2024 Budget: Group Dismisses Claims Of Concentration Of Projects In South

…lauds NASS leadership for patriotism 

The Governance Accountability and Advocacy Centre (GAAC) has rubbished insinuations that the 2024 budget was skewed in favour of the southern part of the country. 

The group said there is no iota of truth in the allegations of lopsided allocations by the Northern Senators Forum, adding that such fallacious claims are intended to cause disaffection among Nigeria’s federating entities.

The GAAC which made this known at a press conference on Thursday in Abuja said the budget was passed after careful consideration and debate by the National Assembly. 

Okwa Dan, the convener, therefore, reaffirmed that the budget is designed to benefit all Nigerians, not just a particular region or group. 

While urging the Senators to interact as colleagues to ensure that the budget is implemented in a way that benefits the nation, Dan said they were elected to work for the good of all Nigerians. 

He, however, passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the National Assembly, describing them as patriotic, committed, and focused on the Nigerian cause. 

“We would like to remind the Northern Senators Forum to come forward with a message that clears the air and reasserts that Nigeria is a diverse country with many different ethnic groups and religions. We must work together to build a united and prosperous nation. We must not allow ourselves to be divided along geo-political lines,”  Dan said. 

“We understand that the Northern Senators Forum may have concerns about the allocation and distribution of resources in the 2024 budget. But these are concerns that can be addressed through dialogue and collaboration. 

“We urge the Northern Senators Forum to engage in constructive dialogue with their colleagues in the Senate to address any concerns they may have so that some characters will not impersonate them to exploit such. There are provisions for amending the budget, which can be explored to address any identified concerns.

“We believe that the 2024 budget was passed after careful consideration and debate by the National Assembly. It is a people’s budget that is designed to benefit all Nigerians, not just a particular region or group. We urge the Senators to interact as colleagues to ensure that the budget is implemented in a way that benefits all Nigerians.

“It is of note that the Leadership of both houses of the National Assembly are evenly distributed across North and South. Membership of the two chambers is also distributed across the country, with the North having more seats than the South. 

“The Chairmen of Appropriation Committees for both Chambers of the Parliament come from the North and the South, which shows balance. The budget was not passed by lawmakers from the South but by the plenaries of both houses, which had northern lawmakers actively contributing to debates and voting to pass the budget.

“The reservations that some people are now expressing could have been expressed at the stages when the budget was being considered. This would have ensured that amends were made if there was truly a need for it. But to now begin to castigate a budget they were part of approving smacks of mischief that would not bode well for anyone.

*On the executive side, the Minister of Budget and Planning is from the North. He prepared the budget document for the country and could not have allowed the projected spending to be skewed against the North. 

“As a competent public office holder, he must have put in his best to deliver a budget that addresses the developmental needs of the country. Even if the other stakeholders in the budgeting process colluded to skew the budget against the North, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a true nationalist would not have allowed anything that would undermine the North. 

“We would like to remind Nigerians that Senators Forum were elected to represent the people of Nigeria. They must consequently work for the good of all Nigerians, regardless of their ethnicity or religion. Their utterances as leaders must therefore be well-guided at this point, particularly bearing in mind the peculiar challenges that the country is having to deal with.”

“GAAC Rejects Allegations of Regional Favoritism in 2024 Budget, Applauds NASS Leadership for Patriotism”

The Governance Accountability and Advocacy Centre (GAAC) has vehemently rejected allegations of regional bias in the 2024 budget, dismissing such claims as unfounded and designed to instigate discord among Nigeria’s federating entities. During a press conference in Abuja, the group commended the patriotism of the National Assembly’s leadership and underscored that the budget underwent meticulous consideration and debate.

Okwa Dan, the convener of GAAC, rebuffed insinuations from the Northern Senators Forum, branding them as fallacious and intended to create disaffection. He reiterated that the budget is structured to benefit all Nigerians, with an emphasis on its inclusive design rather than favoring any specific region or group.

While urging senators to collaborate for the nation’s overall benefit, Dan expressed confidence in the leadership of the National Assembly, describing them as patriotic and devoted to the Nigerian cause. He called on the Northern Senators Forum to engage in constructive dialogue with their colleagues to address any concerns about the budget allocation.

