People's Daily - November 14, 2026

Persistently Advance Full and Rigorous Self-Governance of the Party to Provide Strong Guarantees for Strengthening, Optimizing, and Expanding State-Owned Enterprises and State-Owned Capital

■ Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, state-owned enterprises have conscientiously implemented the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee, Party building has been strengthened, and new achievements have been made in various work.

■ On the new journey, it is necessary to fully implement Xi Jinping's thought on Party building, thoroughly implement the arrangements of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Party, uphold and strengthen the Party's overall leadership over state-owned enterprises, advance full and rigorous self-governance of the Party with unswerving perseverance, and lead the high-quality development of enterprises with high-quality Party building. It is necessary to focus on improving the modern enterprise system with Chinese characteristics and better integrating the Party's leadership into all aspects of corporate governance; focus on strengthening the political and organizational functions of Party organizations and promoting the deep integration of Party building work with production and operation; focus on strengthening the building of leading bodies and forging a high-caliber, professional cadre and talent team; focus on implementing the political responsibility for governing the Party and running it strictly, unswervingly rectifying work styles, enforcing discipline, and combating corruption, creating a clean and honest political atmosphere and a good environment for engaging in entrepreneurial activities, and providing a strong guarantee for making state-owned enterprises and state-owned capital stronger, better, and larger.

(People's Daily, Beijing, November 13) Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, recently made an important instruction on Party building work in state-owned enterprises, pointing out that since the 18th National Congress of the Party, state-owned enterprises have conscientiously implemented the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee, Party building has been strengthened, and new achievements have been made in various work.

Xi Jinping emphasized that on the new journey, it is necessary to fully implement the Party building thought of the new era, thoroughly implement the arrangements of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Party, uphold and strengthen the Party's overall leadership over state-owned enterprises, advance full and rigorous self-governance of the Party with unswerving perseverance, and lead the high-quality development of enterprises with high-quality Party building. It is necessary to focus on improving the modern enterprise system with Chinese characteristics and better integrating the Party's leadership into all aspects of corporate governance; focus on strengthening the political and organizational functions of Party organizations and promoting the deep integration of Party building work with production and operation; focus on strengthening the building of leading bodies and forging a high-caliber, professional cadre and talent team; focus on implementing the political responsibility for governing the Party and running it strictly, unswervingly rectifying work styles, enforcing discipline, and combating corruption, creating a clean and honest political atmosphere and a good environment for engaging in entrepreneurial activities, and providing a strong guarantee for making state-owned enterprises and state-owned capital stronger, better, and larger.

A symposium on Party building work in state-owned enterprises was held in Beijing on November 13. Xi Jinping's important instruction was conveyed at the meeting. Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting and delivered a speech.

In his speech, Cai Qi pointed out that General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instruction has a lofty and far-reaching vision and is incisive and profound, pointing the way for further strengthening Party building in state-owned enterprises. The Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Party made strategic arrangements for advancing full and rigorous self-governance of the Party with unswerving perseverance and put forward important tasks and measures for strengthening Party building in state-owned enterprises. We must study and understand these as a whole and earnestly implement them.

Cai Qi pointed out that Xi Jinping's thought on Party building is a sharp ideological weapon guiding Party building work in state-owned enterprises. Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, General Secretary Xi Jinping has made a series of important instructions, systematically elucidating important issues such as the fundamental principles, goals and requirements, key tasks, relying forces, basic guarantees for strengthening Party building in state-owned enterprises, as well as the strategic position and mission functions of state-owned enterprises, providing important guidance for strengthening Party building in state-owned enterprises in the new era.

Cai Qi emphasized that the remarkable achievements in Party building in state-owned enterprises in recent years are fundamentally attributable to the helm-steering and command of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and to the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It is necessary to more deeply comprehend the decisive significance of the Two Establishments (两个确立), resolutely achieve the Two Upholds (两个维护), accurately grasp the new requirements posed by changes in the international situation, national conditions, and Party conditions for Party building in state-owned enterprises, and do all work well with a high sense of responsibility and mission.

Cai Qi emphasized that it is necessary to fully implement Xi Jinping's thought on Party building, thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Party, do a good job in Party building in state-owned enterprises with higher standards and more practical measures, resolutely and forcefully implement the major decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee, persist in using the Party's innovative theories for unifying minds and forging souls, improve the institutional mechanisms for Party organizations to play their leadership role, select and strengthen leading bodies especially the "top leaders," better play the role of grassroots Party organizations, implement the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulation (八项规定) of the Central Committee with unremitting effort, resolutely punish corruption, further institutionalize and standardize the Party's leadership over state-owned enterprises, and continuously open up new prospects for Party building in state-owned enterprises.

Shi Taifeng presided over the meeting. He Lifeng, Zhang Guoqing, and Mu Hong attended the meeting.

Responsible comrades from the Organization Department of the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee, the Financial Work Committee of the Anhui Provincial Party Committee, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of Shanghai Municipality, the Ministry of Water Resources, the Agricultural Bank of China, China Southern Power Grid Co., Ltd., CRRC Corporation Limited, and Xiamen Airlines Co., Ltd. made exchange speeches.

Responsible comrades from all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, relevant departments of central Party and state organs, and centrally administered financial institutions and enterprises attended the meeting.

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Xi Jinping to Attend 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and Related Activities

(People's Daily, Beijing, November 13) A Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on November 13 that the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Shenzhen from November 18 to 19, under the theme "Building an Asia-Pacific Community for Shared Prosperity." President Xi Jinping will chair the meeting and deliver remarks.

The APEC CEO Summit will be held in Shenzhen from November 17 to 18, under the theme "Promoting Prosperity Together for a Win-Win Future." President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech.

During the meetings, President Xi Jinping will also host a welcome banquet for leaders or representatives of participating economies and hold bilateral meetings with foreign leaders.

(People's Daily, Beijing, November 13) (Reporter Chen Xirui) President Xi Jinping will attend the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and related activities. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on the 13th that China looks forward to all parties further building consensus, reaching the Shenzhen Leaders' Declaration, and achieving more practical results in important areas such as trade, connectivity, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence, injecting strong momentum into prosperity and growth in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.

Mao Ning said at a regular press conference that this year marks China's return as APEC host for the first time in 12 years. Over the past year, the APEC "China Year" has been achieving fruitful results (成果丰硕, cheng guo feng shuo - "result, abundant, fruitful"). Together with other APEC member economies, and centering on the theme of "Building an Asia-Pacific Community for Shared Prosperity" and the three priority areas of "openness, innovation, and cooperation," China has successfully held more than 300 APEC meetings and activities of various kinds, including a series of senior officials' meetings and related meetings, 10 professional ministerial meetings covering women, trade, tourism, forestry, food security, small and medium-sized enterprises, energy, human resources, transportation, and finance, as well as high-level activities during Digital Week, with cumulative participation of more than 10,000 delegates. A series of cooperation consensus has been reached, laying a solid foundation for the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen.

"Next week, the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will kick off in Shenzhen," Mao Ning said. "We look forward to all parties further building consensus, reaching the Shenzhen Leaders' Declaration, and achieving more practical results in important areas such as trade, connectivity, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence, injecting strong momentum into prosperity and growth in the Asia-Pacific and beyond."

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Chinese modernization’s new achievements to provide new opportunities for Asia-Pacific and the world

By: 本报记者 刘玲玲 陈尚文 姜 波

The vast Pacific Ocean stirs with the symphony of cooperation and nurtures the hope of the future.

The world's century-old transformations are accelerating, the wave of artificial intelligence surges forward, multilateralism encounters countercurrents, and the noise of protectionism rises. When the wind is high and the waves are fierce, how should the Asia-Pacific stabilize the foundation of growth and prosperity? Amid the surging tides, in what direction should the Asia-Pacific economy advance?

"We must uphold the original aspiration of APEC to promote economic growth and enhance the well-being of the people, persist in sharing opportunities and achieving win-win outcomes through open development, advance inclusive and beneficial economic globalization, and build an Asia-Pacific community." With a historical perspective and a global vision, President Xi Jinping called on all parties to jointly build an inclusive and beneficial open Asia-Pacific economy, stating that China will continue to provide new opportunities for the Asia-Pacific and the world through new achievements in Chinese modernization.

A China that persists in open development, a China that solidifies connectivity, and a China that empowers the region with innovation continuously contribute to promoting Asia-Pacific growth and prosperity and building an Asia-Pacific community.

Promoting Mutual Achievement in the Asia-Pacific through Openness and Cooperation

Giant quay cranes rise and fall slowly, and automated container trucks shuttle back and forth. On the large screen of the control center at Peru's Chancay Port, the operational trajectories of oceangoing cargo ships entering and leaving the port are immediately obvious (一目了然, yimu liaran - "one eye, clearly see"). As a landmark project of high-quality China-Peru Belt and Road cooperation, this first smart green port in South America has, since its opening and operation two years ago, rewritten the logistics landscape for the Latin American hinterland to connect with the Asia-Pacific market.

Setting sail from Chancay Port, the two-way maritime shipping route between China and Peru has been shortened by more than 10 days, and comprehensive logistics costs have dropped by over 20 percent; with the port as a hub, three trans-Pacific shipping trunk lines, including "Shanghai-Chancay," are operating stably. A new land-sea corridor connecting the Asia-Pacific and Latin America has thus taken shape.

The story of Chancay Port is precisely a vivid microcosm of open cooperation and mutual achievement among Asia-Pacific economies.

President Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out: "The success of the Asia-Pacific stems from our constant commitment to maintaining regional peace and stability, from our constant adherence to true multilateralism and open regionalism, and from our constant compliance with the general trend of economic globalization and persistence in mutual benefit and win-win cooperation and mutual achievement."

Openness is the lifeline and main theme of Asia-Pacific cooperation. Over the years, the Asia-Pacific region has jointly responded to major shocks and challenges and maintained the good momentum of Asia-Pacific economic development, relying precisely on open cooperation, complementary advantages, and joint progress.

Openness is the distinctive hallmark of Chinese modernization. China and the Asia-Pacific are like the vines and roots of a sweet potato; China's development benefits from the Asia-Pacific, and it also continuously provides new opportunities for the Asia-Pacific and the world through its own high-level opening up.

The stability of opportunities comes from the institutional safeguards of open cooperation. China has always adhered to the fundamental national policy of opening up to the outside world and promoted the building of an open world economy with concrete actions. China actively aligns with internationally accepted rules, implements the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with high quality, actively advances the process of joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, and signed the protocol on upgrading the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area to version 3.0. The protocol on upgrading the China-Peru Free Trade Agreement officially took effect on November 1, injecting more certainty into building an open Asia-Pacific economy with stable and transparent institutional arrangements.

The breadth of opportunities lies in China's large market space and good growth expectations. China has already become the world's second-largest consumer market and import market. In the first three quarters of this year, China's import and export volume with other APEC economies reached 24.07 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 23.9 percent; in 2025, China has become the largest trading partner of 13 APEC economies. From orders pouring in at the Canton Fair to merchants gathering at the China International Import Expo, high-quality agricultural products, industrial goods, and service products from Asia-Pacific economies continue to flow into the Chinese market in an endless stream, and enterprises from all parties are riding the fast train of China's domestic demand growth, converting resource advantages into export dividends.

The substance of opportunities lies in China's continuously optimized business environment. Opening up to the outside world requires perseverance and emphasizes practical implementation. In recent years, China has continuously built a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. The negative list for foreign investment access has been compressed for many consecutive years and has now been reduced to 29 items; restrictions on foreign investment access in the manufacturing sector have been completely "cleared to zero"; pilot programs for opening up the service industry continue to expand; entry thresholds are getting lower and lower, and policy transparency is getting higher and higher. Stable policy expectations, continuously relaxed market access, and constantly improved rule-of-law safeguards allow investors from all countries to settle in China with confidence and cultivate regional markets in depth.

The vitality of opportunities lies in the convenience and smoothness of "two-way efforts." China has implemented unilateral visa exemption for 50 countries and 240-hour transit visa exemption for 57 countries. "China Travel" and "China Shopping" remain extremely popular, and it has become more convenient for foreign friends to invest, work, and live in China. Foreign-funded enterprises take root and thrive, while local enterprises ride the wind and waves to go global. The vitality of "two-way efforts" surges and converges between China and Asia-Pacific partners. From an idea, a product, to a production line, more and more "Made in China" products, with innovation as the sail and openness as the oar, bring Chinese opportunities to the broader Asia-Pacific stage.

At the 22nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting held in Beijing in 2014, all parties decided to launch and advance the process of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, approved the "APEC Roadmap for Advancing the Realization of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific," and took a substantive step toward realizing the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of APEC leaders proposing the vision of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. China has made "openness" one of the three priority areas for advancing this year's agenda and actively expands the path for building the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, precisely so that the Asia-Pacific region can continue to serve as the locomotive for promoting economic globalization, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, and polish the golden signboard of an open Asia-Pacific and an inclusive Asia-Pacific.

When the heart has a direction, the road cannot be far. As President Xi Jinping pointed out: "As long as we practice the spirit of openness and connectivity, the Pacific Ocean can become a thoroughfare for promoting prosperity and growth."

Consolidating the Foundation of Asia-Pacific Development through Connectivity

In November 2014, by the shores of Yanqi Lake in Beijing, the 22nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting adopted the "APEC Connectivity Blueprint (2015-2025)." This milestone document planned a clear route for deepening regional connectivity cooperation.

"Asian countries are like bright lamps; only when they are connected in series and in parallel can the night sky of Asia be resplendent with lights (灯火辉煌, deng huo hui huang - "lamp, fire, brilliant, magnificent")." At the "Strengthening Connectivity Partnership" host partner dialogue, President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of achieving linked development among Asian countries in this way.

This year, China serves as the host of APEC for the third time. At China's initiative and with the support of all parties, the APEC Business Advisory Council re-established the Connectivity Working Group after an eight-year hiatus and issued the "Statement on Supporting Connectivity" at the second APEC Business Advisory Council meeting held in April. At the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting held in Suzhou in May, all parties reached consensus on completing the third-term final review of the "APEC Connectivity Framework Action Plan" as soon as possible and continuing to deepen connectivity cooperation.

Looking forward to the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting to be held in Shenzhen, China will join hands with all APEC economies, on the basis of completing the 10-year final review, to find more converging points of interest, promote the formulation of an upgraded connectivity blueprint, and contribute new Chinese solutions to regional connectivity.

Asia-Pacific connectivity is a prerequisite for realizing regional economic integration and concerns the long-term development of all parties. "We should accelerate the improvement of infrastructure construction and create an all-round connectivity pattern," and "connect the roads under our feet, the rules between us, and the hearts of our people so that all members on both sides of the Pacific Ocean are connected." With profound strategic vision, President Xi Jinping has charted the path for all-round connectivity in the Asia-Pacific, leading all parties to continuously deepen connectivity partnerships and continuously consolidate the foundation for open development in the Asia-Pacific region.

The road under our feet — the physical artery connecting mountains and seas —

In March, the second phase of the Ok Tedi Road project in Papua New Guinea, undertaken by a Chinese enterprise, was officially completed. The winding new asphalt road deep in the rainforest tightly connects villages once isolated from the outside world with towns and even the broader external world. "With the road open, bananas can finally be sold at a good price," local grower Thomas said, pointing at the road. "This is our 'lifeline.'"

The China-Laos Railway has been in operation for nearly five years, with over 25,000 international freight trains running, more than 20.77 million tons of import and export goods, and a cargo value exceeding 100.4 billion yuan, significantly improving regional supply chain efficiency; the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway trains speed across Java Island, ushering Indonesia into the era of high-speed rail... China insists on infrastructure first, laying the foundation for regional economic integration and building momentum for the long-term development of all parties.

The road of rules — the institutional channel breaking down barriers and obstacles —

In August, China's Shenzhen Customs and Chile's Valparaíso Customs signed a memorandum of cooperation between customs offices. In the first seven months, over 40 percent of Chilean cherries imported into China entered the Chinese market through the Shenzhen port. In the view of Miguel Canala-Echeverría, general manager of the Chilean Fruit Association, "this measure will benefit the enterprises and consumers of both countries and further promote trade exchanges."

Relying on the "one-port clearance" supervision model of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the time for cargo transshipment at ports has been shortened from the previous 5 to 7 days to the current 2 to 3 days; at the Youyi Pass port in Pingxiang, Guangxi, on the China-Vietnam border, inbound and outbound trucks can achieve "one-stop clearance in 15 seconds"; China has achieved mutual recognition of customs declaration data with 12 APEC economies, mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operators with 10, and "single window" cooperation with 8... China insists on rule alignment, making regional exchanges increasingly smooth and efficient.

The road of hearts — cultivating the foundation of cooperation based on mutual understanding and affinity —

In September, the Asia-Pacific Clean Energy Training Institute was established. As one of the five host self-contributions in the energy field during APEC's "China Year," China has committed to providing 1,000 clean energy training slots for APEC economies over the next 10 years, building a normalized capacity-building platform integrating talent cultivation, policy exchange, and technology sharing. Deepen mutual trust through joint learning, build capacity through exchange and mutual learning, and empower the Asia-Pacific energy transition and coordinated development.

Holding the Asia-Pacific Media High-Level Forum to pass on civilization, spread culture, and convey friendship through media exchanges, and create a favorable public opinion environment for Asia-Pacific open development; the scope of mutual visa exemption in the Asia-Pacific region continues to expand, the level of convenience for cross-border tourism steadily improves, and the scale of tourist exchanges within the region continues to reach new heights... Promoting people-to-people bonds and tightening emotional ties, the road of Asia-Pacific open cooperation is getting wider and wider.

Activating the Long-Term Development Potential of the Asia-Pacific through Innovation Cooperation

In the semi-automated workshop of Malaysia's largest natural rubber processing enterprise, a "smart manufacturing" transformation is quietly taking place.

In the past, some parts of rubber processing relied heavily on intensive manual labor; today, small-model artificial intelligence algorithms and high-precision servo drive control systems developed by Chinese enterprises have made rubber processing intelligent. Since the first intelligently transformed production line was officially put into operation, labor costs have been reduced by 20 to 30 percent, and production capacity and product quality have achieved a qualitative leap.

The intelligent transformation of a rubber processing line reflects the new opportunities that an innovative China brings to the Asia-Pacific.

The new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is developing in depth, opening up new prospects for human society. From 2014 to 2026, the internet penetration rate of APEC economies rose from 52 percent to nearly 90 percent, and consumer demand for innovative industries within the region is strong. Promoting digital, intelligent, and green transformation through innovation is the necessary path for the Asia-Pacific family to develop together and will continuously open up new growth space for the Asia-Pacific economy.

To jointly build an inclusive and beneficial open Asia-Pacific economy, we must follow the trend of the times and strengthen innovation cooperation. "We should fully leverage the driving and empowering role of new technologies, seize the opportunities of digitalization, intelligence, and green development, and accelerate the cultivation and development of new quality productive forces." President Xi Jinping has pointed out the direction for innovative development of the Asia-Pacific economy and provided action guidance for the region to jointly cultivate new drivers of growth and shape new advantages.

"Only reformers advance, only innovators grow strong, and only those who reform and innovate prevail." China adheres to the innovation-driven development strategy, actively develops future industries, strengthens emerging industries, and upgrades traditional industries, while also adhering to open cooperation in science and technology. The innovative momentum originating from China is continuously transformed into strong driving force for Asia-Pacific economic development.

Looking at China, the momentum of scientific and technological innovation and industrial upgrading is stronger. Seizing the historic opportunity of the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, China has risen to become one of the fastest-improving economies in global innovation capability, with its ranking in the Global Innovation Index rising from 34th in 2012 to 10th in 2026. In 2025, China's total research and experimental development expenditure reached 3,926.2 billion yuan, accounting for 2.80 percent of GDP, exceeding the average level of OECD countries.

Artificial intelligence, quantum technology, humanoid robots, new energy vehicles, biomedicine... China is becoming the "promotion ground" and "application ground" for new global technologies. More and more Asia-Pacific and global multinational enterprises are making China their global R&D center, leveraging China's advantages in the rapid application and iteration of new technologies in its large market to serve their global layout.

"China's new quality productive forces can enhance global productivity, create new growth poles, and accelerate technological progress," said Asongsi Panisan, associate professor at the Faculty of Economics of Thammasat University in Thailand. China's advanced manufacturing capabilities are strengthening global supply chains and creating opportunities for international cooperation.

Looking at the Asia-Pacific and the world, "Created in China" brings stronger momentum to regional and world economic development. According to statistics from the General Administration of Customs of China, in the first three quarters of this year, China's import and export of high-tech products with other APEC economies reached 6.66 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 50.3 percent, contributing nearly half of the trade growth between China and other APEC economies. In the first three quarters, China's imports of electronic components from other APEC economies increased by 56 percent, and exports of the "new three items" increased by 37.1 percent.

Chinese technology and Chinese solutions are continuously being transformed into actions and results, helping the region achieve common prosperity. The Asia-Pacific Model E-Port Network and the Green Supply Chain Network, first proposed by China within APEC, have become important platforms for regional trade digitalization and green cooperation; the global cumulative downloads of China's open-source large language models for artificial intelligence have exceeded 10 billion; major scientific facilities such as controllable nuclear fusion and quantum technology are open to the world...

Artificial intelligence is of great significance to future development. China encourages open source, openness, cooperation, and sharing so that it can benefit the people of all countries and regions. President Xi Jinping pointed out that China is willing to work with all APEC members to jointly enhance the public's AI literacy and bridge the digital and intelligent divide in the Asia-Pacific region.

In the next five years, promote the application of the "Mazu" intelligent meteorological early warning solution in 30 countries, provide 5,000 special training slots for AI topics for developing countries; hold the APEC Digital and AI Ministers' Meeting, the AI High-Level Forum, and the High-Level Roundtable on Data for Growth, building new platforms for Asia-Pacific AI cooperation... With the well-being of all humanity in mind, China is committed to transforming the concepts of AI for good and inclusive sharing into tangible and accessible cooperation projects one by one.

Gather innovation factors through openness, expand innovation space through cooperation, and amplify innovation value through sharing. A China with accelerated innovation and higher development quality will surely create more increments and bring more opportunities for the Asia-Pacific and the world economy.

Standing bravely at the forefront of the tide, unafraid of wind and waves. China looks forward to working with all parties to promote regional integration through openness, promote common prosperity through connectivity, enhance development momentum through innovation, promote the building of a prosperous, stable, open, integrated, inclusive, beneficial, and united Asia-Pacific, continuously enhance the well-being of the people, jointly write the next chapter of the "Asia-Pacific Miracle," and keep advancing toward the goal of an Asia-Pacific community.

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Unite in Struggle and Create New Splendor

By: 新华社记者

On November 12, a grand gathering commemorating the 160th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Sun Yat-sen was solemnly held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech, deeply recalling Dr. Sun Yat-sen's immortal contributions to national independence, social progress, and the well-being of the people, reviewing and summarizing the great achievements created by Chinese Communists who carried forward Dr. Sun Yat-sen's behest, united and led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in unremitting struggle, and putting forward clear requirements on learning, inheriting, and carrying forward Dr. Sun Yat-sen's precious spirit and on inspiring all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation to unite and strive for comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization. He also called on compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and all Chinese at home and abroad to work together for the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and the complete reunification of the motherland.

General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech resonated strongly both at home and abroad. People have expressed that they will carry forward Dr. Sun Yat-sen's behest, unite more closely, cultivate deep patriotic sentiments, sharpen their ambition to strengthen the country, form a powerful joint force of all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation in realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, jointly accomplish the grand cause of rejuvenation, and create new glories.

Remembering Immortal Contributions

Carrying Forward the Behest of Our Forebears

"Dr. Sun Yat-sen was a great national hero, a great patriot, and a great pioneer of China's democratic revolution." Upon studying General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech at the first opportunity, Chen Qing, a staff member of the Wuchang Uprising Memorial Museum in Wuhan, Hubei Province, was feeling deeply moved (潮澎湃, chao peng pai - "tide, surging").

"In the years when the mountains and rivers were shattered and the country was in a precarious or unstable situation (风雨飘摇, feng yu piao yao - "wind, rain, floating, swaying"), Dr. Sun Yat-sen rose up to resist and painstakingly sought the path to save the country and the people. His outstanding contributions will forever be engraved in the annals of the Chinese nation," Chen Qing said. "Today, more than 100 years later, when the country is thriving and prosperous, reviewing Dr. Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary career and great achievements fills my heart with reverence."

Looking back at history, Dr. Sun Yat-sen "devoted himself to the national revolution for forty years," giving his all and exhausting all mental energy (殚精竭虑, dan jing jie lü - "exhaust, essence, wear, thought, end, effort"), and striving his whole life to transform China.

"General Secretary Xi Jinping affectionately reviewed Dr. Sun Yat-sen's outstanding contributions to the Chinese people and the Chinese nation. Listening to the important speech on site, I was deeply shaken." said Peng Liping, Party Secretary of the Third Community of Qingyuan Road, Laiguangying Area, Chaoyang District, Beijing.

