Art contributes to rural development of village in China’s Inner Mongolia

By Wu Yue, People’s Daily

“Liang, where are you going, ” asked a villager in Xikou village, Mingshuihe township, Arxan of Hinggan League, north China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

“I have a guest, so I’m showing him around the village,” Liang Shusen answered.

Today, Xikou village has become more and more enriched with cultural landscapes – a cultural square covered by artistic works, sculptures scattered among the woods on hills, and an art gallery turned from an old village office where photography exhibitions are often held.

This artistic atmosphere has been created thanks to some teachers and students from the Academy of Arts and Design, Tsinghua University (AADTHU).

An art fair was previously held in Xikou village. The chief curator of the event and dean of the AADTHU Ma Sai told People’s Daily that as one of the organizers of the event, the academy has taken over 200 teachers and students in more than 10 batches to Xikou village for artistic exploration since September 2022.

Last summer, Xikou village teamed up with several artists from art schools and design institutions to carry out art creations in the small mountain village. Through creative collaborations, the village has been infused with new artistic charm.

“This work is called ‘Fish Every Year’ and we participated in its creation,” said Dong Yali, head of a willow weaving workshop in Xikou village, referring to a group of “fish” weaved with curved willow branches. The work has the best wish of “may there be surpluses every year,” because the Chinese word for fish is a homophone of the word for surplus.

When the LED light strips on the creation are illuminated in the night, it looks as if the fish are swimming in the sky.

Having been engaged in willow weaving for over 30 years, Dong had never imagined that one day she would collaborate with students and teachers from the AADTHU.

“In the past, most of what we made were daily necessities and decorations. Now, willow branches have become art pieces. It’s especially fulfilling to introduce them to tourists,” she said.

The main designer of “Fish Every Year” is Professor Lin Lecheng at the AADTHU. Engaged in fiber art research and design, Lin became interested in the willow branches when he first visited Xikou village.

Therefore, his team then used local materials and collaborated with the villagers to create the artwork. The exhibition label on the side of “Fish Every Year” lists the names of the 12 villagers who participated in its creation.

In Lin’s view, art is vitalized when it comes to the countryside. The vast rural areas provide fertile ground for creativity and offer ample space for artistic works.

Kong Fandi, who graduated from the AADTHU, was born in the 1990s and grew up in the city. Last year, he made several trips to Xikou village.

He was inspired by the firewood sticks used by the villagers, so he started making art pieces with them. “Wood comes from the forest, and I want to ‘move’ them back to the forest,” he said.

Kong collected unused wood from the villagers and stacked it in a natural and artistic way with different colors. Together with nine villagers, he created an artwork called “Waves of Forests,” which shines like a rainbow in the forest.

The villagers participated in the creation by fixing the wood and painting. They also documented the process through short videos on social media.

“Some villagers said they want to transform their homes into B&B hotels for tourists to enjoy the scenery. I think this is a manifestation of art empowering rural areas,” Kong said.

In Xikou village, the artistic works bear the imprint of villagers’ participation, and many of the villagers can explain the connotation behind the artworks to visitors. The village brings inspiration to art creation, and the vibrancy of art also permeates the lives of the villagers.

Villager Su Lihong has placed vibrant bouquets in front of her family restaurant, which makes the restaurant more lively.

“These decorations were done by my family – after seeing other people’s artworks, I also wanted to give it a try,” Su said.

“The village is becoming more beautiful, and more and more tourists are coming here. As a result, our restaurant’s business has also improved,” she added.

Shang Yan, the owner of an inn in Xikou village, held a T-shirt designed by students and teachers from the AADTHU, hoping to have each creator sign their names on it.

“The students staying at our inn have such amazing design works, and I would love to collect a few pieces. In the summer of 2023, we had more guests staying at our inn, and our income increased by 1/3 compared to the same period the previous year,” said Shang.

It is reported that Xikou village is a key village for rural tourism in China. During an art season in 2023, the village saw approximately 8,000 visits, with tourism revenue exceeding 2 million yuan ($281,611).

The students from the AADTHU are also looking forward to returning to Xikou village. Undergraduate student Sun Qian and her classmates completed an artwork, making swallows out of colorful acrylic panels to express the fond memories and dreams of the wanderers for their hometown.

