Nigeria Times

By Cao Shiyun, People’s Daily

The PVS ASEAN Photovoltaic (PV) and Storage Conference and Expo 2023 recently kicked off in Jakarta, Indonesia, with the participation of companies from Indonesia, China, Singapore, and other countries.

The event offered heads of relevant industry organizations, experts, and scholars an opportunity to discuss topics such as the current situation, policy trends, energy transition, and cooperation potential of the ASEAN PV market.

It focused on the PV and energy storage industry, showcasing innovative products and advanced technologies in this sector, including high-efficiency PV modules, portable energy storage products, and household energy storage solutions, among others. These products and technologies cover various scenarios, from daily life to large-scale PV projects in the industrial and commercial sectors.

President Director of PT Adhouse Clarion Events Toerangga Putra noted that this expo served as an important platform to comprehensively showcase the supply and industrial chains of the PV power generation and energy storage industry.

He believes that the expo will help Indonesia to promote clean energy transition and achieve sustainable economic and social development.

China Energy Engineering Group Equipment Co., Ltd. brought to the event a range of high-tech products with independent intellectual property rights, along with a new energy power generation solution.

Based on the development trend of green energy, this solution sources energy primarily from wind and PV power generation, with energy storage as a supplement and diesel generators as the final guarantee. It forms a complete power generation solution suitable for island power stations, campsite power supply, distributed PV power generation, and other application scenarios.

DAS Solar, a new energy technology company from east China’s Zhejiang province, introduced a self-developed lightweight solar panel module at the expo. This module adopts fluorine-containing high molecular transparent front panels instead of glass, which effectively solves the issues of heaviness and difficult installation associated with traditional ones.

The module also possesses excellent properties such as UV resistance, aging resistance, and fire prevention. It has attracted quite a few business representatives to discuss cooperation.

According to the latest data released by the ASEAN Center for Energy, renewable energy accounted for 14.4 percent of the total energy supply in ASEAN countries in 2021, with the installed power generation capacity accounting for 33.9 percent of the total.

From 2016 to 2021, installed solar power generation capacity in ASEAN countries increased by 53 percent. By 2025, the installed capacity of renewable energy may take 35 percent of the total installed capacity in ASEAN countries.

The rapid growth of solar power generation has significantly narrowed the gap between ASEAN countries and the set targets, said a report by the ASEAN Center for Energy.

In recent years, China and ASEAN countries have deepened their cooperation in clean energy and achieved multiple accomplishments. China has actively promoted the establishment of the China-ASEAN Clean Energy Cooperation Center, to facilitate the sharing of clean energy technologies, strengthen financial support, and deepen regional cooperation, contributing to the energy transition and sustainable development in the region.

In early November this year, the Cirata floating solar plant in Indonesia, the largest floating solar plant in Southeast Asia, was connected to the power grid and started running at full capacity. Constructed by a Chinese company, the plant is expected to provide clean electricity to approximately 50,000 households.

China and Vietnam have signed a memorandum of understanding on power and renewable energy cooperation. The cooperation between China and Thailand in the renewable energy sector, including wind power and PV power generation, has also achieved positive results.

Secretary-General of ASEAN Kao Kim Hourn said that key areas of cooperation between ASEAN and China include offshore wind energy, hydropower, power connectivity, and green transportation. He hoped that both sides would take further actions to jointly promote the green and low-carbon transformation of energy, thereby fostering economic and social development for both parties.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

The 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP28, kicked off in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates on Nov. 30.

The meeting will carry out the first-ever two-year assessment of the world’s collective progress toward the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement, and is of great phased significance for the global climate governance process.

The international community expects all parties to adhere to the objectives, principles and institutional arrangements outlined in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and send a positive signal of focused action and enhanced cooperation.

The COP28, themed “Unite, Act and Deliver,” reflects the aspiration of the international community to jointly cope with climate change. According to a recent report issued by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change secretariat, national climate action plans remain insufficient to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that the COP28 must be the place to urgently close the climate ambition gap, and developed countries must rebuild trust “by delivering on their finance commitments.”

China is a doer in advancing global climate governance. Since the beginning of this year, it has maintained close communication with all parties to promote a successful COP28 and the comprehensive and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden in San Francisco. The two heads of state underscored the importance of working together to accelerate efforts to tackle the climate crisis in this critical decade.

They welcomed recent positive discussions between their respective special envoys for climate, including on national actions to reduce emissions in the 2020s, common approaches toward a successful COP28 and operationalization of the Working Group on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s to accelerate concrete climate actions.

Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization Petteri Taalas believes that this echoes the spirit of global cooperation and has a positive impact on addressing the challenges of climate change worldwide.

Xi recently emphasized in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron that China stands ready to work with France in sending a strong signal of jointly addressing the issue of climate change, so as to prompt the success of the COP28.

