Halima Babagida Sets Up Foundation For Less Privileged In Honour Of Late Ex-First Lady Maryam

The late wife of former Military president, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, came alive in Minna on Saturday 18th January, 2025 when her youngest daughter, Halima launched her NGO- the Halymah Ibrahim Babagida Foundation.

The memory of Maryam Babangida was honoured at the event which attracted a huge crowd of widows, students and the less privileged who all came in the hope of benefitting from either empowerment programme, scholarship or entrepreneurship support.

The Crowd came to the El-Amin University auditorium in Minna as early as 8am even though the event was billed to start by 10am. They included young widows, male and female students and pupils from different schools and communities in Niger State.

The advertisement for the event had stated that 300 widows would receive start up capital for business and 500 students would be enrolled for bursary to support their university education.

Some school principals were also invited on behalf of 4,000 indigent youths whose WAEC and JAMB fees had been paid by the foundation.

The First Lady of Niger State, Hajiya Fatima Mohammed Bago was the special guest of honour while the Emir of Minna, Dr Umar Faruk Bahago, was the Father of the day.

The programme started by 10am with the hall filled with women and students who sat in the hope of becoming beneficiaries of Halima’s empathy.

Zainab Umar, a 38-year- old widow told THE WHISTLER that her husband died and left her with three young children she could not afford to sponsor through school.

“I’m hoping that Halima Foundation will help me so that i can start a business and use the money to train my children,” she said in anticipation.

Also, Salim Mohammed,a student of Geography at the IBB University, Lapai, said “I have three other siblings who’re still in school while our father is retired,” adding that getting a bursary from the foundation would be life-changing for him.

An elderly widow, Madam Abigael, who said she was informed about the event by a neighbour, also hoped to be among those to benefit from the foundation’s empowerment packages which included cash and other items.

Apart from the special guest of honour who sent Hajia Hadiza Maikano to represent her, other VIPs present include Commissioner for Basic Education, Hajia Maimuna Mohammed; Dr Nurudeen Lemu, Mrs Ladi Mustapha and Chairman of Bosso Local Government Area, Hajiya Rakiya Ladidi Bawa.

The elder brothers of the founder of the HIB Foundation, Mohammed and Aminu Babangida also came to support their sister. Mohammed, who is the Pro Chancelor of El-Amin University while giving a goodwill message, said the event represented the essence of their late mother who loved education and helping the poor.

Mohammed called the Halima “the baby of the house” when their mother died 15 years ago, but said she is now the one carrying on Maryam Babangida’s legacy through the HIB Foundation.

The First Lady of the state, Her Excellency, Hajiya Fatima Mohammed Bago, also commended Halima for her initiative. In a speech delivered on her behalf, she said the event reminded her about the “enduring legacy of one of Niger State’s finest daughters. Dr. (Mrs.) Maryam Babangida was not just a mother to her children, she was a mother to the entire nation, a visionary who worked tirelessly to uplift rural women and families.”

She said it was befitting that it is her daughter who is now “continuing her mother’s journey of compassion and empowerment,” adding that she had “chosen education as her platform, ensuring that young boys and girls, especially those with limited opportunities, can dream big and achieve even more.”

The First Lady stated further that the foundation’s scholarship programme complements the initiatives of Governor Mohammed Umar Bago’s administration aimed at providing quality education and reducing barriers, particularly for the most vulnerable in the state.

Dr Nurudeen Lemu commended the HIB Foundation and the founder for choosing not to be an onlooker, but an active participant in the service of humanity. He described her effort as similar to the attempt to stop the Titanic (ship in a film by James Cameron) from sinking. He said Halima could choose to do nothing to uplift others, but decided she would do something.

In her speech, Halima said her late mother was the inspiration for the project and she decided to launch it to commemorate the 15th year of her passing.

“I remember vividly how my mother would sit with rural women, teaching them to read, showing them that knowledge was their greatest asset,” she stated.

“As we launch the Halimah Ibrahim Babangida Foundation on this 15th anniversary of her passing, we honour her legacy not just with words, but with decisive action.”

She revealed that the foundation launched three groundbreaking initiatives to empower 300 widows and young entrepreneurs, fund WAEC and JAMB for 4000 students, and the establishment of a comprehensive bursary programme for 500 undergraduates.

In her journey of compassion and passion for education, she acknowledged the complementary role of her childhood friend, Fatima Dangote.

She said, “While my dear friend Fatima Dangote cannot be here physically today, our shared vision remains unshaken. We chose to launch here, where our own journey began, because we believe in the power of roots, in the strength of coming full circle, and in the importance of giving back to the soil that nurtured us.

“The Halimah Ibrahim Babangida Foundation stands as a testament to what becomes possible when vision meets action. Our mission – ‘Better Education, Better Youth, Better Nation’ – is more than a slogan. It is our blueprint for national transformation, one young mind at a time.

