NewzIntel.com

Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Whitten Oval upgrades complete

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    The Whitten Oval precinct, home of the Western Bulldogs, has undergone an over $77.7 million redevelopment, delivering upgraded player and spectator facilities, as well as a women’s health and leadership hub.

    The Australian Government ($15 million) partnered with the Victorian Government ($46.3 million), the Western Bulldogs ($14.5 million) and the Australian Football League (AFL) ($2 million) to fund the upgrades, which make up Stage 2 of the precinct’s overall redevelopment.

    The redevelopment has delivered a new Women’s Health and Leadership Hub (WHLH) and a new Western Bulldogs Community Foundation Centre.

    The Whitten Stand now has a 60-plus-seat theatre as well as media production facilities, a boardroom and function room, as well as indoor and outdoor training areas for community foundation and WHLH programs. 

    Meanwhile, the existing John Gent and Infill stands have had improvements to the main entrance and foyer areas, meeting rooms and program areas, teaching and learning spaces, and restroom amenities.

    A new multi-purpose indoor venue enables large-scale community program delivery and events, and hosting grassroots to elite levels of sports training.

    The funding has also provided upgraded and improved elite player and spectator facilities to support the Western Bulldogs AFL, AFLW, VFL and VFLW teams to achieve the vision of Whitten Oval being the premier AFLW match venue.

    The project will provide an enhanced fan experience for the 60,000-plus Western Bulldogs members, as well as tens of thousands of additional fans and supporters who attend AFLW and other events at the venue.

    Stage 1 of the redevelopment was completed in 2019 and delivered refurbished AFLW changerooms under the John Gent Stand and a brand-new scoreboard at the Geelong Road end.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

    “The Australian Government has partnered with the Victorian Government and key investors for this upgrade at Whitten Oval, which provides the infrastructure needed to foster high-level men’s and women’s Aussie Rules training and match hosting for years to come.

    “This funding has also gone a long way to providing for programs including women’s health and leadership, and benefitting players and fans alike.”

    Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Gellibrand Tim Watts:

    “The Whitten Oval redevelopment is an important contribution to community and professional sports alike in Melbourne’s West, and will contribute to elevating women’s health and leadership in sport here.”

    Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Fraser Daniel Mulino:

    “The Western Bulldogs Community Foundation does so much to promote the health and wellbeing of people from all backgrounds across the West and it’s terrific they have a new centre at Whitten Oval.

    “The Western Bulldogs are an institution in the West, and this funding has delivered much needed infrastructure upgrades to enable the club to continue being an institution.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense Official Statement on AUKUS Pillar 2 and Exercise Maritime Big Play

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    The following statement can be attributed to Ms. Madeline Mortelmans who is currently performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans and Capabilities. Her office is lead for both pillars of AUKUS within the department and is in close partnership with all of the DOD stakeholders.

    “Secretary Austin has said several times in the past that our alliances and partnerships are our greatest global strategic advantage. Specifically, AUKUS presents a unique opportunity for Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States to foster a more capable, more combined force of the future. And in so doing, we will strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.

    Through AUKUS, we are working across the full spectrum of capability development, generating requirements, co-developing new systems, deepening industrial based collaboration and ultimately delivering advanced capabilities to our forces. AUKUS Pillar 1 focuses these co-development efforts on delivering an advanced nuclear power submarine capability through the optimal pathway.

    Pillar 2 focuses on the development and delivery of emerging technology. AUKUS Pillar 2 is designed to harness the combined industrial and innovation bases of the tri-lateral partners to ensure that our forces are equipped with cutting edge interoperable military capabilities and prepared to face down aggression in whatever form it may take.

    In Pillar 2, we’re building a more capable combined joint force for the future, working across the full spectrum of capability development and we’re already delivering. This year, we’re advancing our undersea warfare capabilities by expanding our ability to launch and recover uncrewed underwater systems from torpedo tubes on current classes of British and US submarines, that will increase the range and capability of our undersea forces.

    We’re integrating the Stingray lightweight torpedo into the P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, which will support our forces in being more interchangeable while providing resilience to munitions stockpiles across AUKUS nations. At the same time, we’re also implementing a fundamental shift to more closely integrate our systems and break down barriers to collaboration at every stage and in every part of our systems.

    We’ve welcomed collaboration with the International Joint Requirements Oversight Council or I-JROC, a critical collaborative forum to identify and validate joint and combined requirements. The I-JROC will ensure that we have prioritized combined and joint solutions from the very start and that the capabilities we develop under Pillar 2 address some of the most pressing challenges our forces face.

    A cornerstone of AUKUS Pillar 2 remains the opportunity to leverage the best of our defense industrial bases in combined innovation communities. This year we executed the first office innovation challenge focused on electronic warfare. We announced the winners last month and our teams are working to develop a robust two-year plan to increase the collaboration between and among our innovation centers of excellence.

    By the end of the year, we’ll have convened meetings with the Advanced Capabilities Industry Forum in each country. Engagements provide an opportunity for representatives across government and industry to exchange ideas and deepen industrial based collaboration.

    This week we’re here in Jervis Bay to observe the Maritime Big Play, which is an important demonstration of AUKUS in action. The Maritime Big Play is a series of integrated trilateral experiments and exercises aimed at enhancing capability development, improving interoperability and increasing the sophistication and scale of autonomous systems in the maritime domain. These experiments address the need to expand the reach, capability and capacity of our forces in the maritime environment through the use of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems.

    Over the past several weeks, we’ve been testing and refining the ability to jointly operate uncrewed maritime systems, to share and process maritime data from all three nations, and to provide real time maritime domain awareness to support decision making. The Maritime Big Play allows AUKUS partners to practice fielding and maintaining thousands of uncrewed systems, gaining valuable experience operating in coalitions to solve realistic operational problems such as improving undersea situational awareness.

    Our work will inform AUKUS partners’ understanding of how crewed and uncrewed capabilities can be integrated to get an operational advantage, and where we can achieve cost savings and improved efficiencies in acquisition, maintenance and sustainment activities.

    Maritime Big Play isn’t just a demonstration for demonstration’s sake. It’s our goal to transition cutting edge technologies into capabilities that give our forces decisive advantage as quickly as we can. This year, Japan joined the Maritime Big Play as an observer. We look forward to deepening their participation in the coming years. All of this together underpins a more strategic approach to ensure that AUKUS and like-minded partners can operate new autonomous uncrewed systems more effectively as a coalition force from the start.

    This is only the first in our series of experiments and demonstrations. Over time, Maritime Big Play will grow and evolve to reflect the emerging technologies, new systems and new operational requirements. I want to emphasize that AUKUS is dynamic. It will grow, it will evolve as the world changes around us, and as we break down the old barriers to cooperation and inevitably discover new ones.

    AUKUS is building a foundation for deep defense industrial cooperation and delivering advanced capabilities that can and will ensure our defense forces succeed in enhancing peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific alongside UK and Australia partners both now and in the years ahead. Thank you.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Slingstone 24-4: 734th AMS performs disaggregated operations

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    YIGO, Guam  –  

    On Oct. 23, 2024, the 734th Air Mobility Squadron performed disaggregated operations at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as part of Slingstone 24-4.

    For this specific operation, the 734th AMS simulated a bombing scenario that rendered their main headquarters unavailable. Their teams then had to perform their duties in a different location. This exercise allowed Airmen to test how capable they are at completing their mission in a different environment.

    “Typically, when it comes to these disaggregated ops, you are essentially practicing a scenario where your current building has been affected in some sort of fashion, it can be a chemical attack, munitions attack, something from the enemy or even a natural disaster,” said Master Sgt. Joshua L. Spierer, 734th AMS passenger services section chief. “Our role here is to have a setup base, we have our internet, our communication tools and everything needed to do our job because in this scenario we have no other area to work.”

    During the operation, the 734th AMS Airmen also made the most of the opportunity to teach their Airmen in different career fields. The team consisted of Airmen who work in aircraft maintenance, communications, aerial ports and more. Staff Sgt. Jarom Johnston, 734th AMS aircraft electrical systems craftsman, has been guiding these Airmen on how to marshal a C-17 Globemaster.

    Despite the challenges of working in a different location and continuing to be multi-capable, the 734th AMS Airmen were able to adapt and persevere.

    “Flexibility is key,” said 2nd Lt. Constance Lamkin, 734th AMS officer in charge of special planning. “Even though things haven’t gone exactly as planned, we’ve communicated across the board, perform our duties and were able to get a spot at a different location.”

