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  <title><![CDATA[Shanghai Daily: Supplement]]></title> 
  <link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/</link> 
  <description><![CDATA[Shanghai Daily Supplement]]></description> 
  <language>en</language>
  <copyright><![CDATA[Copyright 2001-2021 Shanghai Daily Publishing House]]></copyright>
  <webMaster><![CDATA[ShanghaiDaily]]></webMaster>
  
    
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/LOral-unveils-new-moves-towards-more-sustainable-future/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>L’Oréal unveils new moves towards more sustainable future</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplement]]></category>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jun 2025 00:01:00 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ding Yining]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[TO further enhance awareness and action regarding carbon neutrality and environmental protection, beauty giant L’Oréal has announced new initiatives with its partners.

Under the theme of “Beauty with ]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		TO further enhance awareness and action regarding carbon neutrality and environmental protection, beauty giant L&rsquo;Or&eacute;al has announced new initiatives with its partners.

Under the theme of &ldquo;Beauty with Heart for The Planet&rdquo; at the Shanghai International Carbon Neutrality Expo in Technologies, Products and Achievements, L&rsquo;Or&eacute;al called for industry partners, suppliers and consumers to help make even the slightest change towards more sustainable future.

This year, L&rsquo;Or&eacute;al&rsquo;s booth featured a &ldquo;Refill Merry-Go-Around&rdquo; to showcase its core refillable products, which was designed to seamlessly integrate sustainable alternatives into the values and rituals of consumers, creating a sense of belonging and genuine reward.

The French cosmetic giant has put in place the &ldquo;Reduce, Replace and Recycle&rdquo; initiatives for its product packages and is aiming for carbon neutrality in all aspects of a product&rsquo;s design, manufacturing and distribution.

The booth also highlighted &ldquo;Green Sciences&rdquo; based on four pillars: sustainable cultivation, biotechnology and fermentation, green chemistry and green extraction.

A strategic collaboration for consumption incentive program was jointly launched by L&rsquo;Or&eacute;al with JD.com during the expo. It will involve identifying the green product labels to win green points with incentives and interactive measures to further enhance consumers&rsquo; sustainable consumption experience while shopping on e-commerce platforms, to cultivate energy-saving consumption habits, and help the whole industry transition towards green consumption.

A latest L&rsquo;Or&eacute;al Global Sustainability Accelerator was announced earlier this year, endowed with a 100-million euro (US$114.2 million) investment over five years to help identify, test and expand sustainable solutions across several key areas, including developing low-carbon alternatives, sourcing sustainable ingredients, etc.

The accelerator program welcomes applications from high-potential startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and established innovative companies with pilot-ready solutions. Focus areas align with L&rsquo;Or&eacute;al&rsquo;s four sustainability pillars: Climate, Nature, Circularity, and Communities.

JeeSeon PARK, Chief Sustainability Officer of L&rsquo;Or&eacute;al North Asia and China, noted: &ldquo;Innovation is L&rsquo;Or&eacute;al&rsquo;s DNA, and we&rsquo;re extending this focus to the realm of sustainability. We welcome startups with groundbreaking ideas to join us on this exciting endeavor.&rdquo;

As the winner of 2023 L&rsquo;Or&eacute;al BIG BANG Beauty Tech Innovation Program in China, Shanghai Yuanyi Environmental Technology Co Ltd launched the &ldquo;Embark the Journey Towards a Zero Waste Future&rdquo; program with L&rsquo;Or&eacute;al during the expo, aiming to fully recycle non-saleable products.

At this year&rsquo;s Big Bang China competition, Sustainability Track was set up to encourage business models, products, and brands with innovative technology to solve sustainability challenges in the beauty industry.

L&rsquo;Or&eacute;al also acknowledged 10 strategic suppliers in the North Asia zone for their outstanding contribution in terms of decarbonization, to encourage industry-wide awareness and action.

