分类： society

China has officially designated 23 county-level regions as the nation’s inaugural batch of ecological demonstration zones for beautiful countryside development. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced the pioneering initiative on Wednesday, highlighting these areas as exemplary models for sustainable rural transformation.

The selected regions represent three distinct approaches to environmentally-conscious development. Ten mountainous counties have successfully reconciled ecological preservation with enhanced livelihoods, overcoming the unique challenges of highland village development. Seven other areas have achieved balanced urban-rural integration by coupling environmental conservation with the growth of distinctive local industries. The remaining six zones have utilized their well-maintained ecosystems to drive agricultural modernization and rural economic revitalization.

According to Zhao Shixin, Director of the Ministry’s Department of Soil Ecology and Environment, these demonstration zones extend beyond creating habitable environments. They provide tangible blueprints for other regions seeking to enable residents to prosper from their natural assets—literally transforming ‘lucid waters and lush mountains’ into invaluable ecological and economic resources.

All 23 zones feature immaculate villages with comprehensive sewage and waste management systems that have successfully eradicated black, malodorous water bodies. The Ministry further revealed ambitious plans to support approximately 100 additional county-level areas in developing similar pioneer zones by 2027, significantly expanding the national network of eco-conscious rural development models.

In the frost-kissed landscapes of Qianpailou village, Panshi city, northeastern China’s Jilin province, wildlife photographers have documented a remarkable avian display during the winter season. The captured images reveal intricate behavioral patterns of multiple bird species adapting to the harsh winter conditions.

The photographic series, taken in mid-January 2026, showcases woodpeckers diligently foraging for sustenance beneath tree bark, gray magpies perched majestically on snow-dusted tree stumps, and vibrant red-breasted gray finches navigating the winter ecosystem. These images provide valuable insight into avian survival strategies during Jilin’s characteristically severe winters.

Environmental specialists note that these photographs serve as both artistic achievements and ecological documentation, highlighting the biodiversity preserved within Jilin’s winter habitats. The imagery demonstrates interspecies coexistence and adaptive feeding behaviors that enable these birds to thrive despite temperature extremes.

The photographic project, facilitated through collaboration between local naturalists and visual artists, represents ongoing efforts to document wildlife patterns in China’s northeastern regions. Such documentation contributes to broader understanding of seasonal avian migration and residential patterns in temperate climate zones.

Conservationists emphasize the importance of maintaining natural habitats that support these winter populations, particularly as climate change alters traditional migratory routes and feeding grounds. The Qianpailou village area has emerged as a significant observation point for ornithologists studying adaptation mechanisms in songbirds and corvids alike.

TOKYO — Japanese authorities confirmed Wednesday that rescue teams have identified aircraft debris believed to be from a sightseeing helicopter that vanished during a scenic flight over Mount Aso, one of Japan’s most active volcanic sites. The aircraft carried three individuals—a pilot and two passengers—who remain unaccounted for since losing contact Monday afternoon.

The helicopter, operated by Takumi Enterprise, was conducting a routine 10-minute tourist flight when communications abruptly ceased. Following an extensive search operation, wreckage was visually identified Tuesday within the crater of Nakadake, one of Mount Aso’s five distinct peaks. However, hazardous conditions including elevated volcanic gas emissions and powerful winds have significantly impeded physical access to the site.

Takumi Morioka, head of the tour company, addressed media Wednesday expressing hope for survivors while acknowledging the challenging circumstances. This incident marks the second safety-related event for the operator in the volcanic zone, following an emergency landing last year that resulted in injuries to three occupants.

Mount Aso, which last experienced volcanic activity in October 2021, represents a major tourism draw in southwestern Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture. Helicopter tours providing aerial views of the volcanic landscape have grown increasingly popular despite the inherent risks associated with active geological formations. Rescue coordination efforts continue under the supervision of local fire department and police authorities.

In the highland region of Yunnan province, Lugu Lake awakens each winter morning shrouded in an ethereal mist. As dawn breaks over the surrounding mountains, a timeless cultural tradition emerges from the fog. Local Mosuo ethnic community members navigate the tranquil waters in traditional dugout canoes, their ancient mountain songs reverberating across the lake’s surface.