"Raising high the banner of opposing feudal autocratic rule, putting forward the Three People's Principles political program of nationalism, democracy, and people's livelihood, and being the first to shout the resounding slogan 'Rejuvenate China'... Dr. Sun Yat-sen used his lifelong dedication to push forward the democratic revolution against imperialism and feudalism," Peng Liping said. "As a grassroots community cadre, I will carry forward Dr. Sun Yat-sen's spirit of rejuvenating China and the world for the common good, put patriotic sentiments into daily practice, serve the community and the people with practical responsibility, and contribute to national rejuvenation from an ordinary post."

"Dr. Sun Yat-sen spent his whole life striving for national independence and national progress, actively uniting with Russia, uniting with the Communist Party, and supporting workers and peasants." said Yuri Tavrovsky, a well-known Russian sinologist and vice chairman of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Association.

Yuri Tavrovsky said that after Dr. Sun Yat-sen's death, the Soviet government, in order to continue supporting the Chinese revolution and carry forward his revolutionary ideals, specially established the Moscow Sun Yat-sen University named after him. "Although this university existed for only a few short years, it trained a large number of political and military backbone cadres for China. History and practice have fully proven that Dr. Sun Yat-sen was a great pioneer of modern China's revolution and also an important founder of cooperation between Soviet Russia and the Chinese revolution."

Chinese Communists are the most steadfast supporters, the most loyal cooperators, and the most faithful inheritors of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary cause.

"General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech has given me a clearer understanding of the lineage connecting the Communist Party of China's history of more than 100 years with Dr. Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary cause." Present at the gathering, Gao Cheng, a standing committee member of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, was filled with a vast range of emotions (感慨万千, gan kai wan qian - "feel, lament, ten thousand, thousand"). "The ideals of saving and rejuvenating the country that were unfulfilled in his lifetime were ultimately completed by generations of Chinese Communists in succession."

"Over the past 100 years and more, the Communist Party of China has led the people in writing the most magnificent epic in the several-thousand-year history of the Chinese nation. The Chinese nation has welcomed the great leap from standing up, to becoming prosperous, to becoming strong. All of this can comfort Dr. Sun Yat-sen's spirit," Gao Cheng said. "I will always remember this revolutionary history of continuous struggle, firmly support the Party's leadership, base myself on the duties of a participating party in the new era, fulfill my mission and responsibility, and contribute to the great cause of national rejuvenation and the complete reunification of the motherland with practical actions."

Carrying Forward the Precious Spirit

Always Forging Ahead

For more than 100 years, Dr. Sun Yat-sen's slogan "Rejuvenate China" has inspired generation after generation of Chinese people and has been continuously endowed with new significance and connotations of the times.

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Today, the best way for us to commemorate Dr. Sun Yat-sen is to learn, inherit, and carry forward his precious spirit and continuously advance the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation."

With rolling green mountains and verdant pines and cypresses, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum at the foot of Purple Mountain in the eastern suburbs of Nanjing stands solemn and majestic. Many people come here, stop and stand in silence, and quietly pay their respects.

"General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out that 'Dr. Sun Yat-sen loved and saved the country all his life.' Every time I explain Dr. Sun Yat-sen's story, I am moved by his sincere patriotic sentiments," said Zhang Ting, a docent at the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. "The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is a national demonstration base for patriotic education. I will continue to improve the quality of my explanations, guide visitors to understand history, and let the great spirit of patriotism be passed down from generation to generation, continuously regenerating or flourishing without end (生生不息, sheng sheng bu xi - "birth, birth, not, cease")."

Cuiheng Village in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province, is the hometown of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. After earnestly studying General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech, Gan Guowei, director of the Cuiheng Village Committee, was very excited and deeply educated.

"Dr. Sun Yat-sen had deep feelings for the people. To learn, inherit, and carry forward his precious spirit is to always adhere to putting the people first," Gan Guowei said. "In recent years, we have made great efforts to solve the housing safety problems of needy villagers and to treat polluted black and odorous water bodies. These visible and tangible changes have won the recognition of the people. We will continue to safeguard and improve people's livelihoods, serve our fellow villagers well, and express our commemoration of Dr. Sun Yat-sen through practical actions."

General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech gave Chen Wei, vice chairwoman of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League and curator of the China National Film Museum, new thoughts on the direction of future work. "Only by actively seeking truth and finding the right direction for endeavor can one shoulder the heavy responsibilities of the times. As a member of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League in the cultural and museum field, I must adhere to the Two Integrations (两个结合), continuously innovate the ways of cultural interpretation and dissemination, base myself on my post and work diligently, and contribute to inheriting the Chinese cultural lineage and assisting national rejuvenation," Chen Wei said.

On the snow-covered plateau, trains speed along. For decades, generations of builders and railway workers have fought on the roof of the world, turning the Qinghai-Tibet Railway vision proposed by Dr. Sun Yat-sen in The International Development of China into reality.

"Lack of oxygen does not mean lack of spirit; hardship does not mean fear of suffering. The sons and daughters of the Chinese nation simply have this spirit of refusing to admit defeat," said You Junxin, an employee of the Xining Signal Depot of China Railway Qinghai-Tibet Group Co., Ltd. "On the new journey, we will bear in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping's requirements, carry forward the spirit of struggle, dare to tackle difficulties, guard the railway well with a high-spirited and enterprising spirit, and keep the plateau sky road always safe and unimpeded."

"Adhere to the united front and continuously consolidate and develop the great unity of all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation." After earnestly studying President Xi Jinping's important speech, Zhang Zongzhen, president of the Macao Association for the Promotion of Chinese Cultural Development, copied this sentence into his notebook.

"Dr. Sun Yat-sen advocated unity throughout his life, and his ideas provide rich cultural and spiritual nourishment for all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation," Zhang Zongzhen said. He indicated that he will take the spirit of the important speech as the fundamental guideline, unite people's hearts through culture, transform cultural identity into conscious action, and continuously consolidate and develop the broadest patriotic united front.

On the shore of the South China Sea, the pace of opening up of the Hainan Free Trade Port is steady. Since the island-wide customs closure operation, the overall start has been stable and initial results have been achieved.

"Dr. Sun Yat-sen had the whole world in his heart all his life. In learning, inheriting, and carrying forward his precious spirit, we must follow the direction pointed out by General Secretary Xi Jinping, give play to Hainan's leading role in high-level opening up, deeply advance high-level independent opening up, vigorously promote the common values of all humanity, share China's new development opportunities with the world, and work hand in hand with all parties to create a bright future of open cooperation and mutual benefit and win-win results (互利共赢, hu li gong ying - "mutual, benefit, together, win")," said Wang Fengli, deputy director of the Deep Reform Office (Free Trade Port Work Committee Office) of the Hainan Provincial Party Committee.

Safeguarding National Unity

Jointly Realizing the Great Dream

The long river of history flows on without cease. That the territory cannot be divided, the country cannot be thrown into chaos, the nation cannot be scattered, and civilization cannot be severed has always been a common conviction engraved in the bones of all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation.

"President Xi Jinping said, 'Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are all Chinese, a family connected by blood, where blood ties are stronger than water (血浓于水, xue nong yu shui - "blood, thick, than, water")', which brought tears to my eyes," said Wu Jiaying, executive vice president of the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland. "I came to Xiamen to start a business in 1995. My more than 30 years of work and life experience have made me feel that Taiwanese compatriots have opportunities for development, security in life, and expectations for the future on the mainland."

Wu Jiaying said he will actively promote exchanges and cooperation between cross-strait enterprises, build more platforms for Taiwanese youth to find employment and start businesses on the mainland, and enable more Taiwanese compatriots to understand the mainland, get to know the mainland, and participate in the mainland's development. "I believe that the more Taiwanese compatriots and mainland compatriots interact and exchange, the more we can continuously enhance kinship and mutual trust."

"The future of Taiwan lies in national reunification, and the interests and well-being of Taiwanese compatriots are tied to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech resonates in the hearts of all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation.

"At this special historical juncture, as an overseas Chinese living abroad, I more deeply cherish the memory of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's unswerving life dedicated to rejuvenating China, and I am also more firmly convinced that the complete reunification of the motherland will surely be realized at an early date," said Xu Songhua, chairman of the Spain Association for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China.

"Dr. Sun Yat-sen's patriotic thought is the spiritual bond connecting Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and it is also the spiritual sustenance for Taiwanese compatriots today to hold fast to their Chinese national identity," said Zhang Junkai, a researcher at the Center for Cross-Strait Political and Economic Studies at National Chengchi University in Taiwan. He said that Taiwanese compatriots should carry forward Dr. Sun Yat-sen's behest and, on the road to the complete reunification of the motherland and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, safeguard the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation together with all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation.

Comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization is the new Long March of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people, and it is also the only way to realize Dr. Sun Yat-sen's ideal of "rejuvenating China."

In Qinzhou, Guangxi, the gates slowly open and cargo ships pass through one after another... The blueprint for the southwest's access to the sea that Dr. Sun Yat-sen drew up in his lifetime has now been transformed into surging reality on the Pinglu Canal.

"The century-old aspiration has fallen on the shoulders of our generation. Building and guarding this waterway that realizes the dream fills us with honor," said Wang Jieyun, Party Secretary of the Pinglu Canal Group, feeling the heavy responsibility. "In the future, we will continue to optimize navigation organization, amplify the advantages of river-sea intermodal transport, smooth the water transport channel facing ASEAN, and make this waterway carrying a century of expectations an artery for striving toward the sea and building strength."

"Today, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, we have successfully blazed a path of Chinese modernization. The best commemoration of Dr. Sun Yat-sen is to continue advancing the cause he fought for," said Wong Yuen Shan, head of the Chief Executive's Policy Unit of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. He said that Hong Kong will implement its first five-year plan well, better integrate into and serve the overall development of the country, unite and strive together with Chinese at home and abroad, and work with one heart to jointly accomplish the grand cause of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, November 13)

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Li Qiang Holds Talks with Thai Prime Minister Anutin

(People's Daily, Bangkok, November 13) (Reporter Gong Han) On the afternoon of November 13, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council held talks with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in Bangkok.

Li Qiang stated that in July this year, Prime Minister Anutin paid an official visit to China, during which President Xi Jinping met with him and jointly charted the course of China-Thailand relations. During my visit to Thailand, the two premiers have exchanged visits within four months, fully demonstrating the high level of bilateral relations. At present, both China and Thailand are at an important stage of national construction and development. China firmly supports the smooth governance of the Thai government and is willing to work with Thailand to further consolidate the foundation of political mutual trust, support each other's core interests and major concerns, make good use of mechanisms such as the foreign and defense ministers' "2+2" strategic dialogue and the Joint Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation, tap the potential for cooperation in various fields, achieve more tangible results, and better benefit the peoples of both countries.

Li Qiang pointed out that China is willing to strengthen development strategy alignment with Thailand, promote high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, implement major projects such as the China-Thailand Railway, step up consultations on the new five-year plan for economic and trade cooperation, promote the early mutual recognition and protection of geographical indication products, and expand cooperation in finance, new energy, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and other fields, so as to achieve a higher level of mutually beneficial outcomes (互利共赢, hu li gong ying - "mutual benefit, win together"). China is willing to import more high-quality products from Thailand and encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Thailand, hoping that Thailand will provide a fair, stable, and predictable environment for enterprises. The two sides should also strengthen exchanges and cooperation in disaster prevention and reduction, water resources management, education, tourism, and media, intensify efforts to combat illegal and criminal activities, and enhance the people's sense of gain from China-Thailand cooperation. As there are still many unstable and uncertain factors in the current international situation, China is willing to work closely with Thailand under multilateral mechanisms such as China-ASEAN, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and contribute to global peace and development.

Anutin stated that Thailand attaches great importance to relations with China, is committed to advancing all-round cooperation between the two countries, and will continuously elevate the Thailand-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to new levels, bringing more well-being to the peoples of both countries. Thailand is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, give play to the role of mechanisms such as the foreign and defense ministers' "2+2" strategic dialogue, expand the scale of bilateral trade, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in agriculture, finance, connectivity, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, science and technology, and other fields. Thailand is willing to continue providing a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises to invest in Thailand, strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation between the two sides, combat criminal activities such as online gambling and telecom fraud, ensure the safety of Chinese tourists, deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation, and consolidate the public foundation of friendship. Thailand supports China in successfully hosting the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, and is willing to work with China to successfully hold the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders' Meeting, jointly making new contributions to regional stability, development, and prosperity.

After the talks, the two sides jointly witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents in fields such as the automobile industry, vocational education, agriculture, customs, and security.

Before the talks, Anutin held a welcome ceremony for Li Qiang at the Government House.

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Shenzhen Dressed in Finest to Welcome Asia-Pacific Guests

From November 18 to 19, the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Shenzhen. At present, the city is in full bloom with flowers, themed flower beds are scattered as accents, colorful flags flutter in the wind along main and secondary roads, and metro hubs, bus stops, and port windows are all adorned with meeting insignia. Shenzhen is dressed in its finest to welcome visitors from all over the world (八方来客, ba fang lai ke - "eight directions, come, guest") to the Asia-Pacific gathering.

The photo shows the APEC "China Year" emblem and APEC-themed promotional posters captured at Shenzhen Bay Port.

Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Mao Siqian.

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Han Zheng Attends and Addresses Opening Ceremony of 2026 World Chinese Language Conference

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, November 13) On November 13, Vice President Han Zheng attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Chinese Language Conference in Beijing.

Han Zheng noted that President Xi Jinping attaches great importance to international Chinese language education, having repeatedly written back to overseas Chinese language learners, encouraging them to serve as envoys promoting friendship between China and foreign countries and to contribute to enhancing mutual understanding, mutual trust, and people-to-people connectivity between China and other nations. As the native language country of Chinese, China has always upheld the concepts of openness and inclusiveness, learning from each other and drawing on each other's experience (互学互鉴, hu xue hu jian - "mutually learn, mutually refer to"), and win-win cooperation, actively advancing cooperation in international Chinese language education.

Han Zheng put forward four suggestions. First, strengthen capacity building for international Chinese language education. In recent years, the global enthusiasm for learning Chinese has continued to rise, with overseas Chinese language learners and users reaching 210 million people. Last year, the number of foreigners entering and exiting China exceeded 82 million person-times, a year-on-year increase of 26.4 percent, and in the first half of this year it increased by another 20.6 percent year-on-year. It is necessary to respond to the eager needs of people of all countries to learn Chinese and understand China, support and serve the international community in carrying out Chinese language education well, create a more open and inclusive environment for learning Chinese, continuously expand the coverage of Chinese language education, and provide systematic services for learners at different stages.

Second, deepen the humanistic foundation for people-to-people connectivity between China and foreign countries. Support countries in developing localized Chinese language education according to their own actual conditions, intensify efforts to jointly train international Chinese language teachers, actively promote mutual learning and exchange visits between teachers and students, and joint construction and sharing of teaching resources, and continuously raise the level of overseas Chinese language teaching. With the Chinese language as a bond, let global learners understand China and feel China through language practice, enhance understanding and mutual trust through people-to-people and cultural exchanges, promote mutual acquaintance and understanding among peoples, and consolidate the people-to-people foundation for peace and friendship between countries.

Third, promote mutual learning among civilizations and common development. The Chinese language carries the millennia-old civilizational wisdom of the Chinese nation. With language communication as a bridge, it is necessary to tell China's story well, introduce a true, multi-dimensional, and comprehensive China to the world, and also learn from and draw on the outstanding civilizational achievements of other countries with an open attitude. Through equal dialogue and exchange, deepen research on mutual learning among civilizations, continuously promote the inheritance and innovation of civilizations, carry forward the common values of all humanity, and jointly paint a picture of the world's garden of civilizations being brilliant and colorful (姹紫嫣红, cha zi yan hong - "various purples, bright red") and full of vitality (生机盎然, sheng ji ang ran - "life, overflowing").

Fourth, promote the Chinese language to better empower international cooperation. China is willing to work with the international community to uphold inclusive and mutually beneficial principles, promote the deep integration of Chinese language learning with cooperation in economy, trade, education, science and technology, and help all parties share in China's development opportunities. Give play to the role of Chinese as an official language of the United Nations, strengthen the exchange and sharing of development and governance experience, let the ideas and wisdom embodied in the Chinese language and Chinese civilization be promoted and expanded to a higher level (发扬光大, fa yang guang da - "develop, expand, make great"), and inject more stability and positive energy into a world interwoven with change and turbulence.

Han Zheng stated that the 2026 World Chinese Language Conference, themed "Chinese: More Than a Language," has important practical significance. He hoped that the guests present would make good use of the World Chinese Language Conference, an important platform for promoting international language exchange and cooperation, to offer offering suggestions and advice (献计献策, xian ji xian ce - "offer ideas, offer strategies") for the high-quality development of international Chinese language education, and work together to create a better future for humanity.

Approximately 2,000 people, including government officials from China and foreign countries, experts and scholars, heads of universities, and representatives of international organizations, attended the opening ceremony.

Before the opening ceremony, Han Zheng visited the themed exhibition of the World Chinese Language Conference.

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Building an Asia-Pacific Community for a New Future of the Region (Looking Ahead to the Shenzhen APEC Meeting)

The 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Shenzhen from November 18 to 19, under the theme "Building an Asia-Pacific Community for Shared Prosperity." President Xi Jinping will chair the meeting and deliver remarks. The APEC CEO Summit will be held in Shenzhen from November 17 to 18, under the theme "Promoting Prosperity, Sharing the Future." President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech.

International figures interviewed by our reporter expressed expectations that President Xi Jinping's important remarks will send positive signals for promoting openness, cooperation, and regional economic integration, inject new impetus into building an Asia-Pacific community, and expressed confidence that China's development will bring more stability and certainty to regional and global economies.

"Sending a Strong and Positive Signal to the International Community"

Since 2013, President Xi Jinping has attended or chaired all previous APEC Economic Leaders' Meetings and delivered important remarks. International figures eagerly anticipate President Xi Jinping putting forward new ideas and new proposals for promoting Asia-Pacific cooperation.

"We look forward to President Xi Jinping reaffirming the position of practicing true multilateralism and upholding openness and inclusiveness." Mark Beeson, adjunct professor at Queensland University of Technology in Australia, said that with the current rise in risks of global economic fragmentation, China's choice to host the APEC meeting in Shenzhen, at the forefront of reform and opening up, sends a clear signal of China's continued expansion of opening up to the outside world.

"China has always been committed to upholding multilateralism and advancing the building of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, playing an important leading role at a time of intensifying world turmoil. We look forward to President Xi Jinping further elaborating China's concepts and propositions." Brett O'Riley, New Zealand representative to the APEC Business Advisory Council, said.

Woo Soo-keun, director of the East Asia Institute in South Korea and president of the Korea-China Global Association, said that the Asia-Pacific should not move toward geopolitical rivalry; all parties should respect each other and carry out pragmatic cooperation oriented toward shared prosperity. He expressed hope that President Xi Jinping's important remarks will encourage all parties to resist protectionism, oppose bloc confrontation, advocate openness, inclusiveness, mutual benefit, and win-win outcomes, and enhance confidence in promoting Asia-Pacific cooperation.

Song Eun-seop, vice president of the Korea-China Economic and Cultural Exchange Center in South Korea, said that unity built on mutual respect and mutual understanding is the cornerstone of achieving true shared prosperity. "We look forward to President Xi Jinping's important remarks sending a strong and positive signal to the international community and firmly upholding an open and inclusive multilateral trading system."

"APEC brings together many important economies in the Asia-Pacific region and is an important platform for promoting pragmatic cooperation among economies at different development levels." Grijalva, chair of the board of the Mexico-China Chamber of Commerce and Technology, said he very much looks forward to hearing President Xi Jinping's important exposition on Asia-Pacific development, promoting cooperation in scientific and technological innovation and technology transfer in the region, and achieving common development.

"We look forward to hearing from President Xi Jinping's important remarks China's propositions on economic openness, multilateral cooperation, and building an Asia-Pacific community." In the view of Valderrama, a researcher at the Center for Research and Teaching in Economics in Mexico, the Asia-Pacific region has been able to become a major engine of global economic growth thanks to the continued advancement of regional economic integration and the deepening of cross-border investment and technology transfer cooperation.

Wirun Phichaiwongphakdee, director of the Thailand Asia-Pacific Think Tank, said he looks forward to President Xi Jinping's important remarks further consolidating consensus on openness and cooperation, promoting regional trade and investment facilitation and cooperation on industrial and supply chains, and enabling more people to benefit from the fruits of scientific and technological innovation.

"Injecting New Impetus into Building an Asia-Pacific Community"

At present, the world is undergoing accelerated transformation unseen in a century, global challenges are emerging one after another in an endless stream (层出不穷, ceng chu bu qiong - "layer, emerge, not, exhausted"), and Asia-Pacific cooperation faces new tests. The international community expects this meeting to further consolidate consensus on cooperation and promote new steps in building an Asia-Pacific community.

Felix Paz, director of the Andina News Agency in Peru, said that this year's APEC meeting focuses on the three priority areas of "openness, innovation, and cooperation," pointing the way for member economies to strengthen communication and cooperation. He expressed hope that all parties will take the APEC meeting as an opportunity to further strengthen cooperation and jointly build an Asia-Pacific partnership featuring mutual trust, inclusiveness, cooperation, and win-win outcomes.

"China's hosting of the APEC meeting will help deepen Asia-Pacific openness and cooperation toward rule coordination and mutual recognition of standards, and bring digital transformation, green and low-carbon development, and artificial intelligence applications into the focus of cooperation." Ong Tee Keat, former Malaysian transport minister and president of the Asia-Pacific "Belt and Road Initiative" Co-Development Association, said he hopes this year's APEC meeting will translate the cooperation blueprint into pragmatic outcomes, enable more Asia-Pacific people to benefit from technological progress, better respond to the development aspirations of the Global South, and inject more certainty into the world.

In 2014, the Beijing APEC meeting adopted the APEC Connectivity Blueprint (2015-2025), launching the process of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. Jayadi, an economist at the Amarna Consulting firm in Indonesia, said he hopes the Shenzhen APEC meeting will further promote digital connectivity, form new consensus and achieve new results in promoting secure cross-border data flows and strengthening intellectual property protection, and promote artificial intelligence to better benefit humanity, "making digital technology an important force for narrowing the development gap and promoting shared prosperity, and injecting new impetus into building an Asia-Pacific community."

"The free flow of capital, goods, and people allows all parties to gain growth momentum in international cooperation and also creates conditions for cooperation in education, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, and other fields." Grijalva said he hopes the APEC meeting will reach cooperation plans in areas such as clean energy, artificial intelligence, biomedicine, agriculture and food, and urban development, and further improve people's well-being.

Johnny Montalvo, an international affairs expert in Peru, said that the digital economy, emerging technologies, and innovative development are becoming important areas of Asia-Pacific cooperation. The relevant initiatives proposed by China are of positive significance. He looks forward to this meeting forming more consensus, promoting technological cooperation and the sharing of outcomes, and cultivating new drivers of growth for the Asia-Pacific economy.

"China's Development Creates Opportunities for the Asia-Pacific"

China is a member of the Asia-Pacific family. China's development started in the Asia-Pacific, benefited from the Asia-Pacific, and will continue to be rooted in the Asia-Pacific and benefit the Asia-Pacific. The international community has high expectations for China's leadership in a new journey of Asia-Pacific cooperation.

Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator in China, said that APEC should push the world back onto the right track of international cooperation and help more countries take the path of open development. He expressed confidence that this APEC meeting will demonstrate China's important leading role.

"China's development creates opportunities for the Asia-Pacific." Wirun believes that the Shenzhen APEC meeting will provide an important opportunity for deepening regional cooperation, enabling more developing economies, including Thailand, to participate in regional cooperation and share development opportunities.

"Shenzhen has the unique advantage of being the 'City of Innovation.' The Shenzhen APEC meeting will push topics to extend from traditional trade facilitation to open cooperation in frontier fields such as the digital economy and green growth, and will better consolidate consensus on building an Asia-Pacific community." Beeson said he believes China will continue to inject stability and certainty into regional and global economies through high-quality development and high-level opening up.

Dmitri Mayatsky, associate professor at St. Petersburg State University in Russia, said that China has always been an important contributor and promoter of Asia-Pacific cooperation. The process of Chinese modernization is continuously providing the Asia-Pacific with broader market opportunities and platforms for open cooperation. He expressed confidence that China will put forward more important initiatives and measures at this meeting to promote multilateralism and free trade, advance regional economic integration and connectivity, and provide new and strong impetus for building an Asia-Pacific community.

"As the world's second-largest economy, China's expansion of market opening, upholding of the multilateral trading system, and leadership in cooperation on scientific and technological innovation and green transformation are of great significance." Woo Soo-keun said he hopes all parties will put forward pragmatic cooperation plans for promoting common development in areas related to future growth, such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and supply chain stability.

Valderrama said that China plays an exemplary role in regional connectivity and other areas. He expressed hope that APEC economies will work together to translate the vision of building an Asia-Pacific community into a concrete agenda for advancing trade integration, sharing innovation, and achieving inclusive development.

"China has long participated in and promoted economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, playing an active role in promoting regional trade and investment exchanges, supporting the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, and strengthening dialogue among business communities." Eric Zheng, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, said he looks forward to the upcoming Shenzhen APEC meeting further promoting regional economic cooperation and achieving more results in areas such as trade and investment facilitation, the digital economy, supply chain resilience, and SME development.

