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On October 26, 2023, the annual Historical and Cultural Science Popularization Event in Guangzhou’s Liwan District took place at the Cantonese Opera Art Museum. Professor Jiang Yinghe from the History Department of Sun Yat-sen University delivered a lecture titled “The Cultural Functions of the Western Trading Houses in Guangzhou’s Thirteen Factories,” emphasizing the significant historical role of the Thirteen Factories in Sino-foreign cultural exchanges. He described these factories as a microcosm of the blending of Chinese and Western cultures.

The event was organized by the Liwan District Committee’s Publicity Department, the National Archives of Liwan District, the Liwan District Bureau of Culture, Tourism, and Sports, and the New Era Civilization Practice Center of Liwan. In his opening remarks, Jiang clarified that the Thirteen Factories refer not only to the “Thirteen Factory Road” in downtown Guangzhou but represent a vast area of trading houses and a trade system throughout history.

During the Qing Dynasty, Guangzhou’s strategic geographical position and established trading traditions made it the primary destination for Western nations’ trade with China. According to the Qing Dynasty’s foreign affairs regulations, Western merchants were permitted to conduct trade only within designated areas outside the city, along the banks of the Pearl River. As trade progressed and management systems improved, these merchants gradually established their residences along the river, known as “foreign houses” (Western trading houses).

The Thirteen Foreign Houses served as official locations for major Western trading companies and individual merchants engaging in import and export activities, as well as their residences during their trading ventures in Guangzhou.

As trade flourished, the area along the Pearl River transformed into a diverse community, significantly contributing to cultural exchanges, diplomatic interactions, and the spread of religion, establishing the Thirteen Factories as a pivotal venue for cross-cultural dialogue and giving Guangzhou a distinct global flavor.

Jiang noted that the primary function of the Thirteen Foreign Houses was undoubtedly as a site for Sino-Western trade. This area began to emerge in the early 18th century and became more defined after the establishment of the Cohong in 1760. Its evolution reflected both the growth of Guangzhou’s trade and the contest for influence between Chinese and foreign powers.

Notably, the Western trading houses facilitated a variety of cross-cultural exchanges in science, art, and ideas. Jiang highlighted that the Dutch and British East India Companies employed artists to document local flora and fauna, taking these artworks back to their home countries. Additionally, the presence of foreign merchants influenced local culture; for example, banquet practices in the trading houses incorporated Western instruments and music, while the riverside square was transformed into one of China’s earliest Western-style gardens.

Jiang concluded by asserting that the history of Guangzhou’s Thirteen Factories is not only a reflection of the blending of Chinese and Western cultures but also an early embodiment of globalization. Through this trading platform, Guangzhou emerged as one of the centers for foreign trade, providing a unique space and opportunity for the collision and exchange of Sino-Western civilizations.

On October 25, 2024, a specialized conference on the biobased materials industry took place in the Jiangsu Taixing Economic Development Zone. Experts and scholars focused on the biobased materials sector, collaborating on strategies for green transformation and high-quality development.

Dr. Zhu Jin, a researcher at the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, emphasized, “Developing high-value materialization techniques is crucial for carbon reduction.” He pointed out existing challenges with biodegradable polymers, such as regional discrepancies in film degradation and water-blocking performance. He suggested advancing the development of controllable biodegradable materials and high-barrier biodegradable polymers.

Wu Wenping, Chief Scientist for Novo Nordisk Group in the Asia-Pacific region, argued that technological innovation is driving the development of biobased solutions and continually expanding their potential applications. As the demand for biological solutions increases, the market is maturing, and biobased innovation is expected to play a more significant role in future biomanufacturing and sustainable development.

The Taixing Economic Development Zone, a key platform for the city’s biobased materials industry, is one of the earliest fine chemical industrial parks in the country. With an economic output exceeding 120 billion yuan, it has attracted a cluster of high-tech enterprises in the biobased materials sector, including Zhongke Guosheng.

