THE PRIME FACTOR New Urbanization Drive Puts People at the Fore

OPINION: BAIDU CEO ON TECH TRANSFORMATION P.28 | FEATURES: CENTENNIAL WITNESSES P.40

VOL.64 NO.10 MARCH 11, 2021 WWW.BJREVIEW.COM

THE PRIME FACTOR New urbanization drive puts people at the fore

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CONTENTS EDITOR’S DESK OPINION FEATURES 02 A Priority for Progress 20 Commitment Is the Key 32 Crossing the Bay President Xi’s book decodes China’s Greater Bay Area sees greater synergy THIS WEEK development 36 The Second Child Issue COVER STORY 22 Points From Munich Why China’s birth rate has hit a record low 12 Duet for Development Security conference indicates areas for 40 Preserving a Legacy People at the heart of new collaboration CPC memorials undergo renovation for centenary urbanization drive 24 Is America Really Back? celebrations Lukewarm response to Biden’s bid to 16 Sharing Is Caring 42 A Bumpy Journey Home take up leadership reins Regional integration as A couple’s contribution to anti-child trafficking a win-win factor 26 Mixed Messages UK needs a clear China agenda CULTURE 28 Toward an Intelligent Tomorrow 46 Carriers of Culture Baidu CEO on how technology is Spotlight on over 5,000 years of sartorial evolution changing the world 30 The March for Modernization EXPAT’S EYE 48 A Tea Toast to the Women of China Policy paper drives agricultural A Chinese culture lover shares her International modernization Women’s Day experiences

Cover Design: Wang Yajuan

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A News Weekly Magazine One of the focuses of the annual meet- Delta, which have become major growth Published Since 1958 ings of the National People’s Congress, poles of the national economy. the national legislature, and the National However, while these regions have President: Li Yafang Committee of the Chinese People’s developed rapidly, the central and west- Associate Editor in Chief: Li Jianguo Associate President: Yan Ying Political Consultative Conference, the ern regions still lag behind. So the focus top political advisory body, is the 14th now is to address this imbalance in the Executive Editor: Yan Wei Associate Executive Editors: Zan Jifang, Liu Yunyun, Ding Ying Five-Year Plan (2021-25) and the long- urbanization process. Production Director: Yao Bin range objectives through the year 2035. The pace and quality of the new Editorial Administrators: Zeng Wenhui, Hou Beibei Assistant Executive Editor: Li Fangfang Urbanization is an essential part of this urbanization need to be higher also be- Commentator: Lan Xinzhen Editors: Wang Hairong, Li Nan focus as it is directly connected with cause it is linked to the new development Editorial Consultants: Sudeshna Sarkar, Madhusudan Chaubey the balanced development of different model of dual circulation. Put forward Reporters: Tang Yuankai, Wang Jun, Pan Xiaoqiao, Yuan Yuan, Ji Jing, Lu Yan, Wen Qing, Li Qing, Li Xiaoyang, Ma Miaomiao, regions. by President Xi Jinping in October 2020, Zhang Shasha, Tao Xing, Tao Zihui To boost urbanization, a national this is a growth vision in which the do- Visual Director: Pamela Tobey Photo Editor: Wang Xiang plan for a new type of urbanization was mestic market is the mainstay, with the Photographer: Wei Yao released in 2014, stressing efficient use domestic and overseas markets reinforc- Art: Li Shigong Design Director: Wang Yajuan of resources and eco-friendly, harmoni- ing each other. Chief Designer: Cui Xiaodong ous development. The current low consumption by Designer: Zhao Boyu Proofreading: Ma Xin Last year was the deadline for imple- urban residents is a major bottleneck for Human Resources: Zhang Yajie menting the plan and according to the domestic circulation, and new urbaniza- Legal Counsel: Yue Cheng National Bureau of Statistics, by the end tion can provide the impetus to overcome North America Bureau Chief: Yu Shujun of 2020, over 60 percent of the perma- it. With China’s 1.4-billion population, Tel/Fax: 1-201-792-0334 nent population were living in cities, 6.3 urbanization has great potential for E-mail: [email protected] Africa Bureau percentage points higher than the figure boosting domestic demand. Chief Correspondent: Ni Yanshuo in 2014. The new targets for social and eco- Tel: 27-71-6132053 E-mail: [email protected] The urbanization drive has stimulated nomic development laid out in the 14th General Editorial Office the development of urban public facili- Five-Year Plan and beyond therefore Tel: 86-10-68996252 ties, real estate, education, healthcare and give priority to new urbanization, which Fax: 86-10-68326628 English Edition transport. The expansion of cities has led is closely connected with economic Tel: 86-10-68996250 Advertising Department to the emergence of city clusters, such growth, social progress and people’s Tel: 86-10-68996280 as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the wellbeing, essential elements in China’s E-mail: [email protected] BR Distribution Department Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River modernization. Tel: 86-10-68310644 E-mail: [email protected]

