Century-old buffalo race in Cambodia attracts crowds of spectators

Avid spectator Lav Sopha on Wednesday drove his motorcycle about 30 km from Prey Veng province to watch a century-old tradition of buffalo races here in southeast Cambodia's Kandal province.

Although he had watched it a few times, Sopha has never lost his excitement in viewing the annual buffalo race, which was held on a 500-meter track leading to the Vihear Sour Pagoda in Ksach Kandal district.

At the event, buffaloes were adorned with brightly colored headgear, and racers rode them up and down the route, which was flanked by crowds of spectators, who enthusiastically used their smartphones to capture the views of the race.

"I'm thrilled to see this traditional buffalo race, and I feel that the scene has taken me back to the ancient time," he told Xinhua. "I'm never fed up with it, although I have watched it a few times already."

The buffalo race is part of a ceremony hosted by Vihear Sour villagers to mark the end of Pchum Ben, the annual 15-day festival honoring the dead.

Mam Sao, a 64-year-old member of the buffalo racing committee, said the tradition of buffalo racing in Vihear Sour village had been practiced since the 1920s and that there were 44 buffaloes participating in this year's race.

"The buffalo race is aimed at conserving and promoting our culture and tradition to local and international tourists," he told Xinhua.

He said the contest was not for championships or prizes, but for fun, as each of the participants was given 50,000 riels (12.5 US dollars) only.

According to Sao, villagers believed in the old superstition that the guardian spirit at Vihear Sour Pagoda was very powerful, and if villagers failed to hold the races, buffaloes or their owners could fall ill.

Buffalo rider Chhun Sokhen, 45, said he had taken part in the competition every year in order to preserve the age-old tradition of the Vihear Sour villagers and to celebrate the Pchum Ben festival.

"The buffalo race did not aim to choose the champions, but to create a joyful atmosphere during the celebrations of Pchum Ben festival," he told Xinhua. "After the race, we ride on our beasts back home and use them for normal farmwork."

Interspersed with the buffalo races were horse races and other events, including bouts of traditional wrestling, stick-fighting, and a prayer ceremony for the ancestors.

Vihear Sour Pagoda is located some 40 km southeast of the capital Phnom Penh.

Xi Focus: Leading drive to build strong China

An array of high-profile events were held in the past week to celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China (PRC), with President Xi Jinping renewing his call for building a strong country.

At a reception held on the eve of the National Day, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, emphasized that the "best way" to commemorate the anniversary is to advance the "unprecedented" cause of building China into a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation on all fronts by pursuing Chinese modernization.

A day before, when he conferred the highest state honors on heroes and role models, Xi called on the Chinese to bear in mind the aspiration to make the country strong.

"We should be loyal to the country, love the country, integrate personal development goals into the overall national development, and realize personal value in fulfilling duties for the country and serving the people," he said.

About 12 years ago, shortly after assuming the Party's top post, Xi first mentioned the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

In less than ten years, he led China to eliminate absolute poverty, achieving the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Historic achievements and changes have taken place across the board.

Xi believes that to govern the country, the Party must first be governed well, and only when the Party thrives can the nation be strong.

As the Party's top leader, Xi has strengthened the CPC's overall leadership to ensure that it plays the core role of coordinating the efforts of all sides. He has also advanced the full and rigorous self-governance of the Party.

In 2022, when the Party convened its 20th national congress, Xi outlined the timetable and roadmap for a two-step strategy for the Party to lead the nation in fully building a great modern socialist country by the middle of the century, when the people's republic celebrates its centennial.

He envisioned a blueprint for national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization. "For China to become strong, every sector and aspect must be strengthened," he said.

China has been known as the world's factory, and Xi has recognized the need to further solidify the country's role as a manufacturing powerhouse.

During an inspection of the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China about a decade ago, Xi boarded a display model of the C919 passenger aircraft. He stressed the need to enhance the country's equipment manufacturing industry, saying that developing this sector, including large aircraft, should play a leading role in building a strong country.

By Sept. 1 this year, the domestically produced C919 aircraft had completed over 3,700 flights since entering commercial operation, transporting 500,000 passengers safely.

Xi's vision for a strong China encompasses various sectors, including manufacturing, aerospace, transportation, technology, education, culture, maritime affairs and finance.

Today, China has the world's largest operational network of high-speed railway; the cross-sea Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has set multiple world records, and China's new energy vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products have become popular exports.

