On October 13, Lebanese National News Agency reported that an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon completely destroyed a century-old mosque. This incident coincides with a wave of violence targeting members of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which includes troops from 40 countries operating in the area. On October 12, these nations released a joint statement condemning the attacks and accusing the Israeli military of intentionally opening fire. They demanded an immediate cessation of such actions and called for a thorough investigation.
This statement, initiated by Poland, garnered support from countries including China, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, India, Brazil, and South Korea. It reaffirmed their full backing for the UNIFIL mission, which aims to foster stability and lasting peace in southern Lebanon and the broader Middle East. As tensions escalate in the region, the role of UNIFIL has become increasingly critical, with a call for all parties to respect its presence and ensure the safety of its personnel to facilitate the peacekeeping mission.
The statement reiterated the commitment of these nations and the United Nations to multilateral cooperation while urging all parties to uphold international law, particularly the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions. UNIFIL’s mission is to monitor the ceasefire after the 33-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. According to Security Council Resolution 1701, Lebanese southern territory should only be occupied by UN peacekeeping forces and the Lebanese army.
On October 12, UNIFIL reported that its headquarters in Naqura, southern Lebanon, had come under attack again, resulting in the wounding of a peacekeeping personnel from gunfire the previous evening. This brings the total number of injured UNIFIL personnel to five since October 10. A UNIFIL post in Ramiah also suffered significant damage due to proximity explosions from nearby artillery fire, although the statement did not specify the responsible party.
On the same day, two Sri Lankan peacekeepers were injured following an attack in Naqura. In response, the Israeli military claimed it fired only after detecting a threat and committed to conducting an investigation. On October 10, Israeli tanks opened fire on a lookout tower at UNIFIL’s Naqura headquarters, resulting in injuries to two Indonesian peacekeepers. The Chief of Staff of the Irish Defense Forces, which contributes to UNIFIL, suggested that the Israeli military’s actions were deliberate.
UNIFIL has accused the Israeli military of intentional fire. Spokesperson Andrea Teneti expressed concern that Israel’s escalating offensive against Hezbollah could quickly spiral into a regional conflict with catastrophic consequences. He warned that attacks on peacekeeping forces are a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
President Biden has firmly demanded that Israel stop attacking peacekeepers, while Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed deep concern during a recent call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, urging the safeguarding of both the peacekeeping forces and the Lebanese army. Gallant claimed that the Israeli military would take steps to avoid harming peacekeepers and their installations.
Several southern European nations stated on October 11 that the attacks on UNIFIL violate Security Council resolutions. French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez jointly expressed their outrage over the Israeli military’s attacks on peacekeeping personnel. The German Foreign Ministry also described Israel’s actions as unacceptable, and Pope Francis called for respect for UNIFIL’s mission on October 13.
On October 12-13, 2024, the National Jump Rope Championship (Wenzhou Leqing Station) took place at the Leqing Sports Center Gymnasium.
The opening ceremony featured several distinguished guests, including Yang Shande, President of the China Jianzi Association and Director of the National Jump Rope Promotion Committee; Zhang Wenwei, member of the Wenzhou Sports Bureau; Liao Kaifeng, Deputy Director of the Leqing Municipal People’s Congress; Chen Yanghui, Deputy Director of the National Jump Rope Promotion Committee; Chen Lei, Deputy Director of the Leqing Municipal Government Office; Zhou Jing, Director of the Leqing Sports Development Center; Cai Yingmin, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Jump Rope Promotion Committee; Li Yindong, member of the Leqing Cultural, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports Bureau; and Feng Xiaoqiao, Chairman of Zhejiang Deyi Tianwen Sports Development Co., Ltd.
During the welcome speech, Director Zhou highlighted that the National Jump Rope Championship, established in 2014 by the General Administration of Sport of China and the China Jianzi Association, has grown into a premier national event with the most extensive program offerings and participation scale. Leqing aims to become a “City of Events,” and the local government is keen on advancing sports and its associated industries. Since hosting a national jump rope competition in 2018, the city has seen a surge in jumping venues, fostering a vibrant jump rope culture.
This event marked the fifth stop of the National Jump Rope Championship series in Leqing, holding significant importance for the ongoing development of high-quality sports events, facilities, and initiatives in the city. It also aligns with national goals to enhance public health and well-being while nurturing future jump rope talents, contributing to building a modern sports powerhouse in the province.
This year’s competition introduced several exciting changes.
