The world is changing fast but you can learn it at a slower pace.
You are listening to Special English.
Here is the news. Renowned Chinese writer Wang An -Yi, was named Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, France's highest order of merit, in Shanghai.
Wang was presented the award by Bertrand Laugher -Laurie, French ambassador to China, to her, for her outstanding contributions to literature and China -France cultural exchanges.
Seventy -year -old Wang said, literary exchange has become one of the cherished traditions fostering mutual understanding and connection between China and France.
Born into a literary family, one has produced a vast array of outstanding literary works in the course of her career, including some 100 short stories and 20 novels.
circles. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France.
As a devoted admirer of French literature, Wang has dedicated much of her time to promoting French literature in China and has strengthened exchanges with numerous French authors.
Over a dozen of her works, such as The Song of Everlasting Sorrow, have been translated and published in France.
The team of Chinese scientists has unveiled the continuous evolutionary history of rice, tracing its journey from wild to domesticated over an astounding period of 100 ,000 years.
The findings, published in the journal Science, shed new light on the progression of human society and the origins of agricultural civilisation.
Scholars from various academic fields have long been captivated by the study of how humans First, began cultivating wild rice and the evolutionary journey from wild to cultivated strains.
Archaeological findings of rice, at sites like hermoudu and shaanshan, in the Yangtze rivers, middle, and lower valleys since the 1970s indicate the region's role as a cradle for rice cultivation.
Led by Professor Liu Hou Yuan from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics under the Chinese systematic study on phytoliths in modern wild and domesticated rice plants and soils.
The phytolith is a microscopic particle that is formed by a plant and is highly resistant to decomposition.
They found that the increase in the number of fish -scale facets on the phytolyths correlates with the trait of domestication.
Based on these findings, they developed a standard for distinguishing wild rice from its domesticated counterparts.
parts. Employing this benchmark, the research group delved into the archaeological layers and natural profiles at the Shan Shan site and the He Hua Shan site in east China's Zhejiang province.
According to the study, wild rice Rice was already prevalent in the lower Yangtze River region approximately one hundred thousand years ago, laying the groundwork for the subsequent utilization and domestication of rice.
Approximately roughly 24 ,000 years ago, coinciding with the onset of the last glacial maximum, human ancestors began gathering and utilizing wild rice.
This adaptation allowed them to seek new sources of food amidst the challenges posed by the cooling climate.
About 13 ,000 years ago they embarked on the practice of rice cultivation.
By approximately 11 ,000 years ago, there was a rapid rise in the prevalence of phytolyths, characteristic of domesticated rice which surpassed the threshold indicative of Domestication".
According to Professor Zhang Jianping, one of the corresponding authors, their research uncovered that the inception of rice agriculture in East Asia and wheat agriculture in South presents a significant milestone in the history of human development, and has greatly deepened the understanding of the global origins of agriculture, also the 100 ,000 -year -long record of wild rice distribution, culminating in its domestication at the Shang Shan cultural site, reveals the intricate interplay among rice, climate, human practices, and cultural evolution.
The peer reviewer of the study commented that this innovative discovery significantly impacts the understanding of human rice co -evolution, human societal development, as well as the of agricultural civilization and the importance of Shang Shan culture.
of programs and find your favorite news, talk, features, entertainment shows and podcasts.
Here the difference with CTTN Radio.
You're listening to Special English.
Meng Zhong also known as Grain in Ear is the ninth solar term on the traditional Chinese calendar, and the third in summer, falling between June 5th and 7th every year.
It marks a time of bustling activity in agriculture.
The name itself holds profound meanings.
Hmong refers to the awns of crops, while its homophone, Hmong, signifies how busy farmers get during this period.
The second character, Jon, embodies the act of sowing and planting together.
Mung Jong, not only describes the physical growth of crops, but also the tireless dedication of farmers who devote themselves to the demanding tasks at hand.
In the picturesque region of Mei Yuan, nestled in East China's Zhejiang Province, Mung Jong signals, not only the onset of a busy agricultural season, but also a vibrant celebration known as the Ox King Festival.
This joyous event sees farmers coming together for ceremonial ploughing, heralding the busy agricultural season ahead.
The festival's namesake, the Ox, is often associated with agriculture and hard work in Chinese culture due to their vital role in ploughing.
How are they related to Meng Zhong?
Legend has it that, a long time ago, the Ox King was an officer tasked with tending heavenly grass.
Every spring, following the orders of the Jade Emperor, who is the supreme ruler in heaven and presides over the human world, the Ox King would sow grassseeds.
once, in the human world, to offer lush fodder for livestock.
One year there came a severe drought, and the grass seeds sown by the ox -king withered and died.
Without new grass, livestock was perishing from hunger.
However, witnessing the scene, the Land God immediately reported the situation to the Jade Emperor, imploring his benevolence to grant permission for another sowing of grass seeds on earth.
Staying true to the ancient decree that limited the sowing of seeds on earthly grounds to once a year, the Jade Emperor turned down the request of the Land God.
The ox -king heard the news and felt very sad.
Nighttime arrived, but sleep evaded him whose mind wrestled with with the difficult decision whether to break the heavenly rules and risk his future career.
Sorrowful cries reached his ears.
The barren land on earth and the suffering of its inhabitants wrenched his heart.
The ox king made up his mind to defy the heavenly rule.
Ball. Under the cloak of darkness, the Ox King quietly sowed the grass seeds again in the human world.
That night, thinking that the green grass would revive the dying livestock, he felt immense joy and fell asleep.
