An article by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on promoting patriotism, will be published on Tuesday in the Qiushi Journal.
The article by Xi, who is also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stresses more efforts to build a strong China and advance national rejuvenation.
Tuesday marks the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.
Editor's Note:
In an era marked by unprecedented global transformations, the world stands at a critical crossroads, grappling with deepening deficits in peace, development, security, and governance. As humanity faces unparalleled challenges during this tumultuous period, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, has put forth a solemn call to action through the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI).
The three pivotal initiatives address the pressing issues of our time, offering viable pathways and robust support for the building of a global community of shared future. Rooted in the rich historical experiences of the CPC's century-long struggle and infused with the wisdom of China's traditional culture, these initiatives are expected to unite the world in the pursuit of common progress and stability.
To offer a deep understanding of the GDI, the GSI, and the GCI, and elaborate on their significance on a global scale, the Global Times is launching series of articles featuring engaging stories and in-depth interviews to provide our readers with a comprehensive insight into the three initiatives.
From 'Convention of Peking' to 'Beijing Declaration'
In April 2022, President Xi proposed the GSI to promote universal security while delivering a keynote speech via video link at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2022. The initiative is a global public good offered by China, as well as a vivid illustration of the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind in the security field.
On July 23, 2024, 14 Palestinian factions gathered in Beijing and signed the Beijing Declaration on Ending Division and Strengthening Palestinian National Unity after participating in reconciliation talks mediated by China, a lively demonstration of the GSI's function in practice, which many international observers hailed China for having "made something impossible possible," and regarded it as a milestone in the Middle East reconciliation process.
"Palestinian unity is key to the realization of Palestinian statehood and China is committed to facilitating it," read an article on news outlet Al Jazeera.
"The Palestinian question is at the core of the Middle East issue. Over the past years, China has put forward proposals and taken action to address the Palestinian question with Chinese wisdom and solutions," stated the article.
China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular media briefing on July 24, that "China firmly supports the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights, and supports the people of Middle East countries in holding their future in their own hands. China will continue to advance the GSI and make more contribution to peace and stability in the Middle East."
On the day that the "Beijing Declaration" was signed, many Chinese people hailed the important step in peace in the Middle East and shared the sentiment "Because we have been caught in the rain, we want to hold an umbrella for others" on social media platforms.
They recalled the history that 164 years ago, the Qing government was forced to sign the humiliating "Convention of Peking" in 1860, which included ceding territories and paying indemnities. That dark era saw China reduced to a semi-feudal and semi-colonial society, when bullying by foreign powers and frequent wars tore the country apart and plunged the Chinese people into an abyss of great suffering. After a strenuous fight, the CPC has closely united and led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to work hard for a century to put an end to China's national humiliation, guiding the country to progress and prosperity.
The past suffering is not merely a reminder of a dark history; it has also made the Chinese people more sympathetic to the suffering of others and has deepened their understanding of the value of peace.
Turkish Ambassador to China İsmail Hakkı Musa hailed the significance of the GSI in an exclusive interview with the Global Times. "The GSI has its own rations. It focuses on sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and [the] peaceful settlement of the disputes. You may have noticed that too many people - too many analysts - defended the idea that, for example, the role assumed by China between the approach of Saudi Arabia and Iran was a kind of application or practice of this initiative," Musa said.
"We all know that this approach is a good thing. Lesser tension in that region is an important contribution to the world peace," he stressed.
In practice, China is not only playing an unselfish, active role in the brokering of peace in the Middle East while some other countries ignore human lives for selfish interests, but has also become an important force in maintaining world peace.
Since the restoration of its legitimate seat in the United Nations, China has faithfully fulfilled its international legal obligations as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Currently, China is the second-largest contributor to the UN's regular budget, the second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, and the largest troop-contributing nation among the permanent members of the Security Council. China actively participates in negotiations and the formulation of rules on global security issues in various fields, including international arms control and preventing nuclear proliferation.
It also collaborates with various parties in non-traditional security areas such as counter-terrorism, biosecurity, and food security. In the face of ongoing hotspot issues, China is committed to playing the role of a responsible major power.
