The Philippine media outlet Inquirer.net reported on Monday that the China Coast Guard (CCG) Vessel 5901 was sighted 100 kilometers (54 nautical miles) from Capones Island through Canada's Dark Vessel Detection system, Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson, said in a statement he sent to reporters on Saturday night.
Tarriela also said that the PCG vessel and aircraft continuously challenged the presence of the Chinese coast guard, and claimed that it was operating within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), according to Inquirer.net.
The deployment of CCG ship 5901 has attracted significant attention from Philippine media. Outlets such as GMA News have even referred to the 5901 as a "monster ship." According to GMA's report, compared to the 2,265-ton displacement of the BRP Teresa Magbanua and Melchora Aquino, the largest ships in the PCG inventory, CCG ship 5901 is at 12,000 tons and is considered to be the largest coast guard ship in the world.
GMA News also said that according to a report by Chino Gaston on 24 Oras Weekend, by using dark vessel detection technology from Canada, the PCG detected the CCG ship and deployed the BRP Cabra and a Caravan reconnaissance aircraft to intercept and monitor the Chinese ship.
The PCG claimed that the Chinese ship is "intended to intimidate Filipino fishermen," yet Tarriela said that so far the Chinese ship has not harassed Filipino fishermen in the area, according to the GMA News report.
This is not the first time the Philippines has hyped up the normal patrol and law enforcement activities of CCG ship 5901 in the South China Sea. In July 2024, during the illegal stay of PCG vessels in the waters near China's Xianbin Jiao, the Philippines also maliciously hyped up the patrol and law enforcement activities of the ship 5901 near China's Ren'ai Jiao and Xianbin Jiao.
Ding Duo, director of Research Center for International and regional studies, National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Monday that it is evident that the Philippines is continuously promoting its "transparency initiative," not only constantly creating incidents for "photo ops" but also trying every means to discredit China's maritime law enforcement actions aimed at safeguarding its rights.
"After China announced the baselines of the territorial sea adjacent to Huangyan Dao, both the PLA Navy and the CCG are set to increase their routine patrols and exercises in the area, and the Philippines needs to adapt to this process," Ding said, noting that following the announcement of the baseline, China's management and control over Huangyan Dao are bound to tighten, and the Philippine side needs to get used to the increased intensity and changes in China's law enforcement actions to safeguard its rights.
Since December 2024, the CCG has continuously strengthened law enforcement patrols in the territorial waters and surrounding areas of Huangyan Dao, monitoring and driving away illegal harassing vessels, further enhancing control over the relevant maritime areas. A shipborne helicopter was for the first time deployed in the waters around Huangyan Dao to conduct maritime search and rescue training. On New Year's Day, all the law enforcement officers of the Chuanshan ship held a flag raising ceremony in the waters around Huangyan Island, according to CCTV.
Ding noted that after the baseline of territorial waters around Huangyan Dao was announced, the scope of the waters under China's jurisdiction near Huangyan Dao has become clear. This area is definitely not within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, as they claimed, Ding said.
The law enforcement activities conducted by the CCG in the waters near Huangyan Dao are entirely justified. The routine monitoring and alert operation carried out by the CCG in this area are by no means the threats, coercion or intimidation of Filipino fishermen as claimed by the Philippine side, Ding noted. "If the Philippine side does not intend to infringe or provoke, there is no need to have a guilty conscience," the expert said.
The Chinese Consulate General in Chiang Mai, Thailand told the Global Times on Tuesday evening that Tak Immigration met with the Chinese actor Wang Xing who had gone missing at the Thailand-Myanmar border and is currently conducting relevant inquiries in accordance with regulations.
The Chinese Consulate General said that it is actively coordinating with the Tak Provincial Police Region 6, Tak Immigration, and Mae Sot Police Station to quickly and appropriately resolve the case.
The Tak Immigration has informed the consulate that they have received Wang and are currently conducting relevant inquiries in accordance with regulations, according to the consulate general.
