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On October 21, China News Service reported an update from the China Railway Group regarding concerns raised by netizens about the lengthy verification process for foreign passports on the 12306 ticketing platform. The group explained that, according to the National Immigration Administration’s recent notice on enforcing real-name registration for foreign passengers using domestic transport, the 12306 system must accurately collect and register various information from foreign passport holders, including names, nationalities, types of documents, document numbers, and birth dates. This process also includes an additional verification step specifically for foreign passports.

The complexity of names in foreign passports often leads to inaccuracies in the provided information, resulting in lower success rates for automatic verification within the 12306 system. As a consequence, a significant amount of verification must be done manually, typically taking between three to five business days.

In response to these concerns, railway authorities are prioritizing improvements in the collection and online verification of foreign passport information. They are implementing intelligent recognition technology to enhance the registration and verification processes on the 12306 website, which should reduce online verification waiting times. Additionally, they are collaborating with the National Immigration Administration to study and enhance the success rates of asynchronous online verification for foreign passports, with efforts for technical development being expedited.

On October 19, the National Sports Industry Vocational Skills Competition Finals kicked off at the National Olympic Sports Center in Beijing. This year’s competition features representatives from 30 provinces and regions, alongside teams from various government agencies, with a total of 359 contestants ready to showcase their skills over the next three days. The competition will unfold through four main events and 22 different skill categories, highlighting the exceptional talent and professional demeanor of high-skilled personnel in the sports sector.

This year’s competition arrives at a time when China is experiencing a dual achievement of excellent performance in the Paris Olympics and a rapid advancement in building a strong sports nation. The event includes two formal categories: “Social Sports Guidance (Fitness)” and “Swimming Lifeguarding,” along with two challenge events: “Sports Nutrition Guidance” and “Fitness Dance Guidance.” This setup offers the most diverse range of events seen in previous competitions.

By integrating professional skill competitions into the sports industry, this event differentiates itself from traditional athletic contests and mass participation activities. It establishes a novel format for sports competitions, which holds significant importance in fostering skilled talent in the sports sector, enhancing public fitness services, and elevating the social recognition of the multifaceted benefits of sports.

The National Sports Industry Vocational Skills Competition launched in 2013 under the theme “Training Skills for the Job, Serving Public Fitness.” Since then, it has been held every two years. Over the past decade, the event has developed into a comprehensive competition system, with the national competition leading the way and provincial contests providing a strong foundation. This framework has spurred over 300 local skill competitions and involved more than 210,000 frontline workers, leading to the recognition of seven recipients of the “National May 1 Labor Medal” and 270 provincial honor award winners.

In recent years, provincial sports authorities, in collaboration with trade unions and human resources departments, have utilized these vocational skills competitions as a platform to bolster the training and development of skilled talent in the sports industry. This initiative promotes learning through competition, training through competition, and practice through competition, thus providing a stage for outstanding sports talents to pursue their dreams. These skill contests serve not only as a training ground but also as a crucial indicator for talent development, ensuring a robust talent foundation for the ongoing journey towards a stronger sports nation.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has commiserated with the families of the three persons who were killed by kidnappers in an ambush on the Ihiala-Orlu Road in Anambra State, on Tuesday, 8th October 2024.
Information gathered on the incident revealed that the bandits opened fire on the bus in which the sports media team were travelling.
The attack immediately resulted in the deaths of a cameraman, a police officer and the bus driver.
President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, stated in the condolence message that it has been a very sad past few days for Executive Committee members, as well as Management and Staff of the NFF. “Yes, we won the match against Libya and took three points, but the fact that three lives were lost created a situation in which we were unable to celebrate properly, and it hurts seriously even to think back at the unfortunate incident.
“Nigeria football has had a long and fruitful relationship with the sporting press. These media men have been a strong ally in helping to fulfil the objective of the NFF in spreading joy to Nigerians through football. We share in their pain and sorrow at this period. Our prayer is that the Almighty will comfort the families of the deceased, and also grant the deceased eternal rest.
“At the same time, we pray for the safe return of the one person still unaccounted for, so that he will happily link up with his family and return to his job in good health. We also thank the security forces immensely for their efforts since this incident started.”
The media men were on the way to Uyo to reportthe 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria and Libya, played on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium when the unfortunate incident happened.
It was reliably gathered on Saturday that a total of 14 persons were in the vehicle at the time of the ambush. Eight persons were eventually rescued, two escaped on their own, three were killed and one person is still unaccounted for.

