Month: October 2024

On October 18, a representative from the Huangpu District Talent Office in Shanghai announced the launch of ten major talent service initiatives during the opening ceremony of the third “Menzhi Zhiguang • Huangpu Talent Week.” These initiatives include “Talent Housing Solutions: Worry-Free Living Services,” “Warm Gathering Harbor: Heartfelt Services at Talent Stations,” and “Empowerment Launch: Innovation and Entrepreneurship Services for Talent.”

One of the key projects, the heartfelt services at talent stations, aims to innovate the establishment of talent hubs, fostering a collaborative system for talent services to enhance regional attraction and retention of skilled professionals.

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Services project focuses on building the “Central Science and Technology Innovation Zone,” accelerating the concentration of high-end resources, and forming a grand alliance that encompasses technology investment, achievement transformation, talent services, and innovation support. This initiative will create the “Central Science and Technology Innovation Zone Accelerator,” promote the establishment of platforms for post-doctoral innovation practices, and provide specialized services such as talent recruitment, policy consulting, achievement applications, and project proposals—thus laying a fertile ground for innovation and entrepreneurship among talents.

(Reported by Wang Chun)
Source: Science and Technology Daily 【Edited by Wang Chao】

On October 17, the second annual Hainan International Tropical Food Supply Chain Expo kicked off in Haikou, drawing in visitors eager to explore a vast array of offerings. Spanning approximately 50,000 square meters, the expo features four major pavilions: the International Food and Beverage Pavilion, the Brand Image Pavilion, the Fishery and Frozen Products Pavilion, and the International Catering Ingredients Supply Chain Pavilion.

What’s been the focal point of interest for attendees?

One standout attraction has been the display of Zhanjiang oysters, which captivated many visitors. “I’ve never seen such fresh oysters before,” commented one attendee while admiring the display.

Similarly, coffee lovers were treated to a variety of selections at the expo. A local resident shared, “It’s amazing to have access to such a diverse range of coffee products all in one place!”

Visitors were also drawn to unique products from Russia, showcasing the international aspect of the event. “I was surprised to find these specialty items here,” remarked a curious onlooker.

With a broad representation of the food industry, the expo is designed to cover the entire supply chain of food ingredients. “This is an excellent opportunity for businesses to network and explore new products,” an industry professional suggested while pointing to potential vendors.

Notably, attendees showed great interest in coconut oil, which has gained popularity for its numerous uses. “I’ve always wanted to incorporate more coconut oil into my cooking, and this expo makes it so easy to learn more,” said a visitor as they sampled products.

Innovative technology was also on display, with a home cooking robot attracting significant attention. “This could revolutionize how I prepare meals at home,” a tech enthusiast noted with enthusiasm.

The variety of seafood products available drew in foodies as well. “I’m excited to explore the fresh seafood options here,” said a fish lover, clearly enjoying the plethora of choices.

Overall, the Hainan International Tropical Food Supply Chain Expo has become a hub for food enthusiasts, producers, and businesses, promising to foster connections and highlight the vibrant food culture of the region.

During a press conference held by the Shandong provincial government on October 17, Shiyong, the Deputy Director of Qingdao Customs, shared some insights into the trade activities in Shandong for the first three quarters of this year. He noted a significant shift towards greener exports, with the value of high-energy-consumption and high-emission products declining by 1% compared to last year. In contrast, the export of “new three types” products—identified as a growing segment—increased by 23.1% to reach 8.03 billion yuan (approximately $1.1 billion). Shiyong predicted that the total export value for the year is likely to exceed 10 billion yuan.

Shiyong highlighted the factors driving import demand in Shandong, attributing it to equipment upgrades and the development of high-tech industries. In the first three quarters, imports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment reached 13.66 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 27.4%. General machinery equipment imports also saw a rise, reaching 9.51 billion yuan, up by 21.2%. Furthermore, the growth of cloud computing and artificial intelligence sectors has spurred the import of relevant products, with the import value of automatic data processing devices and their components increasing by 14.6%, including a staggering 12-fold rise in central processing unit parts and a 66.2% increase in storage components.

In terms of major commodity imports, Shiyong reported a nuanced balance in Shandong’s oil and metal ore imports. While the import value of crude oil and refined oil experienced a decline, metal ore imports saw both volume and price increases. Specifically, iron ore imports grew slightly, while copper, aluminum, and nickel ore imports all achieved double-digit growth.