On Tuesday evening, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand said on its official WeChat account that according to notifications from Thai side, a Chinese citizen surnamed Wang was successfully rescued on Tuesday afternoon local time. The Chinese Embassy and consulates in Thailand expressed gratitude to the Thai government and other relevant parties for their efforts and effective work in this matter.
A post on Sina Weibo on Sunday night that said Wang Xing, also known by his stage name Xing Xing, went missing at the Myanmar-Thailand border sparked widespread discussion online on Monday.
The post was released by a netizen called Jia Jia, who claimed that she was Wang's girlfriend. The post said that Wang had received a casting notice through a group chat for actors. Wang then decided to go to Thailand to join the shoot on Friday. Initially updating his location, Wang lost contact after signaling for help at noon on Friday in Mae Sot, Jia Jia said in the post.
In response to a question about the missing of Wang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday that relevant Chinese Embassy and consulates had received request for help from Wang's family and are in close communication.
"Our missions overseas are verifying the information and doing their work. We will follow up on the developments and direct our missions overseas in making sure everything is properly handled," Guo said.
Also on Tuesday, Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said that the Chinese actor had been found safe and was meeting with Thai officials. She said that Wang had returned from Myanmar to the Mae Sot district of Tak Province, reported the Bangkok Post.
Jia Jia updated her Sina Weibo on Tuesday, revealing the latest developments in the situation. After arriving in Bangkok at noon on Monday, she received notification of a case filed by the Shanghai police and was contacted by the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar and the Chinese Consulate General in Chiang Mai, according to the post.
The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok assigned a representative to accompany her in filing a report at the Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station. After confirming key details of the case, the Thai police issued a case report and expressed a positive attitude toward the case's development, she added.
On Monday, the Chinese Consulate General in Chiang Mai confirmed with the Global Times that Wang had gone missing at the Myanmar-Thailand border, noting that they were maintaining good communication with the family and would continue to follow up on the case to ensure the safety and legal rights of Chinese citizens within its jurisdiction.
China on Wednesday continued its extensive disaster relief operations following a 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Dingri county in Xigaze city in Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, as the response shifts from emergency rescue to the resettlement of affected people. Analysts stressed the importance of keeping vigilant against secondary disasters, and frequent aftershocks continue to pose a challenge.
As of Wednesday afternoon, 646 aftershocks had been recorded, with the largest aftershock measuring 4.4 in magnitude. The earthquake has caused 126 deaths and 188 injuries, and some 46,500 people have been relocated from affected areas, Hong Li, director of the Xizang regional emergency management department said at a press conference on Wednesday.
Since the earthquake jolted Dingri county on Tuesday morning, many countries and international organizations have extended condolences to China in various ways, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a press conference on Wednesday.
As of 11 am on Wednesday, the Chinese side has received messages of condolence in various forms from leaders of 22 countries including Russia, Pakistan, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Maldives, Japan, Cuba, Venezuela, Serbia, Belarus, Spain, Italy, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Oman, Grenada, El Salvador and Uzbekistan, the foreign ministries of countries including India, Brazil, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkey, Bahrain and Iran, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Nurlan Yermekbayev and President of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) Carlos Hernández, Guo said. We express sincere appreciation for that, Guo added.
The Xizang region's press conference also noted that the relief efforts in the disaster area have now transitioned from emergency rescue to resettling affected people. Due to the harsh winter, high altitudes, low oxygen levels and the remote location of the area, the rescue teams are currently at full capacity.
In the past 25 hours, the Communist Party of China committees and governments at all levels in Xizang have mobilized extensive rescue teams to locate trapped individuals, provided medical care to the injured and minimized casualties. Disaster relief operations are proceeding efficiently and systematically, according to a report from the People's Daily.
As of noon of Wednesday, 14,668 personnel, including troops, police, armed police, firefighters, forest firefighters, border guards and Party officials have participated in rescue operations, successfully rescuing 407 people. At the district, municipal and county levels, 26 medical teams with 581 personnel and 107 ambulances have been deployed for transport and treatment. All injured individuals have been cared for, and one critically wounded person has been transferred to a regional hospital for further treatment, according to the People's Daily report.
