Audi: Trajectory of Success and Changing the Narrative

From a plethora of achievements and milestones—despite daunting challenges and shortcomings—the foresight, vision, and focused leadership of the present administration have transformed and repositioned the Service like never before in its history. In spite of limited funding and other grey areas yet to be addressed, the leadership has successfully turned around the narrative through deliberate rebranding efforts since assuming office.

Staff welfare remains paramount to the Commandant-General, who has consistently prioritized boosting esprit de corps and high personnel morale through the prompt payment of salaries, allowances, and other official entitlements as and when due. The leadership has also entrenched core values of integrity, intelligence-based security response systems, and professionalism across all operations. These measures have significantly reduced the activities of criminals, vandals, kidnappers, herdsmen, and illegal miners across the country.

In a press release signed by Mahmud Bello, Director of Media and Stakeholders Engagement of the Citizen Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI) in Kaduna State, the organization stated that the paramilitary agency has demonstrated genuine commitment to the interest of Nigerians through its open-door policy and robust engagement with its various publics. This approach has greatly reduced threats and disaster incidences nationwide through professional intelligence gathering, investigation, information sharing, manpower development, and strong collaboration with sister agencies—leading to remarkable improvement in disaster management as first responders.

Accordingly, transparency, accountability, and good governance have remained at the forefront of the present administration’s transformational philosophy. This has resulted in far-reaching reforms, including the regulation of private security companies, the introduction of Mining Marshals to secure strategic mining sites nationwide, containment of vandalism of critical national assets, reduction of oil theft in the Niger Delta region, and the assumption of VIP protocol protection responsibilities. These achievements surpass those of previous administrations and mark a significant milestone in the Service’s evolution.

CWAI authoritatively confirmed that the present management has introduced comprehensive institutional reforms that have repositioned the Service for greater productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness in delivering its mandate of safeguarding lives, property, and critical national assets—thereby reducing criminal activities and enhancing national security.

The Commandant-General, Professor Abubakar Ahmad Audi, reiterated that the reforms introduced align with his vision to upgrade the operational machinery of the Corps. He noted that the reorganization and revitalization of the training department are aimed at sharpening the skills and competencies of personnel to effectively address contemporary security challenges posed by hoodlums, bandits, kidnappers, and insurgents.

The establishment of the Mining Marshals and the Special Female Squad (SFS) are novel initiatives and the first of their kind in the history of the Corps. In response to the Federal Government’s Safe Schools Initiative, the NSCDC conducted audits and surveys of schools nationwide and developed a framework for proactive security measures to address the persistent attacks on educational institutions. These squads, like the Mining Marshals, are strengthening partnerships with local communities and stakeholders while prioritizing surveillance and monitoring to curb violent attacks and criminal activities.

The statement further emphasized that the Directorate of Legal Services has been reinvigorated and strengthened with enhanced prosecutorial competence, improving law enforcement and accountability. Similarly, the Anti-Vandal Unit has undergone major reforms and has been strategically deployed across the South-South geopolitical zone to curb pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, and destruction of critical national assets. Over 2,500 suspects have been arrested since the beginning of the year for offences ranging from vandalism and attacks on national infrastructure to cattle rustling, banditry, attacks on farmers and farmlands, and illegal mining.
The Commandant-General attributed these successes to effective inter-agency collaboration, synergy, and partnerships, calling for comprehensive manpower development within the national security architecture.
Sports have also received significant attention under the present leadership, with officers and men of the NSCDC winning numerous laurels and trophies in various sporting engagements. All personnel, regardless of rank, have been provided with insurance cover against accidents, disability, or death in the course of duty. The Commandant-General views sports as a unifying platform that promotes wellness, camaraderie, information sharing, and mutual trust among paramilitary agencies.

CWAI further noted that the crackdown on illegal mining activities has saved the economy substantial revenue losses, while the destruction of over 450 illegal refineries has reduced oil theft. Additionally, the arrest of suspects and recovery of critical assets and railway materials valued at over ₦5 billion represent major milestones of the Service.
The organization therefore endorsed the change mantra of the Audi-led management and expressed confidence in the present leadership, noting that Nigerians are proud of its achievements despite prevailing challenges.
CWAI urged personnel to remain good ambassadors of the Corps—incorruptible and aligned with international best security practices wherever they serve. Nigerians were also encouraged to support the management in strengthening efforts against vandals and criminals nationwide.

The organization appealed to corporate bodies and public-spirited individuals to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly efforts to modernize the NSCDC through funding, partnerships, manpower development, capacity building, and the acquisition of modern security equipment.

Finally, CWAI emphasised the need for increased national budgetary allocation to the NSCDC in view of its critical role in the nation’s security architecture, including its added responsibility of VIP protocol protection. It also called for the entrenchment of a standard training curriculum to enhance career progression, effective supervision, and transparent regulation of Private Guard Companies across the country.

