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  1. #3226
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by OhOh View Post
    China, having a large population, should give you some idea that they know how to "go wild". As with most females, dressing to attract, is commonplace.

    Large cities obviously have larger numbers of get to know "clubs". Plenty of clubs available where "going wild" is catered for. Although entry to some are at the whim of the doorman. Out in the sticks same as most of Asia.

    Speaking some Chinese, Thai, .... wherever you meet them, is always helps.
    All they do is dress up and then pose for selfies in the middle of the fucking street.

    I normally leave the horn until I'm almost upon them to create a more startled leap.

  2. #3227
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    China-Thailand ties to gain momentum

    ‘Pathetic’ for West to suppress fair competition through ‘Chinese overcapacity:’ Thai banker

    By Chu Daye

    Published: Jun 24, 2024 09:34 PM

    "Editor's Note: China and Thailand share a traditional friendship and have witnessed the bilateral cooperation continuously deepen in recent years. The building of the China-Thailand community with a shared future has maintained strong momentum. As a Thai foreign ministry official announced on Thursday that Thailand is pushing forward with its plan to become a member of the BRICS group of emerging economies as early as October at the bloc's next summit in Russia, Global Times (GT) reporter Chu Daye spoke with Wichai Kinchong Choi (Choi), senior vice president of Thailand's Kasikorn Bank, in a recent exclusive interview to discuss the significance of the move, the current momentum of bilateral cooperation and the potential on the two countries' joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

    Choi also pointed out that the ridiculous hype surrounding China's "overcapacity" by Western politicians is a pathetic move.


    GT: Thailand and Malaysia are applying to join the BRICS. What do you think this will bring to the world?

    Choi: As an important member of ASEAN, Thailand's announcement of its intention to become a member of the BRICS group of emerging economies is of great significance not only to Thailand itself but also to ASEAN as a whole. The ASEAN economy has seen rapid growth in recent years, and its influence has increased gradually. Joining the BRICS is not only conducive to Thailand's economic development but also enables Thailand to play a greater role in the international arena. Thailand's joining of BRICS will certainly provide favorable conditions for further strengthening all-round exchanges and cooperation with BRICS countries and the ASEAN. At present, the Thai government is actively improving Thailand's status in the international arena. As we all know, the Thai economy was founded on two pillars - exports and tourism. As such, Thailand has always been a supporter of multinationalism and free trade. Thailand's eventual accession to the BRICS will strongly boost the in-depth internationalization of trade and economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, and development in the region.

    The active participation of developing countries, such as Malaysia and Thailand, in joining BRICS clearly illustrates several facts: First, countries recognize the economic prowess of BRICS countries, especially China. Second, it can bring access to a huge market and economic interests to BRICS members; last but not least, these developing countries do not recognize "taking sides" and instead, are willing to join a cooperation platform that offers fairness, mutual respect, and opportunity to achieve common development.

    GT: Where do you see the highlights of the joint construction of BRI between China and Thailand this year?

    Choi: China has put forward major steps to support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, including building a multidimensional Belt and Road connectivity network, supporting an open world economy, continuing to advance scientific and technological innovation, and supporting people-to-people exchanges.

    The core of BRI is cooperation and common prosperity and development hand in hand. Through the "Belt and Road Initiative" model, countries along the Belt and Road are open and inclusive in related fields, exchange needed goods, share resources, learn from each other, complement each other, and develop together.


    Another important contribution of the BRI is to further consolidate the global industrial and supply chains. Amid the US crackdown and blockade on China in the scientific and technological fields, China is self-reliant and has created its own high-techs in the fields of new energy, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, the internet, and e-commerce, among others. These high-tech cutting-edge industries are based in China, while the relevant middle- and low-end industries are distributed and produced across ASEAN members. We believe that globally customized production and division of labor are the two predominant features of the development of China's supply chain in the post-epidemic period.


    The Thai government has always supported the BRI because Thailand needs close exchanges and cooperation with countries all over the world, especially China in the field of economic affairs, trade, and culture. A high-quality BRI is exactly what the Thai government expects and needs.

    GT: How do you view the "China overcapacity" argument hyped by Western politicians and media outlets? What is their real motive?

    Choi: The question of whether China is exporting "overcapacity" or not can only be objectively answered after people abandon the Cold War mentality. After 40 years of reform and opening-up, China has gradually established a complete, balanced, flexible, and effective industrial system, and has become the second-largest economy in the world.

    Over the years, through the improvement of scientific and technological research and development capabilities, the continuous improvement of the industrial chain supply chain, coupled with the guidance of the Chinese government's macroeconomic policies, as well as the country's huge and resilient market, Chinese enterprises have developed strong trade competitiveness and industrial advantages. In recent years, based on traditional industries, China has made breakthroughs in various emerging science and technology industries, developed a variety of advanced products, and further improved market competitiveness.

    It is a shame that Western countries should regard the international trade of China's emerging industries with first-mover advantages, such as lithium batteries, electric vehicles (EVs), and photovoltaic products, as exporting "overcapacity"! We must see clearly that China's economy has long been integrated into the global market following China's accession to the WTO.

