分类： society

Northwest China’s Gansu Province has emerged as the nation’s leader in museum accessibility per capita, marking a significant milestone in regional cultural development. Governor Ren Zhenhe announced this achievement during his government work report presentation at the fourth session of the 14th Gansu Provincial People’s Congress on Tuesday.

According to data from the Gansu Cultural Relics Bureau, the province now hosts 263 registered museums following the recent addition of six new institutions. This translates to one museum for every 93,200 residents, representing the highest density of museum access among all Chinese provinces.

The cultural sector demonstrated remarkable vitality throughout the past year, with more than 700 exhibitions and approximately 20,000 educational programs conducted both online and offline. These initiatives collectively attracted over 33 million visits, reflecting growing public engagement with cultural offerings.

Gansu’s innovative approach to cultural heritage has yielded substantial economic benefits. Drawing inspiration from iconic artifacts such as the Dunhuang flying apsaras and the Bronze Galloping Horse from the Gansu Provincial Museum, developers have created more than 4,000 cultural and creative products. These items achieved annual sales exceeding 130 million yuan (approximately $18 million), demonstrating successful commercialization of cultural assets.

The cultural achievements coincide with broader economic progress. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), Gansu’s GDP reached 1.37 trillion yuan, representing a 33.6 percent increase from the previous planning period. Since 2022, the province’s economic growth has consistently outperformed the national average for 16 consecutive quarters. In 2025 alone, Gansu’s GDP grew by 5.8 percent, ranking second nationwide, while per capita disposable income increased by 6.1 percent, the third-fastest growth rate in the country.

A distinguished delegation of students and faculty from Cornell University recently concluded an extensive two-week cultural and educational exchange program across China, gaining firsthand insights into the nation’s agricultural modernization and rural revitalization initiatives. Organized by China Agricultural University, the program ran from January 4th to 16th, 2026, featuring immersive visits to multiple regions including Beijing, Hebei Province, and Sichuan Province.

The comprehensive itinerary enabled participants to engage directly with local farming communities, rural residents, and leading agricultural experts. In Yixian County, Hebei Province, the Cornell delegation examined innovative farming techniques and sustainable practices that have contributed to China’s food security goals. The exchange facilitated meaningful dialogue about comparative agricultural systems and development strategies between American and Chinese academic perspectives.

This program represents a significant step in academic diplomacy and cross-cultural knowledge sharing in the field of agricultural science. Participants gained practical understanding of China’s rural development policies while establishing professional connections that could foster future research collaborations. The initiative demonstrates how educational exchanges can build bridges between academic institutions despite different agricultural traditions and economic systems.

The successful program highlights the growing importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges such as food security, sustainable farming, and rural economic development. Such exchanges contribute to mutual understanding and create platforms for sharing best practices in agricultural innovation and policy implementation.

The ancient town of Wanping in Beijing’s Fengtai district has unveiled its restored historical fortifications to the public, marking a significant cultural preservation achievement. This extensive renovation project, completed in late 2025, has revitalized the historic site just as the Spring Festival approaches, creating new opportunities for cultural tourism and historical education.

The restoration initiative has carefully preserved the architectural integrity of Wanping’s ancient structures while incorporating modern visitor amenities. The town’s reopening in September 2025 has already attracted considerable attention from both local residents and international visitors seeking authentic cultural experiences.

A spectacular 3D light show on December 31, 2025, demonstrated the town’s new capabilities as a cultural venue, blending traditional elements with contemporary technology. The event showcased how historical preservation can coexist with modern entertainment, creating a unique atmosphere for celebrating traditional festivals.

The timing of Wanping’s renaissance aligns perfectly with the upcoming Spring Festival celebrations, offering residents and tourists alike a destination that combines historical significance with festive activities. This careful synchronization demonstrates the thoughtful planning behind the restoration project’s implementation.

Local authorities have emphasized that the renovation not only preserves physical structures but also revitalizes traditional cultural practices associated with the area. The project represents a model for urban historical preservation that balances conservation with functional modernization.

