Nigeria Times

By Zhou Shanshan

China, a nation of immense scale with its vast population, sprawling geography, and millennia-old civilization, defies simplistic categorization. Two recent viral stories involving internet influencers – one international and one domestic – provide nuanced insights into this ancient yet dynamically evolving society.

The first involves American influencer IShowSpeed, whose global livestreaming adventures have been hailed as a “digital-age Marco Polo journey.”

Through his unvarnished lens, international audiences gained real-time glimpses of a China where urban safety rendered his security details nearly redundant,futuristic food-delivery drones coexisted with awe-inspiring displays of Chinese Kung Fu and Sichuan opera’s “face-changing” artistry.

His spontaneous engagements – dancing with square-dancing aunties, bargaining at night markets, and receiving good-humored reminders about public etiquette in English – unveiled a society that seamlessly blends approachability, vibrant energy, and civic order.

The statistics paint a striking portrait: over 100 million views, with comment sections flooded by international netizens requesting travel itineraries and organizing fan communities dedicated to experiencing China firsthand.

This digital phenomenon has transcended virtual boundaries. From American-Chinese families reuniting in Shanghai after reconnectingonline, to foreign influencers like the U.S.-based “Baobao Xiong”transforming into voluntary ambassadors for China, even an Australian who brought skeptical neighbors to personallyverify the country’s realities – the “China Travel”wave has fueled more and more foreignvisitors to explore, understand, and embrace the nation. This momentum coincides with China’s progressively relaxed visa-free transit policies.

What crystallizes is a country defying outdated stereotypes and cultural misconceptions, its authentic allure now resonating globally.

Another narrative unfolds in Yimeng,east China’s Shandong province, where a rural poetess has captivated global audiences by crafting verses amid farm work.

Known online as “Yimeng Sis,” she transforms spring into “nature’s alarm clock rousing plows” and winter snow into “celestial frost sugar,” blending agrarian cycles with lyrical introspection. Her viral declaration – “Life is poetry; existence our eternal anthem” – epitomizes the philosophical depth resonating from China’s countryside.

Accusations of AI-generated content or professional team backing expose a persistent cognitive gap: many still struggle to reconcile poetic expression with their preconceived notions of rural life. The root cause lies in the profound and drastic transformation of China, especially the great changes taking place in its rural areas.

Yet Yimeng Sis represents just one blossom in China’s cultural renaissance. Young content creator Li Ziqi fuses traditional craftsmanship with pastoral aesthetics, while ethnic embroiderers transform heritage patterns into metaverse NFTs. These grassroots narratives sprout from profound transformations—successful poverty alleviation and rural vitalization programs cultivating not just fertile fields, but confident farmers with enriched spiritual worlds.

The parallel success of these disparate stories—an American demystifying China through livestream and a farmer poet articulating rural changes—reveals fundamental truths. Modern China, with its multilayered realities and groundbreaking socioeconomic experiments, embodies a living legend. Its authentic representation, whether through foreign lenses or domestic voices, becomes the ultimate traffic magnet.

When observed without filters—comprehensively and objectively—China inevitably emerges as credible, endearing, and admirable.

By Fan Haotian, Tian Xianjin, Wang Zhe, People’s Daily

With crisp spring air and sun-drenched skies drawing crowds into the mountains, many hikers across China are finding that their treks now come with a new companion: cutting-edge robotic assistance.

High above the forested valleys of central China’s Hubei province, the Enshi Grand Canyon draws visitors with jagged cliffs and towering peaks, creating a dramatic and awe-inspiring landscape. During this year’s Qingming Festival holiday, the area welcomed 25,000 tourists – a year-on-year increase of over 30 percent.

For Mr. Yang, a local resident recovering from a leg fracture, the journey tothe Qixingzhai scenic area of the canyon began with a cable car ride. But the real challenge came after: a daunting staircase carved into the mountainside. Still hesitant to push his limits, Yang was offered something unexpected – a wearable robotic exoskeleton.

In seconds, the lightweight devicewas strapped to his waist and legs. To his surprise, each step grew easier. “It’s like wearing a waist pack,”he said. “You can really feel the push going uphill – even on level ground, it helps you move forward.”

