Autumnal Equinox, the 16th solar term of the lunar 24 solar terms, started on Sunday (September 22) this year and marks the midpoint of autumn, dividing the season into two equal parts. It also marks the harvest season. This year marks the seventh celebration of the Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival, a time when farmers across the country share in the joy of the harvest. 

After Autumnal Equinox, the location of direct sunlight moves to the south, making days shorter and nights longer in the northern hemisphere. By this time, most regions in China have transitioned into the cooler autumn season. As cold air from the north meets the diminishing warm, humid air, it often results in precipitation.

Ancient Chinese tradition divides the Autumnal Equinox into three pentads: the first observes the softening of thunder, the second sees hibernating insects begin to nest, and in the third pentad, water starts to dry up.

During this season, crabs are considered particularly delicious. Eating crabs is believed to nourish the marrow and help clear internal heat from the body.

In South China, a custom for Autumnal Equinox is known as "having Qiucai (an autumn vegetable), a type of wild amaranth that is popular during this time. Every Autumnal Equinox day, Qiucai, verdant in the field, is collected and made into soup with fish, called "Qiutang" (autumn soup). 

Besides, Autumnal Equinox is the perfect season for kite flying. Children fly various kites, enjoying the pleasant weather. 

In North China, taro becomes a staple in the seasonal diet during this time. Health experts recommend having some more easily digestible foods in autumn. Taro is soft and nutritional. 

In some regions, there remains a folk tradition of extending greetings and well wishes for a successful autumn ploughing. 

Since ancient times, many places have had folk custom of mountaineering and sight-seeing. Due to the effects of air pressure and humidity, autumn often brings clear blue skies, white clouds, and cool breezes, making it perfect for mountaineering. 

During the Autumnal Equinox, the temperature difference between morning and evening becomes more pronounced, so people should adjust their attire to prevent catching colds.

Fitness exercises in this season can do more of cold-resistant exercises and aerobic exercises, such as hiking, walking and cycling. After the Autumnal Equinox, it is recommended not to engage in excessive exercise, as it may deplete yang energy. Instead, people may try some gentle exercises including tai chi, Baduanjin (an ancient Chinese qigong exercise combining movement), and Wuqinxi (the Five-Animal Exercises), so that the whole-body sweats slightly and not too tired. 

A total of 56 paintings from Russia's State Tretyakov Gallery are now on exhibition at the Capital Museum in Beijing as this year marks the 75th anniversary of China and Russia establishing diplomatic ties.

The exhibition, titled The Soul of Russia, is running from September 15 to December 8. It features 56 masterpieces by prominent Russian artists such as Ilya Repin, Ivan Shishkin, Vasily Tropinin, Ivan Aivazovsky and Vasily Surikov, covering more than 500 years of Russian art history - from the 16th century to the present. 

"The Chinese viewer can experience a retrospective of Russian art from iconic paintings to the second half of the 20th century," Director of the State Tretyakov Gallery Elena Pronicheva told the Global Times through an interpreter. 

"Regardless of the historical period, visitors will see the ideals that Russia lived by during this historical period and through."

Jointly organized by the Capital Museum and Russia's State Tretyakov Gallery, the exhibition spans diverse themes and styles, illustrating the rich cultural heritage and artistic diversity of Russia. 

The artworks are divided into four sections: landscapes, portraits, daily life, and historical scenes, offering a comprehensive look into Russia's natural beauty, people, and history.

High-profile artworks include Lenin in Smolny and Portrait of A.M.Gorky by Isaak Brodsky, Portrait of Anton Chekhov by Osip Braz, and Stormy Sea by Aivazovsky.

2024 and 2025 have been designated as Years of Culture between China and Russia.

"Culture as a kind of social sphere helps us get to know each other better, because we are neighbors," Pronicheva told the Global Times.

"Besides borders, we are also quite close to each other in thinking, we have a lot in common." 

This exhibition aims to deepen cultural exchange between China and Russia.

It offers Chinese audiences a rare perspective on Russian art and culture while fostering mutual understanding between the two nations.

"Through our exchanges with the Russian side, we are able to deepen our understanding of each other and of ourselves. This is an expression of the mutual learning between civilizations and the coexistence of cultures," Yu Runsheng, a professor of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, told the Global Times. 

"That we are able to organize such an exhibition demonstrates that our understanding of Russian painting and the entire history of Russian art has surpassed previous levels."

Previous exhibitions held in China featuring Russian paintings from the Tretyakov Gallery were mainly focused on a single topic rather than presenting a more comprehensive view like the current exhibition, according to Yu. 

He noted that the theme and overall outline of the exhibition were proposed by a Chinese academic team before communicating with Russian institutions, selecting the pieces they could provide to finalize the exhibition.

The Tretyakov Gallery is one of the most prominent art museums in Russia, renowned for its vast collection of Russian fine art. 