The Mosuo boaters provide visitors with an immersive cultural experience, blending natural beauty with living tradition. The combination of the lake’s atmospheric winter fog and the haunting melodies creates a surreal spectacle that has become a signature attraction of the Lijiang area. This daily ritual represents more than tourism—it’s a preservation of Mosuo heritage and connection to their ancestral environment.

Photographers like Chen Fei have captured these mesmerizing scenes, showing how the Mosuo people maintain their cultural practices while sharing them with outsiders. The images reveal the perfect harmony between human activity and natural beauty, with the dugout canoes gliding effortlessly through the misty waters as songs echo against the mountainous backdrop.

The phenomenon has gained attention as both a tourist attraction and an example of cultural preservation. Visitors to the region can experience this atmospheric performance firsthand, gaining insight into the Mosuo way of life while witnessing one of Yunnan’s most breathtaking natural settings.

A specialized cultural immersion experience unfolded aboard train K7041 as it departed Harbin Railway Station on Monday evening, transporting over 100 international tourists from Singapore, Malaysia, and various other nations toward Mohe—China’s northernmost urban center in Heilongjiang province.

Operated by China Railway Harbin Group, this folk-themed journey transforms conventional rail travel into a mobile cultural showcase. Throughout the expedition, passengers engaged with the rich tapestry of Northeast China’s indigenous traditions through interactive demonstrations and participatory activities.

The immersive experience featured authentic presentations of Ewenki birch bark pyrography, an ancient artistic practice utilizing heated tools to create intricate designs on tree bark. Travelers also enjoyed live performances of Oroqen folk music and observed delicate embroidery techniques passed down through generations.

Beyond passive observation, the journey encouraged hands-on participation in traditional Northeast yangko dance—a vibrant folk dance style—alongside craft workshops including paper-cutting and dumpling making sessions. The cultural exploration extended to a traditional Manchu folk game, providing visitors with comprehensive insight into the region’s diverse ethnic heritage.

This innovative travel concept represents China’s growing emphasis on experiential tourism that combines transportation with cultural education, offering international visitors an authentic encounter with remote regional traditions while showcasing the country’s ethnic diversity to global audiences.

KARACHI, Pakistan — The death toll from Saturday’s catastrophic shopping plaza fire is anticipated to increase significantly after rescue teams made a grim discovery Wednesday, uncovering human remains believed to belong to numerous victims who had sought refuge in a single shop during the blaze.

For the first time since the fire erupted at Gul Plaza in Pakistan’s largest metropolitan area, search crews managed to access a retail establishment where multiple individuals had attempted to shelter from the inferno. The recovery operation revealed more than two dozen body parts, suggesting the final casualty count could substantially exceed initial estimates.

Prior to this development, authorities had confirmed 29 fatalities from the incident, according to police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed. The city’s primary medical facility received the newly discovered remains on the fifth consecutive day of search efforts.

Government administrator Javed Nabi Khoso provided preliminary assessments indicating the recovered remains might represent between 15 to 25 individuals. “This marks the first instance where such an extensive collection of remains has been located in a single area since the fire commenced,” Khoso stated.

Senior rescue official Abid Jamal Sheikh corroborated these estimates, noting the remains could belong to more than a dozen people while emphasizing that official verification procedures remain ongoing.

The investigation into the fire’s origin continues, with preliminary police reports suggesting an electrical short circuit may have ignited the blaze.

Amid the ongoing recovery operations, dozens of mourners gathered Wednesday for the first funeral services, honoring shop owner Shahroz Iqbal who perished in the tragedy.

This incident highlights Karachi’s persistent challenges with fire safety, characterized by inadequate safety protocols, lax enforcement measures, and unauthorized construction practices. The city witnessed a similar mall fire in November 2023 that resulted in 10 fatalities and 22 injuries. Pakistan’s deadliest industrial catastrophe occurred in 2012 when a garment factory fire claimed at least 260 lives.