"Invincible Swordsman," a new film adaptation of the classic wuxia (a genre of Chinese fiction centered on martial arts heroes) novel by Jin Yong, is set for online release on the Chinese mainland and theatrical releases in Hong Kong and Taiwan during China's traditional Spring Festival holiday.

The cast and crew of "Invincible Swordsman" pose for a photo at the premiere in Beijing, Jan. 17, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Wishart Media]

Directed by Luo Yiwei and written by Wong Jing, the film adapts Jin Yong's 1967 novel "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer." It stars Zhang Yuqi, Tim Huang and Sammo Hung and follows the journey of swordsman Linghu Chong, who yearns to leave the martial arts world but finds himself drawn into a confrontation with the enigmatic leader of the Demonic Sect, Dongfang Bubai, leading to a thrilling adventure.

"Invincible Swordsman" is co-produced by Wishart Media and China's leading video streaming platforms: Tencent Video, iQiyi and Youku. The film will debut online on these platforms on Jan. 28, Chinese New Year's Eve.

Lu Yang, a senior executive at Tencent Video overseeing movie content, said at the Beijing premiere on Jan. 17 that the company is committed to promoting wuxia culture and had long sought to adapt this novel.

"We couldn't find the right actor to play Dongfang Bubai," said Lu. "It wasn't until actor Zhang Yuyi joined the cast that we felt this project was finally ready to move forward."

Dongfang Bubai, literally meaning "Invincible East," is one of the greatest fictional martial arts experts of his time and the leader of his sect. He is so feared that no one dares to whisper his name. Unique among characters, he is described as having castrated himself to master the highest martial arts skills in the original novel. However, the latest adaptation changes his gender to female. This continues the legacy established by actor Brigitte Lin in the classic Hong Kong film "Swordsman 2" (1992), which paved the way for female actors to portray this iconic character. 

Zhang Yuqi's portrayal of Dongfang Bubai in "Invincible Swordsman" received positive feedback, but she revealed at the premiere that she was initially hesitant to accept the role. Ultimately, she agreed because she found the character relatable. "The original novel is complex and extensive, but the script left me with the impression that Dongfang Bubai is someone I know. She's beautiful, strong and tragic — she grew up to become who she is. She seems invincible and powerful, able to win over everyone. But she's willing to lose for the one she loves. I kept this in my heart and mind while playing her."

Executive producer and scriptwriter Wong Jing, a lifelong fan of Jin Yong and his wuxia novels since childhood, praised the brilliant contributions of legendary stylist and costume designer Shirley Chan. Chan's work vividly brought each classic character from the world of martial arts heroes to life.

A poster for "Invincible Swordsman." [Image courtesy of Wishart Media]

"Invincible Swordsman" is the latest film in the ongoing wave of adaptations of Jin Yong's novels, following titles such as "New Kung Fu Cult Master I & II" (2022) and "Śakra" (2023). Beyond the Chinese mainland, the film will be released in the Hong Kong and Taiwan regions on Jan. 23 and 24, respectively. In February, it will also be progressively released in various countries and regions, including Malaysia, the United States, Canada, Russia, Indonesia and South Korea.

Zhu Weijie, the film's producer and Chairman of Wishart Media, commented: "This project represents a commitment by Wishart Media and the three major platforms to promote Chinese traditional culture, paying homage to the classics while showcasing new brilliance. Wuxia represents a unique part of Chinese culture. We aspire to share even more of China's rich cultural heritage with the world."

Trade has, undoubtedly, become a political focal point over the past six years, ever since the first Trump Administration initiated a trade war with wide-ranging tariffs on Chinese-made goods in 2018. Post pandemic, some Western countries have pursued, rhetorically at least, a direction anchored by notions of "de-risking," "re-shoring," and "friend-shoring" as they spoke of a need to reconfigure global production systems and supply chains and reduce dependence on China. On the back of this, some academics, like Dani Rodrik, argued that the post-1990s era of 'hyper-globalisation' is over. 

Characterizing eras is an inherently difficult task. There are good reasons to doubt that the characterization necessarily tells us much about the changing contours of trans-national economic value flows. The dynamics of trade and capital flows of the past 35 years are, in fact, not unprecedented. For instance, the internationalization of trade, capital flows and monetary systems was evident between 1870 and 1914. The international economy has been subject to bouts of significant structural change in the past century, suggesting that a lens that emphasizes 'never-ending change' makes more sense.

In the past 35 years, we have witnessed the dramatic growth of the Chinese economy in terms of its productive capacity. In the past 25 years, it has played an increasingly important role in the networks of trade and investment flows. This transformation underpins the patterns that are being amplified today, but in no way should be treated as recent or sudden phenomena.

In the years immediately following its accession to the WTO, China's principal trading relations were with the developed economies of the world. China emerged as the world's manufacturing hub, supplying high volumes of low-cost goods to the consumer markets of the developed world. Today, however, while China remains the only global manufacturing superpower, accounting for around 30% of manufacturing value added, its export markets have dramatically diversified.

Today, China's trading relations with the Global South are more important than those with the transatlantic markets and Japan. In 2020, ASEAN surpassed the EU as China's largest aggregate trading partner. More broadly, the key drivers of China's ongoing trade growth and surpluses continue to be the secular expansion of its economic relations with the Global South, especially participants of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In 2024, China's trade volume with BRI partner countries reached more than 50% of its total trade for the first time in history. In 2018, when Trump began the tariffs war, exports to the U.S. comprised around 20% of China's total exports. This is no longer the case. The U.S. market makes up about 15% of China's total exports. The U.S. is simply not as important a market as it once was.

Advocates of "de-coupling" point to this sliding share as a sign of success. What they don't acknowledge is that trade value with the U.S. has actually grown. That the share of total exports has declined is a result of the fact that exports growth elsewhere have been faster. In 2018, China's trade surplus globally was about $350 billion. It has now reached almost $1 trillion, a three-fold increase in six years. The world isn't decoupling from China, period.

The trade wars have failed. The changing contours of global trade is a demonstration of this, illustrating some key points. 

Firstly, China's ability to expand its overall trade is premised on its expanded productive capacity. China's model has been to not only move up the value curve, but to drive down unit costs. Intense domestic competition underscores the pursuit of productivity and efficiency, resulting in the availability of high-quality products at world-beating prices. 

Secondly, China's manufacturing output growth has in fact been largely absorbed by growing domestic demand. As of 2020, around 80% of Chinese manufacturing output is sold domestically, according to OECD TiVA database. In some sectors like EVs, the domestic market has reached a share of around 90%. While China is a major trading nation, its economic drivers are principally anchored by the expanding domestic market.

Thirdly, China's aggregate trade balance is approximately 5% of its GDP. This is modest, illustrating the reality that the modern China model is not export-dependent. 

Fourth, Chinese enterprises are becoming capital exporters, establishing factories in various countries. This has seen some shift in trade patterns to the U.S. for example, where reduced imports from China are offset by increased imports from Chinese firms operating outside of China. 

China's overall model drives down costs through productive efficiency and output abundance. Its own economy and those of the Global South benefit from this. By way of contrast, the Western model of financialized capitalism is built on confected scarcity underpinning a rentier economy. The trade data for 2024 amplifies the effects of these differences. 

The author is an adjunct professor at Queensland University of Technology and Senior Fellow at Taihe Institute.  

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

An aerial drone photo shows the container terminal at Lianyungang Port in eastern China's Jiangsu province, Dec. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's record-high trade volume, expanding partnerships, and enhanced trade structure in 2024 illustrate its further integration into the world economy, experts said during exclusive interviews with China.org.cn. They also said that the potential impact of U.S. tariff threats would be manageable, given China's economic strength and resilience.

Customs data shows that China's total import and export value hit a new high of 43.85 trillion yuan ($6.16 trillion) last year, up 5% year on year. China has established itself as a major trading partner for more than 150 countries and regions.

"China's 2024 import and export data reflects deepening integration in both quantity and quality," said Hong Junjie, president of Shandong University of Finance and Economics in China.

Yan Liang, a professor of economics at Willamette University in the U.S., expressed a similar sentiment, noting that China's integration into the global economy is evident in its export and import shares, of the world's total in the first three quarters of 2024, respectively. "The highlights of China's trade in 2024 are the sheer volume, notable growth, and improvements in the trade structure," she added.

During a recent press conference, Wang Lingjun, vice minister of the General Administration of Customs of China, emphasized the ongoing optimization of trade structure, robust growth in high-tech product exports, record-high exports of domestic brands, and the rise of new trade models such as cross-border e-commerce.

"The optimization of the trade structure highlights China's growing importance in the global industrial and supply chains," Hong said.

John Gong, professor of economics at the University of International Business and Economics in China, highlighted China's export data in December. He said the growth rate of 10.9%, though likely spurred by businesses rushing to ship goods before tariffs take effect, reflects the overall strong competitiveness of China's export sector.

He also emphasized the importance of striving for a more balanced, sustainable trade approach, which can be accomplished by increasing imports and promoting outward foreign direct investment, he said. 

Regarding the tariff threats from the U.S., Gong anticipates some impact on China's exports but added that these effects will likely be manageable.

Liang also believes that, despite uncertainties surrounding U.S. tariffs, the potential damage to the Chinese economy can be mitigated. This optimism is supported by improvements in the export structure and competitiveness, diverse export destinations, and the investment and supply chain initiatives of Chinese firms in countries less affected by U.S. tariffs.

Customs data reveals that China's exports of electromechanical products grew by 8.7% in 2024, accounting for 59.4% of the total export value. Among them, high-end equipment exports rose by over 40%. Additionally, ships and marine engineering equipment exports increased by 60.1%. Moreover, China's exports with over 160 countries and regions saw expansion in 2024, including the U.S.

Warwick Powell, an adjunct professor at the Queensland University of Technology in Australia, noted that China's exports to the Global South now surpass those to developed markets. While the U.S. share of China's exports has declined since 2018, this shift reflects faster export growth to other regions, he said. 

Both Hong and Liang believe that U.S. tariffs, if implemented, may shift the burden onto American consumers, potentially raising domestic inflation. Hong added that, despite the short-term effects on China's exports of general trade goods, these tariffs could in the long run push China's industries and companies to upgrade and expand trade and investment with countries and regions beyond the U.S. 

"Finally, it is important to bear in mind that China has an enormous domestic market," Liang noted. "The Chinese government has also prioritized boosting domestic demand for 2025 and pledged to implement proactive fiscal and moderately loose monetary policies to support consumption and investment. So even if external demand weakens due to protectionist policies, China's economy will still be driven by domestic demand."

During the tone-setting Central Economic Work Conference in December 2024, China outlined several key tasks for 2025, including the expansion of domestic demand across all sectors.

"Despite the uncertainties surrounding globalization, steadfastly advancing economic openness and cooperation remains the best option," Hong said.

He believes China should continue to expand institutional openness, align with high-standard international economic and trade rules, build a network of high-standard free trade zones, and promote the signing of bilateral and multilateral economic and trade agreements.

Hong also proposed enhancing measures for both opening up and unilateral opening, while consolidating and expanding efforts under the Belt and Road Initiative. This includes broadening and deepening cooperation areas and facilitating trade and investment.

In the past year, China has remained committed to opening up its economy, implementing measures such as tariff reductions and exemptions, visa-free transits, and the relaxation of investment restrictions to boost trade, investment and tourism, Liang noted.

For instance, on Dec. 1 of last year, China began granting zero-tariff treatment on 100% of tariff lines for products from all least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations. This has resulted in an 18.1% increase in imports from these nations in that month, according to customs data.

"While the U.S. and its Western allies are reverting to protectionist policies and undermining the multilateral system, China will continue to uphold multilateralism and play a leading role in stabilizing and promoting global economic interactions and development," Liang said.

Several Chinese residents in Los Angeles spoke with China.org.cn about their harrowing experiences and how they are coping with the disaster caused by the massive, deadly wildfires that ravaged California for days, while also questioning government officials about their response.

Utility workers restore power lines in areas affected by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, Jan. 15, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Lawyer Kathy Q. Hao, founder of TCW Global Legal Group, learned about the wildfires from the news. "There were two fires, one very close to my office and another about four miles away from my house in Pasadena," she recalled. "I could already smell smoke in my home, and we received an evacuation warning. I started to get nervous."

Although the fire did not reach her properties, the smoke was heavy. Her daughters relocated to southern Los Angeles while she stayed behind to work on a case. Despite closing all windows and doors, her home and office filled with smoke and dust at intolerable levels. Meanwhile, many of her friends lost their homes and belongings.

"The fires spread very quickly. No one had time to prepare," she said, adding that her friends were safe. "If a house is insured, it can be rebuilt. The government will provide subsidies and support. But for those without insurance, it is tragic. The memories of home, history and collections are lost forever."

It has been over a week since massive wildfires, fueled by hurricane-force Santa Ana winds, erupted in Los Angeles, resulting in some of California's most devastating fires. The wildfires in Los Angeles have claimed 27 lives and destroyed more than 12,000 structures. The Palisades Fire, the largest, has burned 95 square kilometers as of Jan. 18, with containment improving from 11% to 31% over the past week. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire near Pasadena has reached 57 square kilometers and is now 65% contained, up from 3% a week ago. Decreased wind speeds have aided firefighters, but the National Weather Service warns of future dangerous conditions, with tens of thousands still under evacuation orders.

A firefighting airplane drops retardant to prevent a wildfire from spreading further in Mandeville Canyon, Los Angeles, Jan. 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Musician Michael Liu expressed frustration over the government's response. He was in Hawaii with his wife when the fires broke out, while his mother and their newborn were at home in Arcadia, a city in Los Angeles County. "I felt very anxious and helpless," he said. They immediately booked a flight back.

Their residence is close to the evacuation zone, and they prepared essential items in case they needed to leave. Liu learned that some of his friends' homes had been destroyed, and many were evacuated.

"I was heartbroken to see the losses, and I also felt great anger," he said, attributing the wildfires to arsonists, inaction by the California state government and some Democratic policies. He criticized the Los Angeles Fire Department's spending priorities and said some officials lacked disaster management skills. 

Hao agreed, citing inadequate firefighting resources and neglected infrastructure. "The California government has been ineffective, focusing on trivial matters like funding for fish protection while cutting budgets for firefighting and public safety, among other absurdities. That's why there are now calls for the governor and mayors to resign," she said.

Since the fires began, there have been criticisms directed at California Governor Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other local officials for their handling of the crisis.

Wildfires are seen near the home of Michael Liu. [Photo provided by Michael Liu to China.org.cn]

In a video, a Los Angeles mother confronted Governor Newsom as he surveyed the damage, questioning him about the lack of water in the hydrants. The governor promised that it would be different next time.

"The California governor and other officials should bear significant responsibility for the inadequate disaster response. They should resign. There are wildfires in Los Angeles every year; haven't they learned any lessons on how to prevent and respond to these disasters? They prioritized politically correct initiatives but failed in their duty to provide effective disaster relief," Liu complained.

University student Larrissa Xiang first noticed a large black cloud near campus, realizing the fires were serious. As the fire approached, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) canceled classes, and Xiang, evacuated to Long Beach along with some international students, planning to stay there for more than a week.

"Being alive is a stroke of luck amid all the misfortunes," she said, believing that natural factors are the primary cause of the fires and that local firefighters have not received adequate training or drills for such a large-scale disaster.

Donated supplies at a shelter in Los Angeles. [Photo provided by Ruidan Hon to China.org.cn]

Ruidan Hon, a local resident and housewife, described the community's fundraising efforts, with one website raising over a million dollars. "My friends and I also raised $2,000 to purchase supplies for the shelters," she said. Hon also recalled the night the wildfires began, when she worried about wildlife and pets. Now, she is increasingly concerned about the potential economic recession.

Hao offered assistance by hosting two evacuated families in her home. "Disaster relief services in the U.S. are still timely, and the public is actively participating," she said. "People's morale remains strong." Hao called for an investigation into the actions of state officials and the allocation of state and city budgets.

Musicians from Shanghai and Qinghai celebrated China's great rivers with a concert at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing on Jan. 7, highlighting the cultural heritage of these vital waterways.

Musicians stage a concert to celebrate China's great rivers at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, Jan. 7, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

The concert, themed "From the Yellow River to the Yangtze River," showcased the rich traditions associated with these vital rivers and honored the musical traditions stemming from the Sanjiangyuan area in Qinghai province — home to the headwaters of the Yellow, Yangtze and Lancang rivers.

According to the composer, the suite "Source of the Yellow River" aims to raise awareness of biodiversity conservation and promote harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Meanwhile, the musical piece "Ode to the Yangtze River" underscores the peaceful coexistence of various ethnic groups in China.

The performance elegantly merged Xizang's intangible cultural heritage instruments, including the dama drum, bone flute, and traditional hand drum, with the timeless elegance of the piano.

This concert, the first in China focused on the country's major rivers, was jointly organized by the People's Government of the Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music (SHCM) as a key initiative in the Qinghai aid program.

Since its launch in 2021, the concert has been staged in several cities across China, including Shanghai, Xining, Nanjing, Ningbo and Nanchang.

Musicians perform at a concert celebrating China's great rivers at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, Jan. 7, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Musicians perform at a concert celebrating China's great rivers at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, Jan. 7, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Musicians perform at a concert celebrating China's great rivers at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, Jan. 7, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

A Chinese-Vietnamese couple captivated attendees Friday at a parallel dialogue of the Global Mayors Dialogue event in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, sharing their story of intertwining romance with tourism entrepreneurship.

Their experience highlighted the growing cultural and tourism connections between China and ASEAN countries and resonated with the broader theme of the dialogue, which focused on promoting city prosperity through cultural and tourism cooperation.

Qin Qiaozhen and her husband, Nguyen Duc Tho, share their story during a parallel dialogue at the Global Mayors Dialogue event in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Jan. 17, 2025. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]

Qin Qiaozhen, a native of Guangxi, and her Vietnamese husband, Nguyen Duc Tho, met while studying tourism in Guilin, Guangxi. Qin was an undergraduate, and Nguyen was pursuing postgraduate studies at Guangxi Normal University. After their marriage, they settled in Nanning and launched a travel agency in 2023, focusing on attracting Vietnamese tourists to China. Their agency has successfully welcomed 150,000 visitors to date.

"Guangxi's Youyiguan and Dongxing ports are close to Nanning," Qin said. "These ports make it convenient for Vietnamese visitors to travel to Nanning and then explore other cities across China." She noted that Vietnamese tourists are drawn to shopping for clothing, home appliances and tea. She expressed her desire to make Nanning a popular weekend destination for them.

Nguyen stressed the importance of the cultural connection between China and Vietnam, which adds depth to the travel experience. "Vietnamese tourists are particularly fascinated by China's cultural heritage, historical towns and cuisine," he said.

During the dialogue, Guo Wei, vice mayor of Nanning, described the city as a hub of public goods and services, emphasizing that its value is found in its distinctive offerings. These include hosting the China-ASEAN Expo for 21 consecutive years, the China-ASEAN (Nanning) Theater Week, and the 2024 China-ASEAN Dragon Boat Open, as well as its role as a regional center for agricultural products and Chinese herbal medicine trading. Nanning has established sister city relationships with 31 cities worldwide, including 10 within ASEAN.

Yun Sinang, deputy director of the Administration of Siem Reap Municipality in Cambodia, emphasized her city’s commitment to enriching visitor experiences while preserving cultural heritage. "Siem Reap isn’t just about Angkor Wat," she said, highlighting the city’s diverse cultural and historical sites. She credited China’s infrastructure support through the Belt and Road Initiative, which led to the opening of Siem Reap Angkor International Airport in 2023. This development, she noted, has significantly improved tourism access in Cambodia.

Yun advocated for greater cultural tourism collaboration between China and ASEAN countries, proposing educational exchanges, sustainable tourism projects and sharing best practices in heritage preservation to maintain traditions for future generations.

Attendees of the Global Mayors Dialogue event enjoy a lion dance performance in Nanning's Sanjie Liangxiang historical district, south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Jan. 15, 2025. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]

Sabin bin Samitah, mayor of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, reflected on the shared cultural heritage between his country and China, noting the prominent role of the lion dance in both cultures. He recalled enjoying a lion dance performance in Nanning's Sanjie Liangxiang historical district.

As 2024 marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, the two countries agreed to jointly apply for the inclusion of the lion dance on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Sabin also highlighted Malaysia's Dragon Boat Festival, which attracts tourists from Singapore, Brunei, and other countries and regions.

Adding to the discussion, Malaysian Chinese Choong Chee Keong, a senior professor at Malaysia's Tunku Abdul Rahman University, emphasized the cultural significance of inscribing the Spring Festival — along with the social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional New Year — on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List. He noted that this recognition would help preserve and promote traditional Chinese culture, contributing to its continued dissemination across Southeast Asia.

China's leading comedy brand, Mahua Fun Age, signed a letter of intent with France's renowned theme park operator Puy du Fou on Jan. 15 in Beijing, aimed at exploring cross-cultural exchanges, executives revealed to China.org.cn.

Executives from Mahua Fun Age and Puy du Fou, along with representatives from China's performing arts industry and the French Embassy in China, pose for a group photo at the signing ceremony for their strategic cooperation in Beijing, Jan. 15, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Mahua Fun Age]

Zhang Chen, founder and president of Mahua Fun Age, said the two companies plan to promote and adapt Chinese and French theatrical productions while working together on new innovative projects. The initiative also aims to create a shared cultural brand and improve talent development in the industry. "These goals are very ambitious and, in my view, need to be implemented one at a time," he said.

Han Mei, CEO of Mahua Fun Age, explained that they chose Puy du Fou for its expertise in residency shows, which are among the most complex and rewarding forms of theatrical production in the performing arts. "We truly admire their serious dedication to theater, and we hope to explore cross-cultural collaboration with them," she said.

Founded in 2003, Mahua Fun Age is a popular comedy production organization known for its engaging stage performances. Last year, the company produced more than 12,000 shows across China, all of which garnered positive acclaim from audiences.

Since making its foray into film with the unexpected hit "Goodbye Mr. Loser" in 2015, Mahua Fun Age's film division, Fun Age Pictures, has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity. Many of its subsequent films have achieved blockbuster status, including the recent release "Successor," which grossed 3.33 billion yuan ($454 million) in 2024. Notably, actors and directors associated with Mahua Fun Age, such as Shen Teng and Ma Li, have attained remarkable fame and adoration.

Anne Zhao, co-chair of Puy du Fou Asia, praised Mahua Fun Age as a symbol of modern Chinese comedy and a vivid reflection of China's cultural confidence. She noted that while Puy du Fou does not exclusively focus on comedy, it is committed to innovative, emotionally resonant theatrical arts that globally showcase French culture.

Zhao added that the company's grasp of French audiences' appreciation for nuanced humor and emotional depth closely aligns with the innovative and humanistic qualities evident in Mahua Fun Age's works.

"This collaboration is not only a partnership between the two sides but also a deep dialogue between Chinese and French cultures and arts," Zhao said. She expressed a desire to introduce Chinese-style humor to France and other European countries while anticipating more opportunities in the Chinese market.

"By leveraging each other's strengths, we are committed to elevating the theatrical cultures of both countries onto a broader international stage. We look forward to this cooperation opening a new chapter in cultural and artistic exchanges between China and France."

The year 2024 marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France. Pan Yan, secretary-general of the China Association of Performing Arts, underscored the robust cultural exchanges between the two nations, noting that mutual respect, understanding, and appreciation are essential to these interactions.

"The strategic cooperation between Mahua Fun Age and Puy du Fou not only underscores the deep cultural exchange and integration between China and France, but it also aligns with the global trend of international cultural collaboration," she stated.

Founded by Philippe de Villiers in 1978, Puy du Fou has become a leading theme park company known for recreating historical scenes and celebrating traditional cultures around the world. Its parks are known for their natural environments and feature spectacular shows, themed hotels, and restaurants, earning recognition as unique artistic destinations.

Puy du Fou debuted its first production in China, SAGA City of Light in Shanghai last September. Covering 46,000 square meters, it offers an immersive theater boasting the world’s largest performance area. After four years of construction and a cost of 670 million yuan ($91.43 million), it is expected to attract up to 1.2 million visitors each year.

Actors Shen Teng and Ma Li express their thoughts and congratulations on the Mahua Fun Age-Puy du Fou partnership during the signing ceremony in Beijing, Jan. 15, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Mahua Fun Age]

Mahua Fun Age megastars Shen Teng and Ma Li attended the ceremony to witness and celebrate the deal. However, Shen raised concerns about cultural nuances that could be lost in translation. He recommended hiring skilled professionals who deeply understand Chinese culture to handle translations for future stage shows in France.

Mahua Fun Age CEO Han Mei echoed this concern, stating, "Comic punchlines are strongly connected to cultural backgrounds." She elaborated: "This task is akin to starting an entirely new venture, and the challenge is as significant as starting from scratch. Both parties are excited and nervous. We hope that as we continue on this path, our shared commitment to refining our creations and honing our craftsmanship will align our ideas."

Han mentioned that discussions are currently ongoing to select the first show for collaborative adaptation in France, adding that the aim is to export comedies that embody a contemporary feel and highlight the distinctive Mahua Fun Age style. She anticipates completing the preparation and development of the show within 10 to 12 months and looks forward to Shen and Ma actively participating.

"We have always been exploring cross-cultural and cross-language exchanges and innovation in comedies," the executive said, adding that the collaboration with Puy du Fou could serve as a model for future partnerships with cultural enterprises from other countries. "We are very open and continue to challenge ourselves to develop new, original, and innovative content. Anything is possible; we would love to open our hearts to communicate and co-create."

Mahua Fun Age is also involved in several international projects designed to promote Chinese culture, including the Macao International Comedy Festival (MICF). Following its inaugural edition last year, the festival is scheduled to return in April. This event is a key component of Mahua Fun Age's efforts to facilitate international cultural exchanges. By bringing together comedy artists and notable works from around the globe, the MICF will provide a joyful celebration for attendees and a broader platform for comedic cultural exchange, enabling international audiences to appreciate the appeal of Chinese comedy.

Shanghai-based Dragon TV has begun re-airing the iconic sci-fi series "Man from Atlantis," which holds significant cultural importance for the Chinese people as the first foreign sci-fi show broadcast in China in 1980.

A still from "Man from Atlantis." [Photo courtesy of the Warner Archive]

"Man from Atlantis," an NBC prime-time series that aired from 1977 to 1978, was created by Mayo Simon and Herbert F. Solow. The series consists of 17 episodes directed by various individuals, including David Moessinger and Virgil W. Vogel, with each director typically handling one episode. The first four installments were TV movies that received high ratings, leading to the commissioning of a weekly series.

The show stars Patrick Duffy as Mark Harris, an amnesiac believed to be the last surviving citizen of the lost civilization of Atlantis. Adapted to underwater life, he has webbed hands and light-sensitive eyes and swims with the grace of a dolphin. His abilities include breathing underwater and superhuman strength. 

After being discovered, Mark joins the Foundation for Oceanic Research, where he works with Dr. Elizabeth Merrill and C.W. Crawford aboard the submarine Cetacean. Their missions encounter bizarre phenomena, including inter-dimensional portals, personality-altering substances, a creature that induces juvenile behavior, and a plot to melt the polar ice caps.

Since its debut, the series has held a unique place in the global film and television industry, with its innovative sci-fi ideas and original character designs making a lasting impact on TV and cinematic history. The show pushed the limits of the sci-fi genre, offering a useful creative guide for future works and helping to advance global sci-fi film and TV development.

For Chinese audiences, "Man from Atlantis" carries great significance. It was the first foreign sci-fi series broadcast on the Chinese mainland in 1980, stirring up cherished memories for many viewers.

"It was amazing when I saw it on TV; it was a sensational show for Chinese audiences then," said Wu Yan, a prominent Chinese sci-fi scholar, writer and professor at the Southern University of Science and Technology, in an interview with China.org.cn.

He noted that "Man from Atlantis," with its standalone story format in each episode, was unique for Chinese viewers accustomed to serialized storytelling in TV shows.

"The series had a significant impact on Chinese sci-fi, generating strong reactions and positively influencing the genre's resurgence in China," Wu noted.

Dong Renwei, a renowned Chinese sci-fi writer and popular science author, also shared his impressions of the series. "It was then I realized that humans could actually live deep in the ocean, which expanded my imagination for writing science fiction," he said.

Now back on Dragon TV in a remastered format, "Man from Atlantis" allows older viewers to relive their cherished memories while introducing younger generations to the origins of sci-fi film and television. This rerun lets viewers appreciate the distinct charm of cinema and TV from different eras and supports the ongoing development of China's sci-fi film and television culture through heritage and exchange, according to a statement from Warner Bros. Discovery.

A poster for season one of "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty." [Photo courtesy of HBO Max]

Just before the rerun of "Man from Atlantis," Warner Bros. Discovery aired another popular series on Dragon TV: the NBA sports hit "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty," which highlights the Lakers' success and behind-the-scenes stories from the 1980s. This two-season series, totaling 17 episodes, began airing on the channel on Dec. 27, 2024.

The Global Mayors Dialogue – Nanning event in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Jan. 16, 2025. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]

The Global Mayors Dialogue–Nanning event opened on Jan. 16 in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, with the signing of 14 cooperation projects amounting to over 3.3 billion yuan ($450 million) in investment.

Themed "Building a China-ASEAN Community of Friendship: Urban Openness and Cooperation," the event brought together attendees from seven ASEAN countries, including Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia, to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration.

The signed projects span intergovernmental collaboration, trade, logistics, tourism and education. These initiatives are expected to drive industrial growth in Nanning and ASEAN countries, fostering economic development and optimizing regional industrial structures.

Trade between China and ASEAN countries continues to thrive. Data from the General Administration of Customs shows that the trade volume reached 6.99 trillion yuan in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 9%, accounting for 15.9% of China's total foreign trade. Additionally, the substantial conclusion of the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA) upgrade negotiations in October highlights the shared commitment to a rules-based trading environment, deepened economic integration and accelerated post-pandemic recovery.

Nanning Mayor Hou Gang emphasized the city's strengthened connectivity with ASEAN countries, particularly through a four-hour air logistics circle that enhances trade and tourism. Platforms for products such as new energy vehicles and cellphones have also been established, enabling seamless transactions and delivery for consumers in both regions.

Atsaphangthong Siphandone, governor of Vientiane, Laos, praised China's openness in promoting regional economic integration. He noted that the recent launch of direct flights between Nanning and Vientiane has significantly boosted the flow of goods and tourists, accelerating economic growth in both cities.

Ho Quang Huy, chairman of the People's Committee of Mong Cai, Vietnam, highlighted the importance of the Dongxing and Mong Cai border ports in facilitating cross-border trade and tourism. Dongxing in Guangxi, which is separated from Mong Cai by only a river, serves as a hub for close interaction between residents of China and Vietnam. With border resident certificates, individuals can travel back and forth within a day.

Wong Chia Zhen, member of Malaysia's Kedah State Executive Council, introduced the Kulim Hi-Tech Park, an advanced industrial zone in Malaysia. The park has attracted substantial foreign investment, including from Chinese lithium battery enterprise EVE Energy, showcasing the growing industrial collaboration between the two nations.

The event also witnessed the release of the Nanning Initiative, which calls for stronger urban exchanges, enhanced economic and trade cooperation, and deeper people-to-people bonds between China and ASEAN countries.

Beijing's sub-center received approximately 24 million visitors in 2024, according to Zheng Hao, governor of Tongzhou district, at a recent press event.

Zheng attributed the growing popularity of the sub-center to the opening of three major cultural facilities, the Shoukai Tongzhou MixC One shopping mall, and successful events like the marathon and the Grand Canal Musical Festival.

"The sub-center is seizing this opportunity to promote the integration of culture, tourism, sports, and commerce by creating diverse cultural and tourism experiences," Zheng added.

The sub-center will prioritize efforts to protect and develop the Grand Canal. Plans include enhancing the canal's landscape and recreational facilities, expanding consumer options on the west bank, and integrating pedestrian paths, cycling routes, and marathon tracks on both sides to create a modern greenway.

Additionally, officials plan to enhance nighttime attractions along the Grand Canal by developing water-themed performances and introducing stylish sightseeing boats.

Several cultural and tourism projects are set to launch soon, including the "Wanli" project next to the Universal Studios theme park, which is expected to open in the second half of this year. The development will feature Beijing's largest outlet mall, a commercial hub offering dining options, entertainment and shopping, along with family-friendly attractions and a five-star resort hotel.

The sub-center is also accelerating the construction of parks based on popular children's franchises, including Peppa Pig, Barbie and Thomas the Tank Engine, and a new marine project.

A total of 1,777 foreign-invested companies were established in Beijing during the first 11 months of 2024, marking a 14% year-on-year increase, according to the municipal statistics bureau on Wednesday.

During the same period, the operating income of foreign-invested enterprises above designated size grew by 4.2% year on year, outpacing the growth of all other enterprises of that size in the city.

While foreign-invested enterprises accounted for less than 10% of all businesses in Beijing, they contributed more than 20% of the city's total operating income.

This growth can be attributed to the implementation of Beijing's regulation on foreign investment and various reform measures aimed at improving the business environment.

For example, the new negative list system for cross-border trade in services and the quick approval of innovative drugs have given Beijing companies effective strategies for expanding internationally.

From January to November last year, Beijing's total import and export volume reached 3.3 trillion yuan ($450 billion), accounting for 8.3% of the nation's total.

Ongoing efforts to expand market access have further underscored the contributions of foreign-invested enterprises to the city's economy. In 2024, more than 110 new foreign-funded research and development (R&D) centers across various fields, including medicine, health, information technology, and intelligent manufacturing, were recognized. This brought the total number of foreign-funded R&D centers to 221, effectively doubling the previous total.

From January to November, R&D expenditures at foreign-funded R&D centers above designated size increased by 13.1% year on year.

Beijing's digital economy experienced significant growth in 2024, with added value expanding to 2 trillion yuan ($278 billion), a 7.5% increase from the previous year, according to Liu Weiliang, deputy head of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology.

He shared this information at the annual session of the municipal people's congress on Jan. 15.

The information software industry has become a major contributor, surpassing 3 trillion yuan in revenue and establishing itself as Beijing's leading industrial sector.

Liu noted that Beijing is focusing on artificial intelligence as a key driver of its digital economy and is working to create a competitive digital industrial cluster.

Beijing boasts a thriving AI ecosystem, with over 2,400 AI companies and a core AI industry worth more than 300 billion yuan. The city is leading the nation in large language model development, with 105 models approved by the Cyberspace Administration of China, representing nearly 40% of China's total.

Additionally, Beijing has made significant improvements to its digital infrastructure. The city now has the highest number of 5G base stations per capita in China and is actively deploying 5G-Advanced and fixed 5G Advanced networks.

Beijing is integrating digital technologies across various sectors, including manufacturing, finance, trade and agriculture. A total of 581 large manufacturing enterprises have successfully completed their digital transformations, and GE Healthcare's Beijing site has been recognized as a "Lighthouse Factory" by the World Economic Forum – the first in China's medical equipment industry.

The city is concentrating on key areas such as basic software, brain science, and AI, aiming to accelerate breakthroughs in core technologies. Uniontech Software has launched a domestic operating system with advanced capabilities for large models. A joint innovation center for intelligent robots has also been established, featuring the latest generation of the "Tiangong" humanoid robot platform, which offers all-terrain mobility.

Beijing has set ambitious goals for its digital economy by 2025. Liu stated that the city aims to increase the added value of its digital economy by 8% and raise its contribution to GDP to over 45%. To achieve these goals, Beijing will focus on five key areas: AI-driven development, demonstration projects, infrastructure upgrades, realizing data value, and promoting the digital economy internationally.

Editor's note: High-speed electric multiple unit (EMU) trains from the Beijing EMU Depot underwent nighttime inspections and preparations after finishing their journeys on Jan. 15, 2025, as the Spring Festival travel rush gets underway.

The Spring Festival travel rush, which began on Jan. 14 this year, is an annual event that sees millions of Chinese returning home to reunite with their families for the Chinese New Year.

A maintenance engineer inspects the electrical components of an EMU train at the Beijing EMU Depot on Jan. 15, 2025. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

Two EMU trains await inspection at the Beijing EMU Depot on Jan. 15, 2025. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

A maintenance engineer inspects the bottom of an EMU train at the Beijing EMU Depot on Jan. 15, 2025. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

A maintenance engineer inspects the bottom of an EMU train at the Beijing EMU Depot on Jan. 15, 2025. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

A maintenance engineer inspects an EMU train from an upper deck at the Beijing EMU Depot on Jan. 15, 2025. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

An EMU train arrives at the Beijing EMU Depot for inspections and preparations on Jan. 15, 2025. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

An EMU train arrives at the Beijing EMU Depot for inspections and preparations on Jan. 15, 2025. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

Most EMU trains parked overnight at the Beijing EMU Depot on Jan. 15, 2025, remain powered on to ensure mechanical readiness in freezing weather. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

Two guests from Indonesia try on costumes from Yongju Opera, a national intangible cultural heritage, in Nanning during the second Global Mayors Dialogue on Jan. 15, 2025. The event, held from Jan. 15 to 16, brings together mayors from Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia to discuss collaborative efforts to strengthen ties between China and ASEAN. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]

Domestic and international guests at the second Global Mayors Dialogue enjoy a Yongju Opera performance, Jan. 15, 2025. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]

Domestic and international guests at the second Global Mayors Dialogue enjoy a Yongju Opera performance, Jan. 15, 2025. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]

A performer showcases traditional "bian lian," or face-changing, for domestic and international guests at the second Global Mayors Dialogue, Jan. 15, 2025. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]

Yongju Opera performers interact with domestic and international guests of the second Global Mayors Dialogue, Jan. 15, 2025. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]

Yongju Opera performers wait backstage for their cues on Jan. 15, 2025. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]

By the end of 2024, China held 4.76 million valid domestic invention patents, becoming the first country in the world with over 4 million patents, the China National Intellectual Property Administration announced at a press conference on Wednesday.

As Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House next week, his stance on trade, immigration and climate change has raised significant concerns about America's future, especially among young voters.

A voter prepares to cast her ballot at a polling station during the 2024 U.S. presidential election in Manhattan, New York City, the United States, on Nov. 5, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] 

Young voters cast 14% of all ballots in the 2024 election, according to the National Election Pool exit poll conducted by Edison Research. Their stance on major policy issues deserve careful attention. 

A survey by AP VoteCast allowed voters to select the "most important issue facing the country" from nine options. About 40% of young voters identified "the economy and jobs" as their top concern, while 13% chose abortion, 11% selected immigration, 9% identified health care, and 8% cited climate change.

In the 2024 presidential election, young voters (18-29 years old) favored Kamala Harris over Donald Trump, 54% to 43%, making them the demographic with the highest support for the Democratic candidate, according to exit polls from CNN.  

Trump's protectionist approach to international trade, particularly his tariff threats, risks undermining the economic foundations that young Americans rely on. His plan to implement broad tariffs could act as "a poison pill" to globalization. Such measures would likely raise consumer prices and could trigger job losses while diminishing American influence in global markets.

North American economies are deeply interconnected. In 2023, the U.S. accounted for 75% of Canadian exports, including critical sectors like energy, agriculture and lumber. Meanwhile, 83% of Mexican exports — automobiles, electronics and agricultural products — are sent to U.S. consumers. Imposing steep tariffs against these key trading partners would not only harm their economies but could also make the U.S. appear unreliable as a trade partner and ally.

Moreover, the proposed tariffs would create barriers that hinder developing economies and specialized markets, regardless of the actual quality or value of their products. This short-sighted approach would erode the long-standing alliances the U.S. has cultivated, ultimately shrinking American economic influence instead of strengthening it.

Even more concerning for young people is Trump's hardline stance on immigration. His campaign rhetoric regarding mass deportation overlooks the complex realities of America's economic ecosystem. Agriculture, one of the nation's strongest sectors, relies heavily on immigrant labor. Mass deportation would disrupt this crucial industry and could trigger broader economic instability and social unrest, especially if the military becomes involved in its enforcement.

Moreover, the normalization of extreme anti-immigrant rhetoric in mainstream political discourse signals a troubling shift in the national conversation. Language that was once considered too radical for serious political debate has become commonplace, threatening the diverse fabric of American society, which has historically been a source of economic and cultural strength.

Beyond economic and immigration concerns, Trump's return to the White House also presents significant challenges to climate action. He has pledged to maximize fossil fuel production and withdraw from global climate agreements. He has also vowed to roll back many vehicle emissions standards and Biden-era regulations promoting electric vehicle production and adoption. These positions suggest the U.S. may abandon its key role in global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

While Trump's stance raises serious concerns, he alone cannot dictate America's future. In the U.S. system of governance, policy implementation requires collaboration across multiple administrative bodies and legislative approval, leaving the actual impact of his presidency uncertain.

The 15th National Games are poised to drive significant growth in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), experts said at the fourth China (Guangzhou) Sports Industry Innovation Conference held Tuesday in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong province.

The fourth China (Guangzhou) Sports Industry Innovation Conference is held in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, Jan. 14, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Interactive Sports Technology Invention Co., Ltd.]

The National Games, slated for Nov. 9 to 21, 2025, will feature 34 competitive sports and 23 mass participation activities. Guangdong will host the majority of events, while Macao and Hong Kong will host four and eight events, respectively. This edition of the National Games marks the first time Hong Kong and Macao will co-host the prominent national sporting event since its inception in 1959.

The conference focused on the economic impact and emerging opportunities associated with the 15th National Games in the GBA, exploring urban development, market expansion and economic growth. It also addressed the phased development of the National Games sponsorship program and built a high-end communication platform for the Guangzhou events of the Games.

"As one of the most open and economically dynamic regions, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA plays a strategic role in the national development plan," Wang Ping, deputy director of the Sports Equipment Center at the General Administration of Sport of China, said. "Hosting the 15th National Games will strengthen sports exchange and cooperation in the GBA, injecting new vitality into the coordinated, innovative development of the regional sports industry."

Yu Weijian, vice director of the marketing department for the Guangdong division of the Games, presented the market development plan at the conference. He stated that the organizing committee and the provincial executive committee will actively collaborate to create a premier sports business environment. "This will provide enterprises with a platform to showcase their image and enhance brand value, using sports to drive development and exchange across the three regions, thereby boosting the cultural, athletic and socio-economic development of the GBA," he said.

Chen Xuhui, chairman of the Guangdong Sports Development Corporation, discussed market development and operations for the Games, highlighting innovative strategies for the event.

"The Games are the first in National Games history to be co-hosted by the three regions in the GBA, united as a single entity," he remarked. "The event must address the realities of one country, two systems, three customs territories, and three currencies. It is essential to consider the specific needs of the three regions and to innovate the market development model based on the principles of overall management, coordinated uniformity, accommodating differences, flexible development, and rational allocation with standardized usage."

Several representatives from various enterprises hold plaques and pose for a photo as they receive the "Sports+" Industry Outstanding Contribution Award at the fourth China (Guangzhou) Sports Industry Innovation Conference in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, Jan. 14, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Interactive Sports Technology Invention Co., Ltd.]

Bao Mingxiao, a scholar at Beijing Sport University, delivered a keynote speech at the conference, discussing the strategic opportunities for developing the GBA's sports industry. He examined various facets of China's sports industry and outlined new prospects, including the establishment of a global sports equipment and products manufacturing and trade center, the creation of an innovation hub for the digital sports sector, and the promotion of comprehensive integration with related industries. His insights also addressed leveraging digital tools, initiating transformative changes, developing innovative intellectual properties, employing event-driven strategies, enhancing sports for older individuals, and boosting professional athletics.

The conference included presentations from sports officials from Yuexiu district in Guangzhou and Jieshou city in Anhui province, as well as entrepreneurs from leading companies like Unilumin Sports and Double Fish. They shared innovative practices and success stories, highlighted their achievements in developing a local sports industry demonstration base, and exchanged insights on their experiences. During the event, 24 enterprises were honored at the "Sports+" Industry Outstanding Contribution Award ceremony, and several organizations secured strategic partnerships through deal signings facilitated by the conference.

Supported by the Sports Bureau of Guangdong and the Guangzhou Sports Bureau, the fourth China (Guangzhou) Sports Industry Innovation Conference was organized by the Yuexiu District Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau, alongside China Interactive Sports Technology Invention Co., Ltd. The event featured a licensed merchandise exhibition, a sports industry exchange salon, and an activity showcasing new business achievements at the Yuexiu National Sports Industry Demonstration Base.

New merchandise developed for the 15th National Games is displayed at the fourth China (Guangzhou) Sports Industry Innovation Conference in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on Jan. 14, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Interactive Sports Technology Invention Co., Ltd.]

Zhang Zhengbiao, deputy chief of Guangzhou's Yuexiu district, described the conference as an important opportunity for various sectors to understand the sports industry and a vital platform for exchanges and cooperation within the sports community. He pledged that Yuexiu district will continue to leverage the opportunity presented by the 15th National Games to explore new development pathways in sports, aiming to integrate sports events with cultural tourism and create new hotspots for sports consumption in the future.

Chinese-American singer and actor Kris Phillips unveiled his wax figure at Madame Tussauds Beijing on Tuesday, wishing everyone good fortune in the new year and previewing his upcoming film "Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force."

Chinese-American singer and actor Kris Phillips (right) sits with his wax double at Madame Tussauds Beijing, Jan. 14, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Madame Tussauds Beijing]

The wax figure, dressed in a classic black leather jacket, captures Phillips' charisma and energy with striking photorealism. Known in China as Fei Xiang, many internet users could not distinguish between the actor and his wax likeness when a photo of them side by side was shared online.

Phillips, a prominent pop icon who rose to fame in the 1980s among Chinese audiences, initially pursued a Broadway career in the 1990s before transitioning to acting. He achieved notable success starring in Wuershan's "Creation of the Gods" movie trilogy. In discussing his choice for this particular pose for his first wax figure, Phillips noted that he had to decide between the iconic image from the 1987 Spring Festival Gala and the representation of King Zhou from "Creation of the Gods." However, he reflected that both represent moments he cannot return to.

"I prefer to be present as I am now, to remain in Madame Tussauds Beijing, and to greet the fans who appreciate me," he said. "The wax figure you see, in both style and outfit, represents my most authentic self. I hope that when you look at the figure, it feels like having a conversation with the real me."

Madame Tussauds Beijing has created a nostalgic display area for Kris Phillips that resembles Shang Er Tiao Hutong in Beijing, where his grandmother once lived. This setting captures the essence of Beijing and strengthens Phillips' connection to the city.

The wax figure of Kris Phillips is relocated to a display area inside Madame Tussauds Beijing after the unveiling ceremony on Jan. 14, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Madame Tussauds Beijing]

Inside the display area, a recording of Phillips' voice plays, saying, "Thank you for your many years of support and care. I hope we can continue this journey together." Phillips' wax figure is seated on a soft leather sofa at the center of the display. On one side, a cabinet showcases cherished photos from his over-40-year career, from his 1982 debut album to the ongoing "Creation of the Gods" trilogy. Opposite, a bookshelf holds books and small cat figurines that Phillips enjoys in his everyday life.

Phillips also shared his New Year message: "Nowadays, we can't live without our mobile phones, and we receive a lot of fragmented information each day, which can make everyone feel anxious. However, the most important thing in life is to enjoy the process, not just to chase outcomes. In the new year, I hope everyone can nourish their spirits in 'slow time,' care for family and friends in the real world, and take it slow, living well every day of 2025."

Phillips stars in the blockbuster "Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force," which will hit screens nationwide during the Spring Festival, starting Jan. 29. The actor is actively involved in promotional activities and has significantly contributed to the project beyond his acting role, even coining the film's English subtitle "Demon Force" to replace "Demonic Confrontation." He noted that while the first movie laid the foundation and introduced the characters, the second installment will broaden the narrative to feature epic battles between gods and demons. "It is really a brilliant and amazing film!" he said.

A still from "Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force." [Photo courtesy of Beijing Culture]

Isolde Sun, general manager of Merlin Entertainments Beijing & Rest of China, presented Phillips with gifts, including a specially designed 2025 calendar and scarves.

In her speech, she highlighted how Phillips' life experiences reflect a "wisdom of slowing down," which aligns with the artistic pursuit and craftsmanship spirit that Madame Tussauds has maintained for over a century. Sun said that this philosophy underscores the importance of taking the time to create timeless classics, a value both Phillips and Madame Tussauds share.

"In Madame Tussauds, every wax figure speaks to the concept of time, and Madame Tussauds has always explored the value and meaning of time," Phillips said. "Each visit gives me a different feeling. Moreover, Madame Tussauds embodies a respect for every wax figure as a form of art, and this attitude should be preserved, passed down and cherished," he added.

中文

Speakers:

Mr. Kang Yi, deputy head of the Leading Group of the State Council for the Fifth National Economic Census and commissioner of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)

Mr. Lin Tao, head of the State Council's Fifth National Economic Census Leading Group and deputy head of the NBS

Mr. He Ping, director of the Census Center of the NBS

Ms. Wang Guanhua, deputy director general of the Department of Comprehensive Statistics of the NBS

Chairperson:

Ms. Shou Xiaoli, director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date:

Dec. 26, 2024

Shou Xiaoli:

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO). We have invited Mr. Kang Yi, deputy head of the Leading Group of the State Council for the Fifth National Economic Census and commissioner of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), to introduce the outcomes of the fifth national economic census and answer your questions. Also attending today's press conference are: Mr. Lin Tao, director of the Office of the Leading Group of the State Council for the Fifth National Economic Census and deputy commissioner of the NBS; Mr. He Ping, director of the Census Center of the NBS; and Ms. Wang Guanhua, deputy director of the Department of Comprehensive Statistics of the NBS.

Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Kang for his brief introduction.

Kang Yi:

Good afternoon, friends from the media. I am pleased to attend today's press conference held by the SCIO on the fifth national economic census. The economic census is a major national survey of the country's economic strength, and an important means to comprehensively understand and grasp the economic foundation. According to the Regulations on National Economic Census, the economic census is conducted once every five years, and is implemented in years ending with a three and an eight. Our country has successively conducted five national economic censuses. The fifth, carried out in 2023, comprehensively ascertained the economic foundation of China's secondary and tertiary industries that year.

Before the release of the census data, on behalf of the NBS and the Office of the Leading Group of the State Council for the Fifth National Economic Census, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the participants, supporters, census workers, census supervisors, journalists and all sectors of society who have worked hard on the census.

Next, I will brief you the results of the national census data, and then my colleagues and I will answer your questions.

In accordance with the decisions and arrangements of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council, all regions and departments strictly implemented the Regulations on National Economic Census and the Notice of the State Council on Conducting the Fifth National Economic Census, coordinated planning and implementation, strengthened collaboration and cooperation, and carried out the fifth national economic census in a solid and orderly manner. After the joint efforts of more than 2.1 million enumerators nationwide, the data collection, review and evaluation work has been successfully completed. The census presented a general picture of the secondary and tertiary industries, reflecting the new achievements of China's economic and social development. The census results show that the number of units in the secondary and tertiary industries has increased significantly, with more people being employed. The scale of enterprise assets continued to grow, business revenue grew fast, technological innovation ability continued to improve, and labor productivity was improved. The industrial structure was optimized and upgraded, the digital economy grew stronger, and the coordinated and balanced regional development was strengthened. Over the past five years, China has achieved significant results in high-quality development.

First, the main objectives and content of the census. 

The main objectives of the fifth national economic census were to take a complete survey of China's secondary and tertiary industries in terms of their scale, layout and performance, to get a clear picture of the basic situation of all types of units and grasp the economic linkages between sectors of the national economy, and to objectively reflect the progress in promoting high-quality development, creating a new pattern of development, building a modernized economy, deepening supply-side structural reform as well as in innovation-driven development, coordinated regional development, ecological conservation, high-standard opening up and development of public service system. The census will assist to consolidate the foundation of statistics and advance the statistical modernization reform, thus providing scientific and accurate information support to strengthen and improve macroeconomic governance, formulate medium- and long-term development plan in a scientific way and build China into a modern socialist country in all respects.

The fifth national economic census is an essential survey of national conditions and strength. Over two years since November 2022, the work in census agency establishment, publicity and mobilization, formulation of plan, pilot tests, personnel training, demarcation of census areas, inventory checking, field enumeration, data review and acceptance, data quality check, data aggregation and evaluation has been completed successfully. At present, the census has entered the phase of dissemination of major data, and development and application of data.

Second, the main characteristics of the census.

First, the census was carefully planned and implemented with guarantee measures efficiently taken. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council attached great importance to the fifth national economic census. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the fifth national economic census should be carried out solidly. All regions and departments concerned included the census into their priority agenda, strengthened coordination and leadership, and ensured the responsibilities for the census were fulfilled. Local governments at different levels set up census agencies in time, enhanced coordination and broke down tasks in detail. The Office of the Leading Group and member departments actively fulfilled their duties, advanced information sharing and provided multiple guarantees, laying a solid foundation for the successful implementation of the census.

Second, we strengthened top-level design and strictly implemented the process specifications of the census. After conducting special pilot tests and comprehensive pilot test, the Plan for the Fifth National Economic Census was formulated and corresponding implementation measures were developed by all regions and relevant departments. Strong census teams were organized at local levels, multi-level and systematic professional trainings were conducted for over 2.10 million enumerators and enumeration instructors, and inventory checking, field enumeration and sample survey of self-employed units were implemented in a normative and orderly manner. Finance, railway and some other government departments as well as relevant units conducted the census of their own sectors. Finance, railway and some other government departments as well as relevant units conducted the census of their own sectors.

Third, we enhanced the quality and efficiency of the census, and conducted the input-output surveys simultaneously. To facilitate the alignment of economic aggregate data and structural data, the census incorporated the input-output survey while taking into account the differences in survey content and methodology, which effectively integrated business procedures with separate goals and demands accommodated. A unified electronic ledger for nearly 80,000 units for input-output survey was formed for the first time, which enabled early preparation of survey data by respondents, thus effectively reducing their reporting burden. The comparison and checking of input-output survey data with census data were strengthened to make the data better coordinated and aligned.

Fourth, we innovated census processes to enhance the efficiency of the census work. Data sharing and application between government departments were further intensified with administrative records from departments including staffing, civil affairs, taxation and market regulation effectively integrated, providing data basis for inventory checking and census registration. The application of modern information technologies was promoted. A data collection and processing system with a unified collection mode was innovatively developed, which enabled a combination of online reporting and field data collection via mobile terminals for the census, and allowed the respondents to report data online on their own. Therefore, the census quality and efficiency were improved comprehensively.

Fifth, we prevented and tackled census fraud, and ensured data authenticity and quality. Following the principle of conducting the census according to the law, with a scientific approach and for the benefit of the people, we strengthened the management of data quality throughout the process, and prevented and addressed statistical fraud to ensure the authenticity of the data. We carried out extensive publicity and mobilization work, holding a variety of educational and engaging activities to strive for understanding and support from census respondents and to foster a positive atmosphere for the census. We rigorously investigated and addressed violations of laws and regulations related to the census, and promptly rectified non-standard practices to ensure the quality of source data.

The post-enumeration checks for the fifth national economic census showed that the combined error rate was 4.7‰, meeting the established standards for data quality.

Third, the main data of the census.

I. Economic entities. By the end of 2023, China had a total of 33.27 million legal entities engaged in secondary and tertiary industry activities, an increase of 11.481 million or 52.7% compared to the end of 2018. There were 36.36 million industrial activity units, up by 11.81 million or 48.1%, and 87.995 million self-employed units, up by 25.036 million or 39.8%.

In terms of sectors, the three largest sectors for legal entities in the secondary and tertiary industries were: wholesale and retail trade with 10.197 million, accounting for 30.6%; leasing and business services with 4.609 million, accounting for 13.8%; and manufacturing with 4.049 million, accounting for 12.2%.

In terms of regions, the eastern region had 17.941 million legal entities in the secondary and tertiary industries, accounting for 53.9%, down 2 percentage points from the end of 2018; the central region had 7.334 million, accounting for 22%, up by 1.4 percentage points; the western region had 6.372 million, accounting for 19.2%, up by 0.6 percentage point; and the northeastern region had 1.623 million, accounting for 4.9%, which is basically the same as that of the end of 2018.

II. Employed personnel. By the end of 2023, the number of people employed in legal entities within the secondary and tertiary industries nationwide reached 430 million, an increase of 45.748 million or up by 11.9% compared with the end of 2018. Among them, 170 million were female. There were 160 million employees in the secondary industry, a decrease of 8.263 million people or 4.8%; and 260 million employees in the tertiary industry, an increase of 54.012 million people or 25.6%. There were 180 million self-employed individuals, of which 84.2 million were female.

In terms of sectors, the three largest sectors for the number of employees in the secondary and tertiary industries were: manufacturing with 100 million people, accounting for 24.4%; wholesale and retail trade with 53.25 million people, accounting for 12.4%; and construction with 51.17 million people, accounting for 11.9%.

In terms of regions, the number of people employed by legal entities in the secondary and tertiary industries in the eastern region was 220 million, accounting for 52.3%, down 1.8 percentage points compared with the end of 2018; in the central region it was 98.907 million, accounting for 23.1%, up 1.1 percentage points; in the western region it was 86.32 million, accounting for 20.1%, up 0.8 percentage point; and in the northeastern region it was 19.428 million, accounting for 4.5%, down 0.2 percentage point.

III. Assets, liabilities and business revenue. In terms of assets, at the end of 2023, the total assets of legal entities in the secondary and tertiary industries nationwide amounted to 1,439.1 trillion yuan. Among this, those of legal entities in the secondary industry accounted for 252.1 trillion yuan, and those of legal entities in the tertiary industry accounted for 1,187 trillion yuan. In terms of liabilities, the total liabilities of legal entities in the secondary and tertiary industries were 975.4 trillion yuan. Among this, those of legal entities in the secondary industry were 150.2 trillion yuan, and those of legal entities in the tertiary industry were 825.2 trillion yuan. In terms of business revenue, in 2023, that of corporate enterprises in the secondary and tertiary industries was 442.6 trillion yuan, up by 50.2% compared with 2018. Among this, the business revenue of corporate enterprises in the secondary industry was 188.8 trillion yuan, up by 31.3%; and that of corporate enterprises in the tertiary industry was 253.8 trillion yuan, up by 68.3%.

IV. Core industries of digital economy. At the end of 2023, there were 2.916 million corporate enterprises engaged in the core industries of the digital economy, with 36.159 million employees. The business revenue in 2023 reached 48.4 trillion yuan. Specifically, 262,000 corporate enterprises were engaged in digital product manufacturing, employing 13.372 million people and with 20.5 trillion yuan in business revenue; 274,000 corporate enterprises were engaged in digital product services, employing 1.519 million people and with 4.2 trillion yuan in business revenue; 1.43 million corporate enterprises were engaged in digital technology application, employing 14.609 million people and with 14 trillion yuan in business revenue; and 950,000 corporate enterprises were engaged in industries driven by digital factors, employing 6.659 million people and with 9.7 trillion yuan in business revenue.

V. Emerging industries. At the end of 2023, there were 96,000 industrial corporate enterprises above designated size engaged in the strategic emerging industries; and 62,000 service corporate enterprises above designated size engaged in the strategic emerging industries. There were 53,000 high-tech manufacturing corporate enterprises above designated size with a business revenue of 22.5 trillion yuan; and 65,000 high-tech service corporate enterprises above designated size with a business revenue of 15.7 trillion yuan. In 2023, the full-time equivalent of R&D personnel in industrial corporate enterprises above designated size was 4.817 million person-years, and the R&D expenditure was 2.1 trillion yuan.

Fourth, the revision of GDP during the census year.

According to the system of national accounts and international practices, the NBS revised the GDP of the census year (2023) based on the data of the fifth national economic census and relevant administrative records. The process also factored in the change of the accounting approach of the owner-occupied housing services of urban households. The revised GDP of 2023 was 129.4 trillion yuan, which is 3.4 trillion yuan more than the preliminary accounting, or up by 2.7%. The details of the revised data will soon be released on the official website of the NBS.

Generally speaking, the fifth national economic census has yielded fruitful results with its major data objectively reflecting the latest progress and achievements of China's economic and social development over the past five years. Going forward, we will firmly implement the guiding principles of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, focus on the reform targets and tasks set by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and promote the implementation of statistical reform tasks. We will release more detailed census results successively to the public, such as economic census yearbook and interpretation reports through multiple channels, and actively organize in-depth development and application of the census data to fully leverage their value. By doing so, we will provide authentic and reliable statistics to support the comprehensive deepening of the reform and advancement of Chinese modernization. Thank you.

Shou Xiaoli:

Thank you for your introduction, Mr. Kang. The floor is now open for questions. Please identify the media outlet you work for before asking your question.

National Business Daily:

What achievements were made in the recently released fifth national economic census? Did it achieve its expected goals? Thank you.

Kang Yi:

Thank you for your questions. Just now, we gave a brief introduction to the main data of the fifth national economic census. This is a major national survey of the country's conditions and strength on the new journey of the new era. The main purpose is to comprehensively examine the development of China's secondary and tertiary industries, understand the economic links between industries in the national economy, and promote new progress in high-quality development.

In general, since the census work began, various regions and departments conscientiously implemented the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, adhered to the principle of conducting the census according to the law, in a scientific manner, and with a people-centered approach. We insisted on seeking truth from facts, and sought reform and innovation, ensuring that the census data is authentic and accurate. We understood the economic situation and new characteristics of economic development. This provided important reference for strengthening and improving macroeconomic governance, scientifically formulating medium and long-term development plans, and building China into a modern socialist country in all respects. This census fully achieved its expected goals. The achievements of the census were mainly in three aspects:

First, we obtained a comprehensive understanding of China's economic conditions. Since the fourth national economic census, the international environment for China's economic and social development has undergone profound and complex changes. During the past five years, we spent three years combating the pandemic, which severely impacted the economy. Fully understanding the economic foundation of our country is of great significance in promoting sustainable and sound economic development. Through the fifth national economic census, we surveyed all legal entities, industrial activity units, and self-employed units engaged in the secondary and tertiary industries nationwide. We have gained a clear understanding of the scale, structure, layout and performance of the secondary and tertiary industries. This provides comprehensive and reliable data for analyzing industrial development, promoting industrial integration, and facilitating sound economic development.

Second, the economic census objectively reflects the progress we have made in high-quality economic development. China's economy is turning for high-quality development, and promoting high-quality development is the theme of the new era. Census data show that over the five-year period, various departments and localities thoroughly applied the new development philosophy and moved faster to foster the new development dynamic, making progress with innovation-driven development, structural optimization and green transition. In the fifth national economic census, we surveyed the digital economy and platform economy, and carried out input-output surveys in a coordinated manner. The results objectively reflect the huge changes in China's economic structure, new features of innovative development, and new trends of green and low-carbon development, providing support for continued high-quality development in the form of statistics information.

Third, the economic census provides an important foundation for Chinese modernization. We have built a moderately prosperous society in all respects and embarked on a new journey toward building a modern socialist country in all respects. According to the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, we aim to basically realize socialist modernization by 2035. To fulfil this goal, we need a well-designed plan for economic and social development. The fifth national economic census collected information regarding key indicators such as the GDP, economic structure and economic results, thus providing important references for implementing the 14th Five-Year Plan, preparing the 15th Five-Year Plan, and accelerating high-quality economic development to eventually realize the goal by 2035. Thank you.

Cover News:

Just now, Mr. Kang mentioned that data quality is the lifeline of censuses. During this census, how did you ensure the collected data was authentic and accurate? Thank you.

Kang Yi:

I would like to invite Mr. He to answer this question.

He Ping:

Thank you for your question. The NBS always prioritized the quality of statistics data throughout the fifth national economic census. This census followed a well-designed plan, enhanced whole-process data quality control as well as the strength of statistical law enforcement, and enforced various measures, to effectively ensure the quality, authenticity and reliability of census data. We mainly adopted three approaches:

First, we ensured data quality at the source. During the census, we regulated the collection of data, combining three methods of data collection: census workers collecting data on site, self-declaration, and reports from various departments. The census registration was standardized in an orderly manner, with measures taken to prevent deliberate disruptions. We enhanced training and guidance for census workers and promptly responded to concerns over the census from the public and targets being surveyed to ensure that they better understood the census and maintained cooperation. During the census, investigations were combined, when a business entity operates under several different titles with the same workforce and independent accountability is not feasible. Entities and self-employed individuals without actual business activities throughout the year were excluded from the census. Therefore, we ensured that those being surveyed conformed to relevant regulations of the census plan so as to improve the quality of data at the source.

Second, we enhanced data verification and review. During the census, we increased the use of information technology with the aim of facilitating the self-declaration of data and improving the effectiveness of data verification. We diligently implemented the measures on census data verification and acceptance. Census data were verified immediately upon collection. We used big data analysis and comparison and data logic examination, among other technical means and evaluation methods, to verify and confirm data. After the census registration concluded, we organized data quality review and selective follow-up examinations to thoroughly test the quality of the census registration, and address problems discovered in the process, as well as similar or related issues.

Third, we effectively investigated and dealt with illegal activities and discipline violations. We maintained a zero-tolerance approach toward all illegal activities and discipline violations in statistical work, with no exceptions, to achieve full coverage and a long-term deterrent effect. We showed no leniency to any such behavior, responding immediately upon discovery during the census. Illegal activitesi and discipline violations discovered in some localities during the census were promptly investigated and dealt with. The NBS also urged relevant authorities to strictly pursue the liabilities of responsible personnel according to the law as well as Party and government discipline.

Thanks to the support of society, the cooperation of surveyed units, and the dedicated work of more than 2.1 million census instructors and enumerators nationwide, the fifth national economic census achieved high data quality. The comprehensive error rate through self-declaration was 0.47%. The data quality met the control standards. Thank you.

CCTV:

As an examination of the national economy in the new era, what important changes in China's economy over the five-year period were reflected in the fifth national economic census? Are there any particular features worth noting? Thank you.

Kang Yi:

Thank you for your questions. We paid close attention to this issue during the census. The census results show that over the five-year period, China's economy withstood multiple domestic and international risks, maintaining a trend of steady progress. Compared to the results of the fourth national economic census, China's economic development showed many positive changes in terms of the GDP, optimized structure, innovation-driven development, security and green transformation, boasting a solid foundation, strong resilience and huge potential. These changes can be summarized as follows:

First, the foundation for development was strengthened. Over the five-year period, facing the profound and complex changes in the external environment and the tremendous shock of COVID-19, our country adopted a general working principle of pursuing progress while maintaining stability, enforced sound and effective macro regulation, overcame unprecedented challenges, and significantly improved comprehensive national strength. China's GDP reached almost 130 trillion yuan in 2023, ranking second worldwide. Over the five-year period, China's contribution to global economic growth averaged around 30%, serving as the largest source of global economic growth. The foundation for industrial development was further solidified. The census results show that at the end of 2023, the secondary and tertiary industries saw increases in legal entities, up 52.7% from the end of 2018, with total assets of the legal entities rising 57.4%. Both industries can be said to have realized remarkable growth.

Second, the development structure was further optimized. Over the five-year period, China continued with industrial upgrading and further improved coordinated development between regions. The service sector saw a large increase in the number of business entities, becoming an important force for boosting economic growth and high-quality employment. In 2023, the value added of the tertiary industry accounted for 56.3% of GDP, up more than 2 percentage points from 2018. We deepened the strategy to strengthen manufacturing and maintained rapid development in the sector. At the end of 2023, the number of legal entities in manufacturing reached 4.048 million, up 23.8% from the end of 2018; and the total assets of legal entities in manufacturing reached 151 trillion yuan, up 41.7%. The share of central and western regions in the economy rose, and we realized more coordinated development between regions. At the end of 2023, the proportion of legal entities in secondary and tertiary industries in the central and western regions in the national total increased by 1.4 percentage points and 0.6 percentage point, respectively, from the end of 2018. We also deepened major regional development strategies, showing agglomeration effects. In 2023, the number of legal entities in secondary and tertiary industries grew rapidly in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Yangtze River Economic Belt, Yangtze River Delta, and the nine provincial regions along the Yellow River.

Third, the development momentum was stronger. Over the five years, China placed innovation at the central position in its modernization drive, and deeply implemented the strategy of innovation-driven development, steadily fostering new quality productive forces. Businesses had seen stronger momentum in innovation and R&D, and numerous innovative achievements had emerged. In 2023, industrial enterprises above designated size filed 65.1% more invention patents than in 2018. Technological innovation had been empowering industrial transformation and upgrading, and the conversion of scientific and technological achievements into real productive forces was accelerating. High-end industrial development was also speeding up. At the end of 2023, the proportion of corporate enterprises in the high-tech manufacturing industry to all manufacturing enterprises above designated size increased by 2 percentage points compared to the end of 2018; and the proportion of corporate enterprises in the high-tech service industry to all service businesses above designated size exceeded one-quarter. New technologies and new processes were also being widely applied to accelerate the development of many new industries and new business models. At the end of 2023, the number of enterprises above designated size engaged in strategic emerging industries nationwide reached 158,000, accounting for over one-fifth of all industrial and service enterprises above designated size. The new retail format, represented by businesses without brick-and-mortar stores, was developing rapidly, with operating income increasing by 137% compared to 2018, becoming the fastest-growing sector in the retail industry. The scale of the online retail market continued to expand, and the online retail industry had performed well, with operating income growing by 186%.

Fourth, development security had been better ensured. Over the five years, China had pursued a holistic approach to national security, kept in mind both domestic and international situations, ensured both development and security, steadily improved the self-supporting and risk-controllable industrial and supply chains, and strengthened the ability to ensure energy supply and food security. China made further breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, and improved the secure and reliable domestic production and supply system. In 2023, China's manufacturing added value ranked first in the world for the 14th consecutive year, with rapid growth in the production of integrated circuits and industrial machine tools. China had ensured sufficient energy supply. By 2023, the production of raw coal reached 4.72 billion metric tons, the production of crude oil reached 210 million metric tons, and power generation reached 9.5 trillion kilowatt-hours. Food security had also been effectively guaranteed, ensuring that China's food supply remained firmly in our own hands.

Fifth, we had seen more sustained development. In the five years, China made significant progress in promoting ecological civilization. Effective progress had been made in the transformation of the economy and society toward green and low-carbon development. The new energy industry had flourished, gradually becoming a competitive industry for China. After unremitting efforts, China's new energy vehicle (NEV) industry had taken the lead globally. In 2023, the production of NEVs reached 9.458 million units, an increase of 7.9 times compared to 2018. Production had been the highest in the world for nine consecutive years, accounting for over 60% of the global total. China had broadly established eco-friendly methods of work and life. In 2023, solar cells (photovoltaic cells) and wind turbines generated 650 million kilowatts and 140 million kilowatts, respectively, increases of 5.9 times and 8.4 times compared to 2018. The proportion of clean energy consumption such as natural gas, hydropower, nuclear power, wind power and solar power continuously increased, providing new support for sustainable economic development. Thank you.

Korea JoongAng Daily:

The fourth national economic census showed a decrease in employment in the secondary sector and an increase in the tertiary sector, with manufacturing, construction, and wholesale and retail industries being the largest employers. What employment distribution trends were revealed in the fifth national economic census? And what changes have occurred in China's job market since the COVID-19 pandemic? Thank you.

Kang Yi:

I would like to invite Ms. Wang to answer your questions.

Wang Guanhua:

Your questions are related to the changes in China's job market over the five years. We know that employment is the most basic component of the people's well-being, affecting the lives of tens of thousands of households, and is also related to the overall socioeconomic development. In recent years, various regions and departments have deeply implemented the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, thoroughly implemented the employment-first strategy, strengthened the policy orientation of prioritizing employment, and increased assistance to disadvantaged groups. Compared with the fourth national economic census, the number of employees in the secondary and tertiary industries in China continued to increase, and there were some new changes in the employment structure. The capacity of new industries and new business formats to create jobs has been enhanced, providing important support for economic development and improvements in people's living standards. The main characteristics are as follows:

First, if we look at the total numbers, employment in the secondary and tertiary industries is steadily increasing. In recent years, despite facing multiple risks and challenges, employment in the secondary and tertiary industries has continued to increase thanks to economic recovery, improved economic structure, and policies to stabilize employment. At the end of 2023, legal entities in China's second and tertiary industries employed 429 million people, up by 45.75 million compared to the end of 2018, representing a growth rate of 11.9%. Increased employment in the secondary and tertiary industries has created favorable conditions for maintaining overall stability in employment. For the five years from 2019 to 2023, the average surveyed urban unemployment rates in China were 5.2%, 5.6%, 5.1%, 5.6% and 5.2%, respectively. Although there were some fluctuations over the years, since 2023, with economic recovery and development, overall employment has been generally stable.

Second, from a structural perspective, employment in the secondary industry has decreased, while employment in the tertiary industry has increased. The main reason is industrial restructuring. In recent years, China's industrial structure has been continuously adjusted, and the proportion of the tertiary industry, or the service industry, in the gross domestic product has been increasing. A key characteristic of the service industry is its strong ability to create employment. Therefore, the industrial structure adjustment has also brought about corresponding changes in employment structure, which is in line with the general principles of economic and social development. According to the data from the fifth national economic census, at the end of 2023, legal entities in the secondary industry employed 164 million people, a decrease of 8.26 million compared to the end of 2018, or down by 4.8%. However, employment in the tertiary industry reached 265 million, an increase of 54.01 million, up by 25.6%.

At the same time, we should also be aware that technological progress and changes in social division of labor are also important factors affecting the changing employment in the secondary and tertiary industries. In recent years, China's industrial production efficiency has greatly improved. In the context of the advanced and intelligent development of the manufacturing industry, many industrial enterprises have improved their production efficiency through intelligent transformation, which has also led to adjustments in the workforce. At the same time, with the development of the internet and refinements inthe social division of labor, some industrial production processes, such as design and testing, have also been separated and become part of the tertiary industry. Some employees in the secondary industry have transitioned to the tertiary industry, which has also brought about changes in the employment structure.

