Summary: In a letter dated June 17, 2026, President Xi Jinping responded to Zhang Liansheng, a 102-year-old veteran party member and former Xinhua News Agency telegrapher who served in the Central Column "Fourth Brigade" during the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia border region campaigns. Xi expressed his respect for Zhang’s lifelong dedication and reaffirmed the importance of "inheriting the red gene" and maintaining the party's founding mission. This correspondence serves as a symbolic gesture ahead of the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party, emphasizing ideological loyalty and historical continuity within the party ranks.
Summary: The Central Leading Group for Party Building recently issued a notice mandating the systematic study and implementation of "Xi Jinping’s Thought on Party Building." The document frames this ideology as a critical component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, emphasizing its role in reinforcing the "Two Establishes" and the "Two Safeguards." The notice outlines fourteen key thematic pillars of the ideology, ranging from the necessity of centralized leadership and comprehensive strict Party governance to the institutionalization of anti-corruption efforts and the cultivation of high-quality cadres. Party committees at all levels are instructed to prioritize this study as a major political task to ensure the long-term governance of the Party and the stability of Chinese-style modernization.
Summary: The June 15 national symposium on Party building emphasized that the "Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building" is essential for strengthening the Party and the nation, serving as a fundamental guide for governance. The article asserts that consolidating the centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee—with Xi Jinping at its core—is the primary safeguard against domestic risks and external challenges in an increasingly complex international environment. By maintaining a robust, vertically integrated organizational structure, the Party aims to ensure its long-term governance and capacity to lead the nation through the "new long march" of Chinese-style modernization. Ultimately, the text argues that strict Party discipline and ideological alignment are necessary to navigate global uncertainty and secure the Party's status as the core of the socialist project.
Summary: The National Symposium on Party Building recently highlighted the development of "Xi Jinping’s Thought on Party Building," framing it as a strategic response to the challenges of maintaining long-term governance for a Marxist party. International observers, including representatives from Laos, Kazakhstan, and Vietnam, lauded the framework for its role in enhancing the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) organizational capacity and ideological purity. The article emphasizes that this thought system provides a model for global political development, contrasting the CPC’s stability and long-term planning with the structural challenges and political polarization currently facing Western party systems. Robert Lawrence Kuhn, Chairman of the Kuhn Foundation (U.S.), noted that the formalization of this thought underscores the CPC’s determination to pursue self-reform. Ultimately, the article suggests that while the CPC shares its governance experience internationally, it prioritizes mutual respect and the contribution of "Chinese wisdom" to global political discourse.
Summary: General Secretary Xi Jinping recently issued directives emphasizing the normalization of "East-West collaboration" to prevent large-scale poverty resurgence and promote rural revitalization through regional cooperation. Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, including Liu Sheng’an, underscored the need to maintain policy stability and utilize successful models like the Minning (Fujian-Ningxia) collaboration to enhance regional development. The article highlights how various stakeholders, including regional government representatives, academic experts like Lin Zhanxi, and financial leaders such as Agricultural Bank of China's Wang Zhaoyang, are implementing these directives to foster industrial complementarity and human capital development. These efforts aim to solidify domestic economic cohesion and strengthen internal growth engines as part of the broader national strategy for rural development.
Summary: The State Council announced a leadership change at the Chinese Academy of Governance, appointing Politburo Standing Committee member Cai Qi as its new president. He succeeds Chen Xi, who has stepped down from the role. Additionally, Wang Zhiyong has been removed from his position as deputy director of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Summary: To mark the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party, General Secretary Xi Jinping wrote a letter to 102-year-old veteran party member Zhang Liansheng, commending his enduring loyalty to the Party. In his message, Xi urged all contemporary Party members to remain steadfast in their commitment to the Party’s mission and to achieve excellence on the "new journey." The article frames this exchange as a testament to the ideological cohesion required to sustain the Party's historic achievements in development, poverty alleviation, and technological innovation. By emphasizing the necessity of "inheriting red genes," the commentary reinforces the importance of unwavering ideological alignment with the Party's leadership to ensure future national success.
Summary: On June 18, Vice President Han Zheng met in Beijing with a Canadian business delegation led by Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne, as well as Novo Nordisk Board Chair Helge Lund (listed as Sørensen in the report). In his discussion with the Canadian delegation, Han emphasized the need to implement consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, specifically citing cooperation in new energy vehicles and artificial intelligence to stabilize bilateral relations. Addressing the Novo Nordisk leadership, Han underscored China’s commitment to high-level opening-up and the "Healthy China" initiative, inviting the firm to deepen its investment in the Chinese market. Both delegations expressed a commitment to strengthening economic ties and fostering stable relations with Beijing.
Summary: The provided text serves as a table of contents or index for a publication rather than a substantive news report. It highlights feature stories on African coffee trade, cultural coverage of the Dragon Boat Festival, and a literary supplement. As these headers contain no information regarding government officials, policy statements, or U.S.-China relations, there is no relevant political analysis to extract from the source material.
Summary: Politburo member and Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing conducted an inspection in Fujian from June 16 to 18, focusing on supply chain autonomy, standardized development, and the modernization of the industrial system. Emphasizing the need for self-reliance in key technologies, Zhang called for a "dual-lead" enterprise model and increased investment in foundational research to bolster industrial resilience. He also stressed the importance of aligning standards with technological innovation to enhance overall competitiveness and ensure public safety. Additionally, Zhang instructed local authorities to remain vigilant regarding flood and typhoon prevention measures as the region enters a period of severe weather.
Summary: State Councilor and Secretariat Secretary Wang Xiaohong conducted an inspection tour in Hebei Province from June 17 to 18, focusing on the implementation of Xi Jinping’s economic thought and the advancement of high-quality development. During his visits to the Xiong'an New Area, Baoding, and Shijiazhuang, Wang emphasized the region's role in absorbing Beijing's non-capital functions and urged deeper integration within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. He called for the optimization of industrial structures through the cultivation of "new quality productive forces" and highlighted the necessity of balancing development with robust social and public security governance. The report did not mention any officials accompanying Wang, nor did it reference the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: On June 18, the Ministry of Transport held the first in a series of policy briefing sessions focused on ensuring and improving livelihoods through high-quality development. Minister of Transport Liu Wei delivered a keynote address emphasizing the mandate for China to serve as a "vanguard" of modernization through the construction of a comprehensive, modern transport network. Liu outlined priorities for the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, focusing on technological innovation, green transformation, and systemic reform to secure China's position as a global leader in transport infrastructure. The event was hosted by officials from the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and attended by approximately 730 representatives from party, government, and military organs, state-owned enterprises, and academic institutions.
Summary: Yichuan County, Shaanxi, is implementing a "micro-project" and "micro-wish" grassroots governance model inspired by General Secretary Xi Jinping’s October 2022 directive to prioritize the people's livelihood and uphold the "Yan'an spirit." Danzhou Subdistrict Party Committee Deputy Secretary Dou Peng stated that this initiative transitions governance from a top-down approach to a demand-driven model, where Party organizations and officials address specific resident needs to strengthen ties between the Party and the public. As part of this effort, medical official Lan Junxia was reported to have fulfilled a resident's "micro-wish," subsequently providing long-term personal care to an elderly couple. Local officials report that this systematic approach has successfully addressed nearly 1,000 community-level requests over three years, serving as a template for improving local administrative responsiveness.
Summary: On June 18, the State Council Information Office held a "Strivers on the New Journey" press conference featuring five representatives from the railway sector. CR Container Transport’s Wang Hao highlighted the expansion of "single-document" multimodal transport services, which now cover over 270 routes to improve logistics efficiency. Mechanical experts Ma Yaofeng and Quan Qingdong detailed technological innovations in high-speed train maintenance and high-altitude equipment reliability, respectively. Additionally, customer service representative Wang Ying and engineer Sun Zhihong shared insights on optimizing passenger support and developing advanced tunneling robotics for domestic and international markets. The discussion emphasized China’s focus on homegrown technical self-reliance and operational efficiency within its extensive rail infrastructure.
Summary: As of June 18, China has completed over 96% of its national summer wheat harvest, effectively concluding large-scale mechanical operations two days faster than last year. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs coordinated with transport, meteorological, and energy departments to mitigate risks posed by persistent heavy rainfall and severe weather. Officials emphasized that these inter-departmental efforts, which mobilized emergency agricultural service teams, were critical to securing the harvest despite shorter operational windows. The campaign prioritized efficient logistics and real-time weather forecasting to ensure food security across key production regions.
Summary: During the "618" shopping festival and the Dragon Boat Festival, reports indicate a significant surge in consumer activity across China, driven by a combination of regional cultural goods, smart electronics, and health-related services. Honor direct retail manager Ouyang Huang highlighted that integrated online-to-offline strategies and government trade-in subsidies have boosted sales, noting that consumers increasingly favor immersive in-store experiences alongside digital purchasing. Meanwhile, Beijing Baita Temple Pharmacy manager Wu Guanpeng observed a shift in health consumption trends, with traditional Chinese medicine and wellness products gaining popularity among both elderly and younger demographics. The article frames these developments as evidence of robust domestic consumption vitality supported by targeted policy interventions.
Summary: The Datengxia Water Conservancy Project officially passed its completion inspection by the Ministry of Water Resources on June 18, transitioning the facility into full-scale, normalized operation. As a critical node in China's national water network, the project integrates flood control, shipping, power generation, and regional irrigation capabilities. The infrastructure represents a total investment of 35.736 billion yuan and involved a nine-year construction period. The report notes the project achieves a total storage capacity of 3.479 billion cubic meters, aimed at enhancing water security and resource management.
Summary: On June 17, the State Council Information Office released a white paper titled "Constructing a More Just and Reasonable Global Governance System," which outlines China's philosophy and initiatives for global governance reform. The document highlights President Xi Jinping’s vision for a governance system based on multilateralism, equality, and the promotion of human development. International commentators interviewed for the report praised the initiative as a constructive alternative to the "jungle law" of power politics, noting its particular resonance with Global South nations seeking a more equitable international order. The report implicitly contrasts China’s inclusive, multilateral approach with U.S.-led unilateralism and sanctions, which analysts argue have marginalized developing countries. Experts from various regions further emphasized that China’s shift from conceptual proposals to practical implementation, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, makes it an essential partner for global governance reform.
Summary: The State Council Information Office has released a white paper titled "Building a More Just and Reasonable Global Governance System," which formalizes President Xi Jinping’s "Global Governance Initiative" as a strategic framework for international reform. The text characterizes this initiative as a "Chinese solution" to contemporary global challenges, emphasizing the necessity of upholding the UN's authority and addressing developmental and security deficits. Beijing frames its recent mediation efforts—including the establishment of the International Mediation Institute and AI governance frameworks—as evidence of its role as a proactive contributor to global order. While the article focuses on China's leadership within the "Global South," it underscores the urgency for major powers to demonstrate responsibility and cooperation to mitigate global instability. The initiative is presented as a mechanism to promote a "community with a shared future for mankind" in response to current geopolitical volatility.
Summary: The fourth "Culture China—Cape Town Dragon Boat Festival" recently took place in South Africa, featuring 200 participants from nine local clubs. Idris Meyer, Chairman of the Cape Town Dragon Boat Association, highlighted that the event fosters local unity and cross-cultural understanding through the collaborative nature of the sport. Les Govender, Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, attended the event and remarked that the spirit of teamwork displayed by the competitors serves as a vivid reflection of the friendly relations between South Africa and China. Additionally, Chinese community representative Dong Gang noted that the festival serves to deepen bilateral cooperation in cultural and youth exchanges during this designated "Year of China-Africa People-to-People Friendship."
Summary: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced that Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, will attend the 16th Meeting of BRICS High Representatives for Security Issues in India from June 22 to 23. Wang Yi is traveling at the invitation of Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
Summary: A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the recent statement by Nam Jin, Director-General of the Northeast Asian and Central Asian Affairs Bureau of the South Korean Foreign Ministry, who publicly reaffirmed South Korea’s adherence to the One China principle as outlined in the 1992 diplomatic normalization communiqué. The spokesperson highlighted that this aligns with previous assurances given by President Lee Jae-myung during his January state visit to China, where he pledged respect for China’s core interests regarding Taiwan. Beijing expressed its expectation that Seoul will maintain this stance and uphold the political foundation of bilateral relations. Notably, while the statement focuses on regional diplomatic norms, it underscores China's sensitivity to international rhetoric on Taiwan—a central friction point in its broader geopolitical competition with the United States.
Summary: This article asserts that Japan has failed to fulfill its legal obligations under the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention to destroy chemical weapons abandoned in China following its imperial aggression. The author highlights that despite initial deadlines, the persistent presence of these weapons continues to threaten Chinese public safety and environmental health, exacerbated by what the author describes as Japan's deliberate avoidance of its historical war responsibilities. Furthermore, the piece condemns Japanese right-wing efforts to distort history by downplaying the toxicity of these remnants or invoking judicial statutes of limitations to deny reparations to victims. Ultimately, the author demands that Tokyo cease its dilatory tactics and fully commit to the total disposal of these weapons to uphold international law.
Summary: On June 17, the third seminar on accessible information and cultural rights was held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, co-hosted by the UNESCO Information for All Programme (IFAP), the China Foundation for Human Rights Development, and the Communication University of China. UNESCO officials, including IFAP Secretary Guilherme Canela and Assistant Director-General Gabriela Ramos, lauded China’s support for digital inclusion projects like the "Light Cinema" initiative. Communication University of China Party Committee Deputy Secretary Zheng Peng and Foundation Deputy Secretary-General Qin Liang highlighted China’s commitment to integrating disability support into national development plans, including the upcoming 2026–2030 National Human Rights Action Plan. Chinese Ambassador to UNESCO Yang Xinyu attended the proceedings, emphasizing that China views people with disabilities as active contributors to social progress rather than mere beneficiaries. The event framed these domestic efforts as direct contributions to the UN 2030 Agenda and the UN Global Digital Compact.
Summary: This article reflects on the historical success of China’s national economic recovery between 1949 and 1952, using the 1952 completion of the Chengdu-Chongqing Railway as a symbol of socialist modernization. It quotes General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizing that only socialism can save and develop China, asserting that the nation’s ability to "build a new world" is the foundation of its modern development. The text details state-led efforts in restoring agriculture, industrial bases, and transportation networks, which resulted in significant output growth and the stabilization of the national economy by the end of 1952. By linking these historical achievements to contemporary "high-quality development," the article frames China's current economic trajectory as a direct continuation of its foundational self-reliance and centralized planning.
Summary: Xiajiang Village in Zhejiang Province has revitalized its local gardenia industry through agricultural modernization, product diversification, and the development of the "Daxiajiang" rural revitalization coalition. Party branch secretary Jiang Lijuan, who led these efforts, emphasized that the village is transitioning from primary agricultural sales to a high-value industrial chain encompassing research, deep processing, and tourism. By integrating 24 neighboring villages under a unified party-led structure, the initiative has successfully scaled production and created a branded "Zhimeung" IP to boost collective income. This case serves as a localized example of China’s broader rural development strategy, focusing on leveraging grassroots Party organizations to build sustainable, value-added industrial ecosystems.
Summary: The June 15th National Symposium on Party Building emphasized the long-term, strategic significance of "Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building" as the core framework for internal governance and the realization of national rejuvenation. The article asserts that absolute adherence to centralized, unified leadership by the Party Central Committee is the fundamental guarantee for navigating complex domestic and international risks. By highlighting the efficacy of vertically integrated organizational structures—evidenced by past poverty alleviation and pandemic response efforts—the text argues that strong party cohesion is essential for overcoming current global uncertainties. Ultimately, the piece frames the ideological arming of the Party as a vital mechanism to ensure stability and maintain political control during a period of intense strategic challenge.
Summary: General Secretary Xi Jinping recently issued instructions for the normalization of "East-West collaboration," emphasizing the need for local Party committees and governments to prevent large-scale relapses into poverty and promote integrated regional development toward common prosperity. Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, including Liu Shengan, stressed the importance of these directives in establishing a "normal" phase of assistance that focuses on stable policies, collaborative mechanisms, and互利共赢 (mutual benefit). The report highlights various sub-national partnerships, such as the Minning (Fujian-Ningxia) cooperation and Shanghai-Yunnan labor programs, as key frameworks for rural revitalization. While the article notes that some local enterprises, such as those in Shaanxi, are fulfilling overseas orders, it does not specifically address U.S.-China relations. These collaborative efforts are framed by the state as essential institutional arrangements to demonstrate the superiority of the socialist system and to advance the goals of Chinese-style modernization.
Summary: The National Symposium on Party Building, held in Beijing on June 15, highlighted the development and significance of "Xi Jinping’s Thought on Party Building" since the 18th National Congress. International political figures and experts praised this ideological framework for providing theoretical guidance on maintaining the Communist Party of China's (CPC) long-term governance, advanced nature, and organizational capacity. Robert Lawrence Kuhn, Chairman of the Kuhn Foundation (U.S.), noted that the formalization of this thought underscores the CPC's determination to advance self-reform and strengthen its internal development. Several observers contrasted this approach with the structural challenges and political polarization currently facing Western party politics, arguing that the CPC's experience offers a valuable alternative model for global political development.
Summary: The China Theatre Association, the China Literature and Art Association, and the China Calligraphers Association concluded their respective national congresses in Beijing on June 18. During the meetings, Meng Guanglu, Hang Jian, and Sun Xiaoyun were elected as the new chairpersons for their respective associations. Delegates reviewed work reports, amended association charters, and finalized the leadership rosters for the upcoming terms. No central leadership officials were reported as accompanying the proceedings, nor were there any mentions of the United States or U.S.-China relations in the report.
Summary: On June 17, the All-China Journalists Association’s News Ethics Committee convened a seminar on strengthening public trust amidst complex information environments, featuring representatives from major state-run media outlets such as *People’s Daily* and Xinhua News Agency. Participants emphasized the necessity of implementing Xi Jinping’s cultural thought while modernizing mainstream media’s digital strategy to maintain discourse power in an era of rapid technological change. The committee stressed that journalists must uphold professional integrity, factual accuracy, and objective reporting to solidify public trust. The discussion underscored the imperative for state media to consolidate its influence as the primary source of authority within the evolving domestic and global information landscape.
Summary: The State Council has approved an investigation report into the July 2025 flood disaster at a nursing home in Miyun District, Beijing, which resulted in 32 deaths. The investigation concluded the event was a natural disaster caused by historic rainfall and flash flooding, though it also identified significant lapses in monitoring, emergency response, and regulatory oversight by local authorities. Following instructions from General Secretary Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing led a delegation to Miyun to oversee disaster relief efforts. In response to the identified failures, disciplinary action has been taken against 17 officials across nine local government entities. The report concludes with directives to enhance extreme weather preparedness and strengthen the safety management of facilities housing vulnerable populations.
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Summary: A report by Beijing Sport University and the Meituan Research Institute indicates that China’s outdoor sports sector has transitioned from a niche market to a mainstream lifestyle, reaching over 800 million participants and 1 trillion yuan in consumption in 2025. The report highlights that this growth is driven by a shift in consumer demand toward emotional and social value, particularly among the 20–44 age demographic. This evolution has prompted supply-side innovation, with businesses integrating equipment sales with service-oriented experiences and local governments promoting the fusion of sports, tourism, and culture. The expansion is further characterized by increased market penetration in lower-tier cities and a rise in "cross-city" travel for outdoor experiences. Ultimately, the industry is being positioned as a key economic engine to stimulate domestic demand and foster new growth points within the Chinese economy.
Summary: Kunshan, Jiangsu, has emerged as a central hub for China’s coffee industry, projected to account for approximately 60% of the nation's roasted coffee bean capacity by 2025. The city has leveraged its logistical advantages and specialized customs protocols to attract over 40 international coffee firms, including Starbucks and various green bean traders. Kunshan Customs Director Lin Weidong stated that the city has implemented an "optimized account supervision mode" to streamline customs clearance and ensure product quality, noting that 90% of imported green beans now undergo rapid inspection. Local industry leaders emphasize that China’s domestic market retains significant growth potential compared to Western consumption levels. Furthermore, the implementation of zero-tariff policies for imports from 53 African nations has significantly reduced costs for large-scale roasters and small enterprises alike, facilitating the expansion of the domestic coffee supply chain.
Summary: This article highlights recent government efforts to stimulate domestic consumption by fostering "new consumption scenarios" that emphasize immersive, experience-based services. In alignment with the multi-departmental policy *Measures for Creating New Consumption Scenarios and Cultivating New Growth Points*, local authorities in Shengzhou, Zhejiang, are integrating rural tourism with high-value activities like hot air ballooning and scenic cafes. The report notes a broader national trend toward "industrial tourism" and multi-sector integration, such as "store-in-store" retail models and IP-driven marketing in the food and beverage industry. Industry executives, including Heytea Vice President Cheng Hao and Nova Coffee founder Guo Xingjun, describe these strategies as a shift toward prioritizing brand "experience" and "emotional value" over traditional product competition. Experts suggest that these policy-supported innovations are critical for driving high-quality economic development.
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 constraints regarding length, content focus, and the inclusion of U.S.-China relations if applicable.
Summary: This article profiles diverse Dragon Boat Festival traditions across China, highlighting how local communities in Hainan, Gansu, Shandong, and Sichuan leverage cultural heritage for social cohesion and tourism development. It emphasizes that while traditions vary—from Hainan’s artisanal paper-dragon boat displays to Gansu’s desert-oasis racing—these activities serve as vital vehicles for collective memory and regional revitalization. The report notably highlights the international success of the Liaocheng University Dragon Boat Team, specifically citing their victory over a Canadian team at the 2025 World Dragon Boat Championships in Germany. Through such competitive successes and the preservation of local customs, these regions aim to strengthen national cultural identity while promoting rural and municipal development.
Summary: This article highlights the cultural significance of the Dragon Boat Festival in Changde, Hunan, specifically emphasizing the historical connection to poet Liu Yuxi’s "Song of the Boat Race" and the legacy of Qu Yuan. It details how contemporary Changde maintains these traditions through competitive rowing on Liuye Lake and the preservation of commemorative sites like the Changde Poetry Wall and the Zhaoqu Pavilion. The text frames these festivities as an expression of the region's enduring patriotic spirit and cultural heritage. No mention is made of the United States or U.S.-China relations in the provided text.
Summary: Please provide the text of the article you would like me to summarize. Once provided, I will draft a concise summary tailored for a professional audience, ensuring all your specific requirements—including the inclusion of official attendees and any mentions of U.S.-China relations—are met.
Summary: This article highlights Moutai’s commitment to traditional, seasonal brewing practices, emphasizing how the company aligns its production processes with the natural environment of the Chishui River valley. By framing its distillation techniques as intangible cultural heritage, Moutai positions itself as a representative of Chinese craftsmanship and cultural continuity. The company reports an ongoing effort to expand its international footprint and elevate its brand influence on the global stage. These efforts are presented as part of a strategy to promote Chinese liquor culture abroad and integrate traditional heritage with modern corporate development.
Summary: This editorial piece reflects on the cultural significance of the Dragon Boat Festival, framing it as a vessel for enduring national sentiment and historical continuity. The author emphasizes that traditional practices—such as gathering mugwort, preparing *zongzi*, and dragon boat racing—serve to consolidate shared ethnic identity and universal values. By encouraging a retrospective look at these traditions, the text advocates for the preservation of collective heritage as a foundation for the present.
Summary: This article, authored by the president of the China Qu Yuan Society, frames the poet Qu Yuan’s *Li Sao* as a foundational text of Chinese patriotism, emphasizing his integrity, loyalty to the state, and unwavering commitment to "virtuous governance." The author interprets Qu Yuan’s eventual death as a manifestation of his refusal to abandon his national ideals despite political alienation and systemic corruption. By situating the Dragon Boat Festival within this historical and literary lineage, the text highlights how Qu Yuan’s legacy serves as an enduring source of ideological inspiration for national strength and progress. The narrative reinforces the official emphasis on historical continuity and the moral imperatives of political service in the Chinese tradition.
Summary: This excerpt by Wang Lang, the son of writer Wang Zengqi, reflects on the nostalgic descriptions of Gaoyou’s Dragon Boat Festival traditions—specifically the "Twelve Reds" culinary custom—found in his father’s essay, "The Dragon Boat Festival Salted Duck Egg." The author notes the contrast between his father’s detailed literary recollections of his hometown customs and the family’s surprisingly minimalist celebrations in Beijing. Wang Zengqi’s culinary expertise is highlighted, including an anecdote where he served a creative radish dish to a female writer from Taiwan. The text suggests that the author's father remained emotionally tethered to his home, believing that the authentic experience of Gaoyou’s seasonal foods could not be replicated away from their place of origin. Ultimately, the piece underscores how modern logistics, such as rapid parcel delivery, now bridge the geographical gap that once defined the author’s father’s sense of displacement.
Summary: This article analyzes the historical evolution and cultural significance of the *Legend of the White Snake*, focusing on Tian Han’s mid-20th-century Peking Opera adaptation. The author posits that Tian’s version elevates the narrative by emphasizing the protagonist's pursuit of human emotion and resilience against adversity. By examining the play’s tradition as a "seasonal drama" performed during the Dragon Boat Festival, the piece explores how the story reflects enduring values of benevolence and the human condition. The author, a member of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, underscores the play's role in maintaining cultural heritage and its ongoing resonance in contemporary society.
Summary: This article, written by a professor at Renmin University of China, provides a literary and historical analysis of Yin Yaofan’s Tang Dynasty poem, "Dragon Boat Festival." The author argues that the poem transcends the conventional festivities of the holiday, shifting the focus toward introspective reflections on aging, the fragility of life, and the pursuit of national stability. By contextualizing the poem within the mid-Tang period of political volatility, the author suggests that the poet’s prayer for "peace and prosperity" (*shengping*) reflects a broader aspiration for enduring national order. Ultimately, the text posits that the cultural significance of the festival lies not in rituals, but in the preservation of historical memory and the national character.
Summary: This excerpt from Shen Congwen’s literary and historical reflections on the Dragon Boat Festival examines the cultural significance of the holiday as portrayed in his fiction and scholarly research. Shen argues that folk traditions like the "longzhou" (dragon boat) races serve as the structural and spiritual backbone of his "Border Town" narrative, rather than mere atmospheric backdrop. By analyzing the integration of historical rituals with personal memory, he highlights how festivals provide residents with a sense of social continuity and communal identity. Furthermore, Shen explores the evolution of dragon boat iconography across Chinese art history, ranging from Dunhuang murals and classical paintings to Ming and Qing dynasty craftsmanship. Ultimately, he posits that these folk expressions reflect deep-seated aspirations for familial harmony and regional heritage.
Summary: This article analyzes the poem "Duanwu Jishi," written by Wen Tianxiang in 1281 while imprisoned in Dadu, highlighting his unwavering loyalty and determination to sacrifice himself for the nation. The author emphasizes that Wen’s poetry serves as a testament to the integrity of the *shi* (intellectual) class during eras of profound political upheaval. By reflecting on the intersection of the poet's birthday and the Dragon Boat Festival, the piece frames Wen’s martyrdom as an enduring symbol of national character. Ultimately, the text advocates for remembering Wen’s legacy as a foundational element of the Chinese national spirit ahead of his 790th birth anniversary in 2026.
Summary: It appears that you have provided the footer/metadata of a *People’s Daily* page rather than the body of an article. Please provide the text of the report you would like summarized, and I will be happy to provide a concise analysis according to your specifications.
Reply
Comrade Zhang Liansheng (张连生), a veteran Party member of Xinhua News Agency (新华社):
Hello! I was very pleased to receive your letter. As a radio operator for the "Fourth Brigade" (四大队) of the Central Column (中央纵队) back in the day, you followed the Party Central Committee (党中央) to fight in northern Shaanxi (陕北) amidst the flames of war. You dedicated your entire life to your post in communications technology, and even at the age of one hundred, you remain concerned about the development of the cause of the Party and the country. I express my respect to you.
In your letter, you mentioned that you want to follow the Party forever and remain a member of the "Fourth Brigade" for all time. This is full of sincere and profound feelings of faith in and love for the Party. Communists in the new era must inherit the red gene, 不忘初心、牢记使命 (bù wàng chū xīn, láo jì shǐ mìng - "never forget the original intention, keep the mission firmly in mind," to remain committed to one's founding purpose and responsibilities), fulfill their duties, and work hard with a sense of responsibility to write an excellent answer sheet on the new journey.
On the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党), I extend my sincere greetings to you and to all veteran Party members and comrades across the country. I wish you good health and a happy life!
Xi Jinping (习近平)
June 17, 2026
(Xinhua News Agency (新华社), Beijing (北京), June 18 report)
Xinhua News Agency (新华社), Beijing (北京), June 18 report — On the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党), Xi Jinping (习近平), General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee (中共中央), President of the State (国家主席), and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (中央军委), wrote a reply to 102-year-old veteran Party member Zhang Liansheng (张连生) of Xinhua News Agency (新华社), extending sincere greetings to him and to all veteran Party members and comrades across the country.
In his reply, Xi Jinping (习近平) stated that as a radio operator for the "Fourth Brigade" (四大队) of the Central Column (中央纵队) back in the day, you followed the Party Central Committee (党中央) to fight in northern Shaanxi (陕北) amidst the flames of war. You dedicated your entire life to your post in communications technology, and even at the age of one hundred, you remain concerned about the development of the cause of the Party and the country. I express my respect to you.
Xi Jinping (习近平) expressed that in your letter, you said you want to follow the Party forever and remain a member of the "Fourth Brigade" (四大队) for all time, which is full of sincere and profound feelings of faith in and love for the Party. Communists in the new era must inherit the red gene, 不忘初心、牢记使命 (bù wàng chū xīn, láo jì shǐ mìng - "never forget the original intention, keep the mission firmly in mind," to remain committed to one's founding purpose and responsibilities), fulfill their duties, and work hard with a sense of responsibility to write an excellent answer sheet on the new journey. (The full text of the reply is published separately.)
The "Fourth Brigade" (四大队) of the Central Column (中央纵队) was the working team of Xinhua News Agency (新华社) that followed the Party Central Committee (党中央) and Chairman Mao (毛主席) to fight in northern Shaanxi (陕北) during the War of Liberation (解放战争), responsible for news communication and liaison. Recently, Comrade Zhang Liansheng (张连生) wrote a letter to General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平), recalling his revolutionary work experience in the "Fourth Brigade" (四大队) and expressing his firm belief in following the Party forever.
Return to TopXinhua News Agency (新华社), Beijing (北京), June 18 — To deeply grasp the study and implementation of Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on Party building, the Central Leading Group for Party Building (中央党的建设工作领导小组) has issued the "Circular on Studying and Implementing Xi Jinping's (习近平) Thought on Party Building" (hereinafter referred to as the "Circular" (通知)).
