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Sporting life as marathon boom powers local economic growth

STREETS across China were alive with energy yesterday, as thousands of runners jogged, smiled and celebrated in what’s been dubbed a “super marathon weekend.” Data show that about 30 marathons took place nationwide yesterday alone, including in Beijing, Hangzhou and Xi’an, drawing over 450,000 runners from around the globe. This marathon boom is driving growth not only in the sports industry but also in urban economies across the country. The surge in marathon participation is part of a wider trend. Following the pandemic, marathon events have surged back to life, with nearly 700 races held nationwide in 2023 alone. Early spring and late autumn, in particular, see cities transformed into running festivals, with a carnival-like atmosphere attracting runners and fans alike. “What’s remarkable is that marathons have become trendy events in cities, a trend not confined to professional athletes but one that is increasingly attracting ordinary fitness enthusiasts,” said Wang Zongping, a professor at Nanjing University of Science and Technology. The Beijing Marathon, one of China’s oldest marathons, remains a bucket-list race for many runners. The 2024 event brought together 30,000 participants from 43 countries and regions, with a record-breaking 180,000 applicants registering for a spot. Ethiopia’s Lemi Hayle clocked two hours, nine minutes and 16 seconds to win the men’s category, while China’s Chen Tianyu secured third place. The women’s podium was dominated by Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes. But it’s not just elite athletes who are captivated by the 42-kilometer course, events like the Xi’an Marathon, which saw over 35,000 runners, consisting of half marathon and fun run, evoked much enthusiasm among amateur runners. “Nowadays, securing a marathon slot is as tough as scoring concert tickets,” said Zhang Aiping, a Chinese runner, citing the growing competition for participation. Despite limits on entry qualifications, spots for popular running events in major cities are often snatched up in minutes. According to Wang, the rise in marathon popularity is also indicative of a nation that is becoming increasingly health-conscious. A 2020 national fitness activities report showed that walking and running are the top two physical activities among Chinese adults, engaging 22.7 percent and 19.8 percent of the population, respectively. “Four years ago, I struggled with obesity, fatty liver disease and insomnia,” said Zhang. “Then I started long-distance running, sticking to about 16 days of training each month. Marathon running has dramatically improved my health, and I’ve never felt better physically and mentally.” As it moves toward becoming a sporting powerhouse, China is expanding its sports facilities. By the end of 2023, 37.2 percent of Chinese engaged in regular exercise, supported by 4.59 million sports venues nationwide and an average of 2.89 square meters of sports space per person. Among these are 152,800 fitness trails stretching 371,000 kilometers, enough to circle the globe nine times. Beyond fitness, marathons have become major economic drivers. With China’s sports consumption and industry flourishing, marathons have turned into key strategies for local economic growth. According to a recent report on the outdoor sports industry, large-scale road-running races in major cities generate an average revenue of 29.1 million yuan (US$4 million) per event. As of September 2024, China had over 177,000 outdoor-related firms, while the outdoor gear market grew from 67.5 billion yuan in 2019 to 87.2 billion yuan in 2023. The immense popularity of marathons has also drawn an increasing number of corporate sponsors, ranging from traditional sportswear and energy drink brands to banks, insurance, and fast-moving consumer goods.

Source: Shanghai Daily: Nation | 4 Nov 2024 | 5:01 am(NZT)

A fresh brew in academia as China’s 1st coffee undergraduate program kicks off

IN a country with a rich tea-drinking tradition spanning thousands of years, China saw its first cohort of university students majoring in coffee science and engineering start the new semester this month. This groundbreaking initiative at Yunnan Agricultural University aims to provide undergraduate training in coffee-related expertise to meet the growing demand for professionals in a country where coffee consumption is rapidly rising. A total of 100 students have enrolled in the program. They will study at the university’s campus in Pu’er City in southwest China’s Yunnan Province, where the first coffee seeds were introduced about 130 years ago. Chen Siyuan said that her interest in coffee started when she was a grade 12 student preparing for the university entrance exam. “I need something refreshing to help me focus on my studies, so I chose coffee for its stimulating effect,” she said, adding that the more she learned about coffee, the more it fascinated her. Chen’s father, who was involved in the coffee industry, also inspired her to pursue a major in coffee science and engineering. After attending her first class last week, she realized the major was more challenging than she had expected. “Hopefully, I’ll have the opportunity to further study coffee tasting, technology and trade,” she said. Shen Yize, from Hebei Province in north China, began drinking coffee for the same reason — to stay refreshed while studying. He started with instant coffee and gradually learned more about the beverage and the culture behind it. “Today in class, I saw the entire process of how raw beans are transformed into a cup of coffee for the first time,” he said, adding that he also found friends in his department who share his passion for coffee. During their four years in college, undergraduates will take foundational courses like math, chemistry and English. After introductory classes on coffee, they will advance to specialized courses such as coffee flavor chemistry, coffee engineering principles, roasting and evaluation, and world coffee trade. They are also encouraged to pursue certifications, like the Q-Grader exam. “From metropolises to small cities in China you can always see a lot of cafes, but we lack professionals who know both coffee growing and production, as well as sales,” said Chen Shiwei, who is in charge of the major at the College of Tropical Crops of the Yunnan Agricultural University. He noted that they want to cultivate interdisciplinary talent in the coffee sector to support the high-quality development of China’s coffee industry. China surpassed the United States last year to become the country with the most coffee outlets in the world. It has now emerged as East Asia’s fastest growing market for coffee consumption. Between 2010 and 2022, coffee consumption per person in China rose fourfold, according to the International Coffee Organization. Yunnan, China’s largest coffee-producing region, accounts for about 98 percent of the country’s coffee production, with Pu’er — known as China’s “coffee capital” — producing half of Yunnan’s total output. According to Yang Xuehu, head of the College of Tropical Crops, Pu’er was chosen as the site for the coffee science and engineering major because the city boasts a complete coffee industry chain, from seed to cup. The college has partnered with more than 20 institutions, including the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences and coffee giant Nestle, to create off-campus practice bases. They have also established international cooperation with universities in Thailand and New Zealand to broaden the horizon of students. “China has both coffee-producing areas and a huge consumer market so students pursuing this major have the opportunity to learn about the entire industrial chain,” said Zhao Xuemei, head of brand communication, innovation and renovation at Nestle China, noting that as the coffee industry’s potential continues to expand, the demand for skilled professionals is increasing significantly. Liu Haifeng, executive deputy general manager of the Yunnan International Coffee Exchange, expressed high expectations for the undergraduate program in coffee studies. He said he hopes that by studying at the university, students will gain insights into industry trends and develop the skills to create new products and technologies for coffee. “In the future, baristas might be replaced by machines, but those who design the machines will not be replaced,” Liu added. The university newcomer Chen Siyuan shares similar sentiments. “In the future, I hope to uncover the mysteries of coffee that remain unsolved and engage in a deeper exploration of this beverage through my studies,” she said.

