English 箭头
Podcast Cover

[Technological Advancements, Cultural Heritage, and Seasonal Traditions: A Digest of Recent Developments in China]-[Exhibition in China's Xi'an marks 50th anniversary of Terracotta Warriors discovery]

Special English · B1 · 2024-09-15

ChinaPlusbeginner
Or study on the web version

📋 Summary

Technological Frontiers: Satellite Data and Global Sustainability

The International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals has unveiled the world's first atlas of remote sensing thermal infrared images. Launched into space in November 2021, the satellite provides critical insights into 118 regions across the globe. Director Guo Huadong emphasizes that the atlas captures diverse landscapes—from mountains to industrial emissions—offering a vital tool for studying "surface energy balance," "climate change," and "urban heat island effects." This initiative reflects a broader ambition to form a satellite constellation, facilitating international cooperation to support the "UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development."

Expanding Trade: The Arrival of Fresh Malaysian Durians

China’s consumer market has achieved a significant milestone with the first direct shipment of 15 tonnes of fresh Malaysian durians arriving at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport. Previously, Chinese enthusiasts were limited to frozen varieties, but efficient "cold chain logistics" now allow these fruits to reach consumers in cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou within 24 to 36 hours. Industry experts view this as a "new beginning," with the air route between Kuala Lumpur and Zhengzhou serving as a gateway for future trade in seafood and flowers, further strengthening commercial ties under regional frameworks.

Archaeological Milestones: 50 Years of the Terracotta Warriors

The Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum Site Museum is currently hosting a commemorative exhibition marking 50 years since the accidental discovery of the Terracotta Warriors by local farmers in 1974. The exhibition displays 230 cultural relics, many unveiled for the first time. Since its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1987, the site has become a global icon, welcoming a record-breaking 11 million visitors last year, underscoring the enduring historical significance of the Qin Dynasty.

Paleontological Discoveries: Prehistoric Footprints in Gansu

In a remarkable scientific find, researchers in Yongjing County, Gansu Province, have identified fossilized tracks from the early Cretaceous period. The discovery includes the first confirmed "ancient turtle tracks" found in China, alongside bird and theropod dinosaur footprints. Lead researcher Xing Lida notes that the overlapping tracks suggest an ancient ecosystem where turtles moved through shallow water, followed by birds feeding as water levels receded. These findings, published in Cretaceous Research, provide invaluable evidence of ancient species' coexistence and the region's rich paleontological history.

Seasonal Rhythms: The Significance of the Autumn Equinox

As the northern hemisphere transitions into autumn, the "Autumn Equinox" (Qiufen) serves as a pivotal meteorological and agricultural marker. Occurring on September 22nd, it represents a moment of symmetry where day and night are of equal length. Beyond its astronomical definition, Qiufen is crucial for farmers; it dictates the timing for harvesting crops and sowing wheat. Traditional proverbs like "sowing wheat on the autumn equinox is just right" highlight the deep-rooted connection between these solar terms and agricultural productivity. Today, the day remains a time of celebration, blending ancient rituals of gratitude with modern festivities, as seen during the opening of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou.

🎯Key Sentences

1
The world is changing fast
2
The initial stock sold out within two hours
3
The country imported around 1 .43 million tonnes of fresh durians last year
4
Chinese consumers can enjoy fresh Malaysian durians within 24 to 36 hours
5
plans are in the works to gradually introduce seafood
Expand All

📝Key Phrases

1
provide valuable data support
2
closely related to
3
satisfy the taste buds
4
right on their doorstep
5
buzzing with demand
Expand All

📖 Transcript

The world is changing fast, that you can learn it at a slower pace.
Special English You're listening to Special English.
Here is the news. The world's first atlas of remote sensing thermal infrared images has been released by the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals in Beijing, providing valuable data support for sustainable development research.
The Atlas is based on data captured by the world's first science satellite dedicated dedicated to serving the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development, and was launched into space in November 2021.
Gaur Hwardong, the director of the Beijing -based Research Centre, said that the Atlas includes 10 different types of landscapes in 118 different regions around the world, presenting the surface features of rivers, mountains, deserts, as well as scenes of human activities such as industrial emissions, and urban changes from a thermal infrared perspective.
Gore noted that the distribution and dynamic changes of surface temperatures on Earth are closely related to human socioeconomic activities, industrial production conditions, and geomorphic big features, making the Atlas an important tool for studying the surface energy balance, climate change, and the urban heat island effect, as well as agricultural monitoring and natural disaster assessment.

ListenLeap Brings You Into Real Context Learning

🎨 Interesting Content
🌍 Real Materials
📱 Listen Anytime
Or study on the web version