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Global Times: Spring Festival customs highlighted in Xi’s inspection tours embody emphasis on culture inheritance, better life

BEIJING, Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Nestled in the picturesque mountains of Tengchong, Southwest China’s Yunnan Province, Simola Wa village is a 500-year-old settlement of the Wa ethnic group, seemingly untouched by the clamor of urban life.

Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a visit to the small village of some 300 population ahead of that year’s Spring Festival in January 2020, showing a keen interest in local festive traditions. At a village square, Xi beat a wooden Wa drum three times in accordance with local customs to wish for bumper harvest, peace, and prosperity, the Xinhua New Agency reported.

Simola, which translates to “a place of happiness” in the local dialect, truly lived up to its name for Li Fashun, a villager in his 40s. The day of Xi’s visit to his home became one of the happiest moments in his life.

On that warm winter day, Li and his family were busy preparing rice cakes, known as “da mi ba ba” in Chinese, a local delicacy meant to welcome guests and share with friends and family. Just as they were immersed in their culinary preparations, news arrived that Xi would be visiting their home, prompting Li to quickly rise and head to the door to greet him.

As Li’s wife Yang Caiqin recalled, Xi sit down with them in a warm and friendly manner, asking questions about their family’s situation. “From our parents’ healthcare to the kids’ education, President Xi shows great care for us,” Yang told the Global Times.

What made this encounter even more memorable to the Li family, was the moment when Xi joined them in making rice cakes. Li explained that, in Simola, these cakes are a traditional delicacy enjoyed during festivals, often adorned with auspicious Chinese characters such as fu (fortune), xi (happiness), and shou (longevity), to convey sincere blessings. That sunny afternoon, in Li’s sunlit courtyard, Xi used molds to craft two rice cakes, each beautifully stamped with the characters fu and xi.

“That day was as sweet as rice cakes,” Li said.

Enjoying the festive customs of the ethnic minorities with President Xi has since become the most cherished memory for local Wa people. Moreover, they were deeply inspired by Xi’s remarks during his visit there, which emphasized the determination to boost rural industries, as well as the rural economy, to “allow even more villagers to work near home, increase their income, and lead better lives.”

After achieving comprehensive poverty alleviation in 2019, the village has focused on developing a tourism industry that highlights its rich ethnic culture and local customs. They established a tourism cooperative, allowing the benefits to be shared among all villagers. The village welcomed over 400,000 visitors in 2023, and the average net income per person reached 22,000 yuan ($3,027) that year, having doubled since 2019, according to data from Tengchong government.

Li opened a restaurant in 2020, welcoming a flock of tourists to enjoy local cuisines and experience rice cake making. According to Li, the restaurant generates an annual income of 140,000 yuan to 150,000 yuan, providing them with improved living conditions and a happier life.

Li looks forward to the day when Xi will visit Simola again. “I hope to show him around the village to see all these wonderful developments happening here,” he told the Global Times.

Lacquerware: Culture in hands

Located in North China’s Shanxi Province, Pingyao is one of the best-preserved ancient walled cities in the country and a UNESCO world heritage site. Its rich and well preserved historical relics, along with its profound cultural heritage, draw countless tourists eager to explore its timeless charm.

In January 2022, just before the Spring Festival, President Xi embarked on an inspection tour of Shanxi, where he toured the ancient town. Xi visited the ancient architectural sites there, and shopped cooked beef and vinegar as festive purchases for his family. He also visited a lacquerware shop and demanded cultural treasures such as the traditional lacquering skill be better protected.

Lacquerware is an essential item for local people during traditional events such as weddings, and also serves as a decorative piece that enhances the festive atmosphere during the holidays. Gray stone pathways wind through the streets of Pingyao, and it is along one of these paths that Wang Huiming’s lacquerware store is located.

Wang vividly recalled the excitement he felt on that snowy day when Xi walked into his shop.

“President Xi asked me in detail about the craftsmanship, history, pricing, and marketing of lacquerware,” Wang told the Global Times. “The president also carefully looked at many of the lacquerware items in my store, ranging from jewelry boxes, chests of drawers, to exquisite artworks.”

At Pingyao, Xi called for increased efforts to conserve the country’s cultural heritage and protect “the valuable treasure left to us by our ancestors,” according to Xinhua.
Xi’s words resonated deeply with local intangible cultural heritage practitioners, including 51-year-old Wang, who has dedicated himself to mastering the art of Pingyao’s “push-light lacquerware” since he was 15, working for decades to pass down and promote this precious artistic tradition.

