Chinese and African experts thought highly of the achievements in bilateral agricultural cooperation and expressed hopes for further exploring this potential, ahead of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) scheduled to be held in Beijing from Wednesday to Friday.
At the upcoming forum, agricultural cooperation is expected to be a key focus of the agenda.
Thanks to relentless efforts by the Chinese side - such as tax reductions, green channels for trade and trade expos - agricultural development has been boosted in Africa, helping regional countries in poverty alleviation and hunger reduction, experts said.
Through mechanisms such as the FOCAC, China has provided African countries with channels to enter the Chinese market, which will drive Africa's industrial revolution, Dennis Munene Mwaniki, director of research and executive director of the China-Africa Centre at the Africa Policy Institute, told the Global Times.
Mwaniki cited examples of China's gradual implementation of tariff-free measures for more African products that promote economic diversification, industrialization and processing development in Africa.
Behind Africa's hope to expand agricultural exports to China is close China-Africa cooperation in the fields of agriculture and food security, Mwangi Wachira, former economist at the World Bank and advisor to the Government of Kenya, told the Global Times.
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, nearly 20 percent of the population in Africa faces hunger, a much larger proportion compared with other regions in the world.
Addressing this urgent issue is the basis of all African development plans, Wachira said.
He said that in Kenya, there are Chinese-funded agricultural projects dedicated to improving the food production capacity which is of great significance to the local people.
The growth in China-Africa agricultural trade reflects the high level of complementarity between the two sides in this field, Song Wei, a professor at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Sunday.
Song said that China is expected to continue facilitating imports of high-quality African agricultural products by expanding the types of imported products and optimizing customs processes.
Additionally, China is likely to send more agricultural experts to Africa to help cultivate higher-quality products and increase investment in African agricultural processing, supporting local agricultural modernization, Song said.
The 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit will be held in Beijing from September 4 to 6. The theme of this year's summit is "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future." In light of this, we are launching a series of China-Africa stories, including interviews with political leaders, stories of exchanges between young people from both regions, and intensive cooperation in various fields. Through these stories, we will see how China and Africa are deepening their ties and building a brighter future together. With a petite frame, a soft voice, and a face more youthful than her chronological age, it's hard to imagine Rotsy as a formidable kung fu master when you first meet her.
Rotsy, whose full name is Miarimbola Andrianalinatovo Rotsy Ny Fitia, is a 24-year-old from Madagascar. Her journey began with Chinese martial arts films on a black-and-white TV, continued with kung fu training at the Confucius Institute, and led to becoming a martial arts instructor.
With a deep understanding of Chinese culture, Rotsy aspires to engage in diplomacy and become a bridge between China and Africa.
"I first encountered China when I was a child on a black-and-white TV," Rotsy recalled.
In 2010, Jackie Chan's movie The Karate Kid sparked a martial arts craze in Madagascar. Rotsy and the village children mimicked the moves from the movie. At the time, the seeds of martial arts had already taken root in her heart.
As she grew older, Rotsy's longing for martial arts did not diminish, but grew stronger as her elder sister who studied Chinese at the Confucius Institute always shared stories about the institute upon her returned home, which fueled Rotsy's fascination with Chinese martial arts.
After entering university, she joined the Confucius Institute and began her journey of learning the Chinese language. Without any hesitation, she quickly joined the martial arts team and began her training.
"The variety of weapons like swords, spears, and staffs dazzled me; the intricate moves of the senior students overwhelmed me; and the movements of the martial arts teacher left me in awe. Hands like shooting stars, eyes like lightning, body like a dragon, legs like arrows," Rotsy described her teacher's movements with admiration in her eyes.
However, the path to mastering martial arts was not smooth. Due to her short stature, she faced difficulties in performing jumps and aerial moves. "I would often stumble or jump half as high as others, not to mention others performing 90-degree aerial turns with ease," Rotsy said, recalling the hardships of her training.
But these challenges did not make her give up; instead, they motivated her to train even harder. She practiced tirelessly until she mastered each move.
Among all the martial arts disciplines, Rotsy's favorite is swordplay. "When wielding a sword, it gleams with silver light, moves like a dragon, flows like water, dazzles like a firework, slithers like a snake, and soars like an eagle," she described her swordsmanship.
