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In May, Beijing's Longtan Central Park was full of fresh vitality. The trees had turned lush green, and a light breeze rippled across the lake. Early-morning exercisers moved slowly through their Tai Chi routines, while joggers circled the path at an easy rhythm, blending into the lush spring scene. On an island in the lake, the main event of the 2026 National Nutrition Week was underway, this year centered on the theme "Nutrition at the Family Table." The goal was to bring healthy eating into everyday homes, with crowds drifting between booths to pick up practical tips on improving their diets.

Among the exhibits, Zespri, the New Zealand-based kiwifruit marketer, drew some of the liveliest activity. Children, eyes wide, tossed small balls representing vitamin C, dietary fiber, and potassium into bowls, turning the concept of "high nutrient density" into a game. Nearby, younger visitors scanned QR codes for the brand's "Diet for Good" AI-powered diet mini-program, uploading photos of recent meals and receiving instant analyses of calories, nutritional gaps, and suggestions for better combinations.
Zhao Boya, a young nutrition professional, had just tried all the interactive stations. "People used to focus on whether they were full," she told Global Times. "Now they want to know exactly what's in their food and how to balance it. It's a shift from eating enough to eating well."

A spirited 64-year-old retiree worked her way through every interactive station, laughing as she described her own daily routine: breakfast at her house was more likely to be coarse grains and fresh fruit than fried dough sticks or steamed buns, supplemented with protein powder and vitamins when needed. She said this kind of game-like education felt far more approachable than flipping through dense textbooks.

After finishing the fun, knowledge-filled experiences, each participant received a plump, fresh SunGold kiwifruit. The retiree posed happily for a selfie, the fruit held up like a trophy. Against the backdrop of China's deepening Healthy China Initiative, public awareness of health is rising fast. Consumers are moving beyond simply wanting more choices toward demanding higher quality, paying closer attention to nutritional content, sourcing, safety, and overall health value.

So what can a kiwifruit from New Zealand - with its natural nutritional strengths and Zespri's long-term commitment to the Chinese market - contribute to better-balanced meals for Chinese families, and to a healthier nation as a whole?

Refreshed global platform

At the Zespri booth, a robot named "Kiwi Brothers" stopped pedestrians in their tracks. The interaction was simple: visitors listed what they had eaten for their previous meal, and the robot analyzed it against the "Balanced Meal Plate," a model promoted by the Chinese Nutrition Society based on The Chinese Dietary Guidelines. A scientifically sound plate, the guidelines state, should contain four parts: grains and tubers, animal-based foods or soy products, vegetables, and fruits. Based on the input, the robot offered straightforward feedback.

Light as the game seemed, it turned an otherwise abstract question into something concrete: What did I actually eat last meal? Was my plate all grains and meat? Did I get enough fruit, vegetables and fiber?

A parent confessed, "The hardest part is dealing with a picky eater who won't touch fruit. I worry she's not getting enough vitamins." A group of young adults, by contrast, focused on sugar control, calorie management and lighter eating. Fitness enthusiasts naturally wondered which fruit delivers efficient energy with high nutritional density.

This rising public awareness is mirrored at the national policy level. In recent years, China's National Health Commission and other authorities have rolled out landmark frameworks including the Healthy China Action and the National Nutrition Plan (2017-30). The policies aim to widely spread dietary nutrition knowledge, issue tailored dietary guidelines for different age and social groups, guide the public toward scientific eating habits, and foster a broader culture of balanced nutrition. From top-level national strategy to everyday family dining tables, balanced eating has evolved into a core priority in China's public health agenda.

Yet, a significant gap remains between policy frameworks and daily reality. Data released by the Chinese Nutrition Society reveals a stark paradox: more than half of the population faces nutritional imbalance, marked by energy excess alongside micronutrient deficiencies. Some 63.6 percent of residents exceed the recommended fat-to-energy ratio of 30 percent. Meanwhile, 76.4 percent and 81.9 percent fall short of recommended vitamin C and potassium intake, respectively, with dietary fiber, calcium, and B vitamins consistently below recommended levels.