(People's Daily reporters Che Bin, Mang Jiuchen, Wang Siyuan, Wang Xiaobo, Zhang Jinruo, Chen Shangwen, Yang Yi, Cao Shiyun, Chen Haiqi, Xiao Xinxin, Li Anqi)

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Meeting in Shenzhen to Write a New Chapter of the "Asia-Pacific Miracle" (Heyin)

At the critical crossroads of where Asia-Pacific development is headed, the world expects China to continue playing a leading role, charting the course and injecting momentum for writing the next chapter of the "Asia-Pacific miracle."

A vigorous and rising momentum (风鹏正举, feng peng zheng ju - "wind, soar, rise") is underway, and the Asia-Pacific is surging. The 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Shenzhen from November 18 to 19, and President Xi Jinping will chair the meeting and deliver remarks. The APEC CEO Summit will be held in Shenzhen from November 17 to 18, and President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech. At that time, leaders or representatives of participating economies will gather by the shores of Shenzhen Bay, focusing on the themes of "Building an Asia-Pacific Community for Shared Prosperity" and "Promoting Shared Prosperity for a Win-Win Future," and centering on the three priority areas of "openness, innovation, and cooperation," injecting new impetus into regional economic integration and advancing the building of an Asia-Pacific community in both depth and substance.

Born in response to the tide of economic globalization, APEC has traversed a journey of more than 30 years, leading the Asia-Pacific region to the forefront of global openness and development and helping the Asia-Pacific become the most dynamic region in the global economy. This year marks the 35th anniversary of China's accession to APEC. From leveraging APEC membership to advance its own reform and opening up, to becoming a leader in global openness, the 35-year journey China has walked hand in hand with Asia-Pacific partners is etched with the footprints of China's endeavor to embrace the world and commit itself to openness, and also demonstrates China's responsibility as a major country in continuously providing new opportunities for the Asia-Pacific and the world through its own new development. China has hosted APEC three times — from the 2001 Shanghai meeting that gave fresh impetus to Asia-Pacific cooperation in the new century, to the 2014 Beijing meeting that historically launched the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area process and laid out a blueprint for connectivity, to 2026 when it will welcome guests from far and wide in Shenzhen. China's role and contributions on the APEC stage have grown increasingly rich, reflecting its leadership in Asia-Pacific cooperation, its practice of multilateralism, and its support for regional economic integration.

Today, the Asia-Pacific's weight in the world economy continues to rise: APEC member economies, with nearly 40 percent of the global population, create more than 60 percent of global economic output, drawing the center of gravity of the world economy ever more toward the Asia-Pacific region. As a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation advances in depth, APEC member economies are embracing the trend of the information age, helping make the Asia-Pacific a highland of global innovation and growth. At the same time, the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, and the destabilizing and uncertain factors facing Asia-Pacific development are increasing. Unilateralism and protectionism are spreading, fragmentation of the world economy is intensifying, and regional economic integration is meeting headwinds. At the critical crossroads of where Asia-Pacific development is headed, the world expects China to continue playing a leading role, charting the course and injecting momentum for writing the next chapter of the "Asia-Pacific miracle."

"We must stay true to APEC's founding mission of promoting economic growth and enhancing the well-being of the people, persist in sharing opportunities and achieving win-win outcomes through openness and development, advance a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and build an Asia-Pacific community." This important statement by President Xi Jinping has charted the course for advancing Asia-Pacific cooperation under the new circumstances. Since the launch of this "China Year" of APEC, the Chinese side has built multi-tiered dialogue platforms and worked to translate consensus into practical cooperation: in May, the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting held in Suzhou issued the Suzhou Statement, sending a firm signal of promoting regional economic integration and upholding multilateralism; in July, at the APEC Ministers' Meeting on Digital and Artificial Intelligence held in Chengdu, efforts were made to empower the Asia-Pacific community with digital and AI technologies; in September, the APEC Energy Ministers' Meeting adopted a joint ministerial statement, putting forward for the first time and systematically elaborating the connotation and extension of the concept of an "Asia-Pacific Energy Community"... All parties highly appreciate China's efforts in advancing the building of an Asia-Pacific community, and the vision of "Building an Asia-Pacific Community for Shared Prosperity" is being translated into increasingly rich and concrete outcomes of cooperation.

The Asia-Pacific is where China makes its home and builds its future, and the foundation of its development and prosperity. China has always promoted Asia-Pacific development through its own development and provided new opportunities for Asia-Pacific prosperity through its own reform and opening up. In 2025, China has become the largest trading partner of 13 APEC economies; in the first three quarters of this year, China's imports and exports with other APEC economies reached 24.07 trillion yuan, up 23.9 percent year on year; Chinese and foreign enterprises have enthusiastically registered to participate in the 2026 APEC CEO Summit, with the largest number of registrations coming from American companies — this is the choice made by the Asia-Pacific business community through action. Only cooperation brings dividends; "decoupling and severing supply chains" runs counter to the laws of the market and serves the interests of no party. China will continue to promote deeper reform and advance high-quality development through high-level opening up, providing the Asia-Pacific and the world with more development opportunities, a better business environment, a broader stage for innovation, and more solid conditions for green growth, injecting greater stability into the world through the certainty of its own development.

At present, the world's attention is converging on the shores of the South China Sea, and all parties are looking forward to this important meeting with great anticipation (翘首以盼, qiao shou yi pan - "raise, head, with, hope"), expecting it to open a brilliant new journey for APEC, lead the "Asia-Pacific giant ship" to forge ahead through the waves toward the shared vision of building an Asia-Pacific community, and make greater contributions to promoting development in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.

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Chinese modernization’s new achievements to provide new opportunities for Asia-Pacific and the world

By: 本报记者 刘玲玲 陈尚文 姜 波

The vast Pacific Ocean stirs with the symphony of cooperation and nurtures the hope of the future.

The world's century-old transformations are accelerating, the wave of artificial intelligence surges forward, multilateralism encounters countercurrents, and the noise of protectionism rises. When the wind is high and the waves are fierce, how should the Asia-Pacific stabilize the foundation of growth and prosperity? Amid the surging tides, in what direction should the Asia-Pacific economy advance?

"We must uphold the original aspiration of APEC to promote economic growth and enhance the well-being of the people, persist in sharing opportunities and achieving win-win outcomes through open development, advance inclusive and beneficial economic globalization, and build an Asia-Pacific community." With a historical perspective and a global vision, President Xi Jinping called on all parties to jointly build an inclusive and beneficial open Asia-Pacific economy, stating that China will continue to provide new opportunities for the Asia-Pacific and the world through new achievements in Chinese modernization.

A China that persists in open development, a China that solidifies connectivity, and a China that empowers the region with innovation continuously contribute to promoting Asia-Pacific growth and prosperity and building an Asia-Pacific community.

Promoting Mutual Achievement in the Asia-Pacific through Openness and Cooperation

Giant quay cranes rise and fall slowly, and automated container trucks shuttle back and forth. On the large screen of the control center at Peru's Chancay Port, the operational trajectories of oceangoing cargo ships entering and leaving the port are immediately obvious (一目了然, yimu liaran - "one eye, clearly see"). As a landmark project of high-quality China-Peru Belt and Road cooperation, this first smart green port in South America has, since its opening and operation two years ago, rewritten the logistics landscape for the Latin American hinterland to connect with the Asia-Pacific market.

Setting sail from Chancay Port, the two-way maritime shipping route between China and Peru has been shortened by more than 10 days, and comprehensive logistics costs have dropped by over 20 percent; with the port as a hub, three trans-Pacific shipping trunk lines, including "Shanghai-Chancay," are operating stably. A new land-sea corridor connecting the Asia-Pacific and Latin America has thus taken shape.

The story of Chancay Port is precisely a vivid microcosm of open cooperation and mutual achievement among Asia-Pacific economies.

President Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out: "The success of the Asia-Pacific stems from our constant commitment to maintaining regional peace and stability, from our constant adherence to true multilateralism and open regionalism, and from our constant compliance with the general trend of economic globalization and persistence in mutual benefit and win-win cooperation and mutual achievement."

Openness is the lifeline and main theme of Asia-Pacific cooperation. Over the years, the Asia-Pacific region has jointly responded to major shocks and challenges and maintained the good momentum of Asia-Pacific economic development, relying precisely on open cooperation, complementary advantages, and joint progress.

Openness is the distinctive hallmark of Chinese modernization. China and the Asia-Pacific are like the vines and roots of a sweet potato; China's development benefits from the Asia-Pacific, and it also continuously provides new opportunities for the Asia-Pacific and the world through its own high-level opening up.

The stability of opportunities comes from the institutional safeguards of open cooperation. China has always adhered to the fundamental national policy of opening up to the outside world and promoted the building of an open world economy with concrete actions. China actively aligns with internationally accepted rules, implements the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with high quality, actively advances the process of joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, and signed the protocol on upgrading the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area to version 3.0. The protocol on upgrading the China-Peru Free Trade Agreement officially took effect on November 1, injecting more certainty into building an open Asia-Pacific economy with stable and transparent institutional arrangements.

The breadth of opportunities lies in China's large market space and good growth expectations. China has already become the world's second-largest consumer market and import market. In the first three quarters of this year, China's import and export volume with other APEC economies reached 24.07 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 23.9 percent; in 2025, China has become the largest trading partner of 13 APEC economies. From orders pouring in at the Canton Fair to merchants gathering at the China International Import Expo, high-quality agricultural products, industrial goods, and service products from Asia-Pacific economies continue to flow into the Chinese market in an endless stream, and enterprises from all parties are riding the fast train of China's domestic demand growth, converting resource advantages into export dividends.

The substance of opportunities lies in China's continuously optimized business environment. Opening up to the outside world requires perseverance and emphasizes practical implementation. In recent years, China has continuously built a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. The negative list for foreign investment access has been compressed for many consecutive years and has now been reduced to 29 items; restrictions on foreign investment access in the manufacturing sector have been completely "cleared to zero"; pilot programs for opening up the service industry continue to expand; entry thresholds are getting lower and lower, and policy transparency is getting higher and higher. Stable policy expectations, continuously relaxed market access, and constantly improved rule-of-law safeguards allow investors from all countries to settle in China with confidence and cultivate regional markets in depth.

The vitality of opportunities lies in the convenience and smoothness of "two-way efforts." China has implemented unilateral visa exemption for 50 countries and 240-hour transit visa exemption for 57 countries. "China Travel" and "China Shopping" remain extremely popular, and it has become more convenient for foreign friends to invest, work, and live in China. Foreign-funded enterprises take root and thrive, while local enterprises ride the wind and waves to go global. The vitality of "two-way efforts" surges and converges between China and Asia-Pacific partners. From an idea, a product, to a production line, more and more "Made in China" products, with innovation as the sail and openness as the oar, bring Chinese opportunities to the broader Asia-Pacific stage.

At the 22nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting held in Beijing in 2014, all parties decided to launch and advance the process of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, approved the "APEC Roadmap for Advancing the Realization of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific," and took a substantive step toward realizing the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of APEC leaders proposing the vision of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. China has made "openness" one of the three priority areas for advancing this year's agenda and actively expands the path for building the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, precisely so that the Asia-Pacific region can continue to serve as the locomotive for promoting economic globalization, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, and polish the golden signboard of an open Asia-Pacific and an inclusive Asia-Pacific.

When the heart has a direction, the road cannot be far. As President Xi Jinping pointed out: "As long as we practice the spirit of openness and connectivity, the Pacific Ocean can become a thoroughfare for promoting prosperity and growth."

Consolidating the Foundation of Asia-Pacific Development through Connectivity

In November 2014, by the shores of Yanqi Lake in Beijing, the 22nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting adopted the "APEC Connectivity Blueprint (2015-2025)." This milestone document planned a clear route for deepening regional connectivity cooperation.

"Asian countries are like bright lamps; only when they are connected in series and in parallel can the night sky of Asia be resplendent with lights (灯火辉煌, deng huo hui huang - "lamp, fire, brilliant, magnificent")." At the "Strengthening Connectivity Partnership" host partner dialogue, President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of achieving linked development among Asian countries in this way.

This year, China serves as the host of APEC for the third time. At China's initiative and with the support of all parties, the APEC Business Advisory Council re-established the Connectivity Working Group after an eight-year hiatus and issued the "Statement on Supporting Connectivity" at the second APEC Business Advisory Council meeting held in April. At the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting held in Suzhou in May, all parties reached consensus on completing the third-term final review of the "APEC Connectivity Framework Action Plan" as soon as possible and continuing to deepen connectivity cooperation.

Looking forward to the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting to be held in Shenzhen, China will join hands with all APEC economies, on the basis of completing the 10-year final review, to find more converging points of interest, promote the formulation of an upgraded connectivity blueprint, and contribute new Chinese solutions to regional connectivity.

Asia-Pacific connectivity is a prerequisite for realizing regional economic integration and concerns the long-term development of all parties. "We should accelerate the improvement of infrastructure construction and create an all-round connectivity pattern," and "connect the roads under our feet, the rules between us, and the hearts of our people so that all members on both sides of the Pacific Ocean are connected." With profound strategic vision, President Xi Jinping has charted the path for all-round connectivity in the Asia-Pacific, leading all parties to continuously deepen connectivity partnerships and continuously consolidate the foundation for open development in the Asia-Pacific region.

The road under our feet — the physical artery connecting mountains and seas —

In March, the second phase of the Ok Tedi Road project in Papua New Guinea, undertaken by a Chinese enterprise, was officially completed. The winding new asphalt road deep in the rainforest tightly connects villages once isolated from the outside world with towns and even the broader external world. "With the road open, bananas can finally be sold at a good price," local grower Thomas said, pointing at the road. "This is our 'lifeline.'"

The China-Laos Railway has been in operation for nearly five years, with over 25,000 international freight trains running, more than 20.77 million tons of import and export goods, and a cargo value exceeding 100.4 billion yuan, significantly improving regional supply chain efficiency; the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway trains speed across Java Island, ushering Indonesia into the era of high-speed rail... China insists on infrastructure first, laying the foundation for regional economic integration and building momentum for the long-term development of all parties.

The road of rules — the institutional channel breaking down barriers and obstacles —

In August, China's Shenzhen Customs and Chile's Valparaíso Customs signed a memorandum of cooperation between customs offices. In the first seven months, over 40 percent of Chilean cherries imported into China entered the Chinese market through the Shenzhen port. In the view of Miguel Canala-Echeverría, general manager of the Chilean Fruit Association, "this measure will benefit the enterprises and consumers of both countries and further promote trade exchanges."

Relying on the "one-port clearance" supervision model of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the time for cargo transshipment at ports has been shortened from the previous 5 to 7 days to the current 2 to 3 days; at the Youyi Pass port in Pingxiang, Guangxi, on the China-Vietnam border, inbound and outbound trucks can achieve "one-stop clearance in 15 seconds"; China has achieved mutual recognition of customs declaration data with 12 APEC economies, mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operators with 10, and "single window" cooperation with 8... China insists on rule alignment, making regional exchanges increasingly smooth and efficient.

The road of hearts — cultivating the foundation of cooperation based on mutual understanding and affinity —

In September, the Asia-Pacific Clean Energy Training Institute was established. As one of the five host self-contributions in the energy field during APEC's "China Year," China has committed to providing 1,000 clean energy training slots for APEC economies over the next 10 years, building a normalized capacity-building platform integrating talent cultivation, policy exchange, and technology sharing. Deepen mutual trust through joint learning, build capacity through exchange and mutual learning, and empower the Asia-Pacific energy transition and coordinated development.

Holding the Asia-Pacific Media High-Level Forum to pass on civilization, spread culture, and convey friendship through media exchanges, and create a favorable public opinion environment for Asia-Pacific open development; the scope of mutual visa exemption in the Asia-Pacific region continues to expand, the level of convenience for cross-border tourism steadily improves, and the scale of tourist exchanges within the region continues to reach new heights... Promoting people-to-people bonds and tightening emotional ties, the road of Asia-Pacific open cooperation is getting wider and wider.

Activating the Long-Term Development Potential of the Asia-Pacific through Innovation Cooperation

In the semi-automated workshop of Malaysia's largest natural rubber processing enterprise, a "smart manufacturing" transformation is quietly taking place.

In the past, some parts of rubber processing relied heavily on intensive manual labor; today, small-model artificial intelligence algorithms and high-precision servo drive control systems developed by Chinese enterprises have made rubber processing intelligent. Since the first intelligently transformed production line was officially put into operation, labor costs have been reduced by 20 to 30 percent, and production capacity and product quality have achieved a qualitative leap.

The intelligent transformation of a rubber processing line reflects the new opportunities that an innovative China brings to the Asia-Pacific.

The new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is developing in depth, opening up new prospects for human society. From 2014 to 2026, the internet penetration rate of APEC economies rose from 52 percent to nearly 90 percent, and consumer demand for innovative industries within the region is strong. Promoting digital, intelligent, and green transformation through innovation is the necessary path for the Asia-Pacific family to develop together and will continuously open up new growth space for the Asia-Pacific economy.

To jointly build an inclusive and beneficial open Asia-Pacific economy, we must follow the trend of the times and strengthen innovation cooperation. "We should fully leverage the driving and empowering role of new technologies, seize the opportunities of digitalization, intelligence, and green development, and accelerate the cultivation and development of new quality productive forces." President Xi Jinping has pointed out the direction for innovative development of the Asia-Pacific economy and provided action guidance for the region to jointly cultivate new drivers of growth and shape new advantages.

"Only reformers advance, only innovators grow strong, and only those who reform and innovate prevail." China adheres to the innovation-driven development strategy, actively develops future industries, strengthens emerging industries, and upgrades traditional industries, while also adhering to open cooperation in science and technology. The innovative momentum originating from China is continuously transformed into strong driving force for Asia-Pacific economic development.

Looking at China, the momentum of scientific and technological innovation and industrial upgrading is stronger. Seizing the historic opportunity of the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, China has risen to become one of the fastest-improving economies in global innovation capability, with its ranking in the Global Innovation Index rising from 34th in 2012 to 10th in 2026. In 2025, China's total research and experimental development expenditure reached 3,926.2 billion yuan, accounting for 2.80 percent of GDP, exceeding the average level of OECD countries.

Artificial intelligence, quantum technology, humanoid robots, new energy vehicles, biomedicine... China is becoming the "promotion ground" and "application ground" for new global technologies. More and more Asia-Pacific and global multinational enterprises are making China their global R&D center, leveraging China's advantages in the rapid application and iteration of new technologies in its large market to serve their global layout.

"China's new quality productive forces can enhance global productivity, create new growth poles, and accelerate technological progress," said Asongsi Panisan, associate professor at the Faculty of Economics of Thammasat University in Thailand. China's advanced manufacturing capabilities are strengthening global supply chains and creating opportunities for international cooperation.

Looking at the Asia-Pacific and the world, "Created in China" brings stronger momentum to regional and world economic development. According to statistics from the General Administration of Customs of China, in the first three quarters of this year, China's import and export of high-tech products with other APEC economies reached 6.66 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 50.3 percent, contributing nearly half of the trade growth between China and other APEC economies. In the first three quarters, China's imports of electronic components from other APEC economies increased by 56 percent, and exports of the "new three items" increased by 37.1 percent.

Chinese technology and Chinese solutions are continuously being transformed into actions and results, helping the region achieve common prosperity. The Asia-Pacific Model E-Port Network and the Green Supply Chain Network, first proposed by China within APEC, have become important platforms for regional trade digitalization and green cooperation; the global cumulative downloads of China's open-source large language models for artificial intelligence have exceeded 10 billion; major scientific facilities such as controllable nuclear fusion and quantum technology are open to the world...

Artificial intelligence is of great significance to future development. China encourages open source, openness, cooperation, and sharing so that it can benefit the people of all countries and regions. President Xi Jinping pointed out that China is willing to work with all APEC members to jointly enhance the public's AI literacy and bridge the digital and intelligent divide in the Asia-Pacific region.

In the next five years, promote the application of the "Mazu" intelligent meteorological early warning solution in 30 countries, provide 5,000 special training slots for AI topics for developing countries; hold the APEC Digital and AI Ministers' Meeting, the AI High-Level Forum, and the High-Level Roundtable on Data for Growth, building new platforms for Asia-Pacific AI cooperation... With the well-being of all humanity in mind, China is committed to transforming the concepts of AI for good and inclusive sharing into tangible and accessible cooperation projects one by one.

Gather innovation factors through openness, expand innovation space through cooperation, and amplify innovation value through sharing. A China with accelerated innovation and higher development quality will surely create more increments and bring more opportunities for the Asia-Pacific and the world economy.

Standing bravely at the forefront of the tide, unafraid of wind and waves. China looks forward to working with all parties to promote regional integration through openness, promote common prosperity through connectivity, enhance development momentum through innovation, promote the building of a prosperous, stable, open, integrated, inclusive, beneficial, and united Asia-Pacific, continuously enhance the well-being of the people, jointly write the next chapter of the "Asia-Pacific Miracle," and keep advancing toward the goal of an Asia-Pacific community.

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Wang Yi Holds Talks with ROK Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Meets with U.S. Delegation to the 2026 China-U.S. Political Party Dialogue

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, November 13) (Reporters Dong Xue, Shao Yibo) On November 13, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, held talks with Cho Tae-yul, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, in Beijing.

Wang Yi stated that since the end of last year, President Xi Jinping and President Lee Jae-myung have successfully exchanged visits, steering China-ROK relations back onto the correct track of improvement and development. This year, bilateral trade has reached a new record high, and people-to-people exchanges are expected to reach 10 million visits. China is willing to work with the ROK to expand cooperation in emerging fields on the basis of traditional cooperation, cultivate new engines of economic growth, and continuously expand common interests.

Cho Tae-yul stated that the ROK government's stance of respecting the One-China policy will not change. The ROK side wishes the APEC "China Year" every success and is willing to work with China to advance bilateral cooperation and deliver outcomes that benefit the peoples of both countries.

On the same day, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, met in Beijing with the U.S. delegation attending the 2026 China-U.S. Political Party Dialogue.

Wang Yi stated that the two major countries, China and the United States, should, through uninterrupted dialogue and exchanges, clarify the goals of joint efforts, expand the areas of mutually beneficial cooperation, consolidate the foundation of bilateral relations, and commit to safeguarding world peace and stability. The two sides should uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, and translate the consensus between President Xi Jinping and President Trump into concrete action.

The U.S. delegation stated that they appreciate the "50,000 in five years" initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping and are willing to make efforts to promote the sound and stable development of U.S.-China relations.

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Fifth China-Arab States Political Parties Dialogue Held

(People's Daily, Suzhou, November 13) (Reporter Wang Weijian) On November 13, the Fifth China-Arab States Political Parties Dialogue, co-hosted by the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee, was held in Suzhou under the theme "Building a China-Arab Community with a Shared Future amid Great Changes Unseen in a Century: The Responsibility and Mission of Political Parties." More than 100 leaders of political parties and political organizations, government officials, parliamentarians, ambassadors to China, business representatives, and think tank and media representatives from 22 Arab countries attended the event.

Liu Haixing, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, stated that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Arab countries, and also the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Arab political parties dialogue mechanism. Facing the accelerated evolution of great changes unseen in a century (百年变局, bai nian bian ju - "hundred, years, change, situation") and the profound adjustment of the Middle East landscape, the Communist Party of China is willing to shoulder historical responsibility together with political parties of Arab countries and contribute to building a China-Arab community with a shared future for the new era.

The Arab side congratulated the successful convening of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC, expressed support for the series of major initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, and expressed willingness to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Communist Party of China to open up broader prospects for Arab-China relations.

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China-Pakistan Porcelain Artifacts and Contemporary Art Exhibition Opens in Pakistan

(People's Daily, Islamabad, November 13) (Reporter Zhao Yipu) The China-Pakistan Porcelain Artifacts and Contemporary Art Exhibition opened on the 12th in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, bringing together ancient Chinese porcelain as well as contemporary tableware that combines traditional Chinese aesthetic with modern design, showcasing the unique charm of Chinese ceramic culture.

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, the exhibition is co-hosted by the Islamabad Museum under Pakistan's National Heritage and Culture Division, the Department of Archaeology and Museums, and the China Cultural Center in Pakistan.

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Li Qiang arrives in Bangkok for official visit to Thailand

(People's Daily, Bangkok, November 13) (Reporter Gong Han) On the morning of November 13, at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council departed Beijing by special plane for an official visit to Thailand.

On the afternoon of November 13 local time, Li Qiang arrived at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok by special plane. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and others were at the airport to welcome Premier Li Qiang's visit. Zhang Jianwei, Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, was also at the airport to greet him.

Li Qiang stated that China and Thailand are geographically close, culturally connected, and share a friendship with a long and profound history (源远流长, yuan yuan liu chang - "source, far, flow, long"). Last year, China and Thailand jointly celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the "Golden 50 Years of China-Thailand Friendship," King Maha Vajiralongkorn made a state visit to China, and President Xi Jinping held a meeting with King Maha Vajiralongkorn, elevating bilateral relations to a new historical starting point. I look forward to having in-depth exchanges of views with Thai leaders during this visit on deepening China-Thailand comprehensive strategic cooperation, and to continuously advancing and substantiating the building of the China-Thailand community with a shared future.