    Chinese enterprises have achieved near internationalization in their allocation of resources. China's buildup of its economic capacity, which involves a lot of foreign investment, is entirely oriented toward the global market and is designed to meet the needs of global customers. As long as the global demand remains, there will be no so-called market glut. At present, there is a great demand for EVs, green energy products, lithium batteries, and other products in the world market, and the first-mover advantages of Chinese enterprises' early investment in these high-tech and innovative fields endowed their products with great competitiveness, and these high-quality and inexpensive products will certainly be loved by consumers all over the world.

    The West claims that China's new-energy products have flooded the global market, but statistics show that China's new-energy related technology products actually account for a small share of China's exports. We know that China is now the world's largest market for pure electric and hybrid cars, and China's exports as a share of its total production are much lower than those of [international] car producers such as Germany, Japan, and South Korea.

    In recent years, products from China's emerging industries, including EVs, lithium batteries, and green energy, have successfully taken a prominent market position globally and have gained a genuine competitive advantage, which is the result of active innovation and R&D by Chinese enterprises and the control of production costs. Western manufacturers have lost the relevant market, and for that Western governments should have seriously reviewed their industrial development policies. Instead, they blamed China's export "overcapacity," using this as an excuse to suppress fair competition, indulge in trade protectionism, and harm the interests of consumers. It is really pathetic.

    GT: What is the state of Chinese new-energy vehicles in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries? Does the local market feel pressure from "overcapacity"?

    Choi: Most developing countries have completely different views and reactions to the so-called overcapacity narrative made by the West. In recent years, Chinese EVs have become very popular in the Thai market, and sales have increased steadily. Now in the traffic flow shuttling back and forth in downtown Bangkok, we can see many Chinese electric cars.

    The Thai people need a new generation of vehicles that are clean, environmentally friendly, novel, and practical, and they sincerely thank Chinese manufacturers for providing these good products. With the increasing national demand for high-tech products, to promote the high-quality development of the country's economy, the Thai government wisely formulated preferential policies to attract manufacturers from EV, lithium batteries, green energy, and other industries, including China, to invest and set up factories in Thailand, to build Thailand into a high-tech production base and become part of the global industrial chain supply chain, to expand into the global market. In recent years, we are pleased to see that many powerful Chinese manufacturers have taken root in Thailand, producing high-quality products and actively infiltrating overseas markets. Here, we see a typical case of resource sharing, making up for weaknesses and learning from strengths; mutual benefit, cooperation, and common development!


    GT: What do you think of the EU's proposed tariffs on electric cars made in China?

    Choi: China took an active role in EV research and development many years ago, accumulating rich experience in scientific and technological development, production efficiency, and cost management. There is no doubt that governments in the US and the EU have felt a great deal of pressure. The proposed levy of China's EVs is like erecting a wall to guard off free trade. While it may affect the sales of China's EVs in overseas markets in the short term, its long-term effect is puny and it has a lot of counter-effects. The biggest victim would be the EU consumers, who are denied taking advantage of cheap goods to enjoy the new and good products. When China adopts corresponding countermeasures, the result will be mutual harm, greatly undermining the normal development of international trade."

    China-Thailand ties to gain momentum - Global Times
    A tray full of GOLD is not worth a moment in time.

  3. #3228
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Yiwu businesses thrive amid fans' frenzy over Euro 2024 competition

    By Qi Xijia

    Published: Jun 24, 2024 09:37 PM

    "As the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship (Euro 2024) continues to captivate football fans worldwide, businesses in Yiwu, located in East China's Zhejiang Province, known as the world's small commodities hub, are seeing a significant increase in activity. Efficient local customs authorities and thriving e-commerce services are playing a crucial role in ensuring that goods are delivered promptly to fans.

    Wen Congjian, a football jersey seller based in Yiwu, said that Euro 2024, Copa America and upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games are contributing to a significant increase in orders.

    "I have shipped more than 300,000 jerseys so far, and the influx of orders has led to a 30 percent increase in our foreign trade business compared with last year," Wen told the Global Times on Monday.

    As the games continue, Wen constantly gets new orders, especially when a team secures a victory.

    "This month, sales of football socks have doubled from the usual level, with the growth mainly coming from the European market," another Yiwu-based vendor surnamed Zheng said.

    Toys that make noise or emit light, horns, LED foam sticks and hand bells are also popular items for Euro 2024 fans, according to media reports.

    To further streamline clearance processes, Yiwu Customs has established a dedicated window for Euro 2024 merchandise at Yiwu Port, offering tailored guidance to companies dealing with sports equipment. More than 99 percent of export shipments can be cleared within seconds through "one-click" approval, the Global Times learned from Yiwu Customs.

    According to Yiwu Customs data, exports of sports equipment and supplies from Yiwu stood at 4.1 billion yuan ($564.6 million) from January to May, up 44.4 percent year-on-year.

    The booming cross-border e-commerce industry is also an important platform to assist Chinese football goods in reaching overseas markets. To expedite shipping times, AliExpress and Cainiao opened special delivery lines to Europe, allowing for deliveries within five days.