Dan highlighted the equitable distribution of leadership positions across the North and South in both houses of the National Assembly, emphasizing a balanced membership composition. He underscored that the budget’s approval involved active contributions and votes from lawmakers across regions, dismissing current reservations as possibly driven by mischief.

The GAAC convener also pointed out the involvement of the Minister of Budget and Planning, who hails from the North, in preparing the budget document. Dan emphasized that the minister, being a competent public office holder, would have worked towards a budget that addresses the developmental needs of the entire country.

In conclusion, GAAC reminded senators of their responsibility to work for the good of all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnicity or religion. The group urged caution in leaders’ utterances, emphasizing the need for well-guided statements, particularly in light of the country’s ongoing challenges.

CSO Writes Tinubu Over Alleged Mismanagement In Population Commission

…calls for suspension, probe of leadership over transfers to private accounts.

President Bola Tinubu has been urged to sack and prosecute the Chairman of the National Population Commission, Nasir Isa Kwarra, over allegations of abuse of office, financial impropriety, and gross misconduct among many others. 

The African Leadership Strategy and Transparency Development Initiative (ALSTDI) made the call in a petition to the President signed by Kings Abel Adams and dated January 8th, 2024. 

The group questioned whether Kwarra received approval to transact official business with 17 private bank accounts of certain individuals listed below:

“Akindulureni Zainab Ohunene – N4,200,000.00 payment for intercensal population activities and development of small area level database on 09/02/2021

Abalogu Mondale Williams – N3,800,000.00 payment for intercensal population activities and development of small area level database on 09/02/2021

Fagbemi Akinola Benjamin – N4,500,000.00 payment for VRD expansion of registration centers on 09/02/2021

Maduabuchi Ogonnaya Derek – N4,000,000.00 payment for IRO expansion of registration centers of birth and death on 09/02/2021

Adio Kamaldeen Arikewuyo – N4,500,000.00 payment for IRO expansion of registration centers of birth and death on 09/02/21

Abdulrahman Azeez – N3,130,000.00 payment for IRO expansion of registration centers of birth and death on 09/02/2021

Fagbemi Akinola Benjamin – N300,000.00 payment for IRO expansion of registration centers of birth and death on 09/02/2021

Adio Kamaldeen Arikewuyo – N4,149,000.00 payment for project drivers allowance for February 2021 on 15/02/2021

Maduabuchi Ogonnaya Derek – N3,450,000.00 payment for 10 HFCS monitoring of vital registration advocacy for 1 month on 18/02/2021

Mohammed Abdulrahim – N4,893,000.00 payment for training of ICT staff on UI/UX design on 03/03/2021

Momoh Mustapha Asuku – N3,595,585.38 payment for the conduct of intercensal activities by the Census Department on 03/03/2021. The same individual received N4,550,000.00 on the same day for the same purpose.

Adeniyi Busayo Comfort – N4,350,983.37 payment for conduct of intercensal activities by Planning & Research on 03/03/2021

Ogohi Abu – N3,980,000.00 payment for public enlightenment activities for the Public Affairs Department on 03/03/2021. The same individual received payments of N3,000,000.00 and N3,020,000.00 for the same purpose on 04/03/2021.

Mohammed Abdulrahim – N4,893,000.00 and N4,279,000.00 payments for training of ICT staff on UI/UX design on 04/03/2021

Momoh Mustapha Asuku – N3,950,000.00 and N3,400,000.00 payments for conduct of intercensal activities by the Census Department on 04/03/2021

Adeniyi Busayo Comfort – N3,400,000.00 and N3,000,000.00 payments for the conduct of intercensal activities by Planning & Research on 04/03/2021

Maduabuchi Ogonnaya Derek – N4,841,200.00 payment for census pretest zonal training and fieldwork for 13 additional officers on 08/06/2021″.

Among other requests, the group also asked for: “information on the total budget for each of the years 2021, as well as the specific budgeted sums for payment for intercensal population activities and development of small area level database; 

“Details regarding the venues of these activities, the cost implications, and a list of individuals to whom these monies were paid; 

“Clarification on any approvals from the Ministry of the Interior or any other delegated office for conducting official business through private bank accounts; 

“Information regarding the payment for conduct of intercensal activities by the Census Department and the Planning and Research Department. We seek details on approvals and individuals involved.”

