South Sudan's men's basketball team have received a heroes' welcome in the country's capital Juba after returning from France.
The team made history by beating Puerto Rico 90 points to 79 in their first-ever Olympics, and put up a spirited performance against the tournament favorites, the United States.
With the defeat to the U.S. and Serbia, they ultimately bowed out in the group stage. But that didn't stop the Bright Stars becoming a source of joy for the world's youngest nation.
Many residents in Juba have decided to be off from work, and have come in large numbers to welcome the team that has returned from the Paris Olympics.
As players get out of the plane in Juba, thousands of supporters are awaiting their Olympic basketball stars.
"I came at six o'clock in the morning. I am very happy, I have been waiting, and now the team has arrived. I want them to stay for a week or two with us before they return to their respective clubs," said James Magok, a resident.
"The basketballers are back in town and we are so proud of them. Though they did not make it to the last stage, we are so grateful that they managed to represent us at the global stage and put our name on the map," said Arek Abraham, South Sudan's candidate for the 71st Miss World beauty pageant.
From Juba Airport, the team drove across the city then headed to the basketball stadium.
South Sudan's government says the impact of the basketball team goes beyond sport.
"Let me tell you this, you have turned the trend of what is happening in our country, now the young people, the youth that I am responsible for, you have changed them and you have united them," said Rebecca Nyandeng, Vice President of South Sudan.
South Sudan basketball players say what keeps them going is the unwavering support they get from fans at home.
The next competition for the Bright Stars is Afro Basketball in November where the team will meet Mozambique, Mali and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
South Sudan's Olympic basketball team receives heroes' welcome at home
Grassroots officials and students who teamed up with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the voluntary tree planting activity in Beijing on Thursday morning said afterwards they would commit more energy to protecting their country's natural heritage and greening efforts.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, was accompanied by other Party and state leaders as they joined residents and local officials on the bank of the Yongding River in Beijing’s Fengtai District to plant saplings.
Xi waved to the crowd as he arrived at the site before picking up a shovel to help plant saplings of several different types of tree.
Xi took time to ask students from local schools about their studies, life and participation in labor and sports.
"We came here today to participate in this tree planting activity. What surprised us was that President Xi also took part. He worked alongside us, digging and building up the soil around the saplings. He has always been concerned about our lives and studies, and he encouraged us to work and study hard," said Lyu Shuochen, a student from the Fifth Primary School in Fengtai District.
"President Xi is very knowledgeable and understanding. He also encouraged us plant more trees to improve the air quality and the environment," said Gu Weichen, another student from the school.
During the event, Xi also talked with local grassroots officials, discussing the importance of preserving the nation's natural heritage.
"Every year, [the general secretary] takes part in the tree planting activity in the capital. He shovels the soil and waters the trees, which are truly touching. As environmental builders, we are determined to work together to make areas along the Yongding River greener and make the water clearer, so that local people can safely enjoy the riverside and truly understand the significance of ecological preservation," said Ding Hongwei, deputy director of the Fengtai District Yongding River Management Office.
"For us, participating in the tree planting activity with the general secretary is a vivid practical lesson in grassroots governance. Today, the general secretary also stressed that [environmental efforts should focus on] improving quality, boosting industry and benefiting the people. For us as community workers, it means we must deeply engage in the grassroots affairs. We need to strive for growth and do practical things to provide support for the residents and the people around us," said Qian Cheng, Party secretary of Tianlun Jincheng community in Beijing's Fengtai District.
"In addition to building the capital into a garden city, we also integrate the concept of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature into our daily life and work. We hope to create a better environment for everyone," said Lin Qiaoling, a Party committee member in Caoqiao Village, Yuquanying Subdistrict in Fengtai District.
Encouraged by Xi, the environmental champions at the site pledged to actively engage in public welfare activities, joining forces to contribute to the building of a Beautiful China and making the country even greener.
"President Xi told us while we were watering the saplings that watering the trees is like nurturing us children. I will follow what President Xi said. I want to become a teacher to educate and nurture others, and sow the seeds for them to grow their talents," said Wang Nanbixuan, another student from the school.
"As a primary school student in the capital, I am committed to planting more trees, working harder, and adding more green spaces to make our capital even more beautiful," said Chang Yuyang, another student from the school.
"With the personal involvement and leadership of the general secretary, the greening efforts in the capital will reach a new level, and citizens will be able to more directly enjoy the results of ecological civilization development," said Ding.
"As the general secretary said, we will continue working, one generation after another, to improve the greening efforts for the people, and contribute our own strength to ecological preservation in the capital and the whole country," said Lin.
Planting trees with President Xi inspires new generation of environmental champions
