上海后花园论坛

China released an on-site investigative report on Friday regarding the ecological system of the coral reefs in the South China Sea's Xianbin Jiao, revealing the coral reef ecosystem in Xianbin Jiao is generally in good health. There was no evidence of widespread coral bleaching, the report found, in response to allegations made by the Philippines this year, which groundlessly accused China of reclaiming an artificial reef around Xianbin Jiao that led to widespread coral bleaching.

Chinese scientists also conducted analyses of sediment samples to determine their source elements around the reef, finding no evidence of terrestrial materials entering the ocean. This again refuted the Philippines' baseless accusations against China's land reclamation and reef construction activities.

More importantly, scientists identified six sandbars in Xianbin Jiao, all of which are exposed at low tide. Experts noted that this discovery supports China's longstanding assertion that Xianbin Jiao falls under the "feature above high water springs in China's Nansha Qundao (the Nansha Islands)," affirming China's rights to territorial waters, contiguous zones, exclusive economic zones, and continental shelves around the Xianbin Jiao.

Furthermore, the report emphasized the significant impact of frequent human activities in and around Xianbin Jiao on the coral reef ecosystem's health. It highlighted the presence of Philippine vessels and ships illegally mooring in the lagoon, whose anchoring and fishing activities could disrupt the normal coral growth in the area.
China's claims scientifically sound

"China's recent on-site investigation of Xianbin Jiao clearly confirms its status as a 'feature above high water springs in the Nansha Qundao,' supporting China's claim and refuting the Philippines' assertions and the 2016 so-called award on the South China Sea arbitration which defined it a 'low-tide feature' and included it in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone," Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times.

According to the expert, the concept of "feature above high water springs in the Nansha Qundao" aligns with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea's definition of "islands," entitling them to territorial seas, exclusive economic zones, and continental shelves. China's sovereignty over the Nansha Qundao, including Xianbin Jiao, is supported by historical and legal evidence, Chen stressed.

Chen noted that during the so-called South China Sea arbitration of 2016, the tribunal claimed that certain islands and reefs in the region were "low-tide feature" based mainly on outdated and unreliable navigational guides. It is absurd that they used such flimsy evidence to classify Xianbin Jiao as a "low-tide feature," Chen said, calling this recent scientific research "ample and precise evidence to prove China's reasonable claim."

The long-term presence of the Philippines Coast Guard vessel in the Xianbin Jiao's lagoon is a serious encroachment on China's territory, experts stressed.
During this scientific expedition from May to July, Chinese research team composed of multiple research institutes under the Ministry of Natural Resources assessed the coral reef ecosystem of Xianbin Jiao using a combination of on-site investigations, historical data, and satellite images. This survey set up 23 survey stations along the reef edge, conducting surveys on four major categories including coral communities, reef-dwelling organisms, reef habitats, and human activities, totaling 75 elements.

Some coral debris and damaged reef-building corals are found to be distributed within a certain range around the sandbar, which, experts believed, is related to Philippines vessels' illegal gathering, fishing and long-term anchoring.

The Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), the PCG's largest vessel, has caused wide concerns among experts as its large and long anchor chain has been scraping the lagoon floor since mid-April and may cause significant damage to the coral reefs. This prolonged anchoring may have led to serious coral death over the last four months, experts warned.
Philippines' accusations proven false

It is important to note that a radioactive tracing study was conducted on the sediments of Xianbin Jiao sandbars and its surrounding waters during the investigation. This study focused on the areas where the Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela accused China in May of "building an artificial island."

Chinese scientists tested for uranium-238 and other isotopes in sediment samples from 33 locations around Xianbin Jiao and its surrounding waters. The results revealed that all sediment samples had similar source elements, and did not contain any terrestrial materials from land sources.

Chen emphasized that this scientific evidence disproves the baseless accusations made by the Philippines that China is transporting materials from land to reclaim land and build artificial reefs.

Editor's Note:

Chinese President Xi Jinping highly values efforts to preserve cultural and natural treasures and renew their glamour in the new era.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has called for further efforts in an instruction on strengthening the protection, preservation and utilization of cultural and natural heritage.

