The year 2023 witnessed the significant protection plan released for Beijing’s Central Axis (轴线),     1    (stretch) for 7.8 kilometers through the Chinese capital. World-famous landmarks like the Forbidden City, Tian’anmen Square, the Temple of Heaven are located along the central axis,     2     construction began in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), and     3    (last) until the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The protection plan for Beijing’s Central Axis from 2022 to 2035 was released in January of 2023, marking     4     new stage in its conservation, sustainable development and application as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The plan is said to be one of the necessary steps for UNESCO World Heritage status, and     5    (it) release and implementation (实施) will play an important role in the protection and     6    (manage) of the capital’s central axis.

Alongside regulations on the protection of the Central Axis     7    (carry) out earlier, the plan is in line     8     the requirements of World Heritage conservation and provides an     9    (effect) strategy for the conservation.

The 21 member countries of the World Heritage Committee will decide on whether Beijing’s Central Axis can     10    (add) to the World Heritage List at the committee’s 46th annual conference in 2024. If the application succeeds, it will reinforce Beijing’s top position among cities worldwide by number of World Heritage Sites.

Carved from mountains in Yunnan province, the Hong-he Hani Rice Terraces reach over more than 160 square kilometers to create a most spectacular landscape.

Since ancient times, the local Hani people have channeled spring water from mountains and forests     1     (water) the terraced fields. Some terraces are as big as football fields, and others no larger than a bed sheet. They climb     2     riverbank locations at less than 500 meters above sea level to heights of more than 1,800 meters. The     3     (common) used description “stairways to heaven” is most suitable here.

However, the wonder remained largely unknown to the rest of the world for     4     (century). Nobody paid much attention to these terraces until     5     2000s. New roads arrived and the local government was determined to get the terraces     6     (place) on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. This     7     (achieve) in 2013. Over the past decade, it has become impossible to keep such a wonder under wraps. Photography fans have crowded in, taking postcard-perfect pictures and then     8     (post) them on social media.

Although the terraces shine with bright green during the summer growing season, the landscape is most     9     (appeal) from November to late April. During this period, the water-filled terraces turn into natural mirrors     10     reflect every sunrise and sunset.

Qinling Mountains is a geographical dividing line between Northern China and Southern China. They run west to east,     1    (stretch) across Gansu Province, Shaanxi Province and Henan Province. Qinling Mountains is covered by large-scale plants,     2     are home to many wild animals such as giant pandas and golden monkeys.

Qinling Mountains was formed about 200 million years ago,     3    (identify) as an important ecological security barrier. Because of the geographical differences in the north and the south of Qinling Mountains, Qinling-Huai River Line     4    (become) the most important north-south boundary of Chinese geography so far. In winter, Qinling Mountains can block the cold wave from entering the south and in summer, the moist sea breeze     5    (block) from entering the northern region.

While the Qinling Mountains have long been known as the northern edge of giant panda habitat,     6     was only in 2005 that the Qinling panda was recognized as     7     distinct subspecies of giant panda. The Qinling panda is distinguished by its    8    (slight) smaller size and fur that is brown rather than black, with about 270 distributed in 7 areas, like Taibai Mountain and Qingmuchuan. As the     9    (high) peak in the Qinling Mountains, Taibai Mountain is quite popular among mountain climbers. Many climbing enthusiasts like to spend a whole night reaching its peak to record its beautiful sunrise and enjoy the hot spring for     10    (relax).

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway,     1     began service in July 2006, is the world’s highest and longest plateau (高原) railroad and also the first railway connecting the Tibet autonomous region with other parts of China.

While     2     (build) the railway, the workers overcame many engineering challenges. One of these was to protect the ecosystem. Thirty-three     3     (passage) have been built to allow the animals to move     4     (safe) and freely in their natural habitat. 675 bridges     5     a total length of about 160 kilometers were built. We even     6     (move) 140, 000 square meters of wetland to a new area in order to protect the ecosystem.

Tanggula Station, the    7     (high) railway station in the world, is located at over 5, 000 meters about sea level.

As you pass the Cuona Lake, you will feel a sense of pride and     8     (achieve). Cuona Lake is so close to the railway that you want to reach out and touch     9    (it) pale blue mirror-like surface. Water birds playing in the lake bring the scenery to life.

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has been attracting people’s admiration for centuries. Now, thanks to our efforts, passengers from all over the country have been enjoying those magical landscapes . It truly is    10     extraordinary “Sky Railway”.

    1    (lie) under waters across the globe are an estimated three million shipwrecks, all of     2     indicate human attempts over the centuries to explore Earth's furthest corners. While there is little land on our planet left unexplored, the vast sea bed almost     3    (remain) unknown.

Considering our limited knowledge, it's not surprising that exploration of the oceans constantly brings about discoveries in various     4    (science) fields.

First, many archaeological finds are made in shallow waters, including whole cities     5    (bury) underwater. The ruins offer precious information about the past. However, the challenges of pressure, darkness and intense cold at vast depths make     6     difficult to discover more of the past.

Amazing biological discoveries are also being made, like the barreleye living 6,000 meters below the ocean's surface. Such discoveries enable us     7    (have) a better knowledge of the capacity for life even in extreme circumstances.

Additionally, so far more new natural resources such as fire ice     8    (find) in oceans. Besides, the research conducted by China's underwater vessels helps scientists identify areas for deep-sea drilling and better understand how the sea bed was formed.

Humankind is entering a new age of oceanic discovery. Oceans will be as familiar     9     us as the land where we live through all-round international     10    (cooperate).