上海花千坊爱上海

"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.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday called on the Chinese people to learn from heroes and role models to form a mighty force to build a strong China.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a ceremony awarding the country's highest state honors ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

China is in a crucial period for building a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, Xi said.

Before his speech, Xi presented the Medal of the Republic, the Friendship Medal, and medals of national honorary titles at the Great Hall of the People.

Four people, including veteran war hero Huang Zongde and medical scientist Wang Zhenyi, were awarded the Medal of the Republic. Ten individuals, including border patrolman Bayika Kalidibek, technician Xu Zhenchao, and acclaimed actress Tian Hua, were awarded national honorary titles, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Dilma Rousseff, former Brazilian president and president of the New Development Bank, received the Friendship Medal.

President Xi extended warm congratulations and paid high respect to the recipients of China's highest state honors.

Xi said that over the past 75 years the CPC has led Chinese people of all ethnic groups in creating the twin miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability.
Great times call for heroes

The presentation ceremony was held amid the jubilant atmosphere as China is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC, with flower baskets, floral displays, decorative lights seen on the streets in China's capital.

Before the ceremony, the recipients of the national medals and honorary titles were escorted by a state guest motorcade to the Great Hall of the People. At the entrance to the Great Hall of the People, they were warmly welcomed by a group of children carrying flowers and national flags.

At the ceremony, President Xi hailed the earthshaking changes that have taken place in China and stated that national rejuvenation is now on an irreversible historical course.

A galaxy of heroes emerging generation after generation will ensure the lasting prosperity of the Party and the people's cause, Xi said.

The Chinese president also called on the Chinese people to learn from heroes and role models to form a mighty force to build a strong China.

He emphasized the need for people to bear in mind their aspirations, hone their skills, and make contributions to building a strong China.

He also encouraged the Chinese people to strive for extraordinary achievements at ordinary job posts and urged all to make contributions to resolve development and reform challenges, and safeguard social harmony and stability.

Speaking at the ceremony, Huang Zongde, 93, said that the honor belongs to every member of the people's armed forces and all the heroes who sacrificed their lives for China's national independence, the liberation of the people, and the endeavor to make China prosperous and strong.

Su Wei, a professor from the Party School of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, told the Global Times on Sunday that the awarding of role models and heroes in various fields not only reflects China's full recognition of their contributions, but also highlights the prominent role of patriotism in advancing China's modernization.

"The Party and country have long had the tradition of establishing model of heroes. By calling on the people of the whole country to learn from them, we can better inspire the patriotism of the people and contribute more to the development of the country," he noted.

Zhu Lijia, a professor as the National Academy of Governance, said that many outstanding people's quiet dedication to the country often went unknown for a long time, and so the grand commendation at the level of national leadership has a vital importance in inspiring and motivating the Chinese people to strive for rejuvenation.

Same aspirations

While awarding Rousseff the Friendship Medal on Sunday, Xi lauded her as an outstanding representative of China's old friends and good friends who have shared the same aspirations and stood together with the Chinese people over the past 75 years.

Chinese people will never forget the international friends who have made prominent contributions to China's development and the friendship between Chinese and foreign people, Xi said.

Xi said the Chinese people stand ready to work together with people of various countries to safeguard world peace and boost common development.

Xi also called for joint efforts to build a human community with a shared future and create an even brighter future for humanity.

In her address, Rousseff said the medal fills her with immense honor, pledging continued efforts to help strengthen the mutually beneficial cooperation between Brazil and China.

In an interview with the Xinhua News Agency released on Sunday, Rousseff said she feels proud and pleased to receive the medal, adding that China's achievements toward economic, social, cultural and political modernization over the past 75 years are unprecedented in history. "China's reform and opening up never ends," said Rousseff, adding that China provides a model to the Global South for economic, political and social development.

The rising demand for travel during China's week-long National Day holidays starting on October 1 is expected to inject more vitality into domestic consumption, with growth foreseen in relevant sectors amid ramped-up policy support. 

Amid the peak season of "Golden September and Silver October," observers expect growth in tourism and related industries to fuel the nation's recovering consumption.

The transport sector is expected to handle 1.94 billion passenger trips nationwide during the holidays, with a daily average of 277 million trips. The daily average would be up 0.7 percent year-on-year and 19.4 percent compared with the same period in 2019, Vice Minister of Transport Li Yang said at a press conference on Friday. 

