Summary: The article reflects on the governance wisdom of the new era through the "National Day moments," highlighting Xi Jinping's remarks at the reception for the 77th anniversary of the PRC's founding, where he expressed pride in New China's achievements and confidence in Chinese modernization. It emphasizes the Party's leadership as the key to major projects like Daxing International Airport and the Pinglu Canal, and underscores the importance of learning and strategic planning at key junctures. The piece pays tribute to the Chinese people, martyrs, and role models, citing Xi's instructions on Safe China and his letters encouraging youth and workers. It also stresses ethnic unity, the bond with Hong Kong and Macao, and China's global friendships, including Xi's state visit to the United States, which enriched the constructive and strategically stable bilateral relationship. The article concludes with Xi's call for confidence and steady progress toward national rejuvenation, affirming the unstoppable rise of the Chinese nation.
Summary: The article reports on Fujian's efforts to enhance cultural influence, following General Secretary Xi Jinping's October 2024 inspection tour instructions to make sustained, long-term efforts in this regard. It details measures such as strengthening cultural relic protection, including archaeological surveys before land transfer and a "cultural relic insurance + services" pilot, and activating traditional culture through "Fu" culture initiatives and "Min-style" literary works. The piece also highlights the deep integration of culture and tourism, using digital technology and immersive projects like "Moon Over Wuyi" to cultivate the cultural tourism industry as a pillar. Expert Ruan Zhangkui and officials Fu Qisheng, Li Donghe, and Lin Fengjin are quoted on restoration, protection, and performance efforts. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The article reports that China's National Day holiday consumer market remains stable and orderly, with ample daily necessities and stable prices, according to Ministry of Commerce data released on October 4. It highlights consumption-promotion activities across localities, including group-buying subsidies in Harbin, preferential measures in Suqian, and multi-layer subsidies for home appliances in Kashgar. Ministry of Commerce big data shows foot traffic and turnover at key monitored pedestrian streets grew 3.4 percent and 5.3 percent year on year in the first three days, while the trade-in program drove sales of 19.63 billion yuan. The piece also details new consumption scenarios such as immersive cultural performances, costume-and-makeup travel photography, and eco-friendly self-driving tours, with car rental reservations growing 150 percent year on year.
Summary: The article highlights the popularity of red culture tourism during the National Day holiday, citing the "Great Expedition" exhibition and the live-action performance "Victory at Loushan Pass" in Zunyi, Guizhou, as examples. It attributes this appeal to deep spiritual identification with the Party and the people's shared historical memory, rooted in revolutionary-era bonds of mutual reliance and shared hardship. The commentary urges better use of red resources through new technologies and cultural tourism business forms to enhance their social value and support development in old revolutionary base areas. It concludes by invoking the spirit of the Long March, calling for continued effort to overcome new challenges, such as new "Loushan Passes" and "Lazikou Passes," in pursuing innovation and fulfilling practical responsibilities.
Summary: The 20th Asian Games closed in Nagoya, Japan, on October 4, with the Chinese delegation winning 169 gold, 89 silver, and 83 bronze medals, ranking first on the gold medal table for the twelfth consecutive edition and setting a new high for total golds at an Asian Games held outside China. Chinese athletes broke 8 world records, 11 Asian records, and 22 Asian Games records in events such as shooting. Young athletes were a major highlight, including 17-year-old Chen Yujie, 13-year-old Yu Zidi, and 19-year-old Zhang Zhanshuo, who tied the record for most golds by an individual in a single edition. The men's football team reached the podium for the first time in 28 years, marking their best result since the under-23 age limit was introduced.
Summary: The article reports on the revitalization of Red Army Street in Zunyi, Guizhou, which integrates red-culture displays, local specialty consumption, and tourism. It recounts the Red Army's 1935 Zunyi Conference and the street's history of military-civilian interaction, highlighting shopkeeper Tao Zhengli's sponge cake business tied to Long March memory. In 2025, the newly renovated Zunyi 1935 District debuted, linking historical and red culture with modern leisure, attracting over 2 million visitors and benefiting more than 140 merchants. Wang Lang, a red-themed cultural and creative shop owner, said his products make Long March history tangible, with peak daily revenue reaching 7,000 to 8,000 yuan. Lu Changyou, former vice president of the Zunyi Municipal Historical Culture Research Association, said the old street is radiating new vitality by carrying forward the red lineage.
Summary: The Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution hosted a special exhibition during the National Day holiday commemorating the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March, displaying over 1,000 cultural relics and documents across seven sections. Visitors followed wartime march routes, with a docent explaining a conscription line notch that marked the minimum height for joining the Red Army. A middle school teacher remarked that many Red Army martyrs were children of tender age, and that their sacrifice secured a state of peace and prosperity for the country and its people. The exhibition featured scenes of key battles, including the Battle of the Xiang River, where division commander Chen Shuxiang died a martyr's death after being captured. A soldier wrote that every generation has its own Long March, and the exhibition will remain on permanent display.
Summary: The article reports on the development of smart agriculture in Heilongjiang, highlighting AI-assisted breeding, customized farming, digital field management, and agricultural service apps. It cites General Secretary Xi Jinping's 2023 emphasis on leading agricultural modernization in material equipment, science and technology, operation and management, informatization, and sustainable resource use. Specific examples include an innovation platform shortening rice breeding cycles, a cooperative achieving customized agriculture output of 314 million yuan, and a digital map reducing fertilizer use while increasing yields. A smart agriculture platform built with the Chinese Academy of Sciences has served over 60,000 farmers, and an intelligent production line enables full traceability. The province's comprehensive mechanization rate exceeds 99%, and it aims to promote large-scale, standardized smart agriculture development.
Summary: During the National Day holiday, visitors picked pomegranates at an orchard in Tuowan Ourak Village, Boxirek Township, Yecheng County, Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang, where cooperative head Nurmemet Turamet reported strong demand for the juice. Yecheng's sunny, fertile conditions support 8,301 mu of pomegranate planting, and since 2018 the cooperative has expanded from 18 to over 50 households through standardized management. A deep-processing line funded with more than 5 million yuan in Shanghai aid-Xinjiang funds now produces juice, fruit wine, and liquor to extend the industrial chain. The nearby Pomegranate Scenic Park, led by Yang Biao, offers water play, camping, and homestays, while cadres and villagers, including township mayor Memetmin Eziz, use livestream sales to market the fruit nationwide. The county is advancing rural revitalization by integrating agriculture, culture, and tourism across the full pomegranate value chain.
Summary: The article reflects on the governance wisdom of the new era through the "National Day moments," highlighting Xi Jinping's remarks at the reception for the 77th anniversary of the PRC's founding, where he expressed pride in New China's achievements and confidence in Chinese modernization. It emphasizes the Party's leadership as the key to major projects like Daxing International Airport and the Pinglu Canal, and underscores the importance of learning and strategic planning at key junctures. The piece pays tribute to the Chinese people, martyrs, and role models, citing Xi's instructions on Safe China and his letters encouraging youth and workers. It also stresses ethnic unity, the bond with Hong Kong and Macao, and China's global friendships, including Xi's state visit to the United States, which enriched the constructive and strategically stable bilateral relationship. The article concludes with Xi's call for confidence and steady progress toward national rejuvenation, affirming the unstoppable rise of the Chinese nation.
Summary: Sinopec Petroleum Engineering Construction Corporation is building Sections 6 and 7 of Phase III of the Saudi National Natural Gas Network Pipeline Project, which will form the main artery of Saudi Arabia's "east gas, west transmission." Wang Honghui, a master technician of Sinopec Group, emphasized that the project relies on technological innovation and optimized processes to improve welding efficiency, with overall progress exceeding 80% and more than 678 kilometers of pipeline welding completed. The project practices "internationalized management, localized employment," training over 5,000 local skilled personnel, including foreign welders like Regan Mia who achieved a 100% first-pass weld acceptance rate for 15 consecutive days. Safety measures include VR training for more than 20 construction risk scenarios, contributing to a "zero accidents" record and a "Management Innovation Award" from Saudi Aramco. Saudi employees like Isa Al-Mutairi and Abdulaziz Al-Ghitani highlighted cultural exchange and talent cultivation, while project owner's representative Fahad Al-Sogair presented a certificate of appreciation for the project's performance.
Summary: The article argues that China and India, guided by the consensus of their leaders, are advancing bilateral relations toward steady growth and serving as a stabilizing force in a turbulent world. It highlights President Xi Jinping's September meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 18th BRICS Summit, where Xi offered four observations on bilateral ties, emphasizing that the two countries are partners, not rivals. The piece stresses win-win cooperation, citing record bilateral trade of US$155.62 billion in 2025, and calls for managing historical differences through mutual respect, as seen in recent boundary talks. It also underscores multilateral coordination within BRICS, the UN, the SCO, and the G20 to benefit the Global South and world peace. The author is identified as Deputy Secretary-General of the Academic Committee of the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.
Summary: Ethiopian Policy Studies Institute senior adviser Baru Demissie said in an exclusive interview that the BRICS cooperation mechanism has become an important platform for emerging economies to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes and jointly promote development, far exceeding the scope of economic cooperation. He noted that the expansion of BRICS has enhanced its inclusiveness, representativeness, and global influence, and that cooperation in trade, technology, health, and digital innovation has brought tangible benefits to the Global South. Demissie praised China's support for BRICS development and its initiatives on artificial intelligence cooperation, which he said are valuable for African countries in bridging digital gaps. He highlighted that China-Ethiopia cooperation under BRICS and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has deepened their all-weather strategic partnership through projects like the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway. He expressed expectation that China's upcoming BRICS presidency will uphold multilateralism and create more opportunities for developing countries in global governance.
Summary: The 47th World Congress of Vine and Wine will be held in Yinchuan, Ningxia, marking the first time in over a century that the event takes place in an Asian country. John Barker, Director General of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, said in an interview that China's hosting is a historic milestone, reflecting its importance as a global producer and consumer of grapes and wine. Barker noted China's accession to the organisation at the end of 2025 signals its commitment to international cooperation and industry development, while contributing professional knowledge and technology. He highlighted China's enormous market potential, improved wine quality, and its role in establishing harmonised global standards, while acknowledging challenges like climate change and shifting consumer preferences. Barker praised Ningxia's wine industry for its forward-looking perspective, sustainable practices, and unique Chinese wine culture, expressing hope it will grow vigorously and put the region in the global spotlight.
Summary: The 2026 China-Germany Youth Exchange Concert was held on October 3 in Essen, Germany, featuring teachers and students from Germany's Bo Le Chinese Choir and the Affiliated High School of Yunnan University. Eight students from the choir shared their experiences from a summer trip to China for the "Sing to Learn Chinese" camp, and youths from both countries performed songs together. About 200 spectators from various sectors of China and Germany watched the performance. The Bo Le Chinese Choir is a non-profit public welfare organization that promotes German-Chinese people-to-people exchange through language and culture.
Summary: The article reports on Fujian's efforts to enhance cultural influence, following General Secretary Xi Jinping's October 2024 inspection tour instructions to make sustained, long-term efforts in this regard. It details measures such as strengthening cultural relic protection, including archaeological surveys before land transfer and a "cultural relic insurance + services" pilot, and activating traditional culture through "Fu" culture initiatives and "Min-style" literary works. The piece also highlights the deep integration of culture and tourism, using digital technology and immersive projects like "Moon Over Wuyi" to cultivate the cultural tourism industry as a pillar. Expert Ruan Zhangkui and officials Fu Qisheng, Li Donghe, and Lin Fengjin are quoted on restoration, protection, and performance efforts. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: During the National Day holiday, consumer markets showed vitality and social operations remained stable, reflecting the resilience of economic and social operations. Goods are abundant with stable prices, as regions and departments implemented measures to ensure supply, stabilize prices, and boost consumption. Energy supplies of electricity, natural gas, and refined oil products are sufficient, with energy departments strengthening monitoring and emergency duty to safeguard safety. Transport and logistics networks operate efficiently, with highways, railways, and ports coordinating to smooth the "main arteries" and "microcirculation" of goods and energy delivery. The article emphasizes that ensuring circulation ensures people's livelihoods, providing solid support for holiday enjoyment and stable economic operation.
Summary: The 20th Asian Games concluded on October 4 in Nagoya, Japan, with the Chinese sports delegation ranking first on the medal table with 169 gold, 89 silver, and 83 bronze medals. Zhang Xin, Secretary-General of the Chinese sports delegation, said the Games achieved the goal of training the team, discovering new talent, and identifying problems for the Los Angeles Olympics. Gao Zhidan, Director of the General Administration of Sport of China, noted that the training exercise yielded gains but also exposed problems, with some events facing a severe situation. Chinese athletes broke multiple world, Asian, and Asian Games records, while young competitors like 13-year-old Yu Zidi and 19-year-old Zhang Zhanshuo delivered standout performances. Gao Zhidan praised the young athletes for displaying the sharpness and ambition of young Chinese people in the new era.
Summary: The Chinese sports delegation finished first in both gold and overall medal counts at the Asian Games with 169 gold, 89 silver, and 83 bronze medals, its best-ever overseas result. The article highlights strong performances from diving, shooting, gymnastics, and the men's football team, alongside 548 first-time participants among 815 athletes, including young standouts like Chen Yujie and Yan Ziyi. Veteran athletes such as Zhang Boheng and Feng Bin were credited with mentoring younger generations. The piece also notes shortcomings exposed at the Games, including losses in basketball, women's football, table tennis, and badminton, framing these as issues to address before the Los Angeles Olympics. It concludes that Chinese athletes must remedy these weaknesses and build team depth to enter the next Olympic cycle with confidence.
Summary: At a press conference on October 4, the Olympic Council of Asia named 13-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi the Most Valuable Female Athlete of this Asian Games, with 20-year-old Thai track and field athlete Puripol Bunson taking the male honor. Yu Zidi won three gold medals in her first Asian Games, setting a new Asian record in the women's 200m individual medley, while Bunson claimed two golds and equaled the men's 200m Asian record held by Xie Zhenye. The award has been given since the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games, with separate male and female selections beginning at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, where Qin Haiyang and Zhang Yufei were chosen. The winners were determined by a five-member panel including Vinod, Deputy Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia, and Ding Ning, Chair of the OCA Athletes' Committee. Yu Zidi became the fourth Most Valuable Athlete of the Asian Games from the Chinese delegation.
Summary: Bi Kun, flag bearer of the Chinese sports delegation and a sailor, carried the five-starred red flag into the closing ceremony of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, on October 4, saying he wanted to hold it high for his countrymen and for Asia and the world to see. He described serving as flag bearer as a great honor and a dream come true, having won the iQFOiL class windsurfing gold medal the day before. Bi Kun, a veteran of three consecutive Asian Games, noted he had switched from the RS:X class to the iQFOiL class and successfully defended his title. He acknowledged the challenges of competing against a 40-year-old South Korean and a 20-year-old Thai athlete, but expressed pride in competing for the motherland and raising the flag in a foreign land. He hopes his persistence will promote windsurfing, a niche sport domestically, and inspire enthusiasts.
Summary: The article reports on China's new policy allowing marriage registration nationwide without household registration restrictions, which has spurred a "travel + getting the marriage certificate" trend. It highlights three scenic locations—Sayram Lake in Xinjiang, Changbai Mountain in Jilin, and Huangjiu Town in Shaoxing, Zhejiang—where local authorities integrate registration services with cultural tourism. At Sayram Lake, the center handled registrations for over 20,000 couples, 80% from outside Xinjiang, with features like green channels for veterans and romantic numeric symbolism. Changbai Mountain expanded its registration office to meet demand, offering destination weddings and love-themed check-in spots. In Shaoxing, the registration center relocated to an ancient town, offering traditional customs like sealing huangjiu wine jars and Song-dynasty-style water weddings, boosting local businesses.
Summary: The article explains various methods for determining the age of marine animals, as showcased at the China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea's "South China Sea Natural Ecology Exhibition." External indicators like size, color, and markings can infer life stages, as seen in parrotfish and the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin. For more precise aging, scientists examine teeth, such as counting growth layers in killer whale teeth, though wear can be misleading depending on diet. Fish age can be determined by counting mineralized layers in otoliths, while large baleen whales form layered earplugs of cerumen that also reveal feeding and migration information. The author, a curator at the museum, concludes that methods used for terrestrial organisms also apply to marine life, aiding in understanding and protecting nature.
Summary: The article highlights Qianwei County's cuisine as a distinctive part of Leshan's food culture, shaped by its salt transport heritage and featuring dishes like shoveled beef, sweet-skin duck, and Luocheng mutton soup. Shoveled beef, which originated from dock coolies' fare, has been adapted to local tastes, with resident Chen Ping noting its milder bitterness and higher offal proportion. Sweet-skin duck, prepared through a braising, frying, and glazing process, is both a home-style delicacy and a nostalgic gift, as resident Wang Qiaoyi buys several on each visit home. The piece concludes with travel tips, recommending Qianwei for weekend getaways from Chengdu and noting seasonal attractions like the Jiayang Steam Narrow-Gauge Railway.
Summary: The article reports on the growing popularity of "industrial tourism" in China, highlighting three major national heavy-equipment projects that have opened their doors to the public. At the China FAW Museum in Changchun, visitors can explore the history of New China's automobile industry and witness intelligent manufacturing, with nearly 400,000 visitors having followed the automobile industry tourism route over the past two years. The Jiangnan Shipbuilding Industrial Tourism Base in Shanghai, converted from a "No Admittance" zone, has received over 330,000 visitors since 2019, offering patriotic education and hands-on ship model building experiences. The Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site in Wenchang has achieved 21 consecutive successful launches since November 2024, making "rocket chasing" a routine activity and boosting local tourism revenue. The article emphasizes that industrial tourism is transforming the culture-and-tourism sector into an immersive classroom for appreciating scientific innovation and the spirit of craftsmanship.
Summary: This is a patriotic poem written from the perspective of a soldier, expressing unwavering devotion to the motherland. The speaker vows to remain vigilant, keep their rifle and supplies ready, and guard the nation's tranquility. The poem traces the motherland's origins from bronze and oracle bone script to modern industrial symphony, acknowledging both its glory and suffering. The soldier declares their love through silent duty, hiding strength, joy, fire, and secrets in their heart. The poem concludes with the soldier's declaration of love, symbolized by multicolored rain washing the sky, fields, and days a deep blue.
Summary: The article highlights recipients of honors such as the "July 1 Medal," "Model of the Times," and the China Youth May Fourth Medal, including community party organization secretaries, grassroots doctors, scientific researchers, world champions, and border guards. During the National Day holiday, readers are invited to draw spiritual strength from their ordinary yet extraordinary lives and understand their deep love for the motherland through concrete actions.
Summary: Wu Yaqin, known as "Sister Yaqin," is portrayed as combining sincere devotion to residents with calm detachment from fame, a trait unchanged since she became neighborhood committee director of Changshan Garden Community in Changchun in 1995. The article highlights her skill in resolving conflicts, exemplified by her defusing a tense confrontation through a few words, and her self-created "Twelve Methods of Civil Mediation" became a teaching text for grassroots Party organization secretaries nationwide. It recounts her care for an elderly resident, escorting her home in winter and sending money each Spring Festival until the woman's death, and her efforts to transform idle land into a garden. Currently teaching in Haikou, she remains concerned with the community, planning to join its National Day cultural performance upon her return.
Summary: Wang Ji, a computer science professor at the National University of Defense Technology, lost both legs to aortic dissection in 2013 but chose to "restart" his life, returning to work in a wheelchair and leading a National Defense 973 Program project on software reliability for military equipment. Despite later being diagnosed with uremia in 2021, he continues to lead two key projects, mentor students, and travel alone on business. His colleagues and students note that no one treats him as a patient or disabled person, and that he wheels himself faster than they can walk. Wang Ji says that as long as his brain and hands work, he will not stop, comparing his perseverance to a horse escaping a swamp through the inspiration of its herd. The article concludes that his second half of life, marked by breaking through physical and scientific barriers, is glorious.
Summary: The article is a photo report featuring a sculpture titled "People's Paragon — Gao Derong," created by Wu Dingyu. No additional details or statements are provided.
Summary: Wuhasi Suleiman, a 70-year-old retired doctor in Xinjiang's Yumin County, volunteered in 1975 to serve herdsmen in the remote Barluk Mountains, where he became known as the "120" of the grasslands, traveling by horse through deep snow to treat patients. Over more than 50 years, he handled over 100,000 patient visits, traveled over 200,000 kilometers, and rescued thousands of critically ill patients, earning the title "Umbilical Cord Father" for over 3,200 children he helped deliver. He missed the birth of his first child and his father's death due to his medical duties. After retiring, he returned to provide free consultations at the "Wuhasi Health Service Room," with the medical post now staffed by over 30 doctors. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Lu Junwei, a former "internet-addicted teenager," grew into a world skills competition champion after discovering a passion for circuitry and electronics in middle school, which he found more thrilling than gaming. He chose vocational school over academic high school to gain a practical skill, became a technical expert in Guangdong Province, and was later recruited to Shanghai. Preparing for the 47th WorldSkills Competition, he trained over 12 hours daily and, with partner Xie Huixuan, won the Albert Vidal Award in Lyon, France. Despite high-paying job offers, he stayed at Shanghai Vocational College of Science and Technology Innovation to teach, adopting a coaching style that emphasizes leading by example and letting students solve problems through trial and error. He uses AI as a work aid but believes skilled talent will not be replaced, citing the human qualities of dedication, persistence, and hands-on troubleshooting that AI cannot replicate.
By: 本报记者 程 龙 黄 超
"At this very moment, we feel immense pride in the remarkable achievements New China has made that are drawing worldwide attention (举世瞩目, ju shi zhu mu - "world, lift, look, eye"), and we are full of confidence in the bright prospects of Chinese modernization." On September 30, at the reception celebrating the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping's words were resolute and powerful.
History always pauses at special junctures, gazing back at the path traveled and pondering the road ahead.
National Day is not only a glorious moment of shared celebration for hundreds of millions of Chinese sons and daughters, but also a "window of time" through which to appreciate the Party's leadership in governing the country.
Looking back at the "National Day moments" since the new era, the long scroll of time is engraved with the broad and far-reaching framework of governance: gazing at history in Tiananmen Square, paying tribute to struggle in the Great Hall of the People, expounding China's propositions on the world stage... The profound thinking and strategic planning of the helmsman of this major Party and major country are clearly perceptible.
