South Sea Views - China

South Sea Views - China

An aerial drone photo taken on November 8, 2025 shows a view of China's Huangyan Dao national nature reserve in the South China Sea. Photo by Xing Tuo /Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

South Sea Views - China

South Sea Views - China

An aerial drone photo taken on November 8, 2025 shows a view of China's Huangyan Dao national nature reserve in the South China Sea. Photo by Xing Tuo /Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

High-Speed Rail Bridge Middle Span Closed in Hebei - China

High-Speed Rail Bridge Middle Span Closed in Hebei - China

An aerial drone photo taken on July 18, 2025 shows a construction site of the middle span of the continuous beam for Baoding East super major bridge of the Xiong'an-Xinzhou high-speed railway, which crosses over the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao expressway, in Baoding, north China's Hebei Province. The middle span built by China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. was successfully closed on Friday. The Xiong'an-Xinzhou high-speed railway is an important section of Beijing-Kunming high-speed railway that belongs to a greater high-speed rail artery network consisting eight vertical lines and eight horizontal lines in the country. Photo by Xing Guangli/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

High-Speed Rail Bridge Middle Span Closed in Hebei - China

High-Speed Rail Bridge Middle Span Closed in Hebei - China

An aerial drone photo taken on July 18, 2025 shows a construction site of the middle span of the continuous beam for Baoding East super major bridge of the Xiong'an-Xinzhou high-speed railway, which crosses over the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao expressway, in Baoding, north China's Hebei Province. The middle span built by China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. was successfully closed on Friday. The Xiong'an-Xinzhou high-speed railway is an important section of Beijing-Kunming high-speed railway that belongs to a greater high-speed rail artery network consisting eight vertical lines and eight horizontal lines in the country. Photo by Xing Guangli/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

High-Speed Rail Bridge Middle Span Closed in Hebei - China

High-Speed Rail Bridge Middle Span Closed in Hebei - China

An aerial drone photo taken on July 18, 2025 shows a construction site of the middle span of the continuous beam for Baoding East super major bridge of the Xiong'an-Xinzhou high-speed railway, which crosses over the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao expressway, in Baoding, north China's Hebei Province. The middle span built by China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. was successfully closed on Friday. The Xiong'an-Xinzhou high-speed railway is an important section of Beijing-Kunming high-speed railway that belongs to a greater high-speed rail artery network consisting eight vertical lines and eight horizontal lines in the country. Photo by Xing Guangli/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

High-Speed Rail Bridge Middle Span Closed in Hebei - China

High-Speed Rail Bridge Middle Span Closed in Hebei - China

An aerial drone photo taken on July 18, 2025 shows a construction site of the middle span of the continuous beam for Baoding East super major bridge of the Xiong'an-Xinzhou high-speed railway, which crosses over the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao expressway, in Baoding, north China's Hebei Province. The middle span built by China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. was successfully closed on Friday. The Xiong'an-Xinzhou high-speed railway is an important section of Beijing-Kunming high-speed railway that belongs to a greater high-speed rail artery network consisting eight vertical lines and eight horizontal lines in the country. Photo by Xing Guangli/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

High-Speed Rail Bridge Middle Span Closed in Hebei - China

High-Speed Rail Bridge Middle Span Closed in Hebei - China

An aerial drone photo taken on July 18, 2025 shows a construction site of the middle span of the continuous beam for Baoding East super major bridge of the Xiong'an-Xinzhou high-speed railway, which crosses over the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao expressway, in Baoding, north China's Hebei Province. The middle span built by China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. was successfully closed on Friday. The Xiong'an-Xinzhou high-speed railway is an important section of Beijing-Kunming high-speed railway that belongs to a greater high-speed rail artery network consisting eight vertical lines and eight horizontal lines in the country. Photo by Xing Guangli/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