Source: Shanghai Daily: Nation | 21 Sep 2024 | 4:00 am(NZT)

FIND SOMETHING COOL IN SUMMER!China’s indoor ice and snow industry attracts tourists

DESPITE the sweltering summer heat, tourists visiting Harbin, capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, now has a new attraction to explore — the world’s largest indoor ice and snow theme park. The long-awaited indoor theme park project, designed to maintain temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees Celsius, opened last Saturday. It features nine themed areas showcasing lifelike ice sculptures illuminated by colorful lighting. “It attracted more than 3,000 visitors on its first day and is expected to receive numerous tourists during the summer holiday,” said Sun Zemin, deputy director of the sales and marketing department of Harbin Ice and Snow World Park Co. Known as “Ice City,” Harbin went viral on social media last winter due to its rich ice and snow resources, as well as its vibrant winter tourism. Although winter has passed, the city is ambitiously expanding its appeal through innovation, aiming to attract more tourists and take its share in the summer tourism market. Covering an area of more than 23,000 square meters, the indoor project has been certified by Guinness World Records as the “largest indoor ice and snow theme park (permanent)” in the world. In addition to its vast indoor ice and snow wonderland, Harbin offers many choices for cold-weather enthusiasts in the summer. Yu Guohui, 60, and his friends from south China’s Guangdong Province said they were impressed by the exquisite ice sculptures at the Ice and Snow Culture Museum, including replicas of Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa and a section of the Great Wall of China. “Back in my hometown, the temperature is over 30 degrees Celsius, but here we are shivering in this world of ice sculptures. It’s as amazing as time travel,” said Yu, who journeyed more than 2,000 kilometers north to experience a different, cooler summer trip. At an 80,000-square-meter indoor ski resort in Harbin, skiers of different levels can enjoy the country’s largest indoor ski resort, which features eight snow trails and a vertical drop of up to 80 meters. “The maximum number of skiers we have had in one day was 3,500 this summer, ranging in age from 5 to over 60,” staffer Fu Wei said, noting that the resort received 320,000 tourists last year. Nowadays, professional ski teams from Russia, South Korea and Japan undertake summer training at the Harbin resort. China’s northern region, which is rich in ice and snow resources, is accelerating the development of its ice and snow industry, offering diverse services tailored to different groups. With the nationwide promotion of the industry, ski resort management models and skilled personnel are traveling from the north to other parts of the country, promoting the development of winter sports and injecting vitality into the country’s thriving ice and snow industry. Li Jiangtao is one such ski instructor who has moved away from home. In March, Li accepted a job and moved to southwest China’s Chongqing from Zhangjiakou City, co-host of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in Hebei Province. Chongqing, a city known for its high temperatures, is often compared to a furnace. At an indoor skiing facility in Chongqing Jihua Park, where Li works as an instructor, the summer holiday season has brought a peak in visitor numbers. “Southern China is witnessing rapid economic development, strengthened purchasing power and growing enthusiasm for winter sports among its locals. The ice and snow industry here is a lucrative gold mine,” Li said. Li has not been the only one to travel from the north to the south to take part in the gold rush following the end of north China’s snow season. Many other ski coaches have flocked to indoor ski resorts in southern provinces. “Ice and snow sports are no longer exclusive to the north, especially after the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, and there are more and more ice and snow enthusiasts in Chongqing,” said Zhang Ge, deputy director of the Chongqing Winter Sports Management Center. In Chongqing alone, there are five indoor ice rinks and two indoor ski resorts that allow all-seasons participation in ice and snow sports. From 2018 to 2023, the city saw approximately 5.5 million people participate in ice and snow sports. In Guangzhou, the capital city of south China’s Guangdong Province, the Sunac Snow Park, also an indoor ice and snow theme park, has become a popular destination for ice and snow enthusiasts for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area and surrounding regions in recent years. Statistics show that by 2023, the province has 34 ice and snow sports venues, covering a total area of 177,500 square meters. Among these, there are 24 ice skating venues and 10 skiing venues. Meanwhile, in Shanghai, a massive indoor skiing complex, located in Lingang Special Area, has completed its construction and, following testing and inspection, is set to open this summer. The project has garnered significant attention due to its vast total building area of approximately 300,000 square meters. It includes a large indoor ski resort, a water park, a boutique hotel and a resort hotel. The ski resort features more than 20 snow play activities and three ski slopes of varying difficulty levels.

