On November 14, Qiantang District of Hangzhou expanded the international research alliance, and launched the competition of rural revitalization cases for "Qiantang in eyes of international students".

As Hangzhou's first national core area opening to the outside world, Qiantang District attracts more than 1,600 foreign-owned enterprises, with 78 investment projects included in the Global Top 500, gathering thousands of international students from over 100 countries. 

The competition is very popular among international students. Richard from Uzbekistan noted, "I have been to many villages in China. Qiantang is the best example of rural revitalization."

Tiaoxi River is located in Xiadoumen Village, Yuhang District, Hangzhou. Its riverside has become the popular tourist destination recently. Tourists can appreciate the paddy field, river water, reed flowers, go camping and cycling, take photos, and row a boat, to enjoy leisure time.

The development of the Hangzhou Airport High-Speed Rail is accelerating with the recent completion of the Qiantang shield tunneling machine, which is designed to help build the first high-speed rail tunnel under the Qiantang River.

As part of Hangzhou's railway strategy, the new rail enhances connectivity within the Yangtze River Delta region and beyond.

Centered around Qiantang Station, the rail line links Hangzhou to Shanghai, Suzhou, Ningbo, and other major cities. It integrates multiple transit systems, including metro lines, to create a seamless transport hub connecting Hangzhou International Airport with various urban centers. This will anchor Hangzhou's "one-hour commute circle," supporting economic and social integration across the region.

Strategically positioned as both a transit and economic hub, Qiantang Station will drive Hangzhou's urban development by facilitating intercity commuting, promoting resource sharing, and attracting businesses and talent. Its potential to transform into a global innovation and manufacturing center aligns with Hangzhou's goal of building a world-class metropolitan cluster.

With rapid advancements in regional rail infrastructure, the Hangzhou Airport High-Speed Rail will deepen the city's integration with Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta region, transforming it into a gateway to global markets.

The Fifth World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, hosted by UNESCO and co-organized by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Zhejiang Provincial Government, is scheduled to take place in Hangzhou from Sept 22 to 27, 2025. UNESCO's "Man and the Biosphere Programme" (MAB) promotes harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature through a scientific lens. To enhance the Congress's impact and outreach, we are launching a global call for logo designs that embody the Congress's theme, highlighting sustainable development and the "Harmony between Man and Nature." The selected logo should also reflect the Congress's principles of "openness and inclusivity, mutual learning, pragmatism and efficiency, and green,low-carbon development."

Designs should incorporate elements of Chinese culture and the unique allure of Hangzhou, with winning entries having the chance to become the Congress's official visual identity and receive worldwide exposure. Below are the specific requirements and submission details for the logo design.

The Second Liangzhu Forum will be held in Hangzhou on November 25-27, with the theme of "Exchange & Mutual Learning and New Form of Human Civilization".

This event will invite more than 100 foreign guests from 63 countries and regions, and set up one opening ceremony and main forum, three parallel forums, and three supporting activities. It plans to establish Liangzhu International Archaeological Center to promote interdisciplinary cooperation. The forum will also release the industry consensus, publish the research report, and create the literary collections themed by "Liangzhu".

"Eye of Civilization and Integration & Coexistence", the official logo of Liangzhu Forum, was released on November 13.

The "easy go" luggage service of Hangzhou is rated as the national demonstration case for integration of transport and tourism. This service allows tourists to separately transport their luggage to the hotel or transport hub upon arrival at or departure from Hangzhou, to build the multi-scenario luggage delivery system among railway stations, business districts, scenic areas, hotels and transport stations.

At present, Hangzhou sets up 117 luggage storage points, opens 12 luggage delivery routes, and serves about 40,000 people. More than 40 hotels get involved. The service explores the model of “Fast Pass & Slow Travel”. The per capita length of stay in Hangzhou is extended by about half a day.

Hangzhou Football Academy has been established recently. It plans to start enrollment in 2025 and recruit 25 students. The academy takes multiple measures to strive to build the high-level football academy within 10 years.

The academy will explore the "3+4" cultivation model from the sports school to the undergraduate school, and build the football talent promotion channel that connects kindergartens, primary & middle schools, and universities, in order to solve the problem of young talent loss. It also plans to create the "Bachelor-Master-Doctor" system by 2035.

The academy has signed a contract with Samaranch Foundation, and plans to cooperate with the developed football countries, to improve the football talent cultivation level.

Chinese and U.S. officials have met in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, to discuss cooperation in tackling online sales of infringing goods, China's top market regulator said on Monday.

The conference, jointly organized by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), brought together over 200 representatives from law enforcement and judicial departments, industry associations, brand owners and e-commerce platforms from both countries, SAMR said in an online statement.

The meeting followed a memorandum of understanding on intellectual property (IP) cooperation signed between SAMR and USPTO in Beijing this April.

Discussions covered topics including IP policies and regulations, administrative enforcement practices, cooperation between e-commerce platforms and rights holders, and U.S. law enforcement experiences.

China has been stepping up IP protection amid efforts to create a more attractive environment for foreign investment and trade and pursue higher-level opening-up.

In August last year, SAMR issued guidelines emphasizing equal IP protection for domestic and foreign companies. This April, it launched a two-year special enforcement campaign on IP protection.

An Italian conservatory plans to stage in China Turandot by the renowned Italian opera composer Giacomo Puccini, and the production will involve Italian singers and stage artists, alongside Chinese orchestras.

It was revealed by Giorgio Albiani, internationalization delegate of the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory of Florence.

Puccini's Turandot, set in ancient China, stands as an iconic example of how music can unite different cultures, Giovanni Pucciarmati, the conservatory's director, told Xinhua.

Other collaborations are also taking shape among Chinese and Italian music institutions.

Last week, a performance of the opera Marco Polo for Chinese audiences was staged in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province.

The opera was jointly produced by Zhejiang Conservatory of Music, the Benedetto Marcello Conservatory of Music in Venice, the Academy of Fine Arts of Venice and La Fenice Opera House Foundation.

The partnership between the two music conservatories has been strengthened by a newly-signed memorandum of understanding, which aims to foster exchanges such as teacher visits, joint student training, and artistic creation.

Fabio Moretti, president of the Venetian conservatory, expressed optimism for the future of this partnership, noting that it will provide a unique platform for mutual growth in the musical arts.

Such collaborations are essential for enriching the education and experience of students from both nations, he added.

In addition to partnerships in higher education, Italian artists are also boosting their engagement with Chinese audiences.

The Balletto di Roma completed its third Chinese tour this year, performing the modern ballet Juliet and Romeo in cities including Shanghai, Chongqing, and Haikou.

"Music is a profound language that not only bridges cultures but also offers unique interdisciplinary potential," said Albiani.

A humanoid robot named "Tiangong" has been in the spotlight since the just-concluded Yizhuang Half Marathon in Beijing, where it crossed the finish line together with human participants.

The race began at 8:00 am with runners embarking on the challenging 21.09-kilometer route. As the athletes surged ahead, Tiangong, dressed in black, stood on the sidelines and waved its arms to encourage the participants. 

Later in the race, as a large group of runners neared the finish line on Sunday, the robot Tiangong entered the track about 100 meters from the finish, acting as a "closing pacer" to help athletes cross the finish line together. 

Produced by the National and ­Local Co-Built Embodied Intelligence Robot Innovation Center, Tiangong is a first-generation humanoid robot. Standing 163 centimeters tall and weighing 43 kilograms, it is the world's first full-sized humanoid robot that runs on electric drive, according to the official introduction to the robot. 

"At large events like marathons, robots can perform a variety of tasks," Jiang Hanya, an industry insider at a tech company based in Beijing, told the Global Times on Monday.

For example, quadruped and humanoid robots, similar to "pace bunnies," can assist pacers, especially in long-distance races like marathons. These robots can maintain steady speeds, helping runners control their pace while providing real-time data feedback on factors like heart rate, temperature, and air quality.

Additionally, robots can enhance safety at events through autonomous navigation, real-time monitoring, and big data analysis. Patrol robots can monitor safety along race routes, detect unusual crowd movement, or emergency situations, and quickly alert security personnel, he noted.

At crowded events, robots equipped with medical supplies can quickly move across the venue to provide emergency equipment such as defibrillators to those in need. They can also analyze an athlete's condition via cameras and sensors to identify those requiring immediate medical attention, Jiang added.

"The development of humanoid robot AI is still in its early stage, with robots lacking strong versatility and generalization, limiting their commercial value. The path of technological evolution is unclear, and data is still scarce," said Jiang.

Not only did the humanoid robot make an appearance at the Beijing Yizhuang Half Marathon, but four-legged robots also served as official pacers at the Hangzhou Marathon in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province, on November 4. 

The four-legged robot maintained a steady pace of around 9 minutes and 24 seconds per kilometer, with a top running speed of up to 6 meters per second. They were equipped with "half-marathon pacer" balloons to help runners maintain a scientifically optimized running rhythm.

According to Zhejiang Television, this marks the first time in international marathon history that robotic pacers have been used. 

