Source: European Parliament
On 14 October 2024 the TRAN Committee will welcome the Hungarian Presidency: Mr Nándor Csepreghy, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Construction and Transport and Ms Anikó Túri, State Secretary for Administrative Affairs, they will present to the Members the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency in the field of transport and tourism. The presentation of debate will take place on Monday afternoon 14 October 2024 from where it will be webstreamed.
An increasing number of Japanese companies operating in China are transferring their production bases to countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This comes as Chinese economic growth slows and concerns rise over the risks of doing business in China, where foreign residents have been arrested on vague grounds.
Chinese real estate slump: Apartment buildings in Guizhou, China. (c) Jiji Press.
The Chinese economy is stagnating, and this can clearly be seen in production, consumption and investments. The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) for the second quarter (April-June) of 2024 grew 4.7% year over year, which was 0.6 points lower than the first quarter (January-March). Economic data from August shows that retail business sales, an indicator of consumption trends, grew only 2.1% year over year.
The slump in the real estate industry is a major factor behind this. The real estate market and related industries make up a fourth of China’s GDP, but investments in real estate development fell 10.2% year over year in the period between January and August 2024. During the COVID-19 pandemic, China implemented a “Zero-COVID Strategy,” which kept citizens indoors, dealt a major blow to the tourism and restaurant industries, and led to investments being concentrated in real estate. Home prices rose exponentially. In response, the Chinese government placed heavy restrictions on risky deals. This caused home prices to drop drastically, and the businesses of many major real estate developers fell into a decline. Down payments were made but buildings never got built, and as similar cases followed one after another, the consumption trend cooled among the population.
Furthermore, the Chinese government, which places utmost importance on national security, established the Counter Espionage Law in 2014. This has resulted in many foreigners, including Japanese, being arrested for “espionage acts,” which are only vaguely defined. Starting in July 2024, new regulations have been implemented that allow authorities to inspect the contents of electronic devices of individuals and organizations for acts of espionage, raising further concerns that even regular economic activities could be scrutinized. With little hope for significant growth in the Chinese market, coupled with the risks of doing business in China, direct international investments into the country fell 29.1% year over year between January and June 2024. There are also other issues, such as the risk of high tariffs on products produced in China and exported to the USA due to the ongoing tension between the two countries, as well as rising labor costs in China.
Against this backdrop, Japanese companies are turning their eyes to Southeast Asia for new bases of production. In January 2023, Sony transferred the manufacturing of its cameras for Japan, Europe and the USA from China to Thailand. Its factories in China now only make products to be sold domestically, allowing it to reduce dependency on the country. Kyocera also plans to transfer a part of its electric tools production in China to Vietnam in fiscal 2024. The Vietnam site will mainly manufacture products to be sold in the USA in order to avoid the tariffs placed on exports from China. According to Teikoku Databank, the number of Japanese companies operating in China decreased from 14,394 in 2012 to 13,034 in 2023. Many companies are choosing to relocate back to Japan or to Southeast Asia. This can be seen in how Southeast Asian countries now occupy three of the top five locations in terms of the number of Japanese companies’ overseas subsidiaries: No. 1 is China, followed by USA, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam.
Southeast Asia is attractive in many ways for Japanese companies. Not only is it geographically close to Japan but it also offers a rich pool of human resources with technical prowess and fluency in many languages including English, which allows companies to secure a stable labor force. Many ASEAN countries also have highly transparent fiscal policies and stable currency exchange rates. Cities have established solid infrastructure such as electrical power and transportation networks, making it easier for companies to build factories there and secure supply chains, from production and distribution to sales.
The Southeast Asian market is very appealing. The 10 ASEAN countries have a combined population of around 670 million people. It tops the population of the European Union (EU), which is around 450 million people, and is the third largest in the world after India and China. The median age is also young, and unlike many developed nations, the region has not yet been faced with the issue of an aging society with a low birthrate. The 2023 nominal GDP of the 10 ASEAN countries combined rose to around 3.81 trillion US dollars, which ranks right after the USA, China, Germany and Japan. It is forecast to overtake Japan’s GDP by 2030. Due to the effects of an aging population and low birthrate, there are concerns that Japan’s market and labor force will shrink going forward. Japanese companies will benefit greatly from operating and expanding their businesses in Southeast Asia, which has a large market, offers rich human resources and is referred to as “the world’s growth center.”
Japan and ASEAN countries have established various cooperative partnerships in politics, foreign policy and the economy. Japan is an active participant in numerous ASEAN foreign policy and security frameworks, including the East Asia Summit (EAS), which started in Malaysia in 2005, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), which discusses political and security issues, and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), the only formal meeting of defense ministers in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2020, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was officially signed, including Japan, China, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand in addition to ASEAN. Building an open economic sphere by providing market access and establishing economic rules is accelerating active free trade, including small and medium-sized businesses.
While Southeast Asia is attractive to Japan, Japan must also be attractive to Southeast Asia. Southeast Asian company managers often say that decisionmaking is slow in Japanese businesses. They say this is due to a uniquely Japanese custom where multiple meetings are needed to make a single decision, and everyone has to then wait for it to be approved by the head office in Japan. Furthermore, Southeast Asians who grew up loving Japanese brands and anime are already in their 40s and 50s, while the attention of the younger generation, which is driving consumption, has been turning to South Korean and Chinese cultures as well. As such, greater efforts must be made to ensure that Southeast Asia will choose Japan as a partner.
Last year, Japan and ASEAN celebrated their 50th anniversary of cooperative partnerships. The relationship, in fact, began as one of animosity. Japan drew the ire of Southeast Asia by exporting massive quantities of cheap synthetic rubber to ASEAN, a producer of natural rubber, and that led to holding the ASEAN-Japan forum on synthetic rubber in 1973. Friendly relations were established as Japan promised to take care not to interfere with ASEAN’s natural rubber industry. It was a perfect example of the proverb “After rain comes fair weather.” One could call 2024 the first year of the next half-century of new cooperative partnerships. Going forward, Japan’s efforts will determine how strong this partnership with ASEAN will become.
By Akio Yaita – Journalist. Graduated from the Faculty of Letters at Keio University. After completing his doctorate at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, he worked as a correspondent for the Sankei Shimbun in Beijing and as Taipei bureau chief. Author or co-author of many books.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, Oct. 14 — Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin met with Sue Lines, president of the Australian Senate, in Beijing on Monday.
Shen, also president of the All-China Women’s Federation, said that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership.
China is ready to work with Australia to strengthen cooperation in fields such as culture, tourism and sports, deepen exchange and experience sharing in women development, and continuously enhance the friendship between the two peoples, Shen said.
Lines expressed the willingness to strengthen dialogue and communication with the Chinese side, carry out exchange and cooperation in various fields including women’s cause, and push for constant development of Australia-China relations.
Source: Minister for Trade
Western Australia’s reputation as a key hub for international tourism continues to grow, with hundreds of international travel agents arriving in Perth for Tourism Australia’s mega-event G’Day Australia.
Hosted in partnership with the Western Australian Government through Tourism Western Australia, G’Day Australia will bring around 300 expert travel agents from across the world to WA.
G’Day Australia provides frontline travel sellers who have been trained by Tourism Australia – known as ‘Aussie Specialists’ – the chance to experience the country for themselves, giving them greater confidence to sell Australian holidays to international travellers.
Agents will visit destinations across WA including Perth, Broome and Margaret River, gaining firsthand experience, greater confidence and stronger ability to sell Australia to prospective travellers.
They will also undertake visits across the country, supported by other State and Territory Tourism Organisations.
It is estimated that as a result of attending G’day Australia the agents will sell an additional $30 million in holidays to Australia over the next 12 months.
Travel agents who took part in G’day Australia in Cairns last year said they intended to sell more of Australia as a result of the event, which is vital as we see our international visitor numbers return and set on a path of sustainable growth.
The event follows the prestigious World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit held in Perth last week, with more industry events in the pipeline for WA next year, including 2025 Virtuoso Australia & New Zealand Forum and Routes Asia 2025.
G’Day Australia concludes on Friday, 18 October 2024.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Tourism Don Farrell:
“G’day Australia plays a critical role in ensuring that Australia remains a top choice with international travellers – and what better destination for this year’s event than our country’s spectacular West.
“Travel agents who see for themselves what we have to offer are able to use those lived experiences to better sell Australia as the best destination for their customers next holiday.
“Having hundreds of Aussie Specialists selling trips to Australia in our key markets helps give us an important edge over other destinations around the world, which supports our world-class tourism industry, Australian jobs and our economy.”
Quotes attributable to WA Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism Rita Saffioti:
“Off the back of a huge week with the World Tourism and Travel Council Global Summit being hosted here in Perth, we’re backing it up with G’Day Australia, which presents another great opportunity to showcase Western Australia.
“Events like G’Day Australia are really important in giving hundreds of global travel agents and industry leaders firsthand experience of some of our best tourism assets here in WA, and ultimately, helping them to better promote and sell WA holiday packages to travellers.
“We’re confident that everyone who visits WA as part of G’Day Australia will be taken back by our incredible tourism offerings and natural landscapes, and feel inspired to share these experiences with their clients.
“Perth continues to go from strength to strength as a tourism, aviation and investment hub, and we’ll continue that momentum in particular as we get set to welcome non-stop services from China in November.”
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Graeme Smith, Associate professor, Australian National University
Erika Bisbocci
The United States isn’t the only country with a big election on November 5. Palau, a tourism-dependent microstate in the north Pacific, will also vote for a new president, Senate and House of Delegates that day.
Why does this election matter? Palau is one of the few remaining countries that has diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
In addition, elections in the Pacific – and the horse-trading to form government that follows – often present a chance for China to steal an ally away from Taiwan in its efforts to further reduce the self-ruling island’s diplomatic space.
For example, there was speculation Tuvalu could flip its allegiance from Taipei to Beijing based on the outcome of January’s election, but the government decided to remain in Taiwan’s camp.
Another Pacific nation, Nauru, did flip from Taiwan to China in January, less than 48 hours after Taiwan’s own presidential election.
I recently visited Palau as part of a research project examining China’s growing extraterritorial reach, and was curious to see if the balance is shifting towards Beijing in the lead-up to this year’s election.
Palau, a nation of 16,000 registered voters, has close ties to the US. It was under US administration after the second world war and recently signed a “Compact of Free Association” with the US. Palau also has a similar presidential system of government, with a president directly elected by the people every four years.
However, there are also some key differences: there are no political parties in Palau, nor is there any replica of the absurd Electoral College voting system.
The archipelago also has extremely polite yard signs (“Please consider[…]”, “Please vote for […]” and “Moving forward together”). Alliances are based more on clan and kinship relations than ideology (although that’s not entirely dissimilar to the US).