The "Circular" (通知) points out that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (党的十八大), the Party Central Committee (党中央) with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core, centering on the major contemporary task of what kind of Marxist political party that holds long-term power should be built and how to build it, has put forward a series of new concepts, new ideas, and new strategies for exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance, invigorating the Party, and strengthening the Party, thereby forming Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on Party building.
The "Circular" (通知) clarifies that Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on Party building enriches and develops Marxist party-building theory. It is a major achievement in promoting theoretical innovation of the Party by adhering to the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and with the fine traditional Chinese culture. It is the crystallization of the practical experience and collective wisdom of the Party and the people, and an important component of Xi Jinping (习近平) Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想). It provides the fundamental principles and action guidelines for deeply advancing the new great project of Party building in the new era. Studying and implementing Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on Party building is conducive to promoting the whole Party to deeply comprehend the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments" (两个确立) and resolutely achieve the "Two Maintenances" (两个维护); it is conducive to deepening the arming of the Party with innovative theories and promoting the continuous improvement of the whole Party's ideological and theoretical level; and it is conducive to 持之以恒 (chí zhī yǐ héng - "hold perseverance," to persist in something for a long time) advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance and promoting the steady and long-term development of Chinese-style modernization (中国式现代化).
The "Circular" (通知) emphasizes the need to deeply study and comprehend the scientific connotations of Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on Party building. Deeply comprehend that "upholding the Party's leadership is the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics"; deeply comprehend that "upholding the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee (党中央)" is the highest principle of Party leadership; deeply comprehend that "upholding full and rigorous Party self-governance" is the strategic policy for Party building in the new era; deeply comprehend that "upholding the original aspiration and keeping the mission firmly in mind" is the Party's fundamental purpose, stance, and value orientation; deeply comprehend that "upholding political building as the guide" is the fundamental requirement for Party building in the new era; deeply comprehend that "upholding the use of the Party's innovative theories to forge the soul" is the fundamental task of the Party's ideological building; deeply comprehend that "upholding the tempering of strong Party spirit" is a lifelong task for Party members and cadres; deeply comprehend that "upholding the improvement of an organizational system that connects from top to bottom and is executed effectively" is where the Party's advantages and strength lie; deeply comprehend that "upholding the building of a high-quality contingent of cadres capable of shouldering the heavy responsibility of national rejuvenation" is a key issue concerning the cause of the Party and the country; deeply comprehend that "upholding the normalization and long-term effectiveness of conduct building" is an effective way to maintain the flesh-and-blood ties between the Party and the people; deeply comprehend that "upholding the use of strict discipline to manage and govern the whole Party" is the fundamental strategy for full and rigorous Party self-governance; deeply comprehend that "upholding the integrated promotion of not daring to be corrupt, not being able to be corrupt, and not wanting to be corrupt" is an important strategy for full and rigorous Party self-governance and the basic policy for the anti-corruption struggle; deeply comprehend that "upholding institutional governance and rule-based governance" is the long-term and fundamental strategy for full and rigorous Party self-governance; and deeply comprehend that "upholding the implementation of political responsibility for governing the Party" is the "ox nose" (the key link) that must be firmly grasped in full and rigorous Party self-governance.
The "Circular" (通知) emphasizes the need to deeply study and comprehend the theoretical character of Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on Party building. Deeply comprehend the firm ideals and convictions contained in Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on Party building; deeply comprehend the high degree of historical initiative contained in Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on Party building; deeply comprehend the distinct problem-oriented approach contained in Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on Party building; deeply comprehend the strong sense of mission and responsibility contained in Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on Party building; deeply comprehend the profound people-centered sentiment contained in Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on Party building; and deeply comprehend the scientific ideological methods contained in Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on Party building. One must consciously perceive the power of truth and personality from it, and enhance political identification, ideological identification, theoretical identification, and emotional identification.
The "Circular" (通知) emphasizes the need to deeply study and comprehend the practical foundation and theoretical origins of Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on Party building. Deeply comprehend that Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on Party building is a summary and refinement of the practical experience of full and rigorous Party self-governance in the new era; deeply comprehend that Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on Party building is an inheritance and development of Marxist party-building theory; deeply comprehend that Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on Party building is a heritage and transformation of fine traditional Chinese culture; and deeply comprehend that Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on Party building is a summary and mirror of the experiences and lessons of Marxist political parties.
The "Circular" (通知) requires that Party committees (Party groups) (党委（党组）) at all levels should regard the study and implementation of Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on Party building as an important political task for the present and a period to come, carry out study and training in a solid manner, carefully organize publicity and interpretation, comprehensively grasp the implementation, resolutely prevent formalism, and truly transform the results of learning into vivid practices for advancing the new great project of Party building in the new era.
Return to TopBy: 本报评论员
Only with strong theory can one have a clear direction, unified hearts, and sufficient confidence. Persisting in using the latest achievements of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism (马克思主义中国化时代化) to arm the entire Party, guide practice, and promote work is an important experience for our Party in creating history and achieving brilliance.
The National Symposium on Party Building Work (全国党建工作座谈会) held on June 15 made work arrangements for studying and implementing the Thought of Xi Jinping on Party Building (习近平党建思想), emphasizing that this important thought "has major practical significance and long-term guiding significance for strengthening the Party and the country." As an important part of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想), the Thought of Xi Jinping on Party Building (习近平党建思想) is a scientific theory formed during the historical process of strengthening the Party and the country in the new era. Its truth power and practical greatness have been fully tested, providing a fundamental adherence and action guide for continuously opening up new realms in managing, governing, invigorating, and strengthening the century-old Party on the new journey.
To run China's affairs well, the key lies in the Party. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (党的十八大), the Party Central Committee (党中央) with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core has faced the prominent problems and serious hidden dangers within the Party, made strategic deployments for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party, and has been 刀刃向内 (dāo rèn xiàng nèi - "blade toward inside," to engage in self-reflection and self-correction), and 重典治乱 (zhòng diǎn zhì luàn - "heavy code govern chaos," to use strict measures to rectify disorder), opening up a new realm for the self-revolution of the century-old Party. Our Party has become stronger and more powerful through revolutionary forging, providing a fundamental guarantee for comprehensively advancing the cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization (中国式现代化).
The reason why the governance of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) and the governance of China in the new era present a new atmosphere, why our Party has always been the backbone of the people across the country in the historical process of responding to various risks and tests at home and abroad, and why the cause of the Party and the country has achieved historic achievements and undergone historic changes, is fundamentally because there is General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) at the helm, and the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想).
The Thought of Xi Jinping on Party Building (习近平党建思想), through the "Fourteen Persistences" (十四个坚持), profoundly grasps the internal connection between managing and governing the Party, invigorating and strengthening the Party, and the rejuvenation of a strong country. It is of great and far-reaching significance for persistently promoting comprehensive and strict Party governance, maintaining the Party's advanced nature and purity, consolidating the Party's long-term ruling position, and more broadly gathering the majestic power to promote Chinese-style modernization (中国式现代化).
Here, we take "persisting in the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee" (坚持党中央集中统一领导) and "persisting in improving the organizational system that runs through the top and bottom and is powerful in execution" (坚持健全上下贯通、执行有力的组织体系) as examples to explain in depth, and to deepen the understanding of the major practical significance and long-term guiding significance of the Thought of Xi Jinping on Party Building (习近平党建思想) for strengthening the Party and the country.
"Persisting in the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee" (坚持党中央集中统一领导) is the highest political principle of the Party's leadership. General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out: "For such a large Party and such a large country, if the Party Central Committee cannot implement strong, powerful, centralized, and unified leadership, a situation of 各自为政 (gè zì wéi zhèng - "each does things in his own way," to act independently without coordination) and 自行其是 (zì xíng qí shì - "do things in one's own way," to act arbitrarily) will emerge, and then nothing can be accomplished."
Our Party has established the core position of Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) in the Party Central Committee (党中央) and the whole Party, established the guiding position of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想), persisted in and improved the Party's leadership system, and implemented the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee (党中央) into all fields, aspects, and links of national governance, which is of decisive significance for the development of the Party and the country's cause in the new era and for advancing the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation (中华民族伟大复兴).
The Five-Year Plan (五年规划) is an important perspective for observation. Since the new era, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) has personally served as the head of the drafting group for the planning proposal document, personally planned, deployed, and promoted the national development planning work, and made strategic deployments for winning the battle to comprehensively build a moderately prosperous society (全面建成小康社会) and comprehensively build a modern socialist country (全面建设社会主义现代化国家). The Party Central Committee (党中央) sets the direction, plans the overall situation, determines policies, and promotes reform. The Five-Year Plan (五年规划) is like a ladder for the cause, "advancing forward stage by stage," ensuring that the cause of the Party and the country moves steadily and far.
Persisting in the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee (党中央) is the fundamental reason why we continue to achieve victory. Consciously safeguarding the authority and centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee (党中央), and ensuring that the whole Party maintains a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee (党中央) with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core in terms of political stance, political direction, political principles, and political path, we have the backbone and the anchor (定盘星) to deal with all difficulties and challenges and promote the development of the Party and the country's cause.
"Persisting in improving the organizational system that runs through the top and bottom and is powerful in execution" (坚持健全上下贯通、执行有力的组织体系) is where the Party's advantages and strength lie.
To win the battle against poverty (脱贫攻坚战), General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) personally took command, personally went on the expedition, and personally supervised the battle. Secretaries at five levels grasped poverty alleviation, the whole Party was mobilized to promote the attack, and 255,000 village-based working teams, more than 3 million first secretaries and village-based cadres, together with nearly 2 million township cadres and millions of village cadres, fought on the front line of poverty alleviation. Facing the impact of the century-old pandemic, at the order of the Party Central Committee (党中央), more than 4.6 million primary-level Party organizations (基层党组织) rushed to the front, letting the Party flag fly high on the front line of fighting the pandemic...
Party organizations at all levels have formed an organizational system that runs through the top and bottom and is powerful in execution, making our Party possess incomparably strong leadership, organizational power, and execution power, becoming the most reliable leading force in uniting and leading the people to overcome difficulties and forge ahead.
The Party's strength comes from the organization. The Party's comprehensive leadership and all the Party's work must rely on the Party's strong organizational system to be realized. Implementing the Party's organizational line in the new era, coordinating the construction of Party organizations at all levels and in all fields, enhancing the political and organizational functions of Party organizations, and promoting the comprehensive progress and comprehensive excellence of primary-level Party organizations (基层党组织) can provide a strong organizational guarantee for advancing the cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
Our country's development has entered a critical period of laying a solid foundation and exerting comprehensive efforts to basically realize socialist modernization (社会主义现代化). Strategic opportunities and risks and challenges coexist, and uncertain and unpredictable factors are increasing. At the same time, the "four tests" (四大考验) and "four dangers" (四种危险) faced by the Party are long-term, complex, and severe. To effectively solve the prominent problems in Party building, effectively respond to various risks and challenges at home and abroad, and shoulder the mission and task of advancing the great historical cause, we must study and comprehend the Thought of Xi Jinping on Party Building (习近平党建思想), build the Party to be stronger and more powerful from the height of history and the overall situation, and ensure that the Party always becomes the leading core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics (中国特色社会主义).
With a grand goal in mind and determined to achieve the great cause of the Chinese nation for generations to come, our Party is uniting and leading hundreds of millions of people to march forward with high spirits on the new journey of realizing the Second Centenary Goal (第二个百年奋斗目标). The new journey is a new Long March (长征). Let us unite more closely around the Party Central Committee (党中央) with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core, deeply study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想), especially the Thought of Xi Jinping on Party Building (习近平党建思想), draw the spiritual power of 踔厉奋发 (chuō lì fèn fā - "exert strength and strive," to work with great energy and determination) and 勇毅前行 (yǒng yì qián xíng - "bravely and resolutely move forward," to forge ahead with courage and perseverance), build our Party well and strong, and continuously push forward the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
Return to TopBy: 新华社记者
The Symposium on National Party Building Work was held in Beijing (北京) on the 15th. The meeting held that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党), the Party Central Committee (党中央) with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core, focusing on the major contemporary task of what kind of long-term governing Marxist political party to build and how to build it, has put forward a series of new concepts, new ideas, and new strategies, forming Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想).
In recent days, Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) has sparked heated discussion in the international community. Political figures and experts from many countries believe that Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想), with an eye on the Party's long-term governance and the country's long-term stability (长治久安), proposes the "Fourteen Adherences" (十四个坚持). This not only provides guidance for the "world's largest political party" to move toward becoming the "world's most powerful political party," but also contributes Chinese wisdom to the development and progress of world political civilization.
"Promoting New Developments in Marxist Party-Building Theory"
The year 2026 marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) and the start of China's "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五). "At this historical juncture, we clearly feel that Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) demonstrates powerful truth-seeking strength," said Xikun Benweilai (西昆·本伟莱), a senior diplomat from Laos (老挝).
"Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) closely integrates Marxist party-building theory with the long-term governance practice of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党), systematically answering major theoretical and practical questions facing the construction of a Marxist governing party, and promoting new developments in Marxist party-building theory," said Benweilai (本伟莱). "I wish the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) continued progress under the guidance of Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想), leading the Chinese people to successfully achieve the Second Centenary Goal (第二个百年奋斗目标)."
"I want to express my congratulations to the Communist Party of China (中国共产党). Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) has profound contemporary significance, answering the major historical question of how a Marxist governing party can maintain its advanced nature, win the support of the people, and lead the country to realize modernization," said Yertysbayev (叶尔特斯巴耶夫), Chairman of the People's Party of Kazakhstan (哈萨克斯坦人民党). "In my view, the great significance of this thought lies in enabling the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) to maintain strategic determination and strong organizational capabilities, as well as close ties with the masses, amidst a complex international environment and profound social changes."
Nguyen Minh Hoan (阮明环), Director of the Department of Philosophy at the School of Journalism and Communication of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (胡志明国家政治学院) in Vietnam (越南), believes that Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) enriches and develops Marxist party-building theory and "has epoch-making significance." "Facing the profound adjustments in the world landscape, a country's governing party must possess strategic foresight, overall coordination, risk prevention and control, and efficient execution capabilities. Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) provides theoretical guidance and practical paths for the Communist Party of China (中国共产党)."
Eduardo Regalado (爱德华多·雷加拉多), a scholar at the International Policy Research Center (国际政治研究中心) in Cuba (古巴), said that in the process of its own construction and governance, the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) has combined the basic principles of Marxism with China's specific reality, while actively integrating excellent traditional Chinese culture. Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) is the product of this historical process; "this thought makes Marxism more firmly rooted in the soil of China."
"A Systematic Summary of Experience in Self-Construction"
The "Fourteen Adherences" (十四个坚持) is a concentrated summary of the iconic and leading new concepts, new ideas, and new strategies of General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) regarding Party building in the new era, providing fundamental compliance for strengthening Party building in the new era.
"In my view, the 'Fourteen Adherences' (十四个坚持) is a systematic summary of the Communist Party of China's (中国共产党) own construction experience, demonstrating General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) strategic vision and his responsible attitude toward history and the people," said Winston Alarcón (温斯顿·阿拉尔孔), General Secretary of the Communist Party of Ecuador (厄瓜多尔共产党). He noted that these "Fourteen Adherences" (十四个坚持) allow the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) to maintain its advanced nature and purity, deepening the Chinese people's trust in the Communist Party of China (中国共产党).
Vincent Meriton (文森特·梅里顿), former Vice President of Seychelles (塞舌尔), said that the "Fourteen Adherences" (十四个坚持) involve enhancing the Party's leadership capability, organizational efficiency, integrity, and governance capacity. "Among them, 'adhering to comprehensive and strict Party governance' and 'adhering to the integrated promotion of not daring to be corrupt, not being able to be corrupt, and not wanting to be corrupt' left a deep impression on me. Historical experience shows that any political party can only maintain long-term efficient operation if it actively discovers and faces problems and rectifies them in a timely manner."
"The Communist Party of China (中国共产党) has always attached great importance to Party building work." Robert Lawrence Kuhn (罗伯特·劳伦斯·库恩), Chairman of the Kuhn Foundation (库恩基金会) in the United States (美国), who has been tracking and observing China's development for nearly 40 years, said that today, the Communist Party of China's (中国共产党) clear articulation of Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) demonstrates its determination to firmly promote the Party's self-revolution and strengthen its own construction.
Kawa Mahmoud (卡瓦·马哈茂德), former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Kurdistan (库尔德斯坦共产党) in Iraq (伊拉克), said: "General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) has profound insights into history and the era, clearly proposing comprehensive and strict Party governance, and making a series of major decisions around adhering to the Party's leadership and strengthening Party building, making major original contributions to the development of Marxist party-building theory."
Sheradil Baktygulov (舍拉季尔·巴克特古洛夫), Director of the World Politics Institute (世界政治研究所) in Kyrgyzstan (吉尔吉斯斯坦), believes that the "Fourteen Adherences" (十四个坚持) fully demonstrate that the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) represents the interests of the broad masses of the people, which not only helps to enhance internal Party cohesion but also ensures that the Communist Party of China (中国共产党), as the governing party, can better unite and lead the Chinese people to implement national development strategies and realize national rejuvenation.
"Setting a Model for Political Parties Around the World"
To understand "governance in China" (中国之治), one must first understand the "governance of the Communist Party of China" (中国共产党之治). Many international figures believe that Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) not only opens up a new realm for the self-revolution of a century-old party but also provides Chinese propositions and contributes Chinese wisdom to the development of world political civilization and the progress of human political civilization in the era of globalization.
Bui Thanh Dong (裴成东), a member of the Ninh Binh Provincial Party Committee (宁平省委) of the Communist Party of Vietnam (越共), attended the 20th Theoretical Seminar between the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) and the Communist Party of Vietnam (越南共产党) held in Ninh Binh (宁平), Vietnam (越南), in November 2025. He said: "Under the guidance of Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想), the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) is strictly disciplined, resilient, and united, with continuously improving leadership and combat effectiveness. The experience and practices of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) have important reference value for Vietnam (越南)."
"Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) provides an important Chinese perspective for the development of world political parties and also brings new ways of thinking to Western society," said Giannis Kotoulas (扬尼斯·科图拉斯), Associate Professor of Geopolitics at the University of Athens (雅典大学) in Greece (希腊). "In terms of self-construction, the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) has set a model for political parties around the world. The people-centered sentiment embodied in Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) has important reference significance for political parties in Western countries. Ultimately, improving people's well-being should be the ultimate goal of a political party governing a country."
"The Communist Party of China (中国共产党) is a Marxist governing party that has been in power for a long time in a large country with a huge population. China is increasingly playing an important role in world affairs, so Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) is of great significance to both China and the world." Keith Bennett (基思·贝内特), co-founder of the "Friends of Socialist China" (社会主义中国之友) website in the UK (英国), has visited China many times to participate in exchanges and seminars. He said: "In foreign exchanges, the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) is willing to share its own construction experience with other political parties, but it does not impose its views on others, nor does it demand complete consistency of opinion, always emphasizing **求同存异** (qiú tóng cún yì - "seek common ground, reserve differences," to find common interests while setting aside disagreements)."
Cavince Adhere (卡文斯·阿德希尔), a senior researcher at the China-Africa Center (中非中心) of the Africa Policy Institute (非洲政策研究所) in Kenya (肯尼亚), said: "Today's Western party politics is increasingly facing structural challenges, including severe political polarization, the rise of populism, and policy instability brought about by electoral politics. Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) provides important reference for political parties in various countries, enriches the global treasury of political thought, and contributes Chinese wisdom to promoting the progress of global political civilization."
"Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) reflects the in-depth exploration of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) in strengthening its own construction, maintaining organizational vitality, and improving governance efficiency in the new era." Omar Ndiaye (奥马尔·恩迪亚耶), Director of the International Department of the Senegalese newspaper *Le Soleil* (太阳报) in Senegal (塞内加尔), said that for political parties in African countries like Senegal (塞内加尔), the important revelation brought by Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) is that a political party must have firm ideals and beliefs, strict organizational discipline, a scientific cadre training mechanism, and the ability to self-correct. "Only in this way can it lead the country toward long-term stability and sustainable development."
(Xinhua News Agency (新华社), Beijing (北京), June 18)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者
General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) recently gave important instructions on normalizing East-West collaboration, emphasizing: "Party committees and governments at all levels must earnestly fulfill their responsibilities for normalized assistance, resolutely hold the bottom line of preventing large-scale relapses into poverty, solidly promote comprehensive rural revitalization, continuously enhance the coordination of regional development, and take solid steps toward common prosperity for all people."
General Secretary Xi Jinping’s (习近平) important instructions provide direction and are highly inspiring. Cadres and the public have expressed that they will deeply study and implement the spirit of these instructions, continue to adhere to the successful practices and effective mechanisms of East-West collaboration, place greater emphasis on mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and contribute to consolidating and expanding the achievements of poverty alleviation, solidly promoting comprehensive rural revitalization, and fostering coordinated regional development.
"General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) attaches great importance to East-West collaboration and has issued important instructions many times, providing a fundamental guide for normalizing this work. We feel a glorious mission and a heavy responsibility," said Liu Shengan (刘胜安), head of the Department of Regional Cooperation Promotion at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (农业农村部). "As we enter the stage of normalized assistance, we must establish and practice a correct view of political achievements, summarize and apply beneficial experiences such as the Minning (闽宁) collaboration, maintain overall policy stability, further improve collaboration mechanisms, optimize collaboration methods, expand collaboration fields, and raise the level of collaboration."
With Juncao (菌草) as a link, Lin Zhanxi (林占熺), Chief Scientist at the National Engineering Research Center for Juncao Technology (国家菌草工程技术研究中心) of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (福建农林大学), has forged an **不解之缘** (bù jiě zhī yuán - "unsolvable bond," a deep, inseparable connection) with Ningxia (宁夏). Over the past 30 years, he has visited Ningxia (宁夏) more than 60 times, leaving his footprints across every mountain and ridge.
"The General Secretary's (习近平) important instructions have greatly encouraged me," said Lin Zhanxi (林占熺). From "using grass instead of wood" to grow mushrooms for prosperity, to "using grass instead of grain" to develop the livestock industry, and then to forming biomass energy, Juncao (菌草) technology has achieved a win-win for economic, ecological, and social benefits. Next, he will further leverage the advantages of Juncao (菌草) technology, deepen the Minning (闽宁) collaboration, and promote the large-scale and standardized development of the Juncao (菌草) industry.
"Deeply studying and implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important instructions, we must continue to be participants and witnesses of the Minning (闽宁) collaboration," said Li Huiqin (李辉钦), a Fujian (福建) cadre aiding Ningxia (宁夏). He noted that the Minning (闽宁) collaboration is facing new opportunities, and the "Mountain-Sea Affection" (山海情) is opening a new chapter. We must strive to pass on the deep friendship between Fujian (福建) and Ningxia (宁夏) and make the lives of the people sweeter.
This year is the beginning of the "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五) and the first year of normalized assistance. "General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized 'promoting industrial complementarity, personnel interaction, technical mutual learning, conceptual communication, and stylistic mutual reference between the East and the West to achieve mutual benefit and common development,' which points the way for our future work," said Wang Zhaoyang (王兆阳), Director of Sannong (Agriculture, Rural Areas, and Farmers) Business at the Agricultural Bank of China (中国农业银行). He explained that the bank is actively providing various financial services, strongly supporting the development of rural specialty industries in the Western region, and providing financing for East-West collaboration projects. Next, it will continuously optimize supporting financial services for industrial projects, broaden service areas, and collaboratively explore new models of East-West assistance.
In recent years, industrial cooperation models such as "Eastern enterprises + Western resources," "Eastern markets + Western products," "Eastern R&D + Western manufacturing," and "Eastern headquarters + Western bases" have been continuously expanded, the level of industrial cooperation has been constantly improved, and the endogenous development momentum of the Western region has been continuously strengthened.
After Jiangsu (江苏) and Shaanxi (陕西) paired up, they worked together to develop the plush toy industry in Ankang (安康), Shaanxi (陕西), which now has an annual output value of 10 billion yuan. In the production workshop of Ankang Aiduo Bao Animation Culture Industry Co., Ltd. (安康爱多宝动漫文化产业有限公司), workers are rushing to complete a batch of overseas orders. "We are taking the lead in building a full industrial chain system for plush toys in Ankang (安康), promoting the expansion of traditional plush toys into scenarios such as early childhood education, emotional companionship, and elderly care, and further driving employment and income growth for the masses through industrial upgrading," said Wang Liang (王亮), the company's general manager.
In places like Hangzhou (杭州), Wenzhou (温州), and Taizhou (台州) in Zhejiang (浙江), the construction of "dual-location warehouses" helps Sichuan (四川) agricultural products enter the Zhejiang (浙江) market. "We pay more attention to carrying out consumption assistance through market-oriented methods, smoothing circulation links, and expanding sales channels," said Luo Fanghao (骆方豪), Deputy Director of the Zhejiang Provincial Development and Reform Commission (浙江省发展和改革委员会). Xiaojin County (小金县) in Sichuan (四川) and Deqing County (德清县) in Zhejiang (浙江) have deepened cooperation in agriculture, culture, tourism, and sports, transforming the resource advantages of both places into tangible development victories.
The two sides of East-West collaboration are continuously deepening labor cooperation, improving employment quality, and enhancing the level of employment services. Ge Jun (葛钧), member of the Standing Committee of the Zhaotong Municipal Party Committee (昭通市委) and Vice Mayor of Zhaotong (昭通), and leader of the Shanghai (上海) aid-to-Yunnan (滇) Zhaotong (昭通) team, said: "We have established stable employment bases, are actively preparing to build the Shanghai-Yunnan (沪滇) Industrial College, and are creating a human resources production, innovation, and training integration park to promote the training and output of professional, specialized, and large-scale skilled personnel."
East-West collaboration is a long-term institutional arrangement. Through continuous deepening of assistance in education, medical care, and talent exchange, it promotes the exchange of ideas, drives coordinated regional development, and advances comprehensive rural revitalization.
Since Shandong (鲁) and Chongqing (渝) began their collaboration, Chongqing (重庆) has organized cadres and talent to study in Shandong (山东) every year, bringing back advanced concepts and management experience from the East. Cao Haiquan (曹海权), Secretary of the Party Branch of Desheng Village (得胜村), Gulu Town (古路镇), Wuxi County (巫溪县), Chongqing (重庆), was deeply inspired after studying in Shawo Village (沙窝村), Eshu Town (东疏镇), Ningyang County (宁阳县), Shandong (山东): "We must base our work on the actual conditions of the village, **因地制宜** (yīn dì zhì yí - "according to land suit appropriate," to act according to local conditions), make good use of the beneficial experience learned, continuously strengthen the collective economy, and improve elderly care and convenience services."
"Based on local development needs, we continuously optimize the professional structure and promote the school to establish cooperation with more than 40 enterprises," said Lü Yanhui (吕彦辉), the assisting principal from Beijing Chaoyang Vocational School (北京朝阳职业学校) to the Huaxia Vocational School (华夏职业学校) in Chifeng (赤峰), Inner Mongolia (内蒙古). "In the future, we will rely on the Beijing-Inner Mongolia (北京内蒙古) collaborative smart platform to share high-quality resources and cultivate a local teaching staff that 'cannot be taken away'."
"The 'Nanshan Class' (南山班) at Zunyi Medical University (遵义医科大学) in Guizhou (贵州) draws on the top-tier medical talent training system of the 'Nanshan Class' (南山班) at Guangzhou Medical University (广州医科大学) in Guangdong (广东). Next, we will continue to improve the assistance mechanism to provide talent support for the development of medical and educational undertakings in Guizhou (贵州)," said Zheng Jianmin (郑建民), Director of the Academic Affairs Office at Guangzhou Medical University (广州医科大学) and the liaison for the Zunyi (遵医) "Nanshan Class" (南山班).
Cadres and the public have expressed that over the 30 years of East-West collaboration, it has played an important role in helping with poverty alleviation and promoting coordinated regional development, demonstrating the political advantages of our Party and the superiority of our country's socialist system. On the new journey of Chinese-style modernization, we must fulfill our responsibilities, **真抓实干** (zhēn zhuā shí gàn - "truly grasp practically do," to work in a down-to-earth and earnest manner), and continue to strive to write a new chapter of the mountains and seas working together.
(Reporters: Zhu Jun (朱隽), Wang Hao (王浩), Fu Wen (付文), Zhang Wen (张文), Chang Qin (常钦), Yu Jingxian (郁静娴), Li Xiaoqing (李晓晴), Deng Jianyang (邓剑洋))
Return to TopXinhua News Agency (新华社), Beijing (北京), June 18 — The State Council (国务院) has announced the appointment and removal of state officials.
Cai Qi (蔡奇) shall concurrently serve as President of the Chinese Academy of Governance (国家行政学院).
Chen Xi (陈希) will no longer hold the position of President of the Chinese Academy of Governance (国家行政学院); Wang Zhiyong (王志勇) is removed from his position as Deputy Director of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (国家中医药管理局).
Return to TopBy: 尹双红
On the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党), General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) wrote a reply to 102-year-old Party member Zhang Liansheng (张连生), praising his devotion and love for the Party, expressed through his commitment to "always follow the Party and be a member of the 'Fourth Brigade' forever." He called upon Communists in the new era to "write an excellent answer on the new journey."
From the veteran Party member's firm resolve to "always follow the Party" to the common people's deep-seated belief that "following the Communist Party (共产党) will lead to happiness," we truly feel the sincerity and strength of faith in and love for the Party. Since the dawn of the new era, the victory in the battle against poverty, the realization of the dream of a moderately prosperous society, the enduring presence of lush mountains and clear waters, and the scaling of new heights in scientific and technological innovation—all these historic achievements led by the Party reflect its original aspiration and mission. With faith in and love for the Party, our struggle has a 主心骨 (zhǔ xīn gǔ - "main backbone," a core pillar of support or a guiding principle that provides stability and direction).
Looking back at the path we have traveled, from the "iron-willed determination to follow the Party" that sustained the Red Army (红军) during the Long March (长征) to achieve a great victory, to the "Story of Spring" (春天的故事) written during the reform and opening-up (改革开放), and then to the new chapters of the "two great miracles" (两大奇迹) being written on the new journey—our Party has always grasped the historical initiative and gathered the strength to forge ahead. By aligning our direction with that of the Party, we can march toward a bright future.
The new journey is a new Long March (长征). By inheriting the red gene, remaining true to our original aspiration, keeping our mission firmly in mind, fulfilling our duties, and taking on responsibilities through concrete actions, we will certainly be able to write an excellent answer and create new and even greater miracles.
