President Xi Jinping on Monday said the Chinese people will score more remarkable achievements and make greater contributions to the noble cause of peace and development of humanity.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while addressing a reception held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
China's National Day falls on Oct. 1.
Li Qiang presided over the reception. Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng attended the event together with around 3,000 Chinese and foreign guests.
In his address, Xi, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, first paid high tribute to the people of all ethnic groups in China, to the officers and soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force, and to other political parties and personages without party affiliation.
Xi extended sincere greetings to compatriots in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, in Taiwan, as well as overseas Chinese. He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to friendly countries and international friends who care about and support the development of the PRC.
On the new journey in the new era, the central task of the Party and the country is building China into a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation on all fronts by pursuing Chinese modernization, said Xi.
Advancing this unprecedented great cause steadily is the best way to celebrate the anniversary of the PRC, he stressed.
Xi emphasized that, to advance Chinese modernization, it is imperative to always uphold the core role of the Party in exercising overall leadership and coordinating the efforts of all sides, unswervingly follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, deepen reform across the board and expand opening up, uphold a people-centered approach, and remain committed to peaceful development.
Xi stressed the importance of fully, faithfully and resolutely implementing the policy of One Country, Two Systems, under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and the people of Macao administer Macao, both with a high degree of autonomy.
He also called for efforts to ensure and advance long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao.
"Taiwan is an integral part of China's territory," said Xi, urging efforts to deepen economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait and resolutely oppose separatist activities aimed at "Taiwan independence."
Noting that people of all countries live on the same Earth and share a common destiny, Xi called for efforts to promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
After 75 years of strenuous efforts, the Chinese modernization has unfolded promising prospects, said Xi, while also cautioning against potential risks and challenges on the road ahead.
"We must remain mindful of potential dangers and be well-prepared," said Xi, urging efforts to resolutely overcome uncertainties and unexpected risks and challenges.
Some 16 varieties of highland barley and rapeseed totaling 520 grams have been sent into space for breeding experiments with the successful launch of China's first reusable satellite the Shijian-19, Xizang media reported on Saturday, noting that the move marks new progress in the construction of a key laboratory for plateau space breeding.
The Shijian-19 was placed into its preset orbit via a Long March-2D carrier rocket that lifted off at 6:30 pm on Friday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwestern China, according to the China National Space Administration.
Space breeding utilizes extreme space environments such as microgravity and strong radiation to induce genetic mutations in the seeds. The seeds will be returned to Earth after a period of time, for the selection and breeding of new plant varieties. This process usually induces better-performing seeds.
The world's first key laboratory for plateau space breeding was established in Cona, Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region in May 2024 under the coordination of research teams in East China's Anhui Province and Northwest China's Shaanxi Province with the local Cona government. The lab is committed to contributing to the development of new agricultural productivity in Xizang and enhancing border security and prosperity, the Xizang Daily reported on Saturday.
This project is dedicated to space breeding work for local agricultural varieties in the plateau region, promoting the breeding research of local barley, Tibetan medicine, chili peppers, rapeseed, and other varieties. It also focuses on researching germplasm resources suitable for high-altitude, cold, and arid areas, including forage, ecological grass, Tibetan medicine, and fruits and vegetables.
Currently, the first phase of the plateau space forage selection and experimental base has been completed, with 30 acres planted with six varieties of space forage. As of early July this year, it has entered the stage of field management for experimental data monitoring. Subsequent research projects will be gradually established starting from 2025.
China's industrial profits maintain growth from January to August, marking 0.5 percent increase year-on-year, driven by high-tech manufacturing, despite the challenges including extreme weather and a high-base effect.
The high-tech manufacturing sector, which includes lithium-ion batteries, semiconductors, and related equipment, led this growth with a 10.9 percent year-on-year increase during the same period, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Friday.
