भारतीय रोज़ नई ख़बरें

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Strolling through the ancient towns of Jiangnan, or regions south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, visitors can not only experience the charm of pavilions, small bridges, flowing water and fragrant ancient trees, but also understand the historical context and appreciate traditional Chinese culture through the preserved cultural relics and ancient buildings. Let’s follow Caroline Wu on a walk through some historical and cultural sites and witness the discoveries made by experts in the restoration and protection of these ancient towns.

A view of Jiaoxi Town, Changzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, April 21, 2024. Du Junzhi/CGTN

A view of Jiaoxi Town, Changzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, April 21, 2024. Du Junzhi/CGTN

Editor’s note: Tourism is booming in China. Every April, picturesque water towns and historic blocks in its southern and eastern regions become popular destinations. To understand how historic towns empower China’s tourism industry, CGTN presents “Old Town, New Life,” a series that tells fresh stories of well-preserved old towns, and shows how younger generations are reshaping their culture.

As a latecomer to China’s collection of well-known water towns, Jiaoxi Town looks a bit strange.

Just like the typical water towns portrayed in traditional Chinese paintings and literature, Jiaoxi features houses with black tiles, stone bridges and well-connected waterways. But looking from afar, the bottom half of its buildings’ walls resemble neatly arranged chocolate chip cookies.

According to local experts, the “cookies” are yellow stones which were quarried from the town’s surrounding mountains. The yellow stones are hard and heavy, making them particularly effective at repelling moisture.

Yellow stones used to build houses in Jiaoxi Town, Changzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, April 21, 2024. Du Junzhi/CGTN

Yellow stones used to build houses in Jiaoxi Town, Changzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, April 21, 2024. Du Junzhi/CGTN

Located in Changzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Jiaoxi is often regarded as the northernmost of China’s water towns in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. In 2018, it was part of a joint application to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The protected area of the old town is about 9.5 hectares. 

Local historian Shao Zhiqiang said that Jiaoxi’s inclusion helped highlight the varied architectural features and diverse cultural characteristics of China’s water towns.

Shao added that Jiaoxi was once a waterway trade hub for Changzhou’s merchant ships heading to and from the Yangtze River. And in the time of war, its location also attracted the rich and the literati who escaped from the north.

A man sketches buildings in Jiaoxi Town, Changzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, April 21, 2024. Du Junzhi/CGTN

A man sketches buildings in Jiaoxi Town, Changzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, April 21, 2024. Du Junzhi/CGTN

Jiaoxi’s rivers, streets and houses have seen the town’s rise and fall over its history of 1200 years. More than 600 buildings in the town were built in the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties. In 2019, Changzhou launched a project to protect the special architecture of Jiaoxi.

“The town was pretty depressed when the project first started,” said Zhang Quanfeng, senior architect at Architects & Engineers Co., Ltd. of Southeast University. “We’ve found about 200 houses that were built with yellow stones in Jiaoxi.”

Over the past five years, Zhang and his team, along with the local government, have carefully studied the ancient houses in Jiaoxi and developed tailored restoration plans based on their current conditions. To preserve the unique architectural style of using yellow stones, they also found several inheritors of the craft.

“The youngest craftsman was in his seventies at that time,” said Zhang, adding that they finally managed to give new life to a traditional method which uses yellow stones, lime and straw. So far, the restoration of 10 key buildings has been completed.

Residents make dumpling balls with different kinds of fillings in Jiaoxi Town, Changzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, April 21, 2024. Du Junzhi/CGTN

Residents make dumpling balls with different kinds of fillings in Jiaoxi Town, Changzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, April 21, 2024. Du Junzhi/CGTN

The improvement of infrastructure and public service facilities in Jiaoxi is part of the restoration process, so that the living environment of the more than 2,200 residents can be enhanced.

Zhang also pointed out that nearly all shop owners in the town are natives who sell local delicacies. He said residents are encouraged to protect and restore the town’s historic features.

For example, the town’s oldest tofu shop has been passed down for seven generations. Yao Xiaosong, 68, said he feels proud that his family has passed on Jiaoxi’s tofu-making craft over the years.