Firstly, the event featured a diverse range of categories. Tailored for jump rope enthusiasts aged seven and older, the competition included various events such as counting races, freestyle events, performances, designated competitions, DDC interactive rope contests, and traditional specialties—totaling six major categories with 33 sub-events. The freestyle category aligns with international standards, presenting elite-level competitions for individuals, pairs, and teams. This approach aims to cultivate talent for China’s national jump rope team through competitive practice.
In a move to promote inclusivity, the competition added a Special Education Category, catering to children and adolescents with disabilities, such as blindness or hearing impairment. This initiative not only reflects a commitment to humane values but also provides these individuals with a platform to shine in the athletic world, boosting their confidence and sense of identity.
Moreover, the awards structure expanded to include individual, team, organizational, and regional annual accolades, emphasizing inspired participation aiming for “higher, faster, stronger—together.” Additional awards were also established for sportsmanship, best team spirit, and individual ambassadors to promote the event further.
The introduction of an electronic scoring system enhanced the spectator experience. Judges utilized tablets to input scores, which were displayed in real-time on LED screens, increasing transparency and excitement for both the audience and participants.
The event attracted around 600 competitors from 65 teams across 13 provinces, including members of the Chinese national jump rope team set to participate in the 2024 Asian Jump Rope Championships, as well as newcomers eager to make their mark.
Notably, the seventh-grade students from Beibaixiang Town’s Primary School made their national competition debut. Coach Ye Zeguang shared that the aim was for the kids to gain firsthand experience in the world of jump rope, fuel their motivations, and prepare for the 10-person long rope competition scheduled for 2025.
Participants included Chen Jiaxin and her teammates from Guangdong, who previously claimed multipleAsian gold medals. Coach Mai Xianping anticipated a more extensive array of events while expressing the hope for zero errors during their performances, with Chen aiming to surpass her previous achievement of 226 skips in 30 seconds.
Beyond being a sports competition, this event also showcased the integration of sports and tourism. Participants enjoyed discounts at local attractions while experiencing the stunning natural beauty of Yandang Mountain.
The championship was guided by the Zhejiang Provincial Sports Bureau, organized by the China Jianzi Association and co-organized by various local sports and government entities, including the Leqing Sports Development Center and the Leqing Cultural and Tourism Bureau.
On October 22, during an interview, Du Zhenzong, the Director of the Health and Wellness Committee of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, underscored the region’s commitment to enhancing the traditional medicine collaboration mechanism between China (Guangxi) and Vietnam (Quang Ninh). He emphasized that Guangxi aims to establish comprehensive cooperation with Quang Ninh in various areas such as production, academia, research, and sales within the field of traditional medicine.
This announcement coincided with World Traditional Medicine Day. To mark the occasion, the Guangxi Health and Wellness Committee, the Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Administration, and the Quang Ninh Department of Health organized a large-scale theme event in Dongxing City, Guangxi, for 2024. This event aims to foster mutual learning and appreciation of traditional medicine between the two regions.
The event in Dongxing featured a variety of traditional medicine cultural activities, including themed performances, a cultural marketplace for traditional remedies, and an international herbal cuisine friendship competition.
Du mentioned that Guangxi is known as a “natural pharmacy” and a “hometown of medicinal herbs” in China, serving as a front-line hub for cooperation with ASEAN countries. He highlighted the establishment of platforms for traditional Chinese medicine collaboration, including a national-level herbal medicine market in Yulin and several national import/export ports in Nanning, Dongxing, and other locations. Guangxi has also developed distinctive regional brands like “Gui Shi Wei” and “Gui Herbal Cuisine.”
In recent years, there has been extensive cooperation between China and Vietnam in the field of traditional medicine. Initiatives such as the China-ASEAN Health Cooperation Forum and the China-ASEAN Traditional Medicine Forum have facilitated successful collaborations in areas like medical technology services, preservation and utilization of medicinal plant resources, talent development in traditional medicine, research and education, and the dissemination of health culture.
Du further clarified that Guangxi has been closely collaborating with the four border provinces of Vietnam, engaging in exchanges, visits, and short-term training for professionals to promote the implementation of their health cooperation plan. He expressed the intention to deepen bilateral cooperation in traditional medicine with Vietnam, aiming to share research insights that enhance the health and well-being of people in both countries.
Nguyen Trung Mien, Director of the Quang Ninh Department of Health, added that this event serves as a vital opportunity for experts from both countries to exchange knowledge and explore new therapies, paving the way for new collaborative opportunities. He assured that the health department would continue to work alongside Guangxi to provide health services to residents in the border regions of both countries.