Third, the emerging service industry has provided new opportunities for expanding employment. In the five years, new business forms and models in the service industry had continued to grow in China. Emerging service industries, such as technology services, information services and business services, had developed rapidly, playing an increasingly important role in job creation. According to the data from the fifth national economic census, by the end of 2023, the development of the digital economy had led to rapid development of information services and an increase in the number of employees in related industries. The number of employees in the information transmission, software and information technology services increased by 5.07 million compared to the end of 2018. At the same time, with industrial transformation and upgrading, the demand for business services continues to grow, which has also led to an increase in the number of people working in those industries. By the end of 2023, the number of employees in the leasing and business services industry increased by 16.17 million compared to the end of 2018. At the same time, we should also be aware that with improvements in quality and effectiveness of technological innovation, businesses are more active in R&D and innovation. As a result, the number of people working in scientific research and the technical service industry had increased by 5.17 million over the five years.

Overall, in the five years, employment in the secondary and tertiary industries steadily increased. Against the backdrop of industrial restructuring, there had been new changes in the composition of the workforce, which was in line with the general principles of socioeconomic development. Of course, we should also be aware that structural employment contradictions are still relatively prominent, and some groups still face some difficulties and challenges in employment. Looking forward, we will continue to prioritize promoting high-quality and full employment, strengthen employment support policies for key groups, and make every effort to stabilize employment, benefit the people and promote development. Thank you.

Beijing Youth Daily:

The results of the revised GDP for 2023 were announced just now. What impact will this have on the economic growth rate for 2024? In addition, after the revision of the national data, will the economic data of each province, autonomous region and municipality for 2023 also be revised accordingly? Thank you.

Kang Yi:

I would like to invite Mr. Lin to answer your questions.

Lin Tao:

Thank you for your questions. Regarding the issue of GDP data revision, as Mr. Kang just mentioned in his briefing, the NBS revised the preliminary GDP figures for 2023 based on the results of the fifth national economic census and data from relevant departments, in accordance with international practices and relevant provisions of the system of national economic accounts. After the data revision, the total GDP for 2023 increased, and the proportion of the tertiary industry increased. This revision of GDP includes two aspects: one is based on the data from the fifth national economic census, and the other is based on the reform of the accounting method for urban residents' self-owned housing services. Among them, the revision based on the data of the fifth national economic census is the smallest compared with revisions of the previous four national economic censuses, reflecting that with continued improvements to the statistical survey system, the quality of the country's regular annual statistical data is constantly improving. Regarding the questions raised by the reporter just now, I would like to answer from the following three aspects:

First, regarding the GDP data revision. Revising GDP data is an internationally accepted practice and has long been a working practice of the Chinese government regarding statistics. Whenever there are changes or updates to the basic data, accounting methods or classification standards required for GDP calculation, it is necessary to revise the historical GDP data. Everyone knows that GDP accounting requires a large amount of basic data. The more comprehensive the basic data, the higher the quality, and the higher the accuracy of GDP data, the better it can reflect the actual situation of national economic development. According to China's current GDP accounting system, the annual GDP accounting is divided into two steps: preliminary accounting and final verification. Preliminary accounting puts more focus on timeliness. It is mainly derived using specialized statistical progress information and departments' administrative records. The preliminary accounting of GDP for the previous year is announced at the beginning of each year. The final verification involves revising the preliminary accounting results using more abundant basic data, such as annual reports of specialized information, departmental financial statistics and fiscal accounts. In the year of an economic census, the preliminary GDP calculation figures for that year will be revised mainly based on the more comprehensive, accurate and detailed basic data obtained from the economic census. At the same time, the historical GDP data will also be revised to ensure the historical comparability of GDP data. We will release detailed data about this revision on the official website of the NBS in the near future.

Second, regarding the impact of the revision of the 2023 GDP accounting data on the GDP growth rate in 2024. In general, after verifying the GDP for 2023, the total GDP in 2024 will change, but the 2024 GDP growth rate accounting will not be significantly affected. According to China's current GDP accounting method, the preliminary calculation of GDP is mainly extrapolated by the speed of growth of relevant indexes. In other words, when calculating the GDP for 2024, it is based on the revised GDP for 2023, using the growth rate of different industry-related indicators. That is, the growth rate of value added of each industry in 2024 is first calculated, and then the total value added in 2024 is calculated based on this growth rate and the total value added from the previous year. So, although the revised GDP for 2023 will change in terms of total amount, it will not significantly impact the GDP growth rate for 2024. Judging from the past four economic censuses, data revisions have not had a significant impact on the GDP growth rate in subsequent years.

Third, we are also working intensively on the revision of GDP for each region. At present, the NBS is revising the preliminary calculation figures and historical data of the gross regional product for 2023 of each province, autonomous region and municipality based on the data of the fifth national economic census. The revision will take some time due to the relatively large workload. After the revision, the final verified figures of GDP for each province, autonomous region and municipality in 2023 will be authorized by the NBS and announced by the statistical bureaus of each province, autonomous region and municipality when they release the preliminary calculated figures of regional GDP for the whole year of 2024 in January 2025. The historical revised data on GDP of each province, autonomous region and municipality will be released to the public via the NBS database and the statistical yearbooks of each region in the second half of 2025. Thank you.

21st Century Business Herald:

China's economy has entered a stage of high-quality development. Judging from the results of the fifth national economic census, what achievements have been made in high-quality economic development in the country? What are the specific performances and highlights?

Kang Yi:

Thank you for your questions. High-quality development is the first and foremost task in building China into a modern socialist country in all respects. Over the five years, the whole country has unwaveringly focused on the primary task of high-quality development, fully and faithfully implemented the new development philosophy on all fronts, and accelerated the construction of a new development paradigm. We have not only successfully withstood various internal and external risks and challenges and maintained sustained economic growth, but also taken solid steps and achieved positive results in transforming the growth model, improving the economic structure, and fostering new drivers of growth. The data from the fifth national economic census fully demonstrates the significant achievements made by the country in high-quality development. These achievements are not only the result of our collective efforts and perseverance over the five years, but also give us the confidence to continue moving forward steadily in the future. In summary, there are several achievements and highlights.

First, new achievements have been made in building an innovative nation. In the five years, the country thoroughly implemented the innovation-driven development strategy, led industrial innovation with sci-tech innovation, strengthened the position of enterprises as the main body of innovation, vigorously developed new industries and new momentum, and effectively stimulated the innovative vitality and creative potential of the whole of society. R&D investment has continued to increase. In 2023, the full-time equivalent of R&D personnel in legal entities of industrial enterprises above designated size increased by 61.6% compared with 2018; R&D expenditure increased by 61.9%, and the ratio of R&D expenditure to operating income reached 1.54%, an increase of 0.31 percentage point from 2018. A large number of innovation achievements have emerged. In 2023, the number of patent applications by legal entities of industrial enterprises above designated size was 1.566 million, of which 614,000 were invention patent applications, increasing by 63.6% and 65.1%, respectively, compared with 2018. A report by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) shows that the country's global innovation index ranking jumped to 12th in 2023, up five places from 2018. In 2024, we moved up another place to 11th in the world.

Second, coordinated development has taken on a new pattern. Over the five years, the country has continued to deepen supply-side structural reform, promoted coordinated development between urban and rural areas, thoroughly implemented regional coordinated development strategies and major regional strategies, adjusted and optimized the economic structure, and improved the balance and coordination of development. The industrial structure is moving toward the medium- and high-end. At the end of 2023, the operating income of high-tech manufacturing enterprises above designated size accounted for 19.1% of manufacturing enterprises above designated size, an increase of 2.4 percentage points over 2018. Major regional strategies have been effectively implemented, and economic agglomeration effects have continued to emerge. By the end of 2023, the number of legal entities in the secondary and tertiary industries in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the Yangtze River Delta region, and the nine provinces and regions along the Yellow River Basin had increased by 27.5%, 56.6%, 50.2% and 60.8%, respectively, compared with the end of 2018; and the number of employees increased by 6.1%, 12.1%, 7.6% and 15.5% respectively.

Third, the comprehensive green transformation has shown new prospects. In the five years, the concept of green development has become more popular, circular development and low-carbon development have made solid progress, green production and lifestyles have been formed at a faster pace, and comprehensive green transformation has achieved remarkable results. Thanks to its supersized market, complete industrial systems, abundant human resources and sufficient market competition, China's new energy industry is developing vigorously, and product performance and quality are constantly improving. It is gradually becoming a new competitive industry for China. In 2023, the production of NEVs accounted for more than 60% of the world's total, making a sustainable contribution to global green development. The output of green products, such as lithium-ion power batteries for automobiles, monocrystalline silicon and polycrystalline silicon, has grown rapidly, injecting "green momentum" into the high-quality development of the economy.

Fourth, new progress has been made in ensuring and improving people's well-being. Over the five years, we have always regarded employment as the top priority for improving people's well-being, adhered to the employment-first policy, improved basic public services, continuously expanded job opportunities, and effectively ensured people's well-being. According to the census, the number of employees in legal entities in the secondary and tertiary sectors nationwide reached 420 million at the end of 2023, up by 11.9% compared to the end of 2018. Among them, the proportion of those employed in the tertiary industry is steadily increasing, and the largest increases in employment were all in the tertiary sector. Industries that are closely associated with people's daily lives, such as resident services, and cultural and recreational industries, are also developing rapidly, better meeting the needs of residents and improving their living standards. At the end of 2023, there were a total of 876,000 corporate units in the resident services, repair and other services nationwide, an increase of 82.9% compared to the end of 2018. There were a total of 817,000 corporate units in the culture, sports and recreation sectors, an increase of 44.1%.

In addition, over the five years, we have continuously promoted high-standard opening up, fostered a first-rate business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized. We have comprehensively relaxed restrictions on foreign investment access in the manufacturing sector, expanded market access in service sectors, such as telecommunications and health care, steadily expanded institutional opening up, and further unlocked more drivers of development.

Of course, we are also aware that achieving high-quality development is a complex systematic project that requires perseverance, unremitting efforts and continuous progress. We must adhere to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, remain unwavering in our pursuit of high-quality development, and not cease in reform or opening up, in order to form synergy that promotes high-quality development. Thank you.

Beijing News:

What plans are there for developing and utilizing the census data? And how has this census helped promote statistical development and reform? Thank you.

Lin Tao:

Thank you for your questions. These questions are regarding the exploration and utilization of the results of the economic census, which is also the focus of our economic census work going forward. The fifth national economic census is a major survey of the national conditions and strength carried out in the new era and on a new journey. The census has carried out input-output surveys, incorporated new investigative areas such as the digital economy, and actively adopted new technologies and methods. It comprehensively collected information on units in the secondary and tertiary industries, and developed a clear picture of these industries. It reflects the process of high-quality development to better grasp the industrial structure of the national economy. It provides important support for the comprehensive and objective review and assessment of the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), the scientific formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), and the national plans for medium- and long-term development.

In order to further harness results from this census, the NBS will deeply implement the guiding principles of third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, actively promote the development of data from the fifth national economic census, continuously improve the statistical investigation system, and accelerate the reform of statistical modernization. In promoting statistical reform and development, our main tasks are as follows:

First, we will use the census results to improve the statistical basic unit directory, provide a complete sampling frame and structural data for various sampling surveys, provide basic data for measuring and accounting for new economic and new field data, and promote improvements to the statistical system and statistical modernization reforms.

Second, we will further discover the specific methods of new product and service development and understand new business forms and models through analyzing the data from the fifth national economic census. At the same time, we will also revise and improve the current "Industrial Classification for National Economic Activities" and "Classification Annotations for National Economic Activities" in conjunction with the revision of international standards, refining economic activities in emerging fields and laying a solid foundation for strengthening the coverage of new economic areas in national statistics.

Third, we will use the results of the fifth national economic census to carry out the accounting and related trial calculations of industrial activity units at the place where the activity occurs, actively promote the statistics of the place where the business entity's activities occur, and further improve the monitoring system of routine statistics.

Fourth, we will carefully review the experience and practices gained from the fifth national economic census, strengthen communication and coordination with relevant departments, further understand the characteristics of digital economic development in various sectors, and improve the statistical monitoring of the digital economy.

At present, we are moving faster to edit and produce the China Economic Census Yearbook (2023) and other census materials to provide more detailed census data and facilitate economic and social development. Next, we will also focus on key areas of economic and social development and statistical reform, such as high-quality economic development, new quality productive forces, and the digital economy. We will organize private sectors, such as scientific R&D institutes, colleges and universities, make full use of the data from the fifth national economic census, conduct in-depth subject research and analysis, and release relevant research results successively. At the same time, we will expand census data sharing and services, provide information services on census data to relevant government departments and all sectors of society in accordance with the laws and regulations, and promote the use of census data for the benefit of the people. Thank you.

Shou Xiaoli:

Let's continue. Due to the limited time, we will take two final questions.

Economic Daily:

China has been the world's largest manufacturing country for many years. How do the results of this census reflect the development of China's industrial economy over the five years? What are the new features in terms of transformation and upgrading? Thank you.

Kang Yi:

Your questions are concerning industrial issues. Industry is an important mainstay of the real economy and the core driving force in accelerating the formation of new quality productive forces. Over the five years, China has taken solid steps toward the key task of new industrialization. We have integrated the construction of China's strength in manufacturing with the development of the digital economy, industrial informatization and other aspects, improving the modernization level of the industrial system, and achieving increases in the quantity and quality of the industrial economy. The trend toward high-end, intelligent and green development is quite clear. To sum up, there are several characteristics:

First, our industrial strength has developed and grown. In the five years, the advantages of our complete industrial system and strong supporting capabilities have continued to emerge. Many industrial enterprises have broken new ground and grown, more new forces have continued to join, and the number of industrial enterprises and their efficiency have steadily increased. At the end of 2023, there were a total of 4.236 million industrial corporate legal entities nationwide, an increase of 22.7% over the end of 2018. The assets of these industrial corporate legal entities totaled 201 trillion yuan, an increase of 44.3%. The operating income of industrial enterprises reached 152.4 trillion yuan, an increase of 28.6% over 2018. As the main body of the industrial economy, China's manufacturing industry has ranked first in the world for 14 consecutive years, accounting for approximately 30% of the global share.

Second, the manufacturing sector is moving toward high-end development. In the five years, high-end industries represented by equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing have accelerated their development, driving continuous optimization and upgrading of the industrial structure. By the end of 2023, there were 192,000 and 53,000 legal entities engaged in China's equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing above designated size, respectively. These figures represent growth of 44.5% and 57.4%, respectively, compared to the end of 2018, with their share of total industrial enterprises above the designated size increasing by 3.5 percentage points and 1.8 percentage points, respectively. The operating income of corporate units in the equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing above designated size increased by 36.8% and 43.1% over 2018, significantly higher than the average level of all industrial enterprises above designated size. At the same time, prospective plans are being accelerated in terms of planning and implementation, promoting rapid growth of strategic emerging industries. At the end of 2023, the number of industrial enterprises with legal person status engaged in the production of strategic emerging industries nationwide reached 96,000, an increase of 45% compared to the end of 2018. The proportion of these industrial enterprises with legal person status accounted for 19.5% of all industrial enterprises with legal person status, an increase of 1.8 percentage points compared to the end of 2018.

Third, steps to promote intelligent development were accelerated. In the five years, we have actively integrated digital technology into the real economy, vigorously developed the digital industry, transforming traditional industries with digital technologies. Technologies such as cloud computing, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and the industrial internet have been rapidly advancing, continuously empowering the development of the industrial economy. By 2023, more than half of China's industrial enterprises above designated size had applied digital technology in all aspects of production and operation. The digital product manufacturing industry has shown strong vitality. By the end of 2023, there were 262,000 corporate units and 13.372 million employees in China's digital product manufacturing sector. The operating income reached 20.5 trillion yuan, accounting for 42.3% of the corporate units in the core industries of the digital economy.

Fourth, sustained efforts were made in green transformation. China has continuously promoted the green and low-carbon transformation of the manufacturing sector, increasing the clean and low-carbon transformation, vigorously developing green productive forces, and bringing more green technologies and products to the market. It is gradually forming competitive industries, which not only help achieve the "dual carbon" goals, but also inject new momentum into high-quality economic development. In 2023, the production of new energy products such as solar panels and wind turbines increased by 4.9 times and 7.4 times, respectively, compared to 2018, and the production of NEVs also saw a significant surge.

Over the five years, China's industrial economy has forged ahead, demonstrating both quantitative growth and qualitative improvements. The advantages of a comprehensive industrial system have become increasingly prominent, and the international competitiveness of "Made in China" has steadily been strengthened. However, on the whole, China's industrial development remains at a critical juncture of transitioning from a large industrial base to a strong industrial powerhouse, with significant hurdles to overcome. Shortcomings still exist, particularly in key and core technologies, while production and operational difficulties persist for industrial enterprises, especially micro and small enterprises. To address these challenges, we must continue advancing new industrialization, deeply integrate sci-tech innovation with industrial innovation, accelerate the development of new quality productive forces, and consistently promote the high-quality development of the industrial economy. Thank you.

Shou Xiaoli:

Last question, please.

Yicai:

This census is the first to include content related to the digital economy. What do the results of the census show in terms of the current development status of China's digital economy? And what new achievements have been made? Thank you.

Wang Guanhua:

Thank you for your questions. Your question is regarding the development of the digital economy, and this is the first time such data has been included in the national economic census. In recent years, the NBS has continuously advanced the statistical monitoring and accounting of the digital economy. For the first time, the fifth national economic census included survey results on the digital economy. The census data shows that China's digital economy is thriving, with steady progress being made in digital industrialization and the digital transformation of industries, injecting new momentum into economic and social development. Specifically, the following key features can be observed:

First, significant progress has been made in the digitalization of industries. Digital industrialization, which refers to the core industries of the digital economy, includes digital product manufacturing, digital product services, digital technology applications and digital factor-driven industries. These sectors form the foundation of digital economic development. Over the five years, the scale of digital product manufacturing, services and applications has steadily expanded, and the quality of development has consistently improved. To briefly provide some data, in 2023, China had 2.916 million legal entities in the core industries of the digital economy, achieving operating revenue of 48.4 trillion yuan, accounting for 10.9% of the operating revenue of all legal entities in the secondary and tertiary industries.

Second, digital manufacturing and digital applications have clear advantages. Among the core industries of the digital economy, the digital product manufacturing sector makes up a relatively high share of operating revenue, accounting for more than 40%. Meanwhile, the number of enterprises in the digital technology application sector is relatively large, approaching 50%. This reflects the scale advantage of China's digital product manufacturing industry and the dynamic development of its digital technology application sector. According to the fifth national economic census, in 2023, there were 262,000 legal entities in the digital product manufacturing sector, accounting for 9% of all enterprises in the core digital economy industries. The operating revenue reached 20.5 trillion yuan, accounting for 42.3%. In the digital technology application sector, there were 1.43 million legal entities, accounting for 49% of the total, and operating revenue amounted to 14 trillion yuan, accounting for 29%.

Third, the digital economy in the eastern region is developing well. From the perspective of regional characteristics in digital economic development, the eastern region leads the country due to its favorable infrastructure, abundant application scenarios and advanced development. In 2023, the number of legal entities in the core industries of the digital economy in the eastern, central, western and northeastern regions accounted for 62.2%, 20.2%, 13.6% and 4.0% of the national total, respectively. The operating revenue of these four regions accounted for 73.0%, 13.8%, 11.9% and 1.3%, respectively. These figures show that the eastern region has a higher share than other regions and is a leading force in the development of the digital economy.

Fourth, the digital transformation of industries is steadily progressing. Industrial digitalization, which refers to the integration of digital technologies into traditional industries, reflects the fusion of digital technology and the real economy. In recent years, through the application of digital technologies such as cloud computing, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and the industrial internet, industries have been undergoing transformation and upgrading, with improvements in production efficiency. This trend is becoming a new highlight in the development of China's digital economy. According to the fifth national economic census, in 2023, 47% of enterprises above designated size applied digital technologies like cloud computing, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and the industrial internet. By industry, in the secondary sector, 54.1% of enterprises above designated size adopted digital technologies, including 41.6% applying cloud computing, 40.1% using the industrial internet and 32.1% utilized the Internet of Things. In the tertiary sector, 41.5% of enterprises above designated size adopted digital technologies, with 34.5% using cloud computing and 22.2% utilizing the Internet of Things.

The above four aspects reflect the current situation and characteristics of China's digital economy development as indicated by the fifth national economic census. I hope this answers your question.

Shou Xiaoli:

Thank you, Mr. Kang, all the speakers and friends from the media. Today's briefing is hereby concluded. Goodbye.

Translated and edited by Yang Xi, Yang Chuanli, Liu Sitong, Liu Jianing, Guo Yiming, Liu Caiyi, Mi Xingang, Huang Shan, Wang Qian, Wang Yanfang, Yan Bin, Wang Yiming, Li Huiru, David Ball. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.

Representatives from major companies sign investment agreements at a promotional event held by Tacheng prefecture of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in Beijing on Jan. 14, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

In a major economic boost for China's northwestern frontier, Tacheng prefecture of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region secured investment commitments on 30 projects worth 73.77 billion yuan (US$10.06 billion) at a promotional event held in Beijing on Tuesday.

The projects involve more than 300 major companies, including state-owned enterprises and industry leaders, from various sectors like renewable energy, tourism, mining, and textiles.

Zhi Xianwei, the prefecture's Party secretary, said that Tacheng, as an important hub in the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt, is now developing a modern industrial system focused on key industries like mining, new energy, agriculture, textiles, biomanufacturing, foreign trade, and cultural tourism to drive growth and innovation.

One of the flagship deals announced at the event was a 13 billion-yuan investment by a Beijing-based company Shouchu Nongxin to construct a solar panel recycling facility in Wusu city. The state-of-the-art facility will feature 100 production lines capable of processing 1 million metric tons of photovoltaic modules annually.

Zhou Hua, vice chairman and CEO of the company, expressed confidence in the region's prospects. "After conducting field research in Tacheng prefecture, we were deeply impressed by its huge development potential and vast opportunities for collaboration," he said. "We look forward to working with Tacheng to create a bright future together."

The local government also unveiled comprehensive development plans for developing three key sectors over the next decade: modern logistics (2024-2030), tourism (2025-2035), and synthetic biology manufacturing (2025-2030). 

An official from Tacheng prefecture said that these plans aim to provide investors with clear guidance on the region's industrial development trajectory.

The event, which drew more than 600 attendees including business leaders and industry experts, showcased Tacheng's ambitious plans for leveraging its strategic location and rich resources to drive economic growth.

At a press conference Monday, Vice Minister of the General Administration of Customs of China Wang Lingjun refuted U.S. overcapacity claims, stating that China's robust manufacturing sector ensures stable global industrial and supply chains and drives global technological progress and industrial upgrading.

Editor's note: China's annual Spring Festival travel rush began on Jan. 14 this year. Train No. K4159, which departed from Beijing West Railway Station for Hefei in Anhui province at 12:02 a.m., marked the start of this year's railway travel rush in Beijing.

During the 40-day peak travel season, millions of Chinese are expected to return home to reunite with their families for the Spring Festival, which falls on Jan. 29 this year.

A railway station staff member and passengers of train K4159 at Beijing West Railway Station mark the beginning of the annual Spring Festival travel rush, Jan. 14, 2025. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

A passenger walks past a signboard for train K4159 (Beijing West Railway Station to Hefei Station) on Jan. 14, 2025, the first day of this year's annual Spring Festival travel rush in China. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

A conductor for train K4159 checks passengers' tickets before they board at Beijing West Railway Station on Jan. 14, 2025, the first day of this year's annual Spring Festival travel rush in China. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

A conductor for train K4159 checks passengers' tickets before they board at Beijing West Railway Station on Jan. 14, 2025, the first day of this year's annual Spring Festival travel rush in China. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

A child on train K4159 waves to a police officer patrolling the platform at Beijing West Railway Station before departure on Jan. 14, 2025, the first day of this year's annual Spring Festival travel rush in China. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

Passengers smile and display posters featuring the Chinese character "fu," which means blessings, on train K4159 on Jan. 14, 2025, the first day of this year's Spring Festival travel rush in China. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

Two conductors of train K4159 await passengers boarding at Beijing West Railway Station before departure on Jan. 14, 2025, the first day of the annual Spring Festival travel rush in China. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

The dining car of train K4159 is decorated with small lanterns hanging from the luggage racks, featuring Chinese characters for blessings and "Happy New Year" on Jan. 14, 2025, marking the beginning of this year's Spring Festival travel rush in China. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

Chefs inspect the kitchen in the dining car of train K4159 on Jan. 14, 2025, before it leaves Beijing West Railway Station for Hefei, marking the start of this year's Spring Festival travel rush in China. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

Passengers in the sleeper car rest after boarding train K4159 before it departs Beijing West Railway Station for Hefei, marking the beginning of this year's Spring Festival travel rush in China. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

Engineers of train K4159 make preparations before it departs Beijing West Railway Station for Hefei on Jan. 14, 2025, to mark the beginning of this year's Spring Festival travel rush in China. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

Engineers of train K4159 confirm the clearance signature for departure with hand gestures before departing Beijing West Railway Station for Hefei on Jan. 14, 2025, marking the start of this year's Spring Festival travel rush in China. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

Passengers at Beijing West Railway Station wait for train K4159, which is scheduled to leave for Hefei shortly after midnight on Jan. 14, 2025, marking the beginning of this year's Spring Festival travel rush in China. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

Passengers at Beijing West Railway Station wait for train K4159, which is scheduled to leave for Hefei shortly after midnight on Jan. 14, 2025, marking the beginning of this year's Spring Festival travel rush in China. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

Passengers on train K4159 showcase posters with the Chinese character "fu," meaning blessings, as they wait for the train, which is scheduled to leave for Hefei shortly after midnight on Jan. 14, 2025, marking the beginning of this year's Spring Festival travel rush in China. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

Passengers of train K4159 pass through ticket gates on their way to the platform at Beijing West Railway Station on the first day of the Spring Festival travel rush, Jan. 14, 2024. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Statistics released data on Monday, highlighting the city's progress in the "five key initiatives" and demonstrating its commitment to high-quality development.

The five key initiatives were launched by Beijing to better fulfill its role as the national capital, include building the city into an international center of innovation; developing the "two zones," namely the Integrated National Demonstration Zone for Opening up the Services Sector and the China (Beijing) Pilot Free Trade Zone; turning Beijing into a global model city for the digital economy; stimulating and creating new demand through supply-side structural reform; and making greater headway in the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

For the construction of an international center of innovation, Beijing has become home to 1,115 unicorn companies with a total valuation of US$594.9 billion as of the end of 2024, maintaining its leading position in both number and valuation nationwide. At the end of November 2024, the city had 301.1 invention patents per 10,000 people, maintaining its top rank nationwide with a year-on-year increase of 15.9%.

In regard to the development of the "two zones," Beijing continued to pursue high-level opening-up. From January to November 2024, the city saw 1,777 new foreign-funded enterprises, a year-on-year increase of 14%, 5 percentage points higher than the national average. 

The initiatives have boosted both the quality and efficiency of Beijing's economic development. The tertiary industry in Beijing accounts for over 80% of the economy, with the financial, information services, and technology services sectors collectively making up more than 50% of the industry. Meanwhile, the consumption structure continues to upgrade, with service-related consumption expenditures by residents exceeding half of total consumption. The total retail sales of consumer goods have surpassed 1 trillion yuan.

In addition, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has achieved further coordinated development. The region's GDP reached 7.9 trillion yuan in the first three quarters of 2024. The region has also accelerated the shared access to public services such as education, healthcare, and eldercare.

During the ongoing "two sessions" of Beijing municipality, members of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) met on Monday to discuss ways to further invigorate the city's cultural heritage.

Bi Jianyu, an official from the municipal cultural heritage authority, shared the city's experience in establishing a world cultural heritage protection alliance in Beijing and launching a world heritage brand in Beijing to strengthen international exchange. He said that, this year, Beijing plans to leverage digital tools to showcase heritage sites, including a digital tour illustrating human evolution in Beijing over hundreds of thousands of years.

Yang Lihui, head of the center for intangible cultural heritage research and development at Beijing Normal University, said that Beijing could draw inspiration from international experiences in developing tourism routes. She suggested combining legends, stories, traditional performances, and customs with attractions, integrating the dynamic display of intangible cultural heritage into modern public cultural spaces.

Du Zhenjie, head of a project studio at the Jingju Theater Company of Beijing, suggested establishing workshops for intangible cultural heritage inheritors, regularly teach young actors traditional Peking Opera repertoires. He said that this could ensure consistent efforts to improve the quality of their performances.

Other members also made suggestions such as creating multifunctional platforms for artistic creation and exhibition, continuously developing Beijing's major cultural elements, and further integrating culture with industries like technology, tourism, manufacturing, consumer goods, business, and finance.

In 2024, the Central Axis was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making Beijing the city with the most world heritage sites in the world.

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Artist Li Yunzhong sat down with special guests to discuss Chinese mythology, the novel "The Investiture of the Gods" and his new book "Creation of the Gods Trilogy: Li Yunzhong's Concept Art Collection" during an event at the Sisyphe Bookstore in the Beijing World Trade Center on Jan. 11.

Li Yunzhong (second left) discusses his new book, "Creation of the Gods Trilogy: Li Yunzhong's Concept Art Collection," at the Sisyphe Bookstore in the Beijing World Trade Center, Beijing, Jan. 11, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

Li Yunzhong, who studied under master traditional Chinese painter Dai Dunbang, has considerable experience in painting based on classic novels such as "The Investiture of the Gods" and "Journey to the West." His new book focuses on his work behind-the-scenes creating artwork for the "Creation of the Gods" movie trilogy, reinterpreting classic literary characters from a modern artistic perspective. The book meticulously depicts the costumes of key characters, retaining the essence of the original works while incorporating modern aesthetics. It also includes an array of mythical creatures and totem designs, adding a rich cultural layer to the story.

At the event, Li was joined by novelist Li Tianfei and CAFA tutor Mu Zhifei, with moderation from podcast host Zhang Rui. Discussing the transformation from written word to cinematic language, Li shared several creative concepts, such as referencing traditional rituals and historical details when designing costumes, like the ceremonial attire worn during feudal lords' assemblies.

Regarding Deng Chanyu — a female general from the Yin dynasty in "The Investiture of the Gods" — Li noted significant differences between his initial designs of the character and her final depiction in the film. "In the initial design, I portrayed Deng as a disciplined general of the Yin dynasty and didn't expect anything special, but the film later incorporated more dazzling ideas," he said. 

Additionally, the guests delved into more esoteric topics, such as the number of arms on Nezha, a character whose depiction varies in different works, each carrying different ceremonial meanings and implications. Li mentioned, "In 'Journey to the West,' Nezha has three heads and six arms, while in 'The Investiture of the Gods,' he has three heads and eight arms, and we also adopted the eight-armed design."

When talking about how the culture of "The Investiture of the Gods" can reach a global audience, Li emphasized the need to move beyond the original constraints and focus on derivative content. "The fact is, the 'Creation of the Gods' movies have gone global. We are continuously thinking about how to merge excellent classic literature with media, or how to introduce other outstanding literary works and traditional Chinese culture to the world. This requires leveraging the most advanced and popular new media to establish cultural confidence." Regarding future creative plans, Li expressed his continued focus on classic literary works.

The event also introduced the new book's design and features. The book includes sections on characters, mythical creatures and totems, with a rich array of character images, such as multiple representations of King Wu of Zhou. Totem designs, initially opposed by Li, were ultimately incorporated at the filmmakers' suggestion to help audiences visually distinguish the various factions.

Following the discussion, the guests answered audience questions about comparisons between characters from "The Investiture of the Gods" and "Journey to the West," and the distinctive aspects of Li's design style. Li said his works emphasize well-researched references and withstand scrutiny, with painting lines that respect their common origin with calligraphy, reflecting traditional techniques. 

The 2025 Children's Science Fiction Nebula Awards will take place in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang province, along with the inaugural sci-fi book cloud exhibition in May, according to details announced during a press event in Beijing on Jan. 10.

Leaders, organizers and guests pose for a group photo at a press event to brief details of the 2025 Children's Science Fiction Nebula Awards and a sci-fi book exhibition in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2025. [Photo/China.org.cn]

According to organizers, both the awards and the cloud exhibition will take place in Harbin from May 28 to June 2 this year. The program will feature a series of activities, including opening and closing ceremonies, forums, reading promotions, award ceremonies, a gala, and public welfare activities for Science Fiction Reading Month, along with large-scale collaborative events across hundreds of cities and thousands of bookstores nationwide.

Zhu Yanming, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Harbin Municipal Committee and director of the Harbin Municipal Bureau of Press and Publication, stated that these events will provide a platform for China's children's sci-fi publishing industry to highlight its appeal, exchange ideas, and seek cooperation opportunities.

Li Xiaodong, director of the Social Contact Department of the China Writers Association, described sci-fi literature as a transformative force that reveals the limitless possibilities of technology and human creativity. He noted that the Children's Science Fiction Conference would integrate sci-fi with children's education and promote reading to inspire young minds. "This aims to nurture their curiosity and exploration spirit, potentially shaping them into future innovators like Liu Cixin or Elon Musk, thus opening up endless possibilities," he said.

Chinese popular science and sci-fi mogul Dong Renwei, founder of the Children's Science Fiction Nebula Awards and chairman of the International Children's Science Fiction Association, stated that the awards serve as a vital bridge for advancing children's science fiction exchange activities. "This event will provide a platform for young sci-fi creators and enthusiasts to showcase their talents and exchange ideas, comprehensively promoting the vigorous development of the sci-fi industry," he said. "It aims to ignite children's boundless passion for science fiction, continuously inject strong momentum into the widespread dissemination and sustained innovation of children's sci-fi culture, and help propel the children's sci-fi industry toward an even brighter future."

Ma Chuansi, a sci-fi writer and chairman of the organizing committee for the awards, emphasized that the event will celebrate the annual achievements of children's sci-fi literature while further integrating the sci-fi market with publishing and reading promotion. It will also enhance the children's sci-fi talent network and help build a more comprehensive cultural industry ecosystem.

Bai Yunpeng, chairman of Harbin Huiwen Academy Cultural Media Group and president of the Harbin Publication Distribution Industry Association, promised that the cloud exhibition would combine virtual displays with local in-person events during the Children's Science Fiction Conference, featuring distinguished guests and key highlights to boost its influence. He advocated for increased reader engagement through in-person bookstore events such as meet-and-greets, book signings, lectures, and story-sharing sessions with writers and publishers — providing unique experiences not available online.

During the press event, renowned writers Wang Jinkang and Ye Mei, along with Chinese aerospace science popularization expert Zhou Wu, delivered speeches acknowledging the rapid progress of children's sci-fi in recent years. They expressed hope that this genre could inspire young people's imagination and innovation while bringing Chinese sci-fi to the global stage. At one point, Wang Jinkang launched his new children's sci-fi book, "Green Flying Monkey from the Beautiful Star." Later, two panels featuring sci-fi writers and experts explored themes such as the educational significance of sci-fi literature and the future possibilities of creating and promoting sci-fi literature.

Liu Weihong, president of Beijing Children's Publishing House, said he believed the awards and the exhibition represented a collective leap in discovering new quality productive forces.

"Writers can more directly understand readers' preferences and feedback, creating works that better meet their needs," he said. "Young readers also have the opportunity to establish closer connections with a large group of their favorite writers, enhancing their reading experience and love for science fiction literature. This book exhibition can lay a solid foundation for the future development of sci-fi publishing and is bound to promote the healthy operation of the entire sci-fi industry chain."

Editor's note: Beijing's Taoranting Park and Yuyuantan Park have launched ice and snow carnival events featuring more than 20 winter activities, including penguin parades, snow tubing and ice mazes. The festivities are designed to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival and are expected to remain open through mid to late February 2025.

A sign displays "Taoranting Ice and Snow Carnival" at Taoranting Park in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

Guests wait to descend the snow slide and enjoy activities at Taoranting Park in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

Visitors enjoy the snow tank attraction at Taoranting Park in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

Attendees interact with a snow excavator at Taoranting Park in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

Staff members shovel snow beside the attractions to ensure visitor safety at Taoranting Park in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

A clown hands out balloons to children at Taoranting Park in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

Visitors happily interact with a polar bear mascot at Taoranting Park in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

Visitors watch the penguin parade at Taoranting Park in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

A visitor poses for photos in the snow field at Taoranting Park in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

Visitors play on the snow swings at Taoranting Park in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

A visitor poses for photos on a snowmobile at Taoranting Park in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

Visitors experience the ice slide at Taoranting Park in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

Visitors take part in a snow tubing attraction, pulling each other along in tubes across the snow at Taoranting Park in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

Visitors play in the snow park at Taoranting Park in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

A visitor interacts with a penguin at Taoranting Park in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

A sign displays "The Second Beijing Ice and Snow Tourism Season" at Yuyuantan Park in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

Visitors take photos in the snow field at Yuyuantan Park in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

A scenic view of the snow field at Yuyuantan Park in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

Visitors joyfully enjoy snow tubing at Yuyuantan Park in Beijing, Jan. 10, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

Renowned filmmaker Zhang Yimou said that Chinese films should strive to earn their place on the world stage and seek significant global influence at the 2024 Weibo Night in Beijing on Jan. 11.

Director Zhang Yimou receives the most internationally influential director of the year award at the 2024 Weibo Night, Beijing, Jan. 11, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Weibo]

Zhang received the award for most internationally influential director of the year at the event, which is China's most high-profile social network gala. However, he pointed out: "We're not just here to participate in a party. We should remember and pledge to continue our task of taking our films global, which requires great and sustainable efforts from generations on this long and hard road. We will strive to ensure our works and our culture exert a significant influence on the world."

