People's Daily - August 4, 2026

Dongfeng ushers in a new chapter with mighty force

By: 新华社记者

2026 is the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan. What kind of development answer sheet the world's second-largest economy will deliver is a matter of global attention.

In the first half of the year, facing an increasingly complex and severe domestic and international environment, the Chinese economy withstood pressure and moved forward steadily, effectively responding to various external shocks and internal difficulties, presenting a development trend of momentum turning new and structure turning superior.

"We must strengthen confidence, overcome difficulties, and promote high-quality development to 行稳致远 (xíng wěn zhì yuǎn - 'walk steadily to reach far,' to achieve sustainable progress)." General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out clearly.

When the boat reaches midstream, the waves are more turbulent; we must row hard and raise the sail to advance.

Under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and under the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping's Economic Thought, the whole country is forging ahead with determination, facing difficulties head-on, seizing various opportunities, making good use of unique advantages, and striving to promote high-quality development. The giant ship of the Chinese economy has stronger momentum and more solid confidence, riding the mighty east wind to cleave through waves and sail toward broader seas.

"Continuously enhance the certainty and sustainability of our country's development"

Since the beginning of this year, the international situation has become increasingly turbulent, and the recovery of the world economy continues to face pressure. The Chinese economy, undaunted by wind and rain, rows hard and breaks through waves, showing a start-of-year trend of resilience and steady improvement:

The foundation of "stability" is more solid — in the first half of the year, GDP grew by 4.7% year-on-year, with an increment of 3.6 trillion yuan, the largest increment for the same period in the past five years; corporate profits increased, prices rose moderately, and people's livelihoods continued to improve. Under multiple shocks such as international energy shortages and disrupted production and supply chains, the Chinese economy achieved hard-won stable development.

The momentum of "newness" is stronger — multiple types of commercial space rockets were successfully launched; technologies such as quantum information, integrated circuits, and nuclear fusion accelerated; Chinese enterprises released the world's largest open-source model; new drivers represented by high-end manufacturing, digital economy, and modern services contributed over 40% to economic growth in the first half of the year.

The atmosphere of "vitality" is more vivid — service consumption, green consumption, and new types of consumption were full of highlights; the flow of people, logistics, information, and capital was highly active; China's daily express delivery volume reached over 550 million pieces, exceeding the total of other countries; the potential of the super-large market continued to be released.

The pace of "integration" is more determined — China insists on actively expanding opening up, has implemented zero-tariff policies for 63 countries, and in the first half of the year, import growth reached 22.1%, exceeding export growth; "Export China," "Buy in China," and "Invest in China" are linked and mutually reinforcing; China cooperates with the world for win-win results and travels far together.

At the symposium of non-party personages held on July 24, General Secretary Xi Jinping made an important judgment on the economic work of the first half of the year: "Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, all regions and departments have acted proactively and taken the initiative, effectively responding to internal and external risks and challenges. Our economy has moved forward under pressure, turning new and turning superior, showing strong resilience and vitality."

The hard-won achievements are fundamentally due to the guidance of scientific thought.

"We must fully tap economic potential," "we must adhere to both policy support and reform and innovation," "we must achieve both 'letting go and enlivening' and 'managing well,'" "we must closely integrate investment in things and investment in people," "we must respond to external challenges by hard training of internal skills."

At the Central Economic Work Conference at the end of 2025, General Secretary Xi Jinping summarized new understandings and experiences in doing economic work under the new situation with the "five musts," further enriching and developing Xi Jinping's Economic Thought and providing new important guidelines for economic work.

Theoretical innovation and practical innovation complement each other on the new journey of the new era.

Since the beginning of this year, General Secretary Xi Jinping has put forward a series of clear requirements and deployed a series of important measures for key areas, regions, and industries, pointing the direction for doing a good job in the economic work of the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan.

During the two sessions, when participating in the deliberation of the Jiangsu delegation, he proposed that "Jiangsu and other major economic provinces are at the forefront of reform and opening up, and must work hard on studying new situations and solving new problems, and produce experience";

When inspecting Xiong'an New Area in Hebei, he presided over a symposium on deeply promoting the high-quality construction and development of Xiong'an New Area, emphasizing "taking reform and innovation as the guide to enhance endogenous development momentum, and focusing on the rational aggregation of factor resources to stimulate the vitality of the new area";

He made important instructions on the development of the service industry, guiding the expansion and quality improvement of the service industry with "demand traction, reform tackling, technology empowerment, and opening up and cooperation";

He presided over the collective study of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, emphasizing "striving to improve the ability to prevent and respond to natural disasters, and effectively safeguard the safety of people's lives and property";

…………

In-depth analysis, systematic grasp; 纲举目张 (gāng jǔ mù zhāng - 'when the main rope is lifted, the mesh opens,' to grasp the key and everything falls into place); grasp the fundamental and the secondary follows.

"We must keep the overall situation in mind, stand high and look far, maintain strategic focus, carefully plan tactically, and continuously enhance the certainty and sustainability of our country's development."

On January 20, General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the opening ceremony of the special seminar for provincial and ministerial-level leading cadres on studying and implementing the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, pointing out the key to grasping the initiative in development.

In the deployment that focuses on the overall situation, development momentum continues to flourish.

On April 28, General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to analyze and study the economic situation and economic work.

"Strengthen the planning and construction of water networks, new-type power grids, computing power networks, new-generation communication networks, urban underground pipeline networks, logistics networks, etc." "Develop new forms of intelligent economy" "Strengthen the employment-first policy orientation"... The meeting deployed a series of important measures, releasing firm confidence in further consolidating the foundation of the economy's stable and improving trend.

On June 8, the first major national landmark project to start construction during the 15th Five-Year Plan period — the Three Gorges New Water Transport Channel project — broke ground.

In the first year of the plan, the construction of the "six networks" advanced in coordination and empowered each other; 109 major engineering projects accelerated implementation, effectively expanding domestic demand and providing solid support for further consolidating the strategic foundation of Chinese-style modernization.

Anchoring the established goals, climbing slopes and crossing ridges, forging ahead with determination.

Implement more proactive and effective macro policies; a package of fiscal and financial policies to promote domestic demand was implemented; in the first half of the year, 2.07 trillion yuan of new special bonds were issued, effectively ensuring the funding needs of major projects and key areas; structural monetary policy interest rates were lowered, and a separate relending facility for private enterprises was established; this year's 800 billion yuan list of "two major" (两重) construction projects and 200 billion yuan of equipment renewal funds were all allocated.

Keeping in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping's instructions, the major economic provinces take the lead, strive to be first, walk in front, and set examples. In the first half of this year, the total economic output of the top ten provinces in GDP accounted for over 60% of the national total; the growth momentum of major economic provinces accelerated toward transformation into new quality productive forces, with high-tech manufacturing and the digital economy becoming key supports.

The vast number of business entities hone their internal skills and forge ahead with determination. In the first half of the year, the added value of industrial enterprises above designated size that are specialized and new "little giant" enterprises increased by 10.4% year-on-year, and the profits of high-tech manufacturing enterprises increased by nearly 30% year-on-year. A large number of enterprises deeply cultivate segmented fields, continuously injecting momentum and vitality into economic development.

On the journey of continuous struggle, confidence and confidence are more solid and abundant.

In March, the Fourth Session of the 14th National People's Congress reviewed and approved the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan. 20 main indicators, 16 major strategic tasks, and 109 major engineering projects clarified the roadmap and construction plan for the critical period of consolidating the foundation and fully exerting efforts to basically achieve socialist modernization.

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.

General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly required that "local plans and special plans should be well connected with the overall national plan, reflect the spirit and requirements of the overall national plan, and at the same time adapt to local and specific conditions, unifying needs and possibilities."

The 15th Five-Year Plan outlines of all 31 provinces were released; special plans such as the "15th Five-Year Plan for Accelerating Agricultural and Rural Modernization," the "15th Five-Year Plan for Modern Emergency Response System Construction," and the "15th Five-Year Plan for Education Development" were successively issued…

All localities and departments implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's instructions and requirements, take the national development plan as the strategic guide, adapt measures to local conditions, make overall plans and take all factors into consideration, and integrate their own development into the overall national development situation.

This is the vibrant vitality of the current Chinese economy and also the strong momentum of future high-quality development.

On the way forward, we must respond to a more complex environment and solve more deep-seated contradictions. The more turbulent the wind and waves, the more we need the helmsman to steady the rudder and set the direction.

On July 30, General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

"Macro policies must exert force and improve efficiency," "we must effectively expand domestic demand," "we must create a fair and orderly market competition environment," "we must expand the space for mutually beneficial international economic and trade cooperation," "we must unremittingly do a good job in 'agriculture, rural areas, and farmers' work," "we must take multiple measures to strengthen people's livelihood security," "we must effectively build a safety barrier"…

The decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core are strong and powerful, injecting strong confidence into doing a good job in the economic work of the second half of the year and achieving the annual economic and social development goals and tasks.

Bite the green mountain and never let go, undaunted by wind and rain, heading toward the future.

As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "As long as we maintain strategic focus, move forward firmly step by step, and advance solidly stage by stage, the cause of the Party and the state will surely accumulate small victories into big victories, and our goals will surely be achieved."

"What is pursued is the development of new quality productive forces"

In the midsummer of July, the waves of the Huangpu River surge. An international event attracted global attention.

"Ensure that artificial intelligence is safe, reliable, and controllable, so that this swift horse of AI can both run fast and run steadily."

On July 17, President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance and delivered a keynote speech, vividly explaining his profound thinking on global AI development and governance, and declaring to the world that as a responsible major country, China has always been committed to being a provider of international public goods in the field of artificial intelligence.

Bloomberg News website published an article saying that history is being written in Shanghai. If China's vision for the future of AI can be realized, its impact will be far more profound than market share.

In the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, the world noticed that although still experiencing the pain of structural transformation, the thriving new drivers are becoming an important new support for China's high-quality development.

One main line is particularly clear —

On January 30, the first collective study of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee in the new year focused on forward-looking layout and development of future industries.

On February 9, General Secretary Xi Jinping's first local inspection of the year came to the National Information Technology Innovation Park in Yizhuang, Beijing, to learn in detail about information technology innovation applications and other situations.

On April 30, General Secretary Xi Jinping, when attending a symposium on strengthening basic research in Shanghai, made it clear that we must strengthen basic research with greater intensity and more concrete measures, enhance our country's original innovation capability, and further consolidate the foundation for building a strong science and technology country.

On July 8, General Secretary Xi Jinping, when attending the National Science and Technology Awards Conference, the Conference of Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and the 11th National Congress of the China Association for Science and Technology, emphasized accelerating the realization of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening, firmly advancing toward the goal of building a strong science and technology country by 2035, and solidly supporting and leading Chinese-style modernization with scientific and technological innovation.

Responding to the uncertainty of rapid changes in the external environment with the certainty of high-quality development, China places greater importance on building a modern industrial system and accelerating high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening.

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "We cannot just look at GDP growth. What is growing now is hard power, and what is pursued is the development of new quality productive forces. Through continuous transformation and upgrading, improving quality and replacing generations, we go up step by step."

Integrate the development of education, science and technology, and talent as a whole; coordinate the promotion of transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, growth and expansion of emerging industries, and forward-looking layout of future industries; deepen and expand "AI+"; accelerate the construction of international science and technology innovation centers in Beijing (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei), Shanghai (Yangtze River Delta), and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area…

Anchoring the course, a series of deployments are fully rolled out, stimulating the surging momentum of new quality productive forces.

A set of market dynamics reflects the profound changes in the Chinese economy —

The first domestically produced 100,000-card AI supercluster was officially put into use; China's daily token call volume reached hundreds of trillions; the total global downloads of domestic large models exceeded 10 billion; for every 10 humanoid and quadruped intelligent robots sold globally, 8 were produced in China… Foreign media commented that China's technological development has entered a new stage of "full-speed sprint."

Consolidate the foundation of development with the progress of innovation, and activate the effect of development with the power of reform.

On June 23, the draft amendment to the Government Procurement Law was submitted for first deliberation at the 23rd meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, regarded as a key measure to effectively ensure fair competition and support scientific and technological innovation in the field of government procurement in China.

From the Central Economic Work Conference's deployment of "formulating regulations for building a unified national market" to the July 30 meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee emphasizing "continue to comprehensively rectify 'involution-style' competition," the continuously deepening construction of a unified national market creates a fair and orderly market competition environment, promotes the free flow of factors and optimal allocation of resources, and lays the foundation for accelerating the construction of a new development pattern and promoting high-quality development.

"Different regions have different situations. They must explore innovation development paths according to local conditions, establish comparative advantages, and create characteristic innovation highlands. They must not blindly follow trends and chase hot spots, engage in 'involution-style' competition and homogeneous development." General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out.

Adhere to problem orientation, focus on using reform methods to solve development problems, and add momentum and stimulate vitality for development.

Efficiently organize and implement major national science and technology tasks, strengthen the systematic collaborative research of national strategic scientific and technological forces, strengthen enterprise-led collaborative research between industry, academia, research, and application, improve diversified investment mechanisms, deepen the reform of evaluation mechanisms, improve the intellectual property protection system… Reform advances into the deep water zone, promoting the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, and new quality productive forces accumulate momentum and become strong.

Anhui included pilot verification in the policy support scope of the service industry, helping scientific research achievements move from the laboratory to the production line; Zhejiang iteratively upgraded the "32 Articles for the Private Economy," adding 13 articles to stimulate private investment vitality… All localities adapt to local conditions, pursue innovation, and cultivate the institutional soil for the growth of new quality productive forces.

Adhere to the unity of reform and the rule of law, using the rule of law to consolidate the foundation, stabilize expectations, and benefit the long term.

In March, the Fourth Session of the 14th National People's Congress reviewed and passed three laws: the Ecological Environment Code, the Law on the Promotion of National Unity and Progress, and the National Development Planning Law, laying a solid institutional foundation for high-quality economic and social development.

Since the beginning of this year, the "Regulations of the State Council on the Security of Industrial Chains and Supply Chains" was issued; comprehensive legislation for the healthy development of artificial intelligence was accelerated; the revision of the "Implementation Measures for the Fair Competition Review Regulations" was started… Use the power of the rule of law to build solid support for cultivating new quality productive forces.

A high-quality opening-up answer sheet highlights the vigorous growth of China's new quality productive forces.

In the first half of the year, China's total import and export scale exceeded 25 trillion yuan for the first time in the historical same period; high value-added products such as integrated circuits, industrial robots, and green products became new export engines; the number of newly established foreign-funded enterprises increased by 5.3% year-on-year; the proportion of actual use of foreign capital in high-tech industries reached a record high…

From multinational corporate leaders forming groups to attend international events such as the China Development Forum 2026 Annual Meeting, the Boao Forum for Asia 2026 Annual Meeting, and the 2026 Summer Davos Forum, to multiple foreign political leaders leading business delegations to visit China intensively, China has become an indispensable key force in global innovation.

From proposing the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, to promoting the application of the meteorological intelligent early warning solution "Mazu" in 30 countries, and building international AI application cooperation centers for ASEAN, the Arab League, the African Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the BRICS countries, China is always committed to sharing innovation achievements with the world.

Actively create a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized first-class business environment, build a "strong magnetic field" to attract global innovation resource elements; proactively align with international high-standard economic and trade rules, steadily expand institutional opening up… "China Opportunity 2.0" not only provides the world with greater market dividends but also, through technological progress and industrial upgrading, provides the world with more and more innovation dividends.

"Handle the matters that the common people care about one by one"

On the banks of the Huangpu River, in the Citizen New Village residential area of Bansongyuan Road Subdistrict, the former "old, broken, small" houses now have independent kitchens and bathrooms, elevators installed, and pocket gardens outside, bringing new life to the old neighbors.

On July 15, General Secretary Xi Jinping came here during his inspection in Shanghai to investigate the renovation of old residential communities in urban renewal, earnestly instructing: "The affairs of the common people are major affairs. The renovation of Shanghai's alley houses, the renovation of Beijing's hutongs, etc., all these concern the common people's peaceful life and work, and are the things we should care about most."

Building a modern people's city is a major concern of General Secretary Xi Jinping.

Since the beginning of this year, from affirming Beijing's practice of leaving blank spaces for greening and inserting green spaces wherever possible, to emphasizing the construction of a convenient and efficient public service system in Xiong'an New Area, General Secretary Xi Jinping has provided precise guidance for urban governance.

In May, China's first national-level special plan for urban renewal was released. Renovation of 500,000 units (rooms) of dilapidated urban housing, new start on renovation of 115,000 old urban residential communities, and improvement of 20,000 hectares of urban park green space… The "15th Five-Year Plan for Urban Renewal" clarifies the task book for the next five years.

In the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, promoting common prosperity for all the people has taken solid steps, and its position in governing the country has become more prominent.

At the opening ceremony of the special seminar for provincial and ministerial-level leading cadres on studying and implementing the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that "economic development and social development complement each other; one leg cannot be long and the other short" and "we must take improving people's livelihood as the focus of promoting social development, and steadily improve the quality of people's lives while developing the economy."

During the two sessions, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Actively answer the questions of how to achieve high-quality and full employment, how to increase urban and rural residents' income, how to further improve the level of basic public services and social security, and explore effective ways to promote common prosperity for all the people."

In the first year of the plan, China invests more in people and serves the people with greater intensity.

The "15th Five-Year Plan for Implementing the Employment-First Strategy" was issued; the action to stabilize posts, expand capacity, and improve quality was implemented; the synergy between industry and employment was enhanced; the first central document specifically on service management for new employment groups was released; the first special regulation clearly defining the rights of over-age workers was issued; employment quality continued to improve. In the first half of the year, 6.95 million new urban jobs were created nationwide, and the average surveyed urban unemployment rate was 5.2%, with the overall employment situation stable.

"Formulate and implement a plan to increase the income of urban and rural residents" was written into the "Government Work Report"; the Social Assistance Law came into effect; the "Implementation Opinions on Providing Basic Public Services at the Place of Residence" was issued; finance increased efforts to ensure and improve people's livelihood, securing the bottom line of "three guarantees" at the grassroots level; continue to consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation, promote stable income growth for farmers…

On March 6, during the two sessions, General Secretary Xi Jinping, when participating in a joint group meeting of the CPPCC, revealed deep-level considerations: "Building a Healthy China by 2035 is a strategic decision made by the CPC Central Committee. The 15th Five-Year Plan is a critical period for achieving this goal, and we must make overall plans and accelerate progress to strive for decisive progress."

Carry out a three-year action to improve the quality of primary medical care; reform and improve the supply guarantee mechanism for children's medicines, making it more convenient and efficient for the masses to see a doctor; release the "Chinese Guidelines for Obesity Behavior and Lifestyle Intervention," etc., to make the masses less sick and healthier; issue opinions on accelerating the establishment of a long-term care insurance system to solve the care problem for the disabled.

"'The elderly' are our wealth, and 'the young' are our future." On the eve of the Spring Festival, General Secretary Xi Jinping came to a senior care service block in Beijing for inspection. "Special concern for 'one old and one young'" is not only because these two groups affect hundreds of millions of families and concern people's livelihood and well-being, but also based on the grasp of new trends and characteristics of China's population development.

Made important instructions on basic education; during local inspections, had cordial exchanges with community workers on age-friendly renovation services; presided over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to deploy "do a good job in service guarantees for 'one old and one young'"… Promoting high-quality population development, General Secretary Xi Jinping cares about and plans deeply at all times.

People first, life first.

Since the beginning of this year's flood season, there have been many heavy rainfall events, uneven spatial and temporal distribution, frequent floods in small and medium-sized rivers, and increasing extremity, making the flood control situation severe and complex.

General Secretary Xi Jinping has made important instructions many times, emphasizing that "all regions and relevant parties must establish bottom-line thinking and extreme thinking," "solidly do a good job in all aspects of disaster prevention and relief," "adhere to respecting natural laws, adhere to prevention first, adhere to reform and innovation, adhere to systematic thinking, adhere to social co-governance," pointing the direction for disaster prevention, mitigation, and relief work.

Facing the "big test" of flood control and typhoon prevention, all localities and departments acted upon orders and fought scientifically, going all out to safeguard the safety of people's lives and property.

Adhering to the统筹 (tǒng chóu - overall planning) of development and security is a principle that must be followed in economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

During the summer sowing season, General Secretary Xi Jinping came to Dezhou City, Shandong Province for inspection, went deep into the fields to understand grain production, emphasized that "agricultural and rural modernization concerns the overall situation and quality of Chinese-style modernization," and instructed to "ensure stable supply of grain and other important agricultural products."

Hundreds of millions of farmers work hard, policies to strengthen agriculture, benefit farmers, and enrich farmers are effective, and a large number of scientific and technical personnel go deep into the front line to serve… This year, the summer grain harvest overcame the impact of large-scale late sowing and multiple rounds of rainfall during the harvest period, and output exceeded 300 billion jin for the first time, laying a solid foundation for the year's grain production, price stability, and people's livelihood security.

In response to the severe impact of geopolitical conflicts on global energy supply, the state twice took regulatory measures on refined oil prices, effectively ensuring supply and stabilizing prices; fully do a good job in energy supply for peak summer demand, holding the bottom line of electricity for people's livelihood and key industries; deeply implement the new energy security strategy, accelerate the construction of a clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient new energy system, and build a strong energy country.

Take into account internal and external risks and challenges comprehensively, promote positive interaction between high-quality development and high-level security through high-efficiency governance, and ensure a new development pattern with a new security pattern.

Starting well, the atmosphere is renewed. 2026 marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. Currently, the study and education on establishing and practicing the correct view of political achievements is being carried out throughout the Party. Leading cadres at all levels, with a more vigorous spirit, continuously create new achievements in high-quality development.

During local inspections, General Secretary Xi Jinping's earnest instructions are full of the people's leader's sincere feelings for the people: "In work, we must firmly establish and practice the correct view of political achievements, think what the masses think, be anxious about what the masses are anxious about, formulate and implement effective policy measures, persist in long-term efforts, handle the matters that the common people care about one by one, and continuously improve people's well-being."

Doing a good job in the economic work of the second half of the year is related to a good start for the 15th Five-Year Plan.

Maintain strategic focus, strengthen development confidence, unify thoughts and actions with the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core on the analysis and judgment of the economic situation and the decisions and deployments on economic work, work together with one heart and one mind, and strive with determination. We will surely achieve the annual economic and social development goals and tasks, and move steadily and far on the journey of advancing the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, August 3 - Reporters An Bei, Xie Xiyao, Wang Yuxiao, Zhang Xiaojie)

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Seek Rejuvenation

By: 金社平

From the Shikumen to Tiananmen, from a single red boat to a majestic giant ship, after 105 years of trials and hardships, the Party has united and led the people of all ethnic groups across the country in unremitting struggle, creating two miracles: rapid economic development and long-term social stability. The Chinese nation has achieved a great leap from standing up and growing rich to becoming strong.

On July 30, General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. The meeting pointed out: "Adhere to and strengthen the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, focus on improving the Party's long-term governance capacity, maintaining the Party's advanced nature and purity, and maintaining the Party's flesh-and-blood ties with the people" "Take the Party's political construction as the guide, comprehensively advance all aspects of Party building, fully stimulate the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of the entire Party."

On November 29, 2012, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited the "Road to Rejuvenation" exhibition, first proposing the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

On July 1 this year, at the conference celebrating the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping solemnly declared: "Today, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable, showing unprecedented bright prospects."

Unstoppable, the momentum lies in the "most essential feature"—"Party leadership directly concerns the fundamental direction, future and destiny, and ultimate success or failure of Chinese-style modernization."

Unstoppable, the momentum lies in the "greatest advantage"—"Party leadership is the fundamental guarantee for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."

(一)

The encounter between history and reality always sparks moving flames.

In May this year, the "Smile" satellite was launched, opening a new chapter in solar-terrestrial space exploration. China's space science is moving closer to the center of the international stage.

Zoom out. In April 1970, "Dongfanghong-1" was successfully launched. The music "The East Is Red" resounded across the universe, opening a new era for China's aerospace industry.

Chinese people entered their own space station for the first time, achieved the first human sampling return from the far side of the moon, the BeiDou navigation system reached global leading level... As time flows, China's aerospace industry has grown from nothing to something, from weak to strong.

Why the transformation? At every critical moment, the Party Central Committee has made correct strategic decisions, guiding the correct development direction of China's aerospace industry.

The aerospace dream reflects the Chinese Dream.

"For 105 years, our Party has always adhered to the original aspiration and mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation" "writing the most magnificent epic in the thousands of years of Chinese history."

Writing the "epic" relies on the execution ability to draw a blueprint to the end.

In the first half of this year, China's new energy vehicle production and sales both exceeded 7 million units. In May 2014, when inspecting the SAIC Motor Technical Center, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized, "Developing new energy vehicles is the only way for China to move from a big automobile country to a strong automobile country." Over more than ten years of continuous advancement, new energy vehicles have broken through and risen, becoming a bright calling card of Made in China.

With firm strategy to seek development, from the "First Five-Year Plan" to the "Fifteenth Five-Year Plan", our Party has accurately recognized and grasped the principal social contradictions, determined the central tasks, and united and led the people of all ethnic groups in unremitting struggle. China's long-term economic development has a "stable anchor."

The economic aggregate remains the world's second, the world's largest manufacturing country, the largest goods trading country, the largest foreign exchange reserve country... Each five-year "construction blueprint" takes root, turning the blueprint into reality.

Writing the "epic" relies on the mobilization ability to concentrate efforts on major tasks.

Eight years of tackling key problems, five years of consolidation, nearly 100 million people all lifted out of poverty—why could China do it? Party secretaries at five levels grasped poverty alleviation, 255,000 village-based work teams, over 3 million first secretaries and village-based cadres, together with nearly 2 million township cadres and millions of village cadres, 勠力同心 (lù lì tóng xīn - "join forces and be of one mind," work together with unity), dispatched all elite forces, and won the largest-scale battle against poverty in human history.

In February 2018, the main project of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge was accepted and delivered, setting multiple "world records"; the Pinglu Canal will open to navigation in September this year, and the "new-era Dayu flood control" is steadily advancing... The Communist Party of China transforms organizational advantages into development momentum, leading the people to turn one "impossible" after another into reality.

Writing the "epic" relies on the centripetal force to resist risks and challenges.

In recent days, on the front lines of flood control and disaster relief in Guangxi, Hubei, Gansu and other places, Party organizations at all levels and the vast number of Party members and cadres have charged ahead, building a solid defense line.

A Party member is a banner. When the century pandemic struck, Party member medical workers volunteered and charged ahead; after the Wenchuan earthquake, Party members and cadres stepped forward and fought on the front lines of earthquake relief... Stabilizing the economy, promoting development, fighting poverty, building a moderately prosperous society, responding to changes, resolving crises—when storms come, the Communist Party of China is the most reliable backbone of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation.

Over more than a hundred years, 物换星移 (wù huàn xīng yí - "things change, stars move," passage of time)—so many emotions, so much pride.

From internal and external troubles, accumulated poverty and weakness, to building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and then to moving towards common prosperity, the future and destiny of the Chinese people have been fundamentally changed.

After the sedimentation of time, one truth becomes increasingly clear: without the Communist Party of China, there would be no New China, and there would be no great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

(二)

Protecting an ancient tree contains the "code" of Chinese-style modernization.

In the 1970s, due to a newly built retaining wall for a provincial road that affected root extension, an ancient cypress tree in Yanshan, Xinchengzi Town (新城子镇), Miyun, Beijing, once faced a crisis. In recent years, Beijing overcame numerous difficulties and moved a section of the provincial road eastward by nearly 20 meters, "returning" the growing space to the ancient tree.

This year's May Day holiday, the first Xinchengzi Public Art Exhibition entered the Ancient Cypress Park. Relying on "ancient tree+", Xinchengzi Town explored a new path to enrich the people and increase income.

The rebirth of the ancient cypress reflects the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," and is a vivid portrayal of Chinese-style modernization's pursuit of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

Through 105 years of unremitting struggle, our Party has opened up the correct path to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. This correct path is socialism with Chinese characteristics, the only way to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

This path of socialism with Chinese characteristics has created a new form of human civilization through the "two combinations" (两个结合).

How does China achieve modernization? Starting from the modern era when insightful individuals "opened their eyes to see the world," the Chinese people began an arduous quest. Adhering to using the "arrow" of Marxism to shoot at the "target" of China in the new era, our Party insists on combining the basic principles of Marxism with China's specific realities and with the fine traditional Chinese culture, successfully advancing and expanding Chinese-style modernization, and creating a new form of human civilization.

Transcending the logic of "capital supremacy." Since June, good news has come frequently from Minning Town (闽宁镇), Yongning County (永宁县), Ningxia: the Erke Minning production base, the Qilixiang goji berry deep processing and other projects have officially started production, and the Minning Dual Intelligent Computing Center is about to launch... After 30 years of Fujian-Ningxia cooperation, the per capita annual income of Ningxia farmers has increased 13 times.

Rooted in fine traditional Chinese culture. Under the large camphor tree in Fengyuan Village (枫源村), Fengqiao Town (枫桥镇), Zhuji City, Zhejiang, villagers sit in a circle to discuss and deliberate on village affairs. The traditional governance wisdom of 明德慎罚 (míng dé shèn fá - "illustrate virtue and be cautious in punishment," governing with moral clarity and restraint) and "neighborly harmony" collided and merged with the Marxist view of mass history, forging the new-era "Fengqiao Experience."

Chinese-style modernization has broken the myth of "modernization = Westernization" and demonstrated the strong vitality of Marxism.

This path of socialism with Chinese characteristics contributes Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions, and Chinese strength to the world.

"The Communist Party of China is a party that seeks happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, and it is also a party that seeks progress for humanity and harmony for the world."

Using the "rotation" of a century of struggle to drive the "revolution" of world history, the Communist Party of China has profoundly influenced the course of world history.

At present, the world once again stands at a historical crossroads. Where will it go?

"China always stands on the right side of history and is willing to work with all countries to promote world peace and development and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind."

The Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, Global Governance Initiative... In building a community with a shared future for mankind, China is an active advocate.

Crossing mountains and seas, China's Juncao (菌草) helps African farmers escape poverty and become prosperous; bridging the gap, China proposes the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization... In building a community with a shared future for mankind, China is a firm doer.

Responding to changes in the world, answering the questions of the times. Socialist China, led by our Party, is recognized as a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order.

Expanding the path for developing countries to achieve modernization, Chinese-style modernization shows increasingly strong magnetic force and charm.

(三)

Looking back at the glorious history, we are filled with pride; looking forward to the prospects of rejuvenation, the mission urges us to forge ahead.

On the stage of the US-Canada-Mexico World Cup, a Chinese trendy toy IP (intellectual property) kicked a beautiful "world wave."

At the opening ceremony, a brown and a blue "Labubu" appeared in the same frame with the mini World Cup trophy, unforgettable.

"Labubu" is popular worldwide, highlighting the creative concept of 中西合璧 (zhōng xī hé bì - "Chinese and Western combined into one," fusion of Chinese and Western elements), and is also a vivid microcosm of current Chinese cultural confidence.

Confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture; the times forge ahead, and the main theme stirs the heart.

"Today, the Chinese people have firmly grasped their destiny in their own hands, and are striding towards a better future with a confident, self-reliant, and self-strengthening posture."

Today's China has advanced to a critical period of comprehensively advancing the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization. "Unswervingly do our own things well," "rely on tenacious struggle to open up new horizons for our cause"—we have confidence and faith.

Confidence and faith come from the accumulated solid material foundation.

Look at the momentum: during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, China's economic aggregate achieved "four consecutive leaps," and the average annual growth rate continued to lead major global economies; at the beginning of the "15th Five-Year Plan," opening new situations amid changing circumstances, the Chinese economy is resiliently moving forward, thriving and improving.

Look at the driving force: the scale of R&D investment ranks second in the world, the proportion of basic research funding reaches a record high, the team of scientific and technological talents continues to grow... Innovation-driven, new quality productive forces are being accelerated, and the momentum of high-quality development is surging.

Confidence and faith come from the six excellent qualities of the Communist Party of China.

At the top of the "bend" of the Yellow River, Dengkou County (磴口县) in Inner Mongolia is the forefront of China's desertification control. Cadres and masses work together, "fighting" against sand for decades, treating nearly 2.1 million mu of desert, achieving a transformation from "sand advances, people retreat" to "green advances, sand retreats."

Determined to pursue truth, always grasp the correct direction forward; deeply rooted in the people, always have a solid foundation; bravely shoulder historical missions, always maintain strategic initiative; conform to the trend of development, always stay at the forefront of the times; dare and be good at struggle, always maintain confidence in victory; focus on strengthening oneself, always full of vitality... Continuously carry forward and enhance the Party's six excellent qualities, we possess strong creativity, cohesion, and combat effectiveness.

Look, on the divine land, workers are busy in manufacturing workshops, new-type farmers are sowing hope in the fields, scientific and technological workers are attacking the "bottleneck" problems... The Party and the people are of one heart and one direction, advancing Chinese-style modernization with immense strength.

Confidence and faith come from the value pursuit of "always standing on the right side of history."

Supply chains become win-win chains. The recently concluded Chain Expo attracted over 1,200 exhibitors, with the proportion of foreign exhibitors rising to 36.5%.

Creating new platforms such as the China International Import Expo, the China International Consumer Products Expo, and the China International Fair for Trade in Services; expanding pilot free trade zones, setting sail for the Hainan Free Trade Port; continuously shortening the negative list for foreign investment access; expanding the scope of countries eligible for unilateral visa-free policies to China... China continuously provides new opportunities to the world with its own new development.

"Always stand on the right side of history, on the side of human civilization and progress."

China will always adhere to its original aspiration, bravely shoulder its mission, stand on the right path of history, embrace civilization and progress, empower development with scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening, embrace the world with an open and inclusive attitude, and write a new chapter for China and the world on the road to realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

***

Look back at the road we have traveled, see clearly the road under our feet, and firmly advance on the road ahead.

Set the direction, plan the overall situation, make decisions. No matter how the situation changes or how arduous the challenges, the Communist Party of China is always the strongest helmsman for this giant ship of China to sail steadily and far.

Strengthen confidence, continue to struggle, "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable."

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Revised Regulations on the Protection of Integrated Circuit Layout Designs Published

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, August 3 (Xinhua) — Premier Li Qiang of the State Council recently signed an order of the State Council to promulgate the revised Regulations on the Protection of Integrated Circuit Layout Designs (集成电路布图设计保护条例) (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations"), which shall take effect on October 15, 2026.

The Regulations aim to protect the exclusive rights in integrated circuit layout designs, encourage innovation in integrated circuit technology, and promote the development of science and technology. The Regulations consist of 6 chapters and 54 articles, with the main revisions as follows.

First, clarifying overall requirements. It stipulates that the protection of integrated circuit layout designs shall implement the Party and the state's intellectual property strategic deployments, expand the scope of protection, and emphasize honesty and good faith.

Second, improving the application and examination procedures. It regulates false applications, refines material requirements, improves the procedures for rejection and revocation, and adds a procedure for restoration of rights.

Third, strengthening the protection of exclusive rights. It clarifies the standards for defining the scope of rights and increases the intensity of compensation for infringement.

Fourth, promoting the utilization of layout designs. It strengthens public services, clarifies reward and remuneration measures, improves the requirements for transfer, licensing, and pledge, and regulates the exercise of rights by co-owners.

(Full text of the Regulations appears on Page 13)

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Cai Qi visits and comforts experts on summer break in Beidaihe

Xinhua News Agency, Beidaihe, August 3 - Entrusted by General Secretary Xi Jinping, Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, on the 3rd visited experts on summer break in Beidaihe, and on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, extended sincere greetings to the vast number of experts and talents across all fronts and fields nationwide.

Cai Qi pointed out that since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, based on the strategic overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the major changes unseen in a century in the world, has deeply implemented the strategy for strengthening the country through talent in the new era (新时代人才强国战略), accelerated the building of a world important talent center and innovation highland, and promoted the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent, providing a strong talent guarantee for the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation. General Secretary Xi Jinping always cares about experts and talents, taking the lead in setting an example to advocate a good atmosphere of cherishing and respecting talent within the entire Party and society, inspiring the vast number of experts and talents to devote themselves to innovation and creation and bravely undertake the mission of the times. The "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五) period is an important stage of overcoming difficulties and breaking through barriers in building a strong education, strong science and technology, and strong talent country. It is hoped that experts and talents will deeply study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, profoundly understand 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), and achieve the "two upholds" (两个维护), carry forward fine traditions, promote the spirit of scientists, strive vigorously and break new ground, achieve new accomplishments in their respective fields, and make new contributions to securing decisive progress in basically realizing socialist modernization.

The invitation by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council to outstanding expert representatives to take vacation in Beidaihe is an important institutional arrangement in the Party and state's talent work. The theme of this year's vacation activity is "Strive Forward in the '15th Five-Year Plan'" (奋进“十五五”), and the participants are mainly expert representatives from the fields of basic research, strategic frontier science and technology, key core technologies, and philosophy and social sciences.

Shi Taifeng, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, and Wu Zhenglong, State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council, participated in the visit activity.

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Photo Report

The summer tourism and cultural market is booming. Localities across the country are increasing the supply of high-quality tourism and cultural products around themes such as escaping the summer heat, intangible cultural heritage and folk customs, the nighttime economy, and study tours, in order to better meet the public's demand for summer outings.

In the photo, taken recently, herders and riders from Litang County (理塘县), Sichuan, perform traditional equestrian skills to enrich tourists' travel experience.

Photo by Xiang Wenjun (向文军) (Xinhua News Agency)

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Telling Red Stories Well, Developing Rural Industries (Remembering the Original Aspiration and Mission, Forging Ahead on the Road to Rejuvenation)

By: 本报记者 徐元锋 焦思雨

Under the Liupan Mountains, by the Hulu River.

In the Three Armies Meeting Memorial Hall (三军会师纪念馆) of the Red Army Long March Meeting Memorial Park (红军长征会师纪念园) in Jiangtaibao (将台堡), Xiji County (西吉县), Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the red silk banner reading "Hui and Han brothers as close as one family" (回汉兄弟亲如一家) hangs high. In October 1935, Comrade Mao Zedong led the Central Red Army through this area, leaving behind the red legend of the "Night Talk at Shanjiaji" (单家集夜话) with a Hui imam. On October 22 of the following year, the First and Second Front Armies of the Red Army triumphantly joined forces at Jiangtaibao.

In July 2016, General Secretary Xi Jinping came to Jiangtaibao and said with deep emotion: "The great Long March spirit is a vivid reflection of the revolutionary demeanor of Chinese Communists. We must constantly combine it with new realities to inherit and carry it forward well."

With these earnest instructions (殷殷嘱托) engraved in their hearts, Xiji County actively inherits the red spirit and makes good use of red resources.

2.5 kilometers from the memorial park lies Maojiagou Village (毛家沟村). In 1936, when the Red Army passed through this area on its way to the rendezvous, in order not to disturb the masses, the soldiers themselves dug 23 cave dwellings on the hillside and lived there for more than 30 days. When the Red Army left, the villagers came to see them off; some helped the soldiers carry their luggage, others stuffed boiled potatoes and steamed buns into the soldiers' hands. Xie Hongyi (谢宏义), a villager of Maojiagou, grew up hearing this story.

Cherishing his attachment to this red hot land, Xie Hongyi returned to his hometown to start a business and built an experiential education base. There, tourists can taste a "meal recalling past bitterness and savoring present sweetness" (忆苦思甜饭), visit the cave dwellings where the Red Army once lived, and make a bowl of "Red Army noodles" (红军粉) with their own hands. In 2020, Maojiagou Village was selected as a "National Key Village for Rural Tourism" (全国乡村旅游重点村).

Xiji County has innovatively created the red study tour brand "Walking Ideological and Political Course" (行走的思政课). Over the past seven years, it has received a total of 7.4018 million tourists; it has successfully hosted two sessions of the autonomous region's Red Cultural Tourism Festival (红色文化旅游节), continuously expanding the influence of red culture.

Continuing the red bloodline, activating the power of literature.

Arriving at Yanghe Village (杨河村), Jiqiang Town (吉强镇), Xiji County, and stepping into the Mulan Academy (木兰书院) founded by writer Shi Jingbo (史静波), a cultural atmosphere greets the visitor. In the poetry gatherings organized by the academy, peasant writers recall red history and express fervent emotions.

Peasant writer Shan Xiaohua (单小花) wrote: "Entering Shanjiaji / you enter a legend / witnessing the bullet-pierced door panels / as if hearing 万马奔腾 (wàn mǎ bēn téng - "ten thousand horses galloping," a scene of great momentum) and the sound of bugles / the five-star red flag / was dyed red by countless heroes with their blood..."

In recent years, Xiji County has organized local writers to go deep into revolutionary sites such as Jiangtaibao and Shanjiaji for field trips and creative work, and has held activities such as red literature field trips and red poetry recitations, attracting many writers and literature enthusiasts to participate. "We will use our pens to tell the red stories of Xiji well, so that red culture enters thousands of households," said Liu Defei (刘德飞), chairperson of the Xiji County Federation of Literary and Art Circles.

Carry forward the great Long March spirit, advance comprehensive rural revitalization.

In the scorching summer, Liu Weiheng (刘伟恒), Party branch secretary of Mingtai Village (明台村), Jiangtaibao Town, Xiji County, had just finished work in the facility agriculture greenhouses and then went to inspect the grain and oil processing workshop that was about to go into production.

"Mingtai Village is the place where the Red Army triumphantly joined forces. The great Long March spirit inspires us to lead everyone to a good life," said Liu Weiheng. Today, the village has built a red plum apricot ecological demonstration belt of over 500 mu, a cool-weather vegetable base of over 1,000 mu, and a modern agriculture demonstration park with 36 solar greenhouses, driving nearby villagers to work locally. Projects such as the "Meeting Victory Site · Self-driving Camp" (会师胜地·自驾游营地) created by the village have also been launched and put into operation, attracting more and more tourists to experience red culture and rural customs.

Through the integration of agriculture, culture, and tourism, in 2025 the collective economic income of Mingtai Village reached 410,000 yuan, and the per capita disposable income of villagers rose to 19,000 yuan.

Xiji County actively develops characteristic industries such as beef cattle and potatoes. In the first half of 2026, the total output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, sideline production, and fisheries reached 1.418 billion yuan, an increase of 6.7%; the per capita disposable income of rural residents increased by 7.6%.

"The cadres and masses of the entire county bear in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping's instructions, continue to carry forward the great Long March spirit, and accelerate the building of a strong agricultural county," said Wei Xibei (位西北), member of the Standing Committee of the Guyuan Municipal Party Committee and secretary of the Xiji County Party Committee.

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Introduction

Theory · Thorough Reading of Volumes 1–5 of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China
Persist in Thorough Reading and Deep Study, Grasp the Essence and Core Meaning
Page 9

Achieving the Annual Economic Growth Target Has Solid Conditions and Support
China's Economic Momentum Shifts to New Structures and Moves Toward Excellence
Page 10

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Farmers shift from avoiding to embracing insurance (Summer Farming Watch·Field Research)

By: 本报记者 方 敏

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that the key to mobilizing farmers’ enthusiasm for grain production is to ensure that farmers can make money from growing grain.

Improving the income guarantee mechanism for grain-growing farmers, agricultural insurance is an important aspect. In recent years, the impact of extreme weather events on China’s agricultural production has increased, and the role of agricultural insurance in “spending small money to prevent big disasters” has become prominent. However, some farmers, for various reasons, are unwilling to take out insurance.

From “dodging and avoiding” to “willing to invest,” in Henan, a major agricultural province, let us follow the reporter to observe the mechanism empowerment, technological progress, and conceptual transformation behind it.

— Editor

In August, on the Eastern Henan Plain, the corn had generally grown taller than a person. The reporter arrived at Wuqicheng Village (吴起城村), Qi County (杞县), Kaifeng City, Henan Province. In a farmhouse courtyard, several villagers were chatting.

“Have you all paid this year’s corn insurance premiums?”

“As soon as the group notification came, I went to the village to pay. A total of 86 yuan. Pay early, feel at ease early.”

The speaker was Hu Hongmei (胡红梅), over 50 years old, who grows 10 mu of corn. If it were three years ago, anyone who mentioned agricultural insurance to her would have gotten an angry reaction.

“Back then, I was dodging and avoiding; no matter what was said, I didn’t believe it,” Hu Hongmei waved her hand. “Now, I know the benefits.”

As she spoke, village Party branch secretary Liu Qingyong (刘庆永) walked over with a ledger book: “This year’s corn insurance, the whole village — 253 households, over 2,600 mu of land — all bought it in four days, not a single household left out.”

Farmers do not have an easy time growing grain; they earn hard-earned money. If they decide it’s “not worth it,” no matter how much you talk, they won’t pay a single cent.

From “dodging and avoiding” to “willing to invest,” is the change in Wuqicheng Village farmers’ attitude toward agricultural insurance an isolated case?

“A few yuan per mu can buy peace of mind”

Why was no one in Wuqicheng Village willing to take out insurance before?

The answers varied. “Individuals pay a lot, and sometimes if there’s no disaster and no compensation, you feel you’ve lost out,” said Old Zhao, a villager squatting by the wall. “Some only cover seeds and fertilizer; the compensation for a disaster doesn’t cover the cost,” Hu Hongmei interjected. “Some insurance companies are eager to collect premiums, but when it comes to claims, you can’t find them; they drag their feet, or simply don’t pay out,” another villager chimed in.

Drought, flood, wind, hail, pests and diseases… For thousands of years, grain production has always faced considerable natural risks. Agricultural insurance could weave a protective net, but if farmers are unwilling to take it out and the coverage rate does not rise, food security loses a line of defense.

The change began with an “upgrade.” In 2021, Henan fully promoted full-cost insurance (完全成本保险) for wheat, rice, and corn across all counties in the province. Now it has achieved full county-level coverage, with the insured amount doubled compared to before the adjustment, and the premium rate reduced by about 30% under the principle of covering costs with a small profit.

In Wuqicheng Village, Chen Guo’an (陈国安), a PICC Property and Casualty insurance coordinator, used wheat full-cost insurance as an example to calculate an account for the reporter: According to Henan Province’s standard, the premium is 38 yuan per mu, of which farmers pay only 7.6 yuan — 20% individually, with the remaining 80% borne by the fiscal budget. “Once a disaster occurs, the maximum compensation per mu is 1,000 yuan, which basically covers the cost of growing grain,” Chen Guo’an said.

The policy is good, but how is it implemented on the ground? Do farmers buy it?

Chen Guo’an told the story of “breaking the ice.” In 2023, there were still many villagers unwilling to take out insurance. He first persuaded a relative — paid over 30 yuan to insure 4 mu of land. Unexpectedly, that year wheat scab (赤霉病) broke out severely. At the end of June, the claim payment was quickly credited to the relative’s social security card.

“They really pay out, and pay quickly; the money was well spent,” said Xu Yuanchao (许远超), a large grain grower. In 2024, the agricultural insurance participation rate in Wuqicheng Village reached over half; in 2025, wheat and corn insurance achieved 100% participation. Last autumn, due to rainy weather during the harvest, almost every household’s fields were affected, and the insurance department paid claims promptly, helping everyone reduce losses.

In Wei Village (魏村), Xixiang Town (西向镇), Qinyang City (沁阳市), Jiaozuo City, village Party branch secretary Zhang Jianjun (张建军) also witnessed such a change — over 95% of the village’s farming households took out wheat full-cost insurance.

Li Jianxun (李建勋), a villager from Yangshuguo Village (杨树郭村), Xiangcheng County (襄城县), Xuchang City, was also a beneficiary. He took out his phone and opened the electronic policy: Henan Province central fiscal subsidized wheat full-cost insurance, insured area 100 mu, total premium 3,800 yuan, farmer self-payment 760 yuan. “A few yuan per mu can buy peace of mind,” Li Jianxun said.

Data from the Henan Financial Regulatory Bureau shows: In 2026, the coverage rate of summer-harvest crops in Henan exceeded 80%, providing a cumulative risk guarantee of 73.189 billion yuan, of which full-cost insurance accounted for over 98%, laying a solid foundation for a bumper summer grain harvest.

“No disaster happened, so why did the insurance company people come?”

“I’m much busier now than before,” said Chen Liang (陈良), a PICC Property and Casualty staff member in Fangcheng County (方城县), Nanyang City.

Previously, the focus of work was post-disaster claims. Now, he also arranges drones to help villagers carry out “one spray, three preventions” (一喷三防). “As soon as we hear the weather forecast predicting continuous rain, we help the village contact harvesters in advance, and the provincial company also coordinates dryers,” Chen Liang said.

Gao Dongmiao (高东淼), a grain grower in Fangcheng County who plants over 40 mu of wheat, repeatedly mentioned one term during the interview: aerial prevention — the insurance company sends drones to carry out free “one spray, three preventions” during the heading and flowering stage. “Scab and aphids were all prevented. In some villages without aerial prevention, the disease was heavier; here, basically none,” Gao Dongmiao said. At the time, he was puzzled: “No disaster happened, so why did the insurance company people come?”

“In the past, we only calculated the ‘claims account’; now we calculate the ‘comprehensive account.’ Spending small money to prevent big disasters — if the grain is saved and production capacity is stable, this big account is the key,” Chen Liang explained. In professional terms, this is called a transformation from “post-disaster compensation” to a full-chain approach of “pre-disaster prevention, in-disaster loss reduction, and post-disaster rapid claims.”

“We have gained great benefits.” What delighted Gao Dongmiao was that these services were all provided free of charge by the insurance company.

“We didn’t lose out either,” said Jiang Xinchao (姜新超), head of the claims department of PICC Property and Casualty Henan Branch. He introduced that during this year’s summer harvest, they invested 3.29 million yuan in special risk reduction funds in Henan’s main wheat-producing areas, targeting high-incidence diseases such as scab and dry-hot wind, and carried out drone “one spray, three preventions” aerial operations in 10 prefectures and cities, covering a total of 81,000 mu of wheat fields. Field measurements showed that the risk of yield reduction was lowered by 15% to 20%, benefiting both farmers and insurance companies.

In recent years, many insurance companies have changed their mindset and done the work in advance. Many farmers highly approve of this kind of 未雨绸缪 (wèi yǔ chóu móu - “repair the house before it rains,” to take preventive measures) service. Gao Dongmiao said: “The insurance company spends money on the fields; everyone can see it. With fewer losses in the fields, it also saves energy on claims. In the end, we harvest more grain, and everyone is happy.”

“Satellite scanning once, drone flying one round — more accurate than a person running around for half a day”

Untimely loss assessment, inadequate claims, opaque premiums — these were the aspects of agricultural insurance that many farmers were dissatisfied with in the past.

How to solve these pain points?

“First, rely on technology; second, rely on supervision,” said Liu Jiping (刘际平), director of the Property Insurance Supervision Division of the Henan Financial Regulatory Bureau.

Using technological means can minimize human intervention. Nowadays, more and more “sky-air-ground” integrated technologies are being applied to insurance claims.

On the eve of this year’s summer harvest, Hua County (滑县), Anyang City, was suddenly hit by strong winds, causing large-scale lodging of wheat. The day after farmer Qi Shanliang (齐山亮) reported the loss, Liu Chenlong (刘晨龙), a surveyor from China United Insurance, and agricultural expert Yu Zitang (于自堂) arrived at the field with drones, area measuring instruments, and other survey and yield estimation tools. They measured the area, took photos, and uploaded them to the system simultaneously via the Yunzhibao APP.

Before Liu Chenlong arrived at the scene, remote sensing satellites had already scanned the area, determining the area of the affected plots; then drones conducted low-altitude verification, collecting high-definition images and comparing them with the remote sensing data; finally, the surveyor and agricultural expert went to the field for on-site fixed-point sampling and yield estimation.

“In the past, a single survey trip would take at least ten days to half a month. Now, satellite scanning once, drone flying one round — more accurate than a person running around for half a day,” Liu Chenlong said.

In addition to integrated technology, insurance coordinators are equally crucial. Henan Province has 4,245 county-level insurance service points and 56,000 insurance coordinators. When to conduct loss assessment and how to assess cannot be decided solely by the coordinators.

Liu Jiping introduced that multiple departments have jointly carried out special rectification in the field of agricultural insurance claims. In the past four years, on-site inspections have covered the main agricultural insurance institutions in the province, with penalties and accountability imposed on 35 insurance institutions and 51 responsible personnel, totaling over 15 million yuan in fines and confiscations.

During interviews in the villages, many insurance coordinators said: “Now, premium payment, claim reporting, loss assessment, and claims settlement are all electronic. Claim payments are directly deposited into farmers’ social security cards, with zero cash distribution. Moreover, inspection frequency is high, and online supervision is convenient.”

In addition, farmers generally know how to preserve evidence and file complaints. Financial regulatory authorities have guided insurance institutions to set up complaint channels in villages, on websites, and in mini-programs. Liu Jiping said: “Farmers know how to protect their rights, and coordinators are more attentive.”

As the reporter was leaving Wuqicheng Village, a news alert popped up on the phone: In 2026, Henan’s total summer grain output reached 37.7645 million tons, an increase of 264,000 tons over the previous year, ranking first in the country in terms of increment.

Coordinator for this issue: Zhang Anyu (张安宇)

■ Extended Reading

This summer, affected by heavy rainfall, pests and diseases, and other factors, some major summer grain producing areas suffered relatively severe disasters. The National Financial Regulatory Administration systematically promoted the insurance industry to increase agricultural insurance claims efforts. In the first half of the year, agricultural insurance provided risk protection for 83 million farmer households, and paid 46 billion yuan in claims to 15.97 million affected farmer households, playing an important role in helping affected farmers restore production.

“Pay what should be paid” and “pay faster” — on the basis of doing a good job in underwriting and claims services, many insurance institutions have highlighted the concept of “prevention outweighs compensation,” taking practical measures to promote timely harvesting and loss reduction. Henan financial regulatory authorities guided property insurance institutions to use means such as seedling condition remote sensing monitoring and drone-based unified prevention and control, investing 12.7966 million yuan in special funds for summer grain disaster prevention and loss reduction. In Hubei, Ping An Property & Casualty and others assisted in coordinating harvesting and drying resources to rush harvest and reduce losses. Agricultural insurance is accelerating its transformation from post-disaster compensation to pre-disaster prevention and full-cycle services, helping to stabilize production and increase income.

(Reported and compiled by Qu Xinming (屈信明), our staff reporter)

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Water resource conservation and intensive utilization capacity enhanced

Beijing, August 3 (Reporter Wang Hao (王浩)) — The reporter learned from the Ministry of Water Resources (水利部) recently: In 2025, the national total water consumption was 594.45 billion cubic meters, the water consumption per 10,000 yuan of GDP (at current prices) was 42.4 cubic meters, and the water consumption per 10,000 yuan of industrial value-added (at current prices) was 22.9 cubic meters, decreasing by 4.5% and 7.2% respectively compared to 2024. China's capacity for water resource conservation and intensive utilization has been continuously improved, the water resource allocation structure has been further optimized, promoting the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development.

In 2025, the Ministry of Water Resources, together with relevant departments and local authorities, implemented the rigid constraint system for water resources and the Regulations on Water Conservation (节约用水条例), constructed a water conservation system and policy system, coordinated the promotion of 20 regions to carry out classified pilot construction of water budget management, and 22 provincial-level administrative regions independently carried out 56 provincial-level pilot constructions; deeply promoted the construction of the water conservation industry development system, released 382 advanced, mature, and applicable water conservation technologies and equipment, 11 mature and applicable water conservancy science and technology achievements in the water conservation field, water efficiency labeling products covered 6 categories and 110,000 models, and the output value scale of the water conservation industry exceeded 800 billion yuan.

Water conservancy departments deeply promoted the construction of the reclaimed water utilization management system, established a 3-year rolling implementation project reserve mechanism, carried out the construction of unconventional water development and utilization projects, completed 76 typical regional reclaimed water utilization allocation pilots; deeply promoted the construction of the contract water conservation management system, released 12 typical application scenarios and cases of contract water conservation in the three major fields of agriculture, industry, and urban areas, and the country newly implemented 914 contract water conservation management projects, with expected annual water savings of approximately 270 million cubic meters.

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New Power System Construction "15th Five-Year Plan" Issued

Beijing, August 3 (Reporter Wang Yunshan (王云杉)) — The National Development and Reform Commission (国家发展改革委) and the National Energy Administration (国家能源局) recently issued the "15th Five-Year Plan" for New-type Power System Construction, clarifying that by 2030, a green and low-carbon power supply pattern will be basically formed, with non-fossil energy power generation accounting for 50%.

