Foreign
“Rural grandpa” in northwest China becomes tourism envoy
By Song Zhaojun, People’s Daily
An elderly man, sometimes holding farming tools, walks along the ridges of the fields; at other times, he herds sheep slowly under peach trees in bloom; and occasionally, he stands amidst the vast desert and mountains, embodying the image of a general while narrating the history of the ancient Silk Road in northwest China…
“He really knows how to command the presence and energy,””Thank you for promoting my hometown,””I’ve watched this video at least 10 times” – as Zhang Yifang scrolls through the comments on his phone, he reads each one carefully.
Zhang, 68, hails from Qingsi village in Datong township, Yongdeng county, Lanzhou, northwest China’s Gansu province.
As a child, Zhang was nicknamed “Sanxiwa,” which literally translates into triple joy child. These days, he’s more commonly known as “Sanxi Grandpa,” meaning triple joygrandpa, which is also his ID on short video platforms.
Over the past four years, with support from the local cultural and tourism department, Zhang and his son Zhang Jianzong have filmed and produced over 100 short videos.
From rural fields and farmhouses to the vast deserts, grasslands, and the striking Danxia landform, he has filmed in many places with distinct northwest China characteristics, sharing the cultural stories and unique features of Gansu province. “Sanxi Grandpa” now has nearly 1.3 million followers on short video platforms.
During the 2024 Spring Festival, Zhang Yifang joined a local troupe of folk art show which features celebration of Chinese Spring Festival in multiple forms such as dragon dance, stilt walking, yangge dance, lion dance and other folk performances.
He released nearly 10 videos, with one of them receiving over 5.87 million likes and more than 1.01 million comments.
The folk art show performance has a long history, with participants sometimes exceeding 300, parading through streets, alleys, and fields.
From childhood to adulthood, Zhang Yifang has participated in the folk art show performances nearly every year. This deep-rooted passion for local performances has made him a natural in the world of short videos.
In the summer of 2021, Zhang Yifang’s children and grandchildren returned to Qingsi village. Under the clear sky and gentle wind, he was always seen lying in a chair, fanning himself with a straw hat, or playing with his grandchildren in the golden wheat fields.
Zhang Jianzong, who works in the film and television industry, captured these moments on camera and edited them into short videos. Once posted, the videos quickly garnered over 50,000 likes and nearly 4,000 shares.
Surprised by the positive response, the father and son decided to make rural life the central theme of their short videos and continue filming.
“When I was young, our village only had one black-and-white television, and we would all crowd around to watch movies together,” Zhang Yifang recalled. The scenes of martial arts heroes and knights always fascinated him. “It would be amazing to be a knight one day!”
Now, that dream has come to life in his short videos.
From an ordinary farmer to a knight or a general, as Zhang Yifang’s roles change, so do his backgrounds, such as a rural courtyard, the Danxia landform of Yongdeng, waterwheel parks, deserts, and grasslands.
Taking advantage of the popular trends in short video content, Zhang Yifang changes outfits every few seconds, enriching the scenes and roles to promote his hometown.
From the poplar forests in Jiuquan to the endless grasslands of Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Zhang Yifang has traveled to over 10 cities and prefectures in Gansu, filming videos wherever he goes.
He and his son have also launched two popular video series: “Sanxi Grandpa’s Martial Arts Journey” and “Sanxi Grandpa’s Food Selection.”
The first series showcases local cultural and tourism resources by portraying different historical figures, while the second focuses on traditional Gansu cuisine – how to make Yongdeng rose cakes, why the roast meat in Jiayuguan smells so good, and how to dry Dingxi wide noodles, among others. Dozens of Gansu’s regional dishes have been featured in the videos.
According to Zhang Jianzong, these two video series have already amassed over 460 million views. Many other short video creators have joined in, each offering their own perspectives on telling the stories of the northwest.
As his popularity grew, Zhang Yifang wanted to inspire his fellow villagers to create content alongside him. Encouraged by the father and son, many villagers began to appear in the videos.
“By participating in the filming, we not only get to experience performing, but also have the chance to show the world rural life. The affection from viewers is also a recognition of our village’s development,” said Zhang Yifang’s neighbor Lu Zizhen.
As rural vitalization is promoted comprehensively, Qingsi village now boasts wider roads, better internet connectivity, and more complete service facilities – features that frequently appear in the videos.
