China's central bank on Wednesday lowered the cost of its medium-term loans to banks , marking the first reduction of the country's market-based interest rates after the relevant Chinese authorities on Tuesday rolled out major policies to support the economy, including cuts to the reserve requirement ratio and interest rates.
Observers said that the sweeping move is conducive to reducing banks' lending costs and could be followed by more "proactive" policies such as cuts to the market-based benchmark loan prime rate and deposit rate.
Those concrete measures would channel more liquidity into the market and continue lifting up market confidence, providing a solid foundation for steering the world's second-largest economy toward the annual GDP growth goal of 5 percent, they noted.
The People's Bank of China (PBC), the country's central bank, announced on Wednesday that it cut the rate on 300 billion yuan ($54.7 billion) worth of one-year medium-term lending facility (MLF) loans to some financial institutions to 2 percent, from the previous 2.3 percent.
The bid rates in Wednesday's operation ranged from 1.90 percent to 2.30 percent, and the total balance of MLF loans now stands at 6.878 trillion yuan, according to a statement on the PBC's official website.
"Wednesday's MLF cut further sends a resounding signal that, despite internal pressures and external volatility, the Chinese government is determined to and has abundant toolkits to cushion against headwinds and bolster the economic recovery's momentum," said Yang Delong, chief economist at Shenzhen-based First Seafront Fund.
Chinese stocks on Wednesday extended their rally from Tuesday, with all three major indexes closing up by more than 1 percent on major policy support, which indicates heightened investors' confidence in the prospects of the world's second-largest economy. Trading volume in the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets surpassed 1 trillion yuan for the first time since May 6.
On Sunday, China and Nepal kicked off an anti-terrorism joint army exercise, with a type of ball-shaped reconnaissance drone making its debut.
An opening ceremony was held for the Sagarmatha Friendship-2024 joint army drill at a training base in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Sunday, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
It is the fourth edition of the Sagarmatha Friendship series of exercises between the Chinese and Nepali militaries, with the previous drill held five years ago in 2019, Xinhua reported.
Under the theme of joint anti-terrorism operations in urban blocks, the joint training will include light arms shooting, anti-terrorism group tactics, drone operations, emergency rescues and a comprehensive anti-terrorism exercise, with the aim of boosting capabilities in fields such as multidimensional search, mobile infiltration and armed rescue in joint operations, according to Xinhua.
The exercise will last until October 1, the report said.
After the opening ceremony, the Chinese side displayed more than 20 pieces of equipment in three categories, namely light arms, reconnaissance gears for anti-terrorism missions and equipment, China Central Television (CCTV) reported.
Intelligent reconnaissance equipment attracted particular attention, including a type of robot dog, a type of through-wall radar and a type of self-propelled ball-shaped reconnaissance drone, the report said.
The gear will provide extra combat capabilities in the joint exercise, CCTV said.
A CCTV clip showed that the ball-shaped reconnaissance drone, equipped with a camera and sensors, can be held with one hand.
After viewing the clip, a Beijing-based military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Sunday that the mini ball-shaped drone can move through urban areas by rolling on the ground with little noise and avoid hostile detections.
The small drone is expected to cost little, but can significantly reduce the risk of personnel exposure under dangerous environments, the expert said.
During the exercise, the two sides will also conduct exchanges on disaster relief operations, tackling natural disasters such as earthquakes, snow damages and debris flow, in addition to a series of cultural exchanges to enhance mutual trust and understandings, Xinhua reported.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday encouraged personnel in China's space industry to continue to work hard and accelerate progress in space endeavors while meeting with the representatives of space scientists and engineers who participated in the research and development in the Chang'e-6 lunar mission at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
The Chang'e-6 probe was launched from China on May 3 this year. On June 25, its returner made a landing in north China, bringing back 1,935.3 grams of samples from the far side of the moon.
Xi noted that Chang'e-6, for the first time in human history, collected samples from the moon's far side, breaking through a number of key technologies, marking another landmark achievement in China's endeavors in space as well as in science and technology. It is an important milestone for China's lunar exploration project.