Right to development
In the heart of Africa, where the sun shines brightly and the needs of the people are as vast as the savannah, a new story of development is unfolding. It's a tale of "small but beautiful" projects born from China-Africa cooperation, ranging from crop cultivation and maize growth and combating the region's hunger issue, to clean energy projects that provide affordable new energy, and to the Luban Workshop, which offers training to many in Africa.
The implementation of these "small and beautiful" projects echoes the GDI's call for sustainable and people-centric growth.
Three years ago, Xi proposed the GDI at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, calling for the building of a consensus in pursuing development, promoting shared growth, and helping accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
China achieved the goal of eradicating absolute poverty 10 years ahead of the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, making significant contributions to global poverty alleviation efforts. Internationally, China is fully committed to development, actively sharing its development opportunities and experiences with other countries, especially with those in the Global South.
Since the initiative was proposed, the content has been consistently substantialized, with its implementation mechanisms becoming more refined over time. This has led to the gradual establishment of practical cooperation within its framework, providing China's approach to addressing the development gap in Global South countries.
At the just concluded 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the China-Africa Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation within the Framework of the Global Development Initiative was released.
"Since the launch of the GDI, China and Africa have joined forces and mutually supported each other in exploring paths toward modernization, further implementing the China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035, advancing the nine programs to a high standard, as well as completing 175 'small and beautiful' livelihood cooperation projects," read the statement.
More than 30 African members of the FOCAC have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI and the Global Development Promotion Center Network to put in place an efficient working mechanism and platform for alignment in development policies, coordination of development resources, and facilitation of joint actions.
Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, CEO of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development in Pakistan, told the Global Times that he believes that the GDI, which advocates that development "holds the master key" to solving problems and ensuring sustainable peace, is what the world is desperately seeking now. He noted that apart from Africa, other Global South countries are benefiting from the GDI and China's development dividends.
"Without sharing the dividends of development, we cannot preach ethics, and the dream of peace will remain a dream. Without cooperation, concrete programs, and the allocation of financial resources, we cannot achieve these goals. China is cognizant of this reality and has launched numerous programs and provided financial support such as $4 billion to the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund," he said.
Musa noted to the Global Times that "China initiated the concept of the 'right to development.' The GDI also offers action-based policies and result-based projects."
According to China's Foreign Ministry, over the last three years, the GDI has made remarkable achievements. Over 100 countries and some international organizations have given support to or taken part in the initiative. More than 80 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI. China has set up a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, which has financed over 150 programs. The Global Development Promotion Center Network is bringing more members on board.
"The GDI was put forward by China, but its opportunities and benefits are shared by the world. On the path toward development and prosperity, no country or individual should be left behind. This is the vision of the GDI, as well as the goal advocated by the UN," Mao Ning said at a regular media briefing on September 20, 2024.
Respect for diverse civilizations
In March 2023, Xi proposed the GCI for the first time at the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting, advocating for the respect of the diversity of world civilizations, the promotion of common values for all humanity, the emphasis on the inheritance and innovation of civilizations, and the strengthening of international cultural exchange and cooperation.
The initiative is another major public product offered to the world by China after the GDI and the GSI. It sends a sincere call to the world to deepen the dialogue of civilization exchanges and promote the progress of human civilization through inclusiveness and mutual learning, contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to promote a higher level of international cooperation, experts said.
Shahbaz Khan, director of the UNESCO Regional Office, told the Global Times that the GCI aligns with UNESCO's mission to foster respect for cultures worldwide, particularly those that possess outstanding universal value.
China now boasts 59 World Heritage sites, including the Beijing Central Axis, a "remarkable example" of urban heritage that showcases advancements from the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) to the present day, Khan said.
In recent years, China has enhanced communication and coordination with UNESCO, working with all parties to promote the implementation of the United Nations' Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations, strengthening dialogue and exchange among civilizations, and increasing the sharing of values, concepts, and experiences behind the policies of various countries, jointly exploring solutions to global challenges and issues.
Ramay noted that the GCI, together with GDI and GSI, "negates the idea of superiority and present the vision of equality and equity built on respect for diversity and cultures. The vision categorically highlighted the need for a fair and just system where everyone (country or human) can pursue the dream of development and peace."
