China is playing an increasingly important role in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project and it is due to the long-term attention and support of the country's industry and government to controlled nuclear fusion research, Duan Xuru, a senior expert on fusion who is also a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, told the Global Times. Especially through participation in the ITER project, the world's largest "artificial sun," the level of China's research in controlled nuclear fusion has been greatly improved, and the technological level has caught up and even surpassed those of other countries in some areas, said Duan, chief expert on fusion of the China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC).
The ITER is a tokamak that can generate large-scale nuclear fusion reactions, aiming to simulate the nuclear fusion process that generates light and heat like the sun. The experiment is jointly implemented by China, the European Union, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the US. China officially joined the plan in 2006. Since the implementation of the plan, China has always adhered to international commitments and contributed Chinese wisdom and strength to the smooth progress of the plan.
On February 29, the ITER organization signed a contract for assembling the vacuum chamber module with China Nuclear Power Engineering Co, Ltd of CNNC. This is the second time that China has undertaken the installation task of the ITER's core equipment, contributing wisdom and strength to the progress of this project, according to the CNNC.
The assembly of the vacuum chamber module is to integrate and assemble the main large components such as the toroidal field coils, vacuum chamber, and vacuum chamber thermal shield in the assembly hall, and then lift the whole assembly into the tokamak pit. Among them, the toroidal field coils provide a toroidal strong magnetic field for confining the plasma at temperatures of over a hundred million degrees, according to Duan.
Located in the central area of the device, the vacuum chamber supports the plasma confined by the magnetic field, providing the required high-purity environment for plasma formation and maintenance. The vacuum chamber thermal shield mainly provides thermal shielding for the superconducting magnets to ensure the stable operation of the low-temperature superconducting magnets. "The assembly of the vacuum chamber module is an important milestone for the ITER project, marking that the installation of the ITER main machine has entered the final sprint stage," Duan said.
China has undertaken the manufacturing tasks of 18 procurement packages of the ITER since 2008, involving core key components such as the magnet support system, magnet feeder system, power system, glow discharge cleaning system, gas injection system, and the first wall of the reactor core that can withstand extremely high temperatures.
"China's tokamak engineering construction and related physical experiments have entered the international forefront. The engineering technology and manufacturing processes of key components of fusion reactors have made key breakthroughs, and some technological levels are leading internationally. A group of enterprises, research institutions, and universities have cultivated talents in tokamak engineering construction, fusion reactor component manufacturing, and large-scale scientific project management, accumulating experience. China's international discourse power in the field of nuclear fusion research is increasing. In the fields of material production and large equipment manufacturing, China has gradually formed advantages in foreign countries, and these advantages will provide strong technical support for the high-level development of China's controlled fusion engineering technology," Duan said.
While participating in the development of ITER, China's independently constructed and operated new generation artificial sun China Circulation-3 has also continued to improve. In 2023, the device successfully achieved high-constraint operation mode under a plasma current of 1 million amperes and was opened to global scientists.
Asking about different roles of ITER and China Circulation-3, Duan explained that ITER is an experimental reactor, and its goal is to verify the scientific and engineering feasibility of fusion reactors under conditions where the fusion gain Q is greater than 10 within 400 seconds and greater than 5 within 3,000 seconds.
Meanwhile, China Circulation III is the largest and most powerful magnetic confinement nuclear fusion large scientific experimental device in China, aiming to provide preliminary verification and solutions for key scientific and technical issues of the experimental reactor, including core plasma operation, nuclear diagnostics, tritium engineering technology, divertor high heat load control, etc, serving as an important support for China's leapfrog development in fusion energy research and development, he said.
In the future, China Circulation III will strive for higher plasma operating parameters, gradually raise the comprehensive parameters of the fusion plasma core to the level of the core, create an internationally leading combustion plasma large scientific experimental platform, support China's deep participation in ITER experiments, better digest and absorb ITER research results, and lay the foundation for China's independent design, construction, and operation of fusion pilot engineering experimental reactors, Duan noted.
In Duan's view, climate change and energy security issues have become common challenges faced by the world. Considering this, nuclear fusion energy, as a future clean, safe, and efficient energy source, is of great significance for the sustainable development of human society.
Mastering the technology of controlled nuclear fusion means that people may have access to almost unlimited clean energy in the future, and the energy crisis may be completely resolved, Duan said.
But to realize the application of nuclear fusion energy, there are still some major scientific and technological challenges, mainly including the steady-state self-sustaining burning of deuterium-tritium fusion plasma, fusion reactor materials, and tritium self-sustaining, Duan said, stressing the importance of international cooperation to promote the innovation of nuclear fusion technology.
The world recently celebrated a splendid Chinese New Year, welcoming the Year of the Dragon.
During the holidays, Global Times reporters returned to their hometowns where they were reacquainted with old traditions and introduced to new post-pandemic experiences. To share their experience, we have launched the "Hometown Diary" series. Spanning from north to south, east to west, six articles will focus on different provinces, exploring the development and evolution from traditional to modern, and from economic to cultural dimensions.
This series is not only a comprehensive review of China's vast territory and diverse regional cultures but also a profound reflection of how different areas across the country maintain their identity and embrace changes.
Through the lens of hometown observations, we hope to touch the hearts of our readers, allowing everyone to find resonance in these stories and feel the warmth and vitality that hometowns provide, regardless of changes brought about by time.