"Currently, consumers are far more involved than ever," Kok Hwee Ng, Chief Marketing Officer of Zespri International, told the Global Times. "They see health and nutrition not as a solution when you fall sick, but as something they want to integrate into their everyday life."
This shift, Ng noted, has reshaped expectations of premium brands. "When consumers choose a premium product, they naturally expect superior quality, taste, and nutritional value," she said. "But in an increasingly volatile world, they are asking for more. They want brands to play a bigger role in improving their lives, the well-being of their families, their communities, and their future."

That expectation arrives as 2026 marks the official launch of Zespri's decade-long strategic roadmap: its 2035 ambition to become the world's healthiest fruit brand. Central to this vision is the rollout of its refreshed global platform, Grown for Good.

At its core, Grown for Good places natural nutrition at the center of every decision, from orchard cultivation to marketing initiatives and value creation.

Ng believes Zespri is uniquely positioned to lead this charge. "As the world's leading fruit brand, built around one of the most nutrient-dense fruits in the produce aisle, we have both the right and the responsibility to help societies become healthier," she said.

The mission extends beyond the fruit itself. By promoting nutritional literacy and championing the value of natural nutrition, Ng sees a path to unlocking shared value. "It's about creating a cycle where consumers gain health, society gains knowledge, and our growers gain the stability to continue producing high-quality fruit," she added. "That is the essence of Grown for Good - delivering lasting value for people and the planet."

From orchard to table

The SunGold kiwifruit handed to visitors at the end of the interactive games in Longtan Central Park looked simple enough - fresh, plump and ready to eat. For many participants, it was a small reward after a round of nutrition games.

Behind that small reward was a much longer journey.

Before it appeared at the booth, it had already traveled through a chain of growers, standards, cold-chain transport and digital tools linking New Zealand orchards with Chinese dining tables.

Ng said the complete industrial chain is one of the features that makes the brand special. "What makes Zespri even more special is its complete industrial chain layout. The brand is jointly owned by nearly 3,000 local growers in New Zealand, and we take natural nutrition as the core driving force of the whole industrial chain operation," she said.
This chain includes dry matter testing in New Zealand orchards, scientific maturity control, cross-border temperature-controlled cold-chain logistics and digital traceability. These steps support the fruit's journey from orchard to dining table, before it appears in the everyday scenes already visible at the booth: in a child's hand, in a family's breakfast, or as part of a balanced plate.

The emphasis on standards is also connected with the way nutrient density was presented during the event. The report released at the National Nutrition Week advocated high-quality diets and greater intake of high-nutrient-dense foods. Event materials described kiwifruit as a representative high-nutrient-density fruit rich in vitamin C, potassium and dietary fiber; 100 grams of SunGold kiwifruit provides 171 milligrams of vitamin C, meeting the adult daily requirement of 100 milligrams.

The other end of the "orchard to table" route was not a supermarket shelf, but a phone screen. The "Diet for Good" mini-program, which had already drawn visitors to scan and test their own meals at the booth, uses AI image recognition to analyze meals and show users their structure, calorie level and key nutrient information.

The mini-program is supported by professional content from the "National Nutrition Literacy Promotion Program " under the Nutrition Literacy Branch of the Chinese Association of Health Promotion and Education , and combines that content with technologies including Volcano Engine and the Doubao large model. The platform also supports continued meal records and trend tracking, helping users move from a single meal check to a longer-term view of their diet structure.
Ng linked the AI-powered balanced plate activity to a gap between willingness and daily action.

"It's not that people don't want to keep a healthy diet, it's just hard to carry it out in busy daily life. So we're finding simple ways to make healthy eating easier, guide subtle behavior changes and remind consumers to make conscious dietary choices," she said.

"The AI-powered platforms we newly launched this year make it easier for people to stick to healthy eating habits in the long run, because balanced nutrition intake needs long-term persistence, and progress comes from small daily changes," Ng said.

Zespri's partnership with the Chinese Nutrition Society dates back to 2021, when the two sides jointly released their first white paper focusing on working women's diet and health.

The Global Times learned that cooperation has since extended to reports on food nutrient density, visualized food-selection tools and participation in national nutrition events. Ng said the company sees its work in China not merely as selling products, but as contributing to the well-being of Chinese communities.