    In May, sales of football-related commodities on AliExpress increased by 80 percent year-on-year, with Spain and France emerging as the top markets. Package volumes headed for Europe tripled year-on-year in May, the Global Times learned from AliExpress on Monday."

    Yiwu businesses thrive amid fans' frenzy over Euro 2024 competition - Global Times

  4. #3229
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by OhOh View Post
    "As the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship (Euro 2024) continues to captivate football fans worldwide, businesses in Yiwu, located in East China's Zhejiang Province, known as the world's small commodities hub, are seeing a significant increase in activity. Efficient local customs authorities and thriving e-commerce services are playing a crucial role in ensuring that goods are delivered promptly to fans.
    It seems only Hoohoo is surprised by the chinkies flogging lots of knock off shirts during the Euros.

    After which they will turn their attention to knocking off the new English, Spanish, Italian club shirts, etc.

    Chinky parasites.

  5. #3230
    Thailand Expat helge's Avatar
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    Free Enterprise

    They are good at it

  6. #3231
    hangin' around cyrille's Avatar
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    It's all bullshit, that replica shirt stuff.

    'Chinkies' ripping off a rip off.

    Good luck to 'em.

  7. #3232
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by cyrille View Post
    It's all bullshit, that replica shirt stuff.

    'Chinkies' ripping off a rip off.

    Good luck to 'em.
    Yeah but you're only saying that because no fucker bothers knocking off your club's shirts because no fucker wants to buy them.


  8. #3233
    Thailand Expat helge's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    no fucker bothers knocking off your club's shirts because no fucker wants to buy them.
    I would

    They say that vertical stripes makes you look slimmer

  9. #3234
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Oh dear, looks like China "accidentally fired a rocket".

    I'm sure Mr. Shithole's minions are busy trying to take down those videos all over the place.




  10. #3235
    Thailand Expat helge's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    I'm sure Mr. Shithole's minions are busy trying to take down those videos all over the place.
    I'm sure that they have learned from Space X and others and will declare the ."accident" according to plan and that they learned a lot from it.


    ( haven't they got some sort of "self destruct thinghy" ?. Looked a bit close to those appartment buildings)

  11. #3236
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    UN Human Rights Council unanimously approves China’s 4th UPR report

    By Liu Xin

    Published: Jul 05, 2024 12:53 PM Updated: Jul 06, 2024 12:20 AM

    "China on Thursday completed its 4th United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, with the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, unanimously approving its report.

    Ambassador Chen Xu, Permanent Representative of China to the UN Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, led the Chinese government delegation to attend the Thursday meeting.

    Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Supreme People's Court, as well as delegates from the Xizang Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Hong Kong, and Macao Special Administrative Regions also attended as members of the Chinese government delegation.

    Ambassador Chen introduced China's stance on suggestions made by other countries during the UPR and highlighted the phased progress of 30 new measures for human rights protection. He further elaborated on China's path, principles, and achievements in human rights development.

    China will uphold people-centered approach, promote new quality productive forces, ensure that the benefits of modernization are more equally distributed among all people, steadily improve the level of human rights protection during the process of Chinese modernization, and continue contributing to the healthy development of the world's human rights cause, Chen said.

    Russia, Venezuela, Uzbekistan, Gambia, Vietnam, and many other countries at the meeting positively assessed China's efforts and achievements in human rights development. They praised China for its open and candid participation in the fourth round of the UPR and affirmed China's acceptance of the majority of recommendations based on its national conditions and the will of its people. They also supported the Council's approval of China's participation in the UPR report.

    After the Human Rights Council approved China's report, the venue resounded with warm applause, and many representatives from other countries congratulated the Chinese delegation.

    Ambassador Chen said that the vast majority of countries and organizations reviewed China's report based on the principles of fairness, objectivity, non-selectivity, non-confrontation, and non-politicization and made constructive comments.

    China's participation in this round of the UPR has strengthened its exchanges and mutual learning with various countries on the paths and concepts of human rights, Chen said, noting that there is no universally applicable model for human rights protection worldwide and the paths chosen independently by countries in their human rights development are not about superiority or inferiority, but about distinctive features.

    Ambassador Chen noted that China firmly opposes the politicization, instrumentalization, and weaponization of human rights issues, and firmly opposes using human rights issues as an excuse to interfere in China's internal affairs. China will continue to resolutely follow its own path of human rights development, promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese modernization.

    The UPR is an important platform within the UN framework for countries to engage in equal and candid exchanges on human rights issues, promoting constructive dialogue and cooperation. China previously participated in the first three rounds of reviews in 2009, 2013, and 2018.

    In January this year, the Chinese government delegation attended the fourth round of the UPR meeting and engaged in constructive dialogue with representatives from various countries in an open and candid manner. More than 120 countries praised China's progress in human rights and fully affirmed China's unremitting efforts in promoting and protecting human rights"

    UN Human Rights Council unanimously approves China’s 4th UPR report - Global Times

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    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    14m trips made by foreign tourists in China in first half; growing appeal dispels erroneous Western portrayals

    By GT staff reporters

    Published: Jul 05, 2024 10:24 PM Updated: Jul 05, 2024 11:17 PM

    "Inbound travel to China has surged in the first half of 2024, driven by the benefits of an expanding visa-free policy for travelers from foreign countries.
    Observers said the growing appeal of China as a tourism, business, and exchange destination has exposed international travelers to the authentic contemporary Chinese lifestyle, dispelling the erroneous portrayals by certain Western media outlets that depict China as an isolated nation.