This year’s presidential race is between the “two juniors”: the incumbent, Surangel Whipps Junior, and the challenger, Tommy Remengensau Junior. If either man were facing a different opponent, he would win easily. Nearly all of Palau’s political insiders deem this contest too close to call.
Whipps has been in office since 2021. Accompanied by his beloved father, a former president of the Senate and speaker of the House in Palau, he is expected to door-knock each household at least four times.
Remengensau isn’t a political newbie, either. He’s been president for 16 of Palau’s 30 years as an independent state. In the comments section of the YouTube live feed of a recent presidential debate, one person asked, “you’ve had four terms, how many more do you need?”
Whipps copped flak for his tax policy, but the comments and the debate itself reached Canadian levels of politeness. As the debate wound up, the rivals embraced warmly – befitting their closeness (they are actually brothers-in-law) and their lack of discernible ideological differences.
However, there is one issue that has the potential to drive a wedge between the two candidates: the China–Taiwan rivalry.
In a recent article for the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), Remengensau was described as a “pro-Beijing” candidate who might be inclined to switch Palau’s diplomatic relations to Beijing, cheered on by the “China-sympathetic” national newspaper, Tia Belau.
Remengensau’s reaction to the ASPI piece was genuine fury, and aside from a few fly-in lobbyists from the US, no one in the country has taken the characterisation seriously. Yes, he is less pro-US than Whipps, reciting the “friends to all, enemies to none” mantra beloved by Pacific leaders in the debate. But that’s some distance from being “pro-Beijing”.
Other outside commentators have also weighed in with similar viewpoints. Recent pieces by right-wing think tanks, the Heritage Foundation and the Federation for the Defence of Democracies, have pushed a similar line that every Pacific nation is just “one election away from a [People’s Republic of China]-proxy assuming power and dismantling democracy”.
The basis for both allegations in the ASPI piece is a fascinating investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). The story detailed an influence attempt led by a local businessman from China, Hunter Tian, to set up a media conglomerate in Palau with the owner of the newspaper Tia Belau, a man named Moses Uludong. (I played a small part in the investigation.)
The proposed conglomerate had eyebrow-raising links to China’s secret police and military. But COVID killed the deal, and today, the newspaper runs press releases from Taiwan’s embassy without changing a word.
Palau’s media is also ranked as the most free in the Pacific, and Tia Belau is a central part of this healthy media ecosystem.
Uludong is a pragmatic businessman who’s no simple cheerleader for Beijing, explaining to OCCRP’s journalists last year:
The Chinese, they have a way of doing business. They are really not open.
This doesn’t mean Chinese operations in Palau will stop, though. Representatives of the Chinese government like Tian, who is the president of the Palau Overseas Chinese Federation and has impressive family links to the People’s Liberation Army, will keep trying to influence Palau’s elites and media.
Evidence uncovered by Palau’s media suggests some of their elites are vulnerable to capture. In recent months, the immigration chief stepped down for using his position “for private gain or profit”, while the speaker of the House of Delegates was ordered to pay US$3.5 million (A$5.2 million) for a tax violation, in part due to an irregular lease to a Chinese national.
Chinese triads are also now involved in scam compounds and drug trafficking in Palau, which has done little to burnish China’s image among Palauans.
So, can we expect a dramatic Palau diplomatic flip after November’s election? Not anytime soon.
But labelling respected leaders and media outlets as “pro-Beijing” with no basis, and fabricating a Manichean struggle in a nation where there’s plenty of goodwill for the US, won’t cause China’s boosters in Palau to lose sleep.
Egging on US agencies to “do something” to counter Chinese influence in the Pacific, such as a poorly thought-out influence operation run by the Pentagon in the Philippines during the pandemic, will just play into Beijing’s hands. In the Pacific, secrets don’t stay secret for long. And if you call someone “pro-China” for long enough, one day you might get your wish.
Graeme Smith works for the Australian National University’s Department of Pacific Affairs, which is partially funded by DFAT through the Pacific Research Programme.
– ref. The US isn’t the only country voting on Nov 5. This small Pacific nation is also holding an election – and China is watching – https://theconversation.com/the-us-isnt-the-only-country-voting-on-nov-5-this-small-pacific-nation-is-also-holding-an-election-and-china-is-watching-237321
Source: Australian Ministers 1
The Albanese Labor Government continues to support local governments across South Australia improve road safety and reduce long-term road maintenance, with $21.7 million flowing to 34 projects under the latest round of the Special Local Roads Program.
Unique to South Australia, the program enables the state’s 68 councils to pool together a portion of their federal road funding – and distribute it through competitive grants.
This supports the delivery of high priority projects that would otherwise exceed an individual council’s capacity – with $17.9 million from this round flowing to regional and rural roads, and $3.8 million to metro projects.
Stretching from the Lower Eyre Peninsula to the Limestone Coast, projects will improve road safety, boost tourism access to key parts of the state, and help reduce congestion.
Works will include resealing and reconstruction of roads, shoulder widening, and improvements to kerbs and gutters.
This includes $993,000 to complete the third and final stage of the Billiatt Road reconstruction in the District Council of Loxton Waikerie.
As the gateway to the Billiatt Conservation Park and the main tourism route in the region, the works will seal and widen the road from 6.2 metres to 7.6 metres to accommodate increased traffic, including road trains.
Improving the safety of Hawker Street, Brompton is something the local community has long called for – with $600,000 flowing to the City of Charles Sturt to reconstruct the road, and to upgrade street lighting.
The City of Holdfast Bay will receive $200,000 to improve the safety of the emu school crossing on Partridge Street, Glenelg and to upgrade the roundabout at Colley Terrace and Anzac Highway, which will reduce congestion.
Nationally, the Albanese Government is delivering significant funding increases to support local councils deliver their priority projects.
The Roads to Recovery program is progressively increasing from $500 million to $1 billion per year, with South Australian councils receiving $395 million over five years – an increase of $153 million.
The Road Black Spot Program is increasing to $150 million per year, and $200 million per year is available under our new Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program – with both programs open for applications year-round.
For more information on the Special Local Roads Program, administered by LGA South Australia, visit: http://www.lga.sa.gov.au/members/infrastructure-and-assets/special-local-roads-program
For the full list of 2024-25 funded projects, visit: https://www.dit.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/1396195/special_local_roads_program_2024-25.pdf
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Kristy McBain MP:
“The Albanese Government continues to turn national funding into local results, by partnering with local councils across South Australia to deliver their priority road projects.
“This $21.7 million will improve the safety of local road networks across the state, making it easier to drop the kids off at school, and for tourists to experience everything that South Australia has to offer.
“We know that roads across regional South Australia are not only under more demand than ever, but critical to keeping our supply chains moving – which is why the bulk of this round’s investment is targeting high-priority regional upgrades.”
Quotes attributable to SA Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Tom Koutsantonis MP:
“We welcome any initiative designed to help councils reduce the maintenance task on local government owned roads.
“This innovative funding solution from the Australian Government will support councils in maintaining and improving South Australia’s critical local roads network – and that will provide a broader benefit that extends beyond individual council areas.”
Quotes attributable to SA Minister for Local Government, the Hon Joe Szakacs MP:
“South Australian councils, particularly smaller, regional councils, are constantly balancing service and infrastructure delivery against the growth of rates.
“Through these merit based grants councils have a chance to undertake important road improvements they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford.
“This is a terrific initiative, unique to South Australia, that sees all three levels of government working hand-in-hand to deliver the best outcomes for South Australians.”
Quotes attributable to Local Government Association South Australia President, Mayor Dean Johnson:
“Councils do an incredible job improving and maintaining South Australia’s local road network, but it’s a costly process that’s reliant on support from other levels of government.
“The $21.7 million allocated through the Special Local Roads Program this year – which the LGA is pleased to facilitate for our councils – will help enhance liveability in local communities and make our roads safer and more accessible.”
Quotes attributable to District Council of Loxton Waikerie Mayor, Trevor Norton:
“The Billiatt Road project has been ongoing for several years and we’re extremely excited to enter the final stage.
“These works have been made possible by previous Special Local Roads Program funding and we’re grateful to again be a recipient under this latest round to complete the vital reconstruction of the road for our community and visitors to our region.
“Once finished, Billiatt Road will be better equipped to handle increased freight and tourist traffic, making it safer for locals, workers and visitors travelling to and from the Riverland.”
Source: China State Council Information Office
Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, holds talks with President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
China’s top legislator, Zhao Leji, held talks with President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines in Beijing on Monday.
At present, dialogue in various fields between the two countries is being resumed and promoted in an orderly manner, and practical cooperation and people-to-people exchange are also becoming increasingly active, said Zhao, chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, adding this is the hard-won result of both sides’ joint efforts and should be cherished.
Noting that maintaining the right perception of each other is the basic prerequisite for the development of China-Australia relations, Zhao said that China hopes the Australian side will maintain a correct understanding of China, view China’s development in an objective and positive way, respect China’s core interests and major concerns, and consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations.
He called on the two sides to consolidate cooperation in traditional areas such as energy, mining and agriculture, expand cooperation in emerging areas such as green technology, new energy and artificial intelligence, and promote a fair, open trade and investment environment.
The two sides should deepen cooperation in such fields as culture, education and tourism, as well as cooperation at the sub-national level, and actively promote exchange between the young people of the two countries, Zhao added.
He said the NPC of China is willing to work with the Australian Senate to focus on implementing the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen friendly exchange, and exchange experience in governance, legislation and supervision.
Zhao said China is willing to share development opportunities with countries such as Australia, promote the global green transition and development, and foster an open world economy.
Australia-China relations are very important, and stable, constructive bilateral relations are in the interests of both countries and the broader region, Lines said. She noted that the members of the Senate delegation in China come from different political parties and regions in Australia, but one thing they all share is that all of them hope to see the healthy development of bilateral ties.
Noting that the stabilization and improvement of bilateral relations is encouraging, Lines said that Australia hopes the two sides will be able to promote pragmatic cooperation further in the fields of the economy and trade, the green economy, climate change, and people-to-people exchange. Open dialogue between the two sides and the improved handling of differences are conducive to achieving win-win results, she added.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
Along the Beijing Central Axis, pedestrians can hear the dang-dang sightseeing bus passing by, so named for the copper bell that rings to announce its presence. The cultural mainstay has become more prominent since the area was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in July.
Red lanterns sway gently before the windows within the quaint confines of the dang-dang bus. Intricate ancient motifs and tile designs adorn the roof, evoking a nostalgic sense of old Beijing. Above them, images of the Beijing Central Axis’ renowned landmarks unfurl a visual narrative of the city’s history.