Recently, the scenic area brought in more than a dozen robotic exoskeletons from Shenzhen, the tech hub in south China’s Guangdong province. Lightweight at just around 1.8 kilograms, the devices offer three to five hours of battery life and six power levels, allowing users to fine-tune their experience – dialing up for steep climbs, or easing off on gentler paths.

In parks and peaks across China, high-tech hiking aids are no longer a novelty – they are quickly becoming part of the outdoor experience.The rise of wearable robotics reflects a broader wave of innovation sweeping through the country’stourism and fitness industries, making trails more accessible to a wider public, including those with limited mobility.

At Helan Mountain National Forest Park in Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui autonomous region, more than 20,000 tourists visited during this year’s Qingming Festival holiday. About 300 tourists of them strapped into robotic hiking gear.

Elsewhere, iconic destinations like Mount Taishan and Huangshan Mountain are also embracing the shift. Visitors can now rent not only robotic exoskeletons but also smart trekking poles and robotic walking assistants – all designed to ease the burden of steep inclines and long trails.

“These products are incredibly popular and often booked out in advance,” said a staff member at Mount Taishan scenic area. Since January, the scenic spot has offered robotic hiking assistants for rent at 80 yuan ($10.92) for a three-hour session- and demand has been brisk.

Mile Bot, a robotics company based in Huangshan city, east China’s Anhui province, has developed a smart walking robot tailored for outdoor hiking and stair climbing. The device recently underwent field trials on the slopes of Huangshan Mountain.

“We gathered a great deal of user feedback during the trials,” said Zuo Zongsheng, a company executive. “Now we’re refining the design to make the product more intuitive and user-friendly.”

The robot’s core design draws from Mile Bot’s experience in rehabilitation robotics, where the company has developed medical-assist products, including exoskeletons for lower-limb paralysis recovery and treadmill-based recovery devices in medical setting. The hiking model, by comparison, is sleek and compact: a battery pack, motorized power arm, thigh straps and fasteners make up the entire unit.

“Flip the switch, and the motor kicks in, guiding your leg forward with every step,” Zuo explained. “It takes less than 30 seconds to put on, and users can select from five power levels based on the terrain.”

What sets the device apart, Zuo said, is its flexible drive system – designed to mimic natural movement more smoothly than traditional rigid mechanisms. It not only feels safer but also more responsive to the user’s stride.

Looking ahead, Mile Bot plans to trim the device’s weight, bolster its durability,and introduce seasonal versions with breathable or insulated materials for different weather conditions.

While tourists are the primary market, the company also sees broader applications: the exoskeletons are already being tested for use by sanitation crews and goods porters in scenic areas, promising a high-tech lift for more than just hikers.

By Ouyang Yujing

China and Malaysia are neighbors with a millennia-old friendship, friends connected by heart, and partners for win-win cooperation. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1974, the two countries have enjoyed amicable relations and mutual support, setting a model for mutuallybeneficial cooperation among countries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Malaysia, which comes roughly 12 years after his previous visit, marking a major milestone in China-Malaysia relations.

Head-of-state diplomacy has long charted the course for China-Malaysia relations.

In 2013, during President Xi’s visit to Malaysia, the two countries upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, a milestone in bilateral relations.

Ten years later, President Xi and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reached important consensus on jointly building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future, ushering in a new historical stage in bilateral ties.

In 2024, as the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, President Xi held talks with Malaysia’sKing Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and met with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Beijing. The two sides reached a series of important consensuses on deepening bilateral relations.

Under the strategic guidance of the leaders from both countries, China and Malaysia have firmly supported each other on issues of core interests and major concerns. The two nations have deepened and fortified the China-Malaysia community with a shared future.

Economic and trade cooperation has injected strong momentum into bilateral ties.

In 2024, China-Malaysia bilateral trade hit a record high of $212.04 billion, an 11.4 percent increase from the previous year. China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years and a major source of foreign investment. Malaysia is China’s second-largest trading partner and largest source of imports in ASEAN.

Pragmatic cooperation between the two sides continues to thrive: the East Coast Rail Link, a flagship project of China-Malaysia high-quality Belt and Road cooperation that connectsthe east and west coast of Malaysia, is set to drive coordinated economic development in Malaysia; the “Two Countries, Twin Parks”project continues to upgrade in quality; and Chinese carmaker Geely’s partnership with Malaysian automaker Proton is yielding win-win outcomes.

