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Category: Tourism

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements summarises visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during National Day Golden Week

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The seven-day National Day Golden Week of the Mainland ended yesterday (October 7), with the overall number of inbound visitors aligning with earlier estimates. The number recorded on National Day (October 1) reached a daily record high since the post-pandemic full opening of the borders.     During the seven-day National Day Golden Week, the Immigration Department recorded a total of around 1.38 million visitors coming to Hong Kong through various sea, land and air control points. Among them, Mainland visitors accounted for about 1.22 million, representing 88 per cent of the total arrivals. The daily average of Mainland visitors was around 170 000, which exceeded that of the 2023 National Day Golden Week and the 2024 Labour Day Golden Week around 27 per cent and some 13 per cent respectively.     Mainland inbound visitor arrivals peaked on National Day with around 220 000 visitors arriving in Hong Kong, marking a daily record high since the post-pandemic opening of the borders and setting a corresponding record for the overall number of visitors to Hong Kong in a single day. During the National Day Golden Week, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line and the Express Rail Link West Kowloon were the two ports with the highest daily average number of Mainland visitors, and operations at various control points and transport services ran smoothly.     Regarding large-scale events, the National Day Fireworks Display over Victoria Harbour on October 1 attracted over 330 000 spectators. The event concluded with effective crowd control arrangements and was well-received by local residents and tourists.     Visitors went to different parts of Hong Kong during the National Day Golden Week, with high visitor flow observed at major tourist attractions including the West Kowloon Cultural District, Ocean Park, Hong Kong Disneyland, the Peak Tram and Ngong Ping 360. Smooth and effective crowd management measures were implemented. In addition, according to the information provided by the hotel industry, the overall hotel occupancy rate during the first four days of the Golden Week (October 1 to 4) reached 90 per cent.      In terms of tour groups, according to the Travel Industry Authority’s information, around 1 050 Mainland inbound tour groups visited Hong Kong during the National Day Golden Week, with around 80 per cent engaged in overnight itineraries. These tour groups involved around 36 000 visitors, accounting for around 3 per cent of all Mainland visitors, and they were generally in good order.     The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, is pleased to note that the rich array of National Day special offers from the Government and various sectors of society were well-received by the public. Among them, the 1st October Movie Fiesta: Half-Price Spectacular 2024 organised by the Hong Kong Theatres Association and subsidised by the Government took place in 59 commercial theatres across Hong Kong. On the day of the event, there were nearly 2 000 screenings, with cumulative admissions reaching 189 000, breaking last year’s record of 155 000 and representing an increase of 22 per cent. Free admission was offered to museums and art spaces under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department on October 1, attracting nearly 60 000 attendees. Among them, there were more than 11 000 visitors to the Hong Kong Space Museum, setting a record for single-day attendance.     In addition, several public transportation services provided free rides or discounts during National Day, benefitting a total of approximately 4.43 million passengers. Different sectors such as catering and retail actively launched special offers to attract spending from both locals and visitors, contributing to a festive atmosphere throughout the city. Various trade representatives and merchants reported increased customer flow and business during National Day.     The embarkation and disembarkation arrangements for two homeport deployments of a mega cruise ship at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (KTCT) during the National Day Golden Week of the Mainland were smooth, with various transport services arranged to adequately meet visitor needs. Notably, direct coach services connecting the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and KTCT were arranged by the Hong Kong Tourism Board in collaboration with a local coach operator to provide facilitation for a total of 3 500 Mainland visitors.     Mr Chan said, “Thanks to the concerted efforts of relevant government departments, organisations and industries in making preparations and responses, this year’s arrangements for receiving visitors during the National Day Golden Week operated smoothly, enabling both locals and visitors to celebrate National Day together. The Government will draw on this experience and further enhance various arrangements in future to provide an even better experience for visitors to Hong Kong during festive periods.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Yuri Trutnev summed up the first results of the master plan implementation in Kamchatka

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Yuri Trutnev heard reports on the implementation of the long-term plan for the comprehensive socio-economic development of the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky urban district

    October 8, 2024

    Yuri Trutnev, Governor of Kamchatka Krai Vladimir Solodov and Deputy Minister for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic Elvira Nurgalieva

    October 8, 2024

    Yuri Trutnev held a meeting with the management and instructors of the Kamchatka branch of the Voin center

    October 8, 2024

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    Yuri Trutnev heard reports on the implementation of the long-term plan for the comprehensive socio-economic development of the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky urban district

    As part of a working visit to Kamchatka Krai, Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev heard reports on the implementation of the long-term plan for the comprehensive socio-economic development of the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky urban district, and also held a meeting with investors and assessed the work of the Kamchatka branch of the Voin center.

    The long-term plan for the socio-economic development of the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky urban district provides for the implementation of 17 events containing 52 objects for the period up to 2030. The key events of the master plan include the construction of a number of roads, including a bypass road from Petropavlovsk Highway to the residential area of Severo-Vostok and a public road to the Pacific Ocean coast. A campus for students of the city’s universities and colleges will appear in the capital of Kamchatka. It is planned to place educational institutions, clubs, public spaces, recreation and leisure areas for students on the campus territory. The construction of the children’s and youth scientific and educational center “Voskhod” has begun. Among the key events of the master plan is the improvement of the city center with the construction of a public center.

    The master plan includes an environmental component. Within its framework, Kultuchnoye Lake in the city center will be cleaned. City landfills will also be reclaimed and an eco-technopark will be built. At the same time, integrated development projects will also be implemented in other areas: in the Severny microdistrict, the Zarechny microdistrict (near the airport), on Pogranichnaya Street, on Komsomolskaya Square, and also on the site of the existing regional hospital after its relocation to a new location. The construction of the bypass road TPP-1 – TPP-2 also plays a major role in the development of the regional capital.

    This year, the design of the interactive planetarium and creativity center on Nikolskaya Hill, the improvement of the Historical Quarter, the walking area along 50 Let Oktyabrya Street, Leninskaya, Sovetskaya, Partizanskaya Streets and the Kultuchnoye Ozero ecopark, three sewage pumping stations were completed. The implementation of 26 events continues.

    By the end of the year, work is planned to be completed at 15 sites. Work on the improvement of the central embankment and the park along Voytsesheka Street will be completed. The cultural heritage site (at 13 Krasintsev Street) will be restored as part of the art cluster, and equipment will be purchased for the creative industries school being created. The construction of sewage treatment facilities for the planned building of the regional children’s hospital will be completed. The design of a cable car, a building of the regional children’s hospital, a community center, an eco-technopark, two sewage treatment facilities (“Chavycha”, “29 km”) and five sewage pumping stations (“Rybny Port”, “Torgovy Port”, “Drama Theater”, “1/1E”, “Zarechnaya”) will be completed.

    Work is actively underway on the following projects, the commissioning of which is planned for 2025. A road to Khalaktyrsky Beach is being built. Construction of a gas boiler house has begun in the Severny microdistrict as part of the Far Eastern Quarter project. The Yu.A. Gagarin Children’s Health Camp is being renovated. It is planned to begin major repairs of the road along Leninskaya Street in the city center. This year, a large and extremely important project for the region will also begin on the construction of an LNG regasification complex in Rakova Bay, with a completion date of 2025.

    According to Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic Elvira Nurgalieva, 12 billion rubles of a single presidential subsidy from the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and 1.5 billion rubles of special treasury loans will be allocated for the implementation of the master plan for Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The region has already received some of the funds for the design, major repairs and construction of facilities. The region will receive 0.6 billion rubles as part of a landscaping competition from the Russian Ministry of Construction. These funds were used to create an observation deck on Petrovskaya Sopka, and to improve the embankment in the city center along Ozernovskaya Kosa Street, a park along Voytsesheka Street, and Nikolskaya Sopka. This year, the Russian Ministry of Culture allocated funds for the purchase of equipment for the creation of a school of creative industries as part of the art cluster. The Russian Ministry of Energy will provide funding for the construction of an LNG regasification complex in Rakova Bay.

    Thanks to the implementation of the master plan activities, positive dynamics have been observed in a number of indicators this year: the volume of construction work is growing (an increase of 5.5% in the first half of 2024), the number of people employed in the construction industry is increasing, and indicators in related industries have increased many times over: the cargo turnover of sea transport has increased by more than a quarter, and automobile transport has more than doubled.

    Plans for 2025–2027 were discussed. In particular, it is planned to improve Nikolskaya Sopka by 2026 using funds from the federal project “Formation of a Comfortable Urban Environment”. It is planned to build five sewage pumping stations (“Zarechnaya”, “1/1E”, “Rybny Port”, “Torgovy Port”, “Drama Theater”). The deadlines for completing the construction of a public center on Lenin Square, a hotel and business center with improvement of the park on the territory of “Petropavlovskaya Gavan”, a fish market on the territory of “Prichal Mekhzavod” and a cable car have been set by the end of 2027.

    “There are initial results. An observation deck has been built, the embankment is being improved. We only started implementing the master plan this year. And there is still a lot of work to be done,” Yuri Trutnev summed up the discussion.

    During a meeting with investors, the Deputy Prime Minister noted that more than 250 investors with projects worth almost 300 billion rubles have taken advantage of state support in Kamchatka, with 106 billion rubles already invested. 79 projects have been commissioned, and more than 11,000 new jobs have been created.

    According to Vladimir Solodov, Governor of Kamchatka Krai, 128.2 billion rubles were attracted to Kamchatka Krai in 2023. Investment growth was 60% compared to the previous year. Tourism is a priority industry. Last year, investment growth in this area was 53%. At the same time, 17 new hotels were built in 2023 alone, and the number of accommodations increased by 1,031 places.

    Projects for the construction of hotels in the Kamchatka priority development area were discussed. The Cosmos Hotel Kamchatka company plans to build a five-star tourist and recreational complex. The Berloga company will create a five-star hotel complex with a thermal spa complex in the Elizovsky district of the Kamchatka priority development area. The implementation of a major investment project by a Kamchatka priority development area resident to create an international standard resort, the Three Volcanoes Park, was discussed.

    The progress of completing the construction of the new passenger terminal of the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky International Airport (Yelizovo) was also considered. Several contractors are involved in the construction of the new airport complex of the Yelizovo airport. A total of 1,200 people and 50 units of special equipment are working on the construction of the facility. The overall construction readiness is 82%.

    On the same day, Yuri Trutnev held a meeting with the management and instructors of the Kamchatka branch of the Voin center. “I always take the opportunity when I am in a territory where there is a branch of the center, to visit it, to see how things are going. Reviving patriotic education is our initiative with Sergei Vladilenovich [Kiriyenko]. It was supported by the President of Russia. And of course, we must monitor how things are going. The most important thing, in my opinion, the most positive thing, is that the feedback from the cadets is good everywhere. This shows that we started our work on time and that the desire for patriotism, the desire to be able to defend your homeland, to love it are in demand,” Yuri Trutnev opened the meeting.

    Addressing the branch management and instructors of the Voin center, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the importance of work on patriotic education: “You are shaping the future by educating a new generation of Russians. There are currently 21 branches of the Voin center operating in the Russian Federation, including branches created in all liberated territories. Since the start of the Voin center, 35 thousand young men and women have been trained. And this year, the Voin center will train 30 thousand young people across the country.”

    It was noted that the Voin center had developed a draft textbook, Basics of Initial Military Training. It is currently in the final stages of revision. This academic year, it is planned to test the publication by cadets of the Voin center and students of some educational organizations.

