An environmental scientist in Australia has called on the international community to strengthen cooperation on jointly protecting migratory birds, expressing admiration for China's effective actions in protecting endangered bird species and their habitats.
Over the years, China has been committed to strengthening ecological conservation and protecting endangered birds and important habitats for them, achieving remarkable results.
Professor Richard Fuller at the University of Queensland, which has one of Australia's top environmental science research teams, has dedicated his studies on the impact of human activity on the natural environment.
Over the years, he has exchanged views with scholars and experts from countries along the East Asian-Australian Flyway, such as China, Japan and South Korea, on issues like migratory bird protection and research.
"There are millions of birds that migrate between Australia and China and Russia and back again every year, passing through 20 countries around Asia. And also, many of the important remaining sites have been declared as world heritage areas by the Chinese government. And I think that's help to slow down the declines of these migrating birds. This is a really big step within our flyway," said Fuller.
In July this year, the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase II) has passed the review process to be included on the World Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
As part of the world's largest intertidal wetland system, this area within the Yellow Sea Ecoregion provides vital habitats for birds migrating along the East Asian-Australian Flyway.
This has caught Fuller's attention. He called on more countries to strengthen international cooperation and jointly protect migratory birds.
"I think China has showed actually quite strong leadership in our flyway, and I think other countries are following and do need to follow that lead, but also, there is a need to aim even higher. So, countries need to work together to work out what threats do they need to manage within their country border, collaborating in building that end to the overall picture, because the birds move across country borders. That means we need to collaborate internationally to do the right actions," he said.
Scientist lauds China's efforts on migratory bird protection, calls for int'l cooperation
A Chinese art teacher has left a lasting impression on students by accurately recreating ancient armor from the depths of China's history.
Tan Zhouzhou, a teacher at the No. 4 Middle School of Shaoyang City in central China's Hunan Province, has earned the nickname "General Teacher" from his students due to his fascinating military history classes.
Like many men around the world, Tan has been interested in the military culture since he first laid eyes on warrior uniforms in TV series and films when he was a child.
"I think every boy has a dream of being a hero. So theses things are irresistible. I liked them at the first sight, from the bottom of my heart. In college, I watched as leather armor was unearthed from the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng at the Hubei Provincial Museum. It was shocking. It was my first time to see armor worn by our ancestors thousands of years ago, so I was quite excited," Tan said.
Fueled by this passionate interest, Tan started studying the history of ancient Chinese armor in his free time after graduating from the university and later made a bold decision to replicate them.
In 2021, Tan successfully recreated a suit of armor from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and then gave it to his wife as a surprise gift.
"I searched for information on the internet and then made plates by myself. Then, I made molds for the armor pieces. After all the materials were ready, I spent about three months on assembly," said the teacher.
In 2019, Shaoyang launched a campaign to bring "excellent traditional culture" to campuses. Responding to the call, Tan applied to the school to create a course on ancient Chinese armor.
"At first, we treated it as a pilot course, hoping he could introduce armor culture to the students. His course, featuring armor crafting, culture and patriotism, has improved the quality of our school's endeavor to bring traditional culture to the campus," said the middle school's principal Yuan Menghui.
When it first launched, Tan's class was attended by just 19 students. That number rose to over 100 in the next semester as word spread about his unique approach to teaching.
Over the past five years, more than 1,000 students have taken the course.
"This course is very interesting. I was interested, so I listened attentively. We have learned a lot and enhanced our knowledge of history," said Huang Yuhan, a student.
Thanks to Tan's diligent efforts, his students are actually able to wear the Chinese armor they learn about in the class.
"It's exciting and unbelievable, because we usually see ancient armor at museums but have never touched it with our hands," said student Kang Xinyue.
"Putting ourselves into historical roles, we can learn better about history and feel the profoundness of the Chinese culture," said Xue Tianming, another student.
Chinese art teacher recreates ancient armor for immerse history class
