2-903 CN11-1429/Z 邮发代号 国内零售价： Canada $7.80 Australia $9.10 USA $5.10 Vol. 863 May 2020 Stronger Together Stronger 10 Turkey TL.10.00 Europe €5.20 UK 元 ₤ 3.20 3.20 Lockdown with IT with Lockdown Through Getting 50-52 in the COVID-19 Era COVID-19 the in Small Business Survival 56-59 Full of Heat of Full 62-65
可栽 绕已 种 地塞 达 树木寒来 球 罕沙 赤 坝按半个多世纪， 暑 地 道 机 往， 变林海，荒牢记使命 械 林 三 场 原成 代人 的森林覆盖率 绿洲。 耕耘 。 80%
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1 米株 距 排开， 艰苦创业 12 圈 。
绿色发展
Saihanba is a cold alpine area in northern Hebei Province bordering the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It was once a barren land but is now home to 75,000 hectares of forest, thanks to the labor of generations of forestry workers in the past 55 years. Every year the forest purifies 137 million cubic meters of water and absorbs 747,000 tons of carbon dioxide. The forest produces 12 billion yuan (around US$1.8 bil- lion) of ecological value annually, according to the Chinese Academy of Forestry. May 2O20
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Subscription and distribution agency in Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan: 08 Better Together Hong Kong Peace Book Company, Ltd. 17/F., Paramount Building, 12 Ka Yip Street, Chai Wan, Hong Kong 16 A Real Test of Humanitarianism 20 Global Crisis Demands Global Response Visit China Pictorial on the Internet: www.china-pictorial.com.cn 24 Combating COVID-19 Together 28 International Cooperation Speeds Up Alibaba Shows More Than Heart Follow us on: 32 36 Wuhan Is Back 17
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Features People 44 Opening Back Up 66 The Second Half of the Coronavirus Battle 46 All for the Exports 50 Getting Through Lockdown with IT Culture 53 “World’s Supermarket” Wading Through the Pandemic 70 Streaming Opportunity 56 Small Business Survival in the COVID-19 Era 74 Responsibility, Trust and Love 60 Building a New Global Industrial Chain with 5G 76 Beijing Hutong Makeover
Ecology Cover caption 62 Full of Heat April 26, 2020: A couple of lovers walk past a mural depicting a medical worker wearing a mask in London, Britain. by Han Yan/Xinhua EXPRESS | NEWS
by Ju Peng/Xinhua Xi Applauds E-commerce April 20, Shangluo, Shaanxi Province: Chinese promote sales of agricultural products, help rural residents President Xi Jinping inspects poverty alleviation efforts in shake off poverty, and facilitate rural vitalization.” Jinmi Village of Xiaoling Township in Zhashui County. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, China is deter- “E-commerce is an emerging sector with great poten- mined to realize the goal of reducing the nation’s tial,” declared Xi during the inspection tour. “It can impoverished population to zero this year.
Stay Home April 18, Giza, Egypt: One of the Giza pyramids is illuminated with words “STAY HOME” on World Heritage Day amid the COVID-19 pandemic. As of April 27, global confirmed COVID-19 cases have topped 3 million, with the death toll reaching 208,131 according to statistics from U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University. Dozens of countries have declared a state of emergency, and some have taken drastic measures to lock down cities or even the whole country. by Ahmed Gomaa/Xinhua
04 VOLUME 863 MAY · 2O20
Streaming Concerts Leishenshan April 14, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province: Musicians of the Hospital Retired Xi’an Symphony Orchestra rehearse for a concert to be livestreamed. April 15, Wuhan, Hubei Province: A medical Joining many other performers in finding creative worker seals wards after Leishenshan Hospital was ways to engage with the public amid the COVID-19 thoroughly disinfected. outbreak, the Xi’an Symphony Orchestra launched a The provisional hospital closed that day after the series of online streaming concerts featuring visuals coronavirus epidemic had waned. Retirement of the of artwork in Xi’an museums. hospital was a landmark development in Wuhan’s Titled When Museums Meets XSO, the online series months-long battle against the epidemic, indicat- kicked off with an hour-long concert at 8 p.m. on ing that the city’s COVID-19 treatment was “back to April 18 broadcast from the Shaanxi History Museum. normal,” said Jiao Yahui, an official with the National Over 3 million people watched the concert online Health Commission of China. through social media platforms.
by Li Yibo/Xinhua by Xu Xun/China Pictorial
National Mourning for In Wuhan, the city hit hardest by the epidemic on the COVID-19 Victims Chinese mainland, mourning activities were also held to commemorate those who succumbed to the disease. April 4, Wuhan, Hubei Province: A man bows in silence to mourn lives lost to the coronavirus outbreak. A national mourning was held to pay tribute to the heroes who sacrificed their lives fighting the outbreak and all those who perished. The 1.4 billion people in China came to a halt for a full three minutes starting from 10 a.m. on April 4. In Beijing, flags in Tian’anmen Square were flown at half-mast, as were those flying above the central leader- ship organs of the Party, the national legislature, the central government, national political advisory body, military bases, court houses and top procuratorate. Across the nation, air raid sirens blared. Cars, trains, and ships blew their horns. Public recreational activities were suspended for the day. Flags also flew at half-mast at Chinese embassies and consulates around the world. by Chen Jian/China Pictorial
CHINA PICTORIAL 05 EXPRESS | COMMENT
Imbalanced Criticism
Text by Xu Feibiao
Unfair and hostile reports on China and its motives for offering aid to other countries demonstrate that some Western media outlets and politicians still harbor resentment about April 24, 2020: Workers in a mask plant China even during a crisis demanding concerted global effort. in Tangshan City, northern China’s Hebei Province, are busy fulfilling domestic and overseas orders to help prevent and control the pandemic. by Yang Shiyao/Xinhua
s China’s COVID-19 fight Biased Reporting supplies in the country. resulted in encouraging Clearly, such news reports leave Considering the rising demand numbers after mid-March, a negative impact on Chinese-made for medical supplies worldwide the virus spread around products as they hinder China’s aid and continuous shortage of related Athe whole world, with the epicenter efforts. Most of the reports about commodities in China, Chinese shifting to Europe and the United the low quality of medical supplies enterprises are overcoming various States. The virus knows no borders. from China feature biased and difficulties to accelerate manufac- To address the crisis threaten- misleading information. The truth turing. Indeed, some defective ing humanity, China has provided is complex. products did reach target recipients. aid for other countries by sending First, some products were But solving such problems demands medics and donating masks, bought from unqualified Chinese timely communication rather than a testing reagents and protective enterprises. After reading Spanish rush to criticism. As Chinese Foreign suits, while maintaining its own media reports, the Chinese Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying epidemic prevention and control Embassy in Spain immedi- noted, when China was immersed in domestically. ately investigated the incident. its own war against COVID-19, some China’s aid has received high As it turned out, the problematic products donated by foreign countries acclaim worldwide. But misunder- reagents were not donated by the were lacking in quality, but China standing and rumors of the quality Chinese government, but bought turned to the goodwill of donors and of medical supplies donated by by the Spanish side from ineligible still showed gratitude. Most Chinese China have also been spread in Chinese manufacturers. products have high quality and are in some countries. The second factor is faulty opera- great demand. On March 26, 2020, some tion. The problems reported by the Spanish media reports claimed Netherlands resulted from inappro- Tipped Scale that China’s rapid test kits had priate usage. A joint investigation by The fact that some Western only 30 percent accuracy. On China’s Ministry of Commerce and media outlets rushed to criticize March 28, the Health Ministry Ministry of Foreign Affairs showed the quality of products donated of the Netherlands declared that that Dutch staff mistook common by China is expected by Chinese 1.3 million Chinese-made KN95 protective masks for surgical masks. people by now. But the quality masks did not cling to faces Third, various countries adopt problems with Chinese products tightly and failed to filter the different standards. Problems was overblown and slanted by some virus. The U.S. Food and Drug reported by the United States, Canada media organizations, and some Administration (FDA) issued an and Denmark resulted from varying Western politicians even smeared Emergency Use Authorization standards among nations. The FDA China’s aid activities as “political which listed manufacturers of later changed its policy to allow propaganda” and “mask diplomacy.” respirators designed and approved import of some protective products Such biased reports shine light on by six countries and regions. No that comply with China’s standards to the motives of accusers to stigma- Chinese products made the list. make up for the shortage of medical tize and politicize China’s goodwill.
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Several Western media organi- Xiong’an New Area, about 100 zations have deemed China’s aid as kilometers southwest of downtown 雄安新区起步区 Beijing, spans the three Hebei counties part of some “grand conspiracy.” A Start-up Area of of Xiongxian, Rongcheng and Anxin, German media outlet declared that Xiong’an New Area situated at the center of the Beijing- China is playing a role as a timely Tianjin-Hebei region. The establishment Edited by Li Zhuoxi of Xiong’an New Area is expected helper while conquering state after to help phase out some non-capital state of the European Union (EU). A functions of Beijing, explore a new British newspaper called China’s assis- model of optimized development tance “predatory aid.” The U.S. media in densely-populated areas, and restructure the urban layout of the took an even more aggressive stance Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. by calling China’s aid “Chinese-style In January 2020, two plans for political propaganda.” Some politi- construction of a start-up area of cians are known to habitually attack Xiong’an New Area in Hebei Province were approved by the State Council China such as Josep Borrell, the of China, bringing development of the EU’s top diplomat and foreign policy new economic zone near Beijing to a chief, who lashed out at China’s aid as new stage. “politics of generosity.” The start-up area will cover 198 square kilometers in the city proper of The changing faces of some Xiong’an New Area. Designed to host Western media outlets since the Beijing’s functions outside its role as the outbreak of the pandemic say a lot. national capital, it will become the new When China was the epicenter of the March 27, 2020: The construction home for many of Beijing’s colleges, site of the Xiong’an station of the research institutes, hospitals, business COVID-19 outbreak, their reports Beijing-Xiong’an intercity railway. headquarters, and financial and public were full of satire, gloating and even Xinhua institutions. racism. And when China’s fight against the epidemic showed positive signs and the country began to help others, Western narrative-makers got to work on stigmatizing China and Chinese President Xi Jinping is reviving the “China threat theory.” using head-of-state diplomacy to call Such unfair and hostile reports about 人类卫生健康共同体 for building a community of common A Community of health for mankind amid the mounting China lead to misunderstanding global public health crisis caused by among people with little knowledge Common Health for the COVID-19 pandemic. of China and widen the disconnec- Mankind Through meetings, telephone conversations and correspondence Edited by Li Zhuoxi tion between Chinese and Western with foreign leaders, Xi has underlined peoples. The hostility against China the importance of building a by some Western media outlets and community with a shared future for politicians are hardly softened even humanity against the backdrop of this global public health crisis. In times of during a time demanding concerted crisis, China’s head-of-state diplomacy global efforts. has played a big role in promoting The virus knows no borders. Only cooperation between China and other collaboration between countries countries in a pragmatic and efficient manner and deepening the friendship will defeat the pandemic. To build a between Chinese people and other community with a shared future for peoples around the world. humanity, all countries need to put During this global public health crisis, aside prejudices and stand united to China’s head-of-state diplomacy has continued sending the message urging safeguard our common home. the world to build a community with a shared future for humanity, work hand in April 8, 2020: Venezuelan President hand to cope with risks and challenges, Nicolas Maduro (left) meets with and make the planet a better home Chinese medical experts who came to for mankind. It is also a consensus that The author is a researcher at the help his country combat the COVID-19 countries around the world should China Institutes of Contemporary pandemic at the presidential palace continuously accelerate the process of International Relations. in Caracas, Venezuela. Xinhua helping and supporting each other.
CHINA PICTORIAL 07 SPECIAL REPORT
BetterText by Zhao Yue Together Only solidarity and concerted efforts will create the power human beings need to prevail over the outbreak and embrace a shared brighter future.
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March 22, 2020: Medical workers use a cart to transfer a COVID-19 patient in Mulhouse, France. On March 16, French President Emmanuel Macron declared in a televised speech that France was just at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, putting the country on a wartime footing. He asked people to stay at home as much as they can and to avoid contact with others. Xinhua
CHINA PICTORIAL 09 SPECIAL REPORT
n a chilly early April night, Dr. Mangala Narasimhan left the office where she oversees intensive care at Osix major hospitals in New York, America’s first battle ground in the war against COVID-19. Laura Lupi, a 24-year-old Italian nurse, cares for 34 patients during seven or ten-hour shifts at a COVID-19 hospital in Teramo, in the Abruzzo region of Italy. She has pleaded with locals to stay at home while pledging to continue working 1 2 alongside her colleagues.
March 31, 2020: A worker cleans the Milan Cathedral, which has been closed following the explosion of COVID-19 cases in Italy. The country imposed a nationwide lockdown that went into effect on March 10. With the escalation of the pandemic, the Italian government has ordered the closure of all non-essential production activities since March 23. Xinhua
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3
1 April 11, 2020: Locals line up to receive food after the area was locked down by the government to curb the spread of the coronavirus in Ahmadi Governorate, Kuwait. Xinhua 2 March 31, 2020: Residents are waiting to get into a supermarket near Durban, South Africa. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many African countries have strengthened their prevention and control efforts. Xinhua 3 April 7, 2020: An outdoor examination held by the Busan marine police force requires candidates to sit a certain distance away from each other to ensure social distancing in Busan, South Korea. Xinhua
The birth of the daughter of COVID-19 patient Li Qing brought tears of joy to all people in the operating room in Wuhan Union Hospital West Campus on March COVID-19 will certainly not be the last 7 this year. The hospital was once enemy in the era of globalization — human deep inside the epicenter of the coronavirus crisis in China. Li beings will continually be forced to confront stayed in the hospital to continue treatment before finally taking her a variety of traditional and non-traditional baby home at the end of March. challenges. Although social distancing measures have created considerable inconvenience, South Koreans are considering extending the measures. According to a survey conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government from April 10 to 12 among 1,000 local residents, more than 60 percent supported an extension of social distancing measures after the nationwide policies expired as scheduled on April 19. The virus respects no borders or races. Right now, people all over the world are at war with the same enemy. This is a time for interna- April 7, 2020: Due to the coronavirus outbreak, much fewer people are spotted tional collaboration, openness, and in Ginza, one of the oldest and busiest entertainment and shopping districts in transparency. Tokyo, Japan. Xinhua Eliminating the highly contagious
CHINA PICTORIAL 11 SPECIAL REPORT
1 2
3 4
1 Photos of the cherry blossoms at Ueno Park in Tokyo, Japan, on March 22 (above) and March 28 (below), 2020. As cherry blossom season kicked off in many places of Japan in March, local authorities urged people to avoid unnecessary outings on weekends to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Xinhua 2 Photos of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on July 3, 2018 (above) and April 1, 2020 (below). by Liu Jie/Xinhua 3 Photos of a main street in the old city of Dubrovnik, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Croatia, on October 21, 2018 (above) and March 19, 2020 (below). Xinhua 4 Photos of the Hagia Sophia, a great architectural beauty and an important monument both for the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire, in Istanbul, Turkey, on March 11 (above) and March 30 (below), 2020. by Xu Suhui/Xinhua
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March 28, 2020: French tenor Stephane Senechal sings from his window for the March 24, 2020: A national circus inhabitants of his street in Paris, France. Since France went into lockdown at troupe performs for people practicing noon on March 17, many musicians have begun to sing for their neighbors from social distancing in Caracas, capital windows and balconies. Xinhua of Venezuela. A social quarantine began on March 16 in Capital District, where Caracas is located, and six other Venezuelan states to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Xinhua
March 29, 2020: A pandemic prevention staffer disinfects the stairs to prevent the spread of the coronavirus at a subway station in Brasilia, Brazil. Xinhua
CHINA PICTORIAL 13 SPECIAL REPORT
April 23, 2020: Medical workers applaud outside Royal Berkshire Hospital during the weekly “Clap for Our Carers” campaign in the town of Reading, Britain. The British people are being called on to take part in applause at eight o’clock every Thursday night for frontline healthcare workers battling the novel coronavirus pandemic as part of the “Clap for Our Carers” campaign. Xinhua
April 8, 2020: A medical worker in a protective suit is about to enter a building under quarantine due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Xinhua
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March 27, 2020: Healthcare workers tending COVID-19 April 8, 2020: A military medical worker asks her patient’s patients put on personal protective equipment before condition in a provisional hospital, New York. New York starting to work in a hospital in Brussels, Belgium. State is one of the hardest-hit areas by the pandemic in the Belgium began to take lockdown measures to contain United States. Xinhua the spread of the novel coronavirus on March 18. Xinhua
The virus respects no borders or races. Right now, people all over the world are at war with the same enemy. This is a time for international collaboration, openness, and transparency.