“We will continue to innovate while honoring and inheriting our traditions, breathing new life into our ancient cultural heritage in this modern era,” Wang told the Global Times.

For local officials in Pingyao, Xi’s remarks have also inspired them to diligently safeguard the invaluable heritage left by ancestors, and to foster a high-quality development of cultural tourism, so as to allow more visitors to better feel the appeal of this 2,800-year-old city.

In recent years, Pingyao government has made comprehensive efforts to promote the revitalization and sustainable use of this ancient city. Initiatives, such as the restoration of ancient architectural structures and infrastructure upgrades, have resulted in a flourishing cultural tourism economy. In 2024, Pingyao welcomed 10.12 million visits and generated ticket revenues of 134 million yuan, reflecting a growth rate of 11.72 percent comparing to 2023, according to data from the local cultural and tourism authority.

Reunion: Safe and pleasant trips

Chinese New Year’s Eve and Spring Festival are traditional festivals of the Chinese nation and days for families to reunite and ring in the Lunar New Year, Xi said in a video speech in January 2023, ahead of that year’s Spring Festival. “My biggest wish is that all of us will have a happy Lunar New Year,” he said.

As the Spring Festival approaches, train stations and airports across China are bustling with passengers carrying their luggage, eager to reunite with their families.
A cultural phenomenon with Chinese characteristics appears – Chunyun, or the Spring Festival Travel Rush. As a large-scale population migration rarely seen in the world, Chunyun carries countless wanderers’ longing for home and hope for reunion. It is not only a reflection of family affection and belonging in traditional Chinese culture, but also a mirror of social and economic development.

Whether passengers enjoy a safe and comfortable journey during Chunyun is something that Xi cares about very much. In January 2023, the president spoke with travelers and railway staff at Zhengzhou East Station via video link, and extended his festival greetings to them.

Xi asked the passengers if they were heading back home for family reunions or out traveling and reminded them of safety awareness during their trips. He urged efforts to ensure safe and sound trips for the people and smooth and orderly flows of essential supplies.

Behind the safe and sound trip are numerous hardworking transportation staff who stick to post during festivals.

Zhang Hua, for instance, has been working at Zhengzhou East Station for 12 years. On that day, she represented her colleagues in the video link briefing to Xi regarding their work during Chunyun. “At the end, I promise we will do our best to ensure travelers have safe and pleasant journeys,” Zhang recalled.

Zhang was excited about the experience of speaking with Xi, albeit virtually. “As a frontline passenger transport staffer, I feel greatly inspired, as well as a profound sense of responsibility and honor,” she told the Global Times. “President Xi’s remarks have motivated us to maintain high standards in our work, and wholeheartedly safeguard the travel experience for our passengers.”

As a key hub in China’s railway network, Zhengzhou East Station connects numerous major destinations across the country. This bustling station is expected to serve approximately 23.31 million passengers during the 40-day Chunyun this year, a 5.5 percent increase year-on-year.

The rolling wheels of luggage carts emit a crisp sound, like a warm welcome from home to travelers returning. Year after year, a moving picture of family love and hometown nostalgia is painted across China’s vast transportation network. For most Chinese people, family reunion is not only an essential Spring Festival custom, but also a simple yet beautiful hope deeply rooted in their hearts.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327608.shtml

Corti Launches Specialized Healthcare AI Infrastructure, Challenging Industry Misuse of General-Purpose Models

New purpose-built models, inspired by medical residency, tackle rising distractions and “pilot paralysis” from healthcare’s increasing reliance on general-purpose AI

NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A new report from Corti and YouGov has revealed that a third of U.S. healthcare professionals using AI are spending up to three additional hours weekly correcting it. This revelation comes as Corti today announced a breakthrough approach to healthcare AI: specialized foundation models designed and trained to help AI deliver on its original promise to healthcare – to make time for patients, not take it away.

The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for healthcare AI adoption. While 74 percent of healthcare professionals in Europe support AI use in practice, 52 percent say they wouldn’t feel confident using current AI solutions in their work. This crisis of confidence has contributed to what industry experts call “pilot paralysis” – widespread AI trials that fail to advance beyond testing due to accuracy, cost, and integration challenges.

