大别山) revolutionary old area, once had a weak industrial base due to the mountains and rivers, and has always been a traditional agricultural county. In recent years, the local area has adhered to red tourism and ecological protection, and firmly practiced the concept of "green waters and green mountains are golden mountains and silver mountains" (绿水青山就是金山银山). The arrival of the crested ibis has not only witnessed the improvement of the ecology, but also brought visible benefits to the people.
In the towns around Dongzhai (董寨), the birdwatching economy is booming. The reserve has cultivated a professional "bird guide" team of more than 30 people, built 69 various birdwatching and shooting spots, and equipped 66 supporting accommodation and catering places, receiving more than 30,000 birdwatchers and more than 10,000 people specializing in bird photography every year.
The economic value created by the birdwatching economy exceeds 50 million yuan every year, driving employment for more than 2,000 people, and the annual per capita income of employees has increased by more than 20,000 yuan. "In the past, we relied on the mountains for a living. Now, guarding these 'national treasures', life is getting better and better," said a villager.
Relying on high-quality ecological resources, the reserve takes the science popularization hall and the crested ibis breeding station as the core carriers, receiving more than 4,000 research teams and more than 10,000 social people, and simultaneously driving the sales of local characteristic agricultural and sideline products such as tea and native honey, realizing a virtuous interaction of "ecological protection - brand building - economic income increase."
With the villagers' pockets bulging, their awareness of ecological environmental protection has also been enhanced. In the rescue cage of the Crested Ibis Breeding Station, a crested ibis with a newly healed wing is pacing and foraging. A month ago, it was found by the rice field with a listless spirit and drooping wings. It was the villagers who contacted and actively sent it to the rescuers at the first time.
"In the past, villagers did not know the crested ibis, and there were occasional accidental injuries. Now it is different. Everyone knows that this is a 'national treasure', and they will contact us as soon as they find it," introduced Wang Ke (王科), director of the Crested Ibis Breeding Station. The reserve carries out publicity activities such as "Love Bird Week" and "World Wildlife Day" all year round. The surrounding villagers not only consciously protect the crested ibis, but also actively participate in the monitoring - which forest has a roosting site, where the crested ibis is nesting and laying eggs, the villagers will actively contact the protection station to provide location information.
The "dual-wheel drive" of protection and scientific research has made the influence of Dongzhai (董寨) crested ibis continue to go to the world. The reserve has established long-term cooperation with Beijing Normal University (北京师范大学), Beijing Forestry University (北京林业大学), the Institute of Zoology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院动物研究所) and other universities and research institutes to carry out research on the genetic mechanism, breeding behavior, and disease prevention and control of crested ibis, forming a virtuous cycle of "scientific research supporting protection and protection promoting scientific research." In December 2022, Luoshan County (罗山县), as the only county invited by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (生态环境部), appeared at the second phase meeting of the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15), sharing China's "Dongzhai Plan" for crested ibis protection with the world.
"The annual breeding number of wild crested ibis populations has exceeded the 100 mark for two consecutive years, and the number of wild populations will reach 1,000 in the next few years." Cai Dejing (蔡德靖) opened the camera, and several newly taken "Oriental Gems" were particularly vivid and lively.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 窦 皓
In the early morning, walking into the Xiazhu Lake National Wetland Park (下渚湖国家湿地公园) in Deqing County (德清县), Huzhou City (湖州市), Zhejiang Province (浙江省), several crested ibises gracefully glide across the shimmering lake surface, lightly landing in the reed beds. This wetland, with its distinct seasons and abundant aquatic plants, nurtures the largest artificially bred crested ibis population in the country. The "Zhejiang Province New Discovery Bulletin of Wild Animals and Plants Species" released in December 2025 shows that the crested ibis population in Zhejiang (浙江) has jumped from the initial 10 to 960.
Walking into an artificial cage of more than 200 square meters, there is water, trees, and grassland, and two wooden perches are erected in the air. Beside the feeding pool, a six-month-old chick is swallowing loach, enjoying its "nutritious breakfast."
"Seeing the crested ibis population continue to grow, everyone feels excited from the bottom of their hearts." Qiu Guoqiang (邱国强), the head of the breeding base, who is affectionately known as "Crested Ibis Dad," introduced that Deqing's (德清) relationship with the crested ibis began with the implementation of the national crested ibis ex-situ conservation strategy. In April 2008, 5 pairs of crested ibises were moved from Zhouzhi (周至), Shaanxi (陕西) to Deqing (德清), and the first southern crested ibis population in China was established.
"At that time, we were truly 摸着石头过河 (mō zhe shí tou guò hé - "feeling for stones to cross the river," to feel one's way; to proceed with caution)." Qiu Guoqiang (邱国强) recalled that the existing crested ibis population all originated from 7 wild individuals discovered in Shaanxi (陕西) in 1981. The most severe challenge faced in the early stage of breeding was genetic degradation caused by inbreeding.
To this end, the base carried out scientific research cooperation with universities such as Zhejiang University (浙江大学) and Beijing Forestry University (北京林业大学). "The gene screening technology brought by Professor Fang Shengguo's (方盛国) team from Zhejiang University (浙江大学) helped a lot. We screened the best pairing combinations through gene evaluation, and scattered the genetically matched individuals in large net cages, which increased the fertilization rate to about 80%," said Qiu Guoqiang (邱国强).
Overcoming difficulties has resulted in outstanding achievements: the number of cages has increased from the initial 1 to 17, the hatching success rate has increased from 33.76% to more than 90%, the survival rate of hatched chicks has reached 96.11%, and the annual reproduction rate has stabilized at more than 90%...