“Today, we don’t just launch a foundation; we ignite a movement. Join us in this mission. Whether you’re an educator, entrepreneur, or community leader – there’s a role for you in this transformation.

“Let history record that on this day, in this place where dreams once took root, we planted a forest of opportunity for thousands to follow.”

After the speeches, the guests were invited one after the other to hand over cash and other empowerment items to widows. Some school principals were also handed lists and payment receipts for WAEC and JAMB for selected students numbering up to 4000. Some talented undergraduates also got scholarships

Earthquake relief record in Dingri county, Xizang

By People’s Daily reporters

“Rush to the earthquake-stricken area, at full speed!” At 9:05 a.m. on Jan. 7, after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struckDingri county in southwest China’s Xizang autonomous region, the captain of the Dingri county fire rescue brigade, Dondrup Gyaltsen, urgently gave the command.

In just three minutes, the fire rescue brigade was fully equipped and departed to assist the severely affected Chamco township in the epicenter.

To get to Chamco township from Dingri county, the brigade had to travel on two national highways covering a total distance of nearly 40 kilometers, as well as some village roads. Before heading out, Dondrup Gyaltsen was worried that there might be damages to the road which would impede the rescue mission.

“All roads were clear, and we have arrived!” At 9:45 a.m., the brigade reached Chamco township, and Dondrup Gyaltsen promptly reported to higher authorities. “The roads have withstood the strong earthquake, securing precious time for the rescue efforts!” Then the brigade swiftly initiated rescue operations in villages including Gurum.

In the race against time for earthquake relief, every clear path, be it road, power line, or network, was a lifeline and a beacon of hope.

Roads, buying time for rescue efforts

As trucks loaded with relief supplies such as food, drinking water, stoves, and clothes arrived at Tsowa village, Qulho township, Dingri county through a village road, Tashi Phuntsok, head of the village committee, felt considerably relieved: “Fortunately, the village road is not severed by the earthquake, allowing rescue personnel and supplies to arrive promptly.”

Tashi Phuntsok said that since the village road,which directly connected to the national highway, was constructed, the village’s specialty products such as black goji berry, potato, and black barley have reached larger markets.

“The road helps improve villagers’ income, and has now become a ‘lifesaving route’ during this earthquake,” he said.

As of the end of 2024, the total length of roadsopen to traffic in Xizang had reached 124,900 kilometers. About 97.99 percent of townships and 86.05 percent of administrative villages in the autonomous region have access to roads, and the length of rural roads stand at 94,800 kilometers.

“After the earthquake struck, we swiftly mobilized personnel, machinery, and vehicles to conduct a thorough disaster assessment along the main national and provincial highways in the affected area within half an hour. Within just four hours of the earthquake, all damaged national and provincial highways were cleared, enabling rescue teams and emergency relief vehicles to quickly access the disaster zone,” stated Liu Zhiqiang, head of the transport department of Xizang autonomous region.

According to statistics, as of 3:00 p.m. on Jan. 12, Xizang’s transport department had deployed 853 emergency relief vehicles to the disaster area, transporting 17,500 tons of supplies.

Power lines, bringing warmth to people

On the morning of Jan. 7, Kelsang Phuntsok, director of the service center of the State Grid Dingri County Power Supply Company, led a team to the severely affected Gurum village for emergency repairs. After 15 hours, the first circuit in the village was restored. “Power is back on!” Cheers erupted from the crowd on the scene.

Power was quickly restored in Dingri county less than five hours after the earthquake. Within 18 hours, the most severely affected areas, including Tsogo township, Chamco township, and Qulho township, regained power. By the 34-hour mark, all power lines of severely affected substations, such as those in Lhatse township and Mangpu township in Lhatse county, were fully restored. By the afternoon of January 11, all resettlement sites in the epicenter area were successfully connected to the grid.

In recent days, State Grid Xizang Electric Power Co has been repairing and restoring damaged power facilities and carrying out emergency power connection work. All tents and prefabricated houses in the disaster area have been connected to power lines.

Network, uniting efforts, strengthening collaboration

On the day after the earthquake, technical staff member Lhaphun from China Mobile’s Xizang branch rushed to the disaster area. Equipped with safety ropes and taking circuit boards, he climbed up base station towers to inspect components, identify issues, and repair lines.

“In areas without network coverage, we also temporarily provided emergency services using Beidou satellite messaging, enabling the public to quickly contact relatives and seek external assistance,” said Lhaphun.

Less than a day after the earthquake, a total of 423 emergency personnel from the information and communication industry, 133 emergency vehicles, and 450 satellite phones were mobilized. By 2:00 p.m. on Jan. 8, all out-of-service base stations in Dingri county due to the earthquake were restored, ensuring the overall stable operation of the public communication network in quake-hit areas.

