भारतीय रोज़ नई ख़बरें – भारतीय रोज़ न्यूज़ भारत की सबसे अधिकारपूर्ण, समय पर और विश्वसनीय समाचार सलाहकार वेबसाइट है

Hyping ‘overcapacity’ in China is the real threat to world: Global Times editorial

Illustration: Tang Tengfei/GT

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen recently reiterated in an interview with Reuters the “overcapacity” in China, claiming that the so-called overcapacity in China is not only a problem faced by the US, but also by Europe, Japan, India and Mexico. This kind of rhetoric has been popular in the US for some time, with American politicians and public opinion repeatedly hyping up the concept, accusing China of dumping green products such as new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products overseas at low prices, and portraying this situation as a “global threat.” However, discerning individuals can see that this is not a very clever tactic of politicization and pan-securitized, but instead revealing some real situations in the development of the world’s green industry and high-quality production capacity.

It is well known that overcapacity is relative to the demand. From a global perspective, there is actually no overcapacity in the green industry. The reason why the green industry is thriving lies in the breakthrough in related technologies. Technological breakthroughs often ignite emerging industries, manifested by strong market demand for new products. According to the International Energy Agency, the global demand for new energy vehicles in 2030 will reach 45 million units, which is 4.5 times that of 2022, and at the same time, the global demand for new photovoltaic installations will reach 820 gigawatts, which is about 4 times that of 2022. It’s clear that the new energy industry is booming, with huge market potential yet to be tapped. Green production capacity development has just started, far from saturation, so where is the “overcapacity” coming from?

Some people in the US are hyping up the so-called overcapacity in China with the real purpose of suppressing the development of China’s emerging industries and of maintaining its long-standing monopoly position in the global industrial chain through unfair means. Yellen attributed the bankruptcy of US’ solar companies to Chinese suppliers lowering prices in the interview. Although the attribution was wrong, it also exposed the real intention. It is not difficult to see that the so-called overcapacity rhetoric in China’s new energy industry is nothing more than a copy of the “America First.” In the eyes of the US, the rapid development of China’s green industry challenges the strength and status of the US, and China’s competitiveness is “translated” into a “security threat” to the world (the US). It can be seen that the excess is not China’s production capacity, but US’ anxiety.

In fact, facing the insufficient and unbalanced development of high-quality green production capacity in the world, China is taking a path of win-win cooperation – “Appreciate the values of others as do to one’s own, and the world will become a harmonious whole.” While actively developing its domestic green industry, China is also actively engaging in practical cross-border cooperation in high-quality production capacity, providing international public goods, helping developing countries accelerate the process of industrialization, and promoting the efficient, clean, and diversified transformation of energy.

Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, said that “China’s provision of services and support to other countries has significantly improved the accessibility of clean energy technologies and reduced the global cost of using green technologies.” China’s green development not only benefits consumers but also enables developing countries to benefit from cooperation with China in production capacity, especially by promoting energy freedom for low-income populations in developing countries.

In contrast, the US could have worked together with China to jointly seize the opportunities brought by the development of the green industry and address the challenges of insufficient demand for high-quality production capacity. Regrettably, the US chose to wave the “big stick” at China, viewing China’s new energy industry with a zero-sum game mentality and attributing real problems to the wrong causes. Currently, the main reason for the insufficient development of the world’s green industry and the uneven distribution of high-quality production capacity is the asynchronous development and application of green technology in various countries, inconsistent capabilities, and uncoordinated interests, yet the US deliberately uses the “China threat” to explain everything, trying to solve problems by containing China. However, it is the smearing and suppression of China by the US that hinders the transnational diffusion of technology and the global flow of production capacity. The answer to who is the initiator of the global production capacity problem is clear.

With a shortage of high-quality production capacity, the world needs more cooperation. Taking wind power as an example, by 2023, the global new wind turbine installed capacity will reach 117 gigawatts, a 50 percent increase year-on-year, with the main contribution coming from China. The US, on the other hand, has encountered bottlenecks due to inadequate government policy support, insufficient investment in the supply chain, and difficulties in project implementation. However, even as China grows rapidly, there is a huge gap in global wind power, especially offshore wind power. The goal of actions by various countries should be to jointly improve competitiveness, reduce costs of technology, logistics, labor, raw materials, and transportation through supply chain cooperation, rather than baselessly accusing and shifting contradictions to countries with advantageous production capacity, and, more importantly, not bind new energy industries with protectionism and weaken the global capacity to address climate change.

