CSO Backs Impeachment Bid Against Fubara Over Budget Snub, Legislative Disregard

A civil society organisation, the National Vanguard for Democratic Coalition (NVDC), has thrown its weight behind the renewed impeachment move against Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, urging the State House of Assembly to exhaust all constitutional options to address what it described as the governor’s persistent disregard for the rule of law.

The group’s Coordinator, Mr. Felix White, made the call in a statement on Saturday, warning that any attempt by the Assembly to abandon the impeachment process would amount to a betrayal of democratic principles.

White said this marks the third impeachment attempt against Governor Fubara since he assumed office in 2023, a development he said reflects deepening concerns about the governor’s relationship with the legislature.

He accused the governor of allegedly fuelling the ongoing political crisis in the state through actions he said undermine constitutional order and separation of powers.

According to the CSO, Rivers residents are bearing the brunt of the prolonged political standoff, stressing that peace can only return if the governor adheres strictly to constitutional procedures in his dealings with the House of Assembly.

At the centre of the controversy is Governor Fubara’s alleged failure to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the Assembly, which the group described as unprecedented among serving governors in the country.

White said the alleged refusal to submit the budget and to recognise the Assembly as an independent arm of government constitute acts capable of being interpreted as gross misconduct under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides the legal framework for impeaching a sitting governor.

He further alleged that the governor had failed to meet certain statutory obligations owed to the legislature, describing the actions as a direct affront to democratic governance.

The group urged the Rivers State House of Assembly not to back down from the impeachment process if the governor fails to correct the alleged infractions, insisting that accountability must be enforced to safeguard democracy in the state.

White concluded that the “honourable option” for the governor, should he be unwilling to comply with constitutional provisions, is to step aside to allow for stability and proper governance in Rivers State.

Takaichi’s Taiwan-related fallacies grave provocation against international law

By Xu Yongzhi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi openly claimed that a “Taiwan contingency” could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” under which Japan may exercise the right of collective self-defense. From a legal perspective, this fallacious argument commits at least three serious offenses.

First, it challenges the international order established after World War II.

In 1943, China, the United States and the United Kingdom held the Cairo Conference and jointly issued the Cairo Declaration afterward. From the standpoint of international law, the document made it unequivocally clear that Japan’s occupation of Taiwan was illegal, affirmed that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and requested Japan to return all Chinese territories it had stolen, including Taiwan.

In July 1945, China, the United States and the United Kingdom jointly issued the Potsdam Proclamation, which reaffirmed that “the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out.” In September of the same year, Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender, explicitly pledging to “fulfill the obligations laid out in the Potsdam Proclamation.” On October 25, 1945, the Chinese government proclaimed the restoration of the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan and held a ceremony to accept Japan’s surrender in the Taiwan province of the China war theater.

A series of documents and historical facts demonstrate that Japan’s return of Taiwan to China was a victorious outcome of the World Anti-Fascist War and an integral part of the post–World War II international order. Takaichi’s fallacies, insinuating the possibility of military intervention in the Taiwan question, constitute a blatant interference in China’s internal affairs and an open challenge to the postwar international order.

Second, it reneges on Japan’s obligations.

During negotiations on the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations in 1972, the Japanese government submitted a written document to China explaining the concrete meaning of the statement later incorporated into the Sino-Japan Joint Statement — that “the Government of Japan fully understands and respects this stand of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, and it firmly maintains its stand under Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation.”

Based on Japan’s acceptance of the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, the document stated that Taiwan should be returned to China, which it described as “the consistent view of the Japanese government,” and that Japan “has not envisaged that Taiwan would have any legal status other than as part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China.” This constituted Japan’s commitment to China on the Taiwan question. Subsequently, China and Japan signed the Sino-Japan Joint Statement.

In 1978, the two countries concluded the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which explicitly stipulates that the principles set forth in the Sino-Japan Joint Statement shall be strictly observed. Accordingly, recognizing that “Taiwan belongs to China” and refraining from interference in the Taiwan question are obligations binding on Japan. 

The above documents clearly demonstrate Japan’s explicit commitment to treating the Taiwan question as China’s internal affair. While Takaichi’s remarks violate diplomatic commitments and amount to a repudiation of treaty obligations.

Third, it violates fundamental principles of international law.

By linking a so-called “Taiwan contingency” with Japan’s “survival-threatening situation,” Takaichi is attempting to use Japan’s domestic law to confer legitimacy on intervention in the Taiwan question. Her remarks imply the use of force to interfere in China’s internal affairs and undermine China’s territorial integrity. This not only contravenes the Potsdam Proclamation and the guiding principle of the four political documents between China and Japan, but also violates international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. China will never accept such actions, nor will the international community permit them. So far, multiple countries have already spoken out to condemn these remarks.

Those who challenge the international order will inevitably suffer the consequences; those who renege on treaty obligations will forfeit their credibility; and those who violate international law will ultimately face the verdict of justice. The Taiwan question allows no room for Japanese interference, and any act that crosses the line will be met with a resolute response.