High-Speed Rail Bridge Middle Span Closed in Hebei - China

High-Speed Rail Bridge Middle Span Closed in Hebei - China

An aerial drone photo taken on July 18, 2025 shows a construction site of the middle span of the continuous beam for Baoding East super major bridge of the Xiong'an-Xinzhou high-speed railway, which crosses over the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao expressway, in Baoding, north China's Hebei Province. The middle span built by China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. was successfully closed on Friday. The Xiong'an-Xinzhou high-speed railway is an important section of Beijing-Kunming high-speed railway that belongs to a greater high-speed rail artery network consisting eight vertical lines and eight horizontal lines in the country. Photo by Xing Guangli/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

High-Speed Rail Bridge Middle Span Closed in Hebei - China

High-Speed Rail Bridge Middle Span Closed in Hebei - China

An aerial drone photo taken on July 18, 2025 shows a construction site of the middle span of the continuous beam for Baoding East super major bridge of the Xiong'an-Xinzhou high-speed railway, which crosses over the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao expressway, in Baoding, north China's Hebei Province. The middle span built by China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. was successfully closed on Friday. The Xiong'an-Xinzhou high-speed railway is an important section of Beijing-Kunming high-speed railway that belongs to a greater high-speed rail artery network consisting eight vertical lines and eight horizontal lines in the country. Photo by Xing Guangli/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

High-standard Farmland in Xing 'an League

High-standard Farmland in Xing 'an League

Farmers are working in high-standard farmland in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on July 7, 2025.

High-standard Farmland in Xing 'an League

High-standard Farmland in Xing 'an League

Farmers are working in high-standard farmland in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on July 7, 2025.

High-standard Farmland in Xing 'an League

High-standard Farmland in Xing 'an League

Agricultural drones are spraying in high-standard farmland in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on July 7, 2025.

New Energy Transmission And Transformation Project

New Energy Transmission And Transformation Project

XING'AN LEAGUE, CHINA - JUNE 30, 2025 - The Taohemu 500-kilovolt new energy collection and transmission and transformation project in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on June 30, 2025.

New Energy Transmission And Transformation Project

New Energy Transmission And Transformation Project

XING'AN LEAGUE, CHINA - JUNE 30, 2025 - The Taohemu 500-kilovolt new energy collection and transmission and transformation project in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on June 30, 2025.

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Aerial view of the Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on May 18, 2025.

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Aerial view of the Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on May 18, 2025.

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Aerial view of the Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on May 18, 2025.

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Aerial view of the Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on May 18, 2025.

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Aerial view of the Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on May 18, 2025.

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Aerial view of the Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on May 18, 2025.

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Aerial view of the Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on May 18, 2025.

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Aerial view of the Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on May 18, 2025.

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Aerial view of the Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on May 18, 2025.

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Aerial view of the Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on May 18, 2025.

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Aerial view of the Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on May 18, 2025.

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Aerial view of the Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on May 18, 2025.

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Aerial view of the Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on May 18, 2025.

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Aerial view of the Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on May 18, 2025.

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Aerial view of the Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on May 18, 2025.

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Aerial view of the Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on May 18, 2025.

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Aerial view of the Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on May 18, 2025.

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League

Aerial view of the Orenbukan Primeval Forest in Xing 'an League, Inner Mongolia, China on May 18, 2025.

500 kV Substation

500 kV Substation

Operation and maintenance personnel work in the centralized control room of the 500 kV substation in Pingchuan, Xing 'an, Inner Mongolia, China, December 30, 2024.

