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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Thanks to expanding visa-free policies and favorable conditions like more manageable payment methods for international travelers, an increasing number of tourists are flocking to China.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson mentioned at a recent press conference that in the first seven months of 2024, the number of foreigners entering China through various ports exceeded 17 million, showing a year-on-year increase of 129.9 percent.
Based on data from the National Immigration Administration, the number of foreigners entering through visa-free entry channels reached 8.542 million in the first half of the year, showing a significant increase of 190 percent year-on-year.
Ctrip Group, a leading online travel agency in China, announced that net revenue in its unaudited financial performance for the second quarter of 2024 reached 12.8 billion yuan ($1.8 billion), a year-on-year increase of 14 percent.
Each traveler has a unique perspective and experience. A multitude of foreign tourists have shared their experiences of traveling in China online, with the traffic data surpassing 1 billion views. ChinaTravel has become a buzzword on social media.
So what have international travelers highlighted in their China travel experiences?
Many travelers have expressed shock and fascination after uncovering China's rich history and culture by visiting museums and historical sites and experiencing traditional activities. China's vast and diverse natural landscapes, from pristine forests to majestic mountains, have been captured in travel photos and praised by tourists for their scenic beauty. The modern achievements of China, including high-speed trains, intelligent city features, and green development, have left a deep impression on international visitors.
Foreign visitors often comment on the safety they feel while traveling in China, sharing personal anecdotes of feeling secure while exploring different parts of China, including late-night walks without fear of theft or assault. Female travelers, in particular, have reported feeling safe in China, noting that they do not experience the same level of street harassment as in some other countries.
Stories of friendly interactions with locals eager to help foreign visitors have contributed to a warm and welcoming atmosphere for tourists, reflecting their deep engagement with locals. These comments from international travelers and vloggers reflect a growing interest and positive reception toward travel in China.
Then what are the catalysts behind the boom in inbound tourism?
At a micro level, besides the 72/144 hours visa-free transit policy, Chinese consumer goods and services offer a globally leading cost-performance ratio and richness, enhancing the attractiveness of inbound tourism. As of July, the cumulative CPI in China since January 2020 was about 27 percent lower than that of the US, with the service industry CPI base index 17 percent lower than that of the US.
According to statistics from the online travel planning site Budget Your Trip, as of August, among global popular tourist destinations, the average daily travel expense in China is $80, with daily accommodation and dining costs being $69 and $23, respectively.
Accordingly, the resumption of flights has also been a contributing factor. As of August 5, the number of international flights has recovered to nearly 90 percent of 2019, marking a 45 percent increase compared to 2023.
According to data from the National Immigration Administration, by the second quarter of this year, the number of Chinese mainland entries and exits by residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan exceeded the level of 2019, and foreigners have recovered to 60 percent. Foreign tourists spend an average of 3,459 yuan per person per day in China, directly driving consumption to exceed 100 billion yuan.
With the goal of perfecting the modern tourism industry system and accelerating the construction of a strong tourism country, inbound tourism is expected to receive more policy support to unleash its limitless potential.
"In the 16-year history of the Beijing Fringe Festival, people have come and gone, but the young gaze, heartbeat and young feeling have always been there for the festival," said Meng Jinghui, artistic director of the Beijing Fringe Festival, on Wednesday night.
The annual fest for young theatergoers, which runs until October 7, will feature 15 theater works across 30 performances staged by young actors and producers across the city.
"Theaters for young people and international horizons are always at the central stage of the Beijing Fringe Festival," added Meng.
Among these performances are the opening shows, When Time Comes to the Second Half, Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles and Homeland.
As 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, French theaters will be highlighted at this year's fringe festival, Li Jianjun, the festival's program director, told the Global Times on Thursday.
In the Drama Online section, videos of outstanding theatrical works from the Festival d'Avignon will be screened during the festival.
Besides this, the Tribute to Molière section will host events such as recitations of Molière's classic plays, introductions by scholars, and screenings of Molière's plays.
Ever since 2014, the section 40 Hours V Drama has become the most challenging and exciting part of the Beijing Fringe Festival. Participating creators randomly select topics and complete creations in a designated space within a limited 48-hour window. They then take turns presenting their creative results on the stage. Professional judges and public judges voting and selecting awards at this year's event are sure to see fierce competition among young creators.
In one of the northern exhibition halls of the National Museum of China, a sculpture of a gargoyle, which was originally designed as a foremost part of the rainwater drainage system of Paris' famed Notre Dame cathedral, sits silently among orderly arranged devices, ready to accompany visitors on a journey between the past and the present, the virtual and the real.
With Notre Dame cathedral about to complete its restoration and reopen to the public in December after a massive fire, an immersive augmented reality (AR) exhibition depicting the cathedral's history of construction, destruction and reconstruction will kick off at the National Museum of China on Thursday.
The exhibition, jointly held by the museum and the Public Establishment in Charge of the Conservation and Restoration of Notre Dame de Paris and sponsored by the L'oreal Group, is also part of celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic ties and the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism.