The CSO, therefore, advised Kwarra to step aside to prevent further abuse of public office while a comprehensive and independent investigation into the allegations is carried out.

Qingdao in E China’s Shandong province moves towards higher end of home appliance industry

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.

To build high-level China-Africa community with a shared future

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

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.

China sees rapid growth of cross-border e-commerce exports

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.

Chinese new energy vehicle sector speeds up expansion overseas

By Wang Zheng, People’s Daily

In 2023, China’s production and sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) exceeded 9.58 million and 9.49 million units, surging 35.8 percent and 37.9 percent year on year, respectively. NEV exports soared 77.6 percent to more than 1.2 million units. These remarkable figures added new splendor to Chinese manufacturing.

In a test building of a global R&D center of Chinese automaker Changan in Chongqing municipality, a 56-day reliability test involving 544 charge-discharge cycles was completed just before the New Year’’s Day.

““The model Changan CD701 to be launched in the first half of the year will come with an 800V high-voltage platform with silicon carbide technology, which enables the vehicle to run 200 km on a 10-minute charge,”” said test engineer Liao Xingyu.

In recent years, Chinese NEVs have made great strides in innovations like 800V ultra-fast charging systems, all-in-one electric drive systems, parallel and serial plug-in hybrids, CIB (cell integrated body), “human x car x home” smart ecosystem, and map-less urban assisted driving. China’s NEV industry has entered the fast lane of developmentThese advancements have helped Chinese NEVs transition from conforming to standards to taking the lead in forming them. 

On Dec. 22, 2023, Chinese NEV giant BYD announced its plan to establish a NEV production base in Szeged, Hungary. The construction of this base will be carried out in phases and is expected to create thousands of jobs for the local community. 

Prior to this, BYD had also announced a total investment of approximately 4.5 billion yuan ($633.29 million) in a large production complex consisting of three factories in Camacari, Bahia, Brazil. This complex is scheduled to commence production in the second half of this year.

Southeast Asia has also become a hot investment destination for Chinese car companies. On Nov. 8, 2023, the construction of the first phase of a Changan manufacturing base in Thailand officially began. This base is designed to have an annual production capacity of 100,000 vehicles and scheduled to start production in early 2025. 

Other Chinese car companies that announced plans to build factories in Thailand in 2023 include SAIC Motor, BYD, and NETA. Together, their total planned investment exceeded 10 billion yuan.

Yu De, managing director of SAIC Motor’s international business department, noted that SAIC has already established four complete vehicle productionmanufacturing  bases overseas in Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Pakistan. 

In 2023, SAIC Motor sold more than 1.2 million vehicles overseas, representing a year-on-year growth of 18.8 percent, and ranking first among all Chinese peers for eight consecutive years. In particular, SAIC brand MG has entered 28 European countries, with sales in Europe surpassing 100,000 vehicles in 2023. 

“SAIC Motor is currently selecting the location for its first complete vehicle production plant in Europe,” Yu said.

The accelerated establishment of overseas factories was a major highlight of China’s NEV industry in 2023. Chinese NEV startups gaining recognition from international capital also demonstrated China’s globally leading position in intelligent electric vehicle technology.

In July 2023, Volkswagen announced that it would acquire a 4.99 percent stake in Chinese EV startup Xpeng via a $700 million capital increase. The two companies also signed a technological framework agreement for long-term cooperation. 

Audi signed a memorandum of understanding with SAIC Motor, in which SAIC will leverage its technological advantages to participate in the joint development of new EV models of SAIC-Audi, one of Audi’s two joint ventures in China.

In October 2023, Stellantis Group, a multinational automotive company ranking among the top five in global sales, announced its strategic investment of 1.5 billion euros in Chinese EV maker Leapmotor. This investment will make Stellantis a strategic shareholder in the Chinese company. 

Additionally, the two parties will establish a 51/49 Stellantis-led joint venture, which aims to accelerate the sales of Leapmotor’s high-tech and cost-effective products starting from the second half of 2024.

According to Yan Zhaokai, senior manager of die-casting at Xpeng’s manufacturing engineering center, what traditional automakers need over 160 parts and multiple production steps to accomplish can be achieved in around 10 minutes with just two machines at the center – one 7,000-ton and one 12,000-ton intelligent die-casting units, along with shaping and cleaning production lines, machining and assembly lines, and online inspection lines.

