NewzIntel.com

Category: China

  • MIL-OSI China: Expanding rail transit lines propel Greater Bay Area integration

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    SHENZHEN, Oct. 4 — The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is being closely-knit by a growingly extensive, interconnected transportation network, poised to become one of China’s largest cross-city rail transit systems.

    Spanning 56,000 square km with a total economic output of over 14 trillion yuan (around 2 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2023, the area encompasses the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, along with nine cities in south China’s Guangdong Province.

    Since May, two new intercity rail lines have joined the existing network. Its integrated infrastructure, ticketing, security and information systems allow passengers to travel seamlessly across Guangzhou, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhaoqing and Huizhou in the GBA with a single ticket.

    The nine cities of Guangdong in the GBA see an average of over 6 million daily intercity trips. The intercity rail network has greatly streamlined business travel, tourism and commuting.

    “Compared to a grueling five-hour drive in the past, my daily commute now takes me just over two hours through the intercity transit network,” said a passenger surnamed Xie who works in Guangzhou and lives about 70 km away in Foshan.

    “The transit is quick and comfortable. It feels like I’m commuting within a single city,” Xie added, noting that the convenience of intercity travel makes it easy to meet and hang out with friends across all five cities.

    Experts believe that a bustling, punctual metro system can reduce travel times and transportation costs. Hence, it is logical to develop an extensive cross-city rail transit system to accommodate the high commuter traffic generated by the GBA’s integration.

    China aims to develop the GBA into a world-class city cluster, a global technology and innovation center, a livable, business-friendly location, an exchange hub for the culture of the East and the West and a world-class tourism destination.

    Experts believe that the GBA’s integration is crucial for harnessing regional industrial strengths, driving collaborative development, optimizing the industrial landscape and aligning with the global value chain.

    According to Hu Gang, a professor at Guangzhou-based Jinan University, the intercity line connecting five cities stimulates vitality and fosters interconnectivity, coordinated development and efficient resource circulation in the area.

    With the launch of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed railway and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the GBA’s transportation network has fostered new patterns of cross-city consumption, economic exchange and lifestyles.

    “On weekends, I often stay in Shenzhen, enjoy dim sum and go shopping before heading back to Hong Kong on Sunday,” said Lin Lin, who frequently takes the subway to Shenzhen after finishing work in Hong Kong on Fridays.

    Shenzhen and Hong Kong have implemented a mutual authentication system for digital payment in public transport. People can use payment apps including AlipayHK and Alipay for taking buses and subways in both cities, with fares automatically converted at current exchange rates.

    “The transportation network fosters regional economic cohesion and job growth, differentiating industries and boosting competitiveness,” said Li Peilin, an associate researcher at the National Development and Reform Commission’s Institute of Spatial Planning and Regional Economy.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong wins global acclaim as one of top places to do business

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    HONG KONG, Oct. 4 — Hong Kong has been winning global acclaim for its ever-improving business and investment climate underpinned by its status as a global financial hub and relentless efforts to nurture industries and firms.

    A pilot Business Ready 2024 Report published by the World Bank Group has named Hong Kong one of the best-performing economies in business environment out of the 50 economies it surveyed worldwide, according to a spokesperson for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government.

    The report gauges business and investment climate from 10 topics with three pillars under each topic. Hong Kong ranks fifth in the pillar of “Operational Efficiency” with a score of 78.52 points out of 100 points. Among the 10 topics, Hong Kong scored 90.77 points for “International Trade,” 85.49 points for “Business Entry,” and 77.71 points for “Utility Services.”

    The report also highlighted that Hong Kong has few restrictions on international trade in services and implements good practices in terms of information provision and regulations relating to company registration, the spokesperson said.

    The pilot report is the latest in a string of nods to the ease of doing business in Hong Kong. The World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024 published by the International Institute for Management Development in June put Hong Kong first in terms of “International trade” and “Business legislation.” Hong Kong ranks among the top five globally in “business environment,” “human capital” and “infrastructure” according to the latest Global Financial Centers Index.

    “Apart from London and New York, I think there’s no other international regulatory environment that is more valuable than Hong Kong’s. I’m absolutely confident that I’m in the right place,” said French entrepreneur Julien Martin, dubbing Hong Kong one of the most attractive destination for businesses to grow and thrive.

    Having worked in the financial industry in Hong Kong for more than 10 years, Martin founded a green finance startup, as he has every confidence that Hong Kong’s strong regulatory regime, free flow of capital, as well as abundant sources of technological innovation will help his company thrive.

    Many foreign firms share Martin’s upbeat sentiment for growth. According to a latest business confidence survey conducted by the German Industry and Commerce Ltd. and the German Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, 86 percent of respondents stated their company was not considering a relocation in the immediate future, while one in four indicated further investments in Hong Kong in the next two years, suggesting a commitment to maintaining stable operations in Hong Kong.

    Adding to Hong Kong’s long-standing allures including a transparent regulatory environment, a competitive tax regime and top-notch professional services and talents, Hong Kong is nurturing its sci-tech innovation sector as a cradle of startups as well as offices of leading firms.

    “Aside from enjoying a long legacy as one of the most important international business centers and logistics hubs in the world, Hong Kong is also committed to becoming a leader in the innovation and technology industry and is well-placed to achieve such a status,” said Yang Ming, global strategic affairs vice president of WestWell, an autonomous-driving developer founded in Shanghai.

    Hong Kong’s strategic location at the center of Asia enables innovation and technology companies to establish extensive connections with the regional market and achieve deep insights, Yang added.

    Entrepreneurs also say that Hong Kong’s supportive ecosystem for startups can come in handy, with government-backed initiatives, incubators, accelerators, and funding schemes in place to help startups navigate regulatory frameworks, access capital, and connect with potential partners or clients.

    Heartened by Hong Kong’s efforts to make its business environment more appealing, leading firms are pivoting increasingly to Hong Kong. Artificial intelligence (AI) and intelligent speech giant iFLYTEK and its subsidiary iFLYHEALTH announced plans in July to set up their international headquarters in Hong Kong’s flagship incubator Cyberport.

    Hong Kong will maintain its international, open and friendly business environment, said Financial Secretary of the HKSAR government Paul Chan during his visit to Spain in late September. Chan had vowed to deepen cooperation with both developed and emerging markets for fresh impetus into Hong Kong’s capital market.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Death toll rises to 42 after boat accident in central Nigeria

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The death toll of a boat accident earlier this week in Niger State in central Nigeria has risen to 42, as more bodies were recovered Friday, a local official said.

    Abdullahi Baba-Arah, head of the State Emergency Management Agency, told reporters that at least 17 more bodies had been recovered since Thursday, six of them found early Friday.

    At least 25 bodies were earlier confirmed to have been recovered after the boat carrying more than 300 passengers capsized on Tuesday night, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s spokesman said on Thursday.

    More than 150 others were rescued after the overloaded wooden boat flipped over on the River Niger upstream Jebba Dam in the Mokwa local government area late Tuesday, Bayo Onanuga, a senior presidential spokesman, said in a statement issued on behalf of Tinubu.

    The victims were returning from a religious celebration in another community in Niger when the accident occurred, local authorities said in a separate statement issued earlier, noting mostly women and children were aboard the ill-fated boat. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation.

    Baba-Arah told the media Friday that the search and rescue operation was continuing to recover the still-missing victims.

    Meanwhile, Tinubu has ordered the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to investigate the spate of boat accidents in Niger and across the country and devise modalities to check the trend.

    The Nigerian leader also directed the NIWA to expand the scope of its surveillance of inland waters to ensure “people’s safety and prosecute boat operators violating the ban on night sailing.”

    Boat accidents are common in Nigeria, often due to overloading, adverse weather conditions, and operational errors. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese envoy urges Security Council to keep attention on probe of Nord Stream explosions

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A Chinese envoy on Friday called on the UN Security Council to keep its attention on the investigation of the Nord Stream pipelines explosions, refrain from allowing it to fade away, and put an end to double standards.

    Two years ago, the Nord Stream pipelines exploded in the Baltic Sea, which “has serious negative impact on global energy supplies, marine ecosystems, and the safety of maritime shipping,” said Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, at the Security Council briefing on Nord Stream.

    Over the past two years, the international community has been following with great interests the progress of the investigation into the incident, he said, adding that the council has conducted numerous deliberations with many council members repeatedly calling for “objective, impartial, and professional investigations to establish facts as soon as possible” and bring the perpetrators to justice.