The expansion of the crested ibis population is not only a victory for breeding technology, but also a vivid portrayal of the continuous improvement of the local ecological environment.
"Crested ibises have extremely harsh requirements for their habitat—excellent water quality, abundant food, and little human interference." The relevant person in charge of the Deqing Branch (德清分局) of the Huzhou Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment (湖州市生态环境局) admitted frankly that the water quality of the former Xiazhu Lake (下渚湖) once dropped to Class V due to the proliferation of water hyacinth, pearl farming, and direct discharge of domestic sewage.
To this end, Deqing (德清) launched a tough battle for ecological restoration: comprehensively demolishing the "Fisherman's Paradise" near Crested Ibis Island, restoring 12,000 mu of natural wetlands through returning fishing to wetlands, connecting water systems, and rebuilding vegetation, and creating more than 70 "underwater forests" the size of basketball courts in the crested ibis gathering area.
The "small fish control water" model has also emerged—stocking specific fish species not only purifies the water body, but also reconstructs the complete food chain of "crested ibis-fish-aquatic plants." Today, the water quality of Xiazhu Lake (下渚湖) has been upgraded from Class V to Class III standard, the total phosphorus concentration has decreased by 87.5%, the biodiversity index has increased by 3.2 times, and 178 species of birds have been recorded.
Under the leadership of Qiu Guoqiang (邱国强), the base's technical team also developed a set of "southern recipes": loach is the main food, supplemented by beef, mealworms, and supplemented by the rich small fish and shrimps in the Jiangnan (江南) area, to solve the problem of crested ibises being "unaccustomed to the environment."
The ultimate goal of artificial breeding is to return the crested ibis to nature.
In 2013, the "Zhenhuan Garden" (珍鹮园) wild training base, which cost 1.5 million yuan, was completed. Through the "progressive wild adaptation method," captive crested ibises gradually adapted to wind and rain and mastered wild survival skills such as predation and avoiding enemies. In 2014, 33 crested ibises wearing trackers took off in Xiazhu Lake (下渚湖), completing the first crested ibis release in southern China. Monitoring data shows that the wild survival rate of this "vanguard team" is as high as 96.97%.
From Xixi Wetland (西溪湿地) to Qianjiangyuan National Park (钱江源国家公园), from Yancheng (盐城), Jiangsu (江苏) to Nanshan (南山), Hunan (湖南), "Deqing-籍" (Deqing-籍) crested ibises have become the "seed force" for the reconstruction of the crested ibis population in southern China. In the future, they will also fly to Ningxia (宁夏) and Qinghai (青海) to help build the Northwest population.
Every spring and autumn, bird watchers and photography teams from the Yangtze River Delta (长三角) and even the whole country gather in Deqing (德清), and the bird watching economy has become a new engine for the integration of the local tertiary industry. The Crested Ibis IP not only activates ecological tourism, but also drives the development of surrounding homestays, study tours, and cultural and creative industries.
As the sun sets, Qiu Guoqiang (邱国强) stands on the shore of Xiazhu Lake (下渚湖) and looks into the distance. A group of crested ibises are foraging in the pond, no longer relying on artificial feeding, and have truly become the masters of this land. "In the past, we protected the crested ibises, but now, we and the crested ibises jointly protect this land," said Qiu Guoqiang (邱国强).
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 贾丰丰
At 6 a.m., the air in the southern foothills of the Qinling Mountains (秦岭) still carries a hint of chill. At the Huayang Germplasm Resource Base of the Shaanxi Hanzhong Crested Ibis National Nature Reserve (陕西汉中朱鹮国家级自然保护区华阳种源基地), staff member Zhang Min (张民) and his colleagues are already up the mountain early, carrying observation equipment and food supplies, and starting their patrol along the pre-set route.
"This year, we have specifically optimized the breeding environment, reinforced nests, allocated food, upgraded monitoring... to create a 'safe delivery room' for crested ibis 'parents-to-be'," said Zhang Min (张民). "Every year during the crested ibis breeding season, protection work cannot be relaxed for a moment."
On May 23, 1981, experts discovered 7 wild crested ibises in Yang County (洋县), Hanzhong (汉中), in the southern foothills of the Qinling Mountains (秦岭). This ancient species, once thought to be extinct in China, re-entered people's field of vision.
"After years of protection exploration, crested ibis have now been found in all 10 prefecture-level cities in Shaanxi (陕西)," said Zeng Jianwen (曾键文), an engineer at the Shaanxi Hanzhong Crested Ibis National Nature Reserve Administration (陕西汉中朱鹮国家级自然保护区管理局).
The crested ibis is extremely picky about its living environment - ecologically sound rivers, reservoirs, ponds, swampy shallows or rice paddy wetlands, and structurally sound and environmentally stable arbor forests are both indispensable.
From the strict implementation of the "Four No's" ban (no hunting, no felling of habitat trees, no use of pesticides and fertilizers in foraging areas, no throwing and disturbing in nesting areas) to the construction of a "grid + information" management and protection system; from refined operations such as artificial feeding, nest reinforcement, injury and disease rescue, and ecological protection and restoration, to the improvement of a full-chain protection mechanism for epidemic source and disease monitoring, population dynamic monitoring, habitat protection and restoration, and crested ibis artificial breeding and wild release - the Administration uses 绣花功夫 (xiù huā gōng fū - "embroidery skill," meticulous and painstaking effort) to protect every life node of the crested ibis.
