Summary: This report highlights Liaoning Province’s ongoing efforts to revitalize its industrial base and improve its business environment through administrative reform and technological innovation. Liaoning Provincial Party Secretary Xu Kunlin emphasized that the province is steadfast in its commitment to high-quality development and achieving new breakthroughs in revitalization, in accordance with the directives of General Secretary Xi Jinping. The article notes that these revitalization efforts, including the growth of high-tech manufacturing and the streamlining of economic development zones, have led to positive economic indicators and a reversal of long-term population outflows. Furthermore, the report underscores the province's focus on domestic innovation, specifically citing the development of high-end medical equipment as a means to overcome previous reliance on foreign technology.
Summary: General Secretary Xi Jinping recently sent a reply letter to Zhang Liansheng, a 102-year-old veteran Party member and former Xinhua News Agency staffer, ahead of the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. In his correspondence, Xi extended sincere greetings to Zhang and veteran Party members nationwide, emphasizing the importance of inheriting "red genes" and maintaining loyalty to the Party. Across various sectors—including military units, state-owned enterprises, and academia—officials and representatives expressed their commitment to implementing the spirit of Xi’s letter by focusing on technological self-reliance, rural revitalization, and ideological education. While the article centers on domestic political heritage and organizational loyalty, the focus on developing independent, core communication technologies and building a "network power" serves as a strategic subtext regarding China's ongoing efforts to secure technological autonomy in the context of global competition.
Summary: This report highlights Xibaipo’s ongoing efforts to institutionalize the "spirit of the exam"—a concept emphasized by General Secretary Xi Jinping during his 2013 visit to the site—to ensure the ideological purity of the Party. Through innovative educational initiatives such as interactive museum exhibits, AR technology, and mobile ideological courses, the region aims to promote historical continuity and revolutionary values. Simultaneously, Xibaipo has successfully leveraged its status as a revolutionary base to drive economic development, with local officials and residents reporting a transition toward a sustainable, tourism-based model that has significantly bolstered village collective incomes. The narrative frames the preservation of this "red" heritage as a critical component of the Party's broader mission to maintain political longevity in the current era.
Summary: This article highlights the Chinese government’s strategic push to transform the cultural and tourism sector into a pillar industry for high-quality economic growth, as outlined in the "15th Five-Year Plan." Citing General Secretary Xi Jinping’s directives, officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism emphasize that deepening the integration of culture and tourism is essential for boosting domestic consumption and fostering "soft" economic development. The report details how local governments are leveraging immersive experiences, mass sporting events like the "Village Super League," and media-driven tourism to convert cultural traffic into tangible economic gains. These initiatives aim to transition the national market from traditional sightseeing toward high-value, experiential consumption models. By prioritizing these sectors, Beijing seeks to utilize domestic tourism as a primary engine for national economic stability and cultural promotion.
Summary: China State Railway Group reported that national railway fixed-asset investment reached 248.5 billion yuan in the first five months of 2024, a 2.6% year-on-year increase intended to stimulate domestic demand and economic growth. The group highlighted progress on key infrastructure projects, including static inspections for the Yichang-Xingshan and Chaohu-Ma'anshan lines, as well as testing phases for the Xiong'an-Shangqiu and Xi'an-Shiyan high-speed railways. Looking ahead, the company plans to accelerate project planning and optimize construction management to further stabilize the national economy.
Summary: Across various regions, celebrations such as rice dumpling wrapping, mugwort hanging, and dragon boat racing were held to commemorate the Dragon Boat Festival. These activities aimed to enrich public cultural life while promoting the appeal of traditional Chinese culture. The report emphasizes the state's efforts to cultivate a festive atmosphere through these community-based cultural engagements.
Summary: China’s National Energy Administration reported that total electricity consumption reached 867.1 billion kilowatt-hours in May, marking a 6.9% year-on-year increase. Data for the first five months of 2024 shows a cumulative growth of 5.7%, totaling 4.2 trillion kilowatt-hours. Industrial demand, specifically within high-tech equipment manufacturing, rose by 12.2%, while the service sector—led by electric vehicle charging and internet data services—saw significant growth of 9.7%.
Summary: The provided text appears to be a fragmented index or header from a publication, highlighting themes of "under-forest economy" development and the pursuit of ecological-economic integration. It emphasizes the concept of "turning forest land into gold" to achieve dual goals of environmental sustainability and local wealth creation. As these snippets lack reporting on specific officials, bilateral relations, or substantive policy discourse, they do not contain references to U.S.-China dynamics. The content serves primarily as a thematic descriptor for rural economic development strategies within China.
Summary: Beijing is accelerating the industrial translation of "original" scientific research by leveraging its dense concentration of top-tier universities and state laboratories to streamline the path from laboratory prototypes to market-ready products. The municipal government, guided by President Xi Jinping’s call to advance fundamental innovations, has implemented policy reforms—including intellectual property rights incentivization for researchers and "use-first, pay-later" patent licensing—to reduce barriers for tech startups. Through the development of concept validation platforms and specialized incubation hubs, the city is fostering an integrated ecosystem where AI and embodied intelligence firms can share resources and accelerate product development. Financial support is being bolstered by municipal industrial funds targeting key sectors, including AI, to address capital constraints during the translation process. These systemic efforts aim to transform Beijing's research output into high-quality industrial growth.
Summary: This article examines the integration of artificial intelligence into China’s driver training industry, highlighting the "Kuaiya" intelligent training system deployed at Dezhou Huachen Driving School. General Manager Zhang Lei explains that the system digitizes expert coaching methods to standardize instruction, reduce operational costs by 60%, and mitigate management inefficiencies. Huachen Driving School principal Li Hongliang notes that the technology shifts the coaching focus toward skills-based training while increasing transparency in school administration. Local transport officials in Dezhou have expressed support for this "AI plus transportation" model as a means to improve sector-wide service quality and regulatory governance. The system is currently operational in over 500 driving schools across more than 10 provinces.
Summary: A representative from the Ministry of Transport’s Department of Science and Technology has outlined four key criteria for identifying high-quality digital and intelligent application scenarios in the transportation sector, focusing on technological maturity, quantifiable value, safety, and scalability. Based on these standards, the Ministry has identified over 860 applications in areas such as autonomous driving, smart shipping, and intelligent safety supervision. The official stated that the government plans to leverage China's vast transport data and market scale to transition these technologies from localized demonstrations to large-scale, industry-wide adoption. The initiative underscores Beijing's commitment to utilizing AI-driven innovation to enhance operational efficiency and safety across national infrastructure.
Summary: The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) reported that the "Two New" policies—focused on large-scale equipment upgrades and trade-in programs for consumer goods—have demonstrated significant economic impact, supporting over 11,000 projects and benefiting 110 million people through May. The NDRC plans to finalize the allocation of 200 billion yuan in equipment upgrade funds and a third batch of 62.5 billion yuan in trade-in subsidies by the end of June. To ensure policy efficacy, the agency emphasized stricter regulatory oversight to prevent fraud and the implementation of comprehensive performance evaluations. These initiatives are part of Beijing's broader efforts to stimulate domestic demand and modernize infrastructure.
Summary: During the peak wheat harvest in Huozhou, Shanxi, local agricultural cooperatives have repurposed machine storage sheds into integrated maintenance and emergency service hubs to support harvester operators. Yan An'an, Director of the Huozhou Agricultural Machinery Development Center, stated that the municipal government provides policy guidance, land coordination, and subsidies for these facilities while allowing cooperatives to operate them autonomously. These hubs now feature manufacturer partnerships for 24-hour onsite repairs and digital monitoring capabilities to streamline agricultural logistics. Yan emphasized that the initiative aims to bridge service gaps and improve the efficiency of both local and cross-regional harvesting operations. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The first turbine for the 150MW phase of the Huadian Qiongjie wind power base in Shannan, Tibet, was successfully hoisted on June 18. Situated at an ultra-high altitude of 5,350 meters, this milestone marks the transition of the project into the comprehensive equipment installation phase. The completed first phase will feature 24 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 6.25MW, supported by associated power infrastructure and a 220kV booster station.
Summary: The China State Railway Group reported that the China-Europe Railway Express has seen a tenfold increase in annual operations over the past decade, reaching over 20,000 annual trips by 2025. The network now spans 129 Chinese cities and reaches 236 cities across 26 European countries, significantly diversifying its cargo from electronics to over 50,000 types of commodities. Officials highlighted that the service has maintained a 100% full-container rate for 45 consecutive months, underscoring its growing international competitiveness and logistical reliability. This expansion represents a key component of China's strategy to deepen trade connectivity with Eurasia.
Summary: This article highlights the Chinese government’s strategic push to transform the cultural and tourism sector into a pillar industry for high-quality economic development. Citing President Xi Jinping, the report emphasizes that cultural-tourism integration is essential for meeting public demand and driving national growth, as outlined in the "15th Five-Year Plan." Officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism stated that the state will continue to foster deep integration by promoting "event-based" tourism, such as local sports matches, film-inspired travel, and intangible cultural heritage experiences. This strategy aims to convert cultural "traffic" into sustained consumption, exemplified by the economic revitalization of regions through initiatives like the "Village Super League" (Cun Chao). The report frames these efforts as central to the broader national objective of building a strong cultural and tourism nation.
Summary: The 10th China-South Asia Expo, held recently in Kunming, Yunnan, convened representatives from 68 countries and international organizations, achieving full coverage of South Asian, Southeast Asian, and RCEP member states. High-level officials, including Bangladesh’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, Textiles, and Jute, Khandaker Mohtadul, and Maldives’ Minister of State for Economic Development, Ismail Rifau, utilized the platform to advocate for expanded bilateral cooperation in energy, trade, and tourism. Australia’s consul in Chengdu, Mike, specifically highlighted Australia’s interest in deepening partnerships with Yunnan in clean energy and sustainable development. The event, which saw over 27.7 billion RMB in signed contracts, serves as a strategic instrument for China to consolidate regional economic integration and strengthen its "all-weather" partnerships with neighboring countries.
Summary: Following the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum, Beijing has accelerated the implementation of its "Five Major Projects" and the third policy paper on Latin America and the Caribbean to deepen the China-LAC community of shared future. The authors emphasize that this cooperation transcends traditional trade by focusing on digital economy, green transition, and industrial synergy, positioning China as a strategic partner amid shifting global economic and geopolitical conditions. By strengthening coordination within multilateral frameworks like the BRICS and the G20, China and LAC nations aim to amplify the influence of developing countries in global governance. This strategic alignment serves as a counterweight to rising international uncertainty, providing an alternative model for modernization that emphasizes mutual benefit and non-conditionality. Through these initiatives, Beijing seeks to solidify its influence in the region, effectively positioning its development framework in contrast to the traditional, often conditional, influence of Western powers.
Summary: The Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang hosted a reception to celebrate the "International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations," attended by over 130 guests, including North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Pak Sang Gil and representatives from various North Korean party and state departments. Chinese Ambassador Wang Yajun emphasized the Global Civilization Initiative as a framework for fostering international cooperation and overcoming civilizational conflicts. In response, Pak Sang Gil expressed North Korea's desire to strengthen cultural exchange and cooperation with China, building upon the historic summits between the two nations' top leaders to elevate traditional bilateral ties.
Summary: Chinese pop-toy brands, exemplified by Pop Mart, are experiencing increasing international consumer appeal, as evidenced by recent retail activity in Barcelona, Spain. This trend underscores the growing global footprint of Chinese creative and consumer products. While the provided text does not explicitly address the United States or U.S.-China relations, it highlights the expanding reach of Chinese commercial soft power in Western markets.
Summary: Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group Senior Chairman Dhanin Chearavanont recently affirmed his long-term confidence in China’s development prospects, emphasizing that the conglomerate remains committed to deepening its footprint in the Chinese market. Reflecting on the group’s history, Dhanin highlighted a pivotal 1979 joint venture with the U.S.-based Continental Grain Company to build China’s first modern feed mill in Shenzhen. He noted that the company is shifting its strategy from introducing global technology to China toward exporting Chinese products and expertise to the world. Dhanin intends to leverage AI and advanced technology to scale CP Group’s operations, viewing the Chinese market as a critical benchmark for global leadership. He concluded that China’s commitment to high-level opening-up provides vital certainty for multinational corporations amidst global economic volatility.
Summary: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian criticized Japanese right-wing forces for engaging in historical revisionism regarding Unit 731, warning that such attempts to whitewash war crimes threaten regional peace and the post-WWII international order. Lin emphasized that the unit's human experimentation and biological warfare during WWII affected victims from multiple nations, including British and American prisoners of war. He characterized these actions as grave violations of international law and a manifestation of "new militarism" that the international community must resist. Lin’s remarks were delivered during a June 18 regular press conference.
Summary: The Chinese Ministry of Commerce recently hosted a seminar on desertification control for over 30 Chadian officials and experts, featuring site visits to Yinchuan to study ecological restoration techniques. Chadian participants, including officials from the Ministry of Livestock and the Ministry of Environment, praised China's "Yinchuan model" and expressed a strong desire to import Chinese technologies and sustainable land management practices to address Chad’s domestic environmental challenges. Chadian Ambassador to China, Abakar, accompanied the delegation’s efforts, encouraging attendees to translate the training into practical governance outcomes for Chad’s ecological development. Participants highlighted that China’s systematic approach to environmental protection serves as a valuable paradigm for nations facing similar climatic hardships. The discourse emphasized the expansion of bilateral cooperation in agriculture and environmental governance as a means to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Summary: This article reflects on the historical trajectory of China’s "First Five-Year Plan" and the socialist transformation of its economy during the 1950s. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that the Party’s leadership enabled China to transition from revolution to construction, successfully establishing a socialist system. The text highlights how early industrialization efforts, guided by Mao Zedong’s transitional period general line, addressed the nation’s technological backwardness by prioritizing heavy industry. By 1956, the state effectively completed the socialist transformation of agriculture, handicrafts, and capitalist industry, consolidating a public-ownership-based economic system. The narrative concludes by framing these foundational achievements as the basis for China’s modern advancements in aerospace, technology, and comprehensive national strength.
Summary: The Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory in Dongguan has successfully integrated Party building with scientific research to drive the development of "new quality productive forces." Deputy Director Fu Ying and Party Committee member Ke Haibo emphasize that this political framework has facilitated the commercialization of homegrown technologies—such as high-end single-crystal copper wire—to overcome critical import dependencies. Through the leadership of academician Wang Enge and collaboration with state-owned enterprises like the China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group, the lab has incubated over 70 enterprises and secured substantial industrial investment. The initiative relies on Party-led coordination to align research outputs with market demands, effectively bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and industrial application.
Summary: On June 19, multiple central-level departments—including the Publicity Department of the CCP Central Committee’s Bureau of Civilized Practice and the Ministry of Civil Affairs—jointly organized nationwide "Our Festival: Dragon Boat Festival" cultural events. The initiative aims to revitalize traditional Chinese culture through organized performances, intangible cultural heritage workshops, and regional athletic competitions like the Hunan Dragon Boat Super League. Officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Communist Youth League, the All-China Women’s Federation, and the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles also participated in coordinating these efforts. The events, held across various provinces, emphasize the promotion of domestic cultural heritage and the stimulation of holiday-related consumption.
Summary: During a 2024 inspection of the "Liuchi Alley" (Six-Foot Alley) in Tongcheng, Anhui, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the site's role in promoting traditional Chinese virtues of courtesy, harmony, and conflict resolution to foster a stable social environment. Following these directives, local officials and community members, led by community Party secretary Zhang Yun, recently held a themed event to integrate these historical values into modern grassroots governance. Zhang highlighted that the "New Era Liuchi Alley Working Method," which includes the establishment of over 300 mediation rooms, serves as a practical application of these traditional principles. The report underscores the Party's focus on utilizing traditional culture to manage social tensions and internal cohesion at the local level.
Summary: Following severe rainfall in Changshun County, Guizhou, local officials successfully averted casualties through proactive disaster risk management and organized evacuations. Changgao Village Party Secretary Wang Shunmin, supported by驻村 (resident) First Secretary Tian Huahua and village cadres, initiated emergency protocols after receiving provincial meteorological warnings. Acting on these warnings, the village leadership mobilized a party member task force to evacuate 49 residents from high-risk areas before landslides destroyed multiple homes. Baishuo Town Vice Mayor Zhang Jun credited this success to pre-emptive risk mapping, effective early warning dissemination, and the swift coordination of frontline cadres.
Summary: The Central Social Work Department hosted the 2025 "Four 100s" National Volunteer Service Excellence Awards and exchange event in Xi'an. The ceremony highlighted exemplary volunteers, organizations, projects, and communities, while officially launching the "Shared Fragrance of Books" community reading promotion initiative. Participants included representatives from volunteer groups across the country who collectively recited the volunteer oath to reaffirm their commitment to public service.
Summary: Tonggu County in Yichun, Jiangxi Province, is promoting rural revitalization by incentivizing farmers to commercialize traditional local cuisine and expand the agricultural value chain. This initiative aims to increase agricultural efficiency and raise rural household incomes. The report highlights these efforts through the example of local specialty workshops in Lutian Village, Wencheng Town, which are currently processing seasonal produce.
Summary: The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has announced a three-month "Qinglang" special campaign beginning in June 2026 to rectify irregularities in account naming and information. The initiative targets four primary issues: unauthorized impersonation of official institutions or media, fraudulent identity claims and professional misrepresentation, the inclusion of illicit external links or information, and the proliferation of "black-market" activities such as fake data and bot accounts. No specific officials were named as accompanying the announcement, nor were there any references to the United States or U.S.-China relations in the report.
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Summary: Zhejiang province is promoting "under-forest economy" models to drive rural revitalization, centering on the creation of "forestry standard lands" that provide industrial-grade infrastructure to attract private investment. Provincial forestry official He Zhiming noted that this approach transforms fragmented, idle forest land into high-efficiency assets by facilitating standardized management, supply chain integration, and deep processing. Local officials and experts, including those from Zhejiang A&F University and various county-level bureaus, emphasize that these reforms effectively solve issues of resource mismatch and high investment barriers. The initiative, now being promoted nationwide following a December 2025 directive from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, serves as a strategic framework for converting ecological resources into sustainable economic growth. By fostering "forestry shared-prosperity parks" and integrating primary, secondary, and tertiary industries, Zhejiang aims to create a replicable model for balancing ecological protection with rural income expansion.
Summary: This article outlines the strategic importance of "under-forest economy" (林下经济) as a sustainable model for integrating ecological conservation with industrial development. The author, Shen Wenxing of Zhejiang A&F University, identifies significant structural hurdles, including low economies of scale, insufficient technological integration, and fragmented market channels. To address these, the author proposes a four-pronged policy framework: scientific zoning, rigorous branding, increased technological innovation, and strengthened incentive mechanisms for local farmers. The piece emphasizes that professionalizing this sector is essential for transforming ecological advantages into long-term regional competitiveness and rural prosperity.
Summary: Please provide the article you would like me to summarize. Once the text is provided, I will draft a concise summary tailored for professional analysts, adhering to your specific requirements regarding key figures, personnel, and U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The Taiyuan Botanical Garden in Shanxi Province has successfully transformed a former industrial pollution site—previously home to coal storage and high-energy enterprises—into a premier ecological and cultural landmark. Director Cao Jianting stated that the garden will continue to enhance its service offerings and business models to meet rising public demand for recreational and educational experiences. Since its 2020 opening, the facility has integrated scientific research, plant conservation, and public education, currently housing over 5,840 species. Scientific staff, such as Dr. Ren Baoqing and department head Lü Jiannan, highlight the institution's ongoing focus on the preservation of endangered species and the development of specialized educational curricula. The project has garnered international recognition, including the World Architecture News (WAN) Award, for its innovative ecological restoration and architectural design.
Summary: This article highlights the emergence of Shunde District, Foshan, as a premier tourism destination by emphasizing its blend of Lingnan landscapes, intangible cultural heritage, and culinary traditions. Local industry figures, including Liang Yuhua, Cen Zifeng, Pan Qiting, and Du Jiamin, outline the area's key attractions, such as the Qinghui Garden, Fengjian Water Town, and its status as a UNESCO "City of Gastronomy." The report serves as a regional promotional piece, framing Shunde’s development as part of a broader national trend toward "micro-vacations" and experiential tourism. No mention is made of the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: This article, featuring expert commentary from a professor at the Wuhan Textile University, provides technical guidance for consumers on identifying effective sun-protective clothing. The author emphasizes that authentic products must display certified UPF values and adherence to established standards, such as the Chinese GB/T 18830 or international equivalents. Key recommendations include favoring synthetic fibers like polyester or nylon and opting for darker colors to enhance UV resistance. The report serves as a consumer advocacy piece regarding textile quality and safety standards.
Summary: Please provide the text of the article you would like me to summarize. Once you provide the content, I will draft a professional summary adhering to your specific constraints regarding length, focus, and inclusion of U.S.-China relations.
Summary: This article highlights the revitalization of traditional Chinese martial arts through the "cultural-sports-tourism" integration model, framing these practices as essential elements of national identity and rural economic development. Local officials and practitioners in Henan, Guangdong, and Guizhou report that by professionalizing training, embracing digital media, and institutionalizing martial arts within local schools, they have successfully transformed "kung fu villages" into vibrant, export-oriented cultural brands. Notable figures such as Chen Bing (Taijiquan descendant) and He Liangxing (Yongchun practitioner) emphasize the importance of blending rigorous traditional instruction with modern international exchange to ensure the survival of these practices. The article notes that these efforts have facilitated the global spread of Chinese martial arts, with practitioners now active in over 150 countries and regions. Local authorities, including Tianzhu County’s cultural bureau chief Ou Lingling, underscored that these initiatives are central to poverty alleviation and the creation of unique "village-level" intellectual property (IP) to attract tourism and modernize rural economies.
Summary: This article, authored by the director of the China Agricultural Museum, posits that traditional Chinese agricultural civilization provides a vital foundation for modern development through six distinct values: historical, ecological, cultural, economic, social, and global. The author highlights the "global value" of this heritage, arguing that Chinese agricultural practices offer a viable model for addressing international food insecurity and poverty. Specifically, the text notes the successful export of Chinese farming techniques—such as rice-fish co-culture—to regions across Africa, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Europe, and the Americas. By promoting these initiatives through South-South cooperation, the author suggests that China is actively contributing to the construction of a "community with a shared future for mankind." This international outreach serves as a strategic counter-narrative to Western-led development models, positioning Chinese agricultural wisdom as a global public good.
Summary: This article highlights the cultural and economic significance of "Huzhui," a traditional *zongzi* variety made with oak leaves, native to Lushan County, Henan Province. It traces the historical origins of this foodway to Warring States-era Chu tomb archaeological findings, underscoring its longevity in regional heritage. Recently, Lushan authorities have leveraged the "Huzhui" culinary IP as a vehicle for rural revitalization, integrating traditional craft into local tourism and non-material cultural heritage promotion. The initiative aims to stimulate local consumption and economic development by formalizing the production technique and hosting festive market events.
Summary: Please provide the text of the article you would like me to summarize. Once provided, I will draft a summary that adheres to your requirements regarding professional tone, length, and content focus.
Summary: The provided text is a brief editorial reflection on the cultural significance of the Dragon Boat Festival, characterizing the holiday's traditional elements—such as mugwort, rice dumplings, and dragon boat chants—as essential vessels for transmitting heritage and seasonal memory. The editor emphasizes that these customs serve as a "cultural code" that connects historical narratives with contemporary daily life. As a purely cultural commentary, the excerpt does not address political figures, official delegations, or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: This article explores the cultural and social significance of Dragon Boat Festival traditions in the Lingnan region, framing the events as a manifestation of the enduring vitality and grassroots strength inherent in the local populace. The author details the meticulous process of "awakening" the dragon boats and describes the intense competition in Guangzhou and Foshan, where residents and visitors gather to celebrate both the sport and regional culinary heritage. The narrative underscores the resilience and "fierce" spirit of the local people, drawing a parallel between the precision required for high-stakes dragon boat drifting and the historical role of the region in driving societal change. Ultimately, the piece positions these annual rituals as a reflection of the profound, unyielding energy embedded within Lingnan’s community life.
Summary: This article reflects on the cultural significance of the Dragon Boat Festival in Suzhou, using the local popularity of handmade zongzi as a lens to examine the city’s blend of traditional customs and modern innovation. The author highlights how Suzhou balances a "slow" cultural temperament with efficient, high-quality productivity, exemplified by both artisanal food practices and the city’s record-breaking culinary creativity. Beyond the culinary aspects, the text emphasizes that Suzhou’s observance of the festival centers on the historical figure Wu Zixu, representing local values of loyalty, courage, and integrity. Ultimately, the piece positions these localized traditions as a form of cultural continuity that persists despite the influences of modernity and changing lifestyles.
Summary: This literary essay provides a nostalgic, personal reflection on the traditions and maternal care associated with the Dragon Boat Festival in the rural region of Nanwan. The author details the preparation of seasonal foods such as fermented oat *tianpei* and herbal sachets, framing these practices as intergenerational cultural transmissions. Through the lens of childhood memories and the sensory experiences of the festival, the text emphasizes the preservation of local customs and the nurturing role of the mother. It offers no political commentary and makes no reference to the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The provided text identifies the painting "Duan Yang Jing Tu" (Scenes of the Dragon Boat Festival), an artwork by Yu Zhi currently held in the collection of the Palace Museum. As this is an informational caption regarding a historical artifact, there is no mention of political officials, their associates, or any references to the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The provided text is a contemporary literary poem reflecting on the traditional cultural practices and emotional resonance of the Dragon Boat Festival. It utilizes imagery of mugwort, colorful threads, and seasonal rural life to evoke themes of nostalgia, domestic continuity, and the passage of time. As the text is a creative piece of prose and lacks political commentary, reportage on official activities, or references to international relations, there is no mention of U.S.-China dynamics or state-level policy.
Summary: This article explores the historical and cultural traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival in Beijing, tracing practices ranging from classical poetry recitation to the medicinal use of mugwort and calamus. It highlights the traditional emphasis on "warding off evil" and avoiding the "five poisons" (scorpions, centipedes, toads, geckos, and snakes) through folklore, protective rituals, and seasonal diet. The author frames these customs as a historical reflection of the human relationship with nature, emphasizing avoidance and coexistence over eradication. The piece concludes by citing Wen Tianxiang’s poetry to illustrate the festival's enduring role as a vehicle for cultural memory and the preservation of tradition.
Summary: This essay provides a nostalgic reflection on traditional Dragon Boat Festival customs in a rural Chinese village, focusing on the preservation of local heritage through the exchange of seasonal flora and food. The narrative highlights the enduring social bonds between elderly residents, specifically detailing the author’s grandmother's visits to a widowed neighbor, Chen, to share traditional treats like *zhiguo* and zongzi. These interactions serve as a cultural touchstone, illustrating the importance of communal reciprocity and the maintenance of traditional craftsmanship within aging households. The text emphasizes the continuity of these domestic rituals as a means of sustaining social cohesion and emotional support in the face of modernization and rural depopulation. No mention is made of the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The provided text serves as a submission solicitation for the *People’s Daily* "Dadi" (Earth/Land) column. It outlines requirements for original, exclusive contributions and provides contact information for the editorial team. As this is a generic administrative notice regarding editorial policy, it does not contain political reporting, official statements, or references to U.S.-China relations.
By: 本报记者 刘成友 郝迎灿 刘佳华
On June 18, stepping into Liaoning Guixin Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd. (辽宁铁岭贵鑫环保科技股份有限公司), construction on four new projects with a total investment exceeding 500 million yuan is in full swing. "With government subsidies and payments for arrears from local enterprises being settled one after another, we are 铆足劲 (mǎo zú jìn - "rivet enough strength," to exert one's utmost effort) to expand production capacity," said Wu We (吴卫), the company's chairman.
Liaoning (辽宁) has made great efforts to eradicate various deep-seated ills and has continuously increased its efforts to ensure and improve people's livelihoods. In Shenyang (沈阳), 102 stalled or delayed projects have been accelerated and revitalized; in Chaoyang (朝阳), the "gas-to-home" project has allowed more than 60,000 households to bid farewell to difficulties in using gas; in Fushun (抚顺), 183 urban enclosures of various types have been demolished and transformed into public spaces...
In January 2025, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) visited Liaoning (辽宁) to extend his regards to grassroots cadres and the public, expressing his hope that Liaoning (辽宁) would take the lead in making new breakthroughs in promoting the comprehensive revitalization of the Northeast in the new era, and strive to write a chapter of Chinese-style modernization for Liaoning (辽宁).
Deeply implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important instructions, Liaoning (辽宁) adheres to a problem-oriented approach, advancing comprehensive revitalization in depth with a better development environment, stronger innovation momentum, deeper reform breakthroughs, and a more pragmatic work style.
On June 5, at the shipyard base of Hengli Heavy Industry (Dalian) Co., Ltd. (恒力造船（大连）有限公司) on Changxing Island (长兴岛), two 306,000-deadweight-ton ultra-large crude carriers were delivered simultaneously. "In the first quarter of this year, the company received orders for 108 new ships and delivered 14 vessels, both hitting the best levels for the same period in history," said Wang Lei (王雷), the company's deputy general manager, with pride.