“We could be entering a golden age of healthcare AI, with over 60 apps now focused on scribing alone,” said Lars Maaloe, co-founder and CTO of Corti. “It’s exciting progress, but many of these tools rely on general-purpose AI that isn’t built to integrate or adapt to the complexities of healthcare. At Corti, we’ve developed specialized infrastructure and APIs that empower these apps to go further – enabling them to deliver smarter, more reliable solutions that can adapt to clinicians’ needs.”

Today’s announcement introduces three specialized models, built on nine years of peer-reviewed research and trained exclusively on healthcare data. Together, Corti’s foundation models form the most powerful and adaptable AI infrastructure in healthcare – delivering faster, more concise, accurate, and cost-efficient performance than the leading Large Language Models on the market (see comparison to GPT-4).

High-performing across multiple languages and medical specialties, Corti’s AI complies with strict medical regulations, offering transparency, explainability, and results that augment – not replace – healthcare professionals. Inspired by medical residency, the system adopts an “AI residency” approach: a training process through human supervision that gradually takes on more responsibility:

  • Solo, a fast model with audio reasoning. Builds expert clerk and transcription agents, handling complex medical terminology in over 10 languages while integrating effortlessly with existing systems
  • Ensemble, a powerful model focused on exceptional documentation. Builds agents that turn consultations into action, transforming medical discussions into structured documentation that is 25 percent more concise and more accurate than general-purpose AI.
  • Symphony, merging powerful reasoning with speed: Builds agents for real-time clinical support, operating 35x faster than GPT-4 and providing evidence-based insights during patient consultations

In addition to these core models, customers can integrate up to 20 expert models that function like healthcare specialists – purpose-built to build agents that tackle tasks like medical coding, quality control, and summarization. This flexible architecture ensures seamless integration into existing workflows, helping healthcare systems leverage AI without the disruption or uncertainty often caused by solutions wrapped around general-purpose models.

“Just as we wouldn’t let a medical student perform surgery without proper training, we shouldn’t trust AI systems that haven’t been specifically trained and validated for healthcare,” said Frederik Brabant, MD and Chief Medical Strategy Officer at Corti. “When over half of healthcare professionals say they wouldn’t feel confident using current AI solutions in their work, we know we need specialized solutions that can build sector confidence and safely meet healthcare’s unique demands.”

Professor Serge Belongie, Director of the Danish Pioneer Centre for Artificial Intelligence, underscored the technical significance: “General-purpose AI has its limits in the intricate, high-stakes world of healthcare. Corti’s dedication to building specialized models redefines what’s possible. By grounding their technology in healthcare-specific training and rigorous validation, they’ve created systems that not only meet but exceed the critical demands of AI for this field. Their work is a testament to the power of domain-specific AI to advance patient care and set a new benchmark for responsible and effective innovation.”

Seattle Fire Department Assistant Chief Lombard, said, “As an early partner of Corti, we’ve witnessed how their specialized healthcare AI transforms emergency care. Their purpose-built technology has enabled us to increase appropriate nurse triage referrals significantly, reducing pressure on public safety while maintaining excellent patient care. This evolution in their AI infrastructure reaffirms our choice of a partner truly dedicated to healthcare.”

“By 2030, we’ll face a global shortage of 10 million healthcare professionals and yet our study shows that today, a quarter consider leaving their job every single week,” added Andreas Cleve, Corti’s co-founder and CEO. “We can’t afford AI solutions that create more complexities or increase risk. The stakes are simply too high when it comes to patient care. It’s time to return to the roots of AI in healthcare, aim higher, and set a new standard across the industry.”

To learn more about Corti’s healthcare AI infrastructure or download First AId: A Study on Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare, visit corti.ai

About Corti

Corti is a research and development company that specializes in state-of-the-art AI foundation models for healthcare. Corti’s mission is to eliminate administrative hurdles in healthcare and life sciences and bring expert-level healthcare reasoning to every corner of the globe, driving down costs and improving the quality of care.

Corti’s models integrate seamlessly into any healthcare application through Corti’s SDKs and APIs, enabling vendors, providers, and payers to leverage safe, cutting-edge AI across extensive use cases in healthcare.

Contact: press@corti.ai

 

Holborn Assets Unveils New App to Optimise Wealth Management

DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Holborn Assets, a leading global financial services provider, unveiled its new app designed to optimise and simplify wealth management.

Holborn Assets App Details
Holborn Assets App Details

The Holborn App provides users with an all-in-one financial management solution. Users can view a breakdown of their portfolio, monitor and track investment performance, manage insurance policies and read the latest market news and insights.

Holborn Assets CEO Robert Parker said: “We are incredibly excited to launch our new online app, which will allow our clients access to their accounts 24/7.”

