Month: October 2024

On October 16, 2023, the China News Service reported from Beijing on the remarkable transformation of the city’s aging clothing market over the past decade, highlighting its “new birth.”

Located just west of Beijing’s Second Ring Road, the impressive New Power Financial Technology Center is preparing to host a major fintech conference in two days. Esteemed as a “barometer for China’s financial reform and development,” the 2024 Financial Street Forum Annual Meeting will gather guests from around the world to discuss innovative pathways and methods driving financial innovation in the era of new productivity.

In recent days, I followed the “High-Quality Development Research Tour” focusing on Beijing’s themes, delving into the “Golden Technology New Zone” and the South Axis area to uncover the stories behind the revitalization of the “old market”.

Liu Lin, former deputy director of the Industry Development Department at the North Exhibition Command, reminisces about a decade ago when the building was filled with two or three-square-meter stalls lining its narrow hallways. Vendors were immersed in towering piles of clothing, eager to showcase their goods to a diverse clientele speaking various dialects. On any given day, the building would see a bustling foot traffic of six to ten thousand people.

At that time, the venue was known as the Sida Building, home to approximately 3,000 stores in a clothing market that, along with eleven neighboring markets, constituted the largest clothing wholesale hub in Northern China—the Beijing Zoo Clothing Wholesale Market, commonly referred to as “Dongpi.”

According to the Xicheng District, the “Dongpi” generated an annual economic benefit of around 60 million yuan. However, to tackle surrounding transportation issues and the prevalence of shared housing, the government’s management costs exceeded 100 million yuan each year.

In 2014, the phased closure of “Dongpi” began, culminating in 2017 when all operations were dismantled. By early 2018, Beijing’s government decided to transform the core area of “Dongpi” into a demonstration zone for financial technology and professional services. In January 2019, it received approval from the State Council, advancing to a national-level financial technology demonstration zone, now known as the “Golden Technology New Zone.”

Today, the Wanrong Tiandi Market serves as the headquarters for Qihoo 360, a leading company in the cybersecurity industry, while the Century Tianle Clothing Wholesale Market has been transformed into Beijing’s Financial Technology Center. Every time Liu Lin passes by, he feels as though he is stepping into a different world.

Jin Xin, director of the Xicheng District’s Garden Management Committee, reveals that the area has witnessed a significant shift since its transformation. The workforce has dwindled from 40,000 to 10,000, with 184 institutions now established, boasting a registered capital exceeding 110 billion yuan. By 2023, the region generated over 1.5 billion yuan in taxes, a staggering 25 times more than during the “Dongpi” era.

The transformation from “Dongpi” to the “Golden Technology New Zone” exemplifies high-quality development against the backdrop of reduced urban growth in Beijing. A similar metamorphosis is unfolding approximately 15 kilometers southwest in Fengtai District’s South Axis area.

Once bustling as the renowned “Dahongmen Business District,” this area hosted 45 markets, accommodating around 33,000 merchants and 100,000 workers, with daily foot traffic reaching hundreds of thousands and a staggering throughput of about 2,000 tons daily. By the 1990s, it had become Northern China’s largest wholesale center for textiles and apparel.

However, the heavy flow of people, traffic, and logistics gave rise to significant congestion and disorder. Between 2014 and 2018, all 45 markets were successfully closed.

With this transitional space now available, new development opportunities have emerged. Plans for the South Axis area include various functional clusters, such as an international business district, cultural and technological parks, a museum cluster, and the Nanyuan Forest Wetland Park.

As of August this year, the former Dahongmen Clothing Trading City has been repurposed into the South Axis International Cultural Technology Park, which has already registered over 270 advanced enterprises, focusing primarily on new-generation information technology and the metaverse industry.

An Jing, the deputy director of the South Axis District Management Committee, notes the area’s evolution from a clothing wholesale hub to a vital business district of the capital has yielded tangible results: the Central Ballet Troupe’s expanded facility will officially open next year; construction has commenced on the National Museum of Nature, and the architectural design for the Capital Planning Exhibition Hall is nearing finalization, with preliminary work actively progressing.