Jin Yipeng: guardian of endangered species

By Ding Yasong, People’s Daily

For Jin Yipeng, vice dean and professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine of China Agricultural University, clinical practice rarely unfolds in a conventional operating room. His patients — some of the world’s most endangered species — are often found deep in mountain forests or high on alpine plateau.
Specializing in wildlife medicine, Jin has devoted his career to the rescue and treatment of endangered animals, from giant pandas to snow leopards. Over the years, each successful rescue has left behind not only medical records but also vivid moments captured on his phone.
Scrolling through the photos, the 47-year-old recalled each encounter. “This is Tangtang, a giant panda — when released back into the wild, a butterfly landed on its back,” he shard. “And this is Meng’er; the discoloration around its eyes was later resolved.”
Jin smiled as he spoke of Yimao, a male panda: “Now when Yimao sees me, it sometimes rolls over and sits close beside me. That kind of mutual trust — it feels really rewarding.” Among the animals he has treated, giant pandas account for the largest share.
“Our team began rescuing giant pandas in 2008 at the Foping National Nature Reserve in Shaanxi,” Jin recalled.
“As a male, Yimao often gets injured in fights,” Jin explained. Once, Yimao was bitten by another panda — its teeth were loosened and displaced, its face covered in blood, and immediate treatment was needed.
Startled, Yimao fled ahead, with Jin and his team chasing after it at full speed. The panda eventually stopped by a stream, exhausted. To avoid alarming it further, Jin laid down in the icy water.
“It was winter, and I was wearing a down jacket,” Jin recalled. “I half swam, half crawled through the stream for over 20 minutes, inching closer until I was within about four meters. I then shot it with a blow dart to administer anesthesia and carried out the subsequent treatment.”
Over more than a decade, Jin has conducted over 10 medical examinations and treatments of varying complexity on Yimao. Now 21 years old — considered elderly for a giant panda — Yimao has seen its foraging ability decline significantly.
In May 2025, Jin’s team launched a field-based rehabilitation and health maintenance program for wild giant pandas. “We assigned a full-time veterinarian to locate Yimao daily, supplement its nutrition through dietary therapy, and administer targeted medication,” Jin said. “The animal’s recovery has been very encouraging.”
“Recent follow-up examinations show that all indicators are close to normal,” he added. “We hope this approach will help extend its lifespan.”
Why did Jin choose to dedicate himself to wildlife rescue? He has a clear answer.
In 2007, Jin went to the United States as a visiting scholar to study wildlife medicine, marking the beginning of his professional journey in this field.
“After returning to China, I interned at a wildlife breeding institution,” he said. “During one giant panda rescue operation, I realized the limits of our treatment capabilities — we still need to consult foreign experts and follow overseas medical standards.”
“That moment solidified my resolve to change the situation,” Jin recalled.
Over more than decade-long career, Jin has treated more than 1,000 wild animals, ranging from giant pandas and snow leopards to Asian black bears and Chinese mountain cats.
In early 2019, his team received an emergency case at the the Qinghai Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Center in northwest China’s Qinghai province: a severely injured elderly male snow leopard, near shock from life-threatening wounds. Jin and his team immediately rushed to Xining, Qinghai’s provincial capital. “During the examination, we found that its left eye had a corneal perforation caused by trauma, and the right eye had a severe cataract that required surgical treatment,” Jin added.
Performing phacoemulsification cataract surgery on a wild snow leopard was unprecedented. “While this technique is routine for domestic cats and dogs, the real challenge was designing a suitable intraocular lens,” Jin said. “We contacted every manufacturer but found no existing snow leopard lens molds.”
Undeterred, Jin adapted equine three intraocular lenses — ordering three from overseas and modifying them based on years of research. The successful surgery restored the snow leopard’s vision.
“Just two years ago, we performed another cataract surgery on a snow leopard,” Jin stated proudly. “This time, we used China’s first domestically developed snow leopard-specific intraocular lens — a technologically superior and more cost-effective breakthrough.”
Through years of hands-on rescue work, Jin has witnessed the rapid development of wildlife medicine in China.
“In the early days, we could only perform basic examinations using stethoscopes and test strips,” he said. “Today, we have wildlife medical vehicles, portable ultrasound devices, and X-ray machines with fully independent intellectual property rights, enabling on-site examinations and treatment directly in the field.”
In recent years, Jin has devoted considerable effort to preventive conservation. At the Foping National Nature Reserve in Shaanxi, he has gone door to door vaccinating villagers’ dogs.
“Unvaccinated domestic can transmit fatal diseases to pandas and other wildlife,” Jin explained. “Small preventive measures yield significant protection,” Jin observed. He remains committed to raising public awareness, fostering a shared societal responsibility for wildlife conservation.