The Pillar of Strength · "The Great Communist Party of China"
With broad waters and calm waves, and giant ships shuttling by, during this year's National Day holiday, traffic flows along the banks of the Pinglu Canal, as people vie to behold the century-spanning picture of "one canal connecting rivers and seas." Recently, the first grand canal built since the founding of New China to connect rivers with the sea was officially opened to navigation.
In the chronicle of major events of the Republic, a number of major projects have been fixed as landmarks of the times marking vigorous progress.
On September 25, 2019, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China, Beijing Daxing International Airport was officially put into operation. General Secretary Xi Jinping visited representatives of the personnel involved in its construction and operation, and his remarks were possessing a far-reaching perspective (高屋建瓴, gao wu jian ling - "high, house, build, grasp"):
"The fact that Daxing International Airport was able to complete its scheduled construction tasks and smoothly enter operation in less than five years fully demonstrates the formidable strength of China's engineering and construction, fully embodies the Chinese spirit and Chinese strength, and fully reflects the political advantage of the leadership of the Communist Party of China and China's socialist system in concentrating resources to accomplish major undertakings."
The Communist Party of China has led the Chinese people in creating one miracle after another that has captured the world's attention, stringing together the enterprising journey of a major country forging ahead:
In the golden autumn of 2016, "China's FAST" opened its giant eye gazing into the universe deep in the mountains of southern Guizhou; on the eve of National Day 2025, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, the world's highest bridge, was opened to traffic, with a rainbow soaring above the clouds suspended on sheer cliffs; not long ago, the first direct high-speed rail train G3998, a Fuxing train, departed from Ruijin, Jiangxi, to Yan'an, Shaanxi — on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March of the Red Army, the starting point and the destination of the Long March achieved "same-day arrival" by high-speed rail...
"Only we Chinese Communists have achieved this." Looking across today's China, this magnificent picture that has redrawn the map of mountains and rivers is eloquent proof of the notable advantage of "concentrating resources to accomplish major undertakings" under the Party's leadership.
The "National Day moment" is a moment for accumulating wisdom and strength from history.
The Beijing Exhibition Center has twice fixed in time the historic moments when General Secretary Xi Jinping looked back on the journey of struggle and led the march of rejuvenation —
On September 25, 2017, on the eve of the 19th National Congress of the Party, the General Secretary visited the large-scale achievement exhibition "Five Years of Forging Ahead with Vigor," emphasizing the need to "rouse our spirits, forge ahead with vigor, and make continued efforts, deeply advancing the great struggle, the great project, the great cause, and continuing to strive for the realization of the Two Centenary Goals and the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation";
On September 27, 2022, on the eve of the 20th National Congress of the Party, at the themed achievement exhibition "Forge Ahead in the New Era," the General Secretary issued the call: "Strive with vigor and determination, march forward with courage, and unite in struggle, to write a new chapter in comprehensively building a modern socialist country and win new victories for socialism with Chinese characteristics."
These two pauses of profound significance connect an extraordinary journey with a magnificent future, reflecting the historical confidence and strategic foresight of this century-old major Party on its road of examination.
Knowing whence one has come, contemplating whither one is going.
"Chinese Communists have relied on learning to reach where we are today, and we will inevitably rely on learning to march toward the future."
Opening the governance agenda around National Day, "learning" is the keyword.
On September 30, 2013, the collective study session of the 18th CPC Central Committee Political Bureau left Zhongnanhai for the first time, moving the "classroom" to Zhongguancun. General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly expounded the innovation-driven development strategy established at the 18th National Congress of the Party, emphasizing that "when science and technology prosper, the nation prospers; when science and technology are strong, the nation is strong."
From focusing on state governance in China's history, to emphasizing the strengthening of cooperation to promote reform of the global governance system, from deeply understanding the contemporary and practical significance of Marxism, to paying attention to the work concerning agriculture, rural areas, and farmers (三农) in the new era... The character of the "learning-oriented political party" that is eager for knowledge (求知若渴, qiu zhi ruo ke - "seek, knowledge, like, thirsty") and keenly perceives the general trend is especially distinctive.
Observing the general trend and planning the overall situation — at key junctures there are key moves.
From studying the comprehensive advancement of law-based governance and summarizing the Party's mass line education and practice activities, to drawing up the blueprint of the 14th Five-Year Plan and deliberating the Regulations on the Work of the CPC Central Committee, and then to planning the development of the 15th Five-Year Plan and studying the major issue of persistently advancing full and rigorous self-governance of the Party... Looking back at the meetings of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held on the eve of National Day, they steered the course and set the direction, planned the overall layout, and demonstrated strategic wisdom having a broad and far-reaching vision (登高望远, deng gao wang yuan - "climb, high, gaze, far").
When the seas are turbulent, the pillar appears; when the mountains are majestic, the peak is seen.
"The Party's leadership is the most essential attribute and the greatest strength of socialism." The historical imprints and footprints of struggle fixed in the "National Day moments" vividly interpret the key code of why the Communist Party of China, which has traversed 105 glorious years, is capable.
The Source of Strength · "The Great Chinese People"
In the autumn of the divine land, the rivers and mountains are as beautiful as a painting. During this year's National Day holiday, cross-regional personnel movement across society is expected to reach 2.13 billion person-trips, with an average of about 300 million person-trips per day moving across the vast land, feasting their eyes on the splendid landscape.
A China on the move is full of vitality; a China at peace has foundations as firm as a rock.
"Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, the construction of a Safe China has achieved notable results. The sound situation in which the people are living and working in peace and contentment (安居乐业, an ju le ye - "peace, live, happy, work") and society is stable and orderly has been further consolidated, and China has become one of the safest countries in the world." Recently, General Secretary Xi Jinping made important instructions on building a Safe China at a higher level.
The country is harmonious and peaceful, and the lights of ten thousand households are tranquil. In peacetime, the public security contingent is the one that has made the greatest sacrifices and the greatest contributions. Their merits are forever engraved on the monument, and their dedication is remembered by the mountains and rivers.
"Safeguarding national security and social stability, and protecting the happiness and tranquility of the people, is the sacred duty of the people's police." On September 28, 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping wrote back to encourage the children of martyrs studying at the People's Public Security University of China, urging them to take their heroic fathers as examples and be unswerving in one's determination (矢志不渝, shi zhi bu yu - "arrow, will, not, change") in being loyal guardians of the Party and the people.
The bloodline of loyalty is passed down from generation to generation, and the spirit of righteousness endures between heaven and earth.
Since the establishment of Martyrs' Day in 2014, on September 30 of every year, a grand ceremony of presenting flower baskets to the people's heroes is held in Tiananmen Square. General Secretary Xi Jinping ascends the base of the Monument to the People's Heroes, pauses to gaze at the flower baskets, carefully arranges the ribbons, and pays high tribute to the immortal people's heroes.
The fact that Martyrs' Day is set on the day before National Day carries a profound meaning that goes without saying.
"We express our deep remembrance of all the revolutionary forebears and martyrs who rendered immortal service to national independence and the liberation of the people, and to the prosperity of the country and the happiness of the people!" At the grand rally celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, with red flags fluttering and steel columns rolling before Tiananmen Square, General Secretary Xi Jinping recalled the past with deep emotion.
From fighting bloody battles in the revolutionary era, to upholding the original aspiration and undertaking great responsibilities in the era of peaceful construction, the spiritual monument of the Chinese nation has become ever more towering and steadfast through continuous struggle.
The "National Day moment" is a moment to pay tribute to the people and honor role models.
On September 29, 2024, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, a grand ceremony was held to confer the Medal of the Republic and national honorary titles.
"People's Guardian," "People's Artist," "People's Scientist," "People's Educator," "People's Medical Worker"... In the Golden Hall, the word "people" resounded again and again.
"This is not an honor for me alone; this glory belongs to every member of the people's armed forces." Huang Zongde, a 93-year-old revolutionary veteran, slowly raised his hand and saluted solemnly, and the entire audience responded with prolonged, warm applause.
"A great era calls for heroes and forges heroes. When heroes emerge in abundance, the cause of the Party and the people will flourish and endure." At the conferral ceremony, General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out: "The entire Party, the entire military, and the people of all ethnic groups across the country should take heroes and models as their examples, unite in endeavor and forge ahead with determination, and gather the mighty force to jointly accomplish the great undertaking of building a strong country."
"In the extraordinary course of China's socialist revolution, construction, and reform, generation after generation of strivers have fought tenaciously and made unremitting efforts." In the season of paying tribute to the motherland, General Secretary Xi Jinping turned his deep gaze toward the strivers rooted at the front line:
On September 30, 2022, he met with representatives of the C919 large passenger aircraft project team and visited the project achievement exhibition, encouraging them to "have lofty aspirations and ambitions, and bravely scale the world's scientific and technological peaks";
On September 27, 2024, he wrote back to encourage representatives of industrial workers at CFHI, hoping that everyone would "uphold the original aspiration of serving the country through skills, and carry forward the spirit of model workers, the spirit of labor, and the spirit of craftsmanship"...
While paying tribute to today's strivers, he also sent heartfelt messages to the future of the nation:
On October 3, 2017, in a congratulatory letter to Renmin University of China on its 80th anniversary, he pointed out the need to "foster virtue through education"; on September 30, 2025, on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of Tianjin University, he emphasized in a reply letter to all faculty and students the need to "improve the quality of talent cultivation"; on September 28 this year, on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of Sichuan University, he wrote back to all faculty and students, urging them to "carry forward the red bloodline"...
Educating people for the Party, cultivating talent for the country. When school anniversaries resonate with National Day, the original aspiration of education and the feelings for family and country stir a deep symphony. Letter after letter guides contemporary youth to integrate their youthful ideals into the value coordinates of building a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation.
The tribute of the "National Day moment" once again demonstrates a profound truth: the people are the creators of history, and the people are the true heroes.
The Firm Backing · "The Great People's Republic of China"
On October 4, the 20th Asian Games came to a close, and the Chinese delegation achieved its best-ever gold medal count at an overseas Asian Games.
"Raising the national flag and playing the national anthem — this is our birthday gift to the motherland!" Chinese athletes declared with deep affection.
On the score sheet, the Chinese women's volleyball team's comeback from adversity stirred people's hearts: from having missed the Olympic "direct qualification" ticket on home soil, to once again reaching the pinnacle of Asia with an undefeated record, the Chinese women's volleyball team won its third consecutive Asian Games title, once again interpreting the spirit of the women's volleyball team.
Sports are a portrayal of the national spirit and a microcosm of national strength.
One still remembers that in 2019, the Chinese women's volleyball team, which defended its title at the Women's Volleyball World Cup with eleven consecutive victories, was invited to attend the reception celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
"The broad masses of the people's affection for the Chinese women's volleyball team is not only because you won the championship, but more importantly because you displayed on the court a spirit of putting the motherland first, unity and cooperation, tenacious struggle, and never giving up." Before the National Day reception, General Secretary Xi Jinping cordially met with representatives of the Chinese women's volleyball team and praised that "the spirit of the women's volleyball team represents the spirit of an era, and has sounded the strongest voice of the times, striving for the rise of China."
The National Day reception invites representatives from all walks of life, including representatives of ethnic minorities and compatriots from Hong Kong and Macao.
A history of China is a history of all ethnic groups blending and converging into a pluralistic and integrated Chinese nation.
The "National Day moment" under the same five-star red flag bears witness to all ethnic groups sharing the same goals and values (同心同德, tong xin tong de - "same, heart, same, virtue") and advancing in the same direction.
On the occasion of the 66th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping specially invited 13 outstanding representatives of ethnic unity at the grassroots level from the five autonomous regions of Inner Mongolia, Guangxi, Tibet, Ningxia, and Xinjiang to come to Beijing to participate in National Day activities, cordially met with them in the Great Hall of the People, and took a group photo with them.
"Promote all ethnic groups to embrace each other tightly like pomegranate seeds" and "adhere to taking the forging of a sense of community for the Chinese nation as the main line"... At the three national commendation conferences for ethnic unity and progress in the new era, the General Secretary personally attended each one and delivered important speeches.
On today's divine land, sons and daughters of all ethnic groups are being close like brothers and sisters (手足相亲, shou zu xiang qin - "hand, foot, mutually, close") and helping each other, with the 56 ethnic groups coalescing into an unbreakable community of the Chinese nation, building a solid defense line for safeguarding national unity and ethnic solidarity.
Connected by blood and sharing a common destiny, the "National Day moment" surges with the deep affection of compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao weathering the storm together (风雨同舟, feng yu tong zhou - "wind, rain, same, boat") with the motherland.
On the eve of National Day in 2014, when cordially meeting with the visiting delegation of Hong Kong's industrial, commercial, and professional sectors, President Xi Jinping said with deep feeling: "Over the past 65 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, China's development has achieved enormous accomplishments universally recognized by the world. In this process, Hong Kong, weathering the storm together with the motherland and sharing a common destiny, has played a unique and important role."
In 2019, when the Double Ninth Festival coincided with the National Day holiday, President Xi Jinping wrote back to 30 elderly volunteers of the Ieng Chi Center of the Macao Neighborhood and Street Association, extending cordial greetings while encouraging them to "tell the stories of before and after the handover to Macao's youth more often."
Sincere in feeling and earnest in words. This constantly thinking about something (念兹在兹, nian zi zai zi - "think, this, at, this") concern vividly proves that the motherland has always been the strongest backing for Hong Kong and Macao to maintain long-term prosperity and stability.
The "National Day moment" is also a moment of friendship between China and the world, walking hand in hand.
"The traditional friendship between China and Brunei has a long history and has grown stronger over time. The two countries have set an example in their joint march toward modernization of mutual respect, equality, and common development between large and small countries." On September 30 this year, President Xi Jinping and Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei exchanged congratulatory messages to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Every National Day season, messages and letters converge on Beijing from all corners of the world. Among them, there is no lack of weighty historical weight and imprints of the times.
"The close and mutually beneficial relationship between Russia and China has successfully withstood the test of time," "Inheriting and developing the China-DPRK friendship with a long history and fine traditions is in the fundamental interests of both countries," "Highly appreciating the important role China has played in promoting regional peace, stability, and common prosperity"...
Profound friendship and sincere praise bear witness to the fruitful achievements of New China in making friends all over the world, are full of heartfelt admiration for China's development, and coalesce into a firm consensus on carrying forward traditional friendship and jointly creating the future.
The voice of a major country is listened to by the world. In the sequence of golden autumn, the world's gaze has focused on the East time and again, bearing witness to the responsibility of a major country:
On October 3, 2013, during his visit to Indonesia, President Xi Jinping proposed the initiative of jointly building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, opening up new space for international economic cooperation;
On September 28, 2015, at the general debate of the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York, the overall layout and overall path of building a community with a shared future for mankind were clearly presented;
On the eve of National Day this year, President Xi Jinping made a state visit to the United States for the first time in 11 years, enriching the connotation of the constructive and strategically stable relationship between China and the United States, benefiting both countries and the world...
Placed in the world coordinate system, the "National Day moment" fully demonstrates the broad vision of a major country and its concern for the world.
The years have been extraordinary, the journey is vast, and the divine land has changed beyond recognition.
During this year's National Day holiday, at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution, the themed exhibition "The Great Expedition — Commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the Victory of the Long March of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army" has seen a wave of visitors. Inside the exhibition hall, the blazing "China red" and the profound historical scroll complement each other; the theme slogan "Carry forward the great spirit of the Long March, and walk well the Long March of the new era" is solemn and dignified.
The glorious and arduous road of yesterday has been transformed into the vast rivers and mountains of today.
At this year's National Day reception, General Secretary Xi Jinping encouraged the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups across the country to forge ahead courageously —
"After long-term exploration and practice, the socialist system with Chinese characteristics has demonstrated enormous advantages. The level of modernization of China's system and capacity for governance has been continuously improved, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable. As long as we strengthen our confidence, anchor our goals, and move forward steadily step by step, success will surely belong to the great Communist Party of China, the great Chinese people, and the great People's Republic of China!"
Standing at the "National Day moment" and looking toward the future, this major Party and major country strides forward with firm steps and unyielding determination.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 廖文根 付 文
On the morning of October 4, the Sanfang Qixiang historical and cultural district in Fuzhou, Fujian, attracted a large number of tourists. Many people came to visit the former residence of Shen Baozhen at No. 26 Gongxiang.
"This is one of the ancient dwellings in Sanfang Qixiang that was built relatively early and has high historical and cultural value. The restoration adhered to maximum preservation and minimal intervention, strictly followed standards in construction, both strictly controlled the quality of materials and observed traditional craftsmanship, preserving the ancient charm and spirit." said Ruan Zhangkui, an expert in ancient building restoration.
In October 2024, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized during an inspection tour in Fujian: "We must make sustained, long-term effort in enhancing cultural influence and showcasing Fujian's new image." "Strengthen the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage, persist unremittingly in the work of cultivating people through culture, and actively promote the transformation of outdated customs and habits. Promote the deep integration of culture and tourism development, and cultivate the cultural tourism industry into a pillar industry."
Thoroughly implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions, Fujian is accelerating the construction of a higher-level culturally strong province, continuing the cultural lineage of Fujian in the creative transformation and innovative development of China's excellent traditional culture, and making sustained, long-term effort to enhance cultural influence.
Strengthening the protection of cultural relics with greater effort
Fujian has deep cultural origins, broad cultural lineage, and abundant cultural vitality, where the culture of the Min capital, Zhuzi culture, and Maritime Silk Road culture are shining brightly in coordination with one another (交相辉映, jiao xiang hui ying - "interchange, reflect, shine").
On the afternoon of September 30, on Jin'an Branch Road in Jin'an District, Fuzhou, Li Fusheng, the leader of the municipal archaeological work team, was conducting meticulous excavation of a plot of land. "More than ten Han Dynasty cultural relics have been discovered so far, and the excavation is expected to conclude in mid-October." Li Fusheng introduced that according to Fuzhou's regulations, archaeological surveys must be conducted before land transfer; if important cultural relics are discovered, the site is protected in place and the transfer is terminated.
Fujian ensures the systematic protection of cultural heritage including cultural relics and historic sites, historical districts, and traditional villages, maintaining historical authenticity, stylistic integrity, and cultural continuity.
Fujian continues to advance the "four ones" mechanism for cultural relic protection—"one bureau, one team, one seal, one million yuan." Cultural and tourism bureaus in all counties (cities, districts) of Fuzhou have additionally hung the sign of the Cultural Relics Bureau, ensuring a coherent cultural relic management system throughout the city; the municipal archaeological team participates in two "Archaeological China" research projects, including the study of the origin and diffusion of the Austronesian language family; in urban and rural construction, land transfer and project construction must obtain the consent of the cultural relics department; Fuzhou's annual municipal cultural relic protection funding has been increased to 15 million yuan since 2024.
Protection is always given top priority. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Fujian implemented more than 1,200 cultural relic protection and restoration projects, and all 12 famous historical and cultural cities, 63 historical and cultural districts, 200 famous historical and cultural towns and villages, and 1,193 traditional villages have completed the compilation of protection plans. Fujian has more than 40,000 immovable cultural relics.
"We are piloting 'cultural relic insurance + services,' introducing insurance institutions, technology companies, and dedicated inspection personnel to weave a dense protection network." said Fu Qisheng, director of the Fujian Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, adding that more than 30 million yuan has been invested to advance the pilot, with over 30 percent of the province's nationally key cultural relic protection units and over 20 percent of provincial-level protection units included in the coverage.
Activating the vitality of excellent traditional culture with the spirit of the times
Entering Yeshan Spring and Autumn Park in Gulou District, Fuzhou, sculptures and benches featuring the "Fu" (blessing) element can be seen everywhere, integrated into the daily life of citizens.
Developing "Fu cultural creative products," promoting "Fu crafts," creating "Fu literary and artistic works," expanding "the taste of Fu," and building "Fu cultural tourism"... Fujian leverages the role of social science academies, universities, and think tanks, conducts research on "Fu" culture topics, and promotes the integration of "Fu" culture into spiritual civilization, urban and rural construction, and livelihood undertakings.
The colorful culture of Fujian is a continuous source of new ideas or inspiration (源头活水, yuan tou huo shui - "source, head, living water") for the flourishing of "Min-style" literature and art. Fujian promotes the mutual resonance between the spirit of the times and China's excellent traditional culture.
"Activate the vitality of excellent traditional culture through art, excavate content of contemporary value, enhance originality and appeal, and achieve 'breaking the circle' and 'cross-border' dissemination." said Li Donghe, secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Fujian Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles. From "Minning Town" to "Silent Glory," during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, 19 works from Fujian won the "Five One Project" Award, and literary and art workers and works won national awards such as the "Wenhua Award" and the "Plum Blossom Award" 64 person (item) times.
Fuzhou was historically known as Houguan. In modern times, sages such as Lin Zexu, Shen Baozhen, and Yan Fu emerged from here. Fujian closely integrates the inheritance of Houguan culture with the new era project of fostering virtue through education at the Fuzhou University Town, holding the Houguan Forum annually since 2022 to explore its spiritual connotation and educational value.
Empowering deep integration of culture and tourism with modern technology
In the Fuzhou Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall, the boxing motion-sensing interactive area uses digital technology to create an immersive space. Tourist Zhang Wanming punched at the screen, experiencing the charm of Wing Chun: "In the past, I only looked at illustrated explanations of the moves, but now I can experience it on the spot—thrilling!"
Anchored on the deep integration of culture and tourism, Fujian implements a comprehensive cultural tourism enhancement project, centering on the "Fresh Fujian · Min-style Living" brand, deepening the cross-border "marriage" of cultural tourism with agriculture, industry, ocean, sports, science and technology, film and television, and intangible cultural heritage, and making every effort to cultivate the cultural tourism pillar industry and build a world-renowned tourist destination.
"Book the theater ticket first, then buy the plane ticket"—Quanzhou's string puppet show, with a history of more than 1,300 years, is a distinctive cultural tourism experience for out-of-town visitors to Quanzhou. "Performances are sold out all year round, and a total of 140 performances will be staged during the seven-day National Day holiday this year." said Lin Fengjin, head of the Quanzhou Puppet Troupe. "We are mining traditional plays, restaging classic repertoires, while also creating newly compiled original works, combining virtual reality and artificial intelligence technology, exploring new models of cooperation with tourist attractions, online games, and new media platforms, continuously bringing new experiences to audiences, and keeping the trend of 'traveling to a city for one play' heating up."