A total of 428,000 essential supplies, including cotton tents, folding beds, quilts, winter coats, heaters, stoves, emergency lights, food and medical supplies, along with 81 truckloads of fuel, have been transported to the affected region. A total of 187 resettlement centers have been set up, providing 3,705 tents. The basic needs of affected people are met, according to the People's Daily.
Residents in affected areas are receiving full care and support. Tashi, village head of Jiding village in Cuoguo town in Dingri, told the Global Times that since yesterday, essential supplies, such as quilts and tents, have been steadily delivered to Jiding village, with rescue teams from both local areas and across the country also reaching the area.
Tents are being set up as part of the ongoing relief efforts. All the injured have been transferred to hospitals for treatment, and the elderly and children in Jiding village are now safe. Young villagers are assisting with the transportation of supplies, and daily meals are being provided to ensure everyone's well-being, said Tashi.
The aftershocks following the earthquake in Dingri county have been relatively frequent, though generally of lower magnitudes. But we cannot rule out the possibility of aftershocks of around magnitude 5, Xu Xiwei, deputy director of the Institute of Geology at the China Earthquake Administration, told the Global Times.
These aftershocks could also trigger secondary disasters. For instance, buildings already weakened by the main quake could collapse, and landslides or rockfalls could cause additional damage. Such events may block roads and hinder the disaster relief, a situation that local governments should keep high alert, said Xu.
Swift actions
At 3:37 am on Wednesday, power was restored to the grid in the three towns most severely affected by the earthquake in Dingri county, restoring the county's electricity load to pre-earthquake levels. This restoration has provided crucial support for the efficient advancement of earthquake relief efforts. In addition to completing emergency repairs, the power department has supplied electricity to eight resettlement sites across Dingri county, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
As of 6 am on Wednesday, all seven damaged national and provincial highway sections in Xizang affected by the earthquake have been cleared and resumed operation, enabling two-way traffic, according to Xinhua.
Since the disaster, the Air Force of the PLA Western Theater Command has organized a series of operations including aerial reconnaissance, rescue transport and air deliveries, as it sent multiple drone sorties and transport aircraft to move back and forth to the earthquake-stricken areas, supported the army aviation force's helicopters for emergency rescue, and organized hospital aircraft and helicopters to stand by for operations, China Bugle said.
During the rescue operations, various units of the PLA swiftly mobilized and transported a substantial amount of relief supplies, which highlights the military's strong logistical capabilities and ensured the smooth execution of the rescue efforts. Notably, the deployment of ambulances, field hospitals and other logistical equipment plays a crucial role in safeguarding lives during disasters. This also underscores the dual mission of the PLA, which must be prepared for both combat operations and non-combat military actions in disaster relief, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times.
Chinese and global companies, as well as people from all walks of life have made donations to support disaster relief efforts and help disaster-affected people in Xigaze.
Tencent Charity Foundation donated 20 million yuan ($2.7 million) for relief and post-disaster reconstruction work. Mixue on Wednesday announced a donation of 10 million yuan to earthquake-affected areas. Other companies, including but not limited to BYD (10 million yuan), Ant Group (5 million yuan), and Xiaomi (1 million yuan), have also donated money to the earthquake-affected areas.
Sinopharm Group has donated medicines while ERKE, Bosideng, Anta, and Xtep have donated supplies including clothing.
Nestle, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Uniqlo are among international companies which also lent a hand to support earthquake relief work.
An earthquake of 5.5 magnitude occurred near Madoi county in the Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Northwest China 's Qinghai Province, at 3:44 pm on Wednesday, according to China Earthquake Networks Center.
Xu said that the earthquake in Madoi county is not related to the earthquake in Xizang region as the two locations are not in the same geological unit.
The epicenter of the Madoi county earthquake is located on a plateau, with an average altitude of about 4,270 meters within a 5-kilometer radius, and the area is sparsely populated. No reports of casualties or property damage have been received so far, according to CCTV News.
In response to an inquiry on the New Orleans deadly truck attack, in which a man drove a pickup truck into the crowd and killed at least 15 people, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday that "we are shocked by this violent attack and express our condolences to the victims. Our sympathies go to the families of the victims and the injured."
