The Deqing Freshwater Pearl Mussels Composite Fishery System in east China’s Zhejiang Province was officially recognized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) on Monday.
Deqing, recognized by the Expert Committee on China's Important Agricultural Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, is the earliest-recorded area for freshwater pearl farming. As early as the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), it achieved artificial freshwater pearl cultivation.
In the late 1970s, Deqing began the systematic research on the origin of freshwater pearl farming. After more than 30 years of literature research and field surveys, it produced a series of results like "Proof of the Origin of Large-scale Cultivation of Artificial Pearls in Ancient China".
The Deqing Pearl System is a testament to the harmonious symbiosis of nature and human ingenuity. Xiaoshanyang on Fuxi Street is the system's main protected area, where fish glide and mussels nestle in clear waters.
Based in the principle of mutualism between fish and mussels, and rooted in the local technique of attached pearl farming, it has evolved into a complex web of aquatic life. It encompasses mussels, fish, plankton, benthic organisms, and aquatic plants.
In June 2017, the system was officially recognized as China's Important Agricultural Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. In September of the same year, Deqing launched the application for GIAHS. In 2019, it entered the GIAHS Preparatory List. In April this year, FAO experts conducted an on-site assessment in Deqing and finally confirmed its inclusion.
FAO experts said the system is a model of combining agricultural wisdom with modern conservation methods to reflect the enduring vitality of Chinese agricultural civilization.
"I was very impressed to see how the indigenous knowledge is still there for more than 2,000 years ago, regarding the fishery and the pearl mussels techniques that are originally from here. I was also impressed to see how the integration of the use of the diversity and the germplasm is implemented [at] the site. The germplasm or gene bank is not only for the site but for the China as a whole to improve and to protect this very crucial and very precious germplasm. And the more important thing also, to see the industry sector involved in this protection and using the sustainable manner, the natural sources that you have [at] the site," said Aicha Bammoun, a FAO expert.
"I am impressed by all the elements of the system, the traditional fish production, the pearl mussels. We need to keep our planet for the future, so we want to preserve the plan for today, but also for the future, because we had to think about the next generation. So, in that sense that's a challenge is to have a productive system which provides means of livelihood to the local community, to live well at the present, but at the same time to keep the base for the future. And I think that Deqing is doing a great effort for that," Jose Maria Garcia Alvarez-Coque, another FAO expert continued.
In recent years, Deqing has been promoting the "pearl+" industry-chain integration model. Mainly worn for decoration, pearls are now used in the beauty, healthcare, and cultural tourism industries, following an "industry and academic research tourism" model.
So far, Deqing's deep-processing industry generates an annual output of over 7 billion yuan (about 971 million U.S. dollars), accounting for about one-tenth of the national total and provides employment for nearly 20,000 people.
Deqing's freshwater pearl farming system gains global recognition
"AI Plus" became a central topic of heated discussion among members of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) during the ongoing "two sessions," with members actively offering suggestions from breakthroughs in fundamental technologies to the implementation of industrial applications.
The "two sessions" are the annual meetings of China's supreme organ of state power, the National People's Congress (NPC), and the top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Both bodies serve five-year terms and hold a plenary session each year.
The fourth session of the 14th NPC and the fourth session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee kicked off in Beijing on March 5 and March 4, respectively.
The government work report delivered by Chinese Premier Li Qiang on March 5 included the terms "new forms of smart economy" and "AI agents" for the first time, marking the third consecutive year that the government has prioritized the "AI Plus" initiative.
The draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), submitted for deliberation at the two sessions, also systematically outlines plans for the innovative development of AI and its application across all sectors.
At a group discussion of the 14th CPPCC National Committee members, the core agenda was the deliberation of the draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan.
Several members shared their thoughts and insights in their speeches, focusing on the long-term development of the artificial intelligence sector.
Gao Jiangang mentioned what ultimately drives AI, sparking a discussion among other members.
"Some people say that AI ends in energy," said Gao.
"I'd like to echo what member Gao just mentioned, but I want to emphasize that the idea that AI ends in energy is based on current models and existing pathway. Is that pathway the optimal one? Actually, there must be other paths," said Chen Xianhui, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
"The competition in AI hinges on architecture, and it ultimately comes down to chip architecture. So, AI ultimately comes down to the chip," said Zhu Songchun, head of the Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence.
The debate over what truly represents the ultimate goal of AI development, though generating lively discussion among the members, ultimately pointed to a core challenge for the industry's long-term progress: How to break free from existing technological path dependence and accelerate the achievement of original and leading scientific and technological breakthroughs in the field of artificial intelligence.
"I suggest, or rather hope, that while the country vigorously promotes current AI technologies, it should also provide strong support for our nation's capable research institutions to break away from the current path dependence," said Gao Jiangang.
"Within this draft outline, I think what should be underscored are original innovation, scientific and technological innovation, and industrial innovation," said Chen Xianhui.
"In the process of supporting the development of emerging technologies, it (the draft outline）also specifically mentions exploring future strategies for emerging technologies, to reinforce AI research. So we can see that in the 15th Five-Year Plan, our country strengthens support for emerging industries and reinforces support for empowering all sectors with AI," said Zhao Xiaoguang, a researcher at the Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
During the meeting, members actively offered suggestions on the top-level design and strategic planning for AI development. And out of the meeting, their discussions focused more on how to effectively implement policies and how to bring AI out of the laboratory to achieve deep integration with the real economy and the needs of people's livelihoods.
"You see, recently I've been using AI for programming. I use my wits against two AI agents every day, collaborating with them to create a new product. What I've discovered is, it's the best programmer I've ever worked with. It's smarter than me. Within two or three years, I estimate many companies will have silicon-based teams and carbon-based employees — hybrid teams composed of us humans and AI agents," said Zhou Hongyi, founder of Qihoo 360.
"Currently, in the field of original intelligence, our country is already world-leading in some industries, and our demonstration projects in promoting applications are also doing well. For example, autonomous driving, and the digital humans we are now experiencing, who are making various product introductions in shopping malls, helping to continuously boost our consumption in the consumer sector. So, the application of such digital humans will also create a new model within consumer scenarios," said Zhao Xiaoguang.
"For example, embodied intelligence has already performed remarkably well in areas like combat, performance, and competition. But I believe its applications extend far beyond these. It can also be used in fields like manufacturing, service industries, and agriculture. There are many application scenarios, and this can cultivate many new business formats, new drivers of growth, and new economic opportunities," said Chen Xiaohong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and director of the Xiangjiang Laboratory.
CPPCC members discuss AI development, picture new future for intelligent economy
