China-Kazakhstan agricultural cooperation park boosts local socioeconomic development

An agricultural industrial park built by a Chinese enterprise in Kazakhstan's North Kazakhstan Region, also an iconic cooperation project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has brought huge socioeconomic development to the region.

The Aiju Agricultural Product Logistics Processing Park, invested by the Xi'an Aiju Grain and Oil Industrial Group, was officially put into operation in Kazakhstan at the end of 2016.

For staff member Manshuk Zarhan, the establishment of the industrial park has greatly improved her life. Her work starts with quality inspection of rapeseed and rapeseed oil every day.

"We use this probe to select samples for quality check. We need to select samples in several layers. We collect the rapeseed at about 40 centimeters deep. We need to collect 200 milliliters of sample, then we measure the oleic acid content and moisture content in the sample in the laboratory," said Zarhan, laboratory chief of the park.

Since 2016, the Aiju Group has promoted an order-based agricultural planting mode in Kazakhstan. Relying on the demands of the vast Chinese market, the company provides Kazakh farmers with customized planting orders at guaranteed purchase prices, which has helped the farmers increase their incomes and expand their exports.

The Chinese side has also launched a China-Europe freight train route for transporting locally produced goods and is continuously expanding its capacity.

Currently, the transportation time for wheat and other raw materials from Kazakhstan to Xi'an City, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province has been shortened from 25 days to 10 days, and the train's capacity has increased from 1,066 tons to 1,612 tons per trip.

"We originally invested in building three railway lines, and the fourth is under construction. After the completion of four railways, three freight trains can stop there, and plus the distribution center, we can store or provide 200 to 300 containers for special freight trains. This forms a system that can meet all needs of loading and shipping in railway transportation," said Jia Heyi, head of the Chinese enterprise.

According to Zarhan, eight years ago, upon learning about the construction of the China-Kazakhstan cooperation park, she promptly decided to move here with her family.

"We used to live nearby, and for the 10 years before we moved in, my husband was always on business trips. The kids were very young, and he couldn't be with them as they grew up. Then we moved here and finally we could work for the same company. I was the lab manager, and he was the raw material receiver," she said.

The project has created jobs for more than 1,500 people in the region and changed the lives of many local people.

"The welfare facilities here are very good. Housing is provided for employees. The new houses are built by the company. Dormitories, transportation and meals are also provided," said Marmite, a laboratory technician at the logistics and processing park.

China-Kazakhstan agricultural cooperation park boosts local socioeconomic development

China-Kazakhstan agricultural cooperation park boosts local socioeconomic development

Director and screenwriter Shao Yihui Monday shared experiences behind the scenes and sincerely appreciated the audience's encouragement and recognition for Her Story, the new Chinese comedy film which earned rave reviews by telling authentic stories from a largely female perspective.

Her Story unfolds around the life and growth of the fiercely independent single mom Wang Tiemei and her new neighbor Xiao Ye, the "romantic fool". They are completely different in personality yet accompany each other through various relationship challenges. The movie breaks away from the conventional romance or self-help narration and stands out from the rest of the genre by bringing out exquisite, multidimensional portrayal of women via sharp, humorous lines.

Its broad and thrilling resonance partly attributes to location shooting. Shao made big efforts in finding and negotiating for perfect real-life sites.

"I think the architectural style of Shanghai decides the unique lifestyle there. Like many modern tenants in those old villas, they share some activity space and have close ties with their neighbors," Shao said.

Shao devoted the same strictness and responsibility to the casting process. Wang Tiemei is designed to be a warm, positive and chill single mom. And Chinese actress Song Jia popped up into her mind when she was still writing the script.

"She's a perfect match. She is refreshing and elegant in daily life. Although she later told me that she was a bit worried during acting because she was used to portraying roles that are quite different from her own. When the role is very similar to herself, she felt unsure," said Shao.

And she chose Chinese actress Elaine Zhong Chuxi to be the moon-struck but rational Xiao Ye because she saw their similarities.

"I did not know her very well at the beginning. Her past TV shows gave me an independent and mature impression. And she has a bright and beautiful face. But after chatting with her, I found that she's kind and delicate, considerate to the mood of others, bearing some resemblance to Xiao Ye. So I hope to dig out and display that part of her, in contrast to her past," Shao said.

So far, Her Story is rated at 9.1 out of 10 points on Douban, China's leading film-rating platform. Over 140,000 audience have commented on the movie.

While some have compared Her Story to a Chinese counterpart to Barbie, a 2023 global hit from Warner Bros., for its whimsical yet incisive tone, many argue that it presents a distinctly Chinese perspective on gender issues.

Shao remains modest about her great success.

"I know there is still room for improvement, but the audience have been tolerant to us. I think it's because my movie delivers something different from others, showing some novelty, so people like it. That makes up for our shortcomings. I think there's also good luck in the movie's success," Shao said.

Her Story is set to hit the big screens in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and other countries and regions on Wednesday.

Director shares behind-the-scenes stories of hot film Her Story