Museums and historical sites across China have drawn huge crowds during the ongoing Labor Day holiday, with people showing strong interests in cultural heritage and history.
At the Palace Museum in Beijing, the "All Beings Thrive in Harmony" exhibition, featuring animal-themed paintings, showcased 117 pieces spanning from the Five Dynasties (907-960) to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
The Hubei Provincial Museum in central China launched a cinematic-level digital artifact VR experience to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the discovery of the 2,500-year-old Sword of Goujian, which was named after the king of the state of Yue during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC).
The VR experience, titled "Bronze Era Odyssey," can accommodate 100 spectators simultaneously in a 30-minute immersive visualization of the museum's iconic artifacts such as the Sword of Goujian and the Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng. Yin Ruins in the northwest suburb of Anyang City in central China's Henan Province introduced live performances and interactive experiences to captivate visitors.
"I learned so much about Fu Hao and Wu Ding, what their oracle bone inscriptions meant, and what they needed to do when fortune-telling. I learned a lot," said Lin Caicai, a visitor from east China's Fujian Province.
In the first two days of the holiday, the Yin Ruins welcomed over 100,000 visitors.
According to preliminary statistics from the National Cultural Heritage Administration, museums in Jiangsu, Shaanxi, Henan, Sichuan, and Zhejiang provinces each received over one million visitors in the first two days of the holiday, setting a record high.
Museums, heritage sites across China draw crowds during Labor Day holiday
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
