News sources from the People’s Daily and Xinhua News Agency report on an impending cold wave significantly impacting China’s transportation during the Spring Festival travel rush, and the concurrent release of the 2025 Spring Festival movie lineup. Additional articles discuss preparations for the Harbin Asian Winter Games, a VR exhibition showcasing the 40th anniversary of the People’s Court Juvenile Court, and a science segment explaining the science behind traditional Spring Festival foods and activities, such as candied haws and ice sculptures. Finally, a diplomatic meeting between Chinese and Bangladeshi officials is noted.

Spring Festival 2025: A Study Guide

Quiz

Instructions: Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.

According to the article, what are the primary characteristics of the upcoming cold wave?
Which regions of China are expected to be most heavily impacted by the snow and ice during the cold wave?
What is significant about the 2025 Spring Festival movie lineup?
How has the film industry promoted movie consumption for the Spring Festival?
What is the main focus of the VR exhibition hall related to the Juvenile Court?
What specific aspects of the juvenile court’s work are highlighted in the exhibition?
What are the two main types of hawthorn mentioned in the article, and what are their differences?
What criteria are used to select the best ice for ice sculptures?
How is ice stored for use in ice sculpture festivals, and why is it necessary?
What significance do New Year flowers hold during the Spring Festival in China, and what are some examples of specific flowers used?

Quiz Answer Key

The upcoming cold wave is characterized by a wide impact range across China, heavy local snowfall, and drastic temperature changes. Temperatures are expected to drop significantly, particularly in the eastern part of the northwest region and the western part of North China, with strong northerly winds and gusts.
The regions of China expected to be most heavily impacted by the snow and ice during the cold wave include southern Shaanxi, southern Shanxi, northwestern Henan, northwestern Hubei, southern Sichuan, and eastern Liaoning. These areas are expected to experience heavy snowfall and/or sleet.
The 2025 Spring Festival movie lineup is significant because it features diverse themes and genres and has garnered high market attention, breaking pre-sale records. Six films were unveiled at the press conference with an aim to appeal to a broad audience.
The film industry has introduced preferential subsidy policies for movie watching and launched a “Good Audience Convention” initiative, encouraging civilized movie viewing and intellectual property protection. These efforts aim to promote increased movie consumption during the Spring Festival.
The VR exhibition hall focuses on displaying the 40-year development and achievements of the Juvenile Court of the People’s Court in China. It aims to provide a comprehensive view of its work to a broader audience by recreating the offline exhibition experience online.
The exhibition highlights various aspects of the juvenile court’s work, including the development of juvenile trials, the legal protection system for minors, and major achievements in juvenile justice. It showcases trial work mechanisms such as round-table trials, social investigations, and court education.
The two main types of hawthorn mentioned are northern hawthorn and southern hawthorn. Northern hawthorn, mainly produced in Shandong, Hebei, and Henan, is known for being larger, with thicker flesh and better coloring. Southern hawthorn, from Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Hubei, may have different flavonoid and acid contents due to climate and environment, though they have similar nutritional components.
The criteria for selecting ice for ice sculptures are primarily its transparency and solidity. Clear, slow-flowing water sources like the Songhua River are used because they have low sand content, few impurities, and help form uniform ice crystals. Additionally, the ice must reach a thickness of 30 cm to ensure the sculpture’s stability.
Ice is stored using special ice storage rinks and covered with plastic sheets and straw mats to maintain its temperature. This “thermos bottle” approach allows for the preservation of the ice through the summer, ensuring its availability for ice sculpture festivals in the winter.
New Year flowers hold significance as a way to add to the festive atmosphere during the Spring Festival. They carry people’s good wishes and are often chosen based on their symbolic meanings, such as peach blossoms representing “grand plans” in Cantonese. Other examples include orchids and bulbous flowers.

Essay Questions

Analyze the interconnectedness of the weather forecast, transportation, and cultural events (like the movie releases) during the Spring Festival as discussed in the articles.
Compare and contrast the use of traditional practices (like ice storage) with modern technologies (like VR exhibitions) in celebrating and enhancing cultural experiences during the Spring Festival.
Discuss the importance of public safety messaging related to weather events and the potential impact of these events on large-scale travel during the Spring Festival.
Examine the role of cultural traditions and symbolism (like New Year flowers and hawthorn snacks) in shaping the Spring Festival celebrations.
Evaluate the ways in which the Chinese government utilizes public information outlets to promote both cultural celebrations and public safety initiatives.

Glossary of Key Terms

Cold Wave: A rapid and significant drop in temperature over a wide area, often accompanied by strong winds and precipitation.
Spring Festival: The most important traditional Chinese holiday, also known as the Chinese New Year, celebrated for multiple days in late January or early February.
VR (Virtual Reality): A technology that creates a simulated environment that can be interacted with by a user.
Pre-sale Box Office: The total amount of money generated from movie tickets sold before a film is officially released.
Juvenile Court: A specialized court dealing with cases involving minors, focusing on their well-being and rehabilitation.
Northerly Winds: Winds that originate in the north and blow towards the south.
Hawthorn: A type of fruit commonly used in traditional Chinese snacks and medicine, recognized for its sweet and sour flavor.
Ice Sculpture: A three-dimensional artwork created from blocks of ice using carving tools or molds.
New Year Flowers: Flowers that are traditionally bought and displayed during the Spring Festival to add to the festive atmosphere and bring good fortune.
National IP: A term used to describe intellectual property (like a film series or cartoon characters) that is recognized and loved by the majority of the population within a country.

