Han Zheng will attend the inauguration ceremony of the Indonesian President and visit Indonesia and Brunei

At a regular press conference on October 18, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced that Vice President Han Zheng would represent President Xi Jinping at the inauguration ceremony of President Prabowo in Jakarta, Indonesia, on October 20. Han Zheng will also visit Indonesia from October 19 to 21.

In addition, at the invitation of the Brunei government, Vice President Han will travel to Brunei from October 21 to 23.

When asked about China’s expectations for Vice President Han Zheng’s visit to Indonesia and Brunei, Mao Ning emphasized the strong traditional friendship and deep cooperation between China and Indonesia. Under the strategic guidance of both nations’ leaders, bilateral relations are maintaining robust momentum and entering a new stage of building a community with a shared future. Han Zheng will attend the inauguration as a special representative of President Xi and will engage in in-depth discussions with Indonesian leaders on bilateral relations and mutual concerns.

Mao stated that at this critical juncture for Sino-Indonesian relations, China is eager to work together with Indonesia to promote friendly traditions, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and continuously elevate the construction of the China-Indonesia community of shared destiny. This collaboration aims to contribute to the modernization processes of both countries and foster greater prosperity and development in the region and globally.

Regarding China-Brunei relations, Mao highlighted the longstanding traditional friendship and the stable development of bilateral ties. President Xi has met with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summits for two consecutive years, providing strategic direction for enhancing their relationship. During his visit to Brunei, Vice President Han Zheng is scheduled to meet and hold discussions with both the Sultan and the Crown Prince.

Mao expressed that this visit will serve as an opportunity to continue nurturing traditional friendship with Brunei, expand cooperation across various fields, enhance mutual understanding between the peoples of both nations, and enrich the strategic partnership, ultimately injecting more positive energy into regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

International Canoe Federation -Hangzhou Super Cup- ends in Hangzhou

On October 13, the 2024 ICF “Hangzhou Super Cup” came to a thrilling conclusion in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. Chinese athletes achieved remarkable success in both kayak sprint and marathon events, bringing home a total of four gold medals, eight silver medals, and three bronze medals.

The event was groundbreaking as it featured top international competitions across four disciplines: kayak sprint, slalom, marathon, and kayak polo, attracting over 530 competitors from 36 countries and regions, including 13 Olympic champions.

As the final competition day unfolded, the intensity of the races ramped up. In the kayak sprint men’s and women’s double 500 meters, Chinese athletes clinched two golds in the women’s category. Meanwhile, Italian competitors secured two golds in the men’s events, and a mixed team of international athletes won the gold in the mixed category.

Young Chinese competitors particularly stood out in today’s finals. In the women’s double kayak 500 meters, the duo of Teng Anshuo and Jiang Xina dominated the field right from the start, leading the race and ultimately finishing with a time of 2 minutes and 1.581 seconds to claim victory. “We’ve been partners since we started training together, which has been over five years. Winning today feels even better than winning yesterday; that’s the power of teamwork,” Jiang Xina expressed.

The Chinese athletes also displayed a strong performance in the women’s double kayak 500 meters final, with seven pairs from China competing against only one international duo, Jorgensen and Martina. Yu Shiming and Chen Yule took the lead from the start and managed to hold off pressure from their competitors to win with a time of 1 minute and 49.070 seconds, securing another gold for the Chinese team. “Winning this gold medal in my hometown makes me incredibly happy. The water here feels fantastic to paddle in, and my family came to watch me compete, which makes it all the more exciting and empowering,” Chen Yule shared.

Notably, the new Olympic event, extreme kayaking, made a spectacular debut at this year’s “Hangzhou Super Cup.” In this thrilling competition, four kayaks simultaneously launched off a three-meter slope and raced into the water, with athletes quickly jockeying for advantageous positions while navigating through gates. The competition demanded a combination of skill, strength, speed, and strategy. Ultimately, Swiss athlete Chiarello and Czech athlete Teresa emerged victorious, taking home the gold medals for men and women, respectively.