"For every kung fu enthusiast, the biggest dream is to visit the Shaolin Temple," Rotsy told the Global Times.
This July, she finally fulfilled her dream by representing Africa at the 2024 Shaolin Games at the Shaolin Temple in Central China's Henan Province.
"I felt nervous and excited when I landed, because, on one hand, I was here for the competition, but on the other hand, it was also a dream come true," she said excitedly.
Standing on the grounds of the Shaolin Temple, the emotions of nervousness and excitement intertwined, creating one of the most cherished memories of her martial arts journey.
After studying Chinese for two years, she also participated in the 19th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students in 2020. With her excellent Chinese language skills and outstanding martial arts performance, she won the Grand Prize in the Madagascar Division and eventually clinched the African Continental Championship.
During the competition, she played the traditional Chinese instrument guzheng while singing "A Laugh in the Sea," a song that depicts the grandeur of the martial arts world.
Today, she works as an interpreter, Chinese teacher, and martial arts instructor, passing on her knowledge of martial arts and her love for Chinese culture to more students in her country.
Every time she sees her students sweating during training, Rotsy is reminded of her own days at the Confucius Institute. "It feels like a passion is growing from the bottom of my heart, slowly growing stronger," she said. "Perhaps this is called belief, perhaps it is called courage, or perhaps it is called a sense of mission."
"My dream is to quickly reach China, continue my studies, return to Madagascar, and teach this beautiful culture and language to more people in Madagascar, allowing them to discover the wonderful world of China and the Chinese language," she said.
The Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Beijing hosted a reception to celebrate the 59th National Day of the Republic of Singapore and Singapore Armed Force Day on August 13. Delegates from all walks of life attended the event. The National Day of the Republic of Singapore falls on August 9 and Singapore Armed Force Day, July 1.
China's Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong and Major General He Shuhong with the People's Liberation Army Academy of Military Science attended the event.
The international choir of the China Children's Performing Art Troupe sang the Singaporean national anthem and the Chinese national anthem with great spirit.
Singaporean brands showcased their products at the event, sharing a taste of Singapore with friends in China.
Singaporean music producer Billy Ko, as well as renowned Singaporean director, producer, and actor Jack Neo and his team Hu Jing, Terence Cao and Glenn Yong in I Not Stupid 3 also participated in the event.
During their visit to a cultural exhibition in Beijing on Monday, a group of officials from Belt and Road Initiative member countries and some developing countries gained a better understanding of the historical legacy of Chinese civilization and the unifying bonds of the Chinese nation.
On the sidelines of the Exhibition of Cultural Relics and Ancient Books on Forging a Strong Sense of Community for the Chinese Nation held in the capital's Cultural Palace of Nationalities, the officials said they learned a lot of successful experiences from Chinese authorities in governing ethnic affairs and promoting ethnic cultural exchanges, emphasizing that they could implement some of the examples in their own countries.
John Hodgson, political secretary of the South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region of Nicaragua, told the Global Times that he appreciated the endeavors made by the Chinese government to build unity in diversity and promote the development of ethnic groups.
"I have learned a lot about the history of China during this trip. Unity in diversity is one of the key words that I have seen in China. This is important for me to take back to Nicaragua. There are 56 ethnic groups in China while we have 12 ethnic groups. China offered us a successful example of ensuring a stable economic development of ethnic groups while preserving their identity," he said.
The visit is part of a two-week research and training program for these officials organized by the Ministry of Commerce and National Ethnic Affairs Commission (NEAC).
Since its inception in 2015, the program has seen the participation of 433 officials, experts, and other professionals from 48 countries. This current session marks the 19th installment, with 42 participants hailing from seven countries: Nicaragua, Tanzania, Myanmar, Laos, the Philippines, Afghanistan and Mongolia. The participants include both government officials working in ethnic group affairs and scholars specializing in ethnic studies.
The program is designed to enhance exchanges and mutual learning as China aims to share its experience in ethnic affairs, centered on fostering a strong sense of community among all ethnic groups, with counterparts from other countries, according to an official from the NEAC. Important takeaways
Hosted by the NEAC, the cultural exhibition features over 1,500 ancient books and artifacts to demonstrate the development of Chinese civilization, presenting a historical panorama of the formation and development of the community that is the Chinese nation.