Return to TopXinhua News Agency (新华社), Beijing (北京), June 18 — On June 18, Vice President (国家副主席) Han Zheng (韩正) met separately in Beijing (北京) with a delegation of prominent entrepreneurs led by Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (加拿大工业部长) François-Philippe Champagne (乔利) and Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen (索文森), Chair of the Board of the Novo Nordisk Foundation (丹麦诺和诺德基金会) and Chair of the Board of Directors of Novo Nordisk (诺和诺德公司).
During his meeting with the delegation led by François-Philippe Champagne (乔利), Han Zheng (韩正) stated that in January of this year, President Xi Jinping (习近平) and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (卡尼) held a successful meeting in Beijing (北京) and reached a series of important consensuses. The economies of China (中) and Canada (加) are highly complementary, with enormous potential for cooperation. The Chinese (中) side is willing to work with the Canadian (加) side to implement the important consensuses reached by the leaders of the two countries, consolidate cooperation in traditional fields, strengthen collaboration in emerging sectors such as new energy vehicles and artificial intelligence, and promote the development of the China-Canada (中加) new strategic partnership along a healthy, stable, and sustainable track.
François-Philippe Champagne (乔利) stated that the Canadian (加) side attaches great importance to developing relations with China (华) and is willing to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation between enterprises with the Chinese (中) side to promote the healthy and stable development of Canada-China (加中) relations.
During his meeting with Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen (索文森), Han Zheng (韩正) stated that the Chinese (中国) government attaches great importance to public health. During the "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五) period, China (中国) will accelerate the construction of a Healthy China (健康中国) and strive to increase the average life expectancy to 80 years. He expressed hope that Novo Nordisk (诺和诺德公司) will leverage its own advantages to actively participate in the construction of a Healthy China (健康中国). The Chinese (中) side will continue to expand high-level opening-up, persistently create a first-class, market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment, and support foreign enterprises, including Novo Nordisk (诺和诺德), in achieving better development in China (华).
Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen (索文森) stated that Novo Nordisk (诺和诺德公司) is optimistic about the prospects of China's (中国) economic development and will continue to expand its business in China (华), participate in the development of China's (中国) pharmaceutical industry, and make greater contributions to the construction of a Healthy China (健康中国). While the current landscape requires 脚踏实地 (jiǎo tà shí dì - "foot tread solid earth," to be down-to-earth and realistic), the company remains committed to its long-term goals in the region.
Return to TopNew Window (新视窗)
The Journey of an African Coffee Bean in China (中国)
Fifth Edition (第五版)
Cultural China Tour (文化中国行)
Dragon Boat Festival (端午) in the Drumbeats
Sixth Edition (第六版)
Supplement (副刊)
Dadi Duanyang (大地端阳) · Poetic Sentiment
Eighth Edition (第八版)
Xinhua News Agency (新华社), Fuzhou (福州), June 18 — Zhang Guoqing (张国清), member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (中共中央) Central Committee (中央委员会) and Vice Premier of the State Council (国务院), conducted research in Fujian (福建) from the 16th to the 18th on the development of key industrial chains and standardization efforts. He emphasized the need to thoroughly implement the spirit of the important instructions and directives of General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平), carry out the decision-making and deployment of the Party Central Committee (党中央) and the State Council (国务院), enhance the autonomy and controllability of key industrial chains, better leverage the guiding and protective role of standards, accelerate the construction of a modern industrial system, and consolidate and strengthen the foundation of the real economy.
In Xiamen (厦门), Quanzhou (泉州), and Fuzhou (福州), Zhang Guoqing (张国清) visited enterprises and units involved in new displays, new materials, electronic components, and medical equipment, learning in detail about their production, operations, research and development (R&D) innovation, and industry development. He stressed the need to deeply implement high-quality development actions for key manufacturing industrial chains, improve the "dual-lead" model involving chain-leader enterprises and user enterprises, and 集中力量 (jí zhōng lì liàng - "concentrate strength," to pool resources together to achieve a specific goal) to tackle targeted challenges on a "one chain, one policy" basis. He called for accelerating breakthroughs in a batch of key core technologies and key common technologies to enhance the resilience and security of industrial and supply chains. He urged comprehensive strengthening of basic research in manufacturing, refining scientific and technological problems based on practical needs, continuously increasing investment in basic research, enhancing original innovation capabilities, and striving to fundamentally solve principled and foundational problems to solidify the technical foundation. He called for promoting the deep integration of industry, academia, research, and application led by enterprises, supporting leading enterprises in opening up R&D platforms and application scenarios, cultivating and expanding specialized, refined, differential, and innovative (专精特新) small and medium-sized enterprises, and fostering a favorable innovation ecosystem. He emphasized discovering and cultivating talent through project practice and frontline engineering work, enhancing technical innovation capabilities, promoting a spirit of dedication, and training a group of excellent engineers, master craftsmen of the nation, and highly skilled personnel to lead and drive the industry toward frontier and high-end fields.
Zhang Guoqing (张国清) emphasized that standardization should be used to assist scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, better serving the high-quality development of the economy and society. He stated that it is necessary to strengthen the mutual promotion and integration of standards and technological breakthroughs, persist in the coordinated advancement of hardware, software, standards, and patent layouts, and systematically enhance industrial competitiveness. He called for increasing the supply of advanced and applicable standards, comprehensively improving the technical level of standards in traditional industries, accelerating the development of standards for emerging and future industries, and enhancing the support and service capabilities for the modern industrial system. He added that high-risk products involving the health and safety of the people should be promptly included in mandatory standard management to firmly hold the bottom line of safety.
Recently, the southern region has entered a period of concentrated rainfall and a frequent typhoon season. Zhang Guoqing (张国清) emphasized the need to closely monitor rain, flood, and typhoon situations, conduct rolling consultations and assessments, provide timely forecasts and warnings, and strengthen the inspection and defense of reservoirs, sluices, ponds, dams, river and sea embankments, and projects under construction. He called for the strict implementation of flood and typhoon prevention measures, such as requiring vessels to return to port for shelter and personnel working at sea to come ashore for safety, so as to minimize casualties to the greatest extent possible.
Return to TopXinhua News Agency (新华社), Shijiazhuang (石家庄), June 18 — Wang Xiaohong (王小洪), Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee (中共中央书记处) and State Councilor (国务委员), conducted a research tour in Hebei (河北) from the 17th to the 18th. He emphasized the need to deeply study and implement Xi Jinping's Economic Thought (习近平经济思想), carry out the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee (党中央) and the State Council (国务院), firmly support the "Two Establishments" (两个确立), resolutely achieve the "Two Upholds" (两个维护), establish and practice a correct view of political achievements, focus on key tasks, implement policies with scientific precision, solidly perform all work related to economic and social development, and strive to push high-quality development to a new level.
Wang Xiaohong (王小洪) visited the Xiong'an New Area (雄安新区), Baoding City (保定市), and Shijiazhuang City (石家庄市), where he went deep into relevant enterprises, industrial parks, and grassroots public security units to learn in detail about scientific and technological innovation and the transformation of achievements, industrial development layout, and urban renewal. He emphasized that it is necessary to firmly grasp the primary functional positioning of the Xiong'an New Area (雄安新区) as a concentrated carrier for relieving Beijing (北京) of functions non-essential to its role as the capital, to integrate the efforts of high-quality construction and high-efficiency governance, and to continuously achieve new results in building an innovation highland for the new era and promoting a model for high-quality development. It is essential to advance the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (京津冀) region in depth, integrate the advantages of all parties, strengthen reform exploration, and achieve a higher degree of transportation interconnection, service sharing, and development integration. We must continue to promote the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation, optimize and upgrade traditional industries, cultivate and strengthen emerging and future industries, and develop new quality productive forces in light of local conditions. We must practice the concept of a "people's city," accelerate the transformation of urban development modes, deeply explore sustainable urban renewal models, and promote high-quality urban development. We must better coordinate development and security, put in solid work to improve the level of social governance and public security governance, and effectively reinforce the safety foundation and consolidate the safety base for high-quality development.
He noted that in the face of complex tasks, officials must not be 守株待兔 (shǒu zhū dài tù - "guard stump wait rabbit," to rely on luck or wait idly for opportunities) but must instead take proactive measures to ensure progress.
Return to TopXinhua News Agency (新华社), Beijing (北京), June 18 — The first session of the "Ensuring and Improving Livelihoods in High-Quality Development" series of reports on the current situation and policies, jointly organized by the Publicity Department of the Central Committee (中央宣传部), the Working Committee of the Central and State Organs (中央和国家机关工委), the Ministry of Education (教育部), the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission (中央军委政治工作部), and the Beijing Municipal Committee (北京市委), was held in Beijing (北京) on the 18th. Liu Wei (刘伟), Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Minister of the Ministry of Transport (交通运输部), delivered a thematic report titled "Improving the Modern Comprehensive Transportation System and Accelerating the Construction of a Transportation Power."
In his report, Liu Wei (刘伟) pointed out that General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) attaches great importance to transportation work, personally planning and promoting the construction of a transportation power, and has endowed it with the mission and positioning of "transportation serving as the pioneer of China's modernization," which has pointed out the direction and injected powerful momentum into the development of transportation in the new era. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" (十四五) period, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee (党中央) with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core, China's comprehensive transportation system construction has achieved breakthrough progress. The facility network has become more complete, strategic support more robust, transportation services more efficient, technical equipment more advanced, opening-up and cooperation more profound, and the governance system more comprehensive. The modernization level of advantageous fields such as infrastructure and technical equipment ranks among the forefront of the world, and solid new steps have been taken to accelerate the construction of a transportation power, with the beautiful vision of "people enjoying their travel and goods flowing smoothly" being realized at an accelerated pace.
Liu Wei (刘伟) believes that the "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五) period is a critical period for laying a solid foundation and making comprehensive efforts to basically realize socialist modernization. China's transportation development has entered a new stage of comprehensive transformation, facing both rare opportunities and many favorable conditions, as well as many new situations and challenges. We must closely focus on the central task of comprehensively promoting the building of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the nation through Chinese-style modernization (中国式现代化), focus on solidly promoting common prosperity for all people, serve the acceleration of building a new development pattern, better coordinate development and security, firmly grasp the historical opportunities of the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, fully leverage the role of transportation as a pioneer, anchor the strategic goal of building a transportation power, and ensure the basic completion of a modern comprehensive transportation system.
Liu Wei (刘伟) stated that we must deeply study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想), fully implement the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (党的二十届四中全会), and focus on improving the modern comprehensive transportation system. We must strive to cultivate the advantages of the facility network, make up for shortcomings and weaknesses, strengthen integrated fusion, enhance safety improvements, highlight digital and intelligent upgrades, focus on green transformation, and deepen institutional and mechanism reforms to promote the implementation of major strategic tasks, major engineering projects, and major reform measures for transportation during the "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五) period. We must firmly establish and practice a correct view of political achievements, handle practical matters for the people in transportation, ensure and improve people's livelihoods during high-quality development, accelerate the construction of a transportation power that satisfies the people, provides strong support, and ranks among the world's best, and strive to serve as the pioneer of Chinese-style modernization (中国式现代化).
The report meeting was presided over by a responsible comrade from the Publicity Department of the Central Committee (中央宣传部). Approximately 730 people, including officials from Party, government, and military organs in Beijing (北京), cadres and employees of central enterprises, teachers and students from universities in the capital, and representatives of various sectors in the capital, attended the meeting.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 李君强 高 炳
Walking into Xingfu Lane (幸福巷) at the foot of Hutou Mountain (虎头山) in Yichuan County (宜川县), Yan'an City (延安市), Shaanxi Province (陕西省), one finds the streets clean and orderly, the walls adorned with vivid murals, and elderly residents sitting together chatting. Three years ago, this was still a dilapidated alley: the dirt roads were muddy, there were no streetlights, and an abandoned boiler room obstructed the path, deeply affecting the lives of the residents.
The transformation stems from a "micro-project." In 2023, grid workers from the Dangwan Street Community (党湾街社区) of Danzhou Subdistrict (丹州街道), Yichuan County (宜川县), conducted door-to-door visits, organized residents' opinions into a list of "micro-projects," and coordinated with the Party organizations of relevant departments such as the Water Affairs Bureau. Installing streetlights, adding guardrails, beautifying walls... Xingfu Lane (幸福巷) has taken on a brand-new look, and the residents feel the change most deeply. 80-year-old Wang Zhiming (王志明) has lived here since he was a child. "In the past, I would get mud all over my feet when going out in the rain, and I had to carry a flashlight at night. Now the road is paved and the lights are bright; it is comfortable to live here."
In October 2022, when visiting the Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Site (延安革命纪念地), General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized: "All comrades in the Party must firmly stand on the side of the people, practice the Party's purpose, implement the Party's mass line, maintain the flesh-and-blood ties between the Party and the people, consciously integrate the people-centered development philosophy into all aspects of work, solidly promote common prosperity, and ensure that the fruits of modernization benefit all the people more and more fairly."
Bearing these instructions in mind, Yichuan County (宜川县) has carried forward the Yan'an Spirit (延安精神) and persisted in promoting grassroots governance through Party building. The change in Xingfu Lane (幸福巷) is a model of Yichuan County's (宜川县) promotion of "micro-services." "The community sorts out project lists and aspirations through visits, research, and public feedback. Various departments claim 'micro-projects' at Party building joint meetings, and in-service Party members also claim residents' 'micro-wishes,'" explained Dou Peng (窦鹏), Deputy Secretary of the Danzhou Subdistrict (丹州街道) Party Committee. "Micro-projects" solve visible and tangible problems around the masses, while "micro-wishes" respond to the more subtle and personalized needs of the masses, building a bridge of connection between Party members, cadres, and the people.
In early 2024, Lan Junxia (兰军霞), Director of the Pharmacy Department at Yichuan County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (宜川县中医院), claimed a "micro-wish": "I would like a piece of clothing." This simple wish came from an elderly couple in their 70s—Li Gang (李刚) and Fu Qunfen (付群芬). Fu Qunfen (付群芬) suffers from Alzheimer's disease and cannot take care of herself, leaving Li Gang (李刚) responsible for her care.
Lan Junxia (兰军霞) brought the clothing to the elderly couple's home and was moved by their passion for life. Consequently, a single wish extended into over two years of companionship: Lan Junxia (兰军霞) often uses her off-hours and weekends to visit, checking the couple's blood pressure and chatting with them to relieve their loneliness. Gradually, the couple came to regard Lan Junxia (兰军霞) as a family member.
"I want to help as much as I can; as a Party member, one must always keep the masses in one's heart," said Lan Junxia (兰军霞). "Seeing the smiles on the elderly couple's faces and feeling their trust gives me more strength."
Over the past three years, Party organizations at all levels in Yichuan County (宜川县) have claimed and completed 273 "micro-projects" and fulfilled 641 "micro-wishes" for residents, not only solving a batch of urgent, difficult, and anxious problems for the masses but also winning the recognition of an increasing number of people.
"In the past, we provided whatever we had. Now, the community connects the needs of the masses with the resources of various departments, giving Party members and cadres more leverage to serve the people. We also pay attention to tracking effectiveness during the implementation process, forming a closed-loop responsibility chain," Dou Peng (窦鹏) stated.
"Micro-projects" and "micro-wishes" reflect the sentiment of serving the people and test the sense of responsibility of Party members and cadres.
From the change in a single alley to the fulfillment of a wish, this reflects a profound transformation in the philosophy and methods of grassroots governance—shifting from "the government serving dishes" to "the masses ordering from the menu," allowing the people to perceive warm-hearted grassroots governance through every tangible benefit provided to them. This is truly 一心一意 (yī xīn yī yì - "one heart one mind," wholehearted and devoted) in action.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 李心萍
On June 18, the State Council Information Office (国务院新闻办) held a press conference titled "Strivers on the New Journey" (新征程上的奋斗者), inviting five worker representatives from the railway industry to engage in exchanges.
"My colleagues and I have been deeply involved in creating the 'Single-Document System' (一单制) for multimodal transport, allowing customers to achieve 'one entrustment, one document throughout, one container throughout, and one settlement,'" said Wang Hao (王昊), head of the Block Train Operations Department at the Multimodal Transport Division of China Railway Container Transport Corp., Ltd. (中铁集装箱运输有限责任公司).
Taking the project of transporting grain from the north in Jilin (吉林) to the south in Yunnan (云南) as an example, the entire journey previously took 35 to 40 days and involved cargo loss. After customers began using the "Single-Document System" (一单制) product, the total logistics time was compressed by 5 days, logistics costs were reduced by approximately 10%, and zero cargo loss was achieved during transport. "Currently, there are 270 normalized operation routes for the 'Single-Document System' (一单制) for multimodal transport, basically covering over 90 major coastal and riverside ports," said Wang Hao (王昊).
"Bullet Train Doctor" (动车医生) Ma Yaofeng (马耀锋) is a ground mechanic at the Wuhan EMU Depot (武汉动车段) of China Railway Wuhan Group Co., Ltd. (中国铁路武汉局集团有限公司). "In the 16 years since I started working, I have inspected over 10 types of EMU trains, totaling thousands of train sets," said Ma Yaofeng (马耀锋). He noted that a "Fuxing" (复兴号) EMU train consists of more than 500,000 components, covering numerous technical fields such as mechanics, electricity, and information control. Coupled with the large scale of China's high-speed rail network, significant climate differences between the east, west, north, and south, and the long-distance, high-speed operation of the trains, these factors have placed higher demands on maintenance work.
At the press conference, Ma Yaofeng (马耀锋) brought a device for testing EMU train batteries. "This is a testing device we developed specifically; one measurement can obtain 7 sets of voltage data, which is 21 times more efficient than manual inspection."
Quan Qingdong (权庆东), a service manager at the National Railway Division of CRRC Dalian Co., Ltd. (中车大连机车车辆有限公司), said, "The air pressure and temperature differences on the plateau are unique, and there is no mature experience to draw upon regarding railway equipment support." He cited an example where diesel engine shutdowns occurred frequently at the south of Tanggula Mountain (唐古拉山) in Tibet (西藏), but the faults disappeared once the equipment was returned to the plains for inspection.
To overcome technical difficulties, Quan Qingdong (权庆东) once stayed on the train for over 70 consecutive hours, collecting thousands of sets of operational data, and ultimately solved more than a hundred operation and maintenance problems, such as diesel engine shutdowns and electrical faults. He also independently developed an online traction control testing device, increasing the accuracy of fault diagnosis by 80%.
"Although we don't meet passengers in person, we are always guarding their warm journeys." As a 12306 customer service operator, Wang Ying (王颖), a staff member at the Customer Service Department of the Beijing Railway Customer Service Center (北京铁路客户服务中心) of China Railway Beijing Group Co., Ltd. (中国铁路北京局集团有限公司), answers over 200 calls on average per day and has cumulatively resolved more than 24,000 travel-related issues.
She keeps a mirror at her workstation. "It's to remind myself to keep smiling," said Wang Ying (王颖). She explained that by speaking with a smile, the voice becomes softer, and passengers feel more at ease.
Sun Zhihong (孙志洪), Deputy Director of the Technical Center at China Railway Engineering Equipment Group Co., Ltd. (中国中铁工程装备集团有限公司), participated in the on-site assembly and commissioning of "China Railway No. 1" (中铁1号)—a composite shield tunneling machine with independent intellectual property rights—in 2008, and has since been engaged in the development of control systems for tunnel boring machines.
Mentioning the most moving experience in his career, Sun Zhihong (孙志洪) shared the development history of the tool-changing robot. Previously, tool changing was done manually, which was high-risk and difficult. Sun Zhihong (孙志洪) spent 5 years leading his team to **集中攻关** (jí zhōng gōng guān - "concentrate attack pass," to focus efforts on overcoming a difficult technical problem), and the design scheme for the bolt sleeve alone was revised over a dozen times.
"We drew inspiration from the design of the Tang Dynasty (唐代) gilded silver spice bag to form a self-adaptive bolt disassembly and assembly mechanism, which solved the research and development problem of the bolt sleeve," Sun Zhihong (孙志洪) introduced. Currently, the tool-changing robot has been successfully mounted on shield tunneling machines and exported to high-end overseas markets.
Return to TopBeijing (北京), June 18 (Reporter Yu Jingxian (郁静娴)) — As of June 18, the national progress of the summer wheat harvest has exceeded 96%. This year, the large-scale mechanized wheat harvest for the "Three Summers" (三夏) began on May 28, advancing rapidly from south to north. Currently, with the exception of continued harvesting in northwestern regions such as Xinjiang (新疆) and Gansu (甘肃), the harvest in key wheat-producing areas including the Southwest (西南) and the Huang-Huai-Hai (黄淮海) region has concluded, marking the near completion of this year's large-scale mechanized wheat harvest for the "Three Summers" (三夏).
During the harvest period, all localities and relevant departments 全力以赴 (quán lì yǐ fù - "exert all strength," to make every effort) to cope with the impact of multiple rounds of widespread heavy rainfall and severe convective weather. By fully leveraging the role of agricultural machinery as the primary force and seizing the optimal harvest window to accelerate the emergency harvesting and drying of wheat, they effectively ensured that the summer grain harvest proceeded efficiently and in an orderly manner. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (农业农村部) held advance consultations with departments and units such as the Ministry of Transport (交通运输部), the China Meteorological Administration (气象局), and petroleum and petrochemical enterprises to study and implement service guarantee measures, including cross-regional transit, meteorological early warnings and forecasts, and fuel supply. They also organized local authorities early on to coordinate agricultural machinery operation needs and prepare for the wheat harvest.
Most wheat-harvesting regions this year experienced more rainfall than in an average year, significantly shortening the window for emergency harvesting. Localities raced against time to accelerate the harvest, completing the large-scale wheat harvest task in 22 days—2 days faster than last year and 4–5 days faster than in an average year. During the peak harvest period from May 31 to June 13, the daily national harvest exceeded 16 million mu. Following the full onset of the flood season on June 1, in response to the frequent occurrence of showers and severe convective weather in the Huang-Huai-Hai (黄淮海) region, early warnings and forecasts were issued in a timely manner. Forces including regional agricultural machinery socialized service centers, regional agricultural emergency disaster relief centers, and emergency operation service teams were mobilized to go all out in the harvest, successfully achieving the goal of "snatching grain from the rain."
Return to TopThe "618" (618) shopping festival, coinciding with the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) holiday, serves as a window for the concentrated release of consumption potential. Recently, reporters conducted field visits to various online and offline consumption scenarios to observe the vitality of new consumption.
In the early morning, before the Xinjiang (新疆) trendy cultural and creative shop in the International Grand Bazaar (国际大巴扎) commercial district of Urumqi (乌鲁木齐), Xinjiang (新疆), had even opened, tourists from all over had already formed long queues just to purchase a cute lamb doll. Tourists can customize them on-site, selecting accessories to dress the dolls in items featuring Xinjiang (新疆) characteristics.
An enterprise engaged in the research, development, design, and sales of specialty cultural and creative products launched this lamb doll at the end of last year. "Since the beginning of this year, sales have continued to grow, and many merchants are placing orders with us," introduced Lu Bingjian (路兵剑), the person in charge of the enterprise.
The popularity of the lamb doll remains high, and the "Nang is Here" (馕来了) series of cultural and creative products, inspired by the characteristic Xinjiang (新疆) delicacy, the Nang (馕), has also seen continuous sales growth. Wen Nana (温娜娜), head of the design team for the "Nang is Here" (馕来了) series, said that since June, the sales volume of related products in the team's self-operated online store alone has increased by more than 70% compared to the previous month.
In the evening, at Shenzhen Bay MixC (深圳湾万象城) in Nanshan District (南山区), Shenzhen (深圳), Guangdong (广东), sales staff at smart product stores were busy, explaining product functions to consumers who came to experience the latest smartphones and smart wearable products.
"We launched our '618' (618) promotional activities in late May. Combined with offline marketing events, our single-store sales this week increased by 18% compared to last week," said Ouyang Huang (欧阳煌), Minister of Direct Retail for Honor (荣耀).
Reporters visited several brand stores and found that during this year's "618" (618) shopping festival, supplemented by national trade-in subsidies and local policies to promote consumption, offline stores for smart products in Shenzhen (深圳) were quite popular, online orders continued to rise, and smart digital products and whole-house smart appliances became the mainstream of consumption.
"We monitor e-commerce platforms in real-time to keep online and offline prices consistent. In addition, offline stores focus on creating immersive experience scenarios to provide consumers with diverse experiences," said Ouyang Huang (欧阳煌). He noted that selecting items online and experiencing them offline, or placing orders online and having them delivered by stores, has become a popular consumption model.
Huawei (华为), Insta360 (影石创新), and many other manufacturers stated that since the start of the "618" (618) shopping festival, online order volumes for 3C digital products and smart home appliances have increased significantly year-on-year. Relying on the "Yue Huan Xin" (粤焕新) service platform, online subsidies are automatically deducted upon ordering, with comprehensive discounts on single items reaching up to 45%.
With cute refrigerator magnets on the shelves and the scent of mugwort sachets lingering in the air... during the "618" (618) shopping festival, the Baita Temple Pharmacy (白塔寺药店) in Xicheng District (西城区), Beijing (北京), transformed into a "Herbal Market" (本草市集), attracting many citizens. "The herbal tea ingredients are clean, and the quality of the time-honored brand is guaranteed," said Ms. Xi (奚女士), a citizen carrying the health products she had just purchased.
"Some customers come into the pharmacy not just to fill prescriptions; the popularity of health consumption is also rising. Middle-aged and elderly customers mostly purchase medicinal pastes and gift boxes of medicine-food homology products, while self-developed beverages and fragrant herbal beads from the pharmacy are favored by young people," said Wu Guanpeng (武冠鹏), manager of Beijing Baita Temple Pharmacy Chain Co., Ltd. (北京白塔寺药店连锁有限公司).
As a long-standing establishment, Baita Temple Pharmacy (白塔寺药店) has been deepening its offline presence while also extending its sales channels online. "Online channels focus on home delivery, pre-sale activities, and bulk purchase discounts, which are suitable for repeat purchases of regular herbal teas and everyday health items," said Wu Guanpeng (武冠鹏). Online revenue accounts for nearly 20% of the total.
In addition to health goods, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncture, massage, and other services have become representative projects of current health consumption.
Approaching 12:00 noon, the waiting hall of the Tuina (Massage) Department at Sihui Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital (四惠中医医院) in Chaoyang District (朝阳区), Beijing (北京), was full of people, including the elderly and young people. Among them, Wang Qian (王谦), a post-00s generation individual from Langfang (廊坊), Hebei (河北), who usually spends a lot of time at a desk, suffered from shoulder and neck muscle soreness. "I am conditioning my body through acupuncture, massage, and other TCM projects," said Wang Qian (王谦). He added that many of his friends also purchase health products and services.
Meituan (美团) data shows that since June this year, nourishing health supplements have become the fastest-growing non-pharmaceutical category, with search popularity for "shoulder and neck massage" increasing by over 135% year-on-year, and "summer therapy" search popularity increasing by nearly 65% year-on-year. Data from the JD.com (京东) platform also confirms the boom in health consumption; after the "618" (618) e-commerce shopping festival officially kicked off at 8:00 PM on May 30, sales of multiple health categories increased by more than 10 times year-on-year within 52 hours.
(Reporters: Wang Donghui (王东辉), Cheng Yuanzhou (程远州), Wang Zhou (王洲), Shang Rongzheng (尚嵘峥))
Return to TopNanning (南宁), June 18 (Reporter Pang Geping (庞革平)) — On the 18th, the Datengxia Water Conservancy Project (大藤峡水利枢纽工程) passed the completion acceptance conducted by the Ministry of Water Resources (水利部), marking the full completion of the project's construction tasks and its transition into a stage of normalized operation. The Datengxia Water Conservancy Project (大藤峡水利枢纽) is a key node project in the National Water Network (国家水网), integrating comprehensive benefits such as flood control, shipping, power generation, water replenishment for saltwater intrusion prevention, and irrigation. The project has a total investment of 35.736 billion yuan, a total construction period of 9 years, a total reservoir capacity of 3.479 billion cubic meters, a flood control capacity of 1.5 billion cubic meters, and a normal pool level of 61 meters.
Return to TopOn June 17, the State Council Information Office (国务院新闻办公室) released a white paper titled "Building a More Just and Reasonable Global Governance System: China's Concepts, Initiatives, and Actions." The document systematically introduces China's concepts, initiatives, and actions regarding global governance, aiming to gather broader international consensus and synergy to effectively address global challenges and reform and improve the global governance system. International figures interviewed by our reporters stated that the world today faces severe and complex crises and challenges, and the cause of human peace and development has a **任重道远** (rèn zhòng dào yuǎn - "heavy burden, long road," to have a long and difficult journey ahead). China's proposals conform to the requirements of the era, respond to the concerns of all parties, and inject wisdom and strength into promoting the development of global governance in a more just and reasonable direction.
"Responds to the universal expectations of Global South countries for improving the global governance system"
The white paper points out that global governance is a common cause concerning human well-being, and building a just and reasonable global governance system is a common vision that people of all countries strive for. President Xi Jinping (习近平) has solemnly proposed the Global Governance Initiative (全球治理倡议), providing a Chinese solution to answer the epochal question of "what kind of global governance system to build and how to reform and improve global governance."
"For the vast number of developing countries, the Global Governance Initiative (全球治理倡议) values the right to development and equal participation, responding to the universal expectations of Global South countries for improving the global governance system," said Veronica Saraswati (维罗妮卡·萨拉斯瓦蒂), Director of the Global Development Research Center (全球发展研究中心) in Indonesia (印度尼西亚). She noted that the world is currently transitioning from a unipolar pattern to a multipolar system, but this process is not smooth. Geopolitical conflicts are intensifying, global economic recovery is weak, climate change challenges are severe, and Global South countries lack sufficient representation and voice in international affairs, with deficits in peace, development, security, and trust continuing to expand. In this context, the Global Governance Initiative (全球治理倡议), which takes upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter (联合国宪章) and practicing the global governance view of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits as its basic adherence, appears particularly precious.
Ngan Teng Leong (颜天禄), Vice President of the Malaysia-China Public Relations Association (马来西亚中国公共关系协会), stated that the Global Governance Initiative (全球治理倡议) emphasizes that while countries vary in size, national strength, and development stages, they are all equal members of the international community. Their sovereignty and dignity must be respected, and they all have the right to participate equally, make decisions equally, and benefit equally in the process of global governance. This forms a sharp contrast with the "might is right" jungle law pursued by some countries today. Ngan Teng Leong (颜天禄) is particularly concerned with the core concept of "advocating for a people-centered approach," believing that related concepts emphasize that issues such as development, security, and cooperation should ultimately serve the comprehensive development of people and the protection of basic rights, gathering consensus among countries with different civilizations and systems.