Pan Mingrong, Director of the Taixing Economic Development Zone Administrative Committee, noted, “As the concepts of green, low-carbon, and sustainable development become more ingrained, the applications of biobased materials in new materials and pharmaceutical cosmetics are expanding. The demand for biobased materials as substitutes for fossil resources is steadily increasing, with over 140 large-scale enterprises in the park presenting substantial potential needs. Biobased products can be fully utilized within the zone.” He expressed confidence that, as the biobased materials industry cluster within the park grows, it will integrate and resonate with existing industries, continuously enhancing overall competitiveness.

In recent years, the Taixing Economic Development Zone has established and refined an innovative regional system combining “platform + fund + project.” This ensures active innovation elements and broad development space, empowering the research and industrialization of new biobased technologies and products.

On October 25, Premier Li Qiang chaired a State Council meeting, discussing the current economic landscape and the implementation of a comprehensive set of incremental policies. This meeting followed a recent initiative where State Council leaders conducted field research across various regions to assess the current economic situation and the effectiveness of these policies.

During the meeting, officials emphasized the importance of achieving annual economic and social development goals. They highlighted the need to ensure the effective implementation of these policies, advocate for timely evaluations and optimizations, and enhance counter-cyclical adjustments. The aim is to strengthen macroeconomic controls while focusing on the interaction between policies and market dynamics to incentivize various stakeholders, thereby driving growth and vitality.

In addition, the meeting addressed measures to invigorate the ice and snow economy through the high-quality development of ice and snow sports. It was noted that in recent years, there has been significant progress in promoting ice and snow sports, with a thriving ice and snow tourism industry emerging. The officials called for expanding participation in ice and snow sports, particularly among the youth, and boosting competitive levels in these activities. There’s also a commitment to solidifying the achievements of engaging 300 million people in ice and snow sports through widespread development nationwide.

The plan includes enhancing the entire industrial chain of the ice and snow economy by creating region-specific, distinctive tourism options, innovating ice and snow equipment, and building reputable brands. Furthermore, there is an emphasis on cultivating leading enterprises in the ice and snow sector and specialized small and medium-sized enterprises. Improvements in venue and facility construction, service quality, product variety, and consumer environment for ice and snow activities are also prioritized.

Additionally, the meeting approved the revised draft of the National Natural Science Fund Regulations. Officials underscored the need for strengthening foundational research as a critical pillar for building a technology-driven nation. They advocated for a more strategic, systemic approach to foundational research, including increased support for major original and interdisciplinary projects. The focus is on nurturing young scientific and technical talent to provide robust theoretical foundations and technical sources for achieving high-level technological independence.

The meeting encouraged greater participation from social forces in foundational research and urged enterprises and organizations to collaborate in funding initiatives. The establishment of cooperative mechanisms for technological innovation aims to consolidate efforts in advancing scientific progress. Furthermore, strict governance of the National Natural Science Fund management will ensure transparency and fairness, alongside a strong commitment to maintaining integrity in research practices.

Other matters were also discussed during the meeting.

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】

In 2024, the 20th Central Committee’s Third Plenary Session convened successfully, stating firmly, “We must continue to push reforms forward.” This emphasis on reform resonates as a crucial need for China, positioning reform to play a more prominent role in governance.

One key aspect of this effort is breaking the rigid patterns of fiscal spending and ensuring that funds are allocated effectively. In Anhui, a significant reform initiative has emerged, centered around zero-based budgeting.

The initiative targets ineffective fiscal expenditures, leading to some surprising revelations during a policy assessment. Li Qiuhui, a staff member from the Anhui Provincial Government Office, shared, “After compiling the policy information, we were shocked by the sheer volume; it far exceeded our expectations.” Zuo Zhi, the Deputy Director of the Anhui Provincial Finance Department, noted, “For instance, the 28.5 million yuan allocated for small town construction is based on an old policy from the 1990s. With 104 counties, it’s hard to see any real impact from distributing such a small amount.”