The instruction was made after one cultural heritage and two natural heritages of China were inscribed on the World Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in July 2024.

Xi also called for enhanced international exchange and cooperation in this field, and efforts to make greater contributions to the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

August 15 marks China's second National Ecology Day. The three new heritages reveal the concept of harmonious coexistence between human and nature, and contribute to the world's biological diversity.

In this issue, the Global Times Life Desk maps out the lively examples of Chinese modernization and harmony between humanity and nature, and China's active engagement in international dialogue and cooperation in world heritage protection under the guidance of the GCI.

Every year, when winter arrives, growing numbers of birds, including some species in danger such as red-crown cranes, can be seen landing around the wetlands on the fringe of China's Badain Jaran Desert and also around Chongming Island of Shanghai, both inscribed onto UNESCO's World Heritage List in July, to survive the cold. As for Beijing swifts, another kind of migrant bird, April in the capital is a golden time to nest and breed, and the roofs of ancient buildings along the Central Axis of Beijing will once again become their dream home.

All of these world heritage sites play a pivotal role in providing a home for a variety of birds, which have been increasing in number alongside China's efforts in conservation and development of heritage sites. The story of these migrant birds is just a tiny part of what is happening at world heritage sites around China.

Whether they are natural heritage sites like the Badain Jaran Desert or cultural sites like the Central Axis of Beijing, each heritage site in China has its own unique and irreplaceable role to play, not only in regard to the evolution of human civilization but also as a stabilizer for the Earth's natural environment, experts noted.

In July, UNESCO announced the inscription of the Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital, the Badain Jaran Desert - Towers of Sand and Lakes, and the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase II) on its World Heritage List at the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi, India.

The ancient axis helped to build an ideal urban landscape, while lakes in the desert and the sanctuaries for migratory birds on the coastline are an integral part of the harmonious relationship between humanity and nature.

"We can see diverse special ecosystems at every natural world heritage site in China, and each of them has a significant role in stabilizing the general circulation of the atmosphere and ensuring the safety of biodiversity," Zhang Yujun, a professor and director of the National Park Research Center of Beijing Forestry University, told the Global Times.

When speaking of the reasons why the Central Axis of Beijing should be included in the World Heritage List, Lü Zhou, director of the National Heritage Center at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times that the ancient axis fills a gap in the World Heritage List in terms of the ideals surrounding Eastern capital city planning and the types of core architectural complexes it possesses.

Zhang Peng, head of the Memorial Hall of Guo Shoujing and a veteran cultural expert, told the Global Times that besides marvelous architecture, the centuries-old lush trees and water landscapes along the axis that are often seen as natural scenic spots have been "dyed" in cultural attributes, making them irreplaceable parts of the heritage site.
'Breathing' heritage

In his instruction, Xi called for efforts to take this UNESCO inclusion as an opportunity to further strengthen the comprehensive and systematic protection of cultural and natural heritage sites and make good use of them to better meet the people's needs.

Making heritages a "breathing" part of modern life rather than static historical displays is China's goal when utilizing both its natural and cultural heritage resources. The sustainable utilization of heritage sites is "multi-dimensional" and includes sectors like "smart digital delivery, public's participation and IP transformation," cultural policy expert Song Weiping told the Global Times.

The Central Axis of Beijing is using digital means to monitor the site's "health condition." The program was started in 2021, when a center dedicated to the digital conservation of the heritage site was launched.

Relying on China's domestically produced Beidou Navigation Satellite System, the center's equipment is able to monitor sites along the Central Axis of Beijing to a micrometer-level.

The center's other facilities like the "Digital Twin" real-time map and "Mobile Patrolling" app have made heritage management much more "efficient," Zhou Ziyu, the director of the center's monitoring department, told the Global Times, adding that digital technology is a "necessary assistant" that helps experts see "unseen" problems.

Smart "assistants" are also involved in conservation efforts at another of China's World Heritage Sites - the Great Wall.

At both the Jiankou and Badaling sections of the Great Wall, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are used not only for monitoring, but also capturing fuller images of sites to make a three-dimensional model of the Great Wall.