China's industrial profits continue to maintain the growth trend observed since the beginning of the year, with new momentum industries represented by high-tech manufacturing experiencing rapid growth, said NBS statistician Yu Weining.
The industrial profit growth rate has dropped during the period, due to insufficient effective market demand and the severe impacts of natural disasters, including heat waves and floods in certain regions, coupled with a notably higher comparison base in August, Yu said.
Excluding factors such as high bases and extreme weathers, the slowing in industrial profit growth suggested the necessity to actively boost domestic demand, Tian Yun, an economist based in Beijing, told the Global Times.
As China is rolling out a series of policy support to boost its economy, more favorable fiscal policies are anticipated to be introduced in the fourth quarter, Tian said.
The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting on Thursday to analyze and study the current economic situation and make further arrangements for economic work.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.
Fifty years ago, not only the archaeological community but also ordinary people were stunned by the excavation of the Mawangdui Han Tombs. Among the findings is a remarkable discovery known as China's "Sleeping Beauty" (Lady Xin Zhui), an over 2,100-year-old lady who looks nearly as good as she did when she was buried after her death at the age of about 50, during China's Western Han Dynasty (206BC-AD25). The world has marveled at the mystery behind her body, as well as the numerous precious treasures unearthed from the tombs.
In this Mawangdui trilogy, the Global Times Culture Desk reaches out to experts who have been involved in the excavation field work, revisiting those moments when new discoveries were made or more cultural relics were unearthed. This is the second installment. With all three tombs discovered at the Mawangdui Han Tombs, questions about their occupants have become the elephant in the room: Who were they? Which tomb was the earliest, and which was the latest?
When the archaeology team needed to address the chronological questions, Fu Juyou, one of the leaders of the Mawangdui site excavation, decided to consider stratigraphy as a key factor.
Shan Xianjin, one of the excavators of the Mawangdui Han tombs, was leading the team to implement the idea. He told the Global Times that the team applied stratigraphy into their practice to determine the chronological order of the three tombs.
"By digging with a bulldozer in the middle of the two mounds, a profile was created to study the stratigraphy. We could see different layers of the soil, and decided the order is No.2, No.3 and No.1," recalled Shan, now 88 years old.
However, the mystery surrounding the owner of Tomb No.2 remained unresolved.
"Wrapping up his work at the bottom of the coffin, He Jiejun went ahead to reach to the bottom of the wooden board," Shan said.
"With his swollen fingers, He got something hard. What could it be? He lifted it out, cleaned it a bit with water melt from the snow. It turned out to be a seal!
"The seal read 'Daihou Li Cang' [the marquis Li Cang]. Everyone was so thrilled at that moment! Now we knew the identity of the tomb's owner," Shan noted. Details of the discovery
From many discoverers' point of view, the excavation stories of Mawangdui started from the story of "ghost fire." Shan told the Global Times that in December 1971, an air-raid shelter was under construction to be used by a nearby military hospital.
To speed up the process, the construction team utilized iron brazing to drill down, which released an unpleasant odor.
"Two soldiers took a break and smoked, and the marsh gas from the drilling caught on fire, emitting blue flames," Shan recalled.
The flames were believed to be "ghost fire," as the conventional saying goes, leading the team to halt the excavation.
News of the incident was relayed to Hou Liang, then head of the Hunan Museum. Hou immediately identified that the soldiers had likely uncovered an ancient tomb, locally known as a "fire pit tomb," renowned for its well-preserved artifacts.
After the female corpse was unearthed, medical workers performed an autopsy in December 1972 to thoroughly examine the integrity of the body and study ancient Chinese embalming techniques.
Medical experts from across Hunan Province were invited to perform the autopsy, with young surgeon Peng Longxiang leading the procedure.
"It can be said that all clinical departments participated, including radiology, dermatology, stomatology, obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, surgery, and otolaryngology. Everyone was joking, but we didn't invite pediatricians because she was an adult, so [almost] all clinical departments participated," Peng said.
