Chinese President Xi Jinping and other Party and state leaders attended a ceremony to present flower baskets to fallen heroes at Tian'anmen Square in central Beijing on Monday.
The event was held to mark Martyrs' Day.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday presented medals to recipients of the national medals and honorary titles, the highest state honors, ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, conferred the highest state honors at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
At 8:10 on September 24, State Grid Jiangsu Electric Power Company organized and completed a helicopter-assisted high-altitude segmented tower erection operation in Taizhou, Jiangsu Province. This marked the company's first use of a helicopter for tower erection.
Due to the surrounding crab ponds and extensive muddy road sections at the site where the iron tower needed to be installed, construction machinery such as cranes could not reach the designated repair location.
Additionally, the dense river network made it impossible to find suitable positions for temporary anchor lines to meet the construction angle requirements. To ensure the safe and efficient progress of the construction operations, the company's equipment department urgently applied to State Grid Electric Power Space Technology Co., Ltd. for helicopter support, using a helicopter to lift the tower head for emergency repair operations.
This helicopter-assisted tower erection operation was challenging, intensive, and demanding. Traditional helicopter-assisted iron tower erection only involves the overall lifting of lightweight towers. However, the weight of the iron tower to be installed exceeded the helicopter's load capacity, necessitating the adoption of a method where the lower section was assembled on the ground, followed by the helicopter lifting the tower head, and finally conducting an "aerial connection."
During the operation, the pilot swiftly flew the helicopter and stably hovered above Tower 84 of the 220kV Dutang 4947 line. Following the signals from the commander, the pilot slowly lowered the lifted tower head, while the ground personnel used traction ropes to guide the upper section into the temporary track, enabling the nearly 3-ton tower head to precisely connect with the tower body. After 30 minutes of "air-ground" collaborative operations, the new Tower 84 of the 220kV Dutang 4947 line was fully assembled.
Taiwan's future lies in reunification and it can only be determined by over 1.4 billion Chinese people, including 23 million Taiwan compatriots, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson of Taiwan Affairs Office of State Council, said on Wednesday, noting that Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities continue to seek "Taiwan independence" by relying on foreign forces, putting the Taiwan people in a risky situation of a potential conflict triggered by "Taiwan independence." Their moves seriously deviate from historical trend and are bound to fail.
Zhu's remarks were made in response to Lai's recent secessionist rhetoric and claim to strengthen Taiwan's "defense capabilities."
Lai's words once again exposed his stubborn "Taiwan independence" mentality, action to implement it and his malicious nature to continuously provoke confrontation. Taiwan's future lies in reunification and it can only be determined by over 1.4 billion Chinese people, including 23 million Taiwan compatriots, Zhu stressed at the press conference on Wednesday.
The spokesperson also noted that resolving the Taiwan question and achieving complete national reunification is the common aspiration of all Chinese people and a necessary requirement for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
"We would like to remind the DPP authorities: While unification is the trend, how can division last long? 'Taiwan independence' is a dead end and evil deeds will ultimately be punished," said Zhu.
Lai and the DPP's recent provocative actions aim to assert their political intention and consolidate support for their secessionist moves in the island while signaling to the US their commitment to "self-defense" in hopes of securing additional aid, Xin Qiang, director of the Taiwan Studies Center at Fudan University, told the Global Times on Wednesday.
As a "practical worker for Taiwan independence," Lai is fully aware that the island cannot confront the mainland by itself, Xin said, noting that Lai has to rely on external forces, especially the US, by actions including purchasing arms and strengthening military cooperation, meanwhile through hyping the island's so-called "self-defense' capability.
However, the US merely views Taiwan as a pawn to contain the mainland, analysts said. A recent report released by the US Department of Defense's Inspector General revealed that moldy armor and expired ammunition were among "unserviceable" US military equipment delivered to Taiwan recently and some of the 2.7 million rounds of poorly packaged ammunition were manufactured in 1983 and had expired, South China Morning Post reported.
The report once again shows a fact that the US prioritizes its own interests at all times, and a pawn can easily become a discarded piece — Taiwan will be no exception, the spokesperson said.
For the sake of their own interests in pursuing "Taiwan independence," the DPP authorities not only passively accept the junk [military] items of the US but also willingly serve as an "ATM machine" for the US, squandering the hard-earned money of the Taiwan people. This will not only fail to ensure the safety of the Taiwan people but will also push them toward the peril of war, said Zhu.
