Summary: During a Politburo collective study session on July 30, Xi Jinping stressed high-quality advancement of national defense and military modernization during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, aiming to achieve the 100th anniversary goal of the People's Liberation Army by 2027. Sun Zheng of the Central Military Commission Strategic Planning Office briefed attendees. Xi emphasized absolute Party leadership over the military, political loyalty, anti-corruption efforts, and that combat effectiveness remains the fundamental standard. He called for strengthening unmanned intelligent technology and network information systems, while deepening integrated national strategic systems. Xi also conveyed festival greetings to military personnel ahead of Army Day.
Summary: President Xi Jinping's article in *Qiushi* journal calls for accelerating the construction of a "Healthy China" by 2035, emphasizing that the 15th Five-Year Plan period is critical for achieving decisive progress. Xi stresses adhering to Party leadership, prioritizing people's health, and maintaining the public welfare nature of basic medical services while pursuing a health development path with Chinese characteristics. He highlights the need to focus on key areas such as strengthening the public health system, improving medical service networks, and promoting healthy lifestyles. Xi also urges deepening reforms in public hospitals and medical insurance, integrating health into all public policies, and leveraging technological innovation. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
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Summary: Premier Li Qiang presided over a State Council executive meeting on July 31, where he conveyed Xi Jinping’s directives on the economic situation and stressed the need to boost confidence, implement targeted macroeconomic policies, and expand domestic demand. The meeting also discussed building a new power grid and logistics network, advancing a health-first strategy, and approved revisions to the Housing Provident Fund管理条例. Additionally, it approved four nuclear power projects, including the Liaoning Zhuanghe Phase I, mandating strict adherence to the highest global safety standards. The gathering reviewed amendments and repeals to a dozen administrative regulations, such as the National Pollution Source Census Regulation. No mention of U.S.-China relations was present.
Summary: President Xi Jinping chaired a July 30 Politburo meeting that emphasized high-quality development as the primary task for building a modern socialist country, noting both progress and challenges. The article highlights Xi's declaration that the "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable" and underscores the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party as the essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Examples of successful development are provided, such as Guizhou's transformation from poverty to a hub for green data centers, and the nationwide "long-termism" of five-year plans, which the article credits with achieving milestones like the world's largest clean power grid. The summary does not address the United States or U.S.-China relations, as the original article contains no such references.
Summary: The State Council has issued the "Fifteenth Five-Year Plan for Intellectual Property Protection and Utilization," setting targets and key tasks for IP work through 2030, with a vision toward 2035. The plan emphasizes high-quality development, stronger IP protection, and deeper integration with economic and social progress under a "world-class, Chinese-style" IP framework. It outlines four priority areas: improving the protection environment and legal system, enhancing IP commercialization to support new productive forces, streamlining governance and public services, and expanding international cooperation in global IP governance. The plan also establishes 12 special projects, including those focused on strategic emerging industries, AI-IP synergy, regional development, and Belt and Road IP cooperation. It calls for unified Party leadership and coordinated implementation across all regions and departments.
Summary: In the first half of 2024, China's cumulative electricity market trading volume reached 3,684.8 billion kWh, a 24.2% increase year-on-year, according to the National Energy Administration. In June alone, trading volume was 627.5 billion kWh, up 20.8%. Intra-provincial transactions rose 24.1%, while cross-provincial and cross-regional transactions increased 11.3%. Green electricity trading saw a 15.0% rise, reaching 27.5 billion kWh. The report did not mention any official statements or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The article highlights China's economic resilience amid external and internal challenges, citing new growth drivers like rocket recovery and AI contributing over 40% to growth. It emphasizes structural optimization through deeper integration of services and manufacturing. The recent Politburo meeting, as reported, called for "sustained new, superior, and good development" to bolster下半年 work and long-term high-quality growth. No specific officials were named as accompanying the statement. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Premier Li Qiang signed a State Council decree promulgating new regulations on exit-entry management, effective September 15, 2026. The regulations aim to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests while protecting the rights of travelers. They establish a system for issuing overseas security warnings and require applicants to provide truthful, lawful reasons for travel. New restrictions bar Chinese citizens from exiting if they have committed fraud or illegal exit-entry offenses, and bar foreigners who provide false information or have certain criminal records. The rules also mandate registration and compliance standards for intermediaries offering exit-entry services.
Summary: The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) held a press conference on July 31, where Deputy Director General Zhou Hongwei and spokesperson Jiang Yi expressed confidence in achieving China's full-year economic targets and a strong start to the "15th Five-Year Plan," citing China's role as a global economic anchor and progress in innovation-driven development. Zhou highlighted that domestic demand shows structural improvements, with high-tech investment up 4.6% and service retail sales rising 5.3% in the first half of the year, while the NDRC is drafting an expanded domestic demand strategy (2026-2030) focusing on boosting consumption and investment. Jiang Yi detailed plans to accelerate construction of six interconnected networks (e.g., computing, power, communications) as a major "15th Five-Year Plan" initiative, noting that 109 key projects are already underway. He also outlined reforms for a unified national market, including a new regulation, three lists of prohibited and encouraged practices, and measures to combat "involution-style" competition and improve logistics efficiency.
Summary: Chen Wenqing, Politburo member and head of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, spoke at a national video conference on the crackdown on organized crime, emphasizing full implementation of Xi Jinping's directives. He announced a year-long intensified campaign to eliminate all criminal elements, targeting online platforms and "soft violence" methods while insisting on strict legality. Chen praised achievements since the 20th Party Congress and called for sustained high-pressure enforcement, including the removal of "protective umbrellas" behind criminal groups. Vice Premier Wang Xiaohong chaired the meeting, with Zhang Jun and Ying Yong also in attendance. The article does not reference the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: At a July 31 meeting, Central Commission for Discipline Inspection Deputy Secretary Liu Jinguo conveyed Xi Jinping’s instructions on intensifying the campaign against misconduct and corruption affecting ordinary people. Liu said this final year of the three-year drive requires unrelenting effort and a focus on high-standard farmland, rural collective assets, medical insurance funds, and elderly care. He urged the investigation of influential cases, strict punishment of “flies and ants” corruption, and fixing institutional gaps and oversight failures. He stressed that the public should participate in and evaluate the rectification work, with people’s satisfaction as the ultimate measure.
Summary: The article reports on China's new regulation effective August 1, 2024, requiring banks and financial institutions to provide personal loan borrowers with a standardized "clear statement" itemizing all interest and non-interest costs. A customer manager at China Construction Bank in Shishi, Fujian, was quoted explaining the costs to a borrower, while Fan Yuyue of CCB’s housing finance department described the form’s content. Expert Dong Ximiao noted the rule eliminates hidden fees and ends opaque practices like low-interest baiting. The regulation extends transparency reforms from corporate to personal lending, aiming to protect consumer rights and standardize market discipline.
Summary: During the hot summer, children across various regions participate in diverse and enriching summer activities, enjoying their holidays.
Summary: The article reports on the inauguration of the China General Nuclear Power Group's 100 MW solar project in northern Laos, the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia. Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Malaythong Kommasith praised the project for advancing Laos-China power connectivity and creating local jobs. Former Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines Thongpah Inthavong noted it improved power links between northern Laos and southern China. Oudomxay Province Deputy Governor Souvanna Mahawongsanam highlighted the project's ecological benefits and contribution to Laos-China cooperation. The project includes social initiatives like school renovations and job training, underscoring mutual benefits between the two countries.
Summary: Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited China for the 2026 World AI Conference and an official visit, meeting President Xi Jinping. They issued a joint statement on a China-Thailand community with a shared future and signed cooperation agreements on AI, technology, and combating transnational crime. Anutin reaffirmed Thailand’s adherence to the One-China policy and opposition to "Taiwan independence." Both sides agreed to establish a foreign and defense ministers' "2+2" strategic dialogue, expand Belt and Road cooperation, and accelerate the China-Thailand railway. The visit underscored deepened strategic trust and practical cooperation between the two countries.
Summary: Hungarian journalist and editor-in-chief Bencsik András praised the Chinese Communist Party's exceptional qualities in an interview, attributing its 105 years of success to unique traits unmatched by other parties. He highlighted the party's consistent long-term planning and staged implementation, using the "toilet revolution" as an example of policies integrating public welfare, dignity, and rural economic development. Bencsik also commended the party's self-reform capacity through anti-corruption and institutionalization, as well as its governance model combining top-level design with grassroots experimentation. Additionally, he cited China's Belt and Road Initiative, green energy transition, and climate commitments as proof that a better China contributes to a better world. The article did not discuss the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: China strongly condemned the Philippines’ unilateral delineation of so-called “baselines” around Huangyan Island, calling it a serious violation of China’s territorial sovereignty and international law, including the UN Charter and UNCLOS. Beijing reiterated that Huangyan Island and its adjacent waters are Chinese territory and that the Philippines’ claims have no legal basis under international treaties. China also rejected the 2016 South China Sea arbitration award and the Philippines’ “Marine Zones Act,” both of which it described as illegal and invalid. The statement accused Manila of frequent provocations in Huangyan Island waters that escalate tensions and undermine peace in the South China Sea. China demanded that the Philippines cease all infringing actions, warning it would take firm countermeasures.
Summary: Chinese trade official Ren Hongbin led a business delegation to the China-U.S. Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum and promotion of the 5th Chain Expo in Chicago on July 30, with over 180 representatives from both countries attending. Ren stated that the visit implements key consensus between the two heads of state and aims to deepen cooperation, offering CCPIT’s full support for U.S.-China business exchanges. He welcomed more U.S. firms to share China’s development opportunities through platforms like the Chain Expo. Attendees from Illinois and Chicago emphasized deep mutual reliance in supply chains and the critical role of business in stabilizing U.S.-China relations. They noted the Chain Expo as an important venue for enhancing supply chain resilience and innovation cooperation.
Summary: The article covers the closing ceremony in Beijing of the “Knowing East, Drawing West” U.S.-China youth exchange program, where students from both countries shared experiences from visits to Washington, Montana, Yunnan, and Beijing. Youth leaders Erik Larson and Li Yao stressed that the friendships built during the 20-day program would foster cross-cultural understanding and future U.S.-China cooperation. Participants like Dominic Addison praised Chinese agricultural e-commerce models as a possible inspiration for American farmers, while others noted converging worldviews and hopes for resilient bilateral ties. Chinese officials Xin Feng and Yu Tao, along with U.S. representative Lin Hansheng, called on youth to help build a constructive and stable U.S.-China relationship through mutual understanding. The event highlighted shared challenges such as climate change and AI in education despite differing systems.
Summary: The Central Propaganda Department and the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission jointly released 12 "Most Beautiful New Era Revolutionary Soldiers" ahead of the PLA's 99th anniversary. The selected officers and soldiers, including Li Can, Wang Xiaoming, and Wang Tao, exemplify loyalty to the Party and dedication to Xi Jinping's military thought. They represent various roles such as political instructors, special operations elites, and research specialists. The article calls on all troops to study their example, implement Xi's directives, and prepare for the centenary goal of building a strong military by 2027. No mention is made of the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The article announces a stage art performance exhibition celebrating the 105th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party, organized by the Central Propaganda Department and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, held in Beijing from July to September 2026. Twelve works are featured, including classic revolutionary pieces like "The Red Detachment of Women" and "White-Haired Girl," as well as contemporary productions reinterpreting revolutionary history. The event will be staged at major venues such as the National Centre for the Performing Arts and streamed online via official platforms. No U.S. or bilateral relations are mentioned.
Summary: The Central Propaganda Department has posthumously awarded Comrade Wang Ji the title "Model of the Times" for his advanced deeds, which have sparked warm responses across military units and society. In studying his example, officials and soldiers are urged to deeply implement Xi Jinping's thoughts on Party-building and military strengthening, and to uphold the spirit of the Party and the Long March. Military personnel from the 79th Group Army, the Navy's "Peace Ark" hospital ship, the Northern Theater Air Force, the Rocket Force, and the Armed Police all held discussions, vowing to transform Wang Ji's resilience and dedication into practical combat readiness and technological excellence. Civilian figures, including a doctor from Xiangya Hospital and a student from Beijing Normal University, also expressed inspiration from Wang Ji's perseverance through adversity to serve national needs. The article does not discuss the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Defense Minister Dong Jun hosted a reception at the Great Hall of the People on July 31 to celebrate the 99th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army. In his speech, he stressed the military's loyalty to the Communist Party and President Xi Jinping, and called for high-quality modernization and readiness. He explicitly vowed to resolutely thwart any form of "Taiwan independence" separatist plots and foreign military interference. Dong also expressed willingness to cooperate with like-minded forces globally to counter actions that threaten international and regional peace. The event was attended by senior military and civilian officials, as well as foreign military attachés and representatives from international organizations.
Summary: The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Macao Garrison held a reception at the Taipa Barracks on July 31 to mark the 99th anniversary of the PLA's founding. Attendees included He Houhua, Macao Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai, and other senior officials, with Commander Chen Wensheng and Political Commissar Lian Wei present. In his speech, Chen reviewed the PLA's history and the garrison's 27 years in Macao, emphasizing its role as a "stabilizing force" under "one country, two systems." He pledged to implement President Xi Jinping's directives, strengthen combat readiness, and safeguard Macao's long-term stability. Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai expressed gratitude for the garrison's support to the region's development.
Summary: The article reports that the State Council has appointed Jiang Chenghua as Vice Minister of Commerce, while simultaneously removing him from his previous role as Deputy Representative for International Trade Negotiations. No other officials are mentioned as accompanying him.
Summary: The Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party has decided that Luo Wen will serve as a member of the Standing Committee and Secretary of the Hebei Provincial Committee. Ni Yuefeng has been relieved of his posts as Hebei's party secretary and committee member, and will receive another assignment. No further details were provided.
Summary: Chen Xinwu was appointed as vice mayor and acting mayor of Chongqing by the city's 6th People's Congress Standing Committee on July 31. The decision was made during the committee's 25th session. No other officials were reported as accompanying the announcement. The article does not discuss the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The Ministry of Water Resources and China Meteorological Administration jointly issued a red alert for mountain torrent disasters on July 31, covering parts of Heilongjiang, Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu. The Ministry sent targeted warnings to 12 provinces, including Hebei, Shanxi, and Yunnan, and held a video conference with seven river basin authorities to address flood risks during the critical "early August" period. Separately, the Emergency Management Ministry activated a Level IV geological disaster emergency response for Shaanxi and Gansu on July 30, urging local authorities to minimize casualties. No mention was made of the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: A Chinese Army border regiment stationed in Tibet's Ali Plateau conducted a patrol at a mountain pass over 5,000 meters on July 30, ahead of the PLA's 99th founding anniversary, to secure the border. The patrol unit was tasked with ensuring stability along the frontier.
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Summary: On July 31, the State Council Information Office held a press conference where Minister of Veterans Affairs Pei Jinjia, accompanied by Vice Minister Sui Hongbo and Director Wang Zhongcheng, outlined plans for the "15th Five-Year Plan" period. Pei emphasized improving veterans' quality of life, enhancing安置 employment and service support, and strengthening military-civilian unity. Sui highlighted efforts to expand job opportunities through inter-agency cooperation and targeted assistance for unemployed veterans. Wang discussed improving welfare policies and increasing compensation standards, noting that regular pension subsidies have been raised for 21 consecutive years. Pei also stressed the importance of preserving martyr memorials and promoting heroic spirit through education and media.
Summary: On July 22, 2026, Premier Li Qiang signed State Council Order No. 841, promulgating the "Regulations on Exit and Entry Administration," effective September 15, 2026. Officials from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Public Security, and National Immigration Administration jointly addressed questions, citing new challenges from China's high-level opening-up. The regulations strengthen safety protections for Chinese citizens abroad, including risk warnings and potential travel restrictions to high-risk countries. They also tighten foreign entry rules, including new grounds for denial of entry, and establish a filing system for intermediary service agencies. Notably, the regulations introduce entry denial measures against individuals on anti-sanctions or unreliable entity lists, reflecting a legal response to U.S. "long-arm jurisdiction."
Summary: The article reports on President Xi Jinping's remarks at a July 30 Politburo meeting, where he emphasized that high-quality development is the primary task of building a modern socialist country and called for confidence in overcoming economic challenges. It highlights Xi's declaration at the 105th CPC anniversary that China's national rejuvenation is unstoppable, underscoring the Party's leadership as the essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The piece uses examples like Guizhou's transformation from poverty to a green data hub and China's consistent five-year planning to illustrate the success of Xi’s new development理念理念 (concepts). It also ties the Beijing ecological turnaround to deeper reforms, portraying comprehensive reform as key to advancing Chinese modernization. No mention of the United States or U.S.-China relations appears in the text.
Summary: The article reports on a symposium held in Daqing, Heilongjiang, to mark the publication of the oral history book series *Witnessing Civilization*. The meeting was hosted by the Central Spiritual Civilization Office and co-organized by People's Publishing House and the Heilongjiang Provincial Propaganda Department, with officials, grassroots representatives, experts, media, and publishers attending. Participants described the oral history project as a concrete step to implement Xi Jinping's cultural thought and his important statements on spiritual civilization, helping preserve historical memory and advance research. They emphasized applying historical experience, maintaining ideological guidance, serving the people, strengthening mainstream values, and promoting spiritual civilization work on the internet. The first batch of the series, released by People's Publishing House, includes 11 volumes covering cities such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Yan'an.
Summary: The article reports on a July 31 event in Daqing, Heilongjiang, titled “Virtue Illuminates China: Promoting the Daqing Spirit (Iron Man Spirit),” organized by the Central Office of Spiritual Civilization Building and co-hosted by the Central Propaganda Department and the Heilongjiang Provincial Party Committee. The event used storytelling, reenactments, and musical performances to illustrate the Daqing Spirit’s historical development and showcase the deeds of national moral models and “Role Models of the Times.” It highlighted figures such as scientist Liu Yongtan, moral model Lü Jiansheng, and forensic expert Cui Daozhi, emphasizing their dedication to the Party and the nation. The activity aimed to reinforce the Daqing Spirit as a key component of the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists. No mention is made of the United States or U.S.-China relations.
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Summary: Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized the urgency of advancing quantum technology and called for strategic planning to seize the initiative in this field. The article traces the development of quantum computing from 20th-century quantum mechanics to China's current efforts, highlighting breakthroughs like the "Zuchongzhi-3" and "Jiuzhang-4" quantum processors. It notes that the U.S. (Google) achieved quantum supremacy in 2019, but China has since matched and surpassed this in multiple technical routes. The piece underscores China's ambition to transform quantum computing from laboratory to industry, while acknowledging the long road ahead for practical, error-corrected quantum computers. The author, Yu Dapeng, is an academician and head of the Shenzhen International Quantum Research Institute.
Summary: The article analyzes the popular internet phenomenon of self-diagnosing "prefrontal lobe damage" as a sign of cognitive fatigue, clarifying that it is not actual brain injury but "functional fatigue" from information overload. It explains that the prefrontal cortex, which controls attention, impulse regulation, and planning, can suffer temporary efficiency loss under high stress, multitasking, or excessive short-video consumption. The piece warns that chronic overuse may lead to irreversible damage, increased cortisol, and higher risks of depression and anxiety. It recommends "information dieting," deep work sessions, quality sleep, and mindfulness to restore brain function. The author is a deputy director at a Beijing hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University, with the article compiled by a People's Daily reporter.
Summary: A chief forecaster at China’s Central Meteorological Observatory, interviewed by People’s Daily reporter Jiang Xuehong, said recent persistent high temperatures in northwest, north, and Huang-Huai areas are caused mainly by a high-pressure ridge, not directly by a “heat dome.” The article explains that a “heat dome” is a conceptual description of extreme heat driven by stable high-pressure systems that trap heat, whereas the current heat results from a high-pressure ridge controlling the region. It details how descending air, strong solar radiation, and stable systems combine to accumulate heat and produce the “heat dome” effect. The forecaster noted that short-term weather systems and long-term climate change, including global warming, soil drought, and urban heat-island effects, together explain rising temperatures.
Summary: Associate Researcher Wang Jiliang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering, leading an international team, published a study in *Nature Geoscience* revealing a new mechanism for rapid methane release from polar gas hydrates. The research shows that meltwater-driven groundwater flushing during glacial retreat can cause rapid dissolution of gas hydrate crystals, bypassing slow thermal conduction. This challenges the traditional view that hydrate destabilization is a slow, millennial-scale threat. The team, using IODP drilling data from Greenland, observed low-methane, low-salinity anomalies indicating freshwater infiltration. The study warns that as Arctic warming accelerates, this mechanism may already be triggering a self-reinforcing climate feedback loop.
Summary: Scientists from the Institute of Chemistry at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, led by academician Li Yongfan and researcher Meng Lei, reported the fabrication of high-performance perovskite-organic tandem solar cells. The cells achieved a steady-state power conversion efficiency of 28.04%, marking progress toward practical application. Their findings were published in the international journal Nature. The team introduced a photoconvertible additive molecule as part of an "all-stage regulation" strategy to improve efficiency. This approach helped suppress light-induced phase separation and strengthen perovskite surface bonding.
Summary: A Chinese research team from Tsinghua University’s Shenzhen International Graduate School and its School of Environment has systematically analyzed a regulated cell death mechanism called “ferroptosis” in cyanobacteria. They found that under environmental stress, iron ions inside cyanobacterial cells become highly active and catalyze lipid peroxidation chain reactions, producing products that damage cell membranes and trigger cell death. This process can also induce neighboring cells to undergo the same death pathway, helping explain the rapid disappearance of algal blooms. The findings offer new ideas for precisely curbing cyanobacterial bloom outbreaks at the source. The research was published in the international academic journal *Science*.
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Summary: A calligraphy manuscript of Zhu De’s 1965 poem "Commemorating August 1st," gifted to General Xiao Jinguang, has been donated to the Xiangshan Revolution Memorial Hall by Zhu De’s granddaughter, Zhu Xinhua, and is now a national first-class cultural relic. The poem commemorates the Nanchang Uprising of August 1, 1927, which founded the People’s Liberation Army, and the manuscript reflects the deep revolutionary friendship between the two founding marshals. Zhu De, a key leader of the uprising and later commander-in-chief of the PLA, was known for his calligraphy and frugality, often practicing on inexpensive paper before giving away drafts. The surviving draft was carefully preserved for decades by Zhu De’s wife, Kang Keqing. The manuscript serves as both a testament to their bond and a historical record of the people’s army’s birth.
Summary: The article recounts the life and sacrifice of Wang Jie, a PLA soldier who died in 1965 at age 23 after throwing himself onto an exploding dynamite pack to save 12 militia members and cadre. It highlights his notebook, preserved in the Military Museum, which contains his study notes on Mao Zedong Thought and his commitment to putting the Party and the people's interests above his own. Wang Jie sought to emulate revolutionary heroes like Lei Feng and Dong Cunrui, advocating a spirit of "fearing neither hardship nor death." Following his death, the PLA posthumously admitted him to the Party, and the Defense Ministry named his squad "Wang Jie Squad," sparking a nationwide campaign to emulate his example. The article notes that his former company still calls his name at roll call, symbolizing the enduring legacy of his selfless spirit.
Summary: Archaeologists have uncovered a nearly 2,000-year-old ear pick at the Zhuti ancient city site in Yunnan, revealing the daily life of a Han-Jin period frontier town. The site, identified as the first central-government outpost in Yunnan under Emperor Wu of Han, served as a key trade hub on the Southern Silk Road and a major center for copper and silver production. Recent excavations, co-led by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Yunnan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, have revealed city walls, gates, a large workshop area, and seals (封泥) bearing the names "Zhuti" and "Qianwei," confirming its administrative importance. Artifacts including pottery, coins, and glass beads indicate strong cultural and economic integration with the central plains and the Silk Road. The dig also uncovered a large-scale iron-smelting zone, underscoring the city's role as a regional industrial base.
Summary: The article is a personal narrative about Gao'an Tea-Picking Opera, a folk art listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2011. The author recounts childhood memories of hearing the opera, attending performances, and observing actors from backstage. They note the distinctive styles of veteran performers and various musical tunes. Later, as a square dance instructor, the author incorporated the opera’s movements into their choreography to spread the tradition. No U.S. or U.S.-China relations are discussed.
Summary: The article reports that Henan's Water Resources Department released a list of important water conservancy heritage in June, including Guanmiao Yan in Yuzhou. It describes a traditional underground irrigation and drainage system of stone channels built by ancestors over centuries on terraced fields across 1,300 mu. The network, nearly 10,000 meters long, covers all fields, preventing flood damage and enabling drought irrigation. This system has allowed Guanmiao Village to transform from poverty to prosperity. No officials or U.S.-China relations are mentioned.
Summary: Zhejiang province has implemented a comprehensive "archaeological pre-placement" reform since 2014, requiring land development to undergo archaeological surveys before construction to resolve conflicts between urban growth and relic protection. The reform includes a digital "four-color map" system (red for prohibited, orange for controlled, yellow for cautious, blue for normal development) and a centralized management platform that enables online application and approval. This system has reduced approval times to as little as one day for small plots and allowed for seamless coordination between excavation and construction. Notable discoveries protected under this policy include the Yue State palace foundations in Shaoxing and the Ma'ao culture artifacts in Xiaoshan. The province has also established pilot zones for concentrated archaeological surveys, covering 65 square kilometers in Yiwu's Shuangjianghu New Area, to further streamline the process.
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Summary: The article profiles Ji Ya, a 00s-born female police officer who gained viral attention for a video of her horseback border patrol in subzero temperatures in Inner Mongolia. It details her background as a former soldier who volunteered for a remote border unit, her subsequent transfer to a horse-mounted police team in the Ulagai management area, and her current graduate studies at People's Police University of China. Ji Ya describes the "ice makeup" video as an accident caused by her poor physical fitness relative to teammates, not as a reflection of exceptional performance. She emphasizes her desire to return to the border patrol after completing her studies, focusing on improving her skills in propaganda and cultural work to better tell grassroots stories. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The article reflects on the enduring legacy of the Long March, emphasizing its extreme hardships and the Red Army's unwavering faith and sacrifice. It contrasts past struggles with present peace, urging contemporary Chinese to remember the spirit forged by those who endured starvation, cold, and death. The author warns that peace is not guaranteed globally, only in China, and calls for carrying forward the Red Army's mission. No specific officials or U.S. relations are mentioned.
Summary: The article describes a visit to Mengyin, Shandong, where the author encounters "jianbing flowers"—elaborate edible flowers made from thin pancakes. It traces the history of jianbing as a staple in the Yimeng mountain region and its role as a revolutionary-era supply for the People's Liberation Army, citing the "Six Sisters of Yimeng" during the 1947 Menglianggu campaign. The story then focuses on local shop owner Xu Haixia, who spent over three months experimenting before perfecting the technique of softening pancake batter into pliable, flower-shaped creations using fruit juices and ingredients like dragon fruit. Her husband initially doubted the idea, but her persistence produced roses, peonies, tulips, and other decorative styles that reflect the improving lives of rural residents. The piece concludes with a poetic image of the old revolutionary base area's vibrant everyday life.
Summary: The article features the Chinese painting *Dreaming of Home No. 41* by artist Shao Fei, which is held in the collection of the National Art Museum of China.
Summary: The provided text is a poetic tribute to military bugle calls, evoking nostalgia and the emotional impact of sounds like the reveille, assembly, taps, and the charge. It emphasizes the power and inevitability of the charge call, likening it to a force that cannot be resisted. No officials, actions, or references to the United States or U.S.-China relations are present.
Summary: The article recounts the author's experience as a secretary working alongside a high-ranking revolutionary official from the 1980s. The official, a self-taught veteran who disliked empty rhetoric, frequently criticized long-winded reports and insisted on understanding grassroots realities. He refused special treatment during inspections, eating only what soldiers ate and personally redistributing extra dishes to others. When a proposal to distribute living subsidies by rank was submitted, he rejected it, arguing that the military should not prioritize comfort while ordinary people still lacked basic necessities. His blunt, principled stance—including his willingness to be resented—reflected his unwavering commitment to the Party's original ideals.
Summary: A village in China faces拆迁 (demolition), but an uncle's large poplar tree is preserved by authorities for its age and beauty. The tree was planted decades ago by the uncle’s brother-in-law, a soldier, to give his son a emotional anchor during his absence. The tree became a family symbol, with the soldier insisting it be kept when transferring his home to the uncle. Now protected by the government, the tree is given a flower bed and is expected to endure alongside local memories. No officials or U.S. relations are mentioned.
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■ "15th Five-Year Plan" period, we must adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guide, thoroughly implement the Thought on Strengthening the Military for the New Era (新时代强军思想), strengthen political leadership, deepen innovative development, advance high-quality national defense and military modernization, achieve the centenary goal of the People's Army (建军一百年奋斗目标) on schedule, promote decisive progress toward the basic realization of national defense and military modernization, and provide strong strategic support for comprehensively advancing the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization (中国式现代化).