The plan clarifies that by 2030, the new-type power system will be initially established, power supply capacity will continue to strengthen, the level of mutual complementarity and mutual assistance and safety resilience of the power system will be greatly improved, power supply adequacy will remain at a reasonable level, effectively meeting the electricity needs of economic and social development and the people's better life; a safe, reliable, green and low-carbon, strong and resilient, smart and flexible new-type power grid will be initially established, the role of resource allocation platform and service functions will be fully exerted, achieving high-level consumption of over 2.8 billion kilowatts of new energy, and building a charging infrastructure network capable of supporting the travel of over 110 million electric vehicles.

Yang Kun (杨昆), executive vice chairman of the China Electricity Council (中国电力企业联合会), stated that during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, China's electricity demand will still maintain rigid growth, with an average annual increase in electricity consumption expected to reach 600 billion kilowatt-hours, equivalent to the electricity consumption level of a medium-sized economy country. At that time, the dominant position of non-fossil energy power generation installed capacity will be further consolidated, and the dominant position of electricity in the terminal energy consumption pattern will be further strengthened.

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Dongfeng ushers in a new chapter with mighty momentum.

By: 新华社记者

2026 is the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan (十五五). How the world's second-largest economy will deliver its development report card is a matter of global attention.

In the first half of the year, facing an increasingly complex and severe domestic and international environment, the Chinese economy withstood pressure and moved forward steadily, effectively responding to various external shocks and internal difficulties, presenting a development trend of momentum turning new and structure turning better.

"We must strengthen confidence, overcome difficulties, and promote high-quality development to be stable and far-reaching," General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out clearly.

When the boat reaches midstream, the waves are more turbulent; we must row hard and raise the sail to advance.

Under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and under the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Economic Thought (习近平经济思想), the whole country is forging ahead with determination, facing difficulties head-on, seizing various opportunities, making good use of unique advantages, and striving to promote high-quality development. The giant ship of the Chinese economy has stronger momentum and more solid confidence, riding the mighty east wind to cleave through waves and sail toward broader seas.

"Continuously enhance the certainty and sustainability of our country's development"

Since the beginning of this year, the international situation has become increasingly turbulent, and the recovery of the world economy continues to face pressure. The Chinese economy, undaunted by wind and rain, rows hard and breaks through waves, showing a start-of-year trend of resilience and steady improvement:

The "stable" foundation is more solid — GDP in the first half of the year grew by 4.7% year-on-year, with an increment of 3.6 trillion yuan, the largest first-half increment in the past five years; corporate profits increased, prices rose moderately, and people's livelihoods continued to improve. Under multiple shocks such as international energy shortages and disrupted production and supply chains, the Chinese economy achieved hard-won stable development.

The "new" momentum is stronger — multiple types of commercial aerospace rockets were successfully launched; technologies such as quantum information, integrated circuits, and nuclear fusion accelerated; Chinese enterprises released the world's largest open-source model; new momentum represented by high-end manufacturing, digital economy, and modern services contributed over 40% to economic growth in the first half of the year.

The "vibrant" atmosphere is more vivid — service consumption, green consumption, and new types of consumption were full of highlights; flows of people, goods, information, and capital were highly active; China's daily express delivery volume reached over 550 million pieces, exceeding the total of other countries; the potential of the super-large market continued to be released.

The "integrated" pace is more determined — China insists on actively expanding opening up, has implemented zero-tariff policies for 63 countries, and the import growth rate in the first half of the year reached 22.1%, exceeding the export growth rate; "Export to China," "Shop in China," and "Invest in China" are linked and mutually reinforcing; China cooperates with the world for win-win results and travels far together.

At the symposium with non-Party personages held on July 24, General Secretary Xi Jinping made an important judgment on the economic work of the first half of the year: "Under the strong leadership of the Central Committee, all regions and departments have exerted efforts early and taken the initiative, effectively responding to internal and external risks and challenges. Our economy has moved forward under pressure, turning new and turning better, showing strong resilience and vitality."

The hard-won achievements are fundamentally due to the guidance of scientific thought.

"We must fully tap economic potential," "We must adhere to both policy support and reform and innovation," "We must achieve both 'letting go and enlivening' and 'managing well'," "We must closely integrate investment in things and investment in people," "We must respond to external challenges by strengthening our internal capabilities."

At the Central Economic Work Conference at the end of 2025, General Secretary Xi Jinping summarized new understandings and experiences in doing economic work under the new situation with the "five musts" (五个必须), further enriching and developing Xi Jinping Economic Thought and providing new important guidelines for economic work.

Theoretical innovation and practical innovation complement each other on the new journey of the new era.

Since the beginning of this year, General Secretary Xi Jinping has put forward a series of clear requirements and deployed a series of important measures for key fields, regions, and industries, pointing the direction for economic work in the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan.

During the two sessions, when participating in the deliberation of the Jiangsu delegation, he proposed that "Jiangsu and other major economic provinces are at the forefront of reform and opening up, and must work hard on studying new situations and solving new problems, and produce experience";

When inspecting Xiong'an New Area in Hebei, he presided over a symposium on deeply promoting the high-quality construction and development of Xiong'an New Area, emphasizing "taking reform and innovation as the guide to enhance endogenous development momentum, and focusing on the rational aggregation of factor resources to stimulate the vitality of the new area";

He made important instructions on the development of the service industry, guiding the expansion and quality improvement of the service industry with "demand traction, reform tackling, technology empowerment, and open cooperation";

He presided over the collective study of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, emphasizing "striving to improve the ability to prevent and respond to natural disasters, and effectively safeguard the safety of people's lives and property";

…………

In-depth analysis, systematic grasp; lift the net by the main rope, and the meshes will follow; grasp the fundamentals and the details will fall into place.

"We must keep the overall situation in mind, stand high and look far, maintain strategic focus, carefully plan tactics, and continuously enhance the certainty and sustainability of our country's development."

On January 20, General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the opening ceremony of the special seminar for provincial and ministerial-level leading cadres on studying and implementing the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, pointing out the key to grasping the initiative in development.

In the deployment that focuses on the overall situation, development momentum continues to flourish.

On April 28, General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to analyze and study the economic situation and economic work.

"Strengthen the planning and construction of water networks, new power grids, computing networks, new-generation communication networks, urban underground pipeline networks, logistics networks, etc." "Develop new forms of intelligent economy" "Strengthen the employment-first policy orientation"... The meeting deployed a series of important measures, releasing firm confidence in further consolidating the foundation for stable and improving economic performance.

On June 8, the first major national landmark project to start construction during the 15th Five-Year Plan period — the Three Gorges New Water Transport Channel project — broke ground.

In the first year of the plan, the construction of the "six networks" (六张网) advanced in coordination and empowered each other; 109 major engineering projects accelerated implementation, effectively expanding domestic demand and providing solid support for further consolidating the strategic foundation of Chinese-style modernization.

Anchoring the set goals, climbing slopes and crossing hurdles, forging ahead with determination.

Implement more proactive and effective macro policies; a package of fiscal and financial policies to promote domestic demand was rolled out; in the first half of the year, 2.07 trillion yuan of new special bonds were issued, effectively ensuring the funding needs of major projects and key areas; structural monetary policy interest rates were lowered, and a separate relending facility for private enterprises was established; this year, the 800 billion yuan list of "two priorities" (两重) construction projects and the 200 billion yuan equipment renewal funds were all allocated.

Keeping in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping's instructions, the major economic provinces take the lead, strive to be first, walk in front, and set examples. In the first half of this year, the total economic output of the top ten provinces in GDP accounted for over 60% of the national total; the growth momentum of major economic provinces accelerated its transformation toward new quality productive forces, with high-tech manufacturing and the digital economy becoming key supports.

The vast number of business entities strengthen their internal capabilities and forge ahead with determination. In the first half of the year, the added value of industrial enterprises above designated size that are specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative (专精特新) "little giant" (小巨人) enterprises increased by 10.4% year-on-year, and the profits of high-tech manufacturing enterprises increased by nearly 30% year-on-year. A large number of enterprises deeply cultivate segmented fields, continuously injecting momentum and vitality into economic development.

On the journey of continuous struggle, confidence and confidence are more solid and abundant.

In March, the Fourth Session of the 14th National People's Congress reviewed and approved the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan. The 20 main indicators, 16 major strategic tasks, and 109 major engineering projects clarify the roadmap and construction plan for the critical period of consolidating the foundation and fully exerting efforts to basically achieve socialist modernization.

Scientifically formulating and continuously implementing five-year plans is an important experience of our Party in governing the country and a significant political advantage of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly demanded that "local plans and special plans should be well aligned with the overall national plan, reflecting the spirit and requirements of the overall national plan, while also adapting to local and specific conditions, unifying needs and possibilities."

All 31 provinces have released their outlines for the 15th Five-Year Plan; special plans such as the "15th Five-Year Plan for Accelerating Agricultural and Rural Modernization," the "15th Five-Year Plan for Modern Emergency Response System Construction," and the "15th Five-Year Plan for Education Development" have been successively issued…

All regions and departments implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's instructions and requirements, take the national development plan as the strategic guide, adapt measures to local conditions, make overall plans and take all factors into consideration, and integrate their own development into the overall national development situation.

This is the vibrant vitality of the current Chinese economy and the strong momentum of future high-quality development.

On the road forward, we must respond to a more complex environment and resolve more deep-seated contradictions. The more turbulent the waves, the more we need the helmsman to steady the rudder and set the direction.

On July 30, General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

"Macro policies must exert force and improve efficiency," "We must effectively expand domestic demand," "We must create a fair and orderly market competition environment," "We must expand the space for mutually beneficial international economic and trade cooperation," "We must not relax in doing a good job in agriculture, rural areas, and farmers," "We must take multiple measures to strengthen people's livelihood security," "We must effectively build a solid security barrier"…

The decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core are strong and powerful, injecting strong confidence into doing a good job in economic work in the second half of the year and achieving the annual economic and social development goals and tasks.

Bite the green mountain and never let go, undaunted by wind and rain, heading toward the future.

As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "As long as we maintain strategic focus, move forward firmly step by step, and advance solidly stage by stage, the cause of the Party and the state will surely accumulate small victories into big ones, and our goals will surely be achieved."

"What we pursue is the development of new quality productive forces"

In the midsummer of July, the tide surges on the Huangpu River. An international event attracted global attention.

"Ensure that artificial intelligence is safe, reliable, and controllable, so that this swift horse of AI can both run fast and run steadily."

On July 17, President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance and delivered a keynote speech, vividly explaining his profound thoughts on global AI development and governance, and declaring to the world that as a responsible major country, China has always been committed to being a provider of international public goods in the field of artificial intelligence.

Bloomberg News website published an article stating that history is being written in Shanghai. If China's vision for the future of artificial intelligence can be realized, its impact will be far more profound than market share.

In the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, the world noticed that although still experiencing the pains of structural transformation, the robustly growing new momentum is becoming an important new support for China's high-quality development.

One main line is particularly clear —

On January 30, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held its first collective study of the year, focusing on forward-looking layout and development of future industries.

On February 9, General Secretary Xi Jinping's first local inspection of the year came to the National Information Technology Innovation Park in Yizhuang, Beijing, to learn in detail about information technology innovation and application.

On April 30, General Secretary Xi Jinping, when attending a symposium on strengthening basic research in Shanghai, made it clear that we must strengthen basic research with greater intensity and more concrete measures, enhance our country's original innovation capability, and further consolidate the foundation for building a strong science and technology country.

On July 8, General Secretary Xi Jinping, when attending the National Science and Technology Awards Conference, the Conference of Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering, and the 11th National Congress of the China Association for Science and Technology, emphasized accelerating the achievement of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening, firmly advancing toward the goal of building a strong science and technology country by 2035, and solidly supporting and leading Chinese-style modernization with scientific and technological innovation.

Using the certainty of high-quality development to respond to the uncertainty brought by rapid changes in the external environment, China places greater importance on building a modern industrial system and accelerating high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening.

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "We cannot just look at GDP growth. What is growing now is hard power; what we pursue is the development of new quality productive forces. Through continuous transformation and upgrading, improving quality and upgrading generations, we move upward step by step."

Integrate the advancement of education, science and technology, and talent; coordinate the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, the growth and expansion of emerging industries, and the forward-looking layout of future industries; deepen and expand "AI+"; accelerate the construction of the Beijing (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei), Shanghai (Yangtze River Delta), and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area international science and technology innovation centers…

Anchoring the course, a series of deployments are fully rolled out, stimulating the surging momentum of new quality productive forces.

A set of market dynamics reflects the profound changes in the Chinese economy —

The first domestically produced 100,000-card AI supercluster was officially put into use; China's daily token call volume reached hundreds of trillions; the total global downloads of domestic large models exceeded 10 billion; for every 10 humanoid and quadruped intelligent robots sold globally, 8 were produced in China… Foreign media commented that China's technological development has entered a new stage of "full-speed sprint."

Consolidate the foundation of development with the progress of innovation; activate the effect of development with the power of reform.

On June 23, the draft amendment to the Government Procurement Law was submitted for initial deliberation at the 23rd meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, regarded as a key measure to effectively ensure fair competition and support scientific and technological innovation in the field of government procurement in China.

From the Central Economic Work Conference deploying "formulate regulations for building a unified national market" to the July 30 meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee emphasizing "continue comprehensive rectification of 'involution-style' (内卷式) competition," the continuously deepening construction of a unified national market (全国统一大市场) creates a fair and orderly market competition environment, promotes free flow of factors and optimal allocation of resources, and lays the foundation for accelerating the construction of a new development pattern and promoting high-quality development.

"Different regions have different situations. They must explore innovation development paths according to local conditions, establish comparative advantages, and create distinctive innovation highlands. They must not blindly follow trends and chase hot spots, engaging in involution-style competition and homogeneous development," General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out.

Adhere to problem orientation, focus on using reform methods to solve development problems, and add momentum and stimulate vitality for development.

Efficiently organize and implement major national science and technology tasks, strengthen the systematic collaborative research of national strategic scientific and technological forces, strengthen enterprise-led collaborative research between industry, academia, research, and application, improve diversified investment mechanisms, deepen reform of evaluation mechanisms, improve the intellectual property protection system… Reform advances into the deep water zone, promoting the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, and new quality productive forces accumulate momentum and take shape.

Anhui includes pilot verification in the scope of service industry policy support, helping科研成果 move from the laboratory to the production line; Zhejiang iteratively upgrades the "32 Measures for the Private Economy," adding 13 measures to stimulate private investment vitality… All regions adapt measures to local conditions, pursue innovation, and cultivate the institutional soil for the growth of new quality productive forces.

Adhere to the unity of reform and the rule of law, using the rule of law to consolidate the foundation, stabilize expectations, and benefit the long term.

In March, the Fourth Session of the 14th National People's Congress reviewed and passed three laws: the Ecological Environment Code, the Law on the Promotion of National Unity and Progress, and the National Development Planning Law, laying a solid institutional foundation for high-quality economic and social development.

Since the beginning of this year, the "Regulations of the State Council on the Security of Industrial and Supply Chains" were issued, comprehensive legislation for the healthy development of artificial intelligence was accelerated, and the revision of the "Implementation Measures for the Fair Competition Review Regulations" was initiated… Use the power of the rule of law to build solid support for cultivating new quality productive forces.

A highly substantial report card on opening up highlights the vigorous growth of China's new quality productive forces.

In the first half of the year, China's total import and export volume exceeded 25 trillion yuan for the first time in the same period in history; high-value-added products such as integrated circuits, industrial robots, and green products became new export engines; the number of newly established foreign-invested enterprises increased by 5.3% year-on-year, and the proportion of actual use of foreign capital in high-tech industries reached a record high…

From multinational corporate leaders attending international events such as the China Development Forum 2026 Annual Meeting, the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026, and the 2026 Summer Davos Forum in groups, to multiple foreign political figures leading business delegations on密集 visits to China, China has become an indispensable key force in global innovation.

From proposing the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, to promoting the application of the meteorological intelligent early warning solution "Mazu" (妈祖) in 30 countries, and building international AI application cooperation centers for ASEAN, the Arab League, the African Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the BRICS countries, China is always committed to sharing innovation results with the world.

Actively create a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized first-class business environment, build a "strong magnetic field" to attract global innovation resource elements; proactively align with high-standard international economic and trade rules, steadily expand institutional opening up… "China Opportunity 2.0" not only provides greater market dividends to the world but also provides more and more innovation dividends to the world through technological progress and industrial upgrading.

"Handle the matters that concern the common people one by one"

On the banks of the Huangpu River, within the Shimin New Village residential area of Bansongyuan Road Subdistrict, what was once an "old, dilapidated, small" area now has independent kitchens and bathrooms, elevators installed, and pocket gardens outside, bringing new life to old neighbors.

On July 15, General Secretary Xi Jinping came here during his inspection in Shanghai to investigate the renovation of old residential communities in urban renewal, earnestly instructing: "The affairs of the common people are major affairs. The renovation of Shanghai's alleyways, the renovation of Beijing's hutongs, etc., all these concern the common people's安居乐业, and are the things we should care about most."

Building a modern people's city is a major concern of General Secretary Xi Jinping.

Since the beginning of this year, from affirming Beijing's practice of leaving blank spaces for greenery and inserting greenery into every available space, to emphasizing the construction of a convenient and efficient public service system in Xiong'an New Area, General Secretary Xi Jinping provides precise guidance for urban governance.

In May, China's first national-level special plan for urban renewal was released. Renovation of 500,000 units (rooms) of dilapidated urban housing, start of renovation of 115,000 old urban residential communities, and improvement of 20,000 hectares of urban park green space… The "15th Five-Year Plan for Urban Renewal" clarifies the task book for the next five years.

In the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, solid steps were taken to promote common prosperity for all people, and its position in governance became more prominent.

At the opening ceremony of the special seminar for provincial and ministerial-level leading cadres on studying and implementing the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, "Economic development and social development complement each other; one leg cannot be long and the other short." "We must take improving people's livelihood as the focus of promoting social development, and steadily improve the quality of people's lives while developing the economy."

During the two sessions, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Actively answer the questions of how to achieve high-quality and full employment, how to increase urban and rural residents' income, how to further improve the level of basic public services and social security, and explore effective ways to promote common prosperity for all people."

In the first year of the plan, China invests more heavily in people and serves the people.

The "15th Five-Year Plan for Implementing the Employment-First Strategy" was issued; the action to stabilize posts, expand capacity, and improve quality was implemented; the synergistic effect of industry and employment was enhanced; the first central document specifically on service management for new employment groups was released; the first special regulation clarifying the rights of over-age workers was issued; employment quality continued to improve. In the first half of the year, 6.95 million new urban jobs were created nationwide, and the average surveyed urban unemployment rate was 5.2%, with the overall employment situation stable.

"Formulate and implement a plan to increase the income of urban and rural residents" was written into the "Government Work Report"; the Social Assistance Law came into effect; the "Implementation Opinions on Providing Basic Public Services at the Place of Residence" was issued; fiscal efforts increased to ensure and improve people's livelihood, securing the bottom line of the "three guarantees" (三保) at the grassroots level; continue to consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation, promote stable income growth for farmers…

On March 6, during the two sessions, General Secretary Xi Jinping, when participating in a joint group meeting of the CPPCC, revealed the deep-level consideration: "Building a Healthy China by 2035 is a strategic decision made by the CPC Central Committee. The 15th Five-Year Plan is a critical period to achieve this goal, and we must make overall plans and accelerate progress, striving for decisive progress."

Carry out a three-year action to improve the quality of primary medical care; reform and improve the supply guarantee mechanism for children's medicines, making it more convenient and efficient for the masses to see a doctor; release the "Chinese Guidelines for Obesity Behavior and Lifestyle Intervention," etc., to make the masses less sick and healthier; issue opinions on accelerating the establishment of a long-term care insurance system to solve the care problem for the disabled.

"'The elderly' are our wealth, 'the young' are our future." On the eve of the Spring Festival, General Secretary Xi Jinping inspected a senior care service block in Beijing. "Special concern for 'the elderly and the young' (一老一小)" is not only because these two groups affect hundreds of millions of families and concern people's livelihood and well-being, but also based on grasping the new trends and characteristics of China's population development.

Made important instructions on basic education; during local inspections, had cordial exchanges with community workers on aging-friendly renovation services; presided over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to deploy "do a good job in service guarantees for the elderly and the young"... Promoting high-quality population development is something General Secretary Xi Jinping constantly cares about and plans deeply.

Putting the people first, life first.

Since the start of this year's flood season, there have been many heavy rainfall events, uneven spatial and temporal distribution, frequent floods in small and medium-sized rivers, and increasing extremity, making the flood control situation severe and complex.

General Secretary Xi Jinping has made important instructions many times, emphasizing that "all regions and relevant parties must establish bottom-line thinking and extreme thinking," "solidly do a good job in all aspects of disaster prevention and relief," "adhere to respecting natural laws, adhere to prevention first, adhere to reform and innovation, adhere to systematic thinking, adhere to social co-governance," pointing the direction for disaster prevention, mitigation, and relief work.

Facing the "big test" of flood control and typhoon prevention, all regions and departments act upon orders, respond scientifically, and go all out to safeguard the safety of people's lives and property.

Adhering to统筹发展和安全 is a principle that must be followed in economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

During the summer sowing season, General Secretary Xi Jinping came to Dezhou (德州市) in Shandong Province for inspection, went deep into the fields to understand grain production, emphasized that "agricultural and rural modernization concerns the overall situation and quality of Chinese-style modernization," and instructed to "ensure stable supply of grain and other important agricultural products."

Hundreds of millions of farmers work hard, policies to strengthen agriculture, benefit farmers, and enrich farmers are effective, and a large number of scientific and technical personnel go deep into the front line to serve… This year, the summer grain harvest overcame the impacts of large-scale late sowing and multiple rounds of rainfall during the harvest period, with output exceeding 300 billion jin for the first time, laying a solid foundation for the year's grain production, price stability, and people's livelihood security.

In response to the severe impact of geopolitical conflicts on global energy supply, the state twice took regulatory measures on refined oil product prices, effectively ensuring supply and stabilizing prices; fully do a good job in energy supply guarantee for peak summer demand, holding the bottom line of electricity for people's livelihood and key industries; deeply implement the new energy security strategy, accelerate the construction of a clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient new energy system, and build a strong energy country.

Comprehensively consider internal and external risks and challenges, promote positive interaction between high-quality development and high-level security through efficient governance, and ensure a new development pattern with a new security pattern.

A good start, a new atmosphere. 2026 marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. Currently, the study and education on establishing and practicing a correct view of performance is being carried out throughout the Party. Leading cadres at all levels, with a more vigorous spirit, continuously create new achievements in high-quality development.

During local inspections, General Secretary Xi Jinping's earnest instructions are full of the people's leader's sincere feelings for the people: "In work, we must firmly establish and practice a correct view of performance, think what the masses think, be anxious about what the masses are anxious about, formulate and implement effective policy measures, persist in making long-term efforts, handle the matters that concern the common people one by one, and continuously improve people's well-being."

Doing a good job in economic work in the second half of the year is related to a good start for the 15th Five-Year Plan.

Maintain strategic focus, strengthen development confidence, unify thoughts and actions with the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core on the analysis and judgment of the economic situation and the decisions and deployments on economic work, work together with one heart and one mind, and strive with vigor. We will surely achieve the annual economic and social development goals and tasks, and move forward steadily and far on the journey of advancing the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, August 3 — Reporters An Bei (安蓓), Xie Xiyao (谢希瑶), Wang Yuxiao (王雨萧), Zhang Xiaojie (张晓洁))

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A Century-Spanning Friendship (The Way Forward)

By: 本报记者 黄晶晶 张 健 李沁芳

In 2010, Xi Jinping, then Vice President of China, visited Laos and specially arranged to meet with friends of the Bounthavi family (奔舍那家族) for over an hour, hoping that we would continue to play an irreplaceable role in the cause of Laos-China friendship. This is a great honor for me and for my family. Khammani Bounthavi (开玛妮·奔舍那), former minister of the Office of the President of Laos, said in a recent interview with our reporter.

The Bounthavi family has deep ties with China. Before the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Laos in 1961, the veteran revolutionary of Laos and then Foreign Minister Quinim Bounthavi (贵宁·奔舍那) visited China many times, forged a profound friendship with the older generation of Chinese leaders, and made positive contributions to promoting the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Khammani is Quinim's fifth daughter. In the 1960s, Khammani and her seven siblings lived on Goldfish Lane (金鱼胡同) in Beijing for several years until they left in 1970. They successively attended Beihai Kindergarten (北海幼儿园), Shijia Hutong Primary School (史家胡同小学), and Bayi School (八一学校). At Bayi School, they got to know Xi Jinping when he was a student, beginning a friendship that spans centuries.

Khammani is very grateful to the Chinese government for taking care of them. In her heart, the childhood time spent in Beijing is one of her best memories. "When he learned that I attended Beihai Kindergarten in Beijing as a child, President Xi Jinping kindly said to me: 'Then we are still "kindergarten mates."'" Khammani recalled.

"In 2017, during his state visit to Laos, General Secretary Xi Jinping, President, met with us at the hotel where he was staying in Vientiane, hoping that we would continue to devote ourselves to the cause of China-Laos friendship, cultivate our children and grandchildren to be successors of the friendship between the two countries, and let the friendship be passed down from generation to generation." Khammani said that during the meeting, President Xi Jinping recalled the details of the Bounthavi family's life in Beijing and their studies at Bayi School: from the bronze-colored corduroy pants worn by several boys of the Bounthavi family to the scenes of the Bounthavi siblings cleaning at school.

"The friendship between the Bounthavi family and China has become a much-told tale of friendship between the two countries, a model of equality and affection between nations." President Xi Jinping stressed, "We must forever remember the traditional history of friendly exchanges between the older generation of leaders of the two countries, continue to treat each other with 肝胆相照 (gān dǎn xiāng zhào - "liver and gall shine on each other," to treat each other with utmost sincerity), not forget our original aspirations, uphold traditional friendship, carry forward revolutionary traditions, and continuously contribute to the cause of China-Laos friendship."

"President Xi Jinping is approachable and values friendship and loyalty." Khammani said, "As a leader of a major country, President Xi Jinping cares so much about old friends and concerns himself with everyone's work, which makes us feel both warm and deeply moved." At the end of that meeting, President Xi Jinping presented a framed photograph of the 2010 meeting with the Bounthavi family as a gift to the friends of the Bounthavi family.

In 2025, Khammani accompanied Thongloun, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of Laos, to attend the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit and the activities commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and during a working visit, she met President Xi Jinping again. "There were so many people in the delegation, but President Xi Jinping recognized me at a glance and even deliberately exchanged a few words with me." Khammani recalled happily.

Laos is a staunch friend of China. The Bounthavi family plays the role of envoys and a bridge for China-Laos friendship. As a member of the Bounthavi family, Khammani has witnessed the friendship between the two parties and two countries being passed down from generation to generation, and the common development and common prosperity of the two countries.

The China-Laos Railway (中老铁路) is a flagship project of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Laos. In 2017, on the occasion of his state visit to Laos, President Xi Jinping published a signed article in Lao media emphasizing that the China-Laos Railway "has major strategic and practical significance for Laos." Khammani deeply agrees with this. "On December 3, 2021, when jointly attending the inauguration ceremony of the China-Laos Railway via video link with General Secretary and President Thongloun, General Secretary Xi Jinping, President, said that once the railway is open, from Kunming to Vientiane, the mountains will no longer be high and the road will no longer be long. Over the past few years, we have truly felt it! The opening of the Laos-China Railway has greatly shortened travel time from Vientiane to the northern provinces of Laos, and has greatly promoted the economic and social development of Laos. With the Laos-China Railway, we can also take the train from Laos to China. When I have time, I will definitely come to China again to travel more and see more!" Khammani said.

Data shows that as of June 1 this year, the China-Laos Railway international passenger trains have carried over 840,000 cross-border passengers from more than 120 countries and regions; the cumulative freight volume along the entire line has exceeded 84 million tons, of which cross-border freight transport has exceeded 19 million tons.

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Laos and the "China-Laos Friendship Year (中老友好年)." Khammani said: "Now is the best period for the development of Laos-China relations. We are willing to take this opportunity to further deepen exchanges between Laos and China in the political, economic, cultural and other fields, continue the traditional friendship, and promote Laos-China relations to become even closer and even better."

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Carrying Forward the Past and Ushering in a New Journey of China-Türkiye Strategic Cooperation (Ambassador's Essay)

By: 姜学斌

This year, August 4 marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Turkey. Over more than half a century, China-Turkey relations have achieved leapfrog development, bilateral cooperation has burst forth with strong vitality, and the two sides have jointly walked a path of common development and prosperity.

Over the past 55 years of 栉风沐雨 (zhì fēng mù yǔ - "combed by wind, bathed by rain," to have weathered hardships and difficulties), political mutual trust has been increasingly strengthened. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Turkey have always adhered to developing bilateral relations on the basis of the One-China principle, firmly committed to mutual understanding and support for each other's core interests and major concerns, supporting each other's efforts to safeguard sovereignty, security, and development interests, thus laying the foundation for the development of bilateral relations. In recent years, under the joint care and guidance of President Xi Jinping and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the development of China-Turkey relations has entered a fast track. During the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Tianjin Summit, President Xi Jinping met with President Erdogan, charting the course for the next phase of China-Turkey relations. In July this year, a promotional event for the fifth volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China was held in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Participating guests believed that the fifth volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China provides more reference for all parties to understand China's policy prospects and strategic considerations on global issues. On the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Turkey, the two countries, with modernization as the theme, exchange experiences in governance, which helps enhance political mutual trust, promote the alignment of development strategies, and jointly walk the path of modernization.

Over the past 55 years of joint development, practical cooperation has yielded 硕果累累 (shuò guǒ léi léi - "abundant fruits hanging heavy," fruitful results). Standing at the ancient Silk Road post station in the heart of Anatolia, I am filled with myriad emotions. Although the camel bells of history have fallen silent, the dream of prosperity along the millennia-old ancient road is being transformed into the fruits of mutually beneficial cooperation. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the trade volume between China and Turkey has expanded from less than one million US dollars to around 50 billion US dollars; two-way investment has grown from nothing to over 3.6 billion US dollars; China has leaped to become Turkey's largest trading partner. The alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with the "Middle Corridor" plan has accelerated; the China-Europe Railway Express passing through Turkey has achieved regular operation; the RMB clearing bank has officially settled in Turkey; a batch of benchmark cooperation projects such as the second phase of the Ankara-Istanbul High-Speed Railway, the Hunutlu Power Plant, and the Tuz Gölü Underground Natural Gas Storage Facility have been successively implemented; Turkish cherries, pistachios, dairy products, and other goods have been placed on the dining tables of ordinary Chinese people. China and Turkey will accelerate the alignment of development strategies, enhance the level of cooperation in traditional fields, create new highlights of cooperation in new energy, 5G, biomedicine, etc., and achieve a higher level of mutual benefit and win-win results.

Over the past 55 years of mutual understanding and affinity, the people-to-people bond has become even closer. Many Turkish friends have told me that since childhood they have often heard the ancient adage, "Seek knowledge, even as far as China." "Checking in romantic Turkey" has become a travel aspiration for many Chinese people, which is a vivid microcosm of the mutual understanding and affinity between the two peoples. China has four Confucius Institutes in Turkey, and Turkey has a Yunus Emre Cultural Center in China. More and more schools in both countries are offering each other's language programs, and the enthusiasm of the people for learning each other's language and culture is rising. In the first five months of this year, nearly 200,000 Chinese tourists visited Turkey. Events such as "Happy Chinese New Year," "Tea and the World," and "International Chinese Language Day" have been widely welcomed. Turkish translations of classic works such as Dream of the Red Chamber and The Book of Changes have been published successively. The ancient Shu civilization represented by Sanxingdui and the Anatolian civilization complement each other. People-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Turkey continue to deepen and solidify. China and Turkey will uphold the view of civilization based on equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness, promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and enhance mutual understanding among the people.

Over the past 55 years of close coordination, multilateral cooperation has been continuously deepened. Both China and Turkey are emerging major countries, important members of the Global South, countries with a spirit of independence, and are committed to defending multilateralism and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries. Friends from various sectors of the Turkish government, political parties, media, and enterprises have all stated that China and Turkey are important forces for maintaining world peace and promoting global development. Under the current international situation of turbulence and transformation, strengthening cooperation between the two sides is not only beneficial to themselves but will also benefit the world. China is willing to continue close coordination with Turkey within frameworks such as the United Nations, the G20, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, jointly uphold a fair and reasonable international order and rules, and promote the improvement of global governance. China will fully support Turkey in hosting the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and is willing to work with Turkey and all other parties to jointly address the challenges of climate change, share development opportunities, and promote the building of a clean, beautiful, and sustainable world.

This year marks the first year of China's "15th Five-Year Plan," and Turkey is also steadily advancing towards the vision of the "Century of Türkiye." In the more than one year since I took up my post, through extensive contact with friends from all walks of life in Turkey, I have deeply felt that the historical ties between China and Turkey are profound, and that mutual understanding, coexistence, win-win cooperation have always been the common aspiration deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples. Standing at a new historical starting point, China is willing to join hands with Turkey, uphold the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic relations, fully implement the important consensus of the two heads of state, continue to move forward along the path of mutual respect, mutual trust, and mutual support, jointly write a new chapter in China-Turkey strategic cooperative relations, and make new contributions to promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

(The author is the Chinese Ambassador to Turkey)

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Bravely Shoulder Historical Mission, Always Maintain Strategic Initiative

By: 本报记者 陈一鸣

"The Communist Party of China has led the Chinese people to achieve rapid national development and profound social transformation." Villy Govale (维利亚·戈瓦莱), Global Affairs Director of the Foreign Trade Observatory of the Costa Rica Distance Learning University (哥斯达黎加远程教育大学对外贸易观察站) and former Vice Minister of Economy, Industry and Commerce of Costa Rica, recently said in an interview with this newspaper that the Communist Party of China has always closely linked national development with the well-being of the people, insisted on advancing modernization based on China's actual conditions, and continuously responded to the issues of the times with new practices.

Govale has long followed China's development and the governance experience of the Communist Party of China. In 2022, she visited China for the first time. The vibrant vitality of Shanghai as a modern international metropolis, the rich daily lives of Beijing's citizens, and the development and changes in Nangou Village (南沟村), Gaogiao Town (高桥镇), Ansai District (安塞区), Yan'an, Shaanxi, all left a deep impression on her. At the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, she listened on-site to the opening session of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, as well as the discussions among delegates on topics such as the economy, industry, society, and regional development. That trip to China gave her a deeper understanding of the Communist Party of China's adherence to putting the people first, advancing Chinese-style modernization (中国式现代化), and building a community with a shared future for mankind (人类命运共同体).

Govale said that through her personal experience, she not only saw China's development achievements but also began to reflect on the reasons behind these achievements.

"China's development is reflected not only in economic growth data, but also in the continuous improvement of people's living standards," Govale said. From infrastructure construction to technological innovation, from the popularization of education to medical security, from achieving a comprehensive victory in the fight against poverty (脱贫攻坚) to advancing comprehensive rural revitalization (乡村全面振兴), China's development achievements are continuously transformed into the people's sense of gain, happiness, and security. She specifically mentioned that the Communist Party of China has always made resolving the problem of unbalanced and inadequate development and meeting the people's aspirations for a better life an important task. This reflects a clear development orientation and a people-centered development philosophy (以人民为中心的发展思想), fully demonstrating the excellent trait of the Communist Party of China being deeply rooted in the people and always possessing a solid foundation.

As a scholar who has long studied development issues, Govale pays close attention to the inspiration China's development experience offers to Latin American countries. "For a long time, some people believed that there is only one model of modernization, but China's development practice has proven that different countries can completely explore development paths suited to their national conditions based on their own historical traditions, cultural backgrounds, and actual conditions," she said. She indicated that China has successfully achieved coordinated progress in economic development, social equity, and modernization construction, continuously enhancing its independent innovation capability while expanding openness and participating in global cooperation. "China's development experience shows that a country can achieve modernization on the basis of maintaining its own characteristics."

When discussing China's development path, Govale repeatedly mentioned "continuity." She believes that the world today faces many challenges such as technological change and geopolitical shifts. In many countries, shorter political cycles often affect the implementation of long-term development strategies, while China's development path exhibits different characteristics. "Whether it is reform and opening up, the fight against poverty, or innovation-driven development and green transformation, people can see the important role played by long-term planning," Govale said. "This development philosophy of adhering to the unity of long-term goals and phased goals reflects the excellent trait of the Communist Party of China bravely undertaking historical missions and always maintaining strategic initiative."

Govale said that China has become an important force driving global development. From high-quality Belt and Road (一带一路) cooperation to promoting South-South cooperation (南南合作), from advancing poverty reduction cooperation to actively responding to climate change, China is providing the world with more and more public goods and development opportunities. "An open and prosperous China will bring more opportunities to the world, especially to Global South countries, and promote common development and common prosperity," Govale said.

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National Surgical Center is an important symbol of Mozambique-China health cooperation

Xinhua News Agency, Maputo, August 3 (Reporter Liu Jie (刘杰)) The foundation-laying ceremony for the China-aided Mozambique National Surgical Center project was held on the 3rd in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. Mozambican President Chapo, who attended the ceremony, said in his speech that this project will become an important symbol of cooperation between Mozambique and China in the field of public health.

Chapo said that over the decades, Mozambique and China have established a solid partnership, a relationship built on mutual respect and political mutual trust. The China-aided Mozambique National Surgical Center project will bring well-being to thousands of Mozambican families, and more Mozambican people will be able to obtain the specialized medical services they need within their own country.

Chinese Ambassador to Mozambique Zheng Xuan (郑璇) said that China has always placed great importance on the health of the people and has also consistently attached high importance to supporting the development of Mozambique's medical and health undertakings. From sending Chinese medical teams, to carrying out cooperation in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, to continuously conducting medical technology training, providing medical equipment and medicine assistance, the Chinese side has always worked hand in hand with the Mozambican side to continuously enhance the health and well-being of the people of both countries.

According to the introduction, the project is located within the Maputo Central Hospital in Maputo City, and includes the construction of one new surgical center building and two equipment rooms. The surgical center building will house medical functional areas such as the emergency department, imaging department, pharmacy, laboratory, and operating rooms.

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"Learn More Beautiful Stories of China-Kyrgyzstan Cooperation" (China-Kyrgyzstan Media Joint Interview on High-Quality Belt and Road Cooperation)

By: 本报记者 屈 佩 李 强

Recently, the China-Kyrgyzstan media joint interview team on high-quality Belt and Road cooperation visited the Bishkek Northern Ring Road construction project and the Manas International Airport renovation project undertaken by China Road and Bridge Corporation (中国路桥), gaining an in-depth understanding of new achievements in China-Kyrgyzstan connectivity cooperation.

Approaching noon, the outdoor temperature neared 40 degrees Celsius, yet the construction of the Northern Ring Road did not slow down. On one side of the road under construction, pavers and rollers worked in an orderly manner; on the other side, traffic was maintained, with vehicles coming and going very busily.

The Northern Ring Road is an important component of Bishkek’s ring road and Kyrgyzstan’s international trunk road network. In recent years, traffic demand on this section has been strong, especially with a notable increase in cross-border logistics vehicles. The original road had only two lanes, poor road conditions, and frequent severe congestion. The Northern Ring Road under construction is a six-lane dual carriageway with a design speed of 110 km/h, built to first-class highway standards. “To create a three-dimensional transport network, we have also built 11 new overpasses. Kyrgyzstan is in a phase of rapid development; our project must not only solve current travel difficulties but also meet long-term development needs in transport and logistics,” said project manager Wang Pengfei (王鹏飞).

“A year ago, this was still a potholed, uneven old road surface; now it is a brand-new asphalt avenue,” said Zhanat (詹纳特), a Kyrgyz employee of the project. Local residents are all very concerned about the project’s progress and believe that once the road is completed, it will strongly promote regional connectivity and drive industrial development. “A smooth road not only connects opportunities but also connects people’s hearts.”

In the evening, the interview team arrived at Bishkek Manas International Airport. This airport is Kyrgyzstan’s largest aviation hub. By the end of 2025, China Road and Bridge Corporation completed the modernization of the airport’s runway, taxiways, apron, and lighting system. Ulan (乌兰), manager of the airport’s integrated operations department, explained that to ensure normal airport operations, the construction team could only work in concentrated night shifts during fixed time windows, which required a high level of technical skill and management coordination. “In the more than half a year since completion, many airport managers from Central Asia have come to visit and learn,” Ulan said.

Azamat Kazybekov (阿扎马特·卡兹别科夫), a commentator for Kyrgyzstan’s Banner newspaper, has long followed Kyrgyzstan-China cooperation. He said: “Chinese enterprises build roads and bridges here, transform the urban landscape, and help turn our transport ‘bottlenecks’ into development ‘fulcrums,’ truly taking root locally and benefiting the people. We thank the joint interview for giving us the opportunity to go to the front line and learn more beautiful stories of Kyrgyzstan-China cooperation.”

(Our newspaper, Bishkek, August 3)

Layout design: Shen Yiling (沈亦伶)

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Jointly Open Up a Brighter Future for Türkiye-China Relations (International Forum)

By: 塞尔丘克·于纳尔

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and China. The friendly exchanges between Turkey and China have a 源远流长 (yuán yuǎn liú cháng - “source distant, flow long,” long-standing and well-established) history. The ancient Silk Road linked the two countries’ millennia-long mutual learning among civilizations and people-to-people contacts, forging a deep foundation for Turkey-China friendship. In modern times, the two countries have undergone epochal changes and social transformations, and similar historical experiences have enabled mutual understanding. Carrying forward the tradition of historical friendship, Turkey-China bilateral relations have steadily advanced. The two countries formally established diplomatic relations in 1971, opening a new chapter in the development of bilateral ties.

High-level strategic guidance is the fundamental guarantee for the steady and enduring development of Turkey-China relations. President Erdogan and President Xi Jinping attach great importance to the development of bilateral relations, are committed to continuously improving quality and upgrading Turkey-China friendly cooperation, and have built consensus through multiple meetings. On August 31, 2025, the two heads of state held a meeting during the Tianjin Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, pointing the direction for the development of bilateral relations — a powerful testament to sustained high-level dialogue. Turkey firmly adheres to the One-China principle and supports China in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Under the joint guidance of the two heads of state, pragmatic economic and trade cooperation between Turkey and China has continued to develop. Connectivity cooperation between the two countries has continued to deepen and substantiate, actively promoting the alignment of Turkey’s “Middle Corridor” plan with the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative; the areas of cooperation have continuously expanded, extending from traditional commercial exchanges to multiple fields such as trade security, stability of industrial and supply chains, energy corridor construction, and digital connectivity, forming an all-round, multi-level cooperation pattern and injecting impetus into regional common development. Over the past 20 years, the scale of bilateral trade has increased approximately 40 times, cross-border transportation projects have steadily increased, two-way investment has steadily expanded, cooperation fields have continuously broadened, and the resilience and vitality of economic and trade cooperation have been continuously demonstrated.

At present, the potential for cooperation between Turkey and China has yet to be further unleashed. This can be achieved by expanding two-way investment, optimizing trade structure, and broadening cooperation fields, so as to promote the construction of a more balanced, diversified, and mutually beneficial bilateral economic and trade pattern and fully unleash cooperation potential. China’s high-quality outward direct investment in Turkey can not only consolidate the foundation of win-win economic and trade cooperation between the two countries but also help Chinese enterprises leverage Turkey’s geographical advantages to expand into surrounding markets and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

People-to-people and cultural exchanges are an important foundation of public support for the development of Turkey-China relations, and tourism cooperation is the most dynamic component. In 2026, direct flights between Turkey and China will increase to 56 flights per week, providing greater convenience for personnel exchanges, tourism, and economic and trade exchanges between the two countries. On the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and China, Turkey implemented a visa-free policy for tourism and transit for Chinese citizens starting January 2, 2026, fully reflecting Turkey’s sincere willingness to deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and enhance friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

At present, the major transformation not seen in a century is accelerating, and instability and uncertainty are rising significantly. Turkey and China are both ancient civilizations and countries with important influence in the region. Turkey firmly adheres to multilateralism and continuously deepens cooperation with China. Against the backdrop of complex and profound changes in the international situation, strengthening bilateral dialogue and cooperation is more important than ever, and Turkey-China relations have a solid foundation for continuous upgrading.

Standing at the new starting point of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and China, the important task for both sides is to translate political consensus into more pragmatic cooperation projects and more efficient cooperation mechanisms, and to deepen and substantiate cooperation in various fields. Turkey looks forward to taking this opportunity to join hands with China to open up an even brighter future for Turkey-China relations.

(The author is the Turkish Ambassador to China.)

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Chinese original dance drama "Wing Chun" premieres in South Korea

Seoul, August 3 (Xinhua) -- (Reporters Mang Jiuchen, Wang Siyuan) The original Shenzhen dance drama "Wing Chun" recently premiered at the Andong Culture and Arts Hall in South Korea, attracting over 1,200 local audience members.

Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing stated at the "Wing Chun" premiere promotional event that China and South Korea are important close neighbors, sharing a history of over 2,000 years of civilizational exchange, and have jointly created and shared a brilliant Eastern culture. He expressed the hope that this event would promote mutual understanding, emotional resonance, and heartfelt connection between the peoples of the two countries.

"Wing Chun" features a "dance-martial arts fusion" characteristic, bringing the national intangible cultural heritage items "Wing Chun boxing" and "gambiered Guangdong silk (香云纱)" onto the stage. Through a dual narrative, it tells the legendary experiences of the grandmaster Ip Man and the dream-chasing story of contemporary filmmakers, showcasing the spiritual essence of fine traditional Chinese culture and achieving cross-cultural expression through body language.

"The performance was absolutely wonderful! Not only were the actors' performances excellent, but the stage design, lighting effects, music arrangement, and so on were all superb, especially the clever use of stage rotation to switch between different scenes, with smooth and natural transitions between acts," said Andong citizen Li Xuanzhou.

According to reports, "Wing Chun" has been performed 336 times globally, with approximately 460,000 audience members.

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Standard Bank Kenya launches RMB clearing services

Our newspaper Nairobi, August 3 (Xinhua) — (Reporter Huang Weixin (黄炜鑫)) Standard Bank of South Africa recently jointly with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China held the 2026 "China Day" event in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, to promote RMB business to enterprises in Kenya. More than one hundred people, including heads of Standard Bank and the ICBC Africa Representative Office, as well as representatives of Chinese-invested enterprises, attended. During the event, Standard Bank Kenya subsidiary officially launched the Cross-border Interbank Payment System for RMB.

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Clarifying responsibilities through checklists to reduce burdens and boost efficiency at the grassroots level (In-depth Reading)

By: 本报记者 王伟健 李 蕊 王欣悦

The outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan proposes comprehensively implementing the list of duties for townships (subdistricts). How can the list be implemented from "paper" into work, truly standardizing duty performance and improving efficiency? Kunshan City in Jiangsu innovatively uses the "three lists" (三张清单) to clarify duties and powers, unblocking bottlenecks in grassroots governance; Huantai County in Shandong compiles personalized lists according to local conditions (因地制宜 (yīn dì zhì yí - "adapt measures to local conditions," to act based on actual circumstances)), transforming the demands of the masses into clear items; Qianjiang District in Chongqing builds a digital management platform to achieve precise task dispatch and smart supervision… All localities, based on their actual conditions, establish and improve the list of duties for townships (subdistricts), promote the matching of grassroots powers and responsibilities, enhance the level of refined governance, and better handle practical matters and solve difficulties for the masses and enterprises.

— Editor —

The "three lists" clarify the duties and powers of townships.

Not long ago, due to business development needs, Jiangsu Kunshan Enman Garments Co., Ltd. needed to open a new entrance and exit in its factory area. Previously, this approval required running to multiple departments such as housing and construction, landscaping, and road administration, making several trips back and forth. Now, it only requires submitting materials online, and the entire approval process is completed in two days, and the project quickly started construction. "The efficiency of handling affairs is now very high, saving worry and effort," said Yan Fengqiu, the company's person in charge.

Enman Garments Co., Ltd. is located in Bacheng Town, Kunshan City. Previously, many of the enterprise's businesses needed to be handled at the township level, but due to unclear powers and responsibilities, either they had to run back and forth between multiple departments, or the matters exceeded the township's functions, resulting in long waiting times.

"For example, if an enterprise wants to implement a flexible working hours system and a comprehensive calculation of working hours system, the approval of such matters is highly specialized, involving labor inspection and on-site verification, etc., which exceeds the capability of grassroots service windows," said Wang Xinjuan, head of the Bacheng Town Convenience Service Center, recalling the previous headaches. "Even if we grit our teeth and go through the process, we still feel uncertain, afraid of making a mistake somewhere."

Now, enterprises handle affairs faster, and the burden on grassroots is lighter. Behind this is inseparable from the "three lists" compiled by Kunshan around the duties of townships (subdistricts): the list of basic duty items (基本履职事项清单), clarifying the statutory duties that townships (subdistricts) "must do"; the list of cooperative duty items (配合履职事项清单), clarifying the responsibility chain of "coordinated action" between the county and township levels; and the list of items taken back by higher-level departments (上级部门收回事项清单), orderly recalling items that townships (subdistricts) "cannot take on or manage well."

According to the "three lists," Kunshan has solved a series of "take-back and delegate" problems: uniformly taking back to municipal departments for handling those items that grassroots "cannot take on or manage well"; at the same time, further standardizing and clarifying at the convenience service center items such as approval for municipal facility construction and approval for temporary occupation of urban green spaces, which grassroots can manage well and enterprises often handle. "The lists make powers and responsibilities clearer, and we have more confidence," said Wang Xinjuan.

"Now our efficiency in handling affairs has significantly improved," introduced Zhu Tingsong, director of the Data Center of Zhoushi Town, Kunshan City. Through innovative and flexible use of the "three lists," Zhoushi Town has launched a digital human governance tool. The backend can automatically generate work orders based on the category of items, reducing the average processing time by 18 minutes and achieving an accuracy rate of 97%.

"We will make good use of the 'three lists' to solve the problem of mismatch between powers and responsibilities in grassroots governance, and unblock the 'last mile' of serving the masses and enterprises," said Qing Sheng, deputy director of the Organization Department of the Kunshan Municipal Party Committee and director of the Office of the Institutional Organization Commission.

Adapting measures to local conditions, personalized lists promote industrial development.

"Following the cooperative's orders to weave reed baskets, I earn more than 1,000 yuan extra per month." In Wunan Village, Qifeng Town, Huantai County, Zibo, Shandong, villager Huang Airong sat cross-legged in her own courtyard, reeds flying between her fingers, and soon the rough shape of a storage basket took form.

Behind Huang Airong, newly woven reed bags, hats, and ornaments were stacked. Before long, these handicrafts would cross the oceans and appear on the shelves of foreign stores.

By Mata Lake in Qifeng Town, tens of thousands of mu of reed fields stretch out. Like Huang Airong, many villagers make a living from grass and reed weaving, but the industry is small in scale and scattered in distribution, and the villagers' demand for increasing income is strong.

The transformation is inseparable from the precise efforts of the duty list. In 2025, Huantai County established a full-process closed-loop management mechanism of "defining responsibilities with the list, clarifying responsibilities according to the list, performing duties in accordance with the list, and supervising responsibilities from multiple dimensions," pushing the list of duties for townships (subdistricts) from "paper" to "practice."

Combining the development positioning and actual conditions of each town and subdistrict, Huantai County compiled personalized lists according to local conditions, ensuring that the lists precisely match the development needs of towns and subdistricts.

In the early stage of compilation, the list compilation working groups of each town and subdistrict in Huantai County extensively collected more than 1,000 opinions and suggestions from villages (communities), enterprises, and representatives of Party members and the masses through methods such as questionnaire surveys, discussion exchanges, and setting up suggestion boxes. They systematically sorted, integrated, and absorbed them, ensuring that the list content closely follows the people's hearts and serves the main business.

When the list compilation working group of Qifeng Town was visiting, a villager reflected: "With such good reed fields, the products we weave can't fetch a good price—what's the use?" The working group found that the villagers had skills and resources but lacked channels. After repeated deliberation, they finally wrote "developing characteristic industries, supporting and promoting the development of the grass and reed weaving industry" as a personalized item into the list, facilitating the signing of contracts between enterprises and cooperatives led by 15 village Party branches, broadening the sales channels for grass and reed weaving products.

"The staff recorded the masses' opinions item by item, first categorized them by categories such as livelihood services, urban and rural construction, and social security, then deduplicated, merged, refined, and integrated them," introduced Geng Weiwei, deputy director of the Organization Department of the Huantai County Party Committee and director of the Office of the Institutional Organization Commission. Huantai County collected more than 9,000 questionnaires, sorted and summarized more than 1,800 opinions, and after multiple rounds of screening and polishing, finally condensed them into individual list items, effectively resolving more than 90 disputed items between departments and towns/subdistricts.

"The town helped open up sales channels and also organized training activities, making our products more popular in the market," said Huang Airong. In 2025, the local grass and reed weaving industry's output value exceeded 100 million yuan, with more than 3,000 employees, radiating and driving more than 30 villages.

"Only by setting the yardstick in the heart, putting actions into practice, and pooling the wisdom of the people to compile the list can we handle the masses' urgent, difficult, worried, and hoped-for matters practically and well," said Jing Baozhen, Party secretary of Tangshan Town, Huantai County.

Platform dispatch ensures precise and efficient implementation of the list.

At 9 a.m., in Zhoubai Subdistrict, Qianjiang District, Chongqing, Huang Dairong, a staff member in the livelihood service post, sat at her desk and opened the digital management platform for the duty list. "Fire safety inspection, cultural relic protection patrol"—two items to be handled that day were clear and obvious.

Two years ago, it was a different situation. At that time, Huang Dairong's first task at work was to flip through the ledger—a thick stack filled with various pending items. When encountering people coming to handle affairs, she often had to make several phone calls to confirm "who is actually in charge of this matter," wasting a lot of time, which made Huang Dairong very distressed.

The change occurred in 2025, when Zhoubai Subdistrict built a digital management platform for the duty list, moving all 241 duty items online. "140 basic items and 101 cooperative items were assigned to 38 specific posts, breaking down into a total of 1,991 tasks, all connected to the platform," said Hu Xun, a subdistrict staff member.

At the subdistrict grassroots governance command center, Hu Xun opened the periodic analysis report generated by the system. The work progress, task load, and completion quality of each post were presented with dynamic data, providing precise basis for the subdistrict's work dispatch.

"The platform has a built-in artificial intelligence assistant that can not only monitor post load in real time but also automatically generate a scatter plot of operation frequency," Hu Xun said. "Red, yellow, and green colors distinguish high, medium, and low frequency items—which type of work is the heaviest and which type of items can be optimized are clear at a glance." Once a post's burden becomes too heavy or task progress lags, the AI assistant will immediately issue an alert and push suggestions for personnel adjustment and task diversion.

Recently, Huang Dairong has been busy going door to door promoting the grid WeChat group. "Uncle, join our group, tell us anytime if there's something, and we'll handle it right away." This seemingly ordinary WeChat group is an important node of the online grid and also the "last mile" of digital closed-loop management.

Not long ago, a resident of a subdistrict community asked for help in the group: "The streetlight at my doorstep has been broken for a long time, it's pitch dark." After seeing the message, Huang Dairong immediately clicked "report" on the platform, and the system automatically assigned the task to the urban management post, clearly requiring inspection within 3 working days and completion within 7 working days. The staff arrived at the scene to check that same day, and in less than a week, the damaged streetlight was lit again.

From receipt, handling to completion, all 241 duty items leave traces on the platform throughout the entire process. As of now, the platform has cumulatively assigned over 20,000 tasks, all of which have been completed. The platform also regularly generates supervision and evaluation reports based on post operation, individual duty performance, and public evaluation, promoting work efficiency improvement.

Coordinator for this issue: Han Chunyao.

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Understanding the Wisdom of the "Thousand-Li Horse" Metaphor (People's Forum)

By: 成 森

From expressing lofty aspirations to metaphorically referring to outstanding talents, in traditional Chinese culture, the image of the "thousand-li horse" (千里马) is a typical cultural symbol.

When deploying work, General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly used the "thousand-li horse" as a metaphor. From the "thousand-li horse metaphor," one can glimpse the great wisdom of Chinese Communists in governance and in working and starting undertakings.

Aspiring to travel a thousand li, the key is to have long-term strategic vision.

In Zhengding, Hebei, Comrade Xi Jinping once required cadres to harbor lofty aspirations, "possessing both the character of an old ox and the momentum of a thousand-li horse, being both a bold and insightful strategist and a down-to-earth doer."

He who observes the situation is wise; he who rides the situation wins. Serving in office for one term and bringing benefit to one region, only with 高瞻远瞩 (gāo zhān yuǎn zhǔ - "look far ahead from a high vantage point," far-sighted) strategic self-awareness can one calibrate direction and gain the initiative.

