Tag: InternationalNews

Foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Chinese mainland, in actual use, expanded 14.5 percent year on year to 127.69 billion yuan in January, the Ministry of Commerce said Monday. In U.S. dollar terms, the FDI inflow went up 10 percent year on year to 19.02 billion U.S. dollars.

High-tech industries saw a rapid FDI increase of 62.8 percent in January. Specifically, foreign investment in high-tech manufacturing surged 74.5 percent, while that in the high-tech service sector rose 59.6 percent.

In Shenyang, the capital city of Liaoning Province in northeast China, the five millionth car produced by BMW Group’s joint venture in China, BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. (BBA), rolled off the production line on Monday.

The five millionth car is an all-new pure electric BMW i3 eDrive40L, which shows that BMW is ready for the electric era in China’s automotive industry, said Franz Decker, the president and CEO of BBA, in an interview.

The company said BMW sold about 42,000 pure electric vehicles in China in 2022, up 91.6 percent from the previous year.

In south China’s Guangdong Province, ExxonMobil’s mega-investment project in Huizhou made new progress in February as it completed the hoisting of heavy equipment and started the construction of a technology center.

The ExxonMobil Huizhou Ethylene Project, with a total investment of about 10 billion U.S. dollars, has seen the smooth construction of the first-phase project and the preparatory work of the second-phase project.

It is ExxonMobil’s first integrated center of its kind outside the North American headquarters with a pilot plant, product development, and process development, which can serve to meet the growing market and technology needs of the Asia Pacific region, according to Fernando Vallina, chairman of ExxonMobil (China) Investment Co., Ltd.

“We believe that Guangdong has a highly business-friendly environment. The government is very experienced. We will continue investing here with our model. It’s not to build just one plant; it is to build first a complex and then keep on adding faces, keep on investing for many years,” said Vallina.

Data show that the total amount of funds in place for the whole project reached 1.42 billion U.S. dollars, and the accumulative investment in fixed assets reached 17.55 billion yuan (around 2.55 billion U.S. dollars) by the end of 2022.

“China is the biggest market in the world for chemicals. It is the second-largest economy in the world. So it’s a vitally important market for us. We believe that to be successful globally, it’s imperative to be successful in China,” said Vallina.

GE Healthcare China President and CEO Zhang Yihao said the strong resilience and vitality of the Chinese economy and the opportunities for China to further open up at a higher level strengthened the company’s confidence in deep-rooted development in China.

FDI flowing into China’s central region reported a year-on-year expansion of 25.9 percent in January, followed by 21.6 percent in the western region.

Shu Jueting, a spokesperson for the commerce ministry, said on Thursday at a press conference that China will always adhere to open cooperation and provide opportunities for the world through its own development.

Foreign businesses will enjoy more opportunities in China’s enormous markets, institutional opening-up, and deepened international cooperation, Vice Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping has said.

The event was organized by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) with support from 28 media worldwide. HWPL, a South Korea-based international peace NGO affiliated with the UN ECOSOC and the UN DGC, has carried out global peace movements for world peace and cessation of war since its foundation in 2013.

The workshop included the celebration of a publication of “Peace Journalism Studies” which was collaborated by HWPL and international journalists with their expertise and perspective on peace. The topics of the “Peace Journalism Studies” ranged from analyzing conflict situations and peacebuilding efforts with a country case to the role of civil society in bringing social changes through advocacy of peace.

From his congratulatory address, Dr. Salim Khan, director of News & Views Network (NVN) from India said: “Journalists should play important role in spreading the message of love and justice. I expect that this HWPL online event on journalism will bring fresh ideas with regards to the role of media in peacebuilding and raise awareness facilitating the advocacy of peace in the society.”

Mr. Robert Maseka, founder of Rob Youth Foundation from Namibia noted: ”We need to make sure that we promote a global media network that will promote democracy, human rights, and good governance. Through collaboration we are able to give the right information, we can communicate and unite the world.”