The DPP authorities' recent provocations have sparked criticism within the island. Some politicians were cited by Taiwan media as saying that Lai cannot indulge in short-term gains at the expense of the Taiwan people, and his remarks are sure to be met with reactions from the mainland. Some netizens also expressed their worries on escalating tensions across the Taiwan Straits.
The consulates general of Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Poland in Shanghai and the European Union jointly launched the EU Jazz Month from September 6 to 29, creating good, healthy and happy vibes for music lovers.
Music bands, including Marco Mezquida - Tornado from Spain, Malstrom Live Concert from Germany, Fingerprint featuring Shirma Rouse from the Netherlands, Greg Lamy Trio from Luxembourg and Zk Collaboration from Poland, are in the spotlight over the month of September.
From September 6 to 7, Spanish jazz pianist Marco Mezquida, along with his musical partners, bassist Masa Kamaguchi and drummer Ramon Prats, offered a wonderful rendition of the album "Tornado."
On September 8, German Malstrom Live Concert was staged as part of the EU Jazz Month.
Based on jazz, their music blended contemporary influences such as free improvisation, metal, rock, and electronica, with a strong sensory impact and ferocious performance.
Rahmat Allah Mohamed Osman, the permanent representative of the African Union (AU) to China, highlighted in a recent interview with Global Times that the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) that just concluded in Beijing is significant for China-Africa relations. He believes that China and Africa have mutually beneficial needs, and expresses hopes for the implementation of more policies in China's support in agriculture, industry, and talent development to Africa.
The AU is the first regional international organization to sign a cooperation plan with China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and establish a working coordination mechanism. In Osman's view, China-Africa cooperation can effectively promote the realization of Africa's development blueprint "Agenda 2063" and accelerate industrialization in Africa.
In 2018, the AU established a representative office in China, with Osman, as the first AU permanent representative to China, having witnessed the upgrading of China-Africa relations. In 2023, China launched the Initiative on Supporting Africa's Industrialization, and implemented the Plan for China Supporting Africa's Agricultural Modernization and the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development under the framework of the FOCAC to support Africa's development and prosperity with concrete steps.
According to Osman, these initiatives cover areas that are urgently needed for Africa's modernization efforts and will help African countries enhance their development capabilities.
Industrialization is the necessary path for the African continent to achieve development and is an important cornerstone for Africa's prosperity and strength. Osman believes that deepening cooperation between Africa and China will strongly promote the realization of the AU's Agenda 2063 and accelerate the industrialization process in Africa.
African countries have a significant demographic advantage, with a high proportion of young people, and cooperation between Africa and China in talent development will help to unleash the demographic dividend of African nations, he said.
Osman noted that China and Africa are making progress to heighten trade, with Kenyan flowers and avocados already making their way into the Chinese market, and Ethiopian and Rwandan coffee being enjoyed by Chinese consumers. He believes that trade between China and African countries still has great potential for growth.
The envoy criticized the Western narrative of China engaging in neo-colonialism in Africa. He stated that African countries share many common concerns with China, which has always listened to Africa's voice and provided steadfast support. Historically, Western colonizers plundered Africa's resources and showed indifference to local construction and development in Africa.
"This [narrative of China engaging in neo-colonialism in Africa] is ridiculous and it's not acceptable for us at all," the envoy told the Global Times.
In the harsh, oxygen-thin environment of the Xizang Autonomous Region in Southwest China, where life on the "roof of the world" meets daily challenges, the resilience and unity of the Chinese people have been tested and proven over the last three decades.
Since 1994, approximately 12,000 officials have been dispatched to Xizang through the paired-up assistance mechanism. Among them, Party members have formed the backbone of this mission, which has been sustained across generations.
They are comprised of doctors who brave the cold and lack of oxygen to bring health and hope to remote villages; teachers who cross mountains and rivers to impart knowledge and ignite the dreams of children; engineers who carve roads through treacherous terrain, connecting isolated communities to the broader world; and officials who leave their homes and families behind to dedicate themselves to the development of Xizang, embodying the spirit of perseverance and dedication.