Shang Jinyu, an expert who is responsible for the digital project at Jiankou Great Wall, told the Global Times that digital devices have helped them to see "some neglected and extremely fragile parts that need to be repaired."

Although these technical devices are smart, they can never replace the importance of people in heritage conservation. For example, generations of villagers have worked to safeguard the Badaling Great Wall, "a heritage that can only 'live' through interacting with the public," Li Dan, a representative from the Administration Office of the Badaling Great Wall, told the Global Times.

Due to its remote location, the natural World Heritage Site Badain Jaran Desert - Towers of Sand and Lakes in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region "has long been relying on local villagers' voluntary patrolling thanks to their love of their home," Liang Baorong, the director of the Alxa Right Banner Administration Bureau of the Alxa Desert UNESCO Global Geopark, told the Global Times.

"Not only villagers, the site has also intrigued university research groups, foreign experts and in future, we will aim to develop it into an iconic tourist site," Liang told the Global Times.

Through "cultural tourism," China's heritage resources are sustainably used and better engage the public. Relying on China's archaeological sensation, the Sanxingdui Ruins, the new Sanxingdui Museum has become a popular hot spot that attracts more than 4.8 million people a year.

The site has launched experiential programs like "on-site archaeological games" and has also co-launched exchange forums with the Liangzhu Ruins in Hangzhou. Its iconic relics like the "Gold Mask" and "Bronze Figurine" have been turned into blind box toys, stationary and even ice cream products that have proven popular among young visitors.

Song told the Global Times that heritage sites like the Sanxingdui Ruins and Liangzhu Ruins are seeking to broaden their "archaeological IPs" to boost "urban tourism, local cities' cultural identity as well as international exchanges."
A testament to the GCI

China's rich tapestry of cultural and natural heritage is now adorned with 59 World Heritage Sites, a witness to the nation's profound history and ongoing commitment to global cultural diversity. Among these, "The Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor," a joint venture with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, stands as a beacon of international cooperation in preserving cultural heritage sites.

Lü told the Global Times that China's adherence to the World Heritage Convention has been a testament to the country's open and collaborative spirit. China stands as one of the world's most endowed nations in terms of cultural and natural treasures.

China's active engagement with UNESCO and other contracting states has fostered a conducive environment for international dialogue and cooperation. The inclusion of the Central Axis of Beijing underscores China's dedication to the Global Civilization Initiative, emphasizing its respect for cultural diversity and the significance of cultural heritage in fostering mutual understanding and respect among civilizations.

Wang Yiwei, vice president of Academy of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, told the Global Times that the GCI underscores the idea that ancient civilizations can achieve modernization and contribute to contemporary human civilization. The initiative promotes the view that civilization is not a monolithic concept but a diverse and inclusive reality that encompasses various cultural expressions.

Currently, China and Egypt are embarking on a collaborative journey to nominate the Baiheliang Ancient Hydrological Inscription, the earliest low water hydrological inscriptions to be found in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality and the Nilometers, an ancient instrument used to measure the waters of the Nile river in Egypt as new World Heritage Sites. This joint endeavor has seen teams from both countries engaging in mutual visits and efforts to forge a path for a joint application.

Xie Maosong, a senior research fellow at the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy and the director of the Research Center of Chinese Civilization and Chinese Path, told the Global Times that such collaboration exemplifies China's active commitment to the GCI.

Launched at the 44th World Heritage Convention in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, the Fuzhou Declaration highlighted the need for increased support for developing countries, particularly those in Africa and small island nations. This declaration is a clear indication of China's willingness to share its experience and expertise in heritage conservation, which is especially beneficial for countries in the Global South.

"Both Baiheliang and the Nilometers are hydrographic relics and related to two of the greatest rivers in the world," said Xie, adding that they reflect how different agricultural civilizations in Asia and Africa relate to their respective river resources.

The dance drama Only Me, ­Qingbai, which uses porcelain as its narrative thread and focuses on the iconic figures of celadon porcelain craftsmen during the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1279-1368) dynasties, made its grand debut at the Beijing Poly Theatre in Beijing on Friday.