"These initiatives promote the idea of resolving conflicts or disputes through dialogue and development to strengthen peaceful and cooperative co-existence. Thus, the world welcomed the initiative, especially the Global South," he said.
A joint investigation group in Hefei, capital of East China's Anhui Province, announced in a statement on Thursday that it will confiscate illegal gains and impose a fine totaling 68.9491 million yuan ($9.83 million) on Three Sheep Group, a company based in the city that was founded by online influencer Zhang Qingyang. The company has recently been hit by criticism of false publicity.
The company apologized for misleading consumers, and vowed to comprehensively conduct internal rectification and protect consumers' legal rights.
Short video platform Douyin said on Thursday that the platform has suspended the livestreaming function of Three Sheep Group's account since September 21, and will further urge the company to commence self-rectification and properly resolve the after-sales compensation issues for consumers.
According to the statement, the Three Sheep Group marketed mooncakes from the Meisun Fine Cake brand as a "Hong Kong-based product" with "over 20 years of history." But in fact, the mooncakes are produced in Guangdong Province and are not sold in Hong Kong.
Three Sheep Group also marketed an "Australian grain-fed beef roll" product as original meat despite not obtaining the original meat inspection report, and the product actually involves a mixture of meat.
The two cases were defined as false commercial publicity by the investigation group, and another case regarding discrepancies between some shipped products and advertised items is under further investigation.
Aside from the penalties, the investigation group required Three Sheep Group to commence rectification within a defined time limit and take legal responsibility. The department of discipline inspection and supervision will initiate investigations into individuals who neglect their duties according to relevant laws and regulations, said the statement.
On September 17, Hefei's market supervision administration launched an investigation into Three Sheep Group for allegedly "misleading consumers" during its livestream sales on social media platform Douyin.
Analysts said the incident serves as a warning for the livestreaming industry, and will help to promote stricter regulations and reforms.
Finland will return a pair of giant pandas to China ahead of schedule due to cost issues, the Global Times learned from Ähtäri Zoo on Wednesday, noting that the two pandas are in good condition and a farewell party is being planned for them.
General curator of Ähtäri Zoo, Marko Haapakoski, told the Global Times in an email on Wednesday that the zoo has been facing many challenges since 2020, and most of them were impossible to predict. The situation at hand is a sum of many factors such as the decrease in yearly visitors due to the pandemic, following inflation and a considerable rise in interest rates in Finland.
Despite Chinese partners’ unprecedented help and support, and Ähtäri Zoo’s many efforts, the zoo found itself in a situation where a difficult decision of returning the pandas needed to be made, Haapakoski said.
He explained, "The decision was made after friendly negotiations between partners in China and Finland. All parties agreed together that the best solution for everyone involved is to return the pandas to China."
Regarding the upcoming plans for the pandas, Haapakoski said the pandas will remain visible to the public until October 20. After that, the panda house will be closed to the public, and the pandas will spend their final month in Ähtäri in quarantine.
He also said they "are planning a farewell party for the pandas and hope that many visitors will come to wish them a good journey back to China."
The pandas, named Lumi and Pyry, arrived in Finland in January 2018 on a 15-year loan under a research program. Haapakosk said the pandas are doing really good. The female panda, Lumi (Jin Baobao), is returning to normal after a pseudopregnancy, and bamboo has started to appeal to her again. Pyry (Huo Bao) has been doing well all the time.
According to Reuters on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Finland's foreign ministry said that the return of the pandas was a business decision made by the zoo, which did not involve Finland's government and should not impact relations between the two countries.
Despite efforts by China to aid the zoo, the two countries jointly concluded after friendly consultations to return the pandas, the Chinese embassy in Helsinki said in a statement to Reuters.
Rock climbing has become a go-to stress reliever for many young people, and its inclusion in the 2024 Paris Olympics has further fueled its appeal.
Chinese athlete Wu Peng's silver medal in the men's speed climbing event in Paris has sparked widespread interest, with his climbing videos attracting significant attention online. Many netizens expressed a newfound desire to try the sport themselves.