"President Xi Jinping (习近平) proposing the Global Governance Initiative (全球治理倡议) reflects China's profound thinking on the future development of the world and also responds to the common appeal of the vast number of developing countries to promote a more fair and reasonable international order," said José Cabañas (何塞·卡瓦尼亚斯), Director of the Center for International Policy Research (国际政治研究中心) in Cuba (古巴). He stated that the Global Governance Initiative (全球治理倡议) emphasizes practicing true multilateralism and adhering to extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, which has significant practical meaning for developing countries that have long suffered from unilateral sanctions and external interference.
"China's concepts and actions are increasingly gaining resonance and response from the international community"
The white paper points out that as a responsible major country, China holds high the banner of building a community with a shared future for mankind (人类命运共同体), takes the lead in practicing true multilateralism, and remains unswervingly a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, a maintainer of international order, and a provider of public goods, actively promoting the construction of a more just and reasonable global governance system.
"I have visited many places in China, and my biggest impression is that for decades, China has consistently practiced the people-centered development philosophy in areas such as poverty alleviation, infrastructure construction, disaster relief, and digital government, focusing on action-oriented approaches," said Woo Su-keun (禹守根), Director of the East Asia Institute (东亚研究所) and President of the Korea-China Global Association (韩中全球协会) in South Korea (韩国). He stated that China's social governance experience has important reference value for other countries seeking development, stability, efficiency, and inclusivity. "The five core concepts of the Global Governance Initiative (全球治理倡议) contain important directions for resolving the contradictions and differences faced by the international community today, providing a more inclusive and practical global governance solution for the international community."
"The Global Governance Initiative (全球治理倡议) contains profound Chinese wisdom," said Eduardo Zilli-Apango (爱德华多·齐利—阿潘戈), an associate professor at the Autonomous Metropolitan University (大都会自治大学) in Mexico (墨西哥). He stated that China upholds morality, follows international rules and order, always stands on the side of developing countries, and promotes fairness, justice, and cooperative development in the international community. He cited an example: "While maintaining a leading position in the field of artificial intelligence, China actively promotes inclusive development of artificial intelligence and launches open-source large models with superior performance, benefiting more countries and people around the world." Apango also stated that the Global Governance Initiative (全球治理倡议) places more emphasis on equal consultation, joint participation, and mutual respect, reflecting China's insistence on the democratization of international relations.
Haris Malik (哈里斯·马利克), a researcher at the China-Pakistan Study Center (中巴研究中心) of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (伊斯兰堡战略研究所) in Pakistan (巴基斯坦), stated that against the backdrop of profound changes in the global landscape, China has played an important leading role in promoting the construction of a more just and reasonable global governance system. "China firmly upholds multilateralism, sovereign equality, and international law, and actively strives for more rights and interests for developing countries. China's concepts and actions are increasingly gaining resonance and response from the international community."
"Promoting more just and reasonable global governance, China is an irreplaceable 'doer'"
The white paper points out that looking to the future, as the international community increasingly understands and participates in this major initiative, the progressive forces adhering to multilateralism will surely continue to grow, and the grand goal of building a more just and reasonable global governance system will surely become a reality step by step.
"Today, the Global Governance Initiative (全球治理倡议) has received support and response from nearly 160 countries and international organizations, and more than 60 countries have enthusiastically joined the 'Group of Friends of the Global Governance Initiative' (全球治理之友小组). In promoting more just and reasonable global governance, China is an irreplaceable 'doer'," said an Egyptian (埃及) expert on China issues, Drabik (德拉比克).
"The Global Governance Initiative (全球治理倡议) provides a path for promoting the evolution of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction, and also provides a platform for Global South countries to enhance their international voice," said Gideon Chitanga (吉迪恩·希坦加), an international relations and political analyst in South Africa (南非). He noted that African (非洲) countries have long advocated for international relations concepts of mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation, which highly align with the Global Governance Initiative (全球治理倡议) proposed by China. Both sides advocate for promoting the reform of the international system and international institutions to enhance the representation and speaking rights of Global South countries. "China and Africa (非洲) are both important forces of the Global South and should further strengthen coordination and cooperation in the field of global governance to inject inexhaustible power into improving global governance."
"The Global Governance Initiative (全球治理倡议) is increasingly becoming a practice in which all parties actively participate." Zamir Awan (泽米尔·阿万), founding chair of the Global Silk Road Research Alliance (全球丝绸之路研究联盟), a think tank in Pakistan (巴基斯坦), stated that the cooperation between Pakistan (巴基斯坦) and China (中国) in areas such as responding to climate change, agricultural technology training, and advancing the "2.0 upgraded version" of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (中巴经济走廊) all reflect the practical achievements of the Global Governance Initiative (全球治理倡议). "I look forward to the two countries continuously deepening cooperation in high-tech fields, allowing Pakistan (巴基斯坦) to catch the express train of China's high-quality development."
"The reason the Global Governance Initiative (全球治理倡议) is highly valued and appreciated lies not only in the profundity of its concepts but also in China's commitment to translating these concepts into tangible international development practices." Veronica (维罗妮卡) stated that from the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" Initiative (一带一路) to the Global Development Initiative (全球发展倡议), Global Security Initiative (全球安全倡议), Global Civilization Initiative (全球文明倡议), and Global Governance Initiative (全球治理倡议), China not only proposes concepts but also promotes the implementation of development cooperation through infrastructure construction, connectivity, poverty reduction cooperation, and technology transfer. China views development as an important foundation for peace and stability, and this path of improving people's livelihoods and narrowing gaps through actual development brings important inspiration to many developing countries.
(Reported from Beijing (北京), Jakarta (雅加达), Rio de Janeiro (里约热内卢), Seoul (首尔), Mexico City (墨西哥城), Islamabad (伊斯兰堡), Cairo (开罗), and Johannesburg (约翰内斯堡) on June 18 by reporters Zhou Zhou (周輖), Cao Shiyun (曹师韵), Chen Haiqi (陈海琪), Mang Jiuchen (莽九晨), Cheng Shijie (程是颉), Zhao Yipu (赵益普), Huang Peizhao (黄培昭), and Dai Kairan (戴楷然))
Return to TopBy: 本报评论员
"China has proposed the Global Governance Initiative, aiming to promote the construction of a more just and reasonable global governance system." The State Council Information Office (国务院新闻办) recently released a white paper titled "Building a More Just and Reasonable Global Governance System: China's Concepts, Initiatives, and Actions," which systematically introduces China's concepts, initiatives, and practical actions regarding global governance. It emphasizes that this major initiative "provides a Chinese solution for answering the epochal question of 'what kind of global governance system to build and how to reform and improve global governance.'"
Global governance is a common cause concerning the well-being of all humanity, and reforming and improving the global governance system is a universal demand of countries around the world. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (党的十八大), President Xi Jinping (习近平), standing at the strategic height of the future and destiny of humanity, has historically proposed the major concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind (人类命运共同体), advocating a global governance view based on extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, which has become a glorious banner leading the progress of the era. In 2025, at the critical historical juncture of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War (世界反法西斯战争) and the founding of the United Nations (联合国), President Xi Jinping (习近平) solemnly proposed the Global Governance Initiative, which has become another important international public good contributed by China to the world, providing a scientific guide for building a more just and reasonable global governance system.
Concepts are like lighthouses, guiding ships through fog and **乘风破浪** (chéng fēng pò làng - "ride the wind and cleave the waves," to be brave and advance despite difficulties). Once proposed, the Global Governance Initiative received broad and positive responses from the international community. From one pragmatic action after another, one can better grasp the leading power, vitality, and appeal of this major initiative.
Looking at responding to security challenges, from promoting the establishment of the "Friends of Peace" (和平之友) group for the Ukraine crisis (乌克兰危机) to proposing the four-point proposal for maintaining and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East (中东)…… China's successful practice of a path to resolving hot-spot issues with Chinese characteristics has won widespread praise. Last October, the International Mediation Organization (国际调解院), initiated and promoted by China, officially opened for operation, filling the gap in mechanisms in the field of international mediation and providing a new platform for all parties to peacefully resolve international disputes.
Looking at solving poverty reduction difficulties, China has built international poverty reduction cooperation networks such as the China-Africa Poverty Reduction and Development Partnership Alliance (中非减贫与发展伙伴联盟), jointly initiated and established the Global Alliance for Poverty Reduction and Development (全球减贫与发展伙伴联盟) with 53 countries and 9 international organizations, and created the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (全球发展和南南合作基金), increasing its capital to 4 billion U.S. dollars…… The international community has given high praise, commending China for "bringing hope to the development of the Global South's (全球南方) poverty reduction cause" and "playing a leading role in promoting global poverty reduction cooperation."
Looking at artificial intelligence governance, China took the lead in releasing the "Global AI Governance Initiative" (全球人工智能治理倡议), establishing a governance orientation of intelligence for good, security and controllability, and inclusive fairness, providing a systematic, pragmatic, and actionable guide for global AI governance; it promoted the United Nations General Assembly (联合国大会) to adopt a resolution on strengthening international cooperation in AI capacity building, advocated for the establishment of a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (世界人工智能合作组织), and continuously promoted the inclusive development of AI for good.
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With both value orientation and practical direction, the reason why the Global Governance Initiative has been able to quickly receive the welcome and support of nearly 160 countries and international organizations, and why China's concepts and actions are increasingly resonating with and receiving responses from the international community, lies in the fact that it grasps the era while leading it, is rooted in China while benefiting the world, and is based on the present while opening up the future. This major initiative responds to the common needs of all countries to improve global governance, embodies a sense of responsibility with a global vision, expands the practical path for building a community with a shared future for mankind (人类命运共同体), opens up a brand-new realm of international political civilization, and contributes wisdom and strength to the cause of human civilization progress.
Currently, the world's once-in-a-century changes are accelerating, the cause of human peace and development has a long way to go, the deficits in peace, development, security, and trust continue to expand, and global governance is at a critical juncture where it will either advance or retreat. To implement the Global Governance Initiative, the most fundamental requirement is to firmly safeguard the authority and status of the United Nations (联合国), the most critical factor is for major powers to demonstrate their responsibility, the most needed element is for all countries to unite and cooperate, and the most urgent task is to bridge the peace and development deficits. Global governance concerns the common and long-term interests of people of all countries. As long as all parties keep the future of humanity in mind and cherish the well-being of the people, establish a **坚韧不拔** (jiān rèn bù bá - "firm and indomitable," unyielding and persistent) will, and do not abandon the effort of **铢积寸累** (zhū jī cùn lěi - "accumulating every bit," making steady progress through small, consistent efforts), turning the vision and blueprint of the Global Governance Initiative into a roadmap and timetable for joint action by all countries, the cause of global governance will surely be able to pierce through the haze and reach the bright shore.
This year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) and is also the opening year of the "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五). A century-old party, forging ahead with its original aspiration, with the world as one community, and following the right path of the world, China has always been an active participant, contributor, and builder of global governance, firmly practicing true multilateralism, and continuously providing new opportunities for the world through Chinese-style modernization (中国式现代化). On the new journey, firmly standing on the right side of history, adhering to the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, and promoting the implementation of the Global Governance Initiative, China will surely inject more certainty and positive energy into a world intertwined with chaos and change through its own stable development, and work together with all countries to open up a bright future of shared human destiny and civilizational progress.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 戴楷然
A gentle breeze blew, and the sound of drums gradually rose. On the waters of Battery Park (炮台公园) at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (维多利亚港) in Cape Town (开普敦), South Africa (南非), the dragon boats were poised for action. As the starting signal sounded, the paddlers moved in perfect unison, their oars striking the water repeatedly and stirring up layers of spray (see photo, taken by Fazlaal Phillips (法兹拉尔·菲利普斯) of our newspaper's Africa Center Branch (非洲中心分社)). The eyes of the spectators on the shore closely followed the direction of the dragon boats, with cheers and shouts of encouragement rising one after another.
The 4th "Cultural China—Cape Town Dragon Boat Festival" (文化中国—开普敦龙舟节), co-hosted by the Cape Town Dragon Boat Association (开普敦龙舟协会) and the Cape Town Chinese community (开普敦华人社区), was recently held in Cape Town (开普敦). This year's festival featured dragon boat races in three categories—100 meters, 200 meters, and 1000 meters—attracting approximately 200 participants from 9 dragon boat clubs. Dragon boat enthusiasts from both China (中国) and South Africa (南非) gathered together to experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture through the competition.
"The scale of the Dragon Boat Festival grows larger every year, and the number of participants is increasing year by year," Idris Meyer (伊德里斯·迈耶), Chairman of the Cape Town Dragon Boat Association (开普敦龙舟协会), told reporters. He noted that the vigorous development of the dragon boat sport locally is inseparable from the joint efforts of the Chinese community (华人社区) and local clubs. In recent years, everyone has trained and competed together, forging a deep friendship. In Meyer's (迈耶) view, the greatest charm of dragon boat racing lies in its power to unite. "Whether a dragon boat can move fast depends on whether everyone on the boat is in step," he said. He added that more and more South African (南非) citizens are learning about Chinese culture through dragon boat racing, while also making friends and enhancing friendships through repeated training and competitions.
Anja Hitzeroth (安娅·希策罗特), a student at the German International School Cape Town (开普敦德国国际学校), had just finished her race. She told reporters that she has been learning to paddle a dragon boat for over four years, and this was her first time participating in the Cape Town Dragon Boat Festival (开普敦龙舟节). Hitzeroth (希策罗特) said that everyone needs to adjust their rhythm according to the drumbeats to stay in sync with their teammates. "People from different cultural backgrounds come together because of dragon boat racing; this is not just a sport, but a form of cultural exchange."
"This is my third time participating in the Dragon Boat Festival, and the most obvious change is that more and more people are getting involved," said Qian Xiaodong (钱小栋), captain of the Cape Town Chinese Dragon Boat Club (开普敦中华龙舟俱乐部). He noted that in recent years, many locals have transformed from curious spectators into participants in dragon boat training. "Many people gather together because of the dragon boat sport, building friendships that transcend cultures."
Lechesa Tsenoli (莱斯·戈文德), Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (南非全国省级事务委员会) of South Africa (南非), attended the event to watch the race for the first time. He was deeply impressed by the spirit of unity and cooperation displayed in the dragon boat competition. "The team members must constantly coordinate and support each other to reach the finish line together," Tsenoli (戈文德) said. "The dragon boat sport tells us that only through cooperation and mutual coordination can we achieve common progress. The active participation of the people of China (中) and South Africa (南) is a vivid embodiment of the friendly relations between the two countries."
Antonio (安东尼奥), a tourist from Angola (安哥拉), and his wife saw a dragon boat race for the first time. "I really like Chinese culture. Events like this allow me to get up close to Chinese culture and feel its richness and diversity," Antonio (安东尼奥) said.
Although the competition has ended, many participants and tourists are still interacting in the cultural exhibition area. Dong Gang (董钢), a representative of the Cape Town Chinese community (开普敦华人社区), stated: "In recent years, cooperation between China (中) and South Africa (南) in fields such as humanities, education, and youth exchange has continued to deepen. This year is the 'Year of China-Africa Humanities Exchange' (中非人文交流年), and we hope to further promote mutual understanding and closeness between the peoples of the two countries through this event."
Return to TopBeijing (北京), June 18 (Reporter Han Xiaoming (韩晓明)) — A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部) announced on June 18: At the invitation of India's (印度) National Security Advisor Doval (多瓦尔), Wang Yi (王毅), member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (中共中央政治局) Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission (中央外办), will attend the 16th Meeting of BRICS (金砖国家) High Representatives for Security Issues to be held in India (印度) from June 22 to 23.
Return to TopBeijing (北京), June 18 — A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部) answered questions from reporters on the 18th regarding the full and public reiteration of the Taiwan-related statements in the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China (中国) and South Korea (韩国) by an official from the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (韩国外交部).
A reporter asked: On the 18th, Nam Jin (南镇), Director-General of the Northeast Asian and Central Asian Affairs Bureau of the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (韩国外交部), stated to reporters that the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between South Korea (韩国) and China (中国) points out that "the Government of the Republic of Korea (大韩民国政府) recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国政府) as the sole legal government of China (中国), and respects the position of the Chinese side that there is only one China (一个中国) and that Taiwan (台湾) is a part of China (中国)," and that this position of the South Korean side has not changed. What is the comment of the Chinese side on this?
The spokesperson stated that when South Korean President Lee Jae-myung (李在明) accepted an interview with Chinese (中国) media on the eve of his visit to China (中国) in January this year, he stated regarding the Taiwan (台湾) issue: "The fundamental relationship between South Korea (韩国) and China (中国) established a very principled and basic position at the beginning of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The South Korean government has always adhered to this position and has never deviated from it. Regarding China's (中国) most core concern—the Taiwan (台湾) issue—the South Korean side will, as always, uphold the position of respecting one China (一个中国)." Subsequently, when he came to China (中国) for a state visit, he stated that the South Korean side respects China's (中国) core interests and major concerns and adheres to one China (一个中国).
The spokesperson stated that the Chinese (中国) side speaks positively of the fact that the director-general in charge at the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (韩国外交部) has fully and publicly reiterated the Taiwan-related statements in the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China (中国) and South Korea (韩国), namely that "the Government of the Republic of Korea (大韩民国政府) recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国政府) as the sole legal government of China (中国), and respects the position of the Chinese side that there is only one China (一个中国) and that Taiwan (台湾) is a part of China (中国)." We hope and believe that the South Korean side will remain true to its original aspiration of establishing diplomatic relations, abide by its political commitments, practice the one-China (一个中国) principle with concrete actions, and safeguard the political foundation of China-South Korea (中韩) relations. This is a matter of 言行一致 (yán xíng yī zhì - "words actions consistent," to act in accordance with one's words; to be as good as one's word).
Return to TopBy: 高晓燕
This year marks the 29th anniversary of the entry into force of the Chemical Weapons Convention (禁止化学武器公约). Chemical weapons abandoned in China (在华遗弃化学武器) by Japan (日本) are one of the grave crimes committed by Japanese militarism (日本军国主义) during its war of aggression against China (侵华战争), and they remain a realistic security threat that has persisted for decades, endangering multiple parties. These abandoned chemical weapons, scattered across various regions, continue to jeopardize the lives and property of the Chinese (中国) people and damage the regional ecological environment; they are a historical malignant tumor that must be thoroughly eradicated. According to the provisions of the Convention (公约), the Japanese side bears full responsibility for destroying the chemical weapons abandoned in China and was required to complete all destruction work by 2007. However, to this day, this historical issue remains unresolved.
As early as the end of World War I (第一次世界大战), Japan began to research and develop chemical weapons in an organized and planned manner. In 1939, the Japanese Kwantung Army (日本关东军) established the Kwantung Army Chemical Department (关东军化学部) in Qiqihar, Heilongjiang (黑龙江齐齐哈尔), known as the notorious "Manchuria Unit 516" (满洲第五一六部队), which specialized in the research, development, and experimentation of poison gas weapons. During the full-scale War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (全面侵华战争), the Japanese military (日军) flagrantly disregarded international conventions, formed multiple poison gas combat units, and wantonly used chemical weapons to slaughter Chinese soldiers and civilians when military operations turned unfavorable, committing war crimes that are 罄竹难书 (qìng zhú nán shū - "bamboo slips exhausted hard to write," crimes so numerous that they cannot be recorded even if all the bamboo slips in the world were used). On the eve of their defeat, the fleeing Japanese invaders deliberately abandoned a large quantity of unused chemical weapons within Chinese territory: they either secretly buried them in an organized manner, dumped them into rivers, or discarded them at will in wells, military fortifications, and warehouses. To date, chemical weapons abandoned by Japan have been discovered in 18 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities across China. Over the decades, frequent poison gas leakage accidents have caused more than 2,000 casualties among the Chinese people, and the soil and water sources in many areas have suffered long-term pollution, with the harm continuing to this day.
Because post-war international trials failed to fully investigate and hold the Japanese military accountable for its chemical warfare crimes, the Japanese government (日本政府) has long deliberately evaded and shirked its war responsibilities. Only under the repeated solemn representations of the Chinese government (中国政府) and sustained pressure from international public opinion has the Japanese side been forced to make limited statements on this issue. To promote a resolution, the Chinese delegation (中国代表团) systematically expounded its principled position and specific proposals for solving the issue of Japanese-abandoned chemical weapons at the Conference on Disarmament (裁军谈判会议) in Geneva (日内瓦) in 1992. In 1997, the Chemical Weapons Convention (禁止化学武器公约) signed by the international community officially entered into force. According to the Convention, the Japanese side was required to complete the destruction of chemical weapons abandoned in China within 10 years of the Convention's entry into force, i.e., by 2007. In accordance with the spirit of the international convention, the governments of China (中国) and Japan (日本) signed the Memorandum on the Destruction of Chemical Weapons Abandoned by Japan in China (关于销毁中国境内日本遗弃化学武器的备忘录) in 1999, stipulating that the Japanese government would honestly fulfill its obligations under the Convention and be responsible for destroying the chemical weapons it abandoned in China. To ensure the smooth progress of destruction work, the Chinese side has for many years fully cooperated with the Japanese side in conducting on-site verification, excavation and recovery, identification and packaging, and safe storage and transportation, paying a great price in effort.
However, the Japanese government has used various excuses to delay the destruction progress, and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (禁化武组织) has been unable to do anything about it, leaving a large number of Japanese-abandoned chemical weapons undisposed of to this day. Meanwhile, Japanese right-wing forces (日本右翼势力) have continuously distorted history, repeatedly throwing out absurd arguments such as that the abandoned chemical weapons are "naturally harmless" or that the "statute of limitations for accountability has passed." Some Japanese politicians (日本政客) and media outlets have also spread false information, claiming that after decades of weathering, the abandoned chemical weapons have long since become ineffective, simply attributing the harm suffered by the public to individual accidents. Such rhetoric deliberately severs the causal link between the Japanese military's wartime use of chemical weapons and the post-war abandonment of these weapons, attempting to confuse the public with one-sided and false interpretations; in essence, this is an attempt to deny the history of aggression and escape war responsibilities. Regarding the judicial protection of rights by victims, the Japanese side has also repeatedly shirked its responsibilities, with relevant Japanese courts (日本相关法院) frequently citing reasons such as "state immunity" or "statute of limitations has expired" to dismiss the victims' claims—a practice that completely violates historical justice and human conscience.
The evidence of the crimes committed by the Japanese invaders in conducting chemical warfare against Chinese soldiers and civilians and abandoning chemical weapons is as solid as a mountain (铁证如山), and no sophistry can deny it. Eliminating the toxicity caused by Japanese-abandoned chemical weapons is a historical responsibility and an international legal obligation that Japan cannot avoid and must fulfill. The root cause of Japan's long-term negative stance of delay and perfunctoriness lies in its persistent unwillingness to face up to the history of aggression and its fear of confronting its own war crimes. The Japanese side must correct its attitude, sincerely face up to its historical crimes, strictly abide by international conventions and bilateral consensus, accelerate the disposal process of Japanese-abandoned chemical weapons, return a clean land to the Chinese people, and remove the greatest realistic obstacle to moving toward a "world without chemical weapons."
(The author is a researcher at the Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences (黑龙江省社会科学院) and a distinguished professor at Heilongjiang International University (黑龙江外国语学院))
Return to TopParis, June 18 (Reporter Shang Kaiyuan (尚凯元)) — On the 17th, the Third Seminar on Accessible Information Communication and Protection of Cultural Rights, co-hosted by the Information for All Programme (IFAP) (全民信息计划) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (联合国教科文组织), the China Foundation for Human Rights Development (中国人权发展基金会), and the Communication University of China (中国传媒大学), was held at the UNESCO (联合国教科文组织) headquarters in Paris (巴黎). UN (联合国) officials expressed their gratitude to the Chinese side for supporting the Information for All Programme (全民信息计划) and for continuously strengthening the development of information accessibility.
Guilherme Canela (吉列尔梅·卡内拉), Chief of the Section of Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists and Secretary of the Information for All Programme (全民信息计划) at UNESCO (联合国教科文组织), stated in his address at the seminar that 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (残疾人权利公约) and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of UNESCO's (联合国教科文组织) Information for All Programme (全民信息计划). He noted that the cooperation between UNESCO (联合国教科文组织) and China (中国) to advance information accessibility priorities will contribute to the implementation of the UN (联合国) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030年可持续发展议程) and the implementation of the UN (联合国) Global Digital Compact (全球数字契约) at the global level.
Tawfik Jelassi (玛丽亚·加布里埃尔), Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information at UNESCO (联合国教科文组织), expressed her gratitude for China's (中国) support and looked forward to deepening cooperation between the two sides in the coming years. She stated that China's (中国) "Light Cinema" (光明影院) project strives to ensure that **不让任何人掉队** (bù ràng rèn hé rén diào duì - "not let anyone fall behind," to ensure inclusivity and leave no one behind), providing accessible audiovisual content for approximately 8 million visually impaired individuals and successfully establishing partnerships with major streaming platforms, which is worthy of congratulations.
Zheng Peng (郑鹏), Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Communication University of China (中国传媒大学), stated in his speech that China's (中国) "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五) outline specifically mentions "deepening the promotion of technology to assist the disabled, and strengthening the construction of accessible environments for public facilities, information exchange, and social services." The "Light Cinema" (光明影院) accessible project initiated by the Communication University of China (中国传媒大学) produces 104 accessible films annually, benefiting 2,244 special education schools across the country. The university has also established an Institute for Accessible Information Communication to continue academic research and practical cooperation with UNESCO (联合国教科文组织) in the field of accessible information communication.
Qin Liang (秦亮), Deputy Secretary-General of the China Foundation for Human Rights Development (中国人权发展基金会), pointed out that China (中国) continues to promote the equalization of public cultural services, implements digital reading promotion projects for the blind, and pushes for the accessibility transformation of digital platforms, allowing visually impaired individuals to access public information and services more conveniently. The "National Human Rights Action Plan (2026–2030)" (国家人权行动计划（2026—2030年）) recently released by China (中国) clearly proposes expanding the supply of cultural services and products for persons with disabilities, increasing the supply of accessible radio, television, and audiovisual programs, and strengthening information accessibility construction. It is foreseeable that China's (中国) cause of accessible information communication will usher in new development.
Yang Xinyu (杨新育), Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of China (中国) to UNESCO (联合国教科文组织), stated at the accessible film screening ceremony held after the seminar that China (中国) has always been committed to promoting the integration of persons with disabilities into the national development process, providing them with more convenience in education, employment, public services, and cultural life. The Chinese side believes that persons with disabilities are not only beneficiaries of development but also contributors to culture, innovation, and social progress. The significance of accessible projects lies not only in providing help to persons with disabilities but also in creating opportunities for them to participate in society, express themselves, and share in a rich and colorful cultural life.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 杨 昊
"More than 70 years ago, 100,000 road-building soldiers and civilians, carrying loads on their shoulders and backs, laid steel rails under arduous conditions, extending from Chongqing (重庆) to Chengdu (成都)..." Not long ago, the long whistle of a train pierced the tranquility of Neijiang Station (内江站) in Sichuan (四川), as children boarded the 5611 "Slow Train" to embark on a cultural study tour of the Chengdu-Chongqing Railway (成渝铁路). The crew members acted as study tour lecturers, meticulously recounting the history of the railway.
On July 1, 1952, the Chengdu-Chongqing Railway (成渝铁路), the first trunk railway line built after the founding of New China (新中国), was officially opened to traffic across its entire length, having been designed and constructed by China (中国) itself using domestically produced materials. Today, high-speed trains speed along, and a modernized comprehensive transportation network crisscrosses the vast land of China (神州), reflecting a vibrant and mobile China (中国).
General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out: "The Chinese people are not only good at destroying an old world, but also good at building a new one. Only socialism can save China (中国), and only socialism can develop China (中国)!"
Time travels back more than 70 years. In the early days of the founding of New China (新中国), the country was **一穷二白** (yī qióng èr bái - "one poor two white," extremely poor and backward), with all industries waiting to be revived. In June 1950, the Third Plenary Session of the Seventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (党的七届三中全会) proposed using about three years to achieve a fundamental turn for the better in the country's financial and economic situation. The guidelines decided by the plenary session provided a clear program of action for the Party's work during the period of national economic recovery.
The recovery of agriculture was the foundation for the recovery of all sectors of the national economy. From October 1949 to the end of 1952, the state's investment in agriculture increased year by year, with funds for water conservancy construction accounting for more than 10% of the total national budgetary investment in capital construction. The state concentrated its efforts on harnessing the Huai River (淮河) and building key projects such as the Jingjiang Flood Diversion Project (荆江分洪) and flood control projects on the lower reaches of the Yellow River (黄河), which initially changed the situation of long-neglected river embankments and frequent flooding in old China (旧中国). Various regions also vigorously renovated irrigation canals and ponds to expand farmland irrigation areas. These efforts promoted the rapid recovery and development of agricultural production. Grain output increased from 113.184 million tons in 1949 to 163.931 million tons in 1952, an increase of 44.8%.
The recovery of industry focused on sectors related to the national economy and people's livelihood, such as mining, steel, power, and machinery manufacturing, while simultaneously restoring and increasing the production of textiles and other light industries. In terms of regional distribution, priority was given to restoring the industrial base in Northeast China (东北), while also taking into account industries in other parts of the country. In accordance with the deployment of the Central Committee (中央), the provinces in Northeast China (东北) took the lead in restoring industrial production and began preliminary economic construction. The machinery, equipment, and industrial materials produced supported the recovery of industries in coastal cities such as Shanghai (上海) and Tianjin (天津). The state also allocated funds to plan and build a number of urgently needed industrial enterprises, such as the Fuxin Haizhou Open-pit Coal Mine (阜新海州露天煤矿), the seamless steel pipe plant and large rolling mill of the Anshan Iron and Steel Company (鞍山钢铁公司), and the Taiyuan Heavy Machinery Plant (太原重型机器厂). These newly built factories later became the backbone of China's (我国) industry. By the end of 1952, the annual output of major industrial products such as steel, pig iron, raw coal, crude oil, cement, and electricity had all exceeded the highest annual output in history.
In terms of transportation, the existing railway network was basically restored, and the construction of the Chengdu (成都)-Chongqing (重庆) Railway, which traverses the hinterland of the Great Southwest (大西南), and the Tianshui (天水)-Lanzhou (兰州) Railway in the Northwest (西北) region was completed. The Kangding-Tibet Highway (康藏公路) (now the Sichuan-Tibet Highway (川藏公路)) and the Qinghai-Tibet Highway (青藏公路), leading to the "Roof of the World" (世界屋脊), began construction in 1950.
