NewzIntel.com

Category: China

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s green, low-carbon development nurtures new opportunities: official

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

    BEIJING, Sept. 27 — China’s green and low-carbon development features bright spots and nurtures new opportunities, an official with the country’s energy administration has said.

    Wind power and photovoltaics have become major contributors to China’s newly added installed capacity and important forces in the country’s energy supply network, National Energy Administration official Pan Huimin said during the latest episode of China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk platform hosted by Xinhua News Agency.

    Since 2020, China’s annual newly added installed capacity of wind power and photovoltaics has exceeded 100 million kilowatts for four consecutive years, accounting for over 50 percent of total newly added installed power capacity each year, said Pan.

    The development of wind power and photovoltaics has helped elevate China to a position where the country is serving as a cornerstone of global energy transformation, said Pan, adding that relevant industries have provided high-quality products and solutions worldwide.

    China’s wind power and photovoltaic industries have made tangible contributions to assisting enterprises in achieving green and low-carbon development, Pan said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Press conference, Beijing

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    JIM CHALMERS:

    Yesterday afternoon and into last evening I co‑chaired with Chairman Zheng Shanjie, the Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the first Strategic Economic Dialogue in 7 years.

    These were frank and fruitful discussions between myself and the Chairman of the NDRC. The discussions ran for more than 3 hours. They ran over time. We are very grateful for the time that the Chairman was able to give us at a time when there’s a lot going on here in China, and I wanted to talk about that a bit as well.

    These were the first meetings by an Australian Treasurer here in 7 years. It’s another really important part of our efforts as a government to stabilise this really key economic relationship in the interests of our people.

    This economic relationship is full of complexity and full of opportunity, and we believe we give ourselves the best chance to manage and maximise those complexities and those opportunities when we engage in a meaningful way, as we have been doing over the course of the last couple of days.

    Obviously Australia and China – we have our differences. But we have agreed to work together where we can when it comes to really important areas like trade and investment, decarbonisation of our industries and business engagement as well.

    I’m really pleased that we agreed yesterday that we would conduct these Strategic Economic Dialogues annually, and the next one will be in Australia next year.

    We were able to have advanced discussions, frank and fruitful, productive and practical discussions, about the key issues confronting both of our economies and the global economy more broadly as well.

    There couldn’t have been a more important time to be engaging with Chinese counterparts than right now. We saw the announcements made earlier in the week and more signalled yesterday by senior policymakers here in China.

    I want to make it really clear – we welcome efforts to boost growth in the Chinese economy. We are very pleased to see these additional steps being signalled by the Chinese government in order to boost economic activity and boost growth here in China.

    China is Australia’s biggest partner. We have a lot at stake and a lot to gain when it comes to this key economic relationship. If you look at the Treasury forecasts for growth in the Chinese economy, if they eventuate, those 3 years of forecasts, that would be the weakest period of growth here in China since the opening up in the late 1970s. What happens here and what is decided here has big consequences for our own economy, our own workers, businesses, investors and for our country more broadly.

    We do have a lot at stake, and we do have a lot to gain when it comes to the engagement and the stabilisation of the relationship with China as well. We know that a more stable relationship is good for Australia, and that’s why I’m here. It’s as simple as that. That’s also why I consulted with the Chairs and CEOs and senior executives of around 15 different very major China‑facing Australian businesses, because we do know just how important it is that we get this right.

    Growth in the Chinese economy has been a key contributor to weakness in the global economy. When the Chinese economy is soft, we’re not immune from that. We understand that. That’s an important reason for the timing of this visit being so crucial.

    Shortly I’ll be meeting with the Chairman of the Chinese Securities Commission as well, Wu Qing, and I will get from him some further insights about the performance of the Chinese economy, particularly the financial conditions here. That will also be another opportunity to talk about the measures announced and signalled through the course of this week.

    I was very grateful to Chairman Zheng last night for the opportunity formally in the dialogue and then informally at the dinner to canvass some of the contexts for the decisions that have been taken, announced or signalled in the course of this week. The NDRC is really going to be one of the most important institutions when it comes to rolling out this support for the Chinese economy at a really important time.

    It was crucial that we restart these discussions, the Strategic Economic Dialogue. It’s a very good outcome for Australia that we will be hosting counterparts next year to continue to advance these discussions on areas like trade and investment, decarbonisation of our industries and business engagement. I’m looking forward to hosting colleagues and counterparts next year in Australia.

    So very valuable and well‑timed discussions. Very practical, very productive. I’m grateful for the generosity of our Chinese host as we canvass some of these really important issues.

    I’m happy to take some of your questions.

    JOURNALIST:

    Treasurer, as you say, you couldn’t have got luckier with the timing. How convinced are you by the extent of the stimulus measures announced by the Chinese this week?

    CHALMERS:

    Clearly some of the detail of these measures is still to come and subject to those details we think this is a really welcome development, a very welcome development here in China but also for the global economy, and especially for our own economy.

    We are very pleased to see the Chinese authorities announce or signal the sorts of steps that we have been hearing about this week publicly and also in our private discussions with our counterparts.

    This can only be a good thing for Australia, subject to those details, because we know that weakness in the Chinese economy does flow through to our own economic conditions. Some of the key reasons why our own economy is slowing considerably are global economic uncertainty, of which China is a part, combined with inflationary pressures at home and the impact of higher interest rates – those 3 things are combining to slow our own economy considerably.

    When steps are taken here to boost economic activity and to boost growth for the Chinese economy, subject to the details that will be released in good time, we see that as a very, very good development for Australia.

    JOURNALIST:

    But do you think they’ll work?

    CHALMERS:

    It remains to be seen. But we’ve seen on earlier occasions when the authorities here, the administration here, steps in to support activity in the economy that is typically a good thing for Australia – good for our businesses and workers, our industries, our investors, and good for the global economy as well.

    Like a lot of people around the world, we have been concerned about the softer conditions here in the Chinese economy. Subject to the details that will be made public in good time, any efforts to boost growth and support activity here is a welcome one around the world and especially at home in Australia.

    JOURNALIST:

    Can you talk us through some of the specific impacts that happens in Australia, the flow‑on effects, when you have an annual growth figure here in China that is below that 5 per cent target?

    CHALMERS:

    We see that across a range of different indicators, but the easiest to understand is the demand for and the price that we’re getting for some of our bulk commodities. One of the reasons why I consulted with BHP and Rio and Fortescue and Woodside and others before I came here to China is to understand the implications for our exports of a softer Chinese economy.

    We’ve seen the iron ore price, for example, is really quite low by recent historical standards. I think it’s down about 40 per cent since the start of the year. Similarly, when it comes to thermal coal. That has implications for us. It has implications for the Budget but, more importantly, it has implications for the economy. Even if in the course of this week we’ve seen a minor correction, a minor improvement, in the prices we get for some of our bulk commodities. That’s obviously a good thing when it comes to our major exporters.

    But more broadly, softness here has implications for growth in the global economy. We’ve even seen in the last 24 hours or so our own Reserve Bank putting out its financial stability analysis and has talked about the consequences of weaker Chinese growth for the global economy. We’re not immune from that, really, right across the board. But the easiest way to understand it is when it comes to the impact on our exporters.

    JOURNALIST:

    Treasurer, there’s been a lot happening in Beijing on the economic front. There’s also been lot going on on the military front. There was the first intercontinental ballistic missile shot in more than 4 decades a few days ago, and on Wednesday before you arrived Australia, Japan and New Zealand sailed their navy vessels through the Taiwan Strait. We’ve also had all 3 of China’s aircraft carriers for the first time operating on [inaudible].

    Can I get a direct comment on the ballistic missile [inaudible] and a comment on Australia’s freedom of navigation operation? And then maybe just talk to us about how you reconcile, obviously, the economic relationship is so important, but there’s other things going on as well, just talk to us about you reconcile that, thanks very much for that.

    CHALMERS:

    Thanks very much for that, Will.

    Australia, like other countries in our region and around the world, has a lot at stake when it comes to a stable, secure, peaceful and prosperous region. It’s not unusual for navies to conduct the kind of exercises that you’re describing in the Taiwan Strait. These are routine activities, and they’re conducted in accordance with international law. That wasn’t part of our discussions yesterday.

    In terms of the other parts of your question, I was able to reiterate in the meetings yesterday afternoon our expectations of safe and professional conduct of all militaries operating in our region. Obviously I’m aware of the reports about the testing and other reports that you refer to in your question, and I was able to raise that in the conversation yesterday afternoon. But as you would expect, the overwhelming focus of our discussions here has been the economy.

    JOURNALIST:

    So in your discussions yesterday about the stimulus measures, was there any discussion about whether these plans are aimed at very short term now or whether this was medium term? [Inaudible] And also, how do you see [inaudible]? Is this actually going to supercharge Chinese national output and Chinese exports? [Inaudible]

    CHALMERS:

    In reverse order, I was able to talk about the importance of safeguarding the global rules‑based system of open trade in the context of some of the issues you raise in your question and the free and fair and open markets that have served the global economy and our economy so well for so long.

    When it comes to the urgency or otherwise of steps that have been flagged to boost growth here, I don’t want to go too deep into the informal conversations that we had about some elements of that, but it was a feature of our discussions.

    This balance that we’re all trying to strike between doing what is necessary in the near term – whether it’s here supporting growth, in Australia, a primary focus on inflation on the cost of living without ignoring the risks to growth – balancing those near‑term considerations with what we need to do to set ourselves up for another generation of growth and prosperity.

    The discussions were about those steps flagged and announced throughout the course of the week. Some elements of that will have some urgency associated with it. But the government here wants to make sure that anything that they’re doing in the near term also serves a useful longer term purpose. In that, we have a lot in common. In Australia fighting inflation without ignoring the risks to growth, budget repair but also investing in skills and housing and energy and in a Future Made in Australia – all that is about trying to recognise our near‑term pressures and our longer‑term opportunities, and that’s how my Chinese counterparts see it as well.

    JOURNALIST:

    [Inaudible] the US is [inaudible] some kind of [inaudible]. What will Australia be doing about that? And did your Chinese counterpart raise that in his [inaudible]?

    CHALMERS:

    My colleague the Energy Minister has made it clear that we don’t intend to ban imports of EVs from any particular country.

    We will continue to discuss with American counterparts the steps that they’ve announced and the steps that they’re taking when it comes to EVs. But we will take our own advice when it comes to the best way to manage and maximise that really important market for EVs.

    These sorts of issues came up in the broad in the discussions yesterday afternoon. We know that this is an issue of concern to our Chinese counterparts. But from our point of view, when it came to technology and innovation and the net zero transformation, our highest priority and our focus in the discussions was on other areas, including the decarbonisation of steel, for example, trying to maximise the chances that we have working together when it comes to our iron ore and their steel production. We both have an interest in greener steel production, and so that was a bigger part of the conversation than some of these other issues around EVs and other technology.

    JOURNALIST:

    Treasurer, I’m sure Australian lobster farmers would be very interested to know whether you raised their concerns yesterday. Are you any closer to knowing when the ban will be lifted? Will it be this year?

    CHALMERS:

    I did raise it last night and yesterday afternoon. We’re seeking a speedy resolution of the restrictions on lobster.

    We’ve made really quite encouraging progress, engaging with Chinese counterparts, to see something like 20 of the $21 billion in trade restrictions lifted. That’s good for our workers and our businesses, our exporters and our investors. I wanted to pay tribute there to the efforts of our people here in China led so capably by our Ambassador, but also Ministers Wong and Farrell and the Prime Minister.

    This is a very tangible way that we have seen progress made as a consequence of our effort to stabilise the relationship. There is more trade of more goods than when we came to office because of those efforts.