At the resettlement site in Tsongo village, Qulho township, 17-year-old Tenzin Dzongba sat on the stairs, watching videos on his phone with his friends. “After the earthquake, I was initially very anxious, but watching short videos allowed me to see more progress in the rescue efforts. Knowing that many people are concerned about us and various supplies are being delivered, I no longer feel afraid,” he said.

China, Africa true friends on way to modernization

By He Yin, People’s Daily

This year marks the beginning of the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Recently, several African countries including Chad, Djibouti, Madagascar, and the Republic of the Congo signed economic and technical cooperation agreements with China.

The efficient and pragmatic cooperation between China and Africa in various fields has been further deepened, demonstrating the joint efforts of the two sides to move towards modernization together.

Under the guidance of President Xi Jinping, the FOCAC Beijing Summit was successfully held last year, after which bilateral relations between China and all African countries having diplomatic ties with China were elevated to the level of strategic relations and the overall characterization of China-Africa relations was elevated to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

Jointly advancing modernization that is just and equitable, open and win-win, that puts the people first and features diversity and inclusiveness, and that iseco-friendlyand underpinned by peace and security, China and Africa have strengthened strategic alignment in development and exchanged governance experiences. This has expanded shared values, paving the way for a broader horizon and injecting more momentum into the development of bilateral relations.

There is always vast space for African brothers in China’s endeavor to expand high-standard opening up; and China will never be absent from Africa’s pursuit of development and revitalization.

The ten partnership actions for modernization jointly promoted by China and Africa have set a roadmap for comprehensive deepening of cooperation. China is committed to providing Africa with a broader market, more practical technologies, and more stable investments for its modernization.

China has been granting zero-tariff treatment for all tariff product categories to all least developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China, which creates favorable conditions for high-quality African products to enter the Chinese market. China is also deepening vocational skills training and human resources cooperation with African countries to help the latter strengthen capacity building.

The cumulative installed capacity of photovoltaic power plants built by Chinese companies in collaboration with Africa has exceeded 1.5 GW, and the two sides will also construct an “African Solar Belt”, truly embarking on the path of green and low-carbon development.

President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso recently stated that Xi’s proposal of the ten partnership actions for modernization at the FOCAC Beijing Summit covers all areas of China-Africa cooperation and addresses the challenges facing Africa, which is in line with Africa’s needs.

On the journey to modernization, the FOCAC has played a significant role in promoting Africa’s development and improving the livelihoods of the people on the continent. Over the past 25 years since the establishment of the forum, China has helped Africa build 100,000 kilometers of roads, more than 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 1,000 bridges and nearly 100 ports. Over the past three years alone, over 1 million jobs have been created in Africa. The livelihood projects implemented in Africa, such as those related to food security, water supply, and education, have benefited the people of many African countries.

Today, the forum has become a symbol of China-Africa solidarity and cooperation, a banner of South-South cooperation, and a model for guiding international cooperation with Africa. The importance China attaches to Africa has attracted increased attention and support from the international community, further promoting Africa’s development.

In the face of profound changes unseen in a century, the world increasingly needs strengthened cooperation between China and Africa. The development of China and Africa represents the rise of the Global South, embodying the strengthening of just forces.

Under the guidance of Pan-Africanism, African countries have accelerated the integration process of seeking strength through unity and pursuing development and revitalization, playing an increasingly important role in international affairs and contributing transformative power to global governance.

China will always be the most trustworthy friend of its African brothers and sisters, the most reliable partner in their pursuit of development and revitalization, and the strongest supporter of Africa on the international stage.

The tradition of making Africa the first overseas destination for China’s foreign minister each new year is a hallmark of Chinese diplomacy, which has been upheld consistently for 35 years. It is a testament to the enduring friendship between China and Africa, and China’s consistent friendly cooperation with Africa.

Strengthening solidarity and cooperation between China and Africa, and jointly safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, aligns with historical justice and the trend of the times.

Regardless of the changing international situation, China and Africa will steadfastly advance cooperation to a higher level, deeper level, and broader scope, jointly promote modernization and build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

To define China-U.S. relations by mutual benefit, win-win cooperation

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

Over the past few years, China-U.S. relations have gone through ups and downs, but one thing remains unchanged: only through cooperation can the two countries achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

The 2025 Consumer Electronics Show recently concluded in the U.S. city of Las Vegas once again demonstrated how Chinese and American interests are deeply intertwined, and proved that the two countries can benefit from win-win cooperation.

It is reported that over 1,300 Chinese companies participated in the event, accounting for about 27 percent of all exhibitors.

The latest cooperation achievements between Chinese and American tech companies garnered substantial attention. For example, Chinese artificial intelligence company APLUX and U.S. tech giant Qualcomm jointly unveiled Ultra Magnus, the first humanoid robot prototype. The robot can communicate freely and naturally with visitors and serve them beverages, demonstrating efficient service capabilities.