The recovery and development of trade were important links in promoting the exchange of goods between urban and rural areas and restoring the entire national economy. After several years of effort, state-owned commerce and cooperative commerce gradually grew and strengthened, becoming the main channels in the circulation field. By the end of 1952, a unified state-owned commercial system covering various categories from top to bottom had been basically formed nationwide.
After more than three years of **艰苦奋斗** (jiān kǔ fèn dòu - "arduous struggle," working hard under difficult conditions), the national economy, which had been severely damaged before the founding of New China (新中国), was fully restored and had seen preliminary development. By the end of 1952, the total output value of industry and agriculture reached 81 billion yuan, an increase of 77.6% over 1949 at comparable prices. State fiscal revenue increased exponentially, achieving a balance between revenue and expenditure. The income of urban and rural residents increased year by year, and their living standards were generally improved.
General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out: "Along the way, the Chinese people have relied on themselves and engaged in **艰苦奋斗** (jiān kǔ fèn dòu - "arduous struggle," working hard under difficult conditions), creating a Chinese miracle that has attracted worldwide attention." Looking back at the development process, we draw strength to move forward. The fighting spirit of generations of builders has been passed down, and it is now blooming with the radiance of the times on the broad stage of the new era, injecting inexhaustible power into promoting high-quality development.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 窦 皓
In summer, before the morning mist has dispersed, the gardenia planting base in Xiajiang Village (下姜村), Fengshuling Town (枫树岭镇), Chun'an County (淳安县), Hangzhou City (杭州市), Zhejiang Province (浙江省), becomes lively once again. More than 30 villagers, carrying bamboo baskets, weave through the sea of flowers. As their fingertips dance, plump, snow-white blossoms fall into their baskets, and the fragrance permeates the mountains and fields.
"I picked 50 jin this morning, worth about 75 yuan. The flowers have grown well this year; if you keep up the pace this afternoon, you can earn over 150 yuan a day," said Jiang Lijuan (姜丽娟), Secretary of the Village Party General Branch, as she reached out to inspect the flowers in a villager's basket.
This post-1985-born secretary has become accustomed to working in the fields. "In July 2021, I went to Beijing (北京) to receive the certificate and medal for the 'National Advanced Grassroots Party Organization' (全国先进基层党组织)," Jiang Lijuan (姜丽娟) said. "But we cannot 躺在功劳簿上 (tǎng zài gōng láo bù shàng - "lie on the merit book," to rest on one's laurels and stop making progress). Honor is not the end, but a new starting point."
More than 20 years ago, Xiajiang Village (下姜村) planted several hundred mu of gardenia jasminoides. Later, the gardenia industry encountered a development bottleneck: due to limited market channels, backward processing technology, and the villagers' lack of sustained management capabilities, some gardenia forests reverted to overgrown, barren slopes.
After returning home to start a business and becoming a village official, Jiang Lijuan (姜丽娟) identified this problem. She and other village officials made several trips to Anhui (安徽) and Jiangxi (江西) for research, filling their notebooks with gardenia planting techniques and market demands. Upon returning to the village, they helped villagers improve their planting standards and broaden sales channels.
While transforming and upgrading the gardenia industry, Xiajiang Village (下姜村) promoted the integrated development of agriculture and tourism, establishing farmhouses and homestays. Every year, from late spring to early summer, many people come to admire the flowers, giving gardenias a new selling point.
In 2022, the Village Party General Branch further "iterated and upgraded" the gardenia industry—improving the original medicinal gardenia into a large-leaf water gardenia, where flowers and fruits are separated. This new variety not only has larger, more ornamental buds, but harvesting the flowers does not affect the fruit yield, increasing the output value four to five times compared to the original variety.
Walking into the processing workshop of Zhejiang Qiaozhi Technology Co., Ltd. (浙江骄栀科技有限公司), one is greeted by steam carrying a rich floral scent. Here lies a complete chain for the comprehensive utilization of all gardenia flower and fruit products.
"The company consumes about 6,000 tons of dried gardenia fruit and 800 to 1,000 tons of fresh flowers annually," said Hong Sheng (洪胜), the person in charge of the enterprise. High-value-added products such as gardenia essential oil and skincare products have been launched, changing the primary production and sales model that previously relied solely on selling fresh flowers and dried fruits.
Today, the gardenia planting area in Xiajiang Village (下姜村) and its surrounding areas has exceeded 2,500 mu. A complete industrial system integrating production, education, research, and application has been built, ranging from variety selection and standardized planting to deep processing.
With the gardenia industry revitalized, Jiang Lijuan (姜丽娟) has started planning again: "单打独斗 (dān dǎ dú dòu - "fight alone," to act independently without cooperation) will not take us far. We must rely on the Party organization to provide a platform and promote joint village construction so that the fruits of development can benefit more fellow villagers."
Under the overall coordination of the Chun'an County Party Committee (淳安县委), the Xiajiang Village (下姜村) Party General Branch has linked with the Party organizations of 24 surrounding administrative villages to form the "Great Xiajiang" (大下姜) Rural Comprehensive Revitalization Joint Party Committee. Through Party-building cooperation, they promote joint planning, platform construction, resource sharing, industrial prosperity, and brand building.
"Focusing on deep processing, an industrial ecosystem integrating planting, processing, sales, and branding is gradually taking shape. More villages are being incorporated into the industrial chain to share the added value," said Jiang Lijuan (姜丽娟). The gardenia has become the village flower of Xiajiang Village (下姜村). With the help of provincial cultural commissioners, Xiajiang Village (下姜村) has combined the "Gardenia Blossoms" (栀子花开) cultural and creative brand to develop a series of products such as fragrances and refrigerator magnets.
Today, the "Zhimen" (栀梦 - Gardenia Dream) IP (Intellectual Property) has become a hit. Three cultural and tourism sectors—Zhimen Street (栀梦街), Zhimen Garden (栀梦田园), and Zhimen Valley (栀梦谷)—have taken shape, and the theme pavilion has completed its renovation. Using flowers as a medium, a new pattern of rural cultural tourism has been built, featuring full-area linkage, rich business formats, and the integration of scenery and village. In 2025, the sales of gardenia-related products reached 8.69 million yuan, driving an increase in collective village income of approximately 510,000 yuan.
As the mountain breeze blows, the whole village is filled with the fragrance of flowers. The village committee has a new goal: to bring more gardenia industry research results and industry standards to Xiajiang (下姜), continue to expand the gardenia planting area, and let the high-quality products of the "Great Xiajiang" (大下姜) region be known by more people.
Return to TopBy: 本报评论员
Only with strong theory can one have a clear direction, a unified heart, and sufficient confidence. Persistently using the latest achievements of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism (马克思主义中国化时代化) to arm the entire Party, guide practice, and promote work is an important experience for our Party in creating history and achieving brilliance.
The National Symposium on Party Building Work (全国党建工作座谈会) held on June 15 made work arrangements for studying and implementing the Thought of Xi Jinping on Party Building (习近平党建思想), emphasizing that this important thought "has major practical significance and long-term guiding significance for strengthening the Party and the country." As an important part of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想), the Thought of Xi Jinping on Party Building (习近平党建思想) is a scientific theory formed in the historical process of strengthening the Party and the country in the new era. Its truth power and practical greatness have been fully tested, providing a fundamental adherence and action guide for continuously opening up new realms in managing, governing, invigorating, and strengthening the century-old Party on the new journey.
To run China's affairs well, the key lies in the Party. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (党的十八大), the Party Central Committee (党中央) with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core has faced the prominent problems and serious hidden dangers within the Party, made strategic deployments for comprehensive strict Party governance, taken the initiative to reform itself (刀刃向内 - dāo rèn xiàng nèi - "blade facing inward," to engage in self-reflection and self-correction), and used strict codes to govern chaos, opening up a new realm for the self-revolution of a century-old Party. Our Party has become stronger and more powerful through revolutionary forging, providing a fundamental guarantee for comprehensively promoting the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization (中国式现代化).
The reason why the governance of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) and the governance of China in the new era present a new atmosphere, why our Party has always been the backbone of the people across the country in the historical process of responding to various risks and tests at home and abroad, and why the cause of the Party and the country has achieved historic achievements and undergone historic changes, is fundamentally because we have General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) at the helm and the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想).
The Thought of Xi Jinping on Party Building (习近平党建思想), through the "Fourteen Persistences" (十四个坚持), profoundly grasps the internal connection between managing and governing the Party, invigorating and strengthening the Party, and the rejuvenation of a strong country. It is of great and far-reaching significance for persistently promoting comprehensive strict Party governance, maintaining the Party's advanced nature and purity, consolidating the Party's long-term ruling position, and more broadly gathering the majestic power to promote Chinese-style modernization (中国式现代化).
Here, we take "persisting in the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee" (坚持党中央集中统一领导) and "persisting in improving the organizational system that runs through the top and bottom and is powerful in execution" (坚持健全上下贯通、执行有力的组织体系) as examples to explain in depth and deepen the understanding of the major practical significance and long-term guiding significance of the Thought of Xi Jinping on Party Building (习近平党建思想) for strengthening the Party and the country.
"Persisting in the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee" (坚持党中央集中统一领导) is the highest political principle of Party leadership. General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out: "For such a large Party and such a large country, if the Party Central Committee cannot implement strong, centralized, and unified leadership, a situation of each doing things in its own way (各自为政 - gè zì wéi zhèng - "each does things in its own way," lack of coordination) and acting arbitrarily (自行其是 - zì xíng qí shì - "act according to one's own will," ignoring rules or collective decisions) will emerge, and nothing will be accomplished."
Our Party has established the core status of Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) in the Party Central Committee (党中央) and the whole Party, established the guiding status of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想), persisted in and improved the Party's leadership system, and implemented the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee (党中央) into all fields, aspects, and links of national governance, which is of decisive significance for the development of the Party and the country in the new era and for advancing the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation (中华民族伟大复兴).
The Five-Year Plan (五年规划) is an important perspective for observation. Since the new era, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) has personally served as the head of the drafting group for the planning proposal documents, personally planned, deployed, and promoted the national development planning work, and made strategic deployments for winning the battle to comprehensively build a moderately prosperous society (全面建成小康社会) and comprehensively build a modern socialist country (全面建设社会主义现代化国家). The Party Central Committee (党中央) sets the direction, plans the big picture, determines policies, and promotes reform. The Five-Year Plan (五年规划) is like a ladder for the cause, "advancing stage by stage," ensuring that the cause of the Party and the country moves forward steadily and far (行稳致远 - xíng wěn zhì yuǎn - "travel steadily to reach a distant destination," to proceed steadily and surely).
Persisting in the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee (党中央) is the fundamental reason why we continue to achieve victory. Consciously safeguarding the authority and centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee (党中央), and ensuring that the whole Party maintains a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee (党中央) with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core in terms of political stance, political direction, political principles, and political path, we have the backbone and the anchor (定盘星 - dìng pán xīng - "stabilizing star," a metaphor for a decisive factor that provides stability) to deal with all difficulties and challenges and promote the development of the Party and the country.
"Persisting in improving the organizational system that runs through the top and bottom and is powerful in execution" (坚持健全上下贯通、执行有力的组织体系) is where the Party's advantages and strength lie.
To win the battle against poverty (脱贫攻坚战), General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) personally took command, personally went to the front, and personally supervised the battle. Secretaries at five levels grasped poverty alleviation, and the whole Party was mobilized to promote the attack. 255,000 resident work teams and more than 3 million first secretaries and resident cadres worked on the front line of poverty alleviation together with nearly 2 million township cadres and millions of village cadres. Facing the impact of the century-long pandemic, at the order of the Party Central Committee (党中央), more than 4.6 million primary-level Party organizations (基层党组织) charged forward, letting the Party flag fly high on the front line of the fight against the epidemic...
Party organizations at all levels have formed an organizational system that runs through the top and bottom and is powerful in execution, giving our Party incomparably strong leadership, organizational power, and execution power, and making it the most reliable leading force to unite and lead the people to overcome difficulties and forge ahead (开拓前进 - kāi tuò qián jìn - "open up and move forward," to blaze new trails and advance).
The Party's strength comes from organization. The Party's comprehensive leadership and all the Party's work must be realized through the Party's strong organizational system. Implementing the Party's organizational line in the new era, coordinating the construction of Party organizations at all levels and in all fields, enhancing the political and organizational functions of Party organizations, and promoting the comprehensive progress and comprehensive excellence of primary-level Party organizations (基层党组织) can provide a strong organizational guarantee for promoting the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation.
Our country's development has entered a critical period of laying a solid foundation for basically realizing socialist modernization and exerting comprehensive efforts. Strategic opportunities and risks and challenges coexist, and uncertain and unpredictable factors are increasing. At the same time, the "four major tests" (四大考验) and "four kinds of dangers" (四种危险) faced by the Party are long-term, complex, and severe. To effectively solve the prominent problems in Party building, effectively respond to various risks and challenges at home and abroad, and take on the mission of advancing the great historical cause, we must study and comprehend the Thought of Xi Jinping on Party Building (习近平党建思想) deeply, build the Party stronger and more powerful from the height of history and the overall situation, and ensure that the Party always remains the leading core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics (中国特色社会主义).
With a grand goal in mind and determined to achieve the great cause of the Chinese nation for generations to come, our Party is uniting and leading hundreds of millions of people to march with high spirits (意气风发 - yì qì fēng fā - "high-spirited and vigorous," full of enthusiasm and confidence) on the new journey to realize the Second Centenary Goal (第二个百年奋斗目标). The new journey is a new Long March (长征). Let us unite more closely around the Party Central Committee (党中央) with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core, deeply study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想), especially the Thought of Xi Jinping on Party Building (习近平党建思想), draw the spiritual power to forge ahead with determination (踔厉奋发 - chuō lì fèn fā - "exert oneself and forge ahead," to work with great energy and courage) and move forward with courage (勇毅前行 - yǒng yì qián xíng - "bravely and resolutely move forward," to advance with great determination), build our Party well and strong, and continuously push forward the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
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General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) recently issued important instructions on normalizing East-West collaboration, emphasizing: "Party committees and governments at all levels must earnestly fulfill their responsibilities for normalized assistance, resolutely hold the bottom line of preventing large-scale relapses into poverty, solidly promote comprehensive rural revitalization, continuously enhance the coordination of regional development, and take solid steps toward common prosperity for all people."
General Secretary Xi Jinping’s (习近平) important instructions provide direction and are highly inspiring. Cadres and the public have expressed that they will deeply study and implement the spirit of the General Secretary's important instructions, continue to uphold the successful practices and effective mechanisms of East-West collaboration, pay greater attention to mutual benefit and win-win results, and contribute to consolidating and expanding the achievements of poverty alleviation, solidly advancing rural revitalization, and promoting coordinated regional development.
"General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) attaches great importance to East-West collaboration and has issued important instructions on many occasions, providing a fundamental guide for normalizing this work. We feel a glorious mission and a heavy responsibility," said Liu Sheng'an (刘胜安), head of the Department of Regional Cooperation Promotion at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (农业农村部). "As we enter the stage of normalized assistance, we must establish and practice a correct view of political achievements, summarize and apply beneficial experiences such as the Minning (Fujian-Ningxia) collaboration (闽宁协作), maintain overall policy stability, further improve collaboration mechanisms, optimize collaboration methods, expand areas of collaboration, and raise the level of collaboration."
With Juncao (菌草) as a link, Lin Zhanxi (林占熺), Chief Scientist at the National Engineering Research Center for Juncao Technology (国家菌草工程技术研究中心) of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (福建农林大学), has forged an **不解之缘** (bù jiě zhī yuán - "indissoluble bond," a deep and unbreakable connection) with Ningxia (宁夏). Over the past 30 years, he has visited Ningxia (宁夏) more than 60 times, his footprints covering every mountain and ridge.
"The General Secretary's important instructions have greatly encouraged me," said Lin Zhanxi (林占熺). From "using grass instead of wood" to grow mushrooms for prosperity, to "using grass instead of grain" to develop the livestock industry, and then to the formation of biomass energy, Juncao (菌草) technology has achieved a win-win for economic, ecological, and social benefits. Next, he will further leverage the advantages of Juncao (菌草) technology, deepen the Minning (Fujian-Ningxia) collaboration (闽宁协作), and promote the large-scale and standardized development of the Juncao (菌草) industry.
"To deeply study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s (习近平) important instructions, we must continue to be participants and witnesses of the Minning (Fujian-Ningxia) collaboration (闽宁协作)," said Li Huiqin (李辉钦), a Fujian (福建) cadre aiding Ningxia (宁夏). He noted that the Minning (Fujian-Ningxia) collaboration (闽宁协作) is embracing new opportunities, and the "Mountain-Sea Affection" (山海情) is opening a new chapter. We must strive to inherit the deep friendship between Fujian (福建) and Ningxia (宁夏) and make the lives of the people sweeter.
This year marks the beginning of the "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五) and the first year of normalized assistance. "General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized 'promoting industrial complementarity, personnel interaction, technical mutual learning, conceptual communication, and stylistic mutual reference between the East and the West to achieve mutual benefit and common development,' which points the way for our future work," said Wang Zhaoyang (王兆阳), Director of Sannong (Agriculture, Rural Areas, and Farmers) Business at the Agricultural Bank of China (中国农业银行). He explained that the Agricultural Bank is actively providing various financial services, vigorously supporting the development of rural specialty industries in the western region, and providing financing for East-West collaboration projects. Next, they will continuously optimize financial services for industrial projects, broaden service areas, and collaboratively explore new models for East-West collaboration.
In recent years, industrial cooperation methods such as "Eastern Enterprises + Western Resources," "Eastern Markets + Western Products," "Eastern R&D + Western Manufacturing," and "Eastern Headquarters + Western Bases" have continued to expand, the level of industrial cooperation has continuously improved, and the endogenous development momentum of the western region has been continuously strengthened.
After Jiangsu (江苏) and Shaanxi (陕西) formed a partnership, they joined hands to develop the plush toy industry in Ankang (安康), Shaanxi (陕西), which now has an annual output value of 10 billion yuan. In the production workshop of Ankang Aiduo Bao Animation Culture Industry Co., Ltd. (安康爱多宝动漫文化产业有限公司), workers are rushing to complete a batch of overseas orders. "We are leading the construction of a full industrial chain system for plush toys in Ankang (安康), promoting the expansion of traditional plush toys into scenarios such as early childhood education, emotional companionship, and elderly care, and further driving employment and income growth for the masses through industrial upgrading," said Wang Liang (王亮), the company's general manager.
In places like Hangzhou (杭州), Wenzhou (温州), and Taizhou (台州) in Zhejiang (浙江), the construction of "dual-location warehouses" helps Sichuan (四川) agricultural products enter the Zhejiang (浙江) market. "We pay more attention to carrying out consumption assistance through market-oriented methods, smoothing circulation links, and expanding sales channels," said Luo Fanghao (骆方豪), Deputy Director of the Zhejiang Provincial Development and Reform Commission (浙江省发展和改革委员会). Xiaojin County (小金县) in Sichuan (四川) and Deqing County (德清县) in Zhejiang (浙江) have deepened cooperation in agriculture, culture, tourism, and sports, transforming the resource advantages of both places into tangible development strengths.
Both sides of the East-West collaboration continue to deepen labor cooperation, improve employment quality, and enhance the level of employment services. Ge Jun (葛钧), Standing Committee Member of the Zhaotong Municipal Party Committee (昭通市委) and Vice Mayor of Zhaotong (昭通), and leader of the Shanghai (上海) aid-to-Yunnan (滇) Zhaotong (昭通) group, said: "We have established stable employment bases, actively prepared for the establishment of the Shanghai-Yunnan (沪滇) Industrial College, built a human resources innovation and training integration park, and promoted the training and output of professional, specialized, and large-scale skilled personnel."
East-West collaboration is a long-term institutional arrangement. By continuously deepening assistance in education, medical care, and talent exchange, it promotes the exchange of ideas, drives coordinated regional development, and advances comprehensive rural revitalization.
Since the start of the Shandong-Chongqing (鲁渝) collaboration, Chongqing (重庆) has organized cadres and talents to study in Shandong (山东) every year, bringing back advanced concepts and management experience from the East. Cao Haiquan (曹海权), Secretary of the Party Branch of Desheng Village (得胜村), Gulu Town (古路镇), Wuxi County (巫溪县), Chongqing (重庆), was deeply inspired after studying in Shawo Village (沙窝村), Eshu Town (东疏镇), Ningyang County (宁阳县), Shandong (山东): "We must base our work on the actual conditions of the village, adapt measures to local conditions, make good use of the beneficial experiences learned, continuously strengthen the collective economy, and improve elderly care and convenience services."
"We base our work on local development needs, continuously optimize the professional structure, and promote the establishment of cooperation between the school and more than 40 enterprises," said Lü Yanhui (吕彦辉), the helping principal from Beijing Chaoyang Vocational School (北京朝阳职业学校) to Huaxia Vocational School (华夏职业学校) in Chifeng (赤峰), Inner Mongolia (内蒙古). "In the future, we will rely on the Beijing-Inner Mongolia (北京内蒙古) collaboration smart platform to share high-quality resources and cultivate a local teaching staff that 'cannot be taken away'."
"The 'Nanshan Class' (南山班) at Zunyi Medical University (遵义医科大学) in Guizhou (贵州) draws on the top-notch medical talent training system of the 'Nanshan Class' (南山班) at Guangzhou Medical University (广州医科大学) in Guangdong (广东). Next, we will continue to improve the assistance mechanism to provide talent support for the development of medical and educational undertakings in Guizhou (贵州)," said Zheng Jianmin (郑建民), Director of the Academic Affairs Office at Guangzhou Medical University (广州医科大学) and the contact person for the Zunyi (遵义) "Nanshan Class" (南山班).
Cadres and the public have expressed that in the 30 years since the launch of East-West collaboration, it has played an important role in helping poverty alleviation and promoting coordinated regional development, demonstrating the political advantages of our Party and the superiority of our country's socialist system. On the new journey of Chinese-style modernization, we must fulfill our responsibilities, work in a down-to-earth manner, continue to strive, and constantly write a new chapter of cooperation between mountains and seas.
(Reporters: Zhu Jun (朱隽), Wang Hao (王浩), Fu Wen (付文), Zhang Wen (张文), Chang Qin (常钦), Yu Jingxian (郁静娴), Li Xiaoqing (李晓晴), Deng Jianyang (邓剑洋))
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The Symposium on National Party Building Work (全国党建工作座谈会) was held in Beijing (北京) on the 15th. The meeting concluded that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (党的十八大), the Party Central Committee (党中央) with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core, focusing on the major contemporary task of what kind of long-term governing Marxist political party to build and how to build it, has put forward a series of new concepts, new ideas, and new strategies, forming Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想).
In recent days, Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) has sparked heated discussions in the international community. Political figures, experts, and scholars from many countries believe that Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想), with an eye toward the Party's long-term governance and the country's **长治久安** (cháng zhì jiǔ ān - "long peace long stability," lasting political stability and peace), proposes the "Fourteen Persistences" (十四个坚持). This not only provides guidance for the "world's largest political party" (世界第一大党) to move toward becoming the "world's most powerful political party" (世界最强大政党), but also contributes Chinese wisdom to the development and progress of world political civilization.
"Promoting New Developments in Marxist Party-Building Theory"
The year 2026 marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) and the start of China's "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五). "At this historical juncture, we clearly feel that Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) demonstrates powerful truth-seeking strength," said Sikeun Bounvilay (西昆·本伟莱), a senior diplomat from Laos (老挝).
"Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) closely integrates Marxist party-building theory with the practice of the Communist Party of China's (中国共产党) long-term governance. It systematically answers major theoretical and practical questions facing the construction of a Marxist governing party, pushing Marxist party-building theory to achieve new developments," said Bounvilay (本伟莱). "I wish the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) continued progress under the guidance of Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想), leading the Chinese people to successfully achieve the Second Centenary Goal (第二个百年奋斗目标)."
"I want to express my congratulations to the Communist Party of China (中国共产党). Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) has profound contemporary significance; it answers the major historical question of how a Marxist governing party can maintain its advanced nature, win the support of the people, and lead the country toward modernization," said Yertysbayev (叶尔特斯巴耶夫), Chairman of the People's Party of Kazakhstan (哈萨克斯坦人民党). "In my view, the great significance of this thought lies in enabling the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) to maintain strategic determination and powerful organizational capabilities, as well as close ties with the masses, amidst a complex international environment and profound social changes."
Nguyen Minh Hoan (阮明环), Director of the Department of Philosophy at the School of Journalism and Communication of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (胡志明国家政治学院) in Vietnam (越南), believes that Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) enriches and develops Marxist party-building theory and "has epoch-making significance." "Facing the profound adjustments in the world landscape, a country's governing party must possess strategic foresight, overall coordination, risk prevention and control, and efficient execution capabilities. Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) provides the theoretical basis and practical path for the Communist Party of China (中国共产党)."
Eduardo Regalado (爱德华多·雷加拉多), a scholar at the International Policy Research Center (国际政治研究中心) in Cuba (古巴), said that in the process of its own construction and governance, the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) has combined the basic principles of Marxism with China's specific reality, while actively integrating excellent traditional Chinese culture. Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) is the product of this historical process; "this thought makes Marxism more firmly rooted in the soil of China."
"A Systematic Summary of Experience in Self-Construction"
The "Fourteen Persistences" (十四个坚持) is a concentrated summary of the new concepts, new ideas, and new strategies of General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) regarding Party building in the new era, which are iconic and guiding, providing a fundamental basis for strengthening Party building in the new era.
"In my view, the 'Fourteen Persistences' (十四个坚持) is a systematic summary of the Communist Party of China's (中国共产党) experience in its own construction, demonstrating General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) strategic vision and his attitude of being responsible to history and the people," said Winston Alarcón (温斯顿·阿拉尔孔), General Secretary of the Communist Party of Ecuador (厄瓜多尔共产党). These "Fourteen Persistences" (十四个坚持) allow the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) to maintain its advanced nature and purity, deepening the Chinese people's trust in the Communist Party of China (中国共产党).
Vincent Meriton (文森特·梅里顿), former Vice President of Seychelles (塞舌尔), said that the "Fourteen Persistences" (十四个坚持) involve multiple aspects such as enhancing the Party's leadership capacity, organizational efficiency, integrity, and governance ability. "Among them, 'persisting in comprehensive and strict Party governance' (坚持全面从严治党) and 'persisting in promoting the integrated advancement of not daring to be corrupt, not being able to be corrupt, and not wanting to be corrupt' (坚持一体推进不敢腐不能腐不想腐) left a deep impression on me. Historical experience shows that any political party can only maintain long-term efficient operation if it actively discovers and faces problems squarely and rectifies them in a timely manner."
"The Communist Party of China (中国共产党) has always attached importance to Party building work." Robert Lawrence Kuhn (罗伯特·劳伦斯·库恩), Chairman of the Kuhn Foundation (库恩基金会) in the United States (美国), who has been tracking and observing China's development for nearly 40 years, said that today, the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) clearly defining Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) indicates its determination to firmly promote the Party's self-revolution and strengthen its own construction.
Kawa Mahmoud (卡瓦·马哈茂德), former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Kurdistan (库尔德斯坦共产党) in Iraq (伊拉克), said: "General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) has profound insights into history and the era. He clearly proposed comprehensive and strict Party governance and made a series of major decisions around adhering to the Party's leadership and strengthening Party building, making major original contributions to the development of Marxist party-building theory."
Sheradil Baktygulov (舍拉季尔·巴克特古洛夫), Director of the World Politics Institute (世界政治研究所) in Kyrgyzstan (吉尔吉斯斯坦), believes that the "Fourteen Persistences" (十四个坚持) fully demonstrate that the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) represents the interests of the broad masses of the people, which not only helps to enhance internal Party cohesion but also ensures that the Communist Party of China (中国共产党), as the governing party, can better unite and lead the Chinese people to implement national development strategies and achieve national rejuvenation.
"Setting a Model for Political Parties Around the World"
To understand "governance in China" (中国之治), one must first understand the "governance of the Communist Party of China" (中国共产党之治). Many international figures believe that Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) not only opens up a new realm for the self-revolution of a century-old party but also provides Chinese propositions and contributes Chinese wisdom to the development of world political civilization and the progress of human political civilization in the era of globalization.
Bui Thanh Dong (裴成东), a member of the Ninh Binh Provincial Party Committee (宁平省委) of the Communist Party of Vietnam (越共), attended the 20th Theoretical Seminar between the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) and the Communist Party of Vietnam (越南共产党) held in Ninh Binh (宁平), Vietnam (越南), in November 2025. He said: "Under the guidance of Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想), the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) has strict discipline and is resilient and united, with its leadership and combat effectiveness constantly improving. The experience and practices of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) have important reference value for Vietnam (越南)."
"Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) provides an important Chinese perspective for the development of world political parties and also brings new ways of thinking to Western society," said Ioannis Kotoulas (扬尼斯·科图拉斯), Associate Professor of Geopolitics at the University of Athens (雅典大学) in Greece (希腊). "In terms of its own construction, the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) has set a model for political parties around the world. The people-centered sentiment embodied in Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) has important reference significance for political parties in Western countries. Ultimately, improving people's well-being should be the ultimate goal of a political party in governing a country."
"The Communist Party of China (中国共产党) is a Marxist political party that has long governed a large country with a huge population. China is increasingly playing an important role in world affairs, so Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) is of great significance to both China and the world." Keith Bennett (基思·贝内特), co-founder of the website "Friends of Socialist China" (社会主义中国之友) in the UK (英国), has visited China many times to participate in exchanges and seminars. He said: "In foreign exchanges, the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) is willing to share its own construction experience with other political parties, but it does not impose its views on others, nor does it demand complete agreement, always emphasizing **求同存异** (qiú tóng cún yì - "seek common ground, reserve differences," to find common interests while respecting individual differences)."
Cavince Adhere (卡文斯·阿德希尔), a senior researcher at the China-Africa Center of the Africa Policy Institute (非洲政策研究所) in Kenya (肯尼亚), said: "Today, Western party politics is increasingly facing structural challenges, including severe political polarization, the rise of populism, and policy instability caused by electoral politics. Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) provides an important reference for political parties in various countries, enriches the global treasury of political thought, and contributes Chinese wisdom to promoting the progress of global political civilization."
"Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) reflects the in-depth exploration of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) in strengthening its own construction, maintaining organizational vitality, and improving governance efficiency in the new era." Omar Ndiaye (奥马尔·恩迪亚耶), Director of the International Department of the Senegalese newspaper *Le Soleil* (太阳报) in Senegal (塞内加尔), said that for political parties in African countries like Senegal (塞内加尔), the important revelation brought by Xi Jinping's Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) is that a political party must have firm ideals and beliefs, strict organizational discipline, a scientific cadre training mechanism, and the ability to self-correct. "Only in this way can it lead the country toward long-term stability and sustainable development."
