Summary: General Secretary Xi Jinping was reported to have emphasized China's space dream as part of the broader national rejuvenation, receiving representatives from the Chang'e-6 mission in September 2024 and marking the 70th anniversary of China's space industry. The article highlights his calls for self-reliance, independent innovation, and the relayed struggle of generations, citing his instructions on the lunar exploration spirit and the BeiDou system's global services. It also notes his emphasis on international exchange and cooperation in space, sharing achievements with other countries, without mentioning the United States.
Summary: The article reports on China's implementation of "normalized assistance" to consolidate poverty alleviation achievements, citing General Secretary Xi Jinping's emphasis at the Central Economic Work Conference on December 10, 2025, to incorporate such assistance into the rural revitalization strategy and hold the bottom line against large-scale relapse into poverty. It details that all 2.562 million identified individuals are covered by targeted measures, with 177 billion yuan in central funds arranged this year, and notes that 832 formerly impoverished counties have cultivated leading industries while employment of the lifted-out labor force has stayed above 30 million for five years. The piece highlights examples of dynamic monitoring in Yunnan, industrial and employment assistance in Jiangxi and Hubei, and the "Ten-Thousand Enterprises Revitalizing Ten-Thousand Villages" initiative, including Mixue Bingcheng's guaranteed purchase agreements with farmers. It concludes that regions and departments are following Xi's guidance to advance comprehensive rural revitalization.
Summary: The article reports on the revitalization of old revolutionary base areas in Hubei Province, citing General Secretary Xi Jinping's November 2024 instruction to "consolidate and expand the achievements of the battle against poverty, and accelerate the revitalization and development of the old revolutionary base areas." It highlights how local cadres and people have turned the spirit of the Long March into a driving force, with examples including the Chinese medicinal herb industry in Taojiahe Township, Hong'an sweet potato processing in Hong'an County, and the impact of the Xi'an-Shiyan high-speed railway on tourism in Yunxi County. The piece also describes environmental improvements in Zenggou Village, where a boatman named He Yuanyi tells visitors the story of the Red Army's Tangya River crossing. The article concludes that Hubei's old revolutionary base areas are blazing a path of revitalization led by red resources, green development, and common prosperity.
Summary: The article examines the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation through four perspectives—ideological leadership, economic development, political construction, and social governance—framing it as the core concept of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. It highlights General Secretary Xi Jinping's emphasis on cultural subjectivity as essential for a culture's leading, cohesive, shaping, and radiating power, and cites the publication of Volumes I and II of the *Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Culture* as authoritative study materials. The piece traces Xi's local governance initiatives, such as the "Eight Projects" in Zhejiang and cultural relic protection in Fuzhou, and links cultural confidence to Chinese modernization, rejecting the myth of "modernization = Westernization." It also references Xi's inspections in Anhui and Yunnan, promoting cultural tourism and the integration of culture and economy, and cites the "Liuchi Alley Mediation Method" in Anqing as an example of applying traditional culture to social governance. The article concludes that consolidating cultural subjectivity will ensure the Chinese path grows broader and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable.
Summary: The article discusses the major practical significance of the "second integration" in the context of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. It emphasizes the need to scientifically grasp this integration as a guide for advancing Chinese modernization and realizing the Chinese Dream. The piece underscores the theoretical and practical importance of combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and the essence of its excellent traditional culture.
Summary: The People's Bank of China released on October 8 a policy stance clarifying its managed floating exchange rate system based on market supply and demand, with adjustment referenced to a basket of currencies, emphasizing market decisiveness and prevention of sharp short-term fluctuations. It noted that since 2025 the RMB has fluctuated in both directions and appreciated in an orderly manner, with future direction still uncertain. The bank stated China has no need or intention to gain trade advantage through depreciation and has never engaged in competitive currency devaluation, citing declining trade sensitivity to exchange rates. It attributed global imbalances to structural factors, including the international monetary system and some countries' high fiscal deficits, rejecting blame on other currencies as evasion of adjustment responsibilities. China pledged during the 15th Five-Year Plan period to expand domestic demand, improve the business environment, and deepen high-level opening up to promote balanced global economic development.
Summary: The article reports on the opening of a 218-kilometer tourist highway in Huizhou, Guangdong, linking Luofu Mountain and Nankun Mountain, which connects 9 towns, 54 villages, and over 200 scenic spots to promote urban-rural integration. It cites General Secretary Xi Jinping's instructions that imbalanced urban-rural and regional development is Guangdong's biggest shortcoming, and notes the province's "Hundred-Thousand-Ten-Thousand Project" launched in 2022. The road has boosted tourism, with Zhongxin Village's weekend foot traffic exceeding 10,000 and its collective operating income reaching 725,700 yuan last year, more than triple 2024 levels. The highway also incorporates cultural heritage, including rest stops named after Su Dongpo's "Sixteen Joys" and the East River Column Memorial Hall, which attracts visitors like Shenzhen tourist Yan Shaojin. In 2025, all 1,043 villages in Huizhou exceeded 200,000 yuan in collective operating income, and the demonstration zone received over 1.215 million tourist visits during the National Day holiday.
Summary: The article explains how China is improving the use of local government special-purpose bonds to boost investment, with relevant departments focusing on four areas: seizing timeliness, emphasizing quality and efficiency, increasing effectiveness, and strengthening supervision. Guangdong Province, as a pilot for "self-review and self-issuance," issued 335 billion yuan in new bonds in the first half of 2026, while the national quota for the year is 4.4 trillion yuan. The Ministry of Finance is optimizing review mechanisms, granting greater autonomy to pilot regions, and linking fund utilization performance to future quota allocations. Special-purpose bonds are also being used as project capital to leverage social capital, with over 170 billion yuan deployed in the first half of 2026. Finance departments are strengthening whole-process supervision to prevent fund misappropriation and idle funds, implementing whole-life-cycle performance management.
Summary: During this year's National Day holiday, Haikou Customs supervised Hainan outlying-island duty-free shopping totaling 855 million yuan in value, 123,000 person-trips in visitor numbers, and 696,800 items in purchases. The photo, taken on October 7, shows consumers selecting goods at CDF Haikou International Duty-Free City. The image is credited to photographer Su Bikun.
Summary: The National Health Commission and the National Development and Reform Commission issued the "Implementation Plan for the Medical Rehabilitation and Nursing Capacity Expansion and Enhancement Project," proposing striving to reach, by 2030, approximately 0.48 rehabilitation and nursing beds per 1,000 population, 0.7 rehabilitation physicians, and 1.6 rehabilitation therapists per 10,000 population. The plan tasks include perfecting the service network, strengthening rehabilitation functions of medical institutions, advancing capacity construction, and prioritizing support to cities with a permanent urban population of 1 million or more. By 2030, a service system featuring coordinated action between different levels, integrating traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and efficient and accessible will be basically completed. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, support will be given to developing at least one key clinical specialty in rehabilitation or nursing per province, with digital and intelligent empowerment strengthened via regional population health information platforms.
Summary: According to value-added tax invoice data released by the State Taxation Administration on October 8, national service consumption during the National Day holiday was robust, with daily average sales revenue in related industries up 19.5% year-on-year. Tourism consumption was vibrant, with sales revenue from tourism, sightseeing, and entertainment services up 23.6% year-on-year, while catering services grew 9% year-on-year. Cultural, sports, and entertainment integration upgraded, with cultural and arts services up 20.9% and sports services up 29.4% year-on-year. Sales of household appliances, digital electronics, and kitchen and bathroom products were outstanding, driven by trade-in subsidies and new product launches, with communication equipment sales up 119.8% year-on-year. Self-pleasing consumption such as pets, fitness, and beauty services also grew rapidly, with residential pet services up 80.8% year-on-year.
Summary: Huang Jiake, a 1990s-born large-scale grain grower in Yinzhou District, Ningbo, uses a multispectral drone to give rice paddies a "physical checkup" and generate a digital "prescription" map for variable-rate fertilization. The drone captures spectral differences to calculate chlorophyll content and growth, converting NDVI data into color-coded maps that guide precise fertilizer application—more where seedlings are weak, less where growth is vigorous. Huang notes this replaces the old practice of uniform manual spreading, saving about 100 yuan per mu in costs and adding about 50 jin per mu to yield. The Yinzhou District Agricultural Technology Extension Station has carried out trials to demonstrate the technology's benefits, and Huang has expanded into agricultural machinery services and training for surrounding farmers. He concludes that while elders read solar terms and clouds, his generation uses data to safeguard food security.
Summary: The article reports on the "World Dialogue on Chinese Studies · Arab Countries Session" and the 2026 Global South Modernization Forum held in Egypt, where participants discussed governance, South-South cooperation, and technological innovation. Speakers including former Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf and Ain Shams University President Mohamed Diaa Zein El-Abedein highlighted China's role in promoting artificial intelligence as an international public good for Global South development. The piece emphasizes China's support for diverse modernization paths and high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with Arab states, citing landmark projects in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. It also underscores civilizational dialogue through academic exchange, referencing historical ties and ongoing China-Egypt archaeological and educational cooperation. The article concludes that deepening China studies serves as a bridge for Arab countries to understand China's development experience and international role.
Summary: The article reports that during the 2026 National Day holiday, China's holiday economy demonstrated vitality through record cross-regional passenger flows, a surge in long-haul and outbound tourism, and diversified consumption patterns including county-level travel. It cites data from the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Commerce, and the National Immigration Administration, noting that 682,000 foreigners entered China, with 505,000 under the visa-free policy, up 5.4 percent and 9.2 percent year on year respectively. The piece highlights that inbound tourism orders grew double-digit, with European source markets accounting for over 20 percent, and that international events like the F1H2O World Championship powerboat racing and Guizhou's "Village Super League" football match were held. It concludes that the holiday economy reflects China's high-quality development and high-level opening up, sharing development opportunities with the world.
Summary: Eduardo Regalado, a China expert at the Cuban International Policy Research Center, told People's Daily that China's rapid economic and financial development complements Cuba's advantages in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, and their mutually beneficial cooperation will contribute to health development in Global South countries. He said Cuba's official entry as a BRICS partner country on January 1, 2025, is a huge opportunity that will deepen collaboration with other Global South nations and expand BRICS ties with Latin America and the Caribbean. Regalado noted that BRICS cooperation emphasizes equality, mutual benefit, and independent development, and that Cuba can use the platform to deepen practical cooperation with China in infrastructure, renewable energy, and digital technology. He added that the New Development Bank offers an option free of political conditions, allowing Cuba to advance development projects with partners like China and boost exports of high-value biomedical products. Regalado stressed that BRICS-driven reform of global governance aligns with Cuba's advocacy of multilateralism, and this cooperation will provide new development options for Global South countries and help build a multipolar world.
Summary: He Lifeng, Chinese lead for the China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue and Vice Premier of the State Council, held a video call with UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves to exchange in-depth views on strengthening China-UK economic and financial cooperation in the next stage and on issues of mutual concern. He Lifeng stated that both China and the UK should jointly implement the important consensus of the two countries' leaders, continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the economic and financial fields, respect each other's core interests, achieve mutually beneficial outcomes, and promote the stable and positive development of China-UK economic relations. Reeves stated that the UK is willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China in the economic and financial fields and promote the continuous progress of UK-China relations.
Summary: Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Council of Ministers of Togo, will pay an official visit to China from October 9 to 16 at the invitation of Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council. The article details his political background, including his election to the National Assembly, ministerial service, and multiple presidential re-elections. In April 2024, Togo adopted a new constitution establishing a parliamentary system with the new post of President of the Council of Ministers as head of government, a role Faure assumed in May 2025. This marks his seventh official visit to China and his first since taking that office.
Summary: Hungarian Minister of Transport and Investment Vitézy Dávid announced on October 8 that testing of the European Train Control System on the Hungarian section of the Budapest–Belgrade Railway has been successfully completed, marking important progress in preparations for the opening of passenger service. The Budapest–Belgrade Railway is a flagship project of China's Belt and Road Initiative with Central and Eastern European countries, and the first project in which Chinese railway technology and equipment are aligned with EU railway interoperability technical specifications. The Hungarian section is approximately 158.6 kilometers long, an electrified mixed-use passenger and freight line with a design maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour, and freight service officially commenced on February 27 this year.
Summary: Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man will lead a delegation to visit China from October 11 to 15 at the invitation of Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee. During the visit, he will attend the second meeting of the Joint Committee of Chinese and Vietnamese Legislative Bodies.
Summary: Chinese and Brazilian employees of State Grid Brazil Holding Company erected the first tower of the ±800 kV ultra-high-voltage direct-current transmission line in northeastern Brazil. The project, described as the largest transmission concession in Brazil's history, will build 1,468 kilometers of lines with a rated capacity of 5,000 MW, supplying electricity for 12 million people and expected to be fully operational by 2029. The report was written by People's Daily reporter Chen Yiming, with photos provided by State Grid Brazil Holding Company.
Summary: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson announced on October 8 that Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the President of France, will visit China from October 9 to 13. During the visit, he will hold a new round of China-France strategic dialogue with Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs.
Summary: Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning announced that Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Council of Ministers of Togo, will pay an official visit to China from October 9 to 16. President Xi Jinping will meet with President Faure, while Premier Li Qiang and Chairman Zhao Leji will respectively hold talks and a meeting with him, and he will also visit Shaanxi, Fujian, Guangdong and other provinces. Mao Ning described President Faure as an old friend of China, noting this is his seventh official visit since taking office, reflecting Togo's high importance to bilateral relations. She highlighted that China and Togo are comprehensive strategic partners, with 54 years of diplomatic ties marked by mutual support on core interests and fruitful cooperation, setting an example for the Global South. She expressed confidence that the visit will elevate China-Togo relations and contribute to building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.
Summary: The 48th Chinese Navy escort task group arrived in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, on October 8 for a five-day friendly visit, with vessels Tangshan, Daqing, and Taihu entering the port amid welcoming ceremonies. Representatives of the Malaysian Navy's Eastern Fleet, Chinese Embassy and Consulates staff, Chinese-funded institutions, and overseas Chinese communities greeted the vessels at the dock. After mooring, the welcoming crowd toured the vessels in batches to learn about their performance and mission execution. During the visit, the Chinese task group commander will call on Malaysian Navy leadership, and both sides will conduct professional exchanges and vessel visits.
Summary: The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security released the "Measures for the Protection of Rights and Interests of Workers in New Forms of Employment (Draft for Comments)" on October 8, soliciting public comments until November 8. Experts highlighted provisions on minimum wage protection, restrictions on punitive fines, rest rights, and labor protection under severe weather, alongside institutional tools for social insurance and vocational training. The Draft clarifies employment responsibilities of platform enterprises, requiring different agreements based on employment relationship nature, and establishes algorithmic neutrality principles with mandatory manual review for major decisions. It constructs a multi-level dispute resolution mechanism, including 48-hour manual responses to worker objections and expanded mediation and arbitration scope. The Draft also assigns collaborative supervision responsibilities across departments, with cyberspace affairs leading algorithm oversight.
Summary: The article recounts the story of a pair of copper chopsticks displayed in the Jinping County Archives, Guizhou, as a symbol of the bond between the Red Army and the Miao people. In 1934, a Sixth Red Army Corps reconnaissance squad of over 30 men arrived at Shao'ai Village, where villager Aunt Wu sheltered them and warned them of a planned night attack, which her brother helped dissuade. Grateful, the soldiers gave her the chopsticks as a memento, which she donated to the government in 1952. Wang Zongxun, former curator of the County Archives, and Zhang Jiyuan, deputy curator, detailed how researchers restored the historical facts during the fourth national cultural relics census. Zhang said relevant departments will continue to strengthen excavation and protection of red cultural relics and carry forward red culture.
Summary: An ordinary farmer from Sanzhou Village, Changting County, Fujian Province, recounts his 40 years of planting trees on red soil since 1986, transforming the barren "Flaming Mountain" into a productive "Flower and Fruit Mountain." He describes early failures with oranges and tea due to high ground temperatures and erosion, until 2000 when the Fujian Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government listed Changting's soil erosion control as a practical project, providing subsidies and expert guidance on stabilizing soil with grass and shrubs first. He expanded to 900 mu of bayberries and over 200 mu of tea trees, while his son, Huang Yanhai, returned from Shanghai to build a nursery base, becoming a "second-generation greener." The village now has thousands of mu of bayberries, and the county's soil erosion rate dropped from 31.5 percent in 1985 to 6.18 percent by the end of 2025. He concludes that the green mountains, retained water, and marketable fruit give hope, especially as younger generations return to plant bayberries.
Summary: The article is a reporter's notebook reflecting on Changting's soil erosion control, featuring Huang Jinyang, a 72-year-old farmer who showed the earliest stretch of reclaimed collapsing hill land. It credits the success to generational relay, technical breakthroughs, and policy support, but emphasizes that ordinary people like Huang are the main body in undertaking work. The piece argues that ecological restoration's certainty comes from "resonance between top and bottom," where policy resolve encourages farmers to invest savings and persist through early years. It concludes that when "green" and "prosperity" complement each other, building an ecological civilization becomes the active choice of millions.
Summary: During the Cold Dew solar term, sorghum planted under contract at the Beidahuang Qixingpao Farm in Nenjiang City, Heilongjiang Province, has seen a bumper harvest. The photo shows combine harvesters working in the sorghum field of the Second Management Area of Qixingpao Farm on October 8. The image was captured by Lu Wenxiang of People's Visual.
Summary: The article reports on the revitalization of old revolutionary base areas in Hubei Province, citing General Secretary Xi Jinping's November 2024 instruction to "consolidate and expand the achievements of the battle against poverty, and accelerate the revitalization and development of the old revolutionary base areas." It highlights how local cadres and people have turned the spirit of the Long March into a driving force, with examples including the Chinese medicinal herb industry in Taojiahe Township, Hong'an sweet potato processing in Hong'an County, and the impact of the Xi'an-Shiyan high-speed railway on tourism in Yunxi County. The piece also describes environmental improvements in Zenggou Village, where a boatman named He Yuanyi tells visitors the story of the Red Army's Tangya River crossing. The article concludes that Hubei's old revolutionary base areas are blazing a path of revitalization led by red resources, green development, and common prosperity.
Summary: The inspection and supervision team of Taishan District's Discipline Commission in Tai'an, Shandong, conducted unannounced checks on official vehicles to address "leaking oil and veering off course," focusing on fuel card misuse such as refueling during holidays without dispatch orders. Team leader Chen Tianxiang led the operation, while team members Yin Chenglong and Li Cong screened online platform data and performed offline inspections at gas stations and parking lots. The district will continue using "online data screening + offline surprise inspections" to strengthen supervision and rectify problems like private cars maintained at public expense.
Summary: The article argues that the "looking east" trend reflects global trust in China's industrial resilience, innovation vitality, and business environment, transcending trade to signify a deep-level upgrade in world perceptions. It cites examples like Shenzhen's sci-tech inspection fever, Foshan's supply-chain clustering, and computing-power cities to illustrate China's development certainty offsetting global uncertainty. The piece emphasizes China's innovation strength, noting 25 of the world's top 100 innovation clusters are in China, ranking first for four consecutive years. It highlights policy support for overseas talent and a market-oriented, law-based environment as guarantees for pooling global resources. The commentary concludes that continued reform and openness will realize the win-win outcome of "when China is good, the world will be even better."
Summary: The article is an on-site commentary from the Guizhou branch of the newspaper, focusing on how young people in Zunyi are carrying forward the spirit of the Long March through innovative narration and real-scene education. It highlights docents like Tian Yue at the Zunyi Conference Memorial Hall, who engage youth with interactive storytelling, and Li Xiaojin at the Loushanguan battle site, who recounts the story of "One-Legged General" Zhong Chibing. The piece also features Wan Yongfei, deputy secretary of the Gouba Village Party branch, who combines "red" heritage restoration with "green" economic development, such as planting Eucommia bark, to boost local income. The commentary emphasizes a shift from "what is history" to "what is the connection between history and us," turning the Long March spirit into a value coordinate for guiding action. It concludes that each generation has its own Long March, urging youth to stir up vigor and struggle on the new journey of the new era.
Summary: The article highlights a Shanghai police response to an 8-year-old girl's call for help, with officers affirming that such calls are not a waste of police resources. It cites General Secretary Xi Jinping's reply to Fujian's "Zhangzhou 110" and examples of police service nationwide, including disaster response and community safety efforts. The piece emphasizes the high volume of Shanghai's 110 calls and the dedication of officers, linking this to China's global security ranking. It concludes that security underpins development and reflects the advantages of "China's system."
Summary: During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will improve the spatial layout of tourism, focusing on coordinated urban-rural development and launching 32 tourism hub cities, 33 key tourism cities, and 23 distinctive tourism destinations, while also developing county-level tourism and cultivating more famous tourism counties and "hidden gem small cities." As infrastructure improves, county-level cultural tourism will better benefit every household and drive consumption growth. Xu Zhiwen is reported as the author of this photo report.
Summary: Chinese-made electric tricycles are gaining popularity in overseas markets like Zimbabwe due to their cost-effectiveness, quality, and adaptability to local conditions. Chinese enterprises tailor products to specific needs, such as promoting medium-sized tricycles in Indonesia and large, stable ones in Tanzania. Industrial clusters in Chongqing, including firms like Shangfeng Technology and Wanhu Industry, support the sector's global expansion through mature technology and complete supply chains. The article emphasizes that Chinese manufacturing competes on both innovation and practicality, treating small demands seriously across markets from Uganda to the Middle East. This reflects a broader trend of China's foreign trade structure becoming more stable and resilient through full-category exports.
Summary: The author, a National Outstanding Communist Party Member and community manager at State Grid Cixi Power Supply Company, recounts his volunteer work as an electrician, inspired by an elderly former top craftsman he helped. He has kept the same mobile phone number for over 20 years and expanded his services to household appliance repairs, launching the "Thousand Households, Ten Thousand Lights" project that renovated wiring for over 10,000 families across 7 provinces. His volunteer center now has over a thousand members, and a "Growth Plan" has cultivated 61 certified rural electricians. He reflects that serving the people means being proactive and attentive to others' needs, and concludes that being needed is the greatest joy of his life.
Summary: The article reports that county-hopping tourism became a new hotspot during the National Day holiday, with data from Meituan and Qunar showing significant year-on-year increases in homestay bookings and hotel reservations in county towns. It highlights examples such as Jiange County's poetry quiz ticket-exchange at Jianmen Pass, Guoyang County's red-themed live-action drama, and Yixing's pottery experience shops, emphasizing the shift from viewing scenery to cultural and ecological experiences. Local authorities are improving convenience through free parking, tourism-transport through buses, and homestay services that integrate local cuisine and activities, which also benefit villagers and attract young entrepreneurs. The article notes that county regions account for about 90% of national land area, 50% of the permanent population, and 40% of the economic aggregate, and cites policy support from the Ministry of Commerce to stimulate county consumption. It concludes that the boom reflects service consumption upgrading and integrated urban-rural development, opening up new market opportunities.
Summary: The "Dream" ocean drilling vessel completed its trial drilling mission in the South China Sea, setting a new record for the deepest operational water depth independently achieved by China. Zhang Haibin, chief designer of the "Dream," said that China previously had to charter foreign drilling vessels, paying enormous fees while facing strict limits on scientist berths and being unable to bring cores back to their own country. The team overcame technical challenges, including a recessed moonpool design to pass under the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge, achieving operating efficiency 40 percent higher than comparable international drilling vessels. The vessel was officially commissioned in November 2024, marking progress in China's deep-sea access, exploration, and development. Shanghai supported the project through an innovative model pooling the strength of more than 150 organizations, enhancing the independent and controllable development of the high-end ship and marine engineering equipment industrial chain.
Summary: The General Office of the Ministry of Education and the General Office of the Ministry of Finance jointly issued a notice on implementing the 2026 Silver Age Lecture Plan, which plans to recruit 6,000 retired teachers for the compulsory education stage. The plan targets counties lifted out of poverty, underdeveloped ethnic counties, old revolutionary base areas, border counties, and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps regimental farms, with priority on counties receiving key assistance for national rural revitalization. Eligible applicants are mainly principals, teaching researchers, special-grade teachers, and backbone teachers holding intermediate or above professional titles, with senior teachers as the main body. During service, their personnel relations and retirement benefits remain unchanged, and work funds are issued monthly for subsidies, travel expenses, and accident insurance. Localities are urged to launch recruitment promptly, prioritize educationally underdeveloped areas and temporary teacher shortages, and publicize opportunities through multiple channels.
Summary: A photo report shows farmers at the seed corn drying base in Jiahetan, Mingyong Town, Ganzhou District, Zhangye City, Gansu Province, loading dried seed corn onto trucks for transport to seed processing plants. During the autumn harvest season, the local seed corn has entered its peak period of harvest, drying, and processing. Farmers, seed enterprises, and processing enterprises are seizing the farming season to prepare for next year's spring plowing and sowing needs. The photo is by Wang Jiang (Image China).
Summary: The China-Laos Railway's international freight trains have cumulatively operated over 25,000 trips, transporting more than 20.77 million tons of goods valued at over 100.4 billion yuan, with import and export scale growing at an average annual rate exceeding 24 percent. Tropical fruit imports from Southeast Asia via the railway have surpassed 16 billion yuan, while exports of high-value-added products such as smartphones, industrial robots, and new energy vehicles have risen sharply, with mechanical and electrical product exports reaching 7.42 billion yuan in the first eight months of this year. Kunming Customs has implemented clearance facilitation measures and intelligent systems at the Mohan railway port to enhance efficiency. The railway is expected to further link regional markets, resources, and industries, supporting the high-quality joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Summary: The article highlights Mianyang's efforts to implement a normalized working mechanism of "enhancing cadres' capabilities, improving work quality, solving difficulties for enterprises, and relieving worries for the people," following its learning and education campaign on establishing a correct view of political achievements. It cites examples such as a 5 million yuan "sci-tech innovation loan" for Sichuan Taren Technology Co., Ltd., and Zitong County's "taking the lead to tackle difficult tasks" mechanism pairing health food enterprises with farmers to address raw material supply mismatches. For the commercial aerospace industry, Mianyang incorporated it into its "587+" industrial system, with municipal-level leaders as industrial chain chiefs, and expanded satellite application scenarios while establishing a municipal-level aerospace application scenario library. In Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County, a "dual-vehicle drive" urban-rural passenger transport system combining standard buses and reservation-responsive "little yellow buses" was launched to improve mountain-area travel, with La Jiachu, director of the Beichuan Highway Transport Management Office, explaining that government subsidies ensure affordability and full coverage. Mianyang has cumulatively collected more than 21,000 opinions and suggestions, conducted 891 policy publicity sessions, and promoted the resolution of more than 60,000 public demands, while also addressing enterprise bottlenecks like slow approval and financing difficulties through closed-loop effectiveness assessment.
Summary: The "Great Dramas in Beijing" 2026 Beijing International Theater Performance Season was launched on October 7 at the National Aquatics Center, running from October to December under the theme "Curtain Rises on the World, Dramas Gather in Beijing." It will feature 120 major productions from over 20 countries and regions across more than 10 art categories, including drama, dance, musical, opera, traditional Chinese opera, and concerts, building a platform for exchanging and learning from one another between Chinese and foreign plays and domestic and international stage arts. The season promotes theater integrating into the city and daily life, with districts including Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai, Shijingshan, and Mentougou coordinating a "one district, one brand" city theater carnival with over 500 supporting events. Public-benefit viewing activities target Beijing residents and visitors, fostering a shared cultural consumption atmosphere and linking diverse consumption scenarios to achieve an upgrade from "single-viewing" to comprehensive "full-chain," "immersive," and "scenario-based" experiences. The season is hosted by the Publicity Department of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPC, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, and the Beijing Federation of Literary and Art Circles, marking the first launch of the International Theater Performance Season since the series began in 2022.
Summary: The article highlights grassroots police efforts to serve the masses, following Xi Jinping's call to "resolve difficulties and alleviate worries for the masses with heart and feeling." It profiles three cases: a police station in Anhui opening its yard for grain drying for 10 years, a horseback police team in Inner Mongolia conducting over 300 patrols and resolving 371 problems for herdsmen, and a Chengdu officer handling over 80,000 household registration transactions in 12 years. The piece emphasizes the mass line through practical services, conflict resolution, and community engagement. No mention is made of the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The Supreme People's Court and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce released on October 8 the second batch of typical cases of diversified resolution of disputes in the private economy sector, focusing on resolving arrears owed to enterprises and guiding private enterprises to conduct mediation voluntarily and legally. The batch includes 10 cases, one involving a concrete company and a design and engineering company in a dispute over 5.4074 million yuan in unpaid goods, with the latter facing a broken capital chain due to upstream project fund arrears—a typical "triangular debt" problem. The People's Court of Ranghulu District, Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province, invited the local Federation of Industry and Commerce mediation committee to form a team, and the judge explained legal consequences while mediators analyzed debt-servicing capacity from business logic. Through coordinated court and federation action, the parties reached a consensus mediation agreement within 15 days, adopting "thawing accounts first, then paying in installments" to balance relief for the distressed enterprise with strict breach liability.
Summary: During this year's National Day holiday, border inspection authorities across the country facilitated 15.462 million entries and exits of Chinese and foreign personnel, averaging 2.209 million per day, a 6.7% increase over the same period last year, with the single-day peak reaching 2.397 million on October 4. Mainland residents made 4.444 million outbound trips, up 9.3%, while foreign nationals made 682,000 inbound trips, of whom 505,000 entered under the visa-free policy, increases of 5.4% and 9.2% respectively. Border inspection authorities inspected 732,000 aircraft, vessels, trains, and vehicles of entry-exit transportation, up 14.7%. In line with the unified deployment of the National Immigration Administration, border inspection authorities mobilized all personnel to ensure holiday clearance services, with port entry-exit clearance nationwide proceeding safely, efficiently, and smoothly.
Summary: State Grid Changchun Power Supply Company is intensifying power guarantee preparations for the 33rd FISU World University Games Winter, set to open in Changchun in January 2027, with work now in a critical decisive stage. The company has strengthened its command chain, established milestone plans and task ledgers for over one hundred power-guarantee-related projects, and conducted venue-by-venue inspections of customer-side equipment involving 1,579 guarantee personnel. It is deploying independently developed technologies, including a weather intervention device, a hydrogen-powered inspection drone, and an intelligent resonance de-icing robot, to support a technology-driven and green Winter Universiade. The company stated that grid renovations and upgrades tied to the Games will continue to benefit the city afterward, supporting Changchun's ice-and-snow industry and aligning with provincial and municipal 15th Five-Year Plan goals. The article emphasizes that these efforts aim to turn "cold resources" into a "hot economy" and illuminate the city's future.
Summary: The article recounts General Secretary Xi Jinping's December 2012 visit to Luotuowan and Gujiatai Villages in Fuping County, Hebei Province, where he issued the mobilization order for the nationwide battle against poverty. Over the past decade, local cadres and masses followed his instructions, developing mushroom and fruit tree cultivation, rural tourism, handicrafts, and livestream e-commerce. Per capita disposable income in the two villages rose nearly 30-fold by the end of 2025, from around 950-980 yuan to over 28,000-29,000 yuan. The villages have since advanced toward comprehensive rural revitalization, earning national recognition for grassroots Party organization work, rural tourism, and beautiful village development. The piece concludes that the Taihang Mountains have transformed from "seeing real poverty" to "living a good life," with the yellow earth producing gold.
Summary: The article argues that the "second integration"—combining Marxism's basic tenets with China's excellent traditional culture—constitutes another ideological emancipation, breaking outdated frameworks and creating an organic, unified new cultural life form. It asserts this integration breaks the "dispute between the ancient and the modern" and the "dispute between China and the West," while also shattering the myth of "modernization = Westernization" by providing Chinese modernization with a unique cultural identity. The piece draws on General Secretary Xi Jinping's statements in *Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Culture*, emphasizing that cultural confidence is a more fundamental force and that the integration consolidates cultural subjectivity. It further contends that this approach offers a new cultural sample for late-developing countries and contributes Chinese wisdom to promoting exchanges and mutual learning among human civilizations. The author is identified as a researcher at the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee.
Summary: The article discusses the concept of computing-power-electricity coordination, which integrates computing power and electricity through the nationwide integrated computing power network and new power system to achieve dynamic matching and optimal allocation. It highlights General Secretary Xi Jinping's call to develop the digital economy and references the 15th Five-Year Plan and the Government Work Report on implementing related projects. The piece notes China's reverse distribution of computing demand in the east and energy resources in the west, and argues that coordination can support green electricity consumption and the "dual carbon" goals. It outlines four policy recommendations, including nationwide integrated planning, improved dispatch linkage, market-oriented reform, and technological breakthroughs. The author, a researcher at the National Information Center, emphasizes the strategic value of this coordination for national security and competitiveness amid global technological and energy competition.
Summary: The Pinglu Canal, the first grand canal connecting rivers to the sea built since the founding of the People's Republic of China, flows through villages and towns along its 134.2-kilometer route, where residents preserve local memories, relocate to new homes, and benefit from new schools. The article profiles residents like Lei Yubao, who opened a historical exhibition hall, and Huang Xubin, who returned to work on canal construction and moved with his family to a new town. It also details the rebuilding of six canal primary schools, which were put into use in the fall semester of 2024, and highlights improved river-to-sea transport efficiency at Qinzhou Port, attracting new clients and cargo. The canal has brought economic opportunities, with agritourism, construction work, and port business growth reshaping local livelihoods.
Summary: The article, authored by the Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director of the State Post Bureau, discusses the postal industry's role in promoting the smooth flow of goods and serving economic and social development. It highlights General Secretary Xi Jinping's statements on logistics as the "sinews and collaterals" of the real economy and express delivery as the "flowing blood" of cities. The piece outlines achievements in network coverage, smart technology, industrial integration, and people's well-being, including over 6,300 parcels per second and 540 million parcels daily. It also addresses challenges such as "involution-style" competition and courier rights, proposing measures like expanding global networks, digitalization, and green development. The article concludes by urging unity around the Party Central Committee to advance the industry's contribution to building a strong transportation country.
Summary: The article, authored by the Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Chairman of China Post Group Co., Ltd., outlines China Post's efforts to improve its service network, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It details the corporation's transformation toward serving production demand, national defense, and emergency support, citing achievements such as an agricultural product transaction volume of 73.2 billion yuan over five years. The piece also highlights collaboration with transportation and social express enterprises to build a three-tier rural logistics system, including 1,553 county-level shared distribution centers. Looking ahead, China Post plans to build an international logistics corridor with coordinated aviation, maritime, rail, and land transport, including routes to the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia, to support Chinese manufacturing going global. The author concludes by reaffirming the commitment to improving the postal network to contribute to national rejuvenation.
Summary: CNNC announced that Unit 7 of the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant successfully connected to the grid for the first time on October 8, laying a solid foundation for its subsequent commercial operation. The Tianwan Nuclear Power Base plans to build 8 units, with Units 1 through 6 having already generated over 550 billion kilowatt-hours of safe and stable electricity. Unit 7 is expected to enter commercial operation within this year. Once all 8 units are operational, the base's total installed capacity will exceed 9 million kilowatts.
Summary: In Fengdu County, Chongqing, an elderly model team in Nanmu Village, averaging nearly 80 years old, has been organized by first secretary Tao Xuemei to perform catwalk shows and endorse woven goods, with members like 85-year-old Ran Guangsu expressing joy at becoming a village model. Tao Xuemei, who arrived in July 2022, established the team after finding many elderly villagers lived alone and isolated, later partnering with graduate students from China University of Geosciences to design and sell woven bags, with an "endorsement fee" of 5 to 10 yuan per item set aside for the elderly. The article highlights the elderly's newfound confidence and happiness, with members like Tan Xingmei noting it was their first time wearing proper makeup, and Qin Datian, the oldest at 92, receiving praise from netizens for his composed demeanor.
Summary: The Gexian Village resort area in Qianshan County, Shangrao, attracts tourists with immersive nighttime programs, including a "Realm of a Thousand Lanterns" event where over 3,000 sky lanterns were released, as described by visitors like Ms. Li from Nanchang and Mr. Zhang from Hangzhou. The scenic area, open since May 2020, reports that overnight visitors exceed 20 percent of all guests, with an average stay of over 1.5 days, and has been listed among national nighttime cultural and tourism consumption clusters. Shen Xingchong, the person in charge, emphasized that sustaining popularity requires effort on content, with the area striving for monthly and seasonal innovations. The resort's cultural substance is showcased through the live-action performance *Encountering Qianshan*, which presents local history, including debates between Zhu Xi and Lu Jiuyuan. The development has boosted local livelihoods, with villagers like Wang Xiwang returning to run farmhouse inns, and Qianshan County reporting 15.9 million tourist visits and 11.9 billion yuan in tourism revenue in 2025.
Summary: The 2026 Chinese Jujube Hometown Scenery Tour and 24th Red Jujube Harvest Season, themed "Time to Beat the Jujubes!", were held at Haoxiangni's "Ten-Thousand Jujube Trees" park in Xinzheng City, Henan Province, from September 5 to October 7. Haoxiangni, founded in 1992, unveiled the concept of "new-quality red jujubes" and promoted the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation to drive the high-quality development of the red jujube industry. The event reproduced the folk ritual of beating jujubes and promoted the integration of agriculture, culture, and tourism, with Haoxiangni's intelligent workshop achieving mechanized, automated, and intelligent production. New products such as Nuoxiang Jujube and Heijin Jujube were introduced, forming a product matrix of "the seventy-two transformations of a single red jujube." Haoxiangni focused on family customers, setting up interactive programs and collaborating with brands including Qiaqia, Yonho Soymilk, Huahuan Niu, and Ledo Automobile to build family consumption scenarios.
Summary: At the October 8 flame-lighting ceremony in Turin, Italy, for the 33rd FISU World University Games Winter, Changchun 2027, FISU President Reynald Aydin and Gu Gang, Mayor of Changchun City, jointly lit the flame bowl, and Gu Gang transferred the flame into the lantern of the Changchun Winter Universiade. Preparations have entered the sprint stage, with all 10 competition venues fully completed and over 8,000 volunteers undergoing training, as this marks the second time the Winter Universiade has been held in China, 18 years after Harbin hosted it in 2009. Aydin praised the organizing committee's "amazing answer sheet," while Gu Gang vowed to host a simple, safe, and splendid ice-and-snow event, with Changchun and Jilin jointly hosting under the theme "Chasing Dreams on Ice and Snow, Youth Forever in Changchun."
Summary: Zheng Qinwen defeated Armenian player Charaeva 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 to reach the China Open women's singles quarterfinals for the second time in her career, drawing a successful conclusion to her 23rd year. Winning four consecutive three-set battles tested her physical fitness and mental fortitude, and she said the support of on-site spectators gave her great strength to fight to the end. Reflecting on getting older, Zheng Qinwen said everything has come too fast and she is not ready for 24 yet, but she is working on upgrading herself and exploring her new version. She stated that her Paris Olympics gold medal at age 21 is not her peak, and she believes she can continue to improve as she matures. Zheng Qinwen will next face sixth seed Svitolina in the quarterfinal.
Summary: The Mountaineering Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China and the Chinese Mountaineering Association issued guidelines on sheltering from heavy rain during outdoor activities, recommending checking weather warnings and identifying danger zones such as rivers, gullies, and steep slopes before setting out. The guidelines advise monitoring rainfall changes, with team leaders deciding whether to advance or shelter based on environment and conditions, using safety ropes if necessary. Fast-flowing water mixed with mud and debris is flagged as a precursor to flash floods, requiring quick movement to high ground and avoidance of submerged bridges. If trapped or lost, participants should remain calm and use mobile phones or satellite devices to seek help, providing location and terrain details. The guidelines stress that risks like flash floods and mudslides persist after rain ends, so one should not immediately return to river valleys or continue along the original route.
Summary: The Suihua Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government have made the 12345 hotline an important lever for improving people's livelihood and well-being, serving enterprise development, and enhancing governance effectiveness, launching a city-wide special campaign for "receiving complaints and acting immediately" since March 1. They have built a five-tier hotline service system and a closed-loop service system, integrating hotline data with the grid-based platform system and applying three methods of work order dispatch to achieve "handling before complaints are filed." Since the campaign's launch, the hotline has received 408,000 complaints with a completion rate of 99.4% and a satisfaction rate of 98.1%. A team of one hundred supervision specialists oversees the full-chain closed-loop mechanism of "reception, transfer, handling, supervision, and follow-up visits," ensuring complaints are "truly completed and truly satisfactory." The article concludes that Suihua is demonstrating new responsibility in promoting the comprehensive revitalization of Northeast China in the new era.
Summary: The article examines how Chinese cinemas are transforming from traditional movie venues into comprehensive cultural experience spaces, citing examples like Zheying Xiguang Store in Hangzhou and Xingguang Jiaying Cinema in Wuhan. It highlights strategies such as diversified operations, equipment upgrades, and distinctive theming, with officials and managers emphasizing the need to match business formats with customer bases. The piece notes that in 2025, China's film industry chain output value reached 817.259 billion yuan, with a box office multiplier of approximately 1:15.77. It also discusses initiatives like the "Tide Light and Shadow" mini-program in Zhejiang and Beijing's "Midsummer Film Carnival" that link ticket stubs to broader consumption discounts. The article concludes that cinemas are shifting from "selling tickets" to "selling scenes" and from "operating box office" to "operating foot traffic," building urban cultural living rooms.
Summary: The article reflects on how cinemas in China are transforming from screening venues into comprehensive cultural experience spaces, as traditional box office revenue becomes insufficient amid competition from online platforms. It cites a June notice from the National Film Administration and the State Administration for Market Regulation promoting diversified cinema operations, while cautioning that transformation requires adapting to local conditions rather than simply adding business formats. Examples include Hangzhou Xingguang Jiaying Cinema's successful "steak while watching a movie" service targeting young office workers, and themed exhibitions tied to film releases to enhance audience experience. The piece argues that cinemas must cultivate distinctive character—through art films, parent-child viewing, IP development, and linking with urban cultural resources—to become destinations worth revisiting. Ultimately, a cinema that effectively operates its space and experiences can serve as a lasting carrier in urban cultural life, boosting cultural consumption.
Summary: The article highlights USTC's achievements in talent cultivation and scientific research, noting that the "5902" class has produced two winners of the National Supreme Science and Technology Award, including Academician Chen Liquan. It cites General Secretary Xi Jinping's April 2016 inspection of USTC, where he urged the university to be courageous in innovation and strive for first-class status. USTC Party Committee Secretary Shu Gequn and President Chang Jin are quoted on the school's commitment to cultivating patriotic, high-level scientific talent and aligning research with national strategy. The piece details reforms in education, including 100% independent major selection for undergraduates and the "empowerment + transfer + agreed income" intellectual property model to commercialize research. It also covers USTC's progress in quantum communication, deep space exploration, and its role in building a demonstration zone for integrated education, science, technology, and talent development.
Summary: The article, authored by the President of the University of Science and Technology of China, discusses advancing the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent, citing General Secretary Xi Jinping's emphasis on these as foundational pillars for a modern socialist country. The university aims to build a demonstration zone for this integration, improve collaborative education between science and education, and promote positive interaction between independent scientific and technological innovation and independent talent cultivation. It focuses on cultivating "six-have" college students, optimizing disciplinary layouts, and implementing through-type cultivation plans to grow students' abilities in solving real problems. The university also prioritizes tackling key problems in innovation, focusing on fields such as quantum science and technology, artificial intelligence, and advanced nuclear energy, while inheriting the spirit of the "two bombs, one satellite." On the new journey, it will follow Xi Jinping's entrustment to "be brave in innovation, dare to surpass, and strive for first-class," contributing to building a strong education nation, a strong science and technology nation, and a strong talent nation.
Summary: The author, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and researcher at the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, reflects on how his undergraduate years at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) forged the foundation of his scientific career. He credits the school's philosophy of "the whole academy running the school, combining departments with institutes," which integrated classroom teaching with frontline research, and a five-year curriculum that emphasized mathematics and physics fundamentals before specialization. He describes the pure, fervent atmosphere of seeking knowledge, with packed open lectures and teachers using only chalk and blackboard, and highlights his third-year internship in Zhongguancun as a key turning point from book theory to real scientific research. He also credits two senior researchers, Chen Chunxian and Hao Bailin, for inspiring his later willingness to break out of his research comfort zone. He concludes by advising younger researchers to endure solitude, hold fast to a pragmatic and truth-seeking original aspiration, and dare to innovate while exploring the unknown through teamwork.
Summary: The Paris Chinese Cultural Center held an exhibition on Robert Jacquinot de Besange, a French friend who protected large numbers of Chinese civilians in Shanghai during World War II, with support from France-China friendship groups in the French Senate and National Assembly. A memorial bronze statue of Jacquinot was unveiled in his hometown of Saintes, presented by the Shanghai Research Association on the War of Resistance and the World Anti-Fascist War on behalf of the descendants of protected civilians. Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin said that France and China, both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, should strengthen dialogue and jointly promote global governance that is more balanced, pluralistic, and respectful of different civilizations and the Global South. The article also highlights a documentary and a book on Jacquinot, with French historian Jean-Luc Pinol noting that Jacquinot "makes us believe that even in desperate circumstances, people still have the ability to choose justice and goodness." A local student said the younger generation feels the power of benevolence from Jacquinot and looks forward to studying and exchanging in China.
Summary: Egypt has become the world's largest producer of dates, with over 24 million date palm trees and annual production exceeding 2 million tons, supporting more than 1.2 million jobs across the industrial chain. The government has incorporated the date industry into its national agricultural revitalization plan, aiming to raise export value above $250 million and increase high-quality variety cultivation to 40 percent by 2029. Egypt is building the "Egyptian Dates" brand through unified grading standards, processing upgrades, and international exhibition participation. Since May 1, China has implemented zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries, and Egyptian date exports to China have grown steadily, with agricultural exports including dates reaching $150.6 million in the first half of 2026. Mohamed Ba'a, dean of the Faculty of Commerce at Suez Canal University, highlighted potential for China-Egypt cooperation in agricultural technology, processing, and quality standards to help convert Egypt's production advantage into export earnings.
Summary: The article highlights the Australian stage play *21 Hearts*, which recounts the 1942 Bangka Island Massacre of 21 Australian army nurses by Japanese forces, and notes its continued popularity across Australia. It details survivor Vivian Bullwinkel's testimony at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East and the postwar trials of Japanese Class-B and Class-C war criminals, including Australia's prosecution of over 900 suspects. The piece cites Australian archives documenting Japanese atrocities, such as cannibalism charges, and quotes Herbert Evatt describing the records as "crimes and barbarities." It concludes that Japanese right-wing efforts to whitewash wartime guilt hurt victimized countries and erode international justice, while affirming that remembering history serves to safeguard peace.
Summary: Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning urged Japan again to severely punish the perpetrator in the case of an active-duty Self-Defense Forces official breaking into the Chinese Embassy with a knife, stating that whether Japan can handle the case seriously in accordance with the law tests its fulfillment of obligations under international law and bears on its national credibility and international image. At a regular press conference, Mao Ning responded to reports on the Tokyo District Court's first public hearing for former Self-Defense Forces official Murata Koudai, who confessed to illegally invading the embassy but denied the charge of intimidation. Mao Ning described the incident as vicious and unprecedented, seriously violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and threatening Chinese diplomatic personnel's safety. She also noted it exposed deep-seated problems in Japan, including rampant right-wing forces and loss of discipline among Self-Defense Forces personnel.
Summary: A report by the German Startups Association and "Startup Monitor" shows Germany saw 3,053 newly founded startups in the first half of 2026, a record high and a 52% increase from the second half of 2025, with Verena Pausder calling it an "unprecedented startup boom." Bavaria led all states with 626 new companies, while Berlin topped cities with 429, and Hamburg surpassed Munich for the first time to rank second. Artificial intelligence drove growth, with 1,038 AI-related startups founded, and Asha-Maria Sharma noted strong demand for AI solutions in German industrial manufacturing, transportation, and energy sectors. Germany added six "unicorns" in the period, bringing the total to 36, and German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katharina Reiche said the government is coordinating measures to improve financing, reduce administrative approvals, and simplify startup procedures. Experts cautioned that high electricity costs, long data center construction cycles, and insufficient growth-stage venture capital constrain AI startup expansion, with Pausder urging more forceful policy measures on capital supply.
Summary: The African Credit Rating Agency, established under the mandate of the African Union, was officially launched on October 7 in Port Louis, Mauritius. Headquartered in Port Louis, the agency aims to provide higher-quality African credit risk data and expertise to enhance Africa's voice in global financial governance. Moussa Faki, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, said at the ceremony that the agency will become an "important pillar" of Africa's own financial system. He added that it will provide "reliable research and analysis on African economies" for African and international investors and economic partners.
Summary: The World Trade Organization released its latest Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report on October 8, raising its 2026 global merchandise trade growth forecast to 3.9 percent, up from the 1.9 percent predicted in March, and projecting 4.1 percent growth in 2027. The report attributes the upgrade to supply chain adjustments and strong investment in the artificial intelligence sector. It also lowered its 2026 global services trade growth forecast to 3.3 percent, down from 4.8 percent, citing the impact of the Middle East conflict on transportation and international travel, while projecting 6.4 percent growth in 2027.
Summary: The author, a Chair Professor at Peking University and Tsinghua University and Director of the Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence, discusses his book *Endowing the Humanities with Reason*, which uses AI mathematical models to interpret Chinese thought. He proposes a "U-V" framework distinguishing "principle" from "mind" to analyze civilizational differences and AI governance dilemmas. The article highlights his team's work on the large-scale social simulator and the general intelligent agent "Tongtong," arguing that Chinese wisdom like "seeking harmony while maintaining differences" can guide global AI cooperation.
Summary: The article is a travel essay about Hemingway's Key West, the tropical islet at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys where Hemingway lived from 1928 to 1939. It describes his former residence, now a museum and U.S. National Historic Landmark, and "Sloppy Joe's Bar," where he was a regular and which has become a literary shrine. The piece details Hemingway's writing routine, his works created there, and his love of cats, whose descendants still roam the property. It also mentions the annual "Hemingway Look-Alike Contest" held in Key West since 1981. The author, a professor at Beijing International Studies University, concludes by tracing how the island's sea, fishermen, and experiences inspired *The Old Man and the Sea*.
Summary: The article describes a walking and gondola tour of Venice, highlighting the city's unique waterborne transport and its architectural sights. It explains that wooden structures along the waterfront walkway, initially mistaken for benches, are actually makeshift bridges used by pedestrians during high tides. The piece notes that global warming and rising sea levels cause flooding, with the walkway being the hardest-hit area. It praises these "wooden benches" as Venice's unconventional "landmark," embodying the city's wisdom in coexisting with nature. The author concludes that Venice's charm lies in its practical ingenuity and harmonious environmental coexistence, not just its scenery.
Summary: Egyptian actor Sherif Sobhy, who plays Zayed in the film *Welcome to the Dragon Restaurant*, has won over Chinese audiences with his portrayal of "Old Zha," a character he found deeply moving for its rich emotional layers. Sobhy meticulously crafted the role, focusing on subtle gaze changes to convey grief, and was impressed by the Chinese crew's dedication, noting director Wen Muye's attentiveness helped him prepare emotionally. He felt no "culture shock" working in China, finding common ground with Chinese filmmakers in their shared pursuit of artistic excellence. Sobhy engaged actively with Chinese netizens on social media and participated in a cultural exchange event in Cairo marking the 70th anniversary of China-Egypt diplomatic relations. He hopes to return to China for future film opportunities, having gained a concrete appreciation for the country's everyday vitality and the warmth of its people.
Summary: The article discusses the traditional agricultural custom of sun-drying autumn produce, which has evolved in villages like Huangling in Wuyuan, Jiangxi, and Linkeng in Yongjia, Zhejiang, from a seasonal practice to a year-round showcase of rural culture and tourism. It attributes this upgrade to improved rural infrastructure, including highways, 5G coverage in 95% of administrative villages, and higher sanitation and tap water penetration rates. The piece highlights how diverse business forms, such as rural leisure tourism and intangible cultural heritage workshops, have turned "cool resources" into a "hot economy." It also emphasizes that villagers are builders and beneficiaries of rural tourism, with their participation boosting the countryside's vitality. The article concludes that while the methods of drying change, the villagers' hopes for a good harvest and better life remain constant.
Summary: The article reports on Heihanling Village in Yanqing District, Beijing, which introduced an ecological civilization points system in 2023, issuing each household an "ecological points passbook" where 1 point equals 1 yuan, redeemable at local venues. Party branch Secretary Shi Yunlong said the village previously ranked near the bottom in environmental evaluations and struggled to unite villagers, but the points system shifted residents from "bystanders" to "masters of the house," with all 202 households participating by 2025. The village established a folk tourism cooperative and the "Xiaoxi Dudu" agro-cultural-tourism complex, becoming the town's first "million-yuan village" in 2023, with per capita income rising from 21,000 yuan in 2021 to 49,000 yuan in 2025. The system was expanded town-wide in 2025 and extended to enterprises, which can earn points for eco-friendly practices but face a "one-vote veto" for major environmental violations. The article concludes that the village's transformation demonstrates how grassroots governance innovation can turn ecological value into livelihood dividends.
Summary: The article reports on Yunge Village in Hainan, where the flower and seedling industry has driven economic growth after typhoon Rammasun destroyed its rubber forest in 2014. Du Shihe, Party branch secretary of Yunge Village, led villagers into flower cultivation, expanding nurseries from a few dozen mu to several thousand mu, with per capita annual income rising from several thousand yuan in 2013 to 23,000 yuan. Peng Heyang, first secretary stationed in Yunge Village, and Ren Yaoyu, deputy Party secretary of Yunlong Township, highlighted that the township's flower industry output reached 690 million yuan last year, over 80 percent of total agricultural output value. The village has diversified into rice-crayfish co-cultivation, cold-chain logistics leasing, and a bicycle tourism trail, with collective economic income reaching 912,000 yuan in 2025. Peng noted ongoing challenges, including over 300 flower growers selling separately and the lack of a certified regional public brand for Yunge flowers.
Summary: The article discusses the growing attention to college student technician classes, which combine university education with technical skills training, citing recent openings in Zhejiang and Shandong provinces. It frames this trend as a market-driven response to China's structural employment contradiction, where demand for highly skilled talent in emerging industries like artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing outpaces supply. The piece argues that these programs reflect an appreciation of capabilities over credentials, with graduates leveraging a "academic credentials + skills" advantage, and emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning and systematic policy implementation to resolve employment imbalances. It notes that the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security has launched skills enhancement initiatives in key fields, and stresses the need for collaborative training systems involving government, enterprises, and schools to cultivate more skilled personnel.
Summary: Zhu Xiuqin, director of the Kangbei Integrated Childcare Center in Pingdu City, Qingdao, Shandong Province, runs rural childcare centers that now serve over 160 children, including more than 40 boarders, with flexible hours and low fees tailored to farming schedules. She opened her first center in 2018 after struggling to balance work and childcare herself, and by 2021 closed her decoration company to focus fully on the children. The centers, three of which are publicly built and privately operated, provide 24-hour care for children from families in difficulty, including infants as young as nine days old, with support from local government, a postpartum care center, and a technical college. Zhu emphasizes that the job requires a good heart, and she credits community help—from villagers offering bank cards to a mother bringing vegetables—for the centers finally breaking even in 2024. Her own daughters now help at the center, with her youngest expressing a wish to take over her role.
Summary: The article is a first-person account by Ruan Guoping, a 46-year-old grassroots oral physician in Shanyang County, Shaanxi Province, describing his 23 years of providing dental care in the Qinling Mountains. He recounts waiving or reducing fees for impoverished patients, making free home visits to the elderly and disabled, and bringing oral health education and free treatments to mountain schoolchildren since 2010. In 2014, he launched a public welfare project to fund orthodontic treatment for college students in difficulty from Shanyang studying elsewhere, making over 130 trips to Xi'an and helping more than 290 students. He reports cumulatively reducing or waiving over 500,000 yuan in treatment costs and over 300,000 yuan in orthodontic costs, alongside donations and coordinated public welfare materials valued at over 1.1 million yuan. The piece concludes with his commitment to continue grassroots practice and public welfare as a retired soldier and Communist Party member.
Summary: The article discusses how the Long March story is retold through new popular literature and art, with digital technology enabling immersive VR exhibitions and AI-driven creations that attract young audiences. It traces the historical evolution of Long March-themed works, from Mao Zedong's poems and the *Long March Suite* to modern micro-dramas and AI comic dramas, emphasizing how each era finds fresh expression. The piece highlights grassroots creators using AI tools to produce works like the video of young Red Army soldier "No. 8," which symbolizes the present generation comforting past martyrs. It attributes the enduring appeal to the weight of history and the spirit of the Long March, which each generation draws upon to answer its era's challenges. The article concludes that the Long March continues, with every generation facing its own snow mountains and grasslands, and the red story is told with ever-new brilliance.
Summary: The article discusses viral fan-made videos pairing Sun Wukong and Lin Daiyu, created with AI tools using footage from the 1986 *Journey to the West* and 1987 *Dream of the Red Chamber* TV series, sparking heated netizen debate. It argues such adaptations resolve audiences' "lingering regret" over Lin Daiyu's tragic fate, with the "Sheng-Dai CP" reflecting emotional needs for mutual support and spiritual resonance. The piece notes that fan creation is longstanding but has gained wider influence through video and AI, raising questions about balancing public creativity with legal and ethical boundaries. It stresses that while "purely fictional" labels do not permit arbitrary distortion, especially of classics' spiritual cores and actors' performances, malicious distortions mocking heroes or glorifying violence must face a red line. Ultimately, it calls for using this imagination to pass on classic stories and let them sprout new branches, rather than letting viral moments fade quickly.
Summary: The article praises the TV drama *The Lark's Call to Heaven* for its portrayal of Peking opera master Tan Xinpei's life, transformed into the protagonist Meng Jinfu, and for weaving traditional opera with life stories. It highlights how the work depicts the vast spread of Peking opera across regions and social strata in the late Qing dynasty, calling it an art that "broke out of its circle." The drama is commended for grounding its plot in historical accuracy regarding the opera profession's ecology, from industry organizations to performance practices. The narrative follows Meng Jinfu's artistic journey from a clown role to the pinnacle of sheng roles, emphasizing his versatility and perseverance in breaking through tradition. The article concludes that Meng Jinfu's story aligns with the contemporary goal of promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of China's fine traditional culture.
Summary: The article reviews the micro-documentary *Twenty Nights of the Long March*, released to mark the 90th anniversary of the Red Army's Long March victory, praising its concise, powerful format of 20 nine-minute episodes. It highlights the work's creative choice of "night" as a structural unit to frame decisive moments, blending chronological overview with battle cross-sections and individual soldier fates. The piece emphasizes that the documentary maintains rigorous historical accuracy while using hand-painted oil paintings rather than AI to restore scenes, citing classics like *Forcing the Luding Bridge*. The review concludes that the series adapts traditional broadcasting to internet communication, suiting young netizens' viewing habits and conveying the Long March spirit's enduring relevance. The author is identified as Vice Chairman of the China Television Artists Association.
Summary: The article praises the documentary *The Mysteries of Patterns* for its "lightweight" approach to traditional cultural themes, with each episode lasting only 4–5 minutes. It highlights how the film traces patterns such as the eight-pointed star and three hares sharing ears from historical archaeology to cross-civilizational dissemination, ultimately bringing patterns back into daily life. The author, Peng Yaoyao, argues that despite its small form, the film achieves thorough and careful thinking, offering inspiration to similar documentary creation.
