Nigeria Times

By Yin Jie

Outbound tourism has been reviving fast in China since the country resumed outbound group travel on Feb. 6.

A Feb. 17 NokAir flight from Zhengzhou, central China’s Henan province, to Thailand, was packed with three Chinese tourist groups.

Seats were booked up in just seconds for the first group tour to New Zealand launched by Chinese travel giant Ctrip after the outbound tourism resumption, which is scheduled to depart from Shanghai on March 18.

Besides, Beijing has been seeing an increasing number of citizens applying for and replacing passports in recent days.

Governments and tourism industry of many countries have extended their warm welcome to the Chinese tourists.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association estimated that Thailand would see the arrivals of 500,000 Chinese tourists in the next two months. The association believes that the tourism industry in the Asia-Pacific region will embrace a strong recovery thanks to the comeback of Chinese travelers.

Through Chinese tourists, the world is seeing the vitality and potential of the economy of China and thus gaining confidence in the revival of the global tourism market.

Most of the 20 countries to which China has resumed group travel are friendly to Chinese tourists in terms of visa application, transport, and entry policies.

The Maldives is one of the hottest island destinations among Chinese tourists. According to statistics released by Alibaba Group’s travel-services platform Fliggy, the search volume for air tickets to the Maldives on the platform surged nearly tenfold after a mutual visa exemption agreement between China and the Maldives officially took effect recently. The page view of the Maldives on Ctrip also doubled in just half an hour.

China had remained as the largest source of tourist arrivals in the Maldives for years before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Maldives Minister of Tourism Abdulla Mausoom said the Maldives earlier forecast 1.8 million tourists for this year, and at least 10 percent increase is expected from the original forecast as Chinese tourists who had contributed a lot to the tourism market of the Maldives, are arriving again.

The improved frequency of international flights also contributed to the revival of China’s outbound tourism.

Shang Kejia, an official with the Civil Aviation Administration of China, said at a recent press conference that China has resumed regular passenger flights with 58 countries, adding that the number of international flights is expected to increase further.

Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Sydney, and Kuala Lumpur have become the most popular outbound travel destinations for Chinese tourists.

As more passengers renew their passports, the number of Chinese outbound tourists will hit several other peaks, said Zhao Nan with Umetrip, a popular flight booking app.

The global tourism industry will get a strong boost as China, one of the world’s largest outbound tourism markets before the pandemic, resumed outbound group tours starting from Feb 6, industry experts said.

An employee of a travel agency in Maldives that has started receiving Chinese tourist groups told People’s Daily that he’s happy to see the comeback of Chinese travelers as it is definitely good news for the travel agency and the country as a whole.

“China’s resumption of outbound group travel is crucial to boosting the confidence of the world, especially that of the Asia-Pacific region. China welcomes more countries to share the dividends of its outbound tourism,” said Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy.

He noted that Chinese tourists’ demand has changed after COVID-19, and the tourists now have a preference for quality while focusing on safety. “It’s hoped that destination countries and regions can treat Chinese tourists fairly and offer high-quality tourism products,” Dai added.

This change has been noticed by the tourism departments of many countries and they have tailored new measures for Chinese tourists.

Yang Yu, chief representative of Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions in China, said tourism businesses in the Netherlands are constantly improving their services and offering services for Chinese tourists through digital approaches. Mobile payment is now promoted on a wider scale in the country, he added.

South Africa tailored contactless check-in and other digital services for Chinese tourists and rolled out new policies to improve their satisfaction, hoping that Chinese tourists can have safe and relaxing trips in the Rainbow Nation, said Mansoor Mohamed, Hub Head of Asia Pacific for South African Tourism.

It is believed that the list of destinations for China’s outbound group travel will get longer and longer in the near future, and the country will contribute more to the development of global tourism.

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

As the world’s most powerful country, the United States has long been pursuing, maintaining and abusing hegemony under the guise of promoting “democracy,” “freedom,” “human rights” and upholding a “rule-based international order.”

Clinging to the Cold-War mentality, the country has ramped up bloc politics, provoked conflict and confrontation, arbitrarily imposed unilateral sanctions, grossly interfered in other countries’ internal affairs, advanced in infiltration and subversion and willfully waged wars.

