CHINDIA ALERT: You'll be living in their world, very soon

31/10/2019

‘Scary’ glass bridges shut in Chinese province

Aerial view photo shows tourists visiting on the glass-bottom bridge at Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon on August 20, 2016 — Image caption This bridge in Zhangjiajie was the longest and tallest glass bottomed bridge in the world when it opened

A Chinese province has shut all 32 of its glass attractions – including bridges, walkways and viewing decks – as safety checks are carried out.

The attractions, spread across 24 sites in Hebei province, have been shut since March 2018, said state media CCTV.

The move had not previously been widely reported.

China has seen a flurry of glass attractions spring up across the country – but there have been accidents and at least two deaths.

There are an estimated 2,300 glass bridges in China. According to state media outlet ECNS, there are also an “undetermined number of glass walkways or slides”.

The glass attractions are an attempt to attract thrill-seeking tourists and capitalise on China’s growing domestic tourism.

Do you dare cross China’s glass bridges?

The Zhangjiajie bridge in Hunan province – which was the highest and longest glass-bottomed bridge in the world when it opened in 2016 – arguably kicked off the craze.

But earlier this year, one tourist died and six others were injured after they fell off a glass slide in Guangxi province.

Rain had made the glass extra slippery, causing the man to crash through the guardrail, and fly off the slide. He died from severe head injuries.

The Hongyagu glass bridge – which until May this year held the title of world’s longest glass bridge – was among those shut in Hebei province.

Tourists walk on the glass-bottomed suspension bridge at Hongyagu Scenic Area on December 26, 2017 in Pingshan, Hebei Province of China. — Image caption The Hongyagu bridge in Hebei province

The closures have not just affected Hebei province – across the country, a number have been shut.

Earlier this year, the government called for local tourism authorities to carry out “comprehensive safety assessments” of glass bridge projects.

On social media site Weibo, many applauded the closures, with one saying it was “about time safety was addressed”.

Others criticised the sheer number of glass bridges built over the past few years.

Media caption Thousands wobble over the world’s longest glass bridge in Hebei province, China

“I don’t really understand why there are so many glass bridges recently. It’s a waste of money,” said one commenter.

The death in Guangxi province was not the only glass attraction fatality. In 2017, a tourist died after an accident on a glass slide in Hubei.

And in 2016, someone was injured after being hit by falling rocks while walking on a glass walkway in the city of Zhangjiajie.

In 2015, a glass skywalk in Henan province cracked despite being open for only two weeks, sending tourists fleeing.

Source: The BBC

Posted in 'Scary' glass bridges, accidents, bridges, China's, domestic tourism, glass bridges, growing, Guangxi province, Hebei province, Hongyagu glass bridge, Hunan Province, longest and tallest glass bottomed bridge, shut, two deaths, Uncategorized, viewing decks, walkways, Weibo, Zhangjiajie, Zhangjiajie bridge | Leave a Comment »

31/10/2019

Jammu and Kashmir: India formally divides flashpoint state

India has formally divided the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two new federally-administered territories.

In the new arrangement, Jammu and Kashmir is one territory, and Ladakh, which borders China, is separate.

The two new union territories are now ruled directly from the capital Delhi.

It’s part of a controversial move announced in August to tighten the Indian government’s control over the part of Kashmir it administers.

R K Mathur and Girish Chandra Murmu were sworn in as lieutenant governors of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir respectively on Thursday.

“Now the real participation of co-operative federalism will be seen. New highways, new railway lines, new schools, new hospitals will take the development of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to new heights,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a public rally in the western state of Gujarat.

Union territories have far less autonomy from the federal government than states do.

The former state has long been one of the world’s most dangerous flashpoints and is a highly militarised area.

India and Pakistan both claim Kashmir in full, but control only parts of it.

How does this affect the people there?

Almost 98% of the state’s population will be in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, comprising two regions – the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley, which has about eight million people, and the Hindu-majority Jammu, which has about six million.

The third region, the newly created union territory of Ladakh, is a high-altitude desert inhabited by 300,000 people, with almost equal numbers of Muslims and Buddhists.

Workers from the previous state government will continue to retain their jobs in the new territories, the government said.

What’s the background?