Divided into three sections of Unity, Integration and Solidarity, the exhibition tells the stories of interactions, exchanges and integration among various ethnic groups. These sections explore the historical, cultural and economic dimensions, highlighting the enduring legacy of Chinese civilization, the unifying historical bonds of the Chinese nation, and the profound ideas and rich practices of national unity, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Versions of the book "Mencius" in the Chinese, Manchu and Mongolian languages, and the artifacts and documents on display reflect the deep thoughts and rich practices of national unity upheld by the Communist Party of China since its establishment, according to BRTV.
Another participant of the program, Sherrila Sawah, regional director of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos of the Philippines, told the Global Times on Monday that she admires the Chinese government's efforts in preserving the culture of the ethnic groups.
"The Chinese authorities have done a lot to protect and promote the culture and history of the ethnic groups. There are some that I'd really like to adopt in the Philippines. For example, the legal services offered to the ethnic groups, such as mobile courts and cloud mediation," Sawah noted.
It's really important because there are some ethnic groups who live in rural areas in the Philippines and therefore have difficulty in going to the city to seek legal services. It is really a big help for them, she said.
The online legal services are part of the efforts implemented in many provinces and regions across China to protect the rights of the ethnic population and safeguard ethnic unity with technological innovations.
Stand better
This year's program also took the officials to Ongniud Banner in Chifeng, North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to observe and learn about the interactions, exchanges, and integration among the local ethnic groups.
Covering a diverse landscape that includes arable land in the south with grassy hills, and a mixture of grassland and desert in the northeast, the banner is notable for its ethnic diversity and cultural heritage, reflected in its local customs and interactions among different ethnic groups.
"The way China has united the ethnic groups together is great. Under the spirit of national unity, China will surely make greater progress in the political, economic, and cultural fields, and stand better among the world's nations," noted Ndaune Shamte Said, a Labor, Economic Affairs, and Investment official, President's Office of Tanzania, during the trip to the banner.
Omarzai Mohammad Shapoor, an official at the Ministry of Borders and Tribal Affairs of Afghanistan, told the Global Times that he has learned a lot about China's efforts in bringing the 56 ethnic groups together.
"If China can bring the 56 ethnic groups together, I believe they have the ability to bring all the world together," said the official.
Situated at a strategic point along the ancient Silk Road, the millennium-old Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, Northwest China's Gansu Province, as a dazzling artistic treasure of ancient Chinese civilization, has long drawn the gaze of the world.
How have teams of archaeological experts woven together the threads of cutting-edge technology and interdisciplinary knowledge to breathe new life into the antique murals? Why could the Mogao Caves earn such a high reputation as a "model" for cave preservation on the global stage and spark a wave of international collaboration, with many seeking to emulate its success?
The recent International Forum on Cave Temple Conservation, convened in the very heart of Dunhuang, shed light on this exemplary approach. In the Mogao Cave 335 in Dunhuang, ancient yet still exquisite murals record the joyous celebration of musical bodhisattva playing the instruments. However, there are obvious traces of four places where the murals were peeled off, which shocked many tourists.
The tour guide standing by explained that these were taken by the American "art historian" Langdon Warner who used a special chemical solution to peel the frescoes from the cave walls in the 1920s. Currently, these murals are collected by Harvard Art Museums in the US. After the explanation, the curious gazes of the tourists in the small cave suddenly dimmed, and they all stopped to sigh.
The Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, a cave temple that has gone through thousands of years, stand as a millennium-old testament to the splendor of ancient Chinese civilization. However, after the hidden scriptures being discovered in 1900, most of the scriptures were plundered by so-called Western "archaeologists" and "explorers."
According to incomplete statistics, in the cave with a length and width of more than 2 meters and a height of about 3 meters, a total of more than 60,000 cultural relics such as Dunhuang manuscripts, silk paintings, and Buddhist instruments were unearthed. The rich treasures make the cave of scriptures one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. But most of these cultural relics have been lost to more than 30 public and private collection institutions in more than 10 countries such as the UK, the US and Japan. These Dunhuang cultural relics that have been lost overseas have not yet returned to their motherland, but they have also made the world know the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang.
Fan Jinshi, the honorary president of Dunhuang Academy, who attended the recent forum in Dunhuang, once summarized the unearthed documents from the Mogao Caves, which are unique, precious materials. These materials cover an "unusually wide range of aspects and are infinitely rich in content," representing the original records of ancient social culture, reflecting the true face of ancient society in many aspects, and are truly cultural treasures.
