Nigeria Times

By Li Rui, People’s Daily
As Zhang returned home from work and stepped through the door of his house, the room was
bathed in a gentle, gradually intensifying glow. When he prepared his supper, all he did was
hitting a button on an intelligent steam oven. As he lied down on the bed, the air conditioner
automatically set the temperature and airflow according to the data collected by his smart pillow,
ensuring a comfortable rest during the night.
What brought this convenience to him was the smart home appliances manufactured by Haier, a
multinational home appliances and consumer electronics company headquartered in Qingdao, east
China’s Shandong province, and this scene was exactly an epitome of the thriving intelligent home
appliance industry in the city.
Qingdao is a major hub for advanced manufacturing in the home appliance industry. In recent
years, there has been rapid growth in the number of companies involved in making higher-end,
smarter, and more customized home appliance products and solutions.
Currently, there are over 2,200 such companies in the city, with 52 national-level research and
development innovation centers and 17 national champions in manufacturing.
In a smart factory of Fisher & Paykel in Qingdao, motors were assembled and then shipped to a
washing machine factory of Haier in the city.
Motor, a key component, is like the heart of a washing machine. As a company specialized in the
making of home appliance motors, Fisher & Paykel has been a long-term component supplier for
Haier. It set up a factory in Qingdao in 2015 under the assistance of Haier.
“This batch of motors all come with bar codes, which are their ‘identity cards,'” said Wang
Ziqiang, general manager of the washing machine factory of Haier.
“In the past, it cost a lot of time and energy to conduct full-process inspections for the goods from
suppliers upon entering the factory,” said Wang.
Relying on Haier’s COSMOPlat industrial internet platform, Fisher & Paykel established a smart
factory that enables massive and customized production based on customers’ demands, he added.
All production data are visualized and accessible, which marked a digital upgrade of the quality
assurance system, said Wang.
“With the assistance of Haier technicians, our production line has been optimized,” said Sun Li,
general manager of Fisher & Paykel Appliances (Qingdao) Co., Ltd.
Through this in-depth collaboration, Fisher & Paykel has reduced quality losses by 30 percent and
increased the number of orders by 30 percent, according to Sun.
“This is an epitome of the synergy between the upstream and downstream sectors of the home
appliance industry in Qingdao, “said an official with the Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Industry
and Information Technology.
As the industry accelerates its clustering, chain owner enterprises play a leading role in connecting
advantageous resources from both ends of the supply chain, driving the overall improvement in
quality and efficiency for all companies along the chain, the offical said.

Control panel, as a key component of smart home appliances, used to be a weak link in the home
appliance industrial chain in Qingdao.
“In the past, there was a lack of control panel manufacturers locally, so home appliance companies
often had to purchase control panels from other places, resulting in high transportation costs and
unstable supply,” said Liu Dachuan, director of the Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Industry and
Information Technology.
It was not just the control panel. In 2005, only less than 5 percent of the core components and
electronic devices used in locally manufactured home appliances came from Qingdao suppliers.
To address this issue, Qingdao released an investment guidance catalog for key components of
smart home appliances. The catalog highlights four major product categories and 18 subcategories
as priorities for attracting investment.
Diehl Controls, an outstanding supplier of control systems in the global home appliance industry,
has established Diehl Controls Qingdao subsidiary in the Qingdao Sino-German Ecopark, which
provides control panels and other components for home appliance manufacturers such as Haier.
“Sincerity is the greatest attraction,” said Lyu Zhenyu, director of the investment promotion office
of the Qingdao Sino-German Ecopark, explaining the secret to attracting foreign investment.
“We provide full-lifecycle services, from initial planning and site selection to project construction
and operation,” Lyu added.
So far, Qingdao has attracted a group of key component manufacturing companies, significantly
increasing the local supporting capability for core components and electronic devices.
In an exhibition hall of a national high-end intelligent home appliance innovation center in
Laoshan district, Qingdao, a number of premium home appliance chips were on display.
In the past, China’s domestic chip industry was not yet fully developed. In 2019, Haier, together
with its upstream and downstream partners, jointly established the national high-end intelligent
home appliance innovation center.
The goal of establishing this center is not to build “fast cars,” but to build “highways,” said Gui
Zhihui, deputy general manager of the national high-end intelligent home appliance innovation
center.
Previously, from chip design, manufacturing, packaging and testing to application, upstream and
downstream enterprises were not well connected. The chip products themselves also lacked
standards that met the needs of the home appliance industry, as well as authoritative testing.
“Many home appliance and chip companies would send their chips to us for testing,” said Gui.
“With the data we have collected, we gradually made standards that meet the needs of the home
appliance industry. Along this ‘highway,’ the entire home appliance industry of Qingdao can move
towards higher-end and more intelligent development.”
“By proactively addressing the pain points in the industry, such as high-end scenario chips, the
Qingdao home appliance industry provides users with smarter and more convenient services. We
believe that in the future, your home will understand you better,” Liu noted.