Xi emphasized innovation as "the primary driving force for development," underscoring the importance of promoting the new development philosophy and stepping up the establishment of new development pattern.

As a result, continuous technological achievements have been scored, with new technologies, and new forms and new models of business thriving. A clear testament to this progress is China's rise on the global innovation index, moving from 34th in 2012 to 12th in 2023.

Noting that a great modern socialist country must be strong not only materially but also culturally and ethically, Xi proposed the concept of the "two integrations" -- blending the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and fine traditional culture -- while underscoring the need to "shoulder a new cultural mission."

Efforts in this regard have driven the prosperity of China's cultural industry and significantly boosted the cultural confidence of the Chinese people.

Xi considers a sound ecosystem essential for the prosperity of civilization. He placed ecological conservation in China's overall plan for national development, led the country in fighting the tough battle against pollution, and pushed for faster transition of China's growth model to one of green development.

As Xi has said, the Chinese Dream is essentially about ensuring a good life for the people. During his inspection tours, he always visits ordinary people, interacts with them, and asks about their living conditions.

For him, every issue concerning the people, big or small, deserves the utmost care and attention. Under his leadership, a series of national campaigns have been launched to improve public sanitation facilities, promote garbage sorting, enhance food safety supervision, and ease the curriculum burdens on school students.

Today, China has established the world's largest social security system, and its middle-income group has grown to over 400 million people as the country steadily moves toward its goal of common prosperity.

Over the years, the central leadership has formulated detailed timetables and roadmaps and resolved numerous long-standing problems.

In July, the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee adopted overarching plans to comprehensively deepen reforms and announced more than 300 major reform tasks to be completed by the PRC's 80th founding anniversary in 2029.

As Xi put it, China's future is closely connected with the world's future, and "we must combine the promotion of patriotism with opening wider to the world."

During his first overseas trip as Chinese president in March 2013, Xi said that "the Chinese Dream we aim to achieve will not only benefit the Chinese people but also people across the world."

During a visit to Europe in 2014, Xi mentioned a remark about China being a "sleeping lion," saying "In fact, the lion of China has awoken, but what the world sees now is a peaceful, amiable, civilized lion."

Xi has made the commitment that China will explore a new path of growing strong, which, distinct from the rise of traditional powers, features peaceful development.

Acknowledging that China cannot develop without the rest of the world, nor can the world flourish without China, Xi has always upheld economic globalization. "Whether you like it or not, the global economy is the big ocean that you cannot escape from," he once said.

China is opening wider to the outside world. The country has established 22 pilot free trade zones, built the Hainan Free Trade Port, promoted the signing and enforcement of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, continually reduced the negative list for foreign investment, and completely removed restrictions on foreign investment in the manufacturing sector.

Over the years, Xi has also promoted exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations, advocated cooperation for mutual benefits, and worked to build a better global community.

He introduced the vision of building a human community with a shared future, which transcends outdated ideas such as the clash of civilizations and zero-sum games.

On advancing Chinese modernization, Xi said that what China pursues is not a form of modernization that benefits only itself, but a worldwide modernization where China collaborates with other countries to achieve peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation, and shared prosperity.

"Humanity shares one planet, and people from all countries share a common future," Xi said at this year's National Day reception, pledging China's even greater contributions to "the noble cause of peace and development of humanity." 

'Taiwan independence' a dead end; US to face consequences if insisting on supporting it by force: Chinese FM

"Taiwan independence" is a dead end, and the US' insistence to support it by force will inevitably inflict harm to itself and suffer the consequences of its actions, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday, after the White House announced that it has approved a military package of $567 million in defense support to Taiwan region. 

US President Joe Biden on Sunday approved $567 million in defense support for Taiwan, the White House said, according to Reuters.

In response to US' latest move, Lin Jian, a spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a Monday press briefing that the US' latest arms supply to China's Taiwan region, severely violates the one China principle and the stipulations of the three China-US Joint Communiques.

The US move is in fact to support and encourage Lai Ching-te and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities in their stubborn pursuit of "Taiwan independence" and their provocation against the one China principle, Lin stressed.

This once again proves that the greatest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and the most significant damage to the cross-Straits status quo come from the secessionist activities of Taiwan independence forces and the connivance and support they receive from external forces led by the US, Lin stated. 

"Taiwan independence" is a dead end, and the US' insistence on "supporting it with force" will inevitably harm itself and face the consequences of its actions, Lin said on Monday. 