Beside the seats, tables are elegantly laid with an array of culinary delights. Passengers indulge in panoramic views of the Central Axis while sampling the flavors of authentic Beijing snacks.
“The Great Beauty Central Axis Sightseeing Bus features a novel iteration of the classic dang-dang bus,” shared Yun Haibing, the director of the Beijing Tourism Distribution Center’s market management department.
According to Yun, the dang-dang sightseeing buses date back to the inaugural tram service at Qianmen in 1924. The copper bell was used as a courtesy signal to pedestrians. As the city evolved, the traditional transportation gradually faded from the street.
Today, a revival of these antique-style vehicles, sporting refurbished green or brown exteriors and wooden-framed windows, presents a fresh option for travelers exploring Beijing.
These modern dang-dang buses offer a nostalgic voyage through Beijing’s storied past, traversing iconic landmarks like Zhengyangmen, the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and Jingshan Park.
Since the debut of the Great Beauty Central Axis Sightseeing Bus, 41 such vehicles transport an average of 4,000 visitors daily, underscoring the enduring appeal of this unique experience, said Yun.
The dang-dang buses today are all-electric vehicles with a robust battery life, contributing to the eco-friendly ethos of tourism in Beijing.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Traditional village in S China turns tourist attraction, hot spot for study tours
Source: New Zealand Government
Good evening
Before discussing the ‘advancing of New Zealand and Asia relations’, we would like to congratulate the Asia New Zealand Foundation and acknowledge its significant contribution to New Zealand’s relationship with, and understanding of, Asia over the past 30 years.
Can we also welcome Thitinan Pongsudhirak, one of the Foundation’s Honorary Advisers, and Michael Fullilove, Executive Director of the Lowy Institute.
I would also like to acknowledge Members of Parliament; members of the diplomatic corps; Asia New Zealand Foundation founders Sir Don McKinnon and Philip Burdon; and its Chair, Dame Fran Wilde.
A lot has happened over the past 30 years – in New Zealand, in Asia, and indeed in New Zealand’s engagement with Asia.
30 years ago
It is, of course, difficult to talk about Asia in general terms. The region has 23 countries, hundreds of languages and a vast swathe of peoples and cultures and political systems.
This is to say nothing of the vast distances in Asia. Indeed, it’s closer from London to Moscow than Auckland to Jakarta, and yet we tend to think Indonesia as our back yard.
We tend to zone in on one country, or one issue.
Our understanding needs to be more nuanced than this – something the Asia New Zealand Foundation knows well and is in fact its core mission.
We can, however, look at some trends, as we think about New Zealand’s relationship with Asia over the past 30 years.
In 1994, for example, Asia’s population was over three billion people. The region accounted for one quarter of the world’s GDP, and economic growth was underway in many countries.
The region had experienced years of peace and stability, albeit with some notable exceptions. Many parts of the region were at the start of a long, although sometimes uneven, path of rising urbanisation, productivity and incomes.
In New Zealand, our population had just tipped over three million. Asian countries had become important trading partners – this was 20 years after Britain joined the European Economic Community and forced us to look beyond our traditional trading partners.
We had adapted by looking closer to home.
Thirty five percent of New Zealand’s exports went to Asia, with Japan accounting for close to half of this.
Remarkably, at that time China took just two percent of our exports, compared to 20 percent of today.
Many New Zealanders had come to realise the importance of Asia to our future prosperity.
Along with this came a recognition that we needed to better understand the vast range of cultures, languages and peoples of the region. This would be a shift for us.
Just three percent of New Zealanders at the time identified as being of Asian origin – compared to 17 percent today.
We had the beginnings of some cultural and culinary influences, with tourists and students starting to flow.
Under the Colombo Plan, we had welcomed many Asian students to New Zealand. But for the most part, these cultural influences were not mainstream or well-understood at the time.
It was in this context that the Asia New Zealand Foundation was born and began its important work that we are here to discuss today.
What has changed in Asia?
Even those who were aficionados back in 1994 might have been surprised at just how important Asia would become to New Zealand.
The Asian financial crisis in 1997 was devastating to the region. It was an unsettled and unpredictable time. But the region has recovered, and in fact boomed.
The figures are certainly impressive. More than one billion people have been lifted out of poverty in Asia since 1990. Asia now comprises over 40 percent of the world’s GDP. In the next quarter century, this is forecast to reach 50 percent.
It is important for us all to remember that there has not been just one linear trajectory in the region. Each country has had its own path, and these paths can have different twists and turns over time.
China’s growth story is of course well-known, but the statistics remain extraordinary. Today, China stands as the world’s second-largest economy worth nearly 18 trillion US dollars in 2023, soaring a staggering 4,000 percent since the 1990s.
This is not, however, just a China story. There has been astonishing success in other countries, too.
India overtook China to become the most populous country in the world last year, and with 900 million registered voters it is also the world’s largest democracy. This year India’s economy will be the fastest growing in the G20, and it is expected to overtake Germany and Japan to become the world’s third largest economy in the next few years.
India’s advances in science, technology, education, and space, are inspiring to many countries around the world. In short, India has become a significant global actor playing a key role in securing a stable and prosperous region.
Japan itself continues to be an economic powerhouse.
We must also recognise that ASEAN’s growth, after starting down the path of economic integration, has been remarkable.
If ASEAN today were one economy, it would be New Zealand’s fourth-largest trading partner. Its countries are growing at an impressive clip – more than five percent year in, year out.
The total GDP of ASEAN reached nearly four trillion US dollars last years, positioning it as the fifth largest economy in the world.
Projections indicate that ASEAN’s GDP is poised to reach an estimated four and a half trillion US dollars by the year 2030. This will propel ASEAN to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2040.
Much of Asia’s economic growth has been built on trade and manufacturing. But the region is now also central across many facets of the modern economy – from finance and capital, to people, and to innovation.
To take just two examples, Asia’s services trade is growing 1.7 times faster than the rest of the world. And by 2030, Asia’s fintech revenues are expected to be larger even than North America’s.
We know economic growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It is regional security that has provided the foundation for the significant rise in living standards we have witnessed across Asia.
In this time of global upheaval and challenges to the rules-based order, the role of regional security in our collective economic security is undeniable.
In Southeast Asia, ASEAN centrality is playing a pivotal role. ASEAN has led the way in bringing the region together in peaceful dialogue. This includes initiatives like the Regional Forum we attended in July, or last week’s East Asia Summit – which was attended by Prime Minister Luxon.
Notwithstanding the various peaceful offramps that exist, Asia has had, and continues to have, security challenges.
The liberal rules-based order – underpinned by US hegemony – is under strain.
As China’s power and influence have increased, so too have the areas of difference that we have had to navigate.
We are seeing a rising and more active India.
And we shouldn’t forget that Russia considers itself an Indo-Pacific power, too.
Added to this are hemispheric wild cards: the DPRK; other nuclear powers; arms build-up; and alliance and proxy relationships.
We also have population trends that will have not just economic but also geostrategic consequences.
Also, fierce competition for resources: protein and commodities like rare metals.
Finally – environmental challenges, which are an existential threat for many countries in the region – are exacerbating all of these factors.
What has this meant for New Zealand?
For New Zealand, the message is clear: we need to continue to understand and engage Asia.
The Coalition Government, via the Foreign Policy Reset, is focused on building and advancing relationships in a way that engages more actively the region’s opportunities and risks.
The work of the Asia New Zealand Foundation remains as relevant today as it was 30 years ago.
Understanding Asia starts here at home. The past 30 years has seen a boom, and our ethnic communities have grown significantly.
While there is still some way to go, we have started to see Asian New Zealanders in leadership roles – from Members of Parliament to business leaders, sports, and entertainment.
Along with this has come a richness of culture and language. Kiwis have enjoyed new festivities and embraced an array of Asian cuisine, at home and at restaurants – something almost completely unavailable 30 years ago.
The top 25 languages spoken in New Zealand include many Asian languages, such as Mandarin, with nearly 100,000 speakers, as well as Hindi with almost 70,000, Cantonese, Tagalog, Punjabi, Korean, Japanese, Gujarati, and Tamil.
We celebrate Diwali, Lunar New Year and Eid – festivals that showcase cultural traditions to New Zealanders.
Last year, 54,000 students from Asian countries came to study in New Zealand education institutions.
In the last year we have welcomed over 700,000 international visitors from Asia – nearly double that of a year ago – and we’re looking forward to seeing this growth continue over the coming years as the pandemic fall-out recedes.
Over the last 70 years, we have provided scholarships and training to 21 countries from the Asian region under our International Development Cooperation programme. This remains a foundation of our enduring people-to-people connections.
Thanks to the Asia New Zealand Foundation, we have some tangible evidence of how New Zealanders’ attitudes toward Asia have changed over time.
The first Perceptions of Asia survey was conducted in 1997 and showed that New Zealanders saw Asia as something largely external.
Today, however, over half of New Zealanders feel a connection to Asia in their daily lives, with more than a third regularly enjoying Asia-related entertainment.
Over the past decade, public awareness and engagement with Asia has grown significantly. In 2013, one third of New Zealanders said they felt knowledgeable about Asia.
That number has now risen to an all-time high, with nearly 60 percent saying they possess at least a fair amount of understanding about the region.
This is wonderful and thanks in no small part to the work of the Foundation. We hope we will see this familiarity grow further in the coming years.
New Zealand in Asia
Alongside these developments in New Zealand, we have been engaging both with Asia but also in Asia.
Today you can fly direct from Auckland and Christchurch to 14 destinations across Asia, connecting New Zealand to the region and providing opportunities for New Zealanders to interact with and learn about Asia.
Kiwis have been broadening their traditional “OE” and heading to Asia. As just one example, 3,300 New Zealanders have travelled to Japan under the Japan Exchange and Teaching, or “JET”, programme since its inception, teaching English in Japan.
Programmes such as the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia have seen thousands of young New Zealanders study at Asian institutions and return with meaningful skills and experience.
The Asia New Zealand Foundation has also contributed to this through the internships, grants, and residencies it offers throughout Asia.
It is important to highlight that seven of our top 10 export destinations are Asian economies.
Exports to China amounted to 20 billion New Zealand dollars last year; Japan more than four billion. Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Indonesia round out the list of our top export destinations in Asia.
This has been supported by the network of free trade agreements we have negotiated to support our commercial partnerships over the past 20 years. It is notable that our second oldest FTA is with Singapore – second only to Australia.
The origins of CPTPP, one of our most significant trade agreements, also finds its origins in our relationships with Asia.