    “Regrettably, we have not yet reached a definitive conclusion,” he said.

    “Two years later, the result is that Sweden and Denmark have announced the termination of their investigations one after another, yet the information they released is scant and lacking details,” said the ambassador, adding that the national investigation of Germany has so far produced no clear conclusion.

    He said the public can only obtain information and speculate based on media reports. “Was there a hidden agenda to the initial opposition to an international investigation? Has evidence been covered up and destroyed over the past two years or so? When will the trust and time we have given be rewarded with the truth about what happened?” Geng asked.

    The ambassador said China supports the draft presidential statement circulated by Russia on the Nord Stream pipeline explosions and welcomes the changes and adjustments Russia made to the draft in light of the comments of council members.

    Terming the draft as presenting facts objectively, reflecting the concerns of all parties, and “generally balanced in its content,” he expressed the hope that all parties will intensify consultations and reach agreement on the draft as soon as possible, so as to send a clear signal to the outside world.

    Geng also expressed the hope that Germany will announce the progress and results of the investigation through official channels as soon as possible, and the countries concerned will actively communicate and cooperate with Russia, the main party to the Nord Stream incident, and avoid politicizing the investigations.

    “We hope that the council will keep its attention on this matter, refrain from allowing it to fade away, and put an end to double standards,” he concluded. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: World Bank report ranks Hong Kong among top 10 global business hubs

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Hong Kong has been ranked among the top 10 economies to do business in by the World Bank Group on Thursday, a vote of confidence in the city’s regulations for business entry and utility infrastructure.

    In the inaugural Business Ready 2024 Report covering 50 economies, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region logged high scores in international trade, business entry and utility services.

    The ratings came after the United States in September alleged that businesses faced escalating risks associated with operations in Hong Kong, claiming that routine activities could be violated by the city’s national security law.

    A spokesman for the Hong Kong SAR government said the latest report recognizes the city’s role as an international trading center.

    “The report highlights that Hong Kong has few restrictions on international trade in services and implements good practices in terms of information provision and regulations relating to company registration,” he said.

    However, the government spokesman noted that the report, on the other hand, has not reflected some of Hong Kong’s elements “conducive to a friendly business environment”, such as implementing common law, robust rule of law and safeguarding gender equality.

    The administration said it will maintain close communication with the World Bank Group to explain comprehensively about the city’s situation, and its policies and measures that facilitate the business environment.

    Recent reports from multiple international organizations have validated Hong Kong’s robustness and competitiveness. For example, according to the latest Global Financial Centers Index issued in September, Hong Kong reclaimed its position as Asia’s top financial center and the third globally.

    Ratings showed that the city was among the top places in various competitive areas such as business environment, human capital and infrastructure. The report also ranked the SAR as one of the top 10 financial technology hubs worldwide.

    Billy Mak Sui-choi, an associate professor at Hong Kong Baptist University’s Department of Accountancy, Economics and Finance, said Hong Kong should embark on market diversification and talent cultivation to consolidate its international trade hub status.

    “Hong Kong should reach out to more ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and Belt and Road countries as much as possible to strengthen its superconnector role in regional trade and investment flows,” Mak told China Daily.

    The professor added that Hong Kong should nurture more overseas students from ASEAN, Africa and Central Asia to become international trade talents that can act as the bridge for fostering trade between Hong Kong and those three regions.

    Simon Lee Siu-por, adjunct faculty at Shenzhen Finance Institute of CUHK (Shenzhen), said the report has reaffirmed Hong Kong’s previous efforts to consolidate its international trade center status, adding that the common law system, rule of law and freedom of information flow are very important to cement Hong Kong’s reputation as a business-friendly place.

    “Hong Kong should maintain the attribute of internationalization by welcoming and boosting the confidence of overseas enterprises to operate their businesses here,” Lee told China Daily.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Iran stands with Hezbollah, backs efforts for ceasefire in Lebanon, Gaza: FM

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi affirmed Friday that his country will stand with Hezbollah and always support Lebanon and its people.

    Araghchi made the remarks at a press conference after two separate meetings with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati during his visit to Beirut.

    Araghchi described his visit “under current difficult circumstances” as the “best evidence that Iran stands by Hezbollah with all its capacity” and a gesture to show solidarity with “the Shiites in Lebanon and the entire Lebanese people.”

    The minister called Iran’s Tuesday missile attack on Israel “a legitimate self-defense based on the principles of the United Nations Charter.”

    He stressed that Iran “has no plans to continue attacks unless Israel decides to continue its attacks,” warning if Israel takes any step or action against Iran, the response will be “stronger and proportionate.”

    Araghchi pointed out that his talks with Lebanese officials center on the ceasefire and that “consultations are ongoing with concerned countries.”

    “We support the efforts toward a ceasefire, provided that, first, the rights of the Lebanese people are taken into account and it is accepted by the (Hezbollah) resistance, and second, that it comes simultaneously with a ceasefire in Gaza,” he said.

    Meanwhile, a statement released by Mikati’s office said Araghchi has expressed during the talks “his country’s concern and support for Lebanon in the face of the Israeli aggression.”

    According to the statement, Iran will launch a diplomatic campaign and request a meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference to support Lebanon.

    Araghchi arrived in Beirut for a visit on Friday, during which the top Iranian diplomat is scheduled to meet with high-ranking Lebanese officials. In addition, Iran will provide 10 tons of food and medicine in aid to Lebanon, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry.

    The visit comes as Israel has recently intensified its strikes against Hezbollah across Lebanon, which fueled its ongoing clashes with Hezbollah since Oct. 8, 2023, when the Lebanon-based Shiite group fired rockets at Israel in support of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, prompting retaliatory fire and airstrikes from Israel in southeastern Lebanon. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gallego Calls on Administration to Crack Down on Illegal Chinese Vapes

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ruben Gallego (AZ-07)

    October 04, 2024

    PHOENIX – Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Department of Justice (DOJ) urging the use of the new multi-agency task force on illicit e-cigarettes to crack down on U.S. distributors of illegal, mostly Chinese-made, e-cigarettes.

    “Every day without action results in more young Arizonans falling victim to addictive products from China,” Rep. Gallego wrote.

    Rep. Gallego notes that Arizona currently has two entities that are among the largest domestic distributors of illicit e-cigarette brands. Even though the distributors operate in plain sight and open defiance of federal law, neither have been subject to civil monetary penalties or any other enforcement actions.

    “Most of the leading manufacturers of illegal e-cigarettes are domiciled in China,” Rep. Gallego continues. “Although there may be constraints in enforcing judicial and administrative orders against these foreign companies, these constraints do not apply to the U.S.-based distributors that bring these illegal products to U.S. consumers, nor do they apply in securing our borders against the importation of illegal products.”

    “With the establishment of the multi-agency task force – and the promise of greater coordination between FDA and DOJ – inaction on enforcement is no longer tolerable,” he concludes. “The task force must issue impactful enforcement actions immediately to send a clear message to the worst offenders that open defiance of applicable laws and regulations will no longer be permitted.”

    Full text of the letter can be found HERE.

    Earlier this year, Rep. Gallego introduced the Vetting and Patrolling E-Cigarette (VAPE) Imports Act to combat illicit vaping products coming into the U.S. The legislation would authorize an additional $5 million for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to step up its field operations at ports of entry and the eight international mail facilities, specifically to target illicit vaping and nicotine products.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: National Day holiday brings box office surge

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    As a testament to its economic vitality, the weeklong National Day holiday has sparked a box office surge, underscoring the potential of China’s resurgent market.

    As of Friday, the vacation starting from Tuesday has raked in 1.47 billion yuan ($209.4 million), a 45 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022 and slightly surpassing the year-on-year figure in 2023, according to Maoyan Pro, a real-time movie information tracker.

    Fueled by the boom, this year’s box office tally has surpassed 36 billion yuan, deemed by many industry insiders as an inspirational sign to uplift morale following the sluggish previous seasons from the May Day holiday to the summer vacation and Mid-Autumn Festival.

    The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death, the latest directorial work by Chen Kaige, the first Chinese filmmaker to win a Palme d’Or award at the Cannes Film Festival, is currently leading the holiday box office charts with earnings exceeding 500 million yuan.

