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What is Yan’an like through the eyes of journalists?
In late October, Yan’an, Shaanxi, was ablaze with autumn colors. On October 20th, over a hundred media editors, journalists, and influencers participated in the online thematic promotion titled “Promoting the Yan’an Spirit and Advancing in a Great Era.” With a profound sense of respect, they visited the historic revolutionary sites of Yan’an, exploring artifacts and photographs that invoke the memories of history and capture the charm of this sacred place.
At the Yan’an Revolutionary Memorial Hall, the journalists were deeply moved by the historical images, revolutionary artifacts, and red stories that comprehensively showcase the glorious history of how the CPC Central Committee and pioneer revolutionaries, including Mao Zedong, integrated the fundamental principles of Marxism with the specific practices of the Chinese revolution, leading the national revolution to victory in Yan’an.
Not far from the Memorial Hall stands the prominent Qingliang Mountain Revolutionary Site. During the Anti-Japanese War and the Liberation War, Qingliang Mountain was home to the Central Party Newspaper Committee, Xinhua News Agency, Liberation Daily, Yan’an Xinhua Broadcasting Station, Central Publishing Department, Central Printing Plant, and Border Area People’s Newspaper. This is why Qingliang Mountain is often referred to as the “Mountain of Red Journalism.” The journalists paid their respects to the locations where pioneers of journalism once worked and fought.
“Here, one can almost hear the sounds of former news pioneers feverishly writing, feeling their relentless spirit in the pursuit of truth and justice,” said Zhou Sheng, a reporter from Guizhou Radio and Television Station. He expressed how Qingliang Mountain is the birthplace of broadcasting and television journalism in New China, witnessing the monumental revolutionary era and feeling inspired by the dedication and responsibility of journalists.
Zhao Xu, a reporter from Qinghai News Network, shared, “Our predecessors recorded so much brilliant news under incredibly difficult conditions. As a journalist in this new era, I feel proud of the development of journalism in our country. I need to learn from their spirit, leveraging today’s multimedia platforms to create more substantial news pieces that resonate with the times.”
As the group stood atop Qingliang Mountain, taking in the new face of Yan’an, many reporters expressed their awe, saying, “Finally, we are in Yan’an!”
“The name ‘Yan’an’ is etched in the DNA of every Chinese person. Visiting here today feels like watching ideals come to life,” noted Dan Feng from Jiangsu Radio and Television Station. She noted that her initial impression of Yan’an was not the “endless yellow sands” depicted in history books, but instead found it to be surrounded by lush mountains and waters, with ginkgo trees turning golden in October, invoking a sense of familiarity.
“In my mind, Yan’an represents an ancient elder standing at the forefront of history,” added Dai Kailin from Zhejiang Online. As a revolutionary holy site, Yan’an embodies invaluable spiritual wealth, particularly the Yan’an Spirit. While her previous thoughts centered around textbooks and red songs, standing on Qingliang Mountain offered a fresh perspective.
“Yan’an has not only red relics but also a clean, tidy, green environment, and delicious apples. I will accompany the interview group to walk in the footsteps of our predecessors, experiencing the new atmosphere of this city,” said Dai Kailin.
The journalists expressed admiration:
“Rice grown on these Loess Plateaus rivals that from Northeast China.”
In the golden season of October, the fragrance of rice wafted through Nan Niwan. After passing through the fragrant gates of the rice fields, the journalists arrived at Nan Niwan National Wetland Park, where the sounds of insects and birds filled the air amidst the rolling waves of rice fields, showcasing a bountiful harvest.
On October 21st, the media interview team for “Promoting the Yan’an Spirit and Advancing in a Great Era” visited Nan Niwan, a place representing the Chinese nation’s spirit of self-reliance and hard work. They donned rubber boots and wielded sickles to experience the joy of rice harvesting.
Entering the rice planting area of Nan Niwan, the journalists witnessed expansive golden fields where large harvesters busily worked, filling their bins with heavy rice ears. After trying their hand at rice harvesting, many journalists posed for photos with their freshly cut rice stalks.
After savoring the steamed rice made from Nan Niwan’s rice, Xu Nuo from Northeast Net said, “Being here today, I truly experienced the beauty and charm of Nan Niwan. During our interviews, I learned that they have collaborated with Beidahuang Group to promote new varieties and advanced technology, giving this revolutionary old district a new industrial identity, allowing people in Yan’an to enjoy rice that rivals even that of Northeast China.”
The high-quality rice fields in Nan Niwan, located in the core area, hold over 70 years of history. In the early 1940s, the Eighth Route Army’s 120th Division, 359th Brigade, settled in Nan Niwan, initiating the famous production movement focused on rice cultivation. They constructed dams and irrigation systems, eventually tilting the rice-growing area to 7,000 acres, and southern Nan Niwan rice was once renowned both within and beyond the province. However, due to high labor intensity, low returns, and insufficient water sources, the rice-planting area gradually diminished over the years, shrinking to merely over 300 acres at the lowest point.
Since the establishment of the Nan Niwan Development Zone Management Committee, efforts to revive the rice industry and recreate “the good Jiangnan of Shaanxi” have included a collaboration with Beidahuang Group. This partnership has led to the construction of a thousand-acre premium rice production base, introducing high-quality Northeast rice varieties and advanced planting management techniques, which serve as a demonstration for the development of the rice industry in Nan Niwan.
In 2024, the rice planting area in Nan Niwan will reach 1,000 acres, with an expected yield of over 600 kilograms per acre, resulting in an annual production of 500,000 kilograms of rice. Additionally, a comprehensive rice-fish cultivation project is being implemented, using a rice-fish integrated breeding model and manual weeding to develop circular agriculture, producing organic rice and achieving an annual output value of 2 million yuan.
“These rice fields were cultivated and produced by the old warriors of the 359th Brigade. The spirit of ‘self-reliance leads to abundance’ lives on, and we must pass on, protect, and promote this spirit,” said Liu Lang, General Manager of Yan’an Nan Niwan (Group) Agricultural Co., Ltd.
