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Here is the news. One Stop Service Counters are now operational in the international arrival areas of Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Da Xing International Airport.
The counters offer over 20 types of essential services in areas including finance, communications, transportation, culture, and tourism, ensuring that foreigners can travel more conveniently for leisure, education, or business.
Foreign travellers can visit the counters to make cash withdrawals with their bank cards, exchange currency, and get help with downloading local mobile payment apps.
They can also purchase SIM cards, access airport Wi -Fi, customize travel itineraries, and make reservations for tourist sites.
Additionally, travellers can buy a Beijing pass, a versatile card designed to simplify transportation, sightseeing and shopping payments.
The total passenger throughput of the two airports exceeded 117 million in 2024, a year on -year increase of 26 .2 % with international passengers accounting for 16 .8%.
China recently announced a significant relaxation of its visa -free transit policy extending the permitted stay -duration, for eligible foreign travellers, from the previous 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours, or 10 days, aiming to boost the country's international openness and people -to -people Exchange.
A special laboratory dedicated to developing bionic robots for police use is expected to be built in southwest China's Sichuan province.
The Public Bionic Security Bureau of the Chengdu High -Tech Industrial Development Zone recently announced a partnership with the Sichuan Bionic Robotics Technology Company to jointly establish the laboratory, aiming to create new applications for intelligent robotics.
The collaboration will help to enhance the integration of robotics in smart policing and urban management thereby improving the efficiency of law enforcement operations and the safety and reliability of urban governance.
Previously, the four -legged robotic dog, Lingtong, developed by the tech firm, made its debut in street patrols in Chengdu in December 2024.
These police robotic dogs equipped with self -developed brains are able to conduct inspection, identification and detection tasks autonomously.
Each robotic dog weighs approximately 50 kilograms and can reach a speed of up to 4 meters per second.
They are capable of running, jumping, obstacle avoidance, automatic navigation, and self charging.
Police officials from the Public robotic security bureau said that the robotic dogs are mainly used in hazardous scenarios such as bomb disposal, fire emergencies and toxic environments.
They plan to integrate robotic dogs with drones and various sensors in the streets to enrich their application scenarios and effectively incorporate them into daily police operations.
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Chinese scientists have developed a new eco -friendly pesticide formulation that enhances pest control while being safer for crops and the environment.
The study, recently published in the journal, A .C .S.
Nano was conducted by researchers from the Hefei Institute of Physical Science under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The study is aimed at tackling several challenges associated with traditional pesticides, which are often difficult to apply evenly on plant leaves, prone to being washed away by rain, or susceptible to rapid degradation when exposed to sunlight.
Moreover, residual chemicals from pesticide formulations can pose significant risks to the environment.
The researchers used modified carbon dots and calcium carbonate particles as a carrier for pesticide.
This new approach enhances adhesion to leaves resists degradation and releases active ingredients gradually for sustained effectiveness.
Compared to traditional pesticides, the new formulation demonstrates a reduced impact on non -target creatures.
Furthermore, after the pesticide releases its active ingredient, the remaining materials break down into harmless substances including calcium ions and carbon dots, making it much less likely to cause pollution.
Wu Zhangyuan, a professor at the Hefei Institute, said that this new colloidal pesticide can be a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional pesticides.
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The Jiankou Great Wall, one of the most dangerous sections of the Great Wall, will launch its first tourist route this year, opening a previously off -limits segment to the public.
According to authorities in the Huayro District of Beijing, where the site is located, the route to be opened to the public is the segment between defense towers 141 and 145.
Jiang Tong, an official with the Huayrau Culture and Tourism Bureau said that the route was launched to showcase restoration and archeological achievements, and to guide the public in legally visiting the Great Wall.
The Jian Kò section is one of the most dangerous parts of the Great Wall, wall, hence an attraction to daredevil hikers.
Occasional casualties among hikers have been reported over the years.
Since 2016 the Jianqou Great Wall has been undergoing protective restoration and remained and closed to the public.
Originally built in the Tang Dynasty, some 1 ,000 years ago, the Jiangco Great Wall connects to the Moutianyu Great Wall, to the east, and the Huang Huacheng Great Wall to the west.
The Great Wall is a UNESCO World Heritage site with many interconnected walls.
It is China's largest -scale cultural heritage site with walls scattered across fifteen provincial -level regions, some sections dating back 2 ,000 years.
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Gold, intricate seals, and rare treasures buried for over two millennia have emerged from a tomb in China's Shanxi province.
Believed to belong to Tian Chancho, a revered prime minister of the Han dynasty.
The discovery sheds light on the burial customs and power dynamics of one of China's most influential eras.
Tian, who served under Emperors Wu and Zhao, rose to prominence during the dynasty's Golden Age, renowned for his integrity.
He was granted the title Marquis of Fumin, which roughly translates to, Enrich the People.
Xianxi Academy of Archaeology recently announced that the tomb, located in Jingyang County of Xianyang City, consists of five caves, and is distinct for its scale and extraordinary finds, situated near a larger burial site containing nearly seven hundred tombs from global rank.
Among the artifacts are more than four hundred intricately carved gold decorations, eighteen cups made from seashells, and over a hundred bronze items, including cauldrons, vases, containers, and animal -shaped vessels.
Traces of lack -aware and textiles further attest to the tomb's opulence and its owners' status.
Archaeologists identified the tomb, as belonging to Tian Qinqiu, based on over 30 clay seals unearthed, many bearing the title Fu Min and the surname Tian.
The tomb's design and facilities mirror those of confirmed Marquesses from the Western Han Dynasty.
The tomb complex features sloped ramps leading to deep rectangular burial pits, a hallmark of elite burials from the time.
