Innehållsförteckning för Vol.67/No.34 från Beijing Review

Travelers visiting Zhangjiakou City, located some 200 km northwest of Beijing, are in for a pleasant surprise. Beyond the stunning mountain resorts that offer an escape from the hustle, bustle and heat of the capital, they will encounter a manmade spectacle: gigantic wind turbines dotting the skyline. These towering structures, as tall as 20-story buildings, perched on hilltops, will leave many visitors marveling at the ingenuity it took to construct them. The northern part of Hebei Province, where Zhangjiakou is located, is one of nine clean energy bases that China is developing. These bases, ranging from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in the southwest to the northeast, are rich in wind, solar and hydraulic resources. Their development has powered not only local progress but also the nation’s green…

During the recently concluded Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games, a NIO electric vehicle (EV) parked in front of the Louvre became an unexpected sensation among netizens and locals alike. The Chinese character on the distinctive green license plate suggested that the fully electric car had journeyed all the way from Nanjing, the capital of east China’s Jiangsu Province, capturing the imagination of many who were intrigued by its long voyage. The car’s owner, Zhou Jun, had indeed embarked on an ambitious journey that had begun in Nanjing. Over the course of 30 days, Zhou drove 14,000 km across 10 countries, ultimately arriving in Paris two days before the Olympics kicked off. His journey culminated in attending the eagerly anticipated matches of the Chinese women’s volleyball team and the Chinese table…

‘There is a prospect greater than the sea, and that is the sky; there is a prospect greater than the sky, and that is the human soul.” This quote from French writer Victor Hugo was referenced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in his speech at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on March 27, 2014. In this speech, Xi presented China’s perspective on the term “civilization” to the world for the first time. He said, “We need a mind that is broader than the sky as we approach different civilizations… We should encourage different civilizations to respect each other and live in harmony, so as to turn exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations into a bridge promoting friendship between peoples around the world, an engine driving human society, and a bond…

In the scorching summer heat, packs of office workers are seen rushing through the streets of Beijing, even more hastily than usual. It’s just too hot to hang around outside. During the dog days, most people prefer to stay inside the air-conditioned cool of their office. If they wish to order anything, from food and beverages to office supplies or whatever their heart may desire in that moment, a few taps of their mobile phone screen suffice, courtesy of China’s thriving delivery business. However, those delivering the items have to work outdoors, rain or shine, in searing summer heat or bitter winter cold. Recently, smart rest stations have mushroomed, sheltering outdoor workers, including delivery people, construction workers and street sweepers, from extreme weather and fatigue. “Our peak time usually occurs…

FORMER GERM-WARFARE UNIT MEMBER EXPOSES WAR CRIMES Hideo Shimizu, 94, a former member of Unit 731, the notorious Japanese germ-warfare detachment during World War II (1939-45), returned to China in mid-August to acknowledge the atrocities committed by the invading Japanese forces and offer repentance and apologies to the victims. His itinerary included a poignant visit to the former headquarters of Unit 731 in the north-eastern Chinese city of Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, where he grappled with the stark and haunting evidence of the unit’s inhumane deeds. Shimizu was among the last group of Unit 731 Youth Corps members sent by Japan to Harbin, where he spent more than four months. He witnessed the war crimes committed by the unit, including the cultivation of pathogens, human dissections and human experiments. He fled…

This year is the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Brazil and China—a milestone that offers a timely opportunity to reflect on the strategic partnership that has evolved between the two nations. Since its official establishment in August 1974, this relationship has been characterized by consistency, a quality that has underpinned both the continuity and growth of their bilateral ties. China’s rise as Brazil’s largest trading partner has been well-documented, with direct investment today accounting for 30 percent of Brazil’s exports and 50 percent of its trade surplus. But to truly appreciate the depth of this relationship, we must look beyond the numbers and focus on the partnership that has been cultivated over decades. The Brazil-China relationship is not just a trade partnership, but a strategic partnership built on mutual…