Before the director took to the stage, a montage of his classic works was shown, accompanied by a live folk music tribute performance. "After working in the business for decades, I feel that what we do is humble and small; it doesn't matter as much. Only the final films matter — they remain timeless and everlasting. These pieces of music and scenes from films will become part of an era, history and the best memories of our lifetimes," he said.

Zhang Yimou released "Article 20," a legal drama focused on the contentious legal concept of justifiable self-defense and the complex issues it presents, in 2024. The film earned 2.43 billion yuan during last year's Spring Festival. His recent blockbusters include "Full River Red" and "Snipers." Internationally, he is best known for directing a series of award-winning films such as "Hero" and "Red Sorghum," and two spectacular Olympic opening ceremonies. Currently, he is working on the highly anticipated movie adaptation of "The Three-Body Problem," based on Liu Cixin's Hugo Award-winning sci-fi novel.

One of the highlights of Weibo Night was the assembly on stage of cast and crew from five Chinese productions — "Ne Zha 2," "Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants," "Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force," "Detective Chinatown 1900" and "Boonie Bears: Future Reborn." The filmmakers behind these movies, set to be screened during the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, were there to both promote their own works and encourage each other.

"I saw them introduce their films and I felt that this Spring Festival should be great, as they are all great films," Zhang Yimou added. "I hope the 2025 Spring Festival brings new hope and a new start for us filmmakers to embrace a better tomorrow."

A total of 43 awards were handed out at the ceremony, covering entertainment, sports, e-sports, culture and aerospace to figures and celebrities from various walks of life. The star-studded gala attracted 1.8 billion views during its livestream broadcast on Weibo. For years, the Chinese microblogging platform has served as a premier platform for marketing films and other entertainment projects, as well as a news feed and place for discussing hot social issues and breaking news.

China's total value of imports and exports reached a record high of 43.85 trillion yuan (US$6.16 trillion) in 2024, an increase of 5% year on year, said Wang Lingjun, vice minister of the General Administration of Customs of China, on Monday.

An aerial drone photo taken on March 20, 2024 shows a container ship berthing at the Tianjin Port in Tianjin, north China. [Photo/Xinhua]

In an exclusive interview with China.org.cn, Professor Michael R. Powers of Tsinghua University's Schwarzman College expressed optimism about China's economic growth target for 2024 despite the challenges posed by the current global economic environment.

"China's GDP growth target of around 5% for 2024 is positive and consistent with the nation's developmental trajectory as it transitions from a manufacturing-driven economy to a more diversified and mature one," Powers said. He stressed that China's resilience should be considered in the context of previous global challenges, including the trade war and the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, Powers observed that the Chinese economy is maintaining stability while demonstrating an upward trend.

Reflecting on the Central Economic Work Conference held last December, Powers highlighted the more proactive fiscal policies and moderately loose monetary measures discussed during the event. He contrasted these with the broader, less focused economic strategies adopted by the United States. "The lack of specificity in U.S. measures often results in significant government spending without achieving desired outcomes, such as curbing inflation," Powers explained.

He also suggested stimulating consumption in key sectors such as technology, green energy and advanced manufacturing, while energizing the private sector to drive employment growth.

Addressing President-elect Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs on goods from China, Canada and Mexico, Powers identified two motives behind such rhetoric. On the one hand, it aims to support domestic manufacturing and appeal to voters; on the other, it serves as a form of external pressure. However, Powers characterized Trump as highly unpredictable, noting that his positions can shift rapidly. He suggested that Trump may pivot from imposing tariffs to negotiating with China in pursuit of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Powers warned of the largely detrimental effects of decoupling, arguing that it creates barriers to collaboration in critical fields such as manufacturing, technology, artificial intelligence and communications. He noted that decoupling risks fragmenting the global economy, compelling smaller nations to align with either China, the U.S., or the European Union. Powers asserted that such fragmentation is an inefficient path forward.

Turning to Sino-U.S. cultural exchanges, Powers expressed concern over the negative rhetoric about China from certain U.S. politicians, which has led to misunderstandings and ignorance among some Americans about the country. He suggested that increased travel to China by Americans could help bridge this gap. "It's important to have more Americans visit China to see that it is a very nice country," Powers said. "Especially those who are educated and business-oriented, as they will see more positive aspects of China."

Additionally, Powers urged China to expand and export its popular culture. He pointed to the success of Japanese anime and South Korean pop music in the U.S., arguing that China could similarly develop its cultural soft power to enhance mutual understanding. He suggested that animated content could serve as a cultural bridge, highlighting shared human experiences and humor. Powers recalled learning Chinese through the animated series "Big Ear Tutu," which showcased shared aspects of humor and culture in both China and America.

The 26th Peking University Guanghua New Year's Forum is held in Beijing on Jan. 11, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Peking University Guanghua School of Management]

Innovation and reform are essential for driving sustainable global economic growth, experts said at the 26th Peking University Guanghua New Year's Forum on Jan. 11.

Hosted by Peking University's Guanghua School of Management, this year's forum focused on the theme "Innovation-driven Growth: Empowering a Sustainable Global Economy," which aimed to tackle the challenges and opportunities arising from rapid technological, environmental and economic changes.

In his keynote speech, "Technological Innovation as the Pillar of New Quality Productive Forces," Wang Yiming, vice chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, emphasized that technological innovation is crucial for developing new quality productivity.

Wang proposed several recommendations to foster a virtuous cycle between education, technology and talent. He stressed the need to lead in innovation, urging a focus on breakthroughs in intermediate and foundational technologies rather than solely on end-product advancements. He also underlined the importance of moving from integrated innovation to original innovation, supported by more open talent policies.

The economist further advocated for reforms in the financial system, suggesting the development of multi-tiered capital markets and the exploration of new credit financing models to better support technology-oriented enterprises.

Liu Yuanchun, president of the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, expressed concern over rising global debt levels, calling it an urgent issue. Speaking at the forum, he noted that structural reform will likely become a key focus of global competition in the years ahead.

While global competition may appear to center on political rivalry and technological advancements, Liu emphasized that its underlying driver is always reform.

Discussing the future of general artificial intelligence, Zhu Songchun, chair professor at Peking University and dean of its Institute for Artificial Intelligence, stressed the need for China to pursue a distinct development path for AI that emphasizes self-reliance and cultural innovation.

Zhu urged researchers and policymakers to modernize governance models, address interdisciplinary challenges, and promote an innovative culture that integrates traditional Chinese philosophy with global perspectives. He also called for a shift in the research paradigm from being data-driven to value-driven.

Liu Qiao, dean of the Guanghua School of Management at Peking University, delivers a keynote speech at the 26th Peking University Guanghua New Year's Forum on Jan. 11, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Peking University Guanghua School of Management]

Liu Qiao, dean of the Guanghua School of Management at Peking University, delivered a keynote speech titled "Seeking Certainty in an Era of Uncertainty through Innovation" at the forum. He emphasized that total factor productivity (TFP) is not only a cornerstone of long-term economic growth but also a crucial benchmark for assessing new quality productive forces.

Liu noted that China possesses large-scale production scenarios conducive to TFP growth, and the comprehensive deepening of reforms and technological revolutions will create significant opportunities for TFP improvement. However, he acknowledged that insufficient productivity growth remains a long-term global challenge.

Looking ahead to 2025, Liu stressed the importance of innovation in addressing uncertainties and expressed confidence in China's ability to achieve a 5% economic growth rate this year.

He outlined six key areas where China should focus: capturing specific aspects of uncertain growth through policy innovation, identifying opportunities in energy transition and digital economy development, reducing the urban-rural gap to boost residents' consumption rates, creating a financial system aligned with high-quality development, and pursuing global opportunities to enhance the value chain.

Since its establishment in 1998, the Guanghua New Year's Forum has become one of China's leading platforms for dialogue on economic and management issues. The forum aims to address critical challenges and explore strategies to promote sustainable growth by bringing together leaders from government, academia and industry.

中文

Speakers:

Mr. Li Yang, vice minister of transport 

Mr. Zhou Rongfeng, director general of the Highway Bureau of the Ministry of Transport 

Ms. Wang Xiuchun, deputy director general and first-level inspector  of the Department of Transport Services of the Ministry of Transport 

Mr. Hou Zhenxing, deputy director of the General Planning Department of the Ministry of Transport

Chairperson:

Ms. Xing Huina, deputy director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date:

Nov. 29, 2024

Xing Huina:

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO).

Today, the SCIO has organized this press conference to release the white paper "China's Rural Roads in the New Era," and to introduce and interpret its main content. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the white paper fully implements General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions on the construction, management, maintenance and operation of rural roads. It systematically outlines China's policy approaches to rural road development and provides a comprehensive overview of efforts to steadily advance rural transport infrastructure construction, enhance governance capacity, improve maintenance efficiency, and elevate service levels. The white paper also shares China's experiences in supporting rural economic development, advancing rural revitalization, and promoting the modernization of agricultural sector and rural areas through rural road development. Furthermore, it highlights China's active contributions to the development of rural transport in other developing countries through international cooperation mechanisms, offering both wisdom and strength to foster global progress.

The white paper consists of a preface, main body and conclusion, and is approximately 20,000 Chinese characters in length. The main body is divided into seven chapters: "Building Roads to Benefit Rural Areas and the Rural Population," "Building Rural Roads Accessible to Every Household," "More Coordinated, Standardized and Efficient Rural Road Governance," "Safer, More Durable, and More Comfortable Rural Roads," "Smooth and Convenient Passenger and Freight Transport in Rural Areas," "Interconnected Roads Bring Prosperity to All Industries, and Help Improve People's Lives and the Environment in Rural Areas," and "China's Contribution to Rural Transport in Other Developing Countries."

The white paper is published in eight languages — Chinese, English, French, Russian, German, Spanish, Arabic and Japanese. It is published by the People's Press and the Foreign Languages Press and available at Xinhua Bookstores nationwide.

To help everyone gain a better understanding of the white paper, we have invited Mr. Li Yang, vice minister of transport, to attend today's press conference. He will introduce the white paper and interpret its key contents, and answer your questions. Also present today are Mr. Zhou Rongfeng, director general of the Highway Bureau of the Ministry of Transport; Ms. Wang Xiuchun, deputy director general and first-level inspector of the Department of Transport Services of the Ministry of Transport; and Mr. Hou Zhenxing, deputy director  of the Department of General Planning at the Ministry of Transport. Now, I would like to invite Mr. Li to give his introduction.

Li Yang:

Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, good afternoon. I am very pleased to join you today to witness the release of the white paper "China's Rural Roads in the New Era." Thank you all for your interest in and support for the development of rural road infrastructure.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, as well as the 10th anniversary of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instruction to further improve the construction, management, maintenance and operation of rural roads. Guided by General Secretary Xi Jinping's important directives on rural roads, people of all ethnic groups in China have overcome mountains by building roads, crossed rivers by building bridges, and tackled difficulties, continuously promoting the high-quality development of rural roads. This has led to historic achievements and paved a development path for rural roads that is in line with China's national conditions, adapted to local conditions, and is practical. It has also contributed Chinese wisdom to the global poverty reduction cause and provided Chinese solutions. I will now briefly introduce the main contents of the white paper "China's Rural Roads in the New Era" from four aspects.

One aspect of the white paper is that it systematically expounds on the basic principles of China's rural road development. These basic principles can be summarized in five aspects:

First, people-centered approach. We remain committed to the development philosophy that prioritizes the people and focuses on their well-being, striving to meet the public's demand for better travel.

Second, high-level planning as a part of overall national development. We have focused our efforts on serving the central task of economic development and the overall interests of the country, positioning rural road development within major tasks that are crucial to the country's overall development, including poverty alleviation, the implementation of the rural revitalization strategy, and the modernization of agricultural sector and rural areas.

Third, exploring development paths in light of local conditions. We have taken into account the development stage and conditions of rural areas in different regions and of different types, and formulate differentiated development goals and supportive policies to ensure that rural roads align with the regional economic development level, rural industrial layout and the public's demand for safe, efficient and convenient travel.

Fourth, propelling rural road construction with reform and innovation. We continue to deepen the institutional reform of rural road management and maintenance systems, using reform and innovation to invigorate the development of rural roads.

Fifth, forging synergy for development through coordination and collaboration. We continue to motivate all parties involved, establishing a work framework under which Party committees exercise leadership, governments play a principal role, government departments across different levels coordinate their actions to ensure efficient operation, thus creating a powerful force for development.

The second aspect of the white paper is that it provides a comprehensive introduction to the practices and achievements in China's rural road development. Based on the foundation of "construction," we have accelerated the creation of an extensive rural road network that connects villages and towns. Over the past decade, we have constructed and upgraded 2.5 million kilometers of rural roads. By the end of 2023, the total length of rural roads in China reached 4.6 million kilometers, with all towns, townships, and administrative villages where conditions allow now having access to asphalt and cement roads. A rural transport infrastructure network in which county roads connect rural and urban areas, township roads crisscross, and village roads facilitate travel between households and farmland is in place. Our rural roads are not only built quickly but also beautifully. Every year, we select the top 10 most beautiful rural roads. Recently, in coordination with the white paper, we published a book titled "Rural Roads in China." I would like to recommend this book to all the journalists here. In it, you can explore many of China's most beautiful rural roads. We also welcome friends from the media to visit these roads, experience the beauty of China's countryside, and feel the rich and diverse rural culture.

By taking "effective management" as a means, we have accelerated the establishment of a standardized and efficient rural road governance system. In the white paper, we further summarize how to improve governance and management effectiveness, promote the rural road management system, improve laws and regulations, and issue guiding policy documents, especially technical standards. We have fully implemented the road chief system for rural roads, which has become well-known to everyone. This system aims to drive continuous improvements in the rural road governance framework.

Taking maintenance as the guarantee, we have accelerated the development of an applicable and diverse rural road management and maintenance system. We are not only focused on building roads, but also on maintaining them. Grasping key areas such as improving road conditions, ensuring safety and enhancing the roadside environment, we continuously strive to improve management and maintenance efficiency. The white paper includes a special section showcasing the progress in improving the proportion of rural roads classified as premier, good or medium condition. Over the past decade, this rate has increased by 10 percentage points, effectively realizing the principle of "every road must be maintained, and maintenance must be effective."

Taking good operation as the goal, we have accelerated the improvement of a convenient and balanced rural transport service system. The purpose of building roads is to better facilitate travel for rural residents. Guided by this goal, we have enhanced equal access in urban and rural transport services, promoted the integrated development of passenger, freight and postal services in rural areas, and facilitated the smooth flow of people and goods between urban and rural areas, as well as among townships. This has played a crucial role in enabling the equal exchange of production factors between urban and rural areas and balanced allocation of public resources.

The third aspect the white paper highlights is China's contributions to the development of rural roads in developing countries through promoting technical standards, sharing development experiences, and supporting local rural road construction. First, we have continuously expanded the availability and application of foreign-language editions of China's highway engineering standards, allowing more of the international community to understand China's road standards, particularly for rural roads. Second, we have established international exchange and cooperation platforms, actively participated in the work of international organizations, and conducted international training programs to share and exchange experiences in rural road development. Third, we have participated in international construction projects. For instance, a special section in the white paper introduces China's support for Ecuador's Ministry of Transport in post-disaster reconstruction. Through construction projects like these, along with technical support and human resources, we are helping developing countries to improve their rural transportation conditions.

The fourth aspect of the white paper is that it articulates China's firm stance on working with all countries to continue promoting global rural road development and poverty reduction.

These are the key points of the white paper that I wanted to introduce. Thank you.

Xing Huina:

Thank you for your introduction, Mr. Li. We will now move on to the Q&A session. Journalists are welcome to raise their hands to ask any questions. Please identify your news outlet before asking your question.

CCTV:

During the introduction, you mentioned that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the high-quality rural roads initiative, focusing on the construction, management, maintenance and operation of roads. Could you share the specific measures China has implemented over the past decade to advance rural road development? Thank you.

Li Yang:

Thank you for your question and for your interest in rural roads. Indeed, over the past decade, we have accumulated some valuable experience in promoting rural road construction. Our main practices can be summarized in eight aspects:

First, focusing on strengthening organization and leadership. The Ministry of Transport set up a leading group to implement the rural revitalization strategy and advance the high-quality rural roads initiative, integrating the construction of high-quality rural roads into practical matters that are closely aligned with people's livelihoods in transportation to ensure effective implementation. For 10 consecutive years since 2015, we have held national conferences on this topic, continually driving high-quality rural road development.

Second, improving policy systems. We have issued a series of guiding policy documents at the national level, such as the Guiding Opinions on Promoting the High-Quality Development of Rural Roads in Their Construction, Management, Maintenance and Operation, creating a comprehensive policy system on rural roads. Currently, 16 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions have enacted local regulations for rural road development, laying a solid legal foundation for rural road development.

Third, enhancing financial support. As I mentioned, we have mobilized resources of all parties to create synergy for development, particularly in raising funds. Over the past decade, the central government has allocated 746.1 billion yuan in vehicle purchase tax funds for rural roads, primarily targeting impoverished areas. Nationwide, a total of 4.3 trillion yuan has been invested in rural road fixed assets, forming a fund guarantee system for rural road development centered on public finance with multi-channel supplementary sources.

Fourth, refining technical standard systems. We have emphasized tailoring construction standards to local conditions, issuing documents like General Specifications for Design of Low Volume Rural Highway Engineering, Technical Standards for Low Volume Rural Highway Engineering, and Technical Specifications for Maintenance of Rural Highways. These standards provide strong technical support for the high-quality rural roads initiative.

Fifth, deepening reform and innovation. We have implemented the Opinions of the General Office of the State Council on Deepening Rural Road Management and Maintenance System Reform, with 100% of provinces having now formulated provincial-level implementation plans. Additionally, 167 pilot units have been selected to explore reforms and form replicable and scalable experiences.

Sixth, strengthening the fulfillment of duties. We have reinforced the responsibilities of county-level governments, establishing a road chief system characterized by Party committee leadership, government guidance, departmental collaboration, multi-level coordination and efficient operation.

Seventh, highlighting models and leading practices. By creating national model counties for the high-quality rural roads initiative, promoting rural logistics service brands, establishing demonstration counties for integrated urban-rural transportation, and launching campaigns like the "Most Beautiful Rural Roads" and "Outstanding Road Workers" I just mentioned, we have advanced rural road improvement through exemplary practices.

Finally, adhering to integrated development. We have integrated the high-quality rural roads initiative into broader rural development ecosystems, including industries, logistics, the environment and economy with distinctive features, promoting the integrated development of passenger, freight and postal services. I have visited many counties and villages in China and witnessed how the integrated development of passenger, freight and postal services has transformed rural transportation. Local specialty agricultural products are promoted through online sales channels, including livestream e-commerce. This approach effectively integrates rural road development with transportation, tourism, ecological conservation and economic growth, significantly boosting farmers' incomes and prosperity. We are actively advancing the "Rural Roads +" model to support and drive comprehensive rural revitalization. This approach highlights the pivotal role of transportation as a frontier in Chinese modernization.

That is all from me. Thank you.

China Daily:

The white paper mentions the critical role of rural roads in poverty alleviation and supporting work relating to agriculture, rural areas and rural residents. Could you elaborate on this? Thank you.

Li Yang:

Thank you. I would like to invite Mr. Hou to answer this question.

Hou Zhenxing:

Thank you for your question. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that the high-quality rural roads initiative has brought vitality and prosperity to rural areas, particularly impoverished regions, while winning public support at the grassroots level for the Party. In recent years, the initiative has achieved remarkable results, enhancing rural residents' sense of gain, happiness and security. Rural roads have become pathways to prosperity, happiness, connection and revitalization for the people.

With the view to better serving the core task of economic development and the overall interests of the country, we have given full play to the foundational role of rural roads and expedited the development of rural transportation in poor areas. Since 2014, more than 1.4 million km of rural roads have been built or upgraded in previously poor areas, with more than 45,000 towns, townships and administrative villages obtaining access to bus services. All towns, townships and administrative villages where conditions allow had paved roads by 2019, and all such villages acquired bus services by 2020, fulfilling the promise that no region would be left behind because of inadequate transportation options on the journey towards prosperity. Our efforts can be summarized in three key points:

First, we have constructed better rural roads. After years of effort, we have built a rural transportation infrastructure network that connects villages, towns and townships, establishing an inclusive and equitable rural transportation service system. By doing so, we have ensured more comfortable and smoother passenger and freight transportation in rural areas, historically solving the problem of difficult road access in rural areas.

Second, we have made the countryside more beautiful. We have constructed high-quality rural roads that "are properly built, managed, maintained and operated," connecting urban and rural areas, shortening distance and travel times, as well as making efficient use of distinctive cultural and tourism resources in rural areas. By doing so, we have ensured that the vast countryside is finding greater prosperity and becoming more attractive, creating stronger momentum for rural revitalization. Such high-quality rural roads have also helped to improve the layout of villages and townships, retain local charm and nostalgia, enhance social etiquette and civility, bring significant changes in rural areas, and create a beautiful and harmonious countryside where people want to live and work.

Third, people who reside in rural areas have become better off. The steady improvement of transportation facilities in rural areas has attracted more capital, projects and talent to the countryside, creating more job opportunities and broadening avenues for income growth. People are now living a more prosperous life, bringing them closer to the Party. Through rural road construction projects, local governments have guided people who reside in rural areas to find jobs closer to their homes and to boost their incomes. As a result, high-quality rural roads have truly become projects that improve people's lives and win over people's hearts. Thank you.

21st Century Business Herald:

Roads should be well-built and maintained. In response to the problems of insufficient funds for rural road maintenance and difficulties in management, what measures has the MOT taken to ensure the long-term sound operation of rural roads? Thank you.

Li Yang:

Thank you. I would like to invite Mr. Zhou to answer your question about the funding for rural road maintenance.

Zhou Rongfeng:

Thank you for your question. We often say, "A well-functioning road network relies 30% on construction and 70% on maintenance." This speaks volumes about the importance of rural road maintenance. After years of continuous effort, we have had a good report card in this regard. The proportion of rural roads classified as premier, good and medium has been raised from 79% at the end of 2013 to 91.1% at the end of 2023. Over the years, we have continuously increased investment in rural road maintenance as well as have explored and applied new models and technologies. Mainly, we have made efforts in the following few aspects: 

First, we have improved the system of standards and specifications for rural road maintenance. We have officially launched a range of technical standards and specifications, including Technical Specifications for Maintenance of Rural Highway, Standards for Rural Highway Condition Assessment and Budget Compilation Method for Rural Road Maintenance. By doing so, we have established a system for technical standards that adapt to the current stage of rural road development. At the same time, we have guided local governments in implementing road maintenance projects covering regular maintenance, preventative maintenance, repair maintenance, specialized maintenance and emergency maintenance. All these efforts have clarified the content and requirements with maintenance work and have made our work more standardized and specialized.  

Second, we have further guaranteed sufficient funding for rural road maintenance. Based on factors such as road length and changes with maintenance costs, we have set up a mechanism for making dynamic adjustments to subsidy policies related to regular rural road maintenance. We have also increased the portion of fuel oil tax revenue that is allocated for subsidies with rural road maintenance. Subsidies granted to local governments for phasing out tolls on government-financed Grade II highways have been provided as a type of reward for good local performance with supporting rural road maintenance. We have guided local governments to make the best of policies with transfer payments for equalizing access to basic public services as well as with tax rebates. We have also actively explored the way to bundle rural road maintenance projects with profitable projects like some supporting facilities. All these efforts have introduced new fundraising methods and have expanded financing channels. In addition, to support rural road maintenance, we have incorporated road management and maintenance in the procurement services guidance catalog and have explored mechanisms such as disaster insurance for rural roads.

Third, we have promoted scientific decision-making for road maintenance. We have strengthened the application of information technology and have promoted digital transformation, integrating scientific decision-making into the entire process of rural road maintenance. We have actively promoted new technologies, techniques, materials and equipment in rural road maintenance, applying R&D efforts to automatic vehicles and portable devices to examine road surface conditions. By doing so, we have moved faster to promote the automatic examination of rural road conditions, as well as have strengthened data analysis and application, offering data support for scientific decision-making. 

Fourth, we have created new organizational models for road maintenance. We have systematically advanced market-oriented reform of rural road maintenance and have recruited professional companies to provide maintenance services, improving the specialization, mechanization and scale of maintenance operations. Meanwhile, we have strengthened technical training for rural road employees, effectively combining general and professional maintenance. Novel organizational models of rural road maintenance have been encouraged, such as combined tendering for the construction and maintenance of trunk highways and rural roads, overall contracting for zonal maintenance of rural roads as well as combined tendering for rural road construction and maintenance. All these efforts have made rural road maintenance operations more specialized. 

Thank you.

China Financial and Economic News:

As the key infrastructure connecting urban and rural areas, rural roads are indispensable for promoting rural economic development and improving people's well-being. What are your considerations and major tasks for the future in regards to promoting the high-quality development of rural roads? Thank you.

Li Yang: 

Thank you for your question. Looking from the point of view based on our endeavors to develop rural roads, most of the road network has already been completed. Next, as the journalist just mentioned, we will enter a new stage of high-quality development. Now, we are taking comprehensive moves to implement a rural revitalization strategy. Rural roads are a major infrastructure that promote common rural prosperity, advance rural revitalization across the board as well as expedite the modernization of agriculture and rural areas. On the new journey of the new era, we should continue to make sustained efforts. One of my colleagues just mentioned that rural roads have become projects that improve people's lives and win over people's hearts. To fully implement these projects, we will take efforts in three aspects to launch a new round of programs focused on the upgrading of rural roads. 

First, enhancing service support for the comprehensive vitalization of rural areas. Through the construction of rural roads, including services, we aim to promote the enhancement and integrated development of our industries. We plan to focus on upgrading the main rural road network to Grade III standard or higher, creating fast access routes that connect townships and major economic nodes. We will vigorously develop the "Rural Road Plus" model, accelerating the construction of roads for rural industries, tourism and resources. This effort will further deepen the integration of transportation with the tourism and energy sectors. We will also enhance the construction of "Beautiful Rural Roads," coordinating the development of rural roads, optimizing village layouts, and improving the rural living environment.

Second, ensuring safety and securing the baseline. Safety is the primary task in promoting the development of rural roads. We focus on providing paved roads to larger natural villages and graded roads to administrative villages, accelerating the renovation of old roads and the widening or creation of passing lanes on overly narrow rural roads. In the past, some rural roads were built so narrow that vehicles could not pass each other, sometimes making travel difficult, but now rural transportation is developing rapidly. We will strengthen the inspection and rectification of potential risks and hidden dangers in rural roads, bridges and tunnels, while accelerating the enhancement of safety protection capabilities. We will increase investment in maintenance, advance rectification projects for substandard road sections, and steadily improve the road service.

Third, striving to improve service quality and increase public satisfaction. With the increasing use of new energy vehicles on rural roads and changes in travel modes, we will focus on enhancing the construction of service facilities along rural roads. We aim to further expand services such as parking, shopping, tourism and charging, to promote the equalization of urban and rural passenger transport services. We will further optimize rural logistics services and improve the integrated development of passenger, freight and postal services in rural areas. We will further promote work--relief programs in the construction and maintenance of transportation infrastructure, directly creating more job opportunities. We will make coordinated use of public welfare positions in the management and maintenance of rural roads, creating more opportunities for employment and income generation for rural residents along these routes. This will continuously enhance the sense of gain, happiness and security among the vast rural population.

That is all from me. Thank you.

Phoenix TV:

We are particularly interested in the support of transportation in rural areas. As we continue to build the rural road network, how can the transportation support services be improved in rural areas? Thank you.

Li Yang: 

Thank you for your question. I would like to invite Ms. Wang to answer this.

Wang Xiuchun: 

Thank you for your interest in transportation services. Over the years, we have continuously strengthened the rural road network. We have focused on improving transportation services in rural areas from the perspectives of both passengers and freight, constantly perfecting our service network, improving our service system and enhancing service quality.

In terms of rural passenger transportation, we have taken three major steps to address the travel needs of rural residents. First, we have aimed to ensure accessibility. By developing urban-rural bus services, passenger transport routes and customized passenger services, we have extended the rural passenger transport network. As my colleague mentioned earlier, by 2020, all townships and administrative villages that meet certain conditions had access to bus services. Over the past decade, more than 45,000 new administrative villages have been connected by bus services. Second, we have focused on retention. As the public now has more travel options, the passenger flow in rural transportation has significantly decreased, making stable operations challenging. We have continuously optimized management policies and adjusted subsidy methods to promote the integration of rural passenger transport with related industries, ensuring sustainable and stable operations. Third, we have strived for quality connectivity. We have encouraged rural passenger transportation companies to innovate service models, operate market-day and busy-season routes, and implement integrated urban-rural public transportation, catering to the diverse travel needs of rural residents. Additionally, various service outlets have been set up in passenger transport stations, expanding services such as parcel collection and delivery, financial telecommunications, and e-commerce exhibition sales, providing comprehensive and diverse services to rural residents.

In rural freight logistics, we have focused on three main areas to address the development bottlenecks in rural logistics. First, we have aimed to expand coverage. We strongly support the construction of rural logistics nodes, continuously improving the network system and service functions to build the "core strength" of rural logistics development. Second, we have created new models. Supporting local efforts to explore ways of development based on unique regional advantages, we have now established over 150 rural logistics service brands with demonstrative significance, achieving integrated development of rural logistics, industry and e-commerce. Third, we have cultivated strong entities. We guide leading logistics companies to accelerate the expansion of service networks in rural areas, promote the integration of market resources, and build a shared distribution system, reducing end-stage delivery costs in rural areas by about 15% in provinces like Zhejiang, Hunan and Sichuan through successful explorations and trials.

Next, we will continue to monitor the evolving needs of rural transportation services, implement multiple measures and consistently enhance the quality and efficiency of these services, helping rural areas achieve the vision of "smooth and convenient passenger and freight transport" sooner. Thank you.

National Business Daily:

We know that there are still some disparities in development levels between different regions in our country. What targeted measures have been taken to improve transportation conditions in ethnic minority regions, remote mountainous areas and impoverished areas? Thank you.

Hou Zhenxing: 

Thank you for your question. Transportation in ethnic minority regions, remote mountainous areas and impoverished areas mainly relies on roads. Therefore, in promoting the development of rural roads, we always adhere to the people-centered development philosophy, implement precise policies, focus on balanced development, and explore rural road development models suitable for different regions based on local resources. We have taken three main targeted measures:

First, we have formulated differentiated policies and increased support. Based on the characteristics of the central and western regions and areas with special difficulties, we determine different construction priorities, formulate differentiated investment policies, and provide preferential support. We focus on developing rural roads in poverty-stricken counties, key counties for rural vitalization, underdeveloped areas, mountainous areas and ethnic minority regions, rapidly addressing shortcomings to promote balanced development of regional rural roads.

Second, we have adopted special measures to solve travel difficulties. To ensure safe travel for residents in remote areas, we have developed special plans and advanced the construction of rural roads in areas where "ethnic groups skip development stages to directly enter socialist society" and in ethnic minority areas with smaller populations to help these ethnic groups escape poverty. Additionally, for some mountainous areas where zip lines are significant safety risks and are inconvenient, we have implemented "replacing zip lines with bridges" projects, benefiting960,000 residents from 904 administrative villages, allowing them to enter a new "era of bridges."

Third, we have implemented a series of projects to improve the quality of roads. We have orderly implemented a series of projects, including building Grade III roads in towns and townships, providing paved roads to administrative villages, renovating roads with a shallow subgrade or surface, and renovating old county and township roads. These efforts have ensured that all 30,000 towns and townships and more than 500,000 administrative villages where conditions allow have been connected by paved roads. At the same time, we have developed models, such as "transportation + industry" and "transportation + tourism," tailored to local conditions. This has continuously improved the transportation network in rural areas, providing new momentum for rural revitalization and making travel more convenient for farmers in remote regions. Thank you.

Li Yang: 

I want to add something. This journalist just mentioned the travel situations in ethnic areas, remote mountainous regions and poverty-stricken districts. Mr. Hou just touched on an initiative which replaces zip lines with bridges in some mountainous areas and remote regions and has benefited 904 administrative villages and 960,000 people. Many of you may have seen scenes of farmers using zip lines for transportation. Ten years ago, General Secretary Xi Jinping said a particularly moving thing: "Especially in some impoverished areas, replacing zip lines with bridges and building new roads can open the door to prosperity for people." Ten years ago, the general secretary's instruction kicked off the high-quality development of rural roads in their construction, management, maintenance and operation, which helped many villages say goodbye to the history of not having roads. Here, we also feel the great responsibility for future development and hope that journalists will pay more attention to these special regions and provide us with good advice and suggestions. Thank you.

Dingduan News:

In recent years, various regions have explored and practiced the integration of rural passenger transport, freight logistics and postal delivery, promoting the intensive development of rural transportation. Could you please briefly talk on what the current situation is with the integrated development of passenger transport, freight transport, and mail delivery in rural areas? What are the next steps to promote better integration of the three? 

Li Yang:

Thank you for your questions. You just mentioned a very professional term: the integrated development of passenger transport, freight transport, and mail delivery in rural areas. I will ask my colleague, Ms. Wang Xiuchun, to answer.

Wang Xiuchun:

Thank you to this journalist for their attention to this topic. We have always regarded the integrated development of passenger transport, freight transport, and mail delivery in rural areas as an important measure to promote comprehensive rural revitalization, ensuring stable rural passenger transport, smooth logistics distribution, and effective handling of the "first and last mile" of postal services. After years of work, the integration of rural passenger, freight and postal services in China has gradually improved in terms of equipment, systems and operational mechanisms. As of now, more than 1,500 county-level administrative districts in the country have implemented the integration of rural passenger, freight and mail services, with more than 12,700 cooperative routes opened. In the first half of this year, the number of mail and express deliveries through rural passenger, freight and mail integration exceeded 900 million items.

We also see that in the process of rural passenger, freight and mail integration development, there are still issues such as insufficient coverage, imperfect cooperation mechanisms and lack of standardization in business operations. The next steps will focus on addressing these issues and accelerating the integrated development of rural passenger, freight and mail services.

First is the improvement of collaborative working mechanisms. Rural passenger, freight and mail integration development, as evidenced by the term, focuses on integration. We will guide local authorities to establish mechanisms for cooperation between transportation, postal, agricultural, rural and commercial sectors to form an efficient and collaborative working model.

Second is the improvement of service systems. We will guide local areas to continue improving the county, township and village-level service station systems, regulate rural passenger, freight and mail business practices, and expand new models such as "passenger, freight and mail + e-commerce, tourism and agriculture" to achieve sustainable development.

Third is the promotion and application of suitable equipment. We will strengthen communication with relevant departments and will continue promoting suitable vehicle models for rural passenger, freight and mail integration. We will encourage and guide county-level stations to adopt automated sorting and loading equipment to boost distribution efficiency.

Fourth is the continuation of improvements to support systems. We encourage localities to improve their supportive policies according to local conditions, to strengthen the promotion of successful experiences and to create a favorable atmosphere for the integration of rural passenger, freight and mail services throughout society. Thank you.

Economic Daily:

The white paper mentions that in the process of building and maintaining rural roads, many employment opportunities have been created for local farmers. Could you please elaborate on this? Thank you. 

Li Yang: 

Thank you to the Economic Daily reporter for their attention to the issue of employment. With the development of rural roads in China, we always emphasize people's collaboration, participation, and common interests, so that all the people can enjoy the benefits of better rural roads. In the construction and maintenance of rural roads, transportation departments at all levels have paid close attention to creating more direct employment opportunities for farmers. While indirect employment opportunities have greatly increased due to rural development and the integration with the tourism industry, we have also directly created jobs through the construction and maintenance of rural roads, allowing farmers to increase their incomes through employment close to their homes. Specifically, there are two main approaches:

First is the promotion of work-relief projects in rural road construction and maintenance to draw more rural labor. This is due to rural road construction and maintenance both requiring large investments, which benefits a wide range of people and has strong potential to drive up local employment. To facilitate employment absorption, we have issued the Notice on Doing a Good Job in Work-Relief in Transportation Construction and Maintenance and have encouraged and guided localities to actively promote work-relief programs. We also issued a tentative guideline for implementation of work-relief programs in transportation infrastructure construction and maintenance to further enhance technical guidance. Last year, we conducted a survey and found that 3,946 rural road projects adopted work-relief approaches, directly drawing nearly 96,000 rural laborers, which included nearly 14,000 people from once poverty-stricken households.

Second is the development of public welfare posts in rural road projects. Through taking advantage of the large number of widely distributed rural road projects, we have vigorously developed related jobs, which have played an active role in helping poverty alleviation as well as promoting common prosperity among rural residents. While increasing the number of positions for employment, we have also focused on enhancing skills training for the workforce, not only providing employment opportunities but also improving their skills to better meet job requirements. Currently, there are about 850,000 positions directly available in the field of rural road management and maintenance.

These are some of the practical experiences we have gained through the development of rural roads. We will encourage localities to explore more ways to continue creating both direct and indirect employment opportunities in line with the development of rural roads. Thank you.

Xing Huina：

Please continue to raise questions. I notice two journalists have their hands raised. 

Haibao News:

The construction of rural roads has greatly improved road infrastructure for rural people. Could you share some good practices to ensure travel safety? Thank you.