“This is the latest in our drive towards a digital-first company and reflects our commitment to being a client-led company providing easy-to-use technology at all times.”

One of the app’s stand-out features is its ability to track residency and citizenship by investment applications.

Clients can stay up-to-date with their active applications, including what stage they are at currently and what will happen next. This feature will provide greater transparency and further enhance the client experience.

Holborn Assets COO Simon Parker said: “The popularity of investor visas has soared in recent years.

“An increasing number of people are turning to residency and citizenship by investment programmes to improve global mobility and enhance their opportunities.”

“Our new app represents a breakthrough in how clients manage and track residency and citizenship by investment applications.”

“Clients will have a step-by-step breakdown of the entire process and access to vital information regarding their application. Ultimately, the Holborn App will provide greater support and an enhanced user experience.”

According to research*, 60% of people use a dedicated app at least once daily to manage their finances. Meanwhile, over half of 18-34-year-olds use two or more financial apps.

With an increasing number of people carrying around their financial lives and sensitive data on devices, security is a top priority.

The Holborn App uses bank-level security to safeguard users’ personal information and protect sensitive data.

The Holborn App is now available to download via Google Play on Android and the App Store iOS.

Notes to

*Figures from https://store.mintel.com/report/uk-money-management-apps-market-report#:~:text=Money%20Management%20Apps%20%E2%80%93%20Consumer%20Trends&text=Only%2014%25%20of%20consumers%20currently,make%20a%20payment%20or%20transfer.

Holborn Assets, established in 1998, is a global financial services leader managing over $2 billion in assets. As a family-owned business, we operate with 550+ employees, including 250 advisers, across 23 offices worldwide.

We specialise in providing independent financial advice and wealth management for expatriates, covering financial planning, investments, insurance and investor visas.

 

HTX DAO Honors Young Web3 Pioneer Who Donated $TRUMP Profits to Build School

SINGAPORE, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — HTX DAO, a leading decentralized autonomous organization, has honored LOYAL, a Gen Z Web3 builder, with the title of HTX DAO Charity Ambassador. This recognition comes after LOYAL invested in $TRUMP, the official meme coin of Donald Trump, the U.S. President through HTX and the generous donation of all his profits to fund the construction of a school in a remote region of China.

To commemorate this act of generosity, HTX DAO will mint a unique Soulbound Token (SBT) for LOYAL. Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies, SBTs cannot be transferred or sold, making them a digital badge of honor. This particular SBT will feature a design symbolizing the interconnected nature of blockchain networks and the heart of charity.


LOYAL, a passionate advocate for Web3, seized the opportunity presented by the launch of the $TRUMP meme coin. By investing in $TRUMP through HTX, he quickly realized significant gains. Rather than keeping the profits, he chose to use the funds to make a lasting impact on the lives of others. The funds will be used towards the construction of a school in Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, which will provide educational opportunities for children in the rural communities.

“Being named HTX DAO Charity Ambassador is a true honor,” said LOYAL. “This recognition inspires me to continue my work in the Web3 space and to help others. I hope that more people will join me in leveraging blockchain technology for social good.”

HTX DAO and LOYAL will collaborate on a documentary that will be released on January 29th at 21:21:21 PM UTC+8. This video will delve into the story behind the donation and explore the potential of decentralized charity.

“We believe that blockchain technology can revolutionize the way we approach philanthropy,” said Molly, a spokesperson for HTX DAO. “By using blockchain, we can ensure that donations are transparent, secure, and have the maximum impact. We are proud to support LOYAL and his efforts to build a more equitable world.”

HTX DAO’s Charity Ambassador program aims to recognize individuals who are making a positive difference through the use of Web3 technology. By highlighting these inspiring stories, HTX DAO hopes to encourage more people to get involved in decentralized philanthropy.

About HTX DAO
HTX DAO is a blockchain-based decentralized autonomous organization dedicated to revolutionizing decentralized governance and expanding the applications of blockchain technology. Our vision is centered around open finance and a decentralized, tokenized economy. At the core of HTX DAO, governance is democratically and transparently vested in the hands of HTX token holders. We warmly invite individuals and communities to join our journey, actively participate, and contribute, together shaping an open and innovative future for the blockchain world.

