Summary: This article outlines Sichuan Province’s comprehensive efforts to implement President Xi Jinping’s directives regarding the ecological protection of the Yangtze and Yellow River headwaters. During his 2022 visit to Yibin, Xi emphasized the necessity of prioritizing environmental conservation and establishing an ecological barrier, a mandate further reinforced during his 2023 review of the province's work. Sichuan has responded by implementing integrated water governance, large-scale wetland restoration, and structural industrial shifts away from heavy chemical manufacturing toward green, low-carbon sectors. Provincial Party Secretary Wang Xiaohui affirmed that Sichuan remains committed to these directives, pledging continued efforts to strengthen the ecological security of the upper reaches of these vital river systems.
Summary: In June 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the need to build a "Green Great Wall" and ecological barrier in Northern China during a symposium on the "Three-North" Shelterbelt Forest Program. Since then, Xinjiang has successfully completed a "green collar" around the Taklamakan Desert, pivoting its focus toward expanding and upgrading these protective zones. Officials, including Xinjiang Forestry and Grassland Bureau Party Secretary Zhang Zhigang, stress that these efforts follow scientific principles—prioritizing water conservation and the ecological restoration of desertified land over total eradication. The initiative integrates local economic development, such as photovoltaic projects and the cultivation of drought-resistant crops, to provide sustainable employment for residents. These efforts are presented as a strategic long-term ecological intervention to secure the region’s environment and economic viability.
Summary: On June 5, 2026, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg to discuss the deepening of bilateral ties. Han emphasized that the stability of the China-Russia relationship is driven by the leadership of Presidents Xi Jinping and Putin, expressing Beijing's desire to implement recent bilateral consensuses and strengthen international coordination. Putin characterized the current state of Russia-China relations as "unprecedentedly high," highlighting upcoming joint efforts to mark the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. Both sides framed their cooperation as a constructive force for global strategic stability and an essential partnership for reforming global governance.
Summary: Yangzhou is currently undertaking a systematic "organic renewal" of the 5.09-square-kilometer Guangling ancient city district, prioritizing underground infrastructure upgrades alongside surface preservation. Liu Hong, a second-level investigator at the Yangzhou Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau, emphasized that the city adopted a "one-game-of-chess" strategy to coordinate multi-departmental efforts, including telecommunications, fire safety, and water supply, to avoid repeated street excavations. Local fire safety measures were further detailed by Guangling District Fire Rescue Brigade Chief Zhai Xiaopeng, who highlighted the deployment of specialized, lightweight firefighting equipment and smart monitoring systems to mitigate risks in narrow, historically sensitive lanes. The project is presented as a practical application of the leadership’s mandate to prioritize public welfare as the primary metric of political performance.
Summary: The Ulan Muqir troupes continue to serve as a vital cultural vehicle for disseminating the Chinese Communist Party’s messaging and providing services to rural and pastoral communities. Recent reports highlight a performance by the Siziwang Banner Ulan Muqir in Ula Gacha, Inner Mongolia, where members presented new song, dance, and instrumental programs to local residents. The report emphasizes the troupe's enduring role as a "banner" on the national cultural front, tasked with delivering both entertainment and political outreach to remote populations.
Summary: China’s Ministry of Commerce reported that the total value of service imports and exports reached 2.49 trillion yuan during the first four months of 2024, representing a 4.9% year-on-year increase. Knowledge-intensive services accounted for 44.4% of this total, with exports in this sector growing by 11.7%. Additionally, the data highlighted rapid growth in travel service exports and transport service imports.
Summary: China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology reported that software industry revenue reached 4.67 trillion yuan during the first four months of 2024, representing a 10.9% year-on-year increase. Growth was driven by an 8% rise in software products and a 12% expansion in information technology services. Notably, the industrial software and integrated circuit design sectors saw robust growth of 9.1% and 18.3%, respectively. This data underscores Beijing's ongoing strategic focus on strengthening domestic technological self-reliance, a core priority amid intensifying competition in the high-tech sector with the United States.
Summary: This report details how Jiaxing is fostering industrial upgrades by integrating academic research with manufacturing, exemplified by the partnership between the Zhejiang Tsinghua Yangtze River Delta Research Institute and local firms like Sleepwell (麒盛科技). Cao Hui, Deputy General Manager of Sleepwell, highlighted the company's use of AI and non-contact sensors to develop smart health-monitoring beds. Huang Kaisheng, Secretary of the Party Committee and Dean of the Zhejiang Tsinghua Yangtze River Delta Research Institute, noted that this "industry-research" synergy allows institutions to transform creative concepts into scalable commercial products. Furthermore, the article outlines regional institutional innovations, such as the "research-first, equity-later" mechanism pioneered by the Zhejiang University Yangtze River Delta Smart Oasis Innovation Center to mitigate commercialization risks. These efforts have solidified Jiaxing’s position as a regional hub for high-tech industrial development, evidenced by significant growth in local R&D investment and collaborative patent output.
Summary: Provincial-level intangible cultural heritage representative Lu Yongjiang has successfully leveraged Dong embroidery to foster economic empowerment for disabled women in Liping County, Guizhou. With support from local government agencies and "East-West collaboration" initiatives, Lu’s Yanting Embroidery Workshop has expanded into a network of training bases that have trained over 1,600 women, including more than 100 individuals with disabilities. By integrating traditional craftsmanship with modern e-commerce and creative product development, the initiative has successfully marketed products to 24 countries and regions. Lu emphasizes that these efforts are integral to broader rural revitalization goals, ensuring that vulnerable populations remain economically active participants in the modern economy. Her current efforts focus on establishing a specialized entrepreneurship complex to further transition participants from recipients of social assistance to independent designers and business owners.
Summary: On June 5, the National Healthcare Security Administration and other departments issued new regulations for the cross-provincial pooling of employee medical insurance personal accounts. This policy allows employees to designate a portion of their personal account funds to cover the medical expenses, drug purchases, and insurance premiums of eligible immediate family members across provincial lines. Beneficiaries must be enrolled in basic medical insurance, and the system is managed via a unified national information platform. The regulations establish strict protocols for setting quotas, fund settlement, and the administration of prepayments to ensure the system's operational integrity.
Summary: Chinese new energy vehicles (NEVs) have seen a 27.5% increase in average curb weight since 2020, primarily driven by larger battery packs, advanced intelligent features, and enhanced safety requirements. Zhou Wei of the China Automotive Strategy and Policy Research Center identified these factors, while Liu Fawang, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s Equipment Industry Development Center, noted that smart cockpit and sensor integration contributes further weight. To mitigate concerns regarding vehicle safety and energy efficiency, Liu emphasized the need for advanced lightweight materials and improved battery energy density. The Ministry is currently leveraging dual-credit policies and energy consumption standards to promote high-quality development and technical optimization across the sector.
Summary: As of June 6, the China-Europe Railway Express "East Corridor"—comprising the Manzhouli, Suifenhe, and Tongjiang North ports—has surpassed 3,000 transits this year. Data indicates that from January to April, this corridor accounted for 32.1% of the national total, with its return-trip volume representing 41.1% of the national total. Currently, the network operates 27 stable routes connecting over 60 Chinese cities to 14 European nations, including Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Summary: Qingdao is accelerating the development of its modern marine industry through indigenous technological innovation, exemplified by Senkote Intelligent Instrument Co.’s self-developed underwater cleaning robots. Chairman Yu Jingdong reported that the company achieved full autonomy in core components by leveraging local research institutions to overcome technical barriers in deep-sea equipment. Qingdao Municipal Ocean Development Bureau Party Secretary Meng Qingsheng stated that the city aims to integrate traditional and emerging marine industries, targeting a 6.5% growth in marine GDP by 2025. Qingdao Municipal Party Secretary Zeng Zanrong, accompanied by local officials, emphasized the city's commitment to establishing itself as a high-ground for the modern marine economy. This strategic push reflects China’s broader national priority of securing technological self-reliance in critical maritime infrastructure.
Summary: In June 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the strategic importance of the "Three-North" Shelterbelt Program, aiming to establish a robust ecological barrier across Northern China. Following his directive, Xinjiang successfully completed a continuous "green belt" along the perimeter of the Taklamakan Desert by late 2024, shifting current efforts toward expanding and enhancing ecological quality. Officials, including Xinjiang Forestry and Grassland Bureau Party Committee Secretary Zhang Zhigang, stress that this scientific approach prioritizes natural ecological restoration and water-sensitive management over the total eradication of deserts. Through initiatives like "photovoltaic sand control" and high-value desert agriculture, the region has successfully integrated ecological protection with local economic development, creating nearly 30 billion yuan in output and providing employment for 300,000 people.
Summary: The State Council Information Office recently hosted the "2026 World Mayors Dialogue: Beijing," attended by over 30 mayors and municipal representatives from six African nations. Participants emphasized prioritizing people-to-people exchanges and professional training initiatives like the Luban Workshop to consolidate the "all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future." Notably, municipal officials including those from Senegal, Seychelles, Morocco, and Cameroon lauded China’s support for infrastructure, vocational education, and market access as essential for local development. Beijing Haidian District Vice Mayor Sui Xiaofong represented the host city, affirming efforts to deepen industrial and cultural cooperation with African counterparts. The dialogue underscored a shared interest in fostering pragmatic cooperation in trade, tourism, and urban governance while strengthening youth ties to secure the longevity of China-Africa relations.
Summary: General Secretary and President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting General Lao People's Revolutionary Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith to advance the "all-weather" China-Laos community with a shared future. Xi emphasized four pillars for bilateral relations: maintaining a socialist orientation, strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation, consolidating traditional friendship, and enhancing policy coordination. During his visit, Thongloun toured the Central Party School and visited Zhejiang to observe China's high-quality development and technological innovation. The two sides committed to deepening cooperation in both traditional sectors and emerging fields like AI and the digital economy, while pledging to coordinate closely on regional and international issues to uphold multilateralism and their respective core interests.
Summary: Since COSCO Shipping assumed full management in 2016, the Port of Piraeus in Greece has experienced continuous growth in container throughput, establishing itself as a vital freight and cruise hub for the Mediterranean and Europe. This development highlights the strategic expansion of Chinese maritime infrastructure in the region. The report underscores the port’s successful operational integration under Chinese management.
Summary: At the invitation of NPC Standing Committee Chairman Zhao Leji, Singaporean Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng will lead a delegation to China from June 8 to 13. The visit follows the ongoing high-level diplomatic exchanges between Beijing and Singapore. Official reports did not specify further details regarding the delegation's composition or the agenda concerning broader U.S.-China regional dynamics.
Summary: Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee led a business delegation to Uzbekistan from June 3 to 5, where he met with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, and Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. The visit resulted in 35 agreements across sectors including finance, technology, and aviation, as well as Uzbekistan's agreement to establish a consulate general in Hong Kong. President Mirziyoyev and Foreign Minister Saidov emphasized the potential for deeper economic partnership, positioning Hong Kong as a vital partner for Uzbekistan's modernization. Additionally, the two sides reached a civil aviation agreement, extended mutual visa-free access to 30 days, and established cultural partnerships between their respective museums.
Summary: This commentary characterizes recent security cooperation between Japan and the Philippines—including maritime boundary negotiations, intelligence sharing, and joint military exercises—as a destabilizing attempt to introduce bloc confrontation into the Asia-Pacific. The author contends that these actions undermine regional peace and violate China’s sovereign rights, particularly regarding maritime areas east of Taiwan. The article highlights that these developments, notably Japan’s first post-WWII deployment of offensive missiles in the Philippines during the U.S.-led "Balikatan" exercises, are driven by an alignment with U.S. "Indo-Pacific" strategies. Beijing asserts that Manila’s reliance on Tokyo and external powers for "security dividends" is a geostrategic miscalculation that risks regional stability. Consequently, China has lodged formal protests, urging both nations to abandon these efforts to integrate into a exclusionary, U.S.-backed security architecture.
Summary: The China-Bulgaria Trade and Investment Cooperation Roundtable was recently held in Sofia, co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria and the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria. Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investment and Innovation Petkova and Deputy Minister of Energy Gancheva attended the event alongside Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria Dai Qingli. The forum convened approximately 200 business representatives from sectors including clean energy, information technology, automotive, power, and finance.
Summary: This article reflects on the historical significance of the Long March by highlighting sites such as Wuqi, Yudu, Zunyi, and Hadapu, emphasizing how the Chinese Communist Party's past resilience continues to shape contemporary national identity and development. The piece underscores the Party’s official narrative that the Long March established Mao Zedong’s leadership and saved the revolution, serving as a foundational myth for modern governance. Through the perspectives of local guides and officials like Liu Lianyun, the text illustrates how "red tourism" and ecological initiatives have transformed former poverty-stricken areas into prosperous economic hubs. Ultimately, the narrative asserts that the "Long March spirit" remains a vital ideological pillar for the nation's current and future development. The article frames these historical achievements as a mandate for the current generation to uphold the Party's trajectory amid a changing global environment.
Summary: This article highlights ongoing efforts within the Tangjiahe section of the Giant Panda National Park to enhance biodiversity conservation through integrated monitoring technologies and community-based ecological management. Chen Shiying, head of the publicity and education section, noted the successful observation of diverse wildlife, while station deputy head Jia Feide emphasized the rigor of daily field patrols and infrared monitoring. Scientific monitoring efforts, detailed by research division head Xiao Mei, utilize AI, DNA analysis, and an "air-ground" intelligent network to transition from single-species tracking to holistic ecosystem protection. Community-led initiatives, such as eco-friendly beekeeping and rural tourism, are reportedly improving local livelihoods and aligning development with environmental stewardship. The reporting underscores a strategic emphasis on high-tech data collection and localized management to protect critical habitats for giant pandas and other rare species.
Summary: The Fourth China Digital Earth Conference convened in Qingdao on June 6, focusing on the role of digital earth technologies in supporting global and domestic sustainable development. During the opening ceremony, the International Society for Digital Earth’s Chinese National Committee marked its 20th anniversary, alongside the release of global sustainable development data products and the "Langya" Ocean Large Model 2.0. The newly released data products, which cover areas such as agriculture, climate, and carbon cycles, are now open for global access to facilitate the quantitative assessment of UN Sustainable Development Goals. The "Langya" 2.0 model, developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Oceanology, is designed to provide intelligent support for disaster mitigation, maritime safety, and global climate change responses.
Summary: The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters initiated a Level IV emergency response for Chongqing and Guizhou on June 6, citing high risks of flooding and geological disasters due to heavy rainfall forecast through June 9. The Ministry of Emergency Management and the Ministry of Natural Resources conducted a joint assessment, leading to the activation of Level IV geological disaster responses for Chongqing and Guangxi, while maintaining the existing response for Guizhou. The Ministry of Emergency Management has directed local authorities to reinforce disaster prevention responsibilities, prioritize early evacuations, and pre-position emergency response forces and supplies.
Summary: Ahead of the 2026 national college entrance examination (gaokao), Rongcheng city, Shandong Province, has launched a "charity shuttle" service to assist students with transportation. Municipal authorities coordinated with four transport companies to deploy 60 buses, ensuring secure and efficient transit for examinees. On June 6, these vehicles were positioned at Rongcheng No. 2 High School to transport students to their exam sites for preliminary site familiarization. The initiative is presented as a state-led effort to streamline logistics for the high-stakes examination period.
Summary: The 2026 National Vision Health Science Popularization Campaign recently launched in Beijing, focusing on leveraging technology to enhance long-term eye health services across all life stages. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, China has expanded its ophthalmology infrastructure, with 98% of county-level hospitals now housing eye departments. The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) reported that it has conducted 380 quality inspections and 214 product recalls related to children’s vision-related supplies since 2021. Moving forward, the SAMR pledged to increase regulatory oversight on optical dispensing facilities and crack down on false advertising and illicit promotional practices.
Summary: Nanchang’s Wanli Administration is promoting the use of community "Happiness Canteens" to host weddings as a way to curb extravagant spending and social pressure. Community Party Secretary Hu Lixia, who attended a recent wedding at the Ansheng community canteen, stated that the initiative aims to provide residents with affordable, locally sourced alternatives to expensive commercial venues. Local officials plan to expand this model across the jurisdiction to institutionalize frugal practices and reduce the financial burden on citizens. This effort reflects a broader state-led push to promote "civilized" social customs and discourage ostentatious displays of wealth.
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Summary: This article explores the rise of "emotional consumption" among China's youth, a trend where young people increasingly prioritize psychological fulfillment, stress relief, and self-expression over the purely functional utility of goods. Central Youth League School professor Lian Si notes that this shift reflects a desire for companionship and identity in a fast-paced society, with phenomena like "blind boxes," immersive tourism, and "gu-zi" (IP-related merchandise) becoming key indicators. While experts acknowledge that such consumption can offer mental relief, they warn against the risks of irrational spending, market speculation, and becoming overly dependent on material goods for emotional validation. To address these issues, the article advocates for a balanced approach that encourages youth to move beyond immediate consumption toward long-term personal growth and real-world social engagement. Notably, the report highlights the growing role of "emotional value" as a significant driver of China's domestic service consumption, an area now being monitored by government policy to foster sustainable economic growth.
Summary: This commentary argues that while "emotional consumption"—such as purchasing therapeutic goods—serves as a legitimate coping mechanism for Chinese youth facing modern pressures, it carries risks of impulse spending and superficial identity formation. The author encourages young people to balance these transient comforts with self-improvement, professional diligence, and the cultivation of internal resilience. Ultimately, the piece posits that long-term psychological stability and value creation are more sustainable sources of fulfillment than material consumption.
Summary: This article examines the "Odyssey period"—a term describing the existential uncertainty experienced by young adults aged 20–35 as they navigate career and life transitions. Citing the personal experiences of Nobel laureate Mo Yan, the author argues that periods of wandering are inherent to growth rather than signs of failure. To mitigate contemporary anxieties, the piece advocates for youth to root themselves in grassroots work, technical skill development, and service-oriented roles. Furthermore, it calls upon society to establish robust support systems and "fault-tolerant" mechanisms to help young people navigate an era of rapid technological and structural change. The author concludes that by embracing these trials and committing to practical action, youth can successfully define their identities and achieve personal development.
Summary: This article features a first-person account from a cadre dispatched by the Guangxi Department of Transportation to serve as the First Secretary of Jintang Village in Quanzhou County. The official details a transition from initial skepticism toward top-down administrative mechanisms to an eventual embrace of systematic policy implementation, which facilitated the development of local grain and oil industries. By organizing party member "assault teams" and prioritizing local infrastructure, the official reports success in professionalizing village production and enhancing collective economic output. Having completed a five-year tenure, the official has opted to remain in the village to oversee final infrastructure projects.
Summary: Please provide the text of the article you would like me to summarize. Once provided, I will draft a summary tailored for professional analysts of Chinese politics, adhering to your specific constraints regarding brevity, attribution, and the inclusion of U.S.-China relations.
Summary: This article profiles the modernization and daily operations of a border defense company stationed on Heixiazi Island, highlighting the evolution from manual, foot-based patrols to a technologically integrated "smart border" defense system. Soldiers, including Sergeant Liu Xiangsheng and Private Xu Chuandong, utilize advanced surveillance, drones, and AI-driven radar platforms to maintain sovereignty in extreme sub-zero conditions. The report emphasizes the unit's rigorous training regimen and their commitment to sustaining national security through both high-tech equipment and physical endurance. While the article focuses on domestic border control and patriotic duty, it underscores the strategic significance of the island as the easternmost point of China's land territory. No mention of the United States or U.S.-China relations is made in the text.
Summary: At a May 28 press conference, Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Tan Kefei addressed the viral video of a Chinese soldier standing motionless on the tarmac as U.S. "Air Force One" landed in Beijing. The spokesperson lauded the soldier’s conduct as an embodiment of the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) confidence, discipline, and unwavering loyalty to the Party and the people. The article frames this incident as a microcosm of the PLA's broader commitment to "real combat" standards and strict discipline. Beyond this specific diplomatic encounter, the piece emphasizes that such displays of steadfastness serve as the foundation for national security and public trust in the Chinese military.
Summary: This first-person account by a non-commissioned officer in the People’s Armed Police (PAP) Anhui Corps details his transition from a struggling recruit to a specialized instructor focused on enhancing unit-level combat proficiency. The author emphasizes the adoption of scientific, data-driven training methodologies—such as utilizing ballistics modeling and simulation systems—to overcome traditional, rote-learning limitations. Through his roles as a trainer and participant in high-level military skills competitions, he highlights the current institutional push to professionalize grassroots instruction and standardize combat-readiness protocols. His testimony underscores a broader PLA/PAP focus on "real-combat" (实战化) training standards to ensure operational effectiveness across all levels of the force.
Summary: Ahead of International Children’s Day, officers from the PLAN’s *Tongchuan* corvette and representatives from the Tongchuan Military Sub-district conducted a national defense education outreach program at the Zhaojin Beiliang Red Army Elementary School in Shaanxi. During the event, *Tongchuan* crew member Wang Lu and fellow officer Liu Zhong emphasized the "fish-and-water" bond between the vessel and its namesake revolutionary base city, highlighting the integration of "Zhaojin spirit" into the ship's political education and internal culture. The program involved interactive training on naval signals and equipment, as well as a visit to the historic Xuejiazhai site, designed to foster military-civilian ties and patriotism among local youth. The article frames these activities as part of the broader, ongoing national effort to strengthen civil-military relations and promote defense mobilization in the new era.
Summary: Please provide the text of the article you would like me to summarize. Once provided, I will draft a concise summary tailored for professional analysts, adhering to your specific requirements regarding key figures, personnel, and U.S.-China relations.
Summary: This article reports on the growing enthusiasm for traditional Chinese opera among university students in Nanjing, highlighting how "Generation Z" students are actively organizing clubs and incorporating these arts into their campus lives. Founder of the Guangyu Opera Club Yin Chong and Professor Xu Lili of Nanjing University are featured as key figures facilitating this cultural engagement, alongside professional practitioners like Zhang Qian of the Jiangsu Performing Arts Group and veteran Kunqu artist Zhu Jiyun. The piece emphasizes that these students are transitioning from passive observers to active participants, motivated by a pursuit of aesthetic appreciation and personal fulfillment rather than professional performance goals. The professional participants note that this trend is vital for the long-term preservation of the art form, as these students are becoming a new generation of informed, critical audience members. No mention is made of the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: This article, written by Chinese Academy of Social Sciences academician Feng Shi, highlights the significance of archaeoastronomy in deciphering the political and philosophical foundations of Chinese civilization. By analyzing artifacts like the Li Gui—which corroborates historical records of King Wu of Zhou’s victory—Feng argues that ancient celestial observations underpin Chinese concepts of governance, order, and morality. The author contends that integrating astronomy with traditional archaeology provides a more holistic understanding of China’s political institutions and historical trajectory. Furthermore, Feng frames these ancient "worldviews"—such as the pursuit of constant self-renewal—as the cultural and intellectual precursors to contemporary Chinese development concepts and reform practices. Ultimately, the piece positions the study of these ancient astronomical systems as a vital component of establishing an indigenous academic framework to better articulate the continuity and core characteristics of the Chinese state.
Summary: Qingdao’s Dachang Town has successfully promoted "zero-dowry" weddings through a volunteer initiative known as the "Bangxi Tuan" (Wedding Assistance Group). By providing emotional counseling and logistical support, these volunteers help families overcome the financial pressures of traditional high-cost matrimonial customs. The town further incentivizes this practice by integrating the volunteer service into a "credit point" system, allowing participants to redeem points for household goods. This community-led model aims to curb extravagance and align local social norms with state-promoted efforts to simplify wedding traditions.
Summary: Please provide the article text you would like me to summarize. Once provided, I will draft the summary according to your specifications.
Summary: To commemorate the third anniversary of Xi Jinping’s June 2, 2023, speech at the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development, the *People’s Daily* featured five experts reflecting on the party’s cultural agenda. The contributors focused on interpreting the "two integrations" and the "prominent characteristics of Chinese civilization" to guide the fine arts sector in advancing the construction of a socialist cultural power. This initiative underscores the CCP’s ongoing efforts to leverage artistic production as a vehicle for ideological alignment and national identity.
Summary: On June 1–2, 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited the China National Archives of Publications and Culture and the China Academy of History to attend a symposium on cultural inheritance and development. During his visit to the national archives, Xi praised the educational value of traditional Chinese *lianhuanhua* (picture-story books), citing them as effective tools for shaping youth ideals and moral education. The author argues that in the current era, *lianhuanhua* should serve to strengthen national aesthetic confidence against the influence of foreign comics and visual culture from the United States, Japan, and elsewhere. By integrating modern digital technology and prioritizing domestic artistic traditions, these works are intended to function as a core vehicle for socialist "moral education" and ideological guidance.
Summary: In a recent article, China National Art Museum Director Wu Weishan highlights the "Homage to the Masters: From Da Vinci to Caravaggio" exhibition, organized in collaboration with Italy’s Uffizi Gallery and the Baofeng Group. Wu reports that the exhibition originated from his personal meeting in Florence with Uffizi Director Eike Schmidt, where they reached a consensus on leveraging Renaissance art to deepen cross-cultural dialogue. The exhibition, which features 36 works by masters like Da Vinci and Michelangelo, is framed as a strategic effort to promote mutual learning between civilizations and foster a "community with a shared future for mankind." Wu emphasizes that the museum remains committed to facilitating international cultural exchange, positioning these artistic treasures as vital conduits for global connection. The initiative is presented as a successful model of high-quality public service that encourages Chinese audiences to engage with world-class humanistic traditions.
Summary: This article examines the evolution of the Chinese "bowu" (natural history/antiquarianism) tradition, framing it as a central pillar of the enduring continuity of Chinese civilization. By tracing this practice from classical antiquity and Song-dynasty epigraphy to the aesthetic lifestyle of Ming-dynasty scholars, the author argues that artifacts serve as essential conduits for connecting contemporary society with historical rituals and cultural identity. The piece concludes by noting that the current "museum craze" in China represents a modern democratization and technological evolution of this ancient tradition, facilitating the creative transformation and innovative development of traditional culture.
Summary: To mark the 700th issue of *Fine Arts* (*Meishu*), Deputy Editor-in-Chief emphasizes the journal's strategic role in advancing China's autonomous philosophical and social science knowledge systems. The author argues that professional journals must move beyond quantitative metrics to become academic "source points" that distill Chinese experience into theoretical frameworks, particularly regarding the cultural strength strategy. The article highlights the necessity of balancing academic rigor with public engagement through new media, while fostering critical debate to refine artistic theory. By institutionalizing intellectual discourse, the journal aims to serve as a vital platform for theoretical construction and the cultivation of emerging scholars.
Summary: The Suzhou Art Museum is leveraging its permanent collection to promote "Jiangnan culture" through the "Sumei Baoji" (Suzhou Art Museum Treasures) exhibition series. By thematicizing historical and modern artworks, the museum aims to revitalize local cultural heritage and connect artistic traditions with contemporary daily life. The current exhibition, "Human World Food: Jiangnan Flavors," utilizes paintings, prints, and historical documents to explore the region’s culinary aesthetics and socio-cultural identity. The author, a deputy department head at the Suzhou Public Cultural Center, argues that such institutional efforts to integrate regional history with public life are essential for the sustainable development of local cultural discourse.
Summary: The provided text contains only the contact information for the *People's Daily* editorial department and the name of the layout designer. Consequently, there is no substantive content regarding Chinese politics, officials, or U.S.-China relations to summarize.
By: 本报记者 张 帆 王明峰 李凯旋
In the Sichuan (四川) region during June, the vegetation is lush and the rivers are surging. At Sanjiangkou (三江口) in Yibin (宜宾), Sichuan (四川), the Yangtze River (长江), the Jinsha River (金沙江), and the Min River (岷江) converge, their clear waters flowing eastward.
In June 2022, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) visited Sanjiangkou (三江口) during his inspection of Yibin (宜宾). Looking out over the confluence of the three rivers, the General Secretary pointed out: "Sichuan (四川) is located in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River (长江). It must enhance its awareness of the overall situation, firmly establish an upstream consciousness, unswervingly implement the policy of focusing on coordinated protection and avoiding large-scale development, build a solid ecological barrier in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River (长江), and protect this stretch of clear water." In July 2023, while listening to the work report of the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee (四川省委) and the Provincial Government (省政府), General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized: "Continue to exert efforts in building a solid ecological barrier in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River (长江) and the Yellow River (黄河)."
Deeply implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s (习近平) important instructions, Sichuan (四川) has been 久久为功 (jiǔ jiǔ wéi gōng - "long long do work," to work persistently toward a long-term goal) and 真抓实干 (zhēn zhuā shí gàn - "truly grasp actually do," to work in a down-to-earth and pragmatic manner), building an ecological barrier to safeguard the peace and stability of the rivers.