Over the past 20 years, the lunar exploration project has focused on key core technologies and achieved fruitful results in scientific discovery, technological innovation, engineering practice, achievement application, and international cooperation. It has blazed a path of high-quality and cost-effective lunar exploration, making a major contribution to the development of China's space industry and human space exploration, he said.
Xi stressed that over the past 75 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the space industry has grown from weak to strong, and achieved historic, high-quality and leap-forward development.
Since the 1950s, there have been more than 100 lunar exploration missions worldwide, achieving 10 successful sample return missions from the near side of the moon. However, it has always been a challenge to explore the far side of the moon, Xinhua News Agency reported.
In January 2019, China's Chang'e-4 overcame the world challenge of landing on the far side of the moon. In December 2020, Chang'e-5 mission brought back the country's first samples collected from the moon's near side, which was the world's freshest lunar samples since the 1970s.
And on June 25, 2024, carrying the first batch of lunar samples ever collected from the far side of the moon in human history, Chang'e-6 probe safely touched down in the Siziwang Banner, in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
The mission not only set a new record for China's lunar exploration program but it also has a profound impact on the global aerospace field, Kang Guohua, a professor of Aerospace Engineering at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, told the Global Times.
Through the Chang'e-6 mission, China has demonstrated its leadership and influence in space exploration, Kang said, noting that samples collected from the far side of the moon hold immense value for scientific research and deep space exploration due to its uniqueness.
Such a large-scale, complex and highly integrated project has successively overcome key technologies such as the design of Earth-moon transfer orbits, soft landing on the lunar surface and high-speed re-entry and return.
It has also driven technological innovations in new devices, materials and energy sources, observers said.
Meanwhile, China's "circle of friends" in lunar exploration is continuously expanding.
Chang'e-6 mission carried four international scientific payloads from the European Space Agency, France, Italy and Pakistan. The Chang'e-7 mission has selected six international payloads, while the Chang'e-8 offers approximately 200 kilograms of payload capacity to the international community and has received over 30 cooperation applications to date, according to media reports.
Looking beyond the moon, China announced earlier this month its ambitious plan to carry out Tianwen-3 mission, eyeing to retrieve samples from Mars and bring them back to Earth by around 2028, chief designer of the mission Liu Jizhong disclosed. The mission is expected to become the world's first such attempt on the Red Planet, and will involve international payload cooperation, as well as global collaboration in sample and data sharing.
Lately, county tourism has become increasingly popular in China, with more young people opting for lesser-known counties as holiday destinations instead of crowded cities with famous attractions. They are eager to escape the hustle and bustle of popular spots and enjoy a quieter, more relaxed experience away from the city.
In the first week of September, luxury hotel bookings surged by 1,400% in Changting county, East China's Fujian Province; by 1,200% in Fengxin county, East China's Jiangxi Province; and by 1,150% in Zhongmu county, Central China's Henan Province. Additionally, hotels in many counties in China were fully booked well in advance, according to a report by the Economic View media outlet.
"Young people's expectations for travel products and services have changed. They no longer follow the crowd but opt for more diverse and varied experiences. For them, a travel to relieve stress is a preferred choice, as it requires minimal preparation," Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration, told the Global Times on Wednesday.
Positive feedback loop
In the era of mobile internet, the massive influx of information on social media has created opportunities for county tourism. With the click of a button on sharing apps, travelers can access continuously updated posts that fuel curiosity, prompting more users to turn their online interest into real travel plans.
On the Chinese lifestyle-sharing platform Xiaohongshu, a search for "county tourism" yields over 500,000 related posts. These posts feature recommendations from users about lesser-known counties, including detailed travel routes, expense estimates, and top attractions to visit.
"One of the main reasons I chose a county for my trip was the influence of social media. After watching art films like Kaili Blues, I wanted to visit its filming locations or similar places," said Zhang Wennan, a blogger who shared a well-received travel guide for Congjiang county in Southwest China's Guizhou Province.
After completing her trip, Zhang went back to social media to share their experiences, which naturally amplified the county's tourism profile, which created a feedback loop of planting the seed, visiting, and recommending the destination to others.