The five main burial chambers, reinforced with wooden structures, are surrounded by wide trenches, marking the boundaries of the site.
Unlike the nearly 700 other tombs in the area, most of which belong to lower ranking individuals.
This complex remains relatively independent, reinforcing its unique status.
The Tomb provides a rare glimpse into the Western Han Dynasty's feudal system, where emperors consolidated power by granting titles and estates to loyal officials and family members.
This system not only reinforced imperial authority but also shaped burial practices, is as tomb size, grave goods and funeral rites reflected an individual's rank and wealth.
Titles like Marquis, Duke or King were often hereditary, passed down to descendants to consolidate family power and influence.
Tian Qianqiu's title, Marquis of Fu Minh, was inherited by his son Tian chimn.
With over 800 marquices recorded during the Western Han Dynasty, fewer than 40 tombs have been confirmed through archaeological evidence, making this discovery exceptionally rare.
Experts believe it offers new insights into the dynasty's social hierarchy, burial rituals and even urban layouts during a period of expanding imperial power.
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Major Cold, known as da Han, in Chinese, arrives on January 20th this year.
The character da means big, or major, while han means cold.
In the Northern Hemisphere, this period brings cold fronts, strong winds, and falling temperatures.
It is the last of the 24 solar terms that marks the approaching end of the year on the traditional Chinese calendar.
During this period, merchants in ancient China would conduct a grand ceremony called Weiyacī to honour the God of Earth.
This tradition is particularly prevalent in Southeast China's Fujian province.
Wei Ya Ji can be broken down, like this.
Wei means tail or end.
Ya means teeth and refers to a ritual of worshipping the God of Earth and Ji means sacrificial ceremony.
So, Wei Ya -Ji refers to the year -end ritual to the God of Earth.
The ancient Chinese believed that the God of Earth safeguarded merchants and brought prosperity in the New Year.
Hence, Wei Ya -Ji, held by merchants, were grand occasions seeking blessings for a prosperous year ahead.
At the ceremonies, Chinese merchants would pay respects to the God of Earth, with lavish feasts.
Subsequently, dishes from these feasts were shared among employees or family members, signifying not just the avoidance of waste, but also the pursuit of good fortune.
What exactly do people eat on these festive occasions?
The highlight is Bai Jan Yee, a popular chicken dish.
The preparation of this dish involves the stewing of a whole chicken in plain hot water or flavourful chicken broth infused used with ginger.
Once cooked to perfection, it is cooled and delicately carved into pieces before being served with a ginger dipping sauce to highlight its flavours.
Just talking about this is making my mouth water.
But it's not just the taste that makes this chicken dish special, but also the ritualistic arrangement on the dining table that adds to its significance.
In the past, if a boss wanted to let go of an employee, the dish would be served with the chicken's head positioned toward that specific person.
person. It was a subtle message for that person to start seeking new opportunities elsewhere.
Some bosses, to reassure their employees, would position the chicken's head towards themselves, as a way of showing future stability for the team.
Over time, this practice, including way -ya -ji, has become less common.
However, modern company, year end parties, carry a similar sentiment.
They still show gratitude for everyone's year -long dedication and a collective hope cube for a brighter new year.
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That is the end of this edition of Special English.
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Gold, intricate seals and rare treasures buried for over two millennia have emerged from tomb in China's Shanxi Province, believed to belong to Tian Tiancho, a revered prime minister of the Han dynasty.
The discovery sheds light on the burial customs and power dynamics of one of China's most influential eras.
Tian, who served under Emperors Wu and Zhao, rose to prominence during the dynasty's golden age, renowned for his integrity.
He was granted the title Marquess of Fummen which roughly translates to Enrich the People.
Shanxi Academy of Archaeology recently announced that the tomb, located in Jingyang County of Xianyang City, consists of five caves and is distinct for its scale and extraordinary finds.
Situated near a larger burial site containing nearly 700 tombs from the same period, the tomb stands out as evidence of its owner's noble rank.
Among the artefacts credits are more than 400 intricately -crafted gold decorations, 18 cups made from seashells, and over 100 bronze items including cauldrons, vases, containers and animal -shaped vessels.
Traces of lacquerware and textiles further attest to the tomb's opulence and its owner's status.
Archaeologists identified the tomb as belonging to Tian Qianqiu based on over 30 clay seals unearthed, many bearing the title Fu Min, and the surname Tien.
The tomb's design and facilities mirror those of confirmed marquises from the Western Han Dynasty.
The tomb complex features sloped ramps leading to deep rectangular burial pits, a hallmark of elite burials from the time.
The five main burial chambers, reinforced with wooden structures, are surrounded by wide trenches marking the boundaries of the site.
Unlike the nearly 700 other tombs in the area, most of which belong to lower -ranking individuals, this complex remains relatively independent, reinforcing its unique status.
The tomb provides a rare glimpse into the Western Han Dynasty's feudal system, where emperors consolidated power by granting titles and estates to loyal officials and family members.
The system not only reinforced imperial authority, but also shaped burial practices as tomb size, grave goods and funeral rites reflected an individual's rank and wealth.
Titles like Marquis, Duke or King, were often hereditary, passed down to descendants to consolidate family power and influence.
Tian Qianqiu's title, Marquis of Fumen, was inherited by his son Tian Shun.
With over 800 Marquis's recorded during the Western Han Dynasty, fewer than 40 tombs have been confirmed through archaeological evidence, making this discovery exceptionally rare.
Experts believe it offers new insights into the dynasty's social hierarchy, burial rituals and even urban layouts during a period of expanding imperial power.
That is the end of today's programme.
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