Its precursor, the P4 agreement with Singapore, Brunei, and Chile in 2006, provided the foundation stone for what would become CPTPP.
CPTPP is itself a high watermark agreement that includes other economies from the region such as Japan, Malaysia, and Viet Nam, and we continue to encourage others who can meet the agreement’s high standards to seek to join in the future.
All in all, 95 percent of our trade with Asia takes place under a trade agreement.
New Zealand has also invested in regional institutions. This architecture provides space for dialogue and the exchange of ideas on key issues impacting us.
We were the second country to become an ASEAN dialogue partner, and we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of this next year. In that time New Zealand has been and continues to be a trusted partner to ASEAN and its member states.
We know that by contributing to ASEAN’s success, and the success of ASEAN-led councils like the East Asia Summit, we contribute to our own success and to that of the region.
In 1994, New Zealand was a member of one regional body – APEC, which was founded just five years earlier.
This platform gives us a venue to influence regional economic policy together with members, who today make up two thirds of global economic growth and take 80 percent of New Zealand’s exports.
Just over 10 years later, in 2005, our delegation was proud to take part in the inaugural East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
We had put intensive effort into laying the groundwork for the shape of the grouping and New Zealand’s participation.
Our membership as a founding partner made clear to all that New Zealand was part of the region and had a role to play in regional decisions.
The EAS is now the premier forum for strategic dialogue and regional cooperation.
New Zealand is showing up today, as we did then, because we want to support peace and stability in the region in tangible ways.
Recent years have seen the emergence of new plurilateral and ‘minilateral’ architecture alongside established multilateral architecture.
New Zealand supports new groupings that advance and defend our interests and capabilities, and we no reason why these can’t coexist as long as they are constructive, advanced in an open and transparent way, and are respectful of ASEAN centrality.
We have championed a stable, peaceful and nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. In the current climate, it is not possible to visit North Korea. But in the past, we have.
During a 2007 visit, we met with political leaders and advocated in favour of multi-party peace talks.
To this day, New Zealand Defence Force assets and personnel are deployed in Korea to maintain the armistice. The Defence Force also has a separate deployment to monitor and deter North Korea’s evasion of UN sanctions.
In 2006, we received a request from Timor-Leste, seeking assistance to restore stability and freedom of movement. We responded swiftly, deploying police and military troops.
In a testament to our security cooperation in the region, Singaporean personnel were integrated seamlessly into a New Zealand battalion.
New Zealand has a long-standing development programme in Asia. It is our largest programme outside the Pacific and is growing.
It goes beyond training and scholarships to respond to the priorities of our ASEAN partners, as well as humanitarian assistance.
Just last month, for example, we contributed humanitarian assistance in response to the devastating impacts of Typhoon Yagi in Viet Nam and Myanmar, and to extreme flooding in Bangladesh.
It is also worth noting that, for the past 30 years, New Zealand has advanced its policy towards Asia in a bipartisan way wherever possible.
This has ensured successive governments can follow through on policy commitments and is one of our greatest strengths.
What next?
It is instructive to think about how far we have come in the past 30 years
But it is also clear that we need to do more.
The world today is disordered and becoming more dangerous.
As we said to the NZIIA in May, “the challenges we face are stark, the worst that anyone today working in politics or foreign affairs can remember.”
As MFAT’s own strategic assessment has identified, one of the drivers for this has been a shift from rules to power: the Cold War era of predominant US western hegemony is over.
The multipolar world is here to stay, and states: large, middle, and small are all jostling to advance their interests.
Added to this is the fact that global problems – whether health, environmental, demographic, or migratory – present global risks, but at the same time require state-to-state cooperation to resolve.
We offer this simply to point out that we’re living in a time where relationships, norms and rules – many of which have enabled the rise of countries in Asia, including those which seek to challenge those same rules – are changing at the very time when we need to maximise global cooperation.
This is at the heart of what’s happening in Asia, as well as around the world more broadly.
This is why the Government decided earlier this year on a Foreign Policy Reset. A fundamental driver was that our foreign policy needs to reflect and respond to the challenging strategic context we find ourselves in. We need to act now to bring more energy, ambition and engagement to our relationships.
Under the Foreign Policy Reset, we have been explicit: we will be increasing the focus on and resources applied to Southeast Asia, South Asia especially India, and North Asia. This is what will have a major impact on our security and prosperity.
We are already delivering on this. The Prime Minister and international-facing Ministers have been incredibly active in our engagements with the region, having travelled between us to over 20 countries.
We have taken forward concrete initiatives to demonstrate the importance and future trajectory of our partnerships.
This ranges from cooperation with Japan on a hospital in Kiribati, to a Customs Cooperation Arrangement with India, to advancing toward Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships with ASEAN and Korea.
Conclusion
New Zealand is an Indo-Pacific country. This is our identity, and we know this is where our future lies. With every forecast about Asia’s trajectory, this becomes clearer and clearer.
It was this realisation that led to the Asia New Zealand Foundation’s birth 30 years ago. And as we have heard today, a lot has changed since then. Asia has evolved, and New Zealand’s relationship with Asian countries has evolved too, in some ways beyond recognition.
As we navigate our own pathway forward, we need to understand Asia. If we don’t, our relationships will be characterised by misconceptions, bias and miscalculation. So, our work has really only just begun. New Zealand’s security and prosperity depends on us continuing it.
Source: Minister of Infrastructure
Two bridges being built as part of the Parkes Bypass project (in central west NSW) will move one step closer to carrying traffic, as massive girders to support the bridge decks are lifted into place.
The $287.2 million Parkes Bypass project will feature five key intersections and two new bridges, including one over Hartigan Avenue and the rail corridor and a second over the bypass on Victoria Street.
The Australian Government is contributing $229.7 million towards this project, with the NSW Government contributing the remaining $57.4 million.
Preliminary work including construction of the abutments, or bridge ends, at either end of the bridges is now nearing completion and two giant cranes will be mobilised to the bypass site to lift six girders into place at each of the bridges.
Each of the 60-tonne girders will be hoisted high in the air and lowered into place on the bridge supports weather permitting – on 15 October.
These girders, to be installed near the northern end of the bridge add to the 30 girders lifted into place in October 2023.
Once the cranes are set up, a 600-tonne crane will pass the girders one-by-one to the 750-tonne crane so they can be installed between the northern abutment and the next pier.
The process will be repeated on 5 November, when one of the cranes is again used to lift six more girders into place for the new Victoria Street Bridge.
When completed, the 10.5-kilometre bypass on the western outskirts of Parkes will reduce travel time, improve freight productivity and efficiency on the Newell Highway, improve pedestrian access through Parkes and benefit traffic flow in and around the town.
For further information visit: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/parkes-bypass
Images and video:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/4hww6mgbx85eab3d9l5l3/ABzlYRT6LTwTTNrfT3ZprKk?rlkey=fxj4964qjjs5t1vev5lxibpsb&st=gnhag3x4&dl=0
Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
“All the pieces of the Parkes Bypass project are continuing to come together to ensure the Newell Highway is upgraded to be a safer and more efficient major inland transport route through the centre of New South Wales.
“The Newell Highway contributes to the competitiveness of Australia’s agricultural and mining sectors by enabling access to essential freight networks not only in NSW, but also Victoria and Queensland.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison:
“These upgrades are vital to better connect our regional communities and improve efficiency on one of our busiest regional routes.
“It will be a spectacular sight as these crucial links in the Parkes Bypass of the Newell Highway comes together, as we move closer to delivering this key regional project with the Australian Government.”
Quotes attributable to Senator for New South Wales Deborah O’Neill:
“The Parkes Bypass project is a critical investment in a key regional area of NSW and will help underpin the area’s future prosperity.
“This project has supported around 350 jobs during construction and we appreciate the patience of Parkes motorists, tourists and freight operators as they have navigated the necessary traffic changes along the way.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Labor’s spokesperson for Orange Stephen Lawrence MLC:
“The local community has been calling for a Parkes bypass for decades and I’m delighted to see it finally being delivered.
“Importantly, this bypass will not only ease congestion and increase efficiency on the Newell Highway; it will also improve road safety and better protect our community.”
Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development
Two bridges being built as part of the Parkes Bypass project (in central west NSW) will move one step closer to carrying traffic, as massive girders to support the bridge decks are lifted into place.
The $287.2 million Parkes Bypass project will feature five key intersections and two new bridges, including one over Hartigan Avenue and the rail corridor and a second over the bypass on Victoria Street.
The Australian Government is contributing $229.7 million towards this project, with the NSW Government contributing the remaining $57.4 million.
Preliminary work including construction of the abutments, or bridge ends, at either end of the bridges is now nearing completion and two giant cranes will be mobilised to the bypass site to lift six girders into place at each of the bridges.
Each of the 60-tonne girders will be hoisted high in the air and lowered into place on the bridge supports weather permitting – on 15 October.
These girders, to be installed near the northern end of the bridge add to the 30 girders lifted into place in October 2023.
Once the cranes are set up, a 600-tonne crane will pass the girders one-by-one to the 750-tonne crane so they can be installed between the northern abutment and the next pier.
The process will be repeated on 5 November, when one of the cranes is again used to lift six more girders into place for the new Victoria Street Bridge.
When completed, the 10.5-kilometre bypass on the western outskirts of Parkes will reduce travel time, improve freight productivity and efficiency on the Newell Highway, improve pedestrian access through Parkes and benefit traffic flow in and around the town.
For further information visit: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/parkes-bypass
Images and video:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/4hww6mgbx85eab3d9l5l3/ABzlYRT6LTwTTNrfT3ZprKk?rlkey=fxj4964qjjs5t1vev5lxibpsb&st=gnhag3x4&dl=0
Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
“All the pieces of the Parkes Bypass project are continuing to come together to ensure the Newell Highway is upgraded to be a safer and more efficient major inland transport route through the centre of New South Wales.
“The Newell Highway contributes to the competitiveness of Australia’s agricultural and mining sectors by enabling access to essential freight networks not only in NSW, but also Victoria and Queensland.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison:
“These upgrades are vital to better connect our regional communities and improve efficiency on one of our busiest regional routes.
“It will be a spectacular sight as these crucial links in the Parkes Bypass of the Newell Highway comes together, as we move closer to delivering this key regional project with the Australian Government.”
Quotes attributable to Senator for New South Wales Deborah O’Neill:
“The Parkes Bypass project is a critical investment in a key regional area of NSW and will help underpin the area’s future prosperity.
“This project has supported around 350 jobs during construction and we appreciate the patience of Parkes motorists, tourists and freight operators as they have navigated the necessary traffic changes along the way.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Labor’s spokesperson for Orange Stephen Lawrence MLC:
“The local community has been calling for a Parkes bypass for decades and I’m delighted to see it finally being delivered.
