China's lunar spacesuit made its first public appearance on Saturday at a forum in Chongqing. The suit features a powerful yet elegant appearance, and embodies the resilience and pioneering spirit of the Chinese people, according to media reports. The unveiling marks a significant milestone in the country's lunar exploration efforts and reflects the advancement of China's spacesuit technology.
The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) also launched a naming campaign for the suit during the opening ceremony of the 3rd Space Suit Technology Forum in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.
The red decorative bands on the arms and legs emphasize its sleek and powerful design, with the arm bands designed to resemble flowing "Feitian" ribbons - meaning flying deity in traditional Chinese culture - symbolizing grace and elegance, while the leg bands are shaped like the exhaust flames of a rocket, conveying the dynamic energy of space exploration.
Meanwhile, the suit draws inspiration from traditional Chinese armor, embodying resilience, strength, and dignity, reflecting the courage and pioneering spirit of the Chinese people.
Since 2020, the research and development (R&D) of the lunar spacesuit has focused on protection function in complex environments and enhancing astronaut mobility. The design emphasizes miniaturized components, with high safety standards. The suit's development has achieved numerous technical breakthroughs, establishing a solid foundation for China's first manned lunar mission.
The unveiling of China's lunar spacesuit marks a significant milestone in the country's lunar exploration efforts and reflects the advancement of China's space suit technology.
Spacesuits are essential for spaceflight, providing life support and operational assistance during launches, re-entry, and extravehicular activities (EVAs). The R&D of spacesuits involves a wide range of scientific disciplines and complex technologies, and only a few countries in the world possess the capability of independently designing and manufacturing spacesuits.
China's spacesuits have successfully supported 35 taikonaut missions. The domestically developed first- and second-generation "Feitian" extravehicular spacesuits have enabled 17 taikonauts to complete 33 spacewalks, contributing to the construction and efficient operation of China Space Station.
In honor of Liu Hui, a prominent figure in ancient Chinese mathematics, a series of global activities kicked off on Tuesday local time in Paris, marking the beginning of a year-long commemoration of Liu, whose contributions had a profound influence on ancient Chinese mathematics, and continue to inspire today’s scientific progress and civilization exchanges.
The commemorations were co-hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), and the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization).
The series of events are expected to show the world the remarkable scientific achievements, exceptional ideas, and significant contributions to human civilization made by ancient Chinese scholars like Liu, said He Junke, executive president of the CAST, in a speech he delivered at a launch ceremony of the commemoration on Tuesday, at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris.
In November 2023, UNESCO held the 42nd session of the General Conference and approved the proposal made by the CAST to celebrate the anniversary of Liu’s birth. It was reportedly the first time China had successfully applied for a birthday anniversary event for a scientist at UNESCO.
This celebration was not only a tribute to Liu’s legacy, but a reminder of the immense value of mathematical sciences in shaping our future, said Lidia Arthur Brito, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, in a speech she delivered at the launch ceremony.
“This memorial is a tribute to his lasting impact - a recognition that mathematics, as Liu Hui demonstrated, is not just a theoretical pursuit, but also a vital tool for solving practical problems and advancing societies,” Brito remarked.
Living in the 3rd century, Liu was one of the founders of classical Chinese mathematical theory. He made great contributions to the history of Chinese mathematics and also gained an important position in the history of mathematics globally.
Liu’s commentary in the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art had a great influence on a large number of mathematicians and mathematical works in later generations.
Liu also made many great mathematical creations. He created the theory of lü (ratio) about quantitative relationships, first proposed the concept of decimal fractions, and was the first to introduce the idea of limit and infinite division methods into mathematical proofs. He established a unique mathematical theory of measurement (surveying).
Liu had a direct impact on mathematics in ancient China and the entire East Asia, and indirectly influenced other regions as well, said Zou Dahai, a research fellow at the Institute for History of Natural Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in a speech he delivered online at Tuesday’s launch ceremony as an expert representative.
“As a representative of outstanding ancient Chinese scientists, Liu is not only a figure of China but also of the world,” Zou told the Global Times.
