A guide to beautiful GuiZhou 贵州 province

Filmed May 2012.

A documentary series by RT. Text by RT. The Ancient Silk Road was a trade route that began in China in the 2nd century BC and, for more than 1700 years, linked Europe and Asia. As well as goods, it facilitated a cultural exchange between the continents, knowledge, religion, art, philosophy and tradition all passed back and forth between distant nations. Modern China now has the strongest economy in Asia and is a major world power. This series examines the enduring influence of the Silk Road in making the nation what it is today and how its legacy still thrives in China. PART ONE From the 2nd century BC onwards, the great Silk Road was a vital trade route that provided a link between Eurasian countries. It began during China’s Han dynasty and eventually stretched all the way to Rome. Throughout its 17 centuries of existence, it played a crucial role in enabling cultural interaction between nations and peoples all over the continents. As well as establishing economic ties, it also facilitated the exchange between countries of knowledge, religious practice, architectural styles, art, philosophy and traditions. Modern Chinese culture has been heavily influenced by centuries of trade with neighbouring countries. Today, there are still sites in China that preserve the history of the Silk Road and the country’s role in it. Tang West Market Museum in the city of Xi'an marks the ancient starting point of the Silk Road and displays relics unearthed from what used to be a major centre for international trade. The Silk Route Museum in the city of Jiuquan celebrates the first ever customs checkpoint in history. This city served as an outpost on China’s border with unforgiving and perilous nomadic lands. Meanwhile, a network of grottos called the Mogao Caves bears witness to Buddhism arriving and thriving in China. Today, China remains true to the well-established tradition of cultural exchange with its neighbours. 2016-2017 are dedicated to furthering Russo-Chinese relations and bilateral media ties. The history of collaboration between the two countries dates back as far as 400 years, when religious missionaries crossed the borders to introduce the other side to their homeland’s rich cultural practices. PART TWO China is developing a unique blend of socialism and capitalism. The state-owned sector dominates but there has been a sudden surge in privately owned businesses operating in a new market economy. The two systems coexist in apparent harmony despite the seemingly contradictory ideologies of capitalism and communism. Private businesses began to appear after the country’s economic reforms of the late 1970s, ushered in by then premier, Deng Xiaoping. The emergence of private entrepreneurship led to rapid economic development for China. The country is still among the world’s fastest growing economies and is often the first to tap into new markets. To further expand its regional economic influence, China has launched a programme to revive the famous old Silk Road. They are confident that the route will develop new international markets and forge new business alliances. The multifaceted programme involves improving road infrastructure and modernising key cities along the ancient Silk trading route. They are also creating more favourable conditions for business with incentives like company tax breaks and duty-free towns near the borders with neighbouring countries. The project has been dubbed the ‘One Belt, One Road initiative’, and involves cooperation with more than 60, mostly neighbouring countries, with Russia among the major partners. RTD examines examples of Sino-Russian cooperation carried out under the ‘One Belt, One Road’ umbrella, including large-scale government projects and private trade deals with Russian customers. PART THREE - The Ancient Silk Road was a major trade route that linked Europe and Asia between the 2nd century BC and the late 16th AD. - Modern China is a rapidly growing economy. “One Belt, One Road” is an initiative to revive the Silk Road to help the country play a bigger role in global affairs. - Ancient towns that were once key outposts on the Silk Road are undergoing rapid growth both economically and in infrastructure as they are to reprise their roles as major trading waypoints along the route - Citizens now enjoy new business opportunities and contribute further to developing their cities In its heyday, the ancient Silk Road was Eurasia’s most important trade route, connecting two rich continents to facilitate trade and cultural exchange. Modern-day China has seen near constant economic growth. It boasts of several record figures, including the highest number of skyscrapers and the longest railroads. Five years ago, the government announced a new plan, “One Belt, One Road”, an initiative to revive the Silk Road. The strategy seeks to help China play a bigger role in global affairs through developing an infrastructure that will unite the countries of the two continents under a cohesive economic area. Many ancient Chinese cities that were once outposts along the Silk Road, desert oases or transport hubs are now rapidly transforming themselves into megacities, so that they can, once again, service and profit from the trade route. New businesses are opening, facilitated by the development of a reliable transport system, which in turn brings greater tourist flow. Some cities are also grated the status of special economic area, offering attractive tax incentives to foreign investors. We visit two very different cities; Lanchjou and Urumchi, united by the Silk Road’s history. Both are experiencing rapid development. We meet businessmen who tell us how it feels to watch their home towns transform into economically and politically significant conurbations and how it inspires them to aim for international markets and seek new outlets for their businesses to grow.