Of course, no matter how the US smears China, the green industry is always the trend of world economic development, and it is also the key choice for humanity to address the challenge of climate change. Shifting contradictions, smearing and suppressing, and decoupling will only lead to a “lose-lose” situation.

Green industries and high-quality production capacity should not become a battlefield of the zero-sum game. Hyping up “China’s new energy overcapacity” is not only detrimental to the transformation and upgrading of domestic industries, but also does not help alleviate international production capacity conflicts. In this sense, the voices and forces behind the hype of “China’s new energy overcapacity” are the ones creating problems, as well as the real threats to the world.

102 newly revealed architectural heritage projects aim for better protection

Pingyao Ancient City, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in Northwest China’s Shanxi Province Photo: VCG

A total of 102 architectural heritage projects have been included in the 9th Batch of China’s 20th Century Architectural Heritage Projects for the better protection of the heritage in Chinese architecture in the 20th century. Experts said China has transitioned from “cultural relic protection” to “cultural heritage protection,” and this awareness will provide new possibilities for urban development and cultural preservation, according to the report of China News on Sunday.

The list of projects in the 9th batch of China’s 20th century architectural heritage is revealed at the “Public Vision of 20th Century Heritage – Introduction of the 9th Batch of China’s 20th Century Architectural Heritage Projects and Seminar” held in Tianjin on Saturday, which included Tianjin Ancient Culture Street, the people’s congress hall in Ningbo, East China’s Zhejiang Province, Jiangxi Provincial Art Museum in East China’s Jiangxi Province among others, China News reported.

An academic highlight of the event was the release of the China 20th Century Architectural Heritage Annual Report (2014-24) blue book.

According to reports, the significance and value of the blue book publication lie in summarizing the development process of China’s 20th century architectural heritage over the past decade, praising the achievements of China’s 20th century architectural heritage over the past decade, and proposing the future development vision of China’s 20th century architectural heritage.

Industry insiders delivered keynote speeches, examining the concept of 20th-century architectural heritage from different perspectives. They also provided attendees with a new perspective on the activation and utilization of architectural heritage from an international standpoint. Other participating experts shared their design experiences, insights, and feelings in heritage preservation and development.

Shan Jixiang, chairman of the China Cultural Relics Academy and director of the Academic Committee of the Palace Museum, said that “activation” is the focus of the protection of these buildings. “20th century architectural heritage is not ‘frozen,’ but changes with the times. A historical building or zone must be given today’s functions, used correctly, and utilized reasonably.”

“Compared with traditional wooden ancient buildings, industrial heritage has a wider range of uses.” Taking Beijing’s Shougang Park as an example, Shan introduced the importance of “activation.”

“Shougang Park used to be a steel production base, but has now become an industrial heritage park after ceasing production. Many large-scale cultural, tourism, and sports activities are taking place in Shougang Park, and its functions are constantly expanding,” Shan said.

He added that protecting 20th-century architectural heritage is not just the task of the government or cultural departments but the responsibility of all people.

Only when the general public understands the value of these heritage sites and their significance for future generations will they be carefully preserved, gain “dignity,” and become a positive force for economic and social development, benefiting the daily and cultural lives of more people.

Regarding the current situation of the protection of Chinese cultural heritage, Shan told the Global Times that China has transitioned from “cultural relic protection” to “cultural heritage protection”; from only protecting ancient cultural relics to protecting contemporary and 20th-century cultural heritage; and from only protecting “a bridge or a tower” to protecting corridors for commodity trade and cultural exchange.

“The activation of buildings” not only continues the value of historical heritage but also provides new possibilities for urban development.

“The 20th century architectural heritage builds a bridge between the past and the future. We should balance the relationship between protection and activation, paving the way for future urban construction and cultural preservation,” Shan said.

Musk’s visit to China enhances ties amid US officials’ ‘overcapacity’ hype

Tesla CEO Elon Musk File Photo: Xinhua

Despite the so-called overcapacity hype, Tesla CEO Elon Musk made a visit to China on Sunday, showcasing the resolve of the world-leading electric car maker to develop in the Chinese market, its second-largest.

Chinese experts said the visit has strongly refuted overcapacity claims about China’s new-energy vehicle (NEV) industry, and many foreign investors, including Musk, are eyeing the market prospects and investment returns.

Musk arrived in Beijing on Sunday and met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Li stressed that China’s super large-scale market is always open to foreign enterprises and China will continue to work on expanding market access, strengthening service guarantees and providing a better business environment, allowing companies from all countries to invest in China with peace of mind.

