Summary: According to the article, Qinghai Province is focusing on developing its green and organic agricultural sector, following Xi Jinping's instructions to leverage local advantages for economic growth. Qinghai aims to enhance the value of its products, like Gouqi berries and cold-water fish, by improving processing, cold chain logistics, and branding, with a focus on standardized production and marketing in major consumer cities. Qinghai's party secretary Wu Xiaojun stated that the province is committed to ecological preservation and green development while transforming traditional industries into competitive ones to increase farmers' income.
Summary: Xi Jinping congratulated Ismail Omar Guelleh on his reelection as President of Djibouti, emphasizing the deep traditional friendship between China and Djibouti. Xi lauded Guelleh's long-term commitment to promoting bilateral friendship and cooperation. He expressed his willingness to work with Guelleh to strengthen mutual support on issues of core interests and major concerns. Xi also expressed the desire to implement the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit and enrich the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
Summary: According to the article, Xi Jinping emphasized that China's economic focus should shift from simply pursuing GDP growth to developing "new quality productive forces" (新质生产力) and enhancing "hard power" (硬实力) through technological innovation and industrial upgrading. The article highlighted first-quarter economic data showing rapid growth in high-tech manufacturing, equipment manufacturing, and digital product manufacturing, particularly in areas like AI and green technologies like electric vehicles. Xi has repeatedly stressed the importance of innovation in driving high-quality development and enhancing economic competitiveness, calling for breakthroughs in future industries. The article also notes international recognition of China's technological advancements, with the *Financial Times* describing China as becoming an economy underpinned by "technology-based growth." These trends are indicative of China's efforts to achieve self-reliance in core technologies.
Summary: Premier Li Qiang chaired a State Council executive meeting focused on Free Trade Zones (FTZs) and administrative reconsideration regulations. The meeting affirmed the achievements of FTZs since the 18th Party Congress and called for further reforms and optimized layouts to better serve national development. The meeting emphasized tailoring policies to local conditions within FTZs, and supporting Shanghai and other FTZs in aligning with high international economic and trade standards. The revised regulations aim to improve the administrative reconsideration system, resolving disputes internally and boosting government credibility. No mention was made of the United States or US-China relations.
Summary: Wang Huning, speaking at the opening of the 7th Cross-Strait Compatriot Associations Forum in Beijing, emphasized Xi Jinping's recent points on cross-strait relations, calling for unity to realize national rejuvenation. He reiterated the importance of the "One China Principle" and the "1992 Consensus," urging compatriots to promote peaceful development and reunification. Wang expressed hope that Taiwanese compatriots will oppose "Taiwan independence" and external interference, while also promoting cultural identity and cross-strait integration. Li Ganjie, Zheng Jianbang, and Su Hui were also in attendance. The forum also included remarks from Hung Hsiu-chu, former chairwoman of the KMT.
Summary: The article emphasizes China's strong economic start in the first quarter, attributing it to effective policy implementation and the inherent resilience of the Chinese economy. It calls for continued confidence and decisive action to solidify this positive trend. The article highlights the growth of high-tech manufacturing and retail sales as indicators of internal strength and market potential. It stresses the need for reforms and proactive, targeted, and coordinated efforts to address imbalances and further develop the service sector.
Summary: The 139th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) saw a record number of participating enterprises. This year's Canton Fair features a dedicated service robot area, showcasing technological innovation and full-scenario application capabilities in China's service robot sector, with dozens of leading companies participating. A photo shows buyers watching a robot simulating clearing a table.
Summary: China's nuclear power capacity is expanding rapidly, with a total of 112 operational and under-construction units, giving it the largest nuclear power installation in the world. The country's operational capacity ranks third globally, with 60 units generating 63.69 million kilowatts. China's "Hualong One" technology is being constructed at scale both domestically and internationally. The country has achieved over 95% localization of its third-generation nuclear power technology.
Summary: Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam made a state visit to China at the invitation of Xi Jinping, during which both leaders, along with other high-ranking officials like Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, and Wang Huning, discussed strengthening party-to-party relations and deepening cooperation across various sectors. Both sides agreed to promote the "Belt and Road" Initiative and the "Two Corridors, One Economic Belt" framework, with a focus on railway connectivity, and reaffirmed adherence to the One China policy. Discussions also included the South China Sea, with both sides emphasizing the importance of managing maritime differences and maintaining peace and stability. The two countries signed cooperative documents on political parties, public security, judicial affairs, economy, supply chains, customs, science and technology.
Summary: During Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam's state visit to China from April 14-17, he met with PRC General Secretary and President Xi Jinping. The two countries signed 32 cooperation agreements covering a wide range of sectors. These agreements include party-to-party cooperation, security, railway development, education, technology, customs, trade, and media. A memorandum of understanding was signed regarding cooperation under the framework of the Global Security Initiative. The agreements also touched on cross-border economic cooperation.
Summary: Chinese economic growth in the first quarter of 2026 reached 5.0%, exceeding expectations and bolstering confidence in the global economy amid international uncertainty. High-tech manufacturing and green product exports experienced significant growth, signaling a shift towards high-quality development. Domestic demand is improving with increased social consumption. China's commitment to high-level opening-up, exemplified by trade growth with Belt and Road countries and other global partners, creates opportunities for the world. A U.S. media source noted China's shift toward a compound growth model which provides a reference point for global economic growth.
Summary: Wang Yi met with Namibian Foreign Minister Musawi in Beijing. Wang stated that deepening China-Namibia cooperation aligns with the interests of both countries and reflects the broader trend of South-South cooperation. He expressed China's willingness to work with Namibia to implement agreements, strengthen development strategy alignment, and promote projects in agriculture, livelihood, and youth. Musawi affirmed Namibia's desire to strengthen ties with China across various fields and supports Xi Jinping's Global Initiatives.
Summary: At the invitation of PRC Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Namibian Minister of International Relations and Trade Musavi visited China from April 11-18, 2026. The two foreign ministers reiterated their commitment to multilateralism and strengthened global governance, emphasizing collective dialogue over unilateral approaches to global challenges. Namibia reaffirmed its adherence to the One China Principle and support for PRC efforts toward national reunification. Both parties agreed to maintain high-level exchanges, deepen political mutual trust, and promote cooperation in various fields, including energy, mining, agriculture, and infrastructure. They also reiterated their opposition to politicizing internal affairs as human rights issues and to interfering in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights.
Summary: At a State Council Information Office press conference, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Vice Chairman Wang Changlin introduced plans for high-quality economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). Wang emphasized the need to strengthen domestic demand, technological innovation, employment, and secure development foundations, including energy and housing markets. He noted that the first quarter saw positive trends in fixed-asset investment and consumer spending, particularly with policies promoting the replacement of old consumer goods. NDRC officials also mentioned the upcoming release of national-level special plans focusing on industrial modernization, digital development, and consumption expansion, among other areas. They also stated that they would begin implementing an AI plus action plan.
Summary: This article emphasizes the importance of solidifying the foundation and comprehensively exerting effort during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, highlighting the strong start in the first quarter. It stresses the need to prioritize high-level technological self-reliance, food security, and energy security to strengthen the foundation of development and security amid strategic opportunities and risks. The article points out that China must focus on upgrading industries through technological innovation and integrated development to enhance manufacturing. It also stresses the importance of investment, job creation, and consumption to fully unleash the potential of the Chinese market and achieve systematic breakthroughs in economic development.
Summary: At a press conference, Ningxia Party Committee Deputy Secretary and Autonomous Region Government Chairman Zhang Yupu outlined the region's "15th Five-Year Plan" focused on economic prosperity, ethnic unity, environmental protection, and public affluence. Ningxia aims to build a modern industrial system emphasizing advanced manufacturing with local characteristics, and is promoting the development of its digital economy by expanding computing power to serve the national "East Data, West Computing" project. The region also plans to develop modern chemical, dairy, and wine industries and expand exports of industrial and agricultural products to markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Ningxia will also expand its renewable energy capacity and improve the efficiency of its power grid.
Summary: China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has fined seven e-commerce platforms, including Pinduoduo, Meituan, JD.com, Taobao Flash Sale, Douyin, Taobao, and Tmall, a total of 3.597 billion RMB for violations related to "ghost restaurants" and food safety. The platforms are accused of failing to properly vet food vendors' licenses and facilitating unauthorized order transfers, violating the *Food Safety Law* and the *E-Commerce Law*. The platforms have also been ordered to suspend new cake shop listings from 3 to 9 months. Additionally, legal representatives and food safety directors from the seven platforms were fined a total of 19.6874 million RMB. The platforms were ordered to take immediate corrective action and have removed relevant "ghost shops" and ended cooperation with related order transfer platforms.
Summary: China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Education are launching a "Specialized and Innovative Enterprises Entering Campuses for Talent Recruitment" campaign in 2026 to connect university graduates with specialized and innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The campaign, running from April to June and October to December, aims to facilitate targeted recruitment activities and strengthen cooperation between universities and SMEs through talent cultivation, internship programs, and skills training. The initiative will focus on aligning graduates' career aspirations with the needs of key industrial chains. The Ministry of Education's National College Student Employment Service Platform will provide online support for the campaign.
Summary: The Heihe-Aihui International Night Market in Heilongjiang province has reopened, offering a comprehensive nighttime consumption experience. The market is attracting Russian tourists due to the visa-free policy between China and Russia. It has become a popular destination for cross-border travel, boosting the local economy. The night market integrates sightseeing, shopping, entertainment, and food. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: A State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) white paper reveals that over 30 central enterprises (centrally-administered state-owned enterprises) have developed over 100 models of low-altitude aircraft, including conventional aircraft, industrial drones, and electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. These enterprises are also utilizing technologies like information communications and AI to meet low-altitude flight demands in multiple locations. Furthermore, central enterprises are actively transitioning low-altitude application scenarios from demonstration projects to regular operations, with examples including the State Grid's drone-based power line inspection and China National Agricultural Development Group's application of drones in agricultural production. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: In the first quarter of 2024, the Yangtze River Delta region's import and export value reached a record high of 4.49 trillion yuan, a 15.8% year-on-year increase, accounting for 37.9% of China's total. Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Anhui provinces all experienced import and export growth, with Anhui showing particularly strong growth. The region's trade with ASEAN and the EU increased by 20.8% and 17.5% respectively. Trade with Belt and Road countries reached 2.26 trillion yuan, up 17.3% year-on-year, driven by continued optimization of product structure, including a rise in exports of mechanical and electrical products.
Summary: An AI-powered "social worker" named "Gui Xiaoshe" has been deployed in Chongkou Village, Guangxi Province, to assist with local governance. Developed by Yufei Technology, "Gui Xiaoshe" answers policy questions, provides information services, and helps draft documents for village meetings. The AI agent was customized using local policy data and examples, aiming to provide accurate and reliable advice to villagers. Liang Jincheng, Deputy Director of the Guigang Municipal Party Committee Social Work Department, stated "Gui Xiaoshe" reduces the burden on grassroots social workers and helps solve the difficulties of grassroots governance. The article references China's "15th Five-Year Plan" as calling for strengthening the integration of AI with technological innovation, industrial development, cultural construction, people's livelihood security, and social governance.
Summary: The article discusses the successful implementation of "Gui Xiaoshe," an AI tool in Shilian Village, Guangxi, for improving local governance. "Gui Xiaoshe" addresses the conflict between high demand for consultation and the heavy workload of community workers by providing 24/7 support for policy inquiries and collecting resident feedback. The system's accuracy stems from its comprehensive database of policies, cases, and data. The article emphasizes that successful integration of AI into social governance depends on addressing real needs and prioritizing public service.
Summary: In Bayannur, Inner Mongolia, an "points supermarket" incentivizes farmers to collect used plastic film (地膜) from fields in exchange for household goods. The collected film is then transported to processing plants, where it is either used as fuel for power generation or recycled into plastic pellets for irrigation equipment. The city has established a three-tiered collection network and aims to create a complete industrial chain for recycling used plastic film. This initiative transforms agricultural waste into a valuable resource through a circular economy. The effort combines both manual labor and machinery to maximize film collection rates.
Summary: A Water Resources Ministry video conference on April 17th outlined plans for ensuring reservoir safety during the flood season. The meeting emphasized implementing reservoir management responsibilities, improving forecasting and early warning systems, and strengthening emergency response capabilities. Plans include risk assessment, infrastructure upgrades, and systematic operation of reservoir groups to control flooding. Attendees included responsible individuals from relevant departments and enterprises.
Summary: In Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps' Sixth Division Qitai Farm, farmers are seizing the favorable weather to plant crops like corn and sunflowers. The planting operations are underway, with farmers utilizing agricultural machinery for sowing. The photograph accompanying the report shows farmers driving machinery to plant corn on April 16th. The article does not discuss U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Several regions in China are actively implementing measures to improve the availability and quality of medical resources in rural areas. These initiatives include dispatching medical professionals, providing equipment, and establishing remote consultation capabilities at local clinics. For example, Qianjiang District leverages a "five-pronged" approach to deploy resources to rural hospitals, while Wujing District integrates village clinics into the medical insurance system. In Dongtai City, a digital medical consortium utilizes drones for sample transport and remote consultations, improving healthcare access for rural residents. These efforts aim to increase the utilization of local medical facilities and reduce the burden on patients, particularly those with chronic conditions.
Summary: To mark the 11th National Security Education Day, the Ministry of Education guided multiple regions in hosting academic seminars on the Comprehensive National Security Concept, aiming to deepen the development of an independent knowledge system for national security studies. Beijing held a theoretical seminar focusing on the national security landscape and key tasks during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), as well as the modernization of the national security system. Shanghai launched a "Ten Ones" action plan for national security education during the same period, initiating activities such as a national security literacy exhibition for university students in 2026. These events facilitated discussions among experts and scholars on national security studies, independent knowledge system construction, and the strengthening of basic research.
Summary: A symposium on the employment of national security studies graduates was held in Beijing, focusing on improvements to curriculum, practical teaching, and resource integration. Experts emphasized political literacy, global perspectives, critical thinking, and complex problem-solving skills for students in this field, established as a discipline in 2020. The discussion also highlighted the need for standardized curriculum development and the creation of academic communities to share resources. Graduates at a previous forum emphasized enhanced abilities in interdisciplinary knowledge, risk assessment, and practical application. The meeting signals China's continued focus on strengthening its national security apparatus through specialized education and talent development.
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Summary: The sixth China International Consumer Products Expo featured an emphasis on high-end consumer goods, with expanded categories due to Hainan's duty-free policies. The duty-free policy has been upgraded to include 47 categories, including pet supplies and musical instruments, and allows domestic high-quality products to enter the duty-free sales channel. Companies are using the expo to showcase high-end goods and access the Hainan duty-free market. The Expo highlighted Hainan Free Trade Port's openness and opportunities for cooperation. There was no mention of the United States or US-China relations in this article.
Summary: Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam conducted a state visit to China at the invitation of Xi Jinping, where he met with Xi, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, and Wang Huning. Both sides affirmed the strategic importance of China-Vietnam relations and agreed to enhance cooperation across multiple sectors, aiming for "higher political trust, more substantial security cooperation, deeper practical cooperation, a more solid people's foundation, closer multilateral coordination, and better management and resolution of differences." Vietnam reiterated its One China Policy and support for China's positions on Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet, while China supports Vietnam's social stability and national security. Both sides also discussed maritime issues, emphasizing the need for peaceful resolution and joint maintenance of stability in the South China Sea.
Summary: The All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) and the National Office for Rectification of Press Conduct (全国三教办) launched the 2026 "Good Journalists in the New Era" national tour, featuring 27 representatives from media outlets and journalism awards. These journalists, recognized for their reporting on China's development and its impact both domestically and internationally, will conduct lectures and exchanges in Beijing and eight provinces. Their work includes documenting infrastructure projects like high-speed rail and reporting on Chinese manufacturing and technology's impact overseas, aiming to present a credible and positive image of China. The speakers emphasized the importance of journalistic skills in accurately portraying societal changes and safeguarding public interests. There is no mention of the United States or U.S.-China relations in this article.
Summary: An agricultural research institute is helping Guizhou province standardize and scale up production of its traditional sour soup, previously made using variable and unhygienic methods. Researchers isolated three core fermenting bacteria strains to develop a second-generation starter culture for consistent, large-scale production. A partnership between the institute and a food company led to the establishment of an automated production line with a capacity of 6,000 tons per year. The company sources raw materials from local villages, stimulating the local economy. The effort aims to expand the reach of Guizhou sour soup beyond the province using technology.
Summary: China's General Administration of Customs and five other departments will implement a new list of "Key Controlled Alien Species at Ports" starting May 1st. Unauthorized import of species on or off the list will result in fines and potential criminal charges. The initial list includes 21 species from insects, mollusks, fish and amphibians, that pose a risk to China's ecological environment. In the first quarter of 2024, customs authorities detected a rise in animal diseases and harmful organisms, leading to increased inspection and preventative measures, including banning imports from specific countries and suspending the export licenses of 169 overseas agricultural companies. The new regulations aim to strengthen border control against invasive species.
Summary: An interagency meeting in Beijing, involving eight departments including the State Taxation Administration and the Ministry of Public Security, convened to advance joint efforts in combating tax-related crimes. The meeting highlighted the collaborative achievements in investigating over 130,000 suspected fraudulent enterprises and recovering 24.6 billion yuan in export tax rebates over the past two years. Officials stressed the need to strengthen the integrated administrative and judicial enforcement mechanism through enhanced data sharing and coordinated efforts, focusing on cracking down on invoice fraud, export tax evasion, and illegal tax benefit claims. The meeting also emphasized the importance of public education and legal interpretation to deter future offenses.
Summary: The article reports on Ma'anshan City in Anhui Province's initiative to create "pocket parks" by utilizing small urban spaces. The city has constructed and renovated over 120 easily accessible parks with recreational functions. These parks incorporate fitness, sports, and entertainment facilities. The "pocket parks" are a result of "greening gaps and restoring greenery" within the urban environment. Citizens are using parks like the Donghu Pocket Park for leisure and exercise.
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Summary: Academician Zhu Min's team at the Chinese Academy of Sciences has discovered 436-million-year-old osteichthyes (bony fish) fossils, providing key information about the evolution from fish to humans. The finds, including *Chongqingichthys liui* and *Megamastax amblyodus*, shed light on the morphology and characteristics of early bony fishes, particularly in the jaw, teeth, and braincase. *Chongqingichthys liui*, the oldest complete bony fish fossil, is only 3cm long and has a mix of primitive and advanced features, while *Megamastax amblyodus* was the biggest vertebrate in the Silurian period. These discoveries confirm that southern China was the cradle of bony vertebrates and provide missing links in the evolutionary chain from fish to humans. Further research on Silurian jawed vertebrates will help to solve more scientific problems in the early evolution of "from fish to human."
Summary: A recent study by Chinese scientists reveals that prolonged loneliness can induce "iron plasticity" in the brain, altering neural circuits and contributing to anxiety. The study found that social isolation in mice led to increased iron levels in the ventral hippocampus, triggering a cascade of protein activity that overstimulates neurons. This process, similar to that observed in patients with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, can be reversed through iron chelation or re-integration into social groups. The findings suggest that loneliness-induced anxiety is a neurological response to isolation and highlights the brain's need for social connection.
Summary: China Three Gorges Corporation has deployed a network of water conservancy rain-measuring radars along the Yangtze River near the Three Gorges Dam to improve localized precipitation monitoring and forecasting. Senior Engineer Qiu Hongya explained that the system provides detailed data on rainfall within a 13,000 square kilometer area, enabling precise prediction of heavy rainfall events. Unlike traditional weather radar, the new system utilizes X-band electromagnetic waves to more accurately observe the state of "rain in clouds." Data from the radar system is integrated with satellite observations, ground-based rain gauges, and hydrological stations to create a comprehensive monitoring and prediction system. This integrated approach aims to provide early warnings for potential flood events by improving the accuracy of rainfall predictions. The article does not mention the United States.
Summary: The U.S. Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) project team, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and operated by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, announced the completion of its five-year observation mission. DESI has created the largest high-resolution 3D map of the universe to date. The instrument exceeded its original target of 34 million galaxies and quasars, capturing over 47 million, alongside spectral data from 20 million stars in the Milky Way. Analysis of the first three years of data suggests that dark energy, previously considered a cosmological constant, may evolve over time.
Summary: Beijing is employing a newly developed, non-toxic "coagulant" to combat the city's annual problem with willow and poplar catkin dispersal. The coagulant, sprayed on trees, binds the fluffy seeds together, making them too heavy to be carried by the wind and reducing the amount of dispersal by over two-thirds. This method avoids harming the trees and allows for normal growth. The treatment is part of a broader strategy that includes a monitoring platform for precise early warning. The broader strategy also includes replacing older trees with non-dispersing varieties.
Summary: A research team at Peking University has discovered a method to efficiently convert readily available olefins into valuable alkynes using a reagent called selenanthrene. This new method overcomes the limitations of previous approaches, which were too harsh for many functional molecules. The discovery of this method can potentially revolutionize synthetic chemistry by enabling the creation of new drugs, and also by lowering their cost.
Summary: The High Intensity heavy-ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF)'s high-precision ring spectrometer experiment terminal has passed process testing by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The terminal, one of six at the HIAF, achieved international-leading mass accuracy in measuring the short-lived nucleus Gold-202. The mass measurement accuracy of gold-202 reached 11 keV, twice the previous international accuracy. This progress indicates that the key performance indicators of the terminal have reached the expected design. It also validates the high beam intensity and quality of the accelerator system, and the significant improvement of the stability and electromagnetic environment of the device.
Summary: Please provide the article you would like me to summarize. I need the text of the article to be able to provide an accurate and concise summary for professional analysts of Chinese politics, as you requested.
Summary: Several provinces in China, including Guizhou, Sichuan and Jiangsu, implemented or explored the possibility of implementing spring break for primary and middle school students, with varied approaches to address childcare challenges. Guizhou saw parents taking advantage of tourism discounts for family trips, while others struggled with childcare during the break. Sichuan integrated study tour resources to enrich student experiences, and Jiangsu encouraged companies to allow employees to take staggered leave to align with children's spring breaks. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: This article discusses the development of Fangcheng Huimian (stewed noodles), a local culinary specialty in Fangcheng County, Henan Province. The dish, characterized by its rich broth, handmade noodles, and chili oil, is a significant part of the local culture and economy. Fangcheng County has focused on scaling up the Huimian industry by improving cultivation of ingredients, supporting skill training, and promoting standardized production of instant Huimian products for wider distribution. With over 3,000 Huimian restaurants nationwide, the industry has created job opportunities for more than 50,000 people. The dish has become a local symbol that attracts more people to visit and experience the city.
Summary: Beijing's parks are showcasing various flower festivals in April, including crabapples at the Yuan Dynasty City Wall Relics Park, tulips at Zhongshan Park (where tulips were originally gifted by the Queen of the Netherlands in 1977), and peonies at Jingshan Park. Jingshan Park, renowned for its peonies, displays over 700 varieties, including traditional Chinese and international types. Visitors can enjoy diverse floral landscapes and cultural activities across the city, such as boat rides and unique scenic views. The article does not mention 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 provide an accurate and concise summary for professional analysts of Chinese politics.
Summary: Over the past 20 years, research on the Shangshan Culture has established it as a vital origin of China's 10,000-year civilization and a source of rice agriculture. Recent archaeological findings suggest that rice domestication may predate the Shangshan Culture, prompting further investigation into the origins of rice cultivation in the Yangtze River region. Future research aims to explore the formation and regional diversity of early rice-farming societies, analyze the relationship between rice agriculture and cultural adaptation, and compare China's agricultural origins with those of West Asia and Central America. These studies seek to construct a Chinese theory of agricultural origins, promoting dialogue and mutual learning between civilizations. The article did not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The State Council has officially approved Meishan, Sichuan Province, as a National Historical and Cultural City. Meishan, known as the hometown of the "Three Su" literary figures, boasts over 2300 years of history and a continuous urban history of over 1400 years. The city is celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, including the San Su ancestral hall and numerous historical sites. Meishan is also recognized for archaeological discoveries that trace human activity back to the Paleolithic era. The city protects its history while fostering a vibrant modern life.
Summary: A survey of Han City's old town revealed the cultural significance of inscribed lintels above doorways, which serve as historical and cultural markers. These inscriptions, often reflecting family origins, values, or aspirations, are categorized into family identity, achievements, and expressions of wisdom. Diverse carving techniques and materials are used, making each lintel a unique piece of art. The "Weinan City Hancheng Ancient City Protection Regulations," effective December 1, 2025, provides legal protection for these cultural relics. Understanding the lintel culture is seen as protecting a local spiritual home and a long-standing wisdom.
Summary: The article discusses the Wubentang Water Dragon Association Hall, a nearly 200-year-old Qing Dynasty fire fighting organization in Shiyan Town. Founded in 1836 by hydraulic engineer Feng Daoli, it was established to combat fire risks associated with the town's booming rush bag industry, a crucial component in the salt production of the region. The hall features a traditional water dragon pump, once used to extinguish a major fire in the town during the Republican era. Now a cultural heritage site, it serves as a symbol of local history and a reminder of the community's historical commitment to safety.
Summary: Rock carvings in Inner Mongolia, particularly those depicting horses, provide a key insight into the region's cultural and economic history as a crucial area for the exchange between nomadic and agricultural societies. Horse images, found primarily in the Xilingol Grassland and Yinshan Mountains, often show scenes of animal husbandry, transportation, hunting, and even conflict, highlighting the animal's multifaceted role in ancient life. The prevalence of horse imagery in rock art across various regions of China suggests a shared cultural and economic foundation linked by grassland corridors. Scientific dating and DNA analysis of horse remains support the theory that exchanges between Central Asia and the Central Plains occurred before Zhang Qian's mission to the West. The carvings provide archaeological evidence for the early cultural interactions and integration within the Chinese nation.
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By: 本报记者 龚仕建 乔 栋
Plateau spring plowing comes a bit later. In mid-April, in Dulan County (都兰县), Qinghai (青海), with an average altitude of 3,100 meters, more than 210,000 mu of goji berries enter the time window for pruning, loosening soil, and fertilizing.
"In the past, we dried them and sold them; now, we sell them as fresh fruit in supermarkets." The spring breeze is refreshing, and grower Zhang Yanxiao (张彦孝) is busy and happy.
The change in sales methods reflects the change in industrial development. In 2025, the output value of fresh goji berries in Dulan County (都兰县) reached 41.27 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 578.11% according to statistical standards.
It's not just goji berries; more and more of Qinghai's (青海) green and organic agricultural and livestock products are directly reaching consumers' taste buds in a fresher state.
In June 2024, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out during his inspection in Qinghai (青海): "Coordinate the coordinated development of regions within the province, give full play to the supporting roles of Xining (西宁), Haidong (海东), and Haixi (海西), and develop county economies and characteristic industries in accordance with local conditions." The "15th Five-Year Plan" outline proposes: "Adapt to changes in supply and demand, optimize the agricultural production structure, stabilize the production of important agricultural products such as cotton, oil, sugar, and rubber, as well as 'vegetable basket' products, and develop characteristic agriculture."
To thoroughly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important instructions, Qinghai (青海), based on its own resource endowments, is more effectively gathering resource elements, accelerating the creation of a green and organic agricultural and livestock product export base, and strengthening plateau characteristic agriculture in accordance with local conditions.
To achieve value leap, we must identify advantages accurately.
Moving from a local product store to a fruit store, with a change of scene, the "value" of goji berries doubles.
"Fresh fruit can be sold for 65 yuan per jin, which is three times more expensive than dried fruit." Wang Shuqin (王淑琴), head of Qinghai Yun Jing Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (青海云境农业科技有限公司), has a personal experience, "Orders for the first crop of fresh goji berries are growing rapidly, and we plan to transfer another 500 mu of land to grow goji berries."
In the past, growing and selling goji berries was about comparing the size of dried fruits. Although Qinghai (青海) has advantages in terms of origin and production capacity, it can only sell at a "volume price" due to its relative weakness in processing and sales channels.
Adapting to the market and changing thinking, Qinghai (青海) refines the temperature control, loss, and cold chain temperature of fresh goji berries, fully aligning with national standards. This year, Qinghai (青海) is focusing on promoting the construction of "front-end warehouses" in key consumer cities of fresh goji berries such as East China and South China, and continuously improving the entire cold chain system of "origin pre-cooling + cold chain transportation + sales area cold storage."
"Our current focus has shifted to fresh goji berries, accelerating the promotion of standardized planting, standardized production, and brand promotion of organic goji berries." Feng Wei (冯伟), Director of the Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Bureau (海西蒙古族藏族自治州农牧局), said that it has promoted the implementation of the "full cold chain" standard, and built 43 fresh-locking production lines and expanded and rebuilt 2,355 cubic meters of goji berry cold storage at the source of the Qaidam (柴达木) origin.
Giving play to resource advantages focuses on differentiated development.
In Taizi Township (台子乡), Huzhu Tu Autonomous County (互助土族自治县), Haidong City (海东市), Jin Yongming (靳永明), director of the Funong Vegetable Professional Cooperative, is leading the villagers to upgrade drip irrigation equipment.
"Our cool-season vegetables are grown in a standardized way and directly supplied to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area." Jin Yongming (靳永明) calculated an account, "Compared with 5 years ago, the planting area has increased by 3 times, and the sales of 'summer vegetables' last year was 12 million yuan."
The plateau climate is cold, the altitude is high, and the rainfall is low, which are disadvantages for agricultural development. Aiming at the summer "slack season" window where high temperatures in some areas lead to reduced vegetable production, Qinghai (青海) has built a 10,000-ton-level export industrial cluster of plateau cool-season vegetables. Last year, Qinghai's (青海) plateau cool-season vegetable exports reached 11,000 tons, ranking among the top in the country in terms of growth rate.
In Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (海南藏族自治州), a fish is well-known.
Above the Longyangxia Reservoir (龙羊峡水库), huge circles are neatly arranged, and the cold-water salmon trout are raised inside. Constant water temperature provides them with a suitable growing environment. In the first two months of this year, Qinghai's (青海) exports of cold-water salmon trout and its products were 89.021 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 29.4%.
At present, Qinghai (青海) is deeply implementing the high-quality development action of characteristic industries, optimizing chain-leading enterprises, promoting the "three-chain synergy" of green and organic agricultural and livestock product production and supply, intensive processing, and brand value, steadily expanding the export scale of cool-season vegetables and cold-water fish, promoting the output of agricultural and livestock products to increase by more than 10%, and continuing to polish the golden name card of "Pure Land Qinghai (净土青海) · Plateau Premium (高原臻品)."
"Bearing in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) entrustment, Qinghai (青海) has established and practiced a correct view of performance, adapting to local conditions and **照纹劈柴** (zhào wén pī chái - "split wood along the grain," act according to objective reality), with ecological priority and green development as the background, deeply exploring the advantages of origin, transforming traditional industries into advantageous industries, strengthening plateau characteristic industries, opening up the entire chain, enhancing added value, and driving the income increase of farmers and herdsmen." Wu Xiaojun (吴晓军), Secretary of the Qinghai Provincial Party Committee (青海省委书记), said.
Return to TopXinhua News Agency, Beijing, April 17th (新华社北京4月17日电) On April 17th, President Xi Jinping (习近平) sent a congratulatory message to Ismail Omar Guelleh (伊斯梅尔·奥马尔·盖莱), congratulating him on his re-election as President of the Republic of Djibouti (吉布提共和国).
Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that China and Djibouti (吉布提) have a profound traditional friendship. In recent years, the political mutual trust between the two sides has been increasingly consolidated, and practical cooperation has yielded fruitful results. President Guelleh (盖莱总统) has long been committed to promoting China-Djibouti (中吉) friendship and exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and I express my appreciation for this. I attach great importance to the development of China-Djibouti (中吉) relations and am willing to work with President Guelleh (盖莱总统) to continue to firmly support each other on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns, implement the results of the Beijing Summit (北京峰会) of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (中非合作论坛), and continuously enrich the connotation of the China-Djibouti (中吉) comprehensive strategic partnership to better benefit the people of both countries.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 王 浩
"We cannot only look at the growth of GDP. What is growing now is hard power, and what we are pursuing is the development of new quality productive forces. Through continuous transformation, upgrading, quality improvement, and replacement, we are moving upwards step by step." President Xi Jinping (习近平) has profound and far-reaching considerations.
The better-than-expected "first quarter report" has a prominent highlight: China's innovation is accelerating breakthroughs in all directions, and the momentum for development towards new and better is continuously strengthening.
High-end manufacturing takes the lead: the added value of high-tech manufacturing above designated size increased by 12.5% year-on-year, accounting for 16.9% of the added value of industries above designated size, driving the growth of industries above designated size by 2 percentage points.
The foundation of major national equipment is solid: the added value of the equipment manufacturing industry above designated size increased by 8.9% year-on-year, contributing nearly 50% to the growth of the added value of industries above designated size.
Artificial intelligence performs well: the added value of the digital product manufacturing industry above designated size increased by 11.2% year-on-year, and the added value of the electronic special materials manufacturing industry directly related to artificial intelligence production and application increased by 32.5%.
Green transformation is full of power: the output of lithium-ion batteries, wind turbine generator sets, and other products increased by 40.8% and 30.1% respectively. The export of "new three items" products continued to grow rapidly, with electric vehicle exports increasing by 77.5%.
President Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized: "We must lead development with a new development concept" and "maintain effective quality improvement and reasonable quantity growth, and promote the sustained and healthy development of the economy and comprehensive social progress."
The development of new quality productive forces and the continuous improvement of hard power have become key supports for the good start of China's economy in the first quarter of the "15th Five-Year Plan."
At the Central Economic Work Conference held at the end of last year, new major deployments were made around "adhering to innovation-driven development and accelerating the cultivation and expansion of new driving forces";
In this year's "first lesson of the year," it was clarified that "developing new quality productive forces in accordance with local conditions and promoting the deep integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation";
When presiding over the 24th collective study of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee (中共中央政治局), it was pointed out that "promoting continuous new breakthroughs in the development of my country's future industries";
During this year's "going down to the delegation" at the National People's Congress (全国两会), it was emphasized that "developing new quality productive forces is crucial for promoting high-quality development and enhancing economic competitiveness," and put forward "four new" requirements for Jiangsu (江苏), a major economic province...
Around the development of new quality productive forces, President Xi Jinping (习近平) has made strategic plans, pointing out the direction, raising requirements, and clarifying the path.
Bearing in mind the entrustment and working hard, since the beginning of this year, focusing on developing new quality productive forces and enhancing new development momentum, all regions and departments have been striving for the first and being good at acting—
Deeply implement the "Artificial Intelligence +" action to promote artificial intelligence to empower thousands of industries and the deep integration of digital technology and the real economy; the People's Bank of China (中国人民银行) will increase the re-lending quota for technological innovation and technological transformation to 1.2 trillion yuan; the ChiNext (创业板) will add a fourth set of listing standards to provide better financial services for high-quality enterprises in emerging industries and future industries... Macro policies are strengthened, reform and innovation are strengthened, and innovation vitality is accelerating.
Jiangsu (江苏) supports enterprises in developing and applying industry-specific large models, Shandong (山东) implements actions to cultivate and expand scenarios in all fields, and the Guangdong (广东) Provincial Engineering Research Center for Embodied Intelligent Robots has been approved for establishment... Localities adapt to local conditions, seize opportunities, and accelerate the aggregation of innovation power.
Ignite the engine and pursue new heights. Since the beginning of this year, from the science and technology community to the industrial community, from industry leaders to small and medium-sized enterprises, the innovation "heat value" has significantly increased—
Not long ago, on the track of the Portuguese station of the World Superbike Championship, the Chinese motorcycle brand Zhangxue Motorcycle (张雪机车) won the championship. Rui Belmonte, a senior Portuguese motorcycle racing expert, praised, "This proves that Chinese manufacturing is constantly improving its technical capabilities and comprehensive competitiveness."
"As long as there are drawings, China can make 100% of them." In order to break through the performance limit of 15,000 revolutions of the three-cylinder engine, Zhang Xue (张雪) took the identity of the "chain owner" and worked with the supply chain to overcome difficulties: high-precision crankshaft suppliers in Shandong (山东) and Jiangsu (江苏) strived for excellence, reducing the component tolerance to 0.03 mm; the titanium-aluminum alloy valve independently developed by Jihua Laboratory (季华实验室) in Guangdong (广东) can withstand the high temperature of more than 800 degrees Celsius in the engine... The success of Zhangxue Motorcycle (张雪机车) vividly interprets the "collective leap" of China's entire industrial chain.
From the "Deep Exploration" large model that amazed the world in early 2025 to the humanoid robot that has been on the Spring Festival Gala (春晚) stage for two consecutive years to "show" stronger skills, to Zhangxue Motorcycle (张雪机车), each breakthrough points to a password—innovation, which is also the key word in China's development report card in the opening year.
Collaborative tackling of key problems, and frequent reports of technological innovation. The world's largest diameter vertical shaft tunneling machine "Qiming" (启明号) started, my country's first integrated large-scale fracturing vessel was delivered, and the first "Hualong One" (华龙一号) nuclear power unit in the Yangtze River Delta (长三角) was connected to the grid... In the first quarter of the "15th Five-Year Plan," new "most" are constantly being produced, demonstrating the vigorous vitality of innovative China. We promote the tackling of key core technologies and the layout of cutting-edge fields in the entire chain, and innovation achievements in aerospace, quantum technology, biomedicine, and other fields are accelerating.
Anchoring upgrades, industrial innovation is advancing steadily. Looking at traditional industries, transformation and upgrading are steadily advancing, and the pace of equipment renewal and technological transformation is accelerating; looking at emerging industries, the added value of integrated circuit manufacturing, biological drug manufacturing, and other industries increased by 49.4% and 14.8% respectively in the first quarter; looking at future industries, embodied intelligence, 6G, and other technologies are gradually becoming new engines for investment growth... New quality productive forces are accelerating, and China's economy is moving towards new and better.
Innovative China is attracting worldwide attention. The British "Financial Times" website believes that China is becoming an economy supported by "technology-based growth." At the ongoing 139th Canton Fair (广交会), the intelligent wearable devices and consumer-grade drones that are gathered together have made foreign businessmen exclaim that they have "witnessed the leading strength of China's advanced manufacturing."
On the morning of April 15, the HH-200 aviation commercial unmanned transportation system completed its first flight in Weinan (渭南), Shaanxi (陕西), and my country has made new breakthroughs in the field of large-scale commercial unmanned transportation equipment.
On the afternoon of the same day, in Ningbo Zhoushan Port (宁波舟山港), Zhejiang (浙江), another good news came from China's new energy ship field: the world's largest and China's first 10,000-ton pure electric intelligent container seagoing ship "Ningyuan Diankun" (宁远电鲲) was officially put into commercial route operation.
This is the amazing innovation speed of today's China, this is the surging and abundant innovation momentum of the Eastern power, and this is the solid foundation for hundreds of millions of people to forge ahead in the "15th Five-Year Plan."
Return to TopXinhua News Agency, Beijing, April 17th. Premier of the State Council Li Qiang (李强) presided over an executive meeting of the State Council on April 17th, heard a report on the construction of free trade pilot zones, and reviewed and approved the "Implementation Regulations of the Administrative Reconsideration Law of the People's Republic of China (Revised Draft)."
The meeting pointed out that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, each free trade pilot zone has actively explored deepening reform, expanding opening up, and promoting development, and has achieved a series of breakthrough and leading results, effectively playing the role of a comprehensive experimental platform. Facing new situations and new tasks, it is necessary to deeply implement the upgrading strategy of free trade pilot zones, reform and improve the system and mechanism, further optimize the layout and enhance the energy level, and better serve the overall national development. It is necessary to pay attention to adapting to local conditions, being steady and orderly, and seeking practical results. On the basis of scientific evaluation and argumentation, plans should be formulated according to the circumstances and actual needs of various regions, and related work should be carried out in a solid manner to promote the high-quality development of free trade pilot zones. Support should be given to free trade pilot zones such as Shanghai (上海) to base themselves on their functional positioning, proactively connect with international high-standard economic and trade rules, steadily expand institutional opening up in terms of rules, regulations, management, and standards, and explore the formation of more replicable and promotable experiences and practices, so as to better play a demonstrative leading and radiating driving role.
The meeting pointed out that administrative reconsideration is an important system for effectively resolving administrative disputes and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of the people and enterprises. The newly revised "Regulations" further refine the relevant provisions of the Administrative Reconsideration Law, respond to and solve new situations and new problems that have emerged in practice, and improve the administrative reconsideration system and mechanism, which is conducive to promoting the substantial resolution of more administrative disputes within the administrative system. All regions and departments must conscientiously implement them, further strengthen self-supervision, standardize administrative actions, effectively play the main channel role of administrative reconsideration in resolving administrative disputes, and continuously improve the government's governance capacity and credibility.
The meeting also studied other matters.
Return to TopThis newspaper reported from Beijing on April 17th (Reporter Zhang Shuo (张烁)) The 7th Taiwan Compatriot Associations Forum was held in Beijing (北京) on the 17th. Wang Huning (王沪宁), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.
Wang Huning (王沪宁) stated that on April 10th, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) put forward important propositions on the development of cross-strait relations, including adhering to correct understanding to promote spiritual harmony, adhering to peaceful development to safeguard our common homeland, adhering to exchanges and integration to enhance the well-being of the people, and adhering to unity and struggle to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. These propositions will surely inspire compatriots on both sides of the strait to work together to create a bright future for the reunification of the motherland and the rejuvenation of the nation. We must implement the Party's overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era, adhere to the One China principle and the "1992 Consensus," unite the vast number of Taiwan compatriots, and jointly promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and advance the great cause of national reunification.
Wang Huning (王沪宁) said that since its inception in 2010, the Taiwan Compatriot Associations Forum has made many contributions to strengthening cross-strait exchanges, enhancing compatriots' kinship, and promoting spiritual harmony. The theme of this forum is "Serving Fellow Villagers, Communicating Across the Straits - Continuously Deepening Cross-Strait Integrated Development, Firmly Advancing the Great Cause of National Reunification," which expresses the wishes of Taiwan compatriots at home and abroad to care about the development of the motherland and jointly promote national reunification, and conveys the voices for peace, development, exchange, and cooperation.
Wang Huning (王沪宁) stated that compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the Chinese nation, and all look forward to peace and tranquility in the Taiwan Strait, to the improvement and development of cross-strait relations, and to a better life. It is hoped that the vast number of Taiwan compatriots will grasp the general trend of history and firmly safeguard and build our common home of the Chinese nation, and firmly have the confidence and determination to achieve the complete reunification of the motherland. We must consciously be guardians, inheritors, and promoters of Chinese culture, enhance our recognition of the Chinese nation, Chinese culture, and the great motherland, and firmly forge a sense of community of the Chinese nation. We must deepen the integrated development of cross-strait fields, welcome Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan youth to come to the mainland for exchanges and development, and let compatriots on both sides of the strait share the opportunities and achievements of Chinese-style modernization. We must firmly support patriotic and reunification forces on the island and resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" separatism and external interference.
Li Ganjie (李干杰), Zheng Jianbang (郑建邦), and Su Hui (苏辉) attended. Responsible comrades from relevant departments of the Central and State organs, relevant central committees of democratic parties and groups, representatives of Taiwan compatriots at home and abroad, directors and honorary directors of the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, delegates from Taiwan Province to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (中共二十大), deputies from Taiwan Province to the 14th National People's Congress, members of the Taiwan Federation sector of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and heads of Taiwan Federations in various provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, totaling approximately 400 people, participated.
Zheng Jianmin (郑建闽), President of the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, delivered the opening speech. Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱), former Chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (中国国民党), delivered a speech at the meeting.
Return to TopBy: 桂从路
Against the backdrop of a more complex and volatile external environment, China's economy achieved a good start in the first quarter, with the growth rate of major macroeconomic indicators picking up. This is the result of all regions and departments vigorously implementing policies, which fully proves the scientific nature of the Party Central Committee's decisions and deployments, and reflects the resilience and vitality of China's development.
Currently, how can we consolidate and expand the positive trend of economic stability and improvement? First, we must strengthen our confidence, and second, we must seize the moment and work quickly.
Strong internal driving force is the support and sustainability for stability and improvement. In the first quarter, the added value of high-tech manufacturing increased by 12.5% year-on-year, witnessing the accelerated growth of new quality productive forces; the total retail sales of consumer goods increased by 2.4% year-on-year, 0.7 percentage points faster than in the fourth quarter of last year, reflecting the release of the potential of the super-large-scale market. By removing bottlenecks and obstacles through reform, we can better transform multiple advantages into development advantages.
The key to implementation lies in enhancing foresight, pertinence, and coordination. Taking the promotion of high-quality and efficient development of the service industry as an example, China's service industry has developed rapidly, but there are still problems such as unbalanced regional and urban-rural development. To adapt to economic development and the needs of the people, the key is to adhere to both policy support and reform and innovation, and continuously promote capacity expansion and quality improvement.
The better the start, the more important it is to maintain good momentum and expand good trends. Thinking and acting under the overall situation, and implementing the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee (党中央) without compromise, China's economy will surely consolidate its foundation and gain the initiative in developing towards new and better directions. We must 狠抓落实 (hěn zhuā luò shí - "firmly grasp implementation," to vigorously implement policies and decisions).
Return to TopThe number of participating enterprises in the 139th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair (广交会)) reached a new high. This Canton Fair (广交会) has set up a service robot zone, bringing together dozens of high-quality enterprises in the industry to focus on showcasing China's technological innovation and full-scenario application capabilities in the field of service robots.
The picture shows buyers watching a robot simulating cleaning up a dining table.
Xinhua News Agency Reporter Lu Hanxin (卢汉欣) Photo
Return to TopThe People's Daily (人民日报), Beijing (北京), April 17th (Reporter Gu Yekai (谷业凯)) - The reporter learned from the China Nuclear Energy Association (中国核能行业协会) that, as of now, there are a total of 112 nuclear power units in operation and under construction in mainland China, with an installed capacity of 125 million kilowatts, ranking first in the world in terms of nuclear power installed capacity; among them, 60 units are in operation, with an installed capacity of 63.69 million kilowatts, ranking third in the world.
During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, China's cumulative nuclear power generation exceeded 2 trillion kilowatt-hours, equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1.53 billion tons. Nuclear power production and operation have always adhered to the principle of "safety first, quality first." China's independent third-generation nuclear power technology "Hualong One (华龙一号)" has achieved mass construction, and currently 8 units have been put into commercial operation at home and abroad, with 33 units approved for construction. The "Guohe One (国和一号)" demonstration project and the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor demonstration project have been completed and put into operation. The localization rate of China's third-generation nuclear power units has been increased to more than 95%, forming a manufacturing capacity of more than 10 sets of nuclear power main equipment per year, and possessing the engineering capability to build 50 nuclear power units simultaneously.
The "China Nuclear Energy Development Report (2026) (中国核能发展报告（2026）)" shows that China has achieved 100% localization of nuclear power main equipment and independent control of key component technologies. In 2025, China's nuclear power equipment manufacturing enterprises cumulatively delivered 148 sets of nuclear power main equipment, nearly doubling the increase compared to 2023, ensuring the needs of China's large-scale nuclear power construction.
I. At the invitation of Xi Jinping (习近平), General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China, To Lam (苏林), General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, paid a state visit to the People's Republic of China from April 14 to 17, 2026.
During the visit, Xi Jinping (习近平), General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China, held talks with General Secretary and President To Lam (苏林). Premier of the State Council Li Qiang (李强), Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji (赵乐际), and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Wang Huning (王沪宁) met with General Secretary and President To Lam (苏林) respectively. During the meetings, both sides briefed each other on the situations of their respective parties and countries, exchanged in-depth views on the relations between the two parties and countries and the current international and regional situation, and reached a series of important consensus.
II. Both sides believe that the Communist Party of China and the Communist Party of Vietnam shoulder the historical mission of seeking happiness for the people, development for the country, and progress for mankind. Adhering to and strengthening the comprehensive leadership of the two parties is the fundamental guarantee for realizing their respective socialist modernization and ensuring the long-term healthy and stable development of China-Vietnam relations. It concerns the future and destiny of the two countries and the relations between the two parties and countries, and the development and growth of the world's socialist cause. Facing the changes of the world, the times, and history, the two parties and countries of China and Vietnam are determined to promote the vigorous development of their respective socialist causes, demonstrating to the world the strong vitality and bright prospects of the socialist system. The two sides should adhere to their original aspirations and unswerving determination, unswervingly adhere to the leadership of the Communist Party, adhere to the socialist road that suits their own national conditions, promote high-quality economic and social development, strengthen unity and cooperation, exchange and learn from each other, continuously deepen their understanding of the laws governing the governance of the Communist Party, the laws governing socialist construction, and the laws governing the development of human society, jointly defend the socialist cause of the two countries, and work together for the noble cause of human peace and progress, and always be at the forefront of the times and move in the right direction in the historical process of profound changes in the world situation.
Both sides believe that China and Vietnam share the same ideals and have a shared future. Developing good China-Vietnam relations has strategic, overall, and historical significance, and is a common strategic choice for the two countries. The Chinese side emphasized its adherence to a friendly policy towards Vietnam and always regards Vietnam as a priority direction in its neighborhood diplomacy. The Vietnamese side reiterated that it always regards relations with China as an objective requirement, strategic choice, and top priority of Vietnam's independent, self-reliant, comprehensive, and diversified foreign policy. The two sides should inherit, maintain, and carry forward the traditional friendship of "comrades plus brothers" personally created and carefully cultivated by the older generation of leaders such as Chairman Mao Zedong (毛泽东) and President Ho Chi Minh (胡志明), a valuable asset of the two parties, countries, and peoples. They should adhere to viewing and developing China-Vietnam relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, uphold the principles of "long-term stability, facing the future, good neighborliness and friendship, and comprehensive cooperation" and the spirit of "good neighbors, good friends, good comrades, and good partners," and in accordance with the overall goals of "higher political mutual trust, more practical security cooperation, deeper pragmatic cooperation, a more solid public opinion foundation, closer multilateral coordination and cooperation, and better management and resolution of differences," promote the healthy and stable development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Vietnam in the new era, and build a China-Vietnam community with a shared future with a higher level of strategic significance.
III. The Vietnamese side warmly congratulated the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, warmly congratulated the successful convening of the Two Sessions of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and highly praised the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core for uniting and leading the Chinese people to effectively respond to a series of major risks and challenges, successfully complete the main goals and tasks of the "14th Five-Year Plan," and promote China's economic strength, scientific and technological strength, and comprehensive national strength to a new level, and Chinese-style modernization has taken new and solid steps. The Vietnamese side wishes and believes that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core, the Chinese Party, government, and people will surely successfully complete the various goals and tasks set out in the "15th Five-Year Plan" outline, continue to write new chapters in the two major miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability, strive to create a new situation in the construction of Chinese-style modernization, comprehensively build a strong socialist modern country, successfully achieve the second centenary goal, and play a more important role in regional and world peace, stability, and prosperity.
The Chinese side warmly congratulated the successful holding of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly of Vietnam, the election of people's council representatives at all levels for the term 2026-2031, and the first session of the 16th National Assembly, warmly congratulated To Lam (苏林) on his election as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of Vietnam, and highly praised that under the leadership of General Secretary To Lam (苏林), the Communist Party of Vietnam has adhered to and continuously supplemented and improved the renovation line in accordance with practice, strengthened the comprehensive leadership of the Party, adhered to and creatively applied Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh (胡志明) Thought, and united and led the Vietnamese people to achieve remarkable achievements in socialist construction and renovation, opening a new era in the development of the Vietnamese nation. The Chinese side wishes and believes that under the leadership of the new Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam headed by General Secretary To Lam (苏林), Vietnam will surely successfully complete the various goals and tasks set out by the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and successfully achieve the national development goals by 2030 and 2045. China reiterated its support for Vietnam's development and prosperity, the happiness of its people, the construction of a strong, independent, and self-reliant economic system, the coordinated promotion of renovation, industrialization, and modernization, the comprehensive integration into the international community, the development of extensive and friendly foreign relations, and playing a more important role in regional and world peace, stability, development, and prosperity.
IV. Both sides believe that the key to developing good China-Vietnam relations lies in the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties, the driving force lies in the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields, and the foundation lies in the friendship between the peoples of the two countries. The two sides reviewed the fruitful results achieved by the two parties and countries in recent years in enhancing political mutual trust, promoting security cooperation, deepening pragmatic cooperation, consolidating the foundation of public opinion, strengthening multilateral coordination and cooperation, and promoting the management and resolution of differences. They unanimously agreed that these achievements fully reflect the strategic and high level of China-Vietnam relations, demonstrate the development achievements of China's socialist modernization and Vietnam's renovation cause, and agreed to continue to follow the overall goal of "six more" to continuously promote the China-Vietnam community with a shared future to go deeper and more solid and achieve practical results.
(I) Both sides believe that maintaining frequent exchanges between the top leaders of the two parties and countries is of vital strategic guiding significance for setting the direction and steering the course of China-Vietnam relations. Both sides unanimously agreed to continue to maintain and strengthen the fine tradition of high-level exchanges between the two parties and countries through bilateral visits, mutual dispatch of special envoys, hotline telephones, mutual exchange of letters, annual meetings, and meetings on multilateral occasions, and to exchange views on major issues in the relations between the two parties and countries and the international and regional situation in a timely manner, and to lead and guide the healthy and stable development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Vietnam in the new era from a strategic height and long-term perspective.
Both sides agreed to continue to give full play to the special role of party-to-party channels, to safeguard the socialist regimes of the two parties and countries, and to ensure the steady and long-term development of China-Vietnam relations. Give full play to the guiding and coordinating role of the high-level meeting mechanism between the two parties and the coordinating and promoting role of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee and the Party Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, continue to implement the new round of cooperation plans between the Communist Party of China and the Communist Party of Vietnam, hold theoretical seminars between the two parties, strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the counterpart departments of the central committees of the two parties and the party organizations of the two countries' localities, especially the bordering provinces (regions), and continuously carry out exchanges and mutual learning on the theory and experience of governing the party and the country, and fighting corruption and promoting integrity.
Both sides agreed to further strengthen friendly exchanges and cooperation between the National People's Congress of China and the National Assembly of Vietnam, the Chinese government and the Vietnamese government, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the Vietnam Fatherland Front. Continue to hold meetings of the Joint Committee of the National People's Congress of China and the National Assembly of Vietnam, and friendly exchange activities between the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and border province organizations. Give full play to the role of the China-Vietnam Bilateral Cooperation Steering Committee and the "3+3" strategic dialogue mechanism of foreign affairs, defense, and public security, coordinate development and security, deepen comprehensive strategic cooperation, and promote the construction of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future with strategic significance to achieve more positive progress. Implement the agreement between the two foreign ministries on strengthening cooperation in the new situation, maintain frequent contact between the leaders of the two ministries, strengthen exchanges between counterpart departments, and support and provide convenience for improving the conditions of the diplomatic missions of the two countries.
The Vietnamese side reiterated its firm adherence to the one-China policy, recognizing that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. It supports the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and the great cause of China's reunification, resolutely opposes any form of "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, and has always supported the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs. The Vietnamese side does not develop any form of official relations with Taiwan. Vietnam believes that Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet-related issues are China's internal affairs and supports China in maintaining Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet's development and stability. The Chinese side supports the Vietnamese side in maintaining social stability, safeguarding national security and development, achieving national unity, and responding to political security and non-traditional security challenges.
(II) Both sides agreed to strengthen exchanges between the high-level and all levels of the two militaries, give full play to the role of border defense friendly exchange activities, defense and security consultations, and other mechanisms, strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries in political work, personnel training, joint exercises and training, joint research, defense industry, mutual visits of warships, and military procuratorate, and continue to strengthen cooperation in medical and health services, UN peacekeeping, and non-traditional security fields. Deepen border defense cooperation, strengthen coordination and cooperation on border management, carry out joint land border patrols, and encourage the border defense forces of the two countries to establish friendly relations. Give full play to the role of the joint patrol mechanism in the Beibu Gulf, carry out joint patrols in the Beibu Gulf, and deepen the cooperation and exchange mechanism between the two navies and coast guards. Deepen multilateral security cooperation and jointly promote regional peace and stability.
Both sides agreed to further strengthen and deepen cooperation between the law enforcement and security departments of the two countries, give full play to the role of the ministerial meeting on combating crime between the Ministry of Public Security of China and the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam, the hotline between the two ministers of public security, and the joint working group on political security, strengthen high-level exchanges, cooperate to maintain the political security of the two countries, and maintain the security of high-level mutual visits and major political and diplomatic agendas of the two parties and countries. Effectively carry out cooperation in security, intelligence, counter-terrorism, combating transnational crimes such as online gambling and telecommunications fraud, drug control, anti-cult, combating trafficking in persons, combating economic crimes, combating illegal immigration, immigration and entry-exit management, fugitive repatriation, protecting the citizens of their own countries, and organizing the rights and interests of the other country. Synergistically carry out the "Mekong-Dragon" series of international joint operations, strengthen law enforcement cooperation in combating smuggling, commercial deception, and illegal cross-border transportation of goods, and jointly combat drugs, precursor chemicals, endangered wild animals and plants and their products, civilian explosives, dual-use items, tobacco products, and smuggling of goods infringing intellectual property rights. Give full play to the role of the vice-ministerial strategic security dialogue mechanism, strengthen information and intelligence exchanges and experience sharing on anti-interference, anti-secession, preventing hostile forces from "color revolution" and "peaceful evolution," as well as the two countries' economic security, technological security, security of major cooperation projects, regional common concerns, and effective response to non-traditional security challenges. The Vietnamese side will formally join the Lancang-Mekong Comprehensive Law Enforcement Security Cooperation Center as a member state and is willing to join the International Alliance for Combating Telecommunications and Network Fraud as a co-founding country.
Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the legal and judicial fields, continue to strengthen counterpart exchanges between the two ministries of justice, implement the memorandum of understanding and cooperation plan signed by the two ministries of justice and the memorandum of understanding on cooperation in resolving civil and commercial disputes between border residents, effectively operate the border meeting mechanism between the judicial and administrative departments of China and Vietnam, and enhance exchanges and mutual learning on the experience of socialist rule of law construction. Continue to hold working meetings between the procurators general of the two supreme procuratorates and meetings between the procuratorial organs in the border areas of China and Vietnam, and carry out mutual visits and exchanges of delegations of local procuratorial organs in China and Vietnam, mutual dispatch of procurators for training, and cooperation in public interest litigation procuratorate. Continuously strengthen exchanges of experience in anti-corruption, deepen communication and coordination under the multilateral framework, and promote judicial and law enforcement cooperation in anti-corruption.
(III) Both sides agreed to accelerate the alignment of the two countries' development strategies, implement the cooperation plan for aligning the "Belt and Road" initiative and the "Two Corridors and One Economic Circle" framework, promote the combination of bilateral trade with infrastructure, logistics, and market interconnection, vigorously develop the construction of cross-border economic corridors, logistics centers, cross-border economic cooperation zones, industrial parks in border areas, and multimodal transport, promote the connection of the two countries' railways and connect them to Central Asia and Europe, increase the freight volume of the railway, and accelerate the interconnection of railway, highway, and port infrastructure between the two countries, and regard railway cooperation as a new highlight of strategic cooperation between the two countries. Both sides highly appreciated the early completion of the feasibility study project of the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Haiphong standard-gauge railway in Vietnam, welcomed the signing of the implementation agreement of the Dong Dang-Hanoi and Mong Cai-Ha Long Bay-Haiphong standard-gauge railway line planning project, and continued to promote the interconnection of China-Vietnam cross-border standard-gauge railways. The Chinese side is willing to cooperate with the Vietnamese side in railway fields such as loans, technology, training, and industrial capacity, and guide high-quality Chinese enterprises to participate in railway construction. Support strengthening China-Vietnam railway cooperation, developing China-Vietnam international railway passenger and freight combined transport, providing convenience for passenger entry and exit procedures, expanding the catalog of goods cleared at railway ports, and actively promoting cooperation in import and export commodity inspection. Continue to closely cooperate in the construction of China-Vietnam cross-border economic cooperation zones in Guangxi and Yunnan in China and Quang Ninh and Lao Cai in Vietnam.
Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in key industries. Explore cooperation in key minerals on the premise of complying with their respective laws and regulations and industrial policies. Actively participate in building a global clean energy partnership. Promote cooperation in power interconnection between the two countries. Actively carry out cooperation in the field of new energy, and strengthen supply chain docking and renewable energy technology development cooperation based on market and mutual benefit principles. Explore strengthening exchanges and cooperation in the field of nuclear safety and jointly improve the safety level of civilian nuclear facilities. Support both sides in further strengthening cooperation in the field of civil aviation, and welcome Vietnamese airlines to introduce and operate Chinese commercial aircraft.
Both sides agreed to maintain free and open trade and investment, jointly build a safe and stable industrial chain and supply chain, establish a working group on production and supply chain cooperation, and promote the strengthening of production and supply chain cooperation. Encourage and support enterprises with strength and reputation to invest in each other's countries, and create a fair, convenient, and transparent business environment for enterprises. Study and promote the high-quality development of economic and trade cooperation zones, and strengthen cooperation in emerging fields such as the digital economy and green development. Actively promote cooperation in intelligent manufacturing, digital economy, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, semiconductors, high-speed rail, and other fields, and support both sides in carrying out technical cooperation. Support enterprises of the two countries to carry out in-depth cooperation in 5G, big data, and other digital industries on the basis of complying with the laws of their respective countries and the international commitments made by Vietnam, ensuring each other's data security, network security, economic benefits, and long-term interests. Jointly explore the in-depth application of 5G, big data, and other digital technologies in industrial scenarios such as intelligent manufacturing and smart logistics, and promote the digital, networked, and intelligent upgrading of traditional manufacturing industries in the two countries. Strengthen cooperation in the financial field and provide financial support for joint venture and partnership projects in accordance with market principles. Explore the establishment of an open source cooperation mechanism, promote open source organization exchanges, project co-construction, achievement sharing, and industrial landing, and share the dividends of open source development. Deepen exchanges of experience in state-owned enterprise reform and management between the two countries, and carry out personnel training cooperation. Make good use of the financial and monetary cooperation working group between the two countries, strengthen information communication and experience sharing on policy regulation and reform in the financial and monetary fields, implement cross-border QR code interconnection cooperation, explore expanding the scope of local currency settlement, and improve the ability to resist financial risks. Deepen development cooperation in various fields, coordinate and promote major landmark projects and "small but beautiful" livelihood assistance projects, and strengthen human resource development cooperation. Both sides agreed to accelerate the promotion of projects such as the first phase of the new campus of the Traditional Medicine University in Vietnam, the repair and maintenance of the Vietnam-China Friendship Palace, the upgrading and renovation of roads in northern Vietnam, and the improvement of educational conditions, and to carry out railway-related thematic training for the Vietnamese side under the foreign aid human resource development cooperation project as appropriate, and create more pragmatic cooperation results.
