Dancers from the most renowned troupes in the world performed by the seaside in Qinhuangdao, North China's Hebei Province for the Move to Move International Dance Festival, which ran from Sunday to Tuesday during this year's Mid-Autumn Festival holidays.
For choreographer Paul Lightfoot, the festival marked the debut of his experimental work with Chinese dancers for the Specially Commissioned Co-creation section at Aranya, a well-known artistic community.
"I've never had this opportunity to work with Chinese dancers," Lightfoot, former artistic director of Nederlands Dans Theater (Netherlands Dance Theater), told the Global Times.
"For me, this has been the most beautiful part of this festival. Personally, it is the exchange you see because I could really share the things that I do in the ways I think and the ethics and the ideas and the imagination with them."
Chinese dancers are quite young when it comes to cultural exchanges and they "are one of the best casts I have ever seen. We've had a fantastic journey together."
At the invitation of the festival's founders, Yin Fang and Wu Mengke, the Englishman brought his idea about something "50 percent about the ballet and 50 percent about ethics" to the stage at Aranya.
"So we talk a lot and because they're young, I want to feed them something that they can keep for all their work," he added. "It's not educational, it's an exchange."
International festivals like the one in Aranya is a "perfect opportunity to find our friends, to meet new ones and to share our experiences together," said dancer Wu Mengke.
Having been to Chinese cities like Shanghai and Beijing, Lightfoot noted that China has a fascinating culture and he has seen "so many changes, and I feel very lucky. I wish my family and my friends could see and feel the same things I've experienced. It just feels great to be in the culture."
Culture and exchanges connect us with different cultural backgrounds, he added.
Ben Yuechen, a 10-year-old Chinese boy with a single arm, achieved a surprising monumental feat by setting a Guinness World Record in August.
He completed 21 burpees in one minute, the most in the AA2 disability classification, on the sidelines of a Spartan kids race held in Chongli, North China's Hebei Province.
Though now he is a world record holder, Ben, nicknamed Youyou, told the Global Times that he is not satisfied with the result.
"Actually, I am not satisfied with the result as I believe I can do more than 30 burpees in one minute," Ben said. "If there's another chance I will for sure challenge my record."
The burpee exercise, which combines squats, jumps, and push-ups, posed a significant challenge due to his disability.
During his record attempt, Ben faced the dual challenges of maintaining balance and performing each burpee correctly.
His mental fortitude was crucial. He repeatedly encouraged himself to keep going despite the fatigue.
"I told myself not to give up because I really wanted to win," Ben said.
His mother Cai Xiumei was confident that Youyou's ability was a driving force for the successful attempt, though she admitted that Ben's high self-expectations led to a few errors during the attempt.
Born without his left forearm in Hai'an, East China's Jiangsu Province, Ben has never let his physical condition limit his ambitions, as the Guinness World Record was not the first time Ben made national headlines.
Prior to the record attempt, Ben participated in the Spartan kids race in Shanghai in April, where he completed 26 obstacles in a five-kilometer race and finished second in his age group.
This experience further fueled his passion for overcoming challenges and achieving his goals.
"I'm not worried about him getting discouraged as he loves to take on challenges," Ben's mom told the Global Times.
Skip rope challenge
At a young age, Ben's family recognized his potential and encouraged him to explore various sports to build his strength and balance. His initial challenge was learning to skip rope, a requirement for physical education classes.
Casual outdoor activities in his early childhood years slowly morphed into a focused effort to build his mental and physical endurance.
"Sports became the vehicle for teaching him about persistence," Cai said.
"It's about always pushing yourself to the next level."
Despite numerous attempts and after a video that went viral showing his persistence and struggles, Ben's efforts caught the attention of Dong Jiong, a national para-badminton team coach.
Despite the logistical challenges - such as the nearly two-hour drive from Hai'an to Nantong for training - the family's determination was unwavering.
Cai recounted the long trips and rigorous training sessions, emphasizing Ben's passion for the sport and his resilience through the hardships.
