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 Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) started the annual training for 2025, focusing on high-intensity drills across multiple arms to enhance comprehensive real combat capabilities.
At a training base on the plateau with an altitude of over 2,800 meters, a brigade of the 76th Group Army conducted a full-staff, full-equipment deployment exercise based on actual combat scenarios.
The soldiers completed tasks such as equipment deployment, formation adjustment, and railway loading within a specified time, improving their emergency deployment capabilities in the harsh high-altitude, low-oxygen environment.
As the new year begins, naval forces have sailed to the deep seas for real combat-oriented training.
A submarine detachment of the Southern Theater Command Navy conducted underwater attack and defense drills, testing and enhancing the single-submarine combat capabilities and coordinated operational abilities under complex conditions.
"At the beginning of the New Year, we have commenced high-intensity military training. We practice coordination ability, combat skills and combat style to ensure we can project forces and win battles at any time," said Wang Cunnian, a naval officer.
Meanwhile, the Air Force's aviation troops, ground-to-air missile forces, and radar troops have carried out joint training on multiple aircraft types in realistic battlefield environments, honing their combat capabilities.
At an airbase of the Eastern Theater Command Air Force, several J-16 fighter jets took off in combat formation, with pilots sharpening their air combat, close air support, and ground assault skills.
The Rocket Force has also launched a series of drills based on established programs, creating complex confrontation environments to enhance strategic deterrence and real combat abilities, from deserts to deep mountains, from snowy plateaus to waters in the South China Sea.
The People's Armed Police Force has also kicked off a wave of realistic exercises across multiple domains and specialties.
At the Falcon Commandos training base, special operation members are conducting exercises on "ground anti-hijacking" and "train anti-hostage" scenarios, comprehensively testing their emergency response and decisive action capabilities.
"In the new year, Falcon commandos will bear in mind President Xi's instructions, adhere to principles of real combat-oriented training, special training for special operation, deepen research on counter-terrorism tasks, and highlight research and training on topics such as precise command and control, three-dimensional delivery, tactical depth raids, and integrated reconnaissance and strike. We will improve all-time, all-domain, and all-weather combat capabilities, and strive to build a world-class counter-terrorism special unit," said Major Yang Zhen, member of the Falcon Commandos.
Various PLA services start annual training for 2025