Summary: The head of a relevant department of the National Radio and Television Administration stated that live-action dramas are the main force of premium content creation and should be vigorously supported, drawing positive responses from the industry and beyond. The article notes that while AI-generated dramas are produced at a massive scale, most are fast-moving consumer goods, and they still lag behind live-action filming in facial expressions, body movements, and scene lighting, making it hard for audiences to truly immerse themselves. It highlights that premium live-action dramas such as *The Peaceful Years* and *The Protagonist* have been released one after another, and that the "resurgence of old dramas" phenomena bear witness to the vitality of excellent dramas. The article also addresses new issues concerning the protection of the rights and interests of live-action creators, citing cases of actors being "face-swapped" or having their "voices cloned," and noting that regulatory work has begun, including symposiums on "image fusion" and "voice fusion" in AI micro-dramas reaching consensus that explicit authorization from rights holders is required. Finally, it emphasizes that supporting live-action dramas does not mean denying the significance of technology, as AI has opened up new possibilities for audiovisual art, such as enabling ordinary people to create films and assisting in reducing costs for high-difficulty scenes.
By: 本报记者 李君强 刘诗瑶
"To explore the vast cosmos, to build a space power, is the space dream we unremittingly pursue." In September 2024, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized this when receiving representatives of the personnel who participated in the research and testing of the Chang'e-6 mission of the lunar exploration program.
The space dream mirrors the Chinese dream.
This year marks the opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan and the 70th anniversary of the founding of China's space industry. The outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan puts forward 16 goals for building a "strong nation" in various fields, and building a space power, as one of them, has been written into the national five-year plan for the first time.
Since the new era began, General Xi Jinping has attached great importance to building China into a space power, making a series of important statements and important instructions and directives that point the way and provide fundamental guidance for accelerating the building of a space power, leading China's space industry to continuously create new history.
With the rejuvenation of the nation at heart, "the space dream is an important part of the dream of building a strong nation."
In April 2016, on the occasion of the first "China Space Day," General Secretary Xi Jinping made an important instruction emphasizing: The establishment of "China Space Day" is meant to remember history, carry forward the spirit, and stimulate the enthusiasm of the whole people, especially young people, for advocating science, exploring the unknown, and daring to innovate, so as to gather strong strength for realizing the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
On October 8, 1956, in the western suburbs of Beijing, the Fifth Research Institute of the Ministry of National Defense was established, and from this China's space industry took its first steps.
Over 70 years, enduring hardships and vicissitudes (栉风沐雨, zhi feng mu yu - "comb, brush, bathe, rain"), the torch has been passed on. "Generations of Chinese aerospace personnel have adhered to relying on one's own efforts (自力更生, zi li geng sheng - "self, strength, more,生") and independent innovation, pushing the space industry from nothing to something (从无到有, cong wu dao you - "from, nothing, to, have"), from weak to strong, from 'painting the dream on a blueprint' to 'realizing the dream through struggle,' achieving historic, high-quality, leapfrog development, and taking solid steps in building a space power."
"Zhurong" exploring Mars, "Xihe" chasing the sun, Tianwen-2 "pursuing the stars," the complete construction of the China Space Station, the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System providing precise global services... Looking at this year again, China has successively achieved dual success in rocket recovery at sea and on land, and China's space industry has once again made history.
General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "We must vigorously promote the lunar exploration spirit of chasing dreams, daring to explore, coordinating efforts to tackle difficulties, and win-win cooperation throughout society, further enhance the national confidence and pride of all Chinese people, and gather the mighty strength to comprehensively advance the building of a strong nation and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization."
Bravely scaling the heights of science and technology, "always adhering to self-reliance and independent innovation."
"Great undertakings are all based on innovation," and independent innovation has always been the most distinctive spiritual foundation of China's space industry.
Late on the night of December 15, 2013, General Secretary Xi Jinping came to the Beijing Aerospace Control Center. 380,000 kilometers away, the Chang'e-3 lander and the "Yutu" rover completed mutual photography on the lunar surface.
"The most fundamental point in achieving such accomplishments is that China's space industry has always adhered to self-reliance and independent innovation." General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly revealed the key to China's space industry achieving leapfrog development.
Since then, the Chang'e-4, Chang'e-5, and Chang'e-6 missions have all succeeded one after another, and the General Secretary has warmly encouraged the representatives of the personnel involved in research and testing each time, with his high regard for independent innovation being consistent from beginning to end (一以贯之, yi yi guan zhi - "one, use, through, continue").
"Focusing on sustained tackling of key core technology areas," from soft landing on the lunar surface to sample return from the far side of the Moon, the lunar exploration program has continued to break through, relying on the tenacity and perseverance of facing difficulties head-on (迎难而上, ying nan er shang - "meet, difficulty, and, go up") and independent tackling of key problems.
When meeting with representatives of the personnel who participated in the research and testing of the Chang'e-5 mission of the lunar exploration program and visiting the exhibition of lunar samples and the achievements of the lunar exploration program, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the need to "continue to leverage the advantages of the new system of mobilizing resources nationwide and increase efforts in independent innovation"; when speaking of the completion and operation of the BeiDou-3 global satellite navigation system, the General Secretary pointed out that this "fully demonstrates the political advantage of our socialist system in concentrating resources to accomplish major undertakings."
With both the ambition to overcome difficulties and the combined force of pooling collective wisdom to tackle tough problems (集智攻坚, ji zhi gong jian - "collect, wisdom, attack, key"), China's space industry has achieved one breakthrough after another through innovation.
Continuing the spiritual heritage, "achieving dreams through vigorous running and relayed struggle."
General Secretary Xi Jinping earnestly exhorted the young people of the space industry, pointing out that "building a space power depends on the relayed struggle of generation after generation."
In April 2020, General Secretary Xi Jinping replied to a letter from veteran scientists who participated in the "Dongfanghong-1" mission, recalling his excitement upon hearing of the successful satellite launch in Liangjiahe, Shaanxi, emphasizing that "the meritorious deeds of the older generation of aerospace personnel are firmly engraved in the annals of New China," and encouraging that "aerospace workers in the new era should take the older generation of aerospace personnel as their example, vigorously carry forward the 'Two Bombs, One Satellite' spirit, dare to overcome all difficulties and obstacles, and bravely scale the heights of aerospace science and technology."
On the occasion of Youth Day in 2022, General Secretary Xi Jinping replied to a letter from the young team of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation responsible for building the space station, hoping that the young people of the space industry would "dare to innovate and break through, and shine with the brilliant radiance of youth on the journey of chasing dreams in space."
From veteran scientists to young backbone personnel, the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" spirit, the manned spaceflight spirit, the lunar exploration spirit, and the new-era BeiDou spirit have been passed down and carried forward through generations of perseverance and struggle, transforming into an inexhaustible driving force for exploring the unknown universe.
What is also passed down from generation to generation is the sincere heart of serving the country and benefiting humanity.
On July 31, 2020, General Secretary Xi Jinping announced the official operation of the BeiDou-3 global satellite navigation system. Today, the BeiDou system has been deeply integrated into all aspects of the economy and society, with one after another aerospace scientific and technological achievement transformed into tangible results that serve development and benefit people's livelihoods.
Looking at the world, more than half of all countries and regions use the BeiDou system, and "China's BeiDou" has become "the world's BeiDou." General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "We must continue to open our arms wide, deepen various forms of international exchange and cooperation in space, share development achievements with other countries, improve outer space governance, and let the fruits of aerospace science and technology better benefit humanity."
The 70th anniversary is both a milestone and a new starting point. Bearing in mind the instructions, step by step, baton after baton, China's space industry will surely continue to write new glorious chapters on the new journey of chasing dreams in space.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 常 钦 邓剑洋
"Continue to consolidate and expand the achievements of the battle against poverty, incorporate normalized assistance into the overall implementation of the rural revitalization strategy, and firmly hold the bottom line of preventing large-scale relapse into poverty or new impoverishment."
—Emphasized by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the Central Economic Work Conference on December 10, 2025
Eight years of intensive efforts brought a historic end to absolute poverty; the five-year transition period firmly held the bottom line of preventing large-scale relapse into poverty or new impoverishment. This year marks the opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan and the first year of carrying out normalized assistance.
At the Central Economic Work Conference held at the end of last year, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Continue to consolidate and expand the achievements of the battle against poverty, incorporate normalized assistance into the overall implementation of the rural revitalization strategy, and firmly hold the bottom line of preventing large-scale relapse into poverty or new impoverishment." In June this year, General Secretary Xi Jinping made an important instruction on normalizing east-west collaboration work, pointing out: "Party committees and governments at all levels must conscientiously implement the responsibility for normalized assistance, resolutely hold the bottom line of preventing large-scale relapse into poverty or new impoverishment, and solidly advance comprehensive rural revitalization."
This year's No. 1 Central Document deployed "implementing normalized and targeted assistance"; the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan includes a dedicated chapter on "improving the normalized assistance mechanism"... A series of institutional arrangements sends a clear signal: hold the bottom line without relaxing, advance revitalization without stopping.
Normalized assistance has gotten off to a steady start. The monitoring system, policy system, and working mechanism for normalized and targeted assistance have been basically established. All 2.562 million people nationwide identified as targets for preventing relapse into poverty or new impoverishment have been covered by targeted assistance measures, firmly holding the bottom line of preventing large-scale relapse into poverty or new impoverishment.
Precisely identify changes, weave a dense normalized "poverty-prevention net."
"Thanks to the public welfare post, life is getting better and better with more hope." Ji Jashun, a resident of Yinwu Community, Laodian Town, Qiaojia County, Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, faced a risk of relapse into poverty due to insufficient family labor. His predicament was "captured" by the county's dynamic monitoring system for preventing relapse into poverty. By serving as an ecological forest ranger, he now has a stable monthly income.
Since the transition period began, 22 provinces in the central and western regions have fully established monitoring and assistance mechanisms to prevent relapse into poverty or new impoverishment. Next, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will further improve the normalized monitoring and assistance system for preventing relapse into poverty or new impoverishment, achieving unified standards, precise identification, and dynamic adjustment. At the same time, it will do a good job of classified management of the formerly registered and filed population that has been lifted out of poverty; those who would face a risk of relapse into poverty if assistance policies were withdrawn will continue to receive assistance.
Strengthen "blood-making" capacity, stimulate new momentum in industry and employment.
Normalized assistance upholds development-oriented assistance as the top priority. In the navel orange orchard of Daqiao Village, Quanjiang Town, Suichuan County, Jiangxi Province, Yuan Niansheng is leading fellow villagers in pruning branches. The specialized cooperative he established has expanded the orchard to more than 3,100 mu, absorbing 304 households that have been lifted out of poverty in the county as shareholders, with each person receiving an annual dividend of nearly 2,000 yuan.
Employment is also a key lever of normalized assistance. Jianshi County, Hubei Province, has turned "order-based" training into a new channel for increasing the income of farmers relocated from inhospitable areas. Hu Changhui, a villager of Yandangshan Village, through training, has become a skilled bamboo-weaving artisan and now earns more than 4,000 yuan per month. Since the beginning of this year, Jianshi County has trained nearly 1,000 people from the population that has been lifted out of poverty, of whom more than 500 have obtained vocational skill level certificates.
This year, the central government has arranged 177 billion yuan in normalized assistance funds, with priority support for industrial assistance, employment assistance, and development-oriented assistance in underdeveloped regions. Over the past five years, all 832 counties that have been lifted out of poverty have cultivated and formed two to three leading industries with prominent distinctive advantages and strong driving capacity, and the scale of employment of the labor force that has been lifted out of poverty has remained stable at more than 30 million people for five consecutive years.
Pool collective strength, continue the struggle to paint a new picture.
In April this year, the working conference on advancing normalized assistance to continuously consolidate and expand the achievements of the battle against poverty proposed incorporating normalized assistance into the overall implementation of the rural revitalization strategy, keeping pace with the times (与时俱进, yu shi ju jin - "with, time, go forward") in improving policies, and strengthening coordination and cooperation. Eight eastern provinces (municipalities) and ten western provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) signed 2026 collaboration agreements.
At present, approximately 192,000 first secretaries stationed in villages and 330,000 village working team members nationwide are rooted at the grassroots level serving agriculture, rural areas, and farmers.
The "Ten-Thousand Enterprises Revitalizing Ten-Thousand Villages" initiative achieved notable results during the transition period. In the stage of normalized assistance, it is necessary to coordinate and link up various assistance mechanisms, guide private enterprises to strengthen technological empowerment, promote green development transformation, cultivate distinctive agricultural product brands, and expand rural characteristic industries.
Establishing more than 20 standardized planting bases in core raw material production areas and signing guaranteed minimum purchase agreements; providing technical training for cooperative farmers and promoting the transformation of traditional planting toward smart agriculture... Mixue Bingcheng's industrial practice of helping farmers is a vivid embodiment of private enterprises responding to the philosophy of the "Ten-Thousand Enterprises Revitalizing Ten-Thousand Villages" initiative. Tang Yan, a villager of Jiaotong Village, Maojia Town, Anyue County, Sichuan Province, has signed a guaranteed minimum purchase agreement for her lemon orchard with Mixue Bingcheng. During the slack farming season, Tang Yan and her husband work at the enterprise's processing plant doing piece-rate work such as sorting and packing, earning additional income.
Following the direction charted by General Secretary Xi Jinping, all regions and departments are incorporating normalized assistance into the overall implementation of the rural revitalization strategy, firmly holding the bottom line of preventing large-scale relapse into poverty or new impoverishment, promoting increased agricultural efficiency, increased rural vitality, and increased farmer income, and continuously unfolding a new picture of comprehensive rural revitalization across the vast countryside.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 禹伟良 范昊天
In the golden autumn of October, a thin mist hangs over the Dabie Mountains. Entering the Yingshan Park of the Long March National Cultural Park, located in Taojiahe Township, Yingshan County, Huanggang City, Hubei Province, a red tourism road links together the Assembly Square, the former site of the headquarters of the 25th Red Army, and the Niubeiji Battle Memorial Site. More than 90 years ago, this was the assembly point of the 25th Red Army before it set out on the Long March.
Thanks to this road, Liu Xue'an, a villager of Yintaizhai Village, has been able to sell the Chinese medicinal herbs he grows to other places, with a net income of more than 100,000 yuan last year.
In November 2024, during his inspection tour in Hubei, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Consolidate and expand the achievements of the battle against poverty, and accelerate the revitalization and development of the old revolutionary base areas."
Bearing in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping's earnest instructions, the broad masses of cadres and the people of Hubei have turned the great spirit of the Long March into a powerful driving force for work and entrepreneurship, continuously writing new answers for the comprehensive revitalization of the countryside in the old revolutionary base areas.
Distinctive industries strengthen the foundation——
Climbing Niubeijigu Mountain, nearly 1,000 meters above sea level, the trenches, machine-gun positions, and other relics left by the Red Army's fighting are still faintly visible (依稀可见, yiyi kejian - "vaguely, can be seen"). At the foot of the mountain in Taojiahe Township, the roar of machinery resounds from the Chinese medicinal herb workshops.
Inside the Chinese medicinal herb assistance workshop of Huaiyin Family Farm, more than 10 pieces of processing equipment are operating in an orderly manner. "Fresh Poria cocos are harvested from the fields and, after standardized processes such as sorting and drying, are processed into Poria cocos cubes, which can be sold for considerably more money," introduced An Xiaode, the person in charge of the farm. In the first half of this year, orders for 200 tons of targeted procurement have already been received.
"The Chinese medicinal herbs that the local people once used to treat the wounds of the Red Army are now our pillar industry," introduced Yu Jianxin, deputy township head of Taojiahe Township. With the province's first Long March National Cultural Park completed and opened in Taojiahe in November 2023, infrastructure conditions have continuously improved, and the industry has also been upgraded. At present, the township's Chinese medicinal herb planting area is stable at 12,000 mu, the number of deep-processing enterprises for Chinese medicinal herbs has reached 4, and the annual comprehensive income is nearly 200 million yuan.
During the era of revolutionary warfare, when materials were scarce, the Hong'an sweet potato, which is tolerant of barren soil and easy to grow, became an important ration for the Red Army officers and soldiers in holding the Soviet areas and carrying out the Long March. In recent years, Hong'an County, Huanggang City, has taken the Hong'an sweet potato as an advantageous and distinctive industry. Through the layout of standardized planting, deep processing, and other measures, the county has gathered 37 processing enterprises, with a total processing output value exceeding 3 billion yuan.
Improved transportation breeds new opportunities——
Following the footsteps of the 25th Red Army westward, one arrives at Wangjiaping Village, Chengguan Town, Yunxi County, Shiyan City. Inside the Memorial Park of the Hubei-Henan-Shaanxi Revolutionary Base Area, tourists are watching the immersive digital drama Red Yunxi. The 360-degree ring screen, together with the rotating auditorium, fully recreates the magnificent course of the 25th Red Army's campaigns in Yunxi and the founding of the revolutionary base area.
"In the past, understanding red history mostly relied on books and exhibits. This immersive digital drama seems to take us into those years of beacon-fire warfare," said Mao Jun, a tourist from Shangluo, Shaanxi.
On June 30 this year, the Xi'an-Shiyan high-speed railway was officially opened to traffic, and Yunxi, a small county located deep in the Qinba Mountain area, completely bid farewell to its history of having no high-speed rail. Zhou Shaowu, a villager of Wangjiaping Village, opened a farmhouse restaurant near the memorial park. "Not long after the high-speed railway opened, the growth in business turnover became very obvious."
While upgrading its tourism supporting facilities, Yunxi County, together with Danfeng County in Shaanxi and Lushi County in Henan, jointly released high-quality red tourism routes for the Hubei-Henan-Shaanxi region; it also carried out the "Hundred Alliances (Counties), Thousand Groups, Ten Thousand People Tour Yunxi" campaign to attract visitors to Yunxi, focusing on promoting red tourism themed routes to provincial capital cities such as Xi'an in Shaanxi and Wuhan in Hubei.
Environmental improvement reveals a new look——
Among the mountains of southwestern Hubei, the waters of the Tangya River flow quietly. In Zenggou Village, Chaoyangsi Town, Xianfeng County, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, a monument stands at the ferry crossing. "On January 1, 1936, after completing the task of covering the main forces of the 2nd and 6th Red Army Corps in breaking through the encirclement, the 18th Red Division made its way to Xianfeng and launched the breakout battle of forcing the crossing of the Tangya River here..." He Yuanyi, a 33-year-old boatman, told the story of the Red Army to the passengers on board while rowing. For more than 20 years, three generations of He Yuanyi's family have taken turns ferrying people across the river here.
In the past, the environment on both banks of the Tangya River was poor. In 2022, Zenggou Village was listed as a pilot village for the national construction of beautiful red villages. Taking this as an opportunity, the village launched a tough battle for the improvement of the human settlement environment. "Fully giving play to the exemplary role of Party members and cadres, and implementing projects such as the restoration of red heritage sites, the hardening of main roads, and the treatment of river channels, the village has taken on a completely new look," said Li Guanying, secretary of the Party branch of Zenggou Village.
In today's Zenggou Village, a suspension bridge connects the two banks of the Tangya River, dwellings on both sides of the highway are arranged in a pleasing patchwork, and the fragrance of fruit wafts from the thousand-mu white pomelo orchard. "Many tourists from other places come here to check in out of admiration. I want to tell everyone who crosses the river well the story of the Red Army's river crossing and the changes in the mountain village," said He Yuanyi.
In the new era, the old revolutionary base areas of Hubei are blazing a path of revitalization led by red resources, green development, and common prosperity.
Return to TopBy: 任 平
(1)
Culture is the soul of a country and a nation. Cultural subjectivity is the original and iconic concept of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture.
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "For any culture to stand firm and go far, to have leading power, cohesive power, shaping power, and radiating power, it must have its own subjectivity."
In the golden autumn of 2023, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture was formally put forward, raising high the cultural banner of our Party on the new journey.
In August 2026, Volumes I and II of the Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Culture were published and distributed, providing authoritative study materials for Party members, cadres, and the masses to study and understand Xi Jinping Thought on Culture in depth.
Understanding the past to guide the future (知所从来，明所将往, zhi suo cong lai, ming suo jiang wang - "know what came before, understand what is to come").
In July 2005, Comrade Xi Jinping, then Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee, delivered a report at a plenary session of the Provincial Party Committee, deploying the implementation of the "Eight Projects" for building a culturally strong province.
Carrying forward the "dawn of civilization" of the Liangzhu site and stirring the cultural vitality of the land of Zhejiang, the "Eight Projects" have radiated the contemporary brilliance of Chinese culture.
While working in Zhengding, Hebei, he proposed revitalizing the county through culture and tourism; while working in Fuzhou, Fujian, he established a "Four Ones" mechanism for cultural relic protection...
With governance at the local level as an important starting point, coming from more than 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and from practice on the land of China, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture has led Chinese civilization to display a myriad of splendor in the new era and guided hundreds of millions of people to create a new form of human civilization.
"To uphold the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation, and to protect, promote, and develop well the treasures of Chinese civilization that have been passed down through having experienced many hardships and changes (历经沧桑, li jing cang sang - "go through, many, vicissitudes"), is the historical responsibility and sacred mission of contemporary Chinese Communists."
Grasping our cultural subjectivity from the four perspectives of ideological leadership, economic development, political construction, and social governance allows us to more deeply appreciate that: Chinese modernization has consolidated the Chinese nation's subjective spirit in culture, and Chinese cultural subjectivity constitutes the cultural core of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
(2)
From the perspective of ideological leadership, thought is the foundation of culture. Cultural development cannot be separated from the navigation of thought.
Walking our own path is the foothold of all the Party's theories and practices, and the cornerstone of consolidating and upholding cultural subjectivity.
From last year's publication of Volume I of the Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Economy, Volume I of the Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Ecological Civilization, Volume V of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, and Volume I of the Selected Works of Xi Jinping on the Rule of Law; to this year's publication of Volumes I and II of the Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Diplomacy, Volumes I and II of the Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Party Building, and Volumes I and II of the Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Culture... The wave of study thus set off has become a dazzling annual cultural event.
Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the most powerful embodiment of the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation, and the essence of the era of Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit.
With theoretical confidence, we consolidate cultural confidence; with theoretical initiative, we grasp historical initiative.
Promoting high-quality development, we are more self-reliant. From advancing self-reliance and strength in science and technology to building an independent knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences, our country's development has ample confidence, great potential, and many advantages.
Striding forward in Chinese modernization, guided by the theory of Chinese modernization, we are more confident. Adhering to walking our own path, the Chinese people have created a completely new model of modernization, breaking the myth of "modernization = Westernization."
Committed to the great cause of rejuvenation, we are more self-strengthening. Since modern times, the nation has suffered humiliation, the people have suffered hardship, and civilization has been sullied, with cultural subjectivity encountering an unprecedented and profound crisis. Today, the ambition, backbone, and confidence of the Chinese people have been unprecedentedly strengthened, firmly holding their destiny in their own hands.
With cultural subjectivity, "cultural confidence has a fundamental support, and the Communist Party of China has a powerful cultural force to lead the times."
From discarding the old to establish the new (革故鼎新, ge gu ding xin - "change, old, tripod, new") to deepening reform;
From harmony between humanity and nature (天人合一, tian ren he yi - "heaven, man, combine, one") to "harmonious coexistence";
From "the people are the foundation of the state" to "the people are the country";
From "harmonizing all nations" to building a community with a shared future for mankind...
Adhering to the Two Integrations, the Party's innovative theories in the new era have further activated the genes of Chinese civilization and deepened the foundation of using literature to convey moral principles (文以载道, wen yi zai dao - "writing, with, carry, way/truth").
The "Two Mountains" concept has become the consensus and action of the whole Party and society, the spirit of the Central Committee's Eight-Point Regulation has become customary practice, and the new era's culture of integrity has taken deep root in people's hearts...
Loved, recognized, and possessed by the people, the Party's innovative theories in the new era have a profound mass foundation.
Continuing the thousand-year cultural lineage, cultural subjectivity is deeply ingrained (根深蒂固, gen shen di gu - "root, deep, base, solid"); benefiting hundreds of millions of people, cultural subjectivity is flourishing and prosperous (枝繁叶茂, zhi fan ye mao - "branch, luxuriant, leaf, lush").
(3)
From the perspective of economic development, culture can empower comprehensively. Cultural soft power strengthens new quality productive forces and expands the depth and breadth of Chinese modernization.
Chinese modernization requires both the great enrichment of material wealth and the great enrichment of spiritual wealth, and confidence and self-strengthening in ideology and culture.
While working in Zhejiang, he creatively put forward and profoundly elaborated on the concept of "cultural economy" and the incisive thesis of the "Four Consistencies" of cultural products;
While working in Shanghai, he clearly pointed out that "the power of culture should be integrated into economic development."
General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to the integrated development of culture and economy, and in the new era put forward the major proposition of "humanistic economics."
Cultural and economic thought are interconnected, culture and economy interact and blend, nourishing a China full of vitality.
In July this year, the "Jingdezhen Handmade Porcelain Industry Heritage" was successfully inscribed on the World Heritage List.
In 2025, the total output value of Jingdezhen's ceramics industry historically surpassed the 100 billion yuan mark, with advanced ceramics accounting for 34%.
The kiln fire never dies, passing on the torch of knowledge or tradition (薪火相传, xin huo xiang chuan - "firewood, fire, mutually, pass on"), supporting urban development and driving industrial prosperity.
The Beijing Central Axis, where historical remains and contemporary charm intermingled and shining together beautifully (错落辉映, cuo luo hui ying - "scattered, falling, shine, reflect"); Pingjiang Road in Suzhou, Jiangsu, weaving a "double-sided embroidery" of economic prosperity and cultural flourishing...
Integrating inheritance and development, connecting tradition and modernity, linking culture and economy, when economic volume carries more cultural content, development enters a higher level, a higher standard, and a higher dimension.
"The essence of the 'cultural economy' lies in the integrated development of culture and economy, and in the final analysis, it must highlight the character 'human.'"
Utilize cultural advantages, strengthen cultural confidence, and boost economic and social development.
During his inspection in Anhui, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized "deeply excavating and utilizing the educational function and tourism value of red cultural resources"; during his inspection of the ancient city of Lijiang in Yunnan, he pointed out that "the integration of culture and tourism has promoted economic development, and the cultural tourism industry must take a sustainable and healthy development path."
"Small city roaming," "culture + technology," "landscape + culture," "cultural tourism + all industries"... Prosperous with fireworks, gathering popularity, and promoting consumption, in the new era of China, humanistic spirit and cultural power are fully integrated into economic and social development.
Every step of Chinese modernization advancing on the land of China will be a new step of the Chinese nation's new life or destiny for an old nation (旧邦新命, jiu bang xin ming - "old, state, new, mandate") and of Chinese civilization regaining its glory.
(4)
From the perspective of political construction, culture provides deep soil. By enriching the foundation of political construction with culture, Chinese-style democracy is the most extensive, most genuine, and most effective.
Casting the soul with culture and educating people with culture, in the final analysis, must highlight the subjectivity of the people and stimulate people's creativity.
"All governing activities of the Communist Party of China and all governance activities of the People's Republic of China must respect the principal position of the people."
In August this year, the Ecological Environment Code was formally implemented. As a grassroots legislative contact point, Shanghai's Hongqiao Subdistrict held six legislative opinion solicitation meetings for the compilation of this code, collecting more than 600 opinions and suggestions in total.
Voices from the grassroots reaching the national legislative body directly is a vivid interpretation of the organic combination of top-level design and seeking advice from the people.
The "15th Five-Year Plan" extensively solicited opinions and suggestions, and hundreds of millions of people pooled their wisdom and strength for "their own cause" in the practice of whole-process people's democracy.
From the "bean voting" in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region, to the democratic deliberation meetings in Wenling, Zhejiang, to whole-process people's democracy in Shanghai's Hongqiao Subdistrict...
Chinese-style democracy originates from the excellent traditional Chinese culture, and upholding the principal position of the people is its value foundation.
Martin Jacques, a well-known British scholar, believes that consultation is a very important component of Chinese-style democracy.
The "clothesline dispute" reached consensus through several "bench meetings," and "everyone's deliberation hall," "three teachers and three consultants," and other mechanisms gathered residents' "golden ideas"... Shanghai insists on asking the people about their needs, seeking advice from the people, and evaluating results by the people, winning the battle against the "chamber pot" problem.
"When there is a matter, it is good to discuss it; the affairs of the many should be discussed by the many, and finding the greatest common divisor of the will and demands of the whole society is the true meaning of people's democracy."
The subject of modernization is the people, and the ultimate goal of modernization is to realize the free and comprehensive development of the people.
"Culture is 'humanization.'" People are the creators of culture, the products of culture, and the ultimate destination of culture.
(5)
From the perspective of social governance, culture consolidates the power of co-governance. The people are the subjects of social governance, and "educating people with culture" opens a new realm of China's governance.
A large country with a population of more than one billion, in the time-space compression of "completing in a few decades what took centuries," has created the world-renowned "two miracles," profoundly demonstrating that "our modernization is both the most difficult and the greatest."
Compared with the ways in which some Western developed countries historically shifted crises outward and expanded through plunder, how has China resolved the contradictions and difficulties brought by the process of modernization on its own?
Law brings peace to the world, virtue nourishes people's hearts.
"Contradictions among the people should be resolved through mediation." With a population of more than 1.4 billion, our national conditions determine that we cannot become a "litigious nation."
Foreign media have noted that a safe China is releasing in all dimensions the multiple attractions of tourism experience, investment and business, and a reference for global governance, becoming an "oasis of certainty" in a turbulent world.
Behind the "Chinese-style sense of security" is precisely the power of culture that nourishes things silently.
"Modesty, humility, and harmony as the most precious are all virtues of the Chinese nation, already integrated into the genes of the Chinese people. Wherever we go, we consciously pass on this spirit." In October 2024, General Secretary Xi Jinping walked into the Liuchi Alley in Tongcheng, Anhui, drawing on the past to illuminate the present.
Adhering to and developing the Fengqiao model in the new era, applying the cultural essence contained in the "Liuchi Alley" allusion to the resolution of conflicts and disputes, and innovatively launching the "Liuchi Alley Mediation Method," Anqing, Anhui has achieved a success rate of 99.1% in mediating conflicts and disputes in recent years.
Harmony as the most precious, harmony brings wealth, harmony generates all things... Integrating the culture of "harmony" with the concept of harmonious justice and combining it with the reality of social governance, the people's sense of security and satisfaction has steadily improved, and "peace" has become a prominent hallmark of "China's governance."
"Make coordinated efforts in developing advanced socialist culture, promoting revolutionary culture, and inheriting the excellent traditional Chinese culture, and lay a solid cultural foundation for social governance."
From Party and government organs taking the lead in practicing thrift and opposing waste, to vigorously cultivating a new era's culture of integrity, uniting people's hearts and leading social trends with a fine Party conduct, and guiding people upward and toward goodness with advanced culture, the cultural source of social governance has become more abundant.
Carrying on the currents of a hundred generations, responding to the changes of today.
Studying and understanding Xi Jinping Thought on Culture in depth, consolidating and upholding cultural subjectivity, and invigorating the spirit of initiative in thought and culture, the Chinese cultural lineage is sure to continue and extend, the Chinese path will grow ever broader, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable!
Return to TopTheory: Scientifically Grasping the Major Practical Significance of the "Second Integration"
Ninth Edition
Return to Top(People's Daily, Beijing, October 8) (Reporter Ge Mengchao) The RMB exchange rate, as an important price in the financial market, has long been drawing widespread attention (备受关注, bei shou guan zhu - "endure, receive, attention"). The People's Bank of China released on October 8 the "Policy Stance of the People's Bank of China on the RMB Exchange Rate," systematically clarifying its policy stance on the RMB exchange rate.
The People's Bank of China stated that China implements a managed floating exchange rate system based on market supply and demand, with adjustment referenced to a basket of currencies, and adheres to letting the market play a decisive role in exchange rate formation.
China's exchange rate system has the following characteristics: first, it adheres to letting the market play a decisive role in exchange rate formation; second, it focuses on preventing large short-term fluctuations in the exchange rate, especially short-term sharp depreciation, from affecting financial stability; third, it continuously enhances the transparency of exchange rate policy.
The People's Bank of China stated that over the past more than 20 years, the RMB exchange rate has fluctuated in both directions; since 2010, the RMB exchange rate has experienced multiple cycles of appreciation and depreciation, with the two-way fluctuation feature becoming more pronounced and flexibility increasing.
Since the 2005 exchange rate reform, the RMB exchange rate has fluctuated in both directions and has generally remained strong among major international currencies. After 2010, the RMB exchange rate has alternated between appreciation and depreciation cycles, with the two-way fluctuation feature becoming more pronounced and exchange rate flexibility significantly enhanced. Since 2025, the RMB exchange rate has fluctuated in both directions and appreciated in an orderly manner. Looking ahead, the factors affecting the RMB exchange rate are relatively diverse, with factors driving both appreciation and depreciation present, and the direction of the exchange rate still carries uncertainty.
The People's Bank of China stated that China's trade development is rooted in the enhancement of the international competitiveness of its industries. China has no need, and no intention, to gain a trade competitive advantage through exchange rate depreciation, and has never engaged in competitive currency devaluation.
In the past, multiple rounds of RMB appreciation did not affect China's trade development, and during depreciation periods, China's export share did not increase faster either. An important structural change in China's trade in recent years is that its sensitivity to exchange rate changes has declined significantly. China is a responsible major country. Through multiple rounds of high-intensity external shocks in the past, it has never engaged in competitive currency devaluation, and has never taken advantage of the situation to push for RMB depreciation to promote exports. The global foreign exchange market has an enormous trading volume, making it very difficult to persistently intervene and influence the foreign exchange market.
The People's Bank of China stated that the exchange rate is affected by multiple factors such as economic growth, monetary policy, financial markets, geopolitics, and sudden risk events, and there is no simple linear relationship between it and the current account.
The People's Bank of China stated that global economic imbalances are closely related to the evolution of the global division of labor pattern, the inherent contradictions of the international monetary system, and the long-term high fiscal deficits and high consumption of some countries, and require the joint efforts of all parties to resolve. Simply attributing the decline in one's own industrial competitiveness, the weakening of fiscal and financial constraints, and complex structural problems to the exchange rates of other countries is a shirking and evasion of one's own adjustment responsibilities.
Major industrial countries in history have all experienced current account surpluses. In recent decades, the world's major surplus countries have continuously rotated, while the major deficit countries have remained unchanged, which is related to the inherent contradictions of the international monetary system. The decline in trade competitiveness of some countries reflects their own structural difficulties. All countries should promote their own structural reforms. Deficit countries should embark on fiscal consolidation and raise their own savings rates and industrial competitiveness; surplus countries should promote consumption and investment growth.
The People's Bank of China stated that China has made positive contributions to multiple rounds of dynamic balance in the global economy. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, it will adhere to promoting the transformation of the economic growth model, expanding domestic demand, improving the business environment, deepening high-level opening up, and promoting the development of the global economy in a more open, inclusive, and balanced direction.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 吴齐强 王云娜
"At the foot of Luofu Mountain, spring lasts all four seasons." Driving northeast from Guangzhou, Guangdong, one passes through lush vegetation and elegant bamboo groves (茂林修竹, mao lin xiu zhu - "luxuriant forests, elegant bamboos"), surrounded by mountains and rivers (山环水绕, shan huan shui rao - "mountains, surround; water, wind around"), breathing fresh air, until arriving at Zhongxin Village, Mazha Township, Longmen County, Huizhou City. Beneath the thousand-year-old banyan tree, tourists, motorcycle enthusiasts, and villagers selling mountain produce gather together, while Zhang Shizhong, a young entrepreneur who returned to his hometown, cheerfully invites everyone to enjoy free flower tea.
"In the past, the mountains were isolated—specialty products couldn't get out, tourists couldn't get in, so I had no choice but to go out to work..." Zhang Shizhong said that since the tourist highway opened, he has been selling local specialties and running a wonton shop at his doorstep, earning over 10,000 yuan a month.
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping has inspected Guangdong on multiple occasions, pointing out: "Imbalanced development between urban and rural areas and among regions is the biggest shortcoming of Guangdong's high-quality development. Efforts must be made to address the urban-rural dual structure problem, with greater intensity, more precise measures, and sustained, long-term effort." "Improve the institutional mechanisms for coordinated regional development and integrated urban-rural development, improve the basic public service institutional system, and solidly advance common prosperity."
To thoroughly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions, at the end of 2022, Guangdong launched the "High-Quality Development Project for a Hundred Counties, a Thousand Towns, and Ten Thousand Villages" (hereinafter referred to as the "Hundred-Thousand-Ten-Thousand Project"), and in 2024 planned the construction of the Nankunshan–Luofushan Ring County-Town-Village High-Quality Development Demonstration Zone. Relying on its mountain and water resources, Huizhou has built a 218-kilometer tourist highway, linking with Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, to promote coordinated development between urban and rural areas and among regions.
This road depicts a development vision of urban-rural integration.
By renovating and integrating existing national highways, provincial roads, and county roads, and paving them with asphalt; dredging river channels and planting trees along the route to create lush, layered, and well-distributed vegetation (层林错落, ceng lin cuo luo - "layered, forests, scattered, fall") landscapes... after more than eight months of intensive work, the tourist highway opened in June 2025, linking Luofu Mountain at one end and embracing Nankun Mountain at the other, connecting 9 towns, 54 villages, and more than 200 scenic spots in Longmen County and Boluo County.
With the opening of the highway, cycling, motorcycle, and other sporting events have been held continuously and uninterruptedly (接连不断, jie lian bu duan - "connect, continue, not, break"), driving cultural tourism consumption to rise steadily. Visitor numbers at Zhongxin Village have grown significantly, with weekend foot traffic reaching over 10,000, driving employment for more than 60 people nearby. Last year, the village's collective operating income reached 725,700 yuan, more than three times that of 2024.
This road embodies a profound cultural heritage.
"If I could eat three hundred lychees a day, I would gladly remain a man of Lingnan forever." When Su Dongpo lived in Huizhou, he left behind many widely known and praised by the public (脍炙人口, kuai zhi ren kou - "delicious, roast, people, mouth") immortal verses. Relying on villages along the route, the local government has built 16 rest stops for tourists to play, rest, and stay overnight, each named after one of the "Sixteen Joys of Dongpo," turning a thousand years of refined elegance into experiential cultural tourism scenes.
As the Thousand-Year-Old Banyan Rest Stop, Zhongxin Village closely follows the joyful theme of "strumming the zither, awaiting a knowing listener," laying out new business formats such as a granary bookstore, a literary maze, and a Dongpo teahouse, to build a "Banyan Literary Village."
Deeply cultivating red resources and telling red stories well. The East River Column of the Guangdong People's Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Force once moved its leading organs into Luofu Mountain, and the rugged mountain paths they traversed in those years of mobile warfare have become part of the tourist highway. The East River Column Memorial Hall stands quietly on Luofu Mountain, and many tourists make special visits to look back on those years of beacon-fire warfare.
Yan Shaojin, a tourist from Shenzhen, walked into the East River Column Memorial Hall with her son in elementary school. The precious historical photographs and restored scenes one after another deeply moved the mother and son: "It's not just about seeing the scenery—you can truly touch revolutionary history. It was worth the trip!"
This road holds the economic code for prospering industry and enriching the people.
Traveling between Nankun Mountain and Luofu Mountain, one sees endless green mountains overhead and hears the murmur of flowing streams at one's ears. As the mountain breeze gently sweeps by, one's nose is filled with the fragrance of grass and trees.
In Changtan Village, Longmen County, state-owned enterprises take the lead, social capital is invested, and together they have built themed guesthouses featuring Hakka, Nanyang, and other styles, complete with a stage square that can accommodate more than 500 people, attracting numerous tourists.
Huizhou City has introduced guesthouse brands and built 5 distinctive rest stops. "The mountain air is so good here—this is my third visit..." At the Guoyun Mountain Residence guesthouse beside Xiangang Reservoir in Boluo County, tourist Ms. Li from Guangzhou said happily in the setting sun.
In 2025, the collective operating income of all 1,043 villages in Huizhou City exceeded 200,000 yuan each, and the per capita disposable income of rural residents grew by 5.9%. During this year's National Day holiday, the Huizhou county areas of the Nankunshan–Luofushan Ring County-Town-Village High-Quality Development Demonstration Zone received more than 1.215 million tourist visits, a year-on-year average daily increase of 12.61%.
Keeping in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping's earnest and heartfelt instructions (殷殷嘱托, yin yin zhu tuo - "earnest, earnest, entrust") on coordinated development between urban and rural areas and among regions, Huizhou is continuing its efforts on the basis of the initial results achieved in the first three years of the Hundred-Thousand-Ten-Thousand Project, striving to deliver a new answer sheet.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 曲哲涵
Issuing local government special-purpose bonds (hereinafter referred to as "special-purpose bonds") is an important lever for implementing a more proactive fiscal policy. Making good use of bond funds can provide strong financial support for expanding domestic demand, shoring up development shortcomings, and improving people's wellbeing. In recent years, the scale of special-purpose bond issuance has remained at a relatively high level. How can the efficiency of fund utilization be continuously improved to better serve economic development and the improvement of people's livelihoods? Reporters learned through interviews that relevant departments are making sustained efforts in four areas.
Seize timeliness
Accelerate the pace of bond fund issuance and utilization
In the golden autumn season, construction on the Shenzhen-Nanning High-Speed Railway section from the Pearl River Delta Hub Airport to the provincial border is in full swing, with girder erection, track laying, and other works advancing rapidly as the construction team races toward its annual targets. The Shenzhen-Nanning High-Speed Railway has a total length of approximately 661 kilometers and is planned to be ready for operation by the end of 2027, at which point the fastest rail travel time between Shenzhen in Guangdong and Nanning in Guangxi will be shortened from more than 3.5 hours to around 2.5 hours. As one of the first batch of pilot provinces for "self-review and self-issuance," Guangdong Province issued 335 billion yuan in new special-purpose bonds in the first half of 2026, ranking among the top in the country in issuance scale. Bond funds follow projects, helping a number of major projects accelerate construction and form physical workload as early as possible.
According to budget arrangements, the national new local government special-purpose debt quota for 2026 is 4.4 trillion yuan, unchanged from the previous year. In the first half of the year, the country issued 2.07 trillion yuan in new special-purpose bonds, completing 47% of the annual quota. Funds were mainly directed to municipal and industrial park infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, urban renewal, social undertakings, and other fields.
In fund utilization, timeliness is paramount. In the first half of the year, the pace of special-purpose bond issuance slowed slightly compared with the same period last year. How can speed and efficiency be further improved?
On the one hand, continue to optimize the review and management mechanism for special-purpose bond projects. At present, 14 provinces and cities are carrying out pilot programs for "self-review and self-issuance" of special-purpose bond projects; non-pilot regions have opened a "green channel" for continuing issuance of special-purpose bonds for projects already under construction, granting local governments greater autonomy.
On the other hand, layer by layer, consolidate management responsibilities. The Ministry of Finance reports on the progress of special-purpose bond issuance, allocation, and expenditure in all localities on a ten-day basis, issues warnings to regions lagging behind in progress, and links fund utilization performance to the allocation of new special-purpose bond quotas for the following year, urging competent departments and project units to accelerate the landing of funds.
In the third quarter, the issuance and utilization of special-purpose bonds accelerated. As of September 20, the country had issued 3.1 trillion yuan in new special-purpose bonds, completing 70% of the annual quota; most of the new quota for the year has already been issued or has entered the issuance process. The timely landing of special-purpose bond funds has effectively promoted the commencement of major projects in various localities, playing a role in stabilizing growth and promoting investment.
Emphasize quality and efficiency
Improve the quality of special-purpose bond projects
In Hunan, special-purpose bond projects must pass "three checkpoints" before entering the project pool: the development and reform department reviews authenticity, verifying whether the negative list has been touched, whether the feasibility study and budget estimate have been approved, and whether the investment arrangement is reasonable; the finance department reviews balance, assessing whether project financing income can achieve self-balance, whether ex-ante performance evaluation standards are met, and whether quota applications are inflated; the project competent department reviews reasonableness, verifying whether construction content and revenue projections are consistent.
In the first batch of 1,127 special-purpose bond projects entering the provincial project pool in 2026, the "three checkpoints" requirements were implemented at the source, with priority given to selecting projects already under construction or with mature preliminary work for issuance arrangements, ensuring that physical workload is formed as soon as possible after funds are in place.
For pilot regions of "self-review and self-issuance," the Ministry of Finance is guiding newly included pilot provinces to formulate implementation plans, clarifying responsibilities across the entire chain of project screening, fund utilization, and supervision and debt repayment, consolidating the primary responsibility of competent departments and project units, strengthening review of project compliance, preliminary conditions, and financing-income balance, pooling work efforts, and improving the quality of project reserves. As of September 20, pilot regions for "self-review and self-issuance" nationwide had issued 2.4 trillion yuan in new special-purpose bonds, accounting for 77% of total national issuance.
For non-pilot regions, the Ministry of Finance requires all localities to solidly reserve major projects that shore up shortcomings and benefit people's livelihoods, to do solid preliminary work on projects, to implement all prerequisite requirements in accordance with laws and regulations, and to ensure that special-purpose bond funds land precisely.
"The Ministry of Finance, together with the National Development and Reform Commission, has established a project application and review mechanism of 'regular application and quarterly review,' relying on the two departments' information systems to achieve regular project reporting. Localities can dynamically adjust and optimize their special-purpose bond project pools and continuously improve project quality," said a relevant official of the Ministry of Finance.
Increase effectiveness
Better leverage social capital to stabilize investment and the economy
In the first batch of special-purpose bond issuance in Liaoning in 2026, there were 14 projects using special-purpose bonds as capital, accounting for more than one-quarter of the total, and a number of "bond-loan combination" projects were implemented simultaneously, with supporting bank loans and other market-based financing exceeding 20 billion yuan.
In 2026, special-purpose bonds will continue to play a role in replenishing project capital and leveraging social capital.
At present, the scope of using special-purpose bonds as capital continues to implement the "positive list" management system, with the list covering 22 fields including railways, toll roads, water conservancy, urban renewal, and new infrastructure; calculated on a provincial basis, the upper limit for the scale of special-purpose bonds used as project capital is 30% of the province's special-purpose bond quota for project construction.
Ministry of Finance data show that in the first half of 2026, more than 170 billion yuan of new special-purpose bonds nationwide was used as project capital, giving play to the leveraging effect of government investment in leveraging a small amount of force to achieve a massive effect (四两拨千斤, si liang bo qian jin - "four ounces push a thousand jin").
Ask about performance
Strengthen whole-process supervision of bond fund utilization
Audit and supervision have found that some prominent problems still exist in the management and utilization of special-purpose bonds: some projects have insufficient preliminary feasibility studies and become idle after completion, with revenues falling short of expectations; some regions report large projects but build small ones, or apply for quotas ahead of schedule, resulting in idle funds; a few localities illegally divert funds for non-bond projects or to cover fiscal gaps; and some regions, in order to cope with progress assessments, adopt the method of "substituting allocation for payment" to allocate funds ahead of schedule.
In response, finance departments have strengthened look-through supervision, promoting dedicated account management and dedicated use of special-purpose bond funds, strictly preventing misappropriation, interception, and diversion; requiring finance departments at all levels to include all special-purpose bond projects in information system management. At the same time, they are doing solid work on asset management of special-purpose bond projects to prevent risks such as new hidden debt arising from mortgaging project assets and loss of state-owned assets. They are continuously improving the special-purpose bond repayment mechanism, doing solid work on collection of project revenues, and ensuring the source of debt repayment funds.
"Finance departments adhere to the principle that 'borrowing must be subject to performance review, and ineffectiveness must be held accountable,' implementing whole-life-cycle performance management of special-purpose bond project funds. In response to problems such as idle funds and illegal use discovered through supervision, all localities are urged to establish problem ledgers item by item and to strictly implement rectification," said a relevant official of the Ministry of Finance.
Return to TopHaikou Customs released data on October 8, showing that during this year's National Day holiday, Haikou Customs supervised Hainan outlying-island duty-free shopping totaling 855 million yuan in value, 123,000 person-trips in visitor numbers, and 696,800 items in purchases. The photo shows consumers selecting goods at CDF Haikou International Duty-Free City on October 7.
Photo by Su Bikun (Image China)
Return to Top(People's Daily, Beijing, October 8) (Reporter Shen Shaotie) The "Implementation Plan for the Medical Rehabilitation and Nursing Capacity Expansion and Enhancement Project" recently issued by the National Health Commission (国家卫生健康委) and the National Development and Reform Commission (国家发展改革委) proposes striving to achieve, by 2030, approximately 0.48 rehabilitation and nursing beds per 1,000 population, with cities at the prefectural level and above that have larger populations, deeper aging, and greater demand for rehabilitation and nursing services establishing at least one public rehabilitation hospital and nursing home each; and reaching 0.7 rehabilitation physicians and 1.6 rehabilitation therapists per 10,000 population.
Centering on improving the medical rehabilitation and nursing service system, the plan proposes tasks such as perfecting the rehabilitation and nursing service network, strengthening the rehabilitation and nursing functions of medical and health institutions, and advancing the construction of rehabilitation and nursing capacity and conditions, and clarifies that the state will give priority support to cities at the prefectural level and above with a permanent urban population of 1 million or more in implementing the medical rehabilitation and nursing capacity expansion and enhancement project. By 2030, significant results will be achieved in the expansion and enhancement of medical rehabilitation and nursing capacity, and a service system that is fully functional, features coordinated action between different levels (上下联动, shang xia lian dong - "up, down, connect, link"), integrates traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and is efficient and accessible will be basically completed, better meeting the health needs of the entire population, in all aspects, and throughout the full life cycle.
According to the plan, during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, in principle, support will be given to the development of at least one key clinical specialty in rehabilitation or nursing in each province, with the development of provincial-level and city-level (at the prefectural level) key clinical specialties tilted toward the rehabilitation and nursing professions. Digital and intelligent empowerment of rehabilitation and nursing will be strengthened. Relying on the regional population health information platform, the sharing and exchange of rehabilitation and nursing information among medical and health institutions will be promoted, facilitating the digital and intelligent application of the entire rehabilitation and nursing process, from functional assessment, plan formulation, and rehabilitation training to effect follow-up.
Return to Top(People's Daily, Beijing, October 8) (Reporter Wang Guan) Value-added tax invoice data released by the State Taxation Administration on the 8th shows: during this year's National Day holiday, national service consumption was robust, with daily average sales revenue in related industries up 19.5% year-on-year. Consumption of certain goods performed well, with relatively high sales growth in household appliances, digital electronics, and kitchen and bathroom products.
Tourism consumption was vibrant and full of energy (活力迸发, huo li beng fa - "vitality, burst forth"). During the National Day holiday, sales revenue from tourism, sightseeing, and entertainment services increased 23.6% year-on-year, of which travel agency services and amusement parks grew 26.2% and 41.2% year-on-year, respectively. Diversified accommodation demand was released, with economy chain hotels and homestay services growing 6.3% and 12.8% year-on-year, respectively.
Catering consumption was robust. During the National Day holiday, sales revenue from catering services increased 9% year-on-year. Among this, snack food services grew 15.5% year-on-year, fast food services grew 30.6% year-on-year, and the rapid development of new-style tea drinks drove beverage and cold drink services to grow by more than double year-on-year.
Cultural, sports, and entertainment integration upgraded and refreshed in quality. During the National Day holiday, concerts, cultural performances, and folk activities were held in many places, driving sales revenue from cultural and arts services to increase 20.9% year-on-year, of which literary and artistic creation and performance services and mass cultural and sports activities grew 21% and 28.3% year-on-year, respectively. The traffic from events such as the China Open tennis tournament was converted into consumption growth, driving sales revenue from sports services to increase 29.4% year-on-year.
Sales of household appliances, digital electronics, and kitchen and bathroom products were outstanding. During the National Day holiday, affected by factors such as the disbursement of some consumer goods trade-in subsidy funds before the holiday, the concentrated launch of new digital products, and the concentrated release of household replacement demand during the holiday, sales revenue from household appliances and audio-visual equipment increased 40.1% year-on-year, of which retail sales of daily-use appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines grew 40.6% year-on-year, and retail sales of household audio-visual equipment such as televisions grew 36.6% year-on-year. Sales revenue from communication equipment such as mobile phones and wristbands increased 119.8% year-on-year. Retail sales of kitchenware and sanitary ware grew 52.3% year-on-year.
Self-pleasing consumption such as pets, fitness, and beauty and hair care grew relatively quickly. During the National Day holiday, sales revenue from residential pet services, fitness and leisure activities, and haircutting and beauty services increased 80.8%, 16.7%, and 37.1% year-on-year, respectively.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 刘军国
An autumn breeze swept by, green waves rolled, and the late rice was gradually filling and firming its grains. In Chenhuang Village, Yunlong Town, Yinzhou District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, Huang Jiake, a large-scale grain grower born in the 1990s, stood at the edge of the field. Half a month earlier, he had needed to spend each day concentrating with all one's attention (全神贯注, quan shen guan zhu - "entire, spirit, concentrate, focus") on his phone screen. "Farming used to be 'face to the yellow earth'; now it's also 'face to the screen,'" Huang Jiake said, pointing to a colorful map on his phone.
In 2022, Huang Jiake resigned from his corporate job and returned to his hometown to take over the several hundred mu of paddy fields his family had been managing through land transfer. From a cubicle to the fields, from an "office worker" to a "new farmer," this colorful map was precisely the key to his role transformation.
Accompanied by a buzzing sound, Huang Jiake piloted a multispectral drone skimming over the tops of the rice paddies.
"This is equivalent to giving the paddy fields a 'physical checkup' — which areas are growing weakly, which areas have excess nutrition, is all immediately obvious at a glance (一目了然, yi mu le ran - "one, eye, then, understand") on the map," Huang Jiake said. This is precisely the critical juncture for yield formation of the late rice; by past habit, at this time one would need to walk the fields frequently and watch the growth. Now there is no need to measure by foot — the drone can get the details of the fields perfectly clear and distinct (清清楚楚, qing qing chu chu - "clear, clear, clear, clear"), generating a digital "prescription" map.
What is a digital "prescription" map? The multispectral drone collects field data, and by capturing the spectral differences of rice leaves, calculates the crop's chlorophyll content and growth condition, automatically generating an NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) growth map. The software uses algorithms to convert the NDVI map into a "prescription" map that agricultural machinery can recognize. Blue color blocks indicate rice growing well with sufficient fertility, where fertilizer application can be appropriately reduced; cyan color blocks indicate average growth, where normal fertilization is applied; green color blocks mean the rice seedlings are weak and deficient in fertilizer, requiring increased application...
"Fertilizer deficiency affects the grain-filling rate, while over-fertilization causes excessive vegetative growth and increases the risk of false smut disease." Huang Jiake grew up watching his elders farm and knows well that in the past, manual fertilizer spreading meant applying a uniform amount to an entire field (一田一个量, yi tian yi ge liang - "one, field, one, single, amount"), grabbing handfuls based on experience — not only wasting agricultural inputs, but also easily causing uneven nutrition and affecting rice quality.
With the "prescription" map, fertilization has become a precise task of "filling a prescription" — applying variable rates of fertilizer according to rice growth, applying more where seedlings are weak, less where seedlings are vigorous, farming with precision.
After receiving the system's instructions, the variable-rate fertilizer applicator steadily entered the field for operation. This "smart" machine reads grid data as it moves: when it reaches a green-colored block where rice growth is weak, the machine automatically slows down and increases the fertilizer application rate; when it reaches a blue-colored block where rice growth is good, it passes lightly and reduces the discharge.
"Supply what is lacking, supply the amount that is short. Neither over-apply nor miss any." Huang Jiake said that this variable-rate fertilization model achieves a custom-made to suit specific needs (量身定制, liang shen ding zhi - "measure, body, tailor, make") "nutritional meal" for every plot of land.
Purchasing the smart agricultural machinery cost tens of thousands of yuan. Is this high-tech combination of "prescription map + variable-rate fertilization" really worth it? From "relying on experience" to "relying on data," the change first shows up in the accounts and in yields.
Huang Jiake did the math: by reducing ineffective fertilizer spreading, the comprehensive cost per mu can save about 100 yuan; because nutrient supply is balanced, empty and shriveled grains are effectively reduced and thousand-grain weight increases, adding about 50 jin per mu to the yield. "And people are more relaxed too, and time is saved," Huang Jiake said.
The Yinzhou District Agricultural Technology Extension Station has carried out trials and demonstrations locally, solid and down-to-earth (实打实, shi da shi - "real, hit, real") showing the effects of technology-based farming, so that more farmers can see with their own eyes the benefits of fertilizer savings, yield increases, and quality improvement, and gradually accept and adopt the new variable-rate fertilization technology. Huang Jiake has also launched agricultural machinery services, expanding from simply farming to providing technical training and after-sales machinery services to surrounding farmers.
As the gathering of twilight (暮色四合, mu se si he - "twilight, color, four, surround") set in, the warehouse that once held piles of hoes and straw hats now neatly stores all kinds of smart agricultural machinery. "Technology has made me understand the land better — just as our elders understood the solar terms and read the weather from the clouds, our generation uses data to safeguard food security," Huang Jiake said.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 焦 翔 沈小晓
Recently, the "World Dialogue on Chinese Studies · Arab Countries Session" and the 2026 Global South Modernization Forum were successively held in Egypt. Participants engaged in in-depth dialogue on governance, South-South cooperation, and scientific and technological innovation, enhancing understanding through the exchange of ideas and promoting development through knowledge cooperation. All agreed that China and Egypt, two ancient civilizations moving toward each other across the Asian and African continents, once again prove that different civilizations can completely break free from the logic of confrontation, stand side by side in pursuing the dream of rejuvenation, and work together to achieve achieving common prosperity through mutual appreciation of different beauties (美美与共, mei mei yu gong - "beautiful, beautiful, with, together").
Exploring Artificial Intelligence to Serve Modernization and Development
What China pursues is not a modernization of remaining aloof from the world (独善其身, du shan qi shen - "alone, enjoy, its, body"), but rather a modernization to be realized together with all countries, including the vast number of developing countries. Currently, a new wave of artificial intelligence is sweeping the globe, bringing unprecedented (前所未有, qian suo wei you - "before, what, not, have") opportunities and challenges for Global South countries to achieve modernization. How to seize this opportunity and strengthen the endogenous driving force of Global South development has become a focus of attention for participating guests and scholars.
In classrooms at Ain Shams University in Egypt, teachers and students have already widely adopted artificial intelligence large models developed by China, exploring how to transform new technologies into practical capabilities that serve Egypt's modernization and development. Ain Shams University President Mohamed Diaa Zein El-Abedein stated that artificial intelligence is reshaping education, scientific research, and social development, bringing new opportunities for strengthening international cooperation. In recent years, the university has continuously carried out academic and scientific research cooperation with multiple Chinese universities. "Egypt and China can jointly explore paths for artificial intelligence to serve modernization and development through university cooperation, scientific research exchange, and talent cultivation," said El-Abedein.
Former Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf stated that China insists that "artificial intelligence should be an international public good that benefits all of humanity," and has carried out extensive international cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence with countries around the world. Global South countries, including Egypt, can both benefit from this and make their own contributions to it. "The era of artificial intelligence should not form new centers and new peripheries, but should build bridges toward common development and innovation," Sharaf said.