On 5 August, the government revoked Kashmir’s special status, sparking protests in the Muslim-majority valley.

Article 370, as the constitutional provision guaranteeing special status was known, allowed the region a certain amount of autonomy, including special privileges in property ownership, education and jobs. This provision had underpinned India’s often fraught relationship with Kashmir.

Before the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government announced its decision to scrap the special status, it put the region under lockdown – mobile phone networks, landlines and the internet were cut off; and regional political leaders were placed under house arrest.

Media caption The children being ‘tortured’ in Kashmir

The region also witnessed protests where security forces often clashed with civilians. Thousands of activists and others were believed to have been picked up from their homes in the days that followed the surprise move.

Almost three months later, the situation is still far from normal.

On Tuesday, militants killed five migrant labourers in Kulgam district. Just a day before, a truck driver from outside the region was killed in Anantnag district.

In total, 11 such migrant workers have been killed by militants in the past two weeks.

Earlier this month, the Indian government restored mobile services 72 days after they were suspended.

But internet services continue to be suspended and most businesses remain closed – some in protest against the government, and others for fear of reprisals from militants opposed to Indian rule.

Source: The BBC

Posted in Anantnag district, autonomy, Bharatiya Janata Party, Buddhists, cut off, Delhi, divides, ederally-administered territories, federal government, flashpoint, formally, Gujarat, Hindu-majority Jammu, house arrest, India alert, Internet, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, landlines, militants, militarised area, mobile phone networks, Muslim-majority Kashmir valley, Muslims, new highways, new hospitals, new railway lines, new schools, political leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reprisals, state, truck driver, Uncategorized, Union territories | Leave a Comment »

30/10/2019

Premier Li meets South African deputy president

CHINA-BEIJING-LI KEQIANG-SOUTH AFRICA-MEETING

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with South African Deputy President David Mabuza at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 29, 2019. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with South African Deputy President David Mabuza Tuesday in Beijing, calling on the two sides to promote bilateral relations for new development.

Noting that South Africa is an important African country, Li said the continued development of bilateral relations is beneficial to China-Africa cooperation.

China is ready to work with South Africa to consolidate mutual political trust and promote practical cooperation and people-to-people exchanges to push for new development in bilateral relations, he said.

“Both China and South Africa are developing countries and have broad common interests,” said Li, adding that China stands ready to work with South Africa to closely communicate and coordinate in international and regional affairs and enhance cooperation in multilateral mechanisms such as the UN and BRICS, to jointly safeguard developing countries’ interests and maintain regional and world peace.

Mabuza, who is on an official visit to China and will co-chair the seventh plenary session of the China-South Africa Bi-National Commission with his Chinese counterpart, offered his congratulations for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

He thanked China for its long-standing support for South Africa and African countries’ development and conveyed his admiration for China’s great development achievements.

Mabuza said his country is willing to learn from China’s development experience, deepen practical cooperation across the board with China and push bilateral relations to reach a new level.

Source: Xinhua

Posted in 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), Beijing, BRICS, China-Africa cooperation, China-South Africa Bi-National Commission, Chinese premier Li Keqiang, congratulations, David Mabuza, Deputy President, South Africa, South African, UN, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

30/10/2019

The explosive truth about the link between Chinese fireworks and India’s dim Diwali

Black market imports from China, confusing regulations and pollution concerns are undermining India’s fireworks industry
Industry sources say Diwali sales this year were down by 30 per cent

A woman is silhouetted by lit firecrackers during Diwali celebrations in Chennai. Photo: AFP

Arumugam Chinnaswamy set up his makeshift booth selling firecrackers in a Chennai neighbourhood a week ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, with great expectations of doing a brisk trade.

Yet a week later, he has been forced to pack up more than half his stock in the hope he’ll have better luck next year.

“Four years ago, I sold firecrackers worth 800,000 rupees (US$11,288) on the eve of Diwali alone. This year, the sales have not even been a quarter of that,” said Chinnaswamy, 65, painting a grim picture that will be recognised by many in the Indian fireworks industry.

Chinnaswamy buys his firecrackers in Sivakasi, an industrial town in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu that produces more than 90 per cent of the country’s fireworks.