As I strolled down Hunan Street in Jilin City, the vibrant pulse of modern urban life was unmistakable. Yet, amidst the commercial highlights, one couldn’t overlook a historic gem—the century-old restaurant, Xinxing Garden. This popular eatery regularly sees long queues of eager diners, drawn in by its unique blend of antiquity and elegance. Intriguingly, it’s also home to Jilin City’s only privately-run museum—the Jilin Historical Museum.

Recently, the “Opportunities in China, Open Jilin” tour for overseas Chinese-language media kicked off, bringing representatives from over a dozen countries to explore the city’s rich history. Their journey included a visit to the museum, where they could truly appreciate the city’s unique historical imprint as they dove into the stories of this northern river city.

Jilin City, where the Songhua River meanders through, stands as a significant former industrial powerhouse of China. It’s noteworthy that the first barrel of dye and the first bag of fertilizer in New China were both produced here. The local industry once flourished, manufacturing products like fertilizers, bicycles, sugar, and paints that were distributed nationwide. A visit to the Jilin Historical Museum transports visitors back in time through artifacts such as soda produced by the local brewery, lunch boxes and basins crafted from aluminum, as well as kettles and matches that echo the area’s industrial past.

Museums serve as a city’s calling card, encapsulating its history and civilization. In recent years, Jilin City has made strides in tapping into its historical and cultural resources, using museums as a focal point for reform in cultural preservation and heritage utilization, and striving to develop itself into a “city of museums” rich with local cultural identity.

At the site of the former Jilin Machinery Bureau, our group explored four sections of an exhibition titled “Difficult Times”, “The Contributions of History”, “Taking Inspiration”, and “Passing the Torch”, which together created a comprehensive narrative of the evolution of Jilin City’s industrial development. A guide emphasized, “The establishment of the Jilin Machinery Bureau marked the beginning of a new chapter in modern industry for Northeast China.” Indeed, this location played an irreplaceable role in the foundation and growth of industry in the region.

Jilin City is also notable for being the site of a remarkable cosmic event. On March 8, 1976, the largest meteor shower in history fell over a 500-square-kilometer area in Jilin City, creating a booming sound that could be heard from miles away.

At the Jilin Meteorite Museum, visitors enter a blue-hued “time tunnel” that evokes the phrase “the stars within reach.” In the meteorite display area, many were spellbound by the world’s largest stone meteorite, marveling at the wonders of the Jilin meteor shower and the mysteries of the cosmos.

During their time in Jilin City, international Chinese-language media representatives also explored the Jilin Manchu Museum to gain insights into the origins and evolution of Manchu culture.

Jilin City is diligently working towards establishing itself as a “city of museums,” showcasing profound historical depth and cultural confidence, leaving a lasting impression on the visiting media. As the integration of cultural and tourism development becomes a vital engine for economic growth, the prospects for Jilin City as the “Northern River City” certainly look promising.

On October 23, renowned Chinese sprinter Su Bingtian made a visit to Nanchang, Jiangxi, to participate in the 2024 Elite Training Camp for Athletic Talents. During his interaction with the young athletes, Su shared his own experience of daring to change his starting foot in order to break through personal barriers. He encouraged the athletes to never doubt themselves and to be bold in their attempts. Su also shared his aspirations to compete in the 2025 National Games, which will be held in his hometown.