    Obviously we’re aware we have a little ways to go yet, particularly when it comes to lobster. I did raise that. We are seeking the speedy resolution of those issues. We know that teams on both sides are discussing the issue of lobster in particular, trying to get to a resolution on that. We’d like to see that before long.

    JOURNALIST:

    What’s the hiccup?

    CHALMERS:

    As I understand it, there are still a couple of technical issues being worked on between our agriculture and trade departments and administrations. We knew that coming here.

    I intended to raise it here and I have. We do want to see a speedy resolution, but we know that there’s a little bit more work to do. But ideally, hopefully, we will see our wonderful Australian lobster gracing the tables of Chinese homes and restaurants as soon as possible.

    JOURNALIST:

    The Chinese delegation was seeking reassurances around Chinese investment in Australia. Did they raise anything specific [inaudible]?

    CHALMERS:

    I really welcomed the opportunity to convey to Chairman Zheng and to his colleagues the same thing which I have said publicly, and I mean it.

    Our foreign investment regime does not target any one country. Ours is a non‑discriminatory regime, which is about managing risks in foreign investment. It’s about strengthening the foreign investment regime and streamlining it where we can to manage the economic and security risks which are sometimes part of foreign investment proposals. That doesn’t single any one country out. It is just a sensible, considered, commonsense way to manage foreign investment in Australia.

    Foreign investment in Australia is welcome. We support overwhelmingly most of the applications that are made to us. Where a proposal is rejected it hasn’t all been from one country. It hasn’t all been from here.

    I really did genuinely welcome the opportunity to step the Chairman through that. We agreed to have more discussions about some of those issues. Wherever we can provide more clarity on these sorts of issues we welcome the chance to do that.

    JOURNALIST:

    What did they say about critical minerals? Because obviously some of those investors have been in that industry. It’s something the Chinese dominate in, and we have seen the announcement earlier this week of the co‑financing agreement between Australia and the US and other countries. So were they concerned about these efforts to diversify supply chains in critical minerals?

    CHALMERS:

    There’s a recognition that every country manages its economic and national security interests in a way that’s appropriate for them.

    Every country has some system or set of arrangements to screen investment, and countries make agreements with each other about key supply chains like this one.

    We think that critical minerals are the opportunity of the century for Australia. I am a huge supporter of the Australian critical minerals industry. But our efforts there aren’t about protecting. They’re about engaging with the world, providing wonderful critical – Australian critical minerals – to markets around the world. Obviously not just with our Chinese counterparts but right around the world there’s a lot of interest in Australian critical minerals, and that’s for good reason.

    JOURNALIST:

    Do you see the Chinese overcapacity in thins like rare earths as being a threat to Australia’s industries? Australia’s paying billions of dollar to companies like Arafura to develop the industry and yet Chinese exports are growing and prices are falling. Are those – firstly, are those investments by the Australian Government and those companies at risk, and, secondly, did you raise those issues with the Chinese?

    CHALMERS:

    We’ve been one of the world’s major beneficiaries of properly functioning global markets for resources and for other goods and services as well. The global economy has been a major beneficiary of that, and we’ve been a major beneficiary of that. We want to see it continue.

    Clearly, when it comes to some markets for some resources, we’ve seen some extraordinary volatility in some of those markets. I was able to reiterate with Chairman Zheng just how much we value the proper functioning of global rules‑based markets. I believe that it’s in everyone’s interests that see those markets function properly.

    JOURNALIST:

    Just following on on investment, [inaudible] Australia‑China Business Council Summit. There’s been a lot of confusion among Australian China facing businesses and Chinese businesses who want to operate in Australia, they heard the comments you repeated today about Australia not having – not targeting any one country. But then they say, well, look at the reality of it. They said they’re very confused about where they’re allowed or not. You have approved or allowed the investment of Rio and [inaudible] for that new iron ore project 2 years ago. Clearly Investment can be approved from China. Can you speak to the model? Is it that? Is it a 50–50 JV with an Australian partner? Is that what Chinese businesses should be coming to Australia with if they want success? Just speak to that a bit.

    CHALMERS:

    We approach each proposal on a case‑by‑case basis, and we’ve done our best to provide as much information and clarity and certainty about the sorts of things that we consider when we judge those applications on a case‑by‑case basis.

    We’ve made it very clear, for example, that we take a harder look where it applies to critical infrastructure, critical data, critical minerals. I think that’s understood. It’s certainly been clearly communicated by our government. But if there’s more information and more clarity that we can provide, I was able to convey to Chairman Zheng yesterday afternoon that we’re happy to try and provide that.

    We approve overwhelmingly the vast majority of proposals which come to us when it comes to foreign investment. Rejecting proposals is a very rare thing, and it isn’t just from one country. We run a genuinely non‑discriminatory Foreign Investment Review Board process. It is rightly robust. We want it to be robust, but we also want it to be clear and transparent, and if we can do more on that front, we will.

    JOURNALIST:

    Treasurer, you’re flying back into a really big storm over negative gearing. Did you ask Treasury to model reforms, and when will we get a definitive answer from the government about whether you will take a new policy to the election on negative gearing?

    CHALMERS:

    First of all, I hope I’m flying back into another Brisbane Lions premiership, but I’ll also be flying back into the opportunity to do a couple of things when I’m back.

    I’ll be releasing the Final Budget Outcome on Monday with Katy Gallagher, which will show a bigger second surplus than forecast in the Budget in May. There’ll be a number of opportunities to talk about this and these engagements here as well.

    When it comes to negative gearing changes, it is not unusual at all for governments or for treasurers to get advice on contentious issues which are in the public domain, including in the parliament. It is not unusual for treasurers to do that, but we have made it very clear through the course of this week that we have a broad and ambitious housing policy already and those changes aren’t part of it.

    JOURNALIST:

    So you’ll rule out any changes to negative gearing before the next election and during the next term?

    CHALMERS:

    We’ve made it really clear through the course of the week that our priority and our focus is on rolling out $32 billion worth of investment, because our highest priority and our biggest focus is supply. Whether it’s in Brisbane on Wednesday where I took a number of questions about this or throughout the course of the week when the Prime Minister was able to take a whole bunch of questions on this as well, we’ve made it clear. Our policy is to boost supply. Our policy is to invest $32 billion in that effort and these changes which we get advice on from time to time because they’re in the public domain or they’re in the Parliament, they’re not part of our policy.

    JOURNALIST:

    Is the Australian economy at risk of shrinking if Trump is elected in the US, given he’s flagged up to 60 per cent tariffs on all imports and overruling the Federal Reserve on interest rates [inaudible]?

    CHALMERS:

    As you’d appreciate, we don’t comment on the domestic political debate, especially from another country and especially in the most intense part of an American election campaign.

    We have shown a willingness and an ability across Australian Governments of both political persuasions to work with whoever the Americans choose as their President and the people that they elect to their representative bodies. We play the cards that we’re dealt when it comes to decisions taken appropriately by the American people.

    I share President Biden’s view that nobody has anything to gain from a trade war between the US and China. The policies being proposed by either side of politics in the US are a matter for them. Broadly and in principle I hold President Biden’s view – nobody has anything to gain from a trade war between this country and the US, least of all Australia.

    JOURNALIST:

    How much did the US election come up in your discussions yesterday?

    CHALMERS:

    I don’t think it came up at all. It may have come up informally, but I don’t believe so.

    Thanks very much.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi stresses consolidating unity of Chinese nation

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for consolidating and developing the unity of the Chinese nation.
    Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the call at a grand meeting held in Beijing to honor role models for ethnic unity and progress.
    He urged efforts to advance the building of the community for the Chinese nation.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: PBOC to Cut Required Reserve Ratio

    Source: Peoples Bank of China

    Adhering to its accommodative monetary policy stance, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) is set to intensify monetary policy adjustments with higher precision, so as to foster a favorable monetary and financial environment for the stable growth and high-quality development of the Chinese economy. The PBOC decides to cut the required reserve ratio (RRR) for financial institutions by 0.5 percentage points (excluding those that are already subject to an RRR of 5 percent), which will be effective from September 27, 2024. The weighted average RRR for financial institutions will be about 6.6 percent after the cut.

    Date of last update Nov. 29 2018

    2024年09月27日

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: BRICS should contribute to multi-polar world: Chinese FM

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The BRICS countries should contribute to the promotion of an equal and orderly multi-polar world and economic globalization that benefits all, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday.

    Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting of foreign ministers of BRICS countries.

    Common security must be advocated to achieve lasting peace, Wang said. No country has the right to control the global security agenda, let alone to build its own security over the insecurity of others, he added.

    Wang said the BRICS countries must give priority to development and solve development problems, focus on the urgent needs of developing countries in poverty reduction, development financing, energy and food security, and seize the opportunities of technological revolution and industrial transformation.

    The BRICS countries should practice multilateralism and improve global governance, support the full participation of the Global South countries in international economic decision-making, governance and rule-making, and enhance their voice and representation.

    On the same day, during a meeting among the Committee of Ten (C10) Heads of State and Government on UN Security Council Reform and foreign ministers of five UN Security Council permanent members, Wang called for continuously increasing representation and voice of developing countries.

    He said it is necessary to anchor the reform path that gives priority to special arrangements for Africa.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Lebanese FM condemns Israeli military actions, urges int’l intervention

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib condemned on Thursday Israel’s recent military actions along the Lebanese-Israeli border and called for urgent international intervention to prevent the situation from escalating.

    “We are facing a crisis that threatens Lebanon’s very existence. The future of our people and our prosperity is imperiled,” said Bou Habib when addressing the 79th United Nations General Assembly.

    “This is a situation that requires international intervention on an urgent basis before the situation spirals out of control… which will transform into a black hole that will engulf regional, international peace and security,” he said.

    Bou Habib condemned Israel’s recent military actions, accusing it of escalating the conflict. “One of the gravest challenges Lebanon currently faces is this increase in aggression. The war has expanded and spilled over into Lebanese regions. We reiterate our warning against this aggression, which will continuously intensify.”

    The foreign minister identified the unresolved issue of occupation, particularly regarding border disputes with Israel, as the root cause of Lebanon’s ongoing instability.

    “So long as the occupation persists, there will be instability and there will be war… we have striven to resolve border disputes with Israel. However, Israel has continuously eluded the issue or disregarded the matter,” he said.

    While underscoring Lebanon’s right to defend itself under international law, Bou Habib stressed that the solution to the crisis lies in diplomacy, not war.

    Bou Habib welcomed a recent declaration of the United States and France which offers a potential path to restoring calm and ensuring stability along Lebanon’s borders. He urged all parties involved to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for an end to hostilities between Israel and Lebanon.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China innovates carbon footprint assessment

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Chinese scientists have developed a carbon footprint assessment system which spatializes a carbon footprint by integrating a geographic information system (GIS) into a full life cycle assessment (LCA). This comes as the country has advanced efforts to establish a carbon footprint management program that is both tailored to national conditions and aligned with international standards.

    Software for the GIS-LCA system was released at a seminar focusing on the construction of a carbon footprint management system. The seminar was held in Beijing on Sept. 26, 2024. [Photo courtesy of the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences]
    Software for this GIS-LCA system was released Thursday at a seminar in Beijing that gathered representatives from relevant government departments, academia, companies and industrial associations.
    During his speech at the seminar, Xie Kechang, academician and former vice president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, expressed how current international standards do not account for variations in carbon footprints of products that are the same but produced in different locations. He went on to add that this limitation does not suit China’s national conditions well. Xie offered guidance to the team who developed this new carbon footprint assessment system.
    Tian Yajun, chief scientist of the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and leader of the team who developed this new system, also emphasized the significance of accuracy in carbon footprint calculation, stating that “an accurate and reliable carbon footprint is one of the important foundations for promoting the green and low-carbon transformation of the economy and society.”