Life can be this fun at 100

By Zhong Wenyu

My name is Zhong Wenyu. I am 100 years old ~and~ live in Shanghai. On winter afternoons, I sit by the window, basking in the sun. A cup of hot milk tea rests on the coffee table, and my fingers glide across the screen of my tablet — I’m nearly finished with this level of the match-three game.
My youngest daughter likes to tease me, calling me a “playful old child.” But I feel there is still a little girl inside me, curious about the world.
I love food and enjoy trying new things.
When it comes to eating, I like to keep up with young people. Knowing my fondness for good food, my children often bring home novel treats — burgers, fried chicken, all kinds of desserts. I taste whatever they hand me. If it’s good, my eyes light up: “This is nice, let’s get more next time.” If it doesn’t suit my palate, I simply say nothing more.
I especially love crabs. Dipped in ginger and vinegar sauce, they are incredibly fresh. Although I have almost no teeth left and my gums are shallow — doctors advise against dentures for me — none of this stops me from enjoying good food.
Recently, my granddaughter set up a social media account for me called Baisui Zhongjie, which means centenarian sister Zhong, and filmed a short video: I sit at the dining table, fully focused on eating a marinated crab, slowly turning the shell in my hands and picking it clean, savoring every bit of meat. After the video was posted online, it received many warm messages from young people I had never met.
My daughter often says that I don’t watch what I eat and don’t quite live up to their ideas of healthy eating. But the truth is, at my age, being able to indulge a little within reason and savor such simple pleasures feels like a gift — a small blessing from life itself.
As one grows older and less mobile, it becomes all the more important to find small joys — life cannot be too dull.
I love reading. In the past, my favorites were Chinese novelist Jin Yong’s martial arts novels, which I would read page by page with a magnifying glass, utterly absorbed. As heavy books became difficult to hold, my daughter replaced them with a tablet.
At first, I watched TV dramas on it. My daughter joked that drama producers couldn’t keep up with my speed of viewing them. Later, my granddaughter taught me how to play games — solitaire, match-three games. Sliding my fingers across the screen and watching colorful blocks disappear is quite entertaining.
During pleasant spring and autumn days, my children wheel me outdoors. I prefer supermarkets and wet markets over parks. When I spot snacks or household items I’ve never seen before, I point them out and my children put them into the shopping cart. This joy of “discovery” makes me feel closely connected to the world.
With an open mind, everything looks agreeable.
Though I enjoy new foods, my daily rhythm is unwavering: I rise at 8 a.m., sleep before midnight, eat three meals punctually, and rest eight full hours. This routine has endured for decades.
When asked about longevity, I reflect that it comes down to “not holding on too tightly” — to opinions, grievances, or rigid ways. Among neighbors, I’ve never sow discord; in decades, we’ve never quarreled. With my children, I highlight their mutual virtues, encouraging the family to view each other’s struggles and strengths with kindness.
I follow the news closely. Last year’s September 3rd military parade — I watched every moment. Seeing my country getting strong, the soldiers marching in perfect formation, the formidable new equipment brought profound reassurance. When the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women was held in Beijing, I followed the live broadcast intently. Over these 100 years, Chinese women’s status has undergone seismic transformation..
My daughter once asked, “Mom, do you really understand all this?”
Of course I do. I’ve lived through much.
Born in Chongqing in 1925 during the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, I carried wounded soldiers on stretchers with classmates. Later I met my husband, moving from Hangzhou to Shanghai where we settled. Only those who’ve heard the thunder of war truly cherish peace..
That’s why I seek the bright side. Late-night neighbor noises? Perhaps a child needs care. Community renovation racket? It’s for better living. Whether neighborhood matters or national affairs, I tell my children: “Life is hard for all — we should be more understanding.”Life remains this vibrant at 100. Each dawn brings anticipation — what new wonders will today hold? That warm afternoon milk tea awaits. Such a rich, flavorful life is never quite enough.

Harbin’s winter wonderland illuminates China’s thriving ice-snow tourism

By Wang Donghui, Zheng Zhiwen, Li Kaixuan, Shang Rongzheng, People’s Daily

As night falls, the Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang province transforms into a luminous spectacle, resonating with laughter and cheers from enthusiastic crowds. This vibrant scene transcends mere winter festivities — it embodies the dynamic growth of China’s surging ice-and-snow tourism. On Jan. 1, 2026 alone, Harbin received more than 1.4 million visitors, up 11.4 percent year on year.
The “Harbin phenomenon” reflects the robust expansion of China’s ice-and-snow economy. Between 2016 and 2024, the size of China’s ice-and-snow industry surged from 364.7 billion yuan ($52.37 billion) to 980 billion yuan, with an average annual growth rate of 21.09 percent. The number is expected to surpass the one-trillion-yuan mark in 2025. For three consecutive winter seasons, over 300 million trips have been made to ice and snow-related destinations in China.
Upgraded products, stronger supply
Advances in materials science and industrial innovation are driving recognition of domestically produced winter sports equipment among Chinese consumers.
At the Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin city, northeast China’s Jilin province, a young visitor, Tang Wenhao, examined a newly introduced snowboard made of carbon fiber. “It’s domestically made, lightweight, and easy to use,” he said after receiving the board from staff of Xifei, a homegrown brand.
“Xifei” is a registered trademark of Jilin Chemical Fiber Group, one of China’s major carbon fiber producers. In recent years, the company has set its sights on the winter sports equipment market, leveraging its integrated industrial chain to develop carbon-fiber skis and snowboards.
“We began developing carbon-fiber snowboards in 2023,” said Zhou Zhiyou, deputy director of market development at the company’s sales center. “Our products are benchmarked against leading international brands, but are offered at more affordable prices.”
According to Zhou, carbon-fiber boards are about 30 percent lighter than conventional models, while offering three to five times greater strength and improved resistance to impact.
Industry experts confirm China has established a comprehensive winter sports equipment ecosystem spanning 15 major categories — from individual gear to venue facilities, catering to both professional and recreational needs. The sector is transitioning from contract manufacturing to independent R&D and standards development, fueled by smart technologies and advanced materials.
Innovative Operations Models
China’s winter sports boom is overcoming traditional climate limitations, expanding southward through year-round indoor facilities in cities such as Guangzhou, Chengdu and Shenzhen. These venues serve dual purposes as urban leisure destinations and professional training hubs.
Southern cities are developing competitive differentiation through creative projects. At the ICE PANDA, an indoor ice-climbing venue in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan province, the crisp sound of ice axes striking the wall echoes through the hall as enthusiasts, guided by coaches, savor the thrill of scaling icy heights.
“Ice climbing is an extreme sport that combines strength, technique and courage. It tests physical ability and offers visual spectacle,” said Li Changchen, the venue’s general manager. As China’s first indoor ice-climbing facility, the venue features professional-grade ice walls about 12.5 meters high, with slopes ranging from 60-degree inclines to 90-degree vertical faces, offering suitable challenges for both beginners and seasoned climbers.
Enthusiast Jiang Shou noted: “Urban venues dramatically reduce barriers to entry compared to outdoor climbing, which requires significant equipment and travel investment. With Chengdu’s proximity to snow-capped mountains, our ‘indoor training + outdoor application’ model offers exceptional practicality.”
Refreshed Consumption Experiences
At dusk, a group of tourists clad in specially designed suits that are both cold- and water-resistant floated serenely on the surface of a frozen lake, immersed in a tranquil blue stillness. They struck creative poses as a drone rose overhead and captured the moment.
This is “ice floating,” a new ice-and-snow program introduced this winter in Altay, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
According to Cheng Hou, head of an ice-floating tourism studio in Altay, the project is designed to immerse visitors in nature while promoting relaxation. Openings are carved into sealed ice lakes, allowing tourists to float effortlessly and savor the poetic beauty of winter.
“Since being launched, it has been extremely popular, especially among young people. We expect to welcome around 10,000 visitors over the winter,” Cheng said.
In recent years, Xinjiang has stepped up policy support for winter tourism, diversifying relevant offerings and building distinctive tourism brands. In Altay alone, a range of new activities has been introduced, including ice fishing, ice-and-snow theme parks, and horse riding on snow. Ski resorts have also added hot-air balloons, paragliding and snowmobiles, expanding the “skiing-plus” model and enriching the supply of ice-and-snow tourism products.
This winter season, Xinjiang rolled out more than 500 featured cultural and tourism events. During the 2026 New Year holiday, the region received 1.68 million visitors, generating total tourism spending of 1.53 billion yuan.