(SP)CHINA-HAINAN-SANYA-SPORTS-TOURISM-SURFING (CN)

(SP)CHINA-HAINAN-SANYA-SPORTS-TOURISM-SURFING (CN)

(240608) -- SANYA, June 8, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- A tourist carrying her surfboard walks through an alley at Houhai Village in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province on May 21, 2024. Sanya boasts a coastline that offers stunning tropical coastal scenery, making it an ideal destination for beach holidays. In recent years, Sanya has been promoting tropical coastal leisure and sports tourism. Activities such as surfing, diving, sailing, and paddle boarding have flourished, attracting water sports enthusiasts from both near and far. One of the first local villagers to embrace surfing was Yang Xingfu. Coming from a family of fishermen, Yang is now a surfing instructor in Houhai Village of Sanya. He first took up surfing in 2008 and immediately fell in love with this challenging sport. With his natural athleticism and exceptional water skills inherited from his fishing background, he quickly mastered surfing. In 2015, after earning his International Surfing Association coaching certificate, Yang Xing

(AmazingAnhui)CHINA-ANHUI-JIESHOU-PAINTED POTTERY (CN)

(AmazingAnhui)CHINA-ANHUI-JIESHOU-PAINTED POTTERY (CN)

(240531) -- JIESHOU, May 31, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Xing Hui (front), an engraver and painter of Jieshou painted pottery, demonstrates her techniques to children of a study tour at the painted pottery museum in Tianying Township of Jieshou City in east China's Anhui Province, May 29, 2024. The making of Jieshou painted pottery can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Tianying Township in Jieshou City of east China's Anhui Province was the main production site of Jieshou painted pottery in history. The technique of making Jieshou painted pottery was inscribed as a national-level intangible cultural heritage in 2006. To inherit and revive the technique, the local inheritors have innovated the shape and carving patterns to meet the demand of modern society. The cultural and creative products designed by these inheritors are also favored by consumers. Nowadays, Tianying Township not only remains as a production place of Jieshou painted pottery, but also accommodates a museum for displayi

(AmazingAnhui)CHINA-ANHUI-JIESHOU-PAINTED POTTERY (CN)

(AmazingAnhui)CHINA-ANHUI-JIESHOU-PAINTED POTTERY (CN)

(240531) -- JIESHOU, May 31, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Xing Hui (front), an engraver and painter of Jieshou painted pottery, demonstrates her techniques at the painted pottery museum in Tianying Township of Jieshou City in east China's Anhui Province, May 29, 2024. The making of Jieshou painted pottery can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Tianying Township in Jieshou City of east China's Anhui Province was the main production site of Jieshou painted pottery in history. The technique of making Jieshou painted pottery was inscribed as a national-level intangible cultural heritage in 2006. To inherit and revive the technique, the local inheritors have innovated the shape and carving patterns to meet the demand of modern society. The cultural and creative products designed by these inheritors are also favored by consumers. Nowadays, Tianying Township not only remains as a production place of Jieshou painted pottery, but also accommodates a museum for displaying potteries and a base for inheriting and revivi

(AmazingAnhui)CHINA-ANHUI-JIESHOU-PAINTED POTTERY (CN)

(AmazingAnhui)CHINA-ANHUI-JIESHOU-PAINTED POTTERY (CN)

(240531) -- JIESHOU, May 31, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Xing Hui (front), an engraver and painter of Jieshou painted pottery, demonstrates her techniques at the painted pottery museum in Tianying Township of Jieshou City in east China's Anhui Province, May 29, 2024. The making of Jieshou painted pottery can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Tianying Township in Jieshou City of east China's Anhui Province was the main production site of Jieshou painted pottery in history. The technique of making Jieshou painted pottery was inscribed as a national-level intangible cultural heritage in 2006. To inherit and revive the technique, the local inheritors have innovated the shape and carving patterns to meet the demand of modern society. The cultural and creative products designed by these inheritors are also favored by consumers. Nowadays, Tianying Township not only remains as a production place of Jieshou painted pottery, but also accommodates a museum for displaying potteries and a base for

(AmazingAnhui)CHINA-ANHUI-JIESHOU-PAINTED POTTERY (CN)

(AmazingAnhui)CHINA-ANHUI-JIESHOU-PAINTED POTTERY (CN)