The “Duowei Cup” 2024 Elite Training Camp, hosted by the Chinese Athletics Association, officially kicked off in the Jiangxi Olympic Sports Center in Nanchang. Su Bingtian attended the opening ceremony and engaged in meaningful discussions with young athletes.

Reflecting on his decision to change his starting foot back in 2014, Su recounted, “I struggled for a long time deciding whether or not to make the change. I asked many people, and most said it wasn’t necessary. But deep inside, I felt a strong urge to try. I wanted to break the 10-second barrier. It didn’t matter how others viewed it; what mattered was whether I could pull it off, so I ultimately chose to change.” After deciding to switch his starting foot, he set a goal to improve his performance within two years. During that process, he immersed himself in training, constantly pondering about his starting technique and how to optimize his power.

Ultimately, Su succeeded, running faster than ever and breaking the Asian record with a time of 9.83 seconds at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, making history as the first Chinese male to reach the Olympic 100-meter finals.

In sharing his journey, Su stressed to the young athletes the importance of self-belief. He urged them to voice their ideas confidently and engage in dialogue with their coaches, emphasizing that techniques should always be refined.

Born in 1989, Su Bingtian was 32 years old when he broke the Asian record. In an interview, he expressed his determination to return to peak physical condition and compete as an athlete in the 2025 National Games, perhaps in a relay event.

At 36, Su will continue to challenge himself in the competitive world of sprinting. Reflecting on his 20 years in the sport, he acknowledged the emotional and physical hurdles he faced, including multiple injuries and moments of contemplating retirement. “In 2019, after suffering a severe injury, I kept asking myself if I could continue. Through that internal dialogue, I realized I didn’t want to give up; I wanted to keep running,” Su explained. He likened himself to a balloon that, though deflated, could be re-inflated to soar again.

As the sharing session drew to a close, Su addressed the young athletes in attendance, reminiscing about his own early experiences. “In 2013, I came to Jiangxi with the national team for the first time and trained in Jinggangshan. Back then, Liu Xiang stood where I am now, while I was sitting where you are. We shared insights, and I believe that by 2028 and 2032, the Olympic stage will be yours. You will all become the stars you aspire to be. I look forward to seeing you shine for Chinese athletics in the future,” he said.

On October 22nd, the First National News Media Pickleball Invitational Conference was held in Beijing, attracting journalists from across the country to participate. Liang Jinxiong, Deputy Director of the China Pickleball Sports Working Committee, expressed hope that this event would further promote the development of this increasingly popular emerging sport in China.

The tournament is set to take place from November 9th to 10th in Wen’an County, Langfang City, Hebei Province, and will feature only doubles matches. During the event, a pickleball seminar for journalists will also be conducted locally. Liang highlighted that the number of pickleball tournaments nationwide is rapidly increasing, with successful events such as the China Pickleball Tour and the National Pickleball Championships contributing to the sport’s growing momentum in the country. He emphasized that this new sport is poised to attract even more public participation in the future.

Pickleball combines elements of table tennis, badminton, and tennis, making it an accessible and enjoyable sport for individuals of all ages and skill levels due to its low space requirements and quick learning curve. Wang Yun, Deputy Director of the Small Ball Sports Management Center under the General Administration of Sport of China, noted during the conference that pickleball has a low barrier to entry and offers a competitive edge, which can positively drive the development of its industry and encourage more people to engage in fitness activities.

The event is organized under the guidance of the Small Ball Sports Management Center and the China Pickleball Sports Working Committee, with support from the Pickleball Association for the Journalism Community.

In a recent interview, Ken Goldin, founder and CEO of Goldin Auctions, revealed exciting news about the bidding for Shohei Ohtani’s historic 50th home run ball. Ohtani, the talented two-way player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, made history this year by becoming the first player in Major League Baseball (MLB) to achieve a season of 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. The commemorative ball, which symbolizes this remarkable achievement, was auctioned off for an astonishing $4.392 million, making it the highest-priced baseball ever sold.