Li highlighted a growing demand for domestic and international travel during the "golden week." 

He noted that family tours and cross-provincial travel would be the mainstream options, with major destinations including such locations as Beijing, Shanghai and North China's Shanxi Province. 

As of Saturday, searches for "travel during the National Day holidays" had surged 27 times year-on-year on domestic service apps Meituan and Dianping. Bookings for natural scenic spots accounted for 29.6 percent of the total orders and remained the top choice for family tours. 

It is expected that the proportion of self-driving trips during the National Day holidays will exceed 80 percent, reaching 1.526 billion trips, Li said.

He also anticipated a rising demand for medium- and long-distance travel, as the average travel distance during the holidays is estimated to increase by about 30 percent compared with the three-day Mid-Autumn Festival break. 

As for outbound travel, Li said that neighboring Southeast Asian countries are among the highly favored attractions. 

Outbound flight and hotel bookings on Chinese online travel agency Qunar for the holiday covered nearly 1,600 cities in 144 countries and regions, the company said.

Holiday consumption will play a vital role in boosting GDP growth for the coming months, bolstered by growth in sectors such as tourism, catering, accommodation and transportation, said Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences.

In the first eight months of 2024, retail sales rose by 3.4 percent year-on-year to 31.25 trillion yuan ($4.46 trillion), according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Online sales remained a bright spot, rising by 8.9 percent year-on-year to 9.63 trillion yuan.

In addition, the beautiful autumn weather will attract more travelers to opt for outdoor activities such as bike riding, leading to an increase in sales and production of corresponding equipment and tools, Jiang Yiyi, a vice dean of the School of Leisure Sports and Tourism at Beijing Sport University, told the Global Times on Saturday. 

Jiang noted that support measures adopted by Chinese localities and responsible authorities - such as distributing vouchers and optimizing service quality in scenic spots - have significantly stimulated tourism. 

Wang said that the implementation of dedicated measures to stimulate consumption represented by the trade-in program has been showing an effect while promoting consumption upgrading. 

However, NBS spokesperson Liu Aihua said at a separate press conference in September that the consumption recovery still faces constraints, prompting authorities to channel even more energy into strengthening consumer sentiment and stimulating domestic demand.  

The presence of improved government policies, combined with better products and services on the market, means that the potential of consumption will be unleashed at a faster pace and thus the consumer market will have a more solid foundation for recovery, Liu noted. 

In soft, ambient lighting, “The Thinker” rests his fist against his chin, lost in profound contemplation. Just a few steps away, “Balzac” stands tall, head held high. These masterpieces, crafted by the legendary French artist Auguste Rodin, are quietly placed at an exhibition hall in Shanghai, inviting local visitors on a journey through the splendor of 19th-century French art.

The exhibition Rodin: A Hinge Figure towards Modernity will kick off on Saturday as the opening exhibition of the much-anticipated Centre d’ Art Rodin, or Rodin art center in Shanghai, a key cultural exchange project under the theme of the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties this year.

The exhibition showcases more than 100 authentic artworks, including sculptures, paintings, and porcelain pieces, collector and the center’s president Wu Jing said at the opening ceremony on Friday.

Some of the most emblematic works on display include Age of Bronze (large model), Monument to Balzac, and The Thinker (medium model), which are precious French national cultural properties deposited in the collection of Paris-based Rodin Museum that have been loaned to the center, Wu introduced.

For example, Age of Bronze (large model), is considered Rodin’s first truly personal work. The sensitive and vibrant modeling of the statue, which a young Belgian soldier named Auguste Ney posed for, was “the result of a close study of all the profiles of the model,” said a booklet of the exhibition.

The medium model of the world-renowned The Thinker on display, was an original size version of The Thinker that Rodin made in 1880. Years later, Rodin created the monumental version of The Thinker in 1903, which then became an iconic work in the history of world sculpture.

Notably, most exhibits are displayed openly without glass covers. “It’s a bold move, but we want to offer a perfect visiting experience,” Wu told the Global Times.

Born in Paris in 1840, Rodin is hailed as the “father of modern sculpture.” In addition to being a great sculptor, he was also a collector deeply interested in Chinese art. The exhibition also features 16 Chinese artworks and objects collected by Rodin during his lifetime, including terracotta figurines from the Sui and Tang dynasties (581-907), bronzes and porcelain pieces from Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

The venue of the center, located by Shanghai’s iconic Huangpu River, was transformed from the former French Pavilion of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

Amélie Simier, director of the center’s partner Rodin Museum, said it is an ideal location for the center. “And it’s also an ideal time to open the center in Shanghai, showcasing our best sculptures and culture to Chinese visitors, to mark the 60 years anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between France and China,” Simier told the Global Times.

