CNAD-#44-China's ??????????????? & Updates about ????+ (????????????????????????) & ??????????

Everyday Briefing: 2024-05-04

????China Internal??

?? Zhuhai, a city in Guangdong Province, China, has been issued red alerts for rainstorms in three areas, the highest level in China's weather warning system. Torrential rain has led to over 250 mm of precipitation in 24 hours, with some areas exceeding 300 mm. Flooding has been reported in various road sections, prompting residents to stay indoors. China's National Meteorological Center also issued a yellow alert for rainstorms in several parts of the country, including Guangdong.

??In the first quarter of this year, China's software and information technology service industry experienced significant growth, with double-digit increases in both revenue and profits. According to official data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the sector's total profits surged by 13.8 per cent year-on-year to 318.8 billion yuan, while combined revenue increased by 11.9 per cent to 2.8 trillion yuan. The information technology services sub-sector contributed significantly, generating 1.84 trillion yuan in revenue, accounting for 65.7 per cent of the industry's total revenue. Revenue from cloud computing and big data services grew by 11.9% year-on-year to 304.7 billion yuan. Additionally, revenue from software products increased by 9.4%year-on-year, and revenue from the information security field grew 11.6% during the same period.

?? In 2023, China saw 544,000 people with disabilities find employment, with 152,000 in urban areas and 392,000 in rural areas. This brought the total number of people with certified disabilities engaged in various forms of employment to over 9.06 million. Nearly half of these individuals were employed in the agricultural sector. Practical skills training was provided to 259,000 people with disabilities in rural areas, while over 11,000 visually impaired individuals received training to become non-medical masseurs and nearly 10,000 to become medical masseurs.

??? China has initiated a specialized campaign for a focused summer fishing ban to safeguard marine fishery resources. Jointly launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the China Coast Guard (CCG), and the Ministry of Public Security, the campaign targets illegal and criminal activities in the fisheries industry. Local authorities are instructed to regulate catches of permitted fishery varieties while intensifying supervision of high-risk targets and areas. As part of the ban, nearly 120,000 fishing and auxiliary vessels have returned to ports.

?? China launched the Chang'e-6 spacecraft to collect and return samples from the moon's far side, marking a historic first in human lunar exploration. The Chang'e series of lunar probes, named after the mythical Chinese goddess Chang'e, has played a crucial role in China's lunar exploration program.

Chang'e-1, launched on Oct. 24, 2007, mapped 3D images of the lunar surface and analyzed its composition before making a controlled crash landing.

Chang'e-2, launched on Oct. 1, 2010, took pictures of the moon's Sinus Iridium and later surveyed the Toutatis asteroid before continuing into deep space.

Chang'e-3, launched on Dec. 2, 2013, marked the first soft landing of a Chinese spacecraft on an extraterrestrial body. It included a lander and the Yutu rover, which explored the lunar surface and discovered new types of lunar rock.

A test craft for Chang'e-5 was launched on Oct. 24, 2014, to test technologies for future missions.

????On the eve of China's Youth Day, President Xi Jinping called the nation's young people, urging them to embrace their role in advancing Chinese modernization. As the country commemorates the 105th anniversary of the May Fourth Movement, Xi emphasized the importance of upholding its spirit and aligning with the Party's goals to contribute to China's journey towards becoming a strong nation. Xi's engagement with youth extends beyond formal addresses, as he actively interacts with them through letters, campus visits, and engagements with young innovators in science and technology. During a visit to a sci-tech company in Suzhou, Xi praised the vigour and contributions of young researchers, encouraging them to seize the opportunities of the era as China emphasizes self-reliance and technological advancement.

?? Agricultural Bank of China has prioritized expanding its presence in county-level regions, with over half of its branches located there by the end of 2023. This effort aligns with the bank's goal of improving financial services in rural areas. By the end of last year, the bank had established 12,700 branches in county-level regions, representing 56.4% of its total branches. Additionally, the bank has focused on financially under-served areas, with over 70%of newly established branches in such regions. Moreover, the Agricultural Bank of China has increased credit support to rural areas, with outstanding loans in county-level branches surpassing 9 trillion yuan by the end of the first quarter 2024.

