上海口岸2024年汽车出口创历史新高
2025-01-16
| Two major automobile export ports in the Chinese metropolis of Shanghai saw record-high exports of over 1.66 million vehicles in 2024, up 26.6 percent year on year, the local customs bureau said on Wednesday.
The Shanghai Haitong International Automotive Terminal is an important port for the overseas business of domestic car manufacturers, and it has had an annual export volume exceeding 1 million vehicles for three consecutive years, according to Shanghai Customs. The Shanghai Nangang port is another important auto import and export hub. The two Shanghai ports epitomized China's booming vehicle exports in 2024. The country's auto exports increased 23 percent year on year to a record high of 6.41 million vehicles last year, according to the General Administration of Customs. Source: Xinhua Editor: Wang Qingchu |
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| 来源: Shanghai Daily |
China pledges efforts to expand opening-up, welcomes foreign investment
中国承诺扩大开放欢迎外资
2025-01-16
| China will roll out more measures to expand opening-up and attract more foreign investment in 2025, according to the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Wednesday.
Efforts will be made to further ease market access, MOC official Li Yongjie told a press conference. She said that after China placed zero restrictions on foreign investment in its manufacturing sector last year, it will advance the opening-up of its services sector this year — particularly pilot programs in the telecommunication, medical care and education fields. On optimizing the country's business environment, Li pledged continuous efforts to promote the Invest in China campaign this year, and improve services for foreign-invested firms. Efforts will be made to resolve problems foreign-invested firms face in qualification licensing, standard setting and government procurement, according to Li. Efforts should also be made to build high-level opening-up platforms that align with high-standard international economic and trade rules, the official said, calling for continued work to improve the quality and efficiency of the country's pilot free trade zones. Source: Xinhua Editor: Wang Qingchu |
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| 来源: Shanghai Daily |
Chinese scientists make progress in lithium metal battery research
中国科学家在锂金属电池研究方面取得进展
2025-01-16
| A Chinese research team has successfully constructed an ideal solid electrolyte interphase on the surface of lithium metal anodes, with their findings published in the academic journal Nature.
This interphase features high electronic insulation, high ionic conductivity, and high chemical stability, thereby enhancing the performance and safety of lithium metal batteries, according to Yan Keyou with South China University of Technology, leader of the research. The achievement is expected to provide new key technologies for the development and manufacturing of next-generation high-performance lithium batteries. It could be used to foster advancements in fields such as new energy vehicles and photovoltaic-storage integration. Lithium metal batteries are considered one of the most promising candidates for next-generation batteries, with the potential to double the energy density of existing lithium-ion batteries. However, current commercial electrolytes fail to form a stable solid electrolyte interphase on the surface of lithium metal anodes, which is incompatible with lithium metal batteries. The team used monoclinic m-Li2ZrF6 nanoparticles as additives to successfully construct a solid electrolyte interphase with excellent electrochemical properties on the surface of lithium metal anodes. This enables lithium metal batteries maintain 80 percent of their capacity after 3,000 cycles at a 2C charging rate, achieving the highest level in the same category. The synthesis process of m-Li2ZrF6 nanoparticles is simple and scalable, providing a solution for the widespread application of lithium metal batteries. |
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| 来源: Shanghai Daily |
Pudong gears up for Chinese New Year: A global shopping haven with festive flair and innovation
浦东为中国新年做准备：充满节日气氛和创新的全球购物天堂
2025-01-15
| Pudong, as an international consumption center that blends international charm with a vibrant local flavor, radiates remarkable vitality.As the calendar turned, the L City Mall in the new area welcomed its first wave of merchants, which was soon followed by the grand openings of 96 Plaza and Expo Place.Complementing the influx of new stores, a medley of celebrations unfolded across Pudong’s shopping haunts to meet the bustling shopping spree of the New Year season.L+ Mall, in collaboration with the Dunhuang Museum, debuted the “Divine Snake Garden.” This exhibition masterfully merges traditional art with Chinese New Year blessings for the Year of the Snake. The first floor showcases the enchanting “Flying Flower Path,” inspired by Dunhuang’s famed flying apsaras, while the fifth floor houses the symbolic “Divine Snake Garden.” A series of engaging activities will continue until February.Shanghai