The annual "Touching China" award ceremony honoring 10 individuals and groups as the country's inspiring role models of 2024 was broadcast Saturday evening by the China Media Group (CMG).
Initiated in 2003, the "Touching China" program honors those who have touched the nation with their tenacity, bravery and wisdom over the previous year.
The 10 award winners for 2024 are:
Luan Enjie, the first chief commander of China's lunar exploration program; Fan Zhenxi, secretary of the Zhoutaizi Village Party Committee in Luanping County, north China's Hebei Province, whose 39-year devotion has made Zhoutaizi the richest village in Luanping; Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen; role model of filial piety and family devotion Qu Yabo; role model in helping others Lv Mingyu; a group of teachers who have been serving in less-developed western regions since graduation from Baoding University in Hebei; fishing boat captain Shen Huazhong who rescued 16 foreign crew members from a sunken coal carrier in March 2024; grassroots official Li Dong, who sacrificed his life during flood relief operations; Pang Zhongwang, who has overcome extremely harsh family and physical conditions to become a PhD candidate at Tsinghua University; and Li Dengyue, a 100-year-old veteran who fought in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.
"Touching China" 2024 award ceremony honors inspirational role models in China
China is looking to light up the vast potential of its "night economy" with the capital city, Beijing, leading the way in transforming its nightlife into a vibrant "prime time" for spending by blending the city's historic charm with modern methods to boost consumption.
As the country embraces a new phase of development, the booming night-time economy is seen as a key indicator of urban vitality and quality of life, and various local districts are now looking to tap into the appetite for consumer spending once the sun goes down.
One of the most most bustling areas after-dark in Beijing is the Zhongguancun Art Park. Located in Haidian District, it is home to more than 70 retail and dining outlets, many of which are opening their first stores in the city.
Featuring a wide range of international trendy brands -- from cultural boutiques and perfume shops to toy stores -- the complex offers consumers a comprehensive shopping experience late into the night.
The mall has also sought to "bring the park indoors," with a rooftop garden and a sunken courtyard plaza bathed in warm lighting, creating a relaxed, garden-like atmosphere for evening visitors.
"I'm here for dinner tonight and have only explored a small part so far. It feels quite diverse and pretty spacious -- basically, it has everything. I plan to continue looking around to see what else there is," said a local consumer named Li Jiahe.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city in Tongzhou District, another night-time attraction has popped up to delight visitors.
Located along the Tongzhou section of the Grand Canal -- the world's longest man-made waterway which is also inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List -- the new Moon River Town has ignited the night-time economy with an open-air night market where visitors can stroll, shop, and enjoy the scenery.
The market's mouthwatering food court features over 100 stalls offering flavors from across China, with seasonal dishes updated monthly.
The cultural zone displays a range of handmade floral crafts, toys, and accessories featuring intangible cultural heritage. Together with the town's eye-catching art sculptures, themed bars, and open-air performances, it forms an ideal leisure destination to warm up the cold winter nights.
"Our town is currently divided into five major zones, including a cultural and creative exhibition zone, antique and collectibles zone, food zone, music square zone, and so on. The offerings also cover cultural and creative products, antiques, intangible cultural heritage items, books, food, trendy toys, and more," said Quan Ping, manager of the Moon River Town's night market.
Meanwhile, another much-visited destination in the capital is the Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park, situated on the banks of the Liangma River in Chaoyang District. It seamlessly blends lakeside views, cultural tourism, shopping, and dining experiences, and dazzles after dark with luminous installations reflecting across the water, making it a favorite nighttime spot for both locals and tourists alike.
Experts have noted the growing scale of China's night-time economy in recent years, which is now estimated to be worth more than 50 trillion yuan (over 7 trillion U.S. dollars).
Beijing's night economy has seen substantial growth since 2022, with signs of its emergence even in some suburban areas," said Wei Xiang, a professor at the Business School of the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Night-time economy thrives in Beijing as more consumers head out after-dark