    Slingstone 24-4 test the capabilities of the Airmen in the 36th Wing. For the 734th AMS, it trains them in being multi-capable while also being ready for the unexpected.

    “There’s definitely a lot of good that comes from this exercise,” Lamkin said. “When Typhoon Mawarr happened last year, we couldn’t work in the original pax terminal building because of the storm damage, but we were able to figure out what to do during that situation, and exercises such as this further prepare us for what may come.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: US, Australian Naval Forces Conduct Bilateral Operations

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    STRAIT OF MALACCA  –  

    The U.S. Navy (USN) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) conducted bilateral operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific in the Strait of Malacca, Oct. 20-23.

    Participating ships included the USN Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) and the RAN Anzac-class frigate HMAS Stuart (FFH 153). The two ships took part in exercise Malabar 2024 earlier in October.

    “This exercise further builds on our existing interoperability and combined readiness we have with the Royal Australian Navy,” said Vice Adm. Fred Kacher, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. “Every time we operate together, we strengthen our capabilities and shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

    Over four days, the ships engaged in a formation sailing exercise, an air defense exercise, maritime communications training, personnel cross-decks and visit, board, search and seizure drills.

    “Conducting a joint sail with USS Dewey has been of great value, with multiple different activities conducted between the ships, including personnel exchange, boarding practices, manoeuvring in close company, and warfare drills,” said Cmdr. Warren Bechly, commanding officer, HMAS Stuart. “Whether it is large scale exercises, or ships in transit between the same ports, working with our allies and partners is always a valuable opportunity to build closer ties and enhance interoperability.”

    The U.S. Navy regularly operates alongside our allies in the Indo-Pacific region as a demonstration of our shared commitment to the rules-based international order.

    Bilateral operations such as this one provide valuable opportunities to train, exercise and develop tactical interoperability across allied navies in the Indo-Pacific.

    Dewey is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force.

    U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: ‘Maritime Big Play’ in Pacific Demonstrates AUKUS Partner Compatibility

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    This month Australia, the U.K. and the U.S. — all members of the AUKUS trilateral partnership — participated in “Maritime Big Play,” a series of integrated experiments and exercises held in the Indo-Pacific region, meant to enhance capability development and improve interoperability between the partners. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: African Development Bank President calls for bold, innovative and practical solutions to tackle poverty in Africa

    Source: African Development Bank Group

    Climate change, global financial shocks and growing food insecurity are threatening Africa, the world’s fastest-growing continent and hampering achievement of global development goals. To tackle these challenges and speed up the continent’s efforts to achieve these goals, the president of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina on Thursday called for bold reforms from development partners.  

    “We need bolder resolve, innovative and practical solutions, and stronger coordinated action at scale,” he said during a meeting of multilateral development bank (MDB) heads with the G20 Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty. The MDB leaders met on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group’s ongoing annual meetings in Washington DC.

    Adesina who is leading the Bank’s delegation participating in key sessions of the Bretton Wood institutions’ meetings, will highlight his priority concerns for Africa: combatting hunger and eliminating malnutrition, providing electricity to 300 million people by 2030, scaling up infrastructure for agricultural and industrial transformation, combatting climate change, and supporting some of the world’s most fragile nations by mobilizing additional resources for the African Development Fund – the  Bank Group’s concessional lending arm.

    “Our strength lies in consolidating our collaboration, mobilizing resources at speed and scale, and deploying them where they are needed most,” Adesina said.

    High on Adesina’s agenda is the opportunity to consolidate partnerships with partner multilateral development banks such as the World Bank.

    The two institutions are working on co-hosting an Africa Energy Summit in Tanzania in January 2025 to accelerate Mission 300, a joint initiative to connect 300 million people in Africa to electricity by 2030. At that summit, African leaders are expected to endorse an Africa Energy Compact.

    Dr. Adesina is accompanied by a team of the institution’s senior management team  including the Bank’s Senior Vice President Marie Laure Akin-Olugbade, Hassatou N’Sele, Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Kevin Kariuki, Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, Beth Dunford, Vice President, Agriculture, Human and Social Development, Chief Economist and Vice President, Economic Governance and Knowledge Management, Kevin Urama, as well as Nnenna Nwabufo, Vice President for the Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery Complex.

    Also in Washington, Adesina will participate in a meeting of heads of MDBs, hold bilateral meetings with development partners and host a meeting of the Africa Investment Forum’s founding partners.

    The 2024 Africa Investment Forum which will take place in Morocco in December, offers bountiful opportunities for international investors. The forum has attracted over $180 billion in investment interest in Africa over the last five years across various sectors including agribusiness, energy, roads and transport, health, and digital technology.

    Earlier this week, US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen spoke on the Evolution of MDBs and their significant achievements in the development agenda for Africa and the world.  She highlighted the increase in May of the Bank’s callable capital, the Mission 300 joint initiative with the World Bank and the African Development Bank’s work on addressing fragility in various parts of the continent.

    “Outside of crisis contexts, countries are increasingly addressing the underlying drivers of fragility and conflict, such as in the case of an African Development Bank loan to the Democratic Republic of Congo to invest in increasing agricultural productivity in communities that had been displaced,” Yellen said.

    Next week, Adesina will travel to Des Moines, Iowa, where he will take part in the 2024 Borlaug Dialogue and World Food Prize. A number of African Heads of State and Government are expected in Iowa for high-level meetings around global food security and agricultural innovation.

    The 2024 IMF Annual Meetings take place from October 21–26 in Washington, DC. The meetings include the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) and the Development Committee, a joint forum of the IMF and the World Bank.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese researchers advance understanding of mechanisms behind allergic diseases

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Chinese researchers have found that morphological changes of an immune receptor play a key role in allergic reactions, a discovery that could provide new insights useful for the development of allergy medications.
    Allergic diseases, including allergic rhinitis, asthma and allergies to food and medications, affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide and have emerged as major public health issues.
    Previous studies have shown that when allergens trigger a specific antibody to bind with a particular immune receptor, mast cells and basophils become activated.
    This activation leads to the release of allergic mediators, including histamine, resulting in allergic reactions. In severe cases, this can lead to systemic anaphylactic shock.
    However, the mechanism through which the binding of the antibody to the immune receptor activates allergic signaling pathways and induces allergic responses had long been unclear.
    This resulted in limited approaches to developing clinical treatments for allergies — which mainly focus on strategies to block the interaction between the antibody and the immune receptor.
    Researchers from the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (SMART) and Westlake University have revealed the mechanisms behind allergic reactions by analyzing protein structures.
    They found that when the antibody binds to the immune receptor, the shape of the receptor changes. This transformation exposes specific protein sites in the associated signaling pathways, which in turn activates these pathways and triggers allergic responses.
    The study was published online on Wednesday in the journal Nature.
    “This discovery suggests that if we can stabilize the shape of the immune receptor and prevent it from changing, the relevant protein sites in the signaling pathways will remain hidden. Even if allergens trigger the binding of the antibody to the receptor, the allergic signaling pathways cannot be activated, and allergic reactions will not occur,” said Su Qiang, a researcher at the SMART and corresponding author of the study.
    Su explained that this new finding could provide a fundamentally new approach to drug development for allergies.
    “In the future, we might develop a type of ‘molecular glue’ to stabilize the inactive state of the immune receptor, effectively preventing allergic reactions,” Su added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government appoints members to Hospital Authority

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Government announced today (October 25) the appointment of two new members to the Hospital Authority (HA) and the reappointment of six serving members.

         The two new members, Ms Tennessy Hui Mei-sheung and Professor Janet Wong Yuen-ha, will be appointed for a period of two years from December 1, 2024, to November 30, 2026.  

         Ms Hui is a practising solicitor in Hong Kong. She is the Chairperson of the Liquor Licensing Board, a member of the Council of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and a member of the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority Council.

         Professor Wong is the Dean and Professor of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences of the Hong Kong Metropolitan University. She is also a member of the Hospital Governing Committee of North Lantau Hospital and a member of the Education Committee of the Nursing Council of Hong Kong.

         Among the serving members reappointed, Professor David Shum Ho-keung continues to serve as an HA member in his capacity of the Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University for a period of two years from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2026. The other five serving members, namely Ms Anita Fung Yuen-mei, Mrs Sylvia Lam Yu ka-wai, Mr Henry Tong Sau-chai, Mr Anthony Tsang Hin-fun and Dr Thomas Tsang Ho-fai, will be reappointed for a period of two years from December 1, 2024, to November 30, 2026.