The all-new process featuring high integration and fewer welds not only significantly improves product performance, but also reduces investment in the body welding shop line by 30 percent, saves 40 percent of floor space, boosts material utilization to over 97 percent, and greatly shortens production cycle at Xpeng’s Guangzhou plant. This ensures stable deliveries.

The high performance, low cost, and high efficiency of integrated aluminum die-casting technology have made it popular among Chinese NEV manufacturing companies, and also nurtured leading domestic die-casting machine companies such as LK Machinery and Haitian Die Casting. 

It is learned that the intelligent aluminum die-casting unit at Xpeng’s Guangzhou factory is currently the world’s largest one in terms of tonnage. Among global integrated aluminum die-casting equipment suppliers, LK Machinery has the highest market share worldwide.

An official with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology noted that as China’s NEV sector rapidly develops, it integrates various new technologies such as 5G, mobile internet, big data, and artificial intelligence. The industrial chain and value chain are continuously expanding into the fields of transportation, energy, information communication, etc., and an efficient and collaborative industrial system has been established. The automotive industry ecosystem is undergoing a comprehensive transformation.

High-quality Belt and Road cooperation: The platform for action

By He Yin, People’s Daily
China and its partners have taken steady steps to jointly pursue high-quality cooperation under the
framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) since the start of 2024.
As long whistles echoed through the air, China-Europe freight trains left stations of cities across
China, including Xi’an, Hefei, Lianyungang, and Chifeng, embarking on their first trips of the
year.
A Lancang-Mekong Express freight train running on the China-Laos Railway entered China from
the Mohan railway port in southwest China’s Yunnan province, bringing a new shipment of Thai
durians to the Chinese market.
China and the Maldives signed cooperation documents, agreeing to focus on pursuing high-quality
Belt and Road cooperation in the efforts to better synergize their development strategies.
The Phoenix Park Industrial Estate, a flagship project of China-Trinidad and Tobago cooperation
under the BRI, was officially inaugurated, marking the leap-frog cooperation between the two
countries from trade and infrastructure construction to industrial docking and upgrading.
In the autumn of 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping, with profound insights into historical
development and a deep understanding of the trend of the times, put forward the BRI.
The major initiative is a creative development that takes on and carries forward the spirit of the
ancient silk routes – two of the great achievements in human history and civilization. It enriches
the ancient spirit with the zeitgeist and culture of the new era.
By proposing the BRI, Xi expressed the hope to put into practice the concept of building a
community with a shared future for mankind, providing a practical platform and blazing a trail for
creating an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security
and common prosperity.
Turning the BRI into a road of peace, prosperity, openness, green development and innovation and
a road that brings together different civilizations is highly consistent with the idea of building a
community with a shared future for mankind.
Over the past decade or so, China and its partners have carried out high-quality cooperation under
the BRI, which has become the world’s most broad-based and largest platform for international
cooperation.
Adhering to the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits,
upholding the concepts of open, green, and clean cooperation, and following a high-standard,
people-centered, and sustainable approach, the BRI stages a symphony played by all partners,
which features the “hard connectivity” in infrastructure, “soft connectivity” in rules and standards,
and “heart connectivity” with the people of the partner countries.
The BRI transcends differences between civilizations, cultures, social systems, and stages of
development. It has opened up a new path for exchanges among countries, and established a new
framework for international cooperation. The initiative represents humanity’s joint pursuit of
development for all.
Practices have fully proven that the BRI, with its ultimate goal to build a community with a shared
future for mankind, has proposed a range of regional and bilateral initiatives on building
communities of shared future in relevant fields, effectively contributing to world peace, security,