&ldquo;We sincerely invite more &lsquo;Partners of Tomorrow&rsquo; to join us. We seek collaboration from all stakeholders &mdash; government associations, upstream and downstream partners, and consumers &mdash; as we embark on a journey toward sustainability. Together, we can revolutionize the beauty industry and build a more sustainable world,&rdquo; Zhenzhen Lan, Chief Corporate Affairs and Engagement Officer of L&rsquo;Or&eacute;al North Asia and China, added.

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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/Iconic-Huangpu-River-tells-Shanghais-story/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Iconic Huangpu River tells Shanghai’s story</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplement]]></category>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jun 2025 00:01:00 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Chen Xingjie]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[THE Huangpu River is more than just a waterway; it is the very soul of Shanghai, as encapsulated by the proverb, “the Huangpu River contains half of Shanghai’s history.” Its story is intertwined with ]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		THE Huangpu River is more than just a waterway; it is the very soul of Shanghai, as encapsulated by the proverb, &ldquo;the Huangpu River contains half of Shanghai&rsquo;s history.&rdquo; Its story is intertwined with the rise, struggles and triumphs of the city, making it an essential thread in Shanghai&rsquo;s historical, geographical and modern-day fabric.

The Huangpu River draws water from Taihu Lake, Dianshan Lake and the water systems in Zhejiang Province. The largest river in the region, it spans around 113 kilometers and meanders through 10 Shanghai districts &mdash; Qingpu, Songjiang, Fengxian, Minhang, Xuhui, Huangpu, Hongkou, Yangpu, Baoshan and the Pudong New Area.

Shanghai emerged as an important port at the end of Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279). The establishment of Shanghai County in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) further solidified its significance, with grain ships able to reach it directly. In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it transformed into a major trading port in the east. In the 1850s, the Port of Shanghai surpassed the Port of Guangzhou to become China&rsquo;s largest foreign trade port, with the Huangpu a vital link to the world.

After 1949, the area around the river became a crucial industrial belt. In the 1980s, efforts to upgrade port facilities led to the Port of Shanghai joining the ranks of the world&rsquo;s 100-million-ton ports. The 1990s marked a new chapter with the development and opening up of Pudong, as the city&rsquo;s development shifted from &ldquo;along the river&rdquo; to &ldquo;across the river,&rdquo; with numerous bridges and tunnels constructed. However, industrialization took its toll on the river&rsquo;s environment.

In 2002, a development plan for both banks of the Huangpu River was initiated, kick-starting development and governance efforts in the 42.5-kilometer stretch from the Wusong estuary to Xupu Bridge. In 2021, the Shanghai government extended the construction scope to the 61-kilometer riverside area from the Second Minpu Bridge to the estuary, with a total area of around 201 square kilometers. The overall planning now encompasses the region from the Second Minpu Bridge to Dianshan Lake and the Taipu River basin, around 55 kilometers in length and covering about 300 square kilometers.

A remarkable transformation has taken place. With the goal of making Shanghai an international economic, financial and trade center, traditional industries along the river were removed.

Today, the Huangpu River has been reborn as a &ldquo;lifestyle showcase belt&rdquo; and &ldquo;rosy development belt,&rdquo; a golden waterfront that symbolizes Shanghai&rsquo;s core competitiveness and stands as a world-class city landmark.

The Shanghai Local Chronicles Office has released the book &ldquo;Shanghai Illustrated: Huangpu River,&rdquo; compiling years of visual and textual resources about the iconic river. With nearly 500 images and 60,000 words, it vividly shows the river&rsquo;s historical evolution. Inspired by the book, the &ldquo;Surging Tides of the Huangpu River: History and Renewal&rdquo; exhibition is being held in London today, part of the &ldquo;Our Water Season 2 in London&rdquo; series of cultural exchange events.