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Fully Leverage the Comprehensive Benefits of High-Standard Farmland to Provide Solid Support for Securing the Food Security Bottom Line and Building a Strong Agricultural Country

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, November 13) On November 13, the State Council convened a national video conference on winter-spring farmland water conservancy and high-standard farmland construction. Li Qiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, recently made an important instruction on advancing farmland water conservancy and high-standard farmland construction. The instruction noted: farmland water conservancy and high-standard farmland construction are important levers for consolidating the foundation of national food security. In recent years, various regions and relevant departments have continuously strengthened farmland construction, playing a key role in consolidating and enhancing comprehensive grain production capacity and strengthening agriculture's capacity for disaster prevention and mitigation. It is necessary to adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implement the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee, uphold quality as the priority, solidly advance the construction of high-standard farmland and the modernization and renovation of large and medium-sized irrigation districts, do a good job of dredging farmland ditches and canals, promote agricultural water conservation and efficiency enhancement, and further consolidate the foundation for agricultural disaster prevention and mitigation. It is necessary to do a good job of rectifying prominent problems in high-standard farmland construction, strictly supervise funds and manage projects, improve the project quality supervision and inspection system, strengthen facility operation and maintenance, fully leverage comprehensive benefits, and provide solid support for holding the bottom line of food security and accelerating the building of a strong agricultural country.

Liu Guozhong, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. He emphasized that it is necessary to adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Party and the plenary sessions of the 20th Central Committee, earnestly study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions and directives, implement Premier Li Qiang's requirements in his instructions, advance farmland water conservancy and high-standard farmland construction with high quality, further enhance agriculture's capacity for disaster prevention and mitigation, and consolidate the foundation of national food security.

Liu Guozhong emphasized that it is necessary to uphold quality as the priority in advancing high-standard farmland construction, determine construction tasks seeking truth from facts (实事求是), refine construction priorities and standards by region and category, strengthen full-lifecycle quality management, be rigorous and tackle problems head-on (较真碰硬, jiao zhen peng ying - "be serious, bump, hard") in strengthening fund supervision, and continuously advance the rectification and remediation of prominent problems. It is necessary to coordinate and advance all work on improving cultivated land quality, and accelerate the formation and application of the results of the third national soil census. It is necessary to strengthen farmland water conservancy construction, carry out in-depth work on connecting and remediating farmland ditches and canals, intensify the construction and renovation of irrigation districts, advance agricultural water conservation and efficiency enhancement, and strengthen comprehensive soil and water loss control. It is necessary to continuously enhance the capacity for rural water supply security, comprehensively advance the renovation and upgrading of old reservoirs, and improve the quality of water conservancy project construction. It is necessary to layer-by-layer consolidate responsibilities, strengthen fund guarantees, strengthen overall coordination, and ensure the implementation of tasks.

Liu Guozhong emphasized that the end of the year (年终岁尾, nian zhong sui wei - "year, end, age, tail") brings heavy tasks and many threads, so it is necessary to coordinate and do a good job of all work related to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers (三农) for this winter and next spring, continuously do a good job of autumn-winter planting and winter-spring agricultural production, carefully organize the purchase of autumn grain, do a good job of agricultural disaster prevention and mitigation, strengthen the guarantee of stable supply and prices of agricultural materials, advance the construction of livable, workable, and beautiful villages in light of local conditions (因地制宜), and effectively safeguard basic rural livelihoods.

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One specialist contact, all services matched (New Dimensions of the Economy · From "0" to "1," Extending the "1")

By: 本报记者 窦瀚洋

When the reporter met Gu Jinfang, she was busy on the phone helping an enterprise connect with a patent application. No sooner had she hung up than a WeChat notification sounded again. "I am currently serving more than 10 enterprises at the same time," she told the reporter.

As a lawyer at Zhejiang Zeda (Pinghu) Law Firm, Gu Jinfang has another identity — intellectual property service specialist. This team of service specialists, led by the Zhejiang Provincial Market Supervision Administration and jointly established with the Zhejiang Intellectual Property Protection Center, draws its members from public intellectual property service institutions, universities, research institutions, social organizations, and other bodies, providing all-round intellectual property services. From January to September this year, the team cumulatively resolved more than 10,000 intellectual property problems and needs for enterprises.

Precisely matching supply and demand, deepening local services

In August last year, Gu Jinfang received her letter of appointment at a ceremony for intellectual property service specialists held in Pinghu City, Jiaxing, Zhejiang.

Compared with service specialists who already work in intellectual property themselves, Gu Jinfang, as a lawyer, is somewhat unusual. When she was recommended, Xu Linlin, head of the Intellectual Property Development Division of the Pinghu Municipal Market Supervision Administration, had given the matter full consideration: "Gu Jinfang has both experience in corporate intellectual property legal affairs and nearly 15 years of experience as a lawyer. Her professional competence is solid and her sense of responsibility is strong — she is a very good complement to the team of service specialists."

What services can the service specialists provide?

Shortly after being appointed, Gu Jinfang visited all of the more than 10 enterprises she was responsible for liaising with. She identified two pain points: "When it comes to intellectual property, enterprises often either lack the resources or lack awareness of protection."

First, resources. Jin Xingguo, general manager of Aihua (Zhejiang) New Materials Co., Ltd., told Gu Jinfang: "The enterprise wants to advance product innovation, but is hampered by insufficiently strong technology." During her stint at the intellectual property guidance station, Gu Jinfang happened to have liaised with the Pinghu New Materials Research Institute of Zhejiang University of Technology, so she tried to act as a bridge. The two sides reached an immediate agreement (一拍即合, yi pai ji he - "one clap, then immediately join"), and the water-based damping material developed through their cooperation went into mass production this year.

Then, awareness. "We need to move the threshold forward, take precautions in advance (未雨绸缪, wei yu chou mou - "not rain, then prepare"), and proactively arrange intellectual property applications," Gu Jinfang suggested in the meeting room of Zhejiang Jiajia Children's Vehicle Co., Ltd.

This children's vehicle enterprise had suffered in the past from patent infringement, and litigation was time-consuming, costly, and exhausting. Wang Sijiang, manager of the company's engineering department, said: "At bottom, it was because we did not attach enough importance to intellectual property and did not understand it either." Under Gu Jinfang's guidance, the enterprise applied for design patents for the children's vehicles it had independently designed over the past two years.

In more than a year since her appointment, Gu Jinfang has summed up her service experience — adopting different measures for different situations (分类施策, fen lei shi ce - "classify, then implement policies") and running two systems or processes simultaneously (双轨并行, shuang gui bing xing - "two tracks, parallel running"), applying different service models to the two characteristic industries of Pinghu's advanced equipment manufacturing and traditional fashion. "For example, equipment manufacturing enterprises such as auto parts makers generally face problems such as long patent examination cycles and unclear layout directions, so we need to help them precisely identify high-value patent points that can be laid out and open up the fast pre-examination channel; for the fashion industry, we need to focus on the intellectual property protection function, establish a rapid response mechanism for infringement disputes, and effectively safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises' original designs," Gu Jinfang said.

Solving development difficulties, boosting all-round development

From patent applications to patent infringement, in Zhejiang, when enterprises encounter intellectual property-related problems, they can ask the service specialists to "lend a hand."

Specialist Xiao Qiaoqiao last year received a request for help from a technology company — the enterprise was at a critical stage of its listing, and a key patent was suspected of being infringed. How could the listing process be safeguarded while rights were effectively defended?

As deputy director of the Service Development Department of the Zhejiang Intellectual Property Protection Center, Xiao Qiaoqiao also serves as a part-time technical investigator for the Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court and has considerable experience in patent infringement disputes. After grasping the enterprise's situation, she promptly formed a service team.

"I was responsible for the technical investigation of the patent infringement dispute, and the other three members had backgrounds in corporate intellectual property management and substantive patent examination; everyone had more than 10 years of professional experience," Xiao Qiaoqiao said. From the first on-site communication to the basic determination of a solution, the problem was resolved within a month.

"The professionalism and attentiveness of the service team put us at ease!" said the relevant person in charge of the technology company. With the help of the service team, they completed a relevance screening of 11 suspected infringing patents, the company was listed smoothly, and its key technologies were also protected.

Thanks to the service mechanism, the pace of innovation at Zhejiang Zhongling Technology Co., Ltd. has become more solid. When mentioning specialist Cai Suibin, the company's relevant person in charge, Zhao Mingxuan, repeatedly gave the thumbs up.

"We achieved a breakthrough in the research and development of a new generation of high-definition flexible display technology, but our applications for invention patent authorization protection were always rejected," Zhao Mingxuan said. For example, we were at a loss when it came to selecting the classification for the application. "We simply could not tell whether it belonged to semiconductor materials or high-end subdivided materials, let alone problems such as non-standard and unprofessional filling — we could hardly find someone to teach us step-by-step (手把手, shou ba shou - "hand, grasp, hand")."

After learning of the situation, Cai Suibin, a staff member of the Zhejiang Intellectual Property Protection Center, took on the task and became the person Zhao Mingxuan described as "teaching step-by-step." Cai Suibin quickly formed a service team, conducted multiple on-site inspections, invited relevant experts for research and discussion, assisted the enterprise in restructuring its patent layout strategy, dug deeper into technological innovation points, and optimized the application documents... In eight months, the team helped the enterprise submit 24 batch pre-examinations to the relevant authorities, of which 23 were authorized.

"This is of great significance to us. On this basis, the company has embarked on the road of overseas patent applications and further opened up the international market," Zhao Mingxuan said.

Improving long-term mechanisms, building a solid foundation for services

As a free public service provided by the local government, since its launch in July last year, this team of intellectual property service specialists has gradually grown to 453 people, paired with 2,014 innovation entities, of which 104 have been included in the action to safeguard strategic science and technology forces.

The service mechanism fully takes into account the demand characteristics of relevant enterprises in the province, and, according to the different service targets, adopts different specialist matching methods such as "one-to-many" and "many-to-one," ensuring both service quality and sustainability.

"The main purpose of establishing this mechanism is to promote the matching of supply and demand and provide precise services," said Xu Xili, director of the Intellectual Property Development Division of the Zhejiang Provincial Market Supervision Administration, citing an example: "At the beginning of last year, during a survey at a high-end equipment manufacturing enterprise in Ningbo, the other side raised 27 intellectual property questions in one go. After analyzing them one by one afterwards, the vast majority of the problems could be solved by relying on existing public services — it was just that supply and demand were not fully matched."

On this basis, the intellectual property service specialist mechanism emerged in response to circumstances (应运而生, ying yun er sheng - "follow luck, then arise"). "Our most simple idea is to keep enterprises from worrying about 'whom to ask and how to do it.' An enterprise only needs to liaise with one specialist to be matched with the intellectual property public services it needs," Xu Xili said.

On the other hand, service resources that were originally scattered across various places and fields have also been united to form a cohesive whole (拧成一股绳, ning cheng yi gu sheng - "twist, become, one strand, rope"), providing enterprises with a clear entry point, simple procedures, and reliable helpers, and the intellectual property service specialists have become the tentacles of the government's extended services.

How is the team of service specialists built? Xu Xili said that at present, selection is mainly conducted among in-service staff of relevant public institutions, universities, associations, and other bodies in the intellectual property field in Zhejiang Province, requiring graduation in a relevant discipline or more than two years of intellectual property work experience. Qualified personnel will be uniformly issued letters of appointment after training, and regular professional training will also be carried out during the service process.

Gu Jinfang learned a lot of practical know-how from the training. "What impressed me most was the professional training on foreign-related intellectual property," she said. She learned a series of knowledge about foreign trademark applications, and later, when helping enterprises, she was able to avoid unnecessary detours or mistakes (少走弯路, shao zou wan lu - "less, walk, curved, road").

It is understood that although the specialists do not receive remuneration, relevant incentive measures have been integrated into the personnel management system and incorporated into the assessment and evaluation system of the dispatching units. In addition, commendations for outstanding cases and specialists are carried out regularly.

"This team is dynamically adjusted," Xu Xili told the reporter. Taking two years as the evaluation cycle, specialists are evaluated based on enterprise satisfaction, the daily work of the specialists, service effectiveness, and other factors, and those who perform outstandingly and are willing will continue to be employed.

In Xu Xili's view, the focus of the next step is to strengthen dynamic management and improve the evaluation mechanism. "We hope that by continuously improving the mechanism, the specialists will have a greater sense of achievement and fulfillment, and enterprises will also be able to benefit tangibly," Xu Xili said.

Overall coordination for this issue: Qi Jiarun

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Substantially Improve the Quality and Efficiency of Public Services for Intellectual Property (Further Reading)

By: 朱一飞

Intellectual property work involves a long chain, broad scope, strong professionalism, and high costs of management and rights protection. Many innovation entities face difficulties such as "having policies but not knowing how to use them," "having needs but not knowing what to do," and "having problems but not knowing whom to turn to for solutions."

Professional talent plays a key role in the mechanism of intellectual property service specialists, connecting the innovation end, the industry end, and the service end, smoothing information flows, linking supply and demand, allocating resources, and providing comprehensive empowerment. This significantly improves the quality and efficiency of intellectual property policy implementation and public services, and represents an active exploration of deepening the integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation.

Addressing the information imbalance or lack of parity (不对称, bu dui cheng - "not, correct, symmetric") between government and enterprises. In response to problems such as innovation entities' shallow understanding of policies and poor channels for feeding back demands, specialists play a bridging and bonding role, achieving "two-way direct access" of information between government and enterprises.

Addressing the imbalance between cost and benefit in intellectual property management. In response to problems faced by some innovation entities such as high costs of intellectual property operation and maintenance and weak benefits from rights protection, specialists connect "external expertise" to provide high-quality, efficient, and professional services, fill the capability gaps of innovation entities, and reduce the risk of intellectual property infringement and the costs of management and rights protection.

Addressing the problem of disconnect between intellectual property service supply and the needs of innovation entities. In response to problems such as the homogenization and fragmentation of intellectual property services and imprecise matching between supply and demand, specialists proceed from the needs of innovation entities, implement measures according to needs, provide comprehensive empowerment, and deliver customized and precise intellectual property services.

(The author is the dean and professor of the School of Law (School of Intellectual Property) at China Jiliang University; compiled by People's Daily reporter Dou Hanyang)

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Responding to Market Demand with Technological Innovation (Micro Perspective on High-Quality Development)

By: 本报记者 吴 君

18.6%

In the first three quarters, China's optical fiber product output grew by 18.6% year on year, and profits in the optical fiber manufacturing industry increased 5.7-fold.

In Wuhan, Hubei Province, inside the production workshop of FiberHome Ruituo Technology Co., Ltd., an optical fiber drawing tower more than 30 meters tall was running steadily.

On the drawing tower, one end of a quartz optical preform rod about 4 meters long and as thick as a utility pole was slowly fed into a heating furnace. Melted at a high temperature of 2,000 degrees Celsius, the hard, transparent rod gradually softened and, under the traction of the equipment, was drawn longer and longer and thinner and thinner, ultimately turning into an optical fiber thinner than a human hair, rapidly wound into spools at the base of the tower.

"Such a preform rod can be drawn in one to two days, ultimately yielding more than 8,000 kilometers of optical fiber." Liu Zhijian, vice president of the cable and wire product line of FiberHome Telecommunication Technologies Co., Ltd., the parent company of FiberHome Ruituo, said that after processes including coating, curing, testing, and cabling, this batch of products will be used in computing power centers.

Since the beginning of this year, driven by the accelerated construction of computing power infrastructure, the optical fiber industry has shown sound momentum, and optical fiber enterprises have responded to market demand with technological innovation one after another.

"The cable routing channels inside computing power center cabinets are extremely dense (密密麻麻, mi mi ma ma - "dense, dense, dense, dense"), and optical fibers laid within them inevitably have to turn corners; every bend brings transmission loss." Liu Zhijian said that, to meet the needs of the computing power industry, the company specifically developed bend-insensitive optical fiber.

The new product is "flexible and good at bending," with a minimum bending radius of 7.5 millimeters; even when wound into a small ring, the additional loss does not exceed 0.5 decibels. "It is not afraid of complex routing and bending, making cabling more flexible and more stable," Liu Zhijian said.

"In the first half of this year, we also developed a large-specification optical fiber preform, 0.3 meters in diameter and 3.5 meters in effective length; a single one can continuously draw 20,000 kilometers of optical fiber, and the fiber drawn from two such preforms can circle the globe once." Liu Zhijian said that all indicators of the optical fiber drawn with this preform have reached world-leading levels.

With continuous technological breakthroughs, supply capacity has also been continuously improved. "Several hundred pieces of production equipment operate around the clock, producing 200,000 kilometers of optical fiber in a single day." Liu Zhijian said that the company planned its preform production capacity in advance, and its overall annual optical fiber production capacity will rapidly rise to more than 120 million core-kilometers; it has also established overseas optical fiber and cable industry bases in South America, Southeast Asia, Europe, and elsewhere, accelerating its global layout.

Looking across Wuhan, from a single preform rod, to a single optical fiber, to individual optical devices, the "light" story is being refined ever more finely. According to statistics, about 25% of the world's optical fiber and cable is produced in Wuhan's Optics Valley, which has now gathered 16,000 optoelectronic information enterprises, forming a complete chain from preforms, optical fiber, and optical devices to optical chips, optical modules, and optical networks. On the track of silicon photonics and optoelectronic integration, Optics Valley is accelerating its layout in frontier directions such as silicon photonic chips, high-speed optical modules, optical switching, and optical computing, turning "light" from a transmission medium into a computing power carrier.

Zhang Minming, a professor at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, noted that in recent years, Wuhan has also vigorously promoted "chip-optics linkage," relying on its deep accumulation in the optoelectronic information industry to provide key lithography and optical transmission supporting infrastructure for chip manufacturing, promoting mutual empowerment and coordinated development between the optics and chip industries; and in the optical chip segment itself, silicon photonic integration, co-packaged optics, and optical interconnect technologies that "replace electricity with light" are becoming key paths to breaking through computing power bottlenecks.

Amid the wave of artificial intelligence computing power demand, Wuhan's Optics Valley, starting from a single optical fiber, is continuously improving the entire industry chain from core materials and optical chips to terminal applications, constantly consolidating the foundation of computing power infrastructure, and streaming continuously without end (源源不断, yuan yuan bu duan - "source, source, not, continuous") injecting "light" momentum into the rapid development of the digital economy and the artificial intelligence industry.

In the first half of this year, Wuhan's optoelectronic information imports and exports exceeded 140 billion yuan, up 65%; optical communications and storage devices rose in both volume and price; the value added of the electronic equipment manufacturing industry grew 90.8%, contributing 100.4% to the growth of industries above designated size.

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Forging Hard-Core Strength in the Optical Fiber Industry (Expert Commentary)

By: 刘德明

Since the beginning of this year, China's optical fiber enterprises have delivered outstanding business results. As a researcher in the optical fiber field, I know well that this achievement is the ripe fruit of decades of accumulation, and it cannot be separated from multiple supports such as independent innovation and cluster-based collaboration.

The industry's front line has been persevering continuously (持之以恒, chi zhi yi heng - "hold, continue, with, persistent") in tackling key problems. The vast number of optical fiber enterprises have been tackling tough problems head-on (敢啃硬骨头, gan ken ying gu tou - "dare, gnaw, hard, bone"), overcoming a series of key difficulties such as optical fiber preforms and high-end drawing processes, and breaking the long-standing overseas monopoly. Ultra-low-loss optical fiber has been deployed on a large scale in long-haul backbone communications, and hollow-core optical fiber has made important progress in the direction of low-latency computing power interconnection.

The industrial ecosystem provides fertile soil for innovation. Wuhan Optics Valley possesses a complete optoelectronic supporting industry chain, with deep industry-university-research integration; universities and leading enterprises cooperate closely to cultivate optoelectronic professionals. Supporting policies help advance all-optical network construction, and various science and technology innovation funds are invested in frontier research and development, laying a solid foundation for product iteration and large-scale production.

Fine fiber carries light; solid work drives breakthroughs. We must continue to uphold independent innovation, keep improving the industrial chain, and constantly forge the hard-core strength of China's optical fiber industry.

(The author is a professor at Huazhong University of Science and Technology and executive director of the Chinese Society for Optical Engineering; compiled by People's Daily reporter Wu Jun through an interview)

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23rd China International Agricultural Trade Fair Opens in Hangzhou

(People's Daily, Hangzhou, November 13) (Reporter Dou Hanyang) The 23rd China International Agricultural Trade Fair opened on November 13 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. With the theme of "Building Agriculture into a Modern Major Industry," this year's fair features an exhibition area exceeding 120,000 square meters, attracting nearly 5,000 enterprises showcasing more than 75,000 products. The number of domestic exhibitors increased by 26.1 percent over the previous session, and more than 60,000 buyers and professional visitors are expected to attend for business negotiations.

At the fair, 31 provinces and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps organized group exhibitions, with a total of 12 exhibition zones. The "Artificial Intelligence + Agriculture" zone focuses on showcasing smart agricultural technology and equipment, integrated models, as well as cutting-edge achievements such as agricultural large models and intelligent agents. The new product creativity and snack food zone delves into the cultural connotations and social attributes of agricultural products, stimulating new consumption vitality. The rural assistance industry premium products zone highlights the development achievements of the entire industrial chain of leading assistance industries in less-developed regions.

Held concurrently at the same venue, the Cross-Strait Modern Agriculture Expo and the Cross-Strait Flower Expo brought together more than 350 enterprises from both sides of the Taiwan Strait showcasing over a thousand products. At the Zhejiang Agricultural Expo, more than 15,000 specialty and high-quality products were unveiled, with over 3.5 million yuan in consumption vouchers distributed both online and offline.

This year's fair invited Mexico as the guest country of honor, with more than 70 enterprises from over 20 countries and regions participating. The international zone newly established the China-APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Agricultural Cooperation Pavilion, focusing on food security and sustainable agricultural development under the APEC framework, displaying high-quality agricultural products from multiple countries.

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Li Qiang Holds Talks with Thai Prime Minister Anutin

(People's Daily, Bangkok, November 13) (Reporter Gong Han) On the afternoon of November 13, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council held talks with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in Bangkok.

Li Qiang stated that in July this year, Prime Minister Anutin paid an official visit to China, during which President Xi Jinping met with him and jointly charted the course of China-Thailand relations. During my visit to Thailand, the two premiers have exchanged visits within four months, fully demonstrating the high level of bilateral relations. At present, both China and Thailand are at an important stage of national construction and development. China firmly supports the smooth governance of the Thai government and is willing to work with Thailand to further consolidate the foundation of political mutual trust, support each other's core interests and major concerns, make good use of mechanisms such as the foreign and defense ministers' "2+2" strategic dialogue and the Joint Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation, tap the potential for cooperation in various fields, achieve more tangible results, and better benefit the peoples of both countries.

Li Qiang pointed out that China is willing to strengthen development strategy alignment with Thailand, promote high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, implement major projects such as the China-Thailand Railway, step up consultations on the new five-year plan for economic and trade cooperation, promote the early mutual recognition and protection of geographical indication products, and expand cooperation in finance, new energy, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and other fields, so as to achieve a higher level of mutually beneficial outcomes (互利共赢, hu li gong ying - "mutual benefit, win together"). China is willing to import more high-quality products from Thailand and encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Thailand, hoping that Thailand will provide a fair, stable, and predictable environment for enterprises. The two sides should also strengthen exchanges and cooperation in disaster prevention and reduction, water resources management, education, tourism, and media, intensify efforts to combat illegal and criminal activities, and enhance the people's sense of gain from China-Thailand cooperation. As there are still many unstable and uncertain factors in the current international situation, China is willing to work closely with Thailand under multilateral mechanisms such as China-ASEAN, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and contribute to global peace and development.

Anutin stated that Thailand attaches great importance to relations with China, is committed to advancing all-round cooperation between the two countries, and will continuously elevate the Thailand-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to new levels, bringing more well-being to the peoples of both countries. Thailand is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, give play to the role of mechanisms such as the foreign and defense ministers' "2+2" strategic dialogue, expand the scale of bilateral trade, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in agriculture, finance, connectivity, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, science and technology, and other fields. Thailand is willing to continue providing a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises to invest in Thailand, strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation between the two sides, combat criminal activities such as online gambling and telecom fraud, ensure the safety of Chinese tourists, deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation, and consolidate the public foundation of friendship. Thailand supports China in successfully hosting the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, and is willing to work with China to successfully hold the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders' Meeting, jointly making new contributions to regional stability, development, and prosperity.

After the talks, the two sides jointly witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents in fields such as the automobile industry, vocational education, agriculture, customs, and security.

Before the talks, Anutin held a welcome ceremony for Li Qiang at the Government House.

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Han Zheng Attends and Addresses Opening Ceremony of 2026 World Chinese Language Conference

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, November 13) On November 13, Vice President Han Zheng attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Chinese Language Conference in Beijing.

Han Zheng noted that President Xi Jinping attaches great importance to international Chinese language education, having repeatedly written back to overseas Chinese language learners, encouraging them to serve as envoys promoting friendship between China and foreign countries and to contribute to enhancing mutual understanding, mutual trust, and people-to-people connectivity between China and other nations. As the native language country of Chinese, China has always upheld the concepts of openness and inclusiveness, learning from each other and drawing on each other's experience (互学互鉴, hu xue hu jian - "mutually learn, mutually refer to"), and win-win cooperation, actively advancing cooperation in international Chinese language education.