Adhering to shaping tourism with culture and highlighting culture through tourism, Fujian promotes the deep interweaving of Fujian's humanities with fashion trends and creative elements, successfully creating immersive cultural tourism projects such as "Moon Over Wuyi" and "Return to Southern Fujian," and "traveling following performances, following films and television, following sports events, and following world heritage sites" is gradually becoming a trend.
Bearing in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping's earnest entrustment, Fujian is accelerating the construction of a higher-level culturally strong province, comprehensively showcasing the cultural charm of Fujian in the new era, and providing strong ideological guarantees, powerful spiritual strength, and favorable cultural conditions for writing a new chapter in the construction of a new Fujian.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者
General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "We must enhance consumption capacity, improve consumption conditions, and innovate consumption scenarios, so as to fully unleash the potential of consumption."
Information released by the Ministry of Commerce on October 4 shows: with the National Day holiday more than half over, the national consumer market is stable and orderly, with daily necessities in ample supply and prices stable.
During the National Day holiday, the aroma of food wafts from a time-honored restaurant in Harbin, Heilongjiang. The local government launched a series of consumption-promotion activities under the theme "Golden Autumn Ice City · Joyful Double Festival," guiding group-buying platforms to invest in special subsidies. "The set meal has all the signature dishes matched up — it's a good deal and hassle-free," said Zhang Sumei, a tourist from Hebei, as she scanned her group-buying code for redemption.
At the JD.com Tiandi commercial complex in Suyu District, Suqian, Jiangsu, merchants precisely match consumer demand, rolling out a series of preferential measures such as discounts and in-store gifts.
At a home appliance store in Kashgar, Xinjiang, many citizens have come to make purchases. The store manager said that with national subsidies stacked on top of store discounts, consumers can enjoy up to five layers of subsidies during the National Day holiday.
Ministry of Commerce business big data shows: in the first three days of the National Day holiday, foot traffic and turnover at 78 pedestrian streets (commercial districts) under the Ministry of Commerce's key monitoring grew 3.4 percent and 5.3 percent year on year, respectively. The trade-in program for consumer goods drove sales of 19.63 billion yuan, benefiting 3.483 million person-times.
This holiday, localities across the country have enriched supply based on their resource endowments to better meet consumers' personalized and quality-oriented needs.
At the Xiandu Scenic Area in Jinyun, Lishui, Zhejiang, a themed checkpoint challenge links the scenic area's landmarks like beads on a string, allowing visitors to interact with classic film and television characters and experience immersive market scenes.
At the Qingcheng Mountain–Dujiangyan Scenic Area in Chengdu, Sichuan, newly upgraded facial-recognition access devices make visitor passage more efficient. Chengdu has deepened its special campaign for "eating with confidence, shopping with confidence, and traveling with confidence," with consumer disputes handled under the principle of "compensation upon determination, compensation first and recovery later."
Various cultural and tourism activities have been launched across Inner Mongolia. The Shaomai Food Festival in Hohhot attracted citizens and tourists to come and taste; Baotou launched a series of consumption-promotion activities under the theme "Date with Deer City · Enjoy Golden Autumn"; the Five-Pointed Maple Viewing Area in Hinggan League introduced a free-parking activity for eco-friendly self-driving tours… On the first day of the holiday, Inner Mongolia received 3.7016 million domestic tourist visits, up 47.51 percent year on year.
At Grandview Mall in the Tianhe Road commercial district of Guangzhou, Guangdong, a brass-band fountain concert attracted many listeners; around the corner, street performances and interactive parades took turns taking the stage. Activities such as consumption lucky draws and full-reduction subsidies were launched simultaneously, with performances linking study tours, dining, and shopping.
Stepping into the "Liaoning Premium Products" flagship store in Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning, one sees gift boxes such as Panjin crab-rice river crab products neatly displayed, with many tourists making special trips to buy souvenirs. Liaoning leverages the "Liaoning Premium Products" public brand as a lever to open a channel between quality supply and consumption upgrading.
New scenarios and new business formats have distinctive features.
In Changsha's Yuhua District, Hunan, the "Huaying Shiguang · 1954" park was transformed from old factory buildings, where crosstalk workshops and wood-fired pizza coexist with red-brick walls and industrial trusses; at the Ningxiang Science Education Base, nine themed venues turn science popularization into interactive experiences through virtual-reality space travel and drone hands-on operations. At the intangible cultural heritage exhibition, performance, and sales event in the Wuling Mountain area of Zhangjiajie, cloisonné enamel, Xiangxi bamboo weaving, and Shaoyang wood carving were displayed together, while Dong ethnic group lusheng dances and other performances offered a brilliant and varied display of activities and sights (精彩纷呈, jing cai fen cheng - "splendid, abundant, diverse"), allowing people to appreciate the beauty of culture.
During the National Day holiday, along the ancient canal in Rencheng District, Jining, Shandong, the live-action performance "Li Bai Facing the Moon · Sword Rising with Poetic Soul" was staged. Relying on its distinctive resources, the locality launched activities such as the Canal Youth Market in the "Canal Memory" cultural tourism and leisure block. "Bringing the kids to see 'Li Bai' and stroll along the canal, experiencing traditional culture — it's very meaningful," said Fu Juan, a tourist from Xuzhou, Jiangsu.
The popularity of costume-and-makeup travel photography is rising, becoming a vivid footnote to the deep integration of culture and tourism. Dressed in ancient-style clothing with pearl hairpins, many tourists at Wansuishan Wuxia City in Kaifeng, Henan, "changed costumes" for their outings. Meituan data shows that on October 2, searches for "Kaifeng ethnic costume travel photography" and "costume-and-makeup travel photography" grew 143 percent year on year, with orders up 181 percent.
Shenzhou Car Rental data shows that during the holiday, the car rental market exhibited characteristics such as long rental periods and cross-city travel, with both rental reservations and user numbers growing 150 percent year on year, and reservations for new-energy vehicle models growing by over 400 percent.
China Railway Zhengzhou Group launched the "Central Plains Railway · Great River South" tourist train, creating products suited to silver-haired travelers traveling in groups and friends and family traveling together; China Railway Zhengzhou Group's Kaifeng Station joined hands with scenic areas to launch public-benefit activities, taking multiple measures to promote cultural and tourism consumption.
(People's Daily reporters Wang Ke, Wang Donghui, Wu Yong, Liu Junguo, Liu Hongchao, Song Haoxin, Yang Xun, Shang Rongzheng, Guo Xiaolong, Hong Qiuting)
Return to TopBy: 孟繁哲
At the "Great Expedition — Themed Exhibition Commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the Victory of the Long March of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army," battle scenes led visitors to experience the stirring years of hardship; at the Loushan Pass scenic area in Zunyi, Guizhou, the live-action performance "Victory at Loushan Pass" attracted large numbers of tourists to watch... During the National Day holiday, following the red footprints became a popular travel choice.
Why is red culture tourism so popular? What people rush to is not just the scenic spots, but also a shared historical memory and spiritual home. During the revolutionary era, the Party and the people were relying on each other through life and death (生死相依, sheng si xiang yi - "life, death, mutually, rely") and sharing trials and tribulations together (患难与共, huan nan yu gong - "hardship, trouble, and, together"); in the new era, the Party and the people think together and work together. Deep spiritual identification constitutes the most enduring appeal of red culture tourism, and also gives the development of the old revolutionary base areas a solid foundation.
The deeper the identification, the more effort must be made to enable red resources to realize greater social value. By making good use of new technologies and cultural tourism business forms, bringing figures to life, presenting historical facts accurately, and explaining the spirit thoroughly, we can continuously enhance the appeal of red culture and open up space for the development of related industries.
On the road ahead, there are still new "Loushan Passes" and "Lazikou Passes." In the course of pursuing and inheriting the red bloodline, and carrying forward and promoting the great spirit of the Long March, we will surely pursue excellence in striving upward toward innovation, and write a new chapter in our undertakings through practical work and responsibility.
Return to Top(People's Daily, Nagoya, October 4) (Reporters Liu Shuoyang, Tao Xiang'an) On the evening of October 4 local time, the 20th Asian Games closed in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
At this edition of the Asian Games, the Chinese sports delegation sent a total of 815 athletes to compete in 38 major sports, 59 disciplines, and 369 events, ultimately securing 169 gold, 89 silver, and 83 bronze medals for a total of 341 medals, ranking first on the gold medal table for the twelfth consecutive edition, with the total gold medal count setting a new high for the Asian Games held outside China. In events such as shooting, Chinese athletes broke 8 world records, 11 Asian records, and 22 Asian Games records.
The outstanding performances of young athletes became a major highlight of the Chinese sports delegation at this edition of the Asian Games. Seventeen-year-old Chen Yujie became Asia's youngest women's "100-meter flyer." Thirteen-year-old Yu Zidi won 3 gold medals in swimming events, with all 3 results breaking Asian records or Asian Games records. Nineteen-year-old Zhang Zhanshuo won 7 gold medals in swimming events, tying the record for the most gold medals won by an individual in a single edition in Asian Games history. The men's football team stood on the Asian Games podium again after 28 years, creating the best result for the Chinese men's football team since the Asian Games men's football event set an under-23 age limit. (Related report on page 5)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 程 焕
As night falls, the lights of the old town of Zunyi, Guizhou, begin to glow. On Red Army Street, shops selling local specialties, red-culture creative products, food, and beverages stand densely packed in rows (鳞次栉比, lin ci zhi bi - "scale, order; comb, teeth"). Continuing onward, the site of the Zunyi Conference, the former site of the General Political Department of the Red Army, and the former site of the Red Army's Zunyi Garrison Command evoke memories of those stirring years.
In January 1935, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held an enlarged meeting in Zunyi, saving the Party, the Red Army, and the Chinese revolution at the most critical moment. During the Long March, the Red Army entered Zunyi twice, and Red Army Street became an important area for military-civilian interaction.
One street connects history and carries the present. To better pass on red culture and stimulate urban vitality, in 2007 Zunyi planned and built Red Army Street under a unified scheme, integrating red-culture display, local specialty consumption, and tourism experiences into one.
At the north entrance of Red Army Street, in a small storefront, fragrant sponge cakes fill the counter. The shopkeeper, Tao Zhengli, is a native of Zunyi. When customers enter, he often picks up a piece of cake and invites them to taste it, taking the opportunity to tell the story: "This is a traditional Zunyi snack. When Red Army soldiers entered Zunyi back then, local residents sent warm sponge cakes to the soldiers on their arduous march, bringing them sweetness."
Having done business in the Red Army Street area for over 20 years, Tao Zhengli has sold liquor and tea, but his deepest affection remains for sponge cake. "It connects to the memory of the Long March and is also a calling card of Zunyi." As more and more sponge cake shops open on Red Army Street, Tao Zhengli reflects, "If everyone works together to carry on the traditional flavor, more people will be able to feel Zunyi's red-culture sentiment."
Carrying on the old flavors, red culture has found new expressions. In 2025, on the 90th anniversary of the Zunyi Conference, the newly renovated Zunyi 1935 District made its debut. The district links Red Army Street, Zunyi Memorial Park, and 1935 Square together like beads on a string, where historical culture, red culture, and modern leisure life blend and coexist.
Moved by deep affection for his hometown's red culture, Wang Lang opened a red-themed cultural and creative shop in the district. "By incorporating red elements into stationery, home goods, accessories, and souvenirs, we make the history of the Long March tangible and knowable, enhancing the appeal and reach of red culture." His shop attracts many tourists who stop by to check in and make purchases, with peak daily revenue reaching 7,000 to 8,000 yuan.
The old town of Zunyi has built a 15-minute cultural-tourism ecosystem around the Zunyi Conference Memorial Hall, linking red memories, everyday urban life, and mountain-and-water scenery. In 2025, the Zunyi 1935 District received over 2 million visitors, and more than 140 merchants saw steady income growth driven by red tourism.
"Carrying forward the red lineage and safeguarding the historical roots, this old street is radiating new vitality," said Lu Changyou, former vice president of the Zunyi Municipal Historical Culture Research Association.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 任彤彤
During the National Day holiday, the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution was thronged with visitors. Moved by the same heartfelt devotion, people came together for this red-themed appointment: "The Great Expedition — Special Exhibition Commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the Victory of the Long March of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army."
The exhibition covers an area of approximately 3,300 square meters, displaying 357 photographs and charts and 1,061 pieces (sets) of cultural relics and documents, of which more than 300 are being shown to the public for the first time. From "Strategic Shift — Setting Foot on the Long Journey of Marching Toward Life Through Death" to "Carrying Forward the Great Long March Spirit — Forging Ahead Bravely on the New Long March," the exhibition is divided into seven sections, reproducing in panoramic fashion the magnificent epic of the Red Army's Long March.
Entering the prologue hall, a huge three-dimensional sand table is clearly laid out before visitors. "Ruijin, Quanzhou, Zunyi..." Visitors follow the wartime march routes with their eyes, softly reading aloud those familiar place names.
Qiu Zheng, a tourist born after 2000, stood gazing for a long time. "'The Red Army fears not the trials of the distant march; a thousand crags and torrents are but idle things.' Looking at the route map before me, I feel these lines carry particular weight," he said. Coming to visit the Military Museum during the National Day holiday, he wanted both to celebrate with the nation and to express his sincere respect to the revolutionary forebears.
"Do you all know what determined the height of this conscription line?" Following the direction of the docent's finger, visitors gathered around the exhibition wall, where a notch about 1.5 meters above the floor came into view. The docent explained that this notch reproduces the conscription line on a covered bridge in Zhongfu Village, Changting, Fujian — the height of a Hanyang-made rifle with bayonet attached was the minimum threshold for joining the Red Army in those years.
The children present stepped forward one after another, standing on tiptoe to measure themselves against the height. Seeing this, Shen Xiaopeng, a middle school teacher, remarked with emotion: "This height means that many of the Red Army martyrs who set out on the Long March were children of tender age. It was only because the forebears feared no hardship or danger that we now enjoy a state of peace and prosperity for the country and its people (国泰民安, guotai min'an - "country, peaceful; people, secure")."
The bloody battle at the Xiang River, the Zunyi Conference, the four crossings of the Chishui River, the capture of the Luding Bridge... Fourteen scenes depicting important events along the Long March are distributed throughout the exhibition areas. As visitors move forward, it is as if they have stepped into that great expedition.
The Long March, this "red ribbon," was dyed with the blood of countless Red Army martyrs.
During the Battle of the Xiang River, the 34th Division of the Fifth Red Army Corps fought bravely amidst bloodshed (浴血奋战, yuxue fenzhan - "bathe, blood; struggle, fight"), engaging in fierce combat for days against an enemy more than ten times its strength, successfully covering the main force of the Red Army in crossing the Xiang River. Division commander Chen Shuxiang was severely wounded and captured; during his escort en route, he resolutely "tore open his intestines to make his resolve clear," dying a martyr's death at the age of just 29.
More than 90 years later, the sculpture of Chen Shuxiang in the exhibition hall has a piercing and intense gaze (目光如炬, muguang ru ju - "eyesight, like; torch"), as if gazing upon the magnificent mountains and rivers he once guarded. On the exhibition wall behind the sculpture, a line of writing stands out clearly — "Shed the last drop of blood for the Soviets" — the oath Chen Shuxiang fulfilled with his life.
"Their sacrifice and dedication are something we should never forget." Li Qinggang, a tourist from Nanyang, Henan, said with deep emotion, "It was precisely because the revolutionary martyrs sacrificed their lives for the sake of righteousness (舍生取义, she sheng qu yi - "abandon, life; take, righteousness") that we now enjoy peace across the land. Next time I want to bring my grandson to visit together and tell him the stories of the heroes."
The blue single-layer coat worn when the Red Army climbed snow mountains, the fishing line used to catch fish while crossing the grasslands, the receipt left when borrowing grain from Baili Monastery... Behind every cultural relic and document lies a story moving and inspiring, worthy of song and tears (可歌可泣, ke ge ke qi - "can, sing; can, weep").
"This is the half belt left over from Xiao Chaozhong, who once served as Zhou Enlai's bodyguard, after he ate his share while crossing the grasslands." The docent pointed to the display case, where the half belt lay quietly, the marks of the knife cuts from those days still clearly visible.
During the Long March, facing extremely rare harsh conditions, the Red Army officers and soldiers, "with wind and rain soaking their clothes, their bones only grew harder; with wild vegetables to fill their hunger, their will only grew firmer," traversed with tenacious perseverance the vast grasslands known as the "death trap." "Since childhood I often heard the elders tell stories of the Red Army climbing snow mountains and crossing grasslands, but truly seeing this half belt with my own eyes, the feeling is completely different," said Xue Zhipeng, a tourist from Chengdu, Sichuan. "This time I deliberately brought my child along, hoping he could more directly appreciate the great Long March spirit."
As the visit drew to a close, many people wrote down their reflections at the message desk. A soldier wrote: "Every generation has its own Long March; we must stay true to the Party's original aspiration and founding mission and walk well the Long March road of the new era." Several middle school students wrote character by character: "The great Long March spirit is a precious spiritual treasure of the Chinese nation" and "Without the sacrifices of the forebears, there would be no mountains and rivers as they are today." Another visitor copied down the famous lines from "Recalling Qin'e · Loushan Pass": "The strong pass is truly like iron, yet now we stride over it anew."
Relevant staff of the Military Museum said that since the special exhibition opened to the public on September 25, public enthusiasm for visiting has been high and the response has been enthusiastic, achieving a good educational and publicity effect. It will remain on display as a permanent exhibition.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 韩春瑶 方 圆 刘梦丹
In the golden autumn season, on the land of Heilongjiang, rice waves roll in a thousand layers, and the fertile fields yield gold. Across the vast fields, IoT devices are widely distributed in many places (星罗棋布, xing luo qi bu - "star, cluster, chess, piece"), intelligent agricultural machinery is showing off its skills and abilities (大显身手, da xian shen shou - "greatly, display, body, hand"), and smart agriculture is unfolding a colorful picture on the black soil.
In 2023, when General Secretary Xi Jinping inspected Heilongjiang, he emphasized, "Take the lead in realizing the modernization of agricultural material equipment, the modernization of science and technology, the modernization of operation and management, agricultural informatization, and the sustainable use of resources."
Smart agriculture is an important focal point for developing modern agriculture. Heilongjiang continuously strengthens the support of agricultural science and technology and equipment, and comprehensively enhances the application level of smart agriculture.
An innovation platform uses AI (artificial intelligence) technology to accelerate breeding.
In the test fields of the Grain and Oil Crop Innovation Platform of Yazhou Bay National Laboratory, located in the Jiamusi National Agricultural High-Tech Industry Demonstration Zone, more than 100 new rice varieties are being harvested.
Focusing on the biological breeding industry, the local area actively connects with research institutes and technology enterprises, and the Yazhou Bay National Laboratory and multiple provincial-level key laboratories have successively been established. Jiang Guoxin, head of the innovation platform, introduced that with the help of AI algorithms and other technologies, the improvement of rice variety stability and resistance has been significantly accelerated, and the breeding cycle has been shortened from the previous 5 to 8 years to 3 to 5 years.
A smart farm empowers and increases the efficiency of customized agriculture.
In the 6,000 mu of customized rice fields of the Yucheng Modern Agricultural Machinery Professional Cooperative in Huachuan County, meteorological monitoring, pest monitoring, intelligent irrigation and other equipment are distributed across the fields, and customers can check the real-time conditions of the plots at any time through their mobile phones.
"The various monitoring equipment in the fields carries out full-process image recording and data collection for the complete growth cycle of rice, ensuring that the quality of customized rice is transparent, safe, and controllable," said Li Yucheng, chairman of the cooperative. The cooperative's total contracted amount has reached 33.18 million yuan, driving an average income increase of 2,300 yuan per member household of the cooperative.
Huachuan County has cultivated 15 business entities for customized agriculture and 3 standardized demonstration bases, with the total output value of customized agriculture reaching 314 million yuan.
A digital map provides a basis for field management.
In the Ten-Thousand-Mu Rice Park of Fujin City, contiguous rice fields stretch as far as the eye can see (一望无际, yi wang wu ji - "one, gaze, no, limit"). Walking into the Zhike Technology Experience Hall beside the fields, a variable-rate fertilization map is clearly displayed on the large digital screen, covered with round dots in orange, yellow, and green.
"Each dot represents a square with a side length of 3 meters, and different colors represent different amounts of fertilizer application," introduced Zhang Yu, director of the Agricultural Technology Extension Center of Fujin City. "With the help of satellite remote sensing, low-altitude drone monitoring, and soil testing and formula monitoring data, a 'prescription map' for precise fertilization is formed."
Variable-rate fertilization machinery operates in the fields, and fertilizer application data flows and changes with the operation trajectory, precisely controlling the amount of fertilizer. "Data has become an important basis for field management," Zhang Yu said. In the test field of more than 100 mu, the base fertilizer for rice cultivation was reduced by 10%, and the yield increased by more than 3%.
An agricultural service APP delivers services to the fields.
With the "Jiajia Nong" agricultural service APP, farmers can farm with less worry — without having to patrol the fields in person, they can clearly grasp the drought and waterlogging conditions of their plots and the growth of their crops; when encountering pests and diseases, they can take photos and upload them to the APP for online analysis of the disease type; when they need agricultural machinery services, they can place an order with one click on the APP, and agricultural machinery cooperatives can accept the order online...
Behind this is a smart agriculture service platform jointly built by the Jiamusi National Agricultural High-Tech Zone and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. "Since its launch more than a year ago, the platform has provided free services to more than 60,000 farmers in Jiamusi and the surrounding areas, covering more than 7 million mu of cultivated land," said Chen Haihua, senior engineer at the Institute of Computing Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and deputy director of the Management Committee of the Jiamusi National Agricultural High-Tech Zone.
"Relying on satellite remote sensing and algorithm analysis, farmers do not need to purchase professional equipment; a mobile phone is enough to enjoy the services," Chen Haihua introduced. "According to calculations, farmers using the platform can achieve an average yield increase of about 3% per mu, and the cost of purchasing agricultural materials can be reduced by about 10%."
An intelligent production line ensures worry-free traceability in every production link.
In the production workshop of Caiqiao Rice Industry Co., Ltd. in Tonghe County, under the Shiyue Daotian Group, the fully automated processing production line is running at full capacity. Cleaning, husking, rice milling, polishing, color sorting... On the nearly 30-meter rice milling line, paddy rice sheds its golden husk and transforms into white, crystal-clear rice.