virus with a relatively high mortal- whole of mankind, but will only ity rate and its severe impact on the divide the international community global economy requires all countries and jeopardize joint efforts against to join hands to reduce uncertainty the pandemic. and risk of economic recession. COVID-19 will certainly not New technologies facilitating online be the last enemy in the era of education, remote work, virtual globalization — human beings will meetings and smart medical consul- continually be forced to confront a tation that have exploded during the variety of traditional and non- social distancing period present new traditional challenges. This global opportunities for economic global- public health emergency has ization, as predicted by many experts. intensely highlighted the urgency The world will only improve of building a community with a through higher-level global cooper- shared future for humanity. Only ation while de-globalization will solidarity and concerted efforts only force every economy to adopt will create the power human “social distancing.” Blame-shifting beings need to prevail over the and stigmatization will not help outbreak and embrace a shared anyone solve the crisis faced by the brighter future.
CHINA PICTORIAL 15 SPECIAL REPORT
A Real Test of Humanitarianism Text by Bao Gangsheng
As developing countries get sucked into the whirlpool of the epidemic storm, developed economies and major powers need to extend helping hands quickly while controlling their own epidemic problems.
he novel coronavirus pneumonia is not only highly infectious, but also has a high death rate due to a Tlong incubation period and tricky symptoms. Before an effective vaccine and treatment for symptoms can be developed, the world will continue to face epidemic problems and challenges during a long-term battle with the virus.
China’s Approach When the outbreak started gaining steam, China sounded the alarm about the novel corona- virus on January 20, 2020, when April 7, 2020: A woman wearing a mask walks on a street in Moscow, Russia. Be- the whole country entered a state fore the effective drugs and vaccine for COVID-19 are developed, the world may of emergency. have to still face the threat of the virus. Xinhua In general, China’s anti-epi- demic approach has been a series of government-led lockdown and quarantine measures based on four pillars. First, at the peak of the epidemic, the Chinese government took resolute measures to lock down the worst-hit city, Wuhan, and suspend the operation of schools and facto- ries. Such isolation measures effectively cut off the spread of the virus. Second, the national medical and health system was widely mobilized to successfully treat COVID-19 patients including providing adequate April 27, 2020: A father and his son take a break near the ancient Roman ruins of medical treatment for patients with the Colosseum in Rome, Italy. Since the middle of March, most European countries severe conditions and providing have started to take active actions against COVID-19. by Cheng Tingting/Xinhua
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April 24, 2020: A man wearing a mask walks through a street market in Tehran, Iran. The pandemic has also spread rapidly in many developing countries. Xinhua
quarantine, medical observation, this approach brought remark- and auxiliary help for patients with able results. After two months light and common symptoms. of effort at huge cost, China had Third, close contacts, suspected essentially controlled the spread of cases, and travelers from epidemic the epidemic. Before an effective hotspots have been quarantined and However, the global outbreak observed in various ways including of COVID-19 hardly leaves China vaccine and treatment in hospitals, at home, in quarantine as a haven. How to resume the for symptoms can be centers, and in other isolated areas. normal operation of the economy Fourth, the central government and society as much as possible developed, the world optimally coordinated and allocated while effectively preventing and medical resources including the controlling imported cases and will continue to face rapid construction of specialized cooperating with the world to fight epidemic problems hospitals and temporary treat- the pandemic has become an urgent ment centers while organizing other task for China today. and challenges during provinces and municipalities in China to provide support to desig- Developed Countries’ a long-term battle nated places in Hubei Province. Changing Responses with the virus. At the height of the epidemic, Developed countries in Europe
CHINA PICTORIAL 17 SPECIAL REPORT
and the United States demonstrated tough measures of closing schools, stay in their cars effectively reduces poor judgment, sluggishness, and shopping malls, sports, and enter- the risk of stampedes and mass lack of leadership in their respective tainment in key epidemic areas, infections that could happen from responses to the COVID-19 urging people to stay at home and crowds flocking to hospitals. outbreak at the early stage. As it avoid going out if unnecessary. Furthermore, major biological worsened, they began to adopt Meanwhile, public transporta- research institutions, large pharma- greater crisis awareness and engage tion, supermarkets, logistics systems ceutical companies and university in extensive internal coordina- and other key public systems and virus labs in Europe and the United tion to implement countermeasures facilities are operating as usual States are operating at full capacity. in mid-March. as essential businesses to keep Once a vaccine or effective drugs Since the middle of March, society running. to treat COVID-19 symptoms are governments of those countries have During this process, technolog- successfully developed, the epidemic taken more effective actions. Their ical and organizational innovations problem will be solved. approach was gradually improved to fight the pandemic in developed and adjusted with the development countries have been impressive. Impending Storm in the of the epidemic situation. For example, the United States and Developing World Developed countries began Britain greatly improved the testing From March to early April, distributing test kits en masse and capability of COVID-19 nucleic COVID-19 was spreading rapidly in innovating methods of convenient acid detection kits in just a few days, many major developing countries. testing to identify the infected while achieving shorter detection time and It is estimated that Latin actively treating severe cases and more accurate results. America, Africa, and Asia (except requiring isolation for patients with The White House launched for East Asia) will probably become light symptoms. cooperation with major chain super- new epicenters of the pandemic by With the surge of infections, markets to bring fast nucleic acid April or May. developed countries including detection channels to parking lots Considering the limited capacity the United States have adopted across the country. Letting people of governments, social governance
April 14, 2020: A poster showing gratitude to people who have contributed hard work during the outbreak in Paris, France. Xinhua
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and medical systems in developing countries as well as the economic slump, crashing oil prices and increasing social chaos caused by the pandemic, developing countries could become squeezed with mount- ing pressure in coming weeks. Facing a once-in-a-century global crisis, the World Health Organization, the United Nations, the World Bank and other interna- tional institutions need to invest more funds, materials, and human resources to help the developing world fight the pandemic. Providing a set of anti-epidemic principles, guidelines, operational plans, and specific methods for March 28, 2020: A researcher at the University of Pittsburgh conducts a COVID-19 developing countries is a crucial vaccine study. In order to defeat the novel coronavirus, global efforts have been step because many local institutions jointly made to accelerate the development of the vaccine. Xinhua lack knowledge on how to prepare for the pandemic. At the same time, practical actions such as dispatch- ing doctors and medical supplies directly to epidemic-stricken devel- oping countries with scarce medical resources will be just as important. After developed countries and China solve their own problems, they should set an agenda to aid the devel- oping world and start work as soon as possible. This requires both human- itarian spirit and effective leadership and resource coordination capabilities. Large global medical enter- prises should also prepare for the impending epidemic situation in the developing world. Various large foundations, February 11, 2020: Vaccines for the novel coronavirus could be available in 18 charities and non-profit organiza- months, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a news con- tions should launch aid projects to ference in Geneva, Switzerland. by Chen Junxia/Xinhua help countries that may face the epidemic storm by providing knowl- edge, technology, materials, human fight COVID-19 requires more economies and major powers should resources and funds. science-based measures and effec- make big moves to help them brace Theoretically, it should be possi- tive actions alongside gradually for potential impact. ble to eliminate the virus completely resuming as much normal societal The time for real humanitarian- through strict social distancing, operation as possible to reduce the ism is now. but the likelihood of containing it economic impact of the pandemic. absolutely is dropping as it creeps Before developing countries The author is an associate professor at into every corner of the globe. get sucked into the whirlpool of the School of International Relations A more pragmatic strategy to the epidemic storm, developed and Public Affairs, Fudan University.
CHINA PICTORIAL 19 SPECIAL REPORT
Global Crisis Demands Global Response Text by Zhang Guihong
Now is the critical time to seize a second “window of opportunity” to prevent further spread of the pandemic to the most vulnerable countries and people in the developing world.
he COVID-19 pandemic increase with each passing day. organizations. On March 12, 2020, has spread to more than The disease has not only swept a delegate from the Permanent 200 countries within three through almost every country in the Mission of the Philippines to the UN months. Confirmed infec- world but also the United Nations tested positive for the novel corona- Ttions and deaths continue to (UN) and other international virus, the first confirmed case at the
April 22, 2020: Members of the Chinese anti-epidemic medical expert team attend a video conference on China’s experiences in applying traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat COVID-19 patients with Malaysia’s TCM associations, practitioners and companies in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. by Zhu Wei/Xinhua
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UN headquarters in New York. At epidemic could have been contained the time of writing, a total of more entirely before it spread in Europe than 200 cases of COVID-19 and America. Unfortunately, many including three deaths had been countries missed the “window of reported within the UN system. UN opportunity.” The other lesson Secretary-General António Guterres With a little relates to the lack of unity and issued a work-at-home order for all hindsight, at least cooperation. Since the WHO non-essential personnel from March declared the epidemic a “Public 16 to April 12. Telecommuting two lessons can be Health Emergency of International arrangements at the UN headquar- Concern” at the end of January, ters, the first in its 75-year history, learned already. most countries moved unilater- have been extended through May 31. The first involves ally, if at all. Senior officials in some As proclaimed by Guterres, the countries insist on blaming others to pandemic is the most challenging the consequences pander to domestic politics. This is crisis the world has faced since the of failing to take why we lack real global solutions. end of World War II. A global crisis Now is the critical time to seize demands a global response. As the preventative the second “window of opportu- most inclusive, representative, and nity” to prevent the spread of the authoritative international organi- measures after early pandemic to the most vulnerable zation, the UN has stepped into a warnings. The other countries and people in the develop- leadership role in organizing global ing world. The UN and the WHO cooperation to fight the pandemic. lesson relates to the need to take bold and meaningful Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the global action to fight the pandemic. UN has monitored the develop- lack of unity and Five key words are guiding UN ment of the pandemic, and it began cooperation. and WHO global action on the taking swift global action when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global pandemic on March 12. All international organi- zations have been mobilized to facilitate joint efforts to address the unprecedented challenge. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for intensified international cooperation to contain, mitigate and defeat the pandemic. UN Secretary-General Guterres launched a series of initiatives including a global humanitar- ian response plan to help the most vulnerable countries and groups, an appeal for a global ceasefire, an appeal to prevent and redress violence against women during the epidemic, and a new communica- tions response initiative to distribute facts and science on the internet. April 12, 2020: Members of the Chinese medical team move CT equipment in With a little hindsight, at least Baghdad, Iraq. Imaging examination is a crucial means for screening and diagnosis two lessons can be learned already. of COVID-19 cases, a valuable lesson drawn in China’s epidemic prevention and control practice. The Chinese medical team sent by the Red Cross Society of China The first involves the consequences to Iraq to help fight COVID-19 seeks to replicate this method by setting up CT of failing to take preventative equipment at the novel coronavirus rehabilitation center in eastern Baghdad. measures after early warnings. The by Zhang Miao/Xinhua
CHINA PICTORIAL 21 SPECIAL REPORT
April 18, 2020: A worker unloads medical supplies brought by an anti-epidemic medical team from China to Malaysia at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Malaysia. by Zhu Wei/Xinhua pandemic in the coming days: The pandemic has caused and will security. Humanitarian aid can Humanitarianism. Human- continue to cause illness, death, help the vulnerable overcome diffi- itarianism is the key to global poverty, homelessness, unemploy- culties and minimize troubles. consensus. The virus knows no ment and more social problems, Humanitarian cooperation, regard- border, ideology or race. It threatens making it a serious human crisis less of national interests, ideology the health and safety of all people. rather than an issue of national or political system, is necessary
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humanitarianism in global coopera- threat to international society. In tion on the pandemic. contrast with traditional security Unity. The virus is the common issues, non-traditional challenges enemy for every country and demand innovative responses. In every person. If any country has this case, every state and non-state confirmed cases, the pandemic is actor is part of the global solution not over. Helping others benefits to the pandemic. Staying home the giver. Unity is a prerequisite and practicing social distancing are for any substantial international two of the easiest and most effec- cooperation. The weak interna- tive ways of minimizing the spread tional cooperation on epidemic of the virus. Such strategies require response can be attributed to lack cooperation and compliance from of mutual trust among member every citizen. Coordination and states, particularly major countries. cooperation among international For this reason, UN Secretary- organizations need to be strength- General António Guterres has ened to mobilize global and regional repeatedly called for unity, and the resources to tackle the non-tradi- UN General Assembly adopted a tional security threat. The UN along resolution titled “Global solidar- with the WHO can play a lead role ity to fight the coronavirus disease in this regard. 2019 (COVID-19)” in early April. Symbiosis. The pandemic is The UN has the unique responsi- predicted to end someday. However, bility of uniting the international the virus may not disappear and community to produce joint efforts could persist forever in asymptom- to fight the virus. atic humans. The virus is a member Science. We will use science, of the natural world. The concept not politics, to defeat the virus. of “herd immunity” proposed Science and technology are the most by top scientists in the UK and powerful weapons to overcome Germany reflects part of symbi- a health crisis. As the specialized osis. The core idea is “live and let agency in charge of public health live.” The concept of symbiosis is affairs within the UN system, the closely related to the UN75 initia- role of WHO in the fight against tive—the largest and most inclusive COVID-19 is unique, central, and conversation on the world’s future, irreplaceable. Accelerating scientific launched on January 1, 2020. It also research is the only way to pinpoint has unique value for global health the origin of the virus and develop governance led by the WHO in the vaccines against COVID-19. Trust post COVID-19 era. The concept in science is the vaccine for another of symbiosis is consistent with the epidemic—a dangerous wave of idea of “a community with a shared misinformation ranging from future for humanity.” It may become conspiracy theories to brazen false- more easily accepted worldwide hoods, harmful medical advice, and because it says so much about the bigotry. Battling the virus requires human-nature relationship in just not only natural science but also one word. humanities and social science. The and more urgent than ever before. WHO is responsible for disseminat- A humanitarian spirit respect- ing facts and science to counter the ing life should be both the bottom growing scourge of misinformation. line and the highest standard of Like climate The author is a professor and director Non-traditional. of the Center for UN and International global consensus. The UN needs change and terrorism, COVID- Organizations Studies at Fudan to highlight the importance of 19 is a typical non-traditional University.