Mao said that China has always opposed any acts of violence and terrorism targeting civilians.
According to information from the Chinese Embassy in the US, there have been no reports of Chinese nationals being casualties in this incident, said Mao.
The death toll rose to 15 after a man drove a pickup truck into New Year revelers in New Orleans of the southern US state of Louisiana early Wednesday morning, authorities updated at a press conference, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
Two improvised explosive devices were confirmed to have been found in the pickup, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Officials said they were hunting for possible connections to terrorist organizations and the suspect, who was shot dead by responding police on the scene, may not be "solely responsible" for the attack, Xinhua reported.
A Chinese research team made a breakthrough in brain-computer interface (BCI) development using domestically developed, invasive flexible BCI systems, which demonstrated high-precision, real-time movement intention and language decoding in clinical trials. This achievement enabled patients to control smart devices with their brain, converting their thoughts into Chinese texts on computer for communication.
A brain injury patient at Huashan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University conceived the phrase "2025 Happy New Year" in their mind, and it was decoded by a computer. The system then sent commands to a robotic arm, which made a heart-shaped gesture, marking the world's first-ever New Year's greeting conveyed via thought, according to the Science and Technology Daily on Sunday.
This marks a major advancement in a collaborative project between NeuroXess, Huashan Hospital, and the Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute, signaling that China reached world-class standards in the field of BCI.
In December 2024, NeuroXess, in collaboration with Huashan Hospital, initiated the country's first clinical trial involving high-throughput implantable flexible BCI systems for real-time synthesis of Chinese language.
The patient, a 43-year-old with a language-related brain tumor and epilepsy, underwent surgery in which a domestically designed electronic film was implanted for tumor localization and protect crucial areas of the brain related to language.
Just two days after the surgery, the patient began training and, within seven days, attained a 71 percent accuracy in decoding for 142 commonly used Chinese syllables, and demonstrated a delay of under 100 milliseconds for single-character decoding.
"With the invasive BCI technology of Neuralink as a representative, decoding movement intention has seen remarkable advancements in the US, Europe, and Asia, such as enabling paralyzed patients to use robotic arms with their thoughts for drinking water, operate a mouse to play video games, or control exoskeletons to walk. The next anticipated breakthrough is 'language decoding'," said several international scientists at the the BCI Society & Chen Institute Joint BCI Meeting held in Shanghai in December 2024, reported the Science and Technology Daily.
Earlier, the team made significant progress in movement intention decoding as well. In August 2024, NeuroXess and Huashan Hospital completed a clinical trial assisting patients with motor disabilities in regaining motor function through brain-controlled smart devices.
NeuroXess told the Science and Technology Daily that this language decoding clinical trial represented a one-month short-term in vivo experiment. The team plans to gradually initiate long-term in vivo clinical trials, with the goal of achieving multi-center registration for three categories of medical devices.
China's partially invasive BCI technology is also developing. In December 2024, Hong Bo, a professor from the School of Medicine with Tsinghua University, told the Global Times that their partially invasive BCI device, NEO, would begin large-scale clinical trials in 2025, with intends to recruit 30-50 spinal injury patients for implantation. After completing these surgeries, the team plans to seek regulatory approval for market launch.
Shanghai's municipal government announced a comprehensive plan on Friday aimed at developing a world-class AI industry ecosystem by 2025.
The plan, officially named the Implementation Plan for AI "Molding Shanghai," consists of 22 measures. The goals include surpassing 100 Exa Floating Point Operations Per Second (EFLOPS） in computing power, developing approximately 50 industry-specific open corpus demonstration applications, launching 3 to 5 innovation accelerators for large models, and establishing several collaborative empowerment centers and vertical zones for model training.
Specifically, Shanghai will create a super-large-scale autonomous intelligent computing cluster, build a multi-level corpus supply system, build a large-scale training zone that merges virtual and real environments, and accelerate innovation in the large model system. These measures will effectively boost Shanghai's innovation capabilities in AI.