(240531) -- JIESHOU, May 31, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Xing Hui (front), an engraver and painter of Jieshou painted pottery, demonstrates her techniques to children of a study tour at the painted pottery museum in Tianying Township of Jieshou City in east China's Anhui Province, May 29, 2024. The making of Jieshou painted pottery can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Tianying Township in Jieshou City of east China's Anhui Province was the main production site of Jieshou painted pottery in history. The technique of making Jieshou painted pottery was inscribed as a national-level intangible cultural heritage in 2006. To inherit and revive the technique, the local inheritors have innovated the shape and carving patterns to meet the demand of modern society. The cultural and creative products designed by these inheritors are also favored by consumers. Nowadays, Tianying Township not only remains as a production place of Jieshou painted pottery, but also accommodates a museum for displaying potteries and a ba

60 Afghan students awarded "Chinese Ambassador Scholarship"

STORY: 60 Afghan students awarded "Chinese Ambassador Scholarship" SHOOTING TIME: March 18, 2024 DATELINE: March 19, 2024 LENGTH: 0:01:18 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: SOCIETY/EDUCATION SHOTLIST: 1. various of the awarding ceremony STORYLINE: A total of 60 students from Kabul University were awarded the "Chinese Ambassador Scholarship," as an awarding ceremony kicked off Monday at Kabul University in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Zhao Xing said in a speech that China attaches great importance to China-Afghanistan cooperation in education and is committed to promoting the continuous development of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries. Chancellor of Kabul University Usama Aziz expressed his gratitude to China for providing scholarships to outstanding students of Kabul University, which will encourage Afghan students to grow better, and is also of great significance to promoting China-Afghanistan educational cooperation. Currently, more t

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-CHINESE AMBASSADOR SCHOLARSHIP

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-CHINESE AMBASSADOR SCHOLARSHIP

(240319) -- KABUL, March 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Zhao Xing (L) presents awards to an Afghan student who won the "Chinese Ambassador Scholarship" at Kabul University in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, March 18, 2024. A total of 60 students from Kabul University were awarded the "Chinese Ambassador Scholarship," as an awarding ceremony kicked off Monday at Kabul University in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-CHINESE AMBASSADOR SCHOLARSHIP-AWARDING CEREMONY

AFGHANISTAN-KABUL-CHINESE AMBASSADOR SCHOLARSHIP-AWARDING CEREMONY

(240318) -- KABUL, March 18, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Zhao Xing (L) presents a certificate of the "Chinese Ambassador Scholarship" to an Afghan student at Kabul University in Kabul, Afghanistan, on March 18, 2024. A total of 60 students from Kabul University were awarded the "Chinese Ambassador Scholarship," as an awarding ceremony kicked off Monday at Kabul University in Kabul. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

CHINA-SPRING FESTIVAL-TRAVEL RUSH (CN)

CHINA-SPRING FESTIVAL-TRAVEL RUSH (CN)

(240217) -- BEIJING, Feb. 17, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Passengers arrive at Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 17, 2024. China witnessed an increase of passenger trips on the last day of the eight-day Spring Festival holiday. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

CHINA-SPRING FESTIVAL-TRAVEL RUSH (CN)

CHINA-SPRING FESTIVAL-TRAVEL RUSH (CN)

(240217) -- BEIJING, Feb. 17, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Passengers arrive at Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 17, 2024. China witnessed an increase of passenger trips on the last day of the eight-day Spring Festival holiday. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

CHINA-SPRING FESTIVAL-TRAVEL RUSH (CN)

CHINA-SPRING FESTIVAL-TRAVEL RUSH (CN)

(240217) -- BEIJING, Feb. 17, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Passengers arrive at Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 17, 2024. China witnessed an increase of passenger trips on the last day of the eight-day Spring Festival holiday. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