On the large digital screen in the production workshop control room, processing data is presented in real time. "Grow good grain, sell good grain, and in between, process it well," said Wu Yanqing, manager of the enterprise's quality control department. "In the past, we relied on experience; now we rely on data." The intelligent production line brings bags of fresh rice to consumers' tables.
At the same time, by building a full-process digital model, the enterprise's order, production capacity, and inventory data are linked in real time, enabling customized production on demand. From the warehousing of raw grain to the delivery of finished products, every link can be monitored and traced.
Smart agriculture surges forward, nurturing new sprouts. In 2025, Heilongjiang issued an implementation plan for vigorously developing smart agriculture and established a special working group for smart agriculture to strengthen overall coordination, pool the joint efforts of departments, enterprises, and research institutes, and promote the large-scale and standardized development of smart agriculture.
The number of advanced and applicable agricultural machines held in Heilongjiang, such as high-performance seeders, riding-type rice transplanters, and corn harvesters, has grown steadily, and the number of crop protection drones ranks first in the country; the province's comprehensive mechanization rate for crop cultivation, planting, and harvesting exceeds 99%, remaining firmly in first place nationwide for many consecutive years.
From breeding to sowing, from management and protection to processing, smart agriculture is growing from trees into a forest on the land of Heilongjiang. Supported by science and technology, Heilongjiang is accelerating the construction of a modern agricultural industrial system, providing solid support for safeguarding national food security and firmly holding the rice bowl of China.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 贺 勇 阿尔达克
Carrying bamboo baskets and walking through the orchard, bright red fruit hangs heavy on the branches. Parents hold their children, whose small hands tremble slightly as they pick the big, round pomegranates.
During the National Day holiday, in the pomegranate orchard of Tuowan Ourak Village, Boxirek Township, Yecheng County, Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang, visitors were immersed in the joy of picking fruit in the fields. Not far away, in the processing workshop of the Red Sun Forest Fruit Farmers' Professional Cooperative, fresh fruit was being sorted and sterilized, with clear pomegranate juice continuously filling glass bottles.
While tallying the pomegranates being collected and replying to order notifications popping up on his phone, "Our pomegranate juice tastes great, and we have many customers with reservations," said Nurmemet Turamet, head of the cooperative, beaming with joy (喜上眉梢, xi shang mei chao - "joy, rise, eyebrow, tip").
With an average of over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, a temperature difference between day and night of more than 15 degrees Celsius, and fertile soil nourished by snowmelt from the Kunlun Mountains... Yecheng's conditions for growing pomegranates are possessing unique natural advantages (得天独厚, de tian du hou - "get, heaven, uniquely, thick").
In earlier years, local pomegranates were mostly planted sporadically around houses, and after harvest they were largely consumed by the families themselves, at most transported to the roadside for retail sale.
"Good pomegranates cannot just be sold at the doorstep." In 2018, with the help of the Tuowan Ourak Village committee, Nurmemet Turamet took the lead in establishing a cooperative, transferring 200 mu of pomegranate orchard, with 18 village households joining the cooperative to develop through collective cooperation (抱团发展, bao tuan fa zhan - "embrace, group, develop"). With standardized orchard management, unified pruning, pest and disease control, and the laying of drip irrigation lines, fruit output has steadily increased.
The cooperative's transferred orchard area has now grown to 1,800 mu, and its members have expanded from the initial 18 households to more than 50. Across the entire county, the pomegranate planting area has reached 8,301 mu, with an annual output of over 2,300 tons.
Fresh fruit has a shelf life of only three to five days. With the fruit growing well, how to extend the industrial chain and alleviate the sales pressure of fresh fruit hitting the market all at once has become a new challenge.
"Look at this pomegranate juice — it sells out in seconds once listed on the online store..." said Nurmemet Turamet. At the end of last year, a deep-processing production line for pomegranates, built with more than 5 million yuan in Shanghai aid-Xinjiang funds, went into operation. Products such as pomegranate juice, pomegranate fruit wine, and pomegranate liquor have continuously increased the added value of pomegranates.
Centering on pomegranates, more combined measures are being deployed.
Not far from the orchard, at the Pomegranate Scenic Park, the rainbow slide, wave pool, and parent-child water play area splash with water, and the water park draws many visitors. RV campsites and homestay hotels welcome wave after wave of self-driving tourists.
"Here, visitors can not only taste sweet pomegranates but also go fishing, camping, play in the water, and enjoy leisurely time," said Yang Biao, head of the Pomegranate Scenic Park. "Villagers are earning a living from tourism right at their doorstep."
While offline is lively, online is also booming. Cadres and villagers alike have stepped into livestream rooms, promoting pomegranates and using the internet to take them out of Yecheng and across the country. "Livestream sales have opened up market channels and let more people know about these red pomegranates at the foot of the Kunlun Mountains," said Memetmin Eziz, mayor of Boxirek Township.
From selling fresh fruit to selling products, from scattered planting to scaled operations, from single forest-fruit cultivation to integrated agricultural-culture-tourism development, Yecheng County continues to promote value appreciation across the entire pomegranate chain. The pomegranates have turned red, and life has grown sweeter. A vivid picture of comprehensively advancing rural revitalization is unfolding gradually and steadily (徐徐铺展, xu xu pu zhan - "slowly, spread, unfold") at the foot of the Kunlun Mountains.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 程 龙 黄 超
"At this very moment, we feel immense pride in the remarkable achievements New China has made that are drawing worldwide attention (举世瞩目, ju shi zhu mu - "world, lift, look, eye"), and we are full of confidence in the bright prospects of Chinese modernization." On September 30, at the reception celebrating the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping's words were resolute and powerful.
History always pauses at special junctures, gazing back at the path traveled and pondering the road ahead.
National Day is not only a glorious moment of shared celebration for hundreds of millions of Chinese sons and daughters, but also a "window of time" through which to appreciate the Party's leadership in governing the country.
Looking back at the "National Day moments" since the new era, the long scroll of time is engraved with the broad and far-reaching framework of governance: gazing at history in Tiananmen Square, paying tribute to struggle in the Great Hall of the People, expounding China's propositions on the world stage... The profound thinking and strategic planning of the helmsman of this major Party and major country are clearly perceptible.
The Pillar of Strength · "The Great Communist Party of China"
With broad waters and calm waves, and giant ships shuttling by, during this year's National Day holiday, traffic flows along the banks of the Pinglu Canal, as people vie to behold the century-spanning picture of "one canal connecting rivers and seas." Recently, the first grand canal built since the founding of New China to connect rivers with the sea was officially opened to navigation.
In the chronicle of major events of the Republic, a number of major projects have been fixed as landmarks of the times marking vigorous progress.
On September 25, 2019, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China, Beijing Daxing International Airport was officially put into operation. General Secretary Xi Jinping visited representatives of the personnel involved in its construction and operation, and his remarks were possessing a far-reaching perspective (高屋建瓴, gao wu jian ling - "high, house, build, grasp"):
"The fact that Daxing International Airport was able to complete its scheduled construction tasks and smoothly enter operation in less than five years fully demonstrates the formidable strength of China's engineering and construction, fully embodies the Chinese spirit and Chinese strength, and fully reflects the political advantage of the leadership of the Communist Party of China and China's socialist system in concentrating resources to accomplish major undertakings."
The Communist Party of China has led the Chinese people in creating one miracle after another that has captured the world's attention, stringing together the enterprising journey of a major country forging ahead:
In the golden autumn of 2016, "China's FAST" opened its giant eye gazing into the universe deep in the mountains of southern Guizhou; on the eve of National Day 2025, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, the world's highest bridge, was opened to traffic, with a rainbow soaring above the clouds suspended on sheer cliffs; not long ago, the first direct high-speed rail train G3998, a Fuxing train, departed from Ruijin, Jiangxi, to Yan'an, Shaanxi — on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March of the Red Army, the starting point and the destination of the Long March achieved "same-day arrival" by high-speed rail...
"Only we Chinese Communists have achieved this." Looking across today's China, this magnificent picture that has redrawn the map of mountains and rivers is eloquent proof of the notable advantage of "concentrating resources to accomplish major undertakings" under the Party's leadership.
The "National Day moment" is a moment for accumulating wisdom and strength from history.
The Beijing Exhibition Center has twice fixed in time the historic moments when General Secretary Xi Jinping looked back on the journey of struggle and led the march of rejuvenation —
On September 25, 2017, on the eve of the 19th National Congress of the Party, the General Secretary visited the large-scale achievement exhibition "Five Years of Forging Ahead with Vigor," emphasizing the need to "rouse our spirits, forge ahead with vigor, and make continued efforts, deeply advancing the great struggle, the great project, the great cause, and continuing to strive for the realization of the Two Centenary Goals and the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation";
On September 27, 2022, on the eve of the 20th National Congress of the Party, at the themed achievement exhibition "Forge Ahead in the New Era," the General Secretary issued the call: "Strive with vigor and determination, march forward with courage, and unite in struggle, to write a new chapter in comprehensively building a modern socialist country and win new victories for socialism with Chinese characteristics."
These two pauses of profound significance connect an extraordinary journey with a magnificent future, reflecting the historical confidence and strategic foresight of this century-old major Party on its road of examination.
Knowing whence one has come, contemplating whither one is going.
"Chinese Communists have relied on learning to reach where we are today, and we will inevitably rely on learning to march toward the future."
Opening the governance agenda around National Day, "learning" is the keyword.
On September 30, 2013, the collective study session of the 18th CPC Central Committee Political Bureau left Zhongnanhai for the first time, moving the "classroom" to Zhongguancun. General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly expounded the innovation-driven development strategy established at the 18th National Congress of the Party, emphasizing that "when science and technology prosper, the nation prospers; when science and technology are strong, the nation is strong."
From focusing on state governance in China's history, to emphasizing the strengthening of cooperation to promote reform of the global governance system, from deeply understanding the contemporary and practical significance of Marxism, to paying attention to the work concerning agriculture, rural areas, and farmers (三农) in the new era... The character of the "learning-oriented political party" that is eager for knowledge (求知若渴, qiu zhi ruo ke - "seek, knowledge, like, thirsty") and keenly perceives the general trend is especially distinctive.
Observing the general trend and planning the overall situation — at key junctures there are key moves.
From studying the comprehensive advancement of law-based governance and summarizing the Party's mass line education and practice activities, to drawing up the blueprint of the 14th Five-Year Plan and deliberating the Regulations on the Work of the CPC Central Committee, and then to planning the development of the 15th Five-Year Plan and studying the major issue of persistently advancing full and rigorous self-governance of the Party... Looking back at the meetings of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held on the eve of National Day, they steered the course and set the direction, planned the overall layout, and demonstrated strategic wisdom having a broad and far-reaching vision (登高望远, deng gao wang yuan - "climb, high, gaze, far").
When the seas are turbulent, the pillar appears; when the mountains are majestic, the peak is seen.
"The Party's leadership is the most essential attribute and the greatest strength of socialism." The historical imprints and footprints of struggle fixed in the "National Day moments" vividly interpret the key code of why the Communist Party of China, which has traversed 105 glorious years, is capable.
The Source of Strength · "The Great Chinese People"
In the autumn of the divine land, the rivers and mountains are as beautiful as a painting. During this year's National Day holiday, cross-regional personnel movement across society is expected to reach 2.13 billion person-trips, with an average of about 300 million person-trips per day moving across the vast land, feasting their eyes on the splendid landscape.
A China on the move is full of vitality; a China at peace has foundations as firm as a rock.
"Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, the construction of a Safe China has achieved notable results. The sound situation in which the people are living and working in peace and contentment (安居乐业, an ju le ye - "peace, live, happy, work") and society is stable and orderly has been further consolidated, and China has become one of the safest countries in the world." Recently, General Secretary Xi Jinping made important instructions on building a Safe China at a higher level.
The country is harmonious and peaceful, and the lights of ten thousand households are tranquil. In peacetime, the public security contingent is the one that has made the greatest sacrifices and the greatest contributions. Their merits are forever engraved on the monument, and their dedication is remembered by the mountains and rivers.
"Safeguarding national security and social stability, and protecting the happiness and tranquility of the people, is the sacred duty of the people's police." On September 28, 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping wrote back to encourage the children of martyrs studying at the People's Public Security University of China, urging them to take their heroic fathers as examples and be unswerving in one's determination (矢志不渝, shi zhi bu yu - "arrow, will, not, change") in being loyal guardians of the Party and the people.
The bloodline of loyalty is passed down from generation to generation, and the spirit of righteousness endures between heaven and earth.
Since the establishment of Martyrs' Day in 2014, on September 30 of every year, a grand ceremony of presenting flower baskets to the people's heroes is held in Tiananmen Square. General Secretary Xi Jinping ascends the base of the Monument to the People's Heroes, pauses to gaze at the flower baskets, carefully arranges the ribbons, and pays high tribute to the immortal people's heroes.
The fact that Martyrs' Day is set on the day before National Day carries a profound meaning that goes without saying.
"We express our deep remembrance of all the revolutionary forebears and martyrs who rendered immortal service to national independence and the liberation of the people, and to the prosperity of the country and the happiness of the people!" At the grand rally celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, with red flags fluttering and steel columns rolling before Tiananmen Square, General Secretary Xi Jinping recalled the past with deep emotion.
From fighting bloody battles in the revolutionary era, to upholding the original aspiration and undertaking great responsibilities in the era of peaceful construction, the spiritual monument of the Chinese nation has become ever more towering and steadfast through continuous struggle.
The "National Day moment" is a moment to pay tribute to the people and honor role models.
On September 29, 2024, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, a grand ceremony was held to confer the Medal of the Republic and national honorary titles.
"People's Guardian," "People's Artist," "People's Scientist," "People's Educator," "People's Medical Worker"... In the Golden Hall, the word "people" resounded again and again.
"This is not an honor for me alone; this glory belongs to every member of the people's armed forces." Huang Zongde, a 93-year-old revolutionary veteran, slowly raised his hand and saluted solemnly, and the entire audience responded with prolonged, warm applause.
"A great era calls for heroes and forges heroes. When heroes emerge in abundance, the cause of the Party and the people will flourish and endure." At the conferral ceremony, General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out: "The entire Party, the entire military, and the people of all ethnic groups across the country should take heroes and models as their examples, unite in endeavor and forge ahead with determination, and gather the mighty force to jointly accomplish the great undertaking of building a strong country."
"In the extraordinary course of China's socialist revolution, construction, and reform, generation after generation of strivers have fought tenaciously and made unremitting efforts." In the season of paying tribute to the motherland, General Secretary Xi Jinping turned his deep gaze toward the strivers rooted at the front line:
On September 30, 2022, he met with representatives of the C919 large passenger aircraft project team and visited the project achievement exhibition, encouraging them to "have lofty aspirations and ambitions, and bravely scale the world's scientific and technological peaks";
On September 27, 2024, he wrote back to encourage representatives of industrial workers at CFHI, hoping that everyone would "uphold the original aspiration of serving the country through skills, and carry forward the spirit of model workers, the spirit of labor, and the spirit of craftsmanship"...
While paying tribute to today's strivers, he also sent heartfelt messages to the future of the nation:
On October 3, 2017, in a congratulatory letter to Renmin University of China on its 80th anniversary, he pointed out the need to "foster virtue through education"; on September 30, 2025, on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of Tianjin University, he emphasized in a reply letter to all faculty and students the need to "improve the quality of talent cultivation"; on September 28 this year, on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of Sichuan University, he wrote back to all faculty and students, urging them to "carry forward the red bloodline"...
Educating people for the Party, cultivating talent for the country. When school anniversaries resonate with National Day, the original aspiration of education and the feelings for family and country stir a deep symphony. Letter after letter guides contemporary youth to integrate their youthful ideals into the value coordinates of building a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation.
The tribute of the "National Day moment" once again demonstrates a profound truth: the people are the creators of history, and the people are the true heroes.
The Firm Backing · "The Great People's Republic of China"
On October 4, the 20th Asian Games came to a close, and the Chinese delegation achieved its best-ever gold medal count at an overseas Asian Games.
"Raising the national flag and playing the national anthem — this is our birthday gift to the motherland!" Chinese athletes declared with deep affection.
On the score sheet, the Chinese women's volleyball team's comeback from adversity stirred people's hearts: from having missed the Olympic "direct qualification" ticket on home soil, to once again reaching the pinnacle of Asia with an undefeated record, the Chinese women's volleyball team won its third consecutive Asian Games title, once again interpreting the spirit of the women's volleyball team.
Sports are a portrayal of the national spirit and a microcosm of national strength.
One still remembers that in 2019, the Chinese women's volleyball team, which defended its title at the Women's Volleyball World Cup with eleven consecutive victories, was invited to attend the reception celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
"The broad masses of the people's affection for the Chinese women's volleyball team is not only because you won the championship, but more importantly because you displayed on the court a spirit of putting the motherland first, unity and cooperation, tenacious struggle, and never giving up." Before the National Day reception, General Secretary Xi Jinping cordially met with representatives of the Chinese women's volleyball team and praised that "the spirit of the women's volleyball team represents the spirit of an era, and has sounded the strongest voice of the times, striving for the rise of China."
The National Day reception invites representatives from all walks of life, including representatives of ethnic minorities and compatriots from Hong Kong and Macao.
A history of China is a history of all ethnic groups blending and converging into a pluralistic and integrated Chinese nation.
The "National Day moment" under the same five-star red flag bears witness to all ethnic groups sharing the same goals and values (同心同德, tong xin tong de - "same, heart, same, virtue") and advancing in the same direction.
On the occasion of the 66th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping specially invited 13 outstanding representatives of ethnic unity at the grassroots level from the five autonomous regions of Inner Mongolia, Guangxi, Tibet, Ningxia, and Xinjiang to come to Beijing to participate in National Day activities, cordially met with them in the Great Hall of the People, and took a group photo with them.
"Promote all ethnic groups to embrace each other tightly like pomegranate seeds" and "adhere to taking the forging of a sense of community for the Chinese nation as the main line"... At the three national commendation conferences for ethnic unity and progress in the new era, the General Secretary personally attended each one and delivered important speeches.
On today's divine land, sons and daughters of all ethnic groups are being close like brothers and sisters (手足相亲, shou zu xiang qin - "hand, foot, mutually, close") and helping each other, with the 56 ethnic groups coalescing into an unbreakable community of the Chinese nation, building a solid defense line for safeguarding national unity and ethnic solidarity.
Connected by blood and sharing a common destiny, the "National Day moment" surges with the deep affection of compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao weathering the storm together (风雨同舟, feng yu tong zhou - "wind, rain, same, boat") with the motherland.
On the eve of National Day in 2014, when cordially meeting with the visiting delegation of Hong Kong's industrial, commercial, and professional sectors, President Xi Jinping said with deep feeling: "Over the past 65 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, China's development has achieved enormous accomplishments universally recognized by the world. In this process, Hong Kong, weathering the storm together with the motherland and sharing a common destiny, has played a unique and important role."
In 2019, when the Double Ninth Festival coincided with the National Day holiday, President Xi Jinping wrote back to 30 elderly volunteers of the Ieng Chi Center of the Macao Neighborhood and Street Association, extending cordial greetings while encouraging them to "tell the stories of before and after the handover to Macao's youth more often."
Sincere in feeling and earnest in words. This constantly thinking about something (念兹在兹, nian zi zai zi - "think, this, at, this") concern vividly proves that the motherland has always been the strongest backing for Hong Kong and Macao to maintain long-term prosperity and stability.
The "National Day moment" is also a moment of friendship between China and the world, walking hand in hand.
"The traditional friendship between China and Brunei has a long history and has grown stronger over time. The two countries have set an example in their joint march toward modernization of mutual respect, equality, and common development between large and small countries." On September 30 this year, President Xi Jinping and Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei exchanged congratulatory messages to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Every National Day season, messages and letters converge on Beijing from all corners of the world. Among them, there is no lack of weighty historical weight and imprints of the times.
"The close and mutually beneficial relationship between Russia and China has successfully withstood the test of time," "Inheriting and developing the China-DPRK friendship with a long history and fine traditions is in the fundamental interests of both countries," "Highly appreciating the important role China has played in promoting regional peace, stability, and common prosperity"...
Profound friendship and sincere praise bear witness to the fruitful achievements of New China in making friends all over the world, are full of heartfelt admiration for China's development, and coalesce into a firm consensus on carrying forward traditional friendship and jointly creating the future.
The voice of a major country is listened to by the world. In the sequence of golden autumn, the world's gaze has focused on the East time and again, bearing witness to the responsibility of a major country:
On October 3, 2013, during his visit to Indonesia, President Xi Jinping proposed the initiative of jointly building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, opening up new space for international economic cooperation;
On September 28, 2015, at the general debate of the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York, the overall layout and overall path of building a community with a shared future for mankind were clearly presented;
On the eve of National Day this year, President Xi Jinping made a state visit to the United States for the first time in 11 years, enriching the connotation of the constructive and strategically stable relationship between China and the United States, benefiting both countries and the world...
Placed in the world coordinate system, the "National Day moment" fully demonstrates the broad vision of a major country and its concern for the world.
The years have been extraordinary, the journey is vast, and the divine land has changed beyond recognition.
During this year's National Day holiday, at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution, the themed exhibition "The Great Expedition — Commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the Victory of the Long March of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army" has seen a wave of visitors. Inside the exhibition hall, the blazing "China red" and the profound historical scroll complement each other; the theme slogan "Carry forward the great spirit of the Long March, and walk well the Long March of the new era" is solemn and dignified.
The glorious and arduous road of yesterday has been transformed into the vast rivers and mountains of today.
At this year's National Day reception, General Secretary Xi Jinping encouraged the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups across the country to forge ahead courageously —
"After long-term exploration and practice, the socialist system with Chinese characteristics has demonstrated enormous advantages. The level of modernization of China's system and capacity for governance has been continuously improved, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable. As long as we strengthen our confidence, anchor our goals, and move forward steadily step by step, success will surely belong to the great Communist Party of China, the great Chinese people, and the great People's Republic of China!"
