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Our recent comfort food post got me thinking about what some of my favorite comfort foods are. High up on the list is cheese fondue, and there are quite a few places to get it in Beijing, but another cheesy favorite is mac and cheese. Is anything quite as comforting as a delicious bowl of creamy, gooey, cheesy macaroni?  Well, if you agree and want to know where you can get said bowl of deliciousness, here are a few spots around the capital where you can do just that! The Local First on the list has to be The Local, which has a staggering seven different types of mac and cheese on their menu. Alongside the Classic Mac & Cheese (RMB 50), other offerings include the Buffalo Chicken & Blue Mac & Cheese (RMB 70) that sees their spicy and tangy buffalo chicken sprinkled with blue cheese crumbles, and the Chorizo Mac & Cheese (RMB 68), which adds smoky, spicy, ground pork chorizo and cilantro. For vegetarians, an intriguing option is the Caprese Mac & Cheese (RMB 65), which takes the ingredients of a caprese salad (mozzarella, tomatoes, basil and balsamic vinegar) and combines them with pasta shells.  The Local Bar & Grill1/F, 101, Southeast…

An aerial view of the Lin-gang Special Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] All 150 reform measures included in the business environment improvement action plan 7.0, released in February, were completed by the end of last year, Lu Aiguo, head of the business environment construction department at the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission has said. In addition, market entities' overall satisfaction towards the implementation of the action plan has reached 96 percent. Lu revealed this information at a media briefing on Monday. While implementing the reform measures, he added, Shanghai has achieved major goals in four aspects, including introducing a number of first pilot programs by aligning with World Bank standards, improving and optimizing services and supervision for companies, differentiating the development focuses among districts and soliciting joint efforts from society to further improve the business environment. Many innovations have been made in Shanghai over the past 12 months. In April, a standardized coordination platform for foreign-invested companies was launched in the city, the first of its kind in China. The country's first digital port visa was issued at the Lin-gang Special Area of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone in July,…

https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-EditorsPick-ShopinShanghai/20250121/76d83ae9c53545c7bb4f2dbbc37cdfb3.html

https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-EditorsPick-ShopinShanghai/20250121/7b108ce75f9e441bb12852db64953d7d.html

The flight FM871 with 237 passengers onboard is welcomed by a conventional water salute while landing at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport on Jan 19, 2025. [Photo provided to China Daily] The flight FM871 with 237 passengers onboard was welcomed by a conventional water salute while landing at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport on Jan 19, marking China Eastern Air Holding Co Ltd's Shanghai Airlines becoming the first operator to offer regular flights between East China cosmopolitan Shanghai and Casablanca, Morocco, according to the Shanghai-based carrier. The flight FM871 with 237 passengers onboard is welcomed by a conventional water salute while landing at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport on Jan 19, 2025. [Photo provided to China Daily] By connecting the two economic centers together, the Shanghai-Casablanca route would promote exchanges and operations between the two countries, as well as enable Chinese travelers to travel more conveniently to the northwestern African country. The flight FM871 with 237 passengers onboard is welcomed by a conventional water salute while landing at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport on Jan 19, 2025. [Photo provided to China Daily] Currently, Chinese citizens do not need tourist visas to visit Morocco, and the flight would enrich their traveling…

https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Services/20250121/c1d71f41cee5480a8b3c192dedc68ac1.html

A partial view of amusement rides at Jinjiang Action Park. [Photo/Shanghai Observer] Jinjiang Action Park, a beloved Shanghai amusement park that has entertained generations of visitors since it opened in 1984, announced plans to close for a comprehensive renovation starting Jan 26. The park, spanning 103,000 square meters and boasting over 30 attractions including the iconic "Shanghai Ferris Wheel", will undergo a complete transformation. The renovation, spearheaded by Jinjiang International Group, aims to preserve the park's historical significance while introducing new attractions and creating a more accessible public space. The plan includes rebuilding signature attractions like the Ferris Wheel and transforming the park into a model urban renewal project and premier destination for both locals and tourists. Jinjiang Action Park expects to complete the renovation and reopen to the public in 2027, according to Jinjiang International Group.   Source: Shanghai Observer,https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Latest-WhatsNew/20250121/f51cb97b4d594cac9b18c2a3c557e25d.html

