Shanghai Declaration on the Global Governance of AI (#190)

Version fran?aise de cette newsletter : https://rb.gy/8wr41b

Executive summary

Chinese Tourist Bookings to France Double Due to Paris 2024 Olympics Anticipation

Chinese tourist bookings for France have doubled compared to last year, driven by the interest and anticipation sparked by the Paris 2024 Olympics in China. Beyond the city of Paris, three French cities are capturing this interest: Vanves, where the table tennis events will take place; Marseille, the venue for sailing events, which has been connected to Shanghai by three direct flights per week since July 2nd; and Deauville, which will host the Chinese Olympic delegation and the 6th Franco-Chinese Cultural Forum, initiated by the Prospective and Innovation Foundation, chaired by former Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin.

International Tourism in China Increases by 152% in the First Half of 2024

International tourist trips to China increased by 152% in the first half of 2024, facilitated by visa-exempt stays for certain tourists (52%), the simplification of digital payments, the attractions of Chinese destinations (for example, the world's largest indoor ice and snow theme park in Harbin), innovations, and high-speed train travel to second and third-tier cities.

Resurgence of Chinese Tourists in Asia

The acceleration of the return of Chinese tourists to Asia could enable certain destinations (Japan, South Korea, Thailand) to regain their 2019 levels of tourist arrivals. In Europe, Chinese tourists favor Central Europe (Serbia) and Spain and are expected to become the fastest-growing source market for urban destinations in 2025, surpassing the United States.

Shanghai Declaration on the Global Governance of AI

The declaration on global AI governance, presented during the 2024 World AI Conference held in Shanghai in July, marks the third installment of conferences and joint declarations on AI. It highlighted a significant convergence of views on this theme among three major international players. This is an opportunity to revisit AI in China (interview with Frederic Josue) and the analysis of Trip Genie, the AI tool of the leading Chinese OTA, recently featured in these columns.

60th Anniversary Celebrations

Finally, the news of the 60th anniversary is highlighted by the exhibition "At the Heart of Color" at Guimet and the July 14th Celebration at Villa Basset in Shanghai.

1/ Jo Paris 2024 and chinese tourism

Strong Interest in China Despite High Prices

As Trip reminds us, Chinese tourist bookings for France in the summer of 2024 have doubled due to the Olympics. However, given the scarcity of stays and the high prices required to attend the Olympic opening ceremony (360 euros on the bridge), travel agencies are not offering group tours.

Marseille, Deauville, and Vanves: Cornerstones of Chinese Tourism in France for the Olympics

Three French cities will benefit from increased tourism visibility due to the Olympics or in connection with the events: Marseille, Deauville, and Vanves. These cities will play a pivotal role in attracting Chinese tourists during the Olympics.

Marseille for Windsurfing and Sailing Events

The reopening of the line between Shanghai and Marseille on July 2nd (see the newsletter of July 5th) will facilitate access to the Phocaean city where the sailing events will take place. In 2023, Chinese tourists became the biggest spenders in the world again with $196 billion (compared to $255 billion in 2019).

Vanves for Table Tennis

Airbnb reports significant increases in bookings for July from Asian customers, particularly Chinese, specifically in Vanves, where the table tennis events will take place, with Chinese athletes highly anticipated.

Deauville Hosting the Chinese Delegation

Deauville will host the Chinese delegation for the Olympics

Deauville Chosen by the Chinese Taekwondo Federation in Autumn 2022

In autumn 2022, the city of Deauville was selected by the Chinese Taekwondo Federation. "We have hosted five Chinese delegations in the past two years," says Philippe Augier , the mayor. The city has been chosen by the Chinese Olympic delegation to host approximately 230 athletes and their accompanying staff from July 4th. They will benefit from the numerous sports facilities in the city, which is labeled "Terre de Jeux 2024", its convention center, and its peaceful Norman environment, far from the anticipated tumult in the ?le-de-France region during the competition. The mayor mentioned "the direct economic impacts, which are still difficult to quantify as we do not know exactly how many will make the trip. And then there are the image benefits! This year, we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and China. Deauville will be talked about all over China! Can you imagine?"

