China's winter landscapes become spectacular natural ice-and-snow masterpieces

As early winter tightens its grip across China, spectacular natural phenomena are emerging from the snow-draped Tianshan and Qinba mountains in northwest China to the Arctic Village in the northeast, featuring towering snow-capped peaks, pristine forests and rare atmospheric light displays.

In Fukang City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Tianshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) Scenic Area turned into a picturesque winter wonderland, after fresh snowfall gave way to clear skies.

Snow-capped Bogda Peak stood in stark contrast to the deep-green spruce forests below. Distant ridges faded like ink-wash strokes, while the Heavenly Lake mirrored the serene winter landscape, turning the entire scene into a vast traditional Chinese painting. Tourists boarded boats to admire reflections of snow-laden trees and a crisp blue sky, savoring the poetic tranquility of the season.

In northwest China's Shaanxi Province, a surge of strong cold air brought the season's first snowfall to Nangong Mountain in Ankang City on Nov 17, blanking the Qinba range in pristine white.

Peaks whitened overnight as crystalline rime encased trees and mist wreathed the ridges.

From a distance, the rolling contours resembled bold brush strokes; up close, the scene evoked the refined elegance of traditional ink-and-wash paintings.

Part of the Daba Mountains, Nangong Mountain is crowned by its iconic 2,267.4-meter Jinding Peak. The twin summits flanking the main peak resemble a traditional "bijia" or calligraphy brush rack, earning the range its alternate name, "Bijia Mountain."

Further north in Mohe city, Heilongjiang Province, China's northernmost point, the Arctic Village has been treated to a rare nighttime spectacle: brilliant and dazzling light pillars piercing the sky.

The vivid light beams appear when suspended ice crystals reflect powerful artificial lights under extremely cold, calm conditions.

With local temperatures plunging below minus 20 degrees Celsius, the mesmerizing display has captivated residents and visitors alike.

China's winter landscapes become spectacular natural ice-and-snow masterpieces

The 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting concluded in east China's Suzhou on Saturday, yielding fruitful results and laying significant groundwork for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November.

The trade ministers' meeting focused on "building an open and predictable regional and multilateral economic and trade order" and "fostering new engines of innovative and dynamic trade and investment cooperation."

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao briefed the media on the meeting's outcomes at a press conference.

Wang said the meeting issued a joint statement titled the Suzhou Statement, and approved the latest edition of the APEC Roadmap for Innovative, Competitive and Resilient Services.

All parties agreed to advance policy innovation and reform in services trade, build an open and predictable investment environment, improve regional trade facilitation and supply chain resilience, strengthen standards coordination, and enhance intellectual property protection, Wang told the media.

He also said that substantial progress was made on a framework document for regional digital trade cooperation and the ministers emphasized promoting inclusive AI development, strengthening AI-related trade, and bridging the digital divide to ensure shared benefits from digital transformation.

The minister noted that the outcomes of the meeting demonstrated strong cooperation willingness, highlighted an innovation-oriented approach, and reflected inclusiveness and shared benefits. "The fact that Asia-Pacific economies can come together, uphold the original aspiration of promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation while supporting economic growth and prosperity, and engage in in-depth discussions on the important issue of 'where multilateral and regional economic and trade cooperation is headed,' fully demonstrates that open regionalism and true multilateralism enjoy broad support, and that mutual success and shared development serve the fundamental interests of all economies," Wang said.

2026 APEC trade ministers' meeting concludes with fruitful results