By Eva Joaquina
President of the Federation of Mexican Journalists, Mexico
From July 14 to 20, 2025, I traveled to Jiangxi Province, China, to attend the Belt and Road Journalists Forum, where I witnessed how China integrates its history, present, and future into the socialist development path with Chinese characteristics.
Historically, China’s development has been inextricably linked to food. Today, having resolved the basic need for adequate food and clothing for its people, China faces new challenges centered on fostering further progress through technological innovation and sustainable development.
During a visit to a pharmaceutical factory in Nanchang, we observed automation and machinery increasingly replacing manual labor. This presents one of the contemporary challenges for China, namely, achieving a harmonious balance between technological advancement and humanistic considerations.
China has developed exemplary public policy planning in the fields of environmental protection and scientific urban design, systematically advancing urban development and comprehensively improving the quality of life. From the moment I arrived in Nanchang—the eco-city in Jiangxi Province—the stunning scenery along both banks of the Gan River, the redevelopment of the port, the extensive pedestrian walkways, and the impressive landscapes came into view. The waterfront promenade connects scenic areas with the old town, allowing residents easy access to water and fully appreciating the harmonious blend of natural beauty and modern urban life.
As night fell, we experienced the “Dangdang” Tram. This dedicated bus route is not merely a tourist line but also carries the city’s memory. Its vintage red exterior, wooden interior, climate control, and immersive 3D sound system complement each other perfectly. Since its operation, this new mode of transport has served over 500,000 passengers. Nearly a thousand couples in Nanchang have chosen to commemorate their weddings with photos on the “Dangdang” Tram, embodying a new trend that values low-carbon practices, environmental protection, and civility.
The city landmark, the “Nanchang Star” Observation wheel, stands 160 meters high with a diameter of 153 meters. It once held the title of the world’s tallest Observation wheel and currently ranks sixth globally and third in China. The Ruzi Study · Observation Wheel Branch under the Observation wheel was voted by citizens, rated as a livelihood project, and received key support from the municipal Party committee and government. Adhering to the principle of “urban-rural integration and universal, equal access,” Nanchang has systematically planned and built 110 Ruzi Study spread across communities, streets, scenic spots, transport hubs, schools, shopping malls, and enterprises, ensuring high-quality cultural resources reach the grassroots. Among them, the Ruzi Study · Observation Wheel Branch located under the “Nanchang Star” Observation wheel is the most distinctive one, and it won the title of “2024 Jiangxi Province Public Reading · Most Beautiful Bookstore of the Year.”
Qiushui Square, which means autumn waters in Chinese, is Honggutan’s “city living room” and the best viewing spot for fireworks festivals over the years. Its name originates from the eternal verse “Rosy evening clouds flying with lonely bird, while autumn waters sharing the same color with the sky,” and the square echoes with Tengwang Pavilion across the river. During the day, Qiushui Square is a paradise for citizens to stroll and relax. When night falls, the square transforms into Asia’s largest music fountain stage: a 128-meter towering water column dances with light and shadow, accompanied by laser symphony, performing the symphony of Ganjiang River’s millennium culture and modern metropolis. Nanchang’s “Dual Shores” light show won the Guinness World Record for the “Most Buildings Participating in a Fixed Sound and Light Show.” Since the Spring Festival of 2023, Nanchang has held five consecutive New Year fireworks shows, with Qiushui Square being a premier viewing spot.
The bridge system constitutes another highlight. The statues of a black cat and a white cat at the entrance of the Bayi Bridge carry profound historical significance. They refer to the famous aphorism by Deng Xiaoping, the chief architect of China’s reform and opening-up, that “it doesn’t matter if a cat is black or white, so long as it catches mice.” This theory was emphasized at the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, marking a historic shift in the nation’s focus toward economic development. In 1985, when Deng Xiaoping was reelected as Time magazine’s Person of the Year, this aphorism was widely disseminated, extending the influence of the “black cat, white cat” theory globally. By the time the Bayi Bridge opened to traffic in September 1997, nearly two decades had passed since the launch of reform and opening up, and the socialist market economy had been fully established, with the concept of the “black cat, white cat” theory deeply ingrained in public consciousness. In May 2024, Nanchang added an observation platform for the black and white cat statues, allowing residents and tourists to access the bridge via a dedicated elevator as part of a Citywalk route. It has since become a popular tourist destination on social media and one of the best locations for viewing fireworks celebrations.
All these elements reflect the challenges China currently addresses and its commitments: safeguarding its cultural roots while advancing infrastructure, economic development, and long-term sustainable growth. For Latin American countries like Mexico, China undoubtedly offers a valuable reference and a model worthy of study.
*The views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the individual authors and do not reflect the position of the Secretariat of the Belt and Road Journalist Network.