CNAD-#107- China's ???????????????????????????Updates about ????+(????????????????????) &????

Everyday Briefing: 2024-07-07

????China Internal??

??China plans to enhance the innovation capabilities of platform enterprises and promote the sustainable development of the platform economy, according to a State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Qiang. The platform economy, which includes tech-driven online marketplaces and similar operations, is crucial for promoting the high-quality development of the digital economy. The meeting emphasized the need for deep integration of digital technology with the real economy, industrialization of digital technology, and digitization of traditional industries. It also urged a coordinated effort to enhance foundational data frameworks and digital infrastructure.

??Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is gaining popularity among young people, particularly those who are embracing a healthier lifestyle. A 17th-century health bar in Beijing offers latte with goji berries, an ancient herb known for its liver-protecting and eyesight-improving properties. A growing number of young people are embracing this wholesome lifestyle, sparking a trend tailored specifically for them across the country. Zheng Wanying, a 30-year-old employee in Beijing, enjoys homemade tea infused with jujube, longan, and rose petals and foot baths containing vinegar, ginger, and Sichuan pepper. In south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, young people enjoy traditional Chinese massages on street stools near Guangxi University. Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine has introduced evening massage outpatient services for desk-bound young office workers suffering from shoulder and neck pain. A survey by China Youth Daily revealed that 79.9% of the 1,000 young people polled had learned about traditional Chinese medical philosophy and therapies, with 51.9% gaining this knowledge from social media platforms.

??Thousands of rescuers, including firefighters, hydrologists, volunteers, and police, have joined forces to protect people's lives and property following a dike breach at Dongting Lake, China's second-largest freshwater lake in central Hunan Province. The breach, initially 10 meters wide, expanded to 226 meters. Following the relocation of 5,000 residents, urgent measures have been taken to repair the breach, with 75 meters of the 226-meter breach sealed. Rescuers are also working to reinforce a 14.3-kilometer-long embankment, viewed as the "second line of defense," located around 2 kilometers from the breached dike. The Ministry of Emergency Management, the Ministry of Water Resources, and the China Meteorological Administration are working together to monitor the progress of rescue and relief operations. A work team has been dispatched to Hunan to guide rescue efforts.

??The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has activated a Level IV emergency response to flooding in Shandong due to heavy rainfall. Forecasted torrential rain from July 7-13 will cause water levels to rise in major rivers. The Ministry of Emergency Management has urged local governments in 10 flood-stricken regions to intensify patrols. China has a four-tier emergency response system for flood control.

??Science and Technology??

??Chinese researchers have developed a new method to produce crystals, improving their structure controllability. This method is expected to enhance the computing power of chips and serve a new generation of electronic integrated circuits and photonic integrated circuits. The traditional method involves layering atoms "bottom-up" on the surface of small crystal particles, which is limited by the need for strict screening of atom type and arrangement. The researchers developed a new method to accurately control atomic arrangement, enabling the crystal growth rate to speed up to 50 layers per minute, with the number of layers reaching up to 15,000. The researchers applied this new method to produce seven types of two-dimensional crystals, with a monolayer thickness of only 0.7 nanometers. These crystals can be used in integrated circuit transistors, increasing the density of transistors and providing more computing power.

???Three astronauts from China's Shenzhou-17 mission, Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie, and Jiang Xinlin, made their first public appearance since returning from space two months ago. They are in good physical and mental health, with muscle strength, endurance, and exercise cardiopulmonary function returning to pre-flight levels. They will resume regular training after passing health and wellbeing assessments. The Shenzhou-17 mission involved 84 space application experiments and over 200 samples.

???Chinese scientists have discovered that Syntrichia caninervis, a desert moss that thrives in extreme environments on Earth, could be a promising pioneer plant for colonizing extraterrestrial environments. The study, conducted by researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, the National Space Science Center, and the Institute of Botany under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, found that the moss has remarkable desiccation tolerance, able to recover photosynthetic and physiological activities within seconds after rehydration. The moss also has the special power of "drying without dying" and "freezing without dying," as it can survive and regenerate new branches after exposure to extreme temperatures. The study was published in the journal The Innovation.