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2 BEIJING REVIEW MARCH 11, 2021 http://www.bjreview.com THIS WEEK XINHUA

NPC SESSION OPENS Deputies to the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) walk toward the Great Hall of the People for the opening of the national legislature’s annual session in Beijing on March 5. At the inaugural meeting attended by President Xi Jinping and other leaders that day, Premier Li Keqiang delivered the government work report, confirming the annual growth target for the economy in 2021 is over 6 percent.

http://www.bjreview.com MARCH 11, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 3 THIS WEEK SOCIETY XINHUA province in south China. As stated in a press conference held on March 1, recruitment has begun for three key leadership positions. Zhang Yingduan, deputy head of the organization department of the Hainan Provincial Party Committee, said the positions are open to both domestic and overseas candidates. Hainan is in urgent need of international experts with global vision and advanced management experi- ence, Zhang said, adding that recruiting talent from overseas is conducive to promoting the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port. China last year released a master plan for the free trade port, aiming to build the whole of Hainan Island into a globally A Sample From Moon influential, high-level free trade Visitors view lunar sample No.001, brought back by China’s Chang’e-5 probe, at the National Museum of port by the middle of the China in Beijing on February 27. century. School Enrollment The gross enrollment rate in Vaccination Progress to be vaccinated for other special the capital and enhancing water China’s preschool education reasons. The government will then resource security. system reached 85.2 percent last According to Beijing’s municipal complete the vaccination of other The project has also facili- government, more than 5 mil- year, according to statistics from groups, such as healthy individu- tated ecological replenishment the Ministry of Education (MOE). lion people in the capital had als in good physical condition. in Hebei, supplying 3 billion received COVID-19 vaccinations There were 291,700 kin- cubic meters of water to more dergartens in China last year, as of 2 p.m. on March 2, with 2.64 than 20 of Hebei’s rivers. million of those having received Water Diversion enrolling a total of more than Beginning at the two doses of the vaccine. With The middle route of China’s 48 million children. According Danjiangkou Reservoir in central efforts beginning on January 1, South-to-North Water Diversion to information released by the China’s Hubei Province, the Beijing has now completed Project has transferred over 22 ministry on March 1, nearly 85 middle route of the water diver- COVID-19 inoculation of all billion cubic meters of water to percent of those children were sion project crosses Henan and key groups, including frontline Beijing, Tianjin Municipality and enrolled in kindergartens that Hebei provinces before reaching customs inspectors of imported Hebei Province since the route’s provide quality preschool educa- Beijing and Tianjin. It is one of cold chain goods and personnel completion in December 2014. tion at affordable prices. the three routes that make up the working in the overseas and As of March 2, more than 6 The ministry’s data on South-to-North Water Diversion domestic transportation sectors. billion cubic meters of water had China’s nine-year compulsory project, with the eastern and The Beijing Government will been transferred respectively to education showed 210,800 pri- western routes supplying water continue to promote the vac- Beijing and Tianjin, while about mary and middle schools were cination of other groups at high 10 billion cubic meters of water to other parts of China. educating 156 million students in risk, such as the elderly, those had been sent to Hebei, official 2020, with the retention rate of responsible for maintaining social data showed. Expert Recruitment students in compulsory educa- operations and ensuring the The mega water diversion The Hainan Free Trade Port will tion reaching 95.2 percent. supply of necessities, personnel project has directly benefited recruit top experts from China In addition, more than 41 in service and labor-intensive over 13 million people in Beijing, and abroad to promote port million students were studying industries, and those who need transforming water supply to construction in Hainan, an island at 24,400 senior high schools