         The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, welcomed the two new members to the HA. He also expressed gratitude to the six serving members reappointed and extended heartfelt thanks to the outgoing members, Mr Ambrose Ho and Professor Agnes Tiwari Fung-yee, for their invaluable contribution to the HA.  

         The HA comprises a Chairman, 23 non-official members, three public officers and one principal officer from the HA. The membership list to be effective from December 1, 2024, is as follows:

    Chairman:
    Mr Henry Fan Hung-ling

    Non-official Members:
    Mr Lawrence Chan Man-yiu
    Professor Chan Wai-yee
    Mr Chan Wing-kai
    Ms Margaret Cheng Wai-ching 
    Mr Duncan Chiu
    Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan
    Ms Anita Fung Yuen-mei 
    Ms Maisy Ho Chiu-ha
    Ms Mary Huen Wai-yi
    Mr Jat Sew-tong
    Mr Matthew Kwok Pui-ho
    Mrs Sylvia Lam Yu ka-wai
    Professor Lau Chak-sing
    Ms Tennessy Hui Mei-sheung
    Professor David Shum Ho-keung 
    Mr Henry Tong Sau-chai
    Mr Philip Tsai Wing-chung
    Mr Anthony Tsang Hin-fun
    Dr Thomas Tsang Ho-fai
    Mr Wan Man-yee
    Mr Billy Wong Wing-hoo
    Professor Janet Wong Yuen-ha
    Professor Zhang Zhang-jin

    Public Officers:
    Permanent Secretary for Health, Mr Thomas Chan
    Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam
    Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury) Ms Ann Chan

    HA Principal Officer:
    Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Tony Ko

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Proposed extension of Ho Chau Road and road improvement works at junction of Castle Peak Road – Tam Mi and Nam Sang Wai Road in Yuen Long gazetted

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Government gazetted today (October 25) the proposed extension of Ho Chau Road and road improvement works at the junction of Castle Peak Road – Tam Mi and Nam Sang Wai Road in Yuen Long to cater for the future development at Tung Shing Lei.
          
         Details of the proposal are set out in the Annex. The plans and scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:
     
    Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
    G/F, Harbour Building,
    38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong
         
    Yuen Long Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
    G/F, Yuen Long District Office Building,
    269 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long, New Territories
     
    District Lands Office, Yuen Long,
    9/F, Yuen Long Government Offices,
    2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long, New Territories
          
         The gazette notice, scheme, plans and location plan are available at www.tlb.gov.hk/eng/publications/transport/gazette/gazette.html.
     
         Any person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to address to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics an objection in writing, which can be submitted via the following means:
     

    By post or by hand to the Transport and Logistics Bureau’s Drop-in Box No. 6 located at the entrance on 2/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong. The box is available for use between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays);
    By fax to 2868 4643; or
    By email to gazettetlb@tlb.gov.hk.

         A notice of objection should describe the objector’s interest and the manner in which he or she alleges that he or she will be affected by the works or the use. Objectors are requested to provide contact details to facilitate communication. A notice of objection should be delivered to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics not later than December 24, 2024.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: RBI to conduct 6-day Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction under LAF on October 25, 2024

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    On a review of current and evolving liquidity conditions, it has been decided to conduct a Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction on October 25, 2024, Friday, as under:

    Sl. No. Notified Amount
    (₹ crore)    		 Tenor
    (day)    		 Window Timing Date of Reversal
    1 25,000 6 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM October 31, 2024
    (Thursday)

    2. The operational guidelines for the auction will be same as given in Reserve Bank’s Press Release 2021-2022/1572 dated January 20, 2022.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2024-2025/1367

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Joint Media Statement The 11th Meeting of The ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts (AMCA)

    Source: ASEAN

    The Eleventh ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts (AMCA) Meeting and the AMCA Meetings with Dialogue Partners, including the ASEAN Plus Three,China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, were held on 24 October 2024, in Melaka, Malaysia. Timor-Leste was in attendance as observer.The theme of the 11th AMCA was “Bridging Cultures, Building Futures: Unity in Diversity” underlined the pivotal role of culture and the arts in promoting sustainableand inclusive development towards strengthening ASEAN’s solidarity.

    Download the full statement here.

    The post Joint Media Statement The 11th Meeting of The ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts (AMCA) appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Sydney’s beloved Footbridge Theatre launched some of our biggest stars. After nearly 20 years, it’s making a grand return

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Ginters, Associate Professor, Department of Theatre and Performance Studies, University of Sydney

    The Footbridge Theatre in the 1960s, when it was known as the Union Theatre. University of Sydney Archives

    After nearly 20 years as a lecture theatre, the University of Sydney’s Footbridge Theatre is reopening as a live performance venue in the university’s arts precinct.

    The Footbridge is home to a long history of student theatre on campus. When it opened in 1961 as the 655-seat Union Theatre (replacing the old Union Hall) it was the first theatre to have been built in Sydney in more than 20 years.

    Hopes were high for the new venture to be shared by student theatre groups and Sydney’s first professional repertory company, the Union Repertory Theatre Company (not to be confused with the Melbourne Theatre Company’s original name, the Union Theatre Repertory Company).

    For decades, the Footbridge Theatre was host to both industry heavyweights and budding talent from across the arts sectors, before being converted to a lecture hall in 2006. Now, it’s back.

    Hitting the ground running

    The theatre opened with productions from the Sydney University Musical Society, including Claudio Monteverdi’s ballet Il Ballo Delle Ingrate and Henry Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas.

    Also on show was the Sydney University Theatre Council’s Serjeant Musgrave’s Dance, starring John Bell in the title role. Ken Horler, with whom Bell founded the famous Nimrod Theatre a decade later, co-directed the play with May Hollinworth, who ran the university’s Dramatic Society in the 1920s and ’30s. The production also featured John Gaden, Bob Ellis, Bruce Beresford, Richard Brennan and Mungo MacCallum.

    The following year, Horler directed Coriolanus, with Bell in the title role and Gaden and Arthur Dignam in the cast.

    John Bell and Arthur Dignam in Coriolanus.
    University of Sydney

    Horler would go on to direct the first Australian production of Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage in 1963. The cast included Germaine Greer as Mother Courage, Peter Carroll and Ron Blair.

    Bell also acted in and directed a number of shows in the following years. He returned again in the early 1990s to stage a series of productions with his fledgling Bell Shakespeare company.

    Peter Carroll, Germaine Greer, Maree D’Arcy, Ron Blair and Paul Thom in Mother Courage.
    University of Sydney

    A smidge of controversy

    The university students of the 1960s had been delighted to have their “own” venue after years of makeshift spaces. They produced some adventurous – as well as some scandalous – works.

    When the Dramatic Society staged its Revue of the Absurd in 1963, it included a controversial film by the then-nascent filmmakers Bruce Beresford and Albie Thoms. It Droppeth as the Gentle Rain depicted a cocktail party coming to a sticky end as shit rained down from the sky.

    The film was promptly banned. This ban was reinstated the following year when Beresford and Thoms sought to show it at a gala commemorating the Dramatic Society’s 75th birthday.

    Bruce Beresford and Albie Thoms’ film, It Droppeth as the Gentle Rain, was banned in 1963 – and again the following year.
    University of Sydney

    Student revues were a popular feature of the theatre in its early years. One of these was the 1964 revue called Jump, which starred Colin Anderson, Germaine Greer, John Gaden and Paul Thom.

    The revue Jump featured Paul Thom and John Gaden (left), as well as Colin Anderson and Germaine Greer (right).
    University of Sydney

    The Union Repertory Theatre Company was short-lived, collapsing within 12 months of its launch in 1961.

    Also, ironically, the Footbridge was too expensive for students to hire often. Nonetheless, it was still a launching pad for those involved in student theatre, including Henry Szeps (who later acted in the 1984–94 series Mother and Son), Jack Thompson, who played Claudius in a production of Hamlet (1969), and Neil Armfield in Much Ado About Nothing (1974).

    Fellow student actor and director David Marr would later acknowledge Armfield’s genius as a director, while diplomatically adding “acting was not his strength”.

    A poster designed by Martin Sharp for the 1965 revue First, No Pinky.
    University of Sydney

    What’s in a name?

    The Union Theatre was a venue for hire throughout the 1970s, with student theatre, concerts, music theatre, French language theatre and other genres sporadically staged. In 1981, it was renamed the Footbridge Theatre (after a footbridge that was constructed over Parramatta Road in 1972).