"In the wild, the Beidou (北斗) positioning equipment worn by the crested ibis transmits activity tracks and habitat locations in real time, realizing a leap in population monitoring from 'naked eye observation' to 'data analysis'," introduced Zeng Jianwen (曾键文). In recent years, the Administration has jointly carried out exploration and practice in crested ibis breeding, disease prevention and control, and habitat protection and restoration with scientific research institutes, overcoming key technical problems such as artificial breeding and wild release, and has cumulatively released more than 500 crested ibises into the wild, outputting more than 300 high-quality germplasm resources, and helping to establish more than 10 crested ibis artificial populations at home and abroad.
Crested ibis protection has never been a "one-man show", but a "grand chorus" with the participation of the whole people.
"In Yang County (洋县), crested ibises live in harmony with farmers in the fields and in front of and behind houses. Villagers actively participate in patrols, report violations, and have even developed new occupations such as 'crested ibis protectors' and 'bird guides'. Crested ibises have also become the 'image ambassadors' of local eco-tourism and organic agriculture!" Zeng Jianwen (曾键文) said with deep feeling.
It is another year of vibrant spring. The Han River (汉江) is clear, the rapeseed flowers are yellow, and the rice paddies are newly green. The fluttering crested ibises attract tourists from all over the world to check in, and this beautiful spring scene continues to unfold...
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 孙海天
"Finger limes" with caviar-like beads, "ice cream beans" with cotton candy-like pulp that melts in your mouth, and yellow mangosteens with a sweet, refreshing, and jelly-like texture... These "exotic fruits" from all over the world are not from afar, but grow on the land of Qionghai (琼海) City, Hainan (海南) Province. This is the "Window of World Tropical Fruits" park, and also a key project for Qionghai to build a national agricultural foreign cooperation and opening-up pilot zone.
Currently, the park has gathered more than 700 kinds of novel and unique tropical fruits from South America, Southeast Asia and other places. "In the past, you had to go abroad or spend a high price to buy these fruits, but now you can eat freshly picked fruits in Qionghai!" exclaimed Mr. Li (李先生), a tourist from Beijing (北京). Since 2016, Hainan Grand Modern Agriculture Development Co., Ltd. has been building the "Window of World Tropical Fruits" industrial park here. Among them, the Tropical Excellent Fruit Display Area was rated as a national 4A-level tourist attraction in 2024, receiving 500,000 tourists annually.
"The main selling point is 'never seen before'," said Chen Bing (陈兵), chief agronomist of the company. As a rare fruit tree sub-bank of the National Tropical Plant Germplasm Resource Bank, the park is transforming exotic fruits into authentic "Hainan Fresh" through conservation, domestication and improvement.
The ability of exotic fruits to take root here is inseparable from the "chip" of agriculture - seeds. In the past, many high-quality tropical fruits could only rely on imports due to the lack of seed sources. The park's technical team has spent more than 10 years widely collecting excellent global resources for centralized preservation and display. Introduction is the foundation, and taking root is the key. Chen Bing (陈兵) recalled that for this reason, the technical team crossed mountains and ridges to find naturally mutated plants for long-term domestication and improvement.
After years of observation, the team selected excellent low-temperature-resistant mamey sapote single plants; in response to the problems of thorns and single production season of wild finger limes, they selected varieties that can bear fruit in all seasons, greatly improving economic benefits. Today, the seeds here have even started a "space journey". In September 2024, along with the launch of China's Shijian-19 (实践十九号) satellite, there were 7 kinds of 1880 grams of excellent tropical fruit seeds selected by Grand Agriculture, such as "Longevity Peach" egg yolk fruit and SD1 seedless olives.
Currently, this batch of "space seeds" has been successfully returned and sown to germinate. Chen Bing (陈兵) said that from conventional introduction, independent selection to space breeding, the park has a 150-mu breeding base with an annual breeding capacity of 5 million plants, and carries out industry-university-research cooperation with institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (中国热科院) to consolidate the foundation for the independent control of tropical agricultural seed sources in China.
The fruitful results of scientific and technological innovation ultimately need to be transformed into industrial advantages. Qionghai (琼海) is exploring the path of "company + cooperative + farmer", with enterprises providing seedlings, technology and guaranteeing recycling. Farmer Quan Deru (全德儒) bid farewell to rubber and betel nuts, which are greatly affected by market fluctuations, and switched to planting finger limes, "with an annual output value of tens of thousands of yuan per mu." At present, Qionghai (琼海) has promoted related varieties on 5,500 mu, driving the province to plant 40,000 mu, becoming the largest finger lime supply base in Asia.
The "golden fruits" not only enriched the farmers, but also started reverse output. From the export of pitaya seedlings to Thailand (泰国) in 2019, to the excellent mamey sapote varieties heading to Vietnam (越南) by the end of 2025. "We are not only planting fruits, but also exporting standards and technology," said Shang Yan Shuang (尚艳双), relevant person in charge of the Qionghai (琼海) Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
As one of the first national agricultural foreign cooperation and opening-up pilot zones, Qionghai (琼海) is helping countries along the "Belt and Road" (一带一路) to improve their agricultural production level by exporting high-quality seedlings and technologies.
Return to TopLayout Design: Zhang Danfeng (张丹峰)
Return to TopIt's Qingming Festival again. The fusion of festival and solar term evokes people's unique feelings about life and nature. Remembering ancestors, planting trees and creating forests, gathering greenery and enjoying an outing in the spring, flying kites... Qingming customs cultivate national sentiments and the essence of life, and are precipitated into profound humanistic reflections in the artists' works.
Today is Qingming Festival. This edition invites five experts and scholars to talk about inheritance from the perspectives of reading calligraphy, appreciating paintings, tasting tea, enjoying a spring outing, and flying kites, resonating with the traditional festival culture and individual life experiences in the depth of history and reality.