4 BEIJING REVIEW MARCH 11, 2021 http://www.bjreview.com THIS WEEK XINHUA across the country in 2020, with the Ministry of Ecology and a gross enrollment rate of 91.2 Environment, China is committed percent. to reducing the average concen- tration of fine particulate matter Chinese Jet (PM2.5) in 337 major cities by 10 China Eastern Airlines and the percent between 2021 and 2025, Commercial Aircraft Corporation from the average level over the of China (COMAC) have signed a previous five years. contract for the purchase of five Liu spelt out the goal for new passenger jets, marking the each of the 337 cities to enjoy official market entry of China’s good-quality air for 87.5 percent indigenously developed C919 of the days during the 2021-25 large passenger aircraft. period at the press conference. The new planes will be used He noted that China has on routes from Shanghai to achieved the goals of the three- Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen year action plan it put in place and Chengdu, according to a in 2018, with days with good air spokesperson for the airline. quality accounting for 87 percent Flowering Season China Eastern Airlines of 2020 in the 337 major cities. Residents in Shanghai appreciate cherry blossoms in a park on March 2. has been participating in the The ministry will prioritize development of the C919 since cutting vehicle emissions over the early stages of the project. the next five years, Liu said, stressing the importance of In 2016, it signed a cooperation according to the trial regula- and teachers. According to the measures to lower carbon emis- framework agreement with tions, released by the MOE last new rules, students who commit sions and control air pollution COMAC, to become the world’s December. minor offenses should receive simultaneously. first user of the C919. In addition to verbal abuse, proportionately minor punish- The C919, China’s first self- other forbidden disciplinary ments, such as being required to developed trunk jetliner, has Disciplinary Methods methods include forcing students make oral or written apologies or 158-174 seats and a flying range China’s new rules governing to stand still or assume physi- undertaking classroom chores. of 4,075-5,555 km. The plane school disciplinary methods cally uncomfortable positions Harsh measures for severe conducted its successful maiden came into force on March 1, for excessive amounts of time, violations apply to children who flight in 2017. banning physical punishment and covert forms of punishment have reached their senior years and verbal abuse in primary and such as intentional isolation. of primary school and students Air Quality Targets secondary schools. The new regulations also in middle and senior schools. New targets have been set to Educators are prohibited clarify the conditions under Disciplinary options include tackle air pollution in China over from carrying out disciplinary which educators should in- suspension from school, school the next five years. According procedures that would inflict tervene and introduce a new counseling and professional cor- to Liu Bingjiang, an official with direct physical pain on students, disciplinary regime for students rection sessions. XINHUA

A New Start Students from a school in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in north China, fly kites to welcome the new school semester on February 28.

http://www.bjreview.com MARCH 11, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 5 THIS WEEK ECONOMY

