Pakistan President to Visit China at Xi Jinping's Invitation
At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Asif Ali Zardari of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan will pay a state visit to China from February 4 to 8.
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2025-2-3 Xinwen Lianbo Text Version
New Ideas Guide New Journey: Promoting Excellent Family Traditions and Fostering Patriotism
The Spring Festival is a time for family reunions. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that the Chinese nation has always valued family, as the saying goes, "The foundation of the world lies in the nation, and the foundation of the nation lies in the family." A harmonious family leads to prosperity in all endeavors. Regardless of how times change or how life's patterns evolve, we must emphasize family building, focusing on the family, family education, and family traditions. Under the guidance of the General Secretary, a new trend of socialist family civilization, characterized by patriotism, love for family, mutual affection, upward mobility, kindness, co-construction, and shared benefits, has taken root across China. The Spring Festival, the most important traditional Chinese holiday, and the annual Spring Festival travel rush embody the simple sentiment of Chinese people returning home for the New Year. During the Spring Festival travel rush, hundreds of millions of people, filled with longing for home, travel across mountains and seas to celebrate the New Year. This is not merely a physical displacement but a continuation of culture and emotion, and the yearning for family reunion for those who have been busy all year. General Secretary Xi Jinping has deep feelings for family and country. He pointed out: "Filial piety at home and loyalty to the country are fine traditions of the Chinese nation. Without national prosperity and development, there can be no happy and fulfilling families. Similarly, without countless happy and fulfilling families, there can be no national prosperity and development." Family traditions, as an important carrier of traditional virtues, support the good atmosphere of the entire society with the good family traditions of countless families, which General Secretary Xi Jinping has consistently emphasized. From commending the family traditions of county party secretaries like Jiao Yulu to requiring leading cadres to cultivate good family traditions for Party members in the new era during his inspection of the Three Su Ancestral Temple, and from stopping to learn about the "Six-Foot Lane" tradition of yielding in family matters, calling on people to carry forward the fine traditional virtues of the Chinese nation, under the General Secretary's guidance, the building of excellent family traditions is flourishing throughout society. In Linquan County, Anhui Province, 16-year-old sisters Li Huilin and Li Zhilin, influenced by their parents' many years of loyal love and mutual support, took on the responsibility of caring for their ailing father early on. This Spring Festival, the sisters even prepared two small gifts for their parents. Every Spring Festival, there is always a group of people who remain dedicated to their work, creating a better life for their families and contributing to national development. In the northwestern frontier of the motherland, in Tizinafu Village, Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County, Xinjiang, the Bayika family has been patrolling and guarding the border for generations, playing the strongest symphony of family and national sentiment. Now, influenced by their ancestors, Bayika's grandson is also determined to become a border guard. The family is the smallest unit of the nation, and the nation is made up of millions of families. Embarking on a new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country and marching towards the second centenary goal, the vast number of families are cultivating deep family and national sentiments, fostering good family traditions, and are full of vigor and enthusiasm, creating a beautiful future.
CPC Central Committee Congratulates Communist Party of Vietnam on 95th Anniversary
On February 3, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China sent a congratulatory message to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, extending congratulations on the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The message stated: Over the past 95 years, the Communist Party of Vietnam has united and led the Vietnamese people to successfully achieve national unification and liberation, and has made remarkable and glorious achievements in socialist construction and the Doi Moi (reform) cause. Especially since the 13th National Congress of the CPV, the Communist Party of Vietnam has focused on strengthening Party building and rectification, leading to political stability, social tranquility, vigorous economic development, and increasing international standing in Vietnam. Currently, the Party and people of Vietnam, under the strong leadership of the CPV Central Committee with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at its core, are striving to achieve the goals and tasks set forth by the 13th National Congress of the CPV, continuously moving towards the two centenary goals of Party building and nation building, and welcoming the successful convening of the 14th National Congress of the CPV. We believe that your goals will surely be achieved! The revolutionary friendship and friendly cooperation between the Communist Party of China and the Communist Party of Vietnam have a long history. Under the personal fostering and careful cultivation of older generation leaders such as Chairman Mao Zedong and President Ho Chi Minh, the people of the two countries have supported each other in revolutionary struggles, walked hand in hand in socialist construction, and forged ahead in reform and opening up and Doi Moi, jointly embarking on the journey of socialist modernization. The Communist Party of China has always attached great importance to developing relations between the two parties and two countries from a strategic and long-term perspective, and is willing to work with the Communist Party of Vietnam to implement the important consensus reached by the supreme leaders of the two parties, uphold the "16-character" guideline and the "Four Goods" spirit, follow the "Six More" overall goals, strengthen high-level exchanges, enhance strategic communication, consolidate traditional friendship, expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields, deepen exchanges and mutual learning on theories and experiences of party and state governance, jointly explore socialist development paths that suit their respective national conditions, promote the in-depth and solid construction of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future, bring more benefits to the people of the two countries, and make greater contributions to the cause of peace and progress of mankind.