Shiyong noted that in the import structure for Shandong, a substantial 73.4% of rubber, 55.3% of crude oil, 34.7% of refined oil, and 26.7% of coal came from ASEAN countries. Jiang Ming, Deputy Director of Jinan Customs, added that the import of distinctive agricultural products from ASEAN is also on the rise, with coffee, sugar, and nuts imported from the region doubling in growth over the first three quarters. On the flip side, exports to ASEAN have seen a remarkable 39% increase for “new three types” products, with electric vehicle exports growing nearly four-fold.

Electromechanical products continue to be the top export items from Shandong, amounting to 711.7 billion yuan, which constitutes 46.8% of the total export value. Jiang noted that high-end manufacturing sectors are demonstrating strong international competitiveness, as there has been an uptick in both the quantity and price of capital- and technology-intensive products such as automobiles, ships, separation equipment, and central processing components. Collectively, these four categories contributed 2.2 percentage points to the growth of Shandong’s exports.

Overall, the province saw stable growth in trade during the first three quarters, achieving a total import and export value of 2.48 trillion yuan, which marks a 3% increase year-on-year. Exports reached 1.52 trillion yuan, up 6.4%, while imports totaled 963.06 billion yuan, a slight decline of 1.9%.

On October 9, the Chinese American Semiconductor Professionals Association (CASPA) held a pre-conference press gathering in Mountain View, California, ahead of its annual meeting taking place on October 19 at the Santa Clara Convention Center. The theme this year centers around democratizing artificial intelligence (AI). Key figures in attendance included CASPA President and Annual Meeting Dinner Chair Xiao Zhibin, CASPA Vice President and Annual Meeting Chair Wang Ge, Dinner Chair and CASPA Board Volunteer Helen Guan, Arm’s VP Ma Jian, and CASPA Board Member William Kou.

President Xiao expressed his honor in leading such an exceptional organization and his enthusiasm for the collaboration between AI and the semiconductor industry to integrate AI into everyday life for individuals, small businesses, and large corporations alike. He emphasized the need for semiconductor companies, developers, and decision-makers to work together in building a comprehensive ecosystem that fosters a healthy environment for AI development.

Ma Jian highlighted Arm’s pivotal role as a leading global platform in advancing AI, stating that AI is poised to permeate every aspect of human life and that efforts are actively underway to make it accessible to everyone.

The CASPA annual meeting is not limited to the semiconductor sector; it welcomes professionals from various industries, aiming to promote inclusivity while addressing the theme of AI democratization.

Xiao also shed light on the conference’s highlights, including keynote speaker Daniel Armbrust, co-founder of Silicon Catalyst, who focuses on investments and incubation for semiconductor startups. Additionally, Allen Wu, Investment Director at NVIDIA, will moderate a discussion on the latest innovations in AI and semiconductors. Richard Ho, head of chip development at OpenAI, will also participate, sharing insights on the latest advancements in hardware design and methods to reduce costs associated with AI applications.

During the evening gala, Xiao will engage in a fireside chat with Charlie Kawwas, the President of Broadcom, where they will discuss the landscape of AI and semiconductors, along with Broadcom’s vision and breakthroughs in advancing this AI revolution.

On October 15th, during an official visit in Astana, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed Kazakhstan’s willingness to continue serving as a dialogue platform for peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

In discussions with Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan, Tokayev highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, transit transport, cultural exchanges, and digital development. The leaders also exchanged views on various international and regional issues of mutual concern.

“This year marks the 25th anniversary of the friendship and cooperation treaty between Kazakhstan and Armenia,” Tokayev noted. “Our bilateral relationship has established a solid foundation, and we place great importance on our ties with Armenia. We are keen to deepen our collaboration and elevate our relationship to a new level.”

Khachaturyan reciprocated those sentiments, stating that Kazakhstan is a trusted and friendly partner for Armenia. He emphasized the fruitful trade cooperation between the two nations and committed to strengthening mutually beneficial partnerships.

During their talks, both leaders addressed regional security concerns. In this regard, Tokayev reiterated Kazakhstan’s readiness to facilitate the peace negotiation process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, offering the country as a platform for dialogue.

Earlier this year, on May 10-11, based on Kazakhstan’s initiative, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Almaty. Following their discussions, both foreign ministries released a joint statement affirming progress on border delineation efforts and agreements reached, committing to continue deliberating on the terms of a peace agreement and to engage in negotiations on related issues.