    Director of the Voin Center branch in Kamchatka Alexander Burkhavetsky and Chairman of the regional branch of DOSAAF of Russia Dmitry Pavlov reported on the work of the Kamchatka branch. About 800 teenagers will undergo training in Kamchatka by the end of the year. Currently, construction of classrooms and arrangement of the territory of the Military Sports Training Center in the Yelizovsky District is underway. By the end of November 2024, it is planned to complete the construction of classrooms with a parade ground, a GTO site, a combined arms obstacle course, a parking lot and an entry group. In 2025, it is planned to complete the construction of a 500-meter gallery for sniping, arrangement of a tactical field, construction of several shooting galleries, installation of a facade for storming the building (for assault mountaineering), construction of a canteen, barracks for 120 people, preparation of a place for placing a tent camp for 160 people.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://government.ru/nevs/52936/

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: No time for a holiday? A ‘workation’ could be the answer

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Mariachiara Barzotto, Senior Lecturer in Management Strategy and Organisation, University of Bath

    OOO in Stintino, Sardinia. Wpadington/Shutterstock

    Imagine this: you’re lounging on the beach, waves crashing in the background. A laptop sits on the table next to your iced coffee. In between meetings, you dip into the ocean or explore a hiking trail. This is the ideal vision of “workations” – a blend of work and vacation that is gaining popularity worldwide.

    A workation allows employees to work remotely from a holiday spot, and is part of a larger shift towards more flexible working arrangements, accelerated by the COVID pandemic and the rise of digital technology. Workations can last from a few days to several weeks.

    The concept can be appealing to both employees and companies, but there are challenges too. So, understanding its benefits and limitations is important for workers and employers alike.

    The most obvious benefit for employees is enjoying a new environment while staying productive. The typical work environment can become monotonous, potentially leading to burnout, decreased creativity and dissatisfaction.

    A workation offers an escape from this day-to-day grind, providing a refreshing change of scenery. It combines the mental break of a vacation with the flexibility of working remotely, allowing workers to balance their professional and personal lives and enhance their creativity. This flexibility may be particularly beneficial for those with high workloads or tight schedules, as they no longer need to sacrifice time away from work to relax.

    And companies can also reap rewards from approving workations among their staff. One of the most significant advantages is employee retention. Flexible work arrangements are among the top priorities for employees in today’s job market, helping to reduce staff turnover.

    Offering the option of a workation could also make a company more attractive to prospective employees. And workers who are free to work from inspiring locations may return to their tasks less stressed, and more motivated and engaged. Studies show that remote workers often demonstrate increased organisational commitment.

    Another advantage is the potential for cost savings. With more employees working remotely, companies may reduce their need for large office spaces or the expensive perks offered in corporate environments such as gyms, canteens and the staffing that goes with them.

    But there can be challenges too. The boundary between work and leisure can become blurred, and some employees may find it hard to disconnect from work – defeating the object of travelling to a different workplace. The allure of finishing “just one more task” can prevent employees from truly enjoying their surroundings, potentially leading to exhaustion instead of rejuvenation.

    Time zone differences can also be a challenge. Juggling meetings and collaborating with colleagues in different time zones can lead to irregular work hours that make it hard to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

    Distractions are another concern. Beaches, tourist attractions or even the simple novelty of being in a new place can make it difficult to focus on work tasks. Employees need to have a strong sense of discipline to remain productive.

    For companies, one of the primary challenges is ensuring that employees remain productive. Monitoring performance without feeling intrusive can be a tricky balance for managers to strike.

    When a wifi connection is not secure, make sure you have a VPN.
    Elizaveta Galitckaia/Shutterstock

    Security is another major concern. Remote work often involves accessing company networks and handling sensitive information. When employees work from unfamiliar locations – particularly in public spaces such as cafes – there may be increased risks related to cybersecurity. Ensuring that employees follow security protocols, use secure wifi and protect sensitive data is crucial.

    Lastly, workations might not be feasible for all roles. This can lead to disparities in who can take advantage of the opportunity, potentially leading to bad feeling among other staff.

    For the concept of workations to succeed, both employees and employers should set clear expectations, establish boundaries, and focus on maintaining productivity while allowing time for relaxation. But, if managed properly, they could become a staple of modern work culture. In a world where flexibility and wellbeing are increasingly valued, workations offer a unique opportunity to blend productivity with personal fulfilment, reshaping how we think about work and leisure.

    Nine tips for having a successful workation

    1. Choose the right destination

    Opt for a location with reliable internet access and where the time difference between colleagues and clients is manageable.

    2. Set clear boundaries

    Establish dividing lines between your work and vacation time, and communicate these boundaries with your employer and colleagues.

    3. Ensure you have the right tech set-up

    Bring all the necessary equipment, including noise-cancelling headphones. Double-check that you have remote access to all necessary material before leaving.

    4. Plan for cybersecurity

    Use a secure virtual private network (VPN) to protect company data, and follow your company’s cybersecurity policies to the letter.

    5. Understand your company’s remote work policy

    Read up on things like flexibility in terms of location, time zones, working hours and refunds for co-working spaces or tech tools.

    6. Set realistic expectations

    Don’t expect your workation to feel like a full vacation. Plan your leisure activities around your work schedule. Be prepared to work longer or odd hours if your company operates in a different time zone.

    7. Consider the local infrastructure

    Research amenities such as medical services, food delivery and transport. These might be important if you stay in a more remote or unfamiliar area. Have a contingency plan for health emergencies and check visa requirements.

    8. Prepare for flexibility

    Be ready for unexpected issues like slow internet or disruptions due to local events. Back-up plans, such as access to a co-working space or alternative accommodation, can save you from unnecessary stress.

    9. Stay organised

    Keep a work schedule and a checklist of tasks to ensure that you remain as productive as you are in your regular work environment.

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

    – ref. No time for a holiday? A ‘workation’ could be the answer – https://theconversation.com/no-time-for-a-holiday-a-workation-could-be-the-answer-240485

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Financial support for tourism businesses in disaster-stricken Magnesia – E-001908/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001908/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Yannis Maniatis (S&D)

    After storm Daniel hit in September 2023, extensive parts of the Region of Thessaly were ravaged by floods, which caused severe damage to infrastructure and businesses. On top of this, towards the end of August this year, thousands of dead fish washed up on the shores of the Pagasetic Gulf causing a major environmental disaster, which brought the area to its knees and drove tourists away. The tourism sector, a mainstay of the local economy, in particular Magnesia’s economy, now finds itself in a critical situation as businesses are unable to return to business as usual without direct financial support.

    Given how serious and urgent a matter this is, can the Commission answer the following:

    • 1.Will it deploy available financial instruments to provide direct support to tourism businesses in Magnesia that have been affected by Storm Daniel and the dead fish in the Pagasetic Gulf?
    • 2.Is it considering the possibility of giving priority funding from European programmes to activities focused on rebuilding and strengthening the tourism sector in the regional unit of Magnesia?
    • 3.What steps will it take to ensure the viability of tourism businesses in areas such as Magnesia that are affected by environmental disasters, bearing in mind the increasing risk posed by climate change?

    Submitted: 1.10.2024

    Last updated: 7 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Justice celebrates Roads to Prosperity anniversary and achievements with 1,320 highways members

    Source: US State of West Virginia

    CategoriesEnglish, MIL OSI, US State Governments, US State of West Virginia

    CHARLESTON, WV — Seven years ago, Gov. Jim Justice asked West Virginians to believe in his vision for transforming the state’s infrastructure and approve a constitutional amendment allowing the largest bond sale in state history. The funds would be used to rebuild and maintain roads and bridges in every corner of the Mountain State.

    Voters overwhelmingly answered the call, with 73% supporting the Governor’s bold plan, giving rise to the $2.8 billion Roads to Prosperity program, the largest infrastructure investment West Virginia had ever seen.

    Today, Gov. Justice joined 1,320 West Virginia Department of Transportation workers to celebrate the remarkable success of this program. Each highway worker held a card representing one of the 1,320 projects made possible by Roads to Prosperity, highlighting the significant improvements made across the state’s infrastructure.
    “This is absolutely one of the most important days in West Virginia history. We have accomplished things that nobody believed could have ever been possible. In fact, there were a lot of people that doubted this program. Despite the doubts, Toby and Edith made it known they were done being last, and they put their faith in the Roads to Prosperity program. We all believe in that vision now,” Gov. Justice said.

    “I look behind me at the 1,320 incredible DOT folks that represent the total number of projects that were on the books for decades. I cannot thank the folks at our Department of Transportation enough for the unbelievable work they’ve done and that they will continue to do. Roads are being fixed in every corner of West Virginia. We’ve created tens of thousands of jobs, our tourism is skyrocketing, and people around the world are taking notice.

    “Roads to Prosperity started as a promise. I promised if West Virginians said yes on the bond vote that we’d do something that had never been done before. Today on this anniversary, I can say that we have delivered on that promise. Prosperity is HERE in West Virginia. We’ve planted the seeds for the future, and they will continue bringing prosperity for years to come. We are watching West Virginia become a powerhouse on the world stage, and we can thank Roads to Prosperity for laying the foundation.”
    Gov. Justice envisioned Roads to Prosperity as a way to create immediate jobs in West Virginia while addressing decades of underinvestment in the state’s roads and bridges, spurring economic development across the Mountain State.

    The program included major projects like the $224 million effort to replace or upgrade 26 bridges along Interstate 70 in Wheeling and the $254 million project to expand Interstate 64 to six lanes between Nitro and the US 35 exit, which also replaced the Donald M. Legg Memorial Bridge with two new spans.

    Roads to Prosperity also funded smaller bridge, paving, and slide repair projects in every county—many of which might have remained untouched for years without this initiative.

    To date, nearly all of the 1,320 Roads to Prosperity projects have been started or completed. 
    “Today is indeed the most important milestone in West Virginia’s history,”  Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Transportation Jimmy Wriston, P.E. said. “When you talk about transportation in West Virginia, you are talking about the Roads to Prosperity program. Our infrastructure was off track due to decades and decades of underinvesting. The bold vision of Gov. Justice changed that. His vision got us on the launch pad for the rocketship ride. None of that would have made any difference if it wasn’t for our DOT workers. We are all connected. That is the message the Governor instilled in us with his leadership. We are all pulling the rope together in the same direction, and our connections are much stronger.  Gov. Justice’s Roads to Prosperity program has turned West Virginia around.”

    “Seven years ago, I had no idea how much transportation would shape our tourism, and now I know it’s our biggest asset,” Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby said. “We have come a long way, and what an absolute privilege it has been working so closely with our DOT. Gov. Justice’s incredible vision for Roads to Prosperity and telling West Virginia’s story has boosted our tourism like never before. We welcome 75 million visitors to our beautiful state each year, and they are all driving on our roads. Today, we celebrate how important our roads are to our tourism efforts. We proudly promote the country roads that have made West Virginia famous. We owe a huge thank you to Gov. Justice for his support and leadership. He has been our biggest advocate since day one, and West Virginia has become a world-class tourism destination.” 
    Major projects undertaken under Roads to Prosperity include:

    Donald M. Legg Memorial Bridge and I-64 Widening Project
    Completing the Donald M. Legg Memorial Bridge project on Interstate 64 between the Nitro and St. Albans exits eliminates a significant bottleneck and improves driver safety on one of West Virginia’s most heavily traveled interstates. 

    The project involved building a brand-new bridge just north of the old Donald Legg Bridge to carry westbound traffic. The old bridge was torn down, and a new bridge was erected on the existing bridge piers to carry eastbound traffic. Each bridge is four lanes wide, allowing motorists to travel between the Nitro and St. Albans exits without merging into traffic.
     
    The work is part of an approximately $254 million project to upgrade I-64 to six lanes from Nitro to the US 35 exit. The project also called for the construction of five new bridges in addition to the new Donald M. Legg Memorial Bridge. Construction is expected to be finished by the end of October.
    Interstate 70 Bridges
    In 2019, work began on a massive project to replace or rehabilitate 26 different bridges in and around Interstate 70 in the Wheeling area, increasing safety for travelers and improving traffic flow once the project is complete.
     