Peng Runian, former senior advisor to the Malaysian Prime Minister's Office and senior research fellow at the Asia-Pacific "Belt and Road" Co-Development Institute, stated that artificial intelligence will become a powerful force for promoting the development of civilization. China is at the forefront of the world in accelerating the development of artificial intelligence, guiding artificial intelligence toward goodness and upward development, helping Global South countries strengthen capacity building, bridge the digital and intelligence divide, and promote sustainable development.
Modernization has never been a "single-choice question." China respects the diversity of development among Global South countries and actively supports countries in exploring modernization paths with their own distinctive features based on their own civilizational heritage and actual national conditions.
The "Rise of the South — A Research Map of Global South Modernization Studies" released during the forum shows that compared with developed countries, developing countries pay more attention to economic and social development, which represents the strong desire of Global South countries to achieve modernization. Izzat Saad, director of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, stated that the modernization of Global South countries cannot simply copy the experience of other countries, but should strengthen capacity building through international cooperation. China has always been an important partner and key participant in South-South cooperation. China has proposed high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, put forward the four major global initiatives, and continuously built multilateral platforms, empowering Global South countries to achieve modernization.
Focusing on High-Quality Belt and Road Cooperation
At present, the world is undergoing changes unseen in a century, the international order is facing profound adjustment, and the collective rise of the Global South is unstoppable. China and Arab countries jointly shoulder the historical mission of realizing their respective national rejuvenation and accelerating national construction, and share broad convergence of interests and policy intersection points.
How to understand China's development path, comprehend China's social transformation, and promote win-win cooperation with China has become an increasingly concerned topic in Arab academic circles. The remarks in the speech by Mohamed Kamal, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Egyptian Senate, resonated with the audience — "China studies" should not be limited to research on Chinese history, culture, and language, but should also focus on China's development and transformation, development experience, and its international role.
Since China proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, it has received broad recognition and active support from Arab countries. China and Arab states have achieved full coverage in signing Belt and Road cooperation documents. Landmark projects such as the South Cairo distribution network loss reduction pilot project in Egypt, the Al-Shuwaikh photovoltaic power station in Saudi Arabia, and the Hassyan seawater desalination EPC project in the United Arab Emirates have all been implemented and yielded results (落地见效, luo di jian xiao - "fall, ground, see, effect"), effectively promoting local development and benefiting people's lives.
"China has successively proposed the Belt and Road Initiative and the four major global initiatives, providing new perspectives for Arab regions and Global South countries to observe development and governance issues," said Izzat Saad. As China's role in promoting the establishment of a more just and reasonable international governance system and safeguarding the interests of the Global South continues to grow, deepening research on China has become an important bridge for Arab countries to understand China and comprehend its development path.
In the view of Mahmoud Sakr, vice president of Cairo University, there is an increasingly evident trend of "looking east" in the Arab world, and China's experience is becoming an important focus within it. "Strengthening Arab-China relations not only provides an opportunity for Arab countries to draw on China's experience, but also helps China gain a deeper understanding of Arab civilization and its social needs and development aspirations."
Haitham Mahmoud Saeed, director of the China Studies Department at the Saudi Research and Knowledge Exchange Center, stated that the Belt and Road Initiative has proven to be a comprehensive system for promoting development among countries, economic integration, and civilizational exchange.
Hatim Al-Tai, editor-in-chief of Oman's Al-Ru'ya newspaper, stated that Arab countries and China can further deepen coordination in science and education under the Belt and Road Initiative, creating more opportunities for Arab youth to participate in international cooperation. Magdy Mounir, editor-in-chief of Egypt's Al-Ahram newspaper, expressed hope to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Chinese media and tell the story of high-quality Egypt-China Belt and Road cooperation.
Enriching Civilizational Dialogue Through Academic Exchange
Ancient civilizations endow modern exchanges with historical wisdom and academic exchange with rich heritage. Ge Jianxiong, senior professor at Fudan University and library director of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, stated that in the Tang Dynasty, Du Huan traveled to West Asia, North Africa, and other places, leaving behind precious accounts of the Arab world; in the 14th century, Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta traveled far to China and recorded his observations along the way in his travelogue. Ancient Arab documents such as "The Travels of Sulayman" bear witness to the exchanges between the two great civilizations of China and the Arab world across mountains and seas, and also mark the historical bonds and spiritual ties of knowing and loving each other deeply (相知相亲, xiang zhi xiang qin - "mutually, know, mutually, close") between the peoples of both sides.
In China, the "Top of the Pyramids: The Exhibition of Ancient Egyptian Civilization" has brought ancient Egyptian civilization closer to Chinese audiences; in Egypt, joint China-Egypt archaeological projects have allowed Chinese scholars to step into the historical sites of ancient Egyptian civilization. Yan Haiying, professor in the Department of History at Peking University, stated that the practice of China-Egypt civilizational mutual learning provides useful inspiration for different civilizations to conduct equal dialogue and form their own interpretive frameworks. Zahi Hawass, renowned Egyptian archaeologist and former minister of antiquities, stated that both ancient Egyptian civilization and Chinese civilization are among the oldest and most important civilizations in the world. Chinese archaeological teams have long participated in archaeological work in Egypt, actively exploring innovative research paths such as scientific archaeology, and the breadth and depth of archaeological cooperation between the two countries have continued to expand, making positive contributions to the exchange and development of human civilization.
In recent years, countries such as Egypt have incorporated Chinese into their national education systems, and the Chinese academic community has also continuously strengthened regional and country-specific research on the Arab world. Through projects such as the translation of classics and the "Silk Road Book" program, an increasing number of Chinese and Arab works are crossing language boundaries to reach readers on both sides. Hassan Ragab, Egyptian director of the Confucius Institute at Suez Canal University, stated that the ancient Silk Road began with the encounter of caravans, promoting mutual understanding of civilizations and the fusion of ideas. Through language, the thinking patterns, cultural memories, and social concepts of different peoples can also be mutually understood. As ancient civilizations with long histories, Arab countries and China strengthening civilizational mutual learning is of profound significance and will inject momentum into the implementation of the Global Civilization Initiative.
Jordanian scholar Hassan Abdullah Daja stated that civilizational dialogue should move from one-way understanding to two-way exchange, and from knowledge transmission to co-production. Arab scholars should not only conduct in-depth research on China, but also provide the Chinese society with an Arab perspective. "We look forward to Arab countries and China further strengthening dialogue and cooperation to jointly build a more peaceful, developing, just, and mutually respectful beautiful future," Daja said.
Return to TopEvery vivid facet of the holiday economy clearly reflects the abundant vitality of China's high-quality development and high-level opening up.
"China's National Day holiday releases strong vitality in cultural and tourism consumption," "Chinese tourists are traveling farther and staying longer"... During the 2026 National Day holiday, the surging crowds and the steadily heating-up consumer market once again became an important window for the world to observe China's economy. Every vivid facet of the holiday economy clearly reflects the abundant vitality of China's high-quality development and high-level opening up.
The footsteps heading toward "poetry and the distant place" manifest the vigor and confidence of a China on the move. Data from China's Ministry of Transport show that from October 1 to 7, the cumulative cross-regional passenger flow across society reached 2.142 billion person-trips, with a daily average of 306 million person-trips. Among these, railways sent a cumulative total of 151.87 million passengers, with a daily average of 21.7 million, up 12.7 percent year on year. The massive movement of people across the vast territory not only expands people's radius of activity, but also lets the world truly feel the strong pulse of China's development. During this year's National Day holiday, bookings for long-haul air routes of more than 2,000 kilometers increased by more than 40 percent year on year; with the super-long holiday combined with the dividend of the visa-free policy, outbound tourism enthusiasm rose markedly. The topic "The whole world knows Chinese people are on holiday" surged to the top of the hot search list. Chinese tourists going abroad not only drove growth in destination tourism and related industries, but also became a friendly bond promoting cultural exchanges between China and other countries.
The prosperity of big cities, the leisurely enjoyment of small towns, and the popularity of "county-hopping" — the diverse travel patterns reflect that the gradient space of China's tourism consumption is being fully activated. At a flash-mob event on Chazu Avenue in Chaling County, Zhuzhou, Hunan, more than a thousand people sang "Bless the Motherland" together, expressing their feelings for family and country; the slow-living experience in Mile City, Honghe, Yunnan, allowed visitors to immersively feel "a kind of life called Yunnan." As county-level cultural and tourism infrastructure continues to improve and consumption scenarios continue to be enriched, the brief stopover of the "transit economy" is accelerating its transformation into the in-depth experience of the "overnight economy." Yahoo Finance observed that tourism destinations across China are leveraging local resources to create differentiated experiences, guiding visitors to slow down and feel deeply, and that slow-paced, immersive county-level tourism has become an important development trend in China's cultural and tourism market.
Where people gather, the market thrives; the recovery of diversified consumption sketches out a favorable curve of sustained recovery in China's domestic demand. Data from the Ministry of Commerce's business big data show that from October 1 to 6, passenger flow and business turnover at 78 key monitored pedestrian streets (business districts) nationwide increased by 2.5 percent and 4.7 percent year on year respectively; the trade-in policy for consumer goods drove sales of 33.48 billion yuan, benefiting 6.392 million consumers, including 68,000 vehicles traded in, driving 10.92 billion yuan in new car sales. National Day holiday box office revenue exceeded 1.1 billion yuan, with more than 31 million moviegoers, highlighting the resilience of the cultural consumption market. As foreign media observed, China's National Day holiday set off a boom in tourism, cultural activities, and domestic consumption; localities deeply integrated festive events with consumption incentives and digital promotions, and demand for technology-integrated products and smart lifestyle consumer goods continued to rise, becoming a prominent highlight of the holiday economy.
In the vibrant picture of the holiday economy, the "China Travel" and "China Shopping" boom fostered by high-level opening up continued to heat up, becoming a bright spot. During the National Day holiday, international events such as the F1H2O World Championship powerboat racing and the third International Friendship Football Match of Guizhou's "Village Super League" were held one after another; athletes and spectators from home and abroad, while feeling the passion of sport, deeply experienced the historical heritage and modern charm of Chinese cities. Data from China's National Immigration Administration show that during the National Day holiday, 682,000 foreigners entered China, of whom 505,000 entered under the visa-free policy, up 5.4 percent and 9.2 percent respectively from the same period last year. Data from major domestic travel platforms show that inbound tourism orders during the National Day holiday achieved double-digit year-on-year growth, with European source markets accounting for more than 20 percent; inbound orders for the Mutianyu Great Wall scenic area increased nearly fourfold year on year, and inbound orders for well-known scenic spots such as the Palace Museum and the Terracotta Warriors all increased by more than 1.3 times year on year. Foreign tourists linger among renowned mountains and rivers (名山大川, ming shan da chuan - "famous mountains, great rivers") and cultural relics and historic sites, and also shuttle through bustling business districts and specialty markets, experiencing the trendiness and convenience of Chinese consumption, packing national-trend cultural and creative products and smart quality goods into their luggage. Behind this lies the ever-growing appeal of China's smart manufacturing to global tourists, and it further demonstrates China's solid steps in advancing a series of opening-up policies such as visa-free entry and departure tax refunds.
The heat of the holiday economy is a microcosm of China's economic vitality and, moreover, proof of China sharing development opportunities with the world. Embarking on the new journey, China will always expand space for international cooperation through high-quality development, deeply connect with global markets through high-level opening up, and work together with countries around the world to share development opportunities, create a prosperous future, and inject more confidence and strength into global economic recovery.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 谢佳宁
"China is a leader in South-South cooperation. Cuba is proud to support and practice the four major global initiatives proposed by China and looks forward to carrying out more cooperation with China under the framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation." Eduardo Regalado, a China expert at the Cuban International Policy Research Center, said in a recent interview with People's Daily reporters that China's rapid development in the economic and financial fields complements Cuba's unique advantages in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. The mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides will generate strong synergies and jointly contribute to the development of health undertakings in Global South countries.
On January 1, 2025, Cuba officially became a BRICS partner country. "Joining the BRICS cooperation mechanism is a huge opportunity for Cuba, which will not only help promote Cuba's economic development but also help Cuba deepen collaboration with other Global South countries," Regalado said. Cuba's becoming a BRICS partner country is not only of great significance to Cuba itself, but also provides new opportunities for BRICS countries to expand cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean region.
Regalado said that BRICS countries account for nearly half of the world's population and about 30 percent of the world's economic aggregate, and their cooperation emphasizes equality, mutual benefit, and independent development. "Many Latin American countries are seeking new paths of international cooperation to promote economic growth and improve people's livelihoods. Cuba's accession will further strengthen the role of the BRICS cooperation mechanism as a platform for solidarity and collaboration among Global South countries."
Regalado said: "China is a flourishing and developing (蓬勃发展, peng bo fa zhan - "flourishing, developing") economy and has made great achievements in infrastructure, renewable energy, digital technology, and other fields. Cuba can use the BRICS platform to further deepen practical cooperation with China."
Regalado believes that the New Development Bank provides member countries with an option different from traditional financial institutions — one that attaches no political conditions and focuses on infrastructure and green projects. "Cuba can use this mechanism to advance development projects that meet its own needs together with partners such as China," he said. Cuba's export products, especially high value-added biomedical products, will have more opportunities to enter other emerging markets.
Regalado stressed that BRICS countries continue to promote reform of the global governance system and help enhance the representation and voice of developing countries. This is highly consistent with Cuba's longstanding position advocating multilateralism, peace, and development cooperation. More Latin American countries joining the BRICS family will help continuously promote the development of the global governance system in a more just and reasonable direction.
"The cooperation between China and Cuba under the BRICS framework is not merely an extension of bilateral relations," Regalado said. "This cooperation will provide new development options for Global South countries and is a powerful impetus for building a safe and prosperous multipolar world."
Return to Top(People's Daily, Beijing, October 8) He Lifeng, Chinese lead for the China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue and Vice Premier of the State Council, held a video call on the afternoon of the 8th at the request of his British counterpart, Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, to exchange in-depth views on strengthening China-UK economic and financial cooperation in the next stage and on issues of mutual concern.
He Lifeng stated that both China and the UK should jointly implement the important consensus of the two countries' leaders, continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the economic and financial fields, respect each other's core interests, achieve mutually beneficial outcomes (互利共赢, hu li gong ying - "mutual, benefit; together, win"), and promote the stable and positive development of China-UK economic relations.
Reeves stated that the UK is willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China in the economic and financial fields and promote the continuous progress of UK-China relations.
Return to TopAt the invitation of Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Council of Ministers of Togo, will pay an official visit to China from October 9 to 16.
Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, male, aged 60. He was elected as a member of the National Assembly twice, in 1999 and 2002. In July 2003, he served as Minister of Equipment, Mines, and Posts and Telecommunications. In April 2005, he was elected in the presidential election, and was subsequently re-elected three times. In April 2024, Togo promulgated a new constitution, changing the form of government to a parliamentary system and establishing the new post of "President of the Council of Ministers" as the head of government with full authority to manage the country's internal and external affairs. In May 2025, Faure officially assumed the office of President of the Council of Ministers. Faure has made six official visits to China previously; this is his first visit to China since assuming the office of President of the Council of Ministers.
(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, October 8)
Return to Top(People's Daily, Warsaw, October 8) (Reporter Yu Limin) Budapest news: Hungarian Minister of Transport and Investment Vitézy Dávid said on the 8th that the testing of the European Train Control System on the Hungarian section of the Budapest–Belgrade Railway has been successfully completed, marking important progress in preparations for the opening of passenger service on the line.
The Budapest–Belgrade Railway connects Budapest and Belgrade. It is a flagship project of China's Belt and Road Initiative with Central and Eastern European countries, and the first project in which Chinese railway technology and equipment are aligned with EU railway interoperability technical specifications. The Hungarian section of the Budapest–Belgrade Railway is approximately 158.6 kilometers long, an electrified mixed-use passenger and freight line with a design maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour. Freight service officially commenced on February 27 this year.
Return to Top(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, October 8) At the invitation of Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Tran Thanh Man will lead a delegation to visit China from October 11 to 15 and attend the second meeting of the Joint Committee of Chinese and Vietnamese Legislative Bodies.
Return to TopRecently, Chinese and Brazilian employees of State Grid Brazil Holding Company erected the first tower of the ±800 kV ultra-high-voltage direct-current transmission line in northeastern Brazil.
As the largest transmission concession project in Brazil's history, the ±800 kV ultra-high-voltage direct-current transmission project in northeastern Brazil will build 1,468 kilometers of ultra-high-voltage transmission lines, with a rated transmission capacity of 5,000 MW, capable of ensuring electricity supply for 12 million people, and is expected to be fully operational by 2029.
(People's Daily reporter Chen Yiming, text; photo provided by State Grid Brazil Holding Company)
Return to Top(People's Daily, Beijing, October 8) (Reporter Han Xiaoming) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson announced on the 8th that Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the President of France, will visit China from October 9 to 13 to hold a new round of China-France strategic dialogue with Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs.
Return to Top(People's Daily, Beijing, October 8) (Reporter Han Xiaoming) Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Council of Ministers of Togo, will pay an official visit to China from October 9 to 16. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning introduced the arrangements for the visit at a regular press conference on October 8.
"President Faure is an old friend of China, and this is his seventh official visit to China since he took office, which fully reflects the high importance the Togolese side attaches to developing bilateral relations," Mao Ning said. President Xi Jinping will meet with President Faure, and Premier Li Qiang and Chairman Zhao Leji will respectively hold talks and a meeting with him. President Faure will also visit Shaanxi, Fujian, Guangdong and other provinces.
Mao Ning stated that China and Togo are comprehensive strategic partners. Over the 54 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the traditional friendship between the two countries has become stronger through the passage of time (历久弥坚, li jiu mi jian - "long time, still, increasingly, firm"), and the two sides have firmly supported each other on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns. Exchanges and cooperation in various fields have yielded fruitful results, setting an example of equal treatment between large and small countries and of solidarity and cooperation among the Global South.
"We believe this visit will bring China-Togo relations to a new level and make positive contributions to building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era," she said.
Return to Top(Xinhua News Agency, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, October 8) (Du Jiangfan, Xu Taotao) On October 8 local time, the 48th Chinese Navy escort task group arrived in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, beginning a five-day friendly visit to Malaysia.
At around 9 a.m., the navy vessels Tangshan, Daqing, and Taihu, flying the national flags of both China and Malaysia, slowly sailed into Kota Kinabalu Port. Crew members stood in formation on the decks in neat military order, full of high spirits (精神抖擞, jing shen dou sou - "spirit, shake, shake, vigorous"), waving to the welcoming crowd.
Representatives of the Malaysian Navy's Eastern Fleet officers and soldiers, staff of the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in Malaysia, representatives of Chinese-funded institutions and overseas Chinese and Chinese descent communities, among others, waited at the dock to greet the vessels. The Malaysian military band played welcoming music, warmly welcoming the arrival of the task group's vessels.
After mooring was completed, the welcoming crowd visited the task group's vessels in batches, learning up close about the vessels' performance and mission execution.
During the visit, the commander of the Chinese task group will call on the leadership of the Malaysian Navy, and the two sides will carry out activities such as professional exchanges and vessel visits.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 邱超奕
On October 8, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security released the "Measures for the Protection of Rights and Interests of Workers in New Forms of Employment (Draft for Comments)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Draft for Comments"), and from that date until November 8, it will solicit public comments. What are the highlights of the Draft for Comments? What benefits will it bring to workers in new forms of employment such as food delivery riders and ride-hailing drivers? Several industry experts provided their interpretations.
Improving the Safety Net for Rights and Interests Protection
In recent years, with the development of the platform economy, the ranks of workers in new forms of employment, represented by food delivery riders, ride-hailing drivers, and e-commerce livestreamers, have grown rapidly. Relevant departments have introduced a variety of measures to continuously strengthen the protection of the rights and interests of these groups.
"At present, new forms of employment still have shortcomings such as insufficient labor safety protection, opaque algorithmic rules for employment, and a lack of occupational injury protection," said Wang Tianyu, a researcher at the Institute of Law of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The Draft for Comments is precisely intended to fill the lag and gaps in the current system, and is of great significance for effectively safeguarding the basic rights and interests of workers in new forms of employment, promoting the keeping pace with the times (与时俱进, yu shi ju jin - "with, time, follow, advance") of China's labor laws and regulations, and promoting the standardized, healthy, and sustainable development of new forms of employment.
Shen Jianfeng, a professor at the Law School of Central University of Finance and Economics, stated that the Draft for Comments puts forward clearer requirements for the protection of the rights and interests of workers in new forms of employment. For example, in terms of minimum wage protection, it clearly stipulates that wages, after considering the costs of production materials self-provided by workers, shall not be lower than the minimum wage; in response to the abuse of deductions and fines in the field of new forms of employment, it encourages the adoption of positive incentive methods and prohibits the abuse of punitive measures such as fines; rest rights are protected through means such as transparency and rest breaks during work; taking into account the characteristics of outdoor work for workers in new forms of employment, it clarifies labor protection under severe weather conditions; and so on. At the same time, the Draft for Comments also provides institutional tools for workers in new forms of employment to participate in social insurance and obtain vocational training, further improving the safety net for rights and interests protection.
Huang Kun, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Labor and Social Security, believes that the Draft for Comments fully implements the people-centered development philosophy, which is conducive to promoting platform enterprises to enhance their sense of responsibility and awareness of the rule of law, reasonably determine labor remuneration, strengthen labor protection, and more effectively safeguard the basic rights and interests of workers.
Clarifying the Employment Responsibilities of Platform Enterprises
Huang Kun stated that the Draft for Comments establishes a dedicated chapter regulating the content and conclusion of employment agreements and the responsibilities of platform enterprises, which provides guidance for promoting platform enterprises to fulfill their primary responsibility for employment, continuously improve relevant employment management systems, and standardize the establishment of employment relationships in new forms of employment.
"In practice, unclear agreements on rights and obligations between parties and unclear employment entities are important reasons for frequent disputes in the field of new forms of employment and for violations of workers' rights and interests," Shen Jianfeng explained. To this end, the Draft for Comments requires different subjects to sign different agreements based on the nature of the employment relationship. For example, platform enterprises and platform employment cooperative enterprises that meet the criteria for recognizing a labor relationship should sign labor contracts with workers; where there is labor management but the criteria for recognizing a labor relationship are not met, a written employment agreement should be signed; where platform enterprises and platform employment cooperative enterprises jointly implement employment management, a tripartite agreement should be signed.
Huang Kun believes that the Draft for Comments fully takes into account the diversity of industries involved in new forms of employment and the differences in platform labor. In response to characteristics such as the diversification of employment relationships, the de-institutionalization of organizational management, the flexibility of work methods, and the elasticity of working hours, it extracts the "greatest common divisor" in institutional design, reflecting the combination of flexibility and protection.
"The Draft for Comments also provides special regulation for algorithms as a new type of labor rule, establishing the principle of algorithmic neutrality, requiring enterprises to explain to workers the basic principles and operating mechanisms of algorithms, prohibiting algorithmic discrimination, and clarifying that decisions involving major interests of workers, such as stopping order dispatch and banning accounts, shall not be made automatically by algorithms and must undergo manual review. This responds to social concerns," Wang Tianyu said.
Smoothing Channels for Labor Dispute Resolution and Rights Protection
Wang Tianyu explained that the Draft for Comments constructs a multi-level and diversified mechanism for resolving labor disputes. For example, within enterprises, it requires the establishment of normalized communication and appeal mechanisms. Where workers raise objections to labor remuneration, working hours, performance evaluation, account bans, etc., enterprises should provide manual responses within 48 hours; outside enterprises, it improves the one-stop mediation model that connects labor and personnel dispute mediation, people's mediation, administrative mediation, and judicial mediation. Workers have the right to report and complain to competent authorities, or apply for arbitration and file lawsuits in accordance with the law, and may list platform enterprises and platform employment cooperative enterprises as co-parties. In addition, the Draft for Comments also proposes trade union supervision and legal aid systems, clarifies the factors to be considered in determining labor relationship disputes, and further smooths the channels for workers in new forms of employment to protect their rights.
"Combining the characteristics of new forms of employment, the Draft for Comments establishes a full-chain dispute prevention and resolution mechanism covering internal enterprise appeals, dispute mediation, administrative remedies, dispute adjudication, trade union supervision, and legal aid. Among these, the rule that disputes over labor remuneration, labor safety and health, and occupational injury protection benefits are included in the scope of mediation and arbitration cases fully reflects the innovative exploration of China's labor dispute handling related systems," Shen Jianfeng said.
In addition, the Draft for Comments clarifies the collaborative supervision responsibilities of relevant departments. Among them, the departments of human resources and social security, health, medical security, departments responsible for work safety supervision and management, as well as departments such as cyberspace affairs, transportation, culture and tourism, market regulation, and postal management, are responsible for supervision and management according to their respective functional divisions, with the cyberspace affairs department taking the lead in algorithm supervision. The Draft for Comments proposes the establishment of a cross-departmental and cross-regional collaborative supervision mechanism, and separately clarifies the handling organs and legal bases for violations of labor remuneration regulations and violations of algorithm regulations, so that supervision responsibilities are effectively implemented.
"The Draft for Comments establishes a holistic and comprehensive framework for the protection of workers' rights and interests, which not only consolidates the bottom line for the protection of the basic rights and interests of workers in new forms of employment, but also reserves space for the future development of the system. With the development of new forms of employment and the digital economy, we can continue to optimize on the basis of this framework, steadily improve the level of protection of workers' rights and interests, and promote win-win development for both enterprises and workers," Wang Tianyu said.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 苏 滨
In the lingering autumn rain, with fine threads of drizzle slanting down, a pair of copper chopsticks (see photo, taken by People's Daily reporter Su Bin) lies quietly displayed in a protective cabinet of the Archives of Jinping County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province.
The chopsticks are more than 20 centimeters long. The upper portion is polished into a regular hexagonal prism, while the lower portion transitions into a smooth cylinder, with no complex ornamentation on the surface. Under the mellowing of time, the copper chopsticks no longer show a bright luster, bearing only patches of oxidation and wear of varying depth. At the upper end of the chopsticks, four small copper rings are linked together, joining the two chopsticks into one.
"After more than 90 years, on a pair of chopsticks, the bond between the army and the people in the Miao mountains has been made tangible." Wang Zongxun, 63, once served as director of the Jinping County Local Chronicles Office and curator of the County Archives, and has been engaged in research on local red history for more than 30 years.
Why does he say this?
The story goes back to 1934. After the Red Army's fifth counter-campaign against "encirclement and suppression" failed, the Party Central Committee and the Central Red Army were compelled to carry out a major strategic shift toward Hunan and Guizhou, where the strength of Kuomintang rule was somewhat weaker. To ensure the success of the operation, the Party Central Committee dispatched the Sixth Red Army Corps to carry out advance reconnaissance and pathfinding preparations.
In late September 1934, the Sixth Red Army Corps sent out a reconnaissance squad of more than 30 men, who, traversing mountains and valleys (翻山越岭, fan shan yue ling - "toss mountains, cross ridges"), arrived at Shao'ai Village, Hekou Township, Jinping County. Dressed in civilian clothes, they used such trades as mending pots, fortune-telling, and selling needles and thread as cover, reconnoitering enemy situations along the way, observing the terrain, and drawing route maps for the march.
Shao'ai Village is a Miao ethnic village with simple and honest folkways. Wang Zongxun said that the house of villager Wu Gaobao was relatively large, and only his wife, Aunt Wu, was keeping the home. When she saw the Red Army soldiers disguised as peddlers asking for lodging, she received them warmly.
Once inside the door, the rain-soaked Red Army soldiers sat or stood in an orderly and disciplined manner. Aunt Wu called them over to carry wood shavings, and lit fires in the fire pit inside the building and on the mud floor downstairs to dry their clothes. After drying their clothes by the fire, they slept in their clothes beside the fire, and went out during the day to scout the situation.
There was a man surnamed Wu in the village who, finding the Red Army soldiers' movements suspicious, organized several dozen able-bodied men and prepared to launch a night attack on Wu Gaobao's house. When Aunt Wu learned of this, she informed the Red Army soldiers.
"At the critical moment, Aunt Wu's younger brother found the man surnamed Wu and urged him: 'They are guests who have come from afar, and they have not damaged any of our things. Do not do anything foolish.'" Wang Zongxun said that after much earnest persuasion, the other side gave up the attack.
Afterwards, the Red Army soldiers were deeply grateful, and when they left, they gave Aunt Wu a pair of copper chopsticks as a memento. In 1952, Aunt Wu turned over these copper chopsticks, which she had treasured for many years, to the government, and they are now collected in the Jinping County Archives.
Ascertaining the whole course of events or origins and development (来龙去脉, lai long qu mai - "come dragon, go vein") behind these copper chopsticks was no easy task.
During the fourth national cultural relics census, Qiandongnan Prefecture coordinated the efforts of Party history research departments and other forces to comprehensively excavate and organize Red Army cultural relics within its territory, and Wang Zongxun also participated. Following the clue recorded in the archives — "In 1952, donated by descendants of the Wu family of Shao'ai Village" — they visited villages along the route, cross-compared multiple original archival documents, and after collective expert assessment, finally restored the historical facts behind the copper chopsticks.
"At that time, copper chopsticks were relatively rare and comparatively precious, and the story behind them is all the more moving." Zhang Jiyuan, deputy director of the Jinping County Local Chronicles Office and deputy curator of the County Archives, said that in the next step, the relevant departments will continue to strengthen the excavation and protection of red cultural relics, persistently carry forward red culture, and continuously draw strength for forging ahead.
Return to TopBy: 黄金养
I am an ordinary farmer from Sanzhou Village, Sanzhou Town, Changting County, Fujian Province. Since 1986, I have persisted in planting trees on the red soil of my hometown for 40 years, and others call me "Old Huang who plants trees."
When I was a child, the soil here was red and the mountains were bare, and the common folk called it "Flaming Mountain." Collapsed gullies (collapsed mountain land) followed one after another; when it rained, mud rolled down the mountain, and on clear days red sand flew everywhere. The old saying goes, "bare mountains, muddy water, thin fields, poor people," and it is not false at all. Our doorstep faced the Ting River, but once the soil was lost, the water in the river was not enough to use, and when planting rice, several villages often had conflicts over water use.
In 1986, I carried a hoe up the mountain and planted three mu of orange trees, but because the exposed ground surface temperature was too high, the orange harvest was poor. Later, Changting County implemented "large-scale planting and large-scale raising," encouraging farmers to contract barren mountains. In my early years, I learned tailoring and shoe repair, and later I drilled wells for a geological team, so I understood the "temperament" of red soil—the soil is thin, but the layer is deep, and if you are willing to put in effort, trees can grow. I took the initiative to find the town government and contracted a collapsed gully area of about 300 mu, trying to plant tea trees and bayberries. This area of ours has rare-earth red soil; other crops do not grow well, but tea trees and bayberries should have hope.
The beginning was really difficult. First, we dug ditches and built ridges, planted bahia grass to stabilize the soil, then added shrubs, and only finally dared to plant trees. In the first year of planting tea, a heavy rain pushed all the seedlings and soil down the mountain, and tens of thousands of yuan were wasted money or resources (打了水漂, da le shui piao - "hit, water, float"). The second time we planted tea, it took four or five years before there was a harvest. During the process of planting bayberries, we also encountered many troubles.
The turning point came in 2000. That year, the Fujian Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government listed Changting's soil erosion control as a project to do practical work for the people, and the county's soil and water conservation work station gave subsidies per mu, and experts taught us "grass and shrubs first, stabilize the soil before afforestation." Following this path, the red soil on my 300 mu of collapsed gullies gradually stabilized, and the bayberries finally bore fruit. Later, I expanded the planting again, and in total I have 900 mu of bayberries and more than 200 mu of tea trees.
My son, Huang Yanhai, originally did animation design in Shanghai and had a decent income. Seeing that I was getting older, he came back to take care of me, and also built a 40-mu nursery base, planting osmanthus, cherry blossoms, and Podocarpus. Others call him a "second-generation greener," and I call him "a helping hand."
Now, there are more than a hundred households in Sanzhou Village planting bayberries, and the whole village has several thousand mu of bayberries. The town regularly holds a bayberry-picking cultural tourism festival, and many city people drive over to pick them; our lives are getting better and better. The soil erosion rate across Changting County has dropped from 31.5 percent in 1985 to 6.18 percent by the end of 2025, and the "Flaming Mountain" has become a "Flower and Fruit Mountain."
Some people ask me what I am after. I think that back then it was "if you don't tame the mountain, there's no harvest in the fields," and now the mountains are green, the water is retained, the fruit can be sold for money, and the younger generations are willing to return to the village to plant bayberries—only such a life has hope.
(The author is a villager of Sanzhou Village, Sanzhou Town, Changting County, Fujian Province; compiled and arranged by People's Daily reporter Liu Xiaoyu)
Return to TopBy: 刘晓宇
In Sanzhou Township, Huang Jinyang took us to see that earliest stretch of collapsing hill land. The 72-year-old man walks quickly; the red soil beneath his feet has been "gnawed" by rainwater for decades, yet now it feels solid underfoot — the tree roots have grown deep, and the soil has "come back to life."
That Changting's experience in soil erosion control has been able to go global owes much to the relay of several generations, the tackling of technical challenges, and sustained policy support. More importantly, it owes much to ordinary people like "Old Huang."
The people are the main body in undertaking work and starting enterprises. Huang Jinyang is a microcosm of the millions of farmers willing to "follow along and do it." Policy points the direction, experts hand over the keys, but whether one dares to sink money into the red clay pits, and whether one can grit one's teeth and hold on through the first few years before the trees bear fruit — that is the people's own choice. The certainty of ecological restoration comes from "resonance between top and bottom": only when those above have the policy resolve to "paint one blueprint to the end," persistently tackling small-watershed governance and collapsing-hill remediation, do those below dare to take out their savings, stake half a lifetime, and turn "make me govern" into "I want to govern."
In Huang Jinyang's eyes, taming the mountains is not a sacrifice but a win-win — you nurture the land well, and the land will sooner or later bring you a good life. When "green" and "prosperity" complement each other (相辅相成, xiang fu xiang cheng - "mutually, assist, mutually, complement"), and when rooting oneself in the fields can bring a bountiful harvest, building an ecological civilization becomes the active choice of millions.
Return to TopDuring the Cold Dew solar term, the sorghum planted under contract at the Beidahuang Qixingpao Farm in Nenjiang City, Heilongjiang Province, has seen a bumper harvest (喜获丰收, xi huo feng shou - "joyfully, obtain, abundant harvest"). The photo shows combine harvesters working in the sorghum field of the Second Management Area of Qixingpao Farm on October 8.
Photo by Lu Wenxiang (People's Visual)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 禹伟良 范昊天
In the golden autumn of October, a thin mist hangs over the Dabie Mountains. Entering the Yingshan Park of the Long March National Cultural Park, located in Taojiahe Township, Yingshan County, Huanggang City, Hubei Province, a red tourism road links together the Assembly Square, the former site of the headquarters of the 25th Red Army, and the Niubeiji Battle Memorial Site. More than 90 years ago, this was the assembly point of the 25th Red Army before it set out on the Long March.
Thanks to this road, Liu Xue'an, a villager of Yintaizhai Village, has been able to sell the Chinese medicinal herbs he grows to other places, with a net income of more than 100,000 yuan last year.
In November 2024, during his inspection tour in Hubei, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Consolidate and expand the achievements of the battle against poverty, and accelerate the revitalization and development of the old revolutionary base areas."
Bearing in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping's earnest instructions, the broad masses of cadres and the people of Hubei have turned the great spirit of the Long March into a powerful driving force for work and entrepreneurship, continuously writing new answers for the comprehensive revitalization of the countryside in the old revolutionary base areas.
Distinctive industries strengthen the foundation——
Climbing Niubeijigu Mountain, nearly 1,000 meters above sea level, the trenches, machine-gun positions, and other relics left by the Red Army's fighting are still faintly visible (依稀可见, yiyi kejian - "vaguely, can be seen"). At the foot of the mountain in Taojiahe Township, the roar of machinery resounds from the Chinese medicinal herb workshops.
Inside the Chinese medicinal herb assistance workshop of Huaiyin Family Farm, more than 10 pieces of processing equipment are operating in an orderly manner. "Fresh Poria cocos are harvested from the fields and, after standardized processes such as sorting and drying, are processed into Poria cocos cubes, which can be sold for considerably more money," introduced An Xiaode, the person in charge of the farm. In the first half of this year, orders for 200 tons of targeted procurement have already been received.
"The Chinese medicinal herbs that the local people once used to treat the wounds of the Red Army are now our pillar industry," introduced Yu Jianxin, deputy township head of Taojiahe Township. With the province's first Long March National Cultural Park completed and opened in Taojiahe in November 2023, infrastructure conditions have continuously improved, and the industry has also been upgraded. At present, the township's Chinese medicinal herb planting area is stable at 12,000 mu, the number of deep-processing enterprises for Chinese medicinal herbs has reached 4, and the annual comprehensive income is nearly 200 million yuan.
During the era of revolutionary warfare, when materials were scarce, the Hong'an sweet potato, which is tolerant of barren soil and easy to grow, became an important ration for the Red Army officers and soldiers in holding the Soviet areas and carrying out the Long March. In recent years, Hong'an County, Huanggang City, has taken the Hong'an sweet potato as an advantageous and distinctive industry. Through the layout of standardized planting, deep processing, and other measures, the county has gathered 37 processing enterprises, with a total processing output value exceeding 3 billion yuan.
Improved transportation breeds new opportunities——
Following the footsteps of the 25th Red Army westward, one arrives at Wangjiaping Village, Chengguan Town, Yunxi County, Shiyan City. Inside the Memorial Park of the Hubei-Henan-Shaanxi Revolutionary Base Area, tourists are watching the immersive digital drama Red Yunxi. The 360-degree ring screen, together with the rotating auditorium, fully recreates the magnificent course of the 25th Red Army's campaigns in Yunxi and the founding of the revolutionary base area.
"In the past, understanding red history mostly relied on books and exhibits. This immersive digital drama seems to take us into those years of beacon-fire warfare," said Mao Jun, a tourist from Shangluo, Shaanxi.
On June 30 this year, the Xi'an-Shiyan high-speed railway was officially opened to traffic, and Yunxi, a small county located deep in the Qinba Mountain area, completely bid farewell to its history of having no high-speed rail. Zhou Shaowu, a villager of Wangjiaping Village, opened a farmhouse restaurant near the memorial park. "Not long after the high-speed railway opened, the growth in business turnover became very obvious."
While upgrading its tourism supporting facilities, Yunxi County, together with Danfeng County in Shaanxi and Lushi County in Henan, jointly released high-quality red tourism routes for the Hubei-Henan-Shaanxi region; it also carried out the "Hundred Alliances (Counties), Thousand Groups, Ten Thousand People Tour Yunxi" campaign to attract visitors to Yunxi, focusing on promoting red tourism themed routes to provincial capital cities such as Xi'an in Shaanxi and Wuhan in Hubei.
Environmental improvement reveals a new look——
Among the mountains of southwestern Hubei, the waters of the Tangya River flow quietly. In Zenggou Village, Chaoyangsi Town, Xianfeng County, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, a monument stands at the ferry crossing. "On January 1, 1936, after completing the task of covering the main forces of the 2nd and 6th Red Army Corps in breaking through the encirclement, the 18th Red Division made its way to Xianfeng and launched the breakout battle of forcing the crossing of the Tangya River here..." He Yuanyi, a 33-year-old boatman, told the story of the Red Army to the passengers on board while rowing. For more than 20 years, three generations of He Yuanyi's family have taken turns ferrying people across the river here.
In the past, the environment on both banks of the Tangya River was poor. In 2022, Zenggou Village was listed as a pilot village for the national construction of beautiful red villages. Taking this as an opportunity, the village launched a tough battle for the improvement of the human settlement environment. "Fully giving play to the exemplary role of Party members and cadres, and implementing projects such as the restoration of red heritage sites, the hardening of main roads, and the treatment of river channels, the village has taken on a completely new look," said Li Guanying, secretary of the Party branch of Zenggou Village.
In today's Zenggou Village, a suspension bridge connects the two banks of the Tangya River, dwellings on both sides of the highway are arranged in a pleasing patchwork, and the fragrance of fruit wafts from the thousand-mu white pomelo orchard. "Many tourists from other places come here to check in out of admiration. I want to tell everyone who crosses the river well the story of the Red Army's river crossing and the changes in the mountain village," said He Yuanyi.
In the new era, the old revolutionary base areas of Hubei are blazing a path of revitalization led by red resources, green development, and common prosperity.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 李 蕊
Early in the morning, staff of the inspection and supervision team of the District Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision of Taishan District, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, set out from the office building of the district commission. Team leader Chen Tianxiang unfolded a map of key points, his fingertip moving across several key areas one by one, getting straight to the point (开门见山, kai men jian shan - "open, door, see, mountain"): "No advance notice, straight to the front line — today we're going to keep an eye on the problem of official vehicles 'leaking oil and veering off course.'"
Why keep a close eye on refueling of official vehicles?
"Around holidays, private cars are driven more and refueled in large volumes, making the problem of 'private cars maintained at public expense' prone to occur — official vehicles are clearly sealed and parked, yet fuel cards are still held in individuals' hands; there are no vehicle dispatch assignments, yet refueling records keep popping up. Refueling once, skimming a bit of oil, may seem insignificant, but it is a major problem of work style, and we must rectify this 'malpractice on wheels.'" said Yin Chenglong, a member of the inspection and supervision team.
First stop: the Official Vehicle Management and Supervision Office of the Government Affairs Service Center of Taishan District.
On the electronic screen of the official vehicle management platform, consumption records of official fuel cards across the district scrolled and refreshed. Members of the inspection and supervision team stared at the screen, screening each entry one by one.
"Wait — this official vehicle was registered as sealed before the holiday, and there were no dispatch assignments during the holiday, so how could there be a refueling record?" Yin Chenglong spotted a suspicious consumption record on the screen and quickly noted it down.
"Through the online management platform, we can accurately pinpoint abnormal information such as refueling during holidays and non-working hours, refueling in other localities, and high-frequency large-amount refueling. Once a suspected problem is identified, we mark and register it, then proceed with verification and inspection." Yin Chenglong explained.
Online screening is precise and efficient, while offline inspections are carried out simultaneously.
At a certain gas station, vehicles came and went. Members of the inspection and supervision team identified themselves, verified official fuel card information on site, retrieved refueling records from the past half month, and checked each entry against license plate numbers, refueling times, and official vehicle dispatch orders.
"Offline, the focus is on checking for anomalies such as fuel card consumption while official vehicles are parked, or refueling behavior occurring without travel records." Li Cong, an inspection staff member, circled suspicious records with a pen while flipping through the ledgers.
Leaving the gas station, the inspection and supervision team then went to the parking lot of district-level direct organs and the courtyards of some township and street offices. Rows of official vehicles were neatly parked. Members of the inspection and supervision team verified the condition of each vehicle against the checklist and checked usage registration records on site.
Through the approach of "online data screening + offline surprise inspections," the District Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision of Taishan District relies online on the official vehicle management platform to conduct a comprehensive screening of official fuel card consumption records across the district; offline, it conducts surprise inspections at gas stations, organ parking lots, automobile repair shops, and other locations, verifying fuel card information on site, retrieving refueling records, and comparing dispatch orders, handling suspicious leads promptly upon receipt.
"Since the city's discipline inspection and supervision organs have supervised and promoted the special campaign to rectify the problem of illegal use of official fuel cards, the 'hard rules' for official vehicle management have been further strengthened, and the problem of private cars maintained at public expense has markedly decreased. However, judging from cases investigated and handled in the past two years, a small number still occur. Rectifying this problem requires sustained and repeated efforts, and we must never slacken or pause." A relevant person in charge of the District Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision of Taishan District stated that the district will continue to keep a close eye on problems such as the private use of official vehicles and private cars maintained at public expense to strengthen supervision, adhere to data empowerment, force integration, and joint action, continuously enhance the penetrative power and precision of supervision, and ensure that official vehicles truly travel in the sunlight.
Return to TopBy: 李洪兴
The steadily heating-up "looking east" trend has already transcended simple economic and trade exchanges, serving instead as a vivid footnote to the world's re-understanding of China and to win-win development through joint efforts.
How does one judge whether a place is attractive? A European entrepreneur who has lived in Shenzhen, Guangdong for 11 years offers this observational perspective from his own experience: nowadays he receives visit requests from founders of foreign startups almost every day. To look at Shenzhen, to look at Shenzhen's sci-tech innovation enterprises, is to see a telling example of the "China sci-tech innovation inspection fever."
This fever is by no means a rash impulse; rather, it is a manifestation of investors' trust in China and their optimism about China. The endless stream of people and things (络绎不绝, luo yi bu jue - "continuous, not, stop") of overseas sci-tech innovation inspection delegations, the normalized cross-border cooperation negotiations, and the steadily heating-up "looking east" trend have already transcended simple economic and trade exchanges, serving instead as a vivid footnote to the world's re-understanding of China and to win-win development through joint efforts.
Today, more and more overseas entrepreneurs, researchers, and investment institutions are crossing mountains and seas to come to China, with the focus on learning about innovation mechanisms, industrial logic, and development pathways. Looking at the course of Sino-foreign economic and trade cooperation, "looking east" represents a deep-level iteration and all-round upgrade in the world's perception of China.
From economic and trade cooperation to collaborative innovation, behind this cognitive iteration lies the support of hard-core comprehensive strength. Digging deeper into this "sci-tech innovation inspection fever," its foundation lies first and foremost in industrial resilience — China uses its development certainty to offset global uncertainty.
Unlike the predicaments of some countries facing industrial hollowing-out and volatile development, China has always adhered to making steady progress while maintaining stability (稳中求进, wen zhong qiu jin - "stable, middle, seek, progress"), relying on its complete industrial system, well-developed infrastructure, and super-large market advantages to build a bulwark against risks and for steady development. In the "Haichuang Robot Industry City" in Foshan, Guangdong, more than 90 percent of supply-chain supporting products can be found within the park, and designs modified in the morning can be verified the very same day. Industrial agglomeration, the stringing of chains into clusters, coupled with policy continuity and market inclusiveness, give domestic and overseas investors the confidence to make long-term layouts and settle in for deep cultivation.
If industrial resilience is laying the foundation, then the bursting forth of China's innovation vitality and the accelerated formation of new quality productive forces constitute the key core of its long-term attractiveness.
The confidence for development stems from innovation strength. From basic research to application implementation, China's sci-tech innovation tracks are developing in many different areas simultaneously (多点开花, duo dian kai hua - "many, points, bloom, flower"). The wind and light on the Gobi Desert are being forged into computing-power assets, with Ulanqab in Inner Mongolia, Qingyang in Gansu, and other places becoming computing-power cities; in Hefei, Anhui, the "artificial sun" nuclear fusion device and the "Zu Chongzhi No. 3" quantum computing prototype continue to set world records, further cultivating leading advantages in frontier technology fields. A report released not long ago by the World Intellectual Property Organization shows that among the world's top 100 innovation clusters, China has 25, ranking first for four consecutive years.
The more China innovates, the more the world benefits. Some international figures have frankly stated that "China's role in the global innovation ecosystem is increasingly important"; others have praised Chinese developers for "challenging the limits of innovation every day." From the accumulation of quantity to the leap in quality, from breakthroughs at single points to systematic ascension, the vigorous vitality and leapfrog development of China's sci-tech innovation prove that innovation asks not where it comes from, and hard work makes pioneers.
With the industrial foundation and innovation momentum in place, a quality environment is even more needed to provide protection. Institutional empowerment through opening up, and the continuous optimization of a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized first-class business environment, are China's solid guarantees for pooling global resources and coalescing development synergy.
The excellence of the environment lies in precise service upgrades and the implementation of pragmatic policies. For example, localities are continuously improving policy support in areas such as entry visas, stay and residence, and integration services, so that overseas talent can take root upon arrival, develop once rooted, and grow stronger through development. From the precise empowerment of industrial policies to the efficiency and convenience of government services, from the strict protection of intellectual property to the openness and diversity of the innovation atmosphere, China has used a series of concrete reform measures to significantly enhance the environment's inclusiveness and the system's support capacity, thereby continuously raising the attractiveness of development.
Looking beneath the surface to understand the essence (由表及里, you biao ji li - "from, surface, reach, inside") and tracing back layer by layer, one can further understand the "sci-tech innovation inspection fever": on the surface it is the endless stream of visiting personnel, then it is the steadily heating-up cooperation opportunities, and at the deepest level it is the global market's trust in China's strength, innovation, and institutions. This is a rational judgment made by the market against the backdrop of global industrial transformation and technological iteration. Looking to the future, continuing to consolidate the development foundation in the spirit of hammering nails, striding toward the heights of innovation with the posture of a climber, and expanding international cooperation with the possessing a broad mind and great tolerance (海纳百川, hai na bai chuan - "sea, accept, hundred, rivers") of a sea that accepts a hundred rivers will surely, amid the "looking east" upsurge, realize the win-win outcome of "when China is good, the world will be even better."
Return to TopBy: 苏 滨
Each generation has its own Long March. On the new journey of the new era, it is for the youth to stir up youthful vigor and a spirit of struggle, and to radiate new brilliance.
"Guess what the Red Army soldiers used to write these slogans back then?" Walking into the Zunyi Conference Memorial Hall in Guizhou, Tian Yue, a docent born in the 1990s, posed this question to a group of young people in front of the wall of Red Army slogan artifacts.
The crowd immediately became animated. Some guessed sharpened bamboo strips, others said brushes made of tied chicken feathers, until a young man in the front row shouted the correct answer, "cogongrass," and the scene quieted down.
With cogongrass as the pen and soot from pots as the ink, what was written was revolutionary conviction; the common people risked their lives to protect the words, guarding a close relationship between people and the military (鱼水情深, yu shui qing shen - "fish, water, deep, affection"). The details behind the artifacts make the narration all the more compelling.
This also invites deeper reflection: to carry forward the red lineage, from what perspective should we decode red resources and tell the story of the Long March well, so that the spirit of the Long March takes root in people's hearts?
Today, all 53 docents at the Zunyi Conference Memorial Hall are young people. They refuse to recite mechanically from a script without understanding (照本宣科, zhao ben xuan ke - "follow, book, proclaim, textbook"), and their narration emphasizes designing interactions tailored to different audiences. In this way, each exhibit and each piece of text and imagery becomes a vehicle for dialogue. In particular, when youth speak to youth, using language close to that of their peers to break down the weighty history piece by piece, the sense of distance that originally spanned the years dissolves in the exchange of questions and answers.
Use real-scene classrooms to enhance immersive experiences, letting the light of faith illuminate the road ahead.
Before the site of the Loushanguan Red Army battle, the story of "One-Legged General" Zhong Chibing, who underwent amputation after a severe wound yet resolutely completed the Long March, moved many young people to tears. "General Zhong did not stay behind to recover. Even with only one leg left, he gritted his teeth, climbed snow mountains, and crossed grasslands, and with firm conviction and tenacious will, ultimately reached northern Shaanxi," said Li Xiaojin, a docent at the site. The power of faith never goes out of date.
Building on its abundant red resources, Zunyi has transformed a series of red landmarks into real-scene classrooms, and has also developed immersive red theaters, turning one-way narration into participatory scene-based experiences. Standing beside the trenches of those years and touching the old bullet scars on the site, "firm conviction" becomes tangible and perceptible, and from this one can better grasp the spiritual meaning of "fearing no difficulty or danger, and sparing no sacrifice."
For some young people visiting Zunyi for the first time, being placed in such a walking ideological and political lesson, the significance of "retracing the Long March" quietly settles in their hearts through subtle influence. Back then, the Red Army upheld truth and sought truth from facts, breaking a new path out of desperate straits. Today, pursuing innovation and development likewise cannot simply copy existing experience. Only by proceeding from reality in everything, as the Red Army did, can one find the way to solve the problems at hand.
The vitality of Zunyi's red culture lies in the completion of a shift in perspective: from "what is history" to "what is the connection between history and us." This connection breaks down the wall between history and reality, turning the spirit of the Long March from knowledge that needs to be learned into a value coordinate that can guide action.
Carry forward the original aspiration through solid work and responsibility, and unleash spiritual strength.
White walls, dark tiles, wooden lattice windows. With 21 revolutionary sites, Gouba Village in Fengxiang Town, Bozhou District, Zunyi City, attracts many visitors. "With such a rich red family legacy, how can we not let this land down?" Wan Yongfei, the young deputy secretary of the Gouba Village Party branch, worked together with the village's two committee teams to skillfully write the two chapters of "red" and "green."
Focusing on "red," Gouba Village has restored red heritage sites, linked up with scenic spots such as Huamao Village, linking individual elements into a cohesive whole (串珠成链, chuan zhu cheng lian - "string, beads, become, chain") to create a red tourism study route. The village has opened more than 20 homestays and farmhouse restaurants, and villagers now make a living from tourism.
Tapping into "green," Wan Yongfei set aside 10 mu of his own wasteland to plant Eucommia bark. In just three years, the average benefit per mu exceeded 2,000 yuan, attracting villagers to follow suit one after another. Today, the village's Eucommia planting exceeds 3,000 mu, and per capita annual income exceeds 27,000 yuan.
The value of red resources lies in "preservation," and even more in "utilization." Once, the lamplight of the Gouba Conference illuminated the direction of the Red Army's advance; now, relying on the drive to seek truth from facts and dare to blaze new trails, Party members and cadres lead the villagers in striving together, turning red resources into good opportunities at their doorstep. The inheritance of the spirit is written in new struggles.
Each generation has its own Long March. On the new journey of the new era, it is for the youth to stir up youthful vigor and a spirit of struggle, and to radiate new brilliance.
(The author is a reporter for the Guizhou branch of this newspaper.)
Return to TopBy: 向 阳
Keyword Sense of Security
Event "Police uncle, someone pushed me down!" Not long ago, the Xietulu Road Police Station of the Xuhui Branch of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau received a plea for help from an 8-year-old girl. Upon investigation, the girl had gotten into a minor conflict with a playmate while playing, and in her helplessness used her phone watch to call the police. Police officers arrived at the scene and handled the matter properly. In response to onlookers' remarks questioning "isn't this a waste of police resources," the officers gave a forceful yet warm answer: "This is not a waste of police resources. When anyone encounters trouble, they can rest assured and call the police to find us."
Commentary
"When in difficulty, find the police" — this phrase once again found concrete expression. An 8-year-old child, encountering a conflict with no parent nearby, chose to call the police for help as her first move — behind this lies profound trust in the police.
After receiving the call, police officers arrived at the scene, confirmed the girl was not injured, comforted her emotions while contacting her parents to come, and even held an impromptu "safety mini-class" for the children on the spot. One dispatch was not merely about resolving one matter, but also about spreading safety knowledge to the onlooking crowd and laying a foundation for public security.
"They have truly achieved 'the people's police serve the people'" "One dispatch by police officers may rewrite how a child handles violence and grievances" ... Netizens' comments are both an affirmation of this dispatch and a clarification of the value and significance of protection.
"Guard the people's happiness, protect the peace of the nation" — not long ago, General Secretary Xi Jinping replied to a letter from all members of Fujian Province's "Zhangzhou 110," and his earnest instructions were filled with deep feeling. This is also the common expectation of all the people.
At the Gyirong Port in Shigatse City, Tibet, facing arriving in a sudden, overwhelming manner (轰然而至, hong ran er zhi - "roar, and, arrive") mudslides, police officer Huang Peng disregarded his personal safety and moved against the flow to evacuate the crowd; responding to the wishes of children at Nanjing's Xuelu Road Kindergarten in Jiangsu, local traffic management and other departments coordinated to "paint" a colorful zebra crossing in front of the kindergarten gate to ensure safety at the school entrance; police officers in many places transformed into "farming helpers," helping melon farmers sell melons and helping villagers dry grain... rescuing people whenever danger arises (有险必救, you xian bi jiu - "have, danger, must, rescue") and helping whenever there is difficulty — in the face of what the masses urgently need, public security organs respond swiftly and handle matters promptly. This is the proper meaning of performing one's duties and responsibilities (履职尽责, lv zhi jin ze - "fulfill, duty, carry, responsibility"), and it is even more a vivid portrayal of the people-centered value philosophy.
Trust does not fall suddenly from the sky (从天而降, cong tian er jiang - "from, heaven, and, descend"); responses that are always "online" are backed by silent perseverance and selfless dedication. At the 110 alarm service hall of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau, the average daily call volume exceeds 30,000, with an annual total exceeding 10 million; more than 400 police officers and auxiliary police work in shifts day and night (昼夜轮值, zhou ye lun zhi - "day, night, rotate, duty") around the clock, year-round without rest. The "Zhangzhou 110" women's patrol team has established a merchant joint defense mechanism in the ancient city scenic area, linking one point after another into a safety network. Preparing reading glasses for the elderly and keeping tea available on the dispatch desk through all four seasons, the Pozi Street Police Station in Changsha, Hunan, draws police-citizen relations closer through meticulous service... Through repeated earnest handling and steadfast protection, what has accumulated is precisely the emotion of police and citizens united at heart, relying on each other through thick and thin (风雨相依, feng yu xiang yi - "wind, rain, together, rely").
In today's China, security has become a shining calling card. In camera shots and in comment sections, overseas tourists visiting China remark that "going out at night requires no need to grip one's phone tightly or remain on constant guard" and "packages left at the door won't be stolen." Foreign bloggers in China frankly admit, "In China, I have relearned trust." The 2025 Global Security Report shows China ranking third globally in overall security, which reflects the notable achievements of "China's governance" and fully demonstrates the advantages of "China's system."
Security is the prerequisite for development, and development is the safeguard of security. Ordinary yet moving, subtle yet heartwarming — in the sense of security that people take for granted, what they see is the lights of ten thousand households and a prosperous country and peaceful people (国泰民安, guo tai min an - "country, prosperous, people, peaceful"). By wholeheartedly guarding everyone's happy life and aspirations for struggle, the road to rejuvenation will surely grow ever broader.
Return to TopDuring the period of the 15th Five-Year Plan, China will continue to improve the spatial layout of tourism, focus on coordinated development between urban and rural areas, launch 32 tourism hub cities, 33 key tourism cities, and 23 distinctive tourism destinations, make efforts to develop county-level tourism, and cultivate more famous tourism counties and "hidden gem small cities." As infrastructure becomes increasingly complete, county-level cultural tourism will better benefit every household or family (千家万户, qian jia wan hu - "thousand, families, ten thousand, households") and drive more consumption growth.
This is precisely:
Dense road networks weave mountains and seas together,
No place under heaven is beyond reach.
Only now do we realize small cities hold many scenic wonders,
With a unique charm all their own.
Xu Zhiwen
Return to TopBy: 王瑞琳
In a village in Zimbabwe, Anna Popoho, in her thirties, drove a Chinese-made "three-wheeler" (electric tricycle). Local road conditions are poor, and large trucks have difficulty entering the village. With the "three-wheeler," it has become much more convenient to purchase agricultural products and take them to market for sale.
The popularity of the "three-wheeler" benefits from a deep industrial foundation—stable costs, guaranteed quality, and a style that is both practical for hauling people and goods and eye-catching. It has become a microcosm of Chinese manufacturing competing on quality and innovation in a niche track.
Why do a batch of small-sized domestically produced machinery and equipment enjoy such high popularity in overseas markets?