Source: Shanghai Daily: Nation | 13 Jul 2024 | 4:00 am(NZT)

China’s first commercial space launch site is ready for operations in Hainan

CHINA’S first commercial spacecraft launch site is ready for operations in south China’s Hainan Province, having completed a rocket launch simulation rehearsal using its two launch pads. According to the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co, which built and operates the launch site, the exercises performed using the launch pads included water spraying and deluge system cooling, as well as a rocket lifting arm erection test. Following assessments, the company confirmed that the site is operational for launch missions. Yang Tianliang, president of Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co, called on the company to work with satellite and rocket developers, and to prepare for the site’s first launch mission. Established in June 2022, the company was founded by the Hainan provincial government, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp, and China Satellite Network Group Co. The launch site has an approximate investment of 4 billion yuan (US$555 million) and is located off the coast of Wenchang City. It includes a launch area, a TT&C (telemetry, tracking and command) building, multiple rocket assembly buildings, spacecraft testing and integration facilities, fuel storage facilities and other structures. Positioned at a latitude of 20 degrees north, the site benefits from the advantages of a low latitude, which increases rocket payload capacities and reduces launch costs. Compared with inland launch sites, a coastal launch site is more convenient and safer as large rockets can be transported to the site by ship, which is very important for commercial launch services. A new, purpose-built port is being planned by the Hainan provincial government. The coastal location also gives Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co an advantage in its recovery of reusable rockets after launch. The company is working with commercial rocket developers to carry out experiments related to vertical landings and the recovery of rockets from the sea. It said the launch site is designed with two launch pads for liquid propellant rockets and another two for solid propellant rockets, with its No. 1 and No. 2 launch pads completed in December and June, respectively. The No. 1 pad is designed for the Long March-8, China’s new-generation medium-lift carrier rocket. The No. 2 pad is capable of launching multiple types of rockets with various diameters from commercial rocket companies. Each pad has an annual capacity of 16 launches. The propellant and gas supply system at the launch site is capable of refueling and supplying liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen, kerosene and methane. Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co will also support commercial rocket companies in providing international commercial launch services. Xiang Dalin, vice director of the company’s technical department, said the company will issue a universal interface file of commercial rocket designs both domestically and internationally. The commercial space industry was included in the Chinese government work report for the first time this year. It was listed as one of the “emerging industries and future-oriented industries” that the government plans to cultivate. According to the 2023 China aerospace science and technology blue book, the country completed 26 commercial launches last year, accounting for 39 percent of its total number of launches. China’s commercial space market has maintained rapid growth since 2015, with an average annual growth rate of more than 20 percent from 2017 to 2024. It is estimated that its market value will be 2.34 trillion yuan by 2024.

Source: Shanghai Daily: Nation | 6 Jul 2024 | 4:00 am(NZT)