CHINA PICTORIAL 23 SPECIAL REPORT
Combating COVID-19 Together Text by Wang Haifeng
To overcome the pandemic, countries around the world need to find the courage to unite together and strengthen cooperation rather than blaming and pointing fingers at each other. This is the only way to seize the earliest opportunity to defeat the disease.
y March 2020, China’s now making its way throughout global market. Oil prices and stock fight against COVID-19 the world, with numerous infec- prices plummeted, which forced had achieved early success. tions reported in many countries major economies to inject liquid- Economic activities and and regions including Italy, Iran, ity into the market and introduce Bdaily life have gradually returned Europe and North America. The fiscal policies to spur economic to normal. However, the virus is pandemic triggered panic in the growth. Against this backdrop,
April 1, 2020: Medical workers are transferring a COVID-19 patient in critical condition in the Gare de Paris-Austerlitz, Paris, France. Xinhua
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China’s economic development is enhanced human ability to cope emergency since World War II. The facing unprecedented challenges with public health emergencies of whole world is now at war with a and uncertainty. History has shown international concern. hidden enemy. Facing a common that China’s strongest weapons to The COVID-19 pandemic, which foe, all countries need to become address crises and overcome diffi- broke out in early 2020, has caused allies to address the great challenge. culties are expanding the reform more destructive impact on the Wuhan successfully contained and opening up, strengthening world than any other public health the spread of the virus in the first international cooperation, actively participating in globalization, and building a community with a shared future for humanity. These have also been China’s most effective weapons in the war with the coronavirus. Globalization has helped the international community strengthen coordination and pool resources to address public health emergen- cies of international concern. Since the turn of the 21st century, humans have suffered outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), avian influenza A (H5N1), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), swine flu (H1N1) and Ebola. Global multi-polarity, trade liberalization, investment facilitation, finan- cial internationalization, social February 24, 2020: UN Secretary-General António Guterres (left) gives an informatization and cultural diver- update on the situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic at the World Health sity have enabled the production, Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. In the global fight supply, consumption, and services against the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO has been playing a key role in leadership and coordination. Xinhua of various economies to be closely interconnected, with all countries sharing the dividends of globaliza- tion. At the same time, different economies need to face global risks together in realms such as politics, economics, finance, society, environment and public health. Globalization requires inter- national organizations such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organization, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization (WHO) to enhance overall coordi- nation. All countries, especially major economies, should strengthen dialogue, coordination and cooper- April 12, 2020: Lao Minister of Health Bounkong Sihavong (second left) sees off ation based on equality and mutual the Chinese medical team to assist Laos in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic at the Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, Laos. Arriving at Laos on March 29, benefits. Globalization, informa- the Chinese medical team consisted of experts in various fields such as infection tization, digitization, and artificial prevention and control, intensive care, epidemiology, and laboratory testing. intelligence have significantly They also brought medical supplies. Xinhua
CHINA PICTORIAL 25 SPECIAL REPORT
1 2
3 4
1 A temporary treatment center for COVID-19 patients 2 March 23, 2020: Construction workers are converting under construction on the outskirts of Moscow, the Pacaembu Stadium into a temporary treatment Russia. To treat the infected in dedicated facilities, center for COVID-19 patients in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Russia set up its first temporary treatment center state of Sao Paulo was one of the hardest-hit areas for COVID-19 patients in the suburbs of Moscow, during the country’s COVID-19 outbreak. Xinhua using China’s experience as a reference point. by Sergey Mikheev/Russian Gazette 4 March 26, 2020: A 2,000-bed temporary hospital for COVID-19 patients is set up at the International 3 March 22, 2020: Medical workers are preparing Exhibition Center in northern Tehran, Iran. It is used for beds for an emergency field hospital for COVID-19 mild COVID-19 cases and patients who are recovering patients being constructed in the Madrid Exhibition from the illness. Xinhua Center, Spain. Xinhua quarter of 2020 thanks to strong internal measures and interna- towards promoting the building of a overall coordination by China’s tional coordination and support. community with a shared future for central government and solid While strengthening domestic humanity. support from all local governments epidemic control efforts, China has The coronavirus pandemic and people as well as considerable enhanced its cooperation with the has forced every major economy help from the international commu- WHO. It has provided robust assis- to take measures to restrain flow nity, international organizations and tance for other hard-hit countries by of people to the greatest extent. overseas Chinese people. dispatching expert teams, providing Many countries have issued travel Now, several economies includ- technological support and shipping warnings, strengthened border ing Italy, the United States, Spain testing kits and protective gear. Such controls and asked residents to and Germany need both strong moves testify to China’s open mind stay home. Some countries have
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April 4, 2020: Volunteer nurses arrive at Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport, Italy. They are destined for hospitals and health facilities in Emilia-Romagna to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Xinhua
hard landing. The world economy in 2020 may be even more precari- ous than in 2008 and 2009 and face more uncertainties. International Globalization has helped the international cooperation played a central role community strengthen coordination and in lifting the world out of the once-in-a-century financial crisis in pool resources to address public health 2008. In the face of the pandemic, emergencies of international concern. countries around the world need to find the courage to unite together and strengthen cooperation rather shut down international flights. liquidity into the market. The debt than blaming and pointing fingers Private consumption and the service ratios of both the public and private at each other. This is the only way sector, two major drivers of the sectors will continue to rise. A to seize the earliest opportunity to global economy, have been hit hard. global economic recession appears defeat the disease. Countless enterprises are facing inevitable after the pandemic spread existential crises, and jobless claims around the world. have surged. While revenues of More than a decade has passed many governments have shrunk, since the 2008 global finan- The author is director of the Trade they are increasing financial assis- cial crisis. The disruption of the and Investment Research Office of the Foreign Economic Research Institute tance and support for economic COVID-19 pandemic may force under China’s National Development development and continue injecting the global economy to endure a and Reform Commission.
CHINA PICTORIAL 27 SPECIAL REPORT
International Cooperation Speeds Up Edited by Hu Zhoumeng Designed by Cecile Zehnacker
China Closely Cooperates with the WHO
The China CDC, the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) submit the genome sequence of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) China informs the WHO to the WHO, and it is published by the Global Initiative on Sharing All about the epidemic, Influenza Data (GISAID) and shared globally. sharing with the The National Health Commission (NHC) of China shares information on WHO the initial the genome sequence of the novel coronavirus with the WHO. progress in determining the China begins cause of the viral regularly pneumonia in Wuhan. informing the A WHO delegation conducts a field WHO about visit to Wuhan to learn about the the pneumonia The Chinese Center for response to the 2019-nCoV and visits outbreak. Disease Control and Wuhan Tianhe Airport, Zhongnan Prevention (China Hospital and Hubei provincial CDC. CDC) shares specific primers and probes for detecting the novel coronavirus with the WHO.
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At the invitation of the WHO, China attends Experts from an International the China CDC Health Regulations join the WHO JANUARY 22 (IHR) Emergency informal expert Committee meeting. conference call The 2019 Novel Coronavirus Resource and epidemiology (2019nCoVR), a database developed working group by the China National Center for expert conference call. Experts from the Bioinformation, is officially launched to China CDC participate globally distribute the novel coronavirus The WHO Executive Board convenes its in a research and genome and information on variation 146th session meeting in Geneva, during innovation forum in which China’s deputy permanent analysis. Geneva co-hosted representative to the UN Office at Geneva by the WHO and and other international organizations in the Global Research Switzerland calls for concerted efforts Collaboration for from the international community to Infectious Disease combat the epidemic. Preparedness, both in person and online.
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China has been releasing information on COVID-19 quickly since the onset of the pandemic, sharing with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the international community its experience in epidemic response and medical treatment, and strengthening cooperation on scientific research. It has assisted all parties to the best of its abilities.
The China-WHO joint expert team holds a press conference in Beijing, during which they declare that China’s unprecedented public health responses to the COVID-19 outbreak yielded notable results in slowing the spread of the epidemic and blocking human- to-human transmission, preventing or at least delaying hundreds of thousands of cases.
The China-WHO joint expert team begins a nine-day field visit in China to inspect cities including Beijing, The WHO-China Joint Chengdu, Guangzhou, Mission publishes a Shenzhen and Wuhan. report on its field study trip on COVID-19 in China.
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China and the WHO hold an The NHC international Specialists from the dispatches experts briefing via China CDC attend to attend a WHO video chat a teleconference conference in the in Beijing organized by the United States on China’s WHO on COVID-19 Experts from the China CDC to share China’s experience in vaccine research. participate in the WHO experience preventing and informal expert consultation in COVID-19 controlling teleconference on COVID-19. prevention and COVID-19. control.
Specialists from the China’s NHC head Ma Experts from the China CDC China CDC participate Xiaowei attends a COVID-19 participate in a COVID-19 response in a teleconference pandemic information teleconference with the WHO Global with the WHO and briefing held by the WHO Preparedness Monitoring Board. the Global Outbreak through video connection. Alert and Response Network (GOARN).
CHINA PICTORIAL 29 SPECIAL REPORT
China Shares Experience and Technologies with Governments and Medical Experts around the World
Senior health Clinical The Greater China’s foreign ministry Experts from officials from medical Mekong and NHC hold a video the China CDC China, ASEAN, experts Sub-region’s conference with health are invited to Japan and the from China Working Group experts from Azerbaijan, attend an online Republic of Korea and ASEAN on Health Belarus, Georgia, conference on (ROK) hold a hold a video Cooperation Moldova, Armenia, retroviruses and video conference. conference. holds a video Turkmenistan, and opportunistic conference. the secretariat of the infections Shanghai Cooperation organized by the Chinese foreign Organization. International ministry and a Antiviral Society– delegation of USA. Russian experts Zhong Nanshan, a on epidemic renowned respiratory prevention hold a expert and head China’s NHC meeting. of a high-level and foreign expert team of the ministry hold NHC, and Dr. Anita a TV and Experts from Health experts Simonds, head of the telephone the China and from China European Respiratory conference U.S. CDCs hold and the Society, hold a video China and Italy with 10 South a conference European Union China and conference. hold a video Pacific island call. (EU) hold a the EU hold a teleconference. seminar. countries. teleconference.
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March 7: China announces a donation of US$20 million to the WHO to support international cooperation in the fight against COVID-19. A volunteer team A Chinese medical As of March 31, the Chinese government of medical experts team dispatched had provided material assistance from the Red Cross by the Red Cross including medical masks, N95 masks, Society of China Society of China arrives in Iran. arrives in Iraq. protective suits, nucleic acid testing kits and ventilators to 120 countries and four international organizations.
Local governments of China had donated medical supplies to more than 50 countries. China’s Medical Experts Chinese enterprises had donated medical and Material Assistance supplies to more than 100 countries and international organizations. Reach Countries around the World
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Officials from The Shanghai Municipal Health Chinese Wang Chen, vice China’s foreign Commission and specialists authorities president of the ministry, NHC, and from Costa Rica hold a and experts Chinese Academy Chinese experts video meeting. The Health hold a video of Engineering with government Commission of Anhui Province conference and a specialist officials and experts and specialists from South with health on respiratory and from Albania, Bosnia Sudan hold a video meeting. professionals critical diseases, and and Herzegovina, from Latin European physicians Bulgaria, Croatia, American and and health China and 18 European Czech Republic and Caribbean administrators hold a China and Africa countries including other CEEC members states. video conference. hold a video hold a video Britain, France, Germany, conference. conference. Italy, Spain, and Switzerland hold a video meeting. Invited by the China holds a American College video meeting of Chest Physicians, with medical Chinese medical Heads of China, Specialists from experts and experts attend a Japan and ROK The China-ROK joint China and 19 health officials network forum on CDCs hold a prevention and countries from from West COVID-19 with their conference call. control cooperation Europe and Asia China and Asian and American counterparts mechanism holds a The NHC and the hold a video Mongolia hold a North African and share experience video conference. video meeting. Japanese Embassy in meeting. countries. China hold a meeting. fighting the virus.
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A team of Chinese medical and scientific experts arrives in Venezuela. Three medical A Chinese A new Polymerase teams from China medical Chain Reaction arrive in Italy. team (PCR) lab built by Upgraded arrives in China opens in by Chinese Serbia. Baghdad, Iraq. A Chinese enterprises, medical Zimbabwe’s expert main COVID-19 team quarantine and arrives in treatment center, Pakistan. Wilkins Hospital, A team of is completed Sources: Timeline of China releasing information on COVID-19 Chinese and delivered to and advancing international cooperation on epidemic response medical Zimbabwe. experts arrives (Xinhua News Agency), press conferences of the Joint in Cambodia. Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council of China, and other published materials A team of Chinese medical experts arrives in Laos.
CHINA PICTORIAL 31 SPECIAL REPORT
March 24, 2020: A Russian An-124 military transport aircraft is parked at Xiaoshan Airport of China’s Hangzhou City, ready to carry medical supplies donated by the Alibaba Foundation and the Jack Ma Foundation back to Russia. On the packages of the donated materials read the words “All things are momentary, all things will pass,” a famous line by the Russian poet Pushkin. courtesy of the Alibaba Foundation
Alibaba Shows More Than Heart Text by Li Zhuoxi
“We need not only love in our hearts to work on public welfare, but also the ‘ability to love’ to work practically and efficiently.”