This is the first installment in the series, in which we gain the perspectives of our reporters to understand how North China's Shanxi grabs cultural heritage to attract tourists after its green energy revolution, and how East China's Shandong strikes a balance between tradition and modernity amidst intense population mobility.
When it comes to North China's Shanxi Province, the first impressions are often "coal capital," "severe pollution," and "loess highland," with a perpetually dull skyline and miles of yellow soil. People have always believed that Shanxi was trapped in its monotonous identity as the "coal capital" and was unlikely to achieve innovation and reform.
However, recent changes have provided evidence to the contrary. Shanxi, my hometown, with its cultural traditions and ancient heritage, now boasts new calling cards.
A casual stroll will reveal historical relics in Shanxi. During the Spring Festival, while witnessing the bustling scenes of Shanxi's tourist attractions flooding the internet, I felt Shanxi's charm emerge from its enduring ancient glory that spans thousands of years. It is precisely the inheritance and continuation of tradition in Shanxi that is aiding its innovation.
Behind this lies the continuous efforts of the local government in environmental governance and high-quality tourism development.
New business cards drive new traffic
On February 8, my friend Li Bo and I visited the ancient picturesque village of Qikou located in western Shanxi's Lüliang, nestled along the banks of the Yellow River and once one of the most prosperous settlements in ancient China.
This ancient town does not rank among the top 10 famous tourist destinations in Shanxi, but its popularity was surprising in person.
The taxi driver told us that we were the sixth group of tourists he had driven to Qikou that day. The famous local noodle restaurant had a queue out the door as early as 11 am.
The village, with its traditional architecture nestled amidst rolling hills, exudes an aura of tranquility and timelessness. Travelers from all over the world pass through the ancient town, looking to experience the unique culture of the Yellow River Basin and the picturesque beauty of the ancient villages with distinctive northern characteristics. For example, 3D panoramic modeling vividly reproduces the classic patterns of Pingyao's lacquerware. Additionally, lifelike colored maidservant sculptures from the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279) at Jin Temple traverse time and space, gracefully dancing outside and interacting with visitors.
In order to protect them from flooding, many local houses, known as "yaodong" or "loess cave houses," have been physically carved into the steep hillside along the banks of the Yellow River.
On a slope that stretches for hundreds of meters and is inclined at a 40-degree angle, there are rows of cave dwellings arranged in layers, which are both scattered and unique in their own ways. Rock erosion over the years has created a form of beautiful "modern art."
In recent years, with enhanced efforts in cultural preservation, governments at all levels have continually increased investment in the restoration and protection of historical buildings and ancient residences in Qikou, promoting the integrated development of culture and tourism, and creating a "living ancient town." Ancient buildings such as tour guide agencies, pawnshops, and warehouses tell the story of the town's past prosperity.
During our visit, the scenic area had also launched traditional folk agricultural cultural performances, showcasing scenes of threshing, winnowing, and transplanting, vividly capturing the hardworking and agricultural spirit of their ancestors.
Yang Yanmei, 62, often uses her spare time as a tour guide along the paths of Qikou, telling stories of past generations. As a fan of traditional opera, she and her husband enjoy spontaneously singing Shanxi opera or local traditional melodies adapted from local stories.
When we arrived at her house, the audience attracted by her singing crowded the entrance, making it impossible to enter. She always wears a sincere and sanguine smile, impressing tourists with her simplicity and humor. My friend told me that this is the typical image of farmers living on the loess plateau in his mind.
Tour guides, guesthouse owners, restaurant owners, performers... more and more villagers have found their new passions through it. Some like Yang have even moved back to their ancestral homes in the mountains from the town, hoping to live a better and more vibrant life through tourism.
Local villagers told me that more than 5,000 people out of a population of about 30,000 in the town are engaged in the tourism industry.
"Entering the ancient town feels like stepping into a world of art, where some places resemble Western oil paintings, while others resemble Chinese ink paintings," said Li. "Shanxi is no longer the dull and gray place it used to be; it is much more colorful and vibrant than I imagined," exclaimed the guest.
The evolution of civilization has left Shanxi with over 28,000 ancient buildings, making it the province with the highest number of key cultural heritage sites in the country. Shanxi's cultural relics have a complete timeline and diverse categories, earning it the reputation of being the "treasury of ancient Chinese architecture."
It has many relic sites that include architecture, grottoes, houses, murals, and sculptures with distinct features. Pingyao Ancient City, a well-preserved 2,800-year-old ancient county-level city; Yungang Grottoes, with their 252 caves and 51,000 statues that represent the outstanding history of Buddhist cave art in China in the 5th and 6th centuries; and Mount Wutai, a temple complex that witnessed the 2,000-year history of Buddhism, are three major UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Shanxi Province.
Tickets to these attractions are hard to come by, with the average queuing time exceeding three hours during the just-concluded Spring Festival.
According to data from Ctrip, one of China's largest online travel agencies, tourism orders in Shanxi during the Spring Festival holidays increased 16-fold compared to the 2023.
Step to a bigger stage
Standing on the Loess Plateau in the Qikou ancient town, one can feel the unchanged spiritual core of Shanxi, which is still characterized by diligence, honesty, and humility. However, what has changed is their passion for innovation and their desire to promote their culture and heritage on both domestic and international stages.