Behind the brisk sales is genuine care—Chinese manufacturing has always spoken through strength. On the one hand, Chinese enterprises master the relevant core processes, configure intelligent production lines to high standards, and can independently complete the entire process from design and modeling to mass production, offering considerable cost-effectiveness. On the other hand, Chinese enterprises are adept at tailoring something to suit specific needs (量体裁衣, liang ti cai yi - "measure, body; cut, clothes") for different customers—in relatively flat areas of Indonesia, they mainly promote flexible and convenient medium-sized tricycles; in Tanzania, where transportation conditions still need improvement, they build large tricycles with strong load-bearing capacity and high stability. Neither neglecting orders because they are small, nor rejecting demands because they are numerous, this customer-oriented mindset that stays close to local conditions has allowed domestically produced small equipment to stand out from the crowd (脱颖而出, tuo ying er chu - "remove, pointed tip; emerge, out").
Behind the breakout success is "clustering"—industrial clusters have consolidated the confidence to go global. In Chongqing, Shangfeng Technology, Wanhu Industry, Qiaoguan Automobile, Dongba Industry... some make complete vehicles, others specialize in components or systems. Small equipment also follows a growth logic of being led by a leading enterprise (龙头引领, long tou yin ling - "dragon, head; lead, guide") with multiple firms competing. Mature technology, a complete supporting system, and diversified support for going overseas have given small equipment the impetus for expanding into international markets (走出去, zou chu qu - "walk, out, go") and endowed them with strong competitiveness.
To polish the brand of Chinese manufacturing, one must both reach the highest level of excellence (站得上塔尖, zhan shang ta jian - "stand, on, pagoda, tip") and be down-to-earth and practical (接得了地气, jie de liao di qi - "receive, can, earth, breath"). The global market has never been an arena of a single track, but a hub of diverse demands. Opportunities exist everywhere, and "big" and "small" compete together. As long as one has strong skills, everyone can be a protagonist. The echelon of full-category exports going global is becoming increasingly complete, and China's foreign trade structure is better, more stable, and more resilient.
From medical ambulances in Uganda to mobile food carts in the Middle East, "Made in China" crosses mountains and seas with high quality and cost-effectiveness. Even small demands are treated seriously.
(Excerpted from Chongqing Daily, originally titled "Why Are 'Rustic' Small Equipment Selling Well Globally")
Return to TopBy: 钱海军
"Just cut off the capacitor inside the starter and it will be fine." One weekend in 1999, I went to a home to repair a fluorescent light for an elderly person living alone. As soon as I entered the house, the old man said this. I did as he said, and the light indeed came on.
Only later did I learn that before retirement, the old man had been a grade-eight electrician at a shipyard. What does that mean? He was a top craftsman in this field. But the old man was advanced in years, his eyesight had dimmed, and his hands trembled — all his skills could no longer be put to use. I am also an electrician, and I too will one day grow old. I could not help but feel empathizing with others' feelings (感同身受, gan tong shen shou - "feel, together, body, receive"). When I came back from the old man's home, a thought took root in my heart — to devote more time to helping those who need a helping hand.
I filled out a volunteer application form in the community. Whenever someone's switch broke or a light bulb went out, I would go and fix it after work. Later, I printed a stack of business cards with only three lines of text: "Electric Power Volunteer," "Qian Haijun," and my mobile phone number. The number was drawn thick and bold, and I would hand one to any neighbor in need I met. I have not changed my mobile phone number in over 20 years, for fear that someone might not be able to find me when they need help.
Over a long period of time (久而久之, jiu er jiu zhi - "long, and, long, go"), people began calling me the "all-purpose electrician," saying that if anything in their home broke, I would surely be able to fix it. I cannot live up to the name "all-purpose," but I simply cannot bear to disappoint them. Once an elderly woman asked me to repair her television. Electrical appliances and electric power differ by only one character in Chinese, but in fact they are different trades. The power industry also has a rule: if a fault occurs in the public area outside the meter, the power supply company is responsible; if it occurs inside a resident's home — what is commonly called "behind the meter" — the resident must handle it themselves. A post has its boundaries of duty, but when the people have needs, how can those words "not my responsibility" be spoken lightly? I began to think about gradually making up the skills behind the character "electric," and getting thoroughly familiar with the household appliances that the elderly commonly use and that tend to break down.
Over the years, the electric power industry has developed rapidly. Every household now has electricity, and there are many more kinds of electrical appliances. How to use them well and use them safely has become a new test for electric power service in serving the people. Some people lack basic knowledge of safe electricity use, and incidents such as unauthorized wiring and exposed metal wire ends occur from time to time, which can easily lead to accidents such as electric shock and fire. It is precisely for this reason that we launched the "Thousand Households, Ten Thousand Lights" public welfare project to renovate wiring for families in difficulty. Starting from Cixi, Zhejiang, it has traveled through more than 60 counties across 7 provinces, helping more than 10,000 families in difficulty in total, covering a distance of more than 200,000 kilometers. In Liangshan, Sichuan, when the lights came on, an elderly Yi grandmother held my hand and kept saying "kashasha" (in the Yi language, meaning thank you). We deeply felt that a single lamp lights up a room and also warms people's hearts.
One person, one surge of passion — the strength is ultimately limited. But a small spark can start a great prairie fire (星星之火可以燎原, xing xing zhi huo ke yi liao yuan - "star, of, small, fire, can, singe, vast prairie"). Today, the Qian Haijun Volunteer Service Center has absorbed more than a thousand volunteers. With a larger team, more things can be done. "Stars Lighting Lamps" enriches children's social experiences; "Feelings Linked to the Sunset" warms the later years of the elderly... Now, our volunteer services have expanded to multiple fields, including helping the elderly and the disabled, and public welfare environmental protection. Relying on the "Thousand Households, Ten Thousand Lights" public welfare project, we have also launched a "Growth Plan," cultivating 61 certified rural electricians over several years, so that young people can master one more skill and villages can gain a batch of guardians of electric power.
My name contains the character "jun" (army), which perhaps represents some wish of my parents. A veteran of the New Fourth Army once said to me: "Haijun, back in the war years I carried a gun and charged on the front line; now you carry a toolbox and walk on the front line of serving the people. We are both worthy of our oath to join the Party." I have always used these words to encourage myself. From one's own job to public welfare undertakings, the most important thing in serving the people is being proactive and attentive to others' needs (心中有人、眼里有活, xin zhong you ren, yan li you huo - "heart, middle, have, person; eye, inside, have, work"). For example, be more proactive — before the user even speaks, take the lead in checking for hidden dangers; go one step further — after fixing one lamp, think about how many more lamps are still dark.
People in Cixi call fondness "huanxi" (delight). What is delight? In my view, delight is a feeling even stronger than liking. Being able to become the person who is needed — that is the greatest delight of my life.
(The author is a National Outstanding Communist Party Member and community manager of the Customer Service Center of State Grid Cixi Power Supply Company)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 常 钦
Reciting a poem to step into the mountains and rivers of the textbook; kneading a lump of clay to experience a craft passed down for a thousand years; staying in a mountain courtyard to taste local flavors... During this year's National Day holiday, many tourists chose counties and villages as their destinations.
Meituan data shows: during the National Day holiday, for multiple county-level tourism destinations relying on unique natural landscapes and cultural resources, homestay bookings increased by more than 100% year-on-year. Qunar Travel data shows: during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, hotel booking enthusiasm in county towns increased by 35% year-on-year, and users on the platform booked hotels in more than a thousand county towns. Among county tourism visitors, more than half checked in at more than two small towns, with an average travel duration of 5 days.
From viewing scenery to savoring culture, from brief stops to in-depth experiences, the boom in "county-bound travel" reflects new opportunities brought by service consumption upgrading and integrated urban-rural development. Numerous "hidden gem" small towns and beautiful villages have become the first choice for leisure vacations and relaxation, with "county-bound travel" and rural tourism becoming hot spots in tourism consumption.
Culture with distinctive features, travel with new ideas
Transforming resource advantages into experience advantages
Before entering Jianmen Pass, one first encounters "The Difficulty of the Shu Road."
At the Jianmen Pass High-Speed Railway Station square in Jiange County, Sichuan Province, Zhao Jiaqi, a tourist from Shijiazhuang, Hebei, fully recited Li Bai's "The Difficulty of the Shu Road" and successfully exchanged it for a free ticket to the Jianmen Pass scenic area for that day. "I want to see what the Jianmen Pass in Li Bai's poem looks like," Zhao Jiaqi said.
In previous years, the poetry quiz ticket-exchange activity was held at the scenic area entrance and exit. This year, the local authorities moved the interactive checkpoint forward to the high-speed railway station and the tourism distribution center. As soon as tourists arrive, they can participate in poetry interaction; upon entering the scenic area, they can also watch Sichuan opera face-changing and participate in poetry duels.
One poem draws one journey, and rich experiences open up more touring space. Jiange County guides tourists from the core scenic area toward the ancient Shu Road in townships along the route, where they can see lanterns and paper puppets in Bailong Town, watch Nuo opera in Yangcun Town, and roadside shops and farmhouse operators along the way also receive tourists coming to dine and purchase local agricultural specialty products.
How can distinctive resources exert tourism appeal? The key lies in enabling tourists to walk in and participate.
Guoyang County, Anhui Province, launched the red-themed live-action drama "The Beacon Fire of the Guo River," based on local revolutionary history as creative material, relying on outdoor live-action venues, allowing audiences to feel the stirring years through the performance.
Feng Yong, who brought his child to watch the performance, said: "Previously, my child only read about the War of Resistance history in textbooks. Today, he truly felt the cruelty of war and the fearlessness of our predecessors. This is excellent patriotic education."
The local authorities also launched a ticket-stub linkage discount, connecting the performance with scenic area tours, museum explanations, and specialty dining, so that one performance ticket connects to more cultural experiences and consumption scenarios.
In the Taoer Factory Cultural Block in Dingshu Town, Yixing City, Jiangsu Province, the old factory buildings have become a window for touching pottery culture. Among the red-brick old houses, cultural and creative markets and pottery experience shops attract tourists to stop. Zhao Peng and his family, visiting from Nanjing, walked into a pottery shop, kneading purple clay and trying their hand at shaping.
"It's not viewing through glass, but experiencing the pottery-making process, helping children understand the inheritance and charm of traditional craftsmanship," Zhao Peng said. From appreciating works to making by hand, traditional crafts now have more ways to be displayed, and the old factory buildings have found new uses.
From old factory buildings to abandoned mine pits, dormant resources have found new ways to be opened up.
In Chunshanli, Jizhou District, Tianjin, a former abandoned quarry with exposed rock faces is now lush and luxuriant vegetation (草木葱茏, caomu conglong - "grass, wood, lush, luxuriant"). During the National Day holiday, family tourists walk along the restored trails, listening to study-tour instructors explain the mine ecological restoration process against the cliff remains. In the outdoor farm, children build insect hotels, conduct soil experiments, and participate in plant rubbing, learning about nature through practice.
The local authorities have linked the mine pit remains, the nature library, and the outdoor campsite to create an ecological study-tour route. Many tourists choose to stay in homestays and play in depth. The restored mine pit not only has new landscapes but has also become an observable, participatory nature classroom.
From cultural experiences to ecological study tours, the supply of tourism products continues to enrich. During this year's National Day Culture and Tourism Consumption Month, localities plan to hold more than 20,000 cultural and tourism events, issue more than 310 million yuan in consumption vouchers and other consumption subsidies, and increase product supply around demands such as autumn appreciation and leisure, red tourism, study tourism, and intangible cultural heritage cuisine.
More convenient transportation, more attentive services
Providing convenient conditions for in-depth travel
Traveling to a county town, the experience begins with finding a parking space.
During the National Day holiday, tourist Xiao Lingjie drove with his family and passed through the county seat of Xichuan County, Henan Province, planning to stop for lunch. Following the roadside signs, he parked his car inside the county's No. 1 Primary School.
"Following the 'free parking' sign into the school, with dedicated staff guiding, it was so convenient," Xiao Lingjie said.
Facing the overlap of returning-home crowds and tourist flows, Xichuan County opened some internal parking lots of government agencies and public institutions, primary and secondary school campuses, and government-managed commercial public parking lots for free, arranged staff for guidance, and published opening hours and duty phone numbers.
Using existing public resources to solve tourists' specific problems — one parking space relates to a tourist's first impression of a city.
From "being able to get there" to "traveling smoothly," county tourism requires both a transportation network and shuttle services. As of the end of 2025, the total mileage of rural roads nationwide reached 4.7112 million kilometers, providing the basic conditions for urban-rural travel and rural tourism. About 90% of county-level administrative centers nationwide can reach a highway within 30 minutes, the high-speed rail network connects most counties, and "arrive the same day" and "arrive by the weekend" have become the norm.
Once roads are connected, how can scattered scenic areas, hotels, and villages be strung together? Anji County, Zhejiang Province, launched tourism-transport through buses, opening 5 scenic area routes connecting cultural and tourism sites such as Zhongnan Baicao Garden, the Bamboo Museum, and the Yunshang Prairie scenic area. Tourists can book free pickup from hotels to the hub station online, then transfer to the scenic area routes. The hub station also provides free parking for self-driving tourists to transfer.
The "last stretch of road" has filled the service gap, allowing multi-stop touring to be arranged more leisurely.
Accommodation is also an entry point for experiencing local life. At Yandang Mountain in Yueqing City, Zhejiang Province, the Linfeng Shanshe homestay near the Lingfeng scenic area links accommodation with mountain-and-sea experiences. The homestay arranges a 4-day, 3-night itinerary for guests, integrating scenic area tours, sea fishing, outdoor experiences, and local cuisine. When checking out, tourists can also take away Dendrobium officinale, dried shrimp, and other souvenirs. Meituan data shows: during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, bookings for homestays with 4 to 6 consecutive nights on the platform increased by 24% year-on-year, with notable growth in county-level destinations. Douyin Life Services data shows: during the National Day holiday, group-buying orders on the platform increased by 53% year-on-year.
Small shops receive orders, villagers have livelihoods
Connecting tourism scenarios to more possibilities
When tourists stay overnight, how does consumption benefit the local people?
In Tianhe Village, Jialing Town, Hui County, Gansu Province, ancient ginkgo groves attract tourists. Zhou Yaxue, operator of the Ginkgo Dream Valley homestay, said that in the first few days of the National Day holiday, the 29 guest rooms were basically fully booked. Unlike in the past when visitors left right after viewing the ancient trees, many tourists now choose to stay, eating food and watching the starry sky under the ancient trees.
At the farmhouse restaurant run by villager Sang Qi, ginkgo-stewed free-range chicken, firewood chicken, wild mountain vegetables, and other dishes are popular with tourists.
New consumption demands are also attracting young people back to their hometowns to seek opportunities.
In Qiongkushitai Village, Tekes County, Xinjiang, Wen Yusen, born after 2000, operates a wooden homestay with 10 guest rooms and cooperates with a horse team run by relatives to provide horse-riding services. During the National Day holiday, bookings at this homestay increased by about 30% year-on-year.
Online display and offline experience have expanded the channels for operators to reach tourists. A homestay in Jiuzhaigou County, Sichuan Province, showcases mountain views through short-video platforms, offers afternoon tea, dining, horse-riding photography, and other services, and has set up positions such as housekeeper, housekeeping, catering, and pickup, with many local people participating in services and increasing their income.
"County-bound travel" continues to boom, with large numbers of tourists entering counties to experience rural scenery and harvest scenes, and offline on-site experiences have also driven a notable rise in online consumption of local agricultural specialty products. E-commerce platform data shows: from September 25 to October 4, online consumption of county-level specialty agricultural products grew substantially, with kiwifruit transaction volume in Meixian County and Zhouzhi County, Shaanxi Province, increasing by 65% year-on-year, newly harvested Yanbian rice from Jilin increasing by more than 300% year-on-year, and Changbai Mountain black fungus increasing by 132% year-on-year.
The potential of the county-level market extends far beyond a single holiday. China's county regions account for about 90% of the national land area, hold 50% of the permanent population, and contribute 40% of the economic aggregate. This year, the Ministry of Commerce and 8 other departments issued the "Opinions on Further Stimulating the Vitality of the Lower-Tier Market and Activating County Consumption," proposing to promote integrated development of commerce, agriculture, culture, tourism, and sports; support small shops, time-honored brands, and workshop-style brands that carry local culture; and support the "new artisan" community in fields such as cultural and creative handicrafts, home life, and food and tea beverages.
Small towns open up big markets, and journeys connect to a better life. In the wave of "county-bound travel," the innovative vitality and development space of China's economy surge forth.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 黄晓慧
Recently, the "Dream" (Mengxiang) ocean drilling vessel completed its trial drilling mission in the South China Sea. This voyage lasted 30 days, completing coring operations at two wells in waters 4,100 meters deep in China's South China Sea, successfully recovering basalt samples from the South China Sea oceanic basin, and achieving multiple breakthroughs in scientific research on the tectonic evolution of the South China Sea, the construction of a coring system, and the application of domestically produced core drilling equipment. During this voyage, the "Dream" reached a maximum final drilling depth of 4,929.17 meters, setting a new record for the deepest operational water depth independently achieved by China.
"As the first ocean drilling vessel independently designed and built by China, the 'Dream' can drill down to 11,000 meters in the deep sea and can operate in the vast majority of the world's sea areas. It is a national heavy asset for deep-sea scientific research," said Zhang Haibin, a researcher at the 708th Research Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited and chief designer of the "Dream."
Having its own ocean drilling vessel was once a dream of Chinese scientists. In the past, constrained by the lack of independent equipment, China could only charter foreign drilling vessels to carry out ocean scientific drilling. "At that time, we paid enormous fees, yet the number of scientist berths on board was strictly limited, and the cores drilled could not be brought back to our own country. We had to race against the clock (争分夺秒, zheng fen duo miao - "struggle, minute, snatch, second") to conduct scientific experiments on board," Zhang Haibin said. "The experience of being passively constrained made us determined to build an ocean drilling vessel of our own."
In 2015, China launched the project demonstration and justification work for the "Dream" ocean drilling vessel, clarifying the development path of domestic independent research and manufacturing. "Affordable to use, adequate in performance, large in load capacity, fast in sailing, stable in station-keeping, deep in drilling, and accurate in measurement" — every requirement placed before Zhang Haibin's team was a technical challenge.
The first difficulty encountered was "how to get to sea." For the "Dream" to travel to the South China Sea for scientific research, it had to pass under the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge, and the height of the vessel above the waterline could not exceed 76.5 meters. For an ocean drilling vessel carrying a drilling derrick over 50 meters tall, the difficulty was easy to imagine.
"Could we seek space downward and make the moonpool beneath the derrick a recessed design?" Zhang Haibin said the team boldly conceived and put forward a design scheme that had no precedent anywhere in the world at the time.
How could the feasibility of the scheme be proven? Guided by Shanghai's industry-university-research cooperation mechanism, the team, together with institutions including Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the China Classification Society, conducted hundreds of simulation runs and model tests. In the end, the "Dream," while meeting navigational clearance restrictions, achieved an operating efficiency 40 percent higher than that of comparable international drilling vessels.
In November 2024, the "Dream" was officially commissioned in Guangzhou, Guangdong, marking an important step forward for China in deep-sea access, deep-sea exploration, and deep-sea development.
"Without the platform built by Shanghai, it is hard to imagine that we could have pooled the strength of more than 150 organizations," Zhang Haibin said. As the cradle of China's shipbuilding industry, Shanghai supported the 708th Research Institute of CSSC in establishing a complete product library for deep-water drilling equipment, covering different vessel types, different operating water depths, and different positioning methods. The participating research and construction units collaborated on tackling key problems, drawing up more than a thousand sets of design drawings and conducting more than a hundred equipment and system tests, finally achieving the breakthrough of "small tonnage, multi-function."
Breakthrough after breakthrough in technology reflects Shanghai's increasingly robust capacity for scientific and technological innovation. For major scientific and technological facilities like the "Dream," Shanghai has innovatively established a model in which central state-owned enterprises serve as "chain leaders," research institutes serve as the R&D and design units, and state-owned enterprises and private enterprises serve as the equipment supporting, system integration, and final assembly and manufacturing units, while pooling the research strength of institutions of higher learning for basic research and key technology breakthroughs. Shanghai is accelerating the construction of manufacturing innovation centers and functional platforms for high-tech vessels, marine engineering equipment, and key equipment supporting industries, and is enhancing the level of independent and controllable development of the high-end ship and marine engineering equipment industrial chain. Shanghai is continuously strengthening its function as a source of scientific and technological innovation and its leading function in high-end industries, steadily building itself into a globally influential hub of scientific and technological innovation.
Return to Top(People's Daily, Beijing, October 8) (Reporter Yan Yiqiao) Recently, the General Office of the Ministry of Education and the General Office of the Ministry of Finance jointly issued the "Notice on Carrying Out the Implementation Work of the 2026 Silver Age Lecture Plan," making arrangements for the Silver Age Lecture Plan, with the compulsory education stage planning to recruit 6,000 Silver Age lecture teachers.
The 2026 Silver Age Lecture Plan is mainly implemented in counties that have been lifted out of poverty, underdeveloped ethnic counties, counties in old revolutionary base areas, border counties, and regimental farms of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, with priority given to counties receiving key assistance for national rural revitalization. On this basis, provinces are encouraged to, based on actual conditions (结合实际, jie he shi ji - "combine, actual situation"), independently select outstanding retired teachers to carry out lectures in other counties and townships where educational development is weak, and ordinary high schools may be included in the scope of independent implementation as needed.
The notice emphasizes that retired teachers applying for the Silver Age Lecture Plan are mainly principals, teaching researchers, special-grade teachers, and backbone teachers, and should in principle hold intermediate or above teacher professional titles, with senior teachers as the main body. During the service period of lecture teachers, their personnel relations and current retirement benefits remain unchanged, and work funds are issued monthly, mainly used to provide work subsidies, transportation and travel expenses, and purchase accident insurance premiums for lecture teachers.
The notice requires that all localities should, based on actual conditions, promptly launch the public recruitment of lecture teachers, coordinate the circumstances of different regions, give priority to ensuring the needs of educationally underdeveloped areas such as counties receiving key assistance for national rural revitalization, as well as regions, stages of schooling, schools, and subjects experiencing temporary teacher shortages, publish recruitment information through multiple channels, and attract eligible retired teachers to actively participate.
Return to TopOn October 8, at the seed corn drying base in Jiahetan, Mingyong Town, Ganzhou District, Zhangye City, Gansu Province, farmers loaded dried seed corn onto trucks, preparing to transport it to seed processing plants.
During the autumn harvest season (金秋时节, jin qiu shi jie - "gold, autumn, time, season"), the local seed corn has entered its peak period of harvest, drying, and processing. Farmers, seed enterprises, and processing enterprises are seizing the farming season to make preparations for the needs of spring plowing and spring sowing next year.
Photo by Wang Jiang (Image China)
Return to Top(People's Daily, Kunming, October 8) (Reporter Ye Chuanzeng) The reporter learned from the Mengla Customs Office under Kunming Customs: As of October 7, the China-Laos Railway international freight trains have cumulatively operated more than 25,000 trips, transporting over 20.77 million tons of import and export goods with a value exceeding 100.4 billion yuan, and the scale of import and export goods has grown at an average annual rate of over 24 percent. The effect of the "golden thoroughfare" continues to stand out prominently, adding new momentum to regional cooperation and development.
Railway cold-chain transport and the facilitation of port clearance have enabled the "Southeast Asian orchard" to connect more quickly with the "Chinese dining table." Data show that as of October 7, the cumulative value of tropical fruits imported from Southeast Asia via the China-Laos Railway has exceeded 16 billion yuan.
The export share of high-value-added, high-tech-content products such as smartphones, industrial robots, and new energy vehicles and their parts has continued to rise. In the first eight months of this year, the value of mechanical and electrical products exported via the China-Laos Railway reached 7.42 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 58.4 percent, accounting for 66 percent of the total export value of the China-Laos Railway. Exports of the "new three items" in foreign trade reached 2.73 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 245.2 percent. The two-way trade pattern of "Southeast Asian specialties heading north, Chinese smart manufacturing heading south" is accelerating its formation.
Kunming Customs has fully implemented special actions to facilitate cross-border trade, promoted the deep integration of smart customs and smart port development, continued to promote clearance facilitation measures such as "advance declaration" and "railway fast clearance," and put into operation intelligent systems and equipment such as large-scale container inspection systems and 5G smart individual equipment at the Mohan railway port, enhancing port clearance efficiency and the level of openness. With the continued improvement of supporting facilities along the route and the deepening of cross-border trade cooperation, the China-Laos Railway will further link regional markets, resources, and industries, and play an even more important role in promoting the high-quality joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 王明峰
In the Mianyang Science and Technology City New Area, after receiving a 5 million yuan "sci-tech innovation loan" credit line, Wang Xiao, supply chain director of Sichuan Taren Technology Co., Ltd., breathed a sigh of relief: "With this money in place, capacity expansion, production line expansion, and supply chain relocation can all move forward at full speed."
In response to the mismatched dilemma of 110 health food enterprises "lacking raw materials" while farmers "lack sales channels," Zitong County in Mianyang innovated a mechanism of "taking the lead to tackle difficult tasks (揭榜挂帅, jie bang gua shuai - "remove the list, take charge") and pairing enterprises with farmers," precisely mapping out a demand of 18,000 tons of raw materials and building a "bridge of hearts" connecting production and sales.
One industrial and one agricultural, one urban and one rural — the two scenarios reflect the results of Mianyang's efforts to consolidate and expand the achievements of the learning and education campaign on establishing and practicing a correct view of political achievements, and to implement the normalized working mechanism of "enhancing cadres' capabilities, improving work quality, solving difficulties for enterprises, and relieving worries for the people."
How can one enterprise's "list of demands" leverage a change across an entire industrial chain? In March this year, Mianyang Tianyi Space Technology Co., Ltd. wrote the concern of "insufficient application scenarios for commercial satellite data" into the materials submitted to the Mianyang Science and Technology City Management Committee.
The Mianyang Science and Technology City Management Committee did not stop at a paper reply, but directly confronted the pain point and responded swiftly. Led by the Third Science and Industry Division of Mianyang Science and Technology City, and coordinating departments including housing and urban-rural development and natural resources, the "problem-solving" site was moved to the front line of application. The locality not only expanded the operational application of SAR satellites in fields such as geological disaster monitoring and national land surveying and mapping, but also established a municipal-level aerospace application scenario library, regularly publishing scenario lists and demand lists to promote the priority implementation of innovative products within the province.
Today, the application scenarios of this satellite continue to expand, its technical solutions have been replicated to other regions inside and outside the province, and the monitoring scope has extended from single building safety to more fields such as natural resource surveys and rail transit safety.
Solving difficulties for enterprises must also build momentum for the industry. In 2025, Mianyang incorporated the commercial aerospace industry into its "587+" industrial system, with municipal-level leaders serving as industrial chain chiefs, systematically drawing up the aerospace industry map, locking onto the four major fields of "rockets, satellites, vehicles, and data," and designating Fucheng as the key industrial carrier for rocket engines, Youxian for crewed spacecraft, Beichuan for the general aviation industry, the Science and Technology City New Area for satellite applications, and the Economic Development Zone for aviation electronic components.
In the early morning, a "little yellow bus" arrived on time at the entrance of Beishan Village, Yongchang Town, Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County. Villager Xiao Jianrong came early to the village entrance to queue for the bus. "In the past, to go to the market or take care of business, I had to walk several miles of mountain roads to get to the town, and a round trip cost more than 20 yuan, and I still had to time it right and rely on luck. Now the bus comes right to my doorstep, it only costs a few yuan, and it's fast and steady."
Beichuan has high mountains, steep slopes, and crisscrossing ravines. In the past, residents' travel had long relied on "walking on foot, waiting for rides, and hitching on motorcycles," which was time-consuming and laborious. The locality adhered to a problem-oriented approach, broke with traditional passenger transport operation thinking, and innovatively launched a "dual-vehicle drive" urban-rural passenger transport system combining "standard buses + reservation-responsive little yellow buses."
La Jiachu, director of the Beichuan Highway Transport Management Office, said: "In response to Beichuan's special mountainous terrain, we scientifically plan routes, dynamically adjust schedules, and the government covers operating subsidies, so that mountain residents can afford to ride, can get a ride, and can ride safely, achieving full coverage and long-term operation of urban-rural passenger transport."
When the people have something to say, the government responds. Since implementing the "dual improvement, dual resolution" working mechanism, Mianyang has adhered to a systematic approach, combining "analyzing a specific problem in great detail to understand the whole (解剖麻雀, jie po ma que - "dissect, sparrow")" with "taking a holistic view of the overall situation (纵观全局, zong guan ju bu - "survey, view, whole, situation")," keeping a close eye on the "key small matters" around the people while also working hard to resolve the "extremely urgent matters requiring immediate attention (燃眉之急, ran mei zhi ji - "burn, eyebrow, urgent, emergency")" in the development of leading industries such as nuclear medicine.
Focusing on pain points in people's livelihoods, promoting "big changes" through "small entry points." Centering on the urgent concerns and expectations of the people, Mianyang comprehensively sorted out shortcomings and weaknesses in fields such as mountain-area transportation, medical treatment and schooling, and elderly care services, established dynamic ledgers, and implemented cancellation-based management. As of now, Mianyang has cumulatively collected more than 21,000 opinions and suggestions from the people, conducted 891 policy publicity sessions, and promoted the resolution of more than 60,000 various public demands, allowing the people to truly feel the warmth "at their doorstep."
Closely targeting development bottlenecks, activating the "strong engine" through "optimizing the environment." In response to problems strongly reflected by enterprises such as slow approval, financing difficulties, and insufficient industrial chain supporting facilities, Mianyang, through "extensive collection of demands, precise classification and assignment, full-process tracking and supervision, and follow-up visits for closed-loop effectiveness assessment," has worked hard to solve the urgent difficulties and concerns of enterprises, unblocking the pain points and bottlenecks encountered in enterprise production and operation, and achieving resonance between the improvement of people's livelihoods and economic development.
Return to Top(People's Daily, Beijing, October 8) (Reporter Shi Fang) On October 7, the "Great Dramas in Beijing" 2026 Beijing International Theater Performance Season was launched at the National Aquatics Center. With the theme "Curtain Rises on the World, Dramas Gather in Beijing," the performance season will run from October to December, featuring fine-play performances, a city theater carnival, a Shougang Park theater arts gathering, and public-benefit viewing activities, building a platform for exchanging and learning from one another (交流互鉴, jiaoliu hujian - "exchange, mutually learn from each other") between outstanding Chinese and foreign plays and domestic and international stage arts.
The performance season will invite 120 major productions from more than 20 countries and regions, covering over 10 art categories including drama, dance, musical, opera, traditional Chinese opera, and concerts. It will promote theater stepping out of the auditorium, integrating into the city and drawing close to daily life. The districts of Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai, Shijingshan, and Mentougou will coordinate to launch a "one district, one brand" city theater carnival, with more than 500 supporting theater events across the city.
The performance season also introduces public-benefit viewing activities, targeting Beijing residents and visitors to the capital, fostering a cultural consumption atmosphere of shared enjoyment by all and appreciation across the entire city. At the same time, it links diverse consumption scenarios, promotes deep integration of culture, commerce, tourism, sports, and exhibitions, and achieves an upgrade from "single-viewing" to comprehensive consumption featuring "full-chain," "immersive," and "scenario-based" experiences.
The performance season is hosted by the Publicity Department of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPC, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, and the Beijing Federation of Literary and Art Circles. The "Great Dramas in Beijing" performance season was founded in 2022, and this year marks the first launch of the "Great Dramas in Beijing" International Theater Performance Season.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 田先进 李祉瑶 李凯旋
Editor's note: General Secretary Xi Jinping replied to the letter from all members of the "Zhangzhou 110" in Fujian Province, expressing the hope that the broad ranks of police officers would "resolve difficulties and alleviate worries for the masses with heart and feeling, working with utmost diligence and conscientiousness (兢兢业业, jing jing ye ye - "fearful, respectful; industry, diligence") to guard the lights of ten thousand households, and be loyal guardians of the Party and the people."
Drawing close to the masses to ask about their needs, providing considerate services to handle practical matters. Our reporter visited grassroots police stations, walked into a police station yard opened for grain drying, followed a horseback police team, and experienced a household registration service window, learning about the huge number of complex issues (千头万绪, qian tou wan xu - "thousand, heads; ten thousand, threads") in the daily work of police officers, and recording their vivid practices in maintaining public order, resolving conflicts, serving the masses, and refining their professional skills.
This police station has opened its yard for villagers to dry grain for 10 consecutive years—
"The mass line is embodied in the open courtyard gate"
Walking into the compound of Wushi Police Station of the Huangshan Branch of the Huangshan City Public Security Bureau in Anhui Province, the ground is covered with golden rice grains. Local farmers Xu Hejian and his wife Cao Weizhi are busy spreading and winnowing the grain.
Xu Hejian's family planted 4.5 mu of rice this year and harvested about 2,000 kilograms of paddy. "The open space at our doorstep is small, and the rice is spread thick, taking six or seven days to dry; but here it is relatively spacious, and it can be dried in just a few days," Xu Hejian said. "The paddy doesn't need to be bagged up and hauled back every night; we just need to rake it together and cover it with a rainproof tarp." Xu Hejian told the reporter that when it is windy or rainy, the police officers at the station also lend a hand.
This summer, severe convective weather occurred frequently in Wushi Town. One afternoon, dark clouds rolled and thunder drew near. Zhang Baoqian, the police officer on duty, noticed that elderly Huang Zhenfang was hurriedly harvesting rice in the yard, so he called two colleagues and quickly ran over. The three divided their work in an orderly manner—gathering, bagging, and carrying—racing against the clock (争分夺秒, zheng fen duo miao - "struggle, minute; seize, second") to finish harvesting all the rice before the downpour arrived.
"Thanks to you all—otherwise this year's harvest would have been ruined." Huang Zhenfang expressed his gratitude repeatedly. "When it is windy or rainy, lending a hand to the villagers is a common occurrence," Zhang Baoqian said. "This is also an old tradition of Wushi Police Station."
Wushi Town, far from the urban area of Huangshan City, is located deep in the mountainous region of southern Anhui, where arable land is scattered sporadically among mountain hollows and basin valleys, and usable flat land is very limited. Every autumn, villagers worry about finding places to dry their rice.
In 2016, Wushi Police Station moved to this location. In addition to the newly built office building, the compound was also equipped with a basketball court and a parking lot. Yang Shengwu, then chief of the police station, discovered the villagers' difficulty in drying rice and vacated the basketball court and parking lot of more than 650 square meters. "We reserve a passage for police vehicles, so it will not affect receiving and handling police calls or office work and case handling," Yang Shengwu said.
In 2020, Cui Lixian took over as chief. In addition to continuing to vacate open space for villagers to dry rice, the police station also opened the first-floor lobby for villagers to rest at noon. "The sun is strongest at noon, and villagers are accustomed to turning over the rice once at one or two o'clock in the afternoon," Cui Lixian said. "The police station also purchased a water dispenser for the villagers to use."
One courtyard, mutual convenience. While villagers dry rice here, police officers take this opportunity to carry out publicity on preventing telecommunications and internet fraud and road traffic safety, and also gain an in-depth understanding of social conditions and public opinion. Since the beginning of this year, the station has used the opportunity of villagers drying rice to carry out more than 20 sessions of legal publicity, obtained 8 leads on various conflicts and disputes, and resolved all of them in a timely manner.
What is dried is rice; what is warmed is the hearts of the people. "The mass line is embodied in the open courtyard gate, embodied in the moment when police officers lend a hand," said Zhu Jianxin, deputy director of the Huangshan City Public Security Bureau. "When police officers treat the masses as relatives, the masses naturally treat police officers as family."
This horseback police team has conducted more than 300 patrols and resolved 371 problems—
"When herdsmen need it most, police officers must arrive at the first moment"
As dusk enveloped the wilderness, the telephone at the Ebudeg Border Police Station of the Hulunbuir Border Management Detachment in Inner Mongolia suddenly rang. The voice of Baozhu, a herdsman in the jurisdiction, was filled with anxiety: "My herd of more than a hundred sheep has run deep into the grassland and can't be found!"
The vast Barag grassland is crisscrossed with ravines and gullies, and the withered autumn grass obscures the paths. The deeper the night, the more easily the sheep scatter and get lost.
Bao Haisheng, chief of the Ebudeg Border Police Station, quickly assembled the members of the "Heliqin" horseback police team. They mounted their horses and galloped swiftly toward the vast pasture. The team members leaned over their horses' backs, tracking the flickering or appearing and disappearing indistinctly (若隐若现, ruo yin ruo xian - "as if, hidden; as if, appear") sheep hoof prints by the faint light. Six hours later, they finally found the flock in a valley depression.
Such rescue operations are not unusual at the Ebudeg Border Police Station. The station's jurisdiction covers 225 square kilometers, most of which has no roads and no mobile phone signal, with herding households living scattered. Police vehicles cannot drive in, but police calls cannot wait. In 2022, Bao Haisheng took the lead in integrating the forces of police station officers, full-time border guards, and local herdsmen to form the "Heliqin" horseback police team. "Heliqin" means "border guardian" in Mongolian. "Where cars cannot reach, horses can; when herdsmen need it most, police officers must arrive at the first moment," Bao Haisheng said.
In autumn, the grassland experiences frequent showers, and after rain the pastures become muddy and slippery. Several herdsmen were trapped while grazing, with their vehicles deeply stuck in the mud and unable to move. Upon receiving the request for help, Bao Haisheng and his team members brought ropes and other emergency supplies, charged into the rain curtain on horseback, and helped the trapped herdsmen escape danger.
The horseback is a "search and rescue team" and also a mobile "mediation room." The pastures of herding households on the grassland interlace with one another, and incidents of livestock crossing boundaries occur frequently. If not handled in a timely manner, neighbors can easily accumulate grudges.
The cattle of herdsman Chao entered the pasture of herdsman Tu and grazed on a large area of winter reserve forage. After receiving the report, Bao Haisheng and the police officers quickly rode to the scene.
"You deliberately let the cattle in while I was away—you must compensate at full price!" Tu was very angry. "I didn't do it on purpose—it was clearly your pasture gate that you forgot to close," Chao said with grievance.
Recalling that a geological survey engineering team had recently been conducting sampling operations on the surrounding pasture, Bao Haisheng speculated that it was possible the staff had failed to close the gate properly when entering and exiting, so he immediately contacted the person in charge of the project to verify, and the other party confirmed that it was the negligence of the staff. Bao Haisheng took the opportunity to mediate: "Regarding the loss of forage, I have already communicated with the construction team to bear the corresponding compensation. In daily life, everyone helps each other out—there is no need to hurt the harmony over this matter."
Since its formation in 2022, the "Heliqin" horseback police team has conducted more than 300 patrols in total, helped herdsmen more than 330 times, and resolved 371 urgent, difficult, and distressing problems (急难愁盼, ji nan chou pan - "urgent, difficult, anxious, longing") for herdsmen. More moving than the data is the reputation among herdsmen. Everyone says: "When the sound of horse hooves rings out and we see the horseback police team coming from afar, we feel especially at ease."
This service window police officer has handled more than 80,000 transactions in 12 years—
"Obtaining certificates for the masses is a 'major matter'; we must be reliable"
On an autumn morning, in the certificate-handling room of Xiaojiahe Police Station of the High-tech Zone Branch of the Chengdu Municipal Public Security Bureau in Sichuan Province, members of the public queued in an orderly manner waiting. "Your materials have been reviewed and approved. Your new ID card will be ready within 20 working days. If you have any questions, feel free to call me at any time," police officer Zhang Jing patiently handled the replacement of an ID card for an elderly person.
This small window is precisely the post where Zhang Jing has taken root. Since 2014, Zhang Jing has successively worked at the immigration and household registration windows, handling more than 80,000 household registration transactions of various kinds. "Officer Zhang keeps our affairs in her heart," residents in the jurisdiction said. "At her window, things always get done."
Since the police station published the phone number of the certificate-handling room police officer, Zhang Jing has received many requests for help. A student approaching the college entrance examination accidentally lost his ID card, and she found a way to help him use the green channel; an elderly person hospitalized with illness lost his residence permit and could not apply for medical insurance reimbursement, so she brought mobile equipment to the bedside to collect information; an elderly person living alone found it inconvenient to go out, and by calling Zhang Jing's phone, household registration services could be "handled at home"... "The proudest moment is being able to say to everyone with confidence, 'Don't worry, leave it to me to handle,'" Zhang Jing said.
Although she knows the business processes thoroughly by heart (烂熟于心, lan shu yu xin - "rotten, familiar; at, in, heart"), Zhang Jing never feels that there are "trivial matters" at the window. "Members of the public who come to handle business may be in a hurry to complete a trip, a reimbursement, or may be going through settling down or job hunting—for them, these are all 'major matters.'" Handling inquiries and entering information time after time, Zhang Jing maintains patience and rigor: "Obtaining certificates for the masses is a 'major matter'; we must be reliable."
Last year, Zhang Jing encountered a difficult problem. A resident, Mr. Fan, came to the window for help: more than 20 years ago, when he went abroad to work, he cancelled his household registration and ID card. Thinking it was a temporary change in status, he discovered upon returning to China to live that his household registration information had already been lost.
Zhang Jing inquired with all the relevant archives management departments and household registration-related units, and speculated that the source of Mr. Fan's identity information might be in Xi'an, Shaanxi, where he had once studied, so she hurriedly traced back to the local area and finally found the key household registration transfer certificate. Zhang Jing helped Mr. Fan successfully obtain his ID card, and he sent a letter of thanks: "It is the hard work of the police officers that makes ordinary people have someone to rely on when they encounter difficulties."
To expand the coverage of household registration services, the Chengdu High-tech Zone Public Security has established a "Beehive" police-enterprise workstation in the Tianfu Life Science Park, where Zhang Jing goes on duty every week, enabling household registration, immigration, and other services to be "handled in the park." "The voices of the people enter the ears, and governance enters the heart. By taking root at a small window, we can also deliver 'big services,'" Zhang Jing said with a strong sense of achievement.
(Yuan Zhongfeng participated in the reporting and writing)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 魏哲哲
The Supreme People's Court and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce jointly released on October 8 the second batch of typical cases of diversified resolution of disputes in the private economy sector, focusing on resolving the problem of arrears owed to enterprises and guiding private enterprises to conduct mediation in accordance with the principles of voluntariness and legality.
This batch comprises 10 typical cases in total, involving contract disputes over the sale of goods arising from arrears in payment between upstream and downstream enterprises in the construction industry, between small and micro building-material suppliers and medium-sized construction enterprises, and between enterprises across provincial borders.
In one case, a concrete company signed a contract with a design and engineering company, stipulating that the concrete company would supply building materials for the infrastructure project of the design and engineering company. After the concrete company delivered the goods as contracted, both parties settled accounts and confirmed the total payment due at 5.8559 million yuan.
However, the design and engineering company paid only an initial installment of 448,500 yuan, leaving 5.4074 million yuan unpaid for an extended period. After repeated demands yielded no result, the concrete company filed a lawsuit with the court and applied for the freezing of the other party's bank accounts, demanding payment of the outstanding principal, interest, liquidated damages, and other fees. Because its accounts were frozen, the design and engineering company faced the operational risks of a broken capital chain and inability to bid for new projects, further intensifying the conflict between the two parties.
After receiving the litigation materials, the People's Court of Ranghulu District, Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province, considering that both parties were private enterprises and still maintained business dealings, and that they possessed the conditions for settling disputes through negotiation and mediation (协商和解, xie shang he jie - "consult, negotiate, reconcile, settle"), invited the Mediation Committee of the Ranghulu District Federation of Industry and Commerce to form a mediation team. The mediation revealed that the design and engineering company had stable daily operations and was originally capable of paying off the disputed goods payment, but because the engineering projects it had undertaken were owed large sums of project funds by upstream contracting parties, and the relevant payments had long remained unsettled, the enterprise's working capital was heavily occupied, and its cash flow remained under sustained pressure. It was not only difficult for the company to pay off the owed building-material payments in one lump sum, but it also faced the risk of a broken capital chain — a typical "triangular debt" problem in the construction industry.
How can the "triangular debt" predicament be resolved? On the one hand, the judge explained the law, enabling the enterprises to recognize the negative consequences that could arise if mediation failed and the case proceeded to trial and enforcement: not only would the enterprise's reputation be damaged, but it could also easily trigger successive defaults by upstream and downstream enterprises, further aggravating the industry's cash-flow difficulties. On the other hand, the mediators analyzed the debtor's debt-servicing capacity and the status of upstream payment recoveries from the perspective of business logic and industry practice, guiding the enterprises to understand the design and engineering company's temporary working-capital difficulties from the standpoint of long-term win-win cooperation and to jointly seek a path to resolution.
In the end, through coordinated action between the court and the Federation of Industry and Commerce, the two parties were brought to reach a consensus mediation agreement within 15 days: adopting the approach of "thawing accounts first, then paying in installments," which both gave the distressed enterprise breathing room and used strict liability for breach of contract to compel the enterprise to perform its obligations in good faith.
Return to Top(People's Daily, Beijing, October 8) (Reporter Zhang Tianpei) The reporter learned from the National Immigration Administration: during this year's National Day holiday, border inspection authorities across the country facilitated a total of 15.462 million entries and exits of Chinese and foreign personnel, averaging 2.209 million per day, an increase of 6.7% compared with the same period last year; the single-day peak in entry-exit clearance occurred on October 4, reaching 2.397 million. Among them, mainland residents made 4.444 million outbound trips, an increase of 9.3% compared with the same period last year; foreign nationals made 682,000 inbound trips, of whom 505,000 entered under the visa-free policy, representing increases of 5.4% and 9.2% respectively compared with the same period last year. Border inspection authorities across the country inspected a total of 732,000 aircraft, vessels, trains, and vehicles of entry-exit transportation, an increase of 14.7% compared with the same period last year. In accordance with the unified deployment of the National Immigration Administration, border inspection authorities across the country mobilized all personnel and made every effort to ensure holiday clearance services, with entry-exit clearance at ports nationwide proceeding safely, efficiently, and smoothly.
Return to TopIn the golden autumn of October, with autumn colors at their richest, during the National Day holiday, construction at the Changchun Wuhuan Gymnasium was in full swing, and on-site power guarantee staff of State Grid Changchun Power Supply Company conducted electricity use inspections at the construction site. In January 2027, the 33rd FISU World University Games Winter (referred to as the "Winter Universiade") will open in Changchun, Jilin Province — an important window for Changchun to showcase the ice-and-snow charm of the "Spring City of the North" to the world. At present, the power guarantee work for the Winter Universiade has shifted from the early-stage assault phase to the critical stage of decisive victory. State Grid Changchun Power Supply Company has consistently treated Winter Universiade power guarantee as a key project, meticulously preparing all power guarantee work, and welcoming this ice-and-snow rendezvous with "full-charge electricity."
Implement thoroughly and meticulously, pressing the responsibility for supply guarantee down to the "last meter"
Power guarantee involves a huge number of complicated issues (千头万绪, qian tou wan xu - "thousand, head, ten thousand, threads"); first of all, the "command chain" must be strengthened. State Grid Changchun Power Supply Company adheres to the principles of "shared responsibility of the Party and government, one post with dual responsibilities," adjusts and improves the dedicated power guarantee task force, with daily coordination, weekly reporting, and monthly summaries, forming a "flattened" work system with vertical connectivity and rapid feedback.
In the office of the dedicated power guarantee task force, the battle map on the wall is filled with the venues, substations, and lines involved in power guarantee across the various competition zones. Centering on more than one hundred power-guarantee-related projects, State Grid Changchun Power Supply Company has arranged the schedule in reverse order item by item, established milestone plans and task ledgers, clarified key nodes such as construction, commissioning, acceptance, and operation, implemented daily tracking and weekly scheduling, and issued timely warnings and supervision for lagging projects.
In order to implement and refine the responsibility for supply guarantee, State Grid Changchun Power Supply Company has been investigating thoroughly to the very end (刨根问底, pao gen wen di - "dig, root, ask, bottom") regarding customer-side equipment. Staff have checked the 10 kV incoming lines and low-voltage distribution systems venue by venue, tracing back to terminal loads, and continuously deepening the "thorough inventory, thorough inspection, thorough rectification" campaign for defects and hidden dangers. State Grid Changchun Power Supply Company has precisely calculated the workload of 1,579 guarantee personnel, clarifying posts, shifts, and backup forces for each venue. During the National Day holiday, staff daily reports continued without interruption, inspections did not stop, and drills were not relaxed, pressing and consolidating the responsibility of "power guarantee depends on me."
Technology empowers, adding greenness and intelligence to the ice-and-snow rendezvous
The Winter Universiade will be held in the depths of winter, when extreme weather may occur at any time, placing strict requirements on power guarantee. At the rain, snow, and freezing weather disposal drill site of State Grid Changchun Power Supply Company, three types of hard-core technological equipment with independent intellectual property rights made appearances in succession, and the confidence for serving a technology-driven Winter Universiade and a green Winter Universiade was palpable.
A device resembling a "cannon" stood pointing skyward; this is a weather intervention device developed jointly by State Grid Changchun Power Supply Company and the Jilin Provincial Meteorological Bureau, which will shift emergency disposal of extreme weather during the Games from "passive emergency repair" to "active prevention."
At the line inspection site, a hydrogen-powered inspection drone slowly descended. The hydrogen-powered drone has the advantages of long endurance and extreme cold resistance, and can meet the long-distance, refined inspection requirements of the Winter Universiade.
In response to line icing conditions, State Grid Changchun Power Supply Company independently developed an intelligent resonance de-icing robot. In the engineering verification during the 2024–2025 winter, this robot could clear ice from a full 500-meter span of line within 5–10 minutes, multiplying the de-icing efficiency and the speed of operation and maintenance rotation.
From weather intervention to drone inspection, and then to intelligent de-icing, technology makes power guarantee smarter and also makes the green foundation of the Winter Universiade more distinctive. State Grid Changchun Power Supply Company will use its independent technological innovation applications to safeguard every wonderful moment of the Winter Universiade.
Seizing the momentum, letting the light of the Games illuminate the city's future
Driven by this Winter Universiade power guarantee mission, a large number of power-guarantee-related projects, substations, and lines have been renovated and upgraded, the urban grid structure has become more robust, and power supply reliability has been significantly improved. These changes not only serve the Games period, but will continue to release dividends after the Games.
Taking the implementation of the Winter Universiade power guarantee mission as an opportunity, State Grid Changchun Power Supply Company has improved the emergency power guarantee mechanism, continuously strengthened operation and maintenance support, made efforts to enhance the level of quality service, efficiently advanced grid renovation and upgrading, and supported the vigorous development of Changchun's ice-and-snow industry with strong power support.
Looking to the future, State Grid Changchun Power Supply Company will closely align with the provincial and municipal plans for the 15th Five-Year Plan period and the requirements for building Changchun's modern metropolitan circle, combine this with State Grid Jilin Electric Power's three-year action to enhance the power grid's disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities, further improve the grid's ability to withstand extreme weather, make Changchun in the "ice-and-snow season" "fully powered," and truly turn "cold resources" into "hot economy."
Serving the Winter Universiade with full effort; the brilliance extends beyond the Winter Universiade. State Grid Changchun Power Supply Company will, with strong grid capacity, strict service standards, and a pragmatic and tenacious work style, serve Changchun's economic and social development over the long term and illuminate the city's future.
Data source: State Grid Changchun Power Supply Company
Return to TopAt the end of December 2012, General Secretary Xi Jinping, braving the severe cold and treading through lingering snow, came to Luotuowan Village and Gujiatai Village in Longquanguan Township, Fuping County, Hebei Province, entering villages and households to see real poverty. Sitting on the heated kang, he asked about warmth and cold; chatting about daily life, he planned poverty alleviation. The General Secretary stressed, "Without a well-off countryside, especially without a well-off poverty-stricken region, there can be no comprehensively built moderately prosperous society," and in Fuping he issued the mobilization order to the entire Party and the whole country for the battle against poverty. The clarion call of the new era's battle against poverty sounded from deep in the Taihang Mountains and resounded across the land of China.
Over the past decade and more, local cadres and the masses have borne in mind his instructions, advanced with gratitude, and turned the General Secretary's care into the strength to move forward. "As long as there is confidence, the yellow earth can turn into gold." Party members and cadres led the masses in solid, concrete work — planting mushrooms and fruit trees on the mountains, welcoming guests into their homes, doing handicrafts in their courtyards, and selling mountain produce through livestreaming.
The former extremely poor villages have undergone unprecedented changes (翻天覆地, fan tian fu di - "turn, heaven; cover, earth"). Expressways now reach deep into the mountains, and residential homes and guesthouses have taken on a brand-new look; fruit trees, mushrooms, and fungi now cover the mountains and fields, and household handicrafts have entered villages and households; young talents have returned to their hometowns to start businesses, and livestream e-commerce is thriving. The per capita disposable income of villagers in Luotuowan Village rose from 950 yuan at the end of 2012 to 28,434 yuan by the end of 2025, and that of villagers in Gujiatai Village rose from 980 yuan to 29,213 yuan, each growing nearly 30-fold. The villagers' wallets are fuller, their days are sweeter, and their laughter is more abundant.
From the battle against poverty to comprehensive rural revitalization, Luotuowan Village and Gujiatai Village have continued their efforts, building livable, workable, and beautiful villages. The Party branch of Gujiatai Village was rated a national advanced grassroots Party organization, and Luotuowan Village was selected as a national key village for rural tourism and a beautiful leisure village in China.
From "seeing real poverty" to "living a good life," deep in the Taihang Mountains, the yellow earth has produced gold; where the clarion call sounded, the mountains and rivers have taken on a new look.
(People's Daily reporters Li Ge, Chen Bin, Zhang Tengyang, photo report)
Return to TopBy: 董振华
In June 2023, at the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development, General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out: "The 'second integration' is another ideological emancipation, enabling us to fully utilize the precious resources of China's excellent traditional culture in a broader cultural space, and to explore theoretical and institutional innovation oriented toward the future." This important assertion is included in the article "Deeply Understanding the Great Significance of the 'Two Integrations'" in Volume II of Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Culture. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping has creatively proposed and elaborated on "upholding the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and with China's excellent traditional culture," particularly proposing the "second integration." As another ideological emancipation, the "second integration" has, through creative transformation and innovative development, broken the fixed mindset of the opposition between the ancient and the modern; through integrating China and the foreign and upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, it has broken the path dependence of the opposition between China and the West; through shaping the cultural form of Chinese modernization, it has broken the myth of "modernization = Westernization," giving birth to an organic, unified, and vibrant new cultural organism. A deep study of Volumes I and II of Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Culture and a scientific grasp of the great practical significance of the "second integration" are of great significance for us to better shoulder the new cultural mission of the new era, and to continue promoting cultural prosperity and building a strong cultural nation at a new starting point.
Opening a broader cultural space for theoretical and institutional innovation, and consolidating cultural confidence and cultural subjectivity
How to treat history and how to treat traditional culture are major issues that General Secretary Xi Jinping has always pondered and cared about. The article "Ideals and Convictions Are the 'Calcium' in the Spirit of Communists" in Volume I of Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Culture includes a portion of the speech General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered during his inspection tour in Guangdong in December 2012. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "We must never abandon the excellent cultural traditions of the Chinese nation; on the contrary, we must inherit and carry them forward well, because they are the 'roots' and 'soul' of our nation. If we lose these 'roots' and this 'soul,' we will have no foundation." For a country and a nation to grow upward and develop forward, it cannot do so without a foundation, nor can it do so with an unstable foundation. Especially in China, which has a five-thousand-year civilizational heritage, the profound civilizational roots and cultural nourishment are indispensable important resources for our development of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics today. In Volume I of Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Culture, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that toward traditional culture, "one cannot adopt an absolutist attitude of wholesale acceptance or wholesale rejection." The "second integration" has, at the ideological level, clarified the attitude and method toward China's traditional culture, namely, extracting essence and discarding waste (取其精华、去其糟粕, qu qi jing hua, qu qi zao bo - "take, its, essence; discard, its, dregs"), inheriting, absorbing, and utilizing the excellent content of China's traditional culture well, and truly closely integrating it with the basic tenets of Marxism. This has cleared away the erroneous perceptions of historical nihilism and cultural nihilism, opened up new development space for Marxism and China's excellent traditional culture, pushed the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism to a new level, and provided fundamental guidance and strong support for strengthening cultural confidence and consolidating cultural subjectivity.
China's excellent traditional culture endows theoretical and institutional innovation with profound cultural support. In Volume II of Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Culture, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Theoretical self-awareness and cultural confidence are the strength of a nation's progress; advanced values and ideological emancipation are the source of a society's vitality." Since the new era, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has, along the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, achieved a series of new major breakthroughs in theoretical innovation and institutional innovation, established Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and continuously developed and improved it in practice, and formed numerous institutional achievements with effective operation and complete elements in the coordinated advancement of the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan (五位一体) and the coordinated promotion of the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy (四个全面). In Volume I of Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Culture, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "When we say we must strengthen confidence in the path, theory, and system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, in the final analysis we must strengthen cultural confidence. Cultural confidence is a more fundamental, deeper, and more enduring force." In the great journey of advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, through creative transformation and innovative development, we have integrated the value concepts and governance wisdom in China's excellent traditional culture that meet the requirements of the times into theoretical and institutional innovation, making them both conform to the basic tenets of Marxism and endowing them with distinctive Chinese cultural characteristics. For example, integrating "the people as the foundation of the state" into the people-centered development philosophy and the system of whole-process people's democracy; integrating "the combined governance of rites and law" into the practice of comprehensive law-based governance; integrating harmony between humanity and nature (天人合一, tian ren he yi - "heaven, man, combine, one") into the building of ecological civilization; integrating universal harmony under heaven (天下大同, tian xia da tong - "under, heaven, great, unity") and promoting harmony among all nations (协和万邦, xie he wan bang - "harmonize, unite, ten thousand, states") into the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind; and so on. It is precisely because of the powerful guidance of the "second integration" at the ideological and practical levels that our theoretical and institutional innovation has gained a broader cultural space, and China's excellent traditional culture has also gained a practical carrier in theory and institutions. The two complement each other and jointly provide more solid support for continuously opening up new horizons for the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism and realizing Chinese modernization.
Promoting the further consolidation of cultural confidence and cultural subjectivity. The Chinese nation has a long history and splendid culture, but since modern times, Chinese civilization was once tarnished, and national confidence and cultural confidence once waned. Through the efforts of generations of Chinese Communists, national confidence and cultural confidence have been regained. Since the new era, General Secretary Xi Jinping has unequivocally proposed strengthening cultural confidence, listing cultural confidence alongside confidence in the path, theory, and system as the Four Confidences (四个自信) of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and clarifying the foundational status of cultural confidence among them. To build a solid cultural confidence, the key lies in basing oneself on the five-thousand-year Chinese civilization, both firmly believing in Marxism and firmly identifying with China's excellent traditional culture. The "second integration" both elevates China's excellent traditional culture to the "root vein" and "spiritual lifeline" of the Chinese nation, revealing from the civilizational root the historical inevitability of the Chinese path, so that confidence in the path, theory, and system is rooted in cultural confidence, and also views with an autonomous mindset the deep integration and mutual achievement of Marxism and China's excellent traditional culture, enabling Marxism to radiate vigorous vitality in China. At the same time, the "second integration" also builds a solid cultural foundation for the Chinese path, enabling Marxism to take root in China's five-thousand-year civilization, consolidating the civilizational foundation of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, and laying the internal conditions for achieving spiritual independence and autonomy. This provides strong support for us to create a good ideological and cultural environment and to strengthen cultural subjectivity.