Musk said the Tesla Shanghai Gigafactory is Tesla’s best-performing factory, thanks to the hard work and intelligence of the Chinese team. Tesla is willing to deepen cooperation with China and achieve more win-win results.

We are honored to participate in the rapid development of China’s NEV industry. We will continue to work hard in China, develop together with the industry in areas such as AI, electric vehicles and energy storage, accelerate the implementation of clean energy and autonomous driving technologies, and turn our beautiful vision into reality, according to the official weibo account of Tesla on Sunday night.

The visit by Musk comes amid the ongoing 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, during which global players such as Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz have signaled their entry into the NEV sector on a large scale, highlighting their confidence in the Chinese market. Interestingly, Tesla does not have a booth at the show.

Chinese analysts said that Musk’s visit highlights the importance of the Chinese market to many US companies as they are enhancing ties, unlike politicians in Washington who always hype anti-China rhetoric.

China’s determination to open wider to foreign companies to pursue high-quality development stands in sharp contrast with the US, which has been using bad faith tactics to smear China’s competitive emerging industries, including EVs, Chinese analysts said.

Musk’s China visit validated once again the company’s commitment to the vast market potential of the Chinese EV sector, and made the “overcapacity” narrative hyped by some Western politicians and media outlets fade, experts said.

Many people are optimistic about the market prospects of NEVs and returns on investment, and many holders of capital are willing to enter such a field, including Musk, Sang Baichuan, dean of the Institute of International Economy at the University of International Business and Economics, told the Global Times on Sunday.

“China does not have overcapacity, which is a false proposition,” Sang added.

Reuters reported that Musk would engage with senior Chinese officials to deliberate on the implementation strategy for full self-driving technology in China, paving the way for the activation of the autonomous driving mode on Tesla cars.

Musk’s trip also came just over a week after he scrapped a planned visit to India to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing “very heavy Tesla obligations,” according to Reuters.

The tremendous opportunities brought by China’s high-level opening-up retain a strong appeal for US businesses, which are looking forward to and appreciating the extensive Chinese market, Huo Jianguo, a vice chairman of the China Society for World Trade Organization Studies in Beijing, told the Global Times on Sunday.

Global sales of EVs are set to reach 45 million in 2030, according to a forecast by the International Energy Agency in 2023. That is about 4.5 times the sales recorded in 2022, and three times the 2023 figure.

While the US continues to hype “overcapacity” of NEVs in China, China’s door is opening wider and wider, including to US companies, Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Sunday.

Tesla, for example, built its first Gigafactory outside the US in Shanghai in 2019, which gave a boost to the development of the NEV industry amid competition.

China is Tesla’s second-largest market only after the US. The Tesla Gigafactory in Shanghai, which started production in 2020, is Tesla’s largest production center in the world.

Tesla sold some 600,000 EVs in 2023 in China, according to media reports. But in the final quarter, it ceded its position as the top EV seller in China to China’s BYD, as fierce market competition raged.

Amid the rapid development of the NEV industry in China, the penetration rate of passenger NEVs exceeded 50 percent in the first half of April, as reported by China Central Television on April 22, outperforming traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.

Musk’s last visit to China was in May 2023, when he met with leaders from several top Chinese officials in charge of foreign policy, industry and foreign trade. He also visited the Tesla Shanghai Gigafactory and met with leaders from the Shanghai municipal government, CCTV reported.

China’s steel industry embarks on green shift, battling high carbon emissions through technologies, supportive policies

An aerial view of the Ansteel Group in Anshan, Northeast China’s Liaoning Province.Photos: VCG

Amid the bustling streets and towering skyscrapers across China, a profound transformation is unfolding within the steel beams and iron cores of China’s industrial landscape, aiming to contribute to China’s goals of achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality.

Meanwhile, as one of the world’s largest producers and consumer of steel, China faces a colossal challenge: Reducing the carbon emission of an industry that is both a cornerstone of its economic might and a significant contributor to global emissions. So how should this be approached, and what progress has been made so far?

During an interview at the Shanghai Climate Week with the Global Times, Jen Carson, global head of industry at the Climate Group, shared her insights on China’s green transformation, especially within the steel industry, and the potential for cooperation between China and Europe in the field of low carbon transition.

She highlighted the proactive steps taken by Chinese companies, particularly in the steel industry, toward a green transformation, reflecting a broader commitment to global ecological responsibility.