Festive Celebrations Across China for Chinese New Year
During the Spring Festival, people savor traditional customs and enjoy outings, celebrating the New Year amidst lively festivities. Today (February 3rd) marks "Lichun" (the Beginning of Spring). The Beijing Ancient Observatory held a traditional "whipping the spring ox" folk activity, praying for bumper harvests and national peace and prosperity. In Yizheng, Jiangsu, dragon and lion dances, gongs and drums, and Yangge dances, over 20 folk performances paraded through the streets to celebrate the New Year, bringing joy and blessings to citizens and tourists. In Shenzhen, robotic lion costumes danced alongside traditional醒狮 (waking lions), a perfect blend of modern technology and traditional customs, earning rounds of applause from citizens and tourists. During the Spring Festival, various distinctive activities were splendidly presented across the country. In Tianjin, the pedestrian street became a drama stage, with immersive performances and close interactions with actors attracting many citizens and tourists. In Sanya, Hainan, a live-action red-themed drama brought a unique cultural and tourism feast to tourists. In Shuozhou, Shanxi, the local area launched "ancient architecture" tours centered around a thousand-year-old wooden pagoda, with exquisite architectural craftsmanship and profound historical and cultural heritage, leading to sustained popularity of the scenic spot. People also celebrated the New Year with leisure sports. During the Spring Festival, major ski resorts in Jilin welcomed a peak in visitors, with their unique ice and snow resources becoming a popular choice for many citizens and tourists for outings. In Quzhou, Zhejiang, a lively rural sports meeting with local flavor was held, where villagers enjoyed the festive atmosphere and fun through sports, showcasing a happy and healthy lifestyle. Technology also ushered in a new fashion for the New Year. In Guigang, Guangxi, tourists donned space suits and entered a space capsule to experience the life of astronauts in space. In Yantai, Shandong, a temple fair with aerospace technology as its theme was uniquely presented, offering various aerospace technology experiences that allowed tourists to not only feel the relaxed festive atmosphere but also experience the charm of aerospace technology. During the holiday, light shows were dazzling. In Chengdu, Sichuan, a light and shadow show symbolizing happiness and auspiciousness injected more vitality into the Spring Festival. In Zhongshan, Guangdong, a lantern festival with thousands of colorful lanterns illuminated a century-old street, and a rich variety of Spring Festival activities created a strong Lingnan New Year atmosphere. During the Spring Festival, the streets and alleys of Hong Kong were filled with a strong New Year atmosphere. The Temple Street market was newly decorated, and citizens and tourists stopped at various snack stalls to savor Chinese and foreign delicacies and experience Hong Kong's diverse culture. Macau's major landmark attractions were bustling with people. Taipa Old Village, Monte Fort Garden, and other places presented wonderful performances such as face-changing and folk music, attracting many citizens and tourists to stop and take photos.
Transport Departments Fully Respond to Peak Return Travel Rush
Data from the 2025 Comprehensive Transport Spring Festival Travel Rush Task Force shows that today (February 3rd), the total cross-regional passenger flow across society is expected to exceed 330 million person-times. Among these, railway passenger volume is estimated at 16.4 million person-times, road passenger volume at 310 million person-times, water transport passenger volume at 1.3 million person-times, and civil aviation passenger volume at 2.48 million person-times. In terms of railways, return passenger flow continues to climb, with an additional 2,132 passenger trains scheduled for today. Jiangxi, Guangxi, Xinjiang, and other regions are increasing transport capacity by adding night high-speed trains, special trains for migrant workers, and operating multiple unit train sets in tandem. Key stations such as Beijing and Wuhan are closely coordinating with local transportation departments to increase connecting transfer services, assisting passengers in a smooth return journey. For roads, today marks the peak traffic volume since the beginning of the Spring Festival travel rush. Traffic is slow on some sections of roads in regions with concentrated return traffic, such as Hunan, Guangdong, and Jiangsu. Transportation departments are dynamically adjusting tidal lanes based on real-time traffic flow to maximize lane utilization. In civil aviation, national civil aviation plans to operate 18,699 flights today, with multiple airlines increasing capacity on popular routes such as Guangzhou and Harbin. Today, the number of vehicles departing from Hainan Island via the Qiongzhou Strait is expected to reach its peak. Transportation departments are meeting the demand for passenger departure by adding routes, new berths, and new dedicated ships for new energy vehicles.