As a responsible developing country, China has actively addressed climate change as the intrinsic demand for it to realize sustainable development. It has contributed its wisdom and strength to global climate governance.

China has implemented a national strategy to actively address climate change, announced its carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, and put in place a “1+N” policy framework for carbon peak and carbon neutrality.

It has promoted structural adjustments of industry, energy, and transportation, adopted energy-saving and efficiency-improving measures, established and improved market mechanisms, and increased forest carbon sinks.

China places mitigation and adaptation on equal footing, and has made positive progress in addressing climate change. In 2022, China’s carbon emissions intensity decreased by over 51 percent from its 2005 level.

China has been actively engaged in South-South cooperation on climate change, and actively participated in the multilateral process of climate change, showing great responsibility as a major country.

Recently, the Al Dhafra PV2 Solar Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates, which was contracted by a Chinese company, has been completed. It is currently the world’s largest single photovoltaic project, providing electricity for 200,000 households and reducing carbon emissions by 2.4 million tons annually.

By September 2023, China had signed 48 memorandums of understanding on South-South cooperation on climate change with dozens of developing countries. It has collaborated on the construction of four low-carbon demonstration zones and implemented 75 projects on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Furthermore, China has trained over 2,300 officials and technical personnel in the field of climate change for more than 120 developing countries.

China has launched close cooperation with Europe on green development, established a China-Europe carbon neutrality research center, initiated the China-France Carbon Neutrality Center, and hosted the Global Sustainable Transport Forum. These efforts have helped build consensus on global climate governance and boosted confidence in addressing climate change worldwide.

Addressing climate change is a cause shared by all of humanity. All parties should uphold the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as the main channel for global climate governance, stay committed to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and promote full and effective implementation of the Convention and the Paris Agreement.

China will work with all parties to use the Global Stocktake as an opportunity to step up implementation, strengthen supporting measures and jointly build a fair, reasonable and win-win global climate governance system.

By Xie Weiqun, Shen Wenmin, People’s Daily

In the exhibition hall of Chinese tech firm Fourier Intelligent in the Zhangjiang AI Robot Valley, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, a humanoid robot GR-1 was showcasing its abilities. The 1.65-meter-tall and 55-kilogram-weight robot could walk at a speed of 5 kilometers per hour and carry a load of up to 50 kilograms.

“The GR-1 has a highly biomimetic body structure and human-like motion control, enabling it to perform functions such as fast walking, agile obstacle avoidance, stable uphill and downhill movement, and resistance to impacts. It is an ideal carrier for general artificial intelligence (AI),” said Gu Jie, chairman of Fourier Intelligent.

The company focuses on the development of high-performance rehabilitation robots. It has only eight years of history, but has already launched over 30 product series that are now used in more than 2,000 medical institutions.

“We have shifted our focus from ‘specialized robots’ to ‘general-purpose robots,’ aiming at the future mainstream of the industry. Humanoid robots have a certain degree of versatility and they have enormous potential in various application scenarios such as industry, rehabilitation, home services, and scientific research. Through independent innovation, we have been able to produce key components such as joints domestically,” Gu said.

Shanghai has made early and rapid progress in the development of the AI industry. Currently, there are over 350 AI enterprises above designated size in Shanghai, with a total output value of over 380 billion yuan ($53.6 billion), which is approximately three times of that five years ago.

Intelligent robots, involving advanced technologies such as AI, high-end manufacturing, and new materials, have become a new engine driving economic growth and a new frontier for technological competition.

Shanghai is proactively cultivating intelligent robots in order to build new engines of growth and competitive strengths for the future.

In October this year, Shanghai released an action plan on promoting high-quality innovative development of the intelligent robot industry in the 2023-2025 period. The plan aims at building Shanghai into a globally influential innovation hub for the industry by 2025.

According to the plan, Shanghai will create 10 leading robot brands, establish 100 exemplary robot application scenarios, and expand the total value of robot-related industries to 100 billion yuan.

Furthermore, the plan includes the establishment of three public service platforms: an intelligent robotics testing and pilot verification innovation center, a humanoid robot manufacturing innovation center, and a general-purpose robotics research institute.

It also aims to achieve a density of 500 industrial robots per 10,000 workers in key manufacturing sectors, and will significantly enhance the depth and breadth of robot applications in industries.

Under the guidance of the plan, all districts in Shanghai are making concerted efforts to create a sound environment for the development of the intelligent robot industry.

At the Lingang Summit of the Shanghai Intelligent Robot Industry Conference held in Shanghai’s Lingang Special Area on Nov. 14, the General Robot Industrial Research Institute and a Lingang robot industry base were officially unveiled.

Besides, an intelligent robot industry alliance was established in the area, and a group of high-level intelligent robot projects settled in. As a result, an intelligent robot industry ecosystem was initially formed in the area.