The notorious record of the U.S. in the political, military, economic, financial, technological and cultural fields, seriously threatens world peace and stability, and the well-being of all peoples.

Recently, the indifference of U.S. hegemony was once again exposed as Syrian people, who have been severely impacted by deadly earthquakes, failed to receive timely assistance due to U.S. sanctions.

To maintain its hegemony, the U.S. has long been attempting to mold other countries with its own values and political system.

In the name of “promoting democracy,” it has pushed for the “Neo-Monroe Doctrine” in Latin America, instigated “color revolutions” in Eurasia, and orchestrated the “Arab Spring” in West Asia and North Africa, bringing chaos and disaster to many countries.

Over the recent years, it fabricated a false narrative of “democracy versus authoritarianism,” assembled a so-called “value alliance,” and formed exclusive clubs. Such hegemonic practices have created division in regions, stoked confrontation and undermined peace.

The high military spending for long and wanton use of force have indicated the U.S. military hegemony.

The U.S. has about 800 overseas military bases, with 173,000 troops deployed in 159 countries. According to a Tufts University report, the U.S. undertook nearly 400 military interventions globally between 1776 and 2019.

The U.S. military hegemony has led to humanitarian tragedies around the world.

The wars and military operations launched by the country in the name of fighting terrorism have claimed over 900,000 lives. The U.S. has created 37 million refugees around the world. More than 10 million Afghans were displaced. It has also left Libya in incessant civil unrest.

Looting and exploitation with its economic hegemony is a customary trick of the U.S.

By taking advantage of the dollar’s status as the major international reserve currency, it is basically collecting “seigniorage” from around the world. It costs only about 17 cents to produce a 100-dollar bill, but other countries had to pony up 100 dollars of actual goods in order to obtain one.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. abused its global financial hegemony and injected trillions of dollars into the global market, leaving other countries, especially emerging economies, to pay the price.

With its control over international economic and financial organizations, the U.S. imposes additional conditions to their assistance to other countries. In order to reduce obstacles to U.S. capital inflow and speculation, the recipient countries are required to make their economic policies fall in line with America’s strategy.

The United States also suppresses its opponents with economic coercion, doubling down on unilateral sanctions and “long-arm jurisdiction.”

So far, the U.S. had or has imposed economic sanctions on nearly 40 countries across the world, affecting nearly half of the world’s population. Its economic and financial hegemony has completely become a geopolitical weapon.

The U.S. seeks to deter other countries’ scientific, technological and economic development by wielding monopoly power, suppression measures and technology restrictions in high-tech fields.

It monopolizes intellectual property in the name of protection. Overstretching the concept of national security, the U.S. mobilized state power to suppress and sanction enterprises of other countries. It weaponizes technological issues and uses them as ideological tools.

The U.S. has put “democracy” and “human rights” labels on high-technology, so as to fabricate excuses for its technological blockade against other countries. Besides, it also abuses its technological hegemony by carrying out cyber attacks and eavesdropping.

The U.S. worships hegemonic, domineering and bullying practices, and has long left behind fair competition and win-win cooperation.

Just as French entrepreneur Marc Lassus said in his book The Chip Trap, the U.S. values of the so-called “free market” and “full competition” are pure hypocrisy.

The U.S. has often used cultural tools to strengthen and maintain its hegemony in the world. William Blum, an American expert on U.S. foreign policy, once described ideology as a major force fueling the U.S. ambitions to rule the world.

American values and lifestyle are a tied product to its movies and TV shows, publications, media content, and programs. The country thus shapes a cultural and public opinion space in which American culture reigns and maintains cultural hegemony.

It also pours staggering amounts of public funds into radio and TV networks to support their ideological infiltration. U.S.-dominated Western media has a particularly important role in shaping global public opinion.

The U.S. uses misinformation as a spear to attack other countries, and has built an industrial chain around it: there are groups and individuals making up stories, and peddling them worldwide to mislead public opinion with the support of nearly limitless financial resources.

