A policewoman helps passengers on the platform at Taizhou Railway Station in Taizhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 6, 2024. China sees a surge in return trips on Sunday as the week-long National Day holiday draws to a close. (Photo: Xinhua)
As one of the events of the 2024 Beijing Culture Forum, "The Temple of Earth and Me" book fair kicked off on Friday and will run through September 23 at Beijing's Ditan Park, also known as the Temple of Earth Park.
Many eager book enthusiasts flocked to the venue in the morning to embark on a cultural "city walk" that promises to be both enlightening and entertaining. The book coupons issued by the book fair were quickly snapped up.
In a nod to the rising trend of night tourism during the Mid-Autumn Festival, the organizers told the Global Times that the book fair will extend its hours until 8 pm. Meanwhile, some cultural activities, including a poetry event related to the Mid-Autumn Festival, will be held in the central area of the book fair.
According to a press release from the local publicity department, this year's book fair boasts an exhibition and sales area of approximately 18,000 square meters and will feature 10 exhibition areas and host over 160 cultural activities.
The exhibition area has expanded by 3,000 square meters compared to 2023 and now encompasses 10 exhibition areas, three activity zones, and several supporting service points. The fair has gathered over 330 publishers, physical bookstores, and specialty exhibitors from across the nation, offering a vast selection of 400,000 book titles, reaching a new peak in scale.
The book fair boasts 10 sections with different themes, such as a brick-and-mortar bookstore district, a children's books and parent-child reading area, a foreign language book section, and a cultural and creative products area.
The thematic special exhibition area will focus on hot topics such as the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, recommending key books and reading lists.
One of the highlights is the "Old Books, New Knowledge" section which has arranged a special exhibition called Five Prominent Features of Chinese Civilization - Classical Works, featuring over 60 ancient and rare documents across 42 categories.
Liu Yichen, the person in charge of this section, told the Global Times that the ancient books with wisdom are vital carriers of the Chinese civilization.
Media has reported that the physical bookstore section has attracted the participation of 135 brick-and-mortar bookstores, which is 1.5 times more than 2023.
The Palace Museum Bookstore is one of the main attractions. Xu Mei, the person in charge of the bookstore, told the Global Times that they have been the top-selling participant at the book fair for several consecutive years.
"We sold for over 400,000 yuan ($56,173) last year," she said, noting that the Forbidden City Calendar was the most popular product that often ends up in short supply.
Not far from this cultural icon, the Chengdu Panda Bookstore was also swarmed with visitors, captivating the hearts of many young tourists with its array of panda-themed cultural and creative products.
In addition to well-known IPs like pandas, the children's picture book district also features popular characters such as Harry Potter, Japan's Detective Conan, and Black Cat Detective from Chinese animation whose books and cultural products are also highly sought after.
With a long history, the Temple of Earth, which used to serve as the site for worshiping the Earth God during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), is the second largest imperial altar in the city of Beijing.
The 2024 Latin American and Caribbean Music Festival kicked off in Beijing on Saturday, as part of the annual "Latin American and Caribbean Art Season."
The event features performances from bands from Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica, alongside a dance troupe from Chile, showcasing vibrant Latin American music and dance.
The festival opened with a performance by a Mexican band, featuring young musicians from orchestral theaters and showcasing diverse styles from metal and jazz to funk and pop. Then the stage welcomed a Panamanian band, followed by a Chilean dance troupe in vibrant costumes that celebrated Latin American culture.
The festival concluded with a performance by Costa Rica's renowned rock music band.
Since its inception in 2013, the event has been a key initiative for cultural exchange between China and Latin America.
Over the past 75 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the country's economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, and overall national power have significantly increased, and its international influence has greatly expanded, according to a report from the National Bureau of Statistics.
From 1979 to 2023, China's economic growth averaged 8.9 percent annually, far exceeding the average global economic growth of 3 percent during the same period.
China's average annual contribution to world economic growth was 24.8 percent, ranking first in the world, according to the report.
Following are some highlights of the country's economic achievements over the past 75 years:
-- In 1952, China's GDP was only 30 billion U.S. dollars. In 1978, China's GDP increased to 149.5 billion dollars, accounting for 1.7 percent of the world economy. Since the reform and opening up, China's economic aggregate has continued to expand. In 2023, China's GDP reached 17.8 trillion dollars, accounting for 16.9 percent of the world's total and solidifying its position as the world's second-largest economy.
