The public open day event at the Wenyuan Pavilion relic site in the Old Summer Palace, or Yuanmingyuan, in Beijing, invited over 20 students on Sunday, marking the first event since China's National Cultural Heritage Administration released a new guideline on Wednesday to enhance archaeological research and education.

The guidelines emphasized the importance of proper orientation and oversight in content and format, encouraging immersive visits and hands-on learning experiences. It also encourages provincial departments to publish lists of accessible archaeological sites, promoting structured activities at parks, museums, research institutions, and active excavation sites.

Zhang Zhonghua, a deputy director of the Beijing Archaeological Research Institute (BARI), guided visitors through the discoveries made so far. He noted that their excavations have revealed the perimeter walls, cornerstones and remnants of the drainage system, and they have also uncovered traces of rivers and bridges that once connected the pavilion to the surrounding landscape. On the spot, Zhang also noted how the pavilion's distinctive architecture, including its palace gates and inner gardens, reflected the grandeur of imperial China.

"Our goal is to inspire more young people to develop an interest in archaeology. Understanding our past is essential to preserving our culture and history," Zhang told the Global Times. 

"In the future, we would also like to let more citizens and tourists see what our Wenyuan Pavilion looks like and open this site to the public," Zhang said.

The Wenyuan Pavilion, originally built in 1775 during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), was one of the grand libraries that housed the "Siku Quanshu," or the "Complete Library in the Four Branches of Literature," the largest collection of books in ancient China. 

However, the pavilion was destroyed during the raze of Yuanmingyuan by Anglo-French allied forces in 1860. Today, only its ruins remain. According to experts, archaeological work on this significant site began in August 2024, with the current excavation covering an area of 1,000 square meters.

During the event, not only were the structures of the site's walls and the specific drainage systems explained, but the tools and processes needed for archaeological work were also vividly demonstrated to students. Students were introduced to tools such as measuring tapes, compasses, markers, and the Luoyang spade.

Luoyang spade is a Chinese ancient tool used to detect underground ruins. The blade, measuring 20 to 40 centimeters in length and 5 to 20 centimeters in diameter, can penetrate several meters underground. By examining the soil it brings up, one can assess the composition and detect potential ancient tombs or underground features. Visitors, especially students, were fascinated by how archaeologists use this tool to analyze soil layers. 

"The Luoyang spade is an essential tool for us. It can penetrate deep into the ground, and by analyzing the soil it brings up, we can identify what lies below the surface, whether it's a building or a tomb," Zhang explained.

BARI has been promoting public archaeology since 2015 by opening excavation sites like Yuanmingyuan to visitors. Live excavation demonstrations, expert-led tours, and interactive sessions have made archaeology more accessible to the general public, fostering a greater appreciation for China's rich cultural legacy.

As the excavation at Wenyuan Pavilion continues, the site will remain open to the public until the end of October, allowing more visitors to observe the meticulous work of archaeologists and engage with China's imperial history firsthand.

Beeple, the internationally acclaimed digital artist, is set to debut his first-ever solo exhibition, Beeple: Tales From A Synthetic Future, at the Deji Art Museum in Nanjing on November 14, 2024.

The exhibition, the largest of Beeple's career, will feature a comprehensive retrospective of his work. Visitors will explore the multidimensional nature of Beeple's artistic practice through an immersive experience. Key works on display will include Everydays, Human One, S.2122, and new pieces created specifically for the exhibition.

In addition to showcasing his most prominent works, the exhibition will include a section dedicated to discovering and nurturing emerging digital artists, along with a series of talks and public programs.

As the National Day holidays film season approaches, the spotlight falls on The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death, the second installment of Chinese veteran director Chen Kaige's The Volunteers trilogy. 

Set against the backdrop of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53), the film weaves grand war scenes with delicate character portrayals, showcasing the bravery and sacrifice of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (CPVA), as well as their unwavering commitment to peace amid adversity.