Injuries cost top men’s clubs in Europe €732m last season, study shows

More than 90,000 days lost across the top five divisionsFigure recorded before impact of expanded club calendarPaul MacInnesTue 15 Oct 2024 13.22 EDTLast modified on Tue 15 Oct 2024 13.24 EDTShareClubs in Europe’s top five divisions lost €732m (£610m) in wages paid to injured players last season, an increase on previous campaigns and a figure recorded before the impact of an expanded club calendar has been felt.
Bundesliga clubs dominate the list of those with most injuries, with a total of 90,547 days lost to injury across the top divisions in Germany, England, Spain, Italy and France. The annual Howden’s Men’s European Football Injury Index has disconcerting figures for all those competitions, however, as the debate over fixture congestion and player workload becomes ever more heated.
Manchester City target Rúben Amorim as next manager if Pep Guardiola leavesRead moreAlthough Premier League clubs lost fewer players and minutes to injury than their peers, for example, the overall severity of injuries – the number of days missed for an injury – was higher than in Germany, Spain and Italy. The average length of injury layoffs for those experienced by under-21 players was more significant still: at 43.92 days nearly double that of the average convalescence in La Liga, 23.03 days.
James Burrows, the head of sport at the insurance brokers Howden, said the report underscores “the ever-increasing physical demands” made on professional players. “As fixture congestion intensifies with expanded competitions domestically and internationally, we are seeing more players sidelined for longer periods, with a notable 5% rise in injury costs this season alone,” he said.
As for the injuries sustained by younger players, Burrows said figures in earlier years had been attributed to Covid’s effects on squad composition. “I don’t really know what’s driving that [today],” he said.
“The view in the insurance industry has always been that the older the player, the more risky, the more challenging the exposure, because older players are generally out for longer, they don’t return necessarily for injuries that younger players do. A lot of what we see now seems to slightly turn that on its head.
Howden act as an insurance broker for a number of clubs and governing bodies. Its annual research collates publicly available injury data and matches it against salary calculations made by the company Sporting Intelligence. Calculations in the fourth edition of its report record a total of 4,123 injuries across the five divisions.
Although the number of injuries is at a “record high”, according to Burrows, up from just over 3,000 in 2020-21, the rate of growth has slowed, suggesting a “levelling off” after a boom in injuries post-Covid and the mid-season World Cup of 2022.
It was important not to draw “binary conclusions” from the data, Burrows said, with German football recording most injuries despite having an 18-team division and the longest winter break. “Some of this data will comfortably fit the narrative [of overload],” Burrows said, “but there are other elements of this that really don’t comfortably fit the narrative.”
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One further area of uncertainty for clubs is the impact of absence caused by mental health issues or anxiety. Burrows notes that this is a growing area of focus for clubs and insurers.
“A massive talking point in our industry at the moment, and not just across football but across the sport and entertainment sector, is how we develop products that address those types of issues,” he said.

(Entering China’s Rural Areas) New business formats revitalize a century-old village in Guangxi, and tourists from home and abroad set off a “check-in” trend_1

On October 20, 2023, in Wuzhou, a new trend is revitalizing a century-old village in Guangxi, attracting tourists from near and far.

During a recent visit to Fuwan Village, a popular spot in Wuzhou, Taiwan tourist Tang Xiaoni shared her impressions, stating, “The successful transformation of Fuwan Village is no accident; the new business models here truly amazed me.” Tang, exploring the village with friends, was enchanted by the ancient architecture and rich history. She noted, “This trip has given me a whole new perspective on rural life in the mainland.”

As she strolled along the village paths, breathing in the fresh air and soaking in the picturesque scenery, Tang felt relaxed and embraced the tranquility and beauty of the countryside.

Located in the Daoshui Town of Wuzhou’s Changzhou District, Fuwan Village is steeped in cultural heritage. In recent years, it has successfully transitioned into a composite rural tourism spot, combining ecological leisure, tourism, and cultural education, which has led to a significant transformation.

“Before, the roads here were poor, and the economy lagged; most young people had to leave for work,” said 61-year-old local resident Mo Xianliang, whose family has lived in the village for generations. He described their previous homes as shabby, built from wooden planks, mud bricks, and tiles, often leaking during the rainy season. However, Mo’s family now resides in a three-story building and cultivates over 300 acres of Chinese medicinal herbs, generating an annual income exceeding 100,000 RMB.