-- In 1985, the number of invention patent applications in China was 8,558. This number had soared to 526,000 by 2011, making China the world leader in this area. As of the end of 2022, China's number of accepted applications for invention patents reached 1.619 million, firmly securing its position as the world leader.
-- In 1950, China's foreign trade of goods was only 1.1 billion dollars, accounting for 0.9 percent of the world's total. In 2013, China became the world's largest goods trading nation. By 2023, China's total goods trade had reached 5.9 trillion dollars, accounting for 12.4 percent of the global share, and has consistently ranked first in the world for seven consecutive years.
-- Service trade has also undergone tremendous expansions. At the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, China's service trade was almost zero. In 2023, the country's total service trade import and export volume reached 933.1 billion dollars, ranking fourth in the world.
A series of sculptures from Chinese artist Yuan Xikun were released at the National Indoor Stadium on Friday to express the sports culture of the dual Olympic city.
Beijing hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics, becoming the worlds' first dual Olympic city.
In front of the National Indoor Stadium stand five sculptures from Yuan, each themed around the dual Olympics. These sculptures -—representing Ice Hockey, Gymnastics, Pair Skating, Layup, and Short Track Speed Skating -—were created to honor the spirit of hard work in sports and to express faith through art, embodying healthy and positive values.
Zhao Jiachen, head of the Beijing Performing Arts Group, which manages the stadium, said that these sculptures will help preserve the Olympic spirt and promote the integrated development of sports and culture.
Yuan emphasized that sports and culture will work hand in hand to create more inspiring works that convey positive values.
The stadium also unveiled a dedicated space for the artist to showcase his sculptures.
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.
China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Monday unveiled a hacker organization called "Anonymous 64," saying that it was an “internet army” supported by “Taiwan independence” forces and has frequently launched cyberattacks against the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, attempting to infiltrate portals, outdoor electronic screens, and online television to spread disinformation and disrupt public communications.
National security agencies have identified individuals involved in the related cyberattacks, including three active members, whose names and photos have been disclosed. Legal investigations have been launched against the three individuals, the ministry said in a release on Monday.
The organization behind "Anonymous 64" is a cyber-environment analysis center under the “Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command.” This center is specifically responsible for conducting cyber cognitive warfare and public opinion warfare against the mainland. In June 2023, the center registered social media accounts under the name "Anonymous 64" and wantonly carried out cyberattacks and disinformation activities, MSS said in the article.
The “Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command” was established in June 2017 as the "fourth branch" of the Taiwan authorities and was restructured in 2022 as a direct agency of the “defense department” of the island. It primarily handles electronic warfare, information warfare, cyber warfare, and military line maintenance, serving as the main force for the island of Taiwan's cyber operations against the mainland.
Since its establishment, the “Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command” has launched various infiltration and sabotage activities against the mainland, posing a significant threat to cybersecurity. It targets areas such as the mainland's defense industry, aerospace, and energy infrastructure for cyberattacks, aiming to steal sensitive data and gather intelligence for the Taiwan authorities. It also frequently distorts online public opinion, employs internet trolls, exacerbates conflicts, and incites divisions for its own gain, according to MSS.
Since its establishment, the "Anonymous 64" has posted over 70 updates on social media, using so-called achievements to attract attention. The targets they claim to have attacked include outdoor electronic screens, vending machines, online television, as well as the websites of news media, airlines, and universities, attempting to hype a false image of severe?vulnerabilities in mainland cybersecurity.
However, investigations by national security agencies?revealed that many of the "achievements" showcased by "Anonymous 64" were exaggerated, with most targeted websites being counterfeit or zombie sites.
For instance, on August 2, when a small internet company’s website was attacked by "Anonymous 64" because it linked to several universities' official forum logins, the organization falsely claimed it had “gained control of the official forums of 40 universities in the mainland."
National security agencies also remind developers and operators of internet audio-video systems, portal websites, and internet users to implement cybersecurity measures, timely update and upgrade systems, close technical vulnerabilities, enhance password strength, and strengthen inspections to prevent various cyberattacks.
"We urge netizens not to believe or spread rumors, and to promptly report any cyberattacks or disinformation activities to national security agencies or relevant departments,” read the MSS article.
The ministry said in the article that national reunification is an inevitable historical trend. Taiwan authorities' attempts to provoke and pursue “independence” and seek confrontation with the mainland are bound to fail.
National security agencies will firmly implement a comprehensive national security strategy, enforce laws against "Taiwan independence" separatists engaging in separatism and incitement, and resolutely combat all "Taiwan independence" schemes to contribute to the complete reunification of the motherland, said MSS.