As 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of these dedicated efforts in aiding Xizang, the Global Times has interviewed aid teams from across the region to delve into their inspiring stories.
Long-lasting spirit
Li Manwan has never regretted her decision.
A doctor from Changde, Central China's Hunan Province, Li first arrived at the Lhunze County People's Hospital in Shannan Prefecture, southeastern Xizang in August 2021. After completing her initial year-and-a-half aid mission in Xizang, she applied to join the second batch of medical workers in March 2023, continuing her service in Lhunze to fulfill her medical mission.
Lhunze sits at an average altitude of 3,800 meters and is known for its harsh, windy conditions. Initially, Li overcame the discomfort caused by altitude sickness and took full responsibility for clinical teaching, outpatient services, and surgeries in the hospital's obstetrics and gynecology department.
Within just two years, the obstetrics and gynecology department developed into a comprehensive clinical unit, integrating gynecology, obstetrics, family planning, and health care, with the capability of handling emergency care for pregnant women and newborns.
Li has excelled not only in improving medical techniques, but also in team building.
Over the last three years, Li has also led her team to complete free screenings for the "two cancers" across all 11 townships in the county, serving a total of 1,066 people.
"Lhunze is my second home, and the obstetrics and gynecology department is like a child I have nurtured. I want to continue guiding it forward," Li told the Global Times.
In northern Xizang, a hospital located at an altitude of 4,500 meters has become a shelter for the local people, granting them access to guaranteed medical services.
The Nagqu People's Hospital faced challenges such as its remote location and harsh climate, as well as trouble attracting and retaining highly skilled medical professionals.
Nagqu is also the highest-altitude prefecture-level city in the country, with the harshest environmental conditions for local residents. The average elevation in the city is 4,500 meters, and the oxygen content in the air during the summer is only 58 percent of that at sea level. The annual average temperature ranges from -0.9 C to -3.3 C.
Since 2015, Liaoning Province has dispatched a total of 116 experts to assist Xizang, providing strong support for the high-quality development of medical services in Nagqu. Additionally, Liaoning Province has invested over 20 million yuan ($2.7 million) in the purchase of equipment such as magnetic resonance imaging and telemedicine platforms to aid in the hospital's development, the Global Times learned from local government.
Currently, critical care units for maternal and child health, pediatric critical care, a high-altitude medical research center, and emergency rescue ave all been established.
"In the past, women from local herding communities did not have the habit of giving birth in hospitals, but now people are more willing to come to the hospital because it is safer, more reliable, and more hygienic. People also have more faith in the hospital," Zhao Yi, director of the obstetrics and gynecology department at the Nagqu People's Hospital, who comes from Liaoning, told the Global Times.
Better life, better future
Some of China's most economically developed regions are also bringing their advanced experiences, skills, and concepts in development to the most remote areas of Xizang.
Medog county, the last county in China to be connected to the national road system, is nestled deep in the southeastern Himalayas. The roaring Yarlung Zangbo River makes a dramatic turn at the Guoguotang Bend, creating abundant hydropower resources in the area.
Standing at the iconic Guoguotang viewing platform, one can look down at a beautiful tea plantation, shaped like a horseshoe, imprinted on the nearby hillside, blending in with the majestic Yarlung Zangbo River Valley.
Today, tea has become the "golden leaf" that enriches the lives of the people of Medog.
Since the first tea bush was planted in a trial in 2015, Medog's tea gardens have spread across the high mountains and deep valleys. During the tea-picking season, farmers are seen constantly moving about, and the fragrance of tea fills the plateau air.
The county has now established 103 high-altitude organic tea gardens, with a total tea plantation area of 19,000 mu (approximately 1,267 hectares). Currently, there are six tea processing enterprises, and in 2023, 5.25 million kilograms of fresh tea leaves were harvested, increasing the income of the local people by 5.13 million yuan ($700,000), according to the Medog government.
This success is a result of aid efforts from Foshan, South China's Guangdong Province. Since 2013, Foshan has sent four groups of 189 officials and professionals to aid Xizang, investing 570 million yuan ($80 million) in aid funds, and completing 89 construction projects. Additionally, they provided 77 million yuan in extra-budgetary funds for five more projects, contributing significantly to the tremendous changes in Medog since the opening of the Medog Highway 10 years ago.