--Editor
Return to TopBy: 方建勋
In my early years of learning calligraphy, I often focused on whether the structure of the characters was beautiful and whether the strokes were exquisite. It was difficult to understand what Zhang Huiguan (张怀瓘) of the Tang Dynasty meant when he said, "Those who deeply understand calligraphy only observe the spirit and charm, not the form of the characters." As I practiced calligraphy for a long time, I gradually felt the spirit and charm revealed in the works and realized that "calligraphy" is a reflection of the "person" who writes it. The brushstrokes of calligraphy touch the writer's inner high rhyme, deep emotions, firm character, and vast spirit.
During the Qingming Festival, reading Liu Bojian's (刘伯坚) handwritten letters gave me this feeling. Liu Bojian was an outstanding early member of the Chinese Communist Party (中国共产党) and served as the Director of the Political Department of the Red Fifth Army Group (红五军团). Mao Zedong (毛泽东) praised him as "the first person in political work in our party and our army." In October 1934, when the main force of the Central Red Army (中央红军) set out on the Long March, Liu Bojian was ordered to stay in the Central Soviet Area (中央苏区) to persist in the revolutionary struggle. On March 4, 1935, Liu Bojian was unfortunately wounded and captured while leading his troops to break through.
These letters of Liu Bojian were family letters he wrote to his relatives in prison after being captured. One of the letters was written to his wife, Wang Shuzhen (王叔振), before his execution: "You must be able to see my final letter and will. I will send it directly to my eldest sister-in-law Fengsheng (凤笙) in Shaanxi (陕西) and my five or six brothers and sisters-in-law. Don't be sad. I hope you will work hard for the Chinese revolution no matter what, do not leave the revolutionary front, and use all your strength to educate the three children, Hu, Bao, and Xiong, to become adults and continue my glorious revolutionary cause. I am buried near the Meiguan (梅关) of Dayu (大庾). It's almost twelve o'clock, and I'm about to go to the execution ground. I can't write anymore. I send my last revolutionary salute." The lines are filled with patriotic feelings and national righteousness, which are deeply moving and tearful. Sadly, his wife did not see this letter. He did not know that his wife had sacrificed before him! Fortunately, this last letter was preserved. Reading is very different from reading handwritten manuscripts. Seeing this letter, it is hard to imagine that the writing state corresponds to the final moment of "going to the execution ground." The book is a heart painting, a spiritual imprint of the writer at the moment of writing. Before his execution, Liu Bojian's handwriting was so firm and calm. Why is this so? Because at this moment, his heart was surging with the firm belief that "living is for China, and dying is for China." This belief was condensed into every stroke, becoming the most direct manifestation of strength. We often praise the beauty of "bone strength" in calligraphy, but little do we know that without a firm heart, how can there be strong brush strength? Facing such a final letter with sonorous strokes, the dots and strokes jump with the sound of铮铮铁骨, let us imagine Liu Bojian's lofty revolutionary integrity as a Communist.
Whether a calligraphy work is valuable or not, the beauty of its form is external. The key is that the work must have a "soul," and the "soul" of the book comes from the "person" who writes it. Therefore, the Song Dynasty calligrapher Huang Tingjian (黄庭坚) proposed: "To learn calligraphy, one must have morality in one's heart and broaden it with the learning of sages and philosophers, then the calligraphy can be valuable... A scholar-official can do anything in the world, but he must not be vulgar, and vulgarity cannot be cured." The practice of calligraphy, technique is only a basic level, and more importantly, the writer must have a spirit and interest that is different from the ordinary.
How can one be "not vulgar"? Huang Tingjian said: "Seeing that his ordinary life is no different from ordinary people, but he cannot be taken away at the great festival, this is not a vulgar person." Vulgarity and non-vulgarity may not be fully seen at ordinary times, but "not being taken away at the great festival" is definitely a non-vulgar person. "Not being taken away at the great festival" is the embodiment of the "scholar spirit" advocated by Chinese artistic ideals.
Huang Tingjian practiced this ideal throughout his life. During the Yuanyou (元祐) years, Huang Tingjian served as the reviewer of the "Shenzong Shilu" (神宗实录) and wrote "using iron dragon claws to control the river is like child's play." In the first year of Shaosheng (绍圣), the new party members believed that this was a false accusation. After that, Huang Tingjian's career ups and downs, and in the Huizong (徽宗) dynasty, he encountered the most severe blow in his life: all his duties were revoked, and he was exiled to Yizhou (宜州), Guangxi (广西). Although his career suffered demotion, his calligraphy realm became increasingly refined. Huang Tingjian's representative work of cursive script, "Li Bai Reminiscing Old Travels Poem Scroll" (李白忆旧游诗卷), was written in his later years when he was demoted. Compared with the early cursive script's ethereal and graceful, this scroll of cursive script has more of a vigorous and strange "sense of wind and frost." He is not copying a volume of Li Bai's poems, but writing about his own ups and downs in life. The lines are undulating, concise, and astringent, and the ink color is dry and moist, with occasional dry brushes. There is no deliberate display of skills, all of which are natural expressions of "no wind, no rain, no sunshine." This scroll of cursive script embodies the most authentic life background of a scholar-official who has experienced many hardships.
On the Qingming Festival in 1506, Wu Men (吴门) painter and calligrapher Shen Zhou (沈周) was very excited after reading this scroll of cursive script. He wrote a long postscript at the end, saying, "Shangu's calligraphy, in his later years, gained the true samadhi of Tibetan truth. This brushwork is trance, out of the gods and into the ghosts, and it is appropriate to call it 'grass saint'." Huang Tingjian's calligraphy is indeed a very unique existence among calligraphers of all dynasties. Shen Zhou admired Shangu's person and also admired his book. Shen Zhou's calligraphy learned the "Shangu style." In history, there are many who learned the "Shangu style," but Shen Zhou is the one who can get its meaning the most. Shen Zhou's Qingming inscription is a dialogue across the air and a inheritance of calligraphy style.
