MEET CHINA Episode 43

Beyond transport: How China's "seedling train" fosters farms and a bountiful harvest

For the past 25 years, the seasonal "Rice Seedlings Transplanting Express" has transported over 1.9 million farmers from across Northeast China to the rice fields of the Sanjiang Plain during the spring planting rush. Our reporter joined this unique 20-day journey which combines hands-on farming lectures, job-matching services, and cultural performances. More than just a train, it has played a key role in China’s modern agriculture development—where economic opportunity and human dignity travel side-by-side.

Qiannan's urbanization toward a better life

The Qiannan region in Southwest China's Guizhou Province boasts extraordinary tourism resources, combined with the distinctive culture of minority ethnic groups—the Buyei and Miao. As part of its urbanization efforts, Qiannan is also pioneering green tourism town clusters, positioning itself as a hub for astronomy and space science, as well as providing high-quality public services. This approach demonstrates how urbanization can enhance citizens' well-being while preserving local cultural character.

New trade corridor boosts local-to-global market connections

During a visit to MIXUE Ice Cream & Tea's logistics and processing hub in Chongqing, our reporter observed that an efficient logistics system combined with advanced cold-chain technologies has enabled locally sourced ingredients—such as lemons—to gain traction in international markets. The Land-Sea Trade Corridor Project in this area is rapidly becoming a true accelerator of global trade.

Yueju opera: Cultural innovation for global connection

The Chinese tradition of Yueju opera, asa UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritage, combines Mandarin operatic traditions and Cantonese dialect. Yueju opera remains a cultural lifeline for Lingnan communities and the overseas Chinese diaspora. Thanks to star performer Peng Qinghua's pioneering efforts, this traditional art form is being revitalized. Behind-the-scenes stories from Shenzhen Yueju Theatre reveal how innovative adaptations are attracting younger audiences and reinforcing cultural identity among global Chinese communities—demonstrating that tradition can thrive through creative evolution.