Heading south along the axis leads to the expansive Nanyuan Forest Wetland Park, boasting a landscape spanning thousands of acres. The park’s observation deck opened to the public on May 1, allowing visitors to take in the dynamic beauty of a rejuvenated Beijing from a height of 59 meters.

On October 16, the Global Ecological Governance (Nanyuan) Conference kicked off in Fengtai District, gathering hundreds of international guests to discuss collaborative efforts towards building an ecologically sound environment. During the conference, it was announced that the secretariat for the National Innovation Alliance for Capital’s Nature Experience Industry would establish its headquarters within the Nanyuan Forest Wetland Park.

LNP leader and Labor premier face off in second leaders debate ahead of Queensland election day on 26 October
Get our breaking news email,free app or daily news podcastAndrew MessengerWed 16 Oct 2024 02.57 EDTLast modified on Wed 16 Oct 2024 03.28 EDTShareLiberal National party leader David Crisafulli has said he will repeal Queensland’s developer donation ban and change the state’s “corrupt” full preferential voting system if elected premier this month, as he faced off with Steven Miles in the second leaders debate.
In response to a reporter’s question about whether the conservative party would repeal the state’s legislated ban on political donations from property developers and industry bodies which have property developers as most of their members, Crisafulli said: “You bet … because it’s fundamentally and philosophically an electoral, financial gerrymander.”
Queensland premier will hold plebiscite on nuclear power if he wins state electionRead moreThe opposition leader accused Labor of creating a “special rule for developers and a different one for unions”.
Labor banned all donations from property developers to candidates at both local and state elections in 2018. The LNP opposed the legislation at the time and since.
Despite the ban, donations linked to developers are still being made. Guardian Australia revealed at the start of the campaign that companies with ties to property developers had given half a million dollars to the major parties, with experts warning the laws were “failing”.
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Crisafulli said he would also aim to change the full preferential voting system, which he labelled “corrupt”, back to optional preferential voting.
Under the current system, it is compulsory for voters to number all boxes on the ballot paper in order of their preference or their vote is not counted.
“Preferences should not be a thing in Queensland elections, and it won’t be if government changes,” he said.
Both Miles and Crisafulli were asked if they wanted to see record house prices in Brisbane decline, with the city facing an unprecedented housing crisis.
Earlier this year, the state capital beat Canberra to become the country’s second most expensive city behind Sydney, with a median house value of $937,479.
Miles simply said “yes they are”.
“Yes, because wages don’t match the cost of doing it, and there’s only one way to fix it, and it’s supply,” Crisafulli said.
He said there had been 29% fewer “lots” approved in the last decade and that “we need more supply in all forms”.
Wednesday’s was the second of three debates.
In the first, Crisafulli promised to step down as premier if elected and unable to reduce the number of victims of crime in Queensland below 289,657 by the end of his first term.
Miles aimed his attack at his opponent’s integrity, including on the issues of abortion rights and nuclear power.
Abortion wasn’t on the Queensland election agenda. So why is it now a threat to the LNP campaign?Read more“He can’t give an honest answer about what he believes when it comes to women’s reproductive rights, despite being asked 131 times now,” he said.
“He can’t give an honest answer on how many small pumped hydros will be needed to replace the big one he intends to cancel, nor answer a simple question about what he believes on nuclear power.”
Crisafulli was asked to expand the resignation promise to cover a “personal guarantee” that there would not be changes to the state’s abortion legislation under his government, but did not.
“I want every person in this room to know that we are not changing that law,” Crisafulli said, joking that he had now been asked 132 times about the issue.
The LNP leader has yet to rule out allowing a conscience vote on a mooted private member’s bill to be introduced by the Katters’ Australian party or say which way he would vote.
Early voting is under way in the Queensland election, with polling day on 26 October.

The 16th BRICS Leaders’ Summit is on the horizon, and as “Big BRICS Cooperation” continues to expand and deepen, this meeting is expected to unveil new opportunities for economic and trade collaboration between China and other BRICS nations.