Inspired by the archaeological discovery of the Nanhai One shipwreck, the drama tells the story of an elderly porcelain craftsman from the late Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) who dreams of his youth when he traveled south to China's porcelain capital Jingdezhen in East China's Jiangxi Province to learn the craft. The production reflects the personal story of an ordinary man amid the historical turning points in Jingdezhen's history, while also vividly recounting the changes in the porcelain industry and the evolution of its firing techniques.

At the premiere, the audience gathered to check out the themed merchandise inspired by the elements of the show as well as Qingbai porcelain from Jingdezhen.

Expected to bring a feast presented by global artists, the 23rd China Shanghai International Arts Festival (CSIAF) is scheduled to be held between October 18 and November 17 this year. This annual one-month festival in Shanghai serves as a vibrant platform for artistic exchanges and showcasing outstanding Chinese literary and artistic works.

The festival will present more than 700 art-themed events this year, including 168 main performances, CSIAF Center President Li Ming said.

“The world’s top artists and troupes will gather [in Shanghai], with nearly 5,000 artists from 36 countries and regions participating in this grand event,” Li said at a press conference on Monday.

Approximately 60 percent of the performances will be presented by international artists this year.

The opening and closing ceremony performances are respectively the highly anticipated dance drama Azure After the Rain and symphony concert Tugan Sokhiev, Haochen Zhang and Münchner Philharmoniker. 

Azure After the Rain by the Shanghai Dance Theatre highlights the spiritual world and patriotic sentiments of the renowned ancient Chinese female poet Li Qingzhao (1084-1155). Through the combination of music, dance and stage art, this dance drama creates a concise, implicit and profound aesthetic atmosphere of China’s Song Dynasty (960-1279), showcasing the outstanding charm of traditional Chinese culture.

“In the process of creation, we looked for many traditional cultural and aesthetic elements, trying hard to enable the audience to experience the exquisite and elegant life of ancient Chinese literati,” famous dancer Wang Jiajun told the Global Times after the press conference.

Wang will act as Li’s husband Zhao Mingcheng in Azure After the Rain. He shared that there are some details in the dance drama that contain beautiful Chinese intangible cultural heritage and folk customs. “But it’s not entirely traditional; we do it from a modern perspective,” said Wang.

Including Azure After the Rain, numerous performances with Chinese cultural themes will be presented at the 23rd CSIAF, showing the cultural confidence of Chinese people and conveying the romantic spirit of Chinese culture from various perspectives, such as the drama Beneath the Red Banner.

Beneath the Red Banner by Beijing People’s Art Theatre is adapted from a semi-autobiographical novel by Chinese novelist and dramatist Shu Qingchun, known by his penname Lao She. This drama tells the story of the great changes that took place during the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), showing the spirit of the Chinese nation in that era through stories of an individual and his family.

“I felt flattered when they told me that I would play Lao She in the drama,” recalled Pu Cunxin, one the most celebrated actors in China.

“For this drama, I hope to get closer to Lao She’s inner world and bring the audience’s heart to his side. And [I hope that we can] tell some history of the Chinese nation to our future generations in an artistic way,” he told the Global Times.

The press conference for the 2024 Qiandeng Lake Youth Theater Festival was held on Friday in the Nanhai district of Foshan, Guangdong Province. The theater festival aims to create a locally distinctive theatrical event that caters to the Gen Z audience.

Professor Hu Yu, director of the Tsinghua University Institute for Cultural and Creative Development and Chief Advisor of the Qiandeng Lake Youth Theater Festival, emphasized that young people are the most vital force in theater. The festival focuses on youth performances and expression at its core.

Liu Xiayuan, director of the Nanhai District Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports, expressed his hope during his speech that the young artists and audiences attending the festival will "enjoy the theater festival, enjoy a theater vacation and embrace their brilliant and youthful lives."

 Over 14 days, the festival will present more than 60 performances, 30 theater activities, three artistic ­installations, two themed fairs, two exhibitions, and feature collaborations with over 100 performers and artists.

India is poised to celebrate its inaugural National Space Day on Friday, commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which achieved the historic feat of landing a robotic probe on the lunar south pole—a first for humanity. 