In an alarming incident in Times Square earlier this year, over a dozen undocumented immigrants brutally assaulted two police officers, one of whom was of Asian descent. Following multiple arrests by the NYPD, one suspect was apprehended by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on October 16 while being transferred from the city’s Department of Corrections.

Back in January, two officers were attempting to disperse a crowd blocking the road when one individual refused to comply with their orders, triggering a violent clash that left Officer Ben Kurian and Officer Zunxu Tian injured. Subsequent investigations revealed that the suspects were undocumented immigrants with connections to the Venezuelan gang known as “Tren de Aragua.”

Darwin Andres Gomez Izquiel was identified as one of the assailants. He had previously been arrested by the NYPD, only to be detained again by ICE after his release. According to ICE, Izquiel illegally entered the U.S. through Texas in August 2023, bypassing border patrol inspections.

Authorities stated that Izquiel retracted his application to enter the U.S. after receiving an expedited removal order and voluntarily returned to Mexico. However, in October 2023, border patrol agents caught him attempting to re-enter the U.S. once again without inspection. He received a notice to appear in immigration court but was ultimately released. ICE officials noted, “There’s no indication that he adhered to the instructions given.”

Following his arrest by the NYPD, Izquiel was convicted of assaulting an officer. An ICE criminal arrest officer reported that he was immediately taken into custody after his release from city detention. Currently, he is being held pending deportation. Kenneth Genalo, Director of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, emphasized, “Izquiel is a criminal who poses a threat to employees, residents, and businesses in New York City. We will not allow our community to become a sanctuary for non-citizens who disregard the law.”

Previously, ICE had also arrested two other suspects involved in the attack, confirming their affiliation with the Tren de Aragua transnational crime organization. The city’s Department of Corrections stated that they had processed ICE’s detention request according to local laws. Izquiel had been sentenced to 364 days in jail for his assault conviction earlier in July.

On October 14, CNN reported that the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina has arrested a man for threatening to harm federal emergency management officials responding to Hurricane Helene. The 44-year-old suspect, William Parsons, faces charges of “carrying a weapon to intimidate the public.”

Sheriff Jaime Keefer announced the arrest, stating that the local sheriff’s office had received a call on October 12 regarding a man who expressed he “might harm the FEMA personnel” who were in the area conducting disaster relief efforts following the hurricane’s impact.

Authorities received tip-offs later that day regarding Parsons’ vehicle description, which led them to locate him in a car parked outside a grocery store designated as a disaster relief site. Sheriff Keefer reported that when officers arrested Parsons, he was found in possession of a handgun and a rifle.

“In confirming the arrest, we determined that Parsons acted alone,” Keefer added. Following his arrest, Parsons was released after posting a $10,000 bond.

However, the threat has since resulted in the temporary closure of several FEMA offices. Aid efforts in communities affected by Hurricane Helene have also been suspended due to Parsons’ threats.

Rutherford County, located southeast of the severely impacted Asheville area, has experienced deadly flooding and landslides. In total, over 100 individuals have lost their lives in North Carolina due to Hurricane Helene, with thousands more actively engaged in recovery efforts.

On October 14, the State Council Information Office held a press conference to discuss initiatives aimed at enhancing support for businesses.

Wang Jiangping, the Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology, emphasized the long-term national strategy of supporting the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He noted that the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) serves as the comprehensive management department responsible for promoting SMEs under the State Council. The ministry remains committed to the direction of fostering specialized, refined, feature-oriented, and innovative (referred to as “specialized new”) enterprises, nurturing high-quality SMEs through a tiered approach. Currently, there are 141,000 specialized new SMEs and 14,600 “little giant” enterprises in China, playing a crucial role in advancing new industrialization and developing new productivity. Moving forward, the MIIT will work with relevant departments to establish mechanisms that support the growth of specialized new SMEs, creating a comprehensive “selection, nurturing, and strengthening” cultivation system to enhance their high-quality development.

In the realm of technological innovation, the MIIT, in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance, has launched a new round of supportive policies for specialized and new enterprises. This year, over 1,000 key “little giant” enterprises will receive funding from the central government to foster new momentum, tackle cutting-edge technologies, develop innovative products, and strengthen their industrial chain capabilities. Additionally, through targeted refinancing projects, more than 1,100 “little giant” enterprises will be supported in their technological upgrades and equipment renewals. A resource directory for pilot services for SMEs will be published, with priority given to “little giants” involved in major product and process application plans. There will also be initiatives to promote patent commercialization to assist eligible specialized new SMEs with rapid pre-approval and intellectual property rights services.

