Spring blossoms are boosting tourism in Sichuan and Guizhou provinces in southwest China.
In Gaoxian County of Sichuan, hundreds of hectares of rapeseed flowers have been in full bloom and blanketed the land at the county's Grain and Oil Modern Agricultural Park.
Sightseeing trains shuttle in the fields and offer tourists a unique perspective of the landscape.
"I've brought my kid to embrace spring, and it feels wonderful. Rapeseed flowers are everywhere and it's full of vigor," said Zheng Xingping, a tourist.
The park is offering not only sightseeing. It's also a place for educational field trips, drawing art students to portray spring scenes with their brushes. There are also cycling routes, and promotions of local agricultural products. These activities attract nearly 10,000 visitors to the park every day.
"[Tourism] has boosted the display and sales of our local farm produce and the development of a series of industries, like catering and recreation businesses. Next, after the harvest of rapeseed, we will use the built drainage and irrigation facilities to fill the fields with water and grow 667 hectares of rice to maximize the land use with different produce," said Li Guangjun, director of the administration office of the agricultural park.
In Fa'er Town of Liupanshui City in Guizhou, cherry blossoms are also in full bloom, drawing many tourists to capture the graceful scenes.
"I heard about the pretty scenes of cherry blossoms in Fa'er long ago, so I specially came with my sister today to take pictures of them," said Tao Jiaying, a tourist.
Fa'er Town is known for its the Agate Red cherry featuring brighter colors, juicier flesh, and sweeter taste than regular cherries. Now local cherry production has become a pillar industry in Fa'er Town and is expected to reach 4,800 tons this year.
Spring blossoms boost tourism in Sichuan, Guizhou
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