Yao Xiaosong, inheritor of Jiaoxi’s tofu-making craft, Jiaoxi Town, Changzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, April 21, 2024. Du Junzhi/CGTN

Yao Xiaosong, inheritor of Jiaoxi’s tofu-making craft, Jiaoxi Town, Changzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, April 21, 2024. Du Junzhi/CGTN

“The starting point for the preservation of Jiaoxi Town is the restoration and inheritance of its traditional Chinese culture,” said Shao, the local historian. “As for the development of tourism, it should be a natural result.”

From ancient forests to alpine tundra and snow-capped peaks, there’s plenty on offer for the outdoor enthusiast at Mount Siguniang in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. /CGTN

From ancient forests to alpine tundra and snow-capped peaks, there’s plenty on offer for the outdoor enthusiast at Mount Siguniang in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. /CGTN

From ancient forests to alpine tundra and snow-capped peaks, there’s plenty on offer for the outdoor enthusiast at Mount Siguniang in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. /CGTN

From ancient forests to alpine tundra and snow-capped peaks, there’s plenty on offer for the outdoor enthusiast at Mount Siguniang in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. /CGTN

From ancient forests to alpine tundra and snow-capped peaks, there’s plenty on offer for the outdoor enthusiast at Mount Siguniang in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. /CGTN

From ancient forests to alpine tundra and snow-capped peaks, there’s plenty on offer for the outdoor enthusiast at Mount Siguniang in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. /CGTN

From ancient forests to alpine tundra and snow-capped peaks, there’s plenty on offer for the outdoor enthusiast at Mount Siguniang in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. /CGTN

From ancient forests to alpine tundra and snow-capped peaks, there’s plenty on offer for the outdoor enthusiast at Mount Siguniang in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. /CGTN

From ancient forests to alpine tundra and snow-capped peaks, there’s plenty on offer for the outdoor enthusiast at Mount Siguniang in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. /CGTN

From ancient forests to alpine tundra and snow-capped peaks, there’s plenty on offer for the outdoor enthusiast at Mount Siguniang in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. /CGTN

From ancient forests to alpine tundra and snow-capped peaks, there’s plenty on offer for the outdoor enthusiast at Mount Siguniang in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. /CGTN

From ancient forests to alpine tundra and snow-capped peaks, there’s plenty on offer for the outdoor enthusiast at Mount Siguniang in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. /CGTN

UNESCO-listed Mount Siguniang in southwest China’s Sichuan Province offers some fantastic trekking routes that are suitable for everyone, from beginners to avid hikers. There is also the opportunity for serious mountaineers to ascend its four snow-capped peaks.

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China’s coastal provinces are investing heavily in offshore marine life hatcheries in a bid to boost marine biodiversity and restore the local ecosystem.

A view of the new energy vehicles for export at the port of Lianyungang Port in Lianyungang City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, April 25, 2024. /CFP

A view of the new energy vehicles for export at the port of Lianyungang Port in Lianyungang City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, April 25, 2024. /CFP

Some Western countries have been accusing China of “overcapacity,” which is groundless, and China firmly rejects it, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

The capacity issue should be assessed in the context of economic globalization, global division of labor and market dynamics in an objective, fair and scientific manner, said He Yadong during a regular press conference.

As for new energy, He said it is not overcapacity; instead, it’s a shortage of capacity from a global perspective.

The development of green, low-carbon and environmentally friendly new energy nowadays is an important measure adopted by countries worldwide to tackle climate change, he said, adding that the demand for new energy products is growing and the potential for new energy products’ future development is huge.

China’s new energy industry has provided affordable and high-quality production capacity all along, making important contributions to global green development, the spokesperson said.

Noting that some Western countries and regions stress green development while using “overcapacity” as a pretext of protectionism, the spokesperson said that’s a typical self-contradiction and double standard.

He added that such a double standard not only blocks the global green transformation and shakes the confidence of international cooperation on climate change but also frustrates the enterprises’ determination to carry out foreign trade and investment cooperation.

“We hope that relevant countries will view the demand of the global new energy market and the development of China’s new energy industry in an objective, rational and comprehensive manner and fairly evaluate the important role of China’s new energy products in global green transformation,” He said.