Mo emphasized the village’s ecological advantages, stating, “We rely on our mountains for resources. With a good ecological environment, villagers produce and sell agricultural products.” He explained that Fuwan Village encourages residents to develop specialty industries like medicinal herbs, grapes, and mushrooms, as well as operate their own homestays, allowing them to capitalize on the tourism appetite driven by their natural surroundings.

“The tourism has been booming in recent years; many villagers have opened homestays using their homes, welcoming visitors and selling their processed products,” said Li Shiyou, deputy director of the village committee. He added that with the arrival of the summer tourism season, villagers are experiencing a “sweet dilemma,” as popular homestays often have to accommodate multiple groups of guests in a single day, keeping everyone busy.

This influx of tourists has also spurred the development of the local “homestay economy.” Villagers have converted spare rooms or courtyards into accommodations, providing lodging for tourists and creating local job opportunities. One such villager is Li Binghua, who returned home in 2020 to start a business. With an investment of over one million yuan, he transformed his family home into a three-story homestay, which now spans over 400 square meters and offers both lodging and dining services.

“To promote our village’s development, we’ve actively introduced new business models, establishing various projects in rural tourism and specialty agriculture,” said Mo Zhenhua, chairman of the village committee. Over the years, Fuwan Village has developed tailored initiatives like “courtyard gardens” and “village gardens,” while constructing scenic points such as the Millennium Banyan Tree and a scenic wooden walkway. It has also nurtured grape planting bases and DIY fruit and vegetable activities, stimulating the local rural economy.

“We have also improved infrastructure, enhanced the village’s appearance, and elevated the quality of life for residents,” Mo added. Today, Fuwan Village is a sought-after destination for leisure travelers from around the globe, especially during holidays when it welcomes a continuous stream of visitors. The development of these new business models has not only boosted the village’s economy but also significantly improved the living conditions for the villagers.

In recent years, Fuwan Village has received numerous accolades, including “China’s Beautiful Leisure Village,” “National Forest Village,” and “Five-Star Rural Tourism Area in Guangxi.” Currently, it boasts a new economic development model that integrates rural sightseeing, grape picking, and homestyle dining, with collective economic revenue expected to exceed 400,000 yuan in 2023.

Chinese consumer confidence drops to lowest level during epidemic, LVMH’s product sales decline

LVMH has reported a decline in product sales due to sluggish demand from Chinese consumers. A recent picture captures an LV store in a Beijing shopping center. According to reports from Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao, this marks the first drop in sales for LVMH’s fashion and leather goods since the pandemic began, with the company’s performance being significantly affected by decreasing consumer demand in China.

On October 15, Bloomberg reported that LVMH announced a 5% decrease in organic revenue for its fashion and leather goods division in the third quarter. Analysts had previously forecasted a slight increase instead. In contrast, the same period last year saw a 9% increase in revenue for the division. This represents the worst quarterly performance since the global pandemic lockdown began in the second quarter of 2020. The group’s overall sales fell by 3%.

“Right now, most markets, including China, are facing economic challenges,” stated LVMH’s Chief Financial Officer Jean-Jacques Guiony during the quarterly announcement. “Consumer confidence in China has fallen to historical lows that mirror the levels seen during the pandemic.”

Bloomberg further notes that Chinese consumers have slowed their spending on high-end goods amid concerns regarding an economic slowdown and a crisis in the real estate market. These worries prompted the Chinese government to roll out a comprehensive set of measures last month aimed at revitalizing economic growth.

Guiony remarked that it is currently difficult to gauge the potential impact of these measures on demand but emphasized, “This indicates that they are taking the issue very seriously.”