In recent years, the economic ties among BRICS countries have grown increasingly robust. Official data indicates a significant increase in trade volume, with the combined import and export values between China and Russia, India, Brazil, and South Africa rising from 960.21 billion yuan in 2009 to 4.32 trillion yuan in 2023—an average annual growth rate of 11.3%, outpacing China’s overall trade growth by 3.8 percentage points during the same period.

Since the expansion of the BRICS cooperation framework in January, China’s imports and exports with other BRICS nations reached 4.62 trillion yuan in the first three quarters of this year, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 5.1%. In the industrial sector, China and its BRICS counterparts have achieved complementarity in fundamental industries such as steel, chemicals, and textiles. The first three quarters also saw a year-on-year rise of 8.6% in China’s steel exports and 13.4% in textile raw materials to other BRICS nations.

Trade in agricultural products has similarly thrived. In the first three quarters of this year, over 80% of China’s imported poultry and frozen cod, along with more than 50% of its crab imports, came from fellow BRICS countries. Additionally, Chinese exports of garlic, tomatoes, and citrus fruits have found a warm reception among consumers in these nations.

In the financial sector, the New Development Bank has approved over 100 projects to date, totaling more than $34 billion, thereby offering substantial support for emerging market economies and developing countries in diversifying their financing channels and addressing infrastructure shortfalls.

The success of BRICS economic cooperation can be attributed to each member’s strong developmental needs and willingness to collaborate, alongside their significant economic complementarity. Wang Yuxin, a senior researcher at the Bank of China Research Institute, noted that BRICS nations are at different stages of industrial development, and the comparative characteristics of their industries create favorable conditions for industrial transfers, market expansions, and collaborative division of labor within the group.

Liu Ying, a researcher at Renmin University’s Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, emphasized that BRICS countries possess rich resource reserves, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and extensive markets, each with its own strengths in various technology sectors. More importantly, these nations have moved beyond the outdated win-lose mentality in trade, espousing a new philosophy of mutual benefit and cooperative win-win scenarios.

Liu further remarked that by enhancing economic exchanges and financial cooperation, BRICS nations have forged a powerful alliance, becoming crucial engines against trade protectionism and important contributors to global economic growth.

However, despite the significant achievements in economic cooperation, there remains considerable room for improvement. For instance, there are still relatively few free trade agreements among members, and trade linkages need to be strengthened; the economic cooperation mechanisms require further refinement.

Xu Xiujun, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out that the group of developing countries represented by BRICS shares similar economic development levels and faces common challenges.

As global economic growth shows signs of stagnation, how BRICS countries can establish closer economic and trade networks will not only impact the interests of their members but also influence unity and collaboration among the “Global South” and the broader global economic outlook.

Analysts suggest that moving forward, BRICS nations should not only solidify their achievements in traditional agricultural sectors but also foster development and cooperation in emerging industries such as green development, digital economy, and artificial intelligence, thereby enhancing their economic resilience.

Amid discussions on strengthening economic collaboration, key agreements and new initiatives expected to emerge from the upcoming 16th BRICS Leaders’ Summit are highly anticipated.