Toward a healthy China

The family table is also where long-term eating habits begin. That is why Zespri's work in China has extended beyond product promotion into children's food education, parent guidance and hospital-based nutrition programs.

One example is the "Nutrition & Dietary Knowledge Standard Course Program," a children's food education standardization program, supported by Zespri China and launched by the China Association for Student Nutrition and Health Promotion in 2023.

Research from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows that 76.21 percent of children consume less than 60 percent of the recommended daily intake of fresh vegetables, while 85.21 percent consume less than 60 percent of the recommended intake of fresh fruit.

The Global Times learned that, over the past three years, the "Nutrition & Dietary Knowledge Standard Course Program" has covered 35 cities, nearly 2,000 schools and more than 300 communities, benefiting 1.5 million students and families.
Ng said the focus on schools is linked to the importance of forming eating habits early. She noted that good eating behaviors, nutritional knowledge and dietary habits take shape from a young age, while changing dietary habits in adulthood is much more difficult.

Hospitals are another setting for nutrition education. The "Sunshine Education & Healthy Growth Program," supported by professional partners including the Children's Hospital of Fudan University, extends nutrition guidance into medical settings and provides scientific support for children and families.

Ng said hospital cooperation helps guide children to develop good eating habits and gather scientific evidence on balanced diets and fresh fruit intake, especially nutrient-dense fruits. She also said cooperation with industry experts can support the building of scientific guidance systems for dietary nutrition.

Looking ahead, Ng said Zespri will continue to deepen cooperation with institutions including the Chinese Nutrition Society and the China Association for Student Nutrition and Health Promotion, bringing nutrition education to more cities and more scenarios.

In that sense, the small kiwifruit becomes part of a bigger story - not only about what people buy, but about how healthier habits take root, one household at a time. At the family table, even one more piece of fruit can quietly echo China's broader pursuit of better health for all.

The 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD), which runs from Friday to Sunday, officially opened in Singapore on Friday evening, bringing together defense officials and scholars from 44 countries and regions to discuss regional and global security issues.

With multiple pressing challenges facing the Asia-Pacific, experts attending the gathering reached by the Global Times called on all regional parties to enhance mutual trust, instead of stoking confrontation and division. Against such a backdrop, China's engagement carries profound significance for safeguarding enduring peace, stability and common development across the region, they said.

According to China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), China's delegation to the SLD this year is led by professor Meng Xiangqing from the National Defense University, with members comprising experts and scholars from the National Defense University of China, the Academy of Military Sciences and the Navy.

Jiang Bin, an MND spokesperson, said on Thursday that China attaches great importance to defense and security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Upholding the vision of openness and inclusiveness, China actively participates in all constructive dialogues.

"The participating experts and scholars will elaborate on China's concepts and initiatives in depth, work to enhance mutual trust, dispel misgivings, build consensus and deepen cooperation, and contribute wisdom and efforts to safeguarding peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific," Jiang said.

Standing at inflection point

According to the introduction by Singapore's Ministry of Defense, organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) will see 44 countries and regions in attendance, with 54 ministerial-level delegates and more than 42 Chief of Defense Forces-level delegates and senior defense officials, as well as prominent academics.

In his opening remarks on Friday evening, Vietnam's top leader To Lam said the world is beset with multiple risks and uncertainty, which include an erosion of international rules and law, a crisis of development models including slowing growth and climate change, and a crisis of trust among nations, Reuters reported.

He called for reinforcing international law, setting up inclusive and sustainable growth drivers, as well as initiating dialogue and transparency.

On the agenda of the SLD released on the official website of the IISS, words such as "disorder", "threats", "tensions" and "fragmenting" frequently appear in the topics.

Channel News Asia said that the conflict in the Middle East, uncertainty over US commitments in Asia and rising tensions over Taiwan region are expected to dominate the agenda.

Chong Ja Ian, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, told Reuters that there will likely be some continued anxiety over the unpredictability and volatility of US policy, and the consequences for stability. He said the most pressing issue for Asia would be the US-Israel conflict with Iran and its effects on energy supply.

The Asia Times stated that this year's SLD arrives at a precarious inflection point.