Wu Jinsong, the Secretary of the Anhui Provincial Science and Technology Department, added, “One project can be reported to multiple departments under various names. Some researchers spend more time chasing project approvals than actually conducting research. Although money is being spent, the underlying issues remain unresolved.” The scale of overlapping policies—328 provincial-level policies—proved startling, with many suffering from redundancy and outdated practices.

To combat the dissipation of precious fiscal resources in low-efficiency policies, Anhui began its reformation in 2023. “We had to change our thinking,” emphasized Zuo. “Initially, there wasn’t a complete understanding of the necessity for reform, and that lack of clarity stunted progress.”

However, through various academic workshops and statewide discussions, there was a unification of understanding. The phrase “We don’t need 800 million anymore” was a decisive moment, signaling a critical step toward reform. This led to a large-scale policy cleanup, with Zuo explaining, “Policies without life lead to projects with no benefits, resulting in waste. Funds supporting small towns had to be reclaimed.”

The result was a comprehensive list of policy adjustments: 25 policies were rescinded, 35 reduced, 40 extended, 43 consolidated, and 42 strengthened, reorienting Anhui’s 2023 provincial budget by freeing up 8.58 billion yuan. The old paradigms were being dismantled as Anhui reorganized its strategy, shifting from a scattergun approach to concentrated efforts on major initiatives.

“How do we prioritize? Who decides what’s critical?” The answer wasn’t limited to a specific department; instead, it emerged from sectors like industry, technology, and public welfare—addressing the most urgent needs. This led to the formation of a focused support policy list comprising over 70 items across 14 major categories for 2023.

Li Qiuhui elaborated, “Key initiatives from the provincial government, like supporting the construction of the ‘Silicon Valley’ of technology or major platforms for innovation, represent individual policies.” A dedicated task force was established, moving away from a fragmented approach to a more strategic one, where the emphasis shifted from just seeking funding to seeking viable projects.

The procedural refinements became essential for departmental approvals. He Yi, a project applicant from Anhui’s grain department, indicated, “If our documentation isn’t complete or necessary explanations aren’t satisfactory, our proposal could be rejected.” Zuo further explained, “It’s about avoiding last-minute funding at year-end; by planning ahead, we can allocate money more effectively.”

This proactive planning means that government departments are now compelled to plan projects well in advance. “We’ve transitioned from a reactive state to an actively planned approach,” noted Wu Jinsong.

Reforms have begun to yield visible results. In Bengbu, the long-standing challenge of funding for rural waste management has been addressed through these changes. “Reform does come with a cost,” said Xue Yachao, head of the fiscal bureau in Anhui’s Bengbu Economic Development Zone. “There are no easy tasks, only tasks we choose to tackle.”

Transitioning from disparate efforts to a cohesive strategy, the initial effects of reform are beginning to show. In Hefei, reward funds increased dramatically, transforming recognition into substantial support. “This level of assistance has been immensely beneficial for us,” commented Gao Yuanfeng, the Public Affairs Director at Hefei Visionox Technology Co., Ltd.

The reforms are enhancing funding efficiency. With a focus on major initiatives, the transformation spurred investments, with every 500 billion yuan leveraged resulting in 1.5 trillion yuan for industrial growth. “Funding that was once used for simple subsidies is now blended with private capital for industry investment,” explained Du Rongsheng, Director of the State-Owned Financial Capital Supervision Department of Anhui.

Anhui’s zero-based budgeting reform is showing promising results, as Finance Minister Gu Jianfeng articulates, “Our reform is not merely about splitting a single unit of funding; it aims to stretch every yuan to accomplish tenfold efficiency.”

Long-term planning is vital, as fiscal system reform has always been about systemic reconstruction rather than immediate fixes. Anhui’s zero-based budgeting reform addresses today’s needs while setting sights on future efficacy.

This complex reform touches multiple aspects of government governance, and while the path ahead may be challenging, it highlights the vital role reform and innovation play in driving progress. Only those willing to face challenges head-on, understanding the intricacies of change, will carve out a new path towards high-quality development. As this transformative process unfolds, we eagerly anticipate its outcomes.