"We urge the US side to abide by the one China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiques, and to stop arming Taiwan in any way," Lin said, "No matter how many weapons the US provides to Taiwan, it will not shake our firm determination to oppose 'Taiwan independence' and safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Travel endorsements for Fujian residents to visit Kinmen resumed

Residents and holders of residence permits in East China's Fujian Province have been able to apply for travel endorsements to Kinmen, an island located off the coast of Fujian, administered by the island of Taiwan, according to the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau under Fujian Provincial Department of Public Security on Friday.

Eligible individuals can apply to the department for an individual or a group tourist endorsement valid for six months. Travelers can depart from the Wutong and Shijing ports via the "mini three links" maritime route and return through the same ports within the allowed duration of stay.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, the maritime safety administration in Quanzhou has established a dedicated window for the ship traffic management system to strengthen dynamic monitoring of passenger ships, and ensure shipping companies comply with baggage and safety requirements, while strictly enforcing regular maintenance and overhaul systems.

The maritime sector will also strengthen the coordination with the meteorological department, urging ships to strictly adhere to sail bans.

A Fujian resident surnamed Chen told the Global Times on Saturday that he has always wanted to travel to the Taiwan region but didn't have the chance in recent years due to previous policy restrictions and his schedule. He said this is a good opportunity for him to visit Kinmen, noting that "both sides of the Taiwan Straits are one family."

On August 30, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced the resumption of allowing  residents in Fujian to travel to Kinmen. The local government of Kinmen also organized a warm welcome ceremony for the first tour group from the mainland since the pandemic on September 22.

The group of over 20 tourists arrived in Kinmen from Xiamen, Fujian and were on a two-day sightseeing tour that ended on September 23.

The recent resumption of travel endorsements signals goodwill from the mainland, Zhang Wensheng, deputy dean of the Graduate Institute for Taiwan Studies at Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Saturday. He noted that the local residents of Kinmen are also eager for mainland visitors, as their presence would benefit tourism and contribute to local economic development.

Chen Yu-jen, a legislator from Kinmen, described the move as a positive start and expressed hope for more frequent progress between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits. 

She added that the relationship between Kinmen and Xiamen would grow closer, according to the United Daily News, a media outlet from Taiwan.

Xi congratulates Communication University of China on 70th founding anniversary

Chinese President Xi Jinping has extended congratulations to the faculty, students and alumni of the Communication University of China on its 70th founding anniversary.

In a reply letter to its faculty and students, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called on the university to cultivate more high-caliber journalism and communication professionals.

‘Quad not targeting China’ is lying through teeth, even US media does not believe it: Chinese FM

Quad is identified as the premier regional grouping that plays a leading role in the US' Indo-Pacific strategy. It is a tool the US uses to contain China and perpetuate US hegemony, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday, urging the US to get rid of its obsession with perpetuating its supremacy and containing China, stop using regional countries as its tool, and stop glossing over the strategic intention behind all kinds of exclusive groupings.

The Indo-Pacific strategy attempts to patch up forces to exclude and contain China by peddling the "China threat" narrative, and Quad tries to muster military and security cooperation under the pretext of maritime issues—same intention, same tactics. Though the US claims that it does not target China, the first topic of the summit is about China and China was made an issue throughout the event. The US is lying through its teeth and even the US media does not believe it, said Lin, who made these remarks at Monday's routine press briefing in response to questions about US President Biden's comments at the 2024 Quad Leaders' Summit.

Lin emphasized that cooperation between countries should not target any third party or even harm their interests. Any regional initiative should follow the overwhelming trend of the region and promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

Ganging up to form exclusive groupings undermines the mutual trust and cooperation between regional countries, runs counter to the overwhelming trend of pursuing peace, development, cooperation, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific and is bound to fail, the spokesperson said.

He urged the US to get rid of its obsession with perpetuating its supremacy and containing China, stop using regional countries as its tool, stop glossing over the strategic intention behind all kinds of exclusive groupings, and act on its word that the revitalization of its alliances is not targeted at China, instead of seeking selfish gains at the expense of other countries' strategic security interests and the wellbeing of the people in the Asia-Pacific.

Regarding the Quad's joint coast guard cooperation at sea, Lin noted that China is open to normal cooperation between relevant countries at sea, but the cooperation should not target other countries or undermine regional peace and stability under any pretext.

Dance festival connects people through exchanges: UK choreographer

Dancers from the most renowned troupes in the world performed by the seaside in Qinhuangdao, North China's Hebei Province for the Move to Move International Dance Festival, which ran from Sunday to Tuesday during this year's Mid-Autumn Festival holidays.     