(Xinhua News Agency (新华社), Beijing (北京), June 18)
Return to TopXinhua News Agency (新华社), Beijing (北京), June 18 — (Reporter Wang Sibei (王思北)) The 10th National Congress of the China Theatre Association (中国戏剧家协会), the 11th National Congress of the China Folk Literature and Art Association (中国民间文艺家协会), and the 9th National Congress of the China Calligraphers Association (中国书法家协会) concluded in Beijing (北京) on the 18th. Meng Guanglu (孟广禄) was elected Chairman of the 10th China Theatre Association (中国戏剧家协会), Hang Jian (杭间) was elected Chairman of the 11th China Folk Literature and Art Association (中国民间文艺家协会), and Sun Xiaoyun (孙晓云) was elected Chairwoman of the 9th China Calligraphers Association (中国书法家协会).
Wang Yong (王勇), Wang Kui (王馗), Wang Hongli (王红丽), Wang Binmei (王滨梅), Yin Xiaodong (尹晓东), Tian Qinxin (田沁鑫), Feng Li (冯俐), Feng Yuanzheng (冯远征), Li Mei (李梅), Gu Haohao (谷好好), Chen Yongquan (陈涌泉), Chen Zhilin (陈智林), Zeng Xiaomin (曾小敏), and Xie Tao (谢涛) were elected Vice Chairpersons of the 10th China Theatre Association (中国戏剧家协会). Yihe Baiyila (伊和白乙拉), Liu Xiaochun (刘晓春), An Deming (安德明), Sun Lixin (孙立新), Zhang Yu (张宇), Lin Jifu (林继富), Zheng Chunhui (郑春辉), Yao Jianping (姚建萍), Xu Yuechun (徐粤春), Guo Chonglin (郭崇林), Peng Hengli (彭恒礼), Xie Yaping (谢亚平), Cai Pa (蔡葩), and Qi Lingyun (漆凌云) were elected Vice Chairpersons of the 11th China Folk Literature and Art Association (中国民间文艺家协会). Ma Yongming (马勇明), Wang Rui (王瑞), Ye Peigui (叶培贵), Liu Yuemao (刘月卯), Shen Hao (沈浩), Zhang Ji (张继), Zhang Hongchun (张红春), Zhou Bin (周斌), Meng Qingxing (孟庆星), Xu Hai (徐海), Han Lijun (韩戾军), Qi Gang (漆钢), Yan Yiduan (颜奕端), and Pan Shanzhu (潘善助) were elected Vice Chairpersons of the 9th China Calligraphers Association (中国书法家协会).
The 10th National Congress of the China Theatre Association (中国戏剧家协会), the 11th National Congress of the China Folk Literature and Art Association (中国民间文艺家协会), and the 9th National Congress of the China Calligraphers Association (中国书法家协会) were held in Beijing (北京) from June 17 to 18. The attending delegates reviewed and approved the work reports, revised the Constitution of the China Theatre Association (中国戏剧家协会章程), the Constitution of the China Folk Literature and Art Association (中国民间文艺家协会章程), and the Constitution of the China Calligraphers Association (中国书法家协会章程), and elected the new leadership bodies for the China Theatre Association (中国戏剧家协会), the China Folk Literature and Art Association (中国民间文艺家协会), and the China Calligraphers Association (中国书法家协会).
Return to TopBeijing (北京), June 18 (Reporter He Siqi (何思琦)) — On the 17th, the News Ethics Committee (新闻道德委员会) of the All-China Journalists Association (中国记协) organized a thematic review meeting titled "Consolidating the Foundation of Trust in a Complex Public Opinion Environment." Representatives from central and local media outlets, including the People's Daily (人民日报), Xinhua News Agency (新华社), China Media Group (中央广播电视总台), China Petroleum News (中国石油报), and Beijing Daily (北京日报), attended the meeting for exchanges, while members of the News Ethics Committee (新闻道德委员会) of the All-China Journalists Association (中国记协) participated in the review.
The participating comrades believe that the news front has been deeply studying and practicing the Thought on Culture of Xi Jinping (习近平文化思想), actively exploring paths for the systematic reform and development of mainstream media, innovating omni-media communication, and guiding public opinion with positive momentum. Mainstream media are becoming more determined in advancing into the main battlefield of the internet, with the positive energy of the public opinion sphere growing stronger and the main melody resonating more loudly. As the processes of informatization, networking, and intelligence continue to accelerate, mainstream media face new challenges in strengthening their influence on public opinion and their dominance in discourse. Mainstream media should uphold the original aspiration of seeking truth in news, innovate methods that are pragmatic and earnest, maintain the courage to be objective and rigorous, safeguard an authentic and pure character, stand tall with a spiritual backbone amidst the 众声喧哗 (zhòng shēng xuān huá - "multitude of voices clamoring," referring to a chaotic or noisy public discourse), maintain professional composure amidst the great changes of the era, and consolidate the cornerstone of trust amidst the waves of technological advancement.
Return to TopXinhua News Agency (新华社), Beijing (北京), June 18 — From July 23 to 28, 2025, Beijing (北京) experienced continuous heavy rainfall. On July 28 in particular, Miyun District (密云区) suffered from a rainstorm and flood disaster, resulting in 32 deaths at the Taishitun Town Elderly Care Center (太师屯镇养老照料中心). Recently, the State Council (国务院) executive meeting reviewed and approved the investigation and assessment report on the extraordinary rainstorm and flood disaster at the Taishitun Town Elderly Care Center (太师屯镇养老照料中心) in Miyun (密云), Beijing (北京). The investigation and assessment determined that the mass casualty event at the Taishitun Town Elderly Care Center (太师屯镇养老照料中心) was an extraordinary natural disaster caused by continuous heavy rainfall in the Qingshui River (清水河) basin, where the overlapping flood peaks of the main stream and tributaries triggered a record-breaking, catastrophic flood that surged into the elderly care center. The disaster also exposed certain problems and deficiencies in the prevention, response, and handling processes by the Party Committee (党委) and government of Miyun District (密云区) and relevant departments and units.
The Party Central Committee (党中央) and the State Council (国务院) attach great importance to this, and General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) has issued important instructions. Premier Li Qiang (李强) and other leading comrades have also provided directives. Vice Premier of the State Council (国务院) Zhang Guoqing (张国清) led responsible comrades from relevant departments to Miyun District (密云区) to visit and console the affected people and guide flood control and disaster relief work. The Ministry of Emergency Management (应急管理部), Beijing Municipality (北京市), and Miyun District (密云区) organized and dispatched various rescue forces, including the National Comprehensive Fire and Rescue Team (国家综合性消防救援队伍), to actively engage in emergency rescue operations.
To earnestly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important instructions and follow the directives of Premier Li Qiang (李强) and other leading comrades, and in accordance with the Emergency Response Law (突发事件应对法), the "Interim Measures for Natural Disaster Investigation and Assessment" (自然灾害调查评估暂行办法), and other relevant regulations, an investigation and assessment group for the extraordinary rainstorm and flood disaster at the Taishitun Town Elderly Care Center (太师屯镇养老照料中心) in Miyun (密云), Beijing (北京) was established with approval. The group is led by the Ministry of Emergency Management (应急管理部) and includes the Ministry of Public Security (公安部), the Ministry of Civil Affairs (民政部), the Ministry of Water Resources (水利部), the Ministry of Natural Resources (自然资源部), the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (住房城乡建设部), the China Meteorological Administration (中国气象局), the National Fire and Rescue Administration (国家消防救援局), the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (全国总工会), and the Beijing Municipal People's Government (北京市人民政府). Additionally, authoritative experts in the fields of flood control, water conservancy, meteorology, and geology were invited to participate and provide technical guidance and professional support. Adhering to the principles of being scientific, rigorous, law-abiding, compliant, realistic, and results-oriented, the investigation and assessment group conducted a review of the disaster process through on-site inspections, document reviews, visits and discussions, inquiries, remote sensing interpretation, simulation modeling, comparative analysis, and expert verification. They identified the causes of the mass casualties at the elderly care center, the performance of duties by local Party committees (党委), governments, and relevant departments, and the existing problems and deficiencies, while summarizing lessons and proposing measures for improvement.
The investigation and assessment determined that the direct cause of the disaster was: continuous heavy rainfall in the Qingshui River (清水河) basin, characterized by long duration, high volume, and intense short-term precipitation; the overlapping of flood peaks from the main stream and tributaries, which formed a record-breaking, catastrophic flood; and the flood carrying large amounts of debris that raised water levels, leading to the breaching of river embankments and the collapse of approach bridges, causing a surge in flow velocity. Furthermore, because Putaoyuan Village (葡萄园村) is located at a bend in the river, the flood rushed out of the embankment after a sharp turn and surged rapidly toward Putaoyuan Village (葡萄园村), causing the flooding of the relatively low-lying elderly care center. The investigation found that Miyun District (密云区) and relevant departments and units did not do enough to coordinate risk prevention and control for small and medium-sized rivers and local points, exposing problems such as inadequate flood monitoring and early warning, failure to solidify responsibilities for embankment inspection, ineffective initial response to sudden dangers, and inadequate supervision of elderly care services, all of which require serious attention.
In accordance with regulations, the investigation and assessment group transferred the clues and relevant materials regarding the performance of duties by public officials in local Party committees (党委), governments, and relevant departments discovered in the report to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission (中央纪委国家监委). With the approval of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission (中央纪委国家监委) and the Beijing Municipal Party Committee (北京市委), the Beijing Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervisory Commission (北京市纪委监委) strictly held 17 public officials from 9 units—including the Miyun District Party Committee and Government (北京市密云区委区政府), the Beijing Municipal Water Authority (北京市水务局), and the Beijing Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau (北京市民政局)—accountable in accordance with laws and regulations for their dereliction of duty in preventing and responding to the disaster. Among them, 15 received Party disciplinary and administrative sanctions, 1 received a warning, and 1 was notified. The illegal and irregular activities of the business entity operating the Taishitun Town Elderly Care Center (太师屯镇养老照料中心) are being penalized by the competent industry authorities.
Addressing the main problems exposed by the disaster, the investigation and assessment group summarized five key lessons: extreme disasters must be handled with extreme thinking; precise and efficient forecasting and early warning must be accelerated; transfer and risk avoidance must consider multiple factors; basin-wide floods must be managed with whole-basin coordination; and decisive action must be taken when disaster is imminent. At the same time, five aspects of rectification and preventive measures were proposed: fully tightening and solidifying political responsibility for flood control and disaster reduction; putting in extra effort to improve rainstorm and flood monitoring, forecasting, and early warning; focusing on improving disaster defense capabilities in northern regions; implementing detailed flood control emergency response measures; and focusing on flood control work for special places such as elderly care institutions.
Return to TopBy: 王东辉
On urban greenways, cycling figures flash by; in mountain forests, hikers measure the distance with their footsteps; in parks and green spaces, diverse activities like camping, frisbee, and rock climbing are sweeping across the country... Currently, outdoor sports are rapidly moving out of niche circles and fully integrating into the daily lives of the general public.
The "From 'Niche Sports Experience' to 'Mass Lifestyle'—2025 Outdoor Sports Consumption Development and Trend Report," jointly released by Beijing Sport University (北京体育大学) and the Meituan Research Institute (美团研究院), shows that in 2025, the number of outdoor sports consumption instances in China (中国) exceeded 800 million, with the total consumption volume surpassing 1 trillion yuan.
The booming momentum of a trillion-yuan market represents an expansion of outdoor sports from "niche" to "mass," and from a "project list" to a "lifestyle." This change not only reflects the transformation and upgrading of residents' consumption concepts, demands, and structures, but also broadens consumption fields and stimulates market vitality, becoming an important force in boosting domestic demand and cultivating new economic growth points.
Today's outdoor sports consumption has shed its singular attribute of purely athletic fitness, evolving into a composite consumption model that possesses both emotional value and social attributes. Data shows that the 20 to 44 age group has become the main force in outdoor sports consumption. This consumer group no longer pays solely for the sport itself, but is more inclined to use outdoor sports scenarios to release stress, expand social circles, and heal the body and mind.
Low-threshold activities like camping, hiking, and fishing have become preferred choices for small gatherings of friends and family outings. Light competitive sports such as pickleball and frisbee, characterized by their ease of entry and emphasis on social interaction, have derived diverse consumption scenarios including business leisure and fun with friends and family. When consumers' demands shift from "participating in sports" to "experiencing life" and "pleasing the body and mind," it signifies that consumption concepts have advanced from material needs to spiritual satisfaction. This precisely aligns with the current trend in the consumer market, where the pursuit of functional value is leaping toward the pursuit of emotional and spiritual value.
New changes on the demand side are driving the supply side to accelerate iteration and innovation. The dual efforts of supply and demand are continuously lengthening the outdoor sports consumption chain and pushing up industrial value.
On the demand side, upstream demand for outdoor equipment such as windbreakers, hiking shoes, and sports cameras has surged; downstream, supporting services like sports stretching and physical therapy relaxation are becoming increasingly perfect. On the supply side, major sports brands are increasing their investment in the outdoor track, launching new products that combine technological and design appeal, while simultaneously building offline experience spaces and communication communities. Various regions are also taking advantage of the trend to promote the integrated development of culture, sports, commerce, and tourism, combining outdoor sports with cultural tourism routes and sports events to create integrated consumption scenarios. The outdoor sports industry is shifting from single product sales to a full-chain development model that emphasizes both products and services.
Growth data on the supply side intuitively demonstrates the industry's vitality. Between 2024 and 2025, the number of outdoor sports merchants listed on the Meituan (美团) platform increased from 27,000 to 34,000, a net increase of over 7,000 in one year. Among the first batch of 49 high-quality outdoor sports destinations nationwide, the growth rate of scenic spots reached 150.9%, and the growth rate of outdoor sports merchants reached 25.2%.
At the same time, outdoor sports consumption also presents two distinct characteristics: market sinking and radius extension. The craze is rapidly surging toward county-level markets, with consumption in third-tier cities remaining at the forefront; "cross-city experiences" have become a new trend, with more and more people traveling specifically to other locations to participate in outdoor sports. The expansion of the consumption map has further unleashed the huge potential of sinking markets and cross-regional consumption, and also provides inspiration for industry development—facing consumers' pursuit of a better life, supply cannot stop at the product level; it must also refine supporting services and enrich consumption scenarios. Only by staying close to consumer needs and allowing products and services to integrate into daily life can we continuously tap into consumption potential and expand market increments.
From single commodity consumption to scenario-based experience consumption, and from basic functional satisfaction to diverse emotional demands, the rise of outdoor sports consumption reflects the development trajectory of the entire consumer market. In the future, as the concept of national fitness becomes deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, the outdoor sports industry will continue to release momentum. The new type of experience economy, represented by outdoor sports consumption, will also continuously spawn new business formats and models, injecting more endogenous power into boosting consumption and expanding domestic demand. This is truly a case of 顺势而为 (shùn shì ér wéi - "follow trend act," to act in accordance with the circumstances or take advantage of the situation).
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 欧阳洁
If you want to understand how raw coffee beans transform into the mellow, fragrant coffee in your hands, you must visit Kunshan (昆山), Jiangsu (江苏).
Here, international raw coffee bean trading enterprises such as Louis Dreyfus Company (路易达孚) and Sucafina (苏可菲纳) have established raw coffee bean trading and distribution projects, providing domestic roasting and processing enterprises with a rich variety of raw coffee beans from all over the world. Luckin Coffee (瑞幸) and Starbucks (星巴克) have built intelligent coffee roasting factories that efficiently supply tens of thousands of stores across the country every day. More than 1,000 specialty cafes fill the air with their fragrance, creating the unique atmosphere of this city.
According to statistics, in 2025, Kunshan’s (昆山) roasted coffee bean production capacity exceeded 180,000 tons, accounting for about 60% of the national total for that year. "For every 3 cups of coffee, 2 originate from Kunshan (昆山) roasting," which is why Kunshan (昆山) is known as the "International Coffee Industry Capital" (国际咖啡产业之都).
### Releasing the Effects of Non-"Zero Tariff" Measures
### "The Chinese Coffee Market Has Significant Room for Growth"
In Kunshan (昆山), the Starbucks China Coffee Innovation Park (星巴克中国咖啡创新产业园) has a striking appearance. On the light gray exterior walls of the factory, next to the green Starbucks (星巴克) mermaid logo, bright red coffee berries appear full and plump, while emerald green coffee branches and leaves sway gently. It is these tiny coffee berries that, through picking, processing, roasting, and extraction, ultimately become a beverage that is popular around the world.
The Kunshan (昆山) park is Starbucks’ (星巴克) seventh factory globally and its most environmentally friendly and intelligent roasting base. Its automated production lines can realize the entire process from raw bean sorting and precise temperature-controlled roasting to intelligent packaging. "What Starbucks (星巴克) is most proud of is that for over 50 years, we have always been able to maintain consistency, so that consumers know it is Starbucks (星巴克) coffee the moment they taste it," introduced a relevant person in charge of Starbucks (Kunshan) Coffee Co., Ltd. (星巴克（昆山）咖啡有限公司). "As origins, varieties, seasons, and enterprises change, the flavor of raw beans varies. We precisely regulate the roasting curve to ensure that the flavor of each batch of coffee beans is basically the same."
African raw coffee beans are one of the important sources of raw materials for Starbucks (星巴克). Starting May 1 this year, China fully implemented zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries with diplomatic ties. The import tariff on raw coffee beans originating from Kenya (肯尼亚) was reduced directly from the most-favored-nation rate of 8% to 0.
On May 29, Starbucks (Kunshan) Coffee Co., Ltd. (星巴克（昆山）咖啡有限公司) declared the import of a batch of raw coffee beans originating from Kenya (肯尼亚) to the Kunshan Customs (昆山海关), which is affiliated with Nanjing Customs (南京海关). The value of this batch of imported raw coffee beans was several million yuan, and it is expected to enjoy tariff concessions of over 200,000 yuan. "According to the company's current goods in transit and shipping plans, for the item of Kenyan-origin raw coffee beans alone, it is expected that tariff reductions of over one million yuan can be enjoyed," the person in charge introduced.
Not only have the production costs of large roasting and processing enterprises decreased, but small and medium-sized processing enterprises have also benefited. Kunshan Kele Coffee Roasting Co., Ltd. (昆山柯乐咖啡烘焙有限公司) is a local enterprise established for over 10 years that customizes products for more than 200 distributors nationwide. "In April, when we ordered coffee for June delivery, we found that the quoted price for raw coffee beans had come down, nearly 10% lower than the spot price at that time." Kele Coffee (柯乐咖啡) founder Gong Kaiqing (巩开清) has been deeply involved in the industry for nearly 20 years. He introduced, "Strictly controlling raw material quality and possessing professional blending and roasting technology have allowed us to **站稳脚跟** (zhàn wěn jiǎo gēn - "stand firm feet heel," to establish a firm foothold). Currently, China's annual per capita coffee consumption is over 20 cups, while in Europe and America it is over 300 cups; the Chinese coffee market has significant room for growth."
Kele Coffee (柯乐咖啡) hopes to take Chinese coffee into the international market. "The new factory is currently being planned and selected. The brand-new intelligent factory will be put into operation next year, with a production capacity 3 to 4 times the current level." Gong Kaiqing (巩开清) is making preliminary preparations for exploring new markets. "Not only must we adapt to local laws, regulations, and the market environment, but we must also understand the taste preferences and drinking habits of local consumers."
According to statistics from Kunshan Customs (昆山海关), from January to May this year, Kunshan (昆山) imported 16,000 tons of raw coffee beans with a value of 860 million yuan, accounting for 18% of the national import volume and 20% of the import value. Among them, raw coffee beans were imported from five African countries—Kenya (肯尼亚), Tanzania (坦桑尼亚), Uganda (乌干达), Ethiopia (埃塞俄比亚), and Rwanda (卢旺达)—accounting for 18% of the total value of raw coffee beans imported by Kunshan (昆山). Specifically, the value of raw coffee beans imported from Kenya (肯尼亚) was 30.17 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 74%. Based on the data of raw coffee beans imported from Kenya (肯尼亚) declared by enterprises in the first five months of this year, it is estimated that Kunshan (昆山) can enjoy tariff reductions of about 2 million yuan per year on imported raw coffee beans.
### Building the Coffee Industry Chain
### "Efficiently Guaranteeing the Quality of Every Coffee Bean"
Making a 9.9-yuan Luckin Coffee (瑞幸咖啡) is not easy.
Coffee beans from South America (南美洲) and Africa (非洲) travel across the ocean to reach Chinese ports. Importing enterprises must pass strict qualification audits, and raw coffee beans must also pass strict inspection and quarantine before they can enter the Chinese market. The storage conditions for raw beans are stringent; they need to be kept in constant temperature and humidity warehouses, with the temperature controlled at around 18 degrees Celsius year-round and relative humidity between 55% and 65%. Once roasting and processing are completed, the coffee beans need to be efficiently distributed to various stores to ultimately ensure freshness and produce a mellow, fragrant cup of coffee.
These conditions are met one by one in Kunshan (昆山).
Geographically, Kunshan (昆山) is only a two-hour drive from Shanghai Yangshan Port (上海洋山港) and Waigaoqiao Port (外高桥港), allowing raw beans imported from ports to be quickly transported here. Roasted coffee beans can be transported to the entire East China (华东) region within 3 hours. This is not only an important market for domestic coffee consumption, but the coffee culture and atmosphere here are also relatively strong.
In terms of warehousing and logistics, in 2023, Kunshan (昆山) built the Asia-Pacific Raw Coffee Bean Distribution Center (亚太咖啡生豆分拨中心), which is the first professional, high-standard constant temperature and humidity warehouse for raw coffee beans in China. Currently, the second phase of the new project for the Asia-Pacific Raw Coffee Bean Distribution Center (亚太咖啡生豆分拨中心), with a planned area of 45,000 square meters, has also been put into use. Professional logistics companies within the distribution center use advanced warehouse management systems to achieve efficient operation of goods and data.
Currently, Kunshan (昆山) has gathered more than 40 international leading coffee enterprises, building a coffee industry chain that integrates raw bean trading and distribution, platform trading, R&D and roasting, and brand sales.
Xiamen C&D Lifestyle Materials Co., Ltd. (厦门建发生活资材有限责任公司) is a domestic coffee industry supply chain operator that began building and operating the Asia-Pacific (Kunshan) Coffee Bean Distribution Center (亚太（昆山）咖啡豆分拨中心) in November 2025. In the 10-meter-high warehouse of the distribution center, bags of raw coffee beans are neatly stacked, and the air is filled with the faint fragrance of raw beans. According to staff, the overall occupancy rate of the warehouse is about 80%, and the raw beans mainly supply the Luckin (瑞幸) roasting factory one kilometer away, which can be delivered in a few minutes.
In April 2024, Luckin Coffee Food (Jiangsu) Roasting Co., Ltd. (瑞幸咖啡食品（江苏）烘焙有限公司) was completed and put into production, building an intelligent coffee roasting production base that covers raw bean storage, distribution, roasting, packaging, and sales, with an annual roasting capacity of 30,000 tons of coffee beans. On June 5, 2023, Luckin's (瑞幸) 10,000th store opened in Xiamen (厦门); on July 18, 2024, the 20,000th store opened in Beijing (北京); today, Luckin (瑞幸) has become the first Chinese coffee brand to exceed 30,000 stores.
"As a domestic raw coffee bean trading enterprise, we chose Kunshan (昆山) first for its location advantage; Kunshan (昆山) can quickly radiate to sales markets. Secondly, it is the industrial ecology; more than 40 international leading coffee enterprises have gathered here, and the industrial agglomeration effect is significant. In addition, relying on Kunshan's (昆山) policy advantages and the efficient customs clearance of the customs, we are building a professional platform that integrates import customs clearance, bonded warehousing, and distribution, realizing rapid customs clearance, safe storage, precise distribution, and efficient delivery of high-quality global coffee beans," introduced Mao Mingqian (毛明倩), General Manager of the Roasting and Beverage Operations Department of Xiamen C&D Lifestyle Materials Co., Ltd. (厦门建发生活资材有限责任公司).
Raw coffee beans can now be conveniently transported from ports to the Kunshan (昆山) constant temperature and humidity warehouse for raw coffee beans, but it was not easy when they first entered the Chinese market a few years ago. With large quantities of raw coffee beans and a short shelf life, how can customs clearance efficiency be guaranteed while meeting inspection and quarantine requirements to ensure the quality of every raw coffee bean? With customs declaration, transportation, storage, production, and resale all closely linked, how can the entire bonded cargo supervision chain be made clearer? For raw bean imports and domestic sales of coffee beans, how can processing enterprises enjoy more policy benefits and ultimately benefit domestic consumers? ... Facing a series of problems, Kunshan Customs (昆山海关) sorted out the 13 process flows for coffee beans entering and leaving the Comprehensive Bonded Zone (综合保税区) and innovatively launched the country's first "Optimized Account Book Supervision Model" (优化账册监管模式).
"To put it figuratively, we merged the originally serial processes into one channel to complete them, which greatly improved customs clearance efficiency while holding the bottom line of safety. Currently, 90% of raw coffee beans achieve 'inspection upon declaration,' efficiently guaranteeing the quality of every coffee bean," introduced Lin Weidong (林伟东), Director of Kunshan Customs (昆山海关). In 2025, the Kunshan Import and Export Food Testing Service Center (昆山进出口食品检测服务中心) was officially put into use, the full-project testing capability for coffee was improved, and the testing duration could be compressed by 70%.
### Deeply Cultivating Coffee Culture
### "What is a Truly Delicious Cup of Coffee"
Beside a piece of urban green space in the Qingyang Port Area (青阳港片区) of the Kunshan Development Zone (昆山开发区), there are small bridges, flowing water, and Suzhou-style pavilions. In April this year, a cafe called Fu Ka Yuan (富咖苑) was opened here, and it is hard to find a seat every weekend or afternoon. Not only do locals like to come here to sit by the water and taste authentic coffee, but tourists from other places also follow recommendations from various platforms to check in.
Fu Ka Yuan (富咖苑) is not only pleasant in environment, but also allows consumers to drink a truly delicious "master" coffee. Technical Director Lü Chengyin (吕承殷) has been deeply involved in the coffee industry for 30 years and once served as the chief judge of the World Coffee Roasting Championship. He makes pour-over coffee for guests in the shop every day and is happy to share coffee knowledge with them. "I just want the product to return to the essence of coffee and tell guests what a truly delicious cup of coffee is," introduced Lü Chengyin (吕承殷).
In a corner of the Fu Ka Yuan (富咖苑) interior, there is a coffee roaster designed by Lü Chengyin (吕承殷) himself, used for roasting raw beans, where the fragrance of coffee beans and coffee permeates the air. On the shelves, there is also a manual coffee grinder he designed himself, with uniquely shaped gears that allow coffee beans to be fully ground. Outside the fence, there are a few coffee saplings transplanted from Yunnan (云南), which are hard to notice if you don't pay attention... Here, people can feel the beauty of coffee everywhere.
There are more than 1,000 independent cafes like Fu Ka Yuan (富咖苑) in Kunshan (昆山). Kunshan (昆山) hopes to promote the deep infiltration of coffee culture into the city, integrate it into the daily lives of the people, and cultivate the cultural heritage and humanistic connotation of the "International Coffee Industry Capital" (国际咖啡产业之都).
In recent years, Kunshan (昆山) has continued to do a good job in the "Coffee+" article, promoting the deep integration of coffee with culture, tourism, business districts, and rural revitalization, and constantly enriching various consumption scenarios. In Xie Ma Qiao Village (歇马桥村), Qian Deng Town (千灯镇), with its blue bricks, black tiles, small bridges, and flowing water, small and exquisite cafes are located by the river. Tourists sit in coffee seats by the river to drink coffee and eat desserts, watching cruise ships pass by and observing the idle clouds and flying birds. The "Village Coffee" (村咖) gathering village has become a good place for surrounding citizens to spend their weekends. The Starbucks (星巴克) industrial park is open to consumers for visits, where they can learn about the entire process of coffee beans from screening to roasting and can also make a cup of coffee by themselves. Coffee elements fill the entire city.
According to the comrade in charge of the Kunshan Municipal Bureau of Commerce (昆山市商务局), in the next step, Kunshan (昆山) will focus on building a 100-billion-yuan coffee industry, integrating the entire industry chain from raw coffee bean trading and roasting processing to equipment manufacturing and brand marketing. At the same time, it will expand more coffee consumption scenario formats, deeply cultivate coffee culture, build a "Kunshan Manufacturing + Coffee Brand + Content Marketing" ecosystem, and create an atmosphere of "coffee fragrance throughout the city."
(Ding Qianqian (丁茜茜) participated in the reporting and writing)
Return to TopBy: 齐志明 苏咏潇
Hiking, stream trekking, picking fruit, fishing, and enjoying Yue Opera... In the clear and pleasant midsummer, cultural and tourism consumption in Shengzhou City (嵊州市), Shaoxing (绍兴), Zhejiang (浙江) continues to heat up. In Xishiyan Village (西施岩村), Guimen Township (贵门乡), the village leverages its natural scenery—including rock formations, canyons, and waterfalls—to attract numerous tourists, who come to participate in a cultural and tourism feast where Song Dynasty aesthetics and landscapes intertwine.
Stepping into Xishiyan Village (西施岩村), one finds a new scene at every turn, leaving one 目不暇接 (mù bù xiá jiē - "eyes cannot take it all in," overwhelmed by the abundance of beautiful things to see). The most eye-catching attraction is the recently opened "Yunya Waterfall Coffee" (云崖瀑布咖啡). Sitting by the waterfall, tourists savor the mellow aroma of coffee while admiring the spectacular view of the water cascading down. "The waterfall is truly 'flying down three thousand feet,' it’s a fantastic experience," said Ge Yunjiang (葛云良), a tourist from Ningbo (宁波).
With the rise in household income and the upgrading of consumption structures, traditional "sightseeing" and "shopping" are no longer sufficient to meet diverse needs; consumers are more willing to pay for "emotional value" and "in-depth experiences." The "Measures on Creating New Consumption Scenarios and Cultivating New Growth Points for Consumption" (关于打造消费新场景培育消费新增长点的措施) (hereinafter referred to as the "Measures" (措施)), jointly issued by multiple departments, formulated a series of policy measures focusing on areas such as catering consumption, cultural, tourism, and sports consumption, and community service consumption, requiring that "new forms, new models, and new products of consumption continue to emerge." Various regions and industries are using experiential innovation as a starting point to cultivate new growth points for consumption.