“Importantly, this bypass will not only ease congestion and increase efficiency on the Newell Highway; it will also improve road safety and better protect our community.”
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Lands Department extends coverage of 3D Digital Maps
Lands Department extends coverage of 3D Digital Maps
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The Lands Department (LandsD) today (October 15) launched a 3D Visualisation Map of Kowloon West and New Territories Northwest, and a 3D Indoor Map of Kowloon West. The 3D Visualisation Map of Kowloon West and New Territories Northwest covers around 63 600 buildings and about 770 infrastructure facilities, including flyovers, footbridges and subways. The 3D Indoor Map of Kowloon West covers around 70 buildings, including government and private buildings and community facilities, and provides information on floors, units and points-of-interest for promoting innovative indoor data applications, such as location-based services, tourism and indoor navigation. Moreover, the coverage of the “Streetscape 360” function of the 3D Visualisation Map, which offers 360-degree street-level panoramic images, has been extended from Kowloon East and Kowloon Central to Kowloon West, Lantau and New Territories Northwest. The datasets of the abovementioned 3D Digital Maps, relevant Application Programming Interface and sample codes are available on the Common Spatial Data Infrastructure Portal (portal.csdi.gov.hk) and the online application platform “Open3Dhk” (3d.map.gov.hk) for free download by the public to facilitate the development of web services and smart applications by the innovation and technology sector and academia. To promote smart city development, the LandsD will continue to develop and release 3D Digital Maps for other districts.
Ends/Tuesday, October 15, 2024Issued at HKT 14:00
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Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Autumn view of Ejina Banner of Alxa League, N China’s Inner Mongolia
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Remarks by CE at media session before ExCo (with photos/video)
Remarks by CE at media session before ExCo (with photos/video)
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Following are the remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (October 15):Reporter: Good morning Mr Lee. Almost 1.4 million visitors came to Hong Kong during the Golden Week holiday. What do you make of this year’s tourism business performance? And also, as a prelude to tomorrow’s Policy Address, can you tell us a little bit about what the public can expect from your annual blueprint? Thank you.Chief Executive: I’m very glad that the Golden Week was full of happiness. It was full of enjoyment; both people of Hong Kong and also a lot of visitors visited Hong Kong, and they enjoyed a good time. I thank my colleagues for organising a lot of activities, and I also thank a lot of different representatives from organisations and districts that organised a lot of activities. There were altogether over 400 activities for people to enjoy and there were a lot of offers as well, so as to allow everybody to have a good time. The visitors from the Mainland actually showed a good increase. There were altogether, during the seven days of the Golden Week, a total of 1.22 million visitors from the Mainland, which means, on a daily average, there were over 170 000 Mainland visitors, and this was up 27 per cent compared with the Golden Week last year. And it was also an increase of 13 per cent compared with the Golden Week in May. Some figures actually showed how intensive the activities have been. There were, first of all, over 1 000 Mainland tourist groups visiting Hong Kong. The actual figure is 1 050. Eighty per cent of these tour groups actually stayed overnight. The firework display attracted over 330 000 people and everybody had a good time, and all those who attended were very complimentary of the display and also the arrangement. Of the major events in which the Government sponsored, cinema-goers paid half price so that they can enjoy a good time. It attracted about 190 000 people who visited the cinema, which was an increase of 22 per cent compared with last time. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department’s museums and also art spaces were opened to people for free so there were 60 000 visitors. A lot of public transport also offered free rides or discounted rides. The people who enjoyed all these special offers and took traffic transportation amounted to 4.43 million. The catering business was doing quite well because the associations have indicated that there were about $2 billion in business over the Golden Week, which was a 5 per cent increase. A lot of representatives from different sectors and businesses have indicated that during the Golden Week, there were a larger number of visitors, customers, and also there was an increase in the business turnover. I thank my colleagues, particularly those involved in the boundary control points, transportation arrangement, crowd management, and all the different activities they organised. These collective efforts between the Government and different sectors of the community, they did very well to ensure that this special National Day and the Golden Week was a very enjoyable time for everybody. I’m glad to see that this enjoyment was shared by both local Hong Kong citizens and also visitors from different parts of the world. Although the whole thing has gone smoothly, and a lot of activities have been enjoyed, we will, of course, still look at the whole arrangement to see whether we can make it an even bigger success next time. As regard to the Policy Address, I thank you for the interest. I know that everybody’s very keen to know about the content of the Policy Address. I have told you the theme of the Policy Address, which is, we will reform for enhancing development and building our future together. I think that is the sum up of the Policy Address which I will announce tomorrow in the Legislative Council. Thereafter, there will be a series of media interviews, there will be a press conference in the afternoon of tomorrow, and there will be also some collective media interviews the same day tomorrow thereafter. I thank you for the interest and attention. You will know everything when I announce it tomorrow. Thank you.(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
Ends/Tuesday, October 15, 2024Issued at HKT 16:00
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Source: Government of India
Posted On: 15 OCT 2024 3:37PM by PIB Delhi
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today wrote a post on LinkedIn, elaborating on the advantages of developing a National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal in Gujarat.
The post is titled ‘Let’s focus on Tourism’.
The Prime Minister posted on X:
“Recently, the Union Cabinet took a very interesting decision – of developing a National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal. Such a concept will create new opportunities in the world of culture and tourism. India invites more participation in the culture and tourism sectors.”
Recently, the Union Cabinet took a very interesting decision – of developing a National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal. Such a concept will create new opportunities in the world of culture and tourism. India invites more participation in the culture and tourism sectors. Here…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 15, 2024
***
MJPS/RT
(Release ID: 2064974) Visitor Counter : 76
Source: New Zealand Labour Party
The National Government has sneakily reneged on protecting the Hauraki Gulf, reducing the protected area of the marine park and inviting commercial fishing in the depleted seascape.
“Once again we see the National Government putting commercial interests and profit over scientific evidence and the priorities of our communities. There will be no future for the fishing and tourism industries in these areas if we don’t take action to protect them now,” Labour conservation spokesperson Priyanca Radhakrishnan said.
“Tama Potaka’s announcement undermines a decade of work by mana whenua, local and central governments, the industry, and local community groups to protect the health of the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana for future generations.
“Labour introduced the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill because the Hauraki Gulf was facing a bleak future if action wasn’t taken to protect it.
“New Zealanders know that the Hauraki Gulf has been overfished for decades and that both sedimentation and pollution has led to a significant decline in marine life and seabird populations. Species are almost functionally extinct in the areas permitted to be fished now.
“Years of negotiation with the community and stakeholders led to the Bill Labour introduced last year. National’s changes are a slap in the face to everyone involved in the negotiation process.
“Our Bill extended the Gulf’s marine reserves and created marine protection areas to preserve fragile habitats and parts of the sea floor from damaging activities, while allowing for customary practices of tangata whenua.
“It looks like the Government has done this to bend to Minister of Fishing Shane Jones’ backroom deals.
“This is a government set on attacking our natural environment from every angle, by allowing mining projects that risk native species, scrapping work to meet our climate targets, and repealing the ban on oil and gas exploration. Just like with the Fast Track legislation, National is making it harder for locals, iwi and hapu to have a say on destructive projects that will affect them,” Priyanca Radhakrishnan said.
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Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, Oct. 12 — With neon lights sparkling against the night sky, a group of models, clad in vibrantly colored and intricately crafted costumes of ethnic minorities, sauntered down the catwalk, each step met with raucous applause.
This fashion show featuring intangible cultural heritage is the first of its kind held on Qilou Old Street, a national historical and cultural street in Haikou, Hainan Province, south China.
Both professional and amateur models walked the show, including Pan Yuzhen, in her seventies, a well-known inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of Miao embroidery of the Miao ethnic group who had been a guest on the fashion stage in London and Paris.
“This is my first time in Haikou, and I like it very much,” said Pan, adding that she was happy to have the opportunity to promote the intangible cultural heritage of her people.
The performance, which integrated tradition with modernity, serves as a microcosm of how localities explored creative approaches to better meet the surging cultural and tourism demand during the National Day holiday ending earlier this week.
Official data showed that 765 million domestic trips were made during the just-concluded holiday, up 5.9 percent year on year, with total tourist spending rising 6.3 percent to 700.8 billion yuan (about 99.1 billion U.S. dollars).
People’s interest in traditional cultural attractions was reflected in the travel boom, with many flocking to historical sites over the vacation period. During the week-long holiday, the demand for taxi services to tourist attractions like ancient cities and towns soared by 111 percent compared to the pre-holiday period, according to data from Didi Chuxing, a popular ride-hailing platform in China.
With multiple scenic spots featured in the Chinese hit video game “Black Myth: Wukong,” north China’s Shanxi province was experiencing a boom in tourists even before the holiday kicked off.
In response to the travel peak, the local government and businesses intensified efforts to provide better services for all visitors. “Many local temples that were not accessible for hundreds of years are open to the public this time,” said a travel vlogger in her video on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.
As treasure troves of history and culture, museums have also been gaining popularity among the Chinese in recent years, with 1.29 billion visits to nationwide museums in 2023, surpassing the figures of previous years, data from Chinese authorities revealed.
Aside from traditional hotspots, lower-profile cities and counties started to rank among the top travel destinations, as an increasing number of people, especially the youth from first-tier cities, prefer to spend their leisure time in less crowded areas.
Data from Ctrip, a leading online travel agency, noted that tourism orders to counties during the National Day holiday grew by 20 percent compared to the same period last year.
While venturing to different places, many tourists picked up cultural and creative products as mementos of their trips, and more thoughtfully designed items have started to make their way to market.
This summer, a plush toy modeled after roujiamo, which is sometimes called the “Chinese hamburger,” went viral among visitors to Xi’an in northwest China’s Shaanxi province. A purchase was combined with learning to make this local street food, which has been hailed as a new, enticing experience. The toy has proved popular far and wide, with more than 10,000 orders made within three months, with people living as far away as New York and Sydney managing to snag one.
Such consumption frenzy is evident across various cultural activities, including movies, concerts, music festivals and sporting events, with many willing to travel long distances for the experience.
Mo Zhenqi, from south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, took his child to Rongjiang County, the birthplace of the Guizhou Village Super League, also known as “Cun Chao” in southwest China’s Guizhou Province. They came to watch friendly soccer matches featuring international players from countries including Brazil. He felt “extremely excited” about the fierce competition on the field, the wonderful song and dance performance, and the enthusiastic atmosphere.
Tourists like Mo revved up the county’s holiday economy, as the holiday week witnessed nearly 500,000 trips to Rongjiang County, with over 600 million yuan in tourism revenue, an increase of nearly 22 percent year on year.