Both sides agreed to strengthen the alignment of science and technology innovation policies, implement the China-Vietnam Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, and continue to give full play to the role of the intergovernmental science and technology cooperation joint committee. Give full play to the leading role of science and technology innovation in driving development, strengthen joint research and development in fields such as artificial intelligence, life and health, clean energy, and digital technology, and cultivate high-quality human resources. Expand science and technology people-to-people exchanges and promote exchanges and cooperation between young scientific researchers and industrial personnel of the two countries. Promote the integration of science and technology innovation and industrial innovation, give full play to the role of the China-ASEAN Technology Transfer Center platform, and carry out mutually beneficial and pragmatic technology transfer and innovation and entrepreneurship cooperation. Strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of patents, trademarks, geographical indications, and other intellectual property rights.
Both sides agreed to strengthen the alignment of science and technology innovation policies, implement the China-Vietnam Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, and continue to leverage the role of the Intergovernmental Science and Technology Cooperation Joint Committee. They will leverage the leading role of science and technology innovation in driving development, strengthen joint research and development in areas such as artificial intelligence, life and health, clean energy, and digital technology, and cultivate high-quality human resources. They will expand science and technology people-to-people exchanges, and promote exchanges and cooperation between young researchers and industrial personnel from both countries. They will promote the integration of science and technology innovation with industrial innovation, leverage the platform role of the China-ASEAN Technology Transfer Center, and carry out mutually beneficial and pragmatic technology transfer and innovation and entrepreneurship cooperation. They will strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of intellectual property rights such as patents, trademarks, and geographical indications.
The Chinese side welcomes the Vietnamese side to hold trade promotion activities in China and promote Vietnamese brands in China. It will continue to create conditions for Vietnam to establish more trade promotion offices in relevant localities in China as soon as possible. It supports and provides convenience for Vietnam to participate in the "Sharing the Big Market, Exporting to China" series of activities. It will create conditions for Vietnamese enterprises, especially those in the digital technology industry, to participate more deeply in the value chain and enter the Chinese market. It will consider simplifying procedures and establishing special trade promotion channels for "Make in Vietnam" digital technology products and services. Both sides agreed to actively explore cooperation within the framework of the "Belt and Road" customs food safety cooperation mechanism, and continuously improve the level of facilitation on the basis of ensuring food hygiene and safety. They will strengthen cooperation in animal and plant quarantine, accelerate the mutual recognition of animal and plant quarantine and food safety testing standards and methods for agricultural and aquatic products, promote joint prevention and control of cross-border animal and plant epidemics, create conditions for rapid and effective quarantine work, and allow access for high-quality agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products. They will promote mutual recognition of "Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)" and "Single Window" cooperation, continue to leverage the role of the China-Vietnam border customs inspection and quarantine cooperation mechanism, and ensure smooth customs clearance at border ports. They will jointly improve the efficiency of customs clearance at ports and reduce customs clearance pressure. The Chinese side welcomes the Vietnamese side to conduct exchanges and cooperation on the construction of "smart customs."
Both sides agreed to continue to leverage the mechanism of the China-Vietnam Agricultural Cooperation Joint Committee to promote cooperation in areas such as rice breeding, digital livestock and poultry farming, animal and plant disease prevention and control, human resource training, poverty reduction, and rural revitalization. They agreed to negotiate and sign the Beibu Gulf Fisheries Cooperation Agreement as soon as possible, and continue to carry out joint stock enhancement and conservation cooperation of fishery resources in the Beibu Gulf. They will implement the agreement on the hotline for sudden incidents in maritime fishery activities between China and Vietnam and the agreement on maritime search and rescue cooperation. They will continue to carry out cooperation and exchanges in the field of health and healthcare, including health medical services, health human resource development, primary health care, maternal and child health, infectious disease prevention and control, and traditional medicine.
Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of water resources, implement the memorandum of understanding on the mutual exchange of hydrological data during the flood season, establish a cooperation mechanism for emergency information notification for cross-border rivers, and ensure flood control safety in border areas. They will strengthen cooperation in environmental pollution control and climate change response, and conduct in-depth policy dialogues and technical exchanges in areas such as air pollution control. Relying on regional environmental cooperation mechanisms such as China-ASEAN and Lancang-Mekong, they will promote the sharing of knowledge and practices on environment and sustainable development. In accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, they will strengthen collective action and international cooperation in global climate change response, and jointly promote the comprehensive, balanced, and effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement. They will deepen exchanges and cooperation in the field of emergency management.
(4) Both sides agreed to increase publicity and education on the traditional friendship of "comrades plus brothers" between the two parties and two countries and the cooperative models of the two peoples. They will strengthen cooperation and exchanges between the media, publishing, and film and television fields of the two countries, and promote the implementation of the mutual translation and publication project of Chinese and Vietnamese classic works.
Both sides agreed to strengthen exchanges between mass organizations such as trade unions, women's federations, and youth leagues, as well as friendly city exchanges. They will continue to hold brand activities such as the China-Vietnam People's Forum, the Border People's Grand Gathering, and the "Red Study Tour" for Vietnamese youth to China.
Both sides agreed to continue to implement the 2023-2027 Cultural and Tourism Cooperation Implementation Plan of the cultural and tourism authorities of the two countries, and encourage cultural institutions and art troupes of the two countries to carry out exchanges and cooperation. The Vietnamese side supports the Hanoi Chinese Cultural Center (河内中国文化中心) in carrying out activities in Vietnam, and the Chinese side welcomes the Vietnamese side to establish a cultural center in Beijing (北京).
Both sides announced the launch of the "China-Vietnam Tourism Cooperation Year" for 2026-2027, and agreed to promote tourism cooperation as an important bridge for people-to-people exchanges, contributing to the economic and social development of the two countries. Tourism cooperation activities should be pragmatic, effective, and sustainable. Both sides should strengthen policy coordination and communication, enhance the image of their respective national tourism brands, create conditions for promoting the healthy development of the tourism industry in both countries, jointly develop tourism routes and create tourism products, and operate the China-Vietnam Detian (Banyue) Waterfall (德天（板约）瀑布) cross-border tourism cooperation zone well. They will jointly support the Lancang-Mekong Tourist City Cooperation Alliance in carrying out activities, and encourage tourists from both sides to travel to each other's countries. They will strengthen sports exchanges and cooperation, encourage sports organizations of the two countries to strengthen contacts, and communicate and coordinate in international sports affairs. They will support athletes, coaches, and sports management personnel of the two countries to carry out friendly exchanges.
Both sides agreed to implement the China-Vietnam Education Cooperation Agreement and actively study and discuss the establishment of a joint committee for education cooperation between the two countries. They will strengthen exchanges between teachers, students, and scholars. The Chinese side welcomes and encourages more outstanding Vietnamese students to study in China and is willing to continue to provide scholarships to study in China. They will deepen vocational education cooperation. They will promote language education exchanges between the two countries, jointly carry out the cultivation and training of local Chinese teachers in Vietnam, cooperate to establish more Chinese Proficiency Test/HSK test centers, implement the International Chinese Language Teacher Scholarship provided by China to Vietnam, and actively leverage the role of the Confucius Institute at Hanoi University (河内大学孔子学院) and the "Chinese Bridge" competition. They will support primary and secondary schools in the two countries to establish sister school relationships and carry out friendly exchanges. They will strengthen exchanges between universities and think tanks in the two countries.
Both sides agreed to support local governments of the two countries, especially border provinces (regions), in carrying out exchanges and cooperation, and continue to hold the Spring Festival meeting between the Party secretaries of Guangxi (广西), China, and Quang Ninh (广宁), Lang Son (谅山), Cao Bang (高平), Tuyen Quang (宣光), and Hai Phong (海防), Vietnam, and the annual meeting between the Party secretaries of Yunnan (云南), China, and Lao Cai (老街), Tuyen Quang (宣光), Dien Bien (奠边), and Lai Chau (莱州) provinces, Vietnam. They will encourage the expansion of friendly exchanges and cooperation between local governments beyond the border provinces, support local governments of the two countries to strengthen mutual visits of departmental-level delegations, and study and carry out local promotion activities in the two countries.
(5) Both sides believe that the world is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, and the international situation is becoming more complex and intertwined. Both sides reaffirmed their firm commitment to upholding the international system with the United Nations as its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. Both sides will jointly defend international fairness and justice, safeguard international solidarity and cooperation, promote the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom for all mankind, advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all, and promote the construction of a more just and reasonable global governance system. Both sides will always pursue an independent and peaceful foreign policy, adhere to true multilateralism, jointly oppose hegemonism and power politics, oppose all forms of unilateralism, and oppose practices that endanger regional peace and stability.
Both sides agreed to promote cooperation within the framework of major concepts and initiatives such as building a community with a shared future for mankind, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative, and jointly address global challenges. They will continue to strengthen coordination and cooperation within international and regional frameworks such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), BRICS, the Asia-Europe Meeting, China-ASEAN, and Lancang-Mekong, support each other in the election of positions in international organizations, and jointly safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world. The Vietnamese side positively evaluated the important role played by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in maintaining regional stability and development and is willing to maintain communication on becoming a partner of the SCO. The two countries will continue to advance internal procedures to promote the early ratification and effective implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and further strengthen international cooperation in the field of cybercrime.
Both sides will promote the comprehensive and effective implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and actively welcome the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (香港特区) of China to apply to join RCEP. Vietnam supports China's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on the basis of meeting the standards and procedures of the agreement. Vietnam supports China in hosting the 2026 APEC meeting, and China supports Vietnam in hosting the 2027 APEC meeting. Both sides will strengthen exchanges and close cooperation to ensure the success of the relevant meetings. Both sides support countries to resolve trade issues through equal consultations in a manner consistent with the rules of the World Trade Organization.
Both sides believe that the overall stability and rapid development of the Asian region has not been easy to achieve and should jointly practice open regionalism and maintain the general direction of good-neighborliness, friendship, cooperation, and win-win results in Asia. 2026 marks the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership. China supports ASEAN in building a united, unified, self-reliant, and developing ASEAN community, supports ASEAN in maintaining its central position in the evolving regional framework, and is willing to work with ASEAN countries to jointly promote the initiative on building a "five homes" of peace, security, prosperity, beauty, and friendship, and jointly promote the early approval and implementation of the upgraded protocol of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0, and is committed to promoting a higher level of regional economic connectivity and integration, and deepening the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership.
Both sides agreed to strengthen Lancang-Mekong cooperation, support the successful holding of the 5th Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders' Meeting, cooperate to play the role of co-chair of Lancang-Mekong cooperation, jointly build a Lancang-Mekong cooperation 2.0, and promote the building of a Lancang-Mekong community with a shared future facing peace and prosperity. The Ministries of Justice of the two countries will cooperate with the Ministries of Justice (Departments of Legal Affairs) of the Lancang-Mekong countries to communicate and reach consensus on the draft Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Lancang-Mekong Countries Legal and Judicial Exchange and Cooperation Mechanism and the draft Joint Statement of the First Lancang-Mekong Countries Ministerial Meeting of the Ministries of Justice (Departments of Legal Affairs), and promote the holding of the first Lancang-Mekong Countries Ministerial Meeting of the Ministries of Justice (Departments of Legal Affairs) within the year.
Both sides believe that promoting and protecting human rights is a common cause for all mankind. It is necessary to proceed from the actual conditions of one's own country, explore a path of human rights development that meets the needs of the people, and be willing to carry out human rights exchanges and cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and equal treatment, resolutely oppose the politicization and instrumentalization of human rights issues and double standards, as well as wantonly interfering in the internal affairs of sovereign countries under the pretext of human rights, and jointly promote the healthy development of the global human rights cause.
(6) Both sides exchanged in-depth and candid views on maritime issues, emphasizing that maritime differences should be better managed and actively resolved, and that peace and stability in the South China Sea should be jointly maintained. Both sides agreed to abide by the high-level consensus of the two parties and two countries, adhere to friendly consultations in accordance with the Agreement on Basic Principles Guiding the Settlement of Maritime Issues between China and Vietnam, actively seek basic and long-term solutions that are acceptable to both sides and in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, refrain from taking actions that complicate the situation and expand disputes, and jointly maintain maritime stability. They will promote consultations on maritime joint development cooperation and consultations on the delimitation of the waters outside the mouth of the Beibu Gulf, and achieve substantial progress as soon as possible. They will actively carry out cooperation in maritime low-sensitivity areas and strengthen maritime search and rescue cooperation.
Both sides reaffirmed their joint commitment to promoting ASEAN countries and China to continue to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and reach an effective, substantive, and compliant Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, on the basis of consensus.
Both sides agreed to continue to implement the three legal documents and related agreements on the China-Vietnam land border, leverage the role of the China-Vietnam Land Border Joint Committee and the Border Port Management Cooperation Committee mechanism, strengthen border management and protection cooperation, properly resolve border-related incidents, actively promote the opening and upgrading of border ports, actively promote relevant cross-border cooperation, and bring prosperity to the border areas of the two countries.
5. During the visit, the two sides signed cooperation documents in the fields of party-to-party relations, public security, justice, economy, production and supply chain cooperation, customs cooperation, science and technology, people's livelihood, human resource development, media, and local governments.
6. Both sides believe that the state visit of General Secretary and President To Lam (苏林) to China was a complete success, making positive contributions to promoting the traditional friendship between China and Vietnam, accelerating the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future of strategic significance, and promoting regional and global peace, stability, and development and prosperity.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President To Lam (苏林) expressed his gratitude to General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President Xi Jinping (习近平) and the Chinese Party, government, and people for their grand, warm, and friendly reception, and sincerely invited General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President Xi Jinping (习近平) to visit Vietnam again. General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President Xi Jinping (习近平) expressed his gratitude and gladly accepted the invitation.
April 17, 2026, in Beijing (北京)
(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing (北京), April 17)
Return to TopFrom April 14 to 17, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (越共) and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam To Lam (苏林) paid a state visit to China. General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (中共中央) and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping (习近平) held talks with To Lam (苏林). During the visit, relevant departments and localities of both sides signed the following cooperation documents:
1. Cooperation Plan between the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) and the Communist Party of Vietnam (越南共产党) (2026-2030)
2. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (中共中央组织部) and the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (越共中央组织部) (2026-2030)
3. Cooperation Agreement between the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (中共中央对外联络部) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam (越南外交部)
4. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国政府) and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国政府) on Jointly Promoting Cooperation under the Framework of the Global Security Initiative
5. Handover Certificate for the Feasibility Study Project of the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong Railway (老街—河内—海防铁路) Assisted by the Government of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国政府) to the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国政府)
6. Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国政府) and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国政府) on Customs Cooperation and Administrative Assistance
7. Exchange of Letters on the Project Establishment of the First Phase of the New Campus of the Traditional Medicine University of Vietnam (越南传统医药大学) Assisted by the Government of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国政府) to the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国政府)
8. Memorandum of Understanding between the National Development and Reform Commission of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国国家发展和改革委员会) and the Ministry of Construction of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国建设部) on Carrying out Railway Training Cooperation to Enhance the Talent Capabilities in the Railway Field of Vietnam
9. Memorandum of Understanding on Vocational Education Cooperation between the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国教育部) and the Ministry of Education and Training of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国教育培训部)
10. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国科学技术部) and the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国科学技术部) on Jointly Implementing Joint Research Programs
11. Memorandum of Understanding on Digital Technology Cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国工业和信息化部) and the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国科学技术部)
12. Technical Protocol between the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国公安部) and the Ministry of Public Security of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国公安部) on the Establishment, Operation, Maintenance and Technology of the Ministerial Hotline
13. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国公安部) and the Ministry of Public Security of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国公安部) on Strengthening Cultural, Artistic and Sports Exchange and Cooperation
14. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国公安部) and the Ministry of Public Security of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国公安部) on Cooperation in Ensuring Security and Order in the Field of Tourism
15. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Justice of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国司法部) and the Ministry of Justice of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国司法部) on Cooperation in Resolving Civil and Commercial Disputes Involving Border Residents
16. Cooperation Plan between the Ministry of Justice of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国司法部) and the Ministry of Justice of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国司法部) for 2026-2027
17. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国商务部) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国工贸部) on the Establishment of a Consultation and Promotion Working Group for the Construction of China-Vietnam Cross-Border Economic Cooperation Zones
18. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国商务部) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国工贸部) on Establishing a Supply Chain Cooperation Working Group
19. Protocol between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国海关总署) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国农业与环境部) on Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Fresh Pomelos and Limes from Vietnam to China
20. Memorandum of Understanding between the China International Development Cooperation Agency of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国国家国际发展合作署) and the Ministry of Finance of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国财政部) on Jointly Implementing the Human Resources Development Cooperation Plan for 2026
21. Minutes of the On-site Inspection and Negotiation on the Feasibility Study of the Repair and Maintenance Project of the Vietnam-China Friendship Palace (越中友谊宫) Assisted by the Government of the People's Republic of China
22. Cooperation Agreement between Xinhua News Agency of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国新华通讯社) and the Voice of Vietnam Radio of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国越南之声广播电台)
23. Memorandum of Understanding between Xinhua News Agency of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国新华通讯社) and the Vietnam News Agency of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国越南通讯社) on the High-end Forum Mechanism of the "Global South" Media Think Tank
24. Memorandum of Understanding on Information Cooperation between Xinhua News Agency of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国新华通讯社) and the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国越南社会科学翰林院)
25. Memorandum of Understanding on Deepening Cooperation in Literary and Artistic Programs between China Media Group (中国中央广播电视总台) and Vietnam Television (越南电视台) for 2026-2027
26. Cooperation Agreement between China Media Group (中国中央广播电视总台) and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam (越南文化体育与旅游部)
27. Memorandum of Understanding on Deepening Cooperation between China Media Group (中国中央广播电视总台) and the Vietnam News Agency (越南通讯社)
28. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between China Media Group (中国中央广播电视总台) and the Communist Review of Vietnam (越南〈共产主义〉杂志)
29. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Capital City of the People's Republic of China, Beijing (中华人民共和国首都北京市), and the Capital City of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Hanoi (越南社会主义共和国首都河内市) (2026-2030)
30. Agreement on the Establishment of Friendly Provincial Relations between Shanxi Province of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国山西省) and Phu Tho Province of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (越南社会主义共和国富寿省)
31. Agreement between the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Committee of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党广西壮族自治区委员会) and the Committees of Quang Ninh Province, Lang Son Province, Cao Bang Province, Tuyen Quang Province, and Hai Phong City of the Communist Party of Vietnam (越南共产党广宁省、谅山省、高平省、宣光省、海防市委员会) on Carrying out Cadre Training Cooperation (2026 to 2027)
32. Memorandum of Understanding between the People's Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China (中国广西壮族自治区人民政府) and the People's Committee of Lang Son Province of Vietnam (越南谅山省人民委员会) on Upgrading the China-Vietnam Ai Dian (爱店) - Chi Ma (峙马) Bilateral Port to an International Port and Confirming the Port's Location, Type, Opening Hours, and Working Hours
(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing (北京), April 17)
Return to TopChina's stable economic growth is a solid foundation for a good start to the "15th Five-Year Plan" and a stable anchor for the global economy to navigate through storms, continuously injecting lasting confidence and strong impetus into global development.
China's economic "first quarter report" for 2026 has been released: the gross domestic product was 33419.3 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.0% (calculated at constant prices), 0.5 percentage points faster than the fourth quarter of the previous year. The international community has paid close attention and generally believes that against the background of increasing uncertainty in the global economic outlook, China's economy demonstrates resilience and vitality, injecting valuable stability and positive energy into the world.
At present, the international situation is becoming more turbulent, and the impact of geopolitical conflicts is spreading. International organizations such as the United Nations and the Asian Development Bank have warned of the risk of economic downturn, and the global economy is "moving forward under pressure." Facing a significant increase in external unstable and uncertain factors, the Chinese economy has sufficient resilience, strong endogenous momentum, and proactive macroeconomic policies. "Exceeding expectations" and "growing against the wind"... foreign media have given positive evaluations. Kristalina Georgieva (格奥尔基耶娃), President of the International Monetary Fund, believes that the Chinese economy has shown resilience, has great potential, and will have a positive impact on the world.
Moving towards new and better, high-quality development is full of momentum. In the first quarter, China's equipment manufacturing industry contributed nearly 50% to the growth of the added value of industries above designated size. From January to February, the contribution rate of high-tech manufacturing profits to the total industrial profits exceeded 50%, and new driving forces are increasingly shouldering the heavy responsibility of development. Exports of green products such as electric vehicles, lithium batteries, wind turbine generator sets and their parts increased by 77.5%, 50.4% and 45.2% respectively. The amount of capital investment events in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence and humanoid robots increased by 45.5% year-on-year, and the business vitality index of technology innovation-oriented enterprises increased by 8.1% year-on-year. Industrial development is accelerating towards high-end, intelligent, green, and new types, and new achievements are constantly being made in the cultivation of new quality productive forces. "The boom in the application of clean energy technology in China is creating economic value" and "the booming demand for artificial intelligence-related equipment is driving China's foreign trade steadily along a strong trajectory"... These positive signals captured by foreign media are a vivid reflection of China's acceleration in developing new quality productive forces.
The overall improvement in domestic demand has created favorable conditions for sustained economic growth. Promoting the formation of an economic development model that is more dominated by domestic demand, driven by consumption, and driven by endogenous growth is a strategic choice made by China based on new changes in the stage of development and the new situation in the international environment, taking into account both the present and the long-term, and both domestic and international considerations. In the first quarter, the total retail sales of consumer goods increased by 2.4% year-on-year, fixed asset investment achieved a shift from negative to positive, and the domestic demand market continued to develop in depth. At the 6th China International Consumer Products Expo (消博会) held in Hainan (海南), a series of global premieres, Asia-Pacific debuts, and China's first show products were concentrated, continuously polishing the "Buy in China" brand, and the advantages of the super-large-scale market continued to empower economic development. Some American media believe that China is transforming into a composite growth model, which not only benefits China itself, but also provides a reference path for global economic growth.
At a time when the global economic landscape is undergoing profound adjustments, China has always adhered to high-level opening up, creating broad opportunities for the world with its own development. The full island closure operation of the Hainan Free Trade Port (海南自贸港), the revision of the Foreign Trade Law to connect with international rules, and the expansion of the catalogue of industries encouraging foreign investment... a series of opening-up measures have been implemented intensively, promoting the quality and scale of trade cooperation. In the first quarter, the total value of China's goods trade imports and exports exceeded 11 trillion yuan for the first time in the same period in history, and the year-on-year growth rate maintained double-digit growth, and the quarterly growth rate hit a nearly five-year high. Among them, China's imports and exports to countries jointly building the "Belt and Road" accounted for 51.2% of the total value, imports and exports to Africa increased by 23.7%, and imports and exports to ASEAN (东盟), Latin America, the European Union, the United Kingdom and other APEC (亚太经合组织) economies all achieved double-digit growth. The radiation-driven effect of China's "world market" continues to benefit the world. A high-level open China will continue to be a stable support for the world economy to overcome difficulties.
2026 is the opening year of China's "15th Five-Year Plan." China's stable economic growth is a solid foundation for a good start to the "15th Five-Year Plan" and a stable anchor for the global economy to navigate through storms, continuously injecting lasting confidence and strong impetus into global development.
Return to TopXinhua News Agency, Beijing, April 17th (Reporter Wan Qianyi (万倩仪)) Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅) held talks with Namibian Foreign Minister Musavi in Beijing (北京) on the 17th.
Wang Yi (王毅) stated that developing and deepening China-Namibia cooperation aligns with the expectations of both peoples, conforms to the general trend of China-Africa relations, and embodies the Global South's united self-strengthening. China is willing to work with Namibia to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen the alignment of development strategies, make good use of China's zero-tariff policy dividends, and promote key projects in agriculture, people's livelihood, youth, and other fields.
Musavi stated that Namibia and China are traditional partners and sincere friends. Namibia looks forward to close high-level exchanges with China, expanding exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and promoting bilateral relations to a new and higher level. Namibia supports the four major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping (习近平).
Return to TopAt the invitation of Wang Yi (王毅), Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Musavi, Minister of International Relations and Trade of Namibia, paid an official visit to China from April 11 to 18, 2026. The two foreign ministers held in-depth and friendly talks on China-Namibia relations and international and regional issues of common concern and reached important consensus.
Both sides reaffirmed their firm commitment to multilateralism, especially promoting international cooperation and strengthening global governance, emphasizing that global challenges should be addressed through inclusive collective dialogue rather than unilateral responses. The two sides pledged to focus on areas of common concern and deepen cooperation in multilateral platforms to amplify the voice and influence of developing countries in global decision-making and promote South-South cooperation.
The Namibian side supports the series of major initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping (习近平) and is willing to work with the Chinese side to implement relevant initiatives and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The two sides stated that they will continue to strengthen cooperation in international affairs and safeguard the common interests of the Global South. The Chinese side appreciates Namibia's efforts to uphold multilateralism, call for international fairness and justice, safeguard international rules and the free trade system, and promote African integration.
Both sides reiterated the deep traditional friendship between China and Namibia, highly praised the development of bilateral relations, expressed satisfaction with the achievements of bilateral practical cooperation, and emphasized that they will focus on the long term, continuously improve the level of bilateral relations, and jointly promote the China-Namibia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new level.
The Namibian side reiterated its long-term commitment to adhering to the one-China principle and safeguarding the authority of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758. The Namibian side further reiterated that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, opposes any form of "Taiwan independence," and supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification.
Both sides reaffirmed their opposition to politicizing internal affairs into human rights issues and to interfering in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights.
The two sides agreed to continue to maintain high-level exchanges, further deepen political mutual trust, promote the implementation of the results of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, strengthen the alignment of development strategies, attach importance to China-Namibia practical cooperation from a political and strategic perspective, and continue to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in a wide range of fields such as new energy, oil and gas, mining, agriculture, science and technology, education, tourism, infrastructure construction, and human resource development.
Namibia emphasized that China-Namibia cooperation is of great significance for increasing the added value of key mineral resources, including uranium, and will strive to extend the value chain by promoting processing, transformation, and downstream cooperation, so that local areas can benefit, in order to enhance Namibia's industrialization level and local processing capacity, create employment, and promote Namibia's further integration into the global value chain, especially in the fields of green hydrogen, oil and gas, mining, and tourism.
The Chinese side firmly supports Namibia's economic and social development aimed at promoting industrialization and agricultural modernization, and is willing to continue to provide assistance within its capabilities for Namibia's implementation of the Sixth National Development Plan and the realization of "Vision 2030." The Namibian side attaches importance to the opportunities brought about by China's economic development, appreciates China's announcement of zero-tariff measures for Africa, and will continue to regard China as Namibia's strategic economic partner, welcome Chinese enterprises to invest and develop in Namibia, and jointly promote the smooth development of major economic cooperation projects between the two sides.
The two sides are committed to taking the "China-Africa People-to-People and Cultural Exchange Year" activities in 2026 as an opportunity to promote cultural exchanges, people-to-people exchanges, and youth friendship between the two countries.
(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing (北京), April 17)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 刘志强 王云杉
On April 17th, the State Council Information Office (国务院新闻办) held the first press conference in the series on the "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五规划), with Wang Changlin (王昌林), Deputy Director of the National Development and Reform Commission (国家发展改革委), and others introducing the relevant situation of promoting high-quality economic and social development during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period.
Advance Reserve a Batch of Comprehensive Policies and Measures, and Issue Them in a Timely Manner as Needed
China's economic report card for the first quarter of the "15th Five-Year Plan" was recently released, demonstrating the strong resilience and confidence of the Chinese economy, which is better than expected by many domestic and foreign institutions and experts.
"It is not easy to achieve such results, which were achieved under the complex situation of increased external shocks and challenges, and the intertwined and superimposed domestic dilemmas." Wang Changlin (王昌林) analyzed the reasons behind the achievements:
In recent years, China has focused on strengthening the construction of energy and resource production and reserve systems, vigorously promoted the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development, and continuously improved the safety and resilience of the production and supply chain, laying a solid foundation for resisting global energy supply shocks.
Since the beginning of this year, we have actively responded to changes in the external environment in a timely and appropriate manner, and made every effort to ensure the supply of oil and gas. Through stable production, diversified imports, and temporary price adjustments, we have ensured the stable and orderly supply of oil and gas, effectively guaranteeing the stable operation of the economy and people's livelihood needs.
Macro policies should be implemented as early as possible and front-loaded. In response to the downward economic pressure since the second half of last year, we issued the list of "two major" construction projects and the central budget investment plan in advance, released funds for new policy-based financial instruments, accelerated the issuance and use of national debt and local government bonds, promoted the implementation of a number of major engineering projects in advance, implemented special actions to boost consumption in depth, optimized the policy of replacing old consumer goods with new ones, focused on rectifying the "involution" competition in key industries, and steadily promoted the high-end, intelligent, and green transformation of the manufacturing industry.
"China's industrial system is very complete, the market size is huge, and the economy itself has strong resilience and anti-shock capabilities, which provides a solid foundation for promoting economic recovery." Wang Changlin (王昌林) said that the next step is to focus on five aspects of work:
Play a "combination punch" of macro policies, reserve a batch of comprehensive policies and measures in advance, and issue them in a timely manner according to the needs of the situation.
Focus on expanding domestic effective demand. Formulate the implementation plan for expanding domestic demand strategy from 2026 to 2030, and promote the early start of construction of major engineering projects that meet the conditions. Continue to promote the "two major" construction and stimulate the vitality of private investment. Steadily implement the replacement of old consumer goods with new ones, and accelerate the clearing of unreasonable restrictive measures in the consumption field.
Strengthen scientific and technological innovation, accelerate the development of emerging industries, implement the "Artificial Intelligence +" action in depth, create a new form of intelligent economy, thoroughly implement the spirit of the National Service Industry Conference, and promote the expansion and quality improvement of the service industry.
Increase efforts to stabilize employment and promote income growth, implement the action of stabilizing jobs, expanding capacity, and improving quality, formulate and implement a plan to increase the income of urban and rural residents, strengthen inclusive and basic livelihood construction, and strengthen social security for vulnerable groups.
Consolidate the foundation for safe development, make every effort to ensure the supply and price stability of important livelihood commodities such as energy resources and food, accelerate the construction of a new energy system, and focus on stabilizing the real estate market.
Accelerate the Implementation of a Package of Investment Stabilization Policies and Measures, and Implement Special Actions to Boost Consumption in Depth
In the first quarter, fixed asset investment turned from decline to increase, and the consumer market was stable and improving.
"Affected by multiple factors, investment declined last year. Since the beginning of the year, all regions and departments have effectively promoted the stabilization of investment. In the first quarter, fixed asset investment turned from decline to increase, growing by 1.7%." Wang Changlin (王昌林) believes that three aspects of work have played a key supporting role: the investment stabilization policy has accelerated its effectiveness, large-scale equipment renewal has continued to exert its strength, promoting the investment in equipment and tooling to increase by 13.9%, and the policies and measures to promote private investment have been accelerated, with private investment increasing by 1.3% after deducting real estate development investment; new quality productivity has activated new momentum, with investment in high-tech industries increasing by 7.4% in the first quarter, especially the investment growth rate of high-tech service industries, reaching 12.3%; major projects have been launched in advance, with investment in projects with a planned total investment of 100 million yuan and above increasing by 4.5% in the first quarter, and the investment growth rate in railways, energy, and other fields has accelerated, promoting infrastructure investment to increase by 8.9%.