    As the second installment of Chen’s trilogy The Volunteers, an epic that chronicles the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53), the 144-minute new movie recounts a pivotal battle in Cheorwon, where 25,000 Chinese People’s Volunteer Army soldiers engaged around 50,000 United States-led “United Nations Command” forces in 1951.

    Yuan Yun’er, a Beijing-based critic, said the movie, which has garnered a rating of 7.2 points out of 10 on the popular review site Douban, is a poignant narrative that revisits the war pivotal to China’s destiny over 70 years ago.

    Compared to the initial installment, The Volunteers: To the War, released last October, the new film presents a more intense plot from a human-interest perspective, with its depiction of war scenes being more grandiose and skillful in portraying details.

    For example, a poignant detail stirring online discussion is a candy gifted by CPV Commander-in-Chief Peng Dehuai to a veteran officer, who passes it to his son, a CPV soldier, and eventually to his sister, an army interpreter, with the son’s touching act of licking the empty wrapper before his sacrifice resonating profoundly with viewers.

    Zhi Feina, a film professor at the Chinese National Academy of Arts, remarked that the movie distinguishes itself, partly because its patriotic theme resonates with the collective emotions of the domestic audience, as China celebrates the National Day.

    Following the war epic, director Lu Chuan’s sci-fi film Bureau 749 has secured the second spot on the holiday box office charts, amassing over 300 million yuan. The film, loosely inspired by Lu’s early work experience in an institute researching supernatural phenomena, narrates a near-future story about battling mysterious creatures that drag a city into an unprecedented crisis.

    Ranked third in box office earnings at the festival, the crime drama Tiger Wolf Rabbit depicts the vengeful quest of three parents whose children are abducted by human traffickers. It has grossed over 230 million yuan.

    Respectively, the fourth and fifth top earners are kungfu giant Jackie Chan’s comedy Panda Plan and Hong Kong iconic star Andy Lau’s action thriller High Forces.

    A total of 10 movies were released on Monday and Tuesday, aiming to vie for audiences during the National Day holiday, one of the most lucrative box office seasons in China, according to the China Film Distribution and Exhibition Association.

    Yu Chao, deputy general manager of Beijing’s Capital Cinema chain, said that the diversity in genres and the remarkable number of new films released showcase the potential of China’s movie market.

    From sci-fi movie The Wandering Earth (2019) to the fantasy epic Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms (2023) and the latest blockbuster Bureau 749, Chinese audiences have demonstrated a strong interest in watching special effects-laden big-budget films, indicating opportunities for advancement in the Chinese film technology sector, Yu said.

    He also highlighted the holiday’s new movie, A Tapestry of a Legendary Land. Adapted from the popular dance poem drama of the same name, the movie represents a new creative direction for domestic filmmakers.

    The film, featuring the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) masterpiece Qianli Jiangshan Tu (A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains) through dance, demonstrates that stage performances translated into feature-length films can attract audiences with their established reputation and enhanced visual details on large cinema screens, added Yu.

    Rao Shuguang, president of the China Film Critics Association, predicted this year’s box office revenue may exceed last year’s, driven by the momentum of the National Day holiday surge.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: IMF pledges continued support for Sri Lanka’s economic reforms

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Friday that it will continue its close engagement with Sri Lanka’s economic team to set a date for the third review of the IMF-supported program.

    An IMF team, led by Krishna Srinivasan, director of the Asia Pacific Department, visited Sri Lanka from Oct. 2 to Oct. 4.

    Srinivasan met with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, other senior officials and stakeholders.

    At the end of the visit, Srinivasan said in a statement that they held productive discussions with Dissanayake and Sri Lanka’s economic team on the economic and financial challenges facing the Sri Lankan economy.

    He said both sides agreed on the importance of continuing to safeguard and build on the hard-won gains that have helped put Sri Lanka on a path to economic recovery since entering one of its worst economic crises in 2022.

    Srinivasan added that the IMF is encouraged by the authorities’ commitment to continue the reform efforts.

    He said the IMF remains a steadfast partner in supporting Sri Lanka and its people and stands ready to assist the country in achieving its economic reform goals.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: UN says nearly 900,000 affected by flooding in South Sudan

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Friday it has scaled up the response to the devastating flooding which has affected more than 890,000 people in South Sudan.

    The UN relief agency said in an update released in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, that the floods have so far displaced about 226,000 people in 42 counties and Abyei.

    “The latest increase is attributed to newly confirmed numbers of affected people in the Abyei Administrative Area, Western Bahr el Ghazal and Lakes states,” OCHA said in its update.

    South Sudan faces unprecedented flooding, with forecasts predicting above-average rainfall, river flows from Uganda, and potentially record-breaking floods, according to OCHA.

    The agency said physical access to affected communities remains a challenge due to damaged and impassable roads.

    The update came a day after South Sudan’s Council of Ministers endorsed the declaration of a state of emergency in flood-affected states. President Salva Kiir is expected to issue the declaration soon so as to mobilize resources from international donors to support relief efforts.

    In September, the UN allocated 15 million U.S. dollars for an urgent response to the flooding in South Sudan, which began in May and has since damaged homes, crops and infrastructure, disrupting education and health services.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Biden stresses need for Israel to minimize civilian casualties

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated Friday that while Israel has the right to fight and defend itself against militant groups like Hezbollah, it should put “much more” effort in minimizing civilian casualties during such operations.

    Making a surprise appearance — his first since taking office — at the White House press briefing, Biden tried to quell growing concerns that what has been happening in the past few days is edging ever closer to a full-blown regional war in the Middle East.

    He argued that the U.S. strategy to deal with the current situation has received support from the United Nations Security Council as well as Washington’s allies around the world.

    “The Israelis have every right to respond to the vicious attacks on them, not just from the Iranians, but from everyone — from Hezbollah to Houthis,” Biden said. “But the fact is that they have to be very much more careful about dealing with civilian casualties.” 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Serbian president hails Chinese-built bypass

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Friday inaugurated a new bypass road around the municipality of Gornji Milanovac, constructed by a Chinese company as part of Serbia’s broader infrastructure development initiatives.

    The inauguration ceremony in Gornji Milanovac — located about an hour and a half south of Belgrade via the Chinese-built E-763 “Milos the Great” highway — was attended by Minister of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure Goran Vesic, Chinese Ambassador Li Ming, and Gornji Milanovac Mayor Dejan Kovacevic.

    Vucic emphasized the road’s significance for the local community, noting that it would “bring them closer to Belgrade, Europe, and the world.”

    The 9.4-kilometer bypass, connecting Gornji Milanovac with the E-763 highway, is expected to alleviate traffic in the town center by diverting transit and freight vehicles.

    Construction on the bypass began after a cooperation agreement was signed between Serbia’s Ministry of Construction and Power Construction Corporation of China in late 2021.

    Li praised the fruitful cooperation between Serbia and China in recent years, highlighting the success of numerous infrastructure projects.

    “I hope this road marks a new beginning, paving the way for more opportunities for prosperity and happiness,” Li concluded. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China stimulus to benefit SE Asia

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s stimulus measures will have a positive spillover effect on Southeast Asia, with the region’s tourism and export sectors expected to benefit from increased Chinese spending, analysts said.

    “The pledge of swift and forceful fiscal stimulus by Beijing is welcome news to ASEAN economies,” Erica Tay, an economist at Malaysia-based Maybank Investment Banking Group, told China Daily.

    ASEAN refers to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a 10-member regional grouping.

    On Sept 24, China’s central bank announced a raft of measures aimed at boosting the nation’s economy and spurring consumer spending. The steps included a cut in the reserve requirement ratio of commercial banks, lowering a key interest rate and reducing mortgage rates on existing home loans. The measures led to a spike in global commodity prices and triggered a rally in stock markets.

    The Malaysian ringgit, which is one of the best-performing Asian currencies this year, hit a three-year high following the Chinese central bank’s announcement. Stock prices of Chinese companies listed on the Singapore bourse surged, along with similar moves on other exchanges.

    But for the ASEAN region, which considers China as its biggest trading partner, a key source of investments and tourists and a huge market for export goods, the impact of China’s stimulus package goes beyond the stock price rally.