Technology drives development of Xinjiang’s cotton industry

By He Yong, Ardak, People’s Daily

In the depths of winter, a light snowfall blanketed the vast cotton fields of Xayar County in Aksu prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
Indoors, farmer Ababekri Memet smiled as he reviewed his harvest figures on his mobile phone. “Cotton farming is less labor-intensive now, and the returns are much more stable,” he remarked.
According to a 2025 cotton output bulletin released by China’s National Bureau of Statistics, in Xinjiang, the country’s main cotton-producing region, cotton output reached 6.165 million tons, crossing the 6-million-ton mark for the first time and accounting for 92.8% of the national total.
The evolution from hand picking to mechanized operations, and from a single crop to a complete industrial chain, reflects the cotton industry’s steady advancement toward greater intelligence and higher value.
Though not peak season, activity hummed in Ababekri’s machinery shed as he and his brother maintained their fleet: 12 tractors, three high-horsepower tractors, one cotton picker and three specialized sprayers. “They are now the backbone of our work,” he noted.
In 2007, Ababekri’s family planted 100 mu (6.67 hectares) of cotton. “Our greatest concern was the harvest season — finding pickers and rising wages consumed nearly 30% of our income,” he recalled. Back then, fields teemed with manual laborers.
Specialized sprayers are 50 times more efficient than manual labor while thinning and fertilizing tasks can be carried out with precision. Harvesting is dominated by high-efficiency cotton pickers.
“In the past, harvesting 100 murequired 12 people over two months. Now, one machine harvests 5,000 mu in just 12 days,” he explained.
Data from the Xayar county’s bureau of agriculture and rural affairs show that the county now operates 54,700 agricultural machines, maintaining a cotton cultivation mechanization rate above 95% for five consecutive years. More and more cotton growers have set up agricultural cooperatives, purchased advanced machinery and provided mechanized services.
Ababekri runs one such cooperative. “Last year, we serviced more than 7,000 mu of farmland,” he shared. The cooperative’s revenue exceeded 1.1 million yuan ($157,845), with machinery services contributing 40%.
At present, highly automated technologies — including precision seeding, integrated drip irrigation, and drone-based crop protection — are widely adopted in Xinjiang, steadily boosting productivity across the cotton industry.
Winter marks a critical period for cotton farmers as they select seeds for the upcoming season.”Seeds are the foundation. Choose the wrong ones risks wasting an entire year’s effort,” explained Ababekri Memet.
At the beginning of each year, the Xayar county seed industry development center organizes variety promotion events and distributes comparative trial reports. Ababekri studies the report carefully, focusing on indicators such as disease resistance, heat tolerance, fiber length and lint percentage. “I check the statistics and combine them with the conditions of my own fields. This approach ensures precision and efficiency,” he noted.
In the summer of 2025, Ababekri’s cotton fields were hit by a prolonged heat wave. “If I had used the old varieties, the yield would certainly have dropped a lot, he recalled. “But the stress-resistant variety I selected minimized the impact, resulting in strong output and income growth.”
Through measures such as releasing region-specific high-yield, high-quality varieties and vigorously promoting improved seeds, Xinjiang has raised the coverage rate of improved cotton varieties to over 98%.
In 2025, the Institute of Cotton Research of the Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences introduced more than 3,400 germplasm resources from home and abroad, developed over 40 new valuable germplasm lines with traits such as drought tolerance, salinity-alkali tolerance and heat resistance, and bred and approved more than seven new types of cotton varieties.
These breakthrough breeding achievements, through a region-wide system of seed multiplication and extension, have been transformed into tangible gains in yield and quality in the fields. In Xayar county, average cotton yield per mu rose from 285 kilograms in 2017 to 442 kilograms in 2025, increasing farmers’ income by 1,000 yuan per mu on average.
In Xayar county, the cotton industrial chain is being continuously extended.
“We harvest the cotton in the morning and deliver it to the ginning mill in the afternoon. Processing is finished the next day, and the payment is received within a week,” Ababekri said.
In the past, cotton had to be processed hundreds of kilometers away, with transport costs of several thousand yuan for a single trip. Now, the harvested cotton is sent directly to a local ginning plant within 20 kilometers, processed into lint and supplied straight to local textile enterprises.
At a textile company in an industrial park in the county, machines roared as snow-white cotton rolls went through multiple processes to become fine yarn, ready for shipment to coastal cities.
“In the past, we only sold raw cotton, with low added value. Now we can process it locally into fabrics and textiles, and the value added has multiplied several times over,” said Zhao Qiqi, deputy director of the county’s bureau of commerce, science, technology and industry.
It is reported that Xinjiang has now built a full industrial chain covering cotton, chemical fibers, spinning, weaving, printing and dyeing, garments, home textiles and industrial textiles. This not only enables cotton farmers like Ababekri to secure faster and more stable returns, but also creates more jobs locally and brings about greater industrial value.

