Monthly Archive 06/11/2024

In an interview, Sai Huazheng fondly reminisces about how his journey to Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology began with a serendipitous phone call six years ago. “My wife, Fu Rui, and I were still at the Tsinghua University Chemistry lab when we received a call from a recruiter at Inner Mongolia University, inviting us for a discussion,” he recalls.

In 2018, both Sai and Fu were weighing their options. While prestigious research institutions in big cities seemed appealing, they realized that working at Inner Mongolia University could provide them with greater opportunities to make an impact.

Sai, who had earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science two years earlier, recognizes that accepting the job offer from Inner Mongolia marked a pivotal moment in their lives. After making the decision, they traveled to Inner Mongolia for an interview and were welcomed into the faculty. Sai notes, “Before I officially started, my advisor came to the university to discuss my future. He really wanted me to stay in Beijing.”

Reflecting on his transition from Beijing to Inner Mongolia, Sai credits the support from both the university and college for helping him achieve his dreams over the past six years. The fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in 2019 sparked an idea for him to develop fire-resistant materials. Together with his research team, he extracted silicon and aluminum from coal gangue, a solid waste produced during coal mining, to create new fire-retardant materials.

“The construction of Notre-Dame was primarily wooden. If a fire-resistant coating had been applied to such wooden structures, it could have prevented significant damage,” Sai explains.

As a duo of Ph.D. holders, Sai and Fu established a research group together. In addition to teaching, they worked on green and efficient oil-water separation membrane materials derived from common ingredients found in bubble tea and jelly, offering innovative solutions for addressing global marine oil pollution.

Sai emphasizes the urgency of their research: “With the rapid growth of the petrochemical industry and maritime transport, incidents of oil pollution, including marine oil spills, are increasingly frequent. If oil-water mixtures cannot be effectively separated, it leads not only to resource wastage but also to severe environmental pollution. Membrane separation technology is viewed as an efficient, energy-saving, and cost-effective method for differentiating between oil and water.”

Their growing recognition in the academic sphere has been remarkable—Sai was appointed a professor at 33, while Fu became an associate professor at 34. The couple has also welcomed a new chapter in their family life, with their child now in preschool.

As Sai continues to excel in his field, he recently achieved a significant breakthrough in the area of controlled assembly of sub-nanowires, attracting considerable attention within the academic community.

Sub-nanowires (SNWs) are garnering interest due to their intriguing properties, although creating macroscopic functional materials (like aerogels) from them poses substantial challenges. The conventional methods for producing aerogels are incompatible with the properties of SNWs already reported in literature.

To tackle this issue, Professor Sai proposed a novel approach utilizing a high melting point non-polar solvent—cyclohexane—as a medium for freeze-casting SNW aerogels (SNWAs). The resulting SNWAs not only exhibit a wide range of physical and chemical properties but also hold great potential in photoluminescence applications.

Regarding this complex academic challenge, Sai shares, “Since we made our findings public, we have received ongoing media attention, and you are one of the journalists who have followed our story.”

“Looking at the rise of the ‘Global South’ signifies a prominent shift in the world order. The collective modernization of ‘Global South’ countries represents a monumental event in world history, an unprecedented achievement in the evolution of human civilization,” declared President Xi Jinping during an important speech at the BRICS+ Leaders Dialogue held in Kazan, Russia, on October 24.

In his address, President Xi emphasized the era-defining and far-reaching implications of the collective rise of the Global South, outlining a pathway for cooperation and mutual benefit between BRICS nations and the Global South. His remarks painted a grand vision of ‘Global South’ nations moving towards modernization with profound insight and an expansive outlook. Xi presented pragmatic actions and strong initiatives from China, aimed at creating new opportunities for collaboration among the Global South and the world, while strengthening the shared power of the Global South in building a community with a shared future for humanity.

The current landscape reveals that the Global South is growing significantly. As a coalition of emerging market and developing nations, the Global South now accounts for over 40% of the global economy, showcasing a notable enhancement in overall strength and international influence. In both global governance and development prosperity, the Global South deserves a prominent voice.

