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Special English You're listening to Special English Here's the news A cross -border, coal -chain highway truck carrying 28 tons of fresh lemons departed from southwest China's Chongqing municipality, traveled 1300 kilometers, and arrived in Vietnam in 48 hours.
The highway freight service along the new International Land Sea Trade Corridor in mid -April marked the first time that Tong Nan lemons, a geographical indication product in Chong Ching's Tong Nan district, have been directly supplied to Vietnam, slashing transit time from 6 days to 2.
Hu Zai Yang, manager of a local fruit dealer, said that the new service has helped lemons reach Vietnamese consumers' tables as quickly as possible.
Nestled at 30 degrees of northern latitude, Tong Nan boasts acidic soil and ideal irrigation, positioning it as a top global lemon producer alongside California and Sicily.
In 2024, the area exported 39 ,000 tons of lemons generating sales revenue of 265 million yuan, about 36 .7 million US dollars.
In the first quarter of this year, its lemon exports reached 6 ,200 tons a year on year increase of 7 .9 percent.
Huang Guanyi, overseas sales manager of a Chongqing agricultural company, said that they shipped over 4 ,000 tons of lemons to overseas markets, mainly Southeast Asian countries, last year supplying more than 4 ,000 beverage stores abroad, adding that Lemonade is a top seller for me shui, a Chinese beverage giant in South East Asia.
Chinese freshly brewed beverage brands like Gong Cha and me shui becoming increasingly popular in Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore.
These brands have become a familiar sight on the bustling streets of major cities.
The booming beverage business has greatly boosted lemon exports from China.
In September 2024, the Malaysia Tongnan Lemon Trading Center officially began operations in Kuala Lumpur, creating a two -way investment platform to boost trade through joint branding and marketing initiatives in Southeast Asia.
Fu Qiang, a Tongnan official in charge of the lemon industry development, said that local government will strengthen technical guidance and quality control at production bases, support lemon industry associations and businesses in expanding overseas markets, and provide enhanced services to help Tongnan lemons reach broader markets.
This is Special English.
CHINA will step up efforts to align the development of transport infrastructure with renewable energy systems, aiming to make pure electric vehicles the main stream of new car sales by 2035.
According to the circular, jointly issued by the Ministry of Transport and nine other departments, the country also plans to realize large -scale application of new energy heavy -duty trucks and establish a green fuel supply system for the transport sector by 2035.
The circular underscored efforts to advance the development and utilization of clean energy along and around transport infrastructure, including railways, roads and ports.
To advance the green transition of the transport sector, the country will further promote the use of new energy vehicles, green and low carbon vessels, new energy aircraft, as well as the green and low carbon development of postal and express delivery services.
The circular pledged to beef up financial support by leveraging funds, including special local government bonds, green loans, green bonds, and re -lending funds for technology innovation and upgrading.
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In a bid to bolster its digital workforce and economy, China has jointly issued a new plan outlining priorities for boosting national digital literacy and skills by 2025.
The document, released recently by four government agencies, including the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission and the Ministry of Education, sets a wide -ranging agenda.
It calls for developing a comprehensive system for cultivating digital talent, expanding the digital economy's growth potential, and building a more inclusive digital society.
Other priorities include creating smarter digital lifestyles, promoting a safe and orderly cyberspace, and strengthening multi party collaboration and international cooperation.
Regarding artificial intelligence, the plan emphasizes expanding the application of AI and improving AI governance frameworks.
By the end of 2025, China aims to significantly raise digital literacy levels nationwide, build a robust system for digital skills training, and expand the supply of digital resources.
Additional targets include growing the digital workforce, enhancing workers' digital capabilities, narrowing skills gaps between different demographic groups, and fostering a more inclusive, smarter and safer digital environment.
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At Hunan Provincial Library in central China, 41 -year -old Yan Sheng meticulously repaired fragile pages of ancient books under a microscope surrounded by stacks of restored manuscripts.
His work embodies a nationwide effort to transform China's vast literary heritage, once confined to dusty shelves, into accessible digital treasures for modern audiences.
With an estimated 200 ,000 titles and 500 ,000 additions, China's ancient texts are a cornerstone of its 5 ,000 year civilization.
Today, these cultural gems are regaining their luster, blending cutting edge technology, and meticulous craftsmanship.
Yen, part of a 7 -member restoration team, uses microscopes and analytical tools to study paper fibers, thickness, and acidity, ensuring repairs preserve every original detail without altering the faded ink.
Yen said that their goal is physical restoration, not artistic renovation.
Behind such initiatives lies a silent army of over 1000 restoration specialists, up from fewer than 100 more than a decade ago.
Supported by training programs at over 40 universities and institutes, This workforce is increasingly young and tech -savvy.
Digital innovation is unlocking texts once accessible only to scholars.
In Tanghe County in central China's Henan Province, A modest library with 11 ,000 rare volumes has digitised and published online 354 volumes, including local chronicles and medical texts.
Liu Qinggong, the curator, said that the online database had received over 1 million views.
The next frontier lies in artificial intelligence.
The newly -launched Smart Ancient Books platform by the National Library uses AI to auto punctuate translate and annotate classical Chinese highlighting figures dates and locations in color engineer she said that I models are evolving to interpret context and cross -reference texts, turning complexity into clarity.
Government documents including the 2022 guidelines on advancing ancient books work and the fourteenth five -year plan underscore China's commitment to merging tradition with modernity in the preservation, research and utilization of ancient texts.
Zhang Zhicheng, former executive deputy director of the National Library, noted that technology Technology has injected vitality into conservation while public engagement ensures these treasures endure, not as relics but as living wisdom for future generations.