Comprehensive governance, safeguarding "a river of clear water flowing east"—
In Dazhu County (大竹县), Dazhou City (达州市), the water of the Tongbo River (铜钵河) is clear, the banks are green, and fish and shrimp swim about. Yet, who would have imagined that industrial wastewater and domestic sewage were once discharged directly into the river, causing the water quality of the Tongbo River (铜钵河) to deteriorate to a Grade V level at one point.
Dismantling livestock and poultry farms in prohibited areas along the river, promoting the quality and efficiency improvement of sewage treatment plants, and solidly carrying out the "Toilet Revolution" (厕所革命)... Dazhu County (大竹县) coordinated 217 million yuan in provincial, municipal, and county funds to carry out comprehensive governance. Today, the water quality of the Tongbo River (铜钵河) remains stably above Grade III, and it has been selected as an excellent case study by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (生态环境部).
Sichuan's (四川) surface water resources account for one-third of the Yangtze River (长江) system's runoff; 40% of the Yellow River (黄河) main stream's water volume during the dry season and 26% during the wet season come from Sichuan (四川). To safeguard the clear water, Sichuan (四川) has built an integrated ecological environment governance system connecting the upper and lower reaches, coordinated the compilation of protection plans for mother rivers such as the Yangtze River (长江) and the Yellow River (黄河), and promulgated and implemented the "Regulations on the River and Lake Chief System of Sichuan Province" (四川省河湖长制条例), ensuring that major rivers and lakes are fully protected. Dazhou (达州), Ziyang (资阳), and other places have implemented measures such as controlling domestic sewage overflow and managing agricultural non-point source pollution in their tributaries.
Continuously promoting special rectification actions for river sewage outlets and black and odorous water bodies, Sichuan (四川) has pushed for the standardized management of all 31,000-plus river sewage outlets and the dynamic clearing of 412 urban and rural black and odorous water bodies. The water quality excellence rate of 345 national and provincial assessment sections has remained at 100% for three consecutive years, with sections at Grade II or above accounting for 73.6%.
Systematic greening, remarkable results in ecological protection and restoration—
The Yellow River (黄河) winds through nine bends, marking its first bay in the emerald-like Zoige Wetland (若尔盖湿地). This wetland, which contributes more than 30% of the water source for the Yellow River (黄河), was once mired in an ecological crisis.
Curbing desertification, restoring wetlands, and regreening grasslands... With 39 sub-projects in 10 major categories and over 5,000 ecological restoration sites, the integrated protection and restoration project of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and deserts has been continuously advanced. To date, the Zoige Wetland (若尔盖湿地) has completed a cumulative ecological protection and restoration area of 232,500 hectares. "The water level of the Flower Lake (花湖) in Zoige (若尔盖) has risen, the sandy land has regained vitality, and the herdsmen have become ecological stewards and wetland patrollers, jointly guarding their ecological home." As the greenery deepens, Bi Hongbin (毕洪斌), a staff member of the Zoige County (若尔盖县) Landscape Office, is full of pride.
Adhering to a systematic concept, Sichuan (四川) continues to exert effort. It has established a three-level ecological restoration planning system at the provincial, municipal, and county levels, and 85% of the habitats for key protected wild animals and plants in the province have been effectively protected. By launching the "Green Shield" (绿盾) action, it has completed the verification and rectification of over 1,500 ecological and environmental problem clues, effectively curbing destructive ecological behaviors such as quarrying, sand mining, mining, and encroachment on river and lake shorelines.
久久为功 (jiǔ jiǔ wéi gōng - "long long do work," to work persistently toward a long-term goal) has yielded results. Over the past five years, Sichuan (四川) has completed 27.09 million mu of afforestation and 3.53 million mu of territorial space ecological restoration; it has created 43 ecological civilization construction demonstration zones and 14 practice innovation bases for the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," with both numbers ranking among the top in the country.
Moving toward new growth, "green content" spawns "gold content"—
Yibin (宜宾), where the three rivers meet, was once "surrounded by chemical plants and plagued by pollution," and the Yangtze sturgeon (长江鲟) was even declared extinct in the wild.
Breaking the old to establish the new, 197 enterprises along the river in Yibin (宜宾) were relocated or shut down, and 5.61 kilometers of production shoreline were withdrawn; shifting tracks for transformation, Yibin (宜宾) has successively introduced emerging industries such as power batteries, the digital economy, and new energy storage. The "chemical encirclement of the river" is gone, and green momentum is prominent. At present, the output value of the city's green and low-carbon industries accounts for 47.9% of the industrial enterprises above designated size.
"By taking the path of green development, there is hope for the protection of rare fish." Zhou Liang (周亮), director of the Yibin Rare Aquatic Animal Research Institute (宜宾珍稀水生动物研究所), has witnessed Yibin's (宜宾) green transformation. In April this year, the "Functional Verification Test of Natural Spawning Grounds for Yangtze Sturgeon (长江鲟)" carried out by the Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (中国水产科学研究院长江水产研究所) and other units in Yibin (宜宾) was successful, taking a key step toward the recovery of natural reproduction of the Yangtze sturgeon (长江鲟).
Protecting while developing and developing while protecting, Sichuan (四川) unswervingly follows the path of ecological priority and green development. It has established a "green ruler," launched the compilation of ecological environment zoning control plans, and established a control system to provide a basis for industrial layout optimization and structural adjustment; it has reduced "carbon content," implemented actions to improve carbon market capacity, and released cross-regional climate change adaptation action plans, with the cumulative transaction volume of the carbon market exceeding 1.4 billion yuan.
Wang Xiaohui (王晓晖), Secretary of the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee (四川省委), stated: "Sichuan (四川) keeps in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping’s (习近平) earnest entrustment and will continue to exert efforts with greater intensity and more concrete measures to build a solid ecological barrier in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River (长江) and the Yellow River (黄河)."
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 蒋雪鸿
In the summer, traveling along the edge of the Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠) in Xinjiang (新疆), the northwest wind blows, yet the scene of yellow sand filling the sky, as seen in the past, is nowhere to be found.
On June 6, 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out at the Symposium on Strengthening Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Desertification and Promoting Key Ecological Projects such as the "Three-North" Shelterbelt (三北): "We must fight a tough battle for the 'Three-North' (三北) project, and build the 'Three-North' (三北) project into a fully functional, impregnable green Great Wall in the northern frontier and a barrier for ecological security."
The battle to block the desert at the Hexi Corridor (河西走廊)—Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠) edge was thus launched. In November 2024, the "Green Scarf" around the Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠) achieved a historic closure of its protective belt. Since 2025, Xinjiang (新疆) has shifted its focus of sand control to "expanding the borders and improving quality," increasing the width of the locked borders to between 110 and 7,500 meters, achieving a leap in development from "a single line" to "a vast expanse."
Scientific Sand Control, Restoring Ecological Functions
"Our goal in governance is not to 'eliminate the desert,' but to respect the natural laws of the desert ecosystem, curb the disorderly expansion of the desert, protect the oases and farmland necessary for human survival, and manage land that has become desertified due to unreasonable human activities, so as to restore its ecological functions," introduced Zhang Zhigang (张志刚), Party Secretary and Deputy Director of the Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (新疆维吾尔自治区林业和草原局).
"Desertification control must not only look at the present, but also consider the long-term constraints of water resources," said Zhu Yajuan (朱雅娟), a researcher at the Institute of Desertification Studies of the Chinese Academy of Forestry (中国林科院荒漠化研究所). She noted that some parts of southern Xinjiang (南疆) have an average annual precipitation of less than 50 millimeters and belong to an extremely arid zone. It is essential to determine the scale of greening based on water availability and ensure the long-term, stable, and healthy operation of this ecological barrier through scientific and meticulous management.
In recent years, the local area has adhered to the principle of determining greening by water availability and adapting to local conditions, embarking on a path of scientific sand control that conforms to natural laws and reality. In Baihe Town (百和镇), Hotan County (和田县), on the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠), stretches of alfalfa spread their greenery, while desert plants such as desert roses, saxaul, and large-fruited oleaster grow in a scattered pattern, full of vitality. This experimental field belongs to the Hotan County Sand Prevention and Control Experimental Station (和田县防沙治沙试验站).
"We have screened 76 types of desert-adapted plants from all over the country and conducted comparative tests on survival rates and economic benefits at the experimental station. From these, we select varieties that are easy to survive, consume little water, and have high economic value to promote to local residents and sand control enterprises," introduced Li Yanzhong (李彦忠), the technical lead of the experimental station. Relying on the screening results of the station, Chinese herbal medicines like mugwort and drought-tolerant, barren-resistant economic forest fruits like large-fruited oleaster have been planted on a large scale in the surrounding desert areas.
Ayimake Village (阿依玛克村), Buzhake Township (布扎克乡), Hotan County (和田县), is not far from the experimental station. Sudiwumai Tursun (苏迪乌麦·图尔荪), who returned home to start a business last year, contracted 1,000 mu of sandy land with 18 other villagers. They practice three-dimensional intercropping of saxaul, oleaster, and alfalfa, equipped with a drip irrigation system for precise water replenishment, and the growth is gratifying. "We have also grafted large-fruited oleaster onto wild oleaster seedlings, and looking at the growth, it is quite good," said Sudiwumai Tursun (苏迪乌麦·图尔荪).
Joint Efforts in Sand Control, Improving Living Environments
Qiemo County (且末县) in the Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture (巴音郭楞蒙古自治州) is located on the southeastern edge of the Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠), surrounded by sand on three sides and backed by mountains. The surging shifting sand once stood only separated from the county seat by the Qarqan River (车尔臣河), at its closest point being less than two kilometers away.
In 1998, the local government established a windbreak and sand control workstation and began large-scale sand control. Over the years, every spring and autumn, cadres, staff, students, farmers, and herdsmen of all ethnic groups in Qiemo (且末) would spontaneously bring tools to participate in sand control.
"I have been engaged in sand control work for more than 20 years. In the three years of the 'Three-North' (三北) project battle, the living environment of my hometown has significantly improved," said Patiguli Yasen (帕提古丽·亚森), a maintenance worker at the sand control station. "In the past, strong winds would carry yellow sand and roar in, blowing so hard that people couldn't even open their eyes. Now, as the airflow passes through the continuous ecological forest, one can only hear the soft sound of the wind."
At the sand control station, Patiguli Yasen (帕提古丽·亚森) displayed two satellite remote sensing comparison images spanning time and space: in the 1998 image, Qiemo County (且末县) was almost entirely surrounded by desert, with the oasis shrinking lonely in a corner of the map; while in the latest satellite image, the same area is wrapped in lush greenery.
The scene of local cadres and people of all ethnic groups **攻坚克难** (gōng jiān kè nán - "attack fortress overcome difficulty," to overcome major difficulties and challenges) and working tirelessly to control the sand deeply moved Tian Ye (田野), a veteran who had once performed missions in Qiemo (且末). In the spring of 2018, after retiring from the military, he gathered his comrades-in-arms to establish a veteran sand control team and contracted to manage more than 3,000 mu of sandy land in Qiemo (且末). They also issued an initiative to the whole society called "I Plant a Tree for the Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠)," which has been responded to by more and more people. "Nowadays, many people want to come and contribute. New forces are joining continuously, making the greenery on the edge of the desert even thicker," said Tian Ye (田野).
Prosperity Through Greening, Balancing Sand Control and Wealth
In the Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠) region, a new path that balances sand control with wealth creation and promotes both greening and prosperity is constantly unfolding.
Ruoqiang County (若羌县) is located in an oasis zone at the intersection of the Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠) and the Kumtag Desert (库姆塔格沙漠). Implementing precise border-locking projects to seize the "throat" where the two deserts meet and spread is the local priority for sand control.
On the rolling sand dunes, patches of straw checkerboards are crisscrossed, and the Ruoqiang (若羌) New Energy Base Project is accelerating. A project manager from the Three Gorges Group (三峡集团) introduced that the micro-siting and exploration of the photovoltaic plant area are proceeding in an orderly manner. The next step is to promote large-scale "photovoltaic sand control" in the heart of the desert according to the model of "power generation on the panels, sand control under the panels, and planting between the panels" at a high standard. In Ruoqiang County (若羌县), photovoltaic sand control projects have driven the employment of over 2,000 people.
Near the suburbs of Ruoqiang County (若羌县), in an experimental sandy field interplanted with saxaul and black goji berries, staff wearing sun-protective clothing and masks are standardizing the processes of drilling, planting seedlings, and drip irrigation under the scorching sun. In this sandy land, the saxaul ecological forest, which plays a fundamental role in sand fixation, is fully funded and built by the government, while the high-value-added black goji berries are handed over to local enterprises for industrial trial planting.
"It is far from the urban area here, and it is inconvenient for the masses to manage it daily, so it is handed over to enterprises for operation and trial planting. The enterprises also undertake the management and protection of 5,200 mu of saxaul forest," introduced Li Bin (李宾), Party Secretary and Deputy Director of the Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Ruoqiang County (若羌县林草局).
In recent years, Ruoqiang County (若羌县) has built a complete industrial chain covering black goji berry planting, deep processing, and market sales, with a total planting area of 42,000 mu in the county. Li Bin (李宾) calculated: "At present, the yield per mu of black goji berries is stable at 150 to 200 kilograms, and the purchase price per kilogram is 30 to 40 yuan, which is very considerable."
Promoting greening and controlling sand, achieving both greening and prosperity. As of now, the area of desert-adapted economic crops in Xinjiang (新疆) has reached 10.83 million mu, with a total output value of nearly 29 billion yuan, driving about 300,000 people to find employment nearby and locally. More and more people are becoming wealthy through sand control and are controlling sand while becoming wealthy. This land, which was once ravaged by sandstorms, is radiating increasingly vigorous vitality.
Return to TopXinhua News Agency, St. Petersburg (圣彼得堡), June 5 — (Reporters Hu Xiaoguang (胡晓光), Wang Zhao (王昭)) On June 5, 2026, local time, Vice President of the People's Republic of China Han Zheng (韩正) met with President of Russia Vladimir Putin (普京) in St. Petersburg (圣彼得堡).
Han Zheng (韩正) first conveyed the cordial greetings and best wishes of President Xi Jinping (习近平) to President Vladimir Putin (普京). Han Zheng (韩正) stated that the ability of China-Russia (中俄) relations to remain stable and resilient amidst an international landscape characterized by 变乱交织 (biàn luàn jiāo zhī - "changes and chaos intertwined," referring to a complex and turbulent international situation) is fundamentally due to the navigation and steering of President Xi Jinping (习近平) and President Vladimir Putin (普京). Not long ago, the two heads of state held a successful meeting in Beijing (北京), reaching new and important consensus on bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields. China (中方) is willing to work with Russia (俄方) to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, continuously consolidate political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, strengthen international coordination, and constantly enrich the contemporary substance of China-Russia (中俄) relations.
Han Zheng (韩正) noted that both China (中国) and Russia (俄罗斯) are important constructive forces in maintaining global strategic stability and improving global governance. The high-level China-Russia (中俄) relationship is not only an inevitable requirement for the development and revitalization of both countries but also a responsibility of the times that both sides shoulder for promoting world peace, stability, and development. China (中方) looks forward to strengthening coordination and cooperation with Russia (俄方) to promote the construction of a more just and reasonable global governance system.
Vladimir Putin (普京) asked Han Zheng (韩正) to convey his sincere greetings to President Xi Jinping (习近平) and welcomed Han Zheng (韩正) to Russia (俄罗斯) to attend the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (圣彼得堡国际经济论坛). Vladimir Putin (普京) stated that Russia-China (俄中) relations are currently at an unprecedented high level. Not long ago, I successfully visited China (中国) and had an in-depth exchange of views with President Xi Jinping (习近平) on a wide range of topics, clarifying the direction for future cooperation between the two sides. This year, the two countries will jointly celebrate the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation Between the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation (俄中睦邻友好合作条约) and launch the "Russia-China Year of Education" (俄中教育年). Russia (俄方) is willing to work with China (中方) to unswervingly deepen political mutual trust and good-neighborly friendship, advance exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and contribute stability to world peace and development through the certainty of Russia-China (俄中) relations.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 姚雪青
In Yangzhou (扬州), Jiangsu (江苏), deep within the ancient city, sections of side alleys are undergoing "quiet" construction.
Fences are erected, mist cannons are set up, and every 30 meters is treated as a single section. The road surface is opened to simultaneously renovate sewage pipes and build new rainwater gutters. Streetlights and communication cables are all moved underground, fire hydrant connection points are reserved, and the work is completed rapidly in about a week. The road is then covered with permeable blue bricks, restored to its original state, and the process moves to the next section...
The 5.09-square-kilometer Guangling Ancient City (广陵古城) is a relatively well-preserved historical urban area. Walking through it, tourists see old houses with blue bricks and black tiles, and shops filled with a dazzling array of goods, but they rarely notice the changes beneath their feet: those deeply buried pipe networks and hidden facilities are being systematically renovated with "embroidery-like precision."
General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized: "We must take benefiting the people as the most important political achievement" and "let the fruits of development benefit all the people more fairly and extensively."
Behind the "invisible" renovation of the ancient city lies a vivid practice led by the local government's correct view of political achievement.
In 2022, Yangzhou (扬州) issued an overall plan for the protection and organic renewal of the historical and cultural city, and Guangling District (广陵区) launched a detailed action plan to repair historical buildings, improve tourism facilities, and brighten and beautify the streets. By the end of 2025, the number of tourists in the ancient city had tripled compared to the end of 2022.
One must focus on both the "facade" and the "substance." Since the launch of the study and education on establishing and practicing a correct view of political achievement, Yangzhou (扬州) has collected public opinions through "open-door education," with the issue of "waterlogging points in the southern area of the ancient city" being a major concern.
The management of waterlogging points falls under the jurisdiction of the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau (住建局). The southern area of the ancient city is low-lying; in the past, during flood seasons, rainwater accumulation and sewage overflow were the norm during heavy rains, and party members and cadres would drag water pumps to the front lines. "But this method treats the symptoms rather than the root cause," explained Liu Hong (刘泓), a second-level inspector at the Yangzhou Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau (扬州市住建局). There are about 300 old streets and alleys in the ancient city, crisscrossing each other, and the pipe networks laid in the early years are severely aged. To address the root cause, a "surgical operation" was needed.
During the "pre-operative consultation," more problems regarding the fragile "substance" of the ancient city were exposed: in the narrow alleys, wires were tangled; in the brick-and-wood structure old houses, fire facilities were lacking... "Since we are performing 'surgery,' can we achieve multiple upgrades in a single construction?" said Liu Hong (刘泓). This meant breaking down departmental barriers: moving communication cables underground required finding operators, adding fire equipment required coordinating with the fire department, and renovating water supply networks required coordinating with the water company... This was no longer a task that the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau (住建局) could complete alone, and it might even delay the original schedule.
"But the underground space of the ancient city is so small, and the roads are so narrow. If each department digs and fills separately, it not only wastes funds but also causes great trouble for the people." The housing and urban-rural development departments at both the city and district levels immediately proposed a "coordinated chess game" approach to the city and district governments.
Abandoning the practice of **头痛医头，脚痛医脚** (tóu tòng yī tóu, jiǎo tòng yī jiǎo - "head hurts treat head, foot hurts treat foot," to address only the symptoms as they appear without treating the root cause), the ancient city renovation shifted from single-point repairs to systematic "darning." It simultaneously promoted rainwater and sewage separation, pipe network quality improvement, and waterlogging control, while integrally coordinating supporting upgrades such as communications and fire protection.
"Led by the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau (住建局), communication operators, water companies, and the Streetlight Management Office (路灯管理所) surveyed each alley to draw an underground pipe network map and formulate a 'one-alley, one-policy' plan." In Xuningmen Street Community (徐凝门街社区) of Dongguan Subdistrict (东关街道), Guangling District (广陵区), Wan Xin (万鑫), the person in charge of the comprehensive drainage management project, pointed to the newly arrived permeable blue bricks and said, "We must not only consider practical functions such as water seepage and anti-slip, but also ensure the color and style match the ancient city's landscape."
In the Xincang Lane Community (新仓巷社区), the renovated Xincang Lane (新仓巷) has added "fire equipment extraction points," equipped with two "slimmed-down" water hoses. Zhai Xiaopeng (翟小鹏), head of the Guangling District Fire and Rescue Bureau (广陵区消防救援局), introduced that to facilitate residents in extinguishing fires immediately and to solve the problem of fire trucks being unable to enter narrow alleys, the hose diameter was reduced from 65 millimeters to 25 millimeters. It is now lighter, with one end directly connected to the nozzle and the other end equipped with a conversion adapter, ensuring it can be used as soon as it is picked up.
How can the fire safety threshold be moved forward? Walking into No. 1 Xincang Lane (新仓巷1号), 78-year-old resident Yang Shanhua (杨善华) has a "small black box" installed in his home. This is an electrical fire monitor connected to the electricity meter box. It sounds an alarm when wires leak electricity, and in the event of a short circuit or high temperature, it will actively contact the homeowner and call the backend; if no one is home to handle it, it will automatically cut off the power.
The reporter saw on the ancient city's smart fire protection screen that 6,633 smoke alarms and 148 electrical fire monitors have been installed in the homes of ancient city residents, and 80 new fire equipment extraction boxes have been added around the houses. The "5-minute fire rescue circle" is becoming increasingly dense, allowing the thousand-year-old city to possess both its ancient charm and modern safety and livability.
Return to TopThe Ulan Muqir (乌兰牧骑) is a banner on the national literary and artistic front. Generations of Ulan Muqir (乌兰牧骑) members have brought joy and civilization to the vast number of farmers and herdsmen, conveying the voice and care of the Party (党).
Recently, the Ulan Muqir (乌兰牧骑) of Siziwang Banner (四子王旗), Ulanqab City (乌兰察布市), Inner Mongolia (内蒙古), performed in Ula Gacha (乌拉嘎查), Jiang'an Sumu (江岸苏木), Siziwang Banner (四子王旗). The Ulan Muqir (乌兰牧骑) members performed newly choreographed song, dance, and instrumental programs, which were welcomed by the herdsmen. The picture shows Ulan Muqir (乌兰牧骑) members of Siziwang Banner (四子王旗) performing a dance on June 5.
Photographed by Wang Zheng (王正) (Image China (影像中国))
Return to TopBeijing (北京), June 6 (Reporter Luo Shanshan (罗珊珊)) — Data released by the Ministry of Commerce (商务部) shows that in the first four months of this year, China's (中国) total import and export volume of services reached 2.48532 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4.9%. Among this, exports amounted to 985 billion yuan, an increase of 15%.
Exports of knowledge-intensive services maintained relatively rapid growth. In the first four months, the import and export of knowledge-intensive services totaled 1.10418 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.1%, accounting for 44.4% of the total import and export of services. Exports of knowledge-intensive services reached 544.09 billion yuan, an increase of 11.7%.
Exports of travel services and imports of transportation services grew rapidly. In the first four months, exports of travel services reached 147.15 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 30.4%, marking the fastest growth rate among the top five service export sectors; imports of transportation services reached 316.45 billion yuan, an increase of 24.9%, marking the fastest growth rate among the top five service import sectors.
Return to TopBeijing (北京), June 6 (Reporter Liu Wenxin (刘温馨)) — Data released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (工业和信息化部) shows that in the first four months of this year, China's (中国) software business revenue reached 4.6686 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.9%.
In the first four months, revenue from software products was 1.0464 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 8.0%, accounting for 22.4% of the total industry revenue. Among this, revenue from basic software products was 59.8 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.1%; revenue from industrial software products was 99.8 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.1%.
In the first four months, revenue from information technology services was 3.1332 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 12.0%, accounting for 67.1% of the total industry revenue. Among this, cloud computing and big data services achieved a combined revenue of 534.4 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 12.6%; integrated circuit design revenue was 142.8 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 18.3%; and e-commerce platform technical service revenue was 363.3 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 7.8%.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 史一棋 刘军国
Inside the exhibition hall of the Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Zhejiang (浙江清华长三角研究院) located in Jiaxing (嘉兴), an automatically adjusting bed caught the reporter's attention.
Upon closer inspection, this seemingly ordinary bed can automatically rise, lower, fold, and provide massage. It is also equipped with a screen that displays real-time vital sign data of the sleeper, such as heart rate, respiration, and snoring. "This smart bed has built-in high-sensitivity non-contact sensors, organically combining sensor technology, artificial intelligence, and big data algorithms to achieve real-time monitoring of human health and sleep. Users can obtain health advice by downloading an application," introduced Cao Hui (曹辉), Deputy General Manager of the smart bed manufacturer, Keeson Technology Corporation (麒盛科技股份有限公司).
As a national high-tech enterprise, Keeson Technology (麒盛科技) holds over 1,100 patents, has independently developed a medical-grade multimodal monitoring system, and participated in the formulation of national standards for smart beds. Behind these innovations and breakthroughs lies the successful practice of integrating industry and innovation.
Innovation comes from research institutions. The Intelligent Equipment and Technology Research Center (智能装备与技术研究中心) of the Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Zhejiang (浙江清华长三角研究院) conducts research in fields such as robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence, innovatively proposing intelligent product solutions.
Industry comes from manufacturing enterprises. As a leading bed manufacturer in Jiaxing (嘉兴), Keeson Technology (麒盛科技) previously specialized in electric bed products, possessing rich production experience, a complete product system, and a solid industrial foundation.
"Enterprises have creative ideas, and research institutions help realize them," said Huang Kaisheng (黄开胜), Party Secretary and Dean of the Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Zhejiang (浙江清华长三角研究院). The institute and the enterprise collaborated to form a scientific research team and jointly established a health sleep research center to develop smart sensor technology and new products.
With the support of research institutions, Keeson Technology (麒盛科技), a traditional bed manufacturing enterprise, has become increasingly "tech-savvy." The smart bed was developed and has been continuously updated and iterated, with annual sales growing from an initial 200,000 units to over 2 million.
The smart bed is a microcosm of how Jiaxing (嘉兴) promotes the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation.
To solve the "dare not invest" bottleneck in the transformation of scientific research achievements—where enterprises fear risks and research teams fear their efforts will be in vain—the Yangtze Delta Smart Oasis Innovation Center of Zhejiang University (浙江大学长三角智慧绿洲创新中心) has explored a "research first, equity later" mechanism. In the early stages of a project, research funding is used to support the team in verifying technical feasibility; if the project is successfully transformed, the funding is converted into equity as agreed; if it fails, it is treated as scientific research expenditure, allowing for fault tolerance.
"Enterprises pose the questions, we jointly provide the answers, embedding ourselves deeply into the enterprise's innovation chain, and blazing a path of innovation characterized by university-locality synergy and university-enterprise symbiosis." Zhu Liang (朱亮), Deputy Director of the Innovation Center, spoke of their "enterprise assistance formula": "Facing technical difficulties faced by enterprises, the Innovation Center has established a cooperative research and development mechanism of demand mining, precise matching, and joint tackling, allowing scientific research forces to sink into the workshop front lines and dive into the production sites."
The Innovation Center has achieved fruitful results: it has co-built 47 joint research institutions with enterprises, introduced and cultivated 90 enterprises, with a cumulative output value exceeding 400 million yuan; it holds shares in 27 enterprises with a valuation exceeding 100 million yuan.
In Jiaxing (嘉兴), the "Light of Wuzhen" (乌镇之光) supercomputing center, which possesses a computing power of 181.9 quadrillion operations per second, collaborates with over 100 key universities, research institutes, and technology-based enterprises, with an average utilization rate exceeding 70%. Jiashan Xiangfudang (嘉善祥符荡) has taken the lead in exploring cross-regional collaborative innovation mechanisms, becoming a hub for scientific and technological innovation in the Yangtze River Delta Ecology and Greenery Integration Demonstration Zone (长三角生态绿色一体化发展示范区). The Nanhu Asia-Pacific Road Science and Technology Innovation Belt (南湖亚太路科创带) gathers a large amount of innovation resources and scientific research talent, driving the development of industries such as microelectronics, intelligent equipment, and life health... In 2025, Jiaxing's (嘉兴) total social R&D investment accounted for 3.57% of its regional GDP, and its innovation index and scientific and technological achievement transformation index both ranked among the top in Zhejiang Province (浙江省). The city is truly 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng - "steaming steaming day upward," flourishing and developing rapidly).
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 程 焕
In Qiaojie (翘街), Liping County (黎平县), Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture (黔东南苗族侗族自治州), Guizhou Province (贵州省), the wooden door of the Yanting Handmade Embroidery Workshop (彦婷手工刺绣坊) is half-open. The person in charge, Lu Yongjiang (陆永江), is busy packing. An embroiderer hurries in and pulls a stack of newly finished embroidery pieces from her bag. Lu Yongjiang (陆永江) takes them and folds them into her suitcase.