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million yuan (US$14.1 million) for is our only chance to win,” declared scientific research projects, donat- Jack Ma, the founder of the Jack Ma ing over 100 million pieces of Foundation. emergency epidemic prevention supplies to more than 150 countries Quick Response and regions across five continents, In late February, the battlefield of and establishing a global COVID-19 the world’s pandemic fight changed information sharing platform cover- dramatically. After the outbreak of ing 233 countries and regions. On the international pandemic, the first April 21, the Jack Ma Foundation shipment of aid materials from the and the Alibaba Foundation donated Alibaba Foundation and the Jack 100 million medical masks, a million Ma Foundation arrived in Japan on N95 masks, and a million nucleic March 2. Subsequently, the organi- acid reagent test kits to the World zations quickly sent emergency Health Organization (WHO) to pandemic prevention materials to support its anti-pandemic efforts countries with severe situations in worldwide. Asia, Europe and the Americas as The director-general of the well as donating medical supplies to WHO, prime ministers of Canada, all 54 countries in Africa. Ethiopia and Somalia, presidents Many countries and regions now have urgent needs for emergency supplies. Prioritizing and respond- ing to the needs of various countries is the first checkpoint for the team. “Alibaba has many channels for receiving calls for materials,” explained Wang Ruihe, At this moment, secretary-general of the Alibaba Foundation. “We get information sharing resources, from enterprises and government departments in other countries experience and and receive many personal help lessons with everyone requests. Some embassies and inter- national organizations even reach regardless of identity us by calling the Taobao customer is our only chance service hotline.” Countries around the world to win. are now experiencing the precise difficulties China endured over the past two months. Because n April 21, 2020, Fortune of Rwanda, Kenya and Madagascar, Alibaba was so deeply involved magazine published a list and leaders of international organi- in China’s domestic fight against of the world’s 25 great- zations all expressed gratitude to the epidemic, it can predict the est anti-epidemic leaders Jack Ma and the foundations for needs of various countries and Oof the year. Jack Ma, the founder of their support of global anti-epidemic adjust and increase the supply of Alibaba Group, ranked third. efforts. In times of crisis, Chinese emergency supplies according As COVID-19 continues companies and charitable organi- to the development and changes to spread globally, the Alibaba zations have become important of the world pandemic situation. Foundation and the Jack Ma forces in the global fight against the For example, as the virus spread, Foundation have launched a series pandemic. “At this moment, sharing ventilators became a scarce and of initiatives to confront the resources, experience and lessons vital medical device, so Alibaba pandemic including allocating 100 with everyone regardless of identity urgently dispatched shipments of
CHINA PICTORIAL 33 SPECIAL REPORT
ventilators to Europe and Africa. to transport materials from the collaborate with China’s front- For some underdeveloped countries Liege warehouse to places deter- line hospitals and medical staff to in Latin America and Africa with mined by the logistics big data share Chinese anti-epidemic experi- limited capacities to respond to system. Many European countries ence and provide available technical the pandemic, Alibaba prepared have closed their borders, making it support through internet technology. appropriate emergency supplies in extremely difficult to move through- With help from the First Affiliated advance before an outbreak even out the continent. Thanks to our Hospital of the College of Medicine erupted. Some African countries early establishment of a complete of Zhejiang University, GMCC had no COVID-19 detection abili- logistics network, we can ensure that compiled a Handbook of COVID-19 ties whatsoever. The foundation even during the pandemic, materi- Prevention and Treatment. The donated virus detection equip- als will reach the front lines quickly. handbook outlining China’s epidemic ment and cold chain transportation The more quickly we deliver, the control experience was translated into devices to comprehensively solve more lives we will save.” 21 languages, so that medical person- practical problems. nel in other countries would not need “Thank you for the generous Building on Past Work to start from scratch. Downloads for donation of reagents and protective Alongside donating emergency the handbook have reached 600,000, materials!” declared Zimbabwean medical materials, the Alibaba most from overseas. President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Foundation and the Jack Ma Soon after the handbook was social media. “This is a true manifes- Foundation jointly launched released, the platform received tation of friendship, and unity is the Global MediXchange for consulting requests from more the only way to win!” New York Combating COVID-19 (GMCC). than 440 hospitals around the Governor Andrew Cuomo thanked The GMCC covers 233 countries world. To help overseas medical Alibaba specifically in an interview. and regions through four centers: professionals better exchange The international mobilization The Resources Sharing Center, experience with Chinese doctors and distribution of anti-epidemic International Medical Expert on the front lines of the fight materials has also been a major Communication Center, COVID-19 against COVID-19, Alibaba challenge. Reports show that the Overseas Chinese Consultation quickly put online an International pandemic has caused more than Center, and Fighting COVID-19 Medical Expert Communication 50 airlines worldwide to suspend Technology Center. The centers Center. It supports real-time flights, with tens of thousands of flights cancelled. The luggage cabins of passenger aircraft carry nearly 50 percent of international cargo. Every suspended passenger flight elimi- nates corresponding cargo capacity. In such circumstances, Alibaba’s long-running Cainiao international logistics network has become a “lifeline” to ensure distribution of global emergency supplies. “We use multiple logistics trunk lines developed by the e-WTP electronic world trade platform to deliver materials to hub warehouses around the world and then achieve secondary distribution through the Cainiao logistics network,” explained Wang. “For example, emergency materials bound for Europe will be shipped to the Liege March 26, 2020: A handover ceremony is held in Thailand’s Ministry of Health warehouse in Belgium. More than after the first shipment of 17 tons of medical materials donated by the Alibaba 100 trucks are on standby in Europe Foundation and the Jack Ma Foundation arrived in Thailand. Xinhua
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March 18, 2020: The plane carrying the first batch of medical supplies donated by the Alibaba Foundation to France, Slovenia and Belgium arrives at Liege Airport in Belgium, receiving a salute involving two firefighting rigs spraying arcs of water over it. The ceremony is a sign of respect, honor and gratitude. courtesy of the Alibaba Foundation translation in 11 languages includ- conglomerate have participated in “I often encourage the team by ing English, Japanese and Spanish the global anti-epidemic campaign. mentioning that when this is all and provides free audio and video For example, international teams over, everyone can be capable of teleconferencing, live broadcasting like Cainiao Network, Alibaba.com starting an import-export company,” and other functions to share infor- and Lazada became deeply involved added Wang. “From procurement, mation in complex scenarios. With as were divisions related to finan- warehousing, customs clearance and the help of the online communi- cial, legal and governmental affairs, commodity inspection to interna- cation center, hospitals in various AliHealth and Aliyun. tional logistics and transportation, countries can conduct teleconfer- “Only about 40 people work in we know how do them by heart now. encing and engage in consultation the Alibaba Foundation and the Jack Ma once said that we need not with their Chinese counterparts. Jack Ma Foundation, and their only love in our hearts to work on About 3,000 infectious disease average age is under 30,” revealed public welfare, but also the ‘ability doctors from nearly 120 countries Wang Ruihe. “Since this year’s to love’ to work practically and and regions have already joined Spring Festival, no one has had a efficiently. After the pandemic, we the world’s largest online anti-ep- day off or even gone to bed before plan to compile a set of operation idemic public welfare campaign midnight. No one in the world was handbooks to deal with major disas- launched by China. prepared for the outbreak, which has ters so that in emergencies, a system made the process of transnational of communication, operation and More Than Meets the Eye donation even more complex than implementation can be organized Alongside the two foundations, we imagined. We are doing far more quickly, enabling Alibaba Group to multiple departments of the Alibaba than people have ever seen.” play a greater role.”
CHINA PICTORIAL 35 SPECIAL REPORT
WuhanText by Wu Yankun Is Back On April 8, 2020, Wuhan ended a 76-day lockdown with lifting of outbound travel restrictions enforced since January 23. After enduring such a long wait, the people of Wuhan have much to say about their deep love of the city, their excitement about the city’s recovery, and their sincere gratitude to all who have lent a helping hand to the city.
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April 8, 2020: A bird’s-eye view of the Wuhan Railway Station. Wuhan, the city hardest hit by the novel coronavirus outbreak in China, lifted outbound travel restrictions, dismantled traffic control checkpoints, and resumed operation of railways, airports, waterways, highways and buses in an orderly way that day. by Xu Xun/China Pictorial
CHINA PICTORIAL 37 SPECIAL REPORT
March 17, 2020: A member of a medical team waves goodbye to locals before leaving Wuhan, Hubei Province. As the outbreak in the hard-hit city has been subdued, medical teams from other parts of China have started leaving Wuhan. Thanks to the tireless efforts of medical workers in Wuhan and those from across the country, the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the city dropped to zero on April 26. by Xu Xun/China Pictorial
am a teacher at Rose No. 2 “welcome home” was even too that returning home was not easy. Kindergarten in Hanyang emotional to enunciate. Even with proper certifications to District of Wuhan, capital of Two days later, when she sent return and resume work from both central China’s Hubei Province. me a short video of Yiyi playing their residential community and IOn March 14, I received a message happily at home, I was as excited employers, they still had to navigate from the mother of my student Yiyi as they were. I found out from her many roadblocks and checkpoints that they would return to Wuhan soon. They were the first of the 21 families with children in my class to return after being stranded outside Wuhan because of the coronavirus However, the roaring wind and the lockdown. After teaching Yiyi for three fluttering snowflakes are already in the years, her parents had become some of my best friends. For a moment, past, and trees have begun to sprout with the I was speechless because a simple unstoppable vigor of spring.
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April 8, 2020: Passengers walk into the Wuhan Railway Station to take trains. After 76 days of lockdown, the Wuhan Railway Station reopened to passengers. by Ma Gengping/China Pictorial
April 7, 2020: Passengers wait in line at the Wuchang Railway Station in Wuhan. With Wuhan lifting outbound travel restrictions, the century-old railway station once again welcomed huge passenger flows. by Duan Wei/China Pictorial
CHINA PICTORIAL 39 SPECIAL REPORT
April 4, 2020: Local residents relax on the riverside in along the way. Wuhan. People who have stayed at home for more than Upon arriving in Wuhan, still two months have long waited for the moment to walk along the Yangtze River again. by Xu Xun/China Pictorial no pedestrians could be seen on the streets—only gray buildings and slow epidemic prevention vehicles. I’m sure it was far from an invit- ing welcome. However, the roaring wind and the fluttering snowflakes are already in the past, and trees have begun to sprout with the unstoppable vigor of spring. After March 16, many children in our class returned to Wuhan, where they were born and are growing up. As the weather warmed, an increasing number of supermar- kets in Wuhan gradually reopened. On March 20, I received several messages from my neighbors and friends asking about protective measures and whether the super- markets had become overcrowded. To ensure the livelihood of shut-in residents during the epidemic prevention and control period, I have been engaged in community service as a volun- teer by delivering fish, vegetables and other daily necessities to the elderly and needy families. I estab- lished contact with many neighbors through WeChat whom I hardly knew before, and now they’re indis- pensable friends. Thanks to the efforts of commu- nity workers and volunteers, my community has become one of the certified infection-free residential communities of Hanyang District. Nevertheless, I still told my neigh- bors and friends to stay at home and that I could help buy what they need. However, after two months of quarantine at home, they do want to have a look outside. Every time they went out, they would share what they saw and heard on WeChat after return- ing, just like in travelogues. Such posts described in great detail where the locations of the supermarket
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April 8, 2020: Traffic police officers remove barricades near an expressway toll station to release the outbound traffic when lockdown was lifted in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province. by Chen Jian/China Pictorial entrances and exits are, and more importantly, how to return with a full load of goods within the two-hour time limit. Although many people were eager to get to the supermarkets, their entrances were strictly controlled for epidemic prevention, which is quite different from usual operating procedures. When they returned home from outside, it felt like a generation had passed. The past more than two months since Wuhan’s lockdown were like a nightmare for every resident in the city. Fortunately, we finally woke up after the lockdown was lifted. On March 31, I was officially April 8, 2020: Passengers on Train K81 wave goodbye to a station staffer. The “laid off” from volunteer work train, heading for Guangzhou in southern China’s Guangdong Province, made a as we ran out of requests from stop at the Wuchang Railway Station in Wuhan, the first one since the city lifted its community residents. This outbound travel restrictions. by Ma Gengping/China Pictorial left me with more time to read stories for kids via “Good Night Story Hub,” a WeChat account I As children started understand- hang them on their windows to launched two years ago. I shared ing what was happening in Wuhan, express gratitude to the volunteers, stories with them like the origin of they wanted to do something. So medical teams and tens of thousands Tomb-Sweeping Day and stories I encouraged the kids in my class of people who put their lives on the about medical aid teams to Hubei to draw the most beautiful flowers line to fight for the city. Province and their heroic deeds. possible with heartfelt words and On April 6, I went to the airport
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April 2, 2020: A woman buys fruit at a convenience store in Yanma Community, Wuhan. With the epidemic situation under control, more diversified kinds of fruit are available to customers. by Ma Gengping/China Pictorial
as a volunteer to see off our “friends from afar”: medical workers from Beijing, Shanghai, Shaanxi Province, Jilin Province and other places who had supported Wuhan. Some people were fishing under When I arrived at the airport, I umbrellas and others were barbecuing— couldn’t help getting emotional and loudly speaking out my thanks. I it was a warm and cozy picture I hadn’t didn’t want them to leave, but they seen for a long time. Suddenly, Wuhan had already spent too many hard days in Wuhan. had come back to life. They pledged to revisit Wuhan
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March 31, 2020: People walk on the reopened Chuhehan Street as the epidemic wanes in Wuhan. by Chen Jian/China Pictorial
March 31, 2020: A girl rides a scooter on Chuhehan Street as the epidemic wanes in Wuhan. by Ma Gengping/China Pictorial in the future. I couldn’t count how January 23, the day Wuhan was 109,440 minutes, or 6,566,400 many bows I made that day, but I locked down, to cancel a trip to seconds, I shifted from quaran- knew they bowed more. Myanmar and get a refund. There tining at home and checking my On the way back, I saw vehicles were only a few pedestrians on temperature every day to ventur- parked next to the reservoir near the the road that day and airport staff ing out to do volunteer service for airport expressway. Some people looked as stern as infantry in a epidemic prevention and control were fishing under umbrellas and foxhole. My mood was also sad and and then to finally welcoming others were barbecuing—it was a heavy. Contrasting that with the children back to class and sending warm and cozy picture I hadn’t seen scene of picnic made an unspeakable medical teams home. In the for a long time. Suddenly, Wuhan thrill burst from my heart. process I shared the weal and woe had come back to life. From January 23 to April 8, time with my city. I had been to the airport on flew! In the 76 days, 1,824 hours, Wuhan is back.
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Opening Back Up he COVID-19 pandemic is Chinese brands are finished here. The future is unclear, but citizens, testing both China and the China’s small and medium-sized companies, and nations must ask world. companies are struggling to adapt through planning and action for For China, the world’s to the “new normal” during the the kind of future they want. This Tsecond-largest economy, while pandemic. The Chinese govern- month, let’s find out what compa- remaining cautious about a possi- ment is trying its best to provide nies operating in China are doing to ble second wave of an epidemic, favorable conditions for the get back to work, both Chinese and it is imperative to resume work. resumption of work and produc- international firms. We will not get it Many international companies have tion for all kinds of enterprises. perfect, but we all must do what we supply chains running through this Fortunately, new technologies – can from wherever we are to get the country’s manufacturing centers especially 5G networks – can help world going again. and products of world-famous fill in the gaps.