In recent years, the two countries have expanded their cooperation in technology and innovation, tapping into emergingsectors such as the digital economy, green development, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and new energy vehicles. These partnerships are not only knitting their industrial and supply chains more closely together, but also charting a shared course toward modernization.

People-to-people exchanges have laid a solid foundation for bilateral relations.

The historical and cultural ties between China and Malaysia stretch back centuries. From the 15th-century voyages of famous Chinese navigator Zheng He – who docked in Malacca five times – to the modern-day journeys of Chinese immigrants who took root in Southeast Asia, the relationship has long been marked by profound cultural exchanges.

These mutual journeys have brought fresh vitality to bilateral relations. In 2024, thanks to the mutual visa exemption policy, the number of Chinese visitors to Malaysia exceeded 3.8 million, more than double that of 2023, with over 500 flights operating between the two countries each week. Meanwhile, China has become a top destination for Malaysian tourists, with public opinion polls indicating that 77 percent of Malaysian respondents view China positively.

Malaysia’s fresh durians, especially the beloved Musang King variety, have found new popularity in China following their approvalfor export last year.Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 has become a box office sensation in Malaysia following its release.

The two sides are also deepening exchanges and mutual learning between the Chinese and Islamic civilizations, enhancing mutual understanding and shared development.

Malaysia holds the rotating chair of ASEAN this year. Facing the complex and challenging international situation, China looks forward to working with Malaysia to write a new chapter of solidarity and cooperation, safeguard the common interests of the Global South, and make greater contributions to regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity.

As the Chinese saying goes, “When the tide is right and the wind is favorable, it’s time to set sail.” President Xi’s visit is bound to deepen strategic cooperation between the two nations as they pursue modernization, bring the China-Malaysia community with a shared future to new heights, and steer bilateral ties toward an even brighter future.

(Ouyang Yujing is the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia.)

By Zhang Tengyang, People’s Daily

As spring breathes life into the land, the Qiansongba Forest Farm in Fengning Manchu autonomous county, Chengde, north China’s Hebei province, is beginning to show signs of green, adding a fresh hue to the rolling mountains and vast plains.

Like its renowned counterpart, the Saihanba Forest Farm – the world’s largest planted forest – Qiansongba occupies a strategic position between Beijing, Tianjin, and the Hunshandakesandy land. During the last century, rampant deforestation and overgrazing triggered severe desertification in this ecologically fragile region.

To combat this crisis, Hebei province initiated a reforestation campaign in 1999,aiming to establishthree more forest farms modeled after Saihanba. Qiansongba emerged as a flagship project of this ambitious endeavor.

Over two decades, Qiansongba has achieved remarkable milestones:afforestation spanning 1.16 million mu (approximately 77,333 hectares) and the restoration of nearly 1.5 million mu of desertified and degraded land.

The thriving forest has evolved into a cohesive ecosystem, establishing a robust green barrier that not only rehabilitates the local ecology but also fosters economic growth and prosperity for surrounding communities.

In autumn1999, a trailblazing team of 13 members arrived in Datan township in Fengning county, to initiateQiansongba’s first afforestation initiative.

“The terrain was rugged, and early tree-planting required hauling supplies manually or by horse. Improved infrastructure now allows tractors and trucks to deliver saplings to mountain bases, significantly easing labor. In recent years, drones have even been deployed to airlift seedlings directly toplanting sites,” said Tao Shijie, head of Qiansongba Forest Farm’s production department.

Historically dependent on livestock due to harsh natural conditions, locals initially resisted reforestation efforts that required converting individually or collectively contracted land into no-grazing zones.

He Shuchen, director of Qiansongba Forest Farm, recalled howmunicipal, county, and township authorities collaborated to harmonize land policies while engaging communities through dialogue on long-term ecological and economic trade-offs.

“The farm rolled out several initiatives to encourage villagers to participate in afforestation, forest protection, and forest management. Locals could earn income by planting trees, and were later entrusted with forest maintenance. Oncetrees matured, profits were shared proportionally.  Gradually, public support grew,”he noted.

The farm later adopted a shareholding model integrating farmers, collectives, state-owned entities, and pastures as land contributors.Qiansongba secured funding and partnered with stakeholders to co-plant and manage forests, allocating 20 percent of profits to itself and distributing the remainder among contributors..

Over two decades, this approach has restored roughly 4,000 square kilometers across nine townships, achieving 1.16 million mu (77,333 hectares) of engineered afforestation.