As another ideological emancipation, the "second integration" has fundamentally broken the outdated frameworks that constrained cultural development, allowing culture to deeply integrate into national governance, social life, and individual development, simultaneously expanding the physical space and spiritual creative space for cultural existence and development, injecting a continuous source of endogenous impetus into cultural development, systematically consolidating cultural confidence, and laying a solid foundation for the prosperity of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics in the new era.
In creative transformation and innovative development, breaking the "dispute between the ancient and the modern" and creating an organic, unified new cultural life form
In Volume II of Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Culture, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "'Integration' is not a 'platter,' not a simple 'physical reaction,' but a profound 'chemical reaction,' creating an organic, unified new cultural life form." The new cultural life form is a brand-new achievement after the profound "chemical reaction" between the soul vein of Marxism and the root vein of China's excellent traditional culture, marking the complete transcendence of the "dispute between the ancient and the modern" that has troubled China for a hundred years since modern times and its binary opposition (二元对立, er yuan dui li - "two, elements, oppose, stand") mode of thinking. In the process of realizing the renewal of China's excellent traditional culture from tradition to modernity, it has truly gained a firm self in the cultural sense, cultural subjectivity has been comprehensively established, and an organic, unified new cultural life form has acquired a more stable and distinct spiritual core.
Breaking the "dispute between the ancient and the modern" and establishing the principle of cultural innovation. For a long time, regarding the inheritance and development of China's traditional culture, there have been cognitive differences along dimensions such as tradition versus modernity and the local versus the foreign. The proposal of the "second integration" further clarified the important mission of creating a new cultural life form, connecting the ancient and the modern, opening up the internal and the external, and with a broad civilizational vision and far-reaching historical thinking, unified ideological understanding, bridged cognitive differences, and eliminated ideological misconceptions. The proposal of the new cultural life form, on the one hand, firmly guards the root vein of Chinese civilization, refusing to simply regard China's five-thousand-year civilization as a "burden of modernization" and deny it; on the other hand, it always treats traditional culture with the scientific attitude of extracting essence and discarding waste, promoting the active integration of ancient civilization into the modern context, transcending the limitations of cultural conservatism and revivalism. This path of cultural innovation breaks through the ideological dilemma of "the ancient and the modern being either/or," establishes the brand-new principle of cultural innovation of "upholding fundamental principles without being conservative, respecting the ancient without restoring it," marks the Chinese nation reaching a new height at the spiritual level, and not only provides strong spiritual impetus and cultural support for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, but also contributes uniquely distinctive Chinese experience to the diverse development of world civilizations.
Providing profound civilizational root support for the new cultural life form. In Volume II of Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Culture, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Without China's five-thousand-year civilization, where would Chinese characteristics come from? Without Chinese characteristics, how could there be the successful path of socialism with Chinese characteristics that we have today?" Marxism and China's excellent traditional culture are not cultural entities that exist independently of each other, but rather are mutually connected and deeply integrated, generating a brand-new organic cultural whole in which each contains the other. Through creative transformation and innovative development, the philosophical thought, humanistic spirit, and moral concepts contained in China's excellent traditional culture have been extracted into vibrant cultural factors, endowed with new contemporary connotations, integrated into modern practice, and coordinated with the value concepts and institutional arrangements of contemporary society, enabling the ancient civilization to radiate new vitality in modern society and truly realizing "making China's excellent traditional culture modern." At the same time, through the localization of the discourse system, the civilizational expansion of theoretical connotations, and the deep integration of cultural bloodlines, China's excellent traditional culture has injected rich historical and cultural nourishment into Marxism, enabling it to take deep root in the fertile soil of Chinese civilization, possessing distinctive Chinese style, Chinese bearing, and profound civilizational foundations, and truly realizing "making Marxism Chinese." The new cultural life form formed through the "second integration" both adheres to the soul vein of Marxism and adheres to the root vein of China's excellent traditional culture, becoming the cultural form of Chinese modernization. The practice of contemporary China shows that modernization does not necessarily have to come at the cost of severing one's own cultural traditions, nor are traditions necessarily obstacles to modernization. It is entirely possible, through the organic integration of tradition and modernity, to construct a new cultural form that both meets the requirements of modernity and maintains its own cultural subjectivity.
The "second integration" regards tradition as the root vein of modern culture and modernity as the new life of traditional culture. This scientific view of the ancient and the modern has, at the theoretical and practical levels, constructed a brand-new framework for the relationship between the ancient and the modern, establishing for the development of Chinese culture a subjectivity based on its own civilizational tradition. The new cultural life form completes the epochal leap of Chinese civilization's "old state, new mission," providing deep and intrinsic cultural support for national rejuvenation.
Through upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground that integrates China and the foreign, breaking the "dispute between China and the West" and adhering to the Chinese cultural stance amid civilizational clashes
In Volume I of Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Culture, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Toward our traditional culture and toward foreign things, we must adhere to applying ancient wisdom to modern times (古为今用, gu wei jin yong - "ancient, for, modern, use") and adapting foreign things for Chinese use (洋为中用, yang wei zhong yong - "foreign, for, Chinese, use"), sifting the wheat from the chaff (去粗取精, qu cu qu jing - "discard, coarse; take, refined") and eliminating the false and preserving the true (去伪存真, qu wei cun zhen - "discard, false; preserve, true"), and after scientific sublation, make them serve our use." The "second integration" adheres to placing oneself at the center (以我为主, yi wo wei zhu - "with, me, as, main") and serving our use, resolving the "dispute between China and the West" through upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground that integrates China and the foreign. It both adheres to the Chinese cultural stance and absorbs the outstanding achievements of global civilizations, completely transcending the binary opposition between "wholesale Westernization" and "closed-door exclusionism," forming a civilizational form that possesses both local roots and a global vision.
Firmly grasping the initiative in ideology and culture. In Volume I of Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Culture, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Various ideologies and cultures clash with each other, and exchanges, interactions, and confrontations among different civilizations are becoming more frequent, further highlighting the strategic position of ideological and cultural strength in the competition of comprehensive national strength." This important exposition points out the urgency and importance of grasping the initiative in ideology and culture. From the "second integration," one can deeply feel that our Party has firmly grasped the initiative in ideology and culture. This initiative can be grasped from both historical and practical levels. From the historical trajectory, since modern times, the country has been humiliated, the people have suffered, and civilization has been tarnished. The Chinese nation once lacked confidence and lost itself on cultural issues. In dealing with the issue of "China" and "the West," it often fell into binary opposition: some blindly excluded foreign things, causing cultural development to lose the vitality of modern transformation; others abandoned their own fundamental roots and willingly became appendages of Western civilization. The "dispute between China and the West" is essentially a prolonged debate that modern China, under the impact of Western civilization, has carried out around the relationships between "the local and the foreign" and "the self and the other." The "second integration" enables Marxism to take deep root in the fertile soil of Chinese culture, uses the power of truth to activate Chinese civilization, enables us to achieve spiritual independence and autonomy, gives the Chinese nation and the Chinese people a firm self in the cultural sense, and gives cultural confidence a fundamental support. With this subjectivity, we firmly grasp the initiative in ideology and culture, neither self-diminishing before Western civilization nor being closed and conservative before traditional culture, truly achieving "placing oneself at the center and serving one's own use," and independently absorbing all the outstanding achievements of human civilization. From the practical significance, at present, the intensity of competition among countries in ideology, values, and other aspects has not diminished in the slightest, but rather continues to extend into subtle and deep areas. Therefore, firmly grasping the initiative in ideology and culture concerns social harmony and stability and the long-term peace and security of the country. The "second integration" emphasizes combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China's excellent traditional culture, which both clarifies the scientific guidance of the truth of Marxism and promotes the common values of all mankind, and enables all Chinese people to more deeply draw rich spiritual nourishment from China's excellent traditional culture and traditional wisdom, enabling us to uphold a firm stance and basic value judgments when facing the complex and ever-changing situation in the ideological field, achieving "remaining unmoved as a mountain."
Effectively promoting exchanges and mutual learning among human civilizations. In Volume II of Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Culture, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Openness and inclusiveness are the driving force for the development of civilization." "Diverse civilizations are the true nature of the world. History tells us that the flourishing of civilizations and the progress of mankind are inseparable from exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations." From the perspective of promoting the development of human civilization, the "second integration" provides new values and methodology for countries around the world to handle the relationship between their own culture and foreign cultures. In dealing with one's own culture, the "second integration" clarifies that one must take root in one's own culture, and only by establishing firm cultural confidence and building an ideological and cultural core can one maintain oneself in exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations and truly achieve openness and inclusiveness. In dealing with other countries' cultures, the "second integration" inherits the ancient wisdom of Chinese civilization such as "harmony between humanity and nature," "harmonious coexistence," and "grasping both ends and using the middle," replacing the confrontational logic of civilizational conflict with the mode of thinking of harmony in diversity and seeking common ground while reserving differences, clarifying the principle of neither blindly following foreign cultures nor engaging in closed-door exclusionism, advocating absorbing all the outstanding achievements of human civilization with an open mind, while firmly guarding one's own cultural roots. In practice, General Secretary Xi Jinping upholds openness and inclusiveness, adheres to a global vision, pays attention to the future and destiny of mankind with a world perspective, correctly understands and handles the relationship between China and the world with a grand view of history, promotes the common values of all mankind, promotes the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and with great wisdom resolves the "dispute between China and the West," forcefully refutes the theory of civilizational conflict, and contributes Chinese wisdom and Chinese strength to promoting the development and progress of human civilization.
The "second integration" has freed itself from the oppositional relationship that views "China" and "the West" as superior versus inferior, advanced versus backward, and in acknowledging differences and discovering compatibility, promotes the deep integration of the wisdom of the two civilizations. Breaking the binary oppositional dispute between China and the West and adhering to the Chinese cultural stance amid civilizational clashes, the "second integration" not only lays the foundation for the prosperity of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics in the new era, but also provides the cultural foundation and Chinese wisdom for building a new form of human civilization that possesses both national characteristics and a global vision. It is an important contribution to the development of human civilization.
Breaking the myth of "modernization = Westernization" and providing a profound cultural foundation and spiritual impetus for creating a new form of human civilization
In Volume II of Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Culture, General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out that the "second integration" "makes the new culture formed through 'integration' the cultural form of Chinese modernization," emphasizing that "Chinese modernization is deeply rooted in China's excellent traditional culture, embodies the advanced nature of scientific socialism, draws on and absorbs all the outstanding achievements of human civilization, represents the direction of progress of human civilization, presents a new picture different from the Western modernization model, and is a brand-new form of human civilization." These important expositions mark that our Party's understanding of the laws of building socialist culture with Chinese characteristics has reached a new height, fully reflecting our Party's practical initiative and civilizational consciousness in creating a new form of human civilization. Chinese modernization has been condensed and elevated at the level of ideas and concepts, forming a cultural form with its own distinctive characteristics, breaking the myth of "modernization = Westernization." This not only provides profound cultural support for Chinese modernization, but also provides a brand-new cultural sample for late-developing countries to independently explore the path of modernization on the premise of maintaining their own civilizational roots.
Forming the unique cultural identity of Chinese modernization. In Volume II of Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Culture, General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed: "World civilizations are diverse. There is neither a single modernization model that is universally applicable, nor a modernization standard that is universally valid." For a long time, the West, relying on its first-mover advantage, has monopolized the discourse power of modernization, packaging its own development path as a "universal standard," even proposing the "end of history" thesis, declaring that only the capitalist system can achieve modernization, and believing that the Western liberal democratic system is the ultimate form of human civilization. In fact, Western modernization has been dominated by the logic of capital from beginning to end, containing inherent defects that cannot be resolved. The internal polarization between rich and poor in the industrialization process, external plunder and expansion, the unbridled exploitation of nature in the development process, and the disregard for spiritual values have already triggered a series of global problems such as huge wealth gaps, worsening ecological crises, and frequent geopolitical conflicts. The predicament of the Western model itself has proven that capitalist modernization is not the end point of the development of human civilization, nor is it the optimal choice for human civilization. Against the background of continuously changing world economic and political situations and the clash of various cultural trends, "where is the world going" has become a question of the times that mankind must face together. The "second integration" endows Chinese modernization with a unique cultural identity distinct from the Western model, and also opens up new horizons for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the progress of human civilization. Through the "second integration," we take adhering to cultural subjectivity as the fundamental premise, avoid the two extreme tendencies of "wholesale Westernization" and "cultural revivalism," firmly guard the root vein of Chinese civilization, adhere to developing socialist culture with Chinese characteristics in the new era, continuously stimulate cultural innovation and creative vitality, realize the historic leap of Chinese civilization from "civilization tarnished" to "civilization renewed," set a brand-new example for developing countries to independently move toward modernization, and greatly enrich the garden of world civilizations.
Demonstrating the civilizational significance of socialist cultural construction. In Volume II of Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Culture, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Chinese modernization endows Chinese civilization with modern power, and Chinese civilization endows Chinese modernization with profound heritage." In the great process of advancing Chinese modernization, we have successfully constructed a new cultural form, demonstrating the civilizational significance of socialist cultural construction that faces modernization, faces the world, and faces the future. It is a modernization that continues the ancient civilization, a modernization that has grown from the land of China, embodying the outstanding characteristics of Chinese civilization's continuity, innovation, unity, inclusiveness, and peacefulness. It is the result of civilizational renewal, not the product of civilizational rupture. We uphold an open and inclusive view of civilization, advocate the common prosperity of different civilizations through exchanges and mutual learning, promote the common values of all mankind of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom, propose the Global Civilization Initiative, and advocate "each appreciating its own beauty, and sharing beauty among all." The historical practice of Chinese modernization has completely broken the myth of "modernization = Westernization," expanded the path for developing countries to move toward modernization, and contributed Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to solving the common problems facing mankind.
The "second integration" breaks the myth of "modernization = Westernization," not only demonstrating the development potential of non-Western civilizations and consolidating the cultural foundation for the pluralistic coexistence and symbiotic development of human civilizations, but also, based on a holistic vision of mankind and the world, promoting the common values of all mankind, injecting spiritual impetus that transcends capitalist civilization into the generation of a new form of human civilization, and making a contribution of far-reaching historical significance to the progress of human civilization.
(The author is a researcher at the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance))
Return to TopBy: 张晓兰
Computing power is one of the core driving forces behind the development of artificial intelligence, and it cannot be separated from the foundational support of electricity. As the digital economy merges with the energy revolution, the coordinated development of computing power and electricity has become an important path for advancing the realization of the "dual carbon" goals, and is also an important component of new infrastructure construction. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "We must vigorously develop the digital economy and increase investment in new infrastructure." The outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan proposes: "Deepen the implementation of the East-Data-West-Computing project, build a multi-tiered computing power facility system, and a nationwide integrated computing power network." This year's Government Work Report proposes: "Implement new infrastructure projects such as ultra-large-scale intelligent computing clusters and computing-power-electricity coordination, and strengthen nationwide integrated computing power monitoring and dispatch." At present, we are deeply implementing the "AI+" action. Exploring and promoting the coordinated development of computing power and electricity is of great significance for advancing high-quality development and realizing the "dual carbon" goals.
Computing-power-electricity coordination is not a simple connection between computing power and electricity, but rather, relying on the nationwide integrated computing power network and the new power system, it achieves dynamic matching and optimal allocation between computing power and electricity in terms of planning and layout, construction and operation, dispatch and regulation, and market trading, through technological integration, institutional innovation, and market linkage. By promoting the adjustment of electricity dispatch according to computing demand and the use of electricity according to computing needs, it promotes the efficient coordination of energy flows, data flows, and value flows, achieving the optimization of resource utilization, the minimization of operating costs, and the maximization of green benefits.
From a technical perspective, relying on technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence, computing-power-electricity coordination breaks down the data barriers between computing power dispatch and electricity dispatch, promotes the real-time interaction and precise regulation of energy flows, data flows, and value flows, and can promote the adaptation of computing power loads to the fluctuations of green electricity and the matching of green electricity supply with computing power demand. From a systemic perspective, computing-power-electricity coordination is reflected in the optimal spatial matching of computing power layout and electricity resources. By coordinating computing power demand with electricity supply, computing power facilities with the power grid architecture, and computing power dispatch with electricity dispatch, it builds an ecosystem of mutual support and mutual promotion, and can achieve unified planning, synchronous construction, coordinated dispatch, and integrated operation of computing power and electricity. From an institutional perspective, computing-power-electricity coordination requires breaking down regional barriers and industry boundaries, accelerating the construction of a policy system, regulatory system, and market-oriented operating mechanism suited to the needs of the coordinated development of computing power and electricity, and can promote the formation of a pattern of cross-regional, cross-field, and cross-industry coordinated linkage. Precisely for this reason, against the backdrop of increasingly fierce global technological competition and energy rivalry, computing-power-electricity coordination can provide important support for safeguarding national strategic security and enhancing national competitiveness.
For example, as a key force in reorganizing global factor resources, reshaping the global economic structure, and changing the global competitive landscape, the digital economy is developing rapidly in our country, and its demand for computing power and electricity continues to increase. The layout of computing power and the supply of energy in our country present a reverse distribution characteristic: the eastern region has strong computing power demand, greater pressure on electricity supply, and relatively scarce energy resources; the western region has abundant energy resources and greater potential for green electricity development. Advancing computing-power-electricity coordination can, through cross-regional computing power dispatch and green electricity supply, achieve the coordinated mutual promotion of "East-Data-West-Computing" and the consumption of green electricity in the west.
As another example, our country is accelerating the construction of a new energy system and promoting the green and low-carbon transformation of energy. At present, the green and low-carbon transformation of energy in our country faces challenges such as a relatively low consumption rate of green electricity and insufficient grid regulation capacity. This is mainly reflected in the fact that the new power system is dominated by new energy sources such as wind power and photovoltaics, which have characteristics of intermittency and volatility, making it difficult for the traditional power system to effectively consume them. Computing-power-electricity coordination turns computing power centers into adjustable, dispatchable, and interactive flexible loads, increasing computing power loads during peak green electricity output to consume clean energy on-site, and appropriately reducing non-real-time computing tasks during peak grid electricity demand, which can effectively improve the efficiency of new energy utilization.
Advancing computing-power-electricity coordination covers all links of source, grid, load, and storage, runs through the entire process of planning, construction, and operation, and is a systematic project spanning fields, levels, and departments. In recent years, the relevant departments of our country have issued a series of documents, including the Implementation Opinions on Deeply Implementing the "East-Data-West-Computing" Project and Accelerating the Construction of a Nationwide Integrated Computing Power Network, providing guidance for promoting computing-power-electricity coordination. The period of the 15th Five-Year Plan is a critical period for consolidating the foundation and making comprehensive efforts to basically realize socialist modernization, and is also a critical period for our country to build a new energy system and achieve the carbon peak goal. We must adhere to a systemic perspective, strengthen top-level design, overall coordination, and breakthroughs on key points. Specifically, efforts can be made in the following aspects.
First, adhere to a coordinated, unified approach across the entire country (全国一盘棋, quán guó yī pán qí - "whole, country, one, chess, board"), with integrated layout, standardized construction, and intelligent upgrading as the core, synchronously incorporate computing power and electricity infrastructure into plans for territorial space, energy development, and the digital economy, establish cross-departmental and cross-regional coordination mechanisms, comprehensively consider key factors such as green electricity supply, grid consumption capacity, and land use, and form a joint force for integrated advancement. Second, improve the linkage mechanism, break down the data barriers between computing power dispatch and electricity dispatch, and promote the integrated and efficient operation of load monitoring, demand forecasting, and coordinated regulation. Third, deepen market-oriented reform, promote the integrated innovation of the electricity market and the computing power market, explore the establishment of cross-provincial and cross-regional computing-power-electricity trading platforms, and precisely transmit green electricity resources to the computing power load centers in the east. Fourth, strengthen the tackling of key core technologies for computing-power-electricity coordination, with a focus on breaking through technologies such as intelligent dispatch algorithms, efficient conversion for direct green electricity supply, and flexible control of computing power loads, to enhance the technical level and independent controllability of computing-power-electricity coordination; accelerate the construction of technical standards, and formulate a computing-power-electricity coordination standard system with unified national technical standards, energy efficiency standards, and accounting standards.
(The author is a researcher at the National Information Center)
Return to TopThe Pinglu Canal is the first grand canal connecting rivers to the sea built since the founding of the People's Republic of China. This canal, 134.2 kilometers in total length, passes through the mountains with many overlapping peaks (重峦叠嶂, chong luan die zhang - "mountain, layers, stack, peak") of the great southwest, reaches rivers and the sea, and touches the villages and towns along its route.
Where there are people, there are concerns. How to preserve the memories of old streets, whether old trees can move along with the residents, how to make children's commute to school safer, how to make life better after moving into new homes — answering each of these questions with care allows this century-spanning project to better reach people's hearts.
The canal flows through my hometown. Here, it holds both memories and the future. Our reporters followed the Pinglu Canal from its starting point to its outlet to the sea, recording the daily life and memories, the relocations and new roots, the desks and childhoods, the livelihoods and hopes of the places the canal passes through.
— Editor
A New Starting Point, Life with More Promise
People's Daily reporters Pang Geping, Zhu Jiaqi
At dawn, on Pingtang River Estuary Street, Xinfu Township, Hengzhou City, Nanning, Guangxi, 62-year-old Lei Yubao pushed open his back door, and the open vista where the Yujiang River and the Pingtang River converge appeared before him. Across the river, the red characters reading "The century-spanning project, the Pinglu Canal, sets sail from here" reflected off the blue waves.
The place called Jiangkou (River Mouth) is no ordinary place. In ancient times, a salt customs post was established here to levy salt taxes. At its peak, the water-and-land salt routes connected rivers and the sea, with frequent movement of boats and ships (舟楫往来, zhou ji wang lai - "boat, oar, go, come") and a large gathering of merchants and traders (商贾云集, shang gu yun ji - "merchant, trader, cloud, gather"). Now, this is the starting point of the Pinglu Canal.
More than 60 years ago, when the Xijin Hydropower Station impounded water, some residents moved away, and the ancient salt road, along with the changes of the times, gradually faded into the long river of history.
Eight years ago, when Lei Yubao was traveling outside, he saw that other places had historical and cultural exhibition halls, and he thought of the old street: "The history of Jiangkou must not simply disappear like this."
To this end, Lei Yubao went door to door collecting old objects — ancient blue bricks salvaged from the riverbed, salt administration certificates from the Republican period, kerosene lamps from more than 50 years ago... Each one bears the traces of old Jiangkou. He also visited the elders of the village and used models to recreate the streets and alleys that had sunk beneath the river.
In November of last year, after retiring, Lei Yubao converted one room of his home into an exhibition hall, naming it the "Jiangkou Historical and Cultural Exhibition Hall." The exhibition hall is not large — several dozen square meters — and displays more than 200 old objects and over 100 old photographs. It is open to the public free of charge and has received nearly 10,000 visitors to date.
By the river, shaded by green trees, the landscaped walking path is flat and spacious, sightseeing boats have been freshly decorated, and visitors are gradually arriving at designated photo spots to take commemorative pictures.
Fifty-year-old Wei Xiaoqun's home sits right by the canal. Her small building stands facing the river, directly opposite the broad expanse of water at the canal's starting point.
After construction on the canal began, builders and tourists arrived one after another in quick succession (接踵而来, jie feng er lai - "heel, follow, come"). Wei Xiaoqun converted her small building into an agritourism restaurant, which opened in May this year. She runs it together with her husband, with the menu featuring local specialties: freshly caught river delicacies, white-cut chicken with crisp skin and tender meat, and fat-but-not-greasy green-head ducks... Many customers buy some to take home after eating. Each month they host more than ten tables of guests, and upstairs there are guest rooms for homestay accommodation. "At the busiest times, there aren't enough seats for all the guests at home. Running a business at home also lets me take better care of the family." Wei Xiaoqun said while stir-frying shrimp at the stove, "I'm planning to dry some more fish and shrimp."
Strolling along the street, on both sides of the bluestone-paved road, gray-toned arcade-style buildings speak of bygone days. Hou Xinhai, Party branch secretary of Pingtang Village, has led villagers in carrying out environmental sanitation improvements, building a canal culture square, and exploring the history of salt transport. Homestays and specialty shops have gradually opened in the village, and some old houses have been contracted by investors who plan to develop cultural tourism projects.
With the canal open to navigation, thousand-ton cargo ships will head south from here, sailing toward more distant places. Lei Yubao said: "When the ships come, life will have more promise."
A New Home, Taking Root Through Hard Work
People's Daily reporter Zhang Yunhe
The tea had just been brewed, and before he could take a couple of sips, his phone rang. Huang Xubin looked toward the excavator outside the house: "Fine, send this one out too."
In Shaping New Town, Shaping Township, Lingshan County, Qinzhou, Guangxi, 34-year-old Huang Xubin has made his home. He owns several excavators; at daybreak they head to the construction site, leaving one behind waiting for work. Huang Xubin originally lived in Shagang Community, Shaping Township. Because of the Pinglu Canal construction, his family's land was requisitioned, and in 2025 the whole family relocated here.
In his early years, Huang Xubin went out to work as a migrant laborer. In 2014, he bought his first excavator. After that, he moved between Baise, Yulin, and Guilin for work, rarely able to return home more than once a year.
When the Pinglu Canal construction began, work became available nearby. He returned to his hometown to participate in the canal construction, earning a higher income than before. "One job after another," Huang Xubin said. "The animal passage bridge, the Shaping River Bridge, the Jintang Village Bridge, the Xinfu Township river-crossing passage bridge — I've worked on quite a few projects."
The canal rewrote his livelihood and also changed his home.
In his memory of Shagang Community, his family's old house went from mud brick to blue brick to red brick, repaired and expanded generation after generation. Peanuts, potatoes, and chili peppers were grown in the family fields, and the hills were covered with pine trees. After the canal was built, this area became a navigation channel.
His new home is a three-and-a-half-story building. The house is bright and airy, with a spacious terrace on the top floor for drying odds and ends. Standing at the top, one can see row upon row of buildings in the new town. The home is fully equipped with appliances, including two washing machines and a large refrigerator. Huang Xubin said: "It's comfortable living here now."
Stepping out of the house, several ancient trees in the new town's central square have already taken root, with new leaves just beginning to sprout. These ancient trees moved into the new town along with the relocated residents. People move to new homes, trees move to new soil, and in this way, the longing for one's native land takes root by the canal.
Along the Pinglu Canal route, 36 ancient trees have undergone protective transplantation. The relevant departments have adopted a "one tree, one strategy" relocation protection measure, establishing a guardianship file for each ancient tree.
Nostalgia is not only vested in the trees. Of the 24 roads in the new town, Leye Street and Youyi Street carry beautiful hopes, while Tongluo Road and Changgang Road are taken from the old place names before the relocation.
A new life has thus begun. Huang Xubin's 4-year-old daughter Jinmei is still young, and his younger son Jindi was born after the family moved to the new town — he is the family's "canal baby." The public kindergarten supporting the new town will soon be completed and put into use, and the two siblings will be able to attend kindergarten at their doorstep.
Today's new town has bright streetlights, and basketball courts and small leisure parks are all available (一应俱全, yi ying ju quan - "one, all, complete, all"). The living conditions of the relocated residents have genuinely improved. The canal is now open to navigation, the comprehensive agricultural market and industrial development buildings are under accelerated construction, the wharf is gathering strength and momentum to prepare for action (蓄势待发, xu shi dai fa - "accumulate, momentum, wait, release"), and new opportunities are right before their eyes. Huang Xubin looks forward to seizing the opportunity: "Do the work solidly, and life will keep moving upward."
A New Campus, Safeguarding Children's Growth
People's Daily reporter Pang Geping
In Qili Village, Shaping Township, Lingshan County, Qinzhou City, Guangxi, the sound of reading aloud fills the campus of Canal Qili Primary School.
Viewed from above, the Pinglu Canal cuts through the mountains. On the slope by the bank, the school buildings of Canal Qili Primary School stand in neat order — teaching buildings and a track-and-field sports ground, rationally laid out and surrounded by green trees.
Because the original site of this rural school fell within the canal's land requisition scope, its relocation and reconstruction began in March 2024. During construction, the project team adopted methods such as interleaved construction to overcome difficulties including excessive rainfall and a tight schedule, passing the completion acceptance inspection in just 130 days and officially putting the school into use in September of that year.
"Previously, more than 60 people were crowded into one classroom; now the new campus is beautiful and the classrooms are spacious," said Huang Penggang, principal of Canal Qili Primary School. In 2025, Canal Qili Primary School was selected as one of the seventh batch of 100 typical schools for warm and cozy rural campuses by the Ministry of Education.
Canal Qili Primary School is not the only beneficiary. In an open class for second graders at Canal Shiqiao Primary School, a smart screen played footage of the Pinglu Canal construction, as teacher Lai Manying told of the changes in her hometown. Looking at the aerial photos of the Madao Junction, the children listened attentively to the introduction by Pan Jian, chief engineer of Guangxi Pinglu Canal Construction Co., Ltd. After class, the children wrote about the canal in their compositions: "On the river, big ships are loaded with goods, and tourists give thumbs up, praising how beautiful my hometown is."
At the site chosen for Jiuzhou No. 2 Primary School, there was no water or electricity, and the roads were difficult to traverse. The foundation was weak, so the construction team switched to pile foundation construction. It happened to coincide with the rainy season, and the workers worked in raincoats and rain boots, with up to 500 people working in three shifts at peak times. Chen Chaojian, project manager of Lot 2 of the Pinglu Canal building construction, recalled: "There were too many construction difficulties."
To build the schools along the canal well, the construction team was extremely "picky" about details: using environmentally friendly materials, changing the right angles of podiums to rounded corners, lowering the handrails in kindergartens by half a meter... "We treat the children here as our own children," said Li Zaiming, deputy general manager of Guangxi Pinglu Canal Construction Co., Ltd.
In August 2024, Jiuzhou No. 2 Primary School was handed over, and classes began on September 2 of the same year. The cafeteria followed soon after, with market regulatory authorities intervening early and building it to the standards of "no water, no hazards, no odors." Menus are published weekly, and the children eat hot, nutritious meals.
Previously, because of the inconvenience of drop-off and pick-up, Lu Sen, a villager from Xitun Village, Jiuzhou Township, Lingshan County, did not send his child to kindergarten. After Jiuzhou No. 2 Primary School was completed, he enrolled his son in its affiliated kindergarten. "Now it's convenient and worry-free to go to school," Lu Sen said.
"To guarantee enrollment for students along the route, the Pinglu Canal project rebuilt and newly built 6 canal primary schools along its entire length, all of which were successfully put into use in the fall semester of 2024," introduced Feng Guoxing, an engineer with the Pinglu Canal Engineering Construction Command.
A New Passage, Achieving "Direct River-to-Sea Access"
People's Daily reporter Li Weijun
At Qinzhou Port in Guangxi, cargo ships berth, shore cranes steadily hoist containers, and external container trucks shuttle through the storage yards.
This is the outlet to the sea of the Pinglu Canal. "Recently, you can clearly feel that something is different," said Zhang Minghe, deputy manager of the Operations Department of Guangxi Qinzhou Bonded Port Area Honggang Wharf Co., Ltd. "The source of goods has extended westward and further upstream."
Zhang Minghe's perception of the change comes first from a steady stream of new client names. Previously, goods from many enterprises in the southwest region had to travel east along the Xijiang River, detour around the Pearl River Delta, and go to sea from Guangzhou Port. The Pinglu Canal has opened up a passage between the Xijiang River and the Beibu Gulf Port. "For clients, shipping via the canal means lower freight costs and faster transit times," Zhang Minghe said. Since the Pinglu Canal opened to navigation, the transshipment efficiency of "inland river–seaport" and "direct river-to-sea" transport has greatly improved.
In the office of the Commerce Department of Guangxi Qinzhou Bonded Port Area Honggang Wharf, Zhou Ming, deputy supervisor of billing, sees a different kind of change.
In front of the computer screen, business information such as container volumes, vessel schedules, and shipping documents keeps refreshing. When the phone rings, she lowers her head to check the data, then quickly switches systems.
"Business volume is steadily rising, the turnover pace of vessels and containers is faster, and the interconnectedness of the work is stronger," Zhou Ming said. In the past, she focused more on operations within the port area; now, she also has to keep track of information on inland river vessels and river-sea intermodal routes.
To keep up with the changes, Zhou Ming began proactively filling knowledge gaps: studying river-sea intermodal transport policies and rules, regulations for transshipment between inland river vessels and sea-going ships, familiarizing herself with the Pinglu Canal navigation standards, and mastering the new digital business system.
Change is also happening at the other end of the client's phone line.
Some traders who used to ship through Guangzhou Port are now inquiring about Qinzhou Port. "I combine the client's actual cargo types and shipping plans, compare the old and new routes, and explain to clients using real cases and data," Zhou Ming said. "After many clients see the situation on the ground, they are also willing to try shipping from Qinzhou Port."
The port is accelerating its "growth." At the wharf, the smart operations system links vessels, container areas, equipment, and operational processes. The turnaround time for external container trucks at the wharf is about 12 minutes, and the average single-machine efficiency of shore crane loading and unloading reaches 32 natural containers per hour.
"With the Pinglu Canal open to navigation, Qinzhou Port will evolve into an industrial port. High-value-added container cargo will become more and more abundant," Zhang Minghe said. Auto parts, photovoltaic modules, electronic products, and more can all go to sea from here. "New business forms such as road-to-water modal shift, break-bulk-to-container conversion, river-sea barge transport, and cross-border logistics will become increasingly active, and the connection between the port and industry will grow ever closer."
Return to TopBy: 赵冲久
The postal industry is an important social public utility of the state and a landmark industry of modern logistics. The delivery network is an important component of the logistics network, possessing the unique advantages of whole-network coverage and end-to-end tracking under a single waybill, and it plays an important role in serving production, promoting consumption, and smoothing circulation. The theme of this year's World Post Day is "Improving the Postal Service Network, Unlocking Infinite Possibilities for the Industry," which profoundly reveals the important significance of the delivery service network in promoting the smooth flow of goods (物畅其流, wu chang qi liu - "thing, smooth, its, flow") and serving economic and social development.
General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that "logistics are the 'sinews and collaterals' of the real economy" and that "express delivery has now become the flowing blood of the city." These important statements both define the strategic positioning of modern logistics and reveal the functional role of the delivery network. The network is the physical carrier, and service is the ultimate value; together, the two constitute the operational foundation of the delivery network. The more complete the network, the stronger the sinews and collaterals, and the broader the scope of service; the better the service, the smoother the blood flow, and the more efficient the network's interconnection.
Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the postal industry has adhered to placing equal emphasis on network coverage and capacity enhancement, and on empowering industry and serving people's livelihoods, driving postal and express delivery to upgrade from "being able to deliver" to "delivering well," to extend from "serving daily life" to "serving production," and to expand from "connecting urban and rural areas" to "linking the world."
Continuously expanding network coverage. Through the implementation of projects such as "express delivery to townships" and "express delivery to villages," the industry has built the world's largest delivery network with the broadest coverage and the greatest number of beneficiaries. The delivery network has been integrated into the national comprehensive three-dimensional transportation network and coordinated as a whole with the logistics network, and hub clusters in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Chengdu-Chongqing region, and the central urban agglomerations have basically taken shape. Relying on the "hub + corridor + network" model, commodities, factors, and resources flow freely across the country and even beyond, with more than 6,300 parcels per second and 540 million parcels per day entering the delivery channel.
Accelerating the building of a smart engine. From carrying loads on shoulders and backs to unmanned delivery, the industry is accelerating its transformation toward a technology-intensive model. Sorting centers have basically achieved automated operations, AI vision models have achieved millisecond-level response, vertical-domain large models assist in dynamic optimization of route planning, and embodied robots are being applied across the entire chain of warehousing, sorting, and delivery. Unmanned warehouses, unmanned vehicles, and unmanned aerial vehicles are being rapidly popularized, and electronic waybills and recyclable transit bags have basically achieved full coverage. Smart leadership and green empowerment give the industry's high-quality development greater substance and a brighter foundation.
Deeply integrating into the industrial cycle. Fully leveraging the channel advantages that run through the primary, secondary, and tertiary industries, the industry is reshaping production and operation organizational models, promoting a shift in production models toward "customized production on demand and flexible response," realizing a positive interaction between supply and demand, and enhancing the endogenous driving force of the domestic major cycle. It actively serves modern agriculture and advanced manufacturing, helping specialty agricultural products such as Yunnan coffee and Yan'an apples leave the fields, and better serving the development of "Intelligent Made in China" products such as new-energy vehicles and biomedicine. The delivery channel carries more than 30 billion yuan of goods circulation daily, helping to build a modern circulation system that optimizes resource allocation and smooths production-sales relations, and injecting lasting momentum into the construction of the unified national market.
Striving to enhance people's well-being. Always practicing the people-centered development philosophy, and relying on service supply with high cost-effectiveness and broad coverage, the industry extends the consumer market to every corner. In 17 pilot counties in the central and western regions, 2,939 administrative villages have achieved "express delivery to villages" through postal bottom-line support, enriching the connotation of universal postal service in keeping with the times; more than 81 percent of administrative villages have built village-level integrated delivery logistics service stations, making up for the shortfall in rural end-node services, and inclusive, equalized, and bottom-line delivery services enable urban and rural residents to equally enjoy high-quality cross-regional goods and services. The per capita annual use of express delivery in China exceeds 140 parcels, and the average end-to-end delivery time and public satisfaction with express services continue to improve. Through the smoothness of its delivery network, the postal industry is contributing to the strength of the real economy and the advancement of people's well-being.
Development knows no end, and struggle has no final period. While affirming achievements, we must also clearly recognize that risk challenges still exist in areas such as improving service quality, safeguarding the rights and interests of couriers, stabilizing end-node outlets, rectifying "involution-style" competition, and ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the delivery network. The postal industry is currently at a critical juncture at the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan. We must adopt the posture of pioneers, use innovation to solve problems and solid work to blaze the trail, focus on the "two promotions" and "three improvements," continue to weave a denser network, smooth circulation, and expand boundaries, and demonstrate the industry's responsibility in building a modern infrastructure system and serving the construction of the unified national market.
Expanding the service network and activating new momentum for smooth circulation. A sound service network requires not only "connectivity" but also "smoothness." We must focus on taking root downward, fully leveraging the bottom-line role of the universal postal service network, continuously deepening the construction of the rural delivery logistics system, integrating end-node resources, deepening coordination with rural e-commerce, so that services can reach downward, the network can remain stable, and the people can use it well, smoothing the two-way channels for agricultural products to leave villages and enter cities and for industrial products to go down to villages and enter villages. We must focus on expanding outward, accelerating the building of a delivery network covering the globe, and using the "international hubs + trunk corridors + overseas local networks" approach to promote the effective interconnection of domestic and international dual circulation. We must focus on integrating inward, promoting the deep integration of the delivery network with comprehensive transportation systems such as railways, highways, aviation, and water transport, fully implementing multimodal transport, so that goods can be seamlessly connected and efficiently transferred between different modes of transport, using "end-to-end under a single waybill" to unblock circulation bottlenecks and "whole-network coverage" to enhance circulation efficiency.
Focusing on digitalization and intelligence, and expanding new scenarios for empowering development. Technological innovation injects inexhaustible momentum into network expansion. The entire industry must proactively seize the historic opportunity of AI empowering the technological revolution and industrial transformation, promote the deep application of technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, blockchain, and BeiDou, accelerate the upgrading and renewal of sorting equipment and transport vehicles, empower the national circulation network with intelligent technology, and stimulate the vitality of various production factors including labor, capital, technology, and data. We must deeply tap the value of the postal industry's massive data, strengthen full-scenario analysis and application of big data, so that data can move, be used, and have its value activated in all links of production, circulation, and consumption, making it not only a "roadmap" for improving delivery efficiency but also a "thermometer" for discerning consumption trends and sensing economic pulses. We must anchor on the "dual carbon" strategic goals, deeply promote green and low-carbon development, vigorously promote the large-scale application of new-energy transport and delivery equipment, accelerate the building of a green, waste-reducing, and recyclable full-chain governance pattern for express packaging, so that industry development has both a "smart brain" and a "green foundation."
Extending the industrial chain and opening up new fields of value creation. The depth of service to industry determines the height of the industry's value. We must serve specialty industries, promote the coordinated layout of delivery services and industrial clusters, and let services follow industry and networks be built around demand. We must integrate into supply chains, support postal and express delivery enterprises in establishing long-term strategic cooperative relationships with manufacturing enterprises, provide customized logistics solutions, deeply integrate into the supply chains of advanced manufacturing, and move from "delivering parcels" to "doing supply chains," from "channels" to "integration," achieving a leap in value in serving production. We must embed into consumption scenarios, promote the deep integration of delivery with culture, tourism, and sports, and let delivery services move from "functional satisfaction" to "experiential value-added," expanding the boundaries of the industry's value in broader consumption scenarios.
Optimizing the ecosystem and building a new pattern of sound operation. A sound ecosystem is the "stabilizer" that ensures the healthy development of the industry. We must proactively address the new challenges of competition in the existing market, guide enterprises to abandon the "volume for price" model, resolutely rectify "involution-style" competition, and promote a shift from price competition to value creation. We must strengthen penetrating supervision, promote the establishment of scientific, reasonable, and transparent assessment mechanisms and wage payment mechanisms, and maintain a sound market competition order in the industry. We must hold fast to the bottom line of safety and stability, consolidate the primary responsibility of enterprises and the unified management responsibility of headquarters, improve industry monitoring, early warning, and command and dispatch mechanisms, make every effort to do a good job in service management for couriers, and continuously increase care and support for them.
All that is beneficial follows the way of the times. Let us unite more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, promote connectivity through improving networks, deliver happiness and well-being through pioneering and enterprising efforts, strive to write a new chapter in the postal industry of accelerating the building of a country strong in transportation, and make new and greater contributions to comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation!
(The author is Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director of the State Post Bureau)
Return to TopBy: 刘爱力
General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that "infrastructure is an important underpinning for economic and social development." The service network that spans urban and rural areas, covers the whole country, and reaches the whole world is the foundation on which the postal service establishes itself through a fundamental pursuit (安身立命, anshen liming - "settle the body, establish the life"), and it is even more so the root of serving economic and social development. Facing changes of the times, changes of the industry, and changes of science and technology, China Post unswervingly takes Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as its fundamental guide, orients itself toward serving national strategies, bases itself on the national industrial layout, and focuses on strengthening core functions and enhancing core competitiveness, shouldering the mission and responsibility of the industry's "national team" in serving major national strategies, serving economic and social development, and serving the people's production and daily life.
Accelerate the transformation from mainly meeting consumer demand to more fully meeting production demand. China Post, based on its resource endowment of "integration of the four flows" of commodity flow, logistics, capital flow, and information flow, has built a standardized and specialized service system of "one product, one strategy," "one industry, one strategy," and "one category, one strategy," helping agricultural products shift from being "sold in bulk at local markets" to being "sold as premium products online." Over five years, it has cumulatively achieved an agricultural product transaction volume of 73.2 billion yuan, with an average annual growth rate of 34 percent, effectively solving the "difficulty in selling"; it has strengthened the rural delivery logistics system, helping agricultural products shift from "hidden in the mountains and unable to be transported out" to "delivered by post into ordinary households." Over five years, it has cumulatively delivered more than 22.1 billion pieces of agricultural products, with an average annual growth rate of 63 percent, effectively solving the "difficulty in logistics"; it has improved the inclusive financial system, promoting rural credit from "individual farmers having nothing to pledge" to "proactive credit granting to countless villages and households," with the balance of agriculture-related loans exceeding 2.5 trillion yuan, effectively solving the "difficulty in financing." It promotes small agricultural products connecting with large markets and helps small industries integrate into the major economic circulation. It has accelerated the development of embedded logistics, promoted express delivery "entering factories," deepened integrated development with modern industries such as manufacturing and commerce and trade, provided full-chain customized services from raw materials entering the factory to distribution of finished products, and formed service models such as Huawei's "whole industry chain" and Zhejiang Youngor's "warehousing co-construction," effectively safeguarding the security and stability of the industrial chain and supply chain.
Accelerate the transformation from mainly serving the general public to simultaneously serving national defense construction and national emergency support. China Post has built three major service systems: "universal service and garrison area service, transportation combat readiness and national defense mobilization, and military-related finance and science and technology finance." It maintains regular mail service on 160 postal routes for border and coastal defense troops, and ensures mail service to 13 remote points of the information support forces, contributing postal strength to consolidating and improving the integrated national strategic system and capabilities. At critical moments of crisis and in crucial times, taking up responsibilities with courage and spirit (挺膺担当, tingying dangdang - "straighten chest, undertake responsibility"), after major floods, earthquakes, and other disasters, China Post actively supports emergency rescue and disaster relief, ensures the distribution of livelihood supplies, opens free delivery channels for disaster relief donation materials, sets up mobile post offices to provide shelter for the people, and makes every effort to ensure supply, ensure connectivity, and ensure smooth flow.
Accelerate the transformation from mainly focusing on the postal service's own development to strengthening collaboration and sharing. China Post has deepened cooperation with national ministries and commissions, government departments at all levels, large enterprise groups, rural industrial groups, and others, promoting coordinated development through resource sharing, joint building of advantages, and win-win collaboration, turning postal outlets spread across urban and rural areas into comprehensive service platforms integrating "universal service + finance + delivery + warehousing + e-commerce + government convenience services," providing society with comprehensive convenience services featuring broad coverage, complete functions, and excellent service. It has strengthened collaboration with transportation enterprises, opening 7,534 combined postal-transport routes, reducing the cost of rural last-mile delivery, and improving service coverage. It has strengthened cooperation with social express delivery enterprises, systematically advancing the construction of a three-tier logistics system at the county, township, and village levels, cumulatively building 1,553 county-level shared distribution centers, 7,135 township-level centers, and 484,000 village-level comprehensive convenience service stations, smoothing the two-way circulation channels for consumer goods going down to villages and entering households and agricultural products going out of villages and into cities, using postal service as a safety net to solve the "last kilometer" problem of express delivery entering villages, promoting the extension of rural public services to villages and households, and playing an important role in meeting the production and living needs of rural residents, unleashing rural consumption potential, and smoothing the domestic major economic circulation.
This year marks the opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, and the theme of World Post Day is "Improving the postal service network and exploring the industry's infinite possibilities." China Post will maintain its original aspiration unchanged and its mission unrelenting, serving countless households (千家万户, qian jia wan hu - "thousand, families, ten thousand, households"), connecting all walks of life and all sectors (千城百业, qian cheng bai ye - "thousand, cities, hundred, industries"), and reaching all parts of the world with a more extensive, convenient, and intelligent postal network.
Promote connectivity with a ubiquitous postal network. Domestically, China Post will give full play to its network advantage of "postal offices in every township and mail service in every village," relying on 54,000 postal outlets across the country, postal comprehensive convenience service stations covering all 484,000 administrative villages nationwide, and a three-tier logistics system covering every corner of counties, townships, and villages, helping to open up the main arteries and smooth the microcirculation, and building bridges and bonds connecting urban and rural areas and serving people's livelihoods. Globally, it will accelerate the construction of an independent, safe, and controllable international logistics network, give full play to the capability advantage of 42 all-cargo aircraft, the advantage of postal connectivity with more than 220 countries and regions through the Universal Postal Union, and the channel advantage of 174 ports worldwide, and rely on the comprehensively deployed postal air international special lines, China-Europe Railway Express special lines, sea freight special lines, and overseas warehouses covering routes to the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia, to build an international logistics corridor with coordinated linkage among aviation, maritime, rail, and land transport, build a safe and stable channel for Chinese manufacturing to go global, erect a reliable logistics bridge for cross-border e-commerce, and play a greater role in serving the construction of the new development pattern and safeguarding the security and stability of the industrial chain and supply chain.
Empower a better life with a high-quality and convenient postal network. "People's postal service for the people" is the service tenet that China Post has always upheld, and it is also a vivid portrayal of improving people's well-being. China Post is keeping pace with the times (与时俱进, yu shi ju jin - "with time, go along, advance") in enriching its service connotations, adding convenience services at outlets in light of local conditions, building an integrated government service scenario of "police-post + tax-post + government-post + legal-post + social security + medical insurance," extending services such as public utility fee payment, tax invoice issuance on behalf of tax authorities, police license plate delivery, driver's license renewal, and social security and medical insurance card handling from city and county government service halls to postal outlets in townships, enabling the people to "handle multiple matters at one door" and achieving "letting data run more and letting people run less." It has vigorously promoted the postal safety-net guarantee for "express delivery entering villages," helping rural residents achieve the transformation from "traveling to townships to pick up parcels" to "receiving parcels at their doorsteps," serving "major livelihood concerns" with "small parcels," and using the postal safety-net guarantee to ensure that equal access to public services leaves "not a single person behind." China Post will keep pace with the times, expand service areas, extend service reach, provide more convenience, benefit, and welfare services for the people, and continuously meet the people's postal service needs for a better life.
Activate development momentum with a smart and efficient postal network. Accelerating digital and intelligent transformation is a mandatory question concerning survival and development. China Post is advancing the construction of a digital postal service in depth, continuously improving the postal network, and upgrading from "sweat logistics" to "smart logistics." It has made forward-looking arrangements for unmanned applications, putting more than 5,000 unmanned vehicles into operation in 31 provinces, with a safe operating mileage exceeding 20 million kilometers and cumulatively carrying more than 130 million pieces of mail; it has built more than 2,400 unmanned stations operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week in residential communities, commercial buildings, university campuses, and other areas, helping the people enjoy "freedom in parcel pickup"; 37 newly built processing centers have fully implemented automatic feeding systems, achieving round-the-clock uninterrupted operation; it has broadened the application scenarios of unmanned aerial vehicles, with routes exceeding 300. Relying on "big data + large models + large computing power," it has built a digital and intelligent delivery operation platform featuring precise resource planning, dynamic network optimization, intelligent command and dispatch, and efficient linkage between network and business. China Post will continue to innovate and seek change, plan for the long term, drive comprehensive transformation with "artificial intelligence +," reorganize resource factors, reshape operational models, and restructure organizational systems with unmanned, digital, and intelligent technologies, create new scenarios, cultivate new business forms, and generate new momentum, providing solid support for building a modern delivery logistics system.
Delivering mail across ten thousand li, connecting the world with the network; upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, the future holds promise. Standing at a new starting point, China Post will adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, closely focus on the main line of improving the postal service network, work together with all parties in society to jointly explore the infinite possibilities of the postal industry, and make new and greater contributions to comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation!
(The author is Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Chairman of China Post Group Co., Ltd.)
Return to Top(People's Daily, Beijing, October 8) (Reporter Gu Yekai) The reporter learned from CNNC that on October 8, Unit 7 of the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant successfully connected to the grid for the first time, officially delivering electricity to the grid, laying a solid foundation (奠定坚实基础, dian ding jian shi ji chu - "lay, establish, solid, firm, foundation") for the subsequent commercial operation of the unit. It is understood that the Tianwan Nuclear Power Base plans to build 8 units. Among them, Units 1 through 6 have already generated over 550 billion kilowatt-hours of safe and stable electricity, and Unit 7 is expected to enter commercial operation within this year. Once all 8 units are put into operation, the total installed capacity of the Tianwan Nuclear Power Base will exceed 9 million kilowatts.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 沈靖然
85-year-old Ran Guangsu sat before the makeup mirror, her two hands placed properly on her knees. These hands had carried bamboo baskets, beaten rice, stripped grain ears, and done much farm work, yet at this moment they did not know where to rest. Makeup artist Tao Hongxu picked up an eyebrow pencil, bent down, and said softly, "Grandma, lift your head a little."
The eyebrow pencil traced lightly, and the brow shape emerged; then she dipped into some lipstick and applied it to the lips. The face in the mirror gradually became clear—the eyes and brows gained spirit, the lips turned rosy. Ran Guangsu looked left and right, then could not help but laugh out loud.
Ran Guangsu lives in Nanmu Village, Shuanglu Subdistrict, Fengdu County, Chongqing, and is a member of the Nanmu Village elderly model team. The model team has a total of 8 elderly members, 1 man and 7 women, with an average age of nearly 80. The oldest, Qin Datian, is already 92.
In the courtyard of the village committee, the elderly changed into white shirts, put on bowler hats, and as an upbeat dance tune began to play, they started rehearsing. They walked forward along the "T-stage" drawn with chalk on the courtyard floor, taking "model steps." "Eyes on the front, walk straight, be more confident!" Tao Xuemei, the first secretary stationed in Nanmu Village, guided from the side.
Everyone's walk was not quite standard—some took small steps, some shrugged their shoulders slightly. Qin Datian's hearing had declined, so Tao Xuemei had to use hand gestures to remind him from the side. But everyone was very earnest, treating the concrete floor beneath their feet as a performance stage. They stared wide-eyed at the front, walked to the end, paused, turned to the right side, turned to the left side, then slowly looked back.
"Before, how would I have known anything about catwalk shows? The ones I saw on TV were all young kids," said 75-year-old Luo Shiqiong. Before joining the model team, her days were spent doing farm work, and after finishing, she would just sit at home—"there was no entertainment at all."
"The first time I put on makeup in my life was in the model team," said 75-year-old Tan Xingmei. "I didn't even wear makeup when I got married—I just took some gray powder and smeared it on my face, making my face all white. Who would have thought that at this age, I'd be putting on proper makeup."
"The happiest thing is taking photos and posting them to my Moments, and seeing people give likes," Tan Xingmei said. After putting on makeup and looking in the mirror, she looked again and again, then sent the photos to her children working away from home. Her child replied, "Mom, you're so beautiful!"
That sentence, the elderly woman repeated to herself for a long time.
Most of the young people in Nanmu Village go out to work elsewhere, and all year round (一年到头, yi nian dao tou - "one, year, until, end") they only come back during the Spring Festival. Of the 8 elderly members, apart from 61-year-old Jiang Fangzhen, the spouses of all the others have already passed away, and most basically live alone. The courtyard is quiet, and the days are repetitive. When Tao Xuemei first came to the village to visit households, she found that many elderly people could not say more than a few sentences all day long.
"I just thought, we can't let the elderly live their days like this," Tao Xuemei said. She came to Nanmu Village in July 2022. In the first year, she organized a "village gala" and established a dance team, and the village gradually became livelier. She began to think about how to convert this liveliness into tangible output.
In 2025, a graduate student team from China University of Geosciences came to the village for social practice, and Tao Hongxu was one of its members.
The students studied art and design. On how to integrate their professional expertise into the development of the village collective economy, everyone engaged in a brainstorming session. "We are good at making handicrafts and designing clothing. We can design the styles first, then teach everyone to weave them, and then sell them online," Tao Hongxu said.
"The villagers have particularly nimble hands and are also skilled at needlework. This can both put the students' art and design into practice and help everyone increase their income," Tao Xuemei said. After several rounds of discussion, the plan was implemented. Tao Xuemei purchased needles, thread, and weaving materials; the students created design drafts; and the villagers did the weaving. Several original design sample bags were quickly produced, with novel designs and exquisite craftsmanship.
The elderly were too old to do the crochet work. "But we can't leave them behind—they are also a part of the village," Tao Xuemei said. "If they can't weave bags and shoes, then let them be our models!"
At the results exhibition in August 2025, the elderly held the bags and shoes woven by the villagers and put on a catwalk show. That day, they put on makeup, wore matching clothes, and for the first time walked the runway in front of the villagers.
Tao Xuemei also agreed with the elderly on an "endorsement fee"—for every item sold, 5 to 10 yuan would be set aside in the collective account, and at year-end it would be divided equally. A bag sells for over 100 yuan, with an endorsement fee of 5 yuan. Some elderly said, "Even without money, we would still be willing to be models."
Now, the shelves in the village's reading room are hung full of all kinds of woven bags, and a phone is propped on a stand for livestream sales. Villagers sling the bags over their shoulders and show them in front of the camera. For every bag sold, the elderly get their share of the "endorsement fee."
Tao Xuemei has thought this matter through very clearly: "At first we performed shows for the elderly, hoping to make them happier. Later we let them go on stage themselves to perform runway walks and catwalk shows, giving them a sense of participation. Now we invite them to be spokespersons and even pay them a fee. The elderly will have a more positive mindset—they will feel that they are needed by others."
Having organized activities with the elderly for a long time, Tao Xuemei has grown closer and closer to everyone. When Tao Xuemei went to Ran Guangsu's home, Ran Guangsu pressed a jelly snack into her hand, saying it was something her child had brought home for the Spring Festival. Jiang Fangzhen treats Tao Xuemei like a daughter, and often calls on weekends to ask, "What are you eating? Do you have food to eat? Come to my house."
This elderly model team has also found its own stride. On every major holiday and whenever the village holds events or gatherings, the elderly take the stage to perform, and the young people in the audience are especially enthusiastic: "So beautiful! You look so stylish when you walk!" Whenever they hear these words, the elderly's hearts bloom with joy.
"Who would have dared to imagine it? At 85, I'm a model in the village," Ran Guangsu said. "The more I walk, the happier I get!"
Tao Xuemei uploaded videos of the Nanmu Village model team to a short-video platform. A netizen left a message specifically for Qin Datian, saying the old gentleman had a composed and steady temperament, and suggested Tao Xuemei give him a black cane—he would definitely look very stylish.
"Consider it done!" Tao Xuemei replied happily.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 王 丹
A thousand lanterns hang along the streets, their orange-red glow spreading across the bluestone pavement. Ms. Li, a tourist from Nanchang, Jiangxi, holding her 6-year-old daughter by the hand, paused on Lantern Street in the Gexian Village resort area of Qianshan County, Shangrao, and lifted a sky lantern inscribed with wishes toward the night sky. Around her, more than 3,000 sky lanterns rose slowly into the air, lighting up the village. "Our family of three wrote down our wishes—it felt especially ceremonial," Ms. Li said.
This was a scene from the "Realm of a Thousand Lanterns" at the Gexian Village resort area. This valley at the northern foot of the Wuyi Mountains attracts numerous tourists with immersive programs such as progressive nighttime tours, live-action performances, and intangible cultural heritage experiences.
At 8:40 p.m., a procession of nearly a hundred people, carrying carp-shaped lanterns and spinning flower lanterns, wound through the bluestone alleyways. Shops along the street beat drums and gongs in coordination with the procession, while tourists in hanfu moved through the crowd. "It feels like stepping into an ancient painting," said Mr. Zhang, a tourist from Hangzhou, Zhejiang, holding up his phone to film the scene as he walked. He had stayed here for two consecutive nights: "By day we climb the mountain to pray for blessings; by night we admire the lanterns and watch the fires." Li Min, a tourist vacationing from Wuhan, Hubei, shared the same feeling: "By day the beautiful scenery of mountains and rivers (山清水秀, shan qing shui xiu - "mountain, clear; water, beautiful") unfolds; by night the performances are rich and varied—the experience exceeded our expectations."
The Gexian Village resort area opened its doors to visitors in May 2020. Today, overnight visitors account for more than 20 percent of all guests, and the average length of stay exceeds 1.5 days. The scenic area has been included in the third national list of nighttime cultural and tourism consumption clusters.
While consolidating the "hardware," it also deepens the "software." The landscape maintenance department ensures flowers bloom in all four seasons; 38 sightseeing buses are available on call, so visitors need not wait long; resident shops implement the business philosophy of "one shop, one specialty, one story." The scenic area also offers free childcare services for family visitors, more cost-effective accommodation and transportation options for young travelers, and approximately 3,700 parking spaces for self-driving tourists.
