Author: shuiyaoinns.com

Wang Hong, a nearly 70-year-old woman living in Beijing, has chosen to age in place rather than move to a nursing home. She has never married, and her parents passed away a few years ago. “A few years ago, I managed quite well. I would go out to buy groceries in the morning, cook, clean, and take my dog for walks in the evening. But now, I can’t do that anymore,” she shared. Two years ago, a serious illness left her reliant on a walker and unable to fully care for herself.

Mr. Liu, a community worker in Wang’s neighborhood, explained to a reporter from Legal Daily that she is often unable to leave her home, and relies on community staff to deliver her essentials. He mentioned that there are several other elderly individuals in similar situations within the community—people who are elderly, single, and disabled.

“Elderly individuals who are single, childless, and unable to care for themselves face significant challenges,” Mr. Liu said. According to a recent survey, about 35 million elderly people in China are disabled, and that number is projected to rise to 46 million by 2035. With the demographic trend indicating a steep increase in aging individuals, the issue of how to care for these elderly individuals is a pressing societal concern, not just a personal one.

In Rizhao, Shandong Province, 90-year-old Zhao Lin has been living with mild disabilities for over a year. Due to the high cost of professional caregivers, she often relies on neighbors who can only provide limited support, such as helping her walk or picking up groceries. “As she gets older, she has become more sensitive and vulnerable. During traditional holidays, she often asks if I’ll come visit her and needs reassurance,” said one of her neighbors, acknowledging the difficulty in providing consistent care due to their own family responsibilities.

In Ankang, Shaanxi Province, 68-year-old Cao Jun has faced a similarly challenging situation. After being diagnosed with diabetes six years ago, he could not afford insulin and subsequently lost his eyesight. With no family support, he spends his days waiting for volunteers or neighbors to deliver food, leading to feelings of increasing depression. “While I know there are nursing facilities with professional caregivers and companionship, I don’t want to spend my last days in a nursing home. I wish to be at home,” he explained.

Experts have noted that there is a significant divide between urban and rural elderly care support systems. For many elderly individuals, especially in rural areas, the social safety net falls short. A recent report highlighted that the bed occupancy rate in rural nursing homes is only 42%, with a lack of trained personnel for those with more complex care needs.

Professor Mu Guangzong from Peking University pointed out that the lack of family and social support places many elderly individuals in precarious living situations, with little oversight or care. Moreover, he emphasized the need for innovative grassroots governance to address the care needs of vulnerable elderly populations. To better serve these individuals, he suggested a comprehensive social assistance system, a tiered and categorized eldercare service model, and an innovative multi-department management approach.

Many observers, including He Fan from the China Welfare Institute, agree that while the concept of home-based eldercare is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, the realities many elderly face often make such arrangements difficult. They advocate for strengthening the support systems and public resources available, especially in rural areas where access to quality care remains limited.

Collectively, these voices emphasize an urgent need for policy reform to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for the aging population, ensuring they can age with dignity and support, whether at home or in dedicated care facilities.

On October 25, the Information Office of the State Council held a press conference to discuss the agricultural and rural economic performance for the first three quarters of this year. Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhang Xingwang, shared insights on the positive developments in rural revitalization and the construction of a strong agricultural nation, emphasizing that the agricultural sector has maintained a stable trend with improving quality, providing significant support for economic recovery and high-quality development.

When asked about the anticipated increase in grain production, Zhang revealed that the latest data shows that as of October 24, the national autumn grain harvest has reached 82.5%. He remarked, “With the harvest of summer grain and early rice, we are seeing a bumper crop with production expected to surpass 1.4 trillion jin this year.”

What factors are contributing to this successful harvest? Zhang pointed to the weather, noting that while certain regions have experienced severe weather conditions, agricultural disaster levels nationwide have been relatively low this year, with crop damage estimated at 135 million mu—down by over 44 million mu compared to average years. Most provinces are reporting increased production.