“Lingang Special Area is home to more than 150 core AI companies with over 5,000 research and development personnel. Around 40 industrial chain-related enterprises have gathered here, focusing on four major areas: general-purpose robots, industrial robots, service and special robots, and AI technology,” said Wu Xiaohua, an official in Lingang Special Area.

According to Wu, efforts will continue to be made in ten key fields such as whole robot manufacturing and AI chips, further strengthening the foundation for the development of the intelligent robot industry and building a demonstration area for intelligent robot applications.

Industrial data has a wide range of application needs in the field of intelligent industries, and it helps solidify the foundation of the intelligent robot industry.

To address the challenges of scattered and complex industrial data resources and long transaction chains, the Shanghai Data Exchange and Intsig, a leading tech company specializing in business data, artificial intelligence, and mobile applications, jointly established an industrial data innovation center on Nov. 25.

Through three innovative initiatives, namely, creating a new one-stop industrial data service link, building a new paradigm of on- and off-trading integration, and exploring cross-domain data integration projects, the center is committed to establishing a compliant, fair, and trustworthy data trading order and data commercialization ecosystem, turning industrial data from “resources” to “value.”

By Cui Yan, People’s Daily

Juncao, which literally means “mushroom and grass” and can be used to grow edible mushrooms, has a strong capability to fix and store carbon.

Recently, a Juncao program was launched in Yancheng, east China’s Jiangsu province to explore an integrated resource recycling model and set up an experimental base covering over 10 hectares.

The program, initiated under the cooperation between Jiangsu province and southeast China’s Fujian province, introduced improved Juncao varieties from Fujian and grew them on mud flats in Yancheng. It serves as a vivid example, replicating successful experiences in achieving China’s “dual carbon” goals.

According to a recent plan issued by the National Development and Reform Commission, China will launch carbon-peaking pilot projects in 100 cities and zones nationwide to solve bottlenecks constraining the country’s green and low-carbon development.

Resource endowments and development foundations vary across different regions. The carbon-peaking pilot projects aim to stimulate different regions’ initiative and creativity, and accelerate the green transformation of development models by launching pilot tasks, implementing key projects, as well as innovating policies and mechanisms.

The projects aim to explore carbon-peaking pathways for different cities and zones, and provide operable, replicable and promotable experiences for the whole country, thus contributing to achieving carbon peaking and neutrality goals.

These pilot projects are pioneers in achieving “dual carbon” goals. They make attempts to explore and provide solutions for cities or zones facing similar situations.

They are carried out in economically advanced and major energy-consuming provinces, such as Jiangsu, Shandong and Guangdong, as well as in areas rich in traditional and new energy resources including Shanxi, Inner Mongolia and Shaanxi.

The pilot plan determines goals and tasks by considering the geographical features, functional orientations, resource endowments and development foundations of different regions, which will help explore diversified pathways to green and low-carbon transformation.

These projects, starting from certain regions, aim to find the universal principles for and play a role model in achieving carbon peaking and neutrality nationwide.

Many piloted regions have already made positive attempts. For instance, Inner Mongolia has been striving to establish a national ecological carbon sink supply base; factories in Anhui are promoting green manufacturing; offshore wind power generation has become a highlight along the 4,000-kilometer coastline in Guangdong.

In addition to the pioneering efforts to achieve “dual carbon” goals, piloted regions have also deepened reforms in strengthening sci-tech innovation, improving policy mechanisms and enhancing public participation. As a result, a batch of innovative measures and experiences in reforms have been generated.

As the largest developing country, China faces the ambitious target of completing the world’s most dramatic reduction in carbon emission intensity, and realizing carbon neutrality from carbon peaking in the shortest time in global history. In this process, leveraging the role played by these pilot projects can help explore the optimal path at a relatively lower cost.

These pilot projects, carried out in small scopes and at the primary level, are explorations with controllable risks and tremendous space for innovation. They can stimulate people’s pioneering spirit and find rich, effective and differentiated pathways.

The successful experiences gained through these grassroots projects will then be promoted on a larger scale with the country’s governance resources.

The positive interaction and organic combination of top-level design and primary-level exploration has enabled China to form a dynamic cycle that involves initial trials, result analysis and promotion of successful experiences, which lowers risks and improves efficiency.

Statistics show a steady decline in the proportion of coal in China’s primary energy consumption – 68.5 percent in 2012, 60.6 percent in 2017 and 56.2 percent in 2022.

At the same time, China’s new energy vehicle ownership has seen significant annual growth – 220,000 in 2014, 1.53 million in 2017 and 13.1 million in 2022.

These figures mirror the strong momentum of green development in China, the world’s second-largest economy. Guided by the carbon-peaking pilot projects, innovative explorations are taking place nationwide, and a beautiful picture outlined by “dual carbon” goals is unfolding.