The next step will be to accelerate the implementation of a package of investment stabilization policies and measures, and continue to play the key role of investment.
On the one hand, increase efforts. In terms of government investment, promote the basic allocation of 755 billion yuan of central budget investment and 1 trillion yuan of ultra-long-term special national debt by the end of June this year, further increase the proportion of local government special bonds used for project construction, and accelerate the orderly release of 800 billion yuan of new policy-based financial instrument funds. In terms of private investment, further improve the long-term mechanism for private enterprises to participate in the construction of major projects, focus on high-growth fields such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and commercial aerospace, introduce a series of policy measures, and continue to stimulate the vitality of private investment.
On the other hand, improve efficiency. This year, we will focus on carrying out a series of actions to expand effective investment in the fields of "Artificial Intelligence +" infrastructure, urban renewal, national water network, and new energy system. We will fully carry out "soft construction" work in central investment projects to promote the formation of a long-term mechanism for project construction, implementation, operation, and maintenance. At the same time, we will give play to the role of the National Venture Capital Guidance Fund to guide and drive social capital to support scientific and technological innovation and the development of emerging industries.
In the first quarter, the consumer market showed characteristics such as the continuous effectiveness of the policy of replacing old products with new ones, the high popularity of service consumption, and the sufficient vitality of new consumption formats and models. In particular, the policy of replacing old consumer goods with new ones has been continuously optimized and implemented, and the driving effect on intelligent and green products is obvious. In the first quarter, the communication equipment category of units above the limit increased by 20.8% year-on-year; the sales of replacing old consumer goods with new ones exceeded 430 billion yuan, benefiting more than 60 million people.
"China's super-large-scale market advantage has not been fully utilized, and the potential for expanding consumption, especially service consumption, is huge." Wang Changlin (王昌林) said that the next step will be to implement special actions to boost consumption in depth, formulate and implement the "15th Five-Year Plan" for expanding consumption, and start from enhancing consumption capacity, improving consumption quality, cultivating consumption scenarios, and optimizing the consumption environment to better play the basic role of consumption in economic development.
A Batch of National-Level Special Plans Will Be Released Successively in the First Half of the Year
How to ensure the smooth implementation of the "15th Five-Year Plan" outline?
"All parties are stepping up the preparation of a batch of national-level special plans around the key areas and tasks of detailing and implementing the '15th Five-Year Plan' outline." Chen Lei (陈雷), Director of the Department of Development Strategy and Planning of the National Development and Reform Commission (国家发展改革委), introduced: Focusing on the goal of basically realizing socialist modernization by 2035, we will prepare plans in the fields of new industrialization, digital China, agricultural and rural modernization, and beautiful China; adapting to the phased characteristics of the "15th Five-Year Plan" development, we will prepare special plans for future industries, expanding consumption, population development, and new energy systems; highlighting the people's livelihood orientation of development, we will prepare special plans for employment priority, education development, national health, equalization of basic public services, and social security, and we will also prepare special plans for key groups such as the protection and development of persons with disabilities.
"It is expected that a batch of national-level special plans will be released successively in the first half of the year. During the preparation process, all plans will strengthen overall coordination to form a joint force of a unified planning system." Chen Lei (陈雷) said that they will also focus on key tasks to drive, classify and promote major indicators and major engineering projects, track implementation, strengthen dynamic monitoring and regular evaluation, and "**钉钉子精神**" (dīng dīng zi jīng shén - "nailing spirit," perseverance and meticulousness) to grasp the implementation.
Building a modern industrial system ranks first among the key tasks of the "15th Five-Year Plan" outline. "Building a modern industrial system is related to the overall economic and social development." Fu Jiuling (傅久岭), Director of the Department of Industrial Development of the National Development and Reform Commission (国家发展改革委), said that several aspects will be focused on during the promotion process. First, pay attention to the overall situation. Modern industry, agriculture, service industry, and infrastructure are the "four beams and eight pillars" of the modern industrial system, among which modern industry is the most important foundation. Second, strengthen coordination. Handle the relationship between industries, regions, large, medium, and small enterprises, and upstream and downstream links. Third, accelerate the development of advanced manufacturing, focusing on promoting the high-end, intelligent, and green development of manufacturing. Fourth, promote the expansion and quality improvement of the service industry in a stratified and classified manner.
Return to TopBy: 刘志强
The "15th Five-Year Plan" period is a crucial time for consolidating the foundation and making comprehensive efforts. The strong and positive start to the economy in the first quarter of the "15th Five-Year Plan" allows for a deeper understanding of its significance.
Only by consolidating the foundation can the foundation of development be more stable and resilient.
During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, strategic opportunities and risk challenges coexist, and uncertain and unpredictable factors increase. We must pay more attention to the fundamental impact of high-level self-reliance and self-improvement in science and technology, food security, and energy security on development and security. We must take multiple measures to strengthen advantages, break bottlenecks, and make up for shortcomings, so as to withstand pressure, improve our internal strength, and gain a firm foothold in the changing situation.
Only by making comprehensive efforts can we "go up step by step through continuous transformation, upgrading, quality improvement, and upgrading."
In the first quarter, the growth of production and supply accelerated, market demand continued to improve, and both supply and demand improved, reflecting the positive results of "making comprehensive efforts." Looking at Chinese manufacturing, its scale has ranked first in the world for 16 consecutive years, but it is still "large but not strong." Strengthening technological innovation and deepening the integrated development of advanced manufacturing and modern service industries can inject new impetus into industrial upgrading. Looking at the Chinese market, it is already super-large, but there is still huge potential. Actively expanding effective investment, coordinating efforts to promote employment, increase income, and expand consumption, and implementing service industry capacity expansion and quality improvement actions will all drive the accelerated release of potential. By focusing on coordinated efforts in various fields, China's economy can achieve systematic breakthroughs and overall improvement.
Consolidating the foundation and making comprehensive efforts, the "15th Five-Year Plan" has had a good start in the first quarter. With practical work and active progress, China's economy will reach even higher levels.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 张 文
On April 17th, the "15th Five-Year Plan" Ningxia Special Press Conference was held in Yinchuan (银川), Ningxia. Zhang Yupu (张雨浦), Deputy Secretary of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (宁夏回族自治区) Party Committee and Chairman of the Autonomous Region People's Government, stated that Ningxia (宁夏) is steadfastly implementing the new development concept, integrating into the new development pattern, promoting economic quality and efficiency, closely focusing on the main goals and tasks of economic prosperity, ethnic unity, environmental beauty, and people's affluence, accelerating the construction of a pilot zone for ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin (黄河流域), and striving to write a Ningxia chapter of Chinese-style modernization.
Overall planning to build a modern industrial system
Industry is an important pillar of high-quality development. In recent years, Ningxia (宁夏) has focused on intelligence, greening, and integration. During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, Ningxia (宁夏) will comprehensively grasp traditional industries, emerging industries, and future industries, accelerate the high-quality and efficient development of the service industry, and accelerate the formation of a modern industrial system with advanced manufacturing as the backbone, reflecting Ningxia's (宁夏) characteristics and advantages, and possessing strong competitiveness.
In terms of developing the digital economy, Ningxia (宁夏) has obvious comprehensive advantages in climate, location, and energy, and is a national new Internet exchange center and a national integrated computing power hub node. The region's computing power investment, data centers, resident enterprises, and other major indicators have grown rapidly in recent years, and a number of smart factories, such as a 10,000-ton casting 3D printing intelligent factory, have been built.
Zhang Yupu (张雨浦) introduced that during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, Ningxia (宁夏) strives to achieve an average annual growth of more than 8% in the output value of digital information, and double the scale of intelligent computing, so that Ningxia's (宁夏) green computing power can better serve the national "Eastern Data and Western Computing" project.
Vigorously develop the modern chemical industry. The total coal chemical production capacity of the region has exceeded 40 million tons, of which the output of the main product coal-to-oil has reached 4.6 million tons, ranking first in the country; the production capacity of coal-to-olefins, spandex, aramid, etc. all rank among the top three in the country.
Vigorously develop the dairy and wine industries. By the end of 2025, Ningxia's (宁夏) dairy cow inventory, total milk production, and milk quality will all rank among the top in the country. In recent years, Ningxia's (宁夏) wine industry has risen, with winery wine production leading the country, and products have been exported to more than 40 countries and regions.
With the help of modern industrial advantages, Ningxia's (宁夏) industrial-grade 3D printing equipment, high-end control valves, and other equipment sell well overseas, and the export volume of industrial products such as dicyandiamide, tantalum powder and tantalum wire, and tetracycline ranks among the top in the country, and agricultural products such as wolfberry and Tan sheep sell well in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and other markets. During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, Ningxia (宁夏) will continue to cultivate and strengthen the open economy, vigorously develop green trade, digital trade, and service trade, and shape new advantages in a high-level open economy.
Innovation-driven, improve the level of productivity development
In recent years, Ningxia (宁夏) has vigorously implemented the innovation-driven development strategy. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, the region's R&D investment increased by an average of 11.9% annually, high-tech enterprises increased by 177%, and a number of high-energy innovation platforms such as Helan Mountain (贺兰山) and Liupan Mountain (六盘山) laboratories were built, and a number of significant scientific and technological achievements such as rare metal materials and large-diameter control valves were achieved. During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, Ningxia's (宁夏) investment in research and experimental development will reach an average annual growth of about 10%, and the total factor productivity and the level of new quality productivity development will be significantly improved, ensuring that the economy is stable and improving, and accelerating the pace towards intelligence, greening, innovation, and excellence.
Innovation is the primary driving force for leading development. During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, Ningxia (宁夏) will focus on the high-quality development of industry, carry out ten major scientific and technological breakthroughs, produce more scientific and technological achievements, launch more "fist products," and create more "single champions" to support the better development of Ningxia's (宁夏) characteristic and advantageous industries.
By the end of 2025, the proportion of industrial enterprises above designated size with R&D activities in Ningxia (宁夏) will reach 39.3%, which is 8 percentage points higher than the national average, and a number of excellent scientific and technological innovation enterprises have also emerged. Ningxia's (宁夏) coal-to-oil project has solved a number of "bottleneck" technical problems, converting coal into high-quality finished oil, making a positive contribution to national energy security, and winning the first prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award. During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, Ningxia (宁夏) will deploy more platforms, talents, and projects in enterprises, support large enterprises to bravely enter the "no man's land," and encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to strive to become "single champions."
The transformation of scientific and technological achievements into high-quality industrial development injects a source of vitality. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, Ningxia (宁夏) placed the transformation of scientific and technological achievements in an important position, forming a good cooperation mechanism of "Eastern technology + Ningxia (宁夏) transformation." During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, Ningxia (宁夏) will give full play to the leading role of East-West science and technology cooperation, and fully promote the "four batches," namely, organizing a batch of supply and demand docking activities, implementing a batch of achievement transformation projects, introducing a batch of urgently needed scientific and technological talents, and building a batch of "enclave" science and technology innovation carriers, striving to increase the transaction volume of technology contracts in the region by more than 20% annually.
Strengthen guarantees and improve the quality and efficiency of new energy utilization
Ningxia (宁夏) is rich in wind and solar resources and has great potential for the new energy industry. During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, Ningxia (宁夏) will continue to base itself on its resource endowment advantages, accelerate the construction of a new energy system with non-fossil energy as the main supply, fossil energy as the bottom-line guarantee, and a new power system as the key support, and promote new breakthroughs in high-quality development.
During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, Ningxia's (宁夏) new energy installed capacity increased by an average of 17% annually, reaching 57.32 million kilowatts, accounting for 63% of the total installed power capacity, and the utilization rate has always remained at about 95%. During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, Ningxia (宁夏) will continue to improve the quality and efficiency of new energy utilization, and plans to build three 10-million-kilowatt-level new energy bases in Yanchi (盐池), Lingwu (灵武), and Shapotou (沙坡头). It is estimated that by 2030, the installed capacity of new energy will reach more than 100 million kilowatts, accounting for 70% of the installed capacity, and the annual power generation of new energy will be equivalent to reducing coal by 63 million tons and reducing carbon by 120 million tons.
In 2025, Ningxia's (宁夏) internal supply and external transmission of electricity will exceed 100 billion kilowatt-hours. During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, Ningxia (宁夏) will accelerate the construction of a new power system that is clean and low-carbon, safe and abundant, economical and efficient, supply and demand coordinated, and flexible and intelligent. On the one hand, it will accelerate the construction of the fourth power transmission channel to increase the proportion of new energy in west-to-east power transmission and make greater contributions to national energy security. On the other hand, it will vigorously implement the intelligentization of the power grid and the transformation and upgrading of new-generation coal-fired power units, accelerate the development of new energy storage, and further enhance the regulation capacity of the power grid.
In recent years, Ningxia (宁夏) has focused on the development of characteristic and advantageous industries, and has built four characteristic and advantageous industrial green power parks for modern coal chemical industry, silicon-based, aluminum-manganese, and big data computing power, realizing the coupling and coordinated development of new energy and industry, and promoting industrial transformation and upgrading and comprehensive green and low-carbon transformation. During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, Ningxia (宁夏) will continue to actively and steadily promote carbon peaking, cultivate green production and lifestyles, make green development a distinct background, and let green electricity empower industry, green energy drive transformation, and green light up the future.
Return to TopThis newspaper reported from Beijing on April 17th (Reporter Lin Lili (林丽鹂)) The State Administration for Market Regulation (市场监管总局) on the 17th, in accordance with the law, issued administrative penalty decisions on a series of "ghost takeaway" cases involving seven e-commerce platforms, including Shanghai Xunmeng Information Technology Co., Ltd. (上海寻梦信息技术有限公司) (Pinduoduo (拼多多)), Beijing Sankuai Technology Co., Ltd. (北京三快科技有限公司) (Meituan (美团)), Beijing Jingdong Sanbailiushidu E-commerce Co., Ltd. (北京京东叁佰陆拾度电子商务有限公司) (Jingdong (京东)), Shanghai Lazas Information Technology Co., Ltd. (上海拉扎斯信息科技有限公司) (formerly Ele.me (饿了么), now Taobao Flash Sale (淘宝闪购)), Beijing Douyin Technology Co., Ltd. (北京抖音科技有限公司) (Douyin (抖音)), Zhejiang Taobao Network Co., Ltd. (浙江淘宝网络有限公司) (Taobao (淘宝)), and Zhejiang Tmall Network Co., Ltd. (浙江天猫网络有限公司) (Tmall (天猫)). Based on Article 131 of the "Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国食品安全法)" and Article 83 of the "E-commerce Law of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国电子商务法)," the seven e-commerce platforms were ordered to correct their illegal activities, suspend the addition of new cake shops for periods ranging from 3 to 9 months, and were fined a total of 3.597 billion yuan. At the same time, in accordance with Article 75 of the "Implementation Regulations of the Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国食品安全法实施条例)," the legal representatives and food safety directors of the seven platform companies were collectively fined 19.6874 million yuan.
Upon investigation, the aforementioned seven e-commerce platforms failed to strictly review the licenses of food business operators entering the network and failed to fulfill their qualification review obligations in accordance with the law; they signed cooperation agreements with order-transfer platforms, and although they knew or should have known that the order-transfer behavior infringed upon the legitimate rights and interests of consumers, they did not take necessary measures; the legal representatives and food safety directors of the seven e-commerce platforms, who bear food safety management responsibilities, failed to fully perform their relevant job duties. The aforementioned behaviors seriously violated the relevant provisions of the "Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国食品安全法)," the "E-commerce Law of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国电子商务法)," and the "Implementation Regulations of the Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国食品安全法实施条例)."
After the investigation was launched, the State Administration for Market Regulation (市场监管总局) immediately ordered the e-commerce platforms to immediately rectify the situation, and all seven e-commerce platforms have removed the relevant unreviewed "ghost shops" and stopped cooperating with relevant order-transfer platforms for catering order transfers.
Return to TopThis newspaper Beijing (北京), April 17th (Reporter Liu Wenxin (刘温馨)) The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (工业和信息化部) and the Ministry of Education (教育部) recently organized the 2026 "Excellent Enterprises Entering Schools, Recruiting Talents and Attracting Wisdom" special action to further promote the precise connection between college graduates and specialized, refined, and new small and medium-sized enterprises.
Combining the job-seeking characteristics of college graduates, the first stage of the special action is from April to June, and the second stage is from October to December. The service targets are small and medium-sized enterprises focusing on specialized, refined, and new small and medium-sized enterprises, and college graduates focusing on the 2026 class.
The special action will carry out activities for specialized, refined, and new small and medium-sized enterprises to enter campuses. Various universities support departments to carry out "small but refined, specialized and excellent" special recruitment activities in combination with disciplines, professional fields, and graduates' job-seeking intentions. At the same time, the connection between school and enterprise supply and demand will be strengthened. Relevant departments will promote both parties to carry out project cooperation such as directed talent training, internship base construction, and vocational skills training. Localities are encouraged to focus on industrial clusters and supply chain targeted talent introduction, and vigorously carry out supply and demand connection of key industrial chain talents.
It is reported that the National College Student Employment Service Platform (国家大学生就业服务平台) of the Ministry of Education (教育部) has also set up a special activity zone for special actions to provide online policy publicity, job matching and other services.
Return to TopOn April 16th, at the Heihe·Aihui International Night Market (黑河·爱辉国际大夜市), Heilongjiang Province (黑龙江省), children purchase food accompanied by their parents. Recently, the International Night Market in Heihe City (黑河市) has been renovated to welcome guests, integrating appreciation, tourism, shopping, entertainment, and food into one, bringing a one-stop nighttime consumption experience. It has also become a popular destination for Russian tourists to cross the border under the Sino-Russian visa-free policy, injecting new vitality into the border city's night economy.
Han Fei (韩飞) photographed (Xinhua News Agency (新华社) issued).
Return to TopThis newspaper's Beijing (北京) dispatch on April 17th (Reporter Li Xinping (李心萍)) – The "White Paper on the Development of the Low-Altitude Economy Industry of Central Enterprises" recently released by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) (国资委) shows that, to date, more than 30 central enterprises have developed over a hundred models of low-altitude aircraft, covering traditional general aviation aircraft, industrial-grade drones, electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, etc.
For example, the Jiu Tian drone launched by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (航空工业集团) has the characteristics of large payload, wide speed range, short take-off and landing, and high intelligence; the Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (航天科技) Rainbow series of drones has formed a product family with large, medium, and small sizes matched, and long, medium, and short ranges coordinated; the China North Industries Group Corporation (兵器工业集团) Ling Que series of vertical take-off and landing compound wing drones has more than 10 models, with the characteristics of not relying on runways, flexible operation tasks, long endurance, and high stability; Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (中国商飞) is laying out preliminary research and verification of new energy civil aircraft products with various seat classes.
Secondly, central enterprises also use information communication, artificial intelligence, big data and other technical means to carry out technical verification and operation in many places to meet the needs of communication, navigation, perception, management and service for low-altitude flight. For example, China Tower (中国铁塔) deeply integrates Beidou (北斗) capabilities with communication infrastructure to build a low-altitude digital base with seamless indoor and outdoor positioning, providing spatiotemporal services for various low-altitude applications.
In addition, central enterprises actively promote low-altitude application scenarios from demonstration to normalization. State Grid Corporation of China (国家电网) has been carrying out pilot projects of low-altitude aircraft and manual collaborative inspection since 2013. By the end of 2025, it has configured more than 30,000 multi-rotor drones, more than 500 medium and large drones, and more than 190 fixed-wing drones, and the autonomous drone inspection coverage rate of 220 kV and above navigable area lines has reached 100%. China National Agricultural Development Group (中国农发集团) applies drone technology to agricultural production and management. In 2025, the application coverage of drones will continue to expand, with a total operating area of approximately 630,000 mu.
Return to TopThis newspaper reported from Beijing on April 17th (Reporter Ouyang Jie (欧阳洁)): The reporter learned from Nanjing Customs (南京海关) that in the first quarter of this year, the total value of imports and exports in the Yangtze River Delta (长三角地区) region reached 4.49 trillion yuan, a record high, an increase of 15.8% year-on-year, accounting for 37.9% of the country's total imports and exports.
Major foreign trade provinces bravely shoulder heavy responsibilities. In the first quarter, Jiangsu (江苏), Zhejiang (浙江), and Shanghai (上海) saw year-on-year increases in imports and exports of 17.2%, 7.1%, and 21.9% respectively. Anhui's (安徽) import and export growth rate was impressive, with a year-on-year increase of 31.6%.
The foreign trade "circle of friends" is becoming more diverse. The Yangtze River Delta (长三角地区) region's imports and exports to ASEAN and the European Union increased by 20.8% and 17.5% year-on-year, respectively; the total value of imports and exports to countries jointly building the "Belt and Road" Initiative reached 2.26 trillion yuan, an increase of 17.3% year-on-year.
The product structure continues to be optimized. The Yangtze River Delta (长三角地区) region exported 1.78 trillion yuan of mechanical and electrical products, an increase of 19.7% year-on-year.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 张云河
Strengthen the integration of artificial intelligence with scientific and technological innovation, industrial development, cultural construction, people's livelihood保障, and social governance.
——Excerpt from the "15th Five-Year Plan" Outline
Walking into the elderly canteen in Chongkou Village (冲口屯), Shilain Village (石连村), Dongjin Town (东津镇), Guigang City (贵港市), Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (广西壮族自治区), there is a little girl on the TV screen wearing a headscarf and a lotus skirt, named "Gui Xiaoshe (桂小社)," an "AI (Artificial Intelligence) social worker" capable of real-time interaction.
"The village road is very dark at night. How can we install streetlights to make walking at night safer?" Villager Jiang Yafu (姜亚福) asked loudly. "'You can apply for a project from the government, but it requires villagers to initiate the application together. First, find out the specific road, how long it is, how many villagers are involved, whether there are villagers' joint signatures, then write an application material and submit it to the village or town for the government to arrange. Let's do it step by step.'" Gui Xiaoshe (桂小社) immediately gave the answer. "'It's logical and very practical!'" Jiang Yafu (姜亚福) said.
"'Gui Xiaoshe (桂小社)' can instantly answer policy questions," said Jiang Shaogeng (姜绍耿), director of the Chongkou Village (冲口屯) Villagers' Council, with emotion. "'The new colleague' has been a great help to me, 'the old social worker.'"
Grassroots governance work is broad and difficult. Introducing AI can effectively compensate for the lack of social workers. Policy consultation, information services... AI empowers rural governance, and "Gui Xiaoshe (桂小社)" has become a "versatile player" assisting grassroots governance.
Why did "Gui Xiaoshe (桂小社)" come to the village?
"'Smart' grassroots governance has great potential in rural areas. We have the technology, and we hope AI can truly serve the people," said Liu Chengcheng (刘成城), general manager of Yufei Technology (Guangxi) Co., Ltd. (羽飞科技（广西）有限责任公司), the company that developed "Gui Xiaoshe (桂小社)."
In November 2025, Yufei Technology's (羽飞科技) "Grassroots Social Governance AI Intelligent Body" won the first prize in the Guangxi Artificial Intelligence + Social Work Innovation Application Competition (广西人工智能+社会工作创新应用大赛). The Social Work Department of the Guigang Municipal Party Committee (贵港市委社会工作部) and the company jointly discussed leveraging the competition results to pilot "Gui Xiaoshe (桂小社)" in Chongkou Village (冲口屯), which has a large number of residents and visitors, to cope with frequent consultation needs.
"The survey found that the technical threshold and cost of developing new equipment are high, and it is difficult to implement. Grassroots areas need tools that are usable, manageable, and easy to use," Liu Chengcheng (刘成城) introduced. Without redundant construction, computing power is "in the cloud." "Gui Xiaoshe (桂小社)" is backward compatible and has simple interaction, and can be adapted to devices such as televisions, computers, and mobile phones.
Engineers "fed" "Gui Xiaoshe (桂小社)" with policy regulations from government websites, more than 1,200 representative local deliberative cases provided by social work departments, and geographic information data, building a solid data foundation for the intelligent body. "If the intelligent body has not been trained on relevant content when encountering policy questions, it may 一本正经说瞎话 (yī běn zhèng jīng shuō xiā huà - "to talk nonsense with a straight face," to speak solemnly but utter nonsense)." Liu Chengcheng (刘成城) said that in response, the company conducted in-depth customized research and development to enable "Gui Xiaoshe (桂小社)" to find a stable path to solve problems from laws and regulations and locally verifiable consultation cases, and improve the accuracy of answers.
What new changes has the launch of "Gui Xiaoshe (桂小社)" brought? It can "listen," providing the masses with an additional channel to reflect their demands; it can "speak," providing one-click policy inquiries and solutions; it can "do," helping to write notices for villagers' council meetings, etc. Since its launch, "Gui Xiaoshe (桂小社)" has had more than 5,000 interactions with the public.
"'Gui Xiaoshe (桂小社)' can work 24 hours a day, responding to the pain points of people's lives, and can also reduce the burden on grassroots social workers and help solve the difficulties of grassroots governance," said Liang Jincheng (梁金成), Deputy Minister of the Social Work Department of the Guigang Municipal Party Committee (贵港市委社会工作部).
Return to TopBy: 刘静文
How should AI and social governance be combined? Regardless of the form, it must follow the principle of "truthfulness." The "Gui Xiaoshe" of Chongkou Village (冲口屯), Shilong Village (石连村), Dongjin Town (东津镇), Guigang (贵港), Guangxi (广西) is a vivid example.
To find an entry point, it is necessary to grasp the real needs. In the grassroots governance of Chongkou Village (冲口屯), there used to be a contradiction between the high demand for consultation and the heavy burden on grassroots social workers. The "Gui Xiaoshe," which is open 24 hours a day, accurately solves this pain point. It can instantly answer policy questions, collect villagers' demands, and even help write notices for villagers' council meetings, which greatly helps the "old social workers."
To cultivate deeply and implement effectively, one must put in real effort. How to prevent AI from answering casually or even misleading the public? Only by considering everything comprehensively and carefully, and "feeding" the intelligent entity with rigorous policies and regulations, real deliberation cases, and accurate information data, and giving sufficient basis and solid training, can the intelligent entity's answers be true and accurate. Today, thousands of heartwarming interactions have made the public praise it as very practical, and social workers sigh with relief that it reduces their burden. These are all visible real effects.
Technology is a means, serving the people is the goal. In the exploratory practice of combining AI and social governance, only by adhering to the original intention of being people-oriented, grasping real needs, and solving real problems can we better leverage the advantages of technology and improve the quality and efficiency of social governance.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 赵景锋
It is the crucial time for spring plowing and preparation. At 9 a.m., people gathered in front of the "Points Supermarket" in Beiliangtai Village (北粮台村), Bayangaole Town (巴彦高勒镇), Dengkou County (磴口县), Bayannur City (巴彦淖尔市), Inner Mongolia.
"There are 27.8 kilograms of used plastic film, which translates to 28 points. You have a total of 108 points. What would you like to redeem?" asked Tian Xuejun (田学军), Secretary of the Party Branch of Beiliangtai Village (北粮台村).
"A thermos, two bottles of laundry detergent, and the rest for tissues!" After carefully checking the points redemption list, Guo Binglong (郭炳龙), a villager, calculated and stated his needs. Nearby, staff temporarily stored the weighed used plastic film at the village's temporary storage point.
Why can used plastic film be exchanged for points? "Dengkou County (磴口县) mainly plants corn and sunflowers, which require a large amount of plastic film. If these films are left in the field, they are difficult to tear and dig out, which will not only reduce soil fertility but also cause environmental pollution," explained Zhen Ni (甄妮), Deputy Director of the Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Technology Extension Center of Dengkou County (磴口县). Using used plastic film to exchange for points can incentivize villagers to participate in picking up the film and develop a habit of conscious recycling.
In Dengkou County (磴口县), there are 77 such "Points Supermarkets." "Our village, based on the original rural governance points system, has included the recycling of used plastic film into the points system. One kilogram of plastic film is exchanged for 1 point, and the part exceeding 0.5 kilograms is counted as 1 kilogram. The points can be exchanged for daily necessities," said Tian Xuejun (田学军). The procurement funds for the exchange items come partly from the village's collective economic income and the rest from subsidies from higher-level units.
"Manual picking of plastic film is suitable for small plots and scattered situations, while large-scale and bulk recycling of plastic film cannot be separated from the participation of large machinery," Zhen Ni (甄妮) introduced.
In a farmland in Bayangaole Town (巴彦高勒镇), a number of residual film recycling machines shuttled through the fields. Accompanied by the roar of the machines, the reels quickly rolled, rolling the used plastic film remaining in the soil into the recycling bin.
"The machine can pick up used plastic film from more than 10 mu of land per hour, with a high one-time recovery rate," said Zhen Ni (甄妮). Large machinery is mainly provided by cooperatives, and the government provides certain subsidies, which can effectively make up for the shortcomings of low efficiency and high cost of manual picking. This "machinery + manual" recycling method can achieve a used plastic film picking rate of over 85%.
The used plastic film is transported by transfer vehicles to the temporary storage point in Beiliangtai Village (北粮台村). "When the plastic film at the storage point accumulates to a certain amount, it will be centrally transferred to the township transfer station and then sent to local or surrounding banner and county film recycling enterprises," said Zhen Ni (甄妮). Bayannur City (巴彦淖尔市) has built 275 recycling stations and set up 448 temporary storage points, building a three-level recycling network of "county-level recycling center + township transfer station + village-level temporary storage point." Since the autumn of 2025, a total of 21,400 tons of used plastic film have been recycled.
What is the use of the large amount of recycled used plastic film?
In the park of Bayannur Chuaneng Environmental Protection Energy Co., Ltd. (巴彦淖尔川能环保能源有限公司) in Hangjin Rear Banner (杭锦后旗), Bayannur City (巴彦淖尔市), trucks loaded with used plastic film were orderly weighed and unloaded. "We recycle used plastic film at a price of about 70 yuan per ton as fuel for power generation," said Xu Haijiang (许海江), chairman of the company.
In addition to power generation, used plastic film can also be processed into plastic particles. Walking into the workshop of Yurun Vision Water-saving Irrigation Co., Ltd. (宇润远景节水灌溉有限责任公司) in Urad Rear Banner (乌拉特后旗), Bayannur City (巴彦淖尔市), after processes such as crushing, washing, kneading, and granulation, used plastic film is processed into rice-sized plastic particles. "These plastic particles can be used to produce drip irrigation pipes and belts after adding new materials," said Zhang Yongjun (张永军), general manager of the company.
Today, there are 23 used plastic film recycling enterprises in Bayannur City (巴彦淖尔市), initially forming a virtuous cycle of "recycling-transfer-disposal." Used plastic film, once regarded as garbage, has realized the transformation from "white pollution" to "green resources."
The relevant person in charge of the Bayannur Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (巴彦淖尔市农牧局) stated that the next step will be to continue to explore diversified ways of utilizing used plastic film resources, create a full industrial chain covering production, use, recycling, processing, and reuse, and transform the difficulties of farmland ecological governance into highlights of the circular economy.
Return to TopThis newspaper reported from Beijing on April 17th (Reporter: Deng Jianyang (邓剑洋)). On April 17th, the Ministry of Water Resources (水利部) held a video conference on the safe passage of reservoirs through the flood season, arranging and deploying this year's work on the safe passage of reservoirs through the flood season.