This experience made her have deeper reflections on comprehensive rural revitalization. “I hope that with the development of rural areas, more young people will return like swallows.”

Vital China on the move

By Qiu Chaoyi, Li Xinping, Han Xin, People’s Daily

The Spring Festival travel rush, carrying people’s hopes for family reunion, reflects the new landscape of China’s high-quality development.

During the 2024 Spring Festival holiday, which ran from Feb. 10 to 17, China reported about 2.3 billion trips in varied modes of transport. In particular, the railway system handled about 99.59 million trips; about 2.18 billion trips were made on highways; waterway and civil aviation trips stood at 9.4 million and 18.04 million.

Regions and departments across China have strengthened coordination, increased transport capacity reserves, and prepared contingency plans, to make Spring Festival travels safer, more convenient and cozier, injecting vitality into this country on the move.

In 2023, China saw the introduction of new high-speed rail lines spanning 2,776 kilometers, along with the construction and expansion of over 7,000 kilometers of expressways. Additionally, the accessibility of domestic air routes expanded by 23 percent, providing strong support for meeting the travel demands during the Spring Festival holiday and facilitating regional connectivity.

During this year’s Spring Festival holiday, Chen, who resides in Fuzhou, southeast China’s Fujian province, took his family to the ancient city of Quanzhou in the province, taking the G1609 high-speed train. The trip only took them less than an hour.

The Fuzhou-Xiamen high-speed railway is China’s first cross-sea high-speed railway designed for a speed of 350 kilometers per hour. With the opening of it, the travel time between Fuzhou and Xiamen has been shortened to around an hour, while that among Xiamen, Zhangzhou, Quanzhou, and other cities has been cut to half an hour.

At the end of last year, the full opening of the Beijing-Xiong’an expressway just gave Zhang Chenghui, whose hometown is in Xiong’an New Area, north China’s Hebei province, a new option to return home.

“The road is smooth, signs are clear, and the scenery is beautiful. It only takes an hour to drive from Beijing to Xiong’an. It’s so convenient,” he said.

In Hefei, east China’s Anhui province, an intelligent operation command center for expressways was recently put into use by Anhui Transportation Holding Group, which is able to obtain real-time traffic, weather and other information, thus ensuring safe travel during the Spring Festival travel rush.

Last November, the Anyang Hongqiqu Airport in Anyang, central China’s Henan province opened for operation, becoming the first civil airport in the north of the province.

“With the new airport, it’s much more convenient to return home now,” said a woman surnamed Cai, who was traveling back to Anyang from Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong province. Previously, it took her over seven hours by high-speed rail to get home, but now the trip has been shortened to 2.5 hours by plane.

During the Spring Festival travel rush, regions across China introduced a series of thoughtful services, striving to improve passenger experience and provide strong support for safe and convenient travel.

“Tongtong, you did great!” At Beijing Daxing International Airport, a man surnamed Liu took his grandson Tongtong from the ground crew of China Southern Airlines. He soon called the child’s mother, telling her that Tongtong had arrived safe and sound.

Tongtong, 6, was able to fly alone across much of China from Guangzhou, thanks to the upgraded “unaccompanied minor” boarding service introduced by China Southern Airlines during the Spring Festival travel rush.

“From check-in, security check, boarding to pick-up, there is a staff member accompanying the child at every step, so the little ones will not leave our sight,” said Yi Liang, a staff member at the China Southern Airlines special passenger service counter at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

Yi said that with the increase in passenger flow and flights this Spring Festival, China Southern Airlines has further upgraded its special passenger services. Since the start of the Spring Festival travel rush, China Southern Airlines has provided services to over 600 unaccompanied minors and other special passengers on a daily basis.

During the Spring Festival, regions across China also strengthened the organization of freight sources and smoothed logistics channels to fully ensure the adequate supply of important livelihood commodities.

In Shaanxi province, the Haolebaoji-Ji’an railway increased coal transport capacity; in Jiangsu province, multiple express delivery companies stayed operational during the Spring Festival to deliver New Year goods to households; in Hainan province, ports of the Qiongzhou Strait implemented 24-hour operations to meet the needs of ro-ro passenger ships…

China on the move reflects the joy of reunion and mirrors the vitality of development.

