The grand dams, whistling trains, bustling stadiums, magnificent parliament buildings, and various factories - these impressive projects of China-Africa cooperation have not only become landmarks across the African continent but also stand as symbols of the enduring friendship between the China and African countries.

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) 2024 is scheduled to be held in Beijing from September 4 to 6.

Since the 2021 FOCAC, China-Africa economic and trade cooperation has continued to reach new heights, delivering tangible benefits to the people of both China and Africa, an official from the Ministry of Commerce said on August 20, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

A series of cooperative projects, such as the Lekki port in Nigeria and the Nairobi expressway in Kenya, have been completed over the past three years. Over the past 10 years, Chinese companies have signed more than $700 billion worth of contracts for projects in Africa, the official mentioned.

"To get rich, build roads first." Launched in 2017, the 472-kilometer Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) has drastically reduced travel time and emerged as the preferred choice for commuters in Kenya, playing a pivotal role in stimulating commerce and empowering smaller towns along its corridor.

In Sudan, the China International Water and Electric Corporation (CWE) undertook the construction of the Merowe Dam, Roseires Dam Heightening Project, and Dam Complex of Upper Atbara Project, which have become "China-Arab friendly landmarks." The Merowe Dam, standing 67 meters high and stretching about 9.7 kilometers long, is the world's longest dam.

In 2019, these three projects collectively appeared as the background for Sudan's newly issued 100 Sudanese pound banknotes.

According to the white paper, China and Africa in the New Era: A Partnership of Equals, Chinese companies over the last quarter century have helped African countries build or upgrade more than 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 100,000 kilometers of highways, roughly 1,000 bridges, almost 100 ports and 66,000 kilometers of power transmission and distribution lines.

A performance by dancers of the National Ballet of China closed the two-month-long Open Door to Art summer festival in Beijing's Forbidden City Concert Hall (FCCH) on Saturday night. 

According to Liu Qi from the National Ballet of China, the performance for young children included selections from the classic ballets The Four Little Swans and modern ballet pieces like On the Road and Song of the Wilderness. 

The Open Door to Art summer festival has been held each summer for the past 31 years. According to Xu Jian from the Beijing Poly Forbidden City Theatre Management Company, the summer festival has built a platform for audiences to experience the art of Beijing performed by the country's national-level art troupes and international artists as well. 

The year 2024's festival also hosted artistic tours to Beijing, its neighboring Tianjin Municipality and Hebei Province with a variety of visiting and art experiences.

The upcoming release of Black Myth: Wukong on Tuesday has attracted worldwide attention. The game's trailers and gameplay demos have garnered over 100 million views on Bilibili, China's equivalent of YouTube, and over 10 million views on YouTube. According to SteamDB, a third-party Steam database website, Black Myth currently holds the top spot on the global sales chart.

As China's first true AAA title - a game characterized by high development costs, long production cycles, and significant resource investment, Black Myth represents a major breakthrough of the Chinese gaming industry.

The game is set against the backdrop of the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. After Tang Monk and his disciples successfully obtained Buddhist scriptures, Monkey King (Sun Wukong) was named Fighting Buddha and gradually vanished without a trace. The player, known as the Destined One, embarks on an epic journey to uncover the truth behind the legendary tale.

Ke Yuheng (LK), a prominent online influencer who participated in a demo of Black Myth, told the Global Times that the player controls a young monkey (Destined One) who, inspired by the legendary tale, becomes determined to follow in Sun Wukong's footsteps on the journey to the West.

"Right now, we still don't know if the 'Destined One' is actually the true Wukong or just a spiritual successor, but the available material suggests that this is a world where Buddhist teachings have declined and demons run rampant," LK noted.

Cultural export

The game review site IGN China has showered the title with praise, calling it a "masterpiece." "Black Myth is a truly competitive game on the global market. I believe it will be a strong contender for Game of the Year, and after this, Game Science will undoubtedly become one of the world's top ARPG developers," said Charles Young, an IGN reviewer.

While the game's massive popularity in China can partly be attributed to national familiarity with Journey to the West, the fact that it has captivated international audiences - many of whom lack this cultural background - suggests that Black Myth is on the right path.

Many overseas players have been inspired by the game to start reading the original book Journey to the West. Fans of Black Myth have even started posting videos online, sharing their understanding of Chinese mythology and the Journey to the West story.