(Xu Yongzhi is the director of the Division of Japanese Security Studies of the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies, China Institute of Contemporary International Relations)

Changsha breathes new life into old industrial buildings

By Yang Xun, People’s Daily

In the Jinxiu Shiguang block of Guanshaling, located within Changsha’s Xiangjiang New Area in Hunan province, central China, time appears to move at a gentler pace. Coffee shops and trendy restaurants line the streets, drawing crowds of residents and visitors alike. 

Just steps away, the bustling 14,400-square-meter Jinshang Fresh Food Market serves approximately 30,000 customers daily, meeting the needs of dozens of surrounding communities.

On a weathered red-brick wall in the block hang photographs comparing its past and present. Years ago, this area echoed with the roar of machinery and the whir of spinning frames — it was once home to a textile factory. Nie Lei, formerly head of the factory’s supply department, has witnessed the site’s entire transformation, from its heyday to decline, and now to renewed vitality.

Built in the 1980s, the factory was once a key base of light industry for the city of Changsha. “In its best years, its gate was crowded every morning with trucks lining up to haul goods,” Nie recalled.

By the 1990s, however, the factory began struggling and ultimately ceased production in 2006. Employees took different paths, some were reassigned, others started their own businesses. 

Watching the old plant gradually fall silent, Nie could not help but miss its former bustle. Aging facilities and dilapidated buildings stood in stark contrast to the office towers rising nearby. 

After shutdown and restructuring, the site was corporatized as Changsha Boda Asset Management Co., Ltd., which continued to explore new directions of development.

A turning point came in 2020, when China’s 14th Five-Year Plan called for accelerating urban renewal, including the upgrading of old residential areas, factory sites, neighborhoods, and urban villages to revitalize underused urban spaces.

The factory was soon designated a key and pilot project for urban renewal in the city. The southern part of the site was redeveloped into a fresh food market and a food street, incorporated into a program for upgrading major urban facilities. The northern part became the Jinxiu Shiguang block, the city’s first pilot project to reutilize an old industrial plant.

“Hearing this news, I suddenly saw hope that the factory area would come alive again,” Nie said.

The renovation was undertaken by Changsha Boda Asset Management Co., Ltd., where Nie works. “The project is positioned as a new-generation urban market that blends trendsetting consumption with everyday life,” said Shen Zhaohui, an executive of the company. “We have explored new approaches in industrial heritage protection, planning and implementation, architectural renovation and design, as well as asset restructuring and operation.”

The transformation was driven by three key dimensions of renewal: industrial function, visual identity, and spatial experience.

Industrial reinvention merged work, living, education, and leisure into a cohesive ecosystem. This was achieved by integrating new developments with renovated historical structures, strategically introducing higher-density urban functions, such as hotel-style apartments and commercial services, into the low-density spatial framework of the repurposed factory buildings.

Visual revitalization created a harmonious blend of old and new, fostering an attractive, livable, and dynamic environment. The arrival of well-known brands across dining, daily conveniences, and entertainment turned the block into a vibrant contemporary hub.

Spatial re-imagination fused industrial heritage with modern design in the landscape and architecture. By connecting once-fragmented pockets of space, the renewal crafted seamless, artistic, and practical settings for new forms of consumption and social engagement.

With approximately 60,000 square meters of revitalized space and an occupancy rate exceeding 90 percent, the area now operates as a park-like, smart, and green cultural block. It successfully brings together lifestyle scenes, industrial heritage, commercial experiences, and ecological wellness. The annual market turnover has reached nearly 1 billion yuan. Management revenue surged from 3.79 million yuan to over 40 million yuan, while the project also contributes nearly     50 million yuan in annual local tax revenue and provides around 4,000 jobs.

“This place preserves the memories of us veteran factory workers while also becoming a popular destination,” Nie said. “I hope it remains vibrant, and evolve from a trendy hotspot into an enduring landmark.”

Lanzhou uses acoustic technology to monitor, protect birdlife

By Yin Yan, People’s Daily

In the early morning, birdsong awakens the forest in Xinglong Mountain National Nature Reserve in northwest China’s Gansu province. Hidden among the dense foliage, acoustic sensors come online simultaneously, accurately identifying and capturing every call. 

This serene yet dynamic scene represents a typical day for the wildlife monitoring and conservation research team at Lanzhou University, revealing the remarkable progress of China’s ecological monitoring technologies.

Zhang Lixun, head of the research team and a professorate senior engineer at the university’s College of Ecology, recalled that in the 1990s, researchers had to carry bulky tape recorders up the mountains. “Once the tapes ran out, we had to hike back down,” he said. 

From cassette tapes and MP3 players to professional digital recorders, the team has witnessed a transformation in their tools over the years. In 2022, they achieved a significant milestone with the full deployment of a new generation of domestically developed intelligent acoustic sensors, marking the beginning of an era where artificial intelligence enhances wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.