Zigong’s lanterns enjoy high reputation around world

By Li Kaixuan, People’s Daily

In a workshop of Zigong Longteng Culture and Art Co., Ltd. based in Zigong, southwest China’s Sichuan province, the skeleton of a loong-shaped lantern was completed amid flying sparks from welding.

Loong, or Chinese dragon, the fifth sign in the traditional Chinese zodiac animal cycle, represents a totem of the Chinese nation. This year’s Chinese Spring Festival coincides with the Year of the Loong.

On the other side, a worker meticulously pasted and colored the scales of the “loong,” gradually revealing the enchanting charm of the lantern.

The lantern production process is complex, including designing, drafting blueprints, selecting appropriate materials for shaping, arranging lighting and drive systems, gluing, and painting, which requires many skilled workers.

During festivals, the lantern industry in Zigong can drive 100,000 people employment, including temporary labor, said Deng Peilin, chairman of Zigong Longteng Culture and Art Co., Ltd.

Lanterns are a symbol of Zigong and a crucial driver of local economic development. As early as the Spring Festival in 1964, the first lantern festival of the city was held, which bonded the city with lanterns.

After years of development, the lantern industry in Zigong today, including design, manufacturing, exhibition and other segments, has become increasingly specialized, with the industrial chain being continuously improved.

Nowadays, there are over 1,000 lantern-related companies in Zigong, with an annual output value of about 6 billion yuan ($830 million) and a share of 85 percent in the domestic lantern exhibition market.

Many of the orders received by Deng’s company were from overseas. “Thanks to the popularity of the Zigong lantern festival, lantern products are widely showcased at important exhibitions and major international sales platforms such as the Canton Fair. This ensures sales channels for our lantern products,” said Deng.

On Feb. 2 this year, the 30th Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival officially kicked off. A group of lanterns featuring “nian” (year in Chinese), a mythical beast thought to have preyed on people and livestock at the turn of the year in Chinese myth, attracted many visitors. These giant mechanical monsters swayed their heads and roared from time to time.

Weighing over 10 tons, these “beasts” can flexibly complete more than a dozen moves, said Zhong Yi, chief planner of the lantern fair. Zhong noted that these “beasts,” made by colorful lamp craft combined with simulated dinosaur mechanical drive, were equipped with “AI brains,” enabling them to “talk” with visitors.

The Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival hosted each year is a feast of excellent craftsmanship, materials, and design concepts.

For instance, a lantern set for the first time used water-soluble resin molding, making the characters’ faces almost lifelike.

Design concepts of lanterns are also updated. Popular game and trendy toy characters have been made into lanterns, and the lantern fair used spray guns and airbrushes to depict color gradients, creating a visually dazzling effect.

It is learned that Zigong’s lantern industry holds over 160 patents and 7,000 lantern copyrights. In 2023, Zigong’s lantern companies undertook over 200 colored lantern projects.

Continued innovation relies on the support of talent. Sichuan University of Science and Engineering established China’s first lantern school. Zigong Vocational and Technical College has set up a colored lantern major. Every year, over 2,000 “lantern craftsmen” are cultivated in Zigong.

On Feb. 11, a Chinese lantern festival was hosted in Montauban, France, which received a total of more than 300,000 visits. Huang Mingshu, who heads an overseas engineering team of Zigong Lantern Group and participated in organizing the lantern festival, said he was proud as a part of the event.

Last September, Huang and his team went to France for the preparation of the lantern festival. “We had a team of over 80 people, including all the necessary trades for designing, producing, and installation,” he said.

The materials and semi-finished products for making the lanterns were transported by China-Europe freight trains or by sea, and then further processed by the team on-site. It took about three months to complete the installation.

In 1990, Zigong lanterns made their first appearance overseas in Singapore. Since then, they have been exhibited in over 80 countries and regions, capturing 92 percent of the overseas lantern exhibition market.

In 2023, lantern enterprises in Zigong launched 90 overseas projects, achieving a cultural export value of $50.61 million.

Zigong has also established a lantern metaverse research and development center, which extensively applies technologies such as holographic projection and laser water curtain films to overseas lantern festivals.