"The primary anxiety animating this year's dialogue is whether a distracted Washington can simultaneously underwrite security in Europe, the Middle East and Asia," the media outlet said. "The inconclusive fallout from the recent Iran conflict has only sharpened those doubts."

In addition to factors regarding the US, the Asia Times also mentioned Japan. While China remains the focal point of Western rhetoric at the forum, "the deepest strategic headache" at SLD may "actually be Tokyo," Eric Olander, editor-in-chief of the China Global South Project, was quoted as saying.

Japan has recently stepped up its moves in military expansionism through the revision of security documents, loosening of weapons controls, and reform of its intelligence system, along with provocations against China over the Taiwan question.

The Asia Times reported that there is rising concern in Beijing that Japan is moving "aggressively to occupy the geopolitical vacuum" left by an inconsistent US, positioning itself as the new, assertive anchor of a post-American security architecture in the Asia-Pacific.

The Global Times reporter tried to capture firsthand views from scholars and experts present at the event. However, one Japanese representative turned down our interview request as soon as we introduced ourselves. Another Japanese scholar agreed to speak, but refused to reveal his name and identity.

"While concerns related to security competition, territorial disputes, and geopolitical rivalry have become increasingly prominent in recent discussions, I sometimes wonder whether the frequent emphasis on terms such as 'threat', 'tension', and 'division' fully reflects the broader aspirations of the region," U Ko Ko, Chairman of Myanmar Narrative Think Tank, told the Global Times on Friday, on the sidelines of the SLD.

"Sustainable security is built through mutual respect, dialogue, trust-building, and win-win cooperation. Regional discussions should therefore focus not only on challenges, but also on common interests and opportunities for cooperation that can contribute to lasting peace and shared prosperity," he said.

Participants should come not merely with their own agendas or narrow national interests, but with a genuine commitment to constructive engagement, mutual respect, and cooperation, the expert added.

Eyes on Beijing

Ahead of the official opening of the SLD, professor Meng Xiangqing, who leads the Chinese delegation, held separate meetings with Regis Savioz, regional director for the Asia-Pacific International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and representatives from UK's Ministry of Defense.

Global Times reporters at the scene noticed that experts from some other national delegations took the initiative to greet the Chinese delegation during the event.

Certain media outlets focus on the scale and rank of the Chinese delegation, playing up alleged "threats" from China over the South China Sea, the Taiwan Straits and its military development. The Associated Press also noted that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will highlight the US "Indo-Pacific strategy" at this year's SLD, a framework that puts regional competition ahead of cooperation.

Nevertheless, some other media and scholars acknowledge China's potential to deliver constructive contributions as a major regional power safeguarding peace and stability amid global unrest.

"At a time when perceptions of US leadership are falling, Beijing could soothe some jangled nerves in the region," said the Interpreter, published by the Lowy Institute, on May 27.

"For many Southeast Asia states, strategic neutrality and working with willing partners are central to national security and prosperity. Being forced to choose sides would be counter to these interests," reads a commentary piece by Channel News Asia.

"China is a regional and global power, and it remains one of the centers of global development. China currently has many initiatives aimed at promoting global cooperation, development, and security, including the Global Security Initiative, which promotes regional and global security," Duong Van Huy, a senior research fellow with the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.

"China is fully capable of acting as a responsible power in promoting security and stability in the region. At the same time, the development of economic cooperation between China and countries in the region will undoubtedly boost security cooperation between China and these countries in the future," he added.

China plays a vital role in regional security and development. As a major power and one of the world's largest economies, China has made significant contributions to regional prosperity through trade, infrastructure development, connectivity, and economic cooperation, according to the Vietnam expert.

According to Wang Dong, executive director of the Institute for Global Cooperation and Understanding at Peking University, as one of the most important and influential security forums in the Asia-Pacific, the SLD is notably characterized by a Western-centric agenda and discourse system. Consequently, forum discussions are often dominated by Western perspectives, including groundless criticisms and accusations against China.

"As an international venue for strategic interactions, SLD carries important practical significance, and that's why China will take part in it in a pragmatic manner," Wang remarked. "We will refute fallacies with facts and rational arguments. We will also take this opportunity to share China's development vision and present its true image as a responsible major power."