"Hey, have you read Journey to the West? Because this game got me to read it, and now I'm going back to reread it," wrote Reddit user Gamskining in a post about the game.

As the game's preview sessions have rolled out, numerous international media outlets and invited influencers have provided in-depth coverage and reviews. These articles have not only praised the game's technical and artistic achievements but have also highlighted its cultural significance.

"If you understand Chinese, you'll never forget how beautifully the prose and dialogue in this game is written. It's the kind of writing that befits a major Chinese work," said a reviewer from the video game site GamesRadar.

However, the game's plot, which draws heavily from Journey to the West, has proven challenging for those unfamiliar with the source material. This has been cited by many foreign reviewers, including IGN, as a reason for not awarding the game a perfect score.

"Black Myth stands alone in terms of both cultural content and the themes it explores. The subject matter of Journey to the West is something that only Chinese people can fully grasp, while the understanding of the story in the West is relatively superficial," Chinese professional game reviewer Natto told the Global Times.

Natto acknowledged that cultural differences might create some discomfort for non-Chinese-speaking players, but he believes there is no need to change to cater to the global market. 

"Back in the day, Chinese PC gamers had to rely on translations by fans who had to learn the games bit by bit through self-study. If a game is good enough, people will naturally want to learn about the story behind it," he noted.

Sacred sites

Black Myth features both main and side quests that aim to recreate the original story while incorporating a wealth of traditional Chinese cultural elements. The game uses advanced technologies like real-time ray tracing to deliver cinematic-quality visuals.

"The appearance of the Diamond Sutra and the Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Dharani in the trailers may symbolize that the 'Destined One' will retrace the path of the pilgrimage, defeating demons along the way and helping to reincarnate and redeem those left behind. This reflects the Buddhist philosophy in the game," noted LK.

It integrates elements such as Daoist talismans, Buddhist artifacts, ancient architecture, and traditional clothing, with game scenes inspired by famous Chinese landmarks like the Great Wall, the Mogao Caves, and Mount Huangshan, allowing players to experience a rich oriental atmosphere.

Recently, the Shanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism released an official promotional video for Black Myth. The video showcases real locations from the game, including Xiaoxitian (Small Western Paradise), Yuhuang Temple, and Tiefo Monastery, drawing many bloggers to visit these sites as part of a "cultural pilgrimage."

"It is said that to accurately depict the story settings in Black Myth, the development team visited several locations in Shanxi to conduct research, incorporating many elements of Shanxi's famous painted sculptures," Yang Jie, a representative from the Shanxi Digital Cultural Experience Center, told the Global Times.

Shanxi is home to approximately 80 percent of China's surviving wooden structures from the Yuan Dynasty and even earlier. The province has the largest number and variety of ancient buildings in China, including numerous examples from the Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, Jin, and Yuan periods.

Black Myth also recreates architectural and scenic details from sites like the Faxing Temple in Changzhi, the Foguang Temple in Xinzhou, and the Shuanglin Temple in Pingyao, as well as the Tiefo Monastery in Gaoping, transporting players back to ancient China. "The game's near 1:1 reproduction of China's landscapes, temples, and sculptures is undoubtedly part of our cultural export," Yang said.

A number of high-quality Chinese TV series have been rolled out by younger directors who have made a name for themselves in recent years with creative production ideas. One such work, Escape from the Trilateral Slopes, a newly released thriller generating buzz on Chinese social media, exemplifies its director's exploration of creative expression.

The 21-episode Escape from the Trilateral Slopes, centers around the journey of Shen Xing, played by actor Guo Qilin, who finds himself in a remote border town while on a quest to locate his missing uncle. Along the way, he encounters Uncle Cai, a mysterious figure portrayed by veteran actor Francis Ng, who introduces unexpected twists and challenges to Shen's journey, creating a thrilling narrative filled with intrigue and moral dilemmas.

The series airing on streaming platform Youku has an 8.2/10 rating on China's major review platform Douban. Many netizens, at home and abroad, have commented that they saw humanity in the show.

What sets Escape from the Trilateral Slopes apart is its capacity to weave together multiple genres. While it features elements of mystery and suspense, the series also explores profound themes related to human nature, morality, and the struggle for survival. Directed by Mu Xincen, a fresh voice among the new generation of Chinese directors, the series' narrative is intricately layered, particularly through the perspective of Shen Xing, who copes with the challenges faced by young people as they navigate the complexities of modern life.