    Tian Yajun, chief scientist of the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and leader of the team developing the GIS-LCA system, spoke during the seminar held in Beijing on Sept. 26, 2024. [Photo courtesy of the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology at the CAS]
    Both academics highlighted that the integration of GIS with LCA addresses this limitation and enhances assessment accuracy.
    According to Tian, also head of the Extended Energy Big Data and Strategy Research Center at the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology at the CAS, this carbon footprint assessment system, built on a decade’s worth of accumulated big data, can model real-world scenarios, planning the actual paths of carbon footprints while supporting visualization in the form of flow charts.
    He added that this system can be applied in a wide variety of contexts and by a diverse array of institutions, including products, services, supply chains, companies, industrial parks, industries and governments.
    With this GIS-LCA system, Yueqing city in Zhejiang province has developed China’s first carbon footprint calculation model for local industrial clusters. It has also created a carbon footprint roadmap for electrical product supply chains. On this basis, the model has identified key points and provided plans for carbon reduction.
    In addition, the city has developed the country’s first spatialized, high-resolution background dataset for the electrical industry, as well as has established a public carbon footprint service platform that integrates products, supply chains, industries, businesses, certification bodies and the government.
    “The technology that integrates geographic information with carbon footprint assessment provides an open exploration for establishing the country’s carbon footprint management system, and a good start for us to promote a science-based, standardized and internationally recognized carbon footprint management,” said Xia Yingxian, director general for the Department of Climate Change of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE).
    According to an action plan released in June by the MEE in collaboration with 14 other government departments, China aims to preliminarily establish a carbon footprint management program with national guidelines for calculating product carbon footprints as well as calculation rules and standards for approximately 100 key products by 2027, with the intent to expand this system to include calculation rules and standards for approximately 200 key products by 2030.
    The national guidelines GB/T24067-2024, titled Greenhouse gases—Carbon footprint of products—Requirements and guidelines for qualifications, are scheduled to take effect on Oct. 1.
    Looking ahead, Tian said that he and his team look forward to developing their GIS-LCA system into an important component of China’s carbon footprint management program, and even part of international rules.
    Xia said that the MEE will collaborate with other government departments to motivate stakeholders across society to step up scientific theoretical research; establish calculation standards through pilot efforts in key regions, industries and companies; encourage collaboration in developing a national emission factor database of product carbon footprints; create diverse application scenarios; and advance international and mutual recognition of the standards.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Over 6,500 caught for organized crimes amid special summer crackdown

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Chinese police captured 6,543 criminal suspects for organized crimes in a special crackdown during the summer, China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said Friday.
    Tong Bishan, an official with the ministry, said at a press conference in Beijing that the ministry intensified its efforts to lawfully fight organized crimes that undermine people’s sense of security based on the distinctive features of the crimes that are more prevalent in summer.
    During the special summer crackdown, Chinese police investigated 564 cases concerning organized crimes, and 3,404 criminal cases had been solved, according to Tong.
    The MPS launched a nationwide summer security crackdown campaign for the third consecutive year since June 24 to further strengthen law enforcement, and better prevent, control, and manage criminal acts.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China opposes US missile deployment in Philippines

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday reiterated China’s firm opposition to the United States’ deployment of mid-range capability missiles in the Philippines under the pretext of military exercises.

    Responding to a media query, Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, urged the U.S. side to address its erroneous actions and deliver on its earlier commitment to withdraw the mid-range capability missile system it has deployed in the Philippines as soon as possible.

    The Philippine side should not miscalculate the situation or involve itself in the U.S. agenda, as doing so will only hurt its own interests, Zhang said.

    China has abundant tools at its disposal and will take effective countermeasures according to the evolving situation, Zhang added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Abbas urges efforts to stop Israeli occupation, ‘genocide’

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 26, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas received a long round of applause as he addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Thursday, insisting that “we will not leave, Palestine is our homeland,” and “if anyone were to leave it would be the occupier.”

    He proceeded to accuse Israel of perpetrating a “full-scale war of genocide,” dismissing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that Israel didn’t kill civilians in Gaza. “I ask you, who is it then that killed more than 15,000 children?” he said.

    “Stop this crime. Stop it now. Stop killing children and women. Stop the genocide. Stop sending weapons to Israel. This madness cannot continue. The entire world is responsible for what is happening to our people,” Abbas said.

    Sanction and exclusion

    During his speech, Abbas called on the international community to impose sanctions on Israel and also its exclusion from the United Nations following the “genocide in Gaza.”

    “We call for sanctions against Israel. Israel does not deserve to be part of this organization. I don’t know how the United States can insist on depriving us of our rights,” Abbas said, adding that Israel must be stripped of United Nations membership for failing to accept a two-state resolution to the conflict and allowing the return of Palestinian refugees to their homes. “We are going to submit an application to the UNGA on this matter,” he said.

    “We regret that the U.S. administration — the largest democracy in the world — on three occasions obstructed draft resolutions at the Security Council demanding Israel to observe a ceasefire,” Abbas said, accusing the United States of encouraging Israel’s military actions by repeatedly using its veto power and supplying Israel with weapons used in the conflict.

    “This is the United States — the same country that was the only member in the Security Council that voted against granting the state of Palestine full membership in the UN,” Abbas said, expressing disbelief over what he sees as the U.S. consistent opposition to Palestinian statehood and rights.

    He also touched upon the situation with settlers in the West Bank, specifying that 600,000 settlers currently live there. “We want ICJ (the International Court of Justice) ruling on Israel to be implemented,” he noted.

    Crime and genocide

    Highlighting that Palestinians have endured nearly a year of what he described as one of the most heinous crimes of the time, the leader said that “it is the crime of a full-scale war of genocide that Israel is perpetrating. A crime that has killed more than 40,000 martyrs in Gaza alone, and thousands remain under the rubble. A crime that has injured more than 100,000 to this day.”

    He pointed out that whole Palestinian families have been annihilated, their family names completely erased, stressing that amid the onslaught, diseases are spreading, clean water and vital medicines are in scarce supply, and over two million Palestinians have been displaced, many forced to flee multiple times in search of safety. The deaths and injuries continue unabated, not only in Gaza but in the West Bank and in Jerusalem.

    Abbas underscored that he was not speaking today “to respond to the lies” of the Israeli prime minister, who claimed before the U.S. Congress in July that Israeli forces did not kill innocent civilians in Gaza.

    “I ask you, who is it then that killed more than 15,000 children of the 40,000 and an equal number of women and elderly persons. And who is it then that is continuing to kill them, I ask you?” he said.

    “Palestine will be free, despite anyone who objects. Our people will live in the land of their fathers and grandfathers … The occupation will end,” concluded Abbas.

    Strike and ceasefire

    Right after Abbas, Gambian President Adama Barrow addressed the UNGA that “the Israeli occupation, expansion of settlements, blockade of Gaza, and restrictions in the West Bank, together with the threat of intensifying the war to a regional conflict, continue to worsen the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.”

    “Accordingly, I call on the United Nations, the international community, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States to join forces and urgently bring about permanent peace in Palestine,” he said, adding that “we call on the international community to prioritize support for the post-conflict reconstruction of Gaza and the improvement of economic conditions in the West Bank. Even though the situation in that region is extremely serious, the intense destruction of lives and property continues.”

    In the meantime, Netanyahu instructed his military to keep fighting “with full force” on Thursday, as high-stakes international diplomatic efforts were underway to pause the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

    Netanyahu is heading to New York for the UNGA, as members of his government dismissed a ceasefire proposal that the United States, European allies and several Arab nations put forward. Israel’s military carried out new strikes in Lebanon, including one in Beirut, the capital, that targeted the commander of Hezbollah’s drone unit.

    The UNGA adopted a resolution on May 10 supporting the Palestinian bid to become a full UN member and recommending that the Security Council “reconsider the matter favorably.” The resolution was adopted with 143 votes in favor and nine against, including the United States and Israel, while 25 countries abstained. China voted for the resolution.

    The resolution states, “The State of Palestine … should therefore be admitted to membership” and “recommends that the Security Council reconsider the matter favorably.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Russia’s nuclear doctrine changes ‘signal’ Western states

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    File photo taken on Dec. 19, 2019 shows Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov at Russian President Vladimir Putin’s annual press conference in Moscow, Russia. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Any potential changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine will serve as a warning to Western countries, local media reported Thursday, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

    During a Security Council meeting on nuclear deterrence Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the country reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in the event of aggression.

    “This is a signal that serves as a warning to these countries about the consequences of engaging in an attack on our country through various means, not necessarily nuclear,” Peskov said.

    Peskov added that Russia’s nuclear deterrence policies are currently being adjusted to reflect the increasing tensions along the country’s borders.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Lo Chung-mau concludes Beijing visit

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau and a delegation called on the State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) and the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in Beijing today.
     
    At the delegation’s meeting with State Council HKMAO Executive Deputy Director Zhou Ji this morning, Prof Lo introduced to Mr Zhou the latest developments of various healthcare reform initiatives in Hong Kong, including the initial achievements in the area of health and medical innovation.
     
    Prof Lo pointed out that the 20th CPC Central Committee’s Third Plenary Session adopted the Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization, adding that deepening the medical and health system reform was identified as one of the key tasks.
     
    He stressed that it is essential for Hong Kong to press ahead with reform and innovation in the healthcare system to cater for the mounting service demand of society posed by an ageing population.
     
    “The Health Bureau will stay committed to implementing the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and reform the healthcare system in a progressive manner.”
     
    At the same time, Prof Lo made it clear that the bureau will give full play to Hong Kong’s medical strengths and complement the advantages of other cities in the Greater Bay Area to vigorously develop new quality productive forces in biomedicine according to local conditions.
     
    The ultimate aim, he noted, is to develop Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub.
     
    Additionally, he emphasised that the bureau will also make breakthroughs and changes through an innovative mindset, so as to build a “Healthy Hong Kong” for integration into the nation’s “Healthy China” strategy.
     
    Prof Lo and the delegation then met NMPA Deputy Commissioner Zhao Junning to exchange views on fostering closer collaboration between the Mainland and Hong Kong in key areas such as the regulatory and approval of drugs and medical devices, cross-boundary clinical trials, and real-world data research.
     
    The health secretary highlighted the efforts to develop Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub, and establish an authority that registers drugs and medical devices under the primary evaluation approach in the long run.
     
    The delegation will return to Hong Kong tonight.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Shigeru Ishiba will be Japan’s next prime minister. What should we expect?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sebastian Maslow, Associate professor, University of Tokyo

    In a vote to replace Fumio Kishia as head of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), party members have elected Shigeru Ishiba as their new leader. Given the LDP’s majority in parliament, the party leader will become prime minister by default.

    Ishiba, aged 67, joined the parliament in 1986 and held key cabinet posts throughout his career, including director of then Defence Agency (now Ministry of Defence).

    Amid growing public opposition to the LDP, in 1993 he left the party, only to return four years later. The move cost him the trust of many of his LDP colleagues, many of whom still consider him a traitor.

    Ishiba has run five times for the LDP’s top position and frequently opposed former prime minister Shinzo Abe’s policies. Though unpopular among the LDP’s top members, Ishiba has nourished broad support among the LDP’s base. In today’s race, he won over Sanae Takaichi, a close ally of Abe and the face of the LDP’s revisionist brand of conservatism.

    Ishiba, who has his constituency in rural Tottori, has pledged to revitalise economic growth through supporting local regions. A defence expert, he is an outspoken advocate of stronger security relations with the United States and a more robust military.

    What does this tell us about Japanese politics?

    The election was one of the most contentious in recent political history and came after Kishida announced he would not seek re-election as LDP leader when his three-year term ends this month.