While India may have entered the space race later than some, the nation has rapidly strengthened its capabilities in space exploration, closing the gap with established space powers. On this significant day, New Delhi has much to celebrate, from past accomplishments to an ambitious future agenda that includes plans for manned spaceflight—a milestone achieved by only a select few countries worldwide.

According to the local media, the first Indian national space day is themed "Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India's Space Saga," and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has organized events, exhibitions and educational activities across the country aiming to showcase the country's growing capabilities in space science and technology, and after all, inspire and engage younger generations in the field. 

The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft managed the first ever soft landing near the south pole of the moon in 2023, marking a triumph for the ISRO, according to the London-based New Scientist magazine. 

Over the past few decades, India has made remarkable strides in space exploration, including advancements in satellites, launch vehicles, and space missions. The country's space program is distinguished by its application-oriented approach, focusing on the development of application satellites and satellite technologies. Building on this foundation, India has established a comprehensive space organization and system, Pang Zhihao, a senior space expert, told the Global Times on Thursday.

The development of India's space program unfolds in three key phases: first, by leveraging foreign financial and technological resources to build a foundational national space system; second, focusing on the advancement of communication and remote sensing satellites, along with launch vehicles; and third, by innovating new space vehicles and broadening the scope of space applications, according to the expert. 

This approach has proven to be effective, showcasing advantages such as diversity, speed, quality, and cost-efficiency, Pang said. 

However, India's space activities seem to be limited by its economic input and technological resources, he said. 

Besides honoring the remarkable feat of Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft robotic lunar mission, India also revealed its ambitious manned spaceflight missions ahead of the celebration of national space day, with ISRO senior official announcing that the first test flight of its human space mission "Gaganyaan" is expected to take place in December this year, the NDTV reported.

According to the ISRO chairman S Somanath, all the systems for the Gaganyaan rocket code named G1 will reach Satish Dhawan Space Centre in November this year and the target for the rocket flight is December, the report said.

The ISRO chief also revealed to the Indian media that lunar missions will be ISRO's focus for the next few years. "Chandrayaan-3 was successfully completed, and we are now working on Chandrayaan-4 and Chandrayaan-5. The designs for these have been completed, and we are seeking approval from the government," he said. 

By April next year, an Indian astronaut is expected to fly to the ISS as part of a collaborative mission between NASA and ISRO. Indian Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh shared this news during a press conference, Business Today reported on Thursday.

New Delhi also aims to send first crewed space mission by mid-2025, the Print reported on August 20, citing the space agency's head Somanath.

India aspires to become the fourth country, after Russia, the US, and China, to independently complete a crewed space mission, and such ambition underscores the significant achievements of India's space industry. As such, India's space program remains a noteworthy area of interest and study, Chinese space observers said. 

Over the past few decades, India has made remarkable strides in space exploration, including advancements in satellites, launch vehicles, and space missions. The country's space program is distinguished by its application-oriented approach, focusing on the development of application satellites and satellite technologies. 

Experts suggested that to become a major space power, India should consider addressing challenges such as enhancing its rocket payload capacity, increasing investment in space programs, and reducing reliance on foreign technology and resources.

In the first round of Group C matches at the 2024 UEFA European Championship on Monday, Denmark drew 1-1 with Slovenia. The most touching part of the game for fans was when Christian Eriksen, three years on from suffering a cardiac arrest in the last European Championship, scored a crucial goal for Denmark. 

Eriksen's triumph over death was a fairytale moment for Denmark that deeply moved countless fans.

For Chinese Manchester United fans, Eriksen's return was particularly joyful. He not only scored a goal but was also named man of the match, showcasing his strength and value.

One netizen, @Jiu Zhuangshi, commented on Weibo: "Death did not take him, and illness did not stop him. He embodies the indomitable spirit of humanity, proving with his actions that he never gives up."

On the same day, Nicolae Stanciu, who previously played for Wuhan Three Towns Football Club in the Chinese Super League, scored a stunning goal to help Romania beat Ukraine 3-0. Faced with numerous reporters, Stanciu prioritized questions from Chinese journalists.

"I want to say thank you to the Chinese fans. I am very grateful for their support of the Romanian national team. I have many wonderful memories from China. We won the league championship and the Super Cup, and Wuhan and its people are great. I wish Wuhan Three Towns Football Club all the best for the future," Stanciu said.