Modern technology is widely utilized to support these ambitions. Some temples employ VR, AR, 5G, and other interactive technologies to present historical figures and stories in a three-dimensional (3D) manner to visitors.
In order to promote Shanxi's classical culture to the world, media reports indicate that from 2016 to 2020, Shanxi Province sent over 300 artists in 31 groups to more than 20 countries to engage in exchange activities, thereby expanding its overseas reputation.
Some of Shanxi's intangible cultural heritage brands have actively collaborated with foreign designers to create exquisite products that blend Eastern and Western elements, which have been well received in foreign markets.
Pioneer of clean energy
For children who grew up in the coal capital, "black mud lining the fingernails and nostrils" was our shared memory. But now, this is unimaginable for Li Bo. The Shanxi he sees is a pleasant place under the blue sky and white clouds, where people can leisurely experience the slow life of ancient cities.
Behind this obvious change lies the silent effort of the local government in environmental protection efforts.
In recent years, Shanxi has been forward-looking in developing future industries such as green hydrogen energy, new energy vehicles, and cutting-edge materials, gradually achieving a historic leap from being the "coal giant" to the "pioneer of the national energy revolution."
The renovation of old coal mines is also ongoing. Media reports show that Shanxi has built 118 intelligent coal mines, accounting for about 62 percent of the total coal production capacity in the province, greatly helping to improve local air quality.
According to government-provided data, by 2023, the province's ecological environment quality had significantly improved, ranking second in terms of improvement rate nationwide, reaching its best level in history. At the same time, the water ecological environment continues to strengthen, with 149.6 acres of artificial wetlands built and the proportion of excellent water bodies in the Yellow River Basin reaching 90 percent.
A beautiful picture of blue sky, green land, and clear water is slowly unfolding in the land of Shanxi.
The landlocked province is showcasing the beauty of time to the world with an understated and rustic charm. This energy-rich province, which supplies coal power to 14 provinces in China, is showing the world, in a softer way, that it can make many contributions beyond coal.
The vast and diverse landscape of China offers unique travel experiences ranging from the snowy landscapes of the north to the sunny beaches of the south. In 2024, the trend of South-North cross travel saw a wave of enthusiasm for winter tourism in China, showcasing the diverse tourism resources across the country.
This winter, Harbin, the capital of Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, has become one of the hottest tourist destinations in the country. Since January, tourism consumption in Harbin (including hotels, homestays, attraction tickets, and transportation) has increased by over 100 percent compared to the same period in 2023. Many tourists are coming from cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Tianjin, news website thepaper.com reported.
As reported by Guangming Daily, within three hours of opening, Harbin Ice and Snow World received over 40,000 reservations. Meanwhile, 100,000 Madieer Popsicles, a famous local brand, were sold during the three-day New Year's Day holiday.
Popular spots and streets in the city were crowded with tourists from the south, and social media was flooded with travel guides. During the New Year's Day holiday, the city of Harbin welcomed over 3 million visitors, generating a total tourism revenue of 5.914 billion yuan ($810 million).
A tourist from Guangdong commented, "The last time I touched a chunk of ice was in my refrigerator's ice maker." She had traveled over 3,000 kilometers from Foshan in South China's Guangdong Province to Harbin to experience the ultimate charm of ice and snow.
Further enhancing northeastern China's popularity was the warm reception given to a group of preschool children from the south.
Around the New Year's Day holiday, a kindergarten from Nanning, South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, sent 11 children, accompanied by three teachers, on a tour to Harbin. Due to their orange outfits and Guangxi's fame for tangerines, they were affectionately called "little tangerines" by netizens.
Outdoors in the icy and snowy environment, the children formed neat lines, waddling and playing in the snow, quickly attracting attention. Their experiences in Northeast China were widely reported by various media, and netizens eagerly followed their journey. Local governments and tourism departments where they visited also provided many conveniences for the children.
To thank the people of the Northeast China for their hospitality, Guangxi sent a batch of tangerines there overnight, offering them free to their "Harbin friends." This gesture became a heartwarming story in the cold winter.
On the flip side, the south offers a warm and comfortable escape from the cold. Popular destinations include Xishuangbanna in Southwest China's Yunnan Province and Sanya in South China's Hainan Province, known for tropical jungle landscapes and sunny beaches, respectively. These places offer a range of activities from rainforest walks to diving and beach sports, attracting tourists from colder northern regions.
Other southern cities like Guangzhou in South China's Guangdong Province and Xiamen in East China's Fujian Province, apart from their pleasant climate, are also famous for their unique culinary experiences and cultural attractions.
The development of China is an opportunity for Vietnam and the reform and opening-up in Vietnam is also an opportunity for China, Minister of the Vietnamese Embassy in China Ninh Thanh Cong told the Global Times on Tuesday.
He said that the complementarity between Vietnam and China is very strong, which is the basis for cooperation and mutual benefit. The diplomat also noted that Vietnam and China are in the process of resolving their maritime disputes through friendly negotiations, and the disputes in the South China Sea will not affect cooperation between the two countries.
On Tuesday, the Vietnamese Embassy in China held a meeting with Vietnamese and Chinese press agencies in Beijing. Ninh make the remarks during the event.