This technological leap has made broader and deeper observation possible. The team has established 60 monitoring sites across three environmental gradients in and around Lanzhou, capital of Gansu province: from largely undisturbed ecosystems such as Xinglong Mountain and Liancheng nature reserve, to moderately disturbed county-level areas, and finally to downtown Lanzhou dotted with parks and residential communities. 

The vast volume of data collected reveals an encouraging trend. “Ten years ago, most birds seen in the city were just passing through,” Zhang explained. “Now, many of them have chosen to settle in Lanzhou.”

The number of recorded bird species in Lanzhou has grown from just over 100 to 339. Common species such as blackbirds and azure-winged magpies appearing more frequently, and even the once-rare Bohemian waxwings have begun overwintering in Gansu’s Yuzhong county. As seed eaters, Bohemian waxwings are drawn by the abundance of Rosaceae plants and Chinese arborvitae in urban green belts, which now serve as well-stocked food sources.

Teaching machines to “understand” birdsong is no simple task. Sound recognition is far more challenging than image recognition. In the early days, members of Zhang’s team had to manually analyze recordings frame by frame — “like editing a film” –to identify bird species. 

Today, AI systems conduct initial screening rapidly, though accuracy still requires verification of experienced field researchers who continuously refine the algorithms. The collected acoustic data are uploaded to the University’s dynamic wildlife soundscape monitoring and perception platform. 

“The more acoustic footprints of local bird species we have,” Zhang elaborated, “the more accurate the AI species recognition models become after big-data training.” At present, the recognition rate has exceeded 85 percent.

Unlike traditional methods, acoustic monitoring operates around the clock, providing a wealth of data. “While we have accumulated a substantial amount of data,” Zhang acknowledged, “the sample size is still insufficient for comprehensive anaylsis.”  

Only with more data, he emphasized, can researchers more precisely assess the long-term impacts of climate change or ecological restoration efforts. Zhang believes acoustic monitoring will offer broader research prospects and a stronger data foundation for future ecological studies.

In a paper published by the team in 2024, acoustic monitoring was extensively used to rapidly assess biodiversity during peak periods of bird activity. The study concluded that secondary forests and primary forests play irreplaceable roles in conserving bird diversity, providing scientific evidence for calls to protect intact primary forests and to optimize ecological restoration strategies in arid regions.

At dusk, egrets glide gracefully over the Yellow River, with bird calls blending with the rustling willows along its banks. These sounds, interwoven with the pulse of the city, are faithfully captured by acoustic sensors and ultimately fed into a database, serving as vital indicators of ecological change. According to Zhang, Lanzhou’s ecological environment has continued to improve in recent years, offering stronger safeguards for bird habitats.

On laboratory screens, real-time maps flicker with points of light, each quietly telling a story of how technology and long-term dedication enable humanity to listen more closely to nature. 

Looking ahead, the team remains optimistic. “We will certainly use better and more advanced equipment,” Zhang said. “And we are confident that more birds will choose to make their home in this city along the Yellow River.”

At 5,000-year-old Liangzhu, cultural heritage is integrated into community life

By Zhang Jin

Cultural heritage is a vital carrier of human civilization. Yet in the course of cultural heritage protection and development, a seeming paradox often arises: isolating heritage sites for protection risks disconnecting from social development, while unchecked commercialization can compromise their authenticity. How can this dilemma be resolved?

Practice shows that deep community participation holds the key. When residents shift from passive onlookers to active contributors, heritage conservation and community development can reinforce each other, paving the way for sustainable outcomes. This approach has proven successful across China, with the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City standing out as a particularly compelling case study.

The Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City, a major archaeological discovery of the 20th century in China, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019. Featuring a vast ancient city, a sophisticated hydraulic system, and tiered burial sites, including altars, the site provides compelling evidence of the remarkable achievements of rice-based agriculture in prehistoric societies along the Yangtze River basin some 5,000 years ago. It represents an outstanding example of early urban civilization in human history.

Located in Yuhang district of Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang province, the core area of the Liangzhu site sits at the intersection of robust economic development and exemplary heritage conservation. 

By adopting a development model that combines an ecological park with a vibrant living environment, the site has explored ways to “develop through protection and protect through development.” 

Rather than sealing the ruins off from the world, relevant authorities have harnessed technology to enhance conservation and activated cultural resources to energize the community, enabling ancient civilization and contemporary life to coexist in harmony and nourish each other.

Great emphasis has been placed on fostering cultural identity and encouraging resident participation. In 2011, 3,931 households in the Liangzhu Cultural Village, a community developed adjacent to the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City that integrates cultural heritage presentation with eco-friendly living and leisure functions, jointly formulated a residents’ charter comprising 26 civic commitments, helping to build a close-knit, trust-based community and strengthen residents’ sense of belonging. 