International horticulture expo attracts worldwide green fingers to Chengdu

THE International Horticultural Exhibition 2024 — which opened in Chengdu, capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, last week — offers a comprehensive and on-site “101 handbook” for gardening devotees worldwide, with a kaleidoscope of horticultural technologies and garden arts from home and abroad showcased at the event. According to Zhou Jun, deputy head of Chengdu’s park city construction management bureau, this year’s edition has built 39 international gardens, covering the world’s major styles of British, French, Japanese, Italian, Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian garden design. The numbers of gardens on display, foreign gardens and those undertaken by industrial associations and companies have all surpassed previous records of the expo. Zhou added that the expo’s major underlying value will be the exchanges and mutual learning as it presents new plant varieties, gardening products and technologies, and novel garden design ideas. Global urban gardening fad Chengdu has a rich history that spans over two millennia. Its unique natural geography provides the lush urban environment with greenery all year round and diverse blooming flowers in each season, which has long been hailed by poets and writers since ancient times. The expo’s gardens are on display until October 28, highlighting the captivating cultural essence of Sichuan, the Eastern philosophy of residential living, as well as diverse international gardening esthetics. Apart from foreign exhibitors, the event also invites multiple Chinese cities to demonstrate their own architectural and gardening features. The Beijing Garden follows the layout of its ancient imperial gardens, while the Shanghai Garden showcases the city’s fragrant flora. Visitors can be immersed in a verdant canvas of trees and grass, experiencing the century-old beauty of the Chinese seashore stack bridges, the northwest landscapes along the Yellow River and the delicate elegance of southern residential houses all at once. The burgeoning urban gardening heat in China has inspired growing communication and cooperation between different Chinese regions and attracted worldwide gardeners. Qiu Yamin, a promotion ambassador of the Chengdu horticultural expo, has her own botanical garden of more than 3,000 square meters, with more than 2,000 kinds of plants inside. “I hope to further promote home gardening via the expo by visiting ordinary households and doing livestreaming shows to tell the stories of flower growers,” Qiu said. “At the same time, I will also take this opportunity to learn and exchange with international counterparts and spread our Chinese horticultural concepts to the whole world.” The 46-year-old Canadian garden lover Chad Sinclair has been studying Sichuan’s characteristic penjing, the ancient Chinese art of shaping trees and depicting landscapes in miniature, in Chongzhou City for about two decades. He has learned about traditional Chinese paintings, tea culture and the like to enrich his penjing content. Currently, Sinclair has made more than 500 pieces of penjing art, each pictured and shared with global netizens via social media platforms. “I really want to push the doors open and get people to come over here and appreciate the Sichuan-style penjing, the local culture including the magical face change in Sichuan Opera, spicy food, and giant pandas,” said Sinclair, explaining his initial intention of becoming the expo’s promotion ambassador. ZION Holding Co, headquartered in Moscow, Russia, has created a “space garden” at the expo’s sub-venue in Pidu District. The garden showcases the technology of growing plants in space to spark the public’s imagination of the development of high-tech floral planting. “China’s horticultural market is the fastest growing market in the world with great potential,” said Igor Melnikov, CEO of ZION Holding. “With the increasing number of flower gardening enthusiasts in Chinese families and their growing interest in high-quality home life, I believe that China’s horticultural economy will develop better and better,” he said. Eco benefits in tandem In recent years, there has been a surge in demand among urban residents for closer contact with Mother Nature, leading to a global urban gardening fever. Growing flowers and even vegetables at home is not only an effective way to improve one’s quality of life in the concrete jungle and find happiness in fast-paced modern living but also a significant economic opportunity that can contribute to rural revitalization and ecological development. As tourists walk through the woods, tiny fireflies can be found flickering all around at night, creating a breathtaking sight in Tiantai Mountain, Qionglai City administered by Chengdu. This year’s expo sets a sub-venue in Qionglai, home to a renowned firefly sightseeing base. “The increasing popularity of gardening among the urbanites raises their awareness to protect the environment and preserve the local ecosystem in Sichuan, thus fueling the development of the rural tourism sector,” said Wang Shuai, deputy head of Tiantai Mountain scenic area’s management bureau. Every April to November is the best period to view the lively creatures in Tiantai Mountain. Fireflies are a typical ecological environment indicator species with high demands in their habitats, said Liu Qiang, a staff member of the Tiantai Mountain scenic area. “Thanks to the fresh air, clean water and dense forest of Tiantai Mountain, more than 20 species of fireflies can be spotted here,” Liu added. Many local villagers have run their own homestay businesses thanks to the influx of tourists. “Last year alone, we received nearly 2,000 people in a mere month during the peak season, and this year we have cleaned 16 rooms ahead of schedule, poised to welcome the guests,” said Wang Xinghai, a 65-year-old local resident in Tiantaishan Township of Qionglai. At a time when the world is facing climate change and other challenges, the International Association of Horticultural Producers believes that modern cities should strive to be greener and integrate more plants into the living scenarios of their residents, said Tim Briercliffe, secretary-general of the association. The International Horticultural Exhibition 2024 Chengdu is expected to make more citizens feel the beauty of nature and hold the common belief that the solution to future crises lies in plants and nature, Briercliffe noted. “They will go home with some ideas of how they can have a plant in their home and in the bit of place they have. You don’t need a lot of space to be able to start or enjoy architecture and the use of plants,” he said, adding that necessary knowledge can be obtained from the expo and further applied at home. Through the garden demonstration of the event, people can learn to change their lifestyle and thus enhance the interlink between vegetation and urban landscape in modern life, according to Briercliffe.

Source: Shanghai Daily: Nation | 4 May 2024 | 4:00 am(NZT)

Youth the target as Sanya aims to be international tourist destination

A group of young foreign tourists went on a fantastic journey to Sanya, a popular coastal destination in south China’s Hainan Province. The exhilarated youngsters were fascinated by the picturesque scenery, vibrant local culture, eco-friendly traveling environment and the delectable culinary delights that Sanya has to offer. They appreciated the city’s breathtaking beauty and experienced its splendid culture as part of the program “Travel The World, Stay In Sanya,” hosted by the Sanya Tourism Board and co-hosted by Shanghai Daily from September 8 to 10. Sanya’s development has been put on the fast track under the master plan to build Hainan Island into a globally influential and high-level free trade port by the middle of the century. The Sanya Tourism Board has also been making efforts to attract a younger demographic, resulting in the growing popularity of the tourist paradise amongst the younger generation. In the first half of 2023, the tropical city reaped an overnight tourism revenue of 47.53 billion yuan (US$6.5 billion), posting a significant annual increase of 80.5 percent. Of the total revenue, 47.283 billion yuan was generated domestically, representing an 80.54 percent year-on-year gain; overseas overnight travelers spent US$35.579 million, up 59.62 percent from a year earlier. Sanya, as one of the most popular domestic travel destinations for Chinese tourists, has become a trend-setting destination with the construction of a free trade port, the benefits of tax-free policies, continuous improvement of infrastructure, and various theme activities hosted by the tourism board. According to the Sanya Tourism Big Data Platform, young travelers aged between 18 and 35 accounted for 37.2 percent of the total inbound passengers at Sanya Airport in 2022 – the highest percentage among all age groups. The trend of younger travelers in the Sanya tourism market has become more pronounced this year. In May, the contribution of travel spending by Generation Z accounted for 38.1 percent of the total, ranking first among all age groups. Albert Yip, director general of the Sanya Tourism Board, stated that the board will continue to leverage the advantages of Internet platforms, big data, and high traffic to help develop Sanya into a younger and more international city, as well as an international tourist destination. In response to market changes, the board has launched a series of unique events, such as the Strawberry Music Festival, Good Travel Festival, Sanya Coffee Festival, and the “Youth Wonderland” Sanya City Walk, aimed at attracting young tourists and unlocking the full potential of the city’s tourism market. In a bid to continuously enhance Sanya’s international image and attract more international tourists, the tourism board has made best use of the 59 countries’ visa-free policy within the free trade port, and implemented various measures such as expanding international air routes, organizing overseas promotion events, and attracting more international sporting event IPs, which have already shown initial results. This year, Sanya not only resumed air routes to China’s Hong Kong, and international destinations such as Seoul, Jakarta, Hanoi, Almaty, but also the cruise route between Hong Kong and Sanya. Tourism promotion events were held in Russia and South Korea, and it has also introduced many international sports events such as the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) golf tournament. In order to deepen its image as a youthful and international city, Sanya has launched the “Visit Sanya At Ease” platform which includes a pre-payment compensation mechanism, to ensure that tourists can enjoy a safer and more reliable travel experience in the city. The rapid development of tourism in Sanya is just a microcosm of its continuous development. The city is being built as an international tourism destination and a high-tech innovative hub in the context of the Hainan Free Trade Port, and it has achieved fruitful results. Sanya has not only attracted tourists from home and abroad, but also many foreign young professionals who have chosen to work and live in the city. Sanya’s sound and international business environment has enticed numerous foreign investors, including Ulrich Akos from Hungary. Akos relocated to Sanya two years ago, and will open Dinner In The Sky, an international-brand restaurant , at Haitang Bay in October. “I really like the climate of Sanya. It is China’s No. 1 tropical destination,” Akos said. He gave a thumbs-up to Sanya’s business environment. “The number of foreign investment and foreigners visiting the city is growing. The local government is supportive,” Akos noted. “I would encourage my partners and friends to come here, invest, and build new projects because I think it is a perfect place for this.” Russian Anastasiia Korytova has been working as an event planning manager for more than three years. “Sanya’s climate is very pleasant. It has one of the highest air quality ratings in China, which I greatly appreciate. And we have a wide range of flora and fauna,” said Anastasiia. Obtaining a work permit and visa is extremely simple, she pointed out. “I believe Sanya is a truly ideal place to live and work because of its excellent environmental conditions and attractive policies.” The Sanya Tourism Board said the event was not just a trip, but also a brand-new try-out of its marketing campaign, with the voice of young tourists from around the world heard to promote the international tourist resort and tourist-friendly city globally. Albert, the director general, said that the board hopes to act as a bridge between the city and the international community. “We welcome friends from all over the world to come to Sanya for tourism, investment, and entrepreneurship, to stay in Sanya and to build Hainan’s free trade port together,” Albert stated.