On the same day, in the health consultation area, experts from both nations utilized traditional diagnostic methods such as observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking to address queries and offer personalized treatment recommendations. An elderly physician from Mong Cai City, Vietnam, Shen Mingfen, expressed his delight, saying, “I specialize in Tuina massage, and this is my first time showcasing Vietnamese traditional techniques in China. I’m thrilled to receive recognition from the Chinese people.”
On October 26, a significant international academic conference titled “New Developments in Nestorian Studies” was held in Turpan, Xinjiang, drawing numerous scholars from around the world.
At the Nestorian monastery site located west of Turpan, Professor Erika Hunter from the University of Cambridge expressed her awe at the abundance of manuscript fragments found there. “This site has such rich documents, and various ethnic groups have lived here. It truly lets us feel the history of Turpan; it’s a unique site that deserves recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site,” she remarked.
The study of Turpan, a multifaceted discipline that explores the ancient region’s history, culture, art, and social structure, has its roots tracing back to the early 20th century. Western and Eastern explorers uncovered a wealth of precious artifacts and manuscripts in this area, providing invaluable resources for scholars interested in the cultural history of Turpan.
With its rich historical and cultural resources, Turpan offers countless artifacts for academic exploration. The increasing interest from renowned universities, research institutions, and experts around the globe signals that this once “niche” field is gaining traction.
The conference focused on “New Developments in Nestorian Studies,” featuring 56 experts from 47 institutions across nine countries and regions, including Germany, the UK, and Japan. They gathered to share recent archaeological findings from the Nestorian monastery site and to discuss new achievements, directions, and collaborations in the field of international Nestorian studies and Turpan studies.
In recent years, Turpan has conducted archaeological excavations at several ancient cultural sites, including the Yanghai Cemetery, the Gai Cemetery, and the ancient city of Gaochang, and has successfully hosted over ten international academic seminars. Ke Yisel Kyuom, Deputy Secretary of the Turpan Municipal Committee and Mayor, emphasized that the study of Turpan is a cultural hallmark of the region and expressed a commitment to further promoting its significance in the modern era.
Turpan studies, often seen as a sister discipline to Dunhuang studies, are becoming a focus of international attention. Just like Dunhuang studies, they have yielded rich results, attracting scholars from both domestic and international circles.
Professor Erika Hunter affirmed that Turpan is home to many precious historical documents and abundant archaeological sites, describing it as a treasure trove of history. “The study of Turpan is the key to unlocking this treasure,” she added.
Meanwhile, Professor Peter Zimmer from the Brandenburg Academy of Sciences, who has conducted multiple research investigations in Turpan, remarked upon the region’s long history as an international city. “This magical place has preserved numerous valuable documents that bear witness to a time when diverse cultures and religions coexisted here,” he stated, adding that Turpan holds a special place in his heart.
Today, Turpan studies are recognized as a focal point in the international academic community. Scholars globally are engaging in conferences and exchange activities to discuss the latest research findings and trends in Turpan studies, infusing new energy into this field.
The recent conference served as a vital “bridge” for international academic exchange and cooperation. Participants included officials like Party member and Deputy Director of the Xinjiang Cultural Relics Bureau, Dang Zhihao, who noted that this conference marks a significant milestone in the development of Turpan studies and serves as a grand event for international academic exchange in Nestorian studies.
During the conference, experts visited the Nestorian monastery site to observe the latest research developments firsthand. Joint excavations by Sun Yat-sen University and research institutes from Xinjiang in 2021 and 2023 unearthed numerous paper manuscripts of Buddhist texts, Taoist scriptures, and Nestorian documents, written in various languages, including Chinese, Syriac, Uighur, and Sogdian. These findings are regarded as precious samples for Nestorian studies and critical materials for Turpan studies, garnering considerable attention from scholars worldwide.
Liu Wenshuo, a professor at Sun Yat-sen University and project lead for the excavation at the Nestorian monastery site, stated that the rich remains and artifacts found there provide detailed resources for researching Nestorian life in the Middle Ages, the history of Nestorianism, and the cultural exchanges along the Silk Road. He expressed hope for more international experts to join future research efforts.
Since the establishment of the Turpan Studies Institute in August 2005, six international academic conferences have been held, greatly enhancing collaboration between Chinese scholars and their counterparts worldwide in the field of Turpan studies.