■ Advancing high-quality national defense and military modernization is an inherent part of advancing Chinese-style modernization. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee has coordinated the strategic overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the world's unprecedented changes in a century, placed the strengthening and invigoration of the military in a prominent position in the cause of the Party and the state, unswervingly upheld and strengthened the Party's absolute leadership over the military, clearly put forward the Party's goal of strengthening the military for the new era, planned and implemented the new "three-step" strategy (新“三步走”战略) for national defense and military modernization, comprehensively advanced political army building (政治建军), reform to strengthen the military (改革强军), science and technology to strengthen the military (科技强军), talent to strengthen the military (人才强军), and rule of law to govern the military (依法治军), while simultaneously conducting struggle, preparing for combat, and carrying out construction, resulting in a significant improvement in our military's modernization level and actual combat capability, and historic achievements and transformations in the cause of strengthening the military.
■ Political army building is the foundation for the establishment of the people's military, concerning the direction and fundamental character of national defense and military modernization. The fundamental orientation and testing standard for advancing high-quality national defense and military modernization is always combat effectiveness. Consolidating and improving the integrated national strategic system and capabilities (一体化国家战略体系和能力) is the necessary path for advancing high-quality national defense and military modernization.
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, July 31 & The CPC Central Committee Political Bureau (中共中央政治局) conducted its 27th collective study on the afternoon of July 30 on advancing high-quality national defense and military modernization. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, emphasized during the study that during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, we must adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guide, thoroughly implement the Thought on Strengthening the Military for the New Era, strengthen political leadership, deepen innovative development, advance high-quality national defense and military modernization, achieve the centenary goal of the People's Army on schedule, promote decisive progress toward the basic realization of national defense and military modernization, and provide strong strategic support for comprehensively advancing the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization.
This collective study of the Political Bureau was held on the eve of Army Day (August 1). On behalf of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, Xi Jinping extended festive congratulations to all commanders and fighters of the People's Liberation Army, officers and soldiers of the People's Armed Police Force, military civilian personnel, reservists, and militia!
Comrade Sun Zheng (孙正) of the Office of Strategic Planning of the Central Military Commission (中央军委战略规划办公室) gave an explanation on the issue of advancing high-quality national defense and military modernization and put forward work suggestions. Comrades of the Political Bureau listened carefully to the explanation and engaged in discussion.
Xi Jinping delivered an important speech after listening to the explanation and discussion. He pointed out that advancing high-quality national defense and military modernization is an inherent part of advancing Chinese-style modernization. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee has coordinated the strategic overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the world's unprecedented changes in a century, placed strengthening and invigorating the military in a prominent position in the cause of the Party and the state, unswervingly upheld and strengthened the Party's absolute leadership over the military, clearly put forward the Party's goal of strengthening the military for the new era, planned and implemented the new "three-step" strategy for national defense and military modernization, comprehensively advanced political army building, reform to strengthen the military, science and technology to strengthen the military, talent to strengthen the military, and rule of law to govern the military, while simultaneously conducting struggle, preparing for combat, and carrying out construction, resulting in a significant improvement in our military's modernization level and actual combat capability, and historic achievements and transformations in the cause of strengthening the military.
Xi Jinping emphasized that political army building is the foundation for the establishment of the people's military, concerning the direction and fundamental character of national defense and military modernization. We must uphold and strengthen the Party's absolute leadership over the military, fully implement the strategy of political army building for the new era, strengthen theoretical armament, deepen ideological rectification, solidify the ideological foundation of officers and soldiers to listen to the Party's words and follow the Party, ensuring that the gun barrel always obeys the Party's command. We must deeply advance the fight against corruption, improve the supervision system for major projects, and ensure that all constructions have guaranteed quality, guaranteed capability, and guaranteed integrity.
Xi Jinping pointed out that the fundamental orientation and testing standard for advancing high-quality national defense and military modernization is always combat effectiveness. We must strengthen the military application of unmanned intelligent technology, deepen the construction and application of the network information system, and gradually build an intelligent military system. We must strengthen the integration of combat capability systems, conduct practical combat testing and evaluation, solidly advance military training and combat preparation, and effectively safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests.
Xi Jinping emphasized that consolidating and improving the integrated national strategic system and capabilities is the necessary path for advancing high-quality national defense and military modernization. We must strengthen military governance, combine with the implementation of cross-military-civilian reform (跨军地改革) tasks, optimize systems and mechanisms, improve policies and institutions, and form a cross-military-civilian work pattern in which 各司其职 (gè sī qí zhí - "each performs its own duties," meaning each entity does its assigned job), close coordination, and standardized order. Relevant departments of central and state organs, local Party committees and governments must vigorously support national defense and military construction, and foster a strong atmosphere of caring about national defense, loving national defense, building national defense, and defending national defense throughout society.
Return to TopBeijing, July 31 (Xinhua) — The 15th issue of the magazine Qiushi (《求是》), to be published on August 1, will carry an important article by Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, titled "Accelerate the Building of a Healthy China (健康中国)."
The article emphasizes that completing the building of a Healthy China by 2035 is a strategic decision made by the Central Committee. The "15th Five-Year Plan" period is a critical period for realizing this goal; we must plan comprehensively, push forward with greater urgency, and strive to achieve decisive progress.
The article points out that we must proceed from China's national conditions in promoting the development of health and wellness undertakings. China is a socialist country and is a developing country with a huge population and still relatively large urban-rural and regional disparities; this determines that we must uphold the Party's leadership over health and wellness work, uphold the principle of putting the people first and life first, uphold the development strategy of giving priority to health, uphold the public-welfare nature of basic medical and health services, and follow the path of health and wellness development with Chinese characteristics. In 2016, the Central Committee explicitly put forward the health and wellness work policy for the new era (新时代卫生与健康工作方针), namely, taking the grassroots as the focus, taking reform and innovation as the driving force, putting prevention first, giving equal weight to traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, integrating health into all policies, and having the people jointly build and share. The historic achievements in the development of China's health and wellness undertakings since the start of the new era fully prove that these requirements accord with China's national conditions and are completely correct. At present and for some time to come, China's health and wellness work needs to respond to the developments and changes in the situation and optimize and improve some specific policies and measures; however, we must not waver in following the path of health and wellness development with Chinese characteristics, and we must not waver in implementing the health and wellness work policy for the new era. On these fundamental issues, we must always remain clear-headed and maintain strategic resolve.
The article points out that we must give prominence to key points in advancing the construction of a Healthy China. The construction of a Healthy China is a systematic project. Facing the people's ever-growing and diversified health and wellness needs, we must firmly grasp those tasks that benefit a wide range of people, that are 牵一发而动全身 (qiān yī fà ér dòng quán shēn - "pull one hair and the whole body moves," a slight move in one part that affects the whole situation), and that have a major impact on the entire health and wellness undertaking, concentrate forces and resources to advance them, and continuously achieve new results. We must improve the public health system, deepen social co-governance, medical-prevention coordination, and medical-prevention integration, and strengthen infectious disease prevention and control, monitoring and early warning, medical treatment, emergency response, material support, and supervision and management. We must build a high-quality and efficient medical service system, implement the medical and health foundation-strengthening project (医疗卫生强基工程), promote the integration of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, and expand the supply of services such as rehabilitation nursing and hospice care. We must advocate healthy and civilized lifestyles and further improve the health literacy of the whole population.
The article points out that we must provide strong guarantees for the construction of a Healthy China. We must improve the work pattern of unified leadership by Party committees and joint management by the Party and the government, improve the policy and institutional system for health promotion, and integrate health concepts into the entire process of public policy formulation and implementation. We must deepen the reform of public hospitals and the reform of medical insurance payment methods, and improve the mechanism for the coordinated development and governance of medical services, medical insurance, and pharmaceuticals. We must promote the transformation and application of scientific and technological innovation achievements in the health and wellness field, and advance the digital and intelligent development of health for all. We must strengthen Party building work in the health and wellness sector, mobilize the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of the vast number of medical personnel, promote fine medical ethics and medical conduct, and strive to create an industry environment that is 风清气正 (fēng qīng qì zhèng - "wind clear, qi upright," clean and upright).
Return to TopBeijing, July 31 (Xinhua) — Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping recently signed an order, awarding Yang Yong (杨勇) of People's Liberation Army Unit 91548 the first-class merit in defense science and technology.
Return to TopXinhua News Agency, Beijing, July 31 – Premier Li Qiang of the State Council chaired an executive meeting of the State Council on July 31, at which the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech on the economic situation in the first half of the year and on doing a good job in economic work in the second half of the year was studied and implemented. The meeting stressed that we must unify our thinking and understanding to the Party Central Committee’s scientific judgment on the economic situation, strengthen confidence in development and enhance awareness of potential dangers, use more concrete measures to promote sustained development of the economy towards new, superior, and better directions, and strive to achieve a good start for the 15th Five-Year Plan (shíwǔ wǔ – “15th Five-Year Plan,” the 2026–2030 development plan). We must effectively enhance the efficiency of macro-policy implementation, make good and full use of various existing stock policies, and promptly plan and introduce pragmatic and effective incremental policies. We must effectively expand domestic demand, seize areas with great potential and strong driving force to launch a batch of powerful measures, accelerate the implementation of major projects determined in the 15th Five-Year Plan, and solidly advance the planning and construction of the Six Networks (liù zhāng wǎng – “six networks,” a set of infrastructure networks). We must continuously strengthen the endogenous driving force of development, and come up with more concrete and tough measures in areas such as building a unified national market and optimizing the business environment. We must continue to exert efforts to prevent and defuse risks in key areas, solidly do a good job in disaster prevention, mitigation, and relief, work safety, and so forth, strengthen assistance for people in difficulty, and secure the bottom line of people’s livelihood.
The meeting heard reports on the construction of the new-type power grid and the logistics network. The meeting pointed out that we must build a new-type power grid with high quality, strengthen overall coordination and policy support, strictly enforce engineering quality and work safety, ensure smooth progress of power grid construction, better meet the growing demand for electricity, and promote green and low-carbon transformation. We must accelerate the construction of the logistics network, enhance the functions of hub nodes and backbone corridors, improve the urban and rural terminal distribution system, promote the alignment of cross-regional and cross-modal logistics rules and standards, expand the interconnection and sharing of logistics information, and focus on strengthening weak links, smoothing connectivity, and raising capability levels.
The meeting studied work related to the implementation of the health-priority development strategy. The meeting pointed out that we must firmly establish a health-priority orientation, deepen the reform of the medical and health system, improve the public health, medical service, and medical security systems, promote medical science and technology innovation, and accelerate the formation of production and lifestyles conducive to health. We must vigorously advocate the concept that “everyone is the first responsible person for their own health,” popularize health knowledge, improve the health literacy of the whole population, and gather joint force to promote the development of the health cause.
The meeting reviewed and adopted the “Decision of the State Council on Amending the Regulations on the Management of Housing Provident Funds (Draft).” The meeting pointed out that we must better leverage the functions and role of housing provident funds, broaden the scope of withdrawal and use, expand the coverage of the system, improve management and service efficiency, and better meet the diversified housing consumption needs of residents.
The meeting reviewed and adopted the “Decision of the State Council on Amending and Abrogating Some Administrative Regulations (Draft),” deciding to amend some provisions of 12 administrative regulations including the “Regulations on the National Survey of Pollution Sources,” and to abrogate 3 administrative regulations including the “Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Pollution Damage to the Marine Environment by Land-Based Pollutants.”
The meeting decided to approve four nuclear power projects including the Liaoning Zhuanghe (庄河) Phase I project. The meeting pointed out that we must construct and operate nuclear power units in accordance with the highest global safety standards, consolidate the primary responsibilities of relevant units, strengthen safety supervision across the entire chain and all fields, and must ensure that nuclear power safety is 万无一失 (wàn wú yī shī – “nothing goes wrong in ten thousand,” absolutely safe, no margin for error).
Return to TopBy: 金社平
High-quality development (高质量发展) is the primary task of building a modern socialist country in all respects (全面建设社会主义现代化国家).
On July 30, General Secretary Xi Jinping chaired a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee (中共中央政治局). The meeting pointed out: "Since the beginning of this year, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has united and led the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups in the country to forge ahead with determination and fight bravely, adhere to coordinating both domestic and international situations, coordinating development and security, effectively responding to various external shocks and internal difficulties. Our economy has shown a development trend of momentum turning new and structure turning better. At the same time, we must attach great importance to the difficulties and challenges in economic operation, strengthen confidence, 迎难而上 (yíng nán ér shàng - "face difficulties and go forward," to confront challenges head-on), make good use of various opportunities and advantages, and promote high-quality development to 行稳致远 (xíng wěn zhì yuǎn - "steady progress, reach far," to advance steadily and achieve lasting success)."
"Today, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is 势不可挡 (shì bù kě dǎng - "momentum cannot be stopped," irresistible), showing unprecedentedly bright prospects." General Secretary Xi Jinping solemnly declared at the rally celebrating the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.
"The leadership of the Communist Party of China is the most essential attribute of socialim with Chinese characteristics, the greatest advantage of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, the foundation and lifeline of the Party and the country, and the interests and destiny of the people of all ethnic groups in the country."
Handling China's affairs well, the key lies in the Party. The meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee stressed: "Ensuring that the Party always remains a pioneering, people-supported, tested-by-all-storms, and vigorous Marxst ruling party, always remaining the strong leading core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics" and "We must consolidate and expand the achievements of the study and education on establishing and practicing a correct view of performance, and promote leading cadres at all levels to continuously create new achievements in high-quality development with a more uplifging spirit."
（一）
Development is an unyielding principle; high-quality development is an unyielding principle in the new era.
Regarding what kind of development to achieve and how to achieve it in the new era, General Secretary Xi Jinping has deep thoughts: "Development in the new era and new stage must implement the new development philsophy (新发展理念), and must be high-quality development."
"I am still the same Huang Dafa (黄大发)!" In Tuanjie Village (团结村), Pingzheng Gelao Ethnic Townhip (平正仡佬族乡), Bozhou District (播州区), Zunyi, Guizhou, Huang Dafa, a recpient of the July 1 Medal (七一勋章) in his nineties, recount to visting tourists the struggles of bringing water to the village in the past.
A channel of lving water revitalized the development of the entire mountin village. During his 38 years as village Party branch secretary, Huang Dafa wholeheartedly led the villagers to strive for increased income. Thereafter, Tuanjie Village achieved a leap from a deeply impoverished village to shakng off poverty and being delisted, and then to a national rural revitalization demonstration village.
Tuanjie Village is a microcosm; the development of Guizhou since the new era is a vivid portrayal of fully, accurately, and comprehensively implementing the new development philosophy and striving to promote high-quality development.
There were 66 poverty-stricken counties, and the poverty incidence rate was as high as 26.8%... In 2012, Guizhou was in the core area of poverty in China, with economic development lagging behind for a long time.
"Fight against poverty, I am a Party member, look to me!" Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee, Party members and cadres at all levels in Guizhou led the masses to launch a general offensive against one poverty fortress after another. In November 2020, all poverty-stricken counties in Guizhou were delisted, and all impoverished people were lifted out of poverty.
"Shaking off poverty and removing the hat is not the end, but the starting point of a new life and new struggle." Guided by the new development philosophy, Guizhou developed the data industry according to local conditions, and quickly became one of the regions with the most intelligent computing resources and the strongest capabilities in the country.
Achieving both prosperity and beauty while guarding the two bottom lines of development and ecology — this was considered difficult to achieve under traditional development paths, but in Guizhou they complement each other.
In Gui'an New Area (贵安新区), more than 20 large data centers are under continuous construction, and within a radius of 200 kilometers, over 50 clean energy power plants are continuously sending green electricity here. By virtue of the unique natural environment and the application of advanced energy-saving technologies, the power usage effectivenes of new data centers has dropped from 1.48 at the end of 2020 to 1.17, reaching the international advanced level, and the cluster effect of green computing power continues to stand out.
Today, the proportion of the green economy in Guizhou's economy has risen to 48.8%, and the "green content" is profoundly reshaping the "gold content" of development.
Practice tells us that development is a constantly changing process; the development environment will not remain unchanged, the development conditions will not remain unchanged, and naturally the development philosophy will not remain unchanged either.
To seek development in the new era, we must use the new development philosophy to break old concepts and use high-quality development to open up new situations.
"Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, we have put forward many major theories and concepts for economic and social development, among which the new development philosophy is the most important and most primary."
Guiding new development practices with theoretical innovation achievements is a distinct feature of China's development in the new era.
The new development philosophy points out the development thinking, development direction, and development focus of the new era. It is a major theoretical innovation in the political economy of socialism with Chinese characteristics and an enrichment and development of Marxist political economy.
The change of philosophy brings a myriad of scenes in high-quality development.
In one second, over 143,000 gigabyes (GB) of data are transmitted in the cloud; in one minute, about 30 new energy vehicles roll off the production line; in one day, 26,000 newly established enterprises spring up like bamboo shoots after rain... Today, under the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping Economic Thought (习近平经济思想), innovation, coordination, green, openness, and sharing — like five constantly beating notes — are playing a new and beautiful movement on the land of China. China's high-quality development is constantly advancing to new realms and achieving new results.
（二）
What is the secret of China's development? The five-year plan is an important observation window.
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Scientifically formulating and continuously implementing five-year plans is an important experience of our Party in governing the country, and also an important political advantage of socialism with Chinese characteristics."
Opening the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (十五五规划纲要), the term "high-quality development" appears more than 30 times, becoming a distinct theme of economic and social development. It is consistent with the outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (十四五规划纲要), telling the story of China's "long-termism."
On June 30, two pieces of news about China's power development amazed many foreign netizens: "China's electricity freedom is a top luxury!"
One is that a report released by the National Energy Administration (国家能源局) showed that by the end of 2025, China's electricity users reached nearly 800 million households, ranking first in the world.
The other is that the Shanbei to Anhui ±800 kV ultra-high voltage direct current transmission project (陕北至安徽±800千伏特高压直流输电工程) was put into operation. This is the first UHVDC transmission project put into operation in China during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, which can transmit over 36 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity to Anhui each year, more than half of which is clean energy.
More than 70 years ago, China's per capita electricity consumption was only 8 kilowatt-hours. In 2025, per capita electricity consumption has reached more than 7,300 kilowatt-hours, an increase of more than 900 times. During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, the total investment in China's power grid is expected to exceed 5 trillion yuan.
The counterattack of a power grid comes from the firmness of drawing a blueprint to the end.
Building the world's largest clean power generation system, average power supply reliability rate exceeding 99.9%, UHV projects setting up the "west-to-east power transmission" corridor... Guided by the five-year plan (plan), leveraging the institutional advantage of concentrating resources to accomplish major tasks, injecting "full power" into China's development.
From "unable to build a car, an airplane, a tank, or a tractor" to new energy vehicle annual production exceeding 16 million units, Shenzhou flying into space, Jiaolong exploring the sea, and leaping to become the largest manufacturing country... Over more than 70 years, we have always adhered to formulating and implementing one five-year plan (plan) after another with unwavering determination, continuously realizing the people's aspiration for a better life.
The five-year plan is not unique to China, nor was it first created by China. But looking at the world, there is no political party or national government that can, like us, successively formulate goals for economic and social development at each stage and unite and lead all the people to strive together.
"The fundamental reason why the Communist Party of China can continuously achieve brilliance in its 105 years of struggle, and why history and the people chose the Communist Party of China, lies in the fact that our Party possesses excellent qualities unmatched by other political parties and political forces." The Communist Party of China has long-term governance, with extremely strong leadership, organization, and execution capabilities, and it can avoid problems such as policy short-sightedness and frequent policy changes under the Western multi-party system, providing an important "stability anchor" for China's long-term economic development.
Firmly grasping high-quality development as the primary task, in the continuous struggle of one five-year period after another, committed to becoming "a Marxist ruling party that always stays at the forefront of the times, enjoys the heartfelt support of the people, has the courage to self-reform, can withstand various tests of storms, and is full of vigor," it is leading hundreds of millions of Chinese people firmly forward on the road to rejuvenation.
（三）
Development sets the topic, reform writes the article. High-quality development forges ahead amid challenges, and comprehensively deepening reform (全面深化改革) presses forward with 一往无前 (yī wǎng wú qián - "to go forward without hesitation," to press forward boldly).
"Chinese-style modernization is continuously advanced through reform and opening up, and it will certainly open up broad prospects through reform and opening up." Deeply grasping the dialectical relationship between reform and development is an important experience for our Party to achieve victory in leading the reform cause.
"Award the title of 'National Advanced Grasses-roots Party Organization' to 399 grass-roots Party organizations including the Party branch of the Atmospheric Environment Department of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment (北京市生态环境局大气环境处党支部)..." On July 1, in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, the reading of the 《Decision of the CPC Central Committee on Commending National Outstanding Communist Party Members, National Outstanding Party Workers, and National Advanced Grasses-roots Party Organizations》 (中共中央关于表彰全国优秀共产党员、全国优秀党务工作者和全国先进基层党组织的决定) was completed, and the audience applauded in tribute.
Carrying forward the spirit of tackling tough problems, innovatively building a new ecological environment governance system of "data-driven, three-supervision linkage"... All Party members of the Party branch of the Atmospheric Environment Department of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment dared to face tough challenges, worked pragmatically and dilgently, 锲而不舍 (qiè ér bù shě - "chisel without stopping," to persevere unremittingly), and 久久为功 (jiǔ jiǔ wéi gōng - "persist over time to achieve success," sustained effort yields results). They metculously focused on 0.1 microgram by 0.1 microgram, turning blue skies from a "luxury" into a "daily necessity."
Ecological and environmental problems were once a prominent issue of Beijing's "big city disease," becoming a source of worry and annoyance for the common people.
Problems after development are not fewer than before development. Today, problems arisng in development must be solved with higher-quality development; difficulties encountered in development must be resolved with deeper reform.
Beijing acted boldly and took targeted measures, making deepening reform a key measure to crack the problem of air pollution prevention and control. It issued and implemented a series of innovative reform plans, including the 《Opinions of the Beijing Municipal People's Government on Further Improving the Air Pollution Prevention and Control System and Mechanism to Promote Continuous Improvement of Air Quality》 (北京市人民政府关于进一步健全大气污染防治体制机制推动空气质量持续改善的意见), and built a "green content" indicator system to drive "green creation and emission reduction" in the three major areas of structure, engineering, and management.
Under the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, reforms on a larger scale were simultaneously promoted. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, the joint prevention and control mechanism for air pollution in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the surrounding "2+26" transmiion channel cities (2+26传输通道城市) was fully launched; in 2023, it was adjusted to "2+36" cities (2+36传输通道城市), further addressing the shortcomings in air pollution prevention and control.
The magnificent transformation from "blue sky hard to see, stars no trace" to "blue sky and white clouds, stars twinkling" is a vivid practice of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization (习近平生态文明思想) and also a brilliant answer written by the reform of the ecological civilization system.
Reform and opening up is an important magic weapon for the Party and the people's cause to catch up with the times in big strides, and also the fundamental driving force for advancing Chinese-style modernization.
Economic system reform firmly grasps the core issue of handling the relationship between the government and the market, and the socialist market economy system is continuously improved; social system reform continuously promotes new progress in ensuring that children are raised, education is provided, labor is rewarded, ilness is treated, the elderly are cared for, housing is provided, and the weak are supported; comprehensively deepening scientific and technological system reform drives historical achievements and historical changes in science and technology; ecological civilization system reform advances in depth, adhering to strict prevention at the source, strict management in the process, and strict punishment for consequences, and green development becomes the distinct background of building a beautiful China... Since the new era, comprehensively deepening reform has been 蹄疾步稳 (tí jí bù wěn - "swift hoofs, steady steps," to proceed swiftly yet steadily), unswervingly promoting high-level opening up, promoting reform and development through opening up, and the level of modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity has significantly improved.
Rushing from the depths of history, surging towards national rejuvenation. "From this, we should strengthen a conviction: China's path of reform and opening up will surely succeed."
"Time waits for no one! History waits for no one!"
Our country's development is in a period where strategic opportunities coexist with risks and challenges, and uncertain and unpredictable factors increase. We need to be always prepared to withstand major tests of 风高浪急 (fēng gāo làng jí - "high winds and swift waves," dangerous and turbulent) and even 惊涛骇浪 (jīng tāo hài làng - "frightening waves and raging seas," violent storms).
History and reality fully prove that upholding and strengthening the Party's overall leadership concerns the future and destiny of the Party and the country. "All our undertakings are built on this foundation, and are rooted in this most essential attribute and greatest advantage."
Anchoring on the primary task of high-quality development, remaining true to our original aspiration and keepng our mission firmly in mind, being modest and prudent, working hard, daring to struggle and being good at struggle, we are fully confident and capable of creatng new and greater miracles that will make the world sit up and take notice on the new journey of the new era.
Return to TopBeijing, July 31 (Xinhua) — The State Council recently issued the "15th Five-Year Plan" for Intellectual Property Protection and Utilization (hereinafter referred to as the "Plan"), which sets out the targets and indicators, key tasks, and special projects for carrying out intellectual property work during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
The Plan emphasizes the need to uphold Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guide, take promoting the high-quality development of the intellectual property cause as the theme, take reform and innovation as the fundamental driving force, anchor onto the goal of building a world-level intellectual property power with Chinese characteristics, comprehensively raise the levels of intellectual property creation, utilization, protection, management, and services, coordinate international cooperation and competition in the intellectual property field, accelerate the deep integration of intellectual property with economic and social development, and provide strong support for realizing Chinese-style modernization (中国式现代化).
The Plan proposes that by 2030, China's comprehensive intellectual property strength and international competitiveness will be further enhanced, intellectual property protection will be stronger, the market value of intellectual property will be more prominently manifested, public intellectual property services will be of higher quality, the comprehensive intellectual property management system will be more efficient, international intellectual property cooperation will be deeper, and decisive progress will be made in the building of an intellectual property power. Looking ahead to 2035, China's comprehensive intellectual property competitiveness will rank among the front ranks of the world, and a world-level intellectual property power with Chinese characteristics will have been basically established.
The Plan lays out key tasks in four aspects. First, continuously optimize the intellectual property protection environment that supports comprehensive innovation, improve the intellectual property legal system, strengthen the intellectual property protection system, and strengthen foreign-related intellectual property protection. Second, vigorously enhance the effectiveness of intellectual property utilization that promotes high-quality economic development, strengthen the capacity for intellectual property transformation and utilization, increase the supply of intellectual property that promotes the development of new quality productive forces (新质生产力), and promote the high-quality development of the intellectual property service industry. Third, continuously improve the comprehensive intellectual property management system that advances high-efficiency governance, comprehensively raise the level of intellectual property management, strengthen public intellectual property services, and strengthen social co-governance of intellectual property. Fourth, actively build a new pattern of international intellectual property cooperation that serves high-level opening up to the outside world, deeply participate in global intellectual property governance, and continuously deepen international intellectual property exchanges and cooperation. At the same time, the Plan establishes 12 special projects, including the strategic emerging industry intellectual property protection project, the intellectual property and artificial intelligence two-way empowerment project, the intellectual property serving regional development project, and the "Belt and Road" intellectual property high-quality cooperation project.
The Plan requires upholding the Party's overall leadership over intellectual property work and improving the work system of unified leadership, departmental coordination, and linkage between upper and lower levels. All regions and relevant departments should strengthen coordination and cooperation and earnestly implement the Plan in light of actual conditions. The China National Intellectual Property Administration (国家知识产权局) should strengthen overall coordination, formulate annual implementation plans jointly with relevant departments, and conduct dynamic monitoring and evaluation of the implementation.
Return to TopThis newspaper Beijing, July 31 (Reporter Wang Yunshan (王云杉)) — The reporter learned from the National Energy Administration (国家能源局): In the first half of this year, the nationwide cumulative completed volume of electricity market transactions reached 3,684.8 billion kWh, a year-on-year increase of 24.2%.
In June, the nationwide completed volume of electricity market transactions was 627.5 billion kWh, a year-on-year increase of 20.8%. From the perspective of transaction scope, intra-provincial transaction volume was 477.4 billion kWh, a year-on-year increase of 24.1%; cross-provincial and cross-regional transaction volume was 150.1 billion kWh, a year-on-year increase of 11.3%. From the perspective of transaction types, medium- and long-term transaction volume was 577.4 billion kWh; spot transaction volume was 50.1 billion kWh. Green electricity transaction volume was 27.5 billion kWh, a year-on-year increase of 15.0%.
Return to TopBy: 成 森
Faced with various external shocks and internal difficulties, why is China's economy always able to deliver impressive results? The first half of this year's economic practice holds revelations.
Chinese rockets achieved the world's first net-based recovery, the number of lighthouse factories firmly ranks first in the world, the daily average token calls for artificial intelligence have exceeded one hundred trillion... New drivers contribute over 40% to economic growth.
The foundation of the real economy is consolidated and strengthened, the integration of producer services and manufacturing deepens, the supply of various life services continuously increases... The economic structure accelerates optimization and upgrading.
The development trend of new drivers and optimized structure becomes increasingly evident, the foundation for steady progress continues to be consolidated — this is the source of confidence for development.