and common development.
Belt and Road cooperation is based on the belief that flame runs high when everyone adds wood
to the fire and that mutual support can get people far. Such cooperation seeks to deliver a good life
not only to people of just one country, but to people in other countries as well. It promotes
connectivity, mutual benefit, common development, cooperation and win-win outcomes.
The BRI has created more than 3,000 cooperative projects, galvanized nearly $1 trillion of
investment, and helped lift about 40 million people out of poverty, facilitating the delivery of an
array of national landmarks, livelihood projects, and milestones of cooperation. It has profoundly
demonstrated to all parties that humankind is a community with a shared future.
Signature projects of the BRI, including the China-Laos Railway, Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed
Railway, Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, and Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway, have
effectively promoted connectivity for relevant countries and regions.
The establishment of Luban workshops, programs for the introduction of Juncao technology and
hybrid rice technology, as well as other “small yet smart” people-centered programs launched
under the BRI, have continuously benefited people of relevant countries.
These vivid stories about how Belt and Road cooperation has turned deep chasm into
thoroughfare, land-locked countries into land-linked countries, and places of underdevelopment
into lands of prosperity have demonstrated that win-win cooperation is the sure way to success in
launching major initiatives that benefit all.
Facts have shown that the BRI has broadened the consensus on building a community with a
shared future for mankind and accumulated valuable experience for its realization.
As the world faces severe challenges including insufficient development momentum and a
widening development gap, it is more imperative than ever before that the international
community pools consensus and strength for openness and cooperation so as to advance
universally beneficial and inclusive development through joint efforts.
In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum for International
Cooperation (BRF) held in October 2023, Xi announced eight major steps China would take to
support the joint pursuit of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, setting a new direction,
opening new vistas, and generating new momentum into international cooperation under the BRI.
By joining hands with various parties to comprehensively implement the outcomes of the third
BRF, improve the quality of cooperation and explore more areas of cooperation for high-quality
development of the BRI, China will inject new impetus into the building of a community with a
shared future for mankind.
Building a community with a shared future for mankind is a beautiful goal, that requires
generations of efforts to achieve, and demands concerted efforts, confidence, determination,
breadth of vision, openness of mind, action, and a sense of responsibility from all countries.
As China advances national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, it
will align its own development with that of the world, and align its people’s interests with those of
all peoples, while working together with various parties to pursue high-quality Belt and Road
cooperation, thus jointly building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Insecurity: SNM faults calls for scrapping of NYSC

A civil society organisation, Save Nigeria Movement has chided those calling for the scrapping of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme over security concerns saying doing so will only amount to cowardice.

The CSO contended that the security challenges in the country cannot be used as yardstick to call for the scrapping of the NYSC adding that doing so will amount to emboldening the criminals and making a caricature of the nation and undermining gallantry of security personnel who are working day and night to ensure the total defeat and elimination of all forms of insecurity in the country.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, SNM convener, Rev Solomon Semaka described such idea as retrogressive and highly detrimental to the interest of the nation.

SNM wondered why the Human Rights and Justice Group International chose to hide under the banner of CSOs to attack the NYSC and by extension the unity of the country without any justification.

“This is not the first time a self-styled group will call for the scrapping or suspension of the Scheme and we like many Nigerians must rise up in defense of the mandate of scheme as given to us by our founding fathers”, it noted.

Outlining the imperative of sustaining the NYSC scheme and its invaluable legacies, SNM contended that it would amount to an act of cowardice to shut down the NYSC scheme because of insecurity.

“What Human Rights Group and Justice International are suggesting is as unpopular as asking people to stop traveling because of a few cases of accidents on our roads. Does anyone call for suspension of festivities because of increased roads accidents?

“Military barracks and Police Stations have also been attacked in most parts of the country but nobody has asked for the disbandment of the military or police, why is the case of NYSC different?

“For the unpatriotic groups and individuals calling for the disbandment of the Scheme as a solution to insecurity in the country, it is important to remind them that the NYSC is not a security agency. The reported incidents of kidnapping or death of Corps members and indeed that of any Nigerian is a painful and emotionally traumatizing experience that is highly regrettable but it is not the NYSC that should be held responsible.

“It is equally unpatriotic to blame security personnel directly because they are doing their best, even though there’s room for much improvement. Asking for the suspension of the Scheme is therefore, totally out of context as one cannot ask that a hospital be shut down because a few patients have died of a particular disease.

“What all Nigerians, including those calling for the suspension of the NYSC should do is to assist security personnel with the right intelligence to safeguard their communities from criminals. One thing is clear, suspending the Scheme won’t end insecurity in the country.

“We must remember the objectives of the NYSC scheme especially that of fostering unity and social interactions amongst the diverse ethnic nationalities in the country. As a post-civil war initiative, the founding fathers of the Scheme were deliberate in ensuring that educated young Nigerians be given the opportunity to interact across cultural divides and foster unity and oneness.