    Fillip to spending

    “Positive sentiment from the news flow may benefit Chinese consumer spending and tourism demand,” Tay said. She said this will spill over to economies popular with Chinese holidaymakers, such as Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

    Thailand, ASEAN’s most popular travel destination, was expected to welcome more than 180,000 Chinese tourists during the Oct 1 to 7 Golden Week holiday. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has estimated that Chinese spending over the weeklong holiday will bring over 5 billion baht ($151 million) in tourism revenues.

    Asia Plus Securities expects more Chinese tourists to visit Thailand thanks to the stimulus.

    The Bangkok-based brokerage said in a research note that the Chinese stimulus will be a boon to the Thai export sector as China is Thailand’s second-biggest export market.

    Josua Pardede, chief economist at the Jakarta-based PermataBank, said the substantial stimulus from Beijing is targeting not only the domestic supply side but also the demand side which can lead to higher multiplier effects on the overall economy.

    Pardede said “the strong trade and industrial sector linkages” between Indonesia and China will ensure that the stimulus will support Indonesian export growth and foreign direct investment inflows.

    “If global sentiment regarding China’s economic outlook improves, investors are likely to adopt a risk-on stance toward the Asia-Pacific region, including Indonesia. As a result, there is potential for increased inflow into Indonesia’s portfolio market, which would ultimately help maintain the stability of the rupiah,” he said, referring to the Indonesian currency.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China urges EU to get back to right track of resolving trade disputes through consultations

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China has urged the European Commission to take concrete actions to implement its political will and get back to the right track of resolving trade frictions through consultations, said a spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce on Friday.

    The remarks came after the commission’s proposal to impose definitive countervailing duties on imports of battery electric vehicles from China had obtained the necessary support from Member States of the European Union (EU) for the adoption of tariffs.

    “China firmly opposes the draft final ruling of the EU side, but has also noted its political will to continue to resolve the issue through negotiations,” said the spokesperson, noting that technical teams from both sides will continue with their negotiations on Oct. 7.

    The ministry urged the EU side to be clearly aware of the harm of imposing additional tariffs, as it will not solve any problems but only waver Chinese enterprises’ confidence and resolve in and prevent them from conducting investing cooperation in Europe.

    “China’s position is consistent and clear. China firmly opposes the unfair, illegal and unreasonable protectionist practices of EU in this case, and resolutely opposes the EU additional countervailing duty on Chinese electric vehicles,” said the spokesperson.

    The EU’s protectionist practices seriously violate WTO rules and disrupt the normal international trade order, hindering not just the China-EU trade and investment cooperation but also the EU’s green transition, with a negative impact on global climate response, the spokesperson noted.

    The spokesperson said China has implemented the consensus reached by leaders of the two sides, always borne in mind the overall interests of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, and always upheld the utmost sincerity in properly handling differences through dialogue and consultation.

    Since the end of June, both sides have held more than 10 technical consultations involving sub-ministry department chiefs and two vice-ministerial consultations on the case.

    On Sept. 19, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and European Commission Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis held comprehensive, in-depth and constructive talks, said the spokesperson, adding that they both clearly expressed the political will to resolve differences through consultation and agreed to launch price commitment talks to avoid escalating the trade frictions.

    In the following 14 days, technical teams from both sides conducted six rounds of consultations. Over the process, again and again, the Chinese side has fully listened to the demands and opinions of the Chinese and European industries, showing its open and cooperative attitude and exercising maximum flexibility, according to the spokesperson.

    “China will take all possible measures to firmly defend the interests of Chinese enterprises,” the spokesperson added. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Total of 5,358 listed companies on Chinese stock market by end August

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    There were 5,358 companies listed on the Chinese domestic stock market by the end of August 2024, according to the China Association for Public Companies.

    The stock exchanges in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing had 2,268, 2,839 and 251 listed firms, respectively, by end August, data from the association showed.

    State-owned holding and non-state-owned holding companies accounted for 27 percent and 73 percent, respectively, of these listed firms, with manufacturing and information transmission/software/information technology services, as well as wholesale and retail, being the top three sectors in terms of the number of listed companies, the data revealed.

    Three provinces, namely Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, contributed 42.48 percent of the total number of companies listed on the Chinese stock market.

    Nine companies made initial public offerings on the domestic stock market in August, raising a combined total of 5.33 billion yuan (about 761 million U.S. dollars), while 17 companies were delisted. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Leading the way to Chinese modernization through sci-tech innovation

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    The launch of the BeiDou-3 Navigation Satellite System’s (BDS-3) final two satellites in September marked the completion of China’s independently-developed satnav system, for which President Xi Jinping has given continuous support.
    Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has been closely following the development of the BDS-3 program.
    He visited the satellite launch site, cared about and encouraged scientists and technicians in the BDS-3 program, officially announced the commissioning of the program, sent a congratulatory letter to an international summit on the application of BeiDou, and mentioned it as a highlight of China’s achievements in his New Year messages.
    He has called for wider application of the BeiDou system to make new and greater contributions to China’s economic and social development, as well as the building of a human community with a shared future.
    Under the new system of concentrating nationwide efforts and resources on key undertakings, sci-tech workers have surmounted a multitude of technological hurdles — successfully integrating BeiDou into both industrial applications and daily life.
    BeiDou has become a standard configuration for mass consumer products such as smartphones and wearable devices. In the first half of 2024, over 98 percent of China’s 139 million units of smartphone shipments supported the BeiDou positioning system.
    The growth of BeiDou mirrors the modernization drive underpinned by the modernization of science and technology, and shows how the Chinese leader values sci-tech innovation and its fruits for bolstering the economy and facilitating high-quality development.
    At this year’s meeting with the country’s sci-tech workers in June, Xi said that Chinese modernization should be supported by sci-tech modernization, and achieving high-quality development relies on new driving forces cultivated by sci-tech innovation.
    What he calls for is happening. China has moved up to 11th place in the rankings of the world’s most innovative economies, representing one of the fastest rises over the past decade, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
    The country is also home to 26 of the world’s top 100 sci-tech innovation clusters, maintaining its position as the global leader for two consecutive years, the WIPO’s Global Innovation Index 2024 confirmed.
    Xi has emphasized the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation by enhancing the principal position of enterprises in technological innovation.
    The development of new energy vehicles is a good example. In 2014, during an inspection tour of SAIC Motor, a major Chinese carmaker, Xi called for the research and development of products that cater to diverse needs and highlighted the importance of new energy vehicles in enhancing China’s automotive industry.
    In the following decade, the president became a big fan of electric cars, visiting automotive companies, touring laboratories, and showing great interest in trying new home-developed models. He encouraged carmakers to focus on product quality and cultivate market competitiveness.
    Now new energy vehicles have become a highlight of China’s tech-intensive industry. Their penetration rate, a gauge of popularity, climbed to 53.9 percent in the domestic market in August, meaning that their sales volume exceeded that of traditional vehicles with internal combustion engines.
    New energy vehicles are also gaining popularity in Southeast Asian, South American and European markets. In the first eight months of 2024, China exported 818,000 new energy vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 12.6 percent.
    In addition to boosting economic growth through new energy industries, Xi also places great emphasis on the role of such industries in green development and promotes the sharing of green technologies — as harmonious coexistence between human and nature is one of the key features of China’s modernization.
    He has repeatedly expressed China’s commitment to re-adjusting industrial structure and energy mix, vigorously developing renewable energy, and making faster progress in planning and developing large wind power and photovoltaic bases.
    Over the past decade, China’s annual installation of renewable energy power generation capacity has accounted for more than 40 percent of the global total, while exceeding 50 percent in 2023.
    China’s fast progress in developing renewable energy technologies and their massive applications have also significantly contributed to an over 60 percent reduction in wind power costs and a more than 80 percent drop in photovoltaic power costs globally. This has played a pivotal role in global efforts to cut carbon emissions and transit toward a greener economy.
    At the same time, its renewable energy technology is still making breakthroughs, providing impetus for the future development of the industry. According to a study published in Nature at the end of September, Chinese chemists Yuan Mingjian from Nankai University cooperated with a scientist in Canada to prepare perovskite solar cell devices with high energy conversion efficiency and high operational stability, marking a major breakthrough in new-generation photovoltaic technology.
    At a recent symposium on ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin, Xi mentioned that many African countries have been discussing cooperation with China concerning wind and photovoltaic power.
    “Green and low-carbon cooperation has a promising future,” he said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge passengers exceed 20m