The more we face internal and external risks and challenges, the more we must maintain strategic composure and carefully orchestrate tactics. Recently, a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee emphasized "promoting sustained development of the economy toward the new, the optimized, and the good," both focusing on doing a good job in economic work in the second half of the year and concentrating on high-quality development to proceed steadily and go far, further expanding the development space of Chinese-style modernization.
Toward the new is the driving force, toward the optimized is the path, toward the good is the goal. Grasp the general trend, keep the overall situation in mind, make good use of various opportunities and advantages, adhere to both policy support and reform and innovation, fully tap economic potential, and achieve the annual economic and social development goals and tasks — we are full of confidence.
Return to TopXinhua News Agency, Beijing, July 31 — Premier Li Qiang of the State Council recently signed a State Council decree, promulgating the "Regulations of the State Council on Exit and Entry Administration" (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations"), to take effect from September 15, 2026.
The Regulations aim to standardize exit and entry administration, protect the lawful rights and interests of persons exiting and entering the country, and safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests. The Regulations consist of 19 articles, primarily stipulating the following content.
First, improving the system for preventing exit security risks. It stipulates that the competent departments of foreign affairs, culture and tourism of the State Council, among others, shall timely and publicly release overseas security reminders and travel destination safety risk alerts; immigration administration authorities, when accepting and processing applications for exit/entry documents and conducting exit border inspection, shall remind Chinese citizens to exercise caution when traveling to high-risk countries or regions.
Second, clarifying the requirements for exit and entry applications. It stipulates that the reasons for persons exiting or entering the country to apply for exit/entry, stay, or residence shall be genuine and lawful, and they shall cooperate with immigration administration authorities and visa authorities in verifying identity and the reasons for application; if false materials are provided or false statements are made, immigration administration authorities and visa authorities have the right to decide not to issue exit/entry documents or to prohibit the person from exiting or entering the country.
Third, improving exit and entry restriction measures. It stipulates that Chinese citizens who, due to fraudulently obtaining exit/entry documents or illegally exiting or entering the country, have been subjected to administrative detention penalties; have engaged in illegal and criminal activities abroad; have endangered national security and interests; or have violated regulations on export controls, technology import/export management, etc., which may endanger national industrial security or technological security, shall not be permitted to exit the country in accordance with the law; foreigners who, when applying for Chinese visas abroad or applying for entry at ports of entry, provide false materials or make false statements; have been subjected to criminal penalties for disrupting national (border) management; or have been subjected to administrative penalties for fraudulently obtaining exit/entry documents or illegally exiting or entering the country, shall not be permitted to enter the country in accordance with the law.
Fourth, standardizing exit and entry intermediary services. It stipulates that institutions and personnel engaged in exit and entry intermediary services shall be subject to record-filing management, specifies the conditions that institutions engaged in exit and entry intermediary services must meet, and stipulates that they shall not provide or assist in providing false materials, assist others in illegally handling exit/entry documents or procedures, etc.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 刘志强
"In terms of quantity, our country's role as an anchor of global economic stability has become further prominent. In terms of quality, the results of our country's innovation-driven development have been further demonstrated. We fully have the conditions, the capabilities, the confidence, and the assurance to overcome various difficulties and challenges in development, make good use of all opportunities and advantages, and ensure the achievement of the expected economic and social development goals for the whole year and a good start to the '15th Five-Year Plan.'" On July 31, the National Development and Reform Commission (国家发展改革委) held a press conference, at which Zhou Hongwei (周宏伟), Deputy Director General of the Department of National Economic Comprehensive Affairs (国民经济综合司) of the National Development and Reform Commission, and others introduced the current economic situation and provided interpretations on hot topics such as tapping the potential of domestic demand, building the "six networks" (六张网), and building the unified national market (全国统一大市场).
Effectively expand domestic demand with greater intensity and more concrete measures
In the second quarter of this year, domestic demand indicators such as investment and consumption weakened somewhat, giving rise to some concern. "To comprehensively and dialectically analyze the development situation of domestic demand, one must look not only at scale, but also at structure, and even more at trends." Zhou Hongwei believed that in the first half of the year, domestic demand indicators operated under pressure, but two highlights were very prominent.
On the investment side, the structure continued to optimize, and investment in emerging fields showed relatively good growth momentum. In the first half of the year, investment in high-tech industries increased by 4.6 percent year on year; investment in intellectual property products increased by 9.4 percent, and its proportion in total investment rose to 13.8 percent. This year's 755 billion yuan of central budgetary investment has been basically fully allocated.
On the consumption side, the market scale continued to expand, new consumption drivers developed at a relatively fast pace, new scenarios for services consumption emerged at an accelerated pace, and consumption of upgraded commodities also grew relatively fast. In the first half of the year, services retail sales increased by 5.3 percent, and the retail sales growth rate of wearable smart devices such as smart glasses exceeded 100 percent.
Zhou Hongwei analyzed that, in terms of trends, the transformation and upgrading of the domestic demand structure toward the new and the superior is the general trend. "Along with our country's economic growth and the improvement of people's living standards, goods consumption will continue to improve in quality and upgrade, and services consumption also has considerable growth potential; to adapt to the needs of the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, new infrastructure investment, industrial investment, and other areas have broad space."
Recently, the National Development and Reform Commission, together with relevant departments, has been stepping up the research and formulation of the implementation plan for the strategy of expanding domestic demand (2026–2030), and will effectively expand domestic demand with greater intensity and more concrete measures.
On the one hand, adhere to the close integration of benefiting the people's livelihoods and promoting consumption, and vigorously boost consumption. Deeply implement the employment-first strategy, continue to carry out large-scale vocational skills upgrading training, promote the growth of residents' income through multiple channels, and enhance consumption capacity; expand high-quality supply to meet the consumption needs of different groups, improve consumption of life services, and tap the potential of services consumption; increase the effective supply of new-generation intelligent terminal products such as artificial intelligence mobile phones and computers, smart wearable devices, and intelligent robots, expand intelligent agent services, and promote the consumption of intelligent products.
On the other hand, adhere to the close integration of investment in things and investment in people, and stimulate the endogenous driving force of investment. First, accelerate the implementation and refinement of policies for expanding effective investment, coordinate the "two major" (两重) construction, seize the peak construction season in the third quarter, accelerate the allocation and use of the 800 billion yuan of funds from new policy-based financial instruments, and accelerate the issuance and use of special bonds; second, promote the accelerated commencement of construction of major engineering projects with mature conditions; third, continue to stimulate the vitality of private investment, improve the long-term mechanism for private enterprises to participate in the construction of major national projects, give full play to the role of special funds for fiscal-financial coordination in promoting domestic demand, and support the expansion of private investment.
Accelerate the construction of the "six networks" according to local and industry conditions
Planning and building the "six networks" is a major deployment for the opening year of the "15th Five-Year Plan." It can stabilize investment and expand domestic demand, and it is also a powerful lever for increasing momentum, improving efficiency, benefiting people's livelihoods, and ensuring security.
"The 'six networks' are not a scattered system in which each operates independently, but an organic whole that is deeply coupled, mutually empowering, and collaboratively supporting, ultimately 攥指成拳 (zuàn zhǐ chéng quán - "clench the fingers into a fist," to concentrate strength into a single force), with a fusion effect greater than simple superposition." Jiang Yi (蒋毅), Director of the Policy Research Office (政策研究室) of the National Development and Reform Commission and the Commission's spokesperson, explained by taking the coordination of the computing power network, the new-type power grid, and the new-generation communication network as an example: "The new-type power grid provides stable and clean electricity supply; the computing power network, as the 'brain,' commands the intelligent dispatching of the power grid and the absorption of new energy; the communication network, as the information-transmission 'highway,' supports the cross-regional dispatching and integrated coordination of computing power."
"With the efforts of all parties, most of the major single projects planned to commence construction within the year have already started; the Yangtze-to-Han River water diversion project (引江补汉工程) of the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project on the main artery of the national water network, and the 1,000 kV substation in Aba (阿坝), Sichuan, on the energy artery, are being implemented with greater urgency; and projects such as the core node of the National Supercomputing Internet, located in Zhengzhou, Henan, have been completed and put into operation." Jiang Yi said that the National Development and Reform Commission will highlight multi-network coordination, hardware-software coordination, and scenario coordination, promptly refine and implement concrete plans, and accelerate the construction of the "six networks" according to local and industry conditions.
The focus is on "three emphases." First, emphasize integrated overall planning and layout and multi-network coordinated advancement, embodying the idea of multi-network integration in the entire process of planning, construction, and operation. Second, emphasize achieving efficient utilization and solving practical problems, spending money on the blade's edge. For example, during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, more than 5 trillion yuan is planned to be invested in the new-type power grid; through innovations in power grid architecture, power transmission and energy storage technologies, and power supply services, it will better meet the needs of electricity consumption and new energy absorption, and enhance the capacity to respond to natural disasters and recover quickly. Third, emphasize clearing bottlenecks and blockage points and improving governance levels, and strengthen "soft construction" such as rules and mechanisms. For example, in the first half of the year, water network construction attracted more than 10.8 billion yuan in private capital, an increase of 85.8 percent year on year; going forward, a batch of projects with stable operating returns will also be launched to attract private enterprises to participate. Relevant institutions estimate that during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, computing power network construction will add 4 trillion yuan in direct investment, which will also create enormous space for private investment.
At present, the 109 major projects in the "15th Five-Year Plan" are being implemented at an accelerated pace. This year, a batch of major engineering projects, including the Three Gorges new waterway navigation channel, Guangzhou New Airport, and the Shangbaishi Water Control Hub in Fujian (福建上白石水利枢纽), have commenced construction; preliminary work on projects such as the modernization of the Dujiangyan irrigation district (都江堰) in Sichuan is also being accelerated, striving to commence construction as early as possible and form physical workload.
The construction of the unified national market has entered a critical stage of in-depth advancement
The construction of the unified national market is both a tough battle and a protracted war. "At present, the construction of the unified national market has entered the critical stage of in-depth advancement. We will focus on promoting reform breakthroughs in four aspects," Jiang Yi said.
Accelerate the establishment of rules and systems, with the focus on delivering a "combined punch" of "one regulation, three lists, and three systems." The "one regulation" is the regulation on the construction of the unified national market. The "three lists" are the list of matters hindering the construction of the unified national market, the negative list of local fiscal subsidies, and the list of encouraged and prohibited matters in local government investment promotion. The "three systems" refer to the statistical, fiscal and taxation, and assessment systems conducive to market unity. "These systems and regulations provide both positive guidance and behavioral red lines. They will clearly demarcate the yardsticks and boundaries of government behavior in economic promotion, clarifying not only 'what cannot be done,' but even more so 'what can be done,' guiding all parties, on the basis of holding the bottom line of fair competition, to boldly pursue development and promote innovation 因地制宜 (yīn dì zhì yí - "take measures according to local conditions," to act in light of actual circumstances)," Jiang Yi said.
Optimize facility connectivity, with the focus on clearing bottleneck links in the circulation of goods and services, further improving the circulation efficiency of various factors, and reducing circulation costs. For example, in recent years, our country's container multimodal transport has developed rapidly, with transport volume growing at high speed, but at the same time it faces problems such as uncoordinated equipment standards, inconsistent documentation rules, and poor connection in the "last mile" of railway special lines entering ports and parks, affecting cost and efficiency. Relevant departments will vigorously promote models such as "one document to the end," "one container to the end," and "one quotation to the end," effectively promoting cost reduction and efficiency gains.
Break through in key areas, striving to be the first to achieve breakthroughs in key areas that concern 千家万户 (qiān jiā wàn hù - "a thousand homes, ten thousand households," every family and household) and the development of business entities. For example, promote the mutual recognition of medical examination and test results nationwide, providing convenience for more patients. As another example, promote the optimization of the national unified social insurance public service platform, smooth the transfer and continuation of social insurance relationships, and promote the rational flow and effective allocation of human resources.
Closely follow problem rectification, with the goal of concentrating efforts to eliminate a batch of 顽瘴痼疾 (wán zhàng gù jí - "stubborn blights and chronic ailments," deep-rooted and persistent problems). For example, in response to the chaos of low-price and disorderly competition among enterprises, means such as production capacity regulation, standards leadership, price enforcement, and quality supervision will be comprehensively applied to deeply rectify "involution-style" competition (内卷式竞争). As another example, in response to chaos in the tendering and bidding field, relevant measures for on-site management and credit management of tendering and bidding have recently been issued, and rectification will continue to be deepened in the future.
(Wang Shuyan (王澍言) participated in the reporting and writing.)
Return to TopBeijing, July 31 (Reporter Qi Yukun (亓玉昆)). Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission Chen Wenqing recently emphasized at the national video conference on the special campaign to combat organized crime and vice (扫黑除恶专项斗争) that it is necessary to comprehensively implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important directive spirit on the campaign to combat organized crime and vice, in accordance with the deployment of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, to solidly carry out a one-year deepened special campaign to combat organized crime and vice, to lawfully eliminate all tumors that erode the social organism, to strive to build a higher level of Peaceful China, and to write a new chapter of long-term social stability.
Chen Wenqing affirmed the achievements of the national campaign to combat organized crime and vice since the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. He pointed out that it is necessary to deepen the study and grasp of the forms, characteristics, and patterns of illegal and criminal activities involving organized crime and vice under the new situation, to maintain a high-pressure deterrent posture, to persist in striking with heavy force and striking as soon as they emerge, to concentrate on resolving a batch of various types of organized crime and vice illegal and criminal problems that the people deeply detest, and to rectify and regulate a batch of industry disorders that breed organized crime and vice, so that the people’s sense of gain, happiness, and security are more substantial, more guaranteed, and more sustainable.
Chen Wenqing emphasized that it is necessary to highlight the key targets of attack; on the basis of lawfully and severely cracking down on traditional organized crime and vice, the focus should be on cracking down on organized crime and vice carried out through online platforms and “soft violence” (软暴力) means. It is necessary to strictly act in accordance with the law, adhere to seeking truth from facts, and ensure that if it is organized crime and vice, not one is missed, and if it is not organized crime and vice, not one is fabricated. It is necessary to strengthen the coordination of discipline and law, dare to turn the knife inward, and resolutely smash the “protective umbrellas” (保护伞) of organized crime and vice. It is necessary to persist in combining punishment and prevention, addressing both symptoms and root causes, deepen prevention and rectification in key industries, fields, and key areas, and eradicate the soil that breeds organized crime and vice.
Wang Xiaohong presided over the meeting. Zhang Jun and Ying Yong attended the meeting.
Return to TopBeijing, July 31 (Xinhua) — (Reporter Shi Yiqi (史一棋)) On July 31, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and National Supervisory Commission (中央纪委国家监委) held a meeting to convey and study the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions on the work of concentrated rectification of unhealthy tendencies and corruption problems around the masses, and to further coordinate and promote the concentrated rectification. Liu Jinguo (刘金国), Secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Deputy Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, attended the meeting and delivered a speech.
Liu Jinguo pointed out that this year is the final year of the three-year concentrated rectification, and discipline inspection and supervision agencies must bear in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping’s earnest teachings and ardent entrustments, carry deep feelings for the masses of the people, and with the spirit of driving nails seize and solidly implement the concentrated rectification, not wasting a single day. We must give full play to the role of leading and coordinating overall efforts, together with all parties, vigorously grasp the construction of high-standard farmland, management of rural collective “three types of assets” (三资), management of medical insurance funds, elderly care services, and other nationwide rectification projects, as well as the concentrated governance of petitioning issues in the livelihood field, truly regard the masses’ urgent difficulties and anxious expectations as one’s own affairs to handle, so that the common people can more tangibly and perceptibly experience the closeness of the General Secretary and the goodness of the Communist Party. We must be pragmatic and seek truth, systematically carry out rectification, concentrate efforts to break through a batch of influential and weighty cases, severely punish 蝇贪蚁腐 (yíng tān yǐ fǔ - “fly corruption and ant corruption,” meaning petty corruption), and promote the resolution of issues such as institutional deficiencies and regulatory absence. Rectification work must invite the masses to participate, and promote openness in party affairs and government affairs; rectification effectiveness must be judged by the masses. A thousand good, ten thousand good, only when the common people say it is good is it truly good; a thousand items, ten thousand items, the common people’s feeling is the first item.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 赵展慧
“What costs does this loan involve? We will explain each item clearly for you.” On July 30, when Ms. Zhuang, a resident of Shishi (石狮), Fujian, came to the Shishi Branch of China Construction Bank to consult about a personal housing loan, account manager Cai Wenguan (蔡文莞) took the initiative to step forward and explain: “The annualized interest rate is 3.05%, and the principal and interest repayment for each installment is 7,552.64 yuan. This loan does not charge guarantee fees, appraisal fees, service fees, or any other type of credit-enhancement fee.”
Cai Wenguan told Ms. Zhuang that if she came to handle the matter after August 1, every cost of this loan would be put down on paper, and it would take effect only after the customer signed to confirm. Ms. Zhuang said that before coming, the cost of the loan in her mind was still “a muddled account.” Now the bank had taken the initiative to lay the costs out plainly — which were normal repayment costs and which were fees that might arise after default — all perfectly clear, and the fact that they could later be written on paper to “leave a trace” also put her more at ease.
This sheet is the Personal Loan Comprehensive Financing Cost Disclosure Form (个人贷款综合融资成本明示表), also known as the loan “clear sheet” (明白纸). In March this year, the National Financial Regulatory Administration (国家金融监督管理总局) and the People's Bank of China issued the Provisions on the Disclosure of Comprehensive Financing Costs for Personal Loan Business (《个人贷款业务明示综合融资成本规定》), and specified that they would be implemented from August 1. After the pilot of disclosing comprehensive financing costs for enterprise loans made positive progress, the work of disclosing comprehensive financing costs for loans has been extended to the personal finance field. For financial consumers at large, personal loans will henceforth have a clearer account.
What does the personal loan “clear sheet” look like?
According to the provisions, the Personal Loan Comprehensive Financing Cost Disclosure Form shall state the loan principal amount; itemize, one by one, each interest and fee item charged by the lender and its partner institutions, as well as the collection method, collection standard, and collecting entity for each item; and, on this basis, comprehensively calculate the annualized comprehensive financing cost borne by the borrower under normal performance.
“Taking the China Construction Bank Personal Loan Comprehensive Financing Cost Disclosure Form as an example, this sheet will clearly record how much money the borrower has borrowed, who is collecting the money, how much is collected, whether it is collected in one lump sum or in installments, and how fees will be charged in the event of default,” said Fan Yuwei (范堉暐), director of the Consumer Credit Division of the Housing Finance and Personal Credit Department of China Construction Bank.
Of course, this sheet will take different forms of presentation in different scenarios. When handling personal loan business on site, the borrower must sign and confirm the Comprehensive Financing Cost Disclosure Form before signing the loan contract. When handling personal loan business online, the Comprehensive Financing Cost Disclosure Form will be automatically displayed in a pop-up window by the system, with a mandatory reading time set, and the borrower will click to confirm before signing the loan contract.
Interest costs and non-interest costs are 一目了然 (yī mù liǎo rán - “one glance, fully clear,” clear at a glance); hidden fees are all made public.
Looked at by category, this sheet covers the entire cost of the loan, divided into two categories: the first is interest cost, that is, loan interest; the second is non-interest cost, that is, credit-enhancement fees, including mortgage fees, guarantee fees, insurance premiums, and so on.
“In the past, interest costs were relatively transparent, but non-interest costs were relatively hidden, often involving multiple charging entities, with numerous fee items and little transparency. These fees piled up layer upon layer, making the financing cost of some personal loans still relatively high,” said Dong Ximiao (董希淼), chief economist of Zhaolian (招联). The implementation of the new rules means that these hidden fees will also be fully disclosed, so that borrowers will no longer 雾里看花 (wù lǐ kàn huā - “viewing flowers in the fog,” seeing things only dimly).
In recent years, the personal loan market has developed rapidly, but it has also exposed problems such as non-standardized and opaque disclosure of interest and fee information. For example, some lending institutions, when advertising, mention only the interest but never say a word about non-interest costs such as service fees and guarantee fees. Borrowers cannot figure out who is collecting the money, how much is being collected, or whether it is reasonable. A loan with a nominal annual interest rate of less than 10% may in reality be as high as several tens of percent. This opaque way of charging not only easily triggers financial consumer disputes, but also affects the effectiveness of interest rate policy and weakens the quality and efficiency of financial services serving the real economy.
In addition to financial institutions such as banks, the new rules also bring consumer finance companies and microcredit companies into the scope of disclosure, comprehensively safeguarding borrowers’ right to know when borrowing through various channels.
The nominal interest rates of various financial products are uniformly converted into actual interest rates, helping borrowers break the “interest rate illusion.”
According to the introduction, this sheet will list the annualized comprehensive financing cost; all interest and fee items will be converted to an annualized level and presented in the form of a unified annualized comprehensive cost rate.
“Converting the nominal interest rates of various financial products uniformly into actual interest rates means that a borrower can calculate the final true cost of the loan by keeping an eye on this one item,” Dong Ximiao said. The daily interest rate or monthly fee rate displayed by some institutions may be only 0.5%, but when converted to an annualized level according to the prescribed method, it may be as high as more than 10%. In addition, the actual annualized interest rate under the equal-principal-and-interest repayment method is also higher than the nominal interest rate. An annualized comprehensive financing cost calculated on a unified standard can help borrowers break the “interest rate illusion.”
Fan Yuwei calculated that if the annualized comprehensive financing cost under normal performance is 5%, then for a personal loan of 10,000 yuan borrowed for a one-year term with one-time repayment of principal and interest, the total comprehensive financing cost would be 500 yuan. “This not only makes the calculation simple, but also, through a unified standard, makes different loan products comparable, making it convenient for consumers to compare and choose,” Fan Yuwei said.
Finally, borrowers should also note that the Comprehensive Financing Cost Disclosure Form must contain an explicit reminder: apart from the cost items already disclosed, the lender and its partner institutions will not charge the borrower any other interest or fees related to the loan.
This means that beyond what is disclosed, not a single cent may be charged. Borrowers need only check against the disclosure form to determine whether a certain charge is within the agreed scope. If situations such as hidden bundled charges or opaque cost presentation arise, borrowers will have a clear basis for protecting their rights.
It can be said that this “clear sheet” not only better safeguards financial consumers’ right to know and right to choose and promotes the reduction of financing costs, but also helps regulate the order of the loan market and build a sound financial ecosystem.
“It is good news for borrowers, and for financial institutions it is both a challenge and an opportunity,” Dong Ximiao said. One “clear sheet” will put an end to the previous crude model of “luring customers with low interest and harvesting them with high fees.” Financial institutions must shift toward refined pricing and competition based on differentiated services, winning consumers with more transparent information disclosure and higher-quality services.
Return to TopIn the scorching summer, children from various places participate in summer activities of diverse forms and rich content, joyfully spending their vacation.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 杨 一
Driving out of Mengsai County (孟赛县) in Laos’s Oudomxay Province, after about an hour of mountain roads, a deep blue “sea” appears before the eyes: rows of neatly arranged solar photovoltaic panels undulate along the mountain slopes, glistening under the sunlight. This is the largest single-unit mountain PV project in Southeast Asia and Laos’s first large-scale mountain photovoltaic project — the first phase, 1,000 MW photovoltaic project of the CGN Laos Northern Clean Energy Base, covering approximately 2,100 hectares, which was completed and put into operation in April of this year. Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Malaythong Kommasith gave high praise: “The project not only promoted the implementation of Laos-China power interconnection and made it effective, but also created a large number of employment opportunities for Laos and spurred the development of related industries.”
Interconnection to improve power supply capacity
In the main transformer area of the PV station’s step-up substation, the main transformer emits a low, steady hum, stepping up the electricity generated by the PV panels before sending it to the grid. On the large screen in the central control room, the day’s cumulative power generation is displayed in real time.
“This is yesterday’s generation, 5.28 million kWh, which means yesterday had relatively long sunshine hours and was a clear day,” said Wang Yang (汪洋), manager of the Production Operations and Maintenance Department of CGN Laos Company, pointing to data on a whiteboard in the control room, as he spoke to reporters around 4 p.m. During the consecutive clear days of Laos’s dry season, daily generation can basically exceed 5 million kWh. The project is expected to generate an annual average of 1.65 billion kWh, equivalent to reducing CO₂ emissions by about 1.3 million tons per year.
“The project is the core supporting power source for the China-Laos 500 kV interconnection project (中老500千伏联网工程). It not only significantly improves the power supply capacity of northern Laos and alleviates dependence on purchased electricity from abroad, but can also transmit clean electricity to southern China through cross-border transmission, providing key support for optimizing the regional energy structure and helping implement Laos’s ‘Southeast Asia’s battery’ strategy,” Wang Yang said. The clean electricity produced by the PV station is collected at the step-up substation, then connected through northern Laos’s power grid to the China-Laos 500 kV interconnection project, and from there transmitted to farther places.
Thongphat Inthavong, former Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines of Laos, stated that the project has driven local green, low-carbon transformation and economic-social development, while effectively raising the level of power interconnection between northern Laos and southern China.
In March this year, the Laos Clean Energy Power Standards Research Institute, jointly supported by the Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Chinese side, was established in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. The institute carries out work on engineering management standards for clean energy power projects, standards for station production operation and maintenance, construction of a power talent training system, docking and cooperation of Laos-China power standards, and alignment with regional and international energy standards, achieving a leap from “hard connectivity” of infrastructure to “soft connectivity” of rules and standards. “In the future, the institute’s outcomes will be integrated into the bilateral Laos-China power standards cooperation mechanism and promoted for alignment with regional and international standards, aiming to build a unified, forward-looking standards system for power interconnection in the Lancang-Mekong region (澜湄区域),” Wang Yang said.
Not far from the first-phase project, a second-phase wind-solar complementary project is planned to begin construction within the year. “In the future, a large area of wind turbines will appear along the distant ridgeline. Biomass, multi-energy complementary clean energy base projects and others will also be advanced in succession,” said Chen Shaoyang (陈少阳), manager of the first-phase project of CGN Laos Company.
Ecological priority to protect lucid waters and lush mountains
This area has many mountains and little flat land, with continuous forests and scattered rice paddies. “Northern Laos is mainly mountainous, and most local villagers make a living by growing rice, so the amount of land available for cultivation is very limited. Therefore, at the early stage of project planning, we optimized land use to minimize disruption to local villagers’ lives,” Chen Shaoyang explained. “When acquiring land, we strictly followed the ‘three no-occupation’ principle (三不占): no occupying any villager’s house, no occupying any mu of basic farmland, and no occupying any patch of primary forest. Through design optimization, we successfully achieved ‘zero occupation’ of forest reserves, villages, basic farmland, and other areas.”
Optimizing bracket heights, “slimming down” the column structures reduced the area of foundation excavation by 30%; relocating the step-up substation cut the excavation volume from 600,000 cubic meters to 300,000 cubic meters; burying the entire collection line underground, and using “unequal-height legs” ingeniously for tower foundations to achieve green and environmental-friendly construction… In the end, the project’s actual land use was reduced by 1,565.52 hectares compared to the planning and design stage — equivalent to about 2,200 standard football fields — returning the land entirely to the mountains and fields.
The construction showed even more craftsmanship. The project used manual drilling to reduce disturbance to the original topography; optimized the pile foundation pouring process to reduce interference with vegetation; fallen concrete was cleaned up promptly to prevent soil and water pollution. After project completion, observation decks rose straight from the ground (拔地而起 – bá dì ér qǐ, “rising straight from the ground,” to emerge suddenly), and cosmos flowers and bougainvillea bloomed along the roads. Sitting in the “garden-style station” (花园式场站), nearby villagers gazed at the magnificent vista of mountain PV, their hearts filled with joy.
Souva Maha Ounsanay, Deputy Governor of Oudomxay Province, said the project has made outstanding contributions to local ecological protection and has added a warm footnote for people’s livelihoods to deepening Laos-China clean energy cooperation and building a community with a shared future.
Improving people’s livelihoods, benefiting the local population
In the project department office, Song Sheng (宋圣), a native of Mengsai, was communicating and coordinating recent work with Chinese colleagues in fluent Chinese. In November 2023, he saw the recruitment advertisement and did not hesitate to sign up: “The high-speed rail is connected, good enterprises have come, opportunities are right at my doorstep.” Now, he is already a key translator for the project and went to Shenzhen last year for training. “Before, young people from Mengsai could only go out to work elsewhere. Now, the project department not only hardened roads and built schools for our hometown, but also allows me and my friends to take part in building our hometown. Seeing Mengsai getting better and better, I am genuinely happy.”
According to Chen Shaoyang, the project provided nearly 3,000 jobs for the local area at its peak, and through the “Egret Class” (白鹭班) targeted training plan, using the “Chinese + vocational skills” (中文+职业技能) model, it trained nearly 100 Lao local technical personnel in total, of whom 31 outstanding trainees have passed selection and become regular employees of the company.
