2024-12-26 21:30:10
The Jewelry Dragon is a unique type of dragon lantern from Yueqing, Zhejiang Province. Modeled after a fishing boat, it typically measures 5 meters in length, 3 meters in height, and 2 meters in width. The Jewelry Dragon features a dragon head at the front and a tail at the back. Its central body is adorned with multi-tiered pavilions that house hundreds of lifelike figurines. Through an intricate gear-driven mechanism, these figurines can move and animate the dragon in a captivating display of craftsmanship.
Each year around the time of the Lantern Festival, grand Jewelry Dragon parades are held in Yueqing. These vibrant events are imbued with the local people's hopes for prosperity, harmony and abundant harvests in the coming year.
With over 400 years of history, the Jewelry Dragon represents a rich tradition of fine craftsmanship. Its creation is a complex process that combines techniques such as woodworking, painting, paper crafting, and lantern making. This remarkable art form was included in the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2014. #cgtn #chinaseen #dragon #lanternfestival #jewelrydragon #china #art #craftsmanship #lantern
2024-12-26 20:00:09
China's national legislature approved a value-added tax (VAT) law on Wednesday. The new law, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, consolidates previous regulations, including those exempting certain items from the tax.
VAT, the country's largest tax category, accounted for approximately 39 percent of China's total tax revenue in 2023, according to official data. In the first 11 months of 2024, VAT revenue reached around 6.12 trillion yuan ($838 billion), making up about 37.8 percent of the nation's tax revenue.
The new law consists of six chapters and 38 articles. Key provisions include the scope of VAT taxation, tax rates, and the determination of tax payable. It introduces a zero tax rate for certain exports and establishes guidelines for tax incentives. Additionally, the law sets a threshold for small-scale taxpayers, offering them some relief under the new system. #cgtn #cgtnnews #china #vat #valueaddedtax #taxation #taxrate
2024-12-26 18:30:03
Israel and Hamas exchanged accusations on Wednesday, each blaming the other for delays in reaching a Gaza ceasefire deal.
In a press statement, Hamas said the talks in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, were "progressing seriously." However, it accused Israel of introducing "new conditions related to the issues of the withdrawal (from Gaza), the ceasefire, the prisoners, and the return of the displaced people." These conditions, Hamas claimed, caused "the delay in reaching an agreement that was within reach."
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement denying Hamas's accusations. The statement said Hamas had backtracked on understandings already reached and was "hindering the negotiations." Israel will, however, continue relentless efforts to return hostages, it added. #cgtn #cgtnnews #hamas #israel #gaza #ceasefire
2024-12-26 17:40:05
China's National Press and Publication Administration has approved importing 13 new online games this week, bringing the total number of imported titles in 2024 to 110.
This marks the second consecutive year of growth, following 98 approvals in 2023 and 44 in 2022.
Among the latest additions are major titles, such as "Monster Hunter Outlanders" from the globally acclaimed Monster Hunter franchise. #cgtn #cgtnnews #china #onlinegames #games #import #gameindustry
2024-12-26 17:17:26
A passenger plane carrying 67 people crashed near Aktau City in Kazakhstan on December 25, killing 38 people, according to the Kazakh authorities. Twenty-nine survivors received hospital treatment. Video footage shows the plane descending at an abnormal angle before crashing a few kilometers from the airport in Aktau. The impact caused a fire, which was quickly extinguished. #cgtn #cgtnreel #planecrash #azerbaijan #accident #aktau #kazakhstan
2024-12-26 15:30:04
China's Ministry of Commerce announced on Wednesday that it would extend the duration of an anti-dumping investigation into brandy originating from the European Union (EU).
According to the announcement, the ministry has decided to extend the investigation until April 5, 2025, given the complexity of the case and in accordance with relevant regulations.
The ministry initiated the investigation on January 5 this year following a request from the China Alcoholic Drinks Association on behalf of the domestic industry.
The anti-dumping investigation looks at spirits obtained by distilling grape wine in containers holding less than 200 liters imported from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, the ministry said in its January 5 statement.
It added that it would also investigate any damage done to the Chinese brandy industry from January 1, 2019, to September 30, 2023. #cgtn #cgtnnews #china #europeanunion #antidumping #eubrandy #investigation #tariff