However, we must also recognize the serious challenges to peace and development in the world today. The gap between the Global North and South continues to widen, and the presence of instability and uncertainty is on the rise. The path to revitalization for the Global South will undoubtedly face obstacles. As the leading faction of the Global South, BRICS countries are tied by natural emotional connections and shared interests, and they must advance together, uphold an independent political stance, and foster the admirable tradition of mutual self-reliance while fulfilling their historical mission for development and justice.

During the BRICS+ Leaders Dialogue, President Xi proposed three key principles: maintaining peace and achieving common security; revitalizing development for universal prosperity; and promoting mutual understanding for a harmonious diversity. He called on all members of the BRICS family to act as stabilizing forces for peace, fundamental allies for shared development, and proponents of civilizational exchange. This array of important proposals aligns closely with the Global Security Initiative, Global Development Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, creating broader space for ‘BRICS cooperation’ and infusing dynamic vigor into the revitalization of the Global South. BRICS countries should leverage the implementation of these three global initiatives as a critical approach to enhance their contributions to global peace, stability, and prosperity. They should strengthen global security governance and explore comprehensive solutions to emerging issues while engaging in and leading reforms in the global economic governance system, placing development at the core of international trade agendas. Moreover, they should enhance communication and dialogue to support each nation’s path to modernization based on its unique conditions.

“Regardless of how the international situation evolves, China remains committed to the Global South,” President Xi affirmed, further underscoring China’s sense of responsibility and dedication to global well-being. From proposing eight initiatives to support Global South collaboration at the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence to announcing ten partner actions for advancing modernization at the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in Beijing, China’s commitment to supporting the modernization efforts of Global South nations has been consistent and concrete. Looking ahead, China aims to support more nations in the Global South to join the BRICS initiative through various means. It also welcomes these nations to seize the opportunities presented by China’s model of modernization to accelerate their development and improve the welfare of their people.

The momentum is unstoppable, and the trend is irreversible. The ‘BRICS cooperation’ is poised to propel significant growth for the Global South, fostering a landscape of peaceful development. BRICS nations must aspire high, break through obstacles, maintain confidence, and take action to promote high-quality development in ‘BRICS cooperation,’ guiding the Global South toward a more open and inclusive partnership. Together, they can protect the shared interests of a broad range of developing countries, pool the tremendous strength of the Global South, and advance the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity.”

In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Finnish President Alexander Stubb highlighted the alarming development of North Korea sending troops to assist Russia in Ukraine, a move that underscores the desperation Russia has faced in its ongoing invasion for the past two and a half years.

Officials from both Ukraine and South Korea have accused North Korea of dispatching thousands of soldiers to support Russian troops in the conflict. South Korean intelligence agencies reported last week that North Korea has sent 1,500 special forces soldiers to the Russian Far East for training, potentially preparing them for deployment in the Ukrainian war.

The Kremlin has declined to comment on whether North Korean soldiers are indeed involved in the Ukraine conflict.

During his visit to Berlin, Stubb remarked, “What we are witnessing is a clear indication of Russia’s desperation. With few global allies left, they are relying on Iran for weapons and now North Korea is sending troops. How much worse can the situation get?”

He also warned that the deployment of North Korean forces could lead to an escalation of conflicts.

Finland became a member of NATO last year, marking a significant shift in its national policy since Russia’s incursion into Ukraine. The border between Finland and Russia stretches over 1,340 kilometers.

Looking ahead, Stubb is set to visit China from October 28 to 31, where he plans to convey to President Xi Jinping that any peace agreement in Ukraine cannot proceed without the involvement of Ukrainian representatives. He will urge China not to provide any support to Russia, particularly in the form of dual-use materials that could be utilized for military purposes.

Black novelists, poets, and playwrights have long been at the forefront of reclaiming their narratives, a theme that perfectly aligns with this year’s Black History Month. To delve deeper into this tradition, we reached out to acclaimed novelist Ben Okri, who reflects on its origins and future directions.

“Defining a people’s past is crucial in shaping their future,” Okri asserts. “The past fundamentally shapes a people’s identity.” It’s no surprise that modern literature frequently revolves around themes of identity. He poses a thought-provoking question: “Can anything be more intolerable than being told you have no history and then having a foreign narrative imposed upon you?” Such sentiments fueled a literary revolt among Black authors.