“Not even a spineless critic will deny the fact that the NYSC scheme has not just achieved its objective of uniting Nigerians by putting an end to the suspicions and stereotypes that once existed but has helped to forge business partnerships and marriages across tribal and cultural divides. This alone should make the scheme a sacred child of the state regardless of the challenges we face as a nation.

“Aside its immense and immeasurable contribution to fostering national unity and cohesion, the NYSC scheme has also contributed greatly in sustaining and driving the educational sector as well as the civil service. It is no longer news that most schools and government offices in both urban and rural areas are now staffed mainly with Corps members.

“In fact, most Corps members act as Principals and Head Teachers in most of those schools. The situation is the same in the health sector where medical Corps members are heavily depended upon to ensure seamless health care provision in both rural and urban health centres and hospitals. What would now become the fate of these schools, hospitals and government offices if the federal government decides to listen to a few naysayers whose idea of a solution is nothing but to set fire on a house just to catch the mice destroying the crops in the house?

“The contribution of the Scheme in national programs such as Elections, Census, routine immunisation and Birth registration can also not be easily dismissed. The NYSC scheme offers a pool of ably qualified, patriotic, hardworking Nigerians who selflessly help to facilitate national programs with such efficiency that was never seen before.

“In fact with the introduction of Corps members as Presiding Officers and other supporting roles during elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), election management has greatly reduced without a doubt. Could it be the reason why some persons are obsessed with scrapping the scheme? Who in his right senses will ask the federal government to suspend a scheme that has been very beneficial and the pride of every Nigerian youth except it is standing against his selfish and parochial interest?

“The benefits of the Scheme far outweighs the reasons our enemies are advancing for its suspension. The Scheme remains the largest employer of labour in Nigeria with more than a million Nigerian youths passing through its three batches annually. In fact every household in Nigeria either has a Corps member currently, an ex-Corps member or a prospective Corps member including the households of those calling for its suspension.

“What would have happened if those who have benefited from the employment opportunity offered by the NYSC were left jobless? We, therefore vehemently resist their lack of foresight or pure wickedness and stand shoulder to shoulder with the NYSC Scheme and its management in the pursuit of the Scheme’s vision and objectives across the country.

“It is rather unfortunate that those calling for the suspension of NYSC did not even deem it fit to acknowledge the excellent work the Scheme is doing to integrate skills acquisition in its programmes. While many well-meaning Nigerians are urging Mr. President to assent to the NYSC Trust Fund Bill to give the Scheme a financial backing to empower Nigerian youths towards ending unemployment and poverty, others, driven by selfish motives are calling for the suspension of the Scheme.

“By their fruits, we shall know them. It has now become clear that what concerns these charlatans is not the security of Corps members but a clandestine attempt to disband the scheme and jeopardise the future of Nigerian youths and Nigerians at large. We strongly suspect it is a ploy to give the current leadership of president Tinubu a bad name so as to turn around in future and vilify the government for political convenience.

“The NYSC has done its best in ensuring the security of Corps members in its care through different strategies including prohibiting Corps members from appearing in their kits in certain places and frequent travels in places notorious for insecurity. Periodic bulletins are distributed and interactive sessions are been held to beef up sensitisation.

“If not for these interventions, so much worse would have happened. We should therefore commend the current Director General of the Scheme and all his dedicated staff for doing their best to secure Corps members. This is it not time for blame games because every country in the world is plagued by one form of insecurity or the other. Ending the NYSC Scheme will not end insecurity so what is the purpose of doing it? Our collective resolve should rather be to end insecurity and not find scape goats in critical government institutions.

“Let us end by saying that our organisation, Save Nigeria Movement has been monitoring developments around the security and welfare of Corps members and so far can only commend the current leadership for their astuteness and transparency. Nigerians should be reminded that heeding the suspension of the NYSC scheme would amount to throwing away the baby with bad water.

“Since suspending the Scheme will not end insecurity in the country, we call on Nigerians and CSOs who are desirous in ending insecurity to come together and brainstorm on tangible options rather than seeking to destroy functional institutions. Let us be fair in our assessment of the situation in order not to create unnecessary panic and mislead the people.”