China Briefing: Weather, Festivals, and Politics

Okay, here’s a detailed briefing document summarizing the provided sources:

Briefing Document: China – January 22, 2025

Date: January 22, 2025

Sources: People’s Daily Online, Xinhua News Agency, People’s Court Daily

I. Key Themes

This briefing document focuses on three primary themes evident in the provided news excerpts:

Imminent Severe Winter Weather: A major cold wave impacting much of China, coinciding with the Spring Festival travel rush.
Spring Festival Celebrations and Entertainment: The release of the Spring Festival movie lineup and the popularity of traditional Spring Festival goods.
Social and Political Activities: Diplomatic talks, progress in legal sectors (juvenile courts), and preparations for the Asian Winter Games.

II. Detailed Analysis of Sources

A. Imminent Severe Winter Weather

Source: People’s Daily Online article “The first cold wave of the year is coming, and the range of rain and snow will affect most parts of the country”
Key Facts and Ideas:Timeline: From January 23 to 27, China will experience a significant cold wave with widespread rain and snow.
Impact: Most parts of the country will be affected, with heavy local snowfall, drastic temperature drops (8-12°C generally, possibly exceeding 14°C in some regions), and strong winds (4-6 levels, gusts of 7-9).
High-Impact Areas: Southern Shaanxi, southern Shanxi, northwestern Henan, northwestern Hubei, southern Sichuan, and eastern Liaoning are particularly at risk.
Traffic Disruption: The cold wave coincides with the peak of Spring Festival travel, posing significant risks to road travel, especially on highways such as Lianhuo, Beijing-Kunming, Fuyin, and Erguang.
Specific Road Warnings: Specific highway segments in Gansu, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Henan, Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan are called out as particularly dangerous due to snow and ice.
Meteorological Background: The temperatures have been unseasonably high before this cold wave, making the drop even more impactful.
Key Quotes:“The rain and snow will affect most parts of the country, and the high-impact areas are mainly located in southern Shaanxi, southern Shanxi, northwestern Henan, northwestern Hubei, southern Sichuan, and eastern Liaoning.”
“Affected by this cold wave, the temperature in most parts of the country generally dropped by 8° to 12°, and the temperature drop in the eastern part of the northwest region and the western part of North China may reach more than 14°.”
“This cold wave occurs during the peak period for returning home during the Spring Festival, and has a great impact on Spring Festival travel.”
“There is a high risk of snow accumulation and road icing.”
“It is recommended that drivers and passengers check the weather forecast and road conditions in advance, make reasonable travel plans, and avoid travel during weather-affected periods.”

B. Spring Festival Celebrations and Entertainment

Source: Xinhua News Agency article “The 2025 Spring Festival movie list is released”
Key Facts and Ideas:Movie Lineup: Six films, including “Nezha: The Legend of Zelda: Dragon King”, “Detective Chinatown 1900”, “Operation Jiaolong”, “Boonie Bears: Reboot” and “The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Greatest Hero”, are being released for the Spring Festival.
High Anticipation: These films represent diverse themes and genres, with pre-sales already exceeding 100 million yuan, setting a new record.
Promotional Efforts: The government is launching preferential subsidy policies to encourage movie watching. The “Good Audience Convention” is launched to promote civilized behavior and intellectual property protection.
Key Quotes:“This year’s Spring Festival films have diverse themes, rich genres and high market attention.”
“Since pre-sales opened on January 19, they have set a record for the fastest total pre-sale box office to exceed 100 million yuan during the Spring Festival.”
Source: People’s Daily Online article “Popular science knowledge with the flavor of the New Year”
Key Facts and Ideas:The article emphasizes the importance of traditional foods and decorations like candied haws, ice sculptures, and New Year flowers during the Spring Festival.
It details the scientific aspects related to these, like which type of hawthorn is best for candied haws, the process of harvesting and storing ice for sculptures, and the types of popular New Year flowers.
It connects the traditions with scientific principles.
It highlights the cultural and traditional importance of these items.
Key Quotes:“The bright red hawthorn represents good luck and fortune and is an important element of the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival.”
“The transparency and firmness of ice determine the quality of ice sculptures; the methods of harvesting, storing and making ice demonstrate the wisdom of people from ancient times to the present…”
“Celebrating the Spring Festival with flowers has a long history in our country.”