China's Ministry of Commerce announced that it commenced from Thursday an anti-discrimination investigation into Canada's tariff hikes on electric vehicles (EVs) as well as steel and aluminum products imported from China, after initial results have unveiled such discriminatory approach.

The investigation has commenced in accordance with the Article 36 and Article 37 of China's Foreign Trade Law, MOFCOM announced, noting that the investigation will typically last for three months and can be extended under special circumstances, according to a statement posted on its website on Thursday.

According to Xinhua News Agency, it is the first such investigation initiated by China and also the first of its kind in the world.

Stakeholders can submit the comments in written form within 30 days of the commencement of the probe and written request for a hearing can be submitted within 20 days from when the probe is launched.

The Article 7 of China's Foreign Trade Law clearly stipulates that in the event that any country or region applies prohibitive, restrictive or other like measures on a discriminatory basis against China in respect of trade, China may, as the case may be, take measures against the country or region in question. The Article 36 of China's Foreign Trade Law states that the authority responsible for foreign trade under the State Council may conduct investigation with regard to relevant matters, including the matter that requires investigation for implementing Article 7.

The step taken on Thursday is a follow-up of measures outlined by MOFCOM on September 3, when it said "China's attitude is clear-cut and it will take all necessary measures to defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies."

In addition to launching an anti-discriminatory probe, measures detailed then include plans to initiate dispute settlement proceedings at the WTO, which China did on September 6 by requesting consultation over Ottawa's tariff hikes.

On September 9, MOFCOM also initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imports of rapeseed from Canada, citing initial evidence that Canada's dumping practices have caused substantial harm to China's domestic industry.

After announcing its decision to impose hefty additional tariffs on Chinese products, including EVs, steel and aluminum, Canada on September 10 moved to escalate the trade row by announcing a 30-day public consultation to study the need for additional tariffs on more Chinese products including batteries, semiconductors and critical minerals.

Amid Canada-provoked trade tensions which Chinese experts said have negatively impacted bilateral ties, trade between China and Canada dropped by 0.5 percent year-on-year in the first eight months this year to $57.66 billion, reversing the 2.4 percent growth seen in the first seven months, customs data showed in earlier September.

The integration of AI-generated content (AIGC) into the film industry has taken a step forward with the launch of the Kling AI "Movie Co-Creation Project" on Monday. This initiative brings together nine prominent Chinese directors, including Li Shaohong and Yu Baimei, to create nine short films using AIGC. It marks China's first large-scale effort to apply AI-powered video-generation models to cinematic content creation.

Kling AI's ability to generate videos from images, control motion, and manage camera angles not only enhances production efficiency but also elevates the quality of cinematic output. The platform's broader application potential underscores its significance beyond experimental projects.

The technology's importance is further highlighted by the Beijing International Film Festival's recent announcement of its first AIGC filmmaking course. This course is designed to equip new filmmakers with the skills to integrate AI technology into the creative process, blending technical expertise with emotional storytelling.

"Technological innovation has always been part of cinema's evolution," Shi Wenxue, a veteran film critic and a preliminary judge in the main competition section at the Beijing International Film Festival, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

He emphasized how tools like AIGC are accelerating the filmmaking process by streamlining scriptwriting and project planning.

"Many of my colleagues are primarily using AIGC for technical tasks like previs (previsualization). Previously, we had to build preview models using tools like LEGO blocks; now AIGC offers a more direct and effective solution," Shi noted.

While AIGC excels in certain film genres such as animation, sci-fi, and archaeology-themed productions, Shi also noted that it is unlikely to fully replace human creativity or the emotional depth that actors and filmmakers bring to their work.

"AIGC serves as a support tool rather than a core replacement in the filmmaking process," Shi said.

Major players in the film industry have already begun to recognize the advantages offered by AIGC. Domestically, productions like the short narrative series Sanxingdui: Future Apocalypse, and CCTV's fully AI-produced micro film Chinese Mythology demonstrate how AI is driving advancements in the domestic film sector, particularly in the emerging micro drama industry.