Building on this foundation, the Liangzhu Ancient City Ruins actively promoted community co-creation, cultivating sustainable mechanism for cultural development. An innovative governance model implements a community deliberation system using online forums and offline meetings, resolving over 95% of resident issues while enhancing local governance.

An innovative institutional framework has been established to balance site safety with improvements to people’s livelihoods. Under a “categorized, phased, and collective application” mechanism, townships make unified housing construction plans, residents submit applications collectively, and the government covers archaeological-related costs, ensuring both heritage protection and residential stability. 

For the 14 villages in the protected zone, a spatial arrangement has been put in place whereby development complexes outside the core heritage area, effectively separating conservation from development in an orderly manner.

In terms of industrial development, the Liangzhu site management area is working to transform cultural resources into drivers of growth. 

On the one hand, cultural and creative industries have been leveraged to empower heritage conservation. Through a “Liangzhu MEI” lifestyle aesthetics initiative, the site has partnered with universities and other institutions to form a lifestyle aesthetics alliance, developing more than 600 cultural and creative products. In 2024, sales reached 270 million yuan ($38.7 million), with a number of blockbuster products emerging. 

On the other hand, industrial clustering has fostered a vibrant cultural hub. The Liangzhu Cultural Corridor connects diverse cultural resources and clusters more than 1,000 enterprises at or above the designated size, or those with annual main business revenue of 20 million yuan or more,  demonstrating distinct advantages in sectors such as digital content, animation, and gaming. Supported by these distinctive industries, the area promotes all-around rural revitalization, allowing villagers to live and work happily in their hometown.

Experience shows that heritage conservation and community development can be mutually reinforcing. The crucial shift from static preservation to living heritage transmission revitalize dormant sites, integrating them into modern life as cultural anchors.

Simultaneously, it has made the crucial shift from isolated conservation to integrated planning, weaving heritage protection into the broader economic and social development framework to achieve both minimal intervention and sustainable progress.

Many similar examples can be found across China. Chengdu in southwest China’s Sichuan province has transformed a downtown football stadium into an open archaeological park; Luoyang in central China’s Henan province has built an archaeological research and study base across 20 square kilometers of heritage sites; and residents living along the Ancient Shu Road in Sichuan province have become “tour guides” for visitors. Behind these successes lies a distinctly Chinese approach to sustainable development.

Ultimately, the sustainable development of cultural heritage means making it an indispensable and vibrant part of everyday community life. When communities benefit from protection and, in turn, empower it, conservation ceases to be an external imposition and becomes an internalized cultural commitment. This is precisely the wisdom China offers the world in the field of cultural heritage protection.

(Zhang Jin is the director of the Heritage Protection and Adaptive Reuse Branch, Tsinghua Tongheng Urban Planning and Design Institute.)

‘Neo-militarism’ will once again lead Japan toward abyss

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

Amid escalating worsening regional tensions, Japan continues expanding its defense budget — an approach that smacks of a self-staged drama.” In its year-end editorial for 2025, Tokyo Shimbun sounded a warning.

An increasing number of insightful voices in Japan have come to recognize that the Sanae Takaichi administration has deviated from Japan’s postwar pacifist path, continuously fabricating a sense of danger for the public and building momentum for what can only be described as “neo-militarism.”

Historical precedents remain starkly relevant. A look back at Japan before and during World War II shows that deception and manipulation of its own people ran throughout the criminal expansion of militarism. In the end, wars of aggression not only inflicted enormous disasters on the region, but also brought catastrophic suffering upon the Japanese people.

To drive the war machine, Japan’s militarists spared no effort in selling the public a “poisoned illusion.” Brutal aggression was dressed up as a “just war” for national rejuvenation and the “liberation of Asia,” while the slaughter and oppression of neighboring peoples were whitewashed under the banner of so-called “Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.” 

To enforce this this narrative, Japanese militarists constructed an ideological prison. 

They indoctrinated the public with the Kokoku Shikan, a historical view that regards the history of Japan as the unfolding of a divine plan centered on the Emperor, proclaiming Japan a “divine nation” and the Japanese people superior to all others.

They promulgated documents such as the Imperial Rescript on Education and Shinmin no michi, enforcing imperial indoctrination and servile education to subordinate the populace to the will of war.

They fabricated cultural toxins that glorified warfare, including works such as North Shore Troops and the so-called “soldier” trilogy, promoting spurious “heroic deeds.” 

Even after catastrophic defeat in World War II, they continued to issue fictitious victory reports through “Imperial General Headquarters announcements,” constructing within Japan an information cocoon completely divorced from reality.

Countless Japanese youth were funneled into the war machine. Under the grip of militarist slogans such as “seven lives for the emperor” and “one hundred million shattered jewels,” they were reduced to cannon fodder. 