Contact
Website: www.htxdao.com
E-mail media@htxdao.com

A Worldwide Celebration for Spring Festival

Watch the 7-hour Live Stream
“Legendary Chinese Festival: Chinese New Year 2025”
on Chinese New Year’s Eve

BEIJING, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As a prelude to this year’s China Media Group Spring Festival Gala, CCTV-4 is broadcasting its own special gala with an international flavor.

“Legendary Chinese Festival: Chinese New Year 2025” is being broadcast just months after the celebrations for Chinese New Year were listed as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It will take as its theme “Intangible Cultural Heritage Spring Festival Shared with the World”.

A global network of studios will turn the spotlight on various countries’ traditional New Year customs. They will also showcase the celebrations by overseas Chinese communities as they welcome the New Year. A greater appreciation of the cultural heritage associated with Spring Festival will encourage viewers worldwide to join in the celebrations with Chinese people at home and overseas.

In a broadcasting first, viewers will be able to follow the last-minute preparations for the CMG Spring Festival Gala in real time. Interviews with celebrity guests, the cast and crew, and links to the four sub-venues, will reveal not only the behind-the-scenes stories, but also the amazing technology, that help to create this global broadcasting phenomenon. 

The CCTV-4 gala will also travel to New Year fairs in various parts of China, as well as various folk performances. There will even be visits to rural China to see the traditional Spring Festival Eve village galas. A special segment, “Chinese New Year in Intangible Cultural Heritage”, will, by exploring local history and culture, help the global audience to appreciate the richness of the Spring Festival celebrations.

Immediately before the gala, starting at 10am, a live stream, “Legendary Chinese Festival: The Arrival of the New Year” will be launched on the “Legendary Chinese Festivals” Yangshipin account and CCTV-4’s own multimedia platforms. Viewers will be taken to fairs, shown various folk customs, and introduced to the latest Spring Festival trends.

CCTV-4 will air “Legendary Chinese Festival: Chinese New Year 2025” from 1pm to 8pm, Beijing Time, on January 28.

Poster of A Worldwide Celebration for Spring Festival Watch the 7-hour Live Stream “Legendary Chinese Festival Chinese New Year 2025” on Chinese New Year’s Eve
Poster of A Worldwide Celebration for Spring Festival Watch the 7-hour Live Stream “Legendary Chinese Festival Chinese New Year 2025” on Chinese New Year’s Eve

 

Echoes of Celebration: China New Year Comes Alive in Laos

Echoes of Celebration: China New Year Comes Alive in Laos
Lively lion dances captivate the crowd at the Chinese New Year celebration at China Cultural Center in Laos (Photo credit: CCC Laos)

Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, has long been celebrated not only in China but also across Southeast Asia. Laos is not an exception, with the Chinese-Lao, Korean, and Vietnamese communities beginning their celebrations on 29 January and continuing for 15 days, becoming part of the historical and cultural ties to the country.

Government Empowers Teachers in Rural Laos Through Workshop

Teachers attend a Lao speaking skills training session in Xieng Khuang province. (Photo: Vientiane Times)

Over 1,120 educators are participating in training workshops this month, aimed at improving classroom management and helping non-Lao speaking students better understand their lessons.

National Grid charging stations in the Nanjing area have achieved full green electricity supply throughout the year

NANJING, China, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Recently, new energy vehicle owners in Nanjing received significant news. Mr. Li, a new energy vehicle owner, was pleasantly surprised to notice an “all green electricity” label on the information page of a charging station in Jiangbei New Area, a high-tech zone in Nanjing. This label signifies that the site exclusively uses green electricity for charging new energy vehicles.

Since January this year, all 351 charging stations and 2,573 charging piles operated by the State Grid Corporation in Nanjing have fully transitioned to green electricity supply, which will continue throughout the year. This initiative is expected to consume approximately 72 million KWH of green electricity annually, serving over 2.8 million new energy vehicles traveling 360 million kilometers, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 41,000 tons.

Green electricity primarily originates from clean energy sources such as solar and wind power, which have minimal environmental impact and are highly effective in reducing pollution and carbon emissions. The State Grid Nanjing Power Supply Company has introduced green electricity into the charging sector through green certificate trading, not only leading the trend of green travel but also promoting societal low-carbon transformation.

Furthermore, the State Grid Nanjing Power Supply Company has invested in constructing comprehensive charging stations that utilize smart microgrids to achieve on-site consumption of green electricity. Additionally, the company actively advocates for increased policy support from relevant government departments for new energy vehicle charging infrastructure, encouraging social charging operators to participate in green electricity consumption and jointly fostering a positive atmosphere for green travel.