??China is committed to providing more nuclear science and technology solutions to developing countries, according to the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA). The deputy director of the CAEA, Liu Jing, emphasized the need for cooperation to tackle sustainable development challenges like climate change, food security, health, and environmental governance. Envoys from 11 countries, including Argentina, South Africa, and Pakistan, visited China's nuclear science and technology bases in Hainan Province and Beijing. The CAEA introduced the envoys to China's efforts to promote sustainable nuclear energy development and discussed the benefits of nuclear technology for society and livelihoods. The event, organized by the CAEA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Permanent Mission of China in Vienna, marked the 40th anniversary of China's accession to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

????Beijing has introduced driverless robotaxis services for passengers between Beijing Daxing International Airport and Yizhuang, a southern district of the city. These autonomous vehicles can operate smoothly and pass through toll stations, even with about 40 km of highway to travel. This breakthrough in self-driving technology is a significant step for Beijing's intelligent transportation. China's accelerated efforts to build smart cities have led to a nationwide network of integrated intelligent vehicles, smart roads, and real-time cloud technologies. Yizhuang initiated an autonomous driving demonstration area in 2020, which uses holographic smart devices to sense traffic conditions and transmit computational data to vehicles and real-time cloud systems. The roadside sensing system has enabled traffic lights at intersections to be dynamically adjusted 110 times a day, resulting in a 15% increase in average vehicle speed. Beijing expanded its designated autonomous driving zone from 160 square km to 600 square km last month.

??China has emphasized the need for ethical and responsible AI development, highlighting the need for the use of AI to enhance the capabilities of developing nations. The World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) has highlighted the challenges of AI development, including law, security, employment, and moral ethics. Risks associated with AI include data leaks, privacy, copyright infringements, disinformation, and ethical issues like bias and discrimination. The Chinese government has endorsed China's proposal for global AI governance, urging international collaboration to mitigate potential risks. The best approach to balance AI innovation with responsible development is to work together globally, ensuring that new capabilities are deployed responsibly. Chinese vice foreign minister Ma Zhaoxu denounced attempts to monopolize AI resources, unilaterally dictate rule formulation, or create exclusionary alliances. He also denounced any malicious interference in other countries' initiatives.

??Chinese researchers have developed an innovative biopolymer-based material using DNA, the genetic blueprint of life, to reduce ambient temperatures by 16 degrees Celsius on sunny days, even under intense solar radiation. The aerogel structure, combining DNA and gelatin, converts absorbed ultraviolet light into visible light, surpassing 100% solar reflectance. The material is expected to revolutionize energy efficiency in urban architecture as an outer protective layer. The study's simulation outcomes showed a substantial reduction in annual energy expenditure in cooling for buildings across all modeled cities. The novel aerogel holds promise for significantly reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption, paving the way for innovative and sustainable radiative cooling materials in the future.

??Bangladesh's largest power station, a 1,320 MW ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plant, was built in 2016 to address a power supply gap caused by a lack of mineral resources, inadequate infrastructure, and growing electricity demand. The project, jointly developed by China National Machinery Import & Export Corp. and Bangladesh's North-West Power Generation Company Limited, introduced ultra-supercritical technology, making Bangladesh the 13th country to possess such technology. The plant, which provides 8.58 billion kWh of stable and reliable electricity annually, accounts for 10% of the country's total electricity demand and 25% of the southwestern grid's demand. The plant also uses by-products from its operation as industrial materials, shutting down about 50 brick factories. The plant also considers environmental friendliness, injecting green vitality into Bangladesh's long-term development.

??Business China??

???Shanghai border inspection authorities reported that over 180 international cruise liners entered and exited Shanghai's cruise ports in the first half of this year, with over 840,000 people aboard. Over 45,000 foreign visitors also entered and exited the ports in the first six months, with 18,000 inbound visits facilitated by visa-free policies. On June 28, over 25,000 people entered and existed the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, a record high for a single day this year. China is experiencing a faster than expected resurgence of inbound tourism, with a visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders and foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships.

??China has established a special fund worth 30 billion yuan (about 4.2 billion U.S. dollars) to revitalize the land assets of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The fund, jointly set up by China Chengtong Holdings Group Ltd. and China Orient Asset Management Co., Ltd., will be managed by a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chengtong. The fund aims to improve the utilization efficiency and effectiveness of state-owned capital. The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council has introduced policies to promote land asset revitalization.