As previously reported by the Global Times, a larger robot, B2, took on the role of "cut-off pacers" for the half-marathon event, while a smaller one, known as Go2, served as companion pacers for the fun run.

An employee from Unitree Robotics, the Hangzhou-based civilian robotics company that presented these robots, previously told the Global Times that B2 has exceptional endurance and load capacity, with a combined operating range of 4 to 6 hours, a sustained walking load of 40 to 50 kilograms, and a maximum standing load capacity of 120 kilograms.

Go2, on the other hand, features a voice broadcast function, allowing it to play music, deliver cheerful messages, and give safety reminders while running, providing emotional support to runners.

In recent years, China has seen robust growth in the integration of technology and sports. As early as 2023's Hangzhou Asian Games, a "digital torchbearer" was featured at the opening and closing ceremonies, while at the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games, terahertz communication technology enabled transmission speeds of up to 80 Gbps, providing a better visual experience for global audiences.

From corporate sporting events enhanced with digital technology to the "Village Basketball Association" with its smart sports equipment, and to large-scale events attracting international attention, technology and smart elements are visible everywhere.

Outside of sporting events, the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center's swimming pool has been outfitted with smart ticketing, intelligent gates, and smart lockers. People can enter the venue to exercise using new methods, such as palm scanning.

On November 12, the cycling activity was held by Hangzhou Sports Bureau in Hangzhou Tongjian Lake Scenic Area, spanning 7.58 km, attracting numerous cycling enthusiasts.

To encourage more people to participate in cycling, Hangzhou Sports Bureau launches 21 cycling routes and releases digital navigation posters and Hangzhou's cycling logo CITY RIDE.

Notably, Hangzhou ranked seventh on the list of the World's Most Bicycle-Friendly Cities in 2022. The various greenways, wonderful scenery and healthy cycling atmosphere inspire more people to go on a green travel.

On November 12, Hangzhou International Airport opened an all-cargo flight route to Los Angeles, marking fourth international all-cargo flight route this year.

So far, Hangzhou has normalized 16 international all-cargo flight routes, with more than 100 flights per week. This route will improve the export efficiency in cross-border e-commerce, and reduce transportation costs.

From January to October this year, the export freight volume of cross-border e-commerce at Hangzhou exceeded 100,000 tons, up 78.45 percent year-on-year, accounting for 68.96 percent of total air export freight.

The schedule of 2024-2025 China Badminton Super League was announced on November 12. Hangzhou is one of four host cities.

The event is about to kick off on November 28, and 125 players from eight top clubs will participate in the competition.

As the venue for the badminton events at the Asian Games, Hangzhou Binjiang Gymnasium will host the final four rounds of games at the first stage of the league on December 26-29. Zheng Siwei, Huang Yaqiong, Chen Yufei and other famous players will get involved in the event to bring exciting competitions to spectators.

An exhibition commemorating the 700th anniversary of the death of the Italian explorer Marco Polo opened on Saturday at the China Academy of Art (CAA) in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province.

The event is titled "The Perfect Path: Hangzhou, Marco Polo's 'city of heaven'" and is co-hosted by the CAA and La Biennale di Venezia (Venice Biennale).

"Both China and Italy are ancient civilizations with rich cultures and enduring historical traditions, and they have made fundamental contributions to the evolution of human civilization," said Jin Yibin, Party secretary of the CAA, at the opening ceremony.

Closely linked by the 2,000-year-old Silk Road, the joint hosting of the exhibition is another fine example of the two nations' cultural inclusiveness and innovativeness, said Jin.

The event showcases 43 sets of works by 18 Chinese artists and artistic groups. These artists have distinguished themselves for their unconventional approach to different artistic genres, their open outlook that is mindful of traditions, and their embracing of the latest technological developments, according to the organizers.

This is the first time that exhibitions of the Venice Biennale have been held outside Italy, said Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, president of the Venice Biennale.

"Here in Hangzhou, Italian and Chinese artists jointly interpret the commonalities between the two cultures, not only showing their exquisite artistic skills, but also promoting cultural exchanges and the development of the two countries through art, so that the world can see a true and colorful China," he said.

When Marco Polo, the legendary traveler and explorer from Venice, visited Hangzhou about eight centuries ago, he was overwhelmed by its beauty and regarded it "beyond dispute the finest and the noblest in the world."

In addition to being the 700th anniversary of the death of Marco Polo, this year also marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy.

"We are simply following in the footsteps of Marco Polo," said Francesco D'Arelli, director of the Italian Institute of Culture in Shanghai.

In his book The Travels of Marco Polo, he introduced China's outstanding culture to the West and made it known for the first time.

"Now we gather in Hangzhou for this exhibition and hope that Italy and China can face the future together by sharing their cultures, experiences and resources," he said.