"We engage in modern economic construction; we must have long-term considerations and coordinate the overall situation." In Xiamen, Fujian, Comrade Xi Jinping presided over the initiation of the formulation of Xiamen's medium- and long-term development plan, giving comprehensive consideration to "several major strategic issues." Step by step, Xiamen's development turned out "even better than we imagined at the time."

Some international figures call China "the country forging tomorrow." Intelligent connected vehicles enter thousands of households, humanoid robots accelerate evolution, the low-altitude economy is 方兴未艾 (fāng xīng wèi ài - "just rising and not yet ended," burgeoning)... The innovation-driven development strategy is deeply implemented, and "a sense of the future" has become a keyword for China's image today.

Looking back on the path traveled, without the "first-move chess piece" of that time, how could there be the "winning move" of the present?

In planning scientific and technological innovation, General Secretary Xi Jinping requires "gathering talents from all over the world and using them" and "letting more thousand-li horses gallop in competition."

Today we are in an unprecedented era of change. The more development advances at a thousand li per day, the more we need to grasp the key factor of "people" and make good use of talent as the primary resource.

To let the "thousand-li horse" stand out and truly play its role, the prerequisite is to view people dialectically, the foundation is to recognize people scientifically, and the key is to use people correctly.

The developed corn fertilizer showed remarkable results in a thousand-mu demonstration application; Liu Chuhao of China Agricultural University obtained a master's degree based on practical achievements. The led "intelligent operation improvement plan for coal mining machines" greatly increased production efficiency; Hao Jianying, a coal mine worker in Tai'an, Shandong, was rated as chief technician for his superb skills...

Not engaging in "one-size-fits-all" or "cooking in one pot," reflecting differences and respecting creativity. Only by continuously cultivating the discerning eye to recognize thousand-li horses, thickening the fertile soil for their growth, and optimizing the institutional supply that promotes human development, can we "enable talents in all fields to 各得其所 (gè dé qí suǒ - "each gets its proper place," everyone properly placed) and fully display their strengths."

When discussing artificial intelligence, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized "letting this thousand-li horse of artificial intelligence both run fast and run steadily."

Development and security are like two sides of the same coin. "Promoting positive interaction between high-quality development and high-level security through high-efficiency governance" — General Secretary Xi Jinping 念兹在兹 (niàn zī zài zī - "always think of this," constantly mindful of this).

Consolidating the foundation of rule of law, accelerating comprehensive legislation for the healthy development of artificial intelligence; weaving a dense regulatory network, launching the special action "Clear and Bright: Rectifying Chaos in AI Applications" (清朗·整治AI应用乱象)... Ensuring that artificial intelligence is safe, reliable, and controllable — this is an inherent requirement for AI to be good and benefit the people.

Only by walking steadily can one go far — 行稳致远 (xíng wěn zhì yuǎn - "walk steadily to reach far," steady progress leads to distant goals). The more the "thousand-li horse" is entrusted with high expectations and heavy responsibilities, the more it is necessary to apply systemic thinking and comprehensive measures to remove various obstacles for it and clear the broad road for its galloping.

At a deeper level, "running fast" and "running steadily" are also dialectically unified. Low-altitude flight shifts from "case-by-case approval" to "having laws to follow"; autonomous driving requires both driving safety and data safety... Without stability at all times, how can there be lasting speed? Not indulging in "blindly galloping with eyes covered," but pursuing development that is of higher quality, more efficient, more equitable, more sustainable, and more secure — this is the inevitable choice of leading high-quality development with the new development philosophy.

The thousand-li horse is cherished by people, perhaps because it represents a beautiful distant place. "A journey of a thousand li begins with a single step" — strategic vision, dialectical thinking, and systemic thinking must all be implemented in step-by-step actions.

By gaining wisdom from the Party's innovative theory for the new era and mastering the "core competence," we will have direction, accuracy, and even more prospects in our work and undertakings.

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21.54 billion yuan allocated for agricultural disaster prevention and water conservancy relief funds

Beijing, August 3 (Reporter Qu Zhehan (曲哲涵)) Recently, the Ministry of Finance, together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Water Resources, allocated 2.154 billion yuan in agricultural disaster prevention and mitigation and water conservancy disaster relief funds. First, support the six provinces of Guangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Chongqing, and Guizhou in carrying out post-disaster relief work for floods and earthquakes, such as the repair of water-damaged water conservancy engineering facilities. Second, support the five provinces of Liaoning, Jilin, Zhejiang, Guangxi, and Hubei in carrying out post-disaster production recovery work such as fertilizer and water management of crops in the field, replanting and reseeding of completely failed plots, restocking of livestock and fishery, and repair of damaged facilities. Third, support the three provinces of Shanxi, Xinjiang, and Gansu in promptly carrying out post-disaster relief work for floods and wind-hail disasters, such as crop replanting and reseeding, and livestock restocking. Fourth, focusing on the衔接 between prevention and relief, support the 13 provinces of Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Xinjiang, and Sichuan, as well as the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (新疆生产建设兵团) and the Beidahuang Agricultural Reclamation Group (北大荒农垦集团), in implementing autumn grain disaster prevention measures such as spraying operations.

Beijing, August 3 (Reporters Liu Wenxin (刘温馨) and Wang Donghui (王东辉)) On August 3, the Office of the National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief (国家防灾减灾救灾委员会办公室) and the Ministry of Emergency Management (应急管理部), in response to the rainstorm and flood disaster in Shaanxi and the impact of a new round of persistent heavy rainfall, dispatched a working group to inspect the disaster situation on site, and to assist and guide local authorities in carrying out disaster relief work. According to the needs of disaster relief and assistance work in the disaster area, together with the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration (国家粮食和物资储备局), they allocated 65,000 pieces of central disaster relief supplies including tents, folding beds, blankets, and family emergency kits to Shaanxi, to support local authorities in properly carrying out disaster relief and assistance for affected people and their evacuation and resettlement for safety.

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Photo Report

A few days ago, Longnan City in Gansu Province activated a Level II emergency response for flood control and flood fighting. All counties, districts, and departments are making every effort to carry out hazard investigation, infrastructure emergency repair, and other work to protect the safety of people's lives and property. The photo shows road emergency personnel clearing collapsed rocks and falling stones on the S206 line at Caoping Village, Fengxiang Township, Wudu District, Longnan City, on August 2.
Xinhua News Agency photographer Lang Bingbing (郎兵兵)

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Ministry of Water Resources issues targeted early warnings to 15 provinces with province-specific advisories.

This newspaper, Beijing, August 3 (Reporter Deng Jianyang (邓剑洋)) — The reporter learned from the Ministry of Water Resources (水利部): On the morning of August 3, the Ministry of Water Resources organized a rolling consultation to analyze and assess the national rainfall, water, and flood situation, and to arrange and deploy key defense work.

Based on the 24-hour rainfall forecast, the Ministry of Water Resources issued "one-province-one-list (一省一单)" targeted warnings to 15 provinces and regions, including Beijing, Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Guangdong, Guangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Shaanxi, and Hainan, notifying them of the list of counties (cities, districts) covered by heavy rainfall, the list of reservoirs, and the risk areas and points for mountain torrent disasters, and reminding them to carry out work on ensuring the safe flood season operation of reservoirs and check dams, and on defending against floods in small and medium rivers and mountain torrent disasters.

The Ministry of Water Resources maintains a Level IV emergency response for flood defense against Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Heilongjiang, and Chongqing; five working groups from the Ministry of Water Resources are currently assisting and guiding the defense against rainstorms and floods at the front line in Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Sichuan, Chongqing, and other locations.

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"Scientific Planning Promotes Development" Published and Distributed

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, August 3 — In order to further deepen the study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, to thoroughly publicize and explain the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, to centrally answer the hot issues that cadres and the masses care about during their study of the plenary session spirit, and to more consciously unify thoughts and actions with the major judgments and decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, the Theory Bureau of the Central Propaganda Department (中央宣传部理论局) has organized the compilation of the 2026 popular theoretical reader "Scientific Planning Promotes Development" (科学规划促发展) under the "Theoretical Hotspots Face to Face" (理论热点面对面) series. This book has been jointly published by Xuexi Publishing House (学习出版社) and People's Publishing House, and will be distributed nationwide from today.

Focusing on China's development situation during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, closely following the latest spirit of the Party Central Committee, and combining people's actual thoughts and theoretical concerns, this book deeply answers ten theoretical hot issues, including how to build a modern industrial system, how to accelerate high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening, and how to promote coordinated development between urban and rural areas and among regions. Adhering to the consistent style of the "Theoretical Hotspots Face to Face" series of popular theoretical readers, this book upholds the unity of academic rigor and popular accessibility, emphasizes interpretation from the aspects of academic foundation, practical orientation, international perspective, and historical dimension, and features thorough reasoning and a lively writing style. It is an important supplementary reading material for cadres, the masses, and young students in theoretical study and in conducting education on the situation and policies.

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Seek Rejuvenation

By: 金社平

From Shikumen (石库门) to Tiananmen, from a single red boat to a majestic giant ship, after 105 years of 风雨兼程 (fēng yǔ jiān chéng - "wind and rain together on the journey," to travel despite difficulties), the Party has united and led the people of all ethnic groups across the country in unremitting struggle, creating two miracles: rapid economic development and long-term social stability. The Chinese nation has achieved a great leap from standing up, to becoming prosperous, to becoming strong.

On July 30, General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee. The meeting pointed out: "Uphold and strengthen the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, focus on improving the Party's long-term governance capacity, maintaining the Party's advanced nature and purity, and maintaining the Party's flesh-and-blood ties with the masses"; "Take the Party's political construction as the guide, comprehensively advance all aspects of the Party's construction, and fully stimulate the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of the entire Party."

On November 29, 2012, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited the "Road to Rejuvenation" exhibition and for the first time proposed the Chinese Dream of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

On July 1 this year, at the conference celebrating the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping solemnly declared: "Today, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable, showing unprecedented bright prospects."

Unstoppable, the momentum lies in the "most essential feature" — "Party leadership directly concerns the fundamental direction, future and destiny, and ultimate success or failure of Chinese-style modernization."

Unstoppable, the momentum lies in the "greatest advantage" — "Party leadership is the fundamental guarantee for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."

(一)

The encounter of history and reality always sparks moving flames. In May this year, the "Smile" satellite was launched, opening a new chapter in solar-terrestrial space exploration. Chinese space science is moving closer to the center of the international stage. Zooming out the view. In April 1970, "Dongfanghong-1" was successfully launched. The music "The East Is Red" resounded across the universe, opening a new era for China's aerospace industry. Chinese people entered their own space station for the first time, achieved the first-ever return of samples from the far side of the Moon, and the Beidou sounding system reached global leading level... As time flows, China's aerospace industry has grown from nothing to something, from weak to strong. Why the transformation? At every critical moment, the Party Central Committee has made correct strategic decisions, guiding the correct development direction of China's aerospace. The aerospace dream reflects the Chinese Dream.

"For 105 years, our Party has always adhered to the original aspiration and mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation" and "has written the most magnificent epic in the thousands of years of Chinese history." Writing the "epic" relies on the execution ability to draw a blueprint to the end.

In the first half of this year, China's production and sales of new energy vehicles both exceeded 7 million units. In May 2014, when inspecting the technology center of Shanghai Automotive Group, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized, "Developing new energy vehicles is the only way for China to move from a big automobile country to a strong automobile country." Over more than ten years of continuous promotion, new energy vehicles have broken through and risen, becoming a "bright business card" of Made in China.

With firm strategy to seek development, from the "First Five-Year Plan" to the "Fifteenth Five-Year Plan," our Party has accurately recognized and grasped the principal social contradictions, determined the central tasks, and united and led the people of all ethnic groups in unremitting struggle. China's long-term economic development has a "stable anchor."

The economic aggregate remains stable as the world's second largest, the world's largest manufacturing country, the largest goods trading country, the largest foreign exchange reserve country... Each five-year "construction plan" takes root, turning the blueprint into reality.

Writing the "epic" relies on the mobilization ability to concentrate resources to accomplish major tasks. Eight years of tackling key problems, five years of consolidation, nearly 100 million people all lifted out of poverty — why can China do it? Party secretaries at five levels grasp poverty alleviation; 255,000 village-based work teams, over 3 million first secretaries and village-based cadres, together with nearly 2 million township cadres and millions of village cadres, 勠力同心 (lù lì tóng xīn - "join forces and be of one heart," to work together) and 尽锐出战 (jìn ruì chū zhàn - "send out all elite forces," to mobilize the best), won the largest-scale battle against poverty in human history.

In February 2018, the main project of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge was accepted and delivered, setting multiple "world records"; the Pinglu Canal will open to navigation in September this year, and the "new era of Yu the Great's flood control" is steadily advancing... The Communist Party of China transforms organizational advantages into development momentum, leading the people to turn one "impossible" after another into reality.

Writing the "epic" relies on the centripetal force to resist risks and challenges. In recent days, on the front lines of flood control and disaster relief in Guangxi, Hubei, Gansu and other places, Party organizations at all levels and the vast number of Party members and cadres have charged ahead, building a solid defense line.

A Party member is a banner. When the century pandemic struck, Party member medical workers volunteered and charged ahead; after the Wenchuan earthquake, Party members and cadres stepped forward and fought on the front lines of earthquake relief... Stabilizing the economy, promoting development, fighting poverty, building a moderately prosperous society, responding to changes, resolving crises — when storms come, the Communist Party of China is the most reliable backbone of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation.

Over more than a hundred years, 物换星移 (wù huàn xīng yí - "things change and stars move," the passage of time), with much emotion and much pride. From internal and external troubles, poverty and weakness, to building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and then to marching toward common prosperity, the future and destiny of the Chinese people have been fundamentally changed. Through the sedimentation of time, a truth becomes increasingly clear: Without the Communist Party of China, there would be no New China, and there would be no great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

(二)

Protecting an ancient tree contains the "code" of Chinese-style modernization. In the 1970s, due to a retaining wall built for a provincial highway that affected root growth, an ancient cypress from the Yanshan Mountains in Xinchengzi Town, Miyun District, Beijing (北京密云新城子镇) once faced a crisis. In recent years, Beijing overcame numerous difficulties and moved a section of the provincial road eastward by nearly 20 meters, "returning" the growth space to the ancient tree. This year's May Day holiday, the first Xinchengzi Public Art Exhibition entered the Ancient Cypress Park. Relying on "ancient tree +," Xinchengzi Town has explored a new path to enrich the people and increase income. The rebirth of the ancient cypress reflects the concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" (绿水青山就是金山银山), and is a vivid portrayal of Chinese-style modernization's pursuit of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

Through 105 years of unremitting struggle, our Party has opened up the correct path to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. This correct path is socialism with Chinese characteristics, and it is the only way to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

This path of socialism with Chinese characteristics has created a new form of human civilization through the "two combines" (两个结合). How does China achieve modernization? Starting from the modern era when insightful people "opened their eyes to see the world" (开眼看世界 - kāi yǎn kàn shìjiè - "open eyes to see the world," to broaden one's horizons), the Chinese people began a difficult quest. Adhering to using the "arrow" of Marxism to shoot at the "target" of China in the new era, our Party insists on combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and with the excellent traditional Chinese culture, successfully advancing and expanding Chinese-style modernization, and creating a new form of human civilization.

Transcending the logic of "capital first." Since June, Minning Town, Yongning County, Ningxia (宁夏永宁县闽宁镇) has seen a succession of good news: the Erke Minning production base, the Qilixiang goji berry deep processing project, and others have officially started production; the Minning dual intelligent computing center is about to launch... After 30 years of Minning cooperation, the per capita annual income of farmers in Ningxia has increased 13 times.

Rooted in excellent traditional Chinese culture. Under the large camphor tree in Fengyuan Village, Fengqiao Town, Zhuji City, Zhejiang (浙江诸暨市枫桥镇枫源村), villagers sit in a circle to discuss and deliberate on village affairs. The traditional governance wisdom of "明德慎罚 (míng dé shèn fá - "illustrate virtue and be cautious in punishment")" and "good neighborly friendship" collides and merges with the Marxist view of mass history, tempering the new era "Fengqiao Experience" (枫桥经验).

Chinese-style modernization has broken the myth of "modernization = Westernization" and demonstrated the strong vitality of Marxism.

This path of socialism with Chinese characteristics contributes Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions, and Chinese strength to the world.

"The Communist Party of China is a party that seeks happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, and it is also a party that seeks progress for humanity and harmony for the world."

Using the "self-rotation" of a century of struggle to drive the "public revolution" of world history, the Communist Party of China has profoundly influenced the course of world history.

Currently, the world once again stands at a historical crossroads. Where to go?

"China always stands on the right side of history and is willing to work with all countries to promote world peace and development and to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind."

The Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, the Global Governance Initiative... In building a community with a shared future for mankind, China is an active advocate.

Crossing mountains and seas, China's Juncao (菌草) helps African farmers escape poverty and become prosperous; bridging the gap, China proposes the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization... In building a community with a shared future for mankind, China is a firm doer.

Responding to changes in the world, answering the questions of the times. Socialist China, led by our Party, is recognized as a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order.

Expanding the path for developing countries to achieve modernization, Chinese-style modernization shows increasingly strong magnetism and charm.

(三)

Looking back at the glorious history, we are filled with pride; looking forward to the prospects of rejuvenation, the mission urges us to forge ahead.

On the stage of the US-Canada-Mexico World Cup, a Chinese trendy toy IP (intellectual property) kicked a beautiful "world wave." At the opening ceremony, a brown and blue "Labubu" appeared in the same frame as the mini World Cup trophy, unforgettable. "Labubu" has become popular worldwide, highlighting the creative concept of "Chinese-Western fusion," and is also a vivid microcosm of current Chinese cultural confidence.

Confidence in the path, confidence in the theory, confidence in the system, and confidence in the culture — as the times advance, the main theme stirs the heart.

"Today, the Chinese people have firmly grasped their destiny in their own hands, and are striding toward a better future with a confident, self-reliant, and self-strengthening posture."

Today's China has advanced to a critical period of comprehensively advancing the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization. "Unswervingly do our own things well," "rely on tenacious struggle to open up new horizons for our cause" — we have the foundation and confidence.

The foundation and confidence come from the accumulated solid material base. Look at the momentum: during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, China's economic aggregate achieved "four consecutive leaps," and the average annual growth rate continued to lead major global economies; at the beginning of the "15th Five-Year Plan," opening new situations amid changing circumstances, China's economy is resilient and thriving. Look at the driving force: the scale of R&D investment ranks second in the world, the proportion of basic research funding hits a record high, and the team of scientific and technological talents continues to grow... Innovation-driven, new quality productive forces are being accelerated, and the momentum of high-quality development is surging.

The foundation and confidence come from the six excellent qualities of the Communist Party of China. Dengkou County, Inner Mongolia (内蒙古磴口县), at the top of the "bend" of the Yellow River, is the forefront of China's desertification control. Cadres and masses work together, "fighting" against sand for decades, treating nearly 2.1 million mu of desert, achieving a transformation from "sand advances, people retreat" to "green advances, sand retreats."

Unswervingly pursuing truth, always grasping the correct direction of advance; deeply rooted in the people, always having a solid foundation; bravely undertaking historical missions, always mastering strategic initiative; conforming to the trend of development, always walking at the forefront of the times; daring and good at struggle, always maintaining confidence in victory; focusing on strengthening oneself, always full of vitality... Continuously carrying forward and expanding the Party's six excellent qualities, we possess strong creativity, cohesion, and combat effectiveness.

Look, on the divine land, workers are busy in manufacturing workshops, new-type farmers are sowing hope in the fields, scientific and technological workers are attacking "bottleneck" problems... The Party and the people are of one heart and one direction, advancing Chinese-style modernization with immense strength.

The foundation and confidence come from the value pursuit of "always standing on the right side of history." The supply chain becomes a win-win chain. The recently concluded Chain Expo attracted over 1,200 exhibitors, with the proportion of foreign exhibitors rising to 36.5%.

Creating new platforms such as the China International Import Expo, the China International Consumer Products Expo, and the China International Fair for Trade in Services; expanding pilot free trade zones, setting sail for the Hainan Free Trade Port; continuously shortening the negative list for foreign investment access; expanding the scope of countries eligible for unilateral visa-free entry to China... China continuously provides new opportunities for the world with its own new development.

"Always stand on the right side of history, stand on the side of human civilization progress." China will always adhere to its original aspiration, bravely undertake its mission, base itself on the correct path of history, embrace civilization progress, empower development with scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening, embrace the world with an open and inclusive attitude, and on the road to realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, write a new chapter belonging to China and the world.

*** ***

Looking back at the road we have traveled, seeing clearly the road beneath our feet, and firmly advancing on the road ahead. Set the direction, plan the overall situation, make decisions. No matter how the situation changes or how arduous the challenges, the Communist Party of China is always the strongest helmsman for this giant ship of China to sail steadily and far. Strengthen confidence, continue to struggle, "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable."

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Page 1 Editors: Yang Xu, Hu Anqi, Zhang Yujie | Page 2 Editors: Lin Lin, Qi Jiarun, Zhang Anyu | Page 3 Editors: Wu Gang, Zhou Zhou, Xie Jianing | Page 4 Editors: Yuan Zhenxi, Zhang Xueyan, Yu Xuan

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No point in doing useless work, no need for futile tasks (Everyone Talks · Understanding the Grassroots, Going Deep into the Grassroots, Serving the Grassroots ①)

“要提高办实事的水平”“‘不作无补之功，不为无益之事’，应成为我们为民办实事的座右铭”……前不久，《习近平关于基层工作方法论述摘编》出版发行，为广大党员干部树立和践行正确政绩观、走好新时代党的群众路线提供了权威教材。本期大家谈选刊3篇来稿，共同探讨如何更好为民办事。
——编 者

“不生分”见功夫
浙江宁波市 王金华

走访时，听村干部讲起个小事。有个年轻的联村干部，头回下村，拿着提纲与农户交流，农户客气两句就忙自己的事去了。后来他再去，碰见一位老大爷蹲在院门口捣鼓手机，说交费总提示“失败”。他接过手机，帮着操作两分钟就搞定了。老大爷连声道谢，拉着他聊起了家长里短，话匣子一打开，他想了解的事都弄清楚了。
走村入户，不只需要有沉下去的脚力，还要有“不生分”的功夫。
“不生分”，得有真感情。对群众有没有感情，是不是带着深厚感情做工作，群众感受得真切，也直接关系工作成效。有感情，才能真诚沟通，真正急群众之所急、想群众之所想，把群众的大事小情挂在心上。将心比心 (jiāng xīn bǐ xīn - "compare one's heart with another's heart," to put oneself in someone else's shoes)、换位思考，杜绝居高临下 (jū gāo lín xià - "stand on high and look down," to condescend)、颐指气使 (yí zhǐ qì shǐ - "order with the chin and command with the breath," to be arrogant and bossy)，群众才会把干部当自己人。
真感情，见诸细微事。服务群众就在柴米油盐、万家灯火中。农业补贴有没有及时发放、助餐饭菜可不可口、留守儿童假期看护难题怎么解决……这些事看着小，但关系群众切身利益。不因事小而轻视、不因事微而漠视，把群众的“好差评”作为干部的“正衣镜”、政绩的“度量衡”，事情定了就办、办就办好，才能真正赢得群众信任。
增进感情，体现于每一声问候、每一次办实事的行动。怀有真感情，把群众事办好、办妥、办到心坎上，党员干部当如是。

懂得“听劝”
新疆和田地区 李攀洋

近期，身边有两个小变化，都和公共设施有关。一是，为防范落水风险，水渠设置了救生绳，横拉在水渠两侧，有群众指出，横置绳索会使落水人员无法向岸边移动，建议改成斜拉式，相关部门测试后，将横拉改成斜拉。二是，街边的休闲座椅，原先白天正对太阳，群众提了意见后，挪到了树荫旁。事情不大，但都是“听劝”的体现。
“听劝”，是站在群众视角看问题、办事情。现实中，有的干部为民办实事的热情很高，出发点也好，但所办的事情群众不买账，一个原因就在于，没有把准群众需求，干部做的不是群众盼的。问需于民，多听听群众怎么说、问问群众怎么看，想问题、作决策才会贴近实际、符合需求。
事情办了，不等于办好。基层服务不能光看“做了没有”，更不能只看材料、展板，而应看群众是否满意、高兴。这就必须坚持问效于民，避免把“自己认为”等同于“群众认可”、把“自我满意”等同于“群众愿意”。
以从善如流 (cóng shàn rú liú - "follow good advice as naturally as water flows," to readily accept good advice)的自觉、紧抓不放的韧劲、事事有回音的态度办好民生小事，这是责任，也见价值。

“摘门椒”的启示
安徽铜陵市 任鹏宇

“摘门椒，看火候，火候不对白忙活”。在田间地头走访，听老农说起一个经验。细问才知，在辣椒的生长过程中，结的第一个果叫作“门椒”，为了确保产量和整株的存活率，一般要将其摘除。但何时摘，却十分讲究。过早摘，会导致茎叶徒长；过晚摘，则会致使门椒吸收大量养分，植株营养不良。摘门椒，为做好基层工作带来启示。
摘门椒里有全局意识。“老把式”摘门椒不生搬硬套，而是蹲在地里看长势，综合考虑主茎粗细、分枝数量、叶片颜色、土壤肥力等。做好基层工作，同样如此。基层工作纷繁复杂，孤立来看，容易顾此失彼 (gù cǐ shī bǐ - "attend to one thing and lose sight of another," to be unable to manage multiple things)，着眼全局，方能实现整体跃升。
摘门椒里也有长远眼光。判断门椒该不该摘、何时摘的标准只有一个，就是利不利于辣椒未来的生长。做好基层工作，也需着眼长远。比如，老旧小区加装电梯，如果只求快速落地，忽略后续运营维护，就容易衍生新的问题。缺少长远眼光，当初为解决矛盾完成的事项，也可能随着时间推移产生新的矛盾。避免“解决一个问题，留下十个遗憾”，就必须跳出“重当下、轻长远”的误区。
既有全局意识，也有长远眼光，这是种辣椒的秘诀，也是做好基层工作的一个诀窍。

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"Integrating" the Stage, Enhancing the Quality and Efficiency of Economic Circulation (Commentator's Observation)

By: 余 璇

Unswervingly deepen reform and expand opening up, promote the coordinated发力 of various policies, dismantle the invisible barriers between factors, industries, regions, and urban and rural areas. The positive cycle of 融则通、通则活、活则进 (róng zé tōng, tōng zé huó, huó zé jìn - "integration leads to unimpeded flow, unimpeded flow leads to vitality, vitality leads to progress") will become even more powerful.

In the first half of this year, facing external environmental uncertainties, China’s economy still maintained stable growth. “Integration” (融) is undoubtedly a key word.

Modern services and advanced manufacturing are deeply integrated; from January to June, the information transmission, software, and information technology services sector grew 10.7% year-on-year. Various localities are continuously enriching integrated business formats such as “culture, tourism, sports, and commerce,” promoting the密集 rollout of offline performances, events, etc. In the first five months, the operating revenues of enterprises in the culture and arts industry and the sports industry above designated size increased by 11.8% and 11.9% respectively. Imports and exports have shown strong resilience; in the first half of the year, the total value of imports and exports of goods reached 25.5 trillion yuan…

Integration of technology and industry generates new drivers, integration of demand and supply generates new business formats, integration of domestic and international markets generates new arenas. “Integration” provides strong support for China’s economy to move toward the new and the excellent. Integration eliminates barriers, unimpeded flow smooths the cycle, vitality unleashes momentum, and progress ensures steady and long-term development. Starting from the character “integration,” the logic of China’s economy maintaining stability while making progress becomes even more evident.

“Integration” aligns with the inherent laws of industrial evolution and the market economy. The integration of urban and rural areas, industry and city, digital and real economies, production and services, etc., is essentially a recombination of factors and an extension of chains. It helps reduce transaction costs and raise total factor productivity, and is an inevitable requirement for building a unified national market.

The “chemical reaction” in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region continues to unfold; the chain of “R&D in Beijing and Tianjin, transformation in Hebei” is running more and more smoothly. The Yangtze River Delta is not only upgrading infrastructure connectivity but also strengthening industrial coordination and innovation linkage. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is focusing on building the four major cooperation platforms of Hengqin, Qianhai, Nansha, and Hetao, becoming a powerful magnet that gathers talent, technology, and capital. From division to cooperation, various forms of integration accelerate the efficient allocation of resources.

Integration does not equal simple superposition. The key to “integration” lies in enhancing vitality and resilience through inclusiveness, breaking through blockages and barriers with a problem-oriented approach, and promoting supply-demand matching, kinetic energy iteration, and quality-efficiency upgrading.

Looking at supply and demand: since the start of this year, a batch of new demands highlighting industrial upgrading and quality consumption have been released faster, pulling new supply such as digital-real integration, cultural-tourism integration, and virtual-real integration, activating development potential. Looking at investment: investment in things and investment in people are closely combined; investment in agriculture, rural areas, public facilities, ecological and environmental protection, etc., continues to increase, enhancing the people’s sense of gain. Looking at foreign trade: high-level opening up connects both domestic and international markets and resources, not only opening up international space for domestic economic development but also injecting solid strength into stabilizing global industrial and supply chains. Based on the industrial foundation, leveraging comparative advantages, adhering to market dominance and policy guidance that follows the trend, the effectiveness of integration will continue to improve.

At the deepest level, “integration” relies on ideological transformation and conceptual change; it relies on institutional reform and mechanism innovation.

Chongqing has built brands, expanded channels, and woven networks, using an “industrial brain” to empower the integrated domestic and foreign trade development of the motorcycle industry, polishing the golden signboard of “Motorcycle Capital.” Wuhan, Hubei, has deeply integrated the innovation chain, industrial chain, capital chain, talent chain, and service chain, turning the blueprint of “Optics Valley of China” into reality… Ideological emancipation comes first, reform breaks the ice next, and this helps development break through and the economy leap forward.

Faced with an increasingly complex and volatile internal and external environment, we must discard the silo mentality of 画地为牢 (huà dì wéi láo - “draw a circle on the ground as a prison,” to restrict oneself to a narrow scope) and the inertial thinking of path dependence, and use a systematic approach and a global perspective to break down barriers, eliminate estrangement, and coordinate resources. Only then can we gather joint forces, seize the initiative, and win the future. Unswervingly deepen reform and expand opening up, promote the coordinated发力 of various policies, dismantle the invisible barriers between factors, industries, regions, and urban and rural areas. The positive cycle of “integration leads to unimpeded flow, unimpeded flow leads to vitality, vitality leads to progress” will become even more powerful.

“Promote the deep integration of innovation chain, industrial chain, capital chain, and talent chain,” “promote the deep integration of primary, secondary, and tertiary industries in rural areas,” “promote the deep integration of the real economy and the digital economy”… Looking at the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan, “integration” is a high-frequency word. The character “integration” is both a golden key to reform and innovation and a preemptive move to improve quality and efficiency, containing infinite possibilities for development. By continuing to make good use of the “integration” formula, continuously strengthening new quality productive forces and expanding development space, China’s economy will surely advance 一往无前 (yī wǎng wú qián - “to press forward with indomitable will,” to forge ahead fearlessly) on the path of high-quality development.

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Understanding Era Changes Through Code Revision (Micro Perspective)

By: 李嘉璐

In April of this year, the five-volume Modern Chinese Dictionary (《现代汉语大词典》) was officially published. The entire work contains over 12 million characters, includes 157,000 headwords, and provides more than 400,000 illustrative examples, making it the largest modern Chinese dictionary ever compiled in China.

From the moment linguist Lü Shuxiang (吕叔湘) first proposed the idea of compilation in 1961, through the sustained efforts of several generations of scholars, to the final completion of the book, the process spanned 65 years. Even counting from the fourth launch of the project in 2005, it underwent nearly 21 years of refinement. During this long period of polishing, the dictionary completed 14 rounds of proofreading and over 200 special inspections.

Why should a reference work merit so much painstaking effort from multiple generations? The answer lies within the weighty volumes, and also in the everyday moments when people open a dictionary to look up a word. Scientific, systematic, well-grounded definitions and discriminations allow us to preserve a basic cultural consensus amid the long river of language evolution, and to grasp the subtleties of language through the careful weighing of each word and each meaning.

Accurate usage is an important prerequisite for maintaining the standardization of language and script. For a reference work, to explain a word accurately or to mark a pronunciation correctly often requires collecting a vast amount of linguistic data before a conclusion can be reached. For example, the Modern Chinese Dictionary changed the pronunciation of "吐蕃" (Tubo) back to "Tǔfān" (Tǔfān), because the compilation team, after examining a large volume of ancient textual materials, discovered that in historical works such as the New Book of Tang (《新唐书》), the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government (《资治通鉴》), and the History of Ming (《明史》), as well as in popular literary works, there were hundreds of instances where "吐蕃" was written as "吐番". Moreover, judgments based on the rhyme schemes of certain Tang poems and Yuan operas also supported this conclusion.

The use of language and script must have certain standards, but it is also a flowing river. Old usages, new expressions, standard usages, and conventional practices — the meticulous rigor and the inclusive eclecticism of dictionary compilation proceed in parallel without conflict.

The principle for including entries in the Modern Chinese Dictionary is summarized as "upholding correctness, accepting the new, preserving the old, and embracing diversity" (守正、纳新、存故、多元). Although it only includes modern Chinese vocabulary, it strives to record as fully as possible their historical origins and various usages, providing a living archive for the evolving modern Chinese language that can be consulted and traced back to its sources.

In addition to terms with the flavor of the times such as "new quality productive forces" (新质生产力), "lunar soil" (月壤), and "Village Super League" (村超), as well as internet terms like "post-90s generation" (后浪), "solid evidence" (实锤), and "Buddhist-style" (佛系), it also includes dialectal sayings, words from the Republican period, terms used in the Soviet areas (苏区) and liberated areas (解放区) before the founding of New China, and community terms from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions. While sorting out the word-formation rules and morphemes of modern Chinese, the dictionary also preserves differing views from the academic community, and even includes words that have become current through misuse. The simultaneous inclusion of refined and popular, new and old, not only reflects a high degree of attention to the linguistic creativity of the people, but also upholds the dictionary's value in guiding language standardization.

With a dictionary in hand, one can glimpse the full panorama of modern Chinese and also behold the historical features of Chinese characters. No wonder that among ordinary readers' evaluations, "vivid," "interesting," "fresh," and "readable" have become high-frequency words.

The language and script that generations repeatedly use and continuously update not only bear the weight of history but also describe the possibilities of the future. At a time when artificial intelligence is flourishing, gaining a more comprehensive understanding of modern Chinese and using it more accurately and appropriately holds unique significance. The training, reasoning, and iteration of AI models cannot do without the support of large-scale, high-quality corpora. An authoritative, substantial, and up-to-date dictionary not only allows us to better perceive the changes of the times, but also provides a high-quality reference book for AI to understand Chinese.

Characters are the root of civilization; language is the soul of culture. To explain each word well, to organize it well, and to pass it on — this is not only the meticulous craft of dictionary compilation, but also an important foundation for a nation to understand itself, express its era, and move toward the future. By holding fast to the baseline of standardized usage and embracing the new voices of the times, no matter how much time passes or how far we go, we can meet and recognize one another in a common language that we all understand.

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Photo Report

National fitness concerns the improvement of national quality, the progress of social civilization, and the long-term development of the nation. The State Council recently issued the "National Fitness Plan (2026-2030)" (全民健身计划（2026—2030年）), making arrangements for promoting high-quality development of the national fitness cause during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (十五五), clarifying that by 2030, per capita sports venue area will reach about 4 square meters, the proportion of people who regularly participate in physical exercise will reach about 40%, and the national physique level will continue to improve.

This is exactly:
Venues built to the doorstep,
Scientific guidance delivered to the side.
Men, women, old and young all benefit,
Body and mind comfortable, enjoy health.

Chang Jinwen (常晋文)

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Why Does a Small Factory Have an Academician?

By: 胡 波

Not long ago, China's radar expert Academician Ben De (贲德) received the National Highest Science and Technology Award (国家最高科学技术奖). When the news came, the Taizhou Wangling Insulation Material Factory (泰州旺灵绝缘材料厂), where he serves as a technical advisor, was filled with jubilation. How could an enterprise that started as a village-run small factory in the 1980s attract a top scientist to "take command" and forge a decades-long indissoluble bond?

Both sides share a "same-frequency resonance" of "producing whatever the country needs." High-end microwave substrates had long been monopolized overseas, and Academician Ben De had been worried about the supply problem of basic materials. Although the Wangling factory originated from a village, it had a solid technological foundation and the tenacity to "gnaw hard bones," and it was also seizing major scientific research and industrial opportunities. This alignment based on national strategic needs enabled a "two-way rush (双向奔赴)" between scientific research and industry. In the integration of industry, academia, and research, besides finding points of convergence in economic benefits, they should also jointly anchor on key areas that are urgently needed by the country and are "bottleneck (卡脖子)" issues. When enterprise development is closely linked to national strategy, top scientists will naturally be willing to pour their efforts into it, transforming theories in the laboratory into the nation's heavy equipment on the production line.

Emphasizing transformation, they established a pragmatic mechanism of "writing theses in the workshop." The difficulty in developing high-frequency substrates lay in the "need this, need that, and need the other." Academician Ben De and the technicians of the Wangling factory rooted themselves in the workshop, experiencing thousands of failures before achieving a breakthrough. This reversed the traditional tendency in industry-academia-research integration of "valuing theory over practice" and "valuing papers over transformation." True transformation of scientific and technological achievements is not a simple technology transfer, but a close cooperation between scientists and engineers. Only by letting researchers step out of the laboratory and go deep into the front line of production can the "last kilometer" from basic research to mass production be opened up, allowing scientific and technological achievements to truly take root.

久久为功 (jiǔ jiǔ wéi gōng - "persist for a long time to achieve success," to make sustained efforts), they built a long-term innovation ecology of "produce one generation, reserve one generation, develop one generation." Under the guidance of the academician, the Wangling factory holds 113 patents, with annual R&D investment accounting for 15% of operating revenue, growing from a village-run small factory into a "bayonet company" for the domestic production of high-end microwave materials. This shows that industry-academia-research integration requires enterprises to have strategic vision. Enterprises must be willing to invest in R&D, establish fault-tolerant mechanisms, and provide soil for scientists to continuously innovate.

The long-term partnership between Academician Ben De and the Wangling factory shows that cooperation and success are not waited for, but are "built" through a shared sense of mission, pragmatic transformation mechanisms, and a long-term innovation ecology. On the new journey toward high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening, we need more such "two-way rushes," allowing top-level wisdom to be closely connected with grassroots practice, and enabling more small and medium-sized enterprises to stand tall in building a strong technological nation.

(Excerpted from Xinhua Daily, originally titled "How Can a Village-Run Small Factory Have Such a Big 'Backer'?")

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How Domestic Animation Makes Waves (People's Commentary)

By: 陈中国

During the 2026 summer film season, multiple domestic animated films were released in a concentrated manner, among which there were no shortage of outstanding works that achieved both box office success and critical acclaim. Animated films have contributed an important force to driving film box office revenue and cultural consumption.

Since the globally stunning Ne Zha: The Devil Child Stirs Up the Sea (哪吒之魔童闹海), film fans have been extremely concerned about whether China can produce more similar blockbuster works. A topic more worthy of attention than when the next blockbuster will appear is to accelerate the promotion of the domestic animation industry toward high-quality production, collaboration, and intelligentization, striving to forge a path of independent innovation where plateaus rise up and peaks stand in a forest (高原耸起、高峰林立). This is not only an inevitable choice for the upgrading of the cultural industry but also a practical requirement for promoting the creative transformation and innovative development (创造性转化、创新性发展) of fine traditional Chinese culture.

High-quality production is the lifeline of domestic animation. Only works with excellent content and meticulous production can achieve a win-win of box office and reputation.

Looking at the films from the summer season, Eight Immortals! (八仙！) portrays eight ordinary market-town petty characters who have personal desires and shortcomings, redefining the connotation of "immortal": not being invulnerable to weapons or immortal, but having the people in one's heart and steadfastly upholding goodness. Similar works deeply extract the philosophical and emotional essence of traditional culture, using the language of animation to sincerely explore themes such as love, growth, and courage, winning the favor of audiences.

Creatively adapting traditional subject matter stories, connecting classic elements with contemporary life; overlaying hand-drawn brushstrokes with three-dimensional rendering to create Eastern aesthetic special effects; exploring the use of mixed media, relying on changes in sound fields to enhance the audience experience; replicating the long-focal-depth and virtual-real lens language of live-action films... Adhering to high-quality production means intensive cultivation (精耕细作 - jīng gēng xì zuò, "intensive plowing and careful cultivation," meticulous and painstaking work) in script creativity, production technology, and cultural connotation, rejecting impetuousness. As high-quality production goes deep and solid, cultural going global will naturally when the water comes, a channel is formed (水到渠成 - shuǐ dào qú chéng, "when the water arrives, the channel is formed," things will fall into place naturally when conditions are ripe).

If high-quality production answers the question "what to do," then collaboration answers the question "how to do it." Through cross-team coordination, linkage of upstream and downstream resources, integrating the multiple forces of directors, art, technology, and sound effects, and establishing an efficient division of labor and co-creation mechanism, brilliant ideas can be realized and then transformed into market benefits.

On the front line of the industry, the "10-minute collaboration circle" is becoming a reality. Take the Tianfu Changdao Digital Cultural and Creative Park (天府长岛数字文创园) in Chengdu High-tech Zone, Sichuan, as an example: it gathers dozens of animation creation and digital visual effects enterprises, and the entire process from creative planning to post-production dubbing can be efficiently coordinated and completed within the park. Only by twisting scattered creative forces into a single rope and building a collaborative production system that covers the entire chain can domestic animation bid farewell to "blockbusters relying on luck."

Whether domestic animation can overtake on a curve (弯道超车) requires, in addition to enhancing the pursuit of high-quality production and building standardized processes, activating the engine of intelligentization.

At present, over 70% of leading animation enterprises have introduced AI (artificial intelligence), with technology covering all links from script generation, concept design, character modeling, to special effects compositing. In 2026, over 200,000 AI micro-dramas have been launched online. Multimodal video models continue to iterate, achieving significant breakthroughs in character consistency and audio-visual synchronization capabilities. From auxiliary tools to full-process empowerment, the implementation of intelligentization helps liberate creators from repetitive labor, allowing them to devote more energy to narrative refinement and aesthetic innovation.

Looking back from the present, the rise of domestic animation is by no means accidental. Moving from borrowingism (拿来主义) to cultural confidence and self-strengthening (文化自信自强), from a labor-intensive model to technology-driven innovation, domestic animation continues to advance toward极致 visual beauty, mature narrative expression, and profound artistic texture. The path it explores will inevitably be an industrial path and development logic that embodies Chinese aesthetics.

There is reason to believe that the next "stirring up the sea" of domestic animation is in the near future.

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本版责编：李浩燃 彭 飞 何 娟

No Chinese document was provided for translation. Please supply the full text you wish to have translated.

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Refine Skills, Strengthen Capabilities, and Be Ready to Fight and Win

By: 本报记者 李龙伊

In the height of summer, deep in the hinterland of eastern Fujian, a tactical exercise was raging fiercely.

The Red Fourth Company of Strong Military and Refined Martial Skills (强军精武红四连), serving as the main assault element, quietly completed its battlefield disposition. Unmanned reconnaissance aircraft moved forward, and multi-mode sensors such as infrared and visible light marked the "Blue Force" troop deployments and firepower systems one by one on the command terminal. One order after another pierced the smoke of battle; one vehicle after another drove straight into the depths like sharp knives.

This heroic company, born in the Huangma Uprising (黄麻起义), has come all the way through the flames of war. It has been awarded honorary titles seven times and has earned collective combat merits 45 times. In 2015, the company was awarded the honorary title "Red Fourth Company of Strong Military and Refined Martial Skills" by the Central Military Commission. "Model Combat Company" for the night raid on Yangmingbao (阳明堡), "Hard-Boned Sixth Company-type Company" (硬骨头六连式连队)… On the wall of honor, each bright red battle flag was earned with the blood of predecessors and polished with the sweat of successors.

On the eve of "August 1" in 2024, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, President of the State, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping replied to a letter from all officers and men of the Red Fourth Company of Strong Military and Refined Martial Skills, emphasizing: "Carry forward the red bloodline, dedicate yourselves to strengthening the military and refining martial skills" and "Strive to build an outstanding company that is refined in skills, capable in combat, and daring to win, and achieve new successes and make new contributions on the new journey of the new era."

The Weight of Honor

The red gene is passed down from generation to generation; the officers and men of the Fourth Company have poured blood and sweat into covering the wall with honors.

How heavy can a photo album be in the hearts of the soldiers?

On November 28, 2024, Company Founding Day. In front of the Fourth Company's Honor Room, the entire company stood in neat formation. Company Political Instructor Zeng held a thick photo album in his hands; its cover already bore the marks of time.

"Zhang Hongchao!" he called out loudly.

"Here!"

"You are the fifty-sixth soldier in the Honor Album. I hope you cherish the honor and continue to move forward!"

The young soldier straightened his back and took the photo that had just been printed with both hands — in the photo, he was covered in mud, just coming off the Army Corps "Individual Warrior" competition arena, his eyes full of determination.

At the moment the shutter clicked, this photo was also recorded into the company's history.

This Honor Album carries great weight in the hearts of the Fourth Company's people. It contains not only competition champions and commended exemplars but also the growth imprints of officers and men. It is the company's "Heroic Register"; making it into the album is a goal every officer and man of the Fourth Company strives for.

"When the heart is nourished by spirit, the body will have the courage to fight," said Political Instructor Zeng.

These words are not false. Senior Sergeant Second Class He Yong was like a "mute gourd" when he first arrived at the company. But when he entered the Honor Room for the first time and saw the battle flag of the "Red Fourth Company of Strong Military and Refined Martial Skills," he was deeply shaken.

"The honor earned by our predecessors with their lives must be defended by our generation with our strength," He Yong said. From then on, he seemed like a different person, conquering physical fitness, tactics, and skills one by one. Later, he achieved outstanding results in the Army Corps "Individual Warrior" competition and was awarded a personal third-class merit.

In the Fourth Company, there are many such soldiers "ignited" by the company's history.

When new soldiers arrive at the company, the first thing they do is visit the Honor Room; when cadres assume their posts, the first lesson is on the company's glorious traditions; the first song they learn to sing is the company song. The company has also compiled a "Red Squad Genealogy" (红色班谱) and "Three Family Heirlooms" (三件传家宝), recording the loyal character and glorious traditions of generations of officers and men in annalistic form, item by item.

The people of the Fourth Company know clearly that the best way to cherish honor is to create new honor.

In 2021, the company Party branch was rated as a National Advanced Grassroots Party Organization, and at the end of the year it was awarded a collective first-class merit; in 2023, it was rated by the Army as a "Model Unit for Practicing the Goal of Strengthening the Military"; in 2024, it was again rated by the Army as an "Advanced Unit for Regularization Construction" and awarded a collective second-class merit…

The wall full of honors has been poured with the blood and sweat of generations of Fourth Company people. On the road to strengthening the military, the officers and men continue to write new chapters of glory.

The Assault on Combat Readiness

Starting from scratch and groping through difficulties, the officers and men of the Fourth Company strive forward toward transformation and construction.

How difficult is transformation?

Around 2017, amid the new wave of national defense and military reform, the Fourth Company was reorganized from a motorized infantry company into an armored infantry company.

From "infantry" to "armored infantry" — it seems like only two more characters, but there was a "mountain" in between.

"You can't have your body sitting in the infantry fighting vehicle while your head is still stuck on 'iron soles'!" At the evening roll call, then-Company Commander Zhang Kang's words carried weight: "We must gnaw through this hard bone, and never let the golden signboard of 'Strong Military and Refined Martial Skills' be tarnished!"

The words were spoken, but the reality was laid out before them: no mature textbooks, no professional instructors, no practical experience — everything had to start from zero.

The company's Party member backbone voluntarily stepped forward, plunged into the training ground, groped through each component, recorded each parameter, and by sheer effort handwrote nearly 100,000 characters of professional practical training textbooks.

In the height of summer in eastern Fujian, the temperature inside the sealed combat vehicle exceeded 50 degrees Celsius. Once inside, people were immediately drenched in sweat. Yet in such an environment, the officers and men of the Fourth Company stayed for most of the day. They trained repeatedly, turning every movement into muscle memory.

The desperate effort yielded outstanding results — within less than a hundred days of the new equipment being fielded, the combat firing assessment pass rate reached 100%, first in the brigade. Six months later, all vehicle crews achieved results of "good" or above, and 12 gunners were rated as "Sharpshooters"…

Transformation has no end. In recent years, as the company's mission tasks have continuously expanded, the construction of digitalization and intelligentization has accelerated, and many officers and men once again felt a sense of capability panic. The company established a "Strong Military and Refined Martial Skills Intelligent Special Training Room" (强军精武智能专修室), introduced multiple sets of immersive simulation training systems and technological equipment, and independently explored "unmanned intelligent" as a new growth pole for combat power.

Late at night, the Special Training Room was brightly lit.

"Can the drone expand its reconnaissance functions to improve target identification capability?" "Can the payload system be optimized to enhance mission adaptability in complex environments?" A "brainstorming" session on the tactical use of drones was underway. Officers and men spoke up one after another, and good ideas came one after another.

These discussions soon showed real results on the training ground. In a recent nighttime live-fire exercise, the reconnaissance and guidance team used drones to quickly identify targets and precisely locate them; each vehicle crew attacked as ordered and rapidly eliminated the "enemy."

"Operating drones is now a mandatory skill for every officer and man in the company." Thinking about the future, Company Commander Dai said with full confidence: "In the next step, we must accelerate our advance toward intelligentization!"

The Tempering of Talent

Through day-after-day high-intensity training, the officers and men of the Fourth Company strive to ensure that everyone can fully display their talents.

How does the talent pool grow, batch after batch?

In the Fourth Company, there is a common scene: veteran squad leaders leading young soldiers, meticulously refining movements and honing techniques on the training ground.

On the armored vehicle training ground, Senior Sergeant Second Class Kong Tao was leading Sergeant Zhang Yu in practicing marksmanship. "Pay attention to the coordination between aiming and firing; timing is the key!" Kong Tao said as he demonstrated.

Zhang Yu was about to take the vocational skill qualification assessment and was originally unsure of himself. After this special training session, his skills improved considerably, and he felt more at ease.

This kind of mentoring and handover is routine in the Fourth Company.

The company Party branch specifically formulated a talent cultivation plan, established an annual task list and a "Talent Growth Repository" (人才成长库) mechanism, and implemented individualized training plans based on each officer's and soldier's professional specialty and post requirements.

Last year, a higher-level unit organized a drone training camp. Private First Class Deng Chaoyang made operational errors due to nervousness on the spot, and his results were unsatisfactory. The Fourth Company tailored a special improvement plan for Deng Chaoyang: one-on-one guidance from professional backbone, regular practical drills with extra practice, plus psychological counseling and stress-resistance training. Day after day of polishing transformed this once-nervous young man. At this year's drone training camp, Deng Chaoyang won first place.

"A knife is sharpened on a stone; a person is tempered through tasks," said Company Commander Dai. "We must dare to put pressure on young non-commissioned officers and assign them tasks, so they can display their talents on a larger stage."

Senior Sergeant Second Class Wang Junwei, with his superb armored driving skills, took first place in the company's assessment and was recommended to participate in the Army Corps "Iron Armor Vanguard" professional competition. Facing high-intensity training and fierce competition, he calmly fought in the driving specialty course, overpowered all rivals with a perfect score, and won first place. The company Party branch dares to push outstanding seedlings to the front line, allowing them to face challenges in urgent, difficult, dangerous, and heavy tasks, and to grow their abilities through hard knocks.

In the Fourth Company, "Everyone can become talented; everyone can fully display their talents" is not just a slogan. The company organically integrates personal growth with collective glory. The Honor Book records the officers' and soldiers' competition achievements, professional qualifications, exemplary deeds, and growth transformations, so that those who strive leave their names, those who compete stand out, and those who work hard gain glory. Since the beginning of this year, the company has won four unit first-place awards at the brigade level, and many officers and men have achieved rankings in higher-level competitions.

The night gradually fades, the first light of dawn appears. The bugle call pierces the silence; the roar of combat vehicles is like thunder.

The assembly whistle sounds. The entire company of officers and men shouts the company soul in unison: "Listen to the Party, follow the Party; attack must conquer, fight must win; fear no difficulty, fear no danger; the company is home, hardship is glory!"

The solemn oath resounds over the camp.

Carrying the conviction and responsibility of "Strong Military and Refined Martial Skills," the officers and men, facing the rising sun, once again launch a new assault toward higher, harder, and more dangerous heights of victory.

The battle flag flutters; this heroic company, which came from the flames of war, is writing new glory on the land.

(Huang Xiongquan and Liu Siyu participated in the writing and interviewing.)

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Charging Forward into Danger (Editor's Notes)

By: 刘涓溪

New equipment had been in service for less than a hundred days, yet the combat shooting assessment pass rate reached 100%; from "iron feet" to "steel tracks," they are striving to transform toward digitalization and intelligentization... The "Strong Military, Elite Martial Red Fourth Company" (强军精武红四连), which has come all the way from the flames of war, aims at strengthening the military and revitalizing the military, advances toward cutting-edge combat effectiveness, and continuously writes new glory for this heroic company.

Carrying forward the red bloodline, they grow and thrive within their glorious traditions. Generations of officers and soldiers have poured their blood and sweat into covering the walls with honors; the first thing new soldiers do upon joining the company is to visit the honor room; they innovate forms to tell the heroic deeds of revolutionary forebears well... The company's officers and soldiers hold high the torch of loyalty and faith, fear no difficulties, dare to lead the charge, pass on the red genes through repeated tempering and forging, and make the glorious tradition an inexhaustible driving force for the company's construction and development.

Focusing on transformation and development, they strive to climb in the iteration of capabilities. Facing the challenges brought by new equipment, the company's officers and soldiers set aside past honors, start learning from scratch, from basic theory to actual equipment operation, thoroughly study and deeply understand every parameter and every step, bite by bite chew through the hard bones of transformation, and push the company's combat effectiveness to upgrade and shift gears.

Persisting in educating people and cultivating new talents, they charge bravely in training for combat and preparing for war. The company's officers and soldiers treat every training session as actual combat, constantly break through the boundaries of capability, forge an iron fist capable of winning battles; how to train soldiers, how to strengthen the company — the answer lies in every arduous training session and every strenuous effort to overcome difficulties.

On the great journey of strengthening the military and revitalizing the military, the "Strong Military, Elite Martial Red Fourth Company" is rowing hard to take the lead with a high-spirited posture, continuously charging toward dangerous places, striving to build an excellent company that is elite in martial skills, capable of fighting and sure to win, and to achieve new successes and make new contributions on the new journey of the new era.

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Blossoming Underfoot, Dreams Cut into Colorful Shapes (Watching Over: Different Lives, Same Brilliance)

By: 本报记者 施 芳

Lifelike 栩栩如生 (xǔ xǔ rú shēng - "lifelike, vivid") portraits, the dynamic and unrestrained "Eight Steeds," the festive and grand 龙凤呈祥 (lóng fèng chéng xiáng - "dragon and phoenix bring auspiciousness," a symbol of good fortune)... In Xia Hong (夏虹)'s office in Beijing's Changping District (昌平区), exquisite paper-cutting works can be seen everywhere, all of which she cut out with her feet.

Xia Hong is 49 years old this year and is currently the head of the Beijing Xia Hong Public Welfare Promotion Center (北京夏虹公益促进中心). In 1977, she was born in a remote village in Suileng County (绥棱县), Heilongjiang Province. At the age of 7, a sudden car accident left her severely injured, and both arms were amputated from below the shoulders. Seeing her family's worried expressions, she, once deeply mired in despair, resolved to pull herself together.

Everything started from scratch. Because she had no arms for balance, Xia Hong often fell when walking. Once she fell and her face was covered in blood; she did not utter a word and stubbornly used her head as a fulcrum to get up. She repeatedly practiced writing with her toes, often practicing until her toes went numb and the soles of her feet ached. "What others can do, I can definitely do too," Xia Hong said to herself.

As her walking became more stable, Xia Hong began to go to school on her own. "In class, I relied entirely on my eyes to see and my brain to remember, and after returning home I used my feet to complete the day's homework," Xia Hong recalled. Seeing her neatly written homework, the teacher happily gave her a bright red score of 100.

When she entered junior high school, the school was far from home, and walking to school took too long. Helplessly, Xia Hong dropped out. She borrowed textbooks and notes from upperclassmen and studied at home on her own, for a full nine years, completing all the courses of junior and senior high school.

