The “New Silk Road” is an enormous Chinese international development project. It’s a trade network that involves Asia, Africa, and Europe — and more than 70 countries are already involved. It may turn the old world order upside down. China is investing in bridges, port facilities, railroads, and roads around the world. Beijing is spending several hundred billion euros on what it calls the “Silk Road Economic Belt.” Eastern European and the Balkan countries in particular are interested in Chinese loans and investments, as they look beyond the EU for sources of capital. In turn, the region is attractive to China because of its strategic position as a gateway to the West. A new coal-fired power plant is being built in Tuzla, Bosnia, with the help from China. But not everyone is in favor of the project. While the new plant will emit fewer emissions which will have a positive effect on air-quality, some question the country’s decision to commit to using coal for decades to come.
Tag Archives: China
Evening Walk: ‘Fenghuang Ancient City’, China (Video)
Fenghuang Ancient City, also know as Phoenix Ancient Town, is located in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, in southwest of Hunan Province. It is one of the smaller counties in Hunan, but now it is known as the most beautiful ancient town for its long history and well-preserved appearances. The name of Phoenix (Phoenix in Chinese Pinyin is Fenghuang) town mainly derived from the Phoenix Mountain which is in a phoenix shape.
Space Programs: ‘The Search For Life On Mars’
China, the UAE and the U.S. all have spacecraft visiting Mars in February to study the Red Planet. WSJ explains how out-of-this-world technology is being used by NASA’s Perseverance and China’s Tianwen-1 in the search for evidence of life beyond our planet. Photo: NASA
Morning News Podcast: Impeachment Trial Videos, President Biden & China
House impeachment managers showed chilling new footage to senators during Day 2 of Donald Trump’s Senate impeachment trial.
Also, President Biden spoke with China’s president in an opening conversation about the vast economic, climate, and security challenges between the two nations. And, the U.S. will impose sanctions and other consequences on Myanmar’s military leaders in response to the coup carried out there earlier this month.
Walks: ‘Fuzhou Treetop Walkway’, China (4K Video)
Covered in greenery thanks to a sub-tropical climate, Fujian’s capital of Fuzhou is one of China’s greenest cities and is famous for its numerous banyan trees that line the streets. Fuzhou Forest Walkway brings nature closer to the city with an elevated path that covers the full breadth of Jinniushan mountain and offers beautiful views of the canopy, the city, and mountains beyond.
The architects described the project as “a signature urban connector network that provides public accessibility to indigenous hinterland stretching north- east of Minjiang. Fudao signifies an awakened consciousness to improve lives of city dwellers by bringing nature within closer reach.”
The walkway can be accessed via 10 different entrances, each with unique and eye-catching features such as the grand 24-meter-wide spiral ramp at the entrance of the existing Jinniushan indoor sports hall. Built with a gentle gradient, the elevated walkway is punctuated with amenities that include rest shelters, viewing decks, observation towers, and teahouses with bathrooms.
The structure is also equipped with WIFI connectivity, touch-screen information boards, and visitor traffic monitors, giving the project the potential to set a new bar for China’s eco-routes. Singapore-based firm LOOK architects has completed an elevated pedestrian walkway that weaves its way through a forested area of southeastern china.
The ‘Fuzhou forest walkway’, commonly known as ‘Fudao’, is a steel pedestrian route that covers about 19 kilometers (12 miles) along its winding path. Conceived as an urban connector, ‘Fudao’ links two bodies of water, while providing public access to the hills outside of Fuzhou’s city center. the walkway can be accessed via ten different entrances, which embed the network within the wider region.
Wildlife: Saving The ‘Skywalker Gibbon’ Of Southwest China (Video)
Deep in a cloud forest far, far away are the planet’s last remaining Skywalker gibbons. These small members of the apes family were only identified in 2017 (by, you guessed it, a Star Wars fan), but already they’re endangered.
Now, researchers in south-west China have developed an ingenious technique for getting gibbons from different territories to meet and form a partnership – these Skywalkers mate for life. Join us to see how technology can be used as a Force for good to help protect this vanishing species.
Scientists announced the discovery of a new species of primate, the skywalker hoolock gibbon (Hoolock tianxing), in the American Journal of Primatology on Tuesday. The scientists named it skywalker because the Chinese characters for its scientific name translate to “heaven’s movement”—but also because they’re fans of Star Wars, according to the BBC.
Walks: ‘Thames Town’ In Shanghai, China (4K Video)
Thames Town is a new town in Songjiang District, about 30 kilometres from central Shanghai. It is named after the River Thames in London, United Kingdom. The architecture is themed according to classic British market town styles. There are cobbled streets, Victorian terraces, corner shops and red telephone boxes.
Filmed on January 2nd, 2020.
Video timeline: 00:00 Preview 00:24 Starting Point 00:32 Songjiang District / 松江区 00:38 Thames Town / 泰晤士小镇
Analysis: The Effects Of Chinese Tariff’s Of Up To 212% On Australian Wine
China imposed tariffs of up to 212% on Australian wine, prompting politicians around the world to criticize what they call Beijing’s “bullying.” WSJ visits a winemaker who hopes global attention will help the industry. Photo: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images
Walks In China: ‘Xi’an City Wall And Giant Wild Goose Pagoda’ (4K Video)
When Zhu Yuanzhang, the first Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), captured Huizhou, a hermit named Zhu Sheng admonished him that he should ‘built high walls, store abundant food supplies and take time to be an Emperor,’ so that he could fortify the city and unify the other states. After the establishment of the Ming dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang followed his advice and began to enlarge the wall built initially during the old Tang dynasty (618 -907), creating the modern Xian City Wall. It’s the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.
As the symbol of the old-line Xi’an, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (also called Big Wild Goose Pagoda) is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. It is located in the southern suburb of Xi’an City, about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the downtown of the city. Standing in the Da Ci’en Temple complex, it attracts numerous visitors for its fame in the Buddhist religion and its simple but appealing style of construction. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is rated as a National Key Cultural Relic Preserve as well as an AAAA Tourist Attraction.
Anaylysis: China Tests New ‘Digital Currency’ That Replaces Cash (WSJ Video)
China is testing a digital yuan, aiming to accelerate the replacement of cash and increase state control in a society where digital payments via Wechat Pay and Alipay are already the norm. Here’s what Beijing’s new system looks like—and how it would work. Photo credit: Florence Lo/Reuters
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