($45.2 billion) was paid to cover manufacturing sector reached 5G base stations by the end of Financing Support health insurance claims last year, 10.4 percent, up 4.9 percent- 2020, with the number of mobile The banking and insurance up 24.2 percent year on year. age points from that of the terminals connected to the sector has implemented a Another 1.57 trillion yuan ($243 overall industrial output, Xiao network surpassing 200 million, great deal of measures to billion) in long-term health insur- Yaqing, Minister of Industry and according to the MIIT. buoy up economic recovery ance risk reserve was collected. Information Technology, said on amid COVID-19 disruptions, This year, the sector will March 1. Guo Shuqing, Chairman of the Capital Inflow offer more targeted financial In the past five years, the China Banking and Insurance Since the Foreign Investment Law assistance to key areas, includ- value-added industrial output Regulatory Commission, said at came into effect on January 1, ing technology innovation, increased from 23.5 trillion yuan a press conference on March 2. 2020, international capital inflow advanced manufacturing, rural ($3.63 trillion) to 31.3 trillion yuan By the end of 2020, the into China has risen 4.5 percent vitalization, green development, ($4.8 trillion). sum of outstanding RMB loans year on year in U.S. dollar terms, and the growth of private, micro, The information transmission increased 19.6 trillion yuan hitting a record high, Zang and small businesses, Guo said. and software and information ($3.03 trillion) over the begin- technology service industries Tiewei, a spokesperson for the ning of the year, and 6.6-trillion- made some remarkable progress. Legislative Affairs Commission yuan ($1.02-trillion) loans were Manufacturing Hub Their value-added industrial out- of the Standing Committee of extended. China has remained as the put surged from 1.8 trillion yuan the National People’s Congress, Last year, the amount of world’s largest manufacturing ($278 billion) to 3.8 trillion yuan China’s top legislature, said on new loans to the manufacturing hub for 11 straight years, ac- ($587 billion), with the proportion February 28. sector stood at 2.2 trillion yuan counting for nearly 30 percent in GDP rising from 2.5 percent to The country has become the ($340 billion), exceeding the of the global manufacturing 3.7 percent, Xiao added. largest foreign capital recipient total volume of the previous five output, according to the Ministry By the end of 2020, in the world, with 51,000 new years. New loans to private enter- of Industry and Information household penetration of fixed foreign-funded firms established prises totaled around 5.7 trillion Technology (MIIT). broadband reached 96 percent, in 2020, Zang said. yuan ($882 billion), 1.5 trillion During the 13th Five-Year while mobile broadband penetra- The law provides foreign yuan ($232 billion) more than in Plan (2016-20) timeframe, the tion came to 108 percent. capital with easier market access 2019, Guo said. average growth rate of the value- In terms of 5G development, and reduces the restrictions on A total of 292.1 billion yuan added output of the hi-tech the country had built 718,000 investors. Last year, nearly 9,000

NUMBERS ($1=6.4 yuan) Comprehensive Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI)

60 55.7 54.2 54.1 54.5 55.1 55.3 55.1 55 53.0 53.4 53.4 52.8 51.6 Over 50 = Expansion 50 Under 50 = Contraction 45

30 28.9

20 FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB 2020 2021

6 BEIJING REVIEW MARCH 11, 2021 http://www.bjreview.comhttp://www.bjreview.com THIS WEEK new joint ventures were set up models, the administration said. Vehicle Technology, developer ($150.8 billion) in 2020, up 71.6 between foreign investors and The number of registered of the rocket, said on March 3. percent year on year, official Chinese natural persons. unmanned aerial vehicles in the The four-stage solid-propel- data showed on February 28. It also guarantees equal country reached 523,600 by the lant SD-3 will be the largest with The number of products treatment of foreign firms in gov- end of 2020, with annual flight the greatest carrying capacity registered by AMCs and PE fund ernment procurement activities hours exceeding 1.59 million. among all Dragon rockets so far. managers rose 77.31 percent and standard setting, with about There has also been rapid The rocket’s multi-satellite year on year to 461 last year, 100 foreign-funded firms par- expansion in aerial tours and launch capability enables it to according to the Insurance Asset ticipating in the formulation and parachuting. By the end of last carry more than 20 satellites Management Association of revision of national standards year, more than 100 air routes on one single mission, at a cost China. last year. for low-altitude tourism had of merely $10,000 per kg, sig- Out of the total, 434 were Procedures related to the been opened, providing aerial nificantly increasing its market registered for debt investment establishment and alteration of tour services to some 50 tourist competitiveness. Its design cov- plans and 12 for equity invest- foreign-funded firms are simpli- attractions nationwide, CAAC ers both land and sea launches. ment plans, with the fund size fied and the rights and interests data showed. The Dragon rockets were reaching 819.32 billion yuan of foreign investors are better The CAAC said it will pro- inaugurated in 2019 for com- ($126.66 billion) and 22.61 billion protected with complaint mecha- mote supervision of the sector mercial space launch services. yuan ($3.49 billion), respectively, nisms optimized, Zang said. and give full play to its nation- The first-generation rocket SD-1 the association said. wide route network. Tailored performed its maiden flight in Fifteen insurance PE funds were established last year, with regulations on certification and August that year, and is slated General Aviation the fund size reaching 133.92 bil- operation will be made. for two to three launches in 2021. As of the end of 2020, China lion yuan ($20.7 billion). had 523 conventional general By the end of last year, aviation companies with a fleet Commercial Rocket Robust Growth insurance AMCs and PE fund of 2,844 general aircraft, ac- Smart Dragon-3 (SD-3), the third The value of products registered managers registered 1,794 cording to the Civil Aviation member of China’s Dragon com- by insurance asset management products, with the fund size to- Administration of China (CAAC). mercial carrier rocket family, will companies (AMCs) and private taling nearly 4.16 trillion yuan The sector has also witnessed perform its maiden flight in 2022, equity (PE) fund managers ($643.13 billion), according to a boom in brand new business the China Academy of Launch totaled 975.84 billion yuan the association.

