The world is changing fast, but you can learn it at a slower pace.
Special English You're listening to Special English.
Here's the news. China's domestically developed Tang class Unmanned Transport Aircraft, the TP -1000, has completed its maiden flight in East China's Shandong Province.
Designed and manufactured by Yi Tong, UAV System Company Limited, based in Yan Tai, Shandong province, the aircraft recently flew for about 30 minutes at an airport in Shandong.
Its stable performance validated its design and reliability.
As a large cargo drone developed under China's civil aviation airworthiness procedures, the TP1000 boasts a payload capacity of 1 ,000 kg.
a maximum range of 1000 kilometers when fully loaded and a seven cubic meter cargo bay.
With a takeoff weight of more than three tons, it features twin engine in modular installation, a self -developed multi -redundant flight control system, and advantages in endurance, payload, and cost efficiency.
Notably, the TP -1000 is equipped with a large rear cargo door enabling intelligent airdrop for material delivery and emergency rescue in various scenarios.
Yi Tong aims to obtain air -worthiness certification for the TP -1000 by late 2025, with commercial operations expected to begin in 2026 after regulatory approval.
Currently the company's fixed -wing TP500 model, with a payload capacity of 500 kg, successfully successfully -completed test flights of its newly certified design in February this year, moving into a new certification phase.
Meanwhile, the TR100, a core model with a payload capacity of 150 kg, has also entered the trial operation stage.
You're listening to Special English.
Fanjing Mountain in Tongren, Guizhou Province, has been added to the green list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature or IUCN with Mayor Mu Rong Khun calling it a testament to the city's success in balancing conservation and tourism.
The green list is a global program established by the IUCN to promote biodiversity conservation based on natural protected areas.
97 % of the mountain the highest peak in the Wuling Mountain Range at about 2600 meters is covered by woodland, making it Guizhou's premiere tourist destination.
Dubbed an ecological island, it is home to about 8 ,000 species some of which are rare or endangered and is the sole habitat of the Guizhou golden snub -nosed monkey and the Fenjing fur.
It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018 and named one of the world's most exciting destinations by National Geographic in 2019.
Last year, the scenic area set a record for visitation, welcoming more than about 2 million visits.
a 7 % increase year -on -year with international visits surging by 120%.
The growth has also boosted rural per capita disposable income by 7 .5%, the fastest in the province.
With Guizhou now included in China's visa -free transit policy that allows foreign visitors to stay for up to 240 hours, Moo said the city plans to enhance supporting facilities for international tourists and improve connectivity with dedicated tourist flight routes.
Mo said inbound tourism is expected to grow this year with international visits projected to increase by more than 40 percent.
He also outlined plans to integrate sports events, wellness tourism, and matcha products into Fenjing Mountains development.
The area will continue hosting marathons, make use of its abundant hot springs and ecological resources to expand the wellness industry, and develop a matcha -themed town at its base.
Facing the pressure of rising tourism and environmental preservation, Mu said the mountain's development must adhere to the principle of ecology first, protection prioritized, while also innovating to enhance visitors' experiences.
To protect the ecosystem, the local government has implemented comprehensive conservation measures and enacted legislation.
This is Special English.
Jingdezhen, dubbed the Porcelain Capital of China, is opening its doors to the world with a more inclusive and innovative approach, accelerating its efforts to become a creative hub that attracts international ceramic artists and foreign tourists.
With a pottery history spanning more than 2 ,000 years, an official kiln history lasting lasting over 1000 years, and a legacy of imperial kilns extending more than 600 years.
Jingdezhen, a city in Jiangxi Province, possesses one of the richest and most remarkable ceramic cultural heritages in the world, making it a major draw for visitors.
During the spring festival holiday, Jingdezhen saw a roughly 9 .5 % increase in tourist visits from the previous year.
According to data from Travel Platform Trip .com group, the number of foreign tourists is also on the rise.
In 2024, inbound tourist arrivals increased 45 % year -over -year while tourism spending grew.
In May 2019, a proposal was made to establish Jingdezhen as a National Ceramic Culture Heritage Innovation Experimental Zone.
zone. The initiative aims to create a new platform for cultural exchange with the world.
Jiang Jingjing, dean of the International School of Jingdezhen Ceramic University, said Chinese porcelain has historically traveled across ancient China and reached foreign regions, breaking geographical boundaries, and serving as a cultural ambassador.
Taoshi Quan Ceramic Art Avenue, centered around the former universe porcelain factory, began renovations in 2013 and officially opened to the public in 2016.
The area hosts multiple annual ceramic -themed creative markets, attracting both domestic and international tourists, as well as ceramic enthusiasts.
It has hosted short -time residencies for over 800 artists from more than 50 countries, incubated over 3 ,000 startups, and created jobs for over 110 ,000 people across related industries.
In recent years the city has accelerated the use of digital technology for cultural heritage preservation, establishing the world's first ancient ceramic gene bank.
By creating a digital platform, the city has collected nearly 20 million porcelain shards from different dynasties and extracted information on more than 300 ,000 ancient ceramic genes.
Alongside its innovative initiatives, Jingdezhen has prioritised the protection of historical heritage.
The city has expanded its system of intangible cultural heritage by offering art design and cultural relic preservation courses at seven local universities, educating nearly 90 ,000 students in ceramic culture and craftsmanship.
Here listening to Special English.
When the first rays of the morning Sun men shine upon the ground.
It's not unusual for city dwellers to see people jogging and walking their dogs in the neighbourhood, but if you stop by in a traditional Hutong neighbourhood in Beijing early in the morning, you would probably notice a group of elderly men walking leisurely on their way to a park nearby, lightly swinging birdcages in their hands.