So, what exactly is zero-based budgeting reform? Simply put, it involves changing the manner in which fiscal resources are allocated. Traditionally, if a department’s budget from the previous year was 10 million yuan, the new budget would likely increase based on that figure. However, with this reform, that baseline is eliminated. Departments must now justify their budget requests by aligning them with the central government’s priorities and their potential to stimulate industry growth. The finance department will draft budgets according to actual needs, fiscal conditions, and urgency. It’s clear that this reform is sweeping and will disrupt the established power dynamics surrounding budget allocations.

In a recent press conference on October 15, the Deputy Secretary of the Baoshan Municipal Committee and Secretary of the Baoshan Municipal Government Party Leadership Group, Zuo Guang, shared significant developments regarding Baoshan’s strategic positioning as a critical port city. He noted, “In recent years, Baoshan has been pursuing a comprehensive plan for its development as a ‘major port city.’ The coordinated growth of ports, transportation channels, industrial parks, and urban areas is gaining momentum. In 2023, Baoshan’s total foreign trade import-export volume exceeded 10 billion yuan, reaching a historic high.”

Baoshan, located in western Yunnan province and bordering Myanmar, has long served as a vital hub on the ancient Southern Silk Road, making it one of China’s earliest frontiers for opening up to the outside world. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the city’s economy has doubled, surpassing 100 billion yuan, with an average annual growth rate of 8.6%. Additionally, the per capita disposable income for urban and rural residents has increased by an average of 7.6% and 11.2%, respectively.

During the conference, Zuo highlighted Baoshan’s expanding door to the outside world. The city has successfully launched the “Myanmar-Baoshan-Pupiao-Chengdu” combined rail and road transport service. The Hongqiao Port has been included in the provincial initiative for smart port construction, and Baoshan has cultivated the province’s first A-level 5A private logistics enterprise.

“Baoshan is dedicated to innovation in management systems and mechanisms, pioneering the ‘园中园’ (park-in-park) model that alleviates bottlenecks in attracting enterprises, forming industrial chains, and developing parks,” he stated.

Moreover, Baoshan has taken the lead in developing a green silicon photovoltaic front-end industrial chain, which accounted for 25% of the province’s total silicon photovoltaic industry output value in 2023. The world’s largest single multi-crystal silicon project officially commenced production this year, significantly boosting renewable energy generation, with green electricity now comprising 100% of installed capacity.

Baoshan is also refining its focus on local specialty products, successfully establishing renowned brands such as Baoshan small coffee beans, Longling purple skin Dendrobium, Changning black tea, and Teng medicine. Four out of the five counties and districts have earned the title of “Specialty Counties.” The coffee industry has achieved remarkable rankings in terms of premium quality and deep processing, hosting the 2023 International Specialty Coffee Industry Development Conference as well as the main event for the 2024 China Farmers’ Harvest Festival in Yunnan.

Additionally, the influence of the Tengchong Scientists Forum, hosted twice in Tengchong City, is expanding. In 2023, the forum attracted 112 academicians and 47 university presidents, and for the first time, the “Tengchong Science Prize” was awarded. The forum also facilitated 46 collaborative projects and secured 8 billion yuan in investment agreements. Baoshan has made significant breakthroughs in key core technologies in areas such as green silicon and biomanufacturing, with the output value of high-tech enterprises now accounting for 27.3% of the total gross production value. The intensity of R&D investment in Baoshan has also risen to the highest level in the province.

The Fourth International Academic Symposium on “Bronze Metallurgy and Xia-Shang Civilization,” part of the “Xiyin Forum,” kicked off on October 14th in Xia County, Shanxi Province—often regarded as the birthplace of Chinese archaeology. This event gathered over 40 experts from renowned institutions, including the British Museum, the French National Academy of Sciences, and universities such as Peking University and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, to discuss the development of ancient metallurgy and its relationship with the Xia and Shang civilizations.