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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/Living-archive-of-an-everevolving-identity/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Living archive of an ever-evolving identity</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplement]]></category>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jun 2025 00:01:00 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Li Qian]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[THE Huangpu River has borne witness to Shanghai’s transformation from a modest settlement to a global metropolis. Its waters have shaped not only the city’s skyline but its very spirit, reflecting the ]]></description>
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		THE Huangpu River has borne witness to Shanghai&rsquo;s transformation from a modest settlement to a global metropolis. Its waters have shaped not only the city&rsquo;s skyline but its very spirit, reflecting the openness and resilience that define Shanghai&rsquo;s unique culture.

For generations of Shanghainese, the river holds the weight of memory: the sounds of ferries crossing its waters, the quiet bustle of the docks and the skyline rising ever higher. Today, the river remains just as alive.

Along its banks &mdash; whether at the historic Bund, the modern Lujiazui or the scenic West Bund &mdash; people jog, linger and reflect. The rhythm of their footsteps on the promenade mirrors the steady flow of the Huangpu itself: constant, enduring, a silent thread connecting past to present.

More than just a river, it is a living archive of Shanghai&rsquo;s ever-evolving identity, carrying with it the emotions and stories of a city that, like the river, never stops moving.

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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/InterContinental-Shanghai-Hongqiao-NECC-Hotel-moves-into-top-gear-to-prepare-for-the-CIIE/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>InterContinental Shanghai Hongqiao NECC Hotel moves into top gear to prepare for the CIIE</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplement]]></category>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 Nov 2024 00:01:00 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[THE InterContinental Shanghai Hongqiao NECC Hotel is preparing to once again play a key role in the upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE).

Situated in the Hongqiao International Central Business ]]></description>
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		THE InterContinental Shanghai Hongqiao NECC Hotel is preparing to once again play a key role in the upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE).

Situated in the Hongqiao International Central Business Zone, the hotel has been a cornerstone of luxury and excellence since the first CIIE, offering world-class service to international guests.

According to General Manager Ferry Warnke, the hotel has remained busy throughout the year, hosting over 52 global events in 2024 alone.

As a vital part of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC), the hotel benefits from its close proximity to one of China&rsquo;s largest exhibition venues, which drives a steady flow of business travelers.

The hotel&rsquo;s location, just minutes from the Hongqiao International Transportation Hub, has made it a top choice for international business leaders and tourists alike.

This accessibility attracts a wide range of visitors, from international business travelers to tourists exploring the city.

The growing number of companies establishing headquarters in the Hongqiao district also brings a continuous stream of business opportunities for the hotel.

As the event approaches, preparations have been underway for months, with the hotel focused on ensuring a seamless experience for visitors from around the globe.

The hotel&rsquo;s commitment to the CIIE is reflected in its year-round dedication, a concept known as the &ldquo;6+365&rdquo; approach.

Resident Manager Shan Jina, who has overseen six previous editions of the expo, explains that this approach goes beyond simply preparing for the six-day event.

&ldquo;Every day of the year is a step toward ensuring the success of the CIIE,&rdquo; she says.

The hotel has established specialized VIP service teams for catering, personal butler services, and client satisfaction, ensuring every detail is handled with precision and care.

This year, an international service team has been introduced to better serve the diverse range of guests expected at the expo.

The culinary team at the InterContinental Shanghai Hongqiao NECC Hotel also plays a crucial role in shaping the guest experience.

With expertise in both Chinese and Western cuisines, the team&rsquo;s focus is on delivering high-quality, innovative dishes.

Recently, the hotel has adapted its culinary offerings to meet the evolving demographics of its guests from around the world.

Warnke highlights the increasing number of international arrivals, explaining how the hotel has responded: &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve seen a shift in guest demographics over the last 12 months. Cultural sensitivity is a central theme in the hotel&rsquo;s operations, especially during high-profile international events like the CIIE.&rdquo;

As Warnke says, &ldquo;Particularly, when serving guests from different religious backgrounds, we ensure that we cater to their specific needs with an experienced team that has been handling this for years.&rdquo;

This awareness of cultural and religious diversity is crucial to the hotel&rsquo;s ability to provide personalized service to its global clientele.