“These were stitched by the sisters, one needle and one thread at a time; it is both a craft and a livelihood. Every extra piece I carry is one more opportunity.” From heading to the “Village Super League” (村超) site in Rongjiang County (榕江县) for intangible cultural heritage demonstrations to traveling to Shenzhen (深圳), Guangdong (广东) for the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (文博会)... recently, Lu Yongjiang (陆永江) has been working 连轴转 (lián zhóu zhuàn - "continuous axle rotation," working non-stop without rest). No matter where she goes, her suitcase is always packed with various Dong (侗族) handmade embroidery products.
A fire in her childhood caused a falling beam to crush her right hand, leaving Lu Yongjiang (陆永江) with a physical disability. After graduating from university, she returned to Liping (黎平) and visited 25 townships, humbly seeking advice from embroiderers. Over the years, Lu Yongjiang (陆永江) used her stiff fingers to master 12 types of Dong (侗族) embroidery stitches and was recognized as a provincial-level representative inheritor of the Dong (侗族) clothing project, which is a national-level intangible cultural heritage.
While learning the craft, Lu Yongjiang (陆永江) once visited Pintu Village (平途村) in Pingzhai Township (平寨乡). Stepping into a home, the scene before her made her heart ache. “The room was dim and damp. On an old, creaking bed, a woman was curled up, speaking timidly, with no light in her eyes.” The woman lying there was Wu Xuefang (吴雪坊), who had been paralyzed and bedridden for years; though only in her early forties, she looked like a septuagenarian.
As a person with a disability herself, Lu Yongjiang (陆永江) wanted to give her a helping hand. After much deliberation, Lu Yongjiang (陆永江) decided to use Dong (侗族) embroidery as a breakthrough to help people with disabilities achieve employment and increase their income.
Lu Yongjiang (陆永江)’s idea soon received support from the county. A 150,000-yuan interest-free startup loan was approved, and the Yanting Handmade Embroidery Workshop (彦婷手工刺绣坊) opened successfully. In the early stages of the business, Lu Yongjiang (陆永江) did not rush to the market, but instead focused on training.
Returning to Pintu Village (平途村), Lu Yongjiang (陆永江) didn't preach any grand theories; she simply spread out a piece of plain cloth, threaded a needle, and gently placed it into Wu Xuefang (吴雪坊)’s hand. “Come, try this. If I can embroider even though my index finger cannot bend, you certainly can!” Leaning over Wu Xuefang (吴雪坊)’s bedside, Lu Yongjiang (陆永江) taught her the stitches hand-in-hand and promised to buy back all finished products.
Wu Xuefang (吴雪坊) started with handkerchiefs and coasters, gradually moving on to sachets, scarves, and full sets of Dong (侗族) clothing. Today, she and her husband run an intangible cultural heritage training class at home. The couple earns over 4,000 yuan a month, both children have been admitted to university, and the family lives a life that is 有滋有味 (yǒu zī yǒu wèi - "have flavor have taste," full of zest and interest). “We don't wait for help or rely on others; we earn our living with our own hands. This sense of stability is more precious than anything,” says Wu Xuefang (吴雪坊).
One-on-one teaching is slow to show results, and working in isolation is difficult to achieve success. Lu Yongjiang (陆永江) has successively established seven embroidery bases, moving classrooms into villages, beside fire pits, and into courtyards. “The County Disabled Persons' Federation (县残联) helped connect us with support resources and reimbursed some of our material and transportation costs, which significantly reduced our operational pressure.” What comforts Lu Yongjiang (陆永江) most is that with these bases, the embroiderers are not just learning a craft, but are also regaining their self-confidence through chatting and singing together.
By the end of 2020, all 832 of China’s poverty-stricken counties had been lifted out of poverty, and the goals of the poverty alleviation campaign in the new era were completed on schedule. That year, Liping County (黎平县) also achieved poverty eradication for the entire county.
“In promoting comprehensive rural revitalization, people with disabilities must not be left behind; we must strive to keep pace with the times.” Lu Yongjiang (陆永江) seized the opportunity of East-West collaboration, carried out embroidery creations with innovative concepts, and used methods like cultural product development and live-streaming sales to help products move out of the mountains and into a broader world.
Eleven years have passed, and the Yanting Handmade Embroidery Workshop (彦婷手工刺绣坊) has provided employment for over 1,600 embroiderers, including more than 100 people with disabilities. In Lu Yongjiang (陆永江)’s team, there are 35 employees with disabilities; they are technical backbones, live-streamers, and product designers. The team has developed over 300 products, including sachets, handkerchiefs, and clothing, which have appeared at national exhibitions and are sold in 24 countries and regions. In 2023, the Yanting Handmade Embroidery Workshop (彦婷手工刺绣坊) was selected as one of the first national “Beautiful Workshops” (美丽工坊).
The transformation of Yang Xiuzhen (杨秀贞) is particularly moving. Born with a leg deformity, she worked as an assembly line worker in another province in her early years and would get nervous even talking to strangers. Since joining the embroidery workshop six years ago, her life has changed quietly. “The sun, moon, stars, flowers, plants, and trees are all sources of inspiration for Dong (侗族) embroidery patterns...” Standing in front of the live-streaming camera, Yang Xiuzhen (杨秀贞)’s voice is crisp and her gestures are agile as she explains the meanings of the patterns with great familiarity. “I used to be afraid of being seen, but now I look forward to it. The craft has given me the greatest sense of confidence,” Yang Xiuzhen (杨秀贞) exclaims.
In Liping (黎平), such stories are connecting points into lines and weaving nets into sheets. Since 2025, targeting key groups such as people with disabilities, laborers lifted out of poverty, and those with employment difficulties, the county has conducted over 4,000 person-times of skills training in embroidery, live-streaming, and housekeeping. Over 3,800 people have found employment, and the average salary of trainees has increased by over 20%.
Employment training for people with disabilities has been incorporated into the Guizhou (贵州) vocational skills improvement system. Characteristic training projects such as “Guizhou Craftsman” (贵州技工), “Qianling Housekeeping” (黔灵家政), and “Qian Tourism Craftsman” (黔旅工匠) have all included people with disabilities. During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, the province conducted 65,900 person-times of various training for people with disabilities. In places like Taijiang (台江), Panzhou (盘州), and Shibing (施秉), a number of “Beautiful Workshops” (美丽工坊) linked by intangible cultural heritage have sprung up 如雨后春笋般 (rú yǔ hòu chūn sǔn bān - "like bamboo shoots after a spring rain," springing up rapidly in large numbers), and the path for people with disabilities to find employment and increase their income is becoming wider.
Currently, Lu Yongjiang (陆永江) is busy selecting a site for a new facility. With the county’s support, she plans to upgrade a nearly 500-square-meter idle space into a comprehensive entrepreneurship and employment complex for people with disabilities. In addition to the intangible cultural heritage workshop and daily training areas, it also includes plans for a product exhibition hall and a cultural salon space. “I want people to see them not as ‘beneficiaries’ when they walk in, but as creators, designers, and entrepreneurs,” she says.
“Embroiderers can stitch the magnificent landscapes of the country, and they can also ‘show off’ their own happy lives,” says Lu Yongjiang (陆永江). “Happiness is not in the distance; it is right here in the persistence of every needle and thread.”
Return to TopAccording to Xinhua News Agency (新华社) (Reporter Xu Penghang (徐鹏航), Peng Yunjia (彭韵佳)): On June 5, the National Healthcare Security Administration (国家医保局) and other departments released the "Operational Procedures for Cross-Provincial Mutual Aid of Basic Medical Insurance Personal Accounts for Employees (Trial)" (职工基本医疗保险个人账户跨省共济经办规程（试行）), which provides clear regulations on the quota, usage, and settlement of cross-provincial mutual aid for employee medical insurance personal accounts.
Cross-provincial mutual aid for employee medical insurance personal accounts refers to the establishment of a personal medical insurance wallet based on the unified national medical insurance information platform. By setting a mutual aid quota, it enables the funds in an employee's personal account to be used, in accordance with regulations, to pay for the personal burden of medical expenses incurred by close relatives at designated medical institutions and pharmacies, as well as for insurance premium payments.
The procedures clarify that the scope of eligible recipients for cross-provincial mutual aid includes the close relatives of participants in the Basic Medical Insurance for Employees (职工基本医疗保险), and the beneficiary must be a participant in the Basic Medical Insurance (基本医疗保险). Close relatives include spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, maternal grandparents, grandchildren, and maternal grandchildren. Participants can establish or terminate mutual aid relationships through various channels, such as the National Medical Insurance Service Platform (国家医保服务平台) application, provincial medical insurance service platforms, or the counters of medical insurance handling agencies in the place of insurance participation.
The provider sets a mutual aid quota for the beneficiary through the medical insurance wallet, and the provider can no longer use the personal account funds within that quota. The beneficiary is not permitted to further transfer the received mutual aid quota to a third party. When the beneficiary incurs expenses that comply with the regulations, they may use the mutual aid funds for settlement.
According to the procedures, the beneficiary may use the mutual aid quota to pay for the personal burden of medical expenses incurred while seeking treatment at designated medical institutions, as well as the personal burden of expenses incurred when purchasing compliant medicines, medical devices, and medical consumables at designated retail pharmacies. At the same time, the funds can also be used to pay the individual contribution portion for participating in the Basic Medical Insurance for Urban and Rural Residents (城乡居民基本医疗保险) and Long-term Care Insurance (长期护理保险), provided that the full amount is paid.
Regarding settlement management, the funds for cross-provincial mutual aid of personal accounts are subject to advance payment management and are incorporated into the unified management of advance payments for cross-provincial medical treatment.
Return to TopWith a curb weight exceeding 2 tons, some family cars are heavier than small trucks. The trend of new energy vehicles (NEVs) becoming larger and heavier has recently become a hot topic of discussion both within and outside the industry.
"According to motor vehicle insurance registration statistics, from January to April 2026, the average curb weight of new energy passenger vehicles in China (中国) reached 1,939.3 kilograms, an increase of 27.5% compared to 2020." Zhou Wei (周玮), Senior Director of the Green, Low-Carbon and Tax Policy Research Department at the China Automotive Strategy and Policy Research Center (中国汽车战略与政策研究中心), cited the latest data to confirm this phenomenon.
Why has the weight increased by more than 400 kilograms in just a few short years? Through investigation, reporters found that this is the result of multiple overlapping factors, including market demand and technological development.
As the key to energy storage and supply for NEVs, the power battery system is the primary source of this "weight gain," with battery packs often weighing several times more than internal combustion engines. Intuitively, taking a mid-size sedan of the same brand and model as an example, the internal combustion engine version has a curb weight of about 1,600 kilograms, while the pure electric version exceeds 2,000 kilograms.
"Range anxiety" has spurred an increase in battery capacity. To meet consumer demand for long range, most car companies choose to equip their vehicles with larger battery packs. "In the first four months of this year, the average battery capacity of pure electric passenger vehicles has grown to approximately 63 kilowatt-hours, 20 kilowatt-hours more than in 2020, further increasing the overall vehicle weight," said Zhou Wei (周玮).
Liu Fawang (刘法旺), Deputy Director of the Equipment Industry Development Center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (工业和信息化部), told reporters that against the backdrop of intelligence, with the accelerated popularization of functions such as assisted driving systems, smart cockpits, multi-sensor fusion, and connected communication, the vehicle's configuration in terms of perception, computing, and communication continues to improve, which also brings about an additional weight of approximately 50 kilograms.
In addition, to meet higher-level collision safety, protection performance, and user comfort requirements, some models have been reinforced in terms of body structure, sound insulation materials, and chassis systems, leading to further weight increases.
Objectively speaking, the trend toward larger vehicles and high-end configurations is a direction that meets mid-to-high-end consumer demand and is also a choice for car companies to enhance product competitiveness. However, the continuous rise in vehicle weight and the potential problems that follow are equally worthy of attention.
"On one hand, the greater the body weight, the stronger the inertia during driving, which will affect the vehicle's ability to avoid risks in sudden situations. On the other hand, the increased weight inevitably requires more energy to drive," said Zhu Yifang (朱一方), Minister of the New Energy Vehicle Research Department at the China Automotive Strategy and Policy Research Center (中国汽车战略与政策研究中心).
China's (中国) NEV industry is at a critical stage of shifting from scale expansion to high-quality development. The trend toward larger vehicles is a natural choice of market and industrial development. However, as travel needs become increasingly diverse and road conditions and usage environments vary greatly from place to place, the industry should adhere to a diverse product supply, allowing various models to display their strengths and 各美其美 (gè měi qí měi - "each beautiful in its own way," to appreciate and respect the unique value and beauty of different things).
Liu Fawang (刘法旺) suggests further strengthening the research and development of lightweight technologies for NEVs, accelerating the application of lightweight materials such as high-strength steel, aluminum alloys, and composite materials, promoting the improvement of power battery energy density and system integration optimization, and reducing redundant configurations.
Guiding the healthy development of the industry requires not only proactive transformation and upgrading by enterprises but also the protection of a sound policy and standard system. Reporters learned that at present, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (工业和信息化部) has taken the lead in building a comprehensive system that includes standard constraints and credit adjustments, using means such as power consumption limits, energy consumption management, and the dual-credit management policy to promote technological progress in the industry.
(Reported by Xinhua News Agency (新华社); Reporter: Tang Shining (唐诗凝))
Return to TopHarbin (哈尔滨), June 6 (Reporter Zhu Dawei (祝大伟)) — Since the beginning of this year, as of June 6, the number of China-Europe Railway Express (中欧班列) trains passing through the "East Corridor" (东通道) has exceeded 3,000.
Statistics show that from January to April this year, the cumulative traffic volume of the China-Europe Railway Express (中欧班列) "East Corridor" (东通道) accounted for 32.1% of the national total, with return train traffic accounting for 41.1% of the national return total. The China-Europe Railway Express (中欧班列) "East Corridor" (东通道) consists of three railway ports: Manzhouli (满洲里), Suifenhe (绥芬河), and Tongjiang North (同江北). It has established 27 stable operating routes, reaching 14 countries including Poland (波兰), Germany (德国), and the Netherlands (荷兰), and connecting more than 60 domestic cities such as Changsha (长沙), Zhengzhou (郑州), and Chengdu (成都).
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 侯琳良 王 沛
Can "Robot Vacuums" Be Used Underwater?
At Senke Intelligent Instrument Co., Ltd. (山东青岛森科特智能仪器有限公司) in Qingdao (青岛), Shandong (山东), a device resembling a robot vacuum turns nimbly in a pool, its cleaning disk rotating at high speed to strip away attachments completely.
Chairman Yu Jingdong (于敬东) keeps a close watch on the various parameters displayed on the test area screen—the fifth-generation underwater cleaning robot developed by his team is being prepared for delivery to a deep-sea aquaculture cage. "Algae and barnacles attach to the netting like 'plaques' in blood vessels; they must be cleaned off," says Yu Jingdong (于敬东).
In 2018, the large-scale, fully submersible deep-sea intelligent aquaculture cage "Shenlan No. 1" (深蓝一号) was completed in Qingdao (青岛), and the demand for underwater cleaning followed. Senke (森科特), a company originally focused on marine environmental monitoring, embraced a new opportunity.
"At that time, we couldn't even buy suitable underwater thrusters in China," recalls Yu Jingdong (于敬东). He noted that common products on the market were easily jammed by aquaculture debris, so "we had to build them ourselves." With over 60 employees, more than half of whom are R&D personnel, the company started from the electronic speed control system and tackled technical bottlenecks step by step.
Applications for the deep sea presented challenges far exceeding expectations. The flexibility of the robotic arm, the detection accuracy of sonar in turbid water, and the long-term corrosion resistance of sensors—one difficult problem after another arrived 接踵而至 (jiē zhǒng ér zhì - "follow heel arrive," to follow one after another in quick succession). Fortunately, Qingdao (青岛) is home to more than 50 marine-related research institutions, including the Ocean University of China (中国海洋大学) and the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院海洋研究所). "Backed by this ocean of innovation, we conducted joint research," says Yu Jingdong (于敬东).
R&D is not easy and requires continuous "blood transfusions." Yet, Yu Jingdong (于敬东) has never worried about funding: "In Qingdao (青岛), when engaged in marine scientific innovation, personal credit can also be used as collateral."
As it turns out, Qingdao (青岛) has built a full-chain support system for the marine industry, ranging from seed cultivation and aquaculture to equipment and artificial intelligence technology, providing strong support for leading scientific and technological talents like Yu Jingdong (于敬东).
After five years of R&D, the "hard nut" was finally cracked 硬骨头 (yìng gǔ tou - "hard bone," a difficult task or problem). Senke’s (森科特) underwater cleaning robots have moved from the laboratory to the market, diving into vast marine sectors such as ocean-going vessels, nuclear power cooling water filters, and offshore wind power foundations. Yu Jingdong (于敬东) says proudly, "Our core components are all independently controllable, and our orders for the first four months of this year have already exceeded the total for all of last year."
Qingdao (青岛) is activating new momentum for development through marine scientific innovation. "We persist in leading the construction of a modern marine industrial system through scientific and technological innovation," introduces Meng Qingsheng (孟庆胜), Party Secretary of the Qingdao Municipal Marine Development Bureau (青岛市海洋发展局). Traditional industries continue to be upgraded and improved, emerging industries are being cultivated and strengthened, and future industries are being laid out in advance. In 2025, Qingdao's (青岛) gross marine product is expected to grow by approximately 6.5%. Today, in Qingdao (青岛), a single piece of seaweed can see its value jump dozens of times through deep processing; a large yellow croaker can move from near-shore cages to the world's first 100,000-ton smart aquaculture factory ship, "Guoxin No. 1" (国信1号), making "ranching in the ship's hold" a reality; and the successive debut of projects like "Hai Kui No. 1" (海葵一号) continues to refresh the depth and breadth of the marine industry.
"We will unswervingly do a good job in the grand undertaking of managing the ocean, and accelerate the creation of a highland for modern marine economic development," stated Zeng Zanrong (曾赞荣), Member of the Standing Committee of the Shandong Provincial Party Committee (山东省委常委) and Secretary of the Qingdao Municipal Party Committee (青岛市委书记).
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 蒋雪鸿
In the summer, traveling along the edge of the Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠) in Xinjiang (新疆), the northwest wind blows, yet the scene of yellow sand filling the sky, as seen in the past, is nowhere to be found.
On June 6, 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out at the Symposium on Strengthening Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Desertification and Promoting Key Ecological Projects such as the "Three-North" Shelterbelt (三北): "We must fight a tough battle for the 'Three-North' (三北) project, and build the 'Three-North' (三北) project into a fully functional, impregnable green Great Wall in the northern frontier and a barrier for ecological security."
The battle to block the desert at the Hexi Corridor (河西走廊)—Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠) edge was thus launched. In November 2024, the "Green Scarf" around the Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠) — the green sand-blocking protective belt — achieved a historic closure. Since 2025, Xinjiang (新疆) has shifted its focus of sand control to "expanding the borders and improving quality," increasing the width of the locked borders to between 110 and 7,500 meters, realizing a leap in development from a "single line" to a "vast expanse."
Scientific Sand Control, Restoring Ecological Functions
"Our goal in management is not to 'eliminate the desert,' but to respect the natural laws of the desert ecosystem, curb the disorderly expansion of the desert, protect the oases and farmland necessary for human survival, and manage land that has become desertified due to unreasonable human activities, so as to restore its ecological functions," introduced Zhang Zhigang (张志刚), Party Secretary and Deputy Director of the Forestry and Grassland Bureau of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (新疆维吾尔自治区林业和草原局).
"Desertification management must not only look at the present, but also consider long-term water resource constraints," said Zhu Yajuan (朱雅娟), a researcher at the Institute of Desertification Studies of the Chinese Academy of Forestry (中国林科院荒漠化研究所). She noted that some parts of southern Xinjiang (南疆) have an average annual precipitation of less than 50 millimeters, making them extremely arid areas. It is necessary to determine the scale of greening based on water availability and ensure the long-term, stable, and healthy operation of this ecological barrier through scientific and meticulous management.
In recent years, the local area has adhered to the principle of determining greening by water and adapting to local conditions, embarking on a path of scientific sand control that conforms to natural laws and reality. In Baihe Town (百和镇), Hotan County (和田县), on the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠), patches of alfalfa spread their greenery, while desert roses, saxaul, and large-fruit oleaster grow in a staggered manner, full of vitality. This experimental field belongs to the Hotan County Sand Prevention and Control Experimental Station (和田县防沙治沙试验站).
"We screened 76 types of desert-adapted plants from all over the country and conducted comparative tests on survival rates and economic benefits at the experimental station. We selected varieties that are easy to survive, consume little water, and have high economic value to promote to local residents and sand control enterprises," introduced Li Yanzhong (李彦忠), the technical lead of the experimental station. Relying on the screening results of the station, Chinese medicinal herbs such as mugwort and drought-tolerant, barren-resistant economic forest fruits like large-fruit oleaster have been planted on a large scale in surrounding sandy areas.
Ayimake Village (阿依玛克村), Buzhake Township (布扎克乡), Hotan County (和田县), is not far from the experimental station. Sudiwumai Tursun (苏迪乌麦·图尔荪), who returned home to start a business last year, contracted 1,000 mu of sandy land with 18 other villagers. They practice three-dimensional intercropping of saxaul, oleaster, and alfalfa, supplemented by a drip irrigation system for precise water replenishment, and the growth is promising. "We also grafted large-fruit oleaster onto wild oleaster seedlings; looking at the growth, it's quite good," said Sudiwumai Tursun (苏迪乌麦·图尔荪).
Joining Forces for Sand Control, Improving the Living Environment
Qiemo County (且末县) in the Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture (巴音郭楞蒙古自治州) is located on the southeastern edge of the Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠), surrounded by sand on three sides and backed by mountains. Surging drifting sand once separated the county seat by only the Qarqan River (车尔臣河), with the closest distance being no more than two kilometers.
In 1998, the local government established a windbreak and sand control station, beginning large-scale sand control efforts. Over the years, every spring and autumn, cadres, staff, students, farmers, and herdsmen of all ethnic groups in Qiemo (且末) have spontaneously brought tools to participate in sand control.
"I have been engaged in sand control work for more than 20 years. In the three years of the 'Three-North' (三北) project battle, the living environment of my hometown has improved significantly," said Patiguli Yasen (帕提古丽·亚森), a maintenance worker at the sand control station. "In the past, strong winds would carry yellow sand and roar in, blowing so hard that people couldn't even open their eyes. Now, as the airflow passes through the continuous ecological forest, one can only hear the soft sound of the wind."
At the sand control station, Patiguli Yasen (帕提古丽·亚森) displayed two satellite remote sensing comparison images spanning time and space: in the 1998 image, Qiemo County (且末县) was almost completely surrounded by the desert, with the oasis shrinking lonely in a corner of the map; while in the latest satellite image, the same area is wrapped in lush green.
The scene of local cadres and people of all ethnic groups **攻坚克难** (gōng jiān kè nán - "attack fortress overcome difficulty," to surmount difficulties and achieve breakthroughs) and working tirelessly to control sand deeply moved Tian Ye (田野), a veteran who once performed missions in Qiemo (且末). In the spring of 2018, after retiring, he gathered his comrades-in-arms to establish a veteran sand control team, contracting to manage more than 3,000 mu of sandy land in Qiemo (且末). They also issued an initiative to the whole society called "I plant a tree for the Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠)," which received responses from more and more people. "Nowadays, many people want to come and contribute; new forces are joining continuously, making the edges of the desert greener," said Tian Ye (田野).
Prospering Through Greening, Balancing Sand Control and Wealth Creation
In the Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠) region, a new path that balances sand control with wealth creation and promotes both greening and prosperity is constantly unfolding.
Ruoqiang County (若羌县) is located in an oasis zone at the intersection of the Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠) and the Kumtag Desert (库姆塔格沙漠). Implementing precise border-locking projects to seize the "throat" of the two deserts' convergence and expansion is the local priority for sand control.
On the rolling sand dunes, patches of grass grids crisscross, and the Ruoqiang (若羌) New Energy Base project is accelerating. A project leader from the Three Gorges Corporation (三峡集团) introduced that the micro-siting and exploration of the photovoltaic plant area are proceeding in an orderly manner. In the next step, they will promote large-scale "photovoltaic sand control" in the heart of the desert according to the model of "power generation on the panels, sand control under the panels, and planting between the panels" with high standards. In Ruoqiang County (若羌县), photovoltaic sand control projects have driven the employment of over 2,000 people.
Near the suburbs of Ruoqiang County (若羌县), in a sandy experimental field interplanted with saxaul and black wolfberry, staff wearing sun-protective clothing and masks are standardizing the planting processes such as drilling, planting seedlings, and drip irrigation under the scorching sun. In this sandy land, the saxaul ecological forest, which serves as the foundation for sand fixation, is fully funded and built by the government, while the high-value-added black wolfberry is entrusted to local enterprises for industrial trial planting.
"It is far from the urban area here, and it is inconvenient for the masses to manage it daily, so it is handed over to enterprises for operation and trial planting. The enterprises also undertake the maintenance work of the 5,200 mu of saxaul forest," introduced Li Bin (李宾), Party Secretary and Deputy Director of the Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Ruoqiang County (若羌县林草局).
In recent years, Ruoqiang County (若羌县) has built a complete industrial chain covering black wolfberry planting, deep processing, and market sales, with a total planting area of 42,000 mu in the county. Li Bin (李宾) calculated: "At present, the yield per mu of black wolfberry is stable at 150 to 200 kilograms, and the purchase price is 30 to 40 yuan per kilogram, which is quite considerable."
Promoting greening and controlling sand, achieving both greening and prosperity. As of now, the area of desert-adapted economic crops in Xinjiang (新疆) has reached 10.83 million mu, with a total output value of nearly 29 billion yuan, driving about 300,000 people to find employment nearby and locally. More and more people are becoming wealthy through sand control and controlling sand while becoming wealthy. This land, which was once ravaged by sandstorms, is radiating increasingly vigorous vitality.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 李 锋 宋亦然
The "2026 World Mayors Dialogue·Beijing" (2026世界市长对话·北京), guided by the State Council Information Office (国务院新闻办公室), was recently held in Beijing (北京). More than 30 mayors and city representatives from six African countries, including Morocco (摩洛哥), Seychelles (塞舌尔), Tunisia (突尼斯), and Senegal (塞内加尔), as well as representatives from some members of the World Tourism Cities Federation (世界旅游城市联合会), attended the event. The participating guests engaged in in-depth exchanges and interactions centered on "strengthening exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations and continuing the traditional friendship between China and Africa," jointly exploring the path for the development of China-Africa people-to-people exchanges and urban cooperation.
"Placing people-to-people exchanges in an important position in China-Africa cooperation"
2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China (中国) and Africa (非洲), and is also the "China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges" (中非人文交流年) jointly determined by both sides. The many mayors and representatives from African countries attending this event are not only the helmsmen of urban development but also practitioners of dialogue between civilizations. Over the two days, the guests focused on exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations and mutually beneficial win-win results, contributing strength to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.
The participating representatives unanimously agreed that although China and Africa are separated by tens of thousands of miles, deep historical origins and the friendship of mutual assistance have always connected the two peoples. After years of development, the scope of China-Africa cooperation has extended from traditional aid and infrastructure projects to the fields of scientific research and people-to-people exchanges, injecting momentum into the exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and African civilizations.
"Every exchange and interaction is a victory in breaking down cognitive barriers." Khady Diop Faye (哈吉·萨尔·费耶), Deputy Mayor of Ziguinchor (济金绍尔), Senegal (塞内加尔), stated that cities should become bridges to promote friendship between Africa and China, and are also key implementation units for the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (中非合作论坛). "People-to-people exchanges should be placed in an important position in Africa-China cooperation, because culture is the carrier of peace, which is conducive to breaking down prejudices, eliminating estrangement, and deepening understanding."
Among the many guests, Josy Michaud-Payet (乔西·米肖·巴耶特), Mayor of Victoria (维多利亚), the capital of Seychelles (塞舌尔), wearing a red formal dress, was particularly eye-catching. "Choosing red is to express respect for the host country, China (中国), and at the same time, red is also a color that the people of Seychelles (塞舌尔) like." Payet told reporters that Victoria (维多利亚) holds China-related themed activities every year. "For many years, China (中国) has strongly supported the infrastructure construction of Seychelles (塞舌尔), playing an important role in promoting our economic and social development. People-to-people contacts and cultural exchanges have further brought the two peoples closer."
