All posts by 0421qq.com

On the afternoon of October 15th, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited Aojiao Village in Chen Cheng Town, Dongshan County, Fujian Province. His aim was to gain insights into the local efforts for comprehensive rural revitalization.

Aojiao Village, located on the southeastern coast of Dongshan Island, is renowned for its strong fishing industry and breathtaking natural scenery. As visitors stroll through the village, they are greeted by a picturesque landscape where islands dot the sea and people enjoy the waves—a true portrayal of ecological harmony and rural revitalization.

The village’s fishing port is a hub of activity, as showcased in recent photographs. The primary driver of Aojiao’s economy is its vibrant fishing and aquaculture sector, which has led to the establishment of 128 aquaculture bases producing abalone, shrimp, kelp, and seaweed. The annual output value of marine capture fishing reaches 330 million yuan, while the value of offshore aquaculture is around 370 million yuan. Infrastructure improvements continue to enhance this “marine granary.”

In recent years, traditional fishing practices could no longer meet the developmental demands of Aojiao Village. To address this, locals have initiated the “villagers become streamers” program, bringing their fresh seafood online. By expanding e-commerce channels, they are able to increase the added value of their products, resulting in fuller wallets for the community. Currently, over 530 individuals are involved in the e-commerce sector, with daily shipments exceeding 2,000 items.

Taking advantage of its unique island scenery and fishing resources, Aojiao Village has also pursued the integration of fishing and tourism. The village has developed commercial areas in the fishing port, established the Mazu Cultural Park, and created Happiness Park. With the rise of coastal homestays, seafood dining, and maritime sightseeing, many villagers have returned to start their own businesses, cultivating a thriving “tourism economy.” In 2023, the total social output value of Aojiao Village reached 1.55 billion yuan, with village financial income at 1.73 million yuan and a per capita net income of 58,000 yuan.

The once underdeveloped fishing village has transformed into a popular tourist destination, earning titles such as “National Most Beautiful Fishing Village” and “Gold Medal Tourist Village of Fujian Province.”

As comprehensive rural revitalization continues, the lives of fishermen in Aojiao have entered a new era of opportunity. Today, the people of Aojiao are sailing towards a promising future, full of dreams and ambitions.

Reported by Wu Jianfeng and Wang Cheng
Visuals by Tan Muxiao and Jia Yining
Joint production by Xinhua News Agency’s Domestic Department and Fujian Branch
Editor: Wang Qin

The 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits kicked off on October 9 in Vientiane, Laos. Several Laotian entrepreneurs spoke with reporters from China News Service, sharing their perspectives on the exchanges and collaborations between China and Laos.

“Since the completion of the China-Laos Railway, more and more Chinese businesspersons and investors are coming to Laos to discuss investment and cooperation,” said Huang Xia, deputy secretary-general of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Luang Prabang.

Huang studied network engineering in university. In 2009, she traveled to Laos and, while exploring Luang Prabang, noticed the local electronic technology market was just beginning to develop. She decided to stay, teaming up with her husband to establish a company focused on the import and export of electronic products.

Reflecting on her early experiences, Huang remembered that her journey to Laos involved a long bus ride from Kunming through the Mohan port, taking nearly five days to reach Luang Prabang. The mountainous terrain in northern Laos made for a dizzying ride on the bumpy roads. Now, she can return to her home country in just a few hours via the China-Laos Railway.

Beyond transportation, close cooperation between China and Laos has advanced in various fields. In Huang’s industry, for example, Chinese companies play a crucial role in everything from fiber optic network deployment to 5G base station construction. When she first arrived in Luang Prabang, internet speeds were around 128 Kb/s; today, local shops can enjoy speeds of 10 Mb/s to 20 Mb/s.

As Laos’ information technology sector has developed, Huang has expanded her product line to include smart home security devices, aligning with local market demands. Additionally, local businesses are seeking stable and efficient data services to innovate their business models and create new entrepreneurial opportunities.

Huang noted a significant change over the years: from initially struggling to sell her products to customers who were resistant to now having clients actively seeking to purchase her offerings. The local market’s recognition of Chinese products has steadily grown.