China's Service Trade Exceeds One Trillion US Dollars for First Time
Data from the Ministry of Commerce shows that in 2024, China's total service imports and exports exceeded 1 trillion US dollars for the first time, reaching a historical high. In 2024, China's total service imports and exports amounted to 7.5238 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 14.4%. Specifically, exports reached 3.17556 trillion yuan, an increase of 18.2%; imports reached 4.34824 trillion yuan, an increase of 11.8%. In terms of structure, travel services became the largest sector in service trade. From traditional attractions and natural scenery such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, and Jiuzhaigou, to "Citywalk" in streets and alleys, China tours have become immensely popular, driving the continuous expansion of China's service trade scale. Since 2024, China's travel service imports and exports reached 2.05115 trillion yuan, an increase of 38.1%, making it the fastest-growing sector. In addition, imports and exports of knowledge-intensive services reached 2.89652 trillion yuan, an increase of 6.5%. Among them, exports of knowledge-intensive services increased by 7.4%, with personal cultural and entertainment services, and telecommunications, computer, and information services experiencing relatively fast growth.
Lunar New Year Grassroots Tour: Accompanying Aircraft Carriers to Chase Dreams in the Deep Blue
The special series "New Year's Greetings at the Grassroots" today (February 3rd) visited China's first domestically built aircraft carrier, the Shandong, documenting the efforts of its crew members who stand guard at their posts, protecting the thousands of households behind them. In a certain sea area of the South China Sea, multiple J-15 fighter jets on the Shandong aircraft carrier were preparing for deployment, and a "back-to-back" red-blue confrontation exercise was underway. Among these busy figures, the most noticeable was Zeng Wenhui, dressed in a yellow vest. His task was to guide the carrier-borne aircraft into position and take off. He performed more than a dozen guiding actions in one smooth motion. Behind his skilled movements was the result of Zeng Wenhui's continuous hard work and training over time. The reporter observed a clear wear mark on his left boot, an imprint left by tens of thousands of times practicing the "pointing to the sky" action. In recent years, from daytime support to all-time support, and from calm seas to operations in harsh sea conditions, Zeng Wenhui and his comrades have ensured that the "Flying Sharks" lift their heads and soar into the sky. During the exercise, like Zeng Wenhui, the "post-00s" girl Chen Xinmeng in the control tower also kept a close eye on the fighter jets. Her task was to continuously report the situation to the pilots via radio. Faced with new weapon systems and complex aerial situations, Chen Xinmeng repeatedly challenged herself, continuously exploring the extreme performance of the aircraft and seeking new points of combat power growth. As night fell, the fighter jets were about to return. In the deep compartments below the waterline of the aircraft carrier, various rudder commands became more frequent, as the aircraft carrier needed to adjust its attitude for the safe landing of the fighter jets. During a distant sea mission, Zeng Xiaxiang spent nearly 4 hours repairing equipment malfunctions in a high-temperature environment of over 60 degrees Celsius. Zeng Xiaxiang successfully ensured thousands of flight missions, yet he has never personally witnessed the takeoffs and landings of the "Flying Sharks" on the deck, and at one point went nearly 50 days without seeing sunlight. Having served in the aircraft carrier force for more than ten years, Zeng Xiaxiang has experienced multiple "firsts" in China's aircraft carrier development, building a solid defense line for the peace and prosperity of the country.
Ice Hockey Kicks Off Asian Winter Games Schedule, Torch Relay Held
The 9th Asian Winter Games ushered in its first competition day before the opening ceremony, and the torch relay also took place today (February 3rd) in Harbin. At 9:00 AM today, the first match of the current Asian Winter Games, men's ice hockey, began between Kuwait and Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan ultimately secured an opening victory in overtime. The torch relay for the 9th Asian Winter Games also concluded today in Harbin. The first torchbearer, Shen Xue, is China's first Olympic gold medalist in figure skating. The total length of this torch relay route is approximately 11 kilometers, passing through famous landmarks such as the Harbin Binzhou Railway Bridge, Flood Control Monument Square, and Central Street, fully showcasing Harbin's natural scenery, development, cultural history, and urban charm. A total of 120 representatives from various walks of life participated in this relay event.