The meeting required that the responsibility for the safe management of reservoirs be strictly implemented, and the flood season operation plan, the emergency plan for the safety management (flood control) of reservoir dams, and the emergency plan for handling dangerous situations should be improved reservoir by reservoir. It is necessary to strengthen the investigation and management of risk hidden dangers in key parts, strengthen the management of reservoir flood control storage capacity, and ensure that it plays a key role at critical moments. It is necessary to strengthen reservoir monitoring, forecasting, and early warning, deepen the construction of the "three lines of defense" for rainfall and water conditions monitoring and forecasting, extend the lead time for forecasting incoming floods, improve the accuracy of flood forecasting, strengthen the construction, updating, and digital transformation of reservoir dam safety monitoring facilities, and accurately grasp the situation of each reservoir in real time. It is necessary to improve the long-term mechanism for reinforcing and maintaining reservoirs, carry out regular safety appraisals of reservoir dams, reinforce them in time to eliminate safety hazards, and, in principle, operate sick reservoirs with empty reservoirs during the main flood season. Accelerate the construction of a modern reservoir operation and management matrix, and comprehensively promote the maintenance of small reservoirs. Taking the river basin as a unit, it is necessary to systematically, scientifically, safely, and accurately dispatch reservoir groups, and proactively, powerfully, and accurately control flood volume, flood peaks, and flood processes. It is necessary to comprehensively improve the ability and level of handling dangerous situations, strengthen flood control drills for unfavorable scenarios such as "three breaks" (三断) and sudden night-time dangerous situations, strengthen the research and application of new equipment, improve the risk early warning, judgment, and disposal mechanism, and pre-position emergency rescue forces and equipment in a targeted manner.
Responsible comrades from relevant departments and relevant enterprises attended the meeting.
Return to TopAs temperatures gradually rise, farmers in Qitai Farm (奇台农场), Sixth Division (第六师), Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (新疆生产建设兵团) are seizing the farming season to carry out sowing operations for crops such as corn and sunflowers.
The picture shows farmers in Qitai Farm (奇台农场) driving agricultural machinery to sow corn on April 16.
Chen Yang (陈洋) photographed (Image China)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 王欣悦 靳 博 姚雪青
The "15th Five-Year Plan"纲要 proposes to "promote the expansion and sinking of high-quality medical resources and the balanced regional layout." Many places continue to promote the expansion and sinking of high-quality medical resources, allowing more grassroots people to enjoy high-quality medical services at their doorsteps.
Better Medical Resources Sink to the Grassroots Level
"It only takes less than 10 minutes to ride a motorcycle from home to the health center, and I no longer have to get up at 4 a.m. to rush to dialysis." Wang Youxian, 55, exclaimed in the hemodialysis room of the Jinxi Town Health Center in Qianjiang District (黔江区), Chongqing (重庆).
Wang Youxian is a uremia patient in Jinxi Town (金溪镇). For the past 8 years, he has suffered from dialysis—three times a week, getting up at 4 a.m. and riding a motorcycle for 20 kilometers on bumpy mountain roads to Qianjiang Central Hospital (黔江中心医院). "In winter, the wind is strong and the road is slippery, and in summer, it's even more troublesome when it rains heavily. Every time I finish dialysis and return home, I feel suffocated and have to rest for most of the day to recover," Wang Youxian said. Jinxi Town is 20 kilometers away from Qianjiang city, with high mountains, steep slopes, long distances, and sharp turns. In Qianjiang District, some remote townships are even nearly 100 kilometers away from the city.
The change began with a continuous 6-year sinking reform.
In 2020, Jinxi Town Health Center was listed as the Jinxi Branch of Qianjiang Central Hospital. Relying on the "five sinking" reform of high-quality medical resources promoted by Qianjiang District—resources, talents, technology, services, and guarantees sinking to the grassroots level—Qianjiang Central Hospital decided to build a township hemodialysis room in Jinxi Town.
This is not a simple "listing." Qianjiang Central Hospital invested 3 million yuan to purchase 13 hemodialysis machines and water treatment systems, and also selected 2 doctors and 2 nurses to be stationed there for a long time. "The experts from the district didn't just come to help us perform a few operations and see a few outpatient visits and leave. They also helped us build a 'takeaway' team in a mentor-apprentice manner," said Liu Baozhu (刘保柱), director of Jinxi Town Health Center.
During dialysis, patients are prone to acute complications, and improper handling can endanger their lives. In the past, nurses at Jinxi Town Health Center only knew basic puncture operations. After Li Zefang (李泽方), a trauma surgeon from Qianjiang Central Hospital, was stationed there, he taught them hand-in-hand for 3 consecutive months: from how to identify early warning signs during dialysis to formulating personalized plans for each patient... until every medical staff member could complete emergency treatment within 30 seconds. "Now, our nurses can independently handle common complications, and Qianjiang Central Hospital only needs to send 1 doctor to keep the hemodialysis room running normally," Liu Baozhu said. "This is true technology taking root."
Walking into the dialysis room, the environment is spacious and bright, and the equipment is advanced. Wang Youxian said: "Even though it is in a township hospital, the equipment, technology, and medical environment are no worse than in the city."
According to statistics, doing dialysis in a township health center can save each patient at least nearly 8,000 yuan in medical and travel expenses per year. The medical insurance reimbursement ratio is higher, the cost of family accompaniment is lower, and the burden of medical treatment is greatly reduced. "In recent years, Qianjiang District has gradually built a medical community covering the entire region. The grassroots consultation rate in the district has increased from 48.2% in 2022 to more than 60% in 2025, and the consultation rate within the district has stabilized at more than 90%," said Xiang Wenxian (向文献), deputy secretary of the Party Committee of the Qianjiang District Health and Health Commission.
Medical Insurance Designation Covers Village Clinics
"Dr. Li, I'm sorry, I forgot to bring my medical insurance card. I'll talk about it next time." Cui Xuexia (崔学霞), a villager from Laomidian Village (老米店村), Huangzhuang Street (黄庄街道), Wuqing District (武清区), Tianjin (天津), came to the village clinic early in the morning. "Take the medicine first, and then bring the medical insurance card to settle the bill later," said village doctor Li Hongkun (李洪昆) without saying a word, putting the medicine into Sister Cui's hand.
"I come to get some medicine every week. Now the village clinic can swipe the medical insurance card. After passing the deductible, it only costs a few yuan at a time. I can stroll over and see the doctor," Cui Xuexia said with a smile. "In the past, the village clinic was not connected to the medical insurance network. If you wanted to swipe your medical insurance card for chronic diseases, you had to go to the town health center or the district hospital, which was at least 10 kilometers back and forth, which was time-consuming and labor-intensive." "The inclusion of village clinics as designated medical insurance units allows villagers to directly buy medicine and get reimbursed at the village clinic with their medical insurance cards, which effectively solves the problem of difficulty in seeing a doctor for elderly people with limited mobility in the village," Li Hongkun continued.
In response to the problem of "long distance to see a doctor and difficulty in consulting" for elderly people in rural areas using medical insurance cards, Wuqing District began piloting the connection of medical insurance settlement systems to 9 village-level health clinics in 2019. Subsequently, it promoted the integrated management of town and village health services, and included village clinics as designated medical insurance units on the basis of standardized village clinic construction.
"Villagers can use their medical insurance cards to buy medicine and get reimbursed at the village clinic. Currently, all 444 village-level health clinics in Wuqing District have been connected to the medical insurance settlement system, covering all established villages," said Guo Xuechuan (郭雪川), a staff member of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Grassroots Section of the Wuqing District Health and Health Commission. "After the reform was implemented, middle-aged and elderly people in the village with common chronic diseases such as the three highs and cardiovascular diseases can basically complete medical treatment and medical insurance settlement without leaving the village."
"The standard for a single consultation fee at the village-level health clinic is determined to be 10 yuan, of which medical insurance pays 8 yuan and the individual pays 2 yuan." Li Hongkun brought three stacks of outpatient billing slips to the reporter. "Laomidian Village is a large village with more than 8,000 people in 4 natural villages. Now there are more than 160 medical insurance settlement cases per month. These are the receipts for the first 3 months of this year."
"The masses settle their medical treatment in real time. The village clinic only needs to make a drug plan for the next month and report it to the street town health center in time. The drug purchase funds are paid by the street town health center," Guo Xuechuan introduced.
"Connecting to medical insurance saves villagers worry and effort in seeing a doctor, and our village doctors have no economic pressure, so we can put all our心思 (xīnsi - "thoughts/efforts," focus) on diagnosis and treatment services," Li Hongkun said.
Village clinics are the foundation of the rural medical and health service system and the "last mile" of medical insurance services for the vast number of rural insured people. As of now, the inclusion of village clinics in medical insurance designation has achieved 100% full coverage in Tianjin, effectively improving the convenience and accessibility of medical insurance services.
Digital Empowerment of Medical Community Construction
Early in the morning, an old lady walked into Xincao Health Center (新曹卫生院) in Jianggang Town (弶港镇), Dongtai City (东台市), Jiangsu Province (江苏省), clutching her stomach with a pale face. Her family said: "She has had diarrhea for a month. Taking medicine at home has not only not improved, but has become more serious in the past two days."
Chen Rong (陈荣), the attending deputy chief physician, remembered that this 73-year-old patient, Zhang Zhen (张珍), was diagnosed with a lung tumor at the health center half a year ago and was transferred to a higher-level hospital for surgery and has been taking targeted drugs to control it. A preliminary examination showed that it was functional diarrhea, and the possibility of it being caused by the side effects of targeted drugs could not be ruled out. However, after two days of hanging water and taking medicine at the health center, the condition still did not improve.
"According to convention, if the diagnosis is unclear and the condition worsens, the patient will be transferred to the Municipal People's Hospital (市人民医院) or the Municipal Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital (市中医院), which are dozens of kilometers away from the township, but Aunt Zhang is weak and does not want to go back and forth, and proposes to be treated at her doorstep," Chen Rong introduced. In recent years, the construction of county-level medical communities has given township health centers the confidence to keep patients at the grassroots level.
To treat the symptoms, the examination must be improved first. Painless gastroscopy can be done in the health center, but the detection of tumor markers and some inflammatory indicators can only be completed in higher-level hospitals. In order to save time, the staff initiated "remote sample delivery" on the "Dongtai City Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Dispatch and Command Center" system and uploaded the time, location, and number of blood samples.
Less than 20 minutes after sending, an unmanned aerial vehicle carrying a cold chain transfer box flew to the health center, and then flew to Dongtai City People's Hospital (东台市人民医院) with the samples. At the same time, on the screen of the command center located in Dongtai City People's Hospital, the logistics routes of all samples in transit, including unmanned aerial vehicles, are displayed in real time. Wu Lipei (吴李培), director of the hospital's laboratory department, introduced that 12 unmanned aerial vehicles deliver an average of 80 samples per day, covering the village health clinic level.
Samples were sent in the morning, and at more than 2 p.m., Chen Rong found the test results in the system. To further determine the cause, he launched a remote consultation with Dongtai City People's Hospital and connected with Cui Jianhua (崔建华), director of the Department of Gastroenterology. In front of the screen, Chen Rong detailed Zhang Zhen's condition, medication, and auxiliary examination, and Cui Jianhua viewed all the patient's test results and imaging data in the system. After discussion, both parties reached a consistent judgment: severe diarrhea was caused by the side effects of targeted drugs, and the treatment plan needed to be adjusted.
After taking measures such as suspending targeted drugs and regulating electrolytes, Zhang Zhen's condition improved significantly. She was discharged from the hospital two days later, with a long-lost ease on her face: "I found the cause of the disease at my doorstep and can continue to treat the symptoms. The reimbursement ratio of township health centers is also high, which saves time, effort, and money."
"Dongtai City has a large elderly population, and town and village residents have a great demand for high-quality medical care. Dongtai City is actively exploring the construction of a close-knit county-level digital medical community," said Yang Lianjun (杨廉俊), director of the Dongtai City Health and Health Commission. The city's 2 leading hospitals, 6 rural regional medical centers, 18 town health centers, and 341 village health clinics (stations) form a close-knit medical community. Through data interconnection and service integration, it alleviates the difficulties of seeing a doctor, expensive medical treatment, and long distances to see a doctor, so that more grassroots people can enjoy high-quality services at their doorsteps.
This issue is coordinated by: Chen Zhen (陈震)
Return to TopThis newspaper's Beijing (北京) dispatch on April 17th (Reporter Wu Dan (吴丹)) This year, April 15th marked the eleventh National Security Education Day for all people. The Ministry of Education guided many regions in holding academic seminars on the holistic view of national security in universities, promoting the continuous deepening of the construction of an independent knowledge system of national security studies.
The Office of the National Security Committee of the Beijing (北京市) Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (中共北京市委), Capital Normal University (首都师范大学), and the University of International Relations (国际关系学院) jointly hosted the third Beijing (北京市) Theoretical Symposium on the Holistic View of National Security. Experts attending the meeting systematically interpreted the situation and key tasks facing China's (中国) national security during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, and conducted special reports and exchanges on topics such as the modernization of the national security system and capabilities, and the construction of a theoretical system of national security studies. More than 100 experts and scholars from more than 20 universities in and outside Beijing (京) participated in the conference.
The Shanghai (上海市) School National Security Education Steering Committee released the "Ten Ones" Action Plan for National Security Education during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, and the 2026 Shanghai (上海) University Student National Security Literacy Exhibition and other activities were officially launched. Experts and scholars conducted exchanges on the construction of national security studies disciplines, the construction of independent knowledge systems, and the strengthening of basic research.
Return to TopThis newspaper's Beijing (北京) dispatch on April 17th (Reporter Wu Dan (吴丹)) - This reporter learned from the Ministry of Education (教育部): The symposium for graduates of national security studies in universities was recently held in Beijing (北京). Experts such as members of the National Security Education Steering Committee for Schools nationwide and heads of relevant university departments exchanged and discussed beneficial approaches to cultivating national security students in universities, focusing on improving the curriculum system, strengthening practical teaching, and integrating high-quality off-campus resources.
In 2020, the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council (国务院学位委员会) and the Ministry of Education (教育部) decided to establish national security studies as a first-level discipline. The experts at the meeting believed that the cultivation of national security talents should take political literacy as its foundation, focusing on enhancing students' global vision, critical thinking, and complex problem-solving abilities. At the same time, it is necessary to improve the standardized construction of the curriculum system, build regional and industry-based academic communities, and promote the sharing of curriculum resources, practical platforms, and faculty.
At the roundtable exchange session of the "4th National Forum of Deans of National Security Colleges and Symposium on the Integrated Construction of 'Enrollment-Training-Employment' in National Security Studies" held earlier, 15 graduates shared their learning experiences and job-seeking experiences. The students said that through theoretical study, scientific research training, and practical exercises, they have enhanced their sense of responsibility and mission to serve the strategic needs of the country, and their abilities in interdisciplinary knowledge integration, risk identification and assessment, complex problem analysis, and practical application have been significantly improved.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 曹文轩
Stepping into Hall 5 of the 6th China International Consumer Products Expo (消博会), an atmosphere of "high-quality consumption, exquisite living" is immediately apparent.
"I didn't expect to be able to buy guitars from major brands tax-free," said Qin Xiang (秦翔), a music enthusiast from Jilin (吉林) who came to visit the exhibition. "I originally came with my family to learn about duty-free skincare products, but the moment I saw the guitars, I couldn't move my own legs."
Walking through the duty-free and high-end boutique exhibition area of this year's Consumer Products Expo, the reporter also observed such new changes: beauty fragrances, fashion apparel, watches, and jewelry are still popular, but technology trendy products, cute pet products, and domestic trendy boutiques have significantly increased.
What is the reason?
Hou Xiaofei (侯晓飞), Marketing Director of HTDF Global Premium Duty Free City (海控全球精品免税城) Marketing Department, told reporters that policy upgrades are key. "More than a month before the closure of Hainan Free Trade Port (海南自贸港) last year, the offshore duty-free policy was optimized again, expanding the categories of duty-free goods from 45 to 47, adding pet supplies, portable musical instruments, etc., and also allowing some domestic high-quality products to enter duty-free channels for sale, better meeting consumers' diversified and high-quality needs, and fully stimulating market vitality."
At the scene, the reporter experienced a rich immersive duty-free consumption experience: HTDF Duty Free (海控免税) brought more than a hundred high-quality products, and the specially set up cute pet area vividly restored daily home life; at the China National Service Corporation (国药中服) Duty Free booth, the world's top electroacoustic instrument brands gathered, and impromptu performances on the spot attracted audiences to stop and admire...
Exhibition upgrades, companies welcome opportunities. "This is our first time participating in the Consumer Products Expo. Hall 5 is positioned as high-end boutiques, which is an excellent opportunity to showcase our brand. Now our products can enter Hainan (海南) through offshore duty-free channels, and we look forward to opening up a larger market." Huang Han (黄瀚), on-site staff member of Shenzhen Enya Musical Instrument Innovation Technology Co., Ltd. (深圳恩雅音乐创新科技有限公司), said, and then busied himself guiding the audience to experience musical instrument products.
Piece by piece of high-quality products, experience after experience, cooperation after cooperation, at the Consumer Products Expo, the new story of openness and win-win cooperation in Hainan Free Trade Port (海南自贸港) is being vividly written.
Return to TopI. At the invitation of Xi Jinping (习近平), General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China, To Lam (苏林), General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, paid a state visit to the People's Republic of China from April 14 to 17, 2026.
During the visit, Xi Jinping (习近平), General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of the State, held talks with General Secretary and President To Lam (苏林). Premier of the State Council Li Qiang (李强), Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji (赵乐际), and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Wang Huning (王沪宁) met with General Secretary and President To Lam (苏林) respectively. During the meetings, the two sides informed each other of their respective party and national situations, exchanged in-depth views on relations between the two parties and countries and the current international and regional situation, and reached a series of important consensus.
II. Both sides believe that the Communist Party of China and the Communist Party of Vietnam shoulder the historical mission of seeking happiness for the people, development for the country, and progress for mankind. Adhering to and strengthening the comprehensive leadership of the two parties is the fundamental guarantee for realizing their respective socialist modernization and ensuring the long-term healthy and stable development of China-Vietnam relations. It concerns the future destiny of the two countries and the relations between the two parties and countries, and the development and growth of the world's socialist cause. Facing the changes of the world, the times, and history, the two parties and countries of China and Vietnam are determined to promote the vigorous development of their respective socialist causes, demonstrating to the world the strong vitality and bright prospects of the socialist system. The two sides should adhere to their original aspirations and unwavering determination, unswervingly adhere to the leadership of the Communist Party, adhere to the socialist road that suits their own national conditions, promote high-quality economic and social development, strengthen unity and cooperation, exchange and learn from each other, and continuously deepen their understanding of the laws governing the Communist Party's governance, socialist construction, and the development of human society. They should jointly defend the socialist cause of the two countries, work together for the noble cause of human peace and progress, and always be at the forefront of the times and move in the right direction in the historical process of profound changes in the world situation.
Both sides believe that China and Vietnam share the same ideals and are bound by a common destiny. Developing good relations between China and Vietnam has strategic, overall, and historical significance, and is a common strategic choice for the two countries. The Chinese side emphasized its adherence to a friendly policy towards Vietnam and always regards Vietnam as a priority direction for its neighborhood diplomacy. The Vietnamese side reiterated that it always regards relations with China as an objective requirement, strategic choice, and top priority of Vietnam's independent, self-reliant, all-round, and diversified foreign policy. The two sides should inherit, maintain, and carry forward the precious wealth of "comrades plus brothers" traditional friendship created and carefully cultivated by the older generation of leaders such as Chairman Mao Zedong (毛泽东) and President Ho Chi Minh (胡志明). They should adhere to viewing and developing China-Vietnam relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, uphold the principles of "long-term stability, facing the future, good neighborliness and friendship, and comprehensive cooperation" and the spirit of "good neighbors, good friends, good comrades, and good partners." In accordance with the overall goals of "higher political mutual trust, more practical security cooperation, deeper pragmatic cooperation, a more solid public opinion foundation, closer multilateral coordination and cooperation, and better management and resolution of differences," they should promote the healthy and stable development of the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era and build a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that is of a higher level and has strategic significance.
III. The Vietnamese side warmly congratulated the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, warmly congratulated the successful convening of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and highly appreciated the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core for uniting and leading the Chinese people to effectively respond to a series of major risks and challenges, successfully complete the main goals and tasks of the "14th Five-Year Plan," and promote China's economic strength, scientific and technological strength, and comprehensive national strength to a new level. Chinese-style modernization has taken new and solid steps. The Vietnamese side wishes and believes that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core, the Chinese Party, government, and people will surely successfully complete the various goals and tasks set out in the "15th Five-Year Plan," continue to write new chapters in the two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability, strive to create a new situation in the construction of Chinese-style modernization, comprehensively build a strong socialist modern country, successfully achieve the second centenary goal, and play a more important role in regional and world peace, stability, and prosperity.
The Chinese side warmly congratulated the successful holding of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the election of representatives to the 16th National Assembly of Vietnam, the election of representatives to the People's Councils at all levels for the term 2026-2031, and the first session of the 16th National Assembly. It warmly congratulated To Lam (苏林) on his election as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of Vietnam. It highly appreciated that under the leadership of General Secretary To Lam (苏林), the Communist Party of Vietnam has adhered to and continuously supplemented and improved the renovation line in accordance with practice, strengthened the comprehensive leadership of the Party, adhered to and creatively applied Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought, and united and led the Vietnamese people to achieve remarkable achievements in socialist construction and the renovation cause, opening a new era in the development of the Vietnamese nation. The Chinese side wishes and believes that under the leadership of the new Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam headed by General Secretary To Lam (苏林), Vietnam will surely successfully complete the various goals and tasks set out by the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and successfully achieve the national development goals for 2030 and 2045. China reiterated its support for Vietnam's development and prosperity, the happiness of its people, the construction of a strong, independent, and self-reliant economic system, the coordinated promotion of the renovation cause, industrialization, and modernization, the comprehensive integration into the international community, the development of extensive and friendly foreign relations, and the playing of a more important role in regional and world peace, stability, development, and prosperity.
IV. Both sides believe that the key to developing good relations between China and Vietnam lies in the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties, the driving force lies in the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields, and the foundation lies in the friendship between the two peoples. The two sides reviewed the fruitful results achieved by the two parties and countries in recent years in enhancing political mutual trust, promoting security cooperation, deepening pragmatic cooperation, consolidating the foundation of public opinion, strengthening multilateral coordination and cooperation, and promoting the management and resolution of differences. They unanimously agreed that these achievements fully reflect the strategic nature and high level of China-Vietnam relations and demonstrate the development achievements of China's socialist modernization and Vietnam's renovation cause. They agreed to continue to promote the China-Vietnam community with a shared future to go deeper and more solid and achieve practical results in accordance with the overall goal of "six more."
(1) Both sides believe that maintaining frequent exchanges between the top leaders of the two parties and countries provides strategic guidance and steers the course for China-Vietnam relations, which has a vital strategic guiding role in the development of relations between the two parties and countries. The two sides unanimously agreed to continue to maintain and strengthen the fine tradition of high-level exchanges between the two parties and countries through bilateral visits, exchange of special envoys, hotline telephones, exchange of letters, annual meetings, and meetings on multilateral occasions. They will exchange views on major issues in relations between the two parties and countries and the international and regional situation in a timely manner, and guide and direct the healthy and stable development of the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era from a strategic height and long-term perspective.
The two sides agreed to continue to give full play to the special role of party-to-party channels to safeguard the socialist regimes of the two parties and countries and promote the steady and long-term development of China-Vietnam relations. Give full play to the guiding and coordinating role of the high-level meeting mechanism between the two parties and the coordinating and promoting role of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee and the Party Committee of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Continue to implement the new round of cooperation plans between the Communist Party of China and the Communist Party of Vietnam, hold theoretical seminars between the two parties, strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the central counterpart departments of the two parties and the party organizations of the two countries' localities, especially the bordering provinces (regions), and continuously carry out exchanges and mutual learning on the theory and experience of governing the party and the country, combating corruption, and promoting integrity.
The two sides agreed to further strengthen friendly exchanges and cooperation between the National People's Congress of China and the National Assembly of Vietnam, the Chinese government and the Vietnamese government, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the Vietnam Fatherland Front. Continue to hold meetings of the Joint Committee of the National People's Congress of China and the National Assembly of Vietnam, and friendly exchange activities between the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and organizations in the border provinces. Give full play to the role of the China-Vietnam Bilateral Cooperation Steering Committee and the "3+3" strategic dialogue mechanism of foreign affairs, defense, and public security, coordinate development and security, deepen comprehensive strategic cooperation, and promote the construction of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future with strategic significance to achieve more positive progress. Implement the agreement between the two foreign ministries on strengthening cooperation in the new situation, maintain frequent contact between the leaders of the two ministries, strengthen exchanges between counterpart departments, and support and facilitate the improvement of the conditions of the diplomatic missions of the two countries.
The Vietnamese side reiterated its firm adherence to the one-China policy, recognizing that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. It supports the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and the great cause of China's reunification, resolutely opposes any form of "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, and consistently supports the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs. The Vietnamese side does not develop any form of official relations with Taiwan. Vietnam believes that Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet-related issues are China's internal affairs and supports China in maintaining Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet's development and stability. The Chinese side supports Vietnam in maintaining social stability, safeguarding national security and development, achieving national unity, and responding to political security and non-traditional security challenges.
(2) The two sides agreed to strengthen high-level and multi-level exchanges between the two militaries, give full play to the role of border defense friendly exchange activities, defense and security consultations, and other mechanisms, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries in political work, personnel training, joint exercises and training, joint research, defense industry, mutual visits of warships, and military procuratorates. Continue to strengthen cooperation in medical and health services, UN peacekeeping, and non-traditional security fields. Deepen border defense cooperation, strengthen coordination and cooperation on border management, carry out joint land border patrols, and encourage the border defense forces of the two countries to establish friendly relations. Give full play to the role of the joint patrol mechanism in the Beibu Gulf waters, carry out joint patrols in the Beibu Gulf, and deepen the cooperation and exchange mechanism between the two navies and coast guards. Deepen multilateral security cooperation and jointly promote regional peace and stability.
The two sides agreed to further strengthen and deepen cooperation between the law enforcement and security departments of the two countries, give full play to the role of the ministerial meeting on combating crime between the Ministry of Public Security of China and the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam, the hotline between the two ministers of public security, and the joint working group on political security. Strengthen high-level exchanges, cooperate to maintain the political security of the two countries, and safeguard the safety of high-level mutual visits between the two parties and countries and their respective major political and diplomatic agendas. Effectively carry out cooperation in security, intelligence, counter-terrorism, combating transnational crimes such as online gambling and telecommunications fraud, drug control, anti-cult, combating trafficking in persons, combating economic crimes, combating illegal immigration, immigration and entry-exit management, fugitive repatriation, protection of citizens, and organizing rights and interests in each other's countries. Coordinate and carry out the "Mekong-Dragon" series of international joint operations, strengthen law enforcement cooperation in combating smuggling, commercial deception, and illegal cross-border transportation of goods, and jointly combat the smuggling of drugs, precursor chemicals, endangered wild animals and plants and their products, civilian explosives, dual-use items, tobacco products, and goods infringing intellectual property rights. Give full play to the role of the vice-ministerial strategic security dialogue mechanism to strengthen information and intelligence exchanges and experience sharing on anti-interference, anti-secession, preventing hostile forces from "color revolution" and "peaceful evolution," as well as the economic security, technological security, security of major cooperation projects, regional common concerns, and effective response to non-traditional security challenges of the two countries. The Vietnamese side will formally join the Lancang-Mekong Comprehensive Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation Center as a member state and is willing to join the International Alliance for Combating Telecommunications and Network Fraud as a co-founding country.
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the legal and judicial fields, continue to strengthen counterpart exchanges between the two ministries of justice, implement the memorandum of understanding and cooperation plan signed by the two ministries of justice and the memorandum of understanding on cooperation in resolving civil and commercial disputes between border residents, effectively operate the border meeting mechanism between the judicial and administrative departments of China and Vietnam, and enhance the exchange and mutual learning of experience in socialist rule of law construction. Continue to hold working meetings between the procurators general of the two supreme procuratorates and meetings between the procuratorial organs in the border areas of China and Vietnam, and carry out mutual visits and exchanges between delegations of local procuratorial organs of China and Vietnam, mutual dispatch of procurators for training, and cooperation in public interest litigation procuratorial work. Continuously strengthen exchanges of experience in combating corruption, deepen communication and coordination under the multilateral framework, and promote judicial and law enforcement cooperation in combating corruption.
(3) The two sides agreed to accelerate the alignment of the development strategies of the two countries, implement the cooperation plan for aligning the "Belt and Road" initiative and the "Two Corridors and One Economic Circle" framework, promote the combination of bilateral trade with infrastructure, logistics, and market connectivity, vigorously develop the construction of cross-border economic corridors, logistics centers, cross-border economic cooperation zones, industrial parks in border areas, and multimodal transport, promote the connection of railways between the two countries and connect them to Central Asia and Europe, increase the freight volume of the railway, accelerate the interconnection of railway, highway, and port infrastructure between the two countries, and make railway cooperation a new highlight of strategic cooperation between the two countries. The two sides highly appreciated the early completion of the feasibility study project of the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong standard-gauge railway in Vietnam, welcomed the signing of the implementation agreement for the Dong Dang-Hanoi and Mong Cai-Ha Long Bay-Hai Phong standard-gauge railway line planning projects, and continued to promote the connection of cross-border standard-gauge railways between China and Vietnam. The Chinese side is willing to cooperate with the Vietnamese side in the railway field in terms of loans, technology, training, and industrial capacity, and guide high-quality Chinese enterprises to participate in railway construction. Support strengthening China-Vietnam railway cooperation, developing China-Vietnam international railway passenger and freight combined transport, providing convenience for passenger entry and exit procedures, expanding the catalog of goods cleared through railway ports, and actively promoting cooperation in import and export commodity inspection. Continue to closely cooperate in the construction of China-Vietnam cross-border economic cooperation zones in Guangxi and Yunnan in China and Quang Ninh and Lao Cai in Vietnam.
The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in key industries. Explore cooperation in key minerals on the premise of complying with their respective laws and regulations and industrial policies. Actively participate in building a global clean energy partnership. Promote cooperation in power interconnection between the two countries. Actively carry out cooperation in the field of new energy, and strengthen supply chain docking and renewable energy technology development cooperation based on market and mutual benefit principles. Explore strengthening exchanges and cooperation in the field of nuclear safety and jointly improve the safety level of civilian nuclear facilities. Support further strengthening cooperation between the two sides in the field of civil aviation, and welcome Vietnamese airlines to introduce and operate Chinese commercial aircraft.