    One of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken by the West Virginia Department of Transportation, the approximately $224 million project replaces or rehabilitates infrastructure dating back to the 1950s, which would have been too expensive to undertake prior to Roads to Prosperity.
    Corridor H
    Corridor H was designed to open some of West Virginia’s most remote areas in Grant, Tucker, and Hardy counties to economic development, connect the state’s highlands to eastern ports, reduce travel times through the mountains, and provide a smoother, safer highway for both travelers and residents.

    Stretching from Weston across central West Virginia to connect with Interstate 81 in Strasburg, Virginia, the completion of the four-lane Corridor H has been in progress for decades but had stalled for years. When Gov. Justice took office and launched his Roads to Prosperity program, additional funding was secured, allowing work on the corridor to resume.

    Today, over 100 miles of Corridor H are open to traffic, with approximately 30 miles remaining.
    Beckley Widening Project
    The section of the West Virginia Turnpike around Beckley has historically been one of the most congested portions of the entire Turnpike, with heavy traffic and the potential for accidents. That changed in the fall of 2021 with completing a $140 million widening project between mile marker 40 (Interstate 64 Interchange) and mile marker 48 (North Beckley exit).
     
    The Turnpike was widened to six lanes for the eight-mile stretch of highway, which includes the Mabscott, Tamarack, and Beckley exits. The six-lane upgrade eased congestion in the heavily traveled section of the Turnpike and improved safety on the stretch of highway.
    Coalfields Expressway
    The Coalfields Expressway (WV 121) is a four-lane limited access highway designed to connect The West Virginia Turnpike at Beckley with US 23 in Slate, Virginia, opening West Virginia’s Southern Coalfields to never-before-seen economic development opportunities. The four-lane will also replace narrow, twisting country roads with safer, faster, and more direct routes.
     
    Construction began in 1999 but stalled due to a lack of funding.
     
    In 2017, Gov. Jim Justice committed to extending the Coalfields Expressway as part of his Roads to Prosperity program. In 2020, an 8.9-mile section of the Expressway opened to traffic between Slab Fork in Raleigh County and Mullens in Wyoming County.
     
    In May 2022, a $147.6 million project was awarded to Bizzack Construction to build a 5.12-mile section of highway from Welch to WV 16 to connect the town with the Coalfields Expressway.
     
    Future plans are also in the works to build a five-mile stretch of the Coalfields Expressway from Mullens to Twin Falls State Park and a three-mile link from Twin Falls toward Pineville.
     
    About 18 miles of the Coalfields Expressway are currently open to traffic.
    King Coal Highway
    When Gov. Justice took office, he made the completion of Corridor H, the Coalfields Expressway, and the King Coal Highway significant priorities of his administration. On Wednesday, December 13, 2023, Gov. Justice cut the ribbon and celebrated the grand opening of an approximately three-mile stretch of the King Coal Highway spanning from Airport Road to John Nash Boulevard near Bluefield.
     
    The approximately $68 million project, the first section of the King Coal Highway to be funded through Gov. Justice’s $2.8 billion Roads to Prosperity program, connects Airport Road to the previously constructed Christine Elmore West Bridge and the bridge to the intersection of John Nash Boulevard and US 460. Kanawha Stone Company Inc. was awarded the contract in October 2018, with construction starting that winter.
     
    The King Coal Highway is a four-lane highway approximately 95 miles long, running through McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Wyoming, and Wayne counties, along or near the currently existing US 52 from US 119 near Williamson to Interstate 77 in Bluefield. The project is intended to open West Virginia’s southern coalfields to economic development.
     
    Development of the King Coal Highway has been underway since the 1990s but bogged down for lack of funding before Gov. Justice revitalized the project in 2018. A two-mile section of the King Coal Highway connecting Airport Road to Interstate 77 and a four-mile section connecting US 119 to Belo north of Williamson is currently open to traffic. About 10 miles between Red Jacket and Mountain View is also open.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Ocean protection accounts for 10% of fish in the world’s coral reefs – but we could save so much more

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Cinner, Professor & ARC Laureate Fellow, Thriving Oceans Research Hub, School of Geosciences, University of Sydney

    Ocean fish populations have fallen dramatically in the past half-century, and climate change is expected to make the problem worse. Governments have designated “marine protected areas”, where where human activity is constrained to protect ocean life. But have these efforts worked?

    About 8% of Earth’s oceans are protected, including about 3% where fishing is banned altogether. Our new study of nearly 2,600 tropical coral reefs around the world is the first to examine whether these areas have helped fish populations.

    We found about one in ten kilograms of fish on coral reefs is the result of efforts such as marine protected areas and other restrictions on fishing. This is promising news. But our study also reveals great room for improvement.

    A video discussing how Earth’s fish stocks are declining.

    Getting to grips with marine protection

    Maintaining healthy fish populations is important. Many communities depend on fishing for their food and livelihoods. And fish play a vital role in ocean ecosystems.

    Marine protected areas are a key policy tool used to increase fish populations. They cover a range of ocean areas including lagoons, coastal waters, deep seabed waters and coral reefs.

    The areas go by several names, including marine parks and conservation zones. Some, where fishing is prohibited, are known as no-take zones.

    Governments often quote figures on the area of ocean protected when seeking to tout their conservation policies. For example in Australia, we are told the federal, state and territory governments have established marine parks covering 4.3 million square kilometres or 48% of our oceans.

    But the extent to which marine protected areas actually conserve marine life varies enormously from place to place. So simply counting up the protected ocean area doesn’t tell you much about what has actually been achieved.

    Measuring success

    We and our colleagues wanted to assess the extent to which marine protection efforts have increased the amount of fish on coral reefs.

    We developed a computer model based on about 2,600 reefs across the global tropics, which includes reefs in the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans. From that, we estimated the amount of fish currently on each reef – measured in the kilograms of fish per hectare, or “biomass”.

    The estimations were based on information such as:

    • environmental conditions such as ocean temperature and the type of habitat where the reef is located

    • the intensity of fishing activity, known as “fishing pressure”

    • how strong the protection is – for example whether it bans fishing, or just restricts it

    • the level of compliance with no-take zones.

    We then simulated what would happen if we changed the type of protection strategy in each location while keeping everything else the same.

    We ran a few scenarios:

    • no coral reef conservation existed anywhere and all reefs could be fished without constraint

    • sites currently fished without constraint (which amounted to over half of our sites) had restrictions in place

    • fishing was prohibited on 30% of all reefs.

    And the results?

    We found both marine protected areas and other fishing restrictions account for about 10% of the fish “biomass” on reefs. In other words, about one in ten kilograms of fish on coral reefs is due to protection efforts.

    No-take zones punch above their weight. Of the fish biomass attributable to protection efforts, about 20% comes from just 3% of sites in no-take zones. This proportion would be even higher if illegal fishing in no-take zones was stamped out.

    But we found any type of fishing restriction was useful. If everywhere currently fished without constraint was subject to some level of protection – such as banning nets or spear guns – the biomass of fish globally would be another 10.5% higher, our study found. This essentially matches all conservation efforts to date.

    Our modelling also showed fish on coral reefs could be increased by up to 28% globally if the area of no-take zones rose to 30%.

    But these reefs must be chosen strategically. That’s because protection strategies can lead to wildly different results, depending on local conditions. For example, sites with lower fishing pressure in the surrounding seascape got a bigger boost from protection than places surrounded by intensive fishing effort.

    This may be because at heavily fished locations, algae often overtakes coral as the dominant feature. Algae is less fish-friendly than coral, so fish populations may not bounce back quickly even when fishing pressure is reduced.

    Grounds for optimism

    Our study tested the mettle of global coral reef conservation. On one hand, we found conservation efforts have made a contribution to the amount of fish on global coral reefs, which provides grounds for cautious optimism.

    But on the other hand, this contribution is quite modest. Our study shows much greater gains could be made not only by expanding protected marine areas, but also by improving compliance in existing ones.

    Most nations have signed a global agreement to protect 30% of Earth’s land and waters by 2030. That means the amount of ocean in marine protected areas globally will increase nearly fourfold in just six years.

    As governments continue this task, we hope our results help identify ocean sites that will benefit most from protection.

    Joshua Cinner receives funding from the Australian Research Council and National Geographic Society. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and the International Coral Reef Society.

    Iain R. Caldwell is affiliated with the Wildlife Conservation Society

    – ref. Ocean protection accounts for 10% of fish in the world’s coral reefs – but we could save so much more – https://theconversation.com/ocean-protection-accounts-for-10-of-fish-in-the-worlds-coral-reefs-but-we-could-save-so-much-more-239188

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI China News –

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

    Source: China State Council Information Office

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Fillip to spending

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI China News –

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

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

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

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: First Regional Meeting of UNESCO World Heritage Marine Site Managers in Latin America and the Caribbean

    Source: United Nations

    From 8 to 13 September 2024, the Península Valdés marine World Heritage property in Argentina hosted the inaugural Regional meeting of UNESCO World Heritage marine site managers from Latin America and the Caribbean. The event brought together managers from the 12 UNESCO World Heritage marine sites in the region, alongside experts from UNESCO and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

    The meeting aimed to foster the exchange of best practices, promote dialogue on shared challenges, and establish collaborative strategies to address critical conservation issues at the regional level. Key topics included the impact of avian influenza on elephant seals, designing sustainable visitor strategies, early detection of invasive species, and the impacts of increasingly warming waters. These discussions were enriched by conservation success stories presented by the site managers, as well as insights provided by invited local and global experts.

    Alongside the working sessions, the managers conducted field visits to Península Valdés, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999, to gain firsthand insights into the management of the site’s Outstanding Universal Value. The event also featured community-focused talks aimed at engaging local students, researchers, tourist guides, park rangers, and other stakeholders in discussions about the conservation of Peninsula Valdés. These interactions strengthened collaboration among stakeholders and raised public awareness about the importance of preserving UNESCO World Heritage marine sites in Argentina and the world.

    A key outcome of the meeting was the ‘Declaration of Península Valdés’, in which the gathered managers reaffirmed their commitment to the conservation and sustainable management of UNESCO World Heritage marine sites in Latin America and the Caribbean. The declaration emphasized strengthening governance through participatory, adaptive management plans to address emerging threats like climate change, invasive species, and avian influenza. It highlighted the importance of involving local communities in decision-making, promoting innovative conservation training, and enhancing education to raise awareness about the significance of protecting a UNESCO World Heritage site.

    Organisation of the first Regional meeting followed the 5th UNESCO World Heritage Marine Managers Conference that was held in the Wadden Sea World Heritage site (Denmark, Germany, Netherlands) in October 2023.

    The regional meeting was organized in partnership with the Península Valdés World Heritage site management team (Argentina) and UNESCO’s regional office in Montevideo (Uruguay), with financial support from the Provincial Government of Chubut, the Península Valdés management team, and UNESCO’s Montevideo office.

    The World Heritage Centre also expresses its sincere gratitude to the French Biodiversity Office (OFB) for their ongoing support in strengthening the UNESCO Marine World Heritage Network through initiatives of this nature.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Caribbean Sea

    Source: CAF Development Bank of Latin America

    The marine and coastal ecosystem of the Caribbean Sea includes coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds, reaching an approximate area of 2.8 million km². These ecosystems are among the most diverse and productive in the world.

    They provide safety to coastal communities, acting as natural barriers that reduce the impact of floods and storms. Additionally, mangroves in this ecosystem filter and purify water, while coral reefs generate more sand for the pristine beaches of the Caribbean. Without coral reefs, it is estimated that 25% of all marine life would die.