However, the Ox King didn't know that in the darkness Thus he had sewn the grass seeds on the farmland by mistake.
As the sun rose, farmers awakened to a startling sight.
Their fields were overrun by dense grass.
The wrath of the jade emperor thundered across the heavens, condemning the ox -king to a fate of eternal labour tasked with the arduous duty of eradicating the grass he had sown in defiance.
The ox -king begged for the emperor's mercy and pleaded for another chance in light of his loyalty.
Though acknowledging his remorse and loyalty in the past, the jade -emperor denied him another chance, saying that the harmony in the human world must be preserved.
The supreme ruler of heaven was resolved to set the incident as a reminder to all beings, beings, divine, and mortal alike, that even the most well -intentioned actions can have unintended consequences.
Accepting his punishment, the Ox King went to the human world and worked diligently, gently, ploughing the fields day and night, removing every trace of grass.
Moved by the ox's unwavering commitment, people came together and decided to erect a temple in his honour, a place to show their gratitude, and worship his diligent spirit.
it. They also named the ploughing festival which symbolizes the beginning of the planting season after the ox king to commemorate his hard work.
That's the story behind the ploughing festival or the ox king festival.
Carried from one generation to another, the Ox King Festival is celebrated every year during the Solar term Meng Zhong or Grain In Ear.
Through rituals and ceremonies, people seek blessings for bountiful harvests and invoke the spirit of the ox king to guide them through the challenges of the farming season ahead.
This is Special English.
Peking University is making waves with a course designed to combat students' weight gain.
It boasts impressive results, with one -third of participants losing over 5 % of their body weight and over half reducing their waist circumference by more than 5 centimeters.
The program specifically targets overweight and obese students, defined by a body -mass index, or BMI, of over 25.
One of the course creators, Zhang Xiaoyuan, emphasized that the goal is to instill healthy habits and accurate health knowledge.
Professor Zhang clarifies that that the BMI requirement ensures those who don't need weight loss aren't enrolled.
The class goes beyond weight loss, assisting students who struggle with University -mandated physical fitness tests.
The course offers comprehensive training in nutrition, exercise science, and fitness techniques.
Specialized instructors, guide students in areas like long distance running, sprints, pull -ups, and flexibility exercises.
Liang Chuyu, a senior studying media and communications at Peking University, signed up for the class last year.
Liang said that she had found it useful to have weight loss explained in a scientific way, adding that her previous attempts at dieting had always felt unsustainable.
The course's success has attracted significant student enrolment, forcing the university to select students via a lottery system.
M. Liang said that many students had complained about failing to secure a space.
Feedback from the students highlights improved energy levels, increased stamina, better sleep, and even a newfound love for sport.
Many students have also formed workout and dining partnerships, programs, fostering motivation and accountability.
The program's popularity has extended beyond campus walls.
Online users have expressed admiration, with many requesting online access, and even cross -registration opportunities.
Other Chinese colleges, offering weight -loss courses include Beijing Technology University, Tianjin University, and East China University of Political Science and Law.
You're listening to Special English.
That is the end of this edition of Special English.
To recap, I'm going to read one of the news items again at normal speed.
Please listen carefully.
A team of Chinese scientists has unveiled the continuous evolutionary history of rice, tracing its journey from wild to domesticated over an astounding period of 100 ,000 years.
The findings, published in the journal Science, shared new light on the progression of human society and the origins of agricultural civilisation.
Scholars from various academic fields have long been captivated by the study of how humans first began cultivating wild rice and the evolutionary journey from wild to cultivated strains.
Archaeological findings of rice at sites like Hermoudoud and Shangshan in the region's role there is a cradle for rice cultivation.
Led by Professor Liu Hou Yuan from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, under the Chinese Academy of Science, the research team conducted a systematic study on phytoliths in modern wild and domesticated rice plants and soils.
The phytolith is a microscopic particle that is formed by a plant and is highly resistant to decomposition.
They found that the increase in the number of fish scale facets on the phytoliths correlates with the trait of domestication.
Based on these findings they developed a standard for distinguishing wild rice from its domesticated counterparts.
Employing this benchmark, the research group delved into the archaeological layers and natural profiles at the Shang Shan idshan site and the hehuaxan site in East China's Zhejiang province.
According to the study, wild rice was already prevalent in the lower Yangtze River region approximately 100 ,000 years ago, laying the groundwork for the subsequent utilization and domestication of rice.
Approximately 24 ,000 years ago, coinciding with the onset of the last glacial maximum, human ancestors began gathering and utilizing wild rice.
This adaptation allowed them to seek new sources of food amidst the challenges posed by the cooling climate.
About 13 ,000 years ago they embarked on the practice of rice cultivation.
By approximately 11 ,000 years ago there was a rapid rise in the prevalence of phytolyths characteristic of domesticated rice which surpassed the threshold indicative of domestication.
According to Professor Zhang Jianping, one of the corresponding authors, their research uncovered that the inception of rice agriculture in East Asia and wheat agriculture in South -West Asia transpired concurrently.
Zhang said that the discovery represents a significant milestone in the history of human development and has greatly deepened the understanding of the global origins of agriculture.
culture. Also, the 100 ,000 -year -long record of wild rice distribution, culminating in its domestication at the Shangshan Cultural Site, reveals the intricate interplay among rice, climate, human practices and cultural evolution.
The peer reviewer of the study commented that this innovative discovery significantly impacts the understanding of human -rice co -evolution, human societal development as well as the origins of agricultural civilisation and the importance of Shang -Shan culture.
That is the end of today's programme.
I hope you'll join us every day to learn English at a slower pace.