Puzzle-solving
Data from QianGua.com indicate that interactions related to rock climbing on Xiaohongshu, a Chinese lifestyle-sharing platform, reached 2.18 million posts in July 2024, and surged to 2.24 million from August 5 to August 11.
Climbing gyms across China have seen an uptick in bookings, especially on weekends and after-work hours on weekdays. Hao, manager of Upper Climbing Gym in Shenzhen, told the Global Times that there's a significant increase in visitors, while Chen, manager of Benchmark Climbing Gym in Shanghai, reported a rise in young climbers.
In response to the growing number of people trying rock climbing, more climbing gyms are being established. The "2023 China Rock Climbing Industry Analysis Report" released by Chinese Mountaineering Association (CMA) shows that the number of gyms reached 636 in 2023, surpassing the US for the first time. Hao noted that despite the heavy investment required, gyms like Upper Climbing Gym are planning expansions to meet the demand.
Unlike other sports, rock climbing's puzzle-solving element captivates many climbers. For instance, in bouldering, a discipline of indoor climbing, the same route can be completed using different movements, at varying speeds and levels of energy expenditure. Finding the most efficient way to reach the top is like solving an optimization problem, providing a strong sense of accomplishment.
Leo, an avid rock climbing enthusiast, told the Global Times that this sense of accomplishment is what draws him to the sport. "I'm not someone who enjoys repetitive exercises. In climbing, the change of placement, angle, or shape of a few holds can dramatically alter the route's strategy. Figuring out how to tackle these new challenges is part of what I enjoy."
Jessica, a long-time rock climbing enthusiast who currently works in Hong Kong, told the Global Times that every climber needs to learn how to deal with their own bodies, with the first step being learning how to "fall safely." "For beginners, false falls are common, so finding the right coach or community is important," she said.
Here lies the philosophy of rock climbing - it taps into a person's instincts. Rocky, an intermediate climbing instructor from Shanghai University of Sport, explained: "It's like rediscovering childhood memories, finding a pure 'flow' while climbing."
Climbing provides an exciting alternative to traditional gym workouts. It combines physical strength, flexibility, problem-solving ability, and mental focus, making it a holistic exercise.
Continued growth
Since making its Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games, sport climbing soon raised its profile globally and in China. The sport's inclusion in the Olympics has inspired many young Chinese to explore it as a competitive and recreational activity.
Rocky told the Global Times that sport climbing meets the emotional needs of urban professionals.
The popularity of sport climbing can be attributed to the influence of the Olympic Games, and the promotion on social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu. After a day of stressful work, office workers can find relief and excitement in climbing. The sport itself is very attractive and embodies a sense of freedom. The increasing number of climbing gyms and improved services have made it more accessible too, he said.
In addition, the "people-friendly" atmosphere at climbing gyms contributes to a positive experience. Climbers typically focus on their own routes, and when they hit a difficult point, others in the rest area will encourage them by saying something on the lines like "Just reach out and you've got it."
Nisa, a freshman in rock climbing, told the Global Times that she's not particularly extroverted and doesn't actively seek climbing partners.
"If I meet someone, great. If not, it's no big deal," she said, noting that the sport's somewhat introverted nature hasn't hindered the formation of a supportive community.
"Climbing can be a solo activity or a shared one," Chen, the manager in Shanghai, said, adding that the sport accommodates different social preferences.
Climbing also helps some people meet people who share similar interests. Climbers develop a shared understanding with their own "codes" and "lingo."
Jiang Yiyi, vice dean of the School of Leisure Sports and Tourism at Beijing Sport University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that as a trendy and youthful sport, rock climbing's popularity is expected to continue growing, and its industry chain is expanding rapidly despite certain challenges.
One of the main hurdles is the technical skills required and the associated risks, which create a barrier to entry for newcomers.
To address this, there is an ongoing effort to develop professional talent in the field, aiming to increase the number of skilled trainers in climbing institutions. This would not only promote the sport but also ensure its safe and sustainable growth, she noted.
In the face of intense competition within the industry, Zhang Shanshan, founder of Beijing Aosen Beiding Sports Management Company, told the Xinhua News Agency that to succeed in this market, industry insiders must first be clearly positioned and focus on enhancing professionalism and service for the customer base.