The Liaoshen (辽沈) region demonstrating a new atmosphere and shaping new momentum is a vivid microcosm of Liaoning (辽宁) striving to advance comprehensive revitalization in the opening year of the "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五).
Cultivating fertile soil, making every effort to optimize the business environment—
Changxing Island (长兴岛), Dalian (大连), located on the west side of the Liaodong Peninsula (辽东半岛), is far from the main urban area of Dalian (大连). The shortcomings in offshore government services once constrained the development of port-based scientific and technological innovation enterprises. "In the past, to handle intellectual property business, one had to travel across the sea, and a round trip to the city took at least 3 hours," said Han Xiaohui (韩晓辉), deputy general manager of Dalian Bonetang Technology Co., Ltd. (大连博恩坦科技有限公司).
How to solve the pain point? The market supervision department of the Changxing Island Economic and Technological Development Zone (长兴岛经济技术开发区) connected with municipal resources to promote the sinking of services. In April this year, the first branch of the Dalian (大连) Intellectual Property Protection Center landed on Changxing Island (长兴岛). "We are promoting three patent applications, and an intellectual property mortgage loan of more than 40 million yuan has also been successfully renewed," said Han Xiaohui (韩晓辉).
The shortening of spatial distance reflects the change in the business environment. Liaoning (辽宁) uses digital technology to empower the efficient matching of policies benefiting enterprises, with more than 1,100 policies achieving "application-free enjoyment"; it regulates enterprise-related law enforcement and has formulated a "list of non-punishment, lenient punishment, and mitigated punishment" covering 2,155 law enforcement items; 518 provincial and municipal leaders across the province have paired up to assist 10,403 enterprises, helping them resolve more than 2,000 appeals...
In the first quarter of this year, major projects such as JD Group's (京东集团) 15-billion-yuan yacht project and Geely Auto (吉利汽车) were launched one after another, and the magnetic attraction effect of "investing in Liaoning" (辽宁) continues to amplify.
Building engines, focusing on promoting industrial upgrading—
At the Neusoft Medical Industrial Park (东软医疗产业园) in Shenyang (沈阳), brand-new photon-counting CT scanners are about to be shipped. "It can accurately capture tiny lesions, reducing radiation dose by more than 80%," introduced Wu Shaojie (武少杰), CEO of Neusoft Medical (东软医疗).
29 years ago, China's first CT scanner was born at Neusoft (东软), breaking foreign monopolies. In May this year, the first domestic wide-body photon-counting CT scanner achieved mass production and delivery here. Behind the technological breakthrough is the company's long-term investment of more than 10% of its annual operating revenue into research and development to promote product iteration and upgrading.
As an old industrial base, Liaoning (辽宁) takes scientific and technological innovation as an important driving force, vigorously promotes the "intelligent transformation and digital conversion" of traditional industries, and cultivates and strengthens strategic emerging industries and future industries. In the first quarter of this year, the added value of Liaoning's (辽宁) high-tech manufacturing industry increased by 7.1% year-on-year, the added value of the high-end equipment manufacturing industry increased by 55.8% year-on-year, and the turnover of technology contracts increased by 22.6% year-on-year.
Activating momentum, deepening reform in key areas—
"In the first 5 months of this year, we newly signed 5 projects each worth over 100 million yuan, with a total investment of over 3.5 billion yuan," said Xue Qiang (薛强), director of the Management Committee of the Shuncheng Economic Development Zone (顺城经济开发区) in Fushun (抚顺). Three provincial-level economic development zones in Fushun (抚顺) were abolished at once, with only the Shuncheng (顺城) zone retained to concentrate on excellence.
"Through precise 'breaking,' we consolidate high-quality 'establishing'." Liu Dianhui (刘殿辉), deputy director of the Liaoning Provincial Department of Commerce (辽宁省商务厅), introduced that from November last year to now, the number of provincial-level economic development zones in Liaoning (辽宁) has been reduced from 92 to 71, and at the same time, the work of abolishing and merging the second batch of provincial-level economic development zones is being studied and promoted.
Making great efforts to promote reform in key areas, Liaoning (辽宁) has promoted the establishment of the Provincial International Trade Group (省国贸集团) and the Provincial Data Group (省数据集团); deeply implemented the strategy of upgrading the Pilot Free Trade Zone (自贸试验区), and accelerated the cultivation of new growth points for foreign trade...
Advancing in depth, Liaoning's (辽宁) comprehensive revitalization continues to make new breakthroughs. In 2025, Liaoning (辽宁) saw a net inter-provincial inflow of 45,000 permanent residents, further consolidating the positive trend after reversing 11 consecutive years of net population outflow in 2023. In the first quarter of this year, the number of private enterprises in Liaoning (辽宁) increased by 5% year-on-year; the province's total import and export volume increased by 4.5% year-on-year, among which the import and export volume of cross-border e-commerce increased by 46.6% year-on-year.
"Bearing in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) earnest instructions, Liaoning (辽宁) is determined not to waver in high-quality development, daring to break through and work hard, and striving to promote new breakthroughs in the comprehensive revitalization of Liaoning (辽宁) in the new era," said Xu Kunlin (许昆林), Secretary of the Liaoning Provincial Party Committee (辽宁省委).
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 史一棋
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) replied to a letter from Zhang Liansheng (张连生), a 102-year-old veteran Party member at Xinhua News Agency (新华社), extending his sincere greetings to him and to veteran Party members and comrades across the country.
General Secretary Xi Jinping’s (习近平) important reply letter is heartening and inspiring. Party members and cadres have expressed that they will follow the Party forever, pass on the red gene, never forget their original aspiration, keep their mission firmly in mind, fulfill their duties, work diligently, and write an excellent report card on the new journey.
During the years of war, a group of comrades from Xinhua News Agency (新华社) followed the Party Central Committee (党中央) to northern Shaanxi (陕北) as members of the "Fourth Brigade" (四大队) of the Central Column (中央纵队). "As a member of the 'Fourth Brigade' (四大队) back then, Comrade Zhang Liansheng (张连生) spent his ordinary life fulfilling the promise of 'following the Party forever,'" said Luo Yue (雒悦), an editor at the Journalism History Research Office of the Xinhua News Agency Research Institute (新华社研究院). She added that they must continue to deepen the research on the agency's history, distill more red elements with distinct characteristics, and contribute to the Party's news and public opinion cause.
Walking into the Telegraph Gallery on the second floor of the Xibaipo Memorial Hall (西柏坡纪念馆) in Pingshan County (平山县), Shijiazhuang City (石家庄市), Hebei Province (河北省), one can see 37 telegraph manuscripts drafted by Comrade Mao Zedong (毛泽东) engraved on the marble walls on both sides. The dense telegraph text makes one feel as if they can hear the "tick-tock, tick-tock" of the telegraph machines.
"More than 70 years ago, the 'tick-tock' of the telegraph transmitted the voice of the Party Central Committee (党中央). The whole Party obeyed the Central Committee and unconditionally executed the Party's orders, leading the Chinese revolution to final victory." Feng Hongjuan (封红卷), Secretary of the Party Branch and Director of the Village Committee of Beizhuang Village (北庄村), Xibaipo Town (西柏坡镇), Pingshan County (平山县), stopped to study at the Telegraph Gallery. "We must integrate the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s (习近平) important reply letter into the practice of promoting comprehensive rural revitalization, rely on the red resources of Xibaipo (西柏坡), optimize red tourism, strengthen characteristic industries, unite and lead the masses to work hard, and build the old revolutionary base area into a better place."
The "Zhu De (朱德) Signal Company" (朱德警通连) of a brigade under the 81st Group Army (第81集团军) of the People's Liberation Army (陆军) organized officers and soldiers to study Chairman Xi’s (习主席) important reply letter immediately.
"Like Comrade Zhang Liansheng (张连生), our company's predecessors stood firm on the communications front and silently bore the burden of charging forward. Having gone through the Long March (长征), the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (抗日战争), the War of Liberation (解放战争), and the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (抗美援朝), generations of signal soldiers in our company have used radio stations as their blades and lines as their pulses, opening up command links amidst gunfire and rain, and transmitting the Party's orders with absolute loyalty." The company's political instructor stated that the officers and soldiers are determined to implement the spirit of Chairman Xi’s (习主席) important reply letter, pass on the red gene well, keep their loyal mission in mind, focus on combat readiness duties, hone their all-weather communication support skills, and deliver an excellent report card on the journey of strengthening the military.
"Comrade Zhang Liansheng (张连生) went through the flames of war without changing his original aspiration. The phrase 'follow the Party forever' vividly interprets the pure and sincere faith of a Communist," said Li Jing (李菁), Secretary of the Party Branch and Curator of the Nanchang New Fourth Army Headquarters Site Memorial Hall (南昌新四军军部旧址陈列馆) in Jiangxi Province (江西省). She expressed that they must earnestly study and comprehend the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s (习近平) important reply letter, make good use of rich forms such as immersive exhibitions, on-site teaching, and online cloud galleries to carry out red education for Party members, cadres, and the masses, and serve as disseminators of red stories and inheritors of the red gene, so that the revolutionary spirit can be passed down from generation to generation.
Qingliang Mountain (清凉山) in Yan'an (延安), Shaanxi (陕西), is the cradle of our Party's news and publishing cause. Back then, the older generation of journalists used their pens as guns in simple cave dwellings to record the changing times.
"From setting up radio stations on horseback in those days to today's all-media communication matrix, what has changed is the working method of journalists, but what remains unchanged is the sincere emotion of trusting and loving the Party." Nan Weidong (南卫东), Director of the Collection Center of the Yan'an Media Convergence Center (延安市融媒体中心), said, "We must take the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s (习近平) important reply letter as our guide, continue the red spiritual lineage, capture vivid materials in the heat of practice, listen to the voices of the masses in the fields, and diligently hone our 'four powers' (四力), so that the glorious traditions of journalism can bloom with even more brilliant radiance in the new era."
"Comrade Zhang Liansheng (张连生) worked hard and rooted himself in his communications technology post. This firm belief of 'following the Party forever and being a member of the 'Fourth Brigade' (四大队) forever' is the red gene we need to inherit." Huang Runhuai (黄润怀), Chief Expert of China Telecom (中国电信) and General Manager of the Intelligent Computing Platform Business Department of Tianyi Cloud Technology Co., Ltd. (天翼云科技有限公司), felt deeply, "We must earnestly study and comprehend the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s (习近平) important reply letter, follow the Party forever, bravely venture into the 'no-man's land' of technological innovation, continue to tackle key core technologies such as cloud computing and databases, and strive to let the fruits of technological innovation better benefit the people."
In the Broadband Wireless Communication Systems and Networks Laboratory at Tsinghua University (清华大学), Professor Wang Jintao (王劲涛) of the Department of Electronic Engineering (电子工程系) is leading his team in the **紧锣密鼓** (jǐn luó mì gǔ - "tight gongs dense drums," intense and busy preparations) of conducting experiments for the 6G communication, sensing, computing, and intelligence integration system.
Deeply studying and comprehending the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s (习近平) important reply letter, Wang Jintao (王劲涛) feels greatly encouraged. "We are engaged in the innovative practice of communication technology. We will definitely inherit the red gene, transform our loyalty to the communication cause into the driving force for tackling key problems, deeply cultivate independent communication core technologies, strive to solve difficult problems, always resonate with the cause of the Party and the country, and hand in an excellent report card on the new journey of building a cyber power," said Wang Jintao (王劲涛).
(Reporters Zhang Danhua (张丹华), Ding Yasong (丁雅诵), Zhang Tengyang (张腾扬), Li Longyi (李龙伊), Li Linwei (李林蔚), and Yang Yanfei (杨颜菲) from this newspaper participated in the reporting.)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 史自强 强郁文
The towering Taihang Mountains (太行山) stand tall, and the surging Hutuo River (滹沱河) flows on. In Pingshan County (平山县), Hebei Province (河北), lies Xibaipo (西柏坡), a sacred site of the revolution.
Here, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (党中央) convened the National Land Conference, directed the Three Major Campaigns (三大战役), held the Second Plenary Session of the Seventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (党的七届二中全会), and nurtured the Xibaipo Spirit (西柏坡精神). In March 1949, the Central Committee set out from Xibaipo (西柏坡) to "enter Beijing (北京) for the examination," turning a new page in Chinese history.
In July 2013, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) presided over a symposium in Xibaipo (西柏坡) and demanded: "We must continue to do well in the 'examination' set by the people for our Party, and the 'examination' that our Party is undergoing and will continue to undergo, so that our Party will never change its nature and our red regime will never change its color."
Bearing in mind the General Secretary's (习近平) earnest instructions, Xibaipo (西柏坡) is striving to walk the new road of the "examination" well.
Fingers lift gently, the clappers fly up and down, and crisp sounds ripple between the bamboo boards—in the Xibaipo Memorial Hall (西柏坡纪念馆), a docent plays the clappers while telling the story of the "examination." "In addition to professional docents, we also have 'Young Pioneer' docents and youth volunteers," says Fan Haotian (范浩天), a staff member at the memorial hall.
Inviting people in and reaching out. The ideological and political course "Inspiration from the Examination," which integrates various art forms such as sketches, songs, and Hebei Bangzi (河北梆子) opera, has entered many universities, including the Shijiazhuang Flight Academy of the Air Force (空军石家庄飞行学院) and Hebei Institute of Fine Arts (河北美术学院), receiving widespread acclaim.
Technology empowers, reaching the mind and heart. Using augmented reality technology, one can take photos of black-and-white historical photos in display cases, and static images transform into dynamic documentary footage, making one feel as if they have traveled through time and space, placing them in the magnificent revolutionary years.
Adobe houses, yellow mud walls, wooden tables, and oil lamps. Each site, each artifact, and each story has become a spiritual home that nourishes the original aspiration and tempers the soul. In 2025, approximately 3.6 million visitors walked into Xibaipo (西柏坡) to perceive the red spirit and draw strength for progress. "Standing here, I truly felt the weight of the phrase 'New China came from here,'" said Wang Xiuhua (王秀华), a tourist from Shandong (山东), as she gently touched a mottled wooden door.
The former Xibaipo Village (西柏坡村) once faced weak natural conditions and limited development. Refusing to sit idle or rely on others, the cadres and masses in the old revolutionary base area transformed the Xibaipo Spirit (西柏坡精神) into the driving force for entrepreneurship. 不等不靠 (bù děng bù kào - "not waiting, not relying," to take initiative and self-reliance rather than waiting for help from others).
Walking through the village today, the farmhouses with white walls and grey tiles are neat and beautiful, with sewage treatment, cultural corridors, and sanitary facilities all in place, while various homestays, restaurants, and specialty shops are arranged in an orderly manner. Relying on unique red cultural tourism resources, over 90 percent of the villagers now earn a living from "tourism."
Yan Erpeng (闫二鹏), born in the 1980s, resolutely returned to his hometown after graduating from university to establish a travel agency, dedicating himself to the red cultural tourism industry. "We must continue to inherit and innovate, safeguard the golden signboard of Xibaipo (西柏坡), and let the Xibaipo Spirit (西柏坡精神) shine with new brilliance in the new era."
Building a village history museum, completing a folk culture village, and launching immersive live-action performances... Xibaipo Village (西柏坡村) continues to improve the quality of tourism, making its golden name card of red tourism shine ever brighter.
In 2025, the collective income of Xibaipo Village (西柏坡村) reached approximately 700,000 yuan; among the 16 administrative villages in Xibaipo Town (西柏坡镇), more than 60 percent have an annual collective income exceeding 200,000 yuan.
On the new journey, Xibaipo (西柏坡) will continue to forge ahead with solid work and responsibility, striving to write a new chapter for the high-quality development of the old revolutionary base area.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 郑海鸥
On the first day of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), Xi'an (西安) was bustling with excitement. Amidst the "Night Scenery of the Tang Dynasty" (盛唐夜景), visitors exchanged poetry and chatted with actors portraying Du Fu (杜甫) and Bai Juyi (白居易); beneath the ancient city walls, they donned Hanfu (汉服), savored paomo (泡馍), and listened to folk music... Tourists immersed themselves in the ancient charm and national style, feeling the vibrant atmosphere of daily life.
Why do tourists love visiting Xi'an (西安)?
Nowadays, tourism is not just about visiting famous sites or viewing scenery; many young people prefer to step into local life and experience regional culture. Adapting to this trend, scenic spots have launched immersive experiences, where tourists do more than just "view the scenery"—they "enter the play" and "co-perform." Tourists experience hoeing, picking, and attending "Village Galas" (村晚) in rural areas, enjoying the pleasures of the pastoral landscape...
General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out: "The integration of culture and tourism has broad prospects. We must promote the high-quality development of the cultural and tourism industry, truly building it into a pillar industry, a livelihood industry, and a happiness industry." The Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (十五五规划纲要) proposes to "vigorously develop the cultural tourism industry, empower economic and social development with culture," and "promote the deep integration of culture and tourism."
With the continuous deepening of cultural and tourism integration, new consumption scenarios have emerged one after another, and new business formats are growing vigorously. Last year, the number of domestic tourist trips in China (中国) exceeded 6.5 billion, a year-on-year increase of 16.2%, and tourism spending reached 6.30 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.5%, with both scale indicators hitting record highs.
From "just visiting" to immersive experiences, emotional value is constantly increasing.
The Zhejiang Opera (越剧) melodies drift from the ancient stage, the old street markets are filled with variety, and the Zhedong Canal (浙东运河) flows steadily... Fenghui Ancient Town (丰惠古镇) in Shaoxing (绍兴), Zhejiang (浙江), possesses both an archaic charm and youthful vitality.
After the town was protected and renovated, it invited old craftsmen to return, providing tourists with an authentic experience. Seeing the childhood appearance of the ancient town return, Yu Haisheng (俞海深), a representative inheritor of the bucket-making craft who is over seventy years old, picked up his plane and chisel again. "I didn't expect young people to like this craft." Outside Yu Haisheng's (俞海深) woodworking shop, there is always a queue. Tourists experience wood shaving and assembly, and can even take the small buckets they made home.
Tourist Wang Yongsheng (王永盛) from Hunan (湖南) originally intended to just "stop by," but unexpectedly encountered a "treasure town." "Folk customs, elegant music, handmade experiences, and seasonal delicacies—it is both appreciable and participatory; the sense of interaction is fully maximized." Last year, Fenghui Ancient Town (丰惠古镇) received nearly 870,000 tourists.
The cultural tourism industry is an important way to meet the people's needs for a better life. The popularity of ancient cities and towns, intangible cultural heritage, and "Village Galas" (村晚) continues to rise. The deep integration of culture and tourism has transformed the tourism model from a 走马观花 (zǒu mǎ guān huā - "look at flowers while riding a horse," to make a quick, superficial inspection) approach to a slow-paced, experiential consumption model, with abundant market potential.
Look beyond culture to see culture, and promote the upgrading of the cultural and tourism industry.
Not long ago, the micro-drama "Appointment in Taiyuan" (太原之约) was broadcast. "City landmarks, delicacies, and beautiful scenery—it feels like an invitation to visit Taiyuan (太原)," one netizen commented.
Ren Jing (任婧), who traveled from afar from Heilongjiang (黑龙江), used this drama as a "tour guide manual." "Traveling with the protagonist, visiting ancient buildings, and tasting snacks—it's a different kind of experience."
Thousands of miles away, following the hit movie "Love Letter to Grandma" (给阿嬷的情书), Shantou (汕头), Guangdong (广东), seized the opportunity to create a "Follow Grandma to Tour Shantou" (跟着阿嬷游汕头) route.
Sculpting tourism with culture and highlighting culture through tourism—traveling by following micro-dramas, movies, performances, and classic literature has become a new idea and trend for the deepening reform and innovative development of the cultural industry. Many places support the filming of micro-dramas and film/television works, organically integrating their content with local characteristic culture to continuously enhance their visibility, attracting tourists to follow the lens to appreciate the landscapes and feel the humanistic customs.
"Integrated development is the general trend; the development of all industries cannot rely on 单打独斗 (dān dǎ dú dòu - "fight alone," to act independently without cooperation)." A relevant official from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (文化和旅游部) stated that they will continue to promote the deep integration and development of culture and tourism, cultivate brands such as traveling following performances, films, sports events, and intangible cultural heritage, to better meet the needs of the masses.
Cultural and tourism traffic brings consumption increments, driving national economic growth.
Li Xiong (李雄), a citizen of Wuhan (武汉), Hubei (湖北), made his second trip to Rongjiang County (榕江县), Guizhou (贵州), "to watch the 'Village Super League' (村超), and even more, to appreciate the local customs." Staying in homestays, exploring the Dong villages (侗寨), and walking through the streets—it was a trip well worth it.
A single ball game made a city famous; the "Village Super League" (村超) continues to empower the economic and social development of Rongjiang (榕江). Rongjiang (榕江) was once a poverty-stricken county, and in 2025, its regional GDP reached 10.914 billion yuan. Achieving this leap is inseparable from the spillover effect of the "Village Super League" (村超). Leveraging the traffic, the local catering industry alone generated over 1.4 billion yuan in revenue last year.
"Village Super League" (村超), "Village BA" (村BA), "Su Super League" (苏超), "Chuan Super League" (川超)... Mass sports events have become a new engine for driving tourism, activating consumption, and boosting the economy.
The "Su Super League" (苏超) is in full swing. Sihong County (泗洪县), Suqian (宿迁), Jiangsu (江苏), has set up outdoor viewing venues where citizens and tourists can watch the game while enjoying the city's scenery; many scenic spots in Lianyungang (连云港) have launched viewing benefits, and small ticket stubs are bringing in large passenger flows... Event traffic is continuously being converted into economic growth.
The cultural tourism industry is an important part of the national economy. Both "Cultural Power" (文化强国) and "Tourism Power" (旅游强国) have been written into the Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (十五五规划纲要). A relevant official from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (文化和旅游部) stated that, in order to deeply implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important instructions, during the "15th Five-Year" period, culture and tourism must be planned and promoted within the overall situation of the Party and the country's cause, so as to better play the role of nourishing the mind and cultivating sentiments, and empowering economic and social development.
Return to TopBeijing (北京), June 19 (Reporter Li Xinping (李心萍)) — The reporter learned from the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (中国国家铁路集团有限公司) that in the first five months of this year, national railway fixed asset investment reached 248.5 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 2.6%. This has leveraged the driving role of railway construction investment, providing strong support for expanding domestic demand in all aspects and enhancing the endogenous driving force of economic and social development.
Since the beginning of this year, the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (国铁集团) has focused on networking, network supplementation, and chain strengthening. It has scientifically and orderly advanced railway planning and construction, efficiently coordinated construction safety, quality, and progress, and promoted new breakthroughs in a number of key projects. In May, the static acceptance for the Yichang (宜昌) to Xingshan (兴山) high-speed railway and the Chaohu (巢湖) to Ma'anshan (马鞍山) intercity railway began; the static acceptance for the Harbin (哈尔滨) to Tieli (铁力) and Tieli (铁力) to Yichun (伊春) railways was completed; the Xiong'an (雄安) to Shangqiu (商丘) high-speed railway entered the full-line integrated testing stage; and the Xi'an (西安) to Shiyan (十堰) high-speed railway entered the operational testing stage.
Moving forward, the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (国铁集团) will coordinate the use of resources, accelerate the preliminary work for key projects, and optimize the construction organization of projects under construction to effectively fulfill its role in expanding domestic demand, stabilizing the economy, and promoting development. In this process, the group remains 兢兢业业 (jīng jīng yè yè - "cautious cautious industrious industrious," to be diligent and conscientious in one's work) to ensure that all goals are met.
Return to TopWrapping zongzi (粽子) and hanging mugwort (艾草), dragon boat racing (龙舟竞渡)…… Around the time of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), various regions held colorful and diverse activities, creating a rich festive atmosphere, enriching the spiritual and cultural life of the masses, and allowing people to experience the charm of excellent traditional Chinese culture (中华优秀传统文化) through these distinctive activities. (For related reports, see the Fourth Edition (第四版))
Return to TopBeijing (北京), June 19 (Reporter Wang Yunshan (王云杉)) — The reporter learned from the National Energy Administration (国家能源局) that in May of this year, the total electricity consumption of the whole society reached 867.1 billion kilowatt-hours, a year-on-year increase of 6.9%. From January to May, the cumulative total electricity consumption of the whole society reached 4.2018 trillion kilowatt-hours, a year-on-year increase of 5.7%.
Broken down by industry, in May, electricity consumption for the primary industry was 12.4 billion kilowatt-hours, a year-on-year increase of 5.0%; electricity consumption for the secondary industry was 575.3 billion kilowatt-hours, a year-on-year increase of 6.0%, among which industrial electricity consumption was 570.3 billion kilowatt-hours, a year-on-year increase of 6.2%, and electricity consumption for high-tech and equipment manufacturing was 109.1 billion kilowatt-hours, a year-on-year increase of 12.2%; electricity consumption for the tertiary industry was 170.4 billion kilowatt-hours, a year-on-year increase of 9.7%, among which electricity consumption for the charging and battery swapping service industry and internet data services reached 14.9 billion kilowatt-hours and 9.0 billion kilowatt-hours respectively, with year-on-year growth rates reaching 59.9% and 45.4% respectively. Electricity consumption for urban and rural residential living was 109.0 billion kilowatt-hours, a year-on-year increase of 7.5%.
Return to TopObservations on the Development of Under-Forest Economy
Generating Wealth from Forest Land: The Symbiosis of Greenery and Prosperity
Fifth Edition
Supplement
Dadi Duanyang (大地端阳) · Scenery and Products
Eighth Edition
By: 本报记者 王 洲 潘俊强 王子凯
Inside the Embodied Intelligence Logistics Scenario Joint Laboratory (具身智能物流场景联合实验室), a humanoid robot "shows off" its dexterous hands: it can hold a water cup steadily, perform household chores, and sort packages of varying sizes. "This robot has already been applied to the assembly lines of several express delivery companies, capable of sorting 1,200 packages per hour," introduced Chen Jianyu (陈建宇), founder of Beijing Agibot Technology Co., Ltd. (北京星动纪元科技公司).
Strong scientific research advantages have allowed Agibot (星动纪元), which has been established for less than three years, to achieve multiple breakthroughs in the field of embodied intelligence. The company was incubated by the Institute for Interdisciplinary Information Sciences (交叉信息研究院) at Tsinghua University (清华大学), enabling it to rapidly transform cutting-edge laboratory theories into actual productive forces.
General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) has pointed out: "Original technologies must go from '0' to '1', transforming from experimental realization rather than remaining at the paper stage. In the future, we must also extend and advance the '1'." Beijing (北京) is currently promoting the transition of scientific research achievements from laboratories to production lines through institutional innovation, platform construction, and ecological cultivation, thereby achieving industrial advancement.
Beijing (北京) hosts 23% of the nation's "Double First-Class" (双一流) universities and 28% of the national key laboratories. With 180.7 high-value invention patents per 10,000 people, its scientific research advantages are **得天独厚** (dé tiān dú hòu - "obtain heaven unique thick," endowed by nature with unique advantages). How can the momentum of transformation be activated to let the seeds of technology take root and blossom?
Empowering the transformation of scientific and technological achievements through institutional innovation. With the introduction of policy measures such as the action plan for promoting the transformation and implementation of scientific and technological achievements and the promotion of the transformation of scientific and technological achievements in capital universities, the transformation of scientific and technological achievements now has a stronger foundation.
"We have promoted 12 universities and research institutes, including Beijing Institute of Technology (北京理工大学), to carry out reforms in the empowerment of job-related scientific and technological achievements, granting the ownership or long-term usage rights of 128 such achievements to researchers." Relevant officials from the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission and the Zhongguancun Science Park Administrative Committee (北京市科委、中关村管委会) introduced that this has resolved long-standing issues regarding unclear ownership and ambiguous benefit distribution during the transformation process, further stimulating enthusiasm for transformation.
In addition, Beijing (北京) has introduced six supporting policies to promote the independent management of assets formed by scientific and technological achievements and to pilot the "use first, pay later" model for these achievements. This has cumulatively pushed universities and research institutes to license over 1,000 patents to more than 120 small, medium, and micro enterprises, reducing the cost for enterprises to acquire technology.
To realize the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, the willingness to transform is the starting point, and the ability to transform is the key. To push more laboratory samples to become market products, Beijing (北京) has supported 46 concept verification platforms, and Yuli Technology Co., Ltd. (昱栎技术有限公司) is one of them.
Walking into the intelligent terminal R&D verification and pilot base of Yuli Technology (昱栎技术), products such as brain-computer interface prototypes and complex agricultural robots are eye-catching, with engineers currently debugging and designing them.
Company founder Li Xujin (栗旭锦) stated, "Concept verification verifies not only technical feasibility but also market acceptance." According to reports, the company has served over 1,400 innovative enterprises and completed more than 4,500 product and project R&D tasks.
Focusing on the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, Beijing (北京) fully leverages the leading role of benchmark incubators to turn good ideas into good products.