By He Yin, People’s Daily
Friendly cooperation between China and Africa has yielded fruitful results over the past year,
marked by the official operation of the Lekki Deep Sea Port in Nigeria, the completion of
international airport terminals in Zimbabwe and Angola, the opening of the Cocody Bridge in
Cote d’Ivoire, and the inauguration of the China-aided International Diplomatic Academy of
Tunis…
A leader of an African country recently noted that Africa has accelerated its economic growth,
enhanced security and brought benefits to the people on the continent, and these achievements
couldn’t have been realized without China’s long-term and selfless assistance.
Developing solidarity and cooperation with African countries has been the cornerstone of China’s
foreign policy, as well as a firm and longstanding strategy. In developing its relations with Africa,
China has always followed the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith. The
Chinese people have worked together with African people in pursuit of a shared future, mutual
respect and common development.
Charting the course for China-Africa cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping has taken China-
Africa relations to new heights. He raised 10 major cooperation plans, eight major initiatives, and
nine programs of cooperation between China and Africa. He also proposed to build an even
stronger China-Africa community with a shared future, a China-Africa community with a shared
future in the new era, and a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.
This year, China will host the next meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, where
Chinese and African leaders are expected to discuss future development plans. This will
undoubtedly inject new impetus into the development of China-Africa relations.
China has all along treated African friends with sincerity and wholeheartedly provided support for
Africa’s development, making China-Africa cooperation a fine example of South-South
cooperation and international cooperation with Africa.
China is pursuing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path
to modernization. Africa is moving at an accelerated speed toward the bright prospects envisioned
in Agenda 2063. As the two sides join hands to advance modernization, they will deliver a better
future for the Chinese and African people, and set a fine example in the building of a community
with a shared future for mankind.
Leaders of African countries have expressed appreciation for Xi’s governance philosophy and
deep concern for the people, admiring China’s remarkable achievements. They said African
countries will keep joining the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and
implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization
Initiative.
At the China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue held in August 2023, Xi proposed to launch the Initiative
on Supporting Africa’s Industrialization, the Plan for China Supporting Africa’s Agricultural
Modernization, and the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development, helping Africa
bring its integration and modernization into a fast track.
China is ready to work with African countries to explore effective ways that suit their respective
national conditions, preserve their independence, and achieve common development and
prosperity, striving together for modernization.
China is the world’s largest developing country, and Africa is the continent with the largest
number of developing countries. The two sides need solidarity and cooperation more than ever.

They should stay committed to observing the basic norms governing international relations,
oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics, oppose interference in other countries’
internal affairs, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.
Many African countries and the African Union have been openly reaffirming their commitment to
the one-China principle, firm support for China’s effort of upholding national sovereignty and
territorial integrity, and support for China’s reunification. Some said China is a great country, and
no country or force can stop China’s progress; some said there is only one China in the world and
Taiwan is a part of China; some expressed their firm support for the one-China principle and an
early reunification of China.
China supports Africa in becoming an important pole in the world’s political, economic and
cultural development. China is ready to create new opportunities for Africa with its own new
development. China was the first country to explicitly express its support for the African Union’s
membership of the G20. China is firmly committed to upholding international fairness and justice,
and firmly supports Africa in enhancing its international status and influence. This fully
demonstrates the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation.
The African people need a friend like China, who takes care of Africa’s realities, listens to Africa’s
demands, and never imposes its will on others, said Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe.
No matter how the situation develops, mutual respect, understanding, support and help have
always been the key features of China-Africa friendships.
China will continue to stand firmly with Africa, inherit and carry forward the spirit of China-
Africa friendship and cooperation. China will support Africa in accelerating independent
development and upgrade and elevate China-Africa cooperation. This will ensure that more
achievements of China-Africa cooperation would benefit African countries, and make new and
greater contributions to the building of a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.