For choreographer Paul Lightfoot, the festival marked the debut of his experimental work with Chinese dancers for the Specially Commissioned Co-creation section at Aranya, a well-known artistic community. 

"I've never had this opportunity to work with Chinese dancers," Lightfoot, former artistic director of Nederlands Dans Theater (Netherlands Dance Theater), told the Global Times. 

"For me, this has been the most beautiful part of this festival. Personally, it is the exchange you see because I could really share the things that I do in the ways I think and the ethics and the ideas and the imagination with them."

Chinese dancers are quite young when it comes to cultural exchanges and they "are one of the best casts I have ever seen. We've had a fantastic journey together."

At the invitation of the festival's founders, Yin Fang and Wu Mengke, the Englishman brought his idea about something "50 percent about the ballet and 50 percent about ethics" to the stage at Aranya.  

"So we talk a lot and because they're young, I want to feed them something that they can keep for all their work," he added. "It's not educational, it's an exchange."

International festivals like the one in Aranya is a "perfect opportunity to find our friends, to meet new ones and to share our experiences together," said dancer Wu Mengke. 

Having been to Chinese cities like Shanghai and Beijing, Lightfoot noted that China has a fascinating culture and he has seen "so many changes, and I feel very lucky. I wish my family and my friends could see and feel the same things I've experienced. It just feels great to be in the culture."

Culture and exchanges connect us with different cultural backgrounds, he added. 

Open day event in Yuanmingyuan helps students step into archeology, history

The public open day event at the Wenyuan Pavilion relic site in the Old Summer Palace, or Yuanmingyuan, in Beijing, invited over 20 students on Sunday, marking the first event since China's National Cultural Heritage Administration released a new guideline on Wednesday to enhance archaeological research and education.

The guidelines emphasized the importance of proper orientation and oversight in content and format, encouraging immersive visits and hands-on learning experiences. It also encourages provincial departments to publish lists of accessible archaeological sites, promoting structured activities at parks, museums, research institutions, and active excavation sites.

Zhang Zhonghua, a deputy director of the Beijing Archaeological Research Institute (BARI), guided visitors through the discoveries made so far. He noted that their excavations have revealed the perimeter walls, cornerstones and remnants of the drainage system, and they have also uncovered traces of rivers and bridges that once connected the pavilion to the surrounding landscape. On the spot, Zhang also noted how the pavilion's distinctive architecture, including its palace gates and inner gardens, reflected the grandeur of imperial China.

"Our goal is to inspire more young people to develop an interest in archaeology. Understanding our past is essential to preserving our culture and history," Zhang told the Global Times. 

"In the future, we would also like to let more citizens and tourists see what our Wenyuan Pavilion looks like and open this site to the public," Zhang said.

The Wenyuan Pavilion, originally built in 1775 during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), was one of the grand libraries that housed the "Siku Quanshu," or the "Complete Library in the Four Branches of Literature," the largest collection of books in ancient China. 

However, the pavilion was destroyed during the raze of Yuanmingyuan by Anglo-French allied forces in 1860. Today, only its ruins remain. According to experts, archaeological work on this significant site began in August 2024, with the current excavation covering an area of 1,000 square meters.

During the event, not only were the structures of the site's walls and the specific drainage systems explained, but the tools and processes needed for archaeological work were also vividly demonstrated to students. Students were introduced to tools such as measuring tapes, compasses, markers, and the Luoyang spade.

Luoyang spade is a Chinese ancient tool used to detect underground ruins. The blade, measuring 20 to 40 centimeters in length and 5 to 20 centimeters in diameter, can penetrate several meters underground. By examining the soil it brings up, one can assess the composition and detect potential ancient tombs or underground features. Visitors, especially students, were fascinated by how archaeologists use this tool to analyze soil layers. 

"The Luoyang spade is an essential tool for us. It can penetrate deep into the ground, and by analyzing the soil it brings up, we can identify what lies below the surface, whether it's a building or a tomb," Zhang explained.

BARI has been promoting public archaeology since 2015 by opening excavation sites like Yuanmingyuan to visitors. Live excavation demonstrations, expert-led tours, and interactive sessions have made archaeology more accessible to the general public, fostering a greater appreciation for China's rich cultural legacy.

As the excavation at Wenyuan Pavilion continues, the site will remain open to the public until the end of October, allowing more visitors to observe the meticulous work of archaeologists and engage with China's imperial history firsthand.