During the event, Chinese and American companies engaged in face-to-face exchanges across multiple consumer technology sectors, including artificial intelligence glasses, health wearable devices, new energy vehicles, and smart homes. The two countries boast immense potential for cooperation, which will benefit the two peoples.

Under the current circumstances, common interests between China and the U.S.are expanding rather than shrinking. This is a sentiment shared by the vast majority of businesses and people from both sides, and serves as an important foundation for the two countries to work in the same directionfor mutually beneficial cooperation.

Looking back at 2024, China hosted over 3,800 economic and trade events. American companies had the largest exhibition area at the seventh China International Import Expo, and took the largest share of overseas participation at the second China International Supply Chain Expo. ManyU.S. corporate executivesfrequently visited China. These China-U.S. business exchanges have opened up opportunities and fostered mutual success.

The cooperation between Chinese and American enterprises demonstrates that as long as the two countries stay committed to mutual respect, mutual benefit, and equal-footed consultation, follow economic and market rules, and expand and deepen mutually beneficial business cooperation, they can achieve win-win outcomes.

In the past 46 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the U.S., the international situation and the bilateral relationship have gone through tremendous changes. However, a comprehensive examination of China-U.S. relations reveals a wide range of common interests shared by the two sides, with mutual benefit and win-win cooperation being the essential characteristics of bilateral relations.

This is sufficient to enlighten both sides that they should be partners rather than rivals; help each other succeed rather than hurt each other; and seek common ground and reserve differences rather than engage in vicious competition.

Chinahas proposed that both countries should uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, and find the right way to get along in the new era. This is both a profound summary of past experience and a crucial guide for the future.

Chinese ancestors once said, “Parties involved in trade can have their needs met and obtain more benefits.” At the entrance of the Commerce Research Library of the U.S. Department of Commerce, there is an inscription that reads: cultivate peace and commerce with all. This means that mutual benefit and reciprocity holds true in both ancient times and today, and is a shared belief in both Chinese and American businesses.

In 2024, Tesla’s electric vehicle sales in the Chinese mainland hit a record high of 657,000 units, up 8.8 percent yearonyear. Starbucks added 290 new stores to its footprint on the Chinese mainland in the fourth quarter of 2024, entering 78 new county-level markets.

More than 73,000 American companies have established businesses in China by 2024, with the total investment exceeding $1.2 trillion, covering sectors such as electronics and communications, automobile manufacturing, consumer goods, and financial services.

Countless examples show that American businesses investing and doing business in China not only yield profits but also benefit the people of both countries. As China is advancing Chinese modernization and the U.S. isrevitalizing its economy, there is plenty of room for their cooperation.

The interests of China and the U.S. are closely intertwined. Naturally, the two countries have divergences and disagreements between them. Yet these should not become obstacles to their bilateral cooperation.

Faced with the recent years’ new and evolving situationin China-U.S. business ties, the two sides should stay committed to mutual respect, seek common ground while shelving differences, and take constructive measures to enhance understanding and expand consensus.

Tariff wars, trade wars, and tech wars are against the trend of history and laws of economics. They will only disrupt normal trade exchanges and the stability of global industrial and supply chains, which does not serve the interests of any party.

Gary Shapiro, CEO of the U.S. Consumer Technology Association (CTA), warned that the tech sector is America’s economic engine, but proposed tariffs threaten the deflationary power of tech in the global economy. According to a report released by CTA,President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff proposals on technology products could lead to $90 billion-$143 billion decline in U.S. consumer purchasing power in 2025.

MauriceObstfeld, former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund, recently observed that using tariffs to increase U.S. powerin the global economy will likely backfire and damage the U.S. economy.

It is never too late to do the right things. At the critical crossroads in the development of China-U.S. relations and the key moment of world economic recovery, it is especially important to define China-U.S. relations by mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and to take actions responsible for both countries and the world.

Looking ahead, China and the U.S. can help each other succeed and prosper together through cooperation. Together, they can accomplish great things that benefit both countries and the world.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

Premature Retirement:NASS Director sues Assembly Commission

The Director, Senate Table Duties Department in the National Assembly, Dr. Christopher Vershima Ashiekaa, has challenged attempts by the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), to retire him from service before his statutory exit date.

The suit, which is before the Honourable Justice Osatohanmwen Ayodele Obaseki Osaghae of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, seeks judicial interpretation of Rule 020909 of Public Service Rules, 2021 edition, which the Commission, under the Chairmanship of Engr Ahmed Kadi Amshi, wrongly applied upon to terminate the Director’s appointment.

The Claimant/Applicant is represented by Barr. Daniel Penda, while the 1st Defendants/Respondents (NASC) and the NASS Management (2nd Defendant), are represented by Abdul A. Ibrahim, SAN and Aisha O. Abdulsalam Esq, as well as Barr. Charles Yoila Esq, respectively.

