MEMORY OF DAYS PAST: An exhibition for the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a semi-military governmental organization shoulders the dual task of production and security in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, kicks off at the National Museum of China in Beijing on August 15 (WEI YAO)

Office for Taiwan

The State Council Taiwan Affairs Office (SCTAO) on August 14 officially opened a special office to handle public petitions related to affairs on the island province.

Petitioning, also known as the "letters and calls system," is the administrative method for soliciting public complaints and grievances.

The office will keenly listen to the complaints and requests of Taiwanese compatriots and Taiwanese spouses on the mainland and try to solve their problems, said SCTAO Vice Minister Gong Qinggai.

Wildlife Protection

The Chinese Embassy on August 14 donated anti-poaching equipment worth $20,000 to strengthen the fight against wildlife crimes in Kenya.

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa said that the donation is part of the long-term commitment from China to revitalize the war against poaching in Kenya.

During his visit to Kenya in May, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that a China-Africa joint research center will be established in Nairobi to strengthen war against poaching.

The Chinese embassy has partnered with Kenyan state organs to strengthen the fight against wildlife crimes in the east African nation.

Art for the World

Hong Kong-based Phoenix Television announced the launch of its new venture, Phoenix Art, at its Free-Thinking Innovation event and panel discussion

in Beijing on August 19. Phoenix Art, which includes the new website, Art.ifeng.com, will provide exclusive content centered on education and innovation in the fine arts, both in China and around the world. Many distinguished guests—including Richard Saul Wurman, designer and co-founder of TED talks; Phoenix TV news anchor Sally Wu; professor of the arts Victoria Lu; contemporary artists Cai Guoqiang, Xu Bing and Qiu Zhijie; and many more—spoke on topics ranging from technology's impact on the traditional arts to how innovation and creativity are sparked in the 21st century. More than 150 guests were present for the Free-Thinking Innovation event.

"Creativity comes from your distance from reality. If you only view the world inside a small area, you won't be inspired to have new thoughts," said Xu Bing, speaking during the discussion on fostering creation in art and seeking out new inspiration. In collaboration with Phoenix Art, internationally renowned painters, innovators, academics, photographers, calligraphers as well as other artists will bring their work to the Chinese population to provide that inspiration.

This new platform and website for art education and appreciation also hopes to make the classics, from ancient Greek sculpture to the Dadaist movement, accessible to anyone, anywhere. "There is no more past or future or East or West—we're all on the same level now," Victoria Lu said at the event.