The official Weibo account of Wuhan Three Towns Football Club responded, "Go, Nico! Take our gifts and blessings, and continue to shine at the European Championship!"

A fan named @ZhouZhou commented on his social media: "The best foreign player in Wuhan, the man who kicks free kicks like they're penalties!"

On Tuesday, in the first round of Group D matches, tournament favorites France secured a 1-0 victory over Austria. However, star player Kylian Mbappe was injured near the end of the match, suffering a nasal fracture and having to leave the game.

Mbappe will miss the next match against the Netherlands, and it's currently unclear how long he will be out. In coach Didier Deschamps' tactical system, Mbappe remains an indispensable element. 

After the match, Mbappe jokingly asked on social media if anyone had recommendations for a mask.

While some Chinese fans expressed concern about this unexpected situation affecting the French team, more were joking about it.

"Try the green fish mask from the Ugly Stuff competition. It could have the added benefit of distracting opponents on the field!" one Chinese netizen quipped.

On the first day after the Paris Olympics' opening ceremony, Chinese shooting pair Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao ignited Chinese social media not only because of the first gold medal they won for Team China in the 10-meter air rifle mixed team match but also because of their personalities and social media usernames.

After defeating their South Korean counterparts Keum Ji-hyeon and Park Ha-jun in the 10-meter air rifle mixed team match, Huang and Sheng were congratulated by many Chinese netizens. Sheng, whose Weibo user name is "only by eating", quickly sparked widespread attention, as this online nickname paired with the words "duoguan" (win the championship) in Chinese turns into "Winning the championship just by eating."

However, Sheng never expected such a coincidence. He said that this username was something he "came up with casually," and he reassured concerned netizens that he would "take good care of himself." This kind of "Versailles" humor reveals a sense of wit and attracts the audience, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Netizens also discovered that Huang always carries cute plush toys with her, and her social media pictures often feature cute dogs. While Sheng often appears cool, he is known to be rather  playful on occasion and netizens seem to appreciate the transparency, uniqueness and authenticity that perspire through their favorite athletes' online accounts. 

Huang, making her Olympic debut, is only 17 years old, while Sheng, competing in his second Olympics, is just 19 years old. "Young athletes should have their own personalities. I like their relaxed attitude," a netizen remarked.

According to Xinhua, although the two athletes have their own hobbies and interests off the field, they show remarkable calmness and composure during competitions. In the past, they have jointly won world championships, World Cups, and Asian Games titles. Huang was a triple champion at the Hangzhou Asian Games, while Sheng won a silver medal in the men's 10-meter air rifle individuals at the Tokyo Olympics at the age of 17.

After winning the championship at the Paris Olympics, they still appear calm and relaxed. "We achieved this result just by sticking to what we should do," Sheng said when receiving an interview from CCTV. Huang also explained that this championship was just a result of a long processof training and it provided her with a lot of experience to block out external noise and stay determined.

"Shooting is a psychologically driven sport. Compared to other sports, athletes need to maintain focus without becoming overly excited," Bi Xiaoting, a sports psychology expert said to China Youth Daily.

She noted that for athletes that have maintained professional training and possess good psychological qualities, the pressure of winning the first gold medal may not be as great as the outside world imagines. "Especially the younger generation of athletes, who have stronger autonomy and resilience, and who actively use sports psychology to improve their competitive state, often find creative solutions to problems," Bi said.

However, she also warned that external interference could still affect the athletes' long-term growth. While focusing on the first gold medal can increase attention, she hopes that the public will focus more on the athletes' personal charm and hard work, and "notice the uniqueness of each person."

According to China Youth Daily, Wang Lian, deputy director of the Shooting and Archery Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, said that athletes of every generation carry responsibility for their era.

"Our perception of Olympic gold medals has changed significantly from decades ago. The confidence and openness of today's Chinese shooters have also been brought about by the new era," Wang said.

hina's Quan Hongchan defends women's 10m platform diving title at Paris Olympics

Editor's Note:

Team China concluded their Paris Olympics campaign with 40 gold, 27 silver, and 24 bronze medals, marking their best performance at an Olympics held abroad.