Goldin shared via social media that while there was considerable interest from bidders in Japan, the winning bid ultimately came from a corporation based in Taiwan. This Taiwanese company, passionate about baseball and Ohtani, intends to reveal its identity after the conclusion of the World Series.

In a statement, the Taiwanese company, Youshi Capital, confirmed that they were the fortunate bidders of Ohtani’s 50th home run ball. They expressed their honor in bringing this historically significant baseball back to Taiwan, calling it a “holy grail” for many baseball fans worldwide. They emphasized their belief in Ohtani’s growing impact on baseball across the globe and declared that this decision holds profound meaning.

Youshi Capital also expressed eagerness to collaborate with various institutions in Taiwan and Japan, potentially organizing public displays that would allow fans to see the commemorative ball up close. They noted that their aspirations extend beyond promoting baseball development in Taiwan; they hope to showcase Taiwan to the world through this significant piece of sports history.

During a recent interview, we explored the dynamic developments in China’s consumer market, which has shown increasing vitality and a significant boost in spending. As consumer demand continues to rise, several factors have contributed, including trade-in programs, vibrant commercial districts, ongoing promotional activities, and substantial subsidies aimed at stimulating consumption.

Reflecting on the recent National Day holiday, many regions implemented various discount policies to invigorate the holiday economy. Innovative consumer scenarios were introduced, enhancing the consumption structure and unleashing the spending potential of residents. According to data from the National Taxation Administration, consumption-related industries recorded an impressive year-on-year sales increase of 25.1% during the holiday.

In Guangxi, local authorities revised the vehicle trade-in subsidy standards, increasing the incentives for both new energy and fuel vehicles to 20,000 RMB and 15,000 RMB, respectively. Consumers can utilize a dedicated “vehicle trade-in” app to process their vehicle scrapping and purchase a new car. Meanwhile, in Sichuan, numerous promotional events centered around trade-ins have been launched, including Chengdu’s “Rongxing Zhi Zhi” consumption campaign for 2024 and Ziyang’s “Revitalize Life, Shop Ziyang” autumn consumption festival.

In recent years, China’s consumer market has expanded, giving rise to new business models and scenarios that add impetus to economic growth. Experts in the industry suggest that fostering high-quality development in the consumer market requires continuous introduction of diverse business models, such as dining and entertainment, alongside innovative consumption patterns. This strategy aims to enhance the commercial ecosystem of various regions and invigorate market dynamics.

Major cities are actively innovating, creating fresh consumer experiences. Beijing has united various commercial districts and scenic parks to launch over 400 distinctive activities, while Shanghai has introduced a 500 million RMB service voucher campaign targeting the dining, accommodation, film, and sports industries. In Hubei, the investment of 6.666 billion RMB has expanded trade-in subsidies to 23 categories of kitchen and bathroom products. Additionally, Qingdao has kicked off its “Shop Qingdao, Enjoy Consumption” shopping festival for 2024, complementing the new round of trade-in initiatives with over 200 promotional events citywide.

To foster a robust consumption atmosphere and fully harness market vitality, local governments are not only diversifying new consumption formats but also launching supportive policies to improve consumption conditions. For instance, Shanghai has allocated city-level financial resources for a “Le Shanghai” service voucher program across four sectors, while Hunan’s “Yuedong Huxiang: Fitness for All” initiative aims to encourage sports consumption through government funding and merchant discounts. In an effort to energize the cultural industry, Jiangsu has issued 30 million RMB in movie vouchers to further enhance citizens’ quality of life.

Since the beginning of this year, the implementation of consumption-boosting policies has continued to optimize market supply and release residents’ spending power, leading to rapid growth in the consumer market. Data shows that during the National Day holiday, domestic travel reached 765 million trips, a year-on-year increase of 5.9% and a 10.2% rise compared to 2019. The total spending by domestic tourists amounted to 700.81 billion RMB, reflecting a 6.3% year-on-year increase and a 7.9% rise from 2019 figures.

