1 . The Yellow River is the cradle (摇篮) of China’s civilization. And flood control and prevention have always been key to the well-being of the people living along it. Now, scientists can better work on these issues by giving the river a digital twin.

The digital twin of the Yellow River uses various technologies, including big data, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things. Devices set up along the river collect and transmit information to the command center. Based on the information, a 3D model of the river is presented on the computer screen. It’s like the Yellow River has a twin that reflects its real conditions.

One big breakthrough in the river’s digital governance (管理) is “smart stones”. According to Wang Qin, a lead researcher at the Information Center of Yellow River Henan Bureau, a smart stone is a water-proof stone-shaped device with chips, a battery, and a signal transmitter (尤指电台或电视信号的发射机). They are buried in important dike (堤坝) locations to record and report the movement of dike stones. “Upon feeling movement of the dike stones, the smart stone sends an alarm to the command center for quick response,” Wang said.

And in the sky, drones are flying. On the routes designed by engineers, the drones become expert patrollers (巡逻员) of the river, looking at its dikes and flood prevention projects. According to Shen Lin from the Yellow River Conservancy Commission, thanks to the drones, researchers at the command center can get first-hand photos and information. “Researchers then update the 3D model according to the changes the drones reported. The newly updated model helps us test our floodwater release plans (泄洪计划) in case we need to batten down the hatches,” said Shen.

Under the water and up in the sky, intelligent systems are helping to protect the Yellow River Basin on all fronts. According to the Ministry of Water Resources, in the future, we can expect to see the construction of an even more comprehensive digital system for this important river.

3 . In his senior year of high school, Wei Fangjie happened to see a poster for recruiting (招聘) PLA Air Force pilots. “The pilots on the poster looked really cool, and I got to know that a pilot is known as a profession of the brave. So, I decided to give it a try,” said Wei, 26, who now works as a flight instructor (教员) at the Air Force Aviation University (中国人民解放军空军航空大学).

In 2015, Wei was admitted into the Air Eorce Aviation University and became an Air Force pilot student.

According to Wei, pilots need to not only study aviation theory but also practise difficult aerobatics (飞行特技) like rolls and loops (筋斗). These moves require strong resistance to g-forces. “To do a loop, a pilot has to bear about 3g of, load, which feels like three times their bodyweight pressing down on them,” said Wei. To build this resistance, they often do strength training like weighted squats (负重深蹲). They also use special equipment like a spinning ladder (旋梯) to overcome dizziness (头晕).

Despite all the training, becoming a top PLA Air Force pilot remains a tough job. “During flight pilots must carefully decide how to land, especially at night, and maintain position during formation flight,” explained Wei. He added that the key to these skills lies in continuous practice.

In the world of aviation, a balanced mindset and quick thinking are very important. One of Wei’s most unforgettable experiences was dealing with illusions (错觉) during a formation flight up above the clouds. All he could see in front of him was the lead aircraft and clouds. “I felt like I was turning all the time, but my instruments showed that my flight was level (水平的),” said Wei. “In such situations, trusting instruments is key to making sound decisions.”

But what always remains constant is the great sense of freedom and pride that Wei feels a she flies his aircraft in the sky and looks down at Earth from above. Now as an experienced flight instructor, Wei hopes to channel (倾注) his passion for aviation into the “training and development of a new generation of skilled pilots so as to contribute to the PLA Air Force’s combat readiness.”

6 . I have had a lifelong passion for sewing (缝, 做针线活). When I was 7, my mother showed me how to stitch with a needle and thread, and it was my favorite pastime (休闲活动) when it was too cold and snowy to play outside. As a teenager, I began to design and sew my own outfits. I cut out paper patterns to construct dresses and skirts, and I’d sit at the old sewing machine for hours.

In my late 20s, my focus shifted towards giving new life to used clothes. I began to buy used clothes to upcycle (升级改造) and refashion. My favorite places to buy used clothes are thrift shops (旧货店). This pursuit wasn’t just about fashion; it was about storytelling through clothing.

About 10 years ago, when I was ripping out the silk lining (内衬) from a beautiful long blue evening dress, I stopped. There was a hidden pocket in the front that I failed to notice as I merrily ripped at the scams (接缝). I pulled out an old photo of a young woman wearing the very same blue evening dress. A long silver chain necklace hung gracefully down the front of the dress, and she was holding a black purse. She had a soft smile, and she looked to be in her early 20s. This moment was an awakening for me; it connected me to the unknown histories of the clothes I worked with.

Somebody else wore this dress many years ago. Who was she? Did she wear it to the theater? To a fancy dinner party? And I was now tearing it apart. I felt guilty. I mentioned my concerns and guilt to my daughter. She said, “Mom, you should be proud of your upcycling and your sewing creations. You are keeping clothes out of the landfill (垃圾填埋场), and you’re creating new fashions. Consider it a bonus (意外收获) if you find objects in the pockets. The clothes are talking to you!” Her words helped me see the value in my hobby, not just as a creative means of expressing but as a means of preserving stories and preventing waste.

I decided to pay respect to this upcycling discovery—and the many others I’ve found over the years—by displaying them on a bulletin board in my sewing room. These discoveries have made me enjoy refashioning and upcycling clothes even more. And this evolution in my sewing practice has not only enhanced my appreciation for the art of upcycling but has also deepened my connection to the past, making each stitch a bridge between generations.

7 . In an era where digital innovation is reshaping every aspect of our lives. the world of reading has not been left behind. A large number of apps have appeared to meet the diverse preferences of readers, each with its unique features and large collections of content.

Media 365 is a free reading app for Android that lets you read all of the books in its library. Authors can self-publish on the Media 365 platform, but there are also a large number of popular published books available, like the Harry Potter book series.

Check out the Hoopla Digital app, another excellent app making use of your kid’s library card. It’s great for all ages, giving kids the ability to borrow free digital eBooks, audiobooks, plus music and other media available (可获得的) in your local public library. It’s no wonder it’s one of the top 15 book apps in the App Store.

ComiXology is one of the oldest and most popular services for reading comic books digitally. The ComiXology online store, now owned by Amazon, offers thousands of new and classic comic books from major publishers like Marvel, DC Comics, and Image Comics.

What makes ‘Literal: An Addictive Reader’ such a cool reading app for young people aged 10 to 19 is that it offers both classic titles along with new er books and turns the format into something Gen Z. knows well: Group Chats. Kids can read books together with their friends in a book group, which is easy to use through the Literal app.

These apps not only make reading more accessible and convenient but also enrich the reading experience with features that appeal to different people and interests. As digital technology continues to advance, these apps lead the way in changing how we find, get, and enjoy books and media. This ensures that the excitement of reading remains strong in the digital age.