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson announces:

At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will visit China from June 1 to 3 and hold the 11th China-UK Strategic Dialogue.

Asked about the China-Brazil relationship and arrangements and expectations for Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira's upcoming official visit to China, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday that China and Brazil are the largest developing countries in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, respectively, both are BRICS countries and important members of the Global South, and bilateral relations have long been at the forefront of China's relations with developing countries. 

In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Brazil relations have maintained a sound momentum of development, with smooth progress in the building of a China-Brazil community with a shared future and in aligning the two countries' development strategies, and fruitful results from pragmatic cooperation in various fields, demonstrating global, strategic and long-term significance of bilateral ties, Mao said.

During the visit, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vieira will co-chair the fifth China-Brazil Foreign Ministerial-Level Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue, the spokesperson said.

China looks forward to further consolidating political and strategic mutual trust between the two countries, continuously advancing the building of a China-Brazil community with a shared future, demonstrating the two sides' responsibility in promoting solidarity and cooperation among Global South countries, and contributing China-Brazil strength to world peace and stability, Mao said.

China's domestically developed turbofan engine F406, with a thrust rating of 600 kg, has completed its maiden flight test in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Saturday.

According to Aero Engine Corporation of China, its developer, the flight was conducted on an advanced meteorological drone in a twin-engine configuration.

The successful flight marks the first time China has achieved independent control and domestic application of a medium and small-thrust high-end turbofan engine in the general aviation power sector, the company said.

Developed by a technology subsidiary of the company, the F406 fills multiple technical gaps in China's medium and small-thrust turbofan engine capabilities.

According to the company, the engine will be used in a range of mission platforms, including high-altitude inspection drones, relay communication drones, and long-endurance high-altitude unmanned aircraft.

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Beijing on Monday.

From county‑town coffee shops and rural homestays to livestreams helping local farmers sell produce and endeavors to revitalize intangible cultural heritage, profound transformations are reshaping the entrepreneurial and employment patterns of young Chinese.

In addition to traditionally seen "golden career" in big corporations or public service system, and striving for better future in top-tier cities, young Chinese are also increasingly favoring integrating personal passions, local endowments, digital technologies and lean low‑cost operations to explore more flexible, diversified and sustainable professional paths, in many cases in a modest town or rural areas.

Fresh ways

Citing official data, the Xinhua News Agency reported on February 24, 2025 that over 12 million people across China have launched diverse rural‑based ventures. In recent years, a growing number of young university graduates and urban white‑collar professionals have returned to or relocated to rural areas to start up their own business.

Peng Bailing, once worked in Nanchang, East China's Jiangxi Province, has returned to the Hubei village where she grew up, and opened the village's first coffee shop.

"Life here offers more freedom - it's the kind of life I wanted to live," Peng shared with the Global Times on Tuesday, explaining her decision to return to her hometown for work. She added, "Some of the villagers watched me grow up, and I also hope to create a space where they can try new trends and chat."

Now, during the week, the cafe has become the villagers' communal living room, where locals gather to chat and catch up over a cup of coffee. On weekends, the village - just a 40-minute drive from provincial capital Nanchang - draws scores of tourists, and the cafe has become a must-visit destination, selling around 200 cups on a single weekend day.

Apart from launching her new venture in the countryside, Peng has, with support from local authorities, encouraged more young people to return and start up their own business to become "new villagers."

For instance, Liu Hanye, who was born in the 90s, rented an abandoned old house and renovated it into a handcrafted jewelry studio; Zhang Feihua, a young entrepreneur who once ran a coffee shop in a scenic area, brought his cafe business to the village, integrating pottery making and tie dye experiences. Other young innovators have repurposed idle structures in the village into bookstores, bakeries, dessert parlors, study‑tour bases and glamping sites.

These establishments also sell handcrafted artworks and local agricultural produce made and grown by villagers. Peng said that elderly residents no longer need to travel to fairs, as they can earn an income right on their doorstep.

The collective income of Hubei village reached 700,000 yuan ($96,000) in 2024, a 14-fold increase from 2016, local media outlet jxnew.com reported.