Thanks to land transfers, villagers now enjoy a steady income and ample free time, which has created a demand for more recreational activities. Currently, more than 30 villagers regularly participate in the filming of Zhang Yifang’s videos.
In 2024, Yongdeng county launched 20 high-quality tourist routes and organized over 200 cultural and artistic events, including theme exhibitions, social education programs, and reading activities, which supported nearly 30 short video creators to promote their hometown.
“We want to encourage the public to promote their hometowns in ways that resonate with them, further unlocking the cultural and tourism value,” said Li Tingming, director of the Yongdeng county bureau of culture, sports, radio, television, and tourism.
By Aerdake, People’s Daily
On April 15, in the desert control area of Aral township, Yutian county, located along the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert in Hotan prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, rows of rose seedlings were planted into grid-like sand barriers. What was once a sea of grayish-yellow dunes now shows signs of life, with small, green patches of hope.
“Can roses really grow in the desert?” This question, often posed by curious visitors, is no longer met with skepticism. The answer is now a resounding yes. Yutian, nestled on the northern slopes of the Kunlun Mountains, is known for its harsh and arid climate, extreme temperature fluctuations, and abundant sunlight. These conditions make it surprisingly suitable for cultivating certain varieties of roses.
The region has a deep-rooted history of rose cultivation. In the past, these flowers were primarily used for ornamental purposes or transformed into fragrant rose jam.But in recent years, the focus has shifted to their much more practical role in combating desertification.
“We locals have always known that roses help stabilize the sand,” said Maitusun Yibulayimu, a resident of Wanfang village in Aral township. As he crouched down and brushed aside the loose sand to revealthe deep roots of a rose bush, he proudly explained,”See, the roots go down over three meters deep. They grip the sand so tightly that they form small mounds around the plants.”
Known as the “Yutian desert rose,”this special variety is uniquely adapted to thrive in the harsh conditions of the desert’s edges. Resistant to both drought and salinity, it boasts a robust root system and dense foliage. In just two to three years, a single rose bush can grow into a hedge up to two to three meters wide, stabilizing sand dunes and preventing soil erosion.
According to the local forestry and grassland bureau, Yutian has established extensive rose shelterbelts in areas most affected by sandstorms. These closely planted roses reduce wind speeds,helping to mitigate the amount of wind-blown sand that reaches inland areas.
Yetgrowing roses in the desert is not without its challenges. With water scarce and rainfall minimal, the plants face the constant threat of being buried by the ever-present sand. To address these difficulties, local authorities have collaborated with researchers to develop science-based planting strategies tailored to the area’s unique conditions – including sand distribution, wind patterns, and hydrological factors.
In addition to these research-driven approaches, Yutian has pioneered a new planting model that combines trees and shrubs. In this system, tall trees create a protective wind barrier at the desert’s edge, shielding the roses from the worst of the sandstorms. Meanwhile, the intertwined roots of shrubs and roses help to stabilize the soil and improve its structure, creating a more favorable environment for the roses and significantly increasing their survival rate.
For Maitusun Yibulayimu, the financial benefits of rose cultivation are tangible. “Last year, my family earned an extra 63,000 yuan ($8,634)just from growing roses,” he said. “Plus, the government provides subsidies to growers.”
Encouraged by the greening of the surrounding desert, his family has since leased 50 mu (about 3.33 hectares) of land for expanded rose production. “It brings in income and helps fight desertification. That’s something to be proud of,” he added.
Today, Yutian’s rose industry has blossomed into a thriving economic sector, forming a more diverse and integrated industrial chain.Freshly harvested roses are processed within 12 hours into essential oils, which are highly coveted by consumers. Over 30 rose-based products, including hydrosol, rose tea, and cosmetics, are now sold across China, and e-commerce and livestreaming platforms have helped fuel year-on-year sales growth. The roses from this arid land are now reaching markets far and wide.
The county has also capitalized on the rise of eco-tourism, incorporating rose cultivation into its rural landscaping efforts, creating a more visually appealing countryside and several new eco-tourism attractions.
The scale of rose cultivation in Yutian has grown steadily, with nearly 80,000 mu (about 5,333 hectares) under cultivation today. In 2024, the county produced more than 12,000 tons of roses, with an average yield value of 3,975 yuan per mu. The burgeoning industry has lifted the incomes of 4,238 households.