By Li Ya’nan, People’s Daily

Leveraging its abundant ice-and-snow resources, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in northwest China has developed new business forms and products, and fostered new advantages of its ice-snow industry in recent years. More and more people to experience the charm of the ice and snow leisure tourism.

At the Jiangjun Mountain ski resort in Altay, Xinjiang, Huang Jianzhong and his family from Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong province, put on skiing equipment and got ready to go on the slopes with their coach.

“In previous winters, we came here for only sightseeing. This year we specifically hired a coach to teach my children how to ski,” Huang told People’s Daily. Nowadays, more and more tourists, like Huang and his family, would visit Xinjiang to experience the joy of winter sports.

Lyu Yaoping, a coach from a skiing training center at the Jiangjun Mountain ski resort, told People’s Daily that the training center had only about 50 coaches when she joined it four years ago, and the number today has exceeded 180.

Besides, the number of relevant venues has also increased year by year. Today, Xinjiang is home to 101 ski resorts, 27 indoor ice rinks and 60 ice-snow amusement parks.

In addition to winter sports, Xinjiang fully utilizes its resources such as scenic spots, parks, ice and snow venues, and themed towns to host events such as ice and snow photography exhibitions, ice sculpture exhibitions, and snow sculpture exhibitions. The public’s enthusiasm for ice and snow continues to rise.

Chi Shaoquan, deputy governor of Fuhai county in Altay, noted that the county was preparing to host a winter fishing festival that would take place soon. So far, Fuhai county has held 16 sessions of the festival, benefiting both the aquaculture and tourism industries.

In a workshop in Altay, Kuanishbek Slanbek, a master craftsman of ancient fur skis production, was busy making his products. Altay is the birthplace of skiing, and fur skis were an important tool for winter production and daily life in ancient times. Today, the craft of fur ski-making has regained vitality thanks to winter sports.

According to Kuanishbek Slanbek, those who purchase the fur skis are mainly skiing enthusiasts. They use the skis to experience local-style skiing, and some buy the products as souvenirs.

It takes about 15 days to make a pair of fur skis, which are priced at around 1,000 yuan ($140). Since the beginning of this winter, Kuanishbek Slanbek has already made 60 pairs and still has pending orders.

“I have trained a group of young people to make fur skis. This has not only increased our income, but also ensured the inheritance of this craft,” Kuanishbek Slanbek said.

Dozens of workers from a bedding company in Habahe county, which is over 100 kilometers away from Kuanishbek Slanbek’s workshop, were also rushing to fulfill orders. The company just finished producing 5,000 pieces of ski suits lately, and now they have received a new order for 12,000 pieces more.

A ski equipment company in Urumqi was also ramping up production. The company had to deliver three “magic carpets” to Kyrgyzstan in January next year.

“We mainly produce ski lifts, ‘magic carpets,’ snowmaking equipment, and snowboards. Our products not only meet the needs of local ski resorts but also sell to other regions,” said Liao Yuan, the company’s manager. According to him, the sales volume of the company has been increasing at an average of 30 percent per year.

Xinjiang enterprises have made inroads into ice and snow equipment manufacturing, covering personal equipment such as skiing suits, gloves, and snowboards, as well as specialized equipment for ski resorts like tow ropes, magic carpets, and ski lifts. This development has become an important part of the ice and snow industry in Xinjiang.

Helatibek Musai, a villager from Fuyun county, Altay, has been working at the international ski resort in Koktokay for five years. Every winter, he and his wife head to work early at the resort.

“There’s no more leisure time now, as we are all busy making money! I’m the snowmaking supervisor and my wife is the guest room supervisor. Together, we earn over 10,000 yuan per month,” the man told People’s Daily.

In 2018, the construction of the international ski resort commenced, and the facility officially opened for business in 2020. Since then, it has received over 1 million tourists.

Currently, the ski resort provides stable employment for more than 210 local farmers and herdsmen, with an average annual income of 32,000 yuan per person. Additionally, it has also created flexible job opportunities for over 7,000 people in the surrounding area.

With the increasing number of tourists, more and more local specialty products in Xinjiang have found a market. For instance, a cultural and creative park in Shuixigou township, Urumqi county, has built “bubble houses” that come with heating facilities, so that tourists can get a view of the beautiful sceneries outside these transparent “bubbles” in winter. The park also provides free stalls for local villagers to sell agricultural and sideline products, as well as handicrafts.

“These camel ornaments, felt purses, and felt jewelry boxes were all handmade by female members of our cooperative. Through selling these handicrafts, each of us earns around 4,500 yuan per month,” said Hatima Ened, president of the cooperative in Urumqi county.