    For two decades from the mid-1980s, the Gordon Frost Organisation leased the theatre to present a number of popular commercial productions.

    It also rented the theatre to other companies, including Bell Shakespeare, the Sydney Theatre Company, Ensemble Theatre and Sydney Festival, which programmed outstanding international works such as the Irish Druid Theatre’s 1998 production of The Leenane Trilogy.

    The 1990s also saw students back onstage in annual faculty revues.

    The next act begins

    A squeeze on space at the university led to Footbridge’s conversion to a lecture theatre in 2006. Following extensive renovations, the now 300-seat theatre is opening once again, with Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods.

    The university’s Dramatic Society first produced Into the Woods in the early 2000s (starring Virginia Gay). The Sydney University Musical Theatre Ensemble (MUSE) staged it again in 2011.

    This time around the production is showcasing the talents of the inaugural cohort of music theatre students from the university’s Conservatorium of Music.

    Just as it was for the “Johns” (Bell and Gaden) who, in the early 1960s, took their first steps as student actors into their future careers – and are still going strong six decades later – campus theatres remain vitally important for students finding their feet as the artists of the future.

    Now, in a new decade and with a new generation of students, it’s time to go into the woods again.

    Laura Ginters and Robyn Dalton co-authored a history of drama activities at the University of Sydney, The Ripples Before The New Wave 1957-1963 (2018). The authors interviewed many of the student actors mentioned here for that book.

    – ref. Sydney’s beloved Footbridge Theatre launched some of our biggest stars. After nearly 20 years, it’s making a grand return – https://theconversation.com/sydneys-beloved-footbridge-theatre-launched-some-of-our-biggest-stars-after-nearly-20-years-its-making-a-grand-return-241561

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Mobile phone detection cameras making their mark

    Source: South Australia Police

    A one-month report on the state’s new mobile phone detection camera expiations has shown drivers are hearing South Australia Police’s (SAPOL) call to stop illegal mobile phone use behind the wheel.

    For the first month of enforcement, from 19 September 2024 to 18 October 2024,the ratio of expiation notices being issued has averaged 0.23 per cent compared to 0.42 per cent for the last 30 days of the three-month warning period.

    However, 10,319 vehicles or 0.23 per cent of total vehicle volume (4,507,577) across the five metropolitan camera locations still received an expiation notice over the month period.

    Disappointingly, 80 vehicles were also detected four or more times, meaning 80 drivers may potentially lose their licenses.

    Officer in Charge of SAPOL’s Traffic Services Branch, Superintendent Darren Fielke, said the data suggests new penalties from mobile phone camera detections have helped land the message for phone-wielding drivers to change their behaviour.

    “SA Police began issuing a penalty of $556 plus a $102 Victims of Crime Levy and three demerit points from offences detected by mobile phone detection cameras a little over a month ago,” he said.

    “After much education and a three-month grace period, declining averages of offences show most habitual mobile phone offenders have finally put their phones down or have been taken off the road after too many demerit point deductions.

    “We recently reported in only the first week, 2544 motorists were detected, and we hope these people have learned an important lesson.

    “The goal for mobile phone detection cameras in SA is to make roads safer by changing road user behaviour, and recent data certainly indicates people are thinking twice now.”

    One-month expiation data shows of the 10,319 expiations issued, 2816 were detected at North South Motorway, Regency Park, 2396 at South Road, Torrensville, 2157 at Southern Expressway, Darlington, 1991 at Port Road, Hindmarsh and 959 at Port Wakefield Road, Gepps Cross.

    South Road, Torrensville was again identified as having the highest percentage of expiations sent considering vehicle volume, and Southern Expressway, Darlington the lowest.

    Reviewed by a trained SAPOL adjudicator, of the 10,526 potential incidents, 10,319 or 98.03 per cent received an expiation notice.

    Of the 80 vehicles (registered owners) receiving expiation notices for four or more detections: one will be issued with 15 expiation notices, one will be issued with 11 expiation notices, one will be issued with 10 expiation notices, three will be issued with nine expiation notices, three will be issued with eight expiation notices, two will be issued with seven expiation notices, 10 will be issued with six expiation notices, 13 will be issued with five expiation notices, and 46 will be issued with four expiation notices.

    “Unfortunately, these numbers show that we still have some drivers out there that are not heeding the message and placing themselves and other road users at risk,” Superintendent Fielke added.

    “These drivers will pay a high price financially and will lose their licence. We can only hope that is all that is lost, and it is not a life lost due to their irresponsible behaviour.”

    Mobile phone detection cameras are in place across five high-risk locations, monitoring 13 lanes. All five locations have warning signs installed. Two other camera locations are currently being considered and expected to be installed in early 2025.

    Visit Think! Road Safety for further information about mobile phone detection cameras.

    Distracted Driving Statistics for 19 September 2024 to 18 October 2024 Inclusive

    Vehicle Volume

    Total Incidents
    (Potential Offences)

    Expiation Notices Sent

    % Expiation Notices Sent

    % Expiation Notices

    4,507,577

    10,526

    10,319

    0.23%

    98.03%

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fall in love with camping at one of Auckland’s regional parks

    Source: Auckland Council

    Epic views, great camping options at affordable prices, and taking in the outdoors in all its glory – sound like a dream?  Make it your reality at any one of Auckland’s 28 regional parks, boasting over 30 campgrounds between them! That’s right, an outdoor adventure is calling, and it’s here in Auckland’s backyard! 

    The beauty of camping in Auckland is the accessibility – you don’t have to travel too far. Plus, with fees starting at $17 per night for adults and $6.50 for children at our main campgrounds, Auckland camping is an affordable way to holiday at some of our region’s most scenic locations. 

    Whether you’re a freedom camper, a glamper or a total camping newbie – we’ve got you covered. Your next Auckland-based outdoor adventure awaits – so get booking now! 

    I’m keen – where do I start? 

    It’s easy as, all you have to do is choose your preferred spot from the list of regional parks on Auckland Council’s website. Are you looking for a coastal, farm or forest experience? Each campsite listing contains photos of the park, and you can click through to specific photos and information about the different types of camping available.

    To make it even simpler, the camping booking site includes a calendar showing availability so you can instantly see dates to choose from. You’ll also find a handy park brochure with a map, information about tracks, interesting features in the area, and important alerts. For most campgrounds you can drive right up to your selected camping area, so you don’t have to lug your gear long distances. However, be aware some campgrounds take a bit more effort to reach, such as the Mita Bay campground at Mahurangi Regional Park (West), which is accessible by foot, and the campground at Waitawa Regional Park, which can only be accessed by sea kayak. Remember to check the access prior to booking to understand the location of the campground. 

    Be an early bird and book ahead 

    All our regional parks are precious taonga, each with their own unique features, but over the summer some are busier than others and get booked out quickly. Fortunately, regional park campsites can be booked up to six months in advance, so it’s a good idea to set a reminder on your phone and book your spot as soon as you can so you don’t miss out!

    The booking calendar for each campground also shows how many spaces are available, which is handy if you’re planning on camping with a larger group (note there are some group size limits over the summer). And you can book up to seven glorious nights. If your plans change, no worries! You can make unlimited amendments to your booking, or cancel (with a full refund), up to two days before the date of your arrival. 

    Before you leave home 

    When you book your stay at a regional park campground, you’ll be emailed instructions including a combination code to get through the gate into the campground. Make sure you note it down on your phone or on a piece of paper before you leave in case mobile reception is patchy at your destination. 

    Make sure you note down the combination code of your campground before leaving home

    The main access gates for regional parks are locked overnight (daylight saving hours are generally 6am-9pm, and 6am-7pm for the rest of the year), so if you’re arriving in the evening, be sure to take note of the closing hours so you don’t end up carting your gear to the campground by foot. When staying, remember if you need to pop out for supplies, the access code will not open the main park gate. 

    Choose your camping experience – from rugged to glamping 

    If you’re up for a truly outdoors camping experience, many of Auckland’s regional parks supply only the bare basics – including the classic kiwi long drop! Be sure to read up on the facilities available at specific campgrounds, so you can choose the camping style that best suits your needs.  

    All campgrounds have drinkable water available (although sometimes you will need to boil it first), but many of the campsites at regional parks don’t have flushable toilets or shower blocks. These rugged campgrounds are a lot more spacious and less populated than commercial campgrounds, offering a truly remote outdoors experience. If that’s a step too far though for you or your fellow camping newbies, Shakespear Regional Park has flushable toilets and two cold showers onsite. 