More than 350 years later, on the Qingming Festival, He Shaoji (何绍基), a famous Qing Dynasty epigraphy expert, wrote a postscript on his work at the age of 65: "On the Qingming Festival of Jiazi (甲子), the spring rain is continuous, and I have plenty of time to close the door. I have copied forty-three links of Liqi (礼器) in the Zhulv Lane (朱履巷) residence. Yuan and Ji." In his later years, He Shaoji took copying Han steles as his daily lesson, one after another. Calligraphy was completely integrated into his daily life. With a lifetime of obsession and perseverance, He Shaoji finally reactivated the Jinshi (金石) stele calligraphy of the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties, and transformed a new atmosphere of "round and clumsy" from epigraphy. Today, when we understand the "Jinshi spirit" in Chinese art, He Shaoji's calligraphy is almost unavoidable.
In the AI era, some people worry that calligraphy will be replaced by robot writing. In my opinion, in the intelligent era, the unique charm of artificial handwriting is becoming more prominent, because the ideal realm of calligraphy is not a technical problem to be solved in the end, but a problem of human spirit, realm, pattern, and personality. As long as every sincere and unique calligraphy learner humbly studies the calligraphy tradition, they can create their own calligraphy world.
(The author is a researcher at the Center for Aesthetics and Aesthetic Education, Peking University (北京大学))
Return to TopBy: 俞香顺
During the Qingming Festival, the soil is warm and soft, making it ideal for planting trees. On the 45th anniversary of the National Voluntary Tree Planting Campaign, let us use poetry and painting as a medium to trace back the millennium-old tradition of planting greenery, feel the Chinese people's deep love for plants, and better understand the profound meaning of the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.
China has a long tradition of planting trees. The *Classic of Poetry* already contains the lines, "Plant hazel and chestnut trees, catalpa and varnish trees." In ancient Chinese paintings, trees are common images, sometimes standing alone as paintings, and sometimes accompanying figures, conveying the painter's emotions, interests, and ideals, and forming a structure with their spiritual world. Among them, the depictions of pine trees, willow trees, and Chinese parasol trees are particularly numerous.
Pine trees are evergreen throughout the four seasons and have a vigorous posture, guarding the immortal heroic spirits. They are a portrayal of the Chinese people's awe-inspiring integrity and also contain the beautiful meaning of longevity and eternity. Ancient painters often combined pine trees with images such as rocks, solitary moons, and lofty scholars to create a broad and unrestrained artistic conception to highlight their emotions and aspirations, such as Shen Zhou's (沈周) *Pine and Rock Picture* (松石图) from the Ming Dynasty (明代) (see picture), with its strong pine trunk and vigorous pine needles, yet without losing its elegant and noble spirit. Speaking of the "star" among pine trees, the Guest-Greeting Pine (迎客松) of Huangshan (黄山) must be one of them. The Anhui Museum (安徽博物院) collection includes Hong Ren's (弘仁) *Independent Old Pine Tree* (苍松独立图) from the Qing Dynasty (清代), with its main trunk straight and slightly inclined, and the two drooping branches resembling a welcoming gesture. Hong Ren is known as the painter who best captured the essence of Huangshan. What he painted was the soul of the pine, the bones of Huangshan, and also the integrity of the people.
In stark contrast to pine trees, willow trees are perhaps the most "soft and beautiful" trees, as He Zhizhang (贺知章) of the Tang Dynasty (唐代) wrote, "A tall tree adorned with green jade, with ten thousand strands hanging down like green silk ribbons." Willow trees are the messengers of spring and also an important image of Qingming. Customs such as inserting willow branches and wearing willow branches during Qingming were once very popular among the people. Yang Yunhua (杨韫华) of the Qing Dynasty (清代) wrote, "Qingming is here again in a flash, hearing the sound of selling willow branches along the street." In the painter's brush, willow trees are combined with waterside, sails, and water birds to create a scene that is quiet, beautiful, and full of vitality. In the anonymous *Spring in Willow Creek* (柳溪春色图) of the Southern Song Dynasty (南宋), there are four willow trees on the hillside near the shore, with lush branches and leaves, swaying gently in the wind, creating a leisurely artistic conception.
Willow trees are elegant and unrestrained, and also symbolize the demeanor of literati. Tao Yuanming (陶渊明) of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (东晋) called himself "Mr. Five Willows" (五柳先生). Liu Shenxu (刘昚虚), a poet of the Tang Dynasty (唐代), wrote the line "Deep willow reading hall." Being able to set up a "reading hall" in the shade of willow trees was the dream of many ancient scholars. The anonymous *Reading in Willow Hall* (柳堂读书图) of the Southern Song Dynasty (南宋) visualizes this ideal situation, using delicate brushwork to depict a scholar reading carefully in the willow hall, creating a sense of tranquility and remoteness in the combination of meticulous and freehand brushwork.
The Chinese parasol tree is straight and tall, with a green body, emerald leaves like clouds, and a wide shade. Zhang Chao (张潮) of the Qing Dynasty (清代) commented in *You Meng Ying* (幽梦影) that "the Chinese parasol tree makes people feel refreshed." Pine trees are most suitable for mountains, willow trees are most suitable for watersides, while Chinese parasol trees are more suitable for courtyards and residences, integrated with people's daily life. Since the Yuan (元) and Ming (明) dynasties, countless paintings have been named after "Chinese parasol tree."