Featuring many places from around the blue sky city of Beijing ...

How to be free. Warning : lots of f-bombs in the video; but it is full of wisdom.

It is still possible to get by with cash from ATMs, but for longer visits it can be a good idea to set up AliPay (or WeChat). Getting started with Alipay involves creating an account and setting up your payment methods. Here is a step-by-step guide: ### Setting Up Alipay: 1. **Download the Alipay App:** - Go to your device's app store (Google Play Store for Android or Apple App Store for iOS). - Search for "Alipay" and download the official app developed by Ant Group. 2. **Install and Open the App:** - Install the Alipay app on your device. - Open the app once the installation is complete. 3. **Language Selection:** - Choose your preferred language for the app. 4. **Create an Account:** - Tap on "Sign Up" or "Register." - Choose your country or region and enter your mobile phone number. - Create a strong password for your Alipay account. 5. **Verify Your Identity:** - Alipay may require you to verify your identity. This could involve receiving a verification code via SMS. 6. **Add a Payment Method:** - Link your bank card or credit card to your Alipay account. - Go to "Me" (bottom right corner) > "Wallet" > "Add Card." 7. **Add Funds to Your Alipay Account:** - You may need to add funds to your Alipay account. You can link your bank account for direct transfers or use a linked card for payments. 8. **Set Up Security Features:** - Enable security features such as fingerprint or facial recognition to enhance account security. - Set a payment password for additional security. ### Using Alipay: 1. **Making Payments:** - To make a payment, tap on "Scan" and scan the QR code of the recipient. - Enter the amount and add a note if necessary. - Confirm the payment with your password or biometric authentication. 2. **Receiving Payments:** - To receive money, the payer can scan your Alipay QR code. - Confirm the payment on your Alipay app. 3. **Exploring Additional Features:** - Alipay offers various features beyond payments, such as bill payments, transportation services, and investments. Explore the app to discover these options. 4. **Managing Your Account:** - Regularly check your transaction history and account settings. - Customize your profile and settings under the "Me" section. 5. **Security Tips:** - Be cautious of phishing attempts. Always use the official app and avoid clicking on suspicious links. - Regularly update your password and enable two-factor authentication for added security. Remember that Alipay's features and interface may evolve, so it's a good idea to check for updates within the app or refer to Alipay's official website for the latest information.

5th March 2023. To mark the 125th anniversary of the birth of Zhou EnLai - one of the top leaders of the Chinese Revolution, and Premier of People's China from 1949 until his death in 1976 - we conducted an extensive interview with Professor Ken Hammond about Zhou's life and legacy. The interview covers Zhou EnLai's formation as a revolutionary; his role in the early years of the Chinese Revolution in the 1920s; his working relationship with Mao Zedong; his contribution to Marxist understanding of socialist foreign policy; his role in establishing links of solidarity between China and Africa; his role in the negotiations with Henry Kissinger and Richard Nixon that brought about the start of a rapprochement between the US and China; his experiences in the Cultural Revolution; and his lasting legacy, both in China and globally. Ken Hammond is a professor of East Asian and Global History at New Mexico State University, founding director of the Confucius Institute at New Mexico State University, and an activist with Pivot to Peace. He’s also a member of the Friends of Socialist China advisory group, and is working on a biography of Zhou EnLai. He is interviewed by our co-editor Carlos Martinez.

With China Road Tales ...