Impacts on art, life
Hailed as one of the most important archaeological finds in China during the 20th century, the Mangwangdui site has garnered significant attention both within the country and around the world.
Professor Eugene Wang Yuejin, founding director of the Harvard FAS CAMLab, an art team, told the Global Times in an interview that the discoveries at Mawangdui have had a profound influence on the global understanding of ancient Chinese culture and its contribution to mankind's heritage.
Lü Chenchen, associate director of Harvard FAS CAMLab, told the Global Times that the medical texts discovered at Mawangdui are some of the earliest known manuscripts on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), providing insights into ancient practices of health, well-being, and holistic healing.
The texts, which cover treatments and medical theories, have left an everlasting impact on TCM and continue to influence people's life in modern times.
Through a series of provocative actions in the South China Sea in recent years, Japan, a country that does not have any claim in the region, has gradually revealed its ambitions to play a more influential role in the busy waterway.
In its latest move, Japan and the Philippines held their first joint military exercises in the South China Sea on August 2 in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, according to Reuters. The exercises came less than a month after the two countries signed a landmark military pact allowing the deployment of forces on each other's soil.
What is Japan's real plan in the South China Sea? How has it gradually been forming a strategy for the South China Sea? How could its involvement affect the regional situation?
Eager actions
The Japan-Philippines drill took place within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, Reuters said citing the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It closely followed similar exercises between Manila and Washington on July 31.
On July 8, Japan and the Philippines signed a key defense pact, the Reciprocal Access Agreement, allowing the deployment of Japanese forces for joint military exercises, including live-fire drills, to the Philippines. It also similarly allows Philippine forces to enter Japan for joint combat training, media reported.
The defense pact with the Philippines is the first to be forged by Japan in Asia. Japan signed similar accords with Australia in 2022 and with the UK in 2023, according to the reports.
Some Western media interpreted the collaborations between Japan and the Philippines as moves to push back against China's so-called regional assertiveness.
In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian reiterated at a press conference on July 8 that the exchange and cooperation between countries should not undermine the mutual understanding and trust between other countries in the region. It should not threaten regional peace and stability, target any third party, or harm the interests of any third party.
The signing of the agreement will help Japan further sell patrol ships, radars, and other military equipment to the Philippines, seizing the Philippine arms market, seeking greater economic benefits, and expanding military and political influence, Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times.
The US has always used the South China Sea issue as a means to contain China, and Japan has also continuously supported and incited the Philippines to cause trouble and provocations in the region. To put it more directly, the US wants Japan to be its strategic pawn, and Japan wants the Philippines to be its cannon fodder, Zhang said.
To Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, "assistant" is a more appropriate word to describe Japan's role in the deployment of the US' Indo-Pacific strategy.
Japan has apparently accelerated its pace of using military means to influence security affairs in the South China Sea in order to achieve a long-term presence in the region. The signing of the agreement with the Philippines and the immediate deployment of the exercises under the agreement are obvious examples, Chen noted.
At the same time, Japan has also enhanced support for military and paramilitary forces in regional countries. In May, Japan agreed to provide the Philippines with a 64.3-billion yen ($6.8 million) low-interest loan for the acquisition of five additional Japanese patrol vessels, in a bid to help it cope with "China's aggressive activities" in the South China Sea, the Kyodo News reported.
These moves are, in fact, extensions of the US' plan to achieve global maritime domain awareness, according to Chen.
The US has always attached great importance to enhancing its maritime situational awareness capabilities as a key component of its national security and maritime security strategy since the September 11 attack in 2001. Against the backdrop of the Indo-Pacific strategy, it is actively promoting the construction of a US-led maritime situational awareness network in the Indo-Pacific region with the participation of regional allies and partners, aiming to strengthen the maritime containment of China, analysts noted.