In promoting applications in key vertical fields, Shanghai will focus on industries such as finance, manufacturing, education, healthcare, cultural tourism, and urban governance, facilitating the broad adoption of AI technology to improve intelligence and service efficiency across industries.
Meanwhile, Shanghai plans to attract top domestic and international innovation teams and scientists in large model development. The city aims to build a national experimental zone dedicated to nurturing top talent in AI. Additionally, Shanghai will enhance collaboration with international organizations, contribute to the creation of global AI governance standards, and position Shanghai's AI industry on the global stage.
As China unveiled an AI Plus initiative in the 2024 Government Work Report, many local governments are accelerating the integration of innovation resources to promote the development of AI technology and related industries.
For instance, in July, Beijing issued the Beijing Municipal Action Plan to Promote "AI+" (2024-2025), proposing to "take the lead in building an AI city and promote the city to become a globally influential source of AI innovation and application."
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday morning administered the oath of office to Sam Hou Fai, new chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region.
If you are 71 years old, how fast could you run a 100-meter race? Jin Hui from Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, gave his answer— 13.97 seconds.
Jin was born in 1953 and was a worker at a steel mill. As a lifelong sports enthusiast, Jin once practiced martial arts, wrestling, and boxing, and now plays for a local senior soccer team.
He first tried sprinting in 2023, encouraged by his friends. To his surprise, his self-timed sprints ranked him among the top in his age group in China, which gives him the confidence to participate in all kinds of competitions. Since last year, he has won enough medals to fill a small box.
Jin said he feels a great sense of fulfillment whenever he’s racing on the track with people cheering for him from the stands.
“When I was just retired, I suffered a bit of depression then, considering myself to be a worthless man. But now I have become a role model for many young people, giving me a renewed sense of purpose and self-esteem,” Jin said.
Jin has become an influencer on social media platforms. His videos of participating in sprinting competitions and daily training have garnered significant attention and likes. Now, many young people join Jin in his daily workouts, and Jin guides them in improving their running techniques.
Jin said that he practiced sprinting and participated in competitions not for fame, instead, he hopes that his experience will inspire others to value physical exercise and improve their health.
Harmony, or "He," lies at the heart of the Chinese civilization, representing a core spiritual value that has shaped the ethos of the Chinese nation.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, has repeatedly emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting China's outstanding traditional culture, with harmony as one of its most essential elements. At the BRICS Summit held in Kazan in late October, he extended this philosophy on the global stage, calling for harmonious coexistence among civilizations and closer cultural exchanges between nations.
In China, the value of "He" is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese culture, guiding the country through a complex, interconnected world. The Global Times is launching a series "He Culture in Xi Jinping's Quotes of Classics." Drawing upon ancient Chinese literature and illuminating examples from President Xi's speeches, the series delves into the essence of "He" through five interconnected dimensions: Self-cultivation, family management, state governance, bringing peace to all under heaven, and reverence for nature. By highlighting these core aspects of "He" culture, the series aims to share China's unique cultural wisdom with the world, promoting values of peaceful coexistence, mutual prosperity, and harmonious living.
The second installment highlights the story of the "most beautiful family" in Central China's Hunan to illustrate how the tradition of teaching and nurturing has fostered a harmonious small family, serving as a model for larger families, which are the cornerstone of a prosperous nation.
In the village of He Ci in Hengnan county, Central China's Hunan Province, a family exemplifies love and wisdom across generations. At the center of this four-generation household is nearly 90-year-old He Fangjing, the eldest of the He family dedicated to rural education for over four decades. As a devoted teacher, he has not only educated countless students but also instilled values of learning and kindness in his descendants, fostering a family ethos that prioritizes moral integrity.
Every Chinese Lunar New Year's eve, the He family gathers to share stories and all-year gains, highlighting the enduring power of love, education, and familial bonds. Reflecting on this cherished tradition, the elder expressed pride in their family's heritage with the Global Times.
Family values are the spiritual core and of societal values. President Xi has stressed the importance of family virtues and traditions on many occasions.