Zhou Rongfeng:

Thank you for your question. Ensuring safer and more secure travel has always been our priority. To this end, we've intensified our efforts in recent years in the following three areas:  

First, we have strengthened the safety of infrastructure. We have enforced a system for synchronizing the design, construction and the commissioning of road safety facilities with road construction projects. We have also taken solid actions to further refine the management of rural road safety facilities and traffic order. Moreover, we have prioritized rural road safety as a key component of our efforts to make transportation more people-oriented. We've also advanced the construction of the rural road travel safety project every year. Over the past decade, the rural road travel safety project has covered a total length of 1.23 million km. We have also made great efforts to refine safety facilities, including road signs, pavement markings, speed bumps and traffic lights, in a bid to improve rural road safety.

Second, we have carried out renovation and upgrading of bridges with poor technical conditions. We have made consistent efforts to strengthen bridge management and regular safety inspections for key bridges, and have implemented the 10 regulations for bridge operation safety, including strict accountability, the disclosure of information and funding guarantees. We also have carried out a series of special programs on the safety of highway bridge guardrails and the standardization of bridge information and bridge load limit signs for rural road transport. We have advanced actions to renovate old and dangerous bridges, prioritizing the repair of rural road bridges deemed to be dangerous. Over the past decade, a total of 58,000 old and dangerous bridges in the rural road network have been renovated; the total number of dangerous bridges has decreased on a yearly basis; the proportion of bridges that are in serviceable condition has increased from 83.2% to 98%.

Third, we have further improved disaster readiness and mitigation for rural road transport. We have released the Guidelines on Further Improving Disaster Readiness and Mitigation for Rural Road Transport and have strengthened public emergency management mechanisms for rural roads, enhancing disaster readiness and response capabilities of rural road networks. We have strengthened targeted inspections on key road sections during critical time periods and addressed rural road safety hazards. We have also made progress in establishing local reserve centers for highway emergency response supplies, enhancing the stockpiling capabilities for emergency response equipment, supplies and devices. We have built up rural road emergency rescue forces composed of both professionals and the general public, and have boosted their emergency response capabilities by intensifying drills for contingency plans, improving personnel training and increasing transport capacity. 

By implementing the aforementioned measures, we have been able to continuously improve the safety and traffic conditions of rural roads. Thank you.

Xing Huina:

One last question, please.

Yicai:

Creating a beautiful and harmonious countryside that is desirable to live and work in is an important task in advancing the rural revitalization strategy. What is the role of rural roads in this process? Thank you.

Li Yang:

Thank you for your question. Creating a beautiful and harmonious countryside is a major strategic arrangement made by the CPC Central Committee. It represents a beautiful evolution of rural development. In the process of rural road development, we have made serving and supporting the building of a beautiful and harmonious countryside our priority. Specifically, we have taken efforts in the following areas: 

First, we have focused on creating harmony between rural roads and their surroundings, including the layout of villages and towns, natural landscape and traditional culture. As mentioned previously, we have ensured rural road development in line with local conditions. In the planning, design and construction of rural roads, we've prioritized their integration into the optimization of the layout of villages and towns, improvement of rural living environments as well as the preservation of cultural relics and heritage, and surrounding landscape. We've also emphasized making rural roads blend in with their historical surroundings and cultural landscapes. Rural roads have played an important part in helping make the countryside more beautiful and preserve cultural traditions.

Second, we have intensified our endeavors to ensure improvements in road environment and service capacity. Local governments have launched projects to improve road environment, taking measures based on their own conditions to make rural roads tidy, green and beautiful. We have stepped up our efforts to separate roads from farmlands and residential housing, creating a beautiful environment for smooth, safe and comfortable travel, and building roads to make the countryside greener and more attractive.

Third, we have promoted the integrated development between rural roads and tourism. We've developed the model of "rural roads plus tourism," in which we connect rural roads with local cultural and tourist resources including natural landscapes and cultural heritage, turning scenic resources that have been preserved by generations of villagers into popular tourist destinations to boost rural revitalization through tourism. More examples like these can be found in the white paper. We also encourage you all to go experience this firsthand.

Moreover, we've launched diverse activities to help more people know "beautiful rural roads" and the beauty of the countryside. Since 2019, we have been launching the publicity activity themed "The road in front of my home," selecting the "Top 10 Most Beautiful Rural Roads" annually in a bid to highlight the remarkable progress and changes in rural road development. This activity has garnered widespread attention. This year, we worked with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission to launch an activity that recommends the most beautiful routes for road trips. This event is designed to showcase the most picturesque rural roads, inviting people to discover and enjoy the beauty of the countryside during their time off.

We anticipate that these featured routes will soon evolve into must-visit tourist attractions, drawing crowds of social media influencers. After years of development, beautiful rural roads connect both natural and cultivated landscapes, blending in with distinctive rural homes as well as helping to build a large number of villages and towns that are desirable to live and work in, and painting new scenes of rural harmony and beauty. 

Regarding the future development of rural roads, as I previously mentioned, the Ministry of Transport will continue to thoroughly study and implement the series of important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping regarding the construction, management, maintenance and operation of roads in rural areas, and will implement a new round of programs for rural road upgrading. We are aiming to make rural roads better, safer, more attractive and more convenient, ensuring that rural residents can fully benefit from the outcomes of reforms and development.

Last, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to you for your interest in rural road development. We also welcome your oversight as we strive to address any problems that may occur. Thank you. 

Xing Huina:

Today's press conference is hereby concluded. Thank you to Mr. Li, all the speakers and our friends from the media. Goodbye everyone.

Translated and edited by Liu Caiyi, Huang Shan, Mi Xingang, Yuan Fang, Li Xiao, Ma Yujia, Yang Chuanli, Fan Junmei, Xiang Bin, Liu Sitong, Gong Yingchun, Zhang Junmian, Li Huiru, Jay Birbeck, David Ball and Rochelle Beiersdorfer. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.

The 2nd Ice and Snow Season, organized by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, kicked off at Yuyuantan Park in Beijing on Thursday.

The event organizer has handed out a beautifully crafted map featuring 34 routes and information on ice and snow tourism resources, special activities, as well as discounts from various districts in Beijing.

Four main thematic sections define this event: tourist resources, family activities, New Year’s festivities, and winter-themed creativity.

Besides, each district of Beijing has also developed a number of recommended ice and snow tourism routes, offering multiple options to tourists.

Beijing has launched the 2025 Family Gardening Carnival. The event started at the end of 2024 and will run until Feb. 15, spanning three major holidays of New Year's Day, the Spring Festival, and the Lantern Festival.

During the event, over 20 million pots of flowers, including more than 1,000 premium varieties such as orchards and flamingo flowers, will be available to shoppers in Beijing, along with gardening tools and cultural creative products.

The family gardening market includes 24 large flower fairs and 200 brick-and-mortar flower shops. The flowers and products come from over 600 flower suppliers registered on the Beijing Flower Digital Industrial Chain Platform and 50 gardening stations and education bases.

Since the launch of the event, Beijing's seven major flower markets have attracted over 420,000 visitors, and sold 623,000 plots of flowers and about 6.8 million branches of fresh-cut flowers.

A highlight of the event has been the introduction of 10 famous Spring Festival flowers from other cities. Residents can purchase celebrated varieties such as Heze's peonies, Xuchang's wintersweet, and Zhangzhou's plum flowers in Beijing.

Beijing will also introduce maps for flower buying and viewing.

The city aims to position itself as both an international flower technological innovation hub and a national flower consumption center, said Gao Dawei, head of the Beijing Municipal Forestry and Parks Bureau.

Beijing leverages technologies to enhance flower quality. Now the city is home to over 500 independently developed flower species with intellectual property rights, and pioneers the national flower technological research and development exhibition. It also introduces and cultivates 200 species annually from both domestic and international sources.

Additionally, vacant spaces in parks, communities, and commercial properties are being transformed into flower shops and gardening experience centers.

Gardening is also integrated into renovation of traditional business facilities, with various shopping malls and business zones to establish gardening scenarios and host exhibitions and sales events during the carnival, said Li Yanling, deputy head of the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau.

Beijing will implement six major initiatives and 51 measures aimed at ensuring a strong start to the city's economic development in 2025. These initiatives will focus on improving the business environment, enhancing public services, and stimulating consumption and innovation.

One of the first major reforms of the year has already been launched in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, where submissions for 77 types of documents and certificates were exempted across 139 administrative processes.

This reform is part of the city's plan to optimize the business environment in the first quarter, which will include the release of a report on Beijing's business environment improvements and the formulation of 2025 reform tasks.

The city also aims to expand the application of certificate-free processing and integrate multiple administrative services into streamlined "one-stop" solutions.

Efforts will also be made to enhance public services. These include implementing policies to promote high-quality employment, ensuring timely and full payment of wages for migrant workers, and strengthening the supply of coal, electricity, oil, and gas during the winter season. Additionally, measures will be taken to secure the supply and stabilize the prices of staple goods, as well as enhance safety inspections for natural disasters and production risks.

In 2024, Beijing's trade-in policies for consumer goods significantly boosted key industries, including personal vehicles, home appliances, and senior-friendly home modifications. In the January to November period, the city saw a 17.4% year-on-year growth in automobile manufacturing, with new energy vehicle production increasing by 250%.

A new round of trade-in policies is currently being developed and will be announced soon, according to a person in charge of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform.

To press ahead with critical reform tasks in key areas, Beijing will focus on bolstering both supply and demand. On the supply side, the first quarter will see the launch of pilot reforms for cultural and heritage institutions, the release of funding guidelines for high-tech industrial development projects, and measures to support advanced manufacturing.

On the demand side, policies like extending visa-free stay for inbound tourists to 240 hours will promote tourism. Beijing will also launch the "Hello, Beijing" promotional campaign, increase international flights, and position itself as the first-stop destination for travelers from countries such as those in Southeast Asian, European, and along the Belt and Road route.

In order to boost consumer confidence, Beijing plans to host 141 Spring Festival-themed activities integrating culture, commerce, tourism, and sports, with full tourist infrastructure in place, from restaurants and hotels to attractions, to welcome visitors. The city will also organize major project financing activities and exhibitions, such as the China International (Beijing) Automotive Service Supplies and Equipment Exhibition.

Beijing is well-positioned for a strong first quarter, supported by national policies, a continued recovery in major industries, and the city's large consumer market. An official from the city's development and reform commission said that all districts and departments are working together to implement these initiatives, aiming to deliver tangible results quickly.

Historical sites in Beijing, especially landmarks along the city's central axis, have seen a significant rise in foreign visitors since China further relaxed its visa-free transit policy in December.

Last November, China further expanded its unilateral visa-free policy to ordinary passport holders from nine additional countries. Since it was first implemented two years ago, this pilot policy has now been applied to a total of 38 countries.

Moreover, the National Immigration Administration has introduced more than 100 measures to streamline the entry process for foreign visitors. These include optimizing visa-free policies, transit visa regulations and port visa procedures, which have made traveling to China much easier and boosted international exchanges.

Murali Reddy (left) and his family from New Zealand at the entrance to the Temple of Heaven Park in Dongcheng district, Beijing, Jan. 7, 2025. [Photo by Yan Bin/China.org.cn]

"This is the first time my family travel to China. The visa-free policy has truly made it extremely convenient for us to spend our vacation here. We are deeply impressed by the ancient buildings in Beijing," said New Zealand tourist Murali Reddy after viewing the city's Temple of Heaven.

"This is the first time me and my friend have come to China," said Alberto Coelho Pereira from Brazil. He obtained a 240-hour transit visa in Beijing upon landing in the city. "We have nearly 20 days of vacation. The relaxed visa policies enable us to stay in China for 10 days before moving on to other countries," he said. "This is a great opportunity for us to get to know Beijing and China." Pereira added that he plans to visit the Great Wall next during his trip.

The visa-free policy is a major move to facilitate people-to-people exchanges and advance high-standard opening up. From January to November 2024, over 29 million foreigners entered China, an increase of 86% year on year. Of these, more than 17 million entered using visa-free entry, a rise of 123% year on year. Meanwhile, the number of inbound tourists under the 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy increased by 132% compared with last year.

Shaye Mulhall from Australia at the Temple of Heaven in Dongcheng district, Beijing, Jan. 7, 2025. [Photo by Yan Bin/China.org.cn]

"I was invited by my Chinese friends in Australia to come and travel in China and experience my first traditional Spring Festival here," tourist Shaye Mulhall told China.org.cn. Mulhall spent the first two days of his vacation in Tianjin and then came to Beijing for sightseeing. "It was so grand to see the fantastic ancient buildings along the central axis," he said, referring to his visit to the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven.

According to the 2024 Beijing Tourism Consumption Report, released recently by travel platform LY.com, Beijing maintained its position as the top inbound tourism destination in China. In addition, the Beijing Central Axis has remained a must-visit attraction since it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in July last year.

To enhance its role as an international exchange center, the Beijing Central Axis will open more heritage spaces to the public, according to the site's office for cultural heritage application and protection. In addition, various heritage sites along the central axis will stage an array of cultural activities and performances including dragon and lion dances, cultural heritage protection walking tour, and flower fairs during the Spring Festival holiday to help both domestic and international tourists explore Beijing's culture and further enhance its tourism offerings.

Shanghai Disney Resort is gearing up to celebrate Chinese New Year with seasonal festivities, decorations and experiences from Jan. 15 to Feb. 14. The park will also feature Gary, the snake from the upcoming "Zootopia 2," as its icon for the Year of the Snake.

Gary the Snake from the upcoming "Zootopia 2" is featured in the Year of the Snake decorations at Shanghai Disneyland. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

"This year's celebration carries even greater significance as the Spring Festival was recently recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, highlighting the profound importance of this cherished holiday and making our shared celebration here even more meaningful," said Joe Schott, president and general manager of Shanghai Disney Resort, at a New Year press event on Jan. 8.

To celebrate the Year of the Snake, Gary was promoted at the event and will soon be prominently featured in Spring Festival decorations and shows at Shanghai Disneyland, home to the world's only Zootopia-themed land. "Continuing our tradition of having a Disney character represent the year's zodiac animal, we are thrilled to introduce Gary the Snake. He's a new character from the highly anticipated 'Zootopia 2,' which will debut 10 months ahead of the film's global release," Schott said.

From left: Wesley Wong, Joe Schott, Angie Chiu, Ni Xialian and Ding Yuxi pose for a group photo with Disney characters delivering New Year greetings at Shanghai Disney Resort, Shanghai, Jan. 8, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

"Zootopia 2" is set to release in worldwide theaters this November. Its predecessor was a huge box office success, especially in China, where it became the highest-grossing foreign animated film ever, inspiring the new themed land built at the Shanghai resort.

According to the resort, guests will see traces of this enigmatic reptile across Disneyland throughout the Spring Festival. When visiting the iconic centerpiece in the Gardens of Imagination, they can enjoy a special photo opportunity with Gary, featured in the main lantern decoration. The Garden of the Twelve Friends will be transformed into a New Year Wishing Garden, showcasing celebratory decorations and a Year of the Snake mosaic centered on Gary. Mickey Avenue will also feature unique Gary-themed decorations and Spring Festival elements. Additionally, the "Our Families" nighttime show will illuminate Enchanted Storybook Castle each evening from Chinese New Year's Eve on Jan. 28 through to Lantern Festival on Feb. 12, with projections of Disney characters and special fireworks effect of the Chinese character for "snake." Gary will appear in the projections, wishing visitors a prosperous Year of the Snake.

The Wednesday event also saw another iconic "snake," actor Angie Chiu, renowned for portraying the White Snake spirit in the early 1990s TV hit "New Legend of Madame White Snake." She attended along with her son, actor Wesley Wong, young actor Ding Yuxi, and 61-year-old Olympic table tennis athlete Ni Xialian, to deliver New Year greetings.

Judy and Nick, wearing newly designed neckerchiefs and accessories with Chinese elements, wave to guests at the Zootopia-themed land in Shanghai Disney Resort, Shanghai, Jan. 8, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

Disney executives then presented various new experiences and offerings for Spring Festival. These included new merchandise, food and beverage selections, the daily Spring Festival Drum Ceremony, Goofy dressed as the God of Fortune, the Zootopia Lucky Year, and the limited return of the much-loved indoor live stage show "The Adventure of Rhythm" to the Storyhouse Stage from Jan. 20 to Feb. 16. Disney characters will be dressed in special outfits for the Chinese New Year, many featuring Chinese elements and patterns, reflecting the extensive research and engagement of Disney designers with Chinese culture.

Additionally, the resort announced that Shanghai Disneyland guests can visit the newly transformed Duffy and Friends Celebration Hall in Adventure Isle starting Jan. 13. Formerly known as Tribal Table, this revamped venue combines themed dining, shopping and entertainment, celebrating companionship and friendship in one festive destination.

The newly transformed Duffy and Friends Celebration Hall in Adventure Isle is set to open on Jan. 13, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

Shanghai Disney Resort has other exciting new expansions in the pipeline, including a Spider-Man-themed attraction with a high-energy thrill coaster and a third Disney-themed hotel currently under construction. The resort aims to further its efforts to help build Shanghai into a world-famous tourist city. According to the 2023 Global Theme Park and Museum Index, Shanghai Disneyland ranked fifth globally with 14 million annual visitors, making it China's most popular theme park.

中文

Speakers:

Mr. Zhu Yonglei, vice minister of the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA)

Mr. Dong Xin, vice minister of the NRTA

Mr. Yang Guorui, vice minister of the NRTA

Chairperson:

Ms. Shou Xiaoli, director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date:

Sept. 27, 2024

Shou Xiaoli:

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO), as part of the series "Promoting High-Quality Development." Today, we have invited vice ministers of the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA), Mr. Zhu Yonglei, Mr. Dong Xin and Mr. Yang Guorui, to brief you on relevant developments and take your questions. Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Zhu for his introduction.

Zhu Yonglei:

Friends from the media, good morning. First of all, on behalf of the NRTA, I would like to extend my gratitude to friends from the media and all sectors of society for your concern and interest in the NRTA and the radio and television and internet audiovisual work over the years. The NRTA has thoroughly implemented the guiding principles of the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, and the decisions and plans of the Party Central Committee to promote high-quality development of the radio and television and internet audiovisual sector. I would like to brief you on this work from five aspects:

First, we have advanced innovation in publicity and cemented and expanded mainstream thoughts and ideas. Radio and television media nationwide and the National Alliance of New Media in Radio and Television have provided people with authoritative news reports, vividly communicated Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, highlighted Chinese modernization and other themes, and produced down-to-earth programs focusing on people's lives and outstanding reports on major events and competitions.

Second, we have fostered diverse high-quality content to enrich people's intellectual and cultural lives. China has become a major producer of radio, television and online audio and video content. A diverse range of works have been produced and released. For example, from January to August this year, 148 TV dramas and online dramas in China have obtained distribution licenses, and excellent works such as "Blossoms Shanghai," "Always on the Move," "To the Wonder," "She and Her Girls," "City of the City" and "Joy of Life 2" have emerged. Achieving development by reducing production and enhancing quality has become a consensus of the industry. In addition, entertainment programs such as "Singer 2024" and the "China Online Audiovisual Annual Gala" have achieved high audience ratings. The Revisiting Classics channel launched this February has aired many popular classic works, attracting more than 200 million viewers.

Third, we have taken actions to address problems related to multiple charges and complicated operations to solve people's difficulties and troubles in watching television. Over 80% of households with cable television and IPTV are now able to directly access live TV channels as soon as they turn on their televisions. That is, they can watch CCTV 1 directly once they turn on their TVs. In addition, 200,000 hotels and 11 million hotel rooms have also realized easy access to live TV channels. In the first half of this year, we have focused on addressing the problem of complicated operations. A total of 560 million cable television, IPTV, and internet TV terminals have achieved the goal of reducing the number of subscription options by over 50%. People used to complain about excessive subscription options. Now they have been reduced by half. Cable TV and IPTV have completely got rid of advertisements that appear when the TV is switched on. Over 200 million TV users have realized the use of a single remote control to watch TV. In the past, the operations for watching TV were complicated. There were two remote controls, one controlling the TV, and the other controlling the set-top box. Now, more than 200 million users can use a single remote control to watch TV. The Academy of Broadcasting Planning, NRTA has developed a new three-mode universal remote control that can control both the TV and the set-top box. The Academy of Broadcasting Science, NRTA has developed eight miniature set-top boxes that are only the size of a USB flash drive and can be hidden behind the TV. In the past, set-top boxes were relatively large and had to be placed in view. Now, these miniature set-top boxes that are the size of a USB flash drive can be directly inserted into the back of the TV, with which people can still watch TV. At the same time, we have also launched a series of measures to diversify TV content and user experiences and promote mutual empowerment between televisions and smaller-screen terminals. This August, the proportion of active users of live TV channels increased by 10 percentage points over the same period last year, which is also the highest in the past three years.

Fourth, we have stayed committed to innovation and pushed the development of the industry to new heights. The central and provincial television stations have all achieved high-definition (HD) broadcasting. The HD rate of city-level and other local TV channels has exceeded 98%. Nine ultra-high-definition (UHD) television channels have been opened nationwide. With the coordinated development of cable TV networks and 5G, the number of 5G users of radio and television has surpassed 28 million. Online audio and video have continued to prosper, with the number of users reaching 1.068 billion. Remarkable progress has been made in the upgrading of public services. In particular, the emergency broadcasting covering the whole country has played a positive role in this year's flooding season. In the first half of this year, the total revenue of the national radio, television, and online video and audio service industry reached 668.3 billion yuan, with a year-on-year increase of 7%, contributing to China's social and economic development.

Fifth, we have balanced domestic and international priorities while deepening international exchanges and cooperation. To support national diplomatic efforts, we organized events such as the Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation and launched audiovisual exhibitions in various locations worldwide, showcasing China's radio, television, and online audiovisual programs to global audiences. Additionally, we facilitated the global distribution of TV dramas like "To the Wonder," "The Three-Body Problem," and "Blossoms Shanghai," enhancing people's understanding of China in different countries and regions. This concludes my introduction. My colleagues and I are now happy to take your questions. Thank you.

Shou Xiaoli:

Thanks to Mr. Zhu for the introduction. We'll now open the floor for questions. Please raise your hand if you'd like to ask a question.

Changjiang Daily:

The speaker just mentioned efforts being made to address issues such as the hidden costs of cable bundle deals and the complexity of current operations. What additional measures will be taken to improve users' audiovisual experience? Thank you.

Zhu Yonglei:

Let me answer this question. Thank you very much to the reporter. Addressing the issues of the hidden costs of cable bundle deals and the complexity of current operations is crucial as it affects the viewing rights of hundreds of millions of users. The NRTA has given this matter great importance and began working on it last year, and has achieved some interim goals, as I've just mentioned.

Next, in terms of addressing the issue of the hidden costs of cable bundle deals, we will further optimize the management system, strengthen supervision and inspection, and firmly prevent a resurgence of these practices. Positive progress has been made generally at present. As I just mentioned, the bundled package options have been reduced by 50%. It is necessary to comprehensively improve the service quality and audience's experience of cable TV, IPTV, and internet TV. In the second half of the year, we will also formulate some regulations and institutions and formulate and release service standards for cable television, IPTV, and internet TV to the whole society. We will also optimize the setting of the integrated film and television package of internet TV, which is also a paid package, called the integrated film and television package, so that consumers can access more and richer content.

Regarding the complex TV operations, we focused on households last year. As mentioned earlier, 81% of cable TV users and 86% of IPTV users nationwide can now access live broadcasts and CCTV-1 immediately upon turning on their TVs. This year, our focus is on addressing complicated TV operations in hotels. Many of you have experienced difficulties turning on TVs or accessing live channels when staying at hotels during business trips or vacations. By the end of this year, we aim to resolve these issues in most hotels across China. This will make watching TV in hotel rooms more convenient during your travels. We will also promote the participation of old terminals in hotels in the trade-in program, which implements the trade-in policy and encourages hotels to replace old TVs with UHDTVs. Before the end of this year, a new three-mode universal remote control will also be launched. The micro set-top box, which is only the size of a USB drive, will be put into use in large numbers. We are also actively encouraging operators and TV manufacturers to fully integrate set-top box functions into TVs, achieving integration of the set-top box and the TV. Our goal is to develop prototypes by the end of this year, and eventually make set-top boxes obsolete.

In addition, to consolidate the progress made in addressing multiple charges and complicated operations, the NRTA has also established a complaint mechanism. If people find any problems concerning bundled pricing and complicated operations, they can report these issues through the complaint hotline, emails, the official website, and the official Weibo account of the NRTA. They can also use complaint channels announced by the provincial radio and television administrations and operators. I believe that problems reported through these channels can be addressed and resolved in a timely manner. Thank you.

Science and Technology Daily:

We've noticed that there are some Ultra-high definition (UHD) programs broadcasting at present that bring a better experience to viewers. What are the NRTA's considerations for advancing the development of ultra-high-definition TV (UHDTV) in the next step? Thank you.

Zhu Yonglei:

This is a very good question. The NRTA is advancing this work with all efforts. We will have Mr. Yang to answer this question.

Yang Guorui:

Thank you for your question. We all know that TV has evolved significantly, from black and white to color, analog to digital, and standard-definition TV to high-definition. Now, we've entered the era of UHD. UHD has a resolution over four times that of high definition, providing viewers with sharper details, richer colors, smoother images, and a more immersive experience. At the same time, UHD not only performs well on large-size screens but also has obvious improvements in picture quality on small screens such as mobile phones, tablet computers, and vehicle terminals. Therefore, UHD will bring a brand new audiovisual experience to people on both large and small screens.

After years of hard work, China's video technology has progressed from learning standard-definition technology and catching up with HD technology to developing some core UHD technologies that are at world-class levels. We've made accelerating UHD development a key strategic task, following the approach of driving overall development by launching pilot programs in selected areas, making key breakthroughs, and upgrading the entire industrial chain. We planned to pilot projects in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong, and selected several regions to promote UHD broadcasting on provincial satellite TVs. The Beijing and Guangdong pilots have launched in April and August this year, respectively, while Shanghai's will officially launch tomorrow. An important task of these pilots is to remove barriers in UHD content production, program broadcasting, network transmission and terminal presentation so UHD programs can truly enter ordinary households.

We will adopt an integrated approach to advance the application of UHD in radio and television, online audio and video, as well as TV screens and mobile phone screens. It is planned that by the end of 2025, 13 new UHD channels will be aired across the country, including CCTV and provincial satellite TVs. There will be over 20 UHD channels in China. By 2026, 11 more UHD channels will be added. At the same time, streaming platforms — including iQiyi, Youku, Tencent, Mango TV, Bilibili and Migu — will ensure that over 50% of their newly added programs annually are in UHD. At that time, UHD will become the primary presentation format for radio, television, and online audio and video, and people will be able to enjoy stunning and immersive audiovisual experiences at home.

To effectively carry out this work, we actively cooperate with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China Media Group, and local Party committees and governments, and communicate closely with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF). These joint efforts create a sound ecosystem for UHDTV development. For example, the NDRC, the MOF, and other departments have actively offered support and included UHD development in the scope of support as we implement major national strategies and build up security capacity in key areas while promoting equipment and consumer goods renewals. Additionally, as there are still cases where technical quality doesn't meet standards, we will work with relevant departments to establish a comprehensive quality certification mechanism to ensure users get a real UHD audiovisual experience, striving to make the UHD industry development a high-quality project and a popular project that satisfies the public. Thank you.

CNR:

Next week, we are going to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Over the past 75 years, especially since the 18th CPC National Congress, great changes have taken place in China. I've noticed that the NRTA has launched a series of theoretical programs reflecting the development of our era. These programs tell the story of China's theoretical innovations in an accessible manner. What will the NRTA do to promote the development of these theoretical programs going forward? Can we expect to see more accessible theoretical programs that will resonate with viewers? We are looking forward to that. Thank you.

Zhu Yonglei:

Thank you for your questions. We'll have Mr. Dong answer these questions.

Dong Xin:

Thank you, Mr. Zhu. First of all, thanks very much to this reporter for raising very good questions. The primary responsibility of radio, television, audio, and video is to connect with the broader audience through programs or products, encouraging interaction and understanding of our society's development and the Party's principles and policies. Mr. Zhu has already provided an overall description in his introduction. I'd like to share some more information regarding the specific questions you raised.

You may have seen that the radio, television, audio, and video industry has recently launched many programs, such as a series of theoretical programs reflecting the development of the times, like "Thoughts Shine on the Journey" and "Nice to Meet You: Book List of General Secretary Xi Jinping." Of course, there are also many programs concerning daily life, including documentaries, TV dramas, micro-documentaries, and cartoons. Some are traditional TV programs and some are online works. Specifically, as you said, popular TV programs truly demonstrate real-life scenes of the people frame by frame, vividly disseminating the Party's innovative theories.

The radio, television, audio, and video industry has always taken publicizing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as a primary task. Particularly, our industry should thoroughly study and publicize Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. We use headlines, home pages and first screens to promote the Party's innovative theories, fully leveraging the unique role of audiovisual media to let facts speak for themselves. Facts are most convincing. Vivid audios and videos with multiple perspectives and various forms have been launched, aiming to better spread scientific theories to ordinary households, enabling people to learn and understand these theories, and enhancing cohesion and forging the soul of the society.

You mentioned a significant event: we're about to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Local TV stations and online platforms have made extensive preparations, and we've had numerous discussions about it. I'd like to briefly introduce a few upcoming theoretical programs, such as "The Path to the Mountain of Knowledge — Book List of General Secretary Xi Jinping (Season 2)," the documentary "Cultural Exploration in China," the online documentary "Historical Moments of the People's Republic of China," and the cartoon "Follow the Traces of Time." These works will be presented to audiences in October as we celebrate the PRC's 75th anniversary. Our creators have worked hard on these programs. They've used real cases from various dimensions — historical, cultural and contemporary — to comprehensively demonstrate social development and people's happiness. These programs directly present the essence and practical achievements of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in a vivid and touching manner. In the past, we've been moved to tears while watching TV, and I believe this time, we will also be emotionally stirred, perhaps even inspired to sing and dance. We're using the development process and precious historical moments since the PRC's founding to showcase the country's progress. These works demonstrate the vitality of Marxism's basic tenets in integration with China's specific realities and fine traditional culture, enabling viewers to envision the future. These productions are excellent. Please stay tuned. Thank you.

ThePaper.cn:

In the past two years, micro dramas have become very popular, with content rapidly evolving. However, we have also identified some issues, such as shoddy production and irregular charging practices. What follow-up measures will the NRTA take to address the future development of micro dramas? Thank you.

Zhu Yonglei:

You're referring to micro dramas. I'll ask my colleague, Mr. Dong, to address this question.

Dong Xin:

This is indeed an excellent question. Micro dramas have captured the attention of people across all age groups, from young adults to older people and even children and teenagers. As you mentioned, with economic and social development and advances in information technology, micro dramas have emerged as a new form of artistic expression and have developed rapidly. These dramas have played a positive role in promoting artistic innovation, meeting the diverse and multi-layered intellectual and cultural needs of the public, and contributing to economic and social development. They've produced numerous hits, flourishing alongside China's economic and social progress. However, we must also acknowledge the issues you've raised regarding content, dissemination and subject matter selection. I view these problems as developmental shortcomings — some we might call "noise" or even "black sheep." We firmly oppose these issues and must address them.

To promote the healthy and orderly development of micro dramas, the NRTA has conducted thorough and comprehensive research. As Mr. Zhu mentioned, we will strengthen coordination with various departments, commissions, provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, as well as all sectors of society, including private and state-owned enterprises. We aim to leverage the coordinating role of comprehensive social governance, balancing development with security and vitality with order. We'll give equal emphasis to regulation and prosperity, while simultaneously boosting development and reducing burdens. Our focus will be on deepening reforms and standardizing management. Let me briefly outline two key points:

First, we'll improve rules and implement comprehensive policies. Our primary focus is to promote prosperity and development, creating a more enabling environment. With advanced technology and high levels of participation, we need to provide more space for growth. Simultaneously, we'll prioritize regular oversight to address the aforementioned issues and maintain a fair, orderly and healthy ecosystem. Another crucial point is to bridge the gap between traditional and new media platforms. We aim to make the simultaneous broadcast of high-quality micro dramas on both large and small screens the norm. The NRTA is actively working on this initiative.

Second, we will continue to advance brand building. Branding is very important for the sustainable development of micro dramas, as is its added value, which encourages more participation. We're focusing on using the "micro drama+" format to empower various industries. Creating micro dramas for travel, exploring the world, and learning about specific fields are all key initiatives we're promoting to build strong brands. At the same time, to make micro dramas more vigorous, we have actively encouraged and promoted the implementation of supporting measures by major streaming platforms. These platforms should engage many public writers, promoters, and creators. There should be supporting measures for those who make great contributions, guiding the market allocation mechanism to shift focus from traffic promotion to content creation. This shift towards content creation aligns with broader trends in multimedia development and is what society as a whole hopes to see. We believe that with the joint efforts of the entire industry, the future development of micro dramas is still very promising. Let us look forward to that together. Thank you!

CCTV:

As we all know, the resolution adopted at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee proposed deepening the reform of cultural systems and mechanisms. What are the considerations and specific initiatives for the radio and television industry to implement these reform tasks in the next step? Thank you.

Zhu Yonglei:

Thank you for your question. You've asked a very important and broad question. I will try to answer it. My response may be a bit lengthy, as this question is both very important and far-reaching.

This question is highly relevant to today's briefing theme. We know that reform is the fundamental driving force for high-quality development. Therefore, we will fully implement the guiding principles from the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and Xi Jinping Thought on Culture and advance the high-quality development of radio, television, and online audiovisual services by deepening reform across the board. Our overall approach is to uphold the original mission of these media to spread the Party's voice and serve the people. We will maintain their basic attributes of ideology, public service and technological industry. We'll focus on the characteristic principles of "content + communication," "content + network," and "culture + technology," consolidating traditional radio and television while innovating in online audiovisual content. By integrating these efforts, we aim to drive systematic transformation across the industry over the next three years, opening new prospects for high-quality development. We will make our reform more focused and work towards the following aspects:

First, we'll build the systems for communications across all forms of media. We'll prioritize news reporting and strengthen radio and television media's capacity for news gathering, editing, and broadcasting. We'll enhance capabilities in theoretical promotion, thematic publicity, information publicity, and coverage of major emergencies. Particularly over the next three years, we'll accelerate the deep integration and development of radio and television media, transforming them into new mainstream media. We'll promote the in-depth integration and coordinated development of radio, television, and online audiovisual content, creating a new environment of mainstream public opinion.

Second, we will build a product and service supply system with many high-quality products, good experiences, and wide channels. In terms of content, we will improve incentive policies and make creation and production more active. In particular, we will encourage originality and support high-quality products, and strive to launch a batch of high-quality fine works every year. We will launch works such as "Minning Town," "A Lifelong Journey," "The Three-Body Problem," and "To the Wonder" every year, which have been popular for the past two years. Next month, on Oct. 11, we will also hold the first Conference on the Creation of High-Quality Products in Radio and Television of China, aiming to unite colleagues in the radio and television industry across the country and discuss how to create and produce more fine works. In terms of user experience, we will completely solve the problems of multiple charges and complicated operations through technologies and systems, realize the use of a single remote control to watch TV, and integrate TV and set-top boxes as soon as possible. We will make every effort to advance the development of UHDTV to give users a brand-new experience. In terms of channels, we will build a network for contents that gathers massive content, and connects both traditional television and radio and new media as well as online and offline platforms, including the expansion of various terminals, such as car TVs and public electronic screens, so that high-quality content can directly reach the community level and users.

Third, we will build an industrial system of radio, television, and online audiovisual technology led by advanced technology where the entire industrial chain is interconnected and coordinated, and market entities are active. We will vigorously develop new business forms of UHD, enabling people to see more UHD channels and content as soon as possible. We will speed up the development of a new radio and television network, which can carry more high-quality audiovisual services and provide better and diversified services. Meanwhile, we will improve industrial policies and actively foster future-oriented market entities and industrial clusters.

Fourth, we will build a high-level comprehensive governance system and security system for the industry. In particular, we will advance the legislation of the radio and television law and accelerate the establishment of a comprehensive governance system for the industry with complete policies and regulations, sound standards and norms, advanced technologies, and excellent systems and mechanisms. We will also build a new system for safeguarding the security of content, networks, and data so as to ensure the supply of safe and high-quality radio, television, and online audiovisual services for numerous households.

Fifth, we will build a multi-dimensional, coordinated, more effective international communication system. We will carry out multi-field and multi-level international exchanges and cooperation and build a Chinese audiovisual content brand with clear recognition and extensive influence. The NRTA is studying and formulating guidelines to promote the high-quality development of the industry and will also introduce a series of policies and measures. We welcome you to continue to pay attention to that. These are some of our preliminary considerations for advancing reform. Thank you!

Reuters:

In China, as elsewhere, entertainment programming including television can reflect and shape ideas about changes in the economy and household economics. Just this week, China has announced an important series of stimulus measures for the economy. In your view, what kinds of economic narratives should programming include to support development? And alternatively, are there themes or narratives that would not be helpful?