    If camping in comfort is more your thing, many of the vehicle-based campgrounds allow campervan and caravans as well but check the rules before booking. Or bypass the regional park entirely and stay in a fully furnished glamping tent at either Ōrewa Beach Holiday Park, Whangateau Holiday Park or Martins Bay Holiday Park.

    Do your research on the park so you pack the right gear

    Make sure you read up on prime leisure activities at your location. For example, if you’re heading to a great surf beach like Omaha Beach, the kids will want boogie boards for catching waves and riding down the campground’s famous hill, and you’ll all want beach shoes for rock pooling.

    While it is possible to fish at some regional parks, it’s strictly prohibited at parks that are also marine reserves. Some parks have access to extensive walking and mountain-bike tracks, golf and disc golf courses and did we mention the birdlife? Also, don’t forget your book from Auckland Libraries for some relaxing reading in the sun. 

    Be a tidy Kiwi 

    When you arrive at your site, be sure to follow the rules. Stay off sign-posted wahi tapu areas (sites which are sacred to Māori), and steer clear of restricted conservation areas where birds may be nesting. 

    Remember that lighting open fires is prohibited across all public areas in the Auckland region, and that noise must be kept to a minimum in regional parks after 9pm. 

    Also please dispose of all your rubbish correctly in the designated bins if available or take your rubbish home with you. 

    So, what are you waiting for? Your adventure awaits! 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Proposed sewerage works for site formation and infrastructure works for public housing developments on Ma On Shan Tsuen Road authorised

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Proposed sewerage works for site formation and infrastructure works for public housing developments on Ma On Shan Tsuen Road authorised
    Proposed sewerage works for site formation and infrastructure works for public housing developments on Ma On Shan Tsuen Road authorised
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Chief Executive in Council has authorised the proposed sewerage works for site formation and infrastructure works for public housing developments on Ma On Shan Tsuen Road. The notice was gazetted today (October 25).     The sewerage works comprise the following:      

    construction of about 1 250 metres of gravity sewers and associated manholes; and
    ancillary works including temporary closure and reinstatement of carriageways, footpaths, central median/refuge islands and pedestrian crossings or parts thereof.

         Details of the sewerage works were published in the Government Gazette on December 22, 2023, and December 29, 2023.

     
    Ends/Friday, October 25, 2024Issued at HKT 12:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ECC to launch Carbon Reduction Action on November 1

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    ECC to launch Carbon Reduction Action on November 1
    ECC to launch Carbon Reduction Action on November 1
    ****************************************************

    The following is issued on behalf of the Environmental Campaign Committee:     The Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) will officially launch the Carbon Reduction Action next Friday (November 1) to encourage members of the public to change their habits and reduce their carbon footprint by practising low-carbon living in terms of clothing, food, living and travel, with an aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.      Funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF), the Carbon Reduction Action is organised by the Environment and Ecology Bureau and the ECC, and will be rolled out with support from about 150 strategic and collaboration partners, including public and business organisations, industry groups, non-profit organisations and school sponsoring bodies. Since August of this year, the ECC has been sharing low-carbon living tips related to clothing, food, living and travel through posts and mini-games on the its social media platforms. The upcoming Carbon Reduction Action will further motivate the public to implement what they have learned about carbon reduction in their daily lives. From November 1 until 30, members of the public can enter a lucky draw by sharing their carbon reduction actions regarding clothing, food, living and travel on their personal social media platforms and uploading screenshots to the campaign website with their GREEN$ ID number. Each lucky draw winners will receive two tickets to the “Zero-carbon Concert”, which will be held on January 4, 2025. For more information and terms and conditions of the lucky draw, please visit the campaign website of the Carbon Reduction Action (www.ecc.org.hk/en/publicity/cra.html).      Following the Carbon Neutrality Publicity Campaign launched by the ECC in 2022, the ECC has recently conducted a survey with 1 000 members of the public regarding their understanding of carbon neutrality and their willingness to practise low-carbon living. The survey results showed that over 94 per cent of respondents were aware of carbon neutrality to varying extents, and 96 per cent indicated their willingness to practise low-carbon living in the future. To further encourage the public to turn their intentions into actions, the ECC is launching the Carbon Reduction Action to encourage the public to practise low-carbon living, reduce carbon emissions, and work together to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. 

     
    Ends/Friday, October 25, 2024Issued at HKT 12:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Busselton Convention and Performing Arts Centre nearing completion

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    A world-class Convention and Performing Arts Centre in Busselton, Western Australia is a step closer to becoming a reality, with construction set to open in mid-2025. 

    Once completed, the centre, to be named ‘Saltwater’ will be a multi-purpose facility used for a variety of creative, cultural, community and business events. 

    Features of the venue include a 640-seat tiered theatre that can be transformed into an open space with a 1000-person standing capacity, perfect for large trade shows and conventions. 

    Equipped with high performance light and sound equipment, the venue is also ideal for concerts and other musical performances. 

    Significant progress on construction has been made to the façade and interior spaces including the foyer, the Saltwater Gallery, the auditorium and back of house areas. 

    Window frames have been installed and glazing is almost complete. Ceilings, internal wall frames and doors are being progressively installed.

    The project has been funded by the City of Busselton with generous contributions from the Australian Government ($12.2 million), Lotterywest and Rio Tinto.

    Saltwater has been named after the Wadandi (Saltwater People), the Traditional Owners of the land (Undalup) on which this new venue is located. 

    The project supported 377 jobs during construction and will create another 15.1 ongoing jobs. 

    For more information visit: www.saltwaterbusselton.com.au  

    Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

    “Through our funding for the Saltwater Convention and Performing Arts Centre, the Australian Government is investing in new community facilities including a multi-purpose venue for large performances, conventions and business events.

    “This will result in a fantastic new space for world-class entertainment, national conferences and exhibitions, breathing new life into Busselton’s cultural landscape.”

    Quotes attributable to Senator for Western Australia Louise Pratt:

    “Saltwater will allow an increase in the amount of live music performances and concerts held in the region, which will boost visitation during both the peak and off-peak tourism periods. 

    “It will bring more visitors to Busselton and will be the jewel in the crown of the Busselton Cultural Precinct.” 

    Quotes attributable to Mayor of Busselton Phill Cronin:

    “Saltwater is nearing completion and the countdown to opening has well and truly commenced.

    “Considerable progress has been made and construction is approximately 70 per cent complete.

    “Looking at the construction site from Queen Street, you can see the venue is really starting to take shape now.

    “Window frames have been installed and glazing is almost complete, which contributes to the sense of anticipation that the venue is rapidly moving into the final stage of construction.

    “When I toured the site recently, I could see that significant progress has been made with internal fit out and finishing in key areas including the multi-functional auditorium.

    “You can imagine yourself sitting in the spacious tiered-seat theatre for a show or visualise the area converted to a flat-floor space for a concert.

    “The auditorium will diversify the range of events we can host in Busselton, as it will provide a large enough venue to attract some of Australia’s finest touring theatre productions and concerts to region for the first time in history.

    “Not only has the City secured a diverse range of exciting shows for Saltwater’s first few years of operation, the venue has also been booked for some large national conferences during the off-peak tourism season.

    “On the second floor, you can picture the conference suite set up for a range of different business events and delegates will enjoy beautiful views of the Foreshore Precinct from the alfresco balcony.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 1st reusable satellite payloads delivered

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Bian Zhigang, deputy head of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), speaks at the payloads handover ceremony held by CNSA in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 24, 2024. [CNSA/Handout via Xinhua]
    The scientific payloads for space breeding and other sci-tech experiments carried by China’s first reusable and returnable satellite, Shijian-19, were delivered to Chinese and foreign users on Thursday.
    At the payloads handover ceremony held by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) in Beijing on Thursday, the CNSA and the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation signed payload delivery certificates with domestic and international users, including those from Thailand and Pakistan.
    Bian Zhigang, deputy head of CNSA, said the Shijian-19 mission fully leverages the advantages of the new generation retrievable space experiment platform, conducting space breeding experiments of about 1,000 species of germplasm resources, providing crucial support for the innovation of germplasm resources in China. The mission has also offered a valuable in-orbit validation opportunity for domestically produced components and raw materials.
    According to Meng Lingjie, director of the Earth Observation System and Data Center under the CNSA, the Shijian-19 mission has made a breakthrough in its recovery module. The satellite platform can be reused more than 10 times, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and improving operational efficiency.
    The satellite serves as a space testing platform that enables convenient transportation of payloads between Earth and space, offering high-quality experimental services, said Meng, adding that it has wide-ranging applications in space sci-tech experiments such as space breeding as well as space pharmaceutical and material manufacturing.

