标签： Asia

A compelling new visual production from China Daily’s Tianjin Bureau has unveiled the multifaceted urban landscape of Tianjin, demonstrating how the municipality seamlessly blends historical preservation with contemporary design. The latest chapter in the ongoing ‘Beauty of Tianjin’ series presents an artistic journey through the city’s diverse public spaces, from centuries-old cultural landmarks and traditional streets to innovative creative districts and soaring modern skyscrapers.

Through meticulously captured cityscape panoramas and detailed architectural examinations, the video documentation reveals Tianjin’s distinctive urban character. The production highlights how carefully designed public spaces—including revitalized parks, pedestrian-friendly thoroughfares, and culturally significant sites—contribute to the city’s unique aesthetic identity.

The visual narrative creates a portrait of a dynamically evolving metropolis where historical preservation and modern innovation coexist in architectural harmony. This presentation offers viewers both local and international an immersive experience of Tianjin’s urban transformation, showcasing how the city has maintained its cultural heritage while embracing contemporary design principles that enhance quality of urban life.

The production represents part of China Daily’s ongoing effort to document and showcase China’s urban development stories through multimedia storytelling, with contributions from journalist Ma Yucong complementing the visual presentation.

The prestigious J. Anthony Lukas Prize Project has announced its 2024 laureates, recognizing exceptional nonfiction works that tackle profound social issues through rigorous research and narrative excellence. Administered through a partnership between Columbia Journalism School and Harvard University’s Nieman Foundation, these awards continue their tradition of celebrating investigative depth and literary merit.

Jeff Hobbs received the Lukas Book Prize, accompanied by a $10,000 award, for his work ‘Seeking Shelter: A Working Mother, Her Children, and a Story of Homelessness in America.’ The selection committee praised the book for its compassionate examination of housing insecurity and its human impact on American families, highlighting its combination of meticulous research with compelling storytelling.

The Mark Lynton History Prize, also carrying a $10,000 award, was presented to William Dalrymple for ‘The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World.’ The work received recognition for its groundbreaking exploration of India’s historical influence on global civilization, demonstrating both scholarly depth and narrative elegance.

This year’s Lukas Work-in-Progress Awards, each providing $25,000 to support authors during their writing process, were granted to two distinctive projects: danah boyd for ‘Data Are Made, Not Found: A Story of Politics, Power, and the Civil Servants Who Saved the U.S. Census,’ which examines the bureaucratic challenges and political pressures surrounding the national census, and Karim Zidan for ‘In the Shadow of the Cage,’ a work whose subject matter continues the Lukas tradition of addressing complex social themes.

Established in 1998 to honor the legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist J. Anthony Lukas, these awards have previously celebrated literary luminaries including Robert Caro, Isabel Wilkerson, and Jill Lepore, maintaining their position among the most distinguished recognitions in nonfiction literature.

For over two decades, the architectural landmarks spanning Beijing’s waterways have silently documented the remarkable evolution of China’s capital through the unique perspective of journalist Du Juan. Her professional journey, intricately intertwined with the city’s development, offers a compelling narrative of urban transformation and personal growth.

Beginning her career during a period of rapid modernization, Du Juan has utilized Beijing’s bridge network—from the historical Xizhimen crossing to the contemporary marvels of Guomao and the expanding infrastructure in Tongzhou—as both physical landmarks and metaphorical devices to frame her reporting. These structures have served as constant witnesses to the city’s accelerating pace, facilitating movement while simultaneously connecting communities across generations.

Through her extensive body of work, Du has captured the essence of Beijing’s socioeconomic changes, documenting how infrastructure development has shaped urban life, influenced cultural practices, and redefined the relationship between citizens and their environment. Her reporting provides a nuanced chronicle of how the city has balanced preservation with progress, maintaining cultural identity while embracing modernization.

The bridges themselves tell a parallel story of engineering achievement and urban planning, representing the intersection of tradition and innovation that characterizes contemporary Beijing. From their architectural designs to their functional adaptations, these structures mirror the city’s journey toward becoming a global metropolis while retaining its historical significance.

Du’s longitudinal perspective offers invaluable insights into the human experience within a rapidly transforming urban landscape, making her work not just a personal professional history but a significant document of urban development in 21st century China.

What begins as an unfamiliar aroma evolves into an addictive culinary experience for those who dare to taste it. Kaili sour soup, a vibrant red delicacy from China’s Guizhou province, is captivating international palates while driving substantial economic growth in its native region.

This traditional fermented soup, with roots stretching back over a millennium in the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture, represents both cultural heritage and culinary innovation. The signature red variation derives from natural fermentation of wild tomatoes (maolaguo) while the white version originates from rice. Blended with chili and litsea cubeba spices, the slow aging process yields a complex flavor profile—initially sour and spicy with a refreshing, subtly sweet finish.

Deputy Zheng Peikun of the 14th National People’s Congress explains the historical context: ‘The tradition stems from times when salt was scarce, leading locals to develop fermentation techniques for seasoning. The saying goes: Three days without sour, and you’ll walk unsteady for sure.’

Beyond its cultural significance as intangible cultural heritage, sour soup has evolved into an economic powerhouse. The Qiandongnan sour soup industry chain reached 8.15 billion yuan ($1.18 billion) in 2025, representing a staggering 221.4% year-on-year increase. This growth extends beyond China’s borders, with companies like Guizhou Yumeng Food Group exporting soup bases and instant rice noodles to Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, Australia, the United States, Canada, and Spain, achieving 4.2 million yuan in export value.

The international expansion continues through multiple channels. Restaurants featuring Guizhou sour soup have emerged in New York, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Kuala Lumpur, Madrid, and Melbourne. In Silicon Valley, restaurant operator Chen Yuzhu reports sour soup dishes as menu favorites. Innovative culinary fusions include sour soup-flavored spaghetti developed in collaboration with Milanese restaurants.

During the recent National People’s Congress sessions, representatives highlighted the dish’s potential. NPC deputy Zhang Jizhi emphasized its health benefits as a natural source of probiotics and antioxidants that stimulate appetite and aid digestion. Provincial Party Secretary Xu Lin noted its visual appeal and refreshing qualities, advocating for broader national accessibility.

The movement has gained organic momentum through events like the Village Super League soccer tournament, where foreigners’ initial hesitation transforms into enthusiastic adoption after tasting. Industry leaders like Chen Yang of Qiandaren Restaurant, which expanded to Ho Chi Minh City in January, recognize the dual appeal: satisfying homesick Chinese communities while aligning with local flavor preferences.

With government support and growing international recognition, this traditional fermented soup appears poised for continued global expansion, carrying with it centuries of culinary wisdom and economic opportunity.