China's anti-dumping measure against EU brandy completely complies with the WTO rules, a spokesperson from China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Wednesday, in a response to media reports that the EU will launch a challenge at the WTO.

China legitimately launched the anti-dumping investigation into brandy imported from the EU following a request from the domestic industry, and then decided to implement a justified trade remedy, the MOFCOM spokesperson said in a statement posted on the ministry's website on Wednesday.

The MOFCOM said on Tuesday that it would impose temporary anti-dumping measures on European brandy, as preliminary findings indicate that the product is being unfairly dumped into the Chinese market.

However, the EU, without a request from European companies, unilaterally initiated an anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles (EVs) imported from China. In fact, various EU member states and industry stakeholders have voiced their objections against the EU move. The EU's relevant measure lacks factual and legal basis, clearly violates WTO rules and is essentially protectionism disguised as a trade remedy, the ministry spokesperson said.

To strongly protect the legitimate development right of China's EV industry, China has lodged strong representations at the WTO and will file a formal complaint with the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism against the EU's tariffs, the spokesperson noted.

"China always opposes the abuse of trade remedy measures and urges the EU to immediately correct its wrongdoing, to jointly preserve the overall China-EU economic and trade relationship," the spokesperson said.

The EU held a vote on whether to impose a five-year countervailing duty on Chinese EVs on Friday local time.

A statement released by the European Commission showed that the commission's proposal to impose definitive countervailing duties on imports of battery-powered electric vehicles from China "has received the necessary support from EU Member States for the adoption of tariffs."

US President Joe Biden has sent a message of congratulations to Chinese President Xi Jinping on the occasion of the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China (PRC), a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Saturday.

Leaders of many countries and political parties and heads of international organizations have recently sent messages or letters of congratulations to President Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on the 75th founding anniversary of the PRC.

The spokesperson confirmed that President Biden was among the leaders congratulating China.

In the message, President Biden noted that "on behalf of the people of the United States, I send our congratulations to you and the people of the People's Republic of China as you celebrate the 75th anniversary of its founding. The American people and I convey our best wishes to the people of the People's Republic of China," according to the spokesperson. 

The Unspoken Mastery - Lin Gang's Centenary Art Exhibition opened on Wednesday at the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) Art Museum in China's capital Beijing.   

According to CAFA, as Lin, an outstanding professor at CAFA and a prominent figure in China's oil painting community, enters his centennial year in 2024, this large-scale retrospective exhibition is being held to showcase his prolific artistic achievements. 

Having studied in the former Soviet Union, Lin was awarded the Pushkin Medal by the Russian Ministry of Culture in 1999 and was appointed an honorary professor at the Ilya Repin St. Petersburg State Academy of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture in Russia. 

Lin applied his knowledge and insights to teaching, making ­significant contributions to the development of the oil painting education in China.

The exhibition features a vast collection of representative works from various periods of Lin's career, along with a wealth of related documents, creative notes, and other artistic materials. The exhibition will run until October 13.

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.

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.