    Kishida’s tenure as prime minister has been marred by political scandals, leading to a sharp decline in public support for the cabinet.

    In particular, the revelation of the LDP’s links to the Unification Church following the assassination of Abe in 2022 and recent reports of LDP slush funds have undermined voter confidence in the party.

    In an effort to restore public confidence, Kishida promoted the dissolution of the LDP’s factions, which had served as the party’s main internal mechanisms for mobilising support and financial resources and allocating government portfolios since its founding in 1955.

    At the same time, the factions were seen as the main source of the LDP’s scandals.

    In a logic of “numbers are power”, the factions mobilised internal support for either their own leader or the faction’s ally to become prime minister.

    By challenging the LDP’s old power structures, Kishida’s re-election prospects diminished. However, with the disappearance of most of the LDP’s factions, internal power politics has become competitive.

    As a result, an unprecedented nine candidates vied for the party’s leadership.

    Will politics change much?

    The LDP’s constitution stipulates that in the first round of voting, the votes of each of the 368 members of parliament are added to the 368 votes allocated proportionally to rank-and-file members.

    The top two candidates then go through to a second round, where the 368 National Diet members cast their votes, while each of the 47 prefectural branches gets one vote.

    This means candidates who are popular with the LDP’s base have a good chance of surviving the first round, while only those who are popular with the party’s Diet members will ultimately win the race.

    The exception to this pattern is when the party’s national elite is so unpopular that its Diet members make a strategic move to support a locally popular candidate in an appeal to the public to reform the LDP and thus avoid punishment at the polls.

    This was the case when Junichiro Koizumi was elected LDP leader in 2001 after campaigning against his own party, which was embroiled in a series of scandals, while securing the support of the grassroots.

    With a runoff between the top two contenders seen as the most likely scenario early on, the candidates have been courting the support of the LDP’s old guard and faction leaders, hoping for their influence in mobilising the votes of LDP Diet members.

    Ishiba has remained highly unpopular among LDP Diet members. LDP Vice-President Taro Aso and others have pledged to support his rival Sanae Takaichi.

    Takakichi herself has promised not to further investigate the party’s slush funds or to punish members linked to them. While Ishiba has been critical of the LDP’s initial response, he has remained silent on the issue during his campaign in order to avoid further alienating the party’s Diet members.

    The LDP’s internal politics have come under intense public scrutiny. With the LDP’s internal power structures destabilised, fears of a return to revolving-door governments have resurfaced. The party operates in crisis mode.

    Selecting Ishiba has increased its chances to compete in the next general election and thus keep the LDP in power. How Ishiba can secure enough support from within the LDP to implement his policies while responding to the public’s expectations to hold the party accountable for its past scandals, however, remains to been.

    If he fails to deliver on the latter, his tenure may be short-lived too.

    What happens now?

    The Diet will convene on Tuesday and LDP members will elect Ishiba as the new prime minister, who will then announce her new cabinet and LDP leadership.

    If the past serves as lesson, Ishiba will dissolve the lower house soon after the supplementary budget is passed. This would set Japan on track for general elections later this year.

    Faced with a fragmented opposition, it remains to be seen whether his policies alone will be enough to secure public support. A critique of “Abenomics” (Shinzo Abe’s economic approach), Ishiba is considered being in favour of fiscal discipline.

    Meanwhile, he has also called for more public works spending to reduce Japan’s growing inequality while revitalising the depopulated regions.

    Ishiba has also been critical about Kishida’s return to nuclear power, calling for more investment in regenerative energy.

    In addition, he has expressed support for legalising same-sex marriage and separate surnames – though broadly supported by the public, both issues are controversial among the LDP’s conservative base.

    Promoting a more active and equal role of Japan in its alliance with the US, Ishiba most recently advocated for expanding security cooperation to an Asian version of NATO. Moreover, he has called for more diplomatic efforts to engage China and Russia instead of relying on military pressure.

    At the same time he has repeatedly called for a robust military posture to counter China’s rise and North Korea’s military actions.

    What Ishiba means for relations with South Korea – a key legacy of Kishida – or for handling a potential Donald Trump White House, however, remains to be seen. His pledge for a more active Japan certainly resonates well with Trump.

    What is clear is that the LDP, operating in crisis mode, has voted for a leader who is willing to change the party and to restore the public’s trust in government.

    Sebastian Maslow does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Shigeru Ishiba will be Japan’s next prime minister. What should we expect? – https://theconversation.com/shigeru-ishiba-will-be-japans-next-prime-minister-what-should-we-expect-239314

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: ​’Transformers’ producer goes back to the source for new film

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    After years of producing live-action blockbusters, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, the producer of the Transformers franchise, has delved back into the Cybertron mythology’s history for an animated prequel, which premiered at the Transformers Metrobase in Universal Beijing Resort on Sept. 24 and is set for a nationwide release in China on Sept. 27. 

    A still from “Transformers One.” [Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures]

    “I wanted to make this story because the core mythology of it is so strong,” said di Bonaventura when discussing the idea behind the new animated blockbuster “Transformers One.”

    “Transformers One” tells the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, revealing how two worker bots’ relationship changed over time and impacted the fate of Cybertron, the home planet of the Transformers.  

    This animated prequel’s own creation story started back in 2015. At the time, Paramount Pictures assigned Akiva Goldsman the task of collaborating with the film franchise’s director Michael Bay, executive producer Steven Spielberg and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura to establish a writers’ room aimed at generating ideas for future Transformers films. One of the concepts that emerged from this brainstorming session was titled “Transformers One,” envisioned as an animation that would explore the initial Autobot-Decepticon conflict on Cybertron. By August 2017, the project was officially announced and the script was in the works. In 2020, Josh Cooley, Pixar alumnus and a die-hard Transformers fan, was hired to direct.

    Di Bonaventura said he loved Cooley’s previous work, but, most importantly, when he sat down with Cooley to discuss the script he found that they were both moved by the same overarching storyline: two best friends turned mortal enemies.

    “That’s the thing he wanted to focus on. I had seen his most recent animated film at that point, ‘Toy Story 4’ (2019), which was obviously an amazing film. He knew his craft, but the key was understanding what that was about. Interestingly enough, he has a brother, and the two of them took very different directions in their lives – one is filmmaker, one is a cop. So, he was able to use that personal experience on top of it,” di Bonaventura revealed.

    A Chinese poster for “Transformers One.” [Image courtesy of Paramount Pictures]

    Going down the animated route to tell Optimus Prime and Megatron’s creation story was a tactical move, with di Bonaventura stating that using animation does not only offer a different experience for the audience and “level of creativity” compared to the franchise’s live-action installments, but also was a budget-conscious consideration. “This particular story would probably cost $500 million if you tried to do it in live-action. So, in a way, you had no choice but to do it in animation. Having now seen the film and feeling how successful it is, I’m really happy,” he beamed. Animation was provided by Industrial Light & Magic and was influenced by Generation 1 and Art Deco. 

    “The great news for us in this was that all the animators are really hardcore ‘Transformers’ fans. So, they were bringing their own understanding of the characters, of the series and of the movies to this experience. They were able to help us elevate the whole storytelling.”

    Their hard work has paid off. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 88% of 125 critics’ reviews have been positive and the audience score has been as high as 98%. 

    Although the box office performance for the animated film within the Chinese market remains to be seen, the “Transformers” series is evergreen and has garnered a substantial Chinese fan base since its introduction into China in 1987, with its popularity sustained through cartoons, movies and toys. Reflecting China’s fast-growing film market, the previous seven live-action installments have collectively grossed more than 7 billion yuan ($1 billion) in this country alone.

    The China premiere for “Transformers One” was held at Transformers Metrobase at Universal Beijing Resort in Beijing, Sept. 24, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures]

    Di Bonaventura said he hopes hardcore fans will love this new animated film because part of the reason for making this origin story is to please the fans, going on to say that during production they intentionally stayed very true to the mythology. 

    But there’s one thing that die-hard fans of the Transformers movies may not be pleased with: the replacement of who is voicing Optimus Prime. Previously having the deep, iconic voice of Peter Cullen, Optimus Prime in “Transformers One” is voiced by Chris Hemsworth. Di Bonaventura explained the decision, saying that he’s “wanted to work with Chris for a long time” and that he feels Hemsworth is a good fit for the role. “His voice has both the innocence of a younger man and the timbre of a hero. “

    With the voice of Optimus Prime’s younger self decided on, they had to find the right match for Megatron’s younger version, and they eventually came to the versatile actor Brian Tyree Henry. In addition, di Bonaventura added, “I think one of the exciting things in this particular movie for the audience is that we have a very strong female character that Scarlett Johansson is playing. It’s the first time we’ve really had a female Transformer character that stands up against any of the males.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s TV, online videos to be dominated by ultra-high-definition in 2 years: official

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

    China’s TV, online videos to be dominated by ultra-high-definition in 2 years: official

    BEIJING, Sept. 27 — China is set to make ultra-high-definition (UHD) the predominant format for television and online videos by 2026, the National Radio and Television Administration said on Friday.

    The country plans to launch 13 new UHD TV channels by the end of 2025, bringing the total number to over 20. By 2026, an administration official said that 11 additional TV channels and over 50 percent of shows newly released via online streaming platforms will be presented in the UHD format.

    China has emerged as a global leader in certain independent core technologies for UHD video and has prioritized accelerating UHD development as a key strategic task, according to the administration.

    Currently, all central and provincial TV stations, along with over 98 percent of local channels, have implemented high-definition broadcasting. Additionally, nine UHD channels are available nationwide, the administration said.

    The administration announced plans to encourage hotels to upgrade their TVs into UHD as part of the country’s pro-growth program of large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-ins this year.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China makes great contribution to global green shift: official

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

    BEIJING, Sept. 27 — China has made significant contributions to the global response to climate change and green transformation with leapfrog development of its new-energy industry, an official with the country’s energy administration has said.

    Pan Huimin, deputy director of the National Energy Administration’s new and renewable energy department, made the comments in the eighth episode of the China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk platform hosted by Xinhua News Agency. The episode was broadcast on Friday.

    Pan said that thanks to China’s efforts on clean energy development, approximately 3.25 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions were reduced globally in 2023.

    Over the years, China has been integrating into the global clean energy industrial chain and sharing high-quality clean energy products with the rest of the world, Pan said.

    As the world’s largest clean energy market and equipment manufacturer, China has made continuous advances in wind and solar power technologies, Pan noted, adding that the country now has world-leading onshore low-speed wind power technology, while its offshore large-capacity wind turbine technology is also globally advanced.

    Driven by continuous technological innovation, the cost of wind power and photovoltaic power dropped significantly in the past decade, effectively reducing the development and construction costs of global clean energy projects, Pan said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Treasury Markets Summit 2024 (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

         The Treasury Markets Summit 2024, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Treasury Markets Association (TMA), was held today (September 27) in Hong Kong. 
          
         In his keynote address, the Chief Executive of the HKMA and Honorary President of the TMA Council, Mr Eddie Yue, discussed the policy initiatives in further strengthening Hong Kong’s position as the offshore renminbi business hub of the world; while Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA and Chair of the TMA Executive Board, Mr Darryl Chan, highlighted the TMA’s key achievements in his opening remarks.
          
         The Summit’s panels covered three important topics, namely China economic outlook, Decentralised Finance (DeFi) and Metaverse, and Central Bank Digital Currency. The panels were moderated respectively by Deputy Head of RMB Business and General Manager of Global Markets of Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, Ms Annie Zhu; Professor of Practice (ESG, FinTech and Sustainable Finance) of School of Accounting and Finance at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Mr Lapman Lee, and the Chief Fintech Officer of the HKMA, Mr George Chou. They were joined by distinguished guest speakers from the financial industry and relevant sectors.
          