Han Zheng put forward four suggestions. First, strengthen capacity building for international Chinese language education. In recent years, the global enthusiasm for learning Chinese has continued to rise, with overseas Chinese language learners and users reaching 210 million people. Last year, the number of foreigners entering and exiting China exceeded 82 million person-times, a year-on-year increase of 26.4 percent, and in the first half of this year it increased by another 20.6 percent year-on-year. It is necessary to respond to the eager needs of people of all countries to learn Chinese and understand China, support and serve the international community in carrying out Chinese language education well, create a more open and inclusive environment for learning Chinese, continuously expand the coverage of Chinese language education, and provide systematic services for learners at different stages.

Second, deepen the humanistic foundation for people-to-people connectivity between China and foreign countries. Support countries in developing localized Chinese language education according to their own actual conditions, intensify efforts to jointly train international Chinese language teachers, actively promote mutual learning and exchange visits between teachers and students, and joint construction and sharing of teaching resources, and continuously raise the level of overseas Chinese language teaching. With the Chinese language as a bond, let global learners understand China and feel China through language practice, enhance understanding and mutual trust through people-to-people and cultural exchanges, promote mutual acquaintance and understanding among peoples, and consolidate the people-to-people foundation for peace and friendship between countries.

Third, promote mutual learning among civilizations and common development. The Chinese language carries the millennia-old civilizational wisdom of the Chinese nation. With language communication as a bridge, it is necessary to tell China's story well, introduce a true, multi-dimensional, and comprehensive China to the world, and also learn from and draw on the outstanding civilizational achievements of other countries with an open attitude. Through equal dialogue and exchange, deepen research on mutual learning among civilizations, continuously promote the inheritance and innovation of civilizations, carry forward the common values of all humanity, and jointly paint a picture of the world's garden of civilizations being brilliant and colorful (姹紫嫣红, cha zi yan hong - "various purples, bright red") and full of vitality (生机盎然, sheng ji ang ran - "life, overflowing").

Fourth, promote the Chinese language to better empower international cooperation. China is willing to work with the international community to uphold inclusive and mutually beneficial principles, promote the deep integration of Chinese language learning with cooperation in economy, trade, education, science and technology, and help all parties share in China's development opportunities. Give play to the role of Chinese as an official language of the United Nations, strengthen the exchange and sharing of development and governance experience, let the ideas and wisdom embodied in the Chinese language and Chinese civilization be promoted and expanded to a higher level (发扬光大, fa yang guang da - "develop, expand, make great"), and inject more stability and positive energy into a world interwoven with change and turbulence.

Han Zheng stated that the 2026 World Chinese Language Conference, themed "Chinese: More Than a Language," has important practical significance. He hoped that the guests present would make good use of the World Chinese Language Conference, an important platform for promoting international language exchange and cooperation, to offer offering suggestions and advice (献计献策, xian ji xian ce - "offer ideas, offer strategies") for the high-quality development of international Chinese language education, and work together to create a better future for humanity.

Approximately 2,000 people, including government officials from China and foreign countries, experts and scholars, heads of universities, and representatives of international organizations, attended the opening ceremony.

Before the opening ceremony, Han Zheng visited the themed exhibition of the World Chinese Language Conference.

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Central Publicity Team for Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee Delivers Presentations in Shanxi and Xinjiang

(People's Daily, Taiyuan, November 13) (Reporter Zheng Yangyang) The Central Publicity Team for Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China delivered a presentation in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, on November 13. Deng Maosheng, a member of the Central Publicity Team and Deputy Director of the Central Policy Research Office, delivered the presentation report.

At the report meeting, Deng Maosheng gave a comprehensive presentation and in-depth explanation of the spirit of the plenary session, focusing on deeply studying and understanding the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech at the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, and fully and accurately understanding the overall requirements, strategic tasks, and major measures for continuing with perseverance (持之以恒, chi zhi yi heng - "hold on, continue, with persistence") the full and rigorous self-governance of the Party.

In his presentation, Deng Maosheng stated that the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee was a very important meeting held at a critical period for basically realizing socialist modernization. The successful convening of the plenary session fully demonstrated the firm confidence and enterprising posture of the Party and the people in further winning the historical initiative of strengthening the Party and strengthening the country, and will inevitably have a major and far-reaching impact on the history of the Party. It is necessary to closely combine studying and implementing the spirit of the plenary session with deeply studying, thoroughly understanding, and faithfully practicing Xi Jinping's thought on Party building, to implement it in light of actual conditions, to grasp implementation, to continue with perseverance in advancing the full and rigorous self-governance of the Party, and to continuously open up new prospects for governing and managing the Party, and for revitalizing and strengthening the Party.

After the meeting, Deng Maosheng also went to Dicun Community on Yingpan Street in Xiaodian District, Taiyuan, and to Taiyuan Heavy Industry Rail Transit Equipment Co., Ltd. to carry out presentations, engaging in interactive exchanges with grassroots Party members, cadres, and the masses around studying and implementing the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee.

(People's Daily, Urumqi, November 13) (Reporter Jiang Yunlong) A report meeting of the Central Publicity Team for Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee was held in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on November 13. Gao Xiang, a member of the Central Publicity Team and Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, delivered the presentation report.

At the report meeting, Gao Xiang, focusing on studying and implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech at the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee and the "Decision" of the plenary session, gave a systematic presentation and in-depth explanation from such aspects as profoundly grasping the great significance of the plenary session, studying and understanding the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech at the plenary session, and the overall requirements, strategic tasks, and major measures for continuing with perseverance in advancing the full and rigorous self-governance of the Party.

Gao Xiang stated that the great achievements of full and rigorous self-governance of the Party in the new era are fundamentally attributable to the leadership and helm of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and to the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping's thought on Party building. It is necessary to deeply understand the strategic considerations of the Party Central Committee in continuing with perseverance in advancing the full and rigorous self-governance of the Party, to consciously unify thoughts and actions with the decisions and arrangements made by the plenary session, and to ensure that the construction and development of Xinjiang always advance along the correct direction pointed out by General Secretary Xi Jinping.

After the report meeting, Gao Xiang came to the South Community on Yuejin Street in Tianshan District, Urumqi, and to Beixin Road and Bridge Group Co., Ltd. of the 11th Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps to carry out presentations, engaging in interactive exchanges with representatives of grassroots cadres and the masses.

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Circular Economy Principles Take Root in Production and Daily Life (In-Depth Reading)

By: 本报记者 王崟欣

In July this year, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, and other departments issued the "15th Five-Year Plan for the Prevention and Control of Solid Waste Pollution," proposing to build a batch of "Zero-Waste Cities" by 2030.

The "Zero-Waste City" urban development model does not mean producing no solid waste at all, but rather, by promoting the formation of green development methods and lifestyles, continuously advancing the reduction of solid waste at the source and the utilization of resources, minimizing the amount sent to landfill, and reducing the impact of solid waste on the environment to the lowest possible level.

In 2024, Shanghai introduced the country's first local regulation on "Zero-Waste City" construction — the "Shanghai Zero-Waste City Construction Regulations." Discarded industrial activated carbon is "reborn" through high-temperature treatment; biogas generated from the fermentation of pig manure supplies production and daily life; the community's "toy exchange house" enables the recycling of old toys; and the "zero-waste garden" adds greenery to the environment... From factories to farms, from enterprises to residents, a broadly participated "Zero-Waste City" construction effort is advancing in depth in Shanghai, providing a local model that can be observed and referenced.

Industrial production: turning waste into something valuable

Bags of discarded activated carbon are poured into an elevator, and after steps such as drying, carbonization, and activation, their function is restored and they can be put back into use. In the Shanghai Songjiang Economic and Technological Development Zone, the workshop of Shanghai Jicheng Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd. is staging the "rebirth story" of discarded activated carbon.

Activated carbon is used to adsorb toxic and hazardous substances in industrial production, and after being discarded, it must be handed over to certified entities for standardized disposal or resource regeneration. For enterprises, the disposal of discarded activated carbon is a costly and time-consuming matter. A relevant person in charge of Shanghai Ajinomoto Amino Acid Co., Ltd. introduced: "We produce 250 tons of discarded activated carbon per year, and previously the disposal cost alone was around one million yuan."

Against the backdrop of Shanghai's "Zero-Waste City" construction, this enterprise entered into cooperation with Shanghai Jicheng Company, which specializes in resource regeneration.

"For every 1 ton of discarded activated carbon recovered from a waste-producing enterprise, we can process it into 600 to 700 kilograms of regenerated carbon." Wang Hongli, deputy general manager of Shanghai Jicheng Company, introduced that this not only controls the enterprise's treatment costs, but also reduces the energy consumption of producing new activated carbon at the source, achieving carbon reduction and emission reduction. At present, the company's treatment capacity is 10,000 tons per year.

Next to this company's activated carbon production line, there are 8 other different "comprehensive utilization of hazardous waste" production lines: metal sludge can be blended and reduced to recover copper, nickel, and other metals; waste acid from the integrated circuit industry can be converted into a variety of chemical products...

The key to "zero waste" in industry lies in recycling and utilization. Focusing on key industries such as steel, electric power, and chemicals, Shanghai has implemented a "dual control" plan for the total amount of industrial solid waste generated and the intensity of generation per unit of product, and has built 196 national-level green factories and 8 national-level green parks. In 2025, the city's general industrial solid waste generation was 21.398 million tons, with a comprehensive utilization rate of 98.2%, maintaining a leading position nationwide.

Agricultural livestock farming: reducing emissions and increasing efficiency

Inside a 4-story-high pig house, about 40,000 pigs are eating in an orderly manner. In Langxia Town, Jinshan District, Shanghai, Fu Juanlin, general manager of Shanghai Songlin Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., walks at the front, leading guests on a tour of the company's large-scale ecological pig farm. "Everyone can experience it up close — you shouldn't see any manure, and you won't smell any odor either."

Here, a fully automatic system operates around the clock, collecting pig manure into sealed pipelines and channeling it into anaerobic fermentation tanks for treatment, with the products generated being available for secondary use. "Beautifying the environment, turning waste into something valuable (变废为宝, bian fei wei bao - "change, waste, become, treasure")." Fu Juanlin stated the advantage of this approach: "Raising pigs can also be clean and tidy."

Pig manure treatment was once a headache for Fu Juanlin: wanting to make secondary use of it, but it was troublesome to handle and never finished; hiring others to handle it was costly.

In 2023, Shanghai Shenji Energy and Environment Technology Co., Ltd., under Shenergy Group, widely searched for implementable environmental protection and energy projects, and just happened to encounter Songlin Company's need to treat pig manure — the two sides reached an agreement instantly (一拍即合, yi pai ji he - "one, clap, immediately, join").

Soon, a new model of resource recycling was established: pig manure undergoes anaerobic fermentation to produce biogas, which is then purified into biomethane, and after meeting standards, is connected to Shanghai's natural gas pipeline network for use in production and daily life; the biomethane can be further converted into green methanol for use as ship fuel; excess carbon dioxide and other substances generated during the process can also be converted through microalgae treatment into high-end protein, used as feed or feed additives.

"This kind of recycling allows enterprises to reduce costs and increase efficiency, and also helps the city reduce emissions and add greenery." Lu Qiang, deputy general manager of Shanghai Shenji Energy and Environment Technology Co., Ltd., said.

The relevant experience has also been replicated and promoted. At the Guangming Dairy Co., Ltd. Jinshan breeding dairy farm, also in Langxia Town, the original cost of manure disposal was over 10,000 yuan per year. Now, the farm's cow manure, along with the town's straw, fruit and vegetable waste, and other materials, are all collected and treated, producing 1.835 million cubic meters of biomethane annually, which is fed into the city's natural gas pipeline network; and producing 31,000 tons of biogas residue and 148,000 tons of biogas slurry annually, which can be returned to the fields for use, improving soil fertility.

At present, the supporting rate of manure treatment facilities at large-scale livestock and poultry farms in Shanghai has reached 100%, and the comprehensive utilization rate of crop straw has remained stable at around 98%. The "zero-waste" concept has brought profound changes to the agricultural sector.

Community life: advocating circulation and exchange

On Xinhua Road Subdistrict, Changning District, Shanghai, the sunlight is just right in the alleyways. Several residents are discussing sustainable community construction at the community building center. Not far away, in the "zero-waste garden," some residents are turning the soil and planting flowers, with herbs, lemons, kumquats, and others growing vigorously amid laughter.

The community is an important link in "Zero-Waste City" construction. How can residents' enthusiasm for participating in construction be mobilized? In 2021, Xinhua Road Subdistrict launched the "One Square Meter" initiative, providing financial support each year for a batch of actions conducive to community construction, encouraging residents to spontaneously form teams, co-build and co-govern, and make the community better.

In the year the initiative was launched, a group of parents discussed and came up with the idea of building a "toy exchange house," hoping to contribute to environmental protection and cultivate children's environmental awareness. Soon, the "toy exchange house" received support from the "One Square Meter" initiative and was established in a central location on the subdistrict. Idle toys from various families gathered in the house, participating in the exchange and circulation.

The "zero-waste garden" next to the toy exchange house is also a project supported by the "One Square Meter" initiative. The project concept was proposed by a sustainable designer in the subdistrict and received a strong response from residents. Everyone pooled together idle wooden boards, water pipes, flower boxes, and other items for planting flowers, while fallen leaves, kitchen waste, and other materials were used for composting.

Over the past 5 years, the subdistrict's community gardens have expanded to 4. "Building this garden has not only cultivated the hands-on ability and environmental awareness of adults and children, but also strengthened interaction and communication among community residents." He Jia, a resident of Xinhua Road Subdistrict, said, "The community has become more beautiful, and everyone enjoys it and feels connected at heart."

Based on its local characteristics, Shanghai is building "Zero-Waste Cities" across its entire territory, actively exploring new models and new paths in areas such as opening up the "last kilometer" of medical waste collection and transport and cultivating a "zero-waste culture"; advancing the upgrade of waste sorting to version 2.0 for improved quality and efficiency, building 15,000 "two-network integration" recycling service points and 198 transfer stations, with the recycling and utilization rate of household waste reaching 45.3%.

From sorted disposal and the "clean plate campaign," to the transformation of old items and neighborhood sharing, the small actions of citizens converge into a mighty force for the governance of a megacity, allowing the concepts of recycling and "zero waste" to take root deeply in production and daily life.

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Photo Report

Yangcheng persimmons, a specialty agricultural product of Yangcheng County, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province, have a long history of cultivation and have become an important industry for increasing income and becoming wealthy (增收致富, zeng shou zhi fu - "increase income, reach prosperity") for local residents. The photo shows villagers of Ligeta Village in Yangcheng County turning over persimmons to dry them in the sun, seizing the fine weather on November 11.

Photo by Zhang Yuzhe (Image China)

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Guangdong gathering held to mark 160th anniversary of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's birth

(People's Daily, Guangzhou, November 13) (Reporter Hong Qiuting) On the morning of November 13, a gathering of representatives from all walks of life in Guangdong Province to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Sun Yat-sen was held at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Guangzhou. Representatives from all walks of life deeply studied and implemented the spirit of the important speech delivered by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the gathering commemorating the 160th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, and deeply recalled Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the great national hero, the great patriot, and the great forerunner of China's democratic revolution.

At 10 a.m., the gathering began. All present stood and sang the national anthem. Chief leading comrades of the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Government, the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Congress, the Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and the Guangzhou Municipal Party Committee, as well as representatives of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's relatives, personages from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and overseas, and representatives from all sectors of society, including leading cadres of relevant provincial units and of the cities of Guangzhou and Zhongshan, and university faculty and students, attended the gathering.

After the gathering, personages from all walks of life in Guangdong Province held a paying-of-respects ceremony at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Guangzhou, standing solemnly before the bronze statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and bowing three times, then viewing the bronze statue and slowly walking around it once, deeply recalling the immortal contributions Dr. Sun Yat-sen made to national independence, social progress, and the happiness of the people.

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State Council appoints and removes state personnel

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, November 13) The State Council appoints and removes state personnel.

Bai Lianyang is appointed President of Northwest A&F University (at the vice-ministerial level).

Wu Pute is removed from the post of President of Northwest A&F University.

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3.47 Million Register for 2027 National Master's Degree Admission Examination

(People's Daily, Beijing, November 13) (Reporter Yan Yiqiao) The 2027 National Master's Degree Admission Examination will be held on December 19-20, 2026. According to statistics, the number of applicants for the 2027 National Master's Degree Admission Examination is 3.47 million.

Recently, the Ministry of Education, together with member units of the Inter-Ministerial Joint Conference on National Unified Examination Work, convened a video conference on the safety work of the 2027 National Master's Degree Admission Examination, comprehensively mobilizing and deploying examination safety work. The conference pointed out that all localities and relevant departments should accurately grasp the situation facing the safety work of the graduate entrance examination, strengthen political responsibility, consolidate political accountability, and make every effort to achieve the goal of a "safe graduate examination" with higher standards and more concrete measures.

The conference emphasized that all localities and relevant departments should strictly guard key checkpoints, firmly uphold the value orientation and scientific quality of test question design, carry out comprehensive risk screening and full-process closed-loop management of test papers and questions, and make every effort to ensure the safety of test question design. They should closely monitor key links, strengthen the construction of examination hall security systems, strengthen candidate entry inspections and full-process examination patrols, and make every effort to maintain examination organization order. They should tightly pursue coordinated governance, jointly carry out special operations, strictly preventing and guarding against (严密防范, yan mi fang fan - "strict, close, prevent") and severely cracking down on examination fraud, and make every effort to purify the examination-related environment. They should closely respond to candidate needs, strengthen policy publicity and interpretation, actively provide reasonable examination conveniences, and make every effort to improve the quality and effectiveness of services.

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Unite in Struggle and Create New Splendor

By: 新华社记者

On November 12, a grand gathering commemorating the 160th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Sun Yat-sen was solemnly held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech, deeply recalling Dr. Sun Yat-sen's immortal contributions to national independence, social progress, and the well-being of the people, reviewing and summarizing the great achievements created by Chinese Communists who carried forward Dr. Sun Yat-sen's behest, united and led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in unremitting struggle, and putting forward clear requirements on learning, inheriting, and carrying forward Dr. Sun Yat-sen's precious spirit and on inspiring all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation to unite and strive for comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization. He also called on compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and all Chinese at home and abroad to work together for the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and the complete reunification of the motherland.

General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech resonated strongly both at home and abroad. People have expressed that they will carry forward Dr. Sun Yat-sen's behest, unite more closely, cultivate deep patriotic sentiments, sharpen their ambition to strengthen the country, form a powerful joint force of all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation in realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, jointly accomplish the grand cause of rejuvenation, and create new glories.

Remembering Immortal Contributions

Carrying Forward the Behest of Our Forebears

"Dr. Sun Yat-sen was a great national hero, a great patriot, and a great pioneer of China's democratic revolution." Upon studying General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech at the first opportunity, Chen Qing, a staff member of the Wuchang Uprising Memorial Museum in Wuhan, Hubei Province, was feeling deeply moved (潮澎湃, chao peng pai - "tide, surging").

"In the years when the mountains and rivers were shattered and the country was in a precarious or unstable situation (风雨飘摇, feng yu piao yao - "wind, rain, floating, swaying"), Dr. Sun Yat-sen rose up to resist and painstakingly sought the path to save the country and the people. His outstanding contributions will forever be engraved in the annals of the Chinese nation," Chen Qing said. "Today, more than 100 years later, when the country is thriving and prosperous, reviewing Dr. Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary career and great achievements fills my heart with reverence."

Looking back at history, Dr. Sun Yat-sen "devoted himself to the national revolution for forty years," giving his all and exhausting all mental energy (殚精竭虑, dan jing jie lü - "exhaust, essence, wear, thought, end, effort"), and striving his whole life to transform China.

"General Secretary Xi Jinping affectionately reviewed Dr. Sun Yat-sen's outstanding contributions to the Chinese people and the Chinese nation. Listening to the important speech on site, I was deeply shaken." said Peng Liping, Party Secretary of the Third Community of Qingyuan Road, Laiguangying Area, Chaoyang District, Beijing.

"Raising high the banner of opposing feudal autocratic rule, putting forward the Three People's Principles political program of nationalism, democracy, and people's livelihood, and being the first to shout the resounding slogan 'Rejuvenate China'... Dr. Sun Yat-sen used his lifelong dedication to push forward the democratic revolution against imperialism and feudalism," Peng Liping said. "As a grassroots community cadre, I will carry forward Dr. Sun Yat-sen's spirit of rejuvenating China and the world for the common good, put patriotic sentiments into daily practice, serve the community and the people with practical responsibility, and contribute to national rejuvenation from an ordinary post."

"Dr. Sun Yat-sen spent his whole life striving for national independence and national progress, actively uniting with Russia, uniting with the Communist Party, and supporting workers and peasants." said Yuri Tavrovsky, a well-known Russian sinologist and vice chairman of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Association.

Yuri Tavrovsky said that after Dr. Sun Yat-sen's death, the Soviet government, in order to continue supporting the Chinese revolution and carry forward his revolutionary ideals, specially established the Moscow Sun Yat-sen University named after him. "Although this university existed for only a few short years, it trained a large number of political and military backbone cadres for China. History and practice have fully proven that Dr. Sun Yat-sen was a great pioneer of modern China's revolution and also an important founder of cooperation between Soviet Russia and the Chinese revolution."

Chinese Communists are the most steadfast supporters, the most loyal cooperators, and the most faithful inheritors of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary cause.

"General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech has given me a clearer understanding of the lineage connecting the Communist Party of China's history of more than 100 years with Dr. Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary cause." Present at the gathering, Gao Cheng, a standing committee member of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, was filled with a vast range of emotions (感慨万千, gan kai wan qian - "feel, lament, ten thousand, thousand"). "The ideals of saving and rejuvenating the country that were unfulfilled in his lifetime were ultimately completed by generations of Chinese Communists in succession."

"Over the past 100 years and more, the Communist Party of China has led the people in writing the most magnificent epic in the several-thousand-year history of the Chinese nation. The Chinese nation has welcomed the great leap from standing up, to becoming prosperous, to becoming strong. All of this can comfort Dr. Sun Yat-sen's spirit," Gao Cheng said. "I will always remember this revolutionary history of continuous struggle, firmly support the Party's leadership, base myself on the duties of a participating party in the new era, fulfill my mission and responsibility, and contribute to the great cause of national rejuvenation and the complete reunification of the motherland with practical actions."

Carrying Forward the Precious Spirit

Always Forging Ahead

For more than 100 years, Dr. Sun Yat-sen's slogan "Rejuvenate China" has inspired generation after generation of Chinese people and has been continuously endowed with new significance and connotations of the times.

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Today, the best way for us to commemorate Dr. Sun Yat-sen is to learn, inherit, and carry forward his precious spirit and continuously advance the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation."

With rolling green mountains and verdant pines and cypresses, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum at the foot of Purple Mountain in the eastern suburbs of Nanjing stands solemn and majestic. Many people come here, stop and stand in silence, and quietly pay their respects.

"General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out that 'Dr. Sun Yat-sen loved and saved the country all his life.' Every time I explain Dr. Sun Yat-sen's story, I am moved by his sincere patriotic sentiments," said Zhang Ting, a docent at the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. "The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is a national demonstration base for patriotic education. I will continue to improve the quality of my explanations, guide visitors to understand history, and let the great spirit of patriotism be passed down from generation to generation, continuously regenerating or flourishing without end (生生不息, sheng sheng bu xi - "birth, birth, not, cease")."

Cuiheng Village in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province, is the hometown of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. After earnestly studying General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech, Gan Guowei, director of the Cuiheng Village Committee, was very excited and deeply educated.

"Dr. Sun Yat-sen had deep feelings for the people. To learn, inherit, and carry forward his precious spirit is to always adhere to putting the people first," Gan Guowei said. "In recent years, we have made great efforts to solve the housing safety problems of needy villagers and to treat polluted black and odorous water bodies. These visible and tangible changes have won the recognition of the people. We will continue to safeguard and improve people's livelihoods, serve our fellow villagers well, and express our commemoration of Dr. Sun Yat-sen through practical actions."

General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech gave Chen Wei, vice chairwoman of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League and curator of the China National Film Museum, new thoughts on the direction of future work. "Only by actively seeking truth and finding the right direction for endeavor can one shoulder the heavy responsibilities of the times. As a member of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League in the cultural and museum field, I must adhere to the Two Integrations (两个结合), continuously innovate the ways of cultural interpretation and dissemination, base myself on my post and work diligently, and contribute to inheriting the Chinese cultural lineage and assisting national rejuvenation," Chen Wei said.

On the snow-covered plateau, trains speed along. For decades, generations of builders and railway workers have fought on the roof of the world, turning the Qinghai-Tibet Railway vision proposed by Dr. Sun Yat-sen in The International Development of China into reality.

"Lack of oxygen does not mean lack of spirit; hardship does not mean fear of suffering. The sons and daughters of the Chinese nation simply have this spirit of refusing to admit defeat," said You Junxin, an employee of the Xining Signal Depot of China Railway Qinghai-Tibet Group Co., Ltd. "On the new journey, we will bear in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping's requirements, carry forward the spirit of struggle, dare to tackle difficulties, guard the railway well with a high-spirited and enterprising spirit, and keep the plateau sky road always safe and unimpeded."

