China and Africa have deepened meteorological cooperation to enhance their climate change response and disaster risk reduction capabilities, achieving fruitful results in recent years, under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) frameworks.
China has implemented meteorological infrastructure projects in several African countries, including Zimbabwe, Kenya and Namibia. These projects include establishment of automatic observation stations, and data reception and processing systems for the Fengyun-3G, a satellite dedicated to measuring precipitation on Earth, according to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA).
The CMA has initially established an early warning service platform designed for developing countries and regions. It plans to collaborate with more African countries to jointly develop and construct meteorological early warning service platforms, utilizing services such as China's Fengyun-3G, aiming to strengthen disaster prevention and climate change response capabilities in Africa, according to the CMA.
Establishing meteorological early warning systems has been included in the 10 partnership actions for modernization proposed by China to deepen China-Africa cooperation.
Meanwhile, visiting meteorological scholars from BRI countries have recently participated in meteorological exchange and cooperation between China and Africa, according to the CMA.
Limited meteorological observation capabilities hinder effective responses to climate change and the management of weather-related disasters in Africa, said Ma Jun, director of the Beijing-based Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs.
It requires improved access to data, monitoring, forecasting, and early warning systems, to strengthen the adaptation capabilities to climate change in Africa, especially given the rising frequency of extreme weather events, Ma said.
While the US "decoupling" push appears to be aimed directly at China, it is ultimately a form of trade protectionism intended to protect US domestic industries. In this light, even India, viewed as a potential alternative supplier for the US, is experiencing the strain.
Indian solar panels are facing US scrutiny for possible links to so-called "forced labor" in China, Reuters reported on Tuesday.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has detained approximately $43 million in shipments of electronics equipment from India since October 2023 under the US "Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA)," according to agency data.
While it is unclear what specific types of electronics equipment the CBP has detained, the situation reflects the protectionist conundrums facing India as it develops its manufacturing sector.
The "forced labor" claims about Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are utter lies concocted by some politicians in the US. The move is actually aimed at impeding China's manufacturing development by excluding the region from the global supply chain.
Superficially, the detainment of India's electronics products may seem to be mainly targeting Chinese manufacturing, but in essence, it is aimed at protecting US interests by ensuring the competitiveness of American companies and the economy.
It is apparent that the current development of the Indian manufacturing sector is, to a large extent, dependent on the Chinese supply chain, as India needs Chinese raw materials, components, technologies and services.
The fact that China edged past the US and emerged as India's largest trading partner with $118.4 billion of two-way commerce in the Indian fiscal year 2023-2024 - from April 2023 to March 2024 - is sufficient to prove that Indian manufacturing cannot exclude products, technologies and services imported from China.
India's exports of electronics goods to the US have surged quickly. For instance, US trade data showed that imports of solar products from India have soared in recent years, hitting $2.3 billion last year, according to Reuters. In the second quarter of 2024, India accounted for 11 percent of US solar panel imports, more than double its share in the previous quarter, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Against this backdrop, it is not surprising that Indian producers have faced setbacks, given the increasing protectionist trend in the US solar industry. This is because any foreign industry that poses a threat to US interests or competes with US industries is likely to be targeted by Washington's trade protectionism, regardless of its origin, be it China, India, the EU or any other economy.
The trend is now clear - the US is increasingly inclined to adopt trade and industrial protectionist measures in order to boost its manufacturing revival, especially in the new-energy and other strategic sectors.
There is no denying that some of India's exports to the US, such as solar panels and textiles, are seen as alternatives to Chinese products for the US, but they are likely only temporary solutions.
In the long run, if Indian industries grow to compete with their US counterparts, which is inevitable, the US is bound to resort to tougher protectionist policies using various excuses.
Amid rising global trade protectionism, India faces much greater resistance in improving its position in the global industrial chain than China did in the past, when it comes to developing the manufacturing sector.
If anything, the US-led "decoupling" push aimed at squeezing Chinese manufacturing out of the global supply chain is unlikely to give India much time or opportunity for large-scale manufacturing growth.
In this context, India needs to diversify its export markets and seek more opportunities in the Asian industrial chain by strengthening cooperation with regional countries to jointly address the challenges of trade protectionism. India needs to enhance trade cooperation with other developing countries in order to collectively uphold the smooth functioning of international trade.
Some Western media outlets and organizations never get tired of smearing the human rights situation in Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. Recently, they're again spreading such disinformation, claiming that China's measures aimed at economic growth "harm the way of life and ecoculture of people in Xizang."
Nevertheless, the tangible progress in Xizang's development serves as a powerful rebuttal to these baseless Western lies.