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    More than 20 million inbound and outbound passengers have traveled through the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge so far in 2024, an increase of 86 percent year on year, and exceeding the total volume of the whole of last year, official data released on Friday shows.
    This also marks the first time since the official opening of the bridge that the annual passenger flow has exceeded the milestone of 20 million people.
    This increasing number of Hong Kong and Macao passengers heading north is becoming the main force driving the rapid growth of passenger traffic at the port. Since the beginning of this year, more than 12 million Hong Kong and Macao travelers have entered or left the Chinese mainland via this port, up 83.3 percent year on year, and accounting for over 60 percent of total port passenger traffic during the period, local border inspection authorities said.
    The 55-km bridge links China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the city of Zhuhai in the southern Guangdong Province, and Macao SAR. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Nation ramps up public services to meet rising cultural demand

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Shanghai resident Wang Yanqing, 38, said that her recent experience of trying to secure a spot in the upcoming autumn courses at the Shanghai Resident Night School took her back to university days, when students had to scramble to register for classes online.
    In the blink of an eye, nearly 900,000 eager applicants flooded the system as soon as the night school’s registration portal opened. The most sought-after classes for the autumn session of the school spanned a wide range of disciplines, including archery, baking, leather crafting, popping and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
    Priced at a modest 500 yuan for a series of 12 classes, the Shanghai Resident Night School has gained a reputation for its accessibility and top-quality instructors, establishing itself as the hottest public cultural service hub in the city.
    Catering to people aged 18 to 55, the night school offers courses during the spring and autumn terms. In the ongoing autumn semester, the service has been expanded to include 37 branch campuses and 367 teaching venues, spanning across the city.
    For Wang, who has been learning dance skills at the primary campus of Shanghai Mass Art Center since 2021, the night school represents a vital outlet for personal growth and exploration.
    “Elderly people have their senior universities and children have various art training institutions to choose from. We young people also need some public cultural services to develop our interests and add color to our lives,” says Wang.
    “At the night school, you’ll find courses with solid reviews, awesome teachers and prices that are budget-friendly. It’s also easy to locate a class close to home,” Wang adds.
    In recent years, the country has been actively improving the public cultural service system and expanding the coverage of basic public cultural services.
    The Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization released in July includes plans for enhancing the public cultural service system.
    This includes establishing a mechanism for high-quality cultural resources to reach grassroots levels and enhancing the participation of social entities in the provision of public cultural services.
    Li Guoxin, director of Peking University’s national center for modern public culture research, explained that the resolution highlights the importance of offering higher quality, more efficient, fairer and sustainable public cultural services to grassroots communities. This is aimed at enhancing people’s sense of cultural attainment and happiness.
    In recent years, the Chinese government has actively promoted innovation and reform in public cultural services. Over 35,000 new public cultural spaces have been set up nationwide, including libraries and cultural centers in urban and rural areas, making cultural services more accessible for a wider population, Li added.
    Hefei, capital of Anhui province, has witnessed active expansion of reading spaces since 2017.
    With more than 100 urban reading spaces, urban residents are guaranteed to reach a reading space within a 15-minute walk from their homes.
    Ji Yuanyuan, a resident from Hefei’s economic development zone, said that the reading space has provided a group of full-time mothers like her with a place where “they can temporarily set aside the family’s troubles and worries, and just be themselves”.
    Formerly an entrepreneur who devoted herself to her career, she used to have her parents take care of her children. After her children started primary school, she decided to devote her time to her children and family.
    However, she found that upon returning from the workplace to the family, women easily fell into anxiety. So she initiated a reading club in 2017, where full-time mothers come together to recommend good books to each other and share parenting experiences.
    The club’s gathering place is called Forest Book House, an urban reading space within her community that not only provides residents with reading facilities but also features workshops on calligraphy and handicrafts.
    The book club receives an average of around 400 visitors per day, and last year, it hosted a total of 140,482 readers.
    “We now have over 100 female members and hold events every Thursday afternoon at the Book House,” Ji said.
    “When we meet like-minded people in the space, our anxious feelings fade away, and we feel more uplifted as a whole.”
    In the first half of the year, the urban reading spaces in Hefei received 4.86 million visitors, with 1.115 million books borrowed and 8,983 events hosted, according to Meng Xianlei, an official from the city’s bureau of culture and tourism.
    Meng points out that these reading spaces are constructed by the government, owned by the government and operated by third parties through bidding processes. The separation of ownership and operation rights of public cultural facilities shows the reform measures proposed by the aforementioned resolution on further deepening and advancing Chinese modernization.
    Starting this year, Hefei is transforming these urban reading spaces into public cultural hubs featuring art exhibitions, training seminars, literary salons, film screenings and a range of other services.
    Originally from Guilin in Southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Wang said she has found pleasure and fulfillment in Shanghai’s public cultural amenities, despite the long distance from her hometown.
    The abundance of libraries, art centers and communal spaces has not only enriched Wang’s own life but has also provided a welcoming place for her mother, who recently traveled from Guilin to Shanghai to live with her.
    “She frequents the free movie screenings at the community cultural center near our residence every week. Such public cultural spaces have aided her in swiftly having a social circle in this unfamiliar city,” she added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 5,358 listed companies on Chinese mainland by end August

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    There were 5,358 companies listed on the Chinese domestic stock market by the end of August 2024, according to the China Association for Public Companies.

    The stock exchanges in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing had 2,268, 2,839 and 251 listed firms, respectively, by end August, data from the association showed.

    State-owned holding and non-state-owned holding companies accounted for 27 percent and 73 percent, respectively, of these listed firms, with manufacturing and information transmission/software/information technology services, as well as wholesale and retail, being the top three sectors in terms of the number of listed companies, the data revealed.

    Three provinces, namely Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, contributed 42.48 percent of the total number of companies listed on the Chinese stock market.

    Nine companies made initial public offerings on the domestic stock market in August, raising a combined total of 5.33 billion yuan (about 761 million U.S. dollars), while 17 companies were delisted. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets German Marshall Fund delegation

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    President Lai meets German Marshall Fund delegation
    2024-10-04

    On the afternoon of October 4, President Lai Ching-te met with a transatlantic delegation from the German Marshall Fund (GMF). In remarks, President Lai stated that as China continues to intimidate and threaten Taiwan both politically and militarily, Taiwan has continued to increase its defense budget and that it is aiming to strengthen resilience in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy to safeguard regional stability and ensure the sustainable development of democracy. The president stated that we seek to work with other democracies to uphold the democratic umbrella and that he looks forward to further advancing economic exchanges and cooperation with the United States and European Union as we unite to face the threats of authoritarian expansionism.
    A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
    I welcome the delegation led by GMF Senior Advisor Heather A. Conley. As Typhoon Krathon has been affecting Taiwan these few days, the presence of our esteemed guests from the United States and Europe here today demonstrates your staunch support for Taiwan and the solid stance our transatlantic partners have taken with Taiwan. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend a very warm welcome to the delegation.
    GMF has long paid close attention to cross-strait issues. For instance, it released a research report on United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. The report pointed out that the resolution does not mention Taiwan and explained to the international community that China has distorted the content of the resolution and improperly linked it with its “one China principle.” I want to take this opportunity to thank Managing Director of the Indo-Pacific Program at the GMF Bonnie Glaser for her efforts and support in this regard.
    In recent years, the US has continued to coordinate with its allies to reiterate the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. And the GMF has contributed greatly to garnering support for Taiwan among the transatlantic alliance. For this, I convey my heartfelt appreciation.
    China continues to intimidate and threaten Taiwan both politically and militarily. It is expanding its military presence in the East and South China Seas and attempting to change the rules-based international order. In response, Taiwan has continued to increase its defense budget, established a new defense innovation unit, and set up the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee at the Presidential Office. Our aim is to strengthen resilience in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. By making Taiwan more resilient, we are safeguarding regional stability and ensuring the sustainable development of democracy.
    Indeed, Taiwan is determined to protect democracy. We seek to work with other democracies to uphold the democratic umbrella and avert the threats of expanding authoritarianism. In terms of Taiwan-US military cooperation, I would like to thank former US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Jessica Lewis for her tremendous assistance in facilitating the US government’s efforts to accelerate the provision of the defense capabilities Taiwan needs through such avenues as the presidential drawdown authority and Foreign Military Financing program.
    Apart from military cooperation, economic cooperation is also crucial. We hope that Taiwan and the US can resolve the issue of double taxation as soon as possible. This would further enhance our bilateral trade and economic ties. We also look forward to signing a bilateral investment agreement with the EU to further advance economic exchanges and cooperation.
    Facing the threats of authoritarian expansionism, democracies must unite. Only then will we be able to respond with our collective wisdom and strength. Taiwan needs the world, just as the world needs Taiwan. Taiwan will continue working together with our partners in the US and Europe. I look forward to our discussion.
    Senior Advisor Conley then delivered remarks, thanking President Lai for giving them his time and mentioning that this three-day visit, which coincided with the typhoon, demonstrated to them in very concrete terms the importance of the whole-of-society resilience. She said that they were also able to take a deep dive into what President Lai’s administration has put forward on the five pillars, the challenges of implementing this ambitious plan, and the importance of local governments and public opinion.
    Noting that the GMF stands for the intersection of democracy, prosperity, and security, and connecting those dots, Senior Advisor Conley remarked how important those connections are in today’s world. She stated that the more complex the international challenges, the more important partners are to helping to solve those problems. That is why the GMF wanted to bring together a transatlantic delegation with colleagues from Europe and the US, she added, who bring together expertise in the technology and economic dimensions of security and civil society. She said that it has been a joy to be with them, to learn together, and to learn from experts in Taiwan as well.
    Senior Advisor Conley said that over the past three days, they have had opportunities to brainstorm, provide new ideas, and take home new ideas, and that they look forward to writing about them and helping and continuing this important dialogue. In closing, on behalf of her colleagues and the GMF, she thanked President Lai for giving them an extraordinary three days of conversation and for making time out of his busy schedule in a week of a natural disaster in Taiwan. 
    The delegation also included former Permanent Representative of Italy to NATO Francesco M. Talò, Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces Lieutenant General Rajmund Andrzejczak, GMF Board of Trustees Chair Christopher Schroeder, Special Competitive Studies Project Senior Advisor Joe Wang, and Munich Security Conference Senior Fellow Nico Lange.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Japan’s new PM Ishiba delivers 1st policy speech since taking office