"Adhere to the united front and continuously consolidate and develop the great unity of all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation." After earnestly studying President Xi Jinping's important speech, Zhang Zongzhen, president of the Macao Association for the Promotion of Chinese Cultural Development, copied this sentence into his notebook.

"Dr. Sun Yat-sen advocated unity throughout his life, and his ideas provide rich cultural and spiritual nourishment for all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation," Zhang Zongzhen said. He indicated that he will take the spirit of the important speech as the fundamental guideline, unite people's hearts through culture, transform cultural identity into conscious action, and continuously consolidate and develop the broadest patriotic united front.

On the shore of the South China Sea, the pace of opening up of the Hainan Free Trade Port is steady. Since the island-wide customs closure operation, the overall start has been stable and initial results have been achieved.

"Dr. Sun Yat-sen had the whole world in his heart all his life. In learning, inheriting, and carrying forward his precious spirit, we must follow the direction pointed out by General Secretary Xi Jinping, give play to Hainan's leading role in high-level opening up, deeply advance high-level independent opening up, vigorously promote the common values of all humanity, share China's new development opportunities with the world, and work hand in hand with all parties to create a bright future of open cooperation and mutual benefit and win-win results (互利共赢, hu li gong ying - "mutual, benefit, together, win")," said Wang Fengli, deputy director of the Deep Reform Office (Free Trade Port Work Committee Office) of the Hainan Provincial Party Committee.

Safeguarding National Unity

Jointly Realizing the Great Dream

The long river of history flows on without cease. That the territory cannot be divided, the country cannot be thrown into chaos, the nation cannot be scattered, and civilization cannot be severed has always been a common conviction engraved in the bones of all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation.

"President Xi Jinping said, 'Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are all Chinese, a family connected by blood, where blood ties are stronger than water (血浓于水, xue nong yu shui - "blood, thick, than, water")', which brought tears to my eyes," said Wu Jiaying, executive vice president of the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland. "I came to Xiamen to start a business in 1995. My more than 30 years of work and life experience have made me feel that Taiwanese compatriots have opportunities for development, security in life, and expectations for the future on the mainland."

Wu Jiaying said he will actively promote exchanges and cooperation between cross-strait enterprises, build more platforms for Taiwanese youth to find employment and start businesses on the mainland, and enable more Taiwanese compatriots to understand the mainland, get to know the mainland, and participate in the mainland's development. "I believe that the more Taiwanese compatriots and mainland compatriots interact and exchange, the more we can continuously enhance kinship and mutual trust."

"The future of Taiwan lies in national reunification, and the interests and well-being of Taiwanese compatriots are tied to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech resonates in the hearts of all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation.

"At this special historical juncture, as an overseas Chinese living abroad, I more deeply cherish the memory of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's unswerving life dedicated to rejuvenating China, and I am also more firmly convinced that the complete reunification of the motherland will surely be realized at an early date," said Xu Songhua, chairman of the Spain Association for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China.

"Dr. Sun Yat-sen's patriotic thought is the spiritual bond connecting Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and it is also the spiritual sustenance for Taiwanese compatriots today to hold fast to their Chinese national identity," said Zhang Junkai, a researcher at the Center for Cross-Strait Political and Economic Studies at National Chengchi University in Taiwan. He said that Taiwanese compatriots should carry forward Dr. Sun Yat-sen's behest and, on the road to the complete reunification of the motherland and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, safeguard the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation together with all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation.

Comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization is the new Long March of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people, and it is also the only way to realize Dr. Sun Yat-sen's ideal of "rejuvenating China."

In Qinzhou, Guangxi, the gates slowly open and cargo ships pass through one after another... The blueprint for the southwest's access to the sea that Dr. Sun Yat-sen drew up in his lifetime has now been transformed into surging reality on the Pinglu Canal.

"The century-old aspiration has fallen on the shoulders of our generation. Building and guarding this waterway that realizes the dream fills us with honor," said Wang Jieyun, Party Secretary of the Pinglu Canal Group, feeling the heavy responsibility. "In the future, we will continue to optimize navigation organization, amplify the advantages of river-sea intermodal transport, smooth the water transport channel facing ASEAN, and make this waterway carrying a century of expectations an artery for striving toward the sea and building strength."

"Today, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, we have successfully blazed a path of Chinese modernization. The best commemoration of Dr. Sun Yat-sen is to continue advancing the cause he fought for," said Wong Yuen Shan, head of the Chief Executive's Policy Unit of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. He said that Hong Kong will implement its first five-year plan well, better integrate into and serve the overall development of the country, unite and strive together with Chinese at home and abroad, and work with one heart to jointly accomplish the grand cause of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, November 13)

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Comrade Wang Zhiyuan Passes Away

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, November 2) Comrade Wang Zhiyuan, a retired cadre at the deputy grand-military-region level and former deputy director of the Science and Technology Committee of the former General Armaments Department, passed away in Beijing on October 2 due to medical treatment being ineffective (医治无效, yi zhi wu xiao - "medical treatment, not effective"), at the age of 85.

Wang Zhiyuan was a native of Jiashan County, Anhui Province (today's Mingguang City, Anhui Province). He joined the Communist Party of China in 1964 and enlisted in the military in 1987. During his revolutionary career, he successively served as deputy director, deputy section chief, deputy division chief, and institute director, deputy director and then director of the Fourth Bureau of the Science and Technology Department of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, deputy-corps-level standing member of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense and deputy director and then director of the Comprehensive Planning Department, and director of the Electronic Information and Basic Technology Department of the General Armaments Department, making contributions to the revolutionary, modernized, and standardized development of the armed forces.

Wang Zhiyuan was a deputy to the Tenth National People's Congress. He was awarded the rank of senior colonel in 1988, promoted to the rank of major general in 1995, and promoted to the rank of lieutenant general in 2001.

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Page 1 editors: Hu Anqi, Zhao Zheng, Zhang Yujie; Page 2 editors: Han Xiaoming, Zhou Zhou, Guan Haoyu; Page 3 editors: Lü Li, Zhang Anyu, Chen Zhen; Page 4 editors: Liu Nian, Han Chunyao, Cui Bin

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Regulations on the Protection of Traditional Knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Order of the State Council of the People's Republic of China

No. 850

The Regulations on the Protection of Traditional Knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine were adopted at the 97th executive meeting of the State Council on September 18, 2026, and are hereby promulgated, to take effect as of January 1, 2027.

Premier  Li  Qiang

October 23, 2026

Article 1. These Regulations are formulated in accordance with the Law of the People's Republic of China on Traditional Chinese Medicine, for the purpose of protecting traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, promoting the inheritance and development of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, and carrying forward the culture of traditional Chinese medicine.

Article 2. For the purposes of these Regulations, traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine refers to the theories, technical methods, and related forms of expression of traditional Chinese medicine formed through the long-term practical accumulation of the Chinese nation and developed through transmission from generation to generation, including:

(1) Traditional theories, technical methods of traditional Chinese medicine in prevention, health care, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation;

(2) Classic famous formulas and proven formulas of traditional Chinese medicine;

(3) Traditional techniques for the breeding, cultivation, planting and raising, collection, and identification of Chinese medicinal materials, and traditional techniques and processes for the processing of prepared slices of Chinese medicines and the preparation of traditional Chinese medicine preparations;

(4) Ancient books and documents of traditional Chinese medicine, and traditional marks and symbols unique to traditional Chinese medicine;

(5) Other traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine.

Article 3. The protection of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine shall follow the laws of development of traditional Chinese medicine, uphold the inheritance of the essence, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, and uphold the priority of protection and the combination of protection and utilization.

Activities for the protection of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine shall comply with laws and administrative regulations, and shall not harm national interests, public interests, or the lawful rights and interests of others.

Article 4. The competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council shall be responsible for the protection of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine nationwide.

The competent departments of traditional Chinese medicine of local people's governments at or above the county level shall be responsible for the protection of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine within their respective administrative regions.

Other relevant departments of people's governments at or above the county level shall, within the scope of their respective duties, be responsible for work related to the protection of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine.

Article 5. The competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council and other relevant departments under the State Council shall establish a mechanism for sharing information related to traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine and strengthen work coordination.

Article 6. The competent departments of traditional Chinese medicine of people's governments at or above the provincial level shall incorporate the protection of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine into relevant plans, strengthen the inheritance and dissemination, promotion and application, and scientific and technological research of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, and provide necessary support.

The competent departments of traditional Chinese medicine of people's governments at or above the county level shall encourage and guide social forces to participate in the protection of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine through donations, volunteer services, and other means.

Article 7. The State encourages and supports news media, public cultural institutions, and others to carry out activities such as publicity, display, and experience of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine in accordance with their respective business scopes.

Activities such as publicity, display, and experience of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine shall comply with relevant state provisions, shall not make false or exaggerated publicity, and shall not seek improper benefits.

Article 8. The State supports foreign exchange and cooperation on traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, and promotes the international dissemination and application of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine.

The administration of foreign investment, outbound investment, and technology export involving traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine shall be carried out in accordance with the Foreign Investment Law of the People's Republic of China, the Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China, the Provisions of the State Council on Outbound Investment, the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Technology Import and Export, and other laws, administrative regulations, and relevant state provisions.

Article 9. The competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council shall, together with other relevant departments under the State Council, strengthen the cultivation of personnel in traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine.

Organizations and individuals that make outstanding contributions to the protection of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine shall be rewarded in accordance with relevant state provisions.

Article 10. Where the protection of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine involves state secrets, work secrets, trade secrets, personal privacy, and personal information, the provisions of relevant laws and administrative regulations shall be complied with.

Article 11. The competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council shall strengthen the overall coordination of the collation and selection of ancient books and documents of traditional Chinese medicine and the investigation of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine.

Article 12. The competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council shall establish a protection database for traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine and implement classified management of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine included in the protection database. The specific measures for the management of the protection database shall be formulated by the competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council.

Article 13. The competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council shall organize professional institutions to collate and select ancient books and documents of traditional Chinese medicine, and the selected ancient books and documents of traditional Chinese medicine and the traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine recorded in the ancient books and documents shall, after being recognized by the competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council, be included in the protection database.

Article 14. The competent departments of traditional Chinese medicine of provincial people's governments shall be responsible for organizing and carrying out investigations of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine within their respective administrative regions, and the traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine discovered through investigation shall, after being recognized by the competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council, be included in the protection database.

Medical institutions, institutions of higher learning, scientific research institutions, enterprises, learned societies, industry associations and chambers of commerce, and others may be brought in to participate in investigations of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine.

Foreign organizations and individuals shall not carry out investigations of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine within the territory of China.

The specific measures for the investigation of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine shall be formulated by the competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council.

Article 15. Investigations of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine shall be carried out with the consent of the subjects of the investigation, respect for their customs and habits, and without harming their lawful rights and interests; physical objects and materials obtained during the investigation shall be properly preserved to prevent damage and loss.

With respect to traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine discovered through investigation or other channels that is on the verge of disappearing, the competent departments of traditional Chinese medicine of provincial people's governments shall immediately record it, and collect relevant physical objects and materials or take other rescue protection measures.

Article 16. The State encourages organizations and individuals to declare to the competent departments of traditional Chinese medicine of the provincial people's governments where they are located the traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine they hold, and the declared traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine shall, after preliminary review by the competent departments of traditional Chinese medicine of provincial people's governments and recognition by the competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council, be included in the protection database.

Article 17. The competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council shall publish information related to the traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine included in the protection database.

The competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council shall, together with the departments of culture and tourism and other departments under the State Council, use digital technology to collect traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, so as to facilitate preservation and use and make it convenient for the public to consult.

Article 18. Holders of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine shall enjoy the right to inherit and use the traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine they hold, and shall enjoy rights such as informed consent and benefit sharing with respect to others' acquisition and utilization of the traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine they hold.

The State supports the reasonable utilization of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine recorded in ancient books of traditional Chinese medicine, such as traditional theories, technical methods, and classic famous formulas, that is in the public domain and can be publicly accessed, and the competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council shall perform the duties of the holder. The specific measures shall be formulated by the competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council.

Article 19. The competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council shall establish a protection list of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, and include in the protection list traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine in the protection database that is representative, distinctive, and of important protection value. The specific measures for the management of the protection list shall be formulated by the competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council.

Article 20. The competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council shall establish an expert review group for the protection list to select from the protection database traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine proposed to be included in the protection list. The competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council shall publicize the selected traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, and shall issue the protection list based on the results of the publicity.

The competent departments of traditional Chinese medicine of provincial people's governments may recommend to the competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine proposed to be included in the protection list.

Where traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine included in the protection list no longer meets the conditions, it shall be removed after being recognized by the expert review group organized by the competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council, and shall be promptly announced to the public.

Article 21. Local people's governments at or above the county level may, in light of actual circumstances, provide necessary support for the inheritance and dissemination of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine included in the protection list.

Article 22. The department of culture and tourism under the State Council shall, together with the departments of cultural relics, traditional Chinese medicine, and other competent departments under the State Council, strengthen the protection, restoration, reasonable utilization, and inheritance of ancient books of traditional Chinese medicine included in the protection list.

Article 23. The competent departments of traditional Chinese medicine of people's governments at or above the county level shall, in accordance with the needs of the protection of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, rely on high-level medical institutions and promote the promotion and application of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine included in the protection list through the following methods:

(1) Collecting and collating relevant physical objects and materials;

(2) Carrying out clinical application;

(3) Carrying out applied research to improve the standardization and normalization of clinical application;

(4) Carrying out master-apprentice education and training to cultivate successor personnel;

(5) Holding activities such as demonstrations of technical methods and academic seminars and exchanges.

Article 24. The competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council shall, together with the departments of industry and information technology, drug administration, and other departments under the State Council, rely on traditional Chinese medicine prepared slices production enterprises, medical institutions, and others to conduct research on and promote the application of the traditional techniques and processes for the processing of prepared slices of Chinese medicines included in the protection list, and support the use of traditional techniques and processes for the processing of prepared slices of Chinese medicines to improve the quality level of prepared slices of Chinese medicines.

Article 25. The competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council shall, together with the departments of agriculture and rural affairs, drug administration, and other departments under the State Council, promote the application of the traditional techniques for the breeding, cultivation, planting and raising, collection, and identification of Chinese medicinal materials included in the protection list.

Article 26. The State encourages and supports the use of traditional traditional Chinese medicine research methods and modern science and technology to conduct research on traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, encourages medical institutions, institutions of higher learning, scientific research institutions, enterprises, learned societies, industry associations and chambers of commerce, and others to cooperate in conducting research, strengthens research on basic theories, mechanisms of action, clinical application, and other aspects, and promotes the inheritance and innovation of the theories, technical methods of traditional Chinese medicine.

Article 27. The competent departments of traditional Chinese medicine of people's governments at or above the provincial level shall, in accordance with the needs of the protection of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, organize institutions of higher learning, scientific research institutions, and others to carry out scientific and technological research on traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine included in the protection list through the following methods:

(1) Collecting and collating relevant physical objects and materials;

(2) Carrying out tracing of the origins of theories and technical methods and verification of key information;

(3) Carrying out development and utilization and transformation of achievements.

Article 28. Where the competent departments of traditional Chinese medicine of people's governments at or above the county level and other relevant departments fail to perform their duties of protecting traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations, the people's government at the same level or the relevant departments of the people's government at the next higher level shall order them to make corrections within a time limit; where the circumstances are serious, the responsible leaders and directly responsible personnel shall be given sanctions in accordance with the law.

Article 29. Where investigations of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine are carried out in violation of the provisions of paragraph 3 of Article 14 of these Regulations, the competent departments of traditional Chinese medicine of people's governments at or above the county level shall order the cessation of the illegal act, give a warning, confiscate the illegal gains and the physical objects and materials obtained during the investigation, and may concurrently impose a fine of not less than 50,000 yuan but not more than 500,000 yuan.

Article 30. Where losses are caused to holders of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine or others in violation of the provisions of these Regulations, civil liability shall be borne in accordance with the law; where a crime is constituted, criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law.

Article 31. Where traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine constitutes cultural relics or items of intangible cultural heritage, it shall also be protected in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Cultural Relics Protection Law of the People's Republic of China and the Intangible Cultural Heritage Law of the People's Republic of China.

Article 32. These Regulations shall take effect as of January 1, 2027.

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, November 9)

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State Council Work Safety Commission Office Holds Talks with 11 Municipal Governments on Work Safety

(People's Daily, Beijing, November 13) (Reporter Liu Wenxin) Recently, the Office of the State Council Work Safety Commission recently held talks with the principal heads of the governments of 11 cities (prefectures) — Baotou City of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nanyang City of Henan Province, and Xiangyang City of Hubei Province, where major accidents occurred this year, as well as Lüliang City, Shuozhou City, and Xinzhou City of Shanxi Province, Mudanjiang City of Heilongjiang Province, Yantai City of Shandong Province, Zhengzhou City of Henan Province, and Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture and Qujing City of Yunnan Province, where three or more relatively major accidents occurred within six months.

The talks pointed out that since the beginning of this year, the national work safety situation has been generally stable, but in some regions, accidents at or above the relatively major level have rebounded, and the situation is severe. All regions must establish and practice a correct view of political achievements, make every effort to implement all responsibilities and measures for work safety, and uphold the Two Upholds (两个维护) through concrete actions and tangible results.

The talks required that the regions concerned engage in deep self-reflection, draw lessons from the accidents, and learn from one instance to grasp others (举一反三, ju yi fan san - "lift one, reflect three"), strengthen bottom-line thinking, hold fast to the safety bottom line, earnestly shoulder the political responsibility of "promoting development in one locality and safeguarding peace in one locality," strictly follow the requirement of "three management and three musts," further improve the full-chain regulatory responsibility system, intensify efforts to tackle root causes and hard problems in work safety, and resolutely prevent and curb the occurrence of major and extraordinarily serious accidents.

All regions and relevant departments must thoroughly carry out risk and hazard investigation and rectification in key industries and fields, strictly advance the "crackdown on illegal and violative acts" in fireworks and firecrackers, vigorously ensure the hard implementation of the "eight hard measures" for mine safety, accelerate the prevention and control of major hazard sources for hazardous chemicals, and strengthen law enforcement inspections in industry and trade sectors and standardized management of outsourced teams; they must effectively strengthen public safety management, rigorously investigate and rectify fire risks in crowded places and various production and business operation units, strictly enforce road traffic safety law enforcement, strengthen the implementation of cultural and tourism safety prevention measures, and strictly prevent loss of control and oversight; they must dare to confront real problems head-on and enhance the penetrating power of supervision and law enforcement.

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First Batch of "AI + Transportation" Scenario List Released

(People's Daily, Beijing, November 13) (Reporter Han Xin) Recently, the Ministry of Transport released the first batch of a project list of 354 typical application scenarios for "artificial intelligence + transportation," providing real scenario space for the large-scale innovative application of artificial intelligence in the transportation sector.

The first batch of scenario projects covers such directions as intelligent driving, smart highways, intelligent shipping, intelligent construction and maintenance, smart travel services, intelligent freight, and intelligent safety supervision, encompassing three types of tasks — tackling key breakthroughs, innovation demonstration, and application promotion — and features the characteristics of full coverage of directions, broad participation of entities, and practical application scenarios. The scenario projects will adhere to an application-oriented and results-oriented approach, and by opening up real business scenarios, will build platforms for various innovation entities to tackle key technologies, integrate applications, and promote them. In the next step, the Ministry of Transport will give play to the leading and driving role of typical application scenario projects to push the projects toward achieving practical results quickly (落地见效, luodi jianxiao - "land, fall; see, effect"). At the same time, it will organize and carry out the cultivation and construction of benchmark scenario projects, further deepen and expand the systematic opening of scenario resources, and support the rapid reuse of results across regions and across scenarios.

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2026 Enterprise Science and Technology Innovation Development Forum Opens

(People's Daily, Tianjin, November 13) (Reporter Li Jiading) The 2026 Enterprise Science and Technology Innovation Development Forum opened in Tianjin on the 13th. The forum was hosted by Science and Technology Daily and the Administrative Committee of Tianjin Binhai High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, under the theme "Open Innovation · Integrated Symbiosis." Participating representatives conducted exchanges and discussions on topics such as deepening the deep integration of government, industry, academia, research, finance, and application, and enhancing independent innovation capabilities.

The forum released the "Disruptive Technology Industrialization Index Report (2026)." The report shows that global disruptive technology industrialization has entered a critical window period, and China's disruptive technology industrialization is currently in a period of tackling challenges and leaping forward, characterized by "rising total volume and shifting growth pace." The forum also promoted the National Scenario Supply-Demand Matching Platform. This platform features functions such as centralized release of scenario demand, centralized display of innovation supply, and intelligent matching for precise docking. To date, it has collected more than 3,000 scenario construction demands and over 500 pieces of technology supply information. Going forward, it will continue to iterate with a focus on frontier technology tracks, deepening the connection between the industrial chain and the innovation chain.

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Draw strength from role models and write a solid record of action

By: 本报记者 任彤彤

On the afternoon of November 13, a symposium on learning from the advanced deeds of Comrade Wang Ji, attended by representatives of military and civilian heroes and outstanding young people, was held in Beijing. Ten representatives from different regions and different fields, drawing on their own work practices and life experiences, spoke freely about their profound reflections on learning from Comrade Wang Ji's advanced deeds and jointly discussed their mission and responsibility.

"As long as my mind is clear and my hands can still work, my steps in tackling difficulties for the country and in deep exploration will never pause for a moment." Zhang Qijun, platoon leader of the "Liulaozhuang Company" of the 82nd Group Army of the Army, said that Wang Ji's steadfastness to his mission post gave him a more concrete understanding and deeper appreciation of the company spirit of the "Liulaozhuang Company." "Wang Ji is a role model and benchmark for us young officers and soldiers. He used his actual actions to interpret the vigorous bearing of strivers in the new era."

Hou Changling, a master sergeant of a certain unit of the Rocket Force, said that the loyal character, self-reliant spirit, and dedication demonstrated by Comrade Wang Ji are not only a spiritual monument on the scientific research front but also vivid learning material for frontline officers and soldiers of the Rocket Force.

At the symposium, everyone agreed that learning from Comrade Wang Ji's advanced deeds requires turning one's thoughts and insights into acting in a practical and down-to-earth manner (脚踏实地, jiao ta shi di - "foot, step, solid, ground") and integrating them into the journey of building a strong country and a strong military.

"By comparing myself with the role model, I understand more clearly that original aspiration is not a momentary passion but a long-term perseverance." Wang Chen, a master sergeant of a certain unit of the Air Force, said, "I will do my utmost in every inspection and every support mission, fulfilling my loyal mission through day after day; repeatedly (日复一日, ri fu yi ri - "day, repeat, one, day") of steadfast dedication."

Gao Chao, deputy secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Marxism at Beijing Normal University, said: "We must learn from Teacher Wang Ji's devotion to teaching, plant the seeds of truth, goodness, and beauty in students' hearts, guide students to button the first button of their lives correctly, place the small self within the greater self, and integrate personal growth into the overall development of the country."

"Comrade Wang Ji, sitting in a wheelchair, is still charging forward without pause—what reason do we have not to work with all our might?" Liu Xinxin, chief skill master of Xiangtan Electric Manufacturing Group Co., Ltd., said, "I am willing to be a welding nail that never loosens, riveted wherever the country needs me."

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CPIC: Answering the Call of the CIIE, Shouldering Financial Responsibility

Since the inaugural China International Import Expo was held in 2018, China Pacific Insurance (Group) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "CPIC"), as a senior partner and designated insurance service provider of the CIIE, has provided insurance protection for this global economic and trade event for nine consecutive years, with the insured amount rising from 35 billion yuan at the first edition to over 1.25 trillion yuan this year. On November 6, CPIC, together with Shanghai municipal state-owned financial enterprises, launched a joint action to serve the building of the "five centers," injecting new momentum into the CIIE.

Professional Safeguarding: Comprehensively Upgrading the Insurance Protection Plan

The protection plan CPIC has built for this year's CIIE fully covers the "4+4" related entities of the expo, extending from the organizers, exhibitors, buyers, and supply chain service providers to bonded display, cross-border e-commerce, and other scenarios, providing all-round protection through a one-stop comprehensive insurance protection plan covering "property, life, and health" and an integrated risk management service. CPIC Property & Casualty Insurance is the lead underwriter for the 2026 operational period package insurance of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), with a total insured amount exceeding 22.1 billion yuan, and has upgraded the "6+365" full life-cycle service plan, striving for "one week of exhibition, one year of service"; CPIC Life Insurance provides accident, medical, and other protection covering the entire cycle before, during, and after the expo.

Working together with combined strength (协同聚力, xie tong ju li - "collaborate, gather, concentrate, strength"): Serving the Building of Shanghai's "Five Centers"

As a national comprehensive financial and insurance group rooted in Shanghai, CPIC has long been based on Shanghai as its "main position," actively participating in the development process of Shanghai's building into a socialist modern international metropolis with world influence, focusing on key areas, pooling the nation's advantageous resources, enhancing the operational capacity of local institutions, and promoting the implementation of innovative pilot projects in Shanghai.