In Mengsai County town, a three-story building in red and white catches the eye, its entire roof covered with solar photovoltaic panels. This is the renovated Mengsai Senior High School, one of the project’s supporting livelihood projects, officially handed over to the Lao side in March this year.
“Before, the school’s teaching equipment was damaged, even the blackboards were aging and cracking,” said Chenpheng Phanyasa, principal of Mengsai Senior High School. Now, not only have all kinds of facilities in the school been renovated and upgraded, but the roof has been fitted with PV panels, effectively reducing the school’s electricity costs and daily operating expenses. “Students can learn about green energy knowledge directly during their studies.”
Repairing and reinforcing five roads and bridges in Mengsai, building a new operating theater for Mengxing County (孟辛县) Hospital in Luang Namtha Province and donating related medical equipment, advancing the renovation and new construction of Qiaojialuo Primary School (巧家萝小学) and Mazhu Village (玛朱村) village office in Oudomxay Province… Speaking of the work carried out by the project team, Souva Maha Ounsanay said, “This deep-level cooperation between Laos and China not only promotes Laos’s energy transition but also effectively improves the local industrial ecology, truly achieving mutual benefit and win-win for both countries.”
(Reported from Mengsai, Laos by this newspaper)
Return to TopBy: 张建卫
Recently, Prime Minister Anutin of Thailand was invited to attend the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in China at China’s invitation, and paid an official visit to China. President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Anutin, and they had in-depth exchanges of views on China-Thailand relations and international and regional issues of common concern, reaching broad consensus. The two sides jointly issued the Joint Statement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand on Building a China-Thailand Community with a Shared Future for Prosperity, and signed cooperation documents on science and technology, AI education, and combating transnational crime. Thailand welcomes China’s initiative to establish a World AI Cooperation Organization, and is willing to strengthen international cooperation and global governance on AI with China. This visit has delivered a strong signal of the two countries’ enhanced strategic coordination and shared pursuit of development and revitalization, and has also opened a new chapter in the building of a China-Thailand community with a shared future.
China-Thailand friendship has endured for millennia and grown stronger over time. The two sides treat each other with sincerity and interact with heart, forging a deep bond of 中泰一家亲 (Zhōng-Tài yī jiā qīn - “China and Thailand as one family”). This year, China has begun the 15th Five-Year Plan (十五五), focusing on promoting high-quality development and expanding high-standard opening up, while Thailand is also at a critical stage of national development and revitalization. Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Anutin chose China as his first official visit to a major regional power since taking office. The two leaders reviewed their intimate friendship and discussed future cooperation, fully reflecting the special friendly relations between China and Thailand — close geographically, connected by blood, and sharing a common destiny.
Strategic mutual trust continues to deepen. The two sides agreed to accelerate the building of a more stable, more prosperous, and more sustainable China-Thailand community with a shared future. They agreed to establish a “2+2” strategic dialogue mechanism between foreign ministers and defense ministers of China and Thailand, pushing strategic coordination to a higher level. The two sides will maintain close high-level exchanges and strengthen exchanges between governments, legislatures, and other institutions. Thailand reaffirmed its firm adherence to the One-China policy, its firm support for China’s peaceful reunification, and its opposition to any form of “Taiwan independence.” The two sides will continue to vigorously combat cross-border crimes such as online gambling and telecom fraud, jointly ensure the safety of each other’s nationals, and create a secure environment for practical cooperation and personnel exchanges.
Practical cooperation is increasing in volume and improving in quality. The two sides will continue to expand market access and promote bilateral trade growth. They agreed to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, build closer economic cooperation links in industrial and supply chains between China and Thailand, and support each other’s modernization. The two sides will accelerate the implementation of key projects such as the China-Thailand railway, expand cooperation in emerging fields such as aerospace, new energy vehicles, and clean energy, and create new engines for cooperation. They will advance people’s livelihood cooperation in public health, irrigation, and AI education, deepening the people-centered foundation of China-Thailand relations. The two sides will strengthen innovation cooperation, promote the development of new quality productive forces, and create huge new opportunities for both countries through scientific and technological progress and digital transformation.
People-to-people exchanges bring the two sides ever closer. Such exchanges have always been an important bond in the development of bilateral relations. During the visit, Prime Minister Anutin and his wife experienced Chinese tea culture, visited Chinese historical sites and scenic spots, and had friendly interactions with Chinese citizens. The two sides will further strengthen cooperation in culture, tourism, sports, and other fields; carry out cooperation and exchanges in technical and vocational education and training as well as digital and language skills; leverage the bridging role of subnational exchanges; and continuously enhance mutual understanding and friendly sentiments between the peoples of the two countries, especially the younger generation.
Multilateral coordination has become closer. Facing the current complex, profound, and changing international landscape, the two sides emphasized jointly upholding multilateralism, safeguarding the international system centered on the United Nations and the international order based on international law, and strengthening coordination and collaboration within multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, APEC, China-ASEAN, and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation. Thailand fully supports China in hosting the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and looks forward to fruitful results in the “APEC China Year.” Thailand welcomes China’s initiative to establish the International Organization for Mediation and is willing to sign the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation as soon as possible. China supports Thailand and Cambodia in adhering to dialogue and consultation, jointly implementing the consensus of the Fuxian Meeting (抚仙会晤), continuing to resolve differences through bilateral dialogue and consultation, and gradually rebuilding mutual trust and confidence.
China and Thailand are of one mind and share a common destiny. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1975, over more than five decades of sharing weal and woe, the two countries have always stood side by side and 守望相助 (shǒu wàng xiāng zhù - “keep watch and help each other”), truly being good neighbors, good friends, good relatives, and good partners. Looking ahead, under the strategic guidance of the two countries’ leaders and through the joint efforts of both countries and their peoples, the China-Thailand comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership will surely achieve more practical results in the next 50 years, continuously writing a new chapter of common development and prosperity for both countries.
(The author is the Chinese Ambassador to Thailand)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 刘仲华
"The reason why the Chinese Communist Party has been able to continuously achieve brilliance in its 105 years of struggle is fundamentally due to the fact that this party possesses excellent qualities unmatched by any other political party." András Bencsik, editor-in-chief of the Hungarian weekly Demokrata, recently said this in an exclusive interview with our reporter.
As a senior media person who has long followed China's development, Bencsik is very interested in the vivid practice of the Chinese Communist Party focusing on national rejuvenation and the well-being of the people. He stated that this year is the starting year of China's "15th Five-Year Plan," and the Chinese Communist Party's governing resolve of "drawing a blueprint to the end" ("一张蓝图绘到底"), adhering to the unity of long-term goals and phased objectives, is precisely the important guarantee for the national development strategy to continuously achieve phased leaps.
Bencsik said: "The policies of the Chinese government are aimed at achieving the goal of improving people's livelihood and well-being. Take the 'Toilet Revolution' ('厕所革命') carried out by China as an example. This is not only a livelihood measure to improve public sanitation facilities, but also a part of a grand plan to enhance the dignity of the entire population, promote rural tourism, and drive up villagers' incomes." Bencsik believes that the Chinese Communist Party always stands with the people, thinks with the people, and works with the people. Large cities assist small counties through projects and training, developed regions support less developed regions. This institutional mechanism of unity and cooperation, and this organizational form that penetrates the social fabric, give the Chinese Communist Party a solid foundation that no storm can shake.
The excellent qualities of the Chinese Communist Party are also reflected in its emphasis on strengthening itself, always full of vitality. "The Chinese Communist Party has demonstrated outstanding capacity for self-renovation," Bencsik stated. The Chinese Communist Party clearly recognizes that to forge iron, one must be strong oneself ("打铁必须自身硬"). Through severe anti-corruption struggle and institutional building, it ensures that all party members always remain true to their original aspiration. On the path forward, China, through piloting and experimenting in specific areas first under the premise of ensuring social stability, and then gradually promoting mature experience, this governance approach of "combining top-level design with grassroots practice" has allowed the Chinese Communist Party to forge stronger leadership.
"Whether it is high-quality joint construction of the 'Belt and Road' or promoting green energy transition, China is proving with concrete actions: when China is good, the world will be better." Bencsik stated. On the new journey, China holds high the banner of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit. Its commitments in the field of carbon emission reduction and its contributions in the field of foreign medical aid both demonstrate to the world the image of a responsible major country.
Bencsik stated that China emphasizes that there is no distinction between superior and inferior civilizations. Only when the civilizations of all countries 百花齐放 (bǎi huā qí fàng - "a hundred flowers bloom," meaning diverse flourishing) can the garden of human civilization be 姹紫嫣红 (chà zǐ yān hóng - "purple and red, brilliant blossoms," describing a riot of color). China advocates respect for the right of each country to independently choose its own development path, and through its own development achievements, has provided a reference plan different from the Western model. He is deeply convinced that, standing at a new historical starting point, the Chinese Communist Party, by continuing to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, will surely, through unity and cooperation with all countries, lead humanity to continuously strive toward the goal of civilization and progress.
Return to TopThe Philippines has unilaterally drawn so-called "baselines" over China's Huangyan Island (黄岩岛), which severely infringes upon China's territorial sovereignty and seriously violates international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It is illegal and null and void. China firmly opposes and绝不接受this.
Huangyan Island has always been China's inherent territory. China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Island and its adjacent waters, and enjoys sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the relevant waters. China has continuously, peacefully, and effectively exercised sovereignty and jurisdiction over Huangyan Island. The territorial scope of the Philippines has been delimited by a series of international treaties, and Huangyan Island has never been included in them. The Philippines' illegal territorial claim over China's Huangyan Island has no basis in international law.
The Philippines unilaterally initiated the so-called South China Sea arbitration case, which violates basic principles of international law such as pacta sunt servanda (约定必须遵守 - "agreements must be kept") and estoppel (禁止反言 - "prohibition of going back on one's word"), violates international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and violates bilateral agreements between China and the Philippines as well as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. The so-called "ruling" is illegal, null and void, and has no binding force. China neither accepts nor recognizes that "ruling," and opposes and does not accept any claims or actions based on it.
Under the banner of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Philippines has enacted a so-called "Maritime Zones Act" (海洋区域法), which unlawfully incorporates China's Huangyan Island and most of the reefs and islands of the Nansha Islands (南沙群岛) and their related waters into the Philippines' maritime zones, and attempts to solidify the illegal "South China Sea arbitration ruling" through domestic legislation. This severely infringes upon China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and is illegal and null and void. China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests over Huangyan Island and the Nansha Islands are not affected in any way by the so-called "Maritime Zones Act."
For some time, the Philippines has frequently provoked and created disturbances in the waters of Huangyan Island, along with propaganda and hype, infringing upon China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, heightening tensions at sea, and undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea. China demands that the Philippines earnestly respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and not engage in any infringement or provocative acts at Huangyan Island; otherwise, China will take resolute measures in response.
(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, July 31)
Return to TopOur newspaper Chicago, July 30 (Reporter Li Zhiwei (李志伟)) The China-US Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum and Promotion Conference for the Fifth Chain Expo (链博会) was held on July 30 in Chicago, Illinois, the United States, with over 180 representatives from Chinese and American political and business circles attending.
Ren Hongbin (任鸿斌), President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (中国贸促会), led a Chinese entrepreneur delegation to attend and delivered a speech. He stated that this time the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade organized a Chinese entrepreneur delegation to visit the United States, which is a vivid practice of implementing the important consensus of the two heads of state and promoting deeper cooperation between Chinese and American enterprises. The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade is willing to work together with American partners to provide all-round support for deepening exchanges and cooperation between enterprises of the two countries, and welcomes more American enterprises to share new opportunities in China's development through platforms such as the Chain Expo (链博会).
The representatives attending the meeting stated that the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago attach importance to economic and trade cooperation with China, believing that the industrial and supply chains of China and the United States are deeply interlocked, with deep foundations for cooperation and broad space. The business community is the main force for China-US pragmatic cooperation and also the backbone for stabilizing China-US economic and trade relations. It has the responsibility and willingness to achieve win-win cooperation through strengthening exchange and dialogue, and to promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations. The Chain Expo (链博会) is an important platform for strengthening China-US innovation cooperation, effectively enhancing the resilience and vitality of China-US supply chain cooperation.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 谢佳宁
The closing ceremony of the 知东汇西:中美青年共话未来 (zhī dōng huì xī: Zhōng-Měi qīngnián gòng huà wèilái - "Know the East, Converge the West: Chinese and US Youth Talk about the Future," a call for East-West mutual understanding) 2026 event, co-hosted by the Americas Communication Center of the China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration (Beijing Review) and the International Student Conference of the United States, was recently held in Beijing. During the event, university students from the two countries successively visited four locations — Washington, D.C., and Missoula, Montana in the United States, and Yunnan Province and Beijing in China — using immersive site visits and face-to-face dialogue to closely observe rural development practices, ecological protection, technological development, and social landscape in the two countries, and conducted candid exchanges on topics such as promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries and enhancing youth friendship.
"This feels more like a new beginning. The friendships we built in just 20 days contribute strength to future exchanges and cooperation between US and Chinese youth." Eric Larson, the US student chair of the US-China Student Conference project under the International Student Conference of the United States, said he will continue this cross-cultural understanding and cooperation throughout his future life.
Li Liao (李嫽), the Chinese student chair of the US-China Student Conference, said that through firsthand experience and face-to-face exchanges, the young people of the two countries were able to see the real each other. Every conversation and every friendship will become a glimmer that nourishes a friendly future between China and the United States.
American youth Dominic Addison was deeply impressed by Yunnan's agricultural development path. "By visiting the Kunming Dounan Flower Market, a large-scale flower trading center, I learned how local farmers grow different varieties of flowers and continuously expand production and sales through a mature commercial system. These flowers are sold all over China through e-commerce platforms, efficient and convenient with competitive prices. This model of combining agricultural production with digital platforms and e-commerce operations showed me another possibility for empowering American farmers."
American student representative Ji Binsheng (纪彬生) said: "As understanding deepened, I gradually discovered that we are more like a community learning from each other, rather than two sides separated by culture. Our understanding of the world and the future is constantly converging. Different languages and cultures have not separated us; instead, they allow us to express the same emotions and expectations in different ways."
"The small interactions in daily life have made our understanding of each other more real and concrete." In Addison's view, this is a genuine connection between people and between cultures. "In the future, I hope to come to China again for deeper exploration, and I also look forward to hosting more Chinese friends in the United States one day, so that this exchange can continue."
American student Taylor Smith said he looks forward to the US and China better understanding each other's cultural contexts in the future, establishing more efficient and stable cooperative relations, thereby maintaining the resilience and vitality of the ties between the US and China even in a complex environment.
At the closing ceremony, Chinese and US university students shared their insights around "agricultural and rural development," "technology and innovation," and "cross-cultural exchange." They stated that although China and the US have different systems and policies, they face similar challenges in areas such as addressing climate change and the application of artificial intelligence in education.
Xin Feng (辛峰), Director of the Americas Communication Center of the China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration, said that Chinese and American youth connect heart to heart, promote convergence through understanding, and use concrete actions to help build a constructive and stable strategic relationship between China and the United States, injecting youthful vitality into the development of Sino-US relations.
Yu Tao (于涛), Vice President of the China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration, said that youth are the future of Sino-US relations. Youth are an important group for mutual exchange, deepening understanding, breaking down prejudice, and building consensus. He expressed the hope that Chinese and American youth will remember what they have seen, heard, and thought during this trip, uphold the original aspiration of inclusiveness, rationality, and mutual benefit, continuously promote exchanges, use the power of youth to steadily advance the constructive and stable strategic relationship between China and the United States, and jointly create a better future.
Lin Hansheng (林汉昇), Special Representative of the International Student Conference of the United States, stated that the people-to-people bonds forged by this event have laid an indispensable foundation for the long-term development of young people in both countries, and also provided a solid basis for long-term in-depth research on US-China relations.
Return to TopBeijing, July 31 (Reporter Li Longyi (李龙伊)) — In order to deeply study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, study and implement Xi Jinping's Thought on Strengthening the Military (习近平强军思想), fully implement the political strategy for building the military in the new era (新时代政治建军方略), and inspire the vast number of officers and soldiers to always be loyal to the Party, to strive with determination to strengthen the military, and to forever maintain their political nature, on the occasion of the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, the Central Propaganda Department (中央宣传部) and the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission (中央军委政治工作部) jointly released 12 "Most Beautiful Revolutionary Soldiers of the New Era" (最美新时代革命军人).
The 12 officers and soldiers — Li Can (李灿), Wang Xiaoming (王晓明), Wang Tao (王涛), Bu Jiawen (步佳文), Zhou Hongchao (周宏潮), Gao Debao (高德宝), Gu Qiaoyun (顾巧云), Wang Wenbin (王文彬), Zhang Feng (张峰), Chang Chao (常超), Fan Hanjie (范汉杰), and Chen Yuhao (陈玉浩) — are advanced models who have emerged from the great practice of the entire military, under the Party's banner, strengthening political revolutionary forging and promoting the realization of the goal of building the military by the centenary (建军一百年奋斗目标). Among them are political instructors who use the Party's innovative theories to cast souls and educate people, backbone cadres who continue the bloodline and build strong companies; staff officers in organs who are capable of participating in planning and studying warfare and military affairs, special operations elites who conduct real combat training and refine skills to strengthen capabilities; outstanding commanders who pursue dreams in the deep blue and gallop across the oceans, pilot pacesetters who train hard and fly skillfully to soar through the skies; scientific research pioneers who concentrate on preparing for war and achieving victory in the cyberspace and information battlefield, research experts who keep close to the front line and tackle new domains and new fields; and craftsman experts who are firmly fixed in their positions and concentrate on equipment support, national defense mobilization pioneers who fight on the front line of coastal defense... They bear in mind their original aspiration and mission, faithfully perform their duties, fully demonstrating the loyal character of the vast number of officers and soldiers in resolutely obeying the Party's command and firmly safeguarding the core, reflecting the vivid practice of the entire military in strengthening military training and combat readiness, striving and tackling difficulties for the centenary, and displaying the high-spirited demeanor of the people's military in strengthening rectification and forging, and striving to build a first-class military.
The vast number of officers and soldiers expressed that they must learn from the deeds and spirit of the "Most Beautiful Revolutionary Soldiers of the New Era," unremittingly use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to cast souls and consolidate minds, fully implement Xi Jinping's Thought on Strengthening the Military, implement the military strategic guidelines for the new era (新时代军事战略方针), deeply comprehend the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments" (两个确立), enhance the "Four Consciousnesses" (四个意识), strengthen the "Four Confidences" (四个自信), achieve the "Two Upholds" (两个维护), implement the chairman of the Central Military Commission responsibility system (军委主席负责制), take political military building (政治建军) as the guide, establish and practice a correct view of political achievements (正确政绩观), strengthen mission responsibility, be brave in tackling difficulties and taking action, always maintain the purity and glory of the people's military, welcome the centenary of the military founding with a new political outlook, and write a new chapter of strengthening and rejuvenating the military that is worthy of the revolutionary forefathers, worthy of the century-old foundation, and worthy of the great era.
Return to TopBeijing, July 31 (Reporter Zheng Haiou (郑海鸥)) — To grandly celebrate the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, a performance exhibition of excellent stage art works to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, hosted by the Central Publicity Department (中央宣传部) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (文化和旅游部) and organized by the Art Bureau of the Central Publicity Department (中央宣传部文艺局), the Art Department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (文化和旅游部艺术司), and the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism (北京市文化和旅游局), will be held in Beijing from July to September 2026. A total of 12 excellent stage art works from across the country will be performed.
The participating works focus on eulogizing the glorious course of the Communist Party of China, concentratingly embodying the profound themes of inheriting red genes and gathering strength for endeavor. The ballet The Red Detachment of Women (红色娘子军) and the opera The White-Haired Girl (白毛女), born in the revolutionary era, are enduring and widely loved. The dance dramas The Eternal Radio Wave (永不消逝的电波) and The Cavalry (骑兵), and the musical Searching for Li Ergou (寻找李二狗) tell revolutionary stories in contemporary aesthetic language. The play Sanwan, That Night (三湾，那一夜) focuses on major events in Party history, restoring historical moments in a documentary style. The acrobatic drama First Sound (先声) presents red stories through a cross-border integration approach. The Fujian opera Life (生命) and the Gannan tea-picking opera One Person's Long March (一个人的长征) present the vivid revolutionary course with rich local opera charm. The Kun opera Qu Qiubai (瞿秋白) vividly interprets the unyielding spirit of the revolutionary pioneer. The children's play The Undeliverable Intelligence (送不出去的情报) conveys the spirit of heroism from a child's perspective. The play Green Awancang (青青的阿万仓) focuses on the deeds of Communist Party members in the new era who take root at the grassroots and serve the people.
This performance exhibition will adopt a combination of offline performances and online broadcasts. Offline performances will be held at venues including the National Centre for the Performing Arts (国家大剧院), the National Theatre of China (国家话剧院剧场), the China National Opera House (中央歌剧院剧场), Beijing Tianqiao Theatre (北京天桥剧场), Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center (北京天桥艺术中心), Beijing Poly Theatre (北京保利剧院), China Children's Theatre (中国儿童剧场), and Erqi Theatre (二七剧场). At the same time, online broadcasts will be carried out on central media, the government portal of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the "Xuexi Qiangguo" (学习强国) learning platform, the "Wenyi China" (文艺中国) broadcast platform, and new media platforms of some local cultural and tourism administrative departments, so that excellent works can more broadly reach the public, directly reach the grassroots, and expand their influence.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 金正波 任彤彤 李林蔚
A few days ago, the Central Publicity Department (中央宣传部) publicized and released to the whole of society the advanced deeds of Comrade Wang Ji (王戟) and conferred on him the title of "Role Model of the Times" (时代楷模). His advanced deeds evoked warm responses throughout the armed forces and in all sectors of society.
Everyone said that they must take the "Role Model of the Times" as their example, thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building (习近平党建思想) and Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military (习近平强军思想), inherit and carry forward the great founding spirit of the Party (伟大建党精神) and the great Long March spirit (伟大长征精神), firm up ideals and convictions, cultivate deep feelings for family and country, temper will and character, establish and practice a correct view of political achievements, and strive in unity to achieve on schedule the goals set for the centenary of the People's Liberation Army and to accelerate the building of the people's military into a world-class military, and to comprehensively advance through Chinese-style modernization the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
Deep in the grasslands of the northern frontier, officers and soldiers of a certain brigade of the 79th Group Army sat together, earnestly studying the advanced deeds of Comrade Wang Ji, the "Role Model of the Times," and conducting discussion and exchange on the theme of "learning the model's spirit and striving to be a vanguard in strengthening the military." "Comrade Wang Ji used line after line of code to safeguard many major national projects. We technical support personnel must also use excellent professional skills to help enhance combat effectiveness," Engineer Li Zhen (李镇) said in the exchange. "At present, unmanned equipment continues to iterate and upgrade, and its level of informatization and intelligentization is getting higher and higher. We must keep close to the needs of real combat, provide solid technical support, and ensure that equipment is in the best condition at all times."
As China's first standard-type ocean-going hospital ship, the Navy hospital ship Peace Ark held special study and discussion in multiple forms. Officers and soldiers said one after another that Comrade Wang Ji's fighting posture of holding fast in adversity and forging ahead amid challenges was deeply awe-inspiring. Second-Class Master Sergeant Shen Xurong (沈许荣) said: "We will proactively benchmark ourselves against the 'Role Model of the Times,' transform the results of our study into effectiveness in combat readiness, and condense the emotion and stirring we feel into motivation for performing our duties, completing all tasks to high standards."
At the training ground of a certain unit of the Air Force under the Northern Theater Command, officers and soldiers held fast to their respective combat positions, and the atmosphere of troop training and combat readiness was strong. During a break in training, the unit organized officers and soldiers to study Comrade Wang Ji's advanced deeds in depth and carried out special study and exchange. In the "Xia Beihao Model Maintenance Squadron" (夏北浩模范机务中队), Third-Class Master Sergeant Xu Qiang (徐强) said with deep feeling: "Comrade Wang Ji, with his heart set on the swan goose, used a strong sense of mission and a high sense of responsibility to continuously overcome difficulties and bravely scale new heights, inspiring us to take root in our posts and dedicate ourselves to the cause of strengthening the military."
In the height of summer in the south, as the smoke of gunfire gradually dispersed over the exercise and training ground of a certain unit of the Rocket Force, the officers and soldiers of the unit, closely centering on the theme of "learning from Comrade Wang Ji's advanced deeds," conducted a special study discussion. First-Class Master Sergeant Chen Feng (陈峰) said: "Comrade Wang Ji is like a spiritual lighthouse, illuminating the road of our advance. We must take him as our example: be 坚韧不拔 (jiān rèn bù bá - "firm, tenacious, unyielding," resolute and indomitable) in the face of difficulties; when heavy responsibilities confront us, dare to 挺身而出 (tǐng shēn ér chū - "straighten up and step forward," step forward bravely) and bravely shoulder heavy burdens; and turn hard work and responsibility into tangible results in troop training and combat readiness, making achievements where the Party and the people need us most."
During a break in training, the Jiujiang Detachment of the Jiangxi Corps of the People's Armed Police (武警江西总队九江支队) carried out study and education. Officers and soldiers, in light of their actual experiences in duty, training, and the performance of their responsibilities, exchanged reflections and talked freely about their insights. Sergeant Jiang Xianggui (蒋湘桂) said: "Comrade Wang Ji, though in adverse circumstances, did not change his original aspiration; facing hardships, he still charged forward without ceasing. As front-line officers and soldiers on duty, we have no reason to fear hardship and fatigue or to slacken and relax." Li Binghua (李炳华), director of the political work office of the detachment, said: "Comrade Wang Ji's enterprising spirit of facing hardships directly and bravely scaling new heights is a vivid textbook for officers and soldiers to forge ahead with determination and strive to be the first."
Hu Moufa (胡谋法), associate researcher at the College of Electronic Science of the National University of Defense Technology, was deeply moved by Wang Ji's scientific research experience: "Doing scientific research means discarding impetuosity and not chasing short-term gains. As a scientific researcher in the electronic field, I will take the model as my anchor, hold fast to the major needs of aerospace defense, concentrate efforts on tackling core technologies, and go all out to forge a shield for the country."
"Every time I made ward rounds, I would repeatedly urge him to stay in bed and recuperate more, but he could never put down his scientific research work." Yu Fang (俞芳), an orthopedic doctor at Xiangya Hospital (湘雅医院) and Wang Ji's attending physician, said after reading reports about Wang Ji's deeds: "When I heard that he had gone on business trips many times after being discharged from the hospital, I was both shocked and distressed. I know very well how great a trial trauma can bring to a person. Under layer upon layer of difficulties, Wang Ji still bravely forged ahead. This spirit of facing suffering directly and never stopping deeply moved me, and it also inspires me, as a physician, to care for every patient with all my heart."
After studying Comrade Wang Ji's advanced deeds in depth, Zhang Hao (张浩), a teacher-training student in the "Excellent Teacher Program" (优师计划) at Beijing Normal University, said: "Comrade Wang Ji responded to the needs of the country, solidly carried out scientific research and tackled key problems, and made important contributions. His glorious deeds have taught a profound lesson to me, who am about to head for grassroots education posts. I will take Comrade Wang Ji as my example, firm up my ideals and convictions, temper my professional abilities, and after graduation go to the places where the motherland and the people need me most, contributing my strength through concrete actions to building a strong education country."
"Comrade Wang Ji was firm in conviction and loyal to the Party. Even when in adverse circumstances and suffering greatly from illness, he still kept his original aspiration unchanged and acted earnestly without slackening, vividly interpreting the never-give-up striving nature of Communist Party members in the new era," said Bao Lianlian (包莲莲), Party secretary of the Party Committee of Zhenxing Community (振兴社区), Hualong Subdistrict (华龙街道), Honggu District (红古区), Lanzhou, Gansu Province. "I will take the model as my example, hold fast to the original aspiration of serving the people, and integrate Comrade Wang Ji's striving spirit — being firm and unyielding, 迎难而上 (yíng nán ér shàng - "advance to meet difficulties," take on difficulties head-on) — into the entire process of grassroots services."
"Have you received the 'Role Model of the Times' text message?" "Salute to the 'Role Model of the Times' Wang Ji" ... After the Central Publicity Department publicized and released Comrade Wang Ji's advanced deeds to the whole of society, the deeds drew widespread attention from all sides, and related topics online continued to heat up. People left messages one after another, expressing their deep respect for this "vanguard of scientific research."
A wheelchair serves as a war chariot; code forges a steel rifle. With his unyielding iron will, Comrade Wang Ji wrote the loyalty and responsibility of military educators and scientific and technological workers in the new era. His advanced deeds inspire the broad masses of cadres and the people and the officers and soldiers of the armed forces to 踔厉奋发 (chuō lì fèn fā - "stride vigorously and rouse to action," forge ahead with vigor and determination) and march forward bravely and resolutely on the new journey of building a strong country and a strong military.
(Xu Xin, Wang Lijun, Ding Feiyu, and Wang Yilin participated in the reporting and writing.)
