A nationwide initiative to promote rural culture and support rural development was launched in Beijing's Changping District on Tuesday.
Jointly organized by China Media Group (CMG) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Rural Culture Carnival aims to showcase how traditional culture, local resources and modern technology can be integrated to create new opportunities for rural communities.
Forty standout rural cultural projects were featured at the event – ranging from village art shows and folk performances to traditional crafts that have become marketable consumer goods. Organizers also unveiled 88 new entries to China's national inventory of important agricultural heritage systems, lifting the overall tally to 276. Newly inscribed sites include Beijing's time-honored rose plantations, radish-growing systems in Tianjin and ancient winter jujube groves in Hebei Province.
The carnival also highlights how technology is transforming agriculture, with smart robots demonstrating tasks such as pollinating tomato flowers, picking strawberries and testing soil.
Attendees at the carnival were able to explore smart agriculture exhibits, browse stalls showcasing local farm produce and handcrafted wares, admire floral art installations, join interactive heritage workshops and catch free outdoor movie screenings. Local schoolchildren also tried their hands at traditional farming techniques and crafts.
Through exhibitions and interactive activities, the event aims to promote the integration of culture, agriculture and tourism, giving fresh impetus to rural revitalization.
Carnival in Beijing places spotlight on rural culture
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker visited Tongji University in Shanghai on Wednesday, before attending the opening ceremony of the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in the city on Thursday.
Stocker is paying an official visit to China until Saturday at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
While delivering a speech at the Tongji University, he put scientific research and higher education cooperation in the spotlight.
"Austria and China will build the future together, bringing mutual benefits to both countries. This requires courage, confidence and long-term commitment," said the Austrian chancellor, noting that Austria will be a trustworthy partner to China in opening a new chapter for cooperation.
At a panel discussion, participants from both countries discussed the future of science and engineering.
Recent exchanges between the Tongji University and Austrian universities focused on joint research, student mobility and the growing role of artificial intelligence in engineering education.
"This year marks the 55th anniversary of [the establishment of] diplomatic ties between China and Austria, and 100 years [the 100th year] since Professor Hans List began teaching at the Tongji University. These two milestones invite us to look back at history. The longstanding friendship between Chinese and Austrian engineers is a vivid example of China's openness to the world," said Wan Gang, honorary president of the China Association for Science and Technology.
In 1926, Hans List began teaching at the Tongji University, helping train China's first generation of internal combustion engine specialists. A century later, his family donated historical archives and a statue of him to the university.
There has been close cooperation between the Tongji University and AVL List GmbH, which was founded by Hans List and is one of the world's leading mobility technology companies for engineering, simulation, and testing in the automotive industry.
A century ago, Austria brought some of its most advanced engineering technologies to China. Today, the two countries are building on that legacy, strengthening their friendship and partnership, and driving a new wave of innovation together.
Austrian chancellor visits Tongji University in Shanghai