Zhou Yanhua, who is involved in the agricultural processing industry in Luang Prabang, has also witnessed the transformation brought about by the cooperation between the two countries. Zhou’s father invested in establishing a factory in Laos in 2003, processing local crops like Job’s tears, corn, and legumes for export to China and Thailand. In 2011, Zhou took over her father’s factory after moving from Yunnan, China.

Zhou recalled that the factory’s management practices were relatively outdated. Employees spent long hours manually calculating product yields from vast and complex production data. Now, the factory has implemented data-driven management, vastly improving data processing efficiency.

According to Zhou, the introduction and development of information technology have enabled the enterprise to acquire and compute data from various stages of the harvest season. This has enhanced cost control and made pricing adjustments easier. Young Laotian employees are also gaining computer skills, which will support their future development.

Moreover, as technical exchanges between the two countries deepen, more Laotian clients are consulting about and purchasing Chinese-manufactured agricultural equipment. Zhou has collaborated with local agricultural departments to conduct pest management seminars, helping local farmers boost yields and encouraging them to engage in agricultural technology promotion initiatives.

In a recent interview, a representative from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) discussed their findings regarding North Korea’s military support for Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The NIS claims to have confirmed that North Korea is providing troop assistance to Russia and has released satellite images showing Russian vessels transporting North Korean soldiers. According to sources, these satellites are operated by the South Korean government.

Despite these allegations, both Russia and North Korea have denied the accusations of troop deployments. The Korea Herald cited an insider who mentioned that while the NIS released satellite photos as evidence, they did not disclose the specific source of these images.

The NIS revealed satellite images taken on October 12, which appear to show Russian ships nearing the waters off the coast of Wonsan, North Korea. These images were likely captured using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), a technology that synthesizes images from radar data reflected off objects, allowing for effective imaging regardless of day or weather conditions.

The South Korean military has previously launched reconnaissance satellites equipped with SAR technology, but photos captured by these military satellites are typically classified and not used in public reports. Instead, publicly available images are expected to come from multifunctional satellites like the Arirang 5, which are operated by the government.

According to informed sources, the NIS has synthesized satellite images obtained from both government and military sources, as well as from private foreign companies, to confirm that North Korea is indeed dispatching special forces to support Russia.

In a press release on October 18, the NIS stated that on October 8, North Korea decided to send 12,000 troops to assist Russia. Based on intelligence gathered by South Korean authorities, over 1,500 North Korean special forces troops have already been transported by Russian ships to Vladivostok for acclimatization training, with plans to move a second group of troops soon.

On October 14th, over 20,000 red-spotted pufferfish were exported from the Rongcheng port in Shandong, China, heading directly to Japan. This significant shipment marks the largest export of farmed red-spotted pufferfish from the Rongcheng port so far this year, utilizing a “sea direct loading” method to minimize customs clearance time.

The red-spotted pufferfish is renowned for its delicious meat and high economic value, making it a vital aquaculture species along China’s northern coast. The majority of these fish are exported to Japan and South Korea, with some also supplied to the domestic market.

According to officials from the Shidao exit-entry border inspection station, they have established a “fast track” for fresh fish transportation to address the rigorous requirements for loading and transit times associated with live fish. This includes pre-declared customs processes, immediate processing of paperwork, and rapid inspections. Such measures ensure that the vessels carrying fresh pufferfish can leave the port promptly, facilitating their swift arrival in the market.

State Assemblymember Ron Kim recently announced a series of public safety measures to combat the rise in robbery and theft incidents in Flushing, New York. On October 16, he revealed that $35,000 in funding would be allocated to the Flushing New York Public Safety Patrol (NYPSP) to enhance patrol efforts and expand coverage areas. Kim also encouraged small businesses to take advantage of the Commercial Security Tax Credit Program to acquire equipment aimed at crime prevention.

In discussing the funding, Kim expressed his gratitude for the NYPSP’s longstanding efforts to ensure safety in downtown Flushing. He emphasized his hope that this funding would help relieve some of the patrol’s burdens as they work together to enhance community security.