In addition to launching hometown startups, young people draw inspiration from short‑video platforms - one of their favorite pastimes - and pivot to become livestream hosts, fueling economic growth through digital and innovative approaches. Livestream host was officially listed among 19 new occupations announced by three authorities including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on July 31, 2024.

Xu, born in Southwest China's Chongqing, earned her degree in computer science and stepped into the e‑commerce sector in Hangzhou in East China's Zhejiang Province, China's "hub of e-commerce, where she gained hands‑on live‑streaming experience. Drawn to the relaxed vibe of live‑stream interaction, she thought there was no reason not to give it a try, and thus returned to her hometown of Chongqing to embark on her journey of livestream sales for local produce.

Over the past two years, Xu has hosted or taken part in more than 100 rural revitalization livestreaming sessions, selling nearly 4,000 orders of local dried radish strips. She also mentioned that once, 55 jin (approximately 27.5 kg) of her family's yellow peaches had sold out in less than a minute after being listed. "A day of livestreaming can bring in more than 1,000 yuan in sales," Xu said.
'Lying flat' isn't youth's trait

While young Chinese are redefining work in a relaxed manner and generating social and economic values in a different way from previous generations, some Western media outlets smeared such career choices. For instance, the Associated Press claimed in a report on March 13 that a growing movement of young professionals opt to move to sparsely populated towns, amid a faltering property market and rising youth unemployment.

Xu and Peng, both of whom seemingly belong to the group some Western media falsefully labeled as "lying flat" - unanimously dismissed such reports as "utterly absurd." Xu said she did not return home to start a business due to unemployment. She gained valuable experience and enjoyed her life in a big city. "I simply wanted to see if there were more possibilities in my life….and embrace a new way of living," she said.

Addressing "lying flat" and "boomerang kid" stigma, Xu said she has not stopped working hard after returning to her hometown. She keeps thinking about how she can attract more viewers to her livestreams, engage with different groups to sell more, and better help local villagers earn higher incomes.

During live sessions, Xu estimates viewers' age and gender from their screen names to deliver tailored product explanations. "If I think a viewer is middle aged from their username, I will introduce preservation tips and practical cooking methods for farm goods. If I sense they are in their 20s or 30s, I incorporate internet slang to make my introductions lively and engaging," Xu shared.

Peng echoed Xu's views, saying that the "lying flat" has never been the inherent trait of Chinese young people. The Western anti‑China forces that hype up "lying flat" are, in essence, "distorting the choices of young Chinese through their own prejudice," she added.

"Our generation has never been afraid of hard work; We simply no longer blindly chase the monolithic equation that 'big city equals success.' Nor have we ever given up our passion for life. We can grow and succeed in places that suit us," Peng said.

"Those 'lying flat' labels can never define us," Peng said. Young people, through our efforts, bring a better life to ourself and our family, which also drives local employment and boosts consumption vitality - "this is our most powerful refutation against the stigma," Xu said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesda

At the foot of a mock "Five Elements Mountain," a "monkey" struggles with only half his body visible above the ground. Nearby, several visitors line up holding rice crackers, eagerly feeding him one piece after another. After swallowing a few bites, the "Monkey King" finally protests in mock frustration:

"This stuff is way too dry! I'm not eating anymore - it scratches my throat. Hurry up and get me something with soup or water!"

The scene, captured in a short video that has spread across Chinese social media, features the now-famous "Xuebing Monkey," or "Rice-cracker Monkey" at the Changchun Zoological and Botanical Park. During the just-concluded May Day holidays, performer Wang Tiezhu, who plays the Xuebing Monkey, won over crowds from across the country with improvised stand-up comedy routines and remarkably lifelike monkey impersonations.

What began as a viral performance quickly turned the zoo into one of the country's hottest holiday destinations, while also giving many visitors a glimpse into what people are calling the essence of the "Northeast Disneyland."

If traditional Disney parks are built on polished fantasy and highly commercialized Western fairy tales, then this homegrown version in northeastern China offers something entirely different: a rough-edged but heartfelt folk fairy tale filled with warmth, humor, and human connection.

