Iris photography has emerged as a popular trend among youngsters, with many netizens and vendors posting related photos online, according to a report from China Youth Daily on Wednesday. However, experts cautioned that the new trend should be approached with care from both a legal and health perspective.
The process of capturing iris photographs is similar to eye exams conducted in hospitals. Individuals rest their chins on a tray while strong lights on either side illuminate their pupils. A camera positioned directly in front then takes a close-up shot of the iris, producing a unique image of the person's iris.
However, there are also concerns about the safety. "The iris, like a fingerprint, contains unique personal information through its texture," said Xu Ming, a professor at the college of cybersecurity at Hangzhou Dianzi University.
Also, it is recommended to avoid strong light as much as possible and not to stare at light sources while taking photos, said Yu Pingping, director of the ophthalmology department at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine.
The Global Times has learned that the commerce ministers of China and the US will hold talks soon. They will exchange in-depth views on China-US economic and trade relations, and key issues regarding the economic and trade to both sides, including restrictions on electric vehicles (EVs), a topic of widespread concern.
The talks are a mechanism-based dialogue and communication between the two countries' commerce departments. The communication will help promote the stable development of China-US economic and trade relations and create favorable conditions for mutually beneficial cooperation.
Recently, China has engaged in intensive discussions with the US and the European Union (EU) on trade issues, including EVs.
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao visited Italy, Germany, Belgium and the EU headquarters, and held in-depth and friendly talks with the heads of the counterpart departments, especially with European Commission Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on the EU's anti-subsidy case against China's EVs. The two sides reached a preliminary consensus on the negotiation direction for a proper resolution of the case.
Currently, technical teams from both China and the EU are engaged in intensive consultations.
US electric vehicle maker Tesla announced on Saturday that it has shipped its 1 millionth made-in-China vehicle from its Shanghai plant. Experts say the milestone reflects China's strong and complete industrial supply chains.
A batch of Tesla Model 3 vehicles was shipped from Shanghai's Nangang Port to Britain on Saturday, marking the milestone of 1 million China-made Tesla vehicles have been exported in less than four years, the Global Times learned from the company.
"Today, the one-millionth exported China-made Tesla car sets sail from Shanghai's Nangang Port. In just four years since the first batch of vehicles was exported, Tesla cars made in China have been sold in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand, earning high recognition in overseas markets," Tao Lin, Tesla's vice president, wrote on Weibo.
The speed of Tesla's production shows the high quality and efficiency of China's manufacturing capabilities to produce products that are in high demand internationally.
Tesla said that its Shanghai Gigafactory is a key global export hub and production base, playing a vital role in China's manufacturing sector. An entire new vehicle rolls off the assembly line at around every 30 seconds.
On January 7, 2019, Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory broke ground in the Lingang New Area, and on December 30 that same year, the first batch of vehicles was delivered. From groundbreaking to delivery, Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory took less than one year, Xinhua News Agency reported at that time.
Tesla's Shanghai Megapack energy storage plant in the Lingang New Area is also progressing rapidly.
By the end of September 2024, the construction of the main factory building has been completed by over 60 percent, with plans in place to officially commence production in the first quarter of 2025, Tesla told the Global Times on Saturday in a statement.
The gigafactory plans to produce 10,000 Megapacks annually, with a total storage capacity of nearly 40 GWh. The new factory aims to supply the global market and further establish Chinese intelligent manufacturing as a prominent brand on the international stage, Tesla said.
China and Portugal enjoy an ever-deepening comprehensive strategic partnership. As this year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Portugal was among a group of countries that set up an independent booth for the first time at the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, seeking opportunities to deepen bilateral trade in services. The Global Times (GT) reporter Chu Daye recently conducted an exclusive interview with Portuguese Ambassador to China Paulo Jorge Nascimento (Nascimento), during which the envoy shared his views on the win-win nature of bilateral economic and trade cooperation. The ambassador also noted the potential of the two countries to develop the green economy, energy transition and jointly address climate change.
