Latest news with #Shu
Barnama
14-07-2025
- Barnama
2025 Hunan Red Tourism And Culture Festival Kicks Off In Xiangtan City
XIANGTAN, China, July 14 (Bernama) -- 2025 Hunan Red Tourism and Culture Festival & the 4th Xiangtan Tourism Development Conference was held in Shaoshan County, Xiangtan City of Hunan Province from July 10 to 11. Centering on the theme of "Aspiring to Shaoshan ・ Meeting in Hunan for the Future", the event carefully planned two main activities: the "Motherland is So Beautiful" Poetry Recital and the opening ceremony of the conference. Xiangtan is an important part of the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan Metropolitan Circle. Located at the transportation hub in central China, it has a long history of more than 1,500 years, giving birth to many cultural celebrities in modern times, including Jiang Wan, a famous prime minister of the Shu Han Dynasty, Zeng Guofan, an important minister in the late Qing Dynasty, Qi Baishi, a world cultural celebrity, as well as Wang Kaiyun, Yang Du and Xiao San. It is an important source of Huxiang culture.
Borneo Post
30-06-2025
- Borneo Post
Time-tested treasures fuel China's cultural economy boom
Visitors take photos of the Sun and Immortal Birds gold ornament at the Jinsha Site Museum in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Kang Jinqian) CHENGDU (July 1): Museum guide Han Xue paused on the elevated walkway and beckoned her tour group forward as a vast archaeological pit came into view below. Down there, rows of ancient ivory neatly aligned in the same direction as if arranged by a forgotten ritual. 'Here we stand witness to a world preserved for three millennia,' Han said, as gasps rippled through the crowd. Beneath their feet lay the remnants of a mysterious kingdom that once anchored early civilization along China's upper Yangtze River. At the Jinsha Site Museum in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, Han's storytelling brings to life vanished worlds of ritual ceremonies, terraced rice fields, and exquisitely crafted jade. This was once the heart of the ancient Shu Kingdom, which had its heyday around 3,000 years ago. 'Summer holidays haven't started, yet we welcome streams of visitors daily, all drawn by this civilization's magnetic pull,' Han said, adding that the museum remains packed until well past 6 p.m.. With eight years of experience as a tour guide, Han has witnessed a noticeable shift. 'Young heritage enthusiasts are growing in number. Lots of elementary school kids visit the museum, and they listen with genuine fascination,' she explained. The museum has logged over 760,000 visits this year. Beyond the exhibition halls, the museum's souvenir shops buzz with energy. 'People buy souvenirs not just for the novelty,' Han said, 'but out of a deep sense of connection and pride in the civilization these artifacts represent.' That day, the fridge magnet replica of the museum's iconic Sun and Immortal Bird Gold Ornament sold out. 'This piece gleams with such brilliance, and its symbolism struck me. It captures humanity's eternal pursuit of light,' said Li Xinting, a first-time visitor from Shanxi Province. 'We should keep the heritage alive.' Jinsha's popularity is growing in tandem with the Sanxingdui Ruins, its 'sister site' in the ancient Shu civilization lore, which has gained global recognition for its mysterious yet magnificent bronzes, such as the Sacred Tree and enigmatic masks. Sanxingdui's new museum building attracted nearly 10 million visitors last year, with cultural merchandise sales reaching 196 million yuan (about 27 million U.S. dollars), nearly 60 percent of its ticket revenue. Industry observers attribute the museum craze to a deliberate effort to harness rich cultural heritage as a way to open up new avenues for consumer spending. 'True cultural innovation must resonate with contemporary values,' said Ren Ge, director of the Chengdu Museum. 'When creations reflect people's aspirations, they embrace them passionately.' Enthusiasm for ancient culture is also boosting the garment and dining industries. At Chengdu's revitalized industrial complex, 'Eastern Suburb Memory,' a restaurant aims to redefine the dining experience. Ancient melodies fill the air as diners, many dressed in Hanfu robes, are transported back to the dynastic era. Staff, adorned in period costumes, serve dishes inspired by different historical contexts. 'Here, food keeps history alive, the restaurant is an immersive theater, and dining becomes a journey through time,' said Yang Zi, founder of the restaurant. His fusion of culture and cuisine creates experiential social hubs that elevate dining through storytelling. Searches for such immersive dining experiences surged nearly 275 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2025, according to data from Chinese e-commerce platform Meituan. Yang added that reservations, released online two weeks in advance, sell out quickly. During the summer holiday season, demand has surged from locals, culture enthusiasts, and a growing number of international visitors. When explaining the reason why consumers are willing to spend over 500 yuan per person for a 'cultural' meal, Yang told Xinhua that the concept of ritual, or 'li,' courses through China's culinary DNA. 