Stories from Beijing · China

An artificial intelligence technology company, founded by Yang Sheng, aims to integrate content, merchandise, gaming, and cultural tourism markets using AI.

Yunju Temple, located in Fangshan District, Beijing, is being prepared for its UNESCO World Heritage application in 2026. Efforts have been made to systematically organize and preserve these artifacts, including numbering and cataloging them, and creating staircases for better access and protection. These sutras, totaling 10,082 pieces, are remarkably clear despite their age. The site features a six-story main hall with ascending steps, flanked by north and south towers. Within the scripture caves and exhibition areas, stone sutras are displayed in glass cabinets. Seven sets of stone sutra tablets have been preserved, offering a better form of protection and a backup for the sutras. Nine scripture caves at the foot of Stone Sutra Mountain contain 4,196 stone sutras, with an additional 10,082 from the Liao and Jin dynasties found in the four-courtyard area.

A commentary by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang on the Diamond Sutra has been discovered. The newly found commentary, including annotations and explanations, was located within the Yunju Temple's stone scriptures. The inscriptions, dating back to the Tang Dynasty, also include his notes and explanations. This find sheds light on the Tang Dynasty's inclusive cultural atmosphere. This commentary, along with his interpretations and notes, was found engraved on both sides of stone tablets. The Tang Emperor had previously annotated the 'Classic of the Way and Virtue,' 'Laozi,' 'Small Sutras,' and the 'Diamond Sutra.' While the locations of his annotations for the 'Classic of the Way and Virtue' and 'Small Sutras' are known, complete versions of his 'Diamond Sutra' annotations were fragmented until this find.

A judge has granted an injunction against the results of a university election. The injunction halts the certification of the election outcomes.

Author Yu Hua's reading theory encourages young people not to fear not understanding texts, comparing reading to exercise.

A shortage of foreign language guides is impacting the tourist experience in China. Visitors are advised to avoid strenuous exercise during hot weather, opting for evening walks and light stretching instead. They should also avoid direct sun exposure during midday and refrain from showering immediately after sweating, especially when exposed to air conditioning, to prevent colds. The program also highlighted the phenomenon of natural pits amplifying insect sounds, with experts suggesting a sound increase of at least 30 percent, reaching up to 92 decibels one meter from a pit entrance. The plant Wang Gua, a climbing vine from the Cucurbitaceae family, was also discussed, noting its similarity in flowering to the common Gualou. The practice of 'Chang San Xian' or 'Three Immortals' in various regions of China was mentioned, with potential regional variations.

China's Wildlife Protection Law prohibits the illegal catching, trading, transporting, and use of state-protected wild birds. Chinese courts will deem agreements invalid if they violate the prohibitive provisions of land management law, such as illegally occupying cultivated land for construction. Illegal occupation of cultivated land that damages permanent basic farmland is considered a criminal offense. The standards for constituting a crime include illegally occupying and destroying permanent basic farmland, or illegally occupying other cultivated land exceeding a certain amount, leading to administrative punishment. The law aims to ensure precise supervision of administrative agencies.

China's AI industry's widespread adoption is attributed to its adherence to an open-source innovation path, differing from the US model. This initiative is being driven from Beijing. The broadcast included a segment discussing Chinese President Xi Jinping's quotes on family values and the importance of family construction, said traditional virtues as a spiritual force for national rejuvenation. Recent reports suggest China's AI industry is achieving widespread implementation by following a different regulatory and development framework than US-based giants. This strategy aims to break the perceived monopoly held by a few major US companies over the world's most advanced large language models. The broadcast touched upon the complexity of understanding ancient Chinese medical texts and the role of experts in explaining them in simple terms.

This period saw the highest level of achievement in Qing Dynasty metalwork. During the Qing Dynasty, metalworking techniques reached their peak, producing the most exquisite works. These artifacts are considered representative of the Qing era.

In the south, this marks the start of the rainy season with increased rainfall, while the north typically enters its rainy season later, between late July and early August.