"If a kind of philosophy or a piece of literature can be passed down and inspire generations for thousands of years, this philosophy must contain universal value that can nourish people worldwide, just like Chinese philosophies of Taoism, Confucianism and Zen Buddhism," Tsai Chih-chung told the Global Times.

Tsai Chih-chung, born on the island of Taiwan, and spends much of his time in the Chinese mainland, is one of the world's artists with the most best-selling comics. Throughout his lengthy career, he has focused on uncovering the universal values he glimpsed in Chinese philosophy and literature, striving to make them accessible and popular by using plain language and engaging illustrations.

Tsai finally carved out his own literary niche. Nourished by these classics, his comic books have been translated into more than 20 languages and gone on sale in over 50 countries around the world.

The artist's ties with the Chinese mainland grows closer as time goes by. Residing in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province after becoming addicted to the "cultural atmosphere of the city," Tsai's personal gallery, which houses most of his lifelong manuscripts and masterpieces, opened in May in Gaoping, North China's Shanxi Province, a region historically associated with the ancient deified ruler Shennong, the Yan Emperor, the ancestor of Chinese civilization.

Like Tsai, other cultural luminaries, including Jiang Xun, in Taiwan feel bound to the essence of Chinese civilization and shared cultural roots across the Taiwan Straits, with their own creations and promoted the Chinese cultural essence to a larger number of audiences through comics and other art forms.

'Easy to understand'

Structured around uniform two-page spreads, each left-hand page features a full-height caption box displaying the original Chinese text of the Taoist philosopher Zhuangzi during the Warring States Period (475BC-221BC), which was mirrored by the same format on the right-hand page.

The delicate black lines of the drawings, the English text, the frames, and the ideographs come together in harmonious compositions that align beautifully with the themes of Zhuangzi's writings. The sage advice "Don't draw a boundary around the boundless" is enriched by this visual paradox. Additionally, Tsai established a visual rhythm by placing Zhuangzi's moral-like statements in the unframed white space of a concluding panel, emphasizing their significance.

This is the English version of one of Tsai's comic books, adapted from Zhuangzi's The Way of Nature, an ancient Taoist text. The image of Zhuangzi in the book features a mostly bald head roughly a third the size of his body, amusing readers with characters' exaggerated movements while adding humorous elements in the philosophical literature that is usually considered as abstruse.

Among his more than 200 titles, Tsai turns the ancient Chinese philosophers such as Zhuangzi, Laozi and Confucius into humorous images through his comics and simplifies the interpretations of their thoughts through many interesting stories, lowering the threshold for non-professionals to get access to the sage theories.

"I convey these traditional philosophical ideas to the world through the medium of comics as one of the mediums' advantages is that comics are easy to understand," Tsai told the Global Times. "You need to remember what your readers' demands are all the time."

Born in Changhua county on the island of Taiwan in 1948, Tsai taught himself the art of animation and founded the animation studio. The first full-length animated movie was produced by the studio in 1981.

Then Tsai developed a plan to adapt the major Chinese classics into comic book formats. The first was Zhuangzi Speaks, which immediately shot up the best-sellers list and stayed at the No. 1 spot for 10 months. Tsai's classic series took off since then.

Although Tsai has had excursion into so many sage thoughts in Chinese history, in his eyes, he has special bond with Taoism, the original philosophy created in China. His spiritual idol is Laozi, creator of Taoism, and he thought himself performs deeds as Zhuangzi, who maintained unconstrained mind and life.

Despite having sold over 60 million copies of his books around the world, Tsai has not slowed down in his creative endeavors.

Though settled in Hangzhou, Tsai has also moved his creations to the art gallery in Gaoping, bringing them closer to the source of his inspiration.

New window for exchanges

One important reason why Tsai chose Shanxi Province, one of the origins of Chinese civilization peppered with various relics and a long heritage, is because the Shanxi Province's rich historical atmosphere aligns perfectly with his works. He believes that the essence of Chinese civilization, deeply rooted in the city, offers abundant material and inspiration for his artistic creations.

Since its opening in May, coinciding with the person-to-person cross-Straits cultural activities honoring the Yan Emperor held in Gaoping, the gallery has welcomed over a thousand tourists per day on average to appreciate the artist's works.