China’s high-quality economic development good news to world
By He Yin, People’s Daily
Following the release of China’s 2023 economic data by the National Bureau of Statistics, it is
acknowledged globally that China’s economy has successfully withstood challenges and
experienced a strong rebound, serving as a driving force and an anchor for the global economy.
China’s commitment to high-quality development has further infused the world economy with
renewed vigor and heightened confidence.
The international community believes that the latest data reveals the remarkable resilience and
potential of the Chinese economy, and China’s robust economic performance is poised to continue
propelling global economic recovery.
China’s economy serves as a crucial driving force for the global economy. As the world has
entered a new period of turbulence and change, and the momentum of world economic growth is
sluggish, the Chinese economy made stable and sound progress in 2023, with total economic
output exceeding 126 trillion yuan ($17.64 trillion), up 5.2 percent year on year.
Whether compared horizontally with major global economies or vertically with China’s previous
year, this performance is impressive and hard-earned. In 2023, China’s economic growth generates
over 6 trillion yuan, equivalent to the annual GDP of a medium-sized country. The report of
International Financial Forum demonstrates that China contributes 32 percent to the global
economic growth in 2023 and is the largest engine of world economy.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that a 1-percentage-point increase in China’s GDP
growth leads to a 0.3-percentage-point increase in growth in other economies on average.
Managing director of the IMF Kristalina Georgieva believes that the Chinese economy achieving
its major expected targets is great news for China, Asia, and the world.
China’s economy brings rare stability to the global economy. As the world’s second largest
economy, China has developed positive economic fundamentals and long-term trajectory. It is the
only country with industries across all categories in the United Nations industrial classification.
The added value of its manufacturing industry accounts for around 30 percent of the global total,
leading the world for 14 years in a row. China is also home to over 200 mature industry clusters.
As China’s “demographic dividend” is transitioning into a “talent dividend,” the country now leads
the world in the numbers of talents, scientific and technological professionals, as well as research
and development personnel. China’s overall investment in research and development and high-
tech industries has maintained double-digit growth for several years. The application of emerging
technologies is accelerating, leading to the emergence of new products and business models. All
of these will accelerate the formation and strengthening of new driving forces for China’s
development.
An article published on the Pakistan Observer highlighted that “as the international community
places growing confidence in China’s economic prowess, it emerges as a stabilizing force in an
otherwise unpredictable global economic landscape, affirming its significance in the ongoing
narrative of worldwide economic growth”.
Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd pointed out that so long as the Chinese consumer
has confidence in China’s future, the economy will continue to grow reasonably well.
The total export of electric passenger cars, lithium-ion batteries, and solar batteries reached 1.06
trillion yuan, hitting the trillion-yuan mark for the first time and increasing 29.9 percent year on
year.

Some foreign media outlets noted that for those with a long-term perspective, China’s increasing
investment in product and technological innovation should be a source of confidence in the
country’s long-term economic prospects.
China will continue to share new opportunities with all countries in the world. Despite growing
risks in the world economy and surging undercurrents of protectionism, China has been committed
to opening-up and has opened its door even wider to the world, fostering a world-class business
environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized.
In October last year, China vowed to remove all restrictions on foreign investment in the
manufacturing sector, opening up opportunities for global investors to participate in the
development of China’s manufacturing industry. Over the past five years, the return on foreign
direct investment in China stands at around 9 percent, which is quite competitive globally.
Joe Ngai, chairman of McKinsey & Company in Greater China noted that in terms of market
scale, consumer influence, and innovation capacity, the Chinese market stands unrivaled, with no
other region worldwide capable of surpassing its prominence.
He believes that for companies, the Chinese market is not only a hub for innovation, but also can
provide inspiration in the consumer field. “Multinational companies should continue to invest in
China,” Ngai said.
China, with greater efforts and more practical measures, will effectively improve the quality of its
economy and promote its growth within a reasonable range, consolidate and promote the
momentum of economic recovery, so as to bring more benefits to the world and contribute more
driving forces for global growth.