NYPSP Vice President Lee Chi-ki highlighted that the patrol team plans to use the funds effectively to increase both the frequency and reach of their patrols. Additionally, the patrol will continue offering self-defense courses, which aim to better protect local businesses and the safety of residents.

Kim reminded community business owners that the application deadline for the Commercial Security Tax Credit Program is October 31 (Thursday). He urged them to take full advantage of this program, which offers tax credits of up to $6,000 for investments in security equipment.

According to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, this program allows small businesses to receive tax credits for expenses related to safety measures, including hiring state-registered security guards and purchasing surveillance cameras, alarm systems, lighting, locks, and devices for identifying counterfeit bills.

To qualify, businesses must be retailers with no outstanding tax debts. Those with 25 or fewer employees can apply for up to $3,000, while those with 50 or fewer can apply for up to $6,000. Interested applicants can submit their forms online at [link], and for more details, they can contact the Retail Theft Prevention Department via email at [email protected].

The upcoming Southern California Chinese Church Joint Bible Study and Revival Conference is set to take place from October 25 to 27, running nightly at 7 PM. This free event will feature Mandarin sermons on Friday and Sunday, with Cantonese translation, while Saturday’s session will focus on Cantonese sermons with Mandarin translation. The keynote speaker is Pastor Chiu Ying-yu, who will discuss the themes of judgment and revival as presented in the Book of Ezekiel. Participants can register online at www.glacma.org. The conference will be held at the Arcadia Chinese Baptist Church, located at 100 W. Duarte Rd, Arcadia, CA 91007. For those unable to attend in person, live streaming will be available each night on glacma.org.

Pastor Chiu Ying-yu has an impressive background; he attended the University of Waterloo in the 1970s, majoring in biochemistry, before pursuing theological studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, where he earned a Ph.D. in theology and philosophy. He currently serves as an advisory pastor at the North City Chinese Christian Church and is the retired president of the Canadian Chinese Theological Seminary. His past roles include director of the International Association for Education, SEND International missionary, and senior pastor of the Chinese Christian Church in Dallas and the North Toronto Chinese Mission, as well as president of the Philippines Bible Seminary.

With nearly twenty published works, Pastor Chiu’s writings cover a range of topics including theology, historical theology, Christian education, and Bible commentaries. His notable commentaries include “Commentary on the Book of Ezra” and “Commentary on First Chronicles.”

During the conference, Pastor Chiu will explore God’s actions in history and in our lives through the lens of the Book of Ezekiel. He aims to help participants understand God’s attributes of justice and love from the perspective of His glorious throne. The overarching theme of “Judgment and Revival” will guide the discussion, illustrating God’s righteous expectations of His people and nations. Judgment is not the ultimate goal; rather, God’s intention is for people to experience revival following judgment. Throughout his sessions, Pastor Chiu will strive to connect biblical texts with everyday life experiences and highlight key prophecies regarding the end times and nations, particularly those related to Russia.

For more information about the event, attendees can contact the organizer, the Greater Los Angeles Chinese Church Workers Fellowship, through Executive Pastor Chen Yi-nuo at 626-353-8199.

On the afternoon of October 17th, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited Liu Chixiang in Tongcheng, Anhui, to reflect on the story of Zhang Wu and Li Rang and to review the exhibition on Tongcheng’s historical culture. Xi expressed, “It’s very moving to be here. Liu Chixiang carries the historical wisdom of ancient Chinese people. We must promote the traditional virtues of the Chinese nation, such as mutual consideration and the value of harmony. We need to effectively address the issues affecting people’s livelihoods and resolve social conflicts to create a more harmonious society.”

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.

On the evening of October 12, the applause and cheers erupted multiple times for two shining stars of Chinese tennis during the WTA 1000 event at the Wuhan Optics Valley International Tennis Center.

The match featured Zheng Qinwen and Wang Xinyu, both of whom reached the semifinals of the 2024 Wuhan Open. This marked the first time in WTA 1000 history that two Chinese players faced off in a semifinal.