C. Social and Political Activities

Source: People’s Daily Online – “Wang Yi holds talks with Bangladesh’s interim government diplomacy chief Tusheed”
Key Facts and Ideas:Diplomatic Engagement: Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minister, met with Bangladesh’s interim government diplomacy chief Tusheed in Beijing.
50th Anniversary: This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Bangladesh, which is also designated as the “China-Bangladesh Year of People-to-People Exchange.”
Strategic Cooperation: China expresses willingness to strengthen their existing relationship by working together on the Belt and Road initiative and ensuring Bangladeshs’ national independence.
Bangladesh Perspective: Bangladesh views the relationship with China as having cross-party and popular support.
Key Quotes:“China is willing to work with Bangladesh to continue traditional friendship, strengthen strategic communication, deepen practical cooperation, jointly build the ‘Belt and Road’ with high quality, and promote the continuous development of China-Bangladesh comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.”
“Friendly relations with China is a cross-party consensus in Bangladesh and is supported by successive governments and the entire people.”
Source: People’s Court Daily – “VR exhibition hall of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Juvenile Court of the People’s Court is online”
Key Facts and Ideas:40th Anniversary: A virtual reality exhibition has been launched to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Juvenile Court, with an in-person exhibition also taking place
Content: The exhibition highlights the progress of juvenile trials, the protection of minors’ rights, and the achievements of the Juvenile Court, including case files, trial work mechanisms and typical cases.
Accessibility: The VR exhibition is designed to be accessible to the public online, while the physical exhibition continues to accept real-name reservations.
Key Quotes:“It comprehensively displays the The glorious journey and brilliant achievements of the Juvenile Court over the past 40 years.”
“The VR exhibition hall highly restores the spatial structure and exhibition content of the offline exhibition, and fully presents the wonderful content of five parts.”
Source: People’s Daily – “Harbin Asian Winter Games chief spokesperson makes appearance, all preparations are ready”
Key Facts and Ideas:The 9th Asian Winter Games will be held in Harbin from February 7-14, 2025.
The chief spokesperson has made their official debut and announced the completion of all preparations.
Key Quotes: None.

III. Conclusion

The provided sources paint a picture of a country in a state of flux, simultaneously dealing with a significant weather event, preparing for the Spring Festival holiday, and engaging in ongoing social and political activities. The cold wave presents a major challenge, potentially disrupting travel during a critical period. However, the articles also convey a sense of cultural richness and the progress being made in various sectors like diplomacy and the legal system. The country is simultaneously confronting challenges and preparing for festivities, showcasing a blend of pragmatism and tradition.

China’s 2025 Spring Festival: Weather, Films, and Games

FAQ

What significant weather event is expected in China in late January 2025 and what areas will be most impacted? A significant cold wave, accompanied by rain and snow, is expected to impact most of China from January 23rd to 27th, 2025. The most affected areas include southern Shaanxi, southern Shanxi, northwestern Henan, northwestern Hubei, southern Sichuan, and eastern Liaoning. This weather event is characterized by a broad impact range, locally heavy snowfall, and significant temperature drops, with some areas experiencing drops of 14 degrees Celsius or more. The cold wave also coincides with the peak travel period for the Spring Festival.
How will this cold wave impact travel during the Spring Festival? The cold wave is expected to significantly disrupt travel. Heavy snow and icy road conditions are anticipated on several highways including Lianhuo, Beijing-Kunming, Fuyin, and Erguang expressways in Gansu, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Henan on January 24th. On January 25th, the impact will be even more widespread, affecting areas like the eastern part of Northwest China, North China, western Huanghuai, and southwestern regions with snow or sleet. From January 26th-27th, heavy snow is expected in Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang, making travel challenging in these areas. Roads in Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan will also be affected by rain and snow. It is strongly recommended that travelers check weather forecasts and road conditions in advance and avoid travel during affected periods.
What are some of the major films being released for the 2025 Spring Festival and what’s the early buzz? Six films have been announced for the 2025 Spring Festival release: “Nezha: The Legend of Zelda: Dragon King”, “Detective Chinatown 1900”, “Operation Jiaolong”, “Boonie Bears: Reboot”, and “The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Greatest Hero”. These films represent diverse genres and are generating high market attention. Pre-sales have already set a record, surpassing 100 million yuan at an unprecedented speed. Promotional efforts also include preferential subsidy policies for movie watching consumption during the Spring Festival.
What measures are in place to ensure good behavior during movie screenings during the 2025 Spring Festival? In conjunction with the Spring Festival movie releases, a “Good Audience Convention” has been launched, which calls on audiences to watch movies in a civilized manner and to respect intellectual property rights. This initiative is intended to encourage responsible behavior during the highly anticipated movie season.
What is the significance of the 9th Asian Winter Games being held in Harbin, China in February 2025? The 9th Asian Winter Games, to be held in Harbin, Heilongjiang from February 7 to 14, 2025, is a major international sporting event. The chief spokesperson has officially debuted, signaling that all preparations are in place. This event further enhances China’s role in international sports and provides an opportunity for the city of Harbin to showcase its winter sports capabilities and infrastructure.
What are some key characteristics of good ice used for ice sculptures and what traditional knowledge goes into their construction? Good quality ice for ice sculptures is characterized by its transparency and firmness. Transparency is achieved by harvesting ice from clear, slow-flowing water like the Songhua River, which has low sand content and few impurities and prevents air bubbles from forming while freezing. Firmness is achieved by allowing the ice to reach at least 30cm thickness before harvesting, but also requires techniques like ice storage. Traditional practices in China, dating back to the Western Zhou Dynasty, included the use of ice cellars and insulation to preserve large quantities of ice. Modern ice harvesting is more efficient, and advancements in ice-making technology allow for controlled production of customized ice blocks.
What types of hawthorn are best suited for making candied haws and what makes them unique? Northern varieties of hawthorn, such as Da Jinxing and Wai Ba Hong, are considered best for making candied haws. These varieties are large, have thick flesh, are well-colored, and have an appropriate sugar-acid ratio. While hawthorns are often perceived as sour, their sugar content is actually high, but the higher organic acid content makes them taste more tart. Northern varieties are especially well suited for creating the balanced sweet and sour flavor of candied haws.
What kind of flowers are traditionally used during the Spring Festival and what symbolic meanings do they carry? New Year flowers, used to enhance the festive atmosphere during the Spring Festival, include orchids and bulbous flowers. Peach blossoms and oranges are particularly popular in Guangdong. “Red peach” (peach blossom) is homophonous with “grand plan” in Cantonese, signifying the hope for a great future. Putting a full peach blossom in a vase is meant to bring “great plans and great fortune”. The tradition of celebrating with flowers has a long history in China, particularly in southern regions, where flower markets are popular.