Walking into the Beijing Dart International Innovation Center (北京飞镖国际创新中心), R&D facilities are fully equipped, and instruments, equipment, and experimental spaces can be shared. "Conducting experiments here eliminates the need to purchase heavy assets like instruments, significantly reducing costs," said Wang Chengzhi (王承志), founder of Beijing Zhiyuan Shenlan Technology Co., Ltd. (北京智源深澜科技有限公司). The company moved into the center in 2024 and has already begun to stand out in the field of AI (人工智能)-driven biological manufacturing.
Meanwhile, financial resources are being precisely targeted to effectively alleviate the funding difficulties in the transformation of scientific and technological achievements. The Beijing Equity Trading Center (北京股权交易中心) has built a comprehensive service system integrating enterprise incubation, equity registration, and custody functions. Beijing (北京) has established municipal-level industrial investment funds for eight key industries, including AI (人工智能); as of the end of last year, it had cumulatively invested in 261 projects with a total amount of approximately 25 billion yuan.
A sound innovation ecosystem helps scientific and technological achievements emerge continuously and transform efficiently. In Beijing (北京), the transformation of scientific and technological achievements is moving from chain-based development toward ecological symbiosis.
At the Zhongguancun (Haidian) Embodied Intelligence Innovation Industrial Park (中关村（海淀）具身智能创新产业园), companies working on "brains," "limbs," and "data" are neighbors, serving as each other's upstream and downstream partners. At the Synthetic Biology Manufacturing Industrial Park in Future Science City (未来科学城), startup teams incubate on the upper floors and conduct pilot tests on the lower floors; the proximity in physical space has brought about an acceleration of chemical reactions...
In the Zhongguancun AI Origin Community (中关村AI原点社区), Core Vision (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. (芯视界（北京）科技公司) is deeply involved in the field of smart water affairs. "We received help from a company upstairs dedicated to water environment governance, and subsequently chose this business. Being in the same building, we often communicate about industry pain points and technical paths," said Sun Changku (孙常库), vice president of the company. "This place allows innovation elements to link autonomously and grow spontaneously."
In the AI North Latitude Community (AI北纬社区), the industrial cluster effect is significant. From convenient access and computing power support to community co-construction, the community not only systematically meets the needs of entrepreneurs from startup to growth but also builds a growth empowerment system covering the entire entrepreneurial chain, such as one-person company acceleration camps and ecological conferences.
From breaking barriers to building bridges and optimizing the ecosystem, in Beijing (北京), more and more scientific and technological achievements are growing from "seeds" in papers into industrial "flowers," bursting with the vibrant vitality of high-quality development.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 王 沛 韩 鑫
"Turn the steering wheel fully to the right too early when entering the bay, please pay attention to returning the wheel by half a turn..."
At Huachen Driving School (华晨驾校) in Dezhou City (德州市), Shandong Province (山东省), a student named Xiao Zhang (小张) is practicing reversing into a parking bay. As he enters the bay and turns the wheel, the car body just touches the corner line, and a voice prompt immediately sounds while the in-car screen simultaneously displays the cause of the error. Xiao Zhang then adjusts his operation, and the vehicle enters the bay without crossing the line or drifting off course.
The voice prompt and error identification come from the "Kuaiya" (快鸭) intelligent driver training agent installed in the training vehicle. At Huachen Driving School (华晨驾校), human-machine collaborative guidance for students has become commonplace.
"In the past, one instructor would lead multiple students. If you hit the weekend, you’d be waiting in a long line. You’d only have two hours of class a day, and if you were lucky, you’d get 20 minutes of actual practice time," said Xiao Zhang (小张). He noted that now, not only is there more practice time, but he can also review his training trajectory to precisely correct errors, allowing him to master each project more quickly.
"The driving training industry has many schools and many vehicles, and the teaching quality of some instructors needs improvement," said Zhang Lei (张磊), General Manager of Shandong Kuaiya Information Technology Co., Ltd. (山东快鸭信息科技有限公司), recalling the reasons for developing the intelligent driver training agent. He explained that scenario-driven needs fuel technological innovation: "Could we embed the teaching experience and methods of excellent instructors into an intelligent teaching system to help students learn better?"
From human-to-human teaching to human-machine collaboration, the first step was to let the machine understand human driving intentions. The R&D team conducted millions of simulation sessions in a virtual environment, simulating various driving errors and continuously training the algorithms before verifying them in real vehicles.
"This way, the machine can identify errors like crossing lines or stalling. But a good instructor should not only be able to judge right from wrong but also explain the reasons clearly." Zhang Lei (张磊) used an analogy: it’s like a teacher marking an 'X' on a test paper without explaining where the mistake lies, leaving the student to guess. To this end, the R&D team spent a significant amount of time breaking down the thought processes of excellent instructors—how they analyze causes, organize language, and offer suggestions—into algorithms, eventually breaking through the technical bottleneck.
In 2019, the company reached a cooperation agreement with Huachen Driving School (华晨驾校), but they didn't expect to **出师不利** (chū shī bù lì - "start the expedition unfavorably," to encounter a setback at the very beginning). The system was set to be too idealistic; students were penalized for the slightest deviation, and the difficulty of the simulated scenarios was much higher than the actual exam, which dampened the students' enthusiasm for practice.
Problems discovered in the field must be solved in the field.
"We traveled between multiple driving schools and consulted many excellent instructors, only to find that there are subtle differences in the markings on different training grounds, and different instructors use different teaching mnemonics," said Zhang Lei (张磊). He realized the system had to learn to **入乡随俗** (rù xiāng suí sú - "enter village follow customs," when in Rome, do as the Romans do; to adapt to local conditions).
Addressing the needs of Huachen Driving School (华晨驾校), the company ultimately decided on a dual-track approach of "human + intelligence." The system replicates the teaching methods of excellent instructors to handle basic, repetitive instruction. The instructor leaves the passenger seat and, from the system backend, monitors the status of students in several vehicles simultaneously via multi-channel cameras and real-time data streams. When the system points out an error, the instructor provides the student with a deeper analysis of the driving principles. The criteria for the system's error judgment were also appropriately relaxed to align more closely with the actual exam, making the students' practice more targeted.
After more than a year of fine-tuning, the results gradually became apparent. For students, the most intuitive change was the reduction in waiting times for booking cars. Even during peak hours, they could usually book a car, and the quality of practice improved. The intelligent teaching system is emotionless and tireless, making it easier for students to relax while practicing, while instructors provide timely, targeted coaching when students encounter concepts they don't understand.
The driving school gained a "transparent ledger." In the system backend, data such as teaching progress, students' weak points, and vehicle operating status are clear at a glance, helping the school improve service quality. Data shows that after introducing the system, the facility utilization rate at Huachen Driving School (华晨驾校) increased significantly, and operating costs dropped by 60%.
"More importantly, it solved the difficult problem of instructor management," said Li Hongliang (李洪亮), Principal of Huachen Driving School (华晨驾校). He noted that all teaching resources are now available for online booking, and teaching standards are unified, which helps plug loopholes in management based on personal relationships. "We can now devote more energy to promoting the transformation of teaching toward capability cultivation."
"Innovation has no end point." Zhang Lei (张磊) does not shy away from problems. Currently, the system is not very friendly to students over 50, who are unfamiliar with smart device operations and easily develop a sense of **畏难情绪** (wèi nán qíng xù - "fear difficulty emotion," a feeling of being intimidated by challenges). Limited by the size of the team, the number of clients the intelligent agent can serve is limited, and delivery time and costs remain bottlenecks in the promotion process.
To this end, the company continues to optimize the interactive experience for students of different ages and explore new cooperation models with driving schools. "We are not just selling equipment; we are forming strong alliances and operating together." Zhang Lei (张磊) explained that the company provides the intelligent teaching system, simulators, and technical support, while the driving school provides the venue, vehicles, instructors, and operational services. "Equipment is just a carrier; the real value lies in the continuously optimized artificial intelligence algorithms and dynamically adaptive teaching models. These require deep integration to be realized."
Today, the company's intelligent driver training agent has been applied in over 500 driving schools across more than 10 provinces, including Jiangsu (江苏), Shandong (山东), Henan (河南), and Shaanxi (陕西), training over 5 million students in total. After being promoted in Mengyin County (蒙阴县), Linyi City (临沂市), Shandong Province (山东省), the number of complaints in the driving training industry has dropped significantly, and student satisfaction has risen remarkably.
"Intelligent driver training is a new business format in the development of 'Artificial Intelligence + Transportation'," said a relevant official from the Dezhou Municipal Transportation Bureau (德州市交通运输局). They stated that they will continue to strongly support the company's technological innovation and business upgrades to continuously improve industry governance, service quality, and public satisfaction.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 韩 鑫
In recent years, the transportation industry has continuously advanced its digital and intelligent transformation. "Based on industry patterns and technological development trends, we have preliminarily summarized four criteria for identifying high-quality application scenarios," introduced a relevant official from the Department of Science and Technology (科技司) of the Ministry of Transport (交通运输部).
Technical adaptability and maturity. High-quality scenarios should be compatible with technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and artificial intelligence, allowing the potential of these technologies in perception, cognition, and decision-making to be unleashed. The key technologies upon which a scenario relies should be approaching maturity and possess the conditions for short-term application.
Significant and quantifiable value. Relevant scenarios should have a significant effect on improving quality, reducing costs, and increasing efficiency within the industry. They should be conducive to resolving industry operational pain points and creating multi-dimensional benefits, such as substantial improvements in safety levels, significant leaps in operational efficiency, marked reductions in operating costs, and tangible optimizations in service experience.
Safety, reliability, and fault-tolerance boundaries. The prerequisite for a high-quality scenario to move toward application is that it must be safe and controllable. It is advisable to prioritize implementation paths that involve human-machine collaboration and progressive empowerment, ensuring that technology is positioned to assist in decision-making and enhance capabilities.
Replicability and promotion potential. Within similar business scenarios, high-quality scenarios should possess the ability for rapid replication and promotion.
"Based on the aforementioned standards, and centering on key directions such as intelligent driving, intelligent shipping, and intelligent safety supervision, we have organized and formed over 860 scenario applications so that various regions can carry out scenario construction **因地制宜** (yīn dì zhì yí - "according to land suit appropriate," to act according to local conditions)," stated the relevant official from the Department of Science and Technology (科技司) of the Ministry of Transport (交通运输部). They noted that the transportation sector features diverse scenarios, rich data, and a vast market, possessing the natural soil and significant advantages for scenario cultivation and application. The next step will be to take the large-scale innovative application of artificial intelligence as a guide, pushing new scenarios to move from localized demonstrations to widespread implementation.
Return to TopBeijing (北京), June 19 (Reporter Liu Zhiqiang (刘志强)) — This year, the "Two News" (两新) policy—referring to large-scale equipment renewal and trade-in of consumer goods—has undergone in-depth optimization in terms of support scope, subsidy standards, and implementation mechanisms. The reporter learned from the National Development and Reform Commission (国家发展改革委) that since the beginning of this year, the "Two News" policy has continued to exert force, demonstrating characteristics such as strong driving effects, broad benefits to the population, and tangible results for people's livelihoods.
Regarding equipment renewal, 185.1 billion yuan in equipment renewal funds has been allocated in two batches so far, supporting over 11,000 projects with a total investment exceeding 840 billion yuan. This year, the installation of elevators in old residential communities and the renewal of equipment in elderly care institutions have been included in the scope of support. Among the first two batches of equipment renewal funds, the renewal of 194,000 old residential elevators has already been supported.
Regarding the trade-in of consumer goods, from January to May, the first two batches of consumer goods trade-in funds for this year, totaling 125 billion yuan, have been allocated. This has cumulatively driven sales of related products to exceed 820 billion yuan, benefiting over 110 million people.
The National Development and Reform Commission (国家发展改革委) stated that it will work with relevant departments to continuously promote the policy dividends so that they reach consumers more fairly, conveniently, and standardly, thereby better unleashing the effectiveness of the "Two News" (两新) policy. First, it will orderly arrange the allocation of funds; before the end of June, the full list of equipment renewal projects for this year worth 200 billion yuan and the third batch of 62.5 billion yuan in consumer goods trade-in funds will be issued. Second, it will strengthen the supervision of projects and funds, continuously improve the full-chain supervision mechanism, and crack down on illegal and non-compliant behaviors such as "raising prices before applying for subsidies" and fraudulent subsidy claims. Third, it will ensure effective follow-up and evaluation, organize and carry out assessments of the implementation effects of the "Two News" (两新) policy, and make preparations for policy continuity, as the government is not 未雨绸缪 (wèi yǔ chóu móu - "prepare for rain before the rain," to take precautions or plan ahead) to ensure future policy stability.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 郑洋洋
The golden waves of wheat are rolling, and the roar of machinery fills the air. In mid-June, the wheat in Yangzao Village (杨枣村), Licao Town (李曹镇), Huozhou City (霍州市), Linfen City (临汾市), Shanxi Province (山西省), entered its peak harvest period. Cheng Maihong (成麦红), head of the Huozhou City Xiangqing Agricultural Machinery Professional Cooperative (霍州市乡情农机专业合作社) and captain of the city’s agricultural machinery emergency team for wheeled harvesters, was driving a harvester back and forth across the fields.
At 9:00 a.m., Cheng Maihong (成麦红) stopped his harvester in the field. "The machine's belt is worn and slipping; it needs to be repaired immediately," he said.
Wheat harvesting waits for no one, and the agricultural machinery store was still dozens of kilometers away. What to do?
"No need to go that far. There is a machine shed nearby where all kinds of agricultural machinery problems can be fixed. It's convenient!" As he spoke, Cheng Maihong (成麦红) had already driven the machine into the shed.
Inside the shed, the space was divided into three areas: maintenance, parts, and machine parking. It was fully functional, and inspections were being carried out in an orderly manner. After inquiring about the situation, the maintenance staff quickly began replacing the belt, adding lubricating oil, and adjusting the bearings. "The dust in the fields is heavy and the load is high, so we have seen many such wear-and-tear issues recently." In less than an hour, the machine was adjusted, started, and running smoothly.
"The maintenance masters here are experienced and work efficiently. When machine operators in the area encounter breakdowns during the wheat harvest, they are all willing to come here. This is my third time coming here for repairs this season," said Cheng Maihong (成麦红). He noted that this machine shed covers more than 800 square meters and is managed by the cooperative.
"The machine shed was originally only used for parking agricultural machinery. In the early years, there were no maintenance points in the village, and even small breakdowns required driving dozens of kilometers to stores in the city, which delayed the harvest," Cheng Maihong (成麦红) explained. "In fact, most of the issues that cause agricultural machinery to stop working are small problems related to belts and bearings. We thought, why not make use of the machine shed space and gather some experienced local 'grassroots experts' in agricultural machinery repair to solve these problems ourselves?"
During the local wheat harvest crunch, this machine shed has been welcomed by operators, serving an average of about 20 machines per day. "The machine shed is well-adapted to local agricultural conditions," said Yan An'an (闫安安), director of the Huozhou City Agricultural Machinery Development Center (霍州市农业机械发展中心). "Farmland in Huozhou (霍州) is scattered, and operators often work across multiple villages. However, there are few agricultural machinery stores in the urban area, and their service radius is limited. Furthermore, stores focus on major overhauls, which often cannot keep up with the pace of emergency field repairs. The machine sheds built nearby by cooperatives serve as an excellent supplement."
What about the price of agricultural machinery repairs? Cheng Maihong (成麦红) said, "The cooperative basically doesn't rely on repairs to make money. For small repairs like replacing parts, the machine shed only charges the cost price. Cooperative members also have exclusive benefits—routine maintenance is free. Many farmers have switched to higher-quality new machinery in recent years, so there are fewer major overhauls; 90% of failures are just the replacement of wear-and-tear parts, which can be fixed right in the shed."
"Even for major overhauls, some operators come to the machine shed," a maintenance worker nearby said. Just in the last few days, an operator scheduled an inspection for a transmission—a key component of a harvester.
Can the "grassroots experts" handle such major repairs?
"Some agricultural machinery manufacturers, seeing that more and more operators are coming to the shed for repairs, have teamed up with the cooperative to sign 24-hour on-site maintenance agreements, as if opening a small repair shop inside the shed," the maintenance worker explained. "Online, relying on agricultural machinery service WeChat groups, technicians provide remote consultations and prepare parts in advance to shorten repair times. Offline, manufacturers send specialists to be stationed at key machine sheds to handle critical component failures. Small faults are fixed the same day, and major repairs take no more than 48 hours."
"We mainly focus on land coordination, policy planning, and industry guidance. We do not participate in the operations within the sheds; the machine sheds are managed independently by the cooperatives, which are responsible for their own profits and losses," said Yan An'an (闫安安). Huozhou (霍州) already has several standardized machine sheds covering 700 to 800 square meters, basically covering the wheat harvest zones. Through the joint efforts of government departments and relevant cooperatives, a smart machine shed equipped with an information room has been put into use in Taotangyu Township (陶唐峪乡), which can monitor soil moisture and link with manufacturers online for fault diagnosis. Another key machine shed covering over 1,000 square meters is under construction, with a government subsidy of 500,000 yuan; once completed, it will become a city-level agricultural emergency rescue center.
The machine shed has upgraded from a simple parking lot to an integrated service station for maintenance, scheduling, and training. Many cooperatives in Huozhou (霍州) conduct monthly training for operators, teaching simple self-inspection and maintenance skills, helping operators anticipate failures, and keeping basic parts in stock to resolve operational risks in advance.
"The government builds the platform, business entities operate it, and operators receive the benefits, allowing the machine sheds to operate effectively in the long term," Yan An'an (闫安安) stated. The city currently has 94 local harvesters, over 30 cross-regional harvesters, and more than 2,600 pieces of agricultural machinery serving the entire process of planting, management, and harvesting. Moving forward, the local area will rely on the newly built key machine sheds to integrate maintenance, scheduling, and disaster relief functions, filling the gaps in cross-regional agricultural machinery emergency services.
"By keeping the machine shed well-managed, everyone can get maintenance nearby, and the emergency harvest feels much more secure," said Cheng Maihong (成麦红). 未雨绸缪 (wèi yǔ chóu móu - "before rain bind silk," to take precautions or be prepared for a rainy day).
Return to TopOn June 18, the first wind turbine for the 150 MW Phase I wind power project of the Huadian Qiongjie 440 MW Wind Power Base (西藏华电琼结440兆瓦风电基地) in Tibet (西藏) was successfully hoisted in Qiongjie County (琼结县), Shannan City (山南市), Tibet (西藏). This ultra-high altitude mountain wind power project, reaching a maximum elevation of 5,350 meters, has reached a critical construction milestone, marking the project's full transition into the intensive phase of wind turbine equipment installation. It is understood that the Phase I project will deploy 24 wind turbine generator sets, each with a capacity of 6.25 MW, along with supporting facilities such as collector lines, transmission towers, and a 220 kV booster station.
Return to TopBeijing (北京), June 19 — (Reporter Li Xinping (李心萍)) The reporter learned from the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (中国国家铁路集团有限公司) that this June marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of the unified brand for the China-Europe Railway Express (中欧班列). The scale of operations, reach, service quality, and radiating effects of the express have all significantly improved. The annual number of trips has grown from 1,702 in 2016 to 20,022 in 2025, an increase of approximately 10.8 times over 10 years, with an average annual growth rate of 31.5%.
Over the past decade, the China-Europe Railway Express (中欧班列) has gradually become an internationally renowned logistics brand with global competitiveness and a strong reputation. Since the adoption of the unified brand, the China-Europe Railway Express (中欧班列) has fully leveraged its advantages of large transport capacity, all-weather operation, and safety and stability, earning favor in the international logistics market. Its operational scale has continued to expand, with annual transport volumes consistently exceeding 10,000 trips since 2020. As of June 10 this year, the China-Europe Railway Express (中欧班列) has surpassed 10,000 trips and one million TEUs, setting a new historical record for the same period.
The types of goods transported by the China-Europe Railway Express (中欧班列) have expanded from initial products like mobile phones and computers to over 50,000 types of commodities across 53 categories, including clothing, footwear, hats, automobiles, and auto parts. In 2025, the value of goods transported by the China-Europe Railway Express (中欧班列) reached 67.7 billion U.S. dollars. As of May this year, the China-Europe Railway Express (中欧班列) has maintained a 100% loaded container rate for 45 consecutive months, with the ratio of return trips to outbound trips exceeding 85%, demonstrating that its operations are 稳扎稳打 (wěn zhā wěn dǎ - "steady camp steady strike," to act with steady and sure steps) and increasingly balanced.
Currently, 129 cities within China (中国) have launched China-Europe Railway Express (中欧班列) services, reaching 236 cities in 26 countries across Europe (欧洲), with its service network essentially covering the entire Eurasian (亚欧) region.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 郑海鸥
On the first day of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), Xi'an (西安) was bustling with excitement. Amidst the "Night Scenery of the Prosperous Tang Dynasty" (盛唐夜景), visitors recited poetry and chatted with performers portraying Du Fu (杜甫) and Bai Juyi (白居易); beneath the ancient city walls, they donned Hanfu (汉服), savored Paomo (泡馍), and listened to folk music... Tourists fully immersed themselves in the ancient charm and national style, feeling the vibrant atmosphere of everyday life.
Why do tourists love visiting Xi'an (西安)?
Nowadays, tourism is not just about visiting famous sites and sightseeing; many young people prefer to step into local life and experience regional culture. Adapting to this trend, scenic spots have launched immersive experiences where tourists are not just "watching the scenery" but "entering the play" and "co-performing." Tourists experience hoeing, picking, and attending "Village Galas" (村晚) in the countryside, enjoying the pleasures of the landscape and pastoral life.
General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out: "The integration of culture and tourism has broad prospects. We must promote the high-quality development of the cultural and tourism industry, truly building it into a pillar industry, a livelihood industry, and a happiness industry." The Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (十五五规划纲要) proposes to "vigorously develop the cultural tourism industry, empower economic and social development with culture," and "promote the deep integration of culture and tourism."
With the continuous deepening of cultural and tourism integration, new consumption scenarios have emerged one after another, and new business forms are growing vigorously. Last year, the number of domestic tourist trips in China (中国) exceeded 6.5 billion, a year-on-year increase of 16.2%, and tourism spending reached 6.30 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.5%, with both scale indicators hitting record highs.
From "just visiting" to immersive experiences, emotional value is constantly increasing.
On the ancient stage, the Yue opera (越剧) melodies are melodious; the old street markets are diverse; the Zhedong Canal (浙东运河) flows gurglingly... Fenghui Ancient Town (丰惠古镇) in Shaoxing (绍兴), Zhejiang (浙江), possesses both a simple, ancient style and youthful vitality.
After the town was protected and renovated, it invited old artisans back to provide tourists with authentic experiences. Seeing the ancient town style of his childhood return, Yu Haisheng (俞海深), a representative inheritor of cooperage skills over seventy years old, picked up his plane and chisel again. "I didn't expect young people to like this craft." Outside Yu Haisheng (俞海深)'s woodworking workshop, there is always a queue. Tourists experience wood shaving and joining, and can even take the small buckets they made home.
Tourist Wang Yongsheng (王永盛), who came from Hunan (湖南), originally intended to "just visit," but unexpectedly encountered a "treasure town." "Folk customs, elegant music, handmade experiences, and seasonal delicacies—it is both appreciable and participatory, with full interaction." Last year, Fenghui Ancient Town (丰惠古镇) received nearly 870,000 tourists.
The cultural tourism industry is an important way to meet the people's needs for a better life. The popularity of ancient cities and towns, intangible cultural heritage, and "Village Galas" (村晚) continues to rise. The deep integration of culture and tourism has transformed the tourism model from 走马观花 (zǒu mǎ guān huā - "riding a horse and viewing flowers," to look at things hurriedly and superficially) to slow-paced, experiential consumption, with abundant market potential.
Look at culture from outside of culture to promote the upgrading of the cultural and tourism industry.
Not long ago, the micro-drama "Appointment in Taiyuan" (太原之约) was broadcast. "City landmarks, delicious food, and beautiful scenery—it's like an invitation to visit Taiyuan (太原)." Some netizens left such comments.
Ren Jing (任婧), who came from afar from Heilongjiang (黑龙江), used this drama as a "tour guide manual." "Traveling with the protagonist, visiting ancient buildings, and tasting snacks—it's a different kind of experience."
Thousands of miles away, with the hit movie "Love Letter to Grandma" (给阿嬷的情书), Shantou (汕头), Guangdong (广东), seized the opportunity to create a "Follow Grandma to Tour Shantou" (跟着阿嬷游汕头) route.
Using culture to shape tourism and using tourism to highlight culture—traveling by following micro-dramas, movies, performances, and famous books has become a new idea and trend for the deepening reform and innovative development of the cultural industry. Many places support the filming of micro-dramas and film and television works, organically integrating their content with characteristic culture to continuously enhance their popularity, attracting tourists to follow the light and shadows to appreciate the landscapes and feel the humanistic customs.
"Integrated development is the general trend; the development of all walks of life cannot be 单打独斗 (dān dǎ dú dòu - "single-handed fighting," to work alone without cooperation)." A relevant person in charge of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (文化和旅游部) stated that they will continue to promote the deep integration and development of culture and tourism, cultivate brands such as traveling following performances, film and television, sports events, and intangible cultural heritage, to better meet the needs of the masses.
Cultural and tourism traffic brings consumption increments, driving the growth of the national economy.
Li Xiong (李雄), a citizen of Wuhan (武汉), Hubei (湖北), made his second trip to Rongjiang County (榕江县), Guizhou (贵州), "to watch the 'Village Super League' (村超), and more importantly, to appreciate the local customs." Staying in homestays, exploring Dong villages (侗寨), and walking through streets and alleys, the trip was well worth it.
A ball game makes a city popular; the "Village Super League" (村超) continues to empower the economic and social development of Rongjiang (榕江). Rongjiang (榕江) was once a poverty-stricken county, and its regional GDP reached 10.914 billion yuan in 2025. Achieving this leap is inseparable from the spillover effect of the "Village Super League" (村超). With the help of traffic, the local catering industry alone earned more than 1.4 billion yuan last year.
"Village Super League" (村超), "Village BA" (村BA), "Su Super League" (苏超), "Chuan Super League" (川超)... Mass sports events have become a new engine for driving tourism, activating consumption, and boosting the economy.
The "Su Super League" (苏超) is in full swing. Sihong County (泗洪县), Suqian (宿迁), Jiangsu (江苏), has set up outdoor viewing venues, where citizens and tourists can watch the game while enjoying the city's style; many scenic spots in Lianyungang (连云港) have launched viewing benefits, and small ticket stubs bring large passenger flows... Event traffic is continuously transforming into economic increments.
The cultural tourism industry is an important part of the national economy. Both "Cultural Power" (文化强国) and "Tourism Power" (旅游强国) have been written into the Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (十五五规划纲要). A relevant person in charge of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (文化和旅游部) stated that, deeply implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平)'s important instructions, during the "15th Five-Year" (十五五) period, culture and tourism must be planned and promoted within the overall situation of the Party and the country's cause, so as to better play the role of nourishing the mind and cultivating sentiments, and empowering economic and social development.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 叶传增
Recently, the 6-day 10th China-South Asia Expo (hereinafter referred to as the "South Asia Expo" (南博会)) was held in Kunming (昆明), Yunnan (云南). Exhibitors and attendees from 68 countries, regions, and international organizations participated, achieving full coverage of South Asia, Southeast Asia, and member states of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) (区域全面经济伙伴关系协定). With the theme of "Unity, Collaboration, and Common Development," this year's South Asia Expo (南博会) focused on building five major platforms: open cooperation, economic and trade exchanges, industrial collaboration, people-to-people exchanges, and consumption promotion.
### A Window of Openness Continues to Expand
The South Asia Expo (南博会) is co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce (商务部) and the Yunnan Provincial Government (云南省政府). In 2013, the inaugural South Asia Expo (南博会) was held with the mission of "Promoting Comprehensive Cooperation and Development between China and South Asia," featuring 6 exhibition halls, 50,000 square meters of exhibition space, and participation from 42 countries and regions. Over the past decade, the South Asia Expo (南博会) has expanded in scale, upgraded in quality, and increased its influence. Its "circle of friends" has grown, with exhibitors expanding from the South Asian region to over 80 countries and regions globally, evolving from a regional exhibition into an international event, with its platform value becoming increasingly prominent.
This year's South Asia Expo (南博会) achieved several "firsts": full coverage of South Asia, Southeast Asia, and RCEP (区域全面经济伙伴关系协定) member states for the first time; seven countries, including Italy (意大利), Uruguay (乌拉圭), and Australia (澳大利亚), debuted their national pavilions; and enterprises from 45 countries, including Germany (德国), Brazil (巴西), and Egypt (埃及), participated in procurement for the first time. More than 1,500 professional buyers registered for the event, with overseas buyers accounting for over 60%.