On October 25th, China’s major commercial banks, including Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Postal Savings Bank of China, and Bank of Communications, announced significant adjustments to the interest rates on existing home loans. The adjustments specifically target loans that have an LPR (Loan Prime Rate) markup higher than a reduction of 30 basis points, bringing them down to a maximum of 30 basis points less.
This adjustment was implemented uniformly by the banks, allowing most borrowers to avoid visiting branch locations or taking action online. As a result, it is expected that the average interest rate on existing home loans will drop by about 0.5 percentage points, ultimately saving borrowers around 150 billion yuan in interest expenses and benefiting approximately 50 million households and 150 million residents.
Experts suggest that this policy change will yield a number of positive impacts on the macroeconomy.
Firstly, it is seen as a confidence booster for the market. High existing home loan rates have long been a point of concern, particularly as the economy faces downward pressure and mounting mortgage burdens weigh heavily on many families. This policy adjustment is a proactive response to public concerns and has already elicited positive reactions in the capital markets.
Secondly, there is strong support for consumer spending and investment. With reduced mortgage interest, individuals and families will see a tangible increase in disposable income. Given the cumulative decrease of 0.6 percentage points in the 5-year LPR since the beginning of the year, home loan rates—following the LPR’s repricing—could see a reduction of up to 1.45 percentage points. This alleviation of repayment pressure increases disposable income, allowing households to engage more broadly in consumer spending.
This initiative is especially beneficial for young families, helping them ease their financial burdens and boost their confidence in spending. For small businesses, lower borrowing costs can lead to improved cash flow, allowing for potential expansion of operations.
Lastly, these adjustments are expected to stabilize the real estate market. With the decrease in existing home loan interest rates, concerns among homebuyers about widening spreads between new and old mortgage rates will likely diminish, helping to unlock demand for home purchases and contributing to a steady and healthy development of the real estate sector.
Following the implementation of policies aimed at lowering existing home loan rates, cities like Beijing have seen noticeable increases in inquiries and transactions for both new and second-hand homes. Reports suggest that in October, early mortgage repayments have decreased by 20% compared to the previous month before the policy was introduced.
Market analysts believe that the recent combination of support measures for the real estate sector is enhancing residents’ expectations for home purchases, especially as local governments adopt tailored measures for their respective cities, indicating signs of stabilization in the real estate market.
On October 18, a new airspace laboratory focused on low-altitude operations was inaugurated in Liangping District, Chongqing. This facility aims to address the unique challenges presented by complex terrains in low-altitude airspace and will serve as a hub for the research and development of spatiotemporal information. It also seeks to establish a platform for cultivating specialized talent and a high-level think tank strategy while driving industrial upgrades and regional development in the low-altitude economy.
This laboratory is a collaborative effort involving Liangping District, the Chongqing Institute of Surveying and Mapping Science and Technology, Wuhan University, and Chongqing Jiaotong University. It represents a significant step forward in enhancing cooperation between academic institutions and research entities, with the goal of fostering technological innovation and industrial growth within the low-altitude economic sector.
The laboratory is focused on rapidly mapping three-dimensional airspace scenarios, designing flight corridors, and developing advanced AI models for airspace management. Its objective is to implement a new digital air traffic control model that facilitates all-weather, full airspace, and high-capacity flight operations. This initiative aims to provide practical solutions for low-altitude economic development not just in Liangping, but across the nation.
As a strategic emerging industry, the low-altitude economy is gaining attention for its expansive development potential and is increasingly seen as a new growth driver for regional economies. The Chongqing Planning and Natural Resources Bureau is responsible for establishing a digital low-altitude foundation in the city, advancing general aviation landing site construction, and implementing various applications for government and industry scenarios. Both Wuhan University and Chongqing Jiaotong University have been instrumental in research and technological advancements in transportation engineering, accumulating valuable expertise in areas such as green aviation, smart cities, intelligent transportation, and the low-altitude economy.
Liangping District is seizing the strategic opportunity to promote the low-altitude economy and is committed to building a “nationally influential low-altitude industrial base.” The effort focuses on developing four key areas—a low-altitude manufacturing zone, a comprehensive service area, a pioneering application zone, and a vibrant cultural tourism area—along with a regional general aviation logistics hub. This comprehensive approach aims to create an integrated low-altitude industrial ecosystem and establish Liangping as the “Low-Altitude City of the West.”
On October 22-23, the 2024 “10+1” Statistical Cooperation Development Forum between China and ASEAN took place in Nanning, Guangxi. Approximately 150 representatives from ASEAN countries, the ASEAN Secretariat, China’s National Bureau of Statistics, the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, provincial statistical agencies, and experts assembled to engage deeply in discussions centered on the theme of “Innovation Development and Practice in Statistics.”