China Cold Wave Warning: January 23-27, 2025

A cold wave is expected to impact most of China from January 23 to 27, 2025, bringing rain and snow, heavy local snowfall, and drastic temperature changes [1]. The most affected areas are predicted to be southern Shaanxi, southern Shanxi, northwestern Henan, northwestern Hubei, southern Sichuan, and eastern Liaoning [1].

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the cold wave:

Temperature Drop: Most of the country will experience a temperature drop of 8° to 12°, with eastern parts of the Northwest region and western parts of North China potentially seeing drops of over 14° [2].
Wind: Northerly winds of 4 to 6 levels, with gusts of 7 to 9, are expected in the affected areas [2]. Strong winds of 6 to 8 are predicted in the eastern and southern waters of the country from January 26 to 27 [2].
Timing: The cold wave will occur during the peak travel period for the Spring Festival, which will have a significant impact on travel [3].
Specific Dates:
January 24: The eastern part of the Northwest region will experience heavy to severe snow, with a high risk of snow and icy roads on highways in Gansu, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Henan [3].
January 25: The cold wave will have its widest impact, affecting the eastern part of the Northwest region, North China, western Huanghuai, and southwestern regions with snowfall or sleet, which will greatly affect traffic [3].
January 26-27: Rain and snow will primarily affect traffic in the northeast and southwest regions, with a high risk of snow accumulation and road icing on highways in Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang. There will also be rain and snow in Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan, with a high risk of snow and ice on the roads [4].

Travel Recommendations: It’s recommended that drivers and passengers check weather forecasts and road conditions in advance, make reasonable travel plans, and avoid traveling during weather-affected periods [4].

Spring Festival Travel Disruptions: 2025 Cold Wave Forecast

The sources indicate that the upcoming cold wave will significantly impact Spring Festival travel [1, 2]. Here’s a breakdown of the expected disruptions and travel recommendations:

Timing: The cold wave is predicted to occur during the peak period for people returning home for the Spring Festival [2]. The most significant impacts are expected between January 24 and 27, 2025 [1, 2].
Affected Regions & Travel Routes:January 24: The eastern part of the Northwest region is expected to be hit with heavy to severe snow. This will likely cause dangerous driving conditions on the Lianhuo, Beijing-Kunming, Fuyin, and Erguang highways in Gansu, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Henan [2].
January 25: The cold wave will have the widest impact across the eastern part of the Northwest region, North China, western Huanghuai, and southwestern regions with snowfall or sleet, which will greatly affect traffic [2].
January 26-27: The northeast and southwest regions will experience significant travel disruptions due to rain and snow [3]. There will be a high risk of snow accumulation and road icing on the Daguan, Danxi, and Suiman highways in Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang. Additionally, highways in Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan, including the Beijing-Kunming and Hangzhou-Ruili expressways, will likely have rain, snow, and icy roads [3].
General Impact: The cold wave is expected to bring rain and snow across most parts of the country, with heavy local snowfall and drastic temperature changes [1]. The temperature in most parts of the country will generally drop by 8° to 12° [4]. The eastern part of the Northwest region and western part of North China may experience a temperature drop of more than 14° [4]. These areas will also be affected by northerly winds of 4 to 6 levels, with gusts of 7 to 9 [4]. Strong winds of 6 to 8 are predicted in the eastern and southern waters of the country from January 26 to 27 [4].
Travel Advice: It is recommended that drivers and passengers check weather forecasts and road conditions before traveling [3]. People are advised to make reasonable travel plans and to avoid travel during the weather-affected periods [3].

2025 Spring Festival Film Preview

The “2025, See You in the Cinema!” 2025 Spring Festival Movie List Release Conference was held on January 22 at the China Film Museum in Beijing [1]. Six films were unveiled at the press conference [1].