The exhibition featured 13 halls, including the Service Trade Hall, Green Energy Hall, Manufacturing Hall, South Asia Hall, Southeast Asia Hall, and Coffee Industry Hall. Leather goods from Bangladesh (孟加拉国), leather from Pakistan (巴基斯坦), black tea from Sri Lanka (斯里兰卡), carpets from Afghanistan (阿富汗), felt from Nepal (尼泊尔)—the featured products from various countries were 琳琅满目 (lín láng mǎn mù - "jade tinkling full eyes," dazzling to the eyes; a wide variety of beautiful things). Approximately 560 enterprises from the 8 South Asian countries alone participated. The booth of Bangladeshi exhibitor Kuchi (库奇) continued to enjoy the lively atmosphere of previous years, with many visitors inquiring about prices and making purchases. Kuchi (库奇) has attended the South Asia Expo (南博会) five times, and the handmade leather goods from Bangladesh (孟加拉国) he brings each time are very popular. "Last year, the 1,000 pairs of handmade cowhide shoes we brought sold out quickly, and this year we prepared 2,500 pairs," said Kuchi (库奇). "I am grateful to the South Asia Expo (南博会) for providing display opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises in the South Asian region."
Regarding energy cooperation, Chinese and Laotian enterprises signed several important agreements—the cooperation agreement for wind turbine equipment supply for the second phase of the China General Nuclear Power Group (中广核) Laos (老挝) wind power project was successfully signed; China Southern Power Grid (中国南方电网) Lancang-Mekong International Company and Electricité du Laos (老挝国家电力公司) signed the "Memorandum of Understanding on Joint Feasibility Study for Green Power and Green Certificates in Laos (老挝)." "The South Asia Expo (南博会) is an important platform for both sides to work together to build an all-weather China-Laos community with a shared future in the new era and to push pragmatic cooperation to greater depths," said Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune (沈山丹·赛雅颂), Standing Vice Chairman of the Laos-China Cooperation Committee (老中合作委员会). Through the South Asia Expo (南博会), the path of mutually beneficial cooperation between Laos (老挝) and China (中国) is becoming increasingly broad.
During the South Asia Expo (南博会), events such as the China-South Asia Cooperation Forum (中国—南亚合作论坛) and the 5th RCEP (Yunnan) International Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum (第五届RCEP（云南）国际贸易投资合作论坛) were held simultaneously. "Australia (澳大利亚) looks forward to strengthening cooperation with Yunnan (云南) in areas such as clean energy, mineral technology, and sustainable development," said Mick (米克), Consul at the Australian Consulate-General in Chengdu (澳大利亚驻成都总领事馆), at the 5th RCEP (Yunnan) International Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum (第五届RCEP（云南）国际贸易投资合作论坛).
### A Bridge of Cooperation Grows Increasingly Solid
China (中国) and South Asian countries possess a massive market of 3 billion people, with a combined GDP accounting for one-fifth of the global total. In 2025, trade volume between China (中国) and South Asian countries exceeded the $200 billion mark, a year-on-year increase of 10.7%. With the South Asia Expo (南博会) as a platform, there is great potential for cooperation between the two sides.
The Thai (泰国) imported durian special order fair, the South Asia Market International Public Procurement Conference, and the China-Vietnam (中越) coffee landing processing (China·Honghe (中国·红河)) matchmaking event... this year's exhibition set up a procurement matchmaking center for the first time, promoting the "cake" of regional economic and trade cooperation to grow ever larger.
Le Hoang Tai (黎黄财), Deputy Director of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (越南工贸部贸易促进局), stated that China's (中国) coffee consumption demand is growing rapidly, which opens up vast space for Vietnamese and Chinese enterprises to strengthen trade and investment cooperation. "Through matchmaking activities, enterprises from both sides will have more opportunities to understand market demand and establish partnerships," said Le Hoang Tai (黎黄财).
As cross-border trade continues to heat up, the demand for cross-border financial services continues to grow. The exhibition set up a Service Trade Hall for the first time, with a dedicated cross-border financial service exhibition area, gathering various financial institutions such as banks, insurance, and credit services to build a full-chain cross-border financial service system. "Our company handles cross-border logistics for photovoltaic equipment; are there any relevant cross-border cargo insurance recommendations?" At the exhibition area of China Life Property & Casualty Insurance (中国人寿财险) Yunnan Branch (云南分公司), many Chinese and foreign enterprises came to consult on cross-border insurance business.
This year marks the third time Bangladesh (孟加拉国) has served as the theme country for the South Asia Expo (南博会). Khandaker Muktadir (坎达克尔·穆克塔迪尔), Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute of Bangladesh (孟加拉国商务、工业、纺织和黄麻部), stated that he hopes to use the South Asia Expo (南博会) as an opportunity to continuously expand cooperation between Bangladesh (孟加拉国) and China (中国) in fields such as agriculture, economy, trade, and energy, strengthen the exchange and mutual learning of experience, and work together to create a better regional future.
It is reported that the actual signed contract amount at this year's South Asia Expo (南博会) exceeded 27.7 billion yuan, of which 10.251 billion yuan was for domestic and foreign trade projects and 17.489 billion yuan for investment cooperation projects, an increase of 20.9% and 28.5% respectively over the previous session. These figures are a testament to industrial linkage and a microcosm of deepening regional cooperation.
### A Chain of People-to-People Bonds Grows Deeper
"Welcome Chinese friends to travel to the Maldives (马尔代夫) and experience the sunshine, waves, and beaches." In the live broadcast room of the Maldives (马尔代夫) exhibition area, Ismail Rifau (伊斯梅尔·里福), Minister of State for Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture of the Maldives (马尔代夫经济发展、运输与贸易部), issued a warm invitation.
The Yunnan Provincial Radio and Television Bureau (云南省广播电视局), in collaboration with the Yunnan Provincial Department of Commerce (云南省商务厅), innovatively held the Lancang-Mekong Audiovisual "Excellent Merchant" live streaming event, inviting officials and envoys from South Asia and Southeast Asia to participate in online promotion activities, creating a new "live streaming + trade" channel. "The form of live streaming to explore the exhibition is very interesting, and I am very happy to recommend the Maldives (马尔代夫) exhibition area to Chinese netizens," said Rifau (里福). He expressed his hope to attract more tourists to the Maldives (马尔代夫) through platforms like the South Asia Expo (南博会), promote more Chinese enterprises to visit the Maldives (马尔代夫) for investment, and deepen exchanges and cooperation in import and export trade, education, and sports.
The South Asia Expo (南博会) is not only a stage for economic and trade cooperation but also a window for people-to-people connectivity. Using the South Asia Expo (南博会) as a medium, Yunnan (云南) continues to deepen China-foreign people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, carrying out regular youth interactions and cultural, sports, and tourism promotion activities.
In the Culture, Tourism, and Sports Hall, long queues formed in front of experience projects such as AR (augmented reality) wingsuit flying and simulated mountain bike riding. "Yunnan (云南) has hosted many attractive international sports events, and I plan to come to Yunnan (云南) to participate in a marathon this year," said Diba Mandal (迪巴·曼德), a visitor from Bangladesh (孟加拉国).
In recent years, Yunnan (云南) has continued to build a transnational event system. The China-Myanmar (中缅) Ruili-Muse (瑞丽—木姐) Transnational Marathon has attracted nearly 600,000 athletes over the past 10 years; the "Belt and Road · Colorful Yunnan (一带一路·七彩云南)" Auto Rally passed through China (中国), Laos (老挝), Thailand (泰国), and Malaysia (马来西亚); the Lancang-Mekong University Student Friendly Games brought together nearly a thousand teachers and students from 28 countries... "Sports are building a bridge of people-to-people connectivity," said Xing Jin (邢晋), member of the Party Group and Deputy Director of the Yunnan Provincial Sports Bureau (云南省体育局).
A relevant official from the Yunnan Provincial Department of Commerce (云南省商务厅) stated that during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, Yunnan (云南) will continue to make good use of national southward opening platforms like the South Asia Expo (南博会), and through multilateral and bilateral mechanisms, deepen exchanges and cooperation with neighboring countries in fields such as economy, trade, science, technology, and education, so that the fruits of open cooperation can benefit the people of all countries more.
Return to TopBy: 丽贝卡·莱莫斯 凯莉·阿劳若
In May 2025, the fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum (中国—拉共体论坛) was held in Beijing (北京). The Chinese side announced the launch of the "Five Major Projects" focusing on solidarity, development, civilization, peace, and people-to-people bonds. Over the past year, from advancing the "Five Major Projects" to the release of the third "China’s Policy Paper on Latin America and the Caribbean" (中国对拉丁美洲和加勒比政策文件) by the Chinese side, and further deepening high-quality cooperation in the joint construction of the "Belt and Road Initiative" (一带一路), both Latin American and Chinese sides have continuously enriched the substance of their cooperation and expanded its scope, taking solid steps toward building a China-Latin America community with a shared future.
Currently, global geopolitical conflicts occur frequently, the world economic recovery is 步履维艰 (bù lǚ wéi jiān - "steps difficult," struggling to move forward; describing a situation of slow and difficult progress), the issue of climate change is becoming increasingly prominent, and a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is accelerating. The Latin America and Caribbean (拉美和加勒比) region is at a critical period of development transformation. On one hand, it faces structural challenges such as a monolithic industrial structure and insufficient resilience in its development system; on the other hand, it is embracing new development opportunities brought by the digital economy, green and low-carbon transformation, and the restructuring of global industrial chains. Under these circumstances, joining hands to build a China-Latin America community with a shared future demonstrates an increasingly profound contemporary value. Last December, the Chinese side released the third "China’s Policy Paper on Latin America and the Caribbean" (中国对拉丁美洲和加勒比政策文件), proposing the principles of adherence to respect, equality, diversity, mutual benefit, cooperation, openness, inclusiveness, and non-conditionality, responding to the long-standing expectations of Latin American countries for more equal and balanced international relations. Both sides are working together to advance the "Five Major Projects," providing a more systematic and multi-dimensional development framework for China-Latin America cooperation, effectively pushing bilateral cooperation beyond traditional economic and trade exchanges toward a more diverse, resilient, and sustainable direction.
Development is an important theme of China-Latin America cooperation. China has maintained its status as the second-largest trading partner of Latin America and the Caribbean for many consecutive years, and cooperation in fields such as new energy, digital infrastructure, smart agriculture, and technological innovation continues to deepen. Chinese new energy vehicle companies are continuously increasing their investments in countries like Brazil (巴西), and infrastructure projects such as the Chancay Port (钱凯港) and rail transit, which Chinese enterprises participated in building, continue to enhance the level of regional connectivity. A series of pragmatic cooperation initiatives not only boost local economic growth, enhance regional development resilience, and improve people's well-being, but also push China-Latin America relations to gradually extend from commodity trade to industrial synergy, green transformation, and common development, providing assistance for Latin American countries to advance their modernization.
Peace and stability are the fundamental prerequisites for development. For a long time, the Latin American (拉美) region has actively promoted the process of regional integration, firmly upheld the authority of international rule of law and multilateralism, and insisted on resolving differences through dialogue and consultation. In recent years, both China and Latin American sides have continuously strengthened coordination and cooperation under multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations (联合国), the G20 (二十国集团), and BRICS (金砖国家), jointly promoting the enhancement of the representation and voice of developing countries in global governance. In the future, further deepening cooperation in areas such as public health, disaster management, climate risk prevention, and humanitarian aid will help both sides enhance their comprehensive capabilities in addressing global challenges.
Civilizational exchange and mutual learning are important driving forces for the steady and long-term development of China-Latin America relations. Truly lasting and stable international cooperation requires not only economic and trade interests as a bond but also understanding, communication, and recognition at the humanistic level. In recent years, China-Latin America cooperation in education, academics, and culture has continued to heat up; personnel exchanges have become increasingly convenient, cultural activities have become more abundant, and local cooperation has continued to expand. More and more Latin American youth are learning Chinese and traveling to China (中国) for exchanges, and universities, think tanks, and research institutions on both sides have built closer cooperation networks. These genuine and pragmatic exchanges and interactions help eliminate cognitive biases, enhance mutual understanding, continuously consolidate the public opinion foundation for China-Latin America friendship, and promote both sides to explore development paths that suit their own national conditions through mutual learning.
Currently, the global landscape is undergoing profound adjustments, and uncertainties in the international situation are rising significantly. China-Latin America cooperation adheres to treating each other as equals, mutual benefit and win-win results, openness and inclusiveness, and benefiting the people, demonstrating an increasingly important contemporary significance. Both sides joining hands to build a China-Latin America community with a shared future, transforming consensus on cooperation into concrete practices that benefit the public, will surely continue to inject more powerful development momentum for both sides to explore modernization paths that fit their respective national conditions.
(The authors are the Secretary-General of the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (拉丁美洲社会科学院) and a Project Coordinator at the Brazil Branch of the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (拉丁美洲社会科学院巴西分院), respectively.)
Return to TopPyongyang (平壤), June 19 (Reporter Liu Rong (刘融)) — The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (中国驻朝鲜大使馆) recently hosted a reception to celebrate the "International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations." Attendees included Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (朝鲜外务省副相) Kim Son Gyong (金仙景), as well as officials from the International Department of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (朝鲜劳动党中央国际部), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外务省), the Ministry of Culture (文化省), and the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries (对外文化交流协会). Also in attendance were diplomatic envoys from various countries to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (朝鲜), representatives from the Office for Commemorating Chinese People's Volunteers Martyrs in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (中国驻朝鲜志愿军烈士褒扬代表处), overseas Chinese in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (旅朝华侨), representatives from Chinese-funded institutions (驻朝中资机构), media, and international students, totaling over 130 people.
Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (中国驻朝鲜大使) Wang Yajun (王亚军) stated that China, in 顺应潮流 (shùn yìng cháo liú - "follow the trend of the times," to conform to the prevailing historical or social direction), has proposed the Global Civilization Initiative. He called for transcending estrangement with exchange, transcending clashes with mutual learning, and transcending feelings of superiority with inclusiveness. This initiative points the way forward for a shared human future and provides a systematic framework and practical path for global dialogue among civilizations.
Kim Son Gyong (金仙景) stated that the establishment of the "International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations" makes an important contribution to promoting exchange and cooperation between different nations and civilizations, and to establishing a just international order. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (朝方) is willing to work with the Chinese side (中方), taking the historic Pyongyang (平壤) meeting between the top leaders of the two parties and two countries as an opportunity, to follow the trend of advancing the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (朝) and China (中) to new heights, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the cultural field, and contribute to the development of friendly relations between the two countries.
Return to TopIn recent years, Chinese trendy toys (潮玩) have gained increasing favor among international consumers. The image shows a girl selecting products at a Pop Mart (泡泡玛特) store in Barcelona (巴塞罗那), Spain (西班牙), recently.
Photo by Xinhua News Agency (新华社) reporter Meng Dingbo (孟鼎博).
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 刘 歌 环球时报记者 陈子帅
"We have always been full of confidence and unwavering in our belief in China's development prospects. It is precisely based on this conviction that the Charoen Pokphand Group (正大集团) has continued to cultivate its presence in China for over 40 years," said Dhanin Chearavanont (谢国民), Senior Chairman of the Charoen Pokphand Group (正大集团) in Thailand, during an exclusive interview with our reporter recently.
Dhanin Chearavanont (谢国民) was born in Thailand. In his youth, he returned to his ancestral home in Shantou (汕头), Guangdong (广东), to study according to his father's arrangements. In 1979, when most foreign and overseas Chinese businessmen were still in a wait-and-see mode, Dhanin Chearavanont (谢国民) and his father, Chia Ek Chor (谢易初), came to Shenzhen (深圳), Guangdong (广东), to invest and set up factories. Leading the Charoen Pokphand Group (正大集团), Dhanin Chearavanont (谢国民) invited the Continental Grain Company (美国康地集团) to jointly invest 30 million USD to establish the CP-Continental Grain Co., Ltd. (正大康地有限公司), building China's first modern feed mill in Shenzhen (深圳). In 1981, the CP-Continental Grain Co., Ltd. (正大康地有限公司) obtained China's first approval certificate for a foreign-invested enterprise, with the approval number "Wai Jing Mao Shen Wai Zi Zheng Zi [1981] No. 0001" (外经贸深外资证字〔1981〕0001号). Over the past 40-plus years, the Charoen Pokphand Group (正大集团) has deeply cultivated the Chinese market, and its investment areas have continuously expanded. Currently, the group has established over 670 enterprises in China, employing more than 80,000 people, covering more than 10 fields and industries including agriculture, animal husbandry, food, wholesale and retail, pharmaceuticals, and industry.
"China's high-quality development has achieved remarkable results, bringing us new opportunities," said the entrepreneur, who is nearly ninety years old. "In the past, the Charoen Pokphand Group (正大集团) selected good products and technologies from around the world to introduce to China. Now, the Charoen Pokphand Group (正大集团) wants to learn from China and develop globally together with excellent Chinese enterprises."
"We are very optimistic about the potential of the Chinese consumer market. If the Charoen Pokphand Group (正大集团) can become the 'largest' in the food sector in China, then it is equivalent to becoming the 'largest in the world'." Dhanin Chearavanont (谢国民) told the reporter that the group will use advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence to continuously innovate, making the group's agricultural and livestock products higher in yield, better in quality, and more affordable.
Currently, the world is standing at a new crossroads, and the global economic recovery remains fragile. Against this backdrop, China is unswervingly expanding high-level opening-up, bringing unprecedented development space for foreign enterprises. More and more international business giants are coming to the Chinese market to seek "certainty." For Dhanin Chearavanont (谢国民), his deep belief in and cultivation of China stem from his keen insight into the global market, as well as his understanding of and deep connection with China. "On this point, I admire my father the most. More than 40 years ago, he said with great confidence that China would develop better and better," said Dhanin Chearavanont (谢国民).
The Charoen Pokphand Group (正大集团) follows the principle of "benefiting the country, the people, and the enterprise" in its operations and development, becoming one of the multinational enterprises with the largest investment scale and the most investment fields in China. "In the past, we produced the show 'Zheng Da Zong Yi' (正大综艺) and introduced the program 'The World is Truly Wonderful' (世界真奇妙), opening a window for Chinese audiences to understand the outside world. Now, it is the other way around; we are actively introducing China's best products, technologies, and experiences to other countries in the world." Dhanin Chearavanont (谢国民) stated that looking to the future, the Charoen Pokphand Group (正大集团) will always move forward with the Chinese market.
Return to TopBeijing (北京), June 19 (Reporter Han Xiaoming (韩晓明)) — Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部) spokesperson Lin Jian (林剑) stated at a regular press conference on the 18th that Japanese right-wing forces are glorifying the notorious Unit 731 (731部队), engaging in historical revisionism, and desperately attempting to cover up the truth while downplaying and denying their culpability, which poses a threat to regional peace and stability. The international community should remain highly vigilant and firmly resist this.
A reporter asked: Recently, Singaporean (新加坡) media produced and aired a documentary titled "Unit 731: Japan's Secret Human Experiments." Through interviews with the only surviving veteran of the Imperial Japanese Army's Unit 731 (侵华日军731部队), victims of biological warfare and their families, and scholars from Singapore (新加坡), the documentary allows viewers to further understand the historical truth. The documentary has received widespread attention, with nearly 300,000 views on relevant video platforms. Netizens commented that looking toward the future should not mean forgetting history, that the atrocities of the Japanese army were 惨无人道 (cǎn wú rén dào - "cruel without human path," inhumane and brutal), and that they should not escape the judgment of history. What is the spokesperson's comment on this?
Lin Jian (林剑) pointed out that during World War II (二战), the Imperial Japanese Army's Unit 731 (侵华日军731部队) conducted inhumane live human experiments and biological warfare. Victims included a large number of Chinese (中国) civilians, as well as Soviet (苏联) prisoners of war, Korean (朝鲜) laborers, and captured British (英国) and American (美国) military personnel. The Japanese army also established the Oka Unit 9420 (冈字第9420细菌部队) in Singapore (新加坡), using it as a base to set up branches in Malaysia (马来西亚), Indonesia (印度尼西亚), the Philippines (菲律宾), Thailand (泰国), Vietnam (越南), and other places to conduct illegal human experiments and biological warfare, committing 滔天罪行 (tāo tiān zuì xíng - "towering sky crime," monstrous and heinous crimes).
He emphasized that Japanese militarism used biological weapons with the intent of large-scale human destruction, which seriously violated universally recognized international legal rules such as the 1907 Hague Convention IV (海牙第四公约) and the 1925 Geneva Protocol (日内瓦议定书). Its anti-human nature is 令人发指 (lìng rén fà zhǐ - "make people hair stand," infuriating and abominable). This extremely dark and cruel history tests the conscience and bottom line of humanity.
Lin Jian (林剑) said that what is alarming is that, faced with 铁证如山 (tiě zhèng rú shān - "iron evidence like mountain," irrefutable evidence), Japanese right-wing forces not only refuse to reflect but also glorify the notorious Unit 731 (731部队) as a "unit engaged in health research," engaging in historical revisionism and desperately attempting to cover up the truth while downplaying and denying their culpability. Their fundamental goal is to deny historical conclusions and challenge the post-war international order based on the victory of World War II (二战), which poses a threat to regional peace and stability.
"The attitude toward history is a mirror that reflects the 潜滋暗长 (qián zī àn zhǎng - "hidden growth dark sprout," growing secretly and unchecked) of the remnants of militarism, as well as the dangerous reckless actions of 'new militarism,'" Lin Jian (林剑) emphasized. The international community should remain highly vigilant and firmly resist this.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 朱玥颖 李 琰
Recently, the Seminar on Desertification Control for Chad (乍得), hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (中国商务部) and organized by the Management Cadre College of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (国家林业和草原局管理干部学院), was held with more than 30 Chadian officials and experts in attendance. "Exploring the path of ecological and development governance for our own country—I am willing to draw lessons from China's (中国) experience." These words from Mahamat Moussa (马哈马特·穆萨), a biological engineer from Chad (乍得), voiced the shared sentiment of the seminar participants.
During the seminar, the participants visited Yinchuan (银川), Ningxia (宁夏). Yinchuan (银川), known as the "Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall" (塞上江南), once suffered from severe wind and sand erosion. In recent years, from the edge of the Mu Us Desert (毛乌素沙地) to the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains (贺兰山), the local area has constructed layers of ecological barriers through comprehensive governance measures such as straw checkerboard sand barriers and shrub afforestation. With birds fluttering, vegetation flourishing, and green replacing the retreating sands, the former desert has transformed into a livable and workable green home, providing a replicable "Yinchuan Solution" (银川方案) for desertification control in arid and semi-arid regions. Cherif (谢里夫), Deputy Director of Animal Feed, Prevention, and Livestock Crisis Management at the Ministry of Livestock of Chad (乍得畜牧部), stated: "This training allowed us to deeply understand and learn from China's (中国) innovative achievements in desertification control. China (中国) is a vital partner for Chad (乍得), and I hope both countries will expand cooperation in agriculture and environmental governance to seek common development."
Affected by climate and geographical conditions, Chad (乍得) faces prominent desertification issues and urgently needs to promote large-scale desertification control work. "Ningxia (宁夏) has achieved effective restoration of large areas of degraded land, and the ecological landscape continues to improve." Adam Issakha (亚当·伊萨哈), an expert in water and forests at the Ministry of Environment, Fisheries, and Sustainable Development of Chad (乍得环境、渔业与可持续发展部), stated that during this field training, he witnessed the tremendous efforts China (中国) has made in advancing desertification control and looks forward to deepening cooperation between Chad (乍得) and China (中国) in relevant fields to better benefit the people of both countries.
Inside the greenhouse, water flows gently as sea bass and carp swim leisurely in the pools. Recycled aquaculture wastewater nourishes tomatoes, cucumbers, and leafy greens, forming an ecological cycle where fish fertilize the water and water irrigates the vegetables. Intelligent equipment regulates the environment in real-time; the dual use of water and the integration of planting and breeding fully demonstrate the vitality and vigor of circular agriculture. Nandouba David (南杜巴·戴维), a head of the agricultural sector in Chad (乍得), remarked with emotion: "China (中国) has turned some uninhabitable areas into livable ones. We hope to introduce China's (中国) mature governance experience and technology as soon as possible, promoting and applying them **因地制宜** (yīn dì zhì yí - "according to land suit measures," to act in light of specific local conditions), so that more Chadian people can benefit."
"The various courses have given us an in-depth understanding of sustainable land management, restoration of degraded areas, afforestation, and desertification control. This is not only a technical exchange but also a forging of friendship." At the seminar's closing ceremony, Mahamat Khadine (马哈马特·哈丁), an official from the Research, Planning, Monitoring, and Statistics Division of the Ministry of Environment, Fisheries, and Sustainable Development of Chad (乍得环境、渔业与可持续发展部), stated that the unremitting efforts shown by China (中国) in desertification control left a deep impression on everyone. "These achievements not only reflect the **坚韧不拔** (jiān rèn bù bá - "firm tough not pull," unyielding and persistent) spirit of the Chinese people but also prove that the systematic methods they have adopted to protect the environment are effective. The Chinese solution provides valuable inspiration for all countries to address environmental challenges."
Abakar (阿巴卡尔), the Ambassador of Chad to China (乍得驻华大使), stated that China (中国) has achieved fruitful results and accumulated mature experience and advanced technology in fields such as desertification control and ecological restoration. He hopes that the participants will deeply study China's (中国) experience, technology, and scientific approach to sand prevention and control, translate what they have learned into practical governance results, and contribute to the ecological restoration and sustainable development of Chad (乍得).
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 易舒冉
Tap the mobile phone screen to enter the digital exhibition hall of the National Museum of China (中国国家博物馆), and you can see the "Charts of the Draft First Five-Year Plan for the National Economy of the People's Republic of China" (中华人民共和国第一个五年国民经济计划草案图表) printed by the former State Planning Commission (国家计划委员会). Its bright red cover pulls people's thoughts back to the passionate years when New China (新中国) transitioned toward socialism and set sail on its industrialization journey.
Realizing socialism in China (中国) was a goal established at the founding of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党). However, in a semi-colonial and semi-feudal country with a very backward economy and culture, realizing socialism had to be done in two steps: first, achieving victory in the New Democratic Revolution (新民主主义革命) against imperialism and feudalism, and only then transitioning to the socialist revolution.
General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out: "After the founding of New China (新中国), our Party united and led the people to creatively complete the socialist transformation, establish the basic socialist system, and carry out large-scale socialist economic and cultural construction. The Chinese people have not only stood up, but have also stood firm and steady, achieving a historic leap from socialist revolution to socialist construction."
On June 15, 1953, an enlarged meeting of the Political Bureau (中央政治局) was held. At the meeting, Mao Zedong (毛泽东) first proposed the basic content of the Party's general line for the transition period, which was later formally expressed as: "From the founding of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国) to the basic completion of socialist transformation, this is a transition period. The general line and general task of the Party in this transition period are to gradually realize the country's socialist industrialization and to gradually realize the socialist transformation of agriculture, handicrafts, and capitalist industry and commerce over a relatively long period."
Guided by the general line for the transition period, the entire Party and the people of the whole country shifted their attention to the task of socialist industrialization and actively devoted themselves to large-scale economic construction.
"What can we make now? We can make tables and chairs, we can make teacups and teapots, we can grow grain, and we can grind it into flour; we can also make paper. But, we cannot make a single car, a single airplane, a single tank, or a single tractor." This statement by Mao Zedong (毛泽东) reflected the urgency felt by the Party Central Committee (党中央) to change the extremely backward state of China's (我国) industry, especially heavy industry.
Concentrating major efforts on developing heavy industry became one of the basic tasks of the First Five-Year Plan (第一个五年计划). During this period, many industrial products that occupy an important position in the history of New China's (新中国) industry were manufactured: in July 1954, the CJ-5 (初教—5) aircraft test flight was successful, marking the transition of China's (中国) aviation industry from the repair stage to the manufacturing stage; in July 1956, the Jiefang (解放) brand truck with a load capacity of 4 tons was successfully trial-produced, marking the beginning of China's (我国) independent mastery of automobile production technology; in September 1956, the domestically produced B2-34 medium tank engine was created, ending the history of China's (中国) inability to manufacture tank engines...
The socialist transformation of agriculture was ranked first among the "Three Major Transformations" (三大改造). It advocated for individual farmers to "organize" and take the socialist road to common prosperity.
Implementing the Central Committee's (中央) resolution on developing agricultural producers' cooperatives was carried out simultaneously with the publicity and education of the general line for the transition period, quickly setting off a craze for establishing cooperatives in rural areas. By the end of 1954, the number of primary cooperatives had increased from 15,000 in 1953 to 480,000, and the number of farming households participating in various mutual aid organizations had increased from 21 million at the end of 1951 to 70 million, with their proportion of the total number of farming households in the country rising from 19.2% to 60.3%. After the summer of 1955, the agricultural collectivization movement formed a surging mass wave.
The transformation of handicrafts and capitalist industry and commerce also accelerated significantly. By the end of 1956, 99% of private industrial households and 82.2% of private commercial households in the country had been brought into the orbit of public-private partnership or cooperative commerce, and 91.7% of handicraft workers had joined cooperatives.
By the end of 1956, China (我国) had basically completed the socialist transformation of the private ownership of the means of production and initially established a socialist economic system in which public ownership held an absolute advantage.