Aside from military-related moves, Japan has also been actively attending small US-led multilateral mechanisms in the Indo-Pacific region such as the US-Japan-Philippine and the US-Japan-South Korea mechanisms. It also tried to participate in the formulation of regional rules such as the definition of navigation freedom.
Japan's active moves and cooperation with the US show that it is seemingly quite willing to act as the US' assistant, Chen said. The assistant's plots
The "assistant" is as willing as it has its own ambitions.
Japan's first priority is to use the South China Sea issue as a means to divert China's attention and spread out China's military presence in the East China Sea, where there are ongoing disputes between the two countries, Chen stressed.
In addition, Japan has a long-term goal of establishing itself as a political and military powerhouse. By leveraging the South China Sea disputes, Japan aims to extend its influence into Southeast Asia. Furthermore, Japan seeks to enhance its role in regional security by deepening cooperation with countries in Southeast Asia, he said.
Lastly, the South China Sea is a critical passage for Japan's energy and goods imports and exports. Therefore, Japan is certainly keen to strengthen its control over this vital lifeline, according to Chen.
According to the VOA, 90 percent of Japan's energy and trade flow passes through the South China Sea. Japan relies heavily on importing crude oil from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, while one-fourth of the nation's total trade in 2019 was from the European Union and members of ASEAN that also rely on the sea route.
Taking these ambitions into account, analysts noted that while Japan's strategic alignment with the US still exists, at the same time, there is also a trend of rising strategic autonomy in Japan's Indo-Pacific strategy.
"Through collaborations with India, the Philippines, and Taiwan island, Japan is actively playing a role in forming an island chain. This chain starts from the Japanese archipelago, goes all the way to Taiwan island, with South Korea in the north and the Philippines in the south, then continues through Malaysia to India in the Indian Ocean, connecting the entire southern border of China. The South China Sea is a crucial link for Japan in weaving this chain, constructing a semi-circular containment barrier targeting China," Chen said, stressing that "Japan has really huge ambitions in Indo-Pacific area."
Yang Bojiang, director of the Japan Research Institute at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, outlined the phased changes in Japan's South China Sea policy in a speech in November 2020.
According to Yang, Japan lost all overseas colonies after World War II and lacked a role in the South China Sea issue until the end of the Cold War. In the 10 years since then to the end of the 20th century, Japan entered "renewed attention" to the region. During this period, due to the existence of various political and legal restrictions, Japan mainly focused on observing and assessing the South China Sea issue, with few actual actions. In the 21st century, as Japan relaxed its self-imposed restrictions on military and security activities overseas, its South China Sea policy entered the "action" phase.
In 2016, then-Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe proposed Japan's version of the Indo-Pacific strategy as he was actively seeking a revival of Japan's international influence.
Abe's Indo-Pacific strategy was inherited and enhanced by the current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. During the Abe era, the concept emphasized that a maritime order was based on the rule of law, freedom, and openness as the foundations for stability and prosperity in the international community. The current concept of the Fumio administration is broader, with a wide range of topics and partners, and a strong emphasis on pan-security, making it a comprehensive international strategy that combines alliance, containment of China, security, and other global aspects, read an article published in March by the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.
Japan started to make adjustment and try to achieve its own Indo-Pacific goals into the US' Indo-Pacific strategy since 2017 when former US president Donald Trump took office and established the Indo-Pacific strategy against China, in contrast with his predecessor president Obama's approach to seek economic, diplomatic, and security balance in the Asia-Pacific, according to experts.
The Japanese Indo-Pacific strategy has received some positive feedback and has increased Japan's visibility in international politics. However, its negative effects are also beginning to show.
Disturbed sea
Japan's intervention into the South China Sea has made Manila feel supported, becoming more reckless in South China Sea disputes, Chen pointed out.
The Philippines announced on Wednesday that it had launched two days of joint sea and air exercises with the US, Canada and Australia in its exclusive economic zone, Bloomberg reported.