Return to TopBEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- (Reporter Jin Zhengbo) The Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China hosted a reception at the Great Hall of the People on July 31 to warmly celebrate the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Defense Minister Dong Jun attended and delivered a speech.
At approximately 17:30, the reception began with the resonant sound of the military anthem of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Dong Jun delivered a speech, extending festive greetings to all officers and soldiers of the People's Liberation Army, officers and soldiers of the Armed Police Force, civilian personnel in the military, reservists, and militia; expressing warm regards to retired veteran comrades, demobilized servicemen, revolutionary disabled servicemen, and family members of martyrs who have contributed to the building of the people's military; conveying high respect to all military heroes and models and to national Double Support models (双拥模范); offering sincere greetings to comrades on the national defense science, technology, and industry front; expressing heartfelt thanks to Party committees and governments at all levels, people's organizations, and the people of all ethnic groups across the country who care about and support national defense and military development; and extending a warm welcome to all military attachés from various countries stationed in China, representatives of international organizations, and all other guests attending the reception.
Dong Jun said that this year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Red Army's Long March, and also a critical year for fighting the tough battle to achieve the goal of building the military by the centenary of the PLA. Looking back on the journey traveled and forging ahead on a new journey, the people's military firmly listens to the Party's command and follows the Party, adheres to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implements Xi Jinping's thinking on strengthening the military, implements the system of the Chairman of the Central Military Commission assuming overall responsibility over military affairs, strengthens political work in the military, continuously reinforces revolutionary forging, carries forward glorious traditions and fine conduct, cherishes the red bloodline, and promotes the great Long March spirit. The consciousness of the military's soul grows ever stronger, and the original aspiration and nature shine ever brighter, ensuring that wherever the Party flag points, the military flag shall follow. We will unite even more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, rouse revolutionary spirit, gather strength for endeavor, promote the modernization of national defense and the military with high quality, accelerate the building of advanced combat capabilities, comprehensively refine solid skills, and 枕戈待旦 (zhěn gē dài dàn - "pillow weapons at dawn," to be ready for battle at any moment) in real preparedness for the present. We will remember the fundamental purpose of the people's military, strengthen the unity between the military and the government and between the military and the people, and always maintain close ties with the masses like flesh and blood. We will serve as the solid foundation for the reunification of the motherland, resolutely frustrate any form of "Taiwan independence" separatist schemes and external military interference, and fulfill the sacred mission of defending national sovereignty, security, and development interests. The Chinese military is willing to join forces with like-minded righteous forces from all sides to jointly resist the retrogressive acts that endanger international and regional peace and stability, to jointly address global security challenges, and to fulfill the responsibility and duty of a major-country military through concrete actions.
To the sound of cheerful music, Chinese and foreign friends raised their glasses together to congratulate the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and to wish that the friendship between the Chinese People's Liberation Army and the armed forces of various countries around the world will last forever.
Leaders from various departments of the Central Military Commission organs and relevant units of the military stationed in Beijing attended the reception.
Also attending the reception were leaders from relevant departments of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, and from the Beijing municipal government; representatives of retired veteran military officers, representatives of military heroes and models, representatives of the PLA as delegates to the National People's Congress and as members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, outstanding grassroots officers and soldiers, outstanding civilian personnel, outstanding demobilized servicemen, national Double Support models, former Kuomintang uprising personnel, advanced representatives from the national defense science, technology, and industry field, representatives of the militia and family members of martyrs and servicemen from the capital, heads of some mainstream media outlets based in Beijing, and Chinese and foreign guests including military attachés from various countries stationed in China and their spouses.
Return to TopXinhua News Agency, Macao, July 31 (Li Dongdong, Qi Fei) The PLA Macao Garrison held a reception at the Taipa Barracks on July 31 to celebrate the 99th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army.
Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference He Houhua (何厚铧), Chief Executive of the Macao SAR Cen Haohui (岑浩辉), Director of the Macao Liaison Office of the Central People's Government Zheng Xincong (郑新聪), Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macao Bian Lixin (卞立新), Commander of the PLA Macao Garrison Chen Wensheng (陈文胜), Political Commissar Lian Wei (练伟), and President of the Macao SAR Legislative Assembly Zhang Yongchun (张永春) served as principal officiating guests.
Lian Wei presided over the reception. At 10:30 a.m., accompanied by the solemn Song of the People's Liberation Army, the reception officially began. During the reception, Chen Wensheng and Cen Haohui respectively delivered speeches. Finally, guests from all sectors jointly visited the photo exhibition commemorating the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army.
In his speech, Chen Wensheng reviewed the glorious journey traversed by the people's military under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and its historical contributions to national rejuvenation, reviewed the performance of defense duties by the Macao Garrison since its stationing 27 years ago, and thanked the SAR government and all sectors of Macao society for their long-standing concern and support for the garrison.
Chen Wensheng stated that since its stationing in Macao, the Garrison has strictly implemented the "one country, two systems" policy and the Macao SAR Basic Law and the Garrison Law, vigorously engaged in political construction and military training and combat readiness, carried forward the tradition of loving Macao and being close to the people, performed defense duties in accordance with the law, and played an important role as the 定海神针 (dìng hǎi shén zhēn - "magic needle that stabilizes the sea," metaphorical stabilizing force) in maintaining Macao's prosperity and stability, widely praised by Macao compatriots. The Macao Garrison will deeply implement the important guiding instructions of President Xi during his inspection of the garrison, base on the construction tasks of the initial stage of the 15th Five-Year Plan, anchor the goal of achieving the centenary of the army's founding to advance combat readiness work, continuously consolidate the foundation of construction and enhance defense capabilities, take root in Haojiang (濠江), safeguard Macao's lasting peace and stability, and strive to be loyal guards that the Party and the people can rest assured with and Macao compatriots can trust.
In his speech, Cen Haohui extended festive congratulations to the officers and soldiers of the Macao Garrison and expressed gratitude for the garrison's long-standing strong support for the development of the SAR.
Approximately 200 guests from all sectors, including principal officials of the Macao SAR government, heads of central government agencies stationed in Macao and Chinese-funded enterprises stationed in Macao, deputies to the National People's Congress from Macao and members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, representatives of universities and students from previous military summer camps, and Macao patriotic and pro-Macao associations, were invited to attend the reception.
Return to TopXinhua News Agency, Beijing, July 31 — The State Council appointed and removed state personnel.
Jiang Chenghua (蒋成华) was appointed Vice Minister of Commerce.
Jiang Chenghua was relieved of his post as Deputy Representative for International Trade Negotiations of the Ministry of Commerce.
Return to TopXinhua News Agency, Beijing, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Recently, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China decided: Comrade Luo Wen (罗文) is appointed as member, standing committee member, and secretary of the Hebei Provincial Committee; Comrade Ni Yuefeng (倪岳峰) is no longer serving as secretary, standing committee member, and member of the Hebei Provincial Committee, and will be assigned to another post.
Return to TopChongqing, July 31 (Xinhua) — The 25th session of the Standing Committee of the 6th Chongqing Municipal People's Congress (重庆市第六届人民代表大会常务委员会) decided on July 31 to appoint Chen Xinwu (陈新武) as vice mayor and acting mayor of the Chongqing Municipal People's Government.
Return to TopBeijing, July 31 (Reporters Deng Jianyang (邓剑洋) and Jiang Xuehong (蒋雪鸿)) — At 18:00 on July 31, the Ministry of Water Resources (水利部) and the China Meteorological Administration (中国气象局) jointly issued a red flash flood disaster meteorological warning. It is forecast that from 20:00 on July 31 to 20:00 on August 1, in parts of southern Heilongjiang, central and northeastern Sichuan, southwestern Shaanxi, and southern Gansu, the possibility of flash flood disasters is high (orange warning), and among these, in parts of southern Heilongjiang, northeastern Sichuan, southwestern Shaanxi, and southern Gansu, the possibility of flash flood disasters is very high (red warning).
Beijing, July 31 (Reporter Deng Jianyang) — The reporter learned from the Ministry of Water Resources: On the morning of July 31, the Ministry of Water Resources issued a "one province, one list" (一省一单) targeted warning to 12 provinces including Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Tibet, Shaanxi, Gansu, and Qinghai, notifying the list of counties (cities, districts) covered by the heavy rainfall, the list of reservoirs, and the flash flood disaster risk areas and points, reminding to do a good job in ensuring safe flood season operation of reservoirs and warping dams, defense against floods of small and medium rivers, and flash flood disasters. On July 31, the Ministry of Water Resources held a special consultation meeting, conducting video connections with the river basin management agencies of the Ministry of Water Resources including the Yangtze River, Yellow River, Huai River, Hai River, Pearl River, Songliao River, and Taihu Lake, analyzing and judging the flood situation development trend during the critical flood prevention period of the "eight up" (八上), and systematically arranging and deploying key flood prevention work.
Beijing, July 31 (Reporter Liu Wenxin (刘温馨)) — The Ministry of Emergency Management (应急管理部) on July 30 activated a national Level IV emergency response for geological disasters for Shaanxi and Gansu. The Ministry of Emergency Management demanded that the relevant heavy rainfall areas must earnestly do a good job in geological disaster prevention and response work, consolidate the main responsibility of local prevention and response, and maximize the avoidance of casualties.
Return to TopOn July 30, on the occasion of the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, a patrol detachment of a certain border defense regiment of the Army stationed on the Ali Plateau in Tibet, as planned, carried out a patrol of a mountain pass at an altitude of over 5,000 meters to ensure the security and stability of the border line. The photo shows officers and soldiers crossing a mountain pass as they advance toward the position.
Photo by Liu Xiaodong (Image China)
By: 本报记者 李龙伊
On July 31, the State Council Information Office (国务院新闻办公室) held the "Starting and Beginning the '15th Five-Year Plan'" series press conference. Minister of Veterans Affairs (退役军人事务部) Pei Jinjia (裴金佳) introduced relevant circumstances concerning accelerating the promotion of high-quality development of veterans work during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period.
Taking the realization of veterans' aspiration for a better life as the foothold and starting point of work. Pei Jinjia introduced that during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, the theme will be advancing the high-quality development of veterans work, taking the realization of veterans' aspiration for a better life as the foothold and starting point of work, and thickening the social atmosphere of "making military service a profession respected by the whole society, and making veterans people respected by the whole society."
Deepen ideological and political guidance, improve the work mechanism for ideological and political guidance of veterans, organize and carry out the selection and promotion of advanced models, deepen the "Veterans Forever Follow the Party" (老兵永远跟党走) activity, guide the vast number of veterans to always be of one heart with the Party and strive together with the Party.
Promote high-quality placement and employment. Insist on taking the promotion of better placement and employment of veterans as the focus of work, constantly optimize the placement system and mechanism, improve the employment support system, encourage and promote veterans to return to their hometowns and start businesses in rural areas, guide and support veterans to actively participate in economic construction and social governance.
Enhance service guarantee effectiveness. Strengten the standardization, normalization, and digital construction of veteran service centers (stations). Imrove the assistance system for veterans in difficulty, improve the adjustment mechanism for pensions and cost-of-living subsidies, enhance the honor and incentive role of the preferential treatment card.
Imrove the level of supporting the military and assisting the front line. Perect the mechanism for employment of military spouses and preferential education for children of military personnel, explore and implement more care measures, strive to solve practical problems such as sudden difficulties in military families, consolidate the unity between the military and government and the military and people in the new era.
Strengthen commendation and memorial work. Strengten the planning, construction, management, and maintenance of martyrs' memorial facilities, improve the dissemination system for the deeds and spirit of heroes and martyrs, promote the deeds of heroes and martyrs into government organs, into schools, into barracks, into villages, into communities, and into enterprises.
"Receiving, placing, servicing, and guaranteeing veterans well, and giving full play to their role is our important responsibility," Pei Jinjia said.
During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, the focus will be on carrying out the placement tasks for demobilized military officers and retired soldiers assigned to work with high quality, adhering to a combination of online and offline methods, strengthening placement policy guidance and career planning guidance. In the future, placement methods will be further improved, adhering to the principle of openness, fairness, and justice, guiding localities to adopt methods such as score-based job selection, unified examinations, direct placement, and two-way selection, guiding receiving units to find the "people they need," while allowing veterans to find "suitable positions."
Employment is a livelihood project, and even more a popular sentiment project. Vice Minister of Veterans Affairs (退役军人事务部) Sui Hongbo (隋洪波) said that during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, the employment priority strategy will be thoroughly implemented, and channels for veterans' employment will be continuously broadened.
In terms of strengthening cooperation, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs will continue to consolidate industry cooperation, strengthen collaboration with departments such as emergency management, public security, and education, guiding more veterans into positions such as teachers, auxiliary police, and firefighters. Deepen government-enterprise cooperation, further expand the number of signatory enterprises, and regularly hold special recruitment by central enterprises and high-quality private enterprises targeting veterans. Exand regional cooperation, support joint recruitment in areas such as Beijing-tianjin-Hebei, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Pan-Pearl River Delta, helping veterans find suitable positions on a broader scale.
"For those with employment difficulties, we will implement 'one person one file, one person one policy, public welfare as safety net,' and carry out dynamic assistance," Sui Hongbo said. In the future, support for enterprises founded by veterans will be further strengthened, and more policies will be sought.
Crasp the propaganda, popularization, and precise implementation of preferential treatment policies.
Preferential treatment work concerns the vital interests of the vast number of veterans and other recipients of preferential treatment, and carries their earnest expectations.
Director of the Department of Supporting the Military and Preferential Treatment (拥军优抚司) of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs Wang Zhongcheng (王忠诚) introduced that during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, the preferential treatment policy system and treatment guarantee system will be further improved, the propaganda, popularization, and precise implementation of preferential treatment policies will be grasped, and the "gold content" of preferential treatment work will be continuously increased; a dynamic adjustment mechanism for preferential treatment and compensation standards will be established and improved, steadily raising treatment standards and guarantee levels; the construction and development of special care hospitals (优抚医院) and glory homes (光荣院) will be promoted, preferential treatment medical policies will be continuously optimized, and guarantees for recipients of preferential treatment such as solitary elderly and severely disabled will be strengthened. Currently, the state has raised the regular compensation and subsidy standard for 21 consecutive years, providing a guarantee for the basic livelihood of relevant recipients of preferential treatment.
Wang Zhongcheng said that they will provide better services to recipients of preferential treatment with heart, with feeling, and with effort, comprehensively coordinate care and assistance work for recipients of preferential treatment with special difficulties, and actively provide services such as spiritual comfort, legal aid, and humanistic care to recipients of preferential treatment.
Every year, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs organizes and carries out a special action to "Warm Veterans' Hearts" (情暖老兵). "During the '15th Five-Year Plan' period, we will further strengthen resource coordination, precise targeting and policy implementation, expand the scope of beneficiaries, and effectively solve some temporary difficulties that exist for veterans in difficulty," Pei Jinjia said.
Pei Jinjia said that it is necessary to adhere to government leadership and guidance, state-owned enterprise driving and demonstration, while also encouraging charitable organizations, private enterprises, and caring individuals to jointly participate in assistance, and to improve and perfect a multi-dimensional assistance system at the national and local levels. It is necessary to increase assistance efforts. When military families encounter sudden difficulties, in addition to implementing universal policies, the role of veteran care associations should be better utilized, and through methods such as establishing special funds and implementing assistance projects, assistance efforts should be increased.
Let revering heroes, remembering martyrs, and striving to be pioneers become a good social custom throughout society.
The deeds and spirit of heroes and martyrs are precious assets of the state.
Strengten the planning and construction of martyrs' memorial facilities. Imlement a quality improvement and renovation project for memorial facilities, optimize planning and layout, improve facilities and equipment, and create red positions for remembering martyrs and organizing ideological and political education.
Promote the excavation of the deeds of heroes and martyrs and the promotion of the spirit of heroes and martyrs. Strengten the collection and protection of relics, family letters, and historical materials of revolutionary martyrs, implement an oral history rescue project for old soldiers and old comrades (口述历史抢救工程), improve and perfect the roster of martyrs' names, and deeply excavate the contemporary connotation and practical value of the spirit of heroes and martyrs.
Cultivate a talent team for spreading red culture. In particular, strengthen the cultivation of interpreters of the spirit of heroes and martyrs and researchers of red culture, cultivate a new era of guardians, narrators, and disseminators of the spirit of heroes and martyrs. Further organize veteran lectures, using their personal experiences to tell the Party's stories, the stories of the revolution, and the stories of heroes.
Exand the platforms and methods for spreading red culture. Around major nodes and major activities, organize activities such as sweeping martyrs' graves and publicizing the deeds of heroes and martyrs. Comrehensively use new means and new technologies such as short videos and artificial intelligence to create a three-dimensional, all-around red propaganda matrix, improving the quality and effectiveness of propaganda.
"We will further maintain memorial facilities, further tell red stories well, further promote the spirit of heroes and martyrs well, so that revering heroes, remembering martyrs, and striving to be pioneers become a good social custom throughout society," Pei Jinjia said.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 张天培 张 璁
On July 22, 2026, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council signed State Council Order No. 841, promulgating the "Regulations of the State Council on the Administration of Exit and Entry" (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations"), which will take effect on September 15, 2026. Officials of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Public Security, and the National Immigration Administration answered reporters' questions on relevant issues concerning the Regulations.
Question: Please briefly introduce the background of the formulation of the Regulations.
Answer: The administration of exit and entry concerns the safety and lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens exiting the country, and concerns national sovereignty, security, and development interests. Since the implementation of the Exit and Entry Administration Law in 2013, it has played an important role in regulating exit and entry administration, safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and social order, and promoting opening up and exchanges. With the comprehensive advancement of China's high-level opening up, new challenges and problems have emerged in exit and entry administration, making it urgently necessary to issue the Regulations in accordance with the principle of prioritizing urgent needs, to improve and perfect relevant systems: First, strengthening risk prevention for the safety of Chinese citizens exiting the country. As China's foreign exchanges continue to expand, more and more Chinese citizens are exiting the country for purposes such as tourism, visiting relatives, business, and study. In recent years, major emergencies such as wars or armed conflicts, social security incidents, natural disasters, accidents and disasters, and infectious disease epidemics have occurred from time to time in some countries and regions, threatening the personal safety of our exiting citizens. It is necessary to promptly improve the system for preventing safety risks for exiting citizens. Second, regulating the entry administration of foreigners. As China's opening up continues to deepen, the number of entries by foreigners continues to grow. In practice, problems such as a small number of applicants providing false materials when applying for entry, and fraudulently obtaining exit-entry documents have emerged. It is necessary to improve measures such as entry review and denial of entry. Third, regulating exit-entry intermediary services. After the cancellation of the licensing access for private exit-entry intermediary service institutions in 2018, the number of such intermediary service institutions has grown rapidly. While providing convenience for exiting and entering persons, problems have also emerged, such as unclear basic information on intermediary service institutions, some institutions handling business in violation of laws and regulations, and damaging the lawful rights and interests of exiting and entering persons. It is necessary to improve the management system for intermediary service institutions.
Question: What provisions does the Regulations make regarding preventing safety risks for Chinese citizens exiting the country and protecting their personal safety?
Answer: In order to more effectively prevent safety risks for Chinese citizens after exiting the country and protect citizens' personal safety, the Regulations adheres to the principle of giving priority to prevention and adopting comprehensive measures, and mainly makes the following provisions: On the one hand, timely release of safety risk alerts and reminders for foreign countries. It requires the competent departments of the State Council for foreign affairs, culture and tourism, as well as diplomatic missions abroad, to promptly and publicly issue overseas security alerts and safety risk reminders for tourist destinations based on security situations such as wars or armed conflicts, social security incidents, natural disasters, accidents and disasters, and infectious disease epidemics in relevant countries and regions. On the other hand, improving the system for preventing safety risks at the exit stage. It requires immigration administration authorities, when accepting and examining applications for exit-entry documents and conducting exit border inspections, to remind citizens to exercise caution when traveling to high-risk countries or regions, and for those who truly need to travel, remind them to pay attention to the local security situation and strengthen safety precautions, and if necessary, advise them against traveling to countries or regions with the highest risk level or where cases of serious threats to personal safety are frequently and suddenly occurring.
Question: What provisions does the Regulations make regarding regulating the exit administration of Chinese citizens?
Answer: In recent years, with the continuous increase in the number of Chinese citizens exiting the country, problems have emerged in practice, such as citizens being deceived into exiting the country or falsely stating the purpose of exit to illegally exit for engaging in illegal activities such as cross-border gambling and telecommunications network fraud, seriously endangering the life and property safety of the people, or illegally transferring technology abroad after exiting in violation of regulations, endangering national industrial security and technological security. To address the above problems, the Regulations, on the one hand, strengthens exit administration, requiring that the purpose of exit declared by exiting persons be genuine and lawful, and that they cooperate with immigration administration authorities in verifying their identity and the purpose of exit; stipulating that units and individuals issuing invitation letters shall be responsible for the authenticity of the invitation content; for those providing false materials or making false statements, immigration administration authorities have the right to decide not to issue exit-entry documents or not to allow their exit; on the other hand, pursuant to the authorization of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, it improves the circumstances for denial of exit, stipulating that for those who have been subjected to administrative detention penalties for fraudulently obtaining exit-entry documents or illegally exiting or entering, for those engaging in illegal and criminal activities abroad that endanger national security and interests, and for those violating regulations on export control, technology import and export management, etc., that may endanger national industrial security and technological security, they shall be denied exit according to law.
Question: What provisions does the Regulations make regarding regulating the entry administration of foreigners?
Answer: To further regulate the entry administration of foreigners, the Regulations mainly makes the following provisions: First, strengthening entry management. It requires that the purpose of entry, stay, or residence declared by entering persons be genuine and lawful, and that they cooperate with immigration administration authorities and visa-issuing authorities in verifying their identity and the purpose of application; stipulating that units and individuals issuing invitation letters shall be responsible for the authenticity of the invitation content. Second, improving the circumstances for denial of entry. Pursuant to the authorization of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, it clarifies that if a foreigner, when applying for a Chinese visa abroad or applying for entry at a port, provides false materials or makes false statements, has been subjected to criminal punishment for impairing border (frontier) administration, or has been subjected to administrative punishment for fraudulently obtaining exit-entry documents or illegally exiting or entering, they shall be denied entry according to law. Third, strengthening the implementation of entry countermeasures. To strengthen legal responses against counter-sanctions, counter-interference, and countering "long-arm jurisdiction," it stipulates that if a foreigner is included in a counter-sanctions list, an unreliable entity list, a malicious entity list, or is subject to countermeasures and restrictive measures, and relevant measures such as denial of issuance of exit-entry documents or denial of entry need to be taken according to law, the immigration administration authorities and visa-issuing authorities shall implement them in accordance with their respective duties.
Question: Please briefly introduce the main considerations of the Regulations in establishing a filing management system for exit-entry intermediary service institutions.
Answer: In recent years, the number of institutions in China engaged in exit-entry intermediary services has grown rapidly. While providing convenience for exiting and entering persons, problems have also emerged, such as unclear basic information on institutions, some institutions handling business in violation of laws and regulations, and damaging the lawful rights and interests of exiting and entering persons, affecting the standardized and healthy development of the industry and endangering the national order of exit and entry administration, making it urgently necessary to improve institutional norms. The Regulations adheres to a problem-oriented approach and purposefully improves the management system for intermediary service institutions: First, establishing a filing management system. It clarifies that institutions and personnel that accept entrustment from exiting and entering persons to engage in intermediary services such as exit-entry policy consultation, document agency, and procedure handling shall be subject to filing management, requiring intermediary service institutions to file with the local immigration administration authority within 15 days from the date of establishment, and personnel engaged in exit-entry intermediary services shall have their filing procedures handled by the institution where they work; institutions that were already engaged in intermediary services before the implementation of the Regulations shall complete the filing procedures within 90 days from the effective date of the Regulations. Policy consultation, inquiry, and other activities not for profit do not constitute exit-entry intermediary services as referred to in these Regulations. Second, clarifying the conditions that intermediary service institutions must meet. To ensure the quality of intermediary services and improve the level of service, it requires that institutions engaged in exit-entry intermediary services have staff with relevant professional knowledge, and have premises and financial guarantees suitable for engaging in intermediary service activities. At the same time, it clarifies that foreign enterprises and institutions shall not provide exit-entry intermediary services within the territory of China. Foreign-invested and Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan-invested enterprises and institutions lawfully established within the territory of China may lawfully engage in exit-entry intermediary services. Third, regulating intermediary service conduct. To effectively protect the lawful rights and interests of exiting and entering persons and promote the standardized and healthy development of the industry, it stipulates that institutions engaged in exit-entry intermediary services shall not engage in activities such as publishing false information or soliciting clients through exaggerated or misleading publicity, providing or assisting in providing false materials, or assisting others in illegally handling visas, stay and residence documents, passports, or other exit-entry documents or procedures.
Question: What provisions does the Regulations make regarding strengthening the protection of the lawful rights and interests of exiting and entering persons?
Answer: To better protect the lawful rights and interests of exiting and entering persons, the Regulations, on the basis of strengthening the protection of the personal safety of exiting persons, on the one hand, strengthens the protection of personal privacy and personal information. It emphasizes that the relevant competent departments and their staff shall keep confidential, according to law, trade secrets, personal privacy, and personal information learned during the performance of their duties. At the same time, it stipulates that exit-entry intermediary service institutions shall not disclose, sell, or illegally provide trade secrets, personal privacy, or personal information. On the other hand, it clarifies that the authority making the decision to deny exit shall promptly inform the party concerned in writing of the facts, reasons, legal basis, and remedies for the denial of exit; when executing a decision to deny exit, immigration administration authorities shall inform the party concerned in accordance with the notification from the deciding authority, thereby effectively strengthening the protection of the party's lawful rights regarding exit.
Return to TopBy: 金社平
High-quality development is the primary task of comprehensively building a modern socialist country.
On July 30, General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. The meeting pointed out: "Since the beginning of this year, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has united and led the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups across the country to be enterprising and strive bravely, adhering to the coordination of both domestic and international overall situations, coordinating development and security, and effectively responding to various external shocks and internal difficulties; our country's economy has presented a development trend of new momentum and optimized structure. At the same time, we must attach great importance to the difficulties and challenges in economic operation, strengthen our confidence, rise to meet difficulties, make good use of various opportunities and advantages, and promote high-quality development to move steadily and far."
"Today, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable, demonstrating an unprecedented bright prospect," General Secretary Xi Jinping solemnly declared at the meeting celebrating the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.
"The leadership of the Communist Party of China is the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the greatest advantage of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, the fundamental existence and lifeblood of the Party and the state, and the interest and destiny to which the people of all ethnic groups throughout the country are tied."
The key to handling China's affairs lies in the Party. The meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee emphasized: "Ensure that the Party always becomes a Marxist ruling party that stands at the forefront of the times, is wholeheartedly supported by the people, can withstand various tests of wind and waves, and is full of vigor; always become the strong leadership core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics; consolidate and expand the achievements of learning and education on establishing and practicing a correct view of political achievements, and promote leading cadres at all levels to continuously create new achievements in high-quality development with a more high-spirited and upward mental state."
(I)
Development is the hard truth, and high-quality development is the hard truth of the new era.
Regarding what kind of development China should achieve in the new era and how it should develop, General Secretary Xi Jinping has profound reflections: "Development in the new era and new stage must implement the new development philosophy, and it must be high-quality development."
"I am still the original Huang Dafa!" In Tuanjie Village, Pingzheng Gelao Township, Bozhou District, Zunyi, Guizhou, the recipient of the "July 1st Medal" over ninety years old, Huang Dafa, recounted the struggle of bringing water to revitalize the village to tourists who came for study and sightseeing.
One channel of living water revitalized the development of the entire mountain village. During his 38 years serving as the village Party branch secretary, Huang Dafa devoted himself wholeheartedly to leading his fellow villagers to struggle for increased income. Subsequently, Tuanjie Village achieved a leap from a deeply impoverished village to being removed from the poverty list, and then to becoming a national rural revitalization demonstration village.
Tuanjie Village is a microcosm; the development of Guizhou since the new era is a vivid portrayal of the complete, accurate, and comprehensive implementation of the new development philosophy and the focused promotion of high-quality development.
With 66 impoverished counties and a poverty incidence as high as 26.8%... Guizhou in 2012 was in the core poverty area of China, and its economic development had long been in a backward position.
"In the fight against poverty, I am a Party member, align yourselves with me!" Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, Party members and cadres at all levels in Guizhou led the broad masses to launch general offensives against one poverty stronghold after another. In November 2020, all impoverished counties in Guizhou Province were removed from the list, and the entire impoverished population was lifted out of poverty.
"Lifting the poverty hat is not the end, but the starting point of a new life and new struggle." Under the guidance of the new development philosophy, Guizhou developed its data industry according to local conditions, leaping to become one of the regions with the most and strongest intelligent computing resources in the country.
To be both prosperous and beautiful, while simultaneously guarding the two bottom lines of development and ecology, was considered difficult to achieve in traditional development paths, yet in Guizhou, they complement each other.