He stated that the year 2023 is very important for both China and Vietnam, as well as the two parties, and the year also marks the 15th anniversary of the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. With the joint efforts of both sides, the China-Vietnam relationship continues to maintain a stable development momentum and has achieved many important results.
According to data released by the General Administration of Customs in China on December 12, China and Vietnam have maintained good momentum in bilateral trade, with the total value of goods trade between the two countries reaching 1.45 trillion yuan ($202.9 billion) in the first 11 months of 2023, a year-on-year increase of 3.6 percent. The data also showed that the import and export of goods between China and Vietnam in November 2023 reached 161.92 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 12.5 percent, a record high for the month.
The Vietnamese diplomat said that despite difficulties and a decline in international trade in 2023, trade cooperation between China and Vietnam has remained relatively stable. "Many people did not expect that Vietnam has become China's fourth-largest trading partner, joining the US, South Korea, and Japan," Ninh said.
During the interview with the Global Times, he said that in 2024, Vietnam will promote further cooperation with China in areas such as people-to-people exchanges, cultural exchanges, and tourism, including hosting important events and promoting Vietnamese tourism in China. He also expressed hope that China will create convenient conditions for more inbound Vietnamese tourism.
He introduced that currently, the two countries have basically resumed all flights, with over 200 round-trip flights between the two countries per week. In the first 11 months of this year, Vietnam received 1.5 million Chinese tourists, and it is expected that the number of Chinese tourists traveling to Vietnam will continue to increase in the future.
"We hope that the number of people traveling to each other's countries will quickly recover to pre-2019 levels," he told the Global Times. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam received 6 million Chinese tourists, accounting for one-third of the total inbound tourists to Vietnam.
Ninh also talked about the recent resolution adopted by the United Nations to officially designate the Lunar New Year, known as the Spring Festival, as a UN floating holiday.
He expressed his delight at seeing the United Nations make this decision, as Vietnam shares many similarities with China culturally. He believes that this will provide more opportunities for international friends to learn about the Spring Festival, a traditional festival shared by both countries, and will also encourage more international tourists to visit Vietnam and China during the festive period.
When talking about the maritime disputes between China and Vietnam, Ninh told the Global Times that the two countries have reached a consensus on how to manage differences based on international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) enacted in 1982. They aim to maintain maritime peace and stability, actively promote consultations on maritime issues, fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and strive to reach a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea on the basis of consensus through negotiations.
Ninh emphasized that maritime issues should not affect cooperation between the two countries and both sides should resolve differences through friendly negotiations.
He also stressed that the current China-Vietnam relationship is at its highest level in history, and there is still great potential and space to further promote cooperation between the two sides.
He mentioned that Vietnam supports building a global community of shared future and the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. These concepts and initiatives aim to safeguard the common interests of all humanity and are committed to the cause of peace, justice, and progress for people in the world, reflecting the aspirations of people from all countries to build a better world.
When my foreign friends asked, "Have you felt any discrimination in Xinjiang," I recognized how misinformation from Western reports affected people's impressions of Xinjiang. Such false narratives not only lead to some people from Western countries believing that Xinjiang is still full of ethnic conflict, but also create an air of mystery and suspicion among people yet to visit the region.
This partly explains why Xinjiang has to stick to opening-up. Besides considering the national strategy, for the region itself, it is also time to step out of the shadow of Western political and media-driven propaganda to confidently show a real Xinjiang to the whole world.
Forget the so-called genocide, forget the so-called re-education camps - Xinjiang is far more vast, far more beautiful, and has a far richer history and culture heritage than you can read in any biased and maliciously skewed reports.
What is Xinjiang really like?
It is a wonderful land comprised of three mountain ranges and two basins, a place where lush pastures stretch out as far as the eyes can see and is complete with four seasons from the south to the north.
It is also characterized by the smiling Uygur concierge in the hotel waiting for you at midnight, extending services with the phrase "please come to me whenever you need any help." It is the talented young Kazakh men proficient in five languages conversing with guests from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Iran like old friends. It is also the Han resident who would simply and directly tell you: "Our Xinjiang is the best."
It is a paradise of fruits, from figs and various kinds of grapes to pomegranates. It is known as the home of succulent lamb and beef. As the locals say, "when we eat lamb, we are receiving nutrients from nature as what our sheep eat is all the grass and herbs naturally grown on the land."
Xinjiang's beauty beats the limited imagination of some. In the past, Xinjiang has been unable to effectively protect itself against politically-motivated mudslinging. For its admirers, both in China and in the rest of the world, simply taking in its beauty through images available online is an overwhelming experience, but some have embraced the adventure it holds and visited the region of themselves.
But as 2023 has witnessed historical opening-up efforts, it is certain that the region will shake off the haze of the malicious campaigns against it and firmly move forward on its own track of development, playing a better role in serving as the country's bridgehead in its westward opening-up.
Majestic snow-capped mountains, vast grasslands, and deep gorges - the picturesque landscapes of Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region so admired by global tourists could otherwise pose barriers to local children's access to modern education.
The mountainous terrain and scattered living patterns make commuting to school difficult for Xizang's students, and establishing nearby schools does not always offer a feasible solution. Consequently, boarding schools have emerged as the optimal choice. Nearly 40 years of practice has proved that boarding schools can provide equal access to quality education for students across the region.