The two sides agreed to maintain free and open trade and investment, jointly build a safe and stable industrial chain and supply chain, establish a working group on production and supply chain cooperation, and promote strengthening production and supply chain cooperation. Encourage and support enterprises with strength and reputation to invest in each other's countries and create a fair, convenient, and transparent business environment for enterprises. Study and promote the high-quality development of economic and trade cooperation zones, and strengthen cooperation in emerging fields such as the digital economy and green development. Actively promote cooperation in intelligent manufacturing, digital economy, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, semiconductors, high-speed rail, and other fields, and support both sides in carrying out technical cooperation. Support enterprises of the two countries to carry out in-depth cooperation in 5G, big data, and other digital industries on the basis of complying with their respective national laws and Vietnam's international commitments, ensuring each other's data security, network security, economic benefits, and long-term interests. Jointly explore the in-depth application of 5G, big data, and other digital technologies in industrial scenarios such as intelligent manufacturing and smart logistics, and promote the digital, networked, and intelligent upgrading of traditional manufacturing industries in the two countries. Strengthen cooperation in the financial field and provide financial support for joint venture and partnership projects in accordance with market principles. Explore the establishment of an open-source cooperation mechanism, promote open-source organization exchanges, project co-construction, achievement sharing, and industrial implementation, and share the dividends of open-source development. Deepen exchanges of experience in state-owned enterprise reform and management between the two countries, and carry out personnel training cooperation. Make good use of the financial and monetary cooperation working group between the two countries, strengthen information communication and experience sharing on financial and monetary policy regulation and reform, implement cross-border QR code interconnection cooperation, explore expanding the scope of local currency settlement, and improve the ability to resist financial risks. Deepen development cooperation in various fields, coordinate the promotion of major landmark projects and "small but beautiful" livelihood assistance projects, and strengthen human resource development cooperation. The two sides agreed to accelerate the promotion of projects such as the first phase of the new campus of the Traditional Medicine University of Vietnam, the repair and maintenance of the Vietnam-China Friendship Palace, the upgrading and renovation of roads in northern Vietnam, and the improvement of educational conditions. Under the framework of foreign aid human resource development cooperation, conduct railway-related thematic training for the Vietnamese side as appropriate to create more pragmatic cooperation results.
The two sides agreed to strengthen the alignment of science and technology innovation policies, implement the China-Vietnam Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, and continue to give full play to the role of the Intergovernmental Science and Technology Cooperation Joint Committee. Give full play to the leading role of science and technology innovation in driving development, strengthen joint research and development in fields such as artificial intelligence, life and health, clean energy, and digital technology, and cultivate high-quality human resources. Expand science and technology cultural exchanges and promote exchanges and cooperation between young scientific researchers and industrial personnel of the two countries. Promote the integration of science and technology innovation and industrial innovation, give full play to the role of the China-ASEAN Technology Transfer Center platform, and carry out mutually beneficial and pragmatic technology transfer and innovation and entrepreneurship cooperation. Strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of intellectual property rights such as patents, trademarks, and geographical indications.
The Chinese side welcomes the Vietnamese side to hold trade promotion activities in China and promote Vietnamese brands in China. It will continue to create conditions for Vietnam to establish more trade promotion offices in relevant localities in China as soon as possible. It supports and provides convenience for Vietnam to participate in the "Sharing the Big Market, Exporting to China" series of activities. It will create conditions for Vietnamese enterprises, especially those in the digital technology industry, to participate more deeply in the value chain and enter the Chinese market. It will consider simplifying procedures and establishing special trade promotion channels for "Make in Vietnam" digital technology products and services. Both sides agreed to actively explore cooperation within the framework of the "Belt and Road" customs food safety cooperation mechanism, and continuously improve the level of facilitation on the basis of ensuring food hygiene and safety. They will strengthen cooperation in animal and plant quarantine, accelerate the mutual recognition of animal and plant quarantine and food safety testing standards and methods for agricultural and aquatic products, promote joint prevention and control cooperation and exchanges on cross-border animal and plant epidemics and diseases, create conditions for the rapid and effective implementation of quarantine work, and allow access for high-quality agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products. They will promote mutual recognition of "Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)" and "Single Window" cooperation, continue to leverage the role of the China-Vietnam border customs inspection and quarantine cooperation mechanism, and ensure smooth customs clearance at border ports. They will jointly improve port customs clearance efficiency and reduce customs clearance pressure. The Chinese side welcomes the Vietnamese side to conduct exchanges and cooperation on the construction of "smart customs."
Both sides agreed to continue to leverage the mechanism of the China-Vietnam Agricultural Cooperation Joint Committee to promote cooperation in areas such as rice breeding, digital livestock and poultry farming, animal and plant disease prevention and control, human resource training, poverty reduction, and rural revitalization. They agreed to negotiate and sign the Beibu Gulf Fisheries Cooperation Agreement as soon as possible, and continue to carry out joint stock enhancement and conservation cooperation on fishery resources in the Beibu Gulf (北布湾). They will implement the agreement on the hotline for emergency incidents in maritime fishery activities between China and Vietnam and the agreement on maritime search and rescue cooperation. They will continue to carry out cooperation and exchanges in the field of health and healthcare, including health medical services, health human resource development, primary health care, maternal and child health, infectious disease prevention and control, and traditional medicine.
Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of water resources, implement the memorandum of understanding on the mutual exchange of hydrological data during the flood season, establish a cooperation mechanism for emergency information notification on cross-border rivers, and ensure flood control safety in border areas. They will strengthen cooperation in environmental pollution control and climate change response, and conduct in-depth policy dialogues and technical exchanges in areas such as air pollution control. Relying on regional environmental cooperation mechanisms such as China-ASEAN and Lancang-Mekong, they will promote the sharing of knowledge and practices on environment and sustainable development. In accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, they will strengthen global collective action and international cooperation in addressing climate change, and jointly promote the comprehensive, balanced, and effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement. They will deepen exchanges and cooperation in the field of emergency management.
(IV) Both sides agreed to increase publicity and education on the traditional friendship of "comrades plus brothers" between the two parties and two countries and the typical examples of cooperation between the two peoples. They will strengthen cooperation and exchanges between the media, publishing, and film and television fields of the two countries, and promote the implementation of the mutual translation and publication project of Chinese and Vietnamese classic works.
Both sides agreed to strengthen exchanges between mass organizations such as trade unions, women's federations, and youth leagues, as well as friendly city exchanges between China and Vietnam. They will continue to hold brand activities such as the China-Vietnam People's Forum, the Border People's Grand Gathering, and the "Red Study Tour" for Vietnamese youth to China.
Both sides agreed to continue to implement the 2023-2027 Cultural and Tourism Cooperation Implementation Plan of the cultural and tourism authorities of the two countries, and encourage cultural institutions and art troupes of the two countries to carry out exchanges and cooperation. The Vietnamese side supports the Chinese Cultural Center in Hanoi (河内) in carrying out activities in Vietnam, and the Chinese side welcomes the Vietnamese side to establish a cultural center in Beijing (北京).
Both sides announced the launch of the "China-Vietnam Tourism Cooperation Year" from 2026 to 2027, and agreed to promote tourism cooperation as an important bridge for people-to-people exchanges, and contribute to the economic and social development of the two countries. Tourism cooperation activities should be pragmatic, effective, and sustainable. Both sides should strengthen policy coordination and communication, enhance the image of their respective national tourism brands, create conditions for promoting the healthy development of the tourism industry in both countries, jointly develop tourism routes and create tourism products, and operate the China-Vietnam Detian (Banyue) Waterfall (德天（板约）瀑布) cross-border tourism cooperation zone well. They will jointly support the Lancang-Mekong Tourist City Cooperation Alliance to carry out activities, and encourage tourists from both sides to travel to each other's countries. They will strengthen sports exchanges and cooperation, encourage sports organizations of the two countries to strengthen contacts, and communicate and coordinate in international sports affairs. They will support athletes, coaches, and sports management personnel of the two countries to carry out friendly exchanges.
Both sides agreed to implement the China-Vietnam Education Cooperation Agreement and actively study and discuss the establishment of a joint committee for education cooperation between the two countries. They will strengthen exchanges between teachers, students, and scholars. The Chinese side welcomes and encourages more outstanding Vietnamese students to study in China and is willing to continue to provide scholarships to China. They will deepen vocational education cooperation. They will promote language education exchanges between the two countries, jointly carry out training for local Chinese teachers in Vietnam, cooperate to establish more Chinese Proficiency Test/HSK test centers, implement the International Chinese Language Teacher Scholarship provided by China to Vietnam, and actively leverage the role of the Confucius Institute at Hanoi University (河内大学孔子学院) and the "Chinese Bridge" competition. They will support primary and secondary schools in the two countries to establish sister school relationships and carry out friendly exchanges. They will strengthen exchanges between universities and think tanks in the two countries.
Both sides agreed to support local governments, especially border provinces (regions), to carry out exchanges and cooperation, and continue to hold the Spring Festival meeting between the Party secretaries of Guangxi (广西), China, and Quang Ninh (广宁), Lang Son (谅山), Cao Bang (高平), Tuyen Quang (宣光), and Hai Phong (海防), Vietnam, and the annual meeting between the Party secretaries of Yunnan (云南), China, and Lao Cai (老街), Tuyen Quang (宣光), Dien Bien (奠边), and Lai Chau (莱州) provinces, Vietnam. They will encourage the expansion of local friendly exchanges and cooperation beyond the border provinces, support local governments of the two countries to strengthen mutual visits by departmental-level delegations, and study and carry out local promotion activities in the two countries.
(V) Both sides believe that the world is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, and the international situation is becoming more complex and intertwined. Both sides reaffirmed their firm commitment to upholding the international system with the United Nations as its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Both sides will jointly defend international fairness and justice, safeguard international solidarity and cooperation, promote the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom for all mankind, advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all, and promote the construction of a more just and reasonable global governance system. Both sides will always pursue an independent and peaceful foreign policy, adhere to true multilateralism, jointly oppose hegemonism and power politics, oppose all forms of unilateralism, and oppose practices that endanger regional peace and stability.
Both sides agreed to promote cooperation within the framework of major concepts and initiatives such as building a community with a shared future for mankind, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative, and jointly address global challenges. They will continue to strengthen coordination and cooperation within international and regional frameworks such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, BRICS, the Asia-Europe Meeting, China-ASEAN, and Lancang-Mekong, support each other in the election of positions in international organizations, and jointly safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world. The Vietnamese side positively evaluated the important role played by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in maintaining regional stability and development and is willing to maintain communication on becoming a partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The two countries will continue to advance internal procedures, promote the early ratification and effective implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and further strengthen international cooperation in the field of cybercrime.
Both sides will promote the comprehensive and effective implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and actively welcome the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China to apply to join RCEP. Vietnam supports China's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on the basis of meeting the standards and procedures of the agreement. Vietnam supports China in hosting the APEC meeting in 2026, and China supports Vietnam in hosting the APEC meeting in 2027. Both sides will strengthen exchanges and close cooperation to ensure the success of the relevant meetings. Both sides support countries to resolve trade issues through equal consultation in a manner consistent with the rules of the World Trade Organization.
Both sides believe that the overall stability and rapid development of the Asian region have not come easily and should jointly practice open regionalism and maintain the general direction of good-neighborliness, friendship, cooperation, and win-win results in Asia. 2026 marks the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership. China supports ASEAN in building a united, unified, self-reliant, and developing ASEAN community, supports ASEAN in maintaining its central position in the evolving regional framework, and is willing to work with ASEAN countries to jointly promote the initiative of building a "five homes" of peace, tranquility, prosperity, beauty, and friendship, and jointly promote the early ratification and implementation of the upgraded protocol of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0, and is committed to promoting a higher level of regional economic connectivity and integration, and deepening the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership.
Both sides agreed to strengthen Lancang-Mekong cooperation, support the successful holding of the Fifth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders' Meeting, cooperate to play the role of co-chair of Lancang-Mekong cooperation, jointly build a Lancang-Mekong cooperation 2.0 version, and promote the construction of a Lancang-Mekong community with a shared future oriented towards peace and prosperity. The Ministries of Justice of the two countries will cooperate with the Ministries of Justice (Departments of Legal Affairs) of the Lancang-Mekong countries to communicate and reach consensus on the draft Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Mechanism for Exchanges and Cooperation on Law and Justice among Lancang-Mekong Countries and the draft Joint Statement of the First Ministerial Meeting of the Ministries of Justice (Departments of Legal Affairs) of Lancang-Mekong Countries, and promote the holding of the first Ministerial Meeting of the Ministries of Justice (Departments of Legal Affairs) of Lancang-Mekong Countries within the year.
Both sides believe that promoting and protecting human rights is a common cause for all mankind. It is necessary to proceed from the actual conditions of one's own country, explore a path of human rights development that meets the needs of the people, and be willing to carry out human rights exchanges and cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and equal treatment, resolutely oppose the politicization and instrumentalization of human rights issues and double standards, as well as wantonly interfering in the internal affairs of sovereign states under the pretext of human rights, and jointly promote the healthy development of the global human rights cause.
(VI) Both sides exchanged in-depth and candid views on maritime issues, emphasizing that maritime differences should be better managed and actively resolved, and jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. Both sides agreed to abide by the high-level consensus between the two parties and two countries, follow the Agreement on Basic Principles Guiding the Settlement of Maritime Issues between China and Vietnam, adhere to friendly consultations, actively seek basic and long-term solutions acceptable to both sides and in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and refrain from taking actions that complicate the situation or expand disputes, and jointly maintain maritime stability. They will promote consultations on maritime joint development cooperation and consultations on the delimitation of the waters outside the mouth of the Beibu Gulf (北部湾), and achieve substantial progress as soon as possible. They will actively carry out cooperation in maritime low-sensitivity areas and strengthen maritime search and rescue cooperation.
Both sides reaffirmed their joint commitment to promoting ASEAN countries and China to continue to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and reach an effective, substantive, and compliant Code of Conduct in the South China Sea with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, on the basis of consensus.
Both sides agreed to continue to implement the three legal documents and related agreements on the China-Vietnam land border, leverage the role of the China-Vietnam Land Border Joint Committee and the Border Port Management Cooperation Committee mechanism, strengthen border management and protection cooperation, properly resolve border-related incidents, actively promote the opening and upgrading of border ports, actively promote relevant cross-border cooperation, and bring prosperity to the border areas of the two countries.
V. During the visit, the two sides signed cooperation documents in the fields of party-to-party relations, public security, justice, economy, industrial supply chain cooperation, customs cooperation, science and technology, people's livelihood, human resource development, media, and local governments.
VI. Both sides believe that the state visit of General Secretary and President To Lam (苏林) to China was a complete success, making positive contributions to promoting the traditional friendship between China and Vietnam, accelerating the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future of strategic significance, and promoting regional and world peace, stability, development, and prosperity.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President To Lam (苏林) expressed his gratitude to General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President Xi Jinping (习近平) and the Chinese Party, government, and people for their grand, warm, and friendly reception, and sincerely invited General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President Xi Jinping (习近平) to visit Vietnam again. General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President Xi Jinping (习近平) expressed his gratitude and gladly accepted the invitation.
April 17, 2026, in Beijing (北京)
(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing (北京), April 17)
Return to TopXinhua News Agency, Beijing, April 17th (Xinhua) – The All-China Journalists Association (中国记协) and the National Office for the Promotion of Socialist Culture and Ethics (全国三教办) launched the 2026 "New Era, Good Journalists" National Tour Lecture Activity in Beijing (北京) from April 16th to 17th. A total of 27 representatives, including representatives of the "Top Ten National News Workers," outstanding contestants from the "Good Journalists Tell Good Stories" competition, and outstanding journalists from the "Spring Festival Grassroots Visits" activity, will conduct tour lectures in propaganda and ideological culture units and universities in Beijing (北京).
According to the All-China Journalists Association (中国记协), the members of the tour lecture group have recorded the changes of the times and the voices of the people with their pens and lenses in long-term news practice. They have used excellent works to prove that strong feet, sharp eyes, keen minds, and skillful writing are always the foundation for journalists to establish themselves. Some of them have followed the China High-speed Railway (中国高铁) for thousands of miles, reporting on the development and changes brought by "turning natural barriers into thoroughfares" to the snowy plateau and the depths of the Greater Liang Mountains (大凉山); some have been "serious and tough" for the sake of truth, using public opinion supervision to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the people; some have traveled overseas, listening to officials, scholars, and people from various countries sincerely telling about the changes brought by "Made in China (中国制造)," "Chinese Technology (中国技术)," and "Chinese Construction (中国建设)" to local economic and social development, vividly demonstrating a credible, lovable, and respectable image of China (中国).
From April 18th to 26th, members of the tour lecture group will go to propaganda and ideological culture units, universities, central enterprises, and residential communities in Tianjin (天津), Henan (河南), Sichuan (四川), Guizhou (贵州), Yunnan (云南), Shaanxi (陕西), Gansu (甘肃), and Xinjiang (新疆) 8 provinces and autonomous regions to give reports and hold discussions with editors, reporters, government officials, and representatives of workers.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 苏 滨
"If you don't eat sour for three days, you'll stumble while walking." In Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture (黔东南苗族侗族自治州), Guizhou Province (贵州省), a jingle expresses the locals' love for sour soup.
Here, from townships to villages, every family has earthen jars, and every household knows the local methods: first, wash the main ingredients—tomatoes, wild cherry tomatoes, and red peppers—then remove the stems, chop them, and add yellow ginger, garlic, Litsea cubeba, glutinous rice, and white wine in a certain proportion. The entire process avoids any trace of oil. Finally, seal and ferment in jars. After storing for 3 to 6 months, you can get a jar of spicy and delicious red sour soup.
In the past, most sour soup production enterprises relied on ancient brewing methods, making sour soup entirely based on experience. It was difficult to eat authentic flavors outside of Guizhou (贵州). In 2021, the Institute of Processing Agricultural Products of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (中国农业科学院农产品加工研究所) carried out scientific and technological assistance to Taijiang County (台江县). "At that time, we selected many industries, some with small scale, some with high costs, which could not fully utilize scientific and technological forces. Finally, we settled on the sour soup industry," said Li Shuying (李淑英), a researcher at the institute. The sour soup industry has a foundation and involves a variety of raw materials, which can realize the chain drive of "connecting two and connecting three" of characteristic industries. There is no worry about the market, but there is a lack of production capacity, and there is potential to be tapped.
How to crack the "flavor code" of sour soup and help sour soup out of the mountains?
In the view of Li Shuying's (李淑英) team, the key lies in promoting the standardization and large-scale production of Miao (苗家) sour soup. As a technical backbone, she led the team to villages and stockaded villages to learn about the taste and production process of sour soup in detail, and her footprints spread across 18 villages in 5 townships in Taijiang County (台江县). "We sampled while watching, collecting 26 samples, wanting to figure out what kind of flora is working." During the investigation, Li Shuying (李淑英) found that the local sour soup is naturally fermented using earthen jars, without special fermentation strains, let alone standardized fermentation processes. The flavors vary greatly, and there are also food safety hazards, which restrict the development and growth of the sour soup industry. Some sour soup samples contain dozens of microbial flora, and some have as many as hundreds.
"'The password' is the strain." The staff mixed and domesticated all the samples, obtained 463 microbial flora, and narrowed the scope to 78 strains through genetic identification. Later, 11 strains were locked, and then the flavor substances of the soup fermented by them were analyzed. Finally, 3 core fermentation strains were obtained, and a second-generation strain suitable for large-scale production was developed. The sour soup produced in this way is not only stable in quality and controllable in flavor, but also can complete fermentation in 7 days, and the production capacity is no longer limited.
With technology, the key is to implement the transformation. After various matchmaking efforts, Guoquan Food (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (锅圈食品（上海）股份有限公司) came to Taijiang (台江) for investigation and reached a cooperation with the institute. In June 2024, the two parties registered and established Taijiang Miaomiao Sour Soup Food Co., Ltd. (台江县苗苗酸汤食品有限公司) to build an automated sour soup production line with an annual output of 6,000 tons.
"From factory planning, process design to equipment procurement and technical training, the experts from the Academy of Agricultural Sciences followed up and guided the whole process, which helped us a lot!" Guo Feng (郭锋), deputy general manager of the company, introduced that after hundreds of rounds of debugging in 5 months, the flavor and taste were highly restored. At present, the company has signed cooperation agreements with surrounding villages, purchasing at least 2,000 mu of raw materials such as tomatoes and peppers every year, and plans to launch derivative products.
In March 2025, the company officially realized the standardized, stable, and intelligent production of sour soup, and sold its products to the whole country. Last year, the total output value of the sour soup industry in Qiandongnan Prefecture (黔东南州) exceeded 8 billion yuan. With the help of science and technology, more and more sour soup products are fragrant outside the mountains.
Return to TopThis newspaper's Beijing (北京) dispatch on April 17th (Reporter Ouyang Jie (欧阳洁)) Recently, the General Administration of Customs (海关总署) and other six departments jointly issued the first "List of Key Controlled Alien Species at Ports," which will be implemented on May 1st of this year. At that time, without approval, anyone who introduces alien species inside or outside the list will have them confiscated by the customs in accordance with the law and will be fined between 50,000 yuan and 250,000 yuan. If a crime is constituted, criminal responsibility will be investigated.
The "List of Key Controlled Alien Species at Ports" identifies the first batch of alien species that need to be subject to key control at ports and have potential invasion risks. It includes 21 families (genera, species) in 4 categories, including insects, mollusks, fish, and amphibians. These alien species have no natural distribution in China (中国). Once introduced and established, they are likely to cause damage to China's (中国) ecological environment security and biodiversity, and have serious ecological hazards and economic impacts.
In the first quarter of this year, the General Administration of Customs (海关总署), together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (农业农村部), jointly issued bans on major animal epidemics such as foot-and-mouth disease and highly pathogenic avian influenza in eight countries. National customs detected 12,000 species of animal diseases and plant quarantine pests at ports, an increase of 15.6% year-on-year, seized 1,163 batches of alien species, an increase of 5.9%, returned or destroyed 394 batches of unqualified imported agricultural products, and suspended the export qualifications of 169 overseas agricultural product companies to China (输华资质), effectively preventing the introduction of animal and plant epidemics and the invasion of alien species.
Return to TopThis newspaper reported from Beijing on April 17th (Reporter Wang Guan (王观)) Recently, the State Taxation Administration (国家税务总局), the Ministry of Public Security (公安部), the Supreme People's Court (最高人民法院), the Supreme People's Procuratorate (最高人民检察院), the People's Bank of China (中国人民银行), the General Administration of Customs (海关总署), the State Administration for Market Regulation (市场监管总局), and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (国家外汇局) held a national promotion meeting in Beijing (北京) on the normalized joint crackdown on tax-related crimes. The meeting pointed out that in recent years, the eight departments have closely cooperated, focused on key industries and key areas, continued to promote the two-way connection between administrative law enforcement and criminal justice, and always maintained a high-pressure situation to severely crack down on tax-related crimes such as issuing fraudulent invoices and tax evasion, effectively maintaining a good economic operating order and social fairness and justice. In the past two years, a total of more than 130,000 enterprises suspected of issuing fraudulent invoices have been inspected nationwide, and 7.38 million value-added tax invoices have been identified as fraudulently issued to external parties; 4,850 enterprises suspected of export tax evasion have been inspected, recovering export tax rebate losses of 24.6 billion yuan.
The meeting emphasized that all departments must adhere to "emphasizing politics, abiding by the rule of law, strengthening digital governance, grasping collaborative governance, and promoting long-term governance," accelerate the construction of a full-chain, integrated crackdown mechanism from administrative law enforcement to criminal justice, accelerate the deepening of multi-departmental data sharing, information exchange, joint research and judgment, and coordinated crackdown, accelerate the severe crackdown on tax-related crimes such as illegal invoices, export tax evasion, and fraudulent enjoyment of tax and fee preferential treatment, accelerate the carrying out of tax explanations based on cases and legal interpretations based on cases, continuously strengthen warning deterrence, and continuously improve the effectiveness of joint punishment.
Return to TopMa'anshan City (马鞍山市), Anhui Province (安徽省), starts with the micro-spaces of the city, "greening wherever possible, restoring green where it was hardened," adding fitness, sports, and entertainment facilities, etc., and building and renovating more than 120 pocket parks that are easily accessible and have recreational functions.
The picture shows citizens relaxing and exercising in the Donghu Pocket Park (东湖口袋公园) in Ma'anshan City (马鞍山市).
Photo by Pu Yong (濮勇) (Image China)
Return to TopBy: 吴月辉 王嘉悦
Netizen: I heard a saying before that humans evolved from fish. Is there any evidence to prove this? What did fish look like hundreds of millions of years ago, and how are they different from today's fish?
Editor: "From fish to humans" is a truth that paleontologists have painstakingly pieced together from stones, supported by abundant fossil evidence. The 500-million-year evolutionary history holds the secrets of the origin of terrestrial vertebrates and is one of the most fascinating topics in human exploration of the origin of life. After more than 10 years of field excavation and indoor research, the team of Academician Zhu Min (朱敏) from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences recently discovered bony fish fossils dating back 436 million years. They revealed the morphology and important features of the jaw, teeth, and braincase of two primitive bony fish. The related findings were published in the international academic journal "Nature." In this issue of "Academician Explains Science," we invite Academician Zhu Min (朱敏) to interpret the bony fish fossils from hundreds of millions of years ago and fill in the key information that was once missing in the "from fish to humans" evolutionary chain.
Why are fish said to be the ancestors of humans?
Are the ancestors of humans apes or fish?
"The correct answer is that both apes and fish are our ancestors. Compared to apes, fish appeared earlier, and the 'from fish to humans' evolution lasted 500 million years." Zhu Min (朱敏), Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and researcher at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that all tetrapods (terrestrial vertebrates), including humans, originated from ancient fish ancestors.
The evolutionary path is roughly as follows: starting from jawless fish, going through primitive jawed fish, bony fish, and then a type of lobe-finned fish appeared. Their fins were not thin and flat, but thick with flesh and hard bones. The arrangement of bones inside is very similar to human arms and leg bones.
The emergence and rise of jawed vertebrates is one of the most critical leaps in the "from fish to humans" evolutionary history. "The earliest vertebrates did not have upper and lower jaws." Zhu Min (朱敏) introduced that in the Ordovician period, a major innovation occurred in evolutionary history - the appearance of jaws, which allowed animals to actively hunt, tear, and chew, greatly expanding their food range.
Today, the vast majority of vertebrates on Earth have jaws - that is, they have an upper jaw and a chin, and are collectively referred to as jawed vertebrates or gnathostomes.
Jawed fish include four major groups, two of which are extinct. The remaining two groups are cartilaginous fish, represented by sharks, and bony fish.
"It can be said that bony fish are the main trunk of vertebrate evolution. Their two existing branches, ray-finned fish and lobe-finned fish, occupy vast ecological niches in water and on land." Zhu Min (朱敏) said, "Among them, ray-finned fish have evolved into more than 30,000 species, including the vast majority of fish we see every day; one branch of lobe-finned fish landed in the Devonian period and evolved into all tetrapods, including us humans."
What is the origin of bony fish? In the past, most of the bony fish fossils known to the academic community were already specialized ray-finned fish and lobe-finned fish from the Devonian period, while fossil information of the original bony fish (bony fish stem group) before the divergence of these two major groups was missing.
What did the most recent common ancestor of ray-finned fish and lobe-finned fish look like? Did the earliest bony fish already possess the main characteristics of later bony fish? "These questions cannot be answered by studying extant species or bony fish fossils that appeared later." Zhu Min (朱敏) said that to solve these mysteries, it is necessary to find the missing fossil information of the original bony fish (bony fish stem group) before the divergence of the two major groups.
Primitive bony fish fossils appear, solving a half-century-old mystery
In the second half of the 20th century, paleoichthyologist Zhang Miman (张弥曼) discovered the fossil of the primitive lobe-finned fish, *Youngolepis*, in Qujing (曲靖), Yunnan (云南). Since then, the academic community has focused its attention on southern China, hoping to find conclusive fossil evidence of the bony fish stem group here.
In 1999, Zhu Min (朱敏) and his team conducted investigations and excavations in the Qujing (曲靖) area. However, it was not until 2012 that they gradually discovered clues to the bony fish stem group fossils.
"That year, we discovered scattered bony fish mandibles in the Late Silurian strata of Qujing (曲靖), Yunnan (云南), the longest of which was nearly 20 centimeters." Zhu Min (朱敏) said. The inner side of these mandibles had a row of small hill-shaped protrusions. At that time, it was speculated that these protrusions were specialized teeth that could crush hard-shelled food. Therefore, the researchers named this bony fish *Entelognathus primordialis* and believed that it belonged to the lobe-finned fish.
Subsequently, some important bony fish stem group fossils continued to appear in Qujing (曲靖), Yunnan (云南), Xiushan (秀山), Chongqing (重庆), and other places.
After more than 10 years of field excavation and indoor research, Zhu Min's (朱敏) team made two key discoveries: one was the discovery of the world's earliest known complete bony fish fossil, *Guiyu oneiros*, in the Early Silurian strata of Xiushan (秀山), Chongqing (重庆); the other was the detailed analysis of the complete head structure and tooth morphology of *Entelognathus primordialis*, the largest vertebrate in the Silurian period, through high-resolution CT imaging technology in the Late Silurian strata of Qujing (曲靖), Yunnan (云南), solving the mystery of the affiliation of the tooth plate that had plagued the academic community for half a century.
What is a tooth plate? "Research found that the teeth of *Entelognathus primordialis* are arranged in two rows, inner and outer. The previously discovered hill-shaped protrusions are actually unique tooth bases of the inner tooth row, which also have tooth plates with dense small teeth. This peculiar structure is a primitive tooth row feature of bony fish." Zhu Min (朱敏) said that the tooth plate and tooth base structure associated with *Entelognathus primordialis* solved the mystery of the attachment of scattered tooth plate fossils discovered in the Silurian strata of the Baltic Sea half a century ago, clarifying that they belong to the inner tooth row of early bony fish.
A small fish only 3 centimeters long rewrites the evolutionary family tree
*Guiyu oneiros* lived 436 million years ago, was only 3 centimeters long, but had a complete head and tail. It is not only earlier than the previously known large fossils of bony fish, but also earlier than the previously known earliest microfossils of bony fish.
"This small ancient fish has both primitive and advanced features: the body is streamlined, with only one dorsal fin, these features are close to early ray-finned fish, but it does not have the scaly fin rays unique to bony fish, and has an anal fin spine only found in cartilaginous fish and placoderms." Zhu Min (朱敏) said, "The discovery of *Guiyu oneiros* proves that the time when important features of bony fish formed is much earlier than we previously thought."
In stark contrast, *Entelognathus primordialis*, discovered in the Late Silurian strata of Qujing (曲靖), Yunnan (云南), was more than 1 meter long and was the largest vertebrate in the Silurian period. After nearly 10 years, the team used advanced imaging technology and computer three-dimensional reconstruction and restoration after dozens of attempts to restore its complete three-dimensional head structure and deeply hidden internal anatomical features.
Phylogenetic analysis determined that both *Guiyu oneiros* and *Entelognathus primordialis* belong to the poorly understood bony fish stem group in the past, representing the primitive types before the divergence of ray-finned fish and lobe-finned fish.
"The discovery of these two primitive bony fish enriches the understanding of the early radiation evolution of jawed vertebrates and clarifies the evolutionary trajectory of the jaw and teeth of early bony fish." Zhu Min (朱敏) said that in the 20 million years of the Silurian period, bony fish had become very diverse, evolved into larger sizes, became top predators in the ecosystem, and differentiated into lobe-finned fish and ray-finned fish, laying the foundation for them to become the most prosperous vertebrate group on Earth and for the "from fish to humans" evolution.
This achievement further confirms that southern China is the cradle of bony fish and even the entire jawed vertebrate origin. However, in the "from fish to humans" evolutionary chain, there are still a large number of missing links waiting to be filled. In the future, continued research on Silurian jawed vertebrates will promote the academic community to solve more important scientific problems in the early evolutionary process of "from fish to humans."