In the Gui'an New Area, more than 20 large-scale data centers are under continuous construction, while within a 200-kilometer radius, more than 50 clean energy power plants are continuously supplying green electricity here. Relying on the unique natural environment and the application of advanced energy-saving technologies, the power utilization rate of newly built data centers dropped from 1.48 at the end of 2020 to 1.17, reaching international advanced levels, and the cluster effect of green computing power continues to become prominent.
Today, the proportion of the green economy in Guizhou's economy has climbed to 48.8%, and the "green content" is profoundly reshaping the "gold content" of development.
Practice tells us that development is a constantly changing process; the development environment will not remain unchanged, the development conditions will not remain unchanged, and the development philosophy will naturally not remain unchanged.
To seek development in the new era, one must use the new development philosophy to break old concepts and use high-quality development to open up new situations.
"Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, we have put forward many major theories and concepts regarding economic and social development, among which the new development philosophy is the most important and primary."
Guiding new development practices with the achievements of theoretical innovation is a distinct feature of China's development in the new era.
The new development philosophy points out the development ideas, development directions, and development focuses of the new era; it is a major theoretical innovation of the political economy of socialism with Chinese characteristics and an enrichment and development of Marxist political economy.
The change in philosophy brings a magnificent atmosphere of high-quality development.
In one second, over 1.43 million gigabytes (GB) of data are transmitted in the cloud; in one minute, approximately 30 new energy vehicles roll off the assembly line; within one day, 26,000 newly established enterprises grow 如雨后春笋 (rú yǔ hòu chūn sǔn - "like bamboo shoots after rain," growing rapidly and in large numbers) ... Today, under the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping's Economic Thought, innovation, coordination, green, openness, and sharing are like five continuously beating musical notes, playing a new and beautiful movement upon the land of China, as the high-quality development of China's economy continuously moves toward new realms and achieves new results.
(II)
Where is the secret to China's development? The five-year plans are an important observation window.
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Scientifically formulating and successively implementing five-year plans is an important experience in our Party's governance of the country, and also an important political advantage of socialism with Chinese characteristics."
Opening the "15th Five-Year Plan" outline, the term "high-quality development" appears more than 30 times, becoming a distinct theme of economic and social development, inheriting the essence of the "14th Five-Year Plan" outline and telling the story of China's "long-termism."
On June 30, two pieces of news regarding China's power development amazed a group of foreign netizens: "China's freedom of electricity use is a top-tier luxury!"
One is that a report released by the National Energy Administration shows that by the end of 2025, China's number of electricity users will approach 800 million, ranking first in the world.
The other is that the ±800 kV ultra-high voltage direct current (UHVDC) transmission project from northern Shaanxi to Anhui has commenced operation; this is the first UHVDC transmission project to commence operation during China's "15th Five-Year Plan" period, and it can transmit more than 36 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity to Anhui annually, of which more than half is clean energy.
More than 70 years ago, China's per capita electricity consumption was only 8 kWh; in 2025, per capita electricity consumption has reached more than 7,300 kWh, a growth of over 900 times. During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, the total investment scale of China's power grid is expected to exceed 5 trillion yuan.
The counterattack of a power grid comes from the determination to draw a blueprint to the very end.
Having built the world's largest clean power generation system, with an average power supply reliability exceeding 99.9%, and UHV projects bridging the "West-to-East Power Transmission" channel... guided by five-year plans (plans), leveraging the institutional advantage of concentrating resources to accomplish major tasks, "full power" is injected into China's development.
From "not being able to manufacture a single car, a single airplane, a single tank, or a single tractor," to an annual production of new energy vehicles exceeding 16 million, Shenzhou spacecraft flying to the heavens, Jiaolong submersible exploring the seas, and leaping to become the largest manufacturing power... over the past 70-plus years, we have always, with the unswerving determination to formulate and implement one five-year plan (plan) after another, continuously realized the people's yearning for a better life.
Five-year plans are not unique to China, nor were they pioneered by China. But looking globally, there is not yet any political party or national government in the world that can, like us, successively formulate the striving goals for economic and social development for every stage and unite and lead the entire people to strive together.
"The reason why the Communist Party of China can continuously forge brilliance through 105 years of struggle, and the reason why history and the people chose the Communist Party of China, fundamentally lies in the fact that our Party possesses excellent qualities that no other political party or political force can match." The long-term governance of the Communist Party of China possesses incomparably strong leadership, organizational, and execution capabilities, which can avoid problems such as policy short-sightedness and frequent changes in policy under Western multi-party systems, providing an important "stability anchor" for China's long-term economic development.
Firmly grasping high-quality development as the primary task, and in the successive struggles of one five-year period after another, being committed to "always standing at the forefront of the times, being wholeheartedly supported by the people, being brave in self-revolution, being able to withstand various tests of wind and waves, and being full of vigor," the Party is leading hundreds of millions of Chinese sons and daughters to move forward firmly on the path of rejuvenation.
(III)
Development provides the topics, and reform does the work. As high-quality development moves forward with determination, the comprehensive deepening of reform advances with unstoppable momentum.
"Chinese-style modernization is continuously promoted through reform and opening up, and it will also surely open up broad prospects through reform and opening up." Profoundly grasping the dialectical relationship between reform and development is an important experience of our Party in leading the cause of reform to victory.
"Awarding the title of 'National Advanced Primary-level Party Organization' to 399 primary-level Party organizations, including the Atmospheric Environment Division Party Branch of the Beijing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau..." On July 1, inside the Beijing People's Hall, the "Decision of the CPC Central Committee on Commending National Outstanding Communist Party Members, National Outstanding Party Workers, and National Advanced Primary-level Party Organizations" was read, and applause paid tribute at the scene.
Developing the spirit of tackling hard problems, innovatively constructing a new type of ecological and environmental governance system of "data-driven, three-party linked monitoring"... all Party members of the Atmospheric Environment Division Party Branch of the Beijing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau dare to face difficulties, act with sincerity, persevere, and work for long-term results. They meticulously grasp every 0.1 microgram, allowing blue skies to change from a "luxury item" into a "daily necessity."
Ecological and environmental issues were once a prominent problem of Beijing's "big city diseases" and became a source of heartache and vexation for the common people.
The problems that arise after development are not fewer than those before development. Today, problems appearing in development must be solved with higher-quality development; difficulties encountered in development must be broken through with deeper reform.
Beijing has taken bold steps and applied the right remedies, treating the deepening of reform as a key measure to break through the difficulties of atmospheric pollution prevention and control, issuing a series of innovative reform plans such as the "Opinions of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality on Further Improving the System and Mechanism for Atmospheric Pollution Prevention and Control to Promote Continuous Improvement of Air Quality," building a "green content" indicator system, and driving "green innovation and emission reduction" in the three major fields of structure, engineering, and management.
Under the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, reforms on a larger scale are being pushed forward simultaneously. During the "13th Five-Year Plan" period, the joint prevention and control mechanism for atmospheric pollution in the "2+26" transmission channel cities of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and surrounding areas was fully launched; in 2023, it was adjusted to "2+36" cities to further fill the shortcomings in atmospheric pollution prevention and control.
The magnificent transformation from "blue skies rarely appearing and stars having no shadow" to "blue skies, white clouds, and twinkling stars" is precisely the vivid practice of Xi Jinping's Thought on Ecological Civilization, and also the brilliant answer written by the reform of the ecological civilization system.
Reform and opening up is an important magic weapon for the Party and the people's cause to make great strides to catch up with the times, and it is also the fundamental driving force for advancing Chinese-style modernization.
Economic system reform has firmly grasped the core issue of handling the relationship between the government and the market, and the socialist market economic system is continuously being improved; social system reform continues to make new progress in ensuring that children are cared for, students are educated, workers obtain earnings, the sick receive medical treatment, the elderly are supported, residents have housing, and the weak receive assistance; the comprehensive deepening of scientific and technological system reform promotes the achievement of historic accomplishments and the occurrence of historic transformations in the scientific and technological cause; the reform of the ecological civilization system is advancing in depth, adhering to strict prevention at the source, strict management in the process, and strict punishment for consequences, and green development has become the distinct background color of the construction of a Beautiful China... Since the new era, the comprehensive deepening of reform has proceeded with rapid and steady steps, unswervingly promoting high-level opening up to the outside world, promoting reform and development through openness, and the level of modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity has significantly improved.
Surging from the depths of history, surging toward national rejuvenation. "From this, we should hold a firm belief that China's path of reform and opening up can certainly succeed."
"Time waits for no one! History waits for no one!"
China's development is currently in a period where strategic opportunities and risks and challenges coexist, and uncertain and unpredictable factors are increasing, requiring us to be prepared at all times to undergo major tests of high winds and steep waves or even stormy seas.
History and reality have fully proven that adhering to and strengthening the Party's comprehensive leadership is related to the future and destiny of the Party and the state: "All our undertakings are built upon this foundation and are rooted in this most essential feature and greatest advantage."
Anchoring the primary task of high-quality development, not forgetting the original intention and remembering the mission, being modest and cautious, striving hard, daring to struggle, and being good at struggling, we have full confidence and ability to create new and even greater miracles that will make the world look at us with new eyes in the new era and on the new journey.
Return to TopOur reporter from Harbin, July 31 (Reporter Fang Yuan). A symposium on the "Witnessing Civilization: An Oral History of the Building of Spiritual Civilization" (《亲历文明——精神文明建设口述史》) book series was held on July 31 in Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province. The meeting was hosted by the Central Office for the Building of Spiritual Civilization (中央精神文明建设办公室) and jointly organized by the People's Publishing House (人民出版社) and the Heilongjiang Provincial Party Committee Publicity Department (Provincial Civilization Office) (黑龙江省委宣传部（省文明办）). Responsible comrades from relevant central and local units, as well as representatives from grassroots masses, experts and scholars, news media, and publishing institutions, attended.
Attending representatives held that carrying out the collation and research of oral histories of the building of spiritual civilization is a concrete action and specific measure to deeply study and implement Xi Jinping’s thought on culture, especially the important discourse on the building of spiritual civilization by General Secretary Xi Jinping. It is conducive to preserving precious historical memories, deepening theoretical research and construction, and promoting high-quality development of the building of spiritual civilization in the new era.
Attending representatives stated that history is the best textbook; it is necessary to make good use of historical experience, adhere to ideological guidance, and firmly grasp the correct direction of the building of spiritual civilization; to persist in taking construction as the focus, and continuously consolidate and strengthen the mainstream values of society; to adhere to the primacy of the people, and effectively enhance the mass character of the work; to persist in cultivating people through culture, and constantly enrich people's spiritual world; to persist in improvement and innovation, and push forward the comprehensive advance of the building of spiritual civilization into the main battlefield of the internet; to persist in telling stories well, and enhance the appeal and influence of the building of spiritual civilization; to persist in systemic thinking, and gather joint forces for the work of building spiritual civilization. It is necessary to promote the transformation and application of the achievements from the first batch of collation and research of oral histories of the building of spiritual civilization, continue to advance the collation and editing of oral histories of the building of spiritual civilization, deepen the scholarly research on the building of spiritual civilization, and continuously raise the level of work in building spiritual civilization.
It is reported that the first series of "Witnessing Civilization: An Oral History of the Building of Spiritual Civilization" has recently been formally published by the People's Publishing House, including 11 volumes covering Shanghai, Jinan, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Daqing, Wuxi, Huzhou, Sanming (三明), Shiyan (十堰), Yan'an, and Zhangjiagang (张家港).
Return to TopOur Newspaper Harbin, July 31 (Reporters Cui Jia**（崔佳）** and Fang Yuan**（方圆）**). On July 31, the special event "Virtue Shines upon China · Promote the Daqing Spirit (Iron Man Spirit)" (德耀中华·弘扬大庆精神（铁人精神）) was held in Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province.
The Daqing Spirit (Iron Man Spirit) is an important component of the spiritual genealogy of Chinese Communists. The special event vividly interpreted the nurturing process and rich connotations of the Daqing Spirit (Iron Man Spirit) through forms such as storytelling, scene reenactments, and musical dramas, showcased the moving deeds of many advanced models including National Moral Models (全国道德模范) and "Role Models of the Times (时代楷模)," and presented, from multiple angles, the will and character of the Chinese people carrying forward the struggle tirelessly.
The special event opened with "Classic Echoes: Spiritual Monument," which reviewed the story of Wang Jinxi**（王进喜）, the "Iron Man"; the scene-narration "We Are the Stars and the Sea" showed the stories of two scientists, Liu Yongtan（刘永坦）** and Yang Shi'e**（杨士莪）, who were "Role Models of the Times," repaying the country with science throughout their lives, educating people for the Party and cultivating talents for the nation; the scene performance "Prosperous Age · Restoration of Light" recreated the scene of Guo Hanzhong（郭汉中）, a ninth-term National Moral Model (第九届全国道德模范), guarding the treasures of Chinese culture with an innovative and persistent spirit; the television short film "The Northernmost Light Keeper" told the advanced deeds of Lv Jiansheng（吕建生）, a ninth-term National Moral Model, in guarding the myriad lights of the border outpost; "The Guardian of Love" told the story of Liu Ximeng（刘羲檬）, an eighth-term National Moral Model, who studied and sought knowledge while carrying her paralyzed mother, showing 自强不息 (zìqiáng bùxī - "self-reliance and unremitting effort," to strive constantly to improve oneself); the musical drama "The Recorder" showed the deeds of two ninth-term National Moral Models: He Jingtang（何镜堂）, who records the times with buildings bearing Chinese imprints, and Liang Jianying（梁建英）, who bravely innovates to help China's high-speed rail lead the world; "The Power of Faith" told the story of Cui Daozhi（崔道植）**, a recipient of the July 1 Medal (七一勋章) and China's chief expert in gunshot trace identification, who devoted himself to research and dedicated himself to the Party and the country.
This special event was hosted by the Office of the Central Leading Group for the Building of Spiritual Civilization (中央精神文明建设办公室) and organized by the Publicity and Education Bureau of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee (中央宣传部宣传教育局), the Civilization Cultivation Bureau (文明培育局), and the Publicity Department of the Heilongjiang Provincial Committee of the CPC (Provincial Office for the Building of Spiritual Civilization) (黑龙江省委宣传部（省文明办）).
Return to TopBy: 俞大鹏
General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “We must fully recognize the importance and urgency of advancing the development of quantum science and technology, strengthen strategic planning and systematic layout for quantum science and technology, grasp the major trends, and take the preemptive action.”
Quantum computing is called one of the most disruptive technologies of this century. From abstract formulas on physicists’ blackboards to a key arena in which countries around the world are now racing to deploy their efforts, what path has quantum computing traversed? Why is it so important, and what challenges does it face? In this installment of “Academician Explains Science for the Public · Future Industries,” Yu Dayong (俞大鹏), Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Dean of the Shenzhen International Quantum Research Institute (深圳国际量子研究院), answers these questions one by one.
— Editor
From Quantum Mechanics to Quantum Computing: A Thought Relay Across a Century
The birth of quantum computing is rooted in the most profound revolution of 20th-century physics — quantum mechanics.
In 1900, physicist Planck put forward a hypothesis: the absorption and release of energy are not continuous but proceed in the smallest unit of “energy quanta.” This hypothesis opened the door to the microscopic world. Subsequently, a group of scientific giants — Einstein, Bohr, de Broglie, Schrödinger, Heisenberg, Dirac, and others — successively constructed the theoretical edifice of quantum mechanics: de Broglie proposed “wave-particle duality,” Schrödinger gave the “wave equation” describing quantum states, and Heisenberg revealed the most counter-intuitive feature of the microscopic world, the “uncertainty principle.”
The value of quantum mechanics is not limited to explaining the microscopic world. In the latter half of the 20th century, the first quantum science and technology revolution, based on the principles of quantum mechanics, brought profound changes to human society. Technologies such as lasers, semiconductors, and magnetic resonance imaging are all related to quantum mechanics. Among them, semiconductor technology, based on solid-state band theory, gave birth to the electronic information industry.
What truly pushed quantum mechanics to the frontier of computing science was a series of theoretical breakthroughs in the 1980s. Physicist Richard Feynman proposed that since nature fundamentally follows the laws of quantum mechanics, simulating quantum systems with classical computers will inevitably face exponential difficulty — perhaps one could build a computer that follows the principles of quantum mechanics to simulate the quantum world. This conception opened the possibility for quantum computing.
From Conception to Practice: Driving Forces and Technical Paths of Quantum Computing
Entering the 21st century, quantum computing has moved from theoretical conception to engineering practice. Three major driving forces have propelled this process.
First, demand-driven factors. In the digital age, “computing power determines everything.” However, as transistor dimensions approach physical limits, the growth of traditional computers’ computing power has encountered a “ceiling.” At the same time, fields such as big data, artificial intelligence, drug R&D, and climate simulation have seen rapidly growing demands for computing power, creating an urgent need for a completely new computing paradigm.
Second, a leap in manipulation capabilities. After decades of technical accumulation, humanity has been able to precisely manipulate the microscopic world at the level of quantum states. From trapping single ions to preparing single photons, from precisely controlling superconducting quantum circuits to manipulating single atoms — these abilities, once unimaginable, have become routine in the laboratory.
Third, the deepening of quantum mechanics itself. Going back to the early days of quantum mechanics, even scientific giants such as Einstein and Schrödinger were deeply perplexed by properties such as quantum entanglement and quantum superposition. In 2022, the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to pioneering work on quantum entanglement experiments; in 2025, the Nobel Prize in Physics was again awarded to scientists who observed macroscopic quantum tunneling and energy quantization in circuits. This shows that humanity’s understanding of the quantum world is continuously deepening.
On the technical path, quantum computing presents a pattern of “a hundred flowers blooming.” The main technical routes include superconducting quantum computing, ion traps, photonic quantum computing, neutral atoms, silicon-based quantum dots, and so on.
Superconducting quantum computing is currently the mainstream technical route, with more than 30% of global quantum computing enterprises choosing this direction. In 2025, the team from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) released the “Zuchongzhi No. 3” (祖冲之三号) superconducting quantum computing prototype, refreshing the world record for quantum computational advantage in the superconducting system.
Photonic quantum computing is an area where China has a significant advantage. From the 76-photon “Jiuzhang” (九章) prototype in 2020 to the 255-photon “Jiuzhang No. 3” (九章三号) in 2023, the USTC team has continued to lead on the photonic quantum route.
Although each route has made considerable progress, quantum computing is still a considerable distance from providing universal, fault-tolerant computing support. The “Research Report on the Development Situation of Quantum Computing (2025)” released by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology points out that quantum computing is currently in a critical period of technological breakthrough, and it remains unclear which technical route will prevail in the competition.
China’s Quantum Computing: Frontier Exploration from Following to Running Neck-and-Neck
The speed of China’s development in the field of quantum computing has drawn worldwide attention.
In 2019, Google claimed to have first achieved quantum computational advantage with its 53-qubit superconducting processor “Sycamore.” In 2020, the USTC team successfully developed the 76-photon “Jiuzhang” photonic quantum computing prototype. This achievement made China the second country to achieve quantum computational advantage. The following year, “Jiuzhang No. 2” (九章二号) and “Zuchongzhi No. 2” (祖冲之二号) were successively unveiled, making China the only country in the world to have reached quantum computational advantage on two technical routes simultaneously.
In March 2025, the “Zuchongzhi No. 3” superconducting quantum computing prototype was officially released. Its speed in handling the “quantum random circuit sampling” problem broke the world record for quantum computational advantage in the superconducting system. In May 2026, the USTC team again achieved a major breakthrough — successfully developing the programmable quantum computing prototype “Jiuzhang No. 4” (九章四号), which for the first time manipulated and detected quantum states of up to 3050 photons. The speed at which “Jiuzhang No. 4” solves Gaussian boson sampling tasks exceeds that of the current fastest supercomputer in the world. This achievement further consolidates China’s leading position in the field of photonic quantum computing.
Quantum science and technology has been listed as a future industry prioritized for development in China. The National Laboratory in Hefei, Anhui, takes the lead in organizing and implementing the national major science and technology special project “Quantum Communication and Quantum Computer,” coordinating and pooling the country’s advantageous resources.
The development roadmap for quantum computing is roughly divided into three stages: first, achieving quantum computational advantage; second, exploring practical applications of noisy intermediate-scale quantum processors; and the ultimate goal is to build a large-scale, error-correctable universal quantum computer.
Judging from current technological progress, there is still a considerable distance between quantum computational advantage and useful computing power. But the direction is already clear, and the pace is accelerating. From Feynman’s conception in the 1980s to the advent of “Jiuzhang No. 4,” quantum computing is moving from theory to reality, from the laboratory to industry. The road may be long, but every breakthrough accumulates strength for moving toward a new era of computing.
(Author: Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dean of the Shenzhen International Quantum Research Institute; compiled and sorted by our reporter Lyu Shaogang (吕绍刚))
■ Extended Reading
“Quantum” — How Much Do You Know?
[Quantum Computational Advantage]
Quantum computational advantage refers to the capability, on certain specific problems, of quantum computers to far exceed classical computers due to properties such as quantum coherent superposition and quantum entanglement. For example, when facing problems such as random quantum circuits or boson sampling, the “Zuchongzhi” superconducting quantum computer and the “Jiuzhang” photonic quantum computer have both demonstrated quantum computational advantage. However, these problems are currently only a means of measuring the overall performance of quantum processors, showcasing the potential of quantum computing — there is still a distance from quantum computing applications.
[Photonic Quantum Computing]
Photonic quantum computing directly uses photons as information carriers, encoding logic “0” and “1” by using different paths or polarization directions of photons. Utilizing quantum superposition, a single photon can simultaneously explore multiple states; its core is controlling interference — essentially, by using the coherent superposition property of waves, it solves complex mathematical problems through the physical evolution of light.
[Quantum Entanglement]
Quantum entanglement refers to the phenomenon where two or more particles, after forming a whole, become instantly correlated in their states no matter how far apart they are. It is like two coins being entangled: before observation, the orientation of each coin is uncertain; when one coin is observed to be heads up, the other instantly becomes tails up, even if it has been taken to the moon. This kind of seemingly “action-at-a-distance” wondrous phenomenon is precisely the foundation of current frontier technologies such as quantum communication, quantum computing, and quantum precision measurement.
Return to TopBy: 董 恺
“Inattention, emotional impulsiveness,” “procrastination,” “feeling like the brain has stopped working”… Recently, joking about having “prefrontal cortex damage” has become a hot online topic.
Is that really the case? From a medical perspective, this self-diagnosis is not accurate.
The “prefrontal cortex” is located at the front of the brain’s frontal lobe, behind the forehead. It is responsible for motor control, language output, task planning, impulse inhibition, desire management, and regulating attention, emotions, and personality. Although it accounts for a very small volume, it is the command center of the human body’s cognitive functions. Resisting delicious food, solving difficult problems step by step, and shielding from distractions at work all rely on its regulation.
Prefrontal cortex damage often has clear causes, such as head trauma, cerebrovascular disease, tumors, inflammation, poisoning, metabolic disorders, etc. Different sites of damage produce different symptoms: damage to the dorsolateral area can cause a sharp drop in executive function, making it difficult to complete simple plans; damage to the orbitofrontal area may trigger sudden personality changes, with a previously gentle person becoming irritable and impulsive; damage to the medial area may lead to cognitive impairment, manifesting unconscious movements such as forced grasping and groping. These conditions require diagnosis by a neurologist through examination.
The so-called “prefrontal cortex damage” circulating online involves no organic damage; it is actually “functional fatigue,” a decline in prefrontal cortex function due to information overload, similar to how too many apps on a phone cause lag. Under information overload, the brain also “downclocks,” medically termed “cognitive fatigue,” commonly seen in modern people who work under long-term high pressure, cannot stop scrolling short videos, or multitask. Because the efficiency of neural synaptic connections in the prefrontal cortex temporarily declines and the secretion of neurotransmitters becomes imbalanced, reactions slow, attention scatters, and emotions become volatile.
Although this “functional downclocking” is not organic, its harm should not be underestimated. In the short term, it reduces efficiency, causing people to fall into a vicious cycle of “the busier, the more chaotic; the more chaotic, the busier.” Long-term continuous consumption of the brain’s “central processor” memory will cause the brain network’s operating speed to decline, and in severe cases may lead to irreversible functional damage. Studies have found that continuous information overload can overactivate the brain’s stress system, leading to elevated cortisol levels, which in turn damages the hippocampus. Long-term low function of the prefrontal cortex may cause changes in various emotion-related neurotransmitters in the brain, affecting emotional regulation and increasing the risk of depression and anxiety. Some studies indicate that many patients develop emotional disorders precisely due to long-term “brain overload.”
To “lighten the load” on the brain, one must practice “information diet” at the source, actively reducing the intake of ineffective information and setting aside time for organization and repair. One can set a daily “deep work” period, choosing a block of time to handle the most difficult tasks, avoid distractions, gradually extend the duration of focus, and exercise the prefrontal cortex’s “endurance.”
Sleep is key to repairing neural synaptic connections in the brain, and the repair of the prefrontal cortex mainly occurs during deep sleep. It is recommended to avoid staying up late, reduce phone scrolling before bed, and ensure 7–9 hours of high-quality sleep. Ten minutes of focused breathing each day can enhance the prefrontal cortex’s ability to regulate emotions. If accompanied by persistent low mood and loss of interest for more than two weeks, be alert to the possibility of depression and seek professional evaluation.
The “prefrontal cortex damage” circulating online reflects modern people’s excessive overdrawing of the brain. The brain needs rest and nourishment, and it also needs to be treated gently. Starting today, scroll less on short videos and sleep more, giving the prefrontal cortex room to breathe. Only by protecting this “commander-in-chief” can one face life’s challenges more calmly.
(The author is Deputy Director of the Combined Psychiatry and Neurology Ward at Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University (首都医科大学附属北京安定医院), and the article was compiled through an interview by this newspaper’s reporter Wang Zhou (王洲).)
Return to TopBy: 刘晓波
Since the beginning of July, large-scale, persistent high-temperature weather has occurred in China's northwestern region, the southern part of North China, and the western and northern parts of the Huang-Huai region, among other places.
Some ask: was this round of high temperatures directly caused by the "heat dome"?
To answer this question, one must first understand what the "heat dome" actually is. The "heat dome" is a description of the phenomenon of extreme high-temperature weather; it is not a clearly defined meteorological academic term. It is a summarizing, vivid popular-science formulation by forecasters of the physical causes related to high-temperature weather. It describes a large-scale high-pressure system that stably controls a certain area for a long time, covering the sky above like a "pot lid," making it difficult for heat to spread outward and causing sustained warming. Therefore, one cannot simply say that this round of high temperatures was directly caused by the "heat dome." To be precise, the recent high temperatures in China's northwest, North China, and other places were triggered by the control of a high-pressure ridge. Under the control of the high pressure, the system is stable and barely moves, the sky is clear with few clouds, solar radiation is strong, the air warms as it subsides, and heat continuously accumulates near the ground, ultimately causing extreme high-temperature weather in some areas.
Important systems affecting China's summer high temperatures include the subtropical high, the blocking high, and others. The subtropical high mainly affects China's Jianghuai region, Jiangnan, South China, the Sichuan Basin, and other places; the blocking high, by contrast, appears more often in mid- to high-latitude regions and is characterized by stability and little movement, keeping a certain area in a sunny, hot, and rain-scarce state for a long time. Persistent high temperatures in China's northwest, North China, and other places are sometimes related to a high-pressure ridge or a blocking high, and all these areas may experience the "heat dome" effect. The warming manifestations of the subtropical high and the blocking high are consistent with the formation mechanism of the "heat dome" effect, and they can be regarded as the driving systems that cause the "heat dome" phenomenon.
How does the "heat dome" effect form? First, under the control of high pressure, air subsides, and during subsidence the air is compressed and warmed. Second, with a clear sky and few clouds, solar radiation is stronger, and the ground surface is continuously heated. Third, the system is stable and barely moves, heat diffusion in both horizontal and vertical directions is restricted, and heat continuously accumulates in a certain area. When several aspects are superimposed, a large-scale "heat dome" effect readily forms. The "heat dome" effect mainly occurs in summer, but under specific conditions, some areas may also experience abnormally warm weather in winter.
In recent years, we have felt it getting hotter and hotter; behind this is actually the combined result of weather-scale systems and climate change. In the short term, it is that a certain high-pressure system is stable and barely moves, causing clear, sun-baked weather, subsidence warming, and heat accumulation. In the long term, it is that global warming raises the baseline temperature, and factors such as soil drought and the urban heat island effect further amplify the human body's perception of high temperatures.
(The author is the chief forecaster of the Central Meteorological Observatory (中央气象台); this article was compiled from an interview by our reporter Jiang Xuehong (蒋雪鸿).)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 孙海天
Beneath the polar ice sheets lies a carbon reservoir of astonishing scale. Natural gas hydrate, commonly known as "combustible ice," is a special "clathrate compound." Under extreme low-temperature and high-pressure conditions, water molecules form crystalline cages that lock greenhouse gases such as methane and other gas molecules within them.
