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The 21st China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit is currently in full swing, highlighting China’s dedication to open markets and its ongoing efforts to strengthen economic and trade ties with ASEAN countries.

Recent discussions surrounding the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 have seen nine rounds of negotiations, producing encouraging results. Meanwhile, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has been successfully enacted among all member nations. Analysts view these two pivotal free trade agreements as essential stabilizers in China-ASEAN trade relations, enriching the landscape for regional economic collaboration.

During the Expo, Deputy Minister of Commerce Li Fei emphasized RCEP’s significant role in fostering more extensive and deeper cooperation within the region. He remarked that it has established a foundational framework for economic integration throughout the Asia-Pacific and highlighted the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area as a model for “South-South cooperation.”

In recent years, China has been increasingly aligning with international standards in trade and economic regulations, enhancing its institutional openness in terms of rules and standards. The upgrade of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and the effective implementation of RCEP demonstrate China’s commitment to sharing development opportunities and promoting an open global economy.

At this year’s Expo, Chinese officials reiterated their goal to implement RCEP efficiently and to accelerate negotiations for the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0. They stressed the importance of continuing to broaden institutional openness and creating a more stable and seamless cross-border industrial and supply chain.

The Expo serves as a significant platform for monitoring trade between China and ASEAN, acting as a crucial bridge to enhance bilateral trade. Over the years, distinctive ASEAN agricultural products—such as bananas from the Philippines, rambutans from Indonesia, and rice from Cambodia—have successfully entered the Chinese market through this event.

A noteworthy feature of this year’s Expo is its new thematic focus on strategic emerging industries, showcasing innovations in digital technology, green energy, and smart vehicles. Countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Cambodia are exhibiting their high-tech advancements, marking a significant progression in the evolution of China-ASEAN trade relations.

Current trade between China and ASEAN is not only increasing in volume but is also experiencing structural optimization. Official data reveals that imports and exports of intermediate goods between China and ASEAN surged by 9.6% in the first eight months of this year, surpassing the overall growth rate of China’s intermediate goods by 4.1 percentage points.

The Ministry of Commerce has also announced initiatives to bolster trade in competitive agricultural and industrial products with ASEAN countries. Additionally, it aims to expand collaboration in emerging sectors such as digital transformation, clean energy, and artificial intelligence.

These initiatives in cutting-edge fields are anticipated to unlock more trade and investment opportunities for Chinese companies and their ASEAN partners, paving the way for new avenues of collaboration in the future.

On October 9th, villagers from Majiazai in Nanjin Village gathered to harvest chrysanthemums. Can you describe what it’s like to participate in this annual activity?

The vibrant fields of chrysanthemums must create quite an atmosphere. What does it feel like to work among such beautiful flowers?

After harvesting, the chrysanthemums are loaded up for sale. How important is this harvest for the local economy?

Additionally, I understand there’s a chrysanthemum processing workshop in your village. Can you share what happens there after the flowers are harvested?

How has the tradition of chrysanthemum cultivation and processing evolved in your community over the years?

On October 9, a significant agreement was reached in Hong Kong when Li Yongzhe, the Deputy Representative for International Trade Negotiations at the Ministry of Commerce, and Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan signed the “Agreement on the Amendment to the ‘Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) Service Trade Agreement’ (referred to as Agreement No. 2).” This new agreement will take effect immediately upon signing and is set to be officially implemented on March 1, 2025. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee and Deputy Director of the Central Government’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong, Yin Zonghua.

This revision aims to align with the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party and the subsequent second and third plenary sessions, focusing on enhancing Hong Kong’s role in the nation’s foreign openness initiatives. It marks the second amendment to the CEPA Service Trade Agreement following its first revision in 2019, aiming to further deepen economic and trade cooperation between the two regions. This effort is designed to bolster Hong Kong’s economy and development, aiding its integration into the broader national development framework.