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Shigeru Ishiba, the newly elected Japanese prime minister, gave his first policy speech to parliament on Friday, vowing to restore public trust in politics following a series of scandals and trying to reassure the public amid rising living costs.

    At the beginning of his speech after being elected prime minister earlier this week, Ishiba expressed “deep regret” over a high-profile slush funds scandal which heavily tarnished the image of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

    “I will restore confidence in politics lost over the issue of political funds and will explain to the people more clearly than ever the situation in which Japan finds itself,” Ishiba said. “It is the responsibility of politics to rebuild a safe, secure and prosperous Japan by gaining the understanding and empathy of the people.”

    In terms of economic policy, Ishiba promised to swiftly craft a fresh package of measures to help inflation-hit households struggling to cope with rising prices, with the yen’s depreciation leading to higher import costs.

    “It’s necessary that we provide support to those reeling from rising prices until a virtuous cycle of growth and redistribution is certainly in motion, where pay hikes outpace inflation and companies invest proactively,” Ishiba said.

    The 67-year-old former defense minister set a goal of achieving a 1,500 yen (about 10 U.S. dollars) average minimum hourly wage across the nation by the end of the 2020s, earlier than the previous government’s target. It currently stands at 1,055 yen.

    On energy policy, Ishiba said Japan will ensure the safety of nuclear reactors and create the best energy mix to satisfy growing demand, contrasting with his stance in last month’s LDP presidential election when he argued for the country to reduce its reliance on nuclear power to zero and greater use of renewable sources.

    Regarding diplomacy and security issues, the prime minister expressed his willingness to seek “constructive and stable” ties with China through dialogue, while making bilateral ties with South Korea “more robust and wide-ranging.”

    Sessions in which representatives of the ruling and opposition parties will ask questions in response to Ishiba’s policy statements are expected to be held in the Lower House and the Upper House on Oct. 7 and 8.

    Ishiba has announced his intention to dissolve the Lower House on Oct. 9 for a snap election on Oct. 27. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: WHO approves first mpox diagnostic test for emergency use

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday that it has approved the first diagnostic test for mpox, marking a significant milestone in expanding global access to mpox testing.

    The approval comes as Africa continues to struggle with limited testing capacity, which fueled the spread of the virus. Over 30,000 suspected mpox cases have been reported across the continent in 2024, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burundi, and Nigeria being the most affected.

    In the DRC, only 37 percent of suspected cases have been tested this year, according to the global health agency.

    The test, known as Alinity m MPXV assay, will boost diagnostic capacity in countries facing mpox outbreaks, where rapid and accurate testing is crucial.

    The Alinity m MPXV assay is a real-time PCR test designed to detect mpox virus DNA from human skin lesion swabs, enabling laboratory and health workers to confirm cases quickly.

    “This first mpox diagnostic test listed under the Emergency Use Listing procedure represents a significant milestone in expanding testing availability in affected countries,” said Yukiko Nakatani, WHO’s assistant director-general for access to medicines and health products. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China makes great achievements in environmental protection over past 75 years

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, Oct. 5 — China has made remarkable strides in ecological and environmental protection over the past 75 years, increasing the green coverage ratio, improving the system for natural protection areas, better-protecting wildlife species and their habitats, and enhancing air pollution control.

    INCREASING GREEN COVERAGE

    In the early days of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the green coverage ratio of Youyu County, located at the edge of the Maowusu Desert, was less than 0.3 percent.

    Local government and residents’ continuous afforestation efforts over the past seven decades have increased the county’s green coverage ratio to 57 percent. The once “barren land” has become an “oasis in the desert.”

    Youyu County’s story epitomizes China’s national efforts to make the country greener.

    China’s forest coverage rate has increased to over 24 percent from only 8.6 percent around 70 years ago. According to data from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the country has contributed about a quarter of the world’s total new green area since the beginning of this century.

    In 1978, China implemented the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, which has effectively curbed the expansion of desertification and become a “green great wall” to prevent sandstorms, conserve water and soil, and safeguard agriculture in northwest, north and northeast China.

    By 2020, the program saw afforestation of 480 million mu (32 million hectares) of land, the management of 1.28 billion mu of degraded grasslands, and the forest coverage rate increased from around 5 percent in 1978 to about 14 percent in these regions.

    PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY

    After Dinghushan became China’s first nature reserve to preserve primary forest and protect biodiversity in 1956, China gradually established nearly 10,000 natural protection areas at all levels, including nature reserves, forest parks, natural heritage sites and geoparks.

    The country attaches great importance to biodiversity conservation, as evidenced by being among the first countries to sign and ratify the Convention on Biological Diversity.

    In 2021, China established its first national parks, covering a protected land area of 230,000 square km.

    These parks, including Sanjiangyuan National Park, the Giant Panda National Park and Wuyishan National Park, are home to nearly 30 percent of the country’s key terrestrial wildlife species.

    The progress in these national parks has made protecting biodiversity evident when considering the numbers involved.

    The population of the Hainan gibbons, a rare primate that lives in the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, had risen to 37 in 2022 from 13 in 2003. Sanjiangyuan National Park, meanwhile, is now home to more than 70,000 Tibetan antelopes, in sharp contrast to less than 20,000 in the 1990s.

    Official data shows that 90 percent of China’s terrestrial ecosystem types and 74 percent of key protected wild animal and plant species populations are now effectively safeguarded.

    ENHANCED ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

    Environmental protection has been a high priority for China since the State Council convened the first national conference on the issue in 1973.

    Following the introduction of an action plan to prevent and control air pollution in 2013, China became the first developing country in the world to impose large-scale efforts to reduce PM2.5 density.

    The country has seen fast improvement in air quality, with 203 cities, or around 60 percent of the total cities, meeting the air quality standard in 2023, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

    China has also made substantial strides in protecting the water ecology of key river basins, with national water quality continuing to improve.

    According to the ministry, the proportion of surface water bodies nationwide classified as having excellent water quality reached 89.4 percent in 2023.

    This figure surpasses the target set in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) by 4.4 percentage points.

    Using the Yangtze River as an example, 98.5 percent of monitoring sites in the basin achieved excellent water quality in 2023, up 0.4 percentage points year on year.