Dove maker’s deal with local manufacturer Arnest Group includes four factories
Sarah ButlerThu 10 Oct 2024 07.15 EDTLast modified on Fri 11 Oct 2024 05.08 EDTShareUnilever has sold off its Russian operations to a local manufacturing group after pressure from campaigners who claimed that the presence of the Dove and Ben & Jerry’s owner in the country was supporting the war in Ukraine.
Arnest Group, a Russian manufacturer of perfume, cosmetics and household products will take control of Unilever Rus, which includes four factories, as well as the group’s interests in Belarus. Arnest is owned by the businessman Alexey Sagal and bought the brewer Heineken’s business in the country last summer.
Unilever Rus, which employs about 3,000 people, owns the local rights to brands including Knorr stock cubes, Dove washing and beauty products, Domestos cleaning fluids and Axe – which is known as Lynx in the UK.
Unilever has faced sustained pressure to sell the subsidiary since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, after it failed to follow an initial stampede of British multinationals out of the country.
The terms of the deal, which must be approved by the Russian government, were not disclosed. However, it has been reported that the sale could be worth more than €500m (£418m) to Unilever.
Hein Schumacher, the chief executive of Unilever, said: “Over the past year, we have been carefully preparing the Unilever Russia business for a potential sale. This work has been very complex, and has involved separating IT platforms and supply chains, as well as migrating brands to Cyrillic.
“The completion of the sale ends Unilever Russia’s presence in the country.”
Unilever ceased all imports and exports of its products into and out of Russia in March 2022 and has said it stopped all media and advertising spend and capital flows. It said last summer it had been unable to find a way to sell the business that “avoids the Russian state potentially gaining further benefit, and which safeguards our people”.
However, the group has come under consistent pressure to exit Russia, where it continues to make and sell “essential” products from shampoo to ice-cream, after evidence emerged that it paid Moscow $331m (£253m) in taxes in 2022.
In July last year, the Marmite maker was labelled “an international sponsor of war” by the Ukrainian government after it became subject to a law in Russia obliging all large companies operating in the country to contribute directly to its war effort.
A group of activists, the Ukraine Solidarity Project (USP), erected a billboard outside the Anglo-Dutch consumer group’s London headquarters featuring pictures of wounded Ukrainian soldiers – posing in the style of the Dove beauty brand’s advertisements – and the slogan: “Helping to fund Russia’s war in Ukraine.”
On Thursday Valeriia Voshchevska of the USP said: “It’s about time Unilever chose to stand on the right side of history, but let’s not forget it took them more than two years – and millions in Russian taxes paid into Putin’s war machine. Closing operations now doesn’t erase the past.
“To show genuine accountability, we’re calling on Unilever to donate their Russian profits to aid Ukraine’s rebuild and recovery. Actions, not headlines, will tell us if they’re serious.”
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Many western brand owners, including Levi’s, have paused exports to Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, and some, including McDonald’s, Heineken and the beauty brand Lush, have sold their operations in Russia to local operators. The brewer Carlsberg was in the process of selling its Baltika Breweries subsidiary there when it was taken over by the state last year.
Schumacher promised to look at Unilever’s presence in Russia with “fresh eyes” when he took over as chief executive last year.
A year ago, Unilever said it “continued to look at out options” after “recent regulatory developments in Russia”.
Schumacher said this summer that Unilever’s goal was to “minimise economic contribution” to the Russian state, adding that it continued to monitor operations in the country “very closely. This is a very tough situation and very much on my mind.”
This article was amended on 11 October 2024. A previous version said that Diageo had paused exports to Russia since the latter’s invasion of Ukraine; in fact, Diageo has exited the country entirely.

The much-loved director gave an unknown Sean Connery his first leading role as well as overseeing some of the biggest TV dramas of the 1970s and 80s
Andrew PulverThu 17 Oct 2024 10.30 EDTLast modified on Thu 17 Oct 2024 10.32 EDTShareAlvin Rakoff, prolific director and producer of scores of film and TV productions including Requiem for a Heavyweight, Passport to Shame and A Dance to the Music of Time, has died aged 97. His family announced his death in a statement, saying Rakoff “passed away … surrounded by his loving family in the same, beautiful old house in Chiswick he had bought back in 1971”.
Born in Toronto in 1927, Rakoff came from a family of east European Jewish immigrants to Canada, but came to the UK in 1952 after turning his back on the family shop and committing to a career in show business. Having worked as a writer for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Rakoff was quickly accepted on the BBC’s directors’ training course and moved swiftly on to make a string of successful TV dramas.
Rakoff soon made his mark: his 1954 drama Waiting for Gillian won a National Television award and in 1957 he cast a then unknown Sean Connery in the lead role in the British version of the successful American TV play Requiem for a Heavyweight. A year later he made his feature film directing debut with the Diana Dors thriller Passport to Shame.
View image in fullscreenDiana Dors, left, and Robert Brown in Passport to Shame. Photograph: RONALD GRANTRakoff specialised in TV plays and dramas, nearly all of them made in the UK which had become his permanent home. The Terence Rattigan-scripted Heart to Heart was part of the Europe-wide broadcast The Largest Theatre in the World in 1962, and Call Me Daddy, starring Donald Pleasence and Judy Cornwell, won an Emmy in 1967. (Rakoff remade it as a feature film in 1970 with Peter Sellers as the businessman who blackmails his secretary, played by Sinéad Cusack.)
In the 1970s and 80s Rakoff embarked on large-scale, starry projects: The Adventures of Don Quixote in 1973 featured Rex Harrison and Frank Finlay; John Mortimer’s A Voyage Round My Father starred Laurence Olivier in 1982; and Mortimer’s Paradise Postponed was aired over 11 episodes in 1986. In 1997 he was one of two directors on the mammoth A Dance to the Music of Time, adapted from Anthony Powell’s novel series.
In a statement, Stephen Fry said: “Alvin Rakoff was a giant of film, theatre and TV. His Midas touch with spotting and fostering talent introduced the world to some of the last century’s greatest stars.” Dame Judi Dench said: “I have such wonderful memories of Alvin … A very endearing person.”
Wendy Craig, who starred in Heart to Heart opposite Kenneth More and Ralph Richardson said: “He was inspiring to work with, as well as patient and kind and totally dedicated to writing and directing drama … he will be much missed by all who knew him and had the pleasure of working with him.”
Rakoff published two volumes of memoirs, I’m Just the Guy Who Says Action and I Need Another Take, Darling in 2021 and 2022. He was married twice, to actor Jacqueline Hill from 1958 to her death in 1993, and to Sally Hughes in 2013, who survives him.

Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Ibrahim Kana has disclosed that the Nigerian military needs more satellites to improve internal security in the country.
Kana disclosed this at a stakeholders forum during the ‘Nigerian Satellite Week’ organised by the Nigerian Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited on Thursday, in Abuja.
With the theme ‘Harnessing Communication Satellites for sustainable development’, he
said satellite was key to addressing some of the challenges in the military operations, and that satellite helps for easy communication and monitoring of movements in various areas.
” With the launching of more satellites, we are going to be having real-time information, real-time imagery. And we can actually monitor even our enemies and the bandits everywhere, wherever that location might be.
” With the partnership with NIGCOMSAT and with more satellites in space, we are going to be monitoring everything .I can guarantee you that we wont miss anybody coming by our way,” Kana said.
He further stated that the Defence Space Administration has the capability of taking pictures of satellite imagery on all the routes that troops are available, saying it enhances operation and reduce casualties of troops.
Kana said the one of the key aspects about the military was communication and intelligence gathering, adding that without satellite their job would be restricted.
He underscored the role technology plays in military warfare, adding: “We have moved from normal military operation to advanced military operation. We now use drones, and without satellite, we cannot operate our drones.
“Drone surveillance is optimal for overseeing significant events, allowing rapid deployment and comprehensive monitoring to prevent illicit activities and safeguard event attendees.
“NIGCOMSAT is in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and key agencies in providing digital service to the country.”
The Managing Director, NigComSat, Jane Edgerton-Idehen said they were working to increase their customer base to dominate the Nigerian market.
“We want to increase our customer base and dominate the Nigerian market. “We have started the work. So we’ve done our inside work and now we are coming out to talk about it, just like you said. So the patronage can improve.
So we can tell people, this is what we’re doing, this is what we’ve done. So people can see the reason to actually do business with my company.
“We see a future where 70% of our revenue will come from the Nigerian market.We see a future where in the satellite sector.Because right now there are so many private sector operators here. But the truth is a lot of people they serve are actually government agencies,” she said.
Also speaking on the need for Nigeria to have more satelites, Chief Executive Officer Tetconsult, Mr. Scholars Tayloy said:
“What you want to do is to have the right number of satellites to be able to carry traffic that you need.
“That’s a continuous exercise. Traffic will continue to grow We will continue to do more and more based on the traffic that’s growing.
“You can’t say this is the number, but I can tell you today there must be close to 10 satellites that Nigeria is using for various reasons, including NICOMSAT, including NASA and other foreign satellites.”