    China's welcoming and inclusive gesture to international tourists stands in stark contrast to the actions of certain Western countries like the US, which often talk about freedom but are seen to consistently promote camp confrontation and decoupling, observers said.

    In the first half of the year, 14.635 million foreign national entries to China through various ports were recorded, a year-on-year increase of 152.7 percent, according to data released by the National Immigration Administration (NIA) on Friday.

    Among them, 8.542 million entries were made under the visa-free policy, accounting for 52 percent, a year-on-year increase of 190.1 percent. The administration predicts that foreigners' enthusiasm for coming to China in the second half of this year will continue to rise.

    China has successively implemented unilateral visa-free policies for 15 countries including France, Germany, and Australia since last year, Lin Yongsheng, a spokesperson of the administration told the press conference.

    Nationals from these countries holding ordinary passports can enter China for business, tourism, visiting relatives, and transit without a visa for up to 15 days. Additionally, China has reached mutual visa exemption with another seven countries including Singapore and Thailand.

    The implementation of these policies has played a positive role in enhancing mutual trust between countries, promoting economic and trade exchanges, and facilitating personnel exchanges, Lin said.

    Data released by Ctrip on Friday shows that the visa-free transit policy continues to drive growth in inbound tourism. In the second quarter of 2024, inbound tourism orders to China from overseas travelers from 54 countries enjoying the 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy increased by 28 percent compared with the first quarter.

    Among them, there are more tourists from countries such as South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Australia, the UK, the US, Russia, Germany, Spain, and France. Among the main inbound tourism countries, Greece, Brazil, Hungary, Russia, and Canada saw higher increases compared with the first quarter, data from Ctrip showed.

    American vlogger Paul Mike Ashton, known as "Bao Bao Xiong" in Chinese, who lives in Shanghai, recently shot to fame on Chinese social media and even attracted the interest of celebrities with his "city or not city" travel meme - a Chinese-English catchphrase that asks whether a place has the atmosphere of a big city or an activity is stylish.

    Ashton went viral with a vlog during his visit to the Great Wall in Beijing in May with his sister, garnering hundreds of thousands of likes on different social media platforms.

    Many other elements of contemporary Chinese lifestyle have exceeded the previous understanding of China by most foreign tourists, such as Northeast China's Guobaorou (fried pork), the orderly subway systems, mobile payments and ubiquitous delivery robots.

    When foreign tourists can easily enter China and genuinely immerse themselves in the vibrant, diverse, and multifaceted modern country, they are able to observe a China that starkly contrasts with the portrayal by Western mainstream media. Many foreign tourists find that their concerns prior to visiting China vanish upon experiencing the country. The real China is an open and inclusive country, Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Friday.

    Danny Casale, an animator from the US with millions of followers on social media platforms, previously told the Global Times that the food in Beijing is delicious, especially the dumplings. "And when I walk in Beijing, everyone is very kind and sweet," he said, adding that he will bring more friends to visit the country in the future.

    China's increasing popularity as a destination for tourism, business, and various exchanges contradicts claims by certain Western media outlets that portray China as isolated. In contrast, the facts fly in the face of some Western countries like the US, which often labels itself as freedom-loving but in reality, consistently promotes confrontation and division, Li further said.

    "The governance and environment of China is not decided by certain distorted Western media, narrow-minded thinking, and subjective conjectures imposed on the international public," he said.

    Some forces claiming that the opinions shared by international tourists are no more than propaganda is due to the fact that it has shaken their deeply ingrained political biases. It will take time for them to process and acknowledge the reality that the facts overturned their preconceived notions of China, Miao Lü, secretary general of the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times on Friday."

    14m trips made by foreign tourists in China in first half; growing appeal dispels erroneous Western portrayals - Global Times

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    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    China’s foreign trade in H1 up 6.1%, showing positive momentum of economy, denying ‘decoupling’ noise.


    Better-than-expected performance indicates steady advance of Chinese modernization


    By Liu Yang


    Published: Jul 12, 2024 10:23 PM

    "China set a new record for foreign trade in goods in the first half of 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of 6.1 percent to 21.17 trillion yuan ($2.9 trillion), data released by the General Administration of Customs (GAC) showed on Friday.

    The data was released ahead of the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, which will be held from July 15 to 18 in Beijing. Chinese experts noted that the better-than-expected trade performance indicated that despite geopolitical uncertainties, Chinese modernization is steadily advancing with the continuous improvement in its industrial structure.

    Over the past years, China has continued to open its doors to the world, greatly contributing to the stability of the global industrial chain and supply chain, injecting more growth momentum into the world's economy, analysts said.

    Data also showed that the world increasingly needs China's high value-added products, strongly denying the US-led "decoupling" attempts, they noted.