??. Sebastian Soderberg surged ahead to claim the lead at the Volvo China Open's second round, finishing with an impressive score of 16 under par. Paul Waring followed closely in second place at 13 under par, while Guido Migliozzi secured third place with 12 under. Gordon Brixi, Adrian Otaegui, and Joel Girrbach shared fourth place at 11 under. Feeling confident after two strong days, Soderberg emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and composure heading into the weekend. Waring, buoyed by his aggressive playstyle and the course conditions, remained optimistic about his chances. Migliozzi expressed satisfaction with his performance, highlighting his improved gameplay and enjoyment of the course. The competition promises an exciting weekend ahead, with 68 players cutting three under par.

?? A survey conducted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade among over 600 foreign-funded companies revealed a growing confidence in the Chinese market. More than 70% of the surveyed companies expressed optimism about the market's development prospects over the next five years, marking a 3.8% point increase compared to the previous quarter. Additionally, over half of the enterprises perceived the Chinese market as increasingly attractive, showing a 2.9 percentage point rise from the previous quarter. Moreover, over the next five years, more than half of the companies anticipated increased profits from investing in China, with 60% of these companies being from Europe. The survey indicates that the Chinese market continues to offer significant advantages for attracting foreign investment, driven by favourable policies, a conducive investment environment, and China's commitment to high-standard opening-up efforts.

???China-Foreign Affairs??

???? Serbia-China relations are characterized by "ironclad friendship," featuring mutual respect and win-win cooperation. The two countries have achieved significant progress across various sectors, including infrastructure, economy and trade, culture, and scientific research. Cooperation under the Belt and Road initiative has bolstered Serbia's connectivity and economic development, highlighted by key infrastructure projects like the Belgrade-Budapest Railway and the E763 highway. Capacity cooperation, including projects like the Kostolac Power Plant, has enhanced Serbia's energy security and spurred sustainable development. The signing of a free trade agreement and a memorandum of understanding on yuan clearing arrangements further deepen economic and trade ties. Joint efforts are underway to develop the Serbia-China Industrial Park to boost Serbia's manufacturing and technological capabilities. Both countries are committed to green development, with Chinese investments in wind power and photovoltaic projects contributing to Serbia's pursuit of carbon neutrality by 2050.

???? The report titled "China-EU Cooperation on Environment and Climate: Progress and Prospects" was jointly released by several prominent Chinese research institutes. It comprises five sections covering various aspects of bilateral cooperation, including building a community of all life on Earth, addressing climate change, and concrete progress in eco-environmental cooperation. The report emphasizes the shared responsibility of China and the European Union (EU) in addressing ecological and environmental challenges and underscores the significance of their cooperation in maintaining sustainable development. It highlights green as a distinctive colour of China-EU cooperation, benefiting both sides and global environmental governance. The report calls for deeper and more pragmatic cooperation, establishing long-term cooperation frameworks, and promoting global environmental governance and climate action. It emphasizes the need to strengthen bilateral green partnerships and joint efforts to build a cleaner and more beautiful world.

???? More than 100 scholars from China and France convened in Paris for a symposium to foster cross-cultural dialogue and deepen exchanges between the two civilizations. Organized by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (Inalco), the event reviewed and projected exchanges between Chinese and French civilizations. Gao Xiang, President of CASS, emphasized the importance of mutual learning and cultural exchanges in promoting understanding and trust between the two nations, particularly in the face of the resurgence of the "clash of civilizations" theory. Jean-Francois Huchet, President of Inalco, highlighted the expanding academic cooperation between France and China in various fields, underscoring the potential for further collaboration. Discussions at the symposium covered topics such as cross-cultural exchanges, the mutual enrichment of civilizations, and the role of scientific and technological innovation in shaping the future of civilization.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to France is expected to focus on exchanges between the Chinese and French civilizations. Invited by President Emmanuel Macron, Xi's visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. This visit fosters mutual cultural appreciation during the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism. During Xi's last visit in 2019, Macron presented him with a copy of "Confucius, or the Science of the Princes," highlighting the historical influence of Chinese culture on French thinkers. Xi's interest in French culture, literature, philosophy, and art has been evident on multiple occasions, emphasizing the enduring tradition of cultural exchange between China and France.

