Take a stroll through ‘water town’ of Suzhou

Catch a glimpse of Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, in this photo taken on April 26, 2024. /CGTN

Catch a glimpse of Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, in this photo taken on April 26, 2024. /CGTN

Catch a glimpse of Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, in this photo taken on April 26, 2024. /CGTN

Catch a glimpse of Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, in this photo taken on April 26, 2024. /CGTN

Catch a glimpse of Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, in this photo taken on April 26, 2024. /CGTN

Catch a glimpse of Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, in this photo taken on April 26, 2024. /CGTN

Catch a glimpse of Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, in this photo taken on April 26, 2024. /CGTN

Catch a glimpse of Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, in this photo taken on April 26, 2024. /CGTN

Catch a glimpse of Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, in this photo taken on April 26, 2024. /CGTN

Catch a glimpse of Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, in this photo taken on April 26, 2024. /CGTN

Catch a glimpse of Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, in this photo taken on April 26, 2024. /CGTN

Catch a glimpse of Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, in this photo taken on April 26, 2024. /CGTN

Catch a glimpse of Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, in this photo taken on April 26, 2024. /CGTN

Catch a glimpse of Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, in this photo taken on April 26, 2024. /CGTN

Much of Suzhou incorporates murmuring tiny rivers, bridges, and homes featuring white walls and grey titles.

Suzhou is a visual expression of the culture of Jiangnan, the southern part of the Yangtze Delta.

The city embodies the unique Chinese elements with the colors of white and gray, akin to a poem sung by rivers and black-awning boats.

Celebrity chef blends French and Chinese cuisine

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Corentin Delcroix is a French chef known to many Chinese as Chef Guangtan. With his creative recipes blending French and Chinese cuisine, he has taken China’s online culinary scene by storm, capturing the hearts and palates of millions of foodies.

South China to brace for another round of strong rainfall

South China is forecast to experience another round of heavy rainfall from May 3 to 5, according to China’s National Meteorological Center.

The downpours will be concentrated in eastern Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, Guangdong and western Fujian provinces, as well as the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, with some areas receiving torrential rain.

These regions, including Guangdong, Guangxi and Fujian, have already seen above-average rainfall this year. Residents should be aware of the increased risk of secondary disasters like landslides and debris flows caused by the cumulative precipitation.

As the May Day holiday coincides with this weather event, the public is advised to plan return journeys accordingly, and consider potential disruptions due to heavy rain and strong convective weather.

The unusual temperature pattern, with warmer weather in the north and cooler conditions in the south, will persist for the next three days.

Northeast China will experience continued warming, with many areas reaching record highs for the year so far. Cities like Harbin and Changchun are expected to see highs of 27 to 28 degrees Celsius. The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China will also see a significant rise in temperatures, with some areas reaching up to 30 degrees Celsius.

(Cover image via CFP)

Diverse trends observed amid travel boom on first day of Labor Day holiday

China’s tourism sector has sparked vibrant activity on the inaugural day of the five-day Labor Day holiday, with diversified trends among travelers characterizing the nation’s travel landscape.

Rising popularity of lesser-known destinations

Firstly, lesser-known third and fourth-tier cities have seen a more notable increase in popularity compared to first or second-tier cities. Destinations such as Tianshui, Lishui, and Jinhua have witnessed a 40 percent year-on-year increase in travel bookings, according to leading Chinese travel service provider Ctrip. Meanwhile, county-level regions have experienced a 64 percent year-on-year surge in hotel reservations and a 200 percent spike in ticket bookings.

The ancient town of Guzicheng bustling with tourists in Jinhua city, Zhejiang Province, China, May 1, 2024. /CFP

The ancient town of Guzicheng bustling with tourists in Jinhua city, Zhejiang Province, China, May 1, 2024. /CFP

Exploring cultural and natural treasures

Both cultural pursuits and natural scenery are drawing interest from travelers, as museums, theme parks, and scenic vistas recorded significant upticks in order volumes, surging by 31, 10, and 50 percent year on year respectively on May 1. Additionally, there’s a discernible trend towards village tourism, with a notable 15 percent increase in travelers opting for rustic retreats, as indicated by China Mobile’s Wutong Big Data.