UK-based consumer goods company Reckitt announces the start of constructing its global R&D center in Shanghai with an investment of more than 300 million yuan started construction on Jan 16. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] Reckitt, a UK-based consumer goods company, announced the start of constructing its global research and development center in Shanghai with an investment of more than 300 million yuan ($40.92 million) on Thursday. The center, set to begin operation in 2026, is aimed to accelerate the innovation and growth of the company in China. Formally known as the global R&D Science and Innovation Centre, the center situated in Shanghai's Minhang district is Reckitt's biggest R&D site investment in Asia. "China is one of Reckitt's most important markets. Over the past 30 years, we have established deep connections with Chinese consumers, always keeping their needs at the heart of everything we do," said Kris Licht, CEO of Reckitt. "With our latest investment in the Science and Innovation Centre, we affirm our long-term commitment to enhancing the lives of over 100 million Chinese households with superior health and hygiene products designed for the Chinese market, which can also be a blueprint for global innovation," Licht said. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Reckitt's starting operation in…

On January 17, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, in collaboration with KFC's subsidiary in Beijing, launched a cultural tourism-themed restaurant of KFC in Huangzhuang, Haidian District. This restaurant features display areas for Beijing's intangible cultural heritage items including the local-style carved lacquer and embroidery. Inspired by the designs from intangible cultural heritage inheritors, the restaurant's rest and experience area allows customers to feel the charm of Beijing's intangible cultural heritage while enjoying their meals. The main background of the restaurant integrates the elements of the four seasons, Beijing's landmark buildings, and the city's intangible cultural heritage, telling the unique stories of Beijing's cultural tourism. The "Beijing Gifts" interactive area showcases fancy products like "She Dwen Dwen" made by Beijing Gifts. During the Spring Festival holiday, the restaurant will offer gifts and New Year's blessings to visitors through an amazing claw machine. Next, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and KFC's subsidiary in Beijing will jointly unveil a range of promotion plans for the city's cultural tourism sector. These plans include a themed publicity campaign for foreign tourists at KFC restaurants in airports, train stations, and major transportation hubs. The campaign will feature the offers of Beijing as…

BEIJING -- In 2024, procuratorates in China prosecuted 1,866 individuals for failing to pay labor compensation, a 7.3 percent increase from the previous year, as part of efforts to combat malicious wage arrears. The procuratorates successfully recovered over 244 million yuan (about $33.6 million) in unpaid wages last year, the Supreme People's Procuratorate said on Tuesday. The Supreme People's Court has launched a nationwide campaign since November last year to tackle wage arrears to ensure migrant workers receive their rightful pay and return home for Spring Festival family reunions.,http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202501/21/WS678f3f88a310a2ab06ea84bd.html

Passengers board a train at Wuhan Railway Station in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Jan. 20, 2025. As this year's Spring Festival travel rush began on Jan. 14, China Railway Wuhan Bureau Group Co., Ltd. has scheduled to add 47 overnight high-speed trains daily towards major cities from Jan. 20 to 27, in an effort to better cater for passengers.  Editor: DaiJingYi,https://english.wuhan.gov.cn/H_1/NWP/202501/t20250121_2521630.shtml

On January 11, the 2025 Beijing Roundtable Meeting for International Convention and Exhibition Organizations was held in Beijing. 15 guests from the international exhibition industry engaged in dialogue and exchanges around two topics: "How Conventions and Exhibitions Empower Urban Industrial Development" and "How the Convention and Exhibition Industry Drives Urban Consumption". Participants were from more than ten countries and regions, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Singapore. The gathering of industry leaders at the meeting is a clear recognition of Beijing's influence in the global convention and exhibition industry, and demonstrates the confidence of the international community in China's development prospects. In recent years, Beijing has hosted various branded convention and exhibition events such as the China International Fair for Trade in Services, Zhongguancun Forum, Beijing Culture Forum, Financial Street Forum, and China Beijing International High-tech Expo, further enhancing its influence in the international convention and exhibition industry. The organizers of the meeting stated that the purpose of this meeting was to build a platform for communication and cooperation, strengthen exchanges and cooperation with well-known international convention and exhibition organizations and industry institutions, attract internationally recognized exhibitions, enterprises, and institutions that align with the capital's…