All the critical stakeholders must unite to contain the criminal elements
Despite the best efforts of the military that has taken the battle to insurgents and bandits, the Northwest of Nigeria is still lurching towards chaos. Last week, the chairman of Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Sharifu Kamarawa, told visiting Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, that bandits led by Kachalla Bello Turji practically run a parallel government in some communities across several local governments in the state. “The problem is in the eastern part of Isa. There are places that are still under the control of bandits. They appoint and depose village heads there,” Kamarawa said while appealing for the establishment of a military camp in the area.
Kamarawa’s portrayal of the situation in his domain is not only dire but also reveals that the response by the federal government to this festering and dangerous security situation is not enough. Bandits, who mainly operate on motorcycles, are freely roaming many of the major streets and have turned a large swathe of Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina and recently, Sokoto States into their fiefdom. Several villages have been displaced on account of this onslaught, while economic activities, particularly agriculture, which is the mainstay of the affected region, are being paralysed.
Last Saturday in Kebbi State, a traditional ruler was abducted alongside his two sons and six others by bandits in Kanya, Danko/Wasagu local government area. “Yes, nine persons were abducted including the traditional ruler,” spokesperson for the Kebbi State Police Command, Nafiu Abubakar, confirmed. “One person was shot dead and three who sustained bullet wounds are responding to treatment at the General Hospital Riba.” Such is the level of desperation in the Northwestthat many of our citizens are reportedly fleeing to neighbouring Niger Republic for abode and safety.
Until recently, the North-west zone was a template and shining example of geo-political stability and peaceful co-existence among Nigerian communities. In the eye of the public, the zone was insulated from the security challenges to lives and property that have become the frightening badge of other parts of the region, notably the North-east and North-central zones. Sadly, while the Boko Haram insurgents are still fighting over the control of the North-east and the killings by sundry armed militia and herdsmen are yet to abate in North-central, scores of bandits are now gradually taking over the north-west, thus putting the entire northern region at risk.
In Zamfara State, where this crisis is prevalent, bandits and other criminal elements who specialise in cattle rustling have killed many innocent people. Their bestiality now makes many people in the communities to now sleep with only one eye open out of fear of attack and abduction. As of now, the cattle rustlers have extended their tentacles to other states in the North-west, with the affected state governments and security agencies becoming helpless. Unfortunately, Matawalle has been battling his successor, Governor Dauda Lawal, with accusation and counter accusation on who is behind the banditry. That is rather unhelpful at a period when all stakeholders should unite to confront these criminal elements as common enemies.
The federal government has responded to this new danger by deploying military troops in the zone. But we are yet to see the impact. However, as we have always stated, the current culture of impunity in our country will not end until people with criminal tendencies realise that the law can, and will, always catch up with them.

On October 20, a significant transformation in the digital apple industry is taking place in Gansu’s “Apple Village.” The region, known for its over 40 years of apple farming, is experiencing a remarkable evolution. Apple trees are now shorter and slimmer, apples have acquired “digital IDs,” and they undergo regular “health checks.” Apples are diversifying into various products like chips, beverages, and vinegar, thanks to internationally advanced production lines.

Pingliang, located in the golden apple production belt of China, is home to vibrant, sweet, juicy apples that have earned accolades such as “Chinese Famous Fruits.” These apples have made their way onto the tables of Olympic athletes and were even aboard the “Xuelong” research vessel to the Antarctic, reaching over 30 countries and regions globally.

In an interview on October 19, Tian Xuanbin, the general manager of Gansu Demai Geopolitical Modern Agricultural Group Co., Ltd., shared insights on their progress in apple digitization. Known locally as a second-generation apple farmer, he has become a leader in this innovative endeavor.

Tian explained how various aspects of apple farming, such as the number of branches a tree has, the length of those branches, and the harvest yield, can now be monitored through digital management systems. “This approach not only enhances production efficiency but also standardizes the process for non-standard products, extending back to the seedling and planting stages,” he stated. He emphasized that this digital transformation serves as an emotional connection between consumers and the traditional apple industry.

Looking ahead, Tian plans to expand exports to Southeast Asia, as well as develop high-value products like apple powder and apple liquor.

As the apple harvest season reaches its peak, Demai Group’s production lines are operating at full capacity to meet strong market demand. Workers are diligently sorting and packaging apples, utilizing international-grade sorting systems that categorize fruit based on skin color, shape, sweetness, and internal quality—essentially “X-raying” the apples using infrared technology for optimal selection.