         The Summit was attended by over 300 local and overseas participants, including treasury market practitioners, asset managers, and senior executives and professionals from banks, financial institutions and corporates.      

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shigeru Ishiba elected Japan’s ruling party leader

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Shigeru Ishiba casts his ballot at Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) leadership election in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 27, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba won Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election on Friday, virtually ensuring that he will become the country’s next prime minister.

    The 67-year-old lawmaker, in his fifth attempt to lead the party, was elected as the new LDP president by securing 215 votes in a runoff to defeat his female contender Sanae Takaichi, who received 194 votes.

    As the LDP-led coalition constitutes a majority in both chambers of the parliament in Japan, the new party president is almost certain to be elected prime minister in the extraordinary Diet session scheduled to be held on Oct. 1, succeeding the incumbent Fumio Kishida, who is not seeking re-election due to mounting criticism over the LDP slush fund scandal.

    LDP parliamentarians cast 367 votes in the first round of voting, while another 368 votes were allotted to rank-and-file members. Ishiba, winning 154 votes, entered the runoff vote round with Takaichi who took the lead at 181 votes.

    In the runoff voting, the LDP lawmakers cast the same number of votes, but the rank-and-file members’ votes were reduced to one for each of the LDP’s 47 prefectural chapters.

    Shigeru won the final race with advantages in the votes from both LDP parliamentarians and local chapters.

    43-year-old Shinjiro Koizumi, who is former environment minister and son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, lost out in the nine-candidate race in the first round of voting earlier in the afternoon.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Holiday travel to see around 2B cross-regional trips

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    China is poised to experience an estimated 1.94 billion cross-regional trips during the upcoming week-long National Day holiday, starting Tuesday, Li Yang, vice-minister for transport, said in Beijing on Friday.
    This translates to an average of 277 million daily trips, reflecting a 0.7 percent increase from last year and a significant 19.4 percent rise compared to 2019.
    Notably, around 80 percent of these journeys will be made via self-driving vehicles, amounting to about 1.53 billion road trips. The remaining 20 percent will utilize commercial public transportation options, including trains, planes, and ferries.
    Family travel is expected to dominate domestic tourism, with inter-provincial trips becoming increasingly common. Anticipated popular destinations include major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, as well as Chongqing and the provinces of Shanxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Sichuan. In terms of international travel, neighboring Southeast Asian countries are forecast to attract a significant number of travelers.
    As the holiday approaches, Li emphasized that the transportation sector is prepared to meet the anticipated challenges, aiming to fulfill traveler expectations and government mandates. Preparations are already underway to implement effective travel support plans designed to enhance safety and convenience for all holiday travelers.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Phase II project of China’s self-developed deepwater gas field starts operation

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    The phase II project of China’s first independently-developed ultra-deepwater gas field Shenhai Yihao, or Deep Sea No. 1, became operational on Friday in waters southeast of Hainan, China’s southernmost island province.
    The operation of this project marks that China’s capacity to develop oil and gas resources under complex conditions ranks among the top in the world, said the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), its operator, on Friday.
    The phase II project, with a proven reserve of over 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas, has a peak annual natural gas output of more than 1.5 billion cubic meters.
    The project includes 12 deepwater gas wells, a comprehensive processing platform weighing over 14,000 tonnes and five submarine pipelines with a total length of about 250 km, among other facilities.
    Upon full operation of the project, the peak annual natural gas output of Deep Sea No. 1 is expected to increase from 3 billion cubic meters to 4.5 billion cubic meters, becoming an important source of gas supply and helping to ensure China’s energy security, according to the CNOOC.
    Jiang Ping, general manager of the CNOOC’s Hainan branch, said that the development and construction of the phase II project had lasted for nine years. During this process, its builders faced various challenges, such as high temperatures and high pressure, and managed to achieve several key technological breakthroughs.
    Deep Sea No. 1, located 150 km from the city of Sanya in south China’s island province of Hainan, is able to operate at a maximum depth of over 1,500 meters in the sea. It began operation in June 2021.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China strictly follows nuclear policy of no first use of nuclear weapons: Defense Spokesperson 2024-09-26 “China’s nuclear policy is very stable, consistent and predictable. We strictly follow a nuclear policy of no first use of nuclear weapons and pursue a nuclear strategy of self-defense,” said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang at a press conference on Thursday.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense 2

      BEIJING, Sept. 26 — “China’s nuclear policy is very stable, consistent and predictable. We strictly follow a nuclear policy of no first use of nuclear weapons and pursue a nuclear strategy of self-defense,” said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference on Thursday.

      The spokesperson made the remarks when responding to a media inquiry regarding China’s launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean on September 25.

      The spokesperson pointed out that China strictly follows a nuclear policy of no first use of nuclear weapons and pursues a nuclear strategy of self-defense. China does not seek any arms race.

      “We have promised not using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against no-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones. China will continue to keep its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security,” stressed the spokesperson.

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Green becomes defining feature of development in China: official

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

    BEIJING, Sept. 27 — Green is the defining feature of China’s development in the new era and remarkable progress has been made in the country’s green and low-carbon transformation, said Tian Chunxiu, deputy director of the Policy Research Center for Environment and Economy of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

    She made the remarks during the China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk platform hosted by Xinhua News Agency, on Friday.

    In the energy sector, for example, China’s annual energy consumption growth averaged 3 percent in the new era since the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress in 2012, while its average annual economic growth exceeded 6 percent and its energy consumption per unit of GDP dropped by 26.8 percent, making it one of the countries with the fastest reduction in energy intensity worldwide, she revealed.

    The installed capacity of renewable energy currently exceeds that of thermal power plants in China, and China’s scale of development and utilization of renewable energy ranks first in the world.

    China, in the new era, has created many successful practices, as the world’s largest developing country has managed to effectively protect its ecological environment, while also achieving rapid economic and social development, Tian said, citing significant improvements in China’s ecological environment.

    China has witnessed steady improvement in its air quality, with average PM2.5 density, a key indicator of air pollution, dropping to 30 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023 from 46 micrograms per cubic meter in 2015, she said.

    In terms of water quality, the proportion of surface-water bodies nationwide classified as having “fairly good” water quality had reached 89.4 percent in 2023, she added.

    Using key rivers as examples, Tian said the Yangtze River’s main stream has maintained Grade II water quality for four consecutive years, while the main stream of the Yellow River has maintained the same level for two successive years.

    China has a five-tier water quality system, with Grade V representing the lowest level.

    China has steadfastly advanced its “Beautiful China” initiative, emphasizing ecological and environmental protection as a top priority in its social and economic development.

    During the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee in July 2024, Chinese leadership pledged to “prioritize ecological protection, conserve resources and use them efficiently, and pursue green and low-carbon development.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: NHC minister meets with health minister of Rwanda

    Source: People’s Republic of China Ministry of Health

    Lei Haichao, minister of China’s National Health Commission (NHC), met with Rwandan Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana on Sept 3 in Beijing. The pair discussed further strengthening bilateral health cooperation.

    During his meeting with Nsanzimana, Lei introduced the guiding principles of the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) as well as the goals and key tasks in health reform.

    He said that China is ready to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and deepen exchanges between the health departments of China and Rwanda under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries. 

    China is willing to intensify the work of the medical teams assisting Rwanda and further strengthen cooperation in areas such as hospital management and operations, high-end medical equipment development, big data and artificial intelligence related to healthcare, and personnel training, so as to make a greater contribution to the building of a China-Africa health community, he noted.

    Nsanzimana thanked the Chinese side for presenting the guiding principles of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and expressed particular appreciation for China’s long-term selfless assistance to Rwanda’s healthcare development.

    He said Rwanda is willing to work on strengthening bilateral health exchanges and cooperation and looks forward to China’s further assistance in promoting the development of Rwanda’s healthcare system.

    Officials of related NHC departments were present at the meeting.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PRESS RELEASE – SAMOA REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO THE NEW DELHI DECLARATION AT THE 2ND ASIA PACIFIC MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON CIVIL AVIATION

    Source: Government of Western Samoa

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    New Delhi, India/September 2024 – Samoa has reiterated its dedication to enhancing connectivity and fostering development within the Asia and Pacific communities by committing to the New Delhi Declaration at the 2nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation held earlier this month.

    The two-day conference ended with Indian Prime Minister Honorable Narendra Modi announcing unanimous passing of the Delhi Declaration.

    Samoa was represented by Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (MWTI) Associate Minister, Afioga Niuava Eti Malolo and Director of Civil Aviation/ACEO MWTI, Afioga Lauano Yvonne Talaitupu Mariner-Viliamu.

    The New Delhi Declaration underscores Samoa’s unwavering support for continued partnership and collaboration in the realm of civil aviation. This commitment follows the first Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation in 2018, held in China, which concluded with the Beijing Declaration. The Beijing Declaration set the foundation for States to work together to achieve shared commitments and take necessary actions to collectively address the challenges faced by the aviation sector.

    While some of the commitments outlined in the Beijing Declaration have seen satisfactory progress, most targets related to safety and air navigation have not met expectations. The shortfall is primarily due to the pandemic, which plunged the global civil aviation sector into a severe crisis.

    The Conference marked an important advancement by Civil Aviation Ministers of the Asia Pacific States, aiming to address the increasing demand for air travel and to concentrate on the future development and infrastructure of airports amidst rapid airline growth. The commitment from the Asia Pacific Region to foster collaboration on a unified platform to orchestrate regional aviation growth is embodied in the Delhi Declaration, which replaces the Beijing Declaration.

    The high-level gathering brought together approximately 250 representatives from 41 countries. About Samoa’s Commitment Samoa remains devoted to supporting and partnering with other nations to enhance connectivity and foster development within the Asia and Pacific region. By endorsing the New Delhi Declaration, Samoa reaffirms its commitment to working collaboratively with regional partners to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic and to build a stronger, safer, and more dynamic aviation sector.

    Speaking at the Ministerial event, MWTI Associate Minister, Afioga Niuava highlighted Samoa’s efforts in advancing aviation security in our country. He also acknowledged the unwavering support of our Asia and Pacific neighbors which have been instrumental in Samoa’s recovery following the Measles Epidemic in 2019 and COVID19 global pandemic.

    END

    SOURCE – Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure Samoa

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires Daniel Tarapacki at the Welcome Reception, U.S. Embassy Residence

    Source: Government of Western Samoa

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    (September 12, 2024)

    Faafetai Chaplain Lt Col (Todd) Brown for the thoughtful word of encouragement.

    Your Highnesses, Head of State and Masiofo

    Your Excellency, Council of Deputies and your good lady

    Honorable Deputy Prime Minister and Honorable Cabinet Members

    Honorable Chief Justice and the Judiciary

    Honorable Speaker of Parliament

    Honorable Members of Parliament

    Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

    Members of the Media,

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    Talofa lava and good evening,

    It is truly a pleasure to stand before you this evening in the stunning backdrop of Samoa. The natural beauty of these islands, with their crystal-clear waters and lush landscapes, is a constant reminder of the vibrant culture and spirit that fills this land. I am honored to be here among you and to feel the warmth of your hospitality.

    Each day since my arrival I am continuously encouraged by the joy, hope, and talent in Samoa.

    If I’m being completely honest, I wish could sing, dance, and play sports half as well as everyone here! That said, these are very important skills I hope to improve upon during my time in Samoa. In terms of my background, I originally hail from a small town outside of Buffalo, New York and have served three overseas assignments, as well as three assignments in Washington, where I most recently served in the Secretary of State’s Operations Center. This is my first assignment in the Pacific and I am deeply grateful for this opportunity.