    Additionally, the number of indigenous fish species recorded in the Yangtze River Basin increased to 227, up by 34 species from 2022. The number of nationally protected aquatic wildlife species rose to 14 in 2023, an increase of three compared to the previous year.

    Official data showed the country’s total investment in environmental pollution control reached 901.4 billion yuan (about 128.64 billion U.S. dollars) in 2022, compared with only 2.5 billion to 3 billion yuan per year in the early 1980s.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CAD holds youth activity in celebration of National Day (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and enhance young people’s understanding of the aviation development in Hong Kong, the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) today (October 5) held an aviation-themed youth activity at its headquarters.
          
         The CAD has all along been committed to enhancing young people’s understanding of Hong Kong aviation industry and inspiring young people’s interests in the industry through organising youth activities, with the aim of nurturing young talents for the industry and hence contributing to the development of our country.
          
         More than 140 participants from seven youth groups, namely the Scout Association of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association, the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps, the Hong Kong Youth Aviation Academy, the Hong Kong Aerospace Leaders Association, the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol and the Hong Kong Army Cadets Association, participated in the event today. Besides, nearly 30 participants from the Strive and Rise Programme joined the event today. The event offered a variety of activities, including thematic talks on aviation development in Hong Kong, career talks on CAD grades, demonstrations of air traffic control tower simulator and the Aviation Education Path guided tours. 
          
         â€‹ The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Victor Liu, at the opening ceremony, said that he was very pleased to share the joy of the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China with the young people at the event. He encouraged members of the youth groups to enhance knowledge on local aviation industry and equip themselves to uphold Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub. Mr Liu added that the CAD Aviation Education Path will set up new exhibition galleries with the themes on the “uprising of the two airlines” and the civil aviation development of China (including the development of home-grown aircraft), which will be open to the public upon completion.         

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: WHO approves 1st mpox diagnostic test for emergency use

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday that it has approved the first diagnostic test for mpox, marking a significant milestone in expanding global access to mpox testing.

    The approval comes as Africa continues to struggle with limited testing capacity, which fueled the spread of the virus. Over 30,000 suspected mpox cases have been reported across the continent in 2024, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burundi, and Nigeria being the most affected.

    In the DRC, only 37 percent of suspected cases have been tested this year, according to the global health agency.

    The test, known as Alinity m MPXV assay, will boost diagnostic capacity in countries facing mpox outbreaks, where rapid and accurate testing is crucial.

    The Alinity m MPXV assay is a real-time PCR test designed to detect mpox virus DNA from human skin lesion swabs, enabling laboratory and health workers to confirm cases quickly.

    “This first mpox diagnostic test listed under the Emergency Use Listing procedure represents a significant milestone in expanding testing availability in affected countries,” said Yukiko Nakatani, WHO’s assistant director-general for access to medicines and health products. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Lu Chuan’s sci-fi gamble ‘Bureau 749’ debuts after 8-year struggle

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Among the many ambitious projects in Chinese cinema, few stories rival that of director Lu Chuan’s epic undertaking, “Bureau 749.” The film, conceived as early as 2016, aimed to be a cutting-edge sci-fi spectacle with Hollywood-caliber visual effects. However, its path to completion became a tumultuous saga marked by financial hurdles, production challenges and a relentless pursuit of artistic vision.

    The Sept. 29 premiere in Beijing was charged with emotion as cast, crew and audience members were moved upon finally seeing the film on the big screen. During the eight-year journey, more than 6,000 people contributed to the project, experiencing hardship, despair and joy along the way.

    “It’s been really hard for us these past few years, and now it’s time for us to present it to the audience and let them enjoy it and judge,” Lu said.

    “Bureau 749” draws inspiration from a real but enigmatic Chinese government agency that has become an urban legend. It’s known only for conducting research and expeditions to study unusual phenomena, including reportedly supernatural individuals and events. Lu has mentioned that he worked in that government organ for some time after graduating from the People’s Liberation Army Institute of International Relations. To reassure viewers, Lu invited former colleagues to the premiere.

    Regardless of what he saw in that secretive agency, Lu gained imaginative ideas for filmmaking. He first showcased these concepts in his 2015 sci-fi monster and tomb raider blockbuster “Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe,” before embarking on a new feature film dedicated entirely to the bureau in 2016. Lu also infused the project with personal meaning, making it a tribute to his youth.

    “Bureau 749” stars young pop idol Karry Wang, actors Zheng Kai and Miao Miao — who met on set, married, and now have three children — along with Ren Min, Xin Baiqing and Li Chen. As they stood on stage at the premiere, they reflected on the passage of time and how their lives had evolved during the film’s production.

    The film follows the agents of Bureau 749 as they attempt to use a mutant child’s superpowers to combat a massive alien monster threatening a Chinese city. It features more than 1,700 visual effects shots and presents epic-scale disaster and action sequences that are designed to wow viewers.

    Lu envisioned and initiated the grand project with a budget of 350 million yuan ($50 million) during the golden era of Chinese cinema. The cameras started rolling in Chongqing in 2018, despite only 30% of the promised investment materializing. The situation soon changed dramatically as Chinese tax authorities tightened regulations on the film industry’s financial practices, causing some capital to retreat from movie businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic followed, further dimming the prospects for “Bureau 749.”

    Initially, the director hired Hollywood’s top talents to realize his vision, including renowned cinematographer David Tattersall, who worked on classics like “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” and “The Green Mile.” Lu also brought in professionals who had worked on blockbusters such as “Avatar” and “Mad Max: Fury Road.” However, he soon discovered these experts were costly assets and had to let them go when financial crises arose. Lu was forced to cut spending in all aspects until the initial filming wrap in July 2019.

    The post-production of a visual effects-heavy blockbuster at this level proved even more costly. At one point, Lu faced debts exceeding 25 million yuan, five lawsuits triggered by production and release delays, and contractual obligations to investors. Desperate to find funding, the director enrolled in an MBA program to learn about finance and took on various jobs. These included making a dozen commercials and creating online series. Every bit of money he earned went toward funding “Bureau 749.”

    With unwavering persistence and support from industry peers, mentors and convinced investors, including Huayi Brothers Media, Huawen Picture and Beijing Culture, Lu overcame the darkest days and ultimately completed the film. After additional filming concluded on April 22, Lu posted on social media, “I have no regrets. After eight years of dragging this ship, we can finally reach the shore.”

    At the premiere’s conclusion, when asked if he had anything else to say to the audience, Lu paused emotionally. After a moment’s reflection, he simply said, “Thank you.”

    “Bureau 749” hit Chinese theaters during the seven-day National Day holiday starting Oct. 1, attracting flocks of viewers and grossing more than 300 million yuan within the first four days of the holiday. However, the various financial setbacks and production challenges have clearly impacted the film, resulting in inconsistent visual effects, plot issues and dated elements. Since its release, the film has garnered mixed reviews and sparked controversy.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: “Senior Police Call Share the Love 2024” launched today (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Senior Police Call (SPC) officially launched the “SPC Share the Love 2024” today (October 5) to distribute blessing bags to the needy in society to express love and care. At the same time, the scheme also demonstrated the SPC spirit of “helping oneself and others”.
          
         Officiating at the kick-off ceremony held at the Police Sports and Recreation Club this morning, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, said that to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the HKSAR Government had launched various celebratory activities with the theme of “Love our Country, Love Hong Kong, Love our Community”. He added that this year also holds special significance to the “SPC Share the Love” as it also marks the 10th anniversary of the SPC.
          
         Mr Siu reminded the elderly to raise awareness on road safety and emphasised that nurturing the elderly to become the Police’s fight crime partners has always been the mission of the SPC. He expressed gratitude to the members for joining hands with the Police to fight crime over the years. He also thanked all sectors of society for supporting the SPC and assisting the Police in disseminating anti-crime and road safety messages, thereby enhancing the elderly’s happiness as well as fostering a sense of satisfaction and belonging in the community.
          
         During the ceremony, members of the Yuen Long District SPC and the World Nunchaku Association (HKNA) presented a spectacular nunchaku performance to the audience, along with the song “The Chinese”. In addition, by staging a drama, SPC ambassador, Mr Ng Tai-keung, reminded the senior citizens to stay alert to recent scams where fraudsters impersonate the staff of social welfare organisations to obtain personal information of the elderly under the pretext of handing out money or other benefits.