Zhu Yonglei:

Thank you for your question and for your interest in Chinese radio, television, and TV programs. Let me attempt to answer this question. I've always believed that media, including radio and television, plays a crucial role in reflecting and driving socioeconomic development. It's been the ongoing responsibility of Chinese radio and television media and professionals to promptly understand the needs and sentiments of the people. Through news reports and radio and television productions, we aim to reflect and promote high-quality economic and social development, foster social fairness and justice, and enhance people's well-being.

I don't know whether you have or haven't watched a BRTV program called "One Step Forward," which takes viewers into Beijing communities, focusing on some of the conflicts that occur during community governance. Some of these conflicts can be very intense and this program does not avoid these conflicts, but instead truly covers them, taking viewers to see how Chinese people and the Chinese government use the institutional strengths of China and the wisdom of Chinese people to resolve conflicts in social development. Another example is CQTV's program called "Focus Today," which also uses regular and constructive oversight through public opinion to promote the governance of the entire city. Of course, there is also "Yicai" on SMG, which is also a recognized all-media brand, using all methods of media to truly reflect China's financial hot spots in all dimensions. Through years of operation, it has faithfully recorded and even advanced China's economic structural reform, as it has promoted the economic development of China through reporting.

Of course, all the programs I just mentioned are all news and financial programs. In the sphere of TV dramas, online series, online movies and documentaries, there are also many other works that directly focus on conflicts during China's economic and social development as well as reflecting the struggles of ordinary people. For example, series you all are familiar with like "Minning Town," "Bright Future," "The Long Season" and "Wild Bloom," and documentaries such as "Towards a Shared Future" and "A Long Cherished Dream," are some of these works. These works share a common feature, that is, through using literature and art they reflect some of the problems within China's economic and social development, including how to solve these problems, and reflect the fighting spirit of the people under the leadership of the Party and the government. Not only do these programs reflect economic and social development, but they also bring inspiration to the viewers, including many government officials, which in fact contributes to China's social and economic development.

There are good and bad times in life as well as laughter and tears. The reason why these works are recognized and loved by their audiences is that they are rooted in reality, face problems head-on and focus on the present. People can see China's economic development, social transformation, the indomitable fighting spirit of the people as well as the vivid practice of Chinese modernization.

In the next step, we will still need to work on two aspects: First, radio, television and online audiovisual media outlets should continue to record and actively promote China's economic and social development, so as to enable audiences and listeners in China and even around the world to have a comprehensive and accurate understanding of developing China in a timely manner. Second, more programs that express the fighting spirit of ordinary people and depict the development of our entire country in the new era should be created, so as to offer people who are working for Chinese modernization a boost in spirit. That's all from me. Thank you!

Jilin Radio and TV station:

The Revisiting Classics channel is currently very popular. The launch of such a public service channel has enriched the spiritual life of the people. What are the next steps in the development of this channel? Thank you.

Zhu Yonglei:

As I just mentioned, this channel is very popular with a total of 200 million viewers. Mr. Yang is in charge of this work. We will invite him to answer this question.

Yang Guorui:

Thanks to this reporter for their attention to the TV channel Revisiting Classics. Just now, Mr. Zhu also mentioned that in the past two years the NRTA has been advancing efforts focused on addressing multiple charges and complicated operations. With these efforts, we have also deeply felt that excellent classical works are the eternal cultural needs of the people. Based on that, we have organized and planned the launch of the TV channel Revisiting Classics in a timely manner. This channel's characteristics I can summarize as follows: First, the excellent classical works that are broadcasted are carefully selected, being works that are very popular among the people and have endured for a long time. Second, there is no extra cost. Third, no commercial advertisements are broadcasted.

Since its official launch on Feb. 1 of this year, the channel has attracted widespread attention from society, with the number of viewers rising rapidly. According to our statistics, so far the Revisiting Classics channel has had 56.35 million subscribers and a total of over 2,700 episodes of excellent TV dramas, cartoons and documentaries have been broadcast with very good ratings.

In order to make effective efforts in our work related to the Revisiting Classics channel, the NRTA has meticulously formulated measures on channel operation and management, and has established corresponding working mechanisms from various aspects, such as policy support, program reserves, program editing and broadcasting, transmission coverage, publicity and promotion as well as sustainable development, to continuously advance and ensure the virtuous cycle and sustainable development of the Revisiting Classics channel through active innovation of business formats and services. In the next step, we will focus on the following areas:

First, we will improve the reserve of programs. We will continue to improve the working mechanism, and research, plan and determine the program list for the next quarter and even the next year in advance, make every effort to meet the viewing needs of viewers, and strive to ensure that everyone benefits when they turn on the TV. At the same time, we will also launch the 2025 screening and exhibition project of 100 classic works on the Revisiting Classics channel in due course. We will publicly release the list of classic programs for the year, and encourage all sectors of society to donate programs for the channel. 

Second, we will improve program editing and broadcasting. In a few days, we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The Revisiting Classics channel will broadcast excellent TV series throughout October, including "All Quiet in Peking," "Red Sorghum" and "Like a Flowing River." At the same time, we have also made coordinated plans and arrangements for the rebroadcasting of audience favorite classics, such as adaptations of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature.

Third, we will improve the publicity and promotion of the channel. We will further work on the promotion of the channel, program previews, and the research and literary and artistic review of classic works. We will actively organize activities such as introducing the Revisiting Classics channel to elderly care institutions and school campuses. So far, the channel has covered nearly 15,000 elderly care institutions and about 500,000 user terminals nationwide, receiving enthusiastic responses. We will continue to work hard to ensure classic audiovisual works reach more people, have more profound influence, and release greater spiritual strength on the new journey of the new era. Thank you.

Dragon TV:

The 34th Flying Apsaras Award ceremony was held last weekend and a batch of TV series were awarded. Ordinary viewers are most concerned about whether they can watch more excellent works on TV and online. What measures will be adopted to further enrich the high-quality content of radio, television, and online audio and video? Thank you.

Zhu Yonglei:

Thank you for your question, I will answer this. In the past few years, excellent TV dramas and online dramas have been produced one after another, with many highlights, from "A Lifelong Journey" and "The Knockout" to "Three-Body" and "Blossoms Shanghai." People all speak highly of these high-quality products. I think this is a very important achievement for TV dramas and workers in the TV industry in practicing Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. The NRTA has adhered to the people-centered approach to creation, and in accordance with the requirements of finding the right topic, telling a good story, and producing high-quality products, systematically planned major topics, strengthened planning, guidance and support, and advanced the creation and broadcast of a number of excellent works with profound ideas and original artistic expression. For example, we broadcast TV series over the past year such as "Ask on the Boundless Land," "Welcome to Milele," "The Eagle in the Sea and Sky," "Happy Grass" and "March Towards the Southwest." In particular, "The Flowers Blooming" aired during prime time on CCTV 1 recently, depicting the story of principal Zhang Guimei and her efforts to establish a high school for girls in a mountainous area of Yunnan, which is very touching. This drama now has a score of 9.0 on the popular review site Douban, which is very high. People feel that this drama is somewhat like the TV series "Minning Town" from previous years, which was a popular themed drama.

The NRTA has also actively improved the working mechanisms for the service, guidance and organization of literary and artistic creations, and the television drama producers and television literary and artistic workers have great enthusiasm. Another interesting phenomenon is that more and more filmmakers have been creating TV series and online dramas in the past couple of years. The famed director Wong Kar-wai directed the TV series "Blossoms Shanghai," which, as you all know, is phenomenal; Teng Congcong, an outstanding young director, created the online series "To the Wonder" this year; and the renowned director Zhang Yimou is currently serving as the supervising producer of the TV series "The Protagonist." This is a very interesting phenomenon.

At the same time, the NRTA is also working to arrange for good programs to be aired on good platforms at prime time. Recently, we issued the opinions on enriching the contents of television and further meeting the cultural needs of the people, introducing a series of specific measures. For example, TV dramas are encouraged to be aired on multiple TV channels and on online platforms and TV channels simultaneously. The TV series "The Great Sea Road," which launched recently, aired simultaneously on Jiangsu Satellite TV, Zhejiang Satellite TV, Hunan Satellite TV, Shandong Satellite TV and Xinjiang Satellite TV, as well as video sites Tencent Video and Mango TV. This has greatly facilitated people's watching of the drama and also enhanced the dissemination and influence of dramas.

As another example, we have promoted coordinated broadcasting between traditional television and smaller-screen terminals as well as dissemination between online and offline platforms. For example, the online series "Imperfect Victim" has been aired simultaneously on TV stations and online platforms for the first time. The just-mentioned "To the Wonder" is the first online series to be aired on CCTV 1 during prime time, greatly enriching the content of TV screens. We have also established a coordination mechanism with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, promoting and shaping tourism with culture. There is a phenomenon of "a drama makes a city popular," which integrates culture into the economy. The series "Meet Yourself," "Blossoms Shanghai" and "To the Wonder" are all examples of this. For example, some tourist resorts in Xinjiang have become popular because of "To the Wonder." That is the effect of TV dramas on local tourism. Series such as "The Great Sea Road," that is currently being broadcast, and "The City of Sunlight," that will be aired during the National Day holiday, can enable audiences to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Xinjiang and Xizang while experiencing the ups and downs of the series' plots. If you watch these two dramas, you will definitely have enthusiasm to visit these places and enjoy the beautiful scenery there. That's all from me. Thank you!

Shou Xiaoli:

Due to time constraints, one last question, please.

China Daily:

During the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, President Xi Jinping mentioned the airing of the Chinese TV series "Minning Town" in the Comoros when meeting with the president of the country, expressing that "China is ready to continue the cooperative partnership as the ‘Minning Town' has shown to build a China-Comoros community with a shared future." At present, what new initiatives will be taken by the NRTA to promote cooperation and exchange in radio, television, online audio and video between China and other countries? Thank you.

Zhu Yonglei:

Thank you for your question. This is a very good question. We will have Mr. Yang Guorui, who is in charge of international communication, answer this question.

Yang Guorui:

Thank you for your attention to this issue. I suppose many of us have watched the TV series "Minning Town," which is a true portrayal of the efforts that were taken to alleviate poverty in western China. After airing in the Comoros, the series has generated an enthusiastic response and has touched the people of the Comoros who also aspire for and pursue a happier and better life. In fact, "Minning Town" has been translated and broadcast in more than 50 countries and regions, achieving good results.

A good cultural program is worth a thousand words. Radio, television and online audiovisual works are important carriers for telling China's story to the world. In recent years, more and more Chinese works, including the series "Three-Body" and "To the Wonder," have gained popularity among overseas audiences. Just now, Mr. Zhu and Mr. Dong both mentioned that the series "Three-Body" has taken a leading position with the number of views in many countries and regions in North America and Europe, with its score on the overseas mainstream streaming platform Viki reaching 9.2 points. The series "To the Wonder" was selected for Long Form Competition at this year's Canneseries in France, successfully screening and receiving a lot of praise from overseas professional media and audiences. In addition, as Mr. Dong also just mentioned, short videos and micro dramas have also demonstrated strong competitiveness in the global market as new highlights of China's audiovisual content.

These Chinese radio, television and online audiovisual works not only enhance the understanding of China by the people of the countries and regions where they were broadcast but also connect common feelings of both Chinese and foreign people across borders, cultures and races. We have long been actively promoting the use of radio, television and audiovisual works as a bridge to link China with the world, enhancing connectivity between people. By continuously strengthening the cooperation and coproduction of Chinese and foreign radio, television and audiovisual works, as well as introducing excellent foreign film and television works, we have not only continued to enrich the supply of high-quality content but also have enabled people to appreciate the unique charm of different cultures. For example, in the near future, we will air on TV an array of excellent overseas programs including "Einstein and Hawking: Unlocking the Universe," "The Masters of Rome" and "Coco Chanel." You are all welcome to watch them when they air.

In addition, we have continued to build bilateral and multilateral mechanisms including the Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation, the China-Arab States Forum on Radio and Television Cooperation and the ASEAN-China Media Week, continuously promoting policy communication, conceptual dialogue, industrial cooperation and personnel exchanges between China and foreign media. On September 5, President Xi Jinping said in his keynote speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation that China will launch with Africa an initiative of cooperation on innovation in radio, TV and audio and visual programs. We will make every effort to advance the implementation of this initiative, continue to deepen media exchanges and cooperation between China and Africa and will ensure the attainment of more practical results, so as to make new and greater contributions to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. Thank you.

Shou Xiaoli:

Thank you to all speakers and friends from the media. Today's briefing is hereby concluded. Goodbye, everyone.

Translated and edited by Xu Kailin, Yuan Fang, Li Huiru, Liu Sitong, Zhang Junmian, Wang Yanfang, Huang Shan, David Ball, Jay Birbeck, and Rochelle Beiersdorfer. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.

中文

Speakers:

Mr. Huai Jinpeng, minister of education

Mr. Wang Jiayi, vice minister of education 

Mr. Wu Yan, vice minister of education 

Mr. Wang Guangyan, vice minister of education

Chairperson:

Shou Xiaoli, director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date:

Sept. 26, 2024

Shou Xiaoli:

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO), as part of the series "Promoting High-Quality Development." Today, we have invited Mr. Huai Jinpeng, minister of education, to brief you on relevant developments and to answer your questions. Also present today are Mr. Wang Jiayi, Mr. Wu Yan and Mr. Wang Guangyan, all vice ministers of education.

Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Huai for his introduction.

Huai Jinpeng:

Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, good morning. I am very pleased to attend today's press conference with my colleagues from the Ministry of Education (MOE) and to speak with you on topics of common interest to you all and society at large. First, I would like to express my sincere respect and gratitude on behalf of the MOE for the long-term care, support and trust in education from you all and all sectors of society, as well as for your selfless assistance.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core places great emphasis on the development of education, treating education as a top priority for both the nation and the Party. It has made significant decisions to deeply implement the strategy of invigorating China through science and education and to accelerate the modernization of education, setting the goal of building a leading country in education by 2035. On Sept. 9, the CPC Central Committee convened the National Education Conference, where General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech, clearly outlining the strategic vision for building a leading country in education. The general secretary pointed out that education is the foundation for building a great country and achieving national rejuvenation. He emphasized that the strong educational system we aim to build should feature socialism with Chinese characteristics, and possess robust political guidance, competitiveness in talent, support for technology, ability to ensure people's well-being, synergy with social development, and international influence. These six characteristics fundamentally describe the key features of the strong educational system we aim to build. He required us to firmly grasp the political, people-centered and strategic nature of education, and correctly handle the relationships between supporting national strategy and meeting the people's needs, between knowledge learning and all-round development, between cultivating talent and meeting societal needs, between regulation and invigorating dynamism, and between being rooted in China and drawing on international experiences. He systematically laid out the strategic tasks and significant measures for building a leading country in education, forming the general outline and focus for our future education reform and development. The MOE is now deeply implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech and the guiding principles of the National Education Conference, treating the formulation and implementation of the plan for building a leading country in education as a strategic measure to promote high-quality development. Moving forward, we will spare no effort to implement the spirit of the general secretary's important speech, comprehensively advance the tasks of building a leading country in education, fully implement the major tasks of comprehensive educational reform laid out during the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and make solid progress toward the goal of building a leading country in education.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the development of socialist education with Chinese characteristics has achieved historic accomplishments and undergone structural changes. These are primarily reflected in:

First, the results of all-round development in moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic and labor education have become more significant. A basic framework of Party-building work that extends deeply, broadly and covers all aspects has been established. The concept of fostering development in all five educational aspects has deeply resonated with people, comprehensive efforts to strengthen political education in schools have been reinforced, and efforts to enhance students' well-rounded development has been solidly advanced. Schools conscientiously work to educate talent for the Party and the country, and the determination of young students to listen to and follow the Party has been further strengthened. Significant progress has been made in the development of teachers, with the number of teachers increasing from 14.629 million in 2012 to 18.918 million by the end of last year, while their abilities to teach and cultivate have been continually enhanced.

Second, the sense of gain in education among the people has increased. We have built the world's largest education system and it is of high quality. Here, I would like to share some statistics with you. The gross enrollment rate for preschool education in 2012 was 64.5%, which increased by 26.6 percentage points to 91.1% by the end of last year. Basic education has reached the average level of high-income countries around the world, signifying that the ability and quality of China's basic education are globally comparable. In terms of higher education, the enrollment rate was 30% in 2012, and over the past decade, it has risen by 30.2 percentage points, reaching the stage of being universal. In basic education, all 2,895 county-level regions nationwide have fully achieved a basic balance in the compulsory education system. The fundamental issue of people having access to education has been resolved. Student financial aid covers all educational stages, with 1.4 billion benefits being distributed to students. The nutrition improvement plan has benefited students 420 million person-times. Since 2012, we have initiated a special enrollment plan for key universities targeting rural areas and previously impoverished areas, benefiting students from the eastern, central and western parts of China, to promote more equitable development in education. Over the past decade, we have enrolled more than 1.1 million students in this plan. Additionally, in the targeted education of medical students for rural areas, we have provided free education specifically for over 50,000 graduates who later serve in township health centers in the central and western regions of China, helping improve the health of local people.

Third, education has provided stronger support for economic and social development. In the new era, universities and colleges have provided over 100 million graduates to serve economic and social development. We have achieved significant landmark results in scientific research, mainly characterized by more than 70% of the State Natural Science Award and State Technological Invention Award, and nearly 50% of the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award coming from universities. Especially in fields such as quantum technology, life sciences, materials science and space science, we have made a series of significant original achievements. These all demonstrate the important role of higher education in China as the main force in national basic research and a critical source of major technological breakthroughs. Universities and colleges have also made active contributions to research in philosophy, social sciences and the continuous development of culture and arts, with capabilities in policy advising, education and artistic creation continuously increasing.

Fourth, comprehensive educational reforms have deepened. We have advanced the reform of comprehensive educational evaluation and significantly transformed the ecosystem of basic education through the policy to relieve students of excessive burdens from homework and off-campus tutoring. We have also fundamentally established an exam recruitment model that includes categorized examination, comprehensive evaluation and diverse admissions. This has effectively promoted student development, national talent selection and social equity.

Fifth, the international influence of Chinese education has become more pronounced. We have signed agreements for the mutual recognition of academic degrees with 59 countries and regions. The National Smart Education Platform has provided services to over 200 countries and more than 10 million overseas users. As of this month, the National Smart Education Platform has received over 50 billion visits, making it the most actively used and most beneficial platform in the world. It has also provided valuable data resources for our basic education, vocational education and higher education, solidifying the achievements of our national digital education strategy. Meanwhile, we have successfully advocated for the establishment of the UNESCO International Institute for STEM Education in China. These efforts are of significant importance in further serving society and advancing international exchange and cooperation. Additionally, the China University of Geosciences (Beijing) and Xiamen University have initiated the Deep-time Digital Earth (DDE) and Ocean Negative Carbon Emissions (ONCE) Big Science Programs, respectively. Chinese education has demonstrated a more open and confident presence on the international stage, and is increasingly capable of participating in international scientific discoveries and research.

Building a leading country in education has been a cherished aspiration of the Chinese nation since modern times. We will bear in mind the trust of General Secretary Xi Jinping, focus on the overarching goal of building a leading country in education by 2035, and, with the strategic vision of cultivating talents with time and effort and the striving spirit of competing vigorously, we will write a new chapter in the development of a leading country in education and make even greater contributions to advancing Chinese modernization.

With the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China approaching, on behalf of the MOE, I would like to extend our best wishes to friends from the media and people from all sectors of society. I wish you a happy holiday and may our motherland continue to thrive and prosper.

That is all for my introduction. Thank you.

Shou Xiaoli:

Thank you, Mr. Huai. The floor is now open for questions. Please identify the media outlet you represent before asking questions.

CCTV:

The National Education Conference has made a series of new arrangements for building a leading country in education. Could you elaborate on how the MOE will implement the guiding principles of the conference and ensure that these arrangements are effectively carried out? Thank you.

Huai Jinpeng:

Thank you for your question. I will answer this.

As everyone knows, the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee established the integrated advancement of education, science and technology, and talent as an important foundation and support for enhancing the overall efficiency of the national innovation system, and it also laid out tasks for deepening comprehensive education reform. The convening of the National Education Conference has clarified significant tasks and strategic measures for the further development of the education sector, helping to deepen the implementation of the guiding principles of the third plenary session and achieve the grand goals of Chinese modernization established by the 20th CPC National Congress. Over this period, the entire education system has been comprehensively learning, understanding and promoting the guiding principles of the general secretary's important speech and the National Education Conference, treating the building of a leading country in education as the "No. 1 project" to promote implementation. The MOE will deeply study and understand these principles and fully communicate with local governments and departments to further consolidate a common understanding and jointly advance the building of a leading country in education. Moreover, the MOE will make in-depth plans for implementing the guiding principles of the National Education Conference, turning grand blueprints into roadmaps, directions into methods, and effectively translating them into vivid practices within the education system to achieve the goal of becoming a leading country in education. We often talk about learning, thinking, practicing and understanding. First, we must learn and think clearly, aligning our thoughts and understandings with the central government's decisions and arrangements on building a leading country in education. At the same time, we need to be clear in our actions and comprehension, constantly exploring and optimizing to combine theory and practice, using the strategic goal of becoming a leading country in education to guide major tasks, major projects, and major measures to complete our work.

In specific terms, our work is planned and advanced from three aspects.

First, we will make the political nature of education more prominent. We will strengthen the comprehensive leadership of the Party over education, implement the project for fostering virtue through education in the new era, and resolutely carry out the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education. This is our foremost project in building a leading country in education. We will conduct and improve the introductory courses on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and deeply promote the integrated development of political education in universities, secondary and primary schools, focusing on using successful cases from the great changes in the new era to create a number of brands for major political education curriculum. We will deepen the systematic and theoretical study and interpretation of the Party's innovative theories, and construct a curriculum and textbook system centered on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We will perfect the comprehensive cultivation system of all-round development in moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic and labor education, strengthen the coordination of science and technology education with humanities education, cultivate a scientific spirit in students, help them master scientific methods, continuously enhance their humanistic literacy, and strengthen their cultural confidence. 

Second, we will make the people-oriented nature of education more distinct. Currently, China is advancing socialist modernization, while social and demographic structures are changing. To more effectively adapt education to the development of the economy and society, we will establish a basic public education service supply mechanism coordinated with demographic changes, promote the quality and balanced development of compulsory education, and advance the universal and inclusive development of preschool education along with the diversified development of senior high schools. We will strive to address issues of imbalanced and insufficient development, and enhance the inclusiveness, accessibility and convenience of public education services. At the same time, we will deeply implement the national digital education strategy, improve the level of public services for lifelong learning, and build a learning society. We will carry out actions to strengthen the capabilities of teachers inspired by the spirit of great educators, establish a long-term mechanism for building teacher ethics and behavior, promote high-level universities to carry out teacher training, and cultivate a high-level teaching workforce for the new era.

Third, we will further emphasize the strategic nature of education. Over the past decade, China's higher education system has achieved significant accomplishments, securing an important position in global higher education. As we build a strong education system, we'll implement category-specific university reforms and optimize the regional distribution of higher education resources to support high-quality socioeconomic development, particularly the advancement of Chinese modernization. Specifically, we're launching initiatives to break new ground in basic and interdisciplinary subjects, establishing effective mechanisms where technological innovation and talent cultivation mutually reinforce each other to drive high-quality disciplinary development. This represents a crucial step in promoting the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent. We will identify major scientific and technological challenges from national strategic needs, continuously producing original and breakthrough innovations. We will prioritize the cultivation of talent crucial to national strategic priorities, and accelerate the establishment of discipline adjustment mechanisms and talent training models to meet the needs of China's scientific and technological development and national strategies. This will enhance the training of top-tier innovative talent and better align cultivation efforts with economic and social development needs. We will actively promote the transfer and transformation of universities' scientific and technological achievements, plan the construction of regional technology transfer and transformation centers, and strengthen national university science parks and international scientific and technological cooperation. We'll advance high-level educational openness, coordinating efforts to "bring in" and "go global" while building an education center with global influence. Thank you.

Nanfang Daily, Nanfang Plus:

We've noticed that some universities have recently adjusted their undergraduate majors. Could you explain the key factors behind these adjustments? In promoting the high-quality development of higher education, how can we make scientific and rational adjustments to optimize undergraduate majors? Thank you.

Huai Jinpeng：

The journalist has raised an astute point. The relationship between disciplines and majors planning and socioeconomic development is a key element specifically addressed in the comprehensive education reform plans outlined at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. I would like to invite Mr. Wu to respond to this question.

Wu Yan:

Let me address this question. We have two fundamental principles regarding undergraduate education: "Talent cultivation is foundational, and undergraduate education is the root," and "without a solid undergraduate foundation, everything else falters." These principles underscore the irreplaceable foundational role of undergraduate education in higher education. The significance of undergraduate education is threefold. Looking upward, it connects directly to graduate education, providing excellent "raw material" for advanced studies. Looking downward, it links directly to basic education, especially high school education, where its standards and direction shape basic education reform. Looking outward, undergraduates make up 80% of all higher education students (including undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels), and undergraduate educational quality directly determines this primary group's quality, level and contributions. As for how to effectively manage undergraduate education, we adhere to two key principles: "The major is the basic unit of talent cultivation," and "the curriculum is the core element of talent cultivation." In a certain sense, all educational components — from teaching and learning to courses, textbooks, internships, experiments and practical training — must be integrated into undergraduate majors. The CPC Central Committee, the State Council and society at large place great emphasis on undergraduate education. In building a strong educational nation, the quality of undergraduate majors determines the overall caliber of higher education.

Currently, there are 1,308 institutions offering undergraduate programs nationwide, with the number of placements of undergraduate majors reaching 62,000 across 12 disciplines, 93 categories of majors and 816 specific majors. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, we have accelerated the adjustment and optimization of the majors structure. Let me share two data points: Over the past 12 years, we have added 21,000 new placements of undergraduate majors and discontinued or suspended 12,000 that no longer align with socioeconomic development needs. We have undertaken a significant and extensive restructuring of our disciplines and majors. This year alone, we established 1,673 new placements of majors urgently needed for driving national strategies while discontinuing 1,670 that were not aligned with socioeconomic development. The scale of these adjustments is unprecedented.

Next, in line with the spirit of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the recently concluded National Education Conference, we will work on enhancing the mechanism for aligning talent cultivation with socioeconomic development needs. We will dynamically adjust the requirements for disciplines and majors, focusing our efforts on three areas of alignment:

First, we must align undergraduate majors development with urgent national strategic needs. This involves deepening the development of education in new engineering, new medicine, new agriculture and new liberal arts. Additionally, we should focus on cutting-edge technologies and key national strategic areas, establishing emerging majors and expanding placements in urgently needed and scarce majors. It is particularly important to improve how well university majors and talent cultivation respond to the demands of quality-driven development, taking a more targeted approach to cultivating talent with expertise of strategic importance and addressing critical talent shortages.

Second, we must improve the alignment of majors development in universities, especially local institutions, with regional development. At the beginning of this year, we conducted assessments of how well university majors matched regional development in provinces and cities, including Heilongjiang, Zhejiang, Henan, Chongqing and Shaanxi. Next year, we will further expand this initiative. Through these efforts, we actively encourage each region to align majors development with local development needs, particularly in industries, to create clusters of majors with unique strengths. This will help establish a mechanism for coordinating higher education and industry clusters to serve regional development better.

Third, we aim to better align undergraduate majors with students' holistic development. We will leverage AI to enrich the content of majors, purposefully optimize talent cultivation plans and refine knowledge and competency frameworks for each major. These efforts will comprehensively improve education and teaching quality. We will encourage universities to correctly balance knowledge acquisition with overall development (the integration of intellectual, moral, physical, aesthetic and labor education) and to strengthen the cultivation of core competencies. The goal is to nurture a new generation of individuals who possess both moral and intellectual integrity, maintain physical and mental health, demonstrate vigor and actively pursue their dreams.

That's all for my response. Thank you!

National Business Daily:

Since its introduction in July 2021, the "Double Reduction" policy has garnered significant attention. Could you share the progress of its implementation over the past three years and outline the upcoming measures to further strengthen these efforts? Thank you.

Huai Jinpeng:

Thank you. This is a matter of public concern and remains a key focus of the MOE's ongoing work. I would like to invite Mr. Wang to respond to this question.

Wang Jiayi:

Thank you for your interest in the "Double Reduction" policy. This policy is crucial for primary and secondary school students' healthy growth and holistic development. It is a matter of concern for the central government, society at large and the general public. In essence, while the "Double Reduction" policy may seem focused on a specific issue, its impact is broad and significant.

Over the past three years, the education system has earnestly implemented the central government's directives on the "Double Reduction" policy, emphasizing the role of schools as the primary platform for this initiative. The efforts can be summarized as "two reductions and two enhancements." The first "reduction" is the significant decrease in the number of academic tutoring institutions at the compulsory education level, effectively curbing the disorderly expansion of large-scale academic training. The second "reduction" is the decrease in students' homework burden and off-campus tutoring load. The first "enhancement" is that over 200,000 schools nationwide at the compulsory education level have universally implemented after-school services, with the proportion of students voluntarily participating rising from about 50% before "Double Reduction" to over 90% now. The second "enhancement" is the noticeable improvement in teaching quality for students in compulsory education.

Moving forward, we will continue to consolidate these achievements and foster a positive educational environment. Ultimately, our goal is to achieve "Double Enhancement" within schools. We will focus on four key areas:

First, we will expand resources. We aim to stabilize the "basic framework" of primary and secondary school classroom teaching quality. This involves implementing the action plan for enhancing and improving basic education while optimizing the allocation of educational resources across regions. We will also strengthen the development of a high-quality professional teaching workforce and steadfastly advance educational digitalization to effectively expand the coverage of high-quality educational resources.

Second, we will improve quality. We seek to invigorate the "internal motivation" of school education and teaching. By optimizing teaching methods, strengthening teaching management and promoting technology-enabled learning, we aim to comprehensively enhance classroom teaching levels. These efforts will ensure that teachers can teach effectively and students can learn efficiently. We will continue to improve the quality of after-school services, especially in meeting students' diverse learning needs.

Third, we will emphasize practice. We will build a "grand framework" for a comprehensive education system. This involves fully implementing practice-based education requirements and thoroughly executing the science education enhancement plan. We will strengthen disciplinary, interdisciplinary and comprehensive social practice to cultivate students' exploratory and innovative thinking skills.

Fourth, we will strengthen supervision. We aim to create a positive ecosystem for synchronized governance both inside and outside schools. This includes establishing a permanent mechanism for managing off-campus training, strictly controlling academic training, addressing covert and variant forms of academic training and regulating nonacademic training. We will particularly focus on rigorously addressing illegal training activities. Additionally, we will strengthen supervision of prepayments by training institutions to firmly curb excessive charges and profit-driven practices. Thank you.

Huai Jinpeng:

Please allow me to add two points. First, compulsory education is a national responsibility, which is a consensus worldwide, particularly regarding academic tutoring. Second, the purpose of implementing the "Double Reduction" policy is to achieve "Double Enhancement" - improving educational outcomes and the balanced and high-quality development of basic education. Thank you.

CETV:

Engineering technology is a significant force influencing world and national development. Whether it's the high-speed rail network or the Shenzhou spacecraft, these advances have greatly improved our lives. We have noticed that China has made considerable efforts to cultivate outstanding engineers in recent years. I would like to ask: What progress has been made so far, and what measures will be taken next? Thank you.

Huai Jinpeng:

Thank you for your question. I will address this. Outstanding engineers are one of the four types of personnel with expertise of strategic importance identified at the Central Talent Work Conference on Sept. 27, 2021. This conference led to the development of a training program for outstanding engineers, which we internally refer to as engineering master's and doctoral students. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the training of engineers has undergone long-term development. In the face of new circumstances, particularly the technological revolution and industrial transformation, it is crucial to enhance new quality productive forces and stimulate innovation more effectively to better serve economic and social development and achieve Chinese modernization. The MOE is promoting the reform of outstanding engineer training, which holds significant importance. 

Talent cultivation involves not only creating knowledge and scientific discovery but also solving technological challenges, improving production capacity and continuously developing products and services. The goal of cultivating outstanding engineers is precisely to achieve technological innovation, advance the integration of science and education, promote industry-education integration and facilitate industrial iteration and upgrading. This is crucial for developing a contingent of personnel with expertise of strategic importance for quality-driven socioeconomic development. Cultivating outstanding engineers is a key initiative that focuses on national strategies, serves Chinese modernization, strengthens international cooperation and exchange, and cultivates talent. Notably, outstanding engineers have become a significant marker of social development. In January this year, for the first time, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council launched the National Engineer Awards to honor engineers who have made outstanding contributions. The MOE regards the accelerated cultivation of outstanding engineers as an important political task, leveraging the exemplary and leading role of "Double First-Class" universities, steadily promoting industry-education integration, and continuously advancing the cultivation of top-notch innovative talent. We are using deep engagement in innovation, industrial development and economic progress as driving forces to enhance the quality of training for engineering master's and doctoral students. The main approaches include the following aspects:

First, we have continued to deepen the transformation of the engineer training system. I mentioned just now that the integration of general education and industry provides a pivotal foundation for and an inevitable path in the cultivation of innovative talent, especially outstanding engineers. Therefore, motivating the industrial sector and universities serves as a very important institutional design and policy to provide solutions. Under the guidance of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, the MOE has worked with the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) to support the establishment of two batches of 32 national graduate colleges for engineers by Double First-Class universities and state-owned enterprises directly under the central government. To meet China's strategic needs, we have made concerted efforts to set up four national innovation institutes of outstanding engineers in Beijing, Shanghai and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which are located in three centers for innovation deployed by the state, namely the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. By designing the above-mentioned organization mechanism and structural network, the MOE has worked with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the SASAC, the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) and the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) to support collaboration between industries, universities and research institutes and the establishment of China's outstanding engineer training consortia by universities, enterprises and national research institutions. Universities, local governments and research institutions have worked together to set up a network and an organizational structure with collaborative development among enterprises, universities and research institutions, and cooperation and coordination among relevant departments.

Second, we have innovated in building an engineer training mechanism that is well-integrated with both general education and industry. Just now, Mr. Wu introduced that training undergraduate students is in line with the industrial structure. So, what is the focus of training outstanding engineers as innovators? From enrollment and the curriculum system, to coordinated cooperation between tutors from industry and academia, and from evaluation criteria to the efficient transformation and eventual definition of intellectual property, these are all very important and provide a key path to setting up a full-chain system with collaboration between industries, universities and research institutes and to fully participate in the training of high-caliber professionals. In this aspect, we should give full play to the initiative of both universities and enterprises and promote joint enrollment, training, subject selection and outcome sharing, achieving integrated cultivation with features including the mobilization of teachers, course sharing, integrated platforms and policy coordination. The aim is to cultivate talent, and serve national economic and social development. Reform of the training mechanism is an active response of higher education to the national economic and social development and a basic requirement of Chinese modernization.  

Third, we have focused on achieving breakthroughs in the crucial links of engineer training. We have organized Double First-Class universities to collaborate with enterprises to develop over 200 key courses focusing on 18 key fields. Like with courses for undergraduate students, the key courses of engineer training do not only impart knowledge, but also build up capacity. Especially when it comes to important industrial issues, the new curriculum system, practice system and innovation capacity help students build competency and improve their performance, thus forming a new training approach. In terms of faculty development, 32 national graduate colleges for engineers have hired over 20,000 teachers from enterprises, which is a systematic, well-organized, well-targeted and important method of cooperation with collaboration between industries, universities and research institutes in the cultivation of postgraduates and engineers. The tutor double-engagement model, dual selection of teaching and the processing pattern of courses are all important innovations. After the adoption of the law on academic degrees, the basic requirement for engineering degree applications for masters and doctorates has been extended to practical reports, patents and innovative achievements, which is an important breakthrough of reform in our evaluation standard system. The law provides a legal basis for talent training that is adapted to economic and social development, and that also ensures the reforms have a solid basis, breaking down the paper-centered assessment system and taking valuable contributions as the important measure of assessment. We especially encourage and support enterprises to propose subjects and jointly study them with universities. For three years, about 5,000 practical questions have been submitted from the business world. What does "training talent in creating innovation" mean? It should be achieving innovations in the process of solving practical problems, which also helps realize the talent training. We always say that we should identify problems when making innovation, and train talent when solving these problems. Thus, we should train talent in the process of solving the problems.   

I want to inform you all that we will convene a working processing conference for outstanding engineer training with collaboration between industries and universities, according to the arrangement of “semiannual exchanges and “annual reviews.” The first batch of graduate students have entered enterprises as interns and doctoral students have worked in relevant industries. The current situation shows that the purposeful and well-organized cooperation between industries, universities and research institutes has important practical meaning for training outstanding engineers. In the process, new problems will arise, which we should research and think about, better adapting to the industrial changes and fostering new quality productive forces. We will publish China's outstanding engineer training standards and increase international cooperation, providing Chinese solutions and wisdom to global engineering education. Thank you. 

CNS:

I am particularly interested in the issue of changes to the demographic structure and the allocation of educational resources. What are the MOE's considerations on the establishment of mechanisms for aligning the supply of basic public education services with demographic changes? Thank you.

Huai Jinpeng:

This is a question that has attracted much interest. I would like to invite Mr. Wang to answer it.