“The booming cultural and tourism industry could play a more important part in upgrading the economy, boosting consumption, and meeting people’s needs for a better life,” said Miao Muyang, an official with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Source: China State Council Information Office
People visit the Harbin Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Exposition in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, Jan. 2, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]
An overseas promotional event for ice and snow tourism in northeast China’s Heilongjiang province was held in the capital of Cambodia on Saturday, inviting local visitors to experience the province’s picturesque wintry wonderland.
Heilongjiang province has abundant ice-and-snow resources, making it a popular destination for winter tourism in China, attracting numerous tourists from home and abroad during Chinese New Year holidays.
Speaking at the event, Ny Phaly, secretary of state of Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism, said the event was vital to further enhance cultural ties, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges between Cambodia and China.
He added that tourism resources of Heilongjiang province and Cambodia are quite different but complementary, and the event was a good opportunity for both sides to boost cooperation.
“I would like to encourage Cambodian people to spend their holidays in Heilongjiang province, and also wish to invite tourists from Heilongjiang province to explore Cambodia,” Phaly said.
The official also urged tour operators of the two sides to work together closely to arrange tour packages for both tourism destinations.
Hosted by the Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and co-organized by the Cambodia-China Journalists Association and Tour Around (Global) Co., Ltd., the event drew more than 200 participants.
He Jing, director of the Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, said the event was aimed at promoting cultural exchanges and Heilongjiang’s enchanting ice and snow tourism resources to Cambodian tourists.
At the event, promotional videos and presentations were introduced, vividly showcasing the province’s breathtaking natural landscapes, inspiring ice and snow wonders and rich cultural heritage.
The immersive experience took attendees on a virtual journey through Heilongjiang’s winter magic.
Highlights included the dazzling Harbin Ice and Snow World, the vast Greater Khingan Mountains, the towering ice waterfalls of Jingpo Lake, the mystical auroras of Mohe, and the first rays of sunlight at Fuyuan, all of which impressed the audience most.
Chhay Sivlin, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, said that as 2024 marked the Cambodia-China people-to-people exchange year, the event was crucial to boost mutual exchanges in areas like tourism and culture.
She added that the event unfolded the beauty of Heilongjiang’s ice and snow culture and tourism to Cambodian people, inspiring them to travel to the province to experience the unique winter landscapes in person.
“This event is vital to introduce Cambodian tourists to a new tourism destination, where they can play with ice and snow,” she told Xinhua.
“Cambodian tourists should spend their holidays in Heilongjiang for ice and snow play because in Cambodia, the weather is hot most of the time, and we don’t have snow,” she added.
Sivlin said as Heilongjiang is not very far away from Cambodia, visiting the province will save tourists both time and money.
“They don’t need to spend much money for expensive places. In China, the expense is still cheaper than that of European countries, and we can enjoy authentic ice and snow as those in Europe,” she said.
On Friday, Heilongjiang province launched its first overseas tourism cooperation and promotion center in Phnom Penh, aiming to showcase Heilongjiang’s tourism profile in Cambodia and Southeast Asia.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China, Laos achieve more substantive progress in building community with shared future
VIENTIANE, Oct. 13 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang paid an official visit to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic from Friday to Saturday after attending the leaders’ meetings on East Asia cooperation here, stressing to continue to deepen practical cooperation with Laos.
Li, together with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, attended the inauguration ceremony of the China-aided Mahosot General Hospital building here on Saturday. Speaking at the ceremony, Li extended warm congratulations on the successful completion of the project, highlighting the hospital as the largest in scale, most comprehensive in functions, and best equipped modern comprehensive hospital and medical teaching base in Laos.
As a flagship overseas project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, the Mahosot Hospital has played an important role in improving medical conditions and safeguarding the health of the Lao people.
Vilaphan Keokuman, deputy chief of the ear, nose, and throat department at Mahosot Hospital, said: “The brand-new building, modern facilities and equipment of the hospital, as well as its capacity to accommodate more patients, provide us with greater convenience.”
Premier Li emphasized in his speech at the ceremony that in recent years, the two countries have closely focused on building a community with a shared future with high standards, high quality, and high level, strengthened the synergy of development strategies, continued to deepen practical cooperation, and worked hard to complete a number of important infrastructure projects, injecting strong impetus into the economic development and improvement of people’s livelihood in both countries.
During his meeting with Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao president, Li said China and Laos should enhance practical cooperation in trade, investment, production capacity, electricity, minerals and other fields, calling on both sides to further tap potentials, give full play to the driving-effect of the China-Laos Railway, and push for more visible results in all-around cooperation.
While talking with Sonexay, Li pointed out that China is ready to work with Laos to speed up the development along the China-Laos Railway and juxtaposed border control, and strengthen cooperation in new energy, advanced manufacturing, digital economy and artificial intelligence, among other fields.
Launched in December 2021, the China-Laos Railway, which serves as Laos’ first modern railway, has facilitated the transportation of over 10 million tonnes of goods valued at approximately 5.74 billion U.S. dollars as of September 2024, according to local authorities.
During Li’s visit, China and Laos released a joint statement focused on mutually beneficial cooperation of higher quality.
In the statement, the two sides agreed to continue to strengthen practical cooperation under the framework of strategic alignment between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Laos’ strategy to “convert the landlocked country into a land-linked hub”, and jointly implement the outline of the Belt and Road cooperation plan between the two countries.
Currently, China is the largest foreign investor in Laos, and Laos sees huge potential for further deepening cooperation with China across various fields including the export of agricultural products, the import of electric vehicles and trucks, tourism, hotels and restaurants, and electricity, mining, and solar energy.
Analysts said that both China and Laos are poised to take Premier Li’s visit, alongside the 15th anniversary of the China-Laos comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, as pivotal moments to further deepen bilateral cooperation.
Lu Guangsheng, a professor at Yunnan University’s Institute of International Relations, said China and ASEAN, including Laos, have strong industrial complementarity.
“China requires new drivers from Laos, while Laos looks to China for industrial support,” he remarked, suggesting that this mutual dependence will foster constructive strategies for promoting high-level openness and advancing the shared vision for a community with a shared future for humanity.
Source: New South Wales Premiere
The NSW Government is investing $10 million to make it safer and easier to walk and ride to 11 Illawarra stations.
The planned initiatives will include things like footpath upgrades, better lighting, new bicycle storage around stations for people who choose to walk or cycle to and from their homes and to other modes of transport.
More than $3 million of the investment will be used to build a two-way shared cycleway at Corrimal, which would stretch nearly one kilometre along Murray Road between Corrimal Station and Cawley Street. Corrimal will also see a new pedestrian refuge installed and additional bicycle racks outside the station.
Other stations to benefit from proposed upgrades include:
Twenty-eight projects have been identified and prioritised following extensive consultation with the community and other stakeholders.
Further consultation will take place with the community as the projects progress, with all of them expected to be completed between early next year and the first half of 2026.
The Transport Integration and Placemaking projects are being delivered through Transport for NSW’s Rail Service Improvement Program, in partnership with Wollongong City Council and Sydney Trains.
This announcement comes as Transport for NSW has approved an extension of Wollongong City Council’s shared e-scooter trial until 30 June 2025.
In the first 12 months of the trial with operator Neuron Mobility, 165,000 e-scooter trips were taken in the Wollongong local government area – with riders collectively clocking up over 316,000 kilometres, enough to ride around Australia over 20 times.
In addition to extending its trial, the council is also exploring options to expand the trial footprint, to support more people riding shared e-scooters to reach their destinations.
Quotes attributable to Transport Minister Jo Haylen MP:
“This is an exciting and incredibly important investment for the people of Wollongong.
“Given there are 25 train stations in the Wollongong Local Government area, there is a growing need to ensure pedestrians and cyclists can connect to these public transport hubs as safely and easily as possible.
“Sheltered bicycle storage, new refuge crossings and street lighting with CCTV are just some of the many projects we will be rolling out to support the community.
“We know people in the Illawarra love active transport, so making it easier for people to make the most of these last mile connections is essential.
“Extending the Wollongong e-scooter trial until June next year is a big added bonus too.
“All of these small but meaningful investments dotted along the coast will make neighborhoods across the Illawarra better connected.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park MP:
“It’s not every day that 11 trains stations receive much needed upgrades, but that’s exactly what is happening here in the Illawarra.
“These small and important investments will make it so much easier for families to access their station, and safely lock their bike up there for the day.
“Upgrades to lighting, footpaths and crossings will also go a long way to improving the overall safety and access for commuters and tourists alike.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully MP:
“I’ve said before Wollongong is the best city in the world to ride a bike, now it’s the best place to ride an e-scooter.
I am pleased that council is also exploring expanding the eScooter trial zone to potentially include Port Kembla and that’s really exciting.
“The upgrades to stations and improved connections to Corrimal Station will make for a better public transport experience for current and future residents.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Shellharbour, Anna Watson MP:
“After its recent accessibility upgrade, it’s exciting to see Dapto Station is once again receiving welcome investment from the Minns Labor Government. The new sheltered bike racks are a big win for our community and will make it easier to ride to the station, for those who want to.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart MP:
“Lawrence Hargrave Drive is the main artery connecting the villages along the coast. As a result, it’s incredibly busy and a challenge for pedestrians to cross. I really welcome the new pedestrian refuges that will make it safer for people to cross the road, as well as the other investments being made for our local stations.
“Works being undertaken at our train stations and roadways are crucial after they were neglected by the former Liberal National State government. The upgrades at Austinmer in particular, are changes I have campaigned on, I am thrilled the Minns Labor Government will be delivering these upgrades!”
Quotes attributable to the Lord Mayor of Wollongong, Tania Brown:
“Projects like these upgrades to Murray Road, and other locations around Wollongong, will assist people to comfortably and safely walk, roll, cycle or scoot to and from train stations that link our city.
“We welcome the grant funding from the NSW Government and will continue to look for ways to collaborate with Transport for NSW to improve the public and active transport system across Wollongong.
“We’re pleased to see an extension of the trial to 30 June 2025 to allow Council to work with Transport for NSW to continue to learn about e-scooter use and the further opportunities the shared scheme offers to support e-micromobility across Wollongong.”
Source: China State Council Information Office
Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi, Vietnam, Oct. 13, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
China stands ready to strengthen alignment of development strategies with Vietnam, carrying out the plan of synergizing the Belt and Road Initiative with Vietnam’s Two Corridors and One Economic Circle strategy, said Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Hanoi on Sunday.
China and Vietnam both are developing countries standing at a critical stage in their modernization efforts, Li said when holding talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, adding China firmly supports Vietnam in pursuing a path of socialism that suits its national conditions.