Super Brand Mall has also stepped up, presenting the immersive “Dunhuang Seeking the Sacred” Exhibition and a Russian-themed market. The space has been transformed into a magical winter wonderland, complete with ice-skating and snow-like effects.The New Year Flower Market at Shanghai Expo Culture Park open through February 16. Taikoo Li Qiantan’s “Let’s Cherish Well” combines art, light and music. Bicester Village Shanghai has a lakeside market, and Shanghai Disney Resort is preparing celebrations for the Year of Snake. The festive season has been further adorned by the enchanting “fairy-tale town” at the New Bund Red Lane shopping center and First Yaohan’s exuberant “year-end carnival.”Pudong is also collaborating with Douyin, the Chinese version of the short video app TikTok, and the Pudong Branch of China Construction Bank to promote local food, entertainment and sightseeing gems.The Italian luxury brand Loro Piana is set to hold its first-ever exhibition at the Museum of Art Pudong in the spring of 2025 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the brand’s founding; and the third phase project of Shanghai Florentia Village is ready to go, with construction starting soon.Consumption boostSince last year, Pudong has been steadily enhancing the “trade-in” policy for consumer goods.In the automotive sector, the new area has introduced district-level subsidy policies to spur consumption. From October 1, 2024, individual buyers of new cars in Pudong can get an extra 3,000 yuan (US$409.36) subsidy per vehicle, on top of national and municipal subsidies. By December 12, 2024, all 30,000 subsidy quotas were pre-claimed and used up.About 10 auto-consumption community events were held, enabling consumers to compare car brands, models and performance easily at their doorsteps.Thanks to the combined effect of “activities+policies,” auto consumption has thrived. In October and November 2024, Pudong’s retail sales of auto products above a certain scale reached 5.7 billion yuan and 6.67 billion yuan, respectively.For catering, Pudong earmarked 100 million yuan in district-level fiscal funds to issue “Enjoy Pudong” catering consumption vouchers.Over 165,000 consumption-preferential vouchers were jointly launched with 335 merchants.Welcoming the worldAs a major international entry and exit hub, Shanghai sees 55 million passengers passing through Pudong International Airport annually. With an expanded visa-free zone, the “China Travel” phenomenon is on the rise. Pudong is capitalizing on this trend by creating an international and friendly consumption environment.For payment convenience, Pudong has teamed up with local banks to significantly enhance foreign card acceptance. Currently, the Lujiazui business district has an 87 percent cross-border payment coverage, leading other key city areas.Four Pudong shopping spots — Shanghai IFC Mall, Qiantan Taikoo Li, Shanghai Florentia Village and Bicester Village Shanghai – have been recognized as part of Shanghai’s first 14 “International Friendly Malls.” | |
| 来源: Shanghai Daily |
NASA 确认 2024 年是有记录以来最热的一年
2025-01-15
| Smoke billows from a blaze in Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia, in this undated handout photo released on December 28, 2024.
Earth's average surface temperature in 2024 was the warmest on record, according to an analysis led by NASA scientists. Global temperatures in 2024 were 1.28 degrees Celsius above the agency's 20th-century baseline (1951-1980). The new record comes after 15 consecutive months (June 2023 through August 2024) of monthly temperature records — an unprecedented heat streak, according to NASA. NASA scientists estimated Earth in 2024 was about 1.47 degrees Celsius warmer than the mid-19th century average (1850-1900). For more than half of 2024, average temperatures were more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above the baseline, and the annual average, with mathematical uncertainties, may have exceeded the level for the first time, said NASA. "Once again, the temperature record has been shattered — 2024 was the hottest year since record keeping began in 1880," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "Between record-breaking temperatures and wildfires currently threatening our centers and workforce in California, it has never been more important to understand our changing planet." Scientists attributed the warming trend of recent decades to heat-trapping carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases. In 2022 and 2023, Earth saw record increases in carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels, according to a recent international analysis. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased from pre-industrial levels in the 18th century of approximately 278 parts per million to about 420 parts per million today. |
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| 来源: Shanghai Daily |
中国将7家美国企业列入不可靠实体名单
2025-01-15
| China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Tuesday that seven US companies have been added to the unreliable entity list for selling arms to China's Taiwan region.