The Shanghai Climate Week, from April 22 to April 26, is designed to foster social engagement from diverse perspectives in support of China’s dual carbon goals. It aims to tell the story of China’s actions to address climate change to the world, convey the Asian voice of green transformation, increase international exchanges and cooperation in the field of climate change, and participate in international decision-making and leadership.

Efforts and actions

The ambitious strides taken by industry giants have underscored a significant commitment within China’s steel sector, but also reflect a broader narrative of collaboration and sustainability. These efforts are pioneering a shift in the global approach to industrial practices, aiming to integrate deeper environmental responsibility into the core of industrial strategies.

During the interview, Carson recognized the efforts of major Chinese steelmakers which have embarked on remarkable initiatives to reduce their carbon footprints. These companies are not only vocal about their climate ambitions, but have also demonstrated their commitment through strategic partnerships with global automotive leaders.

For example, steel makers such as Baosteel, based in Shanghai, and HBIS, headquartered in Hebei Province, are already showing not only climate ambitions, but also climate commitments by having an MOU with the automotive international stakeholders. Baosteel has a MOU with Beijing Benz Automotive (BBAC) and HBIS has a MOU with BMW Group, Carson explained. “We are very interested to see these developments coming from the Chinese firms.”

Further illustrating the impact of corporate concern on environmental sustainability, Carson highlighted the SteelZero initiative, which aims for 100 percent net-zero steel to be used by companies demanding steel by year of 2050. She pointed out the involvement of leading Chinese firms such as CIMC TCREA, one of the world’s largest steel container manufacturer, and Hang Lung Properties from the real estate sector. Both companies have made Steel-Zero commitments, showcasing leadership and dedication to sustainable practices in both the shipping marine sector and real estate construction.

Three years ago, China made a solemn commitment to the world that it aims to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. Since then, the country has embarked on a fast track toward these goals, with highlights in areas including industrial upgrades, cleaner air, renewable energy capacity, and a world-leading position in solar panels, electric cars, and lithium battery production.

Initial results of industrial transformation have been achieved. Official data showed that China’s crude steel output has declined by 40 million tons since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), according to the Xinhua News Agency.

China’s energy consumption per 10,000 yuan (about $1,408) of gross domestic product decreased by 0.1 percent in 2022 from 2021, while CO2 emissions per 10,000 yuan of GDP fell 0.8 percent year-on-year, according to an official statistical communique.

A steel museum in Wuhan, Central China’s Hubei Province Photo: VCG

Bridges and gaps

Europe is currently seeking to strengthen its cooperation with China, particularly in the realm of climate policy. Earlier in April, climate envoys from the European Union along with representatives from Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Denmark arrived in Beijing. Their mission is to enhance collaboration with China, aiming to forge stronger ties and joint efforts in addressing global climate challenges, according to reports.

In terms of China-Europe cooperation in the field of low carbon transition, Carson said that she sees many ample opportunities and there are obviously important trading partner relationships and close economic opportunities.

“We are looking forward to seeing more examples of partnerships between specific companies. We are also looking forward to more discussions on international standards,” she stated.

Meanwhile, the Climate Group has been instrumental in organizing seminars and discussions aimed at bridging the gap between Chinese and European companies. “This is an area we would like to expand on and develop,” she noted.

“Going forward, a key part of our work that we would like to work with others is to bring together and do similar seminars between European and Chinese stakeholders. There is a lot of opportunities across the entire value chain, looking at the demand side as we do, but also steel producers in steel makers and then into the energy infrastructure space,” she said.

The organization held a seminar recently with the automotive sector, hosting companies including Volvo Cars, SKF, and also ThyssenKrupp AG, a German steel manufacturer to discuss how they are seeing the transition, playing out from the steel automotive value chain.

During her first visit to Shanghai, Carson expressed her admiration for the city’s dynamic approach to sustainable development and urban transformation. “It is clearly the vital city and port, taking a leading stance on sustaining development and urban transformation,” she remarked.

She is also keen on learning more about China’s dual-carbon development strategies and corporate progress in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. She anticipates sharing these insights with Europe and other stakeholders to promote the collaboration and exchanges.

Challenges and prospects

China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of steel, with steel production accounting for over half of the global share. The carbon emissions from the steel industry account for about 15 percent of the country’s total carbon emissions, making it the industry with the largest carbon emissions among the 31 categories of manufacturing industries, according to public data.

As China has promised to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, the steel industry is making hard efforts in decarbonization, with many challenges to solve.