"The gym needs a diverse range of climbing routes. Professionals are in demand to continuously update the climbing routes in the facility so that each visit feels fresh and innovative," Zhang said.
Study tours have gained popularity in China in recent years as Chinese parents invest more in the well-rounded education of their children. But the industry encountered controversies this year due to reports of overly high cost and disappointing arrangements. Given expanding market and following chaos, more parents and experts are calling for rational choices to avoid being caught up by comparing mentality.
When visiting Tsinghua University on August 1, the Global Times reporter found that dozens of elementary school students dressed in graduation gowns were lining up at the front gate of the university, one of China's most internationally famous universities, to take pictures.
Inside the Tsinghua campus, teenage students were everywhere taking pictures, walking or bicycling among the buildings.
The scene echoed media reports and data from travel platforms, demonstrating that study tour, or educational tour, has become a main part of this summer's tourism market in China.
According to a report from Ctrip, a major Chinese online travel booking platform, orders of parent-child educational products for summer holidays via the platform increased by 70 percent year-on-year. Data from another travel platform Fliggy also showed that, after the summer holiday of Chinese schools kicked off in early July, the search popularity for "educational travel" on the platform has increased by over 60 percent compared to last year.
Historical and cultural cities are the first choice for parent-child educational trips in the summer, with Beijing and Xi'an topping the popularity list. Landmark scenic spots that have appeared in the textbooks of Chinese elementary and middle schools are favored by these groups, according to data from Tongcheng Travel.
Museums, nature and rural areas are also among the most popular destinations, people.cn reported citing Tongcheng Travel.
A notable trend in this year's educational tour market is the tour to some famous Chinese hi-tech companies like new-energy vehicle (NEV) maker NIO and artificial intelligence company iFlytek. Such tours could provide students an opportunity to get a direct and deep sight into companies and the process of scientific research and development, which will not only help popularize science, but inspire these students in career choice, according to experts.
Some parents send their children to educational tours as they need some people to take care of their children while ensuring their safety. "My son can travel with many peers of his age, and at the same time, he can learn something," a mother in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, told the Global Times.
Others choose education tours as they want their children to get a deeper understanding of their interests. A mother in Shenzhen calling herself Xi Xi told the Global Times that she once sent her son to a dragon boat educational tour and her son learned a lot about the history and culture of dragon boats. "This made me feel that educational tours are really helpful for my children," Xi Xi said.
According Xi Xi, she and her husband used to take their son on their own to go travel, driving to Xizang, walking through deserts and rain forests, in order to widen their son's horizon. But when it comes to knowledge, especially cultural and historical knowledge, she and her husband felt helpless as they did not how to teach their son. This is when they turned to educational tours.
This summer, Xi Xi sent her 8-year-old son to an educational tour to Beijing. According to her, there were professional guides in the tour to explain cultural and historical knowledge during the tour. "They also invite a professor from Peking University to deliver a speech at the opening ceremony of the tour."
The six-day-five-night tour in Beijing cost Xi Xi about 7,000 yuan ($981.8), excluding transportation cost. This package includes a visit to the Universal Beijing Resort. The package excludes the Universal Beijing Resort is 2,000 yuan cheaper.
The price of a standard day ticket to the Universal Beijing Resort is less than 500 yuan. The Global Times found on Tongcheng Travel that a normal six-day-five-night group tour, including visit to the National Museum, the Forbidden City and the Universal Resort, is priced 4,015 yuan.
For Xi Xi, the extra money for her son's educational tour is worth as it did play an educational role. "It is an independent tour. My son also learned how to take care of himself like washing clothes this time. So, overall, it met my expectations," Xi Xi said.
Some parents got disappointed when they found the tour was not as educational as they expected. According to media reports, some educational tours would only take students to the outside of Tsinghua University to take pictures as they, in fact, did not have official cooperation with the university and were not able to take so many students into the campus all at once. Tsinghua requires real-name reservation for entry and only opens 12,000 reservation vacancies per day for the public from July 15 to August 11.
The Global Times learned from some Tsinghua students that some education tour organizers have tried to find Tsinghua students to help them take tour attendants into the campus. Tsinghua students would get punished once being found doing so.
