Innehållsförteckning för Vol.67/No.13 från Beijing Review

Peach blossoms, towering snow-capped mountains and pristine forests are some of the attractions that draw visitors to southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region in spring. In the Chinese phonetic system, the name for Tibet is romanized as Xizang. Official figures from Xizang showed that the region recorded a historical high of 55.17 million tourist visits in 2023, generating a revenue of 65.15 billion yuan ($9.18 billion), a year-on-year surge of 83.7 percent and 60 percent, respectively. A booming tourism industry aside, specialty products from Xizang, such as Tibetan medicine, thangka paintings and barley wine, are gaining popularity both at home and abroad. In Xizang, young people share many hobbies with their peers in other parts of the country. They, for instance, enjoy playing mobile games and posting their daily experiences and…

Spring plowing in Xizang Autonomous Region started on March 16 this year. Wearing their holiday best, the farmers in Qabgar Village of Lhunzhub County in the regional capital of Lhasa, gathered in their vast highland barley field for the annual ceremony. This year’s spring plowing is especially promising for Qabgar’s farmers as their field has been included in a pilot zone for smart agriculture. Smart farming Last July, the 46.7-hectare field was turned into a pilot zone and outfitted with Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring devices and an integrated system for irrigation and fertilizer application, which make farming more efficient. According to Basang Cuomu, chief of the Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Lhunzhub County, the IoT devices in Qabgar monitor seedlings and soil moisture, detect pests and collect…

Before serving as Nepal’s ambassador to China in 2022, Bishnu Pukar Shrestha had devoted half a century of work to bringing positive changes to education in his country and to advocating for the rights of local communities. His experience with teaching, human rights and international relations gives him a profound insight into how historical ties between China and Nepal have evolved into a longstanding friendship. In an exclusive interview with Beijing Review reporter Peng Jiawei, Shrestha shared his views on the past, present and future of China-Nepal relations, as well as his understanding of southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region’s role in facilitating bilateral and multilateral exchange. Edited excerpts of their conversation follow: Beijing Review: How has your extensive career in the fields of education and human rights helped foster your…

On his deathbed, an American rancher asked his son, “What if the pigs complain about their food, the cattle find their work too heavy and the hens are unhappy with their messy coop?” His son replied, “We could change the food, reduce the workload and clean up the henhouse.” The rancher shook his head and said, “You don’t have to do anything. Just give them the vote to decide whether you or your wife should be in charge of them. They’ll believe they have a say on this farm.” This allegory mocks Western democracy, which highlights the centrality of voting. But does democracy entail more than just voting? This was one of the central questions discussed at the International Forum on Democracy: The Shared Human Values, held in Beijing on…

A blood pressure monitor, a thermometer, alcohol pads, haircut scissors, nail clippers, masks and a bottle of shampoo. These essential items make up Zhang Guifen’s toolkit as she visits several homes with disabled family members every day. A resident of Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province in southwest China, the 50-year-old has been active as a long-term care insurance worker for more than two years. In China, a long-term care insurance worker is a professional who provides care and support to people who require assistance with daily activities due to disability, illness or old age. After passing the certification exam in 2021, Zhang obtained the required license to engage in this profession fulltime. Her responsibilities include helping seniors with disabilities maintain their personal hygiene, which involves skin scrubbing, hair washing, nail…

A delegation of teaching staff and students from different universities across China have made themselves at home in the village of Gusheng in Dali, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, since they traveled there in March 2022. In the dormant village “yards,” they launched the Science and Technology Backyard (STB). Many of them have stayed in the village for over 300 days, leading to significant transformations within the local community. Initiated and led by plant nutrition expert Zhang Fusuo, Dean of the National Academy of Agriculture Green Development at the China Agricultural University (CAU) and a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the STB involves agricultural researchers immersing themselves in rural regions to conduct studies and offer farmers free guidance. The STB in Gusheng Village was launched in February 2022 through…

Artifacts on display at a museum in Beijing shed light on exchanges between Xizang Autonomous Region and the Central Government throughout history. Among the most notable objects are the musical instruments taken by Princess Wencheng and Princess Jincheng to Xizang. The two Tang Dynasty (618-907) princesses were wedded to the leaders of Xizang, then a kingdom, establishing rapport between the Tang court and the regional authorities. In the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), Xizang became a region under the direct jurisdiction of the Central Government. The exhibition featured gifts from Kublai Khan, founder of the Yuan Dynasty, to Phagspa, a Buddhist leader in Xizang and a Yuan imperial preceptor. Objects that stand out in the exhibition’s contemporary China section are gifts from the current Dalai Lama to Chairman Mao Zedong. The former…

Looking back on the first year of the Global Civilizations Initiative (GCI), now is the perfect time to examine its achievements and position in the current international geopolitical arena. The GCI, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in March 2023, intends to promote cultural inclusiveness and mutual learning. Navigating the complexities of the current geopolitical landscape requires paying attention to Xi’s remarks, which offer valuable insights into China’s approach to international relations. With globalization further intertwining economies and cultures, grasping China’s perspective becomes crucial for promoting cooperation and effectively tackling global challenges. Xi’s observations provide a nuanced understanding of power dynamics, regional tensions and the importance of multilateralism in today’s interconnected world. As the world tries to make its way through uncertain times, embracing different viewpoints is essential for charting…

