2 .

The C919, China’s first domestically developed large passenger jet, departed Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport for Beijing Capital International Airport at 10:32 am on Sunday, embarking on(开启) its first commercial flight. The aircraft, developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corp of China, painted with a logo in the shape of a seal with Chinese characters “quanqiu shou jia”, meaning first C919 in the world. The fight, MU 9191, is run by China Eastern Airlines. About 130 passengers are on board. The flight duration is about two hours and 25 minutes. China Eastern Airlines received the first C919 on December 9 and launched test flights later that month. According to a report published by the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, 32 clients had placed a total of 1, 035 orders for the plane as of the end of 2022.

The C919 project was launched in 2007. Developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd (COMAC), the first C919 aircraft rolled off the production line in Shanghai in November 2015. The plane conducted a successful maiden flight in 2017. In the following years, the C919 conducted several test flights in different locations to test its capabilities. The C919 has gone through tests in various types of extreme natural environments including high temperature, high humidity, severe cold, gusts(狂风) and freeze. Its safety, reliability and environmental protection performance have been comprehensively assessed. It obtained the type certificate in September 2022, which indicates that the jetliner’s design meets airworthiness standards and environmental requirements.

The plane received its production certificate on November 29, 2022, meaning the model can enter mass production. On Dec 9, 2022, the first C919 aircraft was delivered to its first customer, China Eastern Airlines. After the delivery, the C919 jetliner completed its 100-hour aircraft validation flight process, comprehensively verifying its reliability with commercial operation in mind. The C919 had gained 1, 035 orders from 32 customers by the end of 2022, according to the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai. The successful development of the C919 indicates that China has the ability to independently develop large passenger aircraft.

3 . Living Heritage: Acupuncture

Acupuncture (针灸), an ancient Chinese medical practice, has been the treatment for countless patients for thousands of years. Before modern medicine came to life, ancient Chinese used stone tools to relieve pain.     1    

    2     Its treating principles are in line with the philosophical concepts of traditional Chinese medicine, which emphasizes whole treatment, bodily adjustment, balance of bodily functions and overall physiological well-being.

Practices can vary in forms, including needle insertion (插针), cupping and scraping.     3     Practitioners lift, turn and rotate needles to unblock the flow of energy; restore yin and yang balance; and stimulate the body’s inner potential to heal itself.

    4     Over the years, acupuncture has seen many advancements in scientific research and modern medicine all around the world. It is now a mainstream alternative and complementary treatment for a variety of diseases. According to a 2019 WHO report, acupuncture is used in 113 of its 120 member countries, illustrating its widespread recognition and application.

As an ancient Chinese medical practice with a rich history and deep cultural significance, acupuncture is an example of profound cultural heritage and a bodily path for patients to healing and recovering.     5    

To everyone’s     1     (amaze) , Huawei launched the newest handset, the Mate 60 Pro,     2     (equip) with a 5G application processor and satellite phone function, without any prior announcement. This left many Chinese feeling proud. With the international situation becoming     3     (increasing) challenging, Huawei was encountering significant financial issues. For instance, its revenue(收入) in 2021 declined nearly 30 percent, according to its annual report. For a company like Huawei, this was     4     major shock and could pose a persistent problem that needed immediate attention. Therefore, it was crucial for Huawei to have its own core technology, especially     5     it came to chips. Developing chips is a lengthy, demanding, and labor-intensive (劳动密集型) process, but     6     didn’t defeat Huawei. Instead of purchasing or leasing     7     (produce) from other countries, Huawei decided to invest heavily in research and development.

Huawei’s difficulties are similar to those faced by modern China in its early days. During that time, China lacked advanced technology. Despite this, China managed     8     (develop)its own atomic bombs , aircraft carriers, satellites, and fighter jets starting from zero. These advancements guide the country to prosperity and power.     9     a determined attitude and united team. Huawei     10     (be) successful in breaking free from the chains of past difficulties till now.