Mohamed Fazi Alimond (穆罕默德·法齐·阿里蒙), Junior Minister of Local Government of Mauritius (毛里求斯), said that culture is not only a spiritual wealth but also a carrier for bridging cognitive gaps and deepening the foundation of mutual trust, and is the underlying logic supporting the steady and long-term development of Africa-China cooperation. "We not only long to learn from China's (中国) valuable experience in development, but also hope to deepen the brotherly friendship of sharing weal and woe between Africa and China through exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations, so that the cornerstone of culture can support the towering edifice of the China-Africa community with a shared future."
"Strengthening the youth bond is to consolidate the foundation for generations of friendship between the Chinese and African peoples"
In the list of high-quality activities for the 2026 "China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges" (中非人文交流年), the "Youth Navigator" section focuses on China-Africa youth exchanges. On June 3, Chinese and foreign guests held a roundtable dialogue on the theme of "Youth Voices and the Future of Cities," unanimously agreeing that youth education and dialogue are an important link in enhancing understanding and mutual learning between civilizations.
Currently, projects such as the Luban Workshop (鲁班工坊) and the "Future Africa—China-Africa Vocational Education Cooperation Plan" (未来非洲—中非职业教育合作计划) provide practical skills training for African youth in areas such as digital technology, mechanical manufacturing, and cross-border e-commerce, precisely adapting to the needs of local industrialization development in Africa (非洲), and building high-quality platforms for China-Africa youth exchanges and talent cultivation.
Beladji (贝拉吉), Mayor of Garoua (加鲁阿), Cameroon (喀麦隆), stated that Cameroon (喀麦隆) highly values young talents who return home after studying in China (中国). Garoua (加鲁阿) directs the absorption of youth who have completed their studies and returned home to participate in national construction, providing them with landing funds and venue support in many fields such as infrastructure, modern agriculture, and digital industries. At the same time, relying on the resources of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, it opens up export channels for local specialty products to China (中国), helping youth apply what they have learned and driving local industrial development.
Fatawi (法塔维), a representative of the Mayor of Marrakesh (马拉喀什), Morocco (摩洛哥), stated that educational cooperation is a key link in building a solid foundation for Africa-China friendship. As a landmark vocational education cooperation project, the Luban Workshop (鲁班工坊) not only helps African youth master professional skills such as e-commerce, digital technology, and artificial intelligence, but also injects strong momentum into Africa-China friendly mutual assistance and coordinated development. He hopes that the Luban Workshop (鲁班工坊) will further expand its scale so that more African youth can benefit from it.
"The future of Africa-China friendship needs the younger generation to continue the legacy. Building bridges for youth is to promote the establishment of more lasting ties between Africa and China." Faye (费耶) stated that it is necessary to expand the network of Africa-China friendship cities and promote exchanges among young scholars, artists, entrepreneurs, etc.; it is necessary to let the youth of both sides get to know each other in the process of co-building projects and chasing dreams together. "Strengthening the youth bond is to consolidate the foundation for generations of friendship between the Chinese and African peoples." Faye (费耶) said that China (中国) has rich experience in developing advanced technology, and African countries have a young population structure and broad development space. Cooperation between the two sides can fully utilize each other's advantages while retaining their own cultural characteristics to achieve a win-win situation.
"Further deepening cooperation in fields such as economy, trade, friendship city exchanges, and tourism"
Seeking cooperation is one of the important topics that many African representatives are concerned about during the event.
Lebal (勒巴尔), Deputy Mayor of Fez (菲斯), Morocco (摩洛哥), is visiting China (中国) for the third time. "Every time I visit China (中国), I have a new understanding of China's (中国) development achievements." Lebal (勒巴尔) stated that Morocco (摩洛哥) and China (中国) are deepening cooperation in fields such as economy, trade, and tourism, and more and more Chinese companies are investing in Morocco (摩洛哥), bringing new opportunities to the local area. "Fez (菲斯) is an ancient city with rich historical and cultural resources and a deep foundation in the tourism industry. We look forward to further deepening cooperation with Chinese cities in fields such as economy, trade, friendship city exchanges, and tourism, so that the people of the two countries can better understand each other and enhance the friendship between the two peoples."
Since May 1 this year, China (中国) has fully implemented zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China (中国), and the participating African representatives have heatedly discussed the benefits brought by this measure to Africa-China economic and trade cooperation. Diouf (迪乌夫), Mayor of Dakar (达喀尔), Senegal (塞内加尔), said: "The mutually beneficial economic and trade relationship between Africa and China has effectively promoted each other's development. We hope to further deepen pragmatic cooperation and welcome more Chinese entrepreneurs to invest and start businesses in Senegal (塞内加尔)."
Nasser (纳赛尔), Secretary-General of the Tozeur (托泽尔) Municipal Government, Tunisia (突尼斯), said that Tozeur (托泽尔) attaches great importance to cooperation with China (中国) and regards China (中国) as an important partner. The local government will continue to optimize tourism supporting resources and take multiple measures to attract more Chinese tourists to visit. At the same time, it looks forward to further carrying out cooperation with Chinese cities such as Beijing (北京), and jointly seeking paths to solve practical problems such as local desertification control.
"For a long time, practical cooperation between Cameroon (喀麦隆) and China (中国) has provided important support for the development of Garoua (加鲁阿). We hope to learn from China's (中国) experience in developing the economy, tourism, and using technology to empower urban governance, bring these beneficial practices back to Cameroon (喀麦隆), and promote the deep integration of culture, tourism, and modern technology in Garoua (加鲁阿)." Beladji (贝拉吉) said.
As an important center for carrying out international exchanges, Beijing (北京) has always been committed to building a stage for dialogue between civilizations, has successively established friendly relations with many African cities, and continues to deepen all-round exchanges and cooperation in fields such as humanities, economy, trade, and cultural tourism. Sui Xiaofeng (隋晓峰), Deputy District Mayor of Haidian District (海淀区), Beijing (北京), stated that in recent years, Haidian District (海淀区) has deeply cultivated the friendship exchange network with African cities and is willing to take the 2026 "China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges" (中非人文交流年) as an opportunity to deepen cooperation with African cities in cultural exchanges, industrial collaboration, and other aspects.
(Sheng Chuyi (盛楚宜) also contributed to this article)
Return to TopThe Chinese side is willing to work with the Lao side to carry forward traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen solidarity and coordination, promote a new leap in China-Laos (中老) relations, and join hands to build an all-weather China-Laos (中老) community with a shared future in the new era, setting an example for building a community with a shared future for mankind.
On June 5, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) (中国共产党) Central Committee and President of the People's Republic of China (PRC) (中国) Xi Jinping (习近平) held talks with Thongloun Sisoulith (通伦), General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) (老挝人民革命党) Central Committee and President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos) (老挝), who was in China for a state visit. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on relations between the two parties and the two countries, as well as international and regional issues of common concern, reaching a series of important consensuses. President Xi Jinping (习近平) put forward four points of view on advancing China-Laos (中老) relations and the building of a community with a shared future between the two countries toward high standards, high quality, and high levels: "adhering to the socialist direction," "consolidating the cornerstone of mutually beneficial cooperation," "strengthening the traditional friendship between the people," and "enhancing coordination on foreign policy," which pointed the way for building an all-weather China-Laos (中老) community with a shared future in the new era.
Adhering to the socialist direction is the most distinct essential characteristic of China-Laos (中老) relations and the most solid political foundation for the development of these relations. China (中国) and Laos (老挝) are socialist neighbors with a shared future, sharing common ideals and beliefs, the same social systems, and similar development paths. In recent years, the top leaders of the two parties and two countries have maintained close exchanges, using a long-term vision and strategic thinking to lead and guide China-Laos (中老) relations to always move forward in the right direction. During the visit, General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith (通伦) made a special trip to the Party School of the Central Committee of the CPC (National Academy of Governance) (中共中央党校（国家行政学院）). In 2000, he participated in a one-month exchange program there, systematically learning about the CPC's (中国共产党) experience in party and state governance. He stated that the content of his studies and exchanges at his alma mater provided valuable experience and useful references for the LPRP's (老挝人民革命党) party building and the country's development, and that Laos (老挝) will also continue to move forward along the socialist path. Against the backdrop of the accelerating evolution of changes unseen in a century, the two sides should develop China-Laos (中老) relations from a strategic height concerning the future and destiny of socialism, contributing to human development and progress and the development of the world socialist cause.
In recent years, from the continuously increasing radiation and driving effect of the China-Laos Railway (中老铁路) "golden channel" to the quality improvement and upgrading of cooperation in the China-Laos Economic Corridor (中老经济走廊), China (中国) and Laos (老挝) have continuously strengthened strategic alignment and expanded growth points for cooperation. During the visit, General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith (通伦) visited Zhejiang (浙江), going into local enterprises and villages to experience the momentum of scientific and technological innovation and the new look of rural development. The surging vitality of China's (中国) high-quality development has opened up new space for cooperation between the two countries. This year marks the beginning of China's (中国) "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五) and Laos' (老挝) "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五), and the two sides face broader prospects for high-quality, mutually beneficial cooperation. The two countries are strengthening cooperation in traditional fields such as agriculture and electricity, and expanding cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and the digital economy, which will bring more benefits to the two countries and their peoples, and help the two countries achieve development, revitalization, and their respective paths to modernization.
People-to-people bonds are the deep soil of China-Laos (中老) friendship. In recent years, the two countries have continuously deepened exchanges and cooperation in the humanities, promoting bilateral relations to become closer and better. From clean water being connected to farm households to photovoltaic power lighting up mountain village nights; from village-level clinics safeguarding public health to satellite TV signals connecting remote rural areas... the effectiveness of the eight major projects aided by China (中国) to Laos (老挝) continues to play a role, and the friendship between the two peoples continues to heat up. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China (中国) and Laos (老挝) and the "China-Laos Friendship Year" (中老友好年). The two sides will take this as an opportunity to expand cooperation in culture, education, health, and local affairs, tap into red resources, enhance mutual understanding and affinity between the two peoples, implement talent training projects, create more "small yet beautiful" (小而美) livelihood projects, and continuously consolidate the social and public opinion foundations of China-Laos (中老) friendship.
Facing the changes of the world, the times, and history, China (中国) and Laos (老挝) uphold multilateralism, maintain close coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, and firmly support each other in safeguarding their respective core interests, injecting more certainty into regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity. The two sides are strengthening cooperation under the framework of major concepts and initiatives such as building a community with a shared future for mankind, the Global Development Initiative (全球发展倡议), the Global Security Initiative (全球安全倡议), the Global Civilization Initiative (全球文明倡议), and the Global Governance Initiative (全球治理倡议), which will better jointly address global challenges.
China (中国) and Laos (老挝) are good neighbors and good friends connected by mountains and rivers with a friendship that has lasted for generations; they are good comrades and good partners with shared ideals and a common destiny. Looking to the future, the Chinese side is willing to work with the Lao side to carry forward traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen solidarity and coordination, promote a new leap in China-Laos (中老) relations, and join hands to build an all-weather China-Laos (中老) community with a shared future in the new era, setting an example for building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Return to TopSince COSCO Shipping (中远海运) fully took over operations in 2016, the annual container throughput of the Port of Piraeus (比雷埃夫斯港) in Greece (希腊)—hereinafter referred to as "Piraeus Port" (比港)—has continued to climb, and it has now become one of the important freight hubs and cruise home ports in the Mediterranean (地中海) region and even Europe (欧洲).
The image shows the Piraeus Port (比港) terminal at night.
Photographed by our reporter Xie Yahong (谢亚宏)
Return to TopXinhua News Agency (新华社), Beijing (北京), June 6 — At the invitation of the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (全国人大常委会), Zhao Leji (赵乐际), the Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore (新加坡国会), Seah Kian Peng (谢健平), will lead a delegation to visit China (中国) from June 8 to 13.
Return to TopAstana (阿斯塔纳), June 6 (Reporter Li Qiang (李强)) — Tashkent (塔什干) News: From June 3 to 5, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (香港特别行政区) John Lee (李家超) led a business delegation to visit Uzbekistan (乌兹别克斯坦). He met with President of Uzbekistan (乌兹别克斯坦) Shavkat Mirziyoyev (米尔济约耶夫), Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov (阿里波夫), and Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov (赛义多夫). The two sides reached a total of 35 memoranda and agreements, covering fields such as economy and trade, investment, finance, technology, and aviation.
During the talks, Shavkat Mirziyoyev (米尔济约耶夫) stated that he looks forward to deeply tapping into the potential of existing economic partnerships between various regions of Uzbekistan (乌兹别克斯坦) and Hong Kong (香港), expressing his belief that this visit by the Hong Kong (香港) business delegation will effectively promote the realization of this goal. Bakhtiyor Saidov (赛义多夫) noted that as an international financial and commercial center, Hong Kong (香港) possesses unique experience and immense potential, which will play an important role in the process of Uzbekistan (乌兹别克斯坦) advancing economic modernization and implementing high-tech cooperation projects.
John Lee (李家超) introduced that, as a result of the visit, the government of Uzbekistan (乌兹别克斯坦) has agreed to establish a Consulate General in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (香港特别行政区). Hong Kong (香港) has reached a draft agreement on civil aviation transport with Uzbekistan (乌兹别克斯坦), allowing airlines from both places to utilize traffic rights to deploy routes. Hong Kong (香港) and Uzbekistan (乌兹别克斯坦) have agreed to extend the mutual visa-exemption period to 30 days to facilitate people-to-people exchanges. The Hong Kong Palace Museum (香港故宫文化博物馆) will establish a partnership with the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan (乌兹别克斯坦国家历史博物馆), and the two sides will jointly organize exhibitions in the future.
Return to TopThe Asia-Pacific region is a home for peace and development, and by no means a chessboard for those with ulterior motives to seek private gains. The insistence of Japan (日本) and the Philippines (菲律宾) on introducing camp confrontation into the region has become a source of trouble that undermines peace and tranquility in the Asia-Pacific (亚太).
Recently, Japan (日本) and the Philippines (菲律宾) have accelerated their collusion with frequent actions. From announcing the launch of so-called maritime "delimitation negotiations" to advancing intelligence sharing, defense equipment transfers, and joint military exercises, the two countries are, in the name of "security cooperation," actually creating camp confrontation and pushing up regional security risks. This series of negative moves seriously deviates from the mainstream trend of regional countries seeking peace, development, and cooperation. It has not only triggered strong concerns among people from all walks of life in the region but has also been universally opposed by the international community.
The so-called "delimitation negotiations" between Japan (日本) and the Philippines (菲律宾) have no legal basis and seriously infringe upon China's (中国) maritime rights and interests. During the visit of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (马科斯) to Japan (日本), the two countries issued a joint statement announcing the formal launch of "delimitation negotiations" regarding the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the continental shelf between Japan (日本) and the Philippines (菲律宾). This move is another dangerous step by Japan (日本) and the Philippines (菲律宾) to strengthen collusion and disrupt the regional situation. The sea area proposed for delimitation by Japan (日本) and the Philippines (菲律宾) is located to the east of China's Taiwan (中国台湾) island. According to China's (中国) domestic law and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (联合国海洋法公约), China (中国) possesses an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and a continental shelf in this sea area. According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (联合国海洋法公约), the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the continental shelf between states with opposite or adjacent coasts should be determined by agreement between the relevant states on the basis of equity. Delimitation negotiations involving the sea area east of Taiwan (台湾) must involve the Chinese side. By bypassing China (中国) and unilaterally launching so-called "delimitation negotiations," Japan (日本) and the Philippines (菲律宾) have seriously violated international law and the basic norms of international relations. China (中国) has lodged solemn representations with both Japan (日本) and the Philippines (菲律宾) regarding this, firmly opposing this illegal and invalid act.
At the defense level, Japan (日本) and the Philippines (菲律宾) are constantly strengthening their binding system. During the visit of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (马科斯) to Japan (日本), the two sides agreed to formally launch negotiations on an Agreement on the Protection of Classified Military Information (军事情报保护协定), announced the upgrading of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (全面战略伙伴关系), and accelerated the transfer of defense equipment. What is particularly egregious is that during this year's U.S.-Philippines (美菲) "Balikatan" (肩并肩) joint military exercises, the Japan Self-Defense Forces (日本自卫队) not only dispatched combat personnel to participate on a large scale for the first time but also blatantly launched two Type 88 surface-to-ship missiles within the territory of the Philippines (菲律宾). This is the first time since the end of World War II (二战) that Japan (日本) has launched offensive missiles abroad. Japanese media analysis suggests that the governments of Japan (日本) and the Philippines (菲律宾) are using so-called "regional security concerns" as an excuse to build a quasi-alliance and construct an exclusive regional "security cooperation" framework.
The collusion and 沆瀣一气 (hàng xiè yī qì - "wallow in the mire together," to collude with someone in doing evil) between Japan (日本) and the Philippines (菲律宾) pose a serious threat to regional peace and security. As a defeated nation in World War II (二战), Japan (日本) should have deeply learned from historical lessons and strictly adhered to its "Peace Constitution" (和平宪法) and the principle of "exclusively defense-oriented policy" (专守防卫). However, for some time, Japanese right-wing forces have continuously broken through the constraints of the post-war peace system—from lifting the ban on the export of lethal weapons to advancing the development of long-range strike capabilities, and then to expanding its military presence and promoting the implementation of the "Indo-Pacific Strategy" (印太战略) by borrowing the Philippines (菲律宾), all while sending military forces overseas under the guise of "security cooperation." Japanese scholars point out that Japan's (日本) current diplomatic actions carry an obvious logic of camp confrontation, but this binary opposition thinking is out of touch with the reality of the contemporary world.
The Philippines (菲律宾) once suffered deeply from Japanese militarism (日本军国主义). During World War II (二战), the brutal colonization and massacres by the Japanese military (日军) led to the deaths of millions of Filipinos due to gunfire and famine; in the "Manila Massacre" (马尼拉大屠杀) of 1945 alone, more than 100,000 civilians were slaughtered. Today, the Philippine government, disregarding historical warnings, is accelerating its binding with Japan (日本) and even actively catering to Japan's (日本) "new militarism" (新型军国主义) acts, which is a typical act of geopolitical opportunism. On one hand, the Philippine side attempts to use Japanese resources to make up for its shortcomings in maritime defense and rely on a small circle to seek improper maritime rights and interests; on the other hand, it vainly attempts to bind external forces to exchange for short-term security dividends, and to shift domestic governance contradictions by hyping up external tensions. This short-sighted approach by the Philippine side is pushing itself into an extremely dangerous situation. As Herman Laurel (赫尔曼·劳雷尔), director of the Philippine "Asian Century" Strategic Studies Institute (亚洲世纪战略研究所), pointed out, "The Philippines (菲律宾) cannot tie itself to Japan's (日本) war chariot. This will not help the Philippines (菲律宾) safeguard national security and strategic autonomy, but will continuously undermine regional peace and stability, and will eventually 搬起石头砸自己的脚 (bān qǐ shí tou zá zì jǐ de jiǎo - "lift a rock only to drop it on one's own feet," to suffer the consequences of one's own actions)."
The Asia-Pacific (亚太) region is a home for peace and development, and by no means a chessboard for those with ulterior motives to seek private gains. The insistence of Japan (日本) and the Philippines (菲律宾) on introducing camp confrontation into the region has become a source of trouble that undermines peace and tranquility in the Asia-Pacific (亚太). We urge the Japanese side to face history squarely, be cautious in words and actions, and stop going further and further down the path of military expansion. At the same time, we also advise the Philippine side to follow the trend of regional peace and development and not to tie itself to the war chariot of other countries. Any act that provokes confrontation and undermines regional stability will eventually be condemned by regional countries and the international community with one voice.
Return to TopWarsaw, June 6 (Reporter Yu Limin (禹丽敏)) — Sofia report: The China-Bulgaria Trade and Investment Cooperation Roundtable was recently held in Sofia (索非亚), the capital of Bulgaria (保加利亚). This roundtable was co-hosted by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Bulgaria (中国驻保加利亚使馆) and the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria (保加利亚雇主和工业家联合会). Attendees included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investment and Industry of Bulgaria (保加利亚副总理兼经济、投资与工业部长) Plev (普列夫), Deputy Minister of Energy (能源部副部长) Gancheva (甘切娃), Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria (中国驻保加利亚大使) Dai Qingli (戴庆利), as well as nearly 200 corporate representatives from both countries in sectors such as clean energy, information technology, automotive, power, and finance.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 贾丰丰
On the Loess Plateau (黄土高原) of Northern Shaanxi (陕北), sunlight spills across the walls of the Memorial Hall of the Victory of the Long March of the Central Red Army (中央红军长征胜利纪念馆). Inside the exhibition hall, crowds are surging. In the display cases, worn-out straw sandals, rusted kerosene lamps, and yellowed marching documents silently recount history.
"Back then, the soldiers crossed thousands of mountains and rivers, forging ahead bravely for national liberation; today, the children of the old revolutionary base areas have taken up the torch, contributing their strength to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," said Zhang Xiaoqin (张晓芹), a docent at the Memorial Hall of the Victory of the Long March of the Central Red Army (中央红军长征胜利纪念馆).
On October 19, 1935, the Central Red Army (中央红军) arrived in Wuqi (吴起), Shaanxi (陕西). Two days later, the "Tail-Cutting" Battle (切尾巴战役) began, and the Central Red Army (中央红军) won the final victory of the Long March (长征).
More than 90 years later, standing at the entrance of the memorial hall and looking into the distance, one can see the loess covered in green, a landscape of lush verdure. Along the route of the former 25,000-li Long March (二万五千里长征), cities and villages with thriving industries, beautiful ecology, and peaceful living have developed. The "Red Ribbon" (红飘带) is radiating new brilliance.
Shifting the view to Yudu (于都), Jiangxi (江西), the Monument to the Departure of the Central Red Army for the Long March (中央红军长征出发纪念碑) stands majestically on the banks of the Yudu River (于都河). In October 1934, the Red Army (红军) bid farewell to the local elders here and embarked on the long journey of strategic transfer.
Back then, there were no bridges on the Yudu River (于都河), so the local people dismantled their doors and bed boards to help the Red Army (红军) build pontoon bridges. Today, grand bridges span across the Yudu River (于都河). On the other side of the bridge, the selenium-rich vegetable base in Tantou Village (潭头村), Yudu County (于都县), is massive in scale and truly spectacular.
"In the past, the village roads were narrow and the houses were old, and the young people all left. Now, it is different." Standing on the tidy village road, Liu Lianyun (刘连云), Party Branch Secretary of Tantou Village (潭头村), looked at the vegetable base and the boutique homestays with deep emotion. Once a poverty-stricken village, it has relied on its red resources and ecological advantages to create an integrated business model of red study tours and rural sightseeing. In 2025, the total output value of the selenium-rich industry in Tantou Village (潭头村) reached 180 million yuan, and the village's collective economic income reached 3.55 million yuan.
The Zunyi Meeting (遵义会议) held in January 1935 was a life-or-death turning point in the history of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党). It effectively established the leadership of Mao Zedong (毛泽东) in the Party Central Committee (党中央) and the Red Army (红军), began to establish the leadership of the correct Marxist line represented by Mao Zedong (毛泽东) in the Party Central Committee (党中央), began to form the first generation of the central collective leadership with Mao Zedong (毛泽东) at the core, and opened a new stage for the Party to independently solve the practical problems of the Chinese revolution. It saved the Party, the Red Army (红军), and the Chinese revolution at the most critical moment.
Crossing the Chishui River four times (四渡赤水), cleverly crossing the Jinsha River (金沙江), and flying to seize the Luding Bridge (泸定桥)…… the long expedition was filled with tragedy, generosity, and heroism.
In Jiajin Mountain (夹金山), Sichuan (四川), the mountain pass at an altitude of 4,114 meters is covered in snow all year round. Back then, the Red Army (红军) climbed over this great snow-capped mountain that "even birds cannot fly over," and many soldiers fell and never rose again. Conquering Jiajin Mountain (夹金山) relied on willpower. Today, the Jiajin Mountain Tunnel (夹金山隧道) has opened, and the travel time from Baoxing County (宝兴县), Ya'an City (雅安市), to Xiaojin County (小金县), Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture (阿坝藏族羌族自治州), has been reduced from over an hour to about 10 minutes.
Continuing westward, one arrives at Hadapu Town (哈达铺镇), Dangchang County (宕昌县), Gansu (甘肃). This small town is known as the "gas station" on the Long March (长征). In September 1935, after the Red Army (红军) captured Lazikou (腊子口), they arrived here, received rest, and determined the policy of going to Northern Shaanxi (陕北), finding the final answer for the destination of the Long March (长征).
Today, the bluestone roads of the old street in Hadapu (哈达铺) wind along. The former site of the Hadapu Meeting of the Red Army Long March (红军长征哈达铺会议旧址) is well-preserved, and tourists seeking red memories come in an endless stream. Local merchant Li Jianguo (李建国) guards the shop left by his ancestors, selling astragalus and angelica while telling stories to tourists. Pointing to the old photos on the wall, he said: "The Long March (长征) changed China, and now it is also changing our lives."
Returning to Wuqi (吴起), Zhang Xiaoqin (张晓芹) remarked with emotion that after telling the story of the Long March (长征) thousands of times, she can still feel the strength of rising up from desperate straits every time.
"Every generation has its own Long March (长征) road, and every generation must walk its own Long March (长征) road well." "The Long March (长征) is always on the road. A nation that does not remember its origins is a nation without a future. No matter how far our cause develops, and no matter how great our achievements are, we must vigorously carry forward the great Long March spirit (长征精神), and continue to forge ahead on the new Long March (长征) road."
Outside the memorial hall, a group of students lined up toward the monument. Upon reaching it, they stood straight and watched with focus. The Long March (长征) spans ten thousand miles, yet the mountains and rivers remain the same; the relay of struggle continues, carrying forward the past and opening up the future. We must 继往开来 (jì wǎng kāi lái - "continue past, open future," to carry on the work of predecessors and pave the way for the future).
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 武少民 董丝雨
Deep in the mountains, within the Tangjiahe Area (唐家河片区) of the Giant Panda National Park (大熊猫国家公园), bamboo forests sway and layers of trees form a lush, verdant landscape.
"We saw a heartwarming scene of an Asian black bear with its cubs on the slope opposite the Caijiaba (蔡家坝) road." Chen Shiying (陈诗颖), Chief of the Publicity and Education Section of the Tangjiahe Management Office (唐家河管理处), excitedly displayed a video on her phone. In it, a mother bear could be seen shielding her cubs, climbing over rocks by a stream, and heading deep into the dense forest. "Today, we also encountered animals such as Reeves's muntjacs, macaques, Sichuan takins, and Chinese gorals."
The Tangjiahe Area (唐家河片区) is located in Qingchuan County (青川县), Guangyuan City (广元市), Sichuan Province (四川省). With a forest coverage rate reaching 96.15%, it possesses a complete forest ecosystem where over 3,800 species of wild flora and fauna thrive. As one of more than 30 biodiversity hotspots globally, this region is dedicated to the scientific protection and rational utilization of natural ecological resources, building a beautiful home where all things exist in harmony.
**Steadfast in the Deep Mountains, Relentless in Patrols**
The patrol backpack of Jia Feide (贾飞德), Deputy Station Chief of the Baixiongping Protection Station (白熊坪保护站) in the Tangjiahe Area (唐家河片区), contains a telephoto camera, infrared cameras, a satellite phone, binoculars, and other equipment, with a total weight of over 20 kilograms.
"The deep mountains and dense forests are our 'office.' My colleagues and I usually head into the mountains for patrols at six or seven in the morning. Short patrols cover five or six kilometers, while long-distance treks can reach 20 kilometers in a single day. After returning from a patrol, we have to rush to organize our monitoring logs," said Jia Feide (贾飞德). "Every year from March to April, and from October to December, giant pandas are highly active, and we need to camp in the wild for a week at a time."
Setting up infrared cameras is one of the most important tasks of the patrol. "This work looks simple, but it actually has many nuances. For example, in areas where takins frequently appear, the camera height should be about 1 meter so that we can capture the takin's head or full body. If we are monitoring birds like the golden pheasant, the camera must be placed lower," Jia Feide (贾飞德) explained.
What left the deepest impression on Jia Feide (贾飞德) was the experience of accidentally encountering three wild giant pandas in the wild: "That morning, we entered the mountains and headed toward the giant panda habitat. We found one giant panda lying in a tree, while two others were fighting below. We quickly set up our filming equipment and recorded this precious scene."
Jia Feide (贾飞德) has been guarding the deep mountains for 14 years. "Although giant panda protection work is arduous, I feel very lucky to be able to work in this field full-time."
It is not just patrol members who traverse the dense forests day after day. Zhang Aihua (张爱华), a villager from Luoyigou Village (落衣沟村), Qingxi Town (青溪镇), Qingchuan County (青川县), runs a homestay while also serving as a village-level ecological warden. "Wardens have many responsibilities; we patrol for 20 days a month during the fire prevention season and 15 days a month during the non-fire prevention season," said Zhang Aihua (张爱华).