Wang Guangyan:

Thank you for your question. The question you raised is a very important, as a great matter related to improving the quality of public education services. We all know that Chinese modernization involves a huge population, and the national program for strengthening education is a strategic undertaking for achieving high-quality population development.

This is therefore a key priority for us as we work towards that goal. The MOE faithfully implements the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, and comprehensively analyzes and assesses the future changing trends in the school-age population, adhering to a holistic approach and a full range of steps to continuously improve the mechanism for allocating and distributing educational resources in coordination with demographic changes. The main considerations are specifically as follows: 

Regarding preschool education, the school-age population continues to decline. The main challenge in resource allocation is a structural imbalance, including limited inclusive preschool education resources especially limited public education resources in urban areas, and weak condition of preschool education in rural areas. We will make efforts to optimize the distribution of inclusive resources, solidly increase the supply of public education resources, and strengthen the competency of teachers, promoting universal access and inclusive development of preschool education.

Regarding compulsory education, primary school enrollment peaked around 2023, while junior high school enrollment continues to increase. The main challenge in resource allocation is "crowded conditions in urban schools and weaknesses in rural schools." Limited access to education in some urban areas exists along with relatively abundant resources in rural areas. Going forward, we will further improve the distribution of schools in urban areas, expand the supply of access to education in areas that have net population inflows, improve conditions and management in boarding schools, step up the development of small-scale schools in villages, strengthen standardized construction of compulsory-education schools, promote the coordinated deployment and exchange of outstanding principals and backbone teachers within regions, and facilitate the sharing of excellent education resources through the digitalization of education. Just now, Mr. Huai mentioned the issues in implementing the digital education strategy. We should fully implement this important strategy, promoting high-quality, balanced development and urban-rural integration.

Regarding high school education, when deploying resources, we should put the same emphasis on new construction as maximizing the use of existing facilities in accordance with the changing trends of the school-age population. We should properly balance the significant pressure before the peak in high school student population and the relatively easing of pressure afterward. We will moderately increase budgetary spending on education, and guide and support local governments to coordinate and improve the distribution of regular senior high schools and secondary vocational schools. In regions with weak educational infrastructure, or that have concentrated population inflows, a batch of high schools will be built, expanded or remodeled. Through these efforts, we aim to ensure the success of comprehensive high schools and promote the diversified development of high schools. Meanwhile, we encourage local governments to strengthen overall management, and smooth the flow of educational resources at all stages of schooling according to local conditions, which are the key areas of the future education resource allocation.  

Regarding higher education, it is projected that the school-age population will continue to increase until 2032. At present, solid progress has been made in universal access to high-school education in China. As Mr. Huai mentioned, the gross enrollment ratio for higher education has exceeded 60% and we have moved into a phase of universal access to high-school education. Demand for degree programs will continue to increase in the future. We will extend and increase higher education resources through multiple approaches such as tapping into potential for expanding or remodeling existing higher education institutions, or setting up new ones, ensuring access to education. At the same time, we will support expanding educational capacity for the development of world-class universities and strong disciplines. We will set up several new advanced-level research universities and encourage first-rate foreign universities in science and engineering to develop partner schools and programs in China, expanding the supply of high-quality resources. We will continue to implement the national program for setting an enrollment quota for students from central and western regions, and the special initiative for setting an enrollment quota for key universities enrolling students from rural areas and areas that have shaken off poverty, better promoting equitable access to education.

That is all from me. Thank you.

Nanfang Metropolis Daily N Video App:

We have noticed that the 10 minute break between classes for compulsory education has been extended to 15 minutes starting this fall semester in some regions. What arrangements will the MOE make in the next phase to promote students' overall health and well-rounded development. Thank you.

Huai Jinpeng:

Thank you for your question. The 10 minute break has become a hot topic. I would like to invite Mr. Wang to answer this question.

Wang Jiayi:

Thank you for your question. I will answer it. Thank you for your attention to such a specific issue as breaks between classes in primary and secondary schools. You have a keen eye.

The healthy growth and well-rounded development of children is of utmost concern to every family, represents a fundamental wish of every parent and is also the warmest heartfelt desire of General Secretary Xi Jinping. The general secretary has reiterated his advocation for the coordinated development of academic learning and physical exercise among Chinese youth. He has also constantly emphasized that students' ideals, convictions, moral qualities, knowledge, intelligence, and physical and mental abilities should all be fostered and that none is dispensable. 

Although it may appear to be a specific and small issue that the 10 minute break between classes for students in compulsory education has been extended to 15 minutes, it is also very important. It extends the form and content of moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic and labor education, reflecting our education's greater focus on students' well-rounded development.

Going forward, we will fully implement the important instructions given by General Secretary Xi Jinping and the principles from the National Education Conference, and focus on the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education, prioritizing students' health and well-rounded development. We will start with building up students' physical and mental health, and further strengthen the overall development of moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic and labor education, nurturing generations of capable young people who will fully develop socialism and carry forward the socialist cause.

In terms of top-level design, we will refine the systems for nurturing capable young people with sound moral grounding, intellectual ability, physical vigor, aesthetic sensibility and work skills. We will make sustained efforts to draw on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to forge inner strength and inspire our people, and introduce integrated reforms and new approaches in the political education curriculum at all levels, from elementary school to university. We will continue to implement initiatives such as the aesthetic education enrichment program, the program for fostering good work habits, and the youth reading initiative, promoting students' well-rounded development. At the same time, we will further strengthen disciplinary and interdisciplinary practices, and comprehensive social practices, promote the combination of learning and thinking and unity of knowledge and action in students' education, and help them learn how to survive and live, and adapt to the needs of society and future development.  

In terms of key sectors and links, we're implementing the "health first" concept through concrete actions. Through student physical fitness programs and mental health promotion initiatives, we ensure primary and secondary school students engage in comprehensive physical activities for no less than two hours daily – one PE class plus an hour of after-school exercise – while cultivating positive psychological qualities. We view extended recess periods as an effective starting point for the implementation of the "health first" concept. The goal is to get children moving, running and being active, especially in the sunlight, where they can run, exercise and breathe fresh air – working up a healthy sweat with bright eyes. Through these various efforts, we aim to address issues like widespread nearsightedness and childhood obesity, helping students become healthier and more energetic.

Regarding institutional support, we're steadily advancing collaborative education among families, schools and society. Students' comprehensive healthy development is a common responsibility for society as a whole, requiring close cooperation between schools, families and society. We will further strengthen this collaborative mechanism through "education consortiums," mobilizing departmental resources and coordinating social forces. This includes strengthening partnerships between the health and education sectors, sports-education integration, home-school interaction, and community education alignment to jointly shoulder the important responsibility for students' well-rounded development and healthy growth.

That concludes my response. Thank you.

CNR:

I'd like to ask about vocational education, which I believe is also a key area of focus for you. As we know, vocational education provides the foundation for cultivating skilled craftspeople. How does the MOE plan to further promote integration between vocational education and general education, between industry and education to cultivate more master craftspeople and highly-skilled workers? Thank you.

Wu Yan:

I'm glad to answer your question. As we all know, advancing Chinese-style modernization requires building a modernized industrial system, which necessitates overcoming a crucial threshold – new industrialization. To promote the new industrialization, we must have an abundant supply of high-quality, skilled professionals. That's why the report to the 20th CPC National Congress incorporated master craftspeople and highly-skilled workers into the contingent of personnel with expertise of strategic importance. Here, I would like to share with you a set of data: Vocational education produces more than 10 million graduates annually. In recent years, more than 70% of new front-line employees in modern manufacturing, strategic emerging industries and modern service industries have come from vocational schools. Among the 40 National Master Artisans of the Year selected by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions over the last four years, 32 graduated from vocational schools. Among the 30 winners of the China Skills Award in 2022, 18 graduated from vocational schools. These figures show that vocational schools serve as the primary training ground for national-level master artisans, master craftspeople and highly-skilled workers.

At the National Conference on Education, General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed building a vocational education system that is well-integrated with both general education and industry to cultivate high-caliber craftsmen and skilled talent. Next, we need to focus on the following four aspects.

First, we'll promote the integration of vocational education and general education. Labor education and career orientation programs should be implemented in primary and secondary schools, offering vocational experience and skills-based courses to cultivate students' interest in acquiring technical skills at an early age. At the high school level, we will build a number of comprehensive senior high schools. We will promote the mutual selection of courses and mutual recognition of credits between secondary vocational schools and regular high schools. We'll further improve the content and format of vocational college entrance exams, and optimize the connection between secondary vocational schools, higher vocational colleges, vocational undergraduate programs and application-oriented universities, thus providing students with diverse pathways for growth and development.

Second, we need to deepen the integration of industry and education. This involves strengthening the development of a provincial-level modern vocational education system as well as the city-level industry-education consortiums and industry-specific collaborative communities. We will implement "four areas of cooperation" between government, enterprises, universities and research institutions. This will include collaborative education programs, talent cultivation, employment partnerships, and shared development initiatives. These efforts will strengthen the alignment between skills training and local economic needs while better matching talent development with industry requirements.

Third, we'll improve operational capabilities and training quality in schools. To support technological transformation and industrial upgrading, we will deepen the integration of industry and education and systematically advance reforms in key areas, including disciplines, curricula, teaching materials, faculty and practical training facilities. We will strengthen the development of "five golden aspects" encompassing "golden majors, golden courses, golden teachers, golden bases and golden textbooks."

Fourth, we will create a favorable environment. We will vigorously promote the spirit of model workers, the spirit of work, and the spirit of craftsmanship, fostering a social ethos where "labor is glorious, skills are precious, and creation is great." We will ensure that the idea of "possessing a skill brings lifelong security" becomes deeply rooted in people's minds, make vocational education more attractive, and cultivate more national-level master artisans, master craftspeople and highly-skilled workers for Chinese-style modernization. Thank you.

Hong Kong Bauhinia Magazine:

What measures will the MOE take to promote innovation in the science and technology management system and mechanisms in universities and accelerate the transformation of scientific and technological advances into new quality productive forces? Thank you.

Huai Jinpeng:

Thank you for your question. Scientific and technological structural reform was a key focus of the National Science and Technology Conference held in the first half of the year. I will answer this question.

As we all know, the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee regards education, science and technology, and talent as important support for the integrated promotion of national innovation efficiency. The 20th CPC National Congress, for the first time, took this strategic perspective in making integrated plans for education, science and technology, and talent development to advance Chinese-style modernization.

There are compelling reasons why reforming the science and technology management mechanisms in universities and accelerating the application of scientific and technological advances have attracted significant public attention. First, in any country, the quality and capabilities of higher education are the most valuable resources. Higher education institutions can produce innovations and creative achievements, cultivate high-quality talents, and constantly ensure the application of technological advances and serve social development. At the same time, the application of scientific and technological advances and technology transfer from higher education remain common issues attracting global concern. These are becoming increasingly important with the accelerated sci-tech revolution and industrial transformation. As a significant part of boosting innovation and building a modern country, education is also key to fostering new quality productive forces. Higher education institutions shoulder the responsibility of training talents while also being commissioned with the task of creating knowledge and value. High-level research universities are the main force of national fundamental research and a source of major sci-tech breakthroughs, so the education system fulfills an indispensable responsibility.

Knowledge creation drives both technology transfer and market application of technological advances, and China's higher education system has made remarkable achievements in this regard. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, higher education institutions have received 70% of all natural science awards and 70% of all technological invention awards, reflecting their role as the main driving force and source of innovation. Meanwhile, several outstanding achievements have emerged, including the chemical reprogramming of human somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells — a breakthrough of great significance for human health and the treatment of major diseases in modern society. Other notable accomplishments include the state-of-the-art Tianjing self-propelled cutter-suction dredger's contribution to China's marine engineering, and the world's first fourth-generation nuclear power plant beginning commercial operations. These examples illustrate that breakthroughs in basic research are extremely important for the future of the life sciences, health care, major engineering projects, national innovation and industrial development. Therefore, higher education institutions should play an even more important role in basic research, technology transfer and promoting market application of technological advances. The MOE is combining the development of higher education with the construction of hubs for science and innovation.

The first point concerns the source of innovation, which I mentioned just now. We will support the better development of higher education institutions through programs focused on basic disciplines and interdisciplinary breakthroughs. As we all know, basic research requires patience, dedication, and persistent effort for long-term research and knowledge accumulation. Evaluation of such work requires institutional opportunity and adequate time. Only by ensuring this wellspring of innovation can we achieve subsequent technology transfer and market application of technological advances. This requires us to use the integration of science and education in major tasks as an "engine," incorporating it into interdisciplinary and fundamental research, thus providing sources for original and disruptive innovation.

The second involves technology transfer and application. Just now, a reporter asked about the training of excellent engineers. Students, after mastering knowledge and skills and discovering problems in practice, can effectively solve problems using the knowledge they've learned. For example, when I conducted research at the beginning of this year, a student said that he saw fractures and fatigue in large mechanical devices during practical work. He quickly developed a new diagnostic method by applying his optical knowledge. This demonstrates that most technology transfers and applications stem from combining existing knowledge with real-world problems. We also encourage another kind of effort. It's not about looking around for methods but discovering problems in practice, projects and products and then solving them to achieve innovation. Technology transfer and market application of advances involve combining existing knowledge with real-world problems and integrating innovation achievements with industrial needs. In this regard, the MOE is establishing an effective mechanism to foster an enabling environment for such practices. Recently, we partnered with Jiangsu province to promote the construction of Regional University–Industry Technology Transfer Center. The province is enthusiastic about building this platform, which will attract universities to align industrial development with regional innovation as well as national strategies. This effort focuses on advantageous industries such as biological medicine, information and communication, and advanced materials. The goal is to create synergy between existing achievements on the supply and demand sides, strengthening collaboration among industries, universities, and research institutes. This regional center will gather investments and leverage government public policy platforms. We are also optimizing and remodeling universities' sci-tech parks to build an overall network, addressing a global concern. In exploring technology transfer and market application of advances, we're thoughtfully combining talent training and problem discovery with ecosystem development. We expect higher education institutions to play an increasingly important role in creating value and serving economic and social development.

Third, in order to maintain the wellspring of basic research, we will support and encourage young faculty members to engage in long-term fundamental research and interdisciplinary studies as they strive to make future breakthroughs. In this regard, we will support long-term scientific projects and encourage technology transfer and market application of advances through both the reform and optimization of the evaluation system and global cooperation. In recent years, through college students innovation, entrepreneurship activities and industry-university-research cooperation, most students have successfully combined theoretical knowledge with practical problems and discovered new opportunities through social practice, achieving remarkable results. We aim to integrate college students innovation and entrepreneurship with the development of university sci-tech parks, technology transfer centers and advanced research institutes while combining regional industrial development needs with our capabilities and deepening evaluation mechanism reforms. This represents our most typical and important task, requiring continuous effort and unremitting exploration in advancing the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent. Although there isn't yet a fixed mechanism, we'll accelerate efforts to establish structural and ecosystem frameworks to further enhance universities' momentum, vitality and competitiveness in technology transfer and market application of scientific and technological advances.

Thank you.

Shou Xiaoli:

Many of you are concerned about education, and I see several journalists with raised hands. Due to time constraints, we'll take two final questions.

China Youth Daily:

The MOE has continued to promote the national education digitalization strategic action. What important achievements have been made in the past three years? How will we further promote and build this learning society in the future? What are the specific measures in this regard? Thank you.

Wang Guangyan:

Thank you for your question. The digitalization of education represents a crucial breakthrough point for China, allowing it to pioneer new pathways and build fresh advantages in educational development. Over the past three years, the MOE has fully implemented the national education digitalization strategic action. We have made application the top priority and governance our foundation, and moved towards integration, intelligence, and internationalization in accordance with the principles of connection first, content as the basis, and cooperation as the key. We have built a national smart education platform, expanded the sharing of high-quality educational resources, promoted educational reforms and innovation, and transformed China's educational institutional and scale advantages into drivers of high-quality educational development. The ministers who spoke just now also talked about the outstanding achievements made in promoting educational equity in all aspects through digitalization.

Today, high-quality education is accessible anytime and anywhere, with excellent courses available throughout the country. At the same time, the integration and widespread use of resources bring real benefits to teachers and students. To give you an example, last week, I visited a primary school during my trip to Kashgar, Xinjiang. The school has made full use of the national smart education platform, where teachers easily prepare and teach math lessons. The principal noted that every teacher in the school skillfully uses the platform for training, learning and class discussions. This experience showed me how the national smart education platform, as part of our digital strategy, has expanded access to high-quality resources. This is particularly significant for improving under-resourced schools and promoting educational equality.

China's contribution to global digital education has been significantly enhanced through three years of continuous iteration and upgrading. This is not only a new track, momentum and advantage for our educational development but has also put our digital education transformation in a leading position globally. To cite one data point, China's ranking in the Global Digital Education Development Index jumped from 24th to ninth, a significant achievement. As Mr. Huai just noted, the national platform has received more than 50 billion visits, covering more than 200 countries and regions. It has become the world's largest digital center and service platform for educational resources. It was awarded the King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize, UNESCO's highest award for education informatization.

Standing at a new historical starting point for strengthening education, we must further strengthen planning and innovative policy initiatives, fully unleash the powerful momentum of educational digitalization to open up new development areas and create new advantages, and explore effective ways to use digitization to empower large-scale individualized and innovative teaching. Next, we will advance our work in five areas.

In terms of deepening institutional reform, we will formulate guidelines to accelerate education digitalization, adapt to the development patterns of different types of education, and ensure effective connections between national and local platforms. We will build a government-led, multi-participant resource supply and application incentive mechanism. We will also establish long-term mechanisms, including standardized sharing and effective big data development empowerment. Therefore, mechanism building must be our top priority.

In terms of platform resource construction, we will prioritize practical applications and improve and make better use of the national smart education platform. We will expand pilot programs for comprehensive platform implementation, promote integration and interoperability, improve resource distribution, and continuously meet the personalized needs of teachers and students across all levels and types of schools.

In terms of empowering the construction of a learning society, we will build a public education service platform for lifelong learning. In accordance with the National Education Conference's deployment, we will build a lifelong learning system based on the qualifications framework, with a credit bank as a platform, focusing on learning outcomes certification. Through digital empowerment, we will promote the construction of a learning society and the development of lifelong education.

In terms of artificial intelligence, we will maximize the role of artificial intelligence as the "golden key," implement AI-enabled education actions in depth, establish an education evaluation and scientific decision-making system based on big data and AI, enhance the digital literacy of teachers and students, and help promote educational reforms.

Finally, we will continue to expand openness and cooperation, actively promote international exchanges in digital education, ensure the success of the World Digital Education Conference, accelerate the construction of the international version of the national smart education platform, and promote Chinese digital education solutions to the world. Thank you.

Shou Xiaoli:

The last question. 

Phoenix TV:

We're particularly concerned about the openness in education. The National Conference on Education proposed that we should further promote openness in education, coordinating both "bringing in" and "going global." What key measures will we take in the next step to advance high-standard opening-up in education through "bringing in" and "going global?" Thank you.

Wu Yan:

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, China's international influence in education has increased significantly, as shown by three encouraging indicators. First, China's international educational partnerships have expanded, with educational cooperation and exchanges reaching countries worldwide. Eighty-five countries have included Chinese in their national education systems, and the number of international Chinese learners and users now exceeds 200 million. We have built over 30 "Luban Workshops " in cooperation with other countries, which have been highly popular. Second, the appeal of Chinese education has grown. International students from 195 countries and regions study in China, with the proportion of degree-seeking students increasing to more than 60%. Third, the contribution of Chinese education has expanded. We cooperate with UNESCO and many international organizations worldwide. For example, the UNESCO International Institute for STEM Education will be established in Shanghai, making it the first UNESCO Category 1 Institute outside Europe and the United States. Additionally, at the recent China-Africa summit, President Xi Jinping announced that 10 Luban Workshops would be established in Africa. China has also cooperated with African countries and UNESCO to hold dialogues on education and heritage protection, contributing to the joint promotion of the 2030 international education goals.

Moving forward, we will focus on two major initiatives. The first major task is to unswervingly pursue our "bringing in" strategy. First, at the institutional level, we will effectively use world-class educational resources and innovative elements. We will bring in the best foreign universities, especially those specializing in science and engineering, to encourage high-standard cooperative learning institutions and programs. Second, in terms of international students, we will strengthen the brand and capacity building of "study in China," especially at "Double First-Class" universities (namely world-class universities and those with first-class disciplines). This will help attract outstanding overseas talent to study and exchange in China and enhance our ability to cultivate and gather important global talent. Third, for youth exchanges, we will launch 800 key international summer school projects over the next three years, invite 50,000 American youths to exchange programs in China over the next five years, invite 10,000 French youths to exchange programs in China over the next three years, and double the number of European youths in exchange programs in China. These initiatives will enable young people from China and around the world to have in-depth interactions and further strengthen the foundation for people-to-people exchanges.

The second major task is to steadily "go global." We will further enhance China's international appeal, influence and power to shape in education. First, in terms of higher education, we will promote the international expansion of higher education, maintain our policy of "supporting study abroad, encouraging return, ensuring free movement, and promoting making contributions,” and encourage students to study abroad. We will continue to improve the national comprehensive platform for overseas students, promote overseas programs in fields where China has comparative advantages, especially engineering education and medical education, and help relevant academic standards gain international recognition. Second, in terms of vocational education, we will encourage vocational education to go overseas. We will ensure the success of the World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference, the World Vocational College Skills Competition and the World Vocational and Technical Education Exhibition. We will set up the first world vocational and technical education award, establish the world vocational and technical education development alliance, promote high-quality vocational education cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and support Chinese vocational colleges in conducting overseas education in an orderly manner. Third, in terms of digital education, we will promote China's digital education to go overseas steadily and ensure the success of the World Digital Education Conference and the Global MOOC and Online Education Conference. We will develop and strengthen the World Digital Education Alliance, publish the Global Digital Education Development Index and demonstration cases, and promote the international version of the smart education public service platform. This will enable China's high-quality MOOC resources to reach global audiences and establish China's digital education as a leading voice in the next round of global educational development.

In addition, Chinese universities have led the launch of two international science programs: the "Deep-time Digital Earth" program, with the participation of scientists from more than 100 countries, and the "Ocean Negative Carbon Emissions" program, with the participation of scientists from over 30 countries. These two major scientific programs represent significant contributions to humanity and will provide Chinese solutions and strength to address common global challenges. We will continue to advance the opening-up of education with full confidence. Thank you.

Huai Jinpeng:

I would like to add a few words. It is a rare opportunity to communicate with the media today. The National Conference on Education issued a mobilization order to build a strong country in education by 2035. This is our grand goal and direction for the next 11 years. Realizing Chinese modernization brings historical opportunities for building a strong country in education. However, we recognize that many difficulties and challenges remain in this endeavor. It requires both systematic leaps and qualitative changes, demanding continued study and research. Two points are indisputable. First, we must unswervingly promote high-quality educational development to serve the construction of a great modern socialist country. Second, we must unswervingly open up to the outside world and promote educational cooperation between China and countries worldwide. People-to-people exchanges and educational cooperation are essential to China's opening-up and national development.

We are ready to work alongside other countries worldwide to contribute to education cooperation, innovation capacity building and cultural exchanges. I would also like to thank our media friends. I wish you all happy holidays in advance and hope you will continue to show interest in and support for education, offering ideas and constructive criticism for educational development. Thank you all!

Shou Xiaoli:

Thank you, Mr. Huai, to all the speakers and to all our media friends for participating. That's all for today's press conference. Goodbye, everyone!

Translated and edited by Zhang Rui, Yuan Fang, Yang Chuanli, Wang Yanfang, Li Huiru, Zhang Tingting, Huang Shan, Yang Xi, David Ball, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.

中文

Speakers:

Mr. Shen Changyu, commissioner of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) 

Mr. Hu Wenhui, deputy commissioner of the CNIPA 

Mr. Ge Shu, deputy commissioner of the Patent Office and director general of the Strategic Planning Department at the CNIPA 

Mr. Wang Peizhang, director general of the IP Utilization Promotion Department at the CNIPA

Chairperson:

Ms. Xing Huina, deputy director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date:

July 29, 2024

Xing Huina:

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO), as part of the series "Promoting High-Quality Development." Today, we have invited Mr. Shen Changyu, commissioner of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), to brief you on relevant developments and to take your questions. Also present today are Mr. Hu Wenhui, deputy commissioner of the CNIPA; Mr. Ge Shu, deputy commissioner of the Patent Office and director general of the Strategic Planning Department at the CNIPA; and Mr. Wang Peizhang, director general of the IP Utilization Promotion Department at the CNIPA.

Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Shen for his introduction.

Shen Changyu:

Thank you. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to friends from the media for their ongoing concern, attention and support for our work on intellectual property (IP) over the years.

IP is a strategic resource for national development and a core element of a country's international competitiveness. Since the beginning of the new era, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has placed greater emphasis on IP work, strengthening the top-level design of IP policies and deepening reforms across the IP field. This approach has led to a series of breakthrough advancements and landmark achievements in IP work, charting a path for IP development with Chinese characteristics and providing strong support for high-quality development. I will now briefly introduce the overall progress in IP reforms and development.

First, in terms of creation, high-value IP has continued to emerge. As of this June, the number of valid domestic invention patents in China reached 4.425 million, with the share of invention patents held by enterprises rising to 72.8%, indicating a surge in corporate innovation. The number of high-value invention patents per 10,000 people reached 12.9, surpassing the national target set in the 14th Five-Year Plan ahead of schedule. The number of valid registered domestic trademarks reached a new record high of 45.909 million.

Second, in terms of application, IP has effectively empowered innovative economic development. The implementation of special actions to promote patent commercialization has been deepened. In the first half of this year, the number of patent transfers and licenses by universities and research institutions across the country increased by 22.2% compared to the previous year, and a batch of high-value patents has accelerated implementation in advanced, intelligent and green industrial scenarios. The added value of patent-intensive industries reached 15.3 trillion yuan, accounting for 12.7% of GDP. From January to May this year, the total import and export value of IP royalties reached 180 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 14.1%. Exports grew by 17.7%, which was 4.7 percentage points higher than the growth rate of imports.

Third, in terms of protection, IP protection has contributed to creating a top-notch business environment. The newly revised Patent Law and its implementing regulations have been fully implemented, and revision to the Trademark Law has been included in the legislative agenda of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. The Measures for the Protection of Geographical Indication Products and the Regulations for the Registration and Administration of Collective and Certification Marks were issued to strengthen legal safeguards for IP. Progress has been made in establishing rules for data IP protection, with pilot programs launched in 17 provinces and cities to facilitate the circulation and utilization of data elements. The IP protection system has been strengthened, with 25 national-level IP protection demonstration zones being developed to high standards, and approval being granted for the establishment of 115 national-level IP protection centers and rapid rights protection centers. Public satisfaction with IP protection has increased to 82.04 points, setting a new record high.

Fourth, in terms of services, measures have been taken to improve convenience for individuals and enterprises. The IP Public Service Inclusion Project has been implemented, and the Guidelines for Government Services on Intellectual Property Rights was issued to standardize 72 IP administrative services. A total of 60 types of basic IP data have been made available, ensuring maximum data openness. The quality and efficiency of IP examinations have been continuously improved, with the average examination period for invention patents reduced to 15.7 months, with an accuracy rate of 94.2%. The average examination period for trademark registrations has stabilized at four months, with an approval rate of 97.7%, both reaching internationally advanced levels under similar examination systems.

Fifth, in terms of international cooperation, IP protection has actively contributed to high-level opening up. China has engaged deeply in global IP governance under the framework of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and successfully joined the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs and the Marrakesh Treaty on copyright-related rights. China also facilitated the conclusion of the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge. Institutional exchanges have been further deepened among China, the United States, Europe, Japan and South Korea; BRICS countries; China, Japan and South Korea; China, Mongolia and Russia; China and Central Asia; China and ASEAN; China and EU. Chinese applicants have consistently ranked among the world's leaders in applications under the WIPO's three major systems: PCT international patents, Hague system designs, and Madrid international trademarks. As of this June, valid foreign invention patents and registered trademarks in China reached 919,000 and 2.135 million, respectively, reflecting steady growth. Additionally, mutual recognition and protection have been achieved for 244 Chinese and EU geographical indication (GI) products, with a second batch of 350 products announced, thereby strengthening China-EU economic and trade relations.

Currently, China is in a critical period of transition from major importer of IP to major creator of IP. The IP work is shifting from a focus on quantity to an emphasis on quality. The recently convened third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee made significant arrangements to further deepen reforms across the board, clearly outlining the need to establish an efficient system for the comprehensive management of IP rights. We will earnestly implement these arrangements, continuously enhancing our IP governance capabilities and levels, and better leveraging IP to incentivize overall innovation, promote industrial transformation, optimize the business environment, and facilitate the smooth circulation of both domestic and international markets, making a greater contribution to accelerating the realization of Chinese modernization.

That concludes my introduction. My colleagues and I are now ready to take your questions. Thank you.

Xing Huina:

We will now move on to the Q&A session. Please identify your news organization before posing your questions.

CCTV:

The third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee explicitly called for building an efficient system for the comprehensive management of intellectual property rights (IPR). What plans does the CNIPA have to carry out the related work? Thank you. 

Shen Changyu:

Thank you for your question. I'll answer this one. Adopted at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, the resolution on further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization lays out many reforms regarding IPR, emphasizing the need to improve the property rights system to ensure law-based, equitable protection of the property rights of economic entities under all forms of ownership on a long-term basis and to establish an efficient system for the comprehensive management of IPR. According to the resolution, all economic entities, regardless of their form of ownership, will be treated equally when their property rights and legal interests are infringed upon or they infringe upon the property rights and legal interests of others. Also, the punitive compensation system will be refined. All these fully demonstrate that the CPC Central Committee attaches high importance to work related to IPR and that IPR play an important role in overall modernization. 

The CNIPA is thoroughly studying the spirit of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, while maintaining a problem- and objective-oriented approach. We have explored implementation measures and plan to carry out related work from three aspects, with the aim of deepening reforms regarding IPR and facilitating the establishment of an efficient system for comprehensive management of IPR. 

First, we will deepen reform on comprehensive management of intellectual property rights by better encouraging innovation. We will uphold the idea that by protecting intellectual property rights, we are protecting innovation. We will further intensify intellectual property rights protection, enhance legal protection for intellectual property rights, improve the punitive compensation system, create a framework for comprehensive protection, foster an innovation-friendly environment, and boost new quality productive forces. We will remove barriers impeding the invention, use, protection, management, service and international cooperation of intellectual property rights, while boosting the comprehensive utilization of patents, trademarks, geographical indications, layout-design of integrated circuits and data intellectual property with the aim of multiplying benefits. We will focus on addressing critical technical challenges, enhance support regarding patent examination for key and core technologies, and facilitate the transformation and application of patents, with the aim of contributing to the development of a modern industrial system, creating a virtuous cycle of investment in and output of innovation, and achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology. 

Second, we will deepen reform on comprehensive management of intellectual property rights by more effectively boosting high-standard opening up. With the aim of better coordinating foreign-related intellectual property right issues, we will participate deeply in global governance with regards to intellectual property rights, help improve related international rules, and expand institutional opening up. We will ensure equal treatment and protection for domestic and foreign-invested enterprises and create a first-class business environment based on market rules, the rule of law and international norms to attract global resource factors and increase the use of foreign investment, so that the domestic economy and international engagement can reinforce each other. We will guide export-oriented enterprises to create plans regarding overseas intellectual property rights, enhance assistance for safeguarding enterprises' legitimate rights and interests overseas, and encourage businesses to tap the global market.

Third, we will deepen reform on comprehensive management of intellectual property rights by facilitating the development of a high-standard market system. We will lawfully and equally protect the intellectual property rights of business entities under all forms of ownership and crack down on all kinds of infringing and illegal activities, so as to create a business environment that upholds fair competition and facilitates the creation of a unified national market where state-owned, private and foreign-invested enterprises all confidently operate their businesses, expand market shares and make investments. We will promote the deep integration of intellectual property rights and other productive factors, invigorate all productive factors such as labor, knowledge, technology, management, capital and data, and utilize various types of advanced, high-quality productive factors to foster new quality productive forces. We will improve the systems and mechanisms for fully motivating central and local governments, continue to enhance interdepartmental and interregional collaboration, strengthen top-level design while fostering a spirit of exploration among primary-level personnel, and promote the deep coordination of intellectual property rights and national, regional and industry-specific strategies, so as to boost effective interaction and provide robust support. Thank you. 

Bjnews.com.cn:

An important task of the special action on patent transformation and application is to use patents to strengthen industrial chains and improve efficiency in key industries. What are your thoughts on this? Thank you. 

Shen Changyu:

Thank you for your question. I would like to invite Mr. Wang to answer. 

Wang Peizhang:

Thank you for your question. Key industries are an important part of the national economic system and face fierce competition. Focusing on using intellectual property rights to strengthen industrial chains and improve efficiency in key industries, the CNIPA thoroughly implemented the arrangements and requirements stated in the special action plan for patent transformation and application. It also recently worked with relevant departments to issue measures on promoting the use of intellectual property rights for strengthening industrial chains and improving efficiency in key industries. We will focus on four aspects to enhance the competitive advantages, scale benefits, development environment and safety level of key industries. 

First, to enhance competitiveness of key industries, we will improve the quality of intellectual property rights and foster more original and basic patents and high-value patent portfolios. We will establish and refine a work mechanism for patent navigation, implement a number of patent navigation projects for boosting key industries, and publish the results of patent navigation. We will better coordinate the layout of patents and the development of standards, encouraging enterprises to take part in the formulation of international standards. 

Second, to increase scale benefits for key industries, we will accelerate the industrialization of patents, adopt online and offline matchmaking to achieve precise matching of patent demand and supply, and accelerate the transformation of existing patents. We will fully utilize the resources of various platforms, implement patent industrialization projects in key areas, explore open innovation such as through open-source patents as well as new modes of intellectual property right utilization such as patent open licensing, and develop patent-intensive products and famous, technology-based trademarks and brands. 

Third, to optimize the ecosystem for industrial innovation and development, we will establish mechanisms for coordinated industrial development, guide and encourage leading enterprises and key industrial parks to build operation centers for intellectual property rights for various industries, offer guidance on setting up intellectual property rights related innovation coalitions for various industries, and promote cooperation and coordination in the invention, use, protection and management of intellectual property rights. We will encourage the establishment of patent pools for key industries, draft and release instructions, enhance the overall layout of patent pools, and boost coordinated industrial development. 

Fourth, in terms of ensuring industrial security, we will make coordinated efforts to promote international cooperation and competition in IP, encouraging industrial communities to participate more in global IP governance in emerging fields such as the digital economy and artificial intelligence (AI). We will improve the overseas IP information service platform, continue to release dynamic information related to overseas IP, guide enterprises to strengthen the development of IP systems and overseas layout, and continuously improve the level of IPR compliance management and risk response capacities.

Going forward, we will consolidate coordination and support, implement concrete measures, vigorously promote the efficient transformation, coordinated application, strategic layout and risk prevention and control of IPR in key sectors, and provide strong support for industrial innovation and development and the cultivation of new quality productive forces at a faster pace. Thank you.

Shangyou News:

Last year, the State Council issued the Special Action Plan for Transformation and Utilization of Patents. What progress has been made so far? What are the work plans for the next stage? Thank you.

Shen Changyu:

Thank you for your questions. I will answer these. Since the implementation of the Special Action Plan for Transformation and Utilization of Patents, the CNIPA has worked closely with relevant government departments and localities to promote patent industrialization, with supporting policies formulated and measures taken to effectively address difficulties in patent transformation.

On the one hand, we have accelerated sorting out of patent stocks of universities and research institutes. We have built a national data platform for invention patents of universities and research institutes to help them be clear about the number of existing patents. We collaborated with the Ministry of Education and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to organize key universities and scientific research institutions to take the lead in pilot projects and to form a demonstration effect. In accordance with the idea of "promoting and transforming while sorting out patents," all localities have actively held exchange activities such as on-site promotions for more efficient use of patents, and patent transformation matchmaking events. As of this June, universities and research institutes across the country have made an inventory of 850,000 existing invention patents, and overall progress has now exceeded 95%. Driven by these efforts, the number of patent transfers and licenses in universities and scientific research institutions nationwide reached 23,000 in the first half of this year, up 22.2% year on year. The transformation and utilization of existing patents are relatively large, and overall are becoming more and more active.

On the other hand, we have effectively leveraged the leading role of enterprises in the industrialization of patents. We have joined hands with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the People's Bank of China, the National Financial Regulatory Administration, the China Securities Regulatory Commission and other departments to implement the patent industrialization plan to facilitate the growth of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). At present, we have organized more than 17,000 technology-based SMEs to participate. Through inclusive services and exclusive support for IPR, we have channeled knowledge, technology, capital, talent and other factors toward SMEs, and accelerated the cultivation of a group of model enterprises with patent industrialization as the growth path. At the same time, we have also made full use of initiatives, such as the IP Services Tour, "1,000 Universities-10,000 Enterprises" collaborative innovation partnership action, "100 Events with 10,000 Enterprises" encompassing small, medium and large enterprises for collaboration, and the "One Key Industrial Chain Each Month" investment and financing matchmaking event, to promote collaboration in patent transformation and application services, help SMEs to connect with high-quality investment institutions and patent industrialization cooperation projects, and play a bigger role in patent transformation.