    The loss of biodiversity in the Caribbean Sea is due to a lack of infrastructure and regulation for treating greywater and industrial waste that pollutes water sources (mainly from agribusiness), ocean pollution caused by shipping and plastic waste, poor planning in coastal and oceanic areas related to tourism, habitat loss and overexploitation of marine resources due to fishing, and conflicts of interest that limit the protection of ecologically valuable areas. It’s also important to mention that widespread deforestation in the Amazon contributes to the proliferation of invasive species like sargassum along Caribbean coasts (Berenguer et al., 2021).

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia is hosting the world’s first ‘nature positive’ summit. What is it, and why does it matter?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Lowe, Director, Environment Institute, University of Adelaide

    MPIX, Shutterstock

    This week, Australia hosts the inaugural Global Nature Positive Summit in Sydney. It comes at a crucial time: biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse is one of the biggest risks the world faces in the next decade.

    The event, which begins tomorrow, brings together leaders from government, business, academia, environment groups and Indigenous Peoples. Together, they will seek ways to drive investment in nature and improve its protection and repair.

    More than half the world’s economy directly depends on nature. Biodiversity loss threatens global financial stability, putting at least US$44 trillion (A$64 trillion) of economic value at risk.

    Industries such as agriculture, fishing, forestry, tourism, water and resources rely heavily on nature. But ultimately, all of humanity depends on the natural world – for clean air, water, food, and a liveable climate.

    In Australia significant investment is needed to reverse the decline in our natural environment. It will require action from governments, landholders and the private sector.

    That’s why this week’s summit is so important. Nature conservation and restoration is expensive and often difficult. The task is beyond the capacity of governments alone.

    What’s going on at the summit?

    According to the World Economic Forum, “nature positive” is an economic worldview that goes beyond limiting environmental damage and aims to actually improve ecosystems.

    Under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, to which almost 200 countries have signed up, at least 30% of land and waters must be protected or restored by 2030. The summit is exploring ways to realise this global commitment, which is also known as the 30×30 target.

    The federal and New South Wales governments are co-hosting the event.

    Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek will address the summit on day one, outlining her government’s Nature Positive Plan. It commits to the 30×30 target as well as “zero new extinctions”. Achieving these commitments involves environmental law reform, setting up a Nature Repair Market and establishing a national Environment Protection Agency.

    Delegates are expected to demonstrate their commitment and progress towards the 30×30 goal. They will then turn to the main point of the summit: building consensus on the economic settings needed to increase private investment in nature.

    Finance models and corporate partnerships are on the agenda, along with how to make this work, including how to measure, monitor and report on progress and manage risk.

    Sessions will focus on specific sectors of the environment such as agriculture and farming, cities, oceans and forests. On Thursday, delegates will visit nature sites around Sydney.

    Creating a market to incentivise biodiversity investment | 7.30.

    Investing in a market for nature repair

    Substantial co-investment from the private sector, including landholders, will be required to repair and protect nature at the scale required.

    Market-based approaches can drive private investment in natural resources. But most existing environmental markets focus on water and carbon. A more holistic approach, including nature repair, is needed.

    Australia’s Nature Positive Plan includes building a nature repair market. This world-first measure is a legislated, national, voluntary biodiversity market in which individuals and organisations undertake nature repair projects to generate a tradeable certificate. The certificate can be sold to generate income. Demand for certificates is expected to grow over time.

    But the role the government will take remains unclear. For example, will the government both regulate market prices and decide what, in a scientific sense, amounts to repairing nature?

    On day two, the summit explores how nature markets can unlock new sources of finance. We can expect this discussion to include ways carbon and biodiversity markets can work together: so-called “carbon-plus” outcomes.

    For example, when landholders conserve vegetation, the plants can both draw carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and provide habitat for animals, preventing biodiversity loss. Markets could be designed so landholders are rewarded for achieving these dual results.

    Significant economic returns

    Under optimistic estimates, the global nature-positive transition will unlock business opportunities worth an estimated US$10 trillion (almost A$15 trillion) a year and create 395 million jobs by 2030.

    The potential benefits for Australia are also substantial. They include benefits to nature such as restoring habitat for wildlife, while storing carbon. It can also provide returns for agriculture, by improving land value, yield and quality.

    A strong nature-positive stance from Australia will also help safeguard our access to global markets. For example, the European Union has already established trade barriers to imports that damage forests. This could have serious consequences for the Australian beef industry.

    So the potential benefits have to be weighed against the risks of not doing anything. The summit is a chance to get a wide range of people on board, working towards a shared vision of a more positive future.

    It’s time for a nature-positive mindset

    The Albanese Labor government came to power promising to overhaul Australia’s national environment laws, following a scathing independent review.

    When the summit was conceived, the government may have envisaged having cause for celebration by now. But some proposed reforms stalled in the Senate.

    Nonetheless, the Nature Repair Market, a significant government win, is taking shape.

    This week’s summit offers Australia an opportunity to show the world we have embraced the nature-positive mindset. There really is no time to waste.

    Australia, the sixth most biodiverse country in the world, has listed 2,224 species and ecological communities as threatened with extinction. These losses are predicted to escalate if we continue business as usual and allow continued decline of ecosystems.

    Despite having pledged to end deforestation by 2030, Australia is the only deforestation hotspot among developed nations. Land clearing continues apace in northern Australia, often without being assessed under national environmental laws.

    We desperately need to reverse the decline in nature, once and for all.

    Andrew Lowe receives funding from a range of national and international funding sources including the Australian Research Council, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, The International Tropical Timber Organization.

    This article was crafted following conversations with the Advisory Committee of the Nature Positive Economy CRC bid, including Daisy Mallett – Lawyer / International Abitrator; Ian Overton – Principal, Natural Economy Consulting; Professor Hugh Possingham – University of Queensland; Nicki Hutley – Climate Council; Cheryl Hayman – Beston Global Food Company; Robert Waterworth – FLINTPro; Kate Andrews – NRM Regions Australia; Tim King – Melior Investment Management; Peter Boyd – Rozetta Institute; David Shelmerdine – ClimateWorks; Wendy Mackay – Pollination Group; Tim Jarvis – Fauna & Flora International; Jody Gunn – Australian Land Conservation Alliance; Joshua Bishop – University of Sydney; Phil Duncan – University of Canberra; Dr Paul Dalby – Rozetta Project Director.

    – ref. Australia is hosting the world’s first ‘nature positive’ summit. What is it, and why does it matter? – https://theconversation.com/australia-is-hosting-the-worlds-first-nature-positive-summit-what-is-it-and-why-does-it-matter-236236

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ADB Approves Support to Strengthen Coastal Protection in India

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    MANILA, PHILIPPINES (7 October 2024) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $42 million loan to provide coastal and riverbank protection to increase resilience of local communities and natural ecosystems in the state of Maharashtra, India. 

    The Maharashtra Sustainable Climate-Resilient Coastal Protection and Management Project will establish coastal erosion and riverbank protection solutions such as offshore reefs, sheet piles, beach nourishment, and vegetation planting to restore and stabilize the coastline. 

    “The project will demonstrate the benefits of adopting new engineering hybrid approaches such as offshore reefs construction and rock protection works, as well as soft nature-based solutions such as beach and dune nourishment,” said ADB Water Resources Specialist Marie L’Hostis. 

    “The project responds to Maharashtra’s climate adaptation needs as outlined in the state’s Shoreline Management Plan and address climate change threats as shown by increasing rates of sea-level rise and coastal erosion though flexible nature-based and hybrid solutions, which can adapt to different climate scenarios,” said ADB Senior Climate Change Specialist (Coastal Adaptation) Alessio Giardino.

    ADB will help build the capacity of the Maharashtra Maritime Board in shore management planning, including the establishment of a coastal infrastructure management unit. The project will support capacity building of stakeholders on gender equality and social inclusion, coastal management, and livelihood activities.  

    The project builds on the ADB-financed Sustainable Coastal Protection and Management Investment Program. It aims to enhance fisheries and tourism, while encouraging increased participation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups in coastal zone management.

    ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 69 members—49 from the region.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: Diversified demand boosts China’s holiday tourism market

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 6 — China has seen a robust tourism market during the week-long National Day holiday. While patriotic sentiments were present, cultural tourism and new travel trends, such as small-town trips, stood out as defining aspects of the 2024 holiday.

    Official data showed that during the first three days of the holiday that started on Oct. 1, nearly 900 million people traveled across regions in China. The Ministry of Transport predicted that the total number of cross-regional travelers during the holiday would reach 1.94 billion, with an average of 277 million travelers per day — a 0.7 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

    Ranging from traditional clothing performances to immersive heritage experiences, cultural tourism flourished across the country. In the Ancient Culture Street in Tianjin, north China, a Hanfu performance captivated onlookers, many of whom wore traditional attire. This heritage-rich area saw over 300,000 visitors and generated more than 25 million yuan (about 3.56 million U.S. dollars) in revenue in just two days.

    Beijing’s Central Axis, newly recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also proved a popular destination. Tourist interest in visiting the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and other locations along the axis grew significantly — with bookings increasing by 69 percent compared to last year. Cultural souvenirs, such as creative postcards and themed merchandise, further enriched the tourist experience.

    Museum visits have become an important part of holiday activities for many travelers. In northeast China’s Liaoning Province, the Liaoning Provincial Museum displayed an original painting by an emperor of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), attracting tourists from across the country. Some museum-goers have queued for hours to view this artwork.

    A tourist surnamed Li from Shanghai considered visiting the exhibition a key part of her family trip. “Visiting museums can plant the seeds of culture in children’s minds from a young age. It’s a great way to travel,” she said.

    Data show that the number of traditional culture-themed scenic spots in China had increased from 2,230 in 2013 to nearly 4,000 in 2022, with approximately 80 percent of A-level tourist attractions incorporating various intangible cultural heritage projects.

    Small-town trips have also become popular in China, drawing young travelers seeking unique and indigenous experiences. According to data from leading online travel agency Ctrip, nearly half of the travelers bound for counties during the holiday were young people in their 20s and 30s who came from major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Many of them opted for the tranquility of natural landscapes and local traditions to avoid urban crowds.

    On the morning of Oct. 1, a total of 123,000 people from across the country gathered at the Tian’anmen Square to witness the historic moment of the national flag being raised on the 75th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. Many had been waiting there since the previous night.

    “I hope to give my child an unforgettable patriotic education. Watching the flag-raising ceremony is the most important part of our trip to Beijing,” said Zhang Ningli, a tourist from Zhejiang Province in east China.

    Ctrip data reveal that during this year’s National Day holiday, average daily orders for revolutionary-themed tourism in China had increased by 40 percent year on year.

    Zhao Wenzhi, president of the Guangdong Travel Service Association, believes that changing tourist demands are continuously fostering new cultural and tourism consumption scenarios, business formats and models, with the tourism market offering both more diverse experiences and richer options for travelers.

    Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy, predicted that based on factors such as people’s travel intentions, booking indices and local tourism preparations, the number of travelers during the 2024 National Day holiday would likely reach a new record high.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Traffic stable as China’s golden-week holiday draws to close

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 6 — With China’s week-long National Day holiday nearing its end, return travel levels started to rise on Sunday, but the overall traffic situation remained stable, according to the traffic management bureau of the Ministry of Public Security.

    The National Day holiday, also known as “golden week,” is usually one of the peak seasons on China’s domestic tourism calendar. Expressways in China have run at full capacity, especially as they are toll-free during the holiday period.

    Data from the Ministry of Transport showed that from Oct. 1 to 4, cross-regional passenger turnover had surpassed 1.1 billion across the country. Additionally, it predicted that more than 1.5 billion self-driving tourist trips would be made during this year’s golden-week holiday from Oct. 1 to 7.

    As of Sunday, the overall traffic situation in China was stable and smooth, with no serious traffic jams or accidents reported.