Founded in 1856 by merchant and art collector Pavel Tretyakov, the gallery houses over 180,000 works, spanning from early religious iconography to contemporary art.

In 1949, the Soviet Union became the first country in the world to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. 

Since then, Russian art has had a lasting impact on Chinese artists.

Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen eased past 71st-ranked Kamilla Rakhimova of Russia with 6-1, 6-1 in the second round of a highly anticipated match at the China Open on Saturday. 

The match attracted more than 12,000 fans to the 15,000-capacity Diamond Court at the National Tennis Center in Beijing. 

Making her debut at this year's China Open thanks to a first-round bye as the fifth seed, Zheng said she was satisfied with her performance on Saturday after suffering frustrations since the US Open.

"I'm very satisfied with today's overall performance. I always practice with male players during training, and I often get beaten, which is frustrating, but today's match went really smoothly. I haven't had such a smooth match in a long time, especially since every match at the US Open was tough," Zheng said after the match. 

"I was surprised to see so many fans at the venue today, and I really appreciate everyone's support. I hope I can go further in the China Open, so you all can have more opportunities to watch me play."

Saturday's match was only Zheng's second appearance in the tournament after a surprising first-round exit in 2023. Zheng is currently ranked No.7 in the world, going up from world No.23 at this time same time in 2023. 

Zheng will take on 25th seed Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine in the third round. 

Zheng has expressed a desire to shift her focus away from the overwhelming glow of her Olympic gold medal in the women's singles and instead focus on her WTA Tour events, as her objective for the rest of the season is clear: to secure a spot in the year-ender WTA Finals. 

Zheng currently sits at No.9 in the Race to the Finals, trailing US players Emma Navarro and Danielle Collins by 498 and 108 points, respectively. 

Zheng's Finals campaign was made easier ahead of Saturday's match after compatriot and veteran Zhang Shuai defeated Navarro on Friday in the first round.

China's central bank on Sunday adjusted the pricing mechanism for mortgage rates, as the country aims to lower the financial burden on property owners. In accordance with the central bank's guidance, China's "big four" commercial banks issued statements confirming that they will adjust the interest rates on existing personal housing loans.

As part of a broader effort to stabilize the real estate sector, the policy adjustment will also help to boost consumption, adding to the optimistic sentiment in the market, analysts said. 

The People’s Bank of China (PBC) announced on Sunday a significant reduction in mortgage rates for existing home loans, with an average estimated reduction of 0.5 percentage points, CCTV reported. 

The adjustment aims to align the rates of existing loans with the national average for newly issued mortgages, thereby easing the interest burden on borrowers, the PBC said.

Commercial banks are required to carry out the adjustments for eligible existing mortgages by October 31, the PBC said.

Following the announcement from the central bank, China's "big four" commercial banks issued statements confirming that they will adjust the interest rates on existing personal housing loans in accordance with the central bank’s guidance.

“The adjustment of the existing mortgage interest rates has a very positive guiding effect. The reduction in monthly payments should have a positive impact in boosting consumer confidence,” Yan Yuejin, research director at Shanghai-based E-house China R&D Institute, told the Global Times on Sunday.

Additionally, commercial personal housing loans will no longer differentiate between first-time and second-time home purchases. The minimum down payment requirement is now set at no less than 15 percent, the PBC said.

First-tier cities including Shanghai, and Guangzhou and Shenzhen in South China’s Guangdong Province all eased their property policies on Sunday. 

Shenzhen announced that the minimum down payment ratio for commercial personal housing loans for first-time homebuyers will be adjusted to 15 percent.

Shanghai introduced seven new policies aimed at stabilizing the real estate market, effective from October 1, 2024.

Highlights among the measures include easing purchasing restrictions for non-resident families and individuals. Specifically, the requirement for continuous payment of social insurance or personal income tax has been adjusted to a minimum of one year prior to the purchase date for those buying homes outside the city’s outer ring.

Furthermore, the minimum down payment ratio for commercial personal housing loans for purchasing first homes in Shanghai has been set at no less than 15 percent, while for second homes it has been adjusted to a minimum of 25 percent.

Guangzhou also issued a notice on Sunday saying that all purchase restrictions for local families buying housing in Guangzhou will be lifted, CCTV reported.

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting on Thursday to analyze the country’s current economic situation and make further plans for economic work. 

Regarding the real estate market, efforts must be made to address public concerns, adjust housing purchase restrictions, reduce existing mortgage rates, improve land, fiscal and taxation, financial and other policies, and promote the formation of a new model of real estate development, the meeting concluded.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development said in a meeting on Sunday that it will support cities, especially first-tier cities, in effectively utilizing their independent real estate market regulation, and will adjust housing purchase restrictions based on local conditions.

It is expected that the pace of adjustments in housing policies across the country will accelerate. These new measures are expected to foster a positive trajectory for the real estate market, laying a solid foundation for continued development, Yan said.