Many civilians were forced to endure extreme rationing under the National Mobilization Law, driving daily life to the brink of collapse. Countless women were deceived or coerced into becoming so-called “comfort women” for the military, many of whom lost their lives. 

When the illusion finally collapsed, the price was written in blood: more than three million Japanese died, over 120,000 war orphans were left displaced, and large numbers of people in the Ryukyu Islands were forced into “mass suicides.” 

From deceiving the people to bringing calamity upon them, Japanese militarism is at its core a doctrine of bloodthirsty gambling. Recently, a Japanese scholar writing for People’s Daily recalled a phrase often spoken by his elders: “It was a good thing that Japan lost the war.” The depth of Japan’s painful memory of war is evident in such words.

History’s warning is close at hand, yet Japan’s right wing is repeating old tricks. Under the rhetoric of so-called “normalizing the state,” and in the name of strengthening “autonomous defense” and building a “nation capable of fighting,” they are whipping up support for “neo-militarism.” 

They deny the history of aggression and tamper with history textbooks in an attempt to shed what they call the “burden of history,” poisoning and brainwashing younger generations. They exaggerate “external threats” and a “survival-threatening situation,” seek to revise the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, and attempt to break free from the constraints of the Pacifist Constitution and the status of a defeated nation. 

Externally, they fan the flames of tension and provoke confrontation, hoping to profit from chaos and seize opportunities for expansion. In short, Japan’s right wing seeks to completely abandon the pacifist path that underpinned Japan’s postwar development and to reshape the country according to its obsession with “neo-militarism.”

As Japan’s right wing pushes the country further down the misguided road of militarism, it will ultimately be the Japanese people who bear the cost. 

Japan’s defense budget for fiscal year 2026 has reached a record high of 9.04 trillion yen ($57.41 billion), sparking widespread opposition at home. At a time when Japan’s economy faces sluggish growth and shrinking fiscal space, the public broadly hopes the government will prioritize revitalizing the economy and improving social welfare. 

A renewed turn toward military expansion has only deepened concerns among thoughtful voices in Japan. “The so-called ‘three security documents’ speak only of preparing for war, not of avoiding it.” “Takaichi’s remarks do more harm than good and do not serve Japan’s national interests.” “Japan’s diplomacy should aim to maintain stable and normal external relations.” Such voices opposing militarism continue to emerge within Japan, reflecting profound anxiety over the country’s strategic direction.

More than 80 years ago, the Japanese people were handed a hollow promise that “the war could be won,” only to inherit ruins and immeasurable. Today, right-wing forces remains fixated on the same obsession, attempting once again to drag the nation into the abyss of “neo-militarism” and to repeat a path that harms both others and itself. 

Against this backdrop, Japan’s peace advocates must remain highly vigilant. Japan’s future does not lie in right-wing fantasies but in a thorough reckoning with its history of aggression, fostering neighborly, and steadfastly safeguarding regional peace and development.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

Industrial city in NE China charts new path of higher-quality development

By Hao Yingcan, People’s Daily

A series of upgrades — from newly insulated exterior walls and modernized utility pipelines to added stairwell handrails and the conversion of an abandoned boiler room into a community activity center — has brought visible changes to Chang’an community in Dadong district, Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning province.

Local resident Sun Jiabao confirms these improvements have reshaped neighborhood living. Built more than 30 years ago, the community was once synonymous with poor sanitation and rundown conditions. The 2023 renovation program successfully revitalized the area.

Aging public facilities, inadequate supporting services, and subpar urban greenery are common challenges faced by many old industrial cities in the course of development. As one of China’s earliest-established cities with a high urbanization rate, Shenyang has in recent years taken urban renewal as a key lever, exploring a new path toward quality-driven, intensive development.

Shenyang has a large number of old urban areas. Of the city’s more than 6,500 residential communities, over half are classified as old neighborhoods. Renovating these areas is a crucial part of the broader urban renewal campaign. Over the past five years, Shenyang has renovated 1,823 old residential communities, benefiting 803,000 households. More than 1,600 elevators have been installed or upgraded, improving mobility for over 110,000 residents.

Upgrading aging utility networks is equally important. “The city’s gas pipeline network stetches over 10,000 kilometers, and some sections have been in operation for many years, posing potential safety risks,” said Guo Zhengxue, deputy director of the Shenyang municipal bureau of housing and urban-rural development. 

Over the past five years, the city has renovated more than 1,350 kilometers of aging gas pipelines. By 2025, gas-related safety incidents had fallen by over 70 percent compared with 2021, significantly improving overall safety. During the same period, Shenyang also completed renovations of 1,933 kilometers of water supply pipelines, 393 kilometers of drainage pipelines, and 844 kilometers of heating pipelines, greatly enhancing the city’s safety and resilience.

As physical improvements take shape, community services evolve in tandem. Cao Xue, Party head of Chang’an community, explained how needs-based assessments now guide their elder-care system. The community now offers 25 professional services, including meal delivery, bathing assistance, and rehabilitation training, either free of charge or at low cost.