Hatima Ened, also an inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage item of Kazakh embroidery, told People’s Daily that the booming tourism at the cultural and creative park has enabled many local families to increase their income.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a New Year message via China Media Group and the Internet Sunday evening in Beijing to ring in 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

On New Year’s Eve, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered his 2024 New Year message via China Media Group and the Internet. The following is the full text of the message:

Greetings to you all! As energy rises after the Winter Solstice, we are about to bid farewell to the old year and usher in the new. From Beijing, I extend my best New Year wishes to each and every one of you!

In 2023, we have continued to forge ahead with resolve and tenacity. We have gone through the test of winds and rains, have seen beautiful scenes unfolding on the way, and have made plenty real achievements. We will remember this year as one of hard work and perseverance. Going forward, we have full confidence in the future.

This year, we have marched forward with solid steps. We achieved a smooth transition in our COVID-19 response efforts. The Chinese economy has sustained the momentum of recovery. Steady progress has been made in pursuing high-quality development. Our modernized industrial system has been further upgraded. A number of advanced, smart and green industries are rapidly emerging as new pillars of the economy. We have secured a bumper harvest for the 20th year in a row. Waters have become clearer and mountains greener. New advances have been made in pursuing rural revitalization. New progress has been made in fully revitalizing northeast China. The Xiong’an New Area is growing fast, the Yangtze River Economic Belt is full of vitality, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is embracing new development opportunities. Having weathered the storm, the Chinese economy is more resilient and dynamic than before.

This year, we have marched forward with robust steps. Thanks to years of dedicated efforts, China’s innovation-driven development is full of energy. The C919 large passenger airliner entered commercial service. The Chinese-built large cruise ship completed its trial voyage. The Shenzhou spaceships are continuing their missions in space. The deep-sea manned submersible Fendouzhe reached the deepest ocean trench. Products designed and made in China, especially trendy brands, are highly popular with consumers. The latest models of Chinese-made mobile phones are an instant market success. New energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products are a new testimony to China’s manufacturing prowess. Everywhere across our country, new heights are being scaled with dogged determination, and new creations and innovations are emerging every day.

This year, we have marched forward in high spirits. The Chengdu FISU World University Games and the Hangzhou Asian Games presented spectacular sports scenes, and Chinese athletes excelled in their competitions. Tourist destinations are full of visitors on holidays, and the film market is booming. The “village super league” football games and “village spring festival gala” are immensely popular. More people are embracing low-carbon lifestyles. All these exhilarating activities have made our lives richer and more colorful, and they mark the return of bustling life across the country. They embody people’s pursuit of a beautiful life, and present a vibrant and flourishing China to the world.

This year, we have marched forward with great confidence. China is a great country with a great civilization. Across this vast expanse of land, wisps of smoke in deserts of the north and drizzles in the south invoke our fond memory of many millennium-old stories. The mighty Yellow River and Yangtze River never fail to inspire us. Discoveries at the archeological sites of Liangzhu and Erlitou tell us much about the dawn of Chinese civilization. The ancient Chinese characters inscribed on oracle bones of the Yin Ruins, the cultural treasures of the Sanxingdui Site, and the collections of the National Archives of Publications and Culture bear witness to the evolution of Chinese culture. All this stands as testament to the time-honored history of China and its splendid civilization. And all this is the source from which our confidence and strength are derived.

While pursuing its development, China has also embraced the world and fulfilled its responsibility as a major country. We held the China-Central Asia Summit and the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and hosted leaders from across the world at many diplomatic events held in China. I also paid visits to a number of countries, attended international conferences, and met many friends, both old and new. I shared China’s vision and enhanced common understandings with them. No matter how the global landscape may evolve, peace and development remain the underlying trend, and only cooperation for mutual benefit can deliver.

Along the way, we are bound to encounter headwinds. Some enterprises had a tough time. Some people had difficulty finding jobs and meeting basic needs. Some places were hit by floods, typhoons, earthquakes or other natural disasters. All these remain at the forefront of my mind. When I see people rising to the occasion, reaching out to each other in adversity, meeting challenges head-on and overcoming difficulties, I am deeply moved. All of you, from farmers in the fields to workers on factory floors, from entrepreneurs blazing the trail to service members guarding our country — indeed, people from all walks of life — have done your very best. Each and every ordinary Chinese has made an extraordinary contribution! You, the people, are the ones we look to when we fight to prevail over all difficulties or challenges.

Next year will mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. We will steadfastly advance Chinese modernization, fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts, speed up building the new development paradigm, promote high-quality development, and both pursue development and safeguard security. We will continue to act on the principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, promoting stability through progress, and establishing the new before abolishing the old. We will consolidate and strengthen the momentum of economic recovery, and work to achieve steady and long-term economic development. We will deepen reform and opening up across the board, further enhance people’s confidence in development, promote vibrant development of the economy, and redouble efforts to boost education, advance science and technology and cultivate talents. We will continue to support Hong Kong and Macao in harnessing their distinctive strengths, better integrating themselves into China’s overall development, and securing long-term prosperity and stability. China will surely be reunified, and all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Our goal is both inspiring and simple. Ultimately, it is about delivering a better life for the people. Our children should be well taken care of and receive good education. Our young people should have the opportunities to pursue their careers and succeed. And our elderly people should have adequate access to medical services and elderly care. These issues matter to every family, and they are also a top priority of the government. We must work together to deliver on these issues. Today, in our fast-paced society, people are all busy and face a lot of pressure in work and life. We should foster a warm and harmonious atmosphere in our society, expand the inclusive and dynamic environment for innovation, and create convenient and good living conditions, so that the people can live happy lives, bring out their best, and realize their dreams.