Since 2015, statistical agencies from China and ASEAN nations have engaged in a series of forums addressing national statistical development, the establishment of a feasible data exchange index system, agricultural statistics practices, services sector statistics, and the application of big data in government statistics. These exchanges have significantly contributed to strengthening the China-ASEAN Community of Shared Future.
Director General Kang Yi of the National Bureau of Statistics advocated for the deepening of cooperation and exchanges among government statistical bodies in China and ASEAN countries. He emphasized the importance of joint research into statistical reform and innovation, strengthening the sharing of statistical achievements, and jointly cultivating talent in statistical modernization to enhance capabilities that better serve the economic and social development of China and ASEAN.
Hu Fan, Vice Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, highlighted that recent years have seen Guangxi focus on innovation to foster a more dynamic and innovative regional economy. Under the guidance and support of the National Bureau of Statistics, Guangxi has concentrated on implementing the strategy of building “one area, two zones, one park, and one corridor,” closely aligning with key tasks of statistical modernization reform and intelligent statistics, thereby making significant progress in statistical innovation which solidifies the foundation for high-quality economic development in Guangxi. He expressed his hope for collaboration with ASEAN countries to explore statistical research and innovation, fostering deeper cooperation and writing a new chapter in the China-ASEAN Community of Shared Future.
During the forum, the “China-ASEAN Statistical Yearbook 2024” and the “China-ASEAN Statistical Exchange Anthology” were officially released. In a segment focusing on statistical innovation and practice, representatives from government statistical agencies of China and ASEAN countries, provincial statistical agencies, academic institutions, and the business sector engaged in in-depth discussions on various topics, including emerging industrial statistics, modern services statistics, innovations and applications in agricultural statistics, and practices concerning large sample rotations in household surveys.
The forum also introduced the “Nanning Initiative,” aimed at establishing a closer statistical cooperation relationship. Additionally, an exhibition titled “Ten Golden Years of Cooperation” celebrated the tenth anniversary of China-ASEAN statistical cooperation, showcasing the fruitful outcomes of enhanced statistical collaboration through images, texts, and physical exhibits.
At Beijing Children’s Hospital’s “School Refusal Clinic,” doctors have encountered countless reasons why children are reluctant to attend school. Some children freeze up with stiff limbs, rapid heartbeats, and cold sweats as soon as they enter the school gate, but these symptoms vanish the moment they leave. Others often experience dizziness and headaches right before exams.
After exhaustive visits to various medical departments, parents finally arrive here, often asking, “Is he lying, or is this a sense of unreality?” The doctors repeatedly explain that the children’s feelings are legitimate, but the triggers stem from their emotions.
Fudan University’s Pediatric Hospital has seen its outpatient volume in the child psychiatry department exceed 4,200 visits monthly for several months now. Since the school year began in September, there has been a noticeable rise in cases of “school refusal” linked to emotional issues. On October 8, the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center’s mental health team launched a “Math and Spatial Learning Difficulties Clinic,” aimed at helping students struggling with subjects such as math, physics, and chemistry every Tuesday.
“The entire society is focused on academic performance,” Sun Jinhua, the director of child psychiatry at Fudan University’s Pediatric Hospital, told reporters, “but we need to pay more attention to the underlying factors affecting learning.”
At the “School Refusal Clinic,” some children have just taken a few days off; others have been on an extended break for a year. Some have skipped school for weeks but still wear their uniforms when accompanying their parents to the clinic. One mother was seen waiting outside for over four hours. “When the child can’t go to school, the parent can’t focus at work,” said Li Ying, a deputy chief physician in psychosomatic medicine at Beijing Children’s Hospital.
School refusal acts as a warning sign. “When a child cannot maintain basic social functions like attending school, it indicates that emotional issues have reached a significant level,” said Li. “School is a means of facilitating recovery, not the end goal.”
Li highlighted that before making the decision to stop attending school, children often endure a long, painful struggle. The clinic has witnessed many tense situations, with parents’ voices rising while their children remain silent. In one visit, a mother and daughter struggled over how many days the child would attend school, with the mother demanding five days and the daughter insisting on one. “If you want to take a break, you might as well go back to your hometown,” the mother challenged. “What’s your real reason for not wanting to go to school?”
The child mumbled, “I can’t explain it.” The mother’s tone grew urgent, “Because you can’t articulate it, I can’t ask your teacher for a leave of absence.” She added, “Right now, if I let you go with just one day, wouldn’t that mean you won’t want to go at all later?”
