China in Focus: February 2024 Highlights - Innovations, Military Advances, and Economic Growth
According to an article by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Stones worked in China for four decades with big US firms like General Motors and Pfizer and is believed to be around 70. He set up a Beijing-based investment management consulting firm some 15 years ago, said the WSJ, citing corporate records, online profiles, and people who know him. Mofa spokesman Wang Wenbin said the court had "tried the case strictly by the law," adding that Beijing had "fully guaranteed the various legitimate rights" and arranged for British officials to visit him and attend his trial. She also claimed her father was healthy at the beginning of his detention but had received "inconsistent medical care and poor nutrition leading to severe and life-threatening injuries." "The judicial organs strictly promote the handling of cases by the law, safeguarding the rights and legitimate interests of Chinese nationals and foreigners," he said.
China's largest solar power tower project achieves milestone.
The Aksai Huidong New Energy Solar Farm, China's largest solar power tower project, reached a significant milestone by completing its panel field, which comprises 11,960 heliostats. The Aksai Huidong New Energy solar farm is in the 10GW CSP base of 40-mile Gobi of Aksai Kazakh Autonomous County, Jiuquan City, northwest China's Gansu Province. This cutting-edge project sets itself apart by employing Chinese-initiated pentagonal heliostats weighing up to 1.2 tonnes and covering 48 square meters to receive focused sunlight through the tower. Upon completion, the solar farm is expected to generate 1,700 GWh of power annually, saving 507,000 tonnes of standard coal and cutting 1.47 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year, equivalent to afforesting nearly 800 million square meters.
China's aircraft carrier Fujian is nearly complete; the maiden voyage is expected soon.
The third aircraft carrier of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, the Fujian, holds a mooring test in Shanghai at an undisclosed date around the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024. China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, is nearly complete and could make its maiden voyage soon, experts said on Wednesday, after the warship was briefly featured in a national media report on Tuesday that indicated smooth progress in its mooring tests. "We […] are steadily making progress in mooring tests as planned," Captain Yin Hongxin said on the flight deck of the Fujian, Xinwen Lianbo, the prime time news broadcast of China Central Television (CCTV), reported on Tuesday. Citing an analysis of commercial satellite imagery, US media thedrive.com reported on Tuesday that the vessel was then transferred to a dry dock in a possible move to work out known issues and ensure the upcoming sea trials have the best possible shot at success. Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation expert, told the Global Times that the Fujian is equipped with many new technologies, particularly its electromagnetic catapults system, so it is expected that tests could take longer than the PLA Navy's previous two aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and the Shandong.
China's new-energy vehicle sales are expected to top 11 million in 2024
Staff members from a local NEV enterprise catch up on orders on the production line in Ganzhou, East China's Jiangxi Province, on December 26, 2023.Photo: VCG Having become a new export spotlight for the Chinese economy, the new-energy vehicles (NEVs) industry experienced a hard-won year in 2023, with sales estimated to have hit a new high. In December 2023, XPeng delivered 20,115 intelligent electric vehicles, a new record for monthly deliveries, representing a 78 percent increase year-over-year. In addition, many international organizations have recently raised their forecasts for China's economic growth in 2024, which means that the purchase of vehicles will likely strengthen," Cui said. Industry insiders noted that predictable fiercer competition in the domestic market will push Chinese brands to go global, as they have technological advantages, which are also expected to continue to advance and accumulate in 2024.
China to launch ‘2024 Spring Breeze Action' in Jan-Apr to create 30 million jobs: Labor Ministry.
People attend a job fair targeted at the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area held at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center in South China's Guangdong Province on November 22, 2023. China plans to launch a "2024 Spring Breeze Action" nationwide from late January to early April, aiming to create 30 million jobs, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security said on Wednesday. The initiative will specifically target rural labor and businesses with a shortfall of workers, focusing on guiding migrant workers returning to urban centers, promoting local employment and entrepreneurship, and organizing recruitment services for businesses, Yun Donglai, a senior official with the labor ministry's employment promotion department, said at a press conference. Firstly, it involves accurately identifying needs across the labor market by delving into rural communities and workshops, using various methods to learn the work preferences of workers and the headcount requirements of employers, Yun said. Additionally, it will aim to match job opportunities and skill training for aged migrant workers. The Spring Breeze Action has been underway for many years, representing a significant part of government-led efforts to promote employment, Li Changan, a professor at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies of the University of International Business and Economics, told the Global Times Wednesday.
China appears to U-turn on 'obsessive' gaming crackdown.
The National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) proposed regulations limiting the money and time people spend playing video games. China is the world's biggest online gaming market, but the industry has had frequent run-ins with the authorities. Incentives such as daily log-in rewards for gamers would also have come under fire, while pop-ups warning players of "irrational" behavior were proposed. "I think this type of sentiment will probably last for quite some time unless we get a very drastic turnaround in government rhetoric or some super supportive policies," said Ivan Su, senior analyst at Morningstar. China's largest crackdown on gamers came in 2021 when children were banned from playing for over an hour on certain days.