A Yangtze riverside chemical maker’s decade-long turn toward high-quality, green growth

By Yu Weiliang, Lu Yanan, Tang Luwei

Robots have replaced manual labor on the production line; old workshops and smokestacks are dismantled; pilot-scale testing of nanomaterials are moving forward steadily — New quality productive forces are quietly reshaping the Chinese traditional chemical industry, including Chuyuan High-Tech Group (Chuyuan), a traditional chemical manufacturer located along the Yangtze River in Shishou, Jingzhou, central China’s Hubei province.
Once the world’s largest producer of intermediates for reactive dyes, the company is now chaired by Yang Peng, who succeeded his father and founder, Yang Zhicheng. Its rise, however, was anything but smooth.
A pivotal moment came in 2016 when Chuyuan faced a landmark environmental penalty — a fine exceeding 27 million yuan ($3.87 million) for illegal wastewater discharges. At the time, this constituted the largest environmental fine ever imposed within the Yangtze River basin.
The fine triggered a fundamental shift in mindset for both father and son. Moving from initial frustration and passivity, they embarked on a path of active rectification and development-oriented upgrading over the subsequent decade.
Today, Chuyuan’s manufacturing base spans 1,800 mu (120 hectares). Yet its origins were remarkably humble. It was established in 1982 by 30 farmers, led by Yang Zhicheng. It started with only with five small rooms and modest equipment.
After China joined the WTO, chemical plants sprang up along the Yangtze River. The company’s production capacity of H-acid, para-esters and reactive dyes ranked first in Asia, making it Hubei’s largest private exporter.
Its prominence was underscored on January 10, 2016, when the Jingzhou municipal tax bureau listed it as the city’s third-largest taxpayer, with annual payments exceeding 100 million yuan — a status achieved just before the environmental penalty reshaped its future.
On January 5, 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a symposium on boosting the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt in southwest China’s Chongqing municipality, also a major city along the Yangtze River.
He stressed that the Yangtze River boasts a unique ecological system. Restoring its ecological environment will be an overwhelming task and no large-scale development will be allowed along the river at present and for a rather long period to come.
Chuyuan’s long-standing environmental issues came under security and again drew the attention of environmental authorities. By the end of March that year, the Jingzhou environmental protection bureau imposed the 27-million-yuan fine, aiming to force the closure of heavily polluting and technically unreformable production lines. The scale of the penalty was rare even by national standards.
At the time, Chuyuan was a top-100 private enterprise in Hubei, employing over 4,000 people. Nearly 12 percent of Shishou’s GDP and about 60 percent of its tax revenue came from the company.
“After such contributions, couldn’t there be some leniency?” Yang Zhicheng asked himself.
He pursued legal appeals, publicized the dispute online, and encountered polarized public opinion. Yet a consensus emerged: China was enforcing environmental accountability, rejecting growth-at-all-costs development.
The local leadership made its stance clear. Then Shishou Party secretary Liu Zhongcheng pledged that no enterprise failing rectification would be allowed to resume production, and that development must not come at the expense of future generations.
Chuyuan ceased operations for remediation. After three visits by provincial officials — during which Yang evolved from avoidance to engagement — Liu conveyed a pivotal message: “Ecological priority and green development are the new norms. Clinging to outdated practices is like choosing slow trains in the high-speed rail era — you will fall behind.”
Resistance turned to reflection. “That fine was a wake-up call,” the two later admitted. “It wasn’t meant to crush us, but to awaken us.”
More than ten production lines were permanently shut down. Rainwater collection systems were built. A second-phase wastewater treatment plant was launched. Over nine months of suspension, Chuyuan moved step by step to balance development with safety.
In November 2016, the company withdrew its lawsuit and accepted the penalty. A month later, after passing official inspections, it resumed operations.
From 2016 to 2022, Chuyuan invested about 200 million yuan in environmental upgrades, reducing energy consumption by 59%. The company became one of Hubei’s first participants in the national carbon trading pilot. In May 2025, its plant obtained the highest-level certification for safety risk management.
Tempting offers came along the way. A pesticide intermediate project promised profit margins of nearly 100%. Yang Peng turned it down.
“The environmental risks were unacceptable,” he said. “Stability outweighs short-term gains.”
In Chuyuan’s plant today, reclaimed water flows clearly through on-site ponds, while emissions data are uploaded around the clock.
Still, as the chemical sector faced mounting pressure, Chuyuan no longer enjoyed its former lead. Yang Peng grew uncertain and even considered leaving the industry.
Then, in July 2023, a national conference on ecological and environmental protection was convened. Xi emphasized that “it is crucial not to dismiss traditional industries as uniformly ‘low-end’ or ‘backward’ and simply phase them out, as doing so could lead to a disruption in the transition from old to new growth drivers, cause a loss of momentum, and exacerbate the pains of structural adjustment.”
“That line hit home,” Yang said. “Transformation doesn’t mean quitting the industry. Modern life still depends on chemicals. With the right upgrades, traditional sectors can also foster new quality productive forces.”
Inspired by this, Chuyuan Group invested 50 million yuan to fully utilize waste residues and liquids, entering circular economy practices. It shut down a flagship product with hard-to-treat emissions and invested another 60 million yuan in a new chlorosulfonic acid line, achieving environmental, safety and economic gains simultaneously.
It installed biomass boilers, embraced intelligent manufacturing and put robots on the shop floor, boosting efficiency by 40 percent. Partnerships with Hubei universities helped it build a platform for transforming scientific results into applications. New synthesis processes for two reactive dyes filled gaps in domestic capabilities in related fields. High-performance nano metal materials are now moving toward mass production, with potential applications in semiconductors and other emerging industries.
Since 2024, Chuyuan has been running at full capacity. Revenue in 2025 is expected to reach about 2 billion yuan, with tax payments exceeding 80 million yuan — up 55.4 percent and 53.5 percent respectively from 2022.
Yang Peng recalled, over the past decade, new thinking served as a guiding light, the updated environmental law acted as a binding constraint, and the law on promoting the private economy provided much-needed reassurance. In his words, the rule of law remains the best business environment, and high-quality development is the only viable path forward.