Here are some key points about the Spring Festival movies:

Movie Titles: The six films include “Nezha: The Legend of Zelda: Dragon King”, “Detective Chinatown 1900”, “Operation Jiaolong”, “Boonie Bears: Reboot” and “The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Greatest Hero” [1].
Variety of Themes: This year’s Spring Festival films have diverse themes and rich genres, which have generated high market attention [2].
Box Office Success: Since pre-sales opened on January 19, the movies have set a record for the fastest total pre-sale box office to exceed 100 million yuan during the Spring Festival [2].
“Boonie Bears: Reboot”: The “Boonie Bears” series of movies is a classic “national IP” and has accompanied audiences through 11 Spring Festivals [3]. “Boonie Bears: Restart the Future” is the final chapter of the sci-fi pentalogy. It will feature the “Xiong Qiang trio” traveling through time and embarking on a new adventure [3].
Movie Consumption: Preferential subsidy policies for movie watching consumption during the Spring Festival have been introduced in various places [4].
“Good Audience Convention” Initiative: The “Good Audience Convention” film-watching initiative for the 2025 Spring Festival was launched, calling on audiences to watch movies in a civilized manner and protect intellectual property rights [4].

The sources also mention that the Spring Festival is a time when people purchase New Year flowers, and that candied haws are a popular festive treat [5-7].

Harbin Ice Sculpture Ice: Source, Quality, and Harvesting

The sources provide details about the ice used for ice sculptures, particularly in the context of the Harbin Ice and Snow World [1]. Here’s a breakdown:

Source of Ice: The ice used for ice sculptures in Harbin comes from the Songhua River [1]. The river’s water is clear, with low sand content and few impurities, which is crucial for creating high-quality ice [1]. Additionally, the slow flow of the river in winter helps form uniform ice crystals and removes small bubbles, resulting in ice with high transparency [1].
Quality of Ice:Transparency: The transparency of the ice is a key factor in determining its quality for ice sculptures [1]. Clear ice allows for better light reflection and a more visually appealing sculpture [1].
Solidity: The ice must be solid enough to maintain the stability and durability of the ice sculptures [2]. The thickness of the ice must reach at least 30 cm before harvesting can begin [2].
Harvesting: Ice harvesting typically begins in December, when the ice is thick enough [2].
Ice Storage: Harbin Ice and Snow World uses a system to store ice [2].
Special ice storage rinks are used as “ice and snow warehouses” [2].
The ice blocks are covered with plastic sheets and straw mats to maintain temperature [2].
This method allows for the use of “old ice” from the previous year, which can account for up to 70% of the ice used [2].
Melted ice is not wasted, as it absorbs heat and protects the inner ice layers [3].
Historical Context: The practice of ice storage dates back to the Western Zhou Dynasty, where ice cellars were used to store ice for summer use [3].
Modern Techniques: Modern ice harvesting and making methods are more efficient and environmentally friendly. They include:
Efficient Harvesting: Modern ice harvesters can quickly cut large quantities of uniform ice blocks [4].
Advanced Ice Making: Techniques such as vacuum ice making and ultrasonic ice making can quickly produce high-quality ice and adjust its shape and size as needed [4].

In summary, the ice used for sculptures is carefully sourced, harvested, and stored to ensure it meets the required standards for transparency and solidity. Both traditional and modern methods are employed to create the stunning ice sculptures seen at the Harbin Ice and Snow World [1-4].

New Year Flowers in China

The sources discuss New Year flowers as a tradition associated with the Spring Festival, emphasizing their role in enhancing the festive atmosphere and carrying good wishes [1, 2]. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Tradition: Celebrating the Spring Festival with flowers is a long-standing tradition in China [2]. In Guangzhou, Guangdong, it is said that “only after walking through the flower streets can you celebrate the New Year,” indicating the importance of flowers during the festival [3]. The flower market in Guangzhou began to develop during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty [3].
Types of Flowers:
Orchids and bulbous flowers are considered important types of New Year flowers [2].
In Guangdong, peach blossoms and oranges are popular choices [3]. The term “red peach” in Cantonese is a homophone for “grand plan,” so buying peach blossoms is meant to symbolize “grand plans.” Placing a whole peach blossom in a vase at the entrances of shopping malls, hotels, and restaurants is meant to signify “great plans and great fortune” [3].
Symbolism: New Year flowers are meant to carry people’s good wishes for the new year [3].
Growing Diversity: Due to the improvement of flower cultivation technology, the types of New Year flowers are becoming more and more diverse [2].
Popularity: New Year flowers have become a must-buy for many families as the Spring Festival approaches [2].

The Original Text

The first cold wave of the year is coming, and the range of rain and snow will affect most parts of the country

January 22, 2025 16:28 | Source: People’s Daily Online Small Font

People’s Daily Online, Beijing, January 22 (Ouyang Yijia) A reporter learned from the China Meteorological Administration that from January 23 to 27, China will experience a cold wave, rain and snow weather process, with a wide impact range, heavy local snowfall, and drastic temperature changes. And other characteristics. The rain and snow will affect most parts of the country, and the high-impact areas are mainly located in southern Shaanxi, southern Shanxi, northwestern Henan, northwestern Hubei, southern Sichuan, and eastern Liaoning.

Xu Jun, chief forecaster of the Central Meteorological Observatory, said that since the beginning of winter, temperatures in most parts of the country have been relatively high, and have been particularly high in recent days. Affected by this cold wave, the temperature in most parts of the country generally dropped by 8° to 12°, and the temperature drop in the eastern part of the northwest region and the western part of North China may reach more than 14°. The above-mentioned areas are also accompanied by northerly winds of 4 to 6 levels, with gusts of wind. Levels 7 to 9. From January 26 to 27, there will be strong winds of 6 to 8 in the eastern and southern waters of my country.