There are no sky-high ticket prices, no overwhelming luxury spending, and no carefully manufactured influencer aesthetics. Instead, visitors find affordable admission, budget-friendly food and drinks, and staff members known for their warmth and sincerity. Across the park, a distinctly northeastern style of hospitality is on full display: workers patiently comforting tourists, performers enthusiastically interacting with crowds, and local residents eagerly recommending hidden gems and travel tips.

Blunt yet welcoming, lively yet deeply genuine, the atmosphere allows visitors to experience a unique blend of northeastern China's trademark boldness and tenderness - the very quality many believe has transformed the zoo from an ordinary attraction into an unlikely cultural phenomenon.

Cultural tourism ambassador

During the recent May Day holidays, Wang sat down for an interview with the Global Times.

In front of a stage packed shoulder-to-shoulder with spectators, Wang appeared dressed as the legendary Monkey King. However, unlike the traditional solemn and majestic portrayal of Sun Wukong, his version came with a thick northeastern Chinese accent, playful movements, and an irresistibly goofy charm.

Feeding rice crackers to visitors, improvising comic interactions, and exchanging blunt yet hilarious banter with the crowd, Wang's spontaneous and authentic performance struck a chord with millions of online viewers, who found both humor and warmth in his act.

A journalist from Jilin told the Global Times that during the five-day May Day holidays, daily visitor numbers at the zoo nearly reached 100,000, with many people coming specifically to see the "Xuebing Monkey."

On Chinese social media platform Douyin, Wang has now amassed more than 4.5 million followers. In his profile description, he calls himself a "Changchun cultural tourism ambassador."

Yet beyond the laughter and viral fame, many online users say they have been especially moved by Wang's difficult personal journey and by the resilience and optimism he has shown in the face of life's hardships. His ability to confront adversity with humor and perseverance has become just as inspiring to fans as the performance itself.

When asked how he would introduce his hometown to the world, Wang spoke with pride and confidence about Changchun's future on the international stage.

"In 2027, Changchun will host the 33rd FISU Winter World University Games," he told the Global Times. "I believe the event will allow friends from all over the world to truly experience the city's charm, as well as the warmth, passion, and sincerity of the people here."

For Wang, the upcoming international sporting event is more than just a competition; it is an opportunity for the world to better understand northeastern China through the character and hospitality of its people.
'Its own Disney'

Behind the viral success of the "Xuebing Monkey" lies a new formula for tourism in northeastern China. For years, the region's tourism industry largely relied on snow-covered landscapes and natural scenery to attract visitors.

This time, however, Changchun has charted a different course - one built on human warmth, locally rooted cultural icons, and an affordable, down-to-earth atmosphere.

There are no extravagant amusement rides or flashy marketing campaigns. Instead, it is the city's authenticity, humor, and sincerity that have captured the imagination of millions online. Many social media users have joked that "Northeastern China has its own Disney" - one that may be less polished, but far more comforting and relatable.

The spirit behind the phenomenon extends far beyond Changchun itself.

Across China's northeast, visitors encounter the same blend of warmth and vitality: outgoing locals, inexpensive yet delicious food, and simple, genuine hospitality. Combined with gentle spring scenery and the region's iconic snowy winters, northeastern China is gradually shedding old stereotypes and presenting itself as vibrant, humorous, and deeply welcoming.

Amid the tightly packed crowds, the wildly popular Xuebing Monkey frequently delivers unforgettable moments infused with unmistakable northeastern Chinese flavor. Dressed in a golden-and-red Monkey King costume embroidered with ornate patterns, he playfully twirls a bright red handkerchief emblazoned with the bold statement: "Revitalize Northeast China."

The fluttering red handkerchief is far more than a simple stage prop. It has become a striking symbol of the region's ongoing reinvention, embodying the grounded vitality of northeastern China and the people's sincere hopes for renewal and revitalization across the country's historic black-soil heartland.

The economic and trade teams of China and the United States will work to expand two-way trade under a reciprocal tariff reduction framework, China's top diplomat Wang Yi said on Friday.

The two sides have also agreed to establish a trade council and an investment council and address each other's concerns over market access for agricultural products, Wang said when briefing the press on the just-concluded Xi-Trump meeting in Beijing.