Sivakasi’s dry climate has helped to make it the firework capital of India and many production facilities in the town have been in the business for close to a century. For the most part, the industry has resisted mechanisation and still deals in handmade products. Its 1,100-plus manufacturing units provide jobs for 800,000 mostly uneducated workers and its diligent labour force have earned the town the nickname of ‘Little Japan’.

A worker lays firecrackers in an outdoor yard at a manufacturing unit involved in the production of firecrackers ahead of the Hindu festival of Diwali, in Sivakasi. Photo: AFP

But this reputation is under threat, struggling under the weight of an anti-pollution campaign, regulatory uncertainty and the arrival of cheap black-market Chinese imports. Irregular monsoons and a slowdown-induced cash crunch have not helped matters either.

Industry figures estimate the Diwali sales of India’s 80 billion-rupee firecracker industry took a 30 per cent drop this year.

A TOXIC PROBLEM

With pollution in Indian cities among the worst in the world, the government has come under pressure to do something about the nation’s toxic air – a problem that becomes more acute during Diwali due to the toxic fumes emitted when celebratory fireworks are set off. This Diwali, for instance, many areas in New Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 999, the highest possible reading (the recommended limit is 60).

That makes the fireworks industry seem like an easy target when it comes to meeting government air quality targets.

Trouble began brewing in October last year when the Supreme Court banned the manufacture of traditional fireworks containing barium nitrate, a chief polluter. That decision put a rocket under the industry, as barium nitrate is cheap and is used in about 75 per cent of all firecrackers in India.

Factories in Sivakasi responded with a four-month shutdown protest that decimated annual production levels by up to a third.

A seal denotes environment friendly ‘Green Fireworks’ at a manufacturing unit in Sivakasi. Photo: AFP

Apparently realising it had overstepped the mark – and that enforcing the Supreme Court regulations would be next to impossible – the government stepped in to rescue the industry, offering its assistance in the manufacture of environment-friendly crackers containing fewer pollutants, but it was too little, too late.

“The Supreme Court verdict was simply Delhi-centric with the vague idea of [cracking down on] urban pollution. It lacked any on-the-ground knowledge of the fireworks industry,” said Tamil Selvan, president of the Indian Fireworks Association, which represents more than 200 medium and large manufacturers.

Singapore travellers give Hong Kong a miss over Diwali long weekend

“Fireworks are low-hanging fruit for the anti-pollution drive as the industry is unorganised. Could the government or judiciary place a similar blanket ban on more pollution-causing industries like automobiles, plastics or tobacco?” asked Selvan.

CHINESE COMPETITION

The industry has also been hit by a flood of cheap Chinese firecrackers that are smuggled into the country on the black market.

In September, the country’s federal anti-smuggling agency, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, cautioned various government departments that huge quantities of Chinese-produced firecrackers had reached Indian soil in the lead up to Diwali.

But industry sources complain they have seen little action from the government to combat the problem.

An advert for firecrackers ahead of the Hindu festival of Diwali, in Sivakasi. Photo: AFP

Legally, Indian manufacturers can neither import nor export firecrackers. The Indian firecracker industry is the second-largest in the world after China’s.

Raja Chandrashekar, chief of the Federation of Tamil Nadu Fireworks Traders, a lobbying body, said low-end Indian-manufactured firecrackers such as roll caps and dot caps – popular among children – had struggled to compete with Chinese-made pop pops and throw bombs.

“Despite our repeated complaints to government bodies, Chinese firecrackers find a way into India, particularly in the northern parts. This is severely affecting our business,” said Chandrashekar.

While more Chinese fireworks might be entering India, the effect has been to undermine the industry, resulting in fewer sales overall.

FIZZLING OUT?

The Sivakasi fireworks industry faces other problems, too. Not least among these is the use of child labour, which had been rampant until a government crackdown a few years ago, and the practice of some factories to operate without proper licences and with questionable safety standards.

But despite the darker aspects of the industry, its role goes beyond merely helping Diwali celebrations go with a bang every year.

India is crazy about gold. But can the love last as prices skyrocket?

“The livelihoods of over five million people who are indirectly involved in the business, in areas such as trade and transport, depend on the survival of the industry,” said Chandrashekar.