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March 20, 2020: Workers from Tongxing Technology Co., Ltd. pose for a group photo in one of the factory buildings. by Yang Zhu
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All for the Exports Text by Zhou Chenliang
As the coronavirus sweeps through the rest of the world, Chinese foreign trade companies that have resumed work are seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.
ith various recent global industrial and supply chain by policies aiming to leveraging Quanzhou’s complete and stabilize foreign trade strong apparel manufacturing chain. starting to take effect, Before the COVID-19 outbreak, WChinese importers and exporters her company’s order volume had alike are accelerating resumption of increased by 70 percent over the work and production. China Pictorial same period of last year. After the checked in on foreign trade enter- outbreak in China, the company prises in Quanzhou City, Fujian made extensive preparations for Province and Hefei City, Anhui work and production to resume. Province to see what they have done It prepared masks, disinfec- to ensure smooth operations amidst tants, forehead thermometers, the COVID-19 pandemic. and COVID-19 insurance for its employees. Every worker was Quanzhou: Gradual Return required to bring their own table- to Busy ware and sit in a designated place On March 19, 2020, Li Biyu, to eat. The company even bought general manager of Quanzhou materials to build isolation areas Employees in a workshop Qufeng Trade Co., Ltd. based just in case. After it reopened, of Tongxing Technology Co., Ltd. work hard to fulfill in Jinjiang of Quanzhou City, some accessories were in short orders. by Yang Zhu Fujian Province, was exception- supply, so Li did what she could to ally busy. She had two short find alternative suppliers. Since it meetings with her team about also suffered a labor shortage, the However, the rapid spread of the foreign orders before a video call company dispatched charter buses virus in other countries and regions with Italian clients. Then, she to pick up workers to make sure has upended foreign trade. “The rushed 10 kilometers to her factory they could return in time. situation in Europe and the United to check production progress. Simultaneously, confirmed COVID-19 infections were spiking in Italy. Her Italian clients, who could work at the office two days before, were by that time working from home and practicing social distancing. Thanks to sales via online trading platforms Way back in February, Li’s company resumed work and produc- and the country’s strong export tax rebate tion. A company mainly exporting policy, Li remains confident about her shoes and apparel, it stays at the middle and high-end reaches of the company’s prospects.
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In a Tongxing Technology Co., Ltd. workshop, a technician is Hu Liqin, head of international trade for Tongxing debugging a batch of CNC equipment for shipment to Brazil Technology Co., Ltd., makes a video call with a Russian to ensure the quality of the products. Under the premise customer. While the customer is practicing social distancing of employee safety and epidemic prevention, the company at home, his purchase order for Tongxing Technology has resumed production to fulfill overseas orders on time. been completed and the products are ready for shipment. by Yang Zhu by Yang Zhu
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States is pretty bad,” sighed Li. few pleasant surprises. A first-time “The target we set for this By March 24, Li was even more South Korean customer placed an year already seems impossible to anxious. For days, she had been order for 10,000 pieces of sports- reach,” groaned Li. “But we will receiving cancellations and suspen- wear through the company’s do what we can to secure our share sions of export orders. “Our orders e-commerce platform. The compa- of the Southeast Asian market, took a dive by 50 percent,” she ny’s largest order from Europe, which is the root of our overseas recalled. However, amidst anxiet- worth 200,000 euros, managed business.” Thanks to sales via ies and worries, she also received a to survive. online trading platforms and the country’s strong export tax rebate policy, Li remains confident about her company’s prospects. China’s State Council announced that tax rebate rates for almost all exported goods would be adjusted to 13 percent. With an eye on the future, new retail is booming in China. “We are optimistic about our prospects for the domestic market,” said Li. “We are doing research and applying for domestic access right now. We want to seize the opportu- nity, get a good grasp of domestic fashion trends, and develop new products with cutting-edge fabrics and materials. Overall, we are switching focus from overseas to the domestic market.” As of March 17, 2020, all indus- trial enterprises above designated size March 19, 2020: Li Biyu (at the head of the table), general manager of Quanzhou in Quanzhou had resumed business. Qufeng Trade Co., Ltd., and her sales team are having a meeting on export orders. The company specializes in shoes and apparel, and its products have mostly been By adjusting their order structures in exported to Europe, the United States, Japan, and South Korea. by Pan Deng a timely and flexible manner, enter- prises gradually regained production capacity and accelerated pace of work resumption. Intelligent produc- tion lines of some enterprises helped immensely. Many orders from domestic and foreign markets were received, and products were deliv- ered to international clients gradually. “Made in Quanzhou” is returning to its busy normal.
Hefei: Inland Exporters Guarantee Production On the afternoon of March 20, Hu Liqin, head of international trade of Tongxing Technology Co., Ltd. in Changfeng County, Hefei City, March 19, 2020: Workers are busy producing new sportswear for export to South Anhui Province, made a video call Korea in a workshop of Quanzhou Qufeng Trade Co., Ltd. in Quanzhou City, Fujian with a Russian customer. Because Province. by Pan Deng of the COVID-19 outbreak, Hu was
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March 21, 2020: Workers take a break in a Zhengda Daily-use Commodity Co., Ltd. packaging workshop in Quanzhou City, Fujian Province. by Pan Deng worried that the ordered optical resumed work, Hu and her team Some clients had to shut down their laser cutting machines wouldn’t be began contacting their international factories for social distancing,” delivered on time. customers daily to assure them that sighed Hu. Despite all the difficul- Tongxing is an export-oriented their orders would be delivered ties, Tongxing is now operating at enterprise offering computer numer- on time. She visited the assembly full speed and capacity. Many of ical control (CNC) carving machines workshop frequently to check on its long-time clients have pledged and optical laser cutting machines. product quality. to return after the pandemic. “We It exports more than 2,000 units “When the virus started will continue production, and annually to countries participat- getting contained in China, the we are confident our orders will ing in the Belt and Road Initiative. international situation became come back.” With an annual output value of more an increasing concern,” said Statistics from the Anhui than US$71 million, the company is Hu. “Our main markets such Provincial Commission of leading its peers in China. Chinese as Russia, Germany, Spain, and Commerce show that as of March 15, foreign trade enterprises like Portugal were under great threat 2020, all 110 key foreign trade enter- Tongxing were much less affected from the pandemic. Compared prises in the province with an annual by the huge global impact of the with days ago, the situation has import-export volume exceed- coronavirus pandemic. reversed. Now we can deliver the ing US$65 million had resumed “At the height of the COVID-19 goods on time, but our customers work and production, and another outbreak in China, we were very have problems.” 65 major cross-border e-commerce worried that our orders would get According to the company’s sales enterprises had reopened. As the canceled if we couldn’t deliver on department, some clients requested coronavirus sweeps through the time,” recalled Hu. “Back then, we a delay in shipping their orders and rest of the world, Chinese foreign couldn’t predict how the outbreak others simply cancelled due to the trade companies that have resumed would develop, so we were quite pandemic. “I understand that the work are seeing some light at the anxious.” After her company situation is really hard for them. end of the tunnel.
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Getting Through Lockdown with IT Text by Nathan Bennett
For international companies, deciding to remain in China and carry on with business during the pandemic is not just a matter of public service; it is a matter of remaining in business.
echnology companies and implementing IT are also key to sanitary shipment of products. For companies employing infor- ensuring the flow of cash to compa- the companies responding for this mation technology (IT) are nies seeking to resume operations. article, network infrastructure and well positioned to meet the Companies that continued operating IT implementation was at the core Tchallenge presented by the COVID-19 in China during the worst parts of of their continued operations. pandemic. The mainstay of their the COVID-19 outbreak will be in business uses exactly the technology a good position when the economy Passing Through the Storm required for remote work and study goes back to normal. According to Ian Yang, presi- as demanded by health and safety Companies face many challenges dent of Intel China, a subsidiary requirements during lockdowns and their operations in foreign of American semiconductor chip and quarantines. Their products countries stand or fall with the giant Intel Corporation, there are make remote collaboration possi- success or failure of their host a few areas in which firms will ble on multiple dimensions. Foreign countries. Foreign managers stuck have to adapt both to get through companies operating in China gain abroad and office workers stuck the present COVID-19 outbreak three primary benefits as they help at home must be able to commu- and to preserve resilience in future tackle the COVID-19 pandemic: nicate effectively with each other. crises or public health emergencies. increased data on usage of their Production lines must get back Further, Yang expressed confidence products, greater consumer famil- to work. Logistics must ensure in the value of long-term engage- iarity with their services, and higher ment in China. prioritization of internet capacity in Yang highlights the transition development. For companies like from labor-intensive manufac- banks that have always been finan- turing to intelligent value-added cial networks, the crisis stimulates manufacturing. The demand for their IT network implementation. implementation of smart technol- Although many companies For the companies ogies in manufacturing is going are offering their online services responding for this up, and these technologies enable for free or boosting the features firms to respond more effec- available to lower-tier subscrib- article, network tively to serious crises. Automated ers as a public service, they stand infrastructure and production lines would remove to concretely benefit from their the human element: in future continued engagement with China. IT implementation crises, fewer personnel would be Continued development of China’s required, so an epidemic would innovation capacities and network was at the core create fewer stoppages than in infrastructure will mean increased of their continued labor-intensive manufacturing. demand for high-tech products He further highlights the current and services. Financial services operations. priority for remote work and study
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March 17, 2020: Chinese doctors offer free online consulting on protection from COVID-19 for overseas Chinese through the WeDoctor global platform. CFP arrangements, and that this will are looking at moving manufac- tied up with guaranteeing future continue into the future as a neces- turing out of China, Yang declares IT reliability for Chinese users sary domain for innovation. There that this country’s swift response and consumers. will be increased demand for the to the outbreak actually shows that ability to collaborate remotely China is a reliable place to stay Public Service Marketing in many fields of endeavor, and long-term. China’s capacities in American IT company Cisco this will challenge infrastruc- industry and in stable governance is helping keep Chinese remote ture, operators, and providers of cannot be replicated by other workers connected. Cisco provided IT services. countries, asserts Yang, and so information about the usage of their Many services are being moved multinational corporations should service Webex, which allows for online, such as registration tasks, formulate long-term strategies to remote working. Traffic on China- workplace collaboration, logistics, remain engaged with China and based Webex connections has and shopping. This challenges IT have confidence in this country’s increased by a factor of 22, and in firms to increase processing power long-term potential. Japan, South Korea, and Singapore in cloud computing, 5G and edge Stating that Intel has been in the number of users is going up by a computing will have to support China for 35 years, Yang says that factor of four to five and the average more devices online simulta- Intel has gone through many ups time spent on video meetings has neously, and internet speeds and downs with Chinese indus- doubled. Cisco is offering it for free overall will have to rise. Yang try and will continue beyond the in all 44 countries where it is avail- asserts that the shift to online COVID-19 outbreak. The current able as a public service. services will accelerate China’s crisis will challenge whether a For companies like Cisco that are shift to higher-grade manufac- company can “run a marathon” able to offer a critical service during turing and services and that the and not just a short “sprint.” With the COVID-19 outbreak, greater infrastructure in demand will its products and services being public awareness of and familiar- further support innovation in the key supports for some of the key ity with their products and services Chinese economy, not just allevi- technologies in high demand among give them valuable brain real estate. ate slowdowns in internet speeds many people working or study- Many people choose to go with what during the COVID-19 outbreak. ing from home, Intel is in the game they know works. During these Noting the fact that some firms and its own corporate longevity is months of self isolation and social
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both from abroad and within China are key for all companies ramping up operations. Citi China, as part of Citigroup’s multinational banking operation, is taking advantage of the full range of modern IT infra- structure to ensure reliable internal corporate communications and client access to services.
Problems and Solutions Problems faced by all companies include travel restrictions, quaran- tines, supply chain and logistics stoppages and delays, and forced February 18, 2020: Employees of a foreign-invested company in Huangpu District, reexamination of ways of working. Guangzhou, work while wearing full protective gear. Xinhua Intel, Cisco, and Citi China are some of the companies offering connec- tivity solutions, directly through IT distancing, Cisco is in effect offering integration, Citi China changed or financial services powered by IT. a free trial of its products. At least gears to sustain operations during As demand for internet services has some users who come to rely upon it the pandemic. They worked with risen and viability of working online will become paying customers. Cisco WeDoctor, a network providing is proven, China will continue to joins Chinese companies offering online consultations with doctors, to develop its already improving inter- products free like WeChat Work and provide health and wellness support net and IT infrastructure. Deciding DingTalk, and so business compe- for their employees and clients. to remain in China and carry on with tition continues all the way to who Finance is a critical aspect of business is not just a matter of public can offer a better public service. sustaining business. Even with service; it is a matter of remaining in Competition is being made to serve guaranteed profits, businesses business. For now, enhanced remote public interest, and everyone may can’t reach the payoff if they can’t collaboration and communication turn out to be a winner. purchase materials and pay employ- technologies will help companies ees. Ready access to loans is key. Citi manage the current conditions while Banking on Tech China reaffirmed its commitment to the new normal is figured out. When Citi China, a subsidiary business in China and its readiness COVID-19 strikes in the most of American multinational bank to support industries getting their critical place for business: the Citigroup Inc., began to formulate supply chains back up and running. human element. Supply chains may responses to COVID-19, IT was a They have striven to assist liquidity shift, to where electronic devices core component. They shared that management for clients worldwide, are not manufactured across three their priority has been safeguard- citing collaboration with the New continents any longer. Technology, ing the health and safety of their York headquarters, Hong Kong, methods, and materials may be employees and their families and Singapore, and other locations. copied, but culture and creativity that of the communities they During the 2020 Spring Festival, cannot be copied. IT and related serve. As with many companies, they “urgently implement[ed] a companies help keep the world this involves working from home. telephone bank redemption process” connected to continue linking the They invoked their “Continuity of for their customers to trade local human element in every corpo- Business (COB) protocols through securities. Under the challenging ration, even if manufacturing remote access protocols and then times, they have maintained online becomes more localized to limit the through split operations to ensure and offline channels for clients to impact of supply chain disruptions. that all critical operations can be access Citi services. Intel, Cisco, and Citi are deeply performed from alternate locations As China goes back to work integrated with China and look to as needed.” Through institu- with a “new normal” of pandemic help the rest of the world remain tional planning and technological control measures, financial services connected as well.
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“World’s Supermarket” Wading Through the Pandemic Text by Qiu Yijiao Photographs by Gong Xianming
The dealers of the Yiwu International Trade City have managed to counteract the impact of the pandemic by actively transforming their business models to stabilize orders and expand in the global market.
The Yiwu International Trade City, a massive small commodities hub in China, is home to 75,000 stores and 200,000 dealers.
s the COVID-19 pandemic eastern China’s Zhejiang Province regions every year and is therefore spreads around the world, suffer even more than those from dubbed the “world’s supermarket.” 75,000 stores and 200,000 other industries. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, dealers in the Yiwu The YITC sells commodities overseas demand has plummeted, AInternational Trade City (YITC) in to more than 200 countries and transactions have been delayed, the
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flow of merchants has been limited, and new orders have severely dropped off. Addressing the adverse effects of the pandemic head on, dealers in the YITC, operated by Zhejiang China Commodities City Group Co., Ltd., have managed to persist by actively transforming their business models to stabilize orders and expand in the global market. Today, the “world’s supermarket” still maintains daily customer flow of 100,000 people including 30,000 purchasers, with 93 percent of its stores resuming operations and the export volume of standard contain- ers reaching nearly 90 percent of the level of last year.