These cages are usually handmade from bamboo.
Each has a hanger on top and is covered by a piece of cloth.
Holding the hangers in their hands, these elderly men would gently swing the cages back and forth like a pendulum, and the lovely sounds of birds chirping can be heard through the cloth cover.
These bright melodic sounds form a pleasant wake up call for many, as the tones echo alongside gentle morning conversations between Hutong residents.
This is called birdwalking.
There are many different kinds of birds that people keep as pets.
But the singing ones, or the songbirds, however, are the particular kinds that they prefer to take out for walks in China.
The songbirds can sing various musical tones thanks to their special vocal organs which make them super popular among elderly people in China especially those in retirement.
And among all the pet songbird breeds, Mina is one of the most liked and commonly kept ones.
Although thrushes and larks used to be the favorites of many as well, these two breeds are no longer allowed to be traded in markets, or kept privately since they were added to the list of key protected wild animals in China in February 2021.
So far, there's no final conclusion on the origin of bird walking in China, China, but some folk experts deem that this hobby was popularized by nobles and eunuchs of the Qing Dynasty, and roughly three hundred years later, bird lovers in Beijing nowadays still follow the same traditions.
They believe that keeping birds cooped up in an indoor space is bad for them both mentally and physically, and that taking them out for a walk is the best way to keep them healthy and vigorous.
Therefore, this devotion to birdwalking remains a must -do for bird lovers, even after all these years.
However, there are also cases when a bird should be left at home for a good rest. That includes when they are sick, injured, molting, or when the bird just arrived at its new home and is still adjusting itself.
At the same time, bird lovers would not walk a bird when it's too hot or too cold outside.
why are bird cages usually covered with a piece of cloth?
That is because some timid birds could be shocked by the fast -moving scenery outside the cage, and to prevent the birds from feeling anxious and scared, bird lovers often cover their cages to block the view, leaving just a slot of light at the bottom for air circulation when they are on their way to the park.
Meanwhile the bird walker often swings the cage back and forth lightly which is to encourage the birds to get a bit of exercise as it tries to cling to its perch or occasionally hop around to find balance.
Once they arrive at the park or any other place that is quiet and surrounded by trees.
The birdcages would then be hung near one another on tree branches, while the little singers inside enjoy each other's company and sing together like a choir.
Apart from keeping their feathered friends healthy happy.
Bird lovers would also train their songbirds to mimic sounds of whistling, laughing, or the voices of other birds and animals in order to entertain everyone that passes by.
This is also a good opportunity for the elderly folks to socialize.
They would divide into different groups according to their bird breeds, and chat with bird buddies about raising tips.
Some will play card games and Chinese chess with each other while their birds sing along in the trees.
To some elderly people, taking good care of their birds is also taking care of themselves.
Physically, the elders get to walk out of their homes and socialize with others more often while savoring a view of nature with their pet birds.
birds. In the meantime, enjoying a good time with beloved pet birds also benefits their mental health, as some may be dealing with the lonesome feelings of living in an empty nest. At the same time, since a few songbird breeds These are gradually banned as private pets like mentioned earlier.
More elders have now turned their focus from birdkeeping to birdwatching, where humans and the lovely wild singers can both enjoy nature in peace and freedom.
That's 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.
China's domestically developed Tun class unmanned transport aircraft, the TP1000, has completed its maiden flight in East China's Shandong Province.
Designed and manufactured by Yitong UAV System Company Ltd.
based in Yintai, Shandong Province, since, the aircraft recently flew for about 30 minutes at an airport in Shandong.
Its stable performance validated its design and reliability.
As a large cargo drone developed under China's Civil Aviation air -wordiness procedures, the TP1000 boasts a payload capacity of 1000 kilograms, a maximum range of 1000 km when fully loaded, and a 7 cubic meter cargo bay.
With a takeoff weight of more than 3 tons, it features twin engine modular installation, a self -developed multi -redundant flight control system, and advantages in endurance, payload, and cost efficiency.
Notably the TP1000 is equipped with a large rear cargo door, enabling intelligent air drop for material delivery and emergency rescue in various scenarios.
Yi Tong aims to obtain airworthiness certification for the TP1000 by late 2025, with commercial operations expected to begin in 2026 after regulatory approval.
Currently, the company's fixed -wing TP500 model with a payload capacity of 500 kg successfully completed test flights of its newly certified design in February this year, moving into a new certification phase.
Meanwhile, the TR100, a core model with a payload capacity of 150 kg, has also entered to the trial operation stage.
This is the end of today's program.
I hope you'll join us everyday to learn English at a slower pace.
He can't live without the Yellow River in his eyes.
The Yellow River is so noble and elegant.
I was my grandpa and dad made the living from the river.
Would you like to move it away from the Yellow River?
I don't think I would I love it so much. The Yellow River, the second longest river in China, is regarded as a shaping force in the history, economy and culture of northern China.
Today, about 100 million people live within its waterbase, making up nearly 9 % of the country's population.
How is climate change felt at its headwaters and what are the locals doing to cope with it?
What are the descendants of the boatmen doing?
What has kept some people from leaving their home village by the river, and what has drawn others back?
Could the fading fishing community revive in the time of digital transformation?
From 2021 to 2024, our reporters visited the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, talked to the herders, farmers, boatmen, fishermen and eco -activists, who share a close bond with the river, and presented their stories in pictures, podcasts, and videos.
Or in our twelve part series, The Yellow River Mosaic, available only on CGTN Radio.