Shanghai Children's Library places decorations of snakes in various forms to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival with its young readers. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] To usher in the Year of the Snake, Shanghai Children's Library has placed decorations of snakes in various forms to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival with its young readers. The mascot of the library put on a new snake costume to send New Year wishes to young readers arriving at the facility. Decorations, such as snake signs and Spring Festival couplets and paper-cutting, are all around to create a festive atmosphere. During the ongoing students' winter vacation and the upcoming Spring Festival holiday week, diversified activities, including a concert, Spring Festival-themed lectures, bilingual reading clubs, and children's rhyme reading in Shanghai dialect will be held at the library to help children better enjoy the traditional flavor of Chinese New Year through reading. Also, books around the theme of Spring Festival will be provided for young readers on highlighted bookshelves. The library also said that its online book borrowing service has been used for 25,000 times by young readers throughout the city's 16 districts after it was launched a year ago. The number of books available from the online service recently doubled, reaching 200,000. Shanghai Children's Library places…

Lujiazui, the financial center in Shanghai, forms a perfect backdrop to the Bund area. [Photo by Wang Gang/China Daily] East China cosmopolitan Shanghai made a further innovation in optimizing its business environment by introducing an authorized economic operator (AEO) system into its industrial sector, becoming the first city in China to pilot such system, according to official sources. "By incorporating the AEO system in customs, authorized enterprises, particular key manufacturing companies, will be able to enjoy benefits including exemption from on-site inspections," said Xin Leifu, an official from the Shanghai Commission of Economy and Informatization, during a news conference on Friday explaining the city's action plan for implementing the new system. "The first batch of 2,360 industrial companies are identified as AEO enterprises, making them eligible to enjoy convenient measures including on-site inspection exemption covering 83 administrative inspections in seven categories," Xin said. Industry-wise, 87 are integrated circuit enterprises, 248 in bio-medicine, 22 in artificial intelligence, 632 in electronic information, 251 in automobiles industry, 793 in high-end equipment, 74 in advanced materials, and 339 are engaged in fashion consumer business. Among these enterprises, whose combined output value exceeds 1 trillion yuan ($731.6 billion), 1,469 firms are private-owned, accounting for 62 percent of the…

China's top court has instructed courts nationwide to maintain strict penalties for those who organize cross-border gambling, particularly cracking down on violent crimes such as intentional killings linked to gambling. The Supreme People's Court emphasized the need to continue high pressure on gambling activities by disclosing six relevant cases, urging all levels of courts to escalate efforts in combating organized gambling crimes abroad. "With economic and internet development, the problem of overseas casinos enticing Chinese citizens to engage in gambling has become increasingly prominent," said the top court. In a disclosed case, for example, a defendant surnamed Wu, ringleader of a gambling group, was sentenced to six years in prison for orchestrating gambling activities in Macao, leading to profits exceeding 300 million yuan ($41.22 million) from domestic residents over an extended period. Other members of the group received prison terms ranging from 30 to 36 months. "Wu should be given severe punishment, as his actions resulted in significant capital outflow," the top court said, stressing the need for courts nationwide to vigorously combat such cross-border gambling syndicates and decisively sever their financial networks. The court also highlighted instances where criminals had organized gambling activities abroad under the guise of tourism,…

As parents, we share a common goal: providing our children with the best possible start in life. A crucial step in achieving this is selecting the right school tailored to their unique needs and aspirations. It’s easy to fall into the assumption that all international schools are alike. The reality is far more nuanced, with each institution offering distinctive curricula and strengths that significantly impact a child’s education and future career paths. Each year, the annual Jingkids International School Expo (JISE) stands out as a beacon for parents seeking comprehensive insights into their child’s educational journey. JISE isn’t just a gathering of major international schools in one convenient location; it’s a transformative experience that elevates the school selection process. This year’s topic is focused on an issue that we’re all dealing with: AI. As AI reaches more areas of our daily lives, we often find ourselves asking, “What are the things that cannot be replaced by AI in the future?” As the traditional style of memorization and repetition becomes obsolete in the AI age, we’re challenging schools to share their plan for how to help students learn, think, ask questions, create, and navigate their lives in this new age. Join us for this…