An increasingly sophisticated monitoring system protects the green mountains and clear waters, as well as thousands of living creatures. "The Tangjiahe Area (唐家河片区) has established a giant panda scientific research and monitoring system based on 'grid division + transect monitoring + fixed-point tracking.' We have divided the area into more than 200 standard grids of 2 square kilometers each and set up over 40 ecological monitoring transects, achieving full coverage of the giant panda habitat," said Xiao Mei (肖梅), Chief of the Scientific Research and Monitoring Section of the Tangjiahe Management Office (唐家河管理处).
**Intelligent Monitoring, Precise Management**
On the large screen at the Tangjiahe Information Center (唐家河信息中心), multiple giant panda migration trajectory maps from 2020 to the present are displayed. The red dots marking giant panda activity have gradually changed from sporadic to interconnected.
"Some of these red dots represent giant panda activity captured by infrared cameras, while others represent giant panda feces and feeding traces discovered on-site by patrol personnel," explained Fu Qinghua (付青华), Deputy Chief of the Publicity and Education Section of the Tangjiahe Management Office (唐家河管理处). "Each red dot is marked with latitude and longitude, making it convenient for researchers to accurately grasp the activity range and population changes of giant pandas in the area, providing data support for adjusting and optimizing ecological protection policies."
Since the establishment of the Giant Panda National Park (大熊猫国家公园), the Tangjiahe Area (唐家河片区) has focused on giant panda protection and research, driving the overall biodiversity protection of the area. Scientific research and monitoring work simultaneously cover rare associated species such as the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey, Sichuan takin, and Chinese monal, achieving a transition from "single-population monitoring" to "overall ecosystem protection."
"We have built an 'air-ground' integrated intelligent monitoring network, deploying over 400 infrared cameras across the entire area to achieve 24-hour uninterrupted recording of giant pandas and their associated species. Drones are used for large-scale habitat inspections, topographic mapping, and monitoring of remote areas, solving the problem of manual patrols being unable to achieve full coverage," introduced Xiao Mei (肖梅). In addition, the area uses DNA testing technology to accurately identify individual giant panda information, eliminating double-counting and achieving precise population statistics. It also employs artificial intelligence recognition technology to quickly filter images of giant pandas and rare species, significantly improving data processing efficiency.
Technology empowers ecological management, with digital sensing, intelligent early warning, and precise management working in close coordination.
"With the support of advanced equipment and digital technology, patrol efficiency has increased several times over," said Jia Feide (贾飞德). Patrol members have a specialized application installed on their phones. When there is no signal in the deep mountains, they can turn on offline mode to record animal feces, hair, or vegetation types found. Once they reach an area with network access, they can upload the data with one click to generate a patrol log containing complete latitude, longitude, duration, and event records.
Relying on monitoring big data, the Tangjiahe Area (唐家河片区) has also launched a live cloud broadcast of wildlife. "Netizens can click on the 'Sichuan Tangjiahe' (四川唐家河) WeChat Video Account to watch footage filmed in the wild online, gaining a more intuitive sense of the significance of protecting biodiversity," said Chen Shiying (陈诗颖).
**Multi-pronged Measures to Boost Farmers' Income**
Setting off from Qingxi Town (青溪镇) and driving a few kilometers north along the Tangqing Line (唐青线), one arrives at Luoyigou Village (落衣沟村), the only administrative village within the general control zone of the Tangjiahe Area (唐家河片区).
Villager Pu Youhai (蒲友海) puts on a mask and takes a honeycomb out of a beehive to collect honey. "Every jin of honey sells for about 50 yuan, and I earn tens of thousands of yuan a year," said Pu Youhai (蒲友海). "In the past, we relied on the mountains for a living, and our income was unstable; now we make money by 'nurturing the mountains,' and life is sweet!"
The Tangjiahe Area (唐家河片区) has over 300 types of high-quality nectar plants such as Codonopsis pilosula, Acanthopanax, and loquat. The honey is of excellent quality and high nutritional value, making it very popular in the market.
"Beekeeping does not involve cutting down trees, occupying land, or disturbing wild animals; it is an eco-friendly industry," said Wang Qi (王琪), Secretary of the Party Branch of Luoyigou Village (落衣沟村). Currently, the whole village raises over 3,000 boxes of Chinese honeybees, with an annual output value of about 1.6 million yuan, driving an average annual income increase of 20,000 to 30,000 yuan for more than 60 households. During the off-season for beekeeping, villagers can also work part-time as ecological wardens or nature education guides, further broadening their channels for increasing income.
Building a national park benefits local residents. "We promote community development by improving the community living environment and optimizing income structures. At the same time, we strengthen infrastructure maintenance and increase the number of ecological warden positions to improve the quality of life and income levels of local residents," said Wu Bo (吴波), Chief of the Community Work Section of the Tangjiahe Management Office (唐家河管理处).
The excellent ecological environment and tourists arriving from all directions have attracted many young people to return home to start businesses, further promoting the vigorous development of local eco-tourism.
Yang Dongxu (杨东旭), founder of the "Guchiao Bieyuan" (古桥别院) homestay in Luoyigou Village (落衣沟村), worked outside his hometown for many years. Seeing the development prospects of his hometown, Yang Dongxu (杨东旭) returned in 2021 to develop his business.
"I renovated my old house into a homestay, retaining the wooden architectural style of northern Sichuan dwellings while incorporating modern elements. I also built a garden, a vegetable patch, and an exhibition hall, and launched ecological experience projects to let tourists understand the local ecology and folk customs." Yang Dongxu (杨东旭) introduced that the homestay's annual revenue is around 500,000 yuan. "With the increase in passenger flow, I plan to hire more villagers and lead everyone to increase their income together."
With the support of relevant departments, the roads in Luoyigou Village (落衣沟村) have all been renovated and hardened, and streetlights have been installed. Now, the village is accelerating the construction of charging piles to facilitate self-driving travel for tourists. Currently, Luoyigou Village (落衣沟村) has developed 72 homestays, receiving 150,000 tourists annually, with total tourism revenue exceeding 30 million yuan.
By consolidating ecology through management and enriching people's livelihoods through ecology, the Tangjiahe Area (唐家河片区) continues to safeguard the reproduction of wild flora and fauna, helping the masses live and work in peace and contentment. A picture of ecological harmony between man and nature is unfolding deep in the Minshan Mountains (岷山).
(Our reporters Liu Yitong (刘羿佟) and our correspondent Tang Biao (唐彪) participated in the reporting.)
Return to TopQingdao (青岛), June 6 (Reporter Wang Pei (王沛)) — On June 6, the 4th China Digital Earth Conference (中国数字地球大会) opened in Qingdao (青岛), Shandong (山东). With the theme "Digital Earth Supporting Global and China (中国) Sustainable Development," this year's conference features 65 parallel sessions and has attracted over 1,300 experts and scholars from more than 100 universities, research institutions, and government enterprises. During the opening ceremony, a commemorative event was held to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the International Society for Digital Earth China National Committee (国际数字地球学会中国国家委员会), and the Global Sustainable Development Data Products and the "Langya" (琅琊) Ocean Large Model 2.0 version were released.
The data products released this time systematically cover fields such as land, atmosphere, ocean, urban areas, and the carbon cycle. They include products such as the Global Cropland Spatial Distribution Product and the Global Vegetation Productivity Remote Sensing Estimation Product. These products are open and shared for free globally, and can precisely support the quantitative assessment of multiple United Nations (联合国) Sustainable Development Goals, such as Zero Hunger, Sustainable Cities, and Climate Action.
The "Langya" (琅琊) Ocean Large Model 2.0 version was independently developed by the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院海洋研究所). It will provide new intelligent support for marine disaster prevention and mitigation, shipping safety, polar navigation support, and responses to global climate change.
Return to TopBeijing (北京), June 6 (Reporter Liu Wenxin (刘温馨)) — According to forecasts from meteorological departments, a new round of heavy rainfall is expected in southern regions from June 6 to 9. Parts of Chongqing (重庆) and Guizhou (贵州) will experience heavy to torrential rain, with some areas facing severe downpours. The risks of flash floods, geological disasters, flooding in small and medium-sized rivers, and urban waterlogging are high. In accordance with the National Flood Control and Drought Relief Emergency Response Plan (国家防汛抗旱应急预案) and relevant regulations, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters (国家防总) activated a Level IV emergency response for flood control in Chongqing (重庆) and Guizhou (贵州) at 15:00 on the 6th.
The Ministry of Emergency Management (应急管理部) and the Ministry of Natural Resources (自然资源部) conducted joint consultations and assessments, determining that there is a relatively high risk of geological disasters in central Chongqing (重庆), northern and southeastern Guangxi (广西), and parts of western Guizhou (贵州). In accordance with the National Emergency Response Plan for Sudden Geological Disasters (国家突发地质灾害应急预案) and relevant regulations, the Ministry of Emergency Management (应急管理部) activated a Level IV national emergency response for geological disasters in Chongqing (重庆) and Guangxi (广西) on the 6th, while maintaining the existing Level IV national emergency response for geological disasters in Guizhou (贵州).
The Ministry of Emergency Management (应急管理部) has demanded that relevant regions affected by heavy precipitation must effectively carry out geological disaster prevention and response work. Authorities must 压实责任 (yā shí zé rèn - "press solid responsibility," to ensure that responsibilities are firmly fulfilled and held accountable), solidify the primary responsibility of local governments for prevention and response, and implement departmental collaborative linkage mechanisms. They must closely monitor rainfall, flood conditions, and the status of geological disasters, strengthen consultation, assessment, and the coordination between early warnings and responses. Furthermore, they must pre-position rescue forces, supplies, and equipment, reinforce inspections and monitoring, and resolutely and decisively organize evacuations to ensure that all those who need to be relocated are relocated, and that such relocations occur as early as possible.
Return to TopAs the 2026 National College Entrance Examination (高考) begins, Rongcheng City (荣成市), Shandong Province (山东省), has launched an "Exam Shuttle Service" (爱心送考专线). By coordinating multiple departments and mobilizing four transportation enterprises, the city has deployed 60 buses, allocated by school, to provide safe and convenient transportation services for examinees.
The image shows that on June 6, "Exam Shuttle Service" (爱心送考专线) buses were waiting at the gate of Rongcheng No. 2 High School (荣成市第二中学), preparing to transport students to the exam venues in advance to familiarize themselves with the environment.
Photo by Li Xinjun (李信君) (Vision China (影像中国))
Return to TopBeijing (北京), June 6 (Reporter Shen Shaotie (申少铁)) — The 2026 National Vision Health Science Popularization Campaign (2026国民视觉健康科普行动) was recently launched in Beijing (北京). With the theme "Technology Safeguards Health, Building a Clear Vision Together" (科技守护健康，共筑视界明朗), this event aims to explore long-term mechanisms for technology-empowered eye health and provide systematic solutions for the visual health of the entire population throughout their life cycles.
During the "14th Five-Year Plan" (十四五) period, China's (中国) eye health service system has continued to improve. 98% of county-level hospitals nationwide have established ophthalmology departments, with over 80% of them meeting basic service capacity standards. Currently, there are 71,000 ophthalmologists and 17,000 optometrists working across the country. Since the launch of the Brightness Action for Myopia Prevention and Control among Children and Adolescents (儿童青少年近视防控光明行动) in 2021, the State Administration for Market Regulation (市场监管总局) has conducted 380 batches of national product quality supervision and spot checks on eyeglass frames, lenses, desk lamps for reading and writing, and student stationery, resulting in the cumulative recall of 214 batches of stationery products for children and adolescents. Moving forward, the State Administration for Market Regulation (市场监管总局) will continue to strengthen metrological supervision of optical dispensing facilities and crack down on behaviors such as false publicity and illegal advertising.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 杨颜菲
In Ansheng Community (安盛社区), Zhaoxian Town (招贤镇), Wanli Administration (湾里管理局), Nanchang City (南昌市), Jiangxi Province (江西省), the Happiness Canteen (幸福食堂) is bustling with activity. At the entrance, a pair of large red lanterns hang high, and a gold-stamped "Xi" (囍) character is pasted on the glass door. It turns out that community resident Jiang Yiwei (姜一伟) is holding his wedding ceremony here.
There are no motorcades of luxury cars, and certainly no expensive "ostentatious banquets." Inside the canteen, round tables covered with red tablecloths are lined up, laden with home-cooked dishes familiar to the neighbors.
"Little Jiang, I wish you and your bride a life that is 红红火火 (hóng hóng huǒ huǒ - "red and fiery," prosperous and flourishing)!" Neighboring Sister Wang (王大姐) raises her teacup, and the groom and bride raise their glasses to meet her. No one at the banquet pressures others to drink; some take out their phones to capture this lively and heartwarming scene, murmuring, "Holding a wedding like this is actually quite good!"
The groom's aunt, Auntie Jiang (姜阿姨), says that a wedding is a major life event, and the family originally wanted to hold it at a large hotel. "When we heard the couple planned to hold the wedding at the community's Happiness Canteen (幸福食堂), the elders in the family were initially a bit unhappy."
The couple did the math for the elders: a large hotel in the city center, tens of kilometers away, is expensive in terms of both venue and food, costing tens of thousands of yuan for a banquet. Hu Lixia (胡丽霞), Secretary of the Community Party Branch (社区党支部书记), revealed that the Happiness Canteen (幸福食堂) is affordable, uses fresh local ingredients, offers large portions, and tastes great.
"On the day we tasted the dishes, the canteen chef prepared a whole table of food. The elders found it palatable and felt it was more practical than a large hotel, so they agreed on the spot!" said Auntie Jiang (姜阿姨).
Hu Lixia (胡丽霞) also attended the wedding. She explained: "When the Happiness Canteen (幸福食堂) first began operations, it was mainly to address the dining needs of more than 2,000 elderly people in the surrounding area. Later, while visiting the community, some residents mentioned the high costs of hosting banquets and the heavy burden of social obligations. We thought, why not utilize the Happiness Canteen (幸福食堂) to host weddings and funerals?" This idea received support from many residents.
Pointing to the rules and regulations on the canteen wall, Hu Lixia (胡丽霞) said that by holding weddings and funerals here, dish prices do not exceed standards, and tobacco and alcohol are kept simple. Community staff even help decorate the venue, significantly reducing expenses. "Just like today, there is no extravagance or waste, and no competitive social spending, yet the atmosphere is just as festive. People even feel more comfortable and at ease. Seeing the positive results, other residents have been inquiring and are interested in trying it out."
The innovative exploration of the Ansheng Community (安盛社区) Happiness Canteen (幸福食堂) is allowing the civilized trend of simplifying weddings to reach more households. A relevant official from the Wanli Administration (湾里管理局) stated that they will promote this practice throughout the jurisdiction, allowing the philosophy of practicing frugality and opposing waste to take root and 蔚然成风 (wèi rán chéng fēng - "become a trend," to become a widespread and established custom), truly reducing burdens and benefiting the masses.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 杨 昊
Emotional consumption, "da-zi" (companion) social networking, the "Guochao" (China-chic) trend, the outdoor craze... Currently, various new youth trends are repeatedly breaking through circles to become popular, continuously sparking attention and heated discussion across society. Trends are vivid footnotes to the development of the era, and their iterations and changes are engraved with the growth footprints of a generation. Behind the complex and diverse manifestations of popularity lie the increasingly distinct spiritual pursuits and value expressions of today's young people.
This edition specially opens the "Decoding Youth Cultural Trends" column, hoping to explore the youth psychology and era motivations behind these trends, allowing the whole of society to enter the world of young people, read them, and understand them.
—Editor
A doll called "Ku Ku Ma" (哭哭马) that is "ugly-cute" has led young people to scramble to buy it, with orders skyrocketing by 300% in three days; for a concert, young people "fly" to another city; for a beloved IP, they wait in line for the release of their favorite "Gu-zi" (谷子)... From cultural music to trendy toys and figurines, from virtual goods to trendy entertainment, from "buying things" to "buying feelings," emotional consumption has become a new hot spot for youth consumption. Why is emotional consumption deeply loved by young people? How can positive guidance be strengthened? The reporter conducted interviews and research.
Diverse formats and vivid scenes: Young people increasingly value emotional value in consumption.
"The bag is basic, but the bag charm is not." Hanging various ornaments on backpacks to embellish outfits and match moods is quietly becoming popular among young people.
At Miniso (名创优品) on Yan'an Road (延安路) in Shangcheng District (上城区), Hangzhou (杭州), Zhejiang (浙江), the bag charm section is incredibly popular. From classic anime IPs to original designs, there is a wide variety, with prices ranging from tens to hundreds of yuan. "This pink limited edition really matches my mood right now." In front of the shelf, a young customer named Xiao Zhao (小赵) is carefully selecting her favorite Sanrio (三丽鸥) bag charm, repeatedly matching and comparing. In her view, these seemingly insignificant little objects have a unique healing power. "Bag charms are not only pleasing to the eye, but also bring comfort to the soul." Xiao Zhao says that many peers, like her, have developed the habit of "updating bag charms daily," using small rituals to adjust their lives.
Behind the "bag charm craze" is the rapid rise of the emotional consumption market. From focusing more on the practicality of the product itself in the past to increasingly focusing on the emotional value brought by consumption, the "pleasing oneself" logic of "as long as I like it enough, I am willing to pay for it" has become a distinct characteristic of contemporary youth consumption.
The "2025 Gen Z Emotional Consumption Report" released by the Shanghai Youth Research Center (上海市青少年研究中心) and others shows that emotional value has become a "psychological necessity" for Gen Z, with nearly 90% of young people having the experience of "paying for emotional value," and nearly 40% being high-frequency consumers.
It is not just trendy toys and cultural products; emotional consumption scenes continue to expand, constantly deriving new formats and scenarios. Experiential consumption such as immersive cultural tourism, intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, and live performances is gradually becoming popular.
A young tourist from Hangzhou named Xika (西卡) is a loyal fan of immersive cultural tourism. Not long ago, she specifically visited "Only Henan: Drama Fantasy City" (只有河南·戏剧幻城). After watching the show on the first day, she posted on WeChat Moments: "Binge-watched 8 shows in a row, cried until I couldn't stop."
In this "Drama Fantasy City" composed of 56 grid spaces and 21 theaters, with rolling wheat waves and interlacing light and shadow, tourists are both spectators and participants in the drama. "History is condensed into drama, and as we move, the scenery changes, allowing us to immersively feel the roots of historical culture," says Xika. During this year's "May Day" holiday, the park's booking volume increased by 50% compared to the same period last year, with young audiences accounting for 85%.
A market survey shows that among various tourism experiences, "positive emotional value" has surpassed traditional sightseeing needs and become the first choice for young people when traveling. Various new cultural tourism models featuring "immersive experiences" continue to break through, and tourism is upgrading from simply "viewing scenery" to "pleasing the body and mind."
Traveling across cities for a concert or music festival is also a typical way for today's youth to engage in emotional consumption.
"Leaving on Friday night, rushing back to school before Monday." For two years, Xue Siyuan (薛思远), a master's student at Renmin University of China (中国人民大学), has used his weekends to travel across the country to watch concerts of his favorite bands. During last year's graduation season, he even wore his bachelor's gown to a concert to freeze a unique memory of his youth.
According to monitoring and research estimates by the ticketing information collection platform of the China Association of Performing Arts (中国演出行业协会), the number of commercial performances (excluding entertainment venues) nationwide in 2025 was 640,400, with an audience of 194 million. Young people are the main consumer group for concerts, music festivals, and other performance activities.
From niche trendy toys to mass cultural tourism, from manual experiences to live performances, emotional consumption scenes are constantly being enriched and formats are continuously iterating. It has upgraded from simple commodity consumption to a carrier of emotional expression, emotional healing, and synchronized companionship, allowing youth to realize the feeling of "being seen" through consumption.
Decompression, companionship, and seeking recognition: Satisfying self-expression and emotional resonance.
"The reason why emotional consumption is deeply loved by the youth group is, first of all, that it accurately meets the spiritual needs of young people in real life." Lian Si (廉思), Executive Vice President and Professor at the China Youth University of Political Studies (中央团校), believes that emotional consumption is increasingly becoming an important way for young people to adjust their emotions, express themselves, and establish social connections.
The fast-paced academic and workplace environment is the most direct catalyst for emotional consumption. According to the "2025 Gen Z Emotional Consumption Report," in terms of emotional value needs, 46.8% of young people believe that emotional value "is a good medicine for relieving stress and anxiety," and 43.1% believe that emotional value "makes me feel needed and seen."
Colorful small plastic cylinders, arranged and combined with the rise and fall of tweezers, and after high-temperature ironing, turn into exquisite pixel-style handicrafts—Perler beads. Seemingly simple handicrafts, with their unique healing power and creativity, have become a vivid microcosm of emotional consumption.
24-year-old Xiao Wen (小温) runs a Perler bead shop in Xicheng District (西城区), Beijing (北京), dedicated to creating a healing handmade space for young people. "Perler beads are easy to get started with and highly malleable; even novices can quickly get the hang of it. Immersing oneself in the creation at hand allows people to quickly enter a state of 'flow'." Xiao Wen says that many young people sit here for an entire afternoon just to enjoy this focused, undisturbed time.
The need for emotional companionship has spawned more diverse forms of consumption. 28-year-old white-collar worker Zhuozhuo (卓卓) has always longed to keep a pet but could not do so due to her busy work schedule. The AI companion toy "Fu Zai" (芙崽) has become her "spiritual companion." "Although it is a virtual product, it provides real emotional value." Zhuozhuo will confide her worries and complain about her troubles to it, placing negative emotions that are inconvenient to tell others.
From fingertip Perler beads, stress-relieving squeeze toys, and desktop "Fang Qing Song" (放青松 - a play on "relax" using pine plants) greenery, to AI companion dolls and anonymous emotional "tree holes," various lightweight and low-threshold emotional consumption carriers have built convenient emotional outlets for young people. "Emotional consumption allows young people to find a sense of relaxation in their fast-paced lives and capture 'small certain happiness' (小确幸); it is an important way to regulate the body and mind," says Lian Si.
Beyond decompression and companionship, "Guochao" (国潮) cultural and creative products precisely match the aesthetic pursuits of contemporary youth, promoting the continuous heating up of emotional consumption. The National Museum of China (中国国家博物馆) moth-shaped gold hairpin fridge magnet sold out immediately upon release, the "WAKUKU" (哇库库) limited edition in the national style wearing Beijing-embroidered peach blossom jackets is widely sought after, and the traditional Chinese medicine sachets from the White Pagoda Temple Pharmacy (白塔寺药店) are highly favored... Walking into the first China New Cultural and Creative Market and Trendy Toy Garden Party, the collision of ancient intangible cultural heritage and trendy designs attracts young people to stop and choose.
At the same time, the need for circle-based social networking has also allowed emotional consumption based on shared hobbies to go deeper. Zhu Di (朱迪), a researcher at the Institute of Sociology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (中国社会科学院) and director of the Consumption and Cultural Sociology Research Office, pointed out that the youth of the new era are relatively affluent in material life, and the logic of consumption has shifted from "survival necessity" to "self-pleasing aesthetics," satisfying the needs of young people for self-expression and personality display, and finding identity and emotional resonance.
"Gu-zi" (谷子) is a homophone for the English word "goods," generally referring to peripheral products derived from copyrighted works in fields such as manga, animation, and games, such as cards, badges, and figurines.
At the beginning of this year, Li Yue (李月), a senior "Gu-zi" enthusiast, purchased New Year peripherals for "The Legend of Luo Xiaohei" (罗小黑战记), covering her rented apartment with window decorations, spring couplets, and "Fu" characters. "Suddenly, I felt a much stronger sense of belonging in this city." In Li Yue's view, collecting IP peripherals and communicating and sharing with like-minded people can not only harvest surprises and happiness but also gain resonance and companionship.
In 2024, the market scale of China's "Gu-zi economy" reached 168.9 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 40.63%. Virtual IP emotions are landed through physical consumption, precisely meeting the emotional sustenance and social needs of Gen Z, and promoting the penetration of emotional consumption into subdivided fields.
Reasonable emotional consumption can nourish the spirit, but excessive reliance on consumption to escape reality easily weakens real-world social skills.
Data shows that China's emotional consumption market is expected to reach 2.72 trillion yuan in 2026 and exceed 4.5 trillion yuan in 2029. Emotional consumption has covered many tracks such as trendy toys, shopping, cultural tourism, technology, and catering, becoming a new engine for driving consumption growth. Behind the vigorous development, hidden dangers of chaos are gradually becoming prominent, requiring multi-party efforts and standardized guidance.
On social media platforms, complaints about "Gu-zi anxiety" (economic strain caused by buying "Gu-zi") and encountering "runaway" purchasing agents or fake goods are everywhere. "The unit price of ordinary blind boxes is 60 or 70 yuan, and 'hidden editions' are often hyped up to hundreds or thousands of yuan." A blind box enthusiast told the reporter that sometimes, in order to collect a full set of blind boxes, they would spend several times the original price to acquire them on second-hand platforms.
"Compared with use value, emotional value is more difficult to quantify with a unified standard, which leads to price divergence in many emotional value products and also provides business opportunities for the activity and hype of the second-hand market," analyzed Hao Mingsong (郝明松), an associate professor at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Xi'an Jiaotong University (西安交通大学).
Promoting the healthy and sustainable development of emotional consumption requires collaborative efforts from multiple parties. In January this year, the General Office of the State Council (国办) issued the "Work Plan for Accelerating the Cultivation of New Growth Points for Service Consumption," listing emotional and experiential services as potential fields, innovating regulatory methods, implementing inclusive and prudent supervision for new business formats, gradually improving relevant regulatory requirements, and creating a consumption environment conducive to the development of new business formats.
In terms of regulating market supply, Lian Si suggests clarifying the functional boundaries of products such as AI companionship and immersive interaction to prevent excessive reinforcement of emotional stickiness and inducement of high-frequency payments. "For behaviors such as excessive tipping and irrational hoarding, more eye-catching early warning and cooling-off mechanisms need to be set up, embedding governance into the consumption chain." In addition, merchants need to hold the bottom line, resist malicious hype and false marketing, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of consumers.
To avoid the trap of consumerism, young people also need to establish a rational consumption view and clarify the boundary between emotional comfort and consumption dependence. "You can pay for happiness, but you must act within your means and set a reasonable consumption cap based on your economic strength," says Xika.
Lian Si reminds that reasonable emotional consumption can nourish the spirit, but excessive reliance on consumption to escape reality easily weakens real-world social skills. In this regard, he suggests using growth-oriented and cultural services such as city roaming, intangible cultural heritage experiences, and community activities to allow young people to gain companionship in real relationships and build a healthy and diverse spiritual support system. "Not only seeing the emotional needs of young people, but also guiding them from focusing on themselves to observing society, and from pursuing instant gratification to pursuing long-term value."
Behind emotional consumption is the young people's need for and exploration of the spiritual world. Some experts say that only by understanding the emotional code of young people can we find the internal fit between the deep needs of young people and mainstream values such as cultural confidence and innovation and creation, precipitating "emotion" into "sentiment" and sublimating "consumption" into "identity." At the same time, all sectors of society should also encourage young people to build self-worth through practice, social networking, and creation, shifting the focus from "defining oneself by consumption" to "shaping oneself by action," cultivating more resilient and diverse emotional regulation capabilities and value identification methods, and realizing a leap from emotional satisfaction to value identification.
"Spending money to buy healing" is not the only path to obtaining emotional satisfaction. Reducing dependence on external material recognition and gaining spiritual nourishment through public welfare practice, skill learning, and cultural immersion is becoming a new trend. In Lucheng District (鹿城区), Wenzhou (温州), Zhejiang (浙江), the popular youth night school has become a new position for young people to enrich themselves. Inclusive courses such as intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, coffee latte art, vocal dance, and short video creation are "snapped up" as soon as they are launched. Some students sighed: "Compared to following the trend to buy peripherals at a premium or checking in at internet-famous shops, calming down to learn a skill and meeting a group of like-minded friends, this kind of solid happiness is more lasting and healing."
"I like these little objects, but I like the self that shines because of passion even more." Li Yue's words are thought-provoking. Emotional consumption is the seasoning of life. Only by digging deep into one's heart and realizing the transformation from "paying for happiness" to "empowering growth" can one make the inner world more abundant and youth more fulfilling.
(Li Lingyi (李令仪) participated in the reporting and writing)
Return to TopBy: 杨 昊
Buying a "Crying Horse" (哭哭马) to give yourself a gentle hug when exhausted is a form of self-soothing in the face of adversity; placing an order for an inspirational planner is a desire to find companionship and support amidst fierce competition. Emotional consumption is a way for young people (青年) to build a healthy psychological defense line, reflecting their yearning for a better life. Only by sincerely responding to these emotional needs can we truly reach the hearts of young people and consolidate the strength of youth as they forge ahead.