That survival looks increasingly in question. Dull sales of fireworks have been reported in major cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, though exact numbers can be hard to come by due to the unregulated nature of the industry and unreliable numbers shared by manufacturers.

So great has the resultant outcry been that some cynics even wonder whether the industry is struggling as much as it claims or whether it is part of a ploy by manufacturers to gain more government concessions and avoid any further crackdown.

“These firecracker manufacturers lie through their teeth about the Diwali sales for self-serving motives such as tax avoidance. The overall business is healthy,” said Vijay Kumar, editor of the Sivakasi-based monthly magazine Pyro India News.

“Though there was a 30-40 per cent shortage in annual production, all the manufactured products have been sold this year. No large stockpile is left with any manufacturer.”

Customers buy firecrackers on the eve of the Hindu festival of Diwali in Amritsar. Photo: AFP

Still, regardless of the manufacturers’ motives, the result of the industry’s struggles has been that street sellers like Chinnaswamy have fewer fireworks to sell – and they are struggling even to sell those.

Chinnaswamy says people are confused about the government’s anti-pollution drive and about what firecrackers are now legal and this has discouraged them from buying. Despite the government’s effort to promote “green crackers” he says these are too hard to come by to be a ready solution, at least for this year.

“There was no clarity on what type of firecrackers, whether green crackers or otherwise, can be set off and at what time of the day. Many consumers even asked me whether or not the conventional firecrackers are totally banned while there was much misinformation floating about on social media,” said Chinnaswamy.

Shaking his head, all he can do is hope that next year his Diwali goes with more of a bang.

Source: SCMP

Posted in Air Quality Index (AQI), Automobiles, ‘Little Japan’, Bangalore, barium nitrate, between, Black market, Chennai, China alert, Chinese fireworks, diligent, dim Diwali, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Diwali, explosive truth, Federation of Tamil Nadu Fireworks Traders, festival of lights, firecrackers, Hindu, Hong Kong, Hyderabad, imports, India’s, Indian Fireworks Association, labour force, link, mumbai, New Delhi, nickname, Plastics, polluter, Pyro India News, Singapore, Sivakasi, Supreme Court, Tamil Nadu, Tobacco, toxic air, travellers, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

29/10/2019

Chinese Premier’s trip to Uzbekistan, Thailand to cement ties, all-round cooperation among SCO, East Asia

BEIJING, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) — Premier Li Keqiang’s upcoming trip to Uzbekistan and Thailand is of great importance to cementing cooperation among both SCO members and East Asian states, as well as solidifying Chinese relations with Uzbekistan and Thailand, senior officials said at a press briefing Monday.

Premier Li is scheduled to attend the 18th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the Uzbek capital Tashkent, pay an official visit to Uzbekistan, and attend the 22nd China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders’ meeting, the 22nd ASEAN-China, Japan and Republic of Korea (10+3) leaders’ meeting and the 14th East Asia Summit (EAS) in the Thai capital Bangkok before paying an official visit to Thailand, from Nov. 1 to 5.

During the SCO heads of government meeting, Li will explain Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and share the successful construction experience of the People’s Republic of China in the past 70 years, according to Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong.

“Li will exchange in-depth views with the leaders of the participating countries on enhancing solidarity and mutual trust among member states, building the Belt and Road Initiative and cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, industrial capacity, connectivity, finance, investment and people-to-people exchanges,” Chen said.

Noting it will be Li’s first official visit to Uzbekistan, Chen said the premier will exchange views with the Uzbek side on implementing the important consensus of the two heads of state, promoting the development of bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern. The two sides will sign a series of cooperation agreements covering economy and trade, investment, science and technology, customs and other fields.

Regarding the East Asian leaders’ meeting on cooperation, Chen said the premier will expound on China’s policy proposals for East Asian cooperation and propose more than 20 new initiatives for deepening cooperation under various mechanisms.

The East Asian leaders’ meeting this year will strengthen consensus, deepen cooperation, improve regional economic integration, promote regional common prosperity and development, and send out a positive signal of adhering to multilateralism and free trade, building an open world economy, according to Assistant Minister of Commerce Li Chenggang.

Calling Thailand a traditional friendly neighbor and important partner for the Belt and Road cooperation, Chen said Premier Li’s official visit to Thailand is the second visit by the premier in six years.