Urban livability extends to green spaces. On the south side of Wenti West Road in Heping district, a long-abandoned plot of land has been transformed into a pocket park. Winding paths run through the space, which is equipped with bar counters and seating areas. Today, 3,198 compact, well-designed pocket parks with diverse functions are scattered throughout Shenyang. Statistics show that over the past five years, the city has added 16.9 square kilometers of urban green space, bringing its green coverage rate to 40.74 percent.

Moving from simply expanding greenery to keeping areas green year-round tests a city’s capacity for refined management. At Shenyang’s centralized urban management command center, large digital screens display real-time data on the maintenance of parks and green spaces across the city, making park locations and vegetation conditions visible at a glance.

The Shenyang Fangcheng cultural tourism area exemplifies heritage integration, containing both the Shenyang Imperial Palace and over 16,000 households. This seamless blend of historical sites, commercial zones, and residential spaces raises preservation questions: How to renew while retaining authentic character?

Shenyang’s approach includes restoring facades of 359 buildings, removing more than 1.35 million meters of abandoned cables, adding over 1,100 landscape features, and turning 67 historical alleys into themed cultural experience corridors, By prioritizing original-appearance restoration, the city maximizes historical continuity.

Cultural revitalization complements physical renewal. To date, the Shenyang Fangcheng cultural tourism area has 54 inaugural stores — the first store of a brand in the region — along with more than 170 flagship and experience stores. It has also developed three nighttime economy scenarios, including folk culture-themed zones. The share of experiential cultural tourism formats has risen from just 3 percent to 46 percent.

Shenyang’s profound industrial heritage presents another key task for urban renewal: how to breathe new life into industrial relics.

On Xinghua North Street in Tiexi district stands a steel-framed factory building with a distinctive sawtooth roof. Once the No. 2 metalworking workshop of the former Shenyang Heavy Machinery Factory, it has now been transformed into a cultural and creative park, drawing visitors for exhibitions and performances and offering a vibrant artistic atmosphere.

“Old factory buildings are solidified history, but they are also valuable resources for promoting urban renewal. With proper renovation and operation, industrial rust belts can be transformed into stages for everyday life,” said Liu Kebin, vice mayor of Shenyang. 

So far, the city has designated 700,000 square meters as protected industrial heritage zones, with many old factories and workshops revitalized through adaptive reuse.

Animated films lead China’s cinema boom in 2025

By Liu Yang, People’s Daily

China’s film industry saw animated features deliver exceptional results in 2025, with nationwide box office revenue reached 51.832 billion yuan (about $7.37 billion). Animation alone contributed over 25 billion yuan — nearly half of the market — signaling a major industry shift.

Ne Zha 2, a fantasy adventure film based on the Chinese mythological character Ne Zha, stood out in particular. With a global box office of nearly 15.95 billion yuan, it became the highest-grossing animated film in global cinema history. It also marked the first Asian film ever to enter the global top 10 in box-office rankings, placing fifth on the all-time global box-office list.

Other animated titles also resonated strongly with Chinese audiences. Domestic productions like Nobody and international releases such as Zootopia 2 achieved significant commercial success.

Yu Zhou, president of Light Chaser Animation, a Beijing-based producer of animated films, noted that in China’s domestic animation market in 2025, blockbusters and top-tier titles played an especially pronounced role in driving overall performance. Early in the year, Ne Zha 2 attracted 324 million cinema visits. Many viewers watched the film multiple times, while a significant number were “new audiences” who had not visited movie theaters for years.

“Ne Zha 2 sparked strong audience interest in animated films and helped lift the performance of the entire animation sector throughout 2025,” Yu said.

“Chinese audiences are becoming increasingly interested in animated films,” said Peng Kan, a member of the theoretical and critical committee of the China Film Association.

Statistics illustrate this trend clearly. From 2011 to 2018, animated films accounted for around 10 percent of China’s annual box office. Between 2019 and 2024, the figure rose to roughly 14 percent. By 2025, the share had climbed to nearly 50 percent.

This shift aligns with demographic changes. Moviegoers born in the 1990s and 2000s now dominate cinema attendance. “Unlike earlier generations, they grew up with greater exposure to animation and show stronger acceptance,” Yu explained.

An intellectual property (IP) adaptation strategy continues to fuel market growth. Among the animated films released in 2025, both domestic and international, the vast majority were adaptations of existing IPs.

Ne Zha 2, Zootopia 2, Boonie Bears: Future Reborn, and The Legend of Hei 2 all had earlier installments. Nobody was adapted from the animated anthology series Yao-Chinese Folktales, while Curious Tales of a Temple drew on a classic work of Chinese literature.

“Animation possesses unique advantages for IP development,” Peng observed. “It enables multidimensional expansion through sequels, merchandise, and cross-brand collaborations.”