The quality of some so-called professional teachers in educational tours organized by tour agencies are also questionable as media revealed that the certificate for a professional educational tour guide can be bought at about 1,000 yuan.
Chaos arose along with the rapid expansion of the market.
According to media reports, there were more than 29,000 existing educational tour-related enterprises in China in 2023, with 49.4 percent of them established within the past 1 to 5 years. a Report of market consultancy iiMedia Research said that educational tour market has reached 146.9 billion yuan in 2023, and is expected to reach 242.2 billion yuan by 2026.
More and more Chinese schools and other educational bases like museums are also organizing educational campuses as, in December 2016, Chinese authorities issued guidelines to encourage educational tour activities in the county as a bid to promote well-rounded education of Chinese students.
Educational travel itself is a new way of learning, an important component of quality education, and complementary to school learning. It can help students to develop potential in various aspects, Chu Zhaohui, a research fellow at the National Institute of Education Sciences, told the Global Times.
Chu suggests parents choose educational tour based on children's interests rather thanfollowing other parents, avoiding getting trapped by unnecessary anxiety caused by comparing mentality.
"Parents need to choose educational trips that suit children's interests and hobbies, as well as the growth goals you want your children to achieve. After making a choice, parents and children also need to prepare for safety, travel knowledge, and so on. For parents, don't just follow the trend, but consult your children's opinions at first," Chu noted.
Experts also stressed that educational tours should focus on providing high-quality and enriching experiences for participants. This can be achieved through collaboration with reputable institutions and the implementation of strict regulations to ensure the safety and educational value of these tours.
By emphasizing the importance of education and cultural exchange, these tours can have a lasting impact on individuals and contribute to the overall development of society in a long run, they said.
China's economy continued its steady upward trend in August, with the output of industrial enterprises above the designated size up by 4.5 percent year-on-year, and retail sales rising by 2.1 percent year-on-year, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Saturday.
Liu Aihua, spokesperson and chief economist of the NBS, told a press conference on Saturday that a range of economic indicators showed a steady expansion trajectory despite the impact of internal natural disasters and external uncertainties. She also highlighted the government's policy support and high-quality development strategy that provide foundation for growth.
In August alone, the value-added industrial output saw a 4.5 percent year-on-year growth, 0.32 percent up from the previous month level. For the first eight months, value-added industrial output rose by 5.8 percent year-on-year.
The growth of industrial output was led with equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing sectors. In specific, the output volume of new-energy vehicles in August increased by 30.5 percent year-on-year, service robots increased by 20.1 percent and the integrated circuit products increased by 17.8 percent.
In the first eight months this year, fixed asset investment reached 32.94 trillion yuan, up 3.4 percent year-on-year, NBS data showed.
She noted that the issuance of the ultra-long treasury bonds and special government bonds will ensure the steady growth of nation's investment into the future.
The retail sales in August rose 2.1 percent year-on-year. From January to August this year, the nation's retail sales totaled 31.25 trillion yuan, up 3.4 percent year-on-year, indicating the great potential of China's super large-scale market.
Looking ahead, Liu stated that the foundation for consumption recovery will be further strengthened through the promotion of ongoing trade-in schemes and other consumption stimulation policies.
On the remote island of Baisha in East China's Zhejiang Province, a community of elderly residents live quietly, far from the bustling cities. As the Chinese New Year approached in 2023, British host Tim Hague and his friend arrived on the island, talking with locals and helping prepare for the festival feast for the elderly.
Their visit, captured in the ongoing documentary series Towards a Shared Future, highlights the ways in which technology and community care are enabling the elderly in rural China to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives.
The documentary, currently airing on domestic video platform Youku, focuses on the broad theme of "common prosperity." Common prosperity, an essential requirement of socialism and a key feature of Chinese modernization, aims to create a future in which prosperity is shared by everyone in the country, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
Directed by Zhang Wei, the series invites Hague - a renowned British television presenter and former BBC host - to explore various parts of Zhejiang Province from a global perspective to tell the real stories of ordinary Chinese people as China continues on its path to modernization..