During a recent visit to various areas in Xizang, Global Times reporters noted that atop the snow and frozen earth, boarding schools serve as a warm harbor for children, propelling them toward their dreams amid mountains and rivers.
Some parents told the Global Times that boarding schools provide care and opportunities for their children that they could not offer themselves. Moreover, the growth and occasional surprises their children experience at boarding schools are cherished.
A Tibetan scholar who attended boarding schools said that this is the most effective way for Tibetan children to succeed and see the world. For some children, it is the only way. The malicious smearing of Xizang's boarding education is a great injustice to these children.
Education for all
In Baingoin county, Nagqu, northern Xizang, situated at an altitude of 4,700 meters above sea level, a primary school built with support from state-owned company Sinopec has become a topic of conversation online in China. Dubbed the "school closest to the sky," it boasts standard sports fields, multimedia classrooms, and heated glass greenhouse-like dormitories despite its remoteness.
The modern educational complex, blending the traditional Tibetan aesthetic with contemporary architecture, stands out amid the desolate grasslands and barren mountains. From afar, it might even seem out of place, but it meets the educational and living needs of students from pastoral areas hundreds of kilometers around.
"Some of our students come from remote pastoral areas. Their parents are often busy with farming and work, making it impossible to regularly drop off and pick up their children from school. Boarding at school ensures the daily care of these children," Ngawang Wangdu, the principal of Sinopec Primary School, told the Global Times.
The school has enrolled over 1,300 students. Lower grade students mostly commute from the county town of Baingoin, while students from grades three to six, mostly from different areas of the county, choose to board.
"Lower grade students have limited ability to live independently, so we do not recommend boarding for them. However, we provide boarding facilities for some parents who find it difficult to care for their children, as the school provides better living and learning conditions," explained Ngawang.
In sparsely populated Baingoin county, the school is a hive of laughter and joy. The combination of modern education and traditional Tibetan culture enriches the students' campus life.
Inside the school, students play basketball together and physical education teachers lead them in local ethnic dances. Inside the teaching buildings, the sounds of children learning different languages including Putonghua (standard Mandarin), Tibetan, and English intermingle. Padma Gyaltsen, a fourth-grade student at the school, comes from a pastoral family living about 100 kilometers from the county. Usually, it takes him over two hours by car to travel from Baingoin town to his home. Padma told the Global Times that to ensure he received the best education, his parents previously rented a house in the county, where his aunt took care of him. Now, having chosen to board, he has since adapted to boarding life thanks to the attentive care of teachers and the friendly help of classmates.
"I think the living conditions at school are very good, especially the meals in the cafeteria. Teachers help us with any difficulties in daily life, and all my classmates are my friends," he said.
Mimi, a female student at the Second High School in Shannan city, Xizang, has a similar story. She was sent from Sog county in Nagqu to Shannan in search of better education.
"My home is 700 kilometers away. The round trip from my home to school is over 1,400 kilometers. It is impossible for me to go back home after finishing school," she told the Global Times.
"Boarding saves time and travel expenses and reduces the burden on my family. This winter, the school has not only provided us with winter uniforms but also added a vest, making me feel warmer. I have not faced any challenges in boarding life," Mimi said.
The stories of Padma and Mimi are representative of many students in Xizang. Global Times reporters witnessed in various boarding schools across the region that many children from remote pastoral areas are not deprived of modern education or opportunities for success due to their distance from towns or natural barriers. Various supportive educational policies ensure that children across Xizang can grow and thrive in school settings.
Since 1985, the Xizang Autonomous Region has implemented the "Three Guarantees" policy within boarding schools, covering food, accommodation, and school expenses, while also actively involving students' families in school management and planning through parent committees and open days.
In 2012, Xizang pioneered a 15-year public education policy system in China and established a student aid policy system.
Since then, Xizang has increased funding standards eight-fold. The current average annual funding standard per student under the "Three Guarantees" policy is 4,200 yuan ($576), with a cumulative investment of 22.067 billion yuan, benefiting more than 6.55 million students. Additionally, there are 40 student aid policies in Xizang, ensuring support for all eligible students and guaranteeing equal education for every child. The illiteracy rate among young and middle-aged people in Xizang has dropped to about 0.5 percent, according to the newly released white paper - CPC Policies on the Governance of Xizang in the New Era: Approach and Achievements.
Decision of parents Comprehensive support policies and superior campus environments have resolved concerns about children having to board, and ultimately, the decision to let children live collectively away from home rests with the parents.
In conversations with Global Times reporters, many parents expressed their belief that boarding was the best decision for their children to aid in their success. The warm collective life at school also contributes to their growth.
Every Friday afternoon, Sonam Gyatso from Jomda county, Qamdo city, would arrive early at the gate of the First Middle School in Lhasa to wait for his daughter. A few years ago, Sonam made a difficult but unregretful decision: To give up his pastoral life and move his family to Lhasa, opening a supermarket to support his daughter's education.
In 2022, his daughter Gasong Cuojia graduated to the ninth grade. Like most parents with high aspirations for their children, Sonam unhesitatingly chose to have her board at school.
"Our home is far from the school, and ninth-grade students face pressure from the high school entrance exam. Boarding saves her the travel time home in the evenings, allowing her an extra study session, and it is safer. Boarding allows her to devote more time and energy to her studies. It also makes her more independent. We are quite reassured regarding her boarding life," said Sonam Gyatso.