The Mogao Caves have been inscribed into the world heritage site list in 1987. The UNESCO commented the caves are of "unmatched historical value." As evidence of the evolution of Buddhist art in the northwest region of China, these works provide an abundance of vivid materials depicting various aspects of ancient politics, economics, culture, arts, religion, ethnic relations, and daily dress in western China.
Shahbaz Khan, director and representative of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, said at the forum that the Mogao Caves stand as enduring symbols of a collective heritage as they provide outstanding evidence of the harmonious synthesis of the secular and religious era in ancient China.
Guan Qiang, deputy head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, also noted at the event that the Mogao Caves not only vividly display the process of sinicization of Buddhism but also powerfully witness the five prominent features of Chinese civilization - continuity, originality, uniformity, inclusivity and peaceful nature. Strong support of high tech
After visiting about eight caves of the heritage sites from different dynasties, many visitors both from China and abroad are amazed that those murals can still be enjoyed thousands of years later. It is those precious murals which are 1,000-year tapestry of Buddhist art from the caves that help the archaeologists to decode the mystery of ancient Silk Road and its religious, cultural and intellectual influences.
Experts attending the forum said the sustainable protection of Mogao Caves is mainly thanks for the strong support of high tech and multiple disciplines.
Feng Wei, director of the Key Research Base of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage for the Surface Monitoring and Analysis of Cultural Heritages, told the Global Times that preventive conservation is an advanced protection scheme that is widely recognized and constantly pursued by the worldwide conservation community of cultural heritages.
He explained that the mechanism of preventive conservation is to detect changes in the condition of cultural relics and then use AI to immediately analyze the causes of these changes. These technologies don't directly affect the relics themselves but address the external factors causing the changes. If the external factors can be stabilized, the process of deterioration can be halted or slowed, thus protecting the artifacts.
"AI plays a crucial role here by calculating the relative positions at each step using computer vision and AI methods. It is a progressive process; each step may not be perfectly accurate, but theoretically, it gets more precise over time until it is accurate," he said.
Liu Hanlong, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering and expert in environmental geomechanics and disaster prevention engineering, told the Global Times that the emerging microbial geotechnical engineering is a new cross-disciplinary subject and the technology has significant effects on improving the strength, permeability, and other basic properties of the soil body.
Currently, his team is using an active biological mud adhesion repair technology centered around microbial reinforcement techniques to address issues such as cracks, seepage, weathering, and flaking in some cave sites.
Over the years, the Dunhuang Academy has continued to explore various modes of cultural protection and promotion, taking advantage of the "Digital Dunhuang" project that was put forward in the late 1980s.
Su Bomin, dean of Dunhuang Academy, said at the forum that after extensive exploration, the Dunhuang Academy has developed a set of digital workflows and key technologies for immovable cultural heritage.
To date, the digital preservation team has completed the digital collection of murals in 295 caves of the Mogao Caves, image stitching and processing for 186 caves, three-dimensional reconstruction of seven large heritage sites and 45 painted sculptures, as well as the three-dimensional laser scanning of the spatial structure of 212 caves, according to Su. Share Chinese experience overseas
With such a solid support of protection methods and team, the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang has set a valuable benchmark for global heritage conservation, many experts said at the forum. Many delegations from different countries express their strong willingness to carry out more cooperation with the Dunhuang Academy.
Ajay Kulkarni, an Indian professor of architecture, told the Global Times that the Chinese work in cultural relics protection is very much "in depth, more advanced and more committed."
After listening to the reports by some Chinese archaeologists, he was surprised to find many similarities between some of the cave sites in China and those in India. He could see how Buddhism gradually became sinicized after entering ancient China, which he found quite fascinating.
Sovanlylin Meng, architect of Department of Conservation and Archaeology of APSARA National Authority, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia, told the Global Times that she got a deep understanding about the management and conservation of cave temple sites after participating in the event.
During the event, China and Cambodia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the protection of cultural relics, including co-develop cultural relics conservation programs, share advanced conservation theories and technologies, co-organize international culture exhibitions, mutual exchange and use of relevant research documents, books, and images, jointly apply international programs, and more.