After 2 guest speakers’ congratulatory addresses, 3 journalists gave presentations who contributed to the publication of “Peace Journalism Studies.”

Ms. Frieda Sila Kana, the journalist of Digital Media Venture in Papua New Guinea, delivered conflict and violence in Papua New Guinea, saying “Sorcery and Witchcraft Accusations Related Violence is an emerging trend of violence and enemy of peace (in Papua New Guinea). The actions of inflicting pain causing death is barbaric, intense and inhumane that it cannot be ignored.”

Mr. Ihor Shevyrov, the publicity ambassador of HWPL and a journalist from Ukraine, emphasized, “International peace should be built not only by the UN, but also by every country. Democracy, openness and freedom of civil society, the level of protection of the rights and freedoms of every person, as well as peace education and a culture of peace are decisive for building sustainable peace in any country. All these principles are clearly defined in the 10 articles of the founding DPCW Peace Declaration. United Nations needs new peace convention on DPCW.”

Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War(DPCW) is an international peace law drafted by the HWPL International Law Peace Committee, which is comprised of international law experts from 15 different countries. Consisting of 10 articles and 38 clauses, the DPCW, embodies the principles and measures for preventing and resolving conflicts and sustaining a peaceful global society.

Ian Seo, general director of public relations department of HWPL said, “Peace as an institution from people having a mind of peace and various organizations collectively supporting peace and taking actions gradually becomes habits, customs, norms, ideas, laws, and ultimately a culture of peace. The HWPL International Workshop on Peace Journalism: A Road to Institutional Peace for Sustainable Development is appealing to all of you to take the role of media as a messenger of peace to develop it as an identity of individuals and as a global culture.”

In response to the need for strengthening the peace network of the world’s media, HWPL plans to publish Peace Journalism Studies and hold events regularly where journalists can discuss and share opinions to enhance peace journalism.

The full version of “Peace Journalism Studies” can be downloaded on the website: Peace Journalism Studies[ (https://c11.kr/19wr2)->https://seo2id.wixsite.com/pjsworkshop].

Dr. Ronald Adamat, Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Founding Chairman of Volunteer Individuals for Peace (VIP), spearheaded the event.

“We want peace to reign in our country. We want peace to be the language everyone of us will speak and every Filipino and every foreigner will understand. Today, let’s declare peace as a pandemic. Infect people not to rest in peace but to live in peace,” said Dr. Adamat.

Dr. Adamat is the first Filipino recipient of the prestigious Mahatma MK Gandhi Prize for Non-Violent Peace awarded last year in recognition of his contributions to peace-building including the higher education

In attendance also is Chairman Lee Man-hee of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a 92-year old Korean war veteran.

“Peacebuilding in Mindanao after conflict is becoming known worldwide. This is the case of transforming death into life for peace. Starting with Mindanao and the Philippines, when we unite in love, peace will come to our world. For this reason, everyone in the Philippines has to become one and work together as messengers of peace,” said Chairman Lee.

The two peace advocates first met in 2017 during HWPL World Peace Summit held in South Korea. As an expression of their shared commitment to promoting peace, CHED and HWPL signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in 2018 to integrate peace education in the higher education curricula.

The convention commenced with the first Plenary Session followed by parallel sessions in the afternoon. The parallel sessions were conducted separately for five sector groups—lawmakers and non-government organizations, academe and youth, religious and ethnic groups, women, and media. Each session drafted a resolution which contained their solidarity with the organizers’ peace-building efforts.

The five resolutions were consolidated during the second Plenary Session to call for President Bongbong Marcos to proclaim January 24 as ‘National Peace Day’ or “Truce Day”.

The date January 24 was proposed in commemoration of a civilian-led peace agreement signed at General Santos City in 2014 to boost reconciliation among the local communities. It was proposed by Chairman Lee to mediate between the existing conflict in Mindanao at the time. The date was later declared as ‘HWPL Peace Day’ by then Maguindanao governor Toto Mangudadatu in 2015 and BARMM Chief Minister and MILF Chairman Ahod Ebrahim in 2016.