Sonam Yangjen, who lives in Mama town, Cona city in Shannan Prefecture, southern Xizang, also deeply appreciates the benefits of boarding schools. The mother of two shared with the Global Times that in Shannan's mountainous and canyon-filled region, the long and rugged journey to school is unsafe for daily commutes. When the school offered a boarding option, she decisively sent her children to live and study at school.
"I think the boarding system is excellent. From a young age, children learn to make their beds and health routines. Back when they were living at home, we constantly had to remind them to tidy their rooms," said Sonam Yangjen.
Parents interviewed by the Global Times also had high praise for the education their children received at school.
Migmar Drolma, parent to a student at the Second High School in Shannan, shared with the Global Times that locals have always placed a high value on education, and neighbors are eager to send their children to good schools for a solid foundation. "Having my child go to school will shape his excellent character and contribute to his all-around development," Drolma said.
Sonam Gyatso's wife, Drolma Bazong, said that because they were not fluent in Putonghua, they often faced communication difficulties when purchasing goods for their supermarket. Their daughter Gasong Cuojia's trilingual education in Tibetan, Putonghua, and English played a crucial role in overall improvement of quality of life. "She often helps us communicate with various customers, acting as a translator and helps us resolve challenges. This makes me very proud," said Drolma Bazong.
For Sonam Yangjen, the advantage of boarding schools lies in concentrating superior educational resources to provide children with the most comprehensive education possible. "My two children study Tibetan, Putonghua, and Menba at school. Starting in the third grade, they also begin learning English. These courses are very important for their future development," said Sonam Yangjen.
She further expressed that the "Three Guarantees" policy now implemented throughout the Xizang region greatly benefits the children from herding and farming families.
"Once the children go to university, they can choose majors such as education, animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, agriculture, and forestry tuition free. Schools even provide students with supplemental nutrition in the form of bread and milk. The various subsidy policies of the country are excellent, making us feel that even though we live in remote border areas, our children and their education will not suffer," said Sonam Yangjen.
To ensure the robust growth of children from all regions of Xizang, the autonomous region has also implemented nutrition improvement pilot projects for students in compulsory education in farming and pastoral areas. The funding standard has been raised twice before, and the current annual stipend per student is 1,000 yuan, with a total investment of 3.252 billion yuan, benefiting 4.1766 million student-times.
Most effective way
Whether boarding schools are good or not is best judged by the residents in Xizang region.
Lajia Zhoudang, Deputy Dean of School of Marxism with the Sichuan Minzu College, and is also Tibetan, was benefited from boarding school system. In 2005, Lajia Zhoudang went from a boarding high school in Northwest China's Qinghai Province to Beijing, eventually earning a PhD in Political Science from prestigious Peking University.
As someone who experienced and benefited from boarding schools, Lajia Zhoudang believes that boarding schools are the most ideal and effective mode of education for students in the Xizang region under current conditions. In the first half of 2023, when the US and other Western countries smeared Xizang's boarding education system, Lajia, based on his personal experience and research, wrote an article titled "Boarding education in Xizang is the most scientific, effective, and beneficial," refuting disparaging claims.
"This article was widely circulated, and many of my Tibetan friends liked and shared it in their social circles, feeling that it spoke for the Tibetan people," Lajia told the Global Times.
In his view, some Western countries'allegations of "forced enrollment" and "assimilation education" in Xizang's boarding education system completely disregard the Tibetan people's ability to discern right from wrong, ignoring the fact that boarding education is the choice of the Tibetan people themselves.
According to Lajia's research, Xizang also tried other methods like local schooling before the reform and opening up, with nearly 6,000 teaching points in villages and towns across Xizang, at a ratio of almost"one school per village." However, due to the vast territory, sparse population, scattered villages, and inconvenient forms of transportation, each school had very few students and insufficient teaching staff, often with just one teacher handling all subjects. This resulted in consistently low education quality. At that time, the enrollment rate for middle school in Xizang was 6.5 percent, and 5.3 percent for high school, with a prominent dropout problem during the transition from primary to secondary education.
"The combination of day schooling and boarding education effectively solved the major problem of scarce and uneven education resources in Xizang. Currently, the gross enrollment rates for preschool, nine-year compulsory education, and high school education in Xizang are all above 85 percent," said Lajia Zhoudang.
Selective ignorance is actually undisguised discrimination and a deliberate catering to prejudice. Lajia Zhoudang believes that historically, Western boarding schools were a stain, with strong colonialist overtones and severe racism.
Therefore, when some Western countries transpose the "forced enrollment" and "cultural genocide" in their own boarding schools onto Xizang's education system, it generates discussion in the West, as many uninformed Westerners who have never been to Xizang and are unaware of its development achievements, continue to view China and the Xizang region through a biased lens, assuming that it is still backward and a frontier for human rights violations. This leads to the erroneous equating of Xizang's advanced boarding education system with the dark history of Western boarding schools, he stated.
However, boarding education in Xizang is actually a manifestation of high human rights standards. According to Lajia Zhoudang, boarding education in Xizang best exemplifies the principle of inclusivity. With the efforts of the central government and governments at all levels, various educational support policies have greatly compensated for the shortage of educational resources in Xizang, initiating the better allocation of national education resources across the region, allowing children from different family backgrounds to enjoy equal and high-quality education.