With a decade of infrastructure development and tourism promotion, Medog has now become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Xizang. In 2023, the county welcomed 42,000 tourists, generating over 200 million yuan in revenue, the Global Times learned from Medog publicity department.
Similarly, Yadong county, also located on the border, has benefited from the development of tourism brought about by aid teams.
Pangda village is a model well-off border village supported by Shanghai's aid. Thanks to this support, 99 households with nearly 500 residents relocated from a village at an altitude of 4,630 meters to Pangda at around 2,000 meters, where they have started a new life.
In addition to economic development, Shanghai has also brought advanced educational resources to Yadong.
In recent years, Putuo district's education system has dispatched numerous outstanding officials and teachers to Xizang.
These educators have embedded Shanghai's advanced teaching concepts and methods into the schools they assist, engaging in deep exchanges with local teachers, growing together, and becoming "golden seeds" that foster the reform and development of local education.
Lasting legacy
Among the many pairing-up assistance programs for Xizang, the artistic support efforts of a talent team from East China's Fujian Province are also impressive.
Thangka, a scroll painting framed with colored satin, is the most representative folk religious art form of the Tibetan ethnic group. Lacquer painting is a traditional painting form that uses natural lacquer as the main material. Fujian lacquer painting is one of the important lacquer painting schools in China. Under the efforts of the Fujian Aid-Xizang Work Team, they merged to produce a new art form - Thangka lacquer painting.
Since 2018, the Fujian Provincial Museum of Art has explored innovative art poverty alleviation models and has successively sent professional personnel and local lacquer artists to hold nine Thangka painting training sessions in Qamdo, eastern Xizang, and Fujian, teaching over 160 Thangka painters the art of lacquer painting and creating more than 300 Thangka lacquer painting works.
"The technique of Fuzhou bodiless lacquerware and Thangka art are both listed as the first batch of national intangible heritage. Through paired support, these two ancient and locally distinctive art forms have achieved organic integration," Yu Zheng, a representative inheritor of Fuzhou bodiless lacquerware technique, told the Global Times.
Yu went to Qamdo in August 2023 for a month-long course on Thangka painting techniques.
"When we came to Qamdo, the collision of these two art forms brought about an expansion of the local Thangka painters' creativity, ushering these Tibetan artists to a broader stage," said Yu.
In 2019, Thangka lacquer painting works made their international debut at the second China International Import Expo. Since then, these art pieces have appeared at important international cultural exchange platforms such as the Cross-Strait Cultural Industry Expo and the China International Copyright Expo.
In June 2020, nearly 400,000 netizens watched the process of creating Thangka lacquer paintings streamed online.
Fujian has several active lacquer art creation and operation groups in China. These professional technicians and lacquer artists have conducted Thangka lacquer painting training in Xizang, helping local Tibetan artists boost the visibility and sales of their artworks through the fusion of painting techniques, bringing them more income, Yu said.
In 2022, under the guidance of the Fujian talent team, the Qamdo Vocational and Technical College established a major in lacquer painting to cultivate composite talents in this kind of painting.
Yu emphasized that the training of Thangka lacquer painting techniques offers not only technical skills and cultural preservation, but also a mutually beneficial cultural exchange and a deep emotional connection between people from different places. This vibrant artistic innovation continues to attract more and more people.
Editor’s Note:
Located in South Asia, India is China’s close neighbor, yet for many Chinese people, the country remains both intriguing and unfamiliar. Many social media bloggers often share various “incredible” experiences they encounter in India: Asia’s largest slum, the daring and reckless act of “train surfing,” and the “clean and hygienic” street food specialties, among others. While the lively streets and aroma of curry represent a unique side of Indian culture, Mi (pseudonym), a Chinese woman who has lived in India for nearly 20 years, has witnessed more of the country’s changes and its complex “duality.” The Global Times invites Mi to share her perspective on India with our readers.
Bumpy roads
Our impression of a strange city often begins at the airport or train station. In 2006, I flew directly from Beijing to New Delhi, the capital of India. As soon as I got off the plane, I was hit by a strong sensory overload: the complex aroma of spices filled the air; the customs officer’s accent made it hard for me to tell whether he was speaking Hindi or Indian English, no matter how carefully I listened; a little sunlight filtered through the thick grease on the glass windows, making it difficult to discern whether it was sunny or cloudy outside.