The Xia and Shang periods are pivotal in the development of Chinese civilization and represent a significant theme in archaeology. The Shanxi region, located to the east of the Loess Plateau and west of the Taihang Mountains, serves as a key area for exploring the Xia and Shang cultures. It offers insights into the political geography of these early dynasties and is crucial for understanding the formation and evolution of early states. Numerous archaeological sites, including Duxiaofeng, Yuanqu, Qianzhuang, and Jiuwutou, have begun to outline the foundational landscape for the study of Xia and Shang civilization in Shanxi.

Professor Frederik Rademakers from the British Museum presented a keynote lecture titled “Early Metallurgy in the Nile Valley: Challenges, Opportunities, and New Perspectives.” Meanwhile, Professor Oliver Pryce from the French National Academy discussed “Prehistoric Southwest Silk Road: Ancient Metallurgical Networks in the Southern Himalayas,” and Professor Pira Venunan from the Thailand University of the Arts provided insights into the metallurgy of the Bronze Age in Thailand.

In his presentation, Professor Zhu Fenghan from Peking University’s History Department analyzed archaeological findings to explain the sources of copper for the Shang people, suggesting that the Zhongtiao Mountains might have been a primary source for them. Professor Li Yanxiang from the University of Science and Technology Beijing focused on the survey and study of pre-Qin bronze mining sites, while Professor Chen Jianli from Peking University discussed technological innovations and management models in bronze metallurgy during the pre-Qin period. Additionally, Associate Researcher Nan Pu Heng from the Shanxi Provincial Archaeological Research Institute elaborated on the technological transformations in bronze production during the Spring and Autumn period.

Bai Xuebing, Deputy Director of the Shanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Bureau, announced that in May 2024, a memorandum will be signed among eight archaeological research institutions from within and outside the province to establish a “Southern Shanxi Center for Xia-Shang Civilization Archaeology.” This collaborative effort aims to advance original and frontier archaeological research, striving for impactful results. Since its inception in 2019, the “Xiyin Forum” has hosted four sessions focusing on significant topics such as the 95th anniversary of the Xiyin site and the influence of the Xia period in China, garnering support from the academic community both domestically and internationally.

Lei Xing Shan, Deputy Director of the Xia-Shang Specialized Guidance Committee under the Chinese Archaeological Society, shared that there are plans to launch the “Research Project on the Shangxi Wang Civilization and Shang Dynasty Civilization in Southeast Loess Plateau,” which aims to center on Shanxi. This project seeks to clarify the archaeological chronology and development lineage of artifacts from the Jin and Shanxi areas during the Shang dynasty, fostering research on settlement societies and the progression of civilization, thereby positioning the study of Shanxi’s Xia-Shang culture as an international academic focal point.