— Focusing on experience, consumption becomes "integrated."
In Wangyuan Village (王院村), Gulai Town (谷来镇), Shengzhou City (嵊州市), experiential "trendy" activities like hot air balloon rides are quite popular. Tourists overlook the beautiful scenery of Moon Lake (月亮湖) from mid-air, enjoying the unique atmosphere brought by rural life. "Overlooking the green mountains and clear waters from a hot air balloon—this perspective is amazing," exclaimed Chen Hongyan (陈宏砚), a tourist from Shaoxing (绍兴), expressing the new trend in cultural and tourism consumption. Shengzhou City (嵊州市) has adapted to local conditions to create multi-format integration scenarios such as agriculture, commerce, culture, and tourism, allowing tourists to feel the charm of the countryside through immersive experiences.
The "Measures" (措施) propose "deepening the integration and innovation of tourism formats" and "actively developing new formats such as digital art and immersive experiences." The demand for in-depth experiences is extending to various fields such as urban landmarks, county-level villages, and industrial heritage, and various types of immersive experiences are beginning to erupt collectively. For example, an "industrial tourism" craze is emerging; consumers enter workshops and factories to witness the production process of a car or a bottle of beer right next to the assembly line. Data from Meituan (美团) shows that in the past three months, the search volume for "industrial tourism" on the Meituan (美团) platform has increased by 44% year-on-year; the search volume for "Beijing (北京) industrial tourism" has increased by four times year-on-year, Tianjin (天津) by three times, and Shanghai (上海) by 155%. Among the 142 National Industrial Tourism Demonstration Bases (国家工业旅游示范基地), 11 bases, including the Tsingtao Brewery Museum (青岛啤酒博物馆) and the Liuzhou Industrial Museum (柳州工业博物馆), were also shortlisted for the Dazhong Dianping (大众点评) 2026 "Must-Visit List," and various factories are becoming new "must-visit destinations."
— Model innovation, consumption becomes "hot."
How can a cup of coffee activate the "stock" space of a community convenience store? The "store-in-store" model of Nowwa Coffee (挪瓦咖啡) provides the answer. In Huimei Community (汇美社区), Xintang Town (新塘镇), Guangzhou City (广州市), Guangdong (广东), a Tianfu Convenience Store (天福便利店) utilized an idle corner to add a coffee area, increasing monthly revenue by over 10,000 yuan and boosting foot traffic by 35%. This asset-light cooperation model requires only 2 to 5 square meters of space and no additional manpower, transforming a traditional retail store into a composite space of "coffee + convenience store." Currently, the number of Nowwa Coffee (挪瓦咖啡) "store-in-store" locations has exceeded 10,000, covering diverse scenarios such as convenience stores, internet cafes, and e-sports venues, driving store revenue growth by 20% to 50%.
"Coffee is not just a beverage; it is a medium that connects consumers," said Guo Xingjun (郭星君), founder of Nowwa Coffee (挪瓦咖啡). Through digital operations and online traffic empowerment, high-frequency coffee consumption drives sales of peripheral products like baked goods and snacks, forming a "1+N" revenue-increasing effect. This approach of "managing scenarios" rather than "managing stores" is a beneficial exploration of the integrated development of catering and multiple formats.
— IP (Intellectual Property) empowerment, consumption becomes "trendy."
When tea drinks meet trendy IP, what kind of sparks will fly? Recently, the Heytea (喜茶) Beijing (北京) Pop Mart (泡泡玛特) City Park store opened with the theme of "Inspiration Rhapsody," designing the store as a wooden cart in the forest, where musical instrument elements and natural sounds intertwine to create a unique spatial memory. The store-exclusive product "Berry Chocolate Forest" recently launched by Heytea (喜茶) combines strawberries and chocolate, becoming a "liquid cocoa strawberry cake" in the hands of tourists.
"We are not just selling drinks; we are providing a brand experience," said Cheng Hao (程浩), Vice President of Public Communication at Heytea (喜茶). Previously, the "Winter Has Stars" campaign, a collaboration between Heytea (喜茶) and Pop Mart's (泡泡玛特) IP "Starry," sold out as soon as it launched, spreading across social media platforms. This IP empowerment model allows brands to shift from "product competition" to "experience competition," catering to the young generation's pursuit of personalized expression.
Hong Tao (洪涛), director and professor of the Institute of Business Economics at Beijing Technology and Business University (北京工商大学), stated that with the continuous release of policy dividends and the constant innovation of business entities, more new consumption scenarios that are "aesthetically pleasing, meaningful, and experiential" will continue to emerge, injecting new momentum into high-quality economic development.
Return to TopThe Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) falls in midsummer, when the weather is clear and the days grow long. As the refreshing fragrance of zongzi leaves (粽叶) drifts by, the rhythmic beating of dragon boat drums resonates across the vast land. As a cultural symbol of great vitality within the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), dragon boat racing carries the Chinese nation’s yearning for a better life and is engraved with the collective memory and spiritual genes passed down through generations.
Using bamboo strips as a frame, the people of Danzhou (儋州), Hainan (海南), have woven a cultural heritage that spans generations; using sweat as their oars, the people of Gaotai (高台), Gansu (甘肃), have paddled their way toward the enterprising spirit of a Gobi oasis; using youth as their sails, the people of Liaocheng (聊城), Shandong (山东), have carved out a path that breaks through waves to reach the world. These distinctive dragon boat cultures together outline a vivid picture of the inheritance and innovation of excellent traditional Chinese culture.
—Editor
***
**Danzhou (儋州), Hainan (海南)**
**Sea Dragon Boats, A Competition of Craftsmanship**
By our reporter Dong Zeyang (董泽扬)
During the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), a unique sea dragon boat parade is underway in Pochao Village (泊潮村), Guangcun Town (光村镇), Danzhou City (儋州市), Hainan Province (海南省).
"Dong! Dong! Dong!" Accompanied by the ocean waves and cheers, the deep, resonant sound of gongs and drums echoes along the coast. A giant paper dragon, crafted from bamboo strips and steel wire, is securely mounted atop a fishing boat. The dragon's body is arched and taut, its claws outstretched and teeth bared, while its head and tail shimmer in the sunlight. As it rises and falls with the swells, it appears lifelike, nodding and swaying on the sea surface.
"Our 'racing' of dragon boats isn't about speed; it's about the craftsmanship," says villager Zhang Zhijie (张志杰) with a smile as he watches the young people rowing the fishing boats. "When the youngsters come back to build paper dragons and race them, the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) is as lively as the Lunar New Year (过年)."
When it comes to craftsmanship, there is an art to binding the paper dragons. Fresh bamboo is split into strips, which are tied into circles and then reinforced with steel wire to form the skeleton. After pasting on paper and applying paint, veteran craftsmen and young people spend days of labor to ensure the dragon boat can sail the sea.
"The craft of binding is passed down, but the designs have changed quite a bit," Zhang Zhijie (张志杰) explains. There are no blueprints for making paper dragons; it relies on experience and imagination. Craftsmen can create new styles for the "wandering dragon" as needed. After the "eye-dotting" ceremony for blessings, the "wandering dragon" is moved by villagers to the seaside and placed on a fishing boat, creating a uniquely shaped dragon boat.
On the boat, the helmsman stands steady at the bow, and the drummer strikes with powerful arm movements. The young sailors chant in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized. Unlike racing on inland rivers, they do not compete for speed, but for the force of their throws—sailors grab lychees, candies, and other treats from the dragon boat and toss them toward the shore.
"I caught one!" children who have been waiting on the beach cheer, diving into the water to scramble for the "fruits of fortune." Adults join in with laughter, all vying for good luck. Smaller dragon boats that were initially circling the large one stop in their tracks; their sailors jump into the water to join the scramble, merging into a sea of joy. Shouts, cheers, and laughter intertwine, filling the beach of this ancient fishing village.
While the seaside is lively, the village has its own "atmosphere squad." Villagers dress in costumes, portraying characters from folk tales, and form a parade that winds through the village lanes. The parade dances and sings, and the novel costumes and humorous performances bring smiles to the faces of passersby. Young men and women also form a Danzhou Diao Sheng (儋州调声) team, holding hands and facing each other to sing loud, emotional folk songs.
Culture sets the stage, and tourism performs the play. In 2017, the Pochao Sea Dragon Boat (泊潮海龙舟) was included in the fifth batch of the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hainan Province (海南省). In 2024, it was selected as an excellent folk sports and cultural project in China. Leveraging this intangible cultural heritage status, the village has opened homestays and leisure fishing companies, welcoming guests from afar and making the festival scenery "visible from the window," while making the joys of coastal life accessible.
As night falls, the lights of the ancient village gradually brighten. Tourists camp by the sea, tasting seafood as laughter blends into the night. The Pochao Sea Dragon Boat (泊潮海龙舟) has not only "swum" in popularity but has also "swum" out a new atmosphere for a harmonious countryside. "We will strengthen the revitalization and utilization of intangible cultural heritage like the Pochao Sea Dragon Boat (泊潮海龙舟), allowing visiting tourists to experience its charm and ensuring that those who have left home can still remember their roots," said a relevant official from the Danzhou City (儋州市) Cultural Center.
***
**Gaotai (高台), Gansu (甘肃)**
**On the Edge of the Gobi, Paddling Through Waves**
By our reporter Song Zhaojun (宋朝军)
When the whistle blows, the dragon boat race begins—not in the water towns of the south where rivers and lakes crisscross, nor along the dense water networks of the great rivers, but in a Gobi oasis in the northwest, where the dragon boat race has become a "must-do" for local residents celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节).
In Gaotai County (高台县), Zhangye City (张掖市), Gansu Province (甘肃省), ripples dance on the water of the Dahuwan Cultural Tourism Scenic Area (大湖湾文化旅游风景区). Colorful flags fluttering on the lake mark an orderly racecourse. Nearly a hundred people paddle simultaneously, the drumbeats steady and sonorous. The dragon boats shoot forward like arrows released from a bow, carving white furrows into the water at their sterns. On the shore, the crowd surges, layer upon layer, with cheers and applause rising one after another.
Gaotai County (高台县) is located in the middle of the Hexi Corridor (河西走廊), on the southern edge of the Badain Jaran Desert (巴丹吉林沙漠), and beside the Heihe River Wetlands (黑河湿地). Surrounded by the Gobi Desert, the Dahuwan Cultural Tourism Scenic Area (大湖湾文化旅游风景区) features sparkling waters and lush greenery. Since 2006, the local government has held the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) race here; this year marks the 18th edition.
During the race, Pu Guoshan (濮国山) sits at the bow. Holding mallets in both hands, he strikes the drum to set the rhythm for the entire team. As a member and coach of the Water Affairs System representative team, the 34-year-old Pu Guoshan (濮国山) has served as a drummer for four years. "Although we aren't professional athletes, we all work very hard," says Pu Guoshan (濮国山). The teams participating this year come from townships, villages (communities), enterprises, and government departments in Gaotai County (高台县), covering all walks of life. Everyone learns the rules on their own, and many have become "veteran competitors" of the dragon boat race.
This year, the organizers listened to suggestions from many units and industries, establishing a joint-team model to attract smaller organizations, eventually expanding to 22 teams.
A month before the race, Pu Guoshan (濮国山) and his team began training. "The drum beats 'dong, dong,' and you have to coordinate the rhythm of all the crew members so that everyone exerts force at the same point." Pu Guoshan (濮国山) demonstrates while drumming; if the rhythm is off, the dragon boat's speed cannot increase. "Every year there is a turnover of old and new members. To re-coalesce the team's strength, we must constantly grind and practice." Pu Guoshan (濮国山) flips through the training schedule; during this period, they train and review for nearly five hours almost every day.
In recent years, dragon boat events have become more standardized, and the level and quality of the participating teams have rapidly improved.
During the review, Yin Jianjin (尹建锦), captain of the Water Affairs System team, hits the nail on the head: "Although we aren't a professional team, our movements must align with professional standards!" How to kick with the front and back feet, how to use core strength effectively, where to place the hips, how to stand upright while paddling... As captain for four years, Yin Jianjin (尹建锦) has been hands-on in guiding team members to identify problems and find solutions. Previously, on this familiar one-kilometer track—from the sluice gate in the west to the waterfront platform in the east—he has led his team to win three consecutive championships.
The dragon boat race is not only a competition for the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) but also an important carrier for local cultural activities, becoming a part of the public's cultural life.
During the race, Liang Jianming (梁建明), a villager from Tai'an Village (太安村), Xiangdao Town (巷道镇), is competing for the second time. Seeing his wife and children cheering on the shore, he is full of energy: "When they watched me train, the kids would often ask about the stories of dragon boats. Today, after watching the race, they proudly said, 'Our traditional culture is truly amazing!'"
Relying on the "Our Festival: Dragon Boat Festival (端午节)" theme platform and the cultural brand influence of the water dragon boat race, the local area also carries out various activities such as the "Green, Low-Carbon, Water-Saving Together" healthy rainbow run and the "Elegant Recitation, Inheriting Rhyme: Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) Cultural Stage," helping the public experience folk customs and enjoy cultural services.
***
**Liaocheng (聊城), Shandong (山东)**
**"Northern Navy," The Heartbeat of Youth**
By our reporter Wang Zhe (王者)
"Watch the rhythm! Exert force together!" On the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), at the China Dragon Boat Open in Yongzhou (永州), Hunan (湖南), a dragon boat team is cutting through the waves and striving forward. On the shore, the voice of coach Lü Yanli (吕艳丽) pierces through the mist, clearly reaching every team member. The members' tanned skin, synchronized movements, and focused expressions outline the most moving picture of endeavor during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节).
This team is the Liaocheng University (聊城大学) Dragon Boat Team, known as the "Northern Navy."
Liaocheng (聊城) thrives because of water and is beautiful because of water. The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal (京杭大运河) and the Yellow River (黄河) converge here. The 6.3-square-kilometer Dongchang Lake (东昌湖) is like a giant emerald embedded in the city. The unique layout of "water within the city, city within the water" provides a near-perfect natural racecourse for dragon boat sports.
"The water in Dongchang Lake (东昌湖) comes from the Yellow River (黄河). It has a higher density and greater resistance, making it a natural high-intensity training ground," says Lü Yanli (吕艳丽). The short one-and-a-half-month freezing period in winter ensures that the team has over 10 months of training time throughout the year.
In 2002, the Liaocheng University (聊城大学) Dragon Boat Team was established. From being unknown to galloping on international racecourses, the team has won over 360 gold medals and cultivated more than 860 dragon boat talents.
"Dragon boat racing is not a sport for 22 people, but 22 heartbeats for one person." This slogan, hanging on the wall of the training hall, has become the creed of the Liaocheng University (聊城大学) Dragon Boat Team. In July 2025, at the 17th World Dragon Boat Racing Championships held in Brandenburg (勃兰登堡), Germany (德国), the Liaocheng University (聊城大学) Dragon Boat Team achieved a miraculous comeback in the final 5 meters of the U24 Mixed 500m final, overtaking the Canadian (加拿大) team by a margin of 0.442 seconds. This student army, with an average age of just over 20, achieved an 11-game winning streak, securing 11 gold medals for the Chinese delegation and creating the best record in the history of Chinese dragon boat racing at the World Championships.
Behind the 0.442-second gap lies day-after-day of bitter training and tacit understanding. Lü Yanli (吕艳丽) was once a national-level kayaker; she integrated the essence of kayaking training into dragon boat training, creating a unique training method that "tackles technique and physical fitness simultaneously."
"Our training volume reaches 15,000 meters each time, and breaking ice to paddle in winter is a common occurrence," says female team member Feng Lin'en (冯琳恩). She has delicate features, but her palms are covered in calluses. She still remembers the high-intensity training when she first joined: "The first day, my hands were rubbed raw and blistered; the second day, the blisters broke; the third day, calluses began to form. But looking at my teammates gritting their teeth and persevering, no one was embarrassed to say they wanted to quit."
Dragon boat racing has been passed down for thousands of years. The members of the Liaocheng University (聊城大学) Dragon Boat Team "half-train and half-study." In winter, they go into the water to train before dawn, finishing their paddle and rushing to class by 8:00 AM, then heading back to the training field after class. During the 2026 Asian University Dragon Boat Championships, they went from winter training to early spring, and as soon as the National Championships ended, they rushed to their home field, completing the technical transition in just three days.
The drumbeats fade, leaving a long, lingering resonance. The waves of Dongchang Lake (东昌湖) will eventually return to calm, but the power of this city and this team surging forward has never stopped.
(Xia Xuguang (夏旭光) participated in the reporting)
***
**Huili City (会理市), Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture (凉山彝族自治州), Sichuan (四川)**
**Two Dragon Boat Festivals a Year, Rich in Folk Customs**
By our reporter Wang Yongzhan (王永战)
Drums sound, dances swirl, and colorful flags flutter. During the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), the small city of Huili (会理) in Sichuan (四川) is packed with people. They are "touring to ward off a hundred illnesses" (游百病) while enjoying the ancient costume parade. With the rhythmic beating of drums and the majestic lion dances, the ancient city, located at the "Lock and Key of Sichuan and Yunnan" (川滇锁钥), is filled with a rich and unique folk atmosphere.
Huili (会理) is located in the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture (凉山彝族自治州), Sichuan (Sichuan), and was an important stop on the southern route of the ancient Silk Road (丝绸之路). The local area is mountainous and densely forested, with many snakes and insects, and in ancient times, it was prone to miasma. As the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) approaches, the damp, hot, and humid weather makes it easy for bacteria to breed. For thousands of years, the people of Huili (会理) have passed down the tradition of celebrating two Dragon Boat Festivals a year: the "Small Dragon Boat Festival" on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, and the "Big Dragon Boat Festival" on the fifteenth day of the fifth lunar month. People hang mugwort, stew medicinal roots, "tour to ward off a hundred illnesses" (游百病), and organize thousand-table medicinal banquets and ancient costume parades, filling the city with the atmosphere of the festival.
Stewing medicinal roots embodies people's beautiful expectations of dispelling illness and dampness. Every Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), people head into the mountains to collect fresh medicinal roots. "When stewing medicinal roots, you must first clean them thoroughly and then simmer them with cured pig's trotters, free-range chicken, and other ingredients," says Li Meihua (李美桦), a cultural scholar in Huili City (会理市). After long hours of stewing, the steam billows, the medicinal roots release a fresh fragrance, and the chicken becomes rich and savory.
In addition to stewing medicinal roots, locals also wrap zongzi (粽子), steam buns, and fry crispy meat... cooking a variety of dishes to create a medicinal banquet. Glutinous rice mixed with pork belly is fragrant, and the crispy meat sizzles in hot oil. The delicious food gradually releases its aroma amidst the sweat of the laborers.
After eating the medicinal root stew, it is time for the people of Huili (会理) to "tour to ward off a hundred illnesses" (游百病). Li Meihua (李美桦) explains that "touring to ward off a hundred illnesses" (游百病) carries the beautiful hope of staying away from disease. People walk from the streets to the outskirts of the city, breathing fresh air and enjoying the natural scenery.
In recent years, Huili City (会理市) has also organized thousand-table medicinal banquets to create a unique cultural tourism brand. On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), as soon as the prayer ceremony at the Bell and Drum Tower (钟鼓楼) ends, tens of thousands of tourists gather around the long tables to share the unique medicinal banquet in the cool breeze. Stewed medicinal roots, angelica-braised chicken, zongzi (粽子) platters, fern-shoot delicacies... each dish is a perfect combination of meat and vegetables. Guests raise their glasses together, exchanging blessings, writing the story of the human fireworks (人间烟火 - rén jiān yān huǒ - "human world fireworks," the ordinary yet vibrant daily life of people) of this moment, and feeling the myriad phenomena of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) season.
As the medicinal banquet nears its end, at dusk, the lights shine brightly. At this time, the ancient costume parade begins. On the streets of the ancient city, people are dressed in Hanfu (汉服) or theatrical costumes; some beat gongs and drums, while others look as majestic as warriors... The long parade procession moves slowly through the ancient city, welcoming the witness and recording of tourists.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 杨 迅
Boat Racing Song (Excerpt)
Liu Yuxi (刘禹锡) (Tang Dynasty (唐))
The poplar drumsticks beat the rhythm like rolling thunder,
The chaotic currents advance together with a deafening roar.
The dragon-like boats, blessed by rain, flex their fins and manes,
Like rainbows drinking from the river, their forms and shadows intertwined.
The Yuan River (沅江) and Li River (澧水) flow surgingly, where angelica and orchids bloom with fragrance. When the Dragon Boat Festival (端午) breeze sweeps across the western banks of Dongting Lake (洞庭湖), the mountains and waters of Changde (常德), Hunan (湖南), are awakened by poetic inspiration. This ancient city, known in antiquity as Wuling (武陵) and once serving as Langzhou (朗州), is the dwelling place where Qu Yuan (屈原) wandered and chanted by the marshes, and it is also the place where the "Poet Maverick" of the Tang Dynasty (唐), Liu Yuxi (刘禹锡), lived in exile for ten years and penned the timeless masterpiece, "Boat Racing Song" (竞渡曲). Following the poetic spirit through Changde (常德), one can experience the resonance of ancient charm and modern echoes within a thousand-year-old cultural lineage.
The Dragon Boat Festival (端午) cultural lineage of Changde (常德) is deeply rooted in the footprints of Qu Yuan (屈原) and the remembrance of the people of Wuling (武陵). It was Liu Yuxi (刘禹锡) who distilled this folk spectacle into poetry. In the first year of the Yongzhen era (805) (永贞元年), he was demoted to Langzhou (朗州). During his ten years there, he was immersed in the mountains and waters of the Yuan (沅) and Li (澧) rivers and the bustling life of the marketplace. Witnessing the magnificent spectacle of dragon boat racing during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午), he wrote "Boat Racing Song" (竞渡曲).
"The poplar drumsticks beat the rhythm like rolling thunder, the chaotic currents advance together with a deafening roar." The soaring strokes of the poem vividly depict the moving scenes of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午) in Changde (常德). This spirit has continued for a thousand years on the emerald waves of Liuye Lake (柳叶湖). As a city landmark of Changde (常德), Liuye Lake (柳叶湖) is named for its shape resembling a willow leaf. With Sun Mountain (太阳山) to the north and the Yuan River (沅江) to the south, it has been a natural arena for dragon boat racing since ancient times.
Before the race begins during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午), the rowers first pay homage to Qu Yuan (屈原), chanting, "The gold-decorated dragon boat has two pointed ends, with the Bodhisattva of the Three Ministers (三闾菩萨) at the helm." Hidden within these primitive rituals is an unchanging sentiment. During the competition, dragon boat teams gather on the lake, colorful boats breaking through the waves, oars flashing, drummers striking like thunder, and rowers exerting force like arrows. Amidst the splashing waves, one sees the majestic momentum of "chaotic currents advancing together" as described in the poem. The driving drumbeats resonate with the thousand-year-old poetic rhythm, stirring the heartstrings of the spectators on the shore.
Traveling from Liuye Lake (柳叶湖) along the Yuan River (沅江), the marks of the cultural lineage unfold along the riverbanks. The Changde Poetry Wall (常德诗墙), located on the north bank of the Yuan River (沅水), utilizes a 4-kilometer flood-control levee as a canvas, gathering thousands of years of exquisite poetry and calligraphy, and is hailed as the "world's longest wall of poetry, calligraphy, and painting art." On the poetry wall, masterpieces such as Qu Yuan's (屈原) "Crossing the River" (涉江) and Liu Yuxi's (刘禹锡) "Boat Racing Song" (竞渡曲) are engraved with vigorous brushwork, reflecting against the river water. Walking through it feels like traveling through a thousand years to converse with the souls of poets. Deep within the Poetry Wall Park (诗墙公园), on the east side of Suoxin Bridge (锁心桥), the Zhaoqu Pavilion (招屈亭) stands as a thousand-year witness to this remembrance. This ancient pavilion, first built in the Qin Dynasty (秦代), was constructed by the people of Wuling (武陵) to commemorate Qu Yuan (屈原). It has been destroyed and rebuilt many times throughout history; the current structure was rebuilt on the original site in 1997, featuring upturned eaves and vermilion pillars. Beneath the pavilion, the river flows leisurely eastward, perfectly capturing the imagery at the end of "Boat Racing Song" (竞渡曲)—"The water before Zhaoqu Pavilion (招屈亭) flows eastward." The ceaseless river, flowing for a millennium, tells of an endless longing for the patriotic poet.
The Dragon Boat Festival (端午) in Changde (常德) is not just about racing; it is a cultural feast that integrates folklore, poetry, and the warmth of daily life. In the streets and alleys, mugwort and calamus are hung on door lintels, filling the air with fragrance. Families sit together to wrap Zongzi (粽子), the leaves enveloping sticky rice and honey dates, as well as the warmth of reunion. The elderly boil mugwort eggs and wear colorful sachets, while children play and chase, their faces full of joy. By the Chuanzi River (穿紫河), the intangible cultural heritage of Taoyuan (桃源) wood-carved dragon boats are depicted with vivid realism, where the charm of millennium-old folk customs complements the shimmering water. Beside the River Street (河街), the mellow aroma of Bozi dishes (钵子菜) and the refreshing taste of Lei tea (擂茶) permeate the lanes. Changde (常德) on the tip of the tongue holds the most vivid essence of life.
As a thousand years of time have passed, the magnificent scenery of Wuling (武陵) captured by Liu Yuxi (刘禹锡) has long become the cultural foundation of Changde (常德). From the colorful boats racing on the Yuan River (沅江) in the Tang Dynasty (唐), to the hundreds of boats competing on Liuye Lake (柳叶湖) today; from the leisurely river water beneath Zhaoqu Pavilion (招屈亭), to the thousand-year cultural lineage on the Poetry Wall (诗墙); from the patriotic sentiments of Qu Yuan's (屈原) chanting, to the spirit of striving passed down through generations... the mountains, waters, and humanities of Changde (常德) are inherited in poetry and reborn in progress.
Return to TopFollowing the Laws of Nature, Brewing with Method
During the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), the banks of the Chishui River (赤水河) are lush with vegetation and full of vitality. For Moutai (茅台), this is an important moment that carries tradition and initiates a new brewing cycle.
The starter (qu) is the backbone of liquor. The sauce-aroma Daqu (酱香大曲) made from high-quality wheat is the essential foundation of the traditional brewing process of Moutai (茅台). Around the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), the Chishui River Valley (赤水河谷) is warm and humid, allowing microorganisms to multiply and grow in large numbers, creating unique natural conditions for making the starter.
From wheat to starter powder, the process must go through eight procedures and 35 steps, including wheat grinding, mixing with starter ingredients, shaping, stacking in the warehouse, fermentation, dismantling the starter, storage, and grinding the starter. Every procedure embodies the craftsmanship and persistence of Moutai (茅台), and every step contains Moutai’s (茅台) persistent pursuit of quality. Complying with nature and respecting nature have become the core cultural essence of the traditional brewing techniques of Moutai (茅台) liquor.
Intangible Cultural Heritage, Innovative Inheritance
The brewing technique of Moutai (茅台) liquor was included in the first batch of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage (国家级非物质文化遗产) representative project list in 2006. From making the starter at the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) to starting the grain production (xiasha/下沙) at the Double Ninth Festival (重阳节), the traditional brewing techniques of Moutai (茅台) liquor follow the order of the seasons and act in accordance with nature, condensing the brewing wisdom of following the laws of nature and constituting an important part of its intangible cultural heritage inheritance.
Since 2017, Moutai (茅台) has continuously carried out the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) wheat-paying tribute activity. From taking the wheat, moistening the wheat, fumigating the warehouse, to the salute, each ceremony conveys Moutai’s (茅台) gratitude for nature’s gifts and its persistence in establishing itself through quality. It also highlights the spirit of craftsmanship of generations of Moutai (茅台) people who are 精益求精 (jīng yì qiú jīng - "refine and refine," to constantly strive for perfection).
Brand Upward, Development Toward Innovation
From the banks of the Chishui River (赤水河) to the world stage, Moutai (茅台) has always insisted on establishing itself through quality, building its foundation through culture, and empowering itself through innovation.
In recent years, Moutai (茅台) has firmly promoted the high-quality development of the enterprise and continuously improved its brand influence and international communication power. Overseas markets continue to expand, the pace of internationalization is steadily advancing, and the expression of brand culture has become more enriched, helping Chinese Baijiu (中国白酒) culture "go global" and be recognized and understood by more and more overseas consumers.
At the same time, Moutai (茅台) continues to promote the protection and inheritance of Chinese Baijiu (中国白酒) cultural heritage, empowering industrial development with culture and stimulating brand vitality with innovation, allowing traditional brewing techniques to radiate new brilliance.
Making the starter during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) is not just about the starter; it is about the condensation of craftsmanship. Brewing liquor is not just about the drink; it is about the precipitation of culture.
Upholding quality through the inheritance of time and pioneering innovation in the development of the era. From a single grain of wheat to a drop of fine liquor, from the Chishui River Valley (赤水河谷) to the global market, China Moutai (中国茅台) is telling the story of Chinese brands to the world with a more open and confident posture.
Data Source: Kweichow Moutai (贵州茅台)
Return to TopEvery year on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the elders in the family would say, "The Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) has its traditions." Gathering a bunch of mugwort leaves to pray for peace and health; wrapping a Zongzi (粽子) to savor its delicious taste; rowing a dragon boat (龙舟) to race across the rivers...
Such rich "ways of celebration" all share one underlying theme: sentiment. On this day in years past, our predecessors responded to the changing seasons, chanting of familial love, friendship, and patriotism, all distilled into a poem or a play. Having been refined by the passage of time, these have condensed into a common text for the nation, carrying universal emotions that have remained unchanged for millennia.
Today, let us take the opportunity of this festival to revisit our roots.
——Editor (编者)
Return to TopBy: 方 铭
Li Sao (Selected Excerpts)
Warring States Period (战国) · Qu Yuan (屈原)
What my heart finds beautiful and good,
Though I die nine times, I shall not regret.
The road ahead is long and far,
I will search high and low with my will.
According to historical records, the Chinese people began celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) more than 4,000 years ago: "On the fifth day of the fifth month, gather orchids for bathing." During the Qin (秦) and Han (汉) dynasties, the festival incorporated the commemoration of the patriotic poet Qu Yuan (屈原), who drowned himself in the Miluo River (汨罗江). The poem "Dragon Boat Festival" (端午) by the Tang (唐) dynasty writer Wen Xiu (文秀) states: "Who first spoke of the Dragon Boat Festival? Through the ages, it is said to be for Qu Yuan (屈原)."