On November 6, the launch conference of the joint action of Shanghai municipal state-owned financial enterprises to serve the building of the "five centers," initiated and hosted by CPIC, was held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). At the event, CPIC released its latest plan to precisely support scientific and technological innovation and industrial development, focusing on six major tracks, taking industrial parks as the entry point, and creating an innovative development model for sci-tech insurance; it also held a seminar on the high-quality development of sci-tech finance to jointly discuss strategies for a high-level "technology-industry-finance" cycle, committed to providing stronger support for the building of Shanghai's "five centers."

Moving Toward the New: Creating a Better Life with Smart Services

At the ninth CIIE, CPIC set up a smart service experience zone in the technical equipment exhibition area, focusing on the theme of "Insurance Safeguards Technological Progress, Smart Services Create a Better Life," and advancing in depth the three major strategies of "comprehensive health and elderly care, internationalization, and artificial intelligence+," to enhance service capacity. During the expo, CPIC connected global health and elderly care resources, releasing innovative achievements in smart health and elderly care and an insurance plan for foreign nationals entering China; carried out the "Zero-Carbon CIIE, Green Expo" carbon neutrality themed activity, showcasing green finance innovation practices; and launched the 2026 CPIC Customer Festival, opening a new chapter of cooperation with strategic partners.

Nine editions together, sharing the future. Standing at a new starting point, CPIC will continue to rely on the CIIE platform, with "responsibility, wisdom, and warmth" as its foundation, in accordance with the standards of "meticulous, refined, and ultimate," helping every step of the leap from "exhibits to products, exhibitors to investors," and continuously contributing CPIC's strength to making the CIIE "better and better with each edition."

Data source: CPIC

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Page editors: Guan Xuanyue, Zhang Weihao, Zhai Qinqi

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From Oxygen to Fluorine: Forging a Powerful Heart for Lithium Batteries (Academicians Explain Science)

By: 陈 军

The 15th Five-Year Plan outline proposes accelerating the development of strategic emerging industries including next-generation information technology, new energy, new materials, intelligent connected new-energy vehicles, robotics, biomedicine, high-end equipment, and aerospace. Lithium batteries are widely used in the new-energy vehicle sector, but issues remain such as limited driving range and performance that needs improvement in low-temperature environments. How can lithium batteries achieve enhanced range and low-temperature resistance? In this installment of "Academicians Explain Science," we have invited Professor Chen Jun, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and executive vice president of Nankai University, to explain the latest research progress in new battery technology.

—Editor

Lithium batteries are widely used in the new-energy vehicle sector, but "range anxiety" still troubles many car owners. How can existing lithium batteries achieve a multiple-fold increase in range while keeping their size and weight unchanged?

This year, a team of researchers from Nankai University, the Shanghai Institute of Space Power Sources, and other units achieved a new breakthrough in key lithium battery technology. Through an entirely new electrolyte technology, the team is expected to enable lithium batteries to achieve a multiple-fold improvement in range and a marked enhancement in low-temperature performance. This achievement was published in the international academic journal Nature and has attracted widespread attention.

Encountering Bottlenecks

The "Growing Pains" of Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries can be called the "energy heart" of modern society, appearing in everything from mobile phones and new-energy vehicles to spacecraft. However, this "heart" has two main "growing pains": first, range anxiety, and second, failure in low temperatures.

The former stems from the bottleneck in improving energy density. We hope that electric vehicles can travel over a thousand kilometers on a single charge and that mobile phones can last a week without recharging, which requires batteries to store more electrical energy without changing their size or weight. Unfortunately, over the past few decades, improving the energy density of lithium batteries has encountered difficulties, much like a 100-meter sprinter trying to break from 11 seconds to under 10 seconds—every step is extraordinarily difficult.

The latter stems from the fact that the rate of electrochemical reactions slows down as temperature drops. In the cold winters of the north, many car owners clearly feel that the driving range of electric vehicles is "discounted," and some users also find that their phones suddenly shut down—these are precisely manifestations of the poor low-temperature performance of lithium batteries.

To break through the bottleneck, scientists have tried many methods, but most revolve around the basic rule of "lithium-oxygen coordination." In the electrolyte of traditional lithium batteries, solvent molecules (which can be imagined as small vehicles transporting lithium ions) generally contain oxygen atoms. Lithium ions are loaded and transported by the solvent through "holding hands" (coordinating) with oxygen atoms. However, in the "oxygen-based" mode, lithium ions "get on the vehicle easily but get off with difficulty," slowing down charging and discharging; the chemical window is narrow, making it hard to improve battery energy density; and the solvent is flammable under high temperatures or abuse conditions, posing safety challenges. It can be said that the basic rule of "lithium-oxygen coordination" itself sets the ceiling on battery performance.

An Innovative Track

"Lithium-Fluorine Coordination" Works Well

The electrolyte is the "blood" and "highway" of a lithium battery, and its performance directly determines the efficiency of ion transport, the voltage window of battery operation, and the temperature range. Innovation in electrolytes is often the key to battery iteration and upgrading. Therefore, the team attempted to focus on fundamental innovation at the solvent molecule level, giving the electrolyte a new track.

We chose to fundamentally change the rules by which ions "take a ride"—shifting from traditional "lithium-oxygen coordination" to "lithium-fluorine coordination." If we compare the process of lithium ions traversing the battery to a journey, then solvent molecules are the means of transportation they take. In the past, they always rode an "oxygen-based horse-drawn carriage"—slow, with low load capacity, and afraid of bumps (low temperatures). Now, we have designed a brand-new "fluorine-based super sports car" for them, developing "fluorinated hydrocarbon solvents" as the material for the "sports car."

Why fluorine? Fluorine is the most electronegative element in the periodic table, with extremely strong attraction. When lithium ions "join hands" with fluorine atoms, this bonding force is stronger and more stable. Through molecular design, we have enabled the combination of fluorine atoms and lithium ions to have a "weak interaction" that is at just the right moment or in just the right way (恰到好处, qia dao hao chu - "just, arrive, good, reach"), allowing ions to be loaded stably while also being easily released when needed, greatly improving the efficiency of ions "getting on and off the vehicle" (desolvation energy).

Fully fluorinated or highly fluorinated solvent molecules possess extremely high oxidative stability. Electrolytes composed of them can withstand higher voltages without decomposing, which clears a key obstacle for us to match higher-voltage cathode materials and thereby substantially increase battery energy density.

Fluorinated hydrocarbon solvents typically have excellent flame retardancy and extremely low freezing points. The former makes the battery's "blood" itself harder to ignite, improving safety; the latter allows the electrolyte to remain fluid even in extremely cold environments, solving the problem of battery failure in low temperatures.

In sum, "lithium-fluorine coordination" achieves through fluorinated hydrocarbon solvents the effect of "using less, running faster, and being more resistant to low temperatures," much like replacing the lithium battery's "heart" with a more powerful and more durable one.

Imagining the Future

From the Laboratory to Changing Lives

What kind of future picture will this breakthrough paint for us?

First, it is expected to substantially resolve the range and low-temperature anxiety of new-energy vehicles. Experiments show that lithium batteries based on the new electrolyte system, at the same size and weight, are expected to achieve an energy density more than double that of the current top-tier traditional lithium batteries. In the future, electric vehicles equipped with such batteries achieving a driving range of over 1,000 kilometers will become possible. At the same time, even in severe cold environments, the battery can still maintain most of its activity, so friends in the north no longer need to worry about driving in winter.

Second, it will provide more powerful momentum for many frontier fields. In the low-altitude economy and aerospace sectors, batteries with longer range and lighter weight are the operational foundation for "air taxis," logistics drones, and high-altitude long-endurance aircraft, and also provide new options for cutting-edge equipment such as deep-space exploration. In the fields of embodied intelligence and computing power centers, humanoid robots and exoskeletons require power sources with high energy density and high safety, and computing power centers also face soaring energy demand. A powerful "fluorine-based" battery is precisely the source of their power.

Of course, for this technology to move from the laboratory to large-scale mass production, it will still be necessary to solve the problem of large-scale, low-cost synthesis and purification of fluorinated hydrocarbon solvents, to optimize the matching cathode and anode material systems, and to establish entirely new battery manufacturing processes and quality control standards—this may require one to two years or even longer of engineering development.

Looking to the future, we see a new direction for the development of batteries and the entire field of electrochemical energy storage: conducting original material design at the atomic and molecular level, and overturning existing technological paths by breaking through the application boundaries of traditional rules (such as coordination chemistry). This is not merely a breakthrough in a single technology; it may also trigger a chain of innovation in a series of materials such as cathodes, anodes, and separators, propelling battery technology into an entirely new generation.

(The author is an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and executive vice president of Nankai University; compiled from an interview by People's Daily reporter Li Jiading)

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New Batteries: More Than One Track (Further Reading)

By: 严振华

At present, liquid lithium-ion batteries are the mainstream application because of their advantages of relatively high energy density, long cycle life, and mature industry. However, there are still pain points such as high cost, insufficient safety, and poor environmental adaptability. Global new battery technology is moving from a "single lithium-ion route" to a "diversified technology matrix." In the scientific research community and the industry, multiple technology paths are competing in parallel, each with its own focus, jointly outlining a future of energy storage that is "safer, more durable, and more economical."

Among them, solid-state and quasi-solid-state lithium batteries are regarded as the main direction of next-generation high-end power. Their logic is to replace the flammable organic electrolyte in traditional lithium-ion batteries with intrinsically non-flammable solid electrolytes, fundamentally improving safety. At the same time, this design can accommodate high-specific-capacity active materials such as lithium metal anodes and lithium-rich manganese-based cathodes, and is expected to break through the ceiling of both safety and energy density.

Sodium-ion batteries are another rapidly rising path. The abundance of sodium resources in the Earth's crust is far higher than that of lithium, and they are widely distributed, which gives sodium-ion batteries a significant cost advantage on the raw material side. Their production and manufacturing equipment is highly compatible with existing lithium-ion battery production lines, but the energy density is still relatively low. Therefore, the main battlefield of sodium-ion batteries is in areas such as energy storage power stations and low-speed electric vehicles, playing an important role of "cost supplementation."

For scenarios that pursue ultimate safety, new aqueous batteries such as zinc-based ones provide an important supplement. This type of battery uses an aqueous electrolyte, avoiding the risk of combustion and explosion. Lithium-sulfur batteries, on the other hand, are finding a new way to approach a problem (另辟蹊径, ling pi qi jing - "another, open, path, trick"), using the ultra-high theoretical specific capacity of sulfur to target special application scenarios with extreme requirements for energy density.

In the field of long-duration energy storage, flow batteries demonstrate unique advantages. Taking all-vanadium flow batteries as an example, they decouple energy storage from power output and can be easily expanded by external electrolyte storage tanks, making them suitable for large-scale, long-duration grid-level energy storage. In addition, metal-air batteries have also attracted much attention. They use metals such as lithium, zinc, and aluminum as negative electrodes and directly use oxygen in the air as the positive electrode active material, with extremely high theoretical energy density. However, the technology is not yet mature, and improving the positive electrode catalyst and energy efficiency remains the focus of research.

At present, quasi-solid-state lithium batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and flow batteries are developing relatively quickly because their technologies are more mature, their cost advantages are gradually emerging, and they have also attracted a large amount of capital investment. In contrast, lithium-sulfur batteries and metal-air batteries are still in the laboratory research and development or demonstration stage, and there is still a long way to go before large-scale commercialization.

It is difficult for batteries to produce an "all-around champion." Essentially, it is a matter of making trade-offs among multiple indicators such as energy density, safety, cost, lifespan, rate capability, and temperature range. At present, no battery can optimize all indicators at the same time. Therefore, the future pattern of battery development is not about one replacing another, but about selecting the most appropriate system according to the needs of different application scenarios to achieve coordinated evolution.

(The author is an associate researcher and doctoral supervisor at the College of Chemistry, Nankai University; compiled and organized by People's Daily reporter Li Jiadong)

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Without leap seconds, will our daily lives be affected? (Science Chat)

By: 窦 忠

The 28th General Conference on Weights and Measures voted in Versailles, France, to adopt, effective May 20, 2027, a "continuous coordinated universal time" as the international standard time, and leap seconds will no longer be used.

As soon as the news came out, many people began to wonder: without leap seconds, will our daily lives be affected?

First, let us look at how time is actually "calculated."

Human timekeeping relies on two parallel systems. One is based on the Earth's rotation: the interval between two consecutive passages of the sun over the same position is one day; this is "universal time," which is customarily used in daily life, astronomical observation, and geodetic measurement. The other is based on the frequency of atomic transitions and is called "atomic time"; the length of the second defined by this system hardly changes over time, and systems such as communications and navigation all require such a time reference.

The problem is that the Earth, as a "clock," is not very reliable. The Earth's rotation rate is affected by many factors, including solar and lunar perturbations, the oceans and atmosphere, and internal motions of the Earth; it is not uniform, and over the long term it is slowly decelerating. Atomic time runs steadily and reliably (稳稳当当, wen wen dang dang - "stable, steady, properly"), while universal time occasionally "dawdles." Over time, the two standards fall out of sync.

At present, the globally accepted standard time is called "coordinated universal time." The "length of the second" adopts the atomic-time second, ensuring uniformity and stability; the "time of day" approximates universal time as closely as possible, and through leap seconds, it stays in step with the Earth's rotation. In plain terms, coordinated universal time is a compromise and coordination between the two standards. This approach was established more than half a century ago and has been in use ever since.

When the predicted difference between universal time and atomic time approaches 0.9 second, a whole-second adjustment is made to coordinated universal time; this is the leap second. From 1972 to the present, a total of 27 leap seconds have been implemented worldwide, all of them "positive leap seconds," that is, adding one second — over these more than 50 years, the Earth's rotation has been slowing relative to atomic time, with a leap second on average every two years. Of course, this is not absolute; the last leap second occurred at Beijing time on January 1, 2017, and nearly 10 years have passed without another leap second being added.

It is only a matter of adding one second — how much of a deal can that be?

For ordinary people, one second more or less makes no difference. But for modern digital systems, this "sudden attack" of one second can stir up no small disturbance. The cycle of leap seconds is not fixed; the International Earth Rotation Service usually gives only half a year's notice, and many software systems cannot write that second into their code in advance. In 2012, a leap second caused multiple overseas websites to crash and paralyzed an Australian airline ticketing system; in 2015, a leap second forced the U.S. Intercontinental Exchange to suspend trading for more than 60 minutes. China experienced no mishaps during leap-second adjustments.

At the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference, many countries advocated abolishing the leap second, with sound reasons: aerospace, global positioning systems, telecommunications, and network synchronization all require a continuous time scale; digital time-distribution systems cannot effectively handle leap seconds; and when a leap second occurs, it falls during daytime working hours in countries of the Eastern Hemisphere, making the impact more pronounced.

More troublesome still, in recent years the Earth's rotation has shown signs of accelerating. This means that in the future it may no longer be necessary to "add a second," but rather to "subtract a second" — that is, a negative leap second. At present, the probability of a negative leap second is rising rapidly, and some experts estimate it could reach 30 percent by 2035. A negative leap second is a situation humanity has never encountered; what would happen if it actually occurred, no one can say for sure.

Will universal time no longer be heeded from now on?

It will be heeded, but in a different way. The new scheme is called the "leap hour": instead of having to nudge the second hand every few years, atomic time and universal time will be allowed to gradually drift apart, and when the accumulated difference reaches about one hour, an adjustment will be made all at once. Based on current trends, it would take several thousand years to accumulate that one hour.

It should be specially noted that universal time measurement services are essential basic services for fields such as timekeeping, deep-space exploration, and high-precision astrometry. In recent years, the National Time Service Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has, by using the multi-means universal time measurement system established domestically, already begun providing universal time services, which can preliminarily meet the needs of China's various work. Therefore, whether leap seconds are abolished or not will not affect China's time service work.

From the "second" to the "hour," the interval of adjustment has been lengthened, placing the continuity and stability of time in a position of priority. The leap second, used for more than half a century, has fulfilled its historical mission, and our time will continue to move forward steadily and reliably.

(The author is the Party Committee Secretary of the National Time Service Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.)

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China's 43rd Antarctic Expedition Sets Out

(People's Daily, Beijing) (Reporter Liu Shiyao) The reporter learned from the Ministry of Natural Resources: The 43rd Chinese Antarctic Expedition, organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, has recently set out for the Antarctic.

This expedition will focus on advancing the following five areas of work: First, improving the polar research station and transportation support systems, comprehensively completing the on-site construction finishing and acceptance work of the Qinling Station, carrying out survey and mapping for the proposed supporting facilities of the Marie Byrd Land research station, and conducting preparatory work for the upgrade and renovation of the Great Wall Station and the Zhongshan Station; Second, continuing to carry out comprehensive surveys and monitoring in multiple fields in the Antarctic, conducting multidisciplinary comprehensive surveys and long-term monitoring in typical sea areas such as the waters adjacent to the Antarctic Peninsula and the Cosmonaut Sea; Third, targeting the frontiers of international polar science and technology to implement key tasks, continuing the national key research and development program mission of "Antarctic Qilin Subglacial Lake Drilling," organizing the National Natural Science Foundation of China shared cruise mission of "Research on the Cessation Mechanism of Subduction of the Scotia Sea Plate in the Antarctic and Its Resource Effects," and conducting in-depth research on major frontier scientific issues such as the linkage mechanisms of geological hazards in polar regions and the interactions between hydrothermal fluids and cold seeps; Fourth, advancing the testing and application of domestically produced technical equipment, organizing the testing and application of domestic facilities and equipment such as the AR500 large unmanned helicopter in the Antarctic, and carrying out the development of large-thickness snow surface compaction equipment and the verification of a mobile fully modular assembled aviation station prototype; Fifth, deepening bilateral and multilateral international scientific research and support cooperation.

This expedition is jointly supported by the "Xuelong," "Xuelong 2," and "Dayang" vessels, with more than 600 team members from over 100 domestic institutions participating. It is expected that the mission will be completed and the team will return to China in April 2027.

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Chinese Scientists Crack Genetic Code for Early-Maturing, High-Yield Barley

(People's Daily, Beijing) (Reporter Yu Sinan) Recently, the research team led by Yang Ping, a researcher at the Institute of Crop Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, together with domestic and international research institutions, analyzed the genetic background and breeding selection changes of China's barley over more than 80 years of breeding history, revealing the genetic basis for the synergy between early maturity and stable yield in autumn-sown barley in double-cropping regions. The relevant research findings were published in Nature.

In China, barley is often grown together with wheat, and combined with subsequent crops such as rice to form a double-cropping system, so as to increase the multiple cropping index of arable land. However, this system has a short cropping interval and tight linkage between the two seasons, making it vulnerable to extreme climate impacts. Although early-maturing varieties can alleviate the cropping interval conflict, they are often accompanied by problems such as insufficient biomass and reduced yield. The research team, spanning a period of ten years (历时10年, li shi shi nian - "pass through, time, 10 years"), mapped out China's barley "breeding selection atlas." The study found that since the mid-20th century, high-yield, high-quality European beer barley introduced into China has continuously integrated with and undergone adaptive improvement of local barley, ultimately forming a germplasm population that balances high yield potential with local environmental adaptability, laying the genetic foundation for China's modern beer barley and feed barley.

The research team also identified a gene module formed by the linkage of the phytochrome gene PhyC and the vernalization gene VRN-H1. The former acts like an "accelerator" regulating flowering, while the latter plays the role of a "brake." The two precisely regulate the plant growth process, achieving the unity of early maturity and high, stable yield in barley.

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How to Give Tomatoes a Popcorn Flavor (Fun Science)

By: 郑 鹏

Bite into a tomato, and your mouth is filled with the sweet fragrance of popcorn—this is not unrealistic or wild ideas (异想天开, yi xiang tian kai - "different, think, reach, heaven"), but a delightful surprise for the taste buds brought about by a delicate "gene magic trick."

Some netizens say that although the tomatoes on store shelves now have "off-the-charts looks"—smooth and shiny skin, uniform and plump size—when you bite into them, the taste is rather bland, lacking tomato flavor. Why?

This is the "sweet trouble" of modern agriculture: on the road to pursuing higher yields, longer shelf life, and stronger disease resistance, some flavor genes were inadvertently "lost" during the process of tomato breeding, which is why the tomatoes we eat daily have lost some of the rich flavor from our memories.

Fortunately, with breakthroughs in modern agricultural technology, some "lost" tomato flavors can not only be "reawakened," but have also welcomed an unexpected "cross-industry upgrade."

The Xianghu Laboratory in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, together with research teams from the University of Adelaide in Australia and others, has successfully cultivated tomatoes that carry a popcorn fragrance, allowing tomatoes and popcorn—a pair that have absolutely nothing to do with each other (八竿子打不着, ba gan zi da bu zhao - "eight, poles, hit, not, reach")—to achieve a marvelous fusion of flavors on the tip of the tongue.

This flavor interaction actually originated from a bowl of fragrant rice. After high-quality fragrant rice is cooked, it gives off an enticing aroma similar to popcorn, whetting the appetite. Previously, scientists uncovered the true identity of this aroma—it comes from a substance abbreviated as "2-AP." Even more interestingly, as specific flavor-regulating factors in fragrant rice undergo natural variation, 2-AP accumulates in large quantities, and the aroma becomes increasingly rich.

Since rice can have this aroma, can tomatoes?

Driven by curiosity, the research team embarked on an exploration of tomato flavor breeding. Through bioinformatics analysis, they found the "code" regulating 2-AP accumulation in the tomato genome—two BADH family genes: SlBADH1 and SlBADH2. They act like invisible "suppressors" of tomato aroma, silently limiting the accumulation of 2-AP, keeping tomatoes from ever having a popcorn fragrance.

Having found the root of the problem, the next step was to use science to perform the "gene magic trick." The research team disrupted the function of SlBADH1 and SlBADH2, lifting the restriction of these two "suppressors." This is essentially the same as traditional breeding that relies on natural variation to select superior varieties, but by relying on modern biotechnology, the process has become more precise and more efficient.

Moreover, this change in flavor did not reduce the quality of the tomato. Through experimental observation, the research team found that this "popcorn-flavored tomato" shows no difference from ordinary tomatoes in terms of flowering time, plant height, single-fruit weight, or fruit sweetness and acidity. And with the addition of the popcorn flavor, the originally single-layered taste has become rich in texture.

Some people may have such concerns: can the food safety of the modified "popcorn-flavored tomato" be guaranteed? In fact, China has a complete regulatory system for specialty-bred agricultural products. From laboratory research to field cultivation, and then to the dining table, every link is subject to strict standards and control.

At present, the research team is applying this technology to more mainstream commercial tomato varieties. In the near future, consumers will be able to taste this marvelous flavor. At the same time, through the application of biotechnology, researchers are expected to open more "flavor blind boxes" of fruits and vegetables. Chocolate flavor, strawberry flavor, osmanthus flavor... these fruits and vegetables may even have different "scent notes" like perfumes. By then, grocery shopping could also become an interesting "journey of seeking fragrances."

(The author is an associate researcher with the Plant Metabolism and Biosynthesis Team at Xianghu Laboratory; compiled and organized by People's Daily reporter Liu Junguo)

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China Successfully Completes Space Station Extravehicular Laser 'Minimally Invasive' Test

(People's Daily, Wuhan) (Reporter Fan Haotian) The reporter learned from Huazhong University of Science and Technology: the "extravehicular laser repair device" jointly developed by the team of Professor Huang Yu of the university's School of Mechanical Science and Engineering and the Shanghai Institute of Space Power Sources recently successfully completed China's space station extravehicular laser cutting maintenance test in orbit. This is the first laser precision cutting test conducted internationally through teleoperation in the extreme space environment hundreds of kilometers away. The success of the test marks a major breakthrough (重大突破, zhong da tu po - "heavy, great, break, breakthrough") in China's in-orbit operation and maintenance and related equipment manufacturing technology fields.

The team innovated laser process methods, successfully upgrading industrial-grade products into highly reliable in-orbit equipment meeting stringent aerospace standards; at the same time, it developed an "8+2" axis multi-degree-of-freedom fine adjustment mechanism, a three-degree-of-freedom precision capture mechanism, and an advanced multi-level visual guidance system, achieving intelligent high-precision positioning of extravehicular targets under complex space attitudes and micron-level precision cutting of laser thermal effects.

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Page editors: Cao Yiqing, Xiao Yao, Chen Yuanyuan

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Getting Close to the Earliest Prehistoric City Site in the Lower Reaches of the Yellow River (Archaeology in China)

By: 王 芬

The Jiaojia site is located in Zhangqiu District, Jinan City, Shandong Province. Its main remains belong to the middle and late periods of the Dawenkou culture, dating back approximately 5,200 to 4,400 years, making it the earliest prehistoric city site discovered to date in the lower reaches of the Yellow River. As a representative of ancient cities contemporaneous with the "Liangzhu Ancient City" in the Yangtze River basin, the "Jiaojia Ancient City" was written into the seventh-grade first-semester history textbook of the People's Education Press national unified curriculum in 2024. What era features does the Jiaojia site present?