As time flows, today's China (中国) sees the Shenzhou (神舟) spacecraft flying to the heavens, the Jiaolong (蛟龙) submersible exploring the seas, the Beidou (北斗) system guiding the way, and the C919 soaring through the skies... Economic strength, scientific and technological strength, national defense strength, and comprehensive national power have all leaped forward, and a 欣欣向荣 (xīn xīn xiàng róng - "flourishing and prosperous," describing a scene of vigorous growth and vitality) scroll of the era is constantly unfolding.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 贺林平
Upon entering the Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory (松山湖材料实验室) in Dongguan City (东莞市), Guangdong Province (广东省), the first thing that catches the eye is a photograph of Wang Enge (王恩哥), an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院), delivering a lecture on Party history to the laboratory's then-Party general branch.
"Academician Wang Enge (王恩哥) came to Dongguan (东莞) in 2017 to lead the preparation and establishment of the laboratory, and he has attached great importance to Party building work from the very beginning. It can be said that the process of the laboratory's development is a process of mutual promotion and advancement between Party building and scientific innovation," said Fu Ying (付莹), Deputy Director of the Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory (松山湖材料实验室). In 2021, the laboratory's Party general branch was awarded the title of "National Advanced Grassroots Party Organization." To date, it has cultivated and empowered over 70 technology-based enterprises with a total valuation exceeding 30 billion yuan. Meanwhile, the laboratory's Party general branch was upgraded to a Party Committee in 2023, and the number of Party members has grown to 183, accounting for approximately one-third of the total full-time staff.
On a summer afternoon, in the workshop of Zhongke Jingyi (Dongguan) Material Technology Co., Ltd. (中科晶益（东莞）材料科技有限责任公司), single-crystal copper wires as fine as silk are being slowly coiled. This high-end copper wire material, with a diameter less than one-tenth that of a human hair, has solved the "choke point" problem of long-term reliance on imports for high-end copper materials.
"To transform original scientific research achievements into new quality productive forces, one must pass the test of deep integration between industry, academia, and research, which cannot be achieved without the leading charge of technical backbone Party members." As a researcher in the Light Element Materials Team at the Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory (松山湖材料实验室), Fu Ying (付莹) feels this deeply. After thousands of experiments, the team developed high-end wire products such as high-purity, high-conductivity single-crystal copper wire, pushing high-end copper materials from laboratory samples to mass production and industrial application.
Under the matchmaking of the laboratory's Party Committee, the team's incubated enterprise, Zhongke Jingyi (中科晶益), explored new models such as technology equity participation, deeply embedding new technologies into the production chains of partner enterprises and successfully entering the supply chains of leading companies. After completing mergers and acquisitions, the enterprise received support in technology, capital, and platforms, achieving a doubling of revenue.
"Influenced by factors such as differences in target positioning, insufficient market maturity, and weak environmental adaptability, the transformation of scientific and technological achievements must overcome many hurdles," said Fu Ying (付莹). The laboratory's Party Committee actively joins hands with the Songshan Lake (松山湖) Directly Affiliated Organs Party Committee and the "Two New" (New Economic Organizations and New Social Organizations) Party Committee to connect various cooperation intentions through special industry-academia-research actions. Currently, it has successfully attracted 27 innovative model factory teams to settle in, directly incubated 38 industrialization companies, and achieved a cumulative sales contract value exceeding 1.2 billion yuan.
Stepping into the High-Temperature Superconducting Joint Engineering Center, jointly established by the China Nonferrous Metal Industry's Foreign Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd. (NFC) Innovation Research Institute (中色创新研究院) and the Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory (松山湖材料实验室), the second-generation high-temperature superconducting tape, made of 9 layers of materials precisely compounded with a thickness of only 0.1 millimeters, is one of the important results of their joint research.
The second-generation high-temperature superconducting tape will be widely used in future industrial fields such as superconducting cables and controllable nuclear fusion. Behind this major scientific research task is the deep cooperation between the China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. (中色集团) and the Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory (松山湖材料实验室). "One is the lead unit of the Superconducting Materials Innovation Consortium of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (国务院国资委), and the other has rich technical and talent accumulation in the field of new materials. Under the overall coordination of the Party committees of both sides, a '1+1>2' effect has been formed." Center Director Wang Wei (王维) introduced that with the inauguration of the Guangdong Songshan Lake Branch (广东松山湖分院) of the NFC Innovation Research Institute (中色创新研究院), the two sides will carry out more joint research in areas such as tape equipment, material preparation, magnet research and development, and system integration.
Through "laboratory-enterprise joint research," the Party Committee of the Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory (松山湖材料实验室) has closely united partners such as the China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. (中色集团), Dongfeng Motor Corporation (东风), and Dongfang Electric Corporation (东方电气), forming multiple teams and introducing over 700 million yuan in corporate cooperation funds. "We will further promote the integrated development of Party building and business, focus on joint research on core technologies and key materials in future industries, accurately align scientific and technological innovation with the actual application needs of the industry, and effectively transform the political and organizational advantages of the Party organization into kinetic and developmental advantages for promoting scientific and technological innovation," said Ke Haibo (柯海波), a member of the laboratory's Party Committee.
Return to TopBeijing (北京), June 19 — To inherit and promote the excellent traditional culture of China and deeply advance the revitalization of traditional festivals, the Bureau of Civilization Practice of the Central Propaganda Department (中宣部文明实践局), the Department of Social Affairs of the Ministry of Civil Affairs (民政部社会事务司), the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (文化和旅游部非物质文化遗产司), the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League (共青团中央宣传部), the Publicity Department of the All-China Women's Federation (全国妇联宣传部), and the Literary and Art Volunteer Service Center of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (中国文联文艺志愿服务中心) jointly organized the 2026 "Our Festival: Dragon Boat Festival" thematic cultural activities around the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) on June 19. People experienced the cultural charm of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) through these distinctive activities.
On Zhichun Island (知春岛) in the Summer Palace (颐和园), Beijing (北京), the "Yihe Theater: Tracing the Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival" (颐和有戏·溯源端阳) cultural event attracted both domestic and international tourists. Actors performed classic Peking Opera (京剧) repertoires on-site; the graceful and melodious singing, combined with vivid and expressive movements, blended 浑然一体 (hún rán yī tǐ - "naturally integrated," describing things that are perfectly combined into a seamless whole) with the lakeside water and willow scenery. In the nearby intangible cultural heritage handicraft area, visitors experienced Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) culture by making round fans and weaving colorful silk threads.
The opening ceremony of the 2026 Hunan Province (湖南省) Dragon Boat Super League Finals was held in Miluo (汨罗). Dragon boat teams from 14 cities and prefectures in Hunan (湖南) braved the waves, beating drums and swinging paddles, using the dragon boat races to make friends and folk customs to convey sentiments.
At the Flood Control Monument Square (防洪纪念塔广场) in Harbin (哈尔滨), Heilongjiang (黑龙江), the public cultural exhibition site distributed traditional Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) tokens such as colorful threads, sachets, and fresh eggs. The event featured live connections with poetry enthusiasts in Zigui (秭归), Hubei (湖北), and Miluo (汨罗), Hunan (湖南), to recite Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) poems together.
In the Chaobai Dragon Boat Festival (端午) National Trend Cultural Grand View Garden in Baodi (宝坻), Tianjin (天津), people experienced the charm of folk customs through activities like the pitch-pot ceremony (投壶礼) and land-based dragon boat racing.
In Dezhou (德州), Shandong (山东), multiple art performances were held simultaneously, including the provincial-level representative intangible cultural heritage project "Taihuagang" (抬花杠), selections from the Peking Opera (京剧) Zhuo Fang Cao (捉放曹), and Grand Canal (运河) Yangge (秧歌) dances, while the aromas of folk delicacies like braised chicken zongzi (扒鸡粽) and mulberry leaf zongzi (椹叶粽) filled the air.
In addition, relying on the New Era Civilization Practice Centers (stations and posts) (新时代文明实践中心（所、站）), various regions launched rich and colorful interactive experiences such as wrapping zongzi and making sachets, attracting active public participation and promoting holiday consumption. Localities also actively carried out exhibitions and performances of intangible cultural heritage projects and research exchanges, inviting folk artisans and representative inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to teach Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) customs and intangible cultural heritage skills, thereby contributing to the inheritance and promotion of Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) culture.
(Reported by our reporters Shi Fang (施芳) and Yang Xun (杨迅), and Xinhua News Agency (新华社) reporter Yang Zhanfei (杨湛菲))
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 罗阳奇
Passing through Six Feet Lane (六尺巷) in the city center of Tongcheng (桐城市), Anhui (安徽), and walking about another hundred meters, one arrives at the Party-Masses Service Station of Six Feet Lane Community (六尺巷社区). The service station is named "Delin Society" (德邻社), derived from the classic quote in the *Analects of Confucius: Liren* (《论语·里仁》)—"Virtue is not left to stand alone; he who practices it will have neighbors."
In 2024, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out during his inspection of Six Feet Lane (六尺巷) in Tongcheng (桐城市): "Six Feet Lane embodies the historical wisdom of our ancestors in resolving conflicts. It should serve as an educational venue for promoting excellent traditional Chinese culture, giving full play to the traditional virtues of the Chinese nation—such as courtesy, deference, and valuing harmony—to create a harmonious social environment where people live and work in peace and contentment."
The Dragon Boat Festival (端午) has arrived, and the scent of mugwort fills the air. Inside the Delin Society (德邻社), a themed Party Day event titled "Discussing Courtesy in Six Feet Lane · Mugwort Hanging at the Door to Spread Integrity" is underway, with over 30 Party members from Six Feet Lane Community (六尺巷社区) and government departments of Tongcheng (桐城市) in attendance.
"'A letter sent only for the sake of a wall, what harm is there in yielding three feet?' Why could a single poem on courtesy by Zhang Ying (张英) lead the Zhang (张) and Wu (吴) families to each yield three feet, creating such a celebrated story?" The question was posed by Zhang Yun (张耘), Party Branch Secretary of Six Feet Lane Community (六尺巷社区). He holds another identity: a descendant of the protagonist of the Six Feet Lane (六尺巷) story, the renowned Qing Dynasty (清代) official Zhang Ying (张英).
"The Zhang (张) family practiced self-discipline and served the public, while the Wu (吴) family followed the example of the virtuous. Both families valued courtesy and harmony, together yielding space to create the lane," replied Yan Wenjuan (严文娟), a staff member of the Tongcheng Municipal Finance Bureau (桐城市财政局).
Zhang Yun (张耘) nodded with a smile, "Well said! The Zhang (张) family was able to yield because the root lay in self-discipline. As a high-ranking official, Zhang Ying (张英) maintained a style of courtesy and self-reflection, allowing him to not dwell on immediate gains or losses when faced with those three feet of land."
"The Wu (吴) family was moved by the magnanimity of the Zhang (张) family and took the initiative to yield three feet as well. You respect me, I respect you, and together they achieved a story of neighborly harmony," added Wang Haoyu (王浩宇), a young Party member from Six Feet Lane Community (六尺巷社区).
Wang Haoyu (王浩宇) grew up in Six Feet Lane Community (六尺巷社区) and now runs a shoe shop in the community. "My elders often told the story of Six Feet Lane (六尺巷), so I have known since I was a child that one must understand the importance of courtesy."
"The seeds of 'courtesy' sown in youth become an important pillar for creating a harmonious social environment," said Zhang Yun (张耘). "Many conflicts that seem difficult to reconcile are actually just both sides 'trying to save face.' As long as the method is appropriate, they can be completely resolved." In recent years, Zhang Yun (张耘) has taken the lead in establishing a volunteer guide service team for the Six Feet Lane (六尺巷) story, consisting of over a hundred people, to let the culture of courtesy influence more people.
Drawing from the core of courtesy in Six Feet Lane (六尺巷), Tongcheng (桐城市) has innovatively formed the "New Era Six Feet Lane Working Method" (新时代六尺巷工作法). Currently, Tongcheng (桐城市) has established over 300 "Six Feet Lane Mediation Rooms" (六尺巷调解室) covering grassroots units. "Our exploratory practices have been widely recognized," Zhang Yun (张耘) said with pride.
After the story concluded, Zhang Yun (张耘) began guiding everyone in making mugwort door hangings. "First, let's straighten the mugwort," Zhang Yun (张耘) said as he gathered several stalks of mugwort, aligned their roots, and then picked up a red string to tie them tightly. "Mugwort must be aligned to be bundled tightly into a bunch. People's hearts are the same—when hearts are united and people understand courtesy, life will become brighter and better."
Zhang Li (张丽), a staff member of the Tongcheng Municipal Finance Bureau (桐城市财政局), took the mugwort, followed Zhang Yun's (张耘) example, carefully aligned the roots of the stalks, and then tied them tightly, circle by circle. "Mugwort is bundled firmly when aligned; the path of life becomes wider when hearts are united. With a little more courtesy and a little less calculation, life naturally becomes better," said Zhang Li (张丽).
Zhang Yun (张耘) picked up a small bookmark from the table. The bookmark was palm-sized and printed with a sentence excerpted from *Congxun Zhaiyu* (《聪训斋语》). "*Congxun Zhaiyu* (《聪训斋语》) compiles the family teachings of Zhang Ying (张英), containing the traditional virtues of accumulating goodness and practicing courtesy," said Zhang Yun (张耘).
"Yielding the path for a lifetime does not lose an inch," Zhang Li (张丽) read from a bookmark. "This is so well said! If you yield to others, you don't lose half a step yourself. Those who truly understand courtesy will instead gain more." She tied the bookmark to the mugwort and gave it a gentle tug; the bookmark hung securely.
Wang Haoyu (王浩宇) also picked up a bookmark and tied it to his mugwort. "I plan to hang the mugwort at the entrance of my shop. When customers ask about it, I will tell them the story behind the bookmark."
Before long, dozens of mugwort bundles were tied with red strings and adorned with bookmarks. As the event concluded, everyone walked out of the Party-Masses Service Station and passed through Six Feet Lane (六尺巷). As the wind blew, the bookmarks swayed gently, and a fresh fragrance filled the air.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 程 焕
Walking into Changgao Village (长高村), Baisu Town (摆所镇), Changshun County (长顺县), Qiannan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (黔南布依族苗族自治州), Guizhou Province (贵州), large patches of bare yellow earth on the hillsides form a stark contrast with the lush green forests surrounding them. At the foot of the mountain, several residential houses are almost buried by soil. This scene of devastation is the mark left by a landslide.
More than 10 days ago, a heavy rainstorm swept through Changshun County (长顺县), with all eight meteorological monitoring stations in the county recording torrential downpours. Changgao Village (长高村), situated in low-lying terrain and surrounded by mountains, bore the brunt of the disaster.
As early as June 6, meteorological risk warnings for geological disasters were issued successively at the provincial, prefectural, and county levels. Wang Shunmin (王舜民), Secretary of the Party Branch of Changgao Village (长高村), keenly sensed the risk and immediately organized village cadres to alert the public: "If you notice anything unusual, evacuate immediately and report it at once!"
At 21:11 on the 6th, a yellow alert for lightning was issued; at 23:28, an orange alert for rainstorms followed.
Upon receiving the two consecutive warning messages, Wang Shunmin (王舜民) made a decisive decision, summoning the village committee members and resident working team members to initiate emergency evacuation. Based on the risk ledger established earlier, 10 party member cadres formed a task force, splitting into multiple groups to head toward geological hazard sites and low-lying, flood-prone areas, knocking on doors house by house to mobilize and assist with the relocation.
At 0:21 on the 7th, an orange alert for meteorological risks of mountain torrents was issued;
At 0:48, a red alert for rainstorms was issued;
……
The rain became increasingly fierce. By this time, all 49 residents from 28 households located in high-risk areas had been safely evacuated and relocated to the village committee office, which sits on higher ground. "The quilts and folding cots prepared by the village in advance all came in handy this time." As the conference room could not accommodate everyone, Tian Huahua (田华华), the First Secretary stationed in the village, and four other resident cadres voluntarily vacated their dormitories.
Shortly after the residents finished their relocation, the rainfall reached its peak, and the entire village lost power. The gale, accompanied by torrential rain, slammed violently against doors and windows, making an unsettling clattering sound.
"I have rarely seen such heavy rain. Fortunately, the village kept reminding us, and I stayed alert to the movements outside the window all night." Although the home of 76-year-old villager Zhu Yugang (朱玉刚) was not in a designated geological hazard site, Liu Qing (柳青), the person in charge of the emergency broadcast terminal in Changgao Village (长高村) and Deputy Secretary of the Village Party Branch, was worried because the elder's house was on a hillside, and repeatedly urged him to keep a close watch on the situation outside.
At 3:30, hearing the sound of falling roof tiles, Zhu Yugang (Zhu Yugang) got up to check. Just as he stepped out of his house, he faintly heard a "rumbling" sound coming from the mountain behind, which was unusually dull and clearly not the sound of rain. He immediately woke his wife, and the two rushed into the dark night through the rain, banging gongs to sound the alarm and warn their neighbors to seek emergency shelter. More than 10 minutes later, the mountain collapsed, and Zhu Yugang's (朱玉刚) house was swallowed by the mudslide...
At daybreak, the rain gradually eased. A headcount confirmed that not a single person in the village was missing. "Disaster prevention publicity and emergency drills are not just 走过场 (zǒu guò chǎng - "walk through the scene," to go through the motions or act perfunctorily); they can truly save lives at critical moments!" In this disaster, three houses in Changgao Village (长高村) were destroyed, and 12 households suffered damage to their homes. Seeing that all the villagers were safe and sound, the furrowed brows of Wang Shunmin (王舜民) and his colleagues finally relaxed.
Behind this successful avoidance of disaster lies a vanguard team of party members who act upon orders and charge to the front, and a "combination punch" of mass prevention and control with powerful organization and rapid response.
"We did our work in advance; emergency supplies, evacuation routes, and relocation sites were all prepared beforehand, so we didn't engage in 打乱仗 (dǎ luàn zhàng - "fight chaotic battle," to act in a disorganized or panicked manner) at the critical moment." Zhang Jun (张俊), Deputy Mayor of Baisu Town (摆所镇), explained that the party member cadres made scientific decisions, charged to the front, communicated warning information effectively, and evacuated people decisively, fully playing the role of the "first line of defense" in disaster prevention and mitigation, thereby winning the initiative in safeguarding the lives and property of the people.
Return to TopXi'an (西安), June 19 (Reporter Meng Xiangfu (孟祥夫)) — The 2025 National "Four 100s" Outstanding Volunteer Service Typical Release Ceremony and On-site Exchange Event was recently held in Xi'an (西安), Shaanxi (陕西), hosted by the Central Social Work Department (中央社会工作部).
The event, themed "Volunteer Starlight, Power of Role Models," centrally released the list of the 2025 National "Four 100s" outstanding volunteer service models. Through a comprehensive use of interviews, storytelling, performances, and videos, the event showcased the moving stories of outstanding volunteers, volunteer service organizations, volunteer service projects, and volunteer service communities, presenting the vivid practices of volunteer services organized and carried out by various regions and relevant departments. During the event, the launch ceremony for the "Sharing the Fragrance of Books" (共沐书香) community reading promotion volunteer service project was held. Volunteer representatives from across the country collectively recited the volunteer oath.
The atmosphere at the event was 热火朝天 (rè huǒ cháo tiān - "hot fire heaven-high," describing a scene that is bustling, enthusiastic, and full of energy), reflecting the nation's commitment to public service.
Return to TopIn recent years, Tonggu County (铜鼓县), Yichun City (宜春市), Jiangxi Province (江西省) has actively guided farmers to develop traditional rural delicacies, continuously extending the industrial chain and increasing added value to promote agricultural efficiency and boost farmers' incomes. The photo shows staff at the Tongxianghui Rural Specialty Workshop (铜乡汇乡村特产手工坊) in Lutian Village (禄田村), Wenquan Town (温泉镇), Tonggu County (铜鼓县) drying bayberries.
Photo by Zhou Liang (周亮) (Vision China (影像中国))
Return to TopBeijing (北京), June 19 (Reporter Jin Xin (金歆)) — The reporter learned from the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission (中央网信办) that, in accordance with the overall arrangements for the 2026 "Qinglang" (清朗) series of special campaigns, the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission (中央网信办) has decided to launch a three-month special campaign titled "Qinglang: Rectifying Chaos in Account Name Information" (清朗·整治账号名称信息乱象) starting recently.
The special campaign focuses on rectifying four types of prominent issues: First, impersonation issues, including the impersonation of official institutional accounts and media accounts. Second, identity camouflage issues, including adding titles without authorization, disguising oneself as a professional in a specific field, and exploiting trending events. Third, the inclusion of non-compliant information, including the inclusion of illicit external links, implied inappropriate information, and the unauthorized comeback of banned accounts. Fourth, issues related to the black and gray industry of name information, including the fabrication of false data, the issue of fake "Big V" (大V) accounts, and the issue of "zombie" (僵尸) accounts.
The authorities are acting to ensure that the online environment does not become a place where people 滥竽充数 (làn yú chōng shù - "play the yu-pipe to make up the numbers," to act as a fraud or fill a position without having the necessary qualifications) and to prevent those who 鱼目混珠 (yú mù hùn zhū - "fish eyes mixed with pearls," to pass off the fake as genuine) from deceiving the public.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 董丝雨
Under-forest planting, under-forest breeding, under-forest harvesting and processing, and the utilization of forest landscapes... the diverse models of the under-forest economy serve as an important pathway for increasing farmers' income and act as a "green engine" for advancing comprehensive rural revitalization. Currently, the national under-forest economy utilizes over 600 million mu of forest land, employs 34 million people, involves 950,000 business entities, and generates an annual output value exceeding 1.3 trillion yuan.
Zhejiang (浙江) is characterized by "seven parts mountain, one part water, and two parts farmland," making forestry a vital resource for the development of its mountainous regions. Last year, Zhejiang (浙江) generated 6.6% of the national forestry output value using only 2% of the national forest land area, with over 50% of farmers' income in some key mountainous counties derived from forestry. What is the experience of Zhejiang (浙江) in developing the under-forest economy? How does the under-forest economy drive farmers to increase their income and achieve prosperity? Recently, reporters visited Chun'an County (淳安县) in Hangzhou City (杭州市), Kaihua County (开化县) in Quzhou City (衢州市), and Songyang County (松阳县) in Lishui City (丽水市) for interviews.
**Creating "Forestry Standard Land" to Transform Forest Land from "Low-Efficiency Idle Assets" into "High-Efficiency Assets"**
With level and accessible main roads crisscrossing the area, distributed reservoirs covering the entire region, and a comprehensive monitoring system safeguarding the forest ecology in real-time, authentic traditional Chinese medicinal materials like Solomon's seal (黄精), Bletilla striata (白及), and Paris polyphylla (三叶青) are growing well. Walking into the Yanshan Branch (燕山分场) of the Chun'an County Forestry General Farm (淳安县林业总场), the 430-mu "Seven-Have" forestry standard land has become a demonstration base for ecological industry.
"Seven-Have" refers to having forest area roads, management buildings, reservoirs (for irrigation), mechanical transport tracks, communication and network coverage, power facilities, and intelligent monitoring and traceability systems, benchmarking against the "three connections and one leveling" model of industrial parks.
Why is "Seven-Have" important? "On 'Seven-Have' forestry standard land, enterprises can directly engage in planting and launch projects, saving over 80% of initial investment, which significantly increases their willingness to enter the mountains and forests," said Liu Zhaohui (刘朝晖), head of the Yanshan Branch (燕山分场) of the Chun'an County Forestry General Farm (淳安县林业总场).
In the past, forest land in the mountainous regions of Zhejiang (浙江) faced dilemmas such as being "fragmented, poorly facilitated, and loosely managed," making it difficult to convert good ecology into good returns. In April 2025, Zhejiang (浙江) issued the "Guiding Opinions of Zhejiang Province on Carrying Out the Construction of Forestry Standard Land," which clarified and standardized the construction of forestry standard land from six aspects: general requirements, conceptual definition, guiding principles, access conditions, construction tasks, and safeguard measures. Forestry standard land is gradually awakening sleeping mountains and forests, releasing a magnetic field effect that transforms forest land from "low-efficiency idle assets" into "high-efficiency assets."
In December 2025, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (国家林业和草原局) issued the "Several Measures on Promoting the Development of the Under-Forest Economy" (hereinafter referred to as the "Several Measures"), proposing the promotion of the "forestry standard land" model to develop the under-forest economy, marking the official national expansion of this innovative practice originating from Zhejiang (浙江).
Chen Jian (陈健), Vice Dean of the College of Forestry and Biotechnology at Zhejiang A&F University (浙江农林大学), introduced that forestry standard land is an innovative land use and industrial development model. Through unified layout and construction, it effectively reduces the occurrence of illegal forest ecological destruction while precisely resolving difficulties in under-forest economic development such as resource mismatch, high investment thresholds, and weak interest linkages.
Xianchi Biomedical Co., Ltd. (仙池生物医药有限公司), located in the Qiandao Lake Health Industry Park (千岛湖健康产业园) of the High-speed Railway New Area in Wenchang Town (文昌镇), Chun'an County (淳安县), is one of the beneficiary enterprises of forestry standard land. "Choosing to settle in Chun'an (淳安) was largely due to the complete supporting facilities provided by the forestry standard land," said Lu Weibin (鲁卫斌), the company's person in charge. The government built the factory buildings and the water, electricity, and road networks, allowing the enterprise to start production immediately. This year, the company expects to produce about 50 tons of functional food ingredients and 280 tons of fruit and vegetable juice beverages, achieving an annual sales revenue of 50 million yuan. A portion of the enterprise's profits will be reinvested locally to help develop the under-forest economy, especially the traditional Chinese medicine industry.
As of the beginning of this year, Chun'an County (淳安县) has completed the construction of 14 forestry standard land sites covering 11,000 mu, attracting nearly 20 projects and driving an average annual income increase of over 5,000 yuan for farmers.
"By creating forestry standard land, Zhejiang (浙江) has achieved a two-way connection between 'enterprises looking for land' and 'government providing land,' shifting from 'scattered management' to 'large-scale intensification,' and breaking the bottlenecks of under-forest economic development at the institutional level, allowing social capital to dare to enter the mountains, be willing to enter the forests, and be able to make a profit," said He Zhiming (何志明), Deputy Director of the Forestry Reform and Industrial Development Division of the Zhejiang Provincial Forestry Bureau (浙江省林业局).
How should forestry standard land be developed? Chen Jian (陈健) suggests connecting multiple forestry standard land sites to build "Forestry Common Prosperity Parks," upgrading from single-industry support to "full industrial chain + diverse business formats." At the same time, configuring shared forest affairs service centers, cold chain storage, and brand operation centers will form an industrial ecological community of "forestry standard land + workshops + parks."
"Forestry Common Prosperity Parks have become a key lever for Zhejiang (浙江) to promote the high-quality development of the forestry industry, especially the under-forest economy, for the current and future period," He Zhiming (何志明) showed the reporter a "Reform Roadmap for the Full Life Cycle of Forestry Common Prosperity in Zhejiang Province." "During the '15th Five-Year Plan' period, Zhejiang (浙江) will continue to expand the coverage of Forestry Common Prosperity Parks, further broaden the path of transforming 'lucid waters and lush mountains' into 'invaluable assets,' and let more mountain farmers share the fruits of development."
**Deep Integration of the Three Industries, Making Lucid Waters and Lush Mountains a Reliable Support for People's Happiness**
At the Shuangtong Jixue Leisure Manor (双童积雪休闲庄园) in Songyang County (松阳县), workers go up the mountain early in the morning to pick tea while moving through the Torreya grandis (香榧) forest. "A mu of tea garden yields an average annual income of over 10,000 yuan. Once the Torreya grandis enters a stable fruiting period, the annual income per mu of forest land can reach 15,000 yuan," introduced Wang Tangjin (王瑭金), the person in charge of the manor. With the support of the local government, he interplanted over 300 mu of tea under 800 mu of Torreya grandis forest, greatly increasing the added value of the forest land.
Torreya grandis usually takes 15 years from planting to full production. With a long production cycle and high investment, forest farmers often face financial pressure. Songyang County (松阳县) is exploring a model of "three-dimensional planting, combining long-term and short-term crops, and using short-term crops to support long-term ones" to solve the problem of slow returns from Torreya grandis and improve farmers' enthusiasm.
"The 'Torreya grandis +' model not only prevents soil erosion, enhances photosynthesis, and suppresses weeds, but also acts as indirect tending for the Torreya grandis," said Ye Jinjun (叶金军), a member of the Party Committee of the Songyang County Natural Resources and Planning Bureau (松阳县自然资源和规划局) and Director of the Songyang County Ecological Forestry Development Center (松阳县生态林业发展中心). The county's Torreya grandis planting area has reached 89,000 mu. Through under-forest interplanting, farmers' management costs have been reduced by over 20%, forest land utilization has increased by 50%, and Torreya grandis yields have also increased by over 30%.
The quality improvement of the primary industry has enhanced the overall benefits of forest land, while the development of the secondary industry has increased the added value of under-forest economic products.