While a just cause wins its champion wide support, an unjust one condemns its pursuer to be an outcast. The hegemonic, domineering, and bullying practices of using strength to intimidate the weak, taking from others by force and subterfuge, and playing zero-sum games are exerting grave harm. Such practices have drawn growing, intense criticism and opposition from the international community. The country must critically examine what it has done, let go of its arrogance and prejudice, and quit its hegemonic, domineering and bullying practices.

By Han Xin, People’s Daily

China’s production and sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) reached 7.06 million and 6.89 million units respectively in 2022, up 96.9 percent and 93.4 percent year-on-year, and NEV exports grew 120 percent from a year ago.

During the past decade, China has witnessed a rapid development of its NEV industry, ranking first in the world for eight consecutive years in terms of NEV sales. The country holds over 30,000 relevant patents, or 70 percent of the world’s total. It is making constant progress in the development of NEV technology.

The Chinese NEV industry has grown big and strong in just a few years. This couldn’t have been achieved without NEV engineers, a group that’s gradually expanding.

NEV engineer Zheng Shuhao of a Chinese carmaker returned to work just after the Chinese New Year holiday. “We delivered 34 percent more NEVs last year than a year ago, and our sales will hit new highs after the mass production of two new models this year,” Zheng told People’s Daily.

Motor control unit, or MCU, is like the central nervous system of NEVs. Optimizing MCU’s algorithm can make the motor run at lower cost and thus extend the range of the vehicles.

Zheng and his team has upgraded their MCU for over 100 times, extending the range of an NEV from 500 kilometers to 510 kilometers.

“Every effort contributes to the competitiveness of a product. Even a single kilometer of range extension is worth the effort,” Zheng said.

Vehicles are turning not only electric but also connected. Over-the-air update of MCU makes electric vehicles more intelligent and functional.

Different from the cabin and in-vehicle infotainment systems that are appreciable, MCU software is like a “backstage hero” that, through deep learning, better connects drivers and passengers with the vehicle, Zheng explained.

Thanks to the increasingly robust development of MCUs, the ecology of NEVs is getting better and better.

“A new model we launched at the end of last year was equipped with a series of smart connection functions, as well as a second-generation MCU that we developed. This has not only further optimized the vehicle’s energy consumption but also created a better experience for drivers and passengers,” Zheng said.

Chinese NEVs are being exported at a faster pace. According to statistics, one in every 10 NEVs in Europe comes from China.

Zheng told People’s Daily that his company has started presales of multiple new models in Germany and the Netherlands, built a 10,000-square-meter battery plant in Hungary, and installed 10 battery swapping stations in Europe.

Zheng attributed the big sales of Chinese NEVs in the overseas market to their competitiveness, though cheap and cheerful products are an advantage of “made in China.”

He believes that only world-leading MCUs can help China gain an edge in global competition.

“We finally received international safety certification for our second-generation electric-drive platform after experiencing dozens of rounds of validation in the past two years,” said Zheng, adding that the new products of the company will surely set new records in the overseas market.

The engineer is committed to his career in the NEV industry. “Developing NEVs is the only way for China to upgrade from a big vehicle-manufacturing country to a strong one. With strong supportive policies and a vigorous market, we are in the best era of NEV development. ” Zheng noted.

By Huan Yuping, People’s Daily

Recent reports issued by the United Nations (UN), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other organizations pointed out that the world economy will face greater downward pressure and increasing risks of recession because of the tightened monetary policies adopted by major economies such as the United States and Europe, geopolitical intentions, and continuous food and energy crises.

Faced with challenges, the international society is in urgent need to improve the effectiveness of global economic governance. In particular, major economies should enhance macroeconomic policy coordination, jointly contribute to safeguarding an open world economy and make concerted efforts to maintain long-term and stable economic development in the post-pandemic era.

To balance inflation control and stabilizing growth is a prominent challenge facing the world economy this year.

Some reports believe that high inflation, which has bothered developed economies, is not likely to be completely coming down this year, so these economies’ will keep tightening their monetary policies, which increases the risk of economic recession.

The IMF attributed the possible slowing growth this year to advanced economies, whose growth is projected to decline from 2.7 percent in 2022 to 1.2 percent in 2023.