6th Franco-Chinese Cultural Forum in November 2024

Created in 2016 at the initiative of the Prospective and Innovation Foundation, chaired by former Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, and co-organized with the Western Returned Scholars Association, an association of former Chinese students who studied abroad, this forum brings together more than 300 French and Chinese political, cultural, and economic stakeholders. They gather to discuss themes of cooperation between France and China. The forum is held alternately in France and China: Beijing in 2016, Lyon in 2017, Xi'an in 2018, Nice in 2019, and Suzhou in 2023

2) Rise of #TraveltoChina on Global Social Media

International Tourism in China (First Half of 2024): +152%

China recorded 14.64 million inbound trips by international tourists in the first half of 2024, an increase of 152.7% compared to 2023. The number of visa-free entries by foreigners exceeded 8.5 million, representing 52% of inbound trips and an increase of 190% from a very low base in 2023.

Many international tourists have shared their experiences in China, particularly highlighting the light show on the Liangma River in Beijing, the street delicacies of Shanghai, drone food delivery in Shenzhen, as well as the futuristic air train and self-guided air taxi in the Optics Valley of Wuhan, through instant videos.Additionally, 86% of these same international tourists who have already visited China find it much easier to make payments in the country today.

High-speed train trips to small towns are creating new tourism hotspots.

Visa exemption policies are boosting foreign tourism to China this summer. On Qunar, travelers from the US, South Korea, Russia, Vietnam, and Malaysia favor high-speed train trips, especially two-hour journeys like Sichuan to Chongqing.

Yiwu in Zhejiang Province is popular among tourists in the Shanghai high-speed rail zone. A blogger noted his childhood Christmas gifts labeled "MADE IN CHINA" and bought sports products in Yiwu, saying his Olympic spirit was only surpassed by Paris.

Australian tourist Luke Serdar, after visiting five Chinese cities, loves the night markets and street food so much that he plans to replace his diet at home with Chinese food.

The Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Theme Park in the World in Harbin

Tourists visiting Harbin, the "Ice City" in China's Heilongjiang province (northeast), now have a new attraction to explore: an indoor ice and snow theme park. Covering a construction area of 23,800 square meters, the park has earned the Guinness World Record for the largest indoor ice and snow theme park in the world. According to the park director, the site features nine themed zones showcasing realistic ice sculptures illuminated by colorful lights. The theme park maintains a constant temperature to welcome visitors year-round. This park will complement Harbin's Ice and Snow World, an outdoor ice and snow theme park covering 810,000 square meters, transforming Harbin into an all-season tourist destination. Harbin, known for its cold winters, hosts an annual ice and snow festival. Last winter, Harbin Ice and Snow World attracted an average of more than 30,000 visitors per day.

It was precisely in Harbin that the 60th anniversary of Franco-Chinese relations was launched, with the presence of Olivia Gregoire, the French Deputy Minister for Tourism, who inaugurated the ice cathedral. "It's a wonderful way to celebrate France," she said, "to make it known here in Harbin, and to remind everyone that Notre-Dame will be open to welcome Chinese tourists again in a few months, in December 2024." See the Chinese Tourism Newsletter of January 12, 2024: An ice sculpture festival in Harbin, China, featuring Notre-Dame to rekindle the flame of Chinese tourism in France (#178).

3) Outbound Chinese Tourism

Gradual Resumption of Chinese Tourism in Korea and Japan (19.5% and 25% of 2019 Levels, Respectively)

In 2023, over 11 million tourists visited South Korea, marking a 245% increase compared to 2022, when some pandemic-related restrictions were still in place. Chinese and Japanese tourists made up the majority of visitors. In the first half of 2023, 564,000 Chinese tourists visited South Korea, representing 19.5% of the total 2.8 million in 2019.

In Japan, eight countries or regions, including the United States, reached record numbers of travelers in 2023. However, the number of visitors from China, who accounted for 30% of international tourists before the pandemic, only reached about 25 % of their 2019 total, partly due to Chinese government restrictions on group travel, which were in effect until August. The return of Chinese tourists is a key factor that could help the Japanese government surpass the 2019 record.

Central Europe and Spain Leading Chinese European Tourism in 2024

Most countries report Chinese tourist visits well below 2019 levels, with Croatia, Slovakia, Austria, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic seeing over a 50% decrease. Some recent surveys suggest a resurgence of interest, despite contradictory data on travel intentions.

Notable exceptions include Serbia, Montenegro, and Spain. Over 60% of pre-COVID direct flights between China and Spain have been reinstated, with Air China resuming daily flights between Barcelona and Beijing, showing positive effects from the 2023 China-Spain Cultural Tourism Year. Chinese business tourism in France and French attractiveness in China, levers for the recovery of leisure tourism in France by the 2024 Olympics?