The revisions reflect the needs of Hong Kong’s socio-economic development and industry demands, introducing further reductions or eliminations of entry barriers for Hong Kong service providers in sectors such as finance, telecommunications, construction, and tourism. These measures will facilitate their employment and practice in the mainland. Some of the newly opened initiatives will be implemented first in the Greater Bay Area, enhancing the alignment of mechanisms and regulations within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Mary Nnah

At a recent event, Edward & Clara Memorial Clinic (ECMC) celebrated the opening of its second facility in Lagos, specifically in Okota, marking a significant step in addressing Nigeria’s healthcare challenges.

Dr. Augustina Anetor, the Managing Director of ECMC, expressed optimism about the impact of this new walk-in clinic, located on the first floor of SuperSavers Mall, Ago Palace Way. She emphasized that the clinic aims to enhance access to quality and affordable healthcare at the grassroots level in Nigeria.

With a background as a Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon trained in the United Kingdom, Dr. Anetor returned to Nigeria in response to the Federal Government’s call for healthcare professionals abroad to contribute to national growth and innovation in the sector. She shared that ECMC was conceived as a unique initiative aimed at becoming a leader in preventive healthcare while empowering communities to improve their overall well-being.

This new clinic joins the ranks of the first ECMC facility that opened at SuperSavers Mall in Osapa, Lekki, back in April 2023.

“Our clinics are strategically located within communities, close to daily activities, making it easier for people to walk in and receive prompt medical attention,” Dr. Anetor explained. The services offered include clinical consultations, laboratory tests, treatment of minor and intermediate injuries, health screening, and counseling.

Dr. Anetor highlighted that ECMC utilizes technology and collaborates with healthcare professionals and institutions both locally and internationally to ensure that communities in Okota, Amuwo Odofin, and Lekki have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare solutions. She encouraged regular shoppers at SuperSavers Mall and local residents to take advantage of a one-month free registration and consultation offer, inviting families to visit the clinic to learn more about their health status.

During the opening ceremony, Mr. Lucky Egede, the chairman of the event and the SuperSavers supermarket retail chain, commented on the establishment of ECMC as a crucial development in nation-building. “Nigeria can only progress when everyone contributes across different fields and areas,” he stated. He urged local shoppers and residents to make the most of the new clinic, emphasizing that “a healthy community builds a progressive nation,” and remarked, “when you are healthy, you are wearing a crown that only the sick can see.”

Representatives from several residential estates and communities in Okota who attended the event voiced their support for the walk-in clinic, noting that it alleviates the challenges of distance and access to quality private primary healthcare in the region.

NEW YORK — CBS2 honors and celebrates the contributions of Black people to American history in our special “Black History Is American History.”
The special explores the stories of people and places that impacted the past and strengthened the future for all of us.
You can watch the full special in the video above.
READ MORE:
Ellis Island sheds light on untold stories of Caribbean immigrantsHistorically Black beach communities on Long Island working to protect area’s unique characterSecret benevolent society with ties to the Underground Railroad fights to save its historic Bedford Stuyvesant mansionVirginia Johnson leaves legacy at Dance Theatre of HarlemPatricia Noisette Banks Edmiston reflects on being one of the first Black commercial airline flight attendantsGiants legend Emlen Tunnell’s story fit for HollywoodClick here for more “Black History Is American History” stories

WILMETTE, Ill. (CBS) — Neighbors in Wilmette on Monday protested against a slatted-wood fence that they say is an eyesore blocking beach access, and want gone.
The group rallied Monday evening outside a Wilmette Park District Board meeting to protest the fence at South Beach at Gillson Park, which went up last month.
The protesters argued that the fence restricts access to a “historically open and inclusive public space,” and diminishes the beauty of the park.
In addition, as quoted in a news release, local activist Lee Goodman wrote, “Wilmette’s decision to fence off the beach mirrors a troubling legacy of exclusion that still largely works to keep people of color away.”
The Wilmette Park District said it built the fence to address the “growing concern about the safety and well-being of visitors.”

There are now just three entry points to the beach and the water is officially open to swimmers for the first time. Lifeguards are this summer, and there is also a daily fee of $5.00 for residents and $10 for non-residents.
One resident told CBS 2 last month that she wished the village had considered an option that didn’t block the view from Overlook Drive. However, the park district said moving the fence any closer to the water would endanger the dunes and the grass.