Over the years, Xizang has seen continued and sound economic growth, social harmony and stability, the sound preservation of its cultural heritage, and significantly better lives for its people. These facts have the wholehearted recognition of people of all ethnic groups in Xizang and are acknowledged by many in the international community, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday.
Xizang's economic and social development has benefited from the long-term support of the central government and the support and assistance from people across the country. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the program of national pairing assistance to Xizang.
Over the past three decades, the central government has continuously stepped up support for Xizang, implementing assistance projects to help the region improve its infrastructure, which has contributed to vigorous and diversified industrial development in the region.
In 2023, Xizang's GDP reached 239.27 billion yuan ($33.74 billion), an increase of 9.5 percent year-on-year. The growth rate ranked first in the country, according to the Xizang Daily.
Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), Xizang's GDP has risen from 190 billion yuan to nearly 240 billion yuan last year. Additionally, its per capita GDP has risen from 52,300 yuan to 60,000 yuan, Chinese media reports said.
Over the years, infrastructure construction has provided a solid foundation for Xizang's industrial development. In particular, with the improvement of transportation networks, the cultural and tourism industries have become important pillars of Xizang's economy, with tourism revenue reaching a record high of 65 billion yuan in 2023.
In the clean energy field, Xizang has also made notable achievements. The region is rich in hydro, wind and solar energy. Its installed power capacity, including some under construction, is 24.14 million kilowatts, with clean energy accounting for more than 95 percent of the total, according to State Grid.
Xizang has also actively seized the "digital opportunity" to accelerate the deployment of new infrastructure, such as 5G, green data centers, the Internet of Things and the industrial internet. So far, 10,067 5G base stations have been built and 5G network coverage has been extended to all counties/districts and main towns/townships in the region.
These milestones represent the potential for the future development of the digital economy. In 2023, the added value of Xizang's digital economy reached 25.1 billion yuan, up 19.3 percent year-on-year.
These numbers show that Xizang's economic and social development trends follow a sustainable path, laying a solid foundation for Xizang's long-term stability and prosperity.
It also demonstrates that the guidelines of the Communist Party of China for governing Xizang are correct, in line with our national conditions and the fundamental interests of the people in Xizang.
Xizang's development is an important part of the Chinese development story. It exemplifies how the Chinese government, while promoting economic development, can effectively protect the natural environment and cultural heritage, improve living standards, and maintain social harmony and stability. We welcome more foreigners to visit Xizang to gain first-hand experience of the region and its development.
In the face of Xizang's development, Western lies are falling apart. Xizang's development achievements are the most powerful response to those who seek to undermine China's stability and development by distorting facts.
"Hearing about something 100 times is not the same as seeing it once. I love Chongqing, and most of us have been blown away by the scenery, by the nature and by the atmosphere of the megacity," Moritz Nicolaus Lohmann, co-founder of Hamburg Welcomes You, Germany, told the Global Times on Saturday.
Lohmann said he was very impressed with the city's strong desire for pursuing high-quality development and opening-up.
Lohmann is one of the foreign journalists who participated in the 2024 Belt and Road Journalists Forum, which kicked off in Southwest China's Chongqing city on Saturday. The forum also provides the attending journalists with tours to the city's flourishing industries from advanced manufacturing plants to major tourism attractions.
During the tours, many foreign journalists hailed the development model of the mountainous city - increasingly driven by the green development and new quality productive forces. They noted that Chongqing has provided pragmatic experience for their home cities' future upgrade and high-quality development.
Sustainable growth model
"For someone like me who visited Chongqing about 10 years ago, the city is nearly unrecognizable now. There are high-rise buildings, new bridges, and a few metro lines have been built," Lohmann said.
However, things that used to look a little bit run-down were not all replaced by new high-rise buildings. Instead, they were upgraded through processes of urban revitalization, Lohmann noted.
At Beicang Cultural and Creative Street in Chongqing, worn-out warehouses were turned into public gathering places and cafes, old streets into fashionable walking alleys, and factories into galleries. This not only saves resources like cement and benefits the environment, but also creates a welcoming space that appeals to both locals and tourists, Lohmann said.
"I call for more projects like these in the cities, and suggest that other countries like Germany can learn a thing or two. We will probably not build many 30 story high-rise buildings any time soon. But we might be able to turn an industrial area into an artistic district, just like the city of Chongqing," he said.
Kirtan Bhana, director and editor of The Diplomatic Society, a media outlet in South Africa, was impressed by the automated robotic arms he saw at one of China's leading electric vehicle (EV) makers Seres Group's super factory.