Domestic News Briefs
National inclusive agricultural loan balance grew by 14.4% year-on-year in 2024. According to the latest statistics from the National Financial Regulatory Administration, as of the end of December 2024, the national balance of inclusive agricultural loans reached 14.4 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 14.4%. The average interest rate for newly issued inclusive agricultural loans in 2024 dropped to 4.9%, a year-on-year decrease of 0.51 percentage points. Basic financial services in rural areas have achieved full coverage across all villages. Cargo volume of the New Western Land-Sea Corridor trains increased by 30.9% year-on-year in January this year. In January this year, the New Western Land-Sea Corridor combined sea-rail freight trains transported a cumulative total of 104,000 TEUs of goods, a year-on-year increase of 30.9%, maintaining a relatively fast growth rate. Currently, the New Western Land-Sea Corridor covers 18 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) in China and reaches 127 countries and regions worldwide, transporting over 1,000 categories of goods. 2025 Spring Festival movie box office hits a new record. According to statistics from the National Film Administration, as of 6:30 PM on February 3, the 2025 Spring Festival movie box office reached 8.257 billion yuan, setting a new historical record. "Nezha: The Demon Child Rises," "Detective Chinatown 1900," and "Creation of the Gods Part II: Battle of Xiqi" ranked among the top three in the 2025 Spring Festival box office. Among them, "Nezha: The Demon Child Rises" has surpassed "Detective Chinatown 3" which set the previous Spring Festival box office record in 2021, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time for the Spring Festival slot in Chinese film history. As of now, the total box office for Chinese films in 2025 leads the global film market with 10.121 billion yuan. TV series "Six Sisters" to air tonight on CCTV-1. The 38-episode TV series "Six Sisters" will be broadcast tonight (February 3) during prime time on CCTV-1 (CCTV General Channel). "Six Sisters" tells the joys and sorrows of the six He family sisters in Huainan, Anhui, from the 1960s to the early 21st century, reflecting the half-century of life changes for ordinary people and showcasing the economic and social development achievements since the founding of New China through the regional development of a small city.
Chinese Embassies Abroad Host Events to Celebrate Year of the Snake
In recent days, Chinese embassies in various countries have hosted Spring Festival receptions and other events to celebrate the Year of the Snake. The Chinese Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina recently held a New Year reception, attended by over 400 people including BiH political dignitaries, foreign envoys to BiH, and overseas Chinese. Guests enjoyed Chinese and foreign performances together and looked forward to new visions of friendship and cooperation. The Chinese Embassy in Nepal recently held a New Year reception and the launching ceremony for a series of activities celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal. Over a thousand guests on site enjoyed Chinese cultural performances and jointly looked forward to a bright future of China-Nepal cooperation. The Chinese Embassy in Timor-Leste organized a cultural event themed "Enjoy a Cultural Feast, Celebrate Chinese New Year." At the event, ethnic songs and dances, face-changing, and other performances were very popular. At the reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Mauritius, over 600 people, including Mauritian President Prithvirajsing Roopun, Vice President Eddy Boissezon, and various dignitaries and people from all walks of life, attended. Guests wished for happiness and well-being for the people of both countries amidst songs and dances. Chinese Embassies in the Philippines, Tanzania, Sao Tome and Principe, Morocco, and Iceland also held Spring Festival receptions and other events to celebrate the Year of the Snake and discuss exchanges and cooperation.