In addition, since August 3, patrol boats and several Philippine fishing vessels have gathered near the illegally detained Philippine Coast Guard ship 9701 at the Xianbin Jiao (also known as Xianbin Reef). China Coast Guard (CCG) has been monitoring and effectively controlling the situation in accordance with the law, resolutely defending China's territorial sovereignty, the CCG announced.
Japan's intervention in the region would also expand the disputes between China and Japan in the East China Sea and the Taiwan Straits to the South China Sea, Chen warned.
Military competition in the region will be intensified. The risk of conflict between China and Japan in the South China Sea is also increasing, Chen noted.
The regional multilateral security mechanism led by ASEAN risks of being smashed and replaced by a fragmented security structure based on a US-led alliance system, according to Chen.
Regional countries should understand that they have more mutual interests with China than the US. And it is more beneficial to themselves to cooperate with China based on these mutual interests, rather than be used as a pawn in the US and its allies' geopolitical game, experts noted.
China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with Roberto Vavassori, president of the Italian Association of the automotive industry, in Italy on Saturday to discuss the European Commission (EC)’s tariff against Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) and cooperation between China and Italy in the EV sector, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Sunday.
The meeting came ahead of Wang’s closely watched visit to Europe. The MOFCOM announced on Thursday that Wang will meet with EC Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on September 19 to hold talks on the EC’s so-called anti-subsidy investigation and subsequent tariffs targeting the Chinese EV industry.
Experts noted that Wang’s trip will focus heavily on addressing the issue through dialogue and urged the EC to show sincerity in the talks.
The priority of China and the EU is to establish effective communication channels, finding common ground in the EV sector, and both sides need to respect each other’s positions, Sun Yanhong, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday.
Wang’s visit aims to address the dispute over EC’s recent actions against China’s EV industry. As the EU steps up crackdown on Chinese EVs, there is an urgent need for dialogue to reach a new model of cooperation in China-EU trade, particularly given the evolving regulatory landscape, Sun said
The EU has shown a lack of sincerity in negotiations and has proceeded unilaterally with the introduction of punitive measures. Although the EU claims to be open to negotiations, it has shown no sincerity in addressing the issue through talks, Sun added.
The upcoming talks between Wang and Dombrovskis represent the highest-level dialogue between China and the EU over the EV issue. The meeting could provide a path to avoiding an escalation of trade tension, which could lead to a resolution both sides can accept, said Sun.
The EC is reportedly considering final tariffs of up to 35.3 percent on Chinese EVs, in addition to the standard 10 percent car import duty. These tariffs would need approval from a majority of the EU's 27 member states and could come into effect by the end of October, according to Reuters.
Reuters reported on Thursday that Chinese EV makers had proposed setting minimum import prices to avoid the tariffs, but the EC rejected the offer. This move has drawn criticism from Chinese officials and industries.
The MOFCOM on Friday responded to the decision, saying that the move shows the EC's lack of sincerity in addressing the dispute through dialogue and stressing China's firm determination to safeguard firms' rights and interests.
"If the consultations fail to reach consensus in the end, the responsibility lies entirely with the European side," the spokesperson said. "China has the greatest sincerity to properly resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, as well as the greatest determination to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises."
A total of eight Chinese films, including four animated films, will be screened at the upcoming Moscow International Film Week, which is scheduled to run from August 23 to 28 in Moscow. The eight films include Born to Fly, Your Wedding, Going Forward, Mozart from Space, Super Wings: Jet to the Rescue, Chang'an, and New Happy Dad and Son 3: Adventure in Russia.
The screening of these Chinese films will not only bring a new visual and auditory feast to Russian audiences but also help enhance the international status and influence of Chinese cinema, further promoting cultural exchanges between the two peoples of China and Russia.
"The Moscow International Film Week will be held at 100 venues, with about 200 events taking place daily. This event will introduce Russian audiences to the latest Chinese films and will aid in the creation of joint projects between Russia and China. A large-scale commercial project is also planned, with the Chinese delegation being one of the largest," said Alexei Fursin, Moscow city government minister and minister of the Moscow Department of Culture.