GT ：China-Portugal economic and trade ties have maintained a stable growth momentum. What opportunities does the enhanced China-Portugal economic and trade cooperation bring to Portuguese companies?
Nascimento: Over the past 12 to 15 years, China has been an important investor in Portugal, initially through M&A and recently with greenfield and brownfield investments from many Chinese companies in Portugal. In this respect, I think this has proven to be a very good experience for both Chinese and Portuguese companies involved, and therefore for both Portugal and China.
This positive experience is now the basis also for new investments. In 2023, nearly 70 percent of announced foreign direct investment in Portugal came from Chinese companies, which is highly significant. We believe that in the future there will be opportunities to increase that level of investment. It is in fact one of the main objectives for our participation at CIFTIS show this year - to show up the case of Portugal as a destination for Chinese investment.
We hope the good results achieved with Chinese companies in Portugal will endure and serve as a reference for new companies looking to invest in Portugal.
Also, we look forward to increasing our trade in services alongside our trade in goods. There is still an important difference between both trade in goods and trade in services. We believe that there is huge room to increase the bilateral trade in services.
GT: China and Portugal are partners of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). What are some of the latest achievements in BRI cooperation?
Nascimento: Portugal has been one of the first European countries, particularly among EU countries, to adhere to the BRI. Since then, we have been following closely the developments of the BRI. Furthermore, we believe that Portugal, due to its geographic location, may act as a good partner and enabler within the BRI, namely in trade with South America and Africa. That's the framework upon which we position ourselves in the BRI.
GT: What opportunities exist between Portugal and China in green development?
Nascimento: We believe that the expertise and market-oriented frameworks of both Portugal and China regarding the greening of our economies constitute major opportunities and a path to explore on implementation of joint projects, investments and scientific and technological advances. Those are fundamental to carry on the path of the new economy and the shared efforts to fight climate change. Green development is clearly a framework for cooperation that we must explore together to tackle the common threat of climate change.
Portugal and China can complement each other. While China has scale and huge green-energy needs compared to Portugal, Portugal has been proving to be one of the leading green transition countries in Europe. In fact, over the past several years, we have been perfecting this sector by leveraging new technological developments and expertise.
Last year, 61 percent of all energy used in Portugal came from renewable sources. Wind energy and hydropower plants alone were responsible for 25 percent and 23 percent, respectively. This allowed Portugal to close its last coal power plant at the end of 2021.
We sincerely believe that green development can be a win-win cooperation for both Chinese and Portuguese companies, as it is the case in other sectors where Chinese and Portuguese companies are closely working together.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Wednesday strongly condemned and rejected a report on academic freedom in Hong Kong published by US-based infamous NGOs, noting that its content is all malicious smears and sweeping remarks.
The HKSAR government has noticed that most of the interviewees of the report published by the so-called Human Rights Watch and Hong Kong Democracy Council have used pseudonyms, a tactic frequently adopted by anti-China forces, making it difficult to ascertain if the interviewees truly exist. The authenticity and credibility of the report is questionable, the HKSAR government said in a statement.
As regards the report containing fabricated content and irresponsible remarks that academic freedom has declined in Hong Kong, the statement stressed that academic freedom is an important social value treasured in Hong Kong and the cornerstone of its higher education sector.
In the statement, the HKSAR government said the fundamental rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents have all along been guaranteed at the constitutional level by the Basic Law, adding that the laws of Hong Kong to safeguard national security attach special importance to human rights.
The Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) have clearly stipulated that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the city and that the rights and freedoms its residents enjoy under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong shall be protected in accordance with the law, the statement said.
Any measures or enforcement actions taken under the relevant laws must observe this principle, it added.
After the implementation of the HKNSL, Hong Kong residents continue to enjoy various rights and freedoms, including the freedom of academic research, literary and artistic creation and other cultural activities, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of association.
