Chili transplanting in northwest China's Gansu Province has entered its peak season, enhanced by satellite navigation and smart farming technologies for improved precision and efficiency.
At a chili farm in Jinta County, driverless tractors towing automated transplanting machines move steadily through the fields. In a single pass, these machines punch holes, place seedlings, and complete the transplanting process.
Guided by pre-programmed routes using Beidou satellite navigation, the machines ensure standardized operation, giving each chili seedling a precise spot for growth.
Farmers say the new tech is a game-changer, resolving problems like uneven ridging, labor shortage and low efficiency which they often encounter during transplanting season. The new technologies also greatly increase seedling survival rates.
In addition to intelligent transplanting, the chili fields have also been fitted with integrated irrigation and fertilization systems.
"With our one-film-three-row drip irrigation system and integrated water-fertilizer tech, we're seeing an average yield increase of 100 kilograms per mu (0.067 hectare) compared to the traditional flood irrigation method. The cost savings and efficiency gains are significant," said Chen Wanping, a farm operator. Unmanned agricultural machinery is transforming chili farming, alleviating labor demands while enhancing quality and operational efficiency.
Smart tech ushers chili planting efficiency in Gansu
Smart tech ushers chili planting efficiency in Gansu
China Media Group (CMG) on Wednesday aired a grand New Year gala to welcome the arrival of 2026 with celebrations focused on the richness of Chinese culture, and blending traditional arts with contemporary creativity in a nationwide showcase of unity and joy.
Titled "Sail into 2026," the gala was staged in Lyuliang City, north China's Shanxi Province, and featured over 60 meticulously crafted performances. From vibrant song and dance routines to performances of traditional Chinese instrumental music, opera and martial arts, the gala embraced a wide variety of artistic styles, reflecting the depth of cultural heritage and the spirit of contemporary innovation.
The show vividly captured regional transformations across China, from the innovative dynamism of the Yangtze River Delta in east China to the cultural vitality of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region in the northern part of the country. It also presented the energetic harmony of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area city cluster in the south, as well as heartfelt New Year wishes from China's Taiwan region.
The gala also shone a spotlight on ordinary individuals who made a difference in 2025. It also featured fresh works from a new wave of public cultural creators. Through these stories and performances, the gala offered a panoramic celebration of people nationwide joyfully embracing the New Year, together painting a hopeful picture of peace, prosperity and unity.
The gala was broadcast live at 20:00 on December 31 across CMG platforms including CCTV-1, CCTV-3, major radio frequencies, and new media outlets such as CCTV News.
CMG presents culture-rich New Year Gala to ring in 2026