Carson said that while technologies to decarbonize steel are now available, steelmaking still accounts for around 8 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions.

“With demand for steel increasing as countries develop, the risk is that emissions will only rise further. It’s crucial we work together to tackle this challenge,” she said.

Carson stressed to the Global Times that the challenge in reducing carbon or achieving carbon neutrality in the steel industry is not just for China, but is a global dilemma.

“It’s not just one country-by-country or even one company-by-company. When looking at these unique challenges, China has shown the great willingness to engage the world’s largest investor in clean energy,” she said.

As the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) officially took effect on October 1, 2023, China’s steel industry has also faced more external market challenges. The CBAM is to put a fair price on the carbon emitted during the production of carbon intensive goods that are entering the EU, and to encourage cleaner industrial production in non-EU countries. The first batch of industries included in the CBAM are electricity, steel, cement, fertilizers, aluminum, and hydrogen, according to media reports.

According to Carson, currently their members in the initiative “SteelZero,” including Chinese companies like CIMC TCREA, a supply chain company affiliated to the China International Marine Containers (CIMC) in the shipping sector, commit to procuring, specifying or stocking 100 percent net zero steel by 2050. Hang Lung Properties in the real estate sector and Volvo Cars in the automotive industry have previously made this commitment.

Industry observers said that the Chinese steel industry is actively responding to the country’s commitments to climate change by adopting advanced energy efficiency improvement technologies, steel smelting technologies, and green transformation measures such as waste gas recycling.

At the same time, the industry is optimizing its energy structure to promote sustainable development.

The Chinese government has also introduced policies to support the industry’s transformation, including tax incentives and green credit, providing important economic incentives for the industry.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a decree of the State Council, introducing new regulations governing carbon emissions trading. Effective from May 1, 2024, the regulations aim to provide a legal framework for the operation of China’s carbon emissions trading market and ensure the effectiveness of related policies, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The regulations focus on the allocation of responsibilities, designating the State Council’s ecological and environmental departments to oversee and manage carbon emissions trading. The regulations specify details including the products eligible for trading, trading methods, and the distribution of carbon emissions quotas, according to Xinhua.

Carson said that they have already been “impressed” by the Chinese government, in setting out a dual-carbon target and creating a road map.

According to her, an important way to address the challenges is to embrace key stakeholders from different countries across the value chain to undertake candid discussion so as to collectively generate feasible solutions.

“We would love to see that important discussion being developed further. For example, on the relevant standards and verification methods, we can have deeper understanding of the needs that look at the low carbon steel production,” she said.

“We would work with the specific companies to understand how they best work with partners in the supply chain or financiers, banks, investors, and different actors to take forward projects that have low carbon technologies and products,” she said.

“Steel decarbonization is an incredible challenge, which is why we’re working with many stakeholders in the steel value chain… We can only make the best difference if we all move in the same direction. By coming together to share ideas, innovations, and commitments, we empower and challenge each other to take bold action toward a greener, more resilient world,” she emphasized.

China’s Shenzhou-17 crew completes handover, return set for April 30

A group photo of China’s Shenzhou-17 and Shenzhou-18 crews in the Tianhe core module of China Space Station (CSS), April 28, 2024. /CMG

China’s Shenzhou-17 crew transferred the keys of the China Space Station (CSS) to the Shenzhou-18 crew at a handover ceremony on Sunday. With all planned tasks completed, the Shenzhou-17 crew will return to Earth on April 30, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

At present, the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and all participating systems are making final preparations to welcome the astronauts back, as the search and rescue teams took part in the final rehearsal on Friday for Shenzhou-17’s return.

The Shenzhou-17 crew members, Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin, were launched to the CSS last October, and have remained in orbit for about half a year. On Thursday, China launched the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship, sending three more astronauts, Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, to its space station for another six-month mission. The trio entered the CSS and met with the Shenzhou-17 crew on Friday for an in-orbit crew handover.

The Shenzhou-17 crew have carried out 84 in-orbit experiments and tests for space application, producing more than 200 samples in multiple fields such as space life science and biotechnology, space medicine, and space material science. The crew will deliver the samples for scientific study, potentially leading to significant scientific advancements.

Previously, the cable of the Tianhe core module’s solar panels was hit by space debris, causing a partial loss in power supply. In response, the Shenzhou-17 crew carried out two extravehicular activities, completing China’s first-ever extravehicular repair mission.