    Return travel will peak on Monday, the last day of the holiday. The traffic management bureau has warned of speeding and driver fatigue, as well as possible poor weather.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tourism festival ignites consumption boom in Shanghai

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s Shanghai, an economic powerhouse and also a popular tourist destination, is seeing a boom in cultural and tourism consumption following the launch of a tourism festival ahead of this year’s week-long National Day holiday, also known as “golden week,” which started on Oct. 1.

    From dazzling parades to exciting cultural exhibitions, the 35th Shanghai Tourism Festival dropped its curtain on Sunday, having created an unforgettable experience for both residents and travelers from around the world.

    This year’s festival, which opened on Sept. 14, generated total tourism consumption of 92.4 billion yuan (about 13 billion U.S. dollars), a 4.2-percent increase compared to the previous festival. The occupancy rate of hotel rooms in Shanghai during this period was 61 percent — 2 percentage points higher than during the previous edition, data from the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism shows.

    Notably, the “Great Art of Dunhuang” exhibition, which started during the festival and will run through December, features 168 sets of the most representative and rare artworks from the Dunhuang Academy collection. Since its launch on Sept. 20, this exhibition has attracted more than 40,000 domestic and international visitors, with over 200,000 tickets sold. Many young tourists came to the exhibition in traditional Chinese Hanfu clothing.

    Overseas performance teams also returned after a five-year hiatus at this year’s festival, appearing in the opening parade and various celebration activities. Philipp Betschart, a performer from Switzerland, was fully immersed in the charm of the “China Travel” fiesta. Lauding China’s expanding visa-free policy, he said it has allowed foreign performers more time for both rehearsals and sightseeing.

    Betschart and his team were deeply impressed by the historical buildings of the Bund in Shanghai and the Zhujiajiao ancient town, while they fell in love with delicacies such as Xiaolongbao (or steamed soup dumplings).

    During the festival, authorities in the city’s 16 districts have taken advantage of their unique resources and organized a variety of festive events, turning Shanghai into a vast “urban theme park.”

    “We will foster more innovative scenarios, business models and formats that synergize culture, commerce, tourism, sports and exhibitions, aiming to enhance the quality of urban tourism in Shanghai and draw more visitors from home and abroad,” noted an official with the municipal administration of culture and tourism. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: People don’t like a ‘white saviour’, but does it affect how they donate to charity?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Hoffmann, Professor of Economics, Tasmanian Behavioural Lab, University of Tasmania

    Shutterstock

    Efforts to redress global inequality are facing an unexpected adversary: the white saviour. It’s the idea that people of colour, whether in the Global South or North, need “saving” by a white Western person or aid worker.

    An eclectic mix of white activists have been publicly accused of being white saviours for trying to help different causes in the Global South. They include celebrities who adopted orphaned children, organised benefit concerts such as Live Aid, or called out rights abuses.

    Others include professional and volunteer charity workers and journalists reporting on poverty in Africa. Even activism at home can earn the white saviour label, like efforts to refine the proposal for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament in Australia.

    We conducted a series of studies with 1,991 representative Australians to find out what people thought made a white saviour, how charity appeal photographs create this impression, and how it affected donations.

    White saviourism and charities

    The concern is that white people’s overseas charity, even when well-meaning, can inadvertently hurt rather than help the cause. It could perpetuate harmful stereotypes of white superiority, disempower local people, or misdirect resources to make helpers feel good rather than alleviating genuine need.

    The fear of being labelled a white saviour could make people think twice about giving time or money to worthy causes. It might stop aid organisations using proven appeals to raise donations they need.

    Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), for instance, released a video apologising for using photos depicting white people in aid settings and which aren’t representative of the majority local staff they employ.

    Therein lies the dilemma: white donors can relate to photos of white helpers, but this is easily interpreted as white savourism.

    What makes someone a white saviour?

    Very little research exists into exactly what white saviourism means. Broadly, it seems to describe people in the Global North who support international causes for selfish reasons, to satisfy their own sentimentality and need for a positive image. We wanted to go deeper.

    In the first of our studies, we showed our participants 26 photographs depicting different Global South aid settings with a white helper.

    The helpers that participants thought of as highly “white saviour” typically had these characteristics:

    • they appeared to be privileged and superior

    • they gave help sentimentally and tokenistically

    • they conformed to the colonial stereotype of the helpless local and powerful foreigner.

    Further analysis showed these characteristics boil down to two essential features: ineffectiveness of the help and entitlement of the helpers.

    These two perceptions of the white saviour explain the problem for charity. Behavioural economics research has identified two main reasons for donating, and these perceptions undermine both.

    Why do people donate at all?

    So to see how much white saviourism affects charities, we need to know why people donate in the first place.

    One reason for giving is pure altruism, the desire to help others with no direct benefit to oneself. The effective altruism movement encourages people to make every donated dollar count – getting the maximum bang for the buck in terms of measurable outcomes for those in need.

    The difficulty for effective altruists is in assessing the impact of different charities vying for their donations. There are now websites that list charities by lives saved per dollar donated.



    Read more:
    How white saviourism harms international development

    Alternatively, donors might look at a charity’s appeal images for clues of how effectively it will use their dollars.

    Depicting white people as saviours can create the impression of tokenistic aid that only serves the helper’s sentimental needs. Evidence shows people resent impure motives in others (including organisations) and might try to penalise them.

    Behavioural economics research also shows, as you might expect, that some people are more concerned about themselves than others when giving. This is known as “warm glow” giving.

    Warm glow givers have several self-serving motivations. They include giving to gain self-respect or social status.

    People also have a desire to meet their social obligations. For richer folks this could include charitable giving. And giving can reduce guilt they might feel about their privilege.

    Just like the effective altruist, the warm glow giver could be put off by any sign of white saviourism. They don’t want to be seen to be endorsing it.

    Do people still donate?

    All this suggests that seeing a white saviour depiction in a charitable appeal will make people donate less.

    We examined this in another study, in which participants were shown each of the previous photos. This time they were asked, for every photo, if they were willing to donate to a charity that uses it.

    And as we thought, the photos previously rated as high in white saviourism had low intentions to donate.

    Participants were shown photos of white aid workers in the Global South.
    Shutterstock

    But intentions do not always equal actions, as psychologist have demonstrated for many years.

    To overcome this, we measured real donations in another study. Again participants saw the same photos, but this time they had the chance to donate part of their participation fee to a real charity when seeing them.

    What we found surprised us: the white saviour effect disappeared. How high a photo was on the white saviour scale had no impact on how much participants donated when seeing it.

    Does the end justify the motivation?

    Our results summarise the dilemma. Donors might object to white saviourism by charities, but in the end feel that it’s the help that counts, not the motivation behind it.

    We found some evidence for this when we asked participants about their general views of white saviourism.

    Almost 70% agreed that white saviour motives are common in Western help and that this was problematic for recipients. But interestingly, only 42% thought helpers with these motives deserved criticism.

    Together, this might suggest that people feel white saviour help is better than no help. There are voices in the charity community who echo this sentiment: imposing conditions on charitable giving will serve to reduce it.

    In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Elise Westhoff, president of the Philanthropy Roundtable in the United States, said “by imposing those ‘musts’ and ‘shoulds’, you really limit human generosity”.

    But this doesn’t mean there are no legitimate concerns. There are, but it’s not hard for charities to address them.

    Our results show that white saviour perceptions do not affect actual donations, so read another way, suggests charities can safely replace highly white saviour images without losing donations for their causes.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. People don’t like a ‘white saviour’, but does it affect how they donate to charity? – https://theconversation.com/people-dont-like-a-white-saviour-but-does-it-affect-how-they-donate-to-charity-239307

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Green transformation revives, improves traditional high-emission industries

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    This photo taken on Aug. 23, 2023 shows the Big Air Shougang in the Shougang Park in Shijingshan District of Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)
    Riding along Beijing’s iconic Chang’an Street to the city’s west, cycling enthusiasts have the chance to sip a cup of iced coffee and enjoy the grand view of steel furnaces at Shougang Park, a recreation destination that has been transformed from an area known for steel mills.
    Echoing China’s high-quality development drive, Shougang Park, where the Beijing Winter Olympic venue Big Air Shougang is located, is striving to act as a model of industrial zone revival, through the integration of industrial upgrading and green development.
    RELOCATION, INNOVATION & TRANSFORMATION
    Shougang Group, a leading heavyweight steelmaker in China founded in 1919, once posted an annual output record of 10 million tonnes.
    As part of Beijing’s economic restructuring and pollution control initiatives, Shougang Group started relocating its production base to the neighboring Hebei Province in 2005, where the steel conglomerate has managed to build high-end and eco-friendly iron and steel production lines.
    Its steel-making operations in Beijing were halted in 2010, which left a large stretch of industrial heritage in the area. Deserted repair workshops, coking plants and shaft furnaces were renovated into a high-end industrial comprehensive service area integrating business, science and technology, sports, culture and tourism.
    All completed buildings in this park satisfy the green building standard, and many sports events were held here.
    Zheng Kai, a veteran who has been serving at Shougang Group since 2005, was deeply impressed by the stunning transformation of Shougang Park.
    “When I go back to the park where I used to sweat to work, I realize that the rapid changes there are beyond my imagination,” he said.
    It is not only the original site of the steel giant that has undergone a transformation, but also its new factories in Hebei Province. These new factories feature production methods achieving both energy conservation and carbon reduction, setting up another model of green and low-carbon development.
    The group has achieved 10 million tonnes of low-carbon steel production via a process of high-ratio pellet smelting, which transforms powdered iron ore into pellets in blast furnaces, thereby reducing carbon emissions.
    “Energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions during the iron and steel making process are major carbon contributors throughout the whole steel industry,” said Teng Zhaojie, a senior researcher of the Shougang Group.
    “It is a difficult mission for such a long process of steel and iron production to achieve carbon reduction,” Huang Wenbin, an official with the Shougang Group, said. From 2016 to 2018, they carried out eight industrial experiments before finally achieving their goal of mastering high-ratio pellet smelting technology.
    The proportion of pelletizing in super-large blast furnaces has reached more than 55 percent in the Shougang Group — cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 10 percent per tonne of iron and lowering pollutant emissions by 53 percent.
    In addition, Shougang uses efficient dust removal, desulfurization and denitrification technologies to reduce the emission of air pollutants. It will also complete a heat test in its zero-carbon furnace in Hebei this month.
    “The green transformation of the group in terms of carbon trading, digital intelligence, ultra-low emission, energy saving and clean production was remarkable,” Zheng said.
    CARBON CAPTURE
    Like those of the Shougang Group, many other traditional coal-fired factories in China are undergoing a green transition by upgrading carbon reduction technologies.
    During the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing last month, Longyuan Environmental Protection Co., Ltd. under CHN Energy shared details of efficient recycling and carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) technology used in its power plants.
    A CCUS project went operational at a power plant in Taizhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, in 2023. It was designed to capture approximately 500,000 tonnes of carbon each year.
    China has nearly 100 CCUS projects in operation or under construction, with over half already operational, according to incomplete statistics. These projects have a combined annual carbon capture capacity of 4 million tonnes.
    Efficient use of carbon capture technology can produce high value-added chemical products, reduce regional carbon emissions, increase social and economic benefits, and encourage a more harmonious relationship between power plants and cities, according to CHN Energy.
    China has made historic breakthroughs in green and low-carbon development over the past decade, amid its quest for a sustainable future, a white paper issued in August stated. The country had reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 3 billion tonnes during the period from 2013 to 2023.
    China has also worked to enhance the clean energy percentage of its total energy use, while the share of coal in its energy consumption dropped by 12.1 percentage points during the past decade.
    Such progress comes as China continues its efforts to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
    During the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in July, China pledged to “prioritize ecological protection, conserve resources and use them efficiently, and pursue green and low-carbon development.” 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: World’s largest lego enlivens iconic ancient Chinese painting

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The National Day Golden Week has seen a highlight, with tourists flocking to New Town Plaza in Sha Tin, the eastern New Territories, to see for themselves another new Guinness World Record.