During the visit, the premier will exchange in-depth views with the leaders of the Thai side on bilateral relations and cooperation. The two sides will issue a joint press statement between the two governments and sign cooperation documents in such fields as technology and e-commerce.

Source: Xinhua

Posted in 14th East Asia Summit (EAS), 22nd ASEAN-China, Japan and Republic of Korea (10+3) leaders' meeting, 22nd China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting, Bangkok, Belt and Road Cooperation, Belt and Road Initiative, Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Chinese premier Li Keqiang, Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers), customs, E-commerce, East Asian leaders' meeting, East Asian states, economy, People's Republic of China, People's Republic of China (PRC), science and technology, SCO members, Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Tashkent, Technology, Thai capital, Thailand, Trade, Uncategorized, Uzbek capital, Uzbekistan, Xi Jinping Thought | Leave a Comment »

29/10/2019

175-meter experimental impoundment of Three Gorges comes to end

#CHINA-THREE GORGES PROJECT-WATER IMPOUNDMENT (CN)

Aerial photo taken on Oct. 28, 2019 shows the view of the Three Gorges project in Zigui County, central China’s Hubei Province. The 175-meter experimental impoundment of Three Gorges this year came to the end at present as the water level of the Three Gorges Reservoir rose to 174.43 meters as of 8pm Monday. (Photo by Wang Gang/Xinhua)

Source: Xinhua

Posted in experimental impoundment, hubei province, Three Gorges, Three Gorges Reservoir, Uncategorized, water level, Zigui County | Leave a Comment »

29/10/2019

Donald Trump, Xi Jinping set for November 17 meeting in Chile to sign interim trade war deal: source

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump set to meet on the sidelines of the Apec summit in Chile next month, a source says
The two state leaders are expected to sign an interim trade deal ‘if everything goes smoothly’

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump have met twice already over the course of the 16-month trade war. Photo: AP

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump are tentatively expected to meet on November 17 with the aim of signing an interim trade deal, a source briefed on the arrangements told the South China Morning Post.

The two leaders are expected to come face-to-face immediately after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Santiago, Chile, with a trade truce signed “if everything goes smoothly”, said the person, who declined to be identified.

Trade envoys from Beijing and Washington are still finalising the text for the two leaders to sign, but both sides have expressed optimism that Trump’s so-called phase one trade deal can be completed in time for the meeting.

Trump said on Monday that negotiations on the interim deal were running “ahead of schedule”.

“We are looking probably to be ahead of schedule to sign a very big portion of the China deal, and we’ll call it phase one but it’s a very big portion,” Trump said. “That would take care of the farmers. It would take care of some of the other things. It will also take care of a lot of the banking needs.

“So we’re about, I would say, a little bit ahead of schedule, maybe a lot ahead of schedule,” the president said, adding the deal would “probably” be signed.

Top trade negotiators for the two countries – US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, US trade representative Robert Lighthizer and Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He – spoke by telephone last Friday. The Office of the US Trade Representative released a statement after the call saying that the two sides “made headway on specific issues” and “are close to finalising some sections of the agreement”.

China’s official Xinhua News Agency said on Saturday negotiators have “agreed to properly resolve core concerns of each other” and had “basically completed technical discussions about parts of the text”. In particular, China would lift the current ban on US poultry imports and recognise the American public health certification system for meat product imports, Xinhua said.

The top trade envoys are expected to hold another conference call in the near future.

China’s Vice-Premier Liu He between US trade representative Robert Lighthizer (left) and US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin during trade negotiations in Washington this month. Photo: Reuters

Taoran Notes, an account on Chinese social media platform WeChat run by the official Economic Daily newspaper, wrote over the weekend that Beijing and Washington had moved a step closer to agreement on a “temporary deal”.

“According to past experiences and practises, the negotiation will enter the stage of translation and legal review after the technical completion of the text,” the account said.

Geng Shuang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said that technical negotiations about part of the deal were finished but deputy-level talks were ongoing. “China hopes both sides can find a trade solution based upon mutual respect and benefits,” Geng said at a regular press conference on Tuesday.

If it goes ahead as planned, the summit between Trump and Xi in Chile next month would be the third time the two leaders have sat down to talk about ending the nearly 16-month-long trade war.