China puts first 12,000-cubic meter LNG refueling vessel into service

A view of the “Haiyang Shiyou 302,” China’s first 12,000-cubic meter LNG transport refueling ship, in operation in Qidong City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, March 26, 2024. /CFP

“Haiyang Shiyou 302,” a 12,000-cubic meter liquefied natural gas (LNG) transport refueling vessel, was put into service in Qidong City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, on Sunday.

With a length of 132.9 meters and a deck bigger than a standard football pitch, the vessel can meet the needs of 480,000 households for natural gas for a month.

Using an electric power system, the vessel is able to sail on rivers and seas, boasting two tanks with a height of more than 20 meters. The mast of the vessel can also be folded when encountering bridges along the Yangtze River.

“The vessel will enhance the service capacity and competitiveness of ports in China,” Huang Guoliang, deputy chief engineer of oil production service branch of CNOOC Energy Development Co., Ltd. told China Media Group, adding that the vessel can replenish natural gas for a large number of foreign cargo ships and merchant ships in China more conveniently to promote green development of the global shipping industry.

Strong convective weather causes extensive flight delays in south China’s Guangzhou

Strong convective weather in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on Saturday caused extensive flight delays, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport said in a statement on Sunday.

Part of the lighting system in its Terminal 2 was temporarily cut off due to voltage fluctuations at a power station near the airport, which was caused by the strong convective weather, but it did not affect normal operations, the airport added.

As of 11:11 p.m. Saturday, a total of 70 flights were delayed by over an hour due to thunderstorms and heavy downpours, and the airport had launched a yellow emergency response for large-scale flight delays.

A tornado hit Zhongluotan Town in Guangzhou city’s Baiyun District on Saturday, causing five fatalities and 33 others injured as of midnight. /CFP

Meanwhile, a tornado hit Zhongluotan Town in the city’s Baiyun District at approximately 3 p.m. on Saturday, causing five fatalities and 33 others injured as of midnight.

Experts say the tornado was caused by multiple meteorological factors, including the increasing intensity of warm and moist stream from the southwest of the South China Sea, warm and humid near-ground air and low-level jet over the preceding period.

The provincial meteorological observatory forecasts frequent precipitation in Guangdong in the next five days, with the possible occurrence of thunderstorms, gale, hail and other strong convective weather.

(Cover image via CFP)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency

Go outdoors! Alfresco activities take hold among China’s youth

“Cycling alone is fun, but your fun will be doubled if you cycle with a group of people,” said Wang Yumeng, who has been biking for four years.

Wang’s interest in cycling started with a photo of a young woman waiting at the traffic light in a professional cycling jersey. She then decided to buy her first outdoor bicycle. “My first bike was a Giant Escape. The name attracted me. I thought it would help me escape my dreary daily routine,” Wang told CGTN.

At first, she realized other cyclists had cycling wearing and gear, so she joined a cycling club, which really boosted her love for the activity.

“Together with them, I rode to a lot of places I had never imagined. For example, I cycled for 200 kilometers into a mountain,” Wang said, adding that her two wheeler widened her boundaries of exploration.

Jeff is also a cycling enthusiast. He told CGTN that he started outdoor cycling as a fitness activity at the beginning of 2022 when he moved from Beijing to Shanghai. He had hiked a lot in Beijing but as the outskirts of Shanghai lack mountains, he tried to look for an alternative cardio workout.

“I have two friends in Shanghai, who are cyclists. I decided to join them so I bought my first bicycle,” said Jeff. His first bike cost him 6,900 yuan ($972) and he believed that’s pretty enough for a beginner.

Wang Yumeng bikes around the Drum Tower in Beijing, capital of China, in April 2023. /Provided by Wang Yumeng

Just like Wang, Jeff also enjoyed peddling with a group of people. He said cycling with others can reduce wind resistance and more professional cyclists can also lead other members to explore new routes and help solve problems such as tyre bursts.

Cycling through picturesque landscapes, camping under the stars, hiking to tranquil mountains, and even competitive bouts of frisbee are becoming popular over China. Data shows an increasing number of Chinese people engaging in outdoor activities in recent years, presenting promising opportunities for the outdoor sports market.

According to an industry development report released in October last year, individuals born in the 1990s have become the largest consumer group participating in outdoor sports, accounting for 36.1 percent. They are followed by those born in the 1980s with a share of 32.5 percent. It also revealed a year-on-year increase of 79 percent in outdoor sports-related orders in the first half of 2023, and a surge of 221 percent compared to the same period of 2019.