By: 王 卓
Have you ever had a moment like this? After a long period of solitude, even though nothing has happened, your chest feels like it's weighed down by an invisible stone—a sense of unease and irritability, yet you can't articulate what you're afraid of. This is a feeling of loneliness. In 2023, the World Health Organization (世界卫生组织) listed loneliness as a "global public health emergency," stating that its health hazards are comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The anxiety brought on by solitude also affects the brain.
For the brain, "not talking to anyone for a long time" is essentially no different from "working overtime every day"—both are chronic stress. The body continuously releases stress hormones, like urgent telegrams, constantly being sent to the emotional center. There is a particularly sensitive "sentry" there, specifically dealing with social neglect: being ignored, interrupted, or left alone in a space for a long time—it then begins to repeatedly sound the alarm. This is to be expected. What's truly surprising is the internal changes in the brain: in the neurons of the ventral hippocampus, iron levels increase.
Iron is an essential element for life; it transports oxygen, produces energy, like a diligent deliveryman, maintaining neural vitality. But it is also a double-edged sword—beneficial in moderation, toxic in excess. Just like when it's humid, if doors and windows are closed for too long, mold will quietly grow in the corners. With long-term loneliness, the brain also activates a "iron storage mode." In the past, this abnormal iron deposition was only found in the brains of patients with Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Now, research confirms that even in young people, loneliness alone is enough to trigger this process.
Chinese scientists used mouse experiments to uncover its hidden connection: one group lived in groups, and the other was socially isolated for 4 weeks (equivalent to several years of human loneliness). As a result, the solitary mice were significantly more anxious—avoiding open areas, refusing to explore new environments, and their stress hormone levels soared. And in their brains, the iron content in the ventral hippocampal neurons was significantly higher than normal.
Tracing back to the source, the key lies in a protein called TfR1—it is the "iron housekeeper" at the neuron's door, usually strictly controlling iron intake. But when loneliness strikes, stress hormones activate specific receptors and send a signal: "Receive more iron!" As a result, the "iron housekeeper" opens the door, and a large amount of iron floods into the cell.
This is not overeating, but a malfunction of the brain's "gatekeeping system." These irons do not kill neurons, but they disrupt their rhythm, putting them into a state of "random discharge." More importantly, the next step: iron awakens another protein—α-synuclein. It is often regarded as the "villain" of Parkinson's disease, but at this moment, it becomes the "executor" of anxiety. With an excess of iron, it proliferates wildly, releasing large amounts of glutamate—the brain's main excitatory signal—to the nerve endings. Neurons are repeatedly lit up, like a light that cannot be turned off. As a result, even when sitting quietly at home, your heart rate will increase; waking up in the middle of the night, your thoughts will surge like a tide. It's not that you don't want to be happy, but that your neurons really "can't stop."
Scientists have named this mechanism "ferroplasticity"—meaning that loneliness reshapes neural circuits by disrupting iron metabolism in the brain, thereby distorting our perception of safety, time, and even self.
Encouragingly, this change is not irreversible. Researchers intervened in two ways: one is deferoxamine (DFO)—a drug originally used to treat iron overload, which can directly reach the brain after nasal administration, like a magnet sucking away excess iron. In just two weeks, the neural activity of anxious mice returned to calm. The second is to directly inhibit the expression of α-synuclein, which is also effective.
Even without medication, simply returning solitary mice to the group, iron levels in the brain naturally drop after 4 weeks. This means that the pain caused by loneliness may be precisely treated like a cold in the future. But before that, the most effective and gentle method is still the real closeness between people.
Loneliness is a risk. We are sometimes accustomed to loneliness, and also accustomed to enduring it, always feeling that "anxiety is my own business, just bear with it." But science tells us: this is not being dramatic, not being fragile, but a "warning" issued by the brain. When you feel uneasy again because no one responds, please don't blame yourself for "overthinking"—it's just the brain telling you its desire for connection. May everyone be able to understand their own brain, and also be gently accompanied by this world.
(The author is an associate professor at the School of Medicine, South China University of Technology (华南理工大学), compiled by Jiang Xiaodan (姜晓丹), a reporter from this newspaper)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 吴 君
On Huangniuyan (黄牛岩) in Yiling District (夷陵区), Yichang City (宜昌市), Hubei Province (湖北省), a white rectangular radar, tilted and standing on a 30-meter-high steel structure tower, is rotating at a constant speed. Every 40 seconds, it completes a rotation, and with each rotation, it can accurately capture liquid water information in the near-surface atmosphere within 2 kilometers above the ground.
"There are also radar units deployed in Zigui County (秭归县) and Xingshan County (兴山县) near the Three Gorges Project (三峡工程). They are connected through the ground communication system of the radar stations, jointly forming the first set of hydrological rain measurement radar system on the main stream of the Yangtze River (长江)," said Qiu Hongya (仇红亚), a senior engineer at the Basin Hub Operation Management Center of China Three Gorges Corporation (中国三峡集团流域枢纽运行管理中心). This system can carry out refined monitoring and forecasting of rainfall conditions in and around the Three Gorges-Gezhouba (三峡-葛洲坝) cascade hydraulic hub project area, covering approximately 13,000 square kilometers.
Compared with traditional weather radar, the new hydrological rain measurement radar observes the "rain in the cloud" state more accurately. "The hydrological rain measurement radar uses an array antenna to transmit electromagnetic waves into the sky, receive the returned electromagnetic waves, and then analyze the echo information. It can accurately distinguish different forms of precipitation particles in the cloud, such as liquid water and ice crystals, and accurately monitor the temporal and spatial changes of various precipitation particles in the near-surface layer," said Qiu Hongya (仇红亚).
Unlike weather radar, hydrological rain measurement radar emits X-band electromagnetic waves. Although these electromagnetic waves have a short wavelength and a short detection distance, they offer higher observation accuracy and efficiency.
"The hydrological rain measurement radar can perform 35 layers of non-interval continuous fine monitoring of the space 2 kilometers above the ground, achieving 7×24-hour precision observation," said Qiu Hongya (仇红亚). "This is like performing a real-time CT scan of the space within 2 kilometers, keeping a close watch on every movement of the 'rain in the cloud' precipitation particles."
Previously, relying on the weather radar near the Three Gorges Hub (三峡枢纽), only basic rainfall forecast information within the next 12 hours could be obtained. Now, the hydrological rain measurement radar system can lock the central area and magnitude of heavy rainfall 3 hours in advance. Qiu Hongya (仇红亚) introduced that this not only helps to accurately forecast and respond to disastrous short-term heavy rainfall on the main stream of the Yangtze River (长江), but also provides accurate prediction and early warning of short-term heavy rainfall and strong convective weather in small and medium-sized rivers in the mountainous areas surrounding the Three Gorges near-dam area.
With this radar system, is the traditional weather radar "retired"?
"To accurately improve the flood forecast period, it is also necessary to coordinate the roles of meteorological satellites, traditional weather radar, ground rain gauges, and hydrological stations," said Qiu Hongya (仇红亚). In the "rain in the cloud" identification stage, meteorological satellites can compensate for the shortcomings of the short waves of hydrological rain measurement radar, leverage the advantages of wide-area coverage, and capture the movement trajectory and water vapor convergence trend of more distant, wider, and higher clouds 6-12 hours in advance, delineating potential impact areas of heavy rainfall.
When rainfall is about to land or has just landed, the hydrological rain measurement radar and ground rain gauges and hydrological stations initiate an "air-ground calibration" mechanism. Ground rain gauges provide ground rainfall measurement data to calibrate the rainfall data estimated by the hydrological rain measurement radar; hydrological data such as real-time monitoring of water level and flow changes by hydrological stations are integrated with the rainfall monitored and forecast by the hydrological rain measurement radar. Relying on the coupled hydrological hydrodynamic model, the entire process of "rainfall-runoff-confluence-evolution" is completed, which can accurately deduce the development trend of floods.
"Now, the hydrological rain measurement radar fills the gap in near-surface rainfall monitoring and prediction. Various monitoring methods are 'integrated and coordinated', which can comprehensively and accurately grasp the weather in the high altitude, low altitude, and ground, as well as specific rainfall conditions," Qiu Hongya (仇红亚) explained. Meteorological satellites are responsible for "macro judgment," extending the early warning window period; hydrological rain measurement radar is responsible for "front-end early warning," accurately monitoring "rain in the cloud"; rain gauges and hydrological stations are responsible for "back-end verification," improving the accuracy of forecasts.
Return to TopAccording to Xinhua News Agency, Los Angeles (记者谭晶晶) - The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) project team in the United States announced on the 15th that the project has completed its five-year observation mission, creating the largest high-resolution three-dimensional map of the universe to date to help study dark energy and the history of cosmic expansion.
The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and operated by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The spectrometer is installed on the Nicholas U. Mayall Telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona and began its survey mission in May 2021.
The project team stated that the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument not only completed its established observation goals ahead of schedule, but also observed far more galaxies and stars than expected. The spectrometer originally planned to obtain spectral data of 34 million galaxies and quasars covering about 2/3 of the northern hemisphere sky within 5 years, but has actually obtained spectral data of more than 47 million galaxies and quasars and 20 million stars in the Milky Way in that region.
Dark energy is a type of energy that fills the universe, and it is generally believed that it constitutes 68.3% to 70% of the universe and drives the accelerated expansion of the universe. The project team stated that the analysis of the first 3 years of data from the spectrometer shows that dark energy, previously considered a "cosmological constant," may evolve over time, a result that has aroused widespread concern in the cosmology community. The complete survey dataset is expected to verify relevant conclusions with higher precision. In the next stage, researchers will analyze and process all the spectrometer's observation data, and the first batch of dark energy research results is expected to be released in 2027.
According to reports, the spectrometer will continue to conduct survey observations until 2028, and the observation range will be expanded from approximately 14,000 square degrees to 17,000 square degrees. The expanded observations will cover areas closer to the Milky Way disk and further south, which are more difficult to observe. In addition, the project will also conduct repeated observations of the already observed areas to capture more distant and fainter "luminous red galaxies," thereby constructing a more detailed map of the universe's structure and helping scientists further understand the history of the universe's evolution.
Return to TopBy: 王艳春
Every spring, willow catkins bring trouble to many citizens. Catkins are actually the seeds of willow trees. When the weather is dry and windy, willow trees use wind power to spread their seeds, but in the high-density urban environment, if cleaning is not timely, they are prone to entangling pollen, dust, and microorganisms, becoming "allergen deliverymen."
How to make it "unable to fly"? This year, the flocculant developed by the Beijing Academy of Forestry and Landscape Architecture (北京市园林绿化科学研究院) can not only make the catkins lose their "flying ability" but also does not harm the trees. This flocculant is a non-toxic and harmless polymer material. After being diluted with water and sprayed on the tree crown, it can quickly form a layer of "ecological film" that tightly binds the originally fluffy fluff into small clumps. Once the weight is heavy, the wind cannot blow it; the fruit sequences on the tree that have not yet exploded are also wrapped into clusters and fall off naturally, blocking the production of catkins from the source.
Data shows that a single spray can reduce the amount of catkins per plant by more than 2/3, and one spray is enough for the entire catkin season under normal weather conditions. The flocculant only plays a physical bonding role and does not participate in the physiological processes of the trees. The willows sprout and grow leaves as they should, and the thin film will also degrade naturally.
To make willow catkins "unable to fly," a combination of treatments is also needed, combined with a smart monitoring platform for precise early warning, to achieve closed-loop control from generation to landing. In the past, willow trees were "ecological heroes" for wind prevention and sand fixation. Gradually replace the old and weak trees with new non-catkin varieties, so that the new green can gently take over in the passage of time.
(The author is a professor-level senior engineer at the Beijing Academy of Forestry and Landscape Architecture (北京市园林绿化科学研究院). This article was compiled and edited by Pan Junqiang (潘俊强), a reporter from this newspaper.)
Return to TopBy: 许迎利
Behind modern industrial products such as plastics, rubber, and pharmaceuticals in life, lie a pair of "twin brothers" in the molecular world—olefins and alkynes.
If we regard the substances in the macroscopic world as being built from small building blocks, then olefins are "polyline" building blocks, and alkynes are "straight line" ones. This pair of "brothers" is the cornerstone of modern synthetic chemistry.
Olefins are abundant and their supply and demand are basically balanced; the demand for alkynes is comparable to that of olefins, but the supply is far less than that of olefins, with fewer types and higher prices. Scientists have always hoped to "straighten" the abundant olefins into alkynes—this can not only fill the supply gap of alkynes, but also is a powerful means to edit the molecular skeleton and discover new drugs.
However, the reality is that this transformation path is impassable. The method that came out in the 1860s has harsh conditions, and most functional molecules will be "shattered to pieces" when passing through. Its narrow application range cannot meet the actual conversion needs.
Now, the Peking University (北京大学) team has found a solution. Through activation methods, they have discovered an "old key" that has been dormant for 130 years—a reagent called selenanthrene, which successfully makes the conversion of olefins to alkynes very mild: a variety of functional-rich olefins can "pass smoothly" and be converted into high-value alkynes. This research result was recently published in the international academic journal *Nature*.
Selenanthrene is a "binuclear" molecule containing two selenium atoms. Since its introduction in the late 19th century, it has been rarely used in the field of synthetic chemistry. The study found that although selenanthrene cannot directly react with olefins, it exhibits excellent "up and down" dual capabilities through the activation strategy developed by the team—it can not only efficiently bind to olefins, but also be smoothly removed under mild conditions. At the same time, selenanthrene can be prepared in large quantities in one step, is simple to purify, stable and easy to store, and can be recycled.
This method is expected to broaden the synthetic pathways of alkynes and release their application potential. More importantly, the transformation channel from olefins to alkynes has been opened, which is expected to innovate synthetic design concepts—accelerating the creation of alkyne-containing functional molecules and reducing their costs through previously impossible route designs. This alkynylation modification method also provides a convenient tool for functional molecule modification, and is expected to help the "old drug new use" strategy and accelerate new drug discovery.
(Author's affiliation: National Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University (北京大学天然药物及仿生药物全国重点实验室))
Return to TopThis newspaper reports from Lanzhou (兰州) (Reporter: Zeng Yichen (曾亦辰)) The High Precision Mass Spectrometer (HPMS) experimental terminal of the High Intensity heavy ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF), a national major science and technology infrastructure, recently passed the process test organized by the Bureau of Basic Science and Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院科技基础能力局). The results show that the measured mass accuracy of the short-lived nuclide gold-202 (金—202) reached the highest international level.
The High Precision Mass Spectrometer is one of the six experimental terminals of the High Intensity heavy ion Accelerator Facility, and also an important part of the accelerator system. It is an important equipment for carrying out cutting-edge physics experiments and can accurately measure the mass of nuclei with a lifetime of only tens of microseconds. This experiment is the first terminal test experiment based on the device.
The scientific research team of the Institute of Modern Physics (近代物理研究所) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences used the High Precision Mass Spectrometer to carry out mass measurement experiments based on Schottky probes. The mass accuracy of several nuclei measured in the experiment was significantly improved. Among them, the mass measurement accuracy of the short-lived nuclide gold-202 far from the line of stability reached 11 keV, which is twice as high as the previous international highest accuracy, and is currently the most accurate mass measurement result for this nuclide internationally. This progress marks that the key performance indicators of the terminal have reached the expected design, and the accuracy of nuclear mass measurement has reached the international leading level. At the same time, it also verified the high current intensity and high-quality beam supply capability of the accelerator system and the significant improvement of the device's stability and electromagnetic environment, laying the foundation for subsequent cutting-edge scientific research.
Return to TopCartography: Zhang Danfeng (张丹峰)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 程 焕 宋豪新 白光迪
This year's "Government Work Report" proposed supporting localities with the conditions to promote spring and autumn breaks for primary and secondary schools; the "15th Five-Year Plan" outline will explore the implementation of spring and autumn breaks for primary and secondary school students as an important part of continuously improving the consumption environment. Conducting study tours to enrich students' holidays, and government-enterprise collaboration to solve childcare problems... Many places are combining their actual situations and coming up with practical solutions to make the spring break both interesting and beneficial to people's livelihoods.
——Editor
Guizhou (贵州)——
First Spring Break
What Parents Think
From April 1st to 3rd, primary and secondary school students in Guizhou Province (贵州省) ushered in their first spring break, seamlessly connecting with the Qingming (清明) Festival holiday. Except for the graduating classes of junior and senior high schools, students in other grades can enjoy a 6-day break. With the new policy in place, children are looking forward to fully experiencing the spring atmosphere, while for parents, this unexpected holiday, although a good opportunity to spend time with their children, also faces the practical test of "children on vacation, parents at work."
Yang Lixia (杨莉霞), who lives in Pingba District (平坝区), Anshun City (安顺市), is a full-time mother. When she received the holiday notice in late March, she made travel plans for her children. During the spring break, many scenic spots in the province launched exclusive discounts for primary and secondary school students. Yang Lixia took this opportunity to take her children to Libo County (荔波县) for a short study tour.
Walking through the karst primeval forest, listening to the "whispers" of moss, watching vines climb, and identifying unique plant and animal communities; entering Yaoshan Ancient Village (瑶山古寨), kneading indigo mud by hand, and experiencing the intangible cultural heritage of Yao (瑶族) batik... Her seventh-grade son focused on recording insect tracks, while her fourth-grade daughter used a sketchbook to depict the flying eaves of the ancient village. The children found their own fun on this trip. "This is a 'walking classroom.' They had fun and saved a lot of money on tickets," Yang Lixia was very satisfied with this spring break.
Unlike Yang Lixia's calmness, Zhu Yun (朱云), a citizen of Guiyang (贵阳), seemed a little caught off guard by her child's new holiday. Both husband and wife have to work, and both sets of parents are far away in their hometowns outside the province. The 3-day "vacuum period" became a headache. "The spring break came suddenly, and it's not easy for us to take temporary leave, so we had to send our child to an interest class." Fortunately, the training institution was open during the holiday and provided lunch. The Go class became her daughter's "spring station," solving their urgent need.
For dual-income families, the spring break is both a surprise and accompanied by some helplessness. "The child has been talking about it for a long time, wanting to see wild animals." After several coordinations, Zhu Yun and his wife finally took leave on the last afternoon of the spring break. Together with the Qingming Festival holiday, the family of three took a high-speed train to Guangzhou (广州), fulfilling their daughter's wish to visit Chimelong Safari Park (长隆野生动物园).
Zhang Qiaoyun (张巧云), a teacher at a middle school in Huaxi District (花溪区), Guiyang City (贵阳市), has always encouraged students to get close to nature. "In the past, the school also organized spring outings, but after all, it was a group activity. We had to consider ensuring safety, and it was often difficult to take into account the individual needs of students." With the spring break, Zhang Qiaoyun gave her students a list of trips, including both cultural attractions and natural scenery. She hopes that students will make good use of the holiday and gain happiness outside the classroom.
"Visit tea gardens, experience handmade tea making, and then go to the forest park to see monkeys... The meaning of the holiday is not about how far you go, but about discovering the beauty of life with your heart." As a teacher and a parent, Zhang Qiaoyun insists on the "zero homework" principle for spring break. She and her husband chose to drive slowly, taking their three children all the way to follow the footsteps of spring. "Teachers are also willing to integrate education with fun, but due to management norms and academic requirements, many ideas cannot be realized. With the spring break, we can leave more room for children to explore," said Zhang Qiaoyun.
Sichuan (四川)——
Integrating Study Tour Resources
Helping Students Grow
The spring breeze is warm, and the sunlight penetrates the bamboo forest, dappling the bluestone road. On the morning of April 1st, in the Chengdu Wuhou Shrine Museum (成都武侯祠博物馆), children dressed in Hanfu (汉服) followed the guide to experience pitching arrows into a pot. Holding arrows, they concentrated on aiming and throwing gently, and cheers rang out from time to time. "It turns out that the entertainment methods of the ancients were so interesting." Tao Keyi (陶可一), a student from Su Zhe Primary School (苏辙小学) in Meishan City (眉山市) who participated in the study tour, said, "I really like the Three Kingdoms culture. This spring break, I saw that the museum had a Three Kingdoms-themed study tour activity, so I came to participate."
At the same time, the atmosphere in the exhibition hall of the Chengdu Museum (成都博物馆) was equally warm. A group of middle school students who came to visit gathered around the museum's treasure, the "Stone Rhino," listening carefully to the explanation and raising their hands to ask questions from time to time: "Is this stone rhino really from the Han Dynasty? What was it used for at that time?" The guide answered them one by one. In the handicraft experience area not far away, the children were focusing on making kites, and colorful paints were blooming on the kites, expressing their beautiful expectations for spring.
The spring breeze blows across Sichuan (蜀地), and it is the right time for study tours. This year is the first time that Sichuan (四川) has established a spring break. The Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism (四川省文化和旅游厅) released a spring break red tourism route, connecting the fiery years on the Long March Road (长征路), the glorious history of the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" ("两弹一星"), the era of reform and opening up, and the magnificent picture of poverty alleviation. Ten carefully planned boutique routes. The Chengdu Wuhou Shrine Museum (成都武侯祠博物馆), the Chengdu Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum (成都杜甫草堂博物馆) and other four major cultural and museum venues also launched special study tour activities at the same time, allowing students to feel history while walking and inherit cultural heritage in the experience.
On April 4th, more than 50 student representatives walked into the "Two Bombs City" ("两弹城") in Zitong County (梓潼县), Mianyang City (绵阳市), to recall the red history. In front of the Hall of Fame, the students reviewed the struggle of the older generation of scientific researchers who worked incognito, rooted themselves in the deep mountains, and overcame difficulties.
"The older generation of scientific researchers built a great power weapon with their youth and blood under difficult conditions. Their spirit of selfless dedication and courage to climb the peak deeply shocked me," said Tan Chenglin (谭成林), a student from Anju No. 1 Middle School (安居第一中学) in Suining City (遂宁市).
During the spring break, all 21 cities and prefectures in the province formulated plans based on regional realities, integrating culture and tourism, and promoting learning through culture. In Zigong (自贡), students walked into Shenhai Well (燊海井) to feel the salt-making wisdom of the "Millennium Salt Capital"; in Yibin (宜宾), the immersive folk performances of Xingwen Stone Forest (兴文石海) and the flower boat string music of Lizhuang Ancient Town (李庄古镇) complemented each other; Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture (阿坝藏族羌族自治州) launched 5 parent-child study tour routes, such as ancient Shu civilization and giant panda scientific research; Panzhihua (攀枝花), Leshan (乐山) and other places deeply explored the resources of the Third Front construction, allowing students to feel the spirit of hard work, selfless dedication of the times...
A relevant person in charge of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism (四川省文旅厅) said that study tour activities can transform Sichuan's (四川) rich red culture, historical heritage, and natural ecology into high-quality educational resources, allowing young people to broaden their horizons and increase their knowledge in the "walking classroom," and truly realize "learning from research, gaining from learning, and applying what they have gained."
Jiangsu (江苏)——
Improving System Connection
Solving Childcare Problems
The lake surface in the early morning is covered with a thin mist, and freshly caught river mussels are placed on the wooden planks on the shore. Mei Xuyouran (梅徐悠然), 8 years old, squatted aside, staring at her father, Mei Dechun (梅德春), as he pried open the mussel shells little by little. The moment the shell seams slowly opened, she couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
This spring break, Mei Dechun's (梅德春) family in Zhangjiagang (张家港), Jiangsu (江苏), drove for more than 5 hours to their old home in Shucheng (舒城), Lu'an (六安), Anhui (安徽). Sweeping tombs and going on spring outings, the family spent a few days together, leisurely and warmly. "Usually, we are busy with school and work, so it is really rare to be able to accompany her for a few days like this," Mei Dechun (梅德春) said with emotion.
As spring breaks for primary and secondary schools in many places are implemented one after another, how to make "children have holidays, parents can accompany them" has become a concern for many families.
"The school's spring break arrangements were announced earlier, and we had already made travel plans," Mei Dechun (梅德春) said. What really made the family make up their minds was the support given by the company afterwards. In mid-to-late March, Zhangjiagang United Copper Co., Ltd. (张家港联合铜业有限公司), where Mei Dechun (梅德春) works, conveyed relevant arrangements at a meeting, supporting employees to accompany their children during the spring break through compensatory time off and other methods.
For manufacturing companies, such arrangements are not easy. Production runs continuously, and job connections are tight. Once many people take concentrated leave, how can they meet the needs of employees and ensure production order?
"The company has more than 400 employees, many of whom are from other places. Once the children have a holiday, the demand for childcare becomes concentrated," said Yin Yue (殷玥), deputy director of the company's comprehensive department. After the spring break policy was introduced, the company launched an internal survey as soon as possible.
The results showed that more than 40 employees planned to take their children out. "The company has arranged replacements for key positions in advance through internal adjustments and job supplementation to ensure production continuity," Yin Yue (殷玥) said. In terms of vacation methods, these 3 days are not counted as annual leave, but are guaranteed through compensatory time off.
This arrangement has been recognized by front-line employees. "In the past, when children had holidays, they were either taken care of by the elderly or sent to托管班 (tuō guǎn bān - "after-school care programs," after-school care classes)." Mei Dechun (梅德春) said that this time the family returned to their hometown together, which not only accompanied the children, but also fulfilled the elderly's wish to return to their hometown to see. "Traveling with the whole family is especially precious."
The company's warm practices are inseparable from the guidance at the system level. Previously, the Suzhou Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau (苏州市人力资源和社会保障局) and the Municipal Federation of Trade Unions (市总工会) jointly issued a proposal encouraging employers to promote staggered vacations for employees during the spring and autumn breaks of primary and secondary schools, and gave specific guidelines from demand surveys, flexible compensatory time off to collective consultations. "The most realistic problem with spring break is that 'students have holidays, but parents don't'," said Hong Weifang (洪伟芳), deputy director of the Suzhou Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau (苏州市人力资源和社会保障局). By promoting the connection between paid staggered vacations and spring and autumn breaks for primary and secondary schools, companies can be guided to better balance the needs of employees' families without affecting production, so that employees "can take leave and dare to take leave."
During this year's spring break, 13 prefecture-level cities in Jiangsu (江苏) issued proposals focusing on implementing paid vacations for employees and connecting spring and autumn breaks for primary and secondary schools, guiding employers to connect with spring and autumn breaks in annual vacation arrangements and recuperation activities. Some areas have further improved supporting measures by carrying out study tours and托管服务 (tuō guǎn fú wù - "childcare services," childcare services) for employees' children through trade union organizations, and other places have promoted the implementation of relevant measures through in-company services and policy interpretations.
The spring breeze sends warmth, and the grass and trees are fragrant. In early April, primary and secondary school students in many places ushered in the spring break.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 徐 阳
In Fangcheng County (方城县), located in the southwest of Henan Province (河南省) at the eastern foot of the Funiu Mountains (伏牛山), a bowl of steaming braised noodles, with its unique flavor of fresh soup, chewy noodles, tender meat, and fragrant peppers, has become a distinctive culinary symbol of the area. Fangcheng braised noodles originated in the Wei and Jin Dynasties, took shape in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and have evolved over thousands of years. With craftsmanship to preserve the flavor and industry to empower it, a bowl of home-style noodles has become an important carrier for connecting nostalgia and driving employment and income growth.
"A bowl of noodles must preserve its original flavor and be worthy of the diners," said Shen Changjiang (沈长江), who has been making braised noodles for more than 40 years, when talking about the essence of Fangcheng braised noodles. His words are simple but firm.
"The soup is the soul of the braised noodles, the noodles are the bones, and the chili peppers are the finishing touch," Shen Changjiang (沈长江) explained. For Fangcheng braised noodles, the soup base is made from the sheep bones and fresh meat of the local Dabai goats from the Funiu Mountains (伏牛山大白山羊). It is simmered in clear water over high heat to remove the foam, then slowly simmered over low heat for more than 4 hours. No extra seasonings are added, only the fresh flavor of the mutton is retained, and the soup is simmered until it is thick and milky white. The noodles are made from local high-gluten wheat flour, mixed with salt water, and after "two kneadings and two rests, three rubbings and four rests," they are rolled into oval-shaped dough sheets and coated with sesame oil to prevent sticking. When pulling the noodles, the chef's hands fly, one stroke, two pulls, three throws, the dough sheet is soft, tough, and long, and it will not break after being cooked in the pot for a long time; the mutton oil chili peppers are made by hand-kneading local "Fangjiao" small chili peppers, pouring in warm mutton oil, spicy but not dry, fragrant but not greasy.
Fresh mutton is stir-fried to enhance the aroma, wide noodles are rolled into the soup, and served with local spinach and garlic sprouts. A bowl of noodles is served on the table, with bright colors, rich aroma, and a full mouth of the mellow and warm flavor of the Central Plains.
A bowl of braised noodles leverages a local industry. In recent years, Fangcheng County (方城县) has combined the development of the braised noodle industry with cultural tourism, labor export, and brand building, and has continued to promote its transformation and upgrading to standardization, industrialization, and large-scale, and constantly extend the industrial chain and enhance the value chain.
Upstream, Fangcheng (方城) gives full play to its advantages as a national advanced county in grain production and a national demonstration county for green development of animal husbandry, and has built four major raw material bases for high-gluten wheat, Funiu Dabai goats (伏牛大白山羊), "Fangjiao" small chili peppers ("方娇"小辣椒), and Bowangpo vegetables (博望坡蔬菜), controlling the quality from the source of planting and breeding.
In the development of the industry, the local government actively carries out skills training, establishes a braised noodle industry college, and cultivates thousands of certified braised noodle craftsmen, so that the traditional craftsmanship can be passed on. At the same time, it promotes product innovation, extending from traditional freshly made braised noodles to instant braised noodle products, building intelligent production lines, standardizing and packaging braised noodle blanks, mutton soup, toppings, and chili oil, and creating well-known brands such as "Braised Noodle Story," allowing Fangcheng braised noodles to break through regional restrictions and sell to the whole country and even overseas through e-commerce. At present, there are more than 3,000 Fangcheng braised noodle restaurants across the country, driving employment for more than 50,000 people.
From the smoky flavors of the streets and alleys to the characteristic industry that is going to the whole country, from the home-cooked meals of neighborhood gatherings to the local specialties for entertaining guests, this bowl of braised noodles has long been integrated into the lives of Fangcheng people (方城人) and has become a taste engraved in the genes of the local people. As the taste buds travel, this bowl of Central Plains braised noodles, which carries thousands of years of food culture, is allowing more people to know Fangcheng (方城), enter Fangcheng (方城), and feel the smoky warmth and development vitality of this city.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 施 芳
In April, Beijing (北京) is blessed with a gentle spring breeze and flowers blooming all over the city, exuding vibrant vitality everywhere. The "Crabapple Blossom Stream" in the Yuan Dynasty City Wall Relics Park (元大都城垣遗址公园) has entered its best viewing period. Pink Malus halliana, scarlet Chaenomeles speciosa, white "Snowfall," and magenta "Joyful" ... over 10,000 crabapple trees of 56 varieties stretch 4.8 kilometers along both banks of the Xiaoyue River (小月河), the colorful sea of flowers complementing the simple and elegant city walls and the gurgling water, like a flowing scroll of spring. A gentle breeze blows, and the petals fall slowly, flowing quietly with the river, creating a unique charm.