Manufacturing PMI Non-Manufacturing PMI

60 60 56.4 55.2 55.9 56.2 55.7 53.2 53.6 54.4 54.2 55 52.0 52.1 51.9 55 52.3 52.4 50.8 50.6 50.9 51.1 51.0 51.5 51.4 51.3 50.6 51.4 50 50

45 45

40 40 35.7 35 35 29.6 30 30

25 25

20 20 FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB 2020 2021 2020 2021

(Source: National Bureau of Statistics) http://www.bjreview.com MARCH 11, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 7 THIS WEEK WORLD XINHUA  

AFGHANISTAN FIJI Soldiers attend an event in Herat to mark the A fashion show in Suva in National Day of Armed Forces on February 27 celebration of the Chinese Lantern Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, on February 26 XINHUA  BELGIUM European Council President Charles Michel (left) and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attend the second day of a virtual EU summit in Brussels on February 26. EU leaders reaffirmed their commitment to increase the bloc’s capacity to act autonomously and take more responsibility for its security XINHUA

8 BEIJING REVIEW MARCH 11, 2021 http://www.bjreview.com THIS WEEK 

FRANCE Former President Nicolas Sarkozy arrives at the courthouse in Paris on March 1. The court convicted him on charges of corruption and influence peddling and handed him a three-year prison sentence, which he said he would appeal against XINHUA XINHUA  INDONESIA An official displays a first-day cover marking the issuance of a set of special stamps themed on COVID-19 vaccination in Jakarta on February 26

 CÔTE D’IVOIRE Workers move boxes of COVID-19 vaccine doses at the airport in Abidjan on February 26. The country received 504,000 doses from the World Health

XINHUA Organization-led COVAX initiative http://www.bjreview.com MARCH 11, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 9 THIS WEEK PEOPLE & POINTS

 HEAD OF NEW GOVERNMENT BODY

Wang Zhengpu has been appointed head of the National Administration for Rural Vitalization, the new government body for the promotion of rural vitalization. It was an- nounced on February 25. The newly established agency succeeds the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development. Its debut marked the transition of the policy priority from poverty alleviation to comprehensively promoting rural vitalization. Wang, 58, was a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Sichuan Provincial Committee and President of the Party School of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee in southwest China. Since January, he has served as a member of the Central Rural Work Leading Group.

2019, the National Press and Publication Anti-Addiction System Administration issued a set of guidelines, Guancha.gmw.cn detailing how to limit underage users’ exces- February 24 sive online gaming time. Following the lead, According to data from the China Internet major online game platforms such as Tencent Network Information Center, by December have launched anti-addiction mechanisms. Hydrogen Vehicles 2020, there were 989 million Internet users in The mechanism requires compulsory China Newsweek China, with under-19s accounting for nearly real name registration and limits the time and March 1 17 percent. In addition, there are over 500 money underage users can spend on games. China is the world’s largest market for new- million online gamers. However, promoting the anti-addiction energy vehicles, which include battery electric As early as 2007, the government issued mechanism requires further efforts by local vehicles as well as plug-in hybrid and hydro- a circular on the promotion and imple- governments, families and schools. Internet gen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs). It currently mentation of an anti-addiction mechanism companies also need to strengthen their on- has a fleet of more than 7,000 HFCVs, such in all computer games for the youth. In line management and upgrade technology.