    China successfully retrieved its first reusable and returnable test satellite, Shijian-19, at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at 10:39 a.m. (Beijing Time), Oct. 11, 2024, said the China National Space Administration (CNSA). [Photo/Xinhua]
    The satellite carried 500 kg of experiment payloads back to Earth, greatly enhancing the capability for payload recovery, according to Meng. It can also provide a high-quality microgravity environment for experiments.
    When the satellite was in orbit, seven new technology experiments were carried out, including microgravity hydrogen production, low-frequency magnetic communications, inflatable sealed cabin and wireless power transmission.
    The satellite also carried nine space science payloads to conduct research in fields such as carbon nanomaterials and devices, solid catalyst materials, and oral and dental science materials.
    According to Liu Luxiang, executive director general of the Institute of Crop Sciences under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Shijian-19 mission carried seeds of about 1,800 plant materials and more than 1,000 species of microorganisms, encompassing nearly all major kinds of agricultural products.
    The mission not only provides solid support to China’s space breeding, but also creates a collaboration platform for international counterparts, said Liu, who is also the chief scientist of China’s space breeding project. The satellite carried rice seeds from Thailand, seeds of wheat, rice, corn and beans from Pakistan, as well as crop seeds from other countries.
    “In face of the challenge of global food security, it is necessary to continuously enhance food production, develop new genetic resources that promote nutrition and health, and cultivate new grain varieties that are more resilient to climate change with improved stress tolerance,” Liu said.
    Over the past 30 years, China has developed over 300 crop varieties through its space breeding technologies. These varieties cover an annual cultivation area of about 2 million hectares, with remarkable social and economic benefits, according to Liu.
    The Shijian-19 satellite was sent into orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Sept. 27. It returned to Earth on Oct. 11.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Global financial community gathers for Sibos 2024 in Beijing

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo shows the opening ceremony of the Swift International Banker’s Operation Seminar 2024 (Sibos 2024) in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The Swift International Banker’s Operation Seminar 2024 (Sibos 2024) taking place for the first time in Beijing signifies that China is welcoming global financial institutions to participate in the development of the financial industry to contribute to its economic growth by offering professional services.

    This is according to Nicole Zhou, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, who attended the event from Oct. 21-24 at the China National Convention Center in Beijing. Zhou said the scale of China’s banking institutions is already very large and they are seeking in the next step to become global financial institutions as they support Chinese firms’ overseas operations. “This process will require the professionalized development of the entire banking industry and a financial system that promotes globalization and interconnectivity.”

    At around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, the convention center was still crowded, with its exhibition hall and aisles filled with people from the global financial community discussing business.

    This is the first time Sibos has been held in the Chinese mainland since its inception in 1978. A total of 114 foreign-funded institutions and 19 Chinese-funded institutions participated in the event, including global financial institutions such as J.P. Morgan, Citibank, HSBC, Standard Chartered and Deutsche Bank, as well as financial institutions from emerging markets such as India, the United Arab Emirates and Africa.

    “This is the third time that I attended a Sibos conference. In previous years, it was mostly held in North America and Europe, but this time it is held in Beijing, which not only reflects the rise of China and even Asia’s financial industry but also reflects China’s attitude of embracing the world,” said Zou Xiaonan, head of digital assets, UBS Group Treasury, who flew from London to Beijing for the meeting.

    “DBS benefits from China’s financial liberalization and opening up in multiple ways. First, the financial liberalization and opening up had a significant positive effect on Chinese growth and Chinese integration with the rest of ASEAN, where DBS is active. DBS has sought to capitalize on these trends through our participation in the Cross-border Interbank Payment System, capturing more of the cross-border trade and financing opportunities of Chinese corporations,” said Soon Chong Lim, group head of Global Transaction services at Singapore-based DBS Bank.

    According to Lim, his schedule in Beijing has been very busy. On Tuesday alone, he had already met several dozens of clients at the convention center. Because of the huge gathering, Lim said he couldn’t even book a meeting room and had to talk to clients standing.

    A DBS staff member told Xinhua that DBS Bank took Sibos very seriously and started preparing for it six months ago. As part of its arrangements, the bank offered specially brewed Singaporean coffee and tea at the convention.

    Bill Winters, group CEO of Standard Chartered Bank, who has visited China several times this year, said that China is constantly accelerating the pace of opening up in the financial sector. As the first newly established wholly foreign-owned securities company in China, Standard Chartered Securities China Limited officially commenced its business earlier this year, bringing new opportunities to the group’s business in China.

    Alan Ho, Co-Senior Country Officer for China at J.P. Morgan, said that the pace of China’s financial market opening up has accelerated in recent years. For example, foreign ownership restrictions in local securities, funds and futures companies have been lifted and financial markets’ connectivity mechanisms have been maturing more quickly than expected. “Benefiting from China’s opening up policies, J.P. Morgan now fully owns multiple legal entities in the country, including a locally incorporated bank, a securities company, a futures company and an asset management venture.”

    Apart from traditional financial institutions, fintech companies also benefit from China’s continued financial opening up. On Tuesday, Singapore-headquartered cross-border payments company Thunes launched a payment solution during the Sibos 2024 that aimed to facilitate the payment of foreign nationals in China. The solution will enable overseas e-wallets such as Kenya’s M-Pesa and Singapore’s Singtel Dash to make payments within China by scanning QR codes.

    Thunes CEO Floris de Kort told Xinhua that overseas travelers in China can simply make payments with Thunes function embedded in their e-wallets.

    In 2023, Thunes established a wholly-owned subsidiary in Beijing, which marked important progress in the opening up of the city’s financial sector. “With the continued opening up of the Chinese economy, the cross-border payment industry will also usher in greater opportunities with the increase of payment scenarios,” said de Kort.

    Effie Xin, EY Greater China Financial Services Partner, said that the opening up of the financial sector will help Chinese financial institutions better learn from the advanced experience of global financial institutions. Meanwhile, the connectivity of financial markets can also help promote the status and influence of Chinese currency RMB in cross-border payments, trade and investment, and currency reserves.

    Sibos is the annual conference, exhibition and networking event organized by Swift for the financial industry. Starting out as a banking operations seminar in 1978, it has grown into the premier business forum for the global financial community to debate and collaborate in the areas of payments, securities, cash management and trade.

    Over 10,000 participants from more than 150 countries and regions have gathered for Sibos 2024, which covers a wide range of topics, including payments, digital assets, trade financing, artificial intelligence and sustainable finance.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China resolutely opposes unilateral sanctions and ‘long-arm jurisdiction’

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China firmly opposes unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on Thursday when responding to a question about U.S. sanctions on Chinese drone-related entities.

    MOC spokesperson He Yadong said that China has strict measures controlling the export of military and related dual-use products, and requires companies that trade controlled items internationally to comply with relevant laws and regulations.

    Since the beginning of the Ukraine crisis, China has issued multiple announcements concerning drone control, and has clearly stipulated that non-controlled civilian drones must not be used for military purposes in violation of regulations. Relevant authorities have strengthened their examination and approval processes for the issuance of drone export permits in accordance with the law, and have intensified their inspection procedures for illegal exports.

    China firmly opposes unilateral sanctions and “long-arm jurisdiction” that have no basis in international law and are not authorized by the United Nations Security Council, the spokesperson said.

    When it comes to malicious acts that sanction or otherwise suppress Chinese companies by citing Russia-related issues, China will resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, He said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Business giants moving to Xiong’an New Area

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 7, 2024 shows the Xiong’an Science and Technology Innovation Center in Xiong’an New Area, north China’s Hebei Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    More and more business giants are settling in Xiong’an New Area, North China’s Hebei province, as part of a plan to relieve the national capital Beijing from non-capital functions.

    China Satellite Network Group Co, an enterprise engaged in the design, construction and operation of satellite internet services, has opened its new headquarters in the area’s internet industrial park.

    Making up of a group of low-rise buildings and shaping like a flower when viewed from above, the office complex was completed last month and involved the moving of its headquarters and four subordinate companies on Oct 14.

    The company was the first centrally administered State-owned enterprise to settle down in the area. The SOE will facilitate the gathering of resources in fields such as industry-related companies, technology and talent in Xiong’an and thus promote the development of satellite internet applications and the aerospace information industry.