Henan Museum was packed with tourists in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, May 1, 2024. / CFP

Henan Museum was packed with tourists in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, May 1, 2024. / CFP

Global wanderlust

In terms of outbound travel, record-breaking bookings for international flight tickets were registered on the same day. Notably, destinations offering visa waivers for Chinese citizens have witnessed a notable 30 percent surge in bookings compared to the same period in 2019. During the holiday period, Chinese tourists are expected to visit some 1,000 cities across the globe.

Pay-per-service model makes comeback

A man gets a haircut from a street barber in Beijing on April 24. WANG JING/CHINA DAILY

Just before the start of this year, 33-year-old Luo Jing finally used up the balance on his over 5,000-yuan ($690) hair salon prepaid card and decided never to recharge the card again.

These prepaid cards often cost several thousand yuan, but the hairstylists’ skills are often just about average, nowhere near the tall claims they make while selling the cards.

There are enough reasons now to regulate the prepaid card market, as these cards are often sold after making tall claims with no corresponding increase in service quality, coupled with the constant risk of such establishments shutting down even before all the customers who were sold the cards have made use of what they paid for, or customers going elsewhere for the service with money left on the card.

Many young people such as Luo are now tired of salespersons trying to sell them prepaid cards for hair and beauty salons and/or gyms. They are abandoning such prepaid cards in favor of a more direct pay-per-service model.

Luo, who is from Jiangsu province, has been living in Beijing since graduating from university about 10 years ago.

He works for an internet company in Beijing and earns a decent monthly income.

In May 2022, he once went for a haircut to a branded salon near his apartment in Chaoyang district.

On entering the newly decorated salon, the staff members immediately stood up to welcome him.

They then began selling him the prepaid service packages they had, offering 30 percent off all services if he bought a 3,000-yuan card and 50 percent off for a 5,000-yuan card.

Luo ignored their offers, stating he just wanted the cheapest service they offered — a 68-yuan hair wash and haircut.

Uganda urges Britain to stop meddling in domestic affairs

This photo taken on March 31, 2024, shows a city view of Kampala, Uganda. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

This photo taken on March 31, 2024, shows a city view of Kampala, Uganda. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

 

Uganda has asked Britain to stop meddling in the local politics of the East African country after London announced sanctions on three of Uganda’s senior officials over allegations of corruption.

The Ugandan parliament on late Tuesday urged Britain to respect the country’s sovereignty.

It is important that foreign partners, including Britain, respect the sovereignty of Uganda and avoid the temptation to meddle into our local politics, including arm-twisting decision-makers to align with their value system, especially homosexuality, the parliament said in a statement.

The British government on Tuesday announced that it had sanctioned Uganda’s Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and two lawmakers, Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu, over corruption allegations.

Kitutu and Nandutu, both former ministers, have been charged with corruption in Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Court for allegedly stealing iron sheets intended for the impoverished northeastern region of Karamoja. The parliament accused the British government of distorting facts to suit its political agenda.

“The iron sheets have been used as a ruse to conceal the real, unstated but clearly obvious reason for the sanctions — which is the Rt. Hon. Speaker’s stance on the recently enacted Anti-Homosexuality Act,” the statement said.

Last year, the Ugandan parliament passed a law prescribing life and death sentences for certain acts of homosexuality, a move strongly criticized by some Western countries, including Britain. 

IMF forecasts Asia-Pacific growth at 4.5% in 2024

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday (Beijing Time) released the April 2024 Regional Economic Outlook for Asia and Pacific. Growth in the region is projected at 4.5 percent in 2024, and the region will contribute about 60 percent of the global economic growth this year, according to the report.

Exploring China-France culinary ties with a croissant hunt in Beijing

In honor of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, let’s set out on a delightful croissant hunt across the vibrant streets of Beijing. Join us as we embark on a culinary odyssey to discover the diverse flavors, tastes and costs of croissants, and learn how these iconic treats preserve traditional French flavors and add a playful twist, all within the heart of China’s capital.