Culture becomes more colorful because of communication. At the lantern festival held in France, visitors could enter a fantasy world composed of scenes such as the vast starry sky and mysterious forest, guided by a “magical hat.” Chinese elements such as landscapes and giant pandas were interspersed with Western cultural elements.

“We have introduced cartoon characters like Snoopy and Peter Rabbit at the lantern festival, and also used lanterns to interpret picture books by foreign authors. These exhibits were highly appreciated by foreign visitors,” said Li Zhongwen, general manager of the international market department of Zigong Lantern Group.

Fear grips Igala, Bassa people as Fulani Herdsmen Take Over Omala LG, Kogi State

Palpable fear has engulfed the whole of Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State following the large scale influx of Fulani herdsmen into the area.

The herdsmen, in their thousands, have almost outnumbered the original inhabitants of the towns and villages. A visit by our reporters to Abejukolo, the Local Government headquarters revealed that they (the herdsmen) have occupied all the public places, including schools, mosques and markets.
Similar visits to other villages in the local government like Agbenema, Echa, Ogoh, Ibado, Icheke, Ajokpachi, Bagaji, Akpacha, Ogodu, Olla indicated that most of the indigenous people were moving out to Similar communities out of fear of attacks, as the herders are never known for peaceful coexistence.

Indigenes who on the condition of anonymity said they were apprehensive because of the sheer number of strange people who had besieged their villages in the last few days and had been challenging anyone to dare ask them to leave.
They also cited the example of villages like Bagana and Iyade where the indigenes had been sacked and their villages and farms forcefully occupied by Fulani herdsmen for over a year now. Another case is the recent attack on Agojeju-odo during which a number of indigenes were killed, including a prominent political leader in the area.

Investigations revealed that the invading Fulani herdsmen were encouraged by the recent olive branch extended to them by the recently appointed Caretaker Chairman of the local government who saw rapprochement as a way of ensuring peaceful coexistence between them and local farmers.

However, it was also discovered that the herdsmen who had hitherto approached the Chairman to be allowed to settle in the local government with a commitment to be law-abiding, took advantage of the gesture to invite their colleagues who had been attacking villages in Benue State to come into Omala Local Government. This has also created some mistrust between communities in the local government and their neighbours in Benue who fear that the herdsmen could launch attacks on them from their new base.

To lend credence to the fears being expressed by the local farmers, it has been alleged that the arms-bearing herdsmen now invade farms where they destroy crops at will without any repercussion As a result, the people have abandoned their farms and are now appealing to the authorities, especially the security agencies to ensure their safety and security.

Echoing the appeal for the authorities to take the Omala case serious, a prominent indigene of the local government, Dr James Odaudu challenged the security agencies to rise up to the occasion and secure the people and their properties.

According to Odaudu, the issue of incessant attacks by the herdsmen has been toyed with by the immediate past government of the state.

It is also being suspected that the influx into Omala Local Government Area is a precursor to a full-scale invasion of the whole Kogi East Senatorial District, as Omala LGA is at the boundary with both Nasarawa and Benue States.

Omala Local Government, and parts of Dekina Local government have been on the receiving end of attacks by Fulani herdsmen for some time, leading to the sacking of Bagana, a major commercial centre on the banks of River Benue, and Iyade, fully occupied by the herdsmen.

The Oganenigwu community in Dekina LGA has also had a fair share of attacks by the herdsmen.
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Singapore Mandates Sustainable Aviation Fuel for Departing Flights, Impacting Ticket Prices

Starting in 2026, flights departing from Singapore will be required to use sustainable aviation fuel as part of the country’s efforts to progressively decarbonize airline operations. The initiative is outlined in Singapore’s sustainable air hub blueprint developed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). The move comes with an associated levy on the purchase of sustainable aviation fuel, and passengers can expect ticket prices to rise based on factors such as distance traveled and class of travel.

The initial target is a 1% sustainable aviation fuel uplift in 2026, with the goal of providing a demand signal to fuel producers and encouraging investment in sustainable aviation fuel production facilities. The target is set to increase to between 3% and 5% by 2030, contingent on global developments and the wider availability and adoption of sustainable aviation fuel.

Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat stated that the cost impact of the 1% target is deemed manageable, and stakeholders have been consulted in the decision-making process. The levies introduced to achieve this target could lead to increased ticket prices, with specific amounts depending on factors such as the destination and class of travel. Premium class passengers are expected to face higher levies.

CAAS will continue to engage with stakeholders and plans to announce further details in 2025 closer to the implementation date. The move is aimed at fostering sustainable growth in the aviation industry, balancing economic competitiveness and environmental sustainability.

Nigerian Agricultural Colleges Committee Urges Government Against Leasing Institution Lands

The National Committee of Heads of Colleges of Agriculture and Related Disciplines (NACHCARD) has appealed to the Nigerian federal government to reconsider its plan to lease lands within their institutions for food production.

During its 65th Regular Meeting in Abuja, the committee acknowledged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s (FMAFS) request for information on available lands for food production in the colleges. However, NACHCARD stressed the importance of the ministry providing funds and inputs to the colleges instead of leasing their lands to external parties, to prevent potential encroachment by land grabbers.

The committee also advised FMAFS to collaborate with and support the colleges for training in agriculture, as well as the execution of farmers’ and extension workers’ programs.

The communiqué issued by NACHCARD expressed concern about the recent decrease in student enrollment in agricultural colleges. This decline was attributed to the lowering of JAMB cutoffs for universities and the increasing number of polytechnics offering agricultural courses. The committee warned that if this trend persists, it could undermine the purpose of establishing the colleges and jeopardize the government’s efforts to encourage youth participation in agriculture, impacting overall food security initiatives.

Additionally, NACHCARD called for the swift inauguration of the NADFUND board to enhance the effectiveness of the emergency declared on food security. The committee advocated for agricultural colleges at federal and state levels to be given top priority in fund allocation, highlighting their exclusion from TetFund intervention since 2010 as an oversight.

Lastly, NACHCARD observed that some government agency application portals, especially in the military and paramilitary sectors, do not include Monotechnics in the list of tertiary institutions. This omission denies qualified graduates from agricultural colleges the opportunity to participate in recruitment exercises, prompting an appeal for inter-ministerial dialogue to address the issue.

OpenAI Unveils Sora: AI Text-to-Video Generation Tool with Broad Applications

OpenAI has introduced Sora, a groundbreaking AI tool designed for generating videos based on text commands. With potential applications in entertainment, education, and simulation, Sora marks a significant leap in AI’s ability to produce audiovisual content from textual prompts, bringing us closer to achieving ‘Artificial General Intelligence’ (AGI).

Key Features of Sora:

  1. Realistic Video Generation: Sora can create lifelike and imaginative scenes with detailed backgrounds, intricate motions, and expressive personas based on text instructions. It excels in handling complex scenarios involving multiple characters and diverse types of motion.
  2. Understanding of the Physical World: The model demonstrates a deep understanding of language and the physical world, accurately analyzing prompts to generate convincing characters with vibrant emotions. Sora can seamlessly create multiple shots within a single video, ensuring consistency and visual coherence.
  3. Video Extension and Animation: Sora can animate existing still images and extend videos by filling in missing frames, showcasing its versatility in video production.
  4. Safety Measures: OpenAI is implementing safety precautions before making Sora widely available. Collaboration with red teamers is underway to assess potential harms or threats, and tools are being designed to identify misleading content. Safety measures from DALL·E 3, such as text and image classifiers, will be applied to block inappropriate content.

Significance and Considerations:

Sora’s development signifies a major stride in AI’s capability to generate audiovisual content, opening up diverse applications. However, limitations include challenges in recreating complex physics, understanding specific cause-and-effect examples, and accurately preserving spatial details.

OpenAI is adopting a prudent approach to Sora’s launch, considering safety, ethics, and the potential for misuse. The tool is currently accessible to red teamers for critical review and a select group of designers, visual artists, and filmmakers for specific feedback. This phased approach aims to refine Sora and ensure responsible and trustworthy AI development before a general release.

5 Compelling Reasons to Embrace a Social Media Cleanse

While social media serves as a valuable tool for staying connected, informed, and even making money, the incessant notifications and platform-switching can leave many feeling overwhelmed and mentally drained. If you’ve experienced such sentiments, a social media cleanse might be the solution.