For the hotel, dining is not just about taste &mdash; it&rsquo;s about creating meaningful, cultural connections.

The lobby ambassador team is another key aspect of the hotel&rsquo;s service. Carefully selected and trained, these ambassadors are tasked with greeting guests with warmth and professionalism.

Their attention to detail, from posture to guiding gestures, ensures that guests feel welcome from the moment they arrive. Additionally, the hotel&rsquo;s round-the-clock butler service is designed to meet the needs of both business and leisure travelers, offering discreet and attentive service.

Beyond the CIIE, the InterContinental Shanghai Hongqiao NECC Hotel remains a busy hub for business and leisure travelers throughout the year.

&ldquo;We typically cater to a mix of domestic and foreign guests. So we have to understand different cultures, different requests, and different behaviors because guests are flying in from all over the world,&rdquo; said Warnke.

As the 7th CIIE approaches, the hotel&rsquo;s team is ready to welcome guests with their well-practiced routines and exceptional service.

Shan emphasizes that many staff members have significant experience with large-scale events, and the hotel&rsquo;s low turnover rate means that more than half of the staff have participated in all six editions of the CIIE.

&ldquo;Their familiarity with the event&rsquo;s operational processes has been crucial to improving our service quality,&rdquo; Shan notes, underscoring the importance of experience and consistency.

With over 536 rooms, four distinctive restaurants and bars, and 2,200 square meters of banquet space, the InterContinental Shanghai Hongqiao NECC Hotel continues to lead the luxury hospitality market in Shanghai.

As Warnke looks ahead, he sees exciting growth opportunities, especially with plans to introduce more IHG brands like VOCO and Even Hotels to the area.

With the CIIE and other major exhibitions on the horizon, the hotel is poised to maintain its reputation for excellence, offering guests an unforgettable stay in the heart of one of China&rsquo;s most dynamic cities.