Many Places Worldwide Celebrate Charming Chinese New Year
In recent days, rich and colorful Spring Festival celebrations have been held in many countries. On February 2, the "Cultures of China, Festival of Spring" celebration was held at multiple landmark locations in London, UK, including Trafalgar Square and Chinatown. This year marks the first Spring Festival since its successful inscription as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the celebrations in the UK were particularly grand, attracting nearly 800,000 participants. A wide array of programs, including parade floats, cultural performances, and cultural experiences, brought a feast of Chinese culture to local residents and tourists from all over the world. On February 2, residents of Vancouver, Canada, welcomed the highlight of their local New Year celebrations – the Chinatown Spring Festival Parade. This year's event was grand in scale, with 90 performing groups participating. Despite the cold weather and heavy snow, people's enthusiasm was undeterred. In Fuenlabrada, a suburb of Madrid, the capital of Spain, a Year of the Snake road run attracted many local residents. Before the event began, a Chinese-style lion dance performance was also staged. The 39th "River Hongbao" large-scale Spring Festival celebration was held at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. During the event, 28 sets of large-scale lantern decorations were arranged around the Supertrees in the garden. The "Golden Snake Bringing Blessings" lantern, symbolizing good luck and prosperity, and the "Snake Turns for Prosperity" lantern, incorporating technological elements, were very popular. In addition to enjoying the lanterns, there were also garden activities such as giving out Spring Festival couplets and guessing riddles. A bustling Chinese New Year temple fair in Bogota, the capital of Colombia, attracted over 100,000 local participants. Chinese and Colombian art troupes, as well as teachers and students from the Confucius Institutes of Universidad Tadeo Lozano and Universidad de los Andes, presented meticulously prepared programs including traditional dances, folk music performances, dragon and lion dances, and Tai Chi martial arts, with drum beats and applause echoing each other. The Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi in Kenya, Africa, held the "Golden Snake Dances, Auspicious Year of Si" Spring Festival event. People experienced the rich Chinese New Year customs and authentic Chinese culture through various interactive activities such as watching dragon and lion dances, traditional song and dance performances, making Year of the Snake lanterns, writing Spring Festival couplets, and tasting delicacies.
Canada Releases Tariff List on US Products in Response to US Tariffs
The Canadian government on February 2 unveiled a list of over 1,000 products imported from the United States that will be subject to a 25% tariff, as a retaliatory measure against US tariffs imposed on Canadian goods. This list will take effect in two phases and includes products such as meat, dairy products, steel and aluminum products, beverages, and cosmetics. A Canadian official also stated that Canada will take legal action against the US under relevant international organization frameworks. In addition, US President Trump said on February 2 that he intends to impose tariffs on the European Union soon. A European Commission spokesperson warned on February 2 that it would "respond firmly" to any trade partner arbitrarily imposing tariffs on EU goods. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on February 2 that the cost of tariffs would ultimately burden American consumers and that new trade barriers should not be used to divide the world.
International News Briefs
Russia claims to have shot down Ukrainian drones; Ukraine claims to have repelled Russian attacks. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated today (February 3) that Russian air defense systems shot down 70 Ukrainian drones in six regions, including Astrakhan and Belgorod. The governor of Russia's Astrakhan region said today that energy facilities in the region were attacked by Ukrainian drones. Temporary air traffic control was imposed at airports in Astrakhan, Kazan, and other locations. Ukraine confirmed today the news of its drones attacking critical energy facilities in the Astrakhan region. The Ukrainian military said on February 2 that Ukrainian forces repelled Russian attacks in the Pokrovsk direction and struck areas where Russian personnel and equipment were concentrated, as well as command posts. Palestinian media reports Israeli attack on Jenin, West Bank. According to Palestinian media reports, the Israeli military launched an attack on the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank on February 2, resulting in the destruction of approximately 20 buildings, with the Jenin Governmental Hospital also damaged in the explosions. The Israeli military stated on the same day that it conducted a search in Jenin, West Bank, destroying multiple buildings used by armed personnel for weapon storage and as command centers. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a statement on February 2, urging the UN Security Council to convene an emergency meeting to halt Israel's recent "systematic destruction" of infrastructure in West Bank cities and its continued aggression against the Palestinian people. United Airlines flight makes emergency stop due to engine issue. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration stated on February 2 that a United Airlines flight stopped its takeoff before departure from Houston, Texas, today due to an engine problem. The 109 people on board were evacuated, with no injuries reported. United Airlines stated that the aircraft involved was an Airbus A319. The incident is currently under investigation.
24 Solar Terms: Start of Spring
Lichun (the Beginning of Spring) is the first of the 24 solar terms and also the first solar term of spring. The earth warms up, and all things revive, as the 24 solar terms enter a new cycle. At the end of the program, let's feel the essence of spring and the cultural connotations behind Lichun. "Spring arrives, known by grass and trees." During Lichun, the North still experiences the biting chill of winter, while in the South, the light colors of spring have already begun to spread, the water has risen, and the mountains have brightened. "A bite of spring pancake, a bite of spring." "Biting the spring" is a characteristic food custom of Lichun, where people eat specific seasonal foods to welcome spring, embodying both the wisdom of traditional agricultural civilization and the auspicious meaning of praying for health. "Spring plowing is the foundation of the year." Lichun is also an important temporal marker for spring plowing and preparation, with many regions having already started their spring plowing preparations. "People are good with spring, spring is suitable for people." Millennia of seasons, cultural heritage, and civilization's continuation.