    Tonight, I would like to take a moment to introduce you to our newly expanded leadership team. First, join me in a round of applause to welcome our most recently arrived officer, our emcee Laila Gillam. Laila joined us last week as our first-ever Public Affairs Officer. Laila has more than 19 years’ experience as a diplomat and most recently served as Public Affairs Officer in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. She is originally from Colorado.

    Many of you already know him, but for those who do not, I’d also like to introduce you to our Political/Economic Affairs Chief Donald Alderman. Donald arrived in Samoa three months ago.

    He is also a highly experienced diplomat working on Asia and Pacific issues and has served in Germany, China, Nigeria and South Africa. Donald is originally from Alaska.

    As our office continues to expand, so too will our programs and collaborations here in Samoa.

    Together, we can explore new opportunities and creative solutions that directly benefit the community, ensuring that our engagement is meaningful and impactful.

    Building on the incredible work of my predecessors, my primary aim is to further enhance the relationships we have cultivated, create new relations and to continue expanding upon the core principles that have guided us over the years.

    The last several years the U.S. administration has worked to broaden and deepen its engagement with Pacific Island countries as a priority of U.S. foreign policy. As a Pacific nation, the United States has a clear and abiding interest in partnering with Samoa to advance a shared agenda: addressing the climate crisis, maintaining peaceful waterways and upholding freedom of navigation, promoting development and economic growth, and deepening people-to-people ties.

    Regionally, in the past three and a half years, the United States has hosted two historic Pacific Islands Forum Summits at the White House; opened three new embassies in Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu; released the first ever U.S.-Pacific Partnership Strategy; and announced plans, working with Congress, to provide over $8 billion in new funding for the Pacific Islands.

    The United States recognized Cook Islands and Niue as sovereign and independent states and established diplomatic relationships with them; expanded USAID offices in Papua New Guinea and Fiji; returned the Peace Corps to Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu; and increased the availability of U.S. consular services to enable easier travel. We have surged Coast Guard resources to help safeguard maritime territories against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; launched National Guard State Partnership Programs with Samoa and Papua New Guinea; and tended to tens of thousands of medical patients during missions by the hospital ship USNS Mercy.

    We are committed to increasing our assistance in key areas such as health through initiatives like Soifua Manuia returning next month, and I am particularly excited about enhancing our exchange programs like our International Visitor Leadership Program. We hope to increase collaborations through our State Partnership Program, as evident in the Prisons and Corrections subject matter exchange that was held this week by the amazing team from the Nevada National Guard. Can my colleagues from the National Guard raise your hands – welcome and thank you!

    One newest initiative just announced at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga is a funding opportunity called the Pacific Ambassadors’ Self-Help Small Grants fund, which will provide grants to local organizations to fund programs that address the impacts of climate change on the environment.

    These are a few of the initiatives that not only strengthen our ties but also enrich the lives of those we serve.

    Your commitment and dedication will undoubtedly pave the way for further successes as we all work together towards our shared goals. This new chapter comes with exciting opportunities, and I look forward to collaborating with each of you.

    Thank you all for being here tonight. I look forward to working closely with each of you as we embark on this journey together. Let us celebrate the beauty of Samoa and the potential of our partnership as we move forward.

    Fa’afetai lava! Thank you.

    Now join me in raising your glasses to toast the continued friendship and partnership between the United States and Samoa.

    END.

    SOURCE – US US Embassy Apia, Samoa

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Piero Cipollone: Monetary sovereignty in the digital age: the case for a digital euro

    Source: European Central Bank

    Keynote speech by Piero Cipollone, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, at the Economics of Payments XIII Conference organised by the Oesterreichische Nationalbank

    Vienna, 27 September 2024

    Money plays a fundamental role in society, driving economic activity and enabling daily transactions.[1] Money in physical form, cash, remains the most frequently used means of payment in stores, especially for lower value transactions. But more and more people are using money in digital form. An average of 379 million retail transactions are made digitally in the euro area every day.[2]

    Given money’s importance for our material and social well-being, the regulation of money has long been considered a cornerstone of state sovereignty. As the influential French jurist and political philosopher Jean Bodin observed in the 16th century, “only he who has the power to make law can regulate the coinage.”[3]

    Today, legislators continue to regulate the use of money and they have entrusted central banks with issuing public money and maintaining confidence in the monetary system.

    At the European Central Bank (ECB), we issue money that can be used to settle wholesale and retail transactions throughout the euro area, thereby guaranteeing the singleness of money across the monetary union. And we ensure that the euro remains a safe, stable and effective medium of exchange and store of value. This provides an essential anchor for the economy and the financial system.

    The Eurosystem has made significant progress in integrating wholesale transactions, largely thanks to the robust payment infrastructure it provides. The Eurosystem’s real-time gross settlement system T2, for instance, processes a value close to the entire euro area GDP on a weekly basis, and it has established itself as a leading global payment system.

    In parallel, euro banknotes are accepted for retail payments across the euro area. They have become a symbol of European integration and freedom[4], uniting us and strengthening our collective identity as Europeans.

    But while central banks have long offered digital settlement in central bank money for wholesale transactions, we do not yet have a digital form of cash.

    This is becoming increasingly problematic because the use and acceptance of cash are declining. In the euro area, cash transactions have fallen below card transactions in value.[5] And the share of companies reporting that they do not accept cash has tripled in the last three years to 12%.[6] The European Commission has therefore put forward a legislative proposal to ensure the acceptance of cash[7] and the ECB is committed to keeping euro cash widely available and accessible.[8] Still, the trend towards less use of banknotes for daily transactions is likely to continue, reflecting the digitalisation of economic activity and mirroring patterns observed in many advanced economies.

    Moreover, digital payments in the euro area remain fragmented, both along national lines and in terms of use cases. Current European digital payment solutions mainly cater to national markets and specific use cases. To pay across European countries, consumers have to rely on a few non-European providers, which now dominate most of these transactions. And even those providers’ payment solutions are not accepted everywhere and do not cover all key use cases (payments in shops, from person to person and online).

    So a key objective of central bank money – to offer the public a means of payment backed by the sovereign authority that can be used for retail transactions across the jurisdiction – is not being fulfilled in the euro area’s digital space. This is all the more awkward given that some euro area countries have made it mandatory to accept digital means of payment, for instance in a bid to combat tax evasion.

    In addition, European payments have become a prime example of the situation that Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi have described in their recent reports.[9] The fragmentation of the market, the lack of European payment solutions available on a European scale and the difficulty faced by European payment service providers in keeping pace with technological advances[10] means that Europe is not competitive within its own market, let alone on a global scale.

    Moreover, in an unstable geopolitical environment, we are being left to rely on companies based in other countries. Today’s dependency on US companies could in future develop into reliance on companies from countries other than the United States. Platforms like Ant Group’s Alipay have demonstrated their ability to bridge geographical gaps: during major events like UEFA EURO 2024 they were able to boost their payment app usage among customers in Europe.[11]

    We must move swiftly to address the risks stemming from Europe’s current inability to secure the integration and autonomy of its retail payment system. This is a key motivation behind the digital euro project: bringing central bank money into the digital age would provide a digital equivalent to banknotes and strengthen our monetary sovereignty.

    Today, I will outline the policy challenges we face as digitalisation reinforces the two-sided nature of the payments market. I will then discuss how the introduction of a digital euro could make a significant difference. By designing the digital euro to meet the diverse needs of consumers, merchants and payment service providers, we can ensure its widespread adoption. This, in turn, will empower us to pursue strategic goals such as innovation, integration and independence, ultimately enhancing our economic efficiency, resilience and sovereignty.

    The retail payments market: a two-sided marketplace

    To fully appreciate why we have been failing to overcome fragmentation and why the digital euro would be a game changer, we must first understand the structure of the retail payments market as a two-sided marketplace.

    Retail payment systems act as vital intermediaries connecting two key participants – merchants and consumers – whose transactions are facilitated by payment service providers.[12] The defining feature of this marketplace is that interactions between participants generate network effects, where the value for each group increases as more participants join the other side. Consider the telephone system: its utility grows with each new user. However, on the downside, this also creates a challenging chicken-and-egg dilemma. Platforms need a critical mass of users to attract additional participants, but they struggle to achieve scale without that initial user base.

    That is why platforms with existing large user bases have an advantage in entering such markets. Indeed, the strength of network effects is amplified when platforms expand their range of activities, thereby broadening their user base.

    Technological innovation and the rise of digital platforms managed by major tech companies are expected to further exacerbate these dynamics. Big techs conduct business in finance in a unique way, drawing on three mutually reinforcing components: data analytics, network effects and interconnected activities.[13] Network effects help big techs gather more data, which enhances their analytics. Better analytics improve services and attract more users, allowing them to offer more services and gather even more data.

    As a result, payment apps provided by big techs have become especially popular in emerging markets and developing economies.[14] Take China, for example. Its financial system has largely disintermediated banks from payment transactions. Instead, big techs have leveraged the widespread use of mobile apps, integrating social interactions and shopping experiences to offer users seamless digital payment methods.[15] What is even more problematic is that these companies operate closed-loop payment systems, in contrast to international card schemes’ open-loop systems. In a closed-loop system, consumers load money onto their Alipay account, for example, and pay by scanning the merchant’s Alipay QR code. As a result, funds are transferred directly from the consumer to the merchant, bypassing the traditional system of banks and network processors. Only the owner of the closed-loop system has access to the payment data. This challenges the traditional banking model, which relies on customer data and relationships to function effectively, and also has an impact on how credit is extended to the economy.[16] There is a risk that the closed-loop systems developed by successful online platforms and big tech companies could, in future, create a parallel economy with their own currencies and distinct units of account.

    At global level, big techs such as PayPal and Apple have developed highly successful ecosystems based on the closed-loop financial services model. By encouraging people to use their payment apps, these ecosystems effectively oblige them to use their payment rails. In parallel, payment platforms have tried to become more integrated in social media giants like WhatsApp and Meta[17]. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) are considering offering payment functions.[18] And Amazon is now venturing into the credit card and payment app business too. These examples illustrate how these firms can exploit customer networks to create cross-subsidised links between various services.[19]

    However, while network effects can foster a virtuous cycle of economic growth, they also pose significant risks.

    In particular, walled gardens or lack of interoperability between various solutions can result in market fragmentation. Technology can be used to exclude competitors – for example, by preferencing a platform’s own products or restricting competing services – and so can skew the competitive landscape in favour of a dominant player. And these dynamics could further raise the barriers to enter and grow in the two-sided payments market, stifling competition and making it even more difficult for European payment solutions to emerge on a pan-European scale.

    There is thus a risk that the current dynamics, where big tech companies seek to exploit the power of their platforms to expand in payments, could exacerbate the challenges facing the European retail payments market in terms of integration and the ability of European solutions to compete and innovate at scale.

    Addressing market failures through European policy actions

    Since the creation of the monetary union, European policymakers have taken significant steps to foster the development of private European payment initiatives that span the euro area. The hope was that these initiatives could enhance competition within the European payments landscape, providing consumers and businesses with more choice and better services.

    From the launch of the Single Euro Payments Area to the recent adoption of the Instant Payments Regulation, the European Commission[20] and ECB[21] have worked with the private sector to support integration, innovation and the creation of a pan-European retail payment solution.

    Yet, despite these efforts, more than 30 years since the inception of the Single Market and 25 years since the launch of the single currency, most European retail payment solutions remain national in scope, addressing only limited use cases. Moreover, 13 out of 20 euro area countries rely entirely on non-European solutions in the absence of their own domestic payment scheme.

    As a result, people who live, work, travel or shop online in other euro area countries find themselves effectively dependent on two international card schemes, which enjoy strong market power. This situation discourages small businesses from expanding across borders or even into their national online markets, ultimately hindering the deepening of the Single Market.[22] And paradoxically, the benefits from the efforts we make to lower the barriers to trade in European product markets may not fully reach consumers, as they are absorbed in the form of higher profits by the few international players that currently enable payments in stores and online across Europe.