The Jiaojia site was discovered during an archaeological survey in 1987, and underwent re-examination and trial excavation in the 1990s. Since 2016, the School of Archaeology of Shandong University, together with multiple institutions, has continuously carried out systematic archaeological work, and the results were rated as one of the "Top Ten National Archaeological Discoveries of 2017" and selected as a core site of the fifth phase of the "Project to Trace the Origins of Chinese Civilization" and a major project of "Archaeology China." As a typical representative of the second stage of the ancient state era, in which "social differentiation further intensified and the capacity to mobilize social resources was strengthened," the Jiaojia site provides key systematic evidence for exploring the origins of Chinese ritual civilization. The continuous work carried out at the Jiaojia site is precisely an important practice that, based on the lower reaches of the Yellow River, responds to the major topic of the origins of Chinese civilization.

Ten years of archaeology, three stages clearly visible.

From 2016 to 2022, archaeological surveys confirmed that the total area of the ancient city exceeded 1 million square meters. Combined with prospecting and dissection of key parts, a city site with a total area of approximately 122,500 square meters, first built in the middle period of the Dawenkou culture, was discovered, representing the earliest prehistoric city site in the lower reaches of the Yellow River. Excavation of the southern gate site of the city confirmed that the city wall was built in two phases, constructed with bundled-stick ramming and board-framed ramming. The diachronic evolution of the settlement of the ancient city over the seven to eight hundred years of the middle and late Dawenkou period was clarified, and a number of house sites with clear structures and a large number of tombs of distinct ranks were cleared, including large tombs with multiple coffins and outer coffins, and burial goods of jade artifacts and fine pottery. It was confirmed that "three layers of coffins and outer coffins" appeared in the late Dawenkou culture, and the overall rate of coffin and outer coffin use in the cemetery exceeded 70%. The concentrated appearance of jade yue axes symbolizing power, as well as ritual pottery such as painted pottery and white pottery, enriched scholarly understanding of the social forms and ritual systems of the middle and late Dawenkou culture.

From 2023 to 2024, a second ring of ditches was discovered outside the previously known city site, covering an area of approximately 495,000 square meters and dating to the late Dawenkou culture. The previously known city site was renamed the Small City, and several large rammed-earth building foundations were confirmed within the Small City.

From 2025 to the present, the distribution and structure of the large building foundations in the Small City have been clarified; through dissection of the second ring of ditches, the existence of a city wall on its inner side was confirmed; and new clues to a third ring of city wall and ditches were discovered in the more peripheral area.

At this point, through ten years of systematic work, it has been basically clarified that the Jiaojia Ancient City had three rings of walls and ditches, that the Small City dates to the middle period of the Dawenkou culture, and that the settlement evolution, layout structure, and social content within the city are also basically clear. The Middle City and Outer City date to the late Dawenkou culture, and whether the two rings of city walls and ditches coexisted simultaneously still requires further work to explore.

Based on field archaeology, a series of multidisciplinary studies have been launched one after another. Archaeobotany shows that the ancestors mainly ate foxtail millet and broomcorn millet, while zooarchaeology reveals that meat consumption was mainly domestic pigs, supplemented by deer and freshwater fish. Carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis further shows that there were differences in the "diets" of the late elite class and the ordinary class, reflecting the intensification of social differentiation. Physical anthropology research shows that the ancestors were tall and strong, with males averaging over 1.7 meters and females over 1.6 meters in height, and that there was already a clear division of labor between the sexes; observations of skeletal trauma and strain indicate that the high-ranking group was not a privileged class that "did not engage in production." Strontium isotope analysis identified "foreign populations" in some tombs. Geoarchaeology reconstructed the complete "life history" of the city walls and ditches, and magnetic susceptibility analysis assisted in confirming the large rammed-earth building foundations.

The scientific and technological analysis of jade artifacts is particularly noteworthy. Both the proportion of tombs with burial jade artifacts and the proportion of jade artifacts in the total number of burial goods exceed those of other Dawenkou cemeteries discovered so far, greatly changing the previous view that the Dawenkou culture did not attach importance to jade. Specialized jade production had already emerged in the ancient city: some serpentine came from the Taishan mountain range, some tremolite may have come from the northeast, and turquoise may have come from northwestern Hubei, reflecting that a network of long-distance resource circulation had already formed around 5,000 years ago.

The interweaving of various clues brings the life picture of the Jiaojia ancestors to life — stable sources of grain and meat, a clearly stratified social structure, a resource circulation network spanning thousands of li, and the production of artifacts with both practical and ritual functions. And the elite class personally participated in and led the construction and operation of this ancient city.

The archaeology of the Jiaojia site has provided rich content for research on the origins of civilization in the Haidai region. Contemporary sites such as Gangshang, Gaixia, Dawenkou, and Wangzhuang have also successively confirmed city sites or discovered high-ranking remains. These large settlements distributed across different geographical units both display, at the macro level, the common features of the era of intensified social differentiation and the emergence of ritual systems, and each has its own characteristics in settlement layout and burial customs, suggesting that the civilization processes of various areas within Haidai did not proceed in the same rhythm. How to deeply understand this pluralistic development trajectory may become an important topic for future academic research.

If one extends the perspective beyond the Haidai cultural region, elements from surrounding cultural regions such as the Yangshao–Miaodigou Phase II culture of the Central Plains, the Liangzhu culture of the lower Yangtze River, and the Qujialing culture of the middle Yangtze River can also be identified in the remains of the Jiaojia Ancient City. After being introduced, these elements underwent localized absorption and transformation. Painted pottery motifs, jade artifact forms and techniques, scarce resources such as tremolite, and even many elements of burial ritual customs all reveal long-distance exchange and interaction that already existed about 5,000 years ago. The "long-distance exchange network of the social upper classes" can be traced here — elites of different regions participated in a supra-regional cultural community through the exchange of ritual vessels, jade materials, ritual knowledge, and the like. Regional popular exchange and extra-regional upper-class interaction — two scales and different levels of exchange networks interwoven and coexisting — jointly shaped the complex picture of the civilization process in the Haidai region and beyond.

Over the past ten years, the Jiaojia site has also become an important front for public archaeology. As the first "Shandong Province Public Archaeology Base," the archaeological excavation site has become a history classroom for tens of thousands of primary and secondary school students. The "Ritual Originated in the East" exhibition held by the National Museum of China and the "Five Thousand Years of the East" series of special exhibitions held by the Liangzhu Museum have been held one after another, spreading the picture of civilization from more than 5,000 years ago in the minds of more people.

From the Small City of just over 120,000 square meters that first revealed its outline, to the tangible Great City of nearly one million square meters, the archaeology of the Jiaojia site has gradually revealed its contribution to the map of research on Chinese civilization. But for a large central site, ten years is, after all, only a beginning — finer excavation, deeper interpretation, a more open perspective... Exploring "what makes China China" remains a long and arduous task ahead (任重道远, ren zhong dao yuan - "task, heavy; road, far").

(Author affiliation: School of Archaeology, Shandong University)

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Min River Olives: Fuzhou’s “Fruit of Fortune” (Exploring the Past, Understanding the Present)

By: 刘某承

When first tasting Fuzhou olives, one often finds them sour and astringent. Chew a little longer, and a clear sweetness emerges from the root of the tongue; take a sip of water, and the lingering sweetness becomes especially distinct. Fuzhou people love this flavor and call the olive the "fruit of fortune." Fuzhou's olive cultivation has a long history. The New Book of Tang records that "Fuzhou's Changle Commandery... paid tribute in local products of banana cloth, sea clams, patterned fans, tea, and olives," showing that as early as the Tang Dynasty, Fuzhou olives had already become tribute items for the imperial court. In October this year, the Fuzhou Olive Cultivation System became part of the eighth batch of China's Important Agricultural Heritage Systems.

Olives grow on the sandbars along the Min River and also on the gentle slopes nearby. The soil near the water is loose, allowing roots to spread easily; the hillside, facing the sun with good drainage, is another kind of suitable site condition. Through long-term production practice, Fuzhou people have accumulated rich experience in olive cultivation. Local farmers arrange their orchards according to the lay of the river and the hills, so that olive trees form belts along the river and extend toward the mountains. Sandbars are not fixed plots of land; fluctuations in water levels and river sedimentation both change the suitable locations for planting trees. Fruit growers must discern the water conditions and soil layers and adjust their planting zones accordingly. From a distance, the scenery of river, olive groves, and villages stretches together; up close, one sees a series of choices made according to the terrain. Today the fruit trees still stand by the riverbank, and the planting experience handed down by ancestors begins with understanding where trees are suited to grow.

Planting olives on the sandbars both prevents soil erosion and makes use of the fertile soil and abundant water of the sandbars to promote olive growth; in some orchards, crops are also grown and poultry raised under the trees, with poultry manure returned to the fields, making full use of orchard space, increasing farmers' income, and achieving mutual benefits for all parties involved (双赢, shuang ying - "two, win") in ecological and economic benefits.

When planting an olive tree, one cannot look only at the immediate harvest. In Minhou County there is a "Huiyuan Olive King" tree about 300 years old, which, after care across several generations, still bears fruit today, with an annual yield of up to 400 to 500 kilograms. Such a long-lived fruit tree reveals a simple truth: the management of an olive orchard must be measured on a scale of many years. How to prune the canopy, when to renew the branches, and how to prevent and control pests and diseases are all tasks of long-term observation and repeated adjustment by farmers.

In Fuzhou olive orchards, high grafting is one method of renewing trees. Farmers select robust mature trees, graft superior varieties onto the branches, and then carefully protect the scions and tend the new shoots. The cut must be smooth, and the cambium of the scion and the branch must be aligned; after grafting, shading is needed and excess sprouts must be promptly removed. There is a local saying, "three parts grafting, seven parts tending," and the key to survival often lies in subsequent care. This both makes use of the old tree's existing root system and avoids cutting down the tree and replanting. Grafting also does not mean replacing all trees with the same kind of fruit: native varieties such as Huiyuan, Changying, and Tanxiang each have their uses—some are suitable for fresh eating, others for processing. Only by preserving old trees and different varieties does the orchard retain room to adapt to future changes.

From the tree to the dining table, olives must undergo another process of "removing astringency and retaining sweetness." Fresh fruit can be chewed slowly to savor its aftertaste; making salted olives or preserved fruit relies on processes such as salting, extraction, boiling in sugar, and pickling to harmonize the flavor. One traditional food is called kao bian lan (flattened olives): after being flattened, salted, desalted, and then pickled, the astringency gradually fades and the flavor gradually deepens. Craftspeople know which fruit to select, how much salt and sugar to use, and how long to wait to preserve the olive's fresh fragrance. The harvest from the trees thus becomes a taste of home that can be stored and given as gifts. The olive preserved-fruit making technique of Minhou County and the olive syrup handmade technique of Minqing County have been included in the representative project list of Fuzhou's intangible cultural heritage.

This experience of astringency first and sweetness later has also entered Chinese writing and emotion. Zhou Mi of the Southern Song Dynasty recorded in the Qidong Yeyu that olives are also called "fruit of remonstrance": they are not pleasing at first taste, yet the aftertaste is clear and sweet, just like loyal advice that is hard on the ears. In the daily life of Fuzhou people, it has acquired an even more affectionate name—the "fruit of fortune." During festivals, people often give olives as gifts, conveying the blessing of "sending fortune." A dish of olives served to guests during the New Year, a packet of preserved fruit carried on a long journey—what they convey is not only flavor but also the longing for reunion and for returning home.

When discussing the protection of the Fuzhou olive cultivation system today, what is worth preserving is precisely these interconnected elements: the orchards on sandbars and slopes, the old trees still bearing fruit, the native varieties each with their own character, and the people who know how to plant, how to graft, and how to process. Old trees need continued care, the craft needs people to learn it, and olive growers also need to be rewarded for their labor. Only by attracting the next generation into the orchards can the wisdom carried by olives, like their flavor, leave a lingering sweetness for a long time to come.

(The author is a researcher at the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

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The Everlasting "Huaxi Company"

By: 贺小边

In Huaxi Village, Xiangxing Township, Yongxin County, Ji'an City, Jiangxi Province, stands a large Liu clan ancestral hall (see photo, taken by Liu Qinglin), with blue bricks and black tiles and towering horse-head walls. Beneath the plaque at the hall's entrance stands a stone tablet — "Former Site of the 17th Division Headquarters of the 6th Army Group, Huaxi." More than 90 years ago, it was through this door that a company composed almost entirely of the village's able-bodied young men marched out: the Huaxi Company.

In early 1934, to coordinate with the Central Red Army's operations, Xiao Ke was ordered to lead the 17th Division of the 6th Army Group northward to block the enemy. But because the enemy outnumbered our forces, the troops were thwarted and returned, arriving back in the Hunan-Jiangxi Soviet Area in March, where they rested and regrouped in the Huaxi, Xiangxing, and Huanggang areas of Yongxin, with the division headquarters stationed in the Liu clan ancestral hall in Huaxi. By then the situation had become extremely grim, and the Red Army's strength had greatly diminished. It was at this time that the village party branch and the Soviet government launched a "Red Army expansion" drive, and the whole village responded with everyone responding enthusiastically to a single call (一呼百应, yi hu bai ying - "one, call; hundred, respond"). Liu Zhirui, Liu Fuliang, Liu Keming... more than 120 able-bodied young men signed up together. One early morning in early April, Xiao Ke stood on the drill ground to the left of the ancestral hall and announced the formation of the "Huaxi Company," which was incorporated into the 49th Regiment of the 17th Division, with Liu Jianzhou serving as company commander. Later, more villagers successively followed suit, and at its peak the company numbered more than 280 men, of whom 218 can be identified by name.

In August of the same year, the 6th Army Group was ordered to break through the encirclement and march west on an expedition, and the Huaxi Company set out with the troops, embarking from then on the long and arduous Long March. They pierced through layer upon layer of enemy blockades, fighting bloody battles all the way, and in October joined forces with the troops led by He Long in Yinjiang, Guizhou; in November 1935, they again set out from Sangzhi, Hunan, with the main forces of the 2nd and 6th Army Groups, climbing snow mountains and crossing grasslands, completing the 25,000-li Long March. But when roll was called, more than 200 Huaxi Company soldiers, including Liu Zhixiong and Liu Jianzhou, never answered again. After the full-scale War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression broke out, the remaining members of the Huaxi Company were incorporated into the 717th Regiment of the 359th Brigade of the 120th Division of the Eighth Route Army of the National Revolutionary Army and marched to the front lines of the anti-Japanese war. They were always leading the charge at the forefront (冲锋在前, chong feng zai qian - "charge, peak; at, front"), staining the battlefield with their blood. By the time the People's Republic of China was founded, only a little over 10 of those who had joined the army from Huaxi that year had survived.

In July 1949, the 18th Army of the People's Liberation Army liberated Yongxin. Two companies of PLA soldiers pursuing the enemy came to Huaxi Village. "The Red Army of those days has returned to the village!" Aunt He Qiulian, who had been thinking of someone or something constantly day and night (日思夜想, ri si ye xiang - "sun, think; moon, miss") for her husband, pulled her three children along and stood at the village entrance, standing on tiptoe as she watched the troops approach — but she did not see her husband's figure. How could she have known that back in 1934, when her husband was passing through Guizhou on the westward breakout expedition, he had led his entire platoon of comrades charging into battle, and though hit by multiple bullets, he refused to withdraw from his command position, and finally, having lost too much blood, fell on a mountain road in a foreign land.

In 1954, General Xiao Ke returned to Huaxi. He walked into the Liu clan ancestral hall and stood there for a long time, then said to those accompanying him: "The scene of the Huaxi people enthusiastically joining the army and participating in the war back then once again appears before my eyes. The Huaxi people are truly good! I did not bring all my Huaxi Company comrades back, and I am sorry to the fathers and elders of Huaxi!" In 1991, during the conference commemorating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Hunan-Jiangxi Revolutionary Base Area, General Xiao Ke wrote an inscription for the Huaxi Company: "The Huaxi Company is the pride of the Huaxi people. The Huaxi people made great contributions to the revolution during the war years. Today, we must carry forward and develop the glorious tradition and build Huaxi even better." This was a veteran soldier's tribute to his comrades-in-arms.

Today, Yongxin County has designated the former site of the Red 17th Division headquarters — the Liu clan ancestral hall in Huaxi — as a county-level cultural relic protection unit. It has become an important base for local patriotic education and red study tours. The "Huaxi Company" made indelible contributions to the Chinese revolution, and the people have not forgotten the martyrs who marched out from here; their heroic names are forever engraved in the Yongxin County Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery.

(Author's affiliation: Yongxin County Cultural Relic Protection Center, Ji'an City, Jiangxi Province)

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Looking back on a life, what more could one seek—willing to pour every drop into the mighty current

By: 母彦碧

In the second-floor exhibition hall of the Tucheng Women Red Army Memorial Hall in Xishui County, Guizhou Province, people always pause before a line of vigorous calligraphy and a bright red handprint. In 2017, Wang Dingguo, a 105-year-old woman Red Army veteran, wrote the six large characters "Women Red Army Memorial Hall"; in September 2019, on the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Women Red Army Memorial Hall, a red handprint pressed personally by the elderly Wang Dingguo was delivered to the hall by her son Xie Yaxu for permanent collection. This is the spiritual token that the elderly Wang Dingguo left for posterity, carrying a woman soldier's profound remembrance of her fallen comrades-in-arms, and also holding the moving story of "completing the Long March on nine toes."

In 1913, Wang Dingguo was born into a poor peasant family in Sichuan Province. In 1933, she joined the revolutionary work. In 1935, she participated in the Long March with the Fourth Front Army of the Red Army. During the Long March, she followed the troops across snow-capped mountains, and while rubbing her feet to keep warm, she broke a frostbitten toe. Enduring the pain, she smoothed the broken bone, bandaged it simply, and continued marching with the troops... In this way, relying on nine toes, she completed the long journey of the Long March.

Having personally experienced the life-and-death trials of the Long March, Wang Dingguo deeply missed the Red Army sisters who had sacrificed their lives. To her, women Red Army soldiers were not cold nouns in books, but living, real comrades-in-arms who had fought side by side with her. This weighty concern accompanied her until the twilight of her life.

"Women Red Army Memorial Hall" — this inscription, 140 centimeters long and 85 centimeters wide, is the centenarian's profound mourning for her fallen comrades, and even more so an earnest entrustment to later generations — to forever remember these women heroes. In her later years, Wang Dingguo was bedridden for years, and raising her hand or pressing down required enormous physical effort. Yet in order to leave this memorial, she tried more than ten times on her sickbed before selecting the most satisfactory handprint. Unexpectedly, this was also the last memorial that the elderly Wang Dingguo left us. Less than a year later, on June 9, 2020, Wang Dingguo, having walked through a life of more than a century full of ups and downs and vicissitudes (风雨跌宕, feng yu die dang - "wind, rain, fall, surge"), passed away.

From the moment the elderly Wang Dingguo wrote the inscription, from the moment we received the handprint, this entrustment spanning a century was placed heavily into the hands of our generation.

As the only memorial hall in the country dedicated to telling the stories of women Red Army soldiers, the Tucheng Women Red Army Memorial Hall has collected the names of 4,113 women Red Army soldiers and focuses on telling the stories of 731 of them; for seven consecutive years it has held the "Women Red Army Storytelling Session," developed research-study courses suitable for young people, launched the "Finding the Red Army Mother in My Heart" themed activity, and arranged numerous literary and artistic works praising and commemorating women Red Army soldiers... On the basis of optimizing and upgrading the exhibitions, we have continuously enriched the exhibition content, turning the exhibition halls into classrooms, creating "ideological and political lessons in the memorial hall," and, guided by "Red Culture+," truly bringing the sleeping cultural relics to "life" and making history truly reach people's hearts.

At the age of 80, Wang Dingguo wrote the verse — "Looking back on a lifetime, what do I seek? I wish to pour my trickle into the great current." The Long March spirit she practiced throughout her life still inspires us today to walk the Long March road of our own generation.

(The author is the head of the Tucheng Women Red Army Memorial Hall; compiled by People's Daily reporter Huang Xian)

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Names inscribed on artifacts still speak to us

By: 杨 巍

When gold and silver vessels are laid before us, what we can see is their form, ornamentation, and luster; what we cannot see is how many pairs of hands they passed through from raw material to finished vessel. Who did what, and who is responsible for it? We can find answers to these questions in the inscriptions.

From the parallel listing of government offices and work categories on Han dynasty bronze vessels, to the rank sequences on Tang dynasty silver vessels, to the work-hour quotas in Qing dynasty archives, the way of recording division of labor has changed, but the logical thread of breaking key processes into attributable, traceable units of responsibility has always existed.

In the Han dynasty, gold and silver vessel production had already differentiated from bronze craftsmanship, forming a relatively independent handicraft category. Shu Commandery and Guanghan Commandery were key production bases for gold and silver vessels for the imperial court. However, although gold and silver vessel production had become an independent category, it still shared basic techniques such as hammering, casting, and chasing with bronze casting — the two were in a relationship of inheritance and differentiation, not completely separated.

The first recorded form of division of labor in the Han dynasty was inscribed on government offices. On the Western Han gilt-and-silvered bronze incense burner with bamboo-joint handle, the inscription on the outer side of the lid reads "made by the Inner Palace in the fourth year," and the inscription on the outer ring of the base reads "made by the Palace Workshop in the fourth year." On the same incense burner, two government offices each signed their names, and the numbering also differed. This shows that in the production of imperial court vessels in the Han dynasty, there was already divided casting and collaboration between government offices.

The second recorded form of division of labor fell to the level of work categories, as evidenced by another object. On the Eastern Han wine vessel for the imperial carriage with gold and silver coating, made in the 23rd year of the Jianwu reign, the underside of the supporting tray bears an incised inscription of 48 characters listing the names of the craftsmen of four processes. On a single wine vessel, the division of processes at the operational level and the chain of responsibility at the supervisory level were inscribed at the same time.

The coexistence of the two recorded forms shows that the division of labor in Han dynasty government-run handicraft industry involved both horizontal collaboration between government offices and vertical division within workshops. The Han dynasty inscriptions' recording of "work categories" did not stop at process names but also specified individual names — this manner of writing meant that division of labor no longer remained at the level of institutional description but became a physical record that could be verified and held accountable.

In the Tang dynasty, with the state powerful and the Silk Road unobstructed, the gold and silver handicraft industry entered its period of full flourishing. The parallel operation of the government-run and private tracks made the production organization of Tang dynasty gold and silver vessels more complex than that of the Han dynasty, and the way of recording division of labor changed accordingly.

On vessel inscriptions, the Tang dynasty adopted a different manner of writing. On the silver tea-sieve with gilt flying apsaras and crane pattern unearthed from the Famen Temple underground palace, the inscription on the bottom of the sieve lists "craftsman-officer Shao Yuan, supervising officer Li Shicun, inspecting officer Gao Pin Wu Hongque, and commissioner Neng Shun." Unlike the Han dynasty wine vessel, which listed names by individual work category, Tang dynasty inscriptions no longer distinguished specific processes such as "bronze worker" or "finishing worker," but instead arranged responsible persons by rank — the hands-on worker, the workshop supervisor, the inspecting official, the overall director — with clear hierarchy and a responsibility chain that is crystal clear and easy to understand (一目了然, yi mu le ran - "one, eye, clearly, understand"). This change means that the organizational form of division of labor shifted from "parallel work categories" to rank-based operation within government offices.

The silver casket with wheel-of-wisdom door-shaped base and flat-top roof unearthed from the same site records in its inscription another form of collaboration: a production completed once under the leadership of a monastery, with two craftsmen collaborating. This shows that the participants in Tang dynasty gold and silver vessel production were no longer limited to the craftsman system of government-run workshops, and the way of recording division of labor also expanded to more flexible attribution of responsibility.

After the Song and Yuan dynasties, the center of gravity of the gold and silver handicraft industry gradually shifted from the court to the private sector. But no new breakthrough appeared in the recorded form of division of labor; what truly advanced division of labor to a dimension that earlier dynasties' inscriptions did not possess was the Qing dynasty court archives.

The work logs and craftsman regulations of the Imperial Workshop were court archives, not vessel inscriptions, and their nature differed from those of the previous two dynasties. The Imperial Workshop archives record that the construction of a golden pagoda required the coordinated work of multiple work categories such as chasing and openwork carving; the Qing Dynasty Craftsman Regulations calculated labor by the area of chasing work, with coarse chasing and fine chasing each having their own quotas. From "who did what" in the Han and Tang inscriptions to "how many people assigned, how many work-days" in the Qing dynasty archives, the way of recording division of labor completed the transition from attribution of responsibility to institutional quotas.

On the Han dynasty incense burner lid, one "Inner Palace," one "Palace Workshop," facing each other across the burner body; on the bottom of the wine vessel, four names — bronze worker, gold-and-silver coating worker, finishing worker, and maker — inscribed side by side, like a relay race from 2,000 years ago. Beneath the Tang dynasty silver tea-sieve, craftsman-officer, supervising officer, inspecting officer, and commissioner listed in sequence, a line of responsibility running from the chasing knife to the government office. By the Qing dynasty, names faded out and numbers took the stage — so many chasing craftsmen, so many openwork craftsmen, so many square inches counting as one work-day, craftsmanship written into quotas. The way of recording changed, but what did not change was the uncompromising measure between each chase and each hammer blow: whose craft, whose name, whose responsibility. Those names left on the vessels are still "speaking" — a craft that was taken seriously, and a group of craftsmen who were seriously remembered.

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Page editors: Wang Jin

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