Nigeria Times

By Huang Xian, People’s Daily

A radiant lotus flower slowly unfolded, while an ethereal melody echoed through distant valleys… As Chinese animated fantasy adventure film Ne Zha 2 soared to the top of the global animated box office, another unexpected star rose alongside it—the mesmerizing, otherworldly singing in the film’s opening scene.

This enchanting sound came from Yang Xiangni, a Generation-Z lead vocalist of the Wuyue Chan’ge ensemble in southwest China’s Guizhou province, and a group of young women from the Dong ethnic group. With the Grand Song of the Dong ethnic group, they provided audiences with a unique auditory experience.

The Grand Song of the Dong ethnic group is a polyphonic chorus without accompaniments and commands.It is popular in regions inhabited by the Dong ethnic group in China.

Born in Sanbao Dong village, Rongjiang county, Guizhou province, Yang was immersed in the musical traditions of the Dong ethnic group from childhood, mastering the art of the Grand Song performance by age six. Later, she was admitted to the Academy of Music, Guizhou University, where she began formal and systematic studies of the Grand Song of the Dong ethnic group.

During her university years, Yang encountered a group of peers who shared her passion for traditional music, and together they established the Wuyue Chan’ge ensemble. “The name draws inspiration from the classic Dong ethnic ballad Wuyue Chan’ge—literally the cicada’s song in May,” Yang explained. “We chose it to reflect our commitment to preserving and revitalizing our cultural legacy.”

After graduating, driven by her dedication to Dong music and a profound sense of cultural duty, Yang returned to her hometown—only to confront a sobering reality. “In the entire village, only people over 50 could still perform the Grand Song of the Dong ethnic group, and few youths showed interest in learning it,” she recalled.

Historically, Yang noted,”the Grand Song of the Dong ethnic group lacked a written notation system;—its transmission relied solely on oral tradition.”Recognizing the urgency of safeguarding this intangible heritage, she concluded that preservation methods must adapt to contemporary demands to ensure its survival.

A review of her social media profiles reveals curated content featuring instructional videos on vocal techniques and documentation of her fieldwork with elder songmasters. On weekends, she conducts complimentary workshops for local children, guiding them in memorizing traditional lyrics and melodies. Each evening, she hosts livestream sessions to introduce global audiences to the cultural and artistic nuances of the Grand Song of the Dong ethnic group.

In recent years, Yang and her ensemble have pursued innovative strategies to broaden the reach of the Grand Song of the Dong ethnic group. In 2023, they collaborated with a Chinese mobile game to produce an original soundtrack. At a subsequent live concert, Yang directed a performance by 17 young Dong women before an audience of over 10,000, earning resounding acclaim.

“Our most significant milestone to date was Ne Zha 2,” Yang remarked. In 2024, she received an unexpected online invitation to Beijing. Only after signing a non-disclosure agreement did she discover her role: contributing vocals to the animated film’s score.

While elated by the opportunity, Yang immediately confronted a dual challenge: preserving the authenticity of Dong music while ensuring its harmonious integration into a contemporary cinematic context.

To address this, Yang and the production team engaged in rigorous conceptual discussions, meticulously aligning musical and visual elements. During a five-hour studio session, her 10-member ensemble mastered the composition’s technical demands. The final piece retained the Dong language’s distinctive phonetics while innovatively reinterpreting the traditional “one lead, all follow” polyphonic structure into a balanced high-low harmony, enhancing its cinematic resonance.

“As long as there are listeners and practitioners willing to explore, innovate, and transcend boundaries, the Grand Song of the Dong ethnic group will endure,” Yang asserted. “Today, it thrives on digital platforms, concert stages, and even in film.” She envisions that modern reinterpretations will amplify the art form’s relevance among younger generations—ensuring its legacy grows ever more vibrant.

By Gu Yekai, Liu Yiqing, People’s Daily

At a smart construction project site managed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation, a quiet technological revolution is underway. Amid cranes and concrete, engineers are deploying advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems that could fundamentally reshape the construction industry.

Li Fengjian, an AI specialistwith Xianyuan Technology, detailed how the company’s latest intelligent system – built on a large model – adapts to complex construction environments.”Engineering machinery equipped with intelligent agents can adjust its operations automatically in response to weather conditions,” Li explained, adding that a spatiotemporal sensing network further enhances the system, providing real-time tracking of both personnel and materials throughout the construction site.

In February this year, Xianyuan Technology rapidly integrated its self-developed model with DeepSeek-R1, effectively blending a general-purpose framework with industry-specific models. This integration, Li noted, has produced a solution capable of delivering expert-level performance in challenging, dynamic environments. The firm is based in the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center, aburgeoning AI incubator that now hosts over 200 innovative enterprises.