Visiting the increasingly intelligent automotive manufacturing factory, people can observe that each assembly procedure is implemented smoothly and precisely, with minimal human touch. The massive factory floor has more than 3,000 robots, with major procedures already realizing 100 percent automation, while a new car rolls off the assembly line every 30 seconds, according to the Seres Group.
"What South Africa can learn from Chongqing and the rest of China is that how to develop sustainably without damaging the ecology, that is to say, a way of environment-friendly development," Bhana told the Global Times on Saturday, noting that green products such as EVs are crucial to meet the goal by cutting carbon dioxide emissions.
The green development has become a major trend in the world. Bhana noted that China and South Africa can enhance cooperation in this field under the great framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as the African continent has many of the minerals that are needed to make EV batteries.
In addition to promoting urban renewal and green transformation, Chongqing has also pursued the high-quality development of its tourism industry which fits well with its ecological protection.
Located in the southeastern part of Chongqing, along the Wujiang River, the largest tributary in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, Wulong district is endowed with abundant natural resources and charming natural landscape including the Fairy Mountain.
The Three Natural Bridges, located in the Fairy Mountain, is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site renowned for its breathtaking karst landscape. While exploring the geological wonder, Elizabeth Sade, a senior reporter from the Media Association of Solomon Islands, was struck by the three massive natural stone bridges, marveling at the wonders created by nature.
"The three bridges that we visited were something that I was thrilled about. Alongside, the strong connection that I saw between locals and the environment has amazed me," Sade told the Global Times on Saturday.
He Qing, secretary of the CPC Wulong District Committee of Chongqing, told the Global Times that the local government has strengthened ecological environmental protection while developing tourism, by eliminating predatory way of resource exploitation seen in the past.
At the same time, the first real-time monitoring system for caves at a heritage site in China has been established, He Qing noted.
Ecological protection
"It is a global issue when we consider the challenges of climate change, especially for Pacific island nations like the Solomon Islands," said Sade.
"In Chongqing, I saw that the city can integrate ecological protection and tourism development at the same time. So I hope that when our media outlets come back home, they can speak to authorities or go out and do more stories that will influence them to come up with good policies that will be able to promote tourism and at the same time, keep the ecology as green as possible," Sade noted.
On August 23, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held a meeting in Beijing to review policies and measures to open up a new vista in the large-scale development of China's western regions.
Efforts should be made to "deepen reform comprehensively and blaze a path of Chinese modernization that suits the realities of the region," the meeting said, while identifying work priorities in a number of fields, including promoting the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, advancing green and low-carbon development as well as enhancing the openness of the Chinese economy.
Chongqing is an important pivot point for the development of western part of China, as well as a crucial link between the BRI and the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Boosted by policy support, unique geographical advantage and new technologies, the flourishing manufacturing sector and other industries seen in Chongqing mirror the high-quality development of China's western region in the new era and the opening-up of the country's western region.
"Through visiting Chongqing, we realize that China is sharing its development knowledge and information with us," said Bhana, adding the BRI not only increases connectivity among the world's peoples, but also creates better understanding among them. "This is where I see the idea of peace and prosperity," he noted.
China urged some politicians from the West to stop political manipulation of the judiciary under the pretext of "press freedom" after they made irresponsible remarks regarding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) court's trial of the criminal case involving two editors of "Stand News."
Being the first incitement case involving a media organization since the return of Hong Kong to the motherland 27 years ago, the case is a just move to safeguard national security and the rule of law in Hong Kong, providing important precedent for similar cases that may be tried in the future and on how media organizations exercise the right of press freedom in compliance with the law, observers said.
China deplores and opposes a handful of countries and institutions exploiting the judicial case in the Hong Kong SAR to vilify Hong Kong and interfere in China's internal affairs, Lin Jian, a spokesperson from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on Friday.
"Let me stress that the rights and freedoms Hong Kong residents enjoy in accordance with law, including freedom of press, are fully protected. This is an undeniable fact. Meanwhile, Hong Kong upholds the rule of law where to abide by the law and bring lawbreakers to justice is a basic principle. Freedom of press is by no means a shield for illegal activities," Lin said.
The Commissioner's Office of China's Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong, the Chinese Embassy in the UK, and the Chinese Mission to the EU also expressed their dissatisfaction with the irresponsible remarks regarding the case made by some Western politicians.
Stand News editors-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen and Lam Shiu-tung, and Best Pencil (Hong Kong) Limited - the company that operated Stand News - were guilty of conspiring to publish seditious articles, the Hong Kong SAR government said on Thursday, citing the District Court.