Emotional value
The rise of county tourism reflects a shift in people's mindset, characterized by a growing pursuit of quality and diversity, and an increasing focus on personal emotional fulfillment.
"County tourism fits well with the current 'lying flat' mindset of young people. There's no need to wake up early to avoid crowds, and everyone around you is local," Zhang told the Global Times.
Travelers are opting for quieter, less-traveled counties where they can slow down, relax, and rejuvenate.
"The benefit of traveling to small counties is that there are fewer people, prices are reasonable," Zhang noted.
A traveler who comes from Wenzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province, visited Qingtian county in the same province in August, told the Global Times that due to limited time, she usually chose to visit nearby counties to relax. In her view, these trips that are easy to arrange and low-cost often meet the curiosity of her. "For someone like me who grew up in the city, returning to a small county for travel is a novel experience," she added.
Sustainable development
As small county-level destinations become increasingly popular, some counties are experiencing unprecedented development opportunities. Driven by the internet, previously unknown small towns are quickly gaining fame due to their unique charm. However, achieving sustainable development remains a challenge for many areas.
During peak time, issues such as inadequate reception capacity in these small counties become apparent. Besides, attractions in these counties are often far from accommodations, making them less convenient.
"For small county-level destinations to sustain development, they must focus on improving tourism service quality. As visitors' expectations for travel experiences increase, high-quality services become a key factor in retaining tourists," noted Sun Jiashan. "This includes offering comfortable and convenient accommodations, delicious and authentic dining, and diverse entertainment options."
"Additionally, enhancing infrastructure is crucial. Convenient transportation, well-developed public service facilities, and a safe travel environment are all important conditions for attracting tourists," Sun Jiashan added.
Sun Hang, a tourist who just returned from Pingshan county, South China's Guangdong Province, told the Global Times that in her view, high-quality hotels are the starting point for promoting county tourism and can bring tourists a better travel experience.
"A safe hotel can ease the concerns of tourists like us about unfamiliar places. In a hotel offering complete facilities and good service in Pingshan, I felt safe and because of that I was more willing to explore the local scenery and culture," she said.
According to Sun Jiashan, small counties need to deeply explore and utilize their unique resources to offer distinctive travel experiences, focusing on innovation and diversification of tourism products.
Each region has its own unique natural landscapes, historical culture, and folk customs. Through scientific planning, these resources can be transformed into appealing tourism products.
In August, the Daping Moutai Organic Sorghum Base brims with the possibility of a bountiful harvest, as fields of sorghum turn golden. The heavy heads of the sorghum bow down, transforming the landscape into a golden carpet meticulously woven by nature, quietly unfurling while heralding another year of abundant harvest.
On August 16, an event was hosted by the Moutai Group and the Renhuai Municipal Government, and undertaken by the Moutai Liquor Co Ltd, and the Moutai Hongyingzi Company. The event was themed "Honoring the Grain Farmers with a Harvest: Committing to Quality for Generations," and took place at the Daping Organic Sorghum Base in Maopo village, Changgang township, Renhuai.
Over 2,000 participants including grain farmers, inheritors, distributors, and workshop representatives from Moutai were present. The Hongyingzi sorghum symbolizes the harvest of this land and the essence of Moutai's traditional brewing craftsmanship. As a special variety used in the production of Moutai liquor, Hongyingzi sorghum is closely linked to the Chishui River. The soil, water quality, and climatic conditions of the Chishui River basin provide an exceptional cultivation environment for Hongyingzi sorghum, playing a crucial role in shaping the unique flavor of Moutai liquor.
This variety of sorghum, originating from the local traditional Hongyingzi, is small grains, thick skin, and has a firm, plump structure. These characteristics enable it to perform exceptionally well in Moutai's multiple rounds of cooking and fermentation processes.
Agricultural experts participating in the Moutai Hongyingzi Sorghum Harvest Season event shared with the Global Times that Hongyingzi sorghum features "eight highs, one low, and one moderate" - high in starch, phenolic compounds, fats, branched-starch ratio, crystallinity, gelatinization temperature, calorific value, long-branch chain ratio, along with a low retrogradation of starch and moderate content of tannins. These unique structural characteristics make it the ideal choice for brewing Moutai liquor, crucial in achieving its signature aroma, full-bodied richness, and lingering finish.