Sports, painting, writing... Xia Hong continuously tried new skills. At the provincial disabled persons' sports meet, she won first place in the 400 meters, 800 meters, and long jump events, and also had multiple poems and essays published in newspapers and magazines.

"This girl is truly amazing!" Upon learning of Xia Hong's experience, Chen Jingbo (陈景波), a retired cadre from the Cultural Bureau of Datong District (大同区), Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province, exclaimed in admiration. Thereafter, besides buying new books for Xia Hong, Chen Jingbo also occasionally mailed her the newspapers and magazines he had saved.

In 1999, Xia Hong obtained the opportunity to study at Jiamusi Sanjiang Fine Arts College (佳木斯三江美术专修学院) in Heilongjiang Province, but the high tuition fees made her worry.

"Focus on your studies, I will take care of the tuition," Chen Jingbo wrote to comfort Xia Hong. He supported Xia Hong's living expenses for three years.

"I want to be a person like Uncle Chen, to learn skills well and in the future help others," Xia Hong secretly resolved. She seized the time to diligently practice basic skills. In winter, her feet had chilblains that cracked open, and her toes hurt as soon as they touched the paintbrush, but she did not stop practicing. Sketching, gouache, watercolor, oil painting, graphic design... Xia Hong smoothly completed the courses and graduated with excellent results.

In the blink of an eye, it was 2010. Xia Hong obtained the opportunity to participate in the Shanghai World Expo to demonstrate her paper-cutting skills. Xia Hong bought six pairs of scissors of different models and went home to practice repeatedly.

After the Expo opened, Xia Hong's booth was surrounded by spectators: "They were especially enthusiastic and generously gave me warm applause."

While Xia Hong practiced her paper-cutting skills diligently, she also created hundreds of patterns on her own. In 2012, at the Beijing Sixth Disabled Persons Vocational Skills Competition, Xia Hong's work "Under the Same Blue Sky" won first place in paper-cutting.

At an international conference, when the audience saw Xia Hong use her feet to cut out a paper-cutting work "Love and Peace" composed of doves of peace, carnations, and heart-shaped patterns, they all applauded and praised.

"Can we build a platform to help more disabled friends get out of difficulties and face their lives positively?" Xia Hong had been pondering. In December 2015, the Beijing Xia Hong Public Welfare Promotion Center was registered and established.

Teaching disabled people paper-cutting is the thing Xia Hong has devoted the most effort to. She has successively taught voluntarily at 21 "Warm Homes" (温馨家园) and special education schools in Beijing, training over 5,000 students. A child with Down syndrome initially could not even hold scissors steadily, and the lines she cut were crooked. "Let's take it slowly!" Xia Hong sat beside her, demonstrating over and over with her feet, leading her to feel the rhythm of paper-cutting. After three months of Xia Hong's careful guidance, the child's work "Hundred Butterflies" was sold at a charity sale.

Xia Hong has also held many charity sales of her own paper-cutting works to raise funds for autistic children and others, improving the children's living conditions. Psychological reconstruction, skills training, peer support... Over more than ten years, the Beijing Xia Hong Public Welfare Promotion Center has organized over 280 disability assistance activities, serving more than 12,000 disabled people.

At the same time, Xia Hong has also given over 1,000 motivational speeches across the country, using her own experience to encourage others. Ms. Zhao from Sanmenxia (三门峡), Henan Province, who is disabled in both legs, met Xia Hong at a speech, and thereafter they have kept in touch through letters and phone calls. Through Xia Hong's continuous guidance, she gradually emerged from her low point, learned handicraft making, and became able to support herself.

"On the road of life, as long as you don't give up effort, I can do it, and you can do it even more!" Once, when giving a speech at Wuhan Business and Management College, Xia Hong cut out a lifelike butterfly picture on the spot to encourage the college students: "On the path of growth, don't be afraid of hardship, be brave in overcoming difficulties, and strive to maintain a positive and upward attitude."

Beijing Role Model (北京榜样), National Model of Self-Improvement (全国自强模范), National March 8th Red-Banner Pacesetter (全国三八红旗手), National Outstanding Communist Party Member (全国优秀共产党员)... Over the years, Xia Hong has received many honors. In comparison, what makes her more gratified are the smiles of individual disabled students when they become self-reliant and regain confidence.

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Tell the Red Story Well, Develop Rural Industries (Remain True to the Original Aspiration and Mission, Forge Ahead on the Journey of Rejuvenation)

By: 本报记者 徐元锋 焦思雨

Under Liupan Mountain (六盘山), by the Hulu River (葫芦河).

In the Three Armies Meeting Memorial Hall (三军会师纪念馆) of the Jiangtaibao Red Army Long March Meeting Memorial Park (将台堡红军长征会师纪念园) in Xiji County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the red silk banner reading "Hui and Han brothers are as close as one family" (回汉兄弟亲如一家) hangs high. In October 1935, Comrade Mao Zedong led the Central Red Army through this area, leaving behind the red tale of the "Shanjiaji Night Talk" (单家集夜话) with a Hui imam. On October 22 of the following year, the First Front Army and the Second Front Army of the Red Army triumphantly met at Jiangtaibao.

In July 2016, General Secretary Xi Jinping came to Jiangtaibao and said with deep feeling: "The great Long March spirit is a vivid reflection of the revolutionary demeanor of Chinese Communists. We must constantly combine it with new realities to inherit and carry it forward well."

The earnest entrustment is engraved in the heart. Xiji County actively inherits the red spirit and makes good use of red resources.

2.5 kilometers from the memorial park is Maojiagou Village (毛家沟村). In 1936, when the Red Army met and passed through this area, in order not to disturb the masses, the soldiers themselves dug 23 cave dwellings on the hillside and lived there for more than 30 days. When the Red Army left, the villagers came to see them off; some helped the Red Army carry luggage, some stuffed boiled potatoes and steamed buns into the soldiers' hands. Xie Hongyi (谢宏义), a villager of Maojiagou Village, has heard this story since childhood.

Cherishing his attachment to this red hot land, Xie Hongyi returned to his hometown to start a business and built an experience education base. Tourists here can taste a "meal recalling past bitterness and savoring present sweetness" (忆苦思甜饭), visit the cave dwellings where the Red Army lived, and make a bowl of "Red Army noodles" (红军粉) with their own hands. In 2020, Maojiagou Village was selected as a "National Key Village for Rural Tourism" (全国乡村旅游重点村).

Xiji County innovatively created the red study brand "Walking Ideological and Political Course" (行走的思政课). In the past seven years, it has cumulatively received 7.4018 million tourists; it has successfully hosted two sessions of the Autonomous Region Red Culture Tourism Festival, continuously expanding the influence of red culture.

Continuing the red bloodline, activating literary power.

Arriving at Yanghe Village (杨河村), Jiqiang Town (吉强镇), Xiji County, and entering the Mulan Academy (木兰书院) founded by writer Shi Jingbo (史静波), a cultural atmosphere greets the face. In the poetry gatherings organized by the academy, farmer writers recall red history and express fervent emotions.

Farmer writer Shan Xiaohua (单小花) wrote: "Entering Shanjiaji / is entering a legend / seeing the door panel pierced by bullets / ears seem to hear 万马奔腾 (wàn mǎ bēn téng - "ten thousand horses galloping," a scene of great momentum) and bugle calls / the Five-Star Red Flag / was dyed red by countless heroes with their blood..."

In recent years, Xiji County has organized local writers to go deep into revolutionary sites such as Jiangtaibao and Shanjiaji to gather materials and create, and has carried out activities such as red literature gathering and red poetry recitation, attracting many writers and literature enthusiasts to participate. "We will use our pens to tell the red stories of Xiji well, so that red culture enters thousands of households," said Liu Defei (刘德飞), chairman of the Xiji County Federation of Literary and Art Circles.

Carry forward the great Long March spirit, promote comprehensive rural revitalization.

In the hot summer, Liu Weiheng (刘伟恒), Party branch secretary of Mingtai Village (明台村), Jiangtaibao Town (将台堡镇), Xiji County, had just finished work in the facility agriculture greenhouses and went to check on the grain and oil processing workshop about to be put into operation.

"Mingtai Village is the place where the Red Army triumphantly met. The great Long March spirit inspires us to lead everyone to a good life," said Liu Weiheng. Today, the village has built a red plum apricot ecological demonstration belt (红梅杏生态示范带) of over 500 mu, a cool-climate vegetable base of over 1,000 mu, and a modern agriculture demonstration park with 36 solar greenhouses, driving villagers to work nearby. Projects such as the "Meeting Victory Site · Self-driving Camp" (会师胜地·自驾游营地) created by the village have also been put into operation, attracting more and more tourists to experience red culture and rural customs.

Through the integration of agriculture, culture, and tourism, in 2025 the collective economic income of Mingtai Village reached 410,000 yuan, and the per capita disposable income of villagers rose to 19,000 yuan.

Xiji County actively develops characteristic industries such as beef cattle and potatoes. In the first half of 2026, the total output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, sideline production, and fishery reached 1.418 billion yuan, an increase of 6.7%; the per capita disposable income of rural residents increased by 7.6%.

"The cadres and masses of the whole county bear in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping's entrustment, continue to carry forward the great Long March spirit, and accelerate the construction of a strong agricultural county," said Wei Xibei (位西北), member of the Standing Committee of the Guyuan Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Xiji County Party Committee.

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100-Day 10-Million Recruitment Initiative Launches 4 Online Recruitment Fairs

Beijing, August 3 (Our Correspondent Qiu Chaoyi (邱超奕)) — The reporter learned from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (人力资源社会保障部) that from August 3 to 9, the Hundred-Day, Ten-Thousand Recruitment Special Action (百日千万招聘专项行动) launched four online recruitment special sessions for artificial intelligence, new energy, medical and health, and logistics industries, organized by relevant human resources service institutions, with a total of over 1,700 employers participating, and recruitment demand of 215,000 person-times.

At 7 p.m. on August 6, Employment Online (就业在线) carried out the "Human Resources and Social Security (Employment) Bureau Directors Enter the Livestream Room" (人社（就业）局长进直播间) livestream job-bringing activity. Relevant persons in charge of employment work from the Department (Bureau) of Human Resources and Social Security of Qinghai Province, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (新疆生产建设兵团) were guests in the livestream room. The activity organized employers from industries such as agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery; manufacturing; construction; leasing and business services; etc., to participate, providing positions such as software development engineer, storage and transportation engineer, regional manager, lawyer, breeding worker, operator, etc.

Employers and job seekers can directly enter the industry recruitment special sessions through the main venue page of the China Public Recruitment Network (中国公共招聘网), China National Talent Network (中国国家人才网), and Employment Online Special Action, or click on the logos of participating institutions below the main venue page to enter sub-venues and participate.

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Guangxi issues regulations on preventing primary and secondary school student drowning

Our newspaper Nanning, August 3 (Reporters Pang Geping (庞革平), Zhang Yunhe (张云河)) — A few days ago, a reporter learned from the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (广西壮族自治区人大常委会) that the Several Provisions of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Preventing Drowning of Primary and Secondary School Students (广西壮族自治区预防中小学生溺水若干规定) was voted through at the 26th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th People's Congress of the Autonomous Region and shall come into force on the date of promulgation.

The Provisions consist of 16 articles, which mainly regulate the principles of preventing drowning of primary and secondary school students, the duties of relevant parties, publicity and guidance, construction of swimming venues, scenario-based teaching, prevention and rescue, and legal liability.

The Provisions clarify that people's governments at or above the county level shall establish and improve a joint working mechanism for preventing drowning of primary and secondary school students, regularly study and deploy work on preventing drowning of primary and secondary school students, organize the investigation and rectification of dangerous waters, and incorporate funds for preventing drowning of primary and secondary school students into their own budgets.

The Provisions clarify the boundaries of the duties of primary and secondary schools. Among them, the Provisions stipulate that primary and secondary schools shall educate primary and secondary school students on knowledge of drowning prevention, carry out education on swimming skills and self-rescue skills in light of local conditions, and cultivate students' awareness of drowning prevention safety; when special circumstances such as students not arriving at school on time, the school dismissing early or delaying dismissal occur, promptly contact the students' parents or other guardians, etc. At the same time, the Provisions also clarify the duties of guardians in preventing drowning of primary and secondary school students and the corresponding legal liability.

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Zhang Yanchun, Liu Juanxi, Wang Bo

Layout design: Cai Huawei (蔡华伟)

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Smarter and Greener: Upgrading the Nation's Granary (Visit)

By: 本报记者 王东辉 杨 迅

Arriving at the Sinograin (中储粮) Changsha Direct Depot (长沙直属库), five tall white grain silos lined up in a row come into view. The silo bodies are overall cylindrical in shape, with domes that are three-center spherical, similar to an eggshell form, rounded and full. These are China’s fourth-generation new-type grain silos — grain air-film silos (粮食气膜仓). Each silo is 33.6 meters high, equivalent to an 11-story building, with a storage capacity of 9,000 tons.

On July 24, more than ten grain trucks fully loaded with soybeans queued up and drove into the Sinograin Changsha Direct Depot. After procedures such as sampling inspection, weighing, and automatic unloading, approximately 1,000 tons of soybeans were smoothly stored, becoming the first batch of “residents” in this row of grain air-film silos.

In May 2023, the first batch of pilot grain air-film silos under the project was completed in Chengdu, Sichuan. Changsha, Hunan, is the first stop for the grain air-film silo to move from the laboratory to engineering popularization and application. This soybean storage operation is the loading and silo-pressing operation after the completion of China’s first batch of fully domestically produced 9,000-ton-class grain air-film silos, meaning that China’s fourth-generation new-type grain silos have entered a new stage of application. Compared with the first three generations of grain silos, what advantages does the grain air-film silo have in performance? What is the current status of construction? Recently, a reporter conducted a visit.

Three layers of “clothing” help the grain silo improve performance and reduce costs

Before the grain air-film silo came out, China’s grain silos had already undergone three generations of evolution. The first generation of grain silos was born in the 1950s and 1960s, being civil or brick-wood structure silos. In the 1980s and 1990s, the second generation of grain silos appeared, represented by brick-concrete standard warehouse-style silos, with improved performance in moisture-proofing, ventilation, and air tightness, but lacking long-term temperature control means. The third generation of grain silos was built on a large scale after 1998, mainly tall flat silos and squat cylindrical silos, standardly equipped with the “four-in-one” grain storage technology of grain condition monitoring and control, mechanical ventilation, recirculation fumigation, and grain cooling.

“Unlike the first three generations of grain silos, the biggest feature of the fourth-generation grain air-film silo is the adoption of a ‘sandwich’-style integrated structure for the silo body,” introduced Jin Yuyang (金宇阳), a warehouse keeper in the Storage Section of the Sinograin Changsha Direct Depot. The grain air-film silo wears three layers of “clothing” — the outermost layer is like a “shell jacket,” made of high-molecular PVDF membrane material, waterproof, flame-retardant, and resistant to thermal radiation; the middle polyurethane layer is like a “thermal insulation liner,” which can serve as a formwork during construction and provides heat insulation for the grain silo during storage; the innermost layer is a “armor” made of reinforced concrete, steadily bearing the lateral pressure of the grain pile. The silo is equipped with low-temperature grain storage, intelligent ventilation, and nitrogen (carbon dioxide) controlled-atmosphere grain storage processes. By only fine-tuning the equipment operating parameters, a dedicated storage environment for different grain varieties such as soybeans, paddy, corn, and wheat can be created.

Wang Yaowu (王耀武), Deputy General Manager of the Sinograin Changsha Direct Depot, introduced that compared with traditional grain silos, the efficiency of the grain air-film silo can be described as “one rise and one fall,” i.e., a substantial leap in performance and a significant reduction in comprehensive costs. “The air-tightness level of the grain air-film silo reaches more than six times the value required by the national high-standard grain silo standard, the energy consumption of nitrogen controlled-atmosphere is greatly reduced, and one inflation can maintain a basically oxygen-free environment inside the silo for a long time, greatly reducing the frequency of replenishment; at the same time, the thermal insulation performance is about three times that of traditional grain silos,” Wang Yaowu said. The three-center spherical dome has larger grain storage space than traditional hemispherical domes, making it more convenient for grain custodians to enter the silo for inspection, and the dome does not accumulate water, helping to improve the waterproof performance of the entire silo body.

378 sensors, installing “intelligent nerves” for the grain silo

Inside the grain air-film silo, there are no beams or columns, but there are 27 temperature measurement cables, with 14 sensors evenly distributed on each cable, totaling 378 sensors per silo. These sensors are like installing “intelligent nerves” for the grain silo, capable of monitoring the temperature of every part of the grain pile, with data transmitted in real time to the intelligent control center, displayed on the large screen in the control room of the grain air-film silo at the Sinograin Changsha Direct Depot.

Xiong Xixi (熊希希), Deputy General Manager of the Sinograin Changsha Direct Depot, introduced that each grain air-film silo is equipped with intelligent grain condition detection, intelligent air-conditioning temperature control, intelligent nitrogen filling controlled-atmosphere, and video monitoring equipment, capable of real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity, nitrogen concentration, etc., inside the silo, and also able to check the situation inside the silo online through high-definition cameras.

Xiong Xixi pointed to the constantly changing numbers on the large screen and said: “If the nitrogen concentration falls below the preset value, the electric valve will open, and the nitrogen generation unit will start to replenish nitrogen, maintaining the nitrogen concentration inside the silo and ensuring that the silo always maintains the most suitable safe grain storage environment.” In addition, thanks to the excellent thermal insulation performance of the grain air-film silo, combined with the intelligent grain storage system, the average temperature of the grain pile can be stably maintained below 15 degrees Celsius for a long time, achieving low-temperature grain storage, delaying grain deterioration, inhibiting mold growth, and reducing grain loss.

Wang Yue (王跃), the core R&D designer of the grain air-film silo and Director of the Engineering Design Center of the Sinograin Chengdu Storage Research Institute (中储粮成都储藏研究院), said that the grain air-film silo has excellent air-tightness performance, and combined with intelligent temperature control and nitrogen (carbon dioxide) controlled-atmosphere, it can not only reduce grain loss but also reduce the use of chemical agents, achieving green grain storage.

According to estimates, the construction cost of the grain air-film silo is comparable to that of traditional squat cylindrical silos, but the operation and maintenance costs are much lower. The electricity cost for using grain coolers per ton of grain is reduced by 4.33%, the electricity cost for using air conditioners is reduced by 50%, the amount of controlled-atmosphere gas used is reduced by 16.79%, and the operation and maintenance costs are expected to be saved by more than 30%.

100% independent R&D, making grain silos better quality and safer

The intergenerational “evolution” of grain silos reflects the transition of grain storage from “being able to store” to “storing well” to “storing green and healthy.” It is precisely the pursuit of green grain storage and healthy grain storage that led to the 应运而生 (yìng yùn ér shēng - “arise in response to the times,” to emerge at the right moment) of new-type grain silos such as the grain air-film silo.

Wang Yue introduced that the design and construction of the grain air-film silo were mainly to further improve air-tightness and thermal insulation performance. Chengdu belongs to a medium-temperature, high-humidity region, where grain storage is relatively difficult. Piloting there is conducive to testing the grain storage performance of the grain air-film silo.

“The grain air-film silo was 100% independently developed by our joint team with China Coal, focusing on overcoming five major key technologies,” Wang Yue said. These technologies directly target the pain points of grain storage work, ensuring grain storage safety. For example, high air-tightness sealing technology solves the problem of poor air-tightness in grain silos, where grain is prone to condensation, mold, and deterioration; full-region climate adaptation technology solves the problem of poor weather resistance and weak temperature-humidity adaptability of ordinary membrane materials, which are prone to aging, brittleness, delamination, and failure under high and low temperature environments; efficient thermal insulation and temperature control technology mainly solves the problem of weak thermal insulation performance of the silo, large temperature fluctuations in the grain pile, and the inability to achieve long-term low-temperature grain storage.

In June this year, the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration (国家粮食和物资储备局) announced the list of outstanding scientific and technological achievements and application cases in the field of grain and material reserves during the “14th Five-Year Plan” period. The grain air-film silo was listed as an outstanding achievement in key technologies and complete sets of equipment for grain storage and emergency response.

Now, grain air-film silos have been promoted and constructed in five locations: Chengdu, Changsha, Suzhou in Jiangsu, Changchun in Jilin, and Huaibei in Anhui. Among them, Changchun is building China’s first 10,000-ton-class grain air-film silo. China’s new grain silo type has taken a key step from single-point breakthroughs to expanded promotion, and the air-film silo will play a role under different climatic conditions.

“At present, the overall construction scale of grain air-film silos is still small, and the penetration rate is not high,” Wang Yue said. As construction accelerates, grain depot custodians gain more experience in use, and grain storage processes are further optimized, the grain air-film silo is expected to be rolled out on a larger scale nationwide, contributing to technology-based grain storage and green grain storage, and 添砖加瓦 (tiān zhuān jiā wǎ - “add bricks and tiles,” to make a modest contribution) to ensuring food security.

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Sandy soil yields golden bamboo shoots (Big Country, Small Village)

By: 本报记者 王 者

At 5 a.m., the thin mist had not yet fully dissipated, and the fields of Su'anxin Village (宿安馨村), Su'an Township (宿安乡), Linyi County (临邑县), Dezhou City, Shandong Province were already bustling with activity. The villagers bent over, carefully picking tender green asparagus shoots one by one from the sandy soil and gently placing them into baskets. These tender stalks would be sorted, pre-cooled, and packaged that same day, then embark on their export journey to Japan and South Korea.

"This year the asparagus has grown well, with two harvests in spring and summer covering 1,156 mu, yielding about 900,000 jin." Village Party branch secretary Du Bingran (杜炳燃) stood at the edge of the field, looking at this once barren sandy land before him.

Su'anxin Village is located on the Yellow River alluvial plain, possessing large areas of loose, breathable, well-drained semi-sandy soil with good aeration, but poor water and fertilizer retention capacity. Before 2017, the village mainly engaged in traditional grain cultivation, with a single industrial structure and insufficient economic returns. The villagers guarded the sandy land but could not earn much money.

"We must carve out a path from this sandy land," Du Bingran explained. The township Party committee and government led village cadres to study and exchange ideas everywhere, and also specially invited agricultural experts. Eventually, asparagus cultivation came into view. Asparagus is drought-tolerant, barren-tolerant, has a long life cycle, high nutritional value, and broad market prospects, making it suitable for settling in sandy soil. In September 2017, Su'anxin Village launched a large-scale asparagus planting project.

For products to sell well, large-scale planting is key. Su'anxin Village broke the previous situation of scattered planting and extensive management, integrated 1,156 mu of land from four surrounding villages, unified the planning of planting areas, unified seedling supply, unified technical standards, and connected scattered plots into an industrial community. In terms of technical support, it promoted new technologies such as integrated water and fertilizer, with the coverage rate of drip irrigation facilities in the fields exceeding 80%, replacing traditional flood irrigation, saving water and fertilizer while achieving precise water and nutrient supply.

With the industry expanded, how to sell at a good price? The local area put effort into expanding and extending the asparagus deep-processing industrial chain. In 2025, Su'an Township invested more than 2 million yuan to renovate the asparagus deep-processing base, purchased asparagus noodle production lines and asparagus dumpling production lines, and built supporting cold chain storage, transportation and other equipment. A series of additional products such as asparagus tea, asparagus dumplings, and asparagus noodles were launched. Su'anxin Village also registered a distinctive trademark and designed exclusive packaging, significantly improving brand benefits.

The village also set aside 100 mu of land to try a new model of "asparagus planting and golden cicada intercropping," investing 300,000 golden cicada seedlings. Asparagus roots are fleshy roots, tender and rich in nutrients, mostly distributed in the soil layer 30 cm from the surface, which precisely provides sufficient nutrients for golden cicadas, effectively increasing the survival rate and yield of golden cicadas. "Raising golden cicadas in asparagus fields, one piece of land yields two incomes," Du Bingran said. This three-dimensional planting and breeding model not only improves land output efficiency but also becomes a distinctive calling card for the village.

A small asparagus shoot, from nothing to something, from small to large, has strung together an industrial chain covering planting, intercropping, processing, sales, and branding, becoming a distinctive pillar industry of Su'anxin Village. Today, the average per-mu benefit of asparagus planting has exceeded 7,500 yuan, and the products have not only gained a firm foothold in the domestic market but are also exported overseas.

The prosperity of the industry also benefits people's livelihoods.

During the peak asparagus picking season, a large number of hands are needed. Many villagers found work at their doorstep. Villager Wang Wen'an (王文安) engaged in asparagus picking, earning more than 2,000 yuan a month. According to statistics, the asparagus peak season has cumulatively driven more than 1,000 person-times of employment for villagers, enabling many to achieve employment without leaving the village and increase income at their doorstep. "In the next step, we also plan to make asparagus fruit and vegetable juice, and through e-commerce live-streaming rooms, expand the sales channels for various products, so that the villagers' lives become more and more prosperous," Du Bingran said.

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Accelerate the building of a unified and open transportation market

Beijing, August 3 (Reporter Han Xin (韩鑫)) Recently, the Ministry of Transport and three other departments jointly issued the "Implementation Plan for Transport to Deepen the Advancement of the Construction of a Unified National Market (全国统一大市场)", aiming to solve prominent problems such as insufficient connectivity of infrastructure, inadequate integration of transport services, inconsistency of institutional rules and standards, and insufficient sharing of resource factors, so as to provide strong transport service guarantees for deepening the advancement of the construction of a unified national market.

The plan proposes to advance the alignment of market institutional rules, including key tasks such as improving the market access and exit system for transport, focusing on rectifying low-price disorderly competition in the industry, advancing "cross-provincial handling (跨省通办)" of transport government services, and perfecting the credit system of the transport industry; to advance the connectivity of market infrastructure, including key tasks such as building a modern high-quality national comprehensive three-dimensional transport network, vigorously developing multimodal transport, promoting the integrated development of transport logistics and manufacturing, and supporting the first breakthrough of regional transport integration; to advance the unification of government action standards, including key tasks such as focusing on rectifying prominent problems in the industry's bidding field, advancing work to curb the abuse of administrative power to exclude or restrict competition in the transport sector, and regulating government subsidy behavior in the transport sector.

The plan specifies to advance the coordination of market supervision and law enforcement, including key tasks such as promoting the unification of transport law enforcement standards and strengthening supervision of transport platform enterprises; to advance the sharing of market factors, including key tasks such as promoting the sharing and opening of comprehensive transport data and promoting the intensive use of resource factors; to advance the opening up of the market both internally and externally, including key tasks such as actively expanding the consumer market in the transport sector, orderly opening emerging markets in the transport sector, and encouraging private and other social capital to participate in the construction of transport infrastructure.

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Photo Report

Recently, the world's highest-altitude tower solar thermal project—the Tibet Development Investment Anduo Tushuo 100 MW Solar Thermal Power Station (西藏开投安多土硕100兆瓦光热电站)—has completed the installation of all heliostats and entered a peak commissioning period, taking a key step toward grid-connected power generation within the year.

Relying on the local annual sunshine resources of over 2,800 hours, the project adopts molten salt tower solar thermal technology to achieve "light-heat-electricity" energy conversion. The heliostats spread across the Gobi, with a mirror field of approximately 800,000 square meters precisely concentrating the plateau sunlight onto a 210-meter-high heat absorption tower. After the solar thermal power station is put into operation, its average annual power generation can reach 255 million kWh, saving 60,000 tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 165,000 tons each year, which will help local rural revitalization and regional green, low-carbon, high-quality development.

Photo and text by Xian Gan (鲜敢) and Huang Rui (黄锐).

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China's nuclear power installed capacity reaches 135 million kW

Beijing, August 3 (Reporter Wang Yunshan (王云杉)) — The reporter learned from the National Energy Administration (国家能源局) that, as of the present, mainland China has a total of 120 nuclear power units in operation and approved for construction, with an installed capacity of 135 million kilowatts, maintaining the world's largest overall scale. Among them, there are 62 units in operation with an installed capacity of 66.14 million kilowatts, ranking second in the world and accounting for 1.6% of the nation's total installed power capacity; there are 58 units approved and under construction with an installed capacity of 69.51 million kilowatts, ranking first in the world. In recent years, the proportion of nuclear power generation in China's national energy structure has remained stable at around 5%. In 2025, the national nuclear power generation was 485.2 billion kilowatt-hours, accounting for 4.6% of total electricity generation.

The "Fifteenth Five-Year Plan" Carbon Peak Action Plan (《“十五五”碳达峰行动方案》) specifies that by 2030, the installed capacity of nuclear power in operation will reach approximately 110 million kilowatts. To address the dual challenges of greater electricity demand and lower carbon emissions, nuclear power will leverage its advantages of low carbon emissions, high energy density, and stable baseload power, playing an important supporting role in ensuring the safe and stable supply of energy and electricity, as well as in the safe integration of a high proportion of new energy into the power grid.

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Tianjin rolls out policies to intensify efforts in revitalizing existing assets

Tianjin, August 3 (Reporter Li Jiading (李家鼎)) Recently, the Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources (天津市规划和自然资源局) and 10 other departments jointly issued the "Opinions on Revitalizing Existing Assets to Solve Historical Legacy Issues in Planning, Land, and Real Estate Registration (2026 Edition)" (《关于盘活存量资产解决历史遗留项目规划土地及不动产登记问题的意见（2026版）》), focusing on solving difficult problems such as incomplete procedures and incomplete certificates involved in the process of revitalizing existing assets.

Clarifying the policy applicability threshold, the Opinions propose that projects already entered into the low-efficiency land use database filed with the Ministry of Natural Resources and projects recognized by the municipal-level working group for revitalizing existing assets (市级盘活存量资产工作专班) are all included in the scope of policy applicability, further expanding the policy's coverage. Optimizing the handling process, at the stage of building retention demonstration, a multi-department collaborative consultation mechanism is newly added, incorporating management departments such as forestry, urban management, and nature reserves into the scope of consultation for building retention demonstration, taking into account various protection requirements such as ecological and military ones; at the stage of planning verification, adhering to respecting history and 实事求是 (shí shì qiú shì - "seek truth from facts," meaning to be practical and realistic), it is clarified that for historical approval projects that handled the planning acceptance certificate according to the regulations at that time, the project completion acceptance filing shall be handled in accordance with the Opinions, and the planning verification opinion letter may be used as a substitute. Enhancing the revitalization effort, a coordinated comprehensive demonstration mechanism is innovatively promoted, integrating multiple review processes, and it is clarified that each district may, based on actual needs, refer to relevant documents to conduct demonstrations together, avoiding duplicate demonstrations and duplicate reviews, effectively shortening the processing time.

As a city with relatively early industrial and commercial development in China, Tianjin has abundant existing resources. In recent years, Tianjin has coordinated the promotion of revitalizing existing assets and urban renewal, accelerating the improvement of resource allocation efficiency. In 2025, the city's revitalization of existing resources and assets achieved revenue exceeding 66 billion yuan.

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Century-old coal city strides toward digital new city

By: 本报记者 李增辉 姜 峰

Entering the Digital City Operation and Governance Center of Chongqing Wansheng Economic Development Zone (重庆市万盛经开区), on the blue large screen, data from the interface of the Coal Mining Subsidence Area Intelligent Governance Application System (采煤沉陷区智治应用系统) jumps clearly: data from 75 collapse and 43 crack monitoring points converges in real time, the coverage rate of sensing equipment in key subsidence monitoring areas reaches 80%, and over the years, the cumulative area of subsidence area governance in the entire zone has exceeded 80 square kilometers… “In the past, hazards relied on manual inspection, with lagging warnings and passive handling,” said Yu Xiaobo (余小波), Deputy Director of the Wansheng Economic Development Zone Big Data Development Center (万盛经开区大数据发展中心). “Now, the digital platform is on duty 24 hours a day, with second-level response and closed-loop resolution.”

This scene is a vivid portrayal of this century-old coal city moving toward a digital new city and achieving high-quality transformation.

Wansheng has a history of coal mining spanning over 180 years. It rose because of coal, but also fell into development difficulties due to resource depletion. “Facing the triple challenges of industrial hollowing, ecological fragility, and governance lag, we need to break the dependence on traditional paths,” said Huang Yibo (黄义波), member of the Wansheng Economic Development Zone Party Working Committee (万盛经开区党工委).

Industry is the key to breaking the deadlock. Wansheng Economic Development Zone is making every effort to build a modern industrial system, taking new energy, new materials, and new-generation information technology as the leading directions, promoting the transformation of traditional industry to digital intelligent manufacturing, with technological transformation investment accounting for 47.7% of industrial investment.

Arriving at the glass specialty industrial park, on the automotive glass production line of Chongqing Wansheng Fuyao Glass Co., Ltd. (重庆万盛福耀玻璃有限公司), the tasks of unloading, handling, and ring removal are all completed by robotic arms. The real-time data of processes such as pretreatment, printing, and bending forming on the automated production line are 一目了然 (yī mù liǎo rán - “clear at a glance”) on the digital system. Company General Manager Yan Aibing (颜爱兵) introduced that through digital transformation, the production line automation rate has been raised to over 90%, and products are supplied to multiple well-known automobile companies.

As of now, Wansheng Economic Development Zone has established 25 municipal-level smart factories, 52 专精特新 (zhuān jīng tè xīn - “specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative”) enterprises, and 121 innovative small and medium-sized enterprises. The modern industrial cluster continues to grow and develop in chains, completely breaking free from dependence on a single industry.

Digital empowerment enhances urban governance efficiency. The Coal Mining Subsidence Area Intelligent Governance Application System integrates various monitoring equipment to weave a comprehensive three-dimensional protection network. “Since the application system went online, it has efficiently handled 36 major and general subsidence events in the coal mining area, with a 100% completion rate,” said Yu Xiaobo.

Currently, Wansheng Economic Development Zone has cumulatively treated 57.3 square kilometers of soil erosion area, restored vegetation on 11,000 mu of coal mining subsidence area, increased forest coverage to 61.1%, and the number of days with good air quality has remained stable at over 330 days for five consecutive years, with remarkable ecological governance results.

From coal mining subsidence area to scenic area, from traditional industry to digital intelligent manufacturing, Wansheng, through digital empowerment, industrial quality improvement, and ecological enhancement, has forged a distinctive path for the transformation and development of a resource-depleted city.

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Editor of this page: Guan Xuanyue, Lu Tao, Zhai Qinqi

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Mengzhilan Reaches for the Stars, Helps Realize Space Dreams

In July 2026, the "Yanghe Dream of the Blue × China Rocket Dream Observation Camp" (洋河梦之蓝×中国火箭梦想观礼营) activity was successfully held. Yanghe Shares (洋河股份) invited "space partners" to gather at the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site to watch the launch process of the Long March 10B carrier rocket, and witnessed on site China's first successful implementation of a carrier rocket first-stage controllable recovery, which was also the world's first realization of carrier rocket net-based recovery. At the same time, the media live broadcast program sponsored and supported by Yanghe Dream of the Blue was aired, joining the whole nation in witnessing another leap forward in China's space industry.

Witnessing space progress, helping realize space dreams. From 2019 when Yanghe Shares first signed to become a partner of China's space industry, to this observation camp activity, Yanghe Shares has accompanied the development and progress of China's space industry for seven consecutive years.

Long-term investment witnesses space progress

Yanghe Shares firmly believes that every advance in the space industry is never a breakthrough achieved 一蹴而就 (yī cù ér jiù - "accomplished in one step," achieved overnight), but rather a result accumulated over years of sedimentation. Over the years, Yanghe Shares has actively participated and insisted on long-term investment, continuously contributing to the development of China's space industry.

In February 2024, the "Yanghe·Dream of the Blue Jielong-3 carrier rocket" (洋河·梦之蓝号捷龙三运载火箭), sponsored by Yanghe Shares, was successfully launched. This is a vivid case of a national enterprise and space technology joining forces. From Shenzhou-16 to Shenzhou-21, Yanghe Dream of the Blue has five times joined hands with central media to carry out exclusive live broadcast activities for the Shenzhou series launches; it has organized multiple launch-site observation camp activities, inviting consumers, dealers, and partners to witness the rocket soaring into the sky at the launch site; it has established the "Space Dream of the Blue Special Award" and launched the Dream of the Blue "Million Space Partner Plan"... Yanghe Shares has always, through concrete actions, continuously accompanied and helped the leap and development of China's space industry.

Public welfare practice spreads space dreams

As a national enterprise, Yanghe Shares insists on spreading space dreams through 顶天立地 (dǐng tiān lì dì - "pierce the sky and stand on the earth," of indomitable spirit) brand actions, and is committed to cultivating young space talents for society and inspiring public enthusiasm for participating in the space industry.

In recent years, Yanghe Shares has joined hands with the China Space Foundation (中国航天基金会) to establish the "Dream of the Blue China Space Fund Scholarship" at the University of Science and Technology of China (中国科学技术大学), and organized freshmen of the University of Science and Technology of China to visit China's FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope), encouraging students to learn space knowledge; it jointly built the "Qian Xuesen Book House" (钱学森书屋) in Suizhong County (绥中县), Huludao City (葫芦岛市), Liaoning Province; it has entered dozens of primary and secondary schools in remote areas to hold "Space Classes," using fun experiments, telling space stories, and other forms to let tens of thousands of children feel the charm of space; it has joined hands with the China Space Foundation to create the "Space Open Class" (航天公开课) series of programs, and using AI technology and digital human technology, released a series of space science animation videos... Yanghe Shares is committed to inspiring the enthusiasm of young people and the public to learn space knowledge through a series of public welfare practices, continuously adding new momentum to China's space industry.

Space culture leads the brand upward

"Leading the industry, leading the way, leading the line; serving the country, serving the people, serving the region" is the corporate philosophy that Yanghe Shares has always adhered to. In the 1960s and 1970s, Yanghe used the Dunhuang "Flying Apsaras" (飞天) logo to set sail overseas, and the "Flying Apsaras Dream" was thus engraved into Yanghe's brand genes. From signing as a partner of China's space industry in 2019 to upgrading to a strategic partner of China's space industry in 2023, Yanghe Shares has always been a fellow traveler of the space industry.

Today, space culture has become an important support for Yanghe Shares to enrich its brand connotation and create benchmark products. Yanghe Shares has repeatedly joined hands with the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (中国航展) to launch the "Dream of the Blue × China Rocket" series of cultural and creative products and the "Chasing the Vast Sky" (逐梦苍穹) series gift boxes; at important space launch milestones, it has launched products such as the "Long March 3B Tianwen-2 Launch Mission Commemorative Liquor" (长征三号乙天问二号发射任务纪念酒), to jointly commemorate with consumers the moments of progress in China's space industry.

On the journey of the development of the space industry and even the cause of science and technology, every rush toward the stars and the sea is worth remembering. In the future, Yanghe Shares will continue to contribute to the development of China's space industry with the power of dreams, the heart of public welfare, and the sentiment of family and country, paying tribute to every perseverance and love for chasing the vast sky.

Data source: Yanghe Shares (洋河股份)

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Persist in Thorough Reading and Deep Study, Grasp the Essence and Core Meaning

By: 李 毅

Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, Volumes 1 through 5, systematically present the formation and development process of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. They are the authoritative carriers of the theoretical innovation, practical exploration, and spiritual shaping of Chinese Communists in the new era, the vivid practice and latest achievements of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, and have played an important role in demonstrating the truth power and ideological charm of the Party's innovative theory, providing an ideological path and spiritual channel for the international community to "understand China," and are of great significance for firmly grasping the correct direction, gathering the strength to strive, and promoting work practice. To learn, understand, and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we must study Volumes 1 through 5 of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China as a whole, truly feel the clear stance, value pursuit, and practical power of this important thought, comprehensively comprehend the dialectical materialism and historical materialism thinking methods and working methods contained therein, and more deeply understand the decisive significance of the "two establishes" (两个确立 - "two establishes," referring to establishing Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and establishing the guiding position of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era), and enhance the consciousness and initiative to resolutely achieve the "two upholds" (两个维护 - "two upholds," referring to upholding Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and upholding the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee).

Volumes 1 through 5 of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China are an organic and unified whole

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era comes from practice and guides practice; it is an open and developing ideological system. Volumes 1 through 5 of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China span the magnificent course of our Party's governance in the new era, forming an organically unified theoretical system around building a strong country and national rejuvenation. They are the crystallization of thought rooted in China's soil, responding to the questions of the times, solving development problems, and leading world changes. Their theoretical system that is continuous in one line (一脉相承, yī mài xiāng chéng - "one continuous line of inheritance"), their practical logic that is consistent throughout (一以贯之, yī yǐ guàn zhī - "consistent throughout"), and their value stance that is unchanging from beginning to end (始终如一, shǐ zhōng rú yī - "consistent from start to finish") together forge the "single piece of solid steel" of thought.

From the timeline perspective, the articles in Volumes 1 through 5 of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China form a development logic of "practice-theory-practice" on the timeline of the new era. Engels pointed out: "The theoretical thinking of each epoch, including our own, is a historical product, which takes completely different forms and has completely different content in different epochs." As practice deepens, theory also deepens. From building a moderately prosperous society in all respects to comprehensively building a modern socialist country, from comprehensively deepening reform to further comprehensively deepening reform, from poverty alleviation to comprehensive rural revitalization, from ecological governance to green development, from high-quality development to developing new quality productive forces according to local conditions, from comprehensively governing the Party with strict discipline to the Party's self-reform, etc., these reflect the actual national conditions and historical tasks of each specific stage. They are not only a summary of the practice of our Party's governance in the new era but also the condensation and sublimation of its theory.

From the theme and main line perspective, upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, and comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization, run through Volumes 1 through 5 as the "central idea." The first special topic of Volume 1 of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, "Upholding and Developing Socialism with Chinese Characteristics," emphasizes holding high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and at the outset points out the fundamental direction of our Party's governance in the new era; Volume 2 begins with "Striving to Open Up a Broader Prospect for the Cause of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics," focusing on answering a series of directional, fundamental, overall, and strategic major issues, making the Party's innovative theory richer and more systematic on the basis of Volume 1; Volume 3 takes the report of the 19th National Congress of the CPC as its starting point, centering on upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, systematically explaining its general goal, general tasks, overall layout, strategic layout, as well as a series of fundamental issues such as development direction, development mode, development momentum, implementation path, external environment, and political guarantees; Volume 4 focuses on the severe test of the intertwining and叠加 of the century-old changes and the century-old pandemic, where the Party united and led the people of all ethnic groups across the country to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects on schedule, and stride onto the new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country. This great practice vividly interprets the process of facing difficulties and storming fortresses and overcoming difficulties (攻坚克难, gōng jiān kè nán - "storm fortresses and overcome difficulties") in the new era, fully demonstrating the wisdom and strength contributed by China to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind and jointly create a better global future; Volume 5 is based on the report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC, scientifically summarizes the practice of the Party leading the people to explore and advance Chinese-style modernization, and systematically presents the grand blueprint for building a strong country and national rejuvenation. Reading through Volumes 1 through 5, we increasingly feel that "the Party and the country's undertakings have achieved historic achievements and undergone historic changes, demonstrating the strong vitality of socialism with Chinese characteristics," and that socialism with Chinese characteristics is the only way to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

From the formation line of the ideological system, Volume 1, based on the new historical orientation, through a series of new ideas, new viewpoints, and new assertions on governance, profoundly answers the major theoretical issues and practical tests facing the development of the Party and the country's undertakings, and prominently demonstrates the Party's governance philosophy and governance strategy in the new era; Volume 2 systematically explains the essential connotation and practical path of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, forming the basic theoretical framework of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; Volume 3 systematically reflects the basic context of the formation and development of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, profoundly revealing the era conditions, core essence, rich connotation, theoretical positioning, and guiding significance of this important thought; Volume 4 fully reflects the adherence of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to the "two combinations" (两个结合 - "two combinations," referring to combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture), profoundly revealing the internal mechanism of Marxism's innovative development in China; Volume 5 systematically summarizes the great practice of the Party leading the people to advance Chinese-style modernization on the new journey, centrally presents the latest theoretical crystallization of our Party's adherence to the "two combinations" and promotion of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, profoundly explains the world outlook, methodology, and the standpoints, viewpoints, and methods running through Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and fully demonstrates China's great power wisdom and sense of responsibility in actively participating in global governance and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Marx believed: "Any true philosophy is the spiritual essence of its own time." Xi Jinping: The Governance of China was born in the vivid practice and pulse of the times of our Party's governance in the new era. It not only systematically explains practice but also powerfully leads the times.

Reading through Volumes 1 through 5 of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China is an inevitable requirement for understanding the times, finding the correct positioning, clarifying the direction, and promoting work

Volumes 1 through 5 of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China are both the ideological record of the great changes since the new era and the true scripture of practice of our Party's governance. Persisting in reading through the entire book, deeply studying and carefully comprehending, is not only an important requirement for theoretical study but also an inevitable requirement for understanding the times, finding the correct positioning, clarifying the direction, and promoting work.

Reading through Volumes 1 through 5 helps us grasp the overall picture of thought, comprehend the spiritual essence, and draw practical strength. Holisticness is the fundamental attribute of Marxist theory. Marx once said: "Whatever shortcomings my works may have, they have one merit: they are an artistic whole." Engels once said: "Everything Marx wrote is closely interconnected; nothing can be extracted from it alone." Lenin once said: "The whole spirit of Marxism, its entire system, requires that each principle be examined (α) historically, (β) in connection with other principles, and (γ) in connection with specific historical experience." This is not only the basic attitude and method for learning the basic principles of Marxism but also the inherent requirement for learning the Party's innovative theory. It should be pointed out that such holisticness is not only reflected in the holisticness of the research object but also in the holisticness of the standpoints, viewpoints, and methods. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a logically rigorous and systematically complete scientific theoretical system. Volumes 1 through 5 present a panoramic view of the overall process of the formation, enrichment, and development of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Only by reading through comprehensively and jumping out of fragmented understanding can we grasp the scientific system and essential essence of this important thought as a whole, truly grasp its scientific world outlook and methodology, and adhere to, apply well, and use the standpoints, viewpoints, and methods running through it.

Reading through Volumes 1 through 5 helps us adhere to the fundamental stance of taking the people as the center and temper the value sentiment of putting the people first. People-centeredness is the essential attribute of Marxism. Coming from the people, for the people, and benefiting the people, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a scientific theory that is grounded, warm, and wins the people's hearts. "The People's Aspiration for a Better Life is Our Goal," as the first article of Volume 1, sets the overall tone of the people's stance for the entire book from the very beginning. Whether it is "Adhering to Targeted Poverty Alleviation and Targeted Poverty Reduction, Resolutely Winning the Battle Against Poverty" in Volume 2, "Our Goal is to Let All Chinese People Live a Better Life" in Volume 3, "To Seize the Country, To Guard the Country, Is to Guard the People's Hearts" in Volume 4, or many chapters such as "Chinese-style Modernization, People's Livelihood is the Priority" in Volume 5, the people's sentiment leaps off the page, permeating the emotional底色 of the entire book. Adhering to taking the people as the center, as a red line running through Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, is reflected in all aspects and the entire process of our Party's governance in the new era. In the special topic "Adhering to Taking the People as the Center" in Volume 3, it records the key points of General Secretary Xi Jinping's conversation with Italian Chamber of Deputies President Roberto Fico on March 22, 2019. General Secretary Xi Jinping said: "Such a large country has a very heavy responsibility and a very arduous task. I will serve the people selflessly and live up to their expectations. I am willing to be in a state of 'selflessness' and dedicate myself to China's development." "I will serve the people selflessly and live up to their expectations" is both an oath and a commitment. For Communists, adhering to putting the people first is not only a matter of responsibility but also a matter of value sentiment. We must firmly establish the concept that benefiting the people is the greatest political achievement, and always think together, stand together, and work together with the people.

Reading through Volumes 1 through 5 helps us grasp and apply the basic methods of our Party's governance and improve our capabilities and skills. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era was formed in practice and enriched and developed in practice, highlighting a distinct problem orientation. Reading through Volumes 1 through 5, one can intuitively feel that this important thought not only profoundly answers the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times, but also precisely responds to new problems encountered in practice, deep-seated problems in reform, development, and stability, the urgent and difficult problems of the people, major problems in international changes, and prominent problems facing Party building. For example, from the important exposition that "growth must be real and without water" to adhering to the new development concept to guide development, all are based on reality and proposed in response to the problems of China's development stage. From the book we can not only read how to build a new development pattern, how to pave the road of high-quality development, how to develop whole-process people's democracy, how to promote the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" to go deeper and more solid, but also read how to improve people's livelihood, how to form a good ecology, and how the Central Eight-Point Regulations changed China. In short, Volumes 1 through 5 contain rich scientific thinking and working methods, explaining not only what it is and why, but also how to view it and how to do it. They are vivid teaching materials for improving governance ability and work level. We must effectively grasp and apply this "master key" for understanding, analyzing, and solving problems, and continuously improve strategic thinking, historical thinking, dialectical thinking, systematic thinking, innovative thinking, rule-of-law thinking, and bottom-line thinking. Adhere to the combination of learning and application, strive to transform scientific methods into work capabilities, meet new challenges with excellent skills and achieve new accomplishments, and contribute wisdom and strength to forward-looking thinking, overall planning, strategic layout, and holistic promotion of the Party and the country's various undertakings.

Reading through Volumes 1 through 5 helps us better coordinate the domestic and international overall situations, and cultivate family-country sentiment and a global vision. In Volume 3, "Keep in Mind the Two Overall Situations and Do Our Own Work Well," General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "I often say that leading cadres must keep in mind two overall situations: one is the strategic overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and the other is the major changes unseen in a century in the world. This is the basic starting point for our planning of work." To this day, we increasingly realize that the deep intersection of the two overall situations, the weak recovery of the world economy, the frequent occurrence of local conflicts and turmoil, and the intensification of global problems all indicate the accelerated evolution of the major changes unseen in a century in the world. Reading through Volumes 1 through 5, it is not difficult to find that each volume fully reflects the wisdom and solutions contributed by our Party to reform and improve global governance and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Against the backdrop of the world entering a new period of turbulence and transformation, on the one hand, we need to read from the book a broader global vision and worldwide perspective, always keep the motherland in mind, care for the world, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind; on the other hand, we need to read the firmness of "walking our own path," always care about the future and destiny of the Party and the country, integrate personal pursuits into the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation, coordinate and promote various tasks of reform, development, and stability, plan well before acting (谋定而后动, móu dìng ér hòu dòng - "plan well before acting"), accumulate thickly and emit thinly (厚积而薄发, hòu jī ér bó fā - "accumulate thickly and emit thinly," make full preparation before acting), and more proactively handle our own affairs well.

Reading through Volumes 1 through 5 helps us remain sober and firm at all times, know reverence, maintain vigilance, and guard the bottom line. Comprehensively governing the Party with strict discipline and advancing the Party's self-reform are important contents running through Volumes 1 through 5, indicating that we always maintain the sobriety and firmness to solve the unique problems of a large party, and also draw clear boundaries for Party members and cadres to consolidate the foundation and cultivate vitality (固本培元, gù běn péi yuán - "consolidate the foundation and cultivate vitality," strengthen the foundation and nurture the essence), cultivate themselves, and discipline themselves. This also fully shows that comprehensively governing the Party with strict discipline is always on the way, which is the strong guarantee for our Party's governance in the new era. Only by knowing reverence can one act with restraint; only by maintaining vigilance can one guard the bottom line. The significance of reading through the study also lies in that we must transform the important expositions that force penetrates the back of the paper (力透纸背, lì tòu zhǐ bèi - "force penetrates the back of the paper," vivid and powerful writing) into sobriety and vigilance, deeply understand the long-term, complex, and arduous nature of building a clean government and the fight against corruption, always work from the "heart" to strengthen Party spirit, strengthen consciousness, strengthen realm, strengthen work style, continuously enhance discipline awareness and rule awareness, consciously resist unhealthy tendencies, achieve fair use of power, use power according to law, use power with integrity, and forever maintain the political本色 of Communists.

Adhere to the integration of learning, thinking, and application, and learn and use Volumes 1 through 5 of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China well

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Since the new era, the Party's theoretical innovation and practical innovation have been very vivid, and our learning should also be vivid, not just停留在 remembering some concepts and formulations." For the vast number of Party members and cadres, we must learn and use Volumes 1 through 5 of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China well, continuously enhance the consciousness and firmness of learning thought, understanding thought, and using thought, not only know its principles and understand its meaning, but also understand its application and practice it firmly, achieve learning with thinking, thinking with understanding, understanding with action, and truly transform the learning results into practical results in doing business and creating undertakings.

Focus on the ideological context and do thorough reading. Reading through the original works and understanding the original texts is the foundation and prerequisite for comprehending the principles thoroughly. The so-called "series-type" study and reading means to read each volume and each article in the original, not only deeply understand the "source" and "flow" of the theory, but also deeply grasp the "outline" and "details" of practice. For example, the 19th National Congress of the CPC formally proposed Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and systematically summarized the main content of this important thought with "eight clarifications" and "fourteen adherences"; the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee made a new summary, expanding the "eight clarifications" into "ten clarifications." Such changes are not only the inheritance and continuation of the ideological system but also the expansion and deepening of the ideological essence. For example, the "four confidences" of confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics are a creative expansion and improvement of the "three confidences" proposed at the 18th National Congress of the CPC. This is precisely because "cultural confidence is a more fundamental, broader, and deeper confidence, a more basic, deeper, and more lasting force." To strengthen confidence in the path, theory, and system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is, in the final analysis, to strengthen cultural confidence. In short, we must read Volumes 1 through 5 as a complete ideological chain, deeply grasp the theoretical logic, historical logic, and practical logic of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and clearly perceive the entire process of the Party's innovative theory continuously enriching and developing in the great practice of the new era.

Focus on special topics and do intensive reading. The so-called "parallel-type" study and reading means to focus on major themes and main special topics, break the boundaries of volumes, and use grouping, comparison, and integration to do intensive reading in depth. Volume 1 has 18 special topics, Volume 2 has 17, Volume 3 has 19, Volume 4 has 21, and Volume 5 has 18. Although the special topic settings are slightly different, the overall context is consistent and mutually corresponding. For example, from them we can deeply discern the connotation and distribution of the organic unity of the "five-sphere integrated plan" and the "four-pronged comprehensive strategy," including special topics such as "Comprehensively Advancing the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation through Chinese-style Modernization," "Comprehensively Deepening Reform," "Building a Rule-of-Law China," "Promoting the Comprehensive and Strict Governance of the Party in Depth," and "Promoting High-Quality Economic Development," "Actively Developing Socialist Democratic Politics," "Advancing the Building of a Socialist Cultural Power," "Focusing on Ensuring and Improving People's Livelihood to Strengthen Social Construction," and "Building a Beautiful China," which are set throughout Volumes 1 through 5. The content covered progresses layer by layer and is interlocking rings (环环相扣, huán huán xiāng kòu - "interlocking rings," closely linked). This provides a basic guideline for us to systematically study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. In this regard, we must adhere to intensive reading with chewing carefully and swallowing slowly (细嚼慢咽, xì jiáo màn yàn - "chew carefully and swallow slowly," read slowly and thoroughly) to achieve from point to surface (由点及面, yóu diǎn jí miàn - "from point to surface") and from surface to interior (由表及里, yóu biǎo jí lǐ - "from surface to interior"), upgrade fragmented understanding to systematic cognition, not only look at its theoretical generalizations in different periods but also see its deepening and expansion in practice; not only deeply understand its deepening of the principled understanding of the laws of Communist Party governance, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of human social development, but also accurately grasp its original new concepts, new ideas, and new strategies.

Focus on standpoints, viewpoints, and methods and do deep reading. The so-called "combined-type" study and reading means to go deep into Volumes 1 through 5, and through the combination of reading the "book with words" and the "book without words," form a real force to arm the mind, guide practice, and promote work. On the one hand, we need to deeply understand that any deepening of thought and development of theory cannot be separated from "combination." General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed the major theoretical viewpoint of "combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture." Practice has proved that the "two combinations" are our greatest magic weapon for success, the fundamental way to promote the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, and also the theoretical foundation running through Volumes 1 through 5. To study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we must deeply grasp the "two combinations." Only by deepening understanding from this ideological main line can we correctly answer the major questions raised by the times and practice. On the other hand, we need to deeply understand that the reason why the Party's theoretical innovation is vivid and continuously enriched is precisely because practice is vivid and continuously developing. Engels pointed out: "Marx's entire world outlook is not a doctrine, but a method." Its significance is not to say that there is no difference between Marx's world outlook and methodology, but to explain the role and essential requirements of his theory. This means that studying Volumes 1 through 5 must always be deeper and more specific in the combination of learning and application, and the unity of knowledge and action (知行合一, zhī xíng hé yī - "unity of knowledge and action"). Learning is never-ending (永无止境, yǒng wú zhǐ jìng - "never-ending"), and practice never stops. To deeply learn and thoroughly understand Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we must work hard on grasping its essential essence, so as to truly produce resonance at the ideological level and actual results in practical work. We must combine reading and learning with strengthening Party spirit and training internal skills, firmly establish a correct view of political achievements, adhere to building the Party for the public, benefiting the people, making scientific decisions, and grasping firmly and doing solid work (真抓实干, zhēn zhuā shí gàn - "grasp firmly and do solid work"), and strive to create achievements that stand the test of practice, the people, and history. We must combine reading and learning with implementing the various decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, with the actual work of the region, department, or unit, and with the great practice of advancing Chinese-style modernization, so as to strengthen firm action through deep learning, and always let the light of thought lead the way forward on the new journey of striving and building a new era.