Next, we will shift our focus from sorting out existing patents to making better use of them, concentrating on patent transformation for tangible results. We will prioritize patent industrialization, mobilize all forces and social resources to promote patent transformation in an all-round, in-depth and multi-channel manner, release the market value of patents, enhance corporate competitiveness, and create new growth drivers and strengths for industrial development. Thank you.

Xinhua News Agency:

Protecting the rights and interests of foreign investors and fostering a first-rate business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized are particularly important. What measures have been taken to strengthen the protection of IPR of foreign-funded enterprises? And what progress has been made in this regard?

Shen Changyu:

Thank you for your questions. I would like to invite Mr. Hu to answer your questions.

Hu Wenhui:

Thank you to Mr. Shen and the reporter for the questions. Strict protection of IPR is an issue of concern for foreign-funded enterprises. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that the protection of property rights, especially IPR, is an important aspect in creating a favorable business environment and highlighted the importance of protecting the lawful IPR owned by foreign enterprises in China. The CNIPA has fully implemented the important instructions delivered by General Secretary Xi Jinping and the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and strives to create a level playing field for enterprises and innovators from all countries.

First, in terms of top-level design, China has successively issued a series of important documents, including the Outline for Building an Intellectual Property Powerhouse (2021-2035), the 14th Five-Year National Plan for Intellectual Property Protection and Application, and the Guidelines on Strengthening the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights. These have made clear arrangements for the equal protection of IPR, emphasizing the need to build an IPR protection system that supports a world-class business environment. At the same time, we have also completed a new round of amendments to the Trademark Law and the Patent Law, and established a punitive compensation system for IPR infringements with the highest international standards.

Second, in terms of improving protection efficiency, we treat and protect the IPR of domestic and foreign-funded enterprises equally. For example, we have built 115 national level IP protection centers and rapid rights protection centers across the country, with more than 5,000 foreign-funded and joint venture enterprises registered, providing the same rapid and coordinated protection services as we do to domestic enterprises. We deal with foreign-related IP disputes prudently and stop infringements in a timely manner. Over the past year, we have properly handled a number of IP disputes involving enterprises from the United States, Germany, France, Italy, Thailand, Denmark and other countries. Our efforts have been highly commended by foreign-funded enterprises.

Third, in addressing the concerns of foreign-funded enterprises, we have established a regular communication mechanism with them. Through multiple IP forums, we actively listened to their concerns, and helped resolve their IP-related challenges, enabling them to operate and invest with confidence. This month, we hosted another IP forum for foreign-invested enterprises, inviting more than 10 major multinational companies, including AstraZeneca, Bayer and Tesla, for face-to-face discussions and to hear their opinions and suggestions. Mr. Shen, along with myself and other responsible colleagues, attended the forum, where we addressed their queries on-site, earning their appreciation. In 2023, the satisfaction score of foreign-funded enterprises regarding IP protection in China reached 80.55 points, an increase of 1.44 points from 2022. At the same time, the number of foreign IP applications, authorizations and valid registrations in China has also increased rapidly. As of June this year, the number of valid foreign invention patents and registered trademarks in China reached 919,000 and 2.135 million, respectively, showing year-on-year growth of 3.9% and 3.8%. This demonstrates that foreign enterprises place great importance on the Chinese market and have strong confidence in China's IP protection system.

Moving forward, we will continue to strengthen IP protection and deepen international IP cooperation. We will actively align with high-standard international economic and trade rules, further improve communication mechanisms with foreign-funded enterprises, and make our IP efforts more robust and effective. This will create a better business environment for foreign-funded enterprises, allowing them to benefit more from China's development and its vast market. Thank you.  

China Intellectual Property News:

With the digital economy expanding rapidly, can you introduce the innovation of China's digital economy from the perspective of IP rights? What specific measures are being considered to ensure IP rights support digital economic development? Thank you.

Shen Changyu:

Thank you for your questions. I will invite Mr. Ge Shu to answer them.

Ge Shu:

Thank you. The added value of the digital economy has become a key engine of China's growth, with core digital industries contributing 10% to GDP in 2023. Innovation in this sector has been particularly dynamic, as evidenced by our IP metrics. In 2023, core digital industries received 406,000 invention patent authorizations, representing 45% of the national total. This sector has maintained a robust average annual growth rate of 21% over the past five years. By the end of 2023, there were 155,000 domestic enterprises holding digital economy-related invention patents, an increase of 31,000 from the previous year. In particular, innovation in the field of artificial intelligence has been notably vigorous. By the end of 2023, the number of valid AI invention patents in China reached 378,000, with a year-on-year growth rate exceeding 40%, which is 1.4 times the global average growth rate.

While domestic innovation accelerates, foreign enterprises continue to strengthen their patent portfolios in China's digital economy core industries. By the end of 2023, companies from 93 countries and regions held valid invention patents in China's digital economy core industries, of which 61.8% belonged to the digital product manufacturing sector.

The third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee emphasized the need to accelerate the establishment of systems and mechanisms to promote the development of the digital economy. The data IP system serves as the fundamental framework for digital economic development. In recent years, we have focused on IP functions and actively explored establishing data IP protection rules to enhance and strengthen the digital economy. We have achieved initial results. This includes proposing the "four full considerations" basic principles for building a data IP system and conducting in-depth research on key issues such as data IP protection targets, responsible entities, registration methods, rights content, protection methods and application models, laying a solid theoretical foundation for building a data IP system. At the same time, data IP pilot projects have been launched in 17 provinces and cities across the country, with over 8,700 data IP registration certificates issued, and data IP pledge financing exceeding 5.5 billion yuan. On this basis, we drafted policy documents on data IP, established registration management standards, and designed a national unified data IP registration certificate. We are accelerating the establishment of a national data IP registration platform and related information systems to support data IP registration at the national level.

Next, we will earnestly implement the important reform arrangements for digital economy development outlined at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. We will continue to strengthen coordination with relevant departments and better leverage IP as a fundamental safeguard for innovation. Additionally, we will actively promote the establishment of a national-level data IP system to better support the development of the digital economy. Thank you.

Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation:

We know that trademarks are essential for market entry. Given China's vast number and diverse scale of business entities, what new measures have been implemented to facilitate trademark applications? Thank you.

Shen Changyu:

Thank you for your question. I'd like to invite Mr. Hu, who oversees trademark-related matters, to answer your question.

Hu Wenhui:

Thank you, Mr. Shen, and thanks you to the reporter for your question. China's vast market offers broad opportunities for the development of trademark industry. Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan, annual trademark applications have exceeded 7 million. As of June this year, the number of valid registered trademarks in China reached 45.909 million, with an average of one valid trademark for every four business entities. To meet diverse trademark application needs and stimulate market vitality, CNIPA has implemented several business-friendly services throughout the trademark application and registration process.

First, in terms of application procedures, we have set up 353 trademark service centers across 31 provincial-level regions. These centers provide more than 20 types of trademark services, including application processing, modifications, renewals, and pledge registrations, along with in-person consultation services. At the same time, we have actively promoted fully digital trademark services, optimized the online application interface, and implemented fee discounts for digital submissions. As a result, the online trademark registration rate has reached 99.7%.

Second, in terms of data sharing, we have implemented electronic trademark certification to facilitate nationwide recognition of digital certificates. We've incorporated trademark information, decision documents, registration certificates, pledge registration notices, and related services into the national administrative service platform for easier business access. Additionally, we've enhanced the integration of business registration and trademark registration data, launching pilot programs in several locations that enable simultaneous processing of business modification registrations and trademark changes.

Third, in terms of examination policies, we've strengthened timeline management across all stages and optimized the distribution of examination resources to ensure prompt processing of various trademark services. The average trademark registration examination period now consistently stands at four months, which is at a leading level compared to other countries that also implement prior rights examinations.

Fourth, in terms of supporting business development, we have organized examiners to directly engage with people in sectors such as food, traditional Chinese medicine, cosmetics, agriculture, and agricultural product processing, introducing trademark application precautions, tips regarding the online application system, and other information to enhance the trademark awareness of business entities and promote better enterprise development.

Moving forward, we will continue to enhance trademark services and implement more efficient measures to meet business entities' needs for trademark registration and brand building, thereby contributing to high-quality economic and social development. Thank you.

China Daily:

At the opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to deepen reform in areas including intellectual property to support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. My question is, what progress has been made in intellectual property cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in recent years, and what are the next steps? Thank you.

Shen Changyu:

Thank you for your question. I will answer this. Since President Xi Jinping proposed the BRI, the CNIPA has established and continuously improved the intellectual property cooperation mechanism under the initiative. We have held two Belt and Road high-level conferences on intellectual property and made solid progress in cooperation with participating countries.

First, our partnerships have expanded. We signed an intergovernmental agreement with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to strengthen intellectual property cooperation under the BRI. We established Funds-In-Trust China to provide technical assistance to developing countries, including those participating in the BRI. We have actively advanced intellectual property cooperation within minilateral frameworks such as BRICS, China-ASEAN, China-Central Asia, China-Mongolia-Russia, and China-Africa. To date, we have signed agreements and established bilateral cooperation mechanisms with 57 BRI participating countries regarding intellectual property cooperation.

Second, cooperation projects have yielded fruitful results. We have actively promoted exchanges and cooperation with partner countries in the areas of intellectual property policy communication, personnel training, degree education, examination services, and protection and utilization. We have organized more than 50 training sessions for partner countries, training more than 1,200 intellectual property officials and practitioners. We have developed intellectual property degree education programs under the BRI, enrolling over 230 students. We have also dispatched 29 experts in total to support intellectual property capacity building in partner countries.

Thanks to Belt and Road intellectual property cooperation, Chinese enterprises have expanded their development opportunities. Chinese invention patents now receive direct registration and recognition in Cambodia, while Laos accepts China's patent examination results. We have also established Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) agreements with 17 BRI partners, including Russia, Singapore, Poland, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The China-Thailand geographical indication mutual recognition and protection project is progressing steadily. Between 2013 and 2023, the number of patents granted to Chinese entities in BRI participating countries increased by an average of 20% annually. This growth was particularly strong in core digital and green low-carbon technologies, strongly supporting digital transformation and green development across BRI participating countries.

Moving forward, the CNIPA will thoroughly implement the key principles from President Xi Jinping's important speech at the opening ceremony of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. In September of this year, we, along with the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee (National Copyright Administration), the Ministry of Commerce, the Beijing Municipal Government, and WIPO, will host the Third Belt and Road High-Level Conference on Intellectual Property. The conference will include representatives from over 60 Belt and Road partner countries, regions, and international organizations. It aims to achieve greater scale, higher quality, stronger results, and broader impact. We will advance a series of pragmatic cooperation projects across four areas: patents, trademarks, geographical indications, and copyright. This will elevate Belt and Road intellectual property cooperation to a new level, better support the high-quality development of the BRI, and contribute to the country's high-level openingup. Thank you.

The Poster News APP:

This year is a key year for achieving the goals of the 14th Five-Year Plan. Could you outline the progress in intellectual property development during the first half of this year? Thank you.

Shen Changyu:

Thank you for your question. I will have Mr. Ge Shu, deputy director general of our Patent Bureau, who is responsible for planning, to answer this question.

Ge Shu:

Thank you for your question. This year, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we have earnestly implemented the principles of the Central Economic Work Conference, the national "two sessions," and the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. We have strengthened intellectual property protection, promoted industrial innovation through technological advances, and actively contributed to the development of new quality productive forces, supporting the continuous recovery and growth of the economy. In the first half of 2024, intellectual property development has shown steady progress with five key characteristics.

First, innovation output grew rapidly. In the first half of this year, China granted 554,000 invention patents and 2.46 million registered trademarks, up 28% and 22% year on year, respectively. Additionally, 111 geographical indication (GI) products and certification trademarks received recognition and approval, while 5,365 integrated circuit layout designs were registered.

Second, the conversion and application of innovations accelerated. In the first half of this year, nationwide patent transfers and licenses reached 252,000, a 35.2% year-on-year increase. The registered amount of patent and trademark pledge financing reached 419.9 billion yuan, increasing 57% year on year, benefiting more than 20,000 enterprises — a year-on-year increase of 37%. Universities and research institutions across the country completed an inventory of 850,000 existing invention patents, with overall progress exceeding 95%.

Third, our efforts to protect IPR continued to increase. In the first half of this year, China introduced an action plan on the construction of an IPR protection system and approved the establishment of two national protection centers and two rapid-response IPR service centers, expanding coverage to 28 provincial-level regions. We handled 21,000 administrative patent infringement cases and supported 2,045 mediation organizations in resolving 57,000 IPR disputes. Additionally, 4,144 businesses received approval to use GI special marks.

Fourth, overseas intellectual property applications by Chinese enterprises continued steady growth. In the first half of this year, Chinese applicants filed 30,000 international patent applications through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and 3,637 trademark applications under the Madrid System. Madrid System applications showed particularly strong momentum, increasing 20.3% year on year. According to WIPO) data, Chinese applicants also filed 1,004 industrial design applications through the Hague System, rising 5% year on year.

Fifth, foreign enterprises became more proactive in applying for patent protection in China. In the first half of this year, foreign applicants submitted a total of 78,000 invention patent applications in China, up 13.1% year on year, with Japan (22,000), the United States (20,000), and South Korea (10,000) ranking as the top three in application volume, up 7.3%, 11.4% and 18.2% year on year, respectively.

Zhinews of Shenzhen Satellite TV:

In recent years, China has actively explored the patent open-license system to help enterprises integrate advanced technologies and achieve innovation-driven development. This effort represents an important component in promoting new quality productive forces. What is the current progress of this work? What measures will be taken to further implement this system? Thank you.

Wang Peizhang:

Thank you for your questions. The patent open-license system is a special licensing mechanism established in the fourth revision of China's Patent Law. This system facilitates simple and quick "one-to-many" licensing, effectively reduces institutional transaction costs, and significantly improves patent commercialization efficiency. Since May 2022, the CNIPA has carried out a patent open-license pilot program. By the program's completion at the end of 2023, more than 3,200 patent holders had selected over 59,000 patents for open licensing, matching them with more than 110,000 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The program resulted in over 17,000 licensed projects, effectively easing the difficulties universities and research institutions face in patent commercialization and SMEs' struggles to acquire technology. After 18 months of pilot implementation, the patent open-license system concept has been popularized, laying a solid foundation for its full implementation. It has also played a positive role in expanding new models and channels for patent commercialization.

On Jan. 20 this year, the newly revised implementing regulations of the Patent Law took effect, and the patent open-license system was required to be fully implemented. Recently, the CNIPA issued a notice on comprehensively promoting the implementation of the patent open-license system, which focuses on three aspects.

First, we'll enhance policy guidance. We'll guide universities and scientific research institutions to select patents that have strong practicability, wide application fields, and are suitable for implementation in multiple locations for open licensing while inventorying existing patents, thus enabling SMEs to obtain patented technologies at a relatively low cost. We'll communicate the trial guidelines for estimation of patent open license royalties to the public in a well-targeted way and guide patentees to estimate license fees based on in-depth analysis. We will give full play to the role of IPR public service institutions and market-based service institutions, encourage them to provide consulting, trading and other services related to open licensing, and promote supply-demand matching.

Second, we'll optimize the content of our services. We'll promptly answer common questions about open licensing and help patentees standardize their submission of patent open-license statements. We'll guide patent agencies to provide convenient services, such as pre-examination, and facilitate the conversion of preliminary pilot projects into formal open-license agreements. License announcement data will be freely available for public search and use.

Third, we'll improve the supporting mechanisms. A set of mediation measures for patent open-license disputes will be issued, clarifying procedures for case acceptance, mediation, and settlement and guiding concerned parties in properly resolving various disputes encountered during the patent open-license process. We'll also actively coordinate with relevant departments to implement Patent Law provisions, reduce annual patent fees by 15% during the open-license implementation period, and further encourage patentees to participate in patent open licensing.

In the next step, the CNIPA will guide all localities in carrying out the patent open-license policy, promote the efficient operation of the patent open-license system, and transform these systematic advantages into a new driving force for patent commercialization. Thank you.

Xing Huina:

Please continue to raise your hands to ask questions. 

Bauhinia Magazine:

With the advancement of rural vitalization, all local governments have attached greater importance to the cultivation of the geographical indication industry and have actively created local specialty products. What has the CNIPA done to strengthen the protection and use of geographical indications? What are your future considerations? Thank you.

Shen Changyu:

Thanks for your questions. We will have Mr. Hu Wenhui answer these questions.

Hu Wenhui:

Thanks to Mr. Shen. Thanks to Bauhinia Magazine for their questions. Geographical indications are an important type of intellectual property and a crucial support for the development of industries with distinctive local features. In recent years, the CNIPA has comprehensively advanced the protection and application of geographical indications, effectively helping all localities make good use of "local specialties," and promoting regional economic and ecological development. The latest data shows that in 2023, the direct output value of China's geographical indications reached 960 billion yuan, achieving four consecutive increases. Among them, the annual output value of 131 geographical indication products and 408 geographical indication trademarks from key counties receiving national assistance for rural vitalization reached 9.7 billion yuan. Focusing on using geographical indications to contribute to rural vitalization and economic development with distinctive regional features, we have mainly carried out work in the following four aspects.

First, we have consolidated institutional guarantees. We have formulated and implemented a set of measures for the protection of geographical indication products and regulations on the registration and administration of collective trademarks and certification marks. We have also issued a notice on using geographical indications to support rural vitalization and refined related policy system, providing institutional guarantees for the high-quality development of geographical indications.

Second, we have carried out strict protection and management. We have mobilized all localities to strengthen the regulation of geographical indications, launched special campaigns to severely crack down on infringement and counterfeiting, purifying the market environment. We have implemented geographical indication protection projects, supported all localities to strengthen quality control in production areas, ensured the quality and features of geographical indications and have effectively enhanced the market competitiveness of geographical indication products.

Third, we have strengthened the application guidance. We have implemented projects for promoting the use of geographical indications and have selected 220 geographical indications in two batches nationwide, including them in the key list of guidance for promoting the use of geographical indications and thus giving more support to the cause. We have selected typical cases of geographical indications supporting rural vitalization and have promoted relevant experience.

Fourth, we have deepened international cooperation. We have continued to promote the mutual recognition and protection of geographical indications between China and EU, China and France as well as China and Thailand, promoting more Chinese geographical indication products abroad to enhance international popularity. As an example, wines from the eastern foothills of Helan Mountain, which have been included in the list of geographical indication products for mutual recognition and protection between China and the EU, were exported to more than 40 countries and regions in 2023, being sold not only in the Southeast Asian market but also in traditional wine markets such as France and Switzerland, with sales steadily increasing.

In the next step, we will further strengthen work with geographical indications, continue to improve the geographical indication system, and build national demonstration zones for the protection of geographical indication products with high standards. We will also vigorously use geographical indications to contribute to rural vitalization and promote the integration of geographical indications with the development of industries with distinctive local features, ecological conservation, inheritance of history and culture, rural vitalization and opening up, so as to better achieve the goal of "making good use of geographical indications to drive the development of industries and increase incomes of local people." Thank you.

Xing Huina:

Last question, please.

Jinan Times APP:

It is the strategic arrangement of the CPC Central Committee to move faster to boost greater sci-tech self-reliance and strength and become a leading country in science and technology. Intellectual property is essential for encouraging innovation. What CNIPA plans to do in order to build up our national strength in science and technology? 

Shen Changyu:

Thank you for your question. I will answer it. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China has seen historic achievements as well as historic changes with scientific and technological endeavors. According to the Global Innovation Index (GII) released by the WIPO, China has risen from 35th in 2013 to 12th in 2023, a full 23 places, ranking top among middle-income economies, which is a huge improvement. The number of global top 100 science and technology clusters owned by China has also reached 24, rising to first in the world.

The National Sci-Tech Conference held not long ago proposed to focus on the strategic goal of building a strong country in science and technology by 2035, strengthen top-level design and overall planning and to move faster with achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology. We will implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instruction that protecting intellectual property rights is equal to protecting innovation, give full play to the role of intellectual property rights in institutional supply and technological supply as well as will take active steps to contribute to the building of a leading country in science and technology. We will give priority to carrying out work in the following aspects. 

First, we will continue to develop the system of laws related to intellectual property rights. We will thoroughly implement the newly revised Patent Law and its implementation regulations, accelerate the revision and demonstration of the regulations on the protection of integrated circuit layout designs, further promote the development of rules for the protection of data intellectual property rights, and speed up efforts to establish basic systems for supporting comprehensive innovation.

Second, we will continue to enhance the credibility and efficiency of intellectual property examination, improve the examination standards for new fields and new forms of business, such as big data, artificial intelligence and genetic technologies, strengthen the allocation of examination resources targeting the global frontiers of science and technology, the development of the economy, major needs of the country as well as the health and safety of our people, so as to actively promote breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields and contribute to solving bottleneck technological problems. 

Third, we will carry out a special action on patent commercialization. Just now, we answered a reporter's relevant questions on it. In the next step, we will fully implement the patent open-license system. Mr. Wang Peizhang just now also answered this question. We will build the patent pool for key industries, take solid steps to advance the in-depth integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial advancement to contribute to the development of new quality productive forces. To deepen reforms granting researchers corresponding powers over scientific and technological advances, it is necessary to properly deal with the commonly discussed rights to use, transfer, and benefit from their scientific and technological fruits. In order to better implement reforms for the empowerment of scientific and technological achievements, we will deepen reforms to fully boost enthusiasm for all kinds of talents in scientific and technological innovation as well as the initiative of application with scientific and technological advances.

Fourth, we will continue to strengthen the whole chain of protection for intellectual property rights, build national demonstration zones for the protection of intellectual property rights with high standards, continue to improve the comprehensive protection, build a modernized protection system for intellectual property rights, and promote the construction of a fairer, more equitable, open and transparent environment for innovation.

Fifth, we will deeply engage in global governance with intellectual property rights, promote the improvement of international rules and standards with intellectual property rights, actively integrate into the global innovation network and make greater efforts to attract the concentration of global innovation factors, so as to contribute to the realization of self-reliance and strength in science and technology with opening up and cooperation.

In the next step, the CNIPA will further conscientiously study and put into practice General Secretary Xi Jinping's new thoughts and conclusions on promoting sci-tech innovation, continue to intensify our efforts to advance tasks with intellectual property rights, so as to contribute to achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology and building a leading country in science and technology. Thank you.

Xing Huina:

That's all for today's briefing. Thanks to Mr. Shen and to all the other speakers. Thank you to all our friends from the media. Goodbye, everyone.

Translated and edited by Liu Caiyi, Yuan Fang, Liu Sitong, Wang Qian, Yan Bin, Zhang Junmian, Yan Xiaoqing, Li Huiru, Zhang Lulu, Zhang Tingting, Xu Kailin, Zhang Rui, Fan Junmei, David Ball, Rochelle Beiersdorfer, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.

Museums in the Beijing-Hebei-Tianjin region are embracing innovation to draw younger visitors and grow the tourism market during the Spring Festival season.

At Beijing's Altar of the God of Agriculture (Xiannongtan Temple), attendees can participate in the traditional rubbing of the "Fu" character, which symbolizes good fortune, during the festival.

"This year's Spring Festival is particularly significant, as it marks the first celebration following its inscription on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list," said Xue Jian, director of the Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum. "The 'Fu' character, which can be printed from four directions, symbolizes family reunion and is very popular among visitors from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region."

Since the Beijing Central Axis was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Altar of the God of Agriculture has experienced a notable increase in visitors.

"In previous years, the altar attracted about 140,000 visitors, but in 2024, we attracted nearly 600,000," Xue added.

The Qingcheng Palace, which opened to the public on Dec. 21, 2024, has announced plans to enhance its visitor experience during the Spring Festival.

Elsewhere, more than 20 local elementary school students in Tangshan, Hebei province, have been selected as guides at the Kailuan Museum.

"This experience helps enhance the children's cultural confidence. It not only engages visitors but also spreads the culture of mining," said Bian Jia, head of the education and outreach department at Kailuan National Mine Park.

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, interconnected geographically, culturally, and socially, will also see museums collaborating during the Spring Festival by exchanging exhibits for folk exhibitions. The initiative showcases how these museums innovate while maintaining their unique characteristics to meet the changing demands of the cultural tourism market.

Beijing has announced two new payment and communication products aimed at improving convenience for foreign visitors, with the "Beijing Pass" device and card unveiled yesterday at the "Beijing Service" counter in Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport.

The Beijing Pass device, co-developed by UnionPay, Bank of Beijing, and Beijing Unicom, is a compact terminal that functions as a power bank, SIM card, and payment device. It supports Wi-Fi, QR code payments, and voice translation, making it a versatile tool for travelers.

Foreign visitors can easily rent and return the device at the airport service counter, located within 100 meters of the international arrival hall.

After presenting their passports, tourists can choose a short-term communication package, rent the device, open a Beijing Pass card account with the Bank of Beijing, and top it up — all in just five minutes.

"Tourists can top up the card using cash or by swiping another card. After that, they can insert the physical UnionPay card into the device to make QR code-based payments," a service counter staff member said.

The device supports both UnionPay QR code payer-initiated and payee-initiated payment methods, allowing foreign visitors to conveniently and efficiently pay at shopping malls, restaurants and specialty stores.

To accommodate the preferences of foreign visitors who favor contactless payments, the Bank of China, China Unicom, and Beijing Card have partnered to launch the Beijing Pass card. Based on a SIM card, the card offers calling, internet access, digital RMB payments, and access to Beijing's public transportation upon activation.

"The integration of multiple scenarios significantly reduces the time required for foreign tourists to apply for various products at different counters," said a representative from the Bank of China.

The card is ready for use immediately after topping up, eliminating the need to download any apps. It also supports "tap-and-go" payments, even when the phone is without a network or power.

The Beijing Pass solution will be tested with inbound tourists in the near future and officially launched following telecommunication certification.

Beijing is promoting various payment options for international visitors, including contactless payments, card swiping and QR code-based transactions, to ensure a seamless and enjoyable travel experience.

By the end of 2024, payment service demonstration areas at Beijing Capital Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport had served over 31,000 foreign guests, processing millions of transactions.

Beijing boasts 20 of the top 50 artificial intelligence companies in the 2024 Hurun China list, making up 40% of the total, according to a report released Wednesday by Hurun Research Institute.

The list of China's top 50 AI companies includes firms that excel in AI computing power or algorithms, excluding sectors such as robotics, smart vehicles, smart aircraft and smart homes.

Among the 20 Beijing-based companies recognized are notable names like Cambricon, Moonshot AI and 4Paradigm. The average founding year for the companies on the list is 2012, with the newest entrants — Moonshot AI, Baichuan AI and Yi-Lighting — established in 2023.

Hurun notes that Beijing has a solid foundation and unique advantages for developing a robust AI sector. The city hosts the most top universities in China and produces the highest number of scholars and published papers in AI. These factors contribute to Beijing's leading position in the AI sector.

On the same day, Hurun Research Institute also released the Global Gazelles Index 2024, which revealed that Shanghai, San Francisco and Beijing are the top three cities worldwide with the highest number of gazelle companies — fast-growing startups that demonstrate significant growth in revenue and employment.

This photo taken on Sept. 2, 2024 shows the skyline of the central business district (CBD) at dusk in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]

Cloud River Urban Research Institute released the China Integrated City Index 2023 at a seminar held in Tokyo, Japan, on Dec.1, 2024. The event was co-hosted by the Counselors' Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality and Cloud River Urban Research Institute.

According to the index, Beijing retained its position as the top-ranked city for the eighth consecutive year in the comprehensive ranking, followed by Shanghai in second place and Shenzhen in third. Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Chongqing, Nanjing, Tianjin, and Suzhou ranked 4th to 10th, respectively. Cities ranked 11th to 30th were Wuhan, Xiamen, Xi'an, Changsha, Ningbo, Qingdao, Zhengzhou, Fuzhou, Dongguan, Wuxi, Jinan, Zhuhai, Foshan, Hefei, Shenyang, Kunming, Dalian, Haikou, Guiyang, and Wenzhou.

Top 100 Chinese cities in comprehensive ranking of China Integrated City Index 2023

Scholars and experts weighed in on the index at the seminar. 

Zhou Muzhi, head of Cloud River Urban Research Institute and professor at Tokyo Keizai University

This index, the eighth of its kind since its inception in 2016, is a review and analysis of the development of major megalopolises in China.

China's 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10) introduced the strategy for the development of major megalopolises, signaling a significant policy shift that accelerated China's urbanization. Thus how to evaluate the development of China's 19 major megalopolises became an important field of research. 

Given the varied and often inconsistent criteria used to define first-tier, second-tier, and third-tier cities, a new classification system was introduced in 2023 based on the deviation values of cities' rankings in the index. According to the system, Chinese cities are categorized as first-tier, quasi-first-tier, second-tier, and third-tier. Using boxplot and bee swarm plot analyses, the index evaluates 223 Chinese cities in the 19 megalopolises, clearly illustrating their distribution and disparity across different tiers in each cluster.

Analysis of 19 megalopolises in China Integrated City Index 2023

The comprehensive ranking deviation value is calculated as the sum of deviation values across three dimensions: economy, environment, and society, with a total score of 300. Cities with deviation values exceeding 200 are defined as first-tier cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. These cities are concentrated in the three major megalopolises of the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. This underscores the leading role of these clusters.

Cities with deviation values between 175 and 200 are classified as quasi-first-tier cities. There are nine such cities. These cities are located in megalopolises such as the Yangtze River Delta, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, coastal areas of Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang provinces, and the Guanzhong Plain. Second-tier cities, with deviation values ranging from 150 to 175, include 43 ones and are widely distributed across China. Third-tier cities, with deviation values below 150, include 241 ones, among them are core cities such as Yinchuan, Xining, and Hohhot.

The first criterion for evaluating megalopolises is the number and tier of their core cities. The Yangtze River Delta has the largest number of core cities but includes only one first-tier city, namely Shanghai. Similarly, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has only Beijing as a first-tier city. The Pearl River Delta has two first-tier cities, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, but their deviation values are outperformed by Beijing and Shanghai.

The second criterion is the overall development level of cities in the cluster. In boxplot analysis, the horizontal line within the box represents the median of the sample, the top of the box indicates the upper quartile (75%), and the bottom indicates the lower quartile (25%), with the box encompassing the distribution of 50% of the samples. Bee swarm plots, which display individual data points, combined with boxplots, effectively show the position of each sample and the overall distribution pattern. From this analysis, it is evident that among the three major clusters, the Pearl River Delta demonstrates the best overall development, followed by the Yangtze River Delta, while most non-core cities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region show weaker development.

Yang Weimin, deputy director of the Economic Affairs Committee of the 13th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference 

Professor Zhou and I have collaborated for many years. In 2001, he published "Urbanization: The Main Theme of China's Modernization," where he proposed the development strategy for major megalopolises in China. Later, we co-authored "The Third Thirty Years." In 1999, we introduced the urbanization strategy, which later evolved into the concept of "urbanization of towns." During the 11th Five-Year Plan period, when I served as director general of the Department of Development Planning of the National Development and Reform Commission, I proposed the strategy of megalopolises. After reading Zhou's book, I became fully convinced of the megalopolis's development concept.

I have always kept a close watch on the China Integrated City Index. I compared the index to a health check-up report for Chinese cities. Now, some cities and departments have followed suit and created their own health check-up reports. However, these reports often focus more on urban construction, paying insufficient attention to economic aspects. This is why the China Integrated City Index stands out — it validates economic principles on a solid foundation.

Therefore, using the index to objectively evaluate the development of megalopolises is of paramount importance.

Qiu Xiaohua, professor at City University of Macau and former head of the National Bureau of Statistics

I think the index has four distinctive features.

First, the index is highly comprehensive, with three primary categories, nine secondary categories, and 27 subcategories. The index encompasses economic, social, and environmental dimensions, with cultural aspects included in the social dimension. This means the index evaluates economic development, social advancement, ecological sustainability, and cultural progress, making it a well-rounded assessment tool.

Second, the index is not merely a qualitative evaluation; it places significant emphasis on quantitative analysis. Of the 878 datasets used, one-third comes from statistical data, one-third from internet data, and one-third from satellite remote sensing data. This approach maximizes the use of all available data sources to create a comprehensive quantitative assessment. By employing a multimodal quantitative method, the index provides a credible ranking for 297 Chinese cities at or above prefecture level, making it highly convincing and widely accepted.

Third, it is an ongoing effort. The research on the China Integrated City Index has lasted for over a decade. A one-off evaluation holds limited significance, but continuous tracking yields profound insights. This continuity makes the index strategically significant, offering valuable guidance for governments, businesses, and ordinary people. The index offers accessible and valuable data to inform national strategy formulation, corporate business planning, and individual choices about where to live and work. It serves as a "dictionary of cities" and helps better understand urban development in China.

Fourth, it adopts scientific methodologies. Effective index evaluation requires comparability, accessibility, measurability, and observability, all of which demand a robust scientific methodology. Professor Zhou's application of a scientific, quantitative, intuitive, and continuous evaluation framework ensures that the results are credible, realistic, and reliable. 

Li Guoping, counselor of the Beijing municipal government and director of Beijing Development Institute at Peking University

It is a great honor to participate in the seminar. As this topic is close to my research field, I have consistently referred to Professor Zhou's publications. I had accessed studies related to the China Integrated City Index through various channels. I find this index robust, both in its systematic design and in its comprehensive data support. The evaluation results it generates are indeed highly consistent with real-world observations.

Core cities play an increasingly leading role. While the Yangtze River Delta only has one first-tier city, it is supported by a group of quasi-first-tier cities. Its overall geography and various conditions have gained the Yangtze River Delta an advantage over the Pearl River Delta. Due to its larger scale, as well as its connection to the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, the region shows enormous potential.

What about Beijing? Its position as the top-ranked city is well-established. Its relationship with Tianjin and Hebei makes the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region critically important. Beijing has strong capabilities in technological innovation, and if given full play, innovation will be a driving force for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. The key lies in effectively linking the industrial and innovation chains across Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei, which are not as seamlessly connected as those in the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta.

Zhou Qiren, professor at the National School of Development of Peking University

Concentration and clustering mean people crowd into already congested areas, driven by the increasing demand for proximity to economic activities. Crowding causes numerous problems, but the benefits brought by crowding often outweigh the inconveniences. Moreover, the issues arising from crowding can be mitigated through urban planning and technological advancements. A densely populated area can be chaotic, but it can also be well-organized with proper management.

The foundational work of the index is commendable, but I suggest integrating the latest developments into Professor Zhou's next phase of research. With declining air travel costs, increasing cloud-based communication, and improved AI, is it still necessary for people to commute to city centers for work in the future? Nowadays, people can work remotely. This may even lead to prolonged vacancies in Shanghai's office buildings. The pandemic prompted people to explore new ways of communication, lifestyles, and production modes, each with difference space requirements.

The most critical question is: How are the world's most productive, dynamic, and innovative people working? What kind of spatial patterns are they creating?

Xu Lin, chairman of China-U.S. Green Fund and former director general of the Department of Development Planning of the National Development and Reform Commission

In my opinion, the China Integrated City Index can incorporate evaluations of urban governance, which is an essential variable. The governance model of a city has a significant impact on its comprehensive assessment.

I suggest the comparison of Chinese cities with their overseas counterparts could provide a framework for assessment, even if it is partially subjective. A well-governed, attractive city is inherently open, inclusive, and convenient. These qualities make a city more competitive.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

China's large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-in programs helped reduce about 73 million metric tons of CO2 emissions in 2024, significantly advancing green transformation, said an official from the National Development and Reform Commission on Wednesday.

China's large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-in programs have effectively boosted consumption, resulting in strong sales growth in automobiles, household appliances, and audio-visual equipment, according to a policy briefing on Wednesday.

"Sonic the Hedgehog 3," the latest installment in the action-adventure comedy film franchise based on the popular video games, is set to release in China on Jan. 10 after its successful debut in North America.

Team Sonic poses with the audience at the China premiere of "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" in Beijing, Jan. 5, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures]

Directed by Jeff Fowler, the film stars Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter and Idris Elba, all reprising their roles. Keanu Reeves joins the cast as Shadow the Hedgehog, who teams up with the mad scientists Ivo and Gerald Robotnik to seek revenge against humanity.

Sonic the Hedgehog is a beloved anthropomorphic blue hedgehog who can run at supersonic speeds and serves as the leader of Team Sonic. The new installment of the popular series again mixes animation with a live-action cast to capture the charm of the original SEGA video games that have attracted players for generations. Highlights include the supervillain duo, Ivo and Gerald Robotnik, both portrayed by comedic icon Jim Carrey, bringing double the hilarious fun to viewers.

The film has received widespread acclaim for the performances of Carrey and Reeves. On Rotten Tomatoes, 86% of 124 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus states: "With a double helping of Jim Carrey's antics and a quicksilver pace befitting its hero, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the best entry in this amiable series yet." As a result, it currently holds the title of the highest-rated film based on a video game on the platform.

The film arrives in China as family entertainment for the winter holiday season, having topped North American theatres for two consecutive weekends. It has earned $187 million in America and $336 million worldwide by Sunday, according to Box Office Mojo. After its debut in China, it is likely to become the best-performing hit in the franchise. "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" is also the second foreign release and the first from the United States in China this new year.