Following the launch ceremony, an international symposium on Liu’s academic thought was held at the headquarters of UNESCO on Tuesday afternoon, where global experts in the history of science and technology and the history of mathematics, gave multi-dimensional interpretations of and held discussions about Liu’s academic contributions and scientific heritage, as well as their modern value.
Furthermore, they delved into the global dissemination of Liu’s mathematical ideas, and proposed suggestions for the further promotion of China’s classical mathematical heritage.
Andrea Bréard, a professor and the vice president of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, gave a keynote speech at the symposium titled “Incognito: The Secret Lives of Liu Hui in the 19th Century.” She mentioned that the name of Liu Hui is rarely seen in late imperial Chinese mathematical sources, but it doesn’t imply that Liu had little influence on mathematical practices in the 19th century and beyond.
Instead, it is possible to uncover the lasting influence of Liu’s thought and writings in the context of a rapidly changing scientific landscape, at a time when China became globally more entangled, Bréard noted.
Zhou Xiaohan, an associate research fellow at the Institute for History of Natural Sciences, CAS, shared his thoughts on the multi-language translations of some terms and arguments in Liu’s commentary on Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art in his keynote speech at the symposium.
“Liu’s achievements are not only a treasure to China, but also a great legacy of human thought for the world,” Zhou told the Global Times. “His mathematical achievements reflect the diversity of mathematical thought and practice, which requires the free and deep cooperation of scholars around the world to reveal and interpret.”
As another highlight of the commemoration, a themed exhibition featuring Liu’s achievements in mathematics kicked off at Réfectoire des Cordeliers in Paris on Monday, so as to showcase Liu’s mathematical achievements, and to deepen the civilization exchanges and mutual understanding between China and the world, says the exhibition’s foreword.
Yang Xinyu, the Chinese Ambassador and permanent delegate to UNESCO, said in the speech she delivered at the launch ceremony that the International Astronomical Union named a new feature on the moon “Liu Hui” in 2021, in honor of Liu’s accomplishments.
“Today, whenever we look at the moon from afar, we would think of Liu Hui, think of his groundbreaking work, as well as his scientific spirit,” Yang said. “Spirit that is marked by rigorousness, innovation, dedication, and open-mindedness. Spirit that is highly consistent with the general trend of international scientific cooperation.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday encouraged personnel in China's space industry to continue to work hard and accelerate progress in space endeavors.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, met with the representatives of space scientists and engineers who participated in the research and development in the Chang'e-6 lunar mission at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Mid-Autumn Festival, a celebration that has spanned centuries in China, is synonymous with the ancient practice of moon worship. Falling on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest, the festival has been bestowed with the meaning of unity, with legends such as Chang'e and the moon rabbit enriching its heritage. For Chinese people, the festival is of special ethical significance, while the thought of reuniting with family on this occasion has been a sentiment and mind-set for hundreds of years. The symbolic snack known as mooncake, a traditional offering to the lunar deities and a seasonal treat, has now evolved into a cultural brand representing China.
In this special issue, Global Times reporters Chen Xi, Li Hang and Sun Langchen will help you understand how and why Chinese celebrate this day even though many customs are changing with the times. As the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Tuesday this year, is being celebrated across the whole world nowadays, the festival has also evolved in different ways.
Looking at the Moon and Longing for One Far Away
Zhang Jiuling (Tang Dynasty)
"Over the sea the moon grows bright;
We gaze on it far, far apart.
Lovers complain of long, long night;
I rise and long for my dear heart.
Candles blown out, fuller is light;
My coat put on, I'm moist with dew.
As I can't hand you moonbeams white,
I go to bed to dream of you." In ancient times, the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival was marked with grand altars adorned with mooncakes, fruit, and other offerings. Families would gather under the lunar glow, positioning the image of the moon god in the direction of the full moon. As red candles burned brightly, family members would take turns paying homage to the moon as the matriarch of the household sliced into a round, reunion mooncake, a gesture signifying the completeness of family bonds.
Nowadays, people celebrate the festival in more creative ways. Experts told the Global Times that both innovative and traditional forms of celebrations are ways to express one's cultural identity and communicate feelings, and these are better expressed through objects or certain mediums.
In Beijing, Tianjin, and Shandong Province, the Tu'er Ye, or Lord Rabbit, emerged as a new festival symbol after the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). The rabbit god represents a secularized imagination of the Jade Rabbit that lives on the moon and is traditionally depicted pounding medicinal herbs.