"The harvest of Hongyingzi sorghum marks the hard work of farmers bearing fruitful results, and a solid foundation for Moutai's raw brewing materials," Zhang Deqin, the Party Secretary and Chairman of the Moutai Group, said.
The Hongyingzi Sorghum Harvest Season conveys Moutai's respect for natural and humanistic stories. Moutai liquor closely integrates its production and brewing with agricultural timing and activities, embodying the traditional brewing concept of "following nature and seasonal harmony, and co-brewing with the cosmos."
Crafting legendary quality
The Moutai Hongyingzi Sorghum Harvest Season both celebrates agricultural bounty and epitomizes Moutai's belief that "quality is the soul of life."
Moutai regards this land as the "primary workshop," enforcing strict quality control throughout the entire process to ensure the high-quality and stable production of brewing materials. In collaboration with the Renhuai People's Government, Moutai has embarked on a five-year project, investing heavily in the establishment of a high-quality sorghum cultivation base to guarantee a long-term and stable supply of raw materials.
The base's construction includes land consolidation, water conservancy projects, electrical infrastructure, and pest control, enhancing the quality of farmland and achieving full mechanization of sorghum production, thus significantly increasing the per-acre yield.
With steadfast dedication to artisanal management, Moutai has made history once again: It became the first Chinese company to receive the highest level of seven diamonds at the EFQM Global Award under the new evaluation standards and is also the first in the liquor industry to achieve this honor.
China's traditional brewing culture
Hongyingzi sorghum serves both as a material basis for the long-term sustainable development of Moutai liquor and as an important vessel for cultural heritage and innovative growth, contributing uniquely and profoundly to Chinese brewing culture.
The brewing of Moutai liquor is an ancient ceremony that breathes and shares its fate with the natural seasons. The cultivation of Hongyingzi sorghum follows the natural rhythm of sowing in spring and harvesting in autumn, closely intertwined with the changing of the seasons. In spring, farmers sow seeds of hope amid gentle rains; in summer, the sorghum robustly grows under the nurturing sun and dew; and by autumn, with the refreshing breeze, the sorghum ripens to a deep red, signaling optimal harvest time.
As Moutai liquor gains global prominence, an increasing number of people are beginning to understand and appreciate China's traditional brewing culture. The ancient brewing techniques of Hongyingzi sorghum and Moutai liquor not only showcase the allure of Chinese brewing to the world but also reveal the depth and breadth of Chinese culture.
The Embassy of Pakistan in China hosted a photo exhibition titled "Pakistan in Frames: A Visual Journey by Chinese Tour Operators" in Beijing on September 3.
The impressive photo exhibition showcased the rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes of Pakistan, captured by a group of Chinese tour operators who visited Islamabad, Taxila, and Gilgit-Baltistan in 2023, the year of China-Pakistan Tourism Exchanges.
The exhibition was centered around various themes, including Pakistan's Northern Splendor, Gandhara, and China-Pakistan friendship.
Pakistani Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi expressed deep appreciation for the breathtaking photographs taken by the Chinese tour operators.
He noted that the photographs not only displayed Pakistan's striking beauty but also reflected the profound cultural and historical ties that enhance mutual understanding between the two countries. The ambassador emphasized that this exhibition symbolized the shared dreams and aspirations of the two peoples.
Professor Li Xiguang, director of the Pakistan Culture and Communication Center at Tsinghua University shared his experiences from his frequent travels to Pakistan, including Pakistan's role as the seat of ancient civilizations such as Gandhara and the Indus Valley.
The embassy has planned further activities to promote people-to-people exchanges, ties, and contact between the two friendly neighbors.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Chinese tourists to Pakistan had increased beyond 225,000 a year. The year 2023 saw Chinese tourists returning, as the two countries marked the China-Pakistan Year of Tourism Exchanges.