The gallery has been recognized as a new platform for cross-Straits cultural exchanges, in addition to being a venue for appreciating and studying artworks, according to the director of the city's culture and tourism bureau.

These exchanges through artworks have spanned different generations of artists.

Veteran artists in Taiwan brought their exllcellent crafts to share with many young people through various audio and video programs, while cross-Straits younger artists are exchanging their ideas in art exhibitions held in diverse places on both sides of the Taiwan Straits.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday co-chaired the 29th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of government with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow and said China is ready to work with Russia to strengthen all-round practical cooperation between the two countries, and push the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era to a new level. 

Analysts said that China-Russia ties remain solid and can withstand any impact and interruption from outside, and will continue to benefit the two peoples by boosting trade and comprehensive cooperation, while China's stance for peace on the Ukraine crisis will remain unchanged. 

While co-chairing the meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of government, Li said that China is ready to work with Russia to follow the strategic guidance of the two heads of state and take the opportunity of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties to uphold mutual respect, mutual trust, everlasting friendship and mutual benefit.

Mishustin said Russia is ready to work with China to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, continue to deepen mutual trust, expand cooperation in investment, energy, economy and trade, culture and sub-national areas, and ensure the success of the Russia-China Years of Culture.

Mishustin pledged Russia will join China in strengthening communication and coordination in international affairs, better safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the two sides, and pushing forward the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.

After the meeting, the two leaders signed a joint communique of the 29th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of government and a new version of the outline of the China-Russia investment cooperation plan.

According to the Kremlin, Putin also met Li in Moscow on Wednesday. "Our countries have large-scale joint plans, projects in the economic and humanitarian areas, we expect them to last for many years," the RIA state news agency quoted Putin as saying.

Wang Xiaoquan, an expert with the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that this is the 29th meeting between the heads of government of the two countries. This is proof that China-Russia relations have set a paradigm for major power relations in a world in turbulence, which is based on long-term and stable win-win cooperation and solid mutual trust and respect.

Comprehensive partnership

A key characteristic of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era is the comprehensive communication mechanism that covers almost all governmental sectors and departments in all fields, Wang noted.

The two countries will use the communication mechanism to jointly deal with problems that emerge when the two sides develop their relations, and they will constantly strengthen their mutual trust and tacit understanding, experts noted. 

China and Russia are both permanent members of the UN Security Council so they do have reason to maintain frequent and high-level communication to not only handle bilateral issues, but also to undertake diplomatic cooperation to jointly take responsibility to safeguard the multi-polarization process of the world, analysts said. 

"Therefore, the recent frequent exchanges between Chinese and Russian leaders and senior officials are not pushed by any other element or pressure, but are driven by normal demand of the two countries to develop their relations," Wang said.

Yang Jin, an associate research fellow with the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the meeting between the heads of government normally focuses on trade and economic issues, as well as implementation of the consensuses reached by the heads of state of the two countries.  

Currently, there are some changes in the battlefields of Russia-Ukraine conflict, but the exchanges between China and Russia have nothing to do with these changes. Normal cooperation between the two countries in all fields can effectively withstand the pressure and impacts from outside, and China's neutrality and stance for peace on the Ukraine crisis will not change, Yang noted.   

Deal with challenges

Mishustin said at the meeting with Li that Moscow and Beijing should jointly defend their interests and the principles of the multipolar world order in the conditions of Western sanctions pressure, Russian news agency Tass reported on Wednesday.

"Western countries are trying to maintain their global dominance and contain the economic and technological potential of Russia and China," Mishustin said.

"That is why it is important to concentrate efforts on protecting our common interests, building a multipolar world order and strengthening coordination on international platforms," Mishustin emphasized, according to Tass.

Cui Heng, a research fellow with the Center for Russian Studies of East China Normal University, said that in the past two years, the US and NATO have tried to stigmatize and interrupt China-Russia relations, but these attempts have failed, as the two countries are just doing what they should and what they must to take care of their people from the harms of Western sanctions. 

"Russian people have the right to live and enjoy economic development, so when Western firms withdraw from Russia, it's very natural that China and other economies from the Global South will come in, so the US and its followers are in no position to appoint blame about that," Cui noted.

Chinese golfer Cao Xinyu had a memorable 18th birthday celebration on Friday as the rookie pro defeated amateur Liu Yujie in a second-hole playoff to win her maiden China LPGA Tour title in a wet and wild finale to the Golf Liquor Guangdong Women's Open.