The event also launched a book presentation ceremony for a training course for Afghan senior professionals on archaeology and cultural artifact conservation.
Azizuddin Wafa, an archaeologist from the Archaeological Research Institute of the Ministry of Information and Culture, Afghanistan, gave a high compliment to the work that Dunhuang Academy has done.
He told the Global Times that they hope to receive some supports especially in the science and technology which Dunhuang Academy is using for study and restoration from China.
Vincent Detalle, a professor at CY Cergy Paris University, said at the forum that the Dunhuang Academy has long led the question of conservation involving foreign countries and clearly the Chinese researchers are pushing in the right direction in order to ensure better conservation and preventive conservation action for the future.
"As a specialist in conservation, I believe we can simultaneously conduct research and develop common activities focused on conservation and new technologies. This dual approach allows us to perform better diagnostics on the state of conservation of artworks, such as mural paintings," he told the Global Times.
The gaming world has witnessed the launch of Black Myth: Wukong, China's first AAA game. Taking the internet by storm, this groundbreaking game, celebrated for its stunning reproduction of ancient Chinese architecture and its innovative take on the Monkey King legend from Journey to the West, has not only captivated players but also breathed new life into China's cultural tourism.
The various "cultural tourism plus" models - ranging from games to films - stand out for their ability to fuse traditional market principles with cultural promotion. Unlike conventional media products, which often treat cultural tourism as a secondary element, these collaborations place culture at the forefront, offering a dynamic and interactive approach to heritage tourism.
The success of Black Myth: Wukong exemplifies this shift. The game's detailed representation of Chinese mythology has not only attracted a global audience but also sparked a wave of cultural tourism initiatives across the country.
For instance, players who have completed specific levels of the game are eligible for free entry to select scenic spots. The Yunzhong Daji Scenic Area in Lishui, East China's Zhejiang Province, is offering free entry to players who have successfully cleared the fourth chapter of the game, in which the area features. Meanwhile, Lingyan Temple in Jinan, East China's Shandong Province, is offering lifelong free admission for completing the third chapter. Mount Huaguo in Lianyungang, East China's Jiangsu Province, also announced that all players who complete the game are invited to visit the hometown of the Monkey King for free.
Black Myth: Wukong features areas from 36 scenic spots across China, and as the game's popularity grows, cultural and tourism departments are eager to promote their related attractions. This approach not only drives engagement with the game but also encourages real-world exploration of China's cultural landmarks.
The synergy between Black Myth: Wukong and cultural tourism is also a striking example of how modern digital media can be harnessed to promote and enhance traditional cultural experiences. In North China's Shanxi Province, whose historical locations feature prominently in the game, the local cultural and tourism department has launched an innovative initiative titled "Traveling with Wukong in Shanxi." This unique campaign offers tailored travel routes and special passes that connect fans with the game's real-life locations.
In a similar vein, the animated film White Snake: Afloat has seamlessly integrated with the cultural tourism of the West Lake in Hangzhou. This collaboration, supported by local tourism authorities, highlights the growing trend of blending media and cultural tourism to enhance visitor experiences.
Other historical sites, like Yueyang Tower in Central China's Hunan Province, has also adopted creative promotions, offering free admission to visitors who can recite classical Chinese poetry related to these sites. Such initiatives not only attract tourists but also deepen their appreciation of Chinese cultural heritage.
The growing synergy between digital media and cultural tourism marks a new chapter in China's efforts to promote its rich historical and cultural assets. By leveraging popular media like games and films, these projects have created immersive experiences that captivate audiences and encourage them to explore the country's storied past firsthand.
As China continues to innovate its cultural tourism, the integration of modern media with traditional heritage is set to redefine the landscape, offering both locals and international visitors a unique and enriching way to engage with the nation's rich cultural tapestry.
The research and development of China's heavy icebreaker is progressing smoothly with construction expected to begin next year, Wu Gang, chief designer of Xuelong 2, China's first domestically built polar research icebreaker, told the Global Times.
China's future generation of icebreakers will make significant breakthroughs in both spatial and temporal domains. This means that once the heavy icebreaker is successfully developed, China will have the ability to operate year-round in polar environments for in-depth scientific research missions and obtain the capabilities of full-area and all-time entry, according to Wu.