This cold wave occurs during the peak period for returning home during the Spring Festival, and has a great impact on Spring Festival travel. Tian Hua, chief expert at the Public Meteorological Service Center of the China Meteorological Administration, reminded that on January 24, the eastern part of the Northwest region was affected by heavy to severe snow. The Lianhuo, Beijing-Kunming, Fuyin, Erguang and other highways in Gansu, Shanxi, Shaanxi and Henan were affected by heavy snow. There is a high risk of snow and icy roads. January 25th is the period when the cold wave has the widest impact. The eastern part of the Northwest region, North China, western Huanghuai, and southwestern regions will be affected by snowfall or sleet, and traffic will be greatly affected.

“From the 26th to the 27th, the rain and snow weather will mainly have a great impact on traffic in the northeast and southwest regions. It is expected that due to heavy to severe snow, the Daguan, Danxi, Suiman and other highways in Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang will experience “There is a high risk of snow accumulation and road icing,” said Tian Hua. “In Sichuan and Guizhou in the southwest, and the Beijing-Kunming and Hangzhou-Ruili expressways in Yunnan, there will also be rain and snow, with snow and ice on the roads. The risk is high. It is recommended that drivers and passengers check the weather forecast and road conditions in advance, make reasonable travel plans, and avoid travel during weather-affected periods. “The 2025 Spring Festival movie list is released

January 22, 2025 22:47 | Source: Xinhua News Agency Small Font

The “2025, See You in the Cinema!” 2025 Spring Festival Movie List Release Conference, organized by the Film Bureau of the Central Propaganda Department, was held at the China Film Museum in Beijing on January 22. Six films including “Nezha: The Legend of Zelda: Dragon King”, “Detective Chinatown 1900”, “Operation Jiaolong”, “Boonie Bears: Reboot” and “The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Greatest Hero” were unveiled at the press conference.

A group photo of the main creators of the 2025 Spring Festival movie. (Photo provided by the organizer)

According to reports, this year’s Spring Festival films have diverse themes, rich genres and high market attention. Since pre-sales opened on January 19, they have set a record for the fastest total pre-sale box office to exceed 100 million yuan during the Spring Festival. At the launch event, the main creators of the six films introduced the highlights of the films.

The press conference introduced preferential subsidy policies for movie watching consumption during the Spring Festival in various places. In addition, the “Good Audience Convention” film-watching initiative for the 2025 Spring Festival was launched on site, calling on audiences to watch movies in a civilized manner and protect intellectual property rights. (Reporter Wang Peng)

(Editors: Yue Hongbin, Niu Yong)

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Harbin Asian Winter Games chief spokesperson makes appearance, all preparations are ready

People’s Daily, Beijing, January 22 (Reporter Hu Xuerong) The 9th Asian Winter Games will be held in Harbin, Heilongjiang from February 7 to 14, 2025. This morning, the chief spokesperson for the Harbin Asian Winter Games made his official debut and introduced the latest preparation progress for this Asian Winter Games. …

Expert seminar on “Boonie Bears: Restarting the Future” held in Beijing

The seminar site. Photo provided by the organizer. People’s Daily Online, Beijing, January 22 (Reporter Liu Yingying) Every Spring Festival, the “Boonie Bears” series of movies always arrives as scheduled. As a classic “national IP”, it has accompanied the audience through 11 Spring Festivals. As the final chapter of the sci-fi pentalogy, Boonie Bears: Restart the Future will continue to unlock infinite possibilities. The Xiong Qiang trio will travel through time a hundred years later to embark on a new adventure and spend the “Xiong Qiang New Year” with the audience. New Year time. …

Wang Yi holds talks with Bangladesh’s interim government diplomacy chief Tusheed

January 22, 2025 05:55 | Source: People’s Daily Online – People’s Daily Small Font

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, January 21 (Reporter Yuan Rui) On January 21, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, held talks with Tushid, head of diplomacy of the interim government of Bangladesh, in Beijing.

Wang Yi said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Bangladesh, and is also the “China-Bangladesh Year of People-to-People Exchange”. China is willing to work with Bangladesh to continue traditional friendship, strengthen strategic communication, deepen practical cooperation, jointly build the “Belt and Road” with high quality, and promote the continuous development of China-Bangladesh comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. China supports Bangladesh in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and national dignity and exploring a development path that suits its national conditions.

Tusheed said that friendly relations with China is a cross-party consensus in Bangladesh and is supported by successive governments and the entire people. Bangladesh looks forward to working with China to push bilateral relations to a new level.

“People’s Daily” (Page 03, January 22, 2025)

(Editors: Wei Jia, Bai Yu)

Share to let more people see: VR exhibition hall of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Juvenile Court of the People’s Court is online

Yue Lin

January 22, 2025 08:45 | Small font

This newspaper reported that on October 23, 2024, the “Strive for a New Era and Hand in Hand for the Future – Exhibition of Achievements of the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Juvenile Court of the People’s Court” hosted by the First Civil Court of the Supreme People’s Court, the People’s Court News Media Group, and the China Court Museum Officially opened at the China Court Museum. The exhibition is divided into five parts: the development of juvenile trials, the legal protection system for minors, major achievements of juvenile courts, the “Protecting Juveniles’ Growth” legal publicity class, and advanced models. It comprehensively displays the The glorious journey and brilliant achievements of the Juvenile Court over the past 40 years.