Repairing communication between parents and children is not easy. Doctors have encountered children who abruptly walk out of sessions, as well as parents who deceive their children into thinking they are seeking gastrointestinal care, only to have the child run away during psychological tests. Many parents struggle to bring their children in, citing, “My child says they aren’t sick,” leading doctors to rely on parental accounts for diagnoses.
In the clinic, parents often urgently express their demands: “She has gone to places she wanted to visit, but that hasn’t helped her learning! I fulfilled my promise; shouldn’t she fulfill hers?” One mother couldn’t hide her dissatisfaction.
“You made that promise because you love her,” the doctor countered. In the face of their children’s reluctance to attend school, parents often say they “can’t accept it,” while doctors remind them, “She just can’t do it right now.”
“Before making a decision to not go to school, children often go through a long and painful struggle,” said Li Yu, a child psychiatrist at Fudan University’s Pediatric Hospital. Doctors have seen many voiceless children with fresh scratches on their wrists or red marks from fingernails. Li Ying repeatedly explains to parents that children need adequate rest to build up their psychological energy, warning, “If you push them too hard, they will completely retreat.”
Li Yu believes that if a child struggles with academic pressure at school and repeatedly engages in self-harm, appropriate breaks and adjustments can help restore their ability to attend school.
Only children who have traveled down this path know just how important parental understanding is. Ye Yun, who found it hard to concentrate in her high school classes, frequently had nightmares that made her feel like a failure. Initially trying to hide her declining grades, she later suspecting her issues stemmed from emotional problems. She secretly sought treatment in a provincial capital, where she was diagnosed with severe depression and bipolar disorder. When she revealed this to her mother, the first reaction was to tell her to “keep it under wraps,” to “think less about it,” and “not to tell the teacher.”
Some parents do not pay enough attention to their child’s struggles in the clinic: one emphasized their child’s past excellence, “Third in the grade out of 21 classes,” while another fixated on educational planning, having moved their child to a prestigious school, insisting they “can’t afford to fall behind.” Others have already planned the next steps, wanting to transfer their child to an international school, which includes interviews and exams, hoping the doctor will persuade their child. Some parents think their child’s refusal to go to school is due to poor academic performance, believing tutoring will enhance motivation.
Investigating the causes of “school refusal” relies heavily on detailed consultations, with each session lasting nearly half an hour. The doctor’s notes cover aspects as meticulous as “mother’s attention to the child,” “parent-child relationship,” “primary caregivers,” and “personality traits.” This consultation process helps parents re-evaluate their child. Through standardized assessments of the child’s learning abilities and emotional states, parents can gain a more objective understanding of their child’s current situation, allowing for a discussion on whether their expectations are reasonable.
“Now is not the time to focus on academics,” stated Li Ying. During initial consultations, he often adopts a technique called “piercing the emotional core,” helping release the tension, anxiety, and restlessness masked by a parent’s forced calmness. During one visit, a parent emphasized their child was already in the third year of middle school, declaring, “There isn’t time to wait.” Li Ying posed a direct challenge: “Would you be okay if they didn’t achieve anything for ten years? What about nine years? Eight years?” As the parent shook their head in tears, they ultimately admitted, “I realize I’ve been pushing them a bit too hard.”
Anxious parents have suffered from high blood pressure, thyroid cysts, and many find themselves balancing looking after their child with seeking their own medical help. Soothing parents is often the first step in care. While they all come with hopes of facilitating their child’s return to school, Li Ying emphasizes, “Going back to school isn’t the priority; the child’s physical and mental recovery is what truly matters. When a child has the energy to face external challenges, they will naturally want to return to school.”
Li Ying also sees refusal to go to school as a form of vitality—a resistance to excessive external pressure that may sacrifice some academic performance, necessitating a balance. Sometimes, children are in immense pain yet feel like they “owe it to their parents” to attend school. He advises parents to counsel their children not to push themselves and first work on emotional adjustments.
These children often carry a burden of long-repressed emotions.
In the clinic, parents frequently ask, “Why aren’t other children like this?”
The triggering factor for each child can vary greatly—whether it’s an argument with a teacher, a poorly performed exam, an unanswered phone call from parents, pre-dawn jogs, or late-night study sessions. What often goes unnoticed, however, are the long-suppressed feelings of the children.