The farm established a collaborative conservation framework to rigorously regulate activities such as quarrying, land reclamation, and illegal grazing within the project zone. It enforced all-round, all-area, all-hours forest protection, fire prevention, and law enforcement systems. According to He, since the start of reforestation, the project area has restored nearly 1.5 million mu of desertified and eroded land.

Driving through winding roads in the Qiansongba National Forest Park, one is greeted by orderly groves of spruce, birch, larch, and poplar trees.

Since 2013, the Qiansongba Forest Farm has been rehabilitating barren hillsides in Xiaobeigou village, Datan township, through sustained tree-planting initiatives. As ecological conditions improved, tourism, dining, and homestay enterprises gradually flourished.

Today, a hillside in Xiaobeigou hosts an innovative tent-hotel concept. Its modular, mobile tent units blend seamlessly with the surrounding forests, meadows, and lakes.

“Reclining on the grassy slope, watching clouds glide overhead and endless forests unfurl – it’s pure serenity,” said Li Xueying, a tourist from Beijing.

“We deliberately avoided extensive hardscapes or permanent infrastructure,” explained hotel manager Zhou Hang. “Instead, we installed temporary gravel pathways and fully mobile tent structures to minimize environmental disruption and preserve the original terrain.” The eco-conscious design not only generates rental revenue for village collectives and residents but also provides employment opportunities for nearly 40 locals.

“Rural tourism here thriveson the unique beauty of the native secondary forests, plantations, and grassland landscapes,” said Yu Cunyong, aXiaobeigou village official.“With proper development and use, we’ve protected the environment while fostering community development.”

Over the past decade, the number of the village’s hotels, homestays, and agritainment businesses have grown from just four to 48,hosting over 100,000 visitors annually.

To date, the reforestation project of the Qiansongba Forest Farm has directly increased farmers’ income by 210 million yuan ($38.29 million). The lush mountains and lucid waters have also accelerated the growth of rural tourism. Around the project area, five new large resorts have been developed and 10 tourism-focused villages have been supported.

By Li Haoran, People’s Daily

In the rapidly evolving landscape of health consumption, China is embracing the transformative power of “embodied intelligence.”FromAI-driven glucose monitorspredicting blood sugar trends and generating personalized dietary plans, tosmart mattressesdetecting apnea risks, adjusting sleep posture, and activating air purification systems before snoring begins, the integration of AI into daily health routines is set to revolutionize the way people care for themselves.

Recently, China released a plan on special initiatives to boost consumption, with a special focus on launching health consumption initiatives. With strong policy support, health consumption has gained significant momentum. Local governments in the country are rapidly driving the development of new quality productive forces, particularly embodied intelligence, creating a fertile ground for the growth of the healthcare industry.

Beijing has made bold moves,unveiling a three-year action plan for embodied intelligence innovation and industrial growth, backed by a 100-billion-yuan fund. The city also launched “Huisi Kaiwu,”the world’s first universal embodied artificial intelligence (AI) platform that supports multiple body types and scenarios, and hosted the China Embodied AI Conference.

In tandem with these governmental efforts, Chinese consumers are increasingly focused on their health, reflecting a profound societal shift toward proactive wellness management. A McKinsey survey revealed that 62 percent of Chinese consumers prioritize health in their daily lives – surpassing the United States (41 percent) and the United Kingdom (29 percent).

Meanwhile, consumer demand in China is shifting from simply acquiring products to seeking an enhanced quality of life, with individuals increasingly looking for personalized, tailored health solutions. A notable example is the rising demand for assistive technology. People with mobility challenges eagerly await the mass production of hip-assist exoskeletons, highlighting a market gap and the pressing need for innovative solutions.

This shift is not limited to younger consumers – businesses once assumed that tech-savvy millennials were the primary adopters of new health technologies. However, surveys reveal that elderly consumers are also highly engaged in health management, with many scrutinizing nutrition labels and tracking their calories.

Statistics from the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Statistics show that over 80 percent of seniors in Beijing are willing to use smart devices, particularly for health purposes. This presents a significant opportunity for companies to refine theirofferings, catering to this growing demographic by creating enhanced scenarios and experiences.