Internationally, the influence of AIGC is also growing. Glenn Marshall, an AI artist, won the Jury Award at the 2022 Cannes Short Film Festival with his AI-generated film The Crow, highlighting the global reach and recognition of AI's role in creative content creation.

It's worth noting that the rise of AIGC has also sparked debate, particularly in industries that traditionally rely on human creativity. The 2023 Hollywood strikes, initially targeting employees' benefits, were also driven by concerns that AI could replace human roles, with issues around compensation and job security taking center stage.

"Don't see them as competitors or enemies; they are your work partners. Every technological breakthrough has benefited artistic creation, allowing creators' visions to be realized more perfectly and accurately. At the same time, AI also places higher demands on film professionals - they must have ideas that surpass it," Chinese director Liu Jiacheng said in an interview with the Xinhua News Agency.

Experts say as AIGC continues to develop, it will drive the next wave of innovation in the film industry. Its ability to enhance productivity and reduce costs could unlock a new era of efficiency, particularly in the rapidly expanding micro drama sector.

The natural scenery of Sayram Lake is magnificent and beautiful, with its green waves rippling. The tourism popularity is increasing year by year.
In order to protect the ecological environment of Sayram Lake, in recent years, the scenic area has implemented a ban on grazing on 164,500 mu of grassland in the core area and relocated more than 900 herdsmen households and 200,000 livestock. 80 kilometers of fences have been set up around the lake and 12 management and protection stations have been established to prohibit tourists from entering the glacier and permanent snow area.
The area of Sayram Lake scenic area is 1,314 square kilometers. 21 power supply lines with a voltage level of 10 kV and above provide continuous power for the scenic area. In 2022, Sayram Lake was built into the first all-green electricity scenic area in Xinjiang. A power supply ring network was formed by means of buried cables. Charging piles were set up around the lake, an ecological parking lot was built, and low-carbon tourism transportation tools such as electric vehicles, bicycles, and hybrid vehicles were used.
The annual electricity consumption of Sayram Lake scenic area is 36 million kilowatt-hours. The development of the scenic area takes ecological tourism and green tourism as the main line. The "full electrification" transformation covers all aspects such as travel, accommodation, and play. More than 770 electricity customers such as hotels, shops, and food courts all adopt clean and stable power supply. The past coal-fired heating method has become history.
This year, State Grid Bortala Power Supply Company has explored new ways to consume clean energy to help the green development of Sayram Lake. The "integrated photovoltaic storage and charging" demonstration project is promoted in the scenic area. Based on the existing green electricity, the construction of distributed photovoltaic microgrid is piloted and the application of V2G charging piles is promoted. Sayram Lake scenic area is built into a zero-carbon scenic area model from the four aspects of "source, grid, load, and storage".