Many audiences who attended a pre-screening event told the Global Times that the second installment offers a clearer narrative and story compared with the first, with more nuanced and touching character depictions. 

Chen shared at the pre-screening that filming was akin to being on a battlefield. The entire creative team spent three months filming one main battle. The extensive trenches filled with smoke and the relentless bombardment of war paint a picture of cinematic quality and epic scale. 

Chen emotionally stated, "This film encompasses my respect for the Chinese People's Volunteer Army. The spirit of these brave soldiers who fought valiantly will surely be passed down through the generations."

Indeed, many cast members noted that The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death is not just a war film, it is a tribute to the resilience and spirit of the CPVA. It is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made for peace and a testament to the enduring human spirit.

"After filming a scene, when I went back to check the playback, I feel like I was watching a documentary," Chinese actor Zhu Yawen, who plays the role of a military expert, said at the pre-screening. 

His comment was echoed by the other actors in the film, who recalled the realistic and arduous filming conditions that moved them to tears many times. 

They were moved not because of the tough filming conditions, but because they strongly resonated with the stories of the Chinese soldiers who devoted all they had to fight in the front-line under adverse conditions where the equipment and food supply were far inferior to those of the enemy.

The authentic portrayal of war scenes immersed them in the story of the film, allowing them to better understand the fearless spirit of the CPVA soldiers, who sacrificed their lives in the service of their country, and to interpret with sincerity a piece of history that must not be forgotten.

Amid the cruelty of war, soldiers are also human beings, and they also miss their families and yearn to reunite with them after the war. 

In the film, a piece of candy symbolizes the touching story of a CPVA soldier's family uniting and parting during the war. The father gives the candy to his son, and the son later gives it to his younger sister, but he still keeps the sweet wrapper. Before he presses the button that will ignite the explosives, as he prepares to die with the enemy, he opens the wrapper again and licks the candy wrapper with his tongue. At that moment, he smiles, seeming to get a taste of reunion with his beloved family. In such a harsh environment, a piece of candy represents extraordinary sweetness.

Many moviegoers were moved to tears by the story. On each seat in the theater, the cinema prepared a small bag for the audience members that included a handkerchief, a small card to commemorate the CPVA and a piece of candy.

I opened the wrapper of the candy and put it into my mouth. At that moment, I felt an overwhelming sweetness. "This is the sweetest candy that I have ever tasted," I whispered in my heart.

China's A-share market soared strongly on Monday, with the turnover on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges exceeding 2.5 trillion yuan ($356.5 billion) in total. Monday is the last trading day before the week-long National Day holidays.

The Shanghai Composite Index increased by 8.06 percent to reach 3336.5 and the Shenzhen Component Index ended 10.67 percent higher. ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, witnessed an increase of 15.36 percent. The index that comprises 50 representative companies listed on the Beijing Stock Exchange increased by 22.84 percent. The Beijing bourse index and ChiNext Index witnessed their highest single-day gains on record.

The Shanghai Composite Index has surged more than 17 percent in September.

On Monday, the turnover on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges exceeded 1 trillion yuan for the fourth consecutive trading day.

The Shanghai Composite Index opened 3.47 percent higher on Monday. The Shenzhen Component Index opened 4.58 percent higher at 9,950.65 points and the ChiNext Index rose 5.77 percent at the opening on Monday.

China's A-share market has rallied since Thursday, after a key Communist Party of China (CPC) leadership meeting on that day stressed the need to boost the country's capital market, and actively promoting the medium- and long-term funds to enter the market, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

After the meeting, the Shanghai Composite Index closed above 3,000 points on Thursday, the first time above the key benchmark since July 2.

The enthusiasm for the stock markets flooded the trading systems of stock exchanges and many securities companies.

On Sunday, the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) completed all trading tests, with the bidding system received 270 million orders, which is double the historical peak and three times the number of orders submitted on Friday. Earlier, the SSE announced plans to conduct trading tests on Sunday, aimed at validating the performance of its trading platforms in handling large volumes of orders, according to media reports.