"We can see that this is a trend with a certain global significance. The Lord Rabbit can serve as a globally shared deity figure during the Mid-Autumn Festival. In the West, the rabbit also symbolizes trust , making it a universally shareable symbol," Xiao Fang, head of the Department of Anthropology and Folklore Studies at Beijing Normal University, told the Global Times.
Moon-viewing tours
As this is the time of the year when the moon is at its fullest, "Chinese-style night tours" have become a new choice for people to celebrate the holiday, including spending the night with family and friends in a garden, or even taking a moon-viewing flight to admire the moon from a closer vantage point.
This year, China will celebrate with a three-day holiday running from September 15 to September 17.
Popular among younger travelers, activities such as moon gazing and exploring historical sites have drawn crowds to cities across the country, particularly to boat tours, ancient gardens, and bustling night markets.
According to data from Tongcheng Travel, in the week leading up to September 5, searches related to domestic ancient towns and garden night tours during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday saw a 77 percent week-on-week increase, while searches for night cruises increased by 42 percent.
In Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province, a city renowned for its classical gardens, a series of moon-viewing night tours are being introduced, offering travelers a visual feast.
As night falls and lanterns illuminate the streets, the thousand-year-old Tiger Hill Pagoda in Suzhou shines brightly under the lights. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, visitors can enter the lower level of the pagoda, without reservations, to experience the ancient structure up close and appreciate its historical significance.
With the moon-viewing tradition at the heart of these celebrations, an increasing number of travelers are also flocking to take special "moon-viewing flights." Multiple airlines have launched unique routes designed to offer passengers a closer view of the moon from the cabin during flight.
For example, China Southern Airlines' Hunan branch plans to operate over 80 flights during the Mid-Autumn Festival to provide moon-viewing opportunities, taking into account factors such as moonlight and flight routes.
In ancient times, the Mid-Autumn Festival was one of the few occasions when night markets were held, making it an important time for socializing. In the past, as people crafted and lit paper lanterns, scholars dreamed of achieving fame, while the young prayed for love. Today, the tradition continues, with people across China enjoying evenings out with their friends.
Cultural fusion mooncakes
Besides trendy night tours during the festival, the traditional mooncake has also transcended its identity as a simple festival snack to become a vessel for well-wishes.
From the plain, round pastries adorned with simple patterns to the myriad fillings of recent years, and now to the creative mooncakes that artfully incorporate cultural elements, the cultural "flavor" of mooncakes has grown increasingly significant.
This year, creative mooncake products in major universities have been a feast for the eyes. From mooncakes featuring Peking University's iconic campus landscapes to ones from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine that have been infused with traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients, the creativity of these academic institutions has been remarkable. Museums have also joined the trend, launching their own cultural and creative mooncakes. For example, the Chinese Archaeological Museum has incorporated five representative "dragon" motifs from its collection into the design of their mooncakes.
A standout mooncake gift box this year is the "Clasp the Moon in the Heaven Mooncake Gift Set," a collaboration between the Suzhou-style mooncake maker, Daoxiangcun, and the popular video game Black Myth: Wukong.
Zhou Liyuan, a manager with the time-honored brand, told the Global Times that the overall design draws inspiration from cultural elements in Journey to the West, upon which the game is based, and combines traditional pastry-making skills with modern aesthetics. The gift box unfolds like a flip-book when opened and features not only the game's characters but also scenes from the game.
"Currently, the gift box is mainly sold domestically and is a hot-seller with supply not meeting demand. However, some foreign customers in China are purchasing this gift box and sending it to their relatives and friends overseas by mail," Zhou said.
Zheng Changling, a research fellow at the Chinese National Academy of Arts, told the Global Times that the popularity of cultural and creative mooncakes, especially among young people, stems from their transformation of the traditional, somewhat rigid image of mooncakes. However, the real reason for their appeal lies in the way they embed culture within these pastries.
"It can be said that while mooncakes once represented the warmth of family reunion, they now offer a taste of national trends, cultural styles, and even cultural confidence," he said.