'There's a deep-seated appreciation for ceremony, poetry, music and cultural heritage that resonates with people. We're opening a door, sparking curiosity, and hoping every guest leaves appreciating the beauty of Chinese culture,' Yang said. This desire for cultural engagement is widespread. A survey by the China Tourism Academy found that nearly 80 percent of tourists actively seek out cultural experiences during their travels. The fusion of heritage and contemporary economic life also extends to craft revival. At the Qiong Kiln National Archaeological Site Park in Chengdu, visitors are captivated by ceramics inspired by classic Qiong Kiln shapes and glazes, yet reimagined with modern aesthetics. The appeal is strong. During a single livestream event in May, innovative pieces such as the begonia-flower-shaped lidded bowl and begonia-flower-shaped wine set generated online sales of 2 million yuan overnight, while also boosting offline sales by 500,000 sets. 'We are committed to building bridges that deepen public cultural understanding and ignite creative sparks through the profound wisdom and beauty of ancient civilizations. This is our sacred duty to history and human heritage,' Ren said. – Xinhua artifacts Arts and Culture China museum
International Business Times
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- International Business Times
The exhibition "The Light of the Sun: Ancient Shu Civilization and the World" opens on June 9th
On June 9th, the exhibition "The Light of the Sun: Ancient Shu Civilization and the World" hosted by Information Office of Sichuan Provincial People's Government, opens in New York. Replicas and 3D printed parts of representative cultural relics of ancient Shu civilization, such as bronze human heads, gold masks, gold ornaments of the Sun God Bird, and gold scepters, are showcased collectively. The exhibition features a multimedia display project titled "Return to Ancient Shu", which is presented through a combination of three-sided surround projections and ground projections, and utilizes naked-eye 3D technology and 3D animation special effects. The entire film lasts approximately 3 minutes, comprehensively depicting the development trajectory of the ancient Shu civilization represented by Sanxingdui and Jinsha, as well as the key points of archaeological work. It organically integrates the visuals of the sites, dynamically presents the exquisite cultural relics, and visually showcases the charm of the Sanxingdui and Jinsha sites as the central sites of the ancient Shu civilization in the Bronze Age in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sichuan Provincial People's Government Information Office: The Exhibition "The Light of the Sun: Ancient Shu Civilization and the World" Opened on June 9th
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - June 11, 2025) - On June 9th, the exhibition "The Light of the Sun: Ancient Shu Civilization and the World" hosted by Information Office of Sichuan Provincial People's Government, opened in New York. Replicas and 3D printed parts of representative cultural relics of ancient Shu civilization, such as bronze human heads, gold masks, gold ornaments of the Sun God Bird, and gold scepters, are showcased collectively. The light of the sun, ancient Shu civilazation and the world To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: The exhibition features a multimedia display project titled "Return to Ancient Shu", which is presented through a combination of three-sided surround projections and ground projections, and utilizes naked-eye 3D technology and 3D animation special effects. The entire film lasts approximately 3 minutes, comprehensively depicting the development trajectory of the ancient Shu civilization represented by Sanxingdui and Jinsha, as well as the key points of archaeological work. It organically integrates the visuals of the sites, dynamically presents the exquisite cultural relics, and visually showcases the charm of the Sanxingdui and Jinsha sites as the central sites of the ancient Shu civilization in the Bronze Age in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Company: Sichuan Provincial People's Government Information OfficeContact: Ms. Jean HuangEmail: 269605548@ +86188 8403 3894Website: 30 Duyuan Street, Chengdu, Sichuan, China To view the source version of this press release, please visit Sign in to access your portfolio
CNBC
11-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
CNBC's The China Connection newsletter: AI hits an already weak jobs market
China's eagerness to adopt artificial intelligence comes just as economic growth is slowing, putting millions of routine jobs at risk. "I'm planning to get rid of 360 [Security Technology's] entire marketing department. This way the company can save tens of millions a year," founder and chair Zhou Hongyi said in a Chinese-language video on Friday night, translated by CNBC. It's since been viewed more than 191,000 times on popular Chinese platform Weibo alone. Zhou, who has nearly 12 million followers on Weibo, said he's attempting to use the company's forthcoming generative AI tool to prepare a press conference for the product by himself in five days. The AI agent plus search tool is due for release on Wednesday. Whether or not it's just another sales ploy by Zhou, who goes by the moniker "Red Shirt Big Uncle Zhou Hongyi," the video captures an emerging reality: companies pressured to cut costs may increasingly replace jobs with AI. Worrying signs are piling up. Last week, U.S. financial giant Citi said it's cutting 3,500 tech jobs in China by October. U.S.