Yinka Olatunbosun
ART X Lagos, West Africa’s leading international art fair, returns for its highly anticipated ninth edition fromOctober 31st to November 3rd, 2024. Since its inception in 2016, ART X Lagos has showcased artists from over 70 countries, establishing itself as the leading hub for African and diaspora creatives. This year, the fair will continue its tradition of highlighting African art, culture and community, while fostering critical conversations on the social and political transformations shaping the continent.
The fair will take place from October 31st to November 3rd at The Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Expectedly, the private Collectors’ Preview will be held on Thursday, October 31st, followed by the VIP Preview on Friday, November 1st. The fair will be open to the public on Saturday, November 2nd and Sunday, November 3rd, 2024, while virtual audiences can also engage with the fair on Artsy.net.
Against a backdrop of challenges being experienced in Nigeria, with political and socio-economic difficulties across Africa and further afield, this year’s theme will explore, ‘Promised Lands’, highlighting places — real and imagined –that offer hope and a vision of greater freedoms towards prompting a critical examination of where Africa and its diaspora aspire to go.
Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, Founder of ART X Lagos, remarks: “We are thrilled to present an exceptional lineup of artists, exhibitions and galleries for our ninth edition, representing the diverse and dynamic voices emerging from all corners of Africa and the diaspora. ‘Promised Lands’ is a theme that resonates deeply with our collective journey—reflecting on where we are and envisioning where we aspire to be. It was crucial for us to create a platform that not only anchors the African art movement but also drives meaningful conversations about the social, political and cultural landscapes of our continent. We remain dedicated to creating an absolutely cannot-miss experience for our artists, cultural partners, gallerists, collectors and visitors from Africa, and around the world.”
With a diverse selection of curated galleries, thought-provoking exhibitions and special projects, dynamic live performances and insightful discussions, the fair continues to push boundaries and foster cross-cultural dialogue. Below are some of the key highlights:
ART X Lagos 2024 will feature 10 specially curated galleries from cities like Lagos, Harare, Accra and London, showcasing a diverse mix of emerging and established artists from across Africa and its diaspora. The galleries will present a cross-section of artists making unique contributions to the visual arts ecosystem, reinforcing ART X Lagos’ mission to promote artistic excellence and cross-cultural collaboration. The 2024 galleries include: Afriart Gallery (Uganda), Alexis Gallery (Nigeria), Galerie MAM (Cameroon), Gallery 1957 (Ghana), Affinity Art Gallery (Nigeria), Kanbi Projects (UK), kó (Nigeria), Nike Art Gallery (Nigeria), ODA Art Gallery (Nigeria) and Tiwani Contemporary (UK).
The Speakers’ Corner: The Crossroads is a participatory experience that seeks to invite attendees to reflect on Nigeria’s current challenges, creating a collective tapestry of shared voices and hopes. Curated by Papa Omotayo in collaboration with Haily Grenet, Fikayo Adebajo, and Dike Anthony, this space invites meaningful engagement on pivotal societal questions. The Mark-Makers: Unsung Pioneers exhibition honours extraordinary individuals who redefined what was possible for Africans in science, art, and social activism. Through their legacy, we are reminded that greatness stems from courage, collaboration, and the audacity to challenge the status quo. This exhibition was curated by Missla Libsekal, Fikayo Adebajo and Haily Grenet, with historical consultancy by Ed Keazor celebrating figures like Jonathan Adagogo Green, August Agboola Browne and Nana Asma’u.
In‘Restless Cities: From Lagos to the World,’ Andrew Dosunmu, the celebrated Lagos-born photographer and filmmaker, presents his first-ever solo exhibition in Africa. This exhibition invites viewers to explore Nigerian cities as living, breathing hubs, mirroring the connections shared in everyday life. Other major exhibitions include Marcellina Akpojotor’stextile art addressing sustainability and Williams Chechet’s Afro-futurist “Breaking Barriers,” both contributing to the fair’s theme of creativity driving social change.
Beyond the visual arts, ART X Live! curated by Lanre Masha and Ayo Lawson,will return with a live music experienceconnecting the dots between Nigeria’s past, present and future sounds. Attendees can expect a concert experience where traditional Fuji music meets contemporary genres and other multi-hyphenate African artists, with creative direction from visual artist Niyi Okeowo and producer Odunsi (The Engine).
ART X Cinema will showcase a selection of 13 films by African and diaspora filmmakers, while the Access ART X Prize 2023 winners, Julius Agbaje (Nigeria Award) and Shabu Mwangi (Africa/Diaspora Award) will host solo exhibitions around the concept of “What May Come”, alongside a retrospective on previous winners of the Prize, curated by Jumoke Sanwo.
In collaboration with Afreximbank, ART X Lagos will also present ‘Art Across Borders:Where to Go,’ an exhibition featuring six mid-career African and Caribbean artists who explore ancestral connections and future possibilities, aligning with the fair’s theme of ‘Promised Lands.’ Curated by Jumoke Sanwo, this exhibition delves into the African imagination. ART X Talks will further enrich the fair with engaging discussions, including a conversation with filmmaker Andrew Dosunmu, a collaboration with Native on the influence of African music genres on contemporary pop culture, and insights from Ed Keazor and Missla Libsekal, curators of the Mark-Makers exhibition.
Educational and engaging programs such as the Schools’ Programme and the Development Forumwill nurture the next generation of African talent, ensuring that ART X Lagos continues to serve as a platform for creativity, cultural dialogue, and community building across Africa and the diaspora.
ART X Lagos has rapidly become a fixture for African art, culture, and creativity. As a key moment on the continent, the fair will continue to redefine held views of the African narrative while also building bridges between local and international audiences and their communities.
Participating galleries at this year’s fair includeAfriart Gallery (Uganda), Alexis Gallery (Nigeria), Galerie MAM (Cameroon), Gallery 1957 (Ghana), Affinity Art Gallery (Nigeria), Kanbi Projects (UK), kó (Nigeria), Nike Art Gallery (Nigeria), ODA Art Gallery (Nigeria) and Tiwani Contemporary (UK)
ART X Lagos was created to showcase and support the breadth of contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora. Founded in 2016 by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, the fair has since become a cornerstone of the African art sector. The first of its kind in West Africa, ART X Lagos goes beyond the traditional bounds of an art fair, and has become renowned for its ambitious programme that includes ART X Cinema, ART X Talks, ART X Live! and specially curated projects which have featured an array of emerging and established artists from over 70 countries across the continent and diaspora.