Source: Shanghai Daily: Nation | 10 Oct 2023 | 6:04 am(NZT)

China’s gold rush continues at Asiad

HOST China snapped up more gold medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games yesterday. A shooting world record fell to Chinese teenager Sheng Lihao in the men’s 10-meter air rifle with his 253.3 points surpassing teammate Yu Haonan’s 252.8 from Rio de Janeiro four years ago. “I had good luck in the final. I did quite well today, I was basically smooth,” said the 18-year-old, a Tokyo Olympic silver medalist. After winning all seven gold medals in the pool on the opening day, China dominated again, spearheaded by breaststroke world champion Qin Haiyang. The Shanghai swimmer added the Asian Games title to his collection with the second-fastest swim this year. Qin clocked a Games-record time of 57.76 seconds to win the 100 breaststroke. Fifteen-year-old Chen Ye won the men’s gold medal in the skateboarding park finals. It was the Chinese team’s first skateboarding gold at a large-scale global competition. At Qiantang Roller Sports Center, Chen and Japan’s Kusaki Hinano, also 15, won men’s and women’s golds. Zhang Liang became the most successful Asiad rower. Zhang won the men’s single sculls to add to his double sculls gold from Sunday and now has five Asiad titles from four editions.

Source: Shanghai Daily: Nation | 26 Sep 2023 | 5:00 am(NZT)

Zhang, Wu: Rivals yet partners

CHINA’S top-two ranked male tennis players Zhang Zhizhen and Wu Yibing will partner each other for the first time. The duo is paired in the doubles competition at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou. Shanghai native Zhang is 60th in the ATP rankings, while 98th-ranked Wu hails from Hangzhou, where he has received overwhelming support from his hometown folks over the past two days since the Games officially kicked off. At Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Tennis Center, they eased past Chinese Taipei pair Ho Chenjui and Wu Tung-Lin 6-3, 6-0 in the first round on Sunday, and defeated the Qatari duo Alharrasi Mubarak and Naif Mashari 6-3, 6-4 in the second round yesterday. “After yesterday’s match and today’s singles, I feel more relaxed,” said Zhang. “I found form a bit late today, thankfully he (Wu) was leading the pace.” “We’re used to playing singles, and we don’t have a lot of time to practice doubles,” Wu noted. “So we’ve done our best with very limited time. “I think doubles involves taking more responsibility. It’s not only about yourself, you have to talk to each other, get to know what you’re going to do in each situation.” As a Hangzhou native, Wu’s home advantage is incomparable, with family, friends and relatives attending his matches. “Not only my parents, but my cousins, my parents’ cousins, and my best friend, they all came to watch me play,” he pointed out. “With them beside me, I can really release myself.” As China’s top professional players, Wu and Zhang have spent most of their time travelling around the world for competitions over the past two years. “It’s been a long time since the last time my father watched me play,” said Wu, who was in tears when greeting his relatives after their doubles victory on Sunday. Wu secured his first ATP Tour title in Dallas, Texas, in February, while Zhang performed better in the second half of the year, overtaking Wu to become China’s top-ranked male player. “I’m also dreaming of becoming a tour-level champion. It’s always been a goal for me,” Zhang pointed out. “We try to improve each other. I try to push him, and he tries to push me. You cannot be alone, it’s too boring and you lose motivation.” Zhang has a very busy schedule in Hangzhou, playing in the singles, doubles, and the mixed doubles. In the latter part of the Games, he might be playing three matches a day. He beat Ammar Faleh A Alhogbani of Saudi Arabia 7-5, 6-2 in the second round of the men’s singles yesterday. Zhang was down 0-3 in the first set, but rallied to victory. Earlier in the day, Wu saw off Indonesia’s Justin Barki 7-5, 6-1 in another second-round encounter.