In her remarks on behalf of the group of tour operators, York Feng Yuting from Qyer.com shared her fond memories of Pakistan. She also highlighted Pakistan's tourism potential.
Since 2023, the outbound destination options for Chinese tourists have become more diversified, with Europe, North America, and Africa accounting for an increased proportion, while Asian countries still top the list, according to an industry report by the China Tourism Academy in early February.
Pakistan is one of the oldest ancient civilizations in history, dating back to 7,000 BC. The country is 1.5 times the size of France and is located on the shores of the Arabian Sea.
After a humiliating 7:0 defeat to Japan last week on away soil, the Chinese national soccer team will take on a crucial match at home as they host Saudi Arabia in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning Province on Tuesday.
This match not only represents a key moment for Team China's quest to qualify for the next round in the World Cup Asian qualifiers, but also serves as a critical opportunity for the team to recover from the embarrassing defeat to Japan on September 5.
While China's loss to world No.18 Japan, a team that has risen to the ranks of global soccer elites, wasn't entirely unexpected, the manner of the defeat was shocking. Frequent errors, lack of tactical coherence and a glaring absence of physicality were observed by fans, leaving those who spent their passion on the team massively dismayed.
The performance on the pitch was characterized by lethargy and defeatism, with Chinese players struggling even to maintain basic levels of intensity. In the aftermath, fans and commentators alike condemned the team for their lack of tenacity, labeling the performance "spiritless."
Losing to Japan, a team that has long surpassed China in soccer strength in the past two decades, isn't an unforgivable offense. However, the real blow for Chinese fans was witnessing a team that seemed to have no fight left in them.
A defeat like this naturally stings, but what stung even more was the sense that the players had mentally checked out before the game was even over. The absence of any visible desire to compete or respond to adversity was a bitter pill to swallow.
For the Chinese team, however, one loss - even as devastating as a 7-0 blowout - does not spell an end to their World Cup qualification campaign.
The reality is that Team China currently trails far behind Asian powerhouses like Japan and Australia in terms of overall strength. But they still have chances to secure valuable points against other teams like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Indonesia.
This makes the upcoming match against Saudi Arabia pivotal. A strong showing could help mitigate the damage done by the Japan defeat and restore some belief to a team and fanbase.
In the days following the match against Japan, senior officials of the Chinese Football Association, along with head coach Branko Ivankovic, captain Wu Lei and vice-captain Wang Dalei, held serious discussions with the team after their return to Dalian from Japan.
The message was clear: They must regroup and show resilience. The national team cannot afford another display of weakness and disorganization. Players were urged to give everything they have to restore pride and faith in Chinese soccer, especially following a series of high-profile corruption cases that have marred the dignity of the sport in China.
The objective for this next match is simple: mentally rebound and fight with everything they've got. Chinese fans, for all the frustration they've endured over the years, have always been emotionally invested in their national team.
Many supporters, despite witnessing countless defeats, have learned to temper their expectations for the national team. Yet, even the most disillusioned fan hopes to see a team that at least fights with determination and pride. The fans' desire for the team isn't for victory, but for a display of grit and competitive spirit, qualities sorely lacking in their last outing.
The loss to Japan has exposed numerous flaws with Team China, particularly in areas like concentration and tactical execution. These are not issues that can be solved overnight, and the progress of Chinese soccer still has a long way ahead to close the gap with Asia's elite teams.
Many Chinese fans expressed online that they are not expecting immediate tactical brilliance or sudden technical improvements during the match against Saudi Arabia. Instead, the hope is for a performance that reflects courage and determination, and a refusal to back down from being lag behind during the match.
The 7-0 loss to Japan was an undeniable low point, but it can also be a turning point if the team responds with resilience and determination. The upcoming match against Saudi Arabia is a chance for the Chinese national team to prove they can rebound from adversity, if they understand that every qualifier match is an opportunity to restore faith.
Chinese soccer has arrived at a crucial juncture. The team needs to rise from the ashes of their defeat and fight for their future. Anything less than a display of heart and effort will not only disappoint the fans but set Chinese soccer back further. The time has come for the team to confront its shortcomings and find the courage to rise stronger. The future of the team - and the dreams of millions of fans - depends on it.