In the picturesque autumn month of October, the countryside in Jingning is filled with the scent of ripe apples, heavy on the branches. Within a large apple base, a sign indicates a “Digital Agriculture Demonstration Point,” accompanied by specialized monitoring equipment.

Pingliang currently maintains a stable apple cultivation area of 1.5 million acres, with average sales prices leading the country for 18 consecutive years. On average, farmers earn over 7,500 RMB monthly from fruit sales. Jingning apples, characterized as the city’s premier apple brand, were highlighted during the recent 3rd China Apple Production and Marketing Summit held in the area, attracting numerous experts and businesspeople.

According to He Penghu, deputy general manager of Longyuan Hong Fruit Distribution Co., Ltd., the region has achieved a complete supply chain integration for Jingning apples, which now includes both deep processing lines: a dry line producing freeze-dried apple crisps, puffed apple snacks, and dried apples, and a wet line offering NFC apple juice, apple vinegar beverages, and apple cider.

Renowned agricultural branding expert and founder of Nongben Consulting, Jia Xiao, advised local enterprises to emphasize the “Jingning Apple” brand, helping more local businesses leverage this branding to enhance their market presence and create an industry hub, fostering broader growth for the apple sector in Pingliang and Gansu at large.

Gomorrah author and Meloni critic’s non-inclusion in Italy’s lineup angers writers amid claims of censorship
Philip Oltermann European culture editorTue 15 Oct 2024 11.05 EDTLast modified on Tue 15 Oct 2024 11.44 EDTShareThe Gomorrah author Roberto Saviano will appear at the Frankfurt book fair this week despite being snubbed by the organisers of the official Italian delegation, setting the scene for a clash between the country’s far-right government and its most prominent writers.
Saviano, one of Italy’s bestselling living writers and an ardent critic of the far-right prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, was absent from the initial lineup of 100 authors representing Italy, this year’s guest of honour, when it was announced in May.
The delegation organiser, Mauro Mazza, a conservative journalist, said the non-inclusion was not so much a question of discrimination as of giving other writers a moment in the limelight.
But 41 authors who signed a letter of protest in June said Saviano’s exclusion followed a pattern whereby the government was projecting a consensual image to the rest of the world while cracking down on artistic freedom at home, “through more or less explicit forms of censorship”.
‘My life in the mafia’s shadow’: Italy’s most hunted author, Roberto SavianoRead moreSeveral other prominent Italian authors, such as Paolo Giordano and Antonio Scurati, subsequently cancelled their appearance or declined to represent their country at Frankfurt in an official capacity.
At the book fair, which runs from 16-20 October, a guest country or region is invited every year to showcase its culture, and given a free hand to curate a series of readings and panel debates. Italy is this year’s guest of honour for the first time since the scheme’s inaugural year in 1988.
The theme of the Italian programme is “Rooted in the Future”, with panel discussions on relatively apolitical subjects such as “The Scent of Flowers and Kisses”.
When Italy’s culture minister, Alessandro Giuli, cuts a ribbon to formally open the Italian stand on Wednesday, however, some of the most vocal critics of his government’s policies will appear at parallel events.
Giordano, Scurati and Francesca Melandri will speak on a concurrent panel organised by PEN Berlin called “Rooted in the Present”, while Saviano will speak on stage on Friday and Saturday.
The anti-mafia author was sued in 2023 for calling Meloni “a bastard” over her immigration policies and subsequently fined €1,000 (£865).
“Roberto Saviano is the most famous Italian writer in the world,” the Austrian author and PEN Berlin spokesperson, Eva Menasse, said. “By not inviting him to the Frankfurt book fair the Italian government has only managed to put a brighter spotlight on its illiberal practices.”
In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica on Tuesday, Saviano said he was travelling to Frankfurt after being personally invited by the fair’s director, Jürgen Boos.
“I don’t think my presence in Frankfurt is a victory but a form of resistance,” the author said. “The book fair has activated a democratic reflex.”
The Frankfurt book fair is no stranger to controversies. In 2009 several members of the delegation of guest country China left the auditorium when government critics Bei Ling and Dai Qing took the microphone to speak. Both authors had been uninvited from the fair after pressure from Chinese authorities but travelled to Germany anyway.