"Internet-famous attractions can become popular easily, but how do they stay popular? That requires effort on content," said Shen Xingchong, the person in charge of the scenic area. The Gexian Village resort area strives for "something new every month, fresh ideas every season," continuously improving the visitor experience.
Cultural substance is the fulcrum of the Gexian Village resort area's development. The large-scale live-action performance Encountering Qianshan uses the time-travel of a young man named "A Xun" as its thread to present the history of Qianshan. The academic debates between Zhu Xi and Lu Jiuyuan, Xin Qiji's heroic ambitions and lofty spirits (壮志豪情, zhuang zhi hao qing - "strong, ambition; grand, emotion") of the spirit of heroic warfare and martial prowess (金戈铁马, jin ge tie ma - "gold, spear; iron, horse"), the tea ceremony and camel bells of Hekou Ancient Town... After the performance ended, many young visitors discussed the views of Zhu Xi and Lu Jiuyuan.
The development of the Gexian Village resort area has also allowed villagers in the surrounding areas to "eat from the tourism bowl." Wang Xiwang, a villager from Xiangyuan Village, Gexian Mountain Town, used to work away from home year-round. As the Gexian Village resort area gained popularity, he returned to his hometown, converted his own house into a farmhouse inn, and runs specialty catering. In 2025, Wang Xiwang's family net income exceeded 300,000 yuan.
At present, the Yangjia Pai group of Xiangyuan Village and the Gexian Yuan New Village have opened about 120 homestays, more than 90 percent of which are independently operated by villagers, with an annual output value of about 24 million yuan, driving employment for more than 500 people. Qianshan County actively promotes the "homestay + specialty industry" model, tapping into cultural heritage to develop intangible cultural heritage study tours and folk custom experience products. In 2025, Qianshan County received 15.9 million tourist visits and achieved total tourism revenue of 11.9 billion yuan.
From the brilliant lanterns of one scenic area to the everyday life of the local people, the story of cultural-tourism integration is being written amid green mountains and clear waters.
Return to TopFrom September 5 to October 7, the 2026 Chinese Jujube Hometown Scenery Tour and the 24th Red Jujube Harvest Season were held at Haoxiangni's "Ten-Thousand Jujube Trees" park in Xinzheng City, Henan Province. Themed "Time to Beat the Jujubes!" (Da zao lou!), the event encompassed multiple segments including a special exhibition on "the conversion of old and new growth drivers for red jujubes," folk custom experiences, product displays, and parent-child interactive activities.
Haoxiangni Health Food Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "Haoxiangni"), founded in 1992 with its headquarters in Xinzheng City, has focused on the red jujube industry for 34 years, with its business covering the entire chain of jujube cultivation, processing, research and development, and sales. Anchoring its goals on being "a calling card of Henan, a gift of Henan, an expression of Henan's sentiment, and an honor of Henan," Haoxiangni is driving the high-quality development of the red jujube industry.
Introducing new concepts, creating new products
During the event, Haoxiangni unveiled the concept of "new-quality red jujubes" and endowed it with rich connotations: cultivating new quality productive forces in the red jujube industry, promoting the deep integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation, and relying on deep-processing techniques to achieve mechanized, automated, intelligent, data-driven, standardized, and scaled production on the manufacturing end, thereby reshaping the form of red jujubes and elevating their value. Haoxiangni has used a physical peeling and pitting process to create a brand-new product — Nuoxiang Jujube — which is soft, sticky, and fragrant with a delicate texture, and has been well received by consumers.
Reproducing the folk custom of beating jujubes, promoting the integration of agriculture, culture, and tourism
In the Xinzheng area, there is a long-standing agricultural proverb tradition: "Beat jujubes at White Dew, pick pears at Autumn Equinox." This event reproduced the folk ritual of beating jujubes, with on-site interactive programs such as beating jujubes for blessings and co-creating auspicious trees with children. As the jujube-beating work chant "One pole raises favorable weather and timely rainfall for a peaceful year" (风调雨顺, feng tiao yu shun - "wind, regulate; rain, smooth") rang out across the park, visitors personally took part in the entire process of beating, picking up, and tasting jujubes, which was full of fun.
Haoxiangni's "Ten-Thousand Jujube Trees" park integrates cultivation, picking, study tours, and tourism. Leveraging the park's facilities, this event transformed traditional folk customs into participatory experience programs, achieving the integration of agriculture, culture, and tourism.
On the cultural level, Haoxiangni takes "a courtyard with an auspicious tree, a home with auspicious fruit" as its brand culture theme, weaving gratitude culture, celebration culture, and auspiciousness culture into its brand narrative. A cultural exhibition area was set up at the event site to introduce the uses and symbolic meanings of red jujubes during traditional Chinese festivals — the Spring Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Strengthening production innovation, realizing "the seventy-two transformations of a single red jujube"
Haoxiangni's intelligent red jujube workshop has achieved mechanized, automated, intelligent, data-driven, standardized, and scaled production. From raw material sorting, washing, and processing to finished product packaging, the entire process is controlled by an intelligent system, ensuring consistent product quality.
The new product Nuoxiang Jujube uses a physical peeling and pitting process, eliminating the need to spit out skins and pits when eating jujubes and bringing convenience to consumers. With a soft and sticky texture, the product can serve as a base material for further food processing. It has already spawned a series of products such as triple-steamed and triple-processed Nuoxiang Jujube and nine-steamed and nine-processed Nuoxiang Jujube, forming a product matrix of "the seventy-two transformations of a single red jujube."
The innovative product Heijin Jujube employs temperature- and humidity-controlled intelligent fermentation technology, catering to health and nourishment needs and expanding the consumption boundaries of red jujubes.
A special exhibition area on "the conversion of old and new growth drivers for red jujubes" was set up at the event site, using physical comparisons and illustrated displays to present the upgrade path of the red jujube industry from "selling raw materials by the jin" to "selling brand, quality, and health by the piece." The exhibition area showcased the evolution of product forms, the iteration of processing technologies, and the upgrading of packaging design, allowing consumers and industry professionals to intuitively understand the changes in the red jujube industry.
Focusing on family customers, building consumption scenarios through multi-brand collaboration
Haoxiangni is anchored on family customers, paying attention to the influence of women's roles and parent-child needs in family consumption decisions. Haoxiangni's "Ten-Thousand Jujube Trees" park offers picking and study tour opportunities, and the event accordingly set up interactive programs such as parent-child co-creation and parent-child challenge games, and launched a "Adopt an Auspicious Tree" mini-program, through which users can participate by adopting online and harvesting offline.
During the event, brands including Qiaqia, Yonho Soymilk, Huahuan Niu, and Ledo Automobile jointly set up exhibitions, working with Haoxiangni to build family consumption scenarios. Each brand set up experience areas in the park, covering categories such as snack foods, beverages, dairy products, and mobility services, providing one-stop experiences for parent-child families.
Data source: Haoxiangni Health Food Co., Ltd.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 季 芳 谢亚宏 门杰伟
On October 8, local time, the flame-lighting ceremony for the 33rd FISU World University Games Winter, Changchun 2027 (hereinafter referred to as the "Changchun Winter Universiade") was held in Turin, Italy. Amid the strains of music, flames leaped. FISU President Reynald Aydin and Gu Gang, Mayor of Changchun City, Jilin Province, jointly used the torch from the first Universiade in 1959 to light the flame bowl, and Gu Gang transferred the flame from the bowl into the flame lantern of the Changchun Winter Universiade. This flame is about to cross mountains and seas and make its way to Changchun, Jilin, China.
At present, preparations for the Changchun Winter Universiade have entered the sprint stage. In less than a year since Changchun officially obtained the right to host the 33rd FISU World University Games Winter in November 2025, tasks at various key milestones have been successively completed, and preparations are progressing smoothly.
This is the second time the Winter Universiade has been held in China, 18 years after it was hosted in Harbin, Heilongjiang in 2009. Young people from around the world will glide across the ice with skate blades and traverse pine forests on snowboards, joining this winter celebration under the theme slogan "Chasing Dreams on Ice and Snow, Youth Forever in Changchun."
A Flame Crossing Mountains and Seas
Turin, Italy, is the birthplace of the World University Games. In 1959, the first Universiade opened here. Since 2018, Turin has been the permanent home of FISU's "Flame of Knowledge," and since then, every city hosting a Summer or Winter Universiade has returned here to collect the flame.
At the flame-lighting ceremony on October 8, Jilin Province's literary and artistic workers participated in cultural exchange performances with the delegation, conveying Jilin's ice-and-snow culture to the world through song, dance, and other forms. After the performance, Wang Qingfeng, a Changchun cultural tourism recommendation officer and young actor with the Jilin Provincial Opera Theater, remarked with emotion: "This is not just a performance, but a cross-cultural dialogue. Ice and snow are our common language."
Beyond the flame collection, Changchun also brought many youthful expressions. At Turin landmarks, performers presented cultural flash mobs blending Chinese style, ice-and-snow elements, and Changchun characteristics; entering campuses, young people from multiple regions performed together and engaged in fun interactive activities.
Reynald Aydin stated that flame collection is a ceremony, but also a form of inheritance. "Turin is where the Universiade dream began, and it has left a valuable development legacy for the city, playing a key role in promoting the popularization of ice-and-snow sports. We hope this spirit can be passed down from generation to generation, inspiring more young people to chase their dreams on ice-and-snow arenas, and allowing the concept of sustainable development to take root and flourish in a new environment (落地生根, luo di sheng gen - "land, fall; root, grow") around the world."
Cristina Prandi, Rector of the University of Turin, where the ceremony was held, said: "The lighting of the Changchun Winter Universiade torch at the University of Turin has further deepened the friendship between Turin and Changchun. We look forward to taking this as an opportunity to carry out extensive and in-depth cooperation with more Chinese universities in various fields in the future."
From Turin to Changchun, the flame of the Winter Universiade carries the love of young people around the world for ice-and-snow sports, and also bears witness to the development trajectory of China's ice-and-snow sports, from "expanding ice-and-snow sports from the north to the south" to "engaging 300 million people in ice-and-snow sports."
More than three months from now, when this flame is lit under the night sky of Changchun, it will illuminate the dream-chasing path of thousands of university student athletes.
Event Preparations Advancing in an Orderly Manner
On October 7, the 100-day countdown to the Changchun Winter Universiade began. At the Changchun Municipal National Fitness Center, Wu Jian, a power supply protection worker with State Grid Changchun Power Supply Company, and his colleagues were busy conducting item-by-item inspections of distribution boxes, cables, and high- and low-voltage power distribution rooms after the venue renovation.
All preparatory work for the Changchun Winter Universiade is advancing in an orderly manner. Nine individual event competition committees in the main competition zone of Changchun and six in the Jilin sub-competition zone have taken up their posts and begun performing their duties, with security, medical, transportation, meteorological, reception, and other support systems operating in a closed loop; more than 8,000 young volunteers from universities in Changchun and Jilin are undergoing tiered systematic training and full-process drills.
Entering the Changchun Wuhuan Gymnasium, this old venue built in 1998 has been given a "new look." During the Changchun Winter Universiade, it will host the opening ceremony as well as the short track speed skating and figure skating competitions. Inside the venue, the spectator seating has been completely new in appearance (焕然一新, huan ran yi xin - "change, suddenly; one, new"), and the layout of various functional areas is coordinated and orderly. Preliminary work on laying the refrigeration pipes for the ice rink has been completed, and construction workers are orderly carrying out the final stages of the project.
Rong Bin, head of venue renovation for the Venue Construction and City Support Department of the Changchun Winter Universiade Executive Committee, said that all competition and training venues for this Universiade are being upgraded based on existing facilities, achieving "light intervention, micro-renovation," precisely enhancing competition functions while preserving the original architectural style and main structure.
At present, all 10 competition venues for the Changchun Winter Universiade have been fully completed. Joint commissioning and testing of various equipment is planned to be completed around October 10, after which the venues will be handed over to the individual event competition committees for subsequent preparatory work such as test events.
The Two-City Hosting Model Is Anticipated with Expectation
As one of the earliest regions in China to develop ice-and-snow sports, Jilin Province is rich in ice-and-snow resources and possesses superior conditions for hosting international ice-and-snow events.
The 2007 Asian Winter Games marked the first time Changchun City and Jilin City jointly hosted an international comprehensive ice-and-snow event. At the subsequent 12th National Winter Games, the two cities coordinated once again, continuously accumulating experience in cross-city event hosting. For this Universiade, Changchun and Jilin have turned event preparation into a practical vehicle for advancing the integration of the Changchun-Jilin metropolitan area. Transportation networks are being continuously optimized, metropolitan area modules are being progressively established, and cultural tourism resources are being integrated as a whole... The two cities joining hands to host the event has ushered in new opportunities for coordinated development.
In September this year, the Delegation Registration Meeting for the Changchun Winter Universiade was held. Delegation representatives from around the world visited Changchun and Jilin in person, inspecting competition venues, supporting facilities, and service guarantees. "Everything here is surprising and amazing." Adam Stigborn, head of the Swedish delegation, was deeply impressed by the speed of event preparation progress.
The preparatory work has also received high recognition from Reynald Aydin. "The organizing committee has delivered an amazing answer sheet. Whether it is the overall planning of the event, the renovation and upgrading of venue facilities, or the media promotion to the world, it is all impressive." Reynald Aydin said he believes this event will be a high-level ice-and-snow sports competition and will also become a window for exchange and mutual learning among different civilizations.
Gu Gang stated that all efforts will be made to complete all event preparatory work, striving to host a simple, safe, and splendid ice-and-snow event.
Changchun and Jilin, joining hands as two cities, extend an invitation to university student athletes around the world: Meet by the white mountains and pine waters, and come together for a date with ice and snow!
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 李 硕
On the evening of October 7, the Diamond Court at the National Tennis Center was brilliantly lit (灯光璀璨, deng guang cui can - "light, bright, resplendent"). Zheng Qinwen secured a victory to return to the China Open women's singles quarterfinals, drawing a successful and complete conclusion (圆满句号, yuan man ju hao - "complete, full, period, mark") to her 23rd year.
In the fourth-round women's singles match held that evening, Zheng Qinwen defeated Armenian player Charaeva 6-1, 2-6, 6-4, reaching the China Open women's singles quarterfinals for the second time in her career. She had reached the women's singles semifinals in 2024, setting her personal best record at the China Open.
In this match, Zheng Qinwen quickly found her rhythm, maintaining a steady attacking tempo and taking the first set easily at 6-1. In the second set, her unforced errors increased, and she was leveled by her opponent at 2-6. In the deciding set, Zheng Qinwen once took a 5-2 lead, but was broken while serving for the match. At the critical moment, she completed a break back and ultimately sealed the victory at 6-4.
Winning four consecutive three-set battles in a row was a major test of Zheng Qinwen's physical fitness and mental fortitude. "I have to maintain my consistency and focus for longer periods." Facing the challenge of playing at home, Zheng Qinwen said there would be extra difficulties and pressure, but the support of the on-site spectators gave her great strength. "I really want to win in front of them, which drives me to pour in effort and release energy on court. Even when I'm not in my best form, I still want to stay on court and fight to the end."
Speaking about getting older, Zheng Qinwen said she was having many profound feelings (感慨良多, gan kai liang duo - "feel, sigh, much, many"). "Everything has come too fast; I'm not ready for 24 yet. Of course, I look forward to every day ahead, and I also hope that every stage of my life brings different experiences." Now, Zheng Qinwen is constantly examining herself and growing steadily. "I am working on upgrading myself, exploring my new version." She said that her brilliant achievement of winning the women's singles gold medal at the Paris Olympics at age 21 is not her peak; as she grows older and matures mentally, she believes she can continue to improve.
At the just-concluded 20th Asian Games, Wang Xiyu and Wu Yibing won the women's singles gold medal and men's singles silver medal respectively, and both mentioned Zheng Qinwen's inspiration to them. In response, Zheng Qinwen said sincerely: "First of all, I hope to play my own tennis well, and at the same time, I hope to inspire more Chinese players, so that we can all work hard together and keep moving upward."
Next, Zheng Qinwen will face sixth seed, Ukrainian player Svitolina, in the China Open women's singles quarterfinal.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 曾华锋
When encountering heavy rain during outdoor activities such as mountain climbing, hiking, and camping, how should one take shelter? The Mountaineering Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China and the Chinese Mountaineering Association recently issued guidelines, recommending that before setting out, one should check the weather conditions at the destination, paying particular attention to warning information such as short-duration heavy precipitation and thunderstorm gales; at the same time, fully understand the topographic and environmental characteristics of the activity area, identify in advance potential danger zones such as rivers, streams and gullies, canyons, and steep slopes, and rationally plan routes and evacuation plans. If there is a possibility of encountering extreme weather such as heavy rain, it is recommended to adjust outdoor activity plans.
Before a heavy rain arrives, it usually releases some signals, and outdoor activity participants can seize the opportunity to take shelter scientifically.
Closely monitor changes in rainfall. The team leader should decide whether to continue advancing or take shelter based on the environment, road conditions, the intensity of the rain, and the physical condition of the team members. If necessary, safety ropes can be used to ensure safe progress. If a decision is made to take shelter, attention should be paid to keeping warm and preventing lightning strikes and flash floods.
Fast-flowing water (水流湍急, shui liu tuan ji - "water, flow, rapid, urgent") mixed with mud, sand, and rotting trees is often a precursor to a flash flood outbreak; one should quickly leave the river channel and head toward high ground on both banks, and must not attempt to cross bridges that have already been submerged by the flowing water. When thunderstorm activity intensifies, one should likewise stay away from river channels and avoid long gullies that easily collect water or flat extended areas below the riverbed. If encountering a flash flood, one should leave areas prone to flooding as quickly as possible, and if necessary, abandon equipment and move to higher ground.
In the event of being trapped or getting lost, one should remain calm, promptly use mobile phones, satellite communication devices, and other means to seek help from the outside, and provide as much information as possible about one's location, the number of people, physical conditions, surrounding terrain, and identifiable landmarks.
The end of the heavy rain does not mean the end of the risk. Disasters such as flash floods and mudslides have a certain lag effect, so after the heavy rain, one should not immediately return to areas such as river valleys and streams and gullies, nor should one rashly continue forward along the original route.
Return to TopTo further advance the modernization of grassroots governance, the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government of Suihua City, Heilongjiang Province, have made the 12345 hotline an important lever for improving people's livelihood and well-being, serving enterprise development, and enhancing governance effectiveness. Since March 1 of this year, they have launched a city-wide special campaign for "receiving complaints and acting immediately" (接诉即办) on the 12345 hotline. By integrating hotline service resources, optimizing the complaint-handling process, and implementing a two-way supervision and guarantee mechanism of "hotline + grid" and "hotline + supervision specialist," they have built a closed-loop service system that is "faster to receive, more accurate to dispatch, and more solid in handling," responding to the expectations of the people and enterprises with concrete actions and tangible results. Since the launch of the special campaign, the Suihua 12345 hotline has received 408,000 complaints of various kinds, with a completion rate of 99.4% and a satisfaction rate of 98.1%, while the number of repeated complaints and difficult complaints has dropped significantly year-on-year.
Adhere to overall coordination and system-wide connectivity, and build a solid foundation for serving enterprises and benefiting the people
"Receiving complaints and acting immediately" concerns the interests of the people and the development of enterprises, and concerns the foundation of grassroots governance.
Suihua treats the "receiving complaints and acting immediately" work as a key project, building a five-tier hotline service system of "one command center (municipal level), ten sub-centers (county, city, and district level), one hundred service platforms (township and sub-district level), one thousand service nodes (village and community level), and ten thousand service front-ends (grid worker level)." It has formulated the work process for "receiving complaints and acting immediately," and improved mechanisms such as first-dispatch responsibility, handling of enterprise-related complaints, and knowledge base updates. The municipal command center coordinates and dispatches overall; county, city, and district sub-centers transfer cases according to responsibility; department and township/sub-district service platforms and village/community service nodes undertake and handle cases according to their duties; grid workers conduct daily inspections, and supervision specialists carry out dedicated oversight, achieving "nearby reception, rapid transfer, efficient handling, and closed-loop supervision" of complaints, and opening up the "last meter" of serving the people and enterprises.
Adhere to coordinated linkage and digital empowerment, and stimulate the internal driving force of grassroots governance
Suihua deeply integrates the functions of the 12345 hotline platform and the grid-based platform system, innovatively applying three methods: "direct dispatch of work orders, two-way dispatch of work orders, and reverse dispatch of work orders." It has sorted out 485 items that can be handled immediately, with work orders directly dispatched to the undertaking units for rapid handling; for matters requiring on-site handling, "two-way dispatch" is implemented to strengthen coordination between departmental handling and grid on-site linkage; when grid workers discover problems during daily inspections, they promptly implement "reverse dispatch" to the 12345 hotline platform, giving play to the role of "the street blows the whistle, the departments report for duty," and achieving "handling before complaints are filed." It deeply integrates hotline data at the municipal and county levels to achieve interconnection and interoperability, fully relies on artificial intelligence means to accurately analyze complaint-handling dynamics, high-frequency issue assessment, and hot trend changes, and aggregates complaint data from enterprises and the people from multiple dimensions, producing 29 analysis reports including weekly reports, monthly reports, and special reports, providing support for the decision-making of the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government.
Adhere to closed-loop management and follow-up on effectiveness, and ensure efficient resolution of public complaints
Suihua closely monitors the closed-loop management of the entire process of handling complaints from the people and enterprises, continuously promotes problem resolution, improves service quality and efficiency, and has formed a team of one hundred supervision specialists responsible for supervising the entire process of work order handling. It has improved the full-chain closed-loop mechanism of "reception, transfer, handling, supervision, and follow-up visits," implemented full-volume return visits for completed work orders, and for reasonable complaints with which the public is dissatisfied during the first return visit, all are returned for re-handling, ensuring that complaints are "truly completed and truly satisfactory."
Suihua adheres to putting the people first and service first, addressing problems with heartfelt dedication and effort (用心用情用力, yong xin yong qing yong li - "use heart, use emotion, use strength") to solve the pressing and difficult problems people face (急难愁盼, ji nan chou pan - "urgent, difficult, anxious, longing"), placing the work of this region, this system, and this field within the overall context of serving the people, accelerating the modernization of the grassroots governance system and governance capacity, adding luster to the overall situation with the achievements of one city, and demonstrating new responsibility and making new contributions in promoting the comprehensive revitalization of Northeast China in the new era.
Data source: Publicity Department of the Suihua Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 窦 皓 施 芳 范昊天
Prologue
At 7:30 p.m., the Zhejiang Times Cinema West Lake Cultural Plaza branch (hereinafter referred to as "Zheying Xiguang Store") in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, was bustling with people coming and going (熙来攘往, xi lai rang wang - "rare, come; frequent, go"): in the lobby, fans who had attended the roadshow had not yet dispersed; in front of the trendy toy store on the first floor, young people queued up to experience VR (virtual reality) projects; in the film bookstore on the fifth floor, readers were flipping through art albums...
The predecessor of this cinema was an old-brand movie theater in Hangzhou. Following the approach of "layered positioning, customer group matching, complementary functions, and interconnected traffic flow," it was transformed into a cultural complex in 2022. In 2025, the box office revenue of Zheying Xiguang Store exceeded 31.6 million yuan, ranking first among single cinemas in Zhejiang for the third consecutive year.
The exploration of Zheying Xiguang Store reflects the proactive transformation of the cinema industry in recent years. According to estimates by the China Film Administration, in 2025 the output value of China's entire film industry chain reached 817.259 billion yuan, with a box office multiplier coefficient of approximately 1:15.77, meaning that every 1 yuan of box office revenue can drive 15.77 yuan of output value in related industries across the entire chain.
In June this year, the China Film Administration and the State Administration for Market Regulation jointly issued the "Notice on Promoting the Diversified Operation of Cinemas and Prospering and Developing Cinema Culture," proposing to "promote innovation in cinema business formats, models, and services, and build cinemas into comprehensive cultural experience spaces integrating film viewing, social interaction, entertainment, and consumption."
As the industry moves from "incremental expansion" to "stock optimization," how can cinemas accelerate their transformation into comprehensive cultural experience spaces? Reporters recently conducted research in Beijing, Zhejiang, Hubei, and other places.
Breaking the Deadlock
From "selling tickets" to "selling scenes," from "operating box office" to "operating foot traffic"
The Yinxing International Cinema (Optics Valley Fashion City branch) in Wuhan, Hubei, is surrounded by several universities, giving it a clear locational advantage. Since opening in 2017, its annual box office revenue peaked at over 18 million yuan, but last year it fell to less than 6 million yuan.
"In recent years, the rise of online film and television platforms and micro-dramas has, to a certain extent, squeezed out traditional film-viewing demand. Audiences tend to pay only for good films, and box office performance is highly dependent on film supply," said store manager Hu Lei. For example, thanks to its strong word-of-mouth, the film "Letter to Grandma" saw rising popularity, and as a result, in May this year the box office of Yinxing International Cinema (Optics Valley Fashion City branch) rose 168 percent year on year, with this single film alone accounting for two-thirds of that month's box office.
"Unlike other cinemas, our main customer base is college students, so attendance actually drops sharply during winter and summer vacations," Hu Lei admitted. This summer, the cinema's occupancy rate was only 6.8 percent, and during non-peak hours on weekdays it was below 2 percent. The cinema had also introduced game machines and massage chairs, and set up counters for cultural and creative ornaments and internet-famous snacks in the lobby, "but with fewer people coming to watch films, these business formats lacked the ability to attract traffic independently, and in the end the results were mediocre."
Such troubles are common in many cinemas: high-quality films are concentrated in the Spring Festival and summer holiday slots, giving annual revenue a "tidal" character; looking at a single day, the golden hours are only two or three hours in the evening, and during daytime on weekdays a large number of screening halls hover at low occupancy rates. The old approach of relying solely on enlarging screening halls and adding seats to boost revenue is no longer sustainable.
In 2024, Capital Cinema (City Sub-center branch) in Beijing built a flight hall and a light-and-shadow hall, combining motion seats with a giant dome screen so that audiences can experience immersive scenes such as flying and traversing along with the film images. However, the operating performance of the two halls fell short of expectations. Yu Chao, executive deputy general manager of Capital Cinema, analyzed: "The flight hall and light-and-shadow hall present special types of digital products. They have some appeal to out-of-town tourists, but production costs are high and updates are slow, so their appeal to the local customer base served by the cinema is relatively weak."
Chu Shanxin, chairman of Hangzhou Xingguang Jiaying Cinema Circuit Co., Ltd., believes that "when new business formats are introduced, what matters is precision, not quantity. Diversified operations must match the customer base in order to turn 'traffic' into 'retention.'"
Chu Shanxin gave an example: the original cinema at the location of Hangzhou Xingguang Jiaying Cinema (Raffles City branch) had closed due to aging hardware and a single business format. After Xingguang Jiaying took over, the transformation approach was clear: the business formats had to have the ability to attract traffic independently while also matching the preferences of young people.
"The old cinema could only show films. The renovated screening hall has small table boards installed, so you can eat steak while watching a movie," said citizen Li Zixin. During her weekday lunch break, she sometimes also comes to the cinema — not to watch a film, but just to have a cup of coffee at the coffee bar here.
Bringing in high-quality dining has also boosted sales of other merchandise. Liu Yanting, store manager of Xingguang Jiaying Cinema (Raffles City branch), told reporters that traditional cinema merchandise falls mainly into two categories: snacks and drinks such as popcorn and bottled beverages, and derivatives of film IP (intellectual property). She did the math: revenue from traditional merchandise is usually only about 10 percent of box office revenue, and after deducting costs such as rent, labor, and utilities, the profit is limited. "But after high-quality dining moved in, the per-customer spending during golden hours is high, and there is also foot traffic during non-golden hours, which has driven the traditional merchandise business."
In the year since the specialty dining business launched, the dining revenue of Xingguang Jiaying Cinema (Raffles City branch) reached about 3 million yuan, while box office revenue over the same period was about 9 million yuan. The share of revenue from specialty food and merchandise in the cinema's total revenue has risen substantially.
Of course, introducing high-quality dining is not a "one-size-fits-all trick" applicable to every cinema. "Our cinema is located in the city's central business district, surrounded by office buildings, with many young office workers who are willing to pay for emotion and experience," Liu Yanting said with clear understanding. "The essence of diversified cinema operations is the matching of supply and demand. Every cinema should develop new consumption scenarios suited to itself, in order to meet the diverse needs of its target customer base."
The implementation of multiple business formats must be lawful and compliant. Taking the preparation and sale of hot food as an example, it is necessary to meet the conditions for catering operations and food hygiene and obtain a food business license. The "Notice on Promoting the Diversified Operation of Cinemas and Prospering and Developing Cinema Culture" clearly states that "market regulation departments shall, in accordance with the law, provide support to eligible cinemas in handling relevant licensing matters in their field, continuously optimize service procedures, and provide facilitation conditions." This has strengthened the confidence of many cinemas in carrying out diversified operations.
As night fell, the M511 Future Cinema of Zhejiang Times in Hangzhou was crowded with people flowing like weaving fabric (人流如织, ren liu ru zhi - "people, flow; like, weaving"). "In a traditional cinema, audiences leave after staying about two hours. We want to extend that time," said Sun Deshun, chairman of Zhejiang Times Cinema Circuit Co., Ltd. Since opening, the M511 Future Cinema has held more than 100 events including immersive performances, interactive shows, concerts, stage plays, and stand-up comedy. "Audiences come more frequently and stay longer. The cinema's peak monthly foot traffic has reached 100,000 visits."
"The transformation of the cinema — what changes is the business format, the scene, and the technology; what does not change is the unique value of 'bringing people together,'" Sun Deshun said with an eye to the future. "From 'selling tickets' to 'selling scenes,' from 'operating box office' to 'operating foot traffic,' we should build cinemas into urban cultural living rooms of light and shadow through the integration of multiple business formats."
Improving Quality
Upgrading equipment, extending the film-viewing chain, optimizing the viewing experience
Travel to a city for a screen. Earlier, the domestic animated film "Nezha: The Devil Child Stirs Up the Sea" remained a hot draw, making the IMAX GT hall of Yuejie Cinema in Guiyang, Guizhou, a viral sensation — "IMAX GT," also known as first-generation laser IMAX, is currently the top configuration of IMAX technology. In addition, the hall's screen is 32.16 meters wide and 18.17 meters high; screens of this specification are rare nationwide. During the run of "Nezha: The Devil Child Stirs Up the Sea," this giant-screen hall, which can seat more than 700 people, screened five or six shows a day, nearly every one full, with more than 40 percent of audiences coming from outside the province.
By upgrading equipment and optimizing the experience, more and more cinemas are attracting audiences with high-quality film-viewing services.
Stepping into the Wuhan Wushang Dream Times Mall Cinema, one sees rectangular and trapezoidal "boxes" on the ceiling and walls extending in staggered patterns, full of a sense of technology under the projection of lights. The cinema was put into use in April 2023, with a building area of about 10,000 square meters; its 14 screening halls can accommodate more than 2,700 audiences, making it the largest cinema in Central China. "The giant screen in the special-effects hall here can present naked-eye 3D and floating-image effects. Although the tickets are more expensive, I think it's worth it," said Mao Ben, a Wuhan film fan who comes to watch films here almost every week.
"When the cinema was first built, we made optimizing the viewing experience a priority," said Qi Pei, store manager of Wushang Dream Times Mall Cinema. The cinema built two giant-screen halls equipped with several industry-leading projection systems, optimizing the viewing experience from both visual and auditory dimensions.
"Whether to spend a huge sum to build two giant-screen halls — we were hesitating and unable to make a decision (举棋不定, ju qi bu ding - "hold, chess; piece, not, fixed"), after all, none of the other cinemas under the company had done it before," Qi Pei said, changing tack. "But later we realized that a good viewing experience is always the foundation of a cinema's survival." In August this year, box office revenue from the two giant-screen halls accounted for 37 percent of the entire cinema's total.
However, not all cinemas can invest enough funds to update equipment. The key to optimizing the viewing experience lies in acting in light of local conditions.
Hangzhou Xingguang Jiaying Cinema (Raffles City branch) widened the common 1.2-meter row spacing to more than 1.4 meters, allowing audiences to stretch their legs and watch films more comfortably.
"In the past, after watching a two-hour film, my waist would be stiff from sitting. Now I can stretch out and watch, with a full sense of relaxation, just like being in my own living room," said Guo Shuai, a 29-year-old internet industry practitioner, with a smile. "It's just that the 'living room' has a giant screen and a Dolby Atmos sound system."
Extending the film-viewing chain is also one way to optimize the experience.
During the hot run of "Letter to Grandma," Beijing Yaolai Jackie Chan Cinema (Wukesong branch) keenly captured the film's emotional core of "letters conveying feelings," and, in cooperation with the Jiangmen Museum of Guangdong Province, set up a special exhibition titled "Family and Country Sentiments in Qiaopi" in the lobby. More than 40 qiaopi (overseas Chinese remittance letters) collected from the public were individually mounted and displayed along the route audiences must pass before and after viewing.
"Letters crossing mountains and seas extend the emotions on screen into the real world," said Cen Junlan, regional marketing manager for the Beijing-Tianjin-Henan region of Yaolai Cinema. The immersive exhibition brought audiences closer to the characters.
A rich variety of activities is also continuously enhancing the viewing experience.
"I like coming to Zheying Xiguang Store because it often holds events such as advance screenings, celebrity meet-and-greets, and post-screening exchanges, where I have the chance to hear the creative team share their production stories face to face," said Lu Dong, a film fan from Jiaxing, Zhejiang. He has developed the habit of regularly browsing the screening schedule of Zheying Xiguang Store. Not long ago, the first Hangzhou roadshow of the film "Welcome to the Dragon Restaurant" was held here, with the director and lead actors interacting with the audience on site. After grabbing a ticket, Lu Dong took a high-speed rail trip specially from Jiaxing to attend.
Over the past year, Zheying Xiguang Store hosted about 50 celebrity meet-and-greets and film roadshows, with creative team members present on average every week, and also held more than 100 IP-themed exhibitions, art sharing sessions, and trend experience events. "Premieres and roadshows bring the creative team before the audience. This face-to-face 'sense of presence' makes film viewing an unforgettable experience," Sun Deshun said.
Expanding the Circle
Distinctive operations, one store one strategy, continuously releasing the potential of film consumption
At 9 a.m., the lights dimmed and the screen lit up at Capital Cinema (Zhonghua branch), and the Peking opera film "Dragon and Phoenix Bring Prosperity" began. "The flying horse crosses Chaisang Pass, what matter if the road ahead is long..." The lead actor's movements were agile and his singing voice clear and bright. Opera fan Mr. Zhang watched with great relish (津津有味, jin jin you wei - "extremely, extremely; have, taste"). "For 20 yuan, I can watch a grand opera — what a treat!"
This was a scene from the classic opera film screening series at Capital Cinema (Zhonghua branch). Since March this year, the Zhonghua branch has screened opera films such as "The Meeting of Heroes: Borrowing the East Wind" and "Fourth Son Visits His Mother" in weekly rotation, bringing traditional opera closer to more audiences through modern light and shadow.
Opera elements can be seen everywhere in the Zhonghua branch: hanging in the elevator are Shaanxi Fengxiang paper-cuttings made in the opera images of Yuchi Gong and Qin Qiong; on the red walls on both sides of the entrance corridor hang ten large drums, each inscribed with words such as "ban yan, guo chang, ya zhou" (operatic beat, transition, finale), accompanied by textual explanations that narrate opera knowledge in an engaging manner... "Located in the Tianqiao performing arts district, the predecessor of the Zhonghua branch was the Deshengxuan Theater, built in 1933, so we highlight opera elements and build an opera-themed cinema," introduced Zong Jian, operations manager of the Zhonghua branch.
"Capital Cinema currently has nine cinemas under its umbrella, and each one has different hardware and software conditions, target customer bases, and commercial environments. We adopt a 'one store, one strategy' approach and explore distinctive operations," Yu Chao said. Cinemas do not need to be identical; the key is to find the right positioning amid fierce competition.
Combining with local culture is one way for cinemas to build distinctive brands. The predecessor of Ningbo Mingguang Cinema in Zhejiang was the Mingguang Grand Theater, built in 1931. In the past, the facilities here were old and audiences gradually drifted away. After renovation, the cinema retained its retro style, displaying old tickets, posters, and objects from the past in prominent positions, while its film programming focuses on literary and emotional works, allowing audiences to rediscover urban memories in light and shadow. "There is nothing too flashy here — it simply shows films. When the lights dim, it feels like going back to my youth," sighed Chen Jianguo, a 61-year-old Ningbo citizen.
For cinemas to develop distinctive features and build up the experience, they also need a talent team that understands film, understands operations, and understands audiences.
A day in the life of Wang Peng, operations manager of Beijing Yaolai Jackie Chan Cinema (Wukesong branch), is always busy across different scenarios: organizing team-building events in screening halls during the day, arranging parent-child parties in the evening, and restoring film screenings at night.
The more the industry integrates, the more it lacks "all-rounders." The usher post requires speed in ticket checking and distributing and collecting 3D glasses; the front-desk box office post requires familiarity with film plots and the best viewing positions; the projection post requires watching over film copies, often staying up all night; the marketing post requires understanding the rules of social media dissemination and being able to control on-site event safety... Through training across the entire process, Wang Peng has become fully adept at every link of cinema operations.
"We have young people rotate through positions to cultivate comprehensive operational capabilities. Only with professional talent can we connect film viewing, social interaction, and entertainment, making the cinema an all-day consumption space," Cen Junlan said.
The changes in cinemas are not confined to a single space. Beyond the screen, the traffic and heat gathered by films are being connected to broader urban consumption scenarios.
"A ticket stub is not a reimbursement voucher, but a string of keys that opens a wish list." Not long ago, after watching a film, Hangzhou citizen Lin Lan opened the "Tide Light and Shadow" WeChat mini-program on her phone, photographed and uploaded her paper ticket stub for verification, and within seconds generated an entitlement card valid for seven days — with this card, she took her parents to the Liangzhu Ancient City Ruins Park in Hangzhou and redeemed free tickets; at the cultural and creative products store of the Zhejiang Provincial Museum, she bought two cultural and creative products at a 10 percent discount; and with friends she went to the Yunhe Terraces in Lishui, Zhejiang, where she enjoyed a 50 percent discount on both tickets and the cable car.
One film leads to a series of consumption. In July this year, the "Tide Light and Shadow" WeChat mini-program, guided by the Zhejiang Provincial Film Bureau and built by Zhijiang Film Group Co., Ltd., launched a "Film Ticket Stub Benefit Platform" function, linking "a hundred cinemas, a thousand brands, and ten thousand merchants" across 11 cities in the province. As of the end of September, the platform had collected more than 103,000 valid ticket stub vouchers, merchants had completed 24,000 redemptions of free-ticket or discount entitlements, driving nearly 20 million yuan in film and related consumption.
Such exploration is not an isolated case. Beijing, leveraging the 38th Hundred Flowers Awards for Chinese Cinema, held a "Midsummer Film Carnival," where audiences holding ticket stubs and other vouchers could enjoy linkage discounts such as dining discounts and shopping threshold reductions at more than 40 business districts and over 1,100 merchants across the city; Hubei built a ticket-stub economy digital platform called "One Ticket Benefits Hubei," where citizens can receive free consumption voucher packages with their ticket stubs, covering five scenarios: dining, shopping, accommodation, scenic spots, and sports... Data released by the China Film Administration shows that, according to incomplete statistics, in 2025 the output value of China's entire film industry chain reached 817.259 billion yuan, of which the driving and spillover output value reached 339.095 billion yuan, covering dining, transportation, and retail driven by film viewing, as well as tourism at film shooting locations and IP derivatives.
When the lights dim and the screen lights up, the cinema "brings people together"; when the lights come up and the crowd does not disperse, "film+" is deeply expanding the new blue ocean of cultural tourism consumption.
Return to TopBy: 窦 皓
Watching a World Cup live broadcast in a giant-screen hall; experiencing immersive VR (virtual reality) after the screening ends... Today's cinemas are transforming from mere screening venues into comprehensive cultural experience spaces.
In the past, cinema revenue was highly dependent on film supply. After deducting distribution shares and taxes from a film's box office revenue, the profit was limited. At a time when online film and television platforms are diverting audiences, cinemas seeking sustainable operation cannot afford to focus only on selling movie tickets.
In June this year, the National Film Administration and the State Administration for Market Regulation jointly issued the "Notice on Promoting Diversified Cinema Operations and Flourishing Cinema Culture," proposing to "lead new supply with new demand, create new demand with new supply, break traditional business models, and further stimulate the vitality of cinema operations."
But in reality, there is no shortage of such cases: some cinemas, hearing that coffee can attract customers, invest hundreds of thousands of yuan to renovate space and introduce equipment, yet customers remain scarce; others jump on the bandwagon of cultural and creative products, arcade games, and the like, only to quietly remove them after a brief bustle... Transformation is not simply about addition — assuming that the more business formats there are, the more foot traffic they will drive can sometimes produce producing results contrary to expectations (适得其反, shi de qi fan - "suit, obtain, its, opposite").
The key to business format innovation lies in in light of local conditions. Hangzhou Xingguang Jiaying Cinema (Raffles City branch) is located in the city's central business district, surrounded by many young office workers. Targeting their preference for trying new things and their willingness to pay for emotions and experiences, the cinema launched a "steak while watching a movie" service, which proved quite popular. This offers a lesson: diversified operation does not mean turning the cinema into a "hodgepodge," but rather making new business formats match the cinema's customer base, location, and spatial conditions.
For experience upgrades, a bit more "sense of ritual" may be in order. During the release of the film "Love Letters to Grandma," some cinemas launched themed exhibitions of old objects, allowing audiences to enter the atmosphere before entering the plot; others held events such as creative team meet-and-greets and post-screening discussions to help audiences deepen their understanding of the film. When watching a movie becomes a cultural experience worth savoring, more audiences will be willing to stay and willing to return.
Cinema operation also requires cultivating its own "character." With more and more cinema options available, why would audiences choose to walk into this particular one? Deepening efforts in distinctive fields such as art films and parent-child viewing; developing cultural and creative products and digital collectibles with cinema characteristics, building the cinema's own IP (intellectual property) content; linking with surrounding commercial and cultural tourism resources to embed the cinema into urban cultural life... Once the positioning is clear, a cinema becomes not merely a place to watch a particular film, but a distinctive and attractive destination worth checking in at.
The stories on the screen will eventually end, but a cinema that knows how to operate its space and operate experiences will become a more substantial carrier in urban cultural life, injecting lasting momentum into boosting urban cultural consumption.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 张志锋 田先进
In July this year, the results of the 2025 National Supreme Science and Technology Award were announced, and Academician Chen Liquan, an alumnus of the 1959 cohort of the Department of Technical Physics (Department 02) at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), received this honor.
With this, the class known as "5902" has produced two winners of the National Supreme Science and Technology Award — Academician Chen Liquan and Academician Zhao Zhongxian. Among USTC's 1959 alumni, 12 people have so far been elected as academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences or the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
An abundance of talented people (济济多士, jiji duoshi - "many, many, many"), talented people emerging in successive generations (人才辈出, rencai beichu - "talent, generation, emerge"). This weighty answer sheet on talent stems from USTC's steadfast commitment to educating people for the Party and cultivating talent for the country.
In April 2016, during his inspection of USTC, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "The University of Science and Technology of China must be courageous in innovation, daring in surpassing, and strive for first-class status, achieving even more outstanding results in talent cultivation and the field of innovation, and making greater contributions to the country's modernization drive."
With these earnest instructions, forging ahead with determination and perseverance (砥砺奋进, dili finjin - "grind, polish, exert, advance"). Generation after generation of USTC people, encouraged by the school motto of "advancing in both redness and expertise, integrating theory and practice," have been devoting themselves wholeheartedly to academic studies (潜心治学, qianxin zhixue - "submerge, heart, manage, study") and striving to reach the highest levels of achievement (勇攀高峰, yongpan gaofeng - "brave, climb, high, peak"), steadily advancing toward the goal of building a world-class university with Chinese characteristics and USTC style.
Cultivating Outstanding Talent
Keeping the original aspiration of serving the country rooted in the hearts of students
Recently, USTC welcomed its 2026 undergraduate freshmen. In the first week on campus, the new students learned to sing the school song. The lyrics, "Raise high the red banner, plant it on the peak of science," were engraved in the students' hearts.
The students also watched the drama "Stars of Tonight," revisiting the life stories of Guo Yonghuai, the first director of the school's Department of Chemical Physics and a founding contributor to the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" project, and his wife Li Pei. This starting something in a completely new and original way (别开生面, biekai shengmian - "separate, open, fresh, face") ideological and political lesson moved the students on site to tears, fastening the first button for the new students.
"The school implements the fundamental task of cultivating virtue and nurturing people (立德树人, lide shuren - "establish, virtue, plant, person"), striving to cultivate high-level scientific and technological innovation talents with patriotic feelings, scientific literacy, and innovative ability, so that the original aspiration of serving the country remains rooted in the hearts of students," said Shu Gequn, Secretary of the USTC Party Committee.
Ideological and political courses cultivate character and forge the soul (培根铸魂, peigen zhuhun - "cultivate, root, cast, soul"). USTC offers and teaches courses such as "Introduction to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era" well, with school leaders regularly participating in collective lesson preparation, consolidating consensus on education, and innovating teaching methods. The school persists in treating the School of Marxism as a key school, the discipline of Marxist theory as a key discipline, and ideological and political courses as key courses, actively building ideological and political education brands such as the "Cloud-based Real-scene Teaching Project," guiding students to appreciate the practical power of the Party's innovative theories.
Educating people through culture (以文化人, yiwen huaren - "use, culture, transform, person"), and cultivating people through virtue. The school has filmed a series of micro-films on the spirit of scientists, carried out campus culture month activities, published a series of books on cultural education, and transformed major ceremonies and rituals into educational scenes, combining them with ideological and political courses, continuously improving the effectiveness of education.
While strengthening ideological and political education, USTC has coordinated the advancement of its education system, continuously consolidating the foundation for talent growth and improving the quality of talent cultivation.
Deng Yuhao is a young member of the research and development team of the quantum computing prototype "Jiuzhang" and a graduate of USTC's Yan Jici Physics Science and Technology Talent Class. From first encountering quantum science to exploring it in depth, he has grown continuously under the talent class education model: participating in a summer internship at the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to touch the frontiers of science; joining a university professor's team to receive research training; going to USTC's Shanghai Research Institute to carry out his graduation project... "The Science and Technology Talent Class, through small-class teaching, building open experimental platforms, and strengthening research practice training, strives to cultivate top-notch innovative talents," said Wu Xiaojun, Director of the Academic Affairs Office at USTC.
Focusing on the independent cultivation of talent, USTC continuously explores and innovates. To strengthen the cultivation of talent in basic disciplines, the school has implemented the "Special Work Plan for Cultivating Leading Talents in Basic Disciplines" and has been approved as a pilot construction unit for the National High-level Talent Cultivation Center and the Ministry of Education's Interdisciplinary Center; focusing on cultivating professional applied talents, the school concentrates on fields such as integrated circuits, artificial intelligence, and key software, jointly training engineering master's and doctoral students with leading industry units.
"We are striving to build an all-round, multi-level, and systematic talent cultivation ecosystem, focusing on cultivating college students who have ideals and pursuits, have responsibility and achievements, and have quality and cultivation," Shu Gequn said.
Passing on the Torch
The pulse of scientific research is always closely linked to national strategy
In April 2016, General Secretary Xi Jinping inspected the USTC Advanced Technology Research Institute in Hefei, viewing displays of quantum information science research achievements such as quantum communication, and visiting the Beijing-Shanghai Quantum Communication Trunk Line Operation and Management Center to learn about the construction, operation, and application of the quantum communication network.
Today, quantum communication technology has been widely applied in fields such as government affairs and finance, and Hefei has also become a pioneering region for quantum technology and industry, which is inseparable from the efforts of USTC people.
In the early morning, inside the laboratory of QuantumCTek Co., Ltd., Deputy Chief Engineer Tang Shibiao stared intently at the experimental data on the screen, occasionally discussing with the researchers beside him. "We are tackling the development of a new generation of quantum communication equipment, comprehensively improving its security and stability," Tang Shibiao said.
When graduating from USTC, Tang Shibiao faced multiple employment options and ultimately decided to devote himself to the quantum communication industry. "What supported my decision was the patriotic sentiment of USTC teachers and students to serve the country through science and technology. I wanted to work together with my teachers and classmates to achieve a breakthrough in this field that concerns national security," Tang Shibiao said.
Today, through years of dedicated research, the research results that Tang Shibiao participated in have been applied to major projects such as the Beijing-Shanghai Quantum Communication Trunk Line, and he has also received the title of "Annual Figure of Great Craftsmen" for 2025.
The world's first quantum science experiment satellite "Mozi" soars in space, and the "Jiuzhang" and "Zuchongzhi" series of quantum computers have repeatedly broken world records... A steady stream of USTC teachers and students have been striving to make themselves and their country strong (奋发图强, fenfa tuqiang - "exert, expand, diagram, strong"), producing a series of disruptive achievements.
Scientific research serving national strategy is the founding gene of USTC. According to reports, in the early days of the founding of New China, the country urgently needed to cultivate a group of national defense science and technology talents mastering cutting-edge science and technology, especially to reserve talent strength for major national defense projects such as the "Two Bombs, One Satellite." In September 1958, USTC came into being in Beijing in response to the times. In early 1970, the school moved to Hefei, Anhui Province. "The pulse of USTC's scientific research is always closely linked to national strategy, and the school always regards serving the country's high-level self-reliance and strength in science and technology as an important mission," said Chang Jin, President of USTC.
Currently, a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is accelerating. How can the school better practice "taking innovation as the greatest policy" and promote more major scientific and technological achievements in frontier fields?
Focusing on major national needs, the school has incorporated advanced nuclear energy, deep space exploration, and other fields into priority development areas, while simultaneously laying out interdisciplinary research platforms; it emphasizes refining major scientific questions, precisely aligning with the needs of tackling "bottleneck" problems, ensuring that research topics always resonate with national needs; it implements integrated allocation of projects, platforms, talent, and funds, coordinating resources such as research funding, enrollment quotas, and experimental space, tilting them toward fields of national strategic need.
A steady stream of frontier scientific and technological achievements continues to emerge, with multiple technologies achieving breakthroughs: in the field of deep space exploration, the school participates in lunar and Martian exploration, jointly builds the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, and its scientific payloads and detection technologies have helped China's space exploration capabilities rank among the world's forefront; in the field of precise intelligent chemistry, it has developed technologies such as atomic-level controllable synthesis and AI-assisted molecular design, breaking through bottlenecks in synthesis and characterization in fields such as high-end materials and biomedicine, providing independent and controllable key technical support for related industries.
Looking to the future, USTC is actively engaging in energy exploration, deeply participating in experimental research on the full superconducting tokamak experimental device; striving to forge "great national instruments," accelerating the layout and advancement of major scientific and technological infrastructure such as the Hefei Advanced Light Source, continuously consolidating the hardware foundation for original innovation.
Promoting Reform
Connecting the education chain, talent chain, industry chain, and innovation chain
At 9 a.m., in a laboratory at USTC, Wang Gongming, a professor in the Department of Applied Chemistry, was conducting experiments with his team. "Based on the subsequent production needs of the partner company, we are continuously developing hydrogen production technology under fluctuating green electricity conditions." With the support of the school's reform on empowering scientific and technological achievements of public institutions, he and his team, through pricing intellectual property as equity contributions, transferred the technology to an enterprise, promoting the technology from the "bookshelf" to the "store shelf."
"In the past, pain points such as cumbersome transformation processes and insufficient incentive mechanisms caused some scientific and technological achievements to be difficult to bring to market," introduced Wang Fengchao, Deputy Director of the Technology Transfer Office at USTC. Different from the traditional path of "transform first, reward later," the school has proposed an intellectual property model of "empowerment + transfer + agreed income," granting approximately 80% ownership of job-related scientific and technological achievements to researchers, and simplifying the approval cycle, better promoting the industrialization of frontier technologies.
Promoting the transformation of scientific and technological achievements is a microcosm of USTC's deepening of the integrated reform of the education, science and technology, and talent systems and mechanisms.
Guided by scientific and technological development and national strategic needs, the school optimizes its professional offerings. The school has abolished 6 undergraduate majors, added undergraduate majors such as artificial intelligence and environmental science and engineering, and established a number of emerging schools and disciplinary platforms including the School of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, the School of Cyberspace Security, and the School of Future Technology.
Innovating cultivation models to promote positive interaction between independent scientific and technological innovation and independent talent cultivation. The school promotes "masters entering the classroom," inviting academicians and other top scientific research forces to the podium, transforming frontier scientific research achievements into high-quality teaching resources. It implements a cross-disciplinary dual advisor system, with the graduate school specifically allocating separate direct-admission quotas for interdisciplinary doctoral students, providing special support for cross-disciplinary advisor teams to jointly recruit and cultivate students.
In December 2025, the Chinese Academy of Sciences held a work conference, supporting USTC in building a demonstration zone for the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent. With this, USTC's education and teaching reform has entered a new stage of development: accelerating the construction of the "College of Theory and Practice," jointly building micro-majors and micro-courses with research institutes and leading enterprises, constructing a new paradigm of integrated theory-practice teaching; relying on artificial intelligence technology, launching the construction of an undergraduate knowledge graph, providing systematic support for students' personalized growth and cross-disciplinary cultivation...
"During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the school will take the construction of the demonstration zone for the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent as a lever, connecting the education chain, talent chain, industry chain, and innovation chain, anchoring the goals of building a strong education nation, a strong science and technology nation, and a strong talent nation, and contributing greater strength to achieving high-level self-reliance and strength in science and technology and advancing Chinese modernization," Shu Gequn said.
Q&A
Zhang Enhe, a freshman at USTC: I heard that the school has built a "Science-Education Integration 3.0" education system. What are its highlights?
Zhu Linfan, Director of the Admissions and Employment Office at USTC: USTC's science-education integration education system has undergone iterative upgrades from 1.0 to 3.0: at the founding of the school, "the whole academy running the school, combining institutes and departments" established the tradition; the 2.0 stage emphasized "combining science and education, collaborative cultivation," establishing science and technology talent classes; now, the school, in conjunction with the various institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the cluster of major scientific devices, has created the 3.0 stage of "science-education integration, striving for first-class," achieving all-round integration between the school and institutes, allowing students to grow in research practice and guiding them to contribute at key positions in national key research institutions and major scientific and technological tasks after graduation.
Specifically, the 3.0 stage opens up the entire chain of faculty, research platforms, and talent cultivation. Institute researchers and chief scientists of major devices regularly participate in undergraduate teaching, and major national instruments such as the synchrotron radiation light source are opened to lower-grade students in tiers. The school promotes integrated personalized cultivation spanning bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs, opens up direct-admission doctoral channels from institutes, coordinates the synergistic advancement of teaching, research, and achievement transformation, embeds national-level research resources into daily education, and cultivates composite top-notch scientific and technological innovation talents around national strategic needs.
Xu Minmin, a parent of a high school student in Anhui: I heard that USTC undergraduates can choose their majors 100% independently. How does this work specifically?
Wu Xiaojun, Director of the Academic Affairs Office at USTC: That's indeed the case. This is a cultivation feature the school has adhered to for more than 20 years. As early as 2002, we began implementing a mechanism for students to independently choose their majors based on their interests. In the freshman year, students mainly take general education and basic courses. One year after enrollment, they can freely choose a school or major category within the university. After the sophomore year, they can choose a major within their school. After the junior year, they can still adjust their major direction within the major they are studying — students have multiple opportunities to choose, allowing them to determine their direction after full exploration. The confidence behind USTC's ability to achieve 100% independent major selection for students lies in the balanced strength of all majors. The school, by strengthening academic guidance and personalized study management, guides students to find their interests in cross-disciplinary integration, and students' choices show rational, diverse, and fluid patterns. Major selection has become a process of students' independent exploration, rather than a result determined by a single examination.
Return to TopBy: 常 进
General Secretary Xi Jinping has profoundly pointed out: "Education, science and technology, and talent are the foundational and strategic pillars for comprehensively building a modern socialist country." In today's era, talent is the primary resource, science and technology are the primary productive forces, and innovation is the primary driver of development. To deeply grasp the inherent unity among education, science and technology, and talent, and to deepen the integrated reform of the institutional mechanisms for education, science and technology, and talent with a systematic approach, is a topic of the times that universities must directly confront.
The University of Science and Technology of China is a red university founded after the founding of New China for the cause of the "two bombs, one satellite." Since its establishment, it has always upheld the spirit of daring to be a pioneer (敢为人先, gan wei ren xian - "dare to, for, person, first") in exploration and innovated its talent cultivation models. Currently, a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is accelerating, requiring the university to seize historical opportunities, keep pace with the pulse of the times, and explore new paths for the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent. We persist in devoting ourselves to moral education and character building (潜心立德树人, qian xin li de shu ren - "submerge heart, establish virtue, plant morality, nurture people"), persistently tackling key problems in innovation, striving to build a demonstration zone for the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent, improving the mechanism for collaborative education between science and education, and promoting a positive interaction between independent scientific and technological innovation and independent talent cultivation.
Devote ourselves to moral education and character building, and improve the quality of independent talent cultivation. Scientific and technological innovation depends on talent, talent cultivation depends on education, and cultivating talent is a major plan for the long-term development of the country and the nation. As the main force in talent cultivation, universities must comprehensively grasp the political, people-oriented, and strategic attributes of education, strengthen the cultivation of high-level talent urgently needed by the country, and strive to cultivate top-notch innovative talent. The university persists in cultivating "six-have" college students—those with ideals and pursuits, with responsibility and achievement, with quality and cultivation—focusing on fields urgently needed by the country and new trends in scientific and technological development, relying on the university's advantage of a "broad, solid, and substantial foundation," optimizing the disciplinary layout, and cultivating compound top-notch talent. It innovatively implements a through-type cultivation plan, opening up the entire chain from classroom to practice, allowing students to grow their real abilities in solving real problems and to mature and succeed on the front lines of scientific research. At the same time, it builds a healthy ecosystem, creates a reassuring environment that encourages innovation and tolerates failure, establishes a full-chain, continuous cultivation system, and promotes the vigorous growth of young talent.
Persistently tackle key problems in innovation, and contribute to high-level self-reliance and strength in science and technology. Science and technology are the primary productive forces and the primary competitiveness. To promote the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent, new breakthroughs should be achieved in strengthening original innovation and tackling key core technologies, and in seizing the commanding heights of science and technology. As the main force in national basic research and the birthplace of major scientific and technological breakthroughs, high-level research universities should distill major scientific and technological issues from national strategic needs, continuously produce original and disruptive scientific and technological innovation achievements, and improve the efficiency of achievement transformation. The university focuses on national strategic needs and the world's scientific and technological frontiers, making efforts in foundational and strategic work, with the goals of producing world-class original achievements, solving "bottleneck" problems, and making breakthroughs at the world's scientific and technological frontiers. Focusing on fields such as quantum science and technology, artificial intelligence, and advanced nuclear energy, and using organized research as a lever, it builds strategic platforms and deeply integrates into the national innovation system. It continuously expands the research and application of artificial intelligence in key fields, helps transform the scientific research paradigm, and unleashes innovation potential. At the same time, it inherits and carries forward the spirit of the "two bombs, one satellite," uses major innovation activities and high-level scientific and technological infrastructure platforms to feed back into talent cultivation, encourages and supports students to grow and succeed in participating in the construction of major scientific installations and undertaking major scientific research tasks, and cultivates high-end scientific and technological talent and high-level reserve forces for seizing the commanding heights of science and technology and achieving high-level self-reliance and strength in science and technology.