Since its opening, the exhibition has received widespread attention and praise from all walks of life. In order to let more people understand the development achievements of the juvenile court in the past 40 years and meet the needs of more people to visit the exhibition remotely or online, the organizer used VR technology to launch the “Strive for a New Era and Hand in Hand towards the Future – The People’s Court Juvenile Court was established” “40th Anniversary Achievement Exhibition” VR exhibition hall.

The VR exhibition hall highly restores the spatial structure and exhibition content of the offline exhibition, and fully presents the wonderful content of five parts. Here, visitors can click and track online, enter the museum “immersively” with one click, and view the exhibition “at close range” with one click. Whether it is the precious physical objects showing the development process of the juvenile court from scratch, such as the first criminal case file of minors, or the introduction of the trial work mechanism of the juvenile court, such as round-table trials, social investigations, court education, etc., There are exhibits that embody China’s excellent traditional culture, such as traditional moral education story dough sculptures, or typical cases that demonstrate the People’s Court’s determination to protect the rights and interests of minors, such as the “Passion Fruit Girl” case, which can all be seen in the VR exhibition hall. . Just scan the QR code to get there, with rich perspectives, making the audience feel as if they are in an offline exhibition hall, fully experiencing the 40-year development and great achievements of the Juvenile Court.

The VR exhibition hall of “Strive for a New Era and Work Together towards the Future – Exhibition of Achievements of the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of Juvenile Courts in the People’s Courts” will be launched simultaneously on the Digital Library of the Supreme People’s Court, the WeChat public account and official website of the China Court Museum. The offline exhibition will also continue. The general public can continue to make real-name reservations for visiting the museum 1 to 7 days in advance (including the day) through the China Court Museum WeChat public account and the China Court Museum official website. Everyone is welcome to visit the VR exhibition hall or offline exhibition hall to experience the extraordinary achievements of the juvenile court over the past 40 years and witness the development and improvement of the juvenile justice system with Chinese characteristics.

Source: People’s Court Daily

Popular science knowledge with the flavor of the New Year (Telling you about nature and the flavor of the New Year)

January 22, 2025 08:56 | Source: People’s Daily Online – People’s Daily Small Font

Editor’s note: As the Spring Festival approaches, the festive atmosphere becomes stronger. The red candied haws, with a sweet and sour taste, bloom on the tip of the tongue; the blooming New Year flowers at home, entrust people with good wishes for the New Year; eating melon seeds, laughter echoes in the living room where the family sits together; when night falls, The ice sculptures sparkle under the lights, creating a joyful and peaceful atmosphere for the Spring Festival…

The strong New Year atmosphere also contains a lot of interesting knowledge. What kind of hawthorn is suitable for making candied haws? What kind of ice can be used to make ice sculptures? What are the New Year flowers? Where do all those melon seeds that you can’t stop eating come from? The Lunar New Year is approaching, and this edition of the “Tell You About Nature” column is launching a special report to let you experience the new scientific knowledge in the New Year atmosphere.

What kind of hawthorn is suitable for making candied haws?

Ran Kun

According to different origins, hawthorn can be divided into northern hawthorn and southern hawthorn. The varieties of northern hawthorn with large size, thick flesh, good coloring and appropriate sugar-acid ratio are suitable for making candied haws.

As winter arrives, hawthorn products such as sugar snowballs and candied haws become more popular. They are sour and sweet and very appealing. The bright red hawthorn represents good luck and fortune and is an important element of the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival.

my country is one of the origins of hawthorn, and it has a cultivation history of thousands of years. The middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River and the Bohai Rim region in my country were the earliest cultivation centers. Currently, production areas have been formed in central and northern Liaoning, northeastern Hebei, central and southern Shandong, central and southern Shanxi, and northwestern Henan.

According to different origins, hawthorn can be divided into northern hawthorn and southern hawthorn. Northern hawthorn is mainly produced in Shandong, Hebei, Henan and other places, while southern hawthorn is mainly produced in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hubei and other places. There is no significant difference in nutritional components between the two, but due to differences in climate and growing environment, the content and types of hawthorn flavonoids, organic acids and other effective ingredients in different producing areas vary greatly.

Tanghulu is one of the most representative traditional hawthorn snacks. As early as the Southern Song Dynasty, hawthorn processed products – candied haws – appeared.

So, what kind of hawthorn is suitable for making candied haws? You should choose varieties of northern hawthorn that are large, thick, well-colored, and have a suitable sugar-acid ratio, such as Da Jinxing and Wai Ba Hong. Wai Ba Hong is especially suitable for making candied haws, which are sweet and sour.

When it comes to hawthorn, many people’s first impression is “sour teeth”. In fact, the sugar content of hawthorn is more than twice that of apples and pears. However, because the organic acid content in the fruit is two to three times higher than that of apples and pears, Hawthorn tastes more sour than sweet.