“Market enthusiasm indicates that the strong demand for cultural and tourism consumption is translating into tangible spending,” noted one industry expert. They emphasized the need for local governments and departments to capitalize on this momentum, improve the cultural and tourism market environment, establish robust industry standards, enhance consumer dispute resolution mechanisms, elevate service quality, and innovate consumption models to sustain public enthusiasm for cultural and tourism spending.

China’s consumer market is buzzing with activity, showcasing the nation’s economic vitality. “The booming holiday economy highlights the vastness of our market, the strength of our economic resilience, and the immense potential that leads the world to witness a vibrant China,” stated Pang Chaoran, a research fellow at the Ministry of Commerce.

This year, consumer spending for Halloween is projected to drop, signaling potential tightening in holiday expenditures and marking an early onset of winter for the retail sector. Traditionally, Halloween serves as a critical sales period for retailers, but with reduced consumer spending, forecasts indicate a 5% decline in holiday revenues. This challenge arises from rising operating costs and a more budget-conscious approach from consumers.

According to Bloomberg, the National Retail Federation reports that holiday consumer spending in the U.S. is expected to decrease by 5%, reaching $116 billion, with greeting cards and apparel likely to see the steepest declines. This situation exacerbates the difficulties faced by seasonal retailers.

The report highlights that the slight increase in unemployment and persistent inflation have placed low-income households in a precarious financial situation, leading companies like Michaels Cos. to note in their earnings calls that families earning less than $100,000 are significantly cutting back on spending, which in turn has drastically reduced shopping lists.

Erica Weisgerber, a partner at the law firm Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, remarked, “2024 is shaping up to be a perfect storm for various retailers.” She elaborated, “The combination of inflation, rising operating costs, and decreased consumer spending presents particularly tough challenges for brick-and-mortar retailers. Even online giants like Amazon are struggling due to fierce competition.”

Retailers facing operational crises, such as Michaels and At Home Group Inc., have found backing from private equity managers. However, the surge in interest rates and inflation during the pandemic has dampened consumer spending, making acquisitions during this period less opportune.

Moody’s Ratings notes that retailers in crisis, especially in sectors like home goods, apparel, and sports equipment, are burdened by substantial debt, limiting their ability to compete with financially robust rivals.

As consumer spending dwindles, several bankruptcy filings have emerged this year, including those of Joann Inc., Big Lots Inc., and Conn’s Inc. Holly Etlin, a partner at AlixPartners, pointed out that “the retail industry is discovering that efforts to meet lower benchmarks remain noticeably insufficient.”

In a report released last month, Moody’s stated that the capital market has largely turned a blind eye to struggling retailers. Over the past year, numerous retailers have announced bankruptcies, with the first quarter of this year recording the highest number of bankruptcy protection filings since 2012.

James Gellert, CEO of risk analysis firm RapidRatings International Inc., commented, “As P/E ratios have plummeted and leverage trading rates have surged, private equity investors, who typically have provided support to the retail sector, are now entering a new period of transactional calm.”