The Commissioner's Office slammed the Western politicians for having long-held double standards on so-called "press freedom" issue. They turn a blind eye to their own country's deplorable record of suppressing the news media, but have repeatedly used "press freedom" as a political tool to justify anti-China and anti-Hong Kong organizations, and wantonly smear and attack the rule of law and fair justice in the SAR.
Refuting accusations from some Western politicians, Kennedy Wong Ying-ho, a solicitor of the High Court of Hong Kong, told the Global Times on Friday that they are merely trying to "confuse right and wrong and mislead the public."
He said that Hong Kong residents enjoy freedom of the press, the normal operation of media organizations is also protected by law, and Hong Kong laws also clearly define the provisions on "sedition." The provision will not affect or harm press freedom.
The court's decision has added a precedent to Hong Kong's judicial system, providing important reference for similar cases that may be tried in the future and provide guidance on how to exercise the right of press freedom in compliance with the law, Wong said.
"Read ten thousand books, and your pen will be guided as if by the gods" is an ancient Chinese idiom that can be seen in students' textbooks. China's Ministry of Education has published an action plan to further promote reading among students across the nation. With new and diverse book recommendations, the reading scene is expected to be revived not only at schools, but also across society. To contribute to this endeavor, the Global Times launched "My Reading Life" essay contest for middle school students.
Please pick up a pen and share your stories with us at reading@globaltimes.com.cn
Participants will be rewarded once the article has been selected. To love reading and enjoy reading is to love life and enjoy life.
When we immerse ourselves in the pages of a book, we are transported to worlds beyond our own, gaining insights into the human experience and expanding our understanding of ourselves and others.
Reading can fill our lives and purify our souls. I enjoy reading and I love life. I enjoy reading Chinese classics such as the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Exploring the mythical and wonderful stories of demons and monsters in Journey to the West and experiencing the boldness of martial arts heroes in the Water Margin.
I also like to reflect upon the wars and turmoil during the historical period in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, while in Dream of the Red Chamber, I witness the prosperity and the ephemeral nature of the world.
Reading allows us to explore different perspectives, challenge our beliefs, and cultivate empathy. It is through stories that we connect with the past, envision the future, and find meaning of the present.
As we turn each page, we uncover not only the stories of others but also the deeper layers of our own identity. Books become mirrors that reflect our thoughts, fears, and desires, while serving as windows that open up to the vast world beyond our immediate surroundings.
In the quiet solitude of reading, we find a sanctuary - a place where we can confront our doubts, find comfort in shared experiences, and discover new passions.
To love reading is to embrace curiosity, to seek knowledge, and to nurture the soul with the richness of words. In this way, the act of reading becomes not just a pastime, but a vital part of living fully, with awareness and purpose.
The joy of reading is also found in the unexpected journeys it offers. A book can lead us down paths we never knew existed, introducing us to ideas that challenge our perceptions and inspire change. It is in these moments of revelation that we feel truly alive, energized by the discovery of new possibilities.
I also enjoy reading foreign classics and learning about the colorful lives portrayed by foreign writers. For example, The Chameleon by Anton Chekhov vividly satirized the shady phenomena of society at that time.
Another book called Jane Eyre tells me the life of the protagonist Jane Eyre and depicts her character. The story is written like an autobiography, making it the best self-monologue in the world. In the book, I was able to grasp the courageous character of a woman, and reflect on what empowers a woman is never the co-dependence on her family nor husband, but her own intellect and intuition.
To love reading is to continually seek growth, to feed our imagination, and to stay connected with the essence of what it means to be human.
It is an act of self-care, a way to nourish our minds and spirit, and a reminder that, in every story, there is something to be learned, savored, and cherished.
Through reading, we find companionship and a deeper connection to the world - a connection that enriches our lives.
Reading is a skill that can be continuously improved, allowing us to gain more from each book we pick up. In order to read better, I will try to consider why I am reading a particular book or text in the future.
The author is a student at Beijing National Day School
Chinese animated show Zhanshen debuted on Chinese streaming platforms on July 31. Two days later, the first episode had received over 100,000 likes on TikTok, with numerous discussions in various languages such as English, Thai, Indonesian and Russian. They were mainly two questions: "Where can I watch this new animation?" and "What is the name of this animation?"
Long and difficult to understand, Chinese names are often the first threshold foreigners must overcome to appreciate Chinese animation.
It is not a big problem as foreign followers can always reach an agreement on "what name" to call a work before the official English name is released. In this case they have settled on Battle through the Heavens, which is easier to remember and becomes a key to unlock the code of Chinese culture.