    Here a long scroll of the “Along the River During the Qingming Festival,” an iconic painting of Northern Song Dynasty (960-1126), unfolded and has been on display, ingeniously constructed straight from lego bricks.

    Covering 47 square meters, the world’s largest lego exhibit, shown from Sept. 25 through Oct. 31, has been the latest weekend and holiday hotspot, delicately piecing together a marvellous world where the old and the new converge.

    For viewers, the exhibit is impressive in a way that it blends two vastly different cultural representatives from the East and the West: a masterpiece of ancient Chinese painting and a classic toy igniting childhood memories of westerners.

    “We rolled out this exhibit mainly to promote traditional Chinese culture through creative events, in a way that is more relaxed, entertaining and appealing to young people,” said Tania Wan, deputy general manager of Personal Banking and Wealth Management with Bank of China (Hong Kong), which initiated the program.

    As people walk along the 26-meter-long and three-dimensional diorama made from up to 3 million lego bricks, they can picture themselves in bustling streets centuries ago, where vendors were selling melons and kids were playing hide and seek.

    “There were myriad depictions of people in all walks of life going about their daily activities and no two objects are identical,” Hong Kong local surnamed Chung told Xinhua. “Everything seemed to be brought to life within seconds.”

    Pointing at a two-storey building with a front door decorated with colorful ribbons, Li Chun-tung, an art lecturer at the University of Hong Kong, said, “This was one of the busiest restaurant then, with decorations typical of taverns and bars in Nothern Song Dynasty. It was among many buildings and structures that were vividly restored in this model.”

    The lego diorama recaptures many details of life over centuries ago, much the same as those depicted in the painting. There were various trades including a joss stick shop, barber, fortune teller and medical clinic, and larger businesses such as teahouses, restaurants, taverns, butchers, and hawkers, as well as different means of transportation like sedan chairs, wagons, donkeys, horses and camels.

    However, program executive and lego certified professional Andy Hung was far from being satisfied. With over 10 years of coordinator and creator of lego exhibitions, the veteran admitted there were still details unrestored due to the limitation of lego in displaying human figures.

    For Hung, it was by no means an easy job, with five months spent on sorting out blueprint. Hung has polished lego solutions, consulted historians and architects, in addition to inspirations from archives.

    “Every project is new to me, because every time I face a different scene, a different architecture, and a different culture. And recreating those through lego is a challenge,” Hung said.

    In his studio in Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, among items on display were fun lego recreations stemming from traditional Chinese culture, including the Forbidden City, Peking Opera facial masks, Suzhou double-sided embroidered fans, the Terracotta Warriors and the Yellow Crane Tower.

    “Young people in Hong Kong are very interested in recreating traditional Chinese cultural works with lego. This time, we invited many young people and students from Hong Kong for the item, and they were very passionate,” Hung said.

    “I am simply demonstrating traditional culture with my works, and let ingenious toys tell traditional culture,” Hung said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: From cheeky thrill to grande dame – the Moulin Rouge celebrates 135 years of scandal and success

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Will Visconti, Teacher and researcher, Art History, University of Sydney

    Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec At the Moulin Rouge – The Dance, 1890 Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec/Wikimedia Commons

    When the Moulin Rouge first opened on October 6 1889, it drew audiences from across classes and countries.

    The Moulin offered an array of fin-de-siècle (end-of-the-century) entertainments to Paris locals and visitors. Located in Montmartre, its name, the “red windmill”, alluded to Montmartre’s history as a rural idyll. The neighbourhood was also associated with artistic bohemia, crime, and revolutionary spirit. This setting added a certain thrill for bourgeois audiences.

    From irreverent newcomer to a French institution, the Moulin Rouge has survived scandal, an inferno and found new ways to connect with audiences.



    Read more:
    How the Eiffel Tower became silent cinema’s icon

    Red and electric

    In 1889, the Moulin Rouge was not the only red landmark to open in Paris. The Eiffel Tower, built as part of the Universal Exhibition and originally painted red, had opened earlier that same year. What set them apart, however, was their popularity.

    The Moulin Rouge was an instant hit, capitalising on the global popularity of a dance called the cancan. Dancers like Moulin Rouge headliner La Goulue (“The Glutton”, real name Louise Weber) were seen as more appropriate emblems for the city than the Tower, which many considered an eyesore.

    In an illustration from Le Courrier Français newspaper, a dancer modelled on a photograph of La Goulue holds her leg aloft, flashing her underwear with the caption “Greetings to the provinces and abroad!”.

    Every aspect of the Moulin spoke to the zeitgeist, from its design to the performances, the use of electric lights that adorned its façade, and its advertising.

    Its managers, the impresario team of Joseph Oller and Charles Harold Zidler, had a string of successful venues and businesses to their names. They recognised the importance of modern marketing, using print media, publicity photographs, and posters to spark public interest.

    Among the most iconic images of the Moulin is Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s 1891 poster. At its centre is La Goulue, kicking her legs amid swirling petticoats.

    Henri Toulouse-Lautrec’s 1891 poster.
    Shutterstock

    She certainly can cancan

    Found primarily in working-class dance halls from as early as the 1820s, the cancan became a staple of popular entertainment the world over.

    Part of the dance’s thrill lay in the dancers’ freedom of movement and titillation of spectators, as well as its anti-establishment energy. Women used the cancan to thumb their nose at authority via steps like the coup de cul (“arse flash”) or coup du chapeau (removing men’s hats with a high kick).

    The cancan was not the only attraction at the Moulin. There were themed spaces, sideshows, and variety performances ranging from belly dancers and conjoined twins to Le Pétomane (“The Fartomaniac”) who was a flatulist and the highest-paid performer. People watching was equally popular.

    Famous farter, Le Pétomane (Joseph Pujol).
    Wikimedia Commons

    Scandals, riots, and royalty

    Over the years, the Moulin has been no stranger to controversy.

    In its early years, it cultivated an air of misbehaviour and featured in pleasure guides for visiting sex tourists.

    In 1893 it hosted the Bal des Quat’z’Arts (Four-Arts Ball) held by students from local studios. Accusations of public indecency were made against the models and dancers in attendance, and violent protests followed after the women were arrested.

    In 1907 the writer Colette appeared onstage at the Moulin in an Egyptian-inspired pantomime with her then-lover, Missy, the Marquise de Belbeuf. When the act culminated in a passionate kiss, a riot broke out.

    Historical footage shows the Moulin Rouge as it was.

    Kicking on and on

    Over time, the Moulin Rouge shows changed their format to keep pace with public taste, though the cancan remained. The venue hosted revues and operettas, and various stars including Edith Piaf, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Liza Minnelli.

    Famous guests have included British royalty: from Edward VII (while Prince of Wales) to his great-granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II, and her son, Prince Edward.

    Since its opening, the Moulin’s fortunes have waxed and waned.

    In 1915 the Moulin Rouge burned down but was rebuilt in 1921. Its famous windmill sails fell off overnight earlier this year but were swiftly repaired.

    In the 1930s, it survived the Depression and rise of cinema (also capturing the attention of several filmakers). It also survived the Nazi occupation of Paris in the 1940s.

    By the early 1960s, Jacki Clerico was managing the Moulin’s show after his father had revamped the venue as a dinner theatre destination. The younger Clérico oversaw additions like a giant aquarium where dancers swam with snakes, and its now-famous “nude line” – a chorus of topless dancers – in its shows.

    In 1963, the Moulin Rouge struck upon a winning formula: revues, all named by Clérico with titles beginning with the letter “F” – from Frou Frou to Fantastique and Formidable. Since 1999, the revue Féerie (“Fairy”, also a French genre of stage extravaganza) has been performed almost without interruption.

    The Moulin Rouge or ‘red mill’ today, with its famous windmill.
    Rafa Barcelos/Shutterstock

    Ticket sales were boosted thanks to Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film Moulin Rouge! and more recently Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

    Since COVID, the Moulin Rouge management have diversified. The windmill’s interior has been rented out via AirBnB and the Moulin’s dance troupe has performed on France’s televised New Year’s Eve celebrations. This year, the Moulin Rouge and its dancers were part of the Paris Olympics celebrations, dancing in heavy rain.

    Though people have come to appreciate the Eiffel Tower too, the Moulin Rouge can still argue its status as the pinnacle of live entertainment in the French capital: immediately recognisable, internationally visible, and quintessentially Parisian.

    Will Visconti is the author of Beyond the Moulin Rouge: The Life & Legacy of La Goulue (2022), published by the University of Virginia Press.

    – ref. From cheeky thrill to grande dame – the Moulin Rouge celebrates 135 years of scandal and success – https://theconversation.com/from-cheeky-thrill-to-grande-dame-the-moulin-rouge-celebrates-135-years-of-scandal-and-success-239849

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Strengthening resilience with critical road improvement projects

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government has approved a $226.2 million package of resilience improvement projects for state highways and local roads across the country that will reduce the impact of severe weather events and create a more resilient and efficient road network, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.

    “Our Government is committed to delivering infrastructure that boosts economic growth, reduces congestion, and enables Kiwis and freight to get where they want to go, quickly and safely.

    “In recent years we have seen the terrible consequences that severe weather events can have on important transport networks across the country. It’s critical that improvements are made to strengthen our transport infrastructure against future severe weather events.”

    Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have jointly approved a $132 million investment through the Crown Resilience Programme into 101 state highway projects across the country that will commence during 2024-27. An additional $74.6 million will also be invested in local road projects across 34 councils.

    “Funding of almost $16 million will address flooding risk across four critical Auckland state highway projects. Over $25 million will be invested across 30 state highway projects in the Waikato, including a retaining wall upgrade in the Karangahake Gorge and critical erosion work alongside the Waikato River and in the Hikuai Hills.

    “Our Government has approved over $30 million to be invested across the South Island through the Crown Resilience Programme, including drainage improvements and underslip repairs in the Whangamoa Hill and Rai Saddle, and rockfall work at the Bens Creek bridge on the West Coast.

    “While this critical programme of works is focused on small to medium level projects, we’re taking a proactive approach to increase the resilience of our network. Rather than just reacting to severe weather events, we are building resilience now to ensure that our infrastructure is strong in the face of future challenges.

    “Our roads are critical for freight and tourism, and serve as important lifelines for communities around New Zealand. We must maintain these assets to the standard Kiwis need and expect, particularly in rural and remote locations where alternative routes are not available.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New appointment to the EPA board

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Environment Minister Penny Simmonds has confirmed the final appointee to the refreshed Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) board.

    “I am pleased to welcome Brett O’Riley to the EPA board,” Ms Simmonds says.

    “Brett is a seasoned business advisor with a long and distinguished career across the technology, tourism, and sustainable business sectors.

    “His extensive experience across multiple sectors, combined with his governance expertise, leadership and deep commitment to innovation, will be a tremendous asset to the board.”

    Brett O’Riley is currently the Executive Chairman of Manawaroa Education and a member of the APEC Business Advisory Council. He also serves as Managing Partner of GSD Corporation and is an advisor at Tata Consultancy Services, where he assists in delivering consulting and business solutions that leverage technology for business transformation.

    He has been appointed for a three-year term, which will conclude in August 2027. 

    Brett O’Riley joins other recently appointed first-term board members Barry O’Neil, Jennifer Scoular, Alison Stewart, and Nancy Tuaine, all of whom are also serving three-year terms.

    “I look forward to working closely with Brett and the rest of the refreshed board to achieve balanced outcomes that protect the environment while supporting key industries.”

    The EPA is New Zealand’s national environmental regulator and plays a vital role across the entire economy.