Mozambique opposition figures killed as protest grows over election results

Lawyer Elvino Dias and official Paulo Guambe shot as their party plans a national strike over disputed election
Rachel Savage in LusakaSat 19 Oct 2024 07.48 EDTFirst published on Sat 19 Oct 2024 07.02 EDTShareAttackers killed a Mozambique opposition lawyer and a party official after firing rounds at a car in which they were travelling, ratcheting up tensions before protests against a disputed election result, the EU and rights groups have said.
Mozambique’s new opposition Podemos party and its presidential candidate, Venâncio Mondlane, have rejected provisional results showing a probable win for Frelimo, the party that has ruled Mozambique for half a century. They have called for a nationwide strike on Monday.
The Mozambican civil society election observer group More Integrity said the attack happened in the Bairro da Coop neighbourhood of the capital, Maputo, killing the Podemos lawyer Elvino Dias and the party representative Paulo Guambe.
“They were brutally assassinated [in a] cold-blooded murder,” said Adriano Nuvunga, the director of Mozambique’s Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CDD). “The indications [are] that around 10 to 15 bullets were shot, and they died instantly.”
The EU condemned the killings “in the strongest terms”, calling “for an immediate, thorough and transparent investigation”.
“In a democracy, there is no place for politically motivated killings,” its diplomatic service said, adding that its election observers were still in the country assessing the ongoing electoral process.
According to the latest election tally, Frelimo is leading in all 11 provinces, and its candidate, Daniel Chapo, is widely expected to win the 9 October election, but external observers have cast doubt on the poll’s credibility.
They noted reports of vote-buying, intimidation, inflated voter rolls in Frelimo strongholds and a lack of transparency in collation – problems that have marred most polls since Frelimo first introduced democracy in 1994 after two decades in power.
Full results are expected on 24 October, but many fear Monday’s protest could turn bloody. Mozambique’s security forces have opened fire on political protesters in the past, including after last year’s local elections and on Wednesday at a rally welcoming Mondlane to the northern city of Nampula, according to human rights groups.
Mondlane captured the imagination of many younger voters who have no memory of Frelimo winning independence from Portugal in 1975 or of its victory in a civil war that cost 1 million lives between 1977 and 1992.
Dias, the Podemos lawyer, had been leading legal efforts against the disputed elections, the Human Rights Watch researcher Zenaida Machado said on X.
“All of those found responsible for this crime should be brought to justice,” she said.
Reuters contributed to this report

(Visiting the Countryside·Looking at Revitalization) Gongqingcheng, Jiangxi- Raising black-bone chickens under the Camellia oleifera forest, -school and land work together- to explore the -code to get

On October 16, 2023, in the late autumn season, we visited the camellia oil base in Liban Village, Jiangyi Town, Gongqing City, Jiangxi Province. The landscape was breathtaking, with flourishing camellia trees bearing vibrant red and green fruits, while lively Taihe black chickens frolicked beneath the trees.

“After more than a year of transformation, this year the average yield of camellia fruit can exceed 1,000 pounds per acre, with some areas reaching over 1,200 pounds,” said Zhong Huan, a graduate student in ecology at Nanchang University. “Previously, the planting density of the camellia forest was too high, but through reasonable planting density adjustments, soil improvement, and intercropping techniques, we have significantly increased the yield. We expect that by the third year, the yield will reach 1,300 pounds per acre.”

In March 2023, Liban Village partnered with Nanchang University, signing a framework cooperation agreement to invite a doctoral research team specializing in camellia oil. The team is dedicated to conducting research and providing technical training in the village weekly, applying the latest research findings directly in the camellia orchards.

To further enhance the utilization of camellia forests, Associate Researcher Zhang Jian and his team continuously explored innovative practices, ultimately introducing a batch of high-quality Taihe black chickens for trial farming.

“Raising black chickens under the camellia trees not only helps control pests and diseases but also improves soil structure and boosts economic returns,” Zhang explained, breaking down the economics. “With an acre of camellia trees producing 60 pounds of oil and 20 Taihe black chickens being raised, each acre can generate at least 8,000 yuan in economic benefits.”

Li Zhen, the Party Secretary of Liban Village, shared that with the technical support from the Nanchang University camellia team, the village has established a complete camellia industry chain. The camellia planting area spans over 1,500 acres, significantly increasing the average income for local households by over 3,000 yuan, with the village’s collective economic income surpassing 500,000 yuan in 2023.