China’s technological transformation extends well beyond the construction sector. Overthe past three decades, the country has evolved from its initial forays into internet connectivity to becoming a key player in global digital innovation.

Here, a steady stream of technological innovations are emerging, from the early days of emails and web browsing to the cutting-edge technologies represented by DeepSeek and the dynamic evolution of social media.

Wu Jianping, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering and headof the Zhongguancun Laboratory, pointed out that while China had introduced only one internet standard before 2005, it now contributes to over 200 worldwide. Such strides illustrate the country’s concerted push toward high-level technological self-reliance – a journey marked by both persistence and determination.

Beyond the digital realm, China is makingsignificant inroads in aerospace, new energy, and other high-tech sectors. It has transitioned from being a follower to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with global leaders, and in some areas, even taking the lead. Wu attributed these achievements to a dynamic ecosystem of policy reforms and talent cultivation that encourages creativity and technical expertise at every level.

Amid intensifying international competition, collaborative research and the integration of new technologies with traditional industries are central to China’s high-quality economic development.

Mei Linhai, a researcher at China’s State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Intelligence, remarked that the age of AI calls for continuous exploration. “In this era, everyone is an innovator. Only by persistently pushing the boundaries can we remain at the forefront of both technological and industrial development,” Mei observed.

In the field of general-purpose AI, Mei emphasized that independent innovation is paramount. He advocates for a self-driven industrial ecosystem that leveragesbreakthrough technologies to boost productivity and unlock new possibilities, Mei said.

By Wei Zhezhe, Liu Botong, People’s Daily

In a modest corner of Jiangmen, south China’s Guangdong province, residents of Weidong village are experiencing firsthand a form of democracy that starts at the grassroots level and reverberates all the way to Beijing.

Wu Tengxin, a local villager who relies on a scooter for daily mobility after contracting polio, recalls a time when the village’s public spaces were ill-equipped for people with disabilities. Now, thanks to a simple suggestion made during a meeting, his everyday life has changed.

In November 2022, a team from a local legislative outreach office – a branch of China’sNational People’s Congress (NPC) – visited Weidong village and set up a “bench-style meeting.” Residents, including the elderly and those with disabilities, gathered to voice their concerns about inadequate accessibility.

Amid the conversation, Wu offered a straightforward proposal: “I hope rural accessible facilities can be improved to make mobility easier for people with disabilities and the elderly.” His words were relayed verbatim to lawmakers.

The response was swift. On June 28, 2023, at the third session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee, legislators passed a law on building a barrier-free living environment. The law stipulates that improvements”shall align with social and economic development levels, coordinate urban and rural progress, and gradually narrow the gap in infrastructure between urban and rural areas.”

Today, Wu observes that the village’s main roads and public squares have been upgraded with accessibility features that make getting around considerably easier.

This episode illustrates what Chinese officials call “whole-process people’s democracy” – a system where citizen input is woven into every stage of policy development.

Jilie Ziri, head of Abuluoha village in Butuo county, southwest China’s Sichuan province, remarked that for young generations in China, democracy has become a lived experience. “Villagers are the masters of village affairs,” he said, emphasizing how active villager participation has injected new vitality into local governance.

Experts point to consultative democracy as a cornerstone of this process. Tao Kaiyuan, vice chairman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy and vice president of the Supreme People’s Court, underscores the important role of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, whose members hail from every stratum of society and bring a wealth of expertise and connections.

Their regular forums, field research, and public consultations have created robust channels for citizens to contribute ideas and forge consensus.”This approach gathers collective wisdom and transforms public voices into policy,” Tao said.

Another crucial manifestation is the effectiveness of China’s political party system. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, Chinese democratic parties actively fulfill their duties, offering recommendations that often translate into concrete policy decisions. This integrated approach demonstrates the unique strengths of China’s political system and the advantages of whole-process people’s democracy.

Tao emphasized that whole-process people’s democracyhas evolved into an efficient and dynamic democratic practice – one that not only reflects the essence of socialist democracy but also presents a pioneering model of political civilization, contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to global governance and democratic development.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

At China’s recent annual “two sessions,” Chinese modernization once again captured global attention. International observers are closely following a range of new measures designed not only to accelerate Chinese domestic transformation but also to unlock fresh opportunities for global development.

They believe that Chinese modernization, built on a foundation of openness and cooperation, will continue to yield global benefits with each new milestone.

Today, China stands as a formidable force in the global economy – accounting for around 18 percent of the global economy and nearly 30 percent of world manufacturing output. Year after year, the nation has contributed about 30 percent to global economic growth. With import and export records with almost all countries and regions designated in the United Nations Statistics Division, the country is a major trading partner for more than 150 countries and regions. In 2024, its exports to over 160 countries and regions saw growth.