Together with #C-dramas, hashtags used by overseas followers like #donghua (cartoons), #xianxia (Lit: immortal heroes) and #Chinatravel are trending on overseas social media and video platforms like TikTok and YouTube.
Under them, millions of short videos and billions of views and likes prove that online novels, streaming dramas and animated works are becoming China's name card in the era of digital culture. As of August 1, the "C-drama" hashtag has about 1.8 million works on TikTok. If other entries such as "Chinesedrama" or "dramachina" are added, the total number of works exceeds 4 million.
Outside the English-speaking world, Chinese TV series have also gained a large number of fans. Vietnamese, Thai, Russian and other users not only learn about and discuss their favorite Chinese dramas in English, but also create introductions in their own languages. Besides this, they also voluntarily translate hit TV series into multiple languages.
Thanks to them, donghua, manhua (Chinese comics), xianxia, and wuxia (martial heroes) have turned into hashtags, sparking interests among more and more Gen Zers globally.
Quite different from the way Japan and South Korea's culture has expanded overseas, Chinese online novels, animations and streaming dramas' popularity overseas has been developing based on traditional Chinese culture right from the very beginning.
"Wuxia" and "xianxia" first became hits because these works inherit the style of ancient Chinese fantasy novels and martial arts novels, and incorporate Taoist culture while being full of fantasy elements and descriptions of love, friendship, and faith. In terms of visual presentation, from background drawing to character modeling, they also clearly highlight Chinese landscapes, ink techniques, East Asian looks and China's traditional clothing. Such cultural barriers have not blocked hardcore fans. Instead, they have discussions and recommend works to each other.
The world of xianxia opened by the cooperation of online literature and animation is full of not only unique cultural accumulation and magnificent imagination, but also unique visuals. Different from 2D animated movies in Japan, most Chinese tales and comics are produced in 3D.
Overseas fans can be regarded as an unexpected gain for China's cultural industry. Although China's major streaming sites have overseas platforms, most content, including streaming dramas and animated works, are not released overseas until they have finished their domestic runs.
Different from Japan and South Korea's strategy of creating content based on overseas culture, creators in China are encouraged to produce specialty content inspired by China's fine traditional culture.
The success of China's culture industry comes from the clustered industry model and "team battle" strategy when it comes to using IP. Many tech giants like Tencent have different major business sectors, ranging from online literature to film and television, animation and e-sports. After a category or IP makes a breakthrough, companies can quickly react to enlarge the IPs influence and establish a better reputation.
Overseas fans have also gradually become accustomed to the concept of having a single IP extend across novels, animation and streaming dramas. With this in mind, they actively look for more Chinese cultural works.
As more and more travelers visit China, many become more curious about Chinese culture. It seems that the hashtag #Chinatravel has added its magic to introducing the charm of Chinese culture. The unexpected overseas success of Chinese online novels, streaming series and animation reveals the unique charm of Chinese culture, expression and lifestyle.
When it comes to Chinese cuisine, a large number of dishes are celebrated as delicacies, but a few are often regarded as "weird" by foreigners who have never tried. Among the most typical examples is the century egg, or pidan in Chinese. In 2018, the Disgusting Food Museum in Malmö, Sweden, surprisingly featured century eggs in its exhibit of the world's most "disgusting" foods.
But why are foods like century eggs, chicken feet, and animal offal, which are everyday delicacies in China, considered unpalatable by foreigners?
The answer lies in cultural differences and varying dietary preferences.
Traditionally, in China, a signifi cant cultural value is placed on the appreciation for diverse and unique flavors. However, many foreigners are unfamiliar with many of the foods on offer in China and hold different taste preferences.
But in recent years, an increasing number of foreign visitors and gourmets have initiated to try the new tastes they couldn't find easily in their home country. A timeless delicacy
Century eggs, also known as preserved eggs, are a beloved staple in Chinese cuisine with a history spanning centuries. It is said that during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) period, the owner of a tea house accidentally discovered that duck eggs buried in ash mixed with tea leaves had a unique aroma and a fresh, smooth texture.
Later, not only duck eggs but also chicken eggs, goose eggs, and others started being made into century eggs. Typically, century eggs made from chicken eggs are yellow and translucent, while those made from duck eggs are dark green and more common.
Although pidan is referred to as a century egg or even a "thousand-year egg" in English, it doesn't actually take that long to make. The process typically takes just a few days or up to about a month.
Made through a traditional process of curing fresh eggs in a mixture of clay, ash, salt, quicklime, and rice hulls, the eggs undergo a chemical transformation that turns the egg white into a dark, translucent jelly and the yolk into a creamy paste.