A global festival
As more people both in China and abroad celebrate the traditional festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival highlights both new and traditional ways of honoring this beloved holiday, reflecting its continued significance in contemporary life.
In Wuhan, Hubei Province, a Chinese-style mecha show at Happy Valley marks a groundbreaking approach to celebrating the festival. This show features interactive mechanical representations of legendary Chinese figures such as Zhao Yun, a military general who lived during the late Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) and early Three Kingdoms (220-280) period, Erlang Shen, a god in Chinese folk religion and Taoism. Visitors can engage with these larger-than-life characters, offering a fresh and captivating way to experience Chinese mythology and cultural heritage.
In addition, the lantern festival in Beijing also promises to be the largest lantern display in the city's history. It will showcase over 200 creative lantern displays, including a remarkable 10-meter-tall phoenix lantern made from colored blow-molded paper and transparent acrylic. The festival will also feature more than 150 specialty shops and various themed activities, including performances and interactive events. This extensive and imaginative presentation of lanterns reflects a deep appreciation for both traditional craftsmanship and modern design.
"Modern urban life is becoming increasingly atomized, and we should use the Mid-Autumn Festival as an opportunity to encourage more interaction among people," said Xiao.
The global significance of shared figures is also reflected in other countries. The light-up ceremony in Singapore's Chinatown has introduced a novel feature: a digital riddle-solving activity. This new addition aims to engage younger generations by combining traditional festival elements with modern technology.
Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information of Singapore, emphasized the importance of blending tradition with innovation, noting that this approach not only preserves cultural heritage but also makes the festival more relevant to the diverse demographics of today.
"Family and national unity, as well as the integrity of the nation, are deeply significant concepts in Chinese thought. No matter where Chinese people go, they carry with them this sense of national togetherness. This national psychological factor is not easily abandoned just because they are abroad," Li Hanqiu, a veteran folk custom expert who first proposed the Mid-Autumn Festival be designated a public holiday, told the Global Times.
He noted that through the moon, emotions are conveyed, and in this way, the feelings of reunion also merge into a sense of national identity. The shared act of gazing at the moon from afar is not only an expression of longing for loved ones but also a longing for one's homeland.
The Austrian Cultural Forum at the Embassy of the Republic of Austria and its cultural center in Beijing launched a double solo exhibition of Austrian artists Stefan Pani & Stefan Reiterer, from September 14 to October 6, 2024, in Simulacra, a gallery in Beijing.
Stefan Pani, who lives and works in Vienna, graduated from the University of the Arts Vienna in 2009. His work is a construction of so-called subversive situations, a cultural mechanism in a dissecting mirror: Without innovation, he attempts to subvert the new perspective of "absolution."
Born in 1988 in Waidhofen an der Thaya, Austria, Stefan Reiterer reflects on the existence of digital images and the conversion process from analog to digital through painting. He uses both computer animation and classical painting.
A number of high-quality Chinese TV series have been rolled out by younger directors who have made a name for themselves in recent years with creative production ideas. One such work, Escape from the Trilateral Slopes, a newly released thriller generating buzz on Chinese social media, exemplifies its director's exploration of creative expression.
The 21-episode Escape from the Trilateral Slopes, centers around the journey of Shen Xing, played by actor Guo Qilin, who finds himself in a remote border town while on a quest to locate his missing uncle. Along the way, he encounters Uncle Cai, a mysterious figure portrayed by veteran actor Francis Ng, who introduces unexpected twists and challenges to Shen's journey, creating a thrilling narrative filled with intrigue and moral dilemmas.
The series airing on streaming platform Youku has an 8.2/10 rating on China's major review platform Douban. Many netizens, at home and abroad, have commented that they saw humanity in the show.
What sets Escape from the Trilateral Slopes apart is its capacity to weave together multiple genres. While it features elements of mystery and suspense, the series also explores profound themes related to human nature, morality, and the struggle for survival. Directed by Mu Xincen, a fresh voice among the new generation of Chinese directors, the series' narrative is intricately layered, particularly through the perspective of Shen Xing, who copes with the challenges faced by young people as they navigate the complexities of modern life.
The launching ceremony for the Lao edition of Chinese President Xi Jinping's book on poverty relief "Up and Out of Poverty" is held in Vientiane, capital of Laos, on Sept. 4, 2024.