The exhibition will run until Jan 10, 2025.

China's annual "Double 11" shopping festival kicked off especially early this year.

When celebrated in the first years after its creation in 2009, it was a frenzied orgy of consumption -- buyers anxiously clicked the checkout button, and online retailers cheered for astronomical sales figures at the exact moment when the clock struck 00:00 on Nov. 11.

Over time, the festival has been extended, especially this year, when e-commerce platforms rolled out their respective "Double 11" programs significantly earlier.

Douyin, for example, started a preliminary sales campaign on Oct. 8. Taobao and Tmall, under China's e-commerce giant Alibaba who created the festival, started on the 14th -- 10 days earlier than last year.

That makes this year's Double Eleven the longest ever. A heady, instant extravaganza has evolved into a month-long affair. With each edition over the past years, the annual shopping spree changed in various ways. However, one constant is that it remains an optimal source of insights into the country's vibrant online consumption dynamics.

NEWER AND GREENER: A TRADE-IN MAGIC

In the early stages of this year's "Double 11" shopping fiesta, Mr. Liu, a Gen-Z Hangzhou resident in eastern China's Zhejiang Province, purchased a Xiaomi TV he had long had his eye on.

"It would have cost 4,599 yuan (about 640 U.S. dollars). But I only paid 2,799 yuan, with Tmall's "Double 11" discount and the 699 yuan trade-in subsidy from the government," he said. "It's a real bargain."

This year, China has been promoting large-scale equipment upgrades and trade-in programs for consumer goods, aiming to boost domestic demand and support continuous economic growth.

As of early November, the trade-in programs had seen over 30 million consumers participating and brought more than 400 billion yuan in sales, according to the country's Ministry of Commerce.

During the ongoing "Double 11" shopping festival, the state's trade-in subsidy has been added to the festival discounts provided by e-commerce platforms for the first time, creating combined offers that drive consumption.

"As the trade-in policy provides more subsidy to energy-efficient products, it effectively pushes forward the replacement of energy-consuming equipment," said Wang Kui, a manager with the trade-in program at Taobao and Tmall Group. "A 'green consumption' is now becoming mainstream."

Statistics show over 92 percent of home appliances sold on Tmall have been the most energy-efficient during this year's "Double 11."

The trade-in policy reduces pollution and boosts resource reuse, helping to build a greener, low-carbon society, said Hong Yong, an associate researcher with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.

IMPROVED EXPERIENCE FOR ALL

The "Double 11" shopping spree has long passed the phase when it is all about the thrill of a midnight shopping rush. This year's extended shopping festival is being enjoyed as a quality experience by shoppers, shippers and sellers alike.

Ms. Chen, a dog owner based in Beijing, said she had a better online shopping experience in the prolonged "Double 11."

"I can still remember a few years ago when I had to load up merchandise several days in advance and check out at 00:00 sharp. That gave me anxiety," she said. "Now I have time to make more rational purchasing and make purchases at different stages throughout the month."

Shippers are allowed to take their time, too. In a month-long time period, they face several smaller delivery peaks instead of one delivery boom they found themselves struggling to cope with.

An extended shopping festival helps alleviate a backlog in logistics storehouses, said Tan Meng, a manager working at a delivery service point in Hangzhou, adding that while parcels increase this year, the logistics is smoother and more organized.

With the buildout of AI, online retailers view this year as the start of applying this cutting-edge technology to their business. Graphic design, virtual presentations, and customer services based on AI made their job easier and faster and helped reduce costs.

"With Taobao's AI tools to generate scenes, I no longer need to tote the products around in photo studios," said a lighting products retailer in Guangdong, talking about product photography. "Using the AI software costs only one tenth of renting a studio."

About 80 percent of the retailers on Taobao and Tmall now use the platform's AI functions, according to the group. Among them are individual sellers, major brands such as the Denmark footwear brand ECCO, French sportswear brand Le Coq Sportif, Japanese retail company MUJI, and the skincare brand NIVEA.

A GLOBAL CELEBRATION

Mr. Huo, a Chinese national now living in Osaka, Japan, found himself relying on Chinese e-commerce platforms for books and stationery. He has been able to join the Chinese shopping spree this year by buying more books and taking advantage of the free cross-border delivery services.

"I still prefer buying on Chinese e-commerce platforms for commodities like phone cases or clothing, as I have a dizzying array of choices at much cheaper prices there," he said.

As this year's "Double 11" began in mid-October, Taobao and Tmall added four countries -- Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia -- to their brand-new global free shipping program. The program, initiated in July, covers various countries and regions, including Singapore, Malaysia and the Republic of Korea.