Source: Shanghai Daily: Nation | 26 Sep 2023 | 5:00 am(NZT)

It’s visa-free as Chinese get VIP Thai welcome

THAILAND extended a warm welcome to the first batch of visa-exempt flights from China yesterday, marking the launch of the nation’s fresh initiative to reinvigorate its Chinese tourist market. Approximately 341 visitors from Shanghai landed at Suvarnabhumi airport yesterday morning, greeted with flowers and applause by the newly appointed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and several senior Thai officials. “This marks a promising first day for Thailand as we welcome Chinese tourists under the new visa-free entry policy,” he said at the airport’s welcoming ceremony. The Southeast Asian country recently announced its decision to allow visa-free entry for Chinese tourists from yesterday until the end of February 2024, in line with Srettha’s commitment to enhancing Thailand’s economy through tourism. “We are confident that this scheme will significantly boost the economy,” he said. According to latest data from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, from January 1 to September 17 this year, Thailand recorded over 2.34 million Chinese tourists, approximately 37 percent of the same period in 2019. With the help of the scheme, authorities hope to double the current number, anticipating between 4.01 to 4.4 million Chinese visitors for the entire year. “Knowing that Thailand has lifted visa requirements for Chinese visitors, my mother and I made a quick decision to visit Thailand for a few days,” 25-year-old Tian Yumeng told Xinhua. The stimulus visa scheme, effective just ahead of China’s Golden Week in October, has prompted airlines to gear up for expanding China-Thailand routes, increasing flight frequencies, and introducing new connections between favored Thai destinations and second-tier Chinese cities, according to TAT. On the same day, flights from China’s Kunming, Changsha, and Nanning and landing in the Thai capital Bangkok and other popular tourist cities, such as Chiang Mai and Phuket, were also greeted with Thai-style welcome ceremonies.

Source: Shanghai Daily: Nation | 26 Sep 2023 | 5:00 am(NZT)

Xi to attend opening ceremony

CHINESE President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou and hold a welcoming banquet and bilateral events for foreign leaders attending the opening ceremony, on September 22 and 23, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying announced yesterday. The foreign leaders attending the opening ceremony in the Zhejiang Province capital are: King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia, President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah of Kuwait, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda of Nepal, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Timor-Leste, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of South Korea and Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat of Malaysia Johari bin Abdul.

Source: Shanghai Daily: Nation | 22 Sep 2023 | 4:00 am(NZT)

Smart & green opening ceremony set for Asiad

TORCHBEARERS in the virtual and physical worlds will jointly light up the cauldron for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou tomorrow, organizers said yesterday. “A green, digital and intelligent Asian Games will leave lasting memories for people. The shows, transportation and related services have been ready for the event,” said Li Yiqing, spokesperson for the Asian Games opening and closing ceremonies operations center. The 12-day Hangzhou Asiad torch relay, covering 11 cities in Zhejiang Province, concluded on Wednesday. “The cauldron fueled by methanol will be lit by torchbearers at the opening ceremony, which is also a practice of hosting a green Games,” Li noted. “Advanced technologies, including digital fireworks, glasses-free 3D and augmented reality, will provide the audience with a unique experience to feel local Chinese culture in Hangzhou,” said Sha Xiaolan, chief director and producer for the opening ceremony. The opening ceremony of an international sports event has always been a major platform to present the host country’s culture. For Hangzhou, the elements of sweet osmanthus, the Qiantang River, and Autumn Equinox, the 16th solar term on the Chinese lunar calendar falling tomorrow, will be found during the ceremony. Lu Chuan, chief director for the opening ceremony, said, “Life in Hangzhou makes me feel comfortable. I hope to introduce this charming city and the profound Chinese culture to more people through the opening ceremony. We are embracing Asia and the world.” According to Games organizers, around 50,000 participants will attend the opening ceremony, while more than 1,200 volunteers will be on hand to offer guidance and assistance. The Hangzhou Games will be the most eco-friendly and smartest games ever held, said Vinod Kumar Tiwari, acting director general of the Olympic Council of Asia. “The infrastructures and stadiums designed, are completely eco-friendly. We see almost all of the cars here are electric vehicles. This probably will be a pioneering thing for the next Asiad.”

Source: Shanghai Daily: Nation | 22 Sep 2023 | 4:00 am(NZT)

Record road trips expected

EXPRESSWAYS in China will likely see a record traffic volume during the upcoming holiday due to travel demand, an official said yesterday. According to Wang Xiuchun, from the Ministry of Transport, the expressway traffic volume on September 29, the first day of the 8-day holiday, will reach a new high and the daily average for the entire holiday will surge over 40 percent from last year’s corresponding period. This year, the National Day holiday extends from September 29 to October 6, covering the Mid-Autumn Festival. October 1 marks China’s National Day, while September 29 is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a traditional festival of family reunions.

Source: Shanghai Daily: Nation | 22 Sep 2023 | 4:00 am(NZT)

Academic papers: US lags China

CHINA contributed nearly one-third of the academic papers published in the most influential international journals in 2022, marking the first time it surpassed the United States to secure the top position, a report released on Wednesday said. Among the 54,002 papers published last year in 159 journals with the highest impact factors in 178 disciplines, 16,349 were contributed by Chinese authors, according to the report released by the Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Roughly 27 percent of the nearly 350,000 high-quality publications featured in 371 journals with high impact factors and citations saw their first authors hailing from Chinese institutions. In 2022, China secured the second position in terms of the number of academic papers and review articles published in 16 top journals.