However, it must be noted that beneath this trend, there are hidden concerns such as blind conformity and impulsive overspending, as well as the risk of mistakenly using material symbols as a yardstick for self-identity, falling into the trap of "the more one consumes, the emptier one feels." In fact, the fleeting pleasure of consumption will eventually dissipate, and true youthful confidence stems from inner richness and the accumulation of practical work. While we are pleased to see young people using emotional consumption as a way to adjust their lives, we hope they will shift their focus more toward self-improvement and value creation, cultivating more resilient and diverse ways of emotional regulation and value identification. This will allow their youth to shed restlessness, accumulate strength, and harvest long-lasting and solid spiritual fulfillment, rather than 刻舟求剑 (kè zhōu qiú jiàn - "carve boat seek sword," acting without regard to changing circumstances) or 饮鸩止渴 (yǐn zhèn zhǐ kě - "drink poison to quench thirst," seeking a short-term solution that leads to greater disaster).
Return to TopBy: 易舒冉
Recently, a buzzword has become popular among young people: the "Odyssey Period" (奥德赛时期). This term originates from the Homeric epic *The Odyssey* (荷马史诗《奥德赛》), in which the hero Odysseus (奥德修斯) wandered for ten years after the war before returning to his homeland. People now use the "Odyssey Period" of life to describe the exploratory phase between the ages of 20 and 35, when young people are still in a state of confusion, trial and error, and constant searching while their careers, relationships, and life directions have yet to be solidified.
Why does the "Odyssey Period" resonate with young people? Perhaps it is because everyone can see a reflection of themselves in it. Upon leaving school and stepping into society, life no longer follows a predetermined track. Faced with multiple choices regarding career paths, places of residence, and life planning, many have experienced such confusion: How should I walk the path of the future, and how can I live the life I aspire to?
Perhaps many people have their own "Odyssey Period"; confusion and hesitation are not dilemmas unique to youth. In an interview this April, 71-year-old writer Mo Yan (莫言) spoke about his own "Odyssey Period." "I also had a very long period of confusion," Mo Yan said. When he was young and herding cattle, he was unwilling to accept the status quo. He chose to work in a factory and join the army. With every step, he wanted to go outside, see a wider world, meet more people, and acquire more knowledge. Later, while working part-time as a librarian, he read and wrote desperately, hoping to change his destiny through writing. From Mo Yan's experience, it can be seen that youth never has a predetermined script; moving forward while seeking is the true appearance of growth.
Rather than being uneasy in confusion, one might as well calmly accept the ups and downs of the present, recognize oneself through constant practice, anchor one's direction, and accumulate the strength for growth.
Taking root in the fertile soil of the grassroots is a good remedy for resolving confusion. Zhu Xia (朱霞), a recipient of the 2026 China Youth May Fourth Medal (中国青年五四奖章) and a "new farmer" from Hunan (湖南), started from scratch to learn the operation of intelligent agricultural machinery, sprinkling sweat in the fields and bringing new vitality to the village. By letting go of empty fantasies and diving into reality, the direction of one's struggle will naturally become clear while solving concrete problems.
Honing skills and abilities is the foundation for soothing anxiety. Hua Chengxiang (华成祥), a post-90s machinist at Factory 13 of the Aviation Industry Shenyang Aircraft Industry (Group) Co., Ltd. (航空工业沈阳飞机工业（集团）有限公司13厂), has devoted himself to sharpening his craft. With an ultimate pursuit of precision down to the millimeter, he safeguards every takeoff and landing of the "war eagles." By gripping the oars in one's hands and focusing on every stroke, the ship of youth will naturally move forward.
Devoting oneself to contribution and responsibility is the path to realizing self-worth. Kou Wenwen (寇文文), from Xuchang, Henan (河南许昌), chose to teach at a primary school in Qudang Township (曲当镇), Dingri County (定日县), Tibet (西藏) after graduating from university. He is both a teacher who imparts knowledge and a "parent" who meticulously cares for his students. By stepping out of the entanglement of the "small self" and integrating personal ideals into the torrent of the times, the value of youth will naturally be manifested.
Today's young people grow up in an era of rapid change, where skill requirements are constantly upgrading and knowledge systems are rapidly iterating; it is inevitable that they will experience more "uncertainty." At the social level, we should actively recognize the thoughts and states of young people, and continuously improve social mechanisms for "fault tolerance" and "bottom-line" support and guarantees, so that young people have the confidence to explore, space for trial and error, and light for their journey forward. Only by viewing diverse development with an inclusive heart and respecting differentiated growth rhythms can we help young people explore with composure and move forward steadily.
Odysseus in the epic endured long wanderings, overcame countless dangers, and traversed heavy waves to finally reach his homeland, Ithaca (伊萨卡). By accumulating skills through exploration and anchoring one's direction through solid work, every young person will eventually reach the shore of their own ideals.
Return to TopBy: 蒋 斌
In April 2021, I volunteered from the Department of Transportation of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (广西交通运输厅) to serve as a resident official in Jintang Village (金堂村), Caiwan Town (才湾镇), Quanzhou County (全州县), Guilin City (桂林市). From a resident team member to the First Secretary, in these five years, I have integrated my youth into the ridges and villages here, and have become affectionately known as "our secretary" by the villagers.
When I first arrived at the village, my mind was full of ideas to "make a big splash." Looking at the "Red Soil Climbing Vine" (红土爬藤) collective economic development model promoted by the county, as well as mechanisms like cadre rotation training and unified examinations, I muttered to myself: Isn't grassroots work just about keeping one's head down and working hard? Isn't it enough to train cadre capabilities on the front lines? What is the use of all these red tape and restrictions? Consequently, I visited every household, walking the ridges and inspecting irrigation ditches by day, and organizing materials and planning projects by night, wishing I could use one day as two.
Reality, however, dealt me a harsh blow. I led the village in launching several micro-industries in a 东一榔头西一棒子 (dōng yī láng tóu xī yī bàng zi - "one hammer in the east, one stick in the west," doing things in a disorganized, haphazard, or unfocused manner), which either failed to achieve scale due to unclear thinking or rotted in our hands due to a lack of sales channels. I truly worked hard, but the village's collective economy showed no signs of improvement. During that time, I often sat alone on the field ridges in a daze: Why, despite all my efforts, could I not achieve any results?
痛定思痛 (tòng dìng sī tòng - "pain settled, reflect on pain," to reflect deeply on one's past mistakes after experiencing the pain of failure), I re-examined those mechanisms I had once dismissed. I calmed my mind to learn, followed county cadres to inspect advanced villages, and finally understood: only by twisting the forces of policy, industry, and talent into a single rope can we move steadily and go far. Having identified the right direction, we leveraged the advantage of the village's more than 3,000 mu of fertile land, focused on the local grain and oil industry, and meticulously crafted a distinctive brand, gradually building up deep processing and market-oriented sales for our agricultural products.
I listed the needs of the masses and followed up on them one by one; relying on the old ancient trees in the village, we established an "Ancient Tree Lecture Hall" (古树讲堂) to explain policies and teach techniques to everyone. We held 26 sessions and cultivated 10 experts in achieving prosperity. We organized all 66 party members in the village into 6 assault teams to repair irrigation ditches, improve the environment, and seek sales channels, ensuring the Party flag always fluttered where the masses needed it most.
Some asked me, was the five-year residency bitter? To be honest, it was. But whenever I saw the village roads widening, industries rising, and life becoming more prosperous, all the bitterness turned into sweetness.
Looking back on the past five years, my greatest gain is not how much I have accomplished, but that I have come to understand the grassroots and the masses. When the term rotation came, I chose to stay without hesitation. This year, I applied for the hardening project for the last 0.47 kilometers of industrial road in the village. Once this road is completed, the villagers' agricultural products can be transported out more smoothly, and the road to happiness for Jintang Village (金堂村) can extend even further.
(The author is the First Secretary stationed in Jintang Village (金堂村), Caiwan Town (才湾镇), Quanzhou County (全州县), Guilin City (桂林市), Guangxi (广西). Interviewed and compiled by our reporter Wu Chuqi (吴储岐))
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 李龙伊
It is not yet 3:00 AM, but the sky over Heixiazi Island (黑瞎子岛) is already bright.
Soldiers Dang Tianchen (党天辰) and Wang Libin (王理彬), who are changing shifts, are running toward the top of the guard tower. The tower has 171 steps, corresponding to the approximately 171 square kilometers of the controlled area. The soldiers' footsteps sound rhythmic and steady.
"Comrade reporter, hurry up, the sunrise is coming!" Wang Libin (王理彬) shouts.
Reaching the top of the tower, the wind blows from the river, carrying the scent of water plants and soil. Soon, a red sun leaps from the river, gilding the wetlands and reeds. Boundary Marker No. 259/4(1) shines brilliantly in that light.
On the guard tower, the company's slogan is written: "I stand guard for the great motherland, I welcome the sun into the motherland." Looking out, modern barracks and guard towers stand on what was once marshland. An intelligent surveillance system silently patrols every corner of the jurisdiction, and patrol vehicles are parked downstairs, ready to depart at any moment.
Since the company established its post on the island in 2008, conditions and equipment have changed, but these 171 steps are walked every day, and this area is guarded every moment. At the easternmost point of the motherland's land territory, loyalty is never an abstract concept; it is the conviction in the hearts of border defense soldiers and the actions beneath their feet.
### Technology Casts a Shield, the Company Gains "Wings" of Informatization
"Years ago, guarding the border was not this easy," Dang Tianchen (党天辰) tells the reporter on the tower. "Back then, patrols relied on foot power. No one dared to imagine that one day we would use high-definition surveillance and drones."
The veteran squad leader often tells Dang Tianchen (党天辰) about the patrol scenes of the past: in winter, snow would reach the knees, the wind felt like a knife, and visibility was less than 10 meters. Soldiers would hold hands, inching forward in the snow, often searching for a long time just to find a boundary marker that was right in front of them.
"At that time, their feet would be frozen numb, so they would stomp hard; their hands would be frozen stiff, so they would tuck them into their coats to warm them up. After a patrol, they could pour water out of their boots," says Dang Tianchen (党天辰).
Today, the situation is vastly different.
In the guard post command room, soldier Tao Fangyuan (陶方圆) sits before the screen, and the border line within the sector is clear at a glance. High-definition cameras monitor the area around the clock; one can clearly see roe deer foraging and foxes passing through the reeds several kilometers away. Tao Fangyuan (陶方圆) issues a command, and a drone quietly takes off to patrol.
This change was not achieved overnight: in 2014, the first batch of infrared cameras was installed at high points, giving the post "night vision eyes"; in 2020, a new network base station was built, and an invisible information "Sky Net" began to be woven; in 2025, the "Radar-Video Integrated" platform officially went into operation, merging radar and video to keep the border situation under control...
With equipment comes new problems.
Winter on Heixiazi Island (黑瞎子岛) lasts from October until April of the following year. In the bitter cold of minus 30 to 40 degrees Celsius, electronic equipment is prone to "malfunctioning," and parts wear out quickly. The post is remote, and waiting for a manufacturer to mail a part takes time.
"We can't afford to wait, so what do we do?" First-class Sergeant Liu Xiangsheng (刘相生), leading several key personnel, converted a 20-square-meter room into the "East Pole Maker Space" (东极创客室). Stepping inside is like entering a miniature workshop. The walls are hung with various drones and FPV drones, a 3D printer hums, and equipment is neatly arranged on racks.
Once, a drone hit a tree branch during a patrol, and the frame cracked. Liu Xiangsheng (刘相生) repeatedly studied the blueprints to model parameters, adjusted the printing materials, and used the 3D printer to create a compatible part. "On-site repair, same-day reuse" has since become the company's rule.
During the early stages of "Smart Border Defense" construction, most officers and soldiers were clueless when faced with brand-new radar monitoring systems and drone reconnaissance equipment, having to grope their way through simple operations. Under the leadership of Liu Xiangsheng (刘相生), everyone in the company strives to become a "jack-of-all-trades," learning the application of new technologies.
"Our current model is a trinity of 'aerial reconnaissance, ground verification, and key deployment,'" says "pilot" Zhou Junyu (周俊宇) in the "East Pole Maker Space" (东极创客室) while pulling up a set of data. "In the extreme cold of minus 30 degrees Celsius, the new drones can fly continuously, easily completing a foot patrol route that once required four teams and took most of the day."
"I used to think that guarding the border meant just being willing to endure hardship," Tao Fangyuan (陶方圆) says, staring at the screen. "Now I understand that enduring hardship alone is not enough; one must also use new technology well."
Technology casts a shield, and the border defense company has gained the "wings" of informatization. From "iron feet" to drones, from naked-eye observation to intelligent sensing—in 18 years, the method of patrolling has changed completely. What remains unchanged is the focused gaze of the officers and soldiers on their patrol areas and their conviction to guard every inch of land.
### The Land Beneath Our Feet Must Be Guarded with Solid Skills
In the early morning, a sharp whistle pierces the silence, and an emergency drill suddenly begins. The officers and soldiers leap from their sleep, dressing, grabbing rifles, and boarding vehicles with clean, efficient movements.
The stopwatch stops at 3 minutes and 17 seconds. Company Commander Yu Chengcheng (于成成) frowns slightly: "Two seconds slower than last time." No one makes excuses; everyone immediately turns to a review.
Stationed at the place that welcomes the sun into the motherland first, the company's officers and soldiers all agree on one principle: the border frontline must be a strong barrier defending national sovereignty.
For this goal, everyone trains hard.
Second-class Sergeant Jiang Xinyu (姜鑫雨) remembers that winter, after a heavy snowfall, when cross-day-and-night field training officially began. The soldiers, carrying dozens of kilograms of gear, trekked through knee-deep snow.
Soldier Li Jun (李俊) followed closely behind Jiang Xinyu (姜鑫雨), his eyebrows, eyelashes, and mask covered in white frost. His outer jacket was frozen stiff, but his base layer was soaked with sweat. Suddenly, his foot slipped, and he fell into a snowdrift. He struggled a few times but couldn't get up.
Jiang Xinyu (姜鑫雨) grabbed Li Jun's (李俊) backpack strap and encouraged him: "Keep your spirits up! The colder it gets, the more we must train. Every bit of extra training now means a better chance of winning in wartime!"
During the march, a "special situation" was reported: "Suspicious footprints discovered ahead." Jiang Xinyu (姜鑫雨) ordered the team to hide in place. He lay on the snow, took out a tape measure and an observation scope, and used his frozen, red hands to touch the ground, skillfully measuring and identifying. "Male, height about 1.7 meters, weight 60 to 70 kilograms..." His fingers were frozen stiff, so he rubbed them to regain feeling and continued to report the data.
Such impromptu situations have become the norm in training. Sometimes it is "unidentified personnel crossing the border," sometimes "sudden equipment failure," or "loss of communication." Simulation after simulation, tempering after tempering.
The night deepened, and the wind and snow did not stop. The officers and soldiers used accumulated snow to build snow caves for shelter. They huddled in the caves, sharing dry rations. The conditions were harsh, but there were smiles on their faces.
"I used to think that training in winter was too miserable," Li Jun (李俊) says, reflecting on that experience. "But later I realized—was this suffering in vain? Every fall in the wind and snow, every time I froze, was building a foundation for my skills."
The accumulation of skills does not happen only in the wind and snow.
Second-class Sergeant Zhou Shuang (周爽) has a "living map" in his head. He remembers which patches of grass provide cover, which sections of gravel slopes can be traversed quickly, and which wetlands can bear weight.
How was this "living map" developed? After the rain, when it was muddy, Zhou Shuang (周爽) walked through the mud, marking every spot prone to slipping or sinking; in winter, when the snow was knee-deep, he probed the distribution of "snow pits" step by step. Over time, it was etched into his mind.
Second-class Sergeant Liu Jiman (刘吉满) practiced martial arts as a youth. In the 2020 brigade-wide competition, in the Sanda (free combat) category, he used lightning-fast punches and rock-solid defense to defeat all opponents and win the title of "Sanda King." However, a few years later, when he returned to the competition field, he only took sixth place due to a weak foundation in other subjects. This ranking was like a bucket of cold water, making him realize his shortcomings.
Liu Jiman (刘吉满) began to address his weaknesses. He ran 5 kilometers with sandbags in the early morning, spent his days on the training ground asking veterans to critique his shooting and tactical details, and at night, when his comrades were asleep, he was still studying tactical theory. A year later, back on the competition field, his physical fitness, skills, and tactics blossomed, and he won second place in the soldier group.
In the East Pole, everyone understands: the land beneath our feet must be guarded with solid skills. There are no shortcuts to having solid skills—they are forged in the minus 30-degree wind, in knee-deep mud, in repeated actions, and in one sleepless night after another.
### Making the Island a Home, Taking Root in Border Defense Like Poplar Trees
Every time new recruits join the company, the first lesson is set in stone: visit the honor room and learn the company's history.
Worn-out gloves, mottled water canteens, rusty shovels and picks... behind every old object is a story of battling heaven and earth. Political Instructor Li Zhengxuan (李政轩) says: "We must let every batch of new recruits know how this place turned from a barren beach into a camp."
On October 14, 2008, Heixiazi Island (黑瞎子岛) reached a historic moment—the island's approximately 171 square kilometers of land and its associated waters officially returned to the embrace of the motherland.
First-class Sergeant Lei Hui (雷辉) was among the first soldiers to land on the island. He will never forget that at the time, the island was covered in swamps and waist-high weeds, and mosquitoes swarmed in black clouds. "Establish a post before settling down, patrol before building a camp"—the slogan was shouted, and it rang out particularly loudly across the wilderness. Without machinery, they moved building materials from the ship to the shore by hand, shoulder, and rope, building the first camp.
Winter came. The river wind was like a bone-scraping knife, and breath turned to ice. The hemp ropes they used to move supplies froze like steel bars, feeling like knife edges in their hands. They wore out two or three pairs of gloves a day, couldn't wash their clothes for half a month, and their boots were worn down to "suede shoes."
How hard was it back then? "The sky as a quilt, the ground as a bed, drinking river water, eating dry rations, using grass stalks as chopsticks, clothes wrapped in mud and dust. In winter, the prefab houses were very cold; if you didn't finish your meal in a minute, ice would form on the edge of the bowl," Li Zhengxuan (李政轩) explains. "Everyone had a passion for guarding the border; no one complained of hardship or fatigue."
Starting from scratch, every blade of grass and every brick in the camp condensed the sweat of the officers and soldiers. In 18 years, the company's support capabilities have seen a qualitative leap. Today, supplies are abundant, they drink purified water, use clean electricity, and it has become the "standard" for family members to move in with just a suitcase.
With better conditions, the soldiers' determination to guard the border has become even firmer.
One winter, a blizzard swept across Heixiazi Island (黑瞎子岛). A certain boundary marker was buried under half a meter of snow.
"The boundary marker cannot be lost; I must go." When the news came, Lei Hui (雷辉) took three soldiers and set off, stepping through waist-deep snow. The wind scraped their faces like knives, and the snow-covered ground was impassable. When they were tired, they leaned against tree trunks to rest for a while, gritted their teeth, and continued walking.
After nearly three hours, they finally arrived.
Seeing the boundary marker buried in snow, Lei Hui (雷辉) didn't say a word; he squatted down and started digging with his hands. His fingertips cracked, but he didn't notice. A soldier handed him a shovel, but he shook his head: "Use my hands; I won't damage the boundary marker."
The snow was cleared. He took out a rag and wiped it over and over until the two characters "China" (中国) on the marker were clearly visible. The love for the motherland is truly engraved in the genes of the company's officers and soldiers.
Private Xu Chuandong (许传栋) is 18 years old this year, the same age as the guard post.
Xu Chuandong's (许传栋) first patrol was during the coldest part of winter. The snow was over his knees, and every step was difficult. He followed behind the team, stepping in the squad leader's footprints, stumbling along. After a long time, they finally arrived at the target boundary marker.
The squad leader took off his gloves and brushed the snow off the marker, revealing the characters "China" (中国).
"Guarding the border is guarding home; only when the country is safe can the home be safe. What we are guarding is the peace of hundreds of millions of compatriots behind us." The squad leader solemnly handed the brush for painting the marker red to Xu Chuandong (许传栋).
One horizontal stroke, one vertical stroke, one dot, one line—Xu Chuandong (许传栋) felt the brush in his hand was heavy with a thousand jun. At that moment, he remembered the words on the wall of the honor room: "Build the first barrier." He suddenly understood: this barrier is precisely the red, frozen faces of the officers and soldiers, the eyes fixed on the border line, and the figures who have stood, walked, and held their ground here...
With hearts facing the morning sun, every soldier is a barrier.
The company has a poplar forest. The officers and soldiers have a tradition: outstanding soldiers can plant a poplar tree here and hang a unique serial number on it. Once the tree is planted, the person, like the tree, takes root in the land of the East Pole. At the easternmost point of the motherland's land territory, batches of officers and soldiers make the island their home, make the post their home, taking root like poplar trees and standing tall like boundary markers.
Every morning, as the first ray of sunlight shines in, those young figures on the guard tower stand tall and firm, just as the company song sings—
"I welcome the sun into the motherland, and the sun sprinkles its light and heat upon the ten thousand miles of mountains and rivers..."
Return to TopBy: 任彤彤
Accompanied by a tremendous roar, the United States (美国) "Air Force One" (空军一号) presidential aircraft landed at Beijing Capital International Airport (北京首都机场) and taxied slowly along the runway. Not far away, a Chinese soldier remained steadfast at his post, standing tall and motionless like a mountain. Some time ago, this video clip spread widely on domestic and international online platforms, attracting significant attention.
"This motionless soldier is a microcosm of the millions of Chinese military personnel, and a vivid interpretation of the confidence, foundation, and composure of a great power's military." At the Ministry of National Defense (国防部) regular press conference on May 28, the spokesperson responded, "Moving like thunder, standing still like a mountain; no matter when, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (中国人民解放军) is always a heroic force that the Party (党) and the people can fully trust."
From the magnificent momentum at military parades to the upright posture in diplomatic settings, the high-spirited demeanor of Chinese soldiers has repeatedly drawn admiration from the world. Why do such images always touch people's hearts in an instant?
The answer lies not only in the visual impact brought by the footage, but is hidden beyond the lens and throughout the years, in a steadfast, day-after-day sincere dedication.
This dedication is a manifestation of willpower. The soldier in the video, Liu Zhencheng (刘朕呈), later mentioned in an interview that when the presidential aircraft passed behind him, the distance was only 10 to 15 meters. The engine roar was deafening, and the heat waves from the engines constantly beat against his back. Yet, he overcame his physiological instincts; not only did he not dodge in the slightest, but he also gazed firmly in the direction of the national flag, demonstrating the strong willpower and calm demeanor of a Chinese soldier. Behind this composure lies the tempering under "actual combat" standards. Liu Zhencheng (刘朕呈) said, "For us, this was just an ordinary duty, just like our daily training." Standing at attention, resisting interference, and maintaining a steady mindset are their daily required courses, forging a solid foundation of composure through near-harsh training.
This dedication is a display of discipline. Upon entering the barracks, standing at attention, marching in step, and folding quilts are essential lessons for new recruits. Looking at the training ground, the formations move in perfect unison, looking like one person from the side; entering the dormitory, the bedding has distinct edges and corners, arranged into square and neat "tofu blocks"; when the whistle blows, all personnel move upon hearing the order, assembling and lining up without a second's delay... These seemingly ordinary details are precisely the process of integrating ironclad style and strict discipline into their blood.
This dedication is the source of a sense of security. An upright posture and a firm gaze constitute a silent promise: "With me here, please rest assured." Beyond the lens, in places where the spotlight cannot reach, stand more motionless figures. In the "Cloud Post" (云端哨所) beside the Kunlun Mountains Tunnel (昆仑山隧道) on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway (青藏铁路), generations of sentries have stood tall like pines in the wind and snow, firmly anchored on the peaks of the Kunlun Mountains (昆仑山), guarding the "Sky Road" (天路) that traverses the snow-covered plateau. On a small island deep in the East China Sea (东海), soldiers Li Jiangwei (李江伟) and Li Fuyong (李复勇) of a certain brigade under the Eastern Theater Command Army (东部战区陆军) have been stationed at a communication post for years, guarding the motherland's maritime defense line. In city streets, by your side and mine, and at every ordinary or special moment, one can see the People's Liberation Army (人民子弟兵) standing guard at important positions, in full uniform, protecting the happiness and tranquility of the people.
When discipline becomes instinct and faith is guarded at one's battle station, millions of figures who are "moving like thunder, standing still like a mountain" form an incredibly solid line of defense. It is these upright backbones that together hold up a clear sky. Salute to every instance of steadfast dedication!
Return to TopBy: 韩怀航
In the early morning, the barracks were still shrouded in a thin mist, and the streetlights by the track cast a warm, yellow glow. I stood alone on the training ground, my gaze sweeping from the clear grenade-throwing markings to the virtual reality simulation screen nearby. I enjoy the feeling of sweating on the empty training ground in the morning; it gives me a sense of stability to see constant progress.
When I first joined the military, my individual training always held the squadron (中队) back, especially in long-distance grenade throwing—I just couldn't throw it far. At first, I only knew how to use brute force, and my scores hovered around the passing line, unable to improve. Watching my comrades around me forging ahead, I didn't get discouraged; instead, I became even more determined. I pored over textbooks, scrutinized the principles, applied physics formulas to my throwing motion, repeatedly calculated the release angle and trajectory, and bit by bit adjusted the rhythm of my leg drive, torso rotation, and arm swing.
I also challenged myself: I arrived at the training ground an hour early every day for extra practice to solidify my movements. By obsessing over details and refusing to settle for "good enough," I finally mended this shortcoming, turning a weakness into a strength. Later, I "conquered" (啃 - kěn - "gnaw," to overcome a difficult task through persistent effort) one hurdle after another in physical fitness and technical skills. As my individual proficiency improved, I gradually began to grasp the nuances of organizing training.
Being good at training myself is only the starting point. After stepping into the position of a full-time instructor, I always kept one phrase in mind: an instructor is not a lone warrior, but a "yeast" that helps everyone grow stronger together. The old approach of just reading from the manual has long been unable to keep up with real-world combat. I took the pitfalls and detours I experienced as a recruit, combined them with the realities of the grassroots level, and summarized a training method based on "essentialization, scenarization, and simulation," diving into the front lines to provide hands-on guidance to key personnel and solve difficult problems.
In 2022, I became a recruit squad leader. One recruit kept missing the target and became listless and dejected. Instead of making him practice blindly over and over, I made my own shooting instruction boards, ballistic dynamic models, and training molds, visually displaying the rifle's parameters and the bullet's flight trajectory. By combining ballistic formulas and bullet flight time, I explained the principles of shooting thoroughly, ensuring everyone not only knew how to shoot but also understood why they were shooting that way. I utilized a shooting simulation system for realistic training, standardizing every movement—holding the rifle, aiming, breathing, and firing—and correcting incorrect postures one by one.
Through systematic guidance, the recruit's military proficiency improved significantly, and he achieved top marks in all subjects during the corps (总队) competition. That recruit who once couldn't hit the target has now become an outstanding sniper.
For me, the front line of training is the battlefield, and major missions are the examination hall. Over these years, I have vied to participate in every training, combat readiness, duty, and emergency response mission of the detachment (支队). In 2019, I took first place in the corps' (总队) duty professional instructor training; in 2022, I participated in the standardization pilot construction for duty security at a higher level, and the practical training experience I compiled was promoted throughout the armed forces; in 2023, I stood on the competition field for instructors of the People's Armed Police Force (武警部队) and achieved excellent results, earning a Third-Class Merit (三等功)...
Looking back on my 19-year military journey, I deeply understand that there are no shortcuts to training; all hard-won skills and practical tactics are forged through perseverance and grinding. Today, I am still rooted in the training ground, organizing and researching training methods. I will continue to settle my heart, pass on high-quality training methods to my comrades one by one, polish training details with the spirit of a craftsman, and guard the mission of training with my original intent. On the road to strengthening the military, I am at my post, and my steps will never cease.
(The author is a First-Class Sergeant (一级上士) in a unit of the Hefei Detachment (合肥支队) of the People's Armed Police Anhui Corps (武警安徽省总队). Compiled by Li Longyi (李龙伊) and Xu Wei (徐伟).)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 任彤彤
"Uncle, do you miss home when you are at sea?" a little boy asked, looking up.
"We do. When I miss home, I look at the two characters 'Tongchuan' (铜川) on the ship," said Wang Lu (王路), a crew member of the Tongchuan (铜川) ship, as he patted the child's shoulder. "We are just like you—we are all children of Tongchuan (铜川). Wherever the ship is, that is where home is."