In diving and table tennis, the Chinese players achieved a landmark sweep of eight and five gold medals respectively across all categories, a rare achievement for the teams at a single Olympics.

As the Olympics concluded on Sunday, Global Times reporters Jiang Li, Wu Jie, Li Yuche and Lu Wenao picked up several stories behind the scenes that can help you remember the glory and sportsmanship displayed in Paris.
Among the big contributors to the Chinese delegation's medal haul, the Chinese swim team concluded their campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics with two golds, three silvers, and seven bronzes. Totaling 12 medals, this marks the highest number ever achieved by the Chinese swim team in Olympic history.

This was a hard-earned result for the team, considering the Chinese swimmers had undergone excessive doping tests ahead of and during the Paris Olympics, which many believe disrupted Chinese swimmers' preparations.

Prior to and during the Games, some US institutions and media stirred controversy over alleged doping issues with Chinese swimmers.

According to the World Aquatics, since January, Chinese swimmers have undergone an average of 21 drug tests per athlete, compared with four for Australian swimmers and six for US swimmers.

Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle's sensational gold medal in the men's 100m freestyle helped the team shrug off anxiety.

On July 28, Pan won gold with a world record setting time of 46.40 seconds. This victory marked the first time a Chinese male swimmer won a gold medal in the 100m freestyle at the Olympics.

"This gold medal is very significant for our country, as it represents a historic breakthrough in a new event for Chinese swimming. It's a very exciting achievement," Pan said after the race.

Notably, Pan had revealed in an interview before heading to Paris that he was already capable of swimming under 46.5 seconds but wanted to avoid exposing his true strength too early.

"Fortunately, at the world championships I swam to 46.80 seconds, so my competitors thought that was my limit - it was a smokescreen," Pan said.

Adding to Pan's gold medal, male backstroke swimmer Xu Jiayu won silver in the men's 100m backstroke with a time of 52.32 seconds and female breaststroker Tang Qianting won silver in the women's 100m breaststroke with a time of 1:05.54 on July 30.

In the mixed 4x100m medley relay final on August 4, the Chinese team, consisting of Xu, Qin Haiyang, Zhang Yufei and Yang Junxuan, won silver with a time of 3:37.55, breaking the Asian record and finishing just 0.12 seconds behind the US team.

In the men's 4x100m medley relay, backstroker Xu, breaststroker Qin, butterflyer Sun Jiajun and freestyle star Pan ended 40 years of US dominance since the 1984 Olympics with a sensational 3:27.46.

"I've lost count of how many tests I've undergone. Often, I'm called for testing as early as 6 am, which has definitely affected the rhythm of our overall preparation," said Qin following the 4x100m medley relay final.

Following the men's relay final, the Chinese women's team, featuring Wan Letian, Tang Qianting, Zhang and Yang, secured a bronze medal in the women's 4x100m medley relay final.

A notable moment occurred during the group photo session after the men's 4x100m medley relay.

When taking a group photo at the award ceremony after the relay, the Chinese team originally planned to sit down, but the US team members took the initiative to signal the champions should stand on top. The US team sat down with the French team, and then all team members shook hands and hugged each other.

It's said that the best way to earn respect is through undeniable performance. The impressive performance of the Chinese swim team not only secured medals but also strongly countered doubts.

Culture-powered breakthroughs

Chinese athletes have made a string of historic achievements at the Paris Olympic Games, marking the country's growing competitiveness in a broader spectrum of sports and leaving a powerful legacy for youths in China.

Zheng Qinwen, 21, made history by becoming the first Asia-born player to win a gold medal in the Olympic tennis singles event. Her victory is especially significant as tennis has traditionally been a sport dominated by Western players. Zheng's ground-breaking victory reflects China's growing prowess in a wider range of sports and is sure to inspire the younger generation of tennis players.
As Zheng withdrew from the tennis mixed doubles event to focus on singles, Wang Xinyu paired up with Zhang Zhizhen right before the mixed doubles event began. In only four days, this interim duo secured a silver medal in China's first attempt in the Olympic mixed doubles.