On the new journey, the University of Science and Technology of China will always bear in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping's earnest entrustment to "be brave in innovation, dare to surpass, and strive for first-class," take moral education as the foundation, take innovative tackling of key problems as its mission, take talent cultivation as the key, build well the demonstration zone for the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent, explore a new path to building a world-class university with "Chinese characteristics and USTC style," promote the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent, and contribute USTC's strength to accelerating the building of a strong education nation, a strong science and technology nation, and a strong talent nation.
(The author is the President of the University of Science and Technology of China)
Return to TopBy: 陈立泉
Looking back on decades of scientific research and exploration, my original aspiration to devote myself to basic research is rooted in my years of study at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC).
In those days, USTC practiced the educational philosophy of "the whole academy running the school, combining departments with institutes." The Department of Technical Physics where I studied was directly run by the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, achieving a deep integration of classroom teaching and frontline research, so that theoretical learning was no longer confined to books. The school's five-year undergraduate education "emphasized consolidating foundations and strengthening roots," with a training system that advanced step by step. In the first three years after enrollment, there was no division into specialties; we focused intensively on mathematics and physics fundamentals, honing rigorous and meticulous scientific thinking, and building a solid foundation for subsequent specialized research. In the second semester of our third year, we moved as a group into the Zhongguancun area of Beijing, entering the various laboratories of the Institute of Physics for internships, accumulating experience and clarifying our research directions in real scientific research settings. The close connection between classrooms and laboratories allowed us to be immersed in cutting-edge research and build solid hands-on capabilities.
At that time, campus material conditions were simple, yet there was a pure and fervent atmosphere of seeking knowledge. Open lectures across various departments often had a packed house, with hundreds of students crowding into a single classroom to study with dedication. Without multimedia or amplification equipment, the teachers, who came from the frontlines of research, relied only on a piece of chalk and a blackboard to explain abstruse and profound professional knowledge with clarity and depth. The students were eager for knowledge, always arriving early for every class and vying to sit in the front rows, afraid of missing even a single key point. After class, we often engaged in academic discussion together, solved difficult problems together, and encouraged each other and made progress together during those arduous years of study.
The internship phase in our third year was the key turning point in my transition from book theory to real scientific research, completely renewing my understanding of scientific research. At that time, research conditions were limited; we temporarily lodged in idle shops and devoted ourselves wholeheartedly to crystal experiment research. When I witnessed with my own eyes in the laboratory how pieces of crystal gradually took shape through repeated adjustment, I came to deeply understand that scientific research is never a simple deduction from formulas on paper, but rather a persistence and exploration built on day-after-day repeated refinement and sustained, long-term effort.
What the university gave me was not only a systematic and complete body of physics knowledge, but also shaped my scientific research thinking and scholarly character that have benefited me for life. Relying on the training advantages of "combining departments with institutes," I broke free from the rigid thinking of relying only on books and came to understand that all theoretical deductions ultimately must be tested through experiments and practice. Scientific research has no standard answers, and many difficult problems have no ready-made solutions; only through independent judgment, active exploration, and dedicated deep cultivation can one break through bottlenecks and seek truth.
During my studies, I had the good fortune to meet two senior researchers, Chen Chunxian and Hao Bailin. Their keen insight into academic frontiers and their courage and boldness in breaking through traditional research paradigms deeply moved me in my youth. The spiritual strength this period gave me has grown ever stronger through years of accumulation, becoming powerful support for my later willingness to break out of my scientific research comfort zone and boldly open up entirely new research directions.
Though youth has passed, the memories remain fresh. My years of study at USTC forged the most substantial foundation of my scientific research career. I would also like to share a few thoughts with the younger generation who are devoting themselves to basic research and tackling core technologies: the path of scientific research requires both the ability to endure solitude and calm one's mind, holding fast to the scholarly original aspiration of being pragmatic and seeking truth, and also keenly seizing opportunities and daring to innovate, being down-to-earth and practical in exploring the unknown and scaling new heights through teamwork.
(The author is an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a researcher at the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; compiled by People's Daily reporter Wu Yuehui)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 尚凯元
Recently, with the support of the France-China friendship groups in the French Senate and National Assembly, the Paris Chinese Cultural Center held an exhibition titled "Jacquinot — The Life of a Great Peace Warrior," introducing to the French public this French friend who protected large numbers of Chinese civilians in Shanghai during World War II, Robert Jacquinot de Besange, and his humanitarian practice. Xu Bo, president of the French Association of Friends of Wu Jianmin, said: "In a world where geopolitics increasingly occupies the space of discourse, the story of Jacquinot allows us to draw strength from history once again and safeguard the future of peace."
In September this year, a memorial bronze statue of Jacquinot, about two meters tall, was unveiled in the public garden of the southwestern French city of Saintes, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the death of this French friend. The statue was presented by the Shanghai Research Association on the War of Resistance and the World Anti-Fascist War, on behalf of the descendants of the protected Chinese civilians, to Saintes, Jacquinot's hometown. The statue was created by Chinese sculptor Li Xiaochao, and its inscription, written in both Chinese and French, reads: "Dedicated to the great peace warrior, the savior of 300,000 Shanghai refugees, Mr. Jacquinot, and to the people of his hometown, the city of Saintes."
A shared memory spanning nearly a century, connecting Saintes, France, and Shanghai, China, has been evoked once again. In 1878, Jacquinot was born in Saintes into a military family and spent his early childhood there. For a long time, his story was little known locally. The mayor of Saintes, Delaplane, said that Jacquinot set out from Saintes, France, and later left an indelible mark in Shanghai, and that "it is hoped that through this bronze statue, as well as through more cultural and educational activities in the future, more people will come to know Jacquinot."
In 1913, Jacquinot came to Shanghai, where he successively taught at Xuhui High School and Aurora University. During more than 20 years of living in Shanghai, he actively participated in social welfare undertakings and gradually became deeply integrated into Chinese society. After the outbreak of the Battle of Shanghai in 1937, large numbers of civilians were displaced and homeless (流离失所, liu li shi suo - "flow, wander, lose, place"). Jacquinot, then vice chairman of the Shanghai International Red Cross, worked tirelessly on many fronts and promoted the establishment of the "Nanshi Safety Zone" in Shanghai, which successively sheltered hundreds of thousands of civilians. The wartime civilian protection practices he explored provided important pioneering experience for the later development of international humanitarian law and wartime civilian protection systems.
"Peace does not happen suddenly without warning (从天而降, cong tian er jiang - "from, heaven, arrive, descend"); peace requires effort to build." Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin said at a related event that France and China, both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, bear a special responsibility for world peace. "Both France and China attach importance to multilateralism. Faced with today's more complex international situation, the two countries should strengthen dialogue and jointly promote global governance that is more balanced, pluralistic, and respectful of different civilizations and the Global South."
The Saintes Cultural Center also screened a documentary, "The Good Man of Shanghai, Jacquinot," produced by local director Sébastien Cassen. Cassen began pursuing Jacquinot's story in 2013, spending about seven years in total, traveling between China and France to complete the film, and this year added newly discovered photographs and historical footage. As his investigation deepened, he also gradually came to understand the Asian theater of World War II, which had long been overlooked by the European public. Cassen said that only by truly understanding what once happened can the recurrence of tragedy be avoided. He hopes that while audiences come to know Jacquinot, they will also truly see the situation faced by civilians in war, so that they can understand the significance of establishing safety zones and protecting refugees.
During this period, French historian Jean-Luc Pinol held a readers' meeting for his new book, "Jacquinot — A Forgotten Pioneer of International Humanitarian Aid." Pinol's research on Jacquinot began during his time teaching as an exchange scholar at East China Normal University in Shanghai and has continued for nearly 10 years. He told reporters that rescuing refugees was a responsibility Jacquinot voluntarily assumed during the war, and that "he makes us believe that even in desperate circumstances, people still have the ability to choose justice and goodness."
The memory of history is also being carried forward among the younger generation. Gabriel, a student in the Chinese language class at Palissy High School in Saintes, said that Jacquinot's story led him to begin learning about the Battle of Shanghai and other China-related history, that the younger generation feels the power of benevolence from Jacquinot, and that he looks forward to the opportunity to study and exchange in China.
(People's Daily, Paris, October 8)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 黄培昭
As autumn tints the Nile with its first hues and the heat waves at the edge of the Sahara have yet to recede, Egypt ushers in its busiest and sweetest season of the year — the date harvest. Drawing on the dual endowments of the fertile Nile Valley soil and the vast desert oases, Egypt has now become the world's largest producer of dates. According to statistics from Egypt's Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Egypt has more than 24 million date palm trees, with annual date production steadily maintained at over 2 million tons. Dates, affectionately hailed by local media as "golden fruit of the sand sea," sustain the livelihoods of millions of farming households, link together agriculture, employment, trade, and other links in the chain, and are now striding toward a broader global market.
More than 1,200 large-scale cultivation bases
Covering more than 1.2 million people in employment
Driving out of Cairo and heading west, the Bahariya Oasis slowly unfolds. Rows of date palm trees stand tall and straight, their feathery long leaves swaying gently, while clusters of plump dates hang from the branches, some golden, some deep brown, some light red. Fruit farmers climb ladders up the trees and gently pick the dates; beneath the trees, people sort and pack them into baskets, and vehicles laden with fruit head for the workshops.
It is understood that Egypt has more than 1,200 large-scale cultivation bases nationwide, and the layout of date cultivation is highly distinctive in regional character, forming an industrial pattern of "five core production areas with scattered cultivation across the whole territory." The core production areas are concentrated in the Siwa Oasis, the Bahariya Oasis, New Valley Governorate, the reclamation zones on the west bank of the Nile, and the Toshka–Owainat new district, of which the Toshka–Owainat date industrial park covers a planting area of 38,000 acres (1 acre is approximately equal to 6.07 mu), with about 1.6 million date palm trees of fine varieties planted on a large scale, encompassing 44 high-quality varieties suited to the North African climate. The Siwa Oasis, meanwhile, is renowned for its high-quality soft dates and is the core production area for Egypt's premium fresh-eating dates; New Valley Governorate focuses on drought-tolerant, high-yield varieties, mainly producing dates for primary processing in large volumes, targeting the domestic mass-consumption market.
In the oasis villages of Egypt's western desert, nearly every farming household owns large tracts of date palm groves, with more than 60 percent of annual household income coming from date cultivation and primary processing. The full industrial chain of Egyptian dates covers more than 1.2 million people in employment, spanning cultivation, pollination, harvesting, sorting, processing, storage, sales, and foreign-trade logistics. Unlike large-scale industrial jobs, the date industry has a low employment threshold and strong adaptability, focusing on absorbing surplus rural labor, low-income groups in remote desert areas, rural women, and young entrepreneurs.
"The date industry is both an important pillar for safeguarding Egypt's food security and an important lever for desert management." Khadija, an agricultural expert at Egypt's National Research Centre, told reporters that dates have a high energy density, are an essential food item for Egyptian people during festivals, and effectively supplement domestic food supplies. At the same time, date palm trees possess extremely strong vitality — their root systems can penetrate 4 to 6 meters underground to draw groundwater, and they are drought-tolerant, salt-alkali tolerant, and wind-and-sand resistant, making them perfectly suited to Egypt's harsh desert and gobi environment. "Large-scale planting of date palm trees can effectively fix shifting desert sands, improve the local ecology of oases, and turn large tracts of barren sandy land into recyclable agricultural land, helping implement Egypt's national land development strategy of 'turning desert into fertile farmland.'"
At present, domestic sales account for more than 85 percent of Egypt's dates, with exports below 15 percent, and the advantage in production volume has yet to be effectively converted into an advantage in foreign trade. It is understood that most production areas suffer from prominent infrastructure shortcomings, the share of low-end primary products is too high, the natural loss rate after harvest is relatively high, and bulk fresh fruit and sun-dried dates that have not undergone deep processing dominate the market, while high-value-added products such as jams, preserved fruits, syrups, functional meal-replacement foods, and premium gift boxes account for less than 10 percent. The scale of cultivation of premium high-end varieties such as Medjool, which suit the high-end markets of Europe, America, and Asia, is limited, constraining the ability of Egyptian dates to command a premium on the international market.
Incorporated into the core plan for national agricultural revitalization
Going all out to build the "Egyptian Dates" brand
To resolve the problem of being large in scale but lacking competitiveness (大而不强, da er bu qiang - "big, but, not, strong") and of "strong output with meager profits," the Egyptian government has incorporated the date industry into the core plan for national agricultural revitalization and formulated the "2024–2029 National Strategy for the Sustainable Development of Egypt's Date Industry," making efforts across six dimensions — variety improvement, standardized cultivation, processing upgrades, brand building, market expansion, and technological empowerment — to comprehensively promote the transformation of the date industry from a "production-volume-oriented" model to a "quality-and-efficiency-oriented" model, and clearly setting the core goals of achieving annual date export value exceeding $250 million and raising the share of high-quality variety cultivation to 40 percent by 2029.
The Egyptian government is continuing to advance desert reclamation and variety optimization projects, expanding special fiscal investment and increasing the area planted with date palm trees year by year, with a plan to add 2.5 million high-quality date saplings within five years, focusing on expanding the cultivation of high-end drought-tolerant varieties suited to the international market. At the same time, it is establishing a national research center for date germplasm resources, carrying out scientific research such as variety purification and rejuvenation, pest and disease resistance, and breeding of superior lines with high sugar content, popularizing scientific cultivation techniques, and introducing pro-people policies such as sapling subsidies, reductions and exemptions for agricultural inputs, and free technical training, as well as supporting farmers in forming agricultural cooperatives.
Egypt's Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation has also joined with the Ministry of Industry to introduce support policies for date processing enterprises, granting tax reductions and exemptions and low-interest loan subsidies to enterprises that build new standardized processing plants, cold-chain storage centers, and sorting and packaging production lines. By the first half of 2026, the number of formal date processing and packaging enterprises nationwide had exceeded 230, an increase of 45 percent over five years ago. The government encourages enterprises to extend the industrial chain and develop and produce high-value-added products such as date beverages, meal-replacement snacks, baking ingredients, and health and wellness products, enriching the industry's business forms and enhancing the market value of products.
Egypt is building a diversified system for linking production and sales, going all out to build the "Egyptian Dates" brand. Relevant departments regularly hold events such as the Cairo International Date Exhibition, while also organizing date enterprises and cooperatives to actively participate in various international exhibitions to broaden the international market. To regulate the development of the industry, Egypt has introduced unified national date grading standards, quality testing standards, and export quarantine standards, established a product traceability system, put an end to the export of inferior fruit, and comprehensively enhanced the international reputation and market competitiveness of Egyptian dates.
"If the quality of dates improves a bit and the varieties become richer, the price may be different; if we can enter a larger market, the income of us farmers will also be different." Date grower Abdul Salam has been cultivating dates for more than 10 years, and the new policies have further boosted his confidence. "Every mature date palm tree here produces more than 100 kilograms a year, and they are growing splendidly. In the past, after the harvest, we mainly looked for wholesalers to come and buy. Now we pay more attention to variety, size, and ripeness, and we have also begun to manage the orchards according to the requirements of exporters. This is precisely the key to the transformation of Egypt's date industry — moving from a 'production-volume logic' to a 'value logic.'"
Export scale to China growing steadily
Huge potential for China-Egypt agricultural cooperation
Since May 1 this year, China has fully implemented zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, and Egypt's date industry has welcomed a major opportunity to enter the Chinese market. Many Egyptian date enterprises have participated in the China International Import Expo for several consecutive years, promoting different categories of date products to Chinese buyers, and the scale of exports to China has grown steadily. According to data from Egypt's State Information Service, in the first half of 2026, Egypt's export value to China reached $840.8 million, a sharp year-on-year increase of 199.8 percent, of which agricultural product exports including dates reached $150.6 million. Behind these figures are ever-closer market ties.
At the packaging workshop of an export enterprise in Cairo, exporter Samiha showed reporters dates ready to be shipped to overseas markets. "In the past we thought more about how to sell the products; now we are beginning to think about how to let more consumers get to know Egyptian dates." The Chinese market is a direction he repeatedly mentioned. For Egyptian enterprises, China means not only a huge consumer market, but also higher requirements for product quality, packaging, and stable supply capacity. Samiha stressed: "Consumers compare variety, taste, packaging, and quality, and importers also pay attention to whether supply is stable. This in turn pushes us to improve production. Now many enterprises are incorporating the expansion of the Chinese market into their long-term plans."
"China's huge consumer market can provide new export space for Egypt's high-quality agricultural products such as dates. Egypt's date industry must shore up its shortcomings and convert its world-leading production advantage into tangible export earnings." Mohamed Ba'a, dean of the Faculty of Commerce at Suez Canal University in Egypt, told reporters that Egypt is advancing agricultural modernization and desert area development, while China has rich experience in agricultural technology, water-saving irrigation, agricultural product processing, logistics, and digitalization, and the two sides can find more points of convergence in areas such as date production, post-harvest handling, quality standards, processing and export, and talent training, helping Egypt improve crop production efficiency and extend the industrial chain.
In the evening, the setting sun slowly descends from the edge of the desert, and the orchards that were bustling during the day gradually quiet down. Salam is still sorting today's harvest, a look of contentment on his face. "A single date links the oasis farms along the Nile with China's huge consumer market. Above the sand sea, this ancient economic crop is bearing sweet fruit, riding the east wind of Egypt-China practical cooperation." Salam said.
Return to TopBy: 车 斌
Recently, the Australian stage play 21 Hearts completed its 2026 tour across multiple locations nationwide in Australia. Since its premiere in 2024, this work reflecting the true history of World War II has been performed more than 70 times in total, with tickets for many performances sold out in advance and multiple encores added, showing the power it has to move people's hearts.
The title of 21 Hearts originates from the tragic "Bangka Island Massacre" of World War II. In February 1942, after Japanese forces captured Singapore, 65 Australian army nurses evacuated aboard the Vyner Brooke. When the ship reached the Bangka Strait, it was bombed and sunk by Japanese warplanes. After drifting at sea for several days, the surviving nurses landed on Radji Beach on Indonesia's Bangka Island and surrendered to Japanese forces. However, the Japanese brutally drove 22 completely unarmed (手无寸铁, shou wu cun tie - "hand, not, inch, iron") Australian nurses to the seaside and mowed them down with machine-gun fire. In the end, only Vivian Bullwinkel survived; the other 21 all perished.
The surviving Vivian Bullwinkel did not escape suffering. She was held by the Japanese in a prisoner-of-war camp for three and a half years, and did not regain her freedom until the end of World War II. After the war, she appeared as a key witness before the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, testifying in court against Japanese wartime crimes. Today, the Australian War Memorial holds a large collection of historical materials and physical evidence of the Bangka Island Massacre, and the institution regularly holds themed lectures to keep this history in the public eye.
In 1946, in accordance with the Charter of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, composed of judges from 11 countries, launched the trial of the century against Japanese Class-A war criminals, ultimately nailing 28 Class-A war criminals to the pillar of shame in history. In addition to the Tokyo Trial against Class-A war criminals, the Allied powers also successively launched trials against Japanese Class-B and Class-C war criminals. Under the prevailing international definition, Class-B war criminals correspond to war crimes violating the laws and customs of war, while Class-C war criminals correspond to crimes against humanity such as massacre and enslavement committed against civilians. Together, these trials constituted the postwar reckoning with Japanese militarist crimes.
Among these, Australia conducted approximately 300 trials against Japanese Class-B and Class-C war criminals between 1945 and 1951, bringing charges against more than 900 Japanese war-crime suspects, making it one of the Allied countries that pursued Japanese wartime crimes with the greatest intensity at the time. William Webb, the Australian judge who served as president of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, had previously led systematic investigations into Japanese military wartime crimes, laying an important foundation for the postwar trials.
On the official website of the National Archives of Australia, a search guide of more than 400 pages titled Japanese War Crimes in the Pacific: Australia's Investigations and Prosecutions is clearly on record. The document contains a detailed catalogue of the case files of Australian military trials from 1945 to 1951, recording one by one the atrocities of murder and massacre, mistreatment of prisoners of war and civilians, violations of the laws of war, and desecration of the dead, including six war-crime charges involving acts of cannibalism committed by Japanese military personnel. In early 1944, Herbert Evatt, then Australian Minister for External Affairs and Attorney-General, cited investigation findings in stating that the relevant records were filled with "crimes and barbarities" and constituted "an indictment of the whole Japanese military system of administration."
The Bangka Island tragedy is but one epitome of Japanese militarist wartime atrocities. During World War II, the iron heel of the Japanese military trampled across much of the Asia-Pacific region, and the crimes it committed against humanity are crimes too numerous to record (罄竹难书, qing zhu nan shu - "exhaust, bamboo, difficult, write"). From East Asia to Southeast Asia, from the Pacific islands to Australia, victims in various countries share the historical memory of suffering, and archives and memorial halls around the world treasure irrefutable historical evidence. Therefore, the frequent acts of the Japanese right-wing forces in turning back the wheel of history on historical issues, and their conduct in glorifying the history of aggression and whitewashing wartime guilt, seriously hurt the feelings of the people of victimized countries and continuously erode the bottom line of international justice.
The continued popularity of 21 Hearts shows once again that true historical memory does not fade with the passage of time. Remembering this history is not for perpetuating hatred, but for drawing lessons from history and safeguarding the hard-won peace. This is also the common conviction of the vast majority of countries and peoples that have endured the suffering of war.
Return to Top(People's Daily, Beijing, October 8) (Reporter Han Xiaoming) Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning pointed out on the 8th that whether Japan can seriously handle in accordance with the law the case of an active-duty Self-Defense Forces official breaking into the Chinese Embassy in Japan with a knife tests whether the Japanese government can earnestly fulfill its obligations under international law, and bears on Japan's national credibility and international image. China once again urges Japan to severely punish the perpetrator, punishing one to warn others against similar misconduct (以儆效尤, yi jing xiao you - "use, warn, example, evil").
At the regular press conference that day, a reporter asked: According to reports, on October 1, the Tokyo District Court held the first public hearing for former Self-Defense Forces official Murata Koudai, who illegally broke into the Chinese Embassy. Murata was confessing fully without concealment (供认不讳, gong ren bu hui - "confess, not, hide") to the crime of illegally invading the embassy with a knife, but denied the charge of intimidation. What is China's comment on this?
Mao Ning stated that an active-duty Japanese Self-Defense Forces official breaking into the Chinese Embassy in Japan with a knife and issuing violent threats against Chinese diplomatic personnel is a vicious incident unprecedented or unheard of (前所未闻, qian suo wei wen - "before, ever, not, heard") in the international community. It seriously violates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, seriously threatens the personal safety of Chinese diplomatic personnel and the security of diplomatic premises, and exposes many deep-seated problems in Japan, including rampant right-wing forces and the loss of discipline and education among Self-Defense Forces personnel.
"Whether Japan can seriously handle this in accordance with the law tests whether the Japanese government can earnestly fulfill its obligations under international law, and bears on Japan's national credibility and international image. China once again urges Japan to severely punish the perpetrator, punishing one to warn others against similar misconduct," Mao Ning said.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 刘 赫
A report recently released by the German Startups Association and the data service provider "Startup Monitor" shows that in the first half of 2026, Germany saw 3,053 newly founded startups, an increase of 52% compared with the second half of 2025, setting a record for the highest number of newly founded startups in the same period since statistics began. "This is an unprecedented (前所未有, qian suo wei you - "before, not, yet, have") startup boom in Germany," said Verena Pausder, president of the German Startups Association.
By region, Bavaria led all states with 626 new companies, a year-on-year increase of 48%; North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg followed closely, adding 539 and 377 companies respectively. At the city level, Berlin continued to lead with 429, while Hamburg saw 212 newly founded startups, surpassing Munich for the first time to rank second.
Artificial intelligence has become an important growth engine. Among the companies founded in the first half of the year, 1,038 had a clear AI relevance, accounting for more than one-third. The software industry saw 844 new companies founded. Pausder analyzed that AI has significantly lowered the threshold for entrepreneurship, enabling founders to complete product development, market testing, and business operations with less capital and in less time, and more and more talent is seizing this opportunity. Asha-Maria Sharma, an artificial intelligence expert at Germany Trade & Invest, believes that German industries such as industrial manufacturing, transportation and mobility, and energy have strong demand for AI solutions, and startups can directly reach these customers, thereby validating technology earlier, obtaining real data, and bringing products to market faster.
The German Startups Association report shows that from January to June this year, Germany added six "unicorn" companies valued at more than $1 billion, bringing the total number of German "unicorns" to 36. The latest Growth50 Europe ranking selected 50 companies most likely to become Europe's next batch of "unicorns," of which 13 are headquartered in Germany, ranking first among European countries.
The long-established cooperation network between German universities, research institutions, and startup companies, as well as technology-driven business model changes in robotics, healthcare, industrial software, and other fields, are attracting more international capital attention. Statistics from KfW show that in the first quarter of this year, German growth-stage startups received €1.7 billion in venture capital, a year-on-year increase of 6%. Among them, AI startups raised €967 million through 71 financing rounds, accounting for 58% of the total German venture capital market in the quarter, significantly higher than the level of approximately 43% for the full year 2025.
"Germany is experiencing a new era of entrepreneurship," said German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katharina Reiche. The departments of the German federal government are coordinating a draft containing multiple measures, including improving financing conditions, reducing administrative approvals, and simplifying startup procedures, to help high-growth companies continue to expand in Germany. The German government recently released a roadmap for implementing its high-tech strategy, proposing to strive for AI-related output value to account for 10% of Germany's gross domestic product by 2030. Its key measures include building at least one European AI superfactory to provide computing power support for next-generation AI models; launching an "AI robotics booster" to promote the application of related technologies in key industries such as automotive, chemicals, and healthcare; and strengthening AI computing power and data infrastructure at universities to promote cooperation between startups and universities and research institutions.
Some experts also reminded that Germany's AI development still faces shortcomings, including relatively high electricity costs, long data center construction cycles, and insufficient venture capital supply at the growth stage, all of which constrain the large-scale expansion of AI startups. Pausder believes that at the policy level, Germany needs to take more forceful and substantive measures on capital supply.
(People's Daily, Berlin, October 8)
Return to Top(Xinhua News Agency, Antananarivo, October 7) (Reporter Chen Shaohua) Port Louis news: The launch ceremony of the African Credit Rating Agency, established under the mandate of the African Union (AU), was held on October 7 in Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius.
The agency, headquartered in Port Louis, aims to promote a more accurate understanding and assessment of African sovereign states, sub-sovereign entities, and enterprises in the international financial market by providing higher-quality African credit risk data, expertise, and background information, thereby enhancing Africa's voice in global financial governance.
Moussa Faki, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, said at the launch ceremony that Africa is building its own financial system, and the African Credit Rating Agency will become an "important pillar" of it. The establishment of the agency will provide "reliable research and analysis on African economies" for African and international investors as well as economic partners.
Return to Top(Xinhua News Agency, Geneva, October 8) (Reporter Jiao Qian) The World Trade Organization released its latest Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report on the 8th, stating that due to supply chain adjustments and strong investment in the artificial intelligence sector, global merchandise trade is expected to grow by 3.9 percent in 2026, higher than the 1.9 percent forecast in March, and is expected to grow by 4.1 percent in 2027.
The report also shows that, due to the impact of the Middle East conflict on transportation and international travel, global services trade is expected to grow by 3.3 percent in 2026, lower than the 4.8 percent forecast in March, and will grow by 6.4 percent in 2027.
Return to TopBy: 朱松纯
I grew up in rural China, deeply influenced by Confucian ethics, and later lived in the United States for 28 years, working for a long time in artificial intelligence research. This cross-cultural academic career has made me keenly aware of a cognitive contradiction: at the macro level, we are full of confidence in Chinese thought—Chinese civilization has a long and continuous history (源远流长, yuan yuan liu chang - "source, far; flow, long") and is vast and profound in scope and depth (博大精深, bo da jing shen - "wide, great; profound, deep"), being the only civilization in the world that has continued unbroken and exists in the form of a state; but at the micro level, when examined through the lens of modern scientific systems, many traditional concepts appear difficult to be logically consistent within itself (难以自洽, nan yi zi qia - "hard, difficult; self, consistent"). Yin-yang, the Eight Trigrams, and the study of mind and nature—these great ideas that once inspired binary code and contain profound cognitive wisdom—are often equated with superstition or empty talk in the contemporary context. The root of this dilemma of "macro confidence, micro self-deprecation" lies in the fact that Chinese thought, over thousands of years of transmission, has not formed a strict mathematical system and architecture, and has not been able to derive powerful vitality from philosophy as modern Western thought has.
In years of academic exploration, I have always been thinking: does the intellectual wisdom of Chinese civilization still hold unique value in the intelligent age? Can we find a scientific language that provides a commensurable scholarly expression for Chinese thought? In writing Endowing the Humanities with Reason, I attempt precisely to offer a unique perspective on these questions of our time from the direction of general artificial intelligence research.
Interpreting Chinese Thought with AI Mathematical Models
General artificial intelligence refers to intelligent systems with cross-domain learning, reasoning, and decision-making capabilities, able to reach or surpass human levels on any cognitive task. The ultimate goal of this research is to build an intelligent agent with a complete cognitive architecture and value system, which aligns closely with the propositions of "mind" and "principle" that Chinese thought has pursued for thousands of years.
I have therefore organized years of academic reflection into a series of books: Establishing the Mind for Machines and Endowing the Humanities with Reason. Establishing the mind for machines means endowing artificial intelligence with a complete cognitive architecture and value system, applying humanistic spirit to "extend innate knowledge" to AI, and driving the transformation of AI from "data-driven" to "value-driven"; endowing the humanities with reason means using AI mathematical models to interpret Chinese thought, building a strict mathematical system for traditional Chinese culture, thereby providing lessons for current and future social governance and practice, and converting the advanced nature of Chinese thought into powerful productive forces in the intelligent age.
Endowing the Humanities with Reason is structured in three volumes. The first volume is the theoretical core of the entire work. Based on years of accumulation in the field of artificial intelligence, I have constructed a "five-colored thread" analytical model for traditional Chinese thought, using mathematical logic and cognitive models to interpret the yin-yang transformations of the Book of Changes, the mathematical order of the Hetu and Luoshu, and the intellectual wisdom of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism. The second and third volumes pull the perspective from theory back to reality, recounting insights and reflections from the journey of study and research, centered on the balance between "mind" and "principle," exploring the spiritual anchoring of individuals and the path of social governance in the intelligent age.
The analytical framework provided by this book is both the underlying logic used in the first volume to deconstruct traditional Chinese thought with mathematical models and the theoretical starting point for the realistic reflections in the latter two volumes: any intelligent agent—whether an individual person or a civilization—can be characterized by two systems of functions, U and V. The U system (Utility) represents "principle," encompassing the models of natural science and the ethical norms of social science; the V system (Value) represents "mind," encompassing value judgments of individuals, others, collectives, nations, and even all of humanity.
Since modern times, China has learned a large amount of advanced science and technology (U) from the West, while retaining its own value system (V). The current tension between Eastern and Western civilizations is essentially not a difference in U, but a collision and competition between V systems. Western values based on religion and the value system evolved from China's several-thousand-year secular society are not yet compatible in many dimensions. Mr. Liang Shuming believed that Western science solves the problem between humans and nature, while traditional Chinese thought solves the problem between humans and others. This value system, rooted in the human cognitive architecture, driven by "mind," extending from oneself to others, and evolved in secular society, holds unique inspirational significance for civilizational dialogue in the era of globalization.
When we turn our gaze to the coming intelligent age, the significance of this analytical framework becomes even more profound. The development of general artificial intelligence means that in the future, a large number of intelligent agents with autonomous consciousness and value-judgment capabilities will enter human society. They will also form their own U and V systems, perhaps even more pluralistic systems. How will carbon-based human civilization and silicon-based general intelligent agents coexist? This is not only a technical question, but also a civilizational proposition.
To explore this proposition, I led the research team of Peking University's Wuhan Institute of Artificial Intelligence to build the world's first large-scale social simulator. It can simulate multi-agent interactions and social operation mechanisms in a virtual simulation environment, providing a "social laboratory" for us to explore the processes of exchange, collision, and evolution among civilizations. Through this platform, we will systematically and scientifically study and explain the deep logic of modal differences between Eastern and Western civilizations, verify the historical experience of the integration and evolution of the "a pattern of many elements forming a single whole" (多元一体, duo yuan yi ti - "many, elements; one, body") pattern of Chinese civilization, and provide a rational basis for humanity's choices in the intelligent age.
Enlightening Global AI Cooperation and Governance with Chinese Wisdom
What insights will these reflections and practices bring to the dialogue between Eastern and Western civilizations, global AI governance, and other areas?
First, at the level of civilizational dialogue, Endowing the Humanities with Reason provides a common language that transcends ideological opposition. When we incorporate the value systems of different civilizations into a unified mathematical framework for comparison and simulation, it becomes possible to shift from debates over "who is right and who is wrong" to scientific inquiry into "what patterns emerge under what conditions." Research with the large-scale social simulator shows that Eastern and Western civilizations share a common origin, both being civilizational modalities that emerge under different parameter conditions in the evolutionary dynamics model of human civilization. This finding helps dispel the myth of "civilizational superiority" and lays a mathematical foundation for different civilizations to engage in exchanging and learning from each other (交流互鉴, jiao liu hu jian - "exchange, flow; mutual, learn from each other") and achieve harmonious coexistence and shared prosperity (和谐共荣, he xie gong rong - "harmonious, together; flourish, prosper").
Second, at the level of global AI governance, the U-V framework of this book reveals the deep roots of the current governance dilemma. The difficulties facing global AI governance—who dominates the rules, how to regulate effectively, what values to embody, what methods to adopt—can essentially all be reduced to coordination problems among different value systems. Some countries attempt to monopolize the power to set technical standards through unilateral rules, promoting exclusionary provisions in areas such as algorithmic ethics and data sovereignty, thereby entrenching the binary opposition between "rule-makers" and "rule-takers."
The key to resolving this dilemma lies in embedding the capacity to respect the digital sovereignty and local values of all countries into the underlying architecture of artificial intelligence, advocating the governance principle of joint contribution, shared benefits, and shared responsibility, and ensuring that the technological demands of developing countries are incorporated into the framework of global AI cooperation and governance. Through transnational R&D cooperation, we should promote the flow and sharing of technological factors, and jointly develop AI development and governance solutions adapted to local needs with countries whose digital and intelligent infrastructure is relatively weak. Guided by the intellectual wisdom of "seeking harmony while maintaining differences" (和而不同, he er bu tong - "harmony, and; not, same") in Chinese civilization, we should build a pluralistic and inclusive global AI cooperation network and governance order based on the cooperative concept of "technology empowerment" rather than "technology colonization."
Faced with continuously evolving artificial intelligence technology, Chinese thought demonstrates unique inspirational power regarding how to interact with it. Based on the "cognition-ability-value" architecture, we have built the world's first general intelligent agent, "Tongtong." After three rounds of iteration over nearly two years, her mental level is now equivalent to that of a preschool child, and her growth environment has gradually expanded from a "small room" to a "family of six," a "kindergarten," and even a complete "small town." She continues to grow in a socialized environment, experiencing the value elevation from "me" to "we"—from being driven by her own values, to understanding the values of others, to forming collective values. This process reveals a fundamental law: exchange, mutual trust, contracts, and community building are the key cognitive mechanisms through which society forms collective cooperation and cultural identity. The concepts advocated by Chinese civilization—"people-centered," "seeking harmony while maintaining differences," and "appreciating all beauties and sharing them together" (美美与共, mei mei yu gong - "beautiful, beautiful; and, together, share")—provide guidance for this new relationship. The competition in general artificial intelligence is, in the final analysis, a competition of culture—technology can be caught up with, models can be replicated, but a civilization's value shaping, ethical norms, and cultural cultivation of intelligent agents are the fundamental forces that determine its long-term direction.
"Exhaustively investigate principles to attain knowledge, and reflect on oneself to put them into practice." Since returning to China to teach in 2020, I have successively promoted the establishment of multiple interdisciplinary research platforms or projects spanning the humanities and sciences, such as digital humanities and civilizational evolution, AI art, and AI security and governance, attempting to respond to major propositions in the humanities and social sciences from the perspective of artificial intelligence. These explorations have made me even more convinced: general artificial intelligence and humanistic research are essentially two sides of the same coin. At the critical juncture when human civilization is moving toward the intelligent age, we need more than ever a system of thought, culture, and science that connects ancient and modern, integrates China and the West, and spans the humanities and sciences, and we must use the theories and methods of modern science to enable Chinese thought to radiate new vitality in the intelligent age.
Endowing the Humanities with Reason is only the beginning of this path of exploration. I look forward to more scholars, especially the younger generation, devoting themselves to the interdisciplinary frontier of technology and the humanities, becoming the prophets, pioneers, and forerunners of the intelligent age. Using Chinese thought to create world-class technology—this is not only an academic ideal, but also our responsibility to the future of human civilization.
(The author is a Chair Professor at Peking University and Tsinghua University, and Director of the Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence.)
Return to TopBy: 蒋 童
Key West (transliterated as "Jiweisite"), is a tropical islet at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys in the United States, covering only 11 square kilometers, with flat terrain and long summers without winter. From 1928 to 1939, Hemingway lived here and created multiple literary classics. The island still preserves Hemingway's former residence and the bar he frequently visited. We drove all the way here precisely for this "Hemingway's Key West."
The Hemingway House (see photo, China Image) sits at 907 Whitehead Street, exquisitely beautiful (美轮美奂, mei lun mei huan - "beautiful, magnificent, exquisite"), uniquely fragrant in its corner. It is one of the largest single-family residences in Key West, built in 1851, with exterior walls in alternating white, yellow, and green, surrounded by palm courtyards and gardens. In 1931, Hemingway moved from a rented house into this small building. The former residence displays antique furniture shipped from Paris, a 17th-century Spanish-style cabinet, and everyday items such as the scale Hemingway used. What makes visitors linger and enjoy themselves so much as to forget to return (流连忘返, liu lian wang fan - "linger, forget, return") is the writing room on the second floor: an old Royal brand typewriter, Cuban cigars, and some souvenirs, all still maintaining the original appearance from when Hemingway lived there.
Hemingway always wrote in the early morning. As soon as he got up, he would walk through the narrow hallway, enter the writing room, and stand at the desk to begin creating. When he reached a smooth point in his writing, he would stop, making it convenient to continue the next day. Here, he wrote full-length works such as Death in the Afternoon, Green Hills of Africa, To Have and Have Not, and For Whom the Bell Tolls, as well as short stories including The Snows of Kilimanjaro and The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber. This period witnessed Hemingway's writing maturing; at this time his works mostly focused on extreme life scenarios such as bullfighting, hunting, and deep-sea fishing, exploring death, courage, and disillusionment. These works—concise and restrained in language, combining documentary texture with tragic meaning—served as a bridge between past and future, establishing Hemingway's having a decisive influence or importance (举足轻重, ju zu qing zhong - "lift, foot, light, heavy") position in the world literary arena.
In 1939, Hemingway moved to Cuba. After his death, his heirs sold the house. In 1964, the former residence opened as a museum, and in 1968 it was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark. Today, visitors may freely wander through the rooms and courtyards. The sun is bright, the grass green and flowers red; black cats and gray cats stroll about the yard, some lazily lying on the lawn. It is said that many of them are descendants of the cats Hemingway kept back then, the oldest already 16 years old—Hemingway loved cats dearly, keeping more than 30 at most in his home, and many of his works were completed in the company of cats.
Not far from the former residence is Duval Street, where "Sloppy Joe's Bar," founded in 1933, is located. Hemingway was a regular here. Pushing open the bar's door, a strong sense of history rushes in: one wall is covered with portraits and photographs of Hemingway, and his personal belongings are displayed all around. Taking a seat and sipping a beer, it is refreshingly cool.
Hemingway kept a regular routine: finishing writing in the morning, he would go to the bar in the afternoon. This was his social venue for observing humanity and relieving stress, as well as a source of creative inspiration. He loved listening to fishermen talk about their catches at sea, dangers at sea, and island life, and many of their stories became material for his novels; he occasionally argued with others about bullfighting, hunting, and writing philosophy, and when his spirits were high he would even test arm strength with people; he brought many friends, including modernist writer Dos Passos, painter Waldo Peirce, and Captain Eddie Sanders, who drank and talked freely, engaging in philosophical conversation like the Seven Worthies of the Bamboo Grove... Through the continuous embellishment of later generations, their anecdotes became legends, and a fishermen's tavern was shaped into a literary shrine.
To commemorate Hemingway, Key West holds a "Hemingway Look-Alike Contest" every July, which began in 1981 and is now in its forty-fifth edition. During the event, a group of contestants with white beards gather in Key West; some wear fisherman's hats, some tie scarves, striving to replicate Hemingway's image from demeanor and physique to attire, attracting thousands of tourists to participate in a great undertaking together (共襄盛举, gong xiang sheng ju - "together, participate, grand, undertaking"). Photographs of the winners are all posted on the walls of "Sloppy Joe's Bar" for later visitors to appraise.
Writing, drinking, and deep-sea fishing formed the background of Hemingway's life in Key West. Through the daily island days, the vast and ever-changing Gulf Stream, the resolute and simple local fishermen, and the thrilling and pure experiences of fishing at sea gradually merged into Hemingway's blood, becoming the most precious realistic foundation of his literary creation. In the embrace of the sea, Hemingway observed life, faced winning and losing head-on, and tempered out the core of his own tough-guy literary ethos.
In 1936, Hemingway wrote the essay "On the Blue Water: A Gulf Stream Letter," vividly depicting the shocking scene of a fisherman's life-and-death struggle with a marlin. Those brief words already contained the prototype of the 1952 novel The Old Man and the Sea. In the more than ten years that followed, the sea breeze and waves of Key West, the fishermen's stories heard in casual bar conversation, the life-and-death insights from fishing at sea, and the reflections on facing success and failure in life were carefully treasured and repeatedly distilled by the writer, expanding from initial creative inspiration into a timeless classic, and adding a weighty and lingering resonance to this island creative period that bridged past and future.
(The author is a professor at Beijing International Studies University)
Return to TopBy: 高启国
Venice is located in northeastern Italy, embraced by the azure Adriatic Sea, and its unique waterborne charm attracts tourists from all over the world. The sightseeing route of this water city is tailored to its watery terrain: after arriving in Venice, visitors disembark at the main ferry terminal, walk to the gondola pier, take a boat tour of the canals, and then walk back along the streets to the main ferry terminal.
This walking route carves out a waterfront public space in Venice, where land is extremely valuable and precious (寸土寸金, cun tu cun jin - "inch, earth, inch, gold"). Only by walking along this path can one understand what a "water city" truly means: buses, taxis, and bicycles have no place at all in Venice, while gondolas shuttle back and forth through the canals.
The gondola is a pointed boat unique to Venice, carrying a maximum of five passengers, with a single gondolier standing at the stern to steer with an oar. The boat's hull is pitch-black and gleaming, with bow and stern curving upward, its lines slender and elegant—a distinctive sight on the canals and a tourism symbol unique to Venice.
Boarding the boat and settling in, the gondolier gently rows with practiced skill and graceful posture, controlling the oar with the same ease as an orchestra conductor wielding a baton. At first, my gaze rested on the gondolier's movements, but I was soon drawn to the scenery along the banks—ancient buildings in Byzantine, Renaissance, Baroque, and other styles came into view, offering an overwhelming amount of sights to take in (目不暇接, mu bu xia jie - "eye, not, unable to, receive"). Then, a row of wooden structures on the shore caught my eye. At first glance they seemed utterly unremarkable, like wooden benches stacked along the roadside. Upon inquiry, I learned that these are the "secret devices" that allow the water city of Venice to coexist peacefully with the tides.
Venice was jointly nurtured by the Adriatic Sea and its canals. The sea formed the lagoon, laying the city's foundation; the dense network of canals divides the islands and links the entire city, with sea tides and river networks depending on each other for survival, giving rise to this water city. Today, 117 canals crisscross in various directions (纵横交错, zong heng jiao cuo - "vertical, horizontal, cross, interlace"), dividing the city into 118 small islands, and all travel depends on boats plying the waterways.
However, water is both the city's making and its undoing. Global warming has caused sea levels to rise, and the city of Venice is also slowly sinking. Whenever astronomical high tides occur and the water level rises to one meter, seawater overflows the embankments, and that waterfront walkway at the lowest elevation is always the first and hardest-hit "disaster zone."
When the tide comes in, how do tourists on the walkway get through? This is where those "wooden benches" come into play. Before the tide rises, workers arrange them in a row along the walkway; after the tide comes in, people step onto the benches to walk, as if crossing a series of small wooden bridges. This is the simplest and most practical method that Venetians have worked out through years of contending with the sea tides.
These unremarkable "wooden benches" harbor the wisdom of a water city coexisting with nature. At critical moments, their practicality and thoughtfulness always earn the admiration of visitors and have earned them the title of Venice's unconventional "landmark." They are not among Venice's iconic sights, yet they are what I find most unforgettable. The charm of a city lies not only in its picturesque scenery, but also in the ingenuity hidden in details and in harmonious coexistence with the environment—this may be the precious lesson Venice leaves for its visitors.
Return to TopBy: 沈小晓
This summer, Welcome to the Dragon Restaurant became a major highlight of Chinese cinema. Through the ups and downs of fate (跌宕命运, diē dàng mìng yùn - "fall, rise; fate") of a Chinese restaurant amid the flames of war, the film sketches the choices and perseverance of ordinary people against a turbulent backdrop. As the film became a box-office hit, Egyptian actor Sherif Sobhy, who plays Zayed, moved a large number of Chinese audiences with his expressive performance. On Chinese social platforms, people affectionately call him "Old Zha" and have left messages one after another: "Welcome to China!"
As a seasoned actor who has honed his craft for years in the Egyptian film and television circle, Sobhy has portrayed all kinds of characters, but "Old Zha" moved him from the very beginning: from a dutiful head of the family and a steady restaurant owner, to one who takes an extreme path after suffering the loss of a loved one, "this character has very rich, profound emotional layers. I have always felt that he is not a bad person at heart; it is the cruel circumstances that pushed him toward evil." While reading the script, Sobhy could not stop shedding tears.
How does one portray an ordinary person consumed by grief? Sobhy put himself in the shoes of a husband and father who suddenly loses his wife and daughter. "After his family members pass away, Old Zha lives like a robot, devoid of emotion." From facial expressions, tone of voice, and gait to psychology, Sobhy meticulously polished each element, throwing himself wholeheartedly into the role. "In the latter half of the film, he barely shows any emotion anymore; only his eyes speak. I wanted to convey Old Zha's disorientation through subtle changes in his gaze."
The enthusiastic response Welcome to the Dragon Restaurant sparked in China far exceeded Sobhy's expectations. Initially he thought that, as a foreign supporting actor in a Chinese film, he might not attract much attention. But Chinese audiences remembered "Old Zha" and thereby came to know Egyptian actor Sobhy. "The audience's feedback is not just praise for my acting; it also makes me believe that a good story can cross national borders, allowing people from different cultural backgrounds to experience the same emotion and resonance." Sobhy said.
During the filming period, Sobhy spent every moment together (朝夕相处, zhāo xī xiāng chǔ - "morning, evening; together, stay") with the Chinese director, actors, and crew. The working methods of Chinese filmmakers remain unforgettable to him to this day. "I place great importance on the director's guidance." When talking about the cooperation with the Chinese team, Sobhy's words carried admiration. In his eyes, the film's director Wen Muye is not only proficient in filmmaking but also keenly attuned to the actors' states, respects their feelings, and provides a steady foundation for his performance. "Before shooting an explosion scene, the director specially set aside time for me to first listen to the score for that scene. This helped me enormously in getting into the emotional state." These small acts of consideration on set, he remembers them all.
In Sobhy's view, Chinese and Egyptian filmmakers share the goal of producing good work, and their working methods also have commonalities, so he did not experience "culture shock" when working in China. The Chinese team's attention to detail left a deep impression on him: "They would spend over ten hours shooting one scene! In Egypt, in the same amount of time we might have already shot many scenes. I joked with everyone that this film might take a whole year to make. However, I can understand that the director is repeatedly searching for the best angle, polishing every frame to perfection." Filmmakers from different countries discuss shots together, ponder characters' emotions, and repeatedly adjust details. In this process, what everyone comes to understand is not only each other's creative methods but also each other's pursuit of art, ultimately drawing hearts closer together.
In early August, Sobhy joined a Chinese social platform and interacted frequently with netizens. He was almost "rooted" in the comment section, still replying to netizens' comments at three or four in the morning. Many netizens look forward to "Old Zha" returning to China, and some have even enthusiastically planned work for him, suggesting he try playing a foreign merchant on the ancient Silk Road. "Chinese audiences are wonderful," in Sobhy's view, the audience's heartfelt encouragement is the reward actors cherish most, "responding to sincerity with sincerity is the least I can do."
The filming experience in China also gave Sobhy a more concrete understanding of the country. In his spare time from filming, he walked the streets of Qingdao, taking in the roadside scenery and tasting street snacks; after wrapping up work, he would walk among the crowds, and the city's everyday vitality gradually seeped into his life, "I saw many beautiful things I could not have imagined before." During the interview, Sobhy specifically mentioned the similarities between the Chinese and Egyptian peoples: "Chinese people are kind and warm-hearted, very much like Egyptians." For him, this sense of closeness grew slowly through one smile, one conversation, and one collaboration at a time.
In early September, Sobhy and Omar Sharif, who plays Saif in the film, were jointly invited to attend a people-to-people and cultural exchange event in Cairo, Egypt, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt, where they shared their thoughts on filming Welcome to the Dragon Restaurant with the audience on site. The encounter brought about by a film did not stop with the wrap of shooting or the end of the story. From "Old Zha" on screen to a participant in cultural exchange in real life, Sobhy's connection with China is extending from one work to a much broader field.
Speaking of the future, Sobhy is full of anticipation. Starring in Welcome to the Dragon Restaurant left him with an unforgettable professional experience, and the audience's applause and encouragement also filled him with happiness and comfort. From the Qingdao set to the comment sections of Chinese netizens, and then to the exchange event in Cairo, the story of "Old Zha" and China has already moved from inside the screen to outside it. If there is another opportunity in the future, he hopes to return to China and stand before the lens of Chinese filmmakers.
Return to TopBy: 晓 眷
Another harvest day has arrived, and another season of sun-drying autumn produce is upon us. During the holiday, people who venture into the countryside will discover golden corn and fiery red chili peppers spread out to dry in the fields and in farmhouse courtyards, forming a vivid and lively colorful harvest tableau against the green mountains and clear waters of the countryside.
As the farming proverb says, "When autumn begins, dry the harvest, and there will be no worries about the food supply." Sun-drying the autumn harvest, as an agricultural custom passed down through generations in the countryside, is originally meant to allow the crops harvested in autumn to be dried by sunlight and wind before being stored in the granary. This practice both demonstrates the farming wisdom of the villagers in adapting to the seasons and carries their beautiful hopes for a bountiful harvest.
This traditional agricultural custom has gradually been upgraded in many villages in recent years. Huangling Village in Wuyuan, Jiangxi, and Linkeng Village in Yongjia, Zhejiang... sun-drying the autumn harvest has evolved from "drying for one season" to "drying for all four seasons," and from simply drying the gratifying harvest of abundant crops and full granaries to showcasing traditional skills, folk customs, rural culture, and the spirit and vitality of the village. Sun-drying the autumn harvest not only provides new scenes for people who yearn for the countryside to experience agricultural life and savor nostalgia, but also opens up new space for industrial development in these villages.
Behind the upgrade of sun-drying the autumn harvest lies the transformation of the countryside.
The foundation of the countryside is more solid. The highway network extending in all directions crosses mountains and ridges, 5G signals now cover 95% of administrative villages, and once-remote villages are no longer distant; the penetration rate of sanitary toilets in rural areas has reached about 77%, the tap water penetration rate has reached 96%, roads have been paved, streetlights installed, and garbage is collected and transported in a unified manner... The completeness of infrastructure, the convenience of public services, and the comfort of the living environment have continued to improve, enhancing production and living conditions in the countryside. The transformation from "dirty, messy, and bad" to "clean, tidy, and beautiful" has made the vast countryside increasingly attractive day by day.
The business forms in the countryside are more diverse. Today, numerous villages rely on their own distinctive endowments to explore their own revitalization paths and write their own development stories. In this process, agriculture interacts with other industries, and diverse business forms flourish. Take rural leisure tourism as an example: tourists can appreciate the hardship of farming by participating in agricultural activities such as harvesting and threshing; savor the historical and cultural heritage of the countryside by visiting ancient villages and ancient buildings; feel the charm of traditional culture by appreciating intangible cultural heritage skills such as paper-cutting, clay sculpture, and weaving; and experience the simple rural customs by taking part in folk activities such as dragon dances, lion dances, and shehuo festivities. As a new vehicle for rural leisure tourism, when sun-drying the autumn harvest is integrated into business forms such as harvest markets, rural homestays, and intangible cultural heritage workshops, many of the countryside's former "cool resources" have been activated into a "hot economy," adding new highlights to the colorful harvest tableau.
The popularity of the countryside is even more vibrant. Rural development depends on people, and the vitality of the countryside also lies in people. Before Huangling Village became famous through sun-drying the autumn harvest, it had also experienced empty houses after people had left, lacking vitality. But after developing rural tourism, villagers willing to participate were invited back. With them, tourists who come here to experience nostalgia see not only the rice, corn, and chili peppers drying there, but also the hardworking farmers who grew these crops, and can experience a warmer, more lively, and more authentic sun-drying of the autumn harvest. For the villagers, they are not bystanders in the rural tourism industry, but builders and beneficiaries. When industrial development translates into tangible income increases in the villagers' pockets, the popularity of the countryside can be even stronger, the industry can be more vital, and the countryside can be more dynamic.
The countryside possesses both the profound depth of local culture and the boundless vitality of innovative development. The thousand-year-old custom of sun-drying the autumn harvest has been passed down continuously. Although what is dried is changing and the way of drying is changing, what remains unchanged is the villagers' earnest prayer for a "good harvest" and the unremitting efforts of hundreds of millions of farmers striving toward a "better life." By advancing the construction of livable, workable, and beautiful villages in light of local conditions, creating quality production and living spaces in the countryside, and tangibly enhancing the villagers' sense of gain, happiness, and security, let the myriad villages "show off" their most beautiful selves.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 施 芳
In the golden autumn season, in Heihanling Village, Sihai Town, Yanqing District, Beijing, layers of flower fields complementing each other beautifully (相映成趣, xiang ying cheng qu - "mutually, reflect, become, interest") with the distant mountains and the village, tourists stopped one after another to take photos in the flower fields. As the gongs and drums resounded vigorously, the village's traditional stilt-walking troupe performed a lively show, with colorful costumes fluttering and dance steps resounding, adding a rich touch of everyday vitality to the mountain village. Who could have imagined that this village, now clean in environment and harmonious in life, was once dirty and messy in environment and dispirited in people's hearts.
The change began in 2023. The Party branch of Heihanling Village explored and implemented an ecological civilization points system, breaking down governance matters such as the living environment, rural civility, and public welfare participation into quantifiable points. Each household holds an "ecological points passbook," with 1 point equivalent to 1 yuan, which can be spent at village supermarkets, the flower sea night market, homestays, and other venues. This small "ecological points passbook" untangled the knot of rural governance, allowing the people of Heihanling, who guard their lucid waters and lush mountains, to hold an "ecological rice bowl."
From meetings "exploding into chaos" to hearts united in one direction—
Only by governing the village environment well can there be a way forward
Heihanling Village sits in the core area of the Four Seasons Flower Sea, possessing unique natural advantages (得天独厚, de tian du hou - "obtain, heaven, uniquely, thick") in ecological resource endowments. But just a few years ago, this good foundation did not bring good days, and "dirty, messy, and poor" became a label the village could not shake off.
"Back then, walking down the street you had to watch where you stepped!" Recalling the old days, 68-year-old villager Uncle Zhang shook his head. Firewood piles and discarded old furniture were stacked on both sides of the village roads. Some chicken coops and pigsties were built against the walls at the roadside; as soon as summer arrived, a foul smell filled the air and mosquitoes and flies swarmed. Household wastewater flowed along the wall bases onto the roads—muddy shoes on rainy days, a layer of dust on sunny days. The street at the west end of the village had no streetlights; once it got dark, the whole street was pitch black.
With a poor environment, it was hard to unite people's hearts. "Villagers' meetings used to be like going to a market fair." Shi Yunlong, Secretary of the Party branch of Heihanling Village, remembers it vividly. In the early days, whenever the village held a meeting, everyone had their own calculations and their own worries, often talking all at once in a confused manner (七嘴八舌, qi zui ba she - "seven, mouths, eight, tongues") and unable to reach agreement. In 2019, at the village's human settlement environment improvement mobilization meeting, no sooner had the plan been read out on stage than the audience below exploded into chaos. Some said clearing the clutter encroached on their land, others complained the work would delay farm work, and in the end everyone broke up on bad terms (不欢而散, bu huan er san - "not, joyful, instead, disperse"). "Good policies could not be implemented, industrial projects could not be pushed forward, village cadres talked until their lips were worn out, villagers did not buy it, and even sitting on a gold mountain there was no way to make use of it." Shi Yunlong sighed.
At the end of 2022, in the town-wide human settlement environment evaluation, Heihanling Village ranked near the bottom. Watching other villages' homestay clusters develop vigorously and their days grow ever more prosperous, the village's two committees could not sit still: "We have to mobilize the villagers' enthusiasm, shifting from 'make me do it' to 'I want to do it.'"
The village's two committees organized Party members and the masses, bringing small folding stools to sit together with villagers and chat about everyday matters. Shi Yunlong led Party members and cadres door to door visiting and chatting, thoroughly understanding everyone's thoughts and their demands for the village's development. Then, they moved the meeting venue to under the locust tree at the head of the village and to the doorsteps of homes, letting the villagers open up and discuss freely. As they talked and chatted, everyone's ideas gradually converged, and hearts came together: ecology is Heihanling Village's greatest asset, and only by governing the environment well can there be a way forward.
From "bystanders" to "masters of the house"—
Every little point enhances the villagers' sense of participation
With thinking aligned and the path clear, where to start? Village cadres noticed that cigarette butts were thrown all over the streets, so they came up with a move: collect a box of cigarette butts in exchange for 5 points. With the "ecological points passbook," one could exchange points for goods at the supermarket, with the relevant costs borne by the village's own funds.
"At first nobody believed it; they said, how could there be such a good thing?" Villager Shi Qingxia said. After the first monthly points announcement, the few households with high points went to the supermarket with a try-it-and-see attitude and exchanged their points for rice and cooking oil. The news spread through the village in no time.
Three or four months after the new rule was implemented, the effect was yielding immediate results (立竿见影, li gan jian ying - "erect, pole, see, shadow"), and almost no cigarette butts could be seen on the streets.
At the beginning of 2023, Heihanling Village expanded the points system to 4 major categories and 12 items: no random piling or clutter in front of or behind the house, 8 points per month; standard waste sorting, 3 points per month; participating in the Friday clean-up, 2 points per time; proactively mediating neighborhood disputes, 5 points per time... Conversely, points are deducted accordingly.