By Du Haitao, People’s Daily
According to customs statistics, China’s cross-border e-commerce logged total imports and
exports of 2.38 trillion yuan ($330.9 billion) in 2023, up 15.6 percent year on year. In particular,
exports totaled 1.83 trillion yuan, up 19.6 percent from a year ago, while imports stood at 548.3
billion yuan, up 3.9 percent.
The rapid development of cross-border e-commerce demonstrates China’s immense market vitality
and growth resilience. It not only meets the diverse and individualized needs of Chinese
consumers but also helps Chinese products reach global markets, becoming an important driving
force for foreign trade development.
At night, warehouses of cross-border e-commerce companies in the Guangzhou Baiyun
International Airport Comprehensive Bonded Zone, south China’s Guangdong province were still
bustling – numerous products were being packed and waiting to be sent to consumers around the
world via international flights after customs clearance.
With the development of globalization, an increasing number of Chinese companies are turning
their attention to overseas markets in search of greater development opportunities. Cross-border e-
commerce exports have become an important pathway for this expansion.
China is actively promoting the healthy, sustainable and innovative development of cross-border
e-commerce. It encourages local authorities to leverage industrial and resource advantages to build
innovative cross-border e-commerce pilot zones, and develop a model that integrates cross-border
e-commerce and industrial belts, so as to facilitate business-to-business exports for cross-border e-
commerce enterprises.
According to Zhu Siqiao, associate researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and
Economic Cooperation under China’s Ministry of Commerce, in the face of increasing global trade
uncertainty and sluggishness, cross-border e-commerce, relying on flexible, efficient, and resilient
supply chains, provides more value-for-money products to global consumers and injects new
impetus into global trade growth.
In 2023, relevant departments have continuously improved policies related to customs clearance,
taxation, foreign exchange, and innovated regulatory models to promote cost reduction and
efficiency improvement for enterprises. They encouraged cross-border e-commerce pilot zones,
industry organizations, and companies to actively participate in “Silk Road e-commerce” and Belt
and Road economic and trade cooperation, so as to ensure the steady and sustainable growth of
cross-border e-commerce exports.
“We have successfully established a foothold in overseas markets thanks to cross-border e-
commerce exports and overseas warehouses,” said Lyu Qiang, general manager of Verage, a
baggage manufacturer based in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang province.
“Not only is the delivery and after-sales service more convenient, but we can also collect timely
feedback from foreign consumers through e-commerce platforms. This allows us to continuously
optimize our products,” said Lyu.
Since 2023, Verage has achieved sales of over 20 million yuan through cross-border e-commerce
platforms, with a year-on-year growth of over 70 percent.
Hangzhou Customs has been actively exploring new models and applying new scenarios for the
development of cross-border e-commerce, supporting traditional industries in expanding overseas

markets through new business forms, and aiming to better facilitate the exports of Chinese
products with cross-border e-commerce overseas warehouses.
Zhu believes that the rapid development of digital technology and the advancement of regional
cooperation will create a better environment for the development of cross-border e-commerce.
Cross-border e-commerce connects different industries, allowing various sectors such as clothing,
footwear, baby care products, furniture, and appliances to access global markets. Additionally,
cross-border e-commerce also drives the transformation of traditional manufacturing and trading
enterprises, promoting the development of new business forms.
Shandong Jiongxin Trading Co., Ltd. based in a cross-border e-commerce park in Jining, east
China’s Shandong province, recently signed a garlic trade order worth $12,000 with a foreign
client.
After joining the cross-border e-commerce industrial park, the profit margin of the company’s
orders has increased by 50 percent, said Han Ju, general manager of the company.
In Zhuhai, Guangdong province, the customs department is working to streamline cross-border
logistics for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Eligible goods to be exported
are allowed to go through customs clearance procedures through a “simplified declaration, list-
based release and summary statistics” approach. This effort has attracted many logistics
companies such as SF Express, DHL, and Cainiao to conduct e-commerce business at the Zhuhai
Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, with export destinations reaching over 200
countries and regions.
The Guangzhou Customs in Guangdong province has created a one-stop oversight model for
cross-border e-commerce export returns. It allows companies to ship export e-commerce returns
that meet resale conditions back to the Nansha Comprehensive Bonded Zone, where unpacking,
sorting, shelving, storage, and re-export can be handled in one go.
In 2023, the Guangzhou Customs facilitated over $240 million worth of cross-border e-commerce
export return declaration and over 31 million “bundled” export packages.