Standing at the "National Day moment" and looking toward the future, this major Party and major country strides forward with firm steps and unyielding determination.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 任皓宇
In the western outskirts of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, sand dunes stretch in unbroken succession. Looking up, long natural gas pipelines wind like ribbons between the sand ridges. Recently, a reporter visited the construction site of Phase III of the Saudi National Natural Gas Network Pipeline Project, undertaken by Sinopec Petroleum Engineering Construction Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "SPECC"), to experience the vitality of China-Saudi energy cooperation under the framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
"The welding torches in our hands connect the backbone of Chinese manufacturing"
Inside the white welding shelters covering pipeline joints, sparks fly in all directions. Wang Honghui, a master technician of Sinopec Group, holds a welding inspection gauge, checking the work results of the welding crews point by point. "The precision error of the weld must be controlled at the millimeter level to ensure project quality," Wang Honghui said. "The welding torches in our hands connect the backbone of Chinese manufacturing."
As an important project in the upgrade of Saudi Arabia's national natural gas network, the Phase III pipeline project will form the main artery of Saudi Arabia's "east gas, west transmission." SPECC is undertaking Sections 6 and 7 of the project, with a total length of approximately 700 kilometers. Once completed, the project will greatly enhance the daily gas transmission capacity of the pipeline, meet the gas demand of King Abdullah Economic City in western Saudi Arabia and multiple large gas-fired power stations, and promote the economic development and energy transformation and upgrading of western Saudi Arabia.
"We must both 'race for speed' and, even more, ensure quality." Wang Honghui opened a progress comparison chart between SPECC and other international companies. "Others take 18 minutes to weld a single joint; we figure out how to control it within 15 minutes. By relying on technological innovation and optimizing processes, efficiency can be improved." Wang Honghui introduced that the project adopts six welding crews, including domestically produced automatic welding machines, and widely applies intelligent equipment, promoting a comprehensive innovation in construction techniques and continuously setting new records for the construction of Saudi Arabia's largest-diameter oil and gas pipelines. To date, the overall project progress has exceeded 80%, with more than 678 kilometers of pipeline welding construction completed cumulatively.
Wang Honghui has personally trained many foreign welders, and Regan Mia is one of them. From basic welding techniques to operational skills in high-temperature environments, to the ability to interpret construction drawings, Mia has grown under Wang Honghui's guidance into a technical backbone of the welding crew. His crew achieved an excellent record of a 100% first-pass weld acceptance rate for 15 consecutive days, with the overall acceptance rate remaining stable above 98%.
"While Master Wang taught me skills, he also made me understand what 'craftsman spirit' means. I will treat every process with the strictest standards," Mia said. According to reports, the project department practices the strategy of "internationalized management, localized employment," building a collaboration model of "Chinese technical backbone + foreign employees," and has cumulatively trained more than 5,000 standardized pipeline construction skilled personnel for the local area.
"'Technology + management' dual safeguards enhance every builder's safety awareness and response capability"
At the safety training base in the project camp, Saudi employee Otaibi, wearing VR (virtual reality) equipment, suddenly sank his body and crouched on the safety rope. Through the display screen, one could see him simulating emergency response to a scaffolding fall risk scenario. "Listening to lectures, watching videos, and then experiencing it through VR — what can be done and what cannot be done, you remember it all at once," Otaibi said.
"Safety is the lifeline of the project." Zhao Jie, deputy manager of the project's safety management department, often has this phrase on his lips. Entering the project's safety monitoring center, the large screen shows the driving trajectories of construction vehicles, vehicle speeds, driver status, and other on-site conditions, all immediately obvious or easy to understand (一目了然, yi mu liang ran - "one, eye, clearly, understand"). Through the video monitoring system, panoramic inspections can be conducted of more than 160 work sites along the nearly 700-kilometer pipeline. Zhao Jie said that the project department insists on building a safety protection system covering all personnel, all processes, and all elements, not only achieving the goal of "zero accidents" throughout the entire project construction process, but also winning the "Management Innovation Award" from the project owner, Saudi Aramco.
While strengthening daily safety control, the project department also focuses on enhancing all employees' safety awareness and emergency response capabilities through technological means. The Chinese-made VR digital-intelligence training equipment that Otaibi experienced is one such measure. Employees can use VR equipment to learn emergency response methods for more than 20 common construction risk scenarios, such as falls from heights and firefighting. The project department also regularly conducts targeted emergency drills based on monitoring data, inviting experts from Saudi Aramco to participate in course design, with content covering areas such as first aid for heatstroke and emergency response for pipeline construction.
To date, the project has conducted more than 130 safety training sessions of various types, training more than 3,300 person-times cumulatively. "We hope to enhance every builder's safety awareness and response capability through the dual safeguards of 'technology + management,'" Zhao Jie said.
"Project construction is also a process of China-Saudi talent cultivation and cultural exchange"
"Some time ago, I went to China to participate in a cultural integration study activity, and China's development speed is admirable." Isa Al-Mutairi, a Saudi employee of the project, happily shared his feelings with the reporter. During the study period, he visited benchmark enterprises and explored Beijing's urban landmarks, experiencing the achievements of Chinese modernization and the charm of Chinese culture.
Al-Mutairi said: "I have been with Sinopec for 10 years. The unity, friendliness, and work enthusiasm of my Chinese colleagues have deeply inspired and motivated me. I have participated in multiple Saudi-China energy cooperation projects, and these cooperations are of great significance to Saudi Arabia's energy transformation and development." Ning Bo, the project leader, said: "Project construction is also a process of China-Saudi talent cultivation and cultural exchange."
After Al-Mutairi returned to Saudi Arabia, the project department organized a sharing session, inviting him to share what he had seen and heard. "After listening to Al-Mutairi's sharing and the introductions from Chinese colleagues, I really want to go to China to have a look around," said local employee Abdulaziz Al-Ghitani. In 2012, when he had just started junior high school, he witnessed a highway bridge built by a Chinese enterprise rising from the ground right at his doorstep. "This planted a seed in my heart." In 2023, he joined Sinopec and is now the human resources manager for Section 6 of the project.
Recently, Fahad Al-Sogair, the project owner's representative, specially presented a certificate of appreciation to the project, commending the project's outstanding performance in advancing the work. Al-Sogair stated: "The team not only efficiently completed procurement support, but also introduced advanced equipment and innovative technology to help advance the project. The excellent contract performance deserves recognition."
"We will pool our strength and work together to promote the high-quality and efficient operation of the project, guided by high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and contribute to Saudi Arabia's goals of energy structure optimization and social development under its 'Vision 2030,'" Ning Bo said.
Layout design: Zhang Fangman
Return to TopBy: 胡仕胜
Guided by the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, China and India have maintained strategic resolve and insisted on moving forward in the same direction (相向而行, xiang xiang er xing - "toward, each, toward, walk"), becoming a stable force for progress in a world of intertwined change and turbulence, and will make greater contributions to peace and prosperity in the region and the world at large.
In September this year, President Xi Jinping met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India. This was the third consecutive year of bilateral meetings between the leaders of the two countries, following the Kazan meeting in 2024 and the Tianjin meeting in 2025. The two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views and reached an important consensus that China and India should be partners. President Xi Jinping shared four observations on promoting the steady and sustained development of China-India relations, which both distill and elevate the practical experience of the past two years in which China-India relations achieved "renewal" and then "upgrading," and also provide clear methodology, path guidance, and action coordinates for whether the bilateral relationship can reach a new level and achieve steady and sustained progress.
Calibrate the direction with objective and rational strategic perception, and firmly hold the "master switch" of the bilateral relationship. The essence of China-India relations is the question of how two neighboring major developing countries, each with a population of over 1.4 billion, get along with each other. President Xi Jinping clearly pointed out that China and India are partners rather than rivals and are development opportunities rather than threats to each other. This is a strategic judgment based on the development stage of the two countries and the international environment, and it serves the common interests of both countries and both peoples. Prime Minister Modi responded positively, stating that India has always viewed India-China relations from a strategic height and a long-term perspective, is willing to be a partner rather than a rival with China, and regards each other's development as an opportunity rather than a challenge. The leaders of the two countries have anchored the course of China-India relations and provided the most scarce commodity at present: stable expectations.
Achieve mutual success with the concept of win-win cooperation, and build up the "power source" for the bilateral relationship. China and India have different national conditions, and they can fully engage in compensating for each other's shortcomings (取长补短, qu chang bu duan - "take, long, supplement, short"), supporting each other, achieving mutual success, and pursuing common development. President Xi Jinping stressed that both sides should focus on development, the greatest common denominator, and strengthen friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation. Over the past two years, institutional exchanges and cooperation between China and India have gradually resumed, and the list of cooperation items has continued to grow. In 2025, bilateral trade between China and India reached a record high of US$155.62 billion. The economic and trade structures of the two countries are highly complementary, and there are broad prospects for cooperation in new energy, green economy, artificial intelligence, and other fields. Only by continuously improving the foundation of public opinion through practical cooperation can China-India friendship gain a steady stream of momentum and strong public support.
Eliminate interference with the political wisdom of mutual respect and mutual understanding, and build a solid "stabilizer" for the bilateral relationship. China and India are important neighbors to each other, and there are some historical differences left over from the past. The key lies in what kind of wisdom is used to handle them. In recent years, the 24th meeting of the Special Representatives on the China-India Boundary Question reached a 10-point consensus, and the 25th meeting reached an 8-point consensus on outcomes, effectively maintaining peace and tranquility in the border areas. Facts have proven that as long as the spirit of mutual respect and mutual understanding is upheld, differences can be fully managed and controlled. By eliminating interference with political wisdom, China-India relations can proceed steadily and go far.
Benefit the world through open and inclusive multilateral coordination, and expand the "broad vision" for the bilateral relationship. China and India are both founding members of BRICS and important members of the Global South. The two countries working together to promote the high-quality development of "Greater BRICS Cooperation" and strengthening coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the G20 is precisely about converting the scale of the two countries' development into positive energy for safeguarding world peace and development. This year India holds the BRICS presidency, and next year China will take over the BRICS presidency. The two countries supporting each other in holding the BRICS presidency is a vivid illustration of benefiting all under heaven (兼济天下, jian ji tian xia - "benefit, all, world"). Strengthening coordination on the multilateral stage is not only conducive to promoting Global South cooperation and advancing multipolarity in the world, but is also an effective way for the two countries to enhance trust, dispel doubts, and move forward in the same direction.
Guided by the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, China and India have maintained strategic resolve and insisted on moving forward in the same direction, becoming a stable force for progress in a world of intertwined change and turbulence, and will make greater contributions to peace and prosperity in the region and the world at large.
(The author is Deputy Secretary-General of the Academic Committee of the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 沈小晓
"The BRICS countries have developed into one of the most influential mechanisms for promoting global governance and South-South cooperation." Baru Demissie, senior adviser to the Policy Studies Institute of Ethiopia, said in an exclusive interview with our reporter recently that the BRICS cooperation mechanism has made important contributions to enhancing the voice of emerging economies and promoting the building of a more just and equitable international order. "In the current context, the significance of the BRICS cooperation mechanism has far exceeded the scope of economic cooperation and has become an important platform for emerging economies to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes (互利共赢, hu li gong ying - "mutual benefit, win-win") and jointly promote development."
At present, more and more countries have expressed their willingness to join the BRICS cooperation mechanism. Demissie believes that this profoundly reflects changes in the global political and economic landscape. "The vast number of developing countries need an international platform that is more representative, more inclusive, and more responsive to their development concerns," he said. He noted that the expansion of BRICS is of great significance and has greatly enhanced the inclusiveness, representativeness, and global influence of the BRICS cooperation mechanism.
Demissie said that the cooperation achievements of the BRICS countries in multiple fields such as trade and investment, science and technology, health, and digital innovation have proven that multilateral cooperation can bring tangible benefits to the Global South. Africa has the youngest population structure in the world and enormous development potential, and BRICS cooperation is of great significance to Africa. BRICS cooperation can both support the African Union's Agenda 2063 and contribute to the realization of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Demissie believes that China, as the world's second-largest economy, has always provided support for the development of the BRICS countries and actively promoted practical cooperation in various fields. China's successful experience in poverty reduction, industrialization, infrastructure construction, and technological progress has provided useful reference for many developing countries. "By encouraging knowledge sharing, capacity building, and investment, China has promoted the BRICS cooperation mechanism to become a strategic platform for advancing development cooperation and shared prosperity."
Demissie highly appreciates China's establishment of the China-BRICS Artificial Intelligence Development and Cooperation Center and its initiative to establish a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization. He believes that these measures help build public platforms for joint research, policy dialogue, and industrial cooperation, promote the responsible development and application of artificial intelligence technologies, and are particularly valuable for African countries in making up for their shortcomings in digital infrastructure, talent, and technology. Ethiopia is one of the founding member states of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization. "The BRICS countries can deepen cooperation in fields such as research and development, innovation, talent cultivation, digital infrastructure, and technology transfer, bridge the digital divide, and promote the sharing of dividends," Demissie said.
In January 2024, Ethiopia became an official member of the BRICS countries. Under frameworks such as the BRICS cooperation mechanism and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, China and Ethiopia have carried out a series of cooperation in fields including agriculture, finance, infrastructure, industry, and science and technology. Demissie said that the all-weather strategic partnership between the two countries has been further deepened: projects such as the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, the expansion and upgrading of Bole International Airport, and the Eastern Industrial Zone have strengthened regional connectivity, and the two sides are also committed to enhancing manufacturing capacity and promoting technology transfer, expanding cooperation in science and technology, energy, and agriculture by relying on the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution.
Next year, China will take over the rotating presidency of the BRICS countries and host the 19th BRICS Summit. "China adheres to openness, innovation, and multilateral cooperation and is a key driving force for promoting the future development of the BRICS countries and advancing global peace and prosperity." Demissie expressed the expectation that the BRICS countries will continue to uphold multilateralism, open cooperation, and mutual respect, expand trade and investment, deepen technological cooperation, and create more opportunities for developing countries to participate in global governance.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 于超凡
The 47th World Congress of Vine and Wine and the General Assembly of Member States of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine will be held from October 12 to 16 in Yinchuan, Ningxia. This is the first time in the more than one hundred years since the congress was founded that it has been held in an Asian country. John Barker, Director General of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, said in a recent exclusive interview with a People's Daily reporter, "China is an important global producer and consumer of grapes and wine, and a major global economic power. The holding of this grand event in China is a historic milestone for this organisation as well as for China's grape and wine industry."
The International Organisation of Vine and Wine was founded in 1924, with its headquarters in France, and is the world's authoritative scientific and technical body in the fields of grape cultivation and winemaking. At the end of 2025, China officially joined the organisation, becoming its fifty-first member state. Barker noted that the World Congress of Vine and Wine and the General Assembly of Member States are the organisation's most important annual events. China's hosting of the relevant meetings at the very outset of its membership sends a strong signal: China is committed to conducting international cooperation in the field of grapes and wine through the organisation, and to promoting the development of the wine industry in China and around the world.
"Over the years, the International Organisation of Vine and Wine has worked closely with China, promoting the development of China's wine industry, and China has also contributed much professional knowledge and technology to us," Barker said. As an emerging participant in the global grape and wine industry, China's importance is increasingly evident. According to the organisation's data, China is an important producer of table grapes, has made tremendous progress in the production of quality wines, and its wine consumption also ranks among the world's leading countries.
"China's accession to the organisation and its participation alongside other countries in the organisation's decision-making helps to establish more harmonised global standards, laying the foundation for the flourishing development of the wine industry and fair trade, and bringing new opportunities to the international wine industry," Barker said. The scale and potential of China's wine market are enormous, and there is still much room for growth. Over the past few decades, the quality of Chinese wines has improved immensely, and world-class wines are already being produced there; he believes this trend will continue.
Barker believes that the grape and wine industry currently faces many challenges and transformations, such as climate change, shifting consumer preferences, impeded trade, and the rapidly developing digital economy. The International Organisation of Vine and Wine will actively promote knowledge sharing and international cooperation to support the transformation of member states in this field. "I firmly believe that China will play an indispensable role. We look forward to seeing China's practices in integrating digital technology into the production, consumption, and other aspects of wine."
"Ningxia's investment in the wine industry has left a deep impression on me," Barker said. From a global perspective, the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains in Ningxia is still a young wine-producing region, but over the past more than 40 years it has made tremendous progress, winning broad international attention and acclaim, especially through its forward-looking perspective (前瞻性, qian zhan xing - "foresee, nature") and international vision, and its pursuit of excellence in quality.
What greatly encourages Barker is that Ningxia's wine producers are actively exploring the region's unique terroir to craft wines in a Chinese style. The region combines traditional techniques with advanced technological means, attaches great importance to sustainable development, and is highly aligned with the strategic vision of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine. In terms of wine tourism and culture, Ningxia also offers visitors a rich experience. "A wine culture with Chinese characteristics has taken root, and we hope it will continue to grow vigorously (茁壮成长, zhuo zhuang cheng zhang - "strong, vigorous, grow"). This congress will put Ningxia, China, in the global spotlight, and delegates and experts from around the world will personally experience the unique charm of this fascinating land," Barker said.
Return to Top(Xinhua News Agency, Essen, Germany, October 3) (Reporters Chu Yi, Huang Yan) The 2026 China-Germany Youth Exchange Concert was held on October 3 in Essen, Germany. Teachers and students from Germany's Bo Le Chinese Choir and the Affiliated High School of Yunnan University took the stage together, using music to convey friendship and promote multicultural exchange, jointly expressing their beautiful expectations for the future.
At the concert, eight students from the Bo Le Chinese Choir shared their experiences of traveling to China this summer to participate in the "Sing to Learn Chinese" summer camp, describing the Chinese culture and natural scenery as they saw it. Young people from both countries also performed songs together, including "Let Us Row the Oars," "Yearning," and "The Same Song," presenting the audience with a musical feast full of cultural fusion and youthful charm. About 200 spectators from various sectors of China and Germany watched the performance.
The Bo Le Chinese Choir is a non-profit public welfare organization that carries out the "Sing to Learn Chinese" activity for German youth. With the purpose of promoting German-Chinese people-to-people exchange, it is actively committed to enhancing friendship between the two countries in the fields of language and culture.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 廖文根 付 文
On the morning of October 4, the Sanfang Qixiang historical and cultural district in Fuzhou, Fujian, attracted a large number of tourists. Many people came to visit the former residence of Shen Baozhen at No. 26 Gongxiang.
"This is one of the ancient dwellings in Sanfang Qixiang that was built relatively early and has high historical and cultural value. The restoration adhered to maximum preservation and minimal intervention, strictly followed standards in construction, both strictly controlled the quality of materials and observed traditional craftsmanship, preserving the ancient charm and spirit." said Ruan Zhangkui, an expert in ancient building restoration.
In October 2024, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized during an inspection tour in Fujian: "We must make sustained, long-term effort in enhancing cultural influence and showcasing Fujian's new image." "Strengthen the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage, persist unremittingly in the work of cultivating people through culture, and actively promote the transformation of outdated customs and habits. Promote the deep integration of culture and tourism development, and cultivate the cultural tourism industry into a pillar industry."
Thoroughly implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions, Fujian is accelerating the construction of a higher-level culturally strong province, continuing the cultural lineage of Fujian in the creative transformation and innovative development of China's excellent traditional culture, and making sustained, long-term effort to enhance cultural influence.
Strengthening the protection of cultural relics with greater effort
Fujian has deep cultural origins, broad cultural lineage, and abundant cultural vitality, where the culture of the Min capital, Zhuzi culture, and Maritime Silk Road culture are shining brightly in coordination with one another (交相辉映, jiao xiang hui ying - "interchange, reflect, shine").
On the afternoon of September 30, on Jin'an Branch Road in Jin'an District, Fuzhou, Li Fusheng, the leader of the municipal archaeological work team, was conducting meticulous excavation of a plot of land. "More than ten Han Dynasty cultural relics have been discovered so far, and the excavation is expected to conclude in mid-October." Li Fusheng introduced that according to Fuzhou's regulations, archaeological surveys must be conducted before land transfer; if important cultural relics are discovered, the site is protected in place and the transfer is terminated.
Fujian ensures the systematic protection of cultural heritage including cultural relics and historic sites, historical districts, and traditional villages, maintaining historical authenticity, stylistic integrity, and cultural continuity.
Fujian continues to advance the "four ones" mechanism for cultural relic protection—"one bureau, one team, one seal, one million yuan." Cultural and tourism bureaus in all counties (cities, districts) of Fuzhou have additionally hung the sign of the Cultural Relics Bureau, ensuring a coherent cultural relic management system throughout the city; the municipal archaeological team participates in two "Archaeological China" research projects, including the study of the origin and diffusion of the Austronesian language family; in urban and rural construction, land transfer and project construction must obtain the consent of the cultural relics department; Fuzhou's annual municipal cultural relic protection funding has been increased to 15 million yuan since 2024.
Protection is always given top priority. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Fujian implemented more than 1,200 cultural relic protection and restoration projects, and all 12 famous historical and cultural cities, 63 historical and cultural districts, 200 famous historical and cultural towns and villages, and 1,193 traditional villages have completed the compilation of protection plans. Fujian has more than 40,000 immovable cultural relics.
"We are piloting 'cultural relic insurance + services,' introducing insurance institutions, technology companies, and dedicated inspection personnel to weave a dense protection network." said Fu Qisheng, director of the Fujian Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, adding that more than 30 million yuan has been invested to advance the pilot, with over 30 percent of the province's nationally key cultural relic protection units and over 20 percent of provincial-level protection units included in the coverage.
Activating the vitality of excellent traditional culture with the spirit of the times
Entering Yeshan Spring and Autumn Park in Gulou District, Fuzhou, sculptures and benches featuring the "Fu" (blessing) element can be seen everywhere, integrated into the daily life of citizens.
Developing "Fu cultural creative products," promoting "Fu crafts," creating "Fu literary and artistic works," expanding "the taste of Fu," and building "Fu cultural tourism"... Fujian leverages the role of social science academies, universities, and think tanks, conducts research on "Fu" culture topics, and promotes the integration of "Fu" culture into spiritual civilization, urban and rural construction, and livelihood undertakings.
The colorful culture of Fujian is a continuous source of new ideas or inspiration (源头活水, yuan tou huo shui - "source, head, living water") for the flourishing of "Min-style" literature and art. Fujian promotes the mutual resonance between the spirit of the times and China's excellent traditional culture.
"Activate the vitality of excellent traditional culture through art, excavate content of contemporary value, enhance originality and appeal, and achieve 'breaking the circle' and 'cross-border' dissemination." said Li Donghe, secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Fujian Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles. From "Minning Town" to "Silent Glory," during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, 19 works from Fujian won the "Five One Project" Award, and literary and art workers and works won national awards such as the "Wenhua Award" and the "Plum Blossom Award" 64 person (item) times.
