The amur ide, a fish species endemic to China's saline Dali Nur lake, is battling for survival as it undertakes its annual spawning migration upstream to find a habitable water for laying eggs.
Vast shoals of the small freshwater fish crowd together fighting their way against the flow on a perilous journey of up to 60 kilometers to spawn in the Gonggeer River, which is in the upper reaches of Dalai Nur.
Where there is an obstacle, the amur ide will jump up to half meter out of the water.
"The water in Dalai Nur has a much higher salinity and alkalinity compared with regular river water. And we found that the fish egg envelopes will soon shrink inside the lake water because of this hypertonic environment, and then there will be some developmental abnormalities like malformation. So in general, river water is critical for Amul ide fish -- it has to go into the river to breed," said Wang Ruifang, a professor of aquaculture at Inner Mongolia Agriculture University.
The fish migration also aids exhausted migratory birds that rely on them for nutrients after long flights, aguaculture experts say.
For the amur ide, this year's migration season lasts around a month and is nearing its end, according to local authorities. Efforts have been made by local environmental authorities to dredge rivers to ease their passage.
Amur ide embarks on perilous journey upstream for reproduction
As China's elderly population grows, shopping malls in Shanghai have actively adapted part of their services to cater to the needs and preferences of elderly consumers, tapping into silver-haired consumer market.
This trend reflects the city's efforts to enhance elderly care services amid the population aging. By the end of 2023, people aged 60 and older reached 5.68 million in Shanghai, representing a whopping 37.4 percent of the city's total population.
A shopping mall on the downtown Nanjing East Road pedestrian street has opened a dedicated club for senior citizens, offering a diverse range of activities from the operation of health workshops to traditional handicraft classes.
"I gain a lot every time I come here. I can participate in various club activities and also exchange knowledge and everyday life hacks with others," said Fu Meilin, an elderly resident.
The mall houses nearly 60 time-honored brands, along with dining and entertainment options suited to senior citizens.
Another business district in Shanghai's Putuo District has adopted a different approach, focusing on attracting retirees during weekdays while catering to younger shoppers on weekends.
Restaurants offer affordable off-peak meal deals priced under 100 yuan (about 13.88 U.S. dollars), attracting a large number of senior customers.
To ensure a convenient and enjoyable shopping experience for the elderly, many shopping malls have conducted age-friendly renovations, including providing comfortable seating areas, accessible restrooms, and consumer guidance services for the elderly shoppers.
Driven by the population aging, China's "silver economy" has shown vast growth potential, with the market currently estimated at around seven trillion yuan and projected to reach a 30 trillion yuan by 2035.
Shopping malls in Shanghai adapt to cater to growing 'silver economy'