Last December, the two leaders met on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires and agreed to a three-month tariff truce to allow time for the countries’ trade envoys to work out a comprehensive deal. But the talks collapsed in early May with the US blaming China for reneging on promises it made in negotiations, while China blamed the US for attempting to infringe on its economic sovereignty.

The pair met again in late June in the Japanese city of Osaka, where they agreed to restart trade negotiations.

A minor ceasefire was reached in October when Beijing promised to buy US$40 billion to US$50 billion worth of American agricultural products in exchange for Washington postponing indefinitely a tariff increase on US$250 billion of Chinese goods to 30 per cent from 25 per cent on October 15.

Analysts expect fresh 15 per cent duties on about US$160 billion of Chinese imports – including popular products like smartphones and consumer electronics – that are due to go into effect mid-December will also be postponed if a deal is signed, though this has not been officially confirmed.

The interim deal is also expected to contain a provision on intellectual property protection, a key US demand. China has taken steps to improve IP protection, including setting up a system to punish and compensate instances of infringement, and improve settlement disputes. But how well these measures will be implemented remains in question.

China and the US would also agree to avoid allowing currency devaluations to gain trade advantages, codifying a commitment both countries made as part of a G20 agreement several years ago. A currency agreement – similar to provisions in the yet-to-be-ratified US-Mexico-Canada Agreement – could pave the way for the US to remove its designation of China as a “currency manipulator”.

The deal may include a new dispute resolution mechanism to ensure both sides live up to commitments. The system, which will give both sides equal standing, would replace a contentious US-proposed enforcement mechanism that was a key reason for trade talks breaking down in May after China felt the demands too intrusive and one-sided. It is unclear how effective the proposal would be, but the US has insisted since talks began that a similar mechanism be implemented to ensure China did not backslide on promises as it had in the past.

In addition to large purchases of farm products, the interim agreement may contain commitments by China to buy US-built aircraft and energy products, particularly liquefied natural gas.

China will also agree to lift foreign ownership limits on Chinese financial firms under the deal, changes which are already underway.

However, the interim deal will not address broader US complaints about China’s economic model, particularly allegations that foreign firms are treated unfairly and heavy government subsidies favour some domestic industries. Nor will it contain any break for telecommunications equipment maker Huawei and other Chinese tech companies that were blacklisted by the US on national security concerns.

Source: SCMP

Posted in American agricultural products, Apec summit, Argentinian capital, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit, banking needs, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Chile, China alert, Chinese economic model, Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He, consumer electronics, currency devaluations, Economic Daily, energy products, farmers, G20 Leaders’ Summit, government subsidies, Huawei, intellectual property protection, interim, Japanese city, Liquefied natural gas, meeting, Osaka, poultry imports, President Donald Trump, President Xi Jinping, Robert Lighthizer, Santiago, sign, smartphones, south china morning post, Steven Mnuchin, Taoran Notes, telecommunications equipment maker, Trade envoys, trade war deal, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Uncategorized, US, US Trade Representative, US Treasury Secretary, US-built aircraft, US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, Washington, WeChat, Xinhua News Agency | Leave a Comment »

28/10/2019

Economic Watch: China’s international aviation market set to take off

BEIJING, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) — Beijing Daxing International Airport, a new aviation hub in the Chinese capital, started international flight operation Sunday, joining the country’s expanding airport network to serve outbound and inbound travelers.

During winter and spring, a total of 570,000 passenger trips are expected to be made via 15 overseas flight routes at the airport, which boasts fast customs clearance services thanks to smart technologies.

Airports across China are seeing flights to and from a growing number of overseas destinations, as domestic and international airlines race to tap the booming international aviation market.

China’s international aviation market is small compared with some countries, but enjoys fast growth and huge potential, said Zhao Wei, a professor with the Civil Aviation Management Institute of China, at the 2019 China Aviation and Tourism Forum.

The steady expansion of the outbound tourism market and the large number of individuals who are yet to enjoy air travel will drive the sector’s rise, Zhao said.

China is the world’s largest outbound tourism market. About 81.29 million overseas trips were made during the first half of this year, up 14 percent year on year. The total for the whole year might grow 12 percent year on year to reach about 168 million trips, the China Tourism Academy predicted.