Source: Shanghai Daily: Nation | 22 Sep 2023 | 4:00 am(NZT)

Figures speak volumes about FTZ’s progress

THE China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone has almost witnessed the establishment of a new enterprise every hour over the past decade, statistics show. By the end of 2022, the Shanghai FTZ, which was launched in September 2013 as the first of its kind in China, had attracted 84,000 newly-built enterprises, according to a white paper released yesterday at a forum held in celebration of the zone’s 10th anniversary. It means that almost 23 enterprises were established every day, one every hour. The number was 2.35 times that of the same region 20 years before the launch of Shanghai FTZ. The leading role of Shanghai FTZ is reflected in the numbers: In 2022, its regional import and export volume accounted for nearly 30 percent of the country’s total 21 free trade zones. Over the past decade, it has amassed US$58.6 billion in actual foreign investment, nearly 30 percent of the city’s total; and pioneered nearly half of the 302 institutional innovation achievements. The forum also saw the release of 100 typical cases reflecting the innovative development of the Shanghai FTZ, covering areas such as investment management, trade regulation, financial openness, and scientific and technological innovation. How all these reforms have helped enterprises to break the bottlenecks of development are underlined. Besides, 100 enterprises were honored for either pioneering the institutional innovation of the Shanghai FTZ or playing a leading role in the industry. Ten attended the awards ceremony held during the forum. Experts, officials and tycoons shared their views about the FTZ at the forum. Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining hoped the FTZ will continue to better play a pioneering role by strengthening innovation layout in frontier sectors, deepening trade liberalization, increasing global resources allocation ability, etc. Others who spoke included Dilma Rousseff, former Brazilian president who is also president of the New Development Bank of the BRICS; Guy Bradley, chairman of John Swire & Sons (HK) Ltd; Mathias Cormann, secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; and Christopher A Pissarides, winner of the 2010 Nobel Prize in Economics. According to Cormann, the establishment of the Shanghai FTZ was an important moment in China’s trade liberalization journey, and it has become a real magnet for trade investment. “It also serves as a center of policy experimentation and innovation with respect to financial sector liberalization, trade facilitation, and more efficient customs procedures, demonstrating the benefits of these reforms, and providing a template that could be successfully applied right across China,” he said in his speech. Pissarides praised Tesla’s Gigafactory in Shanghai’s Lingang Special Area as a good example of promoting globalization. “It is contributing a lot to the local economy, employing a lot of people here. And more importantly, it’s producing cars that are sustainable sources of energy, which involves a transfer of knowledge,” he noted.

Source: Shanghai Daily: Nation | 21 Sep 2023 | 4:00 am(NZT)

China’s 1st ‘home-built’ cruise ship to sail next year from city

CHINA’S first domestically built luxury cruise ship, the “Adora Magic City,” will set sail from the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Liner Terminal on January 1, 2024. Passengers can make reservations for the relevant routes by visiting the company’s official website, using the WeChat mini-program, contacting the customer service center, or inquiring with local travel agencies from Tuesday. The “Adora Magic City” has unveiled its Northeast Asia route departing from Shanghai. In the future, the cruise ship will be deployed on routes to Southeast Asian countries from China and will also introduce the “Maritime Silk Road” and other medium to long-haul routes in due course, offering a diverse range of travel and vacation options, officials announced at the Wusongkou Forum on Tuesday. The ship, built by the state-owned China State Shipbuilding Corp, has passed all tests and is now ready for operation. The “Adora Magic City” is a significant achievement for China’s ship-building industry, particularly in the field of luxury cruise liners. Meanwhile, Shanghai’s first cruise-themed riverside commercial complex was unveiled at the Wusongkou port in the northern suburban district of Baoshan. The “Shanghai Seaside World” project comprises about 66,000 square meters of shopping malls, around 38,000 square meters of river-view office space and some 25,000 square meters of service apartments and a luxury hotel. The project will be adjacent to the Wusongkou International Cruise Liner Terminal, known as Asia’s largest cruise liner port, the district government announced at the annual forum yesterday. The project aims to boost the commercial vitality of the Shanghai International Cruise Tourism Resort and better serve tourists, cruise companies and crew. It is expected to create a new hub for emerging entertainment activities and depict a picturesque urban holiday life, the Baoshan government said. A cruise departed for South Korea from Wusongkou port in late August, marking the reopening of the cruise liner port after the COVID-19 pandemic. The “2023 Wusongkou Declaration” was released at the forum, which calls on industry stakeholders to jointly “fulfill corporate responsibilities, serve national strategies, develop unique products, stimulate consumer demand and enhance service quality.” Over 20 commercial and cultural projects for the resort were also announced at the forum to attract investment. They include the Long Beach commercial street, an observation tower and a concert hall. In addition, the Yangtze River Estuary Water Sports Experience Center will be built. It will become the largest sailing and yacht berthing, training, competition and experience base in Shanghai. Major renovations will be launched as well on existing venues around the port, such as the Paotaiwan Wetland Park, and the Yangtze River Estuary Science and Technology Museum.