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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/travel/Revel-in-the-beauty-of-water-lilies/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Revel in the beauty of water lilies</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<pubDate>Sat, 17 Aug 2024 00:00:11 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Hu Min]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[Water lilies are blooming lovely at Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden in Songjiang District.]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		Water lilies are blooming lovely at Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden in Songjiang District.With the opening of the “Tranquil World of Water Lilies” last week, visitors are treated to a captivating display of water lilies, lotuses and other aquatic plants in full bloom, creating a serene and picturesque atmosphere.The exhibition showcases about 10,000 water lilies in more than 330 varieties, which include over 180 tropical species and more than 150 hardy ones.Several varieties are exhibited in Shanghai for the first time. Among the highlights is the debut of the Xing Yun water lily, a recently cultivated double-petalled Australian species with lavender-blue flowers.The display comprises eight exhibition areas, with three new ones this year.The Double-Petalled Zone primarily features the Xing Yun variety, along with other new introductions and more than 100 different water lily varieties.The Mountain and Water Zone is a 600-meter stretch of hardy water lilies, which offers a scenic display of red, orange, yellow, pink and white varieties, with a focus on mass plantings.In the Floating Light Zone, the lake reflects the craggy Chenshan Hill, with tropical water lilies in a rainbow of colors floating on the water surface, transitioning from warm red tones to cool blues and fully displaying the beauty of hues and the diversity of water lilies.The Classic Elegance Zone evokes a sense of tranquility with miniature water lilies, water lily handicrafts and lotus-shaped incense holders, creating a Zen-inspired space that invites the natural world into urban living.The exhibition also features a series of events and activities for visitors of all ages. These include horticultural lectures, educational programs about water lilies and wetland plants, and a contest for children. The garden will also offer nature journal workshops, providing a platform for visitors to engage deeply with the beauty of water lilies.If you go
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/F1-Chinese-Grand-Prix-returns-celebrating-20th-anniversary/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>F1 Chinese Grand Prix returns, celebrating 20th anniversary</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplement]]></category>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ma Yue]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[After four years’ absence, the F1 Chinese Grand Prix is finally making a return from today to Sunday, celebrating its 20th anniversary.]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		After four years’ absence, the F1 Chinese Grand Prix is finally making a return from today to Sunday, celebrating its 20th anniversary.For the first time, the Chinese GP features a sprint race tomorrow. Motor fans will witness the much-anticipated Shanghai debut of local driver Zhou Guanyu, and enjoy a series of on-site activities over the race weekend.Tickets sold out in 45 minutesThe popularity of the 2024 F1 Chinese Grand Prix started from the very beginning of the year — all the 100,000 tickets available were sold out within 45 minutes when the sales opened on January 9.“It’s the first time for the F1 Chinese Grand Prix to sell out the tickets so quickly,” said Wang Shuwei, vice general manager of local organizer Juss Sports.Wang said the F1 Chinese Grand Prix has remained one of the city’s most influential sports events since its inaugural edition in 2004.“The three-day Grand Prix in 2004 welcomed 260,000 people, and the 150,000 people on the final day was the single day record for all sports events in China,” he said.“This year’s race is also very much worth looking forward to. There will be a sprint race, where drivers have more points to earn. The relatively reduced practice time will also add uncertainty to the weekend.”The Chinese Grand Prix has been attracting a large number of visitors from out of Shanghai. As such it is driving force behind the integrated development of the city’s sports, culture and tourism industries.Wang said nearly 46 percent of the spectators of the 2019 Chinese Grand Prix were from outside of Shanghai. Coming to 2024, the percentage has increased to 70 percent. Among them, 10 percent are from out of China.According to a 2019 sports competition influence report released by Shanghai Sports Bureau, the 2019 F1 Chinese Grand Prix created a direct economic benefit worth 923 million yuan (US$127 million).Visitors from out of Shanghai averagely spent six days in the city for the race weekend.In readiness for the return of the Chinese Grand Prix, the Shanghai International Circuit completed a track repair and environment upgrade earlier this year, applying brand-new technology.Repaired circuit and music carnivalWhen fixing the bumpy road section above some tunnels, the circuit adopted a new renovation method that combines 3D printing and machinery. Machine measurement and precise solution calculation can complete asphalt repair, grinding, sealing and other steps in one go, greatly improving efficiency.