Preface to My Lovely Hometown: Hebei
Speaking of Hebei,many people tend to associate it with the World Heritage site of the Mountain Resort in Chengde; the Western Qing Tombs that bore witness to half of the history of the Qing Dynasty; Shanhai Pass,the“First Pass Under Heaven;”Xibaipo,the sacred revolutionary base area; and the picturesque Beidaihe and Baiyang Lake.But these distinctive scenic spots just make a superficial impression of Hebei on tourists.Hebei is characterized by diversified and abundant natural resources and unique historical and cultural relics.Featuring both varied landforms and temperate climate,it boasts the only province in China that has plateaus,mountains,hills,plains,lakes and seashores.Dubbed as“the land of Yan and Zhao states”in the ancient times,it inherits and passes on different types of culture and preserves such precious national cultural relics as Jade Clothes Sewn with Gold Wire and Gold-inlaid Boshan Censer.As part of the capital economic circle in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and with incomparable geographical advantages,it is blessed with important strategic opportunities and gathers greater momentum in economic development.
At present,Hebei is confronted with a historical juncture and a period full of strategic opportunities.In order to facilitate the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region,proactively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and publicize and popularize the image of Hebei at home and abroad,Hebei Provincial Permanent Standing Commission of Young Pioneers of China compiled the book series entitled My Lovely Hometown: Hebei.Classified according to the prefecture-level cities,this Chinese-English edition is comprised of 11 volumes in total,introducing geographical location and city profile; history,culture and famous people; traditional culture and art; tourism and local features; economic development and hometown’s new look;“city cards,”etc.,with a view of introducing a burgeoning Hebei.
Before compiling the book series,we have been thinking about how to tell the story of Hebei and who is to accomplish this task.No one is more suitable than the natives of Hebei Province,because this is a story about their own home.Initiating the Search for Your Local Culture campaign,we have motivated the youth to search for and collect the materials relating to the fine traditional culture and red revolutionary culture,especially those about the great achievements made by our hometown since the reform and openingup.Through this,we fully appreciate the youth’s love for their home,the country and the Party.After listening to their stories,we gain a whole new understanding of Hebei,a fascinating yet modest Hebei.We are more eager to tell the story of Hebei at home and abroad,and this is how the book series entitled My Lovely Hometown: Hebei comes into being.
In compiling and publishing this book series,we hope to demonstrate a different Hebei to the world and enhance both the popularity and reputation of Hebei at home and abroad,thus making positive contributions to the coordinated development of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region,the Belt and Road Initiative and the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.At the same time,we also hope that this book series will enable more youths to better understand Hebei and engage in the development cause of Hebei in the future.In addition,we aim to use the story of Hebei to encourage young people from other provinces,stimulate their love for their home,the country and the Party and make them take pride in telling their own stories.We have a firm belief that just like water drops converging and forming a mighty torrent,these heartfelt thoughts and feelings will definitely compose a dynamic and catching Chinese story,presenting an influential point of view to the world.
Hebei Provincial Permanent Standing Commission of Young Pioneers of China 2020.09