However, the situation quickly improved. In 2010, the opening of the new Terminal 3 at Indira Gandhi International Airport made it one of the largest and most important airports in South Asia, and it ranked among the world's largest modern airports. The airport's design is rich in elements of India's diverse culture, leaving a deep impression on travelers from all over the world.
When it comes to transportation in India, most people might think of trains packed with passengers. However, the subways and light rail systems in Indian cities are also clean, quiet, and well-equipped, with dedicated compartments for women. Riding the Indian subway in the summer is indeed a pleasant experience: the air conditioning is sufficient, the cars are bright and clean, and some stations even have cafes and convenience stores.
According to a report by Indian media outlet Mint, India’s Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, “Today we have 945 kilometers of metro system functioning in the country, and we have another 1,000 under construction. This will be done in the next two and a half years, and we will have the world's second-largest urban transport metro.”
However, above this rapidly expanding subway network, the streets are a chaotic mix of cars, motorcycles, auto-rickshaws, and pedestrians, often encountering cows, dogs, camels, horse-drawn carts, and elephants. The sound of honking horns and bustling crowds is ever-present. As for highways, India has had them for 20 years, but this "high-speed" is not the same as what one might expect.
In 2006, when a group of us traveled to the Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh, I fell asleep as soon as I got in the car. After about an hour, I woke up to see cows, dogs, camels, tractors, and pedestrians still crossing the road, and I asked, “Why haven't we gotten on the highway yet?” Other passengers burst into laughter, saying, "This is the highway!"
Now, India finally has a real expressway. Known as the "Golden Quadrilateral," a network of four national highways that connects New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, spanning approximately 5,800 kilometers. The travel time for the route from New Delhi to the Taj Mahal, which is about 200 kilometers, has been reduced from 5 hours to just 3 hours, with a toll fee of 470 rupees ($5.6).
Looking back 20 years ago, New Delhi had only one relatively decent shopping mall called Ansal Plaza, which was a two-story building. The more upscale shopping street was Connaught Place in the city center, built by former British colonizers. At its center is a circular large park surrounded by white buildings, all two stories high, housing shops, restaurants, cafes, and more. For most people, however, community markets were the preferred shopping destinations. Along a street, there were single-story shops on both sides, which looked like abandoned warehouses from the outside, and the interior arrangements were chaotic and cramped.
Things have improved significantly now. Large shopping malls, supermarkets, and convenience stores are everywhere in New Delhi, and people’s lives have benefited from better infrastructure. However, the situation of pothole-ridden streets and litter-strewn areas in Indian cities have not changed. An Indian friend joked that in India, even if you drive a million-dollar luxury car, you still are forced to experience the bumps. I recall that just before the local elections, the streets in my community were hastily repaired. Although they looked new, the quality of the construction was concerning, and not long after the elections, they returned to their original state. The locals lamented to me, "the government won't make investments without returns."
It wasn't until the 2010 Commonwealth Games and last year’s Group of 20 (G20) Summit that the relevant main roads and supporting facilities received a much needed attention, but there were issues with the quality of the work. The overpass outside the Nehru Stadium, which was upgraded, collapsed just half a month before the opening of the Games in 2010. In June, the roof of Terminal 1 at the airport also collapsed due to heavy rain. As soon as the rainy season arrives, the underground passages get flooded, making it impossible to find the entrances.
Spiritual gap
My first visit to India was to attend my boyfriend's sister's wedding, which felt like a fairy tale. However, the stark contrast between the opulence of the wedding and the dirty, pothole-filled streets made it difficult for me to form a coherent impression of this place. The guests were adorned in dazzling jewelry while beggars tapped on car windows with their faces etched with hunger; the robust guests clinked glasses while the frail rickshaw pullers sweated profusely. I passed by makeshift shanties with roofs barely waist high. The biggest psychological challenge for me in India was constantly absorbing the jarring impact of these disjointed scenes.
Upon first encountering India, one cannot help but notice its sense of ritual: the devotion to religious beliefs as part of a “slow life,” and the warmth of younger generations performing the foot-touching gesture for their elders. I used to think that "slow living" was a "patent" of developed countries, which often left me puzzled: why does India, with around 200 million people living in poverty, not have a sense of urgency? After living in India for a few years, I gradually came to understand their underlying logic: they believe that "life is just a fragment of the soul's journey, and ordinary people have no need to rush. What matters is to attain spiritual elevation through devotion.”