Success in this evolving market often requires rethinking traditional business models. Consider the case of Linjia village in east China’s Shandong province, where the local “Zhushan Ecological Valley”has tapped into the burgeoning wellness tourism trend. The village’s hotel wellness cabins – priced at over 1,000 yuan ($136.2) per night – are in high demand, and forest yoga classes attract urbanites willing to pay a premiumfor a rejuvenating experience. Even the village’s strontium-rich mineral water, sourced from deep underground, is selling effortlessly.

This success goes beyond selling picturesque landscapes – it’s about selling health. By aligning itself with the wellness agriculture movement, the village has tapped into the thriving health consumption trend, positioning itself at the forefront of this growing market.

As Antoine de Saint-Affrique, CEO of French food group Danone, remarked at the China Development Forum 2025, China’s transition from “eating enough” to “eating well and healthily” reflects the country’s broader economic aspirations and its pursuit of a better life. This just echoes the global confidence in China’s burgeoninghealth consumption market.

By integrating digital intelligence, accelerating industrial growth, and enhancingconsumer experiences, China’s health consumption sector is set for expansive growth and a dynamic future.

By Ouyang Yujing

China and Malaysia are neighbors with a millennia-old friendship, friends connected by heart, and partners for win-win cooperation. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1974, the two countries have enjoyed amicable relations and mutual support, setting a model for mutuallybeneficial cooperation among countries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Malaysia, which comes roughly 12 years after his previous visit, marking a major milestone in China-Malaysia relations.

Head-of-state diplomacy has long charted the course for China-Malaysia relations.

In 2013, during President Xi’s visit to Malaysia, the two countries upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, a milestone in bilateral relations.

Ten years later, President Xi and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reached important consensus on jointly building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future, ushering in a new historical stage in bilateral ties.

In 2024, as the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, President Xi held talks with Malaysia’sKing Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and met with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Beijing. The two sides reached a series of important consensuses on deepening bilateral relations.

Under the strategic guidance of the leaders from both countries, China and Malaysia have firmly supported each other on issues of core interests and major concerns. The two nations have deepened and fortified the China-Malaysia community with a shared future.

Economic and trade cooperation has injected strong momentum into bilateral ties.

In 2024, China-Malaysia bilateral trade hit a record high of $212.04 billion, an 11.4 percent increase from the previous year. China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years and a major source of foreign investment. Malaysia is China’s second-largest trading partner and largest source of imports in ASEAN.

Pragmatic cooperation between the two sides continues to thrive: the East Coast Rail Link, a flagship project of China-Malaysia high-quality Belt and Road cooperation that connectsthe east and west coast of Malaysia, is set to drive coordinated economic development in Malaysia; the “Two Countries, Twin Parks”project continues to upgrade in quality; and Chinese carmaker Geely’s partnership with Malaysian automaker Proton is yielding win-win outcomes.

In recent years, the two countries have expanded their cooperation in technology and innovation, tapping into emergingsectors such as the digital economy, green development, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and new energy vehicles. These partnerships are not only knitting their industrial and supply chains more closely together, but also charting a shared course toward modernization.

People-to-people exchanges have laid a solid foundation for bilateral relations.

The historical and cultural ties between China and Malaysia stretch back centuries. From the 15th-century voyages of famous Chinese navigator Zheng He – who docked in Malacca five times – to the modern-day journeys of Chinese immigrants who took root in Southeast Asia, the relationship has long been marked by profound cultural exchanges.

These mutual journeys have brought fresh vitality to bilateral relations. In 2024, thanks to the mutual visa exemption policy, the number of Chinese visitors to Malaysia exceeded 3.8 million, more than double that of 2023, with over 500 flights operating between the two countries each week. Meanwhile, China has become a top destination for Malaysian tourists, with public opinion polls indicating that 77 percent of Malaysian respondents view China positively.

Malaysia’s fresh durians, especially the beloved Musang King variety, have found new popularity in China following their approvalfor export last year.Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 has become a box office sensation in Malaysia following its release.

The two sides are also deepening exchanges and mutual learning between the Chinese and Islamic civilizations, enhancing mutual understanding and shared development.

Malaysia holds the rotating chair of ASEAN this year. Facing the complex and challenging international situation, China looks forward to working with Malaysia to write a new chapter of solidarity and cooperation, safeguard the common interests of the Global South, and make greater contributions to regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity.