(The author is Vice President of the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance) (中央党校（国家行政学院）))

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Empowering Grassroots Emergency Management Modernization with Digital Intelligence Technology (Governance Approach)

By: 陈兆芳

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that "when the grassroots are strong, the country is strong; when the grassroots are secure, the world is secure; we must do a good job of grassroots governance modernization, this foundational work," and emphasized the need to "promote the digital and intelligent operation of government, providing strong support for advancing the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity." The grassroots are an important foundation of national governance, and also the front line for risk prevention and control and emergency response. The emergency response capabilities of counties, townships, and villages directly affect the safety of people's lives and property. Relying on digital and intelligent technologies to empower grassroots emergency governance and promote the transformation of traditional models to digital and intelligent ones is both an inevitable choice for coordinating high-quality development and high-level security and advancing the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity, and an important guarantee for practicing the people-centered development philosophy and consolidating the bottom line of grassroots safety.

Empowering grassroots emergency governance with digital and intelligent technologies is a practical need to make up for the shortcomings of grassroots safety. At present, China's development faces both opportunities and challenges, with complex and frequent security risks. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to emergency work, coordinated the improvement of the governance system, and deployed prevention and control forces downward, steadily improving emergency response capabilities. However, there are still shortcomings that appear to varying degrees at the grassroots level, restricting the improvement of governance effectiveness. In terms of the governance system, departmental data barriers have not been completely eliminated, data standards are inconsistent, and sharing is not smooth, which constrains risk assessment, decision-making command, and resource coordination. In terms of governance models, some places rely on manual inspections and focus on post-event handling, and the efficiency of early warning and response needs improvement. In terms of governance mechanisms, although relevant systems have been established, some areas lack digital and intelligent carriers, and cross-departmental coordination often relies on manual temporary scheduling, so the effectiveness of the systems has not been fully realized. The deep embedding of digital and intelligent technologies is conducive to optimizing grassroots risk prevention and control, promoting the development of emergency governance from "data fragmentation, compartmentalized operation" to "full-domain interconnection, integrated coordination," from "manual inspection, post-event handling" to "intelligent sensing, pre-event prevention," and from "human-led, short-term operation" to "mechanism-empowered, long-term governance," truly breaking through the bottlenecks of grassroots emergency governance.

Improve the governance system through data integration, and unblock the collaborative links of grassroots emergency response. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "We must establish and improve mechanisms for big data to assist scientific decision-making and social governance, and promote innovation in government management and social governance models." Data barriers and information silos are prominent bottlenecks restricting grassroots emergency coordination and dispatch. Promoting data integration can connect data links, build a unified full-domain view of risk situations and emergency resources, and lay a solid data foundation for scientific assessment and precise dispatch. Unify full-domain data standards, formulate technical specifications for emergency data coding, interaction, architecture, interfaces, etc., establish rules for data collection, storage, and exchange, and solve problems such as inconsistent data standards and messy formats at the source. Build a multi-level linkage platform, rely on the government big data foundation to create a "one map" for smart emergency response, integrate various monitoring data, geographic information, and emergency resource data, and vertically connect the three levels of county, township, and village nodes. Improve the data sharing mechanism, establish a data sharing catalog, rights and responsibility boundaries, and update rules, break down compartmentalized barriers through institutions, and maximize the role of data empowerment.

Optimize governance models with intelligent technologies, and move the risk prevention and control threshold forward. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Reducing disaster risks and mitigating disaster losses lies in pre-event prevention." Relying on experience and focusing on post-event handling are important cruxes affecting the effectiveness of grassroots emergency prevention and control. Accelerating the implementation of intelligent technologies can push the prevention and control threshold forward, build a modern emergency system with full-domain sensing, intelligent early warning, and coordinated response, and comprehensively improve grassroots disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities. Build an air-space-ground integrated full-domain sensing network, using satellite remote sensing, drone aerial photography, intelligent sensors and other technologies to monitor geological disasters, flood conditions, fire hazards, and production risks across the entire domain, and simultaneously build a county, township, and village information data transmission system to achieve all-weather, uninterrupted dynamic monitoring. Build an AI-based assessment and early warning system, relying on big data and machine learning algorithms to build an emergency large model, perform intelligent analysis, quantitative classification, and probability assessment on massive monitoring data, combine digital twin and simulation deduction technologies to simulate risk situations and optimize prevention and control plans, and push early warning information through multiple channels at different levels, precisely moving the risk prevention and control threshold forward. Promote a human-machine collaborative response model, relying on smart platforms to combine online intelligent assessment with offline grid inspections and professional rescue, build a full-process closed-loop response mechanism, and reduce reliance on experience and post-event remediation.

Empower governance mechanisms with digital and intelligent carriers, and strengthen the effectiveness of implementation. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "We must strengthen the execution of systems, strengthen supervision over system execution, and effectively transform China's institutional advantages into governance effectiveness." For grassroots emergency governance to achieve 行稳致远 (xíng wěn zhì yuǎn - "act steadily and reach far," to make steady and sustained progress), it cannot do without normalized process control, rigid rights and responsibilities constraints, and long-term comprehensive guarantees. Relying on digital and intelligent platforms as core carriers provides important support for the implementation of systems, presenting the division of rights and responsibilities, departmental coordination, and assessment supervision within system operation, while simultaneously grasping daily operation and maintenance and coordinating talent team building, pushing various systems from "on paper" to "on the ground," fully releasing their due role. Build a collaborative command and dispatch system, using data middle platforms, the Internet of Things, etc., to push emergency collaboration from temporary scheduling to normalized, institutionalized operation, pooling the joint forces of all parties in emergency governance. Improve the digital and intelligent co-governance mechanism of rights and responsibilities, using electronic ledgers, traceability and record-keeping and other digital and intelligent means to clarify the performance boundaries of all levels and departments, refine the chain of responsibility, achieve full-process traceability and verifiability of performance, fundamentally eliminate problems such as hollow performance and 推诿扯皮 (tuī wěi chě pí - "shift blame and wrangle," to pass the buck and argue over trivialities), and standardize the order of collaborative governance. Strengthen the quality and efficiency supervision and operation and maintenance system, embed assessment and evaluation, supervision and accountability into the entire process of digital and intelligent governance, rely on data to dynamically evaluate work quality and efficiency, promote the implementation of main responsibilities, and at the same time rely on smart platforms to coordinate operation and maintenance guarantees and capacity building, consolidating the foundation for the long-term development of emergency governance.

(The author is a special researcher of the Fujian Provincial Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (福建省习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心))

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China's economic momentum shifts toward new structures and higher quality (Reading the Data, Trends, and Foundations)

"Just after the summer harvest, we rushed to plant corn"
Reporters: Yu Jingxian (郁静娴), Zhang Wenhao (张文豪)

[Scene] In Hua County (滑县), Anyang, Henan, rows of corn stalks stand tall, leaves dark green and spreading. Large-scale grain grower Wang Fuqiang (王付强) comes to the field, parts the leaves to check crop growth, and prepares to apply ear fertilizer: "This plot has over 1,900 mu. Just after the summer harvest, we rushed to plant corn, and the current growth is not bad."

Hua County is the top grain-producing county in Henan Province. Wang Fuqiang, 54, is the head of the Hua County Xiaopu Fuqiang Planting Farmers' Professional Cooperative (滑县小铺富强种植农民专业合作社). This summer, the average wheat yield per mu on this land exceeded 1,200 jin, steady with an increase. "In the past two years, we've used drip irrigation in the fields. Integrated water and fertilizer has greatly improved fertilizer utilization efficiency, and also helps save water and increase yields." Wang Fuqiang grows grain with increasing confidence.

After the summer grain harvest, autumn grain management and protection followed closely. "This year, the county's autumn grain planting area is 1.3191 million mu, of which corn planting area is 1.2885 million mu. Currently, the overall growth of autumn grain is balanced and improving," said a relevant official from the Hua County Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau (滑县农业农村局).

In the first half of the year, the first battle of the year's grain production was won. Summer grain production overcame effects such as large-scale late sowing and multiple rounds of rainfall during the harvest period, achieving a historic output of 301.49 billion jin, breaking through the 300-billion-jin mark for the first time. The comprehensive agricultural production capacity has been continuously improved; the integration of good fields, good seeds, good machinery, and good methods has brought synergy and efficiency, continuously consolidating the development foundation for stable production and supply.

Looking at good fields: the country has cumulatively built over 1 billion mu of high-standard farmland. In the first half of the year, construction tasks for 74.39 million mu in 5 batches have been assigned, and by strictly implementing territorial responsibility for engineering quality management and operational maintenance at each level, it is ensured that every piece built is a success.

Looking at good seeds: the area of independently bred crops nationwide exceeds 95%; high-quality varieties such as scab-resistant wheat and planthopper-resistant rice are being rapidly promoted; the market share of domestic seed sources for vegetables, livestock and poultry, and aquatic products exceeds 91%, 80%, and 86% respectively.

Looking at good machinery: through "premium subsidies for superior machinery," large grain combine harvesters, high-speed rice transplanters, etc., are being rapidly promoted and applied; grain drying capacity in areas such as the Huang-Huai-Hai region has been greatly enhanced.

Looking at good methods: key technologies for stable and increased yields such as reasonable dense planting and integrated water and fertilizer are being implemented, driving more farmers to increase production and efficiency.

Autumn grain is the major part of the year's grain production, accounting for about three-quarters of the annual grain output. The latest agricultural situation monitoring shows that the current autumn grain situation is generally good, and there is a solid foundation for achieving a full-year grain bumper harvest. The autumn grain planting area is basically settled, expected to be stable with a slight increase, and mostly planted during the optimal yield period. Regarding seedling condition, various regions have deeply promoted large-area per-unit yield improvement, integrated and promoted measures such as integrated water and fertilizer and "one spray with multiple boosts," and the overall crop growth is relatively normal.

Currently, there is still some time before the large-area autumn grain harvest. According to meteorological department forecasts, extreme climate events will be more frequent during this year's main flood season, with a strong or super-strong El Niño event forming; some areas may be hotter, more waterlogged, and drier. To cope with the impact of variable climate and production challenges, and to persist throughout the entire process and every link without relaxing, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (农业农村部) has intensified the implementation of the "Fight for 100 Days: Strengthen Field Management, Resist Disasters, and Secure Autumn Grain Harvest" campaign, striving to achieve a bumper harvest of autumn grain and the full year's grain. Zhang Xingwang (张兴旺), Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, introduced that the next step will be to focus on increasing per-unit yield, relying on 1,000 counties advancing large-area per-unit yield improvement as whole entities and 20 cities advancing as whole entities, organizing on-site observations of per-unit yield improvement by sub-regions.

"Every panel undergoes intelligent inspection"
Reporters: Liu Wenxin (刘温馨), Li Zong (李纵)

[Scene] Entering Shenzhen Reeman Optoelectronics Co., Ltd. (深圳雷曼光电科技股份有限公司) headquartered in Nanshan District (南山区), Shenzhen, Guangdong, on the dust-free production line in the intelligent manufacturing workshop, Micro LED (micro light-emitting diode) ultra-high-definition display panel production equipment operates in an orderly manner. Processes such as die bonding, encapsulation, and inspection are all completed by automated equipment; technical personnel can monitor production data in real time through a centralized control platform.

"Supported by the digital quality control system, every panel undergoes intelligent inspection," a relevant company official introduced. The large model can automatically identify micron-level tiny defects, greatly improving production stability and response efficiency.

In 2025, Nanshan District became the first district-level jurisdiction in the country to have a gross regional product exceeding one trillion yuan. In the first half of this year, Nanshan District's gross regional product reached 544.543 billion yuan, of which the added value of the secondary industry was 117.608 billion yuan, with a growth rate of 7.0%.

The added value of industries above designated size increased by 5.4% year-on-year, with industry contributing over 35% to economic growth... From incremental expansion to quality enhancement and empowerment, in the first half of this year, China's industrial economy operated with steady progress and simultaneous improvement in quality and efficiency, continuously developing towards new and superior directions.

Looking at innovation: high-end manufacturing has achieved breakthroughs in multiple areas, building new industrial advantages. The second generation of blade batteries was launched globally; the preparation process for T1200-grade ultra-high-strength carbon fiber was successfully conquered; the complete vehicle test of the CR450 EMU was completed... In the first six months, new momentum represented by high-tech manufacturing and digital product manufacturing, with a value-added share of slightly over 20%, contributed nearly 50% of industrial growth, continuously consolidating core competitiveness.

Looking at transformation: intelligent transformation and digital transformation have accelerated comprehensively, activating new industrial vitality. 5G is more usable — there are over 26,000 "5G + industrial internet" projects under construction, and 1,260 classified, graded, and distinctive 5G factories have been built; computing power is more abundant — as of the end of June this year, China's intelligent computing power scale increased by 177% year-on-year, and the overall rack rate of computing power facilities reached 71.4%; products are more high-quality — industries such as electronics, specialized equipment, general equipment, automobiles, and electrical machinery contributed over 50% to industrial economic growth; the added value of industries such as integrated circuit manufacturing and electronic special material manufacturing maintained double-digit growth.

Looking at exports: foreign trade momentum continues to burst forth, expanding new space for industry. In the first six months, the export value of industrial goods trade denominated in renminbi increased by 13.4% year-on-year. With strong global demand for artificial intelligence and green low-carbon transformation, exports of high-value-added, high-tech products grew rapidly; China's developed quadruped robots account for nearly 70% of global sales share, humanoid robot finished products exceed half of the global total, the weekly call volume of domestic large models has consistently ranked first globally for over ten consecutive weeks, and the export delivery value of pharmaceutical products exceeded 210 billion yuan. The "new three items" have captivated overseas markets, showcasing the hardcore strength of Made in China, and also promoting the rise of China's industrial chain and supply chain to the high end of the global value chain.

Activating new potential, shaping new advantages, and continuously cultivating and strengthening the new engine of industry will inject surging momentum into high-quality economic and social development.

"Orders for many tech products have doubled"
Reporters: Luo Shanshan (罗珊珊), Dou Hao (窦皓)

[Scene] In the afternoon at the Global Digital Trade Center in Yiwu, Zhejiang, on the 4th floor of the North District, merchants and customers come and go. In a tech store, foreign buyer Su Jiesi (苏杰斯) is attracted by a furry "scruffy cat" toy. The "scruffy cat" can detect the user's emotions through conversation, and its personality and language can be switched in an app.

Furry toys that can speak dialects, companion robots that can teach English, glasses that integrate photography and translation... The smart tech zone, which was only opened for trial operation at the end of April, has already attracted nearly 200 domestic tech companies.

At the Global Digital Trade Center in Yiwu, tech products have become the "new favorite" of overseas buyers. "Orders for many tech products have doubled, and some production orders have been scheduled through October," said shop owner Fu Hua (付华).

In the first half of the year, foreign trade showed good growth, providing strong support for economic growth. In the first half of the year, China's total goods trade import and export reached 25.47 trillion yuan, an increase of 16.9% year-on-year. Among them, exports were 14.73 trillion yuan, up 13.4%. On a monthly basis, from March to June, the monthly import and export scale continuously exceeded 4 trillion yuan. The rhythm of foreign trade development is stable, the momentum is good, and the basic foreign trade plate is stable and solid.

Foreign trade development must not only look at quantity growth, but also at quality improvement.

Looking at product structure: with the rapid development of artificial intelligence, China's import and export of related products have strong momentum. In the first half of the year, China's import and export of computing hardware such as electronic components and computer parts reached 5.13 trillion yuan, an increase of 56.6%. AI glasses, AI translators, mechanical exoskeletons and other smart products are iterating rapidly, and various innovative products are constantly emerging.

Looking at market layout: in the first half of the year, China's import and export with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative reached 12.97 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 14.8%, accounting for 50.9% of total foreign trade. Import and export with neighboring countries reached 9.44 trillion yuan, an increase of 20.6%. With Latin America and Africa, they increased by 16.2% and 19.6% respectively, and with the EU by 10.2%. Market diversification has advanced in depth, and the momentum of foreign trade development continues to accumulate. Yang Tao (杨涛), Director of the Department of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Commerce (商务部对外贸易司), stated that China's foreign trade has injected stability and certainty into global development. Currently, China has signed framework agreements on common development economic partnership with 38 African countries, and is also accelerating the upgrade negotiations of free trade agreements with South Korea, Switzerland, etc., sharing opportunities and common development with all countries.

The International Monetary Fund recently predicted that global trade growth in 2026 will slow from 5% in 2025 to 3.5%, and there are still many uncertain and unpredictable factors facing foreign trade development. However, China has strong innovation momentum, vibrant main entities, and a high level of openness; the basic foreign trade plate remains stable, and there is confidence and capability to maintain the good momentum of foreign trade development.

"With a ferry ticket, buy and take immediately, walk away on the spot"
Reporters: Wang Ke (王珂), Sun Haitian (孙海天)

[Scene] At the Xin Hai Port (新海港), the ship's whistle sounds, and the roll-on/roll-off ferry lowers its gangplank. Across the road, the silver roof of the Haikou International Duty-Free City (海口国际免税城) in Hainan reflects the sky and clouds.

Tourist Ms. Li (李女士) from Guangdong, having finished a self-drive tour around the island, parks her car in the duty-free city parking lot. She walks to the beauty and skincare counter, selects skincare products and perfume. "With a ferry ticket, buy and take immediately, walk away on the spot. Before, I would head straight to the dock when crossing the sea; now, the duty-free city is right next to the port, and I can buy affordable duty-free goods while staying," Ms. Li said.

Currently, the Hainan International Offshore Duty-Free Shopping Festival is being held. "Since the beginning of this year, we have successively introduced 12 first stores, covering categories such as jewelry, cultural and creative products, sports outdoors, and trendy apparel. As of the end of June, customer traffic increased by about 42% year-on-year," introduced Sun Huiyan (孙慧妍), sales manager of the duty-free city.

In the first half of the year, the special action to boost consumption was deeply implemented, promoting the continued expansion of market sales scale. Commodity retail has been upgraded in quality, service retail has developed towards excellence, new growth points for consumption are constantly being cultivated, and new business formats and models continue to activate development momentum.

In the first half of the year, the total retail sales of consumer goods and services increased by 2.7% year-on-year, of which service retail sales increased by 5.3%, with a growth rate 4.2 percentage points higher than that of commodity retail sales.

An official from the Department of Consumption Promotion of the Ministry of Commerce (商务部消费促进司) stated that from the overall structure, the consumer market has entered a development stage that equally emphasizes "goods + services." In recent years, with the continuous improvement of Chinese residents' living standards, the consumer market has moved from being dominated by commodity consumption to a stage that equally emphasizes commodity consumption and service consumption. Service consumption growing faster than commodity consumption not only conforms to the actual situation of China's current economic and social development, but also reflects the continuous optimization of residents' consumption structure and the increasing improvement of residents' living needs.

Looking at commodity consumption: the consumer market continues to expand, upgrade, and is highly resilient.

Against a high base from the same period last year, the total retail sales of consumer goods in the first half of the year increased by 1.3%. Among the 16 categories of commodities from units above designated size, 10 categories maintained growth, of which 7 categories had growth rates above 5%. Commodity consumption is generally stable with a good fundamental situation, showing a further trend of stabilizing and improving. Service retail has seen good growth, with information services and cultural tourism service retail continuing to expand and develop.

An official from the Department of Consumption Promotion of the Ministry of Commerce stated that from the development prospects, the role of consumption as the primary driver of economic development will continue to consolidate. In the first half of the year, final consumption expenditure drove GDP growth by 2.1 percentage points, continuing to play the role of the primary driver of economic growth. With technological iteration and upgrading and better matching of supply and demand, more new products will enter the consumer market, meeting the people's needs for a better life while bringing new consumption increments. China's county-level market, as well as consumption groups such as the silver-haired, youth, and infants, are huge in size, with obvious trends in consumption demand upgrading, presenting broad prospects for consumption growth.

"Striving for the goal of 1 million hours of high-quality data"
Reporters: Liu Zhiqiang (刘志强), Wang Haonan (王昊男)

[Scene] Entering the Embodied Intelligent Robot Data and Training Base of the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center in Yizhuang (亦庄), Beijing, it feels like entering a special world. In a space of nearly 5,000 square meters, over 30 typical scenarios in six fields — home, retail, office, industry, medicine, and healthcare — have been carefully built, along with a professional optical motion capture area of about 200 square meters.

"For humanoid robots to truly enter thousands of industries and households, massive amounts of high-quality real-machine data are indispensable," introduced Xia Hualin (夏华林), director of the base. The base has over 120 robots with rich configurations. "Robots with different configurations can collect data in parallel, producing high-quality data at scale." Since the base began operations over a year ago, it has delivered nearly 20,000 hours of high-quality data externally, with the overall data pass rate consistently above 95%. "We are striving with full effort for the goal of 1 million hours of high-quality data," Xia said.

Integrated circuits and industrial robot production have grown steadily, humanoid robots have started mass production and delivery, multiple types of commercial aerospace rockets have been successfully launched... Since the beginning of this year, with the growth and expansion of emerging industries, new quality productive forces have accelerated their development, and the growth rate of investment in high-tech industries has picked up: in the first half of the year, it increased by 4.6% year-on-year, driving total investment growth by 0.5 percentage points.

Looking at high-tech manufacturing, investment in the first half of the year grew by 3.2%, higher than the overall manufacturing investment growth rate; its added value increased by 13.3%, also significantly faster than the overall growth rate of industries above designated size. Looking at sub-sectors, investment in the electronic circuit manufacturing industry grew by 55.6% in the first half of the year, and investment in the lithium-ion battery manufacturing industry grew by 24.4%. In the view of Du Yue (杜月), a researcher at the Macroeconomic Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission (国家发展改革委宏观经济研究院), this reflects that the structural changes in investment are mutually corroborating with the operational trends of the industry, and the trend of investment gathering towards "new" directions has realistic industrial base and market demand support.

Notably, investment in high-tech service industries grew by 7.5% year-on-year in the first half of the year, 0.6 percentage points faster than from January to May. The rapid development of frontier fields such as artificial intelligence drove investment in the information service industry to grow by 15.5%, 1.7 percentage points faster than from January to May; investment in the R&D and design service industry grew by 6.1%, 4.2 percentage points faster. Industrial upgrading is not only manifested in more advanced equipment and higher technological content of products, but also in increased input of productive services such as knowledge, data, and R&D; the integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation has become closer, and the trend of integrated development of manufacturing and service industries has further emerged.

Next, how can investment in high-tech industries maintain high prosperity?

Du Yue suggested: first, improve the construction of new infrastructure, accelerate the construction of the "six networks," make up for shortcomings in common capabilities such as computing power networks, data circulation, industrial internet, and pilot testing, and reduce the cost of new technology R&D and large-scale application; second, promote high-tech investment to extend along the industrial chain, paying attention not only to end products but also to strengthening supporting components such as core parts, basic software, and professional technical services; third, use demand and scenarios to guide investment, expanding the application of new technologies such as artificial intelligence in various industries and scenarios.

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Consolidate the foundation of stability, accumulate momentum for progress

By: 吴 燕

This year marks the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan (十五五), and China's economy has shown a development trend of momentum turning new and structure turning superior, demonstrating strong resilience and vitality.

Agriculture is stable. Summer grain output has broken the 300 billion jin mark for the first time, and the vegetable basket (菜篮子) is rich and varied with ample supply. The chassis is stable and confidence is sufficient; autumn grain production is being advanced in a tight sequence, 全力以赴 (quán lì yǐ fù - "use all one's strength," spare no effort) to lay a solid foundation for a bountiful harvest.

Industry is strong. The share of manufacturing has risen steadily, corporate profits and expectations have improved, equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing have shown good growth trends, and new industries, new products, and new demands are building development advantages.

Foreign trade is booming. In the first half of the year, the scale of China's goods trade imports and exports exceeded 25 trillion yuan for the first time in the same historical period. Made-in-China precisely adapts to global demand, and the Chinese market is open to good products from around the world.

Consumption is active. Service consumption has good growth momentum, commodity consumption has better quality, new growth points are continuously cultivated, and the total retail sales of consumer goods and services increased by 2.7% year-on-year, with the potential of the ultra-large market continuously being released.

Momentum is sufficient. Investment in emerging fields continues to "increase momentum," with investment in high-tech industries growing 4.6% year-on-year in the first half of the year, and corporate investment increasingly tilting toward innovation links.

In the first half of the year, China's economy delivered a report card of "stability," "resilience," "newness," and "superiority," laying a good foundation for achieving the main expected targets for the whole year, especially the realization of the growth target.

Consolidate the foundation of stability, accumulate momentum for progress. To do a good job in economic work in the second half of the year, enhance development momentum, stimulate social vitality, promote the economy to continuously develop toward new, superior, and good, and strive to achieve a good start to the 15th Five-Year Plan, we have the assurance, the confidence, and the capability.

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本版责编：吕钟正 吴 凯 韩文榕

Layout design: Cai Huawei (蔡华伟)

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Regulate Platform Operations According to Law, Protect Consumers' Legal Rights and Interests (Rule of Law Focus)

By: 本报记者 魏哲哲

In recent years, new business forms such as livestream e-commerce, short-video operations, and platform agency operations have developed rapidly, but prominent problems have also emerged, including blurred boundaries of subject rights and responsibilities, inadequate adaptation of competition rules, insufficient clarity in guidance for lawful business operations, and a lack of protection for virtual property. These problems not only harm the legitimate rights and interests of consumers but also affect the order of the market economy.

In response to hot topics of social concern, the Supreme People's Court on August 3 released five typical cases, covering multiple scenarios such as livestream e-commerce, lawful platform operations, and maintenance of market competition order, collectively reflecting the clear stance of the people's courts in lawfully regulating platform operations and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of consumers.

When goods sold via livestream have quality problems, who is the primary responsible person?

In online consumption, livestream promoters often promise to provide full compensation for products, but when consumers seek to enforce their rights, they encounter 推诿扯皮 (tuī wěi chě pí - "shift blame and wrangle," to pass the buck and argue).

Through the recommendation of a livestream room operated by a certain shopping company, Zhou purchased a bottle of face cream from a store run by a certain trading company, paying a purchase price of 1,859 yuan. During the livestream, the anchor of the shopping company promised: "If there is any problem, we will compensate to the end; if it is fake, we will pay four times the cash," and claimed that the product was genuine from the counter, had complete qualifications, and was traceable.

After receiving the goods, Zhou compared them and found discrepancies. A professional appraisal institution determined that the product was not genuine, and Zhou incurred an appraisal fee of 500 yuan. After negotiations, although the trading company confirmed compensation, it did not fulfill it afterwards. Zhou accordingly filed a lawsuit, requesting that the trading company and the shopping company bear liability for compensation, and that a certain network technology company operating a certain platform bear joint and several liability for the above amounts.

"The seller in the sales contract is the trading company, which should bear the legal liability of the seller." The People's Court of Liandu District, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province held after trial that the seller is the primary responsible person for product quality and compensation for breach of contract. The livestream promoter made promises of after-sale full compensation and four-times compensation for fakes. Zhou purchased the goods through the livestream link based on trust in those promises, so the shopping company should bear joint and several liability in accordance with the contract.

Then, should the platform bear liability? The court held that the platform did not participate in the transaction, did not make any promises, and had already fulfilled the obligations of a network transaction platform provider as stipulated by law, including qualification review, information disclosure, and truthful notification. According to the Consumer Protection Law, only if the network transaction platform provider cannot provide the merchant's relevant information can the consumer demand compensation from the platform provider.

Ultimately, the court ordered the trading company to pay Zhou 7,936 yuan, with the shopping company bearing joint and several liability for the above amount, and dismissed Zhou's other claims.

The deposit for a network transaction platform is funds used to compensate consumers when operators on the platform fail to fulfill their obligations to protect consumer rights. However, in some e-commerce platforms, the deposit system has become a mere formality. After merchants on the platform drain their accounts, consumers have no recourse for refunds.

Fang Moumou placed an order for a laundry cabinet from a merchant on a certain e-commerce platform. After returning the goods, the merchant signed for the return but long delayed the refund. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to demand payment, Fang sued in court. Investigation revealed that the merchant had a huge scale of operating revenue, but the platform only set a minimum basic deposit of 1,000 yuan, did not dynamically increase the deposit based on the merchant's transaction volume or complaint records, allowed the merchant to withdraw all funds and drain the store account, and the deposit account had no funds available for compensation, making it impossible for the consumer's refund request to be fulfilled through the platform's deposit channel.

The court determined that the e-commerce platform failed to take the "necessary measures" required by the E-Commerce Law and failed to fulfill its necessary supervisory obligations. It ordered the merchant to refund the purchase price and pay overdue interest, and held the e-commerce platform jointly and severally liable for all debts. After bearing joint and several liability, the platform has the right to seek recourse from the merchant.

When an anchor promotes one product while disparaging another, is it legitimate commercial commentary or commercial defamation?

In online consumption, many people encounter anchors comparing or commenting on other brands' products. How should such comparisons and comments be viewed?

In one typical case, a certain Youxuan (Beijing) company, while promoting liquor via livestream, had its anchor comment on a liquor product of a certain Chongqing liquor company. The comments included: "The current national liquor standard requires that it must be brewed... Liquor with added edible alcohol can no longer be called liquor in our country; they are called flavoring liquors. If you look at the packaging of a certain liquor now, it does not have the word 'liquor' on it, because it is not allowed... As long as edible alcohol appears in the ingredient list, it is not allowed to be called liquor..." and similar content.

The Chongqing liquor company believed that the above remarks misled consumers into thinking that the liquor product was not pure grain-brewed, harming its commercial reputation and product goodwill, and constituting commercial defamation. It therefore filed a lawsuit, requesting compensation for losses.

The court held after trial that operators and their anchors bear a higher standard of duty of care for their comments, ensuring that comments are truthful, objective, and comprehensive. "Impromptu performance" in real-time interactive scenarios does not constitute a ground for exemption from liability. "In this case, through selective presentation and improper association, the anchor's comments as a whole were sufficient to lead consumers to misunderstand that the liquor brand's product did not meet liquor standards and was not pure grain-brewed, exceeding the boundaries of legitimate commercial speech and constituting misleading information regulated by law." The court determined that the Youxuan (Beijing) company constituted commercial defamation and ordered it to compensate the Chongqing liquor company for economic losses and reasonable expenses totaling 300,000 yuan.

Truthful transactions, truthful evaluations, and truthful traffic are the basic compliance boundaries for platform agency operations.

In another typical case, a certain agency operator signed a cooperation agreement with a certain platform to provide services such as store托管 (custody/management), marketing planning, etc., for merchants on the platform, and paid a deposit of 50,000 yuan. During the cooperation period, the agency operator helped merchants fabricate transactions and boost rankings by organizing fake group purchases and other means. The market regulatory authority determined this constituted false commercial publicity, ordered the operator to cease and correct the illegal acts, and imposed a fine of 100,000 yuan. The platform, in accordance with the agreement and the service provider code of conduct, deducted the entire deposit. The agency operator argued that the relevant clauses had not been sufficiently explained and highlighted, and therefore sued the platform for return of the 50,000 yuan deposit plus interest and attorney fees.

The People's Court of Yangpu District, Shanghai held after trial that although the relevant诚信 (integrity) rules and deposit deduction clauses were standard terms, the platform had made prominent indications, and the content of the clauses was fair and reasonable, so they should be deemed lawful and valid. The agency operator's conduct constituted a serious violation as stipulated in the agreement, harming the platform's credit evaluation system, consumers' right to know, and the fair competition opportunities of honest merchants. Considering the nature of the breach, the degree of fault, and the extent of damage to the platform's goodwill, deducting the 50,000 yuan deposit was not obviously excessive or manifestly unfair. The court ruled to dismiss all of the agency operator's claims.

If the seller fails to disclose that a video account's core functions are restricted, can the buyer rescind the contract?

With the vigorous development of the traffic economy and platform economy, the economic value of network platform accounts has become increasingly prominent. They are network virtual property protected by law. At the same time, the high-yield, low-cost operation model has also spawned an industry chain of profiting from buying and selling platform accounts, and related disputes 层出不穷 (céng chū bù qióng - "layer upon layer emerge without end," occurring frequently).

Wang Mou signed a contract with a certain company in Wuhan, Hubei, stipulating: the Wuhan company would transfer the right to use a certain video account to Wang for 110,000 yuan; the account had 2.84 million followers and 41 million total likes; regarding any violations, the status was "rating recovery"; the Wuhan company guaranteed that it had fully disclosed all actual circumstances of the account.

After the contract was signed, the parties completed the account binding changeover in a WeChat group in accordance with the rules of the video platform. Wang paid the transfer fee of 110,000 yuan to the Wuhan company. Later, Wang consulted the platform's customer service and learned that the account had been penalized by the platform for posting content that violated rules, resulting in the account being unsearchable and unable to use the DOU+ function. Wang then sued in court, requesting rescission of the contract and return of the transfer fee.

The People's Court of Hongshan District, Wuhan City, Hubei Province held after trial that the seller bears warranty liability against quality defects to the buyer in accordance with law, and must deliver the subject matter in accordance with the agreed quality requirements. If the subject matter does not meet the quality requirements, making it impossible to achieve the purpose of the contract, the buyer may rescind the contract.

In this case, Wang and the Wuhan company had a sales contract relationship. Wang had performed the obligation to pay the transfer fee in accordance with the contract. The Wuhan company should have delivered a video account with normal usage functions. Wang spent 110,000 yuan to acquire the right to use the video account for the purpose of commercial operation. However, the account's restrictions directly weakened its ability to obtain traffic and realize commercial value, and it did not have complete usage functions, making it impossible to achieve Wang's contractual purpose. Therefore, Wang had the right to demand rescission of the contract, and the Wuhan company should return the transfer fee of 110,000 yuan.

The Supreme People's Court reminds that in platform account transfer transactions, the seller has the obligation to truthfully inform the buyer of important information affecting the account's usage effectiveness and commercial value. If the seller conceals major defects such as the account being unsearchable or unable to use promotional functions, causing the buyer's contractual purpose of commercial operation to be frustrated, this constitutes a fundamental breach of contract, and the buyer has the right to rescind the contract and demand return of the full price.

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Parking fees should not be rounded up!

By: ​本报记者 王崟欣

“Entering for 61 minutes, need to pay 30 yuan.” In a shopping mall parking lot in Shanghai, Mr. Shang and his family finished their meal and immediately rushed to the parking lot. “61 minutes counts as two hours, I hurried and scurried, but still was one minute slow!” Mr. Shang said.

A car parked for just one extra minute, yet had to pay an extra half hour or even one hour of parking fees… This kind of “rounding up” charging method once left many car owners helpless.

In June of this year, the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission (上海市发展改革委), together with the transportation, finance, public security traffic management and other departments, issued the “Shanghai Road Parking Fee Policy Optimization Plan (Draft for Comments)” (上海市道路停车收费政策优化方案（征求意见稿）), to optimize the current road parking fee policy, and solicited public opinions.

One major change in the plan is the refinement of the parking billing unit—for road parking lots, the billing unit for smart road parking lots is uniformly adjusted to 15 minutes; for manually charged road parking lots, 30 minutes is used as a billing unit.

In addition, the plan sets a “parking fee” deductible line, clarifying that vehicles parked in Shanghai road parking lots (within the same road section) for a duration of 15 minutes (inclusive) or less are free; if exceeding 15 minutes, billing starts from the beginning of the parking time; a single vehicle can enjoy 2 short-term free parking sessions per day within the city.

Feng Suwei (冯苏苇), Vice Dean of the School of Public Economics and Administration at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (上海财经大学公共管理学院), said, “This solicitation of opinions is a precise response to the long-standing demands of the public. Parking fee reform is linked on one side to citizens’ daily expenses, and on the other side to the allocation of urban road resources. How to find the optimal solution among the three aspects of benefiting the people with convenience, parking space turnover, and regional differentiated management requires further refinement of the details by all sectors of society.”

“The combination of 2 daily short-term free parking sessions and long-term tiered price increases in the inner ring can balance convenience for the people and parking space turnover efficiency, fitting the current situation of tight parking spaces in Shanghai’s inner ring, and avoiding long-term occupation of public resources caused by unlimited free parking.” Feng Suwei said.

Not only Shanghai, the reporter found that some public parking lots in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, have begun to implement precise billing by the minute, with less than one minute counted as one minute, 15 minutes free parking, and a daily cap of 6 hours of charging. At the same time, some vegetable markets and medical institutions have set up 20-minute green free parking spaces; Chongqing, Xi’an in Shaanxi, and other places have set up 15–30 minute free temporary parking dedicated spaces, relying on physical markings to prevent malicious occupation.

Feng Suwei said that unlike the past “one-size-fits-all” parking pricing model, with the adjustment of the charging plan, parking fees are expected to achieve “pay for what you use” like water, electricity, and gas, which is a beneficial exploration of refined governance in megacities. At the same time, she also said that the plan launched by Shanghai still has room for optimization: first, add exclusive additional free quotas for hospitals, government service halls, etc.; second, add functions such as duration warnings and real-time display of remaining free times in the parking mini-program; third, connect the charging rules of municipal roadside and commercial parking lots, encourage commercial districts to implement short-term people-benefiting policies, to better serve and benefit the people.

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Five Ministries Launch Special Campaign to Rectify Chaos in Marriage Agencies

Beijing, August 3 (People's Daily) — (Reporter Wu Chuqi (吴储岐)) The Ministry of Civil Affairs, together with the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security, and the State Administration for Market Regulation, recently held a televised telephone conference on the work deployment and mobilization for the special action to rectify chaos in marriage agency institutions, comprehensively deploying and launching the special rectification action.

Previously, on July 28, the five departments jointly issued the "Work Plan for the Special Action to Rectify Chaos in Marriage Agency Institutions." This special action focuses on seven categories of key issues: violations in registration services, false marketing, fraud by "marriage brokers" (婚托), violations in contract signing, chaotic fee management, key information review becoming a mere formality, and leakage and misuse of personal information. It will run from July 2026 to February 2027.

In recent years, the marriage agency service market has developed rapidly, playing a certain positive role in meeting the public's marriage and dating needs. However, various types of illegal and non-compliant problems have frequently occurred in the marriage agency field, with issues such as fraud by "marriage brokers," false advertising, and difficulties in refunds and rights protection being prominent, eliciting strong public reactions and high social concern.

The meeting demanded that all localities accurately investigate and ascertain the baseline, establish problem ledgers; accurately classify and implement policies, 因地制宜 (yīn dì zhì yí - "adapt measures to local conditions," take measures tailored to local conditions) and put forward specific measures; accurately grasp the scale, distinguish different situations of marriage agency institutions and handle them prudently. It is necessary to strengthen publicity and guidance, smooth channels for complaints and reports, intensively expose typical cases to form deterrence, while also focusing on positive guidance, publicizing a number of typical cases that operate in compliance with the law and with standardized services.

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Clarifying the Approval and Prosecution Procedures for Serious Violent Crimes Committed by Minors Under the Age of Criminal Responsibility

Beijing, August 3 (People's Daily) — (Reporter Ni Yi (倪弋)) Recently, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (最高人民检察院) and the Ministry of Public Security (公安部) jointly issued the "Provisions on Several Issues Concerning the Handling of Cases of Approval for Prosecution of Serious Violent Crimes Committed by Minors Who Have Reached the Age of 12 but Not Yet 14" (《关于办理已满十二周岁不满十四周岁未成年人严重暴力犯罪核准追诉案件若干问题的规定》) (hereinafter referred to as the "Provisions").

The Provisions consist of 15 articles, further clarifying the legal application standards for cases of approval for prosecution of serious violent crimes committed by minors who have reached the age of 12 but not yet 14, focusing on making detailed provisions on practical issues such as the scope of cases, the criteria for determining "heinous circumstances" (情节恶劣), and the procedures for approval for prosecution, emphasizing that the criminal policy of combining leniency with severity (宽严相济刑事政策) should be fully and accurately implemented, adhering to the principle that prevention is protection and punishment is also redemption, and for those who meet the conditions for approval for prosecution, approval for prosecution shall be granted according to law and criminal liability shall be pursued.

The Amendment (XI) to the Criminal Law (刑法修正案（十一）), which came into effect on March 1, 2021, stipulates that a person who has reached the age of 12 but not yet 14, who commits the crimes of intentional homicide or intentional injury, causing death or causing severe injury resulting in serious disability by particularly cruel means, under heinous circumstances, and with approval for prosecution by the Supreme People's Procuratorate, shall bear criminal liability. In response to the controversy in judicial practice over whether "commits the crimes of intentional homicide or intentional injury" refers to specific charges or criminal acts, the Provisions further clarify it as "committing acts of intentional homicide or intentional injury," preventing the inability to pursue liability for serious violent crimes due to obstacles in charge determination, thereby achieving precise implementation of the criminal policy of combining leniency with severity.

At the same time, the Provisions address the practical concern of whether compulsory measures can be taken before approval for prosecution. It adds age review, review of necessity of detention, as well as matters that the procuratorial organs need to ascertain, such as the suspect's growth experience, family situation, personality traits, social interactions, cause of crime, post-crime behavior, guardianship and education, and the opinions of the victim's family. It clarifies that the procuratorate shall interrogate the criminal suspect when handling such cases.

A relevant official from the Legal Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security (公安部法制局) introduced that the Provisions further clarify the procedural norms for approval for prosecution of serious violent crimes by low-age minors. Cases for which public security organs request approval for prosecution shall be accepted by the procuratorate at the same level and reported level by level to the Supreme People's Procuratorate for review and decision, providing institutional guidance for lawfully combating major vicious cases involving minors.

A relevant official from the Procuratorial Department for Minors of the Supreme People's Procuratorate (最高人民检察院未成年人检察厅) stated that lawfully approving prosecution for serious violent crimes committed by low-age minors fully demonstrates that "age is not a get-out-of-jail-free card." Procuratorial organs must strictly follow the law, earnestly implement the requirements of the Provisions, both lawfully punish serious violent crimes and fully protect the legitimate rights and interests of minors, further strengthen the prevention and governance of juvenile delinquency, and comprehensively improve the quality and effectiveness of procuratorial work concerning minors.

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Welcoming the Sun to the Motherland First Each Day

By: 本报记者 雷 声摄影报道

The first light of dawn faintly appears; at Heixiazi Island (黑瞎子岛) in Jiamusi City, Heilongjiang, the easternmost point of the motherland's land territory, officers and soldiers of the Dongji Outpost (东极哨所) stand in formation solemnly, welcoming the first ray of sunlight leaping out from the river surface.

Here, every day the sun is first welcomed into the motherland. The Dongji Outpost holds an important geographical position and a glorious mission. The officers and soldiers of a certain brigade of the Northern Theater Command Ground Force stationed here take root at the border, make contributions at the border, and dedicate themselves to the border. They measure the national territory with their footsteps, train strong command ability, train good combat skills, train tough combat style, and build a 坚不可摧 (jiān bù kě cuī - "firm and indestructible") steel border pass at the motherland's easternmost point.

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19th Hong Kong Youth Military Summer Camp and 13th Hong Kong University Students Military Life Experience Camp Open

Hong Kong, August 3 (People's Daily) — (Reporter Chen Ran (陈然)) On the afternoon of August 3, the opening ceremony of the 19th Hong Kong Youth Military Summer Camp (第十九届香港青少年军事夏令营) and the 13th Hong Kong University Students Military Life Experience Camp (第十三届香港大学生军事生活体验营) was held at the San Wai Barracks (新围军营) of the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison (中国人民解放军驻香港部队). Approximately 500 young students from Hong Kong entered the camp.

Relevant leaders from the Hong Kong Qunli Resources Centre (香港群力资源中心), the Hong Kong Youth Army Corps (香港青少年军总会), the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (香港特区政府教育局), the Education and Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong (中央政府驻港联络办教育和青年部), and the Hong Kong Garrison attended the opening ceremony.

This year's military summer camp and military life experience camp are jointly held and organized simultaneously, and are scheduled to conclude on August 16. The students who have entered the camp will undergo 14 days of study, training, and living in the barracks. During the activities, the Hong Kong Garrison will focus on the themes of patriotism and national defense education, arranging a series of activities such as military training, educational lectures, visits and study tours, so that Hong Kong youth can deepen their understanding and knowledge of the country and the military through rich training and educational activities, cultivate a spirit of discipline and self-discipline, unity and cooperation, and hard work and endurance, and lay a solid quality foundation for serving Hong Kong and serving the country in the future.

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Nanning professional title reform emphasizes practical work evaluation orientation

Nanning, August 3 (Reporter Pang Geping (庞革平)) - Recently, the Nanning Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau of Guangxi issued the Notice on Doing a Good Job in the City-wide Professional Title Evaluation Work for 2026, fully launching the professional title evaluation work. This is a powerful measure that Nanning has continuously established a practical work evaluation orientation and tilted toward frontline grassroots talent.

Nanning will break down the tendency of only papers, only titles, only awards, only academic degrees, and will scientifically set quantitative evaluation indicators for the primary, intermediate, and senior levels of each series by category and level, reasonably reduce the weight of papers, and prominently highlight professional performance, frontline contributions, and practical operation ability. At the same time, it will implement the policy of "targeted evaluation, targeted use" (定向评价、定向使用) for grassroots talent, as well as the differentiated evaluation policy for talent in private enterprises. For professional and technical personnel in private enterprises, separate group evaluation and separate approval of pass rates will be implemented, and their technological innovations and patent achievements can replace papers for evaluation participation.

In 2026, Nanning's professional title application will be open to professional and technical personnel of the city's enterprises and institutions, social organizations, individual economic organizations, and freelancers. Personnel who meet the basic conditions and have completed continuing education can apply in accordance with regulations, further broadening the coverage of applications.

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本版责编：苏显龙 徐雷鹏 李佩阳

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"Film+" Business Models Ignite New Consumption Vitality (Decoding: New Observations on the Cultural Market)

By: 刘 阳 马泽祥

Headline Focus
This year, the National Film Administration and the Ministry of Commerce jointly launched the "movie+" (电影+) consumption comprehensive pilot work, and 16 cities were listed as "movie+" consumption comprehensive pilot cities. "Small ticket stubs" unlock multiple scenarios, stimulating industrial potential. Nowadays, new business forms such as "movie + tourism," "movie + food," "movie + market," and "movie + science popularization" have become important foundations for empowering economic and social development and cultivating a good ecology for film consumption.

Entering the summer season, a batch of high-quality films have been released one after another, driving audiences to use film as a link to feel the pulse of the times' development.

Scenic spots offer free admission, dining enjoys discounts, IP (intellectual property) images become "emotional sustenance"... For some time, "small ticket stubs" have unlocked multiple scenarios of "eating, lodging, travel, sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment." New business forms and new models continue to stimulate the potential of the film industry, promote the improvement of film content quality, and help the film industry consolidate confidence.

"Movie+" releases lasting industrial value.
This summer, domestic films such as Eight Immortals! (八仙！) are being screened to great popularity. Along with the films, the filming locations have also become popular.
"Look, there are the Eight Immortals on top of the gate!" A child's shout drew the attention of tourists. On the double-eaved ridge of the mountain gate of the Qingcheng Mountain Scenic Area in Sichuan, the colorful sculptures of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea are vivid and lifelike, starting this movie journey. Climbing the steps, in front of the Heavenly Master Cave, tourists stop one after another, gathering in front of a tree to take photos and check in. This ginkgo tree, nearly 1,900 years old, is the prototype of an ancient tree in the film.
Recently, the Qingcheng Mountain Scenic Area launched a themed check-in activity, deeply integrating the scenic area's culture with the story of the Eight Immortals. Multiple preferential activities and services have been introduced to stimulate new consumption vitality.
"We need to make this dish of popular films fragrant." In the view of Zhi Feina (支菲娜), a professor at the Chinese National Academy of Arts, behind "movie + tourism" is the driving force of the film industry on the economy.
Guizhou Province, relying on red films, has laid out "movie + tourism" and introduced a special film-tourism linkage policy. From July 1 to 16, the site of the Zunyi Conference received over 400,000 visitors. Inside the venue, technologies such as VR (virtual reality) and holographic imaging allow visitors to immersively understand the Long March.
The film Love Letter to Grandma (给阿嬷的情书) is being screened to great popularity, bringing popularity to places such as Zhongshan and Shantou in Guangdong. Multiple measures have promoted "movie + food" and "movie + intangible cultural heritage" to bear fruit. Rice cakes without filling, olives, beef hotpot... The "Zhongshan Cultural Tourism Ticket Stub Alliance" was launched, allowing citizens and tourists holding ticket stubs of Love Letter to Grandma to enjoy discounts at catering merchants. In addition, Shantou Cultural Tourism launched a call on social media platforms, inviting netizens to recommend and comment on Chaoshan specialty foods and intangible cultural heritage. In the comment section, some praised the sweetness of ginger and sweet potato soup, while others savored the rhythmic cadence of Yingge dance.
"While making popular films fragrant, we must also make classic films hot." Zhi Feina believes, "Many classic films are like rich mines that can be slowly excavated."
In the evening, in front of the Lushan Love Cinema in Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province, tourists line up in a long queue. Their goal is the same: they all want to watch the film Love on Lushan Mountain (庐山恋) on Lushan. The older generation comes here to recall their youth; young people, with curiosity, learn about past love through the light and shadow.
In February this year, the National Film Administration and the Ministry of Commerce jointly launched the "movie+" consumption comprehensive pilot work, and 16 cities were listed as "movie+" consumption comprehensive pilot cities. Nowadays, new business forms such as "movie + tourism," "movie + food," "movie + market," and "movie + science popularization" have become important foundations for empowering economic and social development and cultivating a good ecology for film consumption.
"Only when audiences develop a strong liking for the world on the screen will they hope to extend this experience into real life outside the screen." Wang Yilan (汪忆岚), deputy director of the Film Industry Research Department of the China Film Art Research Center, said, "Only on the basis of high-quality film content can 'movie+' be transformed into lasting industrial value."

Incubating IP, precipitating attention into consumption power.
"I have already watched Eight Immortals! five times." In a cinema in Chengdu, Sichuan, a young audience member dressed as the character Lü Dongbin from the film told the reporter that he had been watching since the preview screenings. "The film cleverly integrates traditional culture and interprets Chinese mythology from another angle."
Relying on the Eight Immortals! IP, the film's production side and partner teams have created derivative cultural and creative products in categories such as Shu brocade, stationery, daily necessities, and trendy toys. Ying Xujun (应旭珺), the film's chief producer and president of Oriental DreamWorks, stated that the team began IP exploration from the planning stage and followed the principle of "content pre-intervention, multi-category coverage, and multi-regional channel reach" in derivative development.
Walking into the cinema lobby, one sees eight fans engaged in cosplay, and many audience members are taking photos and interacting with them. "The headdress and magic props were all made by myself using 3D printing," said the fan playing He Xiangu. "I really like the character He Xiangu; her valiant and kind nature has given me a lot of courage."
When a film becomes an IP, its economic driving effect is obvious. In last year's summer season, the film Little Monster of Langlang Mountain (浪浪山小妖怪) broke out, achieving both box office and critical success while also developing over 800 derivative products. According to statistics, the Little Monster of Langlang Mountain IP drove terminal consumption of over 2.5 billion yuan.
"Film investment and production should shift to an ecological layout of 'movie + multiple business forms,' placing greater emphasis on long-term IP value and cross-domain linkage capabilities." Wang Jun (王隽), Party secretary and chairman of the Shanghai Film Group, introduced, "We initiated the 'full-chain development and operation' plan from the creation stage. Along with the film's release, we successively launch derivative products, precipitating attention into consumption power at the first opportunity."
Currently, the thinking of extending the film industry chain and integrating industrial development is tapping into the rich economic and social benefits behind films, providing vivid footnotes for decoding humanistic economics.

Diversified operations, opening new scenarios by prospering cinema culture.
"Goal! Goal!" At 3 a.m., cheers rose and fell in the screening hall. During this year's World Cup, the Wujiaochang store of Shanghai Wanda Cinema used high-specification laser equipment and surround sound to broadcast matches live, attracting many football fans to the cinema to watch.
In a corner of the cinema lobby, the Time Lane Art Store offers a full range of authentic film merchandise, trendy figurines, and more. Some fans first buy their favorite merchandise, then go to the other side of the lobby to participate in the "Photo Cube" interactive photo booth, leaving memories of their cinema visit.
"Our customer base has significantly broadened." Zhao Shuai (赵帅), manager of the Wanda Cinema Wujiaochang store, introduced that currently, the cinema's revenue structure is developing in a more diversified direction, with non-ticket revenue increasing by more than 40% compared to 2024.
Not long ago, the National Film Administration and the State Administration for Market Regulation jointly issued the Notice on Promoting Diversified Operations of Cinemas and Prospering the Development of Cinema Culture, supporting cinemas to introduce business forms such as film-themed cultural and creative markets, create super cultural spaces, and encourage cinemas to carry out technological upgrades and renovations to improve projection quality.
On the northern extension line of Beijing's central axis, the Beijing China Film International Cinema Tiantian Zhongying store, with 15 screening halls and 3 CINITY LED screens, has attracted many citizens and tourists.
"Many audiences come specifically for the equipment, especially when visual effects blockbusters are released; good screens bring a significant increase in box office revenue." Wu Ying (吴莹), manager of the China Film International Cinema Tiantian Zhongying store, said.
"Currently, the state provides policy support for cinema equipment updates, which can promote the upgrade of high-end projection equipment in cinemas, inviting audiences into cinemas with a better viewing environment." Wang Yilan observed that many domestic cinemas have outdated equipment and urgently need to be renewed and start anew.
"Cinemas are developing into comprehensive cultural experience spaces that integrate viewing, socializing, entertainment, and consumption." Wu Ying said, "Diversified operations encourage all kinds of possibilities, creating a scenario that generates strong stickiness with audiences."

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Calling Large Models: Cost-Effective and Convenient

By: 本报记者 姚雪青

Opening the "Wuxi Artificial Intelligence Industry Service Platform" (无锡市人工智能产业服务平台), entering the "Token Supermarket" (词元超市) on the homepage, Li Tao (李涛), software department head of Jiangsu Xiweisi Security Technology Co., Ltd. (江苏西维斯安防科技有限公司), logs into his account to check usage and balance.

The enterprise where Li Tao works is engaged in intelligent security, with its main business being software development. "Since last year, 85% of software development has been handed over to artificial intelligence for completion," Li Tao said. In the process, it is necessary to purchase tokens from various large-model platforms, billed by traffic volume.

At the beginning, the required tokens were not many, and the cost was almost negligible; as the demand for computing power rapidly increased later, the monthly expenses also grew. Li Tao said that each type of large model has different performance and uses. Enterprises not only face rising costs but also need to manage and maintain multiple accounts, switching between different models.

In May this year, Wuxi's city-level "Token Supermarket" went online and began operations. That same day, Li Tao came to "browse the supermarket." He saw that more than 20 mainstream large models on the market were lined up on the "shelves," and all those commonly used by enterprises could be found. In terms of pricing, because the platform conducts centralized procurement, most were at "group purchase prices." More convenient was that by registering just one account, different large models could be called upon at any time.

The enterprise immediately decided to register and top up in the "Token Supermarket." Li Tao did the math: the enterprise tops up 20,000 yuan per month, and more than 30 engineers can use 4 billion to 5 billion tokens; the included "concurrency" benefit package supports more than 30 employees working efficiently at the same time — R&D costs have been reduced by nearly 30%, software development has been compressed from two weeks to within one week, and efficiency has increased by 50%.

Why was this "Token Supermarket" operated, and what other features does it have?

Zhu Yiqing (朱依青), deputy general manager of the operator of the "Token Supermarket" — Wuxi Digital New Infrastructure Co., Ltd. (无锡市数字新基建有限公司), introduced that currently, token call volume is growing rapidly, but using artificial intelligence still faces problems such as high costs, cumbersome multi-model account management, and difficult cost accounting. Developing the "Token Supermarket" can provide a "one-stop purchasing platform," and it has already served more than 50 enterprises.

Among the customers of the "Token Supermarket," there are those like Li Tao's enterprise that purchase tokens to assist with office work, and there are also many that purchase tokens as "bulk raw materials" for "deep processing."