The decision was made by the unreliable entity list work mechanism in accordance with laws and regulations, the ministry said, adding that a series of restrictive measures targeting these US companies have also been unveiled. The companies in question are Inter-Coastal Electronics, System Studies & Simulation, IronMountain Solutions, Applied Technologies Group, Axient, Anduril Industries and Maritime Tactical Systems. They are prohibited from engaging in China-related import or export activities, and from making new investments within China, according to the MOC. Senior executives of these companies are banned from entering China, and their existing work permits and residency qualifications in China will be nullified. Additionally, no new permits or qualifications will be issued to these individuals, the MOC said. In response to a media inquiry regarding the addition of the seven companies to the list, an MOC spokesperson said that the United States has recently been engaging in frequent weapon sales to China's Taiwan region, seriously undermining the one-China principle and violating the three joint communiques between China and the United States. The weapon sales have also breached international law and posed a threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the spokesperson said. The seven companies have disregarded China's strong objections by participating in weapon sales and engaging in so-called military technology cooperation, severely undermining China's sovereignty, security and development interests, according to the spokesperson. The MOC stressed that China has always handled issues related to its unreliable entity list with caution, and that the list targets only a handful of foreign entities that jeopardize China's national security. Therefore, law-abiding foreign businesses should have no concerns, the spokesperson said. "The Chinese government continues to welcome enterprises from around the world to invest and operate in China, and is committed to providing a stable, fair and predictable business environment for law-compliant foreign companies." Source: Xinhua Editor: Wang Qingchu |
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| 来源: Shanghai Daily |
美国路易斯安那州报告首例人感染禽流感死亡案例
2025-01-07
| The southern US state of Louisiana on Monday reported the first human death from bird flu in the country, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.
The patient, over age 65 with underlying medical conditions, was exposed to non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds, said the department in a statement. "The Department expresses its deepest condolences to the patient's family and friends as they mourn the loss of their loved one," said the statement. "Due to patient confidentiality and respect for the family, this will be the final update about the patient." "While the current public health risk for the general public remains low, people who work with birds, poultry or cows, or have recreational exposure to them, are at higher risk," the statement said. The person remains the only human case of H5N1 in Louisiana and is one of 60 confirmed virus cases in humans reported around the country as of December 2024, local media reported. None of them have involved human-to-human transmission. The virus can spread from animals to humans "through the air; cows sneeze, and chickens also cough and sneeze, creating airborne virus particles," Dr. Rebecca Christofferson from the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine told local media outlet WBRZ. The risks do not come from cooking raw chicken meat and eggs, and avoiding drinking raw milk and practicing standard personal protective measures could help combat it as well, said Christofferson. When humans contract it, the symptoms are similar to those of the regular flu — sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, fever or chills, headache, fatigue, muscle or body aches, or even diarrhea, said Christofferson. The first human case in the United States was reported in April. |
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| 来源: Shanghai Daily |
China confident in promoting continuous economic recovery in 2025: official
官方：2025中国有信心推进经济持续复苏
2025-01-03
| When setting economic growth targets for 2025, China will consider both needs and possibilities and ensure coherence with medium and long-term planning, an official with the country's top economic planner said on Friday.
A senior National Development and Reform Commission official, Yuan Da, told a press conference that China's economy will face many new difficulties and challenges in 2025. The external environment is becoming more complex and severe, with deepening adverse impacts. However, Yuan believes there are "positive factors." China's economy has a stable foundation, multiple advantages, strong resilience and great potential. Further comprehensive deepening of reforms, development of new quality productive forces, and boosting the domestic circulation of the economy will stimulate the internal momentum of economic development. The effects of policies introduced last year will continue to be evident, and there remains ample space for macro policies this year. Coupled with richer macro-control tools, these can provide strong support for achieving the 2025 economic growth targets, Yuan said. "We are full of confidence in promoting the continuous recovery of the economy in 2025, and also fully confident in completing the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan with high quality," the official said. |
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| 来源: Shanghai Daily |
中国和塞尔维亚：“铁杆朋友”
2025-01-02
| With ancient Orthodox and Catholic churches, mosques and synagogues neighboring each other as living evidence of its multi-ethnic history, the part of the Southeast Europe commonly known as the Balkans truly seems to be a "bridge" between the East and the West, a beloved metaphor illustrative of both its geographical location and various cultural influences over the centuries.