The country’s airports saw 126 million cross-border passenger trips made in 2018, up 13 percent over 2017. The McKinsey Global Institute foresaw threefold growth in the number of people in China able to afford airline travel in the next 10 years, with the upper strata of China’s fast-growing middle class poised to become the principal engine of air-travel spending.

With the outbound travel market booming, the number of overseas airlines and destinations entering the Chinese market continues to increase, observed Brenda He, managing director with tourism marketing and sales services provider Travel Link Group, which saw growing market demand from overseas airlines and tourism authorities.

To improve international air travelers’ experience, aviation services should be developed in coordination with tourism development and destinations promotion, He said.

Li Xiaoping, senior vice president with China’s largest online travel agency Ctrip, said airports need to upgrade their infrastructure and services to improve travelers’ experience by meeting their diversifying consumption and entertainment demands.

Future airports will become social-networking and cultural venues, Li said. “An airport can become a sightseeing spot in its own right.”

Source: Xinhua

Posted in aviation hub, aviation market, Beijing Daxing International Airport, China Aviation and Tourism Forum., China's, Chinese capital, Civil Aviation Management Institute of China, fast customs clearance services, international, McKinsey Global Institute, online travel agency Ctrip, smart technologies, take off, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

28/10/2019

Transport infrastructure key for China’s rural vitalization: experts

BEIJING, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) — Strengthening the construction of rural transport infrastructure is the key to boost various rural industries, said experts at a forum on rural vitalization and transport industry Sunday.

The construction of rural transport infrastructure should be integrated with the development of various undertakings in the rural areas, said Li Chunsheng, vice chairman of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress, at the forum held by China Well-off Society Association.

Rural transport construction has brought about major changes in the agricultural production chain, the ecological and environmental chains, as well as the value chain, and it will certainly speed up the rural vitalization, said Yin Chengjie, head of the Chinese Association of Agricultural Economics.

More efforts should be made to establish a mechanism for increasing financial input and integrating funds for agriculture and transport, so as to achieve various goals including high-quality rural road construction, said Chen Jiding, deputy head of the China Academy of Transportation Sciences.

The central government has issued an outline on transport construction, which clearly plans to form a rural transport infrastructure network and achieve poverty alleviation through transport facilitation.

Source: Xinhua

Posted in Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, Beijing, Central government, China Academy of Transportation Sciences, China Well-off Society Association, China's, Chinese Association of Agricultural Economics, Construction, key, National People's Congress, poverty alleviation, rural industries, rural transport infrastructure, rural vitalization, transport infrastructure, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

28/10/2019

Military World Games of “historic” and “peace” close in Wuhan

(SP)CHINA-WUHAN-7TH MILITARY WORLD GAMES-CLOSING CEREMONY

Xu Qiliang, president of the 2019 Military World Games organizing committee and also vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, declares the 7th CISM Military World Games close during the closing ceremony of the Games in Wuhan, capital of central China’s Hubei Province, Oct. 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

WUHAN, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) — Xu Qiliang, president of the 2019 Military World Games organizing committee, also vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, declared the Games close on Sunday in Wuhan, central China, to wrap up the biggest ever “Olympics for the military”.

Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, also president of the Wuhan Military World Games organizing committee, thinks highly of the organization of the Games and the performances of worldwide athletes.

“We have experienced a successful, wonderful and unforgettable military games in the lastest 10 days. This is a military gala of sharing friendship and safeguarding peace,” said Sun at the closing ceremony.

“This Games have showcased the spirits of the military personnel, which uphold perseverance, challenging limits and striving for better. This Games are full of wonders and achievements and are set to leave China’s marks in its history,” she added.

According to Sun, seven world records had been set and 85 International Military Sports Commission (CISM) affiliated records had been broken here in the tournament, as athletes rated it as a high-level international event, which featured 67 Olympic and world champions.

After 10-day competitions, host China collected 133 golds and 239 medals in total, the first time for a country to grab 100 plus golds. The traditional powerhouse Russia obtained 51 golds and 161 medals in all as an evident runner-up in medal tally, followed by Brazil, the host for 2011 Games, with 21 golds and 88 medals. France, Poland and Germany lined up from fourth to sixth places, all clinching 10 plus golds.