On the Chinese lifestyle-sharing platform Xiaohongshu, numerous daily posts share diverse experiences related to outdoor sports, ranging from sailing, off-roading and skiing to camping, fishing and city walks. Their love for outdoor activities originates from various needs such as getting fit, making friends, enriching their social life or just escaping from the urban life.

Jeff rides a bike with his friends in Shanghai, east China. /Provided by Jeff

“I started hiking after the end of COVID-19. Before the pandemic broke out, I preferred indoor activities like visiting exhibitions and playing murder mystery and escape room games. But after the pandemic, I switched to outdoor activities. I have to go outside. Otherwise, it would be too depressing,” Liu Jiyi, told CGTN in Beijing.

Mark Thomas, a managing director at S2M Consulting, a China-focused sports event company, told Jing Daily, an online media company about China’s luxury consumer trends, that the country has witnessed an increasing long-term interest in health, fitness, and wellness among a fast-growing middle class. He said the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the growth of China’s outdoor sports sector which has tremendous potential.

According to a development plan released by the General Administration of Sport and seven other departments in November last year, the total value of China’s outdoor sports industry is expected to surpass 3 trillion yuan (approximately $422.6 billion) by 2025, with the number of people participating in outdoor sports across the country already having exceeded 400 million by the end of 2021.

The scenery of Anaguo, a village in Lijiang City, southwestern China’s Yunnan Province, October 1, 2023. /Provided by Liu Jiyi

The Chinese government has also rolled out various policies to facilitate the development of the industry.

From 2022 to 2023, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the General Administration of Sport of China (GAS) and other departments issued several documents to boost the outdoor sports industry and promote the facilities and services for outdoor sports. The efforts include establishing trails for brisk walking, improving facilities for camping and mountainous outdoor sports, and constructing parks that provide sports facilities, enabling the public to integrate outdoor activities into their daily lives.

Meanwhile, the standardization of outdoor sports has progressed. Last year, the Chinese government released 11 national standards for ice and snow sports and eight industry standards, including those for sailing and skiing.

As of 2022, there were 127,800 fitness trails in China, up by 20.68 percent from 2021.

By the end of June 2023, 32 national demonstration projects of hiking and mountaineering trails had been put into use, stretching for more than 3,000 kilometers. And there were 2,452 national-level ice and snow sports venues nationwide by the end of 2022, an increase of 8.45 percent over the previous year, according to a report released by five governmental departments.

“The development of China’s outdoor industry has achieved a historic leap forward in recent years, and is transforming into a mid-to-high-end whole industry chain,” Yang Xuedong, the economic department director of GAS said at a news briefing, adding that the Chinese government will focus on building flagship outdoor sports projects and introducing more high-level sports events to further develop outdoor sports.

China’s robotic spacecraft to be sent to the moon

The Chang’e 6 probe atop a Long March 5 carrier rocket is transported to the launch site in Wenchang, Hainan province. [Photo/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Chang’e 6, China’s next robotic spacecraft to the moon, has been scheduled to set out on its journey in the coming days, tasked with bringing back samples from the silver celestial body’s little-known far side, according to the China National Space Administration.

A Long March 5 carrier rocket, with the 8.2-metric-ton Chang’e 6 probe on top of it, was vertically moved on Saturday morning to its launch service tower at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province, the administration said in a news release, noting the flight will take place in due course in early May.

The Chang’e 6 was transported to the launch center in January, while the Long March 5 rocket arrived in March. They were assembled and tested at the spaceport.

In the next few days, engineers will conduct final functional examinations and pump propellants into the rocket, the release said.

If everything goes according to plan, after entering its moon-bound trajectory, the Chang’e 6 will make a series of flight maneuvers and finally land in the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the lunar far side.

Chinese cities gear up to boost consumption during May Day holidays, further accelerating economic recovery

A shopping mall in downtown Shanghai displays the logo of the Shanghai 5.5 Shopping Festival to attract shoppers on April 27, 2024. Photo: Qi Xijia/GT

As the May Day holidays draw near, Chinese cities are buzzing with excitement as trade-in activities and consumption events are set to take center stage across the country, which will help boost the country’s recovery in consumption.

Experts expect that various consumption activities and a tourism boom will drive surge in spending, painting a vivid picture of a vibrant and dynamic market and accelerating China’s economic growth.