This year’s Black History Month in the UK celebrates the reclamation of narratives, a practice that dates back to the early writings of ex-slaves in Britain, who sought to regain their dignity. Chinua Achebe’s groundbreaking novel “Things Fall Apart” is highlighted as a pivotal work that began the process of reclaiming a people’s soul, inspired as it was by colonial-era literature that portrayed Africans in a derogatory manner. Okri notes that 20th-century African literature emerged to counter the falsehoods perpetuated about the continent, initially serving as a literature of revolt and restitution.

In his latest work, “The Last Gift of the Master Artists,” Okri reflects on this journey. “In rewriting my novel, I aimed to reclaim the narrative of my people and illustrate their rich history before European contact,” he explains. “The truth often untaught in schools is that Africa had its own civilizations, written languages, art, mythology, and architecture.” He emphasizes how Europe historically dismissed Africa’s past, stripping Black people of their humanity, agency, and reality.

Salman Rushdie famously referred to this movement as “the empire writing back,” where Black writers, including Achebe, Wole Soyinka, and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, challenged the narratives of the colonial experience through their fiction and poetry. However, Okri emphasizes that this endeavor involves more than mere rebuttal. “The colonial endeavor sought to erase the very existence of entire peoples. Writing is a means of affirming their history and reality.”

He elaborates that the fundamental goal of writers documenting the colonial or Black experience is to reclaim their humanity, a thread that connects African literature across centuries. This ongoing quest can be seen in the works of contemporary authors like Andrea Levy, Linton Kwesi Johnson, and Bernardine Evaristo, who manifest this urge in exploring modern narratives.

In the realm of African American literature, a similar reclamation is occurring. Writers like Percival Everett are retelling classic stories from Black perspectives, as seen in his reimagining of “Huckleberry Finn.” Okri views this as an extension of the debate around identity and consciousness within a racially charged society.

The tradition of reclamation spans centuries, from the Old Testament’s retelling of Jewish history to Virgil’s “Aeneid,” which rebuffed the finality of defeat. Okri argues that literature always conveys a particular viewpoint, and the impact of imperial politics is inescapable. “This underscores the need for writers whose histories have been misrepresented to create new aesthetics that showcase the richness of diverse narratives.”

“We must not only write back but also create enduring literature,” Okri insists. He envisions a landscape where counter-classics coexist with established texts, prompting fresh interpretations and insights.

For too long, literature has primarily reflected the experiences of one demographic, but Okri reminds us that the human experience is expansive. Black writers are not solely responding to colonial legacies; many are forging paths of celebration, creativity, and new myth-making. He encourages an appreciation for the broad scope of Black literature—beyond historical narratives—to recognize the vast potential for imaginative storytelling.

This tradition of exploration and creativity, represented by figures like Wole Soyinka and Toni Morrison, has transcended the bounds of reclamation. “Black writers have already ventured into new worlds and stories, shaping the future of literature,” Okri concludes.

“The Last Gift of the Master Artists” by Ben Okri is published by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.

Recently, the NYPD issued a warning to the Chinese community in Sunset Park, particularly targeting elderly women, about the rise in scams orchestrated by a group known as the “Fortune-Offering Gang.” In different time frames and neighborhoods, the tactics used by scammers continue to evolve, creating an ongoing concern for residents.

The 72nd Precinct, which covers the heavily populated Chinese neighborhood in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park, released an announcement urging residents to be cautious of these scammers. According to police, the gang consists of Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking women, typically in their 30s to 40s. They often work in small groups and deceive individuals by claiming they can perform rituals to ward off misfortune and protect their families. The police reported that many Chinese women, particularly the elderly, have fallen victim to this deceit, losing money and jewelry in the process.

Authorities emphasize the importance of not trusting anyone who claims they can magically solve problems or alleviate misfortunes. Residents are advised to never hand over their belongings to strangers. Furthermore, should anyone experience similar incidents, they are encouraged to discuss them with family members and report any scams to the police immediately.

