China's national vegetable basket price index reached 125.78 in January, 3.26 points higher from the previous month. This rise was largely driven by seasonal increases in vegetable prices, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
In January, the average wholesale price of 28 key monitored vegetables across the country was 5.32 yuan (about 0.73 U.S. dollars) per kilogram, a 5.3 percent rise from the previous month and a 2.7-percent increase year on year. Among these, five types of vegetables saw price declines month on month, while 23 experienced price hikes. Notably, cauliflower, green beans, bell peppers, lettuce, and eggplant saw price increases of over 10 percent.
"There was a seasonal rise in vegetable prices in January. For one thing, the volume of vegetables transported from the south to the north went up during the Spring Festival holiday, which translated into higher costs in temperature control and transportation. For another, the production cost of greenhouse-grown vegetables in the north is higher than that of open-field varieties. Additionally, consumer spending during the festival period has also contributed to the uptick in price," said Zhang Jing, a researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Information of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
Zhang added that the total growing areas for vegetables nationwide is slightly higher than in the previous year, and the production and supply foundation for winter and spring vegetables is relatively solid. The seasonal price increase in January was relatively mild compared to previous years.
"Since the Spring Festival, a cold wave has lingered across the country, with temperatures in most regions lower than the average readings for this period. This will affect the growth and transportation of vegetables. The prices of some vegetable may rise further in the short term and in some areas," Zhang said.
Vegetable prices go up in Jan due to seasonal factors
The 15th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) kicked off its much-anticipated Film Carnival in Huairou District of Chinese capital city, drawing in film lovers and visitors to a vibrant celebration packed with exciting performances and cinematic marvels.
As one of the BJIFF's signature events, this year's Carnival has been unfolded across two iconic locations: the Yanqi Lake International Convention and Exhibition Center and the China (Huairou) Film and Television Base—also known as the China Movie Capital, a hub for film and television production and tourism.
Blending the magic of cinema with traditional arts, gourmet delights, and interactive exhibits, the Carnival is designed to offer a mesmerizing celebration for visitors.
At the China Movie Capital venue, visitors can enjoy classic film screenings, live performances, and exhibitions featuring intangible cultural heritage (ICH). The event also includes zones dedicated to cultural merchandise, local cuisine, and interactive experiences.
One of the biggest highlights is the "ICH in Film" experience zone, where visitors can marvel at traditional Chinese tie-dye art and hand-painted folding fans inspired by famous films and TV dramas.
"We crafted 48 folding fans for this event, all themed around films. For example, one fan features the classic poem Qinyuanchun-Changsha, which has been highlighted in the film '1921'. We've also recreated scenes from TV series 'Dream of the Red Chamber' on some fans," said Xiao Ying, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Fan Art Association.
Visitors can also take part in hands-on workshops, such as traditional tie-dye sessions, for an up-close encounter with Chinese folk arts.
"It's such a rich experience to see these ICH products and tie-dying activities—and even getting to make something by hand. They perfectly blend traditional crafts with film culture. Such a unique and creative idea," said a visitor.
The Carnival also breathes new life into film history by recreating classic movie scenes, such as the opulent world featured in the 1987 epic film "The Last Emperor."
"There are many recreated sets, including immersive exhibition halls filled with original-style costumes," said another visitor.
In addition, six grand live performances including the Film Carnival Arts Gala are offering audiences a rich blend of light, sound, and storytelling.
The Carnival, which opened on Friday, will run through early May.
Running from April 18 to 26, the 15th BJIFF coincides with the 130th anniversary of world cinema and the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema. At the heart of the festival is the Tiantan Award, which honors outstanding recent films and celebrates diversity in global filmmaking.
Film carnival brings vibrant entertainment, rich cultural experiences to Beijing's suburb