“We are the first company to do this in all F1 circuits around the world,” said Juss Sports Center public affairs manager Xu Jiayi. “In the future, this solution combination may be applied to other F1 tracks, as well as the track repair and maintenance for more international and domestic races.”The circuit also upgraded the environment of the waterscape square at the entrance. A Checkered Flag Music Carnival will be set up near the square, featuring music performances by popular singers and bands through the three days.Local driver Zhou will also appear at the carnival on Sunday after his race to interact with fans. In addition to regular food and souvenir choices, “China Zhou”-themed derivatives will be introduced to meet the demand of Zhou’s followers.Celebrating 20th anniversaryTo mark the 20th anniversary of the F1 Chinese Grand Prix, an exhibition has been organized at Shanghai Sports Museum in downtown Huangpu District through August.A total of 82 exhibits and more than 100 precious images trace the historical footprints of motor sports and present the development history of F1 in Shanghai and China.Many of the exhibits are provided by the Shanghai Auto Museum, while some are collected from F1 China employees and staff. Zhou also contributed the first pair of insulated gloves he used after becoming an official F1 driver.Visitors who don’t know much about F1 can also learn about the sport and related knowledge including F1 track materials and other content at the exhibition.
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/Zhou-hopes-F1-Chinese-GP-becomes-a-turning-point-of-2024/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Zhou hopes F1 Chinese GP becomes a turning point of 2024</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplement]]></category>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ma Yue]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[Chinese Formula One driver Zhou Guanyu is finally facing the most important race of his career so far, competing in his first Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit on April 21.]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		Chinese Formula One driver Zhou Guanyu is finally facing the most important race of his career so far, competing in his first Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit on April 21.Racing in front of an expectant home crowd in suburban Jiading District, motivation and pressure coexist for the 24-year-old, who is yet to win his first points of the 2024 season, both for himself and his Kick Sauber team.Making good use of the 10-day break between the Japanese GP and the Chinese GP, Zhou caught up with friends in Shanghai and appeared in a handful of brand-sponsored activities to interact with local fans.In an earlier conducted exclusive interview with Shanghai Daily, the promising Chinese sports star shared his expectations for his Shanghai debut, as well as his thoughts on life and career.Q: Considering your performance and that of your competitors this season, what are your expectations for the Chinese Grand Prix?A: Looking at how the previous four races on the calendar have unfolded, I am expecting the pack to be quite tight — tenths and hundredths of a second will make the difference between Q1 (first qualifying), Q2 and so on.It has been a difficult start to the season for me and my team. An 11th-place finish in Bahrain was a good opener, but we encountered some problems later. The speed gap between us and the top-five teams has been obvious. I hope the Chinese Grand Prix will be a turning point. It will be great if I can finish in the top 10 and win the first points of the season.I’m looking forward to racing in Shanghai. This is my hometown, where I grew up, and where it all started for me. I actually flew to China straight after the Japanese Grand Prix. My documentary movie “The First One” was just released (on April 16). Meanwhile, there has been a lot going on, but once I get on the track and I am in the cockpit, my focus will be on the racing.Q: How much do you know about the Shanghai International Circuit?A: I have only driven on this track for a couple of demo runs back in 2019. Since then, I have got the most of my insight from simulator runs. Personally, I love this track, as it holds so many memories of when I used to come here as a kid and dreamed of making it into Formula One. With the race being the first sprint event of the season, it’ll be important to get a good understanding of the track and how the car behaves on it straight away, in order to be at the forefront with an efficient strategy.Q: How do you usually prepare for a race, and how do you release pressure?A: I do a series of fitness exercises before a race to wake up the muscles, especially the neck and cervical spine, as they are important for a driver. I also do some reaction training to prepare my eyes and visual reflexes before the five red lights go off.I enjoy playing with my cat, SweetCorn, and playing videogames as a way to relax after a busy day. I’m also very passionate about fashion, and I do enjoy taking part in photoshoots for magazines from time to time. Formula One is a highly demanding job, so it’s important to have some other interests to enjoy.Q: What progress have you made as an F1 driver? How does your personality help in your career?A: Time flies, and this is already my third season. I feel like I have grown quite a lot, both as a driver and as a person. My ability to protect tires has improved. I lacked experience in the previous two years, so I have adjusted my driving style in winter training to better adapt to and cooperate with the Pirelli tires. The other thing is starting. Compared to the first season, I am more stable and will not lose my position at the start of the race.Also, I play a bigger part in taking decisions with the engineers, in influencing the development of the car. It’s a bigger role and one I relish.I have a steady personality. As the first Chinese F1 driver, I need to be steady when competing abroad. It is also this kind of personality that has helped me progress step by step from karting, F4, to F1. I also hope that my career performance so far can set an example for future young Chinese drivers who follow me. Everyone’s dream is different, but I hope everyone can give it a try. If you really like something, be prepared to devote everything to it.