On the eve of the International Children's Day on June 1st (六一), officers and soldiers from the Navy's Tongchuan (铜川) ship, along with representatives from the Tongchuan (铜川) Military Sub-district, visited the Zhaojin Beiliang Red Army Primary School (照金北梁红军小学) in Tongchuan (铜川), Shaanxi (陕西), to provide the children with a national defense education lesson full of "nautical flavor" and fun.
"Students, our 'hometown ship,' the Tongchuan (铜川) ship, has officially and honorably entered service!" Upon hearing the introduction from the officers and soldiers, the children applauded. Their bright eyes were filled with pride and longing.
The warship is named after an old revolutionary base area, and this bond has grown deeper through repeated interactions. Liu Zhong (刘钟), an officer on the Tongchuan (铜川) ship, recalled that when the warship held its launching ceremony, the Tongchuan (铜川) Municipal Government organized a delegation to attend; when it honorably entered service, relevant representatives from Tongchuan (铜川) boarded the ship to offer their regards. "The warship and the city share a natural bond like that of fish and water; the people support the military, and the military loves the people. We are, by nature, one family," Liu Zhong (刘钟) remarked with emotion.
"The Tongchuan (铜川) ship holds a unique weight in the hearts of the people of Tongchuan (铜川)," said the head of the Tongchuan (铜川) Municipal Bureau of Veterans Affairs, speaking affectionately about the glorious tradition of this land in supporting the military and their families, and supporting the government and cherishing the people. Entering the new era, the local area has continued to deepen its "Double Support" (双拥) work, focusing on tasks such as national defense education, mobilization preparation, and preferential treatment and placement, earning the title of "National Model City for Double Support" (全国双拥模范城).
On the playground, the officers and soldiers raised red and yellow flags, teaching the children signal flag language hand-in-hand. "The flags in our hands can 'speak.' Who wants to learn?" No sooner had the soldier finished speaking than the children's small hands shot up in unison, and they learned with exceptional focus.
The knot-tying area nearby was even livelier. Second-grader Chen Ziyu (陈子钰) lowered his head, "wrestling" with the rope in his hands, his little face flushed red: "Why won't the rope listen to me?" His innocent words sparked a burst of laughter across the playground.
"Wow! I want to try too!" In the protective gear experience area, the officers and soldiers brought out gas masks, and the children crowded around. As the officers helped the children adjust the gear, they explained the equipment's function on the ship, quietly sowing the seeds of national defense knowledge.
Outside the classroom, the officers and soldiers walked hand-in-hand with the children toward the Xuejiazhai (薛家寨) site, which they knew all too well. With uncles in military uniforms by their sides, the children were exceptionally excited, vying to be "little guides": "We've been inside this cave!" "There used to be bullet holes over there!"... The crisp sound of children's voices echoed through the mountains.
At a steep slope, an officer pointed to a bunker by the rock wall and asked, "Can everyone guess what this was used for?" "It's where the Red Army (红军) uncles stood guard!" a boy answered first. "That's right. Just like the radar on our ship, it is a 'thousand-mile eye' (千里眼 - "thousand-mile eye," a metaphor for keen insight or advanced surveillance technology) that can protect everyone," a soldier replied.
After walking for a while, the group rested on a flat area and sat in a circle. Sixth-grader Chen Siyu (陈思宇) stood up and recounted with emotion the bloody struggle and perseverance of the Red Army (红军) at Xuejiazhai (薛家寨) in the autumn of 1933. The children listened intently, unconsciously moving closer to the soldiers in their white naval uniforms. Then, Wang Lu (王路) shared his own stories of carrying out missions at sea: "In the most difficult times, it is this mountain that I think of. If our predecessors could hold this place, we can also weather the storms."
"Once I board the ship, it feels like I've come home." Tong Chen (童晨), a soldier from Tongchuan (铜川), still remembers the scene when he first boarded the Tongchuan (铜川) ship; the oil painting of "Xuejiazhai" (薛家寨) in the conference room had once made him pause for a long time. On the Tongchuan (铜川) ship, whether it is the display boards in the corridors or the pictures on the walls of the mess hall, the imprints of the old revolutionary base area can be seen everywhere. He said: "The first political education lesson we had after boarding the ship was on the Zhaojin Spirit (照金精神). As soldiers of the Tongchuan (铜川) ship, we must not forget the spirit of the old revolutionary base area."
The setting sun dyed the Danxia (丹霞) rocks of Xuejiazhai (薛家寨) a warm gold. The officers, soldiers, and children walked down the mountain hand-in-hand, their conversation and laughter intertwined in the valley, painting a new landscape.
(Feng Zhibin (封治斌) and Zhu Zeya (祝泽亚) participated in the reporting and writing)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 胡笑源
In early summer, all things flourish in beauty.
In the university campuses of Nanjing (南京), Jiangsu (江苏), the melodious strains of traditional opera can be heard from time to time. Here, a group of young people who love opera have met, gathered, and bonded through the art form, whether by playing the flute and singing, or by chatting and discussing plays. The melodies of traditional opera traverse time and space, arriving in the summer of these young people's lives with endless beauty. Ancient opera and the time of youth nourish one another, writing a brand-new story of continuing the cultural lineage and strengthening cultural confidence...
**Bonding through Opera, Making Friends through Art: More Gen Zs Fall in Love with Opera**
"Falling flowers fill the sky, obscuring the moonlight; borrowing a cup of wine to offer on the phoenix terrace..."
On a Friday evening, the poignant and winding melody of the classic Cantonese opera *The Flower Princess: Fragrant Death* (《帝女花·香夭》) drifted gracefully from a classroom in Guangle Building (广乐楼) at Nanjing Normal University (南京师范大学). During a sharing session held by the university's Guangyu Opera Society (光裕戏曲社), Chen Lianren (陈连任), a junior history major, spoke with great eloquence: "Cantonese opera (粤剧) is one of the local opera genres with the greatest overseas influence. As the saying goes, 'Wherever there is seawater, there are Chinese; wherever there are Chinese, there is Cantonese opera.' Anyone who has heard Cantonese opera can hum a few lines from *The Flower Princess* (《帝女花》)."
"Ren Jianhui (任剑辉), the famous Cantonese opera artist who played the male lead Zhou Shixian (周世显), was a woman, yet she mastered the *pinghou* (flat-throat) singing style of male roles to perfection. Her resonance was well-placed, her voice was rich and thick, and her singing was full of emotion, which deeply moved the audience." From the history and characteristics of Cantonese opera to the vocal features and performance styles of the actors, Chen Lianren (陈连任) analyzed everything with great clarity, and the students in the audience listened with keen interest.
It is hard to imagine that a year ago, Chen Lianren (陈连任) and many members of the opera society present were absolute "opera novices."
"I am from Hong Kong (香港), China (中国). My elders at home love listening to Cantonese opera, but I preferred Cantonese pop songs," Chen Lianren (陈连任) admitted with a smile. Initially, joining the club to learn the *huadan* (young female role) style was just an attempt to learn singing. "But I didn't expect that after a year of watching, learning, and discussing opera with my classmates, it became the hobby I devoted the most energy and deepest study to. I transformed from a music fan into a genuine Cantonese opera enthusiast."
"After learning to sing, I finally understood the aesthetics of the older generation." "Opera has taken over my playlists and video favorites." Today, on university campuses, more and more members of Gen Z are falling in love with this ancient art form. They spontaneously organize campus opera activities, learn to sing and perform, watch and discuss plays, take to the stage, and even bring opera into communities, primary and secondary schools, and nursing homes.
Today, university opera societies across the country are blooming like a hundred flowers. Peking and Kunqu opera clubs (京昆社), Yue opera clubs (越剧社), and Huangmei opera clubs (黄梅戏俱乐部) are highly popular, and even niche genres with strong local characteristics, such as Huazhao opera (花朝戏) and Chaozhou opera (潮剧), have gained a following of young fans. The new generation of young people is shifting from being passive recipients of "Opera in Schools" to active initiators of "Opera on Campus."
"Compared to previous college students, this generation is more open and inclusive toward traditional opera. A short video of an opera performance or a touch of operatic singing in pop music can become the catalyst for young people to 'fall down the rabbit hole' of opera," said Yin Chong (殷翀), a founder of the Guangyu Opera Society (光裕戏曲社) and a member from the class of 2002. Back then, as a sophomore, he and a few like-minded classmates formed the opera society. "At that time, opera was still a 'niche' hobby among young people. The industry was in a slump, and even many professional actors were changing careers. There weren't many members, but every one of them was a 'true fan' of opera."
Later, with the popularization of opera art, more and more "zero-foundation" students were willing to join the opera society. Although many came, few stayed. "Opera is such a profound art; the singing, reciting, acting, and acrobatics, every single note and tone is a science. Many students who had never been exposed to it would come a few times and then stop coming because they couldn't learn it or sing it well."
To retain these young people interested in opera, Yin Chong (殷翀) mobilized senior members to teach new members how to project their voices and practice stage movements step-by-step, helping them build a solid foundation. They then used recordings and videos to study singing and practice performances, and invited professional teachers to help polish their skills. Over the past 23 years, generations of members have helped one another, passing down the art of opera and holding 19 special campus opera performances, with hundreds of members taking the stage in full costume.
"I stayed because of the opera, but even more so because of the people who love it." In Yin Chong's (殷翀) view, a university society is always a platform for sharing and exchanging interests. A group of young people bonding through opera and making friends through the art, studying and inheriting it for a shared passion—this spirit itself is invaluable.
"After graduation, members go on to their respective jobs, becoming scholars, teachers, civil servants, and some even head overseas, sowing the seeds of opera in wider and more distant places in various ways," Yin Chong (殷翀) said. His current wish is to keep more young people interested in opera: "Guard this passion well, and then lead them, step by step, into the depths of the art."
**Refining Through Study, Becoming "Professional" Audiences of Opera**
At the Xianlin Campus (仙林校区) of Nanjing University (南京大学), the moment the evening class bell rang, Professor Xu Lili (许莉莉) of the School of Liberal Arts (文学院) walked into the classroom carrying a bamboo flute. She took a slightly yellowed musical score from her bag, turned to the blackboard, and copied down a lyric from the Kunqu opera *The Peony Pavilion: The Garden* (《牡丹亭·游园》), with *gongche* notation (工尺谱) for pronunciation marked diagonally beside it.
"The tune for this song is called 'Good Sister' (好姐姐), which, together with the previous tune 'Soap Robe' (皂罗袍), forms one of the most popular classic segments in Kunqu opera." After speaking, Xu Lili (许莉莉) began to chant while keeping time, and the students followed along: "Across the green hills, the cuckoo cries until it bleeds; beyond the climbing roses, the mist is soft and intoxicating..." Just like that, the teacher sang a line, and the students learned it; the students sang a line, and the teacher guided them. By the end of the class, without much extra talk, the elegant and beautiful lyrics and the gentle, moving melodies of Kunqu had quietly nourished their hearts.
"I thought it was a literature class, but it turned out to be a music class." Mentioning the "misunderstandings" many students had when choosing the course, Xu Lili (许莉莉) couldn't help but smile. "To understand the logic of the music, one must first learn to sing it. This is a tradition left behind by the great opera scholar Wu Mei (吴梅) when he taught in the Department of Chinese Literature over 100 years ago." Xu Lili (许莉莉) explained that she has continued this teaching method in the Kunqu general education course offered to all undergraduates. In her view, the beauty of opera is concrete, contained in the details of every syllable and melody, and it requires personal study and singing to truly perceive and comprehend it.
Niu Qinglin (牛庆林), a doctoral student in physics at Nanjing University (南京大学), has a deep understanding of this. As an undergraduate, having grown up in the North, he heard Kunqu for the first time in class: "At that time, I only felt that Kunqu was slow and long, and very difficult to learn." To complete his assignments, he had to bite the bullet and "grind" through the pronunciation and vocal techniques line by line by following the classroom recordings. "When I finally learned this song, I suddenly realized that the 'water-grinding' vocal style (水磨腔) of Kunqu was so beautiful."
"Grinding" (磨) — this is the word young amateur opera enthusiasts use most often. As a comprehensive performing art with high professional requirements, opera is not easy to learn. In the practice room, Chen Lianren (陈连任) wore thick practice clothes, repeatedly adjusting her posture and expression in front of the mirror. In order to perform a 6-minute segment of the Cantonese opera *Princess Zhaojun* (《昭君公主》) well for the opera society's special performance, she spent several hours every week polishing her singing and refining her movements.
"Learning opera is really hard. How to sing a small turn, how to flick a water sleeve—it's all a science." Chen Lianren (陈连任) said that it was precisely in this "grinding" process of overcoming difficulties that she truly understood why opera is good, where the difficulties lie, and why the performances of artists are so exquisite. "Learning opera makes me understand it better. I never thought about becoming a professional opera actor in the future, but I want to be a 'professional' opera audience member with real appreciation."
"Don't underestimate this group of young audience members who have 'performed on stage.' Their eyes are sometimes 'sharper' than those of old opera fans," said Zhang Qian (张倩), head of the Peking Opera Theater (京剧院) of the Jiangsu Performing Arts Group (江苏省演艺集团). As a professional troupe, the theater provides costumes, makeup, props, and band support for various university opera society performances year-round, and also sends professional actors to schools to provide guidance. Zhang Qian (张倩) has observed that these young people who love singing opera have a considerable level of appreciation. "Take their taste in watching plays, for example; young people don't just blindly chase new things. On the contrary, those newly adapted plays that haven't stood the test of the market are the first to be eliminated by young audiences. They have their own yardstick for what is a classic and 'tasty' play."
In Zhang Qian's (张倩) view, the inheritance and revitalization of opera need such a group of audiences with professional appreciation. "Grasping this group of young people and truly understanding what kind of opera they like is an important reference for professional troupes to train actors and pass down repertoires," Zhang Qian (张倩) said.
**Pause Your Steps, Perceive Pure Joy and Beauty**
Outside of opera, life in student days is always hurried; experiments, writing papers, and finding internships fill the schedule. "In recent years, the school has offered general education courses on opera to all students. Many students choose them, but some do so to meet the mandatory requirements for an arts elective, and few can truly settle down to learn a song," Xu Lili (许莉莉) said. How to enable busy students to pause their steps, truly perceive the beauty of opera, and let university aesthetic education truly play its role in educating people through beauty and culture is a question she has been pondering in her teaching over the past few years.
In the Suzhou-style garden Xiangxuehai (香雪海) on the Xianlin Campus (仙林校区) of Nanjing University (南京大学), the doors of the Songfeng Shuiyue Pavilion (松风水月榭) were wide open. Not far away, Xu Lili (许莉莉) and Niu Qinglin (牛庆林) were supporting a white-haired elderly woman as she walked slowly toward them. This woman is Zhu Jiyun (朱继云), one of the 43 "Ji" generation (继字辈) Kunqu actors trained after the founding of the People's Republic of China. She specializes in the inheritance of Kunqu singing, recitation, and composition, and once taught at the Kunqu class of the Jiangsu Provincial Opera School (江苏省戏曲学校). Since 1979, she has been invited to teach opera to graduate students in the Department of Chinese Literature at Nanjing University (南京大学), a role she has held for over 40 years. Today, the 82-year-old Zhu Jiyun (朱继云) still insists on coming to Nanjing University (南京大学) every week to teach this group of young Kunqu enthusiasts on campus.
"I have taught Kunqu all my life, and what makes me happiest is actually teaching this group of amateur college students." Zhu Jiyun (朱继云) explained with satisfaction, "They aren't doing it for anything else; they just truly love it." This is also the original intention most often mentioned by college students who love and learn opera. In their view, learning opera is never about gaining anything; as long as the process is happy and beautiful, it is enough.
Niu Qinglin (牛庆林) is a student of Zhu Jiyun (朱继云). This doctoral student in physics has applied the spirit of scientific research to the study of Kunqu, not only learning 19 full Kunqu plays from Zhu Jiyun (朱继云) but also learning to compose scores and play instruments such as the *erhu*, *xiao*, and percussion. In the eyes of many teachers and students, Niu Qinglin (牛庆林) has become an "expert" in Kunqu research, but he says: "I never care whether what I do is professional. What I pursue is the joy gained in the process—the immersion when creating a character on stage, the sense of accomplishment when composing a tune, and the happiness of being moved by the beauty of Kunqu again and again. Having these is enough."
Perceiving beauty and enjoying beauty allow people to obtain the purest joy from beautiful things and let beauty naturally nourish the soul. This may be one of the most precious things beyond technique. "The reason opera moves people is that it is particularly considerate of the human heart and human feelings—the scripts are about people's ideal lives, and the hand, eye, body, and foot movements on stage are the externalization of human inner emotions. The original intention is to help people relieve their sorrows and feel joy," Xu Lili (许莉莉) said. Now, she no longer requires students to complete any hard tasks, and she doesn't even expect students to fall in love with Kunqu after one semester. "Enjoying beautiful music in class, being able to listen to a song or sing a few lines when feeling down, and exchanging real feelings with everyone—that is enough."
"Aesthetic education has its own characteristics; it is a long-term, 'moistening things silently' (润物细无声 - rùn wù xì wú shēng - "moisten things silently," describing an influence that is subtle, gradual, and profound) process. Rather than forced teaching, it is better to inspire and illuminate. What I need to do is plant a seed of the beauty of opera in the hearts of young people. Whether it sprouts early or late depends on the life soil of each person. But once it breaks through the soil and truly becomes a sustenance for a life and a soul, the purpose of aesthetic education is achieved," Xu Lili (许莉莉) said.
"There is a line in *The Peony Pavilion* (《牡丹亭》): 'One can see that my lifelong love is natural' (可知我一生儿爱好是天然). This line says that pursuing truth, goodness, and beauty, and loving all beautiful things is human nature—this happens naturally," Niu Qinglin (牛庆林) said.
Return to TopBy: 冯 时
"King Wu (武王) conquered the Shang (商) dynasty; on the morning of the Jiazi (甲子) day, the planet Jupiter (岁星) was in its proper position, and the conquest of Shang (商) was achieved in a single morning." This is the inscription on the Li Gui (利簋), a national treasure currently on display at the National Museum of China (中国国家博物馆). It means, "At dawn on the Jiazi (甲子) day, the planet Jupiter (岁星) was perfectly aligned, and King Wu of Zhou (周武王) attacked the Shang (商), defeating the enemy in one stroke." This text allows the record in the Records of the Grand Historian (史记)—which states, "On the Jiazi (甲子) day, the troops of King Zhou (纣) were defeated"—to finally be corroborated by physical evidence.
Unearthed in 1976, the Li Gui (利簋) is like a "witness to time" from over 3,000 years ago, bringing clarity to the long-studied specific timing of King Wu's (武王) conquest of the Shang (商).
"Observe the astronomical phenomena to understand the changes in time; observe the humanistic phenomena to transform the world." Jiazi (甲子) is the first day of the traditional Chinese sexagenary cycle (干支纪日体系), symbolizing the beginning of a new cycle. The defeat of the Shang (商) on a Jiazi (甲子) day was likely an expression of the political ideal that "although Zhou (周) is an old state, its mandate is renewed."
Clearly, examining ancient relics through the lens of astronomy is a fascinating perspective; it not only better presents history but also reveals the "Dao" (道) behind the "vessel" (器). Recently, in the episode on the Li Gui (利簋) for the cultural program *Exploring Civilization through Metal and Stone* (金石探文明), I displayed a hand-drawn star map that sparked curiosity among many viewers. Through this star map, everyone could see the celestial phenomena as they appeared during King Wu of Zhou's (周武王) conquest of the Shang (商) over 3,000 years ago. After more than 3,000 years of **斗转星移** (dǒu zhuǎn xīng yí - "dipper turns star moves," the passage of time or changing of seasons), this magnificent history, through vivid interpretation, allows the meaning of the inscriptions on the Li Gui (利簋) and the celestial phenomena within them to transcend time and space and meet us today.
Chinese civilization has always revered the "unity of heaven and humanity" (天人合一). If we understand the cosmology of our ancient sages, we grasp, to a certain extent, the trajectory of the birth and development of civilization. For example, our ancestors observed the stars to determine the time, not only for agricultural purposes but also to give rise to the concept of "trust" (信). The ancients said, "Utmost trust is like time" (至信如时); the greatest "trust" is time itself. Cultivating oneself with "trust" gave rise to the important moral philosophy of Chinese civilization. Furthermore, ancient Chinese cities emphasized the central axis, stemming from the ancestors' practice of "setting up a pole to see the shadow" (立竿见影) to determine east, west, north, and south, thereby planning space through time. Such a sense of orderly symmetry and structure has been integrated into our daily lives.
Since the 1980s, I have dedicated myself to the study of archaeoastronomy. Similar to traditional archaeology, archaeoastronomy utilizes physical objects left by the ancients to present history. However, human history includes both the history of material culture and the history of spiritual culture. Traditional archaeology focuses on the history of material culture, while archaeoastronomy complements this by primarily seeking to understand ancient political systems, political concepts, religious beliefs, sacrificial rites, and institutional regulations. Combining the two provides a more complete and enriched understanding of history.
The Xishuipo Site (西水坡遗址) in Puyang (濮阳), Henan (河南), is a relic dating back over 6,500 years. If one does not combine disciplines such as astronomy, archaeology, history, and philology, many questions arise. After comprehensive research, the mysteries were solved one by one; this site reveals an early astronomical and stellar system, possessing rich astronomical connotations and reflecting political systems, religious institutions, and even philosophical concepts.
One must both look up at the "sky" and keep one's feet firmly on the "earth." Archaeoastronomy must identify archaeological materials related to astronomy unearthed from excavations and synthesize multidisciplinary knowledge to reach conclusions. This allows people today not only to understand how the ancients lived but also to explore how they thought, knowing their views on time, Yin-Yang (阴阳), values, and culture. Today, the "archaeology fever" is rising, which I believe is, at a deeper level, a "traditional culture fever." Many people look forward to seeing knowledge and ideas of Chinese culture that traditional history and traditional archaeology cannot, or find it difficult to, reveal. Thus, archaeoastronomy has quickly attracted widespread attention.
The study of archaeoastronomy belongs to our own academic system, helping us understand China's civilization, path, and institutions. Cosmology emphasizes the mutual relationship between heaven, earth, and humanity. Viewed from this perspective, contemporary China and the reform practices of the new era highlight the spirit of reform and openness, as seen in "Heaven in its motion is ever vigorous; the gentleman must strive for self-improvement" (天行健，君子以自强不息). The new development concepts of innovation, coordination, green development, openness, and sharing embody wisdom such as "striving for self-improvement and daily renewal" (自强日新) and "following the natural way" (道法自然), all of which now possess a more expansive historical depth.
Therefore, when we gaze at cultural relics including the Li Gui (利簋), we are not merely appreciating national treasures; we are looking up at the same "sky" as our ancestors, understanding the continuity, innovation, unity, inclusivity, and peaceful nature of Chinese civilization. Only by knowing where we come from can we understand where we are going. How fortunate we are that we, today, continue to move forward along this path of civilization, writing new chapters.
(The author is a Member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (中国社会科学院); organized by our reporter Zheng Hai'ou (郑海鸥))
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 李 蕊
The bright red "Double Happiness" (囍) characters illuminated the courtyard walls, and fragrant wedding steamed buns (喜饽饽) were placed on the tables. As the gongs and drums played with a rhythmic "clang-clang," a unique "zero-betrothal-gift" wedding was underway in a farmhouse courtyard in Sanhebu New Village (三河埠新村), Dachang Town (大场镇), West Coast New Area (西海岸新区), Qingdao (青岛), Shandong (山东).
At the scene, a group of volunteers in red vests, known as the "Bangxi Troupe" (帮喜团 - "Help-with-Happiness Troupe"), stood out, with some decorating the venue and others greeting guests. Volunteer Chen Xiaohan (陈晓涵) smiled warmly: "Their journey together hasn't been easy, and today they have finally reached this moment of happiness. I am so happy for them."
Recalling her first meeting with the couple, Chen Xiaohan (陈晓涵) was filled with emotion: "The two of them have a very strong bond, but they were trapped in a dilemma because of the betrothal gift."
As it turned out, the groom came from a farming family, and facing wedding expenses of two or three hundred thousand yuan, the whole family felt immense pressure. The bride was also caught in a difficult position, even considering giving up at one point.
Chen Xiaohan (陈晓涵) sighed, "What should have been a joyous occasion became a **心病** (xīn bìng - "heart disease," a source of deep worry or anxiety)."
How did this marriage eventually come to be? Ji Xiuyun (纪秀云), a core member of the "Bangxi Troupe" (帮喜团) and a fellow villager, explained the story: "The sisters from the 'Bangxi Troupe' (帮喜团) visited their homes several times, helping both families put their minds at ease."
Adhering to the principle of resolving barriers with warmth, the "Bangxi Troupe" (帮喜团) brought exquisite "Double Happiness Mandarin Duck" (双喜鸳鸯) paper cuttings and steaming hot "wedding buns" (喜饽饽). "Look at this 'Double Happiness' (囍) character; it is beautiful because it is symmetrical. Marriage is the same; it requires mutual understanding," Chen Xiaohan (陈晓涵) gently persuaded the bride's parents.
Volunteer Zhang Hongfen (张洪芬) also used her own experience to communicate patiently: "We understand that you aren't greedy for money, but true love means letting the children start their lives without a heavy burden, so they can properly build their own home."
The bride's mother admitted that they did not value money, but rather wanted to provide security for their child and hoped not to lose face in front of relatives and friends.
"Rest assured, without a high-priced betrothal gift or a luxurious banquet, the children will receive no fewer blessings, and we will not lose any face," Ji Xiuyun (纪秀云) promised, patting her chest.
"What you say makes sense. As long as the two children truly love each other and are in agreement, that is enough. Our greatest wish is for them to live a good life," the bride's father stated.
This shift in perspective paved the way for this beautiful marriage. On the day of the wedding, the "Bangxi Troupe" (帮喜团) volunteers arrived at 5:00 AM to get busy. From paper-cutting decorations to gong and drum performances, and from the civilized wedding procession to the ceremony flow, every detail was carefully designed to retain the cultural charm of traditional wedding customs while discarding the bad habits of extravagance and waste.
"It is truly wonderful to hold a wedding this way. It doesn't waste money, the affection remains undiminished, and it is full of sincerity," a villager who came to observe the ceremony praised.
The successful practice of the "Bangxi Troupe" (帮喜团) benefits from the "Help-with-Happiness Service + Credit Points" (帮喜服务+信用积分) model innovatively promoted by Dachang Town (大场镇). Villagers earn points by providing wedding volunteer services, which can be redeemed for daily necessities at the "Credit Supermarket" (信用超市), forming a virtuous cycle.
"These are the points I earned by participating in 'Bangxi Troupe' (帮喜团) activities; I was able to exchange them for so many daily necessities at once!" villager Wang Weiye (王维叶) said, showing off the washbasin and paper towels he had redeemed with his points. "When my son got married, he also received enthusiastic help from more than 10 volunteers in the village."
Today in Dachang Town (大场镇), holding weddings in a new style and simplifying funerals has become a new trend. Currently, the "Bangxi Troupe" (帮喜团) has grown to over 60 volunteers, having carried out more than 120 activities, served 51 couples, and helped save over 700,000 yuan in wedding expenses.
(Ma Liming (马立铭) participated in the reporting and writing)
Return to TopOn June 2, 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) delivered an important speech at the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development (文化传承发展座谈会). Over the past three years, the fine arts community has taken the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important speech as its guide, profoundly grasping the prominent characteristics of Chinese civilization (中华文明), deeply understanding the great significance of the "Two Integrations" (两个结合), and better shouldering the new cultural mission. This edition specially invites five experts and scholars to share their reflections, organize achievements, and summarize experiences from different perspectives, providing inspiration for promoting cultural prosperity and building a leading country in culture (文化强国).
——Editor (编者)
Return to TopBy: 李红强
From June 1 to 2, 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) made a special trip to inspect the China National Archives of Publications and Culture (中国国家版本馆) and the Chinese Academy of History (中国历史研究院), attended a symposium on cultural inheritance and development, and delivered an important speech.
New Year pictures, serial picture books (lianhuanhua), and propaganda posters are the signature collections of the China National Archives of Publications and Culture (中国国家版本馆). "These little picture books (xiaorenshu) are complete sets; I read them until they fell apart when I was a child. *Yue Mu Ci Zi* (岳母刺字), *Niu Tou Shan* (牛头山), *Qiang Tiao Xiao Liang Wang* (枪挑小梁王), *Shuang Qiang Lu Wenlong* (双枪陆文龙), *Xiao Shang He* (小商河)..." The General Secretary spoke of them **如数家珍** (rú shǔ jiǎ zhēn - "like counting family treasures," to be very familiar with something and describe it in detail). "These little picture books are highly educational, and the artists who drew them possessed profound skills; they were all masters."