    “EPA decisions impact the daily lives of all New Zealanders,” Ms Simmonds says.

    “It’s critical to have timely, businesslike decision-making for the agriculture and horticulture sector, alongside ensuring positive environmental outcomes.” 

    Notes to editors: 

    Mr Brett O’Riley has a long career as a business advisor and entrepreneur across the technology, tourism and sustainable business sectors. He is currently the Executive Chairman of Manawaroa Education, a member of the APEC Business Advisory Council, Managing Partner of GSD Corporation, and is an advisor at Tata Consultancy Services that provides consulting and business solutions, leveraging technology for business transformation and change. He was previously a Board member of the New Zealand Film Commission and a member of Te Pūkenga Establishment Board. He has held several executive roles including as Chief Executive of the Employers and Manufacturers Association, Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development and founding Chief Executive of NZICT (now NZTech). Mr O’Riley will bring extensive governance experience and expertise in business transformation through technology and change to the Board.

    Further information: New appointments to the EPA board | Beehive.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Rosendale Sends Letter to Tracy Stone-Manning Objecting to Her Ineffective Western Solar Plan

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Matt Rosendale (Montana)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Matt Rosendale (MT-02) sent a letter to the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Tracy Stone-Manning objecting to the BLM’s proposed Western Solar Plan. The plan would lock up 572,479 acres of public land in Montana for solar development despite solar having been proven to be inefficient and unreliable due to the sparse sunlight during winter months.

    You can read the full letter HERE.

    “BLM’s Western Solar Plan must be halted immediately, solar energy has proven to be ineffective time and time again,” said Rep. Rosendale. “The completion of this project will restrict Montanans’ access to thousands of acres of public land, which should instead be set aside for recreation, grazing, and tourism, which are vital to our state’s economy and citizens’ livelihood. Instead of pushing her radical green agenda on our state, Director Stone-Manning should work on approving the current backlog of coal leases, which would give us reliable energy and create good-paying jobs.”  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Culture is undertaking the Special Swachhata Campaign 4.0

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 OCT 2024 8:28PM by PIB Delhi

    Ministry of Culture is undertaking the Special Swachhata Campaign 4.0 within the Ministry and its Attached, Subordinate and Autonomous Organizations across the country. The Campaign started with a Preparatory Phase from 16thto 30thSeptember, 2024 during which the targets for disposing and cleaning during the Campaign period have been earmarked. The implementation Phase of the campaign has started from 2ndOctober, 2024 and will continue up to 31stOctober, 2024. During the Campaign, special focus is being given on reducing pendency, improving Swachhata and space management in Govt. Offices.

    During the Preparatory Phase of the Special Campaign, Ministry along with its organizations have identified 529 sites across the country for cleanliness. Besides, Ministry has identified pending 101 MP references, 45 Parliamentary Assurances, 22 PMO references, 13 States Govt. references and 220 Public Grievances, 436 PG Appeals for disposal and redressal. Besides, 12,668 physical files and 3,261 e-files have also been identified for review. Scrap Disposal has been scheduled on 14.10.2024 across the Ministry and its Organizations.

    Every year the fortnight of ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ (SHS) activities is observed to strengthen voluntarism and collective action from officials and public to bring a positive impact in offices and society through Swachhata. This year also, the Ministry of Culture & its various organizations organized activities like Walkathon, Waste to Art Workshops, Lectures, massive cleanliness drives, health camps, Nukkad Nataks, competitions, distribution of sanitation kits etc.

    Waste to Art Workshop conducted at National Council of Science Museums, New Delhi

    Nukkad  Natak staged at Shastri Bhavan premises, New Delhi

    At the conclusion of SHS 2024 & on the occasion of Swachh Bharat Diwas celebration on 2nd October 2024, the Ministry of Culture & Archaeological Survey of India organized a Shramdan & Ek Ped Maa ke Naam Campaign at Purana Quila, Delhi.

    During this campaign, hundreds of Officials participated for Shramdan and thoroughly cleaned the backside area of Purana Quila. After that, a plantation drive was also carried out under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” Campaign. Further, the Arts items made from waste by Ministry Officials & Students during the workshop have been put on display for public awareness at the site. The cleanliness workers were distributed sanitation kits comprising of Sanitizers, Soap, First Aid Kit, Gloves & Mask etc. for maintaining hygiene.

    Anthropological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Sub-Regional Centre, Jagdalpur has conducted Special Campaign 4.0 on Swachh Bharat in Udukda village of Udkuda gram panchayat of Kanker district, Chhattisgarh on 2nd  October, 2024. This year the Special Campaign 4.0 was organized at the rock art site of the Udkuda village in Chhattisgarh state where the focus of the Campaign was preserving the ancient rock art heritage sites of Chhattisgarh through imparting the awareness among the village youth, elders, leaders, college students and tourists.

     

    Daily progress will be monitored and uploaded on the SCDPM portal hosted by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances. All Attached, Subordinate and Autonomous Organizations are enthusiastically participating in the campaign in full swing to achieve the targets set by the Ministry for the period.

    ***

    BY/SKT

    (Release ID: 2061659) Visitor Counter : 71

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: New fish species found in east China

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Chinese researchers have discovered a new species of fish, Opsariichthys iridescens, in east China, which features beautiful colors.
    The research findings describe how the species is distinguished from congeners by morphological features, which have been validated through gene-based phylogenetic analysis.
    The discovery was published in a recent edition of the international academic journal Zookeys. The research was led by Yang Jinquan, a professor at Shanghai Ocean University, in collaboration with the Zhejiang Forest Resource Monitoring Center and other institutions.
    The new species can be distinguished from its closely related species with a genetic divergence of over 14 percent, according to the research findings. The new species is found in the Qiantang and Oujiang River systems in Zhejiang Province and the tributaries of the lower Yangtze River adjacent to the Qiantang River.
    Yang said that the discovery of several new species living in fast-flowing rivers or streams including Opsariichthys iridescens, indicates that the diversity of freshwater fish species in the region is still underestimated.
    According to Yang, these stream fish species are food resources for waterfowl and other animal, contributing to the nutrient cycling and water purification of rivers.
    Yang said protecting these fish species is essential to maintaining the balance of aquatic ecosystems, which helps to maintain biodiversity and promote the sustainable development of ecotourism and fisheries.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Northern Kosciuszko National Park reopened to the public

    Source: New South Wales Environment and Heritage

    NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) closes much of this section of the park to traffic every winter, while parts of the national park are covered in snow. Resort precincts remain open for tourism and recreational activities including skiing and snowboarding.

    This year’s closure started 2 months early to enable implementation of measures under the Wild Horse Heritage Management Plan, as well as the control of pigs, deer and other feral animals.

    The control program is designed to protect the globally significant conservation values in Kosciuszko National Park, including a suite of threatened native plants and animals.

    All control operations have been conducted in accordance with the highest animal welfare standards.

    It is standard practice when undertaking feral animal control on public and private land for carcasses to be left to decompose where the animal was shot.

    However, additional measures are implemented in Kosciuszko National Park to move horse carcasses away from waterways and key visitor areas wherever practical.

    Visitors may still encounter deer, pig or horse carcasses. These carcasses do not present a risk to the public provided they are left alone.

    Some carcasses may also be apparent in central and southern areas of Kosciuszko National Park. Recent ground shooting operations around Geehi Camping area saw the removal of significant numbers of deer.

    If you are concerned about the location of animal carcasses, their location can be reported to npws.wildhorses@environment.nsw.gov.au.

    Visitors to Kosciuszko National Park will be able to enjoy key areas such as the Currango Homestead, campgrounds around Blue Waterholes, Long Plain and Tantangara areas as well as facilities adjacent to the Snowy Mountains Highway.

    Further updates on Kosciuszko National Park can be found via the National Parks and Wildlife Service website.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Slavic Horizon: Polytechnic and KRSU Joined Forces

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    On September 26, the Polytechnic University hosted the second summit of Slavic universities “Slavic Horizon – 2024”, where SPbPU and KRSU signed agreements on nine network educational programs in the following areas: infocommunication technologies and communication systems, electronics and nanoelectronics, instrumentation, electric power engineering, mechanics, architectural environment design, software engineering, construction, technosphere safety.

    This year, 30 KRSU students have already started a long-term internship under this agreement. The guys shared their impressions of studying at the Polytechnic.

    Daniel Kutmanov, a student at the Institute of Computer Science and Cybersecurity majoring in software engineering, is a volunteer and organizer of a youth initiative dedicated to helping children with disabilities.

    We had events where children played basketball and volleyball, which helped them escape from everyday life through sports. When selecting students for the Polytechnic, the average score and social achievements were taken into account. When I arrived in St. Petersburg, I was pleasantly surprised. It is a very beautiful city, I like it here. I was also impressed by the reputation of the Polytechnic, I am glad to be in one of the best international universities in Russia, – said Daniel Kutmanov.

    Daniel’s classmate Anatoly Toropov has visited St. Petersburg several times as a tourist, and is now doing an internship at a leading engineering university in Russia.

    All teachers have a unique style. Some use interactive methods, involving students in discussions and group projects, which helps to deepen the understanding of the topic. Others prefer a traditional approach, focusing on lectures and theoretical aspects. Their passion for the subject and desire to inspire students create an atmosphere of trust and openness, where we can freely share our thoughts and ask questions, – Anatoly noted.

    Baigeldi Musaev studies at the Institute of Civil Engineering of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

    At first, studying was intense because our knowledge differs from the level of training of polytechnics. The study programs in St. Petersburg begin with what we study only by the end of the second year. But over time, we began to adapt and build a schedule so as to catch up with our classmates. St. Petersburg is an amazing city, and our new friends give us excursions. Now I feel part of this community and am glad to have the opportunity to study here, – shared Baigeldi.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://www.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/international_activize/Slavic-horizon-polytech-and-krsu-joined-efforts/

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tourists visit Hukou Waterfall on Yellow River

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

    Tourists visit Hukou Waterfall on Yellow River

    Updated: October 4, 2024 16:15 Xinhua
    An aerial panoramic drone photo taken on Oct. 4, 2024 shows tourists visiting the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River, on the border area between north China’s Shanxi and northwest China’s Shaanxi provinces. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 4, 2024 shows tourists visiting the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River, on the border area between north China’s Shanxi and northwest China’s Shaanxi provinces. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 4, 2024 shows tourists visiting the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River, on the border area between north China’s Shanxi and northwest China’s Shaanxi provinces. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists visit the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River, on the border area between north China’s Shanxi and northwest China’s Shaanxi provinces, on Oct. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists visit the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River, on the border area between north China’s Shanxi and northwest China’s Shaanxi provinces, on Oct. 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial panoramic drone photo taken on Oct. 4, 2024 shows tourists visiting the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River, on the border area between north China’s Shanxi and northwest China’s Shaanxi provinces. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 4, 2024 shows tourists visiting the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River, on the border area between north China’s Shanxi and northwest China’s Shaanxi provinces. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Additional tickets and performances for two highlight programmes of 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival arranged due to overwhelming response (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    　　The 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival (the Festival) will roll out a wide variety of fabulous programmes in the “9+2” cities of the Greater Bay Area from October 19 to November 24. An enthusiastic public response caused tickets for the Opening Programme “Sound River” to be sold out earlier, while tickets for the Dance Drama “Wing Chun” Special Edition by Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre are also in high demand. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has announced that additional tickets and performances will be arranged respectively for the two programmes for the enjoyment of local audiences and tourists. The tickets will be available for sale from October 9 (Wednesday) onwards.
     