Looking ahead, the Nanchang University camellia team plans to provide comprehensive guidance on camellia planting techniques, marketing, and farming models through hands-on training and community education initiatives. They aim to build a “high-value camellia ecological farming demonstration base,” ensuring that their research and innovations benefit the local economy.

Guo Shifa, the Deputy Minister of the United Front Work Department of the Gongqing City Committee, noted that universities are a vital resource for talent in promoting rural revitalization. He emphasized the goal to further integrate university resources to create a unified “school-region cooperation” brand, developing new platforms for non-Party intellectuals in universities to grow and contribute to the socio-economic development of Gongqing City.

Hong Kong young employees look at Shanghai exchange activities launched- Shanghai and Hong Kong integrate to create a better future

On October 14th in Shanghai, the event themed “Shanghai-Hong Kong Integration: Creating a Future Together” officially launched, welcoming 30 young Hong Kong employees for a five-day exploration of the city. This program, part of the “I See·I Know” series aimed at enhancing Hong Kong youth’s understanding of their homeland, offers a deep dive into Shanghai’s red culture, cosmopolitan spirit, and Jiangnan heritage.

Shanghai and Hong Kong, both coastal cities, share a unique bond rooted in their maritime origins. Since the reform and opening-up, Hong Kong residents have been at the forefront of engaging in the development of Shanghai, serving as a bridge for Shanghainese enterprises venturing abroad.

During the ice-breaking activity, Hong Kong participants quickly formed three groups, coming up with creative group names and slogans while designing their logos. One group, led by participant Wang Qi, ingeniously combined symbols of both cities—the magnolia representing Shanghai and the Bauhinia for Hong Kong—branding themselves as “White-Purple Win-Win.” Wang expressed, “We hope that both cities can continue to flourish together.”

The event featured a fun quiz, posing questions about Shanghai’s historical timeline and geographical features, allowing the Hong Kong youth to grasp key aspects of the city quickly. When the discussion shifted to Shanghai dialects, participants had their struggles deciphering local phrases like “pearl rice” and “burial coffin,” along with English loanwords adapted into the dialect. With guidance from the host, many found themselves thoroughly amused and surprised by the richness of the local language.

Dai Zhenhua, Deputy Director of the Shanghai State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, addressed the group, encouraging them to take full advantage of this experience to learn more about Shanghai, its national context, and to make new friends, all while broadening their horizons to contribute to future Shanghai-Hong Kong collaboration.

Having worked in Hong Kong for a decade, Wang Qi shared his perspective during an interview. “Shanghai is an international financial hub, and many of my clients are based here. Although I have visited numerous times for work, I still don’t know much about the city. I hope to gain a deeper understanding of Shanghai’s history and its new developments through this event. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences with more friends back in Hong Kong.”

Throughout the program, participants will engage with the theme “Cities Make Life Better” while visiting locations like the Shanghai Jiushi Art Museum and the Baoshan Renewable Energy Utilization Center. They will explore “Light of Science and Innovation, Shanghai Manufacturing” at industry parks and the Shanghai Pharmaceutical Research Management Center. Additional activities include visits to the Shanghai History Museum and the Shanghai Tower, interactive sessions on intangible cultural heritage, and forums focused on the theme “The Beauty of Cities Blending Tradition and Modernity” at the Expo Cultural Park.

-Inheritance – Biography of Physicists Zheng Jianxuan and Zheng Zhipeng Father and Son- book launch conference was held at Guangxi University

On October 11, the book launch event for “Inheritance: The Physicists Zheng Jianxuan and Zheng Zhipeng” took place at Guangxi University, as part of the “Spirit of Scientists in Schools” initiative, according to Zhang Guangquan from China News Service.

The event, co-hosted by Guangxi University and the Guangxi Publishing Media Group, featured the Guangxi Science and Technology Publishing House, Guangxi University Association for Science and Technology, and the Youth League of Guangxi University as organizers.

A video presentation shared the stories of Zheng Jianxuan and Zheng Zhipeng, highlighting their impressive careers. Zheng Jianxuan is recognized as a distinguished educator and metal physicist, known for his pioneering work in China’s alloy phase diagram research. He previously served as the vice president of Guangxi University and was the vice chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Political Consultative Conference. Zheng Zhipeng, who has held the position of director at the Institute of High Energy Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and vice president of the Chinese Physical Society, also served as the president of Guangxi University. The video highlighted the remarkable contributions both father and son made in the fields of science and education.