After heavy rain forced the suspension of play for nearly an hour, both Cao and 14-year-old Liu returned to the Zhuhai Lakewood Golf Club composite layout to complete their third round. With each closing with a two-under-par 70, the two players finished deadlocked on seven-under 209.

In the playoff, both players made two putts for par on the 401-yard 18th hole in the first hole of sudden death. Returning to the same hole again, Liu put her tee shot right into the rough. With Cao safely on the green in two, Liu put her approach to within seven yards of the pin after missing the green. She would then miss her par putt. Sitting 60 feet from the pin, Cao made no mistake in getting down in two putts to secure the win.

"I didn't believe in birthday luck until I made it today," said Shanghai native Cao, who earned 60,000 yuan ($8,278.44) for the win. "It's a coming-of-age ceremony for me. It's my maiden win, which boosts my confidence. I believe that I can have good finishes next week in Singapore and Beijing Pine Valley at the end of this month."

Pakin Kawinpakorn (69) finished third at two shots back as the Thai stumbled to a bogey five on the final hole, where she needed a birdie to join the playofsf. Her compatriot, Dolnapa Zukphokinvanich, was two shots further back in fourth after a final round 70.

Cao, who joined the paid ranks earlier this year after posting five top-five finishes against the pros last season as an amateur on the CLPGA Tour, was three shots behind playing partner Liu going into the 15th hole. It was there at the 540-yard hole that she started an amazing run of three consecutive birdies highlighted by a 45-foot birdie putt at the 16th hole.

With the two players even at seven-under going into the final hole of regulation, Cao nearly lost when her approach missed the green landing 45 yards short. After her third shot went over the pin, she then made a dramatic 25-foot downhill putt to force the playoff as Liu two-putted for par from 45 feet.

"The 18th hole was a beast," said Cao. 

"At the second extra hole, I really captured this unreal win. I won plenty of times at junior events but this is different. It's the toughest win for me."

Liu, daughter of table-tennis great Liu Guoliang, the two-time gold medallist at the 1996 Olympics, missed another opportunity to get her maiden win against a professional. Two weeks ago, the teenager was the overnight co-leader going into the final round at the Beijing Women's Challenge where she finished equal 10th.

Her round today included four birdies over the first 11 holes and two bogeys.
"After Beijing, I knew how to play in the final round. I played well today. I can get full marks from the way I played. I made my best efforts, especially in such poor conditions," said Liu, a winner of eight events on the amateur circuit over the past three years.

"I am excited to see my progress. It's my breakthrough. I also saw my deficiencies in this event, which would be good for my future. Hats off to sister Xinyu. She played well and deserved this win."

Pakin, who started the day three shots off the lead, made a move up the leaderboard immediately when she sank a five-foot birdie putt at the 347-yard opening hole. After holding it together in the wet conditions to post three more birdies and get close, the final hole proved her nemesis.

"I didn't look at the leaderboard because I didn't want to put a lot of pressure on myself," said the 32-year-old Kawin, winner of the 2018 Zhuhai Heritage. "My goal was to play my best out there but a bogey [on the final hole] was the best I could do."

Zhuhai Lakewood Golf Club is a 6,460-yard, par-72 composite course featuring nine holes from the Norman Course and nine from the Lakes Course.

The French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) recently received four pieces of Chinese blue and white porcelain made by a Chinese artist, which highlighted the ongoing cultural exchange and appreciation between France and China during the Paris Olympic Games.

These artifacts not only showcase China's rich cultural heritage but also symbolize the universal values and global resonance of the Olympic spirit, according to the CNOSF.

In addition to these exquisite artifacts, the Chinese delegation arrived in Paris in style carrying some distinctive cultural icons, such as the Chinese athletes' suitcases featuring Terracotta Warriors, the official medal ceremony uniform featuring the Chinese dragon as well as the red-and-white attire for the opening ceremony.

Fan Yifeng, dean of the school of design at Dalian Minzu University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that integrating Chinese cultural icons with sports is a great way to promote the Chinese culture at international sports events.

"What impressed me most is the medal ceremony uniform, as the Chinese dragon element has been used for years in its design. The dragon-themed outfit is visually striking," said Fan.

"Sports transcend national boundaries. To promote the athletic spirit, it's important to work on how to better combine the Chinese culture with key sport-related words such as passion, vigor and vitality so as to reach a broader global audience," Fan noted.