In the suit number NICN/ABJ/455/2024, the claimant is arguing that his 2017 notional appointment to the post of Director Legislative should not count as he did not “Serve on the Post” and enjoyed no financial or other benefits.  He is relying on previous rulings on the subject matter in the case of Amb DCB Nwanna vs National Intelligence Agency (NIA) in 2013 and several others.

When the case came up for first mention on Wednesday, Counsel to the 1st defendant pleaded for seven days to enable them file their defence, arguing that the NASC briefed them very late.

In her response, Justice Obasaki, adjourned the matter to February 17, 2025 for further mention.

The claimant, Dr Ashiekaa, joined the National Assembly in November 1992.  Going by the public service retirement rule, he is expected to retire in November 2027.  Similarly, Ashiekaa, who was born in 1968, has not attained the age of 60.

Besides his appointment Director in 2017 was notional, meaning that his effective date of attaining the rank of Director with financial benefit was 1st January 2018.  Going by the eight-year tenure of Directors envisaged by public service Rule 020909, Dr. Ashieakaa should be retiring by January 2026.  Even this, this would apply if he is still not appointed to consolidated grade.

NITDA: CWAI Commends Reforms, Partnerships, and Youth Empowerment Initiatives

Says Agency Propelling Nigeria’s ICT Industry to Global Prominence Amid Challenges

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to driving Nigeria’s information technology sector to global recognition despite numerous challenges. The agency’s regulatory strides, strategic innovations, and impactful partnerships are paving the way for sustainable ICT growth, economic diversification, and enhanced digital literacy across the nation.

In a press statement issued by Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, Executive Secretary of Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI), and President of the Guild of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Equity, Justice, and Transparency in Nigeria (GOCMEJ), the organization lauded NITDA’s transformational leadership under Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE. The statement highlighted the agency’s proactive reforms and paradigm shift, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and good governance as central pillars of its renewed operational framework.

“NITDA has strategically repositioned the ICT sector by fostering innovation, enhancing policies, and creating an enabling environment for techpreneurs,” Aigbegbele noted. “Its collaborative partnerships with global tech giants like Cisco, TikTok, and international institutions, including the World Bank, African Development Bank, and USAID, have strengthened Nigeria’s digital economy, widened access to digital literacy, and empowered the youthful demographic.”

Key to these efforts is the establishment of a National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), a foundational electronic signature framework developed using international best practices and significant investments in technology infrastructure. This initiative aligns with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2.0 (2024–2027) and supports the federal government’s Renewed Hope agenda for digital transformation.

CWAI praised NITDA for its forward-thinking initiatives in cybersecurity awareness, data privacy advocacy, and the creation of a robust IT policy environment that protects users from malware and hackers. “Through aggressive sensitization, the agency educates Nigerians on best practices for data protection and safe technology usage,” Aigbegbele said.

The organization also acknowledged NITDA’s role in skill development and youth engagement, citing programmes that expose Nigerian tech talents to global innovation platforms and exchange opportunities. By partnering with entities like the FCT Universal Basic Education Board and state governments, NITDA is cultivating a pool of globally competitive digital professionals.

“Despite power supply issues, regulatory duplications, and other industry challenges, NITDA’s leadership has boosted investor confidence and positioned the country’s tech industry on a growth trajectory,” the statement added.

CWAI concluded by urging stakeholders to support NITDA’s vision for a dynamic digital ecosystem that fosters entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, and MSME growth. It emphasized the importance of broad-based collaboration to sustain the agency’s momentum and fulfill its mission of making Nigeria a global hub of technology innovation.

Three years on, RCEP sees significant progress in promoting regional open cooperation

By Yang Yi, People’s Daily

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is thefree trade area with the biggest population, the largest trade scale and the greatest potential for development.

Since the RCEP came into force in January 2022, it has deliveredincreasingly prominent institutional dividends such as tariff reductions, simplified customs procedures, and trade and investment facilitation. It has played a crucial role in safeguarding the stability and smooth flow of regional industrial and supply chains, propelling the Asia-Pacific into a new period of high-quality economic development.

On the morning of Jan. 2, 2025, a freight train loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables set off from Wangjiaying West Station in Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan province, bound for Laos along the China-Laos Railway.

This marked a new milestone for the railway, which has transported over 50 million tons of cargo, including 11.58 million tons of cross-border goods, since its full operation on Dec. 3, 2021.

Over the past three years since the RCEP came into force, the China-Laos Railway has emerged as a crucial transport corridor linking China, Thailand, Cambodia, and other countries. With the opening of more shipping routes, goods from Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan can now directly reach Xiamen Port and Quanzhou Port in southwest China’s Fujian province, as well as ports in east China’s Shandong province.

According to a study conducted by the Asian Development Bank, the RCEP is expected to add $245 billion annually to regional income and 2.8 million jobs to regional employment. With the continuous improvement of regional connectivity, the RCEP will unleash more trade benefits.