The organizers believe that the declaration of a National Peace Day shall be the mechanism by which every year, peace-related activities are observed and celebrated across the country.

The films, including “Full River Red” and “The Wandering Earth II,” demonstrate to the world the patriotism, collectivism, heroism and national character of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation. During this Spring Festival holiday, they not only enriched people’s spiritual life, but also united people in heart and mind.

During the weeklong Spring Festival holiday, which ended on Friday, China’s movie box office revenue reached nearly 6.76 billion yuan (about 1 billion U.S. dollars), the second-highest gross figures for the holiday to date. The top two earners were the twist-filled hit “Full River Red” and the sci-fi blockbuster “The Wandering Earth II,” which raked in about 2.61 billion yuan and over 2.16 billion yuan, respectively.

Iconic director Zhang Yimou’s suspense comedy “Full River Red” tells a story of eliminating evil to demonstrate loyalty and pursue justice. The drama is based around Yue Fei, a patriotic military commander of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), who fought battles against the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234).

Ye Hang, an associate professor with the Beijing Film Academy, noted that the characters in the film pursue truth, and uphold morality and integrity. The patriotic feelings and majestic momentum contained in the film are very emotional and inspiring, according to Ye, while it reveals the value and meaning of life, sentiments that have been praised by people and passed down through the ages.

“The Wandering Earth II” — a prequel to the 2019 sci-fi blockbuster “The Wandering Earth” — tells the story of mankind building enormous engines to propel Earth to a new solar system as the sun rapidly burns out.

Chen Xuguang, a professor with the School of Arts of Peking University, noted that the “Wandering Earth II” is a complex of “Chinese imagination,” “Chinese thinking” and “Chinese elements,” showing that human beings will never give up their homeland.

Rao Shuguang, president of China Film Critics Association, said that the film conveys messages about caring for the Earth and the homeland, as well as the protection of the family, which are important ideas in China’s traditional culture.

Also making waves is the animated fantasy film “Deep Sea,” which has impressed audiences with its visual effects and has been added to the Generation Lineup of the Berlin Film Festival.

Yi Qiao, CEO of Octmedia and the producer of “Deep Sea,” said the production team spent two years researching and developing “particle ink painting,” combining the traditional ink painting style with advanced three-dimensional technology. The animated movie features strong modern Chinese aesthetics, with unique Chinese characteristics, according to Yi.

“If Chinese animation wants to rise, the key point is innovation, and it is necessary to form its own storytelling style, visual characteristics and technical accumulation. ‘Deep Sea’ is just the beginning, and we still have a long way to go,” Yi said.

The visual spectacles presented by the film were cheered by audience. “The effects are truly breathtaking. It felt like a tour through the colorful, deep blue sea,” said a movie-goer surnamed Su.

At Ankara’s request, a meeting between Türkiye, Sweden and Finland planned for February has been postponed indefinitely, Turkish TV channel TRT Haber reported on Tuesday, citing diplomatic sources.

Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday warned Sweden that it should not expect Ankara’s backing to join the NATO after a copy of the Quran was burned in a Stockholm protest.

“Those who allow such disgraceful acts in front of the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm can’t expect good news from us on NATO membership,” Erdogan said, adding that no individual has the freedom to insult the faith of Muslims or other religions.

The burning of a copy of the Quran on Saturday by Rasmus Paludan, leader of the Danish far-right political party Hard Line, came at a time when Sweden, along with Finland, was seeking Türkiye’s backing to join NATO.

The bid has been blocked by the Turkish government, which accuses Sweden and Finland of supporting the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and Syria’s Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), which Türkiye considers terrorist groups.

Earlier this month, supporters of PKK and YPG hung Erdogan’s effigy by the feet in Stockholm and shared its video footage on social media affiliated with the PKK, the semi-official Anadolu Agency reported.

Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry later condemned this “heinous act” and summoned Sweden’s ambassador to protest the “terror propaganda” against the Turkish president.

On Tuesday, Finland’s Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said that his country might have to reconsider promoting a joint, simultaneous entry of Finland and Sweden into NATO if Sweden’s application is delayed much longer.

Haavisto said that recent protests in Sweden had delayed the processing of the two countries’ NATO applications until at least Türkiye’s parliamentary and presidential elections in mid-May.

“Sweden’s horror scenario will become a reality should Finland decide to go first into NATO. In that case, Sweden would be the only Nordic country that is not a member of NATO. This would leave Sweden in a situation where it has renounced non-alignment, while at the same time being without NATO’s security guarantees,” SVT’s political commentator Mats Knutson said on Tuesday.

Sweden and Finland simultaneously submitted their formal requests to join NATO in May 2022. In June, Türkiye, Sweden and Finland reached a memorandum of understanding (MoU) before Ankara lifted its veto ahead of NATO’s Madrid summit.

In the MoU, Finland and Sweden pledged to support Türkiye’s fight against terrorism, agreeing to address Ankara’s “pending deportation or extradition requests of terror suspects expeditiously and thoroughly.”

The Turkish parliament has not ratified the Nordic countries’ NATO bids yet, arguing that they have yet to meet Türkiye’s request for extraditing anti-Turkish “terrorists,” including members of PKK and YPG.

Zelensky and Niinisto talked about regional security, the issues that directly affect the security of Ukraine and Finland, and bilateral defense cooperation, said a statement on the Ukrainian presidential website.

Zelensky thanked Finland for providing 12 defense assistance packages for Ukraine and helping in restoring Ukraine’s energy sector after the Russian strikes.

The Ukrainian president informed his Finnish counterpart about the current situation at the frontline of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

“We also discussed Finland’s participation in the coalition of countries aimed to provide Ukraine with modern Western tanks,” Zelensky said.

For his part, Niinisto informed that Finland has provided assistance worth almost 600 million euros (about 653 million U.S. dollars) for Ukraine and has sheltered about 50,000 Ukrainian citizens.

During their talks, the parties also touched upon the issues of Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration and exchanged their views on the Ukrainian Peace Formula proposed by Zelensky in November 2022.

Niinisto arrived in Ukraine earlier in the day for his first visit since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The strike, which was called to protest against new price display rules put in place amid rising fuel prices, was originally scheduled to last 60 hours.

The rules required distributors to post the full breakdown of their prices alongside a list of national price averages. The move is designed to increase transparency on prices and reduce price speculation.

But distributors said the new rules cast them as the entities responsible for the recent increase in prices when their fees amount to around 2 percent of the price charged to consumers.

On Monday, during a visit to Algeria aimed at securing new sources of fuel to replace imports from Russia, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the new rules were not aimed at shaming fuel station operators.

After negotiations with government officials last week, the strike was briefly called off and then rescheduled with a shortened duration of 48 hours.

On Tuesday, FAIB, one of the three major trade unions organizing the strike agreed to allow its members to begin operations again after just 24 hours.

But that still left millions of Italian drivers without the means to refuel their vehicles before late Thursday.

Follow skilled craftsmen in China, India and the UK to see the art of silk making.

At the Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and other senior officials welcomed 269 tourists from the Chinese city of Xiamen, who were greeted with flowers and gift bags.

The increase in the number of tourists entering Thailand from China and other countries is a good sign for Thailand’s tourism sector, generating income and creating jobs for the people which contributes to the country’s economic recovery, Anutin said.

A total of 15 flights from China accommodating about 3,465 passengers were expected to arrive in Bangkok on Monday, he said.

The Thai government expects about 300,000 Chinese tourists to visit Thailand in the first three months of this year.

Also on Monday, Anutin said that visitors would not be required to show the evidence of vaccination, but travellers from the countries that require RT-PCR testing on their returns would be required to have health insurance coverage, including COVID-19, before entering Thailand.