On Tuesday, a Chinese sports culture exhibition themed on "Vigor and Sportsmanship" opened at the Bastille Design Center in Paris. Boasting 139 collections, the exhibition was designed to show the culture and spirit of Chinese sports, and introduce visitors to the practice of sports in ancient China.

The exhibition is also part of the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France, showcasing the historical exchanges and mutual influence between China and France in various sports, including racing, cycling, tennis, soccer, and dragon boat racing. It highlights the shared human values embedded in the sports philosophies of both countries, reflecting a harmonious blend of Chinese and French sport cultures.
Auspicious uniform

On July 20, the renowned Chinese women volleyball team arrived in Paris. When they stepped out of the airport, a line of black suitcases drew public attention. Unlike their usual luggage, the new suitcases feature Chinese traditional motifs on and the wheels, sparkling golden light, and look like ancient chariot wheels.

The red and black suitcase, named "Yingyong"(bravery), is inspired by the scale armor of ancient Terracotta Warriors and is ornated with a bowtie similar to that of a general figure at the top. The golden wheels at the bottom draw inspiration from ancient chariot wheels, while the zipper heads are designed to resemble shields. The suitcase also has a metal plate on the front with the Chinese national flag, symbolizing the valor of leading an army into battle.

Bai Jianfeng, a member of the design team said that they sought inspiration from China's splendid civilization and world cultural heritage. The armor design signifies better protection for the athletes and also indicates that the Chinese sports delegation are our heroes, hoping they will return victorious, according to China Central Television News.

Olympic podium outfits from around the world have always garnered attention, and China's outfit lives up to expectations with its dragon-themed design elements.

Officially called the "Champions Dragon Outfit," the outfit is inspired by traditional Chinese aesthetics, featuring classic tailoring and white as its primary color.The design incorporates elements like dragon scales through embossing, patchwork, and embroidery, highlighting China's rich cultural heritage and the energetic spirit of its modern athletes.

Li Qian, a two-time Olympic medalist in women's middleweight boxing, highlighted the outfit's cultural significance. "The Year of the Dragon is very auspicious for Chinese people. This dragon-themed outfit is unique, and I hope to wear it on the Paris Olympic podium," Li told reporters.

In addition to their cultural symbolism, these uniforms utilize green technology, with the production process using eco-friendly materials like recycled nylon and recycled polyester, achieving over 50 percent carbon reduction.

Distinctive patterns

Many netizens have shared the view online that although aesthetic preferences may vary, the red and white outfit is simple and elegant.

"The dragon patterns on the arms and the dragon heads on the zippers reflect Chinese cultural characteristics and complement each other well," a netizen, surnamed Luo, told the Global Times.

"The combination of red and white is stunning. The cuffs and patterns look like superhero armor, very imposing," Paul Marfinetz, a sports fan from the US, told the Global Times.

The opening ceremony attire is named "Chasing Dreams" and incorporates rich elements of traditional Chinese culture. Both the men's and women's jackets feature patterns derived from the bricks of the Great Wall. This pattern, with its horizontal and vertical lines, conveys a sense of integrity and rigor.

The women's attire combines elements of the Chinese qipao and the traditional Song Dynasty (960-1279) costume, featuring bamboo patterns - a significant symbol in traditional Chinese culture representing harmony, unity, resilience, and continuous growth.

The men's shirts have a small standing collar with Chinese-style buttons, showcasing the Chinese spirit of perseverance and striving for excellence in the world.

Shining on the stage of Paris Olympic Games, these cultural icons provide an opportunity for global athletes to gain a better understanding of Chinese culture, promoting cultural exchanges between China and other countries.

After making history by becoming the first Asia-born player to claim gold in a tennis singles event at the Olympics on Saturday, China's Zheng Qinwen said that "national honor always tops individual achievements" and that she hoped the victory will inspire the younger generation of tennis players.

The 21-year-old overpowered Croatian Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3 at the Olympics' women singles final and held high the golden trophy on Saturday.

It marked China's first gold medal ever in the Olympic tennis singles, and the country's second in tennis after Li Ting and Sun Tiantian won the women's doubles title at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Zheng opened the year of 2024 with a runner-up finish at the Australian Open in January, but she thought the Olympic title to be "more important" than the Grand Slams.

