The first group of 282 Chinese Muslims from northwestern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region began their annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Monday by direct charter flights.

The Chinese government will continue to promote policies aimed at enticing skilled overseas Chinese to return home to develop their careers and build an innovative country.

Chinese calligraphy has been submitted to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a candidate for the Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity (MOIHH) designation.