Recent co-branded products launched during film releases have not only enhanced films’ visibility and influence, but also generated higher box-office returns and ancillary revenue. This, in turn, helps create a stronger cinema-going atmosphere, build user loyalty, and expand consumption scenarios.

Industry insiders widely agree that the growing popularity of domestic animated films ultimately stems from improvements in quality. On the one hand, stories are becoming more diverse. Today’s domestic animated films range from adaptations of traditional Chinese mythology, such as the Ne Zha and White Snake series, to works inspired by classical literature like Chang’an and the Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio series. Others focus on contemporary life, including the I Am What I Am series, the allegorical Nobody, and family-friendly movies such as the Boonie Bears series.

On the other hand, in terms of animation technology, China’s animated film production has now largely aligned with international advanced standards.

From an industrial perspective, investment in domestic animated films has become increasingly clustered. Production entities are more concentrated than before. “The growing concentration of investment means a more complete industrial chain and stronger risk resistance for animation companies,” Peng said. “This is of great significance for the future development of China’s animated film industry.”

At the same time, China became the world’s largest single market for Zootopia 2. This not only underscores China’s strong capacity as the world’s second-largest film market, but also reflects the openness and inclusiveness of China’s film market and industry for high-quality imported films, serving as a microcosm of China’s continued commitment to reform and opening up.

“Animated films possess unique expressive strengths and distinct advantages in cultural communication,” Yu said. “As Chinese animated films continue to draw primarily on Chinese culture, creators need to consider how to explore shared human emotions through storytelling, so that audiences from different cultural backgrounds can understand and appreciate these stories, thereby helping Chinese animation better step onto the global stage.”

China, ROK should cherish positive momentum in development of bilateral relations

By He Yin, People’s Daily

On Jan. 5, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea (ROK), who was on a state visit to China. Within a little over two months, the two heads of state have met twice and exchanged visits, underscoring the importance both sides attach to China-ROK relations. 

International media have widely observed the positive momentum emerging in bilateral ties. Against a backdrop of profound and complex changes in the international and regional landscape, the constructive signals sent through this high-level diplomacy are yielding tangible benefits for peace and development in both countries and across the region..

China and the ROK are permanent neighbors and inseparable cooperation partners. More exchanges, frequent visits and sustained communication are conducive to the sound and steady development of bilateral relations.

Just over two months ago, during Xi’s state visit to the ROK, a four-point proposal were put forward to open up new prospects for China-ROK relations, guiding the reaffirmation of the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. 

During their talks in Beijing, Xi emphasized that China has consistently placed relations with the ROK high on its regional diplomatic agenda and maintained continuity and stability in its policy toward the ROK.

Lee’s choice of China as his first overseas destination at the beginning of the new year fully demonstrates the ROK’s commitment to advancing ties with China. Looking ahead, as long as both sides adhere to the principles of valuing peace above all else and advocating harmony without conformity, which have transcended differences in social systems and ideologies, they can achieve mutual success and common development.

Accompanying Lee on his visit was a notable economic delegation of approximately 200 leading ROK business figures. This is widely interpreted by the international community as reflecting the enthusiasm and confidence of the ROK’s business sector in pursuing opportunities in China. 

Economic ties between China and the ROK are close, with deeply integrated industrial and supply chains and mutually beneficial cooperation. While the substance of bilateral economic and trade relations has undergone new changes in recent years, the fundamental reality of the two sides’ deeply intertwined interests has not changed, nor has the win-win nature of China-ROK economic and trade cooperation. 

China has always believed that neighborly success contributes to one’s own prosperity, and remains committed to strengthening development strategy alignment and policy coordination with the ROK to expand our shared interests. 

The fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee deliberated on and adopted recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan(2026-2030), laying out a blueprint for China’s development in the coming five years while offering broad opportunities for countries around the world. 

As China advances high-quality development, the space for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the ROK will continue to expand, with promising prospects in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, green industries and the silver economy. 

During the visit, the two sides signed 15 cooperation documents in science and technology, ecological environment, transportation, economy and trade, among others. An ROK media outlet noted that the momentum toward the comprehensive resumption and development of bilateral relations is being translated into concrete mechanisms, particularly in economic and trade cooperation. 

Expanded exchanges in areas such as youth, media, sports, think tanks and sub-regional cooperation will help ensure that positive narratives become the mainstream of public opinion.

As the world undergoes accelerated changes unseen in a century, the international landscape has become more turbulent and intertwined. China and the ROK shoulder important responsibilities in safeguarding regional peace and promoting global development, with broad overlapping interests. 

During their talks, both heads of state recalled that China and the ROK once fought side by side against Japanese militarist aggression. During his stay in China, Lee visited the historic site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai. An international media outlet interpreted this visit as a clear signal that historical issues have not been consigned to the past.

As countries that both suffered tremendous national sacrifices during World War II, China and the ROK should work together to uphold the outcomes of the victory in the war and jointly safeguard peace and stability in Northeast Asia. This is essential for upholding historical justice and for building a peaceful future for the region. 