"Washing the Chinese parasol tree" is an elegant affair for literati. Ni Zan (倪瓒), a famous painter of the Yuan Dynasty (元代), had a "cleanliness obsession." Suspecting that a guest had spat under his Chinese parasol tree, he sent a boy to wash it repeatedly. After this incident spread, "washing the Chinese parasol tree" became a symbol of literati and elegant scholars keeping themselves clean and also became a popular subject for later generations of painters. Qian Gu (钱穀) of the Ming Dynasty (明代), Huang Shen (黄慎) of the Qing Dynasty (清代), and Li Keran (李可染) of modern times have all painted *Washing the Chinese Parasol Tree* (洗桐图).
The shade of the Chinese parasol tree is spacious, lush green, and transparent. The shade of the Chinese parasol tree is not only a physical place for rest but also a spiritual space for the transcendence of the soul. Li Rihua (李日华) of the Ming Dynasty (明代) recorded in *Six Inkstone Studio Notes* (六研斋笔记): "The Yuan people liked to write *Lofty Scholars under Chinese Parasol Trees*. Zi Jiu, Shu Ming, Yun Lin, and You Wen all had them. Although the scenery was different, a kind of unrestrained and detached interest made people unaware of the benefits of the world." Ming and Qing painters further inherited and developed the theme of "lofty scholars under Chinese parasol trees," such as Lu Zhi's (陆治) *Lofty Scholar under Chinese Parasol Trees* (桐荫高士图) of the Ming Dynasty (明代), which depicts a lofty scholar lying on a couch under two Chinese parasol trees to enjoy the cool, with a sense of contentment.
In literary and artistic works, pine trees, willow trees, and Chinese parasol trees often have a common friend - bamboo. According to modern plant classification, bamboo belongs to the grass family and is not a tree, but in the minds of the ancients, bamboo was a friend and neighbor of trees. In traditional culture, bamboo is also a symbol of noble personality. In Chinese painting, the combination of "green Chinese parasol trees and verdant bamboos" is particularly classic. Xia Gui's (夏圭) *Chinese Parasol Trees and Bamboo Creek Hall* (梧竹溪堂图) of the Southern Song Dynasty (南宋) uses forests such as Chinese parasol trees and bamboos to form a scene with thatched cottages, expressing inner emotions and showing an ideal life picture.
Trees are not trees, and wood is not wood. Trees are rooted in the earth and also deeply rooted in Chinese culture and national psychology. This spring, let us plant a tree with our own hands, both to add beauty to the mountains and rivers and to understand our minds and see our nature among the plants.
(The author is a professor at Nanjing Normal University (南京师范大学))
Return to TopBy: 任 赛
Qingming is both a solar term and a festival. At this time, all things are flourishing, the sky is clear and the earth is bright, and agricultural affairs, personal matters, and national affairs all quietly enter people's hearts, arousing the urge to go on spring outings. Revolutionary memorial halls and martyrs' cemeteries in various places also usher in a surge of visits and sacrifices. In this magnificent picture, the "Great Long March - National Painting Academy Fieldwork and Creation Activity to Commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Victory of the Long March of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army" organized by the China National Academy of Painting (中国国家画院) wrote a vivid stroke. Facing the spring sunshine, hundreds of painters divided into four teams to retrace the Long March Road, trace the footsteps of the Red Army, and feel the spirit of the Long March.
Red sketching and Qingming sweeping are not only a remembrance of heroes and martyrs, but also a perpetual inheritance of the spirit of the Long March. The spark of faith becomes brighter in remembrance. The feeling of sketching becomes more solemn in admiration. The green hills remain, the river is mighty, and the tranquility of the old revolutionary sites and the sanctity of the red imprints are laid out on paper together. The brush and ink are moving, and the heart is surging. Every ink color is full of piety and awe for the place of the original intention, and every line carries the sincere praise for the firm belief of the revolutionary predecessors. Ordinary landscapes have a red soul, and brush and ink paintings have a spiritual root.
Qingming is not only a deep moment of remembrance and remembrance, but also a time to go to nature and meet poetry. In ancient times, people combined sweeping tombs and outings during the Qingming season, giving rise to thousands of thoughts during spring outings.
Looking back at history, the ancients' spring outings have always been accompanied by fireworks and literary hearts. Painters often use this as a theme, with both the busy farming scene of "one plowing is crisp and moist, and ten thousand cattle plow" and the leisurely thoughts of "who does not feel nostalgic for their homeland." Poets use this as a chant, with both the reluctance of "holding wine to wish the east wind, and being calm together" and the emotion of "where is the face of the person, the peach blossoms still smile in the spring breeze." From concern for the country and the family to individual expression, all are hidden in people's spring travels.
The appearance of spring outings is not just one kind. Chen Mei (陈枚) of the Qing Dynasty, in the "Willow Swing Qian" of the "Yue Man Qing You Tu" album, depicts the grand scene of "willows and green silk smoke all over the street, painting the clear and bright February sky." Zhou Chen's (周臣) "Spring Mountain Riding Picture" of the Ming Dynasty vividly conveys the spring outing mood of "hooves tread all over the green mountain road, what is the matter that spring is deep and has not returned home." Whether it is literati expressing their feelings for landscapes or ordinary people taking leisurely spring strolls, every single thing is a scene of human life.