    According to the GAC, the country's foreign trade for the first time in the same period in history exceeded 21 trillion yuan. Moreover, the growth rate of the country's foreign trade accelerated quarter by quarter, growing 7.4 percent in the second quarter, 2.5 percentage points higher than the first quarter and 5.7 percentage points higher than the fourth quarter of last year.

    In June, the country reported a 5.8 percent of growth in its foreign trade, continuing to maintain good momentum of stable development, according to the GAC.

    "The data not only showed the steady growth of China's foreign trade, but also reflected the country's resilience and adaptability against global economic fluctuations," Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Friday.

    Moreover, the better-than-expected performance showed that Chinese modernization is steadily advancing, and the country's products have become more competitive in the global market thanks to its industrial upgrading, said Tian Yun, a veteran economist based in Beijing.

    "Boosted by foreign trade, the country's economic growth in the first six months will reach about 5 percent," Tian said, predicting that the total value of China's imports and exports for the whole year will also set a new high.

    Exports of China-made electromechanical products have become one of the highlights of the country's foreign trade from January to June. The GAC said that during the period, China's exports of electromechanical products reached 7.14 trillion yuan, an increase of 8.2 percent, accounting for 58.9 percent of the total value of exports.

    Among them, exports of automatic data-processing equipment and its parts and components totaled 683.77 billion yuan, representing an increase of 10.3 percent. Exports of integrated circuits rose 25.6 percent to 542.74 billion yuan, and exports of automobiles stood at 391.76 billion yuan, soaring 22.2 percent compared with the same period last year.

    Wang noted that the significant growth of electromechanical product exports is further proof of China's solid position in the global industrial chain, especially in the field of high-tech products.

    "Behind this growth are the nation's continued efforts in scientific and technological innovation, industrial upgrading and brand building," Wang said.

    Exports in both the electronic information industry and automobile and ship manufacturing saw strong increases in the first six months, further confirming that China's industrial upgrading is progressing smoothly, and its competitiveness in the emerging industries continues to strengthen, Tian told the Global Times on Friday.

    Moreover, the fact that China's share of trade in services and goods in the world is still growing shows that the country has not been affected by the "decoupling" efforts of the US and some Western countries, Tian noted.

    As the country's exports in June recorded an 8.6 percent growth from a year earlier in dollar terms, some foreign media outlets reported that China's trade surplus soared to the highest since at least 1990 in June, alleging that the increase in manufacturing and shipments and the increasingly unbalanced nature of Chinese trade has rung alarm bells around the world.

    Tian blasted the above-mentioned remarks, noting that the allegation reflects the concern of some countries that China's high value-added products will have an impact on local enterprises when they enter their markets.

    "The excellent performance of China's exports was based on the competitiveness of domestic industries and the recognition of international markets. The popularity of Chinese products in the global market is due to their advantages of cost-effectiveness and reliable quality. Protectionist practices will only undermine the fairness and transparency of international trade," Wang noted.

    The Chinese government has been strengthening its support and services for its opening-up policy, providing both domestic and foreign-funded enterprises with a broader space for development and a fairer competitive environment.

    Four Chinese government departments including the Ministry of Commerce and the People's Bank of China on Friday jointly issued opinions on strengthening the coordination of commerce and finance to support the high-quality development of cross-border trade and investment.

    The opinions cover 11 measures including optimizing comprehensive financial services for foreign trade, facilitating the development of cross-border trade and investment, and optimizing the payment and settlement environment."

    China’s foreign trade in H1 up 6.1%, showing positive momentum of economy, denying ‘decoupling’ noise - Global Times

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    IMF raises GDP growth forecast for China in show of growing confidence

    By Wang Cong and Zhang Yiyi

    Published: Jul 17, 2024 01:01 AM

    "The IMF on Tuesday raised China’s GDP growth forecast for 2024 to 5 percent in its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO), pointing to a steady rebound in domestic consumption and a surge in exports. The move also indicates growing global confidence in the outlook for the world’s second-largest economy.

    Coming a day after China reported robust 5 percent GDP growth for the first half of 2024, the IMF’s upward revision of its forecast showed improving expectations for a stable and sound rebound in the Chinese economy, despite lingering challenges, experts said. And expectations will likely further improve as the ongoing third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China is expected to map out reforms that will propel China’s high-quality development, they noted.

    In its WEO update for July, the IMF projected China’s GDP will grow by 5 percent in 2024, which represents an upward revision of 0.4 percentage points compared with the April WEO report.

    “In China, resurgent domestic consumption propelled the positive upside in the first quarter, aided by what looked to be a temporary surge in exports belatedly reconnecting with last year’s rise in global demand,” the WEO said.
    The revised projection is also in line with a 5 percent growth forecast announced by IMF officials in May, as well as China’s growth target of around 5 percent for 2024.

    “For the outlook in the second half, both domestic and international views are very confident about 5 percent growth. This is also what the IMF’s assessment is based on,” Bian Yongzu, executive deputy editor-in-chief of Modernization of Management magazine, told the Global Times on Tuesday, noting that the IMF’s latest revision is more accurate than its previous projection given recent economic data from China.