As the Chinese saying goes, “When the tide is right and the wind is favorable, it’s time to set sail.” President Xi’s visit is bound to deepen strategic cooperation between the two nations as they pursue modernization, bring the China-Malaysia community with a shared future to new heights, and steer bilateral ties toward an even brighter future.

(Ouyang Yujing is the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia.)

By Zhang Tengyang, People’s Daily

As spring breathes life into the land, the Qiansongba Forest Farm in Fengning Manchu autonomous county, Chengde, north China’s Hebei province, is beginning to show signs of green, adding a fresh hue to the rolling mountains and vast plains.

Like its renowned counterpart, the Saihanba Forest Farm – the world’s largest planted forest – Qiansongba occupies a strategic position between Beijing, Tianjin, and the Hunshandakesandy land. During the last century, rampant deforestation and overgrazing triggered severe desertification in this ecologically fragile region.

To combat this crisis, Hebei province initiated a reforestation campaign in 1999,aiming to establishthree more forest farms modeled after Saihanba. Qiansongba emerged as a flagship project of this ambitious endeavor.

Over two decades, Qiansongba has achieved remarkable milestones:afforestation spanning 1.16 million mu (approximately 77,333 hectares) and the restoration of nearly 1.5 million mu of desertified and degraded land.

The thriving forest has evolved into a cohesive ecosystem, establishing a robust green barrier that not only rehabilitates the local ecology but also fosters economic growth and prosperity for surrounding communities.

In autumn1999, a trailblazing team of 13 members arrived in Datan township in Fengning county, to initiateQiansongba’s first afforestation initiative.

“The terrain was rugged, and early tree-planting required hauling supplies manually or by horse. Improved infrastructure now allows tractors and trucks to deliver saplings to mountain bases, significantly easing labor. In recent years, drones have even been deployed to airlift seedlings directly toplanting sites,” said Tao Shijie, head of Qiansongba Forest Farm’s production department.

Historically dependent on livestock due to harsh natural conditions, locals initially resisted reforestation efforts that required converting individually or collectively contracted land into no-grazing zones.

He Shuchen, director of Qiansongba Forest Farm, recalled howmunicipal, county, and township authorities collaborated to harmonize land policies while engaging communities through dialogue on long-term ecological and economic trade-offs.

“The farm rolled out several initiatives to encourage villagers to participate in afforestation, forest protection, and forest management. Locals could earn income by planting trees, and were later entrusted with forest maintenance. Oncetrees matured, profits were shared proportionally.  Gradually, public support grew,”he noted.

The farm later adopted a shareholding model integrating farmers, collectives, state-owned entities, and pastures as land contributors.Qiansongba secured funding and partnered with stakeholders to co-plant and manage forests, allocating 20 percent of profits to itself and distributing the remainder among contributors..

Over two decades, this approach has restored roughly 4,000 square kilometers across nine townships, achieving 1.16 million mu (77,333 hectares) of engineered afforestation.

The farm established a collaborative conservation framework to rigorously regulate activities such as quarrying, land reclamation, and illegal grazing within the project zone. It enforced all-round, all-area, all-hours forest protection, fire prevention, and law enforcement systems. According to He, since the start of reforestation, the project area has restored nearly 1.5 million mu of desertified and eroded land.

Driving through winding roads in the Qiansongba National Forest Park, one is greeted by orderly groves of spruce, birch, larch, and poplar trees.

Since 2013, the Qiansongba Forest Farm has been rehabilitating barren hillsides in Xiaobeigou village, Datan township, through sustained tree-planting initiatives. As ecological conditions improved, tourism, dining, and homestay enterprises gradually flourished.

Today, a hillside in Xiaobeigou hosts an innovative tent-hotel concept. Its modular, mobile tent units blend seamlessly with the surrounding forests, meadows, and lakes.

“Reclining on the grassy slope, watching clouds glide overhead and endless forests unfurl – it’s pure serenity,” said Li Xueying, a tourist from Beijing.

“We deliberately avoided extensive hardscapes or permanent infrastructure,” explained hotel manager Zhou Hang. “Instead, we installed temporary gravel pathways and fully mobile tent structures to minimize environmental disruption and preserve the original terrain.” The eco-conscious design not only generates rental revenue for village collectives and residents but also provides employment opportunities for nearly 40 locals.