At the mid-Autumn Festival on October 1, 2020, a traditional holiday for family reunion in China, Xi said that "the Chinese nation has always valued the family. As an ancient saying goes: 'The state is essential under Heaven. The family is essential for the state.' A harmonious family will prosper," the Xinhua News Agency reported.
The ancient saying quoted by Xi originates from the classic work Mencius, a classic work of Confucianism in China's Warring States Period (475BC-221BC). It conveys the idea that the foundation of the world, the country, and the family lies in each family, and the foundation of each family lies in each of us. Every individual should strive to be a good person with a sense of reverence. When families are harmonious, it paves the way for a well-ordered nation, ultimately leading to world peace.
In the He family, the aspirations of both the family and the nation are intricately intertwined, because many later generations have taken on important national positions such as engineers, doctors, and civil servants under He Fangjing's education and influence. This family exemplifies how 490 million households across China are united in their efforts to form a powerful collective force aimed at achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and realizing the Chinese Dream.
A spokesperson for 'He' family
Promoting strong family values is also a cherished tradition of the CPC. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party has prioritized the development of family values, education, and traditions, recognizing that countless families serve as vital cornerstones for national development, ethnic progress, and social harmony, Xinhua reported.
The descendants of He Fangjing have blossomed in this fertile soil. Every year during the Spring Festival, three generations in He's family would gather for a family symposium to discuss gains and losses, work, and interpersonal relationships. This tradition has been upheld for over two decades.
He noted that each year's family symposium has a different theme, but the core message is always to inspire the younger generation to treat others with sincerity and to be willing to help.
This enduring legacy remains closely tied to He's original profession in education. After retiring, he continued to promote his educational philosophy through family values. "This practice originated from an experience I had 30 years ago, shortly after I retired from teaching. During the New Year celebrations, I visited my village and noticed that everyone was either indulging in feasting or playing cards and mahjong. I felt that the New Year should not only be about family warmth but also about the spirit of learning," said He Fangjing.
His granddaughter, He Xiufeng, chuckled as she recounted to the Global Times, "At first, my family didn't quite understand. They thought New Year was all about eating, drinking, and having fun, and they found it too complicated to hold a family discussion; they felt it was too serious."
However, He Fangjing remained steadfast in his beliefs. To ensure the family discussions were meaningful, he meticulously prepared speeches before each meeting, pouring his hopes and expectations for his children and grandchildren into those texts. Gradually, these discussions evolved into an annual grand event, gaining more influence and attracting many visitors eager to attend.
In 2015, He Fangjing compiled the discussions into a book based on the meeting transcripts, printing over 1,500 copies. He also created three volumes of family archives, distributing 300 copies to neighbors and friends free of charge. Many relatives and friends sought out the book, hoping to share it with their families and children for inspiration.
In 2023, the second volume of book was released. The introduction describes the book as "a substantial work, boasting over 420 pages and nearly one million words. Yet, it can also be considered a concise volume, as its entire essence can be distilled into three words: good family traditions."
Family values are our foundation; they have flowed from my grandfather's heart into mine. I believe this embodies the true strength of family values, He Xiufeng said.
He Fangjing dedicates over four hours each day to reading, meticulously recording any valuable insights he encounters for his children. These notes have become his cherished "admonitions" to them.
He also designed and constructed a 90-meter-long family cultural corridor and holds special recognition ceremonies at the ancestral hall each year to motivate the younger generation to study diligently.
In 2018, Xi urged the people to integrate their personal and family dreams with the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.
"We should pool the wisdom and strength of more than 1.3 billion Chinese people in more than 400 million households to strive for the great success of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era and realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation," Xi said during his Spring Festival speech on February 14, 2018.
He Fangjing said his Chinese dream is made up of countless family dreams. The premise of the realization of this dream is that everyone lives diligently, actively and optimistically, and strives to create a harmonious society.
Achieving greatness of big families This expectation of inheritance and love extends beyond the immediate family to encompass the larger community.
In addition to educating her own children, retired He Fangjing has embraced the role of an extracurricular teacher for other children in the village. Whenever he receives salary or some money from her children, he finds ways to invest it in repairing roads, schools, and ponds within the community.