China’s retail sales hit 50-trillion-yuan mark, revealing huge potential

By He Yin, People’s Daily

Domestic demand has become a key word for the international community in observing China’s economy. In 2025, as China continued to make steady progress in implementing its strategy to expand domestic demand, its total retail sales of consumer goods surpassed 50 trillion yuan ($7.17 trillion) for the first time, showcasing to the world the opportunities and potential of China’s vast market.
Expanding domestic demand is both a necessary measure and an inevitable trend. A defining feature of major economies is that domestic demand plays the leading role and the economy can circulate internally. Building a complete domestic demand system and a strong domestic market helps better address real development challenges and cope with external uncertainties.
Domestic demand has gradually become the primary driving force and a stabilizing anchor for China’s economic growth. From 2013 to 2024, domestic demand contributed an average of 93.1 percent to China’s economic growth. In 2025, final consumption expenditure accounted for 52 percent of economic growth, surpassing half and marking an increase of 5 percentage points over the previous year.
More broadly, China’s consumption is moving toward innovation and structural optimization. In 2025, service consumption accounted for 46.1 percent of per capita consumer spending. E-commerce, livestream commerce, and online entertainment have driven rapid growth in online consumption, while the ice-and-snow economy, the first-mover economy, and the silver economy continue to gain momentum, becoming new growth drivers.
European news platform Modern Diplomacy noted that as China promotes a development model driven by domestic demand, led by consumption, and featuring endogenous growth, its economy is expected to achieve notable growth in 2026 in areas such as high technology, intelligent manufacturing, green energy, and service consumption.
The process of addressing challenges is also one of accumulating momentum for growth. In recent years, while some international voices have hyped the so-called “imbalance” narrative regarding China’s economy, they have overlooked the fact that issues such as robust supply coupled with relatively subdued demand are merely “growing pains” — challenges that can be resolved through determined and sustained efforts.
China’s mega market is multi-tiered and rich in potential. There is vast room for investment in new-type urbanization, science and technology industries, and improvements in people’s livelihoods.
At present, China’s household consumption rate is about 40 percent, leaving a potential increase of 10 to 20 percentage points compared with developed economies, while per capita infrastructure stock has room to grow by four to five times relative to advanced economies.
With more targeted and coordinated policy efforts, the potential of domestic demand will continue to be unleashed. In 2025, the consumer goods trade-in program benefited more than 360 million people, reflecting both market scale and policy effectiveness.
To tackle the rare occurrence of negative investment growth in recent years, China has promptly rolled out targeted measures, including refining the implementation of major national projects and key security-capacity initiatives, as well as effectively stimulating the vitality of private investment.
An international scholar following China’s development observed that China approaches difficulties with a rational and pragmatic attitude and addresses challenges through institutional strengths and policy tools — an important manifestation of the resilience of China’s economy. The Financial Times also published an article titled “Don’t Underestimate the Chinese Consumer.”
China’s unwavering commitment to expanding domestic demand will bring upgraded opportunities for global cooperation. Over the past five years, China has imported more than $15 trillion worth of goods and services in total. China is now the world’s second-largest consumer market, and in multiple segments, including automobiles, mobile phones, and home appliances, it has already become the largest market globally.
As China enters the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), steadily rising household incomes and growing demand for a better life will spur new consumption and drive new supply. As China accelerates the transformation of its development model, optimizes its economic structure, and shifts growth drivers, new momentum for investment will continue to emerge, with broad space for both investment in physical assets and investment in people.
In this process, China is willing not only to be the “world’s factory,” but also the “world’s market,” accelerating its transition from a major manufacturing country to a major consumer country. This will inject strong and new momentum into mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation between China and the rest of the world.
To understand China’s economy, one needs to take a longer view. A China with surging domestic demand will have a stronger economic foundation and more abundant endogenous momentum, and will, through its own high-quality and sustainable development, inject greater certainty into global growth and open up more new opportunities.