Quoting an ancient proverb by Mencius—“Preserve your dignity as a nobody; promote social welfare as a somebody”—Meng Liang, Chair of the Mencius Foundation and a 79th-generation descendant of Mencius, shared with Beijing Review what has inspired him to step up and promote the Chinese philosopher’s teachings both at home and abroad. Mencius, born Meng Ke in 372 B.C., was one of Confucius’ fourth generation of disciples and is regarded as second only to Confucius himself in his contribution to Confucian philosophy and his zeal in spreading it. Mencius believed in the inherent goodness of human beings. Living during the chaotic Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.), during which seven major states fought each other for supremacy, he advocated for moral, benevolent governance. Immersed in traditional culture from a young age, Meng…

Bao Xiaobai, a singer and actor from Taiwan Province, recently made headlines for using artificial intelligence (AI) to create a digital representation of his late daughter. The process is known as “AI resurrection.” Chinese social media was abuzz with a viral short video featuring a digital avatar of Bao’s daughter singing Happy Birthday to her mother. The young woman passed away in 2021 at the age of 22 due to a rare blood disease. Struggling to come to terms with her untimely death, Bao in July 2022 turned to his friend Liu Yan for support. Liu, founder of livestreaming platform 6.cn and a skilled developer of virtual idols, was approached by the singer and actor with his desire to create a digital incarnation of his daughter. Two months later, Liu…

NEW SPOKESPERSON Diplomat Lin Jian made his debut as spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the ministry’s regular press briefing on March 18. Lin, 47, is currently one of four Foreign Ministry spokespeople and the 34th to be appointed since the role was created in 1983. He worked at the ministry for 25 years after graduating from college in 1995, and is experienced in diplomacy and international communication. Lin has served at the Chinese Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark, and the Chinese Embassy in Warsaw, Poland. He was also a counselor in the Foreign Ministry’s Department of European Affairs. Prior to his current appointment, Lin was head of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps based in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Top Spot for…

Counting nearly 9 million words, The General History of Xizang was meticulously compiled and written over more than 10 years by a team of over 100 researchers and authors, culminating in its publication roughly a decade ago. This monumental literary work, spanning multiple volumes, is considered the first complete, comprehensive and systematic exploration of the general history of Xizang in southwest China, both domestically and internationally. The books cover various historical events, cultural developments, political shifts and societal changes that have influenced Xizang’s trajectory through the ages. Delving into its vibrant history, traditions, customs, religious practices and geopolitical intricacies, each volume offers readers a profound insight into the region’s past and its significance within the broader context of Chinese history and culture. Yan Yongshan, Deputy Director of the Institute of…

Due to their excellent performance on China’s export goods list in 2023, electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and solar cells, have emerged as the “new three” in foreign trade. This is a shift from the former focus on the “old three” categories of clothing, furniture and household appliances. The move from the “old three” to the “new three” underlines the evolution of China’s economic growth model. The former comprise labor-intensive products, while the latter consist of technology-intensive products. China’s manufacturing industry has transitioned from producing low value-added products to high value-added ones, driven by technological innovation and the adoption of green and low-carbon technologies. Overall, this transformation indicates the Chinese economy is entering a new stage of high-quality development, aka a shift toward a more sustainable, efficient and innovative mode of…

Two months ago, professional livestreamer Xiaoqi took part in a friend’s livestream without informing her company. Although she wasn’t paid for her appearance and made no money from it, the company, based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, fined her 12,000 yuan ($1,666) for what it said was a breach of its rules. Having a hearing disability, Xiaoqi contacted her sign language teacher Wang Jianmin for advice. For people with hearing and speaking disabilities, securing their own legitimate rights is even more challenging. Wang, 69, taught sign language for 50 years in Qingdao, Shandong Province. Now retired, he provides assistance to the hearing impaired. He helped Xiaoqi find a lawyer and provided interpretation. According to Wang, because of their narrower social circles and restricted access to information, people with hearing issues believe…

The holiday season is a time for families and friends to come together, reconnect and enjoy big reunion feasts. Very often, this is followed by the inevitable battle of the holiday bulge. This year’s Spring Festival holiday, China’s biggest annual celebration and accompanied by sumptuous spreads, spanning from February 10 to 17, was no exception. Interestingly, during the holiday, the comedy film YOLO, an acronym for “You Only Live Once,” directed by and starring actress Jia Ling, became a box office hit, raking in more than 2.7 billion yuan ($375 million) during the holiday. Jia portrays Du Leying, an overweight woman in her 30s who regains her self-confidence after taking up boxing. Off screen, Jia herself reportedly shed 50 kg through vigorous exercise during the shooting process of roughly 14…

Xing Xing, an IT industry professional from Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, has amassed nearly 400,000 followers on Bilibili, China’s equivalent of YouTube that primarily caters to Gen Z. During his free time, Xing uploads videos of his cassette players playing songs, mostly popular hits from the 1990s to the 2000s. Born in the 1980s, Xing developed a love for music from a young age. “As I grow older, these cassette tapes serve as vessels for preserving my youth,” he told Beijing Review. “In fact, I create these videos as a way to commemorate the bygone days. If someone shares the same sense of nostalgia, that’s even better.” As he hoped, Xing’s videos have garnered attention from audiences with similar tastes and interests. Many people regard his Bilibili account as a broadcasting…

As a student in Pakistan, it had always been my dream to come to China and immerse myself in its culture and events. I had gleaned knowledge about China’s rich history, cultural heritage and economic growth from sources like television and books and, in 2022, my dream finally came true. I arrived in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, to study at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), renowned as the birthplace of China’s electronic technology industry. I was fortunate enough to be enrolled as a Ph.D. student in the School of Management and Economics. Chengdu, with its exquisite cuisine, rich history and vibrant social fabric, captivated me from the moment I set foot in the city. Situated in the heart of Sichuan, Chengdu sprawls across the…