Often hailed as the “world’s largest developing country,”the “second-largest economy,””world’s factory,””global market,” and “innovation powerhouse,” China is increasingly viewed as a beacon of stability and progress.

In recent years, high-profile events such as the seventh China International Import Expo – where intended deals exceeded $80 billion – and the establishment of over 1.239 million foreign-invested enterprises have reinforced the nation’s reputation as a vast, dynamic market.

Meanwhile, policies encouraging Chinese companies to “go global” have seen a steady stream of new technologies, goods, and services permeate international markets, knitting the country ever tighter into global value chains and bolstering its commitment to win-win cooperation.

The influence of Chinese modernization is evident far beyond its borders. In the Central African Republic, President Faustin-Archange Touadera has repeatedly screened China’s political documentary Carry the Reform Through to the End for cabinet discussions, while officialsin Uzbekistan are adapting China’s poverty-reduction experience to suit their national context. These moves challenge the assumption that modernization must follow Western models, suggesting that China’s alternative pathway offers a viable route to development.

Beyond economic growth, Chinese modernization is increasingly celebrated for its potential to foster win-win cooperation and shared prosperity.

Under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), for example, Kazakhstan secured its first maritime access and Laos launched its first modern railway. Support from the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund has propelled over 160 projects, benefiting more than 30 million people. Moreover, China has given all the least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, signaling its commitment to an open and inclusive global economy.

China’s modernization agenda also tackles global challenges head on. In response to global environmental risks, China advocates for building a community of all life on the Earth. To bridge the digital and AI divide, it has launched the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All to ensure that technological advancements benefit every corner of the globe.

On the security front, China continues to promote dialogue and reconciliation in conflict zones while engaging in multilateral security collaborations, reinforcing its reputation as a nation committed to peace and stability.

By proposing initiatives such as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilizations Initiative, China is not just charting its own course toward modernization but championing an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization – one that seeks to ensure that no nation is left behind on the path to prosperity.

The global appeal of Chinese modernization is far from accidental. Decades of reform and opening up have accelerated its development while enabling the country to contribute to global governance. On the international stage, it has taken on a leadership role – actively shaping global norms, building a community with a shared future for mankind, and advancing world peace and development. By sharing its successful experiences and technological advancements, the country seeks to help other developing countries chart their own courses toward progress.

With over 1.4 billion people engaged in this modernization journey – a number that surpasses the total population of all developed countries combined – China’s approach is redefining the global modernization landscape. For China, modernization is not solely a national endeavor but a blueprint for global progress – a vision that promises a more inclusive future for all.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

Amid rising protectionism and headwinds against economic globalization, international observers is increasingly scrutinize how China collaborates with partners to drive shared development.

The past year witnessed China actively constructing a new system for a higher-level open economywhile achieving measurable advancements in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), proposed by China, stands as a significant international public good and serves as a vital platform for fostering a more inclusive and mutually beneficial form of economic globalization.

Built upon the principles of planning together, building together and benefiting together, the initiative has attracted participation from over 150 countries and more than 30 international organizations. The sectors and scope of Belt and Road cooperation have continued to expand, while the level of cooperation has been further elevated.

This initiativehas created a cooperation platform for common development and helped many developing countries speed up their march toward modernization.

The BRI embodies China’s vision for bridging the global development gap. Through a systematic and multi-level cooperation framework, it directly addresses key global development challenges.

The initiative strengthens development foundations through “hard connectivity“in infrastructure, eliminates institutional barriers through “soft connectivity” in policy coordination, and fosters people-to-people bonds through “people-to-people connectivity.”It injects new energy into addressing global issues such as infrastructure bottlenecks, lack of development momentum, and weak governance capacity.

The BRI has breathed new life into global trade by enhancing economic connectivity. With the operation of the China-Laos Railway, fruits freshly picked in Southeast Asian countries can reach markets in Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan province on the same day via the Lancang-Mekong Express service of the China-Laos Railway.

The gantry cranes at Greece’s Piraeus Port are operating at full capacity, while the China-Europe Land-Sea Express Line cuts previous Asia-Europe cross-border transportation by five to 10 days.

In Peru, the opening of the Chancay Port has cut single-trip sea transport time between China and Peru to 23 days, slashing logistics costs by over 20 percent.

The construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway is underway, and key projects such as the China-Vietnam cross-border trainsand Malaysia’s East Coast Rail Link have made significant progress, creating new momentum for global connectivity and expanding space for world economic growth.

The BRI serves as a driving force for global modernization. The modernization China pursues is not for China alone, but for all developing countries through joint efforts. This reflects the broad vision of Chinese modernization in creating a new model for human advancement.