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From first dates to family trips, foraging is turning into a favorite low -cost way for young Chinese and old alike to connect offline.
Every spring, 57 -year -old Gu Hong Xia goes foraging in her neighborhood, part of Shanghai's suburban Bao Shan district, where wild scallions, mushrooms and other edible plants grow in abundance.
This March, encouraged by her daughter, Gu decided for the first time to post a picture story about her annual ritual and bountiful harvests on the Chinese lifestyle platform xiao hong shu or red note.
To her surprise, the post attracted more than 13 ,000 views in just two weeks.
Gu said that most of the viewers are in their 20s, and 30s, adding that she received many comments admiring her for her ability to identify edible wild plants such as fish mint and shepherd's purse, while some viewers even asked to join her on foraging trips.
In recent months, Xiao Hong Shu users have shared more than 30 ,000 posts related to the topic Digging Wild Vegetables in Shanghai, swapping tips on the best foraging spots, and how to recognize different plants as well as recipe ideas.
With blossoms in bloom warmer temperatures and edible plants sprouting in urban spaces, digging for wild greens as well as other popular outdoor pursuits like cycling, camping and hiking, are helping citizens reconnect with nature and each other.
Xiao Hongxu saw 130 million posts related to outdoor lifestyles in 2023.
a 270 % increase year on year.
Attracting a total of 622 billion views, up by 570 % from 2022.
As a child, picking vegetables was simply part of everyday life for Tao Xiao Mi.
Today, the 34 year old financial analyst says it is a way to relax and rebalance.
This spring, she took her five -year -old twin boys and elderly parents to forage in the green spaces across Shanghai.
Foraging is an activity enjoyed by all ages.
Thao said that after taking the vegetables home, her parents prepared them, bringing the harvest to the table, which gave the whole experience a sense of ceremony.
Thao added that for kids, it's a way to broaden their knowledge and return to something more natural and grounded.
As picking wild vegetables becomes a new social activity, young people are forming groups and seeking out experienced foragers online for advice.
Some experts have even begun offering guided tours priced at 98 to a 198 yuan, from 13 to 27 US dollars.
While social media posts suggest a growing trend in foraging dates.
A 29 -year -old software engineer, surnamed Xu, said that he started taking his girlfriend, surnamed Jing, on wild vegetable outings in Shanghai in February.
Jing said that for young people living under pressure in Shanghai, This kind of activity feels like a perfect, low -cost stress relief.
Picking wild vegetables is like a cheap adventure game.
Jing said that she gets to breathe fresh air, find new spots on the map, And in a big city like Shanghai, it feels rare and challenging, which makes it even more fun.
This is Special English.
That's the end of this edition of special English.
To recap, I'm going to read two of the news items again at normal speed.
Please listen carefully.
China will step up efforts to align the development of transport infrastructure with renewable energy systems, aiming to make pure electric vehicles the mainstream of new car sales by 2035.
According to the circular jointly issued by the Ministry of Transport and 9 other departments, the country also plans to realize large -scale application of new energy heavy duty trucks and establish a green fuel supply system for the transport sector by 2035.
The circular underscored efforts to advance the development and utilization of clean energy along and around transport infrastructure, including railways, roads and ports.
To advance the green transition of the transport sector, the country will further promote the use of new energy vehicles, green and low -carbon vessels, new energy aircraft as well as the green and low -carbon development of postal and express delivery services.
The circular pledge to beef up financial support by leveraging funds, including special local government bonds, green loans, green bonds, and re -lending funds for technology innovation and upgrading.
You're listening to Special English.
At Hunan Provincial Library in Central China, 41 -year -old Yen Sheng meticulously repaired fragile pages of ancient books under a microscope, surrounded by stacks of restored manuscripts.
His work embodies a nationwide effort to transform China's vast literary heritage once confined to dusty shelves, into accessible digital treasures for modern audiences.
With an estimated 200 ,000 titles and 500 ,000 editions, China's ancient texts are a cornerstone of its 5 ,000 year civilization.
Today these cultural gems are regaining their luster, blending cutting -edge technology and meticulous craftsmanship.
Yan, part of a seven -member restoration team, uses microscopes and analytical tools to study paper fibers, thickness and acidity, ensuring repairs preserve every original detail without altering the faded ink.
Yan said that their goal is physical restoration, not artistic renovation.
Behind such initiatives lies a silent army of over 1 ,000 restoration specialists up from fewer than a hundred more than a decade ago.
Supported by training programs, at over 40 universities and institutes, this workforce is increasingly young and tech -savvy.
Digital innovation is unlocking texts once accessible only to scholars.
In Tanghe County, in central China's Henan Province, a modest library with 11 ,000 rare volumes has digitized and published online 354 volumes, including local chronicles and medical texts.
Liu Qinggong, the curator, said that the online database had received over 1 million views.
The next frontier lies in artificial intelligence.
The newly launched Smart Ancient Books platform by the National Library uses AI to auto -punctuate, translate and annotate classical Chinese, highlighting figures, dates and locations in color.
Engineer Xia -in Shang said that AI models are evolving to interpret context and cross -reference texts, turning complexity into clarity.
Government documents including the 2022 guidelines on advancing ancient books work, and the 14th Five -Year Plan underscore China's commitment to merging tradition with modernity in the preservation, research, and utilization of ancient texts.
Zhang Zhicheng, former executive deputy director of the National Library, noted that technology has injected vitality into conservation, while public engagement ensures these treasures endure, not as relics but as living wisdom for future generations.
This is the end of today's program.
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