Necessary Change Because the operation of the 75,000 stores in the YITC affects Many vendors in the Yiwu International Trade City have moved business from the fate of two million small and offline to online and started doing livestreams. medium-sized enterprises (SME), the local government of Yiwu launched a series of 20 stimulus measures to boost the market on March 11, 2020, such as expanding the upstream industrial chain and promoting online-offline integra- tion. The operator of the YITC has also applied for a billion yuan (about US$141 million) in loans for stores and relevant SME owners. In the YITC, survival has become a common goal of every tenant. The pandemic has shined intense light on the business owners’ role in the international small commodity trade and indus- trial chains, so they began to explore further. Zhang Xiao’ai, owner of Snow White Toy Store, began to invest more time in product innova- tion and production management. Jin Jing of Haoran Clothing made “big moves” to launch eight new products and invested heavily in promotion. Wang Xuxue of An online celebrity does a livestream for a store in the Yiwu International Trade City. Miaomiao Toy Store moved business
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online and sent the latest samples newly launched embroidered market will remain strong if we keep to merchants. umbrella, priced at more than working to make trade more conve- Liu Pingjuan, who has been 1,000 yuan (about US$141) each, nient and costs lower,” remarked distributing kitchenware for 30 years, has become a popular online Wang Dong, general manager of just started doing livestreaming to purchase among young people. Zhejiang China Commodities City show the actual production state of “New demand is emerging, and Group Co., Ltd. “The pandemic has her factory to potential partners. we are seizing the opportunity,” accelerated our transformation into a As Yiwu has continuously released Zhang declared. trading service integrator.” new products, Liu testified to global The “world’s supermarket” has On March 13, the group business partners that it remains the recently resembled a movie lot, with announced the plan to form a “world’s supermarket” thanks to online celebrities shuttling through wholly-owned subsidiary, China enough supply and reliable products. stores to promote certain products Small Commodity City Big Data Co., After weathering countless and increasing numbers of dealers Ltd., as a comprehensive trading battles in the market arena, these starting to try livestreams. Some service platform for the YITC. business owners have been quick stores invested in major decora- In recent years, some Yiwu to break through traditional modes tions to attract customers with a merchants with a great sensitivity to and operational inertia. brand-new image. market changes have begun expand- Zhang Jiying, who supplies New distribution channels dug ing into Africa and South America, rain gear, abandoned a best-sell- by e-commerce enterprises enter- including those who sealed deals on ing but less profitable umbrella ing the market and selling Yiwu Electronic World Trade Platform and transformed it into a higher- products online are promoting (eWTP) projects with partners in markup boutique product. The online-offline integration and accel- Rwanda and Ethiopia. Future interactions between Yiwu and those two African countries will include not only small commodi- ties, but also equipment and auxiliary materials for small commodities production. The aim is to help physi- cal small commodity markets emerge Whatever the crisis is, in those countries alongside supply- chain facilities and commercial the market will remain services such as logistics, customs clearance, trade, and finance. strong if we keep Despite so few overseas working to make trade merchants visiting because of the pandemic, business owners in Yiwu more convenient and are managing to move the market forward by improving product costs lower. exhibition and sales via overseas warehouses so overseas customers erating market recovery. can conveniently buy from home. When overseas demand New Market Access plummeted, businesspeople in Yiwu “Trade never dies” is the organized many events on distrib- common understanding of almost uting epidemic prevention materials all merchants in Yiwu. But tradi- and launched various new products to tional trade modes and channels meet new demands. The challenges have to transform with an unprec- brought by the pandemic have pushed A merchant sorts out goods in her edented speed. “Uncertainty” the dealers of the YITC to become store in the Yiwu International Trade City, which remains the “world’s has become a “new normal” for more sensitive to the global market supermarket” thanks to enough supply business owners. and innovate business channels to get and reliable products. “Whatever the crisis is, the through the crisis.
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Small Business Survival in the COVID-19 Era Text by Zhang Peili
The Chinese government has introduced a wide range of policies to help businesses overcome the pandemic, but the sense of gain remains low because many enterprises have yet to figure them out.
he novel coronavirus (SMEs) have been hit the hardest just made things worse. As many as pneumonia (COVID-19) because of their poor position in 30 percent of enterprises in China outbreak in early 2020 is distribution of industries and poor are likely to see their revenues fall making a huge impact on risk tolerance. For SMEs that used by more than 50 percent in the Tthe economy and people’s lives. to be under enormous pressure even first half of this year, according to Small and medium-sized enterprises during normal times, the pandemic several reports. Devising strategies
April 1, 2020: A worker in a plant at Zhengtai Intelligent Electric Northwest Industrial Park in Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province. In order to ensure a safe, stable and orderly work resumption especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, coordination groups are set up across the country to support the resumption of work and production. On the premise of ensuring epidemic prevention and control work, those coordination groups organized workers to return to their posts, guaranteed the supply of production factors, and stepped up efforts to adopt innovative work measures. by Zhang Bowen/Xinhua
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to survive the “long winter” has year, down 11.4 percent, of which been struggling with a supply- become a huge test for SMEs. private enterprises’ exports reached demand mismatch as their product 1.71 trillion yuan (US$242 billion), structure is not able to meet the Severe Challenges on the down 7.3 percent. In the first quarter, demand of consumption upgrading. Demand Side exports were basically fulfilling Now, enterprises must cut costs while The high infectivity of COVID-19 previous orders. With the continu- upgrading their products at the same forced people to change behav- ous development of the pandemic time. This will further squeeze the ioral habits drastically, which in turn overseas, China’s foreign trade in living space of SMEs. changed market demand—both the second quarter will likely further directly and indirectly. deteriorate, and small and medium- Supply-side Problems First, consumer demand has sized foreign trade enterprises will be The COVID-19 pandemic has declined significantly. The epidemic hurt the most. caused profound changes in the flow forced people to reduce going out and Third, consumption habits have of people, logistics and capital, but getting together, decreased person- changed. The pandemic is causing the supply-side problems plaguing nel exchange and flow, and caused increased income uncertainty, which SMEs are even more prominent. people to live and work at home as is leading to changes in consump- First, the shutdown made it much as possible, directly leading tion habits. The fierce consumer difficult for SMEs to endure cost to a sharp decline in consumption response to early price hikes by the pressure. When an enterprise stops demand in some sectors, especially major hotpot chain Haidilao and the production, its income source is cut service industries. Catering and noodle chain Xibei demonstrated off while costs such as wages, rents, tourism have seen the most direct that consumers have become more loan interests and taxes continue to and obvious impact. Companies in cautious about spending money. pile up. Enterprises must survive only these industries are mainly SMEs. They are now less willing to pay with their available cash on hand. For example, 80 percent of the cater- higher prices to upgrade consump- Second, the price of raw materi- ing industry is composed of SMEs. tion. Enterprises are being forced als has increased significantly. In the According to a report on the impact to provide higher-quality and more global market, due to rising costs of the epidemic on China’s cater- affordable products and services. caused by the pandemic, the prices ing industry released by the Chinese This trend will likely gain even more of many products have risen rapidly. Cuisine Association on February 12, steam after the epidemic. SMEs have In the first quarter of 2020, China’s 78 percent of catering businesses lost all revenues during the 2020 Spring Festival holiday, nine percent lost more than 90 percent, seven percent lost 70 to 90 percent, and only five percent lost less than 70 percent, compared to numbers from 2019. Second, international demand has declined significantly. Around mid-to-late March, COVID-19 quickly spread worldwide. To date, more than two million people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 outside China, and the number of cases is still rising rapidly. Countries are taking similar measures to promote isolation and quaran- April 24, 2020: A staff member guiding a taxpayer to fill in the tax declaration tine, which will inevitably affect form in the self-service tax office. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, the taxation the international market demand. administration of Hejian City, Hebei Province has actively promoted the modes of According to data from the Ministry intelligent tax operation and independent network tax operation, further simplified the tax operation process, opened a “one-stop” green channel for tax service, of Commerce, China’s export volume actively interpreted the preferential tax policies during the epidemic period for reached 3.33 trillion yuan (US$471 taxpayers, and helped small and medium-sized enterprises resume work and billion) in the first quarter of this production. by Zhu Xudong/Xinhua
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February 15, 2020: A hot pot restaurant staff member checks takeout food order in southwestern China’s Chongqing Municipality. Hot pot restaurants in Chongqing have started to provide consumers with zero-contact hot pot takeout services under the guidance of relevant departments amid the COVID-19 prevention and control efforts. by Wang Quanchao/Xinhua
CPI rose by 4.9 percent year-on-year, About 28 percent of enterprises’ raw far higher than the increase of 1.8 material prices remained stable, and percent in 2019. As consumer prices about six percent enjoyed a drop in increased, the price of raw materials raw material prices. needed by enterprises also increased The challenges faced Third, the industrial chain cycle significantly. Resumption of produc- has become blocked and unstable. tion faced huge pressure due to rising by SMEs during the Due to a combination of the factors production and operation costs. coronavirus outbreak arising from the Spring Festival A survey of the central region, the holiday and the epidemic, a vast Pearl River Delta and the Yangtze not only threaten number of SMEs stopped produc- River Delta conducted by Zhongnan their own survival, but tion. Changes in market demand, University of Economics and Law increases in production costs, diffi- from March 24 to 27 showed that also affect the overall culties in capital turnover and other 10.69 percent of enterprises faced a reasons such as impeded flow of sharp rise in the price of raw materi- economic situation people and logistics are making als, and 55.2 percent saw a slight rise. and social stability. it difficult for SMEs, especially
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labor-intensive enterprises, to not strong. According to a survey change its working philosophies and resume production. According to by China Enterprise Reform and strengthen and improve the imple- data from the Ministry of Industry Development Research Institute, mentation of those policies to make and Information Technology, by only 8.6 percent of enterprise manag- enterprises really benefit. April 14, almost all industrial enter- ers reported strong familiarity with Considering the impact of the prises above designated size had supportive measures issued by central pandemic, SMEs need to strengthen resumed operations, with an average and local governments, and 34.3 and adjust as quickly as possible to operating rate of 99 percent and percent responded that they were adapt to the new market environ- a staff reinstatement rate of 94 relatively familiar. About 20 percent ment and new situation. First, SMEs percent. However, as of April 15, of businesses admitted they did not should prepare to operate within only 84 percent of China’s SMEs know much. About 38 percent of tighter margins, focus on core had resumed production, a far lower private enterprises and 49 percent business, tap new potential, simplify percentage. According to a survey by of the self-employed said they had operations, control costs, end blind Zhongnan University of Economics a general understanding. These expansion, and ensure they retain and Law, enterprises suffering insuf- numbers show that most supportive enough capital flow to endure diffi- ficient inventory of raw materials face policies for enterprises have not been culties ahead. Second, SMEs need to difficulties to find alternate suppli- sufficiently implemented. accelerate the promotion of internet ers. When supply is disrupted, 32.6 Support needs to effectively channels, adapt to market changes percent of enterprises find it difficult address problems plaguing SMEs and more quickly, implement the “enter- to secure alternate suppliers. Most alleviate their acute pains. According prise + internet” action, smoothly enterprises lack a stable supply chain. to the survey, staff renumeration, shift procurement, sales and service About a quarter of enterprises cannot loan repayment and rent costs are links to online mode, and actively maintain stable production because the heaviest burdens for enterprise use the internet for business model of a lack of raw materials. Failure of operation. Except for the policy of innovation. Third, SMEs must supply and industrial chains is exert- exempting and cutting some social adapt to changing consumer habits, ing a profound impact on SMEs’ insurance fees, which can directly actively adjust their product struc- recovery and future operations. reduce operating costs of enterprises, ture, improve product quality, most policies involve advocacy and enhance production creativity, and Coping with Challenges are indirect, so they have little or endeavor to provide high-quality and The challenges faced by SMEs relatively slow impact on reducing the low-cost products. Fourth, SMEs during the coronavirus outbreak not costs of enterprises, leading to a weak should enhance the construction of only threaten their own survival, sense of gain. At present, Britain, corporate credit. When enterprises but also affect the overall economic Canada, Australia and Denmark encounter difficulties, credit becomes situation and social stability. For are directly subsidizing the payroll particularly important because it this reason, governments at all of enterprises seriously affected by directly determines the financing levels in China responded quickly to the pandemic to help them retain ability of enterprises, the stability launch a series of policies to support employees, covering 75 to 80 percent of the supply chain and the trust of SMEs, including financial support, of wages. China can learn from those consumers. SMEs should transform tax preferences, assistance in work countries on how to directly subsi- the sudden impact of the pandemic resumption, social security support, dize wages of employees and directly into an opportunity, monitor cost reduction measures and service and quickly reduce the burdens on credit development, and constantly optimization. enterprises to enhance confidence. accumulate and improve their corpo- Government support is crucial. At the same time, China should rate credit quality. China is not alone in its concern for accelerate the implementation of SMEs. Countries around the world supportive policies. Both relevant have also introduced economic assis- departments and local governments tance plans to support their SMEs. have been paying more attention However, even after the central to introduction of policies than to The author is an associate professor government and local govern- implementation. Many policies are with the China Institute of Economic ments in China introduced extensive mostly about principle and direction, Reform and Development at Renmin University of China and a research policies, enterprises do not know and lack specific measures for imple- fellow at the university’s Research much. The sense of support is mentation. The government needs to Center of China’s Private Enterprises.