Hawaii police arrest suspect after chemical attack on 25-year-old Chinese woman
At 9:15pm on January 23, she suffered severe injuries when someone threw a chemical liquid at her on a downtown street, according to a notice by the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles. Officials said the victim, 25, is a visiting Chinese language teacher at Maryknoll School in her second year as part of an international exchange program. She was walking near the Ala Moana Center when an unknown man suddenly poured chemicals on her, causing burns to her skin and clothes. Honolulu police said the suspect was described as a 29-year-old man of medium build, wearing a black hooded jacket, camouflage pants, and a white face mask during the crime. He strongly condemned the attacker, urged the government to prioritize the treatment of the injured Chinese citizen, and called on the police to swiftly bring the perpetrator to justice and determine the motive.
China warns citizens against 'exotic beauty' traps of foreign spies.
The Ministry of State Security, which functions as China's intelligence and secret police agency, has increasingly been raising the alarm among citizens about the dangers of foreign spies. Part of espionage work has always exploited human weaknesses, be it greed, lust, pride, vanity, anger, disappointment or such," Ian Chong, a non-resident fellow with Carnegie China, told the BBC. "To me, the Ministry of State Security's media campaign and the recent highlighting of risks relating to honey traps are more reflective of a sense of insecurity and threat, particularly from the outside world, that the current Chinese leadership appears to perceive," Mr Chong said. Mr Li, who supposedly works for a state-owned firm, did not know that his activities were being tracked until several "burly foreigners in uniform" barged into his room and photographed him naked, according to the post. "In the end, Mr Li [was] completely reduced to a puppet at the mercy of the foreign intelligence group and has caused immeasurable harm to China's national security."
China cut $238 in taxes and fees for private firms in 2023
China has cut 1.69 trillion yuan ($237.89 billion) in taxes and fees for private enterprises in 2023, making private taxpayers the biggest beneficiaries of the country's tax policies, according to a national conference on taxation on Thursday. According to the annual taxation conference held by the State Taxation Administration, total tax and fee payment rebates, deductions, or deferments were worth 2.23 trillion yuan in 2023. The private sector, in particular, accounted for 75.7 percent of such cuts and deferrals. The manufacturing sector and related wholesale and retail industries enjoyed 949.53 billion yuan of such support, while micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises also saved about 1.43 trillion yuan in taxes and fees. Notably, advanced manufacturing, industrial machines, and integrated circuits enterprises enjoyed an additional tax cut of 120.85 billion yuan last year.
China moves to expand 5G coverage in outlying border regions and inhabited offshore isles.
China will move to expand its 5G mobile network access to all outlying border regions and inhabited offshore islands, and the 5G coverage will likely reach 100 percent by the end of 2025, according to a notice jointly issued by 13 Chinese government departments on Wednesday. By the end of 2025, 5G and gigabit optical network access will be realized in counties and townships in all border areas, while broadband access (including access to optical fiber, 4G, or 5G) to targeted regions such as inhabited islands will reach 100 percent, according to a notice issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and other central government departments on Wednesday. For instance, the regional broadband networks on inhabited islands will be upgraded, with a further exploration of communication means such as submarine cables, satellites, and microwaves to strengthen network connection and coverage between islands and the mainland. Chinese authorities have been taking concrete measures to bolster the development and expansion of its cellular networks. Earlier in January, 11 central departments, including the MIIT, announced they would carry out a specific operation to upgrade the nation's mobile signal coverage.
China is expected to continue contributing over 30% to global growth in 2024
Global economic growth is projected to decrease to 2.7 percent, and if China maintains a growth rate of 5 percent, it is expected to continue contributing over 30 percent to global growth, thereby driving global demand, said Zhu Min, vice chairman of China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE) and former deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Wednesday. Zhu said at a book launch that 2024 will be a year of mediocrity for the global economy, and financial risks would accumulate, with the greatest coming from politics. However, he expressed optimism about the future under the technological wave represented by large models like GPT. Zhu Min emphasized that the enhancement of domestic consumption in China significantly impacts the world. He said this is expected to be a significant driving force for China's contribution to the global economy.
PLA organizes routine patrols around Taiwan island
The People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command recently organized routine joint maritime and aerial patrol around the Taiwan island, the Ministry of National Defense announced on Thursday. "This patrol has further enhanced the combat training of our troops and strengthened their capability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the ministry, at a news conference. He said that the PLA will persistently conduct its rigorous training,, strengthen combat readiness,, and conduct related military operations regularly.
Revenue of China's state-owned enterprises hit $5.5 trillion in 2023
Total revenue of China's state-owned enterprises hit 39.8 trillion yuan (about $5.5 trillion) in 2023, with a total profit of 2.6 trillion yuan, indicating steady and high-quality growth, according to a report from the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council on Wednesday. Cumulative fixed asset investment, including real estate, reached 5.09 trillion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 11.4 percent. Investment in strategic emerging industries reached 2.18 trillion yuan, with a year-on-year increase of 32.1 percent.