"After extensive research, we decided to present this story through an international lens to illustrate the relationship between the ordinary people and the concept of common prosperity," Zhang said at the documentary's global premiere in Beijing on Wednesday.
"Zhejiang, with its balanced urban and rural development, is like a microcosm of China, making it the perfect setting for this documentary," he noted.
In 2021, China introduced guidelines to develop Zhejiang as a demonstration zone for common prosperity, aiming to balance regional and urban-rural development across the country. This initiative is also one of the reasons the documentary was filmed in Zhejiang, showcasing the province's role as a leader in this national effort.
Hague's curiosity and questions drive the narrative of Towards a Shared Future. With a deep interest in Chinese culture and development, Hague, who has visited China multiple times, explores the lives and relationships of people in rural areas.
According to Zhang, the documentary, presented largely from Hague's perspective, reveals his observations and discoveries about the unique connections between villagers, volunteers, and the broader community.
The three-part series addresses five key issues: healthcare, elderly care, education, environmental protection, and the global promotion of traditional culture.
"Tim's curiosity about China's customs, the relationships between people, and the everyday joys and struggles of ordinary people is what shapes the storytelling in this documentary," Zhang explained. "We want to uncover the stories behind his questions, and through those stories, reveal a broader theme."
For example, in the recently aired first episode, Hague visited the Jingning She autonomous county in Zhejiang, where he experienced local wedding customs, spoke with a traditional heritage practitioner, and tried his hand at weaving She ethnic ribbons. In Kaihua county, Zhejiang, he interacted with local volunteers, took part in their daily activities, including visiting a boy with a congenital disease, and assisted at an elderly care cafeteria run by the local government.
On Baisha Island, the local government regularly sends medical teams to provide free checkups. For those with limited mobility, doctors will visit their homes for checkups. In addition to medical care, the elderly receive help with haircuts, tailoring, and tool sharpening.
"Common prosperity is not just a concept; it's built on countless small stories of ordinary people," Zhang said. "It's like constructing a building - each of us is a part of the foundation. When all these individual stories come together, the concept of common prosperity truly takes shape."
Towards a Shared Future will also be broadcast on domestic television and translated into multiple languages for global audiences.
"We hope that through this documentary, viewers around the world who are unfamiliar with China will gain an understanding of the reality of our country - our people's daily lives, their aspirations, and their spirit," Zhang told the Global Times.
After a concert held at the Shanghai Cultural Square Theater on Monday night, renowned Welsh musical theater actor and singer John Owen-Jones met his Chinese fans at the "More than Music" event hosted by the British Consulate-General in Shanghai on Tuesday to share his career experience, and celebrate the rich cultural exchanges between the UK and China. John Owen-Jones, also known as JOJ, is most famous for his portrayals of Jean Valjean in Alain Boublil's and Claude-Michel Schönberg's Les Misérables and the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera.
Speaking of blending Western and Chinese instruments and making a very unique version of The Phantom of the Opera, which they performed during the China tour, JOJ said, "It's always one of the most exciting parts of the show for me because I get to see how the audience reacts to that, because cultural exchange is such a rich tapestry of different things all over the world that we can all learn from each other and make better art and make better music. And that's what's so exciting about being here in China. I think I'd like to explore more, so I definitely would like to integrate, explore more cultural opportunities between where I'm from, where you are from."
"Regardless of where we come from, music is this universal language, and it reminds us of that shared humanity and the things that bind us together," echoed the British Consul General in Shanghai Matt Burney.
"Indonesia, a country of 17,000 islands, offers a unique experience for tourists. Starting from the Metropolitan city of Jakarta with skyscrapers to Raja Ampat in Southwest Papua with natural beauty that is still natural. As is known, Indonesia will move the capital from Jakarta to the archipelago, which is located on the third-largest island in the world, namely Kalimantan. The relocation of the capital of Indonesia to the archipelago is proof of the progress of the Indonesian nation and hope for a brighter future to welcome [Golden] Indonesia Advanced 2045 [Vision]," said Djauhari Oratmangun, Indonesian Ambassador to China.
Enlivened with various art and cultural performances from Indonesia, the event was the largest exhibition of Indonesian products and culture in China, featuring Indonesia's export products that have entered the Chinese market.