He also highlighted the enhanced support from the central government for grain production. This includes full coverage of cost insurance for the three major staple grains and raising the minimum purchase prices for wheat and early indica rice, encouraging farmers to grow more grains. Adjustments to planting structures and the development of intercropping have led to an increase in areas planted with high-yield crops like corn, contributing significantly to overall production.

Regarding yields, Zhang mentioned ongoing initiatives to increase corn yields, as well as a new project to boost soybean productivity. This involves implementing key measures such as optimizing planting density and improving sowing quality, which are crucial for achieving balanced and substantial crop yield increases. He stated, “We expect the contribution of yield improvements to exceed 70%.”

Pan Wenbo, Chief Agronomist at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, noted that efforts to promote key agricultural technologies and upgrade machinery are underway. In counties implementing structured increases for corn, the number of plants per mu has risen by at least 100 this year. Additionally, he mentioned that the average yield for wheat in these counties has increased by around 5.1% compared to last year.

As the autumn grain market becomes more active, Li Jinghui, a member of the Ministry’s leadership, assured, “We will implement diverse measures to ensure the purchase and storage of autumn grains, stabilize market prices, and protect the income of grain farmers.”

Additionally, he provided an update on the progress of the autumn and winter planting season, stating it is running smoothly and slightly ahead of last year’s schedule. As this period coincides with peak fertilizer usage, Pan indicated that the ministry will collaborate with relevant departments to ensure a reliable supply of fertilizers.

The supply situation for “vegetable basket” products remains robust, with stable production of meat, eggs, and milk. By the end of September, the national sow herd stood at 40.62 million, indicating a steady development in the pig farming industry. Overall, meat, egg, and poultry production reached 70.44 million tons, marking a 1% increase from last year.

Zhang also highlighted the ongoing success of poverty alleviation efforts, noting that over 60% of monitored provinces have effectively eliminated the risk of returning to poverty. This has been achieved through targeted assistance and credit support for rural industries, with significant sums provided in micro-loans to help former poverty-stricken households.

Lastly, Zhang emphasized the importance of agricultural modernization through technology. He stated, “The key to agricultural modernization is technological innovation.” The Ministry plans to establish a database of agricultural technology enterprises to further enhance the role of innovation in the sector, ensuring that companies are supported in solving practical challenges they encounter.

In a shocking case highlighted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, a couple from Manalapan, New Jersey, faces serious charges for allegedly deceiving the government while applying for Medicaid benefits. Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced that Eli and Lauren Levy applied for the state’s Family Care Medicaid Program but failed to disclose significant income—amounting to approximately $4.48 million over five years—which they reportedly did not report on their tax returns.

Investigations by the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller’s Medicaid Fraud Division uncovered the Levys’ fraudulent actions. This information was subsequently passed on to the Prosecutor’s Office, which has since initiated a thorough investigation via its Financial Crimes and Special Prosecutions Unit. The New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice is also involved.

Records reveal that the couple operated two companies, Supreme Cleaning Services LLC and Nation Wide Shippers, which collectively earned around $4.48 million between 2018 and 2022. Despite this substantial income, the Levys are accused of intentionally omitting taxable earnings from their personal tax returns. Prosecutors assert that they evaded approximately $768,000 in taxes and are liable for additional interest and penalties. Furthermore, claims indicate that from 2015 to 2019, they fraudulently obtained over $83,000 in medical services through the Family Care Medicaid Program.

The 43-year-old couple faces multiple charges, including conspiracy, Medicaid fraud, and tax fraud, all classified as second-degree offenses. They also face a third-degree charge related to false statements in their Medicaid application and five third-degree counts of tax evasion and submitting fraudulent tax returns. The Levys turned themselves in on October 15 and were released after receiving a summons from the Monmouth County Superior Court. Their attorney has not yet responded to requests for comment.

The 15th International Chess Grandmaster Championship kicked off in Danzhou, Hainan on October 26, celebrating its long-standing tradition in China. This year’s event spans six days and features a total prize pool of 200,000 RMB. Utilizing the latest rapid chess rules set by the International Chess Federation, the tournament includes a round-robin format with seven rounds, where each player has 25 minutes per game plus an additional 10 seconds per move.

A total of eight grandmasters from three different countries are participating: Wang Yue, Ma Qun, Lu Shanglei, Liu Yan, Li Di, and Bai Jingshi from China, alongside Singapore’s Jaga­dis­h Siddhartha and Switzerland’s Peng Liming.

In his opening remarks, Tian Hongwei, Director of the Chess Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China and Secretary-General of the Chinese Chess Association, highlighted the significance of the championship. He noted that it has been running for 15 years, making it the longest-standing international chess event in China. The championship has played a vital role in nurturing young talent and witnessing the development of many top players. Tian expressed hope that the continued success of the Danzhou Championship will further enhance the level of chess in Hainan, contributing to the province’s free trade port initiative.

Hao Qijiang, Deputy Director of the Danzhou Municipal People’s Congress, remarked on the tournament’s evolution from a national-level event to an internationally esteemed competition. He emphasized the broad participation and acceptance of chess in Danzhou, noting that over 160,000 children and young people in the city are now engaged in learning the game.

Wang Yue, who is competing for the fifth time, shared his thoughts during a media interview. He acknowledged the growth of chess in Hainan over the years, attributing this to the collaborative efforts of local government and chess enthusiasts. He suggested that future development could be enhanced by bringing in coaches and other resources to support the sport’s growth.

The tournament is organized by the Chess Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, the Chinese Chess Association, and the Danzhou Municipal People’s Government, with the Danzhou Municipal Bureau of Tourism and Culture Radio, Film and Sports and the Hainan Province Chess Association as the hosts, and operated by Hainan Chess Sports Culture Co., Ltd.

As the last solar term of autumn approaches on October 23, it marks the beginning of the persimmon harvesting season in Fuping County, Shaanxi Province. Farmers in the region are gearing up for the production of dried persimmons.

The primary variety of persimmons in Fuping is the “Dajian,” known for its large size, sweet flavor, vibrant color, and firm texture, making it an excellent choice for dried persimmon production. The resulting dried persimmons are characterized by their large size, frost-like appearance, shiny bottom, moist texture, and sweet aroma, which have gained considerable popularity in the market. Every year after the frost arrives, local farmers start the processing of these fruits.

In addition to traditional dried persimmons, Fuping has diversified its offerings, creating over ten products including frozen persimmons, persimmon beverages, and persimmon leaf tea. In recent years, the cultivation area for persimmons in Fuping County has reached 360,000 acres, with an annual production of 280,000 tons of fresh persimmons and 70,000 tons of dried persimmons. The entire persimmon industry chain has generated a total output value of 6.5 billion yuan, significantly boosting farmers’ incomes.

Meanwhile, in Tangshan, Hebei Province, Caofeidian is known as the largest pufferfish farming area in northern China, and it’s currently the peak harvesting season for this exclusive fish. Let’s take a closer look at the major industry behind the “small” pufferfish.

In Caofeidian, located in Bohai Bay, pufferfish farming thrives. Fishermen are actively engaged in catching the fish as they pull nets underwater. The pufferfish being caught are notably large and quite lively.

Li Botao is a local aquaculture practitioner who has contracted over 1,000 acres for pufferfish farming. He mentioned that the survival rate for pufferfish is quite high, exceeding 90%, and he expects to harvest more than 30,000 fish this year. The pufferfish variety raised in the area is the redfin puffer, which, when mature, weighs around two to two and a half pounds and has significant economic value. In recent years, the region has been actively developing a complete pufferfish industrial chain that encompasses breeding, processing, sales, and export. Approximately 60% of the pufferfish produced locally is exported to Japan and South Korea.

As of now, the total farming area for pufferfish in Tangshan’s Caofeidian is about 14,000 acres, with an annual output of around 1,000 tons.

In Zhejiang Province, the production of rice cakes is now in full swing, coinciding with the peak harvest of late rice. In Ningbo, rice cake factories are bustling with activity as they make use of freshly harvested rice, which is considered the best material for rice cake production.

At a rice cake factory in Cicheng Town, Jiangbei District, Ningbo City, skilled workers are busy with the processes of soaking rice, grinding, draining, grinding into flour, and steaming. The sounds of machinery blend with the fragrant aroma of rice, as steaming hot rice cakes flow off the production line. The factory manager stated that due to high sales demand, workers begin their shifts as early as 6 AM, making every day quite hectic since the arrival of the new rice crop.

Dr. Jianlin Wu, an internist with the Rendr Medical Group in New York, emphasizes the importance of improving lifestyle habits and routine check-ups to reduce the risk of disease. While many are aware that diabetes can have a hereditary component, Dr. Wu raises an intriguing point: did you know that diabetes can also be “contagious”?

According to Dr. Wu, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are closely linked to genetics. If a parent or sibling has a history of diabetes, your risk of developing the condition increases. Interestingly, even if there is no blood relationship, if one spouse has diabetes, the other may also face a higher risk.

Dr. Wu explains this phenomenon stems from couples often sharing similar lifestyles, which can lead to unhealthy habits. For instance, if both partners enjoy high-sugar, high-fat foods or lead sedentary lives, it creates a conducive environment for diabetes to “spread” among them. These unhealthy lifestyle choices can also be passed down from parents to children, compounding the risk factors for future generations alongside genetics.

Even if someone has a family history of diabetes, there are ways to mitigate this risk through healthier living. Dr. Wu recommends the following strategies:

1. **Healthy Eating:** Opt for fresh whole grains, fruits, and vegetables while avoiding high-sugar, high-fat, low-fiber foods, as well as processed items and alcohol.

2. **Regular Exercise:** Aim for at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity each week, such as brisk walking, tai chi, or swimming. A good benchmark for exercise intensity is feeling slightly out of breath but still able to maintain a conversation.

3. **Weight and Waist Management:** Strive to keep your body mass index (BMI) within the range of 18.5 to 23.9 kg/m². It’s also essential to monitor waist circumference to prevent central obesity, with measurements ideally being less than 85 cm for women and less than 90 cm for men.

4. **Routine Health Screenings:** While home glucose monitors can provide some insight, they often yield variable results due to their reliance on fingertip blood samples. Dr. Wu advises scheduling routine check-ups every six months to a year to assess hemoglobin A1c levels via a venous blood draw. This test reflects blood sugar levels over the past three months and provides a more accurate picture of one’s glucose control.

In addition to these lifestyle modifications, managing stress and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule are critical for both preventing and managing diabetes. Dr. Jianlin Wu sees patients at two locations under Rendr and invites anyone interested to call for an appointment. The offices are located at 839 58th Street, 5th Floor, Brooklyn, with the phone number: (347) 770-8009; and 2486 85th Street, Brooklyn, phone: (646) 854-3624.

Lawyers Liu Longzhu and Deng Hong held a press conference on the 25th, urging voters to abolish Senate Bill 330 and to reconsider the elected officials who support it. The two have recently led protests in Rosemead against the Maryvale transitional housing proposal, voicing concerns about the ongoing expansion of homeless centers in areas with significant Chinese populations, from Arcadia to Irvine. They believe that failing to abolish SB 330 in this election could have profound implications for the Chinese community.

Deng emphasized that as opponents of SB 330, they have achieved an 80% success rate. He clarified that the Maryvale transitional housing proposal is a project initiated by a religious group, not the government. By passing through the city council, the new standards set by the city government include a requirement that residents must be women, to prevent future exploitation of the proposal.

He pointed out that the real concern lies with the homeless initiatives being approved by the city government in Chinese neighborhoods. One such example is the Elara project in Arcadia, which will build 95 apartment units, 45 of which will be permanently allocated for homeless residents. This project is scheduled to begin next year and to be occupied by 2027. Transitional shelter housing is also set to be established in the Irvine area. The legal basis for these initiatives stems from SB 330, passed in California in 2019, which requires local governments to expedite homeless shelter construction applications. The California Attorney General has successfully sued multiple cities, resulting in heavy penalties for various local governments and direct state approval of proposals. Deng called on the public to use their votes to repeal SB 330 and to oppose the elected officials who support it.

Liu Longzhu emphasized that California has become a haven for the homeless, with numbers increasing from 120,000 in 2019 to 170,000 today. The government spends about $50,000 annually per homeless individual. In this election, the California government is also trying to raise $10 billion to address homelessness, which suggests there will be more homeless centers in Chinese communities. Cities with dense Chinese populations, such as Alhambra, San Gabriel, Monterey Park, Temple City, and Arcadia, are under threat from state government actions. He urged everyone to vote against Proposition 47 and harmful laws like SB 330 to ensure that homeless centers do not emerge in Chinese neighborhoods.

On October 22nd, the “Chinese Sports Spirit Lecture Hall” and the “Champion Sports Class” initiative made their way to the Chengdu Education Research Institute Affiliated School, as reported by Chengdu News.

The event featured Olympic champion in team synchronized swimming, Xiang Binxuan, who took the stage to share inspiring stories about the dedication and hard work of the Chinese synchronized swimming team. Organized by the General Administration of Sport of China and the Sichuan Provincial Sports Bureau, the event centered around the theme “Inspiring Dreams, Sharing Spirit.” Alongside Xiang, special guest instructors included He Xiaochu, the coach of the Chinese synchronized swimming team, and team doctor Wang Ying, who all contributed to creating a memorable “sports class” for the students.

During the “Chinese Sports Spirit Lecture Hall,” Xiang engaged with the students, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and face life’s challenges bravely, drawing upon the essence of Chinese sports spirit. “The journey of chasing a dream away from home is incredibly tough, and there were times I wanted to give up,” she shared. “Dreams may not shine brightly, but those who chase them certainly will. Once a dream is acted upon, it becomes sacred.”

He Xiaochu also spoke during the session, sharing her journey from athlete to coach. She conveyed to the students the importance of confronting life’s difficulties with a sportsman’s spirit, emphasizing that only by maintaining unwavering resilience can one continue to progress on the journey of life.

In the subsequent “Champion Sports Class,” Xiang Binxuan led the students through a warm-up and provided insights on effective training techniques. The students participated in a fun throwing game, divided into teams for a competitive twist. Throughout the interactive session, Xiang expressed her hope that young people would commit to regular physical activity and grow up healthy and happy.

On October 24th, the East Asia Marine Cooperation Platform Dialogue was held at the West Coast New Area of Qingdao, as an important segment of the 2024 Marine Cooperation and Development Forum. The event attracted nearly 500 marine experts, scholars, and institutional representatives from around the world to discuss sustainable marine development and explore global cooperation in areas such as marine mechanism construction and ecological governance.

Ahmed Shiyam, the Maldives Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, emphasized in his opening remarks that the challenges facing the oceans transcend borders, necessitating cooperation among different countries and regions. “We are very interested in working with all nations to responsibly utilize marine resources and ensure ecological balance,” he stated.

Vladimir Ryabinin, the former Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, expressed that humanity must govern the oceans scientifically. He pointed out that oceans possess different characteristics based on their geographical context. “This dialogue is a platform for promoting marine cooperation. I hope all parties can leverage this forum to elevate the development of marine environment monitoring, biodiversity protection, and marine economy,” he added.

The “Ocean Decade” initiative, launched by the United Nations, serves as a global marine development cooperation project. Located in the West Coast New Area of Qingdao, the “Ocean Decade” International Cooperation Center is China’s only international platform dedicated to coordinating and fully implementing the Ocean Decade efforts. During the dialogue, Zhan Yongxin, President of the China Pacific Economic Cooperation National Committee, proposed several suggestions including promoting high-quality development in marine industries under the banner of building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future.

At the conference, the “Ocean Decade” International Cooperation Center was approved as a United Nations “Ocean Decade” implementation partner (DIP) and launched the first batch of co-established international institutions. The center also released the “New Proposal for the Ocean Decade in China,” the “Join the ‘Blue Circular Economy’ Global Initiative for a Shared Ocean Future,” and the “East Asia Blue Cooperation Declaration and Commitment.”

The dialogue was hosted by the Shandong Provincial Department of Natural Resources, the Shandong Provincial Oceanic Administration, and the Qingdao West Coast New Area Management Committee, with the “Ocean Decade” International Cooperation Center as the organizer. The theme of the dialogue was “The Ocean Decade: Coexistence,” and it was structured around four thematic chapters: “Co-Building,” “Co-Sharing,” “Co-Consultation,” and “Co-Winning.”

On October 22, local time, the Third Committee of the 79th UN General Assembly convened a general debate on human rights issues. During the session, the Chinese Ambassador to the UN, Fu Cong, delivered a strong rebuttal to baseless accusations regarding China’s human rights situation from a few Western countries, including Australia and the United States. More than 100 countries voiced their support for China’s stance, underscoring their opposition to the politicization of human rights issues. The attempts by Australia, the U.S., and other Western nations to use human rights as a pretext to interfere in China’s internal affairs were met with isolation and condemnation.

A representative from Pakistan, speaking on behalf of 80 countries including China, emphasized that matters concerning Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and Tibet are internal affairs of China. They firmly opposed the politicization of human rights and the application of double standards and reiterated the importance of respecting national sovereignty. This unified statement from 80 nations reflected a powerful collective voice among member states.

Qatar’s representative, on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council members, also expressed support for China, advocating for an objective, constructive, and depoliticized approach to human rights issues, alongside respect for national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs. Mauritania’s representative similarly condemned Western nations’ politicization of human rights, calling for a respect for sovereignty and cultural history. A representative from Venezuela, representing members of the “Friends of the Charter of the United Nations” group, reiterated their opposition to the politicization of human rights and condemned the divisive actions of Western countries that interfere in other nations’ internal matters under the guise of human rights. Numerous nations took the floor individually, expressing their understanding and support for China and positively commenting on its advancements in human rights.

Ambassador Fu Cong firmly rejected the unfounded accusations from certain Western countries, insisting that the human rights crisis most deserving of the Third Committee’s attention is undoubtedly the situation in Gaza. He highlighted that Australia and the U.S.’s trivialization of conditions in Gaza, while simultaneously launching attacks on peaceful regions like Xinjiang, showcases a glaring double standard. Fu stated that the true intent of these Western countries is to use human rights as a facade to interfere in China’s domestic affairs, suppress its development, and target developing countries that adhere to independent foreign policies.

He added that if the deaths of over 40,000 civilians in Gaza and the plight of over a million women and children facing famine and displacement do not stir the conscience of Australia and the U.S., and they continue to supply weapons that take the lives of numerous Palestinian civilians, then their claims of “protecting Muslim human rights” represent the greatest hypocrisy. Fu’s statements were echoed by a coalition of 80 countries, including many Muslim nations, who expressed their clear opposition to using human rights as a means to interfere in the internal affairs of others. This further reveals the hollow nature of the attempts by Australia and the U.S. to politicize and weaponize human rights issues, as well as the failure of their strategy to contain China.

Representative Fu also spoke on behalf of 28 countries, denouncing the imposition of unilateral coercive measures by the U.S. and other Western nations. He emphasized that such measures contravene the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, undermine multilateralism, and violate fundamental norms in international relations. These actions have destructive consequences for the targeted countries and their populations, infringing upon various human rights, including the rights to health and life, and he called for their immediate and complete elimination.

The Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly serves as a primary forum for discussions on human rights and social development issues. Since 2019, the U.S. and a few other Western nations have repeatedly attacked China on human rights grounds six times, facing resolute opposition from the vast majority of nations, all of which have ended in failure.