More than 150 officials, media representatives, think tank members, and other representatives from China and Laos attended on Wednesday here the launching ceremony and a subsequent seminar on state governance.
A total of 61 professional soccer players have been given disciplinary sanctions, including 43 of them being banned from soccer for life, as China's sports and public security authorities jointly issued sanctions on Tuesday in the aftermath of a series of corruption cases in the sport since November 2022.
Among the names in the 43-player lifetime ban list, the most high-profile ones are former Shandong Luneng player and ex-China international Jin Jingdao and Shandong's South Korean player Son Jun-ho. The two "engaged in improper transactions, manipulated soccer matches, and obtained illegal gains in pursuit of unjust benefits," the Chinese Football Association (CFA) said.
It remains unclear if Son will serve his ban in South Korea as he has been playing for Suwon FC in the South Korean top-tier league in 2024. The CFA said the cases will be submitted to international soccer governing bodies AFC and FIFA.
Among the 17 individuals who received a five-year suspension, the emergence of 40-year-old Wang Song, a veteran soccer player, has stunned many fans and commentators. Wang was previously hailed as an "evergreen soccer player" in China as he has scored in 23 consecutive seasons.
Song Kai, head of the CFA, indicated that soccer clubs involved in corruption also face penalties.
"Whether it's players or clubs involved in such activities, we will handle the cases strictly according to the laws and regulations and impose industry sanctions without leniency," Song told a press conference on Tuesday.
Zhang Xiaopeng, a senior official from China's Ministry of Public Security, said the goal of the investigation is to act as a high-pressure deterrent and genuinely purify the soccer industry.
"Ongoing investigations focus on illegal gambling and bribery as entry points to uncover and thoroughly investigate illegal activities such as match manipulation by players, coaches, referees, and club officials," Zhang said.
Zhang Xin, chief of the Sports Competition under the General Administration of Sport of China, said that issues such as match-fixing, gambling, and organized crime in soccer are a "cancer" eroding the healthy development of soccer and a major obstacle to the sport's revitalization.
"Building a positive soccer culture is essential," said Zhang Xin. "By promoting integrity and transparency, we aim to foster an environment conducive to the healthy development of soccer in China."
According to figures released at the press conference, criminal charges have been brought against a total of 83 individuals since 2022, meaning there is a second list of people in the soccer industry who will face sanctions.
Zhang Bin, a Beijing-based sports commentator, said the first round of sanctions is just a starter and the "main courses" will be served at a later time.
"The banned players are just a starter for the long-awaiting punishment of those who ruined a decade of China's soccer progress," Zhang Bin told the Global Times.
"We do not see the names like [former national team coach] Li Tie and [former Shandong coach] Hao Wei as well as several senior CFA officials who had been prosecuted. That means there has to be a second and even a third batch of people who will be banned from the soccer industry."
In early September, in order to continuously optimize the power business environment, State Grid Taizhou Electric Power Supply Company actively cooperated with the government's "Efficient Completion of One Task" initiative, which includes a series of services such as joint application, joint site inspection, joint inspection, joint activation, and joint transfer of accounts.
Over the past year, State Grid Taizhou Electric Power Supply Company has actively implemented the "Efficient Completion of One Task" by integrating water, electricity, gas, and internet service resources, establishing a new "Five Ones" joint application service model for water, electricity, gas, and internet services, which includes "one application form, one-window acceptance, one site inspection, one construction process, and one simultaneous activation".
In March of this year, the service connotation of "Efficient Completion of One Task" for power supply services continued to expand. By integrating business processes such as account transfer, name change, account cancellation, category change, capacity increase, refund, and VAT change, strongly related power business "individual tasks" were integrated into "one task" from the perspective of enterprises and residents. For low-voltage and high-voltage groups, six power supply joint service scenarios such as "account transfer + category change + refund + VAT change", "account cancellation + refund", and "name change + VAT change" were launched. At the same time, a dedicated service section was launched on the State Grid Mobile App, enabling full-service online joint processing with internal transfers but no external transfers.