Therefore, the malicious attacks on Xizang's boarding education by some Western countries have been a source of profound indignation among Tibetan scholars like Lajia Dangzhou. "Countries like the US and Canada, which have actually implemented 'racial assimilation genocide' through coercive boarding education, have the least right to speak on this issue. Their current defamation of Xizang's boarding education only shows that they have not truly reflected on the dark history of their own boarding schools, and continue to stand on the opposite side of human rights," said Lajia Dangzhou.
"Based on my personal experience and observation, this is the most effective way for Tibetan children to succeed and see the world. For some children, it is the only way. The malicious smearing of Xizang's boarding education is a great injustice to these children," said Lajia Dangzhou.
Coming amid the third China-Central Eastern European Countries Culture and Arts Carnival, traditional dances from all over Greece, such as ipirotikos, tsamiko, kalamatiano, sirtaki and ikariotiko, were performed on October 22 in Chaoyang Park, Beijing, by the Cultural Association "Peiros" dance troop from the municipality of Western Achaia.
The performance was aimed at preserving and transmitting cultural traditions and various aspects of Greek cultural heritage from generation to generation.
Along with the performances, videos showcased the beauty of Western Peloponnese, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, and informational materials were made available.
The eight-member dance group of the cultural association "Peiros" performed in Beijing as part of the third China-Central Eastern European Countries Culture and Arts Carnival, hosted by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Chaoyang District People's Government of Beijing Municipality, and organized by the Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchange Center, Chaoyang District Bureau of Culture and Tourism of Beijing Municipality.
Apple chief executive Tim Cook has arrived in Shanghai, to preside the launch of a new flagship Apple store in downtown Shanghai on Thursday, local media reported. He last visited China in October 2023.
Observers said that Cook was in Shanghai to inaugurate the new Apple store and attend a series of activities to boost Apple's business in China.
According to Cook's post on Chinese social media account Sina Weibo, he spent Wednesday morning walking the Bund with Chinese movie star Zheng Kai, and had a classic Shanghai breakfast. On Tuesday, he also posted, offering his congratulation to the opening of the new store at Shanghai's Jing'an district.
Sina Weibo user named "Keneng Youdian Xie" commented that Cook might be the most frequent visiting US CEO to China. Other netizens said they were looking forward to meeting Cook at the opening of the new Shanghai store.
Apple Jing'an store is the highest-standard Apple store in the Chinese mainland. According to media reports, the store covers an area of 3,835 square meters, with a total investment of 83.4 million yuan ($11.61 million). Only the Apple store on New York City's Fifth Avenue costs more.
Apple is expected to bring high-quality devices and services to Chinese consumers, as the company faces increasingly fierce competition from a slew of Chinese local brands, industry insiders said.
Apple iPhones have struggled in the Chinese mainland market over the first six weeks this year, with sales plunging by 24 percent year-on-year, a report by market research organization Counterpoint Research said on March 5, noting that the US tech giant's market share has been squeezed by aggressive pricing from OPPO, Vivo and Xiaomi.
Experts said that Apple's move is understandable since China remains its second largest market after the US, underscoring the company's confidence in exploring the massive Chinese market, while adding that Apple needs to ramp up investment in research and development to make new technological breakthroughs and regain lost market share in one of the world's most important markets.
Tianshui spicy hot pot, based in Northwest China's Gansu Province, has been trending on China's social media recently, attracting troves of tourists for this delicious and mouth-watering delicacy.
Driven by social media buzz and local marketing promotions, tourists and foodies alike have flocked to Tianshui.
Searches for travel to the medium-size city Tianshui have surged. Data from Chinese travel giant, Tongcheng Travel, revealed that, as of Thursday, searches for travel to the city surged by 186 percent during last week, which have kept on growing up. Bookings in Tianshui for hotels and attractions were up 40 percent year-over-year during the past month, another online tourism site Trip.com reported on Tuesday.
Related topics about Gansu Tianshui spicy hot pot have also appeared on Sina Weibo's trending list, garnering at least more than 94 million views as of press time on Sunday.
The Gansu-style spicy hot pot, with features fragrant splashed chili oil and distinctive and wide noodles, has recently been popular, attracting foodies from all over China. It is a tongue-numbing spicy dish loved for its satisfying flavor and the richness of colors.
Different from Sichuan cuisine, another place in Southwest China famous for its hot pot, the secrets for tickling the taste buds come from local specialty ingredients in Tianshui - Maiji peppercorns and Gangu chili peppers. Both belong to local specialty agricultural industries.
"I never thought that Tianshui would one day become an 'online celebrity' in the catering and tourism industry for the spicy hot pot, considering the city was once known as an important route of the ancient 'Silk Road' and blessed with a rich history, cultural heritage destination in northwestern China," Wang Kaixuan, a 23-year-old University student from Tianshui told the Global Times on Sunday.
While some say Tianshui's hot pot sensation is aimed at emulating the success of Harbin in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province and Zibo in East China's Shandong Province, two phenomenal travel hits thanks to social media promotion, hospitality of local people and the high level of services provided to vast tourists.
Wang said he plans to invite his friends to come for a visit to Tianshui and enjoy the local hot pot during the Qingming Festival in April. "I definitely hope my hometown to become the next Harbin, as my city is well prepared and is grasping the chance and welcoming tourists with sincerity and well-equipped facilities."