According to Article 137 of the Basic Law, educational institutions of all kinds may retain their autonomy and enjoy academic freedom. Hong Kong residents can exercise their freedom of expression legitimately, including criticizing government policies or decisions made by officials.
Since the implementation of the NSL, academics or post-secondary education institutions in Hong Kong continue to conduct normal exchange activities between their foreign or external counterparts.
The HKNSL and SNSO complement each other, providing a strong framework for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong. This allows all sectors, especially higher education, to flourish in a safe and stable environment, enabling scholars and students to pursue their studies and research in a stable, secure, and inclusive setting, the statement noted.
With 94 gold, 76 silver, and 50 bronze, China once again topped both the gold medal tally and the overall medal table at the 17th Paralympic Games that concluded on Sunday, marking the sixth consecutive time to do so since the 2004 Athens Paralympics.
On top of that, Chinese athletes have broken 20 world records. Swimming, athletics, table tennis, and wheelchair fencing contributed the largest number of medals to Team China's tally.
The State Council - China's cabinet - on Sunday sent a congratulatory letter to the Chinese Paralympic team following these achievements to encourage them to continue embodying the spirit of perseverance and excellence.
"Generations of Chinese athletes have consistently delivered exceptional performances on the Paralympic stage, and this has become a tradition. This confidence is not only the athletes' personal belief but also a reflection of our nation's self-assurance as a global sports power," Luo Le, a Beijing-based sports scholar, told the Global Times.
Luo noted that Paralympic athletes' greatness lies in their extraordinary determination and perseverance despite physical challenges. Their stories inspire the world and demonstrate the boundless potential of humanity. Therefore, Paralympians deserve more support and encouragement, and Paralympic sports should receive greater attention. Continued legacy
In Paris, the Chinese sports delegation participated in 19 major events and 302 minor events at the 2024 Paralympics, claiming a total of 220 medals - 94 gold, 76 silver, and 50 bronze.
The Chinese wheelchair fencing team competed in all categories, securing 10 gold medals in 16 events. The badminton team participated in 14 events, increasing their gold medal count from five at the previous Paralympics to nine this time. Team sports such as sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball and goalball all advanced to the semifinals and won medals.
In the swimming events, Chinese swimmers won two golds, three silvers, and two bronzes in a single day. In the mixed 4x50m relay, Chinese swimmers won the final with a time of 2:24.83, breaking the world record. This marked the 600th gold medal for the Chinese delegation in the history of the Summer Paralympics.
In athletics, Chinese players won four golds, three silvers, and four bronzes. Wen Xiaoyan broke the Paralympic record in the women's 100m T37 to win gold; Jin Hua set a new Paralympic record in the men's 800m T54 to claim the top spot; and Wu Qing broke the Paralympic record in the women's shot put F33 to take gold.
Li Yujie, who won China's first Paralympic gold in taekwondo, told the media that she hopes more people will take the time to understand Paralympic sports and realize that people with disabilities are not a burden to the society, as they are striving for excellence like anyone else.
"I treat every match at the Paralympics as if it were my last, trying hard to achieve the results I desire," Li said. Her lifelong passion for sports and rigorous training has led to her impressive achievements in both domestic and international competitions.
"China has consistently dominated top spot on the Paralympic podium, now regularly surpassing 200 medals. I believe that the brilliant performances of Chinese Paralympic athletes reflect the enduring sports spirit of China," Deng Bowen, a frequent spectator of the Paralympics, told the Global Times. An indispensable role
"China has consistently supported the training and competition of Paralympic athletes, whose achievements serve as important role models, inspiring people with disabilities nationwide in their rehabilitation and pursuit of an active life," Luo Chaofan, a rehabilitation therapist from the National Health Commission, told the Global Times.
According to reports, China has integrated Paralympic sports into its national sports strategies. As sports services for people with disabilities are increasingly accessible in communities and homes, more people with disabilities are engaging in sports for rehabilitation and fitness purposes.
