As the annual winter fishing event heats up at the Chagan Lake in northeast China's Jilin Province, fishermen have welcomed the season's first "red net", which means a haul exceeding 50,000 kilograms in a single net.
The lake's record for a "red net" stands at an astounding 260,000 kilograms. The adoption of scientific fishing methods has increased fish density in the lake, consequently raising the frequency of these remarkable "red nets" each year.
"On December 19, the very first day of net casting, we caught over 50,000 kilograms of fish," said Bing Hailong, a fishing master.
Chagan Lake's ice fishing tradition, which dates back to the Liao Dynasty (907-1125), was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.
The ancient method of net fishing requires teamwork.
Once the fishing master picks an area for the catch, hundreds of holes are drilled along the perimeter to form a circle. The giant net is then lowered into the water. Its two wings are guided through the holes by fishermen using ropes attached to the net. At this stage, horses step in. They drive turnstiles anchored on the ice, which reel out or pull in the ropes with steady force.
The time-honored winter fishing at the Chagan Lake has become a signature tourism attraction in the city.
"It is really a spectacular sight, something I've never seen before. In southern China, we use ordinary nets. We have nothing like these massive nets hauled in by horse-drawn winches," said a tourist from southwest China's Guizhou province.
In just one day, four fishing teams netted nearly 250,000 kilograms of fish, signaling a truly bumper harvest.
Fishermen celebrate bumper harvest of ice fishing at China's Chagan Lake
Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.
"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.
He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.
"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.
"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.
Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival
