Discover an eco-friendly China through the lenses of expats
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In recent years, China has created miracles in both ecological conservation and green development, drawing worldwide attention. Many foreign friends living, working, studying in or visiting China have captured beautiful sceneries around them through their cameras. There photos vividly record the achievements of China's ecological governance and green development.
By Hou Lulu, Wang Xiaobo, People's Daily
Undulating mountains, massive bamboo forests, shimmering waters... Images of Zhongzhang village in Anji county, east China's Zhejiang province, captured through the lens of Peter Rich, recipient of South Africa's Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Architecture, exude tranquility and beauty.
Rich was drawn to the scenic splendor when he first visited Anji. As the birthplace of the Chinese philosophy that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," Anji treasures its verdant landscape as its greatest wealth.
The captivating scenery has lured Rich back multiple times.
Every time I come to Anji, I find myself intoxicated by the ecological environment, feeling far removed from the city clamor and attaining inner peace," he said.
By Hou Lulu, Wang Xiaobo, People's Daily
Li'ao village, on the eastern foothills of Siming Mountain, Ningbo, Zhejiang province, over 300 households have solar panels installed on their rooftops, which always glimmer under the sunlight. This solar project was jointly built by the Ningbo Electric Power Supply Company of State Grid, the local government, and photovoltaic enterprises. It grants villagers with a certain amount of free electricity each year, and makes extra collective income by selling surplus power it generates.
Rogelio from Brazil has lived and worked in China for over a decade. He told People's Daily that he was delighted by the human-nature harmony when seeing the image taken by his drone. "Over the past more than ten years, I've seen the ecological environment around me get better and better, the scenery more and more beautiful. I hope more people can come to China to see what's happening in the country," he said.
By Hou Lulu, Wang Xiaobo, People's Daily
This photo shows how natural scenery and urban architectures are blended harmoniously into one in Guangzhou Science City, south China's Guangdong province. The banyan trees along the river bank cast shades of coolness. The photo was captured by Peter Helis, a German working for the Guangzhou Development Zone, during a running in the morning along a river in the city.
The beautiful environment in the city allows residents to better recharge their energy for work and life," said Helis.
By Hou Lulu, Wang Xiaobo, People's Daily
Having lived in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area for nearly 20 years, Helis is very familiar with the development and changes there. In another of his works, which was taken in a park in Guangzhou's Huangpu district, a red-whiskered bulbul is enjoying a sumptuous berry breakfast.
In recent years, China has made remarkable achievements in ecological governance. There have been great improvements in water quality and protection of wildlife habitats. Many birds come to the Greater Bay Area in autumn and winter," Helis said. He is currently working on global investment promotion for the Guangzhou Development Zone.
My work and life are centered in China. I hope I can keep working here until I retire. I love China."
By Hou Lulu, Wang Xiaobo, People's Daily
In Huangling village, Wuyuan county, east China's Jiangxi province, the local government has promoted ecological tourism development by leveraging ecological resources and other advantages, embarking on a path of integrated industrial development. Huangling is a hilly village, so villagers often dry grains on rooftops. The assorted crops drying on the round winnowing baskets resemble a series of opened umbrellas, forming a lively and pleasing scene.
This photo was taken by Sarah Mary De Meillon, a South African student studying at the Chinese Language and Culture College of Huaqiao University. This cheerful South African gave herself a beautiful Chinese name - "Huang Mei Gui," which means yellow rose. She has also been to many scenic spots in China before, such as Huating Lake in Anhui province and Yundang Lake in Xiamen, Fujian province.
The lucid waters and lush mountains in China are truly very beautiful! I have truly felt China's efforts in ecological environment protection and governance," she said.
By Hou Lulu, Wang Xiaobo, People's Daily
Photo shows splendid and picturesque fields in Tekes county, Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. The photo was taken by Ng Pin Xiu, a Malaysian student from the School of Civil Engineering, Central South University.
By Hou Lulu, Wang Xiaobo, People's Daily
Chinese and foreign students from universities in Fujian province pick tea in a tea garden on the Wuyi Mountain. The photo was taken by Alexander William, an Indonesian student from the Chinese Language and Culture College of Huaqiao University.
By Hou Lulu, Wang Xiaobo, People's Daily
This photo shows a splendid view of the Xiling Snow Mountain in Dayi county, Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan province. It was taken by Dhanushka N. Wanasinghe, a Sri Lankan post-doctoral fellow with the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Kazakhstan to launch new satellite to replace KazSat-3
Images | Getty Images / Space
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Kazakhstan is preparing a planned upgrade of its national satellite communications system, with KazSat-3 set to be replaced by a next-generation satellite in 2029, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the Ministry of Digital Development and Artificial Intelligence.
The projected operational lifespan of KazSat-3 is defined to be by the end of 2029.
The Republican Center for Space Communications (RCSC) has officially begun selecting a supplier for the creation and commissioning of the KazSat-3R satellite communications system, which will replace the KazSat-3 satellite.
According to the ministry, the KazSat-3R project aims to continue developing Kazakhstan’s aerospace and communications sectors, improve access to information and communications infrastructure, expand broadband internet coverage, and ensure the continued operation of the national satellite communications system.
As part of the selection process, the Aerospace Committee sent invitations to space technology manufacturers, including companies with extensive global experience in spacecraft development as well as emerging startups in the space sector. 14 companies responded to the invitation to participate in the bidding for the creation of the new Kazakh communications satellite, KazSat-3R, including 2 domestic and 12 foreign companies.
President Tokayev inspects Astana's lifting equipment manufacturer
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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited Tausogar Plant in Astana on Wednesday, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the Akorda press service.
The facility, located in Industrial Park No. 1, supplies Kazakhstan’s construction sector with modern lifting equipment and machinery.
During the visit, the Head of State was briefed on the production process of tower cranes, elevators, and escalators, which are in high demand among the country's leading construction companies.
Speaking with employees, the Head of State highlighted the plant’s contribution to infrastructure development and voiced confidence that the enterprise will continue to strengthen its market position.
Actor and film director Assanali Ashimov passed away at the age of 88
Images | instagram/madeniet__aqparat__ministrligi
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Kazakh theater and film actor Assanali Ashimov died on December 21 at the age of 88, Qazinform News Agency learned from the press service of the Auezov Drama Theater.
Assanali Ashimov was born on May 8, 1937, in the Zhambyl Region. After graduating from a theater institute, he started his career at the Auezov Kazakh Drama Theater and starred in numerous landmark films, including The End of the Ataman and Trans-Siberian Express. In 2017, he was awarded the title of Labor Hero of Kazakhstan
Ashimov left an indelible mark on Kazakh theater and cinema. He made his film debut as a student in Botagoz (1958), based on a novel by Sabit Mukanov, playing the role of Kenzhetai. His screen partner was Gulfairus Ismailova, who later became a renowned theater actress.
A northwestern cyclone and its associated atmospheric frontal systems will continue to affect most of Kazakhstan’s territory on December 21, Qazinform News Agency reports citing Kazhydromet.
Snow with blizzards is forecast across much of the country, with heavy snowfall expected in the east as well as in the mountainous areas of the south and southeast.
In the southwest and southeast, rain and snow are expected in the daytime.
Fog, icy road conditions, and strong winds are forecast nationwide.
Kazakhstan to establish six new forest nurseries in 2026
Images | Depositphotos
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Kazakhstan will establish six new forest nurseries in five regions at the beginning of 2026, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nyssanbayev announced at a year‑end briefing, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The Head of State's directive to plant 15 million trees in populated areas has been fully implemented.
Nyssanbayev said the work will continue in cooperation with regional akimats, with priority given to greening district centres, rural settlements, and creating green belts around major towns.
According to him, the implementation of the President's initiative to plant 2 billion seedlings is also underway. Between 2021 and 2025, 1.5 billion seedlings were planted, and more than 208 million seedlings are scheduled for planting next year.
International Conference on Countering Online Scams Held in Bangkok
Images | gov.kz
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Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Thailand, Margulan Baimukhan, took part in the International Conference on the Global Partnership against Online Scams, held on 17–18 December 2025 in Bangkok, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The conference was jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The event brought together ministers, deputy ministers, ambassadors, and senior representatives of governments, international organizations, law enforcement agencies, as well as the private sector and civil society, to discuss coordinated international measures to combat online scams, cybercrime, and related transnational threats.
During the high-level segment, keynote addresses were delivered by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, India, and Indonesia, along with representatives of other states and international organizations. Participants exchanged national experiences and approaches to countering online scams, strengthening international cooperation, protecting the rights of victims, and disrupting financial flows used by transnational criminal groups.
The thematic sessions focused on effective investigation and prosecution of online scam-related crimes, enhancing inter-agency cooperation, applying advanced digital technologies, and developing public–private partnerships in the field of cybersecurity.
As a result of the conference, a Joint Statement of the Global Partnership against Online Scams was adopted, containing recommendations on further strengthening international coordination and developing coordinated responses to emerging cyber threats. The co-sponsors of the statement included the Republic of Peru, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, and the company TikTok.
Kazakhstan introduces official insurance and registration for e-scooters
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Senate deputies have approved in two readings the law on the prevention of offenses and related amendments to Kazakhstan’s Administrative Offenses Code, Qazinform News Agency reports.
One of the law’s key provisions is stricter requirements for the operation of electric scooters offered for rent.
To ensure the safety of road users, electric scooters are now classified as vehicles requiring mandatory civil liability insurance for owners of rental scooters, including both legal entities and individual entrepreneurs.
In addition, legal entities and individual entrepreneurs renting out electric scooters must comply with several obligations.
"Kazakhstan’s Scientific and Literary Corner" Opens in Istanbul
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As part of the celebrations marking the Independence Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the official opening of "Kazakhstan’s Scientific and Literary Corner" took place for the first time at the Rami Library, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The initiative was implemented at the proposal of the Republican State Enterprise "Gylym Ordasy", under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with the support of the Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Istanbul.
The main objective of the project is to further develop cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Kazakhstan and Türkiye, to widely promote the literary and scientific heritage of the Kazakh people at the international level, and to establish a permanent informational and educational space dedicated to Kazakh literature and science at the Rami Library.
The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Istanbul, the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), the Turkic History and Culture Foundation (TURKTAV), the management and specialists of "Gylym Ordasy", as well as representatives of Türkiye’s cultural and educational intelligentsia and Kazakh students studying in Türkiye.
As part of the event, "Gylym Ordasy" donated 500 books to enrich the Rami Library’s collection. The newly opened corner features books and informational materials from the holdings of the Central Scientific Library, covering Kazakh literature, history, culture, science, and fiction. It is worth noting that the Central Scientific Library’s collection currently comprises nearly 6 million rare manuscripts, as well as scientific and literary publications, making it one of the largest library collections in Kazakhstan.
The implementation of this project specifically at the Rami Library carries special significance. Built in the 18th century, the historical complex has been transformed, following comprehensive restoration, into one of Türkiye’s largest and most modern educational centers. Today, the Rami Library is recognized as an international platform that organizes innovative-format events in the fields of science, culture, and art based on the concept of a "living library."
The opening of a special corner dedicated to Kazakh science and literature in such a historically, culturally, and scientifically significant environment represents an important step toward strengthening spiritual ties between Kazakhstan and Türkiye and elevating bilateral scientific and cultural cooperation to a new level.