UC San Diego has added an innovative prerequisite to ‘prepare students for the future they really will encounter’
Katharine GammonTue 15 Oct 2024 08.00 EDTLast modified on Tue 15 Oct 2024 10.25 EDTShareMelani Callicott, a human biology major at the University of California, San Diego, thinks about the climate crisis all the time. She discusses it with family and friends because of the intensity of hurricanes like Milton and Helene, which have ravaged the southern US, she says. “It just seems like it’s affecting more people every day.”
That’s one reason why she is glad that UC San Diego has implemented an innovative graduation requirement for students starting this autumn: a course in climate change. Courses must cover at least 30% climate-related content and address two of four areas, including scientific foundations, human impacts, mitigation strategies and project-based learning. About 7,000 students from the class of 2028 will be affected this year.
“The most important thing is that UC San Diego wants to make sure we’re preparing students for the future that they really will encounter,” says Sarah Gille, a physical oceanographer at Scripps Institution of Oceanography who was part of the committee to create the new plan.
The requirement won’t add any time to a student’s graduation schedule – it’s designed to be integrated into existing classwork. Forty one-quarter courses meet the goal, including “The Astronomy of Climate Change”, “Gender and Climate Justice”, “Indigenous Approaches to Climate Change” and “Environmentalism in Arts and Media”. Many of the classes that fall under the climate requirement overlap with courses that focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, the school says.
Gille says students are positive about the requirement, which aims to prepare them for future climate-related policies and career opportunities.
“We’re acutely aware as a society of how the climate is changing and how scary that can be, and that probably means that we need to implement some changes in how we do things,” says Gille. “If they’re thinking about the future, they need to be prepared for what the future might bring.” That could mean new opportunities in climate-adjacent fields such as carbon accounting or civil engineering with a climate focus.
Gille says she can stand in front of a class and talk about what the world might look like in 50 or 100 years in terms of temperature increase or sea level rise – “a pretty demoralizing lesson” – but when she ties it to strategic decisions students can make about their own lives, and how to pursue opportunities in the future, “it can become an empowering lesson too”.
The move mirrors a larger sentiment in society. According to a Marist poll this year, 85% of gen Z is very or somewhat concerned about the climate crisis. They are more likely to believe the climate crisis is caused “mostly by human activity” than any other generation. And states from California to Connecticut and New Jersey are now requiring that kids learn about the climate crisis in grade school classrooms.
Louisiana’s flagship university lets oil firms influence research – for a priceRead moreArizona State University has also implemented a new sustainability requirement for graduation this year. Universities such as Columbia, Harvard and Stanford are taking the climate focus a step further and have created entire schools devoted to the issue.
Marcello Ametrano, a communications major and marine science minor, says that even as a non-science student, he’s interested in keeping up to date on the latest science. “It’s really opening my eyes to a lot of what’s going on right now, especially with Hurricane Milton, and why it’s so devastating,” he says. Understanding the oceans is key: “The ocean is kind of saving us from it being so much worse, because it absorbs so much carbon dioxide. So it’s really important to understand the ocean because it directly relates to climate change and essentially what’s going on right now in Florida.”
A wider rollout of climate change courses for graduation is possible across the vast, statewide University of California system, but the school is first focusing on its own plan. “The important thing for UC San Diego was to do what made sense for our campus and to see how this requirement is adopted,” Gille says. “If we can do something that’s bigger, we can potentially create a generation of college graduates who are better prepared for the future.”