Once, a fifth grader presented a pie chart entitled “Things I Hate About School,” with sections like “Fear of forgetting things,” “Fear of making mistakes,” “Dislike for some classes,” “Lack of freedom,” and “High expectations leading to disappointment.” A first-year middle school student once tearfully expressed to a doctor the mounting pressure from school, shouting, “Daily school wears me out, and when I get home, I don’t even want to lift the blanket.”
Li Ying believes that school refusal results from a convergence of factors. He categorizes these into three main areas: individual personality traits, such as being sensitive or precocious; family dynamics, including the parent-child relationship and intergenerational conflicts; and school-related issues, including academic pressure and social relationships.
However, many parents tend to blame digital devices before seeking help from the clinic. To shift their child’s attention away from screens, some parents cut off their child’s internet access at bedtime or have destroyed several iPads. Li Ying argues that the internet alone cannot be blamed for school refusal. He suggests that smartphones have become the new caregiver for children due to the instant and unconditional feedback they provide, unlike the evaluative judgment of parents.
He likened the struggle between parents and technology to a “battle for control,” suggesting that the best approach is to replace the screen time with engaging parental interaction. Li Ying often encourages parents to keep behavior logs that detail what their child does throughout the day—not just for analysis but also to enhance the parents’ understanding of their child.
Some children study in their hometown while their parents work in Beijing; some attend boarding school and only return home once a month. Faced with overwhelming academic pressure and lacking time to speak to their parents, doctors recommend changing to a day school structure. Parents who travel frequently may lose track of their child’s whereabouts, prompting doctors to suggest “investing time” to enter the child’s world and reconnect.
Ye Yun is the second of three siblings. Her parents were often away for work and divorced during her time in middle school. From a young age, she was told, “Crying doesn’t solve anything,” and “Be stronger.” When she announced her decision to take a gap year during her second semester of high school, her parents chose to evade the issue, with her father’s friend signing off on her leave and her grandparents handling administrative tasks. Initially, they regularly urged her to return, but as her self-harm worsened and her eating habits deteriorated, her mother dropped her work commitments to stay with her at home, hoping to coax her into eating more.
Looking back, Ye Yun frequently mentions the “deconstruction effect,” realizing that only when situations worsen do parents become aware of their child’s fundamental emotional needs: “If a window could solve the issue, there’s no need to let the child lose the roof over their head.” Li Ying believes that repressed emotions tend to circulate within the family; he has seen children interrupting parental disputes under the guise of a stomachache.
In the path to recovering and returning to school, families provide the most crucial support. “Every family matures at its own pace; hospitals can only offer a venue for catharsis and breakthroughs.”
For many families, making parents aware of their own issues isn’t easy. Before their daughter entered middle school, Wang Yiyong and his wife took every possible step to prepare for her education, including securing a school district apartment and enrolling her in multiple tutoring classes. Their daughter, who excelled academically, smoothly transitioned into a prestigious school in Haidian District, but soon began suffering from insomnia, followed by bouts of panic whenever it came time to attend school.
They began seeking therapy, attending educational seminars to reflect on systemic family issues: improving their marital relationship and addressing the mother’s pent-up frustrations, which manifested in controlling behavior towards their child. As they gradually learned to listen more and accept their daughter unconditionally, she began to transition from locking herself away to eventually playing video games in the living room and accompanying her parents on walks.
Wang Yiyong connected with other parents facing similar challenges, forming a support group and sharing experiences in regular gatherings. One parent recounted their “darkest moment,” when their child’s self-injury escalated. They even crafted a 3D figure of their child during a trip to Disneyland, thinking, “If something ever happened, I’d still have this memory.”
“When a family is overwhelmed with conflict and hatred, those inner struggles are manifestations of love,” Li Ying commented. Parents like Wang Yiyong discovered that over time, their goal shifted from merely wanting their children to go back to school to fostering their independence and capacity for happiness. If their child doesn’t want to attend school but wants to start working, they support them as long as they aren’t financially dependent.
“Let children find their own rhythm,” he advised.
Colleague Hu Na has found that many children visiting the “School Refusal Clinic” show emotional issues that do not necessarily require medication. Early interventions—such as reducing stress, providing psychological support, and optimizing parenting styles—can effectively improve their emotional state.
One child with depression once confided that they had tried to get their parents to seek treatment a year earlier, but to no avail, as the parents felt the child was “overthinking.” The establishment of the “School Refusal Clinic” has been instrumental in reducing the stigma surrounding mental health for parents and encouraging early screening.