In the face of rising unilateralism and protectionism, closer cooperation between China and the ROK in advancing opening up and upholding multilateralism will not only benefit their respective development, but also help maintain the stability and smooth functioning of regional and global industrial and supply chains, contributing to the advancement of an equal, orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial, inclusive economic globalization.

The current positive momentum in China-ROK relations has not come easily and deserves to be significantly cherished by both sides. China stands ready to work with the ROK to steer the course of friendly cooperation, promote mutual benefit and win-win results, and bring the China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership forward along the track of sound development, so as to deliver tangible benefits to both peoples and inject positive energy into peace and development of the region and the wider world.

China assists Africa in digital transformation

By Dai Kairan, People’s Daily

Digital transformation stands as a central objective within the African Union’s Agenda 2063. In recent years, cooperation between China and African nations within the digital economy sector has deepened and expanded significantly. This progress has been fostered under frameworks such as high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation.

China has actively supported African countries in bridging the digital divide through various initiatives. These include accelerating the development of digital infrastructure, constructing e-commerce platforms, and cultivating digital talent.

In Gaborone, Botswana’s capital, a distinctively designed modern building within a technology park marks a significant milestone: the Digital Delta Data Center (DDDC). Constructed by China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co., Ltd, the building is Botswana’s  first national-level data center.

Construction commenced in March 2021, and the facility was officially handed over to the Botswana government in June 2024. The center’s data halls are equipped to host high-performance servers, large-capacity storage systems, and high-speed network equipment. This infrastructure  meets the requirements of both government agencies and commercial users for large-scale data storage, processing, and transmission.

“Weak digital infrastructure has long constrained Botswana’s digital transformation,” said Keabetswe Segole, chief executive officer of Botswana Fibre Networks (BoFiNet), the operator of the DDDC. “The operation of the data center has significantly improved the local information and communications technology ecosystem.”

Segole noted that prior to the DDDC’s completion, a significant portion of Botswana’s government and business data was stored overseas, resulting in low transmission efficiency. With the data center operational, internet users in Botswana can enjoy faster, more cost-effective data exchange, leading to a markedly improved online experience.

At a warehouse operated by Kilimall on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya, efficiently manage inventory, scan barcodes, and pack orders, while delivery personnel in distinctive red uniforms prepare for dispatch.

As the first Chinese company to enter Africa’s internet and e-commerce sector, Kilimall has expanded across the continent over the past decade. Its operations span several African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The platform hosts over 8,000 sellers and 12,000 online stores, has established over 1,500 community pickup points, and  and experiences approximately 50% annual growth in mobile app downloads.

Liao Zhengrong, Kilimall’s Brand Director, noted that the company has also independently developed its own payment system, offering consumers convenient and diverse online payment options.

Alex Kariuki, a 36-year-old Kenyan entrepreneur selling furniture such as TV cabinets and coffee tables, shared his experience: “The high transportation costs for furniture made me initially hesitant about online selling, especially as many local e-commerce platforms relied on cash payments upon delivery. A friend recommended Kilimall, and learning about integrated online payment system gave me confidence. Customers prepay when ordering, and I receive payment immediately upon their confirmation of receipt.” Since opening his store on Kilimall, Kariuki’s furniture sales have continued to rise, now reaching 300 to 400 items per month. 

Igiraneza Justine, a 22-year-old Rwandan, is a trainee at the Luban Workshop, a Chinese-supported vocational training facility. After two years of specialized study locally, he enrolled in a one-year e-commerce practical training program at Jinhua University of Vocational Technology in east China’s Zhejiang province.

Ge Rui, a faculty member in the university’s e-commerce program, explained that Justine is among the first batch of trainees from the Rwanda Luban Workshop engaged in the program. In early 2025, the first group of 30 trainees, majoring in e-commerce and electrical automation, returned to Rwanda after completing their training. Many e-commerce graduates subsequently found employment in live-stream e-commerce and digital commerce sectors.

“Chinese instructors taught us platform management, data analysis, logistics management, and practical skills such as video shooting and lighting techniques,” Justine said. Noting China’s global leadership in digital technology and business innovation, he added, “I aspire to open my own online store and apply China’s digital economy expertise back home.”

Gert Grobler, former senior South African diplomat and honorary professor at the Institute of African Studies of Zhejiang Normal University, observed that China has long been actively involved in building Africa’s digital infrastructure. 

He highlighted collaborations constructing Africa’s largest optical fiber manufacturing plant to boost local capacity, helping African countries add or upgrade roughly 150,000 kilometers of communications backbone networks (extending services to nearly 700 million uses), supporting the construction of national data centers in multiple countries, and providing digital governance solutions.

Through the development of e-commerce industries and the cultivation of professional talent, China continues to provide sustained momentum for Africa’s digital transformation journey.