Boasting elements like stone bridges, winding rivers and elegant above-water architecture, ancient towns are highlights to the landscape of China's Jiangnan. Jiangnan is a geographic area that is commonly known as the south of the mighty Yangtze River.
Built with a touch of garden aesthetics, these towns are popular touristic destinations. Comparing to renowned sites like the Zhouzhuang Town in Jiangsu Province, the Puyuan Fashion Resort, opened to public in 2023, is an emerging spot that shows how an old rural town can sustain people's modern and fashionable lifestyles.
Old yet fashionable
Puyuan is located in Tongxiang, East China's Zhejiang Province. Its history dates back to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), and the town is one of the stops where the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal flows through.
To promote the protection of the ancient canal culture heritage, in 2016, a renovation project was carried out in Puyuan, covering an area of approximately 858,000 square meters.
In order to preserve the traditional look of the town's above-water architectures, the renovation project followed the concept of "repairing old buildings by keeping their old aesthetics while also integrating new cultural and commercial elements into the town," Yao Jie, a manager of the resort, told the Global Times.
Nine well-preserved ancient bridges, including the Zong'an Bridge and the Dayou Bridge are distributed along the "H"-shaped river system of the Puyuan Fashion Resort. Many of those bridges date back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Some of those bridges connect to inns. For instance, an owner of the Xianzi Beach Inn told the Global Times that the inn is not the biggest one in the resort, but it can offer an "authentic taste of Puyuan" as guests can see the green and clear river flowing beneath their feet just by opening their bedroom's window.
Wooden boats and shuttle buses are always available in the resort. Boats take visitors underneath the bridges' arches to arrive at notable scenic spots in the ancient town. Two popular local destinations are the Meijing Theater, founded in 1947 and offering performances of the traditional Yue Opera, and the Xiangyun Taoist Temple, a symbol of the Taoist philosophy's development in the region, built in the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368).
The ancient town's time-honored locations are mixed with new buildings including modern hotels, performance plazas, and a visitor center that boasts a T-stage venue for fashion shows.
Puyuan, where the resort is located, is one of China's most dynamic centers for fashion production, especially in the cashmere and knitwear sectors. Around 700 million sweaters made in Puyuan are sold worldwide every year.
Relying on the Town's solid foundation in the clothing industry, the resort has found its niche character of promoting shows and exhibitions that connect to the international market.
One of its strategies is to collaborate with the entertainment industry. It has invited highly popular reality shows such as Funny Team 2024 to film at the resort. In the show, Chinese stars such as Na Ying and Huang Zitao run around the resort, taking audiences on a visual journey around Puyuan's beautiful scenic spots.
In 2023, the resort organized a successful campaign in collaboration with the Chinese version of the fashion magazine Gentlemen's Quarterly, also known as GQ. By having superstars such as Fei Xiang (also known as Kris Phillips, is a Chinese-American pop icon and musical singer) posting photos of the resort, the fashion title of the ancient town was accentuated.
"There are many ancient towns in China, and we need to give them unique themes to make them stand out. This is the creative strategy we need to promote Chinese ancient towns," Xiao Junfu, a marketer of the touristic industry, told the Global Times. Niche interests
Other than Puyuan, the Wuzhen Town and Xitang Town, two ancient water towns nestled in Jiaxing, East China's Zhejiang Province, have also embarked on a journey of remarkable transformation.
Wuzhen Town, whose roots trace back over 1,000 years, found a way to bridge the gap between past and future. Its once quiet canals, lined with Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1368-1644) buildings, became the stage for a new kind of digital dialogue: the town's transformation began with its establishment as the permanent home of the World Internet Conference, cementing its role as a digital pioneer.
But it was the birth of the Wuzhen Theatre Festival in 2013 that truly brought Wuzhen's spirit into full bloom. The event integrated Wuzhen's historical landscape with cutting-edge theater, making the town a beacon of artistic and cultural exchange.