Nankengyuan Village (南坑源村) in Xiangxi Town (象溪镇), Songyang County (松阳县), is located in a mountainous area with much idle forest land and a weak industrial base, making it a persistent challenge to increase villagers' income. In 2023, leveraging the traditional Chinese medicine industry policy of Songyang County (松阳县) and the "Jiangnan Medicine Valley" (江南药谷) forestry common prosperity project of Xiangxi Town (象溪镇), the village committee actively promoted the large-scale planting of Paris polyphylla (三叶青) under arbor forests such as moso bamboo and chestnut.
"Paris polyphylla likes shade and fears the sun, with a growth cycle of 3–5 years. We use a mixture of original forest soil, organic fertilizer, and plant ash as a substrate, planting the Paris polyphylla in non-woven bags. This concentrates nutrients and facilitates harvesting, with an average annual income of 60,000 yuan per mu," said Lan Jinlian (兰金连), Party Branch Secretary of Nankengyuan Village (南坑源村). Two-thirds of the village's labor force has achieved local employment, and over 30 households have learned the technology and started planting, revitalizing more than 2,600 mu of idle forest land.
Whether the under-forest economy can "chain" into high value depends on processing. Nankengyuan Village (南坑源村) has introduced several pharmaceutical companies, driving social capital investment of over 25 million yuan and achieving a full-chain layout from seedlings, planting, and processing to sales.
"We unify the procedures for seed sources, fertilizers, and planting to ensure the authentic quality of Zhejiang-produced Paris polyphylla. At the same time, we develop deep-processed products such as traditional Chinese medicine formula granules, decoction pieces, foot bath bags, and facial masks, making the authentic medicinal materials much more valuable," introduced Chen Xia (陈霞), head of the Paris polyphylla GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) planting base of Zhejiang Benefit Pharmaceutical (浙江贝尼菲特药业). The enterprise signed a cooperation agreement with the local forestry department and also signed a guaranteed purchase agreement with farmers for fresh products at 100 yuan per jin, solving the farmers' worries about "being able to grow but not being able to sell."
New business formats such as "under-forest economy + health and wellness," "under-forest economy + medicinal diet experience," and "under-forest economy + tourism" have made the development prospects of the under-forest economy even broader.
The Qiandao Lake Botanical Garden (千岛湖植物园) on Deer Island (鹿岛) in Qiandao Lake Town (千岛湖镇), Chun'an County (淳安县), is an ecological park restored from a land plot previously remediated near the lake. Thousands of plants such as Distylium chinense (银缕梅) and Davidia involucrata (珙桐) grow in a staggered manner, and 230 varieties of hydrangeas dot the forest. The wisteria tunnel with hanging vines, the "Mirror of the Sky" standing by the water, and the open and romantic wedding lawn are popular check-in spots loved by young people. Tourists look out at the blue water of Qiandao Lake, enjoy the flowers and green plants up close, capture the lake and mountain scenery with their cameras, feed sika deer at the Luming Terrace (鹿鸣台), and watch peacocks, fully enjoying the natural interest.
"This is not just a botanical garden, but an ecological tourism destination for natural science education and forest health," introduced Wang Hui (王晖), head of the Qiandao Lake Forestry Farm (千岛湖林场). As of now, the Qiandao Lake Botanical Garden (千岛湖植物园) has received a total of over 210,000 tourists, increasing the forest farm's net income by about 1.3 million yuan.
The "Jiangnan Medicine Valley" (江南药谷) in Songyang County (松阳县) has built a hundred-herb corridor and a traditional Chinese medicine research museum, created a cluster of medicinal diet homestays, and launched special delicacies such as Paris polyphylla medicinal diet and Solomon's seal steamed buns. It receives over 500,000 tourists annually, driving tourism revenue of over 50 million yuan. Kaihua County (开化县), relying on its cliff Dendrobium (石斛) base, has developed forest health and research experience projects, where tourists can visit Dendrobium planting and experience fresh stem picking, driving the booming development of surrounding homestays and catering, with an annual economic benefit of over 30 million yuan... Zhejiang (浙江) supports various places to develop projects such as nature education, biological manufacturing, and forest health according to local conditions, and encourages village collectives to build rural e-commerce industrial platforms and mass entrepreneurship platforms through self-run or joint operation methods, continuously broadening the channels for mountain farmers to increase their income.
A forest is a green workshop, and a mountain is a common prosperity industrial chain. "The path of under-forest economic development, which involves activating the primary industry, improving the quality of the secondary industry, and integrating the tertiary industry, not only protects the 'green foundation' but also realizes the organic unity of ecological protection, green development, and improvement of people's livelihood, making 'lucid waters and lush mountains' truly a reliable support for people's happiness," said He Zhiming (何志明).
**Strengthening Service Guarantees to Ensure Long-term Development and Sustained Prosperity for the Under-Forest Economy**
At the source of the Qiantang River (钱江), the mountains are layered with green. Walking into Li Yangtian Village (里秧田村), Qixi Town (齐溪镇), Kaihua County (开化县), clusters of Dendrobium officinale (铁皮石斛) climb along the texture of the rocks. "We use this 'human-planted, nature-raised' imitation-wild ecological planting model, which makes the Dendrobium taste better and have higher effective nutritional components. No fertilizer, no pesticides, it is safer to eat and friendlier to the environment," said Lü Xinwang (吕新旺), General Manager of Zhejiang Sengu Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (浙江森古生物科技有限公司). "Cliff Dendrobium takes 7 years to harvest, and once planted, it can provide long-term benefits."
Lü Xinwang (吕新旺) is a national forestry and grassland local expert. Because he valued the superior ecological environment at the source of the Qiantang River (钱塘江), he chose to come to Kaihua County (开化县) to develop the under-forest economy. "Our team developed a plant-based glutinous rice glue to fix Dendrobium seedlings, which neither destroys the rocks nor affects the forest ecology; we also screened out fungal factors that promote germination, increasing the seed germination rate from one in 100,000 to 20% to 30%," said Lü Xinwang (吕新旺).
The "Several Measures" proposed to "strengthen the scientific and technological support for the under-forest economy." Local experts have been working on the front line for years and are an important force in completing the "last mile" of implementing forestry and grassland technology.
Since Zhejiang (浙江) issued the "Selection and Management Measures for Forestry Local Experts in Zhejiang Province," it has cultivated a total of 550 provincial-level forestry local experts and 102 national forestry and grassland local experts. They deliver technology, guidance, and services to the forest fields, providing "one-on-one, point-to-point" scientific and technological support for under-forest economic projects.
Key forestry counties in Zhejiang (浙江) also cooperate with scientific research institutions and colleges to carry out research and integration of under-forest economic application technologies, and strengthen the demonstration, promotion, and application of technological achievements.
The "Jiangnan Medicine Valley" (江南药谷) in Songyang County (松阳县) introduced the Songyang Research Institute project of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (浙江中医药大学). Once completed, it will become the exhibition park with the most varieties of traditional Chinese medicine germplasm resources in Zhejiang Province (浙江省). "We expect to provide farmers with over 600,000 high-quality traditional Chinese medicine seedlings every year, radiating and driving thousands of farmers to engage in traditional Chinese medicine planting, achieving an average household income increase of over 10,000 yuan," said Cui Qi (崔琦), a research supervisor at the Research Institute of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (浙江中医药大学).
For the under-forest economy to develop for a long time and continuously enrich the people, a perfect service guarantee system is an important support. As key forestry counties in Zhejiang (浙江), Chun'an County (淳安县), Kaihua County (开化县), and Songyang County (松阳县) continue to strengthen policy guidance, technical training, and market information services, guiding all sectors of society to actively participate in the development of the under-forest economy.
Anchoring the reform goal of "resources becoming assets, funds becoming shares, and farmers becoming shareholders," in 2024, Zhejiang Province (浙江省) launched the "One Share, Two Platforms" model to deepen the reform of the collective forest tenure system.
"One Share, Two Platforms" refers to village-level shareholding cooperatives, forest tenure transfer and storage common prosperity platforms, and forest tenure market transaction management platforms. Village collectives and farmers use forest land management rights as shares to establish cooperatives, and the cooperatives then invest shares into state-owned or other storage platforms. The storage platforms "collect small amounts and withdraw in bulk," uniformly packaging scattered mountainous forest land. According to local reality, market demand, and industrial types, they are uniformly built into forestry standard land with supporting facilities such as water, roads, and electricity, and attract investment externally through the forest tenure transaction management platform.
As a combination of a promising government and an effective market, state-owned enterprises play an important role. He Zhiming (何志明) stated that state-owned enterprises are the "main force" in platform construction and resource storage, concentrating and storing forest land to achieve large-scale and intensive management; they are the "bridgehead" for government guidance and investment attraction, building forestry standard land and increasing credit to attract investment; they are the "stabilizer" for interest connection and risk sharing, ensuring the income of farmers and village collectives with "guaranteed bottom + dividend"; they are the "operators" for industrial operation and value realization, realizing the efficient conversion of ecological product value through scientific management and industrial integration.
Songyang County (松阳县) has built 1 county-level transfer and storage platform and 12 village-level forestry shareholding cooperatives. Among them, the "Huangjing Xiaoyuan" (黄精小苑) in Yuyan Town (玉岩镇) implements the "comprehensive share cooperation benefit dividend" model, building a multi-benefit system of "guaranteed rent, dividend from shares, and increased salary"; the "Jiangnan Medicine Valley" (江南药谷) in Xiangxi Town (象溪镇) adopts the "lease-back and subcontracting" model, where the village collective uniformly transfers idle mountain forests from farmers and then subcontracts them to large planters and leading enterprises.
"Forestry has both ecological, economic, and social benefits, and can broaden the channels for transforming 'lucid waters and lush mountains' into 'invaluable assets.' We must, on the premise of respecting farmers' wishes, be market-oriented, use various models such as government-led, state-owned enterprise-led, and social participation, and empower the full-chain upgrade with modern forestry services to truly achieve more beautiful ecology, more prosperous industries, and richer people," said Chen Jian (陈健).
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Developing the under-forest economy is an important lever for deepening the reform of the collective forest tenure system and promoting the high-quality development of forestry.
From scattered forest land to forestry standard land, from primary raw materials to high-end products, from single planting and breeding to the integration of the three industries, the practices of the three places in Zhejiang (浙江) vividly interpret the scientific concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," and also provide a vivid sample for the whole country to use vast mountainous forest land to develop the under-forest economy and advance comprehensive rural revitalization and common prosperity.
"Zhejiang (浙江) will continue to deepen comprehensive forestry reform, continuously extend the industrial chain, and enhance the value chain, letting the vast green mountains transform into 'green workshops' with sustainable blood-making capacity, making the under-forest space an 'engine for wealth' for the masses to increase income, and letting mountain farmers live a beautiful life of 'green and prosperity co-existence'," said He Zhiming (何志明).
Return to TopBy: 钱志权
Under-forest economy is a composite management model based on the forest ecosystem that follows sustainable principles; its core lies in supporting production through forestry and promoting forestry through production.
Compared with traditional agriculture, the under-forest economy possesses significant ecological advantages. Forest trees provide shade and moisture retention, regulate microclimates, and reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The three-dimensional planting and breeding model improves land utilization rates and enhances the stability of the ecosystem. At the same time, the under-forest economy features a long industrial chain and diverse business formats, capable of integrating primary, secondary, and tertiary industries—from under-forest cultivation and ecological breeding to forest wellness and eco-tourism—forming a multi-dimensional income-generating system.
Currently, the overall development of China (中国) under-forest economy is still in its primary stage, facing numerous challenges such as a low degree of industrial scale, insufficient scientific and technological support, single product sales channels, and inadequate policy guarantees, which constrain the improvement of the quality, efficiency, and competitiveness of the under-forest economy.
To promote the long-term development of the under-forest economy, it is recommended to exert precise efforts in four aspects: First, scientific zoning and planning. Based on the differences in forest land and climate across various regions, layouts should be tailored to local conditions. We must strictly observe ecological red lines, promote regional differentiated and characteristic development, and avoid 一刀切 (yī dāo qiē - "one knife cut," a one-size-fits-all approach) and over-development. Second, strengthen brand building. Relying on the original ecological advantages of under-forest products, we should improve quality traceability systems, integrate regional culture, and utilize new media to broaden sales channels, directly transforming ecological advantages into market competitiveness. Third, deepen scientific and technological empowerment. Link research institutes to overcome technical difficulties in planting, breeding, and processing, and utilize the Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain to build smart forestry management systems, providing data support for production decision-making. Fourth, improve the mechanism for linking with farmers. Promote diversified interest-linking models, rely on forest tenure reform to allow farmers to share industrial dividends, and simultaneously improve supporting guarantees for finance and infrastructure, ultimately achieving the development goal of ecological beauty, industrial prosperity, and wealth for the people.
(The author is the Executive Vice Dean of the Institute of Ecological Civilization at Zhejiang A&F University (浙江农林大学). This article was compiled by our reporter Dong Siyu (董丝雨).)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 周人杰 付明丽
The Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园) is filled with the fragrance of flowers and lush greenery. As night falls, thousands of breathing lights flicker on the 64-meter-long "Time Elevator." Riding the elevator through the hollow corridor, the shimmering surface of the distant lake makes one feel as if they are immersed in a sea of stars.
This observation deck has become a viral sensation online over the past two years. Many young visitors specifically choose to visit in the afternoon to take photos when the lights come on at night. To accommodate this, the Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园) has increased staff shifts and abolished the fixed 18:00 closing time, keeping the outdoor park open until all visitors have departed.
Located in Jinyuan District (晋源区), Taiyuan City (太原市), Shanxi Province (山西省), the Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园) is the only comprehensive botanical garden in Shanxi (山西), covering an area of approximately 2,730 mu. The garden integrates scientific research, popular science education, ecological leisure, and cultural tourism. Since its opening in 2020, it has received an average of over 2 million visitors annually.
**From Pollution Belt to Garden of Flowers**
During this year's "May Day" holiday, the Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园) launched activities such as starry sky camping, wonderland parades, boutique flower exhibitions, and intangible cultural heritage handicrafts under the theme "Planting to Meet You," receiving 180,000 visitors and becoming a true "internet-famous check-in spot." "It is rare to have such a recreational place right at our doorstep; we often bring our children here," said Song Lin (宋琳), a Taiyuan (太原) resident living nearby.
This popular holiday destination was once an industrial pollution belt **满目疮痍** (mǎn mù chuāng yí - "full eyes scarred/devastated," describing a scene of total ruin and destruction). Fan Jinlan (樊金兰), Minister of the Operation and Planning Department of the Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园), explained, "Preparations began in 2009, and it was only after four rounds of scientific site selection and verification that we finally decided to perform a 'precision surgery' here."
This area once housed over 140 high-energy-consuming enterprises, including coal storage yards and coal washing plants, with sewage flowing everywhere and trash covering the ground. The surrounding mountains were severely damaged and barren due to years of quarrying, resulting in serious ecological destruction.
"At first, you couldn't even set foot here. When we dug into the soil, we found construction waste even 14 meters deep." Fan Jinlan (樊金兰) still remembers the scene when construction began in 2017.
At the beginning of the project planning, the Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园) established three major goals: green, technological, and humanistic. After construction started, several major projects were pushed forward simultaneously: clearing out polluting enterprises, improving the soil, and restoring the damaged mountains. After years of construction, the former pollution belt transformed into an urban garden that remains green throughout the four seasons.
The Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园) has built five major building complexes—including the main entrance building, exhibition greenhouses, a bonsai pavilion, a waterfront restaurant, and a research center—along with 25 specialized plant gardens. Walking through the garden, many designs are adapted to local conditions, which is striking. For example, the original coal pits were not filled in the traditional way; instead, the terrain was cleverly utilized, with part converted into an outdoor rock climbing venue and part dredged to become a landscape lake.
The most distinctive buildings are the three individual greenhouses, all constructed with wooden domes, the largest of which has a span of 88 meters and a maximum height of 29 meters. The outer curved surfaces are covered in glass; viewed from the air, they look like three "dewdrops" scattered by the lake. Inside, the curved wooden beams at the top intersect, weaving into diamond-shaped geometric patterns.
"The design of the greenhouses draws on the ancient architectural art of Shanxi (山西) to create a large-span, column-free space. It also fully considers the climate characteristics of Taiyuan (太原), facing south and built on high ground to make full use of sunlight, achieving energy conservation and consumption reduction," Fan Jinlan (樊金兰) explained.
With its unique ecological value and architectural art, the Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园) has won awards such as the Shanxi Province (山西省) PPP Project Award for Improving Human Settlements, the China Steel Structure Gold Award, and the World Architecture Award, and has been selected as a national 4A-level tourist attraction.
**Showcasing Rare Flowers and Trees from Around the World**
The Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园) has introduced iconic plants from over 30 countries and regions, concentrated for display in several greenhouses.
Entering the Tropical Rainforest Pavilion, a warm and humid atmosphere rushes to meet you, with waterfalls cascading and streams murmuring inside. The pavilion has introduced over 600 species of tropical plants, showcasing unique rainforest phenomena such as cauliflory, giant leaves, and strangler figs.
The Desert Plant Pavilion collects and displays over 300 species of desert plants, including giant saguaro cacti, baobabs, and Ceiba speciosa. One olive tree in the pavilion, with its "two arms" spread wide and a graceful shape, seems to be welcoming guests from all directions. "This olive tree is over 1,000 years old. It was transported from the Mediterranean coast and is our 'treasure of the garden.' Its image is even featured on our botanical garden's creative ice cream," explained Li Ziyue (李子月), a guide at the Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园).
In addition to the greenhouse exhibitions, the Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园) has 25 outdoor specialized gardens, including the Cherry and Plum Garden, Magnolia Garden, Peach Blossom Garden, and Chrysanthemum Garden. During the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) holiday, the Chinese roses in the garden bloomed in competition, with dense flowers crowding the branches, colorful and fragrant throughout the garden. Bees and butterflies danced among the flowers, attracting passersby to stop, watch, and take photos. The rose garden covers about 1.21 hectares and has carefully cultivated over 100 varieties of roses, including "Juice Balcony," "Frankfurt," and "Ruby," totaling more than 20,000 plants.
In recent years, the business formats of the Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园) have been continuously enriched. As the popularity of camping continues to rise, the park has fully opened its green lawns for visitors to camp for free, and has launched parent-child activities such as fruit picking and family vegetable gardens. During holidays, colorful themed activities are held, such as lawn music festivals, Spring Festival orchid exhibitions, and popular science markets. Cao Jianting (曹建庭), Director of the Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园), stated that they will continue to improve business formats and service levels to meet the new needs and expectations of visitors.
**Conserving Important Plant Resources**
This spring, a *Lonicera syringantha* (丁香叶忍冬) "rescued" from the wild by the Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园) sprouted new buds.
Dr. Ren Baoqing (任保青), head of the General Engineering Office of the Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园), explained: "By counting the annual rings of the branches, we found that a branch with a diameter of 7 millimeters takes 10 years to grow, and a branch with a diameter of nearly 2 centimeters requires at least 30 years, indicating that this plant grows quite slowly."
*Lonicera syringantha* is a national second-class key protected wild plant and a species with an extremely small population. In 2015, while participating in a field survey, Ren Baoqing (任保青) discovered it in a mountain gully in Yangqu County (阳曲县), Taiyuan (太原). "At that time, its root system was exposed and some branches were withered. We inferred that it had slid down from the cliff above due to a landslide caused by heavy rain," Ren Baoqing (任保青) explained. After careful cultivation, this *Lonicera syringantha* is in good condition and has become an important sample for ex-situ conservation.
Currently, the Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园) has identified four research directions: germplasm resource collection and diversity protection, variety cultivation and application, plant resource development and utilization, and garden industry management. It has 47 scientific researchers, most of whom hold master's degrees or higher. Ren Baoqing (任保青) and his colleagues frequently travel to Mount Wutai (五台山), the Zhongtiao Mountains (中条山), and the Taiyue Mountains (太岳山) for field investigations and collection, introducing and domesticating new, excellent, and special varieties suitable for Taiyuan (太原). Currently, they have collected over 5,840 species of plants, many of which are endangered.
For many years, *Opisthopappus longilobus* (长裂太行菊) has been a key focus for breeding and protection at the Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园). It is a perennial cliff plant distributed only in the Taihang Mountains (太行山) region of Shanxi (山西), Hebei (河北), and Henan (河南).
In the Chrysanthemum Garden and Medicinal Herb Garden of the Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园), *Opisthopappus longilobus* grows in clusters close to the ground with emerald green leaves; from a distance, it looks like rolling hills.
Between 2015 and 2016, researchers at the Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园) discovered *Opisthopappus longilobus* in the Huguan Grand Canyon (壶关大峡谷) and Yuntai Mountain (云台山) in Henan (河南), and began introducing and domesticating it. After more than 10 years of cultivation experiments, they figured out its "temperament" and began mass propagation.
Through propagation, *Opisthopappus longilobus* has now been exchanged with the Forest Seedling Breeding Experimental Base of the Zhongtiao Mountain State-owned Forest Management Bureau (中条山国有林管理局), the National Botanical Garden (国家植物园), and the Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden (上海辰山植物园). Ren Baoqing (任保青) stated that in the next step, the botanical garden will explore the value of *Opisthopappus longilobus* in landscaping, medicine, and food.
The Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园) has discovered and conserved 28 new plant records for Shanxi Province (山西省), collected over 700 species of wild native plant germplasm resources in Shanxi (山西), and systematically implemented protection measures for two national extremely small population wild plants and over 30 national key protected wild plants. In addition, they have carried out research on rapid propagation systems for wild native plants in Shanxi (山西), successfully establishing tissue culture systems for over 40 rare plants such as *Lonicera syringantha* and *Gentiana*, and conducted conventional propagation experiments for over 240 species of plants such as *Opisthopappus longilobus* and *Zanthoxylum armatum*, continuously promoting the conservation and sustainable use of important plant resources in North China (华北地区).
In the Plant Science Museum of the Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园), a dozen children are using medicinal herbs like cassia seeds and chamomile to create a collage of a map of Taiyuan (太原). During this year's "May Day" holiday, the Plant Science Museum launched six hands-on experience activities to help children build cognitive connections between plants, geography, and humanities.
"We coordinate across multiple departments and mobilize resources from the entire garden to do a good job in popular science education," said Lü Jiannan (吕剑南), Minister of the Scientific Research and Popular Science Department of the Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园). Currently, the Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园) has built professional popular science venues such as the Plant Science Museum, the Insect Specimen Museum, and the Butterfly Garden, with a popular science exhibition area of over 20,000 square meters. It serves as an off-campus practice base for many primary and secondary schools in the province and was named one of the "First Batch of National Popular Science Education Bases for 2021–2025."
"The target audience for our research and study tours is mainly primary and secondary school students. We are constantly innovating our forms to let everyone better feel the charm of plants," Lü Jiannan (吕剑南) introduced. The Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园) has developed over 30 courses in 5 series. After review by domestic authoritative experts, the "Taiyuan Botanical Garden (太原植物园) Research and Practice Courses for Primary and Secondary School Students" was released across the province, forming brand activities such as "Botanical Garden Magic Night," "Twenty-Four Solar Terms Series," and "Plant Popular Science into Campus," cumulatively receiving over 130,000 participants in research and study groups.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 王云娜
Column Introduction
The mountains and rivers are reachable, and the warmth of daily life is waiting to be found.
With the expansion of transportation networks and the improvement of urban and rural infrastructure, the hidden scenery of many small cities has broken through the circle of obscurity. Those unpolished, pristine landscapes, the local culture passed down through generations, and the vivid, pure atmosphere of the marketplace have become invitations that touch the heart.
When tourism demand shifts from "sightseeing" to "experience," and when "micro-vacations" quietly emerge, this is not only a change in the public's travel mindset but also a brand-new landscape precipitated by the development of the era.
This column will focus on charming small cities that were once as quiet as hidden treasures, seeking out their unique character and heritage through every blade of grass, every brick, every tile, and every flavor.
Embracing the elegant Lingnan (岭南) landscape, continuing ancient intangible cultural heritage, and offering endless authentic delicacies... In Guangdong (广东), a small city continues to gain popularity, becoming a hot travel destination. It is Shunde District (顺德区), Foshan City (佛山市), Guangdong Province (广东省).
Coming to Shunde (顺德), which sights should not be missed?
One mountain, one river, one garden, and one building are the must-visit spots for "first-time visitors."
One mountain is Shunfeng Mountain Park (顺峰山公园).
Here, Taiping Mountain (太平山), Shenbu Mountain (神步山), Guipan Lake (桂畔湖), and Qingyun Lake (青云湖)—the "two mountains and two waters"—complement each other, forming a vast natural landscape pattern. The park is filled with blooming flowers in all four seasons, and every snapshot is a beautiful scene. By the lake, there is an 8-kilometer circular trail, which has become a great place for people to camp, cycle, and enjoy the flowers.
"Tourists can use the lakeside path as the main route to feel the beauty of Lingnan garden architecture such as Guihai Fangcong (桂海芳丛), Yazheng Garden (雅正园), and Tingzhi Garden (汀芷园), and experience the quiet beauty of natural ecological areas like the Wetland Flower Sea (湿地花海) and the Wild Bird Island (野生雀鸟岛)," introduces Liang Yuhua (梁裕华), manager of the video account "Shunde Travelogue" (顺德游记).
One river is Fengjian Water Village (逢简水乡).
Located in the northern part of Xingtan Town (杏坛镇), Fengjian Water Village (逢简水乡) is one of the four major water villages in Guangdong (广东). The river channels wind and twist, with ancient ancestral halls, temples, old houses, and ancient trees standing along the river, reflecting each other and showcasing a well-preserved water village appearance.
"Tourists can stroll through the bluestone streets and alleys to immerse themselves in the leisurely poetry of the Lingnan (岭南) water village, or take a small boat to shuttle across the blue waves and enjoy the tranquility and comfort," says Cen Zifen (岑梓烽), manager of the video account "Aerial Shunde" (航拍顺德).
One garden is the Qinghui Garden Museum (清晖园博物馆).
Walking into Qinghui Garden (清晖园), which was first built in the Ming Dynasty (明代) and is ranked among the four famous gardens of Lingnan (岭南), one finds ancient buildings such as the Boat Hall (船厅), Bixi Thatched Cottage (碧溪草堂), and Xiyin Study (惜阴书屋) well-preserved, with the imprints of time flowing on every brick and tile. The layout of the garden is exquisite, with clear water, green trees, strange rocks, small bridges, and pavilions harmoniously coexisting, showing elegance.
One building is the Bijiang Golden Building (碧江金楼).
Located in Bijiang Village (碧江村), Beijiao Town (北滘镇), this ancient Ming and Qing (明清) building was originally a library. It is named "Golden Building" (金楼) because its screen doors, eaves, and caisson ceilings are covered with gold leaf. Walking through it, the Mud Building (泥楼), Zhifangdi (职方第), and the Golden Building (金楼) are connected in a cluster, with oyster-shell walls and ear-shaped gables well-preserved, making it a vivid sample of late Qing (清) Guangzhou-style residences.
Beyond the landscape and gardens, Shunde (顺德) also possesses deep historical heritage and rich intangible cultural heritage. Dragon Boat Rap (龙舟说唱), Dragon Dance (Human Dragon Dance) (龙舞（人龙舞）), Xiangyun Silk Dyeing and Finishing Technique (香云纱染整技艺), Gong and Drum Art (Bayin Gong and Drum) (锣鼓艺术（八音锣鼓）), Cantonese Embroidery (Guang Embroidery) (粤绣（广绣）), Cantonese Opera (粤曲), Cantonese Opera (粤剧), and Cantonese Culinary Arts (Shunde) (粤菜烹饪技艺（顺德）)... one intangible cultural heritage skill after another is passed down here from generation to generation.
Xiangyun Silk (香云纱), also known as Dioscorea Silk (薯莨纱), is a rare, purely natural dyed silk fabric in the world. Entering the Xiangyun Silk Cultural Heritage Protection Base (香云纱文化遗产保护基地) in Lunjiao Subdistrict (伦教街道), tourists can personally experience the national-level intangible cultural heritage of Xiangyun Silk dyeing and finishing techniques and touch the unique texture of this traditional Lingnan (岭南) fabric.
"To travel, one must first understand this land," introduces Pan Qiting (潘绮婷), who is in charge of network operations for Foshan News Network (佛山新闻网). She suggests that when tourists first arrive in Shunde (顺德), they should visit the Shunde District Museum (顺德区博物馆). The museum has multiple exhibition areas, including the "Shunde People, Shunde Events" historical exhibition hall, the "Road of Striving—Shunde Development Achievement Exhibition," the Shunde Overseas Chinese Museum (顺德华侨博物馆), the Cantonese Opera and Quyi Exhibition Hall, and the Bruce Lee (李小龙) Exhibition Hall. "Here, people can understand Shunde's (顺德) thousand-year history in one stop," says Pan Qiting (潘绮婷).