2021, a Pivotal Year for Chinese Tourism in Central/Eastern Europe

By 2025, China is expected to become the fastest-growing source market for urban destinations in Europe, surpassing the United States. This growth is driven by the search for value-for-money destinations, the return of Asia-Pacific travelers, and the increasing availability of train travel. While the US remains the top long-haul source market, there is significant growth from East Asian markets, especially China, making European cities particularly attractive to Chinese visitors.

4) AI in China

Chinese, American, and French Convergences on AI

In the span of three months, three conferences on AI and global governance issues took place. First was the China-France joint declaration on AI on May 6, advocating for global governance and promoting AI development for the common good ([link](https://lnkd.in/eDQrFFCE)). Also in May, the first Sino-American intergovernmental dialogue shared views on AI risks, opportunities, and the role of global governance ([link](https://lnkd.in/exqaqWr5)).

Finally, the 2024 World AI Conference held in Shanghai in July focused on "Governing AI for the Good of All." The conference concluded with the Shanghai Declaration on Global AI Governance, emphasizing the development of safe AI for all, based on a global AI governance system supported by the United Nations ([link](https://lnkd.in/eBYsXz_s)).

It is significant to note the convergence of three major global AI players in seeking global governance.

Interview with Frédéric Josue on AI in China

Following the Franco-Chinese joint declaration on AI on May 6, we had the opportunity to interview Frederic Josue , CEO of 18M Marketing and Communication Consulting, and a specialist in technology and societal issues, about AI in China.

Below is an excerpt from this discussion and his reflections on AI in China, a major global player in research, R&D, and technology.

1) What do you think of this Franco-Chinese joint declaration on AI in five points?

Frédéric Josue: The Franco-Chinese declaration, though symbolic of a willingness to collaborate, seems to lack concrete measures for effective implementation. For instance, while it advocates for the protection of personal data and cybersecurity, there are no details on control mechanisms or mutual verification to ensure these principles are upheld, especially given the differences in political regimes and handling of personal data between France and China.

For the full interview: [HERE](#)

AI and Tourism in China

In the Chinese Tourism Newsletter of June 12, the China Pavilion at Viva Tech, symbolizing Chinese tech and AI with TripGenie for travel and the recovery of Chinese tourism in France, highlighted this topic through an analysis of TripGenie, the AI tool of Trip.com.

TripGenie, Trip.com's AI Tool, Symbol of Chinese Tech and Digital Innovation in Travel

According to the "Travel Consumption Trends Insight Report Q1 2024" published jointly by TravelDaily China and Data100, about 80% of respondents use AI tools or services to plan their trips. The new generation of users has benefited greatly from the intelligent life facilitated by AI, a true game-changer in the Chinese consumer market of 2024 compared to previous years. In this context, Trip.com, the Chinese OTA with 1.1 billion users, launched Genie, its AI tool. This is an opportunity to revisit Trip.com and its innovations, as well as the features of its AI tool and the measurable benefits.

Founded in 1999 as Ctrip, Trip.com is one of the world's leading online travel agencies, operating in 200 countries with 30,000 employees, and over 400 million monthly active users across its various platforms. Trip.com has forged strategic partnerships with tourism boards, major hotel chains, airlines, railway operators (see below for Trip.com's European Rail Strategy), and local travel providers worldwide. It leads in hotel bookings, with over 1.7 million accommodations listed globally, flights from more than 600 airlines, and a network of over 90,000 partners, including tours, attractions, car rental providers, and trains.

For the full analysis: [HERE](#)

5) 60th Anniversary News

At the Heart of Color

In China, blue ceramics were used during rituals to honor the heavens. In the Temple of Heaven, all objects were blue. The exhibition "At the Heart of Color: Masterpieces of Chinese Monochrome Porcelain (8th-18th Century)" showcases these traditions. More information: (https://buff.ly/44IGrCp)

Bastille Day Celebration at Villa Basset in Shanghai

Watch the video ?? of the reception organized at Villa Basset in Shanghai on Bastille Day. The event was held with Chinese partners from the city and the three provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, along with the French community in Eastern China. Under the theme of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Franco-Chinese diplomatic relations and the upcoming Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, the reception gathered nearly 1,000 people throughout the day. Joan Valadou 王度