    　　The Festival is presented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the People’s Government of Guangdong Province and the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region. Details on additional tickets and performances are as follows:
     
    Additional tickets of Opening Programme “Sound River”
    ———————————————————————-
    　　Additional tickets for seats with restricted views or those originally reserved for technical purposes will be available on the URBTIX website (www.urbtix.hk), by the mobile app URBTIX and telephone (3166 1288). Each person can purchase a maximum of two tickets each time. Programme information is as follows:
     
    Date and time: October 19, 2024 (Saturday), 8pm
    Venue:    Hong Kong Coliseum, Hung Hom
    Prices:    $75 (special offer celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China)
     
    　　”Sound River” is a new work produced by contemporary renowned Chinese composer and conductor Tan Dun. Under Tan’s baton, the concert features the newly formed Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival Orchestra comprising members from the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, and Macao Orchestra to perform the world premiere of the work. Sixteen meticulously crafted films capturing precious snapshots during Tan’s journey from Europe, through the Arab world to Central Asia, then to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in the past 12 years, will be screened during the performance. Through interweaving light, shadows and music, the work immerses the audience onto a “Silk Road of sound” that explores the past and future. The programme will also feature distinguished Mainland singer Zhou Shen as a special guest to deliver the theme song.
     
    　　For programme enquiries and related additional ticket arrangements, please call 2734 2960 or visit http://www.gbacxlo.gov.hk/en/programmes/sound-river.
     
    Additional performances of the Dance Drama “Wing Chun” Special Edition by Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre
    —————————————————————————————
    　　Tickets for the two additional performances will be available at all URBTIX outlets, self-service ticketing kiosks, on the URBTIX website (www.urbtix.hk), by the mobile app URBTIX and telephone (3166 1288). Each person can purchase a maximum of four tickets each time on the first day of ticket sales. Information of the two additional performances are as follows:
     
    Date and time: November 23, 2024 (Saturday), 2.30pm
    　　　　　　　　November 24, 2024 (Sunday), 7.30pm
    Venue: Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
    Prices: $200, $320, $420, $520 and $620
     
    　　The dance drama “Wing Chun” was written by the Chairman of the China Dancers Association, Feng Shuangbai, and co-directed by acclaimed Mainland choreographers Han Zhen and Zhou Liya. The performance integrates martial arts with classical and modern dance, providing audiences with a captivating visual experience. This special edition of “Wing Chun” features a Hong Kong production team and artists, bringing new elements to the original performance. Hong Kong conductor Fung Ka-hing will lead local orchestra The Symphonic Pops in an accompaniment. Huang Danyang, a graduate from the School of Dance of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, will also take part in the performance. In addition, renowned Hong Kong singer George Lam was invited to produce a new theme song titled “Wing Chun” for the dance drama. He produced, composed, and sung the song, with lyrics by Keith Chan.
     
    　　For programme enquiries and related additional performance arrangements, please call 2734 2960 or http://www.gbacxlo.gov.hk/en/programmes/wing-chun-special-edition.
     
    　　Hong Kong is the host city of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival for the first time this year. It is organising and co-ordinating over 260 performances and exchange activities to be held across the “9+2” cities of the Greater Bay Area. The festival aims to showcase the vibrant and diverse cultural richness of the region, and foster cultural exchanges and co-operation among the cities. For detailed information about the rich programme line up of the festival, please visit http://www.gbacxlo.gov.hk.      

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: San Marino: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2024 Article IV Mission

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    October 4, 2024

    A Concluding Statement describes the preliminary findings of IMF staff at the end of an official staff visit (or ‘mission’), in most cases to a member country. Missions are undertaken as part of regular (usually annual) consultations under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, in the context of a request to use IMF resources (borrow from the IMF), as part of discussions of staff monitored programs, or as part of other staff monitoring of economic developments.

    The authorities have consented to the publication of this statement. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    Washington, DC – October 4, 2024:

    San Marino’s economy remains resilient, supported by a more diversified growth model with manufacturing and the nonfinancial service exporting sectors as key drivers. Prudent fiscal policy and access to international capital markets helped weather the pandemic and energy crises. However, additional fiscal consolidation is warranted given the still high debt level and contingent liabilities from the financial sector. Notwithstanding important progress in resolving legacy issues, further efforts are needed to improve asset quality and strengthen banks’ capitalization and profitability. With the recently negotiated European Union (EU) association agreement, San Marino has a unique opportunity to accelerate much-needed public and financial sector reforms and to further the integration with the EU’s single market to boost confidence in the economy and lift potential growth.

    San Marino’s economic growth remained positive despite adverse external shocks, including a regional slowdown and higher interest rates. After an exceptionally strong post-pandemic recovery in 2021-22, growth slowed in 2023 to 0.4 percent following a decline in external demand. Manufacturing, which has been operating at high levels, has decelerated as export orders declined, in part due to the phase-out of fiscal incentives in Italy and a related slowdown in the construction sector. The strong service sector performance, benefiting from the tourism boom and healthy domestic demand, kept employment growing at a robust pace.

    Growth is projected to edge up in 2024, strengthening further in 2025, as external demand improves. Stronger consumption on the back of rising real wages and higher investment, facilitated by easing financial conditions, will support domestic and external demand next year. However, there are risks ahead. Downside risks are related to the weakening of external demand while remaining vulnerabilities in the financial sector constitute one of the key domestic risks. The underlying strength of the manufacturing sector, the healthy private sector balance sheets, and prompt implementation of the EU association agreement constitute upside risks to the baseline.

    The fiscal position was stronger than expectedlast year but further efforts are needed to ensure sustainability.The government has saved the cyclical tax revenues, kept expenditures in check and primary balance stable in 2023. However, moderate government spending pressures arose in 2024 ―as real spending compression reached its limits and the cost of interest subsidies for the private sector expanded. The public debt-to-GDP ratio continued declining, but its level remains high.

    Additionalfiscal consolidation is needed to mitigate financing risks, build fiscal buffers, and reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio below 60 percent.San Marino is an euroized small open economy with a vulnerable financial sector and limited fiscal buffers. The government’s goal of reducing public debt below 60 percent of GDP over the medium term is an important anchor to guide fiscal policy. To achieve this target a moderate additional fiscal effort totaling 1 percent of GDP over the next three years is recommended through:

    • Designing and implementing a tax reform package introducing a value-added tax (VAT) and broadening the income tax base. With a low tax-to-GDP ratio, introducing a VAT in San Marino can simultaneously enhance fiscal revenues and tax efficiency while minimizing related distortions, increasing fairness and progressivity, and aligning indirect tax procedures with international standards, benefitting the ease of exports. Redesigning tax rebates to avoid overlaps with other exemptions—such as San Marino Card (SMaC) discounts and income tax deductions—can further rationalize the system. The authorities should leverage the technology used for the SMaC in combination with electronic invoicing to mitigate tax avoidance in the new VAT system. Equallyimportant, income tax revenues can be significantly enhanced by rationalizing income tax deductions.
    • Improving the efficiency of public spending.San Marino should shift from real expenditure compression across all spending areas to prioritizing consolidation of spending with low social return. In this context, it will be important to review transfers to the private sector―including interest subsidy programs―to ensure that transfers are more targeted. Reviewing extra-budgetary funds is also needed to rationalize spending. Large investment plans require sound prioritization based on rigorous cost-benefit analyses.
    • Keeping public wages and pensions growth in check. Moderate public wage and pension growth was key to improving the primary balance. Looking forward, given the limited fiscal space, it is critical to avoid public wage and pension growth above domestic inflation.

    Long-term demographic challenges will require additional parametric pension recalibration. The 2022 pension reform has increased contributions, delaying the depletion of the pension fund for a decade. However, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the pension system will require further parametric calibrations to address generous benefits. In addition, there is a need to continue the gradual diversification of the investments of the pension fund towards international markets to mitigate concentration of risks and increase returns.

    The debt management strategy needs strengthening to minimize refinancing risks. The recently published fiscal strategy marks an important advancement in the predictability of fiscal policy and communication with investors, but further efforts are needed to upgrade San Marino’s debt management capacity, including more autonomy to implement the financing plan approved in the budget. To smooth the debt amortization of the Eurobond in 2027, the authorities should consider liability management operations, including smaller international issuances with longer maturities.

    Banks’ liquidity and reported profits improved in 2023, but declining interest margins, high personnel costs, and remaining legacy non-performing loans (NPLs) pose risks going forward. Higher interest rates last year have improved banks’ cyclical profits without deteriorating the quality of loan portfolios, but structural profitability remains low. The safeguarding of profits to increase capital, as requested by the Central Bank, is welcome. However, with limited income-generating assets, high operating costs, and tight reported capitalization in some banks, the financial sector remains vulnerable.

    A speedy adjustment of banks’ costs is a priority to improve long-term viability and capital positions. Most banks’ profitability remains significantly lower than regional peers. The continuing reduction of income-generating assets in recent years has not been followed by a scale-down of banking sector employment. San Marino’s banking system also has the largest number of branches per capita in Europe. With the EU association agreement, the opening of the banking sector will bring new opportunities, but San Marino banks need to improve efficiency to be competitive.

    Important progress has been made in implementing the authorities’ strategy to reduce nonperforming loans (NPLs) through an Asset Management Company (AMC) and calendar provisioning. The write-off of a large NPL position and AMC securitization have reduced the NPL ratio from 53 to 21 percent. The asset recovery of the AMC has progressed better than expected, with the principal of state-guaranteed senior securities declining from 70 to 44½ million euros in the first half of 2024. Meanwhile, calendar provisioning has prompted banks to expedite the recovery and write-offs of NPLs. However, it will be important to improve dissemination of the information about the AMC asset recovery to anticipate and address any bottlenecks. The risk weights for junior securities should be increased faster to reflect the difference between the net book value and the real economic value of NPLs on banks’ balance sheets. Any undercapitalization that could arise from the securitization process and the implementation of calendar provisioning should be promptly addressed with credible capitalization plans. To strengthen CBSM supervisory powers and to help attract external capital, legal limits on banks’ shareholding structure should be lifted.

    The bank resolution framework needs to be updated to widen burden-sharing. The bank resolution law should be updated to gradually complete the alignment with EU standards. The process needs to be coordinated with addressing existing issues in the banking system.

    San Marino should continue to make progress to strengthen its AML/CFT framework. The domestic legal framework was amended in 2023 to incorporate the 5th EU AML Directive and improve technical compliance with the FATF standards. This resulted in an upgrade by MONEYVAL on technical compliance for AML/CFT sanctions regime. The National ML/TF Risk Assessment will be updated next year. San Marino should continue working to enhance the adequacy, accuracy, and up-to-dateness of its central beneficial ownership registry.

    The EU association agreement sets an ambitious financial sector reform agenda. The agreement requires the central bank of San Marino (CBSM) to complete the alignment of the regulatory framework with the EU. To that end, the CBSM will need additional staff and financial resources. The CBSM financial position should be strengthened to safeguard its independence and support financial sector stability through an effective lender of last resort capacity. To comply with EU standards, legacy issues should be addressed, including through a gradual conversion of the perpetual bond owned by the state-owned bank into liquid instruments. Overall, while the banking sector has 15 years to meet the requirements, earlier implementation, as envisaged by the authorities, will boost confidence.

    The conclusion of the EU association negotiations signals strong commitment to deeper integration with the EU and could lift potential growth by accelerating structural reforms. The successful implementation of the agreement is a priority and will support the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector and help consolidate gains in tourism. The authorities should ensure sufficient resources and staff are available to support implementation without undermining the fiscal consolidation path. In addition, further labor market flexibility is needed to improve labor reallocation, including in the banking sector. Real estate market reforms to facilitate price and market information dissemination and foreign ownership, will be key to support NPL resolution. Finaly, the authorities should foster energy safety and green transition, including by allowing households to sell back excess solar generated electricity.

    The mission would like to thank the authorities and other counterparts for their warm hospitality as well as candid and productive discussions.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Boris Balabanov

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    @IMFSpokesperson

    MIL OSI Economics –