CHINA DAILY Lan Honglin, head of the Lan Family Association in Zhangpu, Fujian Compiling genealogies and building ancestral temples are Chinese traditions. They connect people who have the same family roots and promote their sense of belonging. Genealogies, or family trees, are the best resources for discovering family histories, because they can answer the philosophical question of where we come from. To some extent, genealogies are like identity cards for families. They contain excellent information, including the names and deeds of each generation. One significant practical function of genealogies is to help those who have moved away from their hometowns to trace their roots. Every family establishes a temple where their ancestors are enshrined and worshipped. Traditionally, when a family member dies, a tablet that embodies his or her spirit is made and placed in the temple Most people in Zhangpu village, Nantou, Taiwan, have the Lan surname. Their ancestors were soldiers from Zhangpu, a county in Zhangzhou, Fujian province. During the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), three generals - all members of the Lan family in Zhangpu - were sent by emperors successively to suppress rebellions on Taiwan. Most of the soldiers who accompanied the generals were also members of the Lan family. When the fighting ended, many stayed on the island because the land was fertile but the population was small. About 56,000 people on Taiwan are descendants of the original Lan family. They are proud of their family histories and help each other. In the 1980s, they started returning to Zhangpu and the ancestral temple. They bring their genealogies and ancestral tablets so they understand which generation they are. No matter what job they do, whether they are rich or poor, successful or not, when they visit the temple they all kneel and pray before their ancestors and they recite the family maxims that have been passed down for centuries. Lan Honglin spoke with Zhang Yi. silicone bracelets custom cheapmotivational wristbands for athletessilicone bracelets custom cheapcustom wristbands no minimum
BEIJING - China is moving to tighten control over pollutant emissions from new motor vehicles.A recently revised policy demands stricter emission limits to be gradually placed on carbon monoxide, total hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter produced by new motor vehicles, according to a Ministry of Environmental Protection statement Wednesday.The ministry will make unified national emission standards for new vehicles, with local authorities encouraged to adopt the standards ahead of schedule. Priority of regulation will be put on heavy-duty diesel vehicles.Authorities will encourage the research and development of automobiles using alternative fuels such as natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, ethanol and biodiesel. The use of alternative fuel and new energy vehicles should be given preference in urban public transport, sanitation, postal and logistics sectors.The ministry said China's pollution control on motor vehicles should reach an internationally advanced level by 2020, with at least 95 percent of scrapped vehicles recycled.The government unveiled a five-year national clean air action plan in 2013, aiming to improve air quality through measures such as closing factories, limiting cars and replacing coal with clean energy.