    Rather than joining forces and sharing resources to develop successful pan-European solutions, national communities have often preferred to preserve the legacy of investments made in the past.[23] This reluctance has allowed a few major global players not only to dominate cross-border European payment transactions, but also to steadily capture an even larger share of domestic transactions. The result is that international payment schemes operated by non-European operators today facilitate 64% of all electronically initiated transactions with cards issued in the euro area.[24]

    Merchants – and consumers, to whom costs are eventually passed on – are left to deal with the consequences of the international card schemes’ market dominance.

    For instance, the average net merchant service charges in the EU nearly doubled from 0.27% in 2018 to 0.44% in 2022.[25] This increase occurred despite regulatory efforts to contain it[26], as international card schemes exploited their strong negotiating position to raise the non-regulated components of the merchant service charge, such as scheme fees.[27] As a result, every year, European merchants collectively transfer large amounts to international card networks.[28] The cost falls disproportionately on smaller retailers, who face charges that are three to four times higher than those paid by their larger counterparts.[29]

    This situation has raised concerns among European businesses of all sizes.[30] While the EU competition authorities can take effective action, they usually do so after dominance has been established. Moreover, they have to deal with the complexities of regulating payment networks.[31]

    This trend highlights broader competitiveness issues that have emerged across various markets. In Canada, class action lawsuits alleging collusion to set higher interchange fees have been filed against certain banks as well as Visa and Mastercard.[32] In the United Kingdom, the Payment Systems Regulator has provisionally concluded that there is insufficient competition in the card payments market. This lack of competition allows the two largest schemes to raise fees.[33] Similarly, the United States Justice Department filed a civil antitrust lawsuit earlier this week against Visa, claiming that Visa’s exclusionary and anticompetitive conduct undermines choice and innovation in payments and imposes enormous costs on consumers, merchants and the American economy.[34] It emphasised that Visa extracts fees that far exceed what it could charge in a competitive market and amount to a hidden toll adding up to billions of dollars imposed annually on American consumers and businesses. And because merchants and banks pass on those costs to consumers, Visa’s conduct affects not just the price of one thing, but the price of nearly everything.[35]

    The fact that these issues are not unique to Europe offers little comfort, particularly when considering that, unlike in the United States, this situation poses a risk to our monetary sovereignty.

    The excessive dependence on foreign entities in the European payments sector threatens the autonomy and resilience of European payment services. Without decisive public action, this dependence is likely to worsen. New foreign players – including from China[36], Brazil[37] and India[38] – are seeking to enter, or increase their footprint in, the European market.

    While foreign competition is welcome, we cannot be satisfied that Europeans do not have their own digital payments solution allowing them to pay throughout the euro area. And we need to be careful that foreign central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) do not end up eroding the international role of the euro, especially as some jurisdictions are thinking about allowing their CBDCs to be used abroad.[39]

    European policymakers – and particularly the ECB – have recognised this challenge. In response, we have initiated the digital euro project, which is currently in the preparation phase.[40]

    Digital euro: addressing fragmentation and delivering tangible benefits

    The digital euro project is a crucial step towards enhancing Europe’s payments landscape and safeguarding our monetary sovereignty.

    By ensuring everyone across the euro area would have access to central bank money in digital form, the project aims to provide tangible benefits to consumers, merchants and payment service providers alike.

    Benefits for consumers and merchants

    Complementing banknotes, the digital euro would offer all European citizens and firms the freedom to make and receive digital payments seamlessly.

    During my recent hearing before the European Parliament[41], I extensively discussed the benefits of the digital euro for consumers, particularly in terms of the convenience it would offer. The digital euro would provide a single, easy, secure and universally accepted public solution for digital payments in stores, online and from person to person. It would be available both online and offline. And it would be free for basic use.

    At the hearing, I also highlighted how the digital euro would provide merchants with seamless access to Europe’s consumer base. Moreover, it would offer an alternative that would increase competition, thereby lowering transaction costs in a more direct way than regulations and competition authorities can.[42]

    Fostering competition and innovation in a unified payments ecosystem

    The digital euro would also generate broader benefits for the euro area economy by fostering competition and innovation.

    European payment service providers are finding it increasingly difficult to compete with international card schemes and e-payment solutions. For example, Apple Pay has significantly expanded its reach in Europe, capturing a portion of interchange fees, which represents a “significant expense”[43] for issuing banks. As a result, banks risk missing out on not only interchange fees but also client relationships and user data.

    By contrast, the digital euro would ensure that distribution would remain with payment service providers, allowing them to maintain customer relationships and be compensated for their services, as is currently the case.[44] It would also offer an alternative to co-branding with international card schemes for cross-border payments in – and potentially beyond – the euro area, thus promoting competition.

    The digital euro would also expand opportunities for payment service providers while reducing the cost of rolling out solutions on a European scale. In addition, it would cultivate an environment conducive to the widespread adoption of payment innovations throughout Europe.

    Currently, several innovations aimed at simplifying payments are emerging within specific national markets or across a few countries, driven by European payment service providers. Although these innovations are highly commendable and would enhance people’s lives, existing structural barriers mean they would encounter considerable obstacles in trying to achieve pan-European scale. This fragmentation along national lines further impedes private participants’ ability to achieve the scale required in a two-sided market like the payments market.

    What is the end result? By failing to implement large-scale innovations accessible to everyone in the euro area, these companies are unable to achieve the optimal scale needed for continuous investment in new technology. This limits their ability to compete effectively with the large international players who can fully leverage economies of scale, even on a global level.

    According to the European Commission’s legislative proposal[45], the digital euro’s legal tender status – which would require merchants to accept the digital euro for electronic payments – and mandatory distribution would help overcome the challenges of achieving sufficient scale in a two-sided marketplace by ensuring widespread accessibility and acceptance across the euro area. This legal tender status, combined with the digital euro rulebook, would establish common standards, which are not in place today.

    Let me use an example to explain this in simpler terms. At the moment, in-store payment terminals often use technology known as the “kernel”[46], provided by Mastercard and Visa, to enable contactless (near field communication) transactions. Although domestic card schemes can currently access this technology for free, multi-country European card schemes cannot. Moreover, this free-of-charge policy could change at any time.

    In the future, all stores would be required to accept the digital euro, meaning payment terminals would need to support its standard. According to the draft regulation, the standard would have to be made available for reuse by private parties, who could use it to develop their services. This would mean that all payment terminals in Europe that support digital euro transactions would be equipped with a scheme-agnostic kernel. This open system would be accessible to both regional and domestic European payment schemes, thereby allowing customers to make contactless payments throughout the euro area.

    This would advance a more integrated European payments market. As private providers expand their geographical footprint and diversify their product portfolios, they will benefit from cost efficiencies and be better positioned to compete internationally.

    In essence, the network effects generated by a digital euro would function as a public good, benefiting both public and private initiatives. This approach is akin to creating a unified European railway network or European energy grid, where various companies could competitively operate their own services and deliver added value to customers.

    Instead of requiring significant investment to expand existing services across the euro area, the open digital euro standards would facilitate cost-effective standardisation, making it possible for private retail payment solution providers to launch new products and functionalities on a broader scale.

    Ultimately, whether through the digital euro or private solutions, this standardised framework would unlock innovation, create new business opportunities and improve consumer access to a diverse range of goods and services.

    Making this vision a shared reality

    The design of the digital euro, as well as the key provision in the Regulation proposed by the European Commission, contains all the key elements required to make this vision a reality.

    Over the past years, we have extensively engaged with a multitude of market stakeholders, including through the Rulebook Development Group[47] and the Euro Retail Payments Board, to shape the digital euro value proposition and prepare its implementation. We have collected and discussed the input of the payments ecosystem at large, including from representatives of consumers, merchants, banks and other payment service providers.

    In the coming months we will expand our cooperation with the private sector, focusing on three main themes: how to create a more competitive environment to encourage innovation and offer consumers more choice, how to best identify and leverage synergies to enhance efficiency and create mutually beneficial opportunities across the payments ecosystem, and how to strengthen the business models of all stakeholders, ensuring they can adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

    Each of these value drivers will be discussed in depth, taking into account the different roles in the payment chain, including those of issuing banks and third-party providers. By adopting this inclusive approach, we can ensure that everyone’s needs and perspectives are addressed, paving the way for a more robust and dynamic payments system.

    Conclusion

    Let me conclude. Money is key to sovereignty, a reality that resonates more than ever in the digital age.

    Some 63 countries are now operating, piloting, developing or exploring retail CBDCs.[48] Meanwhile, major private payment solutions are expanding globally and some nations may even seek to leverage crypto-assets, with figures such as US presidential candidate Donald Trump promising to make the United States a “Bitcoin superpower”.[49]

    In this fast-moving environment, Europe cannot stand still. And the role of the ECB in issuing money that is accepted throughout the euro area is particularly crucial in a monetary union where payments markets remain fragmented along national lines.

    We are committed to ensuring that people in Europe can continue to use cash.[50] However, we cannot stand by and watch as individuals are unable to use central bank money for their daily digital transactions.

    Bringing central bank money into a digitalised world through the digital euro would safeguard our monetary sovereignty in the digital age. It would overcome fragmentation by offering money that can be used for any digital payments in the euro area, foster competition and innovation by facilitating the development of pan-European payments services and strengthen our autonomy and resilience by helping us avoid becoming over-reliant on foreign payment solutions.

    Thank you for your attention.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 27/09/2024 Minister Sikorski participated in the high-level week of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    On 23-27 September this year, the head of Polish diplomacy Radosław Sikorski was in New York in connection with the general debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (AGNU). On the sidelines of the debate, the Minister held numerous bilateral meetings, including with his counterparts from Armenia, Azerbaijan, China, Chad, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Morocco, Mauritania, Rwanda and the United Arab Emirates. The talks were an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations and the most important international challenges. Minister Sikorski also participated in a number of multilateral meetings, including the meeting of the heads of EU diplomacy (FAC), the meeting of the foreign ministers of the G20 countries with other UN members and the meeting of the foreign ministers of the transatlantic countries. The latter was held at the invitation of the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. During the meetings, the head of Polish diplomacy emphasized the need for further support for Ukraine against the Russian invasion. He emphasized that the Ukrainian Peace Plan is the only realistic proposal for concluding peace, and that freezing the war is not a solution. He appealed to enable Ukraine to defend itself effectively, including granting it consent to attacks on military targets on Russian territory. El minister Sikorski emphasized the colonial nature of the Russian invasion, assessing that in a world in which we accept the primacy of force in international relations, no one will be able to feel safe. He also presented the goals and challenges facing Poland in connection with our country’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, which falls in the first half of next year. In the face of the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the head of the Polish MFA emphasized the need to comply with humanitarian law and Poland’s commitment to a two-state solution. One of the most important events with the participation of Minister Sikorski was the meeting of the UN Security Council on September 24 this year, devoted to the situation in Ukraine. The head of Polish diplomacy focused on pointing out the Kremlin’s false propaganda regarding Ucraniano. He pointed to the Russian procedure of kidnapping children from Ucrania, comparing it to German actions during World War II against Polish children and children from the USSR. He also recalled the fact of Soviet cooperation with Nazi Germany in 1939. In addition, the program of Minister Sikorski’s stay in New York included a meeting with representatives of the American Jewish Committee, a discussion with members of the Council on Foreign Relations, as well as a meeting with the UN Deputy Secretary General and Executive Director of the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Jorge Moreira da Silva – in connection with the planned opening of this UN agency’s representative office in Warsaw and its involvement in supporting the process of rebuilding Ukraine.

