Foreign scholars explore cultural heritage of Fujian tulou

A diverse group of Sinologists from Africa, Europe, and Asia recently visited the iconic tulou buildings in east China's Fujian Province, promoting cultural exchange and heritage preservation.

Earning UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008, the tulou structures, or Hakka earthen buildings, are not only architectural marvels but also one of the most iconic rural dwellings of the Hakka people, a Han Chinese subgroup.

"It's amazing. And for many years, you have had such kind of buildings tulou. And I never thought that there are people living here up till now. I thought that this is just some place to visit. I've been to many places in China, but this is my first time to Zhangzhou. So I have a very nice experience here, and I wish I have time to come again and again to enjoy the place here," said Nahed Abdulla Emrahim Hefny, a sinologist from Egypt.

Constructed from compressed mud, soil, and timber, the tulou are characterized by their large, circular or rectangular designs, with walls up to two meters thick. These architectural features not only provide defense but also promote sustainability and social cohesion among residents.

According to Paul Tembe, another sinologist from South Africa, these unique houses imply the profound philosophical thoughts of ancient China.

"If you go cosmological and look at ancient China and the structure of Chinese society, the relation between the squares and round, or the relation between spaces, especially the formation of heaven of a celestial structure within the building itself, that will lead you back to issues of mansions when it talks about the order of cosmology," Paul said.

Today, the tulou serves a dual purpose: preserving Hakka heritage and fostering rural tourism. With the rising global interest, it now stands as enduring symbols of resilience, community, and innovation in Chinese culture.

Foreign scholars explore cultural heritage of Fujian tulou

Grain enterprises across China have purchased 120 million tons of autumn grains recently, according to data from the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration.

Provinces like Henan, Jiangsu, Heilongjiang, and Anhui have set up the minimum purchase price of middle- and late-season rice. Over 200 purchasing spots have been set up in these four provinces to facilitate grain farmers in selling their crops.

Currently the purchase of middle- and late-season indica rice in the southern region stands at around 40 to 50 percent, while in the northeast region, the purchase of japonica rice is around 20 percent. In the north and northeast China, purchase of corn stands at 20 percent to 30 percent, while that of soybeans is around 15 percent in northeastern region.

The average price of middle- and late-season rice is about 2.6 yuan per kilogram. With demand rising for animal feed, prices of corn and soybean are gradually recovering and stabilizing, boosting acquisition interest.

"Currently, the cumulative procurement of middle- and late-season rice at the minimum purchase price has exceeded 1.8 million tons, effectively stabilizing market expectations and ensuring reasonable grain prices," said Luo Shouquan, director of the grain reserve department of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration.

Autumn grain purchases across China total 120 million tons