Liu Xiang, a standing committee member and vice president of Guangxi University’s Party Committee, delivered a heartfelt speech during the event. He emphasized that the touching stories of the Zheng family serve as a brilliant example of the spirit of scientists within Guangxi University, a place deeply connected to both Zheng Jianxuan and Zheng Zhipeng, who have served as prominent figures in the university’s leadership. Liu encouraged faculty and students to draw inspiration from these two esteemed leaders, uphold their scientific spirit, and dedicate themselves to research that contributes to the nation’s development and technological advancement.

Li Guoyun, a representative of Zheng Jianxuan’s students and former vice president of Yongjiang University, also shared his reflections on his time at Guangxi University. He recalled how Zheng Jianxuan not only nurtured him academically but also instilled a lasting impact through the spirit of scientific inquiry. Li expressed heartfelt gratitude, noting that it was Zheng’s high standards and generosity that taught him to approach the unknown with a scientific mindset and perseverance in the face of challenges.

During the launch, Li Hongbo, deputy general manager of Guangxi Publishing Media Group, discussed the publication details of “Inheritance.” He stressed that Zheng Jianxuan and Zheng Zhipeng made significant contributions not only to the field of physics but also to the development of Guangxi University. He characterized the book as not just a personal biography, but also an important account of the history of modern education and technological development in China.

Published by the Guangxi Science and Technology Publishing House, “Inheritance” provides insights into the lives and educational journeys of Zheng Jianxuan and Zheng Zhipeng. It focuses on their contributions to the growth of Guangxi University, their dedication to talent cultivation, and their significant influence on educational and technological advancements in the country. The book’s release is set to strengthen the promotion of the Zheng family’s spirit of serving the nation through education and science.

Chinese American Dance Association celebrates National Day

On the afternoon of October 13, the American Chinese Dance Association celebrated the 113th Double Tenth National Day with an exciting dance exhibition at the Los Angeles Chinese American Community Center. The event featured over ten captivating performances, including a harmonica ensemble. To conclude the show, all guests and dancers joined together in singing and dancing to “Love Will Win,” creating a vibrant atmosphere as the audience enthusiastically joined in.

The event kicked off with a dragon dance performance entitled “Dragon’s Blessing from Above,” led by gardening expert Hsu Hsi-sheng, immediately energizing the crowd. Various community dance groups took the stage, showcasing a diverse range of ages among the performers, from children under ten to seniors in their eighties. The repertoire included glamorous pieces like “The Royal Banquet,” lively performances such as “Pomegranate Flowers,” culturally rich displays like “Celebration of Taiwanese Indigenous People,” and the mysterious “Dreaming of Dunhuang.” The audience was captivated, filling the venue and attentively appreciating each dance.

Lai Yang-hsuan, the current president of the American Chinese Dance Association, shared that the association hosts this annual Double Tenth National Day celebration, highlighting the variety of dance styles presented, which encompasses both traditional Chinese folk dances and Western dance forms. This year, they even introduced Spanish dance and kung fu dance. Lai, who has served multiple terms as president, was a dance instructor at the Cultural University in Taiwan for over a decade.

The event also featured a classical Chinese dance piece titled “Clouds Roll and Unroll,” choreographed by Yuan Mei and her sister Yuan Lu, both integral members of the dance association. Yuan Mei, who established the Yuqing Arts Workshop years ago while balancing a media career and a passion for dance choreography and performance, continues to coordinate the association’s dance exhibitions. Despite being in her eighties, she remains spirited and vigorous, matching the energy of younger performers.

Numerous distinguished guests attended the exhibition, including the director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, Chi Chien-yao; the president of the World Journal, Yu Zhiqin; Congresswoman Michelle Steel; the director of the Los Angeles Chinese American Community Center, Chen Ming-yong; former chairman of the Taiwan Association, Chen Bo-yu; and various elected officials from the community.