    Photo: Barbara Milkowska/Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MILES AXIS

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Fraudulent website related to Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Fraudulent website related to Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited
    Fraudulent website related to Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited
    ***************************************************************

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited relating to a fraudulent website, which has been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.           The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).           Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the website concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     
    Ends/Friday, September 27, 2024Issued at HKT 17:50

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai presides over first meeting of Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    President Lai presides over first meeting of Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee
    President Lai presides over first meeting of Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee
    2024-09-26

    On the afternoon of September 26, President Lai Ching-te presided over the first meeting of the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee. As the committee’s convener, the president presented committee members with their letters of appointment, and explained that in order to build up our whole-of-society defense resilience, we will actively engage in comprehensive preparation to make our nation stronger and our people more confident. The president stated that we will enhance Taiwan’s response capabilities and expand cooperation between the public and private sectors. He stated that he looks forward to working together with everyone to establish a platform through which we can communicate and coordinate on our national resilience strategy, fostering a national consensus, and strengthening resilience throughout Taiwan in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy.
    President Lai stated that a more resilient Taiwan will contribute more to global democracy, peace, and prosperity. He emphasized that as our society becomes better prepared, our nation grows more secure; and as Taiwan shows more determination to defend itself, the international community will feel more at ease. He expressed hope that we will engage in wide-ranging discussions and build a fortress of unity, making Taiwan a cornerstone for ensuring regional stability and democratic sustainability.
    A translation of President Lai’s opening statement follows:
    In order to consolidate forces from various sectors to strategize on national development, at the end of my first month in office, I announced that the Presidential Office will establish three committees in response to three major global issues: climate change, health promotion, and social resilience. Last month we convened the first meetings for two of those committees – the National Climate Change Committee and the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee.
    Today, we are convening the first meeting for the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee. I want to thank our three deputy conveners and all advisors and committee members for their joint commitment. I also want to thank our fellow citizens and friends for following the committee’s proceedings online.
    Climate change, large-scale natural disasters, and the threat to democracy posed by expanding authoritarianism are all challenges not just for Taiwan, but for the entire world. The operations and goals of these three committees are interrelated, and they are closely connected by the issue of national resilience. We intend to build up a more resilient Taiwan, proactively deal with challenges, and bring Taiwan into deeper cooperation with the international community.
    When former President Tsai Ing-wen was in office, the government took stock of resources in the public and private sectors in order to lay a solid foundation on which to build up our social resilience. Now, we will continue forward, from stocktaking to validation. This will entail three principles for whole-of-society defense resilience.
    The first principle is “preparedness through vigilance.” We will actively engage in comprehensive preparation to make our nation stronger and our people more confident. That way, in a disaster or emergency, the government and the public can quickly leverage their respective strengths and maintain the normal operation of society.
    The second principle is “enhanced response, fearlessness in action.” We will expand the training and utilization of civilian forces, and enhance our strategic material preparation and critical supply distribution. We will also improve the readiness of our social welfare, medical care, and evacuation facilities, and ensure the protection of information, transportation, and financial networks. All of this will enhance Taiwan’s response capabilities.
    The third principle is “orderly execution, methodical action.” At all levels of government, from central to local, we will conduct extensive validation and drilling, and we will expand connections with civil society groups and societal forces so that we can all work together, in a systematic and professional manner, to identify problems, propose solutions, and follow through with implementation. This is how we will resolve problems.
    The work involved in whole-of-society defense resilience is diverse and complex. Accordingly, this committee needs members from the public and private sectors who can work together in coordination. The members must be guided by practical experience, have interdisciplinary expertise, span different generations, and constitute a balance between the genders. These were the factors we took into consideration when we invited representatives from industry, government agencies, academia, and research institutions to serve as the four advisors and 23 members who make up this committee. Of the total committee membership, 67.7 percent are not government officials, and 32.3 percent are women. 
    First, I want to thank the committee advisors who have taken on that important responsibility. With us today we have Master Jing Yao (淨耀) of the Buddhist Association of the Republic of China; Huoh Shoou-yeh (霍守業), chairman of the Institute for National Defense and Security Research; and Lin Ming-hsiung (林敏雄), chairman of Chuan Lian Enterprise Co. I thank each of you for your participation, and look forward to seeing you provide the committee with broadly considered, professional views on such matters as civilian force preparedness, strategic frameworks, and supply distribution.
    I also want to introduce committee members who are here today. We have with us Wang Pao-tzong (王寶宗), chairman of the Holy Glory Temple; Chen Hsin-liang (陳信良), general secretary of the General Assembly Executive Committee of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan; and Yen Po-wen (顏博文), CEO of the Tzu Chi Charity Foundation. I thank you all for your commitment and for giving us all the opportunity to learn how religious groups engage in disaster preparedness and relief efforts.
    Let me also thank James Liao (廖英熙), president of the National Defense Education Association; Enoch Wu (吳怡農), founder of the Forward Alliance; Hsiau Ya-wen (蕭雅文), honorary chairperson of the Taiwan Development Association for Disaster Medical Team; Liu Wen (劉文), chairperson of the Kuma Civil Defense Education Association; and Tseng Po-yu (曾柏瑜), consultant at Doublethink Lab. You have all been long involved in civil defense education, emergency medicine, and other fields, so I am quite confident that you will help the committee to better understand civilian force training and utilization.
    Let me also introduce Tu Wen-ling (杜文苓), distinguished professor in the Department of Public Administration at National Chengchi University, and Hsiao Hsu-chun (蕭旭君), associate professor of Computer Science and Information Engineering at National Taiwan University. I thank both of you for generously contributing your expertise to make Taiwan’s energy and critical infrastructure operations more robust.
    Also, I want to thank Wu Jong-shinn (吳宗信), director general of the Taiwan Space Agency; Kenny Huang (黃勝雄), chairman of the Taiwan Network Information Center; and Dai Chen-yu (戴辰宇), board member of the Association of Hackers in Taiwan. Your involvement will contribute immensely to the protection of information, transportation, and financial networks in Taiwan.
    Among our committee members we have the following six government representatives: Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄); Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Jyh-huei (郭智輝), who could not attend today’s meeting; Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱); Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季); Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源); and Minister of Ocean Affairs Council Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲). The committee has two executive secretaries, namely Chi Lien-cheng (季連成), minister without portfolio of the Executive Yuan, and Ministe
    r of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳).
    In addition, one member who will be joining us shortly is Bob Hung (洪偉淦), general manager of Trend Micro Taiwan. I also want to introduce one advisor and three committee members who could not attend today. They are, respectively, Robert Tsao (曹興誠), founder of United Microelectronics Corporation; Kuo Chia-yo (郭家佑), president of the Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association; Liu Yu-hsi (劉玉晳), associate professor in the Department of Communications Management at Shih-Hsin University; and Tina Lin (林雅芳), managing director of sales and operations at Google Taiwan. I also thank them for participating in this committee’s operations and for contributing their valuable advice at today’s proceedings in written form.
    Last Saturday marked the 25th anniversary of the major earthquake that struck Taiwan on September 21, 1999. For the past 25 years, we have worked continuously to improve Taiwan’s disaster preparedness and relief capabilities. Today, our purpose in building up whole-of-society defense resilience is to enable each and every individual to realize, when an emergency arises, where to best make a contribution and how to protect themselves, contribute to society, or deter an approaching enemy. We want to enable all our citizens to feel utterly confident in the continuity and future of Taiwan’s society.
    Today, in this first meeting of the committee, the National Security Council (NSC) will brief us on the topic of “Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience: Planning and Challenges.” The NSC will familiarize all of us here, as well as our citizens and friends watching online, with the concepts and operations involved in whole-of-society defense resilience, the associated challenges and goals, and the progress we have made toward achieving our tasks.
    I have said before that a sudden natural disaster is like an acute cold, while climate change is more like a chronic disease. What whole-of-society defense resilience addresses is both the chronic and the acute. In addition to national disasters and emergencies, Taiwan has also been dealing for a long time with the challenges of gray-zone aggression and cognitive warfare.
    Located in the first island chain, Taiwan stands on the frontline of the democratic world. As such, we have always endeavored to safeguard regional peace and stability. I firmly believe that a more resilient Taiwan will contribute more to global democracy, peace, and prosperity.
    I also believe that when Taiwan is properly prepared and shows determination, our like-minded partners from around the world will be more willing to help Taiwan, jointly respond to all kinds of challenges, and work in concert to mitigate risks.
    As the people of Taiwan become more united, our nation grows more stable. As our society becomes better prepared, our nation grows more secure. And as Taiwan shows more determination to defend itself, the international community will feel more at ease.
    And so, I want to thank all of you once again for taking on the major task of enhancing our whole-of-society defense resilience. I look forward to working together with everyone, as we continue to observe global conditions, to establish a platform through which we can communicate and coordinate on our national resilience strategy, thereby fostering a nationwide consensus and strengthening resilience throughout Taiwan in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy.
    Moving forward, let us engage in wide-ranging discussions, build a fortress of unity, and further empower our whole-of-society defense resilience, making Taiwan a cornerstone for ensuring regional stability and democratic sustainability. Thank you.
    Following his statement, President Lai presented letters of appointment to the committee members and heard a report from NSC Deputy Secretary-General Hsu Szu-chien (徐斯儉) on the topic of “Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience: Planning and Challenges.” Afterward, President Lai exchanged views with the committee members regarding the content of the report and the Rules of Procedure for Meetings of the Office of the President Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: CBAS unveils new report on leveraging Big Earth Data for UN sustainable development goals

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    The International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS) held a press conference in Beijing on Sept. 25 to introduce the Big Earth Data in Support of the Sustainable Development Goals Report (2024). During the event, experts such as Professor Guo Huadong, director-general of CBAS, presented key insights from this report and highlighted the center’s efforts to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Professor Guo Huadong, director-general of the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS), briefs attendees at a press conference in Beijing for the research center’s 2024 report, Sept. 25, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]
    This year’s report includes a quantitative assessment of seven SDGs at the global level and 227 SDG indicators within China. The assessment was generated by using multi-source satellite remote sensing data and AI algorithms.
    China has promoted the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through scientific and technological innovation. Leveraging Big Earth Data, the country has shown great potential in monitoring and evaluating these goals. China’s endeavors have offered valuable contributions to promoting sustainable development both domestically and globally.
    “Continued innovation, especially in science and technology, will further accelerate progress toward achieving SDGs,” stated Professor Guo. 

    The cover of the Big Earth Data in Support of the Sustainable Development Goals Report (2024). [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/ China.org.cn]
    The 2024 report highlights that China has already accomplished 126 indicators ahead of schedule, representing 55.5% of the targets set in the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The report underscores how China has made significant contributions to industrial energy conservation and emission reduction, the development of renewable energy as well as ecological restoration. Notably, the report also breaks new ground in forecasting future climate impacts in urban areas under different socioeconomic and emission scenarios. 
    This year’s report also encourages the strengthening of data sharing to boost global progress on sustainable development. It highlights the advantages of China’s Sustainable Development Science Satellite 1 (SDGSAT-1) in monitoring indicators for SDGs. To date, data collected by this satellite has been utilized by more than 100 countries.

    Professor Guo Huadong, director-general of CBAS, introduces the research center’s 2024 report, Sept. 25, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]
    As the world faces challenges in achieving the goals put forward in the UN’s 2030 Agenda, the Big Earth Data in Support of the Sustainable Development Goals Report (2024) represents yet another valuable endeavor by Chinese scientists in promoting scientific research and accelerating global sustainable development. As Professor Guo noted: “Our work provides policymakers with precise, data-driven insights on key indicators, enabling them to develop evidence-based policies and allocate resources effectively. It also offers powerful tools for tracking SDG progress and evaluating the impact of these policies.”

    MIL OSI China News –