India is known not only for its significant wealth gap, but also for the low social and familial status of women, particularly in rural areas and among the lower classes in urban centers. Many women face early marriage, early childbirth, and abuse from in-laws due to insufficient dowries. One of my middle-aged Indian female friends complained that her father had never held her but always embraced her brother. When she was born, her father was in Mumbai for business; after booking a return flight, he changed his mind and canceled the ticket upon hearing that he had a daughter.
In middle-class Indian families, it is common to employ domestic helpers. A live-in maid typically earns around 1,500 yuan ($212) per month, while a non-live-in maid earns less than 1,000 yuan per month. They never sit on chairs but instead sit on the floor, and they have special iron plates and bowls for eating. Non-live-in maids are allowed to take home leftover food and sometimes even take away old clothes that their employers no longer wear.
In the past, women's development in India was often constrained by traditional roles. At home, they followed their fathers, and after marriage, they followed their husbands. Even today, it is still quite common for Indian girls to take their husband’s surname after marriage, and some traditional in-laws even change the girl’s name, referring to it as “starting a new life."
Nowadays, most middle-class families in India care for their daughters. Young urban parents are not like the previous generation who only preferred boys to girls, and women's opportunities for development have greatly expanded. For example, my Indian female friends have received a good education, speak fluent English, and work in fields they are passionate about. One girl was a physiotherapist before marriage and later opened a clinic, hiring someone to manage it while she teaches as a guest lecturer twice a week. However, this relatively comfortable and pleasant life after marriage is heavily reliant on financial support from her family.
In addition to the status of women, the caste system is another relic of feudal society in India that has been widely criticized. Although the constitution has long abolished it, the influence of caste in society today remains significant. After living with Indians for many years, I have come to realize the deep spiritual divide that the millennia-old caste system has created among people. Compared to the gap between the rich and the poor, this spiritual barrier is even harder to overcome.
What surprised me the most is that in public places, high-caste individuals often give orders to low-caste individuals whom they do not know, and the latter tend to accept this treatment submissively. For example, when a rickshaw or a small vendor's cart is parked in the market, if a car wants to stop in that spot, the driver will simply honk the horn to demand that the other person move. Children mimic this behavior as well. High-caste children in parks never play with low-caste children. Furthermore, if a high-caste girl falls in love with or marries a low-caste man, her brothers and father may act in the name of "protecting family honor," effectively ostracizing her.
Two camps
India's “dual characters” is also reflected in its contradictory attitude toward foreign investment. On one hand, India has implemented large-scale measures to attract foreign investment. On the other hand, officials are paranoid that foreign companies will seize the domestic market, leading to strong support for Indian enterprises. This has resulted in a deteriorating business environment and increasing difficulties in attracting foreign investment.
For instance, the American fast-food chain Burger King sued an Indian restaurant with the same name for trademark infringement, and after a 13-year legal battle, it ultimately lost the case. The reason was that the Indian Burger King had been using the trademark since 1991, before the American Burger King entered the Indian market. An Indian friend jokingly remarked to me, "It's just too bad that the American Burger King came to India too late!" Additionally, some of my Chinese friends have been forced to abandon their operating factories in India in recent years due to difficulties in obtaining visas.
When I first got married, it was rare to see Chinese faces in India. My Chinese friend Xiao He, who married her Indian husband in 2004, even had their wedding featured in an Indian newspaper. 10 years ago, with the arrival of Chinese companies like OPPO and Xiaomi, as well as the increase in trade between the two countries leading to more cross-national marriages, the Chinese community in India began to grow. We gradually formed our own community, celebrating traditional festivals together, spreading Chinese culture, and promoting people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Taking our family as an example, under my guidance, we moved our dinner time from 9:30 pm to before 8 pm, which helped my originally overweight in-laws lose 20 kilograms. Our whole family also started drinking Tieguanyin tea with me, gradually changing their habits of drinking ice water and taking cold showers.
Overall, most of the Indians I encounter in daily life are friendly and open. I also know quite a few who have been to China or have trade relations with China. In their eyes, Yiwu and Guangzhou are the "most famous" cities in China, and some have also visited Shanghai. The trade they engage in mostly involves importing electrical appliances, shoes, hats, toys among others from China.