-based Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei told Axios last month that AI could lead to unemployment rates of 10-20% over the next one to five years. In China, more companies are discussing AI-driven efficiencies, especially in marketing and coding. Food delivery giant Meituan told investors in late May that about 52% of new code was generated by AI, up from 27% disclosed in March. Big Chinese tech companies are pointedly asking for new young recruits to have AI skills, said Shu Weibing, partner and COO at HangHang AI. "If a student doesn't know how to use AI, then it will be very hard to get a job," Shu said in Mandarin, translated by CNBC. HangHang AI focuses on AI skills training. On June 6, it launched a "Global AI" platform to help entrepreneurs get initial funding for AI projects, even if they are still working a day job. So far, the platform has 70 investors participating and at least 50 projects on board, Shu said. He added that the goal is to invest in 1,000 projects over three years, with each one receiving 10,000 yuan from three backers, totaling 30,000 yuan to jump-start each project. Chinese authorities have encouraged efforts to embrace AI and robots, while increasing support for employment. The Ministry of Finance announced on Tuesday that it has allocated 66.74 billion yuan ($9.29 billion) for employment-related subsidies this year. On Monday, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Civil Affairs announced a two-year pilot program to test the use of robots for senior citizen care. To be sure, AI isn't about to suddenly hit every single industry. But since the Covid-19 pandemic, a persistent story, seen on Chinese social media and in casual conversations, is one of job uncertainty. Record graduates. More people getting some support from their parents and pursuing higher degrees. Companies cutting wages, clawing back bonuses and closing departments, if not shutting down altogether. Individuals and businesses have turned to social media and selling products via livestream, where competition is still fierce but the potential for overnight success remains. Complicating the job market further is a local culture that prizes work, even if it means regular overtime and weekend conferences. The unhealthy competition is most apparent in China's electric car market, where fierce competition has led to a race to the bottom, prompting government warnings to stop what's colloquially known as "neijuan," or involution. That's not even accounting for the economic impact of escalating trade tensions, which resulted in a 34% plunge in China's exports to the U.S. last month, official data showed Monday. About 16 million jobs in China are tied to U.S. exports, Goldman Sachs has estimated. Monthly business surveys for May showed contraction in the labor market across the board. The data indicate a situation rarely seen in the past decade, Goldman Sachs' Hui Shan pointed out in an analysis published last week. "Labor markets are very weak, especially in construction and among small businesses." But "labor market weakness could be a catalyst" for more stimulus, the report said. China's top leaders typically hold a policy meeting in late July. Mark Smith, CEO of mineral development company NioCorp, says that the U.S. needs to find a way to get along with China for its supply of heavy rare earths while the former builds up its supply chain, and that stockpiling of critical minerals is unlikely to be effective, as China is the sole supplier. Robin Xing, Chief China Economist at Morgan Stanley, discussed the ongoing differences between the U.S. and China, ranging from trade to EVs, and how that affects sentiment in China. Meituan's Keeta unit launched drone deliveries in Hong Kong, extending its existing routes in Mainland China. Meituan's Vice President Yinian Mao spoke with Emily Tan about the company's drone delivery dreams and how they fit into its broader operations. U.S.-China agree on framework following London talks. The U.S. and China have reached an agreement on trade, representatives from both sides said Wednesday after a second day of high-level talks in London. U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by phone late last week, stabilizing what had become a fraught relationship with both countries accusing each other of violating the Geneva trade agreement. China's consumer price index fell in May. It was the fourth-straight negative read. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, did recover from a high last seen in January. Trade data pointed to modest growth in exports in May, while imports fell far more than expected, another sign of weak domestic demand. U.S. has exaggerated Huawei's chip developments. So says the Chinese telecommunications company's CEO, in an interview published on the front page of the Chinese Communist Party's newspaper on Tuesday. Ren Zhengfei said while Huawei chips are one generation behind those of U.S. peers, the company is finding ways to offset the gap. Chinese and Hong Kong stocks climbed in early trade on Wednesday after leaders from the U.S. and China said they have reached an agreement on trade. Mainland China's CSI 300 was up 0.8% to its highest level in over two weeks, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index — which includes major Chinese companies — rose 0.6% as of 11 a.m. local time. The CSI 300 has lost roughly 0.97% while the Hang Seng Index has gained over 21.54% so far this year. June 11: Xpeng G7 car launch June 13: Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng is scheduled to depart the U.K. after U.S.-China trade talks and other meetings June 16: China retail sales, industrial production and investment data for May