“Are we really better off if we take “Beijing’s agenda has always been the Chinese domestic market away clear, that is, to maintain the ‘one from U.S. companies? What I’d like to see country, two systems’ policy. In line is a strong engagement by the with this policy, the ways of running administration with the leadership of Hong Kong will remain capitalist, and China in ways that can build the people in Hong Kong will enjoy its a sustainable future.” prosperity, as well as stability.” Jeff Immelt, former General Electric CEO, in an interview with Huang Ping, Executive President of the Chinese Institute The Washington Post on March 1 of Hong Kong, in an interview with CGTN on March 3

10 BEIJING REVIEW MARCH 11, 2021 http://www.bjreview.com THIS WEEK

Attracting more urban residents to con- Rural Consumption sume in rural areas is also a good way to Economic Daily encourage rural consumption. February 24 as cargo vans and trucks for commercial use, The government has been encouraging accounting for over half of the world’s total. The Central Government’s No.1 Document rural areas to develop tourism and leisure ag- Moreover, over 1,000 hydrogen filling sta- for 2021, released on February 21, stresses riculture for years. The development of rural tions are expected to be built by 2030. efforts to comprehensively promote rural vi- tourism could be combined with ecological, Despite a late start, China has made rapid talization and accelerate the modernization of cultural and fashion industries. It would pro- progress in hydrogen development, master- agriculture and rural areas. mote rural consumption in an all-round way, ing core hydrogen fuel cell technologies. Last The measures outlined in the document and the integrated effect of urban and rural year, new policies were rolled out to improve include tapping the consumption potential of residents’ consumption would become more the HFCV industry’s supply chains and the rural market to expand domestic demand. substantial. technologies. Internet-based e-commerce should With the new dual circulation develop- However, hydrogen is highly explosive be harnessed to spur rural consumption. ment pattern, the potential of the rural market and notoriously difficult to store or transport, E-commerce has facilitated agricultural prod- is expected to be released at an accelerated which has hampered the development of the ucts’ market entry and faster development of pace, which would become an important hydrogen energy industry. Besides, while a rural industries. support for China’s economic development. hydrogen fuel cell generates carbon-free pow-  er, producing it is energy-intensive and some 97-YEAR-OLD ROLE MODEL IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION parts of the process create carbon emissions. In addition, battery performance is a difficult Xia Sen, a 97-year-old former researcher from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, point for carmakers. received the honorary title of role model in China’s poverty alleviation campaign during The hydrogen power challenge requires a grand gathering to mark poverty alleviation accomplishments and honor model poverty local governments and companies to build a fighters on February 25. more mature supply chain and business mod- Xia has been promoting children’s education in poverty-stricken el for the industry. They need to prove their areas. After retiring in 1982, she donated 2.03 million yuan ($320,000) joint projects can lower the price of hydrogen to improve teaching conditions in schools in poor rural areas in fuel, increase the number of charging stations, Shaanxi Province in the northwest and Jiangxi Province in the east. enlarge HFCV fleets and improve related In 2013, she set up the Xia Sen Grant Program to assist impoverished technologies. college students. She also sponsored 182 students from disadvan- taged families to enroll in universities.

“Attempts to boycott the Beijing 2022 “While the northeast still grows at a Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games slower pace than the national are in vain and doomed to fail. We believe average, key factors such as investment, such actions will not win the support of industrial growth and employment are the international community.” continuing to pick up, highlighting the Guo Weimin, a spokesperson for the Fourth Session of the region’s potential and vitality.” 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political , Vice President of the China Academy of Northeast Consultative Conference, during a news conference Li Kai Revitalization, in an interview with Xinhua News Agency on March 3 on March 2

http://www.bjreview.com MARCH 11, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 11 An employee works in a medical equipment company that was relocated from Beijing to Tangshan, Hebei Province in north China, on December 15, 2020

12 BEIJING REVIEW MARCH 11, 2021 http://www.bjreview.com