The distinctive appearance and intense aroma of century eggs are cherished in China. The eggs are often served in porridge, as a cold appetizer, or even as a topping for other dishes. In some regions, it is also enjoyed on its own.
On Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, some videos show foreigners reacting to pidan, and many seem to dislike it.
Despite its divisive reputation, century eggs continue to attract curious eaters from all over the world. In June 2024, KFC China even launched a century egg tart, blending traditional flavors with modern fast food. A gastronomic icon
Another Chinese delicacy that baffles many Westerners is chicken feet, or feng zhao. Commonly served as a snack or in dim sum, chicken feet can be marinated, fried, steamed or boiled, resulting in a chewy texture.
At night markets all over China, chicken feet are usually an essential delicacy, while in Guangdong Province and other areas of southern China, chicken feet are also served as a breakfast item.
Sometimes the bones are specifically removed from chicken feet to make them easier to eat.
According to data from iiMedia Research, the online market for boneless chicken feet in China reached 4.98 billion yuan ($698.3 million) in 2023, and the market is projected to grow to 7.76 billion yuan by 2028, with the vast majority of consumers belonging to the younger generations, buyers under 44 years old account for 93.59% of the market.
Despite their popularity in China, chicken feet face significant resistance in Western countries due to health concerns, their appearance, and the unfamiliar eating experience.
Two American students visiting East China's Jiangsu Province earlier this month told the Global Times that they tried the chicken feet during their travel, describing them as "surprisingly good," and admitting that they "really liked them."
A culinary feast
Beyond century eggs and chicken feet, Chinese cuisine also embraces a wide range of animal offal, including organs like liver, kidney, and intestines. Dishes like luzhu in Beijing, made from pork head meat and pork offal, and fuqi feipian, a spicy Sichuan dish made from beef heart, tongue, and tripe, showcase the Chinese penchant for using every part of the animal.
Additionally, many parts of China use pork intestines to make Chinese sausage and in the southwestern regions, particularly in Sichuan and Chongqing, intestines are a key ingredient in many spicy dishes.
Mao xue wang, a famous Sichuan dish, features duck blood, beef tripe, and pork intestines cooked in a numbing and spicy broth made with Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers. Another popular dish is a noodle dish topped with stir-fried pig intestines and tofu, known for its bold flavors and chewy texture.
In addition to animal offal, traditional Chinese cuisine offers other examples of strong-flavored delicacies, one of the most well-known being stinky tofu. As the name suggests, stinky tofu is known for its pungent odor, which results from the fermentation process. While the smell can be off-putting, the flavor is beloved by many Chinese diners.
As global food cultures increasingly blend, an interest in traditional Chinese dishes is also growing. While some may never fully embrace century eggs or stinky tofu, a rising number of adventurous eaters are challenging their palates to experience the rich diversity of Chinese cuisine.
How can art and culture from the past survive in a globalized world? Inheriting the treasure of art and culture from the past thousands of years, young Chinese have created a new trend - Guochao, or China chic. It refers to a movement started by an increasing number of young people who are endeavoring to revive and reinvent China's traditional culture.
We can see fashion designers drawing inspirations from the precious murals inside the Yungang Grottoes, and traditional instrument players creating all new trendy music on pipa. These young Guochao trendsetters have helped China's cultural legacies be passed down and preserved for future generations.
In this series, we will interview young people who are using wisdom and creativity to reinterpret traditional Chinese culture in their particular field of expertise. This time, Global Times reporters Sun Langchen and Li Hang focused on two young women's efforts to revive the timeless crafts. From vibrant Chaozhou crochet revival to the timeless elegance of qipao, a close-fitting woman's dress with high neck and slit skirt, traditional crafts are finding new life and global appreciation. Combining tradition with modern design
As crochet hooks rhythmically traverse yarn, vibrant and lifelike patterns emerge, showcasing the traditional Chaozhou crochet technique. This unique art form, known for its intricate lacework, has been a staple in Chaozhou, South China's Guangdong Province, for generations.
Chaozhou crochet is a traditional craft from the Chaoshan region. Using just a single crochet hook and three basic techniques, intricate patterns can be woven. Known for its flexibility and convenience, with no limitations on where it can be practiced, crocheting became a popular way for many women in Chaozhou to supplement their household income during the 1980s and 1990s. In 2014, Chaozhou embroidery was included as part of the fourth batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage listings.
Huang Jiayu is a native of Chaozhou born in 1990. She grew up surrounded by women skilled in crochet. According to Huang, during the off-season for farming, local villagers would fulfill orders, with much of their handcrafted lace exported overseas, supplementing their income.