Beijing plans to achieve reusable rocket launch and recovery by 2028
Beijing issued a plan on Wednesday to achieve reusable rocket launch and return by 2028. According to the plan, the city will realize reusable rocket flight and recovery and develop low-cost, highly reliable rocket research and operation capacities by 2028. It plans to attract more than 500 high-tech enterprises, 100 specialized enterprises, and 10 unicorn companies, with the number of listed enterprises exceeding 20. It also plans to build up two space-specialized industrial clusters. Beijing will take another five years to establish a regular capability for reusable rocket launches, achieve deep integration of aerospace information with economic and social development, and build an influential hub for commercial aerospace development.
China opens its first direct flight route to Semporna.
On Tuesday, A plane carrying 158 passengers departed from the Nanjing Lukou International Airport in east China's Jiangsu Province and landed at Malaysia's Tawau Airport, about 60 km from Semporna. It marks China's first direct international flight route to Semporna. The new flight route will promote people-to-people exchanges between China and Malaysia. Semporna, located on the southeastern coast of Sabah in Malaysia, is known for its underwater scenery. (Reported by Ge Yong, Edited by Ma Yuxuan)
China Coast Guard stops Philippine fishermen's illegal activities on Huangyan Dao.
The China Coast Guard (CCG) recently stopped a group of Philippine fishermen from conducting illegal activities on China's Huangyan Dao (also known as Huangyan Island) in the South China Sea, a source confirmed with the Global Times on Friday. On January 12, a group of Philippine fishermen trespassed into the reefs of China's Huangyan Dao to illegally catch seashells. According to the source, this move also damaged the ecological environment, including the coral reefs of the island. The source said the CCG took necessary measures to stop these actions per the law, with its on-site operations being professional, reasonable, and legitimate. A group of Philippine personnel conduct illegal activities on the reefs of China's Huangyan Dao on January 12, 2024. The source said China will firmly defend its sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and maritime rights.
State-owned assets regulator vows to increase tech investment in emerging sectors.
China will increase investment in technological innovation to bolster strategic emerging industries, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) said on Wednesday during a press conference, in a move to accelerate the country's technology advancement and foster new productive forces. Zhuang Shuxin, a spokesperson for the SASAC, noted during the press conference that the SASAC has initiated several new projects in photovoltaic hydrogen production, carbon fiber manufacturing, and automotive chips; set up new enterprises in laser technology, quantum communication, and satellite internet, and reorganized and merged companies in the areas of electronics, new energy, environmental protection, and intelligent vehicle production. "We will build strategic emerging industry clusters and actively apply artificial intelligence technology into various sectors to achieve development progress in key areas of biology, new materials, and new-energy vehicles," said Zhuang. As of September 30, 2023, the assets of 383 listed SOEs reached 53 trillion yuan, of which 154 companies, or 40 percent, were in emerging industries. "The SASAC will encourage centrally administrated SOEs to increase the proportion of revenue and value-added across strategic emerging industries to facilitate more companies to turn to an innovation-driven growth pattern and help foster new productive forces," said Yuan.
APA Citations:
China reveals a British national jailed in 2022 for spying (2024-01-26T09:58:05.000Z). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-68078586
China's largest solar power tower project achieves milestones (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/video/2024-01-25/detail-ihcxacan3655798.shtml
China's aircraft carrier Fujian nearly complete,is is maiden voyage exand its and the pected soon (is is n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202401/1304729.shtml
China's new-energy vehicles sales evehicleto top are 11 million in 2024 (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202401/1304645.shtml
China will launch ‘2024 Spring Breeze Action' in Jan-Apr to create 30 million jobs: labor ministry (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202401/1305977.shtml
China appears to U-turn on 'obsessive' gaming crackdown (2024-01-23T15:56:25.000Z). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-68068440
Hawaii police arrest suspect after chemical attack on 25-year-old Chinese woman (n.d.). Retrieved from http://english.sina.com/world/2024-01-26/detail-inaewcsz7399664.shtml
China warns citizens against 'exotic beauty' traps of foreign spies (2024-01-26T04:45:38.000Z). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-68078152
China cut $238 in taxes and fees for private firms in 2023 (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/news/economy/2024-01-26/detail-ihcxacan3657187.shtml
China moves to expand 5G coverage in outlying border regions and inhabited offshore isles (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202401/1305119.shtml
China expected to continue contributing over 30% to global growth in 2024: economist (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/news/cns-wire/2024-01-25/detail-ihcxacan3655060.shtml
China (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/asia/china/#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
PLA organizes routine patrols around Taiwan island (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/news/2024-01-26/detail-ihcxacan3656542.shtml
The revenue of China's state-owned enterprises hit $5.5 trillion in 2023 (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/cns-wire/2024-01-24/detail-ihcxacan3652424.shtml
Beijing plans to achieve reusable rocket launch and recovery by 2028 (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/cns-wire/2024-01-25/detail-ihcxacan3655271.shtml
China opens its first direct flight route to Semporna (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ecns.cn/video/2024-01-24/detail-ihcxacan3653383.shtml
China Coast Guard stops Philippine fishermen's illegal activities on Huangyan Dao: source (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202401/1306168.shtml
State-owned assets regulator vows to increase tech investment in emerging sectors (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202401/1306019.shtml
Comments
Post a Comment