Li reaffirmed China’s commitment to continuously improving and upgrading cooperation across various sectors with the Southeast Asian nation.
China is ready to deepen cooperation with Vietnam in areas such as connectivity, trade, investment, tourism, healthcare, and disaster prevention and mitigation, as well as expand collaboration in local currency settlement and emerging industries, including the digital economy and green development, Li said.
In August, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, held talks with To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Vietnamese president, drawing a blueprint for and injecting fresh vigor into the development of China-Vietnam relations, Li said.
China is willing to work with Vietnam to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two parties and two countries, maintain high-level communication, and continuously build mutual trust, Li said.
The Chinese premier also called on upholding the original aspiration of good-neighborliness and friendship, reinforcing confidence in the two countries’ respective paths and systems, strengthening solidarity and cooperation, expanding comprehensive strategic cooperation and deepening the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Li urged the two countries to take the opportunity of the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations and the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges, both taking place next year, to further deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples, especially the younger generations, and carry forward the cause of China-Vietnam friendship.
Li urged both sides to stick to the principle of friendly consultation, properly handle differences and expand maritime cooperation.
China stands ready to work with Vietnam to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Vietnam at multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and APEC, strive for more just and rational global governance, safeguard the interests of developing countries, and play a leading role in the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Pham, for his part, said Vietnam and China enjoy a close relationship of comrades and brothers, and that their traditional friendship grows ever stronger.
Developing relations with China is a top priority and a strategic choice for the party and the government of Vietnam, Pham said, noting China is the only country that encompasses all of Vietnam’s foreign policy priorities.
Vietnam abides by the one-China principle, supports China’s development and growth, as well as the series of global initiatives put forward by President Xi, Pham said. He thanked China for its long-term support and assistance to his country.
Next year marks the 75th anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic relations, Pham noted, saying that guided by the important consensus reached by the leaders of both parties and countries, Vietnam stands ready to strengthen high-level exchanges and enhance synergy of development strategies with China.
He also pledged to advance cooperation with China in finance, investment, agriculture and science and technology, accelerate connectivity in transportation infrastructure, explore new models such as cross-border economic cooperation zones, expand collaboration in emerging sectors like the digital economy and green development, as well as strengthen exchanges in education, tourism, and youth exchanges.
Vietnam is also willing to strengthen multilateral coordination with China to safeguard the common interests of developing countries, Pham said.
He called on both countries to implement the high-level consensus of the two parties and two countries, properly manage differences through friendly consultation, and jointly safeguard maritime peace and stability.
Following the talks, Li and Pham witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents in various fields, including connectivity, agricultural products, customs, finance, human resources, media, and education.
During Li’s official visit to Vietnam, the two countries are also expected to issue a joint statement.
Source: New South Wales Government 2
Headline: Songs of freedom: Unplugging rules that prevent venues choosing their music
Baffling restrictions on licensed venues that include “no entertainment” clauses are being torn up as part of the Minns Labor Government’s committment to bring back live music and nightlife to Sydney and across the state.
Red tape that has built up in the system includes development consent conditions that specify what genre of music can be played at a venue – or stipulate that only a soloist, duo or trio can play, while a band is out of bounds.
Specific approval conditions in some cases get so granular as to allow a cover band to play a venue but prevent original music being performed – or prevent live entertainment altogether.
Pocket Bar in Terrigal has been forced to turn away a choir for having more than three members.
Barangaroo House operates under conditions that make strobe lights and a disco ball a contravention.
At the Mitch Hotel in Alexandria, management has wanted to stage acoustic music on Sunday afternoons but have been prevented by no entertainment restrictions in their venue’s Development Consent.
Erskineville Hotel is barred from providing entertainment and Petersham Public House can’t have amplified music in the beer garden.
At the South Dubbo Tavern, licence restrictions included a clause on hosting “small cover bands” rather than original rock bands. This effectively meant the Tavern could host an AC/DC cover band but if Angus Young came to town he would be unable to plug in his guitar and play Thunderstruck.
Councils can currently apply “no entertainment” clauses regardless of the type of entertainment, noise impacts or community desire. This can mean even a mime artist is technically not allowed to perform at a local venue.
Giving musical programming back to the venues that know their audiences is another milestone in the Minns Labor Government’s crusade against pointless red tape on going-out. This will be delivered in the second tranche of the Vibrancy Reforms, along with:
Ending the antiquated rule that prevents people living within five kilometres of a registered club from signing in without first becoming a member
Binning the restriction on outdoor dining approvals that prevented patrons from standing while drinking outside a licenced premises.
The first round of Vibrancy Reforms delivered improvements that:
Stifling rules have diminished opportunities for artists in NSW and the right of communities to engage with new voices and be part of the emergence of the next big act from their local area.
A number of Sydney venues are restricted to playing recorded music, locking out any additional opportunities for live performers. Development consent conditions may even specify how many instruments can be played inside a venue.
Similar conditions were removed from liquor licences by legislation in November 2020.
At present, removing conditions requires venues to formally apply to council to modify the development consent, which is costly, time-consuming and not guaranteed to succeed. It also means more administrative burden for councils.
Under the soon to be introduced second tranche Vibrancy Reforms, the outdated conditions will be turned off for all licensed venues in the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act. For hotels, clubs and small bars, the prohibition on live entertainment will also be overridden.
Minister for Music and the Night-Time Economy John Graham said:
“When it’s a DA not the DJ choosing the tracks, you know the system has lost its way.
“People don’t want their local councillor or state minister deciding what they listen to and what live music they can see.
“How can anyone have faith in rules that allow a cover band to play but tell the band that wrote the songs to hit the road?
“The Vibrancy Reforms are remastering a tangle of red tape and restrictions that do not pass the pub test, quite literally.
“This plan to remove red tape builds on the Minns Labor Government’s multi-faceted support for live music that offers extended trading for venues that stage live performance, soundproofing grants to help live venues prosper in their” neighbourhoods and direct support for musicians and roadies via the Touring and Travel Fund.”
Minister for Planning Paul Scully said:
“These proposed changes will provide greater clarity for venues that host live music and encourage even more venues to support live entertainment.
“It’s a chance to support performers and provide even greater opportunities for the people of NSW to enjoy a great night, or day, out.”
Mitch Hotel at Alexandria owner Brett Davis said:
“Acoustic duos or trios on a Sunday afternoon is something else our patrons can enjoy and maybe draw some more people to the venue; we’re not looking to have DJ sets or big bands.
“However, the costs and time to have the current condition removed is too excessive, so we have decided not to pursue it.
“We welcome these proposed changes to support venues like ours.”
CEO of House of Pocket Hospitality Group Karl Schlothauer
“The existing restrictive consent conditions limit our engagement with the local creative community and places a ceiling on being able to creatively use the space. It stops our ability to diversify the venue offerings, and you have to be able to do this in regional areas and particularly tourism areas like the Central Coast in order to have your business survive all year round.
“If the conditions were removed, we would be able to employ more local artists and trial new things. The Central Coast has a large population of creative practitioners, but they are stifled in not having many venue opportunities to perform.
Sydney-based PEPTALK band member Phoebe Sinclair said:
“If venues can host entertainment more regularly without so many restrictions there will absolutely be more employment opportunities for musicians.
“This in turn will help so many artists to actually work in the industry full time, as it can be a difficult leap without consistency in the live performance space.”
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
People visit a historical and cultural street in Xixiu District of Anshun City, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Oct. 2, 2024. (Photo by Chen Xi/Xinhua)
With neon lights sparkling against the night sky, a group of models, clad in vibrantly colored and intricately crafted costumes of ethnic minorities, sauntered down the catwalk, each step met with raucous applause.
This fashion show featuring intangible cultural heritage is the first of its kind held on Qilou Old Street, a national historical and cultural street in Haikou, Hainan Province, south China.
Both professional and amateur models walked the show, including Pan Yuzhen, in her seventies, a well-known inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of Miao embroidery of the Miao ethnic group who had been a guest on the fashion stage in London and Paris.
“This is my first time in Haikou, and I like it very much,” said Pan, adding that she was happy to have the opportunity to promote the intangible cultural heritage of her people.
The performance, which integrated tradition with modernity, serves as a microcosm of how localities explored creative approaches to better meet the surging cultural and tourism demand during the National Day holiday ending earlier this week.
Official data showed that 765 million domestic trips were made during the just-concluded holiday, up 5.9 percent year on year, with total tourist spending rising 6.3 percent to 700.8 billion yuan (about 99.1 billion U.S. dollars).
People’s interest in traditional cultural attractions was reflected in the travel boom, with many flocking to historical sites over the vacation period. During the week-long holiday, the demand for taxi services to tourist attractions like ancient cities and towns soared by 111 percent compared to the pre-holiday period, according to data from Didi Chuxing, a popular ride-hailing platform in China.
With multiple scenic spots featured in the Chinese hit video game “Black Myth: Wukong,” north China’s Shanxi province was experiencing a boom in tourists even before the holiday kicked off.
In response to the travel peak, the local government and businesses intensified efforts to provide better services for all visitors. “Many local temples that were not accessible for hundreds of years are open to the public this time,” said a travel vlogger in her video on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.
As treasure troves of history and culture, museums have also been gaining popularity among the Chinese in recent years, with 1.29 billion visits to nationwide museums in 2023, surpassing the figures of previous years, data from Chinese authorities revealed.
Aside from traditional hotspots, lower-profile cities and counties started to rank among the top travel destinations, as an increasing number of people, especially the youth from first-tier cities, prefer to spend their leisure time in less crowded areas.
Data from Ctrip, a leading online travel agency, noted that tourism orders to counties during the National Day holiday grew by 20 percent compared to the same period last year.
While venturing to different places, many tourists picked up cultural and creative products as mementos of their trips, and more thoughtfully designed items have started to make their way to market.
This summer, a plush toy modeled after roujiamo, which is sometimes called the “Chinese hamburger,” went viral among visitors to Xi’an in northwest China’s Shaanxi province. A purchase was combined with learning to make this local street food, which has been hailed as a new, enticing experience. The toy has proved popular far and wide, with more than 10,000 orders made within three months, with people living as far away as New York and Sydney managing to snag one.
Such consumption frenzy is evident across various cultural activities, including movies, concerts, music festivals and sporting events, with many willing to travel long distances for the experience.
Mo Zhenqi, from south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, took his child to Rongjiang County, the birthplace of the Guizhou Village Super League, also known as “Cun Chao” in southwest China’s Guizhou Province. They came to watch friendly soccer matches featuring international players from countries including Brazil. He felt “extremely excited” about the fierce competition on the field, the wonderful song and dance performance, and the enthusiastic atmosphere.