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Our first stop on this savory adventure is Gontran Cherrier, a French-inspired bakery with roots in the cobblestone streets of Paris. Founded in 2010 on Caulaincourt Street in the Montmartre district, Gontran Cherrier quickly gained acclaim for its artisanal breads and pastries. Today, its Beijing outpost continues to uphold this tradition of excellence, transporting visitors to the heart of France with its charming decor and delectable offerings.

Among the array of tempting treats at Gontran Cherrier, the classic Almond Croissant stands out. Priced at 23 RMB, this buttery delight boasts layers of flaky pastry enveloping a rich almond filling, evoking the essence of traditional French baking.

Winner: Best Traditional Croissant

A selection of almond croissants at Gontran Cherrier, a French-inspired bakery in Beijing on April 25, 2024. /CGTN

A selection of almond croissants at Gontran Cherrier, a French-inspired bakery in Beijing on April 25, 2024. /CGTN

As we delve deeper into Beijing’s vibrant bakery scene, we discover Weiduomei, or Wedome Bakery, a local favorite celebrated for its selection of traditional Chinese pastries. With multiple branches dotted across Beijing, Weiduomei offers a variety of croissants, including multigrain and caramel-glazed options. Priced at just 3 RMB each, these croissants are the perfect choice for a quick and budget-friendly snack on the go. Their affordability and widespread availability have cemented them as a favorite among locals, whether for a morning bite or a tasty treat throughout the day.

Winner: Best Budget-Friendly Croissant

A selection of multigrain and caramel-glazed croissants at Weiduomei, a local Chinese bakery in Beijing on April 25, 2024. /CGTN

A selection of multigrain and caramel-glazed croissants at Weiduomei, a local Chinese bakery in Beijing on April 25, 2024. /CGTN

Next up is Bingoo Bakery, a trendy bakery located near the iconic Bell and Drum Towers. Situated amidst the historical landmarks and bustling tourist attractions, Bingoo Bakery caters to both locals and travelers alike. Its proximity to these cultural landmarks makes it an ideal stop for tourists looking for a tasty snack or stylish pastry.

Here at Bingoo Bakery, the intersection of cultures is evident in every delectable bite. The Matcha Cocoa Croissant, infused with the vibrant flavors of green tea and cocoa, is a nod to both Chinese tea culture and French artisanal pastry. And a surprise encounter with a bow-shaped croissant filled with zesty lemon cream highlighted the bakery’s innovative approach to traditional pastry-making.

Winner: Best Trendy Croissant

A selection of traditional and trendy croissants at Bingoo Bakery in Beijing on April 26, 2024. /CGTN

A selection of traditional and trendy croissants at Bingoo Bakery in Beijing on April 26, 2024. /CGTN

As a bonus, a visit to Tous les Jours, a popular “French-Asian inspired” bakery, reveals a savory twist on the classic offering, the Sausage Croissant. This savory delight is a departure from the sweetness of traditional pastries, catering to diverse palates and preferences.

A selection of sausage croissants and other pastries at Tous les Jours, a popular French-Asian inspired bakery in Beijing on April 25, 2024. /CGTN

A selection of sausage croissants and other pastries at Tous les Jours, a popular French-Asian inspired bakery in Beijing on April 25, 2024. /CGTN

Reflecting on the culinary odyssey through Beijing’s croissant culture, both locals and travelers alike are captivated by the rich tapestry of flavors and influences woven into each buttery creation. 

Whether savoring the timeless elegance of a French-inspired delicacies or embracing the innovative twists of local artisans, the croissant serves as a symbol of cultural exchange and culinary diplomacy.

Meet Chinese breaking team head coach Mounir Biba

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From street corners to the world stage, breaking – better known as breakdance – is now an Olympic sport. In the breakdancing arena, few names shine as brightly as Mounir Biba. CGTN Europe went to Paris and talked to the French breakdancing legend, who played a key role in breaking’s Olympic inclusion.