To inspire future generations and foster cultural development within the clan, He Fangjing took the initiative to establish a special fund and to hold an award ceremony on August 8 every year to honor He family members who have been admitted to prestigious universities across the country.
Under his influence, since 2007, 134 members of the He Family in the village have been admitted to top national universities, including four who were accepted into Tsinghua University and Peking University.
As ancient Chinese scholars put it, "If you love your children, teach them the right path," and "Love your children the right way, or you will cause them harm." Young people are the hope of the future for not just families but also the nation. President Xi quoted these ancient sayings when he had a meeting with attendees at a Beijing conference to honor model families across the nation on December 12, 2016.
The first ancient saying Xi quoted was coming from Zuo's Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals (Zuo Zhuan). Zuoqiu Ming (556-451 BC) was a historian of the Spring and Autumn Period. The other one was from Historical Events Retold as a Mirror for Government (Zi Zhi Tong Jian). The ancient wisdom conveys that if you do not guide your children with moral principles or love them through a moral lens, then what you offer is not true love; rather, it may harm them.
He Fangjing draws upon this age-old and straightforward family tradition to cultivate wisdom that shapes future generations and reaches a broader segment of the community.
A home is not just a personal space; it is the smallest unit of a nation, and a nation is made up of countless homes. The well-being of a small family is intertwined with the larger harmonious community and the country. Similarly, family matters are not merely private affairs; they are also concerns of the nation and society, said Professor Zhao Dongmei from Peking University.
He's family exemplifies that a good family ethos is a family's true immovable asset. If countless families possess such valuable assets, they collectively support the spiritual edifice of the nation and the people. This is why Chinese leaders place such great emphasis on family building and the cultivation of family values, said the scholar.
"A bridge will fly to span the north and south, turning a deep chasm into a thoroughfare."
Since ancient times, bridges have had a profound significance for Chinese people.
Today, China's bridge construction technology is bolstered by independent core technologies and advanced equipment, making these bridges not only dazzling landmarks of national infrastructure but also representatives of the economic leap and technological confidence of the Chinese path to modernization.
Recently, the "Traditional design and practices for building Chinese wooden arch bridges" was inscribed onto the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. China's ancient bridge building wisdom of "bridges over water, corridors on bridges, and an integration of the two" has astonished the world.
After years of learning, innovation, and practice, China has developed a complete set of technology and domestically produced equipment to meet the design, construction, and manufacturing needs for crossing mountains, seas, and entering cities. The scale and technical level of these projects are world-leading, signifying China's advancement in bridge construction.
On Wednesday, after more than four years of construction, the Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Passage opened to traffic. With a length of 31 kilometers, it ranks among China's 10 longest cross-sea passages, linking Zhuhai City and Jiangmen City in South China's Guangdong Province.
In the Yangtze River Delta, the cross-sea connectivity has hit the "accelerate" button for development. A bridge connecting eight islands of the Zhoushan Islands in East China's Zhejiang Province was fully completed and opened in 2021.
Meanwhile, the 29.2-kilometer-long Hangzhou Bay Cross-Sea Railway Bridge is under construction and will be the world's longest cross-sea high-speed railway bridge upon completion.
These bridges have also driven the rise of previously economically weaker regions, greatly improving people's quality of life.
Guizhou Province, the only province in China without a plain, has broken through the transportation bottlenecks constraining its economic and social development in recent years by building roads over mountains and bridges over waters, constructing a "high-speed plain" among its lofty mountains and ridges.
Currently, Guizhou boasts over 30,000 bridges, both completed and under construction, encompassing nearly every bridge type. It is known as the "World's Bridge Museum." Among the world's 100 tallest bridges, 51 are in Guizhou, including four in the top 10, according to Xinhua News Agency.
For example, after the completion of the Zangke River Bridge that straddles the Zangke River in April 2024, the travel time between its two banks will be reduced from one hour to one minute.
In addition, the magnificent scenery of these bridges has boosted tourism. Some areas have developed a series of activities around their bridges, such as high-altitude swings, rapid descent experiences, and skywalks, attracting a large number of tourists and enabling locals to benefit from tourism.