Domestic tourists made nearly 4.9 billion trips in 2023, with total tourism expenditure approaching 5 trillion yuan, Zhang Yi, CEO of iiMedia Research Institute told the Global Times on Sunday. "With such a tourism boom in domestic market, we have every reason to believe that in 2024, more internet celebrity tourism spots will emerge in China. And with favorable policy support from the authorities, China will see more robust recovery, and vigorous growth in cultural, tourism industries as well, Zhang noted. Nowadays, a Tianshui spicy hot pot restaurant is a must-go visit in the city. To better allow tourist enjoyment of the delicious food, the local government not only provides special bus commute but also prepares agricultural specialties, boutique cultural tourism routes, and exquisite local products, allowing tourists to experience the charm of local culture while savoring the delicacies.
Meanwhile, local tourism authorities are capitalizing on the city's newfound fame to stimulate the local economy. Starting from Saturday, the local authorities launched a food festival to showcase a variety of Tianshui cuisine. The week-long event is expected to attract dozens of local businesses and hundreds and thousands of tourists from all over the country to join in the spicy hot pot "carnival".
The popularity of Tianshui's spicy hot pot has had a significant impact on local cultural tourism, consumption and boosted local service sector growth.
Meanwhile, the popularity of Tianshui spicy hot pot fuels stock market surge as well. On Friday, shares related to spicy hot pot, such as Junsun Fungi Co and Yatai Holding Group Co surged. Other food companies' stocks, including Lanzhou Huanghe Enterprise Co and Lanzhou Zhuangyuan Pasture Co have also made gains.
To accomplish Basic Law Article 23 legislation as soon as possible is the top priority of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Experiences from Western countries and neighboring regions showed that the implementation of legislation to maintain national security can help attract more investment and boost business activity and economic growth.
With the implementation of legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR in the future, the confidence of investors and entrepreneurs will be further enhanced, which helps attract more investment to Hong Kong and promote economic development, more effectively safeguarding the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.
The US has established a comprehensive national security system. In recent years, Washington has enacted and implemented multiple national security-related laws, strengthening the protection of key technologies and infrastructure, particularly in areas such as communications, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence.
Benefiting from the protection of core technologies, the US has maintained a long-term advantage in technological competition, attracting a large amount of technology innovation funds, driving the development of related industries and economic growth.
In China's Macao Special Administrative Region, since the implementation of the Law on Safeguarding National Security in 2009, it has achieved remarkable economic achievements. Macao's GDP per capita increased from about $40,000 in 2009 to about $90,000 in 2023, achieving significant growth. In the ranking of the wealthiest regions around the world in 2023 published by the American financial magazine Global Finance, Macao ranked fifth globally.
The examples mentioned above demonstrate that the establishment of legislation related to safeguarding national security can create a more stable and reliable legal environment for the country and region, protect key sectors and resources, attract more foreign investment and innovative activities, thereby stimulating economic development to a certain extent, and enhancing the competitiveness of the country and region.
National security is not a choice, but a responsibility. If Hong Kong were to complete the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law sooner, it could eliminate uncertainties in the field of national security sooner, focus all efforts on economic development sooner, and work together to ensure the long-term prosperity, stability, and well-being of Hong Kong residents.
The draft of the Basic Law Article 23 legislation: Safeguarding National Security bill recently announced by the HKSAR Government not only fully respects and safeguards human rights, but also adopts higher human rights protection standards than some Western countries. In terms of sentencing, unlike countries such as the US that have the death penalty as the highest punishment, life imprisonment is set as the most severe penalty in the draft of the Basic Law Article 23 legislation.
The national security law draft draws on the legislative experience of other countries, especially common law countries, aligns with international practices and rules, and also incorporates existing legal provisions familiar to Hong Kong society. The draft law clearly stipulates the protection of property and investments within the HKSAR, ensuring the prosperity and stability of the region.
Hong Kong has long been known for its strong rule of law, which is the cornerstone of its success. It is believed that after the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law, the relevant departments in Hong Kong will continue to maintain high standards and strictly adhere to the rule of law, especially the common law system in Hong Kong.
Article 23 of the Basic Law will be enacted to punish the very few individuals attempting to commit crimes endangering national security, protect the legitimate rights of the vast majority of Hong Kong residents, and uphold the harmony, stability, and prosperity of the entire economy and society.
We have reason to believe that the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law will enable Hong Kong to enjoy the various benefits related to safeguarding national security, just like other countries and regions. The legislation will bring stability and security, effectively maintain social order, make residents' lives more peaceful, and allow people to better focus on economic development and innovation.
The implementation of legislation for safeguarding national security on Article 23 of the Basic Law also makes Hong Kong more attractive, able to attract more foreign investment. Companies and investors will see the value of Hong Kong as a safe and reliable business center and be willing to invest their funds here. This will bring huge economic opportunities to Hong Kong, promote job growth, and wealth accumulation.
More importantly, the implementation of legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law will also strengthen economic cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland. The central government will support Hong Kong with greater efforts, providing more development opportunities and policy support, further deepening the close ties between Hong Kong and the mainland, helping Hong Kong seize the vast opportunities brought by national development and achieve mutual economic benefits.