Global continental margins and permafrost regions store approximately 1,800 gigatons of methane, forming one of the largest methane reservoirs in the global carbon cycle. The scientific community has long been concerned: climate warming leads to ice sheet retreat, ice sheet retreat leads to the decomposition of combustible ice and release of methane, and large amounts of methane entering the atmosphere further intensify the greenhouse effect — once this occurs, climate warming will fall into a "self-accelerating" cycle. The geoscience community terms this extreme scenario the "clathrate gun" hypothesis.
When will this "gun" "fire"? Traditional views hold that the decomposition of combustible ice is primarily driven by changes in temperature and pressure, while the heat conduction rate in deep-sea strata is slow, and moreover, the hydrate itself absorbs surrounding heat during decomposition. Therefore, hydrate destabilization is regarded as a slow threat, potentially taking thousands of years.
However, a study by the Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院深海科学与工程研究所) in collaboration with an international team has revealed a new mechanism for the rapid release of methane from polar natural gas hydrate systems.
Wang Jiliang (王吉亮), an associate researcher at the institute, together with an international team, published the research findings in the international journal Nature Geoscience. This study confirms for the first time that during periods of glacial retreat, meltwater-driven groundwater flushing can cause rapid "dissolution" of natural gas hydrates in marine sediments. This process bypasses the limitation of slow heat conduction and does not require waiting for an overall rise in environmental temperature, thereby triggering large-scale methane release.
This study originated from a set of 自相矛盾 (zì xiāng máo dùn - "spear and shield contradicting each other," self-contradictory) data. The research team, relying on drilling data from the International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 400, studied the hydrate system in Melville Bay on the northwestern shelf of Greenland. The data clearly showed a "bottom-simulating reflector," a signature signal of the presence of combustible ice on the seabed, indicating that the region has an ample methane source. According to conventional reasoning, the interior of the gas hydrate stability zone should be enriched with methane. However, core data retrieved from boreholes sent a contrary signal: a widespread anomaly of "low methane, low salinity" appeared within the stability zone.
Where did the methane that should have been there go? "The answer lies in the salinity," Wang Jiliang explained. Low salinity indicates that large amounts of fresh water once infiltrated these sediments. Based on this, the research team proposed a new model of hydrate destabilization: glacial melting forms a huge subglacial hydraulic gradient, driving large amounts of fresh water to percolate downward, like "dissolving sugar in warm water," causing the combustible ice crystals to rapidly "dissolve," thereby releasing large amounts of methane into the sea.
This discovery confirms that the hydrate stability zone cannot completely "lock in" methane. As long as the temperature crosses the freezing point and the ice sheet produces meltwater, the meltwater flushing mechanism can be activated.
This is precisely the urgency of the issue. The Arctic is warming far faster than the global average. In the fjords of the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic, scientists have observed high concentrations of methane anomalies in seawater occurring synchronously with low-salinity glacial meltwater. This means that the meltwater generated by current climate warming is already "releasing" seabed methane and discharging it into the atmosphere.
The study also issued a warning: in the future, elements such as hydrological processes in high-latitude regions, the morphology of sedimentary basins, and ice sheet dynamics must all be incorporated into predictive models of climate feedback.
Return to TopBeijing, this newspaper (Wu Yuehui, Jin Zhihan) – Li Yongfang (李永舫), academician of the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院化学研究所), and researcher Meng Lei (孟磊) and their team recently successfully prepared high-performance perovskite-organic tandem solar cells, with a steady-state photoelectric conversion efficiency of 28.04%, taking a key step toward practical application. This achievement has been published in the international academic journal Nature.
Perovskite-organic tandem solar cells are formed by stacking a wide-bandgap perovskite sub-cell and a narrow-bandgap organic sub-cell in series, enabling absorption of different wavelength bands of sunlight to break through the efficiency limit of single-junction solar cells. The efficiency improvement of such cells has long been constrained by issues such as large voltage loss and insufficient stability in the wide-bandgap perovskite front cell. To solve the efficiency improvement challenge, the research team proposed a "full-stage regulation" strategy, designing and introducing photo-convertible additive molecules to promote uniform mixing of perovskite components, bind more firmly with the perovskite surface, and effectively suppress phase separation under illumination.
Return to TopBeijing, (Our Newspaper) (Reporter Wu Yue (吴月)) — In response to the phenomenon of cyanobacteria blooms sometimes rapidly disappearing in nature, a team from Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, in collaboration with a team from the School of Environment at Tsinghua University, systematically analyzed the regulated cell death mechanism of ferroptosis in cyanobacterial cells, revealing the mystery of the rapid population decline of bloom-forming cyanobacteria and providing new ideas for precisely curbing the outbreak of cyanobacteria blooms at the source. The relevant findings were published in the international academic journal Science.
The team discovered that cyanobacterial cells are rich in iron ions and lipids. Under specific environmental stress, iron ions become unusually active, thereby catalyzing a chain reaction of lipid peroxidation and generating iron-catalyzed, active lipid peroxidation products. The molecular conformation of these substances changes, which can both damage the cell membrane structure and trigger cell death, as well as induce the same death process in surrounding cells.
Return to TopBy: 桂星星
The Xiangshan Revolution Memorial Hall (香山革命纪念馆) treasures a calligraphy manuscript of the poem "Commemorating August First" (纪念八一), inscribed by Marshal Zhu De in 1965 and presented to Senior General Xiao Jinguang. The manuscript measures 119 cm in height and 61.9 cm in width; the poem was composed by Marshal Zhu De:
The Nanchang first uprising gave birth to a new army,
Rejoicing that workers and peasants for the first time had troops.
The great revolutionary banner held firmly in hand,
In the end victory belongs to the people.
The inscription reads: "Comrade Jinguang, Zhu De, July 4, 1965."
Marshal Zhu De's granddaughter, Ms. Zhu Xinhua (朱新华), donated this calligraphy manuscript to our museum, and it is now a national first-class cultural relic (国家一级文物). This precious manuscript both crystallizes the profound comradeship-in-arms of two founding heroes of the state (开国元勋) who 并肩作战 (bìng jiān zuò zhàn - "shoulder to shoulder in battle," to fight side by side) and vividly attests to the historical status of the Nanchang Uprising (南昌起义).
Zhu De was a great proletarian revolutionary, statesman, and military strategist, one of the principal founders of the People's Liberation Army, and a founding hero of the People's Republic of China. He joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1922 and participated in leading the August 1 Nanchang Uprising. During the New Democratic Revolution (新民主主义革命), he successively served as Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army (中国工农红军), Commander-in-Chief of the Eighth Route Army (八路军), and Commander-in-Chief of the People's Liberation Army. After the founding of New China, Comrade Zhu De, in important positions in the Party, the state, and the military, actively participated in important decision-making for the socialist revolution and construction. Throughout his life he made important contributions and established immortal merit for the Chinese people's cause of liberation and the cause of socialist construction.
Xiao Jinguang, a native of Changsha, Hunan, was an outstanding proletarian revolutionary and military strategist. He joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1922. During the War of Liberation (解放战争), he successively served as Deputy Commander-in-Chief and Chief of Staff of the Northeast Democratic United Army (东北民主联军) and Commander of the First Army Group of the Northeast Field Army (东北野战军). In the early days after the founding of New China, he was commissioned to build the People's Navy; in January 1950 he assumed the posts of Navy Commander and concurrently President of the First Naval School. He was the founder and pioneer of New China's People's Navy and made outstanding contributions to the building and development of the People's Navy. In 1955 he was awarded the rank of Senior General.
Zhu De 博览群书 (bó lǎn qún shū - "broadly read many books," to be widely read) all his life, loved calligraphy, and particularly esteemed the calligraphic styles of Yan Zhenqing and Huang Tingjian. In daily practice he was extremely frugal, often choosing inexpensive maobian paper and never engaging in 铺张浪费 (pū zhāng làng fèi - "extravagant display and waste," to be ostentatious and wasteful). Whenever comrades in the military or old comrades-in-arms asked him for calligraphy, he would repeatedly set brush to paper and practice, polishing again and again, and select the most satisfactory piece to present to the other person. This handwritten piece, written on maobian paper and donated to our museum, was the polishing draft made before the work was presented to Xiao Jinguang that year. Zhu De's wife, Kang Keqing, cherished all kinds of Zhu De's calligraphic manuscripts and kept them carefully for several decades, which is how this manuscript has been preserved intact to this day.
On August 1, 1927, Zhou Enlai, He Long, Ye Ting, Zhu De, Liu Bocheng, and other revolutionary predecessors led the masses in launching the Nanchang Uprising. The gunfire atop Nanchang's city walls fired the first shot of armed resistance against the Kuomintang reactionaries (国民党反动派), opening a brand-new chapter of the Chinese Communist Party independently leading armed struggle, creating the people's army, and seizing political power through armed struggle. This armed uprising, directly led by our Party and profoundly changing the course of the Chinese revolution, demonstrated the sincere conviction of Chinese Communists to 不畏强暴 (bù wèi qiáng bào - "not fear brute force," to defy violence and tyranny) and carry the revolution through to the end, and formally opened the great journey of the Party independently building and commanding the people's army. On July 11, 1933, the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic (中华苏维埃共和国临时中央政府), on the proposal of the Central Revolutionary Military Commission (中革军委), formally designated August 1 as the Commemoration Day of the Founding of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army. From then on, "August First" became the eternal Army Day of the people's army. In 1957, which marked the thirtieth anniversary of the Nanchang Uprising, Zhu De, 有感而发 (yǒu gǎn ér fā - "having feelings, then giving them expression," to be moved to write), wrote this poem extolling the great undertaking of army building.
This calligraphy manuscript, having weathered the years, is both a vivid testimony to the profound revolutionary friendship of the two founding heroes of the state and a precious historical carrier that records the birth process of the people's army, inherits the August First spirit, and inscribes the red military soul.
(Author affiliation: Xiangshan Revolution Memorial Hall)
Return to TopBy: 陈凯悦
More than 60 years ago, an ordinary soldier of the People’s Liberation Army, in order to protect militia members and people’s armed cadres, 奋不顾身 (fèn bù gù shēn - “dash forward without regard for one’s own safety”) threw himself onto a package of explosives that was about to detonate due to an accident, sacrificing his life at the age of just 23. That soldier was Wang Jie (王杰). He was born in October 1942 in Jinxiang County (金乡县), Shandong Province, and enlisted in August 1961. He was the squad leader of Squad Five, First Company, an engineer battalion of the former Jinan Military Region of the People’s Liberation Army.
Today, the notebook that the martyr Wang Jie used during his lifetime is quietly displayed in a showcase within the “Exhibition of the General History of the People’s Army” at the Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution (中国人民革命军事博物馆). The red hard cover is printed with a portrait of Lei Feng and the words “Learn from Comrade Lei Feng”; the corners are worn, the inner pages slightly curled, and the blue-black handwriting remains clear after more than half a century, recording Wang Jie’s study reflections on political-ideological education, training experiences, and so on from February to July 1965.
“Put the interests of the Party and the state, that is, the interests of the people, above personal interests; when the two kinds of interests come into conflict, resolutely submit to the interests of the Party and the state, that is, the interests of the people…” Opening the notebook, what meets the eye is not grand declarations, but these word-by-word self-revelations. Wang Jie aspired to be a “never-rusting screw.” He wrote: “Party members must in every way serve as models for the masses in politics, ideology, and action, achieving: charge forward in attack, withdraw only after others; do not cry when seriously wounded, do not leave the front line when lightly wounded…”
After marching 40 kilometers (80 li) during the unit’s field training, he voluntarily stood guard until dawn; during winter training he was the first to jump into icy water to drive stakes and build bridges, persisting in the work even after his legs were numb with cold; in the bitter winter, in order to prepare lessons well, he lay prone on the snow in the piercing wind late at night, repeatedly refining the demonstration movements. For the revolutionary cause, he insisted on being first to endure hardship and last to enjoy comfort, always upholding and carrying forward the fine tradition of plain living and hard struggle of the Party and the army.
Wang Jie regarded studying Mao Zedong’s works as “a lifelong task,” striving to “learn one thing and solve one problem; learn a little, apply a little.” After studying “The Current Situation and Our Policy After the Victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan,” he listed out one by one the directions for his own ideological remolding; after studying “Carry the Revolution Through to the End,” he resolved to establish the mindset of serving the army for a long time and to make good preparations for combat. When his right hand was scalded by asphalt, he practiced writing notes with his left hand; when hospitalized for an infected wound, he still did not forget to study, achieving “the body rests, but the mind cannot rest.”
“Voluntarily and willingly learn from heroes, carry forward revolutionary heroism, and be a steel-boned member of the proletariat.” The Five Heroes of Langya Mountain, Dong Cunrui, Huang Jiguang, Qiu Shaoyun, Lei Feng, Zhang Jihui—these names of revolutionary heroes appear repeatedly in Wang Jie’s study reflections. He recorded the heroic deeds and took heroes as his models in every respect. In flood fighting and emergency rescue, he 一马当先 (yī mǎ dāng xiān - “one horse takes the lead,” to take the initiative and go first) to scout the way for everyone; in military training, he demanded strictness and difficulty, training hard in digging pits and laying mines, his hands covered with blood blisters piled on calluses. Because of his rigorous training and outstanding performance, Wang Jie was rated a “Five-Good Soldier” for three consecutive years and was awarded Third-Class Merit twice.
“We must fear neither hardship nor death, be a fearless person, and learn from heroes.” In July 1965, Wang Jie went to Zhanglou Commune (张楼公社) in Pi County (邳县), Jiangsu Province, to assist the militia’s mine-laying squad in training on laying, clearing, and detonating mines and explosives. On July 14, while leading the militia in the final training item—live training on trip-wire anti-personnel mine detonation (绊发防步兵应用地雷实爆训练)—the fuse of the explosive package ignited accidentally, sparks hissed, and the package was about to explode. At the critical moment, in order to protect the 12 militia members and people’s armed cadres present, Wang Jie did not hesitate; he leapt onto the explosion point. With a loud blast, the 12 militia members and people’s armed cadres were saved, but Wang Jie, aged 23, never rose again.
Based on Wang Jie’s request made during his lifetime, the unit’s Party committee posthumously recognized him as a member of the Chinese Communist Party. On November 6, 1965, the General Political Department of the PLA issued a notice calling on the entire army to learn from Wang Jie and to carry forward the revolutionary spirit of “fearing neither hardship nor death” (一不怕苦、二不怕死). On November 27, the Ministry of National Defense conferred the honorary title “Wang Jie Squad” on the squad Wang Jie had led. Subsequently, extensive activities to learn from Wang Jie were carried out throughout the army and nationwide, actively promoting political-ideological development in the armed forces, and playing an extremely important role in establishing good moral norms in society at that time and later.
For more than 60 years, the spirit of Wang Jie has inspired generation after generation. The company he once served in still calls his name first every evening during roll call; all officers and soldiers of the company answer in unison, “Here!” The hero has not gone far; his name is answered, and his notebook is continued. Generations of officers and soldiers are using their sweat and blood, on this unfinished notebook, to continue writing the chapter on how to be a good soldier in the mold of Wang Jie in the new era.
(By the author’s work unit: Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution)
Return to TopBy: 杨文明 蔡树菁
Nearly 2,000 years ago during the Han-Jin period, a border city in the southwest unexpectedly yielded an artifact that appears to be an ear pick: the spoon head is rounded, the long handle neat and regular; apart from the mottled blue-green patina deposited by the ages, its overall form is almost identical to the style readily available for purchase anywhere today.
This small artifact imbued with the breath of everyday life is an archaeological discovery from the Zhuti Ancient City (朱提故城) site in Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, allowing us to glimpse the social and economic development of a southwestern border city during the Han-Jin period.
In 135 BC, Emperor Wu of Han established Zhuti County (朱提县), which became an early stronghold for Han dynasty influence penetrating the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The later Yi Prefecture (益州) seat at Dianchi County (滇池县, the Heposuo site) was established more than twenty years later. In other words, Zhuti Ancient City was "the first stop of the central dynasty in managing Yunnan."
Zhuti was a major commercial and industrial town in the southwest during the Han dynasty, with flourishing economy and culture. This city was situated at the junction of the three provinces of Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guizhou, located at a key node of the South Asian Corridor of the Silk Road, enjoying 得天独厚 (dé tiān dú hòu - "to receive heaven's unique favor," exceptionally favorable) geographical advantages. At the same time, the area was rich in mineral resources, with copper and silver of the highest quality under heaven. The "Zhuti-made" (朱提造) bronze vessels it produced were particularly "hot commodities," famous throughout the country at that time. According to Ding Changfen (丁长芬), a researcher at the Zhaotong City Museum, based on incomplete statistics, a total of 118 "Zhuti-made" and "Tanglang-made" (堂狼造) bronze vessels have been recorded and archaeologically unearthed, with 37 surviving in handed-down collections, housed in cultural relic institutions across twelve provinces and cities nationwide, demonstrating the breadth of their circulation. This batch of bronze vessels spans in date from 64 AD to 185 AD, making it the only group of Eastern Han official cast-bronze artifacts in the country with a continuous century-long chronological record. Ding Changfen believes that this century was precisely the heyday of Zhuti's bronze casting industry, with massive output and exquisite craftsmanship, deeply beloved by people everywhere.
The place name "Zhuti" (朱提) was used continuously from the Western Han to the Tang dynasty, lasting for over 700 years. Because local tradition holds that this area was the encampment site of Zhuge Liang's southern expedition, the ancient city is still affectionately called "Zhuge's Camp" (诸葛营) by local people today.
This ancient city, which slumbered for more than a thousand years, has only in recent decades gradually had its mysterious veil lifted. In the 1980s, the second national cultural relics survey first discovered this site; in 2017, through systematic survey and trial excavation, the archaeological community formally confirmed it as the seat of Zhuti County (Prefecture) during the Han-Jin period. In 2019, the Zhuti Ancient City site was announced by the State Council as the eighth batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level (全国重点文物保护单位). In 2022, with approval from the National Cultural Heritage Administration, the Institute of Archaeology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, in cooperation with the Yunnan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, launched systematic archaeological excavation work at the Zhuti Ancient City site. According to project leader Yang Yong (杨勇), a researcher at the Institute of Archaeology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, at present the outline of a local administrative city of about 40,000 square meters from the Han-Jin period has gradually emerged; this is also the relatively best-preserved Han-Jin period city site currently discovered in Yunnan.
First, let us discuss the most hardcore urban defense system. Not only were features such as city walls and moats cleared, but the west gate and south gate were also fully exposed. The gates are each equipped with a three-bay gatehouse of uniform specifications, an important discovery in the archaeology of Han-Jin period county and prefecture administrative city sites. In the southwestern part of the city, rows of pillar foundation plinths (磉墩) were found, indicating that there were once relatively large buildings here. The plinths are densely arranged, with spacing less than two meters, and are likely the foundation remains of warehouse-type buildings, with a structure similar to stilt-style architecture (干栏式房屋). Stilt-style architecture is relatively common in southern China, being advantageous for moisture prevention and insect avoidance.
Next, let us discuss the most "officially efficacious" evidence — clay seal impressions (封泥). In ancient times, after bamboo and wooden slip documents were bound, a lump of clay would be placed over the knot and stamped with an official seal, serving both to prevent forgery and tampering and as an equivalent of an official signature, providing important material evidence of the functioning of official administration at the time. The Zhuti Ancient City site has yielded multiple clay seal impressions bearing characters such as "Zhuti" (朱提) and "Qianwei" (犍为), further confirming the date and nature of the site.
Near the river to the southeast of the site, a scaled iron-smelting workshop area was excavated, including iron-smelting furnace bodies, sloping accumulations of burned clay and slag, and production facilities such as tuyeres and furnace wall fragments. Combined with the area's abundant mineral resources, this should have been an important handicraft base centered on metal smelting and casting in the southwest region at that time. The site also yielded large quantities of building materials and daily-life artifacts. Tile-ends with cloud-scroll patterns and "Jixiang" (吉羊, auspicious) inscriptions, coins such as wuzhu (五铢), daquan wushi (大泉五十), and huoquan (货泉), as well as various daily utensils of pottery, bronze, iron, and lacquered wood, all appeared, with forms and craftsmanship highly convergent with those of the Central Plains. At the same time, glass bead ornaments were unearthed, corroborating the long-term and frequent economic and cultural exchanges between Zhuti and areas along the South Asian Corridor of the Silk Road.
The city walls and clay seal impressions bear witness to the process by which the ancient central dynasties governed the frontier; the scaled workshops carry the prosperity of the southwestern industries. Yet a delicate ear pick is the most vivid footnote to history: nearly 2,000 years ago in the southwest, there was already the leisurely human comfort of slowly picking one's ears — perhaps this is the ancient version of "There is a kind of life called Yunnan."
Return to TopBy: 王 军
Jiangxi Gao'an Tea-Picking Opera (江西高安采茶戏) originated from folk lantern culture and absorbed the nourishment of the local Ruihe Opera (瑞河戏) and Luogu Opera (锣鼓戏), gradually forming a unique performing art with clear and melodious singing, lively and vivid. In 2011, it was inscribed in the third batch of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
I was born by the Jin River (锦江), the Jin waters murmuring, day and night lapping against the embankment. Every morning, songs would drift from one side of the riverbank—brushing past the tips of the grass, wading through the river water, arriving at my window. My mother told me it was the tune of Gao'an Tea-Picking Opera. And so I grew up leaning by the window, listening to the tea-picking opera.
At the age of three, my father's big hand held mine as I stepped into the tea-picking opera theater for the first time. Beneath the stage, I looked up, my little hands and feet unconsciously imitating the movements, my eyes reflecting the flowing brilliance of the stage. At five, I had a photo taken at a photography studio; my mother said it was my "first stage appearance." She told me to stand straight, but I stubbornly twisted my body into a gesture of unwillingness to be constrained. I tugged at my pants, imitating the postures of the opera, grinning with teeth bared.
When I was little, I didn't have a ticket, so I would beg the uncle guarding the door of the troupe, hoping to at least feast my eyes from a corner. As time went on, when he saw me coming, he would kindly wink and signal me to enter through the narrow alley beside the door, which led directly to the backstage. I would lie by the side curtain, watching the brilliant lights and shadows on the front stage, and watching the performers changing costumes in front of mirrors backstage. That corner allowed me to glimpse the sweat and effort behind every leading role.
I still vividly remember the unique charm of the old artists of Gao'an Tea-Picking Opera from the last century: Huang Yinquan (黄银泉)'s coquettishness, Peng Jinhua (彭金花)'s nimbleness, Luo Yunhan (罗运憨)'s simplicity, Zhou Jiebing (周杰兵)'s handsomeness, Peng Jincheng (彭金城)'s steadiness… Together with the romantic sentiments in "Sun Cheng Fetches Wine" (孙成打酒), the witty humor in "Forty-nine Looks at His Sister" (四九看妹), the comedic episodes in "Breaking the Chicken" (断鸡), and those dozens of tune types such as the Xiaohua tune (小花调), Beici tune (北词调), and Zhengfu tune (争夫调), all turned into the most familiar rural melody of my childhood.
Later, I became a square dance teacher and thus blended this love into another form of expression. Most of the dances I created were in the same lineage as the opera. When people danced together to the familiar rural melodies, I felt an immense happiness—the seed of tea-picking opera sown in my childhood, through my dissemination, had sprouted new green leaves on the soil of both urban and rural areas.
Return to TopBy: 张延伟
In June of this year, the Henan Provincial Water Resources Department (河南省水利厅) published the province’s first batch of important water conservancy heritage list, and the Guanmiao Weir (关庙堰) in Moje Township (磨街乡), Yuzhou City (禹州市) was included.
Guanmiao Village (关庙村) has a unique geographical location; it borders Jia County (郏县) to the south and Ruzhou (汝州) to the west, and has long been known as “one foot stepping on three counties.” Based on the remaining ancient temple sites and unearthed inscriptions, ancient porcelain fragments, etc., it is estimated that the village has a history of at least a thousand years. Within the territory of Guanmiao Village there are 36 hilltops large and small, including Dragon Mountain (龙山), Running Horse Ridge (跑马岭), Millstone Mountain (磨盘山), etc. The vast majority of the land is located on the mountainsides or at the foot of the mountains, and was painstakingly reclaimed bit by bit by ancestors. Because the plots were extremely small, a saying still circulates to this day: “At most, it can accommodate a lying cow; at least, it can hold a seed drill.”
Farming on such land, once a mountain flood occurs, the land and crops would all be washed away completely. Ancestors exerted their wisdom and resourcefulness, using the abundant local stone resources to build weirs and reclaim fields, connecting small plots into contiguous areas, forming layer upon layer of terraced fields. They first used stone strips to build a V-shaped pool of moderate size adjacent to the weir to collect mountain springs, then excavated deep ditches in the middle of the plots and lined them with stone to form channels, covered the channel surfaces with stone slabs, and then covered them with a thick layer of soil, thus forming underground channels connected to the collection pool. People normally farm above the underground channels, and the water flow in the underground channels can replenish soil moisture. During dry and rain-scarce seasons, people seal off the water flow openings connecting the pool and the underground channels, using the collected spring water to irrigate crops; during flood seasons, they clear the flow openings to let water flow away quickly through the underground channels, avoiding damage to the land and crops. By this method, Guanmiao Village gradually formed over 1,000 plots of various sizes, totaling more than 1,300 mu of terraced fields. At the middle position below the stone weirs on the outer side of the terraced fields, without exception, an underground channel outlet of 0.5 to 1 meter square is left. Throughout the four seasons, a waterfall-like stream of water pours out, flows into the pools of the lower terraced fields, and finally merges into the stream in the village.
These underground channels have a total length of nearly 10,000 meters, distributed in a grid pattern, complementing each other in length and shortness, blending depth and shallowness, winding and interconnecting, achieving full coverage of the village’s fields. They can drain water during waterlogging and irrigate during drought, forming a unique landscape of “water flowing underfoot, crops growing above the channels.”
For thousands of years, under the protection of Guanmiao Weir, Guanmiao Village has achieved a transformation from barren poverty to 物阜民丰 (wù fù mín fēng – “goods abundant, people prosperous,” signifying material wealth and well-being). Generations of Guanmiao people have used practical actions to depict a beautiful picture of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.
Return to TopBy: 顾 春
At the Hangzhou Xiaoshan Museum (杭州萧山博物馆), a red-pottery fu cauldron, a stone adze, and a jade jue slit ring of the Majiabang culture, unearthed from the Zhaojiadun site (赵家墩遗址), are on display for visitors. As a front-loading archaeology project for Hangzhou Metro Line 15, the site was excavated over nearly eight months.
By the side of Xinjian South Road in the ancient city of Shaoxing stands a plain blue enclosure. Inside the enclosure, huge column pads, raft-shaped foundations, timber-framed wells, and horse-sacrifice skeletons ... the foundation remains of the Yue state's palace buildings from the late Spring and Autumn period to the early Warring States period have come into view. This is the site of the capital of the Yue state and the Kuaiji Commandery (会稽郡) of the Han and Six Dynasties, selected as one of the "National Top Ten New Archaeological Discoveries of 2025" (2025年度全国十大考古新发现). The site is located on the campus of Shaoxing Jishan Middle School (绍兴稽山中学). Thanks to Zhejiang's archaeological front-loading reform (考古前置) and Shaoxing's active implementation of the archaeological front-loading policy, archaeological staff intervened actively at the very beginning of the campus renewal and renovation project and took the initiative, preserving the precious remains to the greatest extent possible.
As a major economic province, how does Zhejiang resolve the contradiction between cultural relics protection and urban construction? In 2014, Zhejiang took the lead in establishing a working mechanism for archaeological front-loading on commercial land in Hangzhou. In 2022, Zhejiang fully launched the archaeological front-loading reform, defining a reform path of "institutional reform + digital application." In 2023, Zhejiang formally issued the "Provisions of Zhejiang Province on the Administration of Archaeological Front-Loading in Land Reserve" (浙江省土地储备考古前置管理规定), realizing full coverage of archaeological front-loading in land reserve across the whole province.
The Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration (浙江省文物局) has explicitly stipulated that, while the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology (浙江省文物考古研究所) coordinates and advances the province-wide archaeological front-loading work, approval authority is delegated downward, and Hangzhou, Ningbo, Shaoxing, and Wenzhou each organize and implement the archaeological survey and exploration matters in their respective administrative areas. At the same time, a "whitelist" for archaeological front-loading has been established, specifying 11 situations in which archaeological front-loading need not be carried out, and the authority for verification has been delegated to county-level cultural relics departments, precisely achieving "protect all that should be protected, exempt all that can be exempted" (应保尽保、能免则免), greatly improving the efficiency of project advancement.
Zhejiang supplies more than 350,000 mu of land each year. In the past, because the baseline of what lay underground was unclear, the province frequently found itself in the passive situation of construction stoppages and hasty rescue of cultural relics. Relying on its digital advantages, Zhejiang innovatively drew up a "four-color map for archaeological front-loading" (考古前置四色图), promoting the transformation of cultural relics protection from passive response to smart management and control.