In addition to stopping on the shore to admire the beautiful scenery, tourists can also take a traditional Chinese-style摇橹 boat and experience the poetic scene of "people traveling in a painting, the city residing among flowers." As the wooden oars push through the water, the small boat slowly travels through the reflection of the sea of flowers, and in an instant, it feels like traveling back to the gentle and graceful water towns of Jiangnan.
"The Yuan Dynasty City Wall Relics Park (元大都城垣遗址公园) is the urban park with the largest number of crabapple trees planted in North China. Different varieties of crabapples bloom in succession, and the flowering period will last until mid-to-late April. We have also set up distinctive landscapes such as the crabapple blossom bridge and the time tunnel to create a high-quality flower viewing and leisure destination for citizens and tourists that combines ecological beauty and ornamental value," introduced Liu Hui (刘晖), director of the business office of the Yuan Dynasty City Wall Relics Park (元大都城垣遗址公园).
Beijing Zhongshan Park (北京中山公园) is famous for its tulips. In 1977, tulip bulbs donated by the Queen of the Netherlands took root in Zhongshan Park (中山公园). Since then, Zhongshan Park (中山公园) has formed an indissoluble bond with tulips. After more than 40 years, the Zhongshan Park Tulip Culture Festival (中山公园郁金香文化节) has become an indispensable flower event in Beijing (北京) in spring.
Outdoor ground-planted tulips enter their best viewing period in early April. More than 100 varieties and 180,000 tulips are laid out along the tree-lined avenues, like an overturned palette of spring. Combined with hyacinths, daffodils and other bulbous flowers, they outline a rich and colorful spring flower sea, which looks like a colorful oil painting from a distance. In the variety display area located in Taoyuan (桃源), more than 20 novel varieties are unveiled for the first time, including multi-flower and double-petal characteristic types such as "Flame Club," "Vittona Sunrise," and "Ruby," showing the diverse charm of tulips.
Jingshan Park (景山公园) is a popular place in Beijing (京城) to admire peonies. On April 11, the Jingshan Park Peony Culture Festival (景山公园牡丹文化节) opened, with more than 700 cultivated peonies on display. These cultivated peonies have full flower shapes and bright colors, including traditional famous varieties such as "Wulong Pengsheng (乌龙捧盛)" and "Zi Er Qiao (紫二乔)," as well as nearly 20 varieties such as "Lumuyin Yu (绿幕隐玉)," which are popular among tourists.
As the most famous peony viewing destination in Beijing (京城), Jingshan Park (景山公园) has a history of planting peonies for hundreds of years. The park brings together more than 500 varieties and 20,000 peony plants from home and abroad, with nine color systems and ten flower types available. From the Central Plains peonies that carry historical charm to overseas masterpieces full of exotic flavors, tourists can deeply appreciate the diverse integration of peony culture here. Around Guyu (谷雨), tens of thousands of peonies bloom in competition, complementing the ancient red walls.
Go to the Summer Palace (颐和园) to enjoy peach blossoms and taste coffee, and feel the romance of the royal garden; go to Jiangfu Park (将府公园) to see Orychophragmus violaceus and check in at the artistic and cultural blocks; go to Yuyuantan Park (玉渊潭公园) to check in the beautiful scenery of blooming cherry blossoms and the TV tower in the same frame; take the suburban railway S2 line, the "train to spring," and travel through the apricot blossom sea of Juyongguan (居庸关)... In April when flowers bloom, you can encounter flower seas with different styles without traveling far, and feel the unique charm of Beijing (北京).
Return to TopLayout Design: Zhang Danfeng (张丹峰), Zhang Fangman (张芳曼)
Return to TopBy: 孙瀚龙
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the official naming of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化). The temporal and spatial coordinates of ten thousand years anchor the Shangshan Culture (上山文化) as an important source of the ten-thousand-year history of Chinese culture, and also give Wanniandong (万年) China the important status of "the origin of rice agriculture in the world." Over the past 20 years, the Shangshan Site (上山遗址) has become an important specimen of the early Neolithic Age in China and even East Asia. Its unique value and historical significance have been praised by relevant experts and scholars as "Ten Thousand Years Shangshan, World Rice Source" and "The First Village of Ancient China."
The 20-year research journey is our two "ten years" of understanding the Shangshan Culture (上山文化).
The first "ten years" was from 2006 to 2016, which was the discovery period of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化). Important sites excavated during this period include Pujiang Shangshan (浦江上山), Shengzhou Xiaohuangshan (嵊州小黄山), Longyou Hehuashan (龙游荷花山), and Yiwu Qiaotou (义乌桥头). Among them, the Shangshan Site (上山遗址) is the naming place of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化), which laid the foundation for understanding the pattern and research. The Xiaohuangshan Site (小黄山遗址) was the first to discover rich remains of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化) such as ring trenches and house sites, and was rated as one of the top ten new archaeological discoveries in the country. In particular, the continuous and superimposed relationship between the Shangshan (上山) and Kuahuqiao Cultures (跨湖桥文化) is clear, which is the key to answering the early and middle Neolithic cultural pattern in the Qiantang River (钱塘江) Basin. The Hehuashan Site (荷花山遗址) was the first to discover the Shangshan Culture's (上山文化) stone tool processing site and ancillary buildings. The Qiaotou Site (桥头遗址) was the first to reveal a relatively complete settlement unit of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化), and the sun pattern and number divination pattern painted pottery were also new discoveries. In 2016, the archaeological report "Pujiang Shangshan (浦江上山)" was officially published, which conducted preliminary research on important issues such as chronological staging, regional distribution, and cultural sequence, and conducted preliminary discussions on the historical status of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化) in the early Neolithic Age in China. Multi-disciplinary cooperation has opened a new pattern of research on the origin of rice agriculture in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River (长江).
The second "ten years" is from 2016 to 2026, which is the period of expanding understanding of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化). Focusing on the Yiwu Qiaotou (义乌桥头) and Xianju Xiatang Sites (仙居下汤遗址), a comprehensive study of the settlement archaeology of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化) was launched. Ring trenches have become an important starting point for exploring the spatial layout of settlements, and artifact pits have become a unique phenomenon and symbol of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化). Newly excavated important sites such as Xianju Xiatang (仙居下汤), Yongkang Huxi (永康湖西), Qujiang Huangchaodun (衢江皇朝墩), and Jinhua Yuanshang (金华园上) show the diversity of settlement forms of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化) from different levels: the Xiatang Site (下汤遗址) is a settlement model with earth platforms, and the transition from "small earth platforms" to "large earth platforms" clearly reflects the social changes in the middle and late Shangshan Culture (上山文化); the Huxi Site (湖西遗址) discovered double ring trenches and inner and outer terraces, showing the complexity and differences in the internal space of the settlement; the Huangchaodun Site (皇朝墩遗址) has both large and small terraces, and rice fields of the late Shangshan Culture (上山文化) were found outside the ring trenches, suggesting that there were functional plans for residential areas, rice production areas, and water conservancy facilities. At the same time, the above-mentioned sites, as the center of small areas, also provide an important basis for further exploring the local society and population exchange of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化), and the perspective of site groups has expanded the research space and cognitive level of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化).
In these ten years, the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology (浙江省文物考古研究所) held the "Rice · Source · Enlightenment - Archaeological Special Exhibition of Shangshan Culture in Zhejiang (稻·源·启明——浙江上山文化考古特展)" at the National Museum of China (中国国家博物馆), which comprehensively summarized the value connotation of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化), and achieved new research progress in rice agriculture, settlement patterns, settlement forms, and painted pottery technology. In particular, the Xiatang Site (下汤遗址) was rated as one of the top ten new archaeological discoveries in the country in 2024, which centrally presents a panoramic picture of early rice agricultural settlement villages. Compared with the previous ten years, the Shangshan Culture (上山文化) as a whole has been included in the major project of "Archaeological China - The Formation of Early Rice Agricultural Society in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River (考古中国——长江中下游早期稻作农业社会形成) (2023-2032)", and the comparative and integrated research with Jiangxi (江西) and Hunan (湖南) across regions provides key evidence and important support for exploring the "agricultural revolution" of wetland rice cultivation in East Asia.
After 20 years of accumulation, archaeology has demonstrated the academic value and historical contribution of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化). From the perspective of the origin of agriculture, the Shangshan Culture (上山文化) is the cultural source of ten thousand years of rice cultivation in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River (长江); from the perspective of the origin of settlement, it is a typical representative of early rice agricultural society in East Asia; from the perspective of the origin of civilization, the complexity within different settlements, the diversity and hierarchy between settlements of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化) witnessed the important beginning of early society moving towards complexity. The construction of a series of spiritual belief systems such as painted pottery patterns, sacrificial pits, artifact pits, and tombs has become an important spiritual symbol and cultural identity bond for early rice agricultural populations. Overall, the Shangshan Culture (上山文化) has become a "ten-thousand-year sample" of rice agricultural society and is a representative relic of the foundation stage of the ten-thousand-year history of Chinese culture.
Next, we need to continue to promote the Shangshan Culture (上山文化) from the overall framework research to more detailed and specific topic research, from the relatively broad conceptual research to more accurate content research, relying on the settlement connotation of key sites to discuss the formation path of the early rice agricultural society of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化).
The origin of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化) is still unclear, that is, the mechanism and background of the origin of rice agriculture are not clear enough. According to the latest research results, wild rice appeared in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River (长江) at least about 100,000 years ago, was collected and utilized by humans about 24,000 years ago, humans began to intervene or plant wild rice about 13,000 years ago, and rice with domestication characteristics began to appear about 11,000 years ago. According to the domestication trajectory of rice, the early Shangshan Culture (上山文化) was not the earliest stage of cultivated rice, and the history of rice cultivation origin in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River (长江) can be traced back further.
The middle stage of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化) already has the basis and conditions for discussing regional commonalities and local characteristics. After the middle stage of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化), regional social networks and communication systems were initially formed, and the material basis, technical basis, and conceptual basis behind it are worth exploring in depth. The late Shangshan Culture (上山文化) is a key period and differentiation node in the development of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化). The settlement model and social structure show signs of transformation. Ring trenches, artifact pits, and painted pottery are explicit material characteristics and spiritual symbols, and are also signs that the society based on rice agricultural production has entered a new stage of development. Exploring the social form of the late Shangshan Culture (上山文化) and its relationship with the Kuahuqiao Culture (跨湖桥文化) will help to understand the diversity, stages, and differences in the development of early rice agricultural society from a more macro perspective.
Therefore, the archaeological research of the Shangshan Culture (上山文化) in the future should comprehensively summarize the formation process and regional diversity of early rice agricultural society; focus on revealing the whole process and regional differences of the origin and development of rice agriculture, and dynamically grasp the relationship between the origin of rice agriculture and cultural ecological adaptation; further sort out the evolutionary relationship between rice agricultural economy, social complexity, and spiritual concept landscape; construct a Chinese theory of agricultural origin, and conduct comparative research with early agricultural societies in West Asia and Central America to achieve civilization dialogue and mutual learning, and fully demonstrate the rice cultivation gene of ten thousand years of China.
(Author's unit: Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology (浙江省文物考古研究所))
Return to TopBy: 宋豪新
"Three *li* inside the city, nine *li* around the city." Hearing only these two lines, many people cannot guess where it is, but when "One family of father and sons, three literary masters; eternal writings from four great scholars" is mentioned, everyone immediately realizes that it is the hometown of the Three Su (三苏) – Meishan (眉山), Sichuan (四川).
Recently, the State Council (国务院) officially approved the designation of Meishan City (眉山市), Sichuan Province (四川省), as a National Famous Historical and Cultural City (国家历史文化名城). This is the first city in Sichuan (四川) to be successfully approved according to the new declaration standards since the "National Famous Historical and Cultural City Declaration and Management Measures (Trial)" (《国家历史文化名城申报管理办法（试行）》) was issued in 2020. It is also the 145th city in the country and the 9th in Sichuan Province (四川省) to receive this honor.
Meishan (眉山), formerly known as Meizhou (眉州), is described as having "mountains that are not high but beautiful, and waters that are not deep but clear." It has a history of urban establishment spanning more than 2,300 years and is one of the oldest cities in Sichuan (四川). Its history can be traced back to the establishment of Wuyang County (武阳县) in Shu Prefecture (蜀郡) by King Huiwen of Qin (秦惠文王). After the state capital was moved to its current location during the Daye period of the Sui Dynasty (隋大业年间), the city site has remained unchanged for more than 1,400 years, and its cultural heritage has remained unbroken. Archaeological excavations show that as early as 200,000 years ago, there were ancestors active in Meishan (眉山). The Tanguanshan Site (坛罐山遗址) traces the history of human activity on the Chengdu Plain (成都平原) back to the Paleolithic Age. The Lianhuaba Site (莲花坝遗址) provides valuable stratigraphic evidence for the study of the mid-Neolithic Age, and the Dengyun Ancient City Site (登云古城遗址) unveils the secrets of ancient Shu civilization. These discoveries together constitute an unbroken chain of historical evidence for Meishan (眉山).
"Kunwei Shangyu, Min'e Aoqu." (坤维上腴，岷峨奥区) Lu Zheng (卢拯) of the Tang Dynasty (唐代) described Meishan (眉山) in this way in "Luocheng Ji" (《罗城记》), pointing out that Meishan (眉山) is the most fertile place in the southwest of the Chengdu Plain (成都平原) and is located in the hinterland between the Min River (岷江) and Mount Emei (峨眉山). During the Song Dynasty (宋代), Meishan (眉山) ushered in a cultural heyday and became the center of Shu studies. The imperial examination legend of "eight hundred Jinshi" and the literary prosperity of "occupying three seats among the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties" made the reputation of "the first state of humanities" spread all over the world. Su Xun (苏洵), Su Shi (苏轼), and Su Zhe (苏辙), father and sons, supported half of the prose literature of the Song Dynasty (宋代) with their magnificent writings and talents, and became an important symbol of excellent Chinese traditional culture with their family traditions, family instructions, and national sentiments. When Lu You (陆游) traveled here, he wrote the famous line "Nurturing wonders and accumulating beauty in this land, a poetic city of flourishing for thousands of years," accurately outlining the cultural temperament of Meishan (眉山) and jointly forging Meishan's (眉山) diverse cultural heritage interwoven with loyalty, filial piety, longevity, and farming and reading.
Meishan (眉山) has rich cultural heritage resources and has built a complete protection and inheritance system covering 1,910 cultural heritage items. It has 23 famous historical and cultural towns and villages and traditional villages, 5 historical and cultural blocks, 476 cultural relics protection units at all levels, and 330 historical buildings. From the Paleolithic Age to modern times, the types of cultural relics almost include all traditional categories, making it one of the few cities in Sichuan Province (四川省) with a complete spectrum of cultural relic resources.
As the birthplace, inheritance place, and symbolic place of the culture of the Three Su (三苏), Meishan (眉山) ranks first in the country in terms of the number, scale, and preservation of the Three Su (三苏)-related remains. The Three Su Temple (三苏祠), as the core landmark, is the largest and best-preserved ancient architectural complex of the Three Su (三苏) in the country. The Zhongyan Temple Cliffside Statues (中岩寺摩崖造像), the Su Xun Family Cemetery (苏洵家族墓地), the Lian'ao Mountain Stone Carvings (连鳌山石刻), and the Ruicao Bridge (瑞草桥), among many other remains, together constitute a matrix of physical evidence of the Three Su (三苏) culture.
Meishan (眉山) also has a number of heavyweight archaeological and cultural protection achievements. The Jiangkou Ming Dynasty Battlefield Site (江口明末战场遗址) was selected as one of the "Top 100 Archaeological Discoveries in a Century" and the Top Ten New Archaeological Discoveries in China in 2017, with more than 76,000 cultural relics unearthed, providing solid evidence of the historical events of the late Ming Dynasty. Today, the Jiangkou Silver Sinking Museum (江口沉银博物馆) is open to the public. The archaeological discovery of the Meizhou City Site (眉州城遗址) revealed rich remains such as river embankments, river channels, and architectural foundation clusters from the Song to Ming and Qing dynasties, vividly demonstrating the layout and construction wisdom of ancient prefecture-level cities. The archaeological discoveries of the Meizhou Confucian Temple Site (眉州文庙遗址) and the Huabeidi Site (花碑地遗址) provide key physical support for the study of urban pattern changes and ancient Shu civilization. The Danleng White Pagoda (丹棱白塔), the Renshou Niujiaozhai Grottoes (仁寿牛角寨石窟), and the Dawang Temple White Pagoda (大旺寺白塔), etc., are interspersed with ancient riverside towns and ancient villages, outlining Meishan's (眉山) unique spatial texture of "mountains and rivers - weirs and dams - towns" and rich and diverse historical remains.
After thousands of years of changes, the spatial scale, street texture, and functional zoning of the core area of the ancient city of Meizhou (眉州) have basically been continued, and five historical and cultural blocks string together the city's cultural context. In the blocks, the historical streets and alleys are well preserved, and the residential buildings in western Sichuan (川西) are densely arranged. The traditional commercial pattern of "front shop and back house" and the architectural form of "green bricks and gray tiles, wooden mortise and tenon joints" completely preserve the traditional charm of the Bashu (巴蜀) town's characteristic style.
What is particularly valuable is that the cultural heritage of Meizhou (眉州) for thousands of years has been continuously passed down. Meishan (眉山) adheres to the principles of "**保护第一、加强管理、挖掘价值、活态传承** (bǎo hù dì yī, jiā qiáng guǎn lǐ, wā jué jià zhí, huó tài chuán chéng - "protection first, strengthen management, explore value, living inheritance")", so that the city has both the weight of history and the warmth of people's livelihood. Taking Taiping Ancient Street (太平古街) as an example, residents have lived along the Min River (岷江) for generations, and traditional lifestyles and cultural customs have been continued. The intangible cultural heritage workshops in the streets and alleys, the Dongpo (东坡) cuisine and folk activities that have been passed down for thousands of years, and the traditional street market life formed over generations allow history to be integrated into the daily life.
"It is not easy for the city site to remain unchanged for more than 1,400 years." Experts from the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design (中国城市规划设计研究院) exclaimed after inspecting Meishan (眉山) that Meishan (眉山) is indeed a city of the people, and they came into contact with people from all walks of life who "are full of love for the city of Meishan (眉山)." It is no wonder that Su Shi (苏轼) wrote in "Meizhou Yuanjinglou Ji" (《眉州远景楼记》): "Its people respect officials and fear the law, and its farmers work together to help each other."
From the ancient Meizhou (眉州) of thousands of years to today's famous city, Meishan (眉山) is writing a new era of cultural chapter with its unique cultural charm.
Return to TopBy: 方 琦
Holding the census list, walking through the streets and alleys of the old city of Hancheng (韩城), I am always attracted by the words inscribed on the lintels when I look up at the ancient buildings and residences – the simplicity of "Farming and Reading as a Family Tradition (耕读传家)," the warmth of "Filial Piety and Brotherly Love (孝弟（悌）慈)," and the majesty of "Martial Arts Champion (武魁)"... These silent lintels are not merely artistic decorations, but family precepts and instructions engraved on the buildings.
At the Hancheng (韩城) Old City census site, sunlight penetrates the curved branches of ancient locust trees, casting mottled shadows on the sandstone slabs of the old street. We stopped in front of an old wooden door. The brick inscription on the lintel showed the four characters "Yanling Old Family (延陵旧家)," indicating that the ancestry of the Wu (吴) family could be traced back to Ji Zha (季札), the youngest son of the King of Wu (吴王) in the Spring and Autumn Period. These few words are a family's self-identification spanning more than 2,000 years.
According to the "Special Investigation Work Plan for Cultural Relics in Old Cities of Shaanxi Province (陕西省老城文物专项调查工作方案)," the special investigation of the old city covers various above-ground and underground cultural relic remains such as traditional residences, traditional streets and alleys, and public buildings. Our work goal is to "protect everything that should be protected" (应保尽保), and to carry out a comprehensive investigation of the above-ground and underground cultural relic remains within the old city. Lintel inscriptions are often the first clue for us to judge the value of a building. It is like the "eyes" of ancient buildings, carrying richer historical and cultural information. The more well-known "Father and Son Censors (父子御史)" lintel in Hancheng (韩城) Old City refers to Wei Zheng Gu (卫桢固), a native of Hancheng (韩城) in the Ming Dynasty, who served as the Yunnan Surveillance Censor, and his son Wei Zhi Pu (卫执蒲) served as the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Metropolitan Procuratorate in the Qing Dynasty. The residence where the "Ten Horses High Carriage (十马高轩)" lintel is located was the former residence of Xue Tong Shu (薛同术) and Xue Zhi Ping (薛之屏), father and son, in the Ming Dynasty, both of whom served as prefects. In the Western Han Dynasty, the prefect was elegantly called "Five Horses (五马)," and "Ten Horses (十马)" is a metaphor for two prefects. The Zhili Prefecture Prefect in the Ming Dynasty was also commonly known as "Prefect," and "High Carriage (高轩)" refers to the high carriage ridden by dignitaries, so this lintel means that two prefect-level senior officials came from one family.
The lintel can be called an open-air lecture hall of Confucianism and life ethics. For most ordinary people without prominent fame, the lintel is a concentrated expression of their beliefs and life interests. With the deepening of the census of Hancheng (韩城) Old City, the themes and contents of the lintel inscriptions have gradually become clear, which can be roughly divided into three categories: one is the symbol of the family surname, such as "Three Locust Trees World Ze (三槐世泽)" as the symbol of the Wang (王) surname; the second is the display of fame and status, such as "Father and Son Censors (父子御史)," "Ming Jing Di (明经第)," "Jin Shi Di (进士第)," etc.; and the third is the wisdom of the people in dealing with the world, such as "Humility Benefits (谦受益)," "Harmony is Precious (和为贵)," "Celebrating Abundance (庆有余)," etc.
From the perspective of carving techniques, the lintel inscriptions in Hancheng (韩城) comprehensively use various techniques such as intaglio and relief carving, and are applied to different materials such as brick, wood, and stone. They are simple and elegant, complementing the local courtyard architecture. In the census, we saw a brick-carved lintel titled "One Classic Family Tradition (一经传家)," which used the extremely rare Nine-Stacked Seal Script, with exquisite carving and concise and rich meaning. In the Western Han Dynasty, the Wei (韦) family in Zoucheng (邹城) was praised for "One Classic Family Tradition (一经传家)," and there was a flourishing situation of "Five Generations of Great Confucian Scholars and Three Generations of Prime Ministers." "One Classic Family Tradition (一经传家)" not only compares the family to a family of poetry and books, but also entrusts the ideal of managing the world and applying knowledge. Another "Loyalty and Forgiveness (忠恕)" lintel is in running script, with elegant brushwork. In addition, the survey also found many inscriptions written by Wang Jie (王杰), a Hancheng (韩城) native and top scholar, and local literati, some of which are vigorous and profound, and some are beautiful and elegant, making each lintel a folk treasure integrating history, philosophy, and art.
The "Weinan City Hancheng Ancient City Protection Regulations (渭南市韩城古城保护条例)," which officially came into effect on December 1, 2025, provides milestone legal protection for the cultural heritage of Hancheng (韩城) Ancient City, including lintels. In fact, as a carrier of excellent traditional culture, lintel plaques, whether in their external artistic form or internal ideological connotation, have distinct local characteristics and profound cultural heritage, and are worthy of further inheritance and promotion.
The lintels of Hancheng (韩城) Old City are like a poem written in brick, wood, and stone, which makes people can't help but recall the Hancheng (韩城) ancestors who once lived in these courtyards. It is conceivable that the peddlers carrying burdens in the morning, the scholars returning home at dusk, and the children wearing new clothes during festivals, they have entered and exited under their own lintels countless times. These lintels have witnessed their joys and sorrows, and also embody their expectations and ideals.
When we truly understand the lintel culture of Hancheng (韩城) Old City, our investigation is not only to protect the architectural art of brick, stone, and wood structures, but also to protect the spiritual home of a place and a kind of long-standing life wisdom.
Return to TopBy: 南小汪
My hometown, Shiyan Town (时堰镇), is a water town in the Lixiahe (里下河) area of northern Jiangsu (江苏). In the town, there is Wubentang Water Dragon Association (务本堂水龙会所) (known as the Water Dragon Bureau (水龙局) among the people), the only existing Qing Dynasty (清代) folk fire-fighting organization in Jiangsu Province (江苏省), which has stood quietly in the bustling streets of the ancient town for nearly 200 years.
The Water Dragon Bureau (水龙局) was built under the leadership of Feng Daoli (冯道立), a famous water conservancy expert of the Qing Dynasty (清代), in the sixteenth year of the Daoguang (道光) reign (1836). Its establishment was closely related to the industrial characteristics of Shiyan Town (时堰镇) at that time: In the early years of the Daoguang (道光) reign, many salt fields were opened east of the Fan Gong Dike (范公堤), and Shiyan (时堰) was an important town for the production and sales of Pu Bao (蒲包) (salt container) supporting the salt fields. Under the grand scene of "Pu Ling Lin Yun (蒲岭临云)," the Pu piles had a low ignition point and were prone to fire. Moreover, most of the local houses were wooden, posing a great fire hazard. Feng Daoli (冯道立), concerned about his neighbors, not only donated 2,000 taels of silver himself, but also solicited funds from merchants from all over the world who came here to purchase Pu Bao (蒲包), and finally built the Wubentang Water Dragon Association (务本堂水龙会所).
When I was a child, I often went to the Water Dragon Bureau Alley (水龙局巷) near my home to play. At that time, the Water Dragon Bureau (水龙局) was still managed by the town's cultural center. The courtyard was not large. The north room displayed the core fire-fighting tool—a wooden bucket tin water dragon. On the wooden frame about two meters long, the copper piston shone with a dull light, and the levers on both sides were thick and strong. It is said that in those years, seven or eight firefighters worked together to push and pull, and they could spray well water to a high place. According to the old people in the town, a big fire broke out in the town during the Republic of China (民国) period. It was the firefighters of the Water Dragon Bureau (水龙局) who fought overnight, drawing water from the ancient well next to it with this water dragon, that saved most of the town. Later, in the renovation of the ancient town, the Water Dragon Bureau (水龙局) was merged into the former residence of Feng Daoli (冯道立), a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit dozens of meters away, and became an important carrier for displaying the folk disaster prevention culture of the Lixiahe (里下河) area during the Qing Dynasty (清代).
In recent years, every time I return to my hometown, I go to the Water Dragon Bureau (水龙局) to take a look. It has not changed much, except that there are more signs such as "National Fire Science Popularization Education Base," "Jiangsu Provincial Historical and Cultural Town (江苏省历史文化名镇)," and "Yancheng Patriotic Education Base (盐城市爱国主义教育基地)." The courtyard has been renovated to be more regular, and there are more detailed written explanations next to the displayed tools. When I returned to my hometown last year, I met several young cultural relic surveyors who were measuring and recording the water dragon, surrounded by several children who had just finished school, listening with great interest.
The Water Dragon Bureau (水龙局), a building that has witnessed nearly 200 years of wind and rain, has witnessed the changes in the Lixiahe (里下河) area and the transformation of my hometown from the agricultural era to modern society. It no longer needs to participate in fire extinguishing, but it protects the hometown in another way—protecting a piece of history, a spirit, and a generation-to-generation expectation of peace.
Return to TopBy: 张文静
Rock paintings are image epics carved or painted by ancient people on the surfaces of stone cliffs, rock caves, and independent rocks. They are a precious cultural heritage that records the evolution of human civilization. The Inner Mongolia Plateau is located in the core area of the agricultural-pastoral ecotone in northern China, a key area where grassland nomadic civilization and agricultural civilization converge, and one of the regions with the richest rock painting resources in China. The rock paintings here are rich and diverse in type. Among them, the image of the "horse" is particularly striking. It not only occupies a significant position in the number of rock paintings, but also becomes a key symbol for interpreting grassland civilization in terms of cultural connotation.
Through archaeological surveys and research, the rock paintings of the Inner Mongolia Plateau can be divided into two major cultural regions: the Xilingol Grassland and the Yinshan Mountains. As one of the most frequently appearing animal rock painting themes, the distribution of horses shows significant regional characteristics. In terms of production techniques, the vast majority of horse rock paintings are made using the pecking method, with lines outlining or the entire body chiseled, in a realistic style. A small number of horse images use the grinding technique, which appears more refined. In terms of image depiction, combinations of elements such as horse-pullers, horse herders, riders, vehicles, and parallel lines symbolizing roads are common, presenting a panoramic view of pastoral life.
In the Yinshan Mountains rock painting area (Bayan Nur-Ulanqab), animal rock paintings also account for the majority, and the image composition of the rock painting area is more complex: in the Langshan area, horses are key roles in large-scale hunting, group migration, and even combat conflicts; in Daqingshan and the northern hills, horses are closely integrated with vehicle rock paintings. This area is also the most concentrated place for the discovery of vehicle rock paintings, highlighting the key role of horses in transportation.
These horses chiseled on the rocks are not isolated artistic creations, but "freeze-frame images" of ancient social life. The "rock painting image combination" of horses, cattle, and sheep is direct evidence of the maturity of the early animal husbandry economy. Horses can dig through snow to find food, and sheep are good at grazing short grass, reflecting the ancients' efficient use of grassland ecology. In recent years, the continuous discovery of rock paintings has also revealed the multiple symbols carried by horses: vehicle rock paintings on the plateau are almost all drawn by horses, marking that the use of horses has expanded the radius of human activity and improved the ability to transport materials; riders holding lassoes or flags in rock paintings are likely to represent people who control important resources; in the thrilling hunting and war rock painting scenes in the Langshan area, horses always represent the guarantee of speed and assault power, revealing their important role in resource competition and social conflicts.
Whether it is the Inner Mongolia Plateau, the Helan Mountains in Ningxia, or the Tianshan Mountains, the Kunlun Mountains, or the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, rock paintings all show common characteristics of being dominated by animal themes and using common pecking techniques. Although the main animals depicted vary from place to place due to environmental differences, horse images are mainstream or indispensable elements in rock paintings in various places. This consistency stems from the convergent economic forms created by similar geographical climates and the deep cultural integration brought about by the vast grassland transportation corridors, providing solid archaeological support for the theory of the Chinese nation's community.
Technological means provide annotations for this picture of integration. Micro-erosion dating methods have measured that the Qinghai Yebugou two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage rock painting is about 3,200 years old, making it an important example of the early use of horses and carriages on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau; DNA research on horse bones unearthed from the Baling Mausoleum of Emperor Wen of the Western Han Dynasty found that the matrilineal lineages of the two buried male horses were very different, confirming that there was horse exchange between the Central Plains and Central Asia before Zhang Qian (张骞) explored the Western Regions; and the newly discovered Garitang Qin Inscription in Maduo County, Qinghai in 2025, from the words "carriage arrived here" on it, combined with Qin Dynasty (秦代) transportation and archaeological discoveries, the "carriage" here should undoubtedly be a horse-drawn carriage. This remains is in the same line as the Qinghai Yebugou two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage rock painting, connecting the cultural connection between the Central Plains and the plateau with physical objects and written evidence.
The "horse" rock paintings on the Inner Mongolia Plateau are an epic carved in stone. These images, spanning thousands of miles and thousands of years, jointly depict the grand picture of early cultural interaction in northern China, providing a vivid and solid archaeological perspective for understanding the long-standing origin of the pluralistic and integrated pattern of the Chinese nation.
Standing in front of the rock paintings, it seems as if one can hear the sound of ancient horseshoes traveling through time and space. That sound contains the power of pioneering, exchange, and integration, and it resonates for a long time in the blood of the Chinese nation.
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