In a related alert, the 120th Precinct, which serves the northern areas of Staten Island with a significant Chinese population, recently warned residents about “donation scams.” Officers advised vigilance if approached on the street by individuals soliciting donations for various organizations, sports teams, schools, or charitable events. Scammers often request payments through apps like Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App, and may ask for the donor’s phone number when entering their information. While the would-be donors are distracted, the fraudsters could swiftly transfer large sums of money from their bank accounts into their own.

The police urge potential donors to never share their phone numbers with strangers, to set transfer limits when using financial apps, and to promptly call 911 if they suspect they have been scammed.

On October 24, 2023, the China Meteorological Administration reported that Typhoon “Tammy,” the 20th typhoon of the year, made landfall around 1 AM local time on the northeastern coast of Luzon in the Philippines. Upon landfall, it possessed maximum sustained winds of 10 levels (25 meters per second), categorizing it as a strong tropical storm. Forecasters anticipate that “Tammy” will move toward the South China Sea, bringing heavy winds and rain to China’s southern coastal areas.

By 8 AM on the same day, “Tammy” had weakened from a strong tropical storm to a tropical storm. The Central Meteorological Station projects that “Tammy” will continue moving westward at a speed of 10 to 15 kilometers per hour. It is expected to enter the eastern part of the South China Sea by the night of October 24, with a gradual increase in intensity, potentially reaching strong tropical storm or typhoon levels (28 to 33 meters per second). By October 28, it is forecasted to shift eastward while gradually weakening.

Simultaneously, a weak cold front is set to affect much of China starting on October 25. As a result of the combined influence of Typhoon “Tammy” and the cold air, strong winds are expected along the southeast coast of China from 2 PM on October 24 to 2 PM on October 25.

Fang Chong, the chief forecaster at the Central Meteorological Station, explained that the low-altitude circulation on the north side of “Tammy” has produced a shift from southeast to northeast winds, leading to significant rainfall along the coast of Zhejiang from the night of October 25 to the early morning of October 26. As “Tammy” approaches, rainfall in Hainan is expected to intensify from October 26 to October 28.

The areas expected to experience heavy to torrential rain from October 24 to 28 include southern Jiangsu, Shanghai, southeastern Anhui, northern and eastern Zhejiang, northeastern Fujian, Taiwan, southwestern Guangdong, southeastern Guangxi, Hainan, and Sansha. Some regions, particularly in eastern Zhejiang, eastern Taiwan, Hainan, and Sansha, may even see extreme rainfall.

Fang also indicated that from October 25 to 28, many regions of China will experience a weak precipitation and cold air event, resulting in temperature drops of 3°C to 6°C across most areas, with localized drops potentially reaching 8°C. The eastern part of the Tibetan Plateau may experience light to moderate snow or sleet, with some areas facing heavy snowfall.

In an exciting development for international defense relations, we spoke with UK Defence Secretary John Healey and his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, about a significant new agreement between Britain and Germany. This “landmark defence agreement,” as described by the UK government, aims to enhance security, investment, and job creation in both nations.

Can you share more about the role of Rheinmetall in this agreement?

Healey highlighted that Rheinmetall, the German defense firm, will establish a new manufacturing facility in the UK to produce artillery gun barrels. “This move is expected to create over 400 jobs,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of local job support.

What collaborative projects are on the horizon for the two countries?

Pistorius revealed plans for Germany and the UK to jointly develop a new long-range missile and advanced drones. “These initiatives underscore our commitment to cooperative defense,” he said, adding that we will also see German maritime surveillance aircraft conducting patrols in the North Atlantic from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, a practice that aligns with NATO’s ongoing operations.

How does this agreement fit within the broader context of UK-Germany relations post-Brexit?

“This agreement is part of a wider strategy to rekindle our ties with key European allies after Brexit,” Healey explained. While the UK already has a defense pact with France through the Lancaster House Treaty, signed in 2010, the signing of this agreement with Germany marks a new chapter.

What does this mean for NATO cooperation?

Pistorius pointed out that the UK and Germany are already key members of NATO, jointly working on projects like new tanks and armored vehicles for the British Army through their partnership, RBSL, which is a collaboration between Rheinmetall and UK’s BAE Systems.