Screenings will take place at traditional cinemas as well as at unique venues such as open-air pools, hotel rooftops, parks, and floating cinemas, offering audiences a diverse viewing experience.
The year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia. As a result, 2024-25 have been designated as Years of Culture between Russia and China.
The two countries have planned more than 230 events to be held within the framework of this initiative in 51 Chinese cities and 38 cities in Russia.
The two countries will have more opportunities for exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture and film production, especially in animation production.
As part of the film week, Chinese filmmakers will visit facilities at the Moscow Film Industry Cluster.
According to the film week organizers, the cluster consists of several key facilities such as the Moskino Digital Platform, Moskino Film Commission, Moskino Production and Experience Park, METMACH Film Creative Center, Gorky Film Studio and Moskino Cinemas.
Additionally, at the special discussion session called Country-Study, which will focus on co-production opportunities, Chinese filmmakers will share their opinions on the Chinese movie market, communication with local partners and content creation.
The event has attracted delegations from more than 40 countries, including China, India, Turkey, Iran, Egypt and Thailand.
There are over 1.3 billion people living with disabilities worldwide, representing about 16 percent of the global population, according to the UN. Despite their numbers, this group is often overlooked and marginalized in society. Discrimination and stigmatization persist, and in daily life, the challenges faced by people with disabilities are frequently ignored. This is where the Paralympic Games step in - to provide a critical platform for visibility and advocacy. As the flame of the 2024 Paris Paralympics was lit on August 28, the world entered the 10-day of the "Paralympic spotlight." This Paralympics is not a secondary version of the Olympics but an equal celebration of athletic excellence and human resilience.
Yet, despite its significance, the Paralympics struggle for media attention and audience engagement. Many media organizations, focused on profitability, often choose to replay Olympic broadcasts rather than cover Paralympic events live. This oversight contributes to a lack of public awareness and understanding of the athletes' journeys and achievements.
The importance of the Paralympics extends beyond the sports field. For the over 1.3 billion people with disabilities globally, the Paralympics is a vital reminder of the need for recognition and inclusion. The Paralympics have indeed demonstrated this transformative power.
Take the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. The event led China to join the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2008 and implement laws to protect the rights of people with disabilities. These actions reflect how the Paralympics can spark substantial social changes, particularly in host countries.
However, the impact of the Paralympics should not be confined to the event itself. A broader social shift is needed to address the challenges faced by people with disabilities daily. This means recognizing people with disabilities not as objects of pity or awe, but as individuals with the same right to participate fully in society.
The Paralympics embody the Olympic spirit of pushing boundaries and celebrating diversity. Through their influence, they challenge us to expand our understanding of beauty, ability, and inclusion. Yet, the Paralympics alone cannot achieve the social change badly needed.
It is up to us to see beyond disabilities and recognize the full humanity of people with disabilities. When the society reaches this point of understanding and inclusivity, the Paralympics will have fulfilled their greatest mission: Creating a world where everyone is valued and respected. May the flame of the Paralympics not only light up the stadiums but also ignite global awareness, empathy, and action toward making the world a more inclusive place for everyone.
Including rare discoveries like carbonized grains and ancient coins, more than 170 artifacts dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) have been unearthed at the Jiankou section of the Great Wall in Beijing. Such gems were discovered thanks to an on-site archaeological project that is set to conclude at the end of August.
The implementation of archaeology at this time was meant to assist in the fifth phase of the Jiankou Great Wall's restoration. By adopting the "excavating while restoring" approach for the first time, it is one of the examples that highlights China's growing creativity in protecting the Great Wall in modern times.
Pivotal works
In April, archaeological works started at the Jiankou section of the Great Wall two months before the on-site restoration work began. Such an arrangement was "sensible" since it "gives immediate rescue to the yet-to-be-discovered Great Wall relics," archaeologist Wang Meng told the Global Times.