Ben had to train six hours on a weekend day to catch up with others. Now the family has relocated to downtown Nantong to make it easier for Youyou to train on weekdays instead of relying on a single weekend day of training.
Speaking about the decision to relocate, Cai said she is equally committed to her son's academic and emotional development.
"Our decision to move was not just for sports. We wanted to ensure he was in a place where he could develop all aspects of his personality," Cai said.
Additionally, Ben has a unique aspiration related to technology. His family owns a 3D printer, and Ben hopes to use it to print a prosthetic arm for himself.
This innovative goal reflects his proactive approach to overcoming physical limitations and his desire to enhance his abilities through technology. Badminton dream
Ben started playing badminton relatively late. Moreover, in the beginning, he often finished matches with single-digit scores.
Despite initial fears and challenges, Ben embraces each opportunity to test his skills against formidable opponents.
"The more difficult it gets, the more I want to challenge myself," Ben told the Global Times, highlighting his evolving mindset.
When asked about his favorite athletes, Ben immediately named Denmark's Viktor Axelsen and China's Lin Dan.
However, he quickly noted that Malaysian player Lee Chong Wei is also great.
"Lee lost to Lin so many times, but kept going and still wanted to win. I think he is very tenacious," Ben said.
Inspired by the recent success of the Chinese para-badminton team at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, where they won nine gold medals, Ben dreams of becoming a Paralympic champion himself.
"I will keep practicing and am confident I can achieve this goal," he said, before noting that watching the Asian Para Games in person in 2023 in Hangzhou, Jiangsu's neighboring Zhejiang Province strengthened his resolve.
"When I saw a player fall down from a wheelchair during a badminton match when hitting the shuttlecock, he tried his best to recover and play. That scene still lingers in my mind and reminds me to do my best," Ben said.
China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Friday expressed strong opposition to the European Union (EU)'s imposition of anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), after the EU voted to impose definitive tariffs on Chinese EV imports.
MOFCOM said that China's position is consistent and clear: China firmly opposes the EU's unfair, non-compliant and unreasonable protectionist practices regarding the EU's anti-subsidy case against China's EVs, and it firmly opposes the EU's imposition of anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese EVs.
These remarks came after the EU held a vote on whether to impose a five-year countervailing duty on Chinese EVs on Friday local time. A statement released by the European Commission (EC) showed that the commission's proposal to impose definitive countervailing duties on imports of battery electric vehicles from China has obtained the necessary support from EU Member States for the adoption of tariffs.
The ministry said that China has always maintained the utmost sincerity in properly handling differences through dialogue and consultation.
China and the EU have held more than 10 technical consultations at the bureau level and two vice-ministerial consultations regarding the anti-subsidy case for EVs since the end of June.
On September 19, Minister Wang Wentao held a comprehensive, in-depth and constructive meeting with and European Commission Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis.
Both sides clearly expressed their political will to resolve differences through consultations and agreed to initiate price commitment consultations to avoid escalation of trade frictions.
In the short 14 days that followed, the China-EU technical teams conducted six rounds of technical consultations. China repeatedly listened to the demands and opinions of both Chinese and European industries and demonstrated an open and cooperative attitude throughout the consultation process, showing maximum flexibility, the ministry said.
By adhering to a market-driven approach and fostering full competition and continuous independent innovation, Chinese EVs have enhanced the quality supply of global green public goods, making significant contributions to the global response to climate change.
The EU's protectionist practices seriously violate WTO rules, disrupt normal international trade order, hinder China-EU trade and investment cooperation, delay the EU's green transition, and will also negatively impact global efforts to combat climate change, the ministry said.
MOFCOM also said that China firmly opposes the EU's final ruling draft but has also noted the EU's expressed political will to continue resolving issues through negotiation.
MOFCOM said that the China-EU technical teams will continue negotiations on October 7. China hopes the EU will recognize that imposing tariffs will not solve any problems; rather, it will only undermine and hinder the confidence and determination of Chinese enterprises in investing and cooperating with the EU.