Amid the ongoing discussion over "city, not city," a viral phrase that illustrates China's urban zeitgeist, a new trend has captured the attention of many smaller cities and counties, taking Chinese social media by storm. On the internet, the emergence of "small-town literature" has ignited a resurgence in photography: In dimly-lit and quaint streets, weathered buildings, and with young Chinese people clad in vintage clothing, an attempt is being made to convey the emotions of loneliness through their expressive eyes and body language, accompanied by captions like "can't escape, can't see through." Behind the scenes, a multitude of photographers and models from urban areas are venturing into these smaller cities and counties across China, seeking to capture the essence of a bygone era. While traditional portrayals of small Chinese towns in literature and film often depict desolation and nascent vitality, the current trend of small-town literature has been criticized for its gloomy portrayal of reality. Despite this, it has quickly gained popularity online, with millions of views and shares on platforms such as Sina Weibo and Douyin. As the trend continues to gain momentum, questions arise about the emotional appeal of small-town literature and what it signifies in the process of urbanization in China. What does the concept of "county town" mean to individuals of different age groups? And amid the frenzy of templated creations, can the true essence of Chinese county towns still be captured and appreciated? These are just some of the questions that linger as the allure of small-town literature continues to captivate audiences across the nation. Trending on social media Photography blogger Jewey Li, a small-town literature trend pioneer, never expected his and his students' photos would spark such widespread discussion on social media. One of the most interactive small-town pieces of literature on Douyin is a group of photos from Li's student Yunier (screen name), in which the most eye-catching image is that of a girl with a beautiful face in a blue qipao sitting on the threshold of an old-fashioned barber shop, looking pensive. The post gained more than 2.32 million likes and more than 416,000 shares. Clicking on the comment section, people can discover a variety of plot twists in the "micro stories" created by netizens. Through the power of visual storytelling, these photos have inspired netizens and bridged the gap between photography and literature. Zhang Yiwu, a cultural studies professor at Peking University, explained that small-town literature is not just about literary creation, but also a cultural phenomenon that resonates with the masses. Li posted a thread on the popular lifestyle app Xiaohongshu titled "How to shoot small-town literature": You should shoot her melancholy yet determined gaze in an old rented house, shoot his confusion and uncertainty in the crowd, and shoot the couple's bittersweet longing for each other despite their love for the reality. He also emphasized in the post that "small-town literature is not criticism but nostalgia. Those backward-looking figures, unfulfilled vows, and the bittersweet memories together form Chinese people's most precious memories of the old hometowns." This post, having struck a chord with many, seems to indicate that in the current popular trend of small-town literature, the concept of the "county" has been refined into a set of replicable audio-visual language symbols, a simple and easily transmitted expression template. While the content of small-town literature may focus on the county, the narrative style of the creators is distinctly modern and social media-driven. Through specific poses and carefully chosen backgrounds, these works tell a story that resonates with viewers on a deep emotional level," Zeng Chi, a research fellow at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times. On Chinese social media, small-town literature offers a variety of emotional connotations and fulfills different needs for its audience. Some netizens expressed how they find solace in the nostalgic atmosphere and stories of county life, while others criticize the portrayal of Chinese counties as oppressive and decadent. Despite the debate, the popularity of county literature has brought Chinese counties into the spotlight, sparking discussions on various aspects of county life. In the midst of this public opinion frenzy, trending topics about China's county life have emerged, such as questions about the standard of living, young people's daily expenses, and the experiences of girls returning to work in the county. This newfound interest in county life marks a shift in Chinese social networks, where previously, the focus was on glamorous city life. "The rise of small-town literature signifies a shift toward embracing a different lifestyle in China," Zhang said. A wide range of empathy When most Chinese people can understand small-town literature, it means that the cultural symbols in this phenomenon are popular, Zeng said. Most Chinese people have intimate relationships with counties and county-level cities. Official data showed that as of the end of 2021, China had a total of 1,866 counties and county-level cities, roughly twice as many as prefecture-level cities and above, with a permanent resident population of some 250 million, or nearly 30 percent of the total number of people living in urban areas nationwide. China has undergone a drastic urbanization process in recent decades. The urban population has almost doubled from 456 million in 2000 to 902 million in 2020. Countless young people now live in cities while carrying memories of their hometowns. Li, 30, told the Global Times that he started creating small-town literature because he wanted to have a "spiritual return" to his hometown of Yichun, a third-tier city in East China's Jiangxi Province. Li spent his childhood in a state-owned factory in Yichun, where both his parents were factory workers. The factory began to decline in the early 2000s, and after his parents were laid off, they opened a small grocery store. In around 2017, the factory area started to be demolished along with the family's store. They moved into a high-rise building, prompting Li to consciously capture images related to his earlier life. Li said his narrative inspiration came from his family's experience of running the grocery store for 20 years. "My mother also loves beauty and wanted to travel, but she never left Yichun until I had the ability to earn money independently, guarding the place that supported our family's livelihood." Compared to big cities, the lack of talent development mechanisms and fewer job opportunities in small cities prompted Li's complex emotions toward his hometown at a young age. The contradiction between the familiar hometown in one's memory and the ideal pursuit of youth is the core that Li and many small-town literature photographers want to express. When Li left Yichun and traveled around China, he gradually felt the unique beauty of his hometown. He chose to use his hometown as the inspiration behind his creations, looking back and paying tribute to the familiar, stable, and predictable life he once knew. "Our camera shooting has a script, operated according to the logic of movies. We hope more people can resonate and even stimulate more imagination in the process of viewing." Zeng believes that the initial rise of county literature stemmed from people's nostalgia. The people who currently have such imaginations are likely to come from big cities; young people who are equally keen on using social media and have enough to live comfortably, Zeng noted. "It is more likely that a group of young people who have already left the county and are living in the city have such imaginations. At a time in the course of their hard work to make a living, they easily immerse themselves in the carefree small county town of their childhood, imagining what it would be like to live there now," he said. Step into reality "I can't guarantee that the life in small-town literature is real, but its popularity indicates that many people must be imagining themselves living in such a town, experiencing days of either pain or healing," Zeng said. Zeng pointed out that in the era of image-based social media, when people interact online, they often overlook the "performative nature" of social media, thus projecting too many emotions onto static images. Undoubtedly, in small-town literature, the county town represents a static intention, serving as a buffer zone between the countryside and the big city. It seems neither as brightly lit as the city with its concrete jungle, nor as simple as the countryside. It is within reach but never truly a place to settle in. Now Crow Jewey is teaching photography skills offline across China, creating various stories in different county towns. However, Crow Jewey is well aware that no single county can represent all of China's county towns, and no few labels can simply summarize the lives of millions of county residents. But it is heartening that under this trend, more Chinese people are willing to get closer to the real counties. These places are not backward and dilapidated symbols, nor are they places for pretentious whining, but rather a real world formed by countless vibrant individuals. During this year's May Day holiday, unlike in the past when tourists focused on famous scenic spots, many people now explore the "capillaries" of China's geographical map. According to a report from Ctrip, a major Chinese online travel booking platform, hotel bookings in China's counties and county-level cities during the May Day holiday increased by 68 percent year-on-year, outpacing the national average growth rate. As more people truly explore county towns, they find that there is no stark difference between big Chinese cities and county towns, especially due to the all-round rural revitalization prioritized by Chinese government, with bustling commercial streets and night markets can now be seen everywhere. There are also countless young people returning to county towns from big cities, sparking a wave of entrepreneurship to "speak for their hometowns" and driving the continuous deepening of the county economy. Zhang believes that exploring the consumption patterns on a county level is full of development prospects. In the process of urbanization, people's unprecedented demand for a sense of belonging to the county is projected on the cultural tourism market, he stated. "The popularity of small-town literature indicates that there is still certain room for improvement of spiritual needs in our society. However, to truly fill these gaps, it cannot rely solely on virtual hometowns. In the future, more tangible county town landscapes will be remembered by people," Zhang said.