The true meaning of spring outings is also hidden in the Confucian color concept. The "Zhou Li" (《周礼》) says: "The matter of painting and embroidery is mixed with five colors. The east is called green, the south is called red, the west is called white, the north is called black, the sky is called mysterious, and the earth is called yellow." The theory of the generation of five colors originally evolved along with the ancient Yin-Yang and Five Elements thought. The Five Elements, the Five Directions, and the Five Colors construct a set of cosmic space-time order. This view of space and time hopes to grasp the operating laws of the prehistoric world through the mysterious and vast power between heaven and earth. Color has become an important way for the ancients to understand the world and understand all things. The Chinese people's concept of color has also established another rigorous ethical order. Green is one of the primary colors, and primary colors are more respected than secondary colors. In traditional painting, green is often used to replace green. In ancient poems, green and green are used interchangeably. Green is not the color of grass, but it has become a synonym for spring. In the spring mountain outing, people's tour of the landscape is a physical journey, and clarifying the mind and tasting the image is a mental journey, which is a clear state of forgetting both things and self. Green is the color of life, the vastness of distant mountains containing dai, the clarity of the first birth of spring water, and the implicit and poetic nature in the bones of the Chinese people. "Spring outing" is not about stepping on an ordinary clump of spring grass, but about people's attitude towards new life.
Even today, this attitude of rushing forward is still fresh. From visiting gardens to sweeping tombs, from remembering to enjoying spring, although the form of spring outings has changed, people's spiritual pursuit has never changed, that is, to hone their body and mind in carefully pursuing the distant past, and to regain their care for life in embracing nature.
(The author is a researcher at the China National Academy of Painting (中国国家画院))
Return to TopBy: 邱志杰
"Just as the Qingming Festival connects with Guyu, a cup of fragrant tea sits between them." Since the Tang Dynasty, Chinese people have had the custom of drinking Qingming tea. Unfolding the "Huishan Tea Gathering Picture" collected by the Palace Museum, the verdant green hills are eye-catching, laying the foundation for the entire painting and revealing the greenness of Qingming.
From a color perspective, the mountains and rocks use malachite green, and the leaves use indigo, forming a harmony of two greens. The pine tree trunks, thatched pavilion roof, and scholars reading by the pavilion well are painted with light ochre, gamboge, and other warm colors. The vermilion tea table with the highest saturation in the picture, although obscured by pine trees, stubbornly points out the theme of the painting – a grand gathering about tea.
To record this grand gathering, Wen Zhengming (文徵明) created more than one work. The Shanghai Museum also houses a painting of the same name (partial view shown in the picture). The beauty of the two paintings lies in the fluent transition between revealing and concealing, and the alternation of density and sparseness. The picture quickly directs the line of sight from the right side to the scholars under the pine forest, forming a sparseness within the density. Then, through the actions of the characters, the line of sight transitions to the Erquan Pavilion. The thatched pavilion is built against the mountain, covering the spring well, with two scholars sitting around inside. Here, the pine shade is lush, and the thatched pavilion is simple, setting off the open-mindedness of the people in the pavilion. In an inconspicuous part of the picture, the boy making a fire brings a sense of everyday life, and the utensils for boiling spring water on the stove seem to be gurgling. Both works create a sense of emptiness and distance, either above or to the left of the picture, reflecting the existence of another thousand miles of landscape.
Waiting is the hidden theme of the painting. The people in the pavilion are waiting for the arrival of friends, the tea drinkers are waiting for the spring water to boil, and the tea is waiting for the arrival of spring.
These two works depict a tea gathering of Wen Zhengming (文徵明) and his friends Cai Yu (蔡羽), Wang Shou (王守), Wang Chong (王宠), Tang Zhen (汤珍), Pan Hefu (潘和甫), and Zhu Lang (朱朗) at the Erquan Pavilion in Huishan, Wuxi (无锡惠山二泉亭). The friends, during the Qingming Festival, agreed to taste tea and compose poems at this "Second Spring Under Heaven," enjoying each other's company immensely. Wen Zhengming (文徵明) and others were not the first to initiate drinking tea here. The name "Second Spring Under Heaven" for Huishan Spring (惠山泉) was determined by the Tea Sage Lu Yu (陆羽) of the Tang Dynasty. This spring makes clear and sweet wine, and brews sweet tea, and is loved by literati and scholars. Su Shi (苏轼) once brought the imperial tribute tea "Xiaolongtuan" here, leaving the line "Alone I bring the small round moon from heaven, to try the second spring in the world." During the reign of Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty, Erquan water was listed as a royal tribute. The people of Wuxi (无锡) gladly accepted it, and in the Southern Song Dynasty, they built pavilions and dug ponds, thus becoming a famous scenic spot. The stone tablet inscribed by Zhao Mengfu (赵孟頫) of the Yuan Dynasty still exists today. The "Huishan Tea Gathering Picture" collected by the Palace Museum follows the style of Zhao Mengfu's (赵孟頫) small blue-green landscape. The tea party of Wen Zhengming (文徵明) and his friends at Erquan Pavilion (二泉亭) is actually continuing a cultural tradition.
This tea party was held in the thirteenth year of Zhengde (正德) in the Ming Dynasty (1518), when Wen Zhengming (文徵明) was 48 years old and had not yet succeeded in the imperial examination. The seven people who traveled together not only shared a common love for drinking tea, but also had similar identities and circumstances. They wandered among the mountains and rivers, poetry and painting, discussing ancient and modern times. The respect between friends becomes more precious in the taste of poetry, calligraphy, and painting, and this taste is inseparable from a ritual – tea tasting.
Drawing a circle with Huishan, Wuxi (无锡惠山) as the center and a radius of 250 kilometers, it is the most densely populated Jiangnan tea area for spring tea in China. Wuxi (无锡) itself has Wuxi Hao Tea (无锡毫茶), and the surrounding area is also densely populated with Dongting Biluochun (洞庭碧螺春), Taihu Cui Zhu (太湖翠竹), Jingxi Yunpian (荆溪云片), Jintan Queshe (金坛雀舌), and Yangxian Xueya (阳羡雪芽). Along Wuxi (无锡) to the south, there are the representative West Lake Longjing (西湖龙井), Hangzhou Qiqiang (杭州旗枪), and Dafo Longjing (大佛龙井) of flat-shaped fried green tea; to the southwest, there are Anji White Tea (安吉白茶), Jingting Luxue (敬亭绿雪), etc.