"Shunde (顺德) has folk performances all year round. Tourists who come at different times can experience different cultural feasts," Pan Qiting (潘绮婷) introduces. During the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), some streets, towns, and villages hold activities such as the dragon boat eye-dotting ceremony, dragon boat racing, night dragon parades, and the Dragon Mother's Birthday (龙母诞), allowing traditional culture to radiate new vitality. For example, the fish lantern parade in Daliang Town (大良镇) is dazzling and brilliant. There are also folk activities such as Guanyin Opening the Treasury (观音开库), Lettuce Banquet (生菜宴), and the Procession of Guan Di and Hou Wang (关帝侯王出巡), which are extremely lively.
Food has always been a shining business card for Shunde (顺德). In 2014, Shunde (顺德) was named a "City of Gastronomy" by UNESCO (联合国教科文组织). International fame, coupled with local reputation, makes it a travel destination yearned for by food lovers.
"Coming to Shunde (顺德), you must taste these authentic flavors," introduces Du Jiamin (杜嘉敏), operations director of the video account "Shunde Strategy" (顺德攻略). For main meals, one can try raw fish, tossed chicken, chrysanthemum shredded fish soup, congee-base hot pot (毋米粥火锅), fruit-wood roasted goose, and fresh congee. For snacks, one must try Lunjiao cake (伦教糕), double-skin milk (双皮奶), stir-fried milk (炒牛奶), and deep-fried milk (炸牛奶). "Every bite is a favorite of the Shunde (顺德) people."
Shunde (顺德) people pay attention to the original taste of food and are very picky about ingredients. The catering standard across the city is high, and there are many hidden, unassuming treasure shops.
There is a little trick to finding food: restaurants with the "Seeking Taste Shunde · Golden Phoenix Restaurant" (寻味顺德·金凤凰餐厅) certification have stable quality and are reliable. "If tourists want to find old shops hidden in street corners and alleys, they can pay attention to whether there are many local regulars in the shop and whether the wine cabinet is full of wine stored by regular customers. The stronger the 'smoke and fire' (daily life atmosphere), the more authentic the taste," introduces Du Jiamin (杜嘉敏).
The mountains and rivers hide ancient charm, and the warmth of daily life soothes the heart. Lingnan (岭南) scenery, intangible cultural heritage, and the warmth of human life allow Shunde (顺德) to continuously release its charm, attracting visitors from all directions.
Tips
The streets and alleys in the old town of Shunde (顺德) are narrow, and parking is inconvenient in areas where food shops are concentrated. Tourists can prioritize green travel methods. On weekends and holidays, the crowds are dense; tourists who have the conditions can choose to travel off-peak for a better experience. In addition, some intangible cultural heritage experiences and special venues require advance reservations. Nowadays, you can take the subway directly to Shunde (顺德) from downtown Guangzhou (广州) and downtown Foshan (佛山). Driving from surrounding cities such as Zhuhai (珠海), Zhongshan (中山), and Shenzhen (深圳) to Shunde (顺德) is also very convenient.
By: 杨永生
In summer, when the sun is scorching, sun protection becomes an essential requirement for travel. When participating in outdoor activities such as mountaineering, hiking, or fishing, sun-protective clothing can effectively reduce ultraviolet (UV) damage. If the activity area is chosen to be at the seaside, on a plateau, or in snowy terrain where UV rays are intense, sun protection becomes even more critical.
As an average consumer, how can one avoid "falling into traps" (踩坑 (cǎi kēng - "step on pit," to make a mistake or fall into a trap due to lack of experience or information)) when purchasing sun-protective clothing?
The sun-protection mechanism of sun-protective clothing mainly consists of the following two types: First, physical blocking; the denser the fibers of the fabric, the better the UV blocking effect and the better the sun protection performance. Second, the addition of anti-UV additives such as zinc oxide into the fabric, which can absorb or reflect UV rays, further improving sun-protection performance.
Consumers should first look for labels when making a purchase. Legitimate products must clearly state the UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) value and the executive standard (such as the National Standard GB/T 18830 (国标GB/T 18830), the Australian Standard AS/NZS 4399 (澳标AS/NZS 4399), or the European Standard EN 13758 (欧标EN 13758), etc.). One should be cautious about purchasing products that are merely labeled as "sun-protective clothing" but do not specify the exact UPF parameters and certification standards. It is recommended to prioritize products with a UPF value greater than 40 and a UVA (long-wave ultraviolet) transmittance of less than 5%.
Secondly, prioritize fabrics primarily made of polyester (涤纶) or nylon (锦纶), containing an appropriate amount of spandex (氨纶) blend. These synthetic fibers have a stronger UV-blocking effect than natural fibers like cotton or linen, ensuring both sun-protection effectiveness and wearing comfort.
Finally, sun-protective clothing in dark colors such as black or dark blue, as well as those using pearlescent reflective coating technology, offers superior protective effects.
In addition, consumers can also make a preliminary judgment on the quality of sun-protective clothing through the "light transmission test method": under natural light, the less light that passes through the garment, the better the sun-protection effect usually is. Be wary of styles that are thin, light, and highly translucent, as these may be "thin windbreakers" or "quick-dry shirts" masquerading as sun-protective clothing.
(The author is a professor at the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (化学与化工学院) at Wuhan Textile University (武汉纺织大学), and the article was compiled by our newspaper reporter Fan Haotian (范昊天))
Return to TopLayout Design: Zhang Fangman (张芳曼)
Return to TopTraditional martial arts are the treasures of excellent traditional Chinese culture, carrying the spiritual genes of the Chinese nation's self-improvement and virtue-based tolerance. From the banks of the ancient Yellow River (黄河) to the water-town villages of Guangdong (广东), and further to the deep-mountain Dong villages of Guizhou (贵州), these ancient boxing styles—originating from the soil and rooted in the people—have for centuries served not only as skills for village protection and self-defense but also as spiritual bonds that unite hearts and pass down cultural heritage.
Digging into unique IPs (Intellectual Property), promoting the deep integration of culture, sports, and tourism; deepening the integration of sports and education, embracing digitalization and internationalization... Today, one kung fu village after another is carving out its own distinctive path of development, taking these boxing styles from deep mountains to the world and creating shining cultural calling cards for China.
—Editor
Henan (河南) Wen County (温县) Chenjiagou Village (陈家沟村) —
Taijiquan (太极拳) Steps onto the International Stage
By our reporter Zhang Wenhao (张文豪)
On the north bank of the Yellow River (黄河), morning mist drifts over the courtyard walls. In a boxing gym in Chenjiagou Village (陈家沟村), Wen County (温县), Henan (河南), martial artist Chen Bing (陈炳) stands firmly in a horse stance, raising his hands, turning his waist, and thrusting his palms; a set of "Lazy Tying Coat" (懒扎衣) flows like clouds and water. Beside him, several fair-haired and blue-eyed students imitate him earnestly, their eyes exceptionally focused.
Chenjiagou (陈家沟) is among the third batch of Traditional Chinese Villages (中国传统村落) and is the birthplace of the human intangible cultural heritage, Taijiquan (太极拳). During the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Chen Wangting (陈王廷) lived here in seclusion and created the Taijiquan (太极拳) style, which balances hardness and softness.
Chen Bing (陈炳), 55, is the 12th-generation successor of Chen-style Taijiquan (陈氏太极拳). This March, he traveled to Germany (德国) to lead students in practicing Taijiquan (太极拳) and coordinated with over 10 foreign gyms to jointly celebrate the first International Taijiquan Day (国际太极拳日). Although he has students all over the world, he still frequently practices with his octogenarian master, Chen Xiaowang (陈小旺), sensing the weight of the heritage in every move.
To preserve the cultural roots, Wen County (温县) promoted the "Master Return Project," seeing renowned Taijiquan (太极拳) masters like Chen Zhenglei (陈正雷) and Chen Xiaowang (陈小旺) return home to build academies and training halls. In Chenjiagou (陈家沟), 36 martial arts schools and gyms offer classes year-round, welcoming students of different skin colors and nationalities. Meanwhile, over 3,000 boxers from Wen County (温县) have left their hometowns to teach at home and abroad, allowing Taijiquan (太极拳) to take root in more than 150 countries and regions.
The boxing spirit of the ancient village exists not only in the face-to-face instruction between master and apprentice but also in the "circle-breaking" attempts of the younger generation.
"Some say Taijiquan (太极拳) is a sport for the elderly. In fact, it can be cool and trendy." Li Linghui (李灵慧), born in the 1990s, quit her job as a university physical education teacher and returned to her hometown, Chenjiagou (陈家沟), to become a short-video blogger, embarking on an "alternative" path of inheritance.
Without changing the principles of the boxing style, Li Linghui (李灵慧) breaks down complex moves and integrates them with traditional Chinese-style music, trendy outfits, and youthful expression. This approach of "inheriting without being old-fashioned, innovating without leaving the roots" has gained popularity among many netizens. Some enthusiasts have followed her from online to offline, coming to Chenjiagou (陈家沟) for study and experience.
"While inheriting the ancient boxing style, the village has also seen tangible changes." Yan Shuangjun (严双军), a promoter of Taiji (太极) culture in Wen County (温县) who has witnessed the transformation of Chenjiagou (陈家沟), said.
In the 1980s, Yan Shuangjun (严双军), who worked in the county seat, rode an old-fashioned bicycle across the Yellow River (黄河) shoals, passing through overgrown weeds and seeing only low mud walls and gullies upon entering the village. "Back then, Chenjiagou (陈家沟) hid peerless kung fu, but it couldn't hide its poverty and desolation," Yan Shuangjun (严双军) sighed.
After decades of relay-style development, walking through Chenjiagou (陈家沟) today, more than 10 attractions such as the Taijiquan (太极拳) Ancestral Temple and the Donggou (东沟) boxing creation site are fully preserved, and 42 ancient Ming and Qing dynasty residences are being renovated. In recent years, the local government has cleaned up the Old Mang River (老蟒河) and created new attractions, forming a 3-kilometer-long comprehensive tourism belt.
Relying on resources like Taiji (太极) culture and traditional villages, Chenjiagou (陈家沟) has used "Taiji+" to activate the spring water of rural development. "Taiji + Training" has spawned over 50 martial arts gyms and specialty homestays, attracting hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts annually; "Taiji + Manufacturing" has gathered over 30 clothing enterprises and 10 equipment manufacturers, providing thousands of jobs; medicinal diets, cultural creative products, and rural wellness tourism continue to extend the industrial chain, allowing farmers to hold steady "tourism bowls" and eat "Taiji rice."
Guangdong (广东) Foshan (佛山市) Madong Village (马东村) —
Yongchun Quan (永春拳) Strikes a Brilliant Calling Card
By our reporter Wang Yunna (王云娜)
At 8:00 a.m., sunlight spills onto the playground of Dongmaning Primary School (东马宁小学) in Madong Village (马东村), Xingtan Town (杏坛镇), Shunde District (顺德区), Foshan City (佛山市), Guangdong Province (广东省). The school's Yongchun (永春) martial arts team gathers on time, standing in strict formation. Opening the stance, spreading the hands, throwing a punch... The children, dressed in training uniforms, exude an air of upright righteousness. Accompanied by the rhythm of drums, every move is a balance of hardness and softness, performed with great form.
"We selected over 30 students from the school's 400-plus pupils to form the martial arts team, systematically studying various routines of Yongchun Quan (永春拳) to prepare for martial arts competitions and performances," said school PE teacher Lin Qiujin (林求津) as he moved through the ranks, correcting the details of their movements.
Madong Village (马东村) is among the fourth batch of Traditional Chinese Ancient Villages (中国传统古村落) and is the hometown of the legendary Yongchun Quan (永春拳) master Chen Huashun (陈华顺), known as the "Hometown of Yongchun Quan (永春拳)." Relying on its deep local cultural heritage, Dongmaning Primary School (东马宁小学) has made Yongchun Quan (永春拳) a school specialty, officially establishing a Yongchun Quan (永春拳) training base in 2009, bringing traditional martial arts into the campus and guiding youth to practice boxing and cultivate their character.
"We divide Yongchun Quan (永春拳) training into three levels: fun-based, popularization, and advanced, providing tiered training to ensure every child can come into contact with Yongchun Quan (永春拳)," Lin Qiujin (林求津) told the reporter. Fun-based teaching adapts basic movements into rhythmic exercises for breaks, allowing children to get close to martial arts culture in a relaxed atmosphere; popularization teaching organizes all students to practice the introductory "Pianshen Quan" (偏身拳) to strengthen their bodies and temper their will; advanced teaching selects students with talent and interest to systematically study boxing, saber, and staff techniques.
13-year-old sixth-grader He Jiyang (何继扬) is a native of Madong Village (马东村). He has been exposed to Yongchun Quan (永春拳) since kindergarten and is now a backbone of the school's martial arts team. He insists on practicing daily, which not only strengthens his body but also cultivates a calm temperament. In the 2025 Shunde District (顺德区) Primary and Middle School Martial Arts Routine Championship, he won second place in the primary school boys' traditional boxing group with a set of Yongchun (永春) "Xiao Nian Tou" (小念头).
"Being in the hometown of Yongchun Quan (永春拳), knowing Yongchun (永春) is a source of pride," He Jiyang (何继扬) said. "After entering middle school, I will continue to practice and pass on this culture."
Some wonder: Will daily martial arts practice hinder the children's studies? "Not only does it not hinder, but it also brings many benefits to the children," said Gao Xuelin (高学林), principal of Dongmaning Primary School (东马宁小学). The school compiled its own Yongchun Quan (永春拳) textbook as early as 2010, adopting "Respecting Culture and Valuing Martial Arts" (崇文尚武) as the school motto and exploring the integration of sports and education. In recent years, the school's teaching quality has remained at the forefront of the region; culture and martial arts complement each other, achieving a 相得益彰 (xiāng dé yì zhāng - "each brings out the best in the other," to complement each other well).
Outside the campus, there are also famous guardians of Yongchun Quan (永春拳).
At the foot of the mountain in Madong Village (马东村) stands a simple, ancient residence—this is the gym of veteran boxer He Liangxing (何良兴). As the backbone of the village's inheritance of Chen Huashun's (陈华顺) Yongchun Quan (永春拳), He Liangxing (何良兴) has been practicing for over sixty years.
"Yongchun Quan (永春拳) values actual combat and focuses on defeating the enemy with one move in a narrow space," He Liangxing (何良兴) admitted. In recent years, the commercialization of Yongchun Quan (永春拳) has grown. However, he has always adhered to ancient teachings, keeping it authentic, and insists on teaching personally, guiding disciples hand-in-hand to guard the orthodox style. Over the years, martial arts enthusiasts from all over the country have come to seek his apprenticeship. Today, He Liangxing (何良兴) and his disciples also occasionally visit Dongmaning Primary School (东马宁小学) to voluntarily guide the martial arts team's moves and teach the children to master the techniques.
"Madong Village (马东村) will continue to use the traditional village as a carrier, making Yongchun Quan (永春拳) the most brilliant calling card of rural culture," said He Zhiyuan (何志远), Party Secretary of Madong Village (马东村).
Guizhou (贵州) Tianzhu County (天柱县) Ganxi Dong Village (甘溪侗寨) —
"Kung Fu Village" Polishes its Village Martial Arts IP
By our reporter Chen Junyi (陈隽逸)
Morning mist wraps around the stilt houses of the Dong village (侗寨), and water mist from the stream gently circles the century-old wooden houses. In front of his home, Tao Guangtao (陶光滔), a villager from Ganxi Dong Village (甘溪侗寨), Tianzhu County (天柱县), Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture (黔东南苗族侗族自治州), Guizhou Province (贵州省), stands firmly on a one-meter-square table, his feet pressed tightly against the surface without moving an inch, performing a set of Liu Jia Quan (六家拳) with vigorous and restrained power. Having practiced martial arts since childhood, the fifty-something Tao Guangtao (陶光滔) still maintains the habit of practicing every day.
Ganxi Dong Village (甘溪侗寨) is a natural village with murmuring streams and stilt houses, known as "Kung Fu Village" because generations have practiced martial arts.
"During the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty (明朝), the six families of Lu (陆), Chen (陈), and Tao (陶) fled here from Jiangxi (江西). To prevent wild beasts and protect the village, they gradually created Liu Jia Quan (六家拳) and Hongmen Gun (洪门棍)," villager Lu Chenglong (陆承龙), who is well-versed in the village's history, told the reporter. He said that this Dong village (侗寨) has thrived for over 20 generations, and martial arts have been passed down through the ages. "Many weapons are our agricultural tools," Lu Chenglong (陆承龙) introduced. The stick used in Hongmen Gun (洪门棍) evolved from the shoulder pole used to carry things, and the Goulin (勾林) is actually a sickle. "Martial arts are closely related to our daily lives."
What is even more unique is the combat logic of this kung fu. Local martial arts emphasize the ability to perform in narrow spaces; a complete set of boxing can be performed on a square table. Most punches are only half-extended, and the feet basically never leave the ground, which is completely different from other martial arts schools that feature wide and open movements. This is the crystallization of the Dong people's survival wisdom in the deep mountains and dense forests.
However, for hundreds of years, the inheritance of kung fu has not been smooth sailing. In the early 1980s, many young people went out to work, and the number of people practicing martial arts gradually decreased. It was not until 2014, when the village restarted the dragon dance custom, that kung fu slowly recovered through folk activities.
The fire of kung fu relies on generations of villagers passing it down by word of mouth and from father to son. Tao Guangtao's (陶光滔) family has practiced for three generations; he started learning from his uncle at the age of 8. "There was no other entertainment back then. The master would close the door at night to teach, and people would often secretly lie outside the window to learn." Speaking of the past, Tao Guangtao's (陶光滔) eyes lit up.
"To learn martial arts, one must first cultivate virtue. I will never teach a child with a hot temper." This is the rule Tao Guangtao (陶光滔) adheres to. His youngest son, born in 2005, followed him to practice horse stances and footwork since childhood and is now admitted to the Nanjing Police College (南京警察学院). "Last year, my son came back to spar with me and said he had learned to 'defeat the enemy with one move,' combining the modern combat he learned at school with traditional kung fu." Speaking of his son, Tao Guangtao (陶光滔) is full of pride.
The local government is also laying out plans through the integration of culture, sports, and tourism to let the century-old martial arts lineage continue and help the Dong village (侗寨) people increase their income. "We have always lacked an exclusive cultural tourism IP. Dong martial arts have a mass foundation, so the idea of creating a 'Village Martial Arts' (村武) IP was born," said Ou Linling (欧琳玲), Party Secretary and Director of the Tianzhu County (天柱县) Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, Television and Tourism. Because of its good mass foundation and 3A-level scenic spot infrastructure, the Kung Fu Village has become an important carrier for the "Village Martial Arts" (村武) brand.
Hearing that the village was going to hold an event, everyone in the village cooperated actively. Lu Chenglong (陆承龙) helped organize a martial arts team; the 27-member team includes both old and young, practicing every week. "We hope to show our best side to tourists," Lu Chenglong (陆承龙) said. During this year's "May Day" holiday, the Kung Fu Village launched special activities such as traditional martial arts exhibitions, martial arts ring competitions, and long-table banquets, receiving a total of 32,600 tourists, a year-on-year increase of 357.26%. "In the future, we will continue to enrich the 'Village Martial Arts' (村武) business format, let kung fu inheritance and villager income increase move in the same direction, and build this deep-mountain Dong village (侗寨) into a new benchmark for Guizhou's (贵州) 'Village-branded' cultural tourism," Ou Linling (欧琳玲) said.
Return to TopBy: 何 斌
Chinese agricultural civilization has constructed the unique development logic and cultural character of Chinese civilization (中华文明). It is both a profound interpretation of "What is China" (何以中国) and a source of value for enhancing national cultural confidence.
The traditional villages (传统村落) scattered like stars across the vast rural landscape are the living gene banks and three-dimensional textbooks of this civilization. Through their concrete spatial textures, vivid folk traditions, and enduring modes of production, they encapsulate the wisdom of the Chinese nation (中华民族) in co-evolving and coexisting with nature over the past ten thousand years. Standing on this land, we cannot help but ask: what do these villages, which have emerged from the depths of time, actually mean for today's society as it rushes toward modernization?
The answer is that the agricultural civilization wisdom they carry is radiating six major contemporary values that remain fresh despite the passage of time.
Historical Value: Carrying the roots and soul of Chinese civilization (中华文明). With land ethics and intergenerational inheritance as the bond, agricultural practice has become the material carrier for the survival of Chinese civilization (中华文明) for 5,000 years, endowing the Chinese nation (中华民族) with the national character of **守正固本** (shǒu zhèng gù běn - "uphold uprightness, consolidate foundation," to maintain integrity and strengthen the core); through continuous breakthroughs in farming techniques, institutional design, and social governance, it highlights an innovative wisdom that is **生生不息** (shēng shēng bù xī - "life life not cease," flourishing and ever-evolving); by prioritizing deep cultivation of the land over expansion and plunder, and by using the exchange of goods to resolve resource competition, it integrates the concept of harmonious coexistence throughout the process of civilization.
Ecological Value: Solving the dilemma of sustainable development. Ecological crises such as environmental pollution, the sharp decline in biodiversity, and extreme climate anomalies are becoming increasingly prominent. Chinese agricultural civilization demonstrates a practical rationality that conforms to the laws of nature, emphasizing respect for natural rhythms in agricultural production, the rational use of resources, the protection of the self-repairing capabilities of ecosystems, and the maintenance of a dynamic balance between nature and human society. This not only maintains the health of the ecosystem but also ensures the long-term stable development of agriculture, highlighting the concept of harmonious coexistence between man and nature. This ecological wisdom helps to transform development models, achieve coordinated development of the economy, society, and the environment, and inject new vitality into promoting sustainable development.
Cultural Value: Building a spiritual home in the countryside. With the development of the information age and the mobility of the social population, China's (中国) rural society is facing crises such as cultural fragmentation. Chinese agricultural civilization preserves the shared spiritual memory of the Chinese nation (中华民族) and serves as a bridge connecting the past and the future. In rural society, people have established deep emotional connections with the land. In the cycle of spring planting and autumn harvesting, a cultural psychology of **安土重迁** (ān tǔ zhòng qiān - "settle land value move," to be attached to one's native land and reluctant to leave) has formed, which has further sublimated into loyalty to the home and country, constituting an important dimension of the spiritual world of the Chinese nation (中华民族). Folk customs, festivals, and folk arts rich in local characteristics enrich the spiritual life of the countryside with their unique charm, carrying the history and emotions of the countryside and transmitting cultural codes passed down through generations. Inheriting and promoting traditional agricultural culture and building a spiritual home in the countryside will provide a resting place for the soul and become an inexhaustible source of strength for the revitalization of the national spirit.
Economic Value: Driving rural industrial prosperity. Currently, problems such as low resource utilization rates and weak risk resistance are key difficulties that need to be solved in rural economic development. Chinese agricultural civilization is rich in the economic wisdom of "adapting to local conditions and diverse symbiosis." Traditional agricultural production combines planting with forestry, animal husbandry, and sideline industries in a three-dimensional manner, which not only improves resource utilization efficiency but also enhances the ability to resist risks. Germplasm resources such as food crops, cash crops, and livestock and poultry breeds have the characteristics of strong adaptability, high yield, and excellent quality, creating a huge gene bank for variety breeding and serving as an important driving force for further achieving rural industrial prosperity.
Social Value: Consolidating consensus on rural development. With the acceleration of the urbanization process, rural society is facing dilemmas such as the massive loss of the young population and insufficient participation of villagers in construction. Chinese agricultural civilization has shaped a cultural trait that values harmony and order, nurturing strong clan concepts and family ethics in the countryside. Neighborhood relationships of **守望相助** (shǒu wàng xiāng zhù - "guard watch mutual help," to look out for and help one another), the life philosophy of diligence and thrift, and family concepts of respecting the elderly and caring for the young together constitute the moral system of rural society. Ancestral teachings of "farming and reading passed down through generations" (耕读传家) and self-disciplined village rules and regulations serve as important supports for maintaining the harmony and stability of rural society. These traditional norms can play an important role in rural governance.
Global Value: Forming a Chinese solution for agricultural and rural development. Chinese agricultural civilization is not only a precious treasure of the Chinese nation (中华民族) but also a common cultural heritage of all mankind. Facing problems such as the global food security crisis and the intensification of extreme poverty, the global value of Chinese agricultural civilization is becoming increasingly prominent, providing a Chinese solution for global agricultural and rural development. Through South-South cooperation, China's (中国) rice-fish farming technology was introduced to Nigeria (尼日利亚), where the local production of rice and tilapia nearly doubled. This successful experience was subsequently promoted to African (非洲) countries such as Sierra Leone (塞拉利昂) and Mali (马里), as well as regions in Southeast Asia (东南亚), South Asia (南亚), Europe (欧洲), and the Americas (美洲). China (中国) has established 24 agricultural technology demonstration centers in Africa (非洲), effectively helping African (非洲) countries improve their agricultural production capacity and driving an average increase in local crop yields of 30% to 60%. By strengthening international exchanges and cooperation, the global value of Chinese agricultural civilization will be further highlighted, playing a key role in building a community with a shared future for mankind.
(The author is the Director and Researcher of the China Agricultural Museum (中国农业博物馆))
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 王东辉
It is once again the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), a time when the fragrance of zongzi (粽子) fills the air, and people everywhere pay tribute to tradition and celebrate the holiday with unique local culinary customs.
Every region’s unique environment nurtures its own delicacies. In the mountainous lands of Lushan County (鲁山县), Pingdingshan City (平顶山市), Henan Province (河南省), there exists a highly distinctive seasonal delicacy—the Lushan Huzhui (鲁山槲坠).
Unlike most other places where bamboo leaves or reed leaves are used to wrap zongzi, the essence of Huzhui (槲坠) comes from local wild ingredients. In the western Henan (豫西) region where Lushan (鲁山) is located, the deep mountains and forests are covered with sawtooth oak trees (槲栎树). The fresh, broad, and thick leaves that sprout in early summer possess a supple texture and a natural, serene herbal fragrance, making them the premier choice for wrapping Huzhui (槲坠).
Using oak leaves to wrap zongzi is rooted in the local natural endowment and can also be traced back through the long river of history. In 2015, archaeologists conducted excavations at Tomb No. 8 of the Chengyang City Ruins (城阳城遗址) in Xinyang (信阳). In this tomb of a Chu State (楚国) noble from the mid-Warring States period (战国中期), a large number of circular plant-based parcels were discovered. Research revealed that the outer layers were oak leaves and the inner contents were grains such as rice and broomcorn millet, witnessing the early form of Chinese zongzi culture.
Today, the custom of eating oak leaf zongzi still persists throughout western Henan (豫西). In some places, it is called Huzhui (槲坠), while in others, it is known as Hubao (槲包). Regardless of the name, in the hearts of the locals, the ritual of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午) begins with the picking of oak leaves before the holiday. In early summer, the people head into the mountains to gather fresh, plump oak leaves. The gathered leaves must be rinsed repeatedly in clear water to wash away dust and impurities from the surface, then boiled in a pot to remove any raw, bitter taste, soften the leaf texture, and thoroughly awaken the herbal fragrance. Once boiled, the leaves are removed and cooled in water, reaching the perfect level of suppleness and durability for wrapping.
The wrapping process best demonstrates the artisan's spirit. Two oak leaves are overlapped and laid flat; after scooping in plump glutinous rice, ingredients such as honey dates, red beans, mung beans, or peanuts are added according to personal preference. With a flick of the fingertips, the leaves are folded and rolled into a long, candy-like shape, then carefully tied with dragon-whisker grass (龙须草) or string. The resulting Huzhui (槲坠) is uniform and plump.
After being placed in a pot, the Huzhui (槲坠) is cooked over high heat and then simmered slowly. Over several hours, the herbal fragrance of the oak leaves slowly seeps into the filling, blending with the mellow aroma of the grains and the subtle sweetness of the dried fruits. The moment the lid is lifted, the fragrance overflows; the sweet scent permeates the air and lingers in the heart, becoming a sensory memory and a source of nostalgia for many wanderers that is automatically awakened at this fixed time of year.
Opening the leaf, the rice cake appears crystalline and glistening. It is soft, sticky, and dense upon the first bite, with diverse ingredients providing a rich, layered taste experience, while the mouth is filled with the fresh air of the mountains. If the cooked Huzhui (槲坠) is soaked in its original broth, the natural preservative properties of the oak leaves can extend its shelf life at room temperature.
Food empowers cultural tourism, activating new momentum for development. In 2026, the craftsmanship of making Lushan oak leaf zongzi (鲁山槲叶粽) was recognized as a municipal-level intangible cultural heritage. In recent years, Lushan County (鲁山县) has deeply explored the unique culinary IP of Huzhui (槲坠), hosting Dragon Boat Festival (端午) folk markets and intangible cultural heritage food experiences. By incorporating the Huzhui (槲坠) making experience into rural tourism projects, it has attracted many tourists and effectively stimulated supporting consumption in rural catering and agricultural product sales.
One leaf, one flavor—hidden within the gentleness of the mountains, carrying wishes for health and peace. Spanning a thousand years, the humble Huzhui (槲坠) connects the natural scenery of the mountains with the warmth of the countryside amidst the curling kitchen smoke, bearing the weight of industrial development and the hope for prosperity.