"Clean up the village, live more comfortably, and still get things in exchange—killing two birds with one stone (一举两得, yi ju liang de - "one, move, two, get")." Villager Liu Manzhong's "ecological points passbook" was densely filled with recorded bonus items: no random piling in front of or behind the house, plus 8 points; standard waste sorting, plus 3 points... In 2025, Liu Manzhong's whole family accumulated more than 800 points. "Before, I only cared about my own small family; now after sweeping my own home, I even sweep the stretch of road at my doorstep as I go. Do a bit more, earn more points—worth it!"
In 2025, Sihai Town promoted a unified "ecological points passbook," rolling out Heihanling's pilot experience to the whole town, and expanding the scope of points usage to more venues such as the flower sea night market and the Jiuyanlou Scenic Area.
The change brought by the points system is not just that the streets are cleaner; it has also raised the villagers' awareness of participation.
"Meetings are much easier to manage now." Shi Yunlong said with deep feeling. Previously, at villagers' representative meetings, half the time was spent maintaining order. Now everyone sits down and discusses things properly—you offer ideas, I make suggestions—and efficiency has improved considerably. In 2024, when the flower sea night market was upgraded, the villagers' representatives spoke up one after another, offering many practical ideas from stall planning to sanitation management, and the project advanced very smoothly.
The villagers have changed from "bystanders" to "masters of the house." Now someone proactively waters the flowers and trees by the roadside, someone proactively reports when public fitness equipment breaks, and when someone is seen littering, others step forward to dissuade them. In 2025, all 202 households in the village participated in the points system, with a total of over 80,000 points, averaging more than 400 points per household.
"Before, I threw out the trash out of habit; now I sort it more carefully than anyone." Villager Shi Yumin admitted frankly. "At the end of the year I can even be rated an 'ecological civilization household'—this honor is more precious than anything!"
From ecological appearance to livelihood dividends—
A "golden rice bowl" carefully cherished at the doorstep
Relying on the good environment "saved up" through the ecological points system, Heihanling Village established the Beijing Huahai Xiangyu Folk Tourism Professional Cooperative, revitalizing idle resources to do cultural tourism business, truly turning the good ecology into a "golden rice bowl" that can earn money.
"The cooperative coordinates five major sectors—the flower sea market, under-forest planting and breeding, cultural and creative development, event hosting, and scenic area management—driving employment for more than 50 villagers." Shi Yunlong introduced. Many villagers joined the cooperative as shareholders on a household basis. When the cooperative generates operating income, villagers receive both dividends according to their shares and increased income from labor—truly enjoying the dividends brought by ecological protection.
The change in identity has made everyone keenly realize that ecological protection is no longer a task assigned by the village but a matter of personal concern closely tied to their own income, and everyone's drive to protect the village environment and cherish ecological resources has grown even stronger.
At nightfall, the lights of the flower sea night market come on one after another, with music and hawking cries rising and falling in succession (此起彼伏, ci qi bi fu - "this, rise, that, fall"). On the flower sea grand stage, cultural troupes from various villages took turns performing, and the wonderful shows drew tourists and villagers alike to stop and cheer. "In the past, the mountain area was pitch dark (黑灯瞎火, hei deng xia huo - "black, lamp, blind, fire") at night; now the flower sea night market and the market fair are bustling. Tourists come here to eat and shop, and we can earn a bit more too!" Villager Aunt Tian said happily.
In 2023, Heihanling Village revitalized the primary school that had been abandoned for more than 10 years, creating the "Xiaoxi Dudu" agro-cultural-tourism complex integrating a chestnut restaurant, handicraft workshop, homestays, the Dudu Children's Leisure Park, and the Dudu Farm, which has now become the village's "golden signboard."
"Xiaoxi Dudu" pays the village collective 70,000 yuan per year in lucid waters and lush mountains usage fees. Part of this money is used to build small landscape features in the village, and the other part is converted into points prizes that return to the villagers' hands. "Tourists enjoy the good ecology, villagers earn points, and we increase our customer traffic—this is a truly virtuous cycle!" said Wang Xiaoli, founder of "Xiaoxi Dudu."
The ecological points system has also been extended to enterprises, covering 5 categories and 28 items. For example, meeting waste sorting standards, carrying out public welfare activities themed on ecological protection, developing the green economy, and establishing benefit-linking mechanisms with the village collective can all earn corresponding points, which can be used to exchange for rights such as qualifications to participate in cultural tourism promotion and exhibition events. If an enterprise causes a major environmental pollution accident, illegally occupies land within the ecological protection red line, or engages in other ecology-damaging behavior, it faces a "one-vote veto" and is not allowed to participate in points activities for 3 years.
"Ecological protection is not a burden—it is the best signboard!" Wang Xiaoli exclaimed. Benefiting from the excellent environment, more than 60 percent of the homestay's customers are repeat visitors.
In 2023, Heihanling Village became the town's first "million-yuan village," with operating income accounting for more than 80 percent of it. The village's per capita income grew from 21,000 yuan in 2021 to 49,000 yuan in 2025, and ecological appearance has truly been transformed into livelihood dividends.
(Li Yang participated in the reporting and writing)
Reporter's Notes
Stimulating the internal driving force of rural governance
In just a few short years, how did a village that was dirty and messy in environment, dispirited in people's hearts, and economically backward blaze a development path featuring beautiful ecology, a strong economy, and prosperous people? The transformation of Heihanling Village in Yanqing District, Beijing, is a vivid practice of a village building on its ecological advantages, innovating governance methods, and promoting comprehensive rural revitalization.
The key to solving governance difficulties lies in stimulating internal driving force. In rural governance, the masses are the main body. Heihanling Village had excellent natural ecological endowments, but in the past, because the masses' willingness to participate was weak, policies could not be pushed forward or implemented. Village cadres went deep into the front line to listen to the people's opinions and resolve their concerns, gathering together the dispirited hearts, transforming rural governance from "each singing their own tune" into a "chorus," and the village's appearance took on an entirely new look.
Improving governance effectiveness hinges on institutional innovation. The village launched the "ecological points passbook" in light of local conditions, starting from small matters at hand, replacing one-way management with positive incentives, internalizing external institutional guidance into the masses' conscious actions, and greatly enhancing governance effectiveness. A small micro-reform reflects the governance wisdom of joint contribution, joint governance, and shared benefits.
For the village's long-term development, the transformation of ecological value must be done well. Rural development cannot be achieved without economic support. Heihanling Village improved the human settlement environment through meticulous governance, empowered the cultural tourism industry with its excellent ecology, and in turn fed back into the village through income generation and drove villagers to prosperity, achieving a virtuous cycle of ecological governance, environmental improvement, and industrial income growth, and the road of rural revitalization is growing ever wider.
Only by finding the small entry point of grassroots governance can one write the great article of rural revitalization. The practice of Heihanling Village proves that by staying rooted in the local soil, implementing targeted measures, and making sustained, long-term effort, and by fully mobilizing villagers' enthusiasm through subtle governance innovations, lucid waters and lush mountains can continue to benefit the people and empower rural development.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 孙海天
"Snip, snip" — the sound of pruning shears rose and fell in succession (此起彼伏, ci qi bi fu - "this, rise, that, fall") across the nursery. Peng Heyang, the first secretary stationed in Yunge Village and captain of the village rural revitalization work team, drove reporters through the grounds in a sightseeing cart: bougainvillea, podocarpus, amaryllis, croton, monstera... The main road, Yunmei Road, runs straight through the village, with flower corridors stretching nearly 3 kilometers on both sides.
Ren Yaoyu, deputy Party secretary of Yunlong Township and captain of the township rural revitalization work team, ran the numbers: last year the township's flower industry output reached 690 million yuan, accounting for over 80 percent of total agricultural output value. In Yunge Village, more than half of the villagers are involved in the flower and seedling industry.
Passing by the Dubo Flower Base, Peng Heyang tilted his chin upward: "This belongs to our secretary. He was the first to lead the whole village into growing flowers and seedlings."
The "secretary" is Du Shihe, Party branch secretary of Yunge Village and director of the village committee. In 2014, super typhoon Rammasun struck Hainan head-on. Overnight, the rubber forest that Yunge Village had been relying on for its livelihood (赖以为生, lai yi wei sheng - "rely, for, as, live") was almost entirely flattened. With more than 1,800 people, what were they to live on from then on?
Du Shihe had earlier started a business in the flower market in Guangdong, growing flowers since 1997. He had experience in both cultivating and selling tropical seedlings, and before the typhoon he had already led five Party members in establishing the Dubo Flower Professional Cooperative. He proposed developing the flower industry, and the village's two-committee cadres were all in agreement.
After the typhoon, the village cleared the fallen trees, and the village committee, following a one-village-one-plan approach, convened villagers' assemblies in each natural village and confirmed land rights down to each household. Du Shihe led Party members in building demonstration bases first, with one household leading another (一户带一户, yi hu dai yi hu - "one, household, lead, one, household"), and the flower nurseries expanded from a few dozen mu to several thousand mu. Land transfer brought rent, shares in the cooperative brought dividends, working at flower enterprises brought wages, and those who learned the skills could even grow on their own. Flower growers from outside the province also gradually moved into the village and put down roots.
When flower growers and flower enterprises first arrived in the village, electricity, water, and road access were all problems. Village cadres applied to China Southern Power Grid for the installation of eight transformers; with government funding, villagers giving up land, and flower growers contributing labor, the roads to the bases were jointly paved. In addition, every natural village in the village has a well, so flower growers and enterprises draw water nearby, at the same water price as the villagers.
As the industry grew bigger, services had to keep pace. The township established a Party committee for the flower and seedling industry chain, connecting experts from the provincial academy of agricultural sciences, leading enterprises, and financial specialists directly to the fields; the village built an integrated industry service station and a "land rental convenience store," and flower growers can also apply for "flower loans" using their land lease contracts; a weather-index insurance for flower wind damage was put in place, with the government subsidizing 80 percent of the premium.
"The village's per capita annual income has grown from several thousand yuan in 2013 to 23,000 yuan." The cooperative led by Du Shihe now has 20 members, with revenue of over 6 million yuan last year.
Whether a flower can last in the long run ultimately depends on the market. In the past two years, competition in the flower market has intensified, and Yunge Village has begun looking for new paths beyond the sea of flowers.
The growth point first emerged from the rice paddies. Starting in 2024, the village brought in two enterprises to practice rice-crayfish co-cultivation, with crayfish hitting the market off-season in winter. Last year's total output value exceeded 1 million yuan, with the village collective receiving 105,000 yuan in dividends.
The location's proximity to the airport has also been put to use. A warehouse built on village collective construction land was leased in its entirety by a cold-chain logistics enterprise, adding more than 50,000 yuan in rent to the village collective each year.
The flower corridor itself has also become a resource. A 6.3-kilometer aromatic trail links six natural villages together, and villagers pooled nearly 100,000 yuan to purchase bicycles for operation. Last year, Yunge Village was named a "Harmonious and Beautiful Village of Hainan Province."
In 2025, village collective economic income reached 912,000 yuan. But Peng Heyang has even longer-term considerations: "More than 300 flower growers and flower enterprises are still each selling their own flowers separately, and Yunge flowers still do not have a certified regional public brand." What to grow, who to sell to, how to join forces to break into the market — now that the flowers and trees have grown into a forest, the questions Yunge Village must answer have become more specific.
The sightseeing cart turned back to Du Shihe's base, where the new variety of amaryllis was blooming a vivid red. This flower has a long blooming period, and the market purchase price can reach 15 yuan per plant. Flower growers call it "destined red," taking it as a good omen. Twelve years ago, after the typhoon, this village started over from individual flower seedlings; now, in seeking new growth points, they are again beginning by trial-planting a single new flower.
Return to TopBy: 晓 林
At the recent university enrollment season, college student technician classes have drawn widespread attention.
The first technician class in Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, specifically for college students, officially opened at Pinghu Technician College, and Qingdao Technician College in Shandong Province welcomed its 2026 cohort of college student technician class freshmen... Following demand and customized training have become the keywords of college student technician classes.
Undergraduate students "returning to the furnace" to attend technical schools reflects not a "shrinking" of academic credentials, but an appreciation of capabilities. Graduates of college student technician classes have both received systematic university education and mastered technical skills proficiently, and will leverage the combined advantage of "academic credentials + skills" in the job market. Many enterprises have stated that students in college student technician classes have solid theoretical foundations, pick up skills quickly, and possess high overall quality, making them rare composite talents for enterprise development.
Looking one level deeper, behind the "return to the furnace" is the market exerting its force. Currently, China's job market faces a structural employment contradiction of "some people have no work to do, and some work has no one to do it." Large numbers of new industries, new business formats, and new occupations are emerging, and the gap for highly skilled talent in emerging industries such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and the digital economy continues to widen. Facing the market's refined, dynamic, and diversified talent demands, college student technician classes have become a beneficial exploration that conforms to market development trends and improves the quality and effectiveness of skills training.
Vocational skills training is connected on one end to workers' employment and income growth, and on the other end to industrial transformation and upgrading. Currently, accelerated technological iteration and faster industrial upgrading have become new trends, which place higher demands on workers; continuous learning and dynamic adaptation are the true foundation for standing on one's own feet.
The value of vocational skills training lies not only in passing on skills to others (授人以技, shou ren yi ji - "give, person, use, skill"), but also in building a ladder of growth and progress for workers. Undergraduate students taking the initiative to cross disciplinary boundaries to learn skills confirms that learning is not a passive requirement, but an active pursuit. This embodies the methodology of lifelong learning. As some netizens have said, lifelong learning is the most hardcore investment in oneself. Only when workers establish the concept of lifelong learning, relevant departments improve the lifelong vocational skills training system, and pathways for articulation between different types of education are smoothed, can the vast number of workers update their knowledge, improve their skills, and enhance their resilience through continuous learning.
To resolve the structural employment contradiction, targeted policy implementation is the key. This year, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, together with relevant departments, has implemented a batch of skills enhancement initiatives in key fields and for key groups, mainly covering fields such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, the low-altitude economy, new energy vehicles, and health and elderly care services. Strengthening vocational skills training and comprehensively improving workers' skill quality concerns economic development and is also a livelihood project. We must adhere to systematic advancement and targeted efforts, continue to exert force in areas such as aligning with market demand, optimizing training supply, and improving the service system, and accelerate the fundamental transformation of vocational skills training from "whether it exists" to "whether it is good."
Doing vocational skills training well cannot rely solely on government investment; it also requires pooling the strength of all sectors of society. Currently, the total number of skilled personnel nationwide exceeds 220 million, accounting for approximately 30 percent of total employed persons, of whom more than 72 million are highly skilled personnel. To cultivate more skilled personnel, it is necessary to build an integrated training system linking government and enterprises, industry and enterprises, and schools and enterprises, fully leverage the role of all parties, guide technical colleges to actively integrate and deepen the teaching reform of integrating work and study, and promote the sharing and exchange of resources and elements between schools and enterprises, so that talent cultivation and industrial demand are resonating in sync with each other (同频共振, tong pin gong zhen - "same, frequency, together, vibrate").
Achieving success through skills and serving the country with craftsmanship. We must continuously promote the improvement of quality and effectiveness in vocational skills training, accelerate the cultivation of more skilled personnel, and inject stronger momentum into high-quality development of the economy and society.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 王 沛
At Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan, Hubei Province, Zhu Xiuqin (朱秀芹), director of the Kangbei Integrated Childcare Center (康贝融合托育中心) in Pingdu City, Qingdao, Shandong Province, held a swaddled infant in her arms, with a maternity matron assistant beside her, as they waited in the departure hall to fly back to Qingdao. "The child's mother has to go out to work and earn money and has no time to look after the child. During her pregnancy she came to me to reserve a 24-hour childcare slot. Since the mother entrusted the child to me, I must take good care of the child," Zhu Xiuqin said.
Back at the Kangbei Integrated Childcare Center in Lüjia Village, Cuijiaji Town, Pingdu City, a map of China hangs on the wall of Zhu Xiuqin's office. "In the past I looked at the map of Pingdu, then the map of Shandong, and now I have to look at the map of China." As Zhu Xiuqin's childcare center has grown larger and larger, the children it takes in come from all over the country.
Rural childcare centers are closer to nature
At 7 a.m., mother Lu Hongni (陆鸿妮) rides her electric bicycle to send her child from the neighboring Fangzi Village to the Kangbei Integrated Childcare Center, then continuously and hurriedly (马不停蹄, ma bu ting ti - "horse, not, stop,蹄") rushes home to tend to the greenhouses. Her family operates five or six vegetable greenhouses. "I have to get up at four or five in the morning to do farm work, and often don't even have time to eat breakfast, so I can't take good care of my child," Lu Hongni said. "The child was sent here when she was 8 months old, when she couldn't even walk yet. My heart ached, and I cried all the way home."
Zhu Xiuqin can best appreciate this kind of difficulty. In 2017, when she gave birth to her youngest daughter, she had the same feeling. At that time, she ran a decoration company in the town, and had to both do business and take care of the baby, truly too busy to attend to multiple tasks (分身乏术, fen shen fa shu - "divide, body, lack, technique"). She was fortunate to have warm-hearted neighbors; with the help of the uncles and aunties around her, the child grew up day by day, but this was ultimately not a long-term solution.
The following year, Zhu Xiuqin invested 200,000 yuan and opened a childcare center in the town. It was the first registered rural childcare center in Qingdao. At the start there were only 8 children, and she recruited 3 teachers, charging only 400 yuan in childcare fees and 300 yuan for meals. "In the countryside, if it's expensive, no one comes." Zhu Xiuqin understood the core needs of rural mothers in sending their children to childcare centers: besides the cost not being too high, the schedule also had to fit the farming calendar. Farm work starts early in the morning, ends late, and has no holidays, so childcare hours are long. Therefore, from the very opening of the center, she set the rule of flexible hours: open 365 days a year without rest, from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. "If you really can't pick up the child on time, coming late is fine too," she said. At the end of the month when she did the accounts, not only did she not make money, she lost a considerable amount, and the money earned from the decoration company was poured in an unending stream (源源不断, yuan yuan bu duan - "source, source, not, continuous") into the childcare center.
Although the childcare center did not make money, it consumed a great deal of Zhu Xiuqin's energy, and for a time she hesitated between closing the decoration company and closing the childcare center. "If I close the childcare center, what about the children? What about those mothers?" Zhu Xiuqin could not let go. Thinking over and over again (思来想去, si lai xiang qu - "think, come, think, go"), in 2021 she closed the decoration company she had operated for many years and devoted herself wholeheartedly to the children. Now she has established 4 centers across the town, located respectively in Cuijiaji Town, Taojiatun Village, Zhoujia Village, and Lüjia Village, two of which are next to factories. "These two factories mostly employ migrant workers from Hebei and Sichuan, and their children also need care," Zhu Xiuqin said.
Two-year-old girl Yiyi (pseudonym) walked into the spacious and bright classroom, where toys and children's books were having everything one needs (一应俱全, yi ying ju quan - "one, all, meet, complete"). After breakfast, Yiyi and the other children followed the teacher's lead, dancing to nursery rhymes. Outside the childcare center there are also more than ten mu of land, where tomatoes, chives, and other vegetables "take turns on stage" with the seasons — this is the children's favorite activity base.
"We don't have the conditions of the city, but we also have conditions the city doesn't have, such as a nurturing environment closer to nature. We don't deliberately imitate urban curricula, but instead find projects suitable for the children based on the existing conditions in the countryside," Zhu Xiuqin said. "Feeding chicks, planting garlic, digging potatoes, and picking tomatoes can all involve the children, as long as safety is guaranteed."
"The child eats well and plays well here. Now she's over two years old, has learned a lot, and has a very cheerful personality. Seeing the changes in my child, sending her to the childcare center not only doesn't make my heart ache, I even feel it's a better way of raising her," Lu Hongni said.
Providing a safety net for mothers in difficulty
One day in the winter of 2023, staff from the neighboring town government came to the door on their own initiative, carrying a child in their arms who was crying loudly. The child had just passed 100 days old; the mother suffered from a mental illness and the father had a physical disability, making it very difficult for the family to care for the child. Zhu Xiuqin's childcare center was already somewhat well known at the time, and the town government staff thought of her first.
"How pitiful this child is, how could I bear to refuse to take her in." Zhu Xiuqin felt there was no reason at all to refuse to accept this child. This was also the first child she took in who needed 24-hour childcare. That night, after coaxing the child to sleep, Zhu Xiuqin felt her body could barely hold up. "It had been too long since I'd cared for such a young child. Sometimes I felt I couldn't hold on, but the moment I saw the child I told myself I had to persevere," she said with a smile.
Unexpectedly, this was only the beginning. Soon after, a single mother from Tianjin contacted Zhu Xiuqin through the radio. Her child was only 4 months old, and in order to go out and work to earn money, the mother earnestly begged Zhu Xiuqin to take in the child.
"You need to think it through — once you start, there's no turning back," Zhu Xiuqin's mother reminded her. "The risks of 24-hour childcare are far higher than ordinary childcare." But Zhu Xiuqin said resolutely and determinedly (毅然决然, yi ran jue ran - "resolute, decisively, determined, decisively"): "When people run into difficulties, if we give them a hand, they may just get through it."
From then on, Zhu Xiuqin began providing 24-hour childcare services, taking in children from all over the country who had experienced family upheavals. The youngest child was only 9 days old at birth. Time and again she gently provided a safety net for mothers in difficult circumstances. These children, depending on their age, incur childcare fees ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 yuan. Some mothers are truly in such difficulty that they cannot come up with the childcare fee for the moment, and Zhu Xiuqin doesn't mind: "I feel that one day they will be better off, and when they are, they'll give it to me. I can be their strong backing."
In order to care for the children around the clock, Zhu Xiuqin and the childcare center's teachers split into day shifts and night shifts. "At night, I often hold two in my arms, have two sitting beside me, and two lying on the bed — several children being soothed together, all playing in a group. Every day is full and I can't stop," she said with a smile. "This is a job of conscience. We have 18 teachers, and when I recruit teachers, what I value most is a good heart — loving children from the bottom of one's heart."
As dusk fell, the children staying overnight at the Kangbei Integrated Childcare Center finished dinner and, led by their teachers, filed in a line through the side gate into the residential courtyard. In the darkness of the night, the sound of their chattering carried far into the distance.
Support from all sides helps the childcare center turn losses into profits
The Kangbei Integrated Childcare Center in Lüjia Village was just completed last year. It is a publicly built, privately operated facility, equipped with a reading room, health room, mother-and-baby room, activity hall, outdoor activity area, and lodging. Inside there are full-time teachers on 24-hour duty, and outside there is a 24-hour police post, providing the children with two layers of safety locks. "The children stay in the lodging, sleeping on a large heated brick bed, with teachers sleeping on both sides. Parents who come from out of town to visit can also stay here for free," Zhu Xiuqin said. Of the 4 centers, 3 are publicly built and privately operated. "In the past two years the state has invested heavily in childcare construction. We've caught up with good times. From the village to the town, everyone has helped think of solutions to reduce our operating costs," Zhu Xiuqin said. "After running the childcare center for so many years, in 2024 we finally stopped losing money."
Behind the childcare center's healthy operation is a relay of love, one handoff after another.
Walking into the mother-and-baby room, a tiny 90-day-old baby was practicing lying on his stomach on the bed, while the maternity matron held another child in her arms. This matron came from a nearby postpartum care center. When the head of the postpartum care center learned that Zhu Xiuqin's childcare center needed staff, she sent two matrons free of charge to help, rotating them on a regular basis. "For babies under 6 months, the matrons have been a huge help. When I go out to pick up children, especially the very young ones, I always bring the matrons along," Zhu Xiuqin said.
Looking at the classroom again, soft floor mats are spread on the ground, colorful handmade crafts are pasted on the walls, and the water cup area and toy area are neatly arranged. All of these are the work of students from Qingdao Technical College. "We cooperate with the college, using the childcare center as a production-education integration training base. Whether in environmental construction or teacher training, they have provided a great deal of help," Zhu Xiuqin said. "Over the years, more and more people from all walks of life have taken notice of us and have reached out to help one after another — some provide medical services, some donate supplies. There are too many to count, and I keep them all in my heart."
"Sister Zhu, come out and carry the ginger." Just as she was speaking, Lu Hongni came in in a hurried and energetic manner (风风火火, feng feng huo huo - "wind, wind, fire, fire"), bringing a box of ginger and potatoes to add a dish for the children at the childcare center. "I can't help with much, I can only bring some vegetables, all grown by myself," she said. "When things were hard, Sister Zhu helped me. Now I've gotten back on my feet and my conditions are better, so I give whatever I can." Zhu Xiuqin recalled that in recent years, every year when potatoes came on the market, Lu Hongni would store a good amount of potatoes for the childcare center, enough for the whole center to eat for a long time. It wasn't just Lu Hongni — at the hardest time, when the childcare center was on the verge of not being able to continue, some villagers in the village took out their bank cards and pressed them into Zhu Xiuqin's hands to help her get through the crisis.
"Without so many people helping, my place would have closed its doors long ago," Zhu Xiuqin said with a smile. At the beginning, it was even hard to recruit children; village cadres took Zhu Xiuqin to the fields to popularize the center among the villagers. Who would have thought it has now grown to more than 160 children, over 40 of whom are boarders. The oldest child to graduate from the childcare center has already entered middle school. Now, every day people consult Zhu Xiuqin on social media platforms about childcare slots, and slots are already booked through the end of this year.
On weekends, Zhu Xiuqin's two daughters also come to the childcare center, skillfully helping to prepare bottles and walk the children, lightening their mother's burden and also coming to understand her responsibility. "When my youngest daughter was still in her middle kindergarten class, she could already prepare formula for babies and change diapers. She says herself that she wants to take over my shift," Zhu Xiuqin said with a smile.
It turns out that a small relay baton had long since been passed on in a tender young heart.
Return to TopBy: 主讲人：陕西商洛市山阳县口腔医生 阮国平
In the early morning, opening the door, inside the room were a few dental chairs and a shadowless lamp that had been used for many years... In the hinterland of the Qinling Mountains, this rural clinic in Shanyang County, Shangluo City, Shaanxi Province, began my twenty-three years of "dental practice time."
My name is Ruan Guoping, 46 years old, and I am an oral physician rooted at the grassroots level. My hometown is in a remote mountain village in Shanyang. The poverty-stricken years of my youth made me empathizing with others' experiences (感同身受, gan tong shen shou - "feel, same, body, receive") with the difficult access to medical care and hard lives of the people in the mountainous areas.
In 2000, I enlisted in the military and became a military medical orderly, honing my medical knowledge and practicing diagnostic and treatment skills. After being discharged, I returned to my hometown and founded a dental clinic.
Not seeking exorbitant profits, only upholding my conscience, I gradually won the trust of the people in the surrounding countryside (十里八乡, shi li ba xiang - "ten, li, eight, village").
What left the deepest impression on me was in the winter of 2003, when an elderly man with graying hair was curled up in the waiting chair, holding his cheek, silent. His teeth were all loose and broken, and his gums were severely red and swollen. I asked him how long he had been in pain, and he waved his hand and said, "It's nothing, I can just bear it and it will pass." I saw the calluses on the back of his hand and the mud on his trouser legs, and I knew he had walked a long way from the mountain valley.
After the examination, I told him he needed to have several bad teeth extracted and then have a set of removable dentures made. As soon as the elderly man heard the price, his eyes dimmed, and he turned to leave, muttering, "Never mind, never mind, I'll just go back and drink some porridge for a few days and I'll be fine." I stopped him: "Uncle, please don't leave. If you don't treat your bad teeth, even eating will become a problem in the future. As for the money, let's figure something out together."
For that set of dentures, I charged less than half of the material cost, and I covered the rest myself. On the day he got the dentures, the elderly man looked at himself in the mirror from left to right and smiled. He pulled out a few walnuts grown on his own land from his cloth bag and pressed them into my hand: "Dr. Ruan, I don't have anything good, but please take these walnuts."
At that moment, I felt a deep pang in my heart. Many elderly people in the mountains, throughout their lives, are reluctant to spend on food or clothing, and when their teeth go bad, they just endure it, until in the end they can't even eat. I am a doctor; having seen this, I cannot just ignore it.
From then on, I set a rule for myself: for any people in difficulty who come to see a dentist, reduce what can be reduced, waive what can be waived, and never refuse any mountain dweller seeking medical treatment because of cost issues. At first, my family didn't understand: running a clinic is a business, not a charity hall. I said, "Those who come are all fellow villagers. If they can't afford it and I push them away, what's the point of being this kind of doctor?"
The mountain residents live scattered, and transportation is inconvenient. Many elderly people and disabled people in difficulty are suffering from persistent dental problems (牙病缠身, ya bing chan shen - "tooth, disease, entangle, body"), yet are unable to seek medical treatment due to lack of means or time. For this reason, I have insisted on providing free home visits and free diagnosis and treatment for the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled. Once, a disabled person from a remote village had been unable to eat for several days due to severe tooth pain. After learning of the situation, I carried my medical kit, rode a motorcycle over mountain roads, then trekked on foot, and it took more than four hours to reach his home, where I treated him for free.
When elderly people from remote townships come for treatment carrying dry rations, I prepare hot meals for them, provide full free diagnosis and treatment, and then remind them of care and maintenance matters.
Over more than 20 years, I have cumulatively reduced or waived more than 500,000 yuan in various oral treatment costs for patients in difficulty, fulfilling my original commitment of "making it affordable and effective for mountain residents to get dental treatment."
Working as a dentist at the grassroots level, I found that many children have bad teeth, but their parents don't take it seriously, thinking that since baby teeth will be replaced anyway, there's no need for treatment. By the time the pain becomes unbearable and they come in, the teeth are often already decayed to the roots, affecting the growth of permanent teeth. So I decided to bring oral health knowledge into the primary schools in the mountains.
Since 2010, I have taken my team every year to mountain schools to provide free oral examinations. The children line up and open their mouths wide for me to look. Some children, when they open their mouths, have mouths full of black "worm-eaten teeth," which is heartbreaking to see. While examining, I teach them how to brush their teeth, telling them to eat less sugar and brush their teeth morning and night.
In addition to examinations, I also provide free fluoride application and pit and fissure sealing for children from families in difficulty. Later, I also made "health care" kits, giving the mountain children toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, and a small oral care booklet I compiled. The items are not expensive, but they can help children develop good habits from a young age. Seeing some children go from "worm-eaten teeth" to a mouthful of little white teeth, I feel happier than receiving any banner of praise.
Besides primary school students, there are also hometown students studying elsewhere. I know well that students from mountain areas face difficulties in their studies and straitened family circumstances. Many, due to dental deformities and financial constraints, cannot undergo orthodontic treatment, and inferiority accompanies them on their academic journey. In 2014, I initiated a public welfare project to fund orthodontic treatment for college students in difficulty studying away from home, helping students from Shanyang who are studying elsewhere in difficulty, providing them with free or reduced-cost orthodontic treatment.
Over the past 12 years, I have made special trips every month to Xi'an, more than 100 kilometers away, to provide follow-up consultations and adjust orthodontic plans for hometown students. I have made more than 130 round trips in total, successively helping more than 290 college students in difficulty studying away from home complete orthodontic treatment, with cumulative reductions of more than 300,000 yuan in orthodontic costs.
I have also actively devoted myself to various public welfare causes such as rural revitalization, emergency rescue and disaster relief, and respecting the elderly and supporting students. Not only have I personally donated money and goods, but I have also proactively connected with and mobilized caring individuals in society to pool strength, with cumulative donations of money and goods and coordination of various public welfare materials valued at more than 1.1 million yuan.
From the military camp to the clinic, from youth to middle age, I have been braving wind and rain to press on (风雨兼程, feng yu jian cheng - "wind, rain, simultaneously, journey") all the way. The dozens of banners of praise hanging in the clinic are recognition by patients of my medical skills and ethics, and even more so, the best testimony to the steadfast original aspiration of a grassroots medical practitioner, a retired soldier, and a Communist Party member.
Some people ask me how I have managed to persist all along in practicing medicine at reduced profit year after year and doing public welfare at my own expense. I always remember the poverty of my youth, the teachings of the military camp, and my parents' admonitions: one should be kind-hearted, willing to contribute, and know how to take responsibility.
I will continue to hold fast at the grassroots level and deepen my work in public welfare. I am a child of the mountains, and I will deliver warmth and kindness deep into the mountains.
(Compiled and arranged by Gao Bing, People's Daily reporter)
Return to TopBy: 任飞帆
Every era, people tell this epic in different ways; and this epic, in each telling, gains new life.
"In the span of twelve months, dozens of enemy planes carried out reconnaissance and bombing overhead every day, hundreds of thousands of troops on the ground pursued, intercepted, and blocked us, and along the way we encountered untold hardships and dangers, yet we moved our own two feet, marched more than twenty thousand li, and swept across eleven provinces." This is Comrade Mao Zedong's description of the Long March — restrained in wording, yet weighing a thousand jun.
Today, those "untold hardships and dangers," supported by digital-intelligence technology, have been transformed into an almost immersive experience. In the VR (virtual reality) large-space immersive exhibition "Great Expedition," audiences put on the equipment, artillery fire explodes around their ears, wind and snow lash their faces, and the trials of climbing snow mountains and crossing grasslands suddenly become tangible; in the full-sense interactive space "Crossing the River Chronicle" in Luding, Sichuan, experiencers face the surging waves of the Dadu River and a hail of bullets, the iron chains beneath their feet swaying, their bodies trembling uncontrollably. These immersive Long March-themed exhibitions have been welcomed by young audiences.
A piece of history from 90 years ago has been combined with the most popular forms of literature and art, and the story of the Long March has gained new presentation and expression.
Taking a longer view, the Long March has always been a rich vein for literary and artistic creation. During the Long March itself, Mao Zedong's poems, battlefield songs, and woodcut prints were already widespread; in the early years of the People's Republic of China, the stage play Wan Shui Qian Shan (Ten Thousand Rivers, Thousand Mountains) moved from the stage to the screen, and the line spoken by a character to his comrades before his sacrifice — "Let the revolution ride forward on horseback" — moved and inspired generations; the symphonic epic Long March Suite, which blends folk tunes such as Jiangxi tea-picking melodies, Hunan flower-drum opera, and Sichuan river-boat work songs, was performed more than 30 consecutive times at its premiere, with every performance sold out, and is still frequently performed today; from the famous films Crossing the Chishui River Four Times and Bloody Battle at the Xiang River to the widely acclaimed TV series Long March and Escorting the Red Army Ten Times, the spirit of the Long March has time and again surged through the hearts of the Chinese people. Every era, people tell this epic in different ways; and this epic, in each telling, gains new life.
Today, Long March-themed creation has expanded into the field of new popular literature and art. Ordinary people, relying on the internet and advanced media technology, spontaneously trace history, salvage stories, and tell of the emotions the Long March story has stirred in them. Popular creations such as Long March-themed micro-dramas, AI (artificial intelligence) comic dramas, AI singers covering revolutionary songs, and livestreams retracing the Long March route are emerging in an endless stream (层出不穷, ceng chu bu qiong - "layer, emerge; not, exhausted").
On video websites, the blogger "War on the Sand Table" uses 3D sand tables to reconstruct the Long March, upgrading the "map-and-flags" style tactical explanation of traditional film and television into an intuitive, three-dimensional breakdown of battle situations, introducing the strategic-game perspective familiar to young people, and spreading this breathtaking expedition out before the audience's eyes. The episode with the highest view count dissects the diverting attention by making a feint in one direction while attacking in another (声东击西, sheng dong ji xi - "sound, east; strike, west"), concealment and disguise, and outflanking maneuvers of crossing the Chishui River four times with such clarity, vividness, and depth that viewers are drawn in with tense anticipation. When the Red Army successfully breaks out of the encirclement, the background music suddenly swells, and the bullet-comment section erupts.
More moving than the images are the layers of bullet comments reflected on the screen. Some people ask questions in confusion, some cite classical texts or historical precedents (引经据典, yin jing ju dian - "draw, classics; cite, 典 (standard/model)"), and some voluntarily supplement historical materials and examine details — strangers who have never met are brought together by the video, and step by step, along the Xiang River, the Chishui River, the Jinsha River, and the Dadu River, they complete the Long March of ten thousand li. Digital technology has dismantled the threshold to understanding, letting people grasp what it means to be in a desperate situation and how to break out of encirclement; and interactive commentary and shared presence allow the spirit of the Long March to traverse time and space, generating powerful appeal among today's young people.
Not long ago, on a large screen in a busy commercial district in Hangzhou, crowded with a constant stream of people (人流如织, ren liu ru zhi - "people, flow; like, weaving"), there appeared the image of a young AI soldier wearing a single layer of clothing and a red-star military cap. There was no plot, no dialogue; as the melody of "As You Wish" flowed gently, this young Red Army soldier named "No. 8," trapped in hardship, was steadily lifted up by a large hand and brought to the present day, seeing towering buildings, the lights of ten thousand households, and a scene of stability and peace. That large hand reaching out from the smoke of gunfire symbolizes both the powerful motherland of today and carries the wish of the present generation to comfort the martyrs of the past. The creative video of the young soldier "No. 8" did not come from a professional team, but from an ordinary person who has long worked in art display and arrangement. One person, one computer, one set of AI tools — this is enough to create a complete work. Technology has significantly lowered the threshold for creation and greatly stimulated the creative enthusiasm of diverse subjects. Someone has turned the classic textbook text The Golden Fishhook into a micro-drama, in which the old squad leader of the written story, "thin until only skin and bones remained" and with "eyes sunken deep," is magnified in close-up shots, strikingly memorable after a single glance (过目难忘, guo mu nan wang - "pass, eye; difficult, forget"); someone has translated Azalea Mountain into Korean and had an AI singer perform it, giving this old song expressing the longing of the people of the Jiangxi-Guangdong Soviet Area for the Red Army's return a new form, crossing mountains and seas to fly toward new listeners.
Long March-themed creations continue to pour forth without end, and the story of the Long March is told anew with each telling. The reason behind this lies, first, in the weight of history itself. Neither the pocket formed by an army of 400,000 nor the natural barriers of snow mountains and grasslands could stop this contingent, and such a miracle naturally holds appeal. And the most fundamental reason is that every generation draws strength from the spirit of the Long March to answer the questions of its own era: in the years of war and flames, when mountains and rivers were shattered, to save the nation from subjugation; in the era of construction, when all industries awaited revival, working hard under difficult circumstances to start a cause (筚路蓝缕, bi lu lan lü - "brushwood, path; blue, rags"); in the era of reform and opening up, braving the waves to forge ahead (劈波斩浪, pi bo zhan lang - "split, waves; chop, waves") with sharp innovation... Today, we are on the journey of comprehensively building a strong country and advancing the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization. The Long March has never ended; it has merely changed its marching formation — every generation has its own snow mountains and grasslands, must cross its own Luding Bridge, and must meet challenges, overcome difficulties, and win victory. The Long March has not receded into the distance; it is drawing more and more people into its telling, and it bears witness to history shining into reality, and to the red story being told with ever-new brilliance.
Return to TopBy: 林 凌
When lovers finally get married, if literary and artistic works lack that "finally," should people adapt them themselves? Recently, fan-made videos featuring Sun Wukong and Lin Daiyu have gone viral on the internet. Creators, using AI tools and building on the character images and visual footage from the 1986 TV series Journey to the West and the 1987 TV series Dream of the Red Chamber, have engaged in wildly imaginative new interpretations, "pairing up" Sun Wukong and Lin Daiyu.
In response, netizens have discussed this heatedly. Some accuse it of being mismatched pairings (乱点鸳鸯谱, luan dian yuan yang pu - "disorder, point, mandarin duck,谱 (score/list)"), questioning "how can these two be matched"; some worry that altering the established images of classic characters will blur cultural memory; others smile knowingly at the spiritual rapport and interactive plotlines of the "Sheng-Dai CP," remarking that "it's actually quite touching."
The reason such adaptations have become popular is largely that they resolve the audience's long-standing "lingering regret." Lin Daiyu is sensitive, proud, and living in dependency on others (寄人篱下, ji ren li xia - "rely on, person, fence, under"), and countless people feel indignant at her tragic fate. Now, as netizens put it, "the lingering regret finally has a comedic spin-off," and mass fan creation rewrites the characters' destinies. When young people bring Sun Wukong and Lin Daiyu together, what they "ship" is not necessarily just romance, but also a way of life: no emotional self-consumption, mutual support in daily life, and spiritual resonance on the same frequency. It is no longer borrowing another's cup to pour out one's own grievances, but rather altering the original work's appearance to fulfill one's inner regrets. Beyond the bustle of adaptation, the more universal emotional value and emotional needs deserve to be seen.
The "Sheng-Dai CP" can be assembled also because both Journey to the West and Dream of the Red Chamber—whether in their original novels or their screen adaptations—are classic enough that the characters are deeply ingrained in people's hearts, and netizens can do it with ease and skill (信手拈来, xin shou nian lai - "trust, hand, pick up, come") when it comes to plotlines and scenes. Only with a broad and deep prehistory of classic reception can audiences be struck by the many "jokes" and "cute points" that go without saying. Some have commented: "Classics aren't afraid of fan creation; they're afraid of not being loved." Being able to withstand interpretation by generation after generation, and to open up layer upon layer of parallel worlds—this in itself is the charm that only classics possess.
Netizen fan creation is nothing new; it has existed since the birth of the internet, from masterful editing of film and TV clips and dialect dubbing, to humorous interpretations of historical figures and modern renditions of famous literary plots—containing everything imaginable (无所不有, wu suo bu you - "not, place, not, have"). It's just that in the past, fan creation mostly appeared in online forums and fan-fiction circles, with limited influence; now, with video as an intuitive and vivid medium, and AI lowering the production threshold, fan creation has repeatedly sparked viral waves of sharing.
Whether it was the earlier "saving the fox in the snow" or this time's "Sheng-Dai CP," both reflect the boom in adapting classic films and TV dramas empowered by AI. Technology has opened the floodgates of imagination, and the new question this raises is how to both understand the public's emotional and narrative needs and help creators stay within legal and ethical boundaries. Noting "purely fictional" does not mean one may arbitrarily cut up the original work, especially when it involves the spiritual core of classics, character images, actors' performances, and the like—these require case-by-case analysis. What the public welcomes is leaving room for the delightful "I annotate the classics" under the premise of legally protecting relevant rights and interests and holding the line on public order and good customs (公序良俗, gong xu liang su - "public, order, good, custom"). As for malicious distortions that mock heroes, deconstruct the sublime, and overturn basic cognition, and for demonic adaptations that glorify bloodshed and violence, chase sensationalism and vulgarity, and dissolve classics with distorted aesthetics, a red line must be drawn.
Going further, the emerging in an endless stream (层出不穷, ceng chu bu qiong - "layer, emerge, not, exhausted") of fan videos does not quench the thirst; thirty seconds of excitement, two or three days of virality, and then they vanish with the wind—that is not all we can do for the classics. What matters is to use this imagination well, fully, and enduringly—to meet good ideas with good creations, to pass on the stories of the classics, and to let them sprout new branches.
Return to TopBy: 赵 彤
At the beginning of summer, the TV drama Protagonist won acclaim for weaving life stories together with Qinqiang opera; around the Mid-Autumn Festival, The Lark's Call to Heaven spread across the screen a fateful legend accompanied by pihuang opera. The art of traditional opera and the life of the stage interweave with each other, and TV drama creation has achieved new results in the exploration of traditional culture. The Lark's Call to Heaven traces the life trajectory and artistic apprenticeship of Peking opera master Tan Xinpei, but it is not limited to a point-by-point depiction of the character's story; rather, it transforms Tan Xinpei into the protagonist Meng Jinfu, displaying the elegance, bearing, and moral fiber of Peking opera art and of the great master of the art, offering the viewer much delight and much food for thought.
The work handles difficult matters with ease (举重若轻, ju zhong ruo qing - "lift, heavy, like, light") in depicting the professional ecology of Peking opera art in the late Qing dynasty. Meng Zhidao, who performed in the theater gardens of Tianjin, had once competed on the same stage with Ding Qianli in Hubei; when Ding Qianli failed in his attempt to introduce Zhang Ermao as Meng Jinfu's master, he went off to Shanghai instead; Chen Shengyuan, who presided over the "Jingzhong Temple" in the capital, came from Anhui... The plot, through the half-lifetime of wandering of a gallery of characters, presents to the viewer the vast space over which Peking opera spread across north and south. Even within the capital alone, from the Empress Dowager Cixi and the Guangxu Emperor at the top, through the middle ranks of the nobleman Qingxiang and the "Spring Thunder Piao Fang" of the Ministry of War, down to the Second Master of the Xu household and the theater-goers of the opera houses, and even the villages passed through by the "congee troupes" and the jailers and soldiers, the multitudes infatuated with Peking opera spanned every stratum of society. The work makes the viewer understand that the reason Peking opera is called a "national treasure" is closely related to the fact that the regions it spread across spanned mountains and seas, and that the levels at which it was appreciated were enjoyed by both the refined and the common people (雅俗共赏, ya su gong shang - "elegant, vulgar, together, appreciate"). To put it in today's language, Peking opera was once an art that "broke out of its circle."
Amid the comings and goings of its characters, The Lark's Call to Heaven sketches the grand contours of Peking opera art, and also, in the rise and fall of its plot, displays the fine details of Peking opera art. As the plot shows, within the Peking opera profession there was not only the industry organization "Jingzhong Temple," which was connected upward to the court performance institution Shengping Shu; artists who had completed their training all held theatrical registration papers; in princely mansions there were "opera managers"; on the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, theatrical troupes would seal their trunks; the orthodox school of pihuang opera stressed "great bells and great drums, elevation through the high platform of teaching"; works that incited lust and violence were classified among the "banned operas"; and folk opera troupes that "ran outside the curtain" were living in constant insecurity (朝不保夕, chao bu bao xi - "morning, not, protect, evening"). The dramatic situations of the series rest on the solid foundation of Peking opera history; it does not fabricate historical circumstances for the sake of dramatic conflict. This is a manifestation of reverence for history, and it is also the proper path for creation on historical themes.
In the character genealogy of the drama, the protagonist's fellow artists of the same generation all entered the profession in the sheng (male lead) role type; only Meng Jinfu completed his training in the chou (clown) role type, yet ultimately reached the pinnacle of the art in the sheng role. This young chou performer, who from the very moment he appeared harbored the dream of performing "Guan Gong operas," was doused with a basin of cold water by Master Jinkui — "You are just a clown; don't keep thinking about being a great hero." The plot gives Meng Jinfu a very low starting point and a very high dream, and from this arise the dramatic tension and the space for the character's growth. What helped Meng Jinfu complete his leap in artistry included not only his persistent dedication to his craft, but also the training he gained during his time singing in "congee troupes" and performing on makeshift rural stages, when he took on multiple roles and sought instruction from every role type. In the closed ecology of the capital, where each performer stuck to his own role type, forced by the pressure of survival, Meng Jinfu had no choice but to become versatile and multi-talented. This calls to mind Xin Qiji's poetic line: "The peach and plum in the city worry over wind and rain; spring lies in the shepherd's purse flowers by the stream's head." Besides learning skills by studying under many masters, he also learned, from the troupe leader Wu Si Yanwang, through performing Sweeping Snow and Beating the Bowl well, the experience of comprehending suffering. This was no longer merely the cultivation of technique, but an understanding of the very Way of art. The "congee troupe" segment, though not long, is very important: behind Meng Jinfu's rise in artistry lies the creators' deep reflection on the relationship between artistic achievement and breaking through limitations and incorporating a wide range of elements or ideas (兼收并蓄, jian shou bing xu - "simultaneously, receive, and, absorb").
Meng Jinfu's path of artistic pursuit — from completing his training, joining a troupe, becoming a leading actor, to being listed among the "kings of the theatrical world" — is remarkably similar to the experience of the Monkey King, who after undergoing trials and tribulations ultimately became the "Victorious Fighting Buddha." What the two share is a will that fears no hardship or danger. After the "Great Sage operas" were performed with brilliance and spirit, Meng Jinfu turned to martial sheng roles and defeated Wu Qingjun, the "number one martial sheng under heaven," and then he began to tackle laosheng (old male) roles. The doyen of the pear garden advised him to specialize in martial sheng; he would not listen. The audiences did not accept the vocal style he tried; he was dejected. His wife urged him to turn back; he paid no heed. When the capital could no longer accommodate him, he went to Shanghai, and finally, under Ding Qianli's guidance, achieved a breakthrough in vocal style, opening up a new realm of laosheng singing.
By the time Meng Jinfu raised his voice to fulfill his dream, Peking opera had already traversed more than a hundred years of history and accumulated a very deep tradition. One could grasp the "rice bowl" of tradition and reap both fame and profit, but breaking through tradition was by no means an easy matter. Meng Jinfu walked a difficult road, and at the moment he completed his innovation with unswerving purpose despite many setbacks (百折不回, bai zhe bu hui - "hundred, bend, not, return"), tradition also gained new life. Seen from today's perspective, Meng Jinfu's story precisely accords with the contemporary proposition of promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of China's fine traditional culture. In this sense, although The Lark's Call to Heaven tells of past events, it carries the significance of carrying on the past to open up the future (继往开来, ji wang kai lai - "continue, past, open, future").
(The author is Director of the Television Art Center of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles)
Return to TopBy: 范宗钗
On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, the micro-documentary Twenty Nights of the Long March has met its audience. With its artistic features of being concise and powerful (短小精悍, duan xiao jing han - "short, small; essence, strong") yet micro but not thin, it has become a standout online "light cavalry" among works on similar subject matter.
The work transforms a weighty epic into a lightweight expression. The whole piece offers both a chronological overview of the entire Long March and battle cross-sections from different spaces; its character portrayal not only shows senior Red Army cadres masterminding affairs from a command center (运筹帷幄, yun chu wei wo - "plan, tent, curtain, tent") but also focuses on the individual fates of young soldiers crossing rivers and ordinary people in the Soviet areas. Each episode runs 9 minutes, and the full series comprises 20 episodes, like pieces of a colorful historical puzzle that together form a magnificent and grand in scale (波澜壮阔, bo lan zhuang kuo - "wave, ripple, grand, vast") panorama of the Long March. This creative approach is an exploration by traditional broadcasting to adapt to the ecology of internet communication. The short length and brisk expression suit the viewing habits and aesthetic needs of young netizens; young people can approach the Long March in their fragmented time and develop empathy through stories told in small details.
The directing team creatively chose "night" as the structural unit, using 20 decisive nights to frame the entire recollection of the Long March. "Night" is having profound and lasting implications (意味深长, yi wei shen chang - "meaning, deep, long"): it is dark and still, yet it also nurtures light; it is a time of quiet reflection, and even more a time full of dramatic change. Historically speaking, many important meetings and battles in the Long March did indeed take place at night, so the deeper implication of "night" in the film is that the Chinese revolution was in the eve before the dawn was about to break.
Of course, creative presentation does not mean arbitrary adaptation of historical facts, and scattered perspective does not mean fragmentariness. In telling the stories of the 20 nights, the work maintains careful and rigorous selection of material. In "the night of meetings," "the night of breakout," "the night of parting," "the night of decision-making," and "the night of marching," there are perilous breakouts hanging by a thread (命悬一线, ming xuan yi xian - "life, hang, one, thread"), reluctant farewells that are repetitive and moving with deep emotion (一唱三叹, yi chang san tan - "one, sing, three, sigh"), forceful river crossings that are unstoppable and vigorous (势如破竹, shi ru po zhu - "momentum, like, break, bamboo"), solitary walks with lanterns along field paths, debates full of lofty passion and fervor (慷慨激昂, kang kai ji ang - "generous, spirited, agitated, high"), and anxious vigils kept through the deep night... These night stories share similar settings yet each is distinct; they are all concentrated manifestations of the Red Army's courage, conviction, and wisdom under extreme adversity, carrying representativeness and persuasiveness, allowing viewers to feel from a unique angle the lofty spirit of the Red Army soldiers 90 years ago who feared no difficulty or hardship and spared no sacrifice.
In the present era of rapid technological development, many historical documentary works choose the convenient presentation of AI (artificial intelligence). Twenty Nights of the Long March, however, insists on restoring history through "hand-crafted" oil paintings. In the art history of New China, oil paintings on the Long March theme have produced classics such as Forcing the Luding Bridge and The Red Army Fears Not the Trials of the Long March, whose artistic conception and texture resonate with the temperament of the Long March theme. Twenty Nights of the Long March pursues the same quality of visual texture. The work not only uses some classic oil painting masterpieces but also invites painters to hand-paint more than a hundred entirely new scenes, using the unique graininess, delicate brushwork, and human warmth of oil painting to present the tragedy and sublimity of the Long March. After viewing the whole piece, one can feel that genuine warmth of history.
"The strong pass is truly like iron, yet today we make a fresh start and overcome difficulties (迈步从头越, mai bu cong tou yue - "step, from, head, cross")." Ninety years have passed, and the great Long March spirit still inspires us today. Twenty Nights of the Long March reveals the original aspiration through the long nights, and with lightweight expression lets the story that crossed ten thousand mountains and rivers leap out of history, writing a new answer sheet for the new-media expression of red-themed subjects.
(The author is Vice Chairman of the China Television Artists Association)
Return to TopIn recent years, documentary films on traditional cultural themes have made many "lightweight" attempts. The recently released The Mysteries of Patterns goes a step further in terms of small entry points and fast pacing, drawing its material from the traditional patterns that today's audiences find unnoticed in daily life (日用而不觉, ri yong er bu jue - "day use, and, not, perceive").
"One pattern, one world" is the theme of the film and also the focus of its creative effort. Each episode lasts only 4–5 minutes, yet it moves from historical archaeology to the evolution of craftsmanship, from philosophical implications to cross-civilizational dissemination, combining both breadth and depth. The eight-pointed star pattern, traced from the white pottery of Gaomiao and the jade tablets of Lingjiatan to the painted pottery of Dawenkou, ultimately points to the cosmological view of the ancients who observed celestial phenomena to determine the seasons. The motif of three hares sharing ears, starting from Dunhuang, appears in Central Asian metalwork, West Asian ornaments, and the vaults of European churches, interweaving synchronic dissemination with diachronic evolution to present the historical texture of mutual learning among civilizations. Finally, the film attempts to bring "patterns" back into daily life: cloud patterns become auspicious clouds, the dragon pattern becomes the pictorial gene of Chinese culture, and patterns gradually transform from solemn ritual into aesthetic symbols in the life of everyday fireworks.Although The Mysteries of Patterns is "small in form," it strives toward thinking thoroughly and carefully (虑周思精, lv zhou si jing - "consider, thoroughly; think, exquisitely"), offering inspiration to the creation of similar documentaries.
(Guiyang City, Guizhou Province Peng Yaoyao)
Return to TopBy: 鲍 楠
Recently, when introducing the promotion of high-quality development of micro-dramas during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the head of a relevant department of the National Radio and Television Administration stated that live-action dramas are the main force of premium content creation and should be vigorously supported. This news has drawn attention, and the industry and beyond have responded positively. At a time when artificial intelligence is bringing dramatic changes to audiovisual art, supporting live-action dramas strikes a chord with people's confusion and anxiety, and also reflects the audience's expectations for good content and good works.
There is no doubt that live-action dramas are currently the main force of premium content creation, taking on this responsibility without hesitation (当仁不让, dang ren bu rang - "at, the, person, not, let"). The supply of AI-generated dramas is mainly concentrated in the micro-drama sector, with hundreds of thousands produced per month, accounting for over 90 percent of the total — a considerable scale — but most are fast-moving consumer goods that audiences forget immediately after watching, and works that combine both reputation and influence are still few. Whether it is the mass-produced AI micro-dramas or the newly emerging AI long-form dramas and AI online feature films, they still lag behind live-action filming; the "AI flavor" in facial expressions, body movements, scene lighting, and other aspects makes it hard for people to truly immerse themselves in the story.
Just as AI drama production capacity is gushing forth while quality fails to meet public expectations (难孚众望, nan fu zhong wang - "difficult, comply, public, expectation"), premium dramas such as The Peaceful Years and The Protagonist have been released one after another. These major productions, meticulously crafted following traditional production paradigms, transform genuine insight into and deep reflection on history, the times, and life into solid scripts and vivid characters, "hand-crafting" inch by inch the weight that premium works should carry. At the same time, the successive "resurgence of old dramas" phenomena on social media also bear witness to the vitality of excellent dramas. The laughter and tears that live-action dramas bring to audiences are so real, and the emotional resonance they leave is so enduring, that AI dramas cannot replace them for now.
Accompanying the rapid growth of AI dramas is a brand-new issue concerning the protection of the rights and interests of live-action creators. Since the beginning of this year, cases of actors being "face-swapped" or having their "voices cloned" have frequently drawn attention. The training data used in the massive training of AI large models also includes no small amount of live-action drama works, yet there are still no clear rules on how the relevant rights and interests should be determined. Some researchers have expressed concern that if AI-generated content continues to explode, and subsequent large models are iteratively trained on AI-derived secondary content, the risk of homogenization and flattening of the entire online content pool may intensify. Relevant regulatory and guiding work has already begun: the National Radio and Television Administration recently held symposiums on "image fusion" and "voice fusion" in AI micro-dramas, reaching consensus that "image fusion" and "voice fusion" must obtain explicit authorization from rights holders; the "Sword Net 2026" special action, jointly launched by the National Copyright Administration and three other departments, also specifically proposes to promote the resolution of copyright compliance issues in large model training corpora.
The positive feedback from within and outside the industry on supporting live-action dramas vividly confirms people's recognition of the value of premium content creation and their respect for the talent, effort, and due rights and interests of live-action creators. People are unwilling to see content lacking sincerity and mediocre in quality cause an aesthetic decline, and unwilling to see live-action dramas, which carry breath and warmth, become a scarce commodity.
Of course, supporting live-action dramas does not mean denying the significance and value of technology. Audiovisual art was born of technology and thrives on technology; AI, as a leading and strategic technology in the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, has opened up entirely new possibilities for audiovisual art. For example, it enables ordinary people to break through constraints such as funding and equipment and turn what is in their minds into images. Data shows that 180,000 creators have independently completed story films of more than one minute using AI, and a group of "AI super creators" with aesthetic sensibility and a passion for expression are starting to show talent or prominence (崭露头角, zhan lu tou jiao - "barely, reveal, head, angle"). As another example, AI provides assistance in reducing costs and increasing efficiency for high-cost, high-difficulty scenes. In the impressive stormy sea battle scene in The Peaceful Years, with the help of AI-generated ocean wave fluids, shots that previously took two months to complete were compressed to two weeks. With the aid of AI, Journey to the West: The Later Chapters can frequently present mythological scenes and fight sequences, and unconstrained and imaginative (天马行空, tian ma xing kong - "heaven, horse, walk, sky") imagination and unrestrained and hearty (酣畅淋漓, han chang lin li - "joyful, smooth, dripping, flowing") action are no longer constrained by budget.
That live-action dramas are the main force of premium content creation does not mean that live-action dramas automatically equate to premium works. With AI as a point of comparison, creators should more seriously examine themselves and spur themselves on — whether they truly integrate the professional abilities and life experiences unique to real people into their creations, and whether they can form emotional exchanges with audiences that technology cannot replace. Whether live-action dramas or AI dramas, all are created for real people, created to meet the spiritual and cultural needs of audiences, and created to increase people's cultural fulfillment and happiness. This will not change with technological iteration. What matters is that all parties work together, fully unleash the positive value of AI, and turn this "new variable" into a "new increment."
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