As the Chinese Lunar New Year draws near, malls in Beijing are decked out with Spring Festival installations, giving the celebration a colorful touch. Let's go to these warm shopping malls to experience the festivity of the Lunar New Year and take blockbuster photos! The Malls at Oriental Plaza, Wangfujing As part of the "Oriental Fortune: Tom and Jerry | Happy New Year" show, the beloved childhood IP "Tom and Jerry" is displayed in the atrium as an artwork that deftly integrates Chinese festival aspects into its design. Visitors who collect eight Tom and Jerry stamps can win exquisite themed stickers! Time: until February 16, 2025  Route: B1 Northeast Exit, Wangfujing Station, Beijing Subway BATONG Line (Line 1 Extension) Address: Atrium on B1, Oriental Plaza, Wangfujing GR Shopping Mall A unique "snake-shaped divine wishing tree" that combines snake and wool elements takes the center stage at the mall. The "wishing tree" is where people can write their finest wishes for the Year of the Snake. Route: Exit B, Changchunqiao Station, Beijing Subway Line 10 and Line 12 Address: 5F, GR Shopping Mall INDIGO "A Magical Winter Journey" for Spring Festival, co-hosted by INDIGO and Hong Kong Disneyland, has officially launched…

On January 17, the 17th Maizidian Subdistrict Chinese and Foreign Residents' New Year Celebration 2025 & 2025 China International Youth Exchange Center Chinese New Year Carnival kicked off at Maizidian Subdistrict, Chaoyang District. Foreign friends from countries such as Brazil, Serbia, France, and Uzbekistan gathered together to celebrate the Spring Festival. At the site, there were cultural performances blending Chinese and foreign cultures, including lion dances and street dances. Students from Chinese Language Class in Maizidian Subdistrict performed a wonderful "San Ju Ban" (a traditional Chinese comic dialogue performance), an impressive recitation of Snow, Tune: Spring in a Pleasure Garden, and a lively song "You Look Beautiful When You Smile. There were also duet performances by Chinese and foreign singers, Peking Opera, fashion shows, and other programs. In addition, participants at the event could experience intangible cultural heritage projects such as dough figurines, cloisonne enamel, clay figurines, and hitting the flower stick. They could also write New Year wishes on fans, cut paper window decorations, and make dumplings, immersing themselves in the traditions of Chinese New Year. It is reported that the Maizidian Subdistrict Chinese and Foreign Residents' New Year Celebration event has been held for seventeen consecutive years and…

Visitors view exhibits at a Chinese zodiac cultural relics joint exhibition for the 2025 Year of the Snake held at the Natural History Museum of China in Beijing, China, Jan. 18, 2025. Some 50 snake specimens and a large number of snake-related cultural relics, handicrafts as well as exhibition panels were on display during the exhibition, showcasing the diverse images and meanings of snakes in the Chinese culture.  [Photo by Chen Zhonghao from Xinhua] This photo taken on Jan. 18, 2025 shows exhibition panels on the snake's images in Chinese folk arts and crafts at a Chinese zodiac cultural relics joint exhibition for the 2025 Year of the Snake held at the Natural History Museum of China in Beijing, China. Some 50 snake specimens and a large number of snake-related cultural relics, handicrafts as well as exhibition panels were on display during the exhibition, showcasing the diverse images and meanings of snakes in the Chinese culture. [Photo by Chen Zhonghao from Xinhua] A boy views a snake skeleton at a Chinese zodiac cultural relics joint exhibition for the 2025 Year of the Snake held at the Natural History Museum of China in Beijing, China, Jan. 18, 2025. Some 50 snake…

Residents have fun at Yanluo Wetland Park along the Maozhou River in this July 8 photo. Xinhua A resident takes photos of spring blossoms at Guiwan Park in Nanshan District in this Feb. 22 photo. Xinhua A "Zero-Waste City" event takes place on World Environment Day on June 5 in Shenzhen. Xinhua Editor's note: As we reflect on 2024, Shenzhen remains committed to advancing high-level opening up, actively integrating into the new development pattern, and attracting foreign investment. We're introducing this special series, "2024 in Review," to highlight the city's progress across various sectors. This marks the eighth installment in our series of reports. In 2024, guided by its "Green and Beautiful Shenzhen: A City of Mountains, Sea, and Urban Harmony" vision, Shenzhen made significant strides in reducing carbon emissions, curbing pollution, expanding green spaces, and fostering sustainable growth. Shenzhen has taken bold steps toward creating a modern city where humans and nature coexist in harmony, setting an inspiring example of ecological modernization. 'Green and Beautiful Shenzhen' initiative The State Council officially approved the Shenzhen Land Use Overall Plan (2021-2035) on Sept. 26, 2024, marking a significant step toward sustainable urban development. The plan drives the city’s "Green and Beautiful…

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