Organisations assisting Russian deserters hope France’s decision will lead to more soldiers fleeing
Pjotr SauerWed 16 Oct 2024 00.00 EDTLast modified on Wed 16 Oct 2024 00.01 EDTShareSix Russian soldiers who fled the war in Ukraine have been granted temporary visas as they apply for political asylum in France, in what human rights activists describe as the first major case of a group of deserters being admitted to a EU country.
The men arrived in Paris on separate flights over the last few months after initially fleeing Russia to Kazakhstan in 2022 and 2023, according to an organisation that assists soldiers in fleeing, and to accounts from the deserters.
“When I landed in France, it was the first time I could breathe fully. I felt a sense of calmness and freedom … the worst was behind me,” Alexander, a former Russian contract soldier who was sent to Ukraine and deserted during the summer of 2023, told the Guardian in an interview.
Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, tens of thousands of Russian soldiers have deserted or refused orders to fight, say rights activists and groups that help soldiers flee.
But the west has long grappled with the decision over whether to accept Russian soldiers who have deserted, with questions lingering over whether to treat them as heroes, potential security risks or war criminals. While the EU and its member states have publicly discussed offering asylum to Russian deserters, no decision has been reached and it has proven difficult for deserters to get asylum.
“This is the first time an EU country let in a group of deserters who did not have any travel documents or foreign passports,” said Ivan Chuviliaev, spokesperson of the Go By The Forest, a group helping Russian soldiers desert who worked on the case involving the six soldiers.
Unable to travel to Europe and facing the prospect of long-term imprisonment at home, most deserters fled to countries bordering Russia, such as Armenia and Kazakhstan, where they could enter without a passport but remained trapped without an option to travel onward.
Moscow has gone to great lengths to track them down. There has been a growing number of incidents where deserters hiding in post-Soviet countries within reach of the Kremlin have been kidnapped or deported back to Russia. Their precarious situation has prompted louder calls from anti-war activists to provide soldiers with a safe haven by allowing them to seek refuge in the west.
“In Kazakhstan, you can never feel safe; you just have to keep your head down,” said Alexander, who described living without a SIM card or bank account to avoid being tracked by Russia. From Kazakhstan, Alexander started running an anonymous YouTube channel calling on other soldiers to desert.
Anti-war advocates like Chuviliaev now believe that France’s willingness to admit deserters could set a precedent and send a strong signal to other western nations, potentially accelerating the process.
“France’s decision is the result of extensive collaboration between French authorities and a group of human rights organisations,” said Chuviliaev, whose organisation has helped over 2,000 soldiers to flee abroad.
“We hope this marks the beginning of more deserters being let into Europe” he added.
Chuviliaev said that each of the deserters was meticulously vetted for months for their “strong, consistent anti-war stance” before being let into France.
“We understand that there are fears in the west that some might not be who they say they are,” he said.
Among those granted temporary visas were men who fought in the war against Ukraine, as well as conscripts and officers who managed to avoid being sent to the front lines.
Chuviliaev believed that their arrival in France could serve as an incentive for other Russians to desert the army.
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“For someone contemplating desertion, it is crucial to envision a future in a free country rather than facing jail or a precarious existence in a nation bordering Russia, living in constant fear of deportation,” he said.
The Kremlin has recently stepped up its efforts to clamp down on desertion, hunting down and jailing soldiers at home and abroad as it looks to meet its constant need for manpower in Ukraine. To dissuade deserting, Putin has signed a series of laws toughening punishments, including prison sentences of up to 15 years and the confiscation of the property of fleeing soldiers.
There have also been widespread media reports and personal accounts of so-called “holes and pits”, basements where officers and regular soldiers are held for days against their will for refusing to fight.
The independent news outlet Mediazone has reported that authorities have initiated at least 7,400 cases in the last two years against Russian soldiers accused of abandoning their units without leave. The real numbers are likely to be greater given the Kremlin’s systematic attempts to hide information about the military.
Russia has also pursued deserters hiding abroad, pressuring countries in its geopolitical orbit to hand over Russian deserters. In December 2022, Kazakhstan deported a Russian intelligence officer, Mikhail Zhilin, who had deserted. In March 2023, a Russian court sentenced Zhilin to six and a half years in prison.
Some deserters suffered worse outcomes. In February, Maksim Kuzminov, a Russian pilot who had defected to Ukraine, was gunned down outside his apartment in the beach town of Alicante in Spain where he was residing, in an operation widely attributed to Russia’s intelligence services.
Aware of how far Russia is willing to go to punish deserters, Alexander expressed his hope to help more former soldiers relocate to the west.
“I know what those guys are going through. We can’t let them down.”