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[Technological Advancements, Cultural Heritage, and Seasonal Traditions in China]-[China launches bullet train service to UNESCO heritage site Jiuzhai Valley]

Special English · B1 · 2024-09-08

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📋 Summary

Advancements in Satellite Navigation and AI for Science

China has made significant strides in both geospatial technology and lunar exploration. The National Baidou High Precision Navigation and Positioning Service platform has officially entered trial operation. By integrating over 3,300 base stations into a unified network, this initiative provides seamless, real-time navigation crucial for sectors like autonomous driving, precision agriculture, and social governance. This development builds upon the legacy of the Beidou Navigation Satellite System, which, since the completion of Beidou-3 in 2020, has established China as a leader in independent global satellite navigation.

Simultaneously, the field of planetary science has been bolstered by the release of the world’s first multi-modal large-language model for lunar science. Developed by the Institute of Geochemistry and Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group, this "smart brain" assists scientists by identifying and cataloging over one million lunar craters with an accuracy rate of over 80%. This tool addresses the impossibility of relying solely on human labor for such massive data processing, marking a shift toward big-data-driven scientific research.

Cultural Preservation and Infrastructure Connectivity

Cultural heritage remains a priority, highlighted by the launch of the Dunhuang Studies Research Library. This online database serves as a comprehensive repository for scripts, historical images, and research findings, supporting the interdisciplinary study of the Mogao Grottoes.

Connectivity to such heritage sites has also vastly improved. The newly launched section of the Sichuan-Qinghai Railway now provides direct bullet train access to Jiuzhaigou Valley and the Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area. Reducing travel time from Chengdu to just one hour and thirty-nine minutes, the project overcame extreme engineering challenges, including high ground temperatures and fault zones, to integrate these world-renowned sites into China’s expansive 159,000-kilometer rail network.

Environmental Conservation and Evolving Traditions

In ecological news, researchers have recorded the first sighting of a Gobi bear within China’s Xinjiang region. As the only bear species in the world adapted to desert environments, the Gobi bear is critically endangered. Through six years of collaborative monitoring between China and Mongolia, the global population has successfully recovered from approximately 20 to over 50 individuals.

Finally, the broadcast explores the traditional Chinese custom of "Tie Biao" (Pasting Autumn Fat). Historically, this practice involved consuming more meat in early autumn to compensate for weight lost during the "bitter summer." While modern lifestyles and health consciousness have shifted perspectives on weight gain, the tradition persists as a cultural marker. Nutritionists note that while extreme weight categories are problematic, the custom serves as a reminder to adjust one's dietary structure to meet the increased energy and caloric needs as seasons change, emphasizing that maintaining body health remains a timeless priority.

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📝Key Phrases

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injecting new impetus into
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consolidates into a unified network
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seamless, high-precision positioning
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significantly accelerate the processing speed
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solely relying on manpower
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📖 Transcript

The world is changing fast.
But you can learn it at a slower pace.
You're listening to Special English.
Here is the news. The platform of China's national Baidou High Precision, Navigation and Positioning Service space, has entered trial operation, representing new progress in the country's indigenous satellite navigation capabilities.
That is according to the National Geomatics Centre of China, developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The Platform integrates Satellite Navigation and Positioning Base Stations nationwide within the natural resources system, injecting new impetus into the development of the digital economy.

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