Since the third National Games for Persons with Disabilities in 1992, this event has become part of the national sporting calendar. This has marked a transition toward the institutionalized and standardized development of Paralympic sports.
Luo Chaofan said the Paralympics has become a crucial part of promoting public health and social inclusivity in China.
According to Qiushi Journal, over 10,600 fitness demonstration sites for people with disabilities have been established across China, with 125,000 social sports instructors for people with disabilities graduating from training programs over recent years. Fitness programs for people with severe disabilities have provided services to 434,000 households.
Luo Chaofan noted that the country is increasingly investing in rehabilitation technologies and assistive devices for the disabled.
"Today, high-tech prosthetics, smart wheelchairs, and other advanced equipment are helping athletes with disabilities enhance their performance and improve their daily rehabilitation training," he said.
US Vice President Kamala Harris and former US president Donald Trump faced off in Philadelphia on Tuesday night local time in their first presidential debate ahead of the November election, clashing over a wide range of issues including abortion, immigration, the economy and foreign policy in a showdown that lasted one hour and 45 minutes.
Describing the event as "one of the highest-stakes national debates in a generation," CNN said the fundamental question is whether -and how-one of them can deliver a compelling message to swing voters while bolstering the confidence of their respective bases.
For the first question, Harris was asked on the US domestic economy. She outlined her plan to increase child tax credit and offer tax deductions for small business startups. She said Trump left the Biden-Harris administration with the worst unemployment level since the Great Depression and the worst attack on the US' democracy since the Civil War, a reference to the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
Trump said he's in favor of imposing tariffs, in some cases, "substantial tariffs," and went on to say undocumented immigrants are taking jobs from Black and Hispanic Americans.
In terms of tariffs, Harris said that Trump "invited trade wars," while also attacking Trump's plans to impose broad tariffs on foreign importers as a "sales tax" on everyday goods that the American people will ultimately pay.
Responding to an inquiry that both candidates mentioned the US imposing tariffs on China, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday that US presidential elections are the US' own affairs, and she has no comment on that. However, China is opposed to making China an issue in US elections, Mao added.
The two candidates also trade barbs on foreign policy, including Russia-Ukraine conflict and Gaza War.
When asked about the Ukraine crisis, Trump said he wanted the war to stop without directly answering whether he wanted Ukraine to win its war with Russia. Harris accused Trump of being willing to abandon US support for Ukraine to "curry favor with Russian President Vladimir Putin," media reported.
When debating the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Trump said Harris "hates Israel," while also claimed Harris "hates the Arab population," because the whole region is going to be "blown up," to which Harris said it's "absolutely not true" that she hates Israel, while calling Trump "weak and wrong" on foreign policy.
Shortly after the debate, Trump told Fox News Digital that he thought it was his "best debate ever," while a New York Times analysis claimed that "throughout the night, Trump found himself in a defensive crouch."
According a post-debate poll from The Washington Post, a group of uncommitted, swing-state voters interviewed thought Harris performed better, regardless of how they plan to vote in November. In another CNN poll of debate watchers conducted by SSRS, registered voters who watched Tuesday debate broadly agree that Harris outperformed Trump.
As having been much anticipated among Democrats, Taylor Swift, one of America's most celebrated pop-culture icons and has an enormous following across the world, endorsed Harris late Tuesday after Harris's debate against Trump.
At the end of July, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived in China for her first China visit since taking office. During her visit, she met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee. In an exclusive interview with the Global Times (GT), Chinese Ambassador to Italy Jia Guide (Jia) said that the visit further enhanced the mutual political trust in China-Italy relations, successfully pushing the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership to a new stage.
Jia noted that China has placed significant emphasis on Italy's position and influence within the EU. China hopes that Italy will play a constructive role in promoting dialogue and cooperation between China and Europe, as well as in advancing the positive and stable development of China-Europe relations. GT: During her visit to China, Meloni said Italy is committed to developing a long-term, stable and sound relationship with China, and that Italy and China should promote further development of the comprehensive strategic partnership. What is your comment on her visit?