Deng Yawen, an 18-year-old Chinese BMX prodigy, chalked up a historic victory in the women's BMX freestyle park finals. Her stunning performance, scoring 92.60 points in her best run, not only secured China's first-ever gold medal in this event but also highlighted the rapid development of BMX as a sport in China. Deng's victory is particularly significant given that BMX freestyle is a relatively new discipline in the Olympics, having debuted in Tokyo 2020.

China's artistic swimming head coach Zhang Xiaohuan said she felt it was "a bit unreal" when China won its first-ever Olympic gold medal in artistic swimming with a fluid acrobatic team routine. Wang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi also secured China's first Olympic title in artistic swimming's duet free routine. Zhang attributed the milestone triumph to generations of effort.

"We have shed blood, sweat and tears, but in the end, we all held on. This is the result of the collective effort of the team and the relentless pursuit of generations of Chinese synchronized swimmers," said Zhang.

Zhang noted that one of the key reasons for Chinese team's breakthroughs was their commitment to incorporating Chinese cultural elements into their performance. For example, they used movements from the martial art Wing Chun and created a visual representation of the Chinese oracle bone script character for "mountain."

"As a non-English-speaking country, it's incredibly challenging for China to achieve a breakthrough in this sport, which has long been dominated by Western countries. Gaining global recognition is no small feat. We will continue on this path, showcasing more elements of Chinese culture and expressing our cultural confidence to the world," she said.

On Friday, China's women's hockey team took silver after a tense 3-1 shootout defeat to the Netherlands, equaling the team's best Olympic record set during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The Chinese women's rugby team has also achieved their best-ever performance at the Olympics with a 6th place finish.

These achievements are significant as they highlight China's growing competitiveness in global sports beyond their traditional strongholds like table tennis and diving. The success of younger athletes in these diverse disciplines reflects the country's investment in broadening its athletic capabilities and signifies a new era of Chinese sportsmanship on the world stage.
Moments of Olympism

Whether it's Chinese player He Bingjiao displaying a Spain flag pin on the podium or weightlifter Shi Zhiyong competing on-site while injured, Chinese athletes at the Paris Olympic Games have shown the true sportsmanship, making sports a channel to convey the human spirit.

China's two-time Olympic champion Shi created a poignant memory in Paris on Friday. Competing in the men's 73kg category, he failed his three attempts to lift 191 kilograms. Behind his "failure," it turns out the athlete had torn his adductor muscle during the competition.

In a post-match interview, Shi teared up as he said he was "very sorry for the whole team" and that he "did not expect things to end like this." His words and resilience inspired numerous Chinese netizens to flock to social media platform Sina Weibo to express their love. One netizen noted that "his courage weighs a thousand pounds."

Shi failed to win any medals, marking a departure from his previous Olympic successes in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo. However, his regrets in Paris highlight the invisible physical toll that athletes endure.

Chinese netizens' attitude of showing understanding toward an athlete's loss has commonly been seen during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Another example was the encouragements sent to Chinese men's gymnastics team, especially to the 24-year-old Su Weide after he fell from the horizontal bar down twice.

"Losing a gold medal in the gymnastics finals is generally unacceptable to us because we are so good at it, but I'll accept Su's mistake because for a true fan like me, I prioritize our athletes than any results," Li Yang, a sport fan, told the Global Times.

Besides Su, sports fans were also much more light-hearted in expressing their support rather than blame after Tokyo Games champion fencer Sun Yiwen was eliminated in the Round of 32 in Paris.

Chinese fans' growing tolerance toward these setbacks reveals the public are more than ever "wanting to be a part of sports" as well as "reflecting more deeply on sports values," cultural sociologist Xu Shuming told the Global Times.

"Friendship" might be one of these "sports values" that Chinese athletes have shown in Paris.

To show her support for Spanish badminton player Carolina Marin, who forfeited her semi-final match due to a knee injury, China's silver medalist He Bingjiao brought a pin with the Spanish flag onto the medal podium.

Although the pin was difficult to see pinched between He's fingers, the Chinese athlete's gesture was timeless and what one netizen called on Sina Weibo "a gesture of the Olympic spirit."