Global modernization should be pursued to enhance peaceful development and mutually beneficial cooperation and bring prosperity to all. This aligns seamlessly with the vision and goals of the BRI.

In the new era, China’s Juncao technology is bringing prosperity to people in a number of developing countries; the Lancang-Mekong Sweet Spring Project has improved livelihood in the region; the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway accelerates the modernization of cities along its route.

These micro-level transformations are collectively shaping a macro development landscape. By prioritizing development, the BRI helps partner countries build new engines of economic growth, unlock development potential, and create broader opportunities for modernization worldwide.

The BRI also embodies China’s commitment to carrying forward the Silk Road spirit. The Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit is the most important source of strength for Belt and Road cooperation.

This spirit is consistent with the ideal of “all states joining together in harmony and peace” long upheld by the Chinese nation, with the Chinese people’s principles of amity, good neighborliness and “helping others to succeed while seeking our own success,” and with the call of the times for peace, development and win-win cooperation.

Throughout history and today, China has consistently championed resolving differences through dialogue, opposing division through solidarity, and promoting development through cooperation – an approach that defines its role as an “enabler” in the global arena.

This vision is also at the heart of the BRI. In a world undergoing profound transformation, upheaval, and changes unseen in a century, the BRI serves as a vital source of positive energy.

As high-quality Belt and Road cooperation continues to focus on delivering high-standard, sustainable and people-centered projects, China will work with all partners to create new opportunities and contribute to global development and prosperity.

By Li Haoran, People’s Daily

China’s latest government work report, released during the annual “two sessions” on March 5, has drawn global attention, sending a resounding message of resilience and determination to international markets and policymakers.

Looking back at 2024, China’s economic achievements were nothing short of remarkable. Despite mounting external pressures and domestic challenges, the country managed to create 12.56 million new urban jobs, achieve a record-high grain output of 700 billion kilograms, and reduce PM2.5 concentrations in cities at and above the prefecture level by 2.7 percent. These accomplishments not only underscore China’s ability to navigate complex hurdles but also reflect the indomitable spirit of the Chinese people in the face of adversity.

Recent technological breakthroughs further illustrate this resolve. The Chang’e-6 lunar probe’s first-ever sampling on the moon’s far side, the debut of the world’s fastest high-speed train prototypeCR450, and the production of over 13 million new energy vehicles in a single year all serve as testaments to China’s push for innovation-driven and high-quality development.

In response to evolving economic challenges, China rolled out a package of incremental policies last September aimed at enhancing macroeconomic counter-cyclical adjustments – a pragmatic approach that successfully steered the nation toward its annual targets.

Historical figures in Chinese science have long inspired this tenacity. Renowned Chinese scientist Qian Xuesen once asked: “If foreigners can do it, why can’t the Chinese?” Late Chinese geologist and founder of geological mechanics Li Siguang posed a similar question: “Is oil only found beneath Western soil?”

These sentiments still resonate today, as China continues to break technological bottlenecks amidexternal blockades and suppression. Rather than stifling progress, such challenges have only unleashed the country’s potential, fueling a new wave of innovation.

At this year’s Spring Festival Gala, a group of humanoid robots performed Yangko, a traditional folk dance renowned for its sweeping steps and twirling handkerchiefs. Engineers hailed the performance as a technological feat, declaring, “No one else in the world can achieve this – only the Chinese can.”

In Taklimakan Desert, often called the “sea of death,” China’s first ultra-deep scientific exploration well set a new Asian record by reaching a depth of 10,910 meters.

China’s scientific advancements extend to quantum computing as well. Scientists recently developed a superconducting quantum computing prototype named “Zuchongzhi3″with 105qubits. The machine processes quantum random circuit sampling tasks at a speed quadrillion times faster than the world’s most powerful supercomputer – setting a new record in quantum computational advantage within superconducting systems.

These achievements are made possible by a dynamic synergy between industry, talent, innovation, and capital. Such integration is vital for fostering new quality productive forces and unlocking future growth opportunities.

China’sresilience is also deeply rooted in its cultural heritage. The traditional “three friends of winter” – pine, bamboo, and plum- symbolize perseverance and strength in adversity. These botanical emblems, which withstand even the harshest winters, reflect the enduring spirit of the Chinese people.

Confidence is key to overcoming obstacles. That confidence lies not only in China’s present achievements but also in its future potential.

Recently, global financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs, UBS, and Deutsche Bank have collectively expressed optimism regarding the prospects of China’s burgeoning technology industry, particularly in the light of significant advancements in artificial intelligence.

This renewed interest challenges long-standing skepticism, once again disproving theories of “China collapse” and “Peak China”.

The next “China” is still China.

As China charts its path forward, it remains steadfast in its commitment to innovation and progress, turning what once seemed impossible into inevitable successdespite formidable challenges.