Fuzhou was historically known as Houguan. In modern times, sages such as Lin Zexu, Shen Baozhen, and Yan Fu emerged from here. Fujian closely integrates the inheritance of Houguan culture with the new era project of fostering virtue through education at the Fuzhou University Town, holding the Houguan Forum annually since 2022 to explore its spiritual connotation and educational value.
Empowering deep integration of culture and tourism with modern technology
In the Fuzhou Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall, the boxing motion-sensing interactive area uses digital technology to create an immersive space. Tourist Zhang Wanming punched at the screen, experiencing the charm of Wing Chun: "In the past, I only looked at illustrated explanations of the moves, but now I can experience it on the spot—thrilling!"
Anchored on the deep integration of culture and tourism, Fujian implements a comprehensive cultural tourism enhancement project, centering on the "Fresh Fujian · Min-style Living" brand, deepening the cross-border "marriage" of cultural tourism with agriculture, industry, ocean, sports, science and technology, film and television, and intangible cultural heritage, and making every effort to cultivate the cultural tourism pillar industry and build a world-renowned tourist destination.
"Book the theater ticket first, then buy the plane ticket"—Quanzhou's string puppet show, with a history of more than 1,300 years, is a distinctive cultural tourism experience for out-of-town visitors to Quanzhou. "Performances are sold out all year round, and a total of 140 performances will be staged during the seven-day National Day holiday this year." said Lin Fengjin, head of the Quanzhou Puppet Troupe. "We are mining traditional plays, restaging classic repertoires, while also creating newly compiled original works, combining virtual reality and artificial intelligence technology, exploring new models of cooperation with tourist attractions, online games, and new media platforms, continuously bringing new experiences to audiences, and keeping the trend of 'traveling to a city for one play' heating up."
Adhering to shaping tourism with culture and highlighting culture through tourism, Fujian promotes the deep interweaving of Fujian's humanities with fashion trends and creative elements, successfully creating immersive cultural tourism projects such as "Moon Over Wuyi" and "Return to Southern Fujian," and "traveling following performances, following films and television, following sports events, and following world heritage sites" is gradually becoming a trend.
Bearing in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping's earnest entrustment, Fujian is accelerating the construction of a higher-level culturally strong province, comprehensively showcasing the cultural charm of Fujian in the new era, and providing strong ideological guarantees, powerful spiritual strength, and favorable cultural conditions for writing a new chapter in the construction of a new Fujian.
Return to TopDuring the National Day holiday, the consumer market released its vitality, the public's demand for travel was strong, and social operations remained stable and orderly. Behind the busy and bustling holiday scenes lies the warm foundation of livelihood security, demonstrating the resilience and vitality of economic and social operations.
Goods are abundant and prices are stable, with sufficient market supply. Walking into supermarkets and markets, one sees a dazzling array of beautiful things (琳琅满目, lin lang man mu - "gem, gem, fill, eyes"), with a rich variety of choices, and strong guarantees for the "rice bag," "vegetable basket," "oil bottle," and "fruit plate." All regions and departments have solidly carried out work to ensure supply and stabilize prices, launching a series of measures to benefit people's livelihoods and boost consumption, allowing consumers to buy with confidence, eat with peace of mind, and use goods with satisfaction.
Dispatch is effective, and energy supply is stable. Supplies of electricity, natural gas, and refined oil products are sufficient, and energy use for residents' daily life and enterprise production is strongly guaranteed. Energy departments have continuously strengthened operational monitoring, solidly carried out work on supply-demand adjustment, emergency duty, and equipment inspection, firmly held the bottom line of energy use safety, and laid a solid foundation for the people to enjoy the holiday with peace of mind and for the stable operation of the economy and society.
Circulation is efficient, and transport connections are smooth. Trunk-line transport on highways, railways, ports, and other routes is busy, logistics hubs are accelerating the collection and distribution of goods, warehousing, sorting, and delivery are closely coordinated, and the transport network and logistics system operate in synergy. Ensuring circulation means ensuring people's livelihoods. Intensifying coordination efforts, connecting all links such as production, circulation, and consumption, and further smoothing the "main arteries" and "microcirculation" provide solid support for the circulation of goods and the delivery of energy.
(People's Daily reporter Chen Zhen)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 陈晨曦 陶相安 李 硕
On the evening of October 4, the 20th Asian Games concluded at the Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium in Nagoya, Japan.
At this sports gathering, in which all 45 member countries and regions of the Asian Games participated, a total of 28 delegations won gold medals and 40 delegations won medals. The Chinese sports delegation once again demonstrated its formidable strength, winning 169 gold, 89 silver, and 83 bronze medals for a total of 341 medals, ranking first on the medal table, with the Japanese delegation and the South Korean delegation ranking second and third respectively.
Zhang Xin, Secretary-General of the Chinese sports delegation, said: "This Asian Games achieved the goal of training the team, discovering new talent, and identifying problems for the Los Angeles Olympics, and further strengthened our confidence in achieving outstanding results at the Los Angeles Olympics."
Withstanding the test, maintaining leadership in foundational and traditional strength events
At this Asian Games, the Chinese sports delegation competed in 369 events across 38 sports and 59 disciplines, winning gold medals in 38 disciplines across 29 sports, with a gold medal rate of 45.8% in the events entered. Beyond the gold medals, Chinese athletes also broke 8 world records, 11 Asian records, and 22 Asian Games records in shooting, archery, athletics, swimming, weightlifting, track cycling, and other events.
Foundational sports such as athletics, swimming, and aquatic events made comprehensive efforts, achieving 71 gold medals while also producing highlights. The Chinese athletics team won 17 gold medals, breaking 4 Asian Games records in sprinting, throwing, and jumping events, with the winning results in the women's javelin and women's hammer throw both surpassing the gold medal results of the Paris Olympics. The sprint team swept all 3 gold medals in the 4×100 meter relays, and significant progress was also made in the women's 800 meters, men's decathlon, and other events. The Chinese swimming team won 30 gold medals, setting a new record for total gold medals, sweeping all 7 relay event gold medals for the first time, with the men's 200-meter freestyle, men's 4×100-meter medley relay, and women's 200-meter individual medley posting the world's best times this year. In aquatic events, rowing, canoeing, and sailing won 24 gold medals, continuing to maintain their leading advantage in Asia.
Traditional strength events continue to maintain strong competitiveness and event heritage. The diving team extended its record of sweeping Asian Games gold medals, achieving "100 Asian Games gold medals" in Nagoya. The weightlifting team fielded a number of young athletes, and ultimately all 10 stood on the podium, breaking multiple world records in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total. The Chinese shooting team broke world records in 4 team events in air rifle and shotgun, demonstrating the depth of talent in these events. The gymnastics team fielded athletes from three generations competing together, achieving a three-peat in the men's team and men's all-around, and a fourteenth consecutive title in the women's team.
Gao Zhidan, Director of the General Administration of Sport of China, said: "The Asian Games training exercise yielded gains, but also exposed some problems. Preparations for some strength events in the new cycle have been grasped relatively tightly, but some events face a severe situation."
Blooming in multiple areas, broadening the map of Chinese competitive sports
At this Asian Games, the Chinese team showed a trend of progress in some events, with breakthroughs and resurgence running through the delegation's participation throughout the Games.
On September 20, the first competition day after the Asian Games opened, Chinese athletes won 1 gold and 1 silver in the triathlon, with the women's individual event winning gold again after a 20-year gap, and the men's individual event winning silver for the first time. Lin Xinyu, who won gold in both the women's individual and mixed relay triathlon events, said: "This is a beginning; everyone can look forward to the rise of Chinese triathlon." On October 3, the final day of competition for the Chinese delegation, the Chinese men's football team returned to the podium after 28 years, and the Chinese men's rugby team, which reached the Asian Games final for the first time, won a silver medal for the first time. Men's football player Xiang Yuwang described the bronze medal as "of great significance": "Our self-confidence has been boosted. I will bring the good experience of the national team and the style of daring to fight and daring to challenge back to my club, and I hope to continue to compete for the country in the future."
At the same time, a number of potential strength events also delivered outstanding performances. Artistic swimming swept the gold medals in the team and duet events, and rhythmic gymnastics won the group all-around title, with the artistic expression of Chinese athletes captivating the audience. Combat sports accumulated strength at the Asian Games, with boxing defending the women's 51 kg title, taekwondo winning the women's 49 kg gold medal again after 16 years, wrestling winning the women's freestyle 57 kg gold medal, judo winning the women's 78+ kg gold medal again after 12 years, and fencing winning the women's épée team gold. Archery won the gold medal in the recurve mixed team event for the first time, securing an Olympic qualification spot at the earliest opportunity. Tennis achieved a sixth consecutive title in women's singles, sweeping gold and silver for the third consecutive edition. Golf won gold in both the men's team and women's team events, achieving a breakthrough from zero gold medals. In addition, equestrian dressage won the first Asian Games gold medal in the team event, road cycling won an Asian Games gold medal again after 20 years, and modern pentathlon won the men's individual gold medal again after 12 years.
The progress in these events has further broadened the map of Chinese competitive sports in Asia.
A new generation emerges, charging ahead courageously to display youthful brilliance
On the Asian Games stage, a group of new talents emerged as new talents, and their youthful strength became the greatest gain for Chinese sports at this Asian Games.
On the athletics track, 17-year-old Chen Yujie won 3 golds and 1 silver, becoming Asia's youngest women's "100-meter flyer," 18-year-old Yan Ziyi won the women's javelin title with a "one-throw victory," and 18-year-old Zhang Jiale won the women's hammer throw with a result that broke the Asian record. In the pool, the performances of China's young swimmers were every bit as good, with 13-year-old Yu Zidi winning 3 gold medals, all 3 results breaking Asian records or Asian Games records. 19-year-old Zhang Zhanshuo won 7 gold medals, tying the record for the most gold medals won by an individual at a single Asian Games. After the competition, Zhang Zhanshuo said he wanted to "settle down," and that "next I will sprint toward the world record, keeping my temper and avoiding impetuosity, charging ahead courageously, and turning these 7 gold medals into even greater motivation."
Gao Zhidan spoke highly of the performance of China's young athletes: "The young athletes displayed the sharpness and ambition of young Chinese people in the new era on the competition field."
In new events included in the Olympics, Chinese athletes also achieved a series of breakthroughs. The Chinese climbing team achieved a result of 2 golds, 1 silver, and 1 bronze across 4 events, with both gold medals making history. Zhang Yuetong won the first gold medal for the Chinese climbing team in a bouldering event at a comprehensive games in the women's bouldering final. The competition in the men's speed climbing event was extremely fierce, with 5 of the world's top 10 ranked athletes in the final round. In the end, 19-year-old Chu Shouhong broke through a difficult situation, winning the Asian Games' first gold medal for China in this event.
A relevant official from the Mountaineering Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China said: "The team received full training and tempering at this Asian Games, which will play a positive role in better preparing for the Los Angeles Olympics."
Zhang Xin said: "Every athlete of the Chinese sports delegation cherished the opportunity to participate in the Asian Games exceptionally. They fought tenaciously, challenged themselves, and strove for better results, leaving behind the figure of chasing their dreams on the Asian Games stage. The Asian Games will become a beautiful memory of their winning glory for the country and showing themselves."
Return to TopBy: 陶相安
With 169 gold, 89 silver, and 83 bronze medals, ranking first on both the gold medal table and the overall medal table. At this Asian Games, the Chinese sports delegation delivered its best-ever result in history for an overseas competition.
The diving team achieved a complete sweep of gold medals at the Asian Games for the fourteenth time; the shooting team has ranked first in gold medals in shooting events for 13 consecutive Asian Games and broke multiple world records; the gymnastics team withstood the pressure of competing away from home and swept both the men's and women's team championships; the Chinese men's football team stepped onto the Asian Games podium again after 28 years... Behind these outstanding results lies the display of China's formidable strength in sports.
Veterans and newcomers competed on the same stage, striving with all their might. Of the 815 athletes in the Chinese sports delegation, 548 were participating in the Asian Games for the first time. Seventeen-year-old Chen Yujie set a new Asian Games record with a time of 11.06 seconds, 18-year-old Yan Ziyi won the women's javelin gold medal with a "one-throw victory," and 19-year-old Zhang Zhanshuo bravely claimed 7 gold medals in the pool. The young newcomers fought bravely and vigorously (敢打敢拼, gan da gan pin - "dare to strike, dare to fight"), injecting strong momentum into Chinese sports with their sunny and confident youthful spirit. At the same time, veteran athletes such as Zhang Boheng, Feng Bin, Chen Yiwen, and Xie Zhenye held their ground on the field, giving their all in competition and mentoring and training younger generations (传帮带, chuan bang dai - "pass on, help, lead"), serving as the source of confidence for the Chinese sports delegation on the competitive stage.
The Asian Games has long been known as the "midterm exam": one year before it is held, the initial rosters of teams for the new Olympic cycle are preliminarily assembled; one year after it is held, athletes must begin their sprint toward the Olympic Games. Therefore, it bears the important mission of testing the teams and laying out plans for the future.
The "exam" can also reveal shortcomings: among the four basketball events, only the Chinese women's basketball team earned a bronze medal; the Chinese women's football team missed the Asian Games podium for the third time in team history; the men's team loss in table tennis reflected insufficient squad depth; the national badminton team took home only two gold medals amid intensifying competition... The problems exposed on the Asian Games stage are precisely the mandatory questions to be answered before entering the "examination hall" of the Los Angeles Olympics. Only by facing one's shortcomings directly (正视不足, zheng shi bu zu - "straight, look at, not enough") and actively responding can there be hope of achieving good results in the "major examination."
The 20th Asian Games has come to a close; it is necessary both to take stock of the present and, even more, to build momentum for the future. Moving from the "midterm exam" toward the "major examination," as the shortcomings revealed on the field are gradually remedied, as team building makes progress through real competition, and as more and more young figures appear on the podium, Chinese athletes will be able to step into the "examination hall" with greater confidence and composure.
Return to Top(People's Daily, Nagoya, October 4) (Reporters Tao Xiang'an, Liu Shuoyang) On the morning of the 4th, the Olympic Council of Asia held a press conference to announce the Most Valuable Athletes of this Asian Games, male and female. Thirteen-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi was selected as the Most Valuable Female Athlete, and 20-year-old Thai track and field athlete Puripol Bunson was selected as the Most Valuable Male Athlete.
At the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, Yu Zidi, competing in her first Asian Games, delivered an outstanding performance, winning three gold medals in the women's 200m butterfly, the women's 200m individual medley, and the women's 400m individual medley, with a time of 2 minutes 06.10 seconds in the 200m individual medley, setting a new Asian record. Bunson claimed two gold medals in the men's 100m and men's 200m at the track and field events of this Asian Games, and equaled the men's 200m Asian record held by Xie Zhenye.
Since the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games, the Olympic Council of Asia has established the Most Valuable Athlete award for the Asian Games. Chinese badminton player Lin Dan was named the Most Valuable Athlete of the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. Starting with the Hangzhou Asian Games held in 2023, the Most Valuable Athlete award has been selected separately for male and female athletes, with Chinese swimmers Qin Haiyang and Zhang Yufei being selected respectively at that edition of the Games.
The Most Valuable Athletes of this Asian Games were determined by a five-member selection panel comprising Vinod, Deputy Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia, and Ding Ning, Chair of the OCA Athletes' Committee, among others. Yu Zidi became the fourth Most Valuable Athlete of the Asian Games from the Chinese delegation.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 范佳元 人民网记者 胡雪蓉
On the evening of October 4, the closing ceremony of the 20th Asian Games was held at the Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium in Nagoya, Japan. Bi Kun, flag bearer of the Chinese sports delegation and a sailor, strode into the venue holding high the five-starred red flag.
This was Bi Kun's third Asian Games journey, but his first time attending the closing ceremony. Before entering, Bi Kun said: "I want to hold the five-starred red flag high, so that our countrymen can see it, and so that Asia and the world can see it."
"As an athlete, serving as flag bearer is a great honor," Bi Kun said. Just the day before, he had won the championship in the iQFOiL class windsurfing event at these Asian Games, and that very evening he received the news that he would serve as flag bearer at the closing ceremony. "Serving as flag bearer for the Chinese delegation has always been my dream, and this time it has finally come true — a dream coming true (梦想成真, meng xiang cheng zhen - "dream, become, real")."
Bi Kun has participated in three consecutive Asian Games and won gold medals: at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, Bi Kun was still very young, and with sheer determination he stood on the highest podium; at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, he switched from the RS:X class to the iQFOiL class windsurfing event, and living up to expectations (不负众望, bu fu zhong wang - "not, betray, public, expectation") he won the gold medal. At these Asian Games, he was already a veteran, and he successfully defended his title once again.
The journey has not been easy. On the competition field at these Asian Games, competing alongside him were a 40-year-old athlete from the South Korean team and a 20-year-old newcomer from the Thai team. "I encountered many challenges and difficulties in the competition, and I also thought of many ways to deal with them," Bi Kun summarized. "Athletes have their moments of glory on the podium, and they also have their hard work and dedication on the training ground. Being able to compete for the motherland and raise the five-starred red flag in a foreign land (异国他乡, yi guo ta xiang - "different, country, other, village") makes me feel extremely honored."
Windsurfing is a niche sport domestically, and Bi Kun hopes that his persistence can promote the development of the sport and inspire enthusiasts.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 阿尔达克 门杰伟 窦瀚洋
Since the implementation of the newly revised Regulations on Marriage Registration, marriage registration for mainland residents is no longer restricted by household registration location and can be handled at any marriage registration authority nationwide.
From snowy mountains and lakes to thousand-year-old ancient towns, more and more young people are choosing to travel to mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas, starting a new model of "travel + getting the marriage certificate." Localities are deeply integrating marriage registration services with cultural and tourism resources, which not only leaves romantic memories for newlyweds but also opens new entry points for local cultural and tourism consumption.
—Editor
Sayram Lake, Xinjiang—
Turning Natural Features into Romantic Symbols
In the early morning, Sayram Lake was still shrouded in thin mist, and the marriage registration hall on the third floor of the scenic area's new visitor center was already bustling. Staff arrived early, arranged seating, guided queues, and processed registrations in batches; on that day, a total of 347 couples completed their marriage registration here.
"We traveled thousands of kilometers to come to Sayram Lake to capture the important moment that belongs to us," said Tang Zhangqi from Hubei. He and his partner Xiong Xinyi chose to get their marriage certificate on the second anniversary of their relationship: "Through a full sense of ceremony, we leave deep, precious, exclusive memories for each other."
Sayram Lake is located in the southwest of the Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is the highest-altitude and largest alpine cold-water lake in Xinjiang and is known as "the last tear of the Atlantic." What draws more attention than its name is a set of naturally formed romantic numbers. According to the scenic area's person in charge, the scenic area is about 520 kilometers from Urumqi, the average elevation of the lake surface is about 2,073 meters, and the total area of the scenic area is 1,314 square kilometers. Put together, these form "52020731314," which sounds like "I love you, love you deeply, for a lifetime." "The romantic numerical symbolism of Sayram Lake attracted us to make a special trip here to get our certificate, hoping our marriage will last for a very long time," said Zhang Xiaofeng from Jiangsu, voicing the thoughts of many couples. She and her partner Zhou Hailong plan to take photos by the lake as a memento after completing their registration.
To cope with the peak in registrations during Qixi (Chinese Valentine's Day), the Sayram Lake marriage registration center upgraded its services in advance and added equipment and personnel, increasing the number of registration workstations from 6 to 15, while also opening 3 dedicated green channels to provide priority registration services for active-duty military personnel, veterans, and fire and rescue personnel. Wang Zijian from Hunan is a veteran, and the green channel made him feel deeply warmed: "My partner and I specially took annual leave to come here. After successfully making an on-site appointment, the registration process was very fast, and the staff were warm and thoughtful."
Sendexi, director of the Sayram Lake marriage registration center, introduced that the center officially began operations in April 2024, supports nationwide marriage registration, implements fully online appointment booking, and the entire registration and certificate-issuing process is free of charge. Beyond hardware support, the scenic area has also focused on the theme of "romance." Relying on its unique geographical symbolism, the scenic area has created a 1314-meter internet-famous photo-op sculpture and love-themed landscapes, turning natural features into romantic symbols of marriage registration.
Since the beginning of this year, the Sayram Lake marriage registration center has handled marriage registration for more than 20,000 couples, 80% of whom are tourists from outside Xinjiang. Sendexi said, "We will use warmer services to let the beautiful love of newlyweds be captured and preserved here."
Changbai Mountain, Jilin—
Polishing a Distinctive Love IP
A gentle breeze sweeps across the mountains, and the sound of pine waves slowly surges. At the foot of Changbai Mountain in Jilin, sunlight filters through the window lattices and petal decorations of the marriage registration office, forming fine golden specks.
"We voluntarily become husband and wife..." In a white gauze dress and black suit, a couple stood side by side in front of the registration counter, making vows to each other. With a "click," the staff member stamped the marriage certificate.
"Before coming, we looked up quite a few guides on social media, and we plan to check in at various scenic spots while getting our certificate." In the Meiren Song (Beautiful Woman Pine) Love Forest, Mr. Wang and Ms. Yuan from Zhejiang walked hand in hand along the 1,314-meter-long love trail, at the end of which stood the marriage registration office.
It is understood that the locality has created a distinctive love IP with the theme "Grow old together, until white hair, with the mountains as witness," and has planned and designed distinctive check-in spots such as "Love Whispers in the Pines," "Pines See Your Heart," and "Pine-Wave Magpie Bridge," skillfully integrating natural landscapes with romantic symbolism.
At the summit of Changbai Mountain, beside Tianchi Lake, a "destination wedding" was taking place. Mr. Peng and Ms. Wang from Jiangsu exchanged rings as relatives and friends applauded in celebration. The happy crowd, the azure Tianchi Lake, and the towering peaks were all captured together in the camera frame.
"We both love traveling and don't want to be constrained by the rigid conventions of traditional weddings," Mr. Peng said. They chose the "destination wedding" format, combining the wedding ceremony with travel and honeymoon. After the ceremony, they plan to stay a few more days in a guesthouse at the foot of the mountain, savoring the joy of their new marriage amid the forest and pine waves.
In recent years, more and more couples from outside the region have come to Changbai Mountain to register their marriages. Some come for the tranquility of the pine forest, some for the romance of Tianchi Lake, and others specifically time their visit for the autumn and winter snow season to experience the "snowy mountain appointment"...
