ASEAN media delegation visits China's Guangxi to explore high-quality ecotourism development

A media delegation from ASEAN members visited Yangshuo County in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Saturday to learn how the region is effectively protecting the local environment while developing its cultural and tourism industries and promoting rural revitalization.

The ASEAN Media Partners "China Up Close" Guangxi Tour is an important activity of the 2024 ASEAN Media Partners Cooperation Week, which started on Friday. It involves journalists from mainstream media outlets of seven ASEAN countries teaming up with China Media Group and local media reporters to conduct in-depth reporting on Guangxi's high-quality development and tell stories of China's modernization to the world.

As part of their visit, the media workers embarked on a cruise tour of the Lijiang River, which serves as a vital ecological and economic resource for the region. Its stunning karst landscape has made it a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of natural beauty in China, attracting tourists and researchers alike.

"The experience of China using technology for water quality management is impressive. From my observation, the Lijiang River's water is crystal clear, a standard that Thai rivers may not reach. I've learned that China employs cameras and drones to monitor the river and ensure water quality. I believe the Thai government and organizations should strengthen cooperation with China to learn from its innovative practices in environmental protection," said Theechayudh Maetharzithiwaht, an editor at Thailand's TV5.

Aside from cruise tours, the media delegation also enjoyed aerial views of the landscape. In Yangshuo, local authorities are actively exploring low-altitude tourism, offering helicopter, hot air balloon, and paragliding experiences that leverage the area's rich tourism resources.

"Yangshuo is renowned for its beautiful natural scenery. In the past, we could only appreciate the views from the ground. Now, projects like paragliding and hot air ballooning allow tourists to enjoy the beauty of Yangshuo from various heights in the sky. This new perspective not only enriches the travel experience but also opens up a new revenue stream for local residents," said Jelberter Anak Robert, a reporter from Radio Televisyen Malaysia.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited kumquat orchards to experience fruit picking and learn about the development of the kumquat industry in Yangshuo. They also explored local guesthouses to understand how the homestay economy is becoming a new driving force for tourism development in the area.

ASEAN media delegation visits China's Guangxi to explore high-quality ecotourism development

The first batch of aid supplies from the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) arrived in Mandalay, the epicenter of Myanmar's recent 7.9-magnitude earthquake, on Wednesday, according to the RCSC.

The supplies include over 4,900 relief items such as tents, blankets, folding beds, and family kits to support the affected households. The Myanmar Red Cross will distribute these items with assistance from an RCSC rescue team, which had previously entered Myanmar and is also helping set up shelters.

Following the deadly quake on March 28, the RCSC promptly donated 1.5 million yuan (about 208,900 U.S. dollars) in emergency funding. At the request of Myanmar, the RCSC dispatched relief supplies to the disaster-stricken area and deployed a rescue team to the epicenter to conduct humanitarian operations.

Currently, 15 RCSC rescuers in Mandalay are conducting search-and-rescue operations, providing medical assistance and psychological support to those in need.

Meanwhile, in response to the needs of the people in quake-hit areas of Myanmar, RCSC has sent a second team of about 22 rescue workers.

They will bring equipment for water supply, public health, and epidemic prevention to the affected areas and will carry out tasks such as supplying drinking water, building emergency toilets, distributing supplies, and setting up shelters to support those affected.

The members of the second team are mainly dispatched from the Red Cross Societies of Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guizhou Provinces and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

First batch of China Red Cross aid supplies arrives in Mandalay, Myanmar