The reason commemorating Qu Yuan (屈原) became a theme of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) is that he suffered 不白之冤 (bù bái zhī yuān - "not white of injustice," an unredressed grievance or false accusation) due to his integrity and loyalty, and unwilling to watch the State of Chu (楚国) sink into ruin, he angrily drowned himself. The "Biography of Qu Yuan and Master Jia" (屈原贾生列传) in the Records of the Grand Historian (史记) states: "Qu Ping (屈平) was pained that the King (王) did not listen clearly, that the slanders of the sycophants obscured the light, that the wicked harmed the public good, and that the upright were not tolerated; thus, in sorrow and deep thought, he wrote 'Li Sao' (离骚). 'Li Sao' means 'encountering sorrow'."
The poem "Li Sao" (离骚) embodies Qu Yuan's (屈原) life philosophy of walking the righteous path, his patriotic concern for the nation and its people, and his unwavering ideal of "virtuous governance." It is a great poem that embodies the spirit of patriotism. It is the longest poem in ancient China; although there are differences between versions, it is generally close to 2,500 characters. Regarding the title "Li Sao" (离骚), there have been various interpretations throughout history, but upon careful analysis, "the sorrow of departure" best fits the theme. The "encountering sorrow" theory of Liu An (刘安) of the Western Han (西汉) dynasty and the explanation by Wang Yi (王逸) of the Eastern Han (东汉) dynasty—"Li means departure; Sao means sorrow"—are not contradictory to "the sorrow of departure." The entire poem repeatedly expresses Qu Yuan's (屈原) struggle over whether to leave the State of Chu (楚国), and the poet’s declaration that "it is not difficult to depart" also aligns with "the sorrow of departure."
In the poem, Qu Yuan (屈原) transforms himself into a gentleman of "righteous path and upright conduct" with the given name Zhengze (正则) and the courtesy name Lingjun (灵均). He possesses both "inner beauty" and "cultivated ability," yet sycophants hold power, and "the road is dark and treacherous." Qu Yuan (屈原) knew the dangers of upholding the righteous path, but his patriotism never wavered: "How could I fear disaster for my own body, when I fear the ruin of the imperial chariot! I rush about to serve, following the footsteps of former kings... I know well that speaking out brings trouble, yet I cannot bear to abandon it. I point to the Nine Heavens (九天) as my witness, for the sake of my sovereign!" The "imperial chariot" (皇舆) is a large carriage, a metaphor for the State of Chu (楚国); "Jianjian" (謇謇) refers to loyalty and uprightness. Qu Yuan's (屈原) rushing about and searching high and low were all for the development of the State of Chu (楚国).
"What my heart finds beautiful and good, though I die nine times, I shall not regret." In pursuit of the righteous path, he would not regret even nine deaths, yet Qu Yuan (屈原) was ultimately disappointed. He wanted to leave the State of Chu (楚国) to travel far, but after wandering, he "suddenly looked back at his old home," and "the driver was sad, the horses pined, curling up and looking back, unable to move forward," stopping his steps, unable to stop thinking of his country. The end of "Li Sao" (离骚) says: "It is over! There is no one in the country who understands me, so why should I still pine for the old capital! Since there is no one worthy to practice virtuous governance with, I shall follow where Peng Xian (彭咸) dwells!" Qu Yuan (屈原) was unwilling to leave, and the only path left was to follow the virtuous official of the Yin (殷) dynasty, Peng Xian (彭咸)—the path of drowning himself.
From the perspective of the history of Chinese literature, "Li Sao" (离骚) integrates narration, lyricism, argumentation, and description. Its language is magnificent, its emotions are deep and subtle, and together with the Classic of Poetry (诗经), it constructed the "Shi-Sao" (诗骚) tradition of Chinese literature. Liu Xie (刘勰), a literary theorist of the Qi (齐) and Liang (梁) periods, believed that "Li Sao" (离骚) was a "marvelous work" that inherited the tradition of remonstrance from the Classic of Poetry (诗经), possessing both noble sentiment and stunning artistic creativity. "Therefore, when it narrates sorrow, it is melancholic and easily moving; when it describes living in exile, it is desolate and hard to bear; when it discusses mountains and rivers, one can see the appearance through the sound; when it speaks of the seasons, one can see the time through the text." Although this passage refers to the entire Chu Ci (楚辞), "Li Sao" (离骚) is the most representative work of Chu Ci (楚辞) and the source of the "Chu Ci style" (楚辞体) and "Sao style" (骚体).
Zhang Lei (张耒), a Northern Song (北宋) poet and one of the "Four Scholars of Sumen" (苏门四学士), wrote in his poem "Harmonizing with Dragon Boat Festival" (和端午): "The dragon boat race deeply mourns a thousand-year grievance; once the loyal soul departs, how can it return? The state is lost and the body has perished, what is left today? Only 'Li Sao' (离骚) remains in the world." The custom of dragon boat racing during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) embodies the Chinese people's reverence for Qu Yuan (屈原). Although he has long departed, Qu Yuan (屈原) and "Li Sao" (离骚) remain a spiritual force that inspires us to continuously strive for the prosperity and strength of our motherland.
(The author is a professor at Beijing Language and Culture University (北京语言大学) and President of the China Qu Yuan Society (中国屈原学会))
Return to TopBy: 汪 朗
Duck Eggs of the Dragon Boat Festival (Excerpt)
Contemporary · Wang Zengqi (汪曾祺)
Perhaps "Twelve Reds" is merely a name, and not necessarily a collection of exactly twelve items. However, the dishes for lunch were indeed all red; on this point, my memory does not fail me. Moreover, amaranth, shrimp, and salted duck eggs were certainly among them.
If it weren't for my father, Wang Zengqi (汪曾祺), writing "Duck Eggs of the Dragon Boat Festival" (端午的鸭蛋), our whole family would never have known that there were so many rituals for the Dragon Boat Festival in the region of Gaoyou (高邮). One must tie colorful silk threads, make scented sachets, post charms to ward off the "Five Poisons," set off sulfur smoke, and eat the "Twelve Reds"—twelve kinds of red-colored foods.
There is no fixed list for the "Twelve Reds"; as long as the ingredients or the finished dishes have a touch of red, they count. Braised chicken, braised goose, braised yellow croaker, red-braised pork, braised "saddle-bridge" eel, stir-fried red amaranth, oil-popped shrimp, "poplar-flower" radishes, salted duck eggs, tomatoes, large cherries, red bean zongzi, or even those with small dates... each has its own story. For instance, the salted duck egg, because its yolk is dark red, symbolizes a "red heart" (sincerity); the poplar-flower radish is a small, spherical radish that hits the market when poplar catkins are flying, and because its skin is red and its flesh is white, it is designated as "sandwich red"; as for the amaranth, it is the red soup left after cooking. The old man didn't list all these reds in his essay; he only said that amaranth, shrimp, and duck eggs were essential, noting, "These three items are not expensive in my hometown, and most families can afford them." Wang Zengqi (汪曾祺) left Gaoyou (高邮) at the age of 19 and was 66 when he wrote "Duck Eggs of the Dragon Boat Festival" (端午的鸭蛋); he never returned to his hometown for the festival in between. To be able to remember these things from decades ago is quite impressive.
In his essay, the old man spoke with great authority about the customs and foods of his hometown's Dragon Boat Festival, yet when our family celebrated the festival in Beijing (北京), it was very simple. We had zongzi, and we would eat a couple—red date, sweet bean paste, or salted meat were all fine; if we didn't have them, so be it. As for other foods, not a single one was red, including salted duck eggs. Among the literary circle, Wang Zengqi (汪曾祺) was recognized as a good cook who truly had a knack for preparing dishes (though, of course, his writing was still better than his cooking). Among the "Twelve Reds," apart from never having wrapped zongzi himself, he could handle all other dishes with ease. His rock-sugar pork knuckle, oil-popped shrimp, and braised "saddle-bridge" eel—which refers to thick, bone-in eel segments—were all of restaurant quality, and some dishes even featured his own innovations. For example, Gaoyou's (高邮) poplar-flower radishes are usually eaten as a cold salad, but adding shredded jellyfish can elevate them to a banquet dish. In Beijing (北京), there is a type of small water radish that is also "sandwich red," similar to the poplar-flower radish; when they first hit the market at the turn of spring and summer, their flesh is fine and juicy, which is quite wonderful. Once, the old man braised these small radishes with dried scallops to treat a female writer from Taiwan (台湾), and in the end, not even the sauce on the plate was left. Cooking radishes is a long-standing practice; Yuan Mei's (袁枚) "Suiyuan Shidan" (随园食单) contains a method for "Lard-Braised Radishes": "Stir-fry radishes in rendered lard, add dried shrimp and simmer until extremely tender. Just before serving, add chopped green onions; the color will be like amber." The finished dish looks like amber, and the ingredient is clearly red-skinned radish; substituting dried scallops for dried shrimp to braise them together naturally results in an even better taste. The old man was very proud of this and boasted about it in several essays. Yet, when the family celebrated the Dragon Boat Festival, he never thought to show off his skills. This Wang Zengqi (汪曾祺) was truly outrageous. Perhaps he felt that a Dragon Boat Festival far from his hometown was simply not the same. Let those childhood memories remain in his writing.
The fact that our family does not eat duck eggs during the Dragon Boat Festival is also related to Wang Zengqi's (汪曾祺) stubbornness. He insisted that although Gaoyou (高邮) salted duck eggs were excellent, after being transported to Beijing (北京) for several days, they lost their original flavor. In particular, the kind of freshly cured duck eggs that children eat plain during the Dragon Boat Festival could only be truly appreciated for their freshness in Gaoyou (高邮). Nowadays, with express delivery, Gaoyou (高邮) salted duck eggs can be delivered to Beijing (北京) overnight. Before this year's Dragon Boat Festival, an acquaintance sent some salted duck eggs cured using traditional methods from Gaoyou (高邮) via express, specifically noting that they could be eaten plain. The taste was indeed delicious—the egg white was delicate, the yolk was soft and glutinous, and it carried a faint, refreshing fragrance. If the old man were still here, would he be able to taste the flavor of his hometown's Dragon Boat Festival?
(The author is a writer and the son of Wang Zengqi (汪曾祺))
Return to TopBy: 穆欣欣
The Legend of the White Snake: Stealing the Herb (Excerpt)
Contemporary · Tian Han (田汉)
Traveling light with a sword to the immortal mountain, Su Zhen (素贞) cannot help but shed tears.
Regretting not heeding Qing'er's (青儿) words earlier, greedily drinking wine on the Duanwu Festival (端阳佳节).
Entrusting my husband to Qing'er's (青儿) care, I swear not to return without the lingzhi (灵芝).
The legend of "The Legend of the White Snake" (白蛇传) has been popular for a millennium. From the notes of the Tang (唐) dynasty, the storytelling scripts (huaben) of the Song (宋) dynasty, the novels of the Ming (明) dynasty, and the legends of the Qing (清) dynasty to the present day, the story's core has remained intact. As time flows, the plot has been continuously enriched, shaping the classic traditional image of Bai Suzhen (白素贞) as beautiful, steadfast, and kind.
Beyond the well-known film and television adaptations, "The Legend of the White Snake" (白蛇传) is a repertoire that is frequently performed and constantly renewed on the operatic stage. Since the Qing (清) dynasty, the "Chengying" (承应) play "The Legend of the White Snake" (白蛇传) has been performed annually around the Duanwu Festival (端午节). Because the plot where the White Snake drinks realgar wine, reveals her true form, and frightens Xu Xian (许仙) to death is the focal point of the play's development, it serves as the narrative pivot. "Chengying" (承应) plays, also known as "seasonal plays" (节令戏), were different repertoires performed in the Qing (清) imperial court according to ritual requirements. Throughout the year, during festivals such as the Spring Festival (春节), the Shangyuan Festival (上元), the Cold Food Festival (寒食), the Duanwu Festival (端阳), the Qixi Festival (七夕), the Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋), the Chongyang Festival (重阳), and the Winter Solstice (冬至), "Chengying" (承应) plays were performed. The Qingbai Leichao (清稗类钞) records: "The capital places the greatest importance on timely plays; for instance, during the Duanwu Festival (端午), 'The Realgar Array' (雄黄阵) must be performed; during the Qixi Festival (七夕), 'The Meeting at the Magpie Bridge' (鹊桥会) must be performed." "The Realgar Array" (雄黄阵) is the act now widely known as "Stealing the Herb" (盗草) in "The Legend of the White Snake" (白蛇传). Initially, the "Legend of Leifeng Pagoda" (雷峰塔传奇) performed in the late Qing (清) dynasty was Kunqu (昆曲). By the early 20th century, "The Legend of the White Snake" (白蛇传) was characterized by a blend of Peking Opera (京剧) and Kunqu (昆曲). Later, famous Peking Opera (京剧) artists also enjoyed performing the acts "Jinshan Temple" (金山寺) and "Broken Bridge" (断桥) using Kunqu (昆曲) techniques, emphasizing both singing and dancing. Mei Lanfang (梅兰芳) performed "Jinshan Temple" (金山寺), and the great martial actor Yang Xiaolou (杨小楼) played the role of the Guardian (伽蓝). Tailoring the play to the performers, they added throwing-fork techniques and solo martial arts duels. In the mid-20th century, Mr. Tian Han's (田汉) Peking Opera (京剧) script for "The Legend of the White Snake" (白蛇传) can be considered the most significant definitive work on this subject. It removed extraneous subplots from the original story, such as the White Snake repaying a debt of gratitude, allowing characters like Xu Xian (许仙) and Lady White (白娘子) to gain new dimensions of interpretation.
Having watched operas for decades and appreciated different versions and genres of "The Legend of the White Snake" (白蛇传), by comparison, the Peking Opera (京剧) version adapted by Tian Han (田汉) moves me the most because it is the most human. If one says that the White Snake revealing her true form after drinking the realgar wine handed to her by Xu Xian (许仙) on the Duanwu Festival (端阳节) is the key turning point of the plot, then the self-questioning she utters when she sees Xu Xian (许仙) walking from afar while boating on the lake—"For a thousand years, this heart has not rippled, so why do wild waves suddenly rise today?"—is the first true turning point of the entire play, for this is the starting point of the White Snake "becoming human." She did not merely transform into a human shape; from then on, she possessed a "heart"—foreshadowing the human joys, sorrows, separations, and reunions she would endure: the suffering of being separated from loved ones, the resentment of meeting those one hates, and the pain of unfulfilled desires.
"The Legend of the White Snake" (白蛇传) continues the folk imagery of drinking realgar wine during the Duanwu Festival (端午节) to ward off poison, dispel evil, and bring good fortune. Was Xu Xian's (许仙) urging of Bai Suzhen (白素贞) to drink the realgar wine an intentional test or an unintentional act? This detail is 耐人寻味 (nài rén xún wèi - "endure person seek flavor," thought-provoking; something that bears careful consideration). Although the snake is the first of the "five poisons," Bai Suzhen (白素贞) understood the realm of being human more clearly than ordinary people—she saw through human nature, yet she still went to save Xu Xian (许仙) without hesitation. Her longing for the beauty of the human world was torn apart by reality at every turn; yet, before being suppressed under the Leifeng Pagoda (雷峰塔) by Fahai (法海), she still issued a final cry that "love in the human world will never fade." To do what one knows is impossible—all of this stems from her guardianship of human love.
Tian Han's (田汉) sublimation of "The Legend of the White Snake" (白蛇传) endowed the White Snake with a true human heart, fulfilling her wish to truly be a human for once. The spiritual power of kindness and human goodness highlighted in the work transcends eras and still resonates deeply with us today. Watching a seasonal performance of "The Legend of the White Snake" (白蛇传) during the Duanwu Festival (端午节) can infuse the holiday with more ritual significance and makes one feel that tradition is never far away.
(The author is a member of the National Committee of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (中国文联), Vice President of the Macau Federation of Literary and Art Circles (澳门文化界联合总会), and Director of the Writers' Committee.)
Return to TopBy: 辛晓娟
Dragon Boat Festival Day
Tang Dynasty (唐) · Yin Yaofan (殷尧藩)
In youth, the festive season stirs deep emotions, yet who knows what sighs arise as one grows old?
I do not follow the custom of hanging mugwort and talismans, but simply pray over calamus wine for a peaceful era.
The white threads at my temples increase day by day, while the pomegranate blossoms shine bright as brocade each year.
Over a thousand years, the wise and the foolish are but a fleeting moment; how many are forgotten, and how many leave a name behind?
The Dragon Boat Festival (端午) is the time of year when the Yang energy is most vigorous. On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, midsummer arrives; the summer heat intensifies, and all manner of toxins emerge. Thus, the ancients would hang mugwort, bathe in orchid-scented water, and wear five-colored silk threads to ward off evil and prevent epidemics. On the river, dragon boats race with the rhythmic beating of drums; in the kitchen, the fragrance of zongzi leaves drifts through the air, thick with steam; in the courtyard, children raise cups of realgar wine to sprinkle against walls, doors, and windows.
However, the poem "Dragon Boat Festival Day" (端午日) by the Tang Dynasty (唐) poet Yin Yaofan (殷尧藩) does not depict this bustle. There is no mention of dragon boat racing or bathing in orchid water, nor even a reference to Qu Yuan (屈原) or the Miluo River (汨罗江). Yin Yaofan (殷尧藩) transforms a festival filled with gongs and drums into a moment of quiet self-reflection.
The opening line, "In youth, the festive season stirs deep emotions," refers to "deep emotions" not merely as the sentiments of young lovers, but as a curiosity about the world. Crowds, delicacies, and noise can all make a youth feel the abundance of life. Yet, when one reaches old age, the arrival of the same festival brings more than just joy. "Yet who knows what sighs arise as one grows old" captures exactly this disparity—the seasons cycle year after year, but the person observing them has grown old.
Next, the poet shifts his focus: "I do not follow the custom of hanging mugwort and talismans, but simply pray over calamus wine for a peaceful era." Hanging mugwort and talismans refers to placing mugwort leaves on doors and pasting charms to repel evil and avoid disaster. "Calamus wine" (蒲酒) is wine infused with sweet flag, which is believed to ward off evil and prolong life. The poet says he does not follow these customs, not because he rejects the festival, but because, with his graying temples, he no longer follows the bustling rituals like a youth. He has chosen a quieter way to observe the festival: raising a cup of "calamus wine" to pray for peace.
Yin Yaofan (殷尧藩) lived during the Mid-Tang (中唐) period. When a person of the Mid-Tang (中唐) speaks of a "peaceful era" (升平), it cannot be viewed merely as a common toast. During Yin Yaofan's (殷尧藩) childhood, the Jingyang Mutiny (泾阳兵变) occurred, Chang'an (长安) fell, the Emperor (天子) fled, and this was followed by the chaotic era of warlord separatism (藩镇割据). It was not until the Yuanhe (元和) era, around the time he passed the imperial examinations, that the dynasty experienced a brief period of restoration. Therefore, in the poet's writing, the significance of praying for blessings during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午) is expanded: it is not just a plea for personal safety, but a prayer for the peace of the entire realm; a wish that this hard-won era of peace might long endure.
"The white threads at my temples increase day by day, while the pomegranate blossoms shine bright as brocade each year" is the most radiant yet sorrowful couplet in the entire poem. The white hair at the temples grows daily, yet the pomegranate flowers bloom as brilliantly as brocade. White hair and red pomegranate flowers—one withering, one flourishing—are juxtaposed in the verse, striking the heart. The pomegranate blossoms of the fifth month seem to transform into a mirror, reflecting the annual growth of plants and the poet's daily aging—flowers may bloom again, but a person never returns to youth. This is the lament for life that the poet experiences on the Dragon Boat Festival (端午).
At the end, the poet turns to deeper contemplation: "Over a thousand years, the wise and the foolish are but a fleeting moment; how many are forgotten, and how many leave a name behind?" Looking back over a millennium, whether wise or foolish, all are but fleeting travelers in the long river of time. Some are buried in obscurity, while others leave their names for posterity. And "fame" is precisely the trace that a person leaves behind in this world—a mark that even time cannot erase.
Until the very end, the poet never mentions Qu Yuan (屈原). This is not an act of forgetting, but rather that the poet has long since placed the figure of the ancient sage behind the inquiry of "being forgotten" or "leaving a name." A festival can be passed down for thousands of years not just because it has lively rituals or exquisite food, but because it preserves for us the respect of a nation, ensuring that the integrity of the sages does not vanish with the river water.
The young compete for glory and forge ahead through the rapids; the old look into the mirror, seeing pomegranate flowers in their eyes and white hair on their heads, while also seeing prayers for health and a deep appreciation for peace. No matter how many Dragon Boat Festivals (端午) one has passed, to still believe that integrity and reputation can transcend time is to commemorate the sages and respond to the season in one's own way. This is the true inheritance of the spirit of traditional festivals.
(The author is a professor at the School of Chinese Classics, Renmin University of China (中国人民大学国学院))
Return to TopBy: 张新颖
Border Town (Excerpt)
Contemporary · Shen Congwen (沈从文)
Each boat can seat 12 to 18 oarsmen, led by a captain, a drummer, and a gong player. Each oarsman holds a short oar, rowing the boat forward in rhythm with the slow or fast beats of the drum.
Shen Congwen’s (沈从文) *Border Town* (边城) writes of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午), describing it as the “liveliest day of the year” in that region: “Local women and children, without exception, wore new clothes, and on their foreheads, they used realgar dipped in wine to paint the character ‘King’ (王).” The entire mountain town would go to the riverside to watch the boat races and see people catching ducks in the water. “The competition between boats, the competition between men and ducks, would not conclude until late at night.”
If you read carefully, you will notice that the beginning, development, and twists of the story are all anchored in the Dragon Boat Festival (端午), corresponding to this holiday over three years: In the first year, Cuicui (翠翠) and the younger son (二老) first meet; in the second year, Cuicui (翠翠) fails to see the younger son (二老), but meets the elder son (大老); on this day in the third year, Cuicui (翠翠) brushes past the younger son (二老), hearing rumors that a girl whose dowry includes a mill is to marry him. Cuicui’s (翠翠) secret thoughts, known to no one, are intertwined with the bustle and excitement of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午), and the novel develops from there.
Writing about the Dragon Boat Festival (端午) repeatedly is not merely for the sake of plot development; Shen Congwen (沈从文) intentionally uses folk festivals to unfold the lifestyle and spiritual state of the border town. The border town is the main body and focus of the novel; it exists on the same level as the story, rather than serving merely as the “background” for the story. Once this is understood, one can see why so much effort is spent describing the Dragon Boat Festival (端午).
The residents of a place establish the integrity of their lives over a long history, and the festivals, rituals, customs, and fashions that emerge during this process possess a solemnity related to both history and reality. In Shen Congwen’s (沈从文) later novel *Long River* (长河), he writes of a family that piously observes every festival throughout the year. “During the Dragon Boat Festival (端午), they would always wrap zongzi (粽子), hang a bundle of calamus and mugwort on the door, and at noon on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, they would prepare ‘Five Poisons and Eight Treasures’ ointment (五毒八宝膏药), along with ‘Six-One Powder’ (六一散) and heatstroke medicine, in preparation to give to others during the height of the sixth lunar month. After the whole family drank realgar wine, they would change into new clothes and go to Lüjiaping (吕家坪) to watch the boat races, cheering and shouting for the village’s boat... From these scenes, the family found the liberation, joy, and solemn state of mind of the holiday.”
In 1963, Shen Congwen (沈从文) published *Celebrating Festivals and Viewing Lanterns* (过节与观灯), in which he first discussed his impressions of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午). He spoke of the boat races: “The daytime fun was not enough, so it continued into the night. After midnight, those living by the river would wake from their dreams to hear the sound of gongs and drums drifting from the water.” The Dragon Boat Festival (端午) spent in the large cities and small towns along the Yuan River (沅水) and its tributaries, “due to the warm and lively local customs, remains clear, unfaded, and unchanged in my memory for nearly half a century.”
By this time, Shen Congwen (沈从文) had been working in cultural relic research for many years. He recalled many artworks themed around “Dragon Boat Racing” (闹龙舟) with the familiarity of one counting his own family treasures: “The earliest appearance of the dragon boat should be in the Dunhuang Murals (敦煌壁画), where the Eastern King Father (东王公) sits upon one to meet the Western Queen Mother (西王母), traveling through the clouds to distant places, symbolizing ‘driving six dragons to control the heavens.’ Although the painting was completed by Northern Dynasty (北朝) hands, the original draft might date back to the Han Dynasty (汉代). Next is the *Nymph of the Luo River Scroll* (洛神赋图卷), which also features a similar yet distinct dragon boat, as if depicting the scene of ‘driving jade dragons to depart together,’ serving as Cao Zhi’s (曹植) yearning for the Nymph of the Luo River (洛神)... There is also the *A-Fang Palace Scroll* (阿房宫图卷), a copy of the Tang Dynasty (唐) painter Li Zhaodao’s (李昭道) work by a Yuan (元) or Ming (明) artist, which is several zhang long and features several beautifully decorated dragon and phoenix boats, leisurely drifting across clear waves, echoing the magnificent architectural complex...”
Beyond artworks, Shen Congwen (沈从文) also discussed dragon boats made of ivory, bamboo, wood, and carved cinnabar lacquer from the Ming (明) and Qing (清) dynasties. He spoke of how folk embroidery in the southwestern provinces frequently used “Dragon Boat Racing” (闹龙舟) as a theme, applying various artistic expressions to make them exceptionally exquisite and outstanding. “When local women created these embroideries, they would invariably weave their personal memories of holiday joy, their wishes for family happiness as new brides or mothers, and their love and care for their children into the patterns along with the colorful silk threads.” The reason why the colorful prints of Dragon Boat Racing (闹龙舟) were especially popular among rural folk and women and children on fishing and cargo boats was also because they “could evoke all kinds of joyful memories and associations for them.”
(The author is a professor in the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Fudan University (复旦大学))
Return to TopBy: 周庆贵
Occasion on the Dragon Boat Festival
Song Dynasty (宋) · Wen Tianxiang (文天祥)
On the fifth day of the fifth month at noon, I am gifted a sprig of mugwort.
Old friends are nowhere to be seen, and new acquaintances are ten thousand miles away.
My loyal heart shines upon the past, while my hair turns gray with each passing day.
I wish to follow Lingjun (灵均), but the Three Xiang (三湘) regions are separated by the vast Liao Sea (辽海).
Whenever a festival arrives, if we could step into the shoes of the ancients for a moment, Wang Xizhi (王羲之) during the Shangsi Festival (上巳节) would require great artistic talent; Su Dongpo (苏东坡) during the Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节) would require a high tolerance for alcohol; Xin Qiji (辛弃疾) during the Lantern Festival (上元节) would require a sharp eye; and Wen Tianxiang (文天祥) during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) would require immense courage.
In the eighteenth year of the Zhiyuan era (1281) (至元十八年), Wen Tianxiang (文天祥) had been imprisoned in the Dadu (大都) jail for over a year. Reflecting on the present and the past, he pondered incessantly and composed "Occasion on the Dragon Boat Festival" (端午即事) on the day of the festival. This is a poem in the ancient style (古体诗); compared to the melodious regulated verse (近体诗), it uses oblique tones for rhymes, appearing particularly "rugged and indignant," reflecting the poet's inner anguish and stubborn isolation. It can be called a song of integrity for a scholar-official who refused to change his original intention during an era of chaos.
"On the fifth day of the fifth month at noon"—the opening is quite plain and risks being redundant with the poem's title. In fact, there is profound meaning here. On one hand, this shows Wen Tianxiang (文天祥) counting the days on his fingers, emphasizing how unbearable life in prison was; on the other hand, Wen Tianxiang’s (文天祥) birthday happens to be on the second day of the fifth month. By linking his birthday with the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), he added philosophical reflections on life to the poem. That day, he also wrote two poems titled "Birthday on the Dragon Boat Festival" (端午初度), expressing his feelings about his birthday approaching the festival: "Why complain about the place of death? Only I know my birthday," expressing the loneliness of prison; "A cup of water for a prisoner of Chu (楚囚) is better than a goblet of fine wine," demonstrating his unyielding integrity; "Thinking mostly of the place of death, why bother surviving alone," firming his resolve to die for his country. Special life stages often stimulate poetic inspiration, especially when two important moments overlap.
Wen Tianxiang’s (文天祥) Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) is like a shoulder pole, carrying the weight of birthday reflections on one end and thoughts of martyrdom on the other. How sorrowful, how heroic!
Once familiar with the background above, the entire poem is not difficult to understand. "Gifted a sprig of mugwort" is just like the "cornel" in Wang Wei’s (王维) "Thinking of My Brothers in Shandong on the Ninth Day of the Ninth Month" (九月九日忆山东兄弟), using typical folk imagery to寄托 (jì tuō - "entrust/express," to convey thoughts or feelings through objects) his longing, serving as an evocative opening. He then seizes the moment to look at the object and think of the person: "Old friends are nowhere to be seen, and new acquaintances are ten thousand miles away." The deceased are separated by the boundary of life and death, and the living are at the ends of the earth. At this point, the poet’s gaze shifts from the outside world to himself: "My loyal heart shines upon the past, while my hair turns gray with each passing day." Even though his body is haggard and aged, his loyal heart has never been extinguished. This turn creates ripples, elevates the artistic realm, and reveals his character.
Finally, the poet vows, "I wish to follow Lingjun (灵均)," resolving to die for his country. However, just as the emotion reaches its climax, it suddenly falls into an abyss—"The Three Xiang (三湘) regions are separated by the vast Liao Sea (辽海)!" The "Three Xiang" (三湘) is the place where Qu Yuan (屈原) drowned himself, and it is also a metonym for the fallen Southern Song (南宋) dynasty. "Wishing to follow Lingjun (灵均)" is, due to the constraints of time and space, impossible to achieve. We seem to see the poet walking alone in the wilderness, just like Qu Yuan (屈原) chanting by the marsh, searching high and low.
"Occasion on the Dragon Boat Festival" (端午即事) cannot be called exquisite in terms of artistic technique, but it carries the consistent, shining loyal heart of Wen Tianxiang (文天祥). In his work "Expressing Ambitions" (言志), he wrote: "What the benevolent and righteous stand for, stands firm like the pillars of heaven. Sacrificing one's life for the Way without living ignobly, the Way shines through the ages." The two poems can serve as footnotes for each other.
The year 2026 marks the 790th anniversary of the birth of Wen Tianxiang (文天祥). On the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), as we read Wen Tianxiang (文天祥), we should appreciate his talent, for he used literature to convey the Way; we should read his integrity, never forgetting his original intention; and we should read his heroism, asking "if not me, then who," vowing to be the backbone of the Chinese nation.
(Author's affiliation: School of Humanities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (上海交通大学))
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