Touch (Wuxi) Technology Co., Ltd. (触感（无锡）科技有限公司) is a startup that develops AI comic production tools. "The company was established in August last year, and the self-developed one-stop comic production system, which took more than half a year, entered the test production phase in May this year," said General Manager Wei Jianfei (魏剑飞). The enterprise purchases a large number of tokens at a high cost, and in the startup phase, the enterprise's working capital pressure is not small.

Zhu Yiqing told reporters that the "Token Supermarket" can also connect to financial services, and financial products will be integrated into the "Token Supermarket" payment channel.

It is worth mentioning that currently, the staff of the "Token Supermarket" are "decorating rooms," and in addition to the "Brand Zone," they are also adding a "Local Specialty Zone." Zhu Yiqing introduced that Wuxi's computing power industry is developing rapidly, with 19 intelligent computing centers already built, most of which produce and sell computing power on the spot. The tokens generated by the intelligent computing centers are listed on the "Token Supermarket," providing cost-effective products, giving users more choices, supporting the computing power industry, and serving small and medium-sized enterprises.

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Photo Report

In Chuzhou, Anhui, Langya Mountain is the location of the Drunkard's Pavilion described by Ouyang Xiu. Relying on Langya Mountain's rich historical, humanistic, and ecological landscape resources, Chuzhou has created a new cultural tourism format of "sightseeing by day, strolling markets by night," activating a new engine for summer cultural tourism consumption. The photo shows citizens and tourists watching a performance at the east gate of Chuzhou Langya Mountain National Forest Park.
Photo by Ji Chengjun (计成军) (Xinhua News Agency)

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Tianjin enacts legislation to advance Great Wall protection

Our newspaper, Tianjin, August 3 (Reporter Jin Bo (靳博)) — The Regulations of Tianjin Municipality on the Protection of the Great Wall (《天津市长城保护条例》) were recently reviewed and approved, and will take effect from September 1 this year.

The Great Wall within the administrative area of Tianjin Municipality totals 7 major sections and 176 minor sections, all located in Xiaying Town (下营镇), Jizhou District (蓟州区). The regulations stipulate that the people's governments of Tianjin Municipality and Jizhou District shall strengthen leadership over Great Wall protection work, incorporate the Great Wall protection undertaking into the national economic and social development plan at the corresponding level, incorporate Great Wall protection funds into the budget at the corresponding level, establish and improve work coordination and linkage mechanisms, and coordinate to resolve major issues; stipulate that the town people's government where the Great Wall is located shall, in accordance with the law, do a good job of Great Wall protection work within its jurisdiction. At the same time, the regulations clarify that the people's governments of other districts shall do a good job of the work related to Great Wall protection.

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Shanxi issues guidelines to improve systematic cultural relic protection

Our newspaper Taiyuan, August 3 (Reporter Zheng Yangyang (郑洋洋)) The Implementation Opinions on Systematic Protection of Cultural Relics in Shanxi Province were recently issued, clarifying that by 2030, major dangers at national key cultural relics protection units and provincial-level cultural relics protection units within the province will be completely eliminated, the preservation status of the province's cultural relics resources will be significantly improved, and the systematic protection system for cultural relics will be further perfected; by 2035, the elimination rate of major dangers at city-level (with districts) and county-level cultural relics protection units and unrated immovable cultural relics will reach 100%, the standardized operation of preventive protection of cultural relics will be achieved, and the grand pattern of cultural relics protection will be basically formed. In addition, Shanxi Province has consolidated the foundation of guarantees from aspects such as rule of law, planning, funding, talent, and publicity. Relying on the results of the fourth national survey of cultural relics in Shanxi Province, it will establish a general catalog and big database of immovable cultural relics resources for the entire province, and gradually build a cultural relics resource management system that combines comprehensive general survey, special investigations, spatial control, and dynamic monitoring, providing an important basis for achieving systematic protection and unified supervision and inspection of cultural heritage. It will coordinate and advance the protection of the cultural relics resources themselves and the overall protection of the surrounding environment, cultural space, and cultural corridors, striving to build a three-dimensional protection system combining “point-line-area.”

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Travel through millennia, listen to a concert among ancient ruins (Shaping tourism with culture, promoting culture through tourism)

By: 本报记者 尚嵘峥

The low-hanging sun casts a golden glow over the desolate ruins of the Jiaohe Ancient City (交河故城) in Turpan, Xinjiang, as if transporting the viewer back to an evening more than two thousand years ago.

“Following the chime of time, step into this Jiaohe city that has slumbered for a thousand years…” Inside the Great Buddha Temple, a figure walks slowly forward. As his narration unfolds, the audience seems to travel back in time to the Silk Road, where camel bells once rang.

With the starry sky as a curtain and the ancient ruins as a stage, the “Night of Jiaohe” (交河之夜) live-scenery concert is underway.

Dots of lamplight set the atmosphere, and digital projections enhance the experience. The local instrument, the satar, rings out with a bright timbre, its notes drifting on the wind. The flute, ruan, hand drum, and xiao play either ethereal solos or accompany one another in harmony. Accompanied by the melodious and graceful music, the twilight shifts from a deep orange to a profound blue, then blends into an impenetrable black.

“Gazing up at the sky of history, the stars twinkle like flickering lanterns, like the light of a two-thousand-year dream.” The audience picks up candle-lanterns and offers blessings. On both sides of the path, poems are projected onto the residential houses, workshops, and battlements. After the performance ends, visitors walk out of the Great Buddha Temple, enjoying the light-and-shadow poetry show along the way, as if once again passing through a tunnel of time and returning to the present.

The Jiaohe Ancient City is an ancient architectural city built of raw earth. In 2014, as an important component of the “Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor (丝绸之路：长安—天山廊道的路网),” it was inscribed on the World Heritage List. “Developing the Jiaohe Ancient City night tour project serves, on the one hand, to promote the revitalization and utilization of cultural relics and historic sites, and on the other hand, to adapt to Turpan’s summer climate characteristics,” explained Wang Jiandong (王建东), director of the Jiaohe Ancient City Cultural Relics Management Office under the Turpan Municipal Cultural Relics Bureau. Turpan experiences temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius or above for more than 100 days each year, and extreme summer highs can exceed 50 degrees Celsius. The Jiaohe Ancient City sits on a willow-leaf-shaped terrace about 30 meters high, with no tree cover. The intense daytime heat and dryness “dissuade” some tourists, while nighttime temperatures drop somewhat.

“The key to revitalization and utilization lies in ‘activation’—making cultural relics and historic sites ‘move,’ transforming static display into organic interaction,” Wang Jiandong said. The team drew inspiration from the historical changes of the Jiaohe Ancient City and conceived the idea of creating a nighttime live-scenery concert.

“The lamplight is dim, strings drift in from the depths of the Western Regions, and the ruined walls whisper a thousand years of tenderness, giving the audience immense room for imagination—truly an aesthetic enjoyment.” One visitor’s comment struck a chord with the project team of the “Night of Jiaohe” live-scenery concert.

“This is exactly the sense of immersion, time travel, and historical depth we want to bring to visitors,” said Su Hua (苏华), the project’s operations director. The team does not simply “add more elements” but instead focuses on cultural flavor and narrative sense, centering on the cultural relics, historic sites, and the desert landscape. “The program adopts a progressive structure: it begins with the melodious sound of the flute, and as visitors listen to folk music and recitations, they gradually become immersed in the historical setting,” Su Hua explained. During the performance, the lights do not shine directly on the performers, in order to create a hazy feeling within the river of history and let the audience focus on the music itself.

The candle-lanterns used in the performance are not real candles but electric lights with a realistic effect. “The prerequisite for revitalization and utilization is to ensure protection,” Wang Jiandong said. Regarding the lighting system, the performance makes extensive use of solar-powered lamps to avoid burying wires and disturbing the soil; the sound system uses low-power, small speakers to prevent vibration from damaging the cultural relic site; the performance area is covered with pre-laid wooden boardwalks to prevent visitors from stepping on the ruins, and the number of spectators is controlled based on an assessment of the site’s capacity.

Since its launch in 2024, the Jiaohe Ancient City night tour project has received a total of more than 30,000 visitors. Su Hua noted that young people account for over 70 percent of the visitors, and they actively promote it on social media platforms, with “romantic,” “aesthetic taste,” and “Chinese-style aesthetics” being high-frequency words in their comments.

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International Symposium on Scientific Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Protection Held in Beijing

Beijing, August 3 (People's Daily) — (Reporter Yang Xuemei (杨雪梅)) The International Symposium on Scientific Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Protection was recently held in Beijing. "Ancient molecules, like genetic information recorders with time stamps, can extract ancient DNA or ancient proteins from human remains dating back hundreds of thousands or even millions of years, reconstructing the history of human migration, evolution, and adaptation." Fu Qiaomei (付巧妹), a researcher at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院古脊椎动物与古人类研究所), delivered a keynote speech at the symposium, providing empirical evidence of the significant importance of the introduction of new technological methods to archaeology.

Currently, global artificial intelligence technological innovation has entered an active period, and its impact on philosophical and social science research is all-round and whole-process. In November 2024, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (中国社会科学院) established the Key Laboratory of Scientific Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Protection (科技考古与文化遗产保护重点实验室), promoting the transformation of archaeological work from "emphasizing excavation" to "equal emphasis on excavation and research interpretation," and from "emphasizing fieldwork" to "integration of fieldwork and scientific archaeology." At the same time, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences has strengthened exchanges and cooperation with scientific archaeology laboratories in various countries, pushing international joint archaeology to a deeper level.

The symposium was hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and co-organized by the Chinese Academy of History (中国历史研究院), the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of History (中国历史研究院考古研究所), the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (中国社会科学院大学), and others.

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No input provided.

Graphics: Shen Yiling (沈亦伶)

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Regulations on the Protection of Integrated Circuit Layout Designs

State Council Order of the People's Republic of China
No. 842

The "Regulations on the Protection of Integrated Circuit Layout Designs" were revised and adopted at the 91st executive meeting of the State Council on July 10, 2026, and are hereby promulgated, effective from October 15, 2026.

Premier Li Qiang
July 23, 2026

Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1 These Regulations are formulated to protect the exclusive rights in integrated circuit layout designs, encourage innovation in integrated circuit technology, and promote the development of science and technology.

Article 2 The protection of integrated circuit layout designs shall implement the Party and the state's intellectual property strategic deployment, and enhance the level of creation, utilization, protection, management, and service of integrated circuit layout designs in China.

Article 3 For the purposes of these Regulations, the following terms have the meanings ascribed to them:
(1) "Integrated circuit" means an intermediate product or final product in which at least two elements, at least one of which is an active element, and some or all of the interconnections are integrated in or on a semiconductor substrate to perform an electronic function;
(2) "Integrated circuit layout design" (hereinafter referred to as "layout design") means the three-dimensional configuration of at least two elements, at least one of which is an active element, and some or all of the interconnections in an integrated circuit, or the three-dimensional configuration prepared for the manufacture of an integrated circuit;
(3) "Layout design right holder" means a natural person, legal person, or unincorporated organization that enjoys the exclusive right in a layout design in accordance with these Regulations;
(4) "Reproduce" means the act of repeatedly making the layout design or an integrated circuit containing that layout design;
(5) "Commercial exploitation" means the act of importing, selling, or otherwise providing a protected layout design, an integrated circuit containing that layout design, or an article containing that integrated circuit for commercial purposes.
Layout designs of integrated circuits that integrate functions such as photonics or quantum may be protected in accordance with these Regulations.

Article 4 A layout design created by a Chinese natural person, legal person, or unincorporated organization shall enjoy the exclusive right in the layout design in accordance with these Regulations.
A layout design created by a foreign natural person, foreign enterprise, or other foreign organization that is first commercially exploited within the territory of China shall enjoy the exclusive right in the layout design in accordance with these Regulations.
A layout design created by a foreign natural person, foreign enterprise, or other foreign organization, where the country to which the creator belongs has concluded an agreement on the protection of layout designs with China or is a party to an international treaty on the protection of layout designs to which China is also a party, shall enjoy the exclusive right in the layout design in accordance with these Regulations.

Article 5 An application for registration of a layout design or the handling of other layout design matters may be done by oneself or by entrusting a patent agency established in accordance with the law.
A foreign natural person, foreign enterprise, or other foreign organization that does not have a habitual residence or place of business in China and applies for registration of a layout design or handles other layout design matters in China shall entrust a patent agency established in accordance with the law.
A patent agency shall comply with laws and administrative regulations, handle the application for registration of a layout design or other layout design matters in accordance with the entrustment of the principal; and shall bear the obligation of confidentiality with respect to the undisclosed content in the principal's layout design.

Article 6 A protected layout design shall be original, meaning that the layout design is the result of the creator's own intellectual labor, and at the time of its creation, the layout design was not a conventional design commonly recognized among layout design creators and integrated circuit manufacturers.
A protected layout design composed of conventional designs shall, as a whole, meet the conditions set forth in the preceding paragraph.

Article 7 The protection of layout designs under these Regulations does not extend to ideas, processes, methods of operation, or mathematical concepts.

Article 8 The intellectual property administrative department of the State Council shall be responsible for the management of matters related to exclusive rights in layout designs nationwide.

Article 9 The application for registration of a layout design and the exercise of the exclusive right in a layout design shall follow the principle of good faith. The exclusive right in a layout design shall not be abused to harm the national interest, the public interest, or the lawful rights and interests of others.
Where the abuse of the exclusive right in a layout design excludes or restricts competition and constitutes a monopolistic act, it shall be dealt with in accordance with the Anti-Monopoly Law of the People's Republic of China.

Article 10 The intellectual property administrative department of the State Council shall, together with relevant departments, take measures to strengthen public services for layout designs and promote the utilization of layout designs.

Chapter II Exclusive Rights in Layout Designs

Article 11 A layout design right holder shall enjoy the following exclusive rights:
(1) To reproduce the whole or any original part of a protected layout design;
(2) To commercially exploit a protected layout design, an integrated circuit containing that layout design, or an article containing that integrated circuit.

Article 12 The exclusive right in a layout design shall arise upon registration with the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council.
An unregistered layout design shall not be protected under these Regulations.

Article 13 The exclusive right in a layout design shall belong to the creator of the layout design, unless otherwise provided in these Regulations.
Where a layout design is created under the auspices of a legal person or unincorporated organization, in accordance with the will of that legal person or unincorporated organization, and the legal person or unincorporated organization bears responsibility for it, that legal person or unincorporated organization shall be deemed the creator.
Where a layout design is created by a natural person, that natural person shall be the creator.

Article 14 Where a layout design is created jointly by two or more natural persons, legal persons, or unincorporated organizations, the ownership of the exclusive right shall be agreed upon by the joint creators; in the absence of an agreement or where the agreement is unclear, the exclusive right shall be jointly owned by the joint creators.

Article 15 Where a layout design is created under commission, the ownership of the exclusive right shall be agreed upon by the commissioning party and the commissioned party; in the absence of an agreement or where the agreement is unclear, the exclusive right shall be owned by the commissioned party.

Article 16 In the circumstances specified in paragraph 2 of Article 13 of these Regulations, the legal person or unincorporated organization shall, in accordance with the Law of the People's Republic of China on Promoting the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements and relevant state provisions, give reasonable rewards and remuneration to eligible personnel.

Article 17 The term of protection of the exclusive right in a layout design shall be 10 years, calculated from the date of filing of the application for registration of the layout design or from the date of its first commercial exploitation anywhere in the world, whichever is earlier. However, whether or not it is registered or commercially exploited, a layout design shall no longer be protected under these Regulations 15 years after the date of its completion.

Article 18 Where the exclusive right in a layout design belongs to a natural person, upon the death of that natural person, the exclusive right shall be transferred in accordance with the law within the term of protection provided in these Regulations.
Where the exclusive right in a layout design belongs to a legal person or unincorporated organization, upon the change or termination of that legal person or unincorporated organization, the exclusive right shall be enjoyed by the legal person or unincorporated organization that succeeds to its rights and obligations within the term of protection provided in these Regulations; if there is no legal person or unincorporated organization that succeeds to its rights and obligations, it shall no longer be protected under these Regulations.

Chapter III Registration of Layout Designs

Article 19 The intellectual property administrative department of the State Council shall be responsible for the registration of layout designs and shall accept applications for registration of layout designs.

Article 20 An application for registration of a layout design shall be based on genuine creative activity and shall not involve fraud or falsification.

Article 21 Where a layout design for which registration is applied involves national security or major interests and needs to be kept confidential, it shall be handled in accordance with relevant state provisions.

Article 22 An application for registration of a layout design shall submit:
(1) An application form for registration of the layout design;
(2) A reproduction or drawing of the layout design;
(3) A declaration of originality of the layout design;
(4) Other materials prescribed by the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council.
If the layout design has already been commercially exploited, the application for registration of the layout design shall submit a sample of the integrated circuit containing that layout design.

Article 23 The reproduction or drawing submitted by the applicant shall contain the necessary information of the layout design and be capable of clearly showing the original parts of the layout design.

Article 24 The declaration of originality shall indicate the design areas, design points, and corresponding functions that make the layout design original.
If the layout design as a whole is original, this shall be specifically explained in the declaration of originality.

Article 25 The date on which the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council receives the application documents for registration of a layout design as specified in Article 22 of these Regulations shall be the filing date. If the application documents are sent by mail, the postmark date of mailing shall be the filing date.

Article 26 If an application for registration of a layout design has not been filed with the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council within 2 years from the date of its first commercial exploitation anywhere in the world, the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council shall no longer register it.

Article 27 The intellectual property administrative department of the State Council shall conduct a preliminary examination of the application for registration of a layout design. If it considers that the layout design for which registration is applied clearly does not comply with the provisions of Article 3, paragraph 1, items (1) or (2), or Article 7, Article 20, Article 23, or Article 24 of these Regulations, it shall notify the applicant and require the applicant to submit observations or make corrections within a specified time limit; if the applicant fails to respond within the time limit, the application shall be deemed withdrawn. If, after the applicant submits observations or makes corrections, the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council still considers that the application does not comply with these Regulations, it shall reject the application.

Article 28 If, after preliminary examination, no grounds for rejection are found in the application for registration of a layout design, the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council shall register it, issue a registration certificate, and announce it.

Article 29 If an applicant for registration of a layout design is dissatisfied with the decision of the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council to reject the application for registration, it may, within 3 months from the date of receipt of the notification, request a re-examination from the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council. After re-examination, the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council shall make a decision and notify the applicant for registration of the layout design. If the applicant for registration of the layout design is still dissatisfied with the re-examination decision of the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council, it may file a lawsuit with a people's court in accordance with the law.

Article 30 After a layout design has been registered, if the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council finds that the registration does not comply with these Regulations, it shall revoke the registration, notify the layout design right holder, and record and announce the revocation.
If any person finds that the registration does not comply with these Regulations, it may request the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council to revoke the registration of the layout design. The intellectual property administrative department of the State Council shall promptly examine and make a decision on the request for revocation of the layout design registration, and notify the requester and the layout design right holder. The decision to revoke the registration of the layout design shall be recorded and announced by the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council.
The phrase "does not comply with these Regulations" in the preceding two paragraphs refers to non-compliance with the provisions of Article 3, paragraph 1, items (1) or (2), or Article 4, Article 6, Article 7, Article 17, Article 20, Article 23, Article 24, or Article 26 of these Regulations.
If the layout design right holder or the requester is dissatisfied with the examination decision of the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council, it may file a lawsuit with a people's court in accordance with the law.

Article 31 If the registration of a layout design is revoked, the exclusive right in that layout design shall be deemed never to have existed.

Article 32 Staff members of the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council and relevant persons shall bear the obligation of confidentiality with respect to undisclosed content in the registration of layout designs.

Article 33 If a party, due to force majeure, misses a time limit prescribed in these Regulations or a time limit specified by the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council, resulting in the loss of its rights, it may, within 2 months from the date the obstacle is removed and within 2 years from the date the time limit expires, explain the reasons to the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council and attach relevant supporting documents, and request the restoration of its rights.
Except for the circumstances set forth in the preceding paragraph, if a party, due to other justifiable reasons, misses a time limit prescribed in these Regulations or a time limit specified by the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council, resulting in the loss of its rights, it may, within 2 months from the date of receipt of the notification from the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council, explain the reasons to the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council and request the restoration of its rights; however, if it misses the time limit for requesting re-examination, it may, within 2 months from the date the time limit for requesting re-examination expires, request the restoration of its rights from the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council.
If a party requests an extension of a time limit specified by the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council, it shall, before the time limit expires, explain the reasons to the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council and go through the relevant procedures.
The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article shall not apply to the time limits specified in Articles 17 and 26 of these Regulations.

Chapter IV Exercise of Exclusive Rights in Layout Designs

Article 34 A protected layout design shall be as shown in the reproduction or drawing of the registered layout design, and the declaration of originality may be used to interpret the originality of the layout design.

Article 35 A layout design right holder may transfer its exclusive right or license others to use its layout design.
If a Chinese natural person, legal person, or unincorporated organization transfers the exclusive right in a layout design to a foreign natural person, foreign enterprise, or other foreign organization, it shall go through the formalities in accordance with relevant laws, administrative regulations, and state provisions.
If the exclusive right in a layout design is transferred, the parties shall conclude a written contract and register it with the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council, and the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council shall announce it. The transfer of the exclusive right in a layout design shall take effect from the date of registration.
If a layout design is licensed to others for use, the parties shall conclude a written contract and file it with the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council within 3 months from the date the contract takes effect.
If the exclusive right in a layout design is pledged, the pledgor and the pledgee shall jointly apply for pledge registration with the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council, and the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council shall announce it.

Article 36 If the co-owners of an exclusive right in a layout design have an agreement on the exercise of the right, that agreement shall prevail. In the absence of an agreement, a co-owner may use the layout design alone or license others to use it by way of a non-exclusive license; if the layout design is licensed to others for use, the royalties collected shall be distributed among the co-owners.
Except for the circumstances set forth in the preceding paragraph, the exercise of a jointly owned exclusive right in a layout design shall require the consent of all co-owners.

Article 37 The following acts may be carried out without the permission of the layout design right holder and without payment of royalties:
(1) Reproducing a protected layout design for personal purposes or solely for purposes of evaluation, analysis, research, teaching, etc.;
(2) Creating an original layout design on the basis of the evaluation or analysis of a protected layout design carried out under the preceding item;
(3) Reproducing or commercially exploiting a layout design that is independently created and identical to another's layout design.

Article 38 After a protected layout design, an integrated circuit containing that layout design, or an article containing that integrated circuit has been placed on the market by the layout design right holder or with its permission, the subsequent commercial exploitation by others may be carried out without the permission of the layout design right holder and without payment of royalties.

Article 39 When a state of emergency or extraordinary circumstances occurs in the country, or for the purposes of the public interest, or when a people's court or anti-monopoly enforcement authority has lawfully determined that a layout design right holder has engaged in monopolistic conduct and a remedy is needed, the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council may grant a non-voluntary license to use the layout design.

Article 40 The intellectual property administrative department of the State Council shall promptly notify the layout design right holder of its decision to grant a non-voluntary license to use the layout design.
The decision to grant a non-voluntary license to use a layout design shall, based on the reasons for the non-voluntary license, specify the scope and duration of use, and the scope shall be limited to non-commercial use for public purposes, or limited to the remedy needed when a people's court or anti-monopoly enforcement authority has lawfully determined that the layout design right holder has engaged in monopolistic conduct.
When the reasons for the non-voluntary license cease to exist and are unlikely to recur, the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council shall, upon the request of the layout design right holder, after examination, make a decision to terminate the non-voluntary license to use the layout design.

Article 41 A natural person, legal person, or unincorporated organization that obtains a non-voluntary license to use a layout design shall not enjoy an exclusive right to use it and shall have no right to authorize others to use it.

Article 42 A natural person, legal person, or unincorporated organization that obtains a non-voluntary license to use a layout design shall pay a reasonable royalty to the layout design right holder, the amount of which shall be negotiated by the parties; if the parties cannot reach an agreement, the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council shall make an administrative ruling.

Article 43 If a layout design right holder is dissatisfied with the decision of the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council regarding the grant of a non-voluntary license to use the layout design, or if the layout design right holder and the natural person, legal person, or unincorporated organization that obtained the non-voluntary license are dissatisfied with the administrative ruling of the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council regarding the royalty for the non-voluntary license to use the layout design, they may file a lawsuit with a people's court in accordance with the law.

Chapter V Legal Liability

Article 44 Except as otherwise provided in these Regulations, if any of the following acts is committed without the permission of the layout design right holder, the actor shall immediately cease the infringing act and bear liability for damages:
(1) Reproducing the whole or any original part of a protected layout design;
(2) Importing, selling, or otherwise providing a protected layout design, an integrated circuit containing that layout design, or an article containing that integrated circuit for commercial purposes.

Article 45 Using a layout design without the permission of the layout design right holder constitutes an infringement of the exclusive right in the layout design and gives rise to a dispute, which shall be resolved by the parties through negotiation; if the parties are unwilling to negotiate or negotiation fails, the layout design right holder or an interested party may file a lawsuit with a people's court, or may request the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council to handle the matter. When the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council handles the matter and determines that the infringement is established, it may order the infringer to immediately cease the infringing act, and confiscate and destroy the infringing products or articles. If the party is dissatisfied, it may file a lawsuit with a people's court in accordance with the law; if the infringer neither files a lawsuit within the time limit nor ceases the infringing act, the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council may request the people's court to enforce the decision. At the request of the parties, the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council may mediate the amount of damages for infringement of the exclusive right in a layout design; if mediation fails, the parties may file a lawsuit with a people's court in accordance with the law.

Article 46 The amount of damages for infringement of the exclusive right in a layout design shall be determined based on the actual losses suffered by the right holder due to the infringement or the profits gained by the infringer due to the infringement; if the losses of the right holder or the profits gained by the infringer are difficult to determine, the amount shall be reasonably determined by reference to a multiple of the royalty for licensing the layout design. For intentional infringement of the exclusive right in a layout design, where the circumstances are serious, the amount of damages may be determined at between 1 and 5 times the amount determined by the above methods.
The amount of damages shall also include the reasonable expenses incurred by the right holder to stop the infringing act.

Article 47 If a person, at the time of obtaining an integrated circuit containing a protected layout design or an article containing that integrated circuit, did not know and had no reasonable grounds to know that it contained an illegally reproduced layout design, and commercially exploits it, such act shall not be deemed infringement.
After the person referred to in the preceding paragraph receives explicit notice that it contains an illegally reproduced layout design, it may continue to commercially exploit the existing inventory or previously placed orders, but shall pay a reasonable royalty to the layout design right holder.

Article 48 If a patent agency discloses undisclosed content in a principal's layout design, it shall be punished in accordance with Article 25 of the Patent Agency Regulations.
If a staff member of the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council or a relevant person discloses undisclosed content in the registration of a layout design, disciplinary action shall be taken in accordance with the law; if it involves the disclosure of state secrets or infringement of trade secrets, legal liability shall be borne in accordance with relevant laws and administrative regulations.

Article 49 If a state functionary engaged in the management of exclusive rights in layout designs neglects duties, abuses power, or engages in malpractice for personal gain, disciplinary action shall be taken in accordance with the law; if the act constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law.

Chapter VI Supplementary Provisions

Article 50 After the announcement of the registration of a layout design, the public may request to inspect the register of layout designs or request the intellectual property administrative department of the State Council to provide a copy of the register. The public may also request to inspect the paper copy of the reproduction or drawing of the layout design.
Except where necessary for the performance of duties by state organs such as litigation or administrative processing procedures, no person may inspect or reproduce the electronic version of the reproduction or drawing of the layout design.

Article 51 Fees shall be paid in accordance with the provisions for applying for registration of a layout design and handling other procedures.

Article 52 The day on which any time limit prescribed in these Regulations begins shall not be counted within the time limit, and the calculation shall start from the following day. If the time limit is calculated in years or months, the corresponding day of the last month shall be the expiry date; if there is no corresponding day in that month, the last day of that month shall be the expiry date; if the expiry date falls on a legal holiday, the first working day after the holiday shall be the expiry date.

Article 53 If any country or region adopts discriminatory prohibitions, restrictions, or other similar measures against the People's Republic of China in the protection of integrated circuit layout designs, the People's Republic of China may, based on the actual circumstances, take corresponding measures against the relevant country or region.

Article 54 These Regulations shall come into force on October 15, 2026.
(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, August 3)

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China's professional technical talent pool exceeds 80 million

By: 本报记者 李林蔚

The "15th Five-Year Plan for the Development of Human Resources and Social Security" (人力资源和社会保障事业发展“十五五”规划) has been issued recently, making arrangements for "optimizing the systems and mechanisms for talent development and expanding and strengthening the high-quality talent force." Recently, the relevant responsible person from the Department of Professional Personnel Management of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security introduced relevant information on the effectiveness of professional and technical talent work during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period and the work priorities during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period.

"During the '14th Five-Year Plan' period, the leading and driving role of talent in development became more prominent, the advantages of rich talent resources became more evident, the systems and mechanisms for talent development became more dynamic, the implementation of talent engineering projects became more precise, and the ecosystem for talent innovation and entrepreneurship became more optimized," the responsible person stated. At present, the total number of professional and technical personnel nationwide exceeds 80 million, and a talent force that is large in scale, excellent in quality, optimized in structure, and outstanding in role has been initially established. The advantages of talent resources are being transformed into competitive advantages and developmental advantages.

During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, we will accurately grasp the new situation and new changes facing talent work, place the development and utilization of talent resources in a more prominent and prioritized position, accelerate the construction of a full-cycle investment system for talent cultivation, incentives, and guarantee services, and promote the synchronous development of the talent quality structure with scientific and technological innovation, technological iteration, and industrial upgrading.

Focusing on major national strategies, we will continuously enhance the ability of talent to lead and support development. We will strengthen talent support for new quality productive forces (新质生产力), enhance coordination with education, science and technology, and industrial policies, deepen the integration of industry and education and the convergence of science and education, deepen reforms of talent systems and mechanisms focusing on bottlenecks and blockages, and explore new paradigms for attracting, cultivating, retaining, and utilizing talent.

Focusing on the national strategic talent force, we will comprehensively promote the improvement of quality and efficiency in the construction of the professional and technical talent team. We will optimize the implementation of the government special allowance system. We will comprehensively strengthen the construction of the engineer workforce. We will accelerate the promotion of a classified and tiered continuing education system and deeply implement the knowledge renewal project.

Focusing on stimulating talent vitality, we will further deepen the reform of systems and mechanisms for professional and technical personnel. With the talent evaluation mechanism as the focus, we will push forward the reform of the professional title system in depth, innovate evaluation standards, and promptly include new occupations in the evaluation scope. We will comprehensively optimize the supervision and services for professional title evaluation. We will improve the professional qualification system.

Focusing on improving service quality and efficiency, we will continuously optimize the ecosystem for professional and technical talent innovation and entrepreneurship. We will strengthen the high-quality supply of talent policies and services, and continuously advance pilot reforms in the management and services of professional and technical personnel. We will strengthen the construction of innovation and entrepreneurship platform carriers, and rationally optimize their layout. We will support various localities in creating various types of innovation and entrepreneurship activity carriers for talent.

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Summer Water Chestnut Harvest

In recent years, Xishui County (浠水县), Huanggang City, Hubei Province, relying on its water resources, has continuously expanded the water caltrop specialty industry, extended the development of the water caltrop deep-processing industry chain, developed a series of products such as ready-to-eat water caltrop and water caltrop powder, promoted the integrated development of planting, processing, and sales, and broadened channels for the masses to increase income.

The above images were all taken by Wang Jiang (王江) (Image China).

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本版责编：唐天奕 付明丽 刘子赫

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Wetlands host migratory birds and milu deer (Beautiful China · Protecting World Natural Heritage)

By: 本报记者 姚雪青

Along the coastline of Sheyang County (射阳县), Yancheng City, Jiangsu, the tidal flats are covered by the green of seepweed and tamarisk; submerged breakwaters encrusted with oyster shells lie beneath the water, building a new home for benthic organisms. More than 100 kilometers to the south, at Yeludang (野鹿荡) in Dafeng District (大丰区), the dark starry sky overhead makes this a unique stargazing spot. Further south, at high tide in the Tiaozini Wetland (条子泥湿地) of Dongtai City (东台市), tens of thousands of birds fly toward the “720 High-Tide Bird Habitat” (720高潮位候鸟栖息地) — a “parking apron” specially built for migratory birds. The latest monitoring data show that during the migratory season, at least 97 species and 450,000 waterbirds stop to rest and forage in the Tiaozini Wetland and its surrounding areas.

In July 2019, the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase I) was successfully inscribed on the World Heritage List, becoming the world’s second intertidal wetland heritage site. This wetland, located along the coast of Yancheng, is a key hub on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. In recent years, from shoreline restoration and bird protection to sustainable development, Yancheng has been using action to answer the test question of “how humans and nature can coexist harmoniously.”

Guarding the birds’ “big cafeteria,” building a three-tiered green defense line at the estuary

“The seaside is getting more and more beautiful!” Feng Haijun (冯海军), a resident of Shuangyang Community (双洋社区), Linhai Town, Sheyang County, remembers that when he was a child, the tidal flats were open, vegetation was lush, and flocks of migratory birds came to forage. As aquaculture ponds from reclamation and farming filled the shoreline, vegetation was destroyed, and migratory birds and fish gradually became fewer.

“The silt deposits of the ancient Yellow River and ancient Yangtze River formed this accreting tidal flat, which gradually became an important stopover on the migratory bird route. The Jiangsu Yancheng Wetland Rare Birds National Nature Reserve (江苏盐城湿地珍禽国家级自然保护区) was built right on the tidal flat,” explained Liu Shuai (刘帅), section chief of the Marine Management Section of the Sheyang County Natural Resources and Planning Bureau (射阳县自然资源和规划局). However, due to the combined effects of multiple factors such as changes in nearshore ocean dynamics and vegetation destruction from reclamation and aquaculture, shoreline erosion has become increasingly severe.

Coastal erosion has caused the degradation or loss of large areas of salt marsh wetland ecosystems — large tracts of tidal flats on which benthic organisms such as clams and mud snails depend for survival have been swallowed by seawater, migratory birds have lost their “big cafeteria,” and the ecological security of the natural heritage site has been threatened.

In 2022, the local area built a three-tiered green defense line on both the north and south sides of the Sheyang River estuary. Extending 500 meters from the coastline toward the sea is the first line of defense — offshore submerged breakwaters. Oyster shells are thrown into the crevices of the breakwater stones, which both reduces wave energy and provides a place for benthic organisms to attach and inhabit. At a distance of 100 to 200 meters from the coastline is the second line of defense — riprap revetments. During construction, existing pond embankments were fully utilized, non-woven geotextile and bagged gravel were laid, and two layers of large stones were placed on top. At the same time, reclamation and aquaculture along the shoreline were gradually cleared, aquaculture ponds were restored to wetlands, and seepweed and tamarisk were planted — this is the third line of defense. In summer, as far as the eye can see, layers of deep and shallow green stretch out.

Liu Shuai explained that sea walls and revetments are traditional forms of coastal protection, which isolate ocean dynamics from the land by reinforcing the shoreline, preventing the shoreline from retreating further. In the past, sea walls were usually built to curb coastal erosion, but traditional hard sea walls severed the land-sea connection, interrupting the exchange of energy and materials between land and sea, leading to a decline in coastal ecological functions. Therefore, ecological coastal protection technology was chosen.

The ecologically restored shoreline reconstructed the intertidal salt marsh wetland, restored the complete coastal ecological chain, and turned this area into a wintering and breeding habitat for rare birds. As of June this year, the vegetation coverage rate of the Sheyang shoreline has increased from 4% to over 58%; the biomass of benthic organisms such as snails and shellfish has increased by 45%, and a breakthrough has been made in creating habitats for marine organisms such as oysters, filling a gap in the regional biological chain and rebuilding the birds’ “big cafeteria.” The number of birds has increased to more than 60,000, with recent discoveries of Baer’s pochard, flamingo, and black redstart. The number of bird species threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species that inhabit this area has reached 34.

It is worth noting that the restored ecologically restored shoreline, relying on coastal salt marsh and coastal wetland ecosystems, has a high carbon sequestration rate and strong carbon storage capacity, with a carbon sink potential far higher than that of terrestrial forest ecosystems. The Sheyang ecological protection and restoration project has increased the salt marsh carbon sink by more than 16,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, and the carbon sink capacity of the ecosystem continues to improve.

Upgrading the birds’ “parking apron,” building a fixed high-tide habitat

In August, at the Tiaozini Wetland, the “advance troops” of autumn migratory birds have already arrived one after another. Tens of thousands of waterbirds gather on the “720 High-Tide Bird Habitat,” with great knots, oriental storks, and black-faced spoonbills being the “protagonists” of the wetland at this time.

Through the large screen of the monitoring center, wetland bird guard Zhang Hailong (张海龙) checks the birds’ movements. The “720 highland” is equipped with 13 panoramic cameras with intelligent recognition capabilities, transmitting high-definition images in real time. Zhang Hailong said that 33 functional modules, including electronic fences and drone countermeasures, operate in a coordinated manner, automatically alerting when anomalies occur, and staff arrive at the scene immediately to handle them.

“The Yellow Sea has two high tides every day. During spring tides, the coastal tidal flats become ocean, so birds foraging on the flats have to find another resting place on land,” explained Chang Wei (常维), deputy director of the Dongtai Coastal Economic Zone Management Committee (东台沿海经济区管委会). In the spring of 2020, the Tiaozini Wetland set aside 720 mu of fish ponds, and following the principle of “ecological natural restoration as the main approach, with moderate human intervention as a supplement,” through micro-topography modification, water level control, and vegetation management, a fixed high-tide habitat was created, building a “parking apron” for birds. That autumn, the highest single-day count attracted 58,000 waterbirds to roost.

由点及面 (yóu diǎn jí miàn - “from point to surface,” expanding from a single point to a larger area), the “720 highland model” has been promoted over a larger area of the Tiaozini Wetland. Chuanshui Bay (川水湾) in the northern part of the Tiaozini Wetland was originally an open beach wetland, but over decades it was developed into aquaculture fish farms by local fishermen. In 2022, Dongtai City launched the return of aquaculture ponds to wetlands and ecological restoration, drawing on the experience of the “720 highland” to create an “upgraded version.”

Chang Wei introduced that the “upgraded version” not only has a larger area but also innovates wetland micro-topography restoration techniques, shaping deep-water areas, shallow-water areas, and seasonal grassy flats 因地制宜 (yīn dì zhì yí - “adapt measures to local conditions”), restoring native natural wetland habitats such as freshwater, brackish water, and saltwater to meet the needs of different plants and animals. Currently, a large number of waterbirds have “moved in,” and small animals such as hares and Chinese water deer have also been attracted to “join.”

This year, local photographer Li Dongming (李东明) captured a photo of a Saunders’s gull, a national first-class protected wild animal, “leaving the nest” in Chuanshui Bay. “This year, the number of Saunders’s gulls and common terns breeding here reached a record high — over 500 nests, nearly 2,000 individuals,” Li Dongming said.

The expanding “bird friends circle” also includes research teams. Chang Qing (常青), a professor at the School of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University (南京师范大学生命科学学院), introduced that not long ago, they found that the weeds in the “720 highland” were too tall and suggested to the management department that they mow and plow in time to create bare flats and shallow water areas in preparation for the large-scale autumn migration of migratory birds. At the end of last year, led by Nanjing Normal University, 10 high-throughput IoB (Internet of Biology) base stations were installed in the Tiaozini and surrounding wetlands for monitoring migratory birds. Researchers also fitted tracking devices on waterbirds such as Nordmann’s greenshank, great knot, Eurasian curlew, and dunlin. When they return here, the migration data stored in the trackers can be read — where they went, how long they stayed — and the data becomes the basis for protection.

Searching for milu and stargazing, eco-tourism drives village development

It is summer vacation, and Ms. Gu, a tourist from Nanjing, Jiangsu, drove with her family to Yeludang in Dafeng District to participate in a study tour close to nature. Her 10-year-old daughter Yueyue (悦悦) saw the pitted surface of the moon and the mysterious rings of Saturn through a telescope for the first time.

This area is adjacent to the wild release core area of the Jiangsu Dafeng Milu (Père David’s Deer) National Nature Reserve (江苏大丰麋鹿国家级自然保护区). In 1986, 39 milu were brought back from Britain to Dafeng. Through a three-step process of “introduction and population expansion, behavior reshaping, and wild release and reintroduction,” the population has now grown to over 8,800, of which more than 4,000 are wild. The Dafeng Milu Reserve has become the world’s largest milu gene bank.

Zhu Wenqi (朱文琦), head of the Yancheng Dafeng World Heritage Yellow Sea Wetland Park (盐城大丰世遗黄海湿地公园), introduced that this 200-hectare Yeludang was developed from the restoration of barren tidal flats. In 2009, several elderly people paid out of their own pockets to carry out original ecological protection here. In 2024, a local state-owned enterprise participated in operations, simultaneously carrying out protective development of the shoreline and tidal flats within nearly 30 square kilometers outside the core area of Yeludang, attracting tourists to “search for milu during the day and watch stars at night.”

Milu are sensitive to light, and there is no light pollution within 40 square kilometers around Yeludang. No high-mast lights are installed in the scenic area either. At night, apart from the emergency lights in the square, the surroundings are completely dark. It is this “darkness” that made Yeludang a World Dark Sky Preserve in 2020, with an average of 238 days per year suitable for stargazing.

Yeludang has abundant water and lush grass, vast reed marshes, and open shallow bays. Its solid ecological “family assets” make it an important stopover for wintering migratory birds. According to observations, more than 100,000 birds of various species stop here during peak periods, with over 200 oriental storks gathering in the surrounding area at the same time.

“We do not deliberately ‘create scenery,’ but by restoring habitats and rebuilding the ecological chain, we let nature be the protagonist. The distinctive tourism products we offer, such as wetland study tours and stargazing observations, are especially attractive,” said Chen Ding (陈鼎), manager of the Yellow Sea Yeludang Scenic Area (黄海野鹿荡景区). He introduced that in 2024, the scenic area’s tourism revenue was less than 400,000 yuan, but in 2025 it jumped to 4 million yuan, and this year it is expected to approach 6 million yuan.

The development of eco-tourism radiates to surrounding villages: the scenic area employs nearly 50 long-term workers, and temporary workers increase by more than 30 during holidays, with most of the staff being villagers from nearby villages.

After Yeludang’s reputation spread, it also spurred the development of new industries: some young people have become “deer seekers,” leading tourists to find milu. Photography enthusiasts come from all over, and some people camp out at Yeludang for a week just to capture a photo of a “galactic arch.” Currently, several brands have set up starry sky image creation bases here, and derivative industries centered on astrophotography are taking shape.

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Wildlife protection law enforcement coordination steadily strengthened

Beijing, August 3 (Reporter Dong Siyu (董丝雨)) — The reporter learned from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (国家林草局) that from March to May this year, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (农业农村部) and nine other departments, organized and carried out the “Qingfeng Action 2026” (清风行动2026) special law enforcement campaign nationwide. Focusing on prominent issues in illegal wildlife trade, centering on key species, key areas, and key links, they intensively carried out law enforcement strikes, source patrols, market rectification, online inspections, courier supervision, and legal publicity. The special campaign achieved phased results.

During the campaign, law enforcement personnel exceeded 1.05 million person-times, inspected over 500,000 various types of venues, investigated and handled more than 6,300 wildlife cases, destroyed over 400 criminal gangs, and legally punished more than 7,000 offenders.

During the campaign, local authorities and relevant departments, relying on the joint meeting mechanism for combating illegal wildlife trade, further strengthened coordination and linkage among departments including forestry and grassland, agriculture and rural affairs, cyberspace administration, public security, transportation, customs, market regulation, and postal management. Centering on key areas and venues such as wildlife habitats, migratory bird corridors, artificial breeding facilities, flower-and-bird and agricultural markets, catering establishments, online platforms, courier outlets, ports, and coastal and border areas, they carried out concentrated inspections and joint law enforcement, legally investigating and handling a number of cases of illegal hunting, collection, acquisition, transportation, and sale of wildlife and their products.

This campaign adhered to the principle of “striking at gangs, striking at chains, striking at networks.” In response to the trend of online illegal transactions becoming more covert and private-domain-oriented, local authorities strengthened online patrols, clue analysis, and offline verification, urged online platforms to fulfill their main responsibilities, cleaned up illegal and non-compliant information, and promoted the formation of an online-offline closed-loop governance mechanism. Focusing on key links such as courier transportation and port entry-exit, relevant departments intensified risk deployment and joint inspection, continuously consolidated the main responsibilities of courier enterprises, transportation enterprises, and business operators, and cut off illegal transaction chains. At the same time, the special campaign also emphasized source governance and social co-governance. Local authorities, in conjunction with important occasions such as “World Wildlife Day” and “Love Bird Week,” carried out legal publicity, case-based legal explanation, and warning education targeting market operators, courier industry personnel, key communities, schools, and rural areas, guiding the public to consciously resist illegal transactions and actively participate in wildlife protection. Some regions simultaneously improved mechanisms for reporting rewards, clue verification, and result feedback, further broadening channels for social supervision.

In recent years, with the continuous implementation of joint law enforcement special campaigns such as “Qingfeng Action,” coordination in wildlife protection law enforcement has been continuously strengthened, and the levels of departmental linkage, regional collaboration, social participation, and technological support have been steadily improved. In the next step, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration will work with relevant departments to continuously consolidate the achievements of the special campaign. In response to new situations and problems such as private-domain online transactions and concealed transportation via courier logistics, they will further improve mechanisms for clue discovery, joint handling, and result feedback, and continue to advance the work of combating illegal wildlife trade, effectively safeguarding biodiversity security.

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2026 Jiangyuan Comprehensive Scientific Expedition Launched

WUHAN, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- (Reporter Li Siyuan (李思远)) According to the Yangtze River Scientific Research Institute (长江科学院) of the Changjiang Water Resources Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources, the 2026 comprehensive scientific expedition to the source of the Yangtze River, which it leads, was launched on the 2nd in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (玉树藏族自治州), Qinghai. During the one-week comprehensive scientific expedition itinerary, the expedition team will go deep into the high-altitude hinterland of the river source, ascertain the ecological baseline, and conduct a systematic “physical examination” for the river source.

The Zhimenda (直门达) river section, which guards the outlet of the Tongtian River (通天河), the main stream of the Yangtze River source area, is the first stop of the comprehensive scientific expedition. At noon on the 2nd, more than 20 expedition members from multiple disciplines arrived in Yushu Prefecture, and after a brief rest and assembly, they went directly to the investigation site. The Tongtian River is in its flood season. The expedition members overcame difficulties such as high-altitude hypoxia and swift currents, collected samples of suspended sediment, riverbed sediment, and aquatic organisms, and used a multi-parameter tester to measure data such as river water quality, dissolved oxygen, and electrical conductivity on site.

The head of the expedition team introduced that, on the basis of previous years, this year’s comprehensive scientific expedition to the river source will continue to conduct systematic investigation and research on the water resources and ecological conditions of the main source of the Yangtze River, the Tuotuo River (沱沱河), the southern source, the Dangqu (当曲), the northern source, the Chumar River (楚玛尔河), and the source of the Lancang River. The content includes hydrology, sediment content, river channel and river regime, soil erosion, glaciers and permafrost, topography and geomorphology, etc. Compared with previous years, this year’s comprehensive scientific expedition observation system is more complete, and for the first time, monitoring of radon in water bodies has been added. As a natural tracer, it can assist in studying and judging the conversion characteristics of surface water and groundwater in the river source, providing more comprehensive data support for clarifying the composition of runoff components in the river source area.

As a specialized institution providing scientific and technological support for the protection and governance of the Yangtze River in China, the Yangtze River Scientific Research Institute has in recent years normalized the comprehensive scientific expedition to the river source, accumulating a large amount of first-hand basic data and materials. This comprehensive scientific expedition will further grasp the current ecological environment status of the river source area, providing basic data for the Great Protection of the Yangtze River, the construction of the Sanjiangyuan National Park (三江源国家公园), and uncovering the evolution mechanisms of water resources and the ecological environment in the river source.

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China Resources and Environment "New Recycling Network" platform cumulative total commodity transaction value exceeds 100 billion yuan

Our newspaper Tianjin, August 3 (dispatch) (Reporter Jin Bo (靳博)) — The cumulative total commodity transaction value on the "New Recycling Network" (新再生网) platform under China Resources Recycling Group (中国资环) recently exceeded 100 billion yuan.

The "New Recycling Network" is a third-party industrial internet digital platform that provides comprehensive services such as transaction matching, transaction information certification, fund settlement, warehousing and logistics, supply chain finance, asset disposal, and data supervision for front-end recycling散户 (individual recyclers) and downstream实体利废企业 (waste-utilizing实体 enterprises). As of now, the cumulative total commodity transaction value on the "New Recycling Network" platform has exceeded 100 billion yuan, of which the scale of reverse invoicing business serviced by the platform has exceeded 25 billion yuan, the cumulative tax revenue deposited into the treasury from related businesses has exceeded 2.4 billion yuan, the cumulative number of natural persons served has exceeded 25,000, and the cumulative number of individual industrial and commercial households served has exceeded 23,000.

Through product functions such as New Recycling Network transaction, Trajectory Pass, New Warehouse Management, and New Intelligent Manufacturing, the platform promotes the coordinated integration of commercial flow, logistics, capital flow, information flow, and invoice flow, helping transaction entities reduce communication and management costs, improve transaction efficiency and transparency, and ensure that再生资源 (recycled resources) business is "traceable and evidence-based," providing digital support for waste-utilizing manufacturing enterprises in stable procurement, standardized operations, and green and low-carbon transformation.

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Revitalization "surgery" for ancient ginkgo trees

By: 本报记者 李凯旋

On Danjing Mountain (丹景山) in the Eastern New District (东部新区) of Chengdu, Sichuan, an ancient ginkgo tree stands tall and proud.

This ginkgo tree is approximately 1,700 years old. Once, the trunk of the ancient tree had cavities, large patches of bark were missing from the lower part, exposing the "muscle" beneath, and a thick branch as wide as a person's embrace had broken off — it was once in crisis.

"It was heartbreaking." Wang Yusong (王煜松), a villager from Quan'an Village (全安村) in the Eastern New District who is over eighty years old, could not help but sigh when recalling the appearance of this ginkgo tree at that time.

Why did the ancient tree "fall ill"? On the one hand, natural phenomena such as lightning strikes and insect infestations caused damage; on the other hand, in the early years people's awareness of protection was weak, and the act of stripping ginkgo bark occurred from time to time.

As local ecological civilization construction deepened and became more solid, tree pits and guardrails were built, and the phenomenon of illegal felling was eliminated; protection measures such as loosening soil, fertilizing, and preventing pests and diseases were also put in place. However, the ancient tree remained withered. "Conventional protection measures are not working — should we perform a 'surgery'?" This became a matter of concern for Wang Yusong and other fellow villagers.

In recent years, the Eastern New District has conducted a one-by-one inventory and physical examination of ancient and famous trees within the area, and the condition of this ancient ginkgo tree was assessed more precisely. "The trunk is hollow and rotten, the bark is weak, and the tree body is severely malnourished — scientific treatment must be carried out as soon as possible," said a staff member of the Eastern New District Park City Construction Bureau (东部新区公园城市建设局). The relevant departments secured special funds from Chengdu City and tailored a three-year treatment action plan for this ginkgo tree, entrusting a professional institution to "wield the scalpel" for execution. Last December, the rejuvenation "surgery" officially began.

"This task is no small challenge," said Xu Longbin (徐龙斌), head of the project contractor, Chengdu Jianyang Meijia Mei Landscaping Engineering Co., Ltd. (成都简阳市美嘉美园林绿化工程有限公司). He explained that trees rely on an internal energy circulation system to grow, and the roots, bark, leaves, and other parts influence each other. "For example, a ginkgo tree should spread its branches and leaves, being lush and upright, but the crown of this ancient tree is very small, and the leaves at the top are small and scorched yellow. This is actually malnutrition caused by low root activity." From the surface to the interior, from the roots to the leaves, the injuries and diseases of the various parts of the ancient tree had formed a vicious cycle.

Just as when treating a wound one must first clean and debride, according to the plan, the ginkgo's "surgery" began with pruning dead branches and cleaning out rot.

Dead branches are sites where pathogens and pests parasitize, increasing the growth burden on the ancient tree. Xu Longbin explained that for thin branches, a clean "one-cut method" is used for pruning; for thick branches, the "three-cut method" is appropriate; for the rotten parts on the trunk, technical personnel held specialized scrapers, gouges, picks, and other tools to remove them bit by bit, then polished and smoothed the wound surfaces, applying waterproof and anti-corrosion agents. After more than a month of treatment, the wounds on the ancient tree's body became hard and smooth.

The cleaning of rot went smoothly, the "surgical operation" was completed, and the next step was to set up rejuvenation trenches for the thousand-year-old ginkgo.

Tree roots are buried deep underground, bearing the heavy responsibility of "drinking water and eating fertilizer." Because the soil in the tree pit had been severely compacted for many years, the root system had long been in an oxygen-deficient state. "It's like having the mouth and nose covered — unable to breathe," Xu Longbin said. Digging rejuvenation trenches would replace some of the compacted soil with a specialized breathable substrate nutrient soil, while also clearing out necrotic roots. With the restoration of "breathing" space, a more developed root system would also alleviate the nutrient pressure caused by the loss of bark on the ancient tree. After the rejuvenation trenches were dug, seepage wells to solve the problem of water accumulation in the tree pit during the rainy season were also constructed properly. Xu Longbin breathed a sigh of relief: "Now it can take a deep breath."

This spring, the most difficult part of the ginkgo rejuvenation "surgery" has been completed. Root irrigation with medicine, application of organic fertilizer, foliar fertilizer supplementation... "post-operative recovery" still requires patient care.

Under the ancient tree, forest rangers diligently carry out patrols and protection duties; the Eastern New District Park City Construction Bureau regularly conducts on-site follow-up inspections. Hearing that the ginkgo tree on Danjing Mountain had undergone "surgery," many citizens and tourists came to offer their blessings. Wang Yusong consulted a great deal of tree protection knowledge and took time to discuss with technical personnel... One "surgery" has increased the number of people who love and protect trees. In recent years, relying on the Forest Chief System (林长制) and the Park City Smart Cloud Platform (公园城市智慧云平台), Chengdu has implemented a full-lifecycle management of "one tree, one code, grid patrol" (一树一码、网格巡护), and more and more ancient trees have received rescue and precise rejuvenation.

Now, the scorched yellow leaves at the top of the ancient ginkgo's crown have disappeared, replaced by thick, tender green leaves. Amid the weathered scars on the trunk, tender green leaves have even stubbornly emerged. The thousand-year-old ginkgo continues to grow toward the sun, guarding the city's historical memory and ecological foundation.

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New click beetle species discovered in Guangxi Huaping Nature Reserve

Our newspaper Nanning, August 3 (Reporter Zhang Yunhe (张云河)). Recently, the Guangxi Huaping National Nature Reserve (广西花坪国家级自然保护区) jointly with Guangxi Normal University carried out the third comprehensive scientific survey of the entire area, a special insect survey, and successfully discovered 2 new species of click beetles and 3 species of click beetles newly recorded in the Guangxi region. Currently, the relevant scientific research results have been published successively.

Huaping National Nature Reserve is located in the Nanling Mountains and is an important species gene bank in southern China. After authoritative identification by taxonomic experts, the two new species of the tribe Megapenthini discovered this time have been named Congcong Ni Qi Kou Jia (聪聪拟齐叩甲) and Pixiu Yu Kou Jia (貔貅羽叩甲). The type specimens of both new species were collected from the Anjiangping area (安江坪片区) of the reserve, and Huaping Reserve has become the type locality of these two new species. At the same time, three species of Yu Kou Jia — Duolin Yu Kou Jia (多林羽叩甲), Tiaowen Yu Kou Jia (条纹羽叩甲), and Yunnan Yu Kou Jia (云南羽叩甲) — are first records within Guangxi.

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Zhang Ye, Zhang Xiaoyu, Zhang Yifu

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Summer heat no barrier to cool and joyful sports (New experiences in summer sports)

As the dog days of summer arrive, what kind of exercise can both add color to life and relieve heat and cool down? What exercise options are there for people of different ages? Avoiding the high temperatures of the day, where can one go to exercise in the evening?
This edition launches from today the series report "New Experiences in Summer Sports," visiting distinctive sports carried out in various places according to local conditions, showcasing the moving scenes of nationwide fitness in summer.
— Editor

On a paddleboard, "boating" among city buildings
By our reporter Ji Fang

Summer breezes brush the shore, the water shimmering. Since the start of summer, "Cityboat" has sparked a new craze. Recently on Beijing's Liangma River, colorful paddleboards floated on the water surface. Enthusiasts either stood riding the waves or sat quietly drifting with the current, enjoying the sunset glow in the coolness and savoring a leisurely time. The once niche sport of paddleboarding has now entered the daily lives of the general public, becoming a trendy activity for cooling off, relieving stress, and getting close to nature.