Providing tremendous opportunities for regional enterprises

Boten townin northern Laos’Luang Namtha province, located only 3 kilometers from the Chinese border town of Mohan in Yunnan, is a crucial border station for transporting goods between China and Laosby land.

“Three years ago, there were only about a dozen customs clearance companies in Boten. Now, there are around 150,” said Zhang Jianli, head of the freight transfer division at the Boten Station of the China-Laos Railway.

Inside the offices of these customs clearance companies, business agents were busy submitting documents, inspecting goods, and paying taxes to ensure timely shipment of goods for their customers.

Thanaleng Dry Port, a border checkpoint located between Lao capital Vientiane and border city Nong Khaiin northeast Thailand, primarily handles goods that need to transit through Laos before reaching China or Thailand.

An official with Thanaleng Dry Port said that with the opening of the China-Laos Railway, the time needed to transport goods by trucks from Vientiane to Boten has reduced from two days to only around four hours, enhancing the logistics efficiency in the region.

By implementing tariff commitments, rules of origin, trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and other trade regulations, the RCEP has maximized the integration of 27 trade arrangements and 44 investment agreements of its members in the region. This has effectively advanced the development of the multilateral trading system and helped maintain the stability of industrial and supply chains across the region.

An executive from the United Overseas Bank in Singapore said that the RCEP has broken down tariff barriers among its members and simplified trade rules. Singaporean enterprises can enjoy an average of 92 percent tariff reduction in China, which provides them with more favorable conditions for expanding their presence in the Chinese market.

Unny Sankar Ravi Sankar, minister of economic affairs of the Malaysian Embassy in China, noted that the RCEP provides abundant opportunities for businesses and investors in the region, contributing significantly to the stable economic development of the Asia-Pacific.

Invigorating regional economic integration

In December 2024, the RCEP Support Unit(RSU)was officially established in Jakarta with the joint efforts of China, the non-ASEAN rotating chair of the RCEP that year, and the ASEAN chair Indonesia.

Kao Kim Hourn, secretary-general of ASEAN,said that the establishment of the RSU was another significant milestone in the development of the RCEP. It will help implement the RCEP in a more comprehensive and high-quality manner and provide support to relevant institutions.

Over the past three years, the RCEP has been unleashing benefits in trade, investment, and regional value chains. As the largest economy of the RCEP, China has been an active promoter of high-quality implementation of the agreement. In the first three quarters of 2024, imports and exports between China and other RCEP members totaled 9.63 trillion yuan ($1.31 trillion), a year-on-year increase of 4.5 percent.

China’s continuous expansion of high-level opening up has injected stability and vitality into the economic development of the Asia-Pacific, providing tremendous opportunities for regional countries to share China’s development benefits.

Data released at the Boao Forum for Asia Bangkok Roundtable in August 2024 indicated that Cambodia is expected to graduate fromLDC (least developed country)status by 2028 due to the development dividends brought by the RCEP.

Cambodian Ministry of Commerce’s Secretary of State and Spokesperson Penn Sovicheat, said that the RCEP and bilateral free trade agreements that Cambodia signed with countries like China and South Korea greatly boosted Cambodia’s trade growth.

According to statistics released by the Department of Trade Negotiations under the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, in the first ten months of 2024, Thailand’s trade with other RCEP members reached around $269.7 billion, accounting for 53.13 percent of its total trade, up 2.69 percentage points from a year ago.

Tang Zhimin, director of China-ASEAN Studies at the Bangkok-based Panyapiwat Institute of Management, observed that the model of pre-establishment national treatment plus a negative list for foreign investment is one of the most important achievements of the RCEP investment rules.

“Since the implementation of the RCEP three years ago, China has made significant progress in facilitating services trade and investment cooperation with ASEAN countries, demonstrating an increasingly higher level of opening up,” Tang noted.

China home to most automated terminals completed and under construction

By Han Xin, People’s Daily

At around 9 am, a ship laden with cargo arrived at a fully automated container terminal of Qingdao Port in east China’s Shandong province. As the ship docked, intelligent operation promptly commenced.

Several gantry cranes descended from a height of tens of meters, their “arms” expertly grabbing and positioning the large containers onto automated guided vehicles (AGVs). Nearby, high-speed rail-mounted gantry cranes swiftly navigated the yard, accurately stacking and organizing the incoming containers.

The smooth loading and unloading operations were made possible by automation.

“Construction of the fully automated terminal began in 2015, divided into three phases, with the third phase terminal becoming operational by the end of 2023,” said an employee with Qingdao Port.

According to the employee, the terminal has lifted operational efficiency by six percent and throughput by 15 percent.

On Jan. 1, 2025, the automated container terminal at Qingdao Portachieved an average single-crane productivity of 60.9 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per hour during aloading task. This marks the 12th time that the terminal has set a world record for automated terminal efficiency.