Icebreakers are classified into three levels based on their icebreaking capability, heavy icebreakers can handle ice up to 2 meters thick, medium icebreakers can break ice between 1 and 1.5 meters, and light icebreakers can manage ice less than 1 meter thick.
China has developed the capability to design and construct light and medium icebreakers. However, there is still a significant shortage of icebreaking research vessels, particularly heavy-duty icebreakers, Wu noted.
On June 24, China's latest research vessel Jidi, meaning polar region, was officially delivered in Guangzhou city of South China's Guangdong Province and was reportedly set to kick off its first scientific research missions in the second half of this year.
Currently, most operational polar icebreakers worldwide are operated by Russia, the US, Canada, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark. Among them, Russia is the only country in the world with nuclear-powered icebreakers.
In the short term, there is still a significant gap between China and traditional leading countries in icebreaker building, according to Wu. He highlighted the challenges in advancing crucial technologies for the development of heavy-duty icebreakers, like podded propulsion systems, precise communication navigation system and positioning system. "This pressure pushes Chinese researchers to continue to develop and innovate independently," he said.
China and Russia released a joint communique on Wednesday after the 29th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of government.
In the communique, the two sides said that efforts will be made to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in the Arctic region, and strengthen cooperation in shipping development, navigation safety, polar ship technology and construction. Both countries will encourage their enterprises to actively engage in Arctic shipping routes cooperation based on market principles and pay special attention to Arctic environmental conservation.
China's progress in icebreakers has caught the attention of several leading icebreaker countries. US, Canadian, and Finnish governments recently announced the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE) Pact, an initiative to produce 70 to 90 icebreakers for their allies over the next decade, Reuters reported. The move was taken as a response to growing competition with China and Russia in the Arctic regions, Reuters said citing a US official whose name was ungiven.
Chinese experts reiterated China's icebreakers are mainly used for scientific research in the Arctic region and to prepare for the opening and transportation of the future Arctic route.
Bathed in the lush greenery of midsummer and the lingering morning mist, the unique cave basketball court in Xinchun village, Nayong, Southwest China's Guizhou Province, became the epicenter of excitement on Sunday, as villagers gathered to witness and participate in the much-anticipated Cave Basketball Carnival in a local Karst cave.
This extraordinary basketball event was a testament to the villagers' unwavering love for the sport.
Initiated by former village head Zhang Kaixue and local enthusiast Hu Wei in 2016, the project aimed to construct a basketball court within a natural cave. Despite the rugged terrain and initial challenges - like the uneven, rocky ground - the villagers' determination prevailed.
They collectively raised 88,766 yuan ($12,230), contributing a total of 234,366 yuan over three years. In December 2018, their dream court was finally completed. During the basketball coaching session, 30 young players, guided by Chinese women's basketball legend Zheng Haixia and NBA Training Center coach Li Jianqi, practiced their skills on the court.
Zheng also conducted a special session for the girls, offering personal guidance.
"Infusing modern training facilities into such a primitive landscape and passing on the spirit of basketball is an unforgettable experience. Seeing the children's smiles and their dedication to playing basketball fills me with immense pride and truly showcases the warmth of this initiative," said Zheng.
The highlight of the day was a spirited game between six outstanding young players and two adult teams composed of local villagers.
Despite recent rain, the unique advantages of the cave court allowed the players to showcase their skills freely.
The cave basketball court stands as a symbol of the villagers' enduring love for basketball. It took an hour of winding mountain roads to reach Xinchun village from Nayong, with much of the construction done by hand due to the challenging terrain.
The court is now a cherished community asset, with the names of over 300 contributing villagers engraved on a stone tablet at the cave entrance, which stands as a testament to their collective effort and passion.
China's attitude toward the Olympics has undergone a significant transformation over the last few years. This shift reflects broader changes in the nation's societal values, economic development, and cultural maturity. Where once the singular pursuit of gold medals dominated Chinese approach to the Olympics, today there is a richer, more nuanced appreciation for the spirit of sportsmanship and the individual stories of athletes.
In early years, following China's return to the Olympic Games in 1984, there was an intense focus on winning gold medals. Medals were seen as a direct measure of national strength and progress, symbolizing not just athletic excellence but also the resurgence of a nation on the global stage. Gold medals were celebrated as national triumphs, reinforcing a collective sense of pride and accomplishment. Athletes who won gold were national heroes, while those who fell short often faced harsh criticism from and disappointment by the public and media alike.