“Growing roses in the desert has brought real benefits to the people,” said Jia Cunpeng, Party head of the forestry and grassland bureau of Yutian county. “As more residents see the rewards, everyone is motivated to join the efforts against desertification,”he added.
By Liu Shiyao, Chen Shihan, People’s Daily
On April 24, 1970, China’s first man-made satellite, Dongfanghong-1, was successfully launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, marking the beginning of the Chinese people’s exploration of outer space.
Fifty-five years later, on the same day, the Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft, atopa Long March-2F carrier rocket, sent three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. The spaceflight has performed a fast, automated rendezvous, docked with the Tiangong space station complex, and successfully conducted an in-orbit handover with the Shenzhou-19 crew.
This flight is the fifth manned mission during the application and development phase of China’s space station, and the 35th flight mission of China’s manned space program. Theastronauts will undertake a range of tasks, including space science experiments,application tests, extravehicular activities, and cargo handling.
Their mission also involves installing protective devices against space debris, and deploying and retrieving extravehicular payloads and equipment. They will also participate in science education, public outreach, and other onboard experimental activities. Besides,space payload experiments will be conducted to enhance the comprehensive benefits of the space station.
To support the ongoing operations of the space station, the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft has undergone substantial optimization in itsorbital module layout. By refining equipment arrangements and introducing innovative solutions for securing cargo, the spacecraft has increased the available capacity for outbound cargo by 20 percent while maintaining structural integrity. This enhancement further boosts the spacecraft’s uplink capability, allowing for the delivery of more critical supplies to the space station.
China has successfully carried out 20 astronaut extravehicular activities (EVAs) over the course of its space program, with its EVA technology among the most advanced worldwide, said Lin Xiqiang, spokesperson for the China Manned Space Agency.
It is reported that the longest single EVA by Chinese astronauts reached nine hours, setting a world record. The extravehicular spacesuits, Feitian,meaning flying into space, have supported 19 spacewalks since the Shenzhou-12 mission, maintaining good performance and stable conditions. The highest usage of a single spacesuit has reached 17 times, exceeding its original design life of “15 uses within 3 years.”
The space station’s robotic arms, which can be connected and “crawl” on the exterior of the space cabins due to their unique designs, enable astronauts to access all EVA areas. Additionally, the coordination support system between space and ground has been refined to provide robust professional backing for EVA planning, real-time control, cross-system collaboration, and emergency response.
Overall, China’s EVAs have evolved from technical verification and basic operations to complex mission execution, and will play an increasingly vital role in the long-term operation of the space station.
Lin also revealed that the new life science experiments to be carried out involve zebrafish, planarians and streptomyces. The biological and life science experiment samples transported by the spacecraft have been successfully transferred to China’s space station. The astronauts have completed the in-orbit installation of the samples and started science experiments, having already obtained experimental data along with imaging and video records. All experimental subjects are in good condition.
In addition to the three biological experiments, the crew will also conduct 59 space science experiments and technology tests, covering fields such as space life science, microgravity physical science, and new space technologies. Breakthroughs are expected in areas like the cultivation of vascularized brain organoid chips, the non-equilibrium dynamics of soft matter, and the study of preparing high-temperature superconducting materials in space.
China is currently conducting space science experiments according to plan, with all projects progressingsmoothly. China’s space station has now hosted over 200 scientific projects, with nearly 2 tons of scientific materials and applied equipment sent to orbit.
In late February this year, China and Pakistan signed a cooperation agreementon spaceflight of a Pakistani astronaut on Chinese space station, and the selection process for Pakistani astronauts is underway. Meanwhile, China is in discussions with other countries regarding their potential foreign astronaut participation in the country’s future space station missions.
Lin said that China’s crewed moon landing mission is progressing soundly, and multiple tests on related spacecraft will be conducted soon. Major lunar landing-related equipment, such as the Long March-10 carrier rocket, the manned spacecraft Mengzhou (Dream Vessel), the lunar lander Lanyue (Embracing the Moon), the moon-landing spacesuit Wangyu (Gazing into the Cosmos) and the manned lunar rover Tansuo (To Explore the Unknown), are all undergoing initial prototype research and development testing as planned.
Notably, the lunar remote sensing satellite project has completed its approval and competitive selection processes. The development and construction of ground systems — including the launch site, the measurement and control communication system, and the landing site, are also advancing in order.