Heading north along the coastline from the port, there is a bulk cargo terminal that has been revitalized.

At the ore terminal in the west port area of Yantai Port, the work site was totally unmanned, but as an orange ship unloader swung its mechanical arm, cargos were grabbed out of the hold. Conveyor belts, rotating fast, worked in close coordination with reclaimers and loaders, handling cargos with high efficiency.

Thanks to fully automated terminal control technology, the ore terminal at Yantai Port has achieved unmanned operations throughout the entire work process. Compared to traditional operating modes, both the comprehensive unloading efficiency and bulk cargo loading efficiency have increased by over 20 percent.

The two ports in the north and south of the Shandong Peninsula are vivid examples of the accelerated construction of intelligent ports across China.

According to data from China’s Ministry of Transport, the country has built 52 automated container and bulk cargo terminals so far, ranking first in the world in terms of both completed and under-construction scales. Chinese ports also rank at the forefront globally in the level and application of automation technology.

In recent years, China has successively formulated and released a series of industry technical standards such as the design specifications for automated container terminals and automated coal and ore terminals, which have driven and supported the development of smart port construction. Some technical solutions for automated container terminals have been introduced overseas and applied in ports in some countries.

“To achieve full-process unmanned operation for ship loading and unloading, container transfer, and yard handling at a container terminal, a complete set of automated port machinery equipment and loading/unloading systems are indispensable,” said Li Yiming, director of a design and research institute of Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (ZPMC).

Li took the Yangshan phase IV automated terminal in Shanghai as an example. When a large vessel docks, the quay crane is the primary equipment for loading and unloading containers at the terminal. By introducing dual-trolley automated quay cranes, it is possible to achieve a relay operation with two trolleys, increasing the efficiency of loading and unloading operations by 50 percent.

After the containers are unloaded, AGVs will efficiently transport the containers to the yard. Following this, the world’s first dual-container automated rail-mounted gantry cranes come into play, capable of lifting two containers at one go, doubling the efficiency of yard operations.

“Up to now, ZPMC has provided a total of 28 automated quay cranes, 121 automated rail-mounted gantry cranes, 145 AGVs, and a complete set of loading and unloading systems, helping the Yangshan phase IV automated terminal become the largest and most intelligent fully automated container terminal in the world,” said Li.

In recent years, the company has been involved in over 70 percent of automated terminal construction projects around the world, he added.

The smooth and efficient operation of various port machinery, including shore cranes, rail-mounted gantry cranes, and AGVs, depends on a robust automation software system.

In the Meishan port area of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in East China’s Zhejiang province, real-time scenes of ship loading and unloading, automated operations of quay cranes and gantry cranes, and unmanned container trucks shuttling back and forth were displayed on a large screen. With the support of an independently developed automation software system, hundreds of port machinery equipment have achieved precise and orderly scheduling, underpinning the formulation of production plans and complex task management for tens of millions of TEUs.

“The large-scale application of intelligent equipment has laid a solid foundation for the efficient operation of the port area, contributing to new highs of the port’s throughput,” said an executive of Ningbo Zhoushan Port Company Limited.

In the first 11 months of 2024, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port reported a cargo throughput of 1.268 billion tons, a year-on-year increase of 3.27 percent, and completed a container throughput of 36.145 million TEUs, up 10.2 percent from a year ago. In recent years, Chinese ports have been vigorously promoting the specialization and intelligent transformation of terminals, further enhancing port service capabilities. From January to November 2024, China’s total port cargo throughput reached approximately 16.04 billion tons, showing a year-on-year increase of around 3.4 percent. The container throughput reached 300 million TEUs, with a year-on-year growth of 7.3 percent, maintaining a steady increase

CSOs Commend Lagos Lawmakers Over Obasa’s Impeachment As Speaker

A civil society group, Pan African Society for Social and Economic Change has expressed pleasure with the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State Assembly while lauding the lawmakers for restoring the integrity of the institution.

Recall that the Lagos State House of Assembly had on Monday removed Speaker Obasa over multiple allegations of fraud and corruption.
The Executive Director of the group, Basah Mohammed on Tuesday in Abuja during a chat with journalists applauded the lawmakers for restoring the integrity of the parliament and purging itself of characters whose acts are tantamount to destroying the feat hitherto achieved by the state.

Mohammed hailed security agents for standing firm throughout the impeachment proceeding, branding them true defenders of democracy while commending Lagos lawmakers for immediately filling the void created by the impeachment and setting a new record with the emergence of Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as the first female Speaker.

His words: “Without any fear of contradiction I can categorically tell you that Mudashiru Obasa’s removal as Speaker of the Lagos state assembly is a good step in the right direction.

“I think his (Obasa) removal is even coming a bit late. For any discerning mind, events in the last three months indicated that Obasa’s days were numbered as he has conducted himself poorly from what everyone can see.