The opinions expressed below are Jon Keller’s, not those of WBZ, CBS News or Paramount Global.
BOSTON – As we await the verdict in the “hush money” trial of former President Donald Trump, political observers wonder how it might affect the outcome of the presidential race. Guilty or not guilty? And will it matter either way when the voting starts this fall?
Poll: Majority of undecided voters think Trump is guiltyA recent Suffolk University/USA Today poll found a solid majority of undecided voters think the former president is guilty of some or all of the charges. But Trump has planted a thriving crop of doubt among those same voters, repeatedly telling them “I’m being forced to sit for days on end in a kangaroo courtroom with a corrupt and conflicted judge.”
Nearly four in ten say the trial is fair, but the rest either say it isn’t or are undecided about that. “Donald Trump has positioned himself to win in either scenario,” said Dave Paleologos, head of the Suffolk University Political Research Center. “He’s been talking about a corrupt judge and an unfair trial, and if he’s found guilty he’ll say, ‘See, I told you so.’ And if he’s acquitted he will say, ‘I told you so.'”
And whatever the verdict, there are more than five months to go before Election Day, an eternity in politics.

“Trump is still going to be campaigning, holding rallies, doing speeches and appealing the decision,” noted Paleologos. “So in the eyes of the voting public, he’s still active, he’s still pursuing it, it’s similar to an impeachment. You’re impeached and then you move on.”
Would the undecided voter really go for a convicted felon in the fall?”If their personal situation is that dire, they can’t pay their bills and their life is much worse than it was four years ago, then it may not matter who the candidate is, they may just want to vote the people in office out,” said Paleologos.
While this situation is unprecedented in many ways, it is reminiscent of 1992, when Bill Clinton unseated President George H.W. Bush. Clinton had sex scandal baggage, but Bush was blamed for the faltering economy. And a third-party candidate named Ross Perot took a lot of votes from Bush in key states. In that recent Suffolk poll, Bobby Kennedy Jr. supporters were more than twice as likely as those undecided voters to view the Trump trial as unfair.
So you wonder if some of them might wind up rallying around Trump.

Uchechukwu Nnaike

Recently, the Nigerian Breweries/Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund made a generous donation of a digital language laboratory to Keke Senior High School in Agege, Lagos. This initiative honors Adeola Adefemi, who was recognized as the winner of the 2023 Maltina Teacher of the Year competition.

During the handover ceremony held at the school, Sade Morgan, the Corporate Affairs Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, emphasized that this new infrastructure aims to enhance teaching quality and improve learning outcomes for students. She remarked, “This donation aligns perfectly with our corporate philosophy and the CSR objectives of the education trust fund, as we are committed to addressing the infrastructural challenges in our education system by providing vital resources.”

Morgan also praised the school’s academic achievements, highlighting its recognition as the ‘Best Senior Secondary School’ during the 2020 Lagos State Governor’s Quiz Competition and its recent victory in the 2024 Lagos Reads Inter-schools Quiz Competition.

Jamiu Alli-Balogun, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, expressed his appreciation for Nigerian Breweries Plc’s contribution, stating that the new language laboratory will significantly aid both students and teachers in accessing essential digital resources for their educational growth. He also saluted Adefemi’s impressive performance, noting her unwavering passion and commitment to the teaching profession as a source of inspiration for many.

Mrs. Patience Aina, the principal of Keke Senior High School, shared her gratitude, saying, “We are thankful for the support provided by the Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund in enhancing our infrastructure. This language laboratory will enable our students to learn in a well-equipped environment.”

Aina acknowledged the positive influence of the competition on teachers, indicating that the recognition and rewards motivate educators to cultivate their passion for teaching. She also encouraged Adefemi to continue setting an example of excellence, reinforcing confidence among her peers.

In response, Adefemi expressed her appreciation for the support from the Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, highlighting how such initiatives will foster positive learning outcomes within the school. For her recognition as the 2023 Maltina Teacher of the Year, she received a cash prize of N6.5 million, along with a fully funded training trip to Tampere, Finland.

Looking ahead, the grand finale of the 2024 Maltina Teacher of the Year competition, the 10th edition of this prestigious event, is scheduled for October 11, 2024.