"At first we only had a small registration point that could handle at most 30 couples per day, which was hard to meet demand," Sun Danni, head of the marriage registration office, told reporters. Since the Meiren Song Love Forest marriage registration office was put into use in December 2025, its popularity has kept climbing.
To accommodate the registration demand brought by nationwide registration, in February of this year, the office was expanded to Meiren Song Corridor Bridge Park, increasing registration capacity from 30 couples per day to 180 couples per day, and adding supporting services such as makeup and styling, themed wedding photography, intangible cultural heritage experiences, and specialty beverages.
A relevant person in charge of the local cultural and tourism department said that in the future, Changbai Mountain will continue to deeply cultivate the entire chain of the "sweet economy" and polish its romantic cultural tourism brand. On the one hand, it will continue to tap into natural and folk cultural resources to create more immersive love-themed scenes; on the other hand, it will work with civil affairs departments to standardize industry norms, guide wedding enterprises toward a high-quality, customized development path, and promote the healthy development of the industry.
Huangjiu Town, Shaoxing, Zhejiang—
Black-Awning Boats as the Matchmaker, Huangjiu as the Witness
In Huangjiu Town in Yuecheng District, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, the aroma of wine mingles with festive joy. At the "Xi Yue Li" (Joy Beyond) wedding customs base, Zhu Shuman, a Shaoxing native, and her partner had just received their marriage certificate. They came to a wine jar, wrote both their names on the sealing strip, and together sealed a jar of huangjiu (yellow rice wine). Then the couple took a sweet photo together and, witnessed by on-site visitors and staff, completed a highly ceremonial certificate-receiving process.
In traditional Shaoxing wedding customs, joyous occasions are never without huangjiu. With a brewing history of more than 2,500 years, Shaoxing huangjiu has long been integrated into people's daily lives and wedding rituals, becoming a local cultural label. In 2015, Shaoxing Huangjiu Town opened its doors to visitors, becoming a cultural tourism scenic area that integrates huangjiu culture display, water-town ancient town tours, and leisure consumption experiences.
On May 16 of this year, the Yuecheng District marriage registration center was relocated in its entirety from the urban area to Huangjiu Town, becoming a marriage registration authority located in a thousand-year-old ancient town. In the 2025 provincial-level standardized construction acceptance inspection of marriage registration authorities organized by the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Civil Affairs, it was also rated as a 5A-level marriage registration authority. After the center's relocation, it welcomed its first Qixi festival, and nearly a hundred couples like Zhu Shuman experienced a different kind of marriage registration here.
Walking into the registration center, romantic symbolism is hidden in every detail. At the entrance, a round vermilion door paired with the couplet "Knock three times for joy, fate begins a lifetime" complement each other in a pleasing way (相映成趣, xiang ying cheng qu - "mutually reflect, create interest"). Inside the Chinese-style certificate hall, red silk hangs from the beams and palace lanterns are suspended high, with a "double happiness" character dragon-and-phoenix backdrop wall that is both festive and solemn.In front of the interactive wall featuring "Winding Stream Flowing Wine Vessels, Poetry Chanting of One Heart", newlyweds gently touch the cups and vessels on the screen, and along the winding stream route where yellow wine flows, love poems passed down through the ages appear.
Yu Lifeng, director of the Yuecheng District marriage registration center, introduced that the new site has set up 6 marriage registration points, with both Chinese-style and modern certificate halls, to meet the different ceremonial needs of newlyweds.
The marriage registration service in the ancient town has not stopped at a piece of paper. Across the river from the registration center stands the wedding customs museum, displaying more than 200 wedding custom exhibits. After receiving their certificates, newlyweds can also experience a Song-dynasty-style water wedding, with black-awning boats as the matchmaker and huangjiu as the witness, experiencing traditional wedding customs amid the water-town scenery.
Shen Mingxing, deputy director of the Shaoxing Huangjiu Town management center, introduced that from the "betrothal wine" (nacaijiu) at the proposal stage, to the "daughter's red" (nü'er hong) wine at the time of marriage, to the "wedding cup wine" (hejin jiu) at the ceremony, huangjiu has always run through traditional Shaoxing wedding customs.
For newlyweds, getting the certificate has changed from "going through procedures" to a "micro-trip," with black-awning boats, huangjiu jars, and ancient stone bridges all becoming witnesses to love. Looking at the ancient town again, the marriage registration center has become the best traffic-driving engine, driving the continuous warming of businesses such as boat rides, guesthouses, wedding photography, and cultural and creative products, stringing together a "sweet industry chain."
Return to TopBy: 方 园
At the China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea, the "South China Sea Natural Ecology Exhibition" has attracted quite a few "older friends" and younger friends to come and view it. In front of various biological specimens such as marine fish, marine mammals, marine shellfish, and corals, we are often asked one question: "How old is it?"
In reality, marine animals come in a great variety of species, and the age of different species can be measured in different ways. There are some methods that can help us infer which stage of life a marine animal is in, such as newborn, juvenile, adult, or elderly. If one wants to judge the specific age more precisely, more complex techniques and methods are required.
Let us start with the simple ones. Size, form, color, and markings — these external indicators can all serve as references for inferring the life stage of a marine animal.
Beside the magnificent and colorful (绚丽多彩, xuan li cai se - "splendid, colorful") coral reefs, parrotfish with rainbow-like body colors often dwell. Because of their unclosable mouth shape and their bright, gorgeous appearance resembling a parrot, this fish gets its name. Judging their age by color and markings has also become a commonly used method. For example, juvenile spotted parrotfish have yellow mouths and white "bodies"; after reaching adulthood, males display green-and-red intermingled markings, while females present a blackish-brown appearance.
In addition, certain vertebrates differ greatly in appearance between juvenile and adult stages, and can be distinguished at a glance. For example, the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, known as the "giant panda of the water," undergoes changes in body color as it ages. Newborn calves are dark gray, gradually fading to gray as they grow, turning pink or grayish-white when fully mature, and becoming white in old age.
For invertebrates, including shellfish, one can gain a rough understanding of their age by observing the size of their calcareous shells and other features. The adult shell of the Cassis cornuta is large and heavy, with dimensions exceeding 30 centimeters, while juvenile shells of similar appearance are very "mini."
If it is not easy to infer through appearance, we need to probe their "inner workings."
First, look at the teeth in the mouth. The teeth and bones of vertebrates are reliable indicators for judging age. By understanding the timing and sequence of tooth eruption, the number of tooth growth layers, the degree of crown wear, and the condition of bone aging, fairly accurate age data can be obtained.
Take the killer whale as an example. The killer whale, a toothed whale, has only one set of teeth in its lifetime. At 2 to 4 months of age, individuals that begin consuming solid food grow teeth. Teeth grow layer by layer, and by observing and counting the growth lines on the surface and inside of the teeth, age can be determined.
Generally speaking, among animals of the same species growing in a natural environment, those that reach old age will have more severe crown wear. However, this rule does not fully apply to killer whales. Compared with the age factor, the feeding behavior and prey species of killer whales may be more critical. Killer whales that feed on sharks with rough skin tend to have far more severe tooth wear than those that feed on other sea fish and marine mammals. If one infers age solely from the degree of wear, inaccuracies may arise.
Second, look at the ears. The age of fish can be known through the number of mineralized layers in their otoliths. The otoliths of different fish species differ markedly in shape and size, and can be used to distinguish fish species. Compared with structures such as scales, fin rays, and gill cover bones, otoliths are a high-quality indicator that is less affected by the external environment and can be preserved for a longer time.
In addition, many large baleen whales accumulate cerumen in their ear canals from birth, eventually forming long earplugs. These earplugs, composed of lipids, keratin, and other substances, also have layered textures, and can be used not only to analyze multiple types of information such as feeding, migration, and environmental pollution, but also to accurately determine age.
In fact, many methods used to measure the age of terrestrial organisms are also applicable to marine organisms. Whether it is observing appearance, distinguishing the "five sense organs," or applying related methods such as isotope dating, all of these provide references for our understanding of the age and growth status of marine animals, and in the process of "calculating," they also help us better understand how to respect nature and protect nature.
(The author is a curator at the China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea and head of the natural history department; compiled and organized by People's Daily reporter Dong Zeyang)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 宋豪新
In Sichuan, dining means Leshan; in Leshan, flavor means Qianwei. The cuisine of Qianwei County is a highly distinctive and important segment of the Leshan food landscape.
Drawing on the salt transport and commercial heritage of this ancient county seat of a thousand years, Qianwei has nurtured a host of signature flavors, including beef ka cakes, specialty tofu pudding, and Luocheng mutton soup. Differing somewhat from the tastes of downtown Leshan, Qianwei cuisine blends the flavors of the Min River corridor, with a rich layering of sour, sweet, numbing, and spicy notes, and its street snacks carry a long culinary tradition.
Walking into Qianwei county town, wisps of aroma drift through the old streets and alleys, drawing residents and tourists alike in search of flavor. At "Old Master Fu's Shoveled Beef" on Longchi Street, a pot of beef bone broth simmered overnight bubbles away, its rich meaty fragrance mingling with a faint herbal scent. Regulars walk in and take their seats directly, calling out their desired dishes; first-time visitors flip through the menu while listening to the staff's explanations and recommendations.
Shoveled beef originated in Leshan. As the local salt industry flourished, demand for draft cattle surged. The Zhou clan of Suji collected the beef offal discarded after slaughter, washed it clean, simmered it with spices to remove the gamey smell, and served it with a dipping sauce of local chili and Sichuan pepper to the coolies and porters at the docks. Diners would unconsciously prop one leg up on the crossbeam under the table while eating, and over time (久而久之, jiu er jiu zhi - "long time, and then, becomes"), this relaxed, casual dining posture became the name of the dish.
Chen Ping, a resident living nearby, comes to the shop almost every day for a bowl of shoveled beef. "Qianwei's shoveled beef has been fine-tuned to local tastes—the bitterness is milder, the broth is softer, and the proportion of offal is higher," said Chen Ping, wiping sweat from his forehead.
To this day, this delicacy is mostly found in small street-side shops with their own soup pots, each offering a pot of clear, savory broth with the same fresh fragrance as ever.
Leaving the steaming warmth of the soup pots behind and following the sweet aroma of maltose mingled with braising oil, one unlocks another of Qianwei's culinary calling cards—sweet-skin duck.
Qianwei sweet-skin duck uses premium free-range young ducks, prized for a three-step process of "braising, frying, and glazing." The ducks are first cooked through in a braising broth simmered with more than 20 spices, including star anise and cassia bark. The flavor-infused young duck is then fried until golden and brushed with a layer of maltose syrup, giving the skin a translucent amber coating.
Qianwei's sweet-skin duck enjoys robust production and sales alike—it is both a home-style delicacy on ordinary tables and a gift that carries homesickness for those far from home.
"Since graduating from college, I've been working away from home, and what I miss most is Qianwei's sweet-skin duck—salty-sweet on entry, crisp-skinned, tender-fleshed—you can't find this taste anywhere else," said Wang Qiaoyi, a resident buying sweet-skin duck at "Jin Qian Zhong Ji," holding two large bags. Every time she returns on vacation, she buys several ducks to share the taste of home with more people.
Once, shoveled beef and sweet-skin duck were inexpensive fare for dock coolies and ordinary folk to fill their stomachs; today, they have become city calling cards that have put Qianwei on the map and carry the weight of nostalgia. The Min River flows day and night, the old-street soup pots simmer year-round, and the aroma of freshly made sweet-skin duck curls upward, rising with the unchanging warmth of small-town life, year after year.
Travel Tips
Qianwei County is home to distinctive attractions such as the Jiayang Steam Narrow-Gauge Railway and the Luocheng Boat-Shaped Ancient Town. With its relaxed pace and rich local atmosphere, it is an excellent destination for a short weekend getaway from Chengdu and surrounding cities.
Each season in Qianwei offers its own highlights: in spring, one can enjoy the sea of rapeseed flowers; in summer, visit the Jasmine Expo Park and Spinulose Tree Fern Lake; in autumn, admire the red leaves, which is also the best season for viewing the steam train. Some scenic areas have weak signals in mining shafts and forested areas, so it is advisable to bring a power bank; with many mosquitoes in the mountains, insect repellent is also worth carrying.
Return to TopWhat was once an industrial heavy-weight zone marked "No Admittance" has now become a sought-after new landmark for culture and tourism. In recent years, "industrial tourism" has continued to gain popularity, from intelligent automobile manufacturing to heavy shipbuilding, from aerospace and aviation to clean energy — a host of major national heavy-equipment projects have opened their doors, allowing the public to get up close and touch the hard power of Chinese industry. Breaking away from the traditional sightseeing model, "industrial tourism" is driving a profound transformation of the culture-and-tourism sector, making travel more than just sightseeing and leisure — it has become an immersive classroom for appreciating the power of scientific innovation, paying tribute to the spirit of craftsmanship, and deepening one's love for the country and home. Recently, reporters from our newspaper visited three industrial landmarks for on-the-ground interviews, decoding the new drivers of industrial integration through the hot new trend of industrial culture and tourism.
— Editor
China FAW —
From "Many Firsts" to Intelligent Manufacturing
People's Daily reporter Liu Yiqing
On the weekend, with the pleasant and refreshing weather of autumn (秋高气爽, qiu gao qi shuang - "autumn, high, air, refreshing"), at Gate No. 1 of the FAW factory area on Dongfeng Avenue in Changchun, Jilin Province, under the signboard of the China FAW Museum, the queue of people curved around a corner. Looking closely at the line, there were middle-aged people with cameras slung around their necks, as well as young parents holding their children's hands. "My child loves cars — we have lots of toy cars at home," citizen Liu Na, who had come from Beijing, told reporters with a smile. "Changchun has a rich automotive culture, so I brought the child along during the holiday to take a look."
On June 23, the Ministry of Commerce and seven other departments announced the pilot cities for the reform of automobile circulation and consumption, which included Changchun, with the key reform and innovation direction being automotive culture. On July 21, the China FAW Museum, jointly created by Changchun Film Studio Group, Changchun Culture and Tourism Group, and China FAW, officially opened.
What is there to see in automotive culture? As they spoke, the doors of the China FAW Museum opened — clear-water red brick walls, old-style steel crane beams, and old production slogans preserved as they were. The museum was converted from the tool workshop of the First Automobile Works; the workshop itself is an industrial heritage site, listed in 2013 as a nationally key cultural relic protection unit. The construction team, restoring something to its original appearance (修旧如旧, xiu jiu ru jiu - "repair, old, like, old"), not only preserved old items such as the quenching furnace and the Hongqi assembly table, but also consulted retired FAW veteran workers to restore multiple scenes from the era, including the tool workshop, the central design office, and the workers' night school.
Pointing to the overall floor plan from the early days of the factory's founding, the docent began to explain: In 1953, FAW laid its foundation, with 28 provinces mobilizing manpower and materials to provide support; in the summer of 1954, 44 heavy rains fell in succession, yet the builders worked through the rain, and the construction schedule was not delayed by a single day...
Walking further into the exhibition hall, nearly 150 vehicles from different eras were lined up in sequence. The first Dongfeng sedan of New China, the classic Hongqi CA770 armored car, the "Tiannian No. 1" flying car... Following the crowd, Liu Na stopped in front of a dark green truck. The headlights were polished to a bright shine, and the nameplate on the front read: In July 1956, the first Jiefang CA10 truck rolled off the production line, ending the history of New China's inability to build automobiles. "I not only saw the history of the automobile industry, but also saw that behind these achievements was the spirit of the workers — working tirelessly and pulling together with one heart," Liu Na remarked with emotion.
"We have collected many 'firsts' in the history of New China's automobile industry — the first automobile, the first sedan, the first luxury sedan — hoping that through one museum, we can tell the story of Changchun's automobile industry as systematically and completely as possible," said Pan Cheng, a staff member of the China FAW Museum preparatory group.
"We've seen the road we came from — now let's go see the modern automobile production area." Leaving the museum, Liu Na took her family along the "Changchun Automobile Industry Culture and Tourism" special route to the Prosperity Plant Area of the Hongqi Manufacturing Center.
In the welding workshop, more than 700 robotic arms rose and fell in unison, sparks of welding flashing. The robotic arms completed welding and other tasks with precision and efficiency — today, a Hongqi car rolls off the line here in less than a minute.
In July 2024, Changchun launched an automobile industry tourism route, starting from FAW Gate No. 1 and linking up the Hongqi Factory, FAW Science and Technology Innovation Base, Qixin Power Plant, Audi FAW New Energy Factory, and other sites, covering the entire chain of automotive history, cultural display, and intelligent manufacturing. Over the past two years, nearly 400,000 visitors have followed this route into automobile factories.
This year, the route has added new content: the study-tour course "1953: The Nation's Expectation and FAW's Answer" moves the classroom into the factory area, and the mobile immersive bus drama "The Steel Torrent on the Wasteland" brings the history of the automobile industry to life right beside the audience. Transforming industrial assets into cultural and tourism resources, in recent years Changchun has actively cultivated new scenarios, new formats, and new models for automobile consumption, enriching the tourism industry through hosting international auto expos, developing automobile culture and tourism routes, holding the Changchun Automobile Rally, and launching automobile-themed trendy cultural and creative products.
Industrial tourism is also driving industrial development. First-line production scenes give visitors a better understanding of the brands — in 2025, Changchun's automobile industry completed an output value of over 404 billion yuan, and the "Changchun Automobile Cluster" was selected as a national advanced manufacturing cluster.
Jiangnan Shipbuilding Industrial Tourism Base —
From "No Admittance" to a Popular "Check-in Spot"
People's Daily reporter Cao Lingjuan
"Want to go see the place where the Fujian aircraft carrier set sail?" This hard-core invitation from Jiangnan Shipbuilding is hard to resist.
Driving northeast from downtown Shanghai, through a long river-crossing tunnel, one arrives at Changxing Island. Where the river opens wide, giant gantry cranes and a spectacular dock come into view — this is the Jiangnan Shipbuilding Industrial Tourism Base in Shanghai.
The predecessor of Jiangnan Shipbuilding was the Jiangnan Machine Manufacturing Bureau, established in 1865, which pioneered the beginning of China's modern national industry.
"Major national heavy equipment finds its most intuitive expression here. This unique charm is attracting more and more tourists," said Jiang Han, director of the Market Operations Department of Shanghai CSSC Culture and Media Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Jiangnan Shipbuilding. Since Jiangnan Shipbuilding officially launched industrial tourism in 2019, the number of visitors to the base has climbed steadily, and to date, it has received a cumulative total of more than 330,000 visitors. In 2022, the Jiangnan Shipbuilding Industrial Tourism Base was selected as a national industrial tourism demonstration base.
China's first propeller-driven steamship, the "Caojiang," was born here, and the first domestically produced catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian, set sail from here... Walking into the Jiangnan Shipbuilding Exhibition Hall, students from Shanghai Shinan Middle School stood before a wall of photographs, listening to the story of Jiangnan Shipbuilding, full of ups and downs or dramatic changes (跌宕起伏, die dang qi fu - "fall, rise, fluctuate, rise"). Wherever the laser pointer in the docent's hand landed on a photo, the corresponding ship's information would be enlarged and displayed on an electronic screen. In the lecture hall, science-popularization videos told the students the story of everything from the cutting of a steel plate to the joining of a 10,000-ton giant ship.
From "No Admittance" to a popular industrial tourism destination, Jiangnan Shipbuilding, as a key national military-industrial enterprise, has not simply opened its doors, but has carefully polished its industrial tourism just as it builds ships — opening up "by zone and by phase" within the red line of safety, providing tangible and perceptible patriotic education.
"Its very existence is a silent epic, telling of how a nation, through a century of vicissitudes, re-armed itself and forged, with science and technology and willpower, a solid shield to defend peace," said Zhang Tingzhen, a student from Shinan Middle School, proudly, after a study tour at the Jiangnan Shipbuilding Industrial Tourism Base.
Taking a bus to the dock production site, the grand dock embraced several giant ships under construction, large container ships and liquefied natural gas carriers being commissioned and outfitted in the dock moved slowly, and the work site, with more than 30,000 workers, was orderly.
The visitors watched with great interest, and the docent spoke full of wit and humor (妙趣横生, miao qu heng sheng - "wonderful, interest, overflow, life"): "That ship is nearly 400 meters long — equivalent to a skyscraper lying on its side" and "The transport capacity of one LNG carrier can supply the entire city of Shanghai for a month"... The interplay of steel skeletons, blue sky, and blue waves, the fusion of industrial production and humanistic spirit, burst forth with a stirring and majestic power.
The immersive experience of building ship models is also an important part. In the hands-on practice of simulating shipyard team operations in groups, the classroom was transformed into a "mini shipyard," where visitors learned by doing about the disassembly and assembly of ship structures and the principles of block construction. "The precision required for installing important components such as the power system and electrical control system often needs to be controlled within 0.06 millimeters — comparable to the thickness of a human hair," shared "Jiangnan craftsmen" from the front line, conveying the rigorous attitude of shipbuilders of "zero error, zero hidden danger," allowing visitors to appreciate the craftsmanship spirit of "millimeter-level ingenuity."
"We hope to let young people look up in awe before the 10,000-ton giant ships and plant the seed of 'I want to build ships' — this is the most important starting point of our efforts in creating industrial tourism," Jiang Han said candidly.
As the birthplace of China's modern industry and a gathering place of China's modern industry, Shanghai is transforming its century-old industrial heritage into a unique urban cultural and tourism experience. Here, COMAC, SAIC Motor, Jiangnan Shipbuilding, Baoshan Iron & Steel... one resounding name after another is entering the lives of ordinary people in a more approachable manner.
Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site —
From "Relying on Luck" to Routinely "Chasing Rockets"
People's Daily reporter Sun Haitian
The visiting group stopped in front of the launch pad. Chen Nianchang, who was giving the explanation at the front of the group, was wearing the work uniform of Hainan International Commercial Space Launch Co., Ltd.
This articulate "tour guide" also has another identity — an operator of the Methane Group 1 at the launch company, responsible for launch support at his post on a daily basis. It turned out that a recent launch schedule had been temporarily adjusted, and many tourists who had already rushed to Wenchang, Hainan, to watch the rocket launch did not head home, but instead came to visit the launch pad. With reception suddenly overwhelmed, the company pulled front-line personnel from the gaps between tasks to support the explanations.