The Chinese side urges the EU to genuinely demonstrate practical actions to implement its political will and return to the correct path of resolving trade frictions through consultation. It will also take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard the interests of Chinese enterprises.
The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU also expressed deep disappointment with this voting outcome on Friday and is strongly dissatisfied with the EU's adoption of protectionist trade measures.
The Chamber strongly encourages the EU to approach the final measures cautiously, delay the implementation of these tariffs, and prioritize resolving disputes and trade tensions through consultations and dialogue, according to an announcement sent to the Global Times.
Bakuo Street in Lhasa Old Town is a place that every visitor to Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region can't miss as the "heart of Lhasa" is not only a well-known bustling bazaar for tourists but also a place to chase dreams and make them a reality for young people.
A new TV series City of Sunlight is set to air on China's state TV and streaming sites including Mango TV starting on October 2, as a part of the celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
"As China's first TV series about contemporary Tibetan stories, the series aims to present truth, objectivity and authenticity," show producer Bao Jianhua told the Global Times. "Every character in the drama is based on true stories. We are telling a story about chasing dreams and realizing self-worth through a relaxed narrative method."
Taking place along the Holy Road, which preserves the traditional appearance and life of the ancient city of Lhasa, six young men, including Suolang, follow their hearts to turn their dreams into reality.
"Their sunshine, optimism and perseverance are like seeds of highland barley, taking root and sprouting in the snowy plateau, bringing greenery, hope and strength to the land," Bao added. "It is very precious and I hope that the ideal light can be passed on to more young people."
In order to better tell the story and find more inspiration, the cast and crew, including Bao, scriptwriter Yu Xiaoqian and others, paid a visit to Xizang in October 2021. They interviewed hundreds of people of all ages and professions, and took down more than 1 million words of interview notes, which laid a solid foundation for the creation of this realistic work.
These life stories are also connected to the ancient and vast natural and cultural features in Xizang. In the series, the audience can not only see the beauty of Lhasa's landmark buildings such as the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Norbulingka, and other ancient buildings in the old city, but also learn about Tibetan opera, Tibetan food and clothing, embroidery, horse racing, thangka and other cultural heritages of the region.
For scriptwriter Yu Xiaoqian, the biggest problem that he encountered was "How to tell stories of contemporary Lhasa," "How can we make the people in Lhasa recognize that this is a representation of their lives," and "How to create emotional resonance with the audience."
First of all, they abandoned the perspective of curious tourists. Instead, they sought to tell the stories from the perspective of the local people. According to Yu, they set the story in a yard on Bakuo Street for the traditional side of the show and chose local high buildings to present the modern side.
Li Wei, a doctor from Beijing Anzhen Hospital, used to be a member of a medical aid team to Xizang. His story has inspired the character Yin Wei in the series. After seeing the series, Li said, "It helped me travel back in time in Lhasa. The audiences can immerse themselves in the scenes and empathize with these roles."
In recent years, a number of Chinese TV series have promoted tourism in local areas across the country, such as Rising with The Wind, Blossoms Shanghai and To the Wonder.
At the "Promoting High-Quality Development" press conference on Friday, Zhu Yonglei, a vice minister of the National Radio and Television Administration, said that the administration has established a collaboration mechanism with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Watching upcoming series such as City of Sunlight, audiences can enjoy the ups and downs of the story, while appreciating the beautiful scenery in Xizang, he noted.
Several key statistics are some of the footnotes that the People's Republic of China has written over the past 75 years: GDP per capita has risen from a few dozen dollars in 1952 to $12,700 in 2023, average life expectancy has increased from 35 years to 78.6 years, and railway mileage has expanded from 22,000 kilometers to 159,000 kilometers, including 45,000 kilometers of high-speed rail…
There are more comparisons across various sectors which demonstrate how China is marching forward with solid steps.
At this historic juncture, it is crucial to understand what kind of path China has taken and what has empowered its great strides.
The answers not only shed light on China's further quest for modernization but also offer inspiration for the rest of the world, particularly the Global South, in face of development challenges.