    The IMF’s move came just a day after Chinese official data showed on Monday that China’s GDP expanded by 5 percent in the first half of 2024 to 61.68 trillion yuan ($8.49 trillion), thanks to robust 5.3 percent growth in the first quarter and a slightly lower growth rate of 4.7 percent in the second quarter.

    Notably, even as the IMF raised China’s growth forecast, it left its projections for 3.2 percent global growth unchanged, while noting that the global economy is “in a sticky spot.” It also painted a gloomier outlook for major economies, including the US. In the US, “after a sustained period of strong outperformance, a sharper-than-expected slowdown in growth reflected moderating consumption and a negative contribution from net trade,” the IMF said.

    The contrast also showed that China’s 5 percent growth is hard-won given the persistent challenges in the global economy as a whole, experts said. Robust growth in exports, rising 6.9 percent year-on-year in the first half, were a highlight in China’s economic recovery during the period, they noted.

    “The external environment was not so peaceful and there is growing trade protectionism. However, China’s foreign trade achieved a relatively good result, which is directly linked to China’s economic competitiveness. And this is also a source of growing confidence in China’s economy,” Bian said.

    Bian further noted that many people are expecting more proactive economic policies and reform measures from the ongoing third plenary session.

    The session, which kicked off on Monday and will run through Thursday, plays a critical role in China's reform and opening-up and is expected to focus on further deepening reform and expanding high-level opening-up, in order to promote high-quality development and advance Chinese modernization."

    IMF raises GDP growth forecast for China in show of growing confidence - Global Times

    Different strokes from different folks.

  16. #3241
    hangin' around cyrille's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    Yeah but you're only saying that because no fucker bothers knocking off your club's shirts because no fucker wants to buy them.

    Type 'West Bromwich' into 'Lazada' and 'Shopee' dickhead.



    The range may be more limited now we've got rid of our Chinese owner, though.
    Last edited by cyrille; 17-07-2024 at 01:24 PM.

  17. #3242
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Foreign Ministry Spokesperson’s Remarks on China Reaching Provisional Arrangement with the Philippines on Managing the Situation at Ren’ai Jiao

    By Xinhua
    Published: Jul 22, 2024 12:48 AM

    Q: Have China and the Philippines reached an understanding on managing the situation at Ren'ai Jiao?

    A: I need to stress first and foremost that Ren'ai Jiao is part of China's Nansha Qundao and China has sovereignty over Ren'ai Jiao and the rest of Nansha Qundao as well as their adjacent waters. On how to handle the current situation at Ren'ai Jiao, China has publicly stated our principled position which consists of three points:

    First, by keeping its warship grounded at Ren'ai Jiao for decades running, the Philippines has been violating China's sovereignty and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), especially Article 5 which says the parties should refrain from action of inhabiting on the uninhabited islands and reefs. We continue to demand that the Philippines tow away the warship and restore Ren'ai Jiao's state of hosting no personnel or facilities.

    Second, between now and when the warship is towed away, should the Philippines need to send living necessities to the personnel living on the warship, China is willing to allow it in a humanitarian spirit if the Philippines informs China in advance and after on-site verification is conducted. China will monitor the entire resupply process.

    Third, if the Philippines were to send large amount of construction materials to the warship and attempt to build fixed facilities or permanent outpost, China will absolutely not accept it and will resolutely stop it in accordance with the law and regulations to uphold China's sovereignty and the sanctity of the DOC.

    On the basis of the above principled position, China recently had a series of consultation with the Philippines on managing the situation at Ren'ai Jiao and reached provisional arrangement with the Philippines on humanitarian resupply of living necessities.

    The two sides agreed to jointly manage differences on maritime issues and work for deescalation in the South China Sea."


    Foreign Ministry Spokesperson’s Remarks on China Reaching Provisional Arrangement with the Philippines on Managing the Situation at Ren’ai Jiao - Global Times

    Link to the agreed declaration.

    DECLARATION ON THE CONDUCT OF PARTIES IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA
    May 14, 2012

    You are being redirected...


    One presumes NaGaStan will inform Philippines government of their decision and forward the official Philippines government reply, in due time.
    Last edited by OhOh; 22-07-2024 at 02:57 PM.

  18. #3243
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Does this mean the chinkies are going stop being aggressive wankers to their neighbours?

    Of course not, it's all just chinky bullshit.

  19. #3244
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    China to raise retirement age as population gets older

    China will gradually raise its statutory retirement age in the next five years to try to cope with its ageing population and buckling pension system.
    Life expectancy in the country has now risen above the United States, to 78 years, from just 36 years at the time of the Communist revolution in 1949.
    But China's retirement age remains one of the lowest in the world - at 60 for men, 55 for women in white-collar jobs and 50 for working-class women.
    The plan to raise retirement ages is part of a series of resolutions adopted last week at a five-yearly top-level Communist party meeting, known as the Third Plenum.

    "In line with the principle of voluntary participation with appropriate flexibility, we will advance reform to gradually raise the statutory retirement age in a prudent and orderly manner," the party's central committee said in a key policy document highlighting the reforms.