Can you elaborate on the industrial aspect, particularly regarding Sheffield Forgemasters?

Healey shared that the forthcoming factory will not only rejuvenate artillery production in the UK, which ceased over a decade ago, but will also utilize steel produced by Sheffield Forgemasters, recently acquired by the UK Government. “We anticipate the first barrels to be rolling off the production line in 2027,” he added.

What can you tell us about the long-range missile development?

According to Healey, the new long-range missile is set to be more precise and capable of greater distances than existing systems like the UK’s Storm Shadow and Germany’s Taurus. Interestingly, Pistorius pointed out Germany’s stance on not supplying Ukraine with the Taurus missile, reiterating the importance of strategic decisions in defense coordination.

Lastly, how will this agreement bolster NATO’s eastern flank?

Both leaders emphasized their commitment to enhancing security along NATO’s eastern border. “We’ve already deployed hundreds of troops to the Baltic states as part of NATO’s enhanced defense plans in response to Russia’s aggression,” Pistorius highlighted, stressing that collective security in Europe should not be taken for granted.

As both countries embark on this new chapter of defense collaboration, it’s clear that their mutual commitment will not only strengthen their military capabilities but also enhance security throughout Europe.

On October 23, the National Bureau of Statistics released the per capita disposable income data for residents in 31 provinces for the first three quarters of 2024. Shanghai and Beijing topped the list with incomes exceeding 60,000 yuan, while Zhejiang made headlines by surpassing 50,000 yuan for the first time, landing in third place. Guangdong, Chongqing, and Guizhou also crossed significant income thresholds.

Disposable income, as defined by the bureau, refers to the total income that residents can spend on consumption and savings, encompassing both cash and in-kind income. It is categorized based on sources, which include wage income, net operating income, net property income, and net transfer income.

Looking more closely at the data, Shanghai led with a per capita disposable income of 66,341 yuan for the first three quarters. Beijing followed at 64,314 yuan, and Zhejiang achieved 52,206 yuan for the first time over the 50,000 yuan mark. In addition, Tianjin, Jiangsu, and Guangdong all surpassed the 40,000 yuan barrier, with Guangdong reaching 41,037 yuan. Furthermore, three regions—Fujian, Shandong, and Chongqing—exceeded 30,000 yuan, with Chongqing also breaking the 30,000 yuan threshold at 30,792 yuan. Notably, Guizhou crossed the 20,000 yuan mark for the first time at 20,866 yuan.

When comparing these figures to the national average of 30,941 yuan, eight provinces—Shanghai, Beijing, Zhejiang, Tianjin, Jiangsu, Guangdong, Fujian, and Shandong—recorded per capita disposable incomes above this average.

In terms of growth rates, all 31 provinces saw positive growth in per capita disposable income during the first three quarters. Regions including Tibet, Xinjiang, Gansu, and others recorded growth rates above the national average, with Tibet leading at 8.1%.

Breaking down income sources, the average per capita wage income for residents stood at 17,696 yuan, growing by 5.7%, contributing to 57.2% of total disposable income. Other income sources included net operating income (4,939 yuan), net property income (2,585 yuan), and net transfer income (5,721 yuan), with respective growth rates of 6.4%, 1.2%, and 4.9%.

To enhance per capita disposable income, increasing employment and wages is essential. For instance, in Beijing, the Deputy Director of the Beijing Investigation Team of the National Bureau of Statistics, Bian Jing, noted that stable employment contributed to a year-on-year increase of 4.2% in per capita disposable income. The growth in wage income was particularly notable at 5.8%, accounting for 64.7% of disposable income.

Looking ahead, Bian mentioned that following the Central Politburo meeting’s directives regarding economic work, a series of policies aimed at fostering economic growth would support job stability and income increases. This sets a promising backdrop for sustained growth in residents’ incomes throughout the year.

On the expenditure side, the National Bureau of Statistics reported that the average consumption expenditure per capita across the country reached 20,631 yuan, showing a nominal growth of 5.6%. The data reveals some interesting patterns in spending habits as well.