Except for a small part used for fresh consumption, most hawthorns are used for processing. Traditional hawthorn products mainly include candied haws, fruit jelly, canned hawthorn, hawthorn cake, hawthorn beverage, hawthorn jam, dried hawthorn, etc. With the continuous development of modern processing technology, hawthorn products have gradually developed in a diversified direction, and products such as hawthorn concentrated juice, hawthorn wine, hawthorn powder, hawthorn chips, freeze-dried hawthorn, hawthorn yogurt, and hawthorn ice cream have appeared one after another.

However, it is worth noting that although hawthorn is sweet and sour and rich in nutrients, it is not recommended to consume it in large quantities. In addition, hawthorn should not be eaten on an empty stomach. It is best to eat 3-5 pieces at a time.

(The author is a researcher at the Fruit Research Institute of Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and the interview was conducted by our reporter Li Rui)

What kind of ice can be used to make ice sculptures?

Ren Yanyu

The transparency and firmness of ice determine the quality of ice sculptures; the methods of harvesting, storing and making ice demonstrate the wisdom of people from ancient times to the present, and also provide more possibilities for ice sculpture art.

As the Spring Festival approaches, people in my country’s Northeast region are carving blocks of ice into lifelike shapes, adding a festive atmosphere to the city. When we admire these ice sculptures and immerse ourselves in the dreamlike world of ice and snow, we can’t help but wonder: What is so special about the ice blocks that make up these ice sculptures?

The transparency of ice is a key measure of its quality. In order to obtain good quality ice cubes, people tend to harvest ice in places with clear and slow-flowing water. Taking Harbin Ice and Snow World as an example, all the ice it uses comes from the Songhua River. The water of Songhua River is clear and transparent, with low sand content and few impurities, ensuring the pure texture of the ice. In addition, the slow flow of the Songhua River in winter helps the formation of ice crystals and promptly carries away small bubbles precipitated during the freezing process, forming high-quality ice cubes with uniform texture and extremely high transparency.

In addition to transparency, the solidity of the ice is also crucial. In order to ensure the stability and durability of ice sculptures, the thickness of the ice surface needs to reach 30 cm before ice harvesting can begin. Even in Harbin, where winter comes early, it often takes until December to start. In order to allow tourists to appreciate the beautiful ice sculptures as soon as possible, the builders came up with an ingenious method – storing ice.

This ice and snow season, Harbin Ice and Snow World used 300,000 cubic meters of ice, of which nearly 200,000 cubic meters was “old ice” stored in early 2024. Special ice storage rinks are like huge “ice and snow warehouses” where these ice blocks are stacked and stored. In order to maintain the temperature of the ice, the builders used plastic sheets, straw mats and other materials to cover the ice with layers of “quilts”. These materials together played a similar role as “thermos bottles”, so that even after summer, in winter, the ice would not be warm. More than 70% of the ice can meet the usage standards.

It is worth mentioning that the 30% of melted ice is not useless. They absorb a lot of heat in the process of turning into water. It is this characteristic that makes the ice cubes on the outer layer of the ice pile “sacrifice themselves” and protect the ice cubes on the inner layer.

Who first came up with such an ingenious idea? During the Western Zhou Dynasty, the working people developed relatively complete ice storage technology through long-term practice. In ancient times, the ice cellar (Lingyin) was a place for storing ice. After the ice forms in winter, ice harvesters will store it for use in the summer to cool down and preserve food. There is also a drainage system and insulation measures in the ice cellar, which is very similar to the modern ice storage principle.

With the continuous development of technology, the methods of harvesting, storing and making ice have become more efficient and environmentally friendly. Modern ice harvesters can quickly cut out large quantities of ice cubes of uniform specifications, improving ice harvesting efficiency. In terms of ice making, people have developed advanced technologies such as vacuum ice making and ultrasonic ice making. These technologies can not only quickly produce high-quality ice cubes, but also adjust the shape and size of ice cubes according to demand. These methods demonstrate the wisdom of people from ancient times to the present, and also provide more possibilities for ice sculpture art.

(The author is a professor at the School of Physics of Harbin Institute of Technology, and this article was compiled by our reporter Guo Xiaolong)

What are the New Year flowers?

Zhao Shiwei

Celebrating the Spring Festival with flowers has a long history in our country. Orchids and bulbous flowers are important types of New Year flowers. With the continuous improvement of flower cultivation technology, the types of New Year flowers are becoming more and more diverse.

Recently, New Year flowers have become a must-buy for many families. New Year flowers, as the name suggests, are flowers used to add to the festive atmosphere during the Spring Festival. Celebrating the Spring Festival with flowers has a long history in our country.

The climate in the south is warm, and the custom of appreciating and buying flowers during the Spring Festival is a long-standing one. Guangzhou, Guangdong, known as the “Flower City”, has a saying since ancient times that “only after walking through the flower streets can you celebrate the New Year.” During the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, a flower market began to take shape in Guangzhou, and its scale has gradually expanded since then.

New Year flowers carry people’s good wishes. During the Spring Festival, Guangdong people like to buy peach blossoms and oranges as New Year flowers. In Cantonese, “red peach” is homophonic with “grand plan”, so people buy peach blossoms to take home, which means “grand plans”. At the entrance of shopping malls, hotels and restaurants, put the whole peach blossom in a vase, which means “great plans and great fortune”.

By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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