Among all the countries in the region, Serbia has the strongest economy and the largest population (of 6.6 million), but it nonetheless shares the same woes of those in its neighborhood – a shrinking population, brain drain and a relatively high unemployment rate. What couldn't have gone unnoticed in this part of Europe and beyond in the past decade is the increasing presence of China, primarily framed by the Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) and China's Belt and Road Initiative. The interactions between China and CEEC signify a "circumstantial regionalism," in the words of scholar Emilian Kavalski, who has explained that it differs from the traditional modality of regionalization of proximate states by revealing a "mutual commitment and interest in maintaining the interaction for the long term." It might not be a coincidence that the China-CEEC Cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative were introduced shortly after the World Expo in Shanghai in 2010, where China hosted the whole world. This definitely boosted China's confidence and readiness for a new phase of "Going Out." For CEEC, which were still reeling from the debt crisis in Europe around that time, as many observers have noticed, a diversification of partners was a wise move. After all, optimism for a globalized world and its many benefits was still largely held up back then. Serbia undoubtedly stood out in its bilateral cooperation with China on both platforms, which has been marked by constant high-level visits, numerous agreements and a number of high-profile investment projects delivered over the years. Contrary to what the buzzword "steel friendship" or alternatively "traditional friendship" between Serbia and China might conjure in people's minds, as scholar Jelena Gledić has shown, what could be described as a friendship between the two countries is rather nascent. The buzzword itself probably holds a reference only to the steel mill in Smederevo being run by a Chinese company since 2016. Of course, it doesn't disqualify the fact that Chinese people do feel that they share some important historical memories with Serbian people. Memories aside, what has sustained the momentum of bilateral cooperation between Serbia and China, according to Kavalski's theoretical framework, is mutual interest. In this regard, the criticism of China being the largest source of trade deficit of Serbia ignores the fact that while Serbia imported 100 times more goods in value from China than its export to the same country in 2014, it imported only 4 times more in 2023. According to the Statistical Office of Serbia, the country exported 88 times more goods in value to China in 2023 than in 2014, when its exports to the largest Asian economy was merely US$14 million. China, which has become the largest FDI source for Serbia in the past few years, has also been a key job creator for the country. As Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said in 2023, the Smederevo steel mill alone has "secured bread" for 5,000 families. Meanwhile, China has been enabled to demonstrate its world-leading expertise in infrastructure construction through various projects in Serbia ranging from transportation to waste water treatment and more recently also its green technologies. Apart from all that, as is obvious to many, an inalienable factor in forging the "steel link" between Serbia and China is their shared interest in defending their territorial integrity. What makes Chinese cherish their friendship with Serbia is how the Balkan country, despite enormous pressure from its Western partners, still sees China as a pillar in its foreign relations. What makes the pressure seem hysterical sometimes is that Serbia has been keeping up, if not expanding, its relations with Western countries and has never turned away from its EU accession path. Take for example the deal signed between Serbia and the European Union in July 2024 to tap Europe's largest reserve of lithium in western Serbia, which is to be mined by the British-Australian multinational Rio Tinto. Also telltale is the fact that Germany and the EU remain the largest trade partner of Serbia, with the trade volume between the former and Serbia about 40 percent larger than that between China and the Balkan country as of 2023. To provide a footnote to the constant "debt trap" theory about the economic cooperation between Serbia and China, international financial organizations remain the largest creditors to Serbia to this day. Considering Serbia's eventual EU accession, the mutual visa exemption and free trade agreement between Serbia and China might be halted at some point in the future, but the ongoing episode of a special friendship spanning 7,000 kilometers will definitely leave indelible traces in the history of both countries, and their peoples. |
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| 来源: Shanghai Daily |
Suspect in Montenegro shooting dies after attempting suicide
黑山共和国嫌犯试图自杀时被击毙
2025-01-02
| A gunman who killed at least 10 people in a rampage in a small town in Montenegro died from self-inflicted injuries on Thursday after attempting suicide, the country's interior minister, Danilo Saranovic, said.
The gunman, identified by police as Aleksandar Martinovic, 45, attempted suicide near his home in the town of Cetinje after being cornered by police. "When he saw that he was in a hopeless situation, he attempted suicide. He did not succumb to his injuries on the spot, but during the transport to hospital," Saranovic told Montenegro's state broadcaster, RTCG. Saranovic provided no details on the attempted suicide. Martinovic was on the run after opening fire on Wednesday afternoon at a restaurant in Cetinje, a small town located 38 km west of Podgorica, the Montenegrin capital, where he killed four people. The shooter then moved on to three other locations, killing at least six more people, including two children, police said. Four other people suffered life-threatening injuries. Police said Martinovic had a history of illegal weapons possession. Late on Wednesday, police director Lazar Scepanovic said the suspect was thought to have been drinking heavily before the shooting. Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic said there had been a brawl before shots were fired. Police said the shooting was not thought to be connected to organized crime. |
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| 来源: Shanghai Daily |