Jia: This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy, as well as the 700th anniversary of the death of Marco Polo, a messenger of cultural exchange between East and West. Prior to the visit, the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China concluded its third plenary session, which sent a positive signal that China will continue to promote high-level opening up to the outside world. Meloni's first visit to China is very "timely."
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Meloni during the visit, which drew up a blueprint for the future development of China-Italy relations. Xi said that China and Italy should uphold and promote the Silk Road spirit, view and develop bilateral relations from a historical dimension, strategic height, and long-term perspective, and push their relations to go steady and far.
Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, also met and held talks with Meloni separately during her visit.
China and Italy also issued a 2024-2027 action plan to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership. Li and Meloni witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents covering areas including industry, education, and environmental protection.
Meloni's visit further solidified the political mutual trust foundation of the development of China-Italy relations, fully demonstrating the strong willingness of both sides to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the spirit of openness, inclusiveness, mutual learning, and mutual benefit.
Both sides agreed that this visit was a complete success, not only continuing and promoting the traditional friendship, but also deepening and expanding practical cooperation, while successfully advancing the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership to a new stage.
GT: How do you view the three-year action plan to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries? How will it help to promote the development of China-Italy relations?
Jia: The three-year action plan is a landmark document and key action guide for the deepening of China-Italy relations amid the new situation, providing institutional guarantees and directional guidance for the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations in the coming years.
The action plan clearly outlines the future prospects of the China-Italy relationship, emphasizing that both sides are willing to uphold the ancient Silk Road spirit, maintain the momentum of bilateral relations, promote the development of bilateral relations to a higher level, and promote peace and cooperation. The action plan outlines the next practical cooperation steps between China and Italy, with plans to create more cooperation highlights in the fields of economic and trade investment, finance, technological innovation, education, green and sustainable development, healthcare, and cultural exchanges.
It also demonstrates the willingness of both countries to coordinate on China-Europe relations and multilateral issues. Both sides will promote high-level dialogue between China and Europe in strategic, economic and trade, green, digital, and cultural fields, and work together to address global challenges such as climate change, energy transition, public health, security, international peace and stability.
China and Italy are willing to further enhance communication and coordination on multilateral issues, and to encourage the international community to unite and respond to global challenges on appropriate multilateral platforms.
I believe that with the joint efforts of all sectors, the action plan will not only bring tangible benefits to the people in both countries, but also inject more stability into the development of China-Italy and China-Europe relations, as well as the current turbulent world. GT: When meeting with Meloni, Xi noted that China and Italy have complementary industrial advantages and represent opportunities for each other. Xi said both sides should adhere to mutual openness and cooperation. In addition, Li and Meloni witnessed the signing of six new agreements, involving areas such as electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy. What do you think of the potential for cooperation between China and Italy in emerging fields? Will these cooperation areas replace traditional cooperation areas between China and Italy?
Jia: China and Italy are both industrial powerhouses and innovation leaders, and their cooperation can achieve a synergistic effect.
Italian companies have been involved in cooperation projects such as China's domestically produced large cruise ships, domestically produced large aircraft, offshore wind power projects, and electromagnetic testing and verification satellites. The two countries are now exploring and cultivating new areas of cooperation in high-end manufacturing, clean energy, aerospace, and other emerging fields and formats.
After this visit, Chinese and Italian companies in the photovoltaic and wind power sectors signed new cooperation agreements, and the two countries will also hold the 13th China-Italy Innovation Cooperation Week in November to further discuss innovation cooperation.
It can be said that there is vast potential for cooperation in emerging fields between the two countries. China-Italy cooperation is an ongoing process with no end in sight. China is willing to work together with Italy to promote the optimization and upgrading of traditional cooperation in trade, investment, industrial manufacturing, and technological innovation, as well as to explore cooperation in emerging fields such as smart manufacturing, new energy, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence, to help both countries optimize their economic structures and promote industrial upgrading.