World must remain highly vigilant against Japan’s renewed nuclear ambitions

By Yin Xiaoliang

Since the end of World War II, Japan has habitually portrayed itself as a “victim of nuclear weapons,” while rarely engaging in serious reflection on the fact that it was once an attempted “nuclear perpetrator” during the war.
During World War II, in pursuit of its expansionist ambition to “project national might far and wide,” Japan competed fiercely with the United States and Britain in the race to develop atomic weapons, hoping to secure victory in its war of aggression through such means. The Japanese army and navy each conducted separate atomic bomb research programs, both of which ultimately failed before the end of the war.
In November 1945, the U.S. military dismantled Japan’s nuclear research infrastructure, notably disposing of a critical cyclotron in Tokyo Bay. This action prevented what could have been catastrophic global consequences had Japan’s militarist regime acquired nuclear arms earlier.
Japan’s pursuit of nuclear armament did not vanish with its wartime defeat; rather, like a dormant seed, it has been quietly embedded in the consciousness of right-wing elements in Japan.
Recently, senior Japanese officials have hinted at possibly revising the “Three Non-Nuclear Principles,” claimed they do not rule out introducing nuclear-powered submarines, and even argued that Japan should possess nuclear weapons.
These remarks are not isolated political rhetoric but sensitive indicators of Japan’s accelerating shift in security strategy. They clearly reveal that the “nuclear option,” long treated as a taboo in Japan’s postwar political discourse, is now being pushed into open political debate while continuously testing and eroding established boundaries. The international community should see through the profound strategic intentions behind Japan’s shift in nuclear weapons policy.
Japan is breaching the postwar framework in pursuit of becoming a “military power.” Over the years, Japan’s right-wing forces have persistently sought to cast off constraints and expand military capabilities. Nuclear policy discussions aim to weaken postwar system restraints and accumulate political capital for revising the “pacifist constitution.”
Japan is probing the boundaries of policy by gauging public reactions. By making audacious assertions such as “Japan should possess nuclear weapons” and engaging in exploratory discourse, Japanese politicians aim to evaluate the real-world resistance and room for maneuver regarding nuclear armament based on domestic and international public opinion, thereby preparing the public opinion groundwork for subsequent policy adjustments.
Japan aims to bolster its independent deterrent capabilities and reshape the division of roles within the Japan-U.S. alliance. Never fully trusting in its ally across the Pacific, Japan regards “independent nuclear armament” as a potential means to reduce its reliance on the alliance while enhancing its own deterrent strength.
Furthermore, Japan’s right-wing forces are eager to expand their involvement in nuclear-related discussions within the alliance, gradually increasing their bargaining power within the framework of allied nuclear deterrence.
Japan is building offensive capabilities to exert strategic pressure on neighboring countries. By strengthening military deterrence in the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, and surrounding areas, Japan seeks to influence the strategic judgments and room for maneuver of neighboring countries, thereby positioning itself more favorably in the regional balance of power.
Japan’s “Three Non-Nuclear Principles,” established as a national policy after World War II, represent both a product of Japan’s reflection on its wartime aggression and a solemn commitment to peace upon its return to the international community.
Rooted in the tragic memories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and shaped under the unique circumstances of Cold War confrontation, these principles were intended to serve as Japan’s self-imposed restraint against militarism and a security assurance to its Asia-Pacific neighbors.
Any attempt by Japan to revise the “Three Non-Nuclear Principles” would not only shake the very foundation of its own nuclear policy but also pose a direct challenge to the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. Such a move would seriously destabilize world peace and significantly increase the risk of nuclear proliferation.
As stated in an ancient Chinese text, “If later generations lament without learning from the past, they will in turn be lamented by those who come after.”
Safeguarding the seriousness and integrity of the “Three Non-Nuclear Principles” is a responsibility Japan must bear to history, to the region, and to future generations. Japan should draw lessons from its own experience of atomic bombings and conduct a thorough reflection on the profound suffering inflicted by Japanese militarism on the peoples of Asia, rather than playing the “victim card” to revive its old dream of nuclear armament.
Peace and prosperity in East Asia must be nurtured and safeguarded jointly by all countries in the region. Any attempt by Japan to approach or cross the “nuclear red line” constitutes a serious threat to the well-being of people across East Asia. The international community must remain vigilant against any move by Japan toward rearmament with nuclear weapons and work together to curb the spread of “neo-militarism.”
(Yin Xiaoliang is a professor at the Research Center for the History of Modern World and the Japan Institute at Nankai University.)

Martial arts meets technology: How a young Chinese influencer makes “flying sword” a reality

By You Yi, People’s Daily

Chinese online creator Fan Shisan has always harbored a dream inspired by wuxia (martial arts) fiction: a sword that leaps from its scabbard at a flick of the wrist, obeying its wielder’s command — capable not only of being carried, but also of communicating with its master. For Fan, such scenes are no longer confined to the pages of novels.

Born in the 1990s, Fan runs a tech studio in Pidu district, Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan province. More than 40 swords and blades of different shapes and materials line the walls of the studio. Formulas are written on a whiteboard, while team members gather around, animatedly discussing how to generate the “sword qi,” — an inner energy in Chinese martial arts fiction that can be channeled through, or even projected beyond, a sword.

“I grew up reading wuxia novels,” Fan, dressed in black and carrying a long sword, has cultivated a distinctive personal image. “I have always wanted to bring those moves into the real world — not with special effects, but through science,” he said.

He began turning this dream into reality in 2020. At the time, Fan was working at a hotel in Chengdu and teaching himself video production in his spare time. His sword-themed videos gradually gained traction, earning him more than 1 million followers.

In one of his videos, balloons at an amusement park stall burst one after another as a wooden sword is drawn. By assembling multiple ducted fan engines, he demonstrates “flying sword” — hovering in mid-air while holding a sword. Concepts in wuxia fictions such as the “flame blade,” “ice sword,” and “lightning edge” are no longer purely fictional, but visually striking creations captured on camera.

“Once awakened, that childhood wuxia dream only grows more vivid,” Fan said.

His studio now has six members. From filming and blueprint design to prop-making and technical guidance, the young team shares a passion for traditional martial arts and combines their professional expertise to turn imagination into reality.

“We have members who studied electrical engineering and fine arts,” Fan explained..”I majored in physics and chemistry. Everyone has a clear role, and our skills complement each other perfectly.”

To realize the extraordinary vision of making unconventional swords truly “fly,” Fan sought guidance from aviation experts, integrating flight mechanisms into the sword blades and conducting extensive test fights. His pursuit of “sword qi” led him to collaborate with researchers at the School of Science, Xihua University, utilizing advanced technologies such as a schlieren imaging system and an ultra-high-speed camera capable of capturing up to 130,000 frames per second. This collaboration enabled him to visually document the elusive phenomenon of “sword qi,” transforming it from a fictional concept into a reality.