Although this is a touring exhibition, the unique part of the stop at the National Museum of China is four original sculptures embellishing the cathedral and reflecting the mid-19th century taste for symbols and a fantasy Middle Ages, including a gargoyle, a chimera and a plant-covered human figure. The Chinese curatorial team of the National Museum put forward the idea of adding real cultural relics to the AR exhibition to enhance immersion and successfully reached an agreement with the French side.
"We would like to relate the history of the Notre Dame de Paris, a shared cultural legacy of the whole world with a novel digital method that has been approved and appreciated by younger generations," Zhu Xiaoyun, director of the Department of International Cooperation of the National Museum of China and the Chinese curator of the exhibition, told the Global Times on Wednesday.
Zhu noted that the exhibition, a result of China-France cultural cooperation, interprets the meaning of exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations very well.
"Mutual learning refers to learning from each other's advantages. What the exhibition showcases regarding how a cultural legacy with a history of more than 800 years has been revived from fatal destruction provide us new insight into the museum's duty to conserve immovable cultural legacies," Zhu noted.
Stepping into the exhibition hall, visitors can use a provided tablet computer to travel across the ocean and through time to see the world of Notre Dame. There are over 20 cylinder-shaped tables set in the hall with a QR code pasted on each one. When scanning these codes with a tablet, a portion of a painting depicting the cathedral at different eras unfolds so that visitors can see the many details of its history, such as how its Gothic ceiling was built.
Building a private conversation with the cathedral throughout the exhibition, visitors can explore the secrets of its Gothic architecture, including its religious background and historical changes, in the virtual world by clicking the buttons on the screen. According to the curator, the information about the cathedral is so vast that it would take at least four hours to finish scrolling through the entire content on the tablet.
Four original fragments of the building are arranged among these devices, allowing visitors to shuttle between the virtual and real worlds and get closer to the essence of French culture.
"This was just a digital exhibition at the beginning in which we used new technology to introduce something that the public doesn't know very well. Now we also have real artifacts. This is important because we are using all these elements to recreate reality and to provide more information," Gergely László, director of operations and quality of French tech company Histovery and also the French curator of the exhibition, told the Global Times on Wednesday.
Zhu said that cultural institutions in China and France have jointly launched a series of events to celebrate 2024's special anniversary and promote people-to-people exchanges. This year, the cultural symbol that is Notre Dame will be a messenger for this celebration.
The exhibition will travel to Hong Kong after the Beijing leg.
"I lost my son, essentially," American tech mogul Elon Musk said in an interview on July 22. He said in the interview that he was "tricked" into agreeing to trans-related medical treatment. The changes in his son led Musk to despise the "woke culture." Many right-wing individuals and Republicans in America share Musk's views on the so-called "woke culture," but for many left-wing individuals and Democrats, "woke culture" is seen as a progressive ideology. "Woke culture" has evolved into a cultural conflict surrounding identity politics in America, and this ideology has also spread to Europe, stirring up the political and social landscape. Obscure definitions
In recent years, Musk has been heavily critical of "woke culture," describing it as a threat to modern civilization and even stating that his previous acquisition of Twitter, now X, was to combat it. However, when asked to define what "woke culture" is, this tech giant's description was not accurate.
At a conservative breakfast meeting in Iowa on June 1, 2023, former US president Donald Trump stated, "I don't like the term 'woke' because I hear, 'Woke, woke, woke.' It's just a term they use, half the people can't even define it, they don't know what it is."
The Australian news website The Conversation commented that Trump's words "inadvertently highlighted the confounding and contradictory nature of American politics today."
"The term 'woke' can be either an insult or a marker of pride - it can shift depending on the context," said the article.
According to the Spanish newspaper El País, the term "woke" has been used for years to "describe those who are sensitive and involved in the struggle against social injustice, especially in US politics, but also in the politics of other countries following suit perhaps to a lesser degree."
"Woke was a label proudly worn by activists in pursuit of social and climate justice: From Black Lives Matter (BLM) to the #MeToo movement, and the fight against global warming. Woke seemed to advocate a new era of equality and justice," read the article.
It's been reported that many media and political figures have claimed that the "woke culture" is only about justice and decency. It showed that the country acknowledged the cruelty of its past and recognized that its past still shapes this country's present.
However, according to ABC News, "woke" is used as a derogatory term by some Republicans to refer to identity-based social justice issues pushed by some Democrats and progressives.
USA Today quoted a Florida Governor Ron DeSantis spokesperson who called "woke" a slang term for "progressive activism" and a "general belief in systemic injustices in the country."
Manhattan Institute scholar Zach Goldberg believes that "woke" signifies more than just "left-wing radicalism" and essentially involves believing that differences in outcomes between groups - whether based on race, "genders," or sexes - are largely a product of oppressive societal forces and structures, read the USA Today article.
In fact, the term "woke" was originally created by progressive African Americans and was used in the early to mid-20th century in the racial justice movement. According to the website of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, stay woke "became a watchword in parts of the black community for those who were self-aware, questioning the dominant paradigm and striving for something better."
The Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, an American popular record company, includes the protest song "Scottsboro Boys" sung by Lead Belly in the 1930s, in which the term "stay woke" is often considered to be the earliest source of the word. The "Scottsboro Boys" refers to nine black teenagers who were falsely accused, in 1931, of raping two white women in Alabama, and later eight of them were hastily sentenced to death. The case is one of the most famous civil rights cases in American history. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the term "woke" became more widely used in 2014 as part of the BLM.
"The term 'woke' has become so divisive that it is harming support for the issue it is meant to be highlighting," according to Al Jazeera. "The broad use of the term has caused it to become heavily weaponized by both the left and the right, turning what was once a welcoming creed into a toxic and divisive word, particularly in Western countries including the US, Canada, the UK, and other European nations," it said.
A New York University student told the Global Times that today's "woke culture" has gone too far, with "woke" individuals always tending to label those who disagree with them as "conservatives" or "Trump supporters," and sometimes things that were acceptable to say the year before suddenly become "offensive" at the present time. Jason, an engineer living in New Jersey, believes that the so-called "woke culture" is a pseudo-concept created by American interest groups to incite division among the public in order to ensure their continued control over American society.
According to USA Today, Democrats seem to view this term as a badge of honor, while Republicans see it as something that must be stopped. The struggle over "woke culture" in the US has spread to various fields.
US right-wing vs 'woke capitalism'
Due to resistance from conservatives against "woke culture," the US has witnessed the emergence of an "anti-woke culture" movement, with Governor DeSantis as one of its leaders.
According to ABC, DeSantis enacted the "Parental Rights in Education" bill and the "Stop WOKE Act" in Florida, implementing policies that limit classroom discussions on race, oppression, gender, and sexual orientation. The state government also banned funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs on public university campuses and rejected the introduction of an Advanced Placement African American Studies course in state high schools.
Notably, the battle over "woke culture" in education is not confined to Florida. In 2023, more than 20 states across the US considered or approved new laws targeting DEI programs.
The term "woke capitalism" was coined by conservative columnist Ross Douthat in a 2018 New York Times article, defining it as corporations supporting progressive causes to maintain their societal influence. Some view the practice of casting black actors in traditionally white roles in films as an example of "woke capitalism."
LGBTQ+ rights have also become another "battleground" in US bipartisan conflicts. According to PBS in March 2023, since beginning his campaign, Trump has targeted LGBTQ+ communities, stating that if elected, he would sign executive orders to cut federal funding to schools promoting Critical Race Theory, transgender mental disorders, and other "inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content" to American teenagers.
In contrast, President Biden and Democrats, as reported by AFP, have signed multiple executive orders supporting LGBTQ+ rights. On June 15, 2022, Biden, along with Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democratic leaders, met with LGBTQ+ representatives at the White House to show solidarity.
Wang Yufan, a scholar at the Department of American Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times that the popularity of "woke culture" and identity politics in the US is related to its economic inequality.
She explained that growing income inequality, with wealth concentrated among a few rich individuals, has increased economic pressure on the middle and low-income classes, who are more likely to support "woke culture" emphasizing fairness and justice. Identity politics has also become a crucial means for them to express themselves and strive for economic equality.
The Guardian noted that in the US, various groups, including whites, blacks, Latinos, and Asians, men and women, all feel attacked, bullied, persecuted, and discriminated against. Coupled with record inequality levels, identity politics is evident on both ends of the US political spectrum.
Wang believes that on one hand, "woke culture" and identity politics have raised public awareness of issues such as racial and gender discrimination, promoting social discussion and resolution, and playing a positive role in advancing social equality and inclusion.
On the other hand, "woke culture" has become a form of political correctness, being oversimplified and symbolized, leading to overcorrections. Additionally, the left's "woke culture" has faced backlash from right-wing conservatives, leading to more severe social divisions. The cultural wars between the two parties over "woke" and "anti-woke" have intensified political polarization, creating a vicious cycle.
Spreading across ocean
The concept and actions of "woke culture" born in the US have crossed the Atlantic, sparking an "anti-woke culture" movement in Europe.
According to an Independent report in December 2021, six months prior, most French people would have mistaken the term "woke" for the "wok" used in cooking, but by the end of 2021, the concept of "woke" had taken France by storm.
The French media reported that this term, originating from the American black rights movement, had not entered the French public's consciousness until 2021, when it appeared multiple times in political debates. For example, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo publicly stated that she would not base her campaign on "woke culture."
Many Western media outlets and politicians are highly wary of "woke culture." For instance, a 2021 article by Euronews argued that the ideology behind "woke culture" and "cancel culture" endangers European democracy. Al Jazeera also warned that "woke culture" can sometimes stifle meaningful causes. Additionally, many people have been "canceled" simply for expressing views differing from "woke culture."
Wang noted that similar to the US, the impact of "woke culture" in Europe is complex and diverse. On one hand, it has increased attention to racial equality and social justice in European countries.
On the other hand, it has also caused social divisions. "Woke culture" has led European societies to reckon with colonial histories and overemphasize identity, exacerbating group conflicts and social estrangement, causing a backlash from far-right forces, and promoting the rise of far-right parties in Europe.