CHINA PICTORIAL 59 FEATURES
Building a New Global Industrial Chain with 5G Text by Bian Yongzu
Leveraging the advantages of the next generation of information technology to accelerate the restructuring of the global industrial chain and re-activate the world economy is in the interest of all countries and conducive to building a community with a shared future for humanity.
he impact of the COVID-19 rates have soared. Many custom- director of the International Monetary pandemic on the global ers cannot cover such high logistics Fund, predicted that global growth economy is growing and costs, and flights could be cancelled would veer sharply negative in 2020, causing increasing concern. at any time due to the pandemic. As adding that “we anticipate the worst TAfter testing different prevention the pandemic continues to ravage economic fallout since the Great and control strategies, countries humanity on a global scale, many Depression.” The World Bank also around the world have gradually enterprises will likely go out of downgraded global growth forecasts. adopted similar approaches involv- business, which greatly increases the The pandemic has weakened ing restraining the flow of people to risk of Chinese export enterprises multinational corporations’ ability slow the spread of the virus. China getting stiffed on payment. to manage the entire industrial chain now has the virus essentially under The pandemic’s remaining and may deprive them of capabilities control, but many countries and impact on China’s economy is mainly in global R&D, sales, and services. regions, including Europe and the in the field of foreign trade, with When it faced the pandemic, China United States, are still struggling with gradual recovery of China’s invest- flattened the curve and turned the the ongoing pandemic and have little ment and consumption underway. tide in a short period of time rather hope of returning to normal quickly. However, the impact on developed than drawing out the decision-mak- The coronavirus crisis has already Western countries is comprehen- ing process. Many multinational dealt a heavy blow to the global sive. Statistics show that the current corporations are realizing that economy and will profoundly change hardest-hit countries have been the when major natural disasters strike, the current globalization landscape. United States and those in Europe, China can maintain a safer and more With the pandemic exploding, which show no signs of bringing stable business environment and major Western countries have been the virus under control in the short continue to provide the products and unable to carry out normal economic term. Most countries are now facing services that Western countries need. activities, which has catastrophi- the dilemma of choosing between Therefore, quite opposite to many cally interrupted the global supply epidemic control and economic devel- early predictions that the outbreak chain system. As the world’s largest opment. Containing the virus as would cause factories to move out of goods trading nation, China has quickly as possible demands strict China, many multinational compa- been affected enormously. External social distancing measures. However, nies are now accelerating transfer of demand has weakened significantly. such measures heavily impact regular more high value-added production Many export-oriented enterprises in economic activities and order. Most to China to ensure normal business China have no new orders, and even experts agree that complete control operations. Recently, Volkswagen already-placed orders risk cancel- of the pandemic cannot be realized CEO Herbert Diess revealed that the lation. At the same time, export within a short time, leaving them pandemic left his company without logistics costs and risks are mount- pessimistic about the prospects any sales or revenues outside the ing. Due to the substantial reduction for the global economy. Recently, Chinese market. In fact, China’s in international flights, freight Kristalina Georgieva, managing comprehensive industrial support
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April 8, 2020: The online launching ceremony for “new infrastructure” projects, which are expected to bring new drivers for the economy, is held in Tianxin District of Changsha, capital of Hunan Province. A number of project managers are connected to the spot through 5G video calls. Since some expect the COVID-19 pandemic to accelerate the fourth industrial revolution, China has the potential and ability to lead the new industrial revolution with its advantages in 5G. Xinhua system will further reduce logistics Leaders’ Summit on COVID-19 on China has the potential and ability costs for international enterprises, March 26, 2020, Chinese President to lead the new industrial revolu- and the effect of aggregation of the Xi Jinping emphasized the impor- tion. Chinese manufacturers such as whole industrial chain will become tance of information sharing and Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO, Vivo, and more evident. building a unified information ZTE are becoming leading providers Multinational enterprises from platform. During the outbreak, of 5G terminals. Chinese companies Western countries have played a lead students of China’s primary and contribute 38 percent of the world’s role in globalization. They have deter- secondary schools as well as univer- 5G standard patents, far higher than mined the global layout of factories sities attended classes from home. the 25 percent of South Korea and and formulated industrial standards For the first time, online education the 14 percent each of the United such as product specifications and has been embraced on a large scale. States and Finland. Leveraging the business rules to create a large and Many Chinese people are working advantages of next-generation infor- closely interconnected industrial online. They attend teleconferences, mation technology to accelerate the chain. Chinese companies seeking to carry out online discussions and even restructuring of the global indus- climb up the industrial value chain conduct business negotiations virtu- trial chain and re-activate the world still have plenty of hard work ahead. ally. Various economic activities are economy is in the interest of all The most important task remains increasingly moving online. China’s countries and conducive to building a to accelerate the construction of a domestic economic activities have community with a shared future 5G-based new global industrial chain. essentially maintained normal opera- for humanity. The impact of the pandemic on tion largely because China built a globalization has been seen most relatively developed and comprehen- clearly in impeding flow of logistics sive network ecosystem. Some expect and people, which is demonstrating the COVID-19 pandemic to acceler- The author is vice director and the greater importance of the next ate the fourth industrial revolution researcher with the Department of Industrial Research at the Chongyang generation of information technology. and usher in a new era. Institute for Financial Studies at At the G20 Extraordinary Virtual With its advantages in 5G, Renmin University of China.
CHINA PICTORIAL 61 ECOLOGY
Full of Heat Text by Zhou Xin Photographs courtesy of Sinopec Green Energy Geothermal Development Co., Ltd.
Natural earth cycles create clean and renewable energy as well as cooperation opportunities for China and Iceland.
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he combined scale of our geothermal coopera- tion projects in China is “Tmuch larger than the entire heating system of Iceland,” revealed Ragnar Baldursson, a former Icelandic diplomat now serving as Marketing Director of Sinopec Green Energy Geothermal Development Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Sinopec Green Energy”). “It is now the largest geothermal heating system in the world. This is what my country of only 360,000 people was able to contribute to the sustainable devel- opment of the world.” The China-Iceland joint venture had been fully staffed in early 2020 to ensure a “warm winter” by providing clean geothermal energy for people in many places of China during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earthly Cycles Connecting Two Countries The surface of the earth may often seem cold, but the planet has a warm heart. The inner temperature can reach as high as 7,000 degrees Celsius. Even places only 80 to 100 kilometers below the surface can be as hot as 1,200 degrees Celsius. Hot underground water can seep into the earth’s crust and eventu- ally reach the surface. Geothermal energy is harnessed in places where hot underground water can be found less than five kilometers from the surface. “You must be able to dig wells to harness geothermal energy,” stressed Baldursson. “So, investment in the early phase has to be huge. China was not equipped to use this energy in the past.” Baldursson left Iceland for China in the 1970s and studied in Beijing. He always dreamed of helping with the heavy winter pollu- tion from so many people burning September 2019: A bird’s-eye view of Baiyangdian Lake. On April 1, 2017, coal for heat with technology from Xiong’an New Area was set up in Hebei Province. The lake is included into Iceland on geothermal heating. the new area as an important water body. Iceland is situated on volcanic
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development strategies consider- ably overlap. As a diplomat for Iceland, Baldursson eventually helped facil- itate cooperation between the two nations in 2006. That year, the China-Iceland joint venture Sinopec Green Energy was founded in Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province.
Smog-Free Town Around 2000, a giant “hot spring lake” emerged in south- western Xiongxian County, Hebei Province. It was originally a small natural lake that was enlarged and warmed by diverted underground geothermal water. Xiongxian is rich in geother- mal energy, so many locals have long utilized geothermal energy for heating. The temperature of geothermal water there is very high, 60 to 80 degrees Celsius year-round. Institutions, communities, and individuals were all been digging to find heat. However, when they broke through to hot water, they lacked the technology to recycle the water back into the ground. So, much of the continuously running 2011: A drilling well of Sinopec Green Energy in Xiongxian County, Hebei Province. hot water ended up being diverted into the lake. The lake is warm and does not freeze during winter. Steam often hovers five to six meters above rock. It is home to a wealth of of medium- and low-temperature the surface. geothermal energy, with the most geothermal energy. As the underground water level hot springs in the world. “Even in Zhao Xin, Chief Financial dropped, many hot water wells the 1970s, Iceland’s heating system Officer of Sinopec Green Energy, stopped self-erupting, leaving many was already mostly powered by believes that China has the richest communities without hot water geothermal energy, so there is no medium- and low-temperature for heating. Gradually, the county pollution from winter heating.” geothermal energy in the world. realized that it wasn’t using its However, he had no knowledge Earthly cycles create clean and geothermal energy sustainably. of the distribution of geothermal renewable energy as well as cooper- “Without returning used water energy in China, which happens to ation opportunities for China into the ground, geothermal energy also have rich geothermal energy and Iceland. China Petrochemical risks exhaustion,” said Zhao. resources, accounting for 7.9 Corporation (Sinopec Group) is In August 2009, Sinopec Green percent of the world’s total. Some committed to green and low-carbon Energy began to cooperate with the regions in China including Tibet are development, while Arctic Green local government to streamline and famous for plentiful high-tempera- Energy Corporation is a cutting- standardize the usage of geother- ture geothermal energy, and the rest edge provider of power and heating mal energy and make the process of China has an even distribution with geothermal energy. Their sustainable with the company’s
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advanced technology. total heating areas in the county, the cost of pollution.” Zhao added “We don’t stop after securing eliminating the need to burn that due to proper design, the area geothermal water,” noted Zhao. 650,000 tons of standard coal. The can achieve energy self-sufficiency. “We return used water into the “Xiongxian Mode” has been widely Everything it needs is underground. ground according to an effective recognized by the National Energy After major investment in the initial plan to ensure a general balance of Administration of China and indus- stage, the subsequent cost of operation resources. Get the heat and reinject try insiders. It was a highlight of is very low. the same year. This is one of the China’s geothermal energy indus- Geothermal heating projects by core technologies of our company.” try during the 12th Five-Year Plan Sinopec Green Energy, a leading Because of technological and Period (2011-2015) and has driven company in the industry, can be economic obstacles, many enter- the rise of the industry during found in seven provinces in China. prises choose not to reinject. Some the 13th Five-Year Plan Period It has signed cooperation frame- companies return the water to a (2016-2020). work agreements with over 40 cities different aquifer, which does not As an old Chinese saying goes, and towns, and projects have already help the environment. “paying back a loan on time makes been launched in over 30 of them. Sinopec Green Energy cooper- it easier to borrow the next time.” “The company plans to double its ated with the government of This just conforms to the concept scale in the next five years,” stated Xiongxian County to create the of sustainable usage of geother- Zhao. “This project transcends “Xiongxian Mode” featuring mal energy. cooperation between companies. market operations, joint utilization, We’re working to promote the devel- advanced technology, environ- Beautiful China: Opportunities opment of the entire industry.” mental friendliness, and benefits for the World “When I first arrived in China, to the people. After years of effort, “We have cut carbon dioxide the country was still exploring its Xiongxian County has become emissions by 7.5 million tons,” own path for development, and the the first smog-free town in north- according to the website of Sinopec idea of sustainable development ern China. Geothermal energy Green Energy. hadn’t been formed yet.” Since his has powered over seven million “Although the price of coal-fueled first visit to China in the 1970s, square meters, 95 percent of the heating seems lower, it doesn’t include Baldursson has witnessed the trans- formation of China’s development ideas. “When developed countries started calling for sustainable devel- opment and exploring renewable energy, China listened earnestly and acted quickly. And it ended up moving ahead of many of the staunchest advocates.” “Our cooperation demonstrates that during the process of China’s modernization, any country, big or small, can find areas for win-win cooperation with China based on their own natural endowment,” said Baldursson. “Many countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative have geothermal energy under their soil. Our company can help them harness that energy.” Thanks to the joint efforts of China and Iceland, more places in February 2020: Workers at Sinopec Green Energy’s branch in Xianyang City, China and the world will be able to Shaanxi Province are repairing a geothermal well to guarantee winter heating embrace greener and cleaner winters during the pandemic. in the future.
CHINA PICTORIAL 65 PEOPLE
The Second Half of the Coronavirus Battle Text by Zhou Xin
A Chinese businessman in Tunisia battles the coronavirus on two fronts.
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a restaurant, a supermarket, a On January 23, lockdown food processing facility and a measures were imposed in Wuhan. travel agency that collectively earn Agitated about the situation in revenues of two million Tunisian China and his hometown, Huang, dinars (around US$680,000) a who is also chairman of the associ- year. “In the past, the only private ation of overseas Chinese there, Chinese business you could find scrambled to help the motherland here was Huawei,” he recounted. fight the epidemic. He contacted a “Tunisia has a free trade agreement local factory that makes face masks. with Europe, so I hoped to establish The factory manager had frequently a business in Tunisia before expand- visited Guangzhou and immediately ing towards Europe.” agreed to donate masks to China. In early January 2020, Huang The factory with around 30 employ- heard about an unknown pneumo- ees worked day and night in rotating nia plaguing his hometown. Spring shifts to produce masks. Huang Festival is particularly import- even visited the plant to thank ant for nostalgic overseas Chinese the staff and check production. people, and the news from home They recorded a video to encour- only became increasingly disturb- age Wuhan and China in the battle ing. The messages from his family against the coronavirus. After pains- quickly shifted from polite sugges- taking efforts, the factory donated tions to forgo coming back to a 100,000 masks to China. When stern warnings. the melt-blown cloth, a necessary
April 5, 2020: An empty street in Tunis, capital and the largest city of Tunisia, during the COVID-19 outbreak. Xinhua
or the first time in nine years in Tunisia, Huang Cong didn’t return home to Wuhan for Chinese New Year. FIn 2011, at age 26, Huang ventured to Tunisia to start a business. After five years of pains- taking effort, his business finally became profitable. Now, he March 23, 2020: Huang Cong distributes masks and disinfectants to police officers manages five companies including on duty in Tunis, capital of Tunisia. courtesy of Huang Cong
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kicked off by late March. In 2015, he met a woman in Tunisia who eventually became his wife. Their four-year-old child was enrolled in a local kindergarten and is now taking two hours of online classes at home every day after all schools were suspended on March 20. His business also came to a stop. After two months of the outbreak, the donor and the recipient had switched roles. Huang remains busy fighting the pandemic, but now facilitat- ing inbound customs clearance instead of shipping outbound. Instead of donating to compatri- ots far away, donations are now being distributed locally. And the coronavirus is no longer news from remote places, but a danger lurking around the corner. Even after the country was locked down, Huang continued to go outdoors to clear customs, collect goods, and distrib- ute personal protective equipment. Not many Chinese people live in Tunisia, so he usually distributes things himself. Upon noticing that police officers and customs personnel February 5, 2020: Huang Cong checks production in a mask plant in Sfax, Tunisia. lacked basic protective gear, he courtesy of Huang Cong bought masks and other equipment from China. He not only donated material needed to make masks, ran half, other countries are playing the many masks to the local customs out, Huang bought 20,000 masks second half, but overseas Chinese authority, but also hit the streets from retail stores such as pharma- play the whole game. On March to distribute masks and disinfec- cies to donate to China. When all 2, the first case of COVID-19 was tants to police officers. Locals have of his sources for buying masks confirmed in Tunisia. On March been moved by his actions. “Police were exhausted, he donated 10,000 30, the president of Tunisia gave an officers saluted when I passed.” He Tunisian dinars (about US$3,400) amnesty, releasing 1,420 prisoners has donated 20,000 masks as well as to the Red Cross Society of China to help flatten the curve. By April disinfectants, protective gowns, and through the Chinese Embassy 20, the country had 901 identified goggles to locals. in Tunisia. cases and a death toll of 38. The To deter panic buying, local China’s situation has gradu- whole nation has been in lockdown authorities are rationing daily neces- ally improved. When he was busy since late March. Many Tunisians sities. Although Huang’s business supporting China’s fight, Huang frequent Italy, and the flow of came to a halt, he still offered didn’t realize it was only the first people between the two countries low-priced necessities to Chinese half of his battle against the virus. is normally heavy, which caused visitors and employees stranded A grim joke about the fight greater pressure on local leaders to in Tunisia. against the pandemic has circulated contain the disease. On April 8, the lockdown in noting that China played the first Huang’s second half had already Wuhan was lifted. Huang was
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March 21, 2020: Lei Xiaozhen (second right), an obstetrician with the 24th Chinese medical team sent to Tunisia, discusses a case with local doctors in Sidi Bouzid. Xinhua
relieved because his parents remained safe during the outbreak. He was also encouraged by China’s ability to win the battle. However, he remains knee-deep in the second half. “Never give up” is Huang’s mantra. In Huang’s eyes, Tunisians are straightforward, kind-hearted, and open-minded. Locals are very friendly to Chinese people. He is frequently greeted on the streets with “Ni Hao” (“Hello” in Chinese). And locals have always been happy to help during every process acquir- ing local licenses for his business. The heartwarming help from Tunisians when the outbreak in China began moved Huang a lot. He is resolved to stay with locals during April 16, 2020: A woman passes by a closed store in Tunis, capital of Tunisia. the fight and remains confident in a Xinhua total victory.