??Chinese carmaker SAIC Motor has announced it will defend its rights and call on the European Commission to hold a hearing on interim anti-subsidy tariff measures against Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers. The European Commission imposed additional tariffs of up to 37.6% on Chinese EV makers, with several individual duties modified slightly lower based on comments submitted by interested parties. SAIC Motor defended its own legitimate rights and interests, stating that the Commission had intruded upon commercially sensitive information during its anti-subsidy investigations and committed mistakes when calculating subsidies. The automaker also claimed that the European Commission made adverse presumptions during the investigation under Article 28 of the basic countervailing regulations. SAIC Motor has invested nearly 150 billion yuan in research and development of core technologies over the past decade, resulting in over 26,000 active patents.

??China plans to enhance the innovation capabilities of platform enterprises and promote the sustainable development of the platform economy, according to a State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Qiang. The platform economy, which includes tech-driven online marketplaces and similar operations, is crucial for promoting the high-quality development of the digital economy. The meeting emphasized the need for deep integration of digital technology with the real economy, industrialization of digital technology, and digitization of traditional industries. It also urged a coordinated effort to enhance foundational data frameworks and digital infrastructure while advancing market-based data allocation. The meeting also discussed innovative pharmaceuticals, the development of western regions, and growth in the Tianjin Binhai New Area. The meeting also called for the area's policies to align with those of Beijing and Hebei, enhancing its status as a port and shipping hub.

??China's foreign exchange reserves decreased by 0.3% in June 2024 due to currency translation and asset price changes, according to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE). The decrease was attributed to factors like monetary policies, market expectations, and macroeconomic data. However, the Chinese economy has maintained its recovery momentum, allowing for stable foreign exchange reserves. The People's Bank of China reported that gold reserves remained unchanged at 72.8 million ounces, equivalent to 169.7 billion U.S. dollars.

????Chinese and Belarusian armed forces are set to conduct joint army training in mid-July near Brest, Belarus, focusing on counter-terrorism operations. The training will involve mixed-team exercises, involving hostage rescue operations and counter-terrorism missions. The aim is to enhance training levels, coordination capabilities, and deepen practical cooperation between the two armies.

??Tesla has entered China's government procurement arena by procuring a batch of Model Y vehicles for corporate use in state-owned enterprises in the Shanghai pilot free trade zone. This move demonstrates the commitment of the Lingang New Area administration to treating domestic and foreign enterprises equally in government procurement activities. Tesla was the sole foreign automaker among six companies that met the specified criteria for automotive data security compliance. The Chinese government is committed to promoting high-standard opening up, expanding institutional opening up, and practicing the principle of fair competition. In May, Tesla broke ground on a mega factory in Shanghai to manufacture its energy-storage batteries, known as Megapacks. This marks Tesla's second plant in Shanghai, following its gigafactory in 2019.

??China has become a leading player in mobile payment, with a penetration rate of 86% by the end of 2023. However, this widespread use can pose challenges for first-time visitors, as street vendors and small-scale service providers often prefer mobile payment over cash or international credit cards. The Chinese government has implemented measures to help foreigners enjoy a hassle-free payment environment, allowing them to easily bind overseas bank cards with Alipay or Tenpay. In the first half of the year, foreign card transactions through mobile payment platforms increased 6.65 times from a year ago to nearly 37.4 million, and the total transaction volume increased 8.03 times to 5.42 billion yuan. Major payment platforms have been advised by China's central bank to raise the single transaction limit for overseas travelers using mobile payments from 1,000 dollars to 5,000 dollars and increase the annual cumulative transaction limit from 10,000 dollars to 50,000 dollars.

???Zhejiang University researchers have developed 3D printable elastomers with exceptional strength and toughness, according to a study published in Nature. The researchers developed a 3D photo-printable resin chemistry that yielded an elastomer with a tensile strength of 94.6 MPa and toughness of 310.4 MJ m-3, far exceeding any 3D-printed elastomer. The researchers printed a rubber band using this new material and conducted endurance tests on it, showing it could be stretched up to nine times its original length and withstand a tensile strength of 94 MPa without breaking. The material was also used to create objects like balloons with excellent puncture resistance. The research marks a breakthrough in overcoming material limitations in 3D printing technology, bringing new hope for its large-scale application in high-performance product manufacturing.