Advanced economies’ maintaining deflation would create negative spillover effects, which might bring higher debt and financial risks to emerging markets and developing countries.

Growing trend of unilateralism and protectionist policies adopted by a few countries remain another major challenge facing the world economy.

For political purposes, a few major countries that are of huge influence over the world economy, have long followed irresponsible policies and measures that are against the market law and hinder cooperation and development. It triggered concerns from the international community that the world economy, which is in sluggish recovery, may face higher risks if such practice continues.

A severe fragmentation of the global economy after decades of increasing economic integration could reduce global economic output by up to 7 percent, but the losses could reach 8-12 percent in some countries, if technology is also decoupled, the International Monetary Fund said in a new staff report.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva noted that economic integration has helped billions of people become wealthier, healthier, and better educated. “This peace and cooperation dividend should not be squandered”.

Modern history reminds the world that major countries should practically take their responsibilities and enhance mutual coordination, which is of vital importance for the world economy to maintain stable progress amidst raging torrents.

At present, it is widely expected around the world that a few major countries should reclaim their sense of responsibility and play a constructive role in promoting the strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth of the world economy.

The world economy has come to a crossroads. Only through enhanced coordination and cooperation can its anti-risk capability be raised.

It’s important to see that this round of inflation has multiple reasons. Apart from the supply-side factors, the world needs to enhance international cooperation, address both the supply and demand sides, fix industrial and supply chains and pay close attention to energy and food security.

While controlling inflation, advanced economies should work to reduce the negative spillover effects caused by their adjustment in monetary policies and practically safeguard the stability of the international financial system.

Building an open world economy serves the common interests of the international society. All parties should build consensus and make joint efforts. Major countries, in particular, should maintain the stability of the global economic system, rules and foundation with concrete actions, rather than taking the lead to hinder international economic cooperation or divide global economy.

Crises and opportunities always emerged simultaneously in the history of world economy.

While effectively coping with risks, countries should take active and appropriate management measures to release more benefits of economic globalization and to rebalance the process of economic globalization.

They should focus more on development issues, jointly work to make global development more inclusive, beneficial to all and resilient, and accelerate the implementation of UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

They should also strengthen international cooperation on tackling climate change and push for a comprehensive green transition in economic and social development.

As the world’s largest economy, China is picking up speed in its own economic recovery and committed to improving global economic governance. The country will keep injecting confidence and positive energy into global economic development.

The historical trend of openness and development will not reverse course, and the world’s shared desire to meet challenges together through cooperation will remain as strong as ever.

All parties should join hands with each other and proceed with confidence, so as to ensure that the global economy grows on the right track.

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

Gun violence is one of the acutest social problems in the U.S.

According to the latest data by Gun Violence Archive (GVA), an American nonprofit group with an accompanying website and social media delivery platforms, 72 mass shootings have taken place in the U.S. so far this year.

Frequent shootings have seriously violated people’s right to life, leaving an indelible stain on the country’s human rights record.

The U.S. is the country with the most civilian-held firearms. In 2017, about 393.3 million guns were privately owned in the U.S., which means 120.5 firearms for every 100 people. The country ranks first in the world in terms of both individual gun ownership and the number of guns per capita.

A study reveals that the U.S. is in the midst of a massive gun-buying boom that shows no signs of abating. From 2000 to 2020, the annual production of firearms in the country almost tripled, with a dramatic increase in the past three years in particular.

According to the U.S. National Shooting Sports Foundation, the U.S. conducted 21 million background checks for gun purchases in 2020, surpassing the previous record in 2016 by 5.3 million.

Social problems such as the widening wealth gap, serious racial discrimination, as well as frequent looting and riots have aggravated social insecurity, thus leading to more purchases of guns for self-defense.

Individual ownership of a large number of guns has triggered incessant violence, putting social security in the U.S. at greater risk.

GVA statistics indicate that gun violence has already caused 44,309 deaths in the U.S. in 2022. Over the recent years, the number of mass shootings, or gun violence incidents in which four or more people are injured or killed, has been rising rapidly. According to GVA, both mass shootings and deaths in the U.S. have surged about fourfold since 2013. More than 600 mass shootings occurred in the country each year since 2020, and the number even reached 692