    As Xiong’an has charted ambitious development plans for the satellite internet sector, many upstream and downstream enterprises and innovation platforms have rushed to the area.

    A national laboratory of aerospace flight technology has been established in the area, according to local media Hebei Daily. Other companies in the sector, including a spatiotemporal information group, have also registered and settled there.

    Sinochem Holdings, a chemical conglomerate, and China Huaneng Group Co, a major power company, have completed their main headquarters buildings in Xiong’an.

    Projects of other companies and institutes, including Sinomine Resource Group Co and Beijing Jiaotong University, also report progress on the construction of their buildings.

    SOEs have set up nearly 300 various types of institutions in Xiong’an, according to the local government.

    Located about 100 kilometers southwest of downtown Beijing, Xiong’an was set up in 2017 as part of a strategy to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

    One of its main roles is to serve as the receiver of non-capital functions previously shouldered by Beijing but not essential to Beijing’s role as the capital city, such as universities, company headquarters and research institutions.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China hosts summit to boost BeiDou applications

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 24, 2024 shows the outdoor exhibition area of the 3rd International Summit on BDS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System) applications in Zhuzhou, central China’s Hunan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The 3rd International Summit on BDS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System) applications kicked off Thursday in Zhuzhou, central China’s Hunan Province, as authorities aim to boost the industry by expanding applications and strengthening international cooperation.

    The two-day summit has attracted more than 1,800 Chinese and international researchers, entrepreneurs and officials. Exhibitors have also set up booths to showcase BDS applications across various sectors, including smart logistics and intelligent transportation.

    “BDS applications are rapidly expanding across key sectors of China’s national economy, with coverage rates surpassing 90 percent in areas such as transportation, energy, natural resources and emergency response,” said Xiang Libin, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission and an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

    A bluebook on the development of the BeiDou industry was also released during the opening ceremony. “BDS services and related products have been exported to more than 130 countries, providing users with diversified choices and better application experience and promoting industrial development,” the bluebook stated.

    The Chinese-made BDS was initiated in 1994. The construction of BDS-1 and BDS-2 was completed in 2000 and 2012, respectively. When BDS-3 was completed and put into service on July 31, 2020, China became the third country to have an independent global navigation satellite system.

    According to the White Paper on the Development of China’s Satellite Navigation and Location Services Industry (2024), the total output value of China’s satellite navigation and location services industry reached 536.2 billion yuan (about 75.2 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, an increase of 7.09 percent over the previous year.

    A visitor learns about a risk detection device at the 3rd International Summit on BDS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System) applications in Zhuzhou, central China’s Hunan Province, Oct. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Probe into US company PVH Corp underway

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    An investigation into the U.S. firm PVH Corp., led by China’s unreliable entity list mechanism, is advancing in accordance with the law and in an orderly manner, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Thursday.

    “We will fully safeguard PVH’s rights to make statements and defenses during the investigation,” MOC spokesperson He Yadong told a press conference.

    After the investigation, the mechanism office will make decisions based on the results in accordance with the regulations on unreliable entity list, the spokesperson added.

    The U.S. company, which owns fashion brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein, is suspected of boycotting cotton products from China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region without any factual basis and terminating normal transactions with Chinese companies as well as other organizations or individuals, according to the ministry.

    China introduced the unreliable entity list mechanism in September 2020 to protect its national interests and business environment. The spokesperson said China has been prudent when handling issues related to the unreliable entity list, which targets only a few foreign entities that disrupt market rules and violate Chinese laws. He added that foreign entities that operate with integrity and abide by the law have no reason to be concerned.

    The Chinese government, as always, welcomes enterprises from around the world to invest and do business in China, and is committed to providing a stable, fair and predictable business environment for foreign companies that abide by the law and regulations, said the spokesperson.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Green action plan for BREP members

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

    Energy ministers from across the world spoke highly of China’s role in promoting global energy transition and helping developing countries access more affordable clean energies at the Third Belt and Road Energy Ministerial Conference which concluded on Thursday in Qingdao, Shandong province.

    “Creative cooperation with China and initiatives like the Belt and Road Energy Partnership will help us boost our drive toward energy transition across the world,” said Phiona Nyamutoro, minister of state for mineral development in Uganda. “We hope that we get to tap into many opportunities from China, like technological transfer, research and also green financing.”

    BREP was initiated by China’s National Energy Administration and currently has 34 members. It supports countries in formulating more ambitious green energy development plans based on their own energy endowments and development needs, to continuously enhance the reliability and resilience of green energy supplies.

    Iran became a new member this year and in an interview with China Daily, Iranian Minister of Energy Abbas Aliabadi expressed expectations for BREP to have a positive impact on global energy cooperation and promote global development through innovative approaches.

    “Such a collaborative platform to promote cooperation among different countries is beneficial to all parties. I am very pleased with initiatives like those from China, where different countries can raise their issues on this platform and work together to address them,” he said. “China serves as a great example in energy transition, with significant developments in renewable energy that have made substantial contributions to global carbon reduction efforts.”

    Keo Rottanak, Cambodia’s minister of mines and energy, said “Cambodia and China have forged a very strong bilateral relationship, especially through the Belt and Road Initiative which has given benefits to countries around the world, especially developing countries.”

    The Belt and Road Green Energy Cooperation Action Plan (2024-29), released on Wednesday at the conference, advocated that BREP members will carry out no less than five joint research and development projects and no less than five collaborations in areas such as hydrogen energy, new types of energy storage, advanced nuclear power, carbon capture, utilization and storage.

    In the next five years, BREP members will carry out no less than 25 capacity-building projects in the energy sector, and explore the establishment of an international cooperative research platform for clean energy, the action plan noted.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China willing to share BDS expertise with nations

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

    China is willing to partner with other countries in sharing the development results of the Beidou navigation satellite system, or BDS, especially in exploring its potential in regional short message communication, services and international rescue efforts, a senior official of the National Development and Reform Commission said on Thursday.

    Xiang Libin, deputy minister of the NDRC, said Beidou has been recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization of the United Nations as a global standard, and that cooperation between China and the African Union as well as the League of Arab States in BDS is intensifying.

    Cooperation agreements have also been signed between China and South Africa as well as Egypt in Beidou applications, he said at the Third International Summit on BDS Applications, which is being held in Zhuzhou, Hunan province from Thursday to Friday to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of BDS.

    The applications of Beidou in key industries have expanded, with its coverage in transport, energy, natural resources and emergency exceeding 90 percent, he said.

    Beidou has been widely installed in applications for the general public, with 98 percent of smartphones and shared bikes equipped with it.

    Meanwhile, high-accuracy maps based on Beidou have covered the whole country, with daily usage exceeding hundreds of billions of times, he said.

    The country will continue to support the large-scale application of Beidou, push for deep integration of Beidou with intelligent cars, smart agriculture and the low-altitude economy, and empower sectors such as delivery services, low-altitude tourism and emergency rescue, Xiang added.

    Wang Jiangping, deputy minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said Beidou has developed into a world-class navigation satellite system and its high-accuracy regional short message communication service has been fully proven to have the ability to serve the whole globe.

    Beidou has been widely used in communication, transport, agriculture, forestry and public security and is serving important infrastructure while also generating significant economic and social benefits, he said.

    By the end of last year, the total output of the country’s satellite navigation and location services industry had exceeded 530 billion yuan ($74.5 billion), while homegrown Beidou chips and modules have exceeded 400 billion pieces and there are a total of 1.4 billion pieces of equipment using the Beidou system, he said.

    The MIIT will continue to accelerate Beidou applications, push for market, industrial and international development of Beidou and enable it to better serve the whole world and bring benefits to all, he added.

    Aarti Holla-Maini, director at the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, said China is a central member of the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems and the Beidou navigation satellite system is expanding its applications and services to make it available to both industry and public sector users.

    Space has a crucial role to play in achieving social and economic development, she said via a video link.

    Modern society depends on satellites and data and the many services they provide and enable; this reliance is only going to grow in the future, she said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China delivers world’s largest Type B LNG fuel tank container ship

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

    China’s self-developed liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel container vessel was delivered on Monday in northeast China’s port city of Dalian. The vessel “Maria Cristina” has a capacity of 16,000 TEUs. Equipped with a 13,000-cubic-meter Type B LNG fuel tank, the vessel is the world’s largest Type B LNG fuel tank container ship. It is the first time China has independently developed the entire process of building a Type B LNG fuel tank.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Coca‑Cola reports rising revenue in Q3

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Coca-Cola Company reported its third-quarter earnings results Wednesday, with the revenue reaching 11.85 billion U.S. dollars, exceeding the estimate of 11.61 billion U.S. dollars.