What is a social media cleanse?
A social media cleanse, also termed a digital detox, involves taking a break from social networking sites for a designated period, allowing individuals to disconnect from the virtual world and prioritize their mental well-being.

Here are five benefits of a social media cleanse:

  1. Reduced stress and anxiety:
    Frequent exposure to social media can induce stress and anxiety, contributing to a fear of missing out (FOMO) and feelings of inadequacy. A social media cleanse offers respite, helping individuals alleviate stress and regain a sense of calm.
  2. Improved mental health:
    Excessive use of social media has been linked to increased rates of depression, loneliness, and low self-esteem, particularly among young adults and teenagers. Stepping away from these platforms enables individuals to focus on activities that enhance mental well-being.
  3. Enhanced productivity:
    Breaking the cycle of mindlessly scrolling through social media during work or study hours, a social media cleanse improves productivity by eliminating distractions. With fewer temptations to check notifications or browse news feeds, individuals can channel their time and energy into more meaningful tasks.
  4. Better sleep quality:
    The blue light emitted by screens can disrupt the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, impacting the ability to fall asleep at night. Additionally, late-night social media use can heighten arousal and anxiety, further compromising sleep quality. Disconnecting from social media promotes better sleep hygiene and a more restful night’s sleep.
  5. Increased presence and connection:
    In an era of hyper-connectivity, real-life interactions can be overshadowed by virtual engagements. A social media cleanse encourages individuals to be present in their everyday lives, fostering deeper connections with those around them. Whether spending quality time with family, engaging in face-to-face conversations with friends, or exploring new hobbies, a social media cleanse encourages meaningful offline connections.

Joeboy Reveals Impact of Pure Water Factory Job on His Career in Recent Podcast Interview

In a recent conversation on the Afrobeats Intelligence Podcast, Joeboy shared insights into a pivotal period in his life during university when a three-month strike led him to seek employment at a pure water factory.

Recalling the challenging times, the artist, who studied Human Resources and Personal Management, narrated, “I had no choice but to go hard or go home. I remember searching for a job for three months across Lagos during the university strike. Unable to secure any position, I eventually found myself working as a marketer in a pure water factory, distributing flyers and promoting products to make ends meet.”

Joeboy emphasized that this experience became a turning point, motivating him to strive for success in his musical career. “I questioned if this was the path my life would take after finishing school. It was a trigger for me to tell myself, ‘You really have to make sure you make it,'” he shared.

The artist further revealed the impact of being discovered and signed by Mr Eazi, describing it as a “scary” experience. He emphasized the increased responsibility that came with others investing their time, energy, and money in his career. “It wasn’t a joke anymore or something I did for fun. It was scary, but you go hard or go home,” Joeboy concluded.

Olu of Warri, Dangote, and Elumelu Acknowledged at 2023 Sun Man of the Year Awards

The 2023 Sun Man of the Year Awards ceremony witnessed the gathering of distinguished individuals from various spheres, celebrating their notable achievements and contributions to society.

The event, an annual tradition, aimed to recognize iconic figures, business leaders, traditional rulers, impact creators, industrialists, and entrepreneurs, among other categories.

His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, received the prestigious Most Impactful Royal Father of 2023 award, presented by His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State.

The organizers highlighted the exceptional qualities of Olu of Warri, attributing his recognition to his remarkable efforts in modernizing the institution of Olu of Warri, promoting peace, unity, and prosperity within the Kingdom. Notably, his initiative in hosting the Iwere Economic Summit, a groundbreaking event aimed at charting the future course of the Itsekiri nation, showcased his visionary leadership.

Furthermore, the Olu of Warri’s commitment to fostering harmonious relationships with neighboring kingdoms and traditional rulers has significantly contributed to peaceful coexistence among communities.

Representing the Olu of Warri at the prestigious event were Chief Gilbert Temisan Grant, popularly known as Agubusinbiro, the Agura Otiri of Warri Kingdom, Chief Mrs. Teresa Ikimi, the Ejumotan of Warri Kingdom, alongside other prominent chiefs.

The Sun Man of the Year Awards served as a platform to honor individuals who have made indelible marks on society, inspiring others to emulate their exemplary leadership and service to humanity.