Kayode Tokede
TheManaging Director,Champion BreweriesPlc,Dr. Inalegwu Adoga, yesterday reaffirmed the company’s plansto addressitsfree-float deficiencyon the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX)by issuing new shares to theinvesting public.
The key player in Nigeria’s brewing industry, according to a report has 3.58 per cent free float as against the minimum of 20 per cent of the issued and fully paid up shares for companies on the mainboard.
Speaking to the capital market community during its “Facts Behind the Figures” in Lagos,Adogastated that theinitiative is expected to bolster thecompany’s infrastructure and enhance its production capacity, enabling it to meet the growing demand for its products.
“However, to address free float deficiency, we have engaged with the NGX and through their kind consideration and support, we have been able to come up with a compliance plan which has a targeted timeline of Q1 2025 and within this period, we shall be engaging in share divestment to retail market by way of public offer.
“It will help us address the free float deficiency requirement, help us raise fresh capital for the business and help us fulfil our capacity to meet existing plans.” He added.
He noted that the company’s focus remains on delivering and returning value to shareholders through achieving increased profitability, driving operational efficiency and growth of its market share.
Heremarked on thecompany’s commitment to continuous improvement, saying, “Ournine months of2024 performance reflects our ability to adapt and grow in a challenging environment. We are confident that our investments in operational efficiency, renewable energy, and market expansion will position us for even greater success in the coming years.”
During the session, Champion Breweries reported a strong revenue growth of 68per cent, reachingN14.02 billion innine months2024, compared tonine ofmonths 2023.
Despite the macroeconomic challenges, including the impact of foreign exchange (FX) losses that resulted in a pre-tax profit ofN178 million, the Company remains resilient, having fully settled its foreign liabilities innine months of2024 to mitigate FX volatility moving forward.
TheChairman of the Board of Champion Breweries, Mr. Imo-Abasi Jacob,expressed confidence in the Company’s strategic direction, stating, “Champion Breweries has demonstrated resilience and commitment to its shareholders and stakeholders, despite the turbulent economic conditions.
“Our focus on operational efficiency, cost reduction, and market expansion reflects our determination to deliver sustainable value and growth. We are confident that with our renewed leadership and strategic initiatives, Champion will continue to thrive as a significant player in Nigeria’s beverage industry,”he said.
The event also highlighted thecompany’s new strategic direction under the core ownership of EnjoyCorp Limited, whose Managing Director, David Butler, also serves as a Director on Champion’s Board.
EnjoyCorp’s industry expertise and operational insights have driven transformative initiatives within Champion, with a focus on cost management, market expansion, and customer-centric innovations.
Butleradded thatChampionBreweries over the years has proven to be resilient and proven it can stand the test of time.
“Like all good businesses, it’s time for reinvestment, change and time for some aggression to go into a market that’s been dominated by some larger players for a very long period of time.,”Butleradded.
In his welcome address, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Mr. Jude Chiemeka, said the Consumer goods companies have a significant presence on the Exchange with 21 listed companies including five in the beverage industry.
“Between 2020 and 2024, this sector generated N887 billion in trade value, accounting for 13 per cent of the N7 trillion traded across all sectors. NGX continues to support the beverage sector by providing a robust platform for capital raising, liquidity through equity listings, bonds and other asset classes, enabling companies to secure the capital necessary for growth.
“In 2024 alone, about, two of the listed companies embarked on raising substantial capital on the Exchange, totalling N1.18 trillion, which underscores our commitment of facilitating strategic expansion.
“Over the last year, the brewery sector paid N29.3 billion in dividends and N39 billion in taxes. These have contributed to government revenue, supporting essential public services, infrastructure development and driving broader economic growth.
“In the face of ongoing economic headwinds, we recognize and commend the efforts of Champion Breweries board and management, in enhancing operations, promoting business, continuity and restoring investors’ confidence.
Their dedication to these goals reflects resilience, adaptability that are essential in today’s market environment.”