Gao Bin is a seasoned paddleboarding enthusiast. In his view, the Liangma River, which runs through the city, has gentle currents and elegant scenery. Carrying out paddleboarding here offers both environmental advantages and a strong sense of atmosphere. "Paddling through the city's buildings—this feeling is unique," he said.

Five years ago, during an outdoor activity, Gao Bin first encountered paddleboarding and was even left somewhat disheveled by this emerging sport. When he stood on the board, the wobbling surface made it hard to find balance, and he fell into the water several times. After repeated practice and exploration, he gradually mastered the technique and found his balance. When the paddle cut through the water and the clear breeze, carrying moisture, rushed toward him, the sense of relaxation in embracing nature at that moment made him completely fall in love with the sport.

"Paddleboarding may look easy, but it actually tests your body coordination and concentration," Gao Bin said. From gliding in a sitting or kneeling position to now being able to stand on the board, through repeated practice he slowly grasped the rhythm of moving with the current, and his skills kept "advancing." "I like trying new ways to play and constantly challenging myself," Gao Bin said. "A few years ago, almost no one around me played it. People generally thought water sports were risky and hard to learn."

Around 2023, paddleboarding began to "break out of its niche," with more and more enthusiasts and a surge in the number of clubs. "Paddleboarding can be both calm and active, both recreational and competitive, and it doesn't require a specific number of people—one person or a group can play," he said. "Before, I used to stay home on weekends scrolling on my phone, life was rather monotonous. After taking up paddleboarding, I not only exercised my body and relaxed my mind, but also made many friends." For convenience when traveling, he even bought a portable inflatable paddleboard.

In recent years, many domestic cities have created "open" urban waters through water environment management and waterfront space renovation, providing conditions for citizens to engage in water sports. The popularity of paddleboarding carries the upgrading of citizens' leisure styles and is even more a reflection of the continuous improvement of urban ecological quality and the nationwide fitness atmosphere.

Setting out to sea at dawn, casting a line with no worries
By our reporter Wang Zhe

In summer, off the coast of Liugong Island in Weihai City, Shandong Province, the sea breeze is crisp and the blue waves ripple. At 5 a.m., Miao Huashuai boarded Zhang Xinyu's fishing boat. Miao Huashuai, 60 years old this year, is a local of Weihai and has been fond of sea fishing for over 20 years. Zhang Xinyu, who takes him out to sea, has long been operating recreational sea fishing services in the waters around Liugong Island in Weihai. Miao Huashuai said that among his fishing buddies in their fifties and sixties, going out to sea once or twice a month is the norm.

The motor roared, and the boat cut through the blue waves. Twenty minutes later, Zhang Xinyu turned off the engine and pointed to a cluster of light spots on the fish finder: "We're here. There are fish below." Miao Huashuai pulled out a medium-action casting rod from his gear box, selected a jig head, attached a soft bait, flicked his wrist, and the lure landed precisely at the target spot in the distance. "Sea fishing looks quiet, but it actually engages the whole body. Casting exercises the shoulders, arms, and core muscles; reeling in requires coordinated effort from the wrist, forearm, and lower back," Miao Huashuai explained.

Zhang Xinyu stood at the bow, watching the sea while preparing fishing gear for several middle-aged and elderly tourists on the boat. Among his customers, nearly half are over 60 years old. Weihai boasts a 968-kilometer coastline and nearly 10,000 square kilometers of sea area, and has a number of high-quality sea fishing bases such as Liugong Island. In 2025, the city's marine ranches received over 1 million tourists.

"Got one!" At the stern, Miao Huashuai gripped the rod with both hands, the rod bending into an arc. "Steady! Don't reel in too fast!" Zhang Xinyu came over to observe the direction. After a brief standoff, Miao Huashuai gave a sharp lift of the rod, and with a sweep of the landing net, he securely scooped it up. "Every time I hook a fish, my heart skips a beat. That feeling is both startling and thrilling." Miao Huashuai plans to sign up for fishing competitions this year. "I need to go out to sea more to practice."

"Perceiving the fish run and judging the timing to lift the rod—that's the charm of fishing," Zhang Xinyu explained.

Weihai hosts over 50 fishing events of various types each year. This year, it has already held multiple high-level competitions such as the 14th National Sea Fishing Elite Championship and the "Hai Tian Yi Lu" Cup Fishing Festival.

"Once the sea breeze blows, all worries are gone. Fishing is about mood, and also about the good life." Miao Huashuai re-baited his hook and cast the next line.
(Li Xiaoqian contributed to this article)

Parent-child canyoning, diverse experiences deep in the gorge
By our reporter Wang Xinyue

In Xihe Village, Liuyin Town, Beibei District, Chongqing, deep in the gorge, a stream gurgles. "Dad, can I jump?" asked Zhou Zimo, age 9, standing on a 3-meter-high platform, peering down. Below was an emerald green pool, the water surface shimmering with fine ripples. "Go for it!" Zhou Zhonghua called from below. The boy plunged into the water with a splash, sending up a spray. The surrounding children clapped and cheered, eager to try.

This is a daily scene at the Wild Man Bay (野人湾) stream crossing project in Xihe Village. Every summer, this 2.5-kilometer natural stream valley welcomes many families. They wear life jackets and helmets, wading through gentle slopes, climbing and descending at waterfalls, and diving into deep pools. Feng Junming, head of the project's operating company, explained that the route is entirely designed based on the natural gorge, preserving the original landforms. The stone slides are naturally formed, the waterfall rappelling uses a natural waterfall, and the 10-meter diving platform utilizes the cliff face. "Apart from necessary safety reinforcements, everything else is original ecology."

"This place is wild enough. It takes three hours to complete the whole route, and it's quite physically demanding," Zhou Zhonghua said. "The kids love it. Canyoning trains balance and coordination, and they also learn to judge currents and choose routes." Before development, the operator brought in outdoor sports experts and physical education college teachers to survey the route and assess risks. A walking path was built next to every key point for tourists to bypass, and children aged 4 and above can safely experience the entire route. "Parents can choose the route based on their child's condition, so children of different ages can find fun," Feng Junming said.

Before each group of tourists enters the water, certified safety officers check equipment and explain movement techniques. A safety post is set up every 150 meters in the stream valley, with dedicated personnel at high-risk points. In addition to canyoning, the site has also developed zip lines, kayaking, water swings, and other activities, forming a three-dimensional "water, land, and air" sports system. In 2025, the project received over 80,000 tourists and generated revenue of more than 9 million yuan.

It's not just the project that has taken off. Villager Zhu Zhengbi opened a farmhouse restaurant near the scenic area, serving 300 to 400 people a day during peak season. The project has driven employment for 35 villagers, with farmhouse restaurants and small shops opening nearby, and the village collective's annual income increasing by 150,000 yuan. Wang Qiang, 28, originally worked in the main city but returned to the village last year to work as a safety officer, earning over 4,000 yuan per month. "Working in my hometown, I can also take care of my parents—it's good."

In the evening, another batch of tourists emerged from the gorge. The children were soaked through, their hair still dripping, but they were shouting, "We want to come again next time!" The mountain village's stream water had thus flowed into the weekend of city dwellers.

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"Come square dancing once the fields are done" (I Exercise, I Am Happy)

By: 本报记者 宋朝军

On the Zaosheng Yuan (早胜塬) in high summer, patches of crops were growing gratifyingly, and bursts of song drifted from the field edges. “When you’re done in the fields, come and do square dancing,” Jiao Tiening (焦铁宁) called out to the villagers on the cultural square of Tanla Village (谭腊村), Zaosheng Town (早胜镇), Ning County (宁县), Qingyang City, Gansu Province.

Jiao Tiening, 57 years old, had fallen in love with dancing early on, became a local square dancing expert, and even led a group of “students.”

“Not only to pass the slack farming season, but also to exercise the body,” Jiao Tiening said. During the busy farming season, he and his wife had to tend to wheat, corn, and burdock seeds; during the slack season, to supplement the family income they made cloth shoes, often sitting for an entire day, processing more than 200 pairs of shoes a day. Over time, both husband and wife developed problems with their cervical and lumbar spines. The doctor advised adjusting their living habits, avoiding prolonged sitting, and getting moving.

How to adjust? His wife’s experience of rehearsing yangge (秧歌) during the Spring Festival gave Jiao Tiening great inspiration.

“I need to find a normalized form of exercise, with intensity not too high, rhythm not too fierce, and also simple and easy to learn, suitable for villagers to practice together,” Jiao Tiening calculated, and turned his gaze to square dancing.

Jiao Tiening bought a sound system, found tutorials online, and began to “copy others’ actions.” Later, neighbors also joined in the dancing. Every day as the sun was about to set, villagers returning from farm work would come to Jiao Tiening’s small courtyard to learn square dancing together.

“Actively cooperating with treatment for the old cervical and lumbar problems, while exercising with square dancing, now my body is very good!” As square dancing became smoother, Jiao Tiening’s body also got better and better.

The square dance party in the farmyard spread throughout the small village within a few days. “More and more people came to dance, not only giving everyone something to do, but also encouraging me to keep going,” Jiao Tiening said.

As the scale expanded, the location for square dancing moved to the village’s cultural square. After dinner, people gathered together; each song was three to four minutes, and everyone could dance for over two hours, with the largest scale reaching nearly a hundred people.

Now, square dancing has become an important part of Jiao Tiening’s life. When going to the big market, he often inquired, “Does your village have anyone good at square dancing?” “Can you give me the phone number of the square dance organizer in your community?” It didn’t take long before he grasped the basic situation of square dance groups in several surrounding townships, and everyone gradually came to know that Old Jiao, who made cloth shoes at the market, had turned square dancing into a “career.”

Jiao Tiening also taught himself to edit videos, using his phone to shoot, edit, and share clips of everyone square dancing, and in addition he continuously collected square dance songs and choreography. Over time, he gradually became a square dance “treasure trove.” Many enthusiasts from surrounding villages and townships came to him with USB drives: “Old Jiao, copy them for us, we’ll go back and learn!” Jiao Tiening agreed to all.

Gradually, this square-dance-loving farmer’s fame grew, and the number of people in his square dance WeChat group also increased. Jiao Tiening and everyone together organized the Ning County Thousand-Person Grand Gathering large-scale square dance exhibition event, with over 2,000 participating performers.

Colorful fans, waist drums, red silk… these props often appeared in Jiao Tiening’s square dance choreography. “Now our square dancing has increasingly rich content and forms,” Jiao Tiening said.

In September 2017, the Ning County Square Dance Association (宁县广场舞协会) was established. With support from the local cultural and sports departments, Jiao Tiening and square dance enthusiasts went out for exchanges many times, learning many new tricks — rhythmically bright calisthenics, rustic-flavored fitness yangge, fashion-strong clothing shows… They integrated these elements into square dancing. “With Old Jiao leading, we dance more happily!” said Li Shuzhen (李淑珍), 68, who is one of the leaders of the Zaosheng Town Zhongxing Community (中兴社区) square dance team. Every time she learned a new dance, she would teach it to other enthusiasts in the community. As of now, Jiao Tiening and association members have organized the masses to participate in square dance exhibition events many times, benefiting tens of thousands of people.

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Trump wins snooker Shanghai Masters title

Beijing, August 3 (Reporter Li Shuo (李硕)) — The 2026 World Snooker Shanghai Masters concluded on the 2nd, with English player Trump defeating his compatriot and defending champion Kyren Wilson 11:6 to win the title again after two years, marking his second Shanghai Masters championship.

The final adopted a best-of-21-frames format. Trump showed strong form from the start, leading 7:3 after the first session. When play resumed in the evening, Trump reached match point in the 15th frame. Although Wilson then pulled back a frame with a break of 134, Wilson missed a middle-pocket shot in the 17th frame, and Trump, after two visits to the table, ultimately sealed the victory.

This edition of the tournament used a 24-player invitational format. All eight players who reached the quarterfinals had previously won the World Championship, and they happened to be the top eight in the current world rankings. Chinese players Zhao Xintong and Wu Yize both reached the semifinals; although they lost to Wilson and Trump respectively in the semifinals, both showed strong competitiveness. On his way to the quarterfinals, Zhao Xintong defeated Ding Junhui 6:2 and Australian star Robertson 6:0; Wu Yize, in his quarterfinal match against Murphy, won the deciding frame. Currently, among the top 16 in the world rankings, there are five Chinese players, with Zhao Xintong and Wu Yize ranked third and fourth respectively.

With the Shanghai Masters concluded, the Snooker China Open will begin on August 8 at the Taiyuan Binhe Sports Center in Shanxi Province, and the performances of Chinese players are worth looking forward to.

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Second Asian University Basketball League Kicks Off

Hangzhou, August 3 (People's Daily) — (Wang Liang, Chen Tianjie) The second Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) opened on August 2 at the Hangzhou Binjiang Gymnasium in Zhejiang Province. This edition brings together 12 university teams, including 6 previous participating teams and 6 new participating teams such as the University of Sydney and the University of the Philippines, further expanding the coverage of participating teams.

The first match day attracted many fans to the arena to watch the games. In the opening game, Tsinghua University defeated the University of Sydney 87:65. Tsinghua University player Xi Taicheng (隰泰诚) scored 14 points and 8 rebounds, and was named the Most Valuable Player of the game.

Regarding the competition schedule, the 12 teams are divided into 4 groups, with 3 teams in each group playing a single round-robin within the group. The top two from each group advance to the quarterfinals. The group stage will last until August 4, the quarterfinals and placement matches will be held from August 6 to 7, the semifinals will begin on August 8 to 9, and the champion of this edition will be decided on the evening of the 9th. In November 2026, the AUBL will launch its first home-and-away season, transitioning from a tournament format to a regular intercontinental university basketball league.

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Table tennis with a ladle? This "village table tennis" event is full of fun.

By: 本报记者 焦思雨

Pat-pat——Pat-pat—— In the evening, on the Zhenheta Square (镇河塔广场) of Dongta Town (东塔镇), Lingwu City (灵武市), Ningxia, crisp sounds of ball striking 此起彼伏 (cǐ qǐ bǐ fú - “here rise, there fall,” occurring one after another). Beside the table, spectators were packed in layers upon layers, their eyes closely following the small ball as it flew back and forth. Drawing closer, one saw that the players were waving not standard table tennis paddles, but wooden spatulas, water ladles, slotted spoons, and other household utensils.

This was a splendid scene from the 2026 National Harmonious and Beautiful Countryside Table Tennis Competition (全国和美乡村乒乓球大赛) Agricultural Fun and Agricultural Flavor (农趣农味) event. From July 29 to August 1, a total of over 300 athletes from 21 teams across the country gathered in Lingwu to meet friends through the ball. “I never imagined that these farm tools, which accompany us daily at the stove and scurry along the ridges, would 摇身一变 (yáo shēn yī biàn - “shake the body and change,” transform suddenly) and become such unique ‘unique weapons’ on the court,” sighed Sun Caixia (孙彩霞), coach of the Shanxi team. “In the usual gymnasium, what matters is standardized movements and fine technique, but this spirit of not being constrained by form and emphasizing shared joy is the most moving aspect of rural sports.”

This edition of the National Harmonious and Beautiful Countryside Table Tennis Competition set up three groups: the Harmonious and Beautiful Countryside Group, the Agricultural Enterprise Group, and the “Three Rural Issues” Sentiment Group (三农情怀组), covering events such as mixed team, men’s and women’s singles, and Agricultural Fun and Agricultural Flavor singles. The participants included not only farmer representatives from various provinces, but also practitioners in agricultural product processing, sales, and agricultural science and technology, as well as people from all walks of life who care about agriculture, rural areas, and farmers.

Wang Xuewen (王学文) is the resident village secretary of Jiaolongkou Village (蛟龙口村), Yanzidun Township (燕子墩乡), Huinong District (惠农区), Shizuishan City (石嘴山市). Before the competition, he had organized a “Rural Revitalization Cup” (乡村振兴杯) table tennis tournament in the township, motivating villagers to actively participate. “Being able to represent my hometown this time is especially exciting. Competing with experts, I learned a lot. When we go back, we will train harder and strive to go further in the next edition,” said Wang Xuewen.

Zhang Xiaohong (章晓红), a player from the Hubei team, 过关斩将 (guò guān zhǎn jiàng - “pass through passes and slay generals,” to overcome obstacles and defeat opponents) all the way with her teammates and won the team championship of the Harmonious and Beautiful Countryside Group. When talking about her feelings, her eyes were slightly red: “Last edition we were runners-up. This time we finally fulfilled our championship dream. I am really happy. Thank you to ‘Village Table Tennis’ (村乒) for providing such a big stage for us ordinary table tennis enthusiasts.”

The competition on the court was in full swing, while outside the court it was 热气腾腾 (rè qì téng téng - “steaming hot,” bustling with activity). During the competition, Lingwu City launched four supporting activities for the general public and all participants: the “Village Table Tennis Garden Party” (村乒游园会), the “Village Table Tennis Local Products Fair” (村乒风物集), the “Village Table Tennis Future Gathering” (村乒未来汇), and the “Village Table Tennis Cultural Tourism Season” (村乒文旅季). In these activities, there were both immersive table tennis interactive experiences and exhibitions and sales of special agricultural products such as Lingwu long jujubes, fine cashmere, and Xingtang rice, fully unleashing the integration effect of “sports + agricultural tourism.”

“These days there are especially many customers. Our online and offline sales in four days are nearly ten thousand yuan,” said Yang Jiaying (杨佳英), the stall owner of Lingwu long jujubes, with a smile. “I never imagined that a small red jujube could also sell into a big market by leveraging the platform of a national event.”

Lingwu has hosted national-level “village-brand” (村字号) activities for three consecutive years. From the 2024 National “Village Run” (村跑) to the 2025 National “Village Dance” (村舞), and then to the 2026 National “Village Table Tennis” (村乒), Lingwu has adhered to the integrated development path of agriculture, culture, sports, and tourism, continuously polishing the “village-brand” name card. Xie Gang (谢刚), director of the Lingwu City Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau (灵武市农业农村局), said: “The countryside needs sports, and sports also need the countryside. We will continue to run ‘village-brand’ activities well, transforming sports traffic into cultural tourism increments, so that more farmers can benefit.”

The small ball spins, connecting the field ridges and the table; the competition sets the stage, linking urban and rural areas with the market. A “Village Table Tennis” event not only showcases the brilliance of competitive sports, but also the vigorous vitality of rural development.

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2026 "Run, Youth" National Youth Sunshine Sports Conference Concludes

Beijing, August 3 (People's Daily) — (Reporter Tao Xiang'an (陶相安)) On the 2nd, the 2026 "Run, Youth!" (奔跑吧·少年) National Youth Sunshine Sports Conference (全国青少年阳光体育大会) concluded in Zhengzhou, Henan. This edition of the conference had a total of 1,668 youths and 296 coaches from 34 delegations participating. The conference set up three major sections: "Exhibition and Performance," "Educational Activities," and "Project Experience."

This edition of the conference, centering on the growth characteristics of youths, set up events including track and field, roller skating, jump rope, softball, rock climbing, martial arts, cheerleading, football, basketball, volleyball, and others.

At the same time, the conference created multi-sport promotion and experience scenarios at the Henan Institute of Physical Education (河南体育学院), integrating the forms of "Sports + Culture" and "Sports + Technology," and setting up rich content such as intelligent interactive experiences, fun sports challenges, and sports culture displays, opening them to the participating delegations and the youths of Zhengzhou City, allowing more young people to share in the sports grand event.

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Layout design: Shen Yiling (沈亦伶)

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A tape measure yields tens of billions in output value; distinctive industries empower revitalization — Yucheng County, Henan Province promotes high-quality development of hardware measuring tools industrial cluster

A small steel tape measure connects a vast market. Yucheng County (虞城县), Shangqiu City, Henan Province, located on the Eastern Henan Plain, has built its industry on steel tape measures. After more than 40 years of deep cultivation, nurturing, iteration, and upgrading, it has achieved a magnificent transformation from processing waste scrap material to a hundred-billion-yuan industrial cluster, from rural family workshops to a global intelligent manufacturing base, and from low-end OEM production to independent brands going overseas.

As a steel tape measure production cluster with a leading national scale and a complete industrial chain, Yucheng County’s steel tape measure products are sold to more than 120 countries and regions, with an annual output value reaching 12 billion yuan, directly driving hundreds of thousands of people to stable employment, increase income, and become prosperous. This small county-level single product precisely measures the development scale of the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, and vividly interprets the revitalization path of the county economy where “one industry thrives, a hundred industries prosper.”

Waste materials gather sand to build a tower; the entire chain builds the foundation to prosper the industry

The development of Yucheng County’s hardware and measuring tools industry originated from the people’s daring to explore and experiment. In the 1980s, the people of Shaogang Town (稍岗镇, originally Shaogang Township, changed to town in 2014) seized market opportunities, purchased discarded ruler strips from state-owned steel tape measure production enterprises, manually sorted and simply assembled them, went from village to village, set up stalls to sell, and thus started the path of industrial development. Relying on the tenacity of hard work and a keen and pragmatic market vision, the local scattered family workshops gradually grew, completing the initial leap from rough processing to large-scale production.

After more than 40 years of 厚积薄发 (hòu jī bó fā - “thick accumulation, thin release,” steady accumulation leads to sudden breakthrough), the former discarded ruler strip processing points have now grown into a hardware and measuring tools industrial cluster with a leading national concentration and complete supporting facilities. A complete and mature industrial chain is the foundation of the industry’s confidence in the global market. The more than 30 types of parts and components needed for an ordinary steel tape measure, such as the ruler tape, ruler hook, spring, and ruler shell, can all be fully assembled within the five-kilometer industrial circle of Yucheng High-tech Zone (虞城高新区) and Shaogang Town, achieving nearby supporting, real-time production, and rapid delivery.

At present, the county has gathered more than 2,000 steel tape measure production and various hardware tool business entities, and more than 200 supporting enterprises, forming a tiered industrial pattern with leading enterprises as the guide, small and medium-sized enterprises as the support, and individual merchants as the supplement, building a vibrant industrial ecology. The highly concentrated industrial cluster effect effectively reduces the costs of mold development, new product trial production, and logistics turnover, greatly shortens the order delivery cycle, gives products the dual advantages of cost-effectiveness and high efficiency, and thus provides strong support for Yucheng to occupy an advantageous position in the global hardware and measuring tools market.

Science and innovation break through the situation to improve quality; intelligent manufacturing iterates to empower

For a long time, steel tape measures have been regarded as traditional small hardware products with low technical thresholds and low added value. Facing the development bottleneck of homogeneous competition in the industry, Yucheng County actively changed its development thinking, jumped out of the old path of extensive development, and promoted the development logic of the industry to comprehensively shift from “competing on cost and low price” to “competing on technology, quality, and innovation,” activating new momentum for traditional industries with scientific and technological innovation.

In the major hardware and measuring tool production enterprises of Yucheng County, technological transformation, process upgrading, and new product research and development have become the norm. Henan Xuanshi Tools Co., Ltd. (河南玄石工具有限公司) deeply cultivates the overseas high-end market, independently researching and developing hollow stainless steel tape measures. The product adopts a 301 stainless steel integrated molding process, and the innovative hollow structure effectively solves industry pain points such as sand jamming in construction sites, moisture corrosion, and easy damage, while possessing waterproof, dustproof, rustproof, and drop-resistant performance, with a service life three times that of ordinary products. This high-end customized single product has an annual sales revenue exceeding 20 million yuan, mainly targeting the North American high-end market, and has become a representative product of “Yucheng Intelligent Manufacturing.”

Entering the intelligent production workshop of Henan Baisheng Ruler Industry Co., Ltd. (河南百盛尺业有限公司), automated equipment such as laser printing and precision calibration operate in an orderly manner, strictly controlling the printing accuracy of the ruler tape. The intelligent production process not only improves product precision and stabilizes product quality, but also effectively enhances production capacity and efficiency. The enterprise’s overseas orders have long maintained a good situation of supply falling short of demand.

Driven by innovation, Yucheng County’s hardware and measuring tools industry continues to broaden its development track, breaking the product limitation of “single tape measure.” Local enterprises actively absorb international advanced design concepts and manufacturing technologies, continuously research and develop intelligent voice measuring tools, digital precision tools, laser rangefinders, and other intelligent and digital products, achieving transformation and upgrading from traditional manual hardware tools to precision, intelligent, and high-end measuring tools.

At the same time, the National Steel Tape Measure and Hardware Tool Product Quality Inspection and Testing Center (Henan) (国家钢卷尺及五金工具产品质量检验检测中心（河南）) provides technical support for the development of the county’s industry, empowering in all aspects such as industry standard setting, product quality testing, technology achievement transformation, and enterprise qualification certification. From process improvement to product innovation, from equipment renewal to standard leadership, Yucheng’s hardware and measuring tools industry has steadily completed a deep transformation from “traditional manufacturing” to “intelligent manufacturing,” giving new vitality to the old industry.

Brands set sail overseas; broaden the development track

In recent years, enterprises in Yucheng County have completely changed their business philosophy, forming a development consensus that “without a brand, there is no strength; without quality, there is no prosperity,” and have begun a leapfrog transformation from OEM production to independent brand creation, from “borrowing a boat to go to sea” to “building a boat to go to sea.”

Quality upgrading is the foundation of brand rise. Yucheng County enterprises continuously optimize product materials, achieving iteration and upgrading from ordinary steel to stainless steel and special carbon steel, constantly improving practical properties such as wear resistance, explosion-proof, waterproof, and rustproof, balancing practicality and aesthetics, comprehensively enhancing the overall quality of products, and winning global market recognition with excellent quality.

The continuous innovation of the opening-up model helps Yucheng brands expand global terminal markets. Yucheng County enterprises have bid farewell to the traditional model of passively receiving orders and OEM production, actively building multilingual official platforms, entering mainstream cross-border e-commerce platforms, relying on overseas new media channels to face terminal consumers directly, accurately capturing market dynamics and grasping demand changes, achieving precise production-sales docking and efficient linkage.

Only by developing together can we gather strength and sail far. The Shaogang Town Hardware Chamber of Commerce (稍岗镇五金商会) fully plays the role of an industry bond, regularly carrying out market research and industry exchange activities, improving the industry self-discipline mechanism, regulating market order, and creating a healthy development ecology. The industry coordinates and integrates high-quality resources, regularly organizes enterprises to participate in domestic and international professional exhibitions, and builds an efficient supply-demand docking platform.

In March 2026, the China·Shangqiu Hardware and Measuring Tools Expo (中国·商丘五金工量具博览会) was successfully held, with a 20,000-square-meter exhibition area gathering more than 600 domestic and foreign exhibitors, and merchants from more than 20 countries and regions coming to negotiate cooperation and sign transactions. Today, more and more Yucheng independent brands have firmly established themselves in the international market, carving a distinct Yucheng mark on the global hardware industry map.

Industry takes root in the countryside; gather strength for common prosperity and revitalization

The ultimate goal of industrial development is to enrich the people and benefit the people. Yucheng County has always adhered to empowering the comprehensive revitalization of rural areas through industry, based on the advantages of local characteristic industries, promoting the hardware and measuring tools industry to deeply take root in the countryside and benefit people’s livelihoods, making the characteristic industry a pillar industry for the people to stabilize employment, increase income, and become prosperous.

As the main carrier of the industry, the entire area of Shaogang Town has formed a complete rural industrial chain of parts processing, finished product assembly, online sales, and logistics distribution. All villages in the town adapt to local conditions and develop with differentiation, with every household participating in nearby industrial production and operation, forming a good pattern where every village has an industry and every household has income. Among them, Fengzhuang Village (冯庄村) deeply cultivates the e-commerce sales track, and villagers can engage in tape measure assembly, parts processing, live streaming sales, and other work at their doorstep, achieving “leaving the land but not the hometown, employment without leaving home, and income increase without leaving the village.”

With the vigorous development of the e-commerce economy and digital economy, new types of employment positions such as new media operations, cross-border logistics, and online operation and maintenance have emerged, continuously broadening the channels for people to increase income. The dividends of industrial development continue to be released, driving the continuous improvement of people’s livelihood undertakings such as rural living environment, basic education, and medical and health care, and the people’s sense of gain and happiness have steadily improved.

To help the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and stabilize the foundation of people-enriching employment, the Yucheng County Hardware Chamber of Commerce (虞城县五金商会) innovatively launched a “credit + order + mortgage” financing service model, cumulatively issuing 86 million yuan in low-interest loans to member enterprises, effectively solving the problems of difficult and expensive financing for small and micro enterprises. At the same time, it uniformly organized enterprises to participate in 16 domestic and international industry exhibitions, effectively driving a 65% increase in regional export volume.

In terms of industrial supporting construction, the Yucheng County Electroplating Ecological Park has completed green upgrading and transformation, making up for the environmental protection shortcomings of hardware manufacturing, and promoting the green, low-carbon, and sustainable development of the industry; the Shangqiu Bonded Logistics Center (商丘保税物流中心) continuously optimizes customs clearance procedures and shortens customs clearance time, reducing burdens and increasing efficiency for enterprises’ cross-border trade, and providing escort. The hardware and measuring tools industry leads strongly, while traditional industries such as textile and garment, food processing, etc., advance in coordination. The endogenous driving force of the county economy continues to strengthen, forming a new situation of high-quality development with one industry leading, multiple industries linked, and overall prosperity.

For more than 40 years, 栉风沐雨 (zhì fēng mù yǔ - “comb wind and bathe rain,” to work hard despite hardships) and forging ahead with determination, Yucheng County has gone from processing waste scrap material to a hundred-billion-yuan industrial cluster, from rural small workshops to a global intelligent manufacturing highland, from low-end OEM operations to independent brands going overseas. Using a small steel tape measure as a fulcrum, it has walked out a path of high-quality development of the county economy featuring small products with large clusters, old industries with new momentum, and strong industries enriching the people.

A small tape measure measures not only the precise scale of precision manufacturing, but also the height of endeavor in county transformation and upgrading, and the warmth of people’s livelihood in common prosperity in rural areas. Forging ahead into the 15th Five-Year Plan period, Yucheng County will continue to deeply cultivate the characteristic leading industry of hardware and measuring tools, adhere to innovation-driven, brand-led, cluster efficiency, and people-benefit empowerment, continuously promote the extension of the industrial chain to the high end and the climbing of the value chain to the top, fully polish the “Yucheng Tape Measure” industry business card, and continue to write a new answer sheet for high-quality development of the county economy and comprehensive revitalization of rural areas.

Data source: Publicity Department of the Yucheng County Committee of the Communist Party of China (中共虞城县委宣传部)

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Summer Sports Programs for Youth Showcase National Characteristics (International Perspective)

By: 本报记者 牛瑞飞 许海林 赵益普

Currently, the Northern Hemisphere is in the summer vacation period, and young people in many countries are going outdoors to participate in distinctive sports activities. In countries such as Belgium, Spain, and Pakistan, distinctive sports programs not only help young people strengthen their bodies and cultivate interest in sports, but also, through comprehensive popularization systems and talent development pathways, lay a good foundation for passing on sports culture and raising competitive standards.

Belgium — Sports Initiation on Horseback

As the summer vacation begins, many equestrian clubs in Belgium become lively. At the La Cambre Equestrian Center in Brussels, children start by learning to brush the ponies and tidy the saddles. The coach first demonstrates methods for approaching horses and observing their condition, then gradually guides the children to mount and experience riding. Many children who are new to equestrianism go from nervous to relaxed, gaining joy from interacting with the horses.

Belgium has abundant equestrian facilities, with the Flanders region being particularly typical. The region has about 200,000 horses, of which 75,000 are kept in professional venues such as breeding farms, equestrian schools, and boarding stables, providing about 6,000 related jobs. Urban residents can reach nearby horse farms or riding venues within tens of minutes by public transport or private car, and the convenient conditions make it easy for young people to access equestrianism.

For many Belgian families, the threshold for participating in equestrianism is not high. Children can gradually get started through “pony experiences,” “holiday training camps,” and “weekend courses.” At the La Cambre Equestrian Center, regular group lessons cost 25 to 30 euros per hour, a 5-day summer camp costs 250 to 280 euros, and the equipment needed for training can be borrowed for free, so children from many ordinary families can also participate.

Local equestrian courses do not only teach riding skills; they also cover horse cognition, care knowledge, and norms for safe interaction. The equestrian center offers horse care and fun activities for children, grouped by age and level, providing systematic training from beginner to advanced. Staff at the La Cambre Equestrian Center said that in the process of learning to brush and clean stables, children gradually develop a sense of rules, patience, and respect for life, and the experience of leading a horse independently can help younger children build confidence. Some parents said that learning equestrianism not only allows children to understand sports knowledge but also guides them into nature and reduces screen time.

The increase in popularity supports Belgium’s competitive strength in equestrianism. According to the latest Longines Nations League Jumping rankings released by the International Equestrian Federation in April 2026, Belgium ranks second; in the individual world rankings for jumping announced at the end of May 2026, Belgian rider Gilles Thomas ranks fifth.

Spain — Padel Tennis Integrated into Daily Life

In the evening at the Blaras Sports Center in Pozuelo, Madrid, Spain, many young people carrying padel tennis rackets are training here. This sports center, which has 7 padel tennis courts, is open year-round, and the summer vacation sees a peak in youth training. Lucas, 8 years old, has just been learning padel tennis for two months, and he is full of enthusiasm for the sport. “Every successful shot fills Lucas with motivation, and he also plans to drag his grandmother to practice together,” Lucas’s mother told reporters.

Padel tennis combines characteristics of tennis and squash, with simple rules and quick to learn, mainly doubles, suitable for family and friends to participate together, and has a broad mass base in Spain. In recent years, with the improvement of court construction, increased attention to professional events, and Spanish players repeatedly achieving good results in international competitions, the appeal of padel tennis among young people has continued to grow, and many young people take it as a long-term sport or even a career direction.

To increase youth participation, the Spanish Padel Tennis Federation and local associations have built a comprehensive youth training and competition system, covering campus promotion, school leagues, youth tour events, regional team selection, coach certification, and club youth training courses. Many clubs and academies also offer youth membership discounts, equipment rental, and scholarship programs, further lowering the participation threshold.

Taking the Blaras Sports Center as an example, its youth courses offer options of one hour or two hours per week, with a cost of 8 to 12.5 euros per hour. Currently, over 6 million people in Spain regularly participate in padel tennis, about 13% of the total population; the country has thousands of clubs and over 17,000 courts, with tens of thousands of registered youth players under 19, and its participation scale, number of courts, and talent reserve are among the top in the world.

In addition to professional venues, padel tennis enthusiasts can be seen everywhere in public spaces such as parks and beaches in Spain, and this sport has become an important part of people’s daily life and social culture.

Pakistan — Rich and Varied Cricket Events

At an abandoned football field in the southwestern outskirts of Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, primary and secondary school students from the surrounding area often spontaneously gather to play a nearly three-hour cricket match on the weedy ground. They bring their own spray paint to mark out the central pitch, bowling and batting areas, outfield, and other zones needed for a cricket match, and use picked-up stones and branches to set up simple wickets. The venue is crude and the equipment simple, but it cannot stop the children’s enthusiasm for sports.

On the large grassy areas of more than 50 parks of various sizes in Islamabad, almost every day you can see groups of children gathered to play cricket. On the field, children bat, bowl, and run; off the field, watching adults and children keep up a constant stream of laughter and cheerful talk.

Cricket has a deep mass base in Pakistan. Data released by a local research institute earlier this year showed that over 34% of respondents listed cricket as their favorite sport. To promote widespread youth participation in cricket, the Pakistani government has introduced multiple measures. In 2025, Pakistan promoted campus cricket leagues in 405 schools across 39 regions for the first time, and the eventual league champion was rewarded with participation in an overseas tour, while some winning teams received opportunities to be selected for the Pakistan Cricket Board’s U15 and U17 championships and high-level training camps. The Pakistan Cricket Board stated that opening up the pathway between campus events, professional competitions, and the national team will help attract more young people to participate and promote the development of national cricket.

The Pakistan Cricket Board also holds national events such as the Hanif Mohammad Cup and the Jinnah Cup, with most participating teams setting up youth athlete training camps, both to select outstanding reserve talents and to expand the influence of cricket among young people. In addition, the Board has launched programs such as cricket scholarships, training camps, youth living allowances, and a global talent selection plan, and has partnered with enterprises and non-governmental organizations to build youth cricket academies and sports venues in remote areas, equipped with professional equipment and coaches, to improve grassroots sports conditions.

Pakistan’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, stated that the Pakistani government is committed to guiding young people to strive upward and grow healthily through sports such as cricket. “We are committed to ensuring that every child has a sport they love.”

(This newspaper’s dispatches from Brussels, Madrid, and Islamabad on August 3rd)

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Number of South Korean Tourists to China Continues to Grow

By: 本报记者 莽九晨 汪思源

The latest statistical data from the South Korean government show that from January to June this year, the number of South Koreans visiting China was approximately 1.714 million, an increase of 16% compared with the same period last year. The South Korean industry generally believes that China is an "overseas tourism destination with short distance and good experience," and it is expected that the number of South Korean tourists to China will continue to grow throughout 2026. According to South Korea's Dong-A Ilbo (东亚日报), China is attracting attention from South Korean tourists as a "high-cost-performance tourism destination," and tourism products for travel to China are continuously expanding. In particular, since November 2024, China has implemented a visa-free entry policy for South Korean citizens of up to 30 days, allowing South Korean tourists to save visa processing and related costs, significantly reducing travel expenses.

According to the summer outbound travel booking statistics released recently by the large South Korean travel agency Mode Tour (模德旅游), among the outbound travel product reservations departing from July 18 to August 8, short-haul destination reservations accounted for 82%, and China, at 27.4%, became the overseas tourism destination with the highest reservation proportion among South Korean tourists this summer. During the summer tourism peak season from July to August this year, reservations for travel products to China increased by 62.5% compared with the same period last year. The travel agency believes that travel to China is showing a continuous growth trend.

A questionnaire survey recently conducted by the China Tourism Office in Seoul (中国驻首尔旅游办事处) among 2,600 South Korean adults who had previously traveled to China showed that after the implementation of the visa-free policy, South Korean tourists' satisfaction with visiting China, willingness to revisit, and willingness to recommend all increased, with Shanghai, Beijing, Zhangjiajie, Qingdao, and other places being popular tourist destinations. Bai Chunzhi, a citizen of Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, told reporters that after the implementation of the visa-free policy, it has become more convenient for South Koreans to travel to China. Seoul citizen Yoon Jae-sung has visited China several times and very much likes the scenery and cuisine of the Jiangnan region of China. "What impressed me most is the speed of China's development. Even for cities I have visited before, when I go again after a few years, I find many surprising new changes."

While traditional natural landscape routes remain popular, South Korean tourists' demand for travel to China is also extending to urban independent travel and experiential tourism. Taking Anhui as an example, South Korean tourists are keen to visit the Ancient Huizhou Cultural Tourism Zone (古徽州文化旅游区), where they can not only enjoy the local natural scenery and historical ancient architecture but also experience Zen meditation and health preservation, and taste authentic cuisine. A relevant official from the Department of Culture and Tourism of Anhui Province (安徽省文化和旅游厅) told reporters in an interview that the local area has launched a number of characteristic inbound tourism products for South Korean tourists, providing practical guides for transportation, travel services, foreign currency exchange, etc., making in-depth tours for South Korean tourists smoother and more convenient.

The continuously densifying air routes between China and South Korea make it more convenient for South Korean tourists to travel to China. The South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport recently stated that the relevant authorities of South Korea and China have reached an agreement on expanding air rights between the two countries, adding a total of 70 passenger and cargo flights per week. South Korean media said that this is the first time the two countries have added air rights since 2019. In the future, flights to popular destinations such as Shanghai and Guangzhou are expected to increase, and the route network between South Korean regional airports and Chinese cities will also be further improved. For example, flights from South Korean regional cities such as Busan and Cheongju to 10 Chinese cities including Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Shenzhen will increase by 14 flights per week, further facilitating people-to-people exchanges.

A relevant official from the China Tourism Office in Seoul told reporters that China is taking the promotion of the national tourism image "Nihao! China" (你好！中国) as an important lever, continuously enhancing the visibility, reputation, and competitiveness of "China Travel" in the South Korean market, and promoting the high-quality development of South Korean tourism to China.

(People's Daily, Seoul, August 3rd — Xinhua)

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Global Scan

US and Iran may hold negotiations; international oil prices fall significantly

Xinhua News Agency, New York, August 2 (Reporter Liu Yanan (刘亚南)) — Because the market expects the United States and Iran to soon hold a new round of negotiations, international crude oil futures prices fell significantly on the afternoon of the 2nd Eastern Time after the start of trading in the new week.

As of 19:00 Eastern Time on the 2nd, the light crude oil futures price for September delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell to a low of $74.78 per barrel, down $5.89 from the previous trading day's settlement price, a decline of 6.96%; the London Brent crude oil futures price for October delivery fell to a low of $81.55 per barrel, down $6.38 from the previous trading day's settlement price, a decline of 7.26%.

As of the time of this report, the declines in the light crude oil futures for September delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange and the London Brent crude oil futures for October delivery had narrowed to around 4%.

U.S. President Trump told media on the afternoon of the 2nd aboard Air Force One that the United States would hold negotiations with Iran the following day. The day before, Trump announced the cancellation of military strikes against Iran.

As of the time of this report, the Iranian side had not yet responded to this.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) issued a statement on the 2nd saying that seven major oil-producing countries of "OPEC+" decided to increase crude oil production by an average of 188,000 barrels per day in September, and reiterated that they would maintain market stability.

Iran: No plans to receive or send delegations in recent days

According to Xinhua News Agency, Tehran, August 3 — According to a report by the Islamic Republic News Agency on the 3rd, regarding the resumption of negotiations between Iran and the United States, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Baghaei said that day that "these days" there are no plans to receive delegations or send Iranian delegations, and Iran is currently not conducting any negotiations with the United States.

Baghaei said that all current consultations are focused on bilateral dialogues with Oman regarding safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian side is working to cooperate with Oman to determine a temporary shipping lane as soon as possible to ensure the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Baghaei also said that regarding issues between Iran and the United States, the Iranian side "will observe the subsequent developments of the situation." As long as the United States' evil acts and maritime blockade continue, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will not change.

Morocco's Interior Ministry: Ceuta migration crisis causes 11 deaths

According to Xinhua News Agency, Rabat, August 3 — Morocco's Interior Ministry issued a statement on the 2nd saying that the illegal migrant crossing incident in Ceuta resulted in 11 deaths.

This is the first time the Moroccan side has released the death toll from the Ceuta migration crisis, and the data released by the Moroccan side is significantly lower than the data from the Spanish side. Spain's El País reported on the 2nd, citing local officials in Ceuta, that the migration crisis in Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa, has caused at least 72 deaths.

The Moroccan Interior Ministry stated that among the 11 deceased, 10 died by drowning, and another died from a fall from a rocky area. The Moroccan side is cooperating with the Spanish side to verify the death data and confirm the identities of the bodies.

The Moroccan Interior Ministry also said that a total of nearly 40,000 people illegally entered Ceuta this time. The Moroccan Interior Ministry attributed this illegal crossing incident to "malicious use" of social media, "dissemination of misleading information," and "misunderstanding of legal provisions."

Ceuta is located on the Mediterranean coast near the Strait of Gibraltar in northwestern Africa, bordering Morocco. Spanish media reported on July 31, citing government and police sources, that nearly 50,000 migrants illegally entered Ceuta from Morocco in the previous 24 hours. The Spanish government said on August 1 that none of the approximately 50,000 migrants who illegally entered Ceuta this time were allowed to proceed to mainland Spain, and more than 48,000 have returned to Morocco, and the migration crisis is basically under control.

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Colombia actively promotes inclusive education development

By: 本报记者 时元皓

In El Pital village, Buenaventura city, on Colombia's Pacific coast, a newly built school with a stilt-house design stands out prominently in the dense rainforest. The school is equipped with facilities adapted to the local environment, such as a photovoltaic power generation system and a rainwater collection system, fulfilling the wish of students in remote communities to study at their doorstep. This is one of many projects supported by the Colombia Education Infrastructure Financing Fund. The latest report shows that over the past four years, the fund has completed the construction and renovation of 1,656 public education institutions, benefiting more than 634,000 students, continuously helping to narrow the urban-rural education gap.

For a long time, educational equity in Colombia has faced multiple challenges, with prominent problems such as uneven distribution of educational resources between urban and rural areas, insufficient conditions for running public schools, and high dropout rates in remote areas. In recent years, the Colombian government has made efforts in promoting education infrastructure construction, safeguarding the right to education for vulnerable groups, and narrowing the digital divide in the education sector, pushing the education system toward a more equitable and inclusive direction.

Colombia's National Development Plan 2022-2026 lists the development of education as a core area, proposing seven measures including expanding the coverage of early childhood education, ensuring funding sources for public schools, emphasizing civic education, safeguarding teacher welfare, and advancing higher education reform, setting a clear roadmap for the reform and development of the education system. The Ministry of Education of Colombia stated that education is expected to become an important driving force for overcoming social inequality.

In terms of improving and upgrading basic education facilities, Colombia has continuously increased investment. In September 2024, the country launched the "Education Environment and Space Transformation Plan," supported by an $80 million loan from the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2025, the plan completed the renovation of 70 schools in areas with weak educational resources. In November 2025, the plan entered its second phase, releasing the "Technical Guide for Modular Systems of Education Infrastructure," promoting replicable modular construction solutions to adapt to the needs of different climate zones, shorten construction periods, reduce construction costs, and provide sustainable solutions for rural and remote areas. Since 2026, 16 modular education infrastructure projects have been implemented, benefiting more than 7,400 students.

To ensure long-term sustainable investment in education infrastructure, in January of this year, Colombia's National Council for Economic and Social Policy approved a ten-year plan for education infrastructure totaling 13.1 trillion Colombian pesos (1 yuan renminbi is approximately equivalent to 479 Colombian pesos), planning to renovate and upgrade 3,184 preschool and basic education institutions and 114 higher education infrastructure projects by 2036.

To address the shortage of teachers in remote areas, Colombia implements the "Comprehensive Learning and Training Guidance Plan," which annually recruits volunteers from teacher-training students to carry out teaching practice in rural areas, while selecting outstanding public school teachers to serve as project mentors, promoting curriculum reform and improving teaching quality. The latest evaluation shows that the plan has achieved positive results in 16 of 22 indicators, including teacher teaching practice, school governance, and narrowing the education gap.

In May 2025, Colombia passed a bill recognizing the indigenous education system, further strengthening the protection of indigenous people's right to education. The bill ensures that Colombia's 115 indigenous communities manage the education process through their own institutions, safeguarding the right to education of indigenous people while respecting their social, cultural, linguistic, and territorial characteristics.

Facing the rapid development trend of artificial intelligence, Colombia is actively exploring new paths for technology to empower educational equity. Recently, the Ministry of Education of Colombia officially launched an AI administrative assistant, integrating functions such as tuition policy inquiry and intelligent processing of academic credential authentication, improving the efficiency of public education services and reducing service disparities caused by geographical factors. The official education portal "Colombia Learns" has also been connected to AI functions such as intelligent content recommendation and personalized learning plan generation, providing students with more adaptable learning support.

A report by the Ibero-American Organization pointed out that in 2025, an estimated more than 10,000 teachers in Colombia received training related to the application of AI tools in education and teaching. Colombia's application of AI in the education sector helps achieve more efficient teaching planning and reduce the imbalance in the country's educational development.

Colombia is also actively expanding international cooperation in the education field. In April of this year, 125 Colombian teachers from remote areas participated in an AI online training program held by universities and research institutions in Tianjin. Colombia's National Radio reported that this training will have a positive effect in the relevant areas, as teachers bring the knowledge they have learned back to their respective schools, expanding students' learning opportunities and improving educational inclusivity.

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Export to China: Big Market Brings Big Opportunities

In the first half of 2026, China's goods trade import value reached 10.74 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 22.1%. As of 2025, China has been the world's second-largest import market for 17 consecutive years, and "exporting to China" is becoming an important choice for more and more foreign enterprises to expand their international markets. China, with its super-large market advantages, is connecting with global supply, bringing more new opportunities to the world.

German Council on International Economic Affairs — A Machine Tool Brings Multiple Opportunities
By our reporter Xu Xin (徐馨)

In 2025, China's new energy vehicle output reached 16.524 million units, and industrial robot output reached 773,000 sets. The rapidly expanding industrial scale and continuously emerging application scenarios are opening up new market space for more and more German enterprises. "The advantages of German enterprises in fields such as precision manufacturing and industrial automation, together with the growing new demands from China's manufacturing transformation and upgrading, are driving the complementary advantages of both sides to be quickly transformed into practical cooperation results," said Peter Nussbaum, Chairman of the Board of the German Council on International Economic Affairs.

"Expanding exports to China drives the development of German enterprises, and this is particularly evident in the machinery and equipment manufacturing sector," Nussbaum explained. As China continuously promotes the high-end, intelligent, and green development of manufacturing, the Chinese market's demand for high-precision machine tools, laser processing equipment, industrial software, sensor technology, robot systems, and energy-saving solutions is growing. In 2025, China once again became Germany's largest trading partner, with the total bilateral goods trade volume reaching 1.51 trillion yuan, and trade with China providing approximately 1 million jobs for Germany.

As an independent economic association and think tank, the German Council on International Economic Affairs is a staunch supporter of globalization, with members mostly being hidden champions and internationally renowned enterprises in advanced manufacturing, high technology, and modern services. In March this year, a delegation from the German Council on International Economic Affairs visited Hangzhou, Yiwu, and Taizhou in Zhejiang Province to gain on-the-ground understanding of the integrated application of artificial intelligence, digital platforms, automated logistics, and modern production processes. "We witnessed how China combines advanced production technologies with modern production processes. This provides German enterprises with the opportunity to quickly test innovative achievements under real conditions, enabling innovations to be efficiently transformed from pilot projects into products," Nussbaum said.

"China is an export market of significant strategic importance," Nussbaum stated. In 2025, China's machine tool consumption accounted for approximately 32% of global metalworking machine tool consumption, making it the world's largest machine tool market. Demand from the Chinese market is shifting from single equipment to complete technical systems. "Chinese customers need not only equipment and components, but also supporting software, energy-saving solutions, technical training, and long-term services." The continuous upgrading of Chinese market demand has extended German enterprises' exports to China from one-time product transactions to stages such as technical adaptation, operation and maintenance, and updates and upgrades, bringing more diverse and lasting cooperation opportunities.

For many years, German enterprises have been one of the largest groups among European exhibitors at the China International Import Expo. At the eighth CIIE, over 130 German enterprises participated, the highest number among EU countries. Nussbaum believes that through the CIIE, German enterprises can connect with partners, obtain customer feedback, understand industry trends, and adjust their products in a timely manner according to Chinese market demand. "For German enterprises, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, exporting to China not only means entering a huge market, but can also become a starting point for achieving more comprehensive internationalization."

China-Britain Business Council — A Bicycle Reflects Market Potential
By our reporter Xu Liqun (许立群)

In 1975, when British engineer Andrew Ritchie developed the first Brompton folding bicycle, he might not have imagined that distant China would become the global largest market for this bicycle, accounting for about 30% of its global sales in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. "China's continuously upgrading consumer demand and increasingly完善的 market system provide British enterprises, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, with broader space for scaled exports of specialty products," said Wu Sitian (吴思田), Chairman of the China-Britain Business Council.

As of 2026, the Brompton folding bicycle has 23 directly-operated stores and over 60 authorized dealers in 37 cities across China, forming a complete offline network covering core first- and second-tier cities. Wu Sitian believes that the growth story of this bicycle brand is a vivid microcosm of the complementary and win-win economic and trade relations between China and Britain, and also intuitively confirms the infinite potential of China's super-large market. In 2025, the bilateral goods trade volume between China and Britain reached 103.7 billion US dollars. The large number of new demands generated by China's consumption upgrade and industrial transformation are forming new points of convergence with Britain's advantages in original design, health technology, and professional services.

"The most prominent characteristic of the Chinese market is not only its large size, but also its unified rules, active domestic demand, and rapid iteration," Wu Sitian said. For small and medium-sized enterprises with limited resources, in other countries they often need to adapt to different standards and establish different channels, resulting in high market development costs. In China, after completing product adaptation and opening up sales channels, enterprises can quickly reach consumers in different regions and levels, continuously obtain feedback in rich application scenarios, and improve products. "This is precisely the important reason why British small and medium-sized enterprises and tech startups have focused on the Chinese market and strived to expand exports to China in recent years."

Against the backdrop of weak global demand and rising trade protectionism, China's 15th Five-Year Plan (十五五规划纲要) clearly proposes to accelerate the building of a trade power, promote the quality and efficiency of foreign trade, and promote balanced development of imports and exports. "This is both an inherent need for China to achieve high-quality development and brings long-term stable market opportunities for British enterprises." In Wu Sitian's view, China's initiative to actively expand imports has effectively stabilized British enterprises' expectations for trade with China and promoted balanced bilateral trade development. At the same time, Britain's high-quality resources in green finance, foreign-related legal services, professional consulting, international medical care, and high-end education precisely match the core needs of China's service industry modernization transformation and high-level opening up.

Turning market potential into actual orders also requires efficient and smooth docking channels. According to statistics from the China-Britain Business Council, in the eight years since the China International Import Expo was held, over 480 British enterprises have participated, and nearly 80 tech startups have appeared in the Innovation Incubation Zone. The exhibition areas have expanded from consumer goods to high-end manufacturing, biomedicine, green low-carbon, and professional services. "For British small and medium-sized enterprises lacking overseas channels, such an open platform greatly lowers the threshold for entering the Chinese market," Wu Sitian said. British small and medium-sized enterprises will also continue to explore new cooperation opportunities and write more new chapters of mutual benefit and win-win with China.

Ethiopia's Owo Coffee Company — A Cup of Coffee Contains Zero-Tariff Dividends
By our reporter Zou Song (邹松)

Stepping into the Owo Coffee processing plant in Awasa, Ethiopia, standardized production lines operate in an orderly manner. Here, coffee beans undergo sorting, processing, and storage before being shipped across the ocean to overseas markets including China. "The rapidly growing Chinese market has become our main export destination. Exporting to China brings Ethiopia not only large procurement orders, but also the confidence to continuously expand production, improve products, and establish long-term export channels," said Tesfaye Gebru, founder and general manager of Owo Coffee Company.

Ethiopia is the birthplace of Arabica coffee, and its altitude, climate, and cultivation traditions create a unique flavor. In recent years, Ethiopian coffee exports to China have grown at an average annual rate of 27%, making China the third-largest export market for Ethiopian coffee. In the 2025-2026 fiscal year, Ethiopia exported nearly 48,000 tons of coffee to China, with an export value of 347 million US dollars, up about 40% and 58% year-on-year respectively. Owo Coffee was founded in 2014, and about 90% of its roasted coffee products are sold to China, with export volume to the Chinese market growing at an average annual rate of about 10%.

"China's zero-tariff and other policy dividends have significantly enhanced the market competitiveness of Ethiopian specialty coffee, making more Chinese buyers willing to purchase directly from the place of origin," Tesfaye said. The continuously released consumer demand of China's super-large market provides African enterprises, including Owo Coffee, with a realistic path to transform specialty products into stable exports. The significance of exporting to China is not limited to "selling more," but also lies in helping African small and medium-sized enterprises reduce market access costs, enhance export capacity, and convert resource endowments into sustainable development benefits through sustained demand and open platforms.

In 2025, Owo Coffee participated in the China International Import Expo for the first time and connected with dozens of Chinese importers for long-term cooperation. "The CIIE helps us continuously expand our brand influence, consolidate relationships with Chinese trade partners, and more accurately understand the needs of Chinese consumers," Tesfaye explained. Currently, Owo Coffee's own 14-hectare plantation can no longer meet the demand for exports to China, and it needs to cooperate with surrounding farmers to further expand coffee bean procurement channels. The diversified demand of the Chinese market for roasted coffee is driving the company to gradually extend from mainly exporting green coffee beans to higher value-added stages such as roasting and packaging.

"China's continuous promotion of high-level opening up and stable implementation of preferential trade policies for Africa release a clear signal of long-term cooperation, greatly boosting the development confidence of African enterprises," Tesfaye said. Owo Coffee will continue to deepen cooperation with Chinese importers, expand the scale of specialty coffee exports to China, and simultaneously develop deep-processed products such as portable coffee. "Relying on the continuously open market, inclusive and friendly trade policies, and diversified docking platforms, more high-quality African products will enter the Chinese market, and Africa and China will continue to move forward on the path of mutual benefit and win-win," Tesfaye said.