         After the ceremony, Mr Siu and the Deputy Commissioner (Operations), Mr Chow Yat-ming, another officiating guest, visited Caritas Elderly Centre – Ngau Tau Kok in Choi Ying Estate and Pok Oi Hospital Mr Kwok Hing Kwan Neighbourhood Elderly Centre in Hoi Lai Estate respectively to call on the elderly and distribute the blessing bags with food and daily necessities.

         In addition, from today until October 11, two “SPC Fight Crime Vigour” publicity trucks will tour various districts across Hong Kong to disseminate crime prevention messages. During this period, the Police Community Relations Offices and SPC members from 22 police districts will distribute blessing bags to the needy in the community to demonstrate the Force’s motto of “Serving Hong Kong” and express love and care to the elderly, in pursuit of the SPC spirit of “helping oneself and others”.

         Other officiating guests of the ceremony included the Chairperson of SPC Central Advisory Board (CAB) cum the Regional Commander of Hong Kong Island, Mr Kwok Ka-chuen; the Vice-Chairperson of SPC CAB cum the Chief Superintendent of Public Relations Wing, Mr Leung Chung-man; and representatives of SPC CAB, Ms Ng Yin-mui; Dr Dominic Chu Chun-ho; Mr Wilfred Ng Sau-kei; and Dr Malcolm Lam Wai-wing. Furthermore, a number of members of SPC CAB also attended the ceremony and participated in the distribution of blessing bags.

         Launched in February 2014 with the motto – “SPC Spirit Helping Oneself and Others”, the SPC Scheme is open to anyone aged 55 or above. Through this scheme, the Hong Kong Police Force hopes to provide an effective platform for the elderly to maintain close contacts with the Force, and to participate in meaningful activities as well as to serve the community. It also provides training for the members to promote crime prevention.                     

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Cross-border RMB use up over 20% in first eight months

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The renminbi (RMB) has been used more frequently in cross-border trade in the first eight months of this year amid the growing presence of the Chinese currency in the global market, a central bank report showed.

    The People’s Bank of China’s 2024 report on the internalization of RMB reported that cross-border RMB payments and receipts expanded 21.1 percent year on year to 41.6 trillion yuan (5.94 trillion U.S. dollars) in the January-August period.

    According to the report, in the first eight months, cross-border RMB payments and receipts in trade in goods accounted for 26.5 percent of the total settlement of local and foreign currencies in the same period, up from 24.8 percent in 2023.

    For trade in services, cross-border RMB use increased 22.3 percent year on year to 1.2 trillion yuan, accounting for 31.8 percent of the total.

    The report also noted improvements in RMB’s function in terms of investment and financing. By the end of August, foreign investors held around 4.6 trillion yuan of Chinese bonds, accounting for 2.7 percent of the total domestic bonds in custody.

    Cross-border RMB settlement for major commodities amounted to 1.5 trillion yuan in the eight-month reporting period, a 22.7 percent year-on-year increase.

    For the next stage, the central bank said it will improve the fundamental institutional arrangements for the cross-border use of RMB, further open up the financial market, strengthen financial infrastructures and enhance regulation over cross-border RMB businesses. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s import expo shows its commitment to opening-up

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    SHANGHAI, Oct. 5 — With the seventh China International Import Expo approaching, global exhibitors are gearing up for the expo, which will take place in Shanghai starting Nov. 5.

    According to the CIIE Bureau, more than 70 countries and international organizations have confirmed their participation in the country exhibition section of the CIIE. Norway, Slovakia, Benin, Burundi, Madagascar and UNICEF will participate for the first time, and the total number of exhibitors in the section is expected to exceed that of the sixth CIIE.

    The 7th Hongqiao International Economic Forum, themed “High-Standard Opening up for Universally Beneficial and Inclusive Economic Globalization,” will include a main forum and 19 sub-forums.

    Some new debuts at the business exhibition are sure to catch the eyes of many. For example, French firm Michelin will debut a lunar wheel prototype at the Expo for the first time in Asia. The lunar wheel can adapt to extremely harsh conditions on the moon, including temperature differences from day to night.

    “In my opinion, the CIIE not only reflects China’s economic and trade dynamic, but also the country’s determination to promote high-level opening-up, and pursue high-quality development,” Mohammed Tawil, president and CEO of Boehringer-Ingelheim Greater China said.

    Mohammed Tawil noted the example of Spevigo, a therapy for treating rare skin diseases. After the therapy debuted at the third CIIE in 2020 as a pipeline product for the company, Sepvigo was officially approved in China in 2022 and simultaneously with the United States and European Union. This year, in March, Spevigo’s new indication was also approved in China, ahead of major markets like the United States, EU, and Japan.

    “Boehringer-Ingelheim sees China as a focus market and a source of innovation. We have firmly believed that this market is of high potential, and we firmly believe the resilience of the Chinese market as well. We appreciate the continuous improvement of the business environment that we operate in,” said Mohammed Tawil.

    Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of French firm L’Oréal, visited the firm’s newly opened intelligent and automatized fulfillment center in Suzhou during his recent trip to China.

    According to Hieronimus, the company wants to continue to invest in China not only because it believes in the market’s potential but also because it sees the conditions for doing so and the support it is getting from the authorities.

    “For us, CIIE is a unique event, and it’s unique in the world. There is no other event in the world of such magnitude first, but also where L’Oréal is so strongly present, and where we introduce brands, new technologies, innovation, sustainability programs,” said Hieronimus.

    As the world’s first national-level import-themed expo, the CIIE attracted representatives from 154 countries, regions, and international organizations last year. More than 3,400 enterprises took part in the business exhibition.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Celebrating 75th anniversary of people’s republic, China more confident and tenacious in modernization cause

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Celebrating 75th anniversary of people’s republic, China more confident and tenacious in modernization cause

    BEIJING, Oct. 5 — As people from all walks of life nationwide celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of New China, they embrace a brighter future thanks to the all-around progress of Chinese modernization.

    The strong confidence and firm conviction of the Chinese people in national development prospects can be demonstrated by a national flag-raising ceremony at Tian’anmen Square in downtown Beijing on Oct. 1, the National Day. More than 120,000 people from across the country watched the ceremony on-site.

    Indeed, the Chinese people have every reason to feel pride and confidence. Over the past 75 years, China has transformed from a poor and backward nation into the world’s second-largest economy, achieving moderate prosperity across the board. Living standards have improved significantly. In a historic achievement, the country has eradicated absolute poverty, thanks to decades of hard and consistent efforts. Major benefits from education, social security, and medical care systems — all the largest in the world — have greatly enhanced people’s sense of fulfillment and happiness.

    Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), China has achieved the dual miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability, charting a new path for humanity toward modernization. In just a few decades, China has completed a process of industrialization that took developed countries centuries to achieve.

    The Chinese nation is undergoing a significant transformation, from standing up to becoming prosperous and strong. These remarkable accomplishments are driven by strong CPC leadership, improvement and innovations in various systems and the implementation and deepening of reforms and opening-up policies.

    These achievements are the result of the tenacious struggles of generations and the spirit of self-improvement of the Chinese nation. Over the past 75 years, China has overcome numerous difficulties and hardships. Chinese modernization dispels the myth that “modernization equals Westernization” and opens new channels for developing countries to pursue their own paths. China’s dynamic development has debunked the “End of History” theory and the “China collapse” narrative. The misleading Western narratives and hegemonic moves targeting China only highlight that no difficulties or suppression can hinder the progress of the resilient Chinese people.

    After 75 years of strenuous endeavors, Chinese modernization — with green and peaceful development among its major hallmarks — has opened a magnificent chapter and presented promising prospects. However, the road ahead won’t be smooth. In the face of challenges, the Chinese people are more confident than ever in their ability to achieve new successes. Additionally, through the Belt and Road Initiative and other efforts, China is committed to collaborating with other countries to promote shared modernization.

    The landmark third plenum of the 20th CPC Central Committee in July this year outlined plans for comprehensive reforms and proposed more than 300 major measures to inject new vitality and sustainable momentum into the country’s modernization drive. This underscores the CPC’s resolve and wisdom in achieving new milestones in national development over the next five years.

    The wheels of history keep turning. China has embarked on an irreversible journey toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. With a steadfast commitment to a people-centered development philosophy and a vision for a shared future for humanity, China is poised to reach new heights in its modernization efforts and make significant contributions to global peace and development.

    MIL OSI China News –