Huang's father opened a crochet factory, and her childhood was filled with memories of aunts working on orders at home.
"Some items with bright red and green colors were destined for Africa; the vividly colored bikinis mostly went to Europe and America; orders from Japan tended to be more nature-inspired, with lower color saturation," Huang said.
However, upon graduating from university in 2014, Huang discovered that the family business was on the brink of bankruptcy, as machinery had begun to overshadow traditional craftsmanship.
"It would have been a real pity if my parents had to close their crochet factory. The ladies working there would have lost their jobs, and their families also rely on that income," Huang recalled.
Determined to preserve this traditional art form, she began to sell her crochet designs while traveling in Southwest China's Yunnan Province. To her surprise, her creations quickly gained the favor of young people.
Returning to Chaozhou a year later, Huang rallied the local crochet aunties to form the "Crochet Team," combining their skills to innovate and rejuvenate the craft. The average age of the team members is about 50 years old.
"The aunties are very familiar with these traditional crafts, but they haven't independently designed any products. They tend to have more traditional ways of thinking, so it takes longer to refine products to fit the current market. Our ways of thinking are different," Huang said.
Take a smiley face, for instance: They think a mouth that curves downward or outward is basically the same. But in reality, the specific expression of an emoji can give people very different impressions, she noted.
Huang's vision is to break away from conventional designs and introduce vibrant, three-dimensional elements to her creations.
"Traditional crochet designs often seemed outdated in contemporary fashion," Huang said. "Combining diverse, modern designs with traditional techniques is crucial to stay relevant today."
Huang draws much of the inspiration for her work from life. When she encounters something she likes or a captivating color combination, she consciously incorporates it into her crochet designs.
Bikinis, earrings, backpacks… Huang is well-versed in crochet products. With spring approaching, she has designed the "Spring Bloom" series, featuring earrings inspired by canola flowers, angelica flowers, and goji berries to add a touch of spring vitality for youthful girls.
After watching a documentary about the ocean, she was inspired to create the "Coral Reef" series, using colors derived from underwater fish and seawater to bring a refreshing coolness. The "International Women's Day" series, characterized by square shapes and orange tones, encourages everyone to break free from conventions and be true to themselves. These refreshing crochet products, sold online across the country, are particularly popular among young customers.
While they were initially skeptical about whether Yang's designs would catch on or generate sales, the thriving online store business proves that their choice was the right one.
Huang also includes a signed card from the maker with each product, creating a personal connection between customers and creators.
She frequently shares customer's reviews and comments with the aunties, allowing them to enjoy the feedback and share in the customers' appreciation and joy.
In June, an exhibition featuring works by Huang and her team was held in Shanghai. Among the items was a vividly colored, fully hand-crocheted dragon that drew gasps of awe from many visitors.
"I love witnessing the connections between people through art that combines traditional symbols with fresh, modern forms. The first expression of amazement when people see the works is always the same," she told the Global Times. Revising cultural appropriation
Heather Guo, a 23-year-old entrepreneur, is making a significant impact on the appreciation of traditional Chinese fashion through her boutique, the Xiangjiang Silk Company, located in Manhattan's West Village in New York City. Named after Hong Kong's alternate name, Xiangjiang, the store is dedicated to preserving and celebrating qipao, a traditional dress that takes inspiration from the ethnic clothing of the Manchu people.
Guo's journey into the world of qipao began serendipitously when she encountered a collection of vintage qipao in a New York gift shop. These garments, relics of Hong Kong's golden era of fashion, were woven from silk and adorned with intricate patterns.
"They were densely woven, often featuring intricate patterns," Guo told the Global Times.
As more and more people grew interested in qipao, she gained a passion for preserving and celebrating it.
The history of qipao is a tapestry of cultural evolution and craftsmanship. It traces its origins back to the traditional attire of the Manchu ethnic group, who ruled China during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Qipao was originally designed for men. In the 1920s, as feminist consciousness rose, Chinese women embraced qipao, transforming it into a form-fitting, figure-flattering dress.
However, it may be surprising that over time, this trend became Westernized and continuously intersected with Western fashion trends.
"It is distinctly Chinese, yet it has not developed in isolation, as it has always drawn from foreign clothing trends. China and other countries have always maintained cultural exchanges," Guo noted.
It is also worth noting that despite this historical background, qipao's role as a symbol of Chinese cultural heritage has often been misunderstood or appropriated in popular Western culture. Even now, some may acknowledge that it has been commercialized as part of the "Eastern dream," a trend that sometimes overlooks its cultural roots and significance.
Some may even think that qipao has the same origin as the kimono, a traditional item of clothing from Japan.