Malaysian PM says to seek stay extension of giant pandas

STORY: Malaysian PM says to seek stay extension of giant pandas SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 27, 2024 DATELINE: Jan. 28, 2024 LENGTH: 00:00:53 LOCATION: Kuala Lumpur CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Zoo Negara 2. various of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at Zoo Negara's 60th anniversary celebration 3. various of pandas STORYLINE: Malaysia is looking into extending the period of stay of two giant pandas Xing Xing and Liang Liang at Zoo Negara, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Saturday. Anwar said that the presence of Xing Xing and Liang Liang had become an attraction that many Malaysians look forward to. "Many people come to the zoo to see the pandas because not all Malaysians can afford to go to China to see giant pandas ... for some Malaysians, seeing them here is a once in a lifetime opportunity," he added. The iconic giant panda pair, Xing Xing and Liang Liang, were loaned to the Malaysian government in 2014 for 10 years to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China. T

XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

(240119) -- BEIJING, Jan. 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 18, 2024 shows a scene at the construction site of a tunnel project in Tianjin, north China. The construction of a tunnel project for Tianjin-Weifang high speed railway started here on Thursday. It is the longest railway tunnel in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region created using the shield-tunneling method. With a design speed of 350 km per hour, the Tianjin-Weifang high speed railway connects north China's Tianjin with Weifang of east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

(240119) -- BEIJING, Jan. 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 17, 2024 shows the snow scenery in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

China, S. Korea hold ceremony to transfer remains of Chinese soldiers killed in Korean War

STORY: China, S. Korea hold ceremony to transfer remains of Chinese soldiers killed in Korean War SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 23, 2023 DATELINE: Nov. 23, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:44 LOCATION: INCHEON, South Korea CATEGORY: MILITARY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the ceremony STORYLINE: China and South Korea held a ceremony on Thursday to transfer the remains and belongings of 25 Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-1953 Korean War. The 10th handover ceremony was held at the Incheon International Airport, west of the capital Seoul, attended by Chinese Vice Minister of Veterans Affairs Chang Zhengguo, Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming and South Korea's Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho as well as officials with relevant ministries. During the ceremony, representatives of China and South Korea signed a handover document. Xing covered the coffins of the martyrs with China's national flags, and the Chinese side held a memorial service. The Chinese honor guards escorted the coffins to an air force plane, which would

CHINA-HENAN-LANKAO-PAULOWNIA-MUSICAL INSTRUMENT (CN)

CHINA-HENAN-LANKAO-PAULOWNIA-MUSICAL INSTRUMENT (CN)

(231010) -- KAIFENG, Oct. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Guqin maker Xu Yachong tunes the Guqin at Lankao County of Kaifeng City, central China's Henan Province, Oct. 9, 2023. Lankao County is rich in paulownia trees, an ideal raw material for musical instrument manufacturing. But in the last century, frequent floods and sandstorms left the area with poor soil and crop failures. In the1960s, local Party chief Jiao Yulu initiated the locals to plant paulownia trees to help improve soil and conserve water. In the 1980s, when the trees were thriving, locals found it the fine material to make furniture, as well as traditional Chinese music instruments. Up to date, there are over 200 musical instrument manufacturing workshops with products sold home and abroad in Lankao. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

CHINA-HENAN-LANKAO-PAULOWNIA-MUSICAL INSTRUMENT (CN)

CHINA-HENAN-LANKAO-PAULOWNIA-MUSICAL INSTRUMENT (CN)

(231010) -- KAIFENG, Oct. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This aerial photo taken on Oct. 9, 2023 shows the paulownia trees at Lankao County of Kaifeng City, central China's Henan Province. Lankao County is rich in paulownia trees, an ideal raw material for musical instrument manufacturing. But in the last century, frequent floods and sandstorms left the area with poor soil and crop failures. In the1960s, local Party chief Jiao Yulu initiated the locals to plant paulownia trees to help improve soil and conserve water. In the 1980s, when the trees were thriving, locals found it the fine material to make furniture, as well as traditional Chinese music instruments. Up to date, there are over 200 musical instrument manufacturing workshops with products sold home and abroad in Lankao. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)