CHINA PICTORIAL 69 CULTURE
A poster for the online movie Snake II. During the COVID-19 outbreak, Snake II led the box office in China’s online film industry in the first quarter of 2020 with over 30 million yuan (US$4 million).
Streaming Opportunity Text by Gong Haiying Photographs courtesy of Tmeng Group unless otherwise credited
The coronavirus epidemic drastically expanded online movie viewership in China, bringing new opportunities to the industry.
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The Huang Feihong series released by Tmeng in 2018 has already been licensed to online platforms serving over 100 countries and performed well in both ratings and views.
he COVID-19 epidemic million yuan (US$1.4 million). In perform exceptionally in cinemas, has created new opportuni- the first half of 2019, only 15 online was released online for viewers to ties for producers of online movies managed to earn that much. watch for free. It was viewed 180 movies. According to statis- Due to the epidemic, seven million times in three days. Later, Ttics, nearly 200 movies were released theatrical releases scheduled for another two movies that had been through online platforms in China the Spring Festival holiday were scheduled for theatrical release in the first quarter of 2020, includ- canceled. On January 25, 2020, also went online. More attractive ing 22 with revenues exceeding 10 Lost in Russia, a movie expected to choices in online viewing as millions
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January 17, 2020: The premiere for the movie Lost in Russia is held in Beijing. On January 25, this movie which was expected to perform exceptionally in cinemas was released online to watch for free. It was viewed 180 million times in three days. IC
were stuck at home have helped effect, movies released online and monster and disaster films have long the online entertainment industry in theaters have been subject to the been popular choices of Hollywood, develop by leaps and bounds. same laws to promote higher- such films are rarely seen in Chinese The concept of “grand online quality entertainment products. In movie theaters. “Snake was unlike movies” was first introduced in November 2019, the term “grand anything else in the theaters during 2014 in China in reference to films online movie” was officially its run, which was a major factor in released online that meet a series of trimmed to “online movie.” its high box office,” noted Yin. standards such as a length longer Tmeng Pictures under Tmeng Yin considers online movies a than 60 minutes. Over the past Group is a major producer of online major part of China’s entertainment seven years, the number of movies films, with an annual output of industry. The medium is creating annually released online in China around 40. Its 2018 movie Snake still new opportunities for the develop- has increased rapidly from barely holds the record for online movie ment of China’s film industry. “The 200 to a peak of more than 2,000, box office with over 50 million development of online movies has with the market size surging from yuan (US$7 million). Its sequel, dramatically expanded the potential less than 100 million yuan (US$ Snake II, led the box office in the subject matter for movie theaters and 14 million) to over three billion first quarter of 2020 with over 30 created careers for many excellent yuan (US$423 million) in 2019. million yuan (US$4 million). Yin young directors and producers who Since March 1, 2017, when the Film Chao, founder and CEO of Tmeng will likely become major forces in Industry Promotion Law went into Group, remarked that although China’s film industry,” Yin remarked.
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lot needs to be improved includ- ing human resources, subject matter and types of movies. The key lies in attractive content, which relates to both telling stories better and exploring various forms and topics. Alongside monster movies, which have already proven their market potential, films about war, heroic figures and true stories are worth exploring. At the end of the day, I’m optimistic about China’s online movie development. As more tradi- tional production teams start working on online films, invest- Tmeng Pictures under Tmeng Group is a major producer of online films in China. ment in a single production could On November 22, 2019, at the first Internet Film and TV Entertainment Festival, reach as high as 100 million yuan Yin Chao, founder and CEO of Tmeng Group, won the award “Best Online Movie Producer of the Year.” (US$14 million) in next five years as a larger audience is guaranteed. This is the trend.
China Pictorial: Online series from Europe and the United States are very popular in The development of online movies has China. How can China’s online content explore overseas dramatically expanded the potential subject markets? matter for movie theaters and created Yin Chao: The topics of China’s online films are attractive to foreign careers for many excellent young directors viewers, but the stories are not satis- fying. As more talented people join and producers who will likely become major the industry, the quality of stories forces in China’s film industry. will improve dramatically. Tmeng has made progress in exploring overseas markets. For China Pictorial: What drew producing movies is not all we do; instance, the Huang Feihong series Tmeng Group to online movie we are also committed to building released by Tmeng in 2018 has production? How does Tmeng a standardized industrial system for already been licensed to online stand out among online movie film production including our own platforms serving over 100 countries companies? database to guide content creation. and performed well in both ratings Yin Chao: Tmeng was founded We organized a program to train and views, which has boosted our in 2012 and first ventured into promising talent. The development confidence. Currently, Tmeng online film production on short of Tmeng marks Chinese online is looking mainly at markets in film platforms. As it began pioneer- movies evolving to a new phase. Southeast Asian countries such as ing development of online films, it Malaysia and Singapore and cooper- gradually transformed to an online China Pictorial: What needs ating with their local providers. film company. to happen for China’s online Such moves will popularize Chinese Over the past eight years, movie industry to rise to the characters while at the same time Tmeng has become an innovative next level? facilitating cooperation with foreign platform focused on the produc- Yin Chao: China’s online movie actors and actresses on telling stories tion of digital content. However, production is just burgeoning. A about China.
CHINA PICTORIAL 73 CULTURE | BOOKS
Responsibility, Trust and Love
This book records something special: a fusion of responsibility, trust and love. China, We Stand with You!—How Communication Professionals from 25 Nations See China’s Coronavirus Fight, published by New Star Press in March 2020.
his book features content achievements and miracles happen.” special: a deft fusion of responsibil- from reports in forms of texts, Their choice to stay in China ity, trust and love. All participating photos and videos published during its most difficult time demon- authors continue to contribute to the by 35 foreign experts who strated their deep respect and support battle against the pandemic. Tdecided to stay in or return to China for the country and its people. Hosam Farouk El-Maghrabi from after the outbreak of COVID-19. The This book documents something Egypt participated in the launch of an group consists of media profession- als from 25 countries who all work at China International Publishing Group (CIPG). Among them, some experienced Peru’s cholera outbreak in 1991, some witnessed Beijing’s SARS outbreak in 2003, and others experienced the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan. Such experiences have given them a keen understanding of what can and cannot be changed by disasters. As media professionals, they strive to relay the actual situa- tion in China and share “what is really going on in China.” After the outbreak of COVID-19, these people opted to stay in China and A ceremony for the donation of masks by a South African company to China. some even returned from overseas. When China faced the hardest time in its fight with the coronavirus outbreak, many Such decisions were based on the countries including those in Africa extended their helping hands to assist China idea that “China is where great through the difficulties.
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Some authors of the book. It features content from reports in forms of texts, photos and videos published by 35 foreign experts who decided to stay in or return to China after the outbreak of COVID-19.
online initiative to fight the epidemic and cheer for China that was widely acclaimed by Middle Eastern diplo- mats and regular folks alike. Park Goeun from South Korea produced two videos about China that were reposted on many social media accounts in South Korea and the official accounts of the South Korean Embassy in China and other institutions. CIPG is China’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to international communication. It operates many subsidiaries that provide news, publishing, trans- During the outbreak of COVID-19, more than 40,000 medical personnel from lation, research and international other parts of China have come to Wuhan, providing strong assistance in trade of cultural products. fighting against the epidemic.
CHINA PICTORIAL 75 CULTURE | SENSING CHINA Beijing Hutong Makeover Text by Cecile Zehnacker After nearly vanishing in recent decades, new life has been brought to the hutongs, which is helping preserve and keep them alive—in turn preserving the identity of Beijing.
moved to Beijing in 2014, during with me. Only after some Chinese first hutongs were built around wells my second visit to the city. I friends arrived did I realize how before gradually expanding. The had traveled there in 2012 and surprised they were that I chose to main type of hutong housing at that promised myself never to return. live in a hutong. time was the siheyuan, a square court- IIt was winter, the city was gray and Many Chinese have some odd yard comprised of several one-floor, gloomy, and the language barrier ideas about what life is like in a single-family abodes. Gradually complicated everything. But some hutong. For some, it is synonymous siheyuan abodes were linked to promises are made to be broken, and with discomfort. To understand why, each other until they shaped the when I got an opportunity to work it is important to look at history. entire city. in Beijing for six months, I decided Beijing’s hutong areas have a history Over the centuries, the city’s to give the city a second chance of more than 700 years. They were urban planning evolved, and hutong and embrace the opportunity. The built during the Yuan Dynasty (1271- architecture changed. During the second attempt was much better 1368), a Mongol empire founded by first half of the 20th century, many than the first, and I fell in love with Kubilai Khan following the Song siheyuan residences that once housed China, and Beijing specifically. Dynasty (960-1279). The word a single family were divided in After six months of sharing an “hutong” comes from a Mongol word several smaller houses. The living apartment, I landed another job and that means “water well.” Because conditions worsened as the capacity decided to look for my own place. water is essential to support life, the of hutong homes was pushed. After visiting numerous apart- ments, I finally chose a nice hutong (alley or lane) apartment near the Drum Tower, a landmark of old Beijing. I didn’t know much about hutongs at the time, but as a culture enthusiast, the best way to discover Beijing seemed to live in a narrow alley that remains at the heart of the capital city. My apartment was newly renovated and comfortable with a private bathroom and a kitchen, but it was quite cold in winter. My landlord lived right next to me. I rented from an adorable Beijing couple—the husband was an actual descendant of Confucius. I took some time to redeco- rate my new home sweet home and
then spent a week planning a house- Beijing’s hutongs are transforming from old-fashioned to trendy places. More warming party for all my friends and more young Chinese are injecting fresh vitality into the hutongs and helping to celebrate my new Beijing life preserve them and the identity of Beijing. illustrated by Liang Yu
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Beijing, near the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, hutong neighborhoods are near everything. All my daily needs are just a few steps from my front door: supermarkets, convenience stores, and restaurants, just to name a few. I also particularly enjoy the small- town atmosphere of single-story hutong buildings. In recent years, hutongs have evolved dramatically. After many were demolished to make room for modern buildings, a protec- tion plan was established in 2016. Destroying hutongs was banned, and some refurbishment plans were introduced to preserve them. Some hutongs have become major tourist draws rivaling the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. Some famous hutongs such as Nanluoguxiang and Wudaoying are now filled with cafés, shops, and small siheyuan-style hotels. Some An old bookstore in the Bada Hutong area (above) and one of the narrow alleys hutongs around the Drum Tower are that shape the hutong area (below). courtesy of Cecile Zehnacker bustling at night thanks to numer- ous restaurants and bars. The Bada Hutong area that was once the With the founding of the still use public restrooms which red-light district and home to Peking People’s Republic of China in 1949, are now all over the hutong area. Opera practitioners before the urban planning evolved again, and Furthermore, most hutong homes founding of the People’s Republic many hutongs were demolished still have poor heating systems, of China in 1949 was a great discov- and replaced by larger roads with leaving them quite cold during ery for me. It is now a charming modern buildings offering improved winter, while Beijing offers a very neighborhood where young people living standards. People started to efficient public heating system to enjoy going out on weekends. As a leave the traditional houses in search residents of apartment buildings. All result of the makeover and central of more comfort. Without bathroom these factors make apartment build- location, the price per square meter facilities inside the homes and the ings more appealing residences to in old alleys is skyrocketing, reach- first public toilets appearing only my Chinese friends. ing often twice or more that of after 1950, living in a hutong had However, many of the native apartment buildings. clear disadvantages compared to Beijing families who still inhabit Gradually, Beijing’s hutongs are residing in a modern facility. these homes do not want to leave. transforming from old-fashioned To this day, many hutong abodes A Beijing-born friend of mine lives to trendy places. More and more have never really been renovated. I in a hutong near mine. He agrees young Chinese artists and design- lived in one of the oldest neighbor- that the comfort is limited but feels ers are setting up studios or starting hoods of Beijing, and most residents that living there is a family heritage businesses in hutong neighborhoods. around me are native Beijing and part of his identity as a native This is injecting fresh vitality into families who have been living in the Beijinger. He also commented on the hutongs and helping preserve neighborhood for generations. Many the coziness and convenience of them after they almost vanished partially renovated their homes to hutong life. Ideally located inside in recent decades—preserving the install a bathroom, but some must the 2nd Ring Road, the heart of identity of Beijing.
CHINA PICTORIAL 77 CULTURE | ON DISPLAY
Answering the Call: Exhibition of Shanghai’s Battle Against COVID-19
China Art Museum, Shanghai April 8 – May 8, 2020
More than 800 works featured in this exhibition were selected from more than 13,000 visual art pieces spontaneously created by Shanghai’s frontline anti- epidemic heroes, literary and art workers and people from all walks of life. The exhibition is divided into a main exhibi- tion, a sub-exhibition of photographic works and a sub-exhibition of comic works. More than 250 paint- ings, 480 photographic works, and 70 pieces of folk art, sculpture and instal- lations are on display, all being original. Waiting for Your Return by Zhou Yuan.
dignitaries and celebrities. This exhibition showcases more than Suzhou Embroidery: 20 representative Suzhou embroidery works by Yao alongside a Exhibition of Yao Jianping series of cultural life works that she led a team to develop in recent years. All works on display showcase Yao’s innovation in develop- Suzhou Museum, Suzhou ing Suzhou embroidery art. December 25, 2019 – May 5, 2020
A traditional Chinese handicraft, Suzhou embroidery has always been closely tied to traditional Chinese culture and is now a national intangible cultural heritage. “Illustrating the times with needle and thread” is a creative tenet of Yao Jianping, a Suzhou embroidery artist. Since she estab- lished Suzhou Zhenhu Embroidery Research Institute in the 1990s, she has designed and created a series of works to express the spirit of the times and promote national culture. Her works have been gifted to many foreign Poster for “Embroidery Exhibition of Yao Jianping.”
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Landscape and Books: Pearl Art Museum’s 2nd Anniversary Exhibition
Pearl Art Museum, Shanghai January 18 – May 15, 2020
The exhibition features over 200 pieces of contem- porary print, oil paintings, installations, art books, antique books, ancient calligraphy and painting, and manuscripts, includ- ing works of Chinese artist Chen Danqing, Japanese artist Asami Kiyokawa, and five other famous contemporary artists. The exhibition presents a diverse and vivid picture of contem- porary exploration and creation under the overar- ching theme “Landscape and Books,” in the hope of creating a unique journey Poster for “Landscape and Books: Pearl through books and art. Art Museum’s 2nd Anniversary Exhibition.” Delivery in the Epidemic by Zhang Weiren.
Amazing Chinoiserie: Chinese Export Porcelain Exhibition, 17th to 18th Century
Guangdong Museum, Guangzhou March 13 – October 11, 2020
From the 17th to 18th century, the rise and development of maritime trade resulted in China’s ceramic ware becom- ing a key commodity exported to the West. This exhibition displays a collection of 175 fine porcelain products manufactured for export from the 17th to 18th century. It demonstrates the high development of ancient China’s porcelain industry while shining light on trade between East and West as well as dialogue and collision of Poster for “Amazing Chinoiserie: Chinese Export Porcelain Exhibition, 17th different races, civilizations and cultures. to 18th Century.”
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