Since its first launch on November 30, 2024, through August of this year, the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan, has achieved 21 consecutive successful launches, and "a launch every month" is gradually becoming the norm. Together with the adjacent China Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, the two launch sites are in the same city — waiting for a rocket has gone from "relying on luck" to a trip that can be planned in advance, and "rocket chasers" have become regulars.
"In the past, watching a rocket launch was 'relying on luck'; now 'chasing rockets' has become the norm. After the viewing ceremony, we also want to understand the ins and outs behind the rocket," a tourist from Henan Province told reporters.
Ma Xia, who handles aerospace tourism reception in Wenchang, has been rooted here for nearly 10 years, and has almost filled her calendar with launch dates. Of the 51 launch missions carried out by the China Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, she has watched 49; and she has been on site for every launch since the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site was completed. "In these nearly 10 years in Wenchang, I've come to think of myself as a Wenchang local." Over the years, she has taken tourists from all over the country to the seaside to wait for rockets to ignite, and she has also begun to plan new routes: taking children into the rocket factory buildings and inviting experts to give face-to-face talks.
Standing beneath the launch pad, the question tourists ask most often is: Why does the rocket leave lying down?
The answer is in the factory building a few hundred meters away. The rocket is assembled, tested, and transported there in a horizontal position, then transported to the pad, erected as a whole, and launched after propellant filling. "A rocket that leaves lying down and launches after being erected greatly compresses the time it occupies the launch area," Chen Nianchang explained. Propellant filling is the part of the work he deals with every day. "At my post, I'm watching parameters and valves; standing in front of tourists, I have to turn these into words they can understand," he said.
Leaving the launch site, the tourists' curiosity did not end.
During this year's summer vacation, the Wenchang Aerospace Science Popularization Center received 44,000 visitors. Song Hao, a 12-year-old boy from Tianjin, put on mixed-reality glasses and simulated an extravehicular mission on a space station. Taking off the device, he ran to the next experience area, pulling his mother's hand: "I saw the Earth! It's blue — so beautiful!"
At the Aerospace Supercomputing Center, how satellite data is collected and transmitted back to the ground, and how it serves agriculture and transportation, is presented to visitors through screens and interactive programs. "Students don't just want to see the rocket lift off — they want to know the complete story behind it," said Ye Shiyang, chairman of Wenchang Aerospace Supercomputing Smart Technology Co., Ltd. With viewing, visiting, and science popularization linked together, a trip made for a rocket extends from half a day to two or three days.
When tourists stay one more night, the town gains one more bit of business. In 2025, Longlou Town, Wenchang's "aerospace town," saw a cumulative influx of more than 400,000 tourists, with tourism revenue reaching 60 million yuan.
The explanation over, Chen Nianchang returned to his post, and the next mission continued to advance at its planned pace. The tourists, meanwhile, went on to the next stop of their tour, looking forward to the flames of the rocket's liftoff.
Return to TopBy: 峭 岩
If you ask me about my current state of mind
Motherland, I say to you
My steps have not stopped, nor have my heart and brain
They still beat on a single dimension
What cannot be relinquished is the majesty of a rifle
What soothes the heart is still the laughter and drumbeats of October
What stays closest, what haunts my dreams and tugs at my heart, is still you
Motherland, my mother
Motherland, my motherland to whom I am intimately connected or inseparable (血肉相连, xue rou xiang lian - "blood, flesh, mutually connect")
You come from bronze, you come from oracle bone script
You come from the drumbeats and seas of flowers of October
There is glory, there is suffering, there is a past of struggle, of blood and tears
And still more, the symphony of modern industry
I learned to walk and grew up under your protection
I am a grain of sand of the motherland, a burning cry of defiance
You have pulled me along with philosophy and magnanimity
I have gained one full day and night after another
And have acquired a string of gleaming, resplendent rings of growth
Yet my love is deeper still, more indelible
All happiness comes from a single stretch of tranquility
I am always ready, listening for you to call my name
Facing the golden fields and mountains and rivers
I say to the motherland
The days are better, the mountains and waters are green
I will never loosen by even a hair's breadth
I will revisit the charge bugle, polish my rifle and bullets
The leg wrappings will not come loose, the canteen and dry rations at my waist remain full
Each night, I keep watch on the sound of wind and rain from beyond the border
At dawn, I will be the first to wake
Embracing the dawn in the posture of a soldier
Guarding a stretch of tranquility
In order to guard a stretch of tranquility
I hide my strength in my heart
I hide my joy in my heart
I hide fire and thunder in my heart
I hide secrets in my heart
Let so many, many long-cherished wishes
All turn into the silent language of a soldier
On the day when history speaks
That is the day of a soldier's pride and glory
The blue sky is filled with colorful clouds
The mountains stand in solemn silence
Those words echo among the mountains and waters
Every sentence bursts forth with a hundred splendors
That splendor bursts open petal by petal
Turning into a multicolored and dazzling (五彩缤纷, wu cai bin fen - "five, colors, profusely, colorful") rain
Washing the clear sky a deep, deep blue
Washing the fields a deep, deep blue
Washing the days a deep, deep blue
Washing everything a deep, deep blue
That is a soldier's declaration of love
Return to TopGreat people rise to the top (山高人为峰, shan gao ren wei feng - "mountain, high, person, becomes, peak"). They are recipients of the "July 1 Medal," holders of the "Model of the Times" title, winners of the China Youth May Fourth Medal... They are community party organization secretaries rooted among the masses, grassroots doctors holding fast in pastoral areas, scientific researchers who keep breaking through barriers, world champions who dare to strive, and border guards who defend the homeland. During the National Day holiday, let us step into their stories, draw from those ordinary yet extraordinary lives the spiritual strength of dedication, striving, and perseverance, and understand the deepest love they offer to our motherland through their concrete actions!
—Editor
Return to TopBy: 孟海鹰
After becoming famous, Wu Yaqin is still the "Sister Yaqin" people know well; when she speaks, she is still full of energy and spirit.
After more dealings with her, one finds that Sister Yaqin's character holds two qualities at once: one hot, one cool. The hot is a sincere devotion to the residents, a genuine love of everyday life, and an unceasing positive striving on the road of life; the cool is calm self-possession and detachment in the face of fame and fortune. Whether in an ordinary post or adorned with glory, this composure has never changed.
Whenever she tells of her first trip to work at Changshan Garden Community in Changchun, she laughs: she found two plastic bags, tied them over her feet, and stepped deep and shallow through mud puddles into a community office that let in wind from every side and held only a few broken tables. That was 1995, when she was 35.
In July of that year, the rainy season, Wu Yaqin went to the Ninth Neighborhood Committee of Tuanshan Subdistrict (now Changshan Garden Community) to serve as neighborhood committee director, taking over this run-down mess awaiting reconstruction.
Wu Yaqin, who carried a burning affection for the masses in her heart, did not simply bury her head in hard work on raw enthusiasm alone. Behind this "heat" there was always a cool-headed consideration: solving the people's difficulties cannot rely on one person running about alone; one must organize the scattered hearts of the people and twist individual strength into collective strength.
I once witnessed with my own eyes her skill at resolving conflicts. One time I was chatting with her in the community when someone hurried in to report—at the main gate, two groups of people were about to come to blows. She set off at once upon hearing this, and I followed close behind. The scene was a situation of extreme tension or imminent conflict (剑拔弩张, jian ba nu zhang - "sword, draw, bow, tense"), and bystanders could not break it up. She walked up and said a few words to each side—just a few words of ordinary conversation—and miraculously untied the knot; the tense atmosphere eased, and both sides calmly accepted the mediation.
Seeing is believing (眼见为实, yan jian wei shi - "eye, see, is, real")—I was convinced! This is an ability that cannot be learned from books; it is a skill honed by years of taking root in the streets and alleys and dealing with residents day after day. Her words are warm and appropriate, she perceives the subtle workings of people's hearts, and she resolves conflicts without any fuss.
After one conflict after another subsided, she did not stop there. Relying on practice and continually summing up experience, her self-created "Twelve Methods of Civil Mediation" became a case-study teaching text for grassroots Party organization secretaries nationwide in doing mass work.
An ordinary person who fixes on one thing and persists day after day to the utmost is truly remarkable.
Once, there was an elderly person over 80 living alone in the community, and after Wu Yaqin took office she cared for her like a daughter caring for her own mother. In 2005, the elderly woman wanted to return to her ancestral home (落叶归根, luo ye gui gen - "falling, leaf, return, root") and go back to her hometown. It was the depths of winter, and also the Spring Festival travel rush; Wu Yaqin hung a chopping board and a washbasin in front of her, carried luggage on her back, held the elderly woman by the hand, and saw her all the way home.
"The next day, after I had already walked quite far, the elderly woman was still standing there waving to me, wiping away tears," Wu Yaqin said. Later, every Spring Festival she took 200 yuan from her salary and sent it to the elderly woman, until she passed away. Before she died, the elderly woman asked her relatives to pass on a message to Wu Yaqin: "If there really is a next life, we must be mother and daughter."
I once walked around the neighborhood and chatted with a few elderly women basking in the sun, hoping to learn what residents thought of Wu Yaqin. As luck would have it, one of them was Wu Yaqin's own mother. The old lady spoke of her daughter with a smile, her eyes full of comfort. The old lady loved eating dumplings, so Wu Yaqin would often get up at three or four in the morning to make her mother's favorite celery-filled and pickled-cabbage-filled dumplings, caring for her mother without delaying her daytime work.
Walking to a corner of the community grounds, I saw a small plot full of vitality. This had originally been idle, abandoned vacant land; Wu Yaqin led the residents in tidying it up, turning it into a small garden and planting all kinds of vegetables, cultivating a patch of barren corner into abundant life, making it warm and bustling.
At present, Sister Yaqin is teaching in Haikou. Even while away from home, Changshan Garden Community is always the concern she cannot set down in her heart. During the National Day holiday, the community is to hold a cultural performance, and the Party branches of every building are in full swing with intense preparation (紧锣密鼓, jin luo mi gu - "tight, gong, dense, drum") rehearsing their programs. When she returns from teaching, she will also take the stage together with everyone to celebrate National Day.
Return to TopBy: 陶 纯
The turn of fate is always something happening unexpectedly (猝不及防, cu bu ji fang - "sudden, not, reach, prevent"). Late one night in early 2013, Wang Ji, who was serving as director of the Computer Science Department at the National University of Defense Technology and whose career was at the peak of his prosperity (如日中天, ru ri zhong tian - "as, sun, middle, sky"), suddenly suffered an aortic dissection. After more than 10 hours of rescue efforts, he miraculously survived. Though his life was saved, both of his legs necrotized completely due to ischemia. More than 10 days later, when Wang Ji regained consciousness, he had to accept this extremely cruel reality — he had slept a long sleep, and his two legs, gone!
If one compares life to a football match, divided into first and second halves, then Wang Ji's first half was splendid — but it was already over.
That was the darkest moment of his life. It was like a person suddenly falling into a bottomless ice cave, on the verge of collapse. In the depths of despair, he vaguely felt he could get out — of course, it would take a little time. He admonished himself: "Your name is Wang Ji — you must not suffer a crushing defeat or failure (折戟沉沙, zhe ji chen sha - "break, halberd, sink, sand")!"
Sometimes, difficulty lies in choice; when there is no choice, there is no difficulty. For Wang Ji, amputation was unavoidable at the time. Once his legs were amputated, he no longer had any choice — so what was there left to say about it?
"Since the legs have already been amputated, and this is something that cannot be changed, I simply won't think about it. I pondered that I should treat the future as a second life. A second life is different from before — I had to have a new way of living. What I often thought about at this time was: what else can I do? How should I live this latter segment of life?" Wang Ji does computer research and likes to use computers as a metaphor. If one says that he was previously a high-speed computer, then after suffering a heavy blow, it would crash. At this point, if you don't attend to it, the machine is finished; if you press the restart button, perhaps it will start up again...
He chose to "restart" in the hospital ward. With his legs gone, he couldn't go anywhere; 24 hours a day he was fixed to the hospital bed, and his range of activity was that bed, one meter and twenty centimeters wide. The only things that could move were his two hands, and much of the time one hand was still attached to an IV drip, leaving only one hand free. Having just recovered from a serious illness (大病初愈, da bing chu yu - "big, illness, initially, recover"), his hands were weak and limp — he couldn't even hold an apple — but fortunately he could turn pages and read materials. He started by going through academic papers, learning about the latest research developments, and reading his students' theses. He comforted himself: "You are very lucky — your two hands can still move, and your basic working conditions have not been lost."
After more than a year of treatment and rehabilitation, he returned to his post in a wheelchair — even in a wheelchair, he would race against code. In the blink of an eye, more than 10 years have passed. Just as before, he still mentors students, conducts research, wheels himself up to the lectern, and travels on business in his wheelchair — even traveling alone, without any companion! His colleagues say: "No one treats him as a patient, and no one treats him as a disabled person, because he works just like everyone else." He served as chief scientist of a National Defense 973 Program project, leading his team through one barrier after another, charging at the high ground time and again, contributing all his heart and wisdom to the software reliability and safety of major equipment models for our military.
When his legs were first amputated, no one could have imagined that a person in a wheelchair would later go on to do so many things. To say he has created a miracle of life is by no means an exaggeration.
In 2021, Wang Ji was also diagnosed with uremia, requiring hemodialysis three times a week, four hours each session. Even so, he still has not set down his work, and is currently serving as the person in charge of two key projects.
"We feel that Teacher Wang wheels his wheelchair faster and faster; sometimes we have to jog to keep up." So say Wang Ji's students.
Wang Ji, for his part, says: "As long as my brain still works well and my hands can still move, I will not stop."
The barriers on the road of scientific research are not easy to break through. By comparison, the barriers of the body are even harder to break through. Wang Ji once watched a documentary long ago, and one detail he could never forget: a horse fell into a swamp and could not be pulled out no matter how hard they tried; a farmer offered a plan — bring over a herd of horses and have them run in circles around the swamp; the horse in the swamp, inspired by its companions, slowly struggled and climbed with all its might, and ultimately escaped the mire and returned to the group.
Wang Ji is just like that horse trapped in the swamp. Yes, relying on the power of faith, the power of his career, and the power of his team, he overcame difficulties, overcame himself, and ultimately reached the high ground of life.
Breaking through barriers is his hallmark. If the first half of his life was magnificent, then what is the second half?
— It is glorious!
Return to TopBy: 李亚楠
"Take care, and be sure to come back on time for your follow-up visit." After seeing off the last patient of the day, behind the examination desk of the "Wuhasi Health Service Room" in Yumin County, Tacheng Prefecture, Xinjiang, the white-haired old man rubbed his knees, which ached dully. This was a chronic ailment from decades of trudging through deep mountain snow — on overcast days, it was especially hard to bear.
That winter in the Barluk Mountains, the snow fell heavily; in the deepest spots, a single step could bury the knee in snow. Suddenly, the urgent sound of horse hooves approached from afar. Wuhasi knew how anxious someone seeking medical help must be. Before the rider could dismount and knock, he had already picked up his medical kit and gone out to meet him, swung onto the horse, and ridden off with the herdsman who had come for treatment. Where the snow was deep, he could only carry the medical kit on one arm and lead the horse on foot with the other.
By the time he reached the herdsman's home, his trouser legs were caked with snow. When faced with a woman in difficult labor or an emergency patient waiting for treatment, there was no time to shake off the snow. By the time the consultation was done, the snow had soaked through his padded trousers. After warming himself by the stove for a while and drinking a bowl of milk tea, Wuhasi had to head back.
"There were too many cases like that, so my rheumatoid arthritis got worse and worse." Wuhasi applied a plaster to his knee and began telling the story of his years of making rounds in the mountains.
In 1975, 20-year-old Wuhasi Suleiman graduated from the Tacheng Health School. When it came time for assignment, he volunteered to go to the most remote and harshest frontline pastoral area at the foot of the Barluk Mountains. This choice stemmed from his original intention in studying medicine. As a child, when visiting relatives in the pastoral areas, he heard adults talking about how herdsmen sought medical care — people lived scattered far apart, and with poor transport in the mountains, they could only endure minor illnesses and leave serious ones to fate (听天由命, ting tian you ming - "listen, heaven, by, fate"). Such stories distressed Wuhasi deeply, so he chose to study medicine.
The medical post in the Barluk Mountains had to look after herdsmen spread across a radius of sixty to seventy kilometers, more than 10,000 people in all. There were no paved roads, no communication equipment, and certainly no ambulance — Wuhasi was the "120" of the grasslands. Whenever anyone sought medical help, he never refused.
He often went out on medical rounds. The hardest time was winter: in temperatures of minus 40 degrees Celsius, wrapped in a heavy sheepskin coat, he rode a horse along snow-covered mountain paths. The white breath of man and horse quickly froze into ice crystals on their brows and lashes. His hands were stiff with cold and could barely grip the reins, yet he dared not relax for a moment. Bending low over the horse's back, he stared fixedly ahead, not daring to look down — beside him was a cliff, and he feared man and horse would tumble down the mountain together.
And so, one man, one horse, one medical kit — Wuhasi traversed every gully and every felt tent in the Barluk Mountains.
One winter, a blizzard sealed off the mountains, and a herdsman's wife was in difficult labor. In the middle of the night, someone knocked on Wuhasi's door. He shouldered his medical kit, swung onto his horse, and rode more than ten li through knee-deep snow. The moment he lifted the felt tent's curtain, the woman was already near unconsciousness. He quickly opened his kit and began to assist the delivery. When the child was born, it was blue all over, with no cry and no breath. Without hesitation, he bent down, mouth to mouth, and sucked out, mouthful after mouthful, the matter blocking the infant's airway. One mouthful, two mouthfuls, three... A cry pierced the night of the grasslands. The people in the tent wept with joy; Wuhasi collapsed to the ground, exhausted.
In Kazakh custom, the one who cuts the umbilical cord becomes a lifelong relative, and so Wuhasi came to be called "Umbilical Cord Father" by many children. To this day, this "father" has more than 3,200 children.
In more than 50 years of practicing medicine, Wuhasi has treated over 100,000 patient visits in total, traveled more than 200,000 kilometers on medical rounds, and rescued thousands of critically ill patients. Because of his medical work, he missed the birth of his first child, and when his father passed away, he was not able to be at his side either.
Today, paved roads reach into the mountains, the medical post has more than 30 doctors, and Wuhasi has retired. But after only a few days at home, he shouldered his medical kit again and began providing free consultations at the "Wuhasi Health Service Room."
The nameless paths in the Barluk Mountains — whether they grow new grass in spring or are covered with new snow in winter — Wuhasi remembers them all clearly. And that old man with the worn medical kit, walking with a halting gait, is remembered in the heart of every flower on the grasslands.
Return to TopBy: 黄晓慧
How does a "internet-addicted teenager" grow into a world skills competition champion?
It is hard to imagine that this composed young champion once spent his days immersed in the virtual world. But Lu Junwei also has another side: he likes taking apart computers, likes looking at the dense tangle of circuits inside machines. Once, when his home computer monitor malfunctioned, he secretly opened it up to try to fix it, only to damage the motherboard and earn a scolding from his father. This did not dampen his curiosity; instead, it gave rise to a stubborn determination to understand the cause of the fault. After encountering physics in middle school, circuit diagrams opened up a new world before him. "When the circuits are connected correctly, the light turns on, the machine moves — that's far more thrilling than clearing levels in a game." He had found something even more "addictive" than the virtual world.
The path taken by a person lit up by curiosity and the path taken by someone pushed along by others look completely different (截然不同, jie ran bu tong - "completely, different, not, same"). Before he knew it, the internet addiction was gone. In Lu Junwei's own words, because he "found something he liked more and was more worthy of focus, interest is the best self-discipline medicine." After the high school entrance exam he could have attended an academic high school, but he chose a vocational school instead, solely for the sake of having a skill to rely on for a living (一技傍身, yi ji bang shen - "one, skill, rely on, body"). His outstanding performance at the vocational school made him a technical expert of Guangdong Province, and he was later brought to Shanghai through a talent introduction program.
Technical workers often only seek to master the operating procedures, but Lu Junwei would always ask about the underlying principles. While preparing for the 47th WorldSkills Competition, this stubborn pursuit of knowledge reached its extreme. He trained more than 12 hours a day, had no weekends as the competition approached, and often stayed up late into the night. Others found it dull and repetitive, but he was fully immersed in it. Carrying this composure, Lu Junwei walked into the competition venue in Lyon, France, and fought side by side with his partner Xie Huixuan to bring home the Albert Vidal Award, the prize of the highest value.
After returning from Lyon, some enterprises extended olive branches with high-paying positions, but Lu Junwei chose to stay at Shanghai Vocational College of Science and Technology Innovation to teach students. He said he enjoys learning new things and solving problems, and is suited to teaching students. He still puts in 12 hours a day, sometimes standing for several hours at a stretch. The difference is that, as a coach, he has to think more deeply and learn more thoroughly than his students. Whenever students encounter a problem, he often first observes quietly and helps analyze possible causes, but does not directly give the answer. Even when students make mistakes again and again through trial and error, he remains calm and unhurried. In industrial scenarios, there is usually no standard answer. When the production line alarms in the middle of the night, and the process, communications, power supply, and program are all suspect, one has to hypothesize, verify, and adjust the path to solving the problem on one's own. He rarely lectures his students, and is more accustomed to leading by example (以身作则, yi shen zuo ze - "use, body, act, rule"). The students all call him "Teacher Xiao Lu" and treat him like an older brother next door.
I asked him whether he worries that as production lines become smarter, they will no longer need people like him. He said he himself uses AI (artificial intelligence) as an aid in his daily work, but he is not at all worried that skilled talent will be replaced by AI. AI can read manuals, draw blueprints, and calculate parameters, but it will not ponder over an abnormal sensor at 3 a.m., and it will not say "let's try once more" when debugging hits a setback.
Indeed, the intrinsic drive to love a career, the persistence of wholeheartedly and with single-minded devotion (一心一意, yi xin yi yi - "one, heart, one, mind") doing one thing, and the tenacity of not fearing hardship, not complaining of fatigue, and not stopping until the problem is solved — these are things AI cannot replace. One can feel the conviction in Lu Junwei's words, and then think of that 13-year-old boy, staring curiously at the crashed computer, summoning the courage to open it up, carefully analyzing a complex situation to find the truth (抽丝剥茧, chou si bo jian - "draw, silk, peel, cocoon"), layer by layer tracing back to the root of the problem...
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