By Hu Jian, Cheng Yuanzhou, People’s Daily
Standing 1.72 meters tall in sleek silver shells, humanoid robots now execute precision tasks on production lines, sorting materials, carrying crates, assembling components. This technological leap transforms once-futuristic visions into industrial reality.
These advanced machines, known as Walker S1 industrial humanoids, are developed by UBTECH Robotics headquartered in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong province. A full fleet has now officially commenced operational deployment at a 5G smart factory of Zeekr, a brand under Chinese carmaker Geely, in Qianwan New Area, Ningbo, east China’s Zhejiang province.
“The Walker S series is currently undergoing trials at facilities of Geely, BYD, Foxconn, and SF Express,” said UBTECH founder Zhou Jian. “After more than a decade of exploration, we’re entering a new phase of development, with over 500 units in the pipeline as intended orders.”
While robotic arms and automated machinery on assembly lines have long been labeled “robots,” Zhou believes humanoid robots represent the paradigm of the truest form of robotics – the ultimate realization of embodied intelligence.
On April 19, the world’s first half-marathon for humanoid robots was held in Beijing. The Tiangong Ultra, developed by the Beijing Humanoid RobotInnovation Center, which was initiated by UBTECH, crossed the finish line first and claimed the championship.
In July 2024, UBTECH’s industrial humanoid robot, the Walker S Lite, started a 21-day operational trial at the Zeekr smart factory, designated for autonomous material transportation tasks. Unfortunately, its performance fell short. Its speed was slow, and its efficiency reached only about 20 percent of human labor equivalency.
Three months later, after significant technical improvements, the upgraded Walker S1 debuted. Roughly the size of an average adult, it operated within a 30%expanded workspace. With in-house developed technology, the robot’s walking stability and manual dexterity were significantly enhanced.
Beyond basic material handling, Walker S1, equipped with intelligent cameras and deep learning models, can also perform precise, non-destructive inspections of car logos and headlights, with an accuracy rate exceeding 99 percent.
To achieve true human-like functionality, humanoid robots must extend beyond task executiontoincorporate interactive and collaborative capabilities. According to Jiao Jichao, vice president of UBTECH and executive dean of UBTECH Research Institute, developing swarm intelligence for humanoid robots represents a critical pathway to achieving scalable industrial applications.
In March this year, UBTECH launched its first multi-robotcollaborative trial involving coordinated operations across diversescenarios and task sets.
In one test, two Walker S1 units walked steadily to a crate, lifted it together in perfect sync, then followed a self-planned delivery route, navigating around other moving robots along the way.
How do they coordinate?
“Similar to humans, we’ve given robots a ‘cerebrum’ and a ‘cerebellum.'” Jiao explained. The “cerebrum,” powered by a multimodal embodied reasoning model based on DeepSeek-R1, enables common-sense inference. The “‘cerebellum,” integrating perception and distributed control technologies, allows parallel distributed learning, speeding up skill development and transfer.
During cooperative tasks, the “cerebrum” handles route planning, process breakdown, and on-site coordination, while the “cerebrum” manages limb movements, posture adjustments, and grip strength. Each robot’s brain system interfaces with a centralized humanoid intelligent network, which enables synchronized swarm behavior rather than fragmented individual action.
When processing mixed-sizes crates, the robots rely on the cloud-based brain to divide tasks. Each unit adapts workflows in real time while executing millisecond-level command responses.
At BYD’s facility, the Walker S1’s work efficiency has doubled, and the robot is scheduled for scaled deployment in the second quarter. At Foxconn’s Longhua facility in Shenzhen, its application in logistics has been successfully validated. At the Audi-FAW production base in Changchun, northeast China’s Jilin province, the Walker S1 is undergoing pilot trials for air-conditioning leak detection. These trials represent significant breakthroughs in the industrial adoption of humanoid robots.
“For widespread integration into production lines, robots must evolve from ‘functional’ to ‘highly practical’, and the cost must come down,” said Zhou.
According to him, UBTECHallocates nearly 50% of its revenue to R&D investment. As of the end of 2024, the company holds 2,680 valid patents worldwide and has led or participated in the formulation of nearly 40 global standards related to intelligent robotics, ranking among the global leaders in humanoid robot patent filings.
How close are we to mass production?
“We’ve already entered the stage of small-scale pilot production, but it will take another one to two years to reach full industrial-grade mass production capacity,” Jiao said. He noted that the industry is now at a crucial turning point, with intelligent manufacturing poised to become the first major application field for humanoid robots.
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