Since the launch of the service, more than 160 enterprises and individuals in Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province have benefited, with over 20 pieces of business documentation streamlined and a significant reduction in the time required for business processing, resulting in a notable improvement in the electricity service experience for the public.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed that the environment concerns the well-being of people in all countries. During his many inspections, Xi has always emphasized the importance of ecosystems, spanning from cities to rural areas, and from enterprises to communities.
Under President Xi Jinping's Thought on Ecological Civilization, China has been advancing the green transition of its economy over the last decade. Regions across the country are actively promoting the construction of an ecological civilization and advancing Chinese modernization featuring harmony between humanity and nature. These efforts go toward creating a "Beautiful China."
The coming five years will be critical to the building of a "Beautiful China." The Global Times is launching a series of stories to explore the progress of ecological civilization projects inspired by Xi's words, delving into the positive environmental changes occurring now, and offering valuable insights and references for both national and global efforts.
Through this prism, we can see how Xi's thoughts on ecological civilization is being put into practice and further inspiring public action.
The Global Times recently visited the largest hydropower station in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, to witness the advanced power and technology achievements of China's clean energy projects in remote areas. The visit also included a trip to an ethnic minority community village that was relocated due to the project's construction. Our reporter witnessed significant improvements in the quality of their life after relocation.
This shows how China's green energy development integrates resources, drives the process of modernization, and sets a scientific example for many developing countries worldwide. In the past, the Yarkand River in Xinjiang would flood annually during the rainy season, causing destruction to infrastructure, submerging farmland, and engulfing homes and villages. Bubishare, a Uygur resident who grew up in a village upstream of the river, still vividly recalls the cries of helplessness from those affected by the devastating floods before the construction of the Aratax water conservation project. Thanks to the project, these nightmares are now a thing of the past for local residents.
Located in the Karakorum Mountain Valley, the Aratax water conservation project, known as the "Xinjiang's Three Gorges" project for its grandeur and construction challenges, was constructed to control the Yarkant River. The 1,289-km-long Yarkant River in the Tarim Basin is Xinjiang's most flood-prone river, and the towering dam can withstand the turbulent floodwaters in a reservoir with a storage capacity of 2.2 billion cubic meters.
Today, this dam is gushing with clean water sources, stable power, and also gushing with hope for the minority groups on the desert.
In August 2023, President Xi Jinping urged firmly grasping the strategic positioning of Xinjiang in the overall national situation and better building a beautiful Xinjiang in the process of pursuing Chinese modernization, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, demanded thorough, meticulous, concrete and sustained efforts to develop a beautiful Xinjiang that is united, harmonious, prosperous, and culturally advanced, with healthy ecosystems and people living and working in contentment, in the process of pursuing Chinese modernization.
The building of a beautiful Xinjiang extends from a dam to a relocated ethnic minority community. The relocation of villagers to new homes with improved living conditions, as a result of the dam project, has brought green energy, green fields, and a green dream of prosperity to the villagers.
Path to build new hope
After a challenging 6-hour journey along the rugged Tasha Ancient Road, the Global Times reporter finally laid eyes on the Aratax dam nestled in the mountainside deep within the Karakorum Mountain. Without firsthand experience of this journey, it is difficult to fathom the obstacles encountered during the entire process of researching, designing, and constructing the dam - no roads on the ground, barren mountains devoid of trees, transportation primarily by feet, and communication mainly through shouting. Accidents like overturning were frequent due to the rugged environment.
The Xinhua Hydropower Generation Co, Ltd, a subsidiary of the China National Nuclear Corporation, began construction on the water conservation project in 2011, with a total investment of 10.98 billion yuan ($1.5 billion). The Aratax project has played a crucial role in flood control, irrigation, and power generation. The river plain, with a population of 4 million and an irrigated area of over 6.5 million mu (433,333 hectares), is the largest irrigated area in Xinjiang and the fourth-largest in China, benefiting 2.4 million people in the region.
Zhang Yibo, a frontline employee at the developer, told the media, "Over a decade ago, this place was even more desolate and rarely visited, and our water conservancy experts achieved a remarkable feat here." Confronted by the harsh natural surroundings, the builders traversed mountains, camped under the open sky, drank from rivers when thirsty, and rested in tents outdoor, with a firm passion for building a sustainable dam for locals.
