China advances green building projects to promote energy efficiency

China's construction sector, known for its significant energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, has witnessed a remarkable shift towards green solutions in recent years and the proportion of newly built "green buildings" has exceeded 91.2 percent nationwide, with a cumulative energy-efficient building area exceeding 30 billion square meters, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

In March, the National Development and Reform Commission, along with the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, issued an explicit directive stating that green building standards should be fully implemented in all new urban constructions by 2025.

Green buildings are designed to conserve resources, protect the environment, minimize pollution, and provide people with healthy, efficient, and sustainable spaces that promote harmonious coexistence with nature throughout their entire lifespan.

One example of green building projects is the recently completed Jiading Future City project in Shanghai. This project goes beyond ordinary buildings by incorporating power generation and energy storage devices, effectively transforming the entire structure into a large "power bank." The rooftop is equipped with solar panels capable of generating electricity, and the stored energy can meet the building's energy needs for 30 minutes.

"With a solar panel coverage area of 43 percent on the roof and advanced technologies including photovoltaic power generation, multiple forms of energy storage, low-voltage direct current distribution, and smart energy control, we have made it possible for solar power to meet 50 percent of the building's energy demand, transforming the building from a mere energy consumer to an integrated system of generation, storage, adjustment, and utilization," said Su Xianxin, project manager of the project.

Similar green buildings can be found in the Xiong'an New Area in north China's Hebei Province as well.

The exhibition center of the Xiong'an pilot free trade zone, among the first batch of green buildings in the area, focuses on the efficient utilization of renewable energy and aims to reduce carbon emissions.

The building's electricity supply comes from a 150-square-meter photovoltaic glass skylight and a rooftop covered with solar panels. The building utilizes a ground-source heat pump system, allowing it to achieve a comfortable indoor temperature throughout the year. Despite the high outdoor temperatures, the interior remains at around 24 degrees Celsius without the need for air conditioning, significantly reducing energy consumption.

"We are at the heart of the ground-source heat pump system. There are 60 150-meter deep ground-source heat pump wells outside. Their main function is to store excess heat from the building underground during the summer and extract it to provide heating during the winter," said Zhang Wenliang, manager of mechanical and electrical design of the design control department of Hebei Xiong'an Urban Construction Co. Ltd. under China Railway Construction Corporation Limited.

Furthermore, the building has blinds sandwiched between the glass panes of the windows, allowing for adjustment based on sunlight angles and usage requirements.

"Their main function is to reduce direct sunlight, isolating heat outside the building during the summer and reducing reliance on air conditioning, thus lowering energy consumption," said Zhang.

Across the entire Xiong'an New Area, approximately 39.91 million square meters of new construction projects have started, with 100 percent of them being high-star-rated green buildings.

China advances green building projects to promote energy efficiency

China advances green building projects to promote energy efficiency

As the Qingming Festival approaches this Friday, various traditional folk activities have been held across China, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the occasion.

With a 2,500-year history, Qingming Festival, or the Festival of Pure Brightness, observed in early April, uniquely combines ancestral worship with the celebration of spring. Falling on the 15th day after the spring equinox, this ritual-rich observance reflects China's enduring values of ancestral veneration and inspires deep introspection about what gives life meaning.

In Sijia Village, Huayin City, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, a unique swing festival is held to mark the occasion. Eighteen different types of traditional swings, such as the spinning wheel swing, the Bagua swing reminiscent of a rotating carousel, and the balance swing designed for two people, have attracted many visitors.

Historically, Sijia Village served as a military post guarding the strategic Tongguan pass, a former mountain pass and fortress located south of the confluence of the Wei and Yellow Rivers. The swing tradition in the village has its origins in military training exercises like climbing and river crossing. The local swing culture further developed as regional trade flourished, eventually evolving into the "swing festival" that continues today.

"It's very exciting and tests your skill, endurance, and most importantly, your arm strength. You need to maintain balance," said Qu Xiangyang, a visitor.

In Rudong County, Nantong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, another traditional Qingming activity takes place - kite flying.

Flying kites as a way of making wishes is an age-old Qingming custom in this region. As a result, the Qingming Festival in Nantong is also known as the "Kite Festival."

The local Banyao whistling kite making skills is listed as one of the first national intangible cultural heritage items.

According to a folk culture expert, people traditionally write the names of diseases or misfortunes on paper, attach it to a kite, and release it into the sky. This practice is believed to drive away illness and disaster, while also serving as a way to make wishes.

In south China's Guangdong Province, a large tug-of-war competition is underway in Maoming City. Teams from different towns and streets are competing, attracting many locals to cheer on their teams.

Tug-of-war, which originated during the late Spring and Autumn period (770 BC - 476 BC), became part of Qingming customs during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty once organized large-scale tug-of-war competitions for the festival.

"Tug-of-war became very popular in the Tang Dynasty, even emerging as the national sport. It originated in the Jingchu region and later spread across the country. In ancient Lingnan (Southern China), tug-of-war games were a common tradition. Through these events, people seek to pray for peace, prosperity, and abundant harvests," said Yao Guojun, vice dean of the College of Arts and Law, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology.

Traditional folk activities held for Qingming Festival