Currently, over 46,000 Chinese students are studying in France, while more than 1,500 French students are enrolled in Chinese institutions, according to China's Ministry of Education. Since establishing a high-level people-to-people exchange mechanism in 2014, educational collaboration and exchange between China and France have yielded fruitful outcomes. Efforts include expanding language programs, establishing Confucius Institutes and Classrooms in France, and launching joint academic initiatives involving numerous universities from both countries. The Ministry of Education aims to further enhance student exchanges and bilateral cooperation in education through additional programs and activities.

???? In Kattakurgan, Uzbekistan, the Samarkand solar PV plant, boasting 220 MWac capacity, was unveiled by Dongfang Electric Corporation (DEC), a Chengdu-based company. The project marks a significant step in Uzbek-Chinese cooperation and showcases China's commitment to green development. Deputy Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan, Umid Mamadaminov, hailed it as one of the country's largest renewable energy initiatives. DEC emphasizes its mission to shape the future with green power. Sherzod Mukhammadiyev, an engineer on the project, appreciates the skills gained and the employment opportunities it brings to his hometown. Shakhnoza Mirzaeva, the project's human resources manager, praises the professionalism and social responsibility of her Chinese colleagues, highlighting contributions to local schools and sports facilities.

???? The Chinese embassy in Canada strongly denounced the accusation of "China's interference in Canada's internal affairs," labeling it baseless. The embassy spokesperson emphasized that China has never meddled in Canada's internal affairs and upholds the principle of non-interference. They criticized the report released by Canada's Foreign Interference Commission, calling it biased and lacking credibility due to contradictory statements and misleading language. The spokesperson pointed out Canada's history of interfering in China's domestic affairs, particularly concerning sensitive issues like Taiwan, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong. They urged Canada to respect facts, abandon bias, and cease groundless attacks against China.

???? Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) works hard on the Maldives's Velana International Airport expansion project, even during the May Day International Labor Day. Sun Luzhen, the executive project manager, recalls the challenges faced at the project's outset in 2014. Despite initial differences in design concepts and cultural understanding, BUCG and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) collaboration has deepened. The airport now boasts a wider apron, modern functions, and enhanced supporting facilities. With BUCG's commitment to quality, timeliness, and professionalism, the project remains on schedule even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. MACL's Chief Development Officer Mohamed Solah praises BUCG's consistent support in overcoming challenges.

??Cultural??Insights ??

??? China's cruise ship transportation market is on track for steady recovery, with a significant surge in passenger trips observed in the first quarter of 2024, according to the Ministry of Transport. During this period, cruise passenger trips exceeded 190,000, surpassing the total for the entire year of 2023, which was 107,000 trips. The ministry noted that since the beginning of 2024, 21 international cruise ships have been operating from domestic ports in China, with routes extending to Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Vietnam. Additionally, China's first domestically-built large cruise ship, the Adora Magic City, made its maiden commercial voyage in January, covering 1,119 nautical miles over seven days and six nights.

???? During the five-day May Day holiday, Laos is experiencing a surge in Chinese tourists, which is anticipated to benefit the country's tourism sector greatly. The China-Laos Railway has played a crucial role in this tourism rebound by facilitating easier travel. Businesses and the government strive to elevate tourism standards to accommodate visitors. The return of Chinese tourists is seen as a beacon of hope for recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Laotian vendors express confidence in the spending power of Chinese tourists and emphasize the country's rich cultural and natural attractions. Laos aims to attract over 4 million international visitors in 2024, generating an expected revenue of approximately 1.3 billion U.S. dollars.

?? "The Last Frenzy," a Chinese comedy film, topped the daily box office chart in the Chinese mainland on Friday, grossing 84.53 million yuan (about 11.9 million U.S. dollars) on its third release day. Following closely behind was the action thriller "Formed Police Unit," which earned 76.19 million yuan, depicting the story of Chinese peacekeeping police. The Hong Kong action crime thriller "Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In" secured third place with a box office revenue of 53.76 million yuan. The Chinese mainland's box office revenue reached 309.54 million yuan on Friday.

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