On August 30, at the pier of Bianzhuang Village in Yuxi Town, Jiangyan District, Taizhou City, East China's Jiangsu Province, the multi-energy complementary photovoltaic power generation project was under intense construction. The sound of machinery echoed, vehicles shuttled back and forth, and workers enthusiastically carried out various tasks, including pile driving, foundation pouring, support installation, and photovoltaic panel installation, all in an orderly manner. The construction was in full swing.

The project is planned to cover a water area of 2,531.66 acres (1,024.55 hectares), with 18 sub-photovoltaic systems to be installed. Using 580Wp monocrystalline silicon modules, the total capacity will reach 154.128 megawatts. The project adopts an innovative model that integrates photovoltaic power generation with aquaculture, building photovoltaic power stations over fish ponds to create a "power generation above and aquaculture below" system. This approach plays an irreplaceable role in improving the local ecological environment, providing employment for local residents, and contributing to rural revitalization by achieving both ecological and economic benefits.

To accelerate progress, the State Grid Taizhou Power Supply Company and Datang Taizhou Thermal Power have established a coordination mechanism, offering "one-on-one" services and closely monitoring the project's implementation. They also provide technical assistance to meet the diverse needs of customers and fully support the grid connection, acceptance, and operation of Taizhou's first multi-energy complementary photovoltaic power station.

Once fully operational, the project is expected to generate approximately 180 million kWh of clean energy annually, saving 72,000 tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 179,000 tons. This will create a win-win situation, enhancing both environmental and economic benefits. It is also of great significance for the region's efforts to meet the "dual carbon" goals, strengthen industrial support, and boost competitiveness.

Prinat Apirat, Consul General of the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Shanghai, welcomed Major General Pratuang Piyakapho, and the participants in the first group of trainees in Thailand defense for future management training programs at the Consulate General of Thailand in Shanghai.
The Consul General also gave an overview of bilateral relations between Thailand and Shanghai. She exchanged views on issues of interest to the delegation, such as expanding strategic cooperation between Thailand and China, promoting Thai-made products to the Chinese market, and promoting Thailand's tourism market in China and the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region.

At the end of July, the Thai Consulate-General in Shanghai, in conjunction with the Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board, organized the 7th Bangkok - Shanghai Economic Conference on the topic "Accelerating Innovation Cooperation between Thailand and the YRD" in Shanghai.

The conference focused on creating a comprehensive innovation ecosystem, promoting joint innovation, and expanding business and exploring investment opportunities.