The heartfelt words of General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) affirmed the unique value of serial picture books in supporting the education of ideals and beliefs among young people, and also helped us realize the immense potential inherent in serial picture books for better advancing the "Second Integration." The Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (十五五规划纲要) proposes implementing the project of fostering virtue through education in the new era and carrying out actions to permeate school aesthetic education. The "little picture books" (xiaorenshu) that left beautiful childhood memories for countless Chinese people, now personally promoted for reform and publication by Party and state leaders, have achieved a brand-new shaping of classic images and an innovative inheritance of Chinese aesthetics, making them one of the most suitable carriers for carrying out school aesthetic education permeation actions.
From the perspective of development, the aesthetic value of serial picture books has a long history, and relying on their advantage of combining text and images to promote the Party's guidelines and policies is an excellent tradition of our Party. During the Yan'an (延安) period, Mao Zedong (毛泽东) established the policy of "literature and art serving the people" in his *Talks at the Yan'an Forum on Literature and Art* (在延安文艺座谈会上的讲话). The liberated areas took the lead in the creation of revolutionary serial picture books, and a batch of newly created works such as *Tie Fo Si* (铁佛寺) and *Langya Mountain Five Heroes* (狼牙山五壮士) powerfully boosted revolutionary morale. Shortly after the founding of the People's Republic of China (新中国), Comrade Mao Zedong (毛泽东) instructed to "set up a publishing house, publish a batch of new serial picture books, and remove those old ones that promote ghosts, martial arts, and superstition." The Popular Art Publishing House (大众图画出版社) was quickly established, and the serial picture book *Chicken Feather Letter* (鸡毛信), adapted by Cai Ruohong (蔡若虹) and illustrated by Liu Jiyou (刘继卣), was published in 1950. In May of the same year, the first law enacted after the founding of the People's Republic of China (新中国)—the *Marriage Law of the People's Republic of China* (中华人民共和国婚姻法)—was promulgated and implemented, and serial picture books such as *Marriage Law Illustrated* (婚姻法图解), *Love* (爱情), and *A Happy Family* (幸福的家庭) were published immediately. In 1951, the People's Fine Arts Publishing House (人民美术出版社) was established (incorporating the Popular Art Publishing House), and a large number of serial picture books began to be published systematically and on a large scale, such as *New Biography of Heroes and Heroines* (新儿女英雄传), which reflected revolutionary historical themes, and *Three Attacks on Zhu Family Village* (三打祝家庄), which promoted excellent traditional Chinese culture. The policy propositions and the concept of "people's literature and art" from the early days of the People's Republic of China (新中国) were transmitted to millions of households through hundreds of millions of serial picture books. During the "Cultural Revolution" (文革), faced with the problem of young people having no extracurricular reading materials and the proliferation of handwritten copies, Comrade Zhou Enlai (周恩来) personally inquired about the publication of serial picture books twice. Consequently, classic works such as *Railway Guerrillas* (铁道游击队), *Sister Jiang* (江姐), and *Huang Jiguang* (黄继光) were reprinted in batches, which not only met the reading needs of young people but also clarified their ideological understanding. At a critical historical juncture of cultural construction, serial picture books, by virtue of their characteristics of matching text with images, being suitable for all ages, and being widely popularized, became a key handle for cultural ice-breaking.
Rooted in the artistic core of tradition, this is the important foundation for serial picture books to educate through aesthetics. Within the scale of the page, serial picture books fully embody the aesthetic characteristics of Chinese painting, such as establishing structure with lines, the interplay of void and substance, vivid spirit and resonance, and profound artistic conception, while also carrying forward the tradition of narrative and documentary in Chinese painting. In terms of format, they retain the narrative form of traditional long scrolls that unfold slowly and change scenes with every step, only shifting from segments to pages and from short stories to long ones. In terms of composition, they absorb the "scattered perspective" method of Chinese painting, skillfully using white space to create an artistic conception of void and substance, and depicting real life with line drawing, ink wash, or meticulous brushwork. In terms of modeling, they inherit line drawing techniques such as "nail-head and rat-tail" strokes and "orchid-leaf" strokes, pursuing the expression of spirit through form; they also absorb the rigorous and realistic modeling rules of Song (宋) dynasty paintings and the poetic aesthetics of folk theatrical performance, making the characters in the paintings lifelike and distinct in personality. The inheritance of the spirit of Chinese aesthetics makes serial picture books an excellent window for cultivating the aesthetic ability of young people and helping them understand traditional Chinese art.
In the new era, serial picture books must implement the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education. They must not only be based on the changes of the times and fully consider the reading habits of young people, but also provide guidance on worldviews and aesthetic views.
Serial picture books in the new era must highlight the themes of the times. Deepening themes and expanding subject matter are important driving forces for artistic innovation. Serial picture books in the new era should hold high the national spirit with patriotism as the core and the spirit of the times with reform and innovation as the core, closely follow the spiritual lineage of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) to depict groups of heroes and models, and base themselves on the fiery practice of the people to temper vivid artistic images. Today's young people have many channels for acquiring knowledge, high literacy, and broad interests, and they have a strong interest in national affairs and theoretical speculation. Works such as the comic *Marx Says* (马克思漫漫说) are deeply welcomed by them. Serial picture book creators should actively explore the visual transformation of the Party's innovative theories in the new era, making them artistic carriers for carrying out education on ideals and beliefs.
Serial picture books in the new era must establish confidence in Chinese fine arts. Traditional Chinese painting once profoundly shaped and led the development of Oriental art and left a distinct mark on the history of world art. However, since modern times, the subjectivity of Chinese art has retreated step by step under the impact of Western art. Among young people, European, American, Japanese, and Korean comics, animated images, and new media visual culture are constantly crowding out reading space, forming a strong impact on traditional serial picture books. Illustrations in domestic primary and secondary school textbooks also once abandoned artistic narratives with unique traditional charm. Under the requirement of accelerating the construction of an independent knowledge system in the new era, serial picture books must adhere to the ontology of Chinese art and, while meeting the reading needs of young people, help them establish a high degree of confidence in Chinese fine arts from an early age.
Serial picture books in the new era must innovate communication methods. Young people are "digital natives" of the Internet and have long been accustomed to obtaining information through media such as short videos. In the era of artificial intelligence, serial picture books must leverage new technologies, base themselves on high-quality content, and enrich full-media expression forms. Relying on the rich book and author resources of the People's Fine Arts Publishing House (人民美术出版社) and the Lianhuanhua Publishing House (连环画出版社), the "China Serial Picture Book Digital Library" (中国连环画数字馆) has collected 3,000 high-definition resources of serial picture books and transformed them into audio serial picture books, dynamic serial picture books, etc., through modern technology, providing users with an immersive reading experience. The vivid, diverse, and three-dimensional presentation methods not only make traditional serial picture books truly "move" and "come alive," but also provide high-quality resources for carrying out school aesthetic education permeation actions.
Serial picture books in the new era must strengthen talent cultivation. The works of the older generation of serial picture book artists are not only artistically exquisite, but the historical scenes and life details in the paintings are also accurate and reliable. This is not only due to their own cultural cultivation but also inseparable from their creative practice of going deep into life and rooting themselves among the people. Serial picture books in the new era must attach great importance to the cultivation of talent teams. On the one hand, they should encourage art colleges to offer courses on serial picture book creation; on the other hand, they should focus on discovering "grassroots" talent from among folk "serial book fans," especially by absorbing new mass literature and art groups on the Internet—this group is large in number and full of creative vitality. If they are neglected in absorption and guidance, under the influence of capital and the concept of "traffic first," their creative concepts and aesthetic orientations are very likely to go astray, which would instead lead young people in another direction. Stimulating and guiding new mass literature and art groups to become a new force in the creation of serial picture books in the new era is an important subject facing the art world.
As the "light cavalry" of thematic publishing and the "sower" of aesthetic education popularization, based on Chinese civilization and adhering to integrity and innovation, serial picture books will surely draw a spiritual map of the new era and realize the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education in the permeation of aesthetic education.
(The author is the President of the People's Fine Arts Publishing House (人民美术出版社))
Return to TopBy: 潘义奎
"A single flower does not make a spring, while one hundred flowers in full blossom bring spring to the garden." The vitality of civilization lies in exchange and mutual learning, and the prosperity of culture cannot be separated from inclusiveness and openness. As a national art palace, the National Art Museum of China (中国美术馆) has for many years consistently focused on high-quality collection, high-level utilization, and high-quality service. We strive to build a bridge for the exchange and mutual learning of civilizations, allowing domestic audiences to appreciate the myriad charms of world art without leaving the country, while also promoting Chinese art to go abroad and reach the world, contributing to the construction of a diverse and symbiotic tapestry of human civilization.
Recently, the National Art Museum of China (中国美术馆) hosted an artistic grand event that transcends time and space, connecting the East and the West—"Homage to the Masters: From Leonardo da Vinci to Caravaggio—Exhibition of Italian Renaissance Masterpieces," co-hosted by the National Art Museum of China (中国美术馆), the Uffizi Gallery (意大利乌菲齐美术馆), and the Baofeng Group·Yanbao Charity Foundation (宝丰集团·燕宝慈善基金会). This exhibition vividly demonstrates the open-mindedness of Chinese culture in embracing and absorbing world civilizations, aiming to promote the renewed brilliance of Chinese culture through integration and mutual learning. Since its opening, it has received widespread attention from all sectors of society and has become a cultural hotspot.
The Renaissance originated mainly in Italy in the 14th century. Driven by early humanistic trends and the academic tradition of classical studies, it reached its zenith in the 15th and 16th centuries and gradually swept across Western Europe. The Renaissance not only injected vitality into the revitalization of European culture but also profoundly influenced the development of Chinese art. In the early 20th century, amidst the tide of "Western learning spreading to the East," artists who had studied in Europe, such as Xu Beihong (徐悲鸿) and Lin Fengmian (林风眠), actively introduced the Renaissance to China, viewing it as essential nourishment for promoting the modern transformation and innovation of Chinese art. The Renaissance model of "borrowing from the past to create for the present" provided an inspiring paradigm for how China could face its own profound traditions and carry out contemporary transformation and creation.
The Uffizi Gallery (乌菲齐美术馆) is located in Florence (佛罗伦萨), the capital of the Renaissance, and is the key repository for the art collection of the Medici family (美第奇家族). It is known as the "treasure house of Renaissance art," and its collection covers almost all important art schools and representative painters of the Renaissance period, making it an important global center for the study of Renaissance art. The preparation for this exhibition began with an in-depth discussion I had last year in Florence (佛罗伦萨) with Mr. Eike Schmidt (西蒙内·维尔德), the director of the Uffizi Gallery (乌菲齐美术馆). At that time, we reached a high degree of consensus on issues such as China-Italy cultural exchange and the dissemination of Renaissance art. We agreed that the classic works of the Italian Renaissance should be introduced to China, allowing Chinese audiences to experience at close range the artistic radiance that blends humanism, classical revival, and scientific realism. More importantly, by gazing at and looking back on the classics, we can nourish the public's spiritual world and promote deep dialogue between Chinese and foreign art.
Since then, both teams have undergone dozens of online and offline communications, overcoming multiple differences in geography, culture, and expertise. We have repeatedly polished and strived for excellence in exhibit selection, exhibition design, and academic organization. Finally, we decided to exhibit 36 classic works by more than 20 artistic masters, including Leonardo da Vinci (达·芬奇), Michelangelo (米开朗琪罗), and Raphael (拉斐尔), systematically presenting the complete development trajectory of Renaissance art from its rise and peak to its transformation, and concentrating on highlighting the rich connotations of history and humanity. In this sense, this exhibition is not only a condensed history of Renaissance art but also an important achievement of China-Italy cultural exchange and cooperation, and even more so, a vivid practice of the National Art Museum of China (中国美术馆) actively fulfilling its cultural mission and enriching public cultural services.
As the director of the National Art Museum of China (中国美术馆) and also an oil painter, I am well aware of the artistic weight and cultural value of these exhibited works. They are not only a perfect display of artistic technique but also vivid carriers of the humanistic spirit. In the exhibition, Leonardo da Vinci’s (达·芬奇) *Knight, Centaur, and Warrior in Battle* outlines figures with both power and agility through free-spirited lines; the tension-filled forms in Michelangelo’s (米开朗琪罗) *The Rape of Ganymede* demonstrate this sculpture master's extraordinary understanding of human body art; the youthful face depicted in Titian’s (提香) *Flora* reflects the painter's love for life and beauty... In addition, the exhibition brings together works by masters such as Pollaiuolo (波拉约洛) and Botticelli (波提切利) of the Florentine School (佛罗伦萨画派), Giorgione (乔尔乔内) and Tintoretto (丁托列托) of the Venetian School (威尼斯画派), and Mannerist painters Pontormo (蓬托尔莫) and Bronzino (布隆齐诺), outlining the magnificent artistic landscape of the Italian Renaissance from multiple dimensions. What is especially precious is that many of the exhibits have arrived in China for the first time, providing a rare opportunity for the general public to face the original works.
Art has no borders, and spirits are interconnected. Artworks from the Renaissance period carry humanity's pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty. Even after hundreds of years, they can still resonate emotionally with contemporary audiences. Our original intention in holding this exhibition is not only to look back at the classics and pay tribute to the masters, but also to hope that through these artistic treasures that have crossed mountains and seas, we can promote the exchange and mutual learning of Chinese and foreign civilizations, and inject warm and lasting artistic power into the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. The National Art Museum of China (中国美术馆) has always firmly believed that classic works are cultural bonds that transcend national borders, and only through the integration and symbiosis of diverse arts can the flower of civilization bloom more brilliantly.
To better serve the public and exert the role of aesthetic education, we have meticulously planned and continuously innovated in exhibition design and supporting activities. The exhibition features interactive areas such as the Uffizi Gallery (乌菲齐美术馆) classic corridor and has launched exquisite cultural and creative products and art albums, allowing art to integrate into public life and successfully achieving "cross-boundary" dissemination. Inside the exhibition hall, there are audiences stopping to copy "internet-famous" masterpieces such as *Flora* (花神) and *Musician Angel* (奏乐的天使), and others re-creating classic images with cartoon language. These sincere loves and vivid expressions have become vivid footnotes to **美美与共** (měi měi yǔ gòng - "beauty beauty together," the idea that different cultures should appreciate each other's beauty to achieve harmony). We have also held a series of academic lectures, special forums, and public education activities, continuously broadening the boundaries of art popularization, encouraging audiences to think actively, and enhancing their aesthetic judgment and artistic literacy through exchange and discussion.
The popularity of this exhibition reflects that people's spiritual and cultural needs are continuously upgrading, confirming that high-quality art supply plays an important role in promoting public aesthetic education. The National Art Museum of China (中国美术馆) warmly welcomes more audience members to walk into the exhibition hall, join this appointment with art, perceive the power of humanity in the classics, and gather civilizational consensus in exchange.
(The author is the Director of the National Art Museum of China (中国美术馆))
Return to TopBy: 黄汉妮
Precious cultural relics that have 历经沧桑 (lì jīng cāng sāng - "experienced vicissitudes," having gone through many changes and hardships) are vivid carriers of the excellent traditional Chinese culture passed down from generation to generation. From the devout exploration found in the epigraphy catalogs of the Song (宋) dynasty to the elegant gatherings for appreciating antiques in Ming (明) dynasty courtyards, and finally to the "museum fever" of today, the Chinese people's pursuit of "natural history" (bowu) reflects a cultural quest that has remained unchanged for thousands of years, vividly embodying the prominent continuity of Chinese civilization.
In China, the term "bowu" first appeared in the Zuo Zhuan (左传), which contains the phrase "a gentleman of broad learning" (bowu junzi). The Treatise on Natural History (博物志) by Zhang Hua (张华) of the Western Jin (西晋) dynasty encompassed geography, rare birds and beasts, and ancient mythology, enriching the connotation of "bowu." Since the Song (宋) dynasty, the trend of collecting and research flourished, and epigraphy (jinshixue) emerged as a discipline. Epigraphic works such as the Archaeological Illustrations (考古图) (ten volumes) by Lü Dalin (吕大临) of the Northern Song (北宋) and the Xuanhe Illustrated Catalog of Antiques (宣和博古图) commissioned by Emperor Huizong of Song (宋徽宗) systematically organized ancient artifacts, providing paradigms for future research. In essence, the purpose was twofold: first, to satisfy the needs of appreciation; and second, to attempt to rediscover the brilliant civilization of ritual and music through textual research. The visual history of the "bowu" spirit connects a miniature history of culture.
By the Ming (明) dynasty, "bowu" gradually integrated into the daily lives of literati, and paintings themed around playing with and appreciating antiques began to increase, such as Album of Figure Stories: Appreciating Antiques in the Bamboo Garden (人物故事图册之竹院品古) by Qiu Ying (仇英) and Appreciating Antiques (品古图) by You Qiu (尤求). Through these paintings, it is not difficult to find that in private gardens, amidst the laughter and conversation of a few friends, "bowu" became a lifestyle that expressed aesthetic taste and humanistic ideals.
The Painting of Playing with Antiques (玩古图) (a detail is shown in the image) by Du Jin (杜堇) of the Ming (明) dynasty is innovative, creating a relaxed and elegant style. The lake stones with light colors, banana leaves, and screens enclose a secluded world. The painter uses the "nail-head and rat-tail" brush technique to outline the characters' expressions with ease—the host sits leaning comfortably while the guests gaze intently at the antiques. At this moment, the antiques on the table become a bridge, carrying the mutual appreciation between host and guest while connecting the past with the present. Here, the elegant appreciation of antiques is merely a surface appearance; its core is a spiritual practice that uses the tangible to inquire into the infinite. The tranquility of the garden, the surrounding antiques, and the exchange between friends allow the people in the painting to temporarily leave the hustle and bustle of the world, enabling them to meet with sages and history, reaching a state where both the object and the self are forgotten (物我两忘, wù wǒ liǎng wàng - "object and self both forgotten," a state of total immersion or detachment from worldly concerns). Painting of Playing with Antiques not only freezes the scene of "bowu" but also vividly interprets how literati constructed their spiritual world and shaped their identity through "objects."
Du Jin (杜堇) inscribed the colophon for Painting of Playing with Antiques: "Playing with antiques is common, but the ambition of 'bowu' is great. By modeling after images to create names, the essence of ritual and music resides." This remark hits the nail on the head regarding the deep meaning of the Chinese "bowu" tradition: artifacts are merely a medium; the destination of the heart is the vast ocean formed by history and the spirit of ritual and music. The people in the painting gaze at the antiques, and we, in turn, gaze at the people in the painting. Under these overlapping gazes, the cultural lineage is connected, and elegance is passed on.
In recent years, the rise of museum fever across various regions is, in fact, a return to the "bowu" tradition that has spanned thousands of years. This return allows old-fashioned elegance to achieve a new life as it moves toward the public. In the past, unrolling scrolls to appreciate antiques and quietly observing treasures were the refined hobbies of a few literati. Today, relying on public cultural spaces such as museums, more people are able to view cultural relics at close range and share the beauty of a thousand-year-old cultural lineage. Modern technology has made the paths of "bowu" no longer singular; with the help of high-definition imagery, 3D modeling, and virtual reality technology, museums have become cultural interaction fields full of infinite possibilities. Here, people's desire to dialogue with history and pay tribute to tradition finds a place to rest, continuously fostering new practices for the creative transformation and innovative development of excellent traditional Chinese culture.
Return to TopBy: 张 鹏
Not long ago, *Fine Arts* (《美术》) magazine, sponsored by the China Artists Association (中国美术家协会), reached the significant milestone of its 700th issue. The series of events held to mark the occasion sparked a certain level of response within the art community and society at large. Founded in 1950, this journal has advanced in tandem with the art cause of the People's Republic of China (新中国), serving as a vivid collection of historical materials and an image repository for modern and contemporary Chinese art history. As the 700th issue was published, a profound question regarding the future trajectory of professional journals loomed: in an era of profound changes in the media landscape and the accelerated penetration of artificial intelligence (AI), how can professional journals better guide the academic community to elevate Chinese experience into Chinese theory? How can they contribute to the construction of an autonomous knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences?
As a bridge for thought, professional journals connect history with the present, theory with practice, academia with society, and authors with readers, while also promoting "cross-boundary" dialogues between different disciplines and fields. The academic weight of a professional journal should by no means be measured solely by various quantitative evaluation indicators; it should also be judged by whether it has become a source of academic innovation. An excellent professional journal should be able to allow a series of genuine questions to be raised, and allow consensus and disagreement to be repeatedly polished and collided here, subsequently sublimating into theory.
For professional journals, the key is to improve planning capabilities in step with the times, ensuring that topics have depth and sustainability. The core competitiveness of a journal lies in the height of its vision and its overall perspective—whether it can stand on the major issues of the era to discern and distill genuine questions from rich, immediate practice; and whether it has the courage to proactively set and solve problems, organize in-depth academic research, and persistently focus on weighty and valuable topics over the long term. In recent years, *Fine Arts* (《美术》) magazine has adhered to serving the strategy of building a strong cultural nation in its topic planning. Based on the present and the future, it will continue to cultivate topics such as the construction of an autonomous knowledge system for Chinese art, the academic construction of the Party's leadership in art practice from the perspective of the "Two Integrations" (两个结合), theoretical research on thematic art creation, new mass literature and art, and the international dissemination of Chinese art. It particularly emphasizes driving academic research through planned topics, while discovering, absorbing, and cultivating more outstanding young scholars.
A journal must bridge theory and practice and be able to accommodate questioning and criticism in order to give birth to genuine ideological clashes. The reason *Fine Arts* (《美术》) is so substantial after more than seventy years is precisely because it has successively led several classic academic debates and created a series of theoretical topics. These discussions were influential for a time and have become essential academic landmarks for later generations observing and writing about this period of art history. If theory departs from vivid creation, it becomes a game of concepts; if practice does not receive timely theoretical responses, it is difficult to distill it into thoughts worthy of deep study. The new era of literary and artistic practice is filled with new phenomena and new topics; by letting debates flourish, the connection between the journal, its authors, and its readers can become increasingly stable and powerful.
Professional journals must also balance professionalism with public accessibility. What a journal should do is make depth understandable rather than diluted; it should participate in broad social life through academic means, rather than abandoning academic quality to cater to the public in a one-dimensional way. Professional journals must never lower their standards or cater to traffic, but they should also make good and flexible use of the advantages of new media. A multi-dimensional complementarity can be formed between paper publications and digital platforms, and between in-depth long-form articles and short commentaries—using new media to expand the boundaries of connectivity, and using high-quality content to safeguard the purity and depth of thought. Some professional journals, including *Fine Arts* (《美术》), are already exploring this, either by re-creating slightly profound long articles through short videos or AI (artificial intelligence) animation to flexibly reach a wider readership, or by actively interacting with readers through new media platforms, allowing the connection to be not just a one-way output, but a two-way flow.
As a source of academic innovation, professional journals should take the construction of an autonomous Chinese knowledge system as their ultimate goal. The genuine questions raised, the discussions organized, and the viewpoints honed by the journal are precisely the textual carriers and sources of strength for this system. A true source of academic innovation is a booster that cultivates the ability of various disciplines to speak independently, self-interpret, and sublimate theory. The new era calls for new scholarship and places new demands on professional journals. Only by standing at the forefront of theoretical construction and academic debate can they shoulder the arduous mission of 人文日新 (rén wén rì xīn - "humanities daily new," the constant renewal and progress of human culture and civilization).
(The author is the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of *Fine Arts* (《美术》) magazine)
Return to TopBy: 陶 璟
Chinese culture has a long and storied history, and Jiangnan (江南) culture is one of its most brilliant chapters. Its unique geographical location and thousands of years of humanistic accumulation have forged a distinctive aesthetic style and lifestyle paradigm for Jiangnan (江南), which is hidden in nature, integrated into daily life, and visible in paintings.
Rooted in the fertile soil of the Wu (吴) region and preserving the cultural lineage of Jiangnan (江南), the Suzhou Art Museum (苏州美术馆) possesses a wealth of local artistic resources. Based on this, the Suzhou Art Museum (苏州美术馆) has deeply researched the cultural heritage and lifestyle aesthetics behind its collection, creating the "Sumei Treasures" (苏美宝笈) exhibition series. Using beauty as a medium, it brings the thousand-year-old Jiangnan (江南) cultural lineage to life.
The "Living Among the City" (居然城市间) special exhibition uses garden-themed paintings as a thread to delve into the garden-making interests and elegant daily life captured in brush and ink; the "Remembering Jiangnan" (忆江南) special exhibition focuses on the Jiangnan (江南) depicted by oil painters, looking back at the changes in regional scenery; the "Echoing with Nature" (与自然回响) special exhibition, closely tied to the Twenty-Four Solar Terms (二十四节气), selects masterpieces that reflect the seasonal customs of the Suzhou (苏州) region... These exhibitions go beyond simple displays of works; they are based on the city's cultural context and rooted in the lives of the people. They not only reorganize the development of modern and contemporary Suzhou (苏州) art but also stimulate innovation and creativity through the revitalization of collections.
The beauty of Jiangnan (江南) is not only before our eyes but also on our tongues. As a new chapter in the "Sumei Treasures" (苏美宝笈) series, the ongoing special exhibition "Food in the Human World: The Taste of Jiangnan" (人间食事·江南知味) selects more than 60 masterpieces from the collection. It unfolds its narrative through the threads of the "freshness" of rivers and lakes, the "vitality" of the marketplace, and the "etiquette" of the dining table, connecting the lifestyle aesthetics and humanistic wisdom that have accumulated in Suzhou (苏州) over thousands of years.
Gusu (姑苏) is a water city, with the vast Taihu Lake (太湖) and the rushing Yangtze River (长江), where river networks are intertwined and lakes are scattered like stars. The water and soil nourish all things and have also nurtured the unique taste of Jiangnan (江南). Works such as Wang Mian's (王勉) print "Lotus Fragrance" (藕香) and Tao Minrong's (陶敏荣) watercolor "Crab" (蟹) all use common Jiangnan (江南) aquatic products as subjects, freezing the vivid scenery of the water town on the tip of the brush. The people of the water town live by the water, taking freshness from the lakes, leaving at dawn and returning at dusk with full holds of fish. Paintings depicting labor scenes such as digging lotus roots and catching fish further embody the life philosophy of 不时不食 (bù shí bù shí - "not time not eat," to eat only what is in season, emphasizing harmony with nature).
From the water's edge to the streets and alleys, the melodious cries of vendors have been passed down from the Tang (唐) and Song (宋) dynasties to the present day. The hustle and bustle of the marketplace and the abundance of produce leap onto the scrolls, showing the most simple gifts of the land and the most authentic vitality of the city. Loquats are undoubtedly one of the most seasonal items in Suzhou (苏州) during the summer. In the exhibition, two works with different techniques but equally vivid expressions—Xiao Shufang's (萧淑芳) Chinese painting "Loquat Fruit" (枇杷果) and Hang Mingshi's (杭鸣时) pastel painting "Loquat" (枇杷)—are placed side by side, supplemented by documents for the audience to compare and read. The paintings depict the alluring shape and color of the loquats, while the documents give them cultural thickness and historical depth; this is perhaps the most enduring sweetness in the unit theme "Market Sounds: Mellow Sweetness" (市声·绵甜).
At the end of the exhibition, the highlight is the pastel painting "Kitchen" (厨房) by Yan Wenliang (颜文樑), which won an honorary award at the Paris Spring Salon (法国巴黎春季沙龙) in 1929. The artist uses a panoramic composition to reproduce the daily appearance of an old-fashioned Suzhou (苏州) kitchen, reflecting his exploration of light and shadow. Next to it is the text from Fei Xiaotong's (费孝通) "Talking About Hometown Flavors" (话说乡味) regarding memories of his grandmother's kitchen. Whether it is the warm painting or the essay full of nostalgia, both point to the warm background of Jiangnan (江南) diet—the place where the smoke and fire of cooking return is the warmth of the human home. Connecting the taste of the dining table at one end and the culture of Jiangnan (江南) at the other is the spiritual core of the exhibition.
Only by revitalizing collections can we promote the rebirth of cultural lineage; only when art reaches the ground can it reach the depths of the human heart. The series of practices by the Suzhou Art Museum (苏州美术馆) fully proves that only by deeply integrating collection resources with local culture can an art museum break through the boundaries between art and life and open a new chapter in culture.
(The author is the Deputy Director of the Art Museum Management Department of the Suzhou Public Culture Center (苏州市公共文化中心))
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