Sun Xueyuan had trouble summoning the strength to farm even 1 hectare of land 30 years ago. Now, thanks to agricultural technology and better cultivation practices, he can easily handle 20 hectares.Tending fields is often backbreaking work, especially in places where farmers depend on weather conditions and their own two hands to ensure good harvests. This describes the daily life of Sun, 65, from Yiyang, Hunan province, for decades.Preparing rice seeds before planting is the most time-consuming task during spring sowing season. Traditionally, farmers must first soak the seeds and cover them with straw, and then insulate the seeds to keep them warm. But they also have to wake up each night to check that the seeds are not overheated."We seldom got a good night's sleep during this period," Sun said.This year, Sun was able to sleep soundly every night thanks to modern technology. "Someone else took care of the seeds for us, and they did an even better job," he said.All his seeds were sent to the nearby cooperative where pre-germination is done mechanically."Our seedling nursery can maintain a stable temperature and humidity, and it effectively promotes seed growth," said Liu Chuangye, the cooperative's operator.Sun said almost all the farmers in his area now send their seeds there for pre-germination "as it's cost effective".In the nearby town of Xiejiapu, Kuang Yongli sought help to plow his 20 hectares of land via WeChat. The next day, he had three rototillers running at full steam.However, when Kuang first took to farming five years ago, he often spent days looking for help to plow the land because farming machinery was scarce.The local cooperative set up the WeChat group so that machinery experts, farmers and farm machinery providers could directly communicate with each other."Now we can reserve the machines in real time on WeChat, and each rototiller can plow almost 3 hectares a day," Kuang said. "The price is also very good, ranging from 1,500 to 1,800 yuan ($235 to 285) per hectare."According to Liu, modern technology has been applied in every stage of farming and is being widely accepted by farmers.In nearby Huarong county, housewives are trying their hands at harvesting vegetables and transplanting rice seedlings. Labor shortages used to be a big headache during spring planting and fall harvesting, but these stay-at-home women have become a major force in tackling the problem.About 50 women have been mobilized to work in the fields in the busy seasons, and more will join this year, according to Zhang Ande, one of the organizers."By working together and sharing resources, farming has become much more efficient and easier," added farmer Lu Qingnian.Xinhua figured wristbandcustom awareness wristbandstriple single rubber band braceletprinted wristbandblank wristband
HARBIN -- Mingming is 23 years old, but weighs far less than most women her age. She hardly went to school and has spent most of the last 15 years of her life in bed with a chronic illness.Living at a bungalow near a railroad in Qiqihar City of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Mingming (she is hesitant to disclose her full name) is a victim of abandoned chemical weapons left by invading Japanese soldiers after the Second World War."Everything changed when I was eight years old," she said.On Aug. 4, 2003, five iron barrels were unearthed from a construction site and nobody knew they contained highly-toxic mustard gas. A total of 44 people were poisoned, including Mingming, who had played on a pile of dirt near the gas leak."In the last years of the Second World War, invading Japanese troops buried and abandoned large quantities of poisonous agents, and threw some into a nearby river," said Cao Zhibo, a historian who researches issues surrounding chemical weapons abandoned by invading Japanese troops.Experts estimate that there are about 2,000 victims of the fatal abandoned chemical weapons in China and many people are still suffering. Lawyers and social workers have highlighted the plight of the victims."After the poisonous gas leak in 2003, the Japanese side provided a certain amount of relief payment or consolation money, but never in the form of compensation in a legal sense," said Luo Lijuan, a local lawyer who advocated for the victims. "The money they received were never enough to cover their medical bills.""The heath conditions of the victims are deteriorating. Many suffered from stomach, lung and liver cancer," she said.Li Guoqiang, a former doctor, died at the age of 68 in December last year. In October 1987, Li, together with his colleagues, were poisoned by mustard gas when they were sent to examine an iron bucket in a factory."My respiratory system was severely damaged because I was standing in the front. I spent 33 days in an ICU. What a nightmare! Chemical weapons totally ruined me and my family," he said in an interview 10 days before his death.Chemical weapons are called silent killers, and caused the deaths of more than 1.3 million people during their large-scale application in the First World War.In times of peace, abandoned chemical weapons can easily take an unexpected toll, and the harm they can cause is uncontrollable, Luo said.Xu Zhifu was a factory guard when he was hit by the gas poisoning in 2003. He suffered damage in his urine system. Within 10 minutes, he had to use bathroom six times. Adult diapers were piled up in his apartment when Xinhua reporters visited him.Japan should take its responsibility from the perspectives of morality, history and law; however, it has failed in every way, said Japanese lawyer Minami Norio, who has led continuous efforts in helping the Chinese victims of chemical weapons abandoned by invading Japanese troops.The Civil Affairs Bureau of Qiqihar said victims hav been included on minimum living allowances schemes. Social workers and companies have extended help both financially and in seeking doctors."We must live on," said Niu Haiying, another victim. "We are remainders of the scars of war, and reminder of the need to maintain peace." custom camo wristbandscustom wristbands torontocorporate silicone wristbandscustom made bracelets ukfundraising rubber wristbands<%2fcenter>