Indian businessman Delneja took over the wholesale shoe business from his father 20 years ago and used to travel to Yiwu for procurement multiple times when he was younger. A few years ago, he happily showed me an application on his phone, telling me that now he only needs to confirm new products with Yiwu merchants on WeChat to directly place orders, eliminating the need to travel to China every time for procurement. "It saves on travel expenses, platform commissions, and makes the products more competitively priced," he said.
Some better schools in India advocate for respect for cultural diversity and often organize performances where students showcase various cultures through songs, dances, and dramas, with Chinese elements often being a key part. At first, the Chinese couplets on stage looked quite perplexed as they were randomly drawn by Indian teachers and parents. Later, I took the initiative to join the props team, helping the children prepare couplets, paper cuttings, Chinese knots, lanterns, and other props and decorations.
In these small acts of mutual help and communication, I feel that the people of China and India can better understand and respect each other. The "invisible barriers" between individuals seem to loosen, allowing beams of light to shine through.
The Chinese Gymnastics Association and the Chinese Table Tennis Association issued statements on Saturday in support of law enforcement agencies cracking down on illegal activities related to toxic fandom culture in sports.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Public Security released details about four typical cases of illegal activities associated with toxic fandom culture in sports.
In one case, the police investigated an incident where an individual named Yang was found to have publicly insulted a gymnast on social media, causing significant public outrage and administrative actions were taken.
The Chinese Gymnastics Association condemned the spread of baseless rumors, the incitation of public outrage, and all slanderous attacks against gymnasts, coaches, and staff.
"These actions not only have a profoundly negative impact on the work, lives, and families of those involved but also undermine the long-standing tradition of unity and patriotism that has defined the Chinese gymnastics team," the association stated.
"The development of gymnastics in China relies on the support and care of the entire society, and we are deeply grateful to the many gymnastics fans who have stood by the team through thick and thin."
On Saturday, the Chinese Table Tennis Association also expressed its support for the crackdown, condemning all forms of illegal activity.
The association noted that toxic fan culture has severely disrupted the normal training and competition schedules of the Chinese table tennis team, affecting the work, lives and families of athletes, coaches, and staff, as well as causing harmful social consequences.
Chen Meng, 30, who won the women's singles gold medal in table tennis at the Paris Olympics, was asked about the recent actions taken by law enforcement against toxic fan behavior in sports.
"Fans always want to see their favorite athletes win, but there will always be winners and losers in sports. I hope fans will be able to face that reality," Chen said. "If someone follows sports, they must be mentally prepared to accept victory and defeat. That's the essence of competitive sports."
"I also hope fans focus more on the athletes' fighting spirit on the field and their courage in the face of challenges," Chen added.
The opening ceremony of the "ACE! Australian Comics Exhibition" hosted by the Australian Consulate-General in Shanghai, IllustrateYourLife studio, and Sinan Mansions, was held in downtown Shanghai on August 23.
The Australian Consul-General in Shanghai John Williams mentioned the comic traditions of both Australia and Shanghai, saying the purpose of this exhibition is to promote cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Australia.
"The role of this exhibition goes beyond just the artistic; it also connects Australian art with the younger generation in China," hoping that the event would create opportunities for educational cooperation, he added.
"Through this opportunity, I have gained a deeper understanding of Chinese comics and also made friends with Chinese artists," said Australian cartoonist Ben Mitchell, the designer of the exhibition's mascot, Casey, in his speech.
Open until September 16, the exhibition features the works of 20 outstanding Australian cartoonists, drawing the attention of numerous comic enthusiasts and professionals.
Cartooning had a long tradition in Australia, dating well back into the 19th century. The Australian Cartoonists Association is one of the world's oldest cartoon organizations.
Shanghai, as the birthplace of modern comics in China, has also nurtured outstanding cartoonists like Feng Zikai, and important publications in the history of modern Chinese comics like the Shanghai Sketch.
"The ACE! exhibition series showcases the outstanding and original comic art from Australia. Australia's comic industry is booming, with the continuous rise of the global interest in 'graphic novels', and diverse comic themes and creators," said Williams, the consul general of Australia in Shanghai, at the opening ceremony.