Reflecting on this milestone before the match, Zheng expressed her pride, stating, “Playing against Wang Xinyu in such a significant moment shows that China has excellent players, and our level has improved compared to the past.”

Despite having grown together through their junior careers, Zheng and Wang had never competed against each other in the professional circuit until this highly anticipated showdown. Zheng emerged victorious with a score of 6-3, 6-4, becoming the first Chinese player to reach the finals of the Wuhan Open, and this will also be her debut in the WTA 1000 finals.

Both 22-year-old Zheng and 23-year-old Wang had exceptional performances at the recent Paris Olympics, with Zheng securing the women’s singles gold medal and Wang earning a silver in mixed doubles. As representatives of a new generation of Chinese tennis, the two have already made a name for themselves on the global stage, with “breakthrough” becoming a central theme of their careers.

Just last week, Zheng made her way to the semifinals of the China Open for the first time in a WTA 1000 event. Returning to her home province of Hubei, she battled through tough matches over two consecutive days to reach the semifinals again.

Wang, competing in the Wuhan Open for the first time, has also seen remarkable progress. She advanced from the first round by defeating American player Dolehide and followed up with a comeback against Italy’s Brancetti. Wang also took down American star and second seed Pegula in the third round and reversed a deficit against Russia’s Alexandrova in the quarterfinals, making her way to the semifinals and setting new personal records along the way.

As the match concluded, the two “flowers” of Chinese tennis shared a heartfelt handshake. Wang reflected on their journey, noting, “Over the past few years, both Zheng and I have been growing and improving. Competing at a high level with familiar faces has been enriching and has shown us our potential for further growth.”

Zheng was quick to acknowledge Wang’s influence, saying, “Thank you, Qinwen, for winning the Olympic gold medal. I feel that tennis is becoming increasingly popular in China, and the arena was packed.” Under the influence of emerging stars like Zheng and Wang, a tennis craze is sweeping across China, and two-time Wuhan Open champion and top seed Aryna Sabalenka noted the ever-growing atmosphere of tennis enthusiasm in the country after her own semifinal win.

During the Paris Auto Show on October 14, Chinese electric vehicle brand Leap Motor announced ambitious plans to establish 500 sales points in the European market by 2025. The company also aims to expand its operations into the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and South America starting in the fourth quarter of 2024. Leap Motor is set to leverage the extensive service network of Stellantis, a major European automotive giant that has become one of its partners.

Stellantis, which owns several well-known brands like Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and Opel, began its collaboration with Leap Motor in October 2023, investing approximately €1.5 billion (around $1.63 billion) to acquire about 21% of Leap Motor’s shares.

In an interview, Leap Motor’s founder and chairman, Zhu Jiangming, emphasized the advantages of partnering with Stellantis, highlighting the company’s global network of over 100,000 sales channels and service systems, including essential parts distribution for after-sales support. Leap Motor is set to enter the European market in September 2024 with the launch of two vehicle models. Zhu expressed hopes of establishing 300 stores across Europe by the end of 2024, noting that achieving this through independent localization efforts would be challenging. He believes that working with Stellantis is the quickest and most resource-efficient way to enter overseas markets, minimizing obstacles related to finance and insurance systems.

Since the European Union voted on October 4 to impose countervailing duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles, discussions between China and Europe are ongoing, with significant disagreements still present. Zhu mentioned that the vehicle models launched in Europe in September have been priced with these potential tariffs in mind, sacrificing a considerable amount of profit. He stressed that for car manufacturers looking to sell extensively overseas, local production is the only viable approach, regardless of tariff implications.

Stellantis had previously disclosed in June that it successfully conducted trial production of a Leap Motor model at its factory in Poland. At that time, Stellantis stated that Leap Motor products could be manufactured in any of its global plants. As of now, neither party has provided further details. However, Leap Motor’s Senior Vice President, Cao Li, noted that the EU tariff situation is complex. Even if manufacturers produce locally, they must adhere to specific local content standards to potentially avoid tariffs, and these details are yet to be clarified.