GT: Meloni has hailed China as an "important interlocutor" in managing global tensions, and said, "Italy can have an important role in EU relations and creating balanced relations." How do you evaluate such remarks?
Jia: China highly appreciates Meloni's statements. China and Europe are two major forces promoting multipolarity, two major markets supporting globalization, and two major civilizations advocating diversity.
The essence of China-Europe cooperation is complementary advantages and mutual benefit. Italy is an important founding member of the European Union, and China attaches great importance to Italy's position and influence within the EU. China hopes that Italy will play a constructive role in promoting dialogue and cooperation between China and Europe, and in promoting the positive and stable development of China-Europe relations.
In the era of economic globalization, countries should communicate and unite to move forward together, as isolation and division will only lead to setbacks.
Recently, some European countries have been considering imposing temporary extra tariffs on EVs imported from China. This move is not only unfair to Chinese companies, but also unfair to European consumers, including those in Italy.
It will also disrupt the EU's own green transition and global cooperation in addressing climate change. The volume of economic and trade cooperation between China and Europe is large, so it is inevitable that there will be some bumps along the way. Both sides should adhere to the spirit of free trade, fair competition, and open cooperation, and, based on the rules of the World Trade Organization, resolve trade frictions through dialogue and negotiation.
China is willing to work together with Italy to continue to provide a fair, safe, and non-discriminatory business environment for investments and operations in each other's countries, and jointly promote the development of China-Europe economic and trade relations toward a more certain, predictable, balanced, and mutually beneficial direction.
GT: You accompanied Meloni during her visit to China. Were there any interactions, details, or exciting moments that left a deep impression on you?
Jia: Meloni's visit to China was truly full of highlights. During an exhibition themed around Marco Polo and the Silk Road, Meloni left a message emphasizing the need to further smooth the exchanges between civilizations in the East and West, and to jointly promote China-Italy economic, technological, and cultural cooperation on this basis.
She also highlighted the importance of strengthening the ties between the two nations that have spanned centuries, vividly reflecting her deep thought on promoting pragmatic cooperation through mutual learning between civilizations.
Bringing her young daughter to China, tasting and praising traditional Chinese cuisine, and trying on a traditional Chinese "Mamianqun" skirt - these actions were praised by many Chinese netizens as "showing the empathetic side of a female leader as a mother." These moments demonstrated the shared value placed on traditional family concepts by both China and Italy and the beautiful expectation of passing down this friendship from generation to generation.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on September 17 this year, has been the subject of many legends and poems in Chinese culture, making it one of the most romantic and poetic of holidays for Chinese people, and a driving force for tourism.
This year, night tours with moon viewing have become a hot item, with night flights and night cruises gaining more popularity among tourists, further boosting the "night economy."
Searches for domestic trips related to night tours in ancient towns and gardens in the past week increased by 77 percent month-on-month, while searches for night cruises increased by 42 percent month-on-month, data from Tongcheng Travel showed on Friday.
As of September 5, the search volume for moon viewing flights has more than doubled month-on-month.
Chinese traditional culture has also attracted the interest of many foreigners. Serge Mitrofanov, a Russian student at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said that he plans to visit the classical gardens in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province with his roommate to experience the romance of Chinese culture.
"Moon-viewing tours and temple fairs are very new things to me. I will experience the city's culture while city walking," he said.
The combination of night tours and Chinese culture is creating a rich atmosphere, as night tours can be deeply integrated with local characteristics, which will help boost vitality and the "night economy," Song Ding, a research fellow from the China Development Institute, told the Global Times on Friday.
The booming "night economy" is also prompting more investment enthusiasm from enterprises. Chen Xi, vice president of Rokid, a Hangzhou-based tech startup, said at the ongoing China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing that the company is making efforts to build a "night economy" with augmented reality technology.
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.