Though Li Ying has seen emotional issues improve with medication, it remains difficult for some children to return to school. “The longer the period of refusal, the harder it is to return,” he noted, suggesting parents help facilitate their child’s first steps rather than waiting indefinitely.
He also cautions parents against excessive self-reflection, urging them to focus on the present rather than retracing their perceived mistakes back to pre-birth. Action, he believes, is more crucial than dwelling on the past. He encourages parents to concentrate on tangible matters, such as increasing their child’s physical activity—offering rewards for steps taken—and collaborating with teachers about homework loads, to help the child find their own pace.
Some children tend to exaggerate the obstacles to returning to school, leading Hu Na to break down the tasks involved in education: “What will you do at home? What subjects do you enjoy? What are your academic plans? How long can you study at home?” This encourages parents to liaise with teachers regarding adjustments.
When a first-year student initially wanted to change classes due to struggling to adapt to a rigorous academic environment, but later expressed fears about adapting regardless of a change, Hu Na systematically laid out his concerns on paper, presenting different paths for him to consider. “Don’t shut off all your possibilities; give yourself a chance.”
Additionally, she promotes the retention of interest-based activities
On October 16, 2023, the 2024 UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education was awarded in Paris, France. Two organizations, the “African School Equality Network” from Uganda and the “Action for Women’s Education” from Zambia, were honored at the ceremony.
Henry Senkasi, the National Director of Uganda’s African School Equality Network, and Fiona Mavihenga, representing the National Director of Zambia’s Action for Women’s Education, Namanda Malupande, both shared their thoughts during the award presentation.
Senkasi remarked, “Our initiative is designed to assist girls facing challenges. By establishing 30 secondary schools in rural Uganda, we are creating opportunities for them. Our efforts have transformed the lives of girls from low-income families, enabling them to achieve their dreams through education. This not only changes their lives but also impacts the entire community. Our model has now expanded beyond Uganda. These girls are gaining confidence along with essential skills and knowledge. We are grateful to UNESCO for recognizing our work with this award.”
Mavihenga emphasized the urgent need for support, stating, “Only 5% of poor rural girls in Africa manage to complete their secondary education due to complex economic and social challenges. Our organization has developed a proven model that provides girls with the skills and community support necessary for their healthy development within schools. This approach has significantly increased girls’ transition and completion rates, enhanced their autonomy, and effectively delayed marriage and childbearing.”
During the ceremony, Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education at UNESCO, read a message from UNESCO’s Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, who expressed gratitude for the continued support from China for the award.
The UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education, established in collaboration with China, stands as the only recognized award within the organization focused on promoting education for girls and women. It plays a vital role in advocating for gender equality in education and sharing exemplary practices to implement global gender equality priorities.
In a recent announcement, city officials from the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Police Department have kicked off the annual “Dusk and Darkness” enforcement campaign. This initiative will boost traffic enforcement during nighttime and early morning hours, targeting hazardous violations that pose risks to public safety.
As daylight saving time comes to an end on November 3rd, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Traffic Chief Philip Rivera revealed that this program, which began in 2016 and is now in its ninth year, aims to reduce traffic fatalities through enhanced enforcement and educational outreach. Notably, the autumn and winter months tend to see a sharp decrease in daylight during sunset, often leading to an increase in deadly traffic accidents. Recent statistics indicate that since the implementation of this program, nighttime fatalities have decreased by an average of 13.5%, pedestrian deaths have dropped by 21.7%, and fatalities among vehicle occupants have decreased by 25.8%.
Beginning at the end of October, the NYPD will intensify enforcement efforts, focusing on dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding, running red lights, failing to yield to pedestrians, and distracted driving. The initiative will also address violations like double parking and blocking crosswalks, bike lanes, and bus routes.
With the end of daylight saving time approaching, the city will leverage social media to alert drivers about reduced visibility and urge them to adhere to the 25 mph speed limit while yielding to pedestrians and cyclists.
Chief Rivera emphasized, “As daylight saving time ends, we urge all residents, whether they are driving, biking, or crossing the street, to remain vigilant and consider the safety of others. Our officers and DOT enforcement personnel have a primary mission: to ensure that everyone remains safe on our streets and highways.”
Commissioner Rodriguez remarked, “As the sun sets earlier in the fall, pedestrian risks increase. This enforcement effort serves as a reminder for drivers to slow down and stay alert as daylight saving time concludes. With the NYPD stepping up efforts against distracted driving, DOT’s automated cameras will prompt drivers to slow down and stop at red lights. It’s crucial for drivers to take responsibility for their actions.”