“So that is why we are elated that our state is moving forward and will not be dragged back by individuals who refused to discharge their duties with the utmost integrity; that is why Right Honourable Obasa’s impeachment is the right call.

“We commend the lawmakers for their boldness and resolve to stay on course with efforts aimed at moving Lagos forward. It is also refreshing that the vacuum created by Obasa’s ousting was immediately filled with Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the southwest state.

“We urge the members of the Lagos state House of Assembly for their unalloyed support for the new Speaker and principal officers. We also want to salute the security agents on the ground as the impeachment happened for discharging their duties diligently and preventing hoodlums from disrupting the proceeding.

According to media reports, Obasa was accused of financial irregularities, which included a N44 billion allocated for vehicles. There was also the allegation of N15.6 billion allocated for office construction, amid claims that existing facilities were functional amongst others.

Embodied Intelligence makes humanoid robots smarter

By Wang Zheng, People’s Daily

Two humanoid robots Walker S1 developed by Chinese robot manufacturer UBTECH recently conducted practical training in a logistics warehouse of Chinese new energy vehicle manufacturer BYD in Changsha, central China’s Hunan province.

The two robots, 172 centimeters in height, each squatted down and picked up a six-kilogram material box from a tray. Holding the box in front of their chests, they backed up and turned, took small steps towards an unmanned warehouse dolly, bent, and placed the boxes onto it. After this task was accomplished, they returned to the tray to repeat the process for another round.

“Since late October 2024 when they entered the factory for training, their handling efficiency has doubled. From the initial run-through of all handling scenarios by a single humanoid robot, to achieving collaborative operations with unmanned warehouse dollies, and now to two robots working together, ” said Jiao Jichao, vice president of UBTECH.

This is not the first time for UBTECH humanoid robots to enter an automobile plant. Previously, when the 400,000th vehicle manufactured by Chinese carmaker Zeekr rolled off the production line, a Walker S1 was at Zeekr’s 5G intelligent plant, practicing millimeter-level precision quality checks for vehicle logos and car lamps. At the turn of the year, the Walker S1 also worked in three other manufacturing enterprises for training.

At the 2022World Robot Conference, only three humanoid robots were showcased, and the number increased to 10 in 2023 and 27 in 2024. As of Nov. 18 last year, the humanoid robot sector had witnessed 49 financing events totaling 8 billion yuan ($1.09 billion), with the largest single investment nearing 1 billion yuan, according to Jiang Lei, chief scientist of the National and Local Co-Built Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center.

Jiang said the number of humanoid robot manufacturers across China has increased from 31 in early 2024 to 80, and the number stands at over 200 globally.

In addition to humanoid robots, embodied intelligence has also gained significant attention. Recently, many technological experts in autonomous driving sector have shifted their focus to embodied intelligence, leading to a surge in investment and entrepreneurship activities in this area.

Embodied intelligence refers to integrating artificial intelligence into physical entities such as robots, enabling them to perceive, learn, and interact dynamically with the environment like humans do, Jiao explained.

This concept, first proposed in 1950, emphasizes that intelligent behavior is generated through the interaction between the intelligent agent’s body and the environment. In China’s national artificial intelligence development strategy, embodied intelligence is seen as the only way for artificial intelligence to interact with the physical world, which will have profound implications on the real world.

Humanoid robots are one physical form of embodied intelligence. Academician Sun Ninghui of the Chinese Academy of Engineering said that embodied intelligence refers to intelligent entities with physical bodies able to interact with the physical world, such as robots and unmanned vehicles. These entities process various sensory data inputs through multimodal large models and generate motion commands to drive the intelligent agents, replacing traditional rule-based or mathematical formula-based motion control methods. This approach achieves a deep integration of virtual and real worlds.

Jiang told that there are two paths for the development of humanoid robots. One is the Honda ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility) path, which emphasizes that robots are just a hardware platform and focuses more on the mechanical engineering and motion capabilities. However, this path ceased development in 2018.

The other path is the Tesla path, which advocates for integrating the development of humanoid robots with embodied intelligence, emphasizing the support of artificial intelligence infrastructure such as intelligent computing center, data center, and cloud service platform.

Jiang said, “The next generation of humanoid robots should be a combination of robots, embodied intelligence, and artificial intelligence infrastructure.”

According to Tesla’s plan, this year, the humanoid robot “Optimus,” also known as the “Tesla Bot,” will enter limited production this year and mass production in 2026. Similarly, leading Chinese humanoid robot companies see 2025 as the “year one” for mass production.

On Dec. 26, 2024, Leju Robot, a high-end tech firm committed to the development of humanoid robots, officially launched its first production line, with an estimated annual output of 200 humanoid robots.

UBTECH also plans to increase the delivery volume of its Walker series. Chairman of Leju Robot Leng Xiaokun noted that the company’s humanoid robot “Kuavo” has already been employed in industrial settings, with the ultimate goal of transitioning to home services.