Thailand's Charoen Pokphand Group — A Durian Witnesses Consumption Changes
By our reporter Yang Yi (杨一)

In supermarkets across China, Thai black tiger shrimp, chicken, and fresh durian are widely popular among consumers. Thai specialty pandan sauce, seafood sauce, and tom yum shrimp wonton noodles also enrich the tables of Chinese consumers. "China is not only an important export destination for CP Group's products, but also a key market for us to cultivate new products and expand export growth space," said Huang Weiwei (黄伟伟), Chief China Strategy Development and Cooperation Officer and Senior Vice Chairman of China Region of Thailand's Charoen Pokphand Group.

Charoen Pokphand Group was one of the earliest foreign enterprises to export products to China after the reform and opening up. Over more than 40 years of deep cultivation in the Chinese market, CP Group has continuously optimized and adjusted its products exported to the Chinese market according to changes in Chinese consumer demand, gradually expanding from traditional agricultural, livestock, and fishery products such as aquatic products and poultry meat to high-value-added categories such as high-end frozen meat, convenience foods, and specialty condiments. Huang Weiwei said that in recent years, Chinese consumers' demands for product quality and cost-effectiveness have continued to rise, "placing higher requirements on our product selection, quality control, and logistics systems."

"Taking durian as an example, CP Group's durian products exported to China have expanded from fresh durian to frozen durian, durian ice cream, and various processed durian foods, and have gradually formed a complete chain covering sourcing in Thailand, grading and packaging, cold chain transportation, and online and offline sales in China," Huang Weiwei introduced. CP Group has also introduced specialty durian varieties such as Monthong and Phuangmanee into the Chinese market to meet the growing personalized needs of Chinese consumers. "To adapt to the online consumption habits of the Chinese market, we have also set up a dedicated sorting line to control the source of every durian exported to China, minimizing the discrepancy in what Chinese consumers receive."

In July this year, the promotion conference for the ninth China International Import Expo and the "Export to China" Thailand special event were held in Bangkok. CP Group, as a "full-attendance" participant of the CIIE, shared its experience of participating for eight consecutive years. "The CIIE is the world's first national-level exhibition with import as its theme. We hope to use this platform to better showcase CP Group's full industry chain advantages and introduce more high-quality Thai products to Chinese consumers," Huang Weiwei said. The CIIE is also a valuable platform for learning and exchange, giving Thai enterprises, including CP Group, the opportunity to understand and learn from the new products and new technologies of other outstanding practitioners, thereby continuously improving their own comprehensive competitiveness.

"China's market is large in scale, high in openness, and strong in stability, possessing irreplaceable advantages for global suppliers. China's vigorous development of new quality productive forces (新质生产力) helps us realize the digital transformation of our industrial and supply chains, and the continuously improving demands of Chinese consumers also accelerate the upgrading and iteration of our products," Huang Weiwei said. CP Group's products are becoming more "refined" and their technological content is becoming more "substantial." "In the future, we will bring the advanced experience accumulated in the Chinese market to Southeast Asian and European and American markets, providing higher-quality products and services to global consumers."

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Expand Imports with Greater Intensity and More Concrete Measures (International Perspective)

By: 杨 涛

General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to the work of expanding imports, and has profoundly pointed out that "China's proactive expansion of imports is not a 权宜之计 (quán yí zhī jì - "an expedient plan," a temporary measure), but a long-term consideration oriented toward the world, toward the future, and toward promoting common development." The Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan deploys the expansion of high-level opening up, and proposes to promote the balanced development of imports and exports and to enhance the functions of trade promotion platforms. On November 4, 2025, Premier Li Qiang attended the launching ceremony of the "Sharing the Big Market · Export to China" (共享大市场·出口中国) series of activities. This once again firmly demonstrates to the world that China has always adhered, in the course of opening-up development, to sharing opportunities and achieving win-win outcomes with the world, and advocates jointly advancing a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind (人类命运共同体).

The "Export to China" series of activities is an innovative move in the history of global trade. At present, unilateralism and protectionism, especially high tariffs and other economic and trade barriers, are increasing; the international economic and trade order has been severely impacted; and enormous challenges have been brought to the development of many countries. Against this backdrop of the times, China has launched the "Export to China" series of activities. This is a proactive move by the Chinese side to expand independent opening up, actively expand imports, and promote balanced development of trade; an innovative move that proceeds from the perspective of trading partners, jointly makes the cake of cooperation bigger, and upholds the multilateral trading system; and also a concrete action to implement the Global Development Initiative (全球发展倡议) and promote the common development of all countries.

Proactively expanding imports and promoting the balanced development of imports and exports has provided Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions for jointly responding to changes in the world. For China, expanding imports of advanced technology, key equipment, high-quality resources, and high-quality consumer goods is conducive to promoting industrial upgrading and improvement of consumption quality, and to better meeting the people's needs for a better life. For trading partners, the Chinese market brings orders, employment, and development opportunities. At the "Export to China" United Kingdom special event held on July 1, Sherard Cowper-Coles, chairman of the China-Britain Business Council, said: "It is very rare for a country's trade minister to come to another country to promote that country's exports to his own country." For the world as a whole, China's contribution rate to world economic growth has remained at around 30 percent for many consecutive years, and a China that continues to expand imports will surely be a powerful engine for global trade recovery and economic growth.

Proactively expanding imports and promoting the balanced development of imports and exports relies on activities to set the stage, and even more on policies to empower. In terms of activities, as of the end of July, nearly 40 sessions of this year's "Export to China" series of activities have been held at home and abroad, achieving mutual reinforcement with "Shop in China" (购在中国) and "Invest in China" (投资中国), coordination with major exhibitions such as the China International Import Expo (进博会) and the China International Consumer Products Expo (消博会), and linkage with cross-border e-commerce retail imports, online activities to expand consumption, and the "Silk Road E-commerce Benefits the World" (丝路电商惠全球) themed activity. Government officials, business associations, and enterprise representatives from Africa and other places have come to China to participate in "Export to China" capacity training. In terms of policies, we will continue to give play to the role of trade promotion platforms such as the China International Import Expo, turning exhibits into goods and better meeting the people's ever-growing needs for a better life. We will foster with high quality 43 national import trade promotion and innovation demonstration zones (国家进口贸易促进创新示范区), and develop new business forms and new models such as cross-border e-commerce retail imports. We will promote the integration of trade and investment and foster positive interaction between imports and two-way investment. We will give full play to the zero-tariff measure for the 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China, and encourage all least developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China to make good use of the zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines granted by China. We will promote the upgrading of the "green channel" for African agricultural and food products entering China, and further expand the export of high-quality African agricultural and food products to China.

Proactively expanding imports and promoting the balanced development of imports and exports will bring more new opportunities to countries around the world. The Chinese market is large enough, and it will become larger and larger. China has a population of more than 1.4 billion and a middle-income group of more than 400 million, and has become the main export destination of about 80 countries and regions. In the first half of 2026, China's goods trade import value reached 10.74 trillion yuan, up 22.1 percent year on year; imports from more than 150 trading partners achieved positive growth; and the full-year import value is expected to exceed 20 trillion yuan for the first time. China's economy has injected valuable certainty into a world of increasing uncertainty, playing an important role as a "safe haven."

Responding to the call of the times and joining hands to address global challenges, what we need is not to create chasms of division, but to build bridges of communication. China is putting the Global Development Initiative into practice through the concrete actions of "Export to China," supporting all countries, especially developing countries, in expanding exports to China. We will, through our own opening up, promote the common opening up of the world, firmly safeguard the multilateral trading system, build a higher-level open world economy, and provide stability and certainty for the world economy. We sincerely welcome all parties to seize the new opportunities of "Export to China" and grow together with China's big market and share prosperity.

(The author is the Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Commerce (商务部对外贸易司).)

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Han Bingcheng, Song Yiran

Layout design: Cai Huawei (蔡华伟)

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The "Steel Spine" in the Storm (Frontline Observation)

By: 本报记者 史一棋 刘军国 祝佳祺

For some time now, due to rainfall and strong winds, disasters such as reservoir dam failures and landslides have occurred successively in Guangxi, Hubei, Gansu and other places, seriously threatening the safety of people's lives and property. These hard battles racing against time and contending with dangerous situations are both an "examination hall" for testing the emergency response and incident handling capabilities of Party members and cadres, and a "training ground" for honing their skills.

The capability for emergency response and incident handling is an important aspect of the "seven capabilities" (七种能力) that cadres, especially young cadres, must possess.

General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized: "We must firmly establish bottom-line thinking and extreme thinking (底线思维、极限思维), continuously improve the capability to respond to and handle major and catastrophic disasters"; "We must strive to become 行家里手 (háng jiā lǐ shǒu - "expert in the trade," a seasoned professional) in our respective fields of work, constantly enhance our insight and courage in emergency response and incident handling, and for various possible risks and challenges, we must have a clear picture in mind, implement targeted measures, and precisely defuse bombs, effectively controlling the situation and resolving crises."

The vast number of Party members and cadres adhere to putting the people first and putting life first (人民至上、生命至上), honing their "broad shoulders" in actual combat, tempering their "hard backbone" in wind and rain, closely monitoring and tightening the chain of responsibility, solidly carrying out all work in flood prevention, emergency rescue, and disaster relief, and building a solid dam to protect the safety of people's lives and property.

At critical moments, "stand out"

Time is the first threshold of emergency response and incident handling.

On July 6, rainfall suddenly intensified in Guigang City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Within the Xijiang Education Park, multiple schools were surrounded by floodwaters, and over ten thousand teachers and students were trapped. Huang Jinlong (黄锦龙), a counselor at Guangxi Logistics Vocational and Technical College, noticed water gushing out of a sewer, indicating that floodwater was about to backflow.

"Something's wrong! First-floor students, all go upstairs!" Without a moment's hesitation, he quickly reported the danger, then turned and rushed toward the low-lying dormitory area. The accumulated water rose rapidly from his ankles to his thighs, and he ran with all his might ahead of the flood. "The water surface looks calm, but actually when you step in, it's all swift currents." Wading through the water between buildings, Huang Jinlong was once swept five or six meters away by the torrent, only managing to steady himself by hugging a large tree.

With power, internet, and water cut off, during the three days of waiting for rescue that followed, Huang Jinlong remained busy at the front. When supplies arrived, he organized the school's Party members and cadres to assist in orderly distribution; when assault boats came, he guided and escorted them in the rain late at night; afterward, he voluntarily returned and continued to stay by the side of the trapped students.

"I didn't think about anything else, just wanted to ensure the students' safety." Behind these simple words lies the political consciousness of standing out at critical moments and stepping up in times of crisis, and even more so, a clear answer to the question of "dare or not dare."

"Emergency response and incident handling often leaves no ample time for repeated deliberation; time is life, and decisions are made in an instant. At such times, whether one dares to make decisions, has firm responsibility, and can step up to the task is the 'touchstone' for testing the emergency response and incident handling capabilities of Party members and cadres." Hong Xianghua (洪向华), Deputy Director and Professor of the Scientific Research Department of the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance), believes that our Party has always adhered to and promoted the spirit of fearing no sacrifice and fighting bravely, and the "dare or not dare" and "can or cannot" at critical moments must be supported by ideals and convictions. Therefore, tempering Party spirit and sharpening the original aspiration is a lifelong subject in building emergency response and incident handling capabilities.

Dare to struggle, and moreover be good at struggling.

After the flood disaster occurred, the Guigang Municipal Bureau of Commerce immediately activated the city's emergency material supply. A rapid response is inseparable from the forward deployment of emergency response work. Just a few days before the flood came, the Guigang Municipal Bureau of Commerce had just surveyed the local material reserve situation. "On July 7, we set up temporary material distribution points, and the material follow-up was very fast," said Zhang Meiling (张美玲), Director of the Guigang Municipal Bureau of Commerce.

Vehicle support is a crucial link in flood prevention command and force projection. The Logistics Service Center of Organs Directly under Guigang City broke with convention and activated a "unified platform management, manual dispatch" mechanism. All official vehicle drivers were on standby 24 hours a day; when manual instructions came over the walkie-talkie, they responded within 3 minutes, and vehicles left the depot within 5 minutes. During the disaster relief period, the service center dispatched a total of over 1,000 vehicle trips, achieving "accelerated speed" in emergency rescue.

"The capability for emergency response and incident handling is essentially a comprehensive quality of rapid judgment, scientific decision-making, and effective action under pressure, with the core being the transformation of 'knowing danger' into 'managing danger.'" Hong Xianghua said, which requires Party members and cadres to be 耳聪目明 (ěr cōng mù míng - "sharp ears and clear eyes," keen perception) in risk assessment, decisive and precise in decision-making and command, and strong and orderly in organization and mobilization, so as to be good at struggling.

Grow skills in struggle, temper the original aspiration in crisis. Dare to struggle, be good at struggling; this capability and quality honed on the front line of wind and rain becomes a solid foundation for responding to various risks and challenges.

In the face of risk, "see clearly"

If "speed" is the external rhythm of emergency response and incident handling, then "accuracy" is its inner soul.

On July 8, while Super Typhoon Bavi was still on the ocean surface a thousand miles away, a busy scene had already unfolded beside the thousand-mu rice fields of Jiudu Village (九都村), Nantian Town (南田镇), Wencheng County (文成县), Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province.

"Faster! The typhoon won't wait!" Liu Xufeng (刘旭锋), Party branch secretary of Jiudu Village, with a hoarse voice, waved his arm to command a repair team of over 30 people, working hard to repair the collapsed main irrigation canal.

The canal is about 3 kilometers long, connecting three administrative villages, irrigating a thousand mu of late rice, and is the "lifeline of farmland" for the surrounding people. Previously affected by continuous heavy rainfall, the canal body had collapsed. If not repaired before the typhoon made landfall, once the rain poured down and canal water backflowed, the late rice, which was in a critical growth period, would be destroyed in an instant.

After more than 10 hours of continuous hard work, the moment the canal was fully connected and the water test succeeded, there was a burst of cheers at the scene. They had gained nearly 80 hours before the typhoon's expected impact time. "For flood and typhoon prevention, we must play the preemptive move and fight an active battle, striving to reduce risks before the wind and rain strike," said Liu Zhilin (刘志林), Party secretary of Nantian Town.

Wenzhou is backed by mountains and faces the sea, prone to frequent typhoons, rainstorms, mountain torrents, and geological disasters. Facing the mandatory question of "unpredictable wind and rain," the local answer is not passive response, but taking "capacity building" as the first dam against disasters. The core of capacity building lies in cadres being able to "see through risks at a glance and control changes with one move" at critical moments.

To this end, Wenzhou has deployed a set of "precision empowerment" combined measures. Training is no longer "flood irrigation" but "targeted prescription." Yan Lijun (颜理俊), Director of the Second Organization Division of the Wenzhou Municipal Party Committee Organization Department, said that this year, focusing on grassroots emergency management and natural disaster prevention and response, the three levels of city, county, and township have cumulatively held 384 training sessions for cadres of village and community "two committees" (两委), forming differentiated training plans for different types of villages and communities such as mountain villages, island villages, and low-lying flood-prone villages.

The first special training focused on improving emergency capabilities for flood and typhoon prevention. The Wenzhou Municipal Party Committee Organization Department, together with the emergency management department, compiled and distributed the "Work Manual for Village and Community Flood Prevention Responsible Persons." Risk hazard investigation, early warning call-and-awaken, personnel transfer and resettlement, emergency rescue and disposal... each process is clear and explicit, each responsibility is detailed to the individual, and with the manual in hand, village and community cadres have a clear picture in mind.

Before the typhoon made landfall, Wenzhou also organized village and community cadres to collectively watch flood and typhoon prevention case teaching videos, through real case review and scenario simulation drills, so that every village and community cadre could familiarize themselves with the procedures once more and further consolidate their responsibilities. Centering on the "four clarities" (四清) requirements of clear risk baseline, clear key personnel, clear materials and equipment, and clear division of responsibilities, they pushed village and community cadres to check and implement item by item, ensuring no dead ends or blind spots in risks and hazards.

This kind of "combat-oriented" training enables cadres to truly "have confidence in their hearts and have measures in their hands" before the wind and rain come. The deeper logic lies in upgrading emergency capability from "stress response" to "active prediction" — from identifying the potential chain of canal water backflow to decisively deciding to repair in advance, relying not on luck but on the ability to assess, decide, and execute.

"Predicting risks is the prerequisite for preventing risks, and grasping the direction of risks is the key to seeking strategic initiative," said Gao Xiang (高翔), a professor at the School of Public Administration of Zhejiang University. "To improve the emergency response and incident handling capabilities of Party members and cadres, we must resolutely reject perfunctory training. The significance of training and drills lies in internalizing knowledge into intuition, precipitating procedures into instinct, turning every 'accident' into an 'expected' drill problem, so that cadres still have rational decision-making ability and decisive execution in extreme situations, and 从容不迫 (cóng róng bù pò - "calm and unhurried," composed) minimize losses."

In times of danger, "gather together"

Emergency response and incident handling has never been a matter of cadres 单打独斗 (dān dǎ dú dòu - "fight alone," act single-handedly); whether they can effectively organize and mobilize the masses is also an important dimension of capacity building.

On July 11, affected by Typhoon Bavi, the entire Guanqiao Village (官桥村) in Yangxin Economic Development Zone (阳新经济开发区), Huangshi City, Hubei Province, was actively responding.

Cao Shuyin (曹书银), an old Party member of Guanqiao Village, is known for his warm heart. He has a mental ledger of which households have tile-roofed houses, which have built bungalows, and which old houses cannot withstand strong winds. "I am familiar with the situation in this area; let me handle the roof work." He voluntarily took on the task of roof inspection and hazard elimination.

"This crack is wider than last year. When the typhoon comes and heavy rain pours in, it will probably leak; we need to cover it with plastic sheeting first." In one morning, Cao Shuyin climbed onto the roofs of eight households, identifying two wall cracks and one blocked gutter. "Everyone has a scale in their heart. If you treat the masses sincerely, they know it in their hearts, and at critical times they not only listen to instructions but also lend a hand."

To do grassroots mass work, one must first gain the recognition of the masses. Qiu Wei (邱巍), Director of the Party History and Party Building Teaching and Research Department of the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee Party School, believes that "the prerequisite for working together with the masses is to first stand together and think together, to think what the masses think, to be anxious about what the masses are anxious about, to gain recognition and build a reputation. Once you have won the mass foundation, all work becomes easier to carry out."

After that, Cao Shuyin, together with other Party members, went door to door to check house hazards, explain the typhoon path, talk about safety knowledge, and distribute flood prevention information cards. None of the villagers were unwelcoming or uncooperative.

Standing firm on the people's stance is the fundamental prerequisite; Party members and cadres must also practice basic skills and master specific methods of mass work.

"Use less official jargon and clichés, and speak more in language the masses can understand. For example, in flood prevention evacuation, not only say they must move, but also clearly explain the real dangers of dam breaches and landslides." Qiu Wei gave an example: when the masses have grievances, be good at listening to their voices, first soothe emotions, then explain principles, while grasping the timing and method of communication.

During emergency response and incident handling, the masses are not only the objects of work but also the force to rely on. On the evening of July 13, Xiahe County (夏河县), Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (甘南藏族自治州), Gansu Province, encountered extreme short-duration heavy rainfall. The river level in Madang Town (麻当镇) surged sharply, and many roads were cut off. All Party members and cadres of Madang Town were mobilized, going door to door to persuade herders to evacuate to safety. However, the herding area had scattered households and complex mountain roads, making it difficult to notify everyone in a short time.

"The herders know the mountain roads best; why not ask them to help with the work?" Qie Jiangjia (且姜加), Party secretary of Madang Town, made a prompt decision. They mobilized herders familiar with the grassland gullies to act as guides, leading Party members and cadres deep into remote herding points to notify each household. Once the masses' enthusiasm was mobilized, work efficiency greatly improved. Some herders spontaneously drove motorcycles to transport elderly and children with mobility difficulties to evacuate. During the transfer and resettlement phase, herder volunteers also assisted in setting up temporary shelters and transporting living supplies. The entire town's cadres and masses coordinated in battle, ultimately achieving the result of zero casualties from the mountain torrent disaster.

Hong Xianghua stated that Party members and cadres in emergency response and incident handling should be good at mobilizing the masses' strength, mobilizing volunteers, retired military personnel, and experienced villagers to form self-rescue teams; organizing the masses to patrol in sections, assist in mutual transfer, and take turns on duty, transforming "cadres doing everything" into "cadre-mass joint defense," thereby making the basic foundation of emergency response and incident handling more solid.

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Make staying true to the original aspiration and keeping the mission firmly in mind a required and regular course

By: 李林蔚

"Persisting in staying true to the original aspiration and keeping the mission firmly in mind" is an important aspect of Xi Jinping's thought on Party building, the "Ten Persistences." This original aspiration and mission is to seek happiness for the Chinese people and to seek rejuvenation for the Chinese nation.

Staying true to the original aspiration and keeping the mission firmly in mind defines the value orientation.

Not long ago, General Secretary Xi Jinping went deep into Huangpu District, Shanghai, to investigate the renovation of old residential communities in the context of urban renewal, and profoundly pointed out: "The Communist Party exists to serve the common people. Our Party has always had this original aspiration and persists in moving forward."

For whom is a fundamental question. The Party's original aspiration and mission are the concentrated embodiment of the Party's nature, purpose, ideals, beliefs, and goals.

The Communist Party of China was born for the people and thrives because of the people. "The people's aspiration for a better life is our goal."

Staying true to the original aspiration and keeping the mission firmly in mind gathers immense strength.

At the meeting celebrating the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping succinctly summarized the six outstanding qualities of the CPC, one of which is "deeply rooted among the people, always possessing a solid foundation."

From the victory of the Huaihai Campaign (淮海战役), which was "pushed out by small carts" during the revolutionary era, to the construction period when 100,000 people of Lin County, Henan (林县) brought their own dry rations, bedding, and tools to chisel out a "man-made celestial river" (人工天河) amid cliffs and precipices; from the 18 households of Xiaogang Village (小岗村) pressing their red fingerprints on a "secret contract" for distributing farmland to individual households, thus pulling back the curtain on China's rural reform, to the new era's continuous efforts to stimulate endogenous momentum for poverty alleviation, uniting and leading hundreds of millions of people to win the battle against poverty... The Party's history is a history of relying closely on the people to strive and struggle, and to continuously achieve victory.

Only by always thinking and working together with the masses can the Party deeply root itself among the people and draw inexhaustible strength. "We must stay true to our original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind, work together with one heart to walk the new Long March, create a brighter future, and continuously meet the people's aspiration for a better life."

Staying true to the original aspiration and keeping the mission firmly in mind is an eternal subject.

The original aspiration will not naturally maintain its freshness and quality; if not carefully tended, it may become tarnished and fade, and if not nourished for a long time, it will dry up and wither. In January 2023, at the Second Plenary Session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, General Secretary Xi Jinping used the "six 'how to always'" (六个如何始终) to comprehensively summarize the special difficulties our Party must solve, placing "how to always stay true to the original aspiration and keep the mission firmly in mind" at the top.

The original aspiration is easy to obtain, but it is difficult to always uphold. Since the new era, nine consecutive rounds of centralized intra-Party education have been carried out. The vast number of Party members and cadres have "nourished their original aspiration and led their mission with the Party's innovative theory, sought the original aspiration and inspired the mission from the Party's extraordinary history, and tempered the original aspiration and comprehended the mission in strict intra-Party political life."

This year, the in-depth study and education on establishing and practicing a correct view of performance (树立和践行正确政绩观学习教育) carried out across the entire Party is a re-baptism of the original aspiration. Party members and cadres use concrete actions to practice "bringing benefit to the people is the greatest achievement," striving to create achievements that stand the test of practice and history, truly benefit the people, and are recognized by the masses.

No matter how far forward we go, we must not forget the path we have traveled. To fulfill the Party's mission and tasks in the new era and new journey, we must take staying true to the original aspiration and keeping the mission firmly in mind as an eternal subject for strengthening Party building and as a lifelong subject for all Party members and cadres.

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Every cent counts as a debt to the people (Oversight Post)

“We have to pay an extra 5 mao per ton of water here, and they call it a ‘management fee’.” Many villagers reported this when cadres from the Chengjiang City Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision (澄江市纪委监委) in Yunnan Province were visiting a certain village group in Haikou Town (海口镇).

Checking ledgers, comparing records, and visiting villagers, the discipline inspection and supervision cadres discovered that the water fee accounts of this village group had a problem of mismatch between income and expenditure; the numbers in the account books were scattered and fragmented (七零八落, qī líng bā luò – “seven scattered, eight fallen,” in disorder), and there was always a “small gap” between income and expenditure.

The verification team found Wang Moumou (王某某), Party branch secretary of the village group, Zhao Mou (赵某), group leader, and Yao Moumou (姚某某), deputy group leader. At first, the three tried to prevaricate with “customary practice” and argued: “We thought charging a management fee was customary practice; we did not study the policy enough.”

“Customary practice must never override discipline and rules.” One sentence from the verification team punctured their wishful thinking.

As the conversation deepened, a disciplinary violation of embezzling people’s livelihood funds came to light. In 2021, the three privately established a “hidden rule” (潜规则): each person was responsible for two main water pipes, and each collected fees from the villagers in their respective areas. The “management fee” collected by each person belonged to that person, and the remaining funds were handed over to Yao Moumou for entry into the accounts. In this way, the three took advantage of their positions to illegally intercept water fees over a long period, cumulatively embezzling more than 89,000 yuan of the masses’ funds.

In the end, Wang Moumou, Zhao Mou, and Yao Moumou received corresponding disciplinary actions. The Chengjiang City Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision drew inferences from one case, adhered to the simultaneous approach of investigation, rectification, and governance, and jointly with auditing, agriculture and rural affairs departments, etc., concentrated on rectifying prominent problems in the management of rural collective “three types of assets” (三资), strictly investigating acts such as embezzlement of collective assets and illegal fee collection.

【Discipline Enforcer’s Commentary】 Grassroots micro-powers face the masses directly; every cent is an account of the people’s hearts. In this case, village group cadres concocted pretexts to add a “management fee,” calling it “customary practice,” but in fact it was a violation of discipline. Grassroots cadres should take warning, strictly observe discipline and rules, and hold the bottom line of integrity. Discipline inspection and supervision organs must punish corruption with a high-pressure stance, regulate the exercise of power through institutional supervision, cultivate a clean and upright atmosphere through a culture of integrity, and leave no place for “hidden rules” to hide.

(Interviewed and compiled by Ye Chuanzeng (叶传增), staff reporter)

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Empowering the "Four Discussions and Two Openings" with Informatization (Party Flag Flies High at the Grassroots Level)

By: 本报记者 朱佩娴

How should rural collective funds be spent? Who should use collective assets? How should collective resources be developed? If decision-making is not standardized, villagers may not accept it afterwards; if village cadres have selfish motives, it may lead to small officials, big corruption (小官大贪). Since the beginning of this year, the Henan Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision has guided Puyang City (濮阳市) to pilot the construction of the "Four Discussions and Two Openings" Sunshine Decision-Making Digital Intelligence Platform (四议两公开阳光决策数智平台), promoting the "going online" of powers and responsibilities, "controlled" exercise of power, and open results, using high-quality supervision to boost efficient governance at the grassroots level.

“Ding ling ling...” At 8:50 a.m., the phone of Liu Long (刘龙), a villager of Yanggancheng Village (杨干城村), Mengke Township (孟轲乡), Hualong District (华龙区), Puyang City, rang. The "Four Discussions and Two Openings" Sunshine Decision-Making Digital Intelligence Platform notified him to participate in the villagers' representative assembly online.

The meeting got straight to the point. “The ancient temple fair opera performance is planned to be arranged for 4 days with 12 shows. Do you all agree or disagree? Please press the button online to vote!” The result showed unanimous approval. “Renovate the village’s People’s Big Stage (百姓大舞台)? Do you all agree or disagree? Please press the button online to vote!” The result showed only 2 people in favor. Item after item, as soon as the meeting ended, the meeting minutes were automatically generated and uploaded for public disclosure.

On the "Four Discussions and Two Openings" Sunshine Decision-Making Digital Intelligence Platform, decision-making matters are initiated online and automatically pushed to the persons who should attend. Participating personnel undergo real-name verification through "facial recognition + electronic signature." The decision results serve as a necessary condition for village-level major matters such as the disposal of the "three types of collective assets" (三资) and the implementation of policies benefiting the people. If the masses have objections to the decision results, they can trace the entire process.

Platform supervision is not limited to decision-making; it is whole-process and real-time.

At noon that day, a small window popped up on the computer of Han Yuwei (韩玉伟), deputy township head of Mengke Township. It was pushed by the rural collective fund online declaration and payment system of the "Four Discussions and Two Openings" Sunshine Decision-Making Digital Intelligence Platform, regarding the matter of whether to approve Weizhai Village (魏寨村) paying the village "two committees" (两委) last month's office electricity expense of 3,009.6 yuan. The approval page contained attachments.

Han Yuwei opened it and saw the meeting minutes: 10 participants unanimously approved. He also verified the payment account information and the receiving account information, then pressed the "Agree" button below the signatures of the village accountant, village party secretary, and the township "three types of collective assets" supervision center personnel, whereupon his own signature was automatically generated. "The platform's 'online declaration and payment' module implements one account per village; all collective funds are uniformly included in platform supervision, and all fund expenditures are approved and paid online," Han Yuwei said.

A relevant responsible person from the Puyang City Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision further introduced that the platform has built "four databases and one list" (四库一清单), namely: the village-level organization personnel database, the rural collective "three types of collective assets" database, the policy-benefiting-the-people funds database, the rural revitalization project database, and the list of village-level major decision-making matters. Data are dynamically updated and synchronously linked to business modules, dynamically updating matters such as fund revenues and expenditures, contract signing, etc., effectively preventing acts such as embezzlement and misappropriation of collective assets. Nowadays, rural collective assets and resources are required to be publicly traded through the platform, achieving that transaction items such as collective asset leasing and selling, collective resource contracting, etc., "must enter if they should enter" (应进必进). The platform also records data on policy-benefiting-the-people funds such as minimum living allowances and agricultural machinery purchase subsidies, regularly compares and collides with relevant data, and discovers and handles issues such as those not meeting conditions for enjoying benefit funds, falsification, and favoring relatives and friends (优亲厚友).

To ensure that "small and micro powers" (小微权力) operate in the sunshine, targeting links where problems are prone to occur and occur frequently, the platform has specially constructed 24 early warning models, such as signing ultra-long-term ultra-low-price contracts, recording white slips (白条入账), illegally receiving subsidies, etc., intelligently capturing abnormal data, dynamically investigating suspicious issues, and forming a supervision closed loop of "online early warning, offline verification, rectification feedback, platform public announcement" (线上预警、线下核查、整改反馈、平台公示). The masses can also log into the platform anytime and anywhere through channels such as scanning QR codes and using all-in-one inquiry machines, to view information such as decision-making processes, resolution results, implementation progress, "three types of collective assets" matters, and policies benefiting the people, and report issues in real time.

Since the platform went online in Puyang, compared with the traditional model, the number of times "Four Discussions and Two Openings" has been carried out and the number of participants have both increased significantly. Online decisions have been made 9,325 times, including 495 items vetoed, 1,135 unreasonable fund expenditures rejected, and 156 non-standard asset disposals returned. Currently, in Henan, the "Yuyitong" (豫意通) mini-program has promoted the online operation of the "Four Discussions and Two Openings" work method, covering more than 49,000 villages (communities) across the province.

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He Zhaoyu

Layout design: Zhang Fangman

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Long-form dramas are not without a future, just without shortcuts (Upholding "Two Creations" · Focusing on New Mass Literature and Art)

By: 李星文

The relationship between new and old forms of art is not a simple substitution; the emergence of new forms often stimulates old forms. For current long-form dramas, the key is to clench one's teeth and temper quality.

The popularity of short videos and micro-short dramas has not only diverted attention from long-form videos but also changed viewers' aesthetic habits to a certain extent. In recent years, long-form dramas have faced a decline in viewership, long-form video platforms have become increasingly cautious in project approval, production companies no longer easily produce copyright dramas that are shot before sale, and the annual output of long-form dramas is declining. Some have even issued pessimistic views: long-form dramas are finished, long-form dramas have no future…

In fact, whenever a new form of art emerges, there are always those who decry the old medium. When film emerged, some decried the novel; when television emerged, some decried film; when web series emerged, some decried TV dramas; when vertical-screen dramas emerged, some decried horizontal-screen dramas. History has repeatedly proven: the relationship between new and old forms of art is not a simple substitution; the emergence of new forms often stimulates old forms, enabling them either to open up a blue ocean in a new dimension, or to merge with the new form and enter a new stage of development.

The current mission of long-form dramas is also this: either, under pressure, forge their original strengths even stronger to form a greater comparative advantage, or, in the competitive-cooperative relationship with short dramas, move towards each other and produce 锦绣文章 (jǐn xiù wén zhāng - "brocade and embroidery writing," beautiful and splendid work) in the cross-cutting zone—the 20-minute-per-episode medium-length drama is a product of the fusion of long and short dramas. Setting aside the broad prospects of medium-length dramas for now, here we first combine the excellent long-form drama works that have emerged in the past six months to confirm an increasingly clear rule: long-form dramas do not lack a future, they simply lack shortcuts.

Among the dramas that aired from last December to this May, there are six titles with scores above 8 on relevant well-known websites. Historical themes account for two: 'The Peaceful Year' (太平年), which tells the historical tale of 'returning territory to Song' (纳土归宋), and 'Crimes Against Humanity' (反人类暴行), which exposes the crimes of Japan's Unit 731.

'The Peaceful Year' (太平年) took ten years to sharpen one sword. The project was launched in 2016, going through a long period of preliminary planning and script creation. Initially, the story was confined to a corner of the Wuyue Kingdom (吴越国), and the conception was not fully opened up. With a complete script already in hand, the production company started over from scratch, reconstructing a grand pattern from Wuyue to the Central Plains, and the naming of 'The Peaceful Year' further elevated the overall conception. The final script underwent 12 versions over 3 years of polishing, using the classic historical drama elements of 'usurping the throne' and 'anti-corruption' with 出神入化 (chū shén rù huà - "to reach the acme of perfection," superb skill), and laying out the historical evolution of 'a cup of peace wine ends the chaotic era' in a 合情合理 (hé qíng hé lǐ - "reasonable and logical," plausible) manner. The director mobilized the realist creative methods accumulated over 20 years of immersion on set, grafting the latest AIGC (artificial intelligence generated content) technology onto the live-shot footage, creating an effect where 千军万马 (qiān jūn wàn mǎ - "a thousand armies and ten thousand horses," a mighty force) does not cause continuity errors, and texture is seen in the smallest details. With 'The Peaceful Year,' the historical drama track no longer needs to worry about 后继无人 (hòu jì wú rén - "no one to carry on," lack of successors).

If 'The Peaceful Year' is a frontal assault on historical orthodox drama—'though the taste is precious, one dare not reduce the material resources'—then 'Crimes Against Humanity' is a trekking expedition in narrative art—'though the preparation is complex, one dare not skimp on labor.' The biggest innovation of this drama is its multi-line narrative, interlocking with each other, constantly seeping out new information, constantly layering a suffocating atmosphere. Compared with single-line narrative, this polyphonic narrative consumes more mental energy and undergoes more iterations in script creation, pre-production, and post-editing. As the saying goes: 艰难困苦 (jiān nán kùn kǔ - "hardship and difficulty"), 玉汝于成 (yù rǔ yú chéng - "jade you into success," hardship tempers you to success); 一分耕耘 (yī fēn gēng yún - "one part of plowing and weeding," effort), 一分收获 (yī fēn shōu huò - "one part of harvest," reward).

There are also two contemporary realistic dramas with scores above 8: 'The Protagonist' (主角) and 'Tree of Life' (生命树). The former tells the tumultuous life of a famous Qinqiang opera (秦腔) actor's rise, fall, and second spring; the latter tells the story of plateau guardians protecting ecology and redeeming lives in a no-man's land.

The behind-the-scenes crew and on-screen actors of 'The Protagonist' (主角) are mostly from Shaanxi, a team full of 'insensitivity power' (钝感力). The production company, founded nine years ago, has only made nine dramas, which is truly low output among first-tier production companies. Shaanxi writer Chen Yan's (陈彦) stage trilogy was all entrusted to them to film. The first, 'Setting Up the Stage' (装台), went through many hardships and achieved good broadcast results, but it was not a profitable project. This did not affect the progress of 'The Protagonist'; three screenwriters took turns to complete the script, and the crew completed filming under Xi'an's worst heatwave in 60 years. When it met the audience in May this year, eight years had passed since the project's launch. They have been using the money earned from commercial dramas to subsidize the development of adaptations of serious literature.

'Tree of Life' (生命树) was filmed in the Sanjiangyuan region (三江源地区) at an average altitude of over 3,000 meters. Facing huge day-night temperature differences, thin air, and the constant arrival of blizzards, hail, and sandstorms, the crew members sacrificed their health, endured injuries and illnesses, and completed 188 days of on-location shooting. If the story had not been performed in its original flavor in a real setting, this drama could not have been so moving.

There are also two dramas with exaggerated and fantastical elements scoring above 8: the ancient costume drama with sci-fi and suspense elements 'Mirage' (海市蜃楼) and the contemporary criminal investigation suspense drama 'Low-IQ Crime' (低智商犯罪).

The creative team of 'Mirage' (海市蜃楼) made a name for themselves online years ago with a series of suspense dramas. They are rooted in third-tier cities for creation, have a cautious attitude toward capital, and have always maintained creative control, but they are also constrained by funding. When location scouting and set design cannot be done as they wish, they find more ways to use small to win big; when the production schedule is tight, they 删繁就简 (shān fán jiù jiǎn - "cut the superfluous and simplify," streamline) to ensure the quality of the main line. When hardware is insufficient, software makes up for it; there are no shortcuts, only 一以贯之 (yī yǐ guàn zhī - "consistently thread through," unwavering) persistence and insistence on quality.

'Low-IQ Crime' (低智商犯罪) is committed to breaking the suspense drama paradigm that causes aesthetic fatigue due to old emotions, old scenes, old cases, and old characters, allowing viewers to rarely gain laughter while watching a suspense drama. Such a light and agile sword technique is by no means achieved by a snap of the fingers; behind it is the difficult landing of genius whimsy, and the pondering and adjustment of the measure of expression.

Six dramas scoring above 8 in half a year is not many. Each work has more individuality than commonality and cannot be easily replicated, but their creative processes all went through various dangerous hurdles in development and production. Their 脱颖而出 (tuō yǐng ér chū - "to stand out by piercing the bag," stand out) reflects the difficulty of long-form dramas and also points the way out for long-form dramas: only by 'rolling' oneself to a position that others cannot reach can one stand in an invincible position.

The above works are basically 'hand-crafted' productions, and their value is precisely reflected in the exquisite use of traditional craftsmanship. The 一日千里 (yī rì qiān lǐ - "a thousand li in one day," rapid progress) evolution of AI (artificial intelligence) has indeed disturbed the minds of long-form drama investors and creators, but so far, no benchmark AI long-form drama has been born. AI short dramas, on the other hand, are impacting the market position of live-action short dramas with their cost advantage, but the overly inflated productivity of AI short dramas also makes this category a case of a thousand armies and ten thousand horses crossing a single-plank bridge, and whether they become popular becomes a matter of probability. It can be said that the impact of AI on long and short dramas is still rapidly evolving, and it is difficult to predict an accurate future.

No form of art is better than long-form dramas at deeply drilling into and recording a segment of human life. For current long-form dramas, the key is to clench one's teeth, temper quality, and as much as possible make each one a success, winning back the audience's confidence and attention.

(The author is Vice Chairman of the China Literary and Art Critics Association (中国文艺评论家协会))

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Military-themed works must have the "soldier's flavor" (Sharp View)

By: 文清丽

As a military cultural worker, in recent years I have had a prominent feeling: for military literature and art to be popular, it must get close to the ground and have the flavor of soldiers.

Last year, our editorial department of PLA Literature and Art went to military units to conduct research, to understand the reading needs and artistic needs of officers and soldiers. The collected questionnaires showed that officers and soldiers are busy and tense in daily training, with limited time for artistic leisure, so they prefer works that are short, fast-paced, strongly narrative, close to them, and able to truthfully reflect the lives of young officers and soldiers. Among these, works with realistic military camp themes are clearly more favored by officers and soldiers. When male soldiers talk about their favorite TV series, it is Soldiers' Sortie; female soldiers fondly remember Parents' Love and Happiness as Flowers.

It was also during this research that I truly felt that only by frequently going down to the units, going deep into the training grounds, making friends with officers and soldiers, and understanding their needs, can we talk about responding to their needs. I walked around the military units and found that besides reading novels, some people like rap, some like to watch short videos; many novel forms of art and literature can enrich their spare-time life.

A few days ago, I watched the Naval Special Physical Fitness Exercises created by the Department of Creative Performance of the National Defense University Military Culture Academy. Based on the characteristics of small ship spaces, the creators produced a set of special physical fitness exercises that are lively, interesting, rhythmic, and integrate physical exercise with relaxation, especially suitable for officers and soldiers on long voyages to perform on the deck or in the cabin. It is both practical and down-to-earth, and deeply loved by officers and soldiers. Creative practices like this, small yet beautiful, are worth promoting.

The reception of art and literature has its own laws. I often think: Soldiers' Sortie has been broadcast for nearly 20 years — why do officers and soldiers still love watching it? A very important reason is that the characters it creates have the flavor of soldiers. Through the characters, one can see real military camp life, and also see the personalities and inner worlds of ordinary soldiers. The creators put great effort into making the characters flow. By "flow," I mean that the characters are not static; as they are tempered by years in the military, they transform from initial weakness to strength, and every step of growth is convincingly supported by sufficient details, so that the audience builds a sense of trust with the characters.

Such successful experience is worth learning from. Nowadays, new mass art and literature are flourishing. As an editor of a literary and art periodical, I read a large number of manuscripts from grassroots officers and soldiers every day; they are also a vital force in new mass art and literature. The strength of these manuscripts is often that they contain solid and fresh experience of military camp life, full of the contemporary officers and soldiers' feelings for family and country. But the shortcomings are also obvious: the vision is not broad enough, the narration is relatively simple, straightforward, and traditional, lacking depth, and the shaping of character images is not strong enough. Investigating the reasons, besides objective factors, it has a lot to do with the authors' literary cultivation. Literature enthusiasts from the military still need to strengthen their reading: they should read both Chinese traditional classics to learn how to tell stories and shape characters, and also read Western literature to absorb different ways of thinking. Currently, military equipment is being upgraded, new training models are emerging in an endless stream, and the new images of officers and soldiers on the journey to strengthen the military are still waiting to be explored and written about.

Culture is also a kind of combat effectiveness, and military culture even more so. A poem, a song, an article — all can ignite the fighting passion of officers and soldiers. At the end of last September, I went to the Zhurihe training base for an interview. On the boundless desert, smoke filled the air, warplanes roared, and teams of officers and soldiers alertly drilled various tactics; amid the sound of gunfire, they either made rapid advances, climbed, or fired, overcoming one difficulty after another. Standing there at that moment, you feel your inspiration ignited, and creative passion gushes forth. At night, when you walk against the strong wind, stepping on the gravel, into rows of camouflage tents and chat with young officers and soldiers, you discover that everyone has a story, and everyone is worth writing about.

The realm of military literature and art is vast, calling for more people to put pen to paper and display their talents.

(The author is the editor-in-chief of PLA Literature and Art magazine.)

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When the Laughter Suddenly Stops (Quick Review of a New Work)

By: 张明瑟

Comedy is loved by everyone; everyone needs hearty laughter, relaxed laughter, and lingering laughter. If a comedy film can, beyond the laughter, also make people grasp some philosophy and leave behind an aftertaste worth savoring, it easily wins the audience's favor. It is evident that the film The Annual Meeting Can't Stop 2 is striving in this direction. By employing the "infinite loop," it layers comedic gags one after another onto the dramatic core of "life cannot be relived," making it a unique presence in this summer box office season.

Choosing the "infinite loop" is not merely a consideration of audience preferences. The predecessor counterattacked to the top during the New Year's Day slot, achieving a dazzling box office result of 1.3 billion yuan, because it nearly exhausted every situation an ordinary person might encounter in their career, digging through all the places rich in laugh points. For the sequel to reach a higher level, it naturally had to change tactics; thus the "infinite loop" was introduced into the setting: if the workplace could be restarted, would the protagonist do better and go further? Following this line of thought, The Annual Meeting Can't Stop 2 expands the story space. Workplace rookie Liu Ben strains to charge forward, wanting to make a career but feeling frustrated and unfulfilled. On the other side, Ma Jie, the protagonist of the predecessor, was "banished" to the former's branch company for "tempering" after causing a scene at the company's annual meeting. Early one morning, the two meet by chance at a snack stall and then become work partners, thus beginning their struggle.

And this is also the scene of their countless restarts of life — as long as either of them resigns, they will time-travel back to this very moment. Since "if we can't make it this time, we can just restart," Liu Ben and Ma Jie begin to try continuously: sometimes focusing on performance, sometimes focusing on colleague relationships, sometimes trying to seek a magic weapon from the "workplace bible public account"... "Trial and error" thus becomes the film's narrative drive and source of laughs.

With each "restart," the audience quickly browses through "every possible life" of the characters, and also experiences the comedic effect brought by the alternating appearance of 竹篮打水一场空 (zhú lán dǎ shuǐ yī chǎng kōng - "drawing water with a bamboo basket, all in vain," meaning futile effort) and "all wrong in process, all right in result." In the first 10 minutes, enter the "infinite loop"; in 20 minutes, assault the branch manager position; in 60 minutes, fight back to headquarters... The audience, along with the characters, is thrown into this kaleidoscopic fictional world, non-stop charging forward with the protagonist, as laughter, exhilaration, and disappointment repeatedly well up from the bottom of the heart.

Suddenly, the laughter stops abruptly, and the screening hall falls silent. This is because Ma Jie discovers that he has escaped the "infinite loop" and can no longer blindly trial-and-error. The film is like a large plane with roaring engines, carrying the audience soaring into the clouds, but in an instant the power disappears, and the viewers suddenly realize: the real world never has an "infinite loop"; our lives can never be relived.

As a comedy, The Annual Meeting Can't Stop 2 handles the story setting and rhythm control quite appropriately, still possessing that taste of the predecessor that is hilarious with a slight aftertaste. "How old are we this year?" "You're 53, I'm 59" — the meaningful dialogue between the two protagonists, plus the fact that Liu Ben, although achieving his life goal and being promoted to vice president, finds that he has become the person he hates, deepens the work's theme of "life cannot be relived" into the message "no matter how far you go, don't forget why you started."

At the critical moment of plot elevation, the film falls into a dilemma. On one hand, the "infinite loop" disappears, the characters' behavioral motivations are gone, and the plot progression loses momentum. On the other hand, the creators still want to continue the "Annual Meeting" IP (intellectual property), replicate the predecessor's "iconic scene," and forcibly elevate the value in the last half hour, dragging all the characters back to the annual meeting scene without any plot foreshadowing, using Liu Ben's self-criticism on stage and praise for subordinates to eulogize the ordinary people who silently contribute in the workplace — this appears abrupt, stiff, and formulaic. In response, some netizens commented: "90 minutes of brilliance, 30 minutes of awkwardness."

30 years ago, The Dream Factory won the annual box office championship, opening a new page for Chinese comedy films. Over these 30 years, whether it is the unique black humor of Big Shot's Funeral, or the road comedy track pioneered by Lost on Journey, or the stage play adaptation model used by Goodbye Mr. Loser, the development of Chinese comedy films shows: there is no comedy template that works on first try, only dark horses that constantly break new paths. The Annual Meeting Can't Stop left a deep impression on audiences with its novel positioning as a workplace comedy, but the sequel lost its freshness in the process of copying the predecessor's ending. This also leaves creators with a question worth pondering: when comedy films are IP-ized and serialized, how should they shoot for novelty?

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Classic Returns After 18 Years

By: 金 浩

Recently, at the Beijing Tianqiao Theater, the Central Ballet of China (中央芭蕾舞团) version of The Peony Pavilion (《牡丹亭》) returned to the stage after an 18-year hiatus. The audience traveled between dreams and reality with the plot, and in a state of 如痴如醉 (rú chī rú zuì - "as if drunk and entranced," deeply absorbed), they were reunited with classical beauty.

As the aftertaste lingers, one is especially impressed by the adaptation skill of playwright Li Liuyi (李六乙), who "does not preserve the outward appearance but preserves the spirit" (不遗貌而存神), and marvels at how Central Ballet's chief choreographer Fei Bo (费波), using extreme expressionist techniques and precise dance vocabulary, gently plucks the most tender strings of the human heart. In recent years, Chinese dance art has delved into the classics, 返本开新 (fǎn běn kāi xīn - "return to the root and open up the new," reviving tradition while innovating), vividly embodying the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture. The ballet The Peony Pavilion is a typical example. With an attitude of "classicism as the foundation, modernity as the tool" (古典为本，现代为用), it explores the boundaries of life, ultimate passion, and life and death, attracting more and more young people to willingly enter the theater.

The first act focuses on depicting Du Liniang's (杜丽娘) inner world; its "dance eye" (舞眼) is the "Startling Dream" (惊梦) segment, which uses virtual performance conventions to present the beauty of the state of mind, and thus is often not easily grasped by most audiences. In contrast, the second act, with segments such as "Judgment in the Underworld" (冥判) and "Wedding" (婚礼), adopts a more narrative dance vocabulary, with clear plot and smooth rhythm, making it easier for audiences to accept. From this perspective, when traditional Chinese culture collides with modern dance creation techniques, how to achieve a smooth connection and organic integration between traditional texts and contemporary artistic vocabulary is a key challenge facing artists.

This return allows people to look again across time and better discern the creative presentation within the play. Take the scene "Playing with the Portrait" (玩真): Liu Mengmei's (柳梦梅) impression of the woman in his dream feels like a bygone era. The choreographer has the dancer remove the left foot's ballet shoe and dance standing only on the right toe. The pointed foot is a sign of modernity, the flexed foot a sign of classicism; the two merge to externalize that elusive, half-real, half-illusory state of mind. In the final wedding scene, Du Liniang, Liu Mengmei, Kunqu Du Liniang (昆曲杜丽娘), and Flower Goddess Du Liniang (花神杜丽娘) move through the "circle of life" (生命圈) formed by the ensemble dance, boundless and endless, dancing together in a continuous flow. Yet in the end, it is all a dream; all realms return to emptiness, and everything becomes the falling petals of the peony, vanishing into the mortal world. The dream has become "real," yet it is hard to achieve perfection... Only that high-backed chair, heavy with classical charm, quietly pulls the myriad threads back to the bygone years of more than 400 years ago.

This play not only reweaves the classic text but also constructs a complete contemporary interpretation through comprehensive artistic means such as stage design and visuals. The stage design uses minimal depiction to present the most basic stage elements — the giant withered tree root spanning the stage contains multiple images; the generalized peony stamens, the ink-wash abstract background, and the exquisite, brilliant lighting design complement each other, completing a silent visual dialogue between objects and dancers. Apart from traditional colors such as the bright red of the Flower Goddess and the festive wedding costumes, the overall color palette leans toward pure, understated elegance, revealing the typical minimalist and restrained beauty of ballet. In my view, traditional Chinese colors and the pure-toned style of modern ballet reflect each other, both classical and contemporary, just like a resonance of colors across time and space.

The key to a Chinese ballet that can make a name on the international stage does not lie in emphasizing the "nationalization" label, nor in how much Chinese dance vocabulary it absorbs, but in "how to choreograph" and "how to perform" beyond "what to choreograph." It concerns details and verve, ultimately conveying the work's ideological connotation and leaving unforgettable classic dance segments. The significance of the ballet The Peony Pavilion for Chinese ballet creation lies precisely here: it creates an enchanting atmosphere, inspires boundless imagination, carries a myriad of emotions, allowing people to be intoxicated by the clear, beautiful, and soft ballet rhythm while feeling the vitality of cultural innovation. This is a beneficial artistic exploration, providing new experience for the creation of national ballet in the new era.

(The author is a researcher at the Dance Research Institute of the Chinese National Academy of Arts (中国艺术研究院舞蹈研究所).)

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Authenticity Is Competitiveness (Art Sea View)

By: 牛梦笛

In the past half year, AI (artificial intelligence) micro-dramas have emerged in large numbers, accounting for over 95% of total platform releases. Yet the total viewership of human-created works far exceeds that of AI works. To a certain extent, this shows that the mass-replicated 千人一面 (qiān rén yī miàn - "thousand people, one face," stereotypical and lacking individuality) has instead stirred the audience's desire for high-quality human content.

Judging from the representative works presented at the 2026 High-Quality Micro-Drama Summer Review Meeting hosted by the China Television Art Committee, a creative consensus is emerging: take root in reality, respect the audience, and reject formulas. From family ethics to period ensemble pieces, from time-travel redemption to growth through aiding Tibet, from warm healing to cultural inheritance... these works collectively answer the question: what do human-created micro-dramas rely on to retain users? The answer is to express genuine emotion with 行云流水 (xíng yún liú shuǐ - "moving clouds and flowing water," natural and smooth) ease.

When content production is drastically accelerated by technology, the audience becomes all the more aware that what they need is more sincere emotional expression. Creators are equally aware of this issue and are putting it into practice through a renewed understanding of character building. Home with Love uses "switched children" as its thread, refusing to manufacture conflict, instead focusing on the essential differences in parenting styles between two families, and through mutual understanding and support among women, forges a creative path that returns to human authenticity. Happy Mistaken Marriage does the same: it does not mold the male lead into a universal "persona," but rather, in the process of accompanying the female lead out of her predicament, depicts a relationship of equal respect and mutual achievement. Good micro-dramas do not win through "personas," but through a genuine understanding of the characters' circumstances. Real characters imbued with the texture of life are far more capable of holding the audience's attention than flashy exteriors.

The creators' pursuit of sincerity is also reflected in the vivid details that carry the scent of soil. Little Full World is set in the old industrial base of Northeast China in the 1990s, where three families support each other amid the tides of the era. The crew shot on location in Changchun at minus 30 degrees Celsius; the actors refused skin-smoothing and heavy filters, striving to restore a sense of authentic texture. Puppy Chases Butterfly tells a healing story by the seaside in Zhejiang, neither chasing cathartic thrills nor piling on conflict, quietly polishing a "light literary film." Farewell Youth wraps a period narrative in the genre shell of time-travel redemption, with costumes, props, and sets strictly recreating the urban landscape of the 1990s, brimming with the warmth of everyday life. Micro-dramas can also slow down, quiet down, and become beautiful. When creation takes root in specific geographic spaces, cultural contexts, and life scenes, micro-dramas acquire a competitiveness that AI finds hard to replicate.

Looking at the history of audiovisual art development, the methodology for so-called high-quality narrative is to discard formulas and keep emotion. The audience choosing micro-dramas does not mean they only want faster pacing and more direct stimulation. Plot twists and rapid rhythms can catch the eye, but what truly keeps the audience is still the 跌宕起伏 (diē dàng qǐ fú - "ups and downs," dramatic twists) of characters' fates, the warm and bright expression of emotion, and a deep and profound understanding of life. This is also why classic TV dramas such as Drawing Sword, Parents Love, and My Own Swordsman can transcend time and remain 历久弥新 (lì jiǔ mí xīn - "enduring long and becoming newer," timeless). Because they are rooted in the soil of real life, their characters are 有血有肉 (yǒu xuè yǒu ròu - "has blood and flesh," vivid and lifelike), and their emotions are genuine and moving. Forging high-quality works requires a serious creative attitude, a narrative stance rooted in life, and an unremitting pursuit of a sense of reality and the texture of life. The so-called "writing more truthfully" means writing the real circumstances of characters, the process by which emotions are generated, and the rich layers within everyday life.

Today's micro-dramas likewise need this creative attitude: not rushing to create stimulation with conflict, but settling down to let characters gradually become full within the logic of life, and let emotions flow slowly through details. "Refinement" in production gives a work quality; "truthfulness" in creation is what endows a work with the power to transcend time. When works no longer merely calculate how many seconds to a plot twist, but are willing to leave room for characters to breathe, preserve details for life, and provide space for emotion to settle, micro-dramas can hope to surpass the limitations of "fast-moving consumer goods," accumulate the power to move people's hearts in the subtleties of life, and gain a longer artistic life.

(The author is a professor at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beihang University.)

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Zhang Mingse

Email for this edition: wenyipl@peopledaily.cn
Layout design: Shen Yiling (沈亦伶)

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