The program waives the shipping fees for orders over a certain amount. In Huo's case, the threshold is 199 yuan.

JD.com, another e-commerce giant, recently included Malaysia and Thailand in its global free shipping zone.

Free shipping services overseas by China's e-commerce platforms reflect their improving capacity in overseas sales, customer service, logistics and payment, said Pan Helin, a member of an expert committee under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

According to data by Taobao and Tmall, almost 70,000 retailers who joined their global free shipping program have seen sales double in the early stages of this year's shopping festival. Sales of tank tops to Thailand grew by 68 percent, while sales of ballet shoes to Japan jumped by a staggering 277 percent from the previous edition.

"Made-in-China products are very competitive globally for their good quality offered at better rates, and that comes from China's mature and efficient supply chain system," said Pan.

Star Vision, a private aerospace company based in Cloud Town of Xihu district, Hangzhou, delivered Oman's first artificial satellite into orbit on Nov 11, marking a breakthrough in AI-powered space technology and strengthening Xihu's position in the emerging space information sector.

The satellite features an onboard AI processing platform developed by Star Vision, which functions as its "brain", enabling real-time data processing in orbit. This innovation replaces traditional methods of transferring satellite data to Earth for analysis, streamlining processes through space-based sensing and computing.

Additionally, the satellite incorporates a distributed operating system and advanced AI models from Zhejiang Lab. This setup enables a space computing network where interconnected satellites can handle tasks dynamically.

In addition to the satellite, Star Vision provided Oman with end-to-end solutions, including ground station construction, operational control systems, and technical training. This comprehensive approach underscores the company's commitment to integrating global space resources and advancing international collaboration. 

The company's achievement is part of Xihu district's broader ambitions in the aerospace sector. Cloud Town, now home to over 200 space-related enterprises, is becoming a hub for the space economy, with plans to establish a commercial aerospace pilot zone and an advanced space information industrial park.

As Xihu district continues to prioritize this unique industrial pathway, its "sky-to-earth-to-ocean" integration strategy paints an ambitious blueprint for the future of aerospace innovation in China.

The 2024 Hangzhou Entrepreneurship Marathon kicked off on Nov 9, drawing roughly 300 teams of over 1,100 participants from universities and investment institutions for a 10.5-kilometer race along the Qiantang River.

The event emphasized teamwork, with creative elements present throughout. Each team of four had to complete the race together, with the combined time determining the final result. Medals, shaped like osmanthus petals, could be combined by the team members to form a complete flower.

After intense competition, the Agogova Hangzhou Tech Co team claimed the championship with a time of 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 47 seconds. The TOMIC team secured second place, while the ZJU Urban College team took third.

Since its inception in 2016, the marathon has evolved into a hallmark event, blending sports with entrepreneurial spirit. The race has traversed iconic locations such as West Lake, Xixi Wetland, and Liangzhu Ancient City, growing from a modest gathering to a thousand-strong event. It aims to help participants make friends, find mentors, and forge business ties through running.

On November 11, multiple drone logistics delivery routes were put into operation in Hangzhou.

The first batch of public takeoff and landing sites is used in Yuhang Dream Town and Xiaoshan Qianjiang Century City, providing takeoff, landing, charging, replacement and other drone services. The first normalized drone river-crossing logistics route opens and is operated by SF Express. In addition, there are four instant delivery routes responsible for takeaway delivery, and users can choose drone delivery via mobile phones.

Compared with the traditional model, drone delivery is faster, more labor-saving, and safer, able to provide citizens with more efficient delivery service.

Recently, Hangzhou has continuously set up three Russian theme supermarkets which are respectively located in three business districts including Xintiandi Shopping Mall, Trade Union CC beside the West Lake, and Binjiang POWERLONG. These supermarkets supply abundant goods imported from Russia, attracting numerous young and foreign customers.

The food imported from Russia is favored by Chinese consumers, which is nothing new. Since 2022, such goods have been popular on various e-commerce platforms, which encouraged the opening of Russian supermarkets in many places in China.

Over the past year, Ma Wanjun, a popular sports blogger, has led her team to run around Hangzhou, such as the West Lake, Xixi Park, Xianghu Lake, Qiantang River Bank, and Canal Bank. She praised, "Hangzhou is the best city for running in China. Hangzhou's wonderful scenery and culture offer a great running experience."

Hangzhou has complete running facilities to meet runners' diversified demands. Hangzhou owns the various greenways that are about 4,800 km long. It also possesses many sports venues which are open to the public free of charge. Running events (such as Hangzhou Marathon) are also quite influential.