Many foreign interpretations of the qipao reduce it to mere exoticism, failing to recognize the depth of its historical and cultural context.
"You can only embrace a culture when you really understand it," Guo said, noting this kind of foreign interpretation is "cultural appropriation."
Guo's dedication to preserving the authenticity of the qipao is evident in her approach to both vintage and contemporary designs. At Xiangjiang, she refuses to alter vintage dresses, honoring them as perfect representations of past wisdom and style.
"Each vintage qipao in our store is unique, reflecting the personal choices of its original owner," she emphasized.
Her commitment also extends to creating new qipao designs that respect traditional techniques while integrating modern fashion concepts for greater comfort and inclusivity.
Guo's improvements include replacing the wide and very visible iron zippers with modern invisible zippers. Some complex and difficult-to-wear styles, like the shoulder-opening qipao, were hard to fasten and wear, and people were unwilling to wear such inconvenient clothing, so there was no need to keep these complicated designs.
However, "The New Chinese style must originate from the Old Chinese style, without the Old Chinese style, the New Chinese style is like water without a source," she noted.
The fabrics Guo chooses to use still adhere to the framework of the 1950s and 1960s, avoiding overly modern materials. The workshop, staffed by four tailors, produces around 150 dresses per month using high-quality silk from Hangzhou.
By introducing vintage qipao while designing new qipao, Guo highlights the importance of understanding and respecting the cultural background of traditional garments through education.
A lack of understanding often leads to the superficial use of traditional elements without genuine appreciation, which she has encountered in her sales experience.
Once a seller from New York received vintage qipao dresses from a Chinese lady who had given them to the seller's granddaughter. The way she sold them caused a heated dispute to erupt between her and her granddaughter.
"The granddaughter told me the seller just labeled it a 'simple Chinese dress' and sold it without her permission," Guo said. "It's of course not just a simple Chinese dress, even her granddaughter knew that."
One significant acquisition for Guo's store was a collection of qipao dresses from a diplomat's wardrobe.
These garments, initially sold off without regard for their cultural value, highlighted the need for deeper respect and understanding.
At Xiangjiang, Guo also creates an immersive experience that connects visitors with the rich history and craftsmanship of these garments. Her boutique features vintage items and decor that evoke a sense of nostalgia and cultural appreciation, making each visit a journey through time and tradition.
Now Guo has opened a store in Shanghai, her hometown, for qipao fans in China who'd also like to gather one of these precious pieces of culture. Looking ahead, Guo intends to open a new store in London, the UK and increase cultural outreach to others about the true essence of qipao.
"I want to continue to share the beauty and significance of qipao as a symbol of Chinese culture and heritage," she said.
The Palace Museum in Beijing is fighting ticket scalping in order to provide an orderly visit experience for tourists, as it recently disclosed that during some peak hours of visit, 99 percent of ticket buyers turned out to be ticket scalpers.
This UNESCO World Heritage site revealed to the public its anti-scalping measures and its back-end system to ensure fair chance of acquiring a ticket for the first time.
In response to the overwhelming demand, the Palace Museum plans to maintain reception capacity at 40,000 people on weekdays, the number of tickets will be increased by about 25 percent to improve accessibility for visitors during the summer.
This initiative, announced by the museum's Information Technology Department, aims to enhance accessibility during the busy summer months and will be extended to future peak periods, such as the National Day and May Day holidays.
Additionally, the museum will continue to offer free admission to underprivileged groups, including minors, people with disabilities, active military personnel, and firefighters, ensuring these communities have access to the attraction.
With the summer vacation season in full swing, Chinese families nationwide are eager to explore the country's top cultural landmarks.
However, many travelers are struggling to secure tickets to the Palace Museum. Recent reports indicate that scalpers have been reselling tickets for as much as 1,100 yuan ($154), with some walk-in reservations skyrocketing to 1,600 yuan.
In stark contrast, tickets sold through the museum's official booking system are priced at just 60 yuan for the summer season.
To uphold fairness and protect consumer rights, the Palace Museum is implementing measures to isolate ticket inventory for travel agencies and individual visitors, thus preventing travel agencies from monopolizing tickets intended for the general public.
A timed ticket release strategy will also be introduced to further combat automated ticket grabs, allowing tickets to be sold in batches at fixed intervals during high-demand periods.
To thwart scalpers, the museum's risk control engine operates at high speed every day. During the summer season, over 99 percent of ticket requests come in within a single peak hour.
Market authorities have made it clear that using software to quickly purchase tickets for resale is a criminal offense, and emphasized their commitment to ongoing efforts to ensure fair access for all museum visitors.