Tourists like Mo revved up the county’s holiday economy, as the holiday week witnessed nearly 500,000 trips to Rongjiang County, with over 600 million yuan in tourism revenue, an increase of nearly 22 percent year on year.
“The booming cultural and tourism industry could play a more important part in upgrading the economy, boosting consumption, and meeting people’s needs for a better life,” said Miao Muyang, an official with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Source: China State Council Information Office
A customer shops at a supermarket in Nanjing, east China’s Jiangsu Province, March 9, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
China’s consumer prices steadied in September amid a sustained recovery of domestic demand, official data showed Sunday.
The consumer price index (CPI), a main gauge of inflation, was up 0.4 percent year on year in September, lower from a 0.6-percent rise in August, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said.
The 0.4 percent growth in September was lower than the previous month mainly because of the higher base logged in the same period last year, said NBS statistician Dong Lijuan.
On a monthly basis, the CPI remained unchanged compared to the previous month.
In breakdown, food prices rose 3.3 percent year on year in September, an increase of 0.5 percentage points compared to the previous month. Non-food prices were down 0.2 percent, reversing a 0.2-percent uptick in August.
Among non-food items, the decline in energy prices deepened, and tourism prices shifted to decrease from an increase with widening declines in airfares and hotel accommodation.
NBS data showed the producer price index (PPI), which measures costs for goods at the factory gate, went down 2.8 percent year on year in September.
On a monthly basis, the PPI edged down 0.6 percent, narrowing from a 0.7-percent decrease a month earlier, the data showed.
Dong attributed the monthly PPI performances to fluctuations in international commodity prices and insufficient effective demand in the domestic market.
From January to September, the average PPI decreased 2 percent from a year ago.
China unveiled an action plan in March this year to implement a program of large-scale equipment upgrades and trade-ins of consumer goods to expand domestic demand, and stepped up policy support in July with an extra funds injection of 300 billion yuan (about 42.4 billion U.S. dollars) via ultra-long special treasury bonds.
Under the program, factories are encouraged to replace old machines with advanced new ones, and individual consumers can enjoy subsidies on automobiles and home appliances, among others.
China will apply a set of fiscal policy tools including local government special-purpose bonds, special funds and taxation policies to help stabilize the property market, Minister of Finance Lan Fo’an told a press conference Saturday.
Source: China State Council Information Office
People watch a performance at a tourist attraction in Zhuxi County of Shiyan City, central China’s Hubei Province, Oct. 12, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
Fifty cultural tourism projects with a total contract value of 51 billion yuan (about 7.2 billion U.S. dollars) were signed in central China’s Hubei Province during an international travel agents conference held on Sunday.
Travel agents from major domestic resort cities and nearly 30 countries and regions that are key sources of inbound tourists to China, along with domestic key tourism group leaders, attended the conference, aiming to boost the recovery of China’s inbound tourism sector and establish Hubei as a world-class tourist destination.
During the conference, 17 city-level regions across the province inked 50 cultural tourism projects with a total investment estimated to reach 59.5 billion yuan.
Hubei also launched five boutique routes for international travels during the event, covering its renowned Shennongjia World Heritage Site, Wudang Mountain and the Three Gorges.
Themed on developing cross-border tourism and enhancing mutual learning among civilizations, the 2024 global travel agents conference in Hubei was hosted by the provincial culture and tourism department and the municipal government of Shiyan City, attracting more than 300 participants.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
People watch performance at tourist attraction in Hubei
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
The Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture lies within the picturesque landscape of Southwest China’s Guizhou province. The population of the Bouyei ethnic group in the prefecture exceeds 790,000 and this region is renowned for its unique traditions, language, and customs that have withstood the test of time.
Efforts are underway to safeguard this vibrant cultural heritage, from preserving traditional attire to the iconic slate house villages that dot the landscape. The region actively celebrates the essence of Bouyei identity through lively festivals, captivating performances, and educational programs, nurturing a deep sense of community pride and belonging.
A China Storyteller Partnerships tour of Guizhou, organized by China Daily, offers guests a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultural legacy of the Bouyei ethnic group. At the heart of these preservation endeavors lies the Fenglin Bouyei scenic spot in Xingyi city, displaying over 600 Bouyei-style residences on the mountainside. This beautifully illustrates how Guizhou’s karst topography intertwines with centuries-old Bouyei cultural traditions, showcasing cone-shaped karst formations, peaks, stalagmites, and caves.
Visitors to the region are treated to mesmerizing dances and melodic songs performed by the Bouyei people. Their artistic traditions have been honored as national intangible cultural heritage. Among these treasures is the Bouyei’s “eight-tone sitting singing” music, renowned both at home and abroad for its harmonious melodies.
One gem awaiting exploration is the Yanyu village in Zhenfeng county, a veritable tourism haven. Regarded as the oldest and largest Bouyei village, Yanyu is a testament to the rich cultural history of the Bouyei people, comprising 11 villager groups containing 656 households with more than 2,500 residents.
Upon arrival at Yanyu village, hosts greet guests with the rice wine set to the dynamic cadence of traditional songs and dances. Immersive activities await, offering a glimpse into the unique Bouyei culture, from the art of bamboo pole dancing to the time-honored traditions of glutinous rice cake pounding, spinning, weaving, and the artful craft of creating indigo-dyed clothing.
The Bouyei people are revered for their masterful handicraft and batik techniques. They employ a distinctive resist printing process that lends a cracked appearance to cotton fabric.
Intricate embroidery and craftsmanship define Bouyei clothing. They serve as garments and expressions of cultural heritage, reflecting the deep-rooted connection of the Bouyei people to nature and their surroundings. Each garment weaves a narrative, intertwining elements of history and identity.
It is a privilege to encounter the well-preserved intangible cultural heritage and unique ethnic customs of the Bouyei people in China. They predominantly live in southern China, particularly in Guizhou, Yunnan, and Sichuan provinces.
Tourism and development in Guizhou can help promote the unique culture of the Bouyie people, while preserving the authentic agricultural practices, craftsmanship, language, and artistic performance integral to their way of life.
The intersection of tourism and development serves as a powerful catalyst for celebrating the Bouyei people’s distinct culture, honoring their customs, and paving the way for sustainable initiatives to continue their rich heritage.
By promoting community involvement and meaningful engagement through responsible tourism, the Bouyei traditions can flourish, captivating and inspiring future generations.
Guizhou’s Bouyei culture is upheld by vibrant festivals, thriving tourism, and progressive development, ensuring its enduring legacy.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, Oct. 14 — Starting from the second half of this year, a series of payment facilitation services in Beijing have greatly benefited daily transportation, shopping and sightseeing of foreigners in the city.
On Sept. 13, the Chinese capital took the lead in the Chinese mainland to support the use of foreign bank cards for its subway travel. Without the need to purchase tickets or download any mobile apps, foreign visitors can swipe their overseas issued MasterCard or Visa cards to ride on the city’s all urban rail lines and its suburban railway S2 line.
Over the past month, the cumulative number of entries using foreign cards for subway access has reached 31,400, with 1,046 such individual passengers on average per day, according to the city’s railway authorities.
On July 31, the city introduced the Beijing Pass — a multi-purpose card designed to enhance convenience for international visitors by simplifying payments for transportation, tourist sites and shopping centers.
As of now, 12,979 Beijing Pass cards have been issued since its trial launch, including 6,031 physical cards and 6,948 mobile NFC cards activated online through the “SilkPass” app. The cumulative number of transactions via the Beijing Pass has reached 117,000, with the highest frequency of use recorded in public transportation scenarios.
Besides, Beijing now has 24 stations along 11 rail transit lines equipped with translation devices as part of a pilot program. Station staff also regularly undergo foreign language oral training to provide foreign passengers with more accurate and comprehensive information.
The city’s public bus routes now provide bilingual reminders in both Chinese and English. Its major ride-hailing service providers have launched English versions of their apps, which support international payment means like MasterCard and Visa.
In the near future, Beijing’s rail transit is expected to introduce an international version of its app that allows registration with foreign mobile numbers and supports QR code scanning for entry and exit. Public buses and taxis in the city will also continue to refine their services for foreign passengers, offering a richer and more diverse range of travel options, said local authorities.
As one of China’s top tourist destinations, Beijing received more than 1.65 million inbound tourists in the first half of this year, up 245.6 percent year on year, according to official data.
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 10 OCT 2024 8:36PM by PIB Delhi
Your Majesty,
Excellencies,
Thank you all for your valuable insights and suggestions. We are committed to strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and ASEAN. I am confident that together we will continue to strive for human welfare, regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
We will continue to take steps to enhance not only physical connectivity but also economic, digital, cultural, and spiritual ties.
Friends,
In the context of this year’s ASEAN Summit theme, “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” I would like to share a few thoughts.
Today is the tenth day of the tenth month, so I would like to share ten suggestions.
First, to promote tourism between us, we could declare 2025 as the “ASEAN-India Year of Tourism.” For this initiative, India will commit USD 5 million.
Second, to commemorate a decade of India’s Act East Policy, we could organise a variety of events between India and ASEAN countries. By connecting our artists, youth, entrepreneurs, and think tanks etc., we can include initiatives such as a Music Festival, Youth Summit, Hackathon, and Start-up Festival as part of this celebration.
Third, under the “India-ASEAN Science and Technology Fund,” we could hold an annual Women Scientists’ Conclave.
Fourth, the number of Masters scholarships for students from ASEAN countries at the newly established Nalanda University will be increased twofold. Additionally, a new scholarship scheme for ASEAN students at India’s agricultural universities will also be launched starting this year.
Fifth, the review of the “ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement” should be completed by 2025. This will strengthen our economic relations and will help in creating a secure, resilient and reliable supply chain.
Sixth, for disaster resilience, USD 5 million will be allocated from the “ASEAN-India Fund.” India’s National Disaster Management Authority and the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Centre can work together in this area.
Seventh, to ensure Health Resilience, the ASEAN-India Health Ministers Meeting can be institutionalised. Furthermore, we invite two experts from each ASEAN country to attend India’s Annual National Cancer Grid ‘Vishwam Conference.’
Eighth, for digital and cyber resilience, a cyber policy dialogue between India and ASEAN can be institutionalised.
Ninth, to promote a Green Future, I propose organising workshops on green hydrogen involving experts from India and ASEAN countries.
And tenth, for climate resilience, I urge all of you to join our campaign, ” Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (Plant for Mother).
I am confident that my ten ideas will gain your support. And our teams will collaborate to implement them.
Thank you very much.
DISCLAIMER – This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister’s remarks. Original remarks were delivered