On the large screen at the Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, one can see a satellite map marked with various colors: red indicates prohibited development zones, orange indicates controlled development zones, yellow indicates prudent development zones, and blue indicates ordinary development zones. A single "four-color map" clearly marks all project plots in the province involved in cultural-relics-situation management, locking the objects requiring protection at the source.
Meanwhile, Zhejiang has built a management system for archaeological front-loading in land reserve, achieving connectivity at four levels — province, city, county, and applicant units — with one-click application, one-click acceptance, and one-click approval for archaeological front-loading projects across the province, and closed-loop management of the entire process.
The efficiency gains and empowerment brought by digitalization are fully demonstrated in grassroots projects. In May of last year, the plot on the west side of the Chengjiang branch line of National Highway 104 in Gaoqiao Subdistrict (高桥街道), Huangyan District (黄岩区), Taizhou, submitted an application for archaeological front-loading; the system quickly routed it and accelerated the entire process, completing the front-loading review in one working day and issuing the survey task order the next day. After more than one month of field survey and three months of systematic excavation, the project team cleared 18 tombs of the Ming-Qing and Eastern Jin periods and unearthed 65 cultural relics, fully ascertaining the cultural relics baseline of the plot. With the archaeological report smoothly completed, the construction unit immediately entered the site for construction, achieving a seamless connection between cultural relics protection and engineering construction.
To further shorten time limits and improve efficiency, Zhejiang has installed a "timer" on the entire archaeological front-loading process and implemented a system requiring completion within set time limits. For plots of less than 50,000 square meters, local authorities have set hard time limits: archaeological survey is to be kept on average within 10 working days, archaeological exploration on average about 20 working days, and administrative review and approval is compressed still further to 1 to 3 working days, with all links closely connected and efficiently coordinated.
On a plot awaiting development in the Shuangjiang Lake New Area (双江湖新区) of Yiwu, Yi Junlong (易俊龙) of the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and Gong Binbin (龚斌斌), director of the Yiwu Municipal Institute of Cultural Relics Protection (义乌市文物保护所), are conducting an orderly survey on land overgrown with weeds, together with their colleagues.
In March of this year, the Shuangjiang Lake New Area was approved as the province's pilot for archaeological front-loading in concentrated contiguous areas, covering an area of 65 square kilometers. The Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and the local cultural relics protection departments carried out scientific zoning, dividing the entire area into 11 units. As of June, the survey of 6.45 square kilometers of key plots has been completed, and the results can cover all projects in the surveyed areas, with no need for repeated surveys.
With the full implementation of the archaeological front-loading mechanism, a large number of precious remains that had been sleeping underground have been preserved in situ and seen the light of day again (重见天日 (chóng jiàn tiān rì - "again see the sky and sun," to come back into the light after being hidden)). Sites of great value, including the Shi'ao ancient paddy-field site (施岙古稻田遗址) in Yuyao, Ningbo, the Shuomen ancient port site (朔门古港遗址) in Wenzhou, and the Huangchaodun site (皇朝墩遗址) in Quzhou, have been preserved in situ. Across the province, a cumulative total of 16 newly discovered remains have been announced as cultural relics protection units (文物保护单位); on the basis of the newly discovered sites, 12 provincial- and municipal-level archaeological site parks have been newly built.
Return to TopBy: 聂虹影
The Jiya standing before me is thinner and shorter than in the videos, yet also more beautiful. No matter how I look at her, I cannot connect her with the girl in the viral video who cracks her whip and spurs her horse 策马扬鞭 (cè mǎ yáng biān - "whip the horse and crack the whip," to ride with great speed and vigor) while patrolling the border, her face covered with frost. The smile that gently touches the corners of her mouth and the sparkle in her eyes, together with that undisguised excitement and youthful rawness, remind me of the grasslands and sky of the frontier—clean, pure, and possessing an open, honest beauty.
My acquaintance with Jiya (吉雅) came through a news story. At the end of 2023, the news center of my unit, the National Immigration Administration (国家移民管理局), was planning a live-streaming event called "Cloud Tour of National Border Gates and Frontiers" (云游国门边关). When we were collecting material, we received a video of the horse-mounted police team (马背警队) conducting border patrols. That was a horse-mounted police team from the Ulagai Management District Border Management Brigade (乌拉盖管理区边境管理大队) in the Xilin Gol League (锡林郭勒盟) of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. This area lies within a nature reserve, much of it wetlands and hills, making vehicle travel difficult. The "transport vehicle plus riding horses" method became the most effective model the horse-mounted police team had explored.
In the video, on a vast snow-covered plain, Jiya sat astride her horse. The bitter wind, wrapped in frost, covered her brows and eyes. The white mist of her breath dispersed in the air, then in an instant condensed into layers of ice crusts on her eyelashes and cheeks. The visual impact was overwhelming! We immediately decided to edit her close-up into a short video of just over ten seconds and release it first. The Sina Weibo topic "00s Female Police Officer Conducts Border Patrol on Horseback at -39 Degrees Celsius" saw its read count soar. Media outlets forwarded it one after another, and overnight, the "ice-and-snow makeup (冰雪妆)" female police officer Jiya became the focus of millions.
New-media hot topics come and go quickly, but that ice-and-snow girl has stayed in my heart. At the end of last year, a resume applying for the position of off-campus mentor landed in my hands. The applicant was a first-year graduate student at the People's Police University of China (中国人民警察大学). I was busy with work and initially wanted to decline, but when I opened it, I was filled with surprise—the applicant turned out to be Jiya herself. A strange twist of fate made me accept immediately.
When I met this post-2000s girl for the first time, I listened carefully as she told the story behind her name. "Jiya" (吉雅) in Mongolian means fate or good fortune. Her mother is Mongolian, her father Han Chinese. The name carries her parents' simple and beautiful hopes.
When we talked about her original aspiration, Jiya said she had wanted to be a soldier in the People's Liberation Army since she was little. When her college entrance exam results came out, the conscription notice also arrived. While filling in her university application choices, she simultaneously opened the conscription website and filled in the forms. The options were dense and numerous—she could hardly remember most of them—only that she had checked the box for "hardship and remote border troops." "I just wanted to go and train myself," she said lightly 轻描淡写 (qīng miáo dàn xiě - "lightly sketch, faintly write," to mention casually or downplay). She passed every round of selection smoothly. On the day she left home, her father saw her onto the bus. The new recruits were all sad—at least two years without returning home—but what she thought was: the dream she had yearned for was finally coming true.
Looking back on those new-training days, she said there was only one word: "tiring," but she did not consider it hardship. Because she had already mentally prepared herself, she just trained hard, gritted her teeth, and got through it. She was small in stature; at first she could barely keep up during runs, but by the time the new training ended and she was assigned to a unit, she could already catch up with the fastest squad leader.
When new training ended, the squad leader asked if she wanted to go to Alxa (阿拉善). She said yes. Actually, at that time she had no idea where Alxa was or what conditions were like—she just thought it must be a tough place, and she had signed up for hardship border troops.
But when she actually arrived at the Service Squadron of the Alxa League Border Defense Detachment (阿拉善盟边防支队勤务中队), the gap between ideal and reality hit her head-on. Her daily routine was just standing guard, training, and cleaning. Full of passion, she had joined the military thinking she would serve the country, expecting to drive tanks and fire artillery—but most of the time she was holding a broom and a rag. For a while, she found it hard to accept. Her mother counseled her, saying that being a soldier means different divisions of labor, and encouraged her to work steadily and do every task well. Jiya gradually accepted this point of view. She worked seriously and performed well, and the unit also appointed her as a clerk and a telephone operator.
Later, the military underwent organizational restructuring. The day she took off her military uniform and put on a police uniform, she suddenly realized: the clothes on her body had changed, but the road under her feet was still stretching forward.
It was only when she was transferred to the Ulagai horse-mounted police team that Jiya truly began her companionship with the snow-covered plains and fine horses. When the "ice-and-snow makeup" video came up, she was very embarrassed: "It was pure accident—I appeared on camera not because I did well, but because my physical fitness was poor." She was very frank. "That was my first time patrolling the border on horseback, and I wasn't skilled. My physical fitness was weak, my breathing was fast, I exhaled more than the others, so the frost on my face was heavier." The other team members breathed steadily, so they were less likely to be caught well on camera. She had originally wanted to publicize the whole team's daily border-guarding life, but instead she became the protagonist.
Once the online-celebrity label faded, the days rooted in the horse-mounted police team became the most precious time in her heart. Jiya greatly enjoys her work in the horse-mounted police team; she finds it both interesting and meaningful. The first time she went down to the pastoral area, a herdsman's big sister pulled her for a photo. "Because I was the first female police officer to come help her with work," she said. At that moment, the sense of achievement outweighed being in the news. "Being in the news was a chance occurrence; this recognition is real." The first time she followed her teammates to help herdsmen transport winter forage, she watched the male police officers swing a bale to the side with their waists, and unwilling to be outdone, she twisted her waist and swung one too. She didn't feel it at the time, but the next day her waist felt as if it had snapped, and it took several days to recover. "Later I found out it was a strain. Actually, once you master the knack, it's fine."
I remarked on the hardships of a female border patrol officer, but she just smiled and said: "I don't see it that way. Everyone has their own hardships—some tire the body, others tire the mind." What she is confident about is: "Having served in the military, my temperament has been tempered. I don't feel there is anything too bitter. No matter how difficult the circumstances, I can face them calmly."
Border patrol is the core mission of the police team. There is no idle time throughout the year—they conduct border patrols once or twice a week, each lasting seven to eight hours, from morning till night. The hardest time is winter. The snow is deep, and the pits on the road are covered by snow. Sometimes the horse stumbles, and that alone can throw a rider off. Ulagai's winter is long; it snows in October, and the ice and snow only begin to melt in April of the following year. When the white-hair wind (白毛风) sweeps through and heavy snow seals the mountains—especially on stormy late nights—sheep are very likely to get lost. When herdsmen ask for help, the first people they think of are always the horse-mounted police team. The police officers crack their whips and spur their horses through the snowfields, helping herdsmen drive their livestock home. They also frequently go to rescue self-driving tourists trapped in snowstorms—first they dig roads, pull people out, bring the stranded to the station to warm up, and wait for better weather to rescue the vehicles. One wall of the police station is covered with pennants (锦旗), all given by those who were rescued. Each one hides a rescue story.
Jiya said that apart from herself, she feels everyone in the team is very capable and has special skills. The team leader, Aqitu (阿其图), is recognized by the whole team as the "Border Eagle Eye." While on patrol, he would suddenly stop and say, "There's a point over there—what is it?" They have seen Mongolian gazelles, roe deer, deer, wolves, bears, and so on. Teammate Yitegele (伊特格勒) is an excellent rider and serves as the equestrian instructor. Enirile (额呢日乐) has strong hands-on skills; he used to borrow a herdsman's horse-drawn sled to transport supplies, but later felt that always borrowing was not appropriate, so he welded one himself. He also plays the four-stringed instrument (四胡) and the horse-head fiddle (马头琴). Zhang Baihe (张柏河) knows how to fly drones, and he studied and assembled one himself with thermal imaging capabilities. When sheep get lost in white-hair wind weather, his drone can quickly lock onto the target. He also accumulates the team's video footage.
In practical work, Jiya feels that although she has attended university, she still lacks ability. She had long wanted to take the exam for the Police University, and being able to come as a graduate student counts as realizing that dream. She applied while on active duty and was successfully admitted. Her family was surprised—they hadn't known she had applied.
From the horse-mounted police team to the school, the environment is vastly different, and Jiya's mindset has also changed a lot. In the past, mornings meant bringing the horses back to feed on fodder; now she faces books and theses. Because of the great pressure, her mouth broke out in sores from internal heat. She greatly treasures this opportunity to study and often pulls classmates aside to ask for advice. "Because once I leave here, there will be no one to discuss these things with. After I go back, most of my time will be spent talking only to horses."
When asked about her plans after graduation, she said she has no distant, grand designs—she just wants to learn more skills at school and, after returning, follow the organization's assignment. If she were given a choice, she would still go back to the horse-mounted police team, then start again 稳扎稳打 (wěn zhā wěn dǎ - "steady and sure, step by step") and guard the familiar border grassland well.
Having had work experience before coming back to study, she is clearer about what she lacks and what she needs. This time returning to campus, her sole focus is on making up for shortcomings in the specialty of propaganda and culture; she hopes to systematically study the theory of propaganda work and better excavate the vivid stories from the grassroots border areas. She repeated several times that going viral online was nothing but an accident, that the "ice-and-snow makeup" was merely an incidental shot caused by insufficient physical fitness, and that all the glory belongs to the entire team of comrades steadfastly holding the border on horseback—the day-in, day-out wind-and-snow patrols and rescue assistance along the border line are the real treasures worth recording.
Jiya took her leave. Alone, I recalled every matter she had spoken of, savored this life journey spanning the military camp, the police camp, the snowfields, and the school campus. That girl who breathed ice in temperatures of minus thirty or forty degrees Celsius, that girl who twisted her waist to help herdsmen transport winter forage, that student sitting attentively in the classroom—she has always been the same person. Layer after layer of snow and wind covered her, and layer after layer melted away, but beneath them all was always that young, clear face, open and honest 坦坦荡荡 (tǎn tǎn dàng dàng - "broad and open," honest and magnanimous), like the grasslands and sky of Ulagai.
She did not become famous in the ice and snow—she simply grew up amidst the wind and snow.
Return to TopBy: 熊红久
In modern society, most people's understanding of war comes from television, movies, or books. In a peaceful environment, when we recall the Long March of more than 90 years ago, the degree of its hardship and cruelty is such that the writing of today's people can hardly depict one ten-thousandth of it. We were born in an era far from the smoke of gunpowder; under the clear sky, what we see most are flying white doves and joyful crowds. As artistic narrative, whether in novels or in film and television, the details of war are always depicted again and again. We know full well that it is an artistic reproduction, yet when those images rush into our eyes, our hearts still tighten.
The heroism education of childhood made us worship greatness and long to display wisdom and courage amid 枪林弹雨 (qiāng lín dàn yǔ - "forest of guns, rain of bullets," intense gunfire). We would often gather a group of children and, using tree branches as rifles, launch a war game. We marked out the camps and distinguished friend from foe. Justice would certainly triumph over evil, and those who ultimately won victory were always the resourceful and brave Red Army. The reactionaries' troops either 抱头鼠窜 (bào tóu shǔ cuàn - "cover the head and scurry like rats," flee in panic) or lay dead in the wilderness. Only when parents called them to dinner did those who had been "annihilated" instantly come back to life, brush the weeds off their bodies, and continue their daily lives.
Time can smooth over many things, but there are always some steadfast figures and tempered stories that stand out in the long river of history. For example, the seventeen warriors who forced the Dadu River; for example, the Red Army woman soldier who left half a quilt to a villager. The spiritual qualities contained in these stories, even after many years, still 熠熠生辉 (yì yì shēng huī - "glittering and emitting luster," shine brightly) and command admiration. With their 铮铮铁骨 (zhēng zhēng tiě gǔ - "clanking iron bones," unyielding integrity), they told the world that a contingent called the Red Army, even wearing straw sandals and bearing heavy burdens, climbing snowy mountains and crossing grasslands, would still plant the unyielding banner of a nation on the Pagoda Mountain (宝塔山) of Yan'an.
These revolutionaries, bearing the great cause of the nation on their shoulders, dressed in thin jackets and thin trousers, carrying frozen-hard vegetable chaff in their bosoms, 义无反顾 (yì wú fǎn gù - "with righteousness, never looking back," unhesitatingly) set out on the difficult road of seeking survival for China. Layer upon layer of blockades and interceptions, mud pits and traps everywhere—grass roots and leather belts all became food that sustained life. Every step forward exacted a cost so heavy that it left people breathless, yet that step, after all, was not taken in vain. Under extremely harsh conditions, I do not know what, other than their persistent faith in truth and unshakable belief in victory, could have supported their frail bodies and heavy steps. The 25,000-li Long March, by sheer determination, carved out a wonder that drew the world's attention. From then on, China's revolution 绝处逢生 (jué chù féng shēng - "finding life at the point of desperation," survived a desperate crisis). Those mud-caked legs covered with blood blisters carried the destiny of a nation into a new journey. Decades later, on the land once soaked in blood, rows of sturdy crops grow, like straight red-tasseled spears—it is they who, with their very souls, continue to guard this beautiful homeland.
The comfortable environment makes many people feel that peace is like an 与生俱来 (yǔ shēng jù lái - "coming together with birth," innate) gift. People cannot imagine that there could be a kind of life separated from fine food and songs, or a kind of life faced with gunfire and death. Just as when we walk into any shoe mall 琳琅满目 (lín láng mǎn mù - "beautiful jades fill the eyes," a dazzling array of goods), we cannot see straw sandals—this object, worn by countless chapped feet in the last century, has long faded from our sight, faded into a kind of decoration, faded into a faintly aching remembrance on the scar of history. As an important historical event, the Long March, placed in the present, is more like a mirror, reflecting the blood color on us that may be fading, and reflecting the bone that should be added back.
Strolling in the peaceful atmosphere, we are happy. With wives and children, on tree-lined avenues, light footsteps and hearty laughter ring out; peace is interpreted as simple and pure. To possess today's happiness, the ones we should least forget are those who with hot blood held fast to their faith, those who with their lives opened up the future. There are even more people whose names we do not know, but we have remembered the event of the Long March and remembered a kind of spirit forged by the Red Army. Like a foundation cast in iron, even after many more years, it will stand erect and never fall, shining upon later generations.
The world is not tranquil; only the country in which we live is tranquil. If the Long March was a mission that that generation had to accomplish, then we today must also take up the responsibility entrusted to us by the times. Before the motherland, we are willing to stoop like trackers, letting the rope cut one more inch deeper into our shoulders, only to pull this great ship more steadily and farther.
Return to TopBy: 厉彦林
That old friend from Mengyin (蒙阴), upon meeting, said excitedly, “The jianbing has blossomed!”
“Is it the jianbing we eat?” my wife pressed, and I was curious as well.
Jianbing is a common food on every household’s table in the Yimeng Mountain area (沂蒙山区); “jianbing rolled with green onions” is a Shandong specialty snack. In my memory, jianbing was mostly made from coarse grains. When I was in middle school, I carried a bundle of sweet potato dried slice jianbing that my family could not bear to eat as my provisions every week. In over 40 years of working away from home, I have tasted many delicacies, but the most unforgettable is still the jianbing my mother just peeled off the hot griddle — one bite, hot and fragrant.
Yimeng jianbing was once an important material for supporting the front; the common people tightened their belts and went hungry themselves to give the jianbing to the troops. During the Menglianggu Campaign (孟良崮战役) in 1947, the “Yimeng Six Sisters” (沂蒙六姐妹) set up iron griddles and led the villagers to rise at the fifth watch and sleep in the middle of the night, turning more than 2,500 kilograms of grain into front-supporting jianbing in two days, helping the People’s Army achieve victory, becoming a much-told tale of the fish-and-water bond between the army and the people.
In recent years, the rural economy has developed, and the common people’s lives are getting better and better. The ingredients for jianbing are no longer just the coarse grains of the past; fine grains and vegetables have appeared one after another, with styles constantly being innovated. Hand-spreading and machine-grilling go together; the techniques include scraping, rolling, and spreading; the flavors are divided into original, sweet-and-sour, and salty-fragrant; the colors range from white, yellow, black to purplish-red and golden yellow, just like flowers.
That day, as soon as I arrived in Mengyin, I received a stunning cluster of “red roses.” The petals were layered, the flowers were bright and dazzling, and under the flowers were set off by green leaves. It turned out it was not fresh flowers, but “jianbing flowers” (煎饼花). How was this made? The next morning, we went to visit the jianbing shop.
Pushing open the door, the fragrance of grains mixed with fruit aromas rushed in; the shop was filled with all kinds of jianbing flowers. The jianbing shop owner, Xu Haixia (徐海霞), started making jianbing 20 years ago. She pondered: jianbing is hard to bite; if we use millet flour and cooked black sesame to make the batter, would it not be more fragrant and chewy? From then on, it became unstoppable — carrot, dragon fruit, yellow peach, hawthorn… Customers praised that the jianbing she made were colorful, just like flowers. Xu Haixia’s heart stirred: could she really make jianbing into flowers?
Her husband advised her, “Jianbing is crisp and thin, it breaks as soon as you fold it — how can it be made into flowers? Do not ruin good jianbing.” Xu Haixia said nothing and silently experimented. Dragon fruit juice mixed with millet flour — the grilled jianbing was a very pure red, but it cracked with the slightest fold. Sprinkled with water, it was too wet; the petals stuck together in a lump, unable to distinguish layers. She tried repeatedly for over three months. One night, she sprinkled the jianbing with warm water and sealed it with plastic wrap. Waking up in the early morning, she found the jianbing had become soft and pliable, like thin satin cloth. Then she cut it into petal shapes, glued them with glutinous rice and local honey, and rolled them up petal by petal. Before it was fully light, the first red rose made from dragon fruit jianbing was completed, as vivid as if just cut from the branch.
I examined that bouquet of rose-shaped jianbing flowers; they were like silk cloth. Bringing it close to smell, a wisp of delicate fragrance emanated. Besides roses, there were also Chinese roses, peonies, camellias, tulips, and cherry blossoms, assembled into flower baskets and bouquets — even more beautiful. Mengshan (蒙山) is green, the griddle fire is bright red, jianbing blossoms into flowers, and the ordinary smoky life of the people in the old revolutionary base area is also like this.
The Chinese painting "Dream Returning Home No. 41" (《梦归家园之四十一》), by Shao Fei (邵飞), collection of the National Art Museum of China (中国美术馆).
Return to TopBy: 高洪波
It is a shout from the boundless years,
It is a wisp of echo from the memories of youth.
Oh, the stirring military bugle,
whenever it sounds in my dreams,
time and again it rouses me awake.
The reveille makes me brace up,
The drill call sets me leaping,
The lights-out call accompanies the twinkling stars,
and the barracks in an instant falls into stillness.
Most beloved of all is the charge bugle, ah —
didi-dada, at the sound of its command, like fierce tigers descending the mountain,
even more like a furious mountain torrent.
Who dares to block this bugle's sound!
Annihilation is their destined fate.
Oh, the distant yet dear military bugle,
at this moment I listen with my life.
Sound after sound, wisp after wisp —
who is that impassioned bugler?
By: 陆令寿
In the 1980s, I served as a secretary in a military unit’s office, spending years at my desk writing drafts, and had the good fortune to have close contact with an old revolutionary who had walked through the flames of the War of Resistance Against Japan.
He came from a rural area in Anhui, was of short stature, thin and plain, exuding an air of simplicity. After losing both parents in early childhood, he was taken in by his uncle. The bitterness of the old society, comparable to coptis chinensis, he tasted every bit of it, and it was the Communist Party that pulled him out of the darkness. He joined the revolution early and held a very high rank, but he had not a trace of officialdom about him. Wherever he went, he was like an ordinary yet stern veteran.
Since childhood he herded cattle and never attended school for a single day; he only slowly learned to read and write after joining the revolution. Because of this, he often made small jokes by misreading characters. He would read “陶冶情操” (cultivate sentiment) as “陶治情操”, and “骆驼祥子” (Rickshaw Boy) as “骆驼样子”, and even misread the name Zhang Haidi as “张海由”. However, his requirements for manuscripts were not low. He especially detested superficial empty talk and clichés, and stale stereotyped writing. When encountering a long and empty draft, he would unceremoniously throw it on the table and sternly scold: “Rotten and long!” He also repeatedly admonished the writers to sink down to the grassroots to understand the soldiers’ conditions, and not to speak vague and insubstantial words.
His frugality, carried to an extreme, also filled those around him with respect. Once, while stationed at a unit for grassroots investigation, he returned very late and had not yet eaten. I quickly called the mess officer to arrange for some food to be prepared, but he immediately stopped me, worried that opening the sealed stove would waste coal, and insisted on taking his bowl and chopsticks and going out alone. I was worried and quietly followed him, but he sternly stopped me. Half an hour later, he came back smiling; a simple meal from a street stall had brought him full satisfaction. Out of respect, grassroots officers and soldiers would occasionally add one or two extra dishes for him, but this meager “special treatment” was always sternly stopped by him. “When we go to the grassroots, it is to experience their hardships and joys, not to create privileges. Whatever the officers and soldiers eat, we eat. There must be no extravagance or waste!” After saying this, he would personally distribute the extra dishes to the officers and soldiers present, not touching a single bite himself, taking no advantage whatsoever.
In the early 1980s, the national economy was still not well-off, and all military units were living frugally. On the eve of the Spring Festival, our office, referring to other units, drew up a plan to distribute living subsidies according to rank. All the cadres were eagerly looking forward to it, but when the plan reached his hands, it was directly rejected. For this reason, he specially convened a meeting of all office cadres and said in a firm tone, his voice resounding: “I know that if I don’t give everyone subsidies, many of you will be angry at me, hate me, and say I am heartless. But please think: we are the people’s soldiers; the word ‘people’ is above our heads. There are still common people who do not have enough to eat or warm clothes, who have not even solved basic food and clothing. How can we bear to only care about our own comfortable life? You can resent me. In the future, when I kick my legs up and die, there is no need to send me wreaths. Just say: that old fool didn’t understand human relationships; he isn’t worth mourning.”
These words, decades later, still resound like a thunderclap. Because of his forthright temperament, adherence to principles, and refusal to show favoritism, many people at the time could not understand him. But time is ultimately fair; past misunderstandings and criticisms have slowly dissipated with the years. This old revolutionary, who had not read many books and was not skilled in flowery language, used his lifelong words and deeds to uphold the original aspiration of Communists, practice the purest faith, and live out the true appearance of what a revolutionary should be.
Return to TopBy: 李荣华
News from my hometown says that the riverside village is to be demolished and relocated. The fellow villagers have mixed feelings—they are happy to receive a relocation fee, but worried that once the old houses disappear, their connection to their hometown will be gone as well. My uncle, however, is filled with joy, because the large poplar tree beside his old house will be preserved exactly as it is. After inspecting the site, the staff told my uncle that this large poplar is aged, has a unique shape, and holds high ornamental value, so it would be protected on site. My uncle and his whole family feel proud; for them, this also counts as having kept their roots in their hometown.
At first, this large poplar did not belong to my uncle’s family. It was planted by my aunt’s husband, who was serving as a soldier in Shandong. When his son was five years old, he came home on leave and planted this poplar sapling with his own hands. At that time, the child was as tall as the sapling. He crouched down and said to the child: "Now you and the little tree are the same height. As you grow, it will grow too. You two can have a contest and see who grows taller." The child firmly remembered his father’s words.
After my aunt’s husband returned to the army, my aunt wrote in a letter saying that whenever the child missed his father, he would run to that little poplar tree and compare heights with it. The poplar sapling grew quickly and was already taller than the child’s head. Still, the child found a way to beat the little tree—he bent the little poplar over, so the treetop swayed in front of his chest. "I’ll send you a photo to look at. See, when he beat the little tree, how happy the child was, as if he had splendidly completed the task his father had given him. When the child felt wronged, he would also squat for a long time under the little poplar, as if coming to his father’s side, wanting to pour out his heart to his father."
When my aunt’s husband received the family letter and read this passage, tenderness and guilt welled up in his heart: when the child needed comfort and guidance, he was far away in a military camp a thousand li away. Fortunately, when he came home on leave, he had planted this little poplar with his own hands, giving the child a spiritual anchor. He urged his wife to let the child suffer fewer grievances and to reason with the child more often.
Later, my aunt’s husband would always ask in his letters whether the child still squatted under the poplar tree during that period. To set his mind at ease, my aunt would always say that the child no longer squatted under the poplar, but often asked how many days were left until the New Year—the child was looking forward to his father coming home. "When you come back for the Spring Festival, you will find that the poplar you planted with your own hands is truly a good sapling; it has grown exceptionally well. Although only a year has passed, I’m afraid that when you come home on leave again, you won’t even recognize it."
This poplar tree became a member of my aunt’s husband’s family. In the letters exchanged between my aunt and her husband, whenever the child was mentioned, the poplar tree was usually mentioned as well. The poplar did not disappoint my aunt’s husband’s hopes. Over the decades, though it experienced wind and rain, it always grew vigorously. Later, my aunt’s husband was transferred to civilian work in the city and transferred the old house in the countryside to my uncle at a low price, but he made one condition: let this large poplar tree grow freely and preserve it permanently. My uncle readily agreed. He knew that my aunt’s husband loved this large poplar and had always tended it carefully. The poplar grew luxuriantly. Every evening, among the whole village, the most birds roosting and the liveliest gathering was in this large poplar, making it a local landmark.
Now, the large poplar tree has been placed under government protection, and a beautiful curved flower bed has been built for it. I imagine what the large poplar, having already spanned more than half a century, will look like in its old age: perhaps it will be propped up by an iron frame, with nutrient solution hanging on its trunk, yet still verdant and dripping with green, enduring for ages alongside those warm stories of the village.
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