"The honor of our country always surpasses individual achievements. I believe that every Chinese person agrees to this. So, when I was able to make history and become the first player to win an Olympic singles gold medal, I felt that all the sweat, effort, tears, and hardships were worth it at that moment," she said at the post-match press conference.

"I have always believed in passing on the torch. If today's victory can inspire more children to dream of tennis, then all of the efforts are worthwhile. I also hope that in 10 or 20 years, you will stand on this stage. Because this is the dream, the top stage, and experiencing what I am feeling at this moment will make you realize that life is worth living."

The World No 7 said that two-time Grand Slam champion Li Na has served as an inspiration for her when she started learning the sport as a kid. Li, who was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame member in 2019, is the only player from the Chinese mainland to win a Grand Slam singles title — at the 2011 French Open and 2014 Australian Open.

"I think Li Na will always be the first in Asia because she was the first Chinese female player to win a Grand Slam. And I am the first Asian player to win an Olympic gold medal, which is also a historical achievement," Zheng noted.

"I still have a long way to go. Every era has its heroes, and every generation has its successful individuals. I believe Li was the leader of her era, and I hope to become a better player and a better version of myself, and to lead the younger generation," she said.

Another Chinese athlete that inspired her is Liu Xiang, whose victory in the 110-meter hurdles at the 2004 Athens Games was the country's first gold in the men's track and field.

"I watched his race multiple times before my game, trying to draw strength from him. he won the title of Olympic champion at the age of 21, which was the peak of his life. Now, I am also 21 years old, and today, 20 years later, I stand on this stage, and I feel that I have achieved the same result," she said.

Zheng, who was dubbed "Queen Wen", ground out to victory through bruising and battling performances. In the quarterfinals, she outlasted the three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber in a three-set thriller that lasted over three hours. Later, in the semifinals, she ended the World No 1 Iga Swiatek's 25-match winning streak at Roland Garros.

"I have been in pain ever since I finished the third round, so I had to play with bandages since then," Zheng said.

"I feel like I broke through a limit because I knew that on the Olympic stage, no matter how my body felt, I had to fight until the very last moment. Perhaps it was this belief that left me with no way out, that allowed me to attain so many trophies," said she.

The four Grand Slam Tournament Australian Open, Wimbledon Championships, French Open and US Open all posted congratulatory messages on their Sina Weibo accounts to Zheng.

Major foreign news agencies also published articles to praise Zheng's historic accomplishment.

The Associated Press praised her resilience and determination, noting her remarkable performance, despite battling physical pain throughout the tournament, while Reuters emphasized the significance of her triumph for China and the tennis world.

In the vibrant atmosphere of the Paris Olympics, while the spotlight shines on the athletes, a group of unsung heroes works tirelessly behind the scenes--the Olympic volunteers. 

This year, out of 300,000 applicants, around 45,000 were chosen as volunteers, with 20 percent hailing from approximately 150 countries.

Donning bright green uniforms, these volunteers are easy to spot amid the purple venues. They offer assistance to spectators and media alike, making them a vital part of the Olympic experience.

On my first day at the press center, I encountered a technical glitch with my media system account. Thankfully, Chinese volunteer Guo Xiaofan came to my aid. 

"I hope to improve my language, communication skills, and problem-solving methods through this event," said 24-year-old Guo from Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, who is studying wireless communication at the Paris Institute of Digital Technology. 

As a former national-level swimmer, Guo saw this as her chance to participate in the Olympics, albeit in a different role.

Another Chinese volunteer, surnamed Yang, faced challenges in balancing her work with volunteer duties. Despite sacrificing her holidays, she felt immense pride in contributing to the event, especially with her parents in attendance.

Volunteers are visible everywhere—from bus stops to competition venues—offering directions and assistance with a smile. When large crowds leave the venues after the events, causing congestion, some volunteers sit on high chairs with loudspeakers, providing directions to the exits in both English and French with a smile.

One of my most memorable encounters was with a French volunteer at the International Broadcasting Center. When I needed help finding the visitor center, a young man on a scooter appeared, like a sort of "Monkey King riding a cloud," and offered to take me there. His enthusiasm for the Olympics was contagious, and after helping me, he eagerly asked for a Beijing Winter Olympics badge, expressing his admiration for the event and his desire to visit China.

These dedicated volunteers, with their energy and commitment, truly embody the spirit of the Olympics, making both the event and the city of Paris shine brighter.