    The company’s operating income reached 2.51 billion U.S. dollars, and its net income reached 2.85 billion U.S. dollars. Comparable earnings per share grew 5 percent to 0.77 U.S. dollars, beating estimates.

    “Our business continues to demonstrate resilience in the face of a dynamic external environment,” said James Quincey, chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company.

    In terms of categories, sales of sparkling soft drinks and trademark Coca-Cola were steady. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar grew 11 percent, and tea grew 7 percent, driven by growth in the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

    Quincey mentioned the growth potential of the Chinese market, reaffirming the company’s long-term confidence in its prospects. He also stated that the company will continue to invest to seize future growth opportunities.

    In recent years, Coca-Cola China has actively expanded its presence across various regional markets in the Chinese mainland, with a particular focus on deepening its development in the South China market.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: CATL launches new battery for hybrid vehicles

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Aerial photo taken on June 24, 2022 shows the building of the Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL) in Ningde, east China’s Fujian Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL), China’s leading battery maker, on Thursday unveiled a new battery designed for hybrid vehicles in Beijing.

    The battery, known as Freevoy, is the world’s first hybrid battery with a range of over 400 kilometers and superfast-charging capabilities, and just a 10-minute charge can add a driving distance of more than 280 kilometers, according to Gao Huan, chief technology officer of CATL’s China E-car Business.

    Packing sodium-ion batteries and lithium-ion batteries, Freevoy also addresses the low-temperature limitations of new energy vehicles (NEVs), enabling them to operate in extremely cold environments — temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius for discharging and minus 30 degrees Celsius for recharging.

    More Chinese consumers are favoring hybrids as they offer a greater driving range than pure EVs and can cost less than gasoline-powered cars.

    Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers shows that the sales of hybrids in the first nine months this year hit 3.32 million units, up 84.2 percent year on year.

    “The penetration rate of hybrid vehicles in the NEV market reached 43 percent, which is a force that cannot be ignored in the electrification process,” said Luo Jian, CATL’s chief marketing officer.

    Freevoy has already been adopted by various Chinese EV enterprises, including Li Auto and AVATR, and is expected to be installed in models made by other carmakers including Geely and Chery.

    According to market research firm SNE Research, CATL’s EV battery consumption volume has ranked first globally for seven consecutive years, holding 36.8 percent of the global EV battery market share in 2023.

    Headquartered in Ningde, east China’s Fujian Province, CATL has inked supply contracts with a slew of global car manufacturers, including BMW, Volkswagen, Daimler and Honda.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Platform focuses on inclusivity

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Project mBridge — a platform for experimenting with central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) including the e-CNY for cross-border payments — is open to cooperation with traditional payment infrastructure and any US dollar usage, said officials and experts close to the matter.

    They said mBridge primarily focuses on small-value transactions under the current account that have been underserved by banks, aiming at improving the efficiency and inclusiveness of global monetary and payment systems while facilitating cross-border trade and investment, especially among Asia’s emerging economies.

    Lu Lei, deputy governor of the People’s Bank of China, the country’s central bank, said that a CBDC system should not only be interoperable with other CBDC systems, but also with traditional payment systems and other financial market infrastructure modalities, and both are achievable by mBridge.

    “We must avoid new cross-border payment frictions while removing existing ones,” Lu said while addressing a Financial Street Forum event on Wednesday, titled Project mBridge: Bridging Global Economies with CBDCs.

    Lu said that mBridge should step up addressing urgent pain points regarding cross-border payments that are undersupplied by banks — in particular payments in cross-border e-commerce and remittances — due to their small values and high costs.

    Project mBridge resulted from collaboration beginning in 2021 between the Bank for International Settlements’ innovation arm, the Bank of Thailand, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the Digital Currency Institute of the PBOC and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. The project aims to tackle inefficiencies in cross-border payments with new technologies.

    Echoing Lu’s remarks, an expert who requested anonymity told China Daily that mBridge is “compatible and inclusive” and is open to be connected with traditional payment systems, including large-value, small-value and rapid payment systems, as well as existing international payment infrastructures.

    “Project mBridge represents a new technological approach. It is inclusive and does not rule out cooperation with anyone,” the expert said.

    The project reached the minimum viable product (MVP) stage in June, inviting private sector firms to propose new solutions and use cases that help develop the platform. The Saudi Central Bank joined mBridge as a participant of the MVP platform in June.

    Among the mBridge participating economies, China, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are also BRICS members.

    Lu said the transaction value of mBridge has been growing steadily over the past few months, a telling sign of market confidence in the platform, without giving specific figures.

    In terms of geographical coverage, Lu said mBridge may deepen collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Belt and Road economies, as these economies have close trade ties and stable geopolitical conditions, while cross-border payments and currency services may be underserved.

    “Project mBridge, as a public good, may have a role to play in strengthening collaboration among them and thus facilitate the sound development of the international monetary and payment system,” Lu said.

    Citing the views that mBridge may impede the reputation and usage of the US dollars, Zhou Xiaochuan, vice-chairman of Boao Forum for Asia and a former governor of the PBOC, said that mBridge is primarily aimed at filling in gaps in the international payment system.

    Project mBridge does not exclude US dollar usage, Zhou said at the same event as Lu, adding that relevant developments would depend on efficiency, cost, security and user choice.

    The greenback and other “hard currencies” have been traditionally used in cross-border payments, which cannot fully satisfy demand in Asia in recent years amid the region’s fast development of interconnections, giving rise to the growth of mBridge and other platforms to facilitate cross-border payments within the region, according to Zhou.

    Zhou said that mBridge should first facilitate the payments and settlements of current account transactions, especially small-amount ones, aligning with the demand of Asian economies in terms of economic, trade and travel development.

    As for some opinions that mBridge might have a substitutional relationship with financial telecommunication infrastructure Swift, Zhou said he deems mBridge more as a cross-border payment system.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Global economy in danger of getting stuck on low-growth high-debt path: IMF

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned on Thursday that the global economy is in danger of getting stuck on a low-growth high-debt path, urging policymakers to act on debt and carry out pro-growth reforms.

    “The global economy is in danger of getting stuck on a low-growth high -debt path, that means lower incomes and fewer jobs. It also means lower government revenues, so less investment to support families and fight long-term challenges like climate change,” IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said at a press conference during the ongoing 2024 IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings.

    Firstly, Georgieva called on policymakers to ensure that inflation gets back to target everywhere, noting that the trick now for central banks is to “finish the job of inflation without unnecessarily damaging the job market.”

    Secondly, “now is the time to act on debt and deficits after years of much-needed fiscal support in response shots. Now is the time to rebuild fiscal buffers in most countries. That can be done gradually, but it needs to start now,” she continued.

    Third and most important, she said, it is crucial that countries carry out pro-growth reforms from cutting red tape to improving governance, noting that IMF analysis shows that these reforms can boost output by 8 percent over four years in developing countries.

    In the latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) released Tuesday, the IMF maintained its global growth forecast in 2024 at 3.2 percent, consistent with its projection in July. Growth prospects for five years from now remain lackluster, at 3.1 percent, the lowest in decades.

    Advanced economies are projected to grow by 1.8 percent this year, while emerging market and developing economies will grow 4.2 percent. The Chinese economy is on track to grow 4.8 percent, according to the projection.

    In response to a question from Xinhua, Georgieva said at the press conference that the IMF will have to carefully assess the measures recently announced by Chinese authorities to be able to determine what exactly is the likely impact, while noting that “there are measures that go in the right direction.”

    The IMF chief noted that for quite some time, China has been faced with a fork in the road: continue with the export-led growth policies or boost domestic consumption, and shift the growth engine to the Chinese consumer. “We are on the view that as the Chinese economy has grown so big, it is the latter, domestic consumption that is the reliable source of growth,” she said.

    In the short term, one big obstacle to consumer confidence is in the property sector, and a decisive action to resolve that would help lift up consumer confidence, she said.

    Looking ahead, “by having social security and pension reform that gives people confidence that they don’t need to save excessively, they can rely on the system, that would mean that they spend more,” she continued.

    “Taking the sectors of the economy that are somewhat less developed from a consumer standpoint, like healthcare, education, elderly care, making services more of a driver for growth, that would help,” she said, adding that “I’m sure the leadership in China is looking into these choices.”

    MIL OSI China News –