As I speak to you, conflicts are still raging in some parts of the world. We Chinese are keenly aware of what peace means. We will work closely with the international community for the common good of humanity, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and make the world a better place for all.

Right at this moment, when the lights in millions of homes light up the evening sky, let us all wish our great country prosperity, and let us all wish the world peace and tranquility! I wish you happiness in all the four seasons and success and good health in the year ahead!

Thank you!

By Liao Ruiling

In 2023, China continued to advance high-level opening up, injecting impetus into global cooperation and win-win outcomes. The following eight keywords bear witness to China’s new initiatives and achievements in opening up.

Keyword: Exhibition

Following the Ministry of Commerce’s announcement to fully resume offline trade fairs and expos domestically in February 2023, a series of major exhibitions were hosted as scheduled in the country, attracting exhibitors from all over the world.

According to statistics, a total of 3,248 exhibitions were held in professional venues across the country in the first nine months of this year, increasing 1.8 times year-on-year and 32.4 percent over the same period in 2019.

Various types of exhibitions have achieved fruitful results.

The 3rd China International Consumer Products Expo was attended by 3,382 consumer brands from 65 countries and regions. The 134th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, concluded with an offline export turnover of $22.3 billion in total.

The 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services yielded more than 1,100 outcomes. The 6th China International Import Expo saw a total of $78.41 billion worth of tentative deals reached for one-year purchases of goods and services, representing a 6.7 percent increase from that of last year, and setting a record high.

Keyword: Manufacturing

China announced the removal of all restrictive measures on foreign investment in manufacturing at the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

It both demonstrated China’s determination to advance high-level opening up, and marked an important measure of the country to build new systems for a higher-level open economy, said Li Dawei, a researcher at the Institute for International Economy, Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research.

In the first 10 months of 2023, foreign direct investment into China’s manufacturing industry reached 283.44 billion yuan ($39.65 billion), maintaining year-on-year growth. In particular, the high-tech manufacturing sector saw a growth of 9.5 percent in the utilization of foreign investment.

Keyword: Service industry

In the Shanghai Hongqiao International Central Business District, cross-border bond issuance, cross-border mergers and acquisitions and other services have brought great convenience to enterprises.

In Beijing’s Shunyi district, the first foreign entertainment agency to establish a branch in Beijing is located in the Tianzhu comprehensive bonded zone, marking further opening up in the cultural sector.

Since 2015, China has implemented comprehensive pilot programs for opening up the services sector in 11 selected cities and provinces.

In the first three quarters of 2023, the added value of the service industry in these 11 regions reached 13.2 trillion yuan, accounting for 69.7 percent of the local GDP. The actual use of foreign capital in the service industry amounted to $50.85 billion in these regions, accounting for 55.6 percent of the total foreign investment in the industry nationwide.

Keyword: BRI

The year 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Over the past decade, the BRI has become the most popular international public good and the largest international cooperation platform in today’s world.

According to statistics, more than 421,000 local jobs were created globally in overseas economic and trade cooperation zones built by Chinese enterprises under Belt and Road cooperation.

It is estimated that by 2030, Belt and Road cooperation could help lift 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million out of moderate poverty, and raise global real income by 0.7 to 2.9 percent.

Keyword: Free trade zone

The Kashgar Area of China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone was inaugurated on Nov. 11, 2023. It is the 22nd pilot free trade zone established in China.

The year 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of China’s first pilot free trade zone. China remains committed to comprehensive opening up, promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. It will take the lead in establishing institutional systems that align with international investment and trade rules.

Over the past decade, China’s pilot free trade zones have played a pioneering role, yielding a series of outstanding innovative achievements. Covering less than 0.4 percent of the nation’s land area, China’s pilot free trade zones attracted 18.4 percent of foreign investment in China and accounted for 18.6 percent of the country’s foreign trade in the first half of 2023.

Keyword: New “three major ones”

Solar batteries, lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles are the new “three major ones” underpinning China’s exports.

China’s production and sales of new energy vehicles have topped the global market for eight years in a row, with a global market share of over 60 percent. From January to September, China’s lithium-ion battery exports totaled $48.605 billion, a year-on-year increase of over 30 percent.

