A new wave of cold air swept across north and east China recently, causing over 10 degrees Celsius temperature drop to multiple provinces, as well as widespread rainfall, snow, and strong wind.
Since Friday, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in north China has experienced extreme cold, with the most rapid temperature drop reaching 12 degrees Celsius. The lowest temperature was witnessed in Ergun City, reaching minus 38 degrees. In response, local authorities have activated emergency plans to ensure steady heating, protect livestock, and clear snow on the roads.
Haixi Prefecture in northwest China Qinghai Province has also reported snowfall since Saturday. Snow has accumulated up to three centimeters in multiple regions, and the temperature has dropped to minus 12 degrees.
In warmer Provinces in the northern part of China, the cold wave also leads to marked temperature plunges. On Sunday morning, Dezhou City in east China's Shandong Province was hit by strong winds, and the highest temperature dropped to three degrees Celsius. The city is expected to welcome a round of snowfall later on Sunday, according to local meteorological forecasts.
"It feels much colder today. Yesterday it was not this cold, but now it has dropped by more than 10 degrees," said Li Xiujuan, a local resident.
Handan City in Hebei Province of north China has also experienced its first sleet and snowfall. The highest temperature plummeted by 15 degrees across the region, dropping the nighttime temperatures again to zero degrees.
"The rain and snow make it feel like winter all over again. Even in a down jacket, the wind still sneaks in through my collar," said resident Fan Zexiao.
Cold wave hits north, east China, causing drastic temperature drop
Institutional opening-up, a key topic at this year's two sessions and in the 15th Five-Year Plan, is fundamentally about establishing long-term effectiveness through systematic, nationwide efforts rather than fragmented, short-term actions, said a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) on Friday in Beijing.
The "two sessions", a major event in China's political calendar, refer to the annual meetings of China's top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), and the top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
Peng Shou, also an academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, explained that by developing comprehensive pilot frameworks in free trade zones like Shanghai and the Hainan Free Trade Port, China is transforming fragmented policies into cohesive systems, such as addressing processing VAT to boost high-tech industries; and exploring the expansion of models like negative lists and digital infrastructure to create a more transparent and predictable environment for global partners.
"I believe that a system is about long-term effectiveness, it's not a short-term move, and not fragmented. It's not about handling isolated cases, but about involving everyone, the whole society," said Peng.
China has built a series of comprehensive testing grounds for institutional openness.
With 22 free trade zones covering the entire country, a full-scale pilot framework has been established. Especially in free trade zones like Shanghai and the Hainan Free Trade Port, China has launched over 110 innovative, integrated pilot measures.
"Turning previous fragmented small policies into a systematic framework is key. For example, the issue of processing and value-added tax is well addressed. By incorporating processing technologies and adding value, it drives the development of high-tech industries," said Peng.
Such models could also be promoted in other regions.
Peng also said that the Hainan Free Trade Port's special customs operations can be used as a great example.
"We may apply this negative list model to some cities or development zones. Additionally, we can focus on digital infrastructure, using AI and digital technology as a foundation in cities like Beijing and Shanghai," he said.
At its core, institutional opening-up is not just about aligning with global standards; it's about creating a more open, transparent, and predictable environment that attracts global partners, according to Peng.
By embracing this new model, China is not only enhancing its position in the global market but also reshaping its own economic future, he added.
NPC deputy emphasizes long-term, systematic impact of institutional opening-up strategies