Can you imagine 503 priceless artifacts traveling thousands of miles on their own from Italy to China, solely to share a 500-year story with audiences from the East?

In 2019, China and Italy agreed to hold a Year of Cultural and Tourism Exchange in 2020, with the aim of organizing exhibitions that reflect the cultural ties between the two nations. However, the pandemic delayed these plans, and it wasn’t until two years later that they finally came to fruition.

On July 10, 2022, the “Origin of Italy: Ancient Roman Civilization Exhibition” opened at the National Museum of China after overcoming numerous challenges. This marked the first international exhibition held by the museum in Beijing since the pandemic.

President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the opening ceremony, noting that China and Italy are outstanding representatives of Eastern and Western civilizations. He expressed hope that this exhibition would showcase the rich heritage of Italian culture through its vibrant artifacts and serve as a catalyst for cultural exchange, strengthening ties between the two nations.

The exhibition featured an impressive collection of 503 precious items from 26 national-level museums across Italy, many of which had never left the country before. This included fragile pieces like glass and bronze artifacts, some dating back nearly 2,000 years.

Remarkably, these artifacts made the journey without any Italian personnel accompanying them. Upon arrival in Beijing, staff at the National Museum meticulously unpacked, documented, and arranged the items, sharing the entire process with their Italian counterparts via live video.

One of the main concerns was the collection of bronze fragments. Unlike China’s sturdy ancient bronze vessels, Roman bronze items were often practical, used for things like soldiers’ belts and armor, making them more delicate over time. Some had deteriorated to a state of being mere fragments.

When the museum’s staff opened the crate and discovered that one of the exquisite spiraled-handled wine vessels had broken during transport, they felt a deep sense of regret. The Italian team, witnessing this through the video feed, also felt upset about the artifact potentially missing the opportunity to be seen by Chinese audiences.

After discussions, both parties agreed that the National Museum would repair the broken vessel. The Italian colleagues expressed great trust in the museum’s restoration capabilities, and ultimately, the repaired wine vessel was successfully exhibited as planned.

This event underscores the enduring friendship between two great civilizations, which dates back to ancient times. Historical texts like “The Book of the Later Han” described the Roman Empire and noted similarities between the two cultures. Marco Polo’s accounts further fueled Italian interest in exploring the ancient civilization of China.

The “Origin of Italy: Ancient Roman Civilization Exhibition” was not merely about showcasing artifacts; it was thoughtfully curated to tell a concise yet impactful narrative about the ties between Italy and Roman civilization.

Exhibiting items from the period covering the 4th century BC to the 1st century AD, the exhibition conveyed profound insights into the significance of this era in shaping modern Italy’s territory and culture, promoting themes of peace, unity, and development.

According to Pan Qing, the exhibition curator and Director of International and Art Exhibitions at the National Museum, the “Origin of Italy” exhibition represents a gift from one country to another, rather than just an inter-museum exchange.

The successful display of Italian artifacts in China exemplifies the longstanding friendship and mutual trust between the two nations. The collaborative effort to restore the damaged wine vessel became a symbol of cultural camaraderie, adding a beautiful chapter to the story of cross-cultural heritage exchange.

During a press conference on October 9, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, addressed recent developments regarding the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, which marks a year since the latest outbreak of hostilities.

When asked by a reporter about the U.S. Treasury’s recent sanctions against individuals and entities in third countries for allegedly providing funding to Hamas, and the $8.7 billion in military aid to Israel announced at the end of September, Mao Ning expressed deep concern over the human toll of the conflict. “The prolonged violence has resulted in the deaths of over 40,000 people in Gaza, most of whom are women and children. It is now an international consensus that cooling down the situation, achieving a ceasefire, protecting civilians, and preventing a humanitarian disaster are imperative,” he said.

Mao emphasized that resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict requires more than just military support and unilateral sanctions. “What is truly needed are political will and diplomatic efforts. Major powers should play their proper role by adhering to objectivity and fairness, leading by example in complying with international law to actively work towards swiftly ending hostilities, managing the situation, and preventing the crisis from spreading,” he concluded.