This gold medal obsession was understandable given China's historical context. Emerging from economic hardship, the nation sought tangible symbols of its newfound strength and unity. The pressure on athletes to deliver these symbols was immense, with the state investing heavily in sports programs designed to maximize medal counts.
However, as China's economy boomed and its global standing solidified, the societal perspective on the Olympics began to evolve. Economic prosperity brought with it a shift in values, from a collective focus on national achievements to a more individual-centered appreciation of success and effort. This shift is mirrored in the changing attitudes toward Olympic participation and outcomes.
One illustrative example is the reaction to the performance of fencer Sun Yiwen at the Paris 2024 Olympics, a Tokyo 2020 Olympics fencing champion but was eliminated in the first round in Paris. Unlike in the past, where such a result might have been met with widespread disappointment, the response from the public was largely one of empathy and support. Social media was filled with messages of encouragement and respect for her perseverance and dedication. This shift in public sentiment highlights a growing maturity and a deeper understanding of the true spirit of sportsmanship.
This evolution is not just about a softer, more supportive attitude toward athletes. It also reflects a broader, more sophisticated understanding of what it means to compete in the Olympics. Today, Chinese sports fans are more likely to celebrate the journey of athletes, their personal stories, and the friendships they forge with competitors from around the world. Stories of camaraderie and mutual respect between Chinese athletes and their international peers are widely shared and cherished on social media, emphasizing the human aspect of sports.
The maturation of China's Olympic mindset is also evident in the increased emphasis on the overall experience of the Games. The Beijing 2008 Olympics were a milestone, showcasing China's ability to host a world-class event and marking its arrival as a major global player. Since then, there has been a shift toward viewing the Olympics as a platform for cultural exchange and a celebration of global unity, rather than merely a medal tally competition.
This shift in perspective has had a positive impact on the broader sports culture in China. More people are participating in sports for the joy and benefits it brings, rather than solely for competitive success. This is laying the foundation for China to become a true sporting nation, where the emphasis is on widespread participation, personal growth, and the joy of effort.
Moreover, the evolving mindset is helping to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for athletes. There is a growing recognition of the immense pressures athletes face and a greater understanding of the importance of mental health.
The evolution of China's Olympic mindset from an intense focus on gold medals to a more holistic appreciation of the Olympic spirit is a positive development. This shift will undoubtedly contribute to the continued growth and success of Chinese sports on the global stage, while also promoting the fundamental principles of the Olympic movement.
An article titled "After winning the championship: Zheng Just wants to eat a bowl of hometown beef noodles" by Hubei Daily on Monday has garnered widespread attention, sparking a discussion about where renowned Chinese tennis player Zheng Qinwen is actually from.
Previous media reports held different opinions on where Zheng is from, ranging from Gucheng county in Xiangyang to Shiyan to Wuhan, all in Central China's Hubei Province. Public security authorities later confirmed that Zheng's place of origin is Gucheng county, while her place of birth is Shiyan, and her residence is in Wuhan.
According to local reports, Zheng's ancestral home is in Xiangyang, and her grandmother, Chen Yingtai, currently lives in Xiangzhou district, Xiangyang city. Zheng was born in Shiyan in 2002 and was taken to Xiangyang by her grandmother to attend kindergarten. Wherever she trained, the family would "settle" there. According to her grandmother, they have moved houses three or four times just in Wuhan.
Zheng made history at this year's Olympics by becoming the first Asia-born player to claim gold in a singles tennis event on Saturday. It also marked China's first-ever gold medal in Olympic tennis singles, and the country's second in tennis overall after Li Ting and Sun Tiantian won the women's doubles title at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
The previous best result for a Chinese tennis player in Olympic singles was when two-time Grand Slam champion Li Na reached the semifinals. Coincidentally, Li is also from Hubei Province, and was born in Wuhan.
This is not the first time there has been debate about a Chinese athlete's hometown. There were similar discussions regarding Fan Zhendong, the renowned Chinese table tennis player who is also the gold medalist in men's singles table tennis at the Paris Olympics. He was congratulated by Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hunan after winning, as his parents are from Central China's Hunan Province, he was born in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province, and he now competes for Shanghai.