China holds the largest number of valid invention patents globally. According to the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), as of June this year, the country had accumulated an inventory of 4.43 million valid domestic invention patents, underscoring the impact of China’s focus on science and technology innovation. Most of these patents are attributed to enterprises, universities and research institutions. However, while enterprises typically drive their patents toward commercial application, universities and research institutions often face challenges in transforming their inventions into marketable products. This discrepancy arises because enterprises are primarily motivated by profit, which naturally aligns with the commercial application of their patents. In the first half of this year, Chinese universities and research institutions reported 23,000 patent transfer and licensing transactions, marking a 22.2-percent increase year on year,…

The Olympic Games, celebrated for showcasing athletes at their peak, also often serve as a finish line for their career, turning the occasion into bittersweet moments of reflection and change. Information from the General Administration of Sport of China shows that approximately 3,000 athletes step away from their careers annually. This number sees a spike in China after the Olympic Games and the National Games, with up to 40 percent of competitors hanging up their boots following the Games. For most, the journey away from sports is filled with uncertainty. The glory and dreams that once accompanied them to the podium now fade, leaving them to ponder their next steps. A new chapter Speed skater Yang Yang, holder of 59 world championship titles, reached the conclusion of her illustrious career…

The Olympic Games are a rare occasion where representatives from the world’s nations come together to compete in sports. Despite the intense competition, the world’s largest sporting event promotes a spirit of peace and camaraderie. Individual athletes and national teams take great pride in displaying their talent, skill and dedication on the world stage. However, the Olympics can also become a platform for political tensions. The Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games demonstrated this issue as some Western countries criticized China’s swimmers, invoking rhetorics reminiscent of Cold War-era politics. Certain Western media outlets have leveled doping accusations against Chinese swimmers. This controversy gained attention in April, when U.S. newspaper The New York Times reported that 23 top Chinese swimmers tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned substance, in 2021. Despite this, they…

Team China’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games was record-breaking. Athletes from the Chinese mainland took home 91 medals, their greatest achievement in an overseas Olympic Games. Global audiences consider this feat a reflection of China’s overall progress, showcasing the nation’s ability to compete and excel in a highly competitive global arena. The country is no longer just dominant in a few select traditional disciplines such as diving, table tennis and weightlifting. It is becoming a well-rounded athletic powerhouse, staging successful performances across a wide range of sports. Aside from the pride and glory of sporting success, this accomplishment may carry profound economic implications that could shape the future of China’s economy and its global standing. The country’s success across a broader array of sports is likely to…

Throughout every summer season, the ponds and lakes of Yaoxi Village in Guangchang County, located in east China’s Jiangxi Province, transform into vast expanses of lotus flowers, drawing tourists with their enchanting beauty. Chinese people harbor a deep affection for the lotus flower. Although it emerges from the murky depths of the mud, the lotus flower maintains its pristine cleanliness and transforms into something exquisite. It is therefore a timeless symbol of beauty, purity and spiritual enlightenment. In Guangchang, people consider the flower to be an integral part of their traditions and daily lives. Blessed with the ideal geography and climate for lotuses, locals began cultivating these plants 1,300 years ago. In 2016, Guinness World Records confirmed that the county had set a remarkable new record as the home of…

In traditional Chinese culture, death is a taboo topic, which has made the funeral industry a rather mysterious one to most people. However, this industry has recently come under the spotlight with the establishment of the China Civil Affairs University (CCAU) in Beijing, which has introduced China’s first undergraduate major in funeral management. The university plans to enroll 120 students in this program starting this fall. Founded in June, CCAU is China’s first university offering undergraduate studies in the civil affairs sector. Initially a vocational school, it features five majors, including marriage services, senior care, social work, rehabilitative and assistive technology—and, obviously, funeral management. There is ongoing debate about the necessity of elevating funeral technology and management from a junior college major to an undergraduate program. Some argue that a…

Recently, a growing number of young people in big cities have become interested in urban farming. Setting aside the pressures of their fast-paced metropolitan lives, they’re opting to spend free time cultivating grain, fruit and vegetable crops on rented plots on the outskirts, in small gardens in their homes, on their balconies or even in their offices. Urban farming is also becoming a hot topic on social media, with urban farming variety show To Farm (ZhongdiBa) going viral among netizens. While the new trend is generally being applauded by pundits, there are some caveats when it comes to “gardening for the camera.” Tang Wei (Beijing Youth Daily): Young urbanites’ enthusiasm for farm work is partly driven by curiosity and partly by the discovery of the value of labor through farming.…