From July 18 to August 17, 2021, the Aratax water conservancy project successfully connected four units to the grid in just one month, a rare accomplishment in the history of global hydropower development. This hydropower station significantly alleviated the power shortage in the four southern prefectures in Xinjiang. The project's designed annual power generation is 21.86 billion kilowatt-hours, saving 883,100 tons of standard coal annually while reducing smoke and dust emissions by 175,300 tons, and enabling the residents of southern Xinjiang to access cleaner energy.
The dam's incorporation of advanced technology, such as unmanned compaction technology using the Beidou satellite, improved digital visualization of the construction progress, and magnetic induction devices to assist in fish migration, have been notable features of its intelligent design.
"Following the completion of this project, it has greatly supported our irrigation efforts. Economic crops like sea buckthorn and apples are now extensively cultivated in the desert, leading to significant improvements in both economic and ecological benefits," Fan Kexing, Party secretary of Tong'an township, Kashi, Xinjiang, told the Global Times. "Previously, the area was plagued by strong winds and sandstorms, with sand and gravel striking house windows with a loud thud, but this phenomenon has now been alleviated," Fan noted.
Path to enjoy better life
Over the last six years, the residents of the remote Karakorum Mountains in Xinjiang have experienced incredible changes. Having previously lived in the vast desert with only three mu of arable land per person a decade ago, they had to trek seven kilometers to the mountains for drinking water, which needed to be purified before consumption. Power outages lasting for days at a time were a common occurrence. However, these challenges are now a thing of the past.
Today, the residents have an average annual income exceeding 10,000 yuan, live in beautifully decorated homes with their ethnicity characteristics, and enjoy access to closer schools, more job opportunities, and reliable water and electricity services.
Thanks to the construction of the dam, in August 2018, 4,243 individuals from over 1,000 households in Kusilafu township, Aketao county were resettled in Tong'an township, over 100 kilometers away. This diverse community, made up of Uygurs, Kyrgyz, Tajiks, and other ethnic groups, have embraced their new beginning.
Zhou Jingfang, an expert at the Xinhua Hydropower Generation Co who led the relocation work, still remembers the days of tirelessly conducting site surveys, clearing land, mobilizing villagers to relocate, planning and designing new sites, building resettlement houses, greening rural areas, reclaiming farmland, introducing livestock, and setting up factories, schools, clinics, and markets.
He told the Global Times that the dedicated team members worked long hours in harsh conditions, and navigated countless checkpoints and roads in the vast desert and rugged mountains without complaint. Nowadays, the villagers are no longer facing the endless desert of despair as they did in the past.
When discussing stories of relocation, 25-year-old Bubishare said, "Our village now has schools, factories, and employment opportunities. The village has supported us to find more diverse ways to make a living."
"We have 20,000 acres of farmland, where we not only grow food but also operate cash crops cooperatives. This area is a seabuckthorn forest, and our village recently constructed a seabuckthorn fruit processing plant. Our seabuckthorn beer will soon hit the market. With ample water supply, we are confident in our farming endeavors." Fan shared proudly while standing amid the seabuckthorn forest.
In a local farmer's backyard sheep pen, the Global Times reporter observed over 20 Dolan sheep, known as "living banks." Zhou explained that by raising two Dolan sheep, a farmer can become prosperous within two years due to their high reproductive rate. In Tong'an, many villagers raise Dolan sheep in this manner and enjoy prosperity.
Tong'an township has also collaborated with local businesses to establish factories, providing employment for local women to produce items made from Xinjiang cotton, such as down jackets and socks for overseas export, ensuring female workers earn at least 2,000-3,000 yuan per month. "The factory is conveniently located, allowing women to balance family responsibilities while earning an income," Fan informed the Global Times.
In one factory, a wall in the workshop reads, "Happiness is achieved through hard work." These words have accurately described how local women in Xinjiang have embarked on the path to modernization through their own hands.
Along the Yarkand River, beyond the Karakorum Mountain, the villagers of Tong'an are employing their diligence and unwavering efforts to write their own happy stories in the desert. They have left behind isolation and poverty, embracing hope and prosperity within short years. In this vibrant land, a new life of perseverance and success is blossoming with vibrant hues.