Geoffrey E. Hinton, often referred to as the “godfather of artificial intelligence,” faced a surprising moment when he received the news that he was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics. At 76 years old, he was staying in a budget hotel in California, which happened to have spotty internet and phone service at the time.

When asked about his reaction to the Nobel announcement, Hinton expressed genuine surprise. During the official press conference conducted via phone, he humorously admitted, “I had an MRI scheduled for today, and I guess I’ll have to cancel that.”

Hinton shares this prestigious accolade with John J. Hopfield from Princeton University, recognizing their groundbreaking contributions that propelled machine learning through artificial neural networks. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences made this announcement on October 8, 2023.

Born in December 1947 in Wimbledon, southwest London, Hinton exhibited an early flair for cross-disciplinary thought. He explored a range of subjects, including natural sciences, art history, philosophy, and experimental psychology, while attending Clifton College and King’s College, Cambridge. In 1978, he earned his Ph.D. in artificial intelligence from the University of Edinburgh and has since held positions at various universities in both the UK and the US. He is also the founder of the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit at University College London.

In 1987, Hinton joined the University of Toronto’s Department of Computer Science, where he has spent the past 37 years. Currently, he holds the title of emeritus professor and serves as the chief scientific advisor at the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Toronto, one of Canada’s premier research institutions. His research delves into how neural networks empower machines to learn, remember, perceive, and manipulate symbols.

Interestingly, Hinton’s personal website at the University of Toronto is minimalistic, featuring a simple layout with a few lines of text and links. He has also stated that he no longer takes on students, postdocs, or visiting scholars.

His contributions to artificial neural networks earned him fellowship in the Royal Society in 1998, and in 2001, he became the inaugural recipient of the Rumelhart Prize in cognitive science. He was later elected as a foreign member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering in 2016.

Before this Nobel recognition, a significant milestone in Hinton’s career occurred in 2018 when he, alongside Yoshua Bengio from Montreal and Yann LeCun from New York University, was awarded the Turing Award—often considered the “Nobel Prize of Computing”—for their groundbreaking work in deep learning.

In 2013, Hinton joined Google after the tech giant acquired the deep neural network startup he co-founded. However, in May 2023, he made the decision to leave the company. After his departure, Hinton voiced his increasing concerns about the potential dangers associated with AI, even admitting to feelings of regret about his contributions. He was quoted by The New York Times saying, “It’s hard to see how to stop bad people from using it (AI) to do bad things.”

Meric Gertler, the President of the University of Toronto, expressed great pride in Hinton’s historic achievements, while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commended him for placing Canada at the forefront of AI technology.

During the Nobel press conference, Hinton reiterated his apprehensions regarding the implications of AI development. As a regular user of ChatGPT, he believes the impact of AI could parallel that of the Industrial Revolution, yet it will primarily enhance capabilities in intellectual rather than physical realms. While he acknowledged the significant productivity boosts that AI brings to various fields, he cautioned against potential adverse effects, expressing hope that “things don’t spin out of control.”

“I would still do the same research under the same circumstances,” Hinton reflected, “but I worry that this might lead to systems that are smarter than us ultimately controlling everything.”