As part of a broad plan to boost consumption during the May Day holidays, the Interna-tional Consumption Season 2024 and the fifth Shanghai 5.5 Shopping Festival kicked off in Shanghai on Saturday. Shopping malls in the city are adorned with vibrant deco-rations, displaying notices for price cuts and trade-in offers that promise to entice shop-pers.

Travel agencies are also reporting a surge in orders, indicating strong consumer demand during the holiday season. The vigorous trend highlights the resilience and vigor of China’s consumption market, which has shown strong data for the first three months of 2024.

International Consumption Season 2024 is key event of 2024 Consumption Promotion Year in the second quarter.

During the launch ceremony, Shanghai unveiled new policies to further encourage and optimize sports events, tourism, and exhibitions, improve payment services, and imple-ment measures to support consumer products trade-ins. Various brands, including JD.com, Pinduoduo, Meituan and ele.me, are offering billions of yuan in consumption coupons.

The Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) is guiding various regions to organize a varie-ty of consumer promotion activities during the May Day holidays with a global premier festival in Beijing, a sports consumption festival in Shanghai and a food festival in Southwest China’s Yunnan Province, He Yadong, a spokesperson of the MOFCOM, told a press conference on Thursday.

In promoting the trade-in plans, the MOFCOM on Friday announced a new policy to promote auto trade-ins with a subsidy of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,378) for those who replace their old cars with new-energy vehicles as part of an action plan to foster trad-ing-in of consumer goods.

The move comes after 14 Chinese departments, including the MOFCOM, on April 12 jointly released an action plan to promote trade-ins for home appliances and autos in order to accelerate the phasing-out of high-polluting cars and increasing the market share of high-efficiency home appliances.

“These industries are closely related to consumers’ daily lives. The trade-in plans for home appliances and autos is expected to trigger a one-trillion-yuan market,” Zhang Yi, CEO of iiMedia Research Institute, told the Global Times on Saturday.

The strong consumption demand can also be felt in the tourism sector, with railway tickets and travel products selling quickly for the upcoming holidays, indicating a high willingness for travel and a potential surge in consumer spending during the May Day holidays.

A report from Trip.com Group sent to the Global Times showed that the number of tourism trips is expected to increase from the high base set last year, with a significant growth in outbound and inbound travel bookings. As of April 16, outbound flight searches have increased by 56 percent year-on-year, according to the report.

Travel agency Uzai.com has seen a more than 400-percent increase in the number of people purchasing their outbound travel products for the upcoming May Day holidays compared to last year. Data from Fliggy showed that the booking volume for outbound cruises has increased by over 16 times compared to last year, with some products al-ready sold out.

Chinese people’s spending on luxury goods and cultural events are also increasing. Hermes on Thursday reported a 17-percent surge in first-quarter sales, while increasing numbers of Chinese shoppers are splashing out on luxury items in Japan on the weak yen, according to media reports.

Concerts and performances have also been increasing and becoming fully booked since the start of the year. In the first quarter, the number of national performances increased by 72 percent year-on-year, revenue has more than doubled, and viewership is up 77 percent, according to the Economic Daily.

Analysts anticipate that the upcoming May Day holidays will once again drive signifi-cant consumer spending, providing a substantial boost to China’s GDP growth.

“With various government policies and initiatives in place, such as trade-in programs and travel enthusiasm, we expect to set a new record of consumer spending during this holiday period,” Zhang said.

China’s first-quarter retail sales jumped 4.7 percent year-on-year to 12.03 trillion yuan, underscoring stable consumption expansion after a surge in consumer spending during the Spring Festival holidays.

Following a 4.7-percent growth in the first quarter, there is still potential for further con-sumer spending growth, experts said, expecting the development momentum of con-sumption to provide new impetus to propel the world’s second-largest economy.

“Looking ahead to the rest of the year, we anticipate a moderate rebound in consump-tion at around 5 to 6 percent, driven by the gradual improvement in economic condi-tions, rising household incomes, and continued policy support for private enterprises and consumer demand,” Wu Chaoming, a deputy head of the Chasing Research Insti-tute, told the Global Times.

Tian Yun, a veteran economist based in Beijing told the Global Times on Saturday that potential for consumption in China is undeniable and more policies are expected to re-store consumer confidence and create a better consumption environment.

“Once this consumption potential is unleashed, the speed of China’s economic growth will further accelerate,” Tian said.

In the first quarter of this year, consumption remains the main driving force behind eco-nomic growth. China’s GDP grew by 5.3 percent year-on-year, with final consumption expenditure contributing 73.7 percent and driving GDP growth by 3.9 percentage points.