    It did not specify how much the age of retirement would be raised and by when, but a China Pension Development Report released at the end of 2023 wrote that "65 years old may be the final result after adjustment".


    The plan has been on the cards for a few years, as China's pension budget dwindles.


    The state-run Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said in 2019 that the country's main state pension fund will run out of money by 2035 - and that was an estimate before the Covid-19 pandemic, which hit China's economy hard.


    At the same time, the country's huge population has fallen for a second consecutive year in 2023 as the birth rate continues to decline.


    The state-run Global Times newspaper quoted demographers in China saying that the plan to raise the age of retirement highlights "voluntariness" and "flexibility", which shows that the authorities acknowledge there is no one-size-fits-all policy when it comes to retirement.


    However the plan has drawn some scepticism on the Chinese internet.


    "Those who wish to retire early are burnt out from their laborious jobs, but those who are in comfortable, lucrative roles will not choose to retire. What kind of jobs will the younger generation end up with?" one user wrote on Weibo, an X-like platform.


    Some said a delayed retirement would only mean delayed access to their pensions. "There is no guarantee that you would still have a job before the statutory retrement age," one user wrote.

    China to raise retirement age in next five years

  20. #3245
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    The state-run Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said in 2019 that the country's main state pension fund will run out of money by 2035 - and that was an estimate before the Covid-19 pandemic, which hit China's economy hard.
    Yeah, but it did kill a lot pensioners, so there's that.

  21. #3246
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    China successfully mediates Palestinian factions to sign ‘historic declaration’ for reconciliation.

    By Yang Sheng

    Published: Jul 23, 2024 11:39 PM

    The View, from China-b5a586c4-6944-4609-8f89-6bfc30d19fa1-jpeg

    "China has made another significant contribution to the peace and stability of a world in turbulence as 14 factions from Palestine, including Fatah and Hamas, with key support from China, reached a historic declaration for nationwide reconciliation in Beijing on Tuesday. Experts said it will be one of key steps for the Palestinian people to achieve their goal of establishing a state and the realization of long-standing peace between Palestine and Israel.


    The same day, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also kicked off his visit to China. At present, the two most serious hot spot issues and conflicts in the world - the Gaza conflict and the Ukraine crisis - are continually causing bloodshed for the local people and adding concerns to achieving global peace and recovery. It seems like China is now becoming a hot place for different countries who are suffering from chaos and wars around the globe to seek peaceful solutions, said some observers.

    The latest and upcoming events on the Palestine issue and the Ukraine crisis prove that China, which always upholds its stance for peace, is not just talking the talk, but is taking concrete actions to contribute to political settlements, despite the US and US-led military alliances like NATO continuing to add uncertainties and obstacles. China will continue with its efforts to ensure that peace processes in different regions of the world can be delivered eventually, said analysts.

    Historic declaration for Palestine

    At the invitation of the Chinese side, high-level representatives of 14 Palestinian factions held a reconciliation dialogue in Beijing from Sunday to Tuesday, and the Palestinian factions inked the Beijing Declaration on ending division and strengthening unity, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

    It is the first time that 14 Palestinian factions have gathered in Beijing for a reconciliation dialogue, bringing precious hope to the suffering Palestinian people.

    The core outcome of the reconciliation dialogue among Palestinian factions held in Beijing is to specify that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is the sole legitimate representative of all the Palestinian people, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday.

    Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at the closing ceremony of the reconciliation dialogue among Palestinian factions. He also witnessed the signing of the declaration on ending division and strengthening unity by 14 Palestinian factions.

    Wang pointed out that only when Palestinian factions speak as one can the voice of justice be loud and clear, and only when they join hands and march forward shoulder to shoulder can they succeed in their national liberation cause.

    Ma Xiaolin, dean of the Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean Rim at Zhejiang International Studies University, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the declaration is absolutely historic, significant and unprecedented. First, in the past, the reconciliation dialogue held by major regional powers in the Middle East was just between Fatah and Hamas, but this time, China gathered together representatives of 14 factions, and this means the declaration has the greatest inclusiveness and legitimacy, and is one that is acceptable to all major political factions within Palestine.

    "Second, it makes the reconciliation process of Palestine no longer merely regional affair, but an issue that matters to international peace under the international watch. Therefore, the declaration is not just a document, but a feasible roadmap with international support and supervision from not only regional major countries but permanent members of the UN Security Council," Ma said.

    Third, specifying that the PLO is the sole legitimate representative of all the Palestinian people means that all other factions, including Hamas and the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine, need to join or reunify with the PLO, so Palestine will be able to have new elections and deal with the outside world as a unified country, and this is important for the future of Palestine-Israel issue, Ma noted.

    According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, diplomatic envoys to China or their representatives from Egypt, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Russia and Turkey as well as representatives from 14 main Palestinian factions attended the closing ceremony.

    Road to peace

    Wang said at the closing ceremony that "To help get out of the current conflict and predicament, China proposes a three-step initiative: The first step is to achieve comprehensive, lasting and sustainable cease-fire in the Gaza Strip as soon as possible, and ensure access to humanitarian aid and rescue on the ground."