???China-Foreign Affairs??

????Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani on his re-election, highlighting the country's traditional friendship and the steady development of bilateral relations under their joint guidance. He expressed his commitment to working with Ghazouani to elevate their friendly cooperative relationship and better benefit the two peoples.

????China and Tajikistan have announced plans to build a multimodal transport corridor linking China and Turkey via regional countries. The corridor will connect China and Turkey via Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran. The logistics cooperation between the two countries has been successful, emphasizing the importance of strengthening regional transportation connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative. The two countries are also committed to deepening cooperation on China-Europe freight train services and modernizing the highway linking China, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

??Chinese Vice President Han Zheng addressed the 12th World Peace Forum in Beijing, urging joint contributions to improve global security governance, safeguard fairness and justice, and promote international security cooperation. He emphasized China's commitment to peaceful coexistence, advocating for common security and promoting openness and inclusiveness. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and he emphasized China's role in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. He also emphasized China's commitment to promoting openness and inclusiveness, stating that all countries should uphold this concept. Around 400 people attended the event, including former foreign political dignitaries, diplomatic envoys to China, experts, and scholars. Han hoped that all participants would exchange views and contribute wisdom and strength to improving global security governance, safeguarding fairness and justice, and promoting international security cooperation.

????Chinese Premier Li Qiang congratulated Keir Starmer on becoming Britain's Prime Minister, stating that China and Britain are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major economies. He emphasized the importance of strengthening coordination and cooperation between the two nations for global unity and addressing global challenges. The Chinese government is ready to work with the new British government to consolidate political trust, expand cooperation, enhance cultural exchanges, support economic and social development, and promote world peace, stability, and prosperity.

????Chinese and Ethiopian officials have emphasized the importance of respecting and embracing the diversity of civilizations to promote peaceful coexistence, mutual understanding, and development. The call was made at a high-level dialogue titled "The Civilization Lecture Series" in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Li Jun, vice president of China NGO Network for International Exchanges, emphasized the need to advocate shared human values and reject pride and prejudice as obstacles to civilizations, cultural exchanges, and mutual learning. China supports Ethiopians' efforts to inherit and develop their own cultures while independently choosing a development path that suits their nations. Yonas Adaye, commissioner of the Ethiopian National Dialogue, emphasized the importance of dialogue on civilizations for maintaining world peace and development through intercultural exchanges and cooperation. Civil societies serve as bridges between states and societies, building trust, teaching rights, dignity, human rights, democratic engagement, and helping them engage with each other.

??Cultural??Insights ??

????Laos' Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and Shanghai-based online travel agency Trip.com Group Limited have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop and promote the tourism sector in Laos. The agreement aims to contribute to the Visit Laos Year 2024 and provide Laos with an opportunity to promote its tourism in the Chinese market. The two sides will jointly create an action plan to upgrade services and create various tourism programs to attract more Chinese tourists. Trip.com Group will work closely with the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, adopting popular marketing strategies in China, such as live streaming, to promote Lao tourism.

??The Beijing Dance Academy performed the Chinese classical dance show "Beauty Beyond Words" at Bucharest's National Theater, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 20th anniversary of the friendly and cooperative partnership between China and Romania. The event attracted around 900 people, including ambassadors, representatives from over 20 countries, Romanian ministerial-level officials, former politicians, and local residents. The dance works showcased the unique charm of Chinese dance, blending gentleness and strength. Chinese Ambassador to Romania, Han Chunlin, emphasized the importance of cultural exchange in promoting dialogue among civilizations. Undersecretary of state of the Romanian Culture Ministry, Irina Cajal, praised the performance as a bridge between the past and future in the relationship between China and Romania.

??A direct passenger route between Chongqing, China and Jakarta, Indonesia, has been launched with 174 passengers. The service, operated by Citilink Indonesia, offers two regular round trips per week, scheduled for Wednesdays and Saturdays from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. The flight, which departs from Chongqing at 3:30 a.m. local time and arrives at Jakarta at 8:55 a.m. local time, can save over three hours for passengers who previously had to transfer.

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