Herve Piccirillo, CISM president, hailed the Games as great success and tagged it with two key words “historic” and “peace” on Friday, lauding its material and spiritual legacy to the host city and the world.

“These are games that will mark the history of military competitions and develop new practices in the future,” said Piccirillo in an interview with Xinhua.

The president picked the word “historic” for its history-making participation of nearly 10,000 military personnel, investment for games organization, mobilization of volunteers and passion from Chinese people.

Explaining the word “peace”, he said, “because the message that is carried by a whole people, because beyond the games, it is all the Chinese people who are spreading this message of solidarity and peace, which corresponds to ‘friendship through sport’, the motto of the CISM.”

The 52-year-old Frenchman repeated his praise on the Games on Sunday at the closing ceremony, saying “the Military World Games leaves Wuhan unparalleled tangible and intangible heritage for the future generations.”

Piccirillo applauded the Athletes’ Village and sports facilities built for the Games. “Athletes’ Village represents the effectiveness of the city government’s effort to balance between urban development and environmental protection,” said he. “The multiple sports venues built in line with highest standards in the world can serve any future international sports event that Wuhan may step up to host.”

It’s the first time all competitions for the Games had been staged in a single city. The size of the host city, as well as its diversified terrain and abundant water resources, made it possible in Wuhan, where 35 sports venues were built or renovated to meet international standards.

A 30-building Village was built to accommodate the athletes and coaches, which is also the first attempt in the Games’ 24-year history.

Piccirillo expressed his sincere thanks to the organizers and volunteers for their contributions and services to the promotion of military sports, commenting “you have completed your jobs excellently.”

“I would like to thank the governments of China, Hubei province, and Wuhan city for enabling us all, valid and disabled, to share the common value of the military under the banner of inclusiveness, equality, universal love and sharing, and this is the greatest success of the event,” said Piccirillo.

“All these will not have been possible without the conscientious efforts of the organizing committee. The volunteers have made our stay in Wuhan better, easier and more convenient.”

Ma Guoqiang, Party secretary of Wuhan city, paid tributes to the participants across the world, saying they have been “writing down a brand-new page in the history of world military sports,” and honored their performances at the event.

“Military athletes from 109 countries have come here and given their full and best plays in the competitions. They have not only demonstrated excellent sports skills, but also showed high morale,” said Ma at the ceremony.

He also praised the athletes with disabilities, noting they have exemplified the military dignity and showcased the power of life with their firm determination and great perseverance.

Ma underlined the theme of “peace” delivered from the Games and the sign of goodwill from China. “Peace is an eternal theme and a shared aspiration of the human society, as well as an unremitting pursuit of the Chinese people,” said Ma.

“This Games, as a sign of goodwill from the Chinese government, the Chinese armed forces, and the Chinese people, convey our yearning and blessing for peace. We hope the Games, like bright sunshine, can dispel the darkness of war and build a bridge of friendship to promote exchanges between civilizations.”

The 2019 Games has attracted the largest number of athletes and presented the most sports in history. Nearly 10,000 soldiers from 109 nations have competed for 329 gold medals in events from athletics, football, swimming, and basketball to parachuting, lifesaving, aeronautical and naval pentathlons.

It’s the first time the Games are open to the public, instead of being confined to barracks. Over 600,000 tickets had been sold, according to the Games executive committee, with men’s basketball, women’s volleyball, swimming and diving in highest demand.

The Games will also leave Wuhan with huge benefits to infrastructure improvements, new subway lines, and environmental upgrades. Over the past three years, the city renovated 1,300 kilometers of its urban roads and saw its metro network reach 330 kilometers in total length. Meanwhile, a total of 360,000 trees were planted.

First held in 1995 in Rome, the Military World Games are a multi-sports event for military personnel organized by the CISM.

Source: Xinhua

Posted in Athletes' Village, Central Military Commission, Central Military Commission (CMC), Chinese Vice Premier, close, historic, hubei province, International Military Sports Commission (CISM), Military World Games, Olympics for the military, peace, President, sports facilities, Sun Chunlan, Uncategorized, vice chairman, Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, Wuhan, Xu Qiliang | Leave a Comment »

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