Source: Shanghai Daily: Nation | 20 Sep 2023 | 4:00 am(NZT)

Park offers taste of Jiangnan delicacies

IF you want to have a taste of Jiangnan (regions to the south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River) delicacies, you should visit Jinjiang Amusement Park in Minhang District. The park has been turned into a paradise for foodies, with various culinary delights. As part of the ongoing Shanghai Tourism Festival, the Jiangnan Foodie Festival started on Sunday night with a sensational mix of food and music. It features about 150 types of delicacies with more than 20 booths serving mouthwatering flavors from different areas. These include specialty delicacies of Shanghai such as Qibao congyoubing (scallion pancakes), Zhuanqiao barrel steamed cakes, Maqiao dried bean curd, and Park Hotel Palmier, as well as an assortment of delectable specialties from other parts of the Yangtze River Delta Region. Xiangcheng xianrou yuebing, or mooncakes with pork filling, Huainan beef soup, Taizhou steamed dumplings stuffed with crab roe, Shouzhou yuanzi (glutinous rice dumplings), as well as various fish balls, rice cakes, noodles and snacks are served as well. Performances of Suzhou pingtan (storytelling and singing) to Sichuan Opera (notable for its mask-changing stunts) and traditional ceremony of diancha, making finely ground powder from processed green tea, are being staged. There are also band performances and lucky draws to lure the young generation. The park will open for free after 5pm through September 22.

Source: Shanghai Daily: Nation | 19 Sep 2023 | 4:00 am(NZT)

Woman gets death rap for abduction of 11 kids

YU Huaying, a woman accused of trafficking 11 children for illicit gains, was sentenced to death by a court in southwest China’s Guizhou Province yesterday. It was discovered during the trial that from 1993 to 1996, Yu, born in Yunnan in 1963, colluded with a man surnamed Gong, who died during the course of the case, to repeatedly abduct children from Chongqing Municipality and Guizhou and traffic them to Hebei Province for illicit financial benefits. According to a previous report by ThePaper, there were three pairs of siblings among the 11 children. The Guiyang Intermediate People’s Court believed that Yu’s behavior constituted the crime of child abduction and the criminal circumstances were particularly serious, with a great negative effect on society. Therefore, the court sentenced her to death, deprived Yu of her political rights for life, and confiscated all her personal property. Yu said she will appeal the decision to a higher court. Yu was arrested by police in June 2022 following a complaint from Yang Niuhua, a woman who was snatched by Yu in Guizhou and sold in Hebei in 1995 for 2,500 yuan (US$343). Yang, 33 years old, had been trying hard to find her biological family. She posted a searching-for-family video on social media in 2021, which was seen by one of her cousins. Finally she had a successful DNA match and was reunited with her family after 26 years. Unfortunately, Yang’s biological parents passed away in 1997 and 1998, respectively. She went to Guiyang police to file a complaint about her abduction in 2022. Yu was caught soon afterwards and prosecuted this February. On July 14, 2023, during the open proceedings of the Guiyang court, when it was Yang’s turn to speak, she suddenly stood up, knelt down on the spot, and tearfully pleaded with the court to severely punish Yu.

Source: Shanghai Daily: Nation | 19 Sep 2023 | 4:00 am(NZT)

Don’t cross Taiwan red line, US told in high-level Malta talks

SENIOR Chinese and US officials held multiple rounds of meetings in Malta on Saturday and Sunday, agreeing to maintain high-level exchanges and hold consultations on Asia-Pacific affairs, maritime affairs as well as foreign policies. The meetings were between Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, emphasized that the Taiwan question is the first red line that must not be crossed in the China-US relationship and the US must abide by the three China-US joint communiques and honor its commitment to not support “Taiwan independence.” The two sides conducted candid, substantive and constructive strategic communication on stabilizing and improving China-US relations. Wang said China’s development has strong endogenous driving force and follows inevitable historical logic and it cannot be stopped. The Chinese people’s legitimate right to development cannot be deprived, he added. The two sides agreed to continue to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state during their meeting in Bali, maintain high-level exchanges, hold consultations between the two countries on Asia-Pacific affairs, maritime affairs and foreign policies. They discussed measures to further support and facilitate personnel exchanges between the two countries. The two sides also talked in-depth about the ongoing situation in the Asia-Pacific region, Ukraine, the Korean Peninsula and other international and regional issues.

Source: Shanghai Daily: Nation | 19 Sep 2023 | 4:00 am(NZT)

Wang in Russia for consultation

WANG Yi, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, will hold the 18th round of China-Russia strategic security consultation in Russia this week, China’s Foreign Ministry said yesterday. Wang is making the visit to Russia at the invitation of Secretary Nikolai Patrushev of the Russian Security Council, with the four-day security consultation ending on Thursday.

Source: Shanghai Daily: Nation | 19 Sep 2023 | 4:00 am(NZT)

China hits out at US drugs tag

CHINA yesterday urged the United States to stop attacking and slandering the country, following the release of a US presidential memorandum that identified China as one of the major drug transit or illicit drug producing countries. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular press briefing when responding to a query concerning the memorandum released on September 15. Stressing that the US “designation” is groundless and malicious in nature, Mao said China firmly opposes it and has lodged solemn representations with the US side. She said the Chinese government attaches great importance to drug control and has classified 456 types of substances as controlled under its drug control laws, making it one of the countries with the most drugs under control in the world, and with the strictest controls. “There is no doubt that China is a model of global drug governance, that it is the country that is implementing its anti-drug policies in the strictest manner, and this is widely recognized by the international community.” She said the US, which accounts for less than 5 percent of the world’s population but consumes 80 percent of the world’s opioids, is among the countries with the highest demand for drugs and has no right to criticize China's drug control work.

Source: Shanghai Daily: Nation | 19 Sep 2023 | 4:00 am(NZT)