The renewed Wanping town stands as a testament to Beijing’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage while adapting historical sites for contemporary use, ensuring that ancient landmarks remain relevant and accessible to modern audiences.

An accidentally manufactured frowning horse plush toy has emerged as an unexpected cultural phenomenon in China, resonating deeply with the nation’s young workforce ahead of Lunar New Year celebrations. The stuffed animal, originally produced in error when a factory worker sewed its smile upside down, has transformed from a manufacturing defect into a symbolic representation of contemporary work-life realities.

The toy’s creator, Zhang Huoqing of Yiwu-based Happy Sister shop, anticipated needing to issue refunds for the misfigured product. Instead, the melancholic equine became an internet sensation after images circulated online, triggering unprecedented demand. Zhang noted the toy’s gloomy expression particularly strikes a chord with China’s younger generation, who self-identify as ‘corporate slaves’ in today’s competitive job market.

Consumer responses highlight the emotional connection: ‘This crying horse really fits the reality of modern working people,’ Zhang recounted from customer feedback. ‘People joked that the crying horse is how you look at work, while the smiling one is how you look after work.’

The 20cm crimson toy, adorned with golden collar bells and embroidered with ‘money comes quickly’ in golden lettering, retails for 25 yuan (£2.62). Its design incorporates traditional Lunar New Year symbolism while subverting expectations through its sorrowful countenance.

Manufacturing has scaled dramatically to satisfy domestic and international demand, with the item evolving into more than mere merchandise. As buyer ‘Tuan Tuan Mami’ expressed to the South China Morning Post, ‘This little horse looks so sad and pitiful, just like the way I feel at work. With this crying toy in the Year of the Horse, I hope to leave all my grievances at work behind and keep only happiness.’

Not all observers embrace the phenomenon. Fellow Yiwu merchant Lou Zhenxian acknowledged the toy’s emotional appeal but questioned its underlying message: ‘I believe you should work hard when at work and be happy after work, it shouldn’t be two extreme opposites.’

The toy’s popularity emerges as China prepares to welcome the Year of the Horse in February, with the zodiac animal typically symbolizing vitality and success in Chinese tradition—attributes starkly contrasted by the plush’s lamentable expression.

French legislators have overwhelmingly passed groundbreaking legislation prohibiting social media access for children under 15, marking a significant shift in digital child protection policy. The National Assembly approved the measure with a decisive 130-21 vote late Monday, positioning France as a European leader in youth digital safety initiatives.

The comprehensive bill, which also extends mobile phone restrictions to high school environments, represents one of President Emmanuel Macron’s final major policy initiatives before his term concludes next year. Macron championed the legislation, declaring that “our children’s brains are not for sale—neither to American platforms nor to Chinese networks” and emphasizing that youthful “dreams must not be dictated by algorithms.”

This legislative action aligns with broader European movements addressing digital safety concerns. The French proposal has been carefully crafted to comply with the EU’s Digital Services Act, which establishes rigorous online protection standards. Notably, the British government recently announced similar considerations regarding social media restrictions for teenagers.

Support for the measure transcended traditional political divisions within the fractured National Assembly, though some left-wing critics raised civil liberties concerns. The legislation follows previous French laws prohibiting phone usage in primary and middle schools.

Alarming statistics from France’s health watchdog reveal the urgency behind these measures: 90% of adolescents aged 12-17 access the internet daily via smartphones, with 58% actively engaged on social platforms. Research indicates extensive smartphone usage ranging from two to five hours daily among half of French teenagers.

The health agency’s December report documented serious consequences including diminished self-esteem and increased exposure to content promoting self-harm, substance abuse, and suicide. Several French families have initiated legal proceedings against TikTok, alleging connections between platform content and teenage suicides.

The legislation exempts educational resources, scientific directories, and open-source software platforms from restrictions. Australia’s implementation of similar age restrictions has already resulted in social media companies blocking approximately 4.7 million accounts belonging to minors, sparking international debates balancing technology use, privacy concerns, and mental health protection.

The bill now advances to Senate consideration, with Macron advocating for expedited approval to implement the restrictions by the upcoming September school year.