CHINESE MODERNIZATION

Middle-Class Aspirations

In September 2021, I traveled to Xinjiang for the second time, the first being in 2014, in the midst of turmoil due to...

Fueling a Nation

Tempered by time, the West-East Gas Pipeline Project has become an energy lifeline stretching across China’s vast landscape, embodying the enduring synergy between the country’s western and eastern regions, a living testament to unity, innovation and perseverance.

How Is Vocational Education Today Cultivating the Craftspeople for Tomorrow?

As China continues upgrading its economic structure, the demand for new-type skilled workers is growing rapidly. Vocational education gains more public recognition for its importance. How is current development of vocational education in China? Can it meet the needs of the times and cultivate high-caliber technical talents? In this episode, Elsbeth van Paridon, a sinologist and an editor at CICG Americas, travels to Jiangsu — one of China’s economic powerhouse provinces — for the answer.

How Are Uzbekistan Youth Learning New Vocational Skills at the Luban Workshop?

How does the Luban Workshop–an international platform named after the renowned ancient Chinese craftsman–open the “door of opportunity” for the youth of Uzbekistan? In what ways does it tailor its approach to the specific context of the country, cultivating urgently needed talents for local economic and social development? With these questions in mind, Kateryna Danylova, host from CICG Europe-Asia, joins Abrikulov Farrukh Nabijon Ugli, a student at the Luban Workshop, to step into the classroom and learn more about the Luban Workshop.

How Clean Energy Fuels the Comeback of Shennongjia’s Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys?

Deep in the lush and mysterious forests of Shennongjia, central China’s Hubei province, golden figures leap effortlessly through the treetops—these are the Shennongjia golden snub-nosed monkeys. Once on the brink of extinction, they’ve made a stunning recovery and are now even recognized as a unique subspecies. But what’s the story behind their stunning revitalization? How has China’s energy transition played a key role in protecting their habitat? And can China’s ecological wisdom offer new solutions for the world? To find out, Peruvian host Rebeca Phang from China.org.cn teams up with global energy expert Professor Saifur Rahman for a journey into the heart of Shennongjia. When clean energy meets biodiversity conservation, and when technology empowers nature to thrive, the answers may lie in the rhythm of the forest—and in China’s commitment to green development. This is more than a story about endangered monkeys; it’s a search for a new path to harmony between humanity and nature.

How to Innovate Urban Living and Lifestyles?

What kind of architecture can truly represent a city? Japanese architect Shuhei Aoyama, who has been living in Beijing for nearly 20 years, has his answer. From Baitasi Hutong to Yangzhou’s historical streets, he gently bridges tradition and modern life. For Aoyama, architecture isn’t just about shapes—it’s about people, nature, and the city itself. Joined by Belgian host Romuald Bronchart, the two explore how old buildings can revive again, and how design can quietly reshape the future of Chinese cities.

Global Views on Chinese Modernization: Finding Answers in China

Modernization is the common vision and shared goal for countries worldwide, especially developing ones. As the world is undergoing profound changes and facing various changes, Chinese modernization offers a path different from the Western model—one that is rooted in national conditions while closely aligned with global development. From technological innovation to green development, from talent cultivation to exploring new economic growth areas, China fuels its own progress while contributing to global economic recovery. How do ice and snow resources stimulate consumption? How does Luban Workshop empower youth in Uzbekistan? What drives China’s rapid progress in robotics and AI? How to balance between modern life style and traditional culture in urban construction? With these questions in mind, our foreign reporters have embarked on journeys to uncover the secrets behind China’s modernization. Follow their footprints and uncover the answers. Stay tuned!

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