On the basis of adhering to market principles, China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with other countries, promote industrial cooperation, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results and jointly promote global green development, the spokesperson said.

A view of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing, China. /CFP

A view of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing, China. /CFP

A Chinese Foreign Ministry official on Monday told the media that China will focus on five major goals during U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s upcoming visit to China.

The five goals are establishing correct understanding, strengthening dialogue, effectively managing differences, promoting mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly shouldering responsibilities as major countries, said Yang Tao, director-general of the department of North American and Oceanian affairs at the Foreign Ministry.

In terms of building a correct understanding, Yang said that China and the United States cannot stop exchanges or contacts, nor should they fall into conflict and confrontation.

China-U.S. relations should stay steady, get better and move forward on a stable, sound and sustainable path, while China has its interests, principles and bottom lines to be upheld, he stressed.

Yang noted that the diplomatic teams of the two sides will continue consultations on the guiding principles of the China-U.S. relationship on the basis of the seven points of consensus, namely, mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, maintaining communication, preventing conflict, abiding by the UN Charter, conducting cooperation in areas of common interest and responsibly managing competitive factors in bilateral ties.

Noting that more than 20 institutional consultations that were established or restarted after the meeting between the two heads of state in San Francisco have continued to operate, Yang said that China’s door for dialogue and communication has always been open. He urged the U.S. not to say one thing and do another, and give up the illusion of dealing with China “from a position of strength.” 

In terms of effectively managing differences, the Chinese official said there have been, are and will always be differences between China and the U.S., but they must not let these differences dominate bilateral relations.

China will focus on clarifying its solemn position and making clear demands on the issues relating to Taiwan, trade, science and technology, and the South China Sea, Yang said.

In terms of jointly shouldering responsibilities as major countries, Yang noted that the U.S. should work with other members of the UN Security Council to fulfill its due international responsibilities, support Security Council Resolution 2728, push for a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible, and save the lives of Palestinian people. “China will make clear demands to the U.S. side in this regard,” said Yang.

He also urged the U.S. to reflect on its responsibilities in the Ukraine crisis and refrain from attacking and smearing the normal relations between China and Russia, stop smearing and shifting the blame onto China, and stop imposing unilateral sanctions on some Chinese companies and individuals.

The Ukraine issue is not an issue between China and the U.S., and the U.S. should not turn it into an issue between the two countries, he added.

April 23 marks the 75th founding anniversary of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.

Over the decades, the PLA Navy has developed into a strategic force consisting of five services with both nuclear and conventional weapons, heading toward its goal of becoming a world-class navy.

Since the commission of China’s first aircraft carrier, Liaoning, in 2012, China has made significant progress in building its aircraft carrier fleet, achieving the upgrading from scratch, refitting to domestic design and manufacture, from ski-jump to catapult, and entering the era of “three aircraft carriers.”

Liaoning is China’s Type 001 aircraft carrier. It is a refitted Soviet Union-made carrier, which was the put into commission by China on September 25, 2012. 

The Type 002 carrier, Shandong (hull number 17) was delivered and commissioned on December 17, 2019. It is China’s first independently designed, built and outfitted aircraft carrier. Construction of the carrier began in November 2013. It was launched in April 2017 at a shipyard in Dalian City, northeast China’s Liaoning Province. The carrier has improved comprehensive combat effectiveness and support capabilities.

China launched its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian (hull number 18), on June 17, 2022. Fujian is China’s first domestically designed and manufactured carrier which is equipped with electromagnetic catapults and arresting devices. It has a full-load displacement of more than 80,000 tonnes.

“In recent years, our aircraft carriers have achieved leapfrog development. It’s safe to say the development path with Chinese characteristics has been tested with actual results. Now, the range of missions of the domestically made aircraft carrier Shandong is also constantly expanding as it rapidly develops. Our first carrier that uses catapults, the Fujian, is also accumulating strength. We believe that in the near future, the three aircraft carriers will show our strong power on broader international stage,” said Cui Yonggang, captain of the Liaoning.