China’s photovoltaic module production has ranked first in the world for 16 consecutive years. Besides, the country holds more than 80 percent of the world’s polysilicon, silicon wafers, cells, and modules manufacturing capacity.

The structure transition of trade in goods from clothing, household appliances and furniture to the new “three major ones” mirrors the outstanding performance of China’s foreign trade upgrading.

Keyword: Digital trade

China’s self-developed games have generated over 10 billion yuan in overseas revenue, and the overseas market for Chinese online literature has surpassed 3 billion yuan with over 150 million n overseas users.

Currently, the overall size of China’s digital trade is expanding. From January to August 2023, China’s digitally-delivered service trade rose 10.4 percent year-on-year to 1.81 trillion yuan.

From January to September, the import and export volume of cross-border e-commerce reached 1.7 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 14.4 percent. China’s cross-border e-commerce trade partners have covered the globe, and China is one of the countries with the most complete cross-border e-commerce ecosystem in the world.

Keyword: Renminbi internationalization

Statistics released by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) in September 2023 revealed that the Chinese yuan achieved a record increase in its global payment share. Its share rose from 3.9 percent at the beginning of the year to 5.8 percent, surpassing the euro for the first time.

So far, the People’s Bank of China, China’s central bank, has authorized 31 yuan clearing banks in 29 countries and regions, covering major international financial centers.

In 2023, the international currency functions of the Chinese yuan continued to strengthen, achieving fruitful results in expanding its applications in settlement, transactions, and value storage. Insiders pointed out that the enormous size and stable growth of the Chinese economy have laid a solid foundation for the internationalization of the Chinese yuan.

By Wang Lingxi

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is one of the most open and economically vibrant regions in China. Covering an area of 56,000 square kilometers, it is home to more than 80 million people. Its GDP exceeded 13 trillion yuan ($1.82 trillion) in 2022.

On Dec. 21, China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued a plan for the Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, Zhuhai and another plan for the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone in Shenzhen. These two documents are expected to accelerate the development and opening up of major cooperation platforms in the GBA.

As the GBA sees a better foundation of transportation and logistics, its steps of high-quality development have become more solid, which unleashes tremendous vitality for development.

This October, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge marked its 5th anniversary. As a “golden channel” enhancing the GBA’s connectivity, the bridge has facilitated trips of 36 million cross-border passengers and 7.5 million vehicles over the past 5 years. The total import and export volume through the Zhuhai land port of the bridge amounted to 718.75 billion yuan.

Infrastructure projects such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, Nansha Bridge and Guangzhou-Shanwei high-speed railway, have further strengthened the connectivity in the GBA.

Besides, thanks to a new policy that took effect on Dec. 12, travelers arriving at Zhuhai Jinwan Airport on the Chinese mainland are allowed to reach the Hong Kong International Airport via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to fly to overseas destinations without going through immigration in Hong Kong. The convenient and developed transport network is an accelerator for the integrated development of the GBA.

While improving hard connectivity on transportation, the GBA is also improving rules and mechanisms. In April this year, a total of 110 “GBA Standards” were announced in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, covering 25 fields including food, Cantonese cuisine, traditional Chinese medicine, transportation, elderly care, and logistics.

Under the joint efforts of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, residents from Hong Kong and Macao have been enjoying increasingly high-quality and convenient public services in the GBA mainland cities since this year.

For instance, the Guangdong-Macao social security one-stop service counters have enabled Macao residents to handle Macao social security matters in Hengqin.

Guangdong and Hong Kong have set up cross-boundary public service counters to strengthen the convenience for businesses and individuals in handling relevant matters. So far, the first batch of more than 50 services has been made available.

“These measures have allowed residents and businesses in Guangdong and Hong Kong to bid farewell to the hassle of running back and forth for government services, and we have all benefited from it,” said Chen Chi Ming from Hong Kong who currently works in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province. These convenient services, which are accessible to the people, have made the GBA better connected, Chen added.

Thanks to the “soft connectivity,” the investment and development of Hong Kong and Macao enterprises in mainland cities of the GBA have been further facilitated.

The sound business and living environment are attracting more and more people to study, work, live, and start their businesses in the GBA, which effectively promotes the high-quality development of the area.

Huang King Hei from Macao works at a law firm headquartered in Hengqin. He calls himself the “new-gen youth of Hengqin and Macao.”

Huang was born into a family of lawyers. He has passed the lawyer qualification examination of the GBA, obtained a lawyer’s license in the Chinese mainland, and become one of the first qualified arbitrators from Macao in the Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone.

“Among the some 50 lawyers in my law firm, more than 10 are from Macao,” said Huang. According to him, it takes only a half-hour drive for him to go home from his office, and this has greatly facilitated Macao lawyers to work in Hengqin.

According to statistics, more than 3,200 professionals from Hong Kong and Macao are currently working in the GBA mainland cities in various sectors such as law, healthcare, and urban planning, and over 3,500 individuals have obtained skills certificates that are recognized by all GBA cities.