A few kilometers away, Xitang Town embarked on its own revival journey. Originally created back in the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC), the town still thrives nowadays thanks to its own unique cultural initiatives. For example, the Xitang Hanfu Culture Week showcases not only the town's past but also its deep connection to Chinese tradition. During the week, people dress in elegant Hanfu attire strolling through the streets, bringing the past vividly to life as workshops and parades make the town a living museum of ancient fashion.
The Xitang Ancient Town Protection Regulations of Jiaxing City released in 2023, further promote the construction of an ecological cultural tourism zone and the integration of ancient town culture and tourism, while continuing to protect the cultural heritage and traditional architecture of the ancient town.
Together, the Wuzhen and Xitang water towns breathe a new life, exemplary for the cultivation of a new cultural ecology in historical towns, one that honors the past while embracing the future.
Chinese scientists have demonstrated their brain-computer interface (BCI) systems are successful and effective in rehabilitation, and have the potential to bridge biological and artificial intelligence.
In a video revealed by the China Central Television (CCTV) on Saturday, a young man surnamed Bai was trying to control his wheelchair by his mind.
What Bai needed to do was to focus his attention and imagine the movements. "The system is quite sensitive," he told CCTV.
In December 2023, a wireless minimally invasive BCI system developed by the Tsinghua team, also known as NEO, was implanted into the brain of Bai, 35, who had been paralyzed for years following a car accident.
Bai can now control a computer with his own thoughts and brain signals. He is also able to control a wheelchair with his mind. These prove that signal control of BCIs has been successful, Hong Bo from the School of Medicine with Tsinghua University who leads the research, told the Global Times. Another patient, surnamed Yang, 54, who has been paralyzed for 14 years, also received the implantation surgery of the Tsinghua team's BCI system in 2023. He is now able to proficiently use his mind to control the exoskeleton glove. His hands have also regained some of its grabbing function, Hong said.
These all prove the effectiveness of our BCI system. Looking ahead, the team will, subject to regulatory approval, further expand the scale of medical clinical trials on the path to providing a commercially viable service to benefit the greatest number of patients, he noted.
BCI refers to the technology that establishes a direct connection pathway between the human brain's nerves and electronic or mechanical devices, to achieve information interaction and functional integration between the nervous system and external devices.
Many view the BCI technology as holding the key to an "era of neuroscience." According to reports of 21jingji.com, the global BCI market is expected to reach $3.3 billion by 2027, with an annual compound growth rate of about 14 percent in seven years.
Chinese scientists have achieved breakthroughs in domestic research and development in BCI technology in recent years and actively applying the technology in rehabilitation, epilepsy, and depression treatment. Research in technology in China has now reached a crucial stage, transitioning from the laboratory to the market. Industry observers noted that this shift is expected to play a significant role in driving economic development and creating new competitive advantages in the future.
The BCI technology encountered controversies in safety and ethics after Elon Musk said in January 2024 that his BCI company, Neuralink, had successfully completed the first human brain implantation surgery of its invasive BCI device. Concerns increased after the company revealed in May that a number of the implant's connective threads retracted from the brain a few weeks after the surgery, causing a reduction in the signals the device could capture.
In previous interviews, Hong told the Global Times that compared with Neuralink's invasive technology, his team's wireless semi-invasive BCI technology offers higher levels of safety and a longer product lifespan.
"I hope that the two recipients of our implants can achieve observable neurological repair within six months to one year," Hong said.
At the Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, the clinical research on a wearable robotic finger, also known as the Lingxi Finger, developed by a neuroengineering team from Tianjin University has also been ongoing for over half a year. A patient surnamed Qiao, who lost the ability to grip with his left hand due to acute cerebral infarction, is participating in the clinical research.
The Lingxi Finger is a non-invasive BCI rehabilitation system developed by the Medical School at Tianjin University. By putting a BCI cap on the patient's head, the system can help the patient to actively control machine fingers worn on his hand by reading his brainwave information. Research data has confirmed that this system can greatly accelerate the recovery progress of patients, according to the university.