From lightning-fast feats to flying sword, Fan constantly pushes boundaries with the support of modern technology. “Daring to imagine, daring to act, and pressing forward despite difficulties — this is also the spiritual strength conveyed by traditional Chinese martial arts,” he said.

By dissecting each martial arts move into its underlying physical principles and exploring the discipline through engineering and mechanics, Fan breathes fresh life into the aesthetics of traditional kung fu.

Swords carry the weight of Chinese aesthetics, evoking an ancient yet enduring Chinese style. For instance, a miniature flying sword features patterns inspired by artifacts unearthed at the Sanxingdui Ruins. Another blade mirrors the form of the famed Longquan sword. 

“Perhaps everyone carries a wuxia dream,” Fan shared, “What I want to do is to be more courageous and make that dream real—and to express a uniquely Chinese sense of romance.”

Yiwu home to more than 10,000 foreign-funded business entities

By Liu Junguo, People’s Daily

Nestled in Zhejiang Province, East China, Yiwu is a dynamic county-level city often celebrated as the “world’s supermarket,” boasting over 80,000 shops. Beyond its commercial prowess, Yiwu has evolved into a vibrant stage attracting entrepreneurs from across the globe.

Here, a Pakistani doctoral student in medicine has crossed into business to launch a consulting firm; a Turkish investor has founded three companies over the past decade and continues to grow his foreign trade; and a Syrian trader has opened two specialty restaurants. These are just a few of the vivid investment stories unfolding in this dynamic international hub. These are just a few examples of the thriving investment stories unfolding in Yiwu.

Yiwu’s journey as an international marketplace began in the late 1980s with the arrival of its first foreign-funded business. Since then, the city has consistently deepened reforms and expanded its openness. By fostering a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment, Yiwu has attracted global resources and talent. Today, more than 10,000 foreign-funded business entities from over 160 countries and regions are operating in Yiwu, spanning 14 sectors, including trade services and modern logistics.

Ali Kamran, born in Pakistan, came to China in 2007 to pursue his studies, and has lived in China ever since. In July 2023, he began doctoral studies in medicine at the International School of Medicine at Zhejiang University in Yiwu.

“Once people knew I was in Yiwu, my phone practically became a consultation hotline,” he recalled. Friends kept reaching out with the same question — which markets offered the broadest range of suppliers, how to get started in cross-border e-commerce, and where to find reliable logistics partners. It didn’t take long for him to realize that behind the constant inquiries lay a genuine business opportunity.

In July last year, he established a consulting firm, which became the 10,000th foreign-funded business entity in Yiwu. “I didn’t expect to get my business license so quickly. It’s incredibly convenient to do business in Yiwu,” said Kamran.

Positioned as a trade service platform rooted in Yiwu and connecting China and Pakistan, the company provides “one-stop Yiwu sourcing solutions” for buyers from the Middle East and Africa, while also helping Yiwu merchants expand into overseas markets.

In Kamran’s view, Yiwu is not only an ideal place to do business but also a livable city. With a “foreign citizen card,” foreign merchants can enjoy multiple services in the city freely. Yiwu also issues vocational competency certificates for foreign professionals, so as to broadening employment channels. Government service centers in the city offer multilingual services, which makes it more convenient for foreigners. Together, these measures enable foreign entrepreneurs to settle down and thrive in Yiwu.

As part of its latest comprehensive reform efforts, Yiwu has implemented a series of innovative service measures to further empower and support foreign-funded businesses, ensuring their sustained growth and success.

In 2023, Anas from Turkiye, partnering with local entrepreneur Xu Hangfei, established Yiwu Jintai Trading Co., Ltd. in Fotang township, that focuses on cross-border apparel trade. It was the third business founded by Anas in Yiwu.

Over more than a decade of entrepreneurship in the city, Anas has built a stable client base in Middle Eastern markets. As his business continues to grow, he has also felt firsthand the convenience brought by institutional innovation.

“Previously, due to the diverse range of small-volume exports we handled, a single container might contain over 10 different types of products,” said Anas. 

Thanks to the implementation of the market procurement trade method in Yiwu, companies can now opt for simplified declaration when exporting more than five categories of goods. This allows multiple types of products to be consolidated into a single container, meeting the foreign trade needs of small and medium-sized enterprises for small batches, frequent shipments, and diverse goods. 

“This reform has significantly improved the efficiency of export procedures and made business operations much smoother,” he added.

Xiao An from Syria, who has been living in Yiwu for 17 years, runs a restaurant in the city’s Binwang commercial district. The Syrian has witnessed an increasing number of foreigners coming to the city for business opportunities.

As global traders gather and settle in Yiwu, the number of foreign-funded catering businesses in the city has grown by an average of 20 percent annually over the past three years. Recognizing this upward trend, Xiao An shifted his focus from cosmetics trade to the restaurant industry.

In 2024, Xiao An opened the restaurant, allowing more foreign entrepreneurs working in the city to enjoy Syrian flavors. 

“Yiwu offers growing opportunities, and doing business here is becoming easier and more accessible,” the restaurant owner said. When registering the restaurant, Xiao An submitted an application in the morning and received the business license the same afternoon—efficient services that significantly lowered barriers to starting a business.

Since its opening, Xiao An’s restaurant has been a great success, attracting large crowds and serving over 2,000 customers daily during peak holiday periods. “In February 2025, I opened my second outlet in Yiwu,” Xiao An said. Inspired by its strong reception, Xiao An now aims to expand beyond Yiwu and establish more restaurants in other Chinese cities. “Growing my roots here in Yiwu gives me even greater confidence for what lies ahead,” he told People’s Daily.

From being known primarily for small commodities to becoming the “world’s supermarket” hosting more than 10,000 foreign-funded business entities, Yiwu continues to embrace the global market with an open and inclusive posture, attracting investors from around the world.