Which regions spent the most or had the highest growth in spending? Notably, Shanghai saw a decrease in per capita consumption spending for the first three quarters, while Hainan, Tibet, and Xinjiang led in nominal growth rates at 9.9%, 9.1%, and 9.0%, respectively.

In terms of total spending, Shanghai, Beijing, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Guangdong, Tianjin, and Fujian had per capita consumption expenditures exceeding 21,000 yuan. Shanghai ranked first with spending of 39,626 yuan, followed by Beijing at 36,581 yuan, and Zhejiang at 33,547 yuan, placing third nationally.

In a stunning turn of events, US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka has ascended to the top of the WTA rankings, marking the end of Iga Swiatek’s impressive 11-month reign. This rise comes not long after Sabalenka successfully defended her Australian Open title in January. This is the second time the Belarusian has claimed the number one spot, having previously held it for eight weeks between September and November 2023.

Interestingly, neither player competed last week. Swiatek, hailing from Poland, has dropped to second place due to a points penalty for not participating in the required six WTA 500 events. The 23-year-old, who recently appointed a new co-coach, has only taken part in two of these tournaments and has been sidelined since her early exit at the US Open in September, choosing to skip the Asian leg of the tour due to fatigue.

At one point this season, Swiatek held a commanding lead of over 4,000 points after clinching five titles in just the first half of the year. However, Sabalenka, 26, steadily closed the gap in the latter part of the season, making her mark with victories in Cincinnati and Wuhan, alongside her triumph at Flushing Meadows.

Looking ahead, the next opportunity for Swiatek to reclaim her number one status lies in the season-ending WTA Finals scheduled for next month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

On October 25, the Jiangdu District of Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province, held a themed press conference titled “Striving for Excellence in Practical Action to Promote Modernization in the Jiangdu Practice.” During the event, officials presented the district’s achievements in agriculture, rural areas, and farmer welfare. Notably, Jiangdu ranked first in Jiangsu Province for rural revitalization performance assessments in 2022 and 2023, with significant contributions to boosting farmers’ incomes, constructing high-standard farmland, and improving rural living environments, all recognized through provincial incentives. The per capita disposable income for rural residents reached 27,239 yuan in the first three quarters of this year, marking a 6.8% increase and positioning Jiangdu at the top in Yangzhou.

“Over recent years, we have prioritized grain production, ensuring stable sowing areas and implementing large-scale yield improvement actions for major grain and oil crops,” said Wu Weiping, Party Secretary and Director of the Jiangdu Agricultural and Rural Bureau. “Our focus has been on enhancing comprehensive grain production capabilities.”

How does Jiangdu plan to create livable and economically viable rural communities? The district emphasizes prioritized agricultural and rural development, promoting urban-rural integration, and adopting tailored strategies based on local conditions. Wang Yichun, Deputy Director of the Jiangdu District Committee’s Agricultural Office, explained, “This year in April, Jiangdu was recognized by the province as home to 29 livable and economically viable beautiful villages. We are committed to implementing more vigorous and practical measures, using the development of these villages as a key lever in our rural revitalization strategy, aiming for the establishment of one city-level area and 75 provincial-level beautiful villages by the end of next year.”

Jiangdu is also recognized as a vital grain production base, located at the headwaters of the Eastern Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. It has earned “National Advanced County in Grain Production” honors twice and “Provincial Advanced County in Grain Production” honors twice. The district has maintained a stable grain output exceeding 1.3 billion jin for six consecutive years. In 2024, summer grain was planted across 642,800 acres with a yield of 379.8 kilograms per acre, totaling 244,200 tons—demonstrating a trend of growth. The autumn grain sowing area reached 721,900 acres, with rice accounting for 671,100 acres, entering the harvest phase with a promising yield ahead.

When discussing strategies for increasing and improving grain production, Wu Weiping emphasized the need for efforts in five key areas: enhancing soil quality, optimizing crop variety structures, updating agricultural machinery, strengthening agricultural technology services, and implementing farmer welfare policies. “It is crucial to strictly enforce subsidies for farmland fertility protection and rice production, motivating farmers. We are also pushing for agricultural insurance that covers comprehensive cost and income losses, ensuring that farmers receive necessary protections and compensation,” he added.