Strong leadership
China's modernization steps have been and will continue to be solid only under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Yang Xuedong, director of the Department of Political Sciences at Tsinghua University, saw the leadership in three layers - pioneer in exploration, the central pillar to unite all, and the ultimate guarantee in a crisis.
The CPC is "a pioneer" in the senses of both ideology and practice, Yang told the Global Times.
The CPC has envisioned the country's future path through the pursuit of Chinese modernization. With nearly 100 million Party members at different positions in all walks of life, the CPC also leads the effort in practice, Yang continued.
Cohesion is vital for a country as unique as China, with its huge population, vast landscape, diverse ethnicities and cultures, and varying interests of different groups, analysts said.
With Party organizations at various levels, the CPC effectively mobilizes people toward a common goal, Yang said.
The CPC has also acted as a safeguard during major challenges, Yang noted.
China's socialist cause had faced setbacks, but we can always overcome challenges with a strong leadership, analysts said.
In face of profound global changes unseen in one century, the CPC fulfills its role in the duty of every Party member, as they participate in rural revitalization in villages, safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity along both land and sea borders, and strive to tackle cutthroat problems and make scientific and technological breakthroughs, they said.
Clear road map
China's path has a clear goal of achieving Chinese modernization and national rejuvenation, and a well-defined road map is guiding the great cause, Yang said.
President Xi Jinping first introduced the concept of Chinese modernization in a speech he delivered to mark the CPC's centennial in July 2021.
During the 20th CPC National Congress held in October 2022, Xi delivered a report which clarified five features of Chinese modernization, as well as the essential requirements and major principles of it.
In July 2024, the third plenum of the 20th CPC Central Committee adopted a resolution on further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization.
According to analysts, there is a clear trajectory for how Chinese modernization was envisioned, enriched, and will be realized step by step.
Yang particularly highlighted the keyword "people," which is crucial for this trajectory to succeed.
A people-centered philosophy is reflected in China's system of democracy, its governance and pursuit of high-quality development. Yang said that China can pool all resources to complete major missions, overcome difficulties, and ensure that the fruits of development are shared by the people.
Bojan Lalic, director of the Belt and Road Institute in Belgrade, noted that China's modernization is a comprehensive model with focus on the state's role, and the objectives incorporate development of infrastructure, technology and innovation, together with social progress.
China also prioritizes environment and ecology, as well as sustainable development, and values culture and tradition in the process of modernization, Lalic said.
Inspiration for world
China's modernization is not only meaningful for the 1.4 billion Chinese people, or one-fifth of the world's population, but also offers development opportunities for others through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the three global initiatives - the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, analysts said.
China has signed more than 230 BRI cooperation agreements with more than 150 countries and more than 30 international organizations, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Beyond immediate economic benefits, China engages in knowledge sharing and cultural exchanges with other countries and regions, showcasing the benefits of collaboration and a collective approach, Lalic said.
Hamad Al Hosani, a senior research fellow at think tank TRENDS Research and Advisory in the United Arab Emirates, told the Global Times that in contrast to rapid democratization as advocated by Western-style modernization, China's approach has been more gradual, emphasizing economic development alongside social and political continuity.
The Chinese path demonstrated the importance of long-term planning, and the value of tailoring modernization strategies to each country's unique historical, cultural, and social context, Hosani noted.
Lalic said he believes China's modernization journey provides pragmatic and adaptable insights for countries and regions facing development challenges.
Countries can tailor approaches to their unique contexts while striving for sustainable growth and development, "the key is China is replacing zero-sum game with win-win cooperation," Lalic noted.
President Xi has often said that only the wearer of the shoes knows if they fit or not, according to Xinhua.
China's experience challenges the belief that Western-style democracy and capitalism are the only viable paths to modernization, and offers an alternative approach and contributes Chinese wisdom to global development, analysts said.
For the world, China's modernization demonstrates how different governance models can coexist, promoting a more pluralistic understanding of progress and global cooperation, Hosani noted.