Regarding digital transformation, the second batch of pilot cities for SME digital transition has recently been selected. The central government has allocated 2.7 billion yuan for these efforts, with local governments contributing over 12 billion yuan. Next year, additional pilot cities will be chosen, aiming to support more than 40,000 SMEs nationwide in their digital transformation efforts.

On the financial support front, the MIIT will collaborate with the China Securities Regulatory Commission to introduce the third batch of specialized new boards in regional equity markets and has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Beijing Stock Exchange to facilitate financing channels for specialized new SMEs. Additionally, in coordination with relevant departments, the MIIT will initiate a nationwide financing promotion campaign for SMEs focused on key industrial chains, ensuring precise alignment between financial institutions and SMEs in these chains.

In terms of service assurances, support will be provided for “little giant” enterprises to establish postdoctoral research stations and grant high-level talents recommendation rights. Pilot projects will facilitate autonomous evaluation of senior professional titles for specialized new SMEs. Local governments will be encouraged to provide specialized support in areas such as talent residency, housing, and education for children of employees in specialized new SMEs. Simultaneously, the MIIT has developed a comprehensive service network for SMEs spanning national, provincial, municipal, and county levels, involving over 1,780 public service institutions to bridge the “last mile” in implementing policies, technology, management, and service resources.

On October 18, a press conference was held in Lhasa to discuss the current status of village work by officials in Tibet. It was revealed that the Tibet Autonomous Region has deployed a total of 275,000 officials to villages, investing over 20 billion yuan in the process. As a result, 5,594 villages continue to benefit from these efforts.

Nan Pei, Deputy Minister of the Organization Department of the Tibet Autonomous Region, emphasized that the region is committed to three key principles: maintaining a consistent approach to village work, ensuring full coverage across all villages and communities, and having work teams stationed directly in these areas. He noted that the deployment rate of work teams from central government units assigned to assist relocated villages has reached 100 percent, as has the deployment rate from city and county levels to key supported towns and villages. Additionally, work team leaders from autonomous region units are fully deployed to support counties that host these key towns.

Tibet provides living subsidies ranging from 70 to 120 yuan per person per day based on the type of village or community. The government also offers pre-departure health checks, provides first aid kits, allocates transportation funds of 50,000 yuan, and ensures a 600,000 yuan group accident insurance policy is in place. Furthermore, policies are adapted according to elevation differences, and measures have been introduced to enhance the living and working conditions for officials, including heating and oxygen supply in work areas, as well as improvements to dining and bathing facilities. A remote medical service project is also being implemented to ensure the overall health of stationed officials.

Wang Guofu, a second-level inspector at the Organization Department, shared that since the arrival of over 22,000 officials in the thirteenth batch, they have prioritized a “Hundred Days of Village Visits and Surveys” initiative. Many officials have opted to forego rest days to remain on duty, visiting 807,000 households and resolving over 18,000 urgent community issues, earning widespread appreciation from local farmers and herders. The stationed officials are focused on revitalizing agricultural and pastoral areas, enhancing agricultural productivity, and increasing farmers’ and herders’ wealth. They have organized labor exports for 144,100 individuals, assisted in the application of 511 industrial projects, secured 210 million yuan in funding, and helped 74 collective village economies turn deficits into profits.

In a recent social media post from prison, renowned rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs extended birthday wishes to his two-year-old daughter. This gesture, seemingly intended to highlight his paternal side, comes amid serious allegations against him, including sexual assault, drugging, and assaulting former partners. Since late last year, Diddy has faced a barrage of accusations, with reports indicating that he may have abused as many as 3,000 individuals—120 of whom have already filed civil lawsuits against him, some of whom were minors at the time of the alleged offenses. Despite the mounting evidence, he has unequivocally denied all charges.

According to a report from AFP, Diddy is currently facing three felony charges related to multiple incidents of sexual abuse against women. These allegations include using threats and violence to coerce women into participating in drug-fueled sex parties. Legal representatives for the victims have urged others who have experienced similar abuses to come forward.

While Diddy’s attempt to connect with his daughter on her birthday gained attention, many social media users expressed their disdain, criticizing him for what they perceive as an attempt to manipulate public perception, taking advantage of his child’s innocence amidst such grave accusations.