Guangdong province has established 237 counters to meet the social security needs of individuals and businesses from Hong Kong and Macao. The number of Hong Kong and Macao residents participating in social insurance in the province has reached 346,700. Efforts have also been made to ensure that Hong Kong and Macao residents enjoy equal treatment in terms of employment and entrepreneurship in Guangdong.

From the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub to the Guangdong, Hong Kong & Macao (International) Youth Entrepreneur Hub, and from the Hengqin-Macao Youth Entrepreneurship Valley to the Foshan-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Entrepreneurship Center, a number of innovation and entrepreneurship bases are nurturing the dreams of countless young entrepreneurs in the GBA.

According to statistics, the Hong Kong-Macao youth innovation and entrepreneurship bases in the Pearl River Delta have incubated around 4,000 projects from Hong Kong and Macao, providing employment opportunities for approximately 5,500 young people from the two regions. The GBA has become a fertile ground of innovation and entrepreneurship for young people from Hong Kong and Macao.

Nowadays, an increasing number of young people from Hong Kong and Macao have come to realize the tremendous potential for development in the GBA. They believe this region can bring them better prospects for their careers. According to a survey conducted by the Hong Kong United Youth Association this year, 65.5 percent of respondents agreed that the GBA created opportunities for their career development, and 71.3 percent were willing to work or pursue their careers in the Chinese mainland.

By Huan Yuping, People’s Daily

Many international media, in their year-end reviews or next-year forecasts, listed artificial intelligence (AI) as a keyword.

They said AI has transformed from a synonym for science fiction to a tool used by millions of people, seeping into people’s daily lives and driving industries toward the future. They believe that as 2024 approaches, AI innovations that break traditional boundaries will grow in strength.

However, along with the immense application and commercial value AI has brought, there were also unpredictable risks and challenges in 2023. At this critical juncture of AI’s rapid development, strengthening AI governance becomes an urgent task that the international community must tackle together.

U.S. leading reference books publisher Merriam-Webster announced that the word “authentic” has been chosen as its Word of the Year for 2023. This decision was made due to the significant increase in the demand for authenticity caused by the rapid advancement of AI technology.

The global community has been paying unprecedented attention to preventing AI from spreading false information, infringing on personal rights and interests, posing security risks, and widening the technological divide.

It is widely recognized that there is a risk of misuse and abuse of AI due to the lack of effective safeguards.

With the accelerating AI application around the world, it is necessary for governments and organizations to consider how to leverage this technology for the benefit of humanity and the planet, said John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA Ltd. He emphasized the need to jointly establish a trustworthy environment for AI.

Good governance is essential for the healthy development of AI. The impact of AI on human society depends on whether the international community can seek benefits and avoid harm through effective governance.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pointed out the need to approach this technology with a sense of urgency, a global lens, and a learner’s mindset. Countries should engage in coordination, set boundaries, and work tirelessly to ensure that AI benefits humanity.

China has released an interim regulation on the management of generative AI services; the UN has established the High-level Advisory Body on AI; the AI Safety Summit has issued the Bletchley Declaration; the EU has reached an agreement on the Artificial Intelligence Act.

Over the past year, there has been a deepening understanding of the urgency of AI governance, and related actions have been accelerating.

However, in the face of such a disruptive technology that may profoundly impact the trajectory of human civilization, governance challenges still exist widely. It is crucial to enhance global coordination and cooperation.

As a responsible AI powerhouse, China has always attached great importance to AI governance. While gradually establishing and improving relevant laws, regulations, and institutional systems at home, China actively contributes its wisdom to strengthening global AI governance.

China has put forward the Global AI Governance Initiative, which systematically elaborates on China’s approach to AI governance in terms of development, security, and governance.

The initiative adheres to the systematic thinking that puts equal emphasis on development and security, upholds a people-centered approach in developing AI, adheres to the principle of developing AI for good, and upholds the principles of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit in AI development.

It provides constructive solutions to the development and governance of AI that are of common concern to all parties, and serves as a blueprint for international discussions and rule-making in this field.

China has also actively engaged in communication, exchanges, and pragmatic cooperation with all parties on global AI governance. During the meeting between the Chinese and U.S. heads of state in San Francisco, both sides agreed to promote government talks on AI, injecting new impetus into strengthening global AI governance and inspiring the international community.

AI marks a new field of human development, and effective governance is essential for its healthy development and for the benefit of humanity.

Facing diverse challenges to world peace and development, countries must uphold a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. They should pay equal importance to development and security, consolidate consensus through dialogue and cooperation, and build an open, fair, and effective governance mechanism.

Only by doing so can they jointly promote the healthy, orderly, and secure development of AI, and ensure that AI always progresses in a direction that is conducive to the advancement of human civilization.