“Rural tourism here thriveson the unique beauty of the native secondary forests, plantations, and grassland landscapes,” said Yu Cunyong, aXiaobeigou village official.“With proper development and use, we’ve protected the environment while fostering community development.”

Over the past decade, the number of the village’s hotels, homestays, and agritainment businesses have grown from just four to 48,hosting over 100,000 visitors annually.

To date, the reforestation project of the Qiansongba Forest Farm has directly increased farmers’ income by 210 million yuan ($38.29 million). The lush mountains and lucid waters have also accelerated the growth of rural tourism. Around the project area, five new large resorts have been developed and 10 tourism-focused villages have been supported.

By Wang Ke, People’s Daily

As spring breathes life into nature, China’s cultural and tourism sector exudes dynamic energy.. From floral appreciation andspringtime culinary delights to hiking, cycling, and outdoor camping, robust market data and consumption trends highlight the booming supply and demand of the “spring economy,”showcasing the vibrancyof China’s consumer market.

Spring excursions have emerged as a defining travel trend. According to Meituan, one of China’s leading e-commerce platforms for services, searches for “flower-viewing tours” have surged by 396 percent year-on-year since the onset of spring.

Data from online travel service providerCtrip shows that bookings for flower-viewing itineraries during the April 4-6Qingming Festival holidayrose by 45 percent week-on-week.

Traditional destinations renowned for cherry blossoms, peonies, and peach blossomswitnessed surging. popularity. Among the top spots areEast Lake Cherry Blossom Park in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei province, the Peony Festival in Luoyang, central China’s Henan province, and Cherry Blossom Festival in Yuantouzhu Scenic Area in Wuxi, east China’s Jiangsu province.

Urban parks and botanical gardens haveemerged as sought-after destinations for locals and visitors alike to embrace spring blossoms. Data from ride-hailing platform Didiindicates a 21 percent year-on-year surge in transportation requests to these locations during the Qingming Festival holiday..

While many flock outdoors to admire floral displays, others are incorporating blooms into their homes.E-commerce platform Taobao recorded that daily searches for fresh flower productsexceeded 150,000in March, with searches for cut flowers rose by over 20 percent from a year ago. Transaction values for tulips, peonies, and carnations doubled during this period.

“I eagerly anticipate enjoying qingtuan every spring,”shared Jiang Jiaqi, a Beijing-basedbank employee from Chaoyang district, who ordered several boxes of the seasonal treat with various fillings online during the holiday.

As a signature springtime delicacy, qingtuan – a glutinous rice snack with sweet or savory fillings – continues to win favor among consumers. E-commerce giant JD.com reported that qingtuan sales in the week preceding the Qingming Festival more than doubledyear-on-year, with low-sugar variants saw a 109 percent sales increase, reflecting growing demand for healthier options among taste-conscious shoppers.

As seasonal vegetables flood markets, fresh spring flavors are delighting palates and fueling growth in China’sfood and beverage sector. Data from Meituanreveals a117 percent year-on-yearsurge in orders for seasonal dining packages featuring spring cuisine since March.The strong demand has accelerated menu innovation, – with restaurants offeringspring-inspireddishesincreased by around 470 percent compared to last year.

Eager to tap into this demand, restaurants are launching innovative seasonal offerings. “Since the start of spring, we’ve introduced various bamboo shoot-based dishes, and sales have grown significantly. Fresh bamboo shoot usage risen by 25 percent year-on-year,” said a representative from Beijing Tongchunyuan Restaurant, part of the Huatian Group, a cross-regional modern service company listed in the hotel service industry.

Bolstered by the dual forcesof seasonal consumptionand holiday travel, outdoor gear, flower-themed fashion, campingequipment, and cycling products are experiencing robust sales. Ctrip data shows a marked hotel booking spikesin popular destinations such as Wuyuan in Jiangxi, Nyingchi in Xizang, Wuxi in Jiangsu, Anshun in Guizhou, and Wuhan in Hubei.

“Climbing mountains to admire the scenery combines exercise with enjoyment,” said Liu Wei, avisitor exploringTianping Mountain in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. There, visitors can take in blooming azaleas from around the world and explore themed floral landscapes.