    "The second step is to make joint efforts toward post-conflict governance of Gaza under the principle of 'Palestinians governing Palestine.' Gaza is an inseparable, integral part of Palestine."

    "The third step is to help Palestine become a full member state of the UN and get down to implementing the two-state solution," the Chinese foreign minister said.

    Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the Beijing Declaration brings hope for peace in Gaza. Since the outbreak of the ongoing conflict in Gaza on October 7, 2023, people have suffered a lot of casualties, and the international community has been limited in helping end the disaster. Now the reconciliation within Palestine can lay the foundations for effective peace talks between Palestine and Israel.

    Ma echoed that now is the time for Israel and the US to consider how to deal with Palestine as a whole, rather than treating different Palestinian factions separately.

    The US is undergoing domestic turmoil in the wake of US President Joe Biden stepping down from the presidential race and the failed assassination of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

    The international community, including US rivals, competitors and allies, are all very concerned about a potential change in US foreign strategy, and unfortunately, the US is still trying to hype bloc confrontations worldwide, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, experts said.

    Apart from the peace hopes for Palestine, observers expect that top Ukrainian diplomat Kuleba's visit to China will see new achievements that could help bring about a peaceful solution to the Ukraine crisis in the same way representatives from the 14 factions of Palestine achieved in Beijing on Tuesday. They also recalled that China previously successfully mediated the re-establishment of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and are convinced that China will continue to play a significant role to restore peace and stability for the world in turbulence."

    China successfully mediates Palestinian factions to sign ‘historic declaration’ for reconciliation - Global Times
    Last edited by OhOh; 24-07-2024 at 05:26 PM.

  22. #3247
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    So when did the chinkies condemn the Hamas atrocities that started this latest round of carnage?

    Ah. It never happened.

    Terrorist supporting scum then.

  23. #3248
    กงเกวียนกำเกวียน HuangLao's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post

    Terrorist supporting scum then.
    A reference to U.S. maintenance of Israel?

  24. #3249
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by HuangLao View Post
    A reference to U.S. maintenance of Israel?
    I don't think the chinkies support the US do they?

    Are you especially retarded today?

  25. #3250
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    Protest in China's Hunan calls for democracy, end of Xi Jinping's rule

    An unidentified protester slung a banner from a pedestrian footbridge in the central Chinese province of Hunan this week, calling for democratic government, while a loudspeaker blared calls for the ouster of Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping, according to social media footage of the incident.


    The banner bore a series of slogans very similar to the Oct. 13, 2022 Sitong Bridge protest in Beijing by Peng Lifa, who was detained immediately afterwards and hailed as a hero by democracy activists.


    The Hunan banner read: "Equality, not privilege. Freedom, not control. Reforms, not the Cultural Revolution. Elections not leaders."


    "Only when we cease being slaves will we become citizens," read the banner, which appeared on July 30, according to an anonymous citizen journalist.


    Slogans also blared from a loudspeaker, calling for strikes by students and workers.


    "We want democracy! We want to vote! Oust Xi Jinping!" the speaker said.

    People in China frequently challenge those in power, despite pervasive surveillance, a "grid" system of law enforcement at the neighborhood level and a targeted "stability maintenance" system aimed at controlling critics of the ruling Chinese Communist Party before they take action.


    Yet those who take part in public shows of peaceful dissent like the November 2022 “white paper” movement risk detention, imprisonment, and the harassment of their loved ones, even if they are overseas.


    Planting 'seeds'


    The banners were shown in two video clips of 26 seconds each posted to the X account "Mr Li is not your teacher."


    The loudspeaker slogans were clearly audible on both clips.


    According to online accounts, the banners were hung from a pedestrian footbridge on Tianhua Road in Loudi, a city of 3.7 million people in the center of Hunan province just one kilometer (0.62 miles) from the county police department and three kilometers (1.8 miles) from the local Xinhua county seat.


    Some online comments praised the courage of the unknown protesters, while others expressed concerns for their safety, pointing to surveillance cameras at the scene.

    Influential blogger Toronto Square Face commented: "If you protest, the dictator is likely to step down. There will be more and more rebels like this as China's economy declines."


    Japan-based social media commentator Wild Dog, who gave only their online handle for fear of reprisals, said Peng's daring protest had planted "seeds" among the Chinese people.


    "It's a continuation of the Sitong Bridge protest by hero Peng Lifa," Wild Dog said. "The slogans are very similar."


    "I think the seeds were planted back then, and now the flowers are blooming."


    Sitong Bridge


    Paris-based artist and activist Jiang Bu said Peng's protest was just the beginning, echoing calls for peaceful change from former Communist Party ideologue Cai Xia.


    "Everyone saw that banner on Sitong Bridge, and came out of their political hibernation," Jiang said. "Peng's protest and the one in Xinhua will ... make other people think that they could do the same thing."


    Jiang said one of the things that has changed in recent years in China is the growing collaboration between activists in China and those overseas.


    "Such things will continue to happen in future," Jiang said. "Everyone may think that the SkyNet system with its facial recognition [is a barrier] but there is still room for action."


    "Maybe very small acts of resistance will eventually become the straw that breaks the camel's back," he said.

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