(Ye Quanhua (叶全花) participated in the reporting and writing)
Return to TopSavoring the cultural artifacts of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), we listen to the sounds of tradition flowing through our lives. Within the festive elements lie the fragrance of the season and the codes of culture. On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (农历五月初五), the scents of mugwort (艾) and zongzi (粽), the blossoms of the pomegranate (榴花), the sweet fermented grains (甜醅), and the chants of the dragon boat rowers (龙船号子) all come together to form what we know as the "Dragon Boat Festival" (端午), weaving together stories of everyday life, both distant and near.
——Editor (编者)
Return to TopBy: 汪 泉
In Lingnan (岭南), on the early morning of the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, one suddenly hears the faint sound of firecrackers along the riverbanks, a signal that the weather is gradually turning hot. Ask the elders what this is for, and they reply: "Waking the Dragon Boats" (起龙舟). The dragon boats, which have been submerged in the river mud, are dug out; their hulls are filled with dark green sludge. As they are washed and scrubbed in the river channels, the dragon boats slowly awaken. Two mornings later, firecrackers sound again; this is the "Caiqing" (采青 - plucking the greens). Elders gather longan (龙眼) leaves, dip them in clear water, and sweep away the grime from the dragon boats to pray for good fortune. With the Dragon Boat Festival (端午) approaching, the weather grows hotter, the cicadas chirp more densely, and the drumbeats at dusk become more frequent. Dragon boat training has begun, building toward a climax on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. To me, at this time every year, it is not just the dragon boats that awaken, but also the eager, latent power hidden deep within the hearts of the Lingnan (岭南) people.
On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午), both banks of the Pearl River (珠江) are bustling with people, as the dragon boat race in Liede (猎德), Guangzhou (广州), is about to begin. The most excited are the tenants living here; this dragon boat race seems to be a performance put on specifically for them by their landlords. Usually, the landlords sit downstairs sipping tea, watching the tenants rush about in their own "performances," but this time, it is the landlords' turn to be watched. The riverbanks are packed three layers deep, and the balconies and terraces of the buildings above are filled with people. The drumbeats, accompanied by whistles, grow louder from the distance, and someone shouts, "They're coming, they're coming!" Firecrackers are lit in the direction from which the dragon boats are approaching, and people stretch their necks to see. The dragon heads emerge, heads held high, whiskers swaying—the second, the third, the fourth... The landlords are no longer in their leisurely state; their sturdy arms, which usually look fair-skinned, are now straining as they row for their lives. Thirty or forty men, guided by the drumbeats and whistles, move in perfect unison, rowing and rowing. As the paddles slice through the waves, the dragon boats seem to lift off the water. Something in the hearts of the tenants is awakened by the landlords. That evening, when they return and see their landlords, there is already a tacit understanding in their eyes: "Next year, we will row together."
In Cantonese, "raining" can be called "falling water" (落水), and the rain around the Dragon Boat Festival (端午) is called "Dragon Boat Water" (龙舟水). Last year, there was plenty of Dragon Boat Water (龙舟水), and on the morning of the festival, a thin veil of mist floated over the river channels in Diejiao (叠滘), Foshan (佛山). Approaching the race section of the river, the misty air emitted a fragrance—not overpowering, but subtle. If one savored it, there was the faint scent of frangipani, the cloying sweetness of osmanthus, and the aroma of food. Walking to the bank, I discovered various tea snacks had been brought out for sale.
To see the most spectacular scenes, one must always secure a good spot; one has to arrive early, so eating breakfast at home is out of the question. Along the riverbanks, vendors had long since set up their tea snacks: sticky rice chicken, double-skin milk, red rice shrimp rolls, Chencun noodles (陈村粉), shrimp dumplings, char siu bao, steamed siu mai, and egg tarts—everything one could imagine. There was also congee, served in milk tea cups, making it easy to hold and eat. There was congee with lean meat and egg (及第粥), boat congee (艇仔粥), fish fillet congee, and lean meat congee—neither cold nor hot, just right for this sultry morning.
The crowd grew larger, and the chirping of the children, the hawking of the vendors, and the sound of the cicadas intertwined. The most sought-after food was naturally the zongzi (粽子), which is convenient to eat and seasonal. Last year, during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午), a friend from Beijing (北京) happened to be visiting. By the river in Diejiao (叠滘), they saw the Zhaoqing (肇庆) wrapped zongzi (裹蒸粽) and were shocked by its size: it was as large as an adult's fist, stuffed with two thick pieces of fatty pork and peeled mung beans. When broken open, the fragrance overflowed; it looked greasy, but tasted delicious. Tasting these Cantonese delicacies while watching the grand spectacle of people rowing dragon boats, another interpretation of Lingnan (岭南) surfaced in my mind: the power of Lingnan (岭南) is hidden among the people, in the hearts of the common folk, and in the "smoke and fire" of daily life along the riverbanks.
Amidst this complex blend of aromas, the "dong-dong-dong" of the drums finally began to sound.
There is an advantage to watching dragon boat racing: the river is a mobile stage, and one can see it from anywhere along the racecourse. The dragon boat drifting race in Diejiao (叠滘) attracts the most spectators at the bends and right-angle turns; these are the knowledgeable fans who know that these two sections are the most thrilling.
Compared to the waterways of Liede Creek (猎德涌), the river channels in Diejiao (叠滘) are much more cramped. There are many bends, and the dragon boats are long—25 meters—with 40 rowers each. Watching the race truly makes one break into a cold sweat: how can these straight dragon boats drift through such winding channels?
From afar, someone shouted sharply: "Take your positions, get ready—go!" The drums and whistles sounded instantly, but no dragon boats were in sight. Suddenly, a string of firecrackers exploded on the left bank, followed by another on the right, and the smoke and fire instantly obscured the small bridge. At this moment, a dragon head flashed out from the bend. Behind it, two helmsmen twisted their bodies, straining to pull the steering paddles to prevent the bow from hitting the stone bank. The men on the boat rowed to the rhythm of the drums, while the people on the bank shouted in unison: "Go! Go!" When the boat reached the right-angle turn, the shouting died down. The bow looked as if it were about to crash into the opposite stone bank; the audience held their breath, momentarily forgetting to cheer. The drumbeat on the boat remained steady and did not stop. The boat continued to drift and sway; the helmsman at the stern twisted his body in the opposite direction, gritting his teeth and holding the paddle firmly to coordinate with the rapidly turning bow. In the end, the first dragon boat passed through the right-angle channel in a way that was 玄之又玄 (xuán zhī yòu xuán - "mysterious of the mysterious," extremely subtle and profound; here used to describe a feat that is incredibly narrow and miraculous). The spectators, who had been watching with their mouths half-open, finally closed them. The agile posture of the dragon boat reminded me of the Cantonese people from over 40 years ago; at that time, their posture was just as agile—twisting, turning, and shifting, facing the sea, and bravely standing at the forefront of the tide.
There was one boat that rushed up from behind in such a hurry that, even though the helmsman used all his strength, the dragon head crashed into the stone bank. "Crack—" the brightly colored dragon head snapped off and sank into the churning water—a tragic sight. The audience let out a collective sigh. But there was no time to dwell on it; the headless dragon boat, without the slightest hesitation, continued to charge forward at its previous speed. A word came to mind: "Gangmeng" (刚猛 - fierce and indomitable). The people of Lingnan (岭南) have never lacked spirit. At every critical juncture in history, their fierce and indomitable figures have appeared, leading the trend, vast and mighty, pushing forward the great wheel of history.
The race ended in the afternoon. At dusk, as I took a leisurely stroll along the river, I saw a large rectangular canopy under a massive banyan tree. Beneath it were hundreds of dining tables with red tablecloths and chair covers—a quite spectacular sight. This was the temporary dining area for the "Dragon Boat Feast" (龙舟饭). As the lights began to twinkle, people took their seats one after another. Dish after dish was served, and the men who had rowed the dragon boats raised their glasses heroically, as if they were raising the very oars of their steady, grounded lives.
Return to TopBy: 范小青
A few days before the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), while scrolling through short videos, I inadvertently stumbled upon an internet-famous zongzi (sticky rice dumpling) shop in Suzhou (苏州). The meat zongzi they wrap are exceptionally large—one is worth three—and each contains a piece of pork belly weighing over 100 grams. My mouth watered at the sight, so I simply set out to find it.
The internet-famous zongzi shop is quite hidden, located on an old street in a storefront on the ground floor of a semi-old residential complex. The shop is small, but both inside and outside, it is a scene of hustle and bustle. Residents buying zongzi form long queues, with chatter about daily life rising one after another.
Suzhou (苏州) people have a common saying, "man man jiao" (慢慢叫), which means to take it slow and not be in a hurry. This is the character of Suzhou (苏州), but it is only the surface; in other words, Suzhou (苏州) people use a slow appearance to achieve fast results. When it is time to be slow, they are not in a hurry, such as when queuing to buy zongzi.
"Oh my, Mama Zhang (张家姆妈), you bought some yesterday, and you're here to buy more again today."
"Ah, Granny Li (李好婆), that's right. I took them home yesterday, and they were so delicious that the little ones couldn't get enough."
Finally, I bought the zongzi and couldn't wait to taste them as soon as I got home. They truly lived up to expectations: the fat was not greasy, the lean was not stringy, and they were soft, sticky, and chewy with the perfect balance of saltiness and sweetness. It seemed that no amount of praise would be an exaggeration.
Why wouldn't it be? A popular zongzi shop that makes locals queue is not just hype; it is meticulously crafted, one zongzi leaf, one spoonful of glutinous rice, one piece of fresh meat, and one strand of cotton thread at a time. The amount of water, the intensity of the fire, and the duration of steaming—every step hides the details of Suzhou (苏州) food culture.
In fact, on the way to the zongzi shop, passing through those old streets and alleys, passing by those simple and familiar little doors, if one looks back inside, one might see aunts and grandmothers wrapping zongzi in their own homes. This is what our childhood looked like; plain water zongzi, red bean zongzi, and red date zongzi are the flavors of childhood. Although not every household does it themselves like in the past, the scene of wrapping zongzi by hand still exists, and the custom of giving some to neighbors and relatives remains. It is truly wonderful.
Suzhou (苏州) people are particular about eating, following the principle of "not eating what is not in season" (不时不食). Even if food from a specific season is delicious, once the season passes, they say goodbye without hesitation and wait until the same time next year. Zongzi are the same. It is not that Suzhou (苏州) people can only eat zongzi during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节); they are available at other times, such as Wufangzhai (五芳斋) fresh meat zongzi from Jiaxing (嘉兴) or honey date zongzi from Beijing (北京). If one craves zongzi, they eat ready-made ones, but they won't wrap them themselves because it is "out of season."
"Not eating what is not in season" is not a rigid custom; it changes with the development of the times. Upholding tradition while innovating is also applied in the realm of food. A few years ago, Suzhou (苏州) held a creative zongzi competition in the Panmen (盘门) area, successfully challenging the Shanghai (上海) Great World Guinness (大世界基尼斯) record for "the most varieties of zongzi displayed in a single event" with 284 types of zongzi.
Even when eating a zongzi, one must experience a sense of history and the spirit of the times. From childhood to today, the fragrance of zongzi may have been interrupted, but it has ultimately continued. When the scent of zongzi drifts through the streets and alleys, everyone thinks that the sweltering summer is about to arrive.
The Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) in Suzhou (苏州) has one difference from other places: Suzhou (苏州) people commemorate Wu Zixu (伍子胥), which embodies the reverence for the spirit of loyalty, courage, integrity, and gratitude. Whether it is Qu Yuan (屈原) or Wu Zixu (伍子胥), the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) always contains rich Chinese humanistic thought.
When Bai Juyi (白居易) served as the Governor of Suzhou (苏州), he was attracted by the sweetness and fragrance of Suzhou (苏州) zongzi and could not forget it, leaving behind the poem: "Remembering my days in Suzhou (苏州), I often recall the summer solstice feast. The zongzi are fragrant in tender bamboo tubes, and the roasted goose is crisp and fresh." The poetic charm of famous figures, along with the fragrance of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) zongzi, has been passed down for a thousand years.
Suzhou (苏州) people have many other important activities for the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), such as dragon boat racing, hanging calamus, wearing perfume sachets, and hanging portraits of Zhong Kui (钟馗) to ward off evil spirits, etc. Eating zongzi is the most folk-oriented, simplest, and most practical. "The people regard food as their heaven" (民以食为天 - mín yǐ shí wéi tiān - "people take food as heaven," food is the most important thing for the people), and I believe that turning an important ritual that embodies spiritual pursuits into a daily, lived experience is a characteristic of Suzhou (苏州) culture.
Return to TopBy: 刘汉斌
The Dragon Boat Festival (端午) brushed against the willow branches on the door lintel and slipped into Nanwan (南湾).
Mother leaned against the head of the *kang* (炕), sewing sachets. On the warm *kang*, my young son slept beside a basin of steaming hot naked oats mixed with yeast. They were two children Mother had deliberately arranged to sleep together, both running through their respective dreams.
The sunlight, thin as cicada wings, spread across the windows. Mother put away the sewn sachets, lowered her head to sniff the naked oats that had been kept warm for a full day and night through the quilt, and then lifted the cover. A burst of heat rose up, and an intoxicating, sweet fragrance immediately permeated the room.
Mother waved a rolling pin to stir the mixture, and the tantalizing aroma surged in waves toward my nose. She filled a small bowl and handed it to my son, who took an impatient bite before wobbling toward me with the bowl in his hands. He insisted I take it, and as I took a gentle bite, the sweet and tangy flavor instantly flooded my mouth. Mother reached out to stroke my son’s head, and he responded with a sweet smile; the Dragon Boat Festival (端午) thus transformed into brilliant flowers, blooming on everyone’s faces.
My son is much like I was as a child, always greedy for food that suits his palate. I warned him just as Mother used to warn me: eating too much *tianpeizi* (甜醅子) can make you drunk, especially on an empty stomach. I didn’t believe it back then, and he doesn’t believe it now. But then again, what child raised in Nanwan (南湾) hasn’t been tipsy from *tianpeizi* (甜醅子) during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午)?
There is no need to fear being drunk; Mother would smilingly take a piece of colorful braided string and tie it onto him—on both his wrists and ankles—never forgetting to mutter that once the colorful string is tied, he won’t "turn into a dog." The phrase "turn into a dog" (变狗), though it sounds **土头土脑** (tǔ tóu tǔ nǎo - "earthy head earthy brain," rustic or unsophisticated), is gentle and devoid of malice; it merely indicates that the body is slightly unwell, sounding much softer than words like "ailing" or "sick."
My hometown, Nanwan (南湾), is a natural treasure trove, and my mother possesses a pair of hands that can **点石成金** (diǎn shí chéng jīn - "touch stone turn gold," to work wonders or transform the ordinary into the extraordinary). In my memory, the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits that sprouted in the seasons were all picked by Mother and crafted into the unique shapes and flavors of my childhood. Mugwort sachets, naked oat *tianpeizi* (甜醅子), buckwheat jelly, sautéed *jiangshui* (浆水), bitter lettuce pickles, white flour flower buns, and other items corresponding to the Dragon Boat Festival (端午) all carried the natural taste of vegetation—gifts from the plants, passed to me through Mother’s skillful hands, which I in turn pass on to my own children.
Every year when the Dragon Boat Festival (端午) arrives, Mother brings out mugwort fluff from the grain room. A faint scent of mugwort spills from between her fingers, lingering at the tip of my nose, refusing to dissipate. Mother intends to add this handful of mugwort fluff into the sewn sachets so that the children can carry the fragrance of mugwort with them.
I have had a weak stomach and spleen since childhood and was often ill, so Mother would tirelessly perform moxibustion on me, leaving many burn marks on my body. Every Dragon Boat Festival (端午), Mother would pick fresh mugwort leaves and fill the sachets she had sewn by hand with the mugwort fluff prepared the previous year for me to wear. She treated the scent of mugwort as my amulet. The villagers used to say that when I was a child, I looked as if I had crawled out of a medicine jar, always emitting the scent of Chinese herbs. I would take the opportunity to show off, saying, "That is the scent of mugwort (艾)." Each time, I would deliberately emphasize and draw out the pronunciation of "mugwort."
At noon, in the smoky kitchen, Mother would grab a handful of chopped green onions and scatter them into the sizzling hemp oil. With a "sizzle," the scent of onions diffused, and the aroma surged. A large ladle of *jiangshui* (浆水) was poured into the hot pot, steam curled, and the air filled with the smell of *jiangshui* (浆水) mixed with fried onion—the mere scent made one's mouth water. The bitter lettuce pickles, seasoned with a little salt and a little cooked hemp oil, made for an excellent side dish after being tossed. On a dry summer day, cold jelly served with the pickled vegetables makes for a hearty meal. The food of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午) in Nanwan (南湾) is as simple as it is abundant.
After a full meal, drowsiness set in. In a daze, my son and I arrived at a field of blooming buckwheat. My son, lost in thought, said, "Buckwheat flowers are beautiful, the flower scent is sweet, and the jelly is delicious." I replied, "How could it not be delicious? The jelly is made from buckwheat flowers." My son immediately added, "Did the Monkey King (孙悟空) turn into the buckwheat flowers?" His words woke me from my dream with a laugh.
Return to TopThe Chinese painting "Duan Yang Jing Tu" (端阳景图), by the artist Yu Zhi (余穉), is held in the collection of the Palace Museum (故宫博物院).
Return to TopBy: 杨晓民
When mugwort (艾草) hangs from the lintel,
It is merely green, and fragrant,
Entrusting a small patch of mountains and wilderness to the wind.
The child buries their face in the water of the basin;
When they lift it, dewdrops rest upon their eyelashes,
Lighter than a blessing.
The wheat pushes its joints toward the sunlight.
Mother bows her head to tie the five-colored thread (五彩线),
Speaking neither of continuing nor of parting,
Simply tethering the wind of May (五月) to the child's wrist.
The river (河) flows on outside the village (村).
I stand on the bank,
Smelling the scent of mugwort, the water vapor, and the sweetness of steamed glutinous rice.
This life is led by many light things:
A single thread, a single leaf,
An unspoken itch.
The Dragon Boat Festival (端午) is not meant to make us stay,
It is merely a reminder:
To hang the green mugwort high, to cup the clear water in your hands,
And to return the little stream in your heart back to the river.
By: 侯 磊
In recent years, dragon boat racing during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) has flourished in the south, which inevitably brings to mind that Beijing (北京) also once held dragon boat races during the Ming (明) and Qing (清) dynasties. At the same time, scholars would recite famous pieces from the *Chu Ci* (楚辞), such as *Li Sao* (离骚), *Jiu Ge: Xiang Furen* (九歌·湘夫人), and *Jiu Ge: Guo Shang* (九歌·国殇), during their elegant gatherings. They would recite these according to the four tones—level (ping), rising (shang), departing (qu), and entering (ru)—following the traditional melodies used by scholars of old, accompanied by instruments like the guqin (古琴) and sanxian (三弦). For instance, when reciting *Jiu Ge: Xiang Furen* (九歌·湘夫人): "The Child of the Emperor descends to the northern islet—my eyes gaze afar, causing me sorrow. The autumn wind blows softly—the waves of Dongting (洞庭) rise, and the leaves fall from the trees..." When reciting the modal particle "xi" (兮), one must elongate the sound, making it appear more resonant and lingering in its charm.
Ritual offerings naturally include zongzi (粽子), and it is also customary to place a few bundles of knotted mugwort (艾草) or calamus (菖蒲) on the altar table. By the fifth lunar month, summer has arrived, and various insects and small creatures begin to stir. Some are venomous, capable of stinging, biting, or transmitting diseases. Therefore, the ancients believed that one must ward off "evil" and avoid toxins during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节). The most essential plants for this are calamus (菖蒲) and mugwort (艾草). Every Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), villagers from the suburbs would cut some calamus (菖蒲) and mugwort (艾草), tie them into small bundles to sell at city markets, or craft them into decorations, collectively known as "Pulong Aihu" (蒲龙艾虎).
Calamus (菖蒲) has a fragrance that repels insects and grows mostly along rivers and marshes. A section of the Outer Golden Water River (外金水河) in Beijing (北京) is lined with calamus (菖蒲), hence it is also called Calamus River (菖蒲河). The fruit spike of the calamus (菖蒲) resembles a small club, known as a "pu-bang" (蒲棒); its leaves resemble a precious sword, hence they are also called "pu-jian" (菖剑) or "shui-jian" (水剑). Mugwort (艾草), scientifically known as *Artemisia argyi* (艾蒿), is called "ai-zi" (艾子) in Beijing dialect (北京话). Mugwort (艾草) has a strong odor and can be used as medicine; when dried and ignited, it produces smoke with an even more pungent scent. Burning sticks made of mugwort (艾草) to fumigate acupuncture points on the body helps clear the meridians, a practice known as moxibustion (艾灸). By custom, one should use mugwort (艾子) to pat the forehead and various parts of the body during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) to let the scent linger on the skin, and then hang a bundle upside down on the wall or door, which is highly effective for repelling insects.
Avoiding the "Five Poisons" (五毒) during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) is an upgraded version of avoiding insects—specifically avoiding scorpions, centipedes, toads, geckos, and snakes. The ancients believed these five creatures were all venomous. They hibernate in winter and are rarely seen; particularly toads and snakes, which begin to stir after the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), so one must be vigilant. For instance, it is customary to drink realgar wine (雄黄酒) during the festival to ward off snakes. It is said that by adding a trace amount of realgar (雄黄) to white spirits or yellow wine, or by applying realgar wine (雄黄酒) to the nose and ears, snakes will avoid you. For children, one dips a finger in realgar wine (雄黄酒) to write the character "Wang" (王 - King) on their foreheads, treating them like little tigers to pray that they grow up as strong as tigers and remain immune to all illnesses. Alternatively, one might use cinnabar (朱砂) to draw a talisman on the face, a task typically performed by a private tutor (家馆先生) in the past. People would also scatter some realgar (雄黄) around the house and courtyard, or place it in sachets (香囊荷包) to wear on their bodies. In the folk legend *Legend of the White Snake* (白蛇传), Lady White (白娘子) reveals her true form after drinking realgar medicinal wine (雄黄药酒) on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), which shows that the belief that "snakes fear realgar" is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. As for toads, custom dictates that one must collect toad venom (蟾酥) on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节); otherwise, once the season passes, the toad venom (蟾酥) loses its efficacy.
To guard against the "Five Poisons" (五毒), one must also eat "Five Poison Cakes" (五毒饼). Many pastry shops (饽饽铺) in Beijing (北京) used to make these cakes during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), which involved stamping the patterns of the five poisons onto rose-flavored cakes. By consuming the five poisons, one breaks their power. The attitude of the ancients toward venomous insects and fierce beasts was not one of total extermination, but rather of driving them away or actively avoiding them, seeking to be benevolent and avoid killing, which objectively showed respect for nature.
Wen Tianxiang (文天祥) wrote a poem titled *Duanwu Jishi* (端午即事), the first two couplets of which read: "On the fifth day of the fifth month, you gifted me a sprig of mugwort. Old friends cannot be met, while new acquaintances are ten thousand miles away." A simple sprig of mugwort (艾草) on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), which could not be more ordinary, connects in people's hearts to the commemoration of tradition.
Return to TopBy: 何小雯
During the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) in my hometown, we use red strings to tie together mugwort (艾草), calamus (菖蒲), pomegranate flowers (榴花), garlic bulbs (蒜头), and ixora flowers (龙船花), hanging them from door lintels and bronze knockers as the "Five Auspicious Symbols" (五瑞) of the festival. In the days leading up to the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), along the winding, narrow country paths, one could always see elderly aunts in floral shirts and wide trousers, clutching bundles of sword-like calamus (菖蒲) and mugwort (艾草), along with a few sprigs of ixora flowers (龙船花), their faces glowing with the satisfaction and joy of a bountiful harvest.
Calamus (菖蒲), mugwort (艾草), and ixora flowers (龙船花) grow in the wild, while pomegranate flowers (榴花) are cultivated at home. With their gentle, slender forms and brilliant, fiery red blossoms, they never speak, yet they carry their own charm and symbolism. My family’s pomegranate tree (石榴花) is housed in an old, large clay vat—narrow at the base, wide in the middle, and small at the top. I have long forgotten its age; I only remember its temperament—unhurried, calm, neither competing nor jealous. It seems intoxicated by the slow passage of time, never wildly sprouting branches or vines, but growing slowly, inch by inch, upward.
Grandma (阿嬷) is a peculiar old lady. Even though her own pomegranate flowers (榴花) are blooming brilliantly, she refuses to pick them, preferring instead to shuffle her small feet all the way to the east end of the village. There, old houses coexist with wild weeds, and even the narrow, cramped paths are covered in faint traces of moss. Most people have moved away from this place, which is enveloped by the shadows of the past, but a few who have grown old alongside time itself remain. The place where Grandma (阿嬷) goes to pick flowers is the home of Grandma Chen (陈阿嬷), who is about the same age as her, located in the innermost part of the narrow path. Whenever Grandma (阿嬷) visits, she never arrives empty-handed: she brings sweet and savory zongzi (粽球), soft and golden gardenia rice cakes (栀粿), and even the white sugar for dipping the cakes.
Grandma Chen’s (陈阿嬷) old house rests beside an ancient banyan tree (老榕树). The walls, rammed with a mixture of earth and lime, are streaked with grey and black water stains left by the years, yet the porcelain inlays on the eaves—depicting flowers and birds—remain vibrant. The doors, windows, gate towers, and the stone carvings, wood carvings, and plaster sculptures on the gables are still **栩栩如生** (xǔ xǔ rú shēng - "vivid as if alive," describing works of art that are extremely lifelike). This old house is like a wealthy beauty whose youth has faded; though aged, her every gesture still exudes elegance and grace. I once asked Grandma (阿嬷) what life was like for Grandma Chen (陈阿嬷) in the past. Grandma (阿嬷) said that they were one of the better-off families in the village. Grandma Chen’s (陈阿嬷) husband was a skilled craftsman—proficient in stone carving, wood carving, and porcelain inlay. While he was alive, Grandma Chen (陈阿嬷) never had to worry about money. The vitality of the old house began to wane over a decade ago when Grandma Chen’s (陈阿嬷) husband passed away suddenly, leaving not a single word behind. Their four children, long since grown, had each started their own families and left one after another, settling down in cities or distant lands. Grandma Chen (陈阿嬷) has been guarding the old house all by herself.
Grandma Chen’s (陈阿嬷) pomegranate flowers (榴花) bloom in the patio. Originally, the flowers were kept at the entrance, but they were later moved inside. Grandma Chen (陈阿嬷) goes out less and less frequently; I imagine she moved the flowers indoors so that these friends could keep her company a little longer. The small, fiery pomegranate flowers (榴花) bloom in round, square, and rectangular porcelain pots, like young ladies from noble families, holding up the beauty of the doorway. Every time I accompany Grandma (阿嬷), we knock on the bronze ring of Grandma Chen’s (陈阿嬷) wooden door, pass by the porcelain inlays of the "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" (八仙过海) and the stone carvings of "Flowers Blooming in Wealth" (花开富贵), and approach the patio. A simple round table is placed where the pomegranate flowers (榴花) bloom most densely, set with a tea service, three small white porcelain cups, and three old rattan chairs surrounding the table.
The flowers bloom year after year, and the people come year after year. The two women meet, their words as plain as water, yet soothing and refreshing to the soul. Once the tea is brewed, amidst the fragrance of the pomegranate flowers (榴花), Grandma (阿嬷) sets the gardenia rice cakes (栀粿) and zongzi (粽球) she brought onto the table, saying that this year’s gardenia rice cakes (栀粿) are particularly golden, soft, and smooth, and that we should try them. As a granddaughter-in-law, I watch the scene from the side—a scene containing pomegranate flowers (榴花), tea, gardenia rice cakes (栀粿), and the two grandmothers.
Grandma (阿嬷) once told me that many years ago, Grandma Chen (陈阿嬷) had given her family some gardenia rice cakes (栀粿). At that time, her grandson—my husband—was only four years old. Those were the most difficult days for our family; even daily sustenance was a problem, let alone the dignity and delicacies of a festival. That year, during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), Grandma (阿嬷) was pulling her three grandchildren along, thinking of going to the fields she had tilled several times to scavenge for leftover sweet potatoes. Passing by Grandma Chen’s (陈阿嬷) house, through the wide-open wooden door, the children saw the freshly made, golden gardenia rice cakes (栀粿), and their legs refused to move any further. Grandma Chen (陈阿嬷), who was heading out to pick pomegranate flowers (榴花), saw the children’s eyes glued to the cakes. She turned back, used a cotton thread to divide the steaming hot gardenia rice cakes (栀粿) in two, kept half, and gave the other half to Grandma (阿嬷). My husband told me that that year, thanks to that half of a gardenia rice cake (栀粿), our family finally felt the atmosphere of the festival.
Every time we leave Grandma Chen’s (陈阿嬷) house after the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), Grandma’s (阿嬷) pockets are filled with a few pomegranate flowers (榴花), their fiery faces peeking out from the fabric.
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