Chinese scientists are also exploring the most cutting edge area of BCI technology. The Global Times learned from the university that a team from the Haihe Laboratory of Brain-Computer Interaction and Human-Machine Integration, led by Tianjin University and their collaborators from the Southern University of Science and Technology have successfully developed an open-source brain-on-a-chip (BOC) interface system, MetaBOC, which enables a "lab-grown brain" to conduct unmanned control of robots to perform tasks such as obstacle avoidance, tracking, and grasping.
BOC is formed by coupling a lab-grown brain with electrode chips. As an emerging branch of brain-computer interface, the BOC interface refers to a technology that enables bidirectional interaction between a lab-grown brain and external devices through encoding and decoding techniques and stimulation feedback.
BOC interface system technology is widely believed to play a revolutionary role in the development of cutting-edge technologies such as hybrid intelligence and brain-like computing.
Li Xiaohong, a professor at the Medical School at Tianjin University and the head of the on-chip BCI team said, a lab-grown brain has the advantages of low power consumption and fast learning speed. Moreover, the brain-on-a-chip interface system represents a transformative approach to bridging biological and artificial intelligence.
MetaBOC is also the world's first full-chain, open-source brain-on-a-chip interface system designed to enable closed-loop interaction between a lab-grown brain and external devices. Li showed the Global Times MetaBOC's efficacy in performing intelligent control tasks, such as robotic obstacle avoidance, in both virtual environments and real-world scenarios.
Li said MetaBOC represented a significant advancement in the field of BOC technology, offering a versatile platform for exploring the computational mechanisms of biological intelligence.
At a forum in April in Beijing, Gao Xiaorong from the Tsinghua Laboratory of Brain and Intelligence said, "The interaction between AI and BCI is bidirectional. A certain part of the development of BCI, especially in terms of algorithms, is aided by advancements in AI technology, allowing BCI developers to extract brainwave information. At the same time, BCI technologies can also promote the development of AI. For example, the uniqueness of brainwave information will further enhance the operational capabilities of AI and even influence its evolutionary direction."
At the forum, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology also called on national colleges, institutes, and companies to cooperate to promote a combination of the two fields and accelerate the research and development of core technologies and products.
China's top 500 enterprises have moved ahead steadily, setting new records for revenue growth, rapid innovation-driven advancement and ongoing structural optimization, despite a complex and volatile global economic climate, an industry ranking report showed on Wednesday.
The 2024 list of the top 500 Chinese enterprises has been released by the China Enterprise Confederation and the China Enterprise Directors Association, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
The total revenue of the 500 companies reached 110.07 trillion yuan ($15.45 trillion) last year, up 1.58 percent year-on-year to a record high, per the report.
Their net profits totaled 4.51 trillion yuan last year, up 5.01 percent from one year earlier.
Experts attribute the growth to technological innovation driven by new quality productive forces, accelerated optimization of enterprise structures, and the deep integration of the real economy and the digital economy -- driving forces that will anchor China's steady economic growth amid rising global uncertainties.
According to the report, the average research and development (R&D) intensity of these top companies increased for the seventh consecutive year, with total R&D investment accounting for 1.9 percent of their total revenue, the highest level since 2002.
Moreover, innovation output rose, with these enterprises holding 2.03 million valid patents in 2024, up 7.66 percent year-on-year, underscoring a steady boost in innovation capabilities.
These figures show that the leading domestic companies are on an upward trajectory not only in financial performance but also in structural improvement and technological innovation, Li Jin, chief researcher at the China Enterprise Research Institute in Beijing, told the Global Times on Wednesday.
"China has accelerated the restructuring of state-owned enterprises in recent years to optimize the distribution of state-owned capital and speed up the shift toward emerging and future industries," Li said.
The report also pointed to a rising number of advanced manufacturing and modern services enterprises among the top 500. The number of companies in sectors like new-energy equipment, power storage batteries, communication equipment and semiconductor manufacturing have increased to 31, up by 18, during the past five years.
Li further highlighted the record-high technology investment by China's private enterprises over the years, with various emerging sectors showing steady growth, thanks to the government's push for new quality productive forces.
Despite rising global violability, Chinese firms' steady growth reflects the resilience and vitality of the Chinese economy and will contribute to the country's continued healthy growth, experts said.