Three types of relics were "rescued" in the months after the project kicked off. There were architectural components such as a beast-shaped decoration, military remains like the Frankish machines, a type of small cannons, and ancient everyday items like coins.
Despite their small size, the unearthed carbonized plant seeds were important discoveries showing human interactions with the Great Wall.
Shang Heng, head of the archaeological project, told the Global Times that some of these remnants have already been identified as grains. According to the condition in which the relics were discovered, Shang said that they show ancient garrisoned soldiers' "eating habits and their outdoor barbecue-like cooking style."
"Such archaeological discoveries have added more interesting narratives to Great Wall culture. These narratives bring the ancient heritage to life and closer to us," remarked Shang, who is also a researcher at the Beijing Institute of Archaeology.
What made the Jiankou archaeological project special was its interdisciplinary nature, in which the archaeological process was integrated with studies of plants, animals, the environment, and digital technology into the archaeological process.
The incorporation of digital technology was a highlight. More than 8,000 photos, along with techniques such as unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) measuring, and 3D modeling were carried out on-site to establish a comprehensive digital record of the Jiankou section of the Great Wall.
Shang Jinyu, an expert responsible for the digital project, told the Global Times that digital works are pivotal to the entire restoration project, since the flexibility of machines like the UAV can help human beings detect "some neglected and extremely fragile parts that need to be repaired."
Similar to the digital strategy used at the Jiankou section of the Great Wall, Li Dan, a representative from the Administration Office of the Badaling Great Wall, told the Global Times that a total of 18 patrol routes for UAVs have been allocated along the Badaling section of the Great Wall to help with safety management while also boosting local tourism.
"Making a cultural heritage site come alive is a difficult task that demands not only the modern inputs like digital technologies, but also the societal power and the love of ordinary people," Xu Shuming, a cultural sociologist, told the Global Times.
Global attention
Themed "Love My China, Repair My Great Wall," a campaign encouraging societal-level sponsorships to protect the Great Wall was launched in Beijing 40 years ago.
The initiative was jointly launched by the media in Beijing at the time and was ground-breaking since it attracted individuals, enterprises, and social groups from different fields like art, entertainment, and sport to contribute to repairing the Great Wall.
The initiative was successful in preserving the Badaling section of the Great Wall, Li Dan told the Global Times. According to Li, between 1984 and 1994, it received donations from 100,000 organizations and groups, including international contributors.
Xu, an expert, told the Global Times that other than engaging the Chinese community, the campaign has left another legacy that has encouraged the world to join in the conservation of the Great Wall. During the "Love My China, Repair My Great Wall" campaign, for example, organizations from Pakistan, Greece, the US, and 24 other countries and regions also made active contributions, collectively raising tens of millions of yuan.
"It is thanks to such a well-established historic tradition of engaging the international community in the protection of the Great Wall that this cultural heritage can be enjoyed by the rest of the world, especially the younger generations," Xu remarked.
A brief scroll through international social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and TikTok, reveals a myriad of content shared by netizens related to the Great Wall, indicating that the world heritage site is perceived as a "marvelous spectacle" globally.
The Badaling section of the Great Wall has received nearly 200 million domestic and international visitors, including over 500 heads of state, government leaders, and numerous globally recognized figures, according to the data from the Badaling Great Wall Management Office. These influential figures shared their admiration for the cultural heritage site in their journeys.
To further promote the international influence of the cultural brand of China, various international exchange activities have been held on the Great Wall in recent years. The 2021 Belt and Road Great Wall International Folk Culture and Arts Festival kicked off in Qinhuangdao, North China's Hebei Province, presenting a grand cultural feast to audiences both at home and abroad. Moreover, the torch for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics was ceremonially transferred at the Badaling section of the Great Wall in Beijing's Yanqing district, capturing the attention of the world.
