STORY: Hey! Chinese loong is not the fire-breathing dragon
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 7, 2024
DATELINE: Feb. 9, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:55
LOCATION: Beijing
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Chinese loong's elements
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): YAN XINYUAN, Professor with Beihang University
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): YAN XINYUAN, Professor with Beihang University
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): JAMES LALONDE, American living in Beijing

STORYLINE:

With the Lunar New Year approaching, Chinese loong has adorned gold jewelry, gift boxes and street festoons.
　　
SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): YAN XINYUAN, Professor with Beihang University
"The Chinese loong is a beautiful fusion of animals born out of people's imagination. It is the only virtual zodiac animal that represents a combination of many animal parts."

The image of the legendary animal varied in different dynasties in China. Today, a typical loong is described as having a snake's body, a horse's head, an eagle's talons and a deer's antlers.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): YAN XINYUAN, Professor with Beihang University
"A horse's head represents sincerity and effort; the antlers of a deer indicate a sense of dignity, fearlessness and a courageous spirit; the body of a snake symbolizes a kind of energy that can extend deep into the earth and reach toward the sky; the talons of an eagle represent the freedom of flying. Therefore, the Chinese loong is the most robust, beautiful and capable imaginary symbol."

James LaLonde, an American who has lived in Beijing for almost 10 years, is very passionate about Chinese culture. His Chinese name is Lang Longjie, with the second character representing "loong," or dragon. Ahead of the Lunar New Year, he took his son to visit an exhibition about Chinese loong.
　　
SOUNDBITE 3 (English): JAMES LALONDE, American living in Beijing
"The Western dragon is usually more evil or maybe more in the fighting. But here in China, it seems like the dragon's more friendly.
And the snake the thing undulating (like a) kind of snake, going in the water and the sky. It's quite beautiful for me to see as a Westerner, the Chinese version of the dragon. The dragon is a very mythical and amazing animal."
　
Now, the elements of Chinese loong have been integrated into people's daily life and have become an indispensable part of Chinese culture.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beijing.
(XHTV)