Spring excursionsfueling diverse consumer trends, with varied interests stimulating demand across multiple sectors. JD.com reported that in the week before the Qingming Festival, sales of sun-protective clothing jumped by 240 percent from the previous week, sun masks by 116 percent, and sunscreen lotionby 82 percent. The desire to capture spring memories has also driven explosive growth in photography gear:action cameras salessurged by 654 percent, instant cameras by 193 percent, and digital cameras by 132 percent.

Outdoor activities like cycling and camping, continues to gain momentum. JD.com data highlights significant pre-Qingming Festival sales spikes: sales of cycling apparel rose by 67 percent, urban bicycles by 46 percent, tents by 74 percent, and camping furniture by 70 percentcompared to the prior week.

As the spring economy converges with the holiday economy, new consumption scenes, services, and products are emerging, injecting fresh energy into China’s economic and social development.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, causing heavy casualties and property losses, prompting international concern.

Responding swiftly,Chinese President Xi Jinping extended condolences to Myanmar’s leader Min Aung Hlaing on March 29, expressing China’s readiness to provide assistance and support efforts to overcome the disaster and rebuild homes at an early date.

In the days that followed, Chinese rescue teams were en route to Myanmar, joining local efforts to save lives. Their rapid actions epitomize the profound “Paukphaw” (fraternal) friendship between the two countries, and this solidarity embodies the meaning of the China-Myanmar community with a shared future sharing weal and woe.

“When Chinese rescuers arrived, I felt immense relief – they were the help we could truly count on,” said a survivor in Mandalay, echoing widespread local confidence in China’s disaster response capabilities..

From the very first moments, China moved quickly to coordinate relief assistance. Within 18 hours, a medical rescue team from southwest China’s Yunnan province set out from the provincial capital of Kunming and arrived in Myanmar, bringing life-saving equipment such aslife detectors and drones.

At present, multiple Chinese rescue teams areengaged in frontline operations,collaborating with local teams to prioritize life-saving missions. Among them are the China Search and Rescue Team, the China international search and rescue team that includes members from the Chinese military, a rescue team from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, and the Chinese Red Cross International Emergency Response Team.

In Mandalay, Naypyidaw, and Yangon, Chinese seismic experts, disaster specialists, and medical teams are leading targeted relief operations.Their technical expertise, 24/7 commitment,and cross-border coordination underscoreChina’s ethos of solidarity and shared resilience in crises..

China and Myanmar are connected by mountains and rivers, and the two peoples enjoy a profound fraternal friendship.

To addressurgent needs, China is providingcomprehensive emergency humanitarian assistance to support quake-stricken regions. It has decided to provide Myanmar with 100 million yuan ($13.62 million) in emergency humanitarian aid. On April 3, the second batch of emergency humanitarian aid supplies dispatched by the Chinese government arrived in Myanmar. Meanwhile, Chinese enterprises, trade associations, and volunteers in Myanmar are mobilizing additional resources for shelter, medical care, and infrastructure rehabilitation.

Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein said theaidsupplies demonstrated a profound friendship of the Chinese government and people toward the Myanmarpeople, expressing heartfelt appreciation for China’s timely and substantive assistance.

Ambassador of Myanmar to China Tin Maung Swe noted that China immediately extended a helping hand to Myanmar when it was facing the most difficult time, which made the Myanmar people deeply feel the fraternal friendship between the two countries.

Humanity is a community with a shared future where all people rise and fall together. Countries around the world are like passengers aboard the same ship who share the same destiny. When sudden natural disasters strike, they not only put a country’s emergency response to test but also challenge the international community’s capacity to act with unity, compassion, and resolve.

China has long championed the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, backing that commitment with concrete actions in global humanitarian efforts.

Since 2018, China has provided more than 1,000 cases of emergency assistance to over 70 countries. When Cyclone Idai struck Mozambique in 2019, China immediately sent humanitarian supplies and rescue teams. When a strong earthquake hit southern Turkiye near the Syrian border in 2023, Chinese rescue teams were on the ground within hours as part of an overnight emergency response.

These efforts came with no political strings attached and no pursuit of geopolitical gain. They prioritize people and lives above all else – offering a sense of humanity and solidarity at moments when the world needs it most.

While natural disasters strike without mercy, theyare often met with compassion, resilience, and solidarity.It is through unity and cooperation that humanity can weather hardship and rise above adversity.

China remains committed to carrying forward the fraternal friendship between the two countries and will continue working side by side with the international community to support the people of Myanmar as they recover and rebuild.