The tea in the hills of Jiangnan "awakens" half a month before Qingming. At this time, rich organic matter gathers towards the new shoot leaves in sufficient rainfall and suitable temperature. When the tea buds germinate to one bud and one leaf, they can be harvested until Qingming. The fragrance of tea permeates Jiangnan, sweetening people's lives. The souls of the ancients, therefore, awaken.
At this moment, the newly arrived Mingqian Longjing (明前龙井) is unfolding and rolling in my cup. Facing the computer, I remotely imagine which kind of tea Wen Zhengming (文徵明) and his friends were waiting for on Qingming Festival 508 years ago. As long as we can still distinguish the difference between tea before and after Qingming, the quality of culture is still there. Yes, the small blue-green is still there, the calligraphy is still there, the poetry is still there, the Mingqian tea is still there, and home is still there.
(The author is the President of Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts (天津美术学院))
Return to TopBy: 吴玲玲
"When Qingming arrives, the wheat stalks sing; the south wind blows, fly the kite, fly the kite..." During the Qingming Festival, children run in the fields, singing folk songs and flying kites, full of joy. The kites soaring in the wind awaken spring, welcome Qingming, and also release expectations.
Flying kites is a popular traditional sport in China and one of the important customs of Qingming. Before the Tang Dynasty, kites were often used for military purposes. After the Tang and Song Dynasties, Qingming integrated the customs of the Hanshi and Shangsi festivals. In addition to spring outings and tomb sweeping, traveling in the spring and flying kites gradually became a social fashion, forming a scene of "kites flying all over the sky." "Kites are everywhere north and south of the Yangtze River, with long and short lines flying high and low." Xu Wei (徐渭) of the Ming Dynasty used just a few lines to write poems about kites, depicting the lively scene of people competing to fly kites at that time.
In some areas, the connection between Qingming and kites is particularly close, and there is even a saying that "Qingming Festival is the Kite Festival." According to the Qing Dynasty's "Qing Jia Lu" (清嘉录) records: "The spring wind rises from bottom to top, and kites rise accordingly." Flying kites during the Qingming Festival is not only because the wind is most suitable for flying kites at this time, but also because people regard flying kites as a way of communicating with gods, endowing it with the connotations of dispelling evil, praying for blessings, and remembering the deceased. In the course of historical evolution, kites have combined with regional cultures to form different schools, among which the kites from the four major producing areas of Beijing (北京), Tianjin (天津), Weifang (潍坊), and Nantong (南通) are the most representative. In the south, kites are called "yao" (鹞), while in the north, they are called "yuan" (鸢), hence the saying "Southern Yao and Northern Yuan" (南鹞北鸢).
"Ten miles different winds, a hundred miles different customs" (十里不同风，百里不同俗 - shí lǐ bù tóng fēng, bǎi lǐ bù tóng sú - "ten miles different winds, hundred miles different customs," customs vary from place to place). Different regions have different customs for flying kites. As one of the birthplaces of Southern Yao, the best time to fly kites in Nantong (南通) is generally from the first month to the Qingming Festival, which can be described as "kites in the first month, kites in the second month, and broken-line kites in the third month." In the rural areas of Jiangnan (江南), there is a custom of flying "broken-line kites": families with board kites will invite neighbors to fly them together. Before flying, the board kite needs to be enshrined in the main room, with incense and candles to pray for blessings, and the wishes to remove disasters are written on the board kite. After it rises into the air, the string is cut, implying that the board kite will take away all the filth and disasters. This custom is in line with the tradition of Qingming to dispel evil and welcome good fortune.
People pour their love for kites into auspicious shapes and patterns. Although Southern Yao and Northern Yuan share the same roots, their craftsmanship characteristics vary greatly due to different regional customs. Southern Yao carries the folk cultural concepts of the Jiangnan (江南) region in terms of shape, color, and rhythm. For example, the Nantong (南通) board kite, a typical representative of Southern Yao, is pieced together from highly generalized and refined geometric shapes, with abstract aesthetic connotations. Its hexagonal, octagonal, and square designs, with corners connected and faces facing each other, reflect the philosophical idea of cyclical and endless, and are the carrier of the harmonious integration of heaven, earth, and people in traditional Chinese culture. Different from the simplicity and subtlety of Southern Yao, Northern Yuan is known for its majestic, bold, and lifelike qualities, and even has large string kites that embody magnificent characteristics. The shape of Northern Yuan originates from bird shapes, and its creative concept of "imitating people with kites" shows the aesthetic of creating things by observing objects.
Kites rising in the wind are regarded as a fusion of regional folk customs and seasonal culture. Nowadays, kite making is constantly innovating in terms of materials, shapes, designs, and patterns. For example, carbon fiber materials are used to make lightweight frames, 3D technology is used to make whistles, and AI is used to generate kite surface patterns, allowing ancient techniques to bloom with new brilliance in the collision with modern life.
"Children come back early from school, taking advantage of the east wind to fly kites" (儿童散学归来早，忙趁东风放纸鸢), this is a memory in ancient poems, and also a vivid scene today. Facing the spring breeze, the cultural connotation of kites is constantly enriched, carrying people's good wishes, and adding fun and warmth to the Qingming Festival.
(The author is an associate professor at the School of Art, Nantong University (南通大学)).
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