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/travel/Tips-for-travel/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Tips for travel</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<pubDate>Sat, 02 Mar 2024 00:00:53 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		Three direct services serve Yi­xing from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station daily, and the journey takes about 2.5 hours. Alternatively, change trains at either Hangzhou East or Nanjing South for more departure and arrival time choices and a faster journey (just under two hours). Yet another way to get to and from Yixing is by bus from Wuxi coach station (one hour) — a long weekend visit combining the two cities makes a lovely holiday.Public transport in Yixing is, however, limited, especially when you want to visit attractions outside downtown. It is best to call a car online.
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/travel/Wuxi-a-hidden-gem-of-Jiangsu-Province-worthy-of-exploration/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Wuxi: a hidden gem of Jiangsu Province worthy of exploration</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<pubDate>Sat, 03 Feb 2024 00:00:20 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Louis Lee]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[Jiangsu Province is naturally one of the most popular destinations for Shanghai residents wanting a short excursion. It is just next door, it is chock-full of historical and cultural sites, and it boasts]]></description>
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		Jiangsu Province is naturally one of the most popular destinations for Shanghai residents wanting a short excursion. It is just next door, it is chock-full of historical and cultural sites, and it boasts a superb transportation network that is integrated with Shanghai’s. Ask where most people visit, and you will most likely, and rightfully, be told Nanjing, the provincial capital; Suzhou, Shanghai’s quaint neighbor and economic powerhouse; or Yangzhou, the important canal city in which the Venetian traveler Marco Polo worked as an official, if legend is to be believed.Those in the know, however, will include Wuxi in the list. Few realize it was the ancient capital of Wu State during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), whose territory encompassed all the aforementioned cities including Shanghai, and whose language gave birth to the Shanghai dialect. Wuxi is also the richest city in China for the fourth year running, as measured by per capita GDP.Wuxi may not be strewn with the classical gardens that have made Suzhou famous, but it does share beautiful Taihu Lake with Suzhou, and some may prefer visiting the lake — the heart and soul of Jiangnan, regions south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River — in Wuxi instead of Suzhou.Yuantouzhu, or Turtle Head Isle — immortally dubbed “the nicest corner by Taihu Lake” by the influential author Guo Moruo — is an ideal place to go.  However, save your lake visit for your second day in Wuxi, and enjoy the city’s cultural offerings first.After arriving at Wuxi Railway Station, hop onto the subway and head for Huishan Ancient Town.Huishan Mountain, whose elegance and charm endorsed by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) as “the top mountain in Jiangnan,” is connected to Xishan, a hillock that reputedly gave Wuxi its name. You can visit both; in fact, you are much closer to Xishan as you exit the subway station and enter the scenic area.Huishan is famous for at least three things: its ancestral temples, clay figurines and the Second-Best Spring under Heaven.Along Huishan Straight Street, you will pass many ancestral temples honoring various Chinese historical figures, many of Wuxi origin, and built during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing dynasties. Many are open to visit. Make yourself welcome.Huishan clay figurines are a much beloved folk art form, which also made onto the first national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006. I bought a small set in an artisan’s atelier on the street. For those particularly interested in the craft, be sure to check out the sizeable China Clay Figurine Museum.As for the Second-Best Spring, it was the source of inspiration of one of the most famous pieces of Chinese music, “The Moon Mirrored in the Pool” — the pool being the spring. The composer of the piece, the blind erhu player Hua Yanjun, also known as Abing, was buried not far from the spring. (For those keen on hiking, behind Abing’s tomb is the vast Huishan National Forest Park; walk to your heart’s delight and be rewarded by wonderful scenery at the top.)It was none other than Lu Yu, the Sage of Tea, who gave the spring its accolade. Lu, who could be more particular about water than a tea master, ranked the spring second in all of China in terms of water quality.The Huishan scenic area is huge. I have yet to mention the Ming Dynasty Jichang Garden, which delighted Emperor Qianlong enough to order an imitation be built in the Summer Palace of Beijing, and the 1,500-year-old Huishan Temple — check out the two Dharani pillars, or stone pillars of sutras, that guard its entrance. Dated from the late Tang (AD 618-907) and Song (AD 960-1279) dynasties, respectively, they are rare specimens in the Jiangnan region.Huishan can occupy you for most of a day. After you are done, head for Nanchan Temple by either Bus 15 or the subway. The temple is Wuxi’s landmark with a history as long as Huishan Temple. It is located right next to Wanghu Gate, the southern gate of the old city, whose wall no longer exists. The temple area, busy with several markets including a book market and an antique market and lots of small shops, is adjacent to the mile-long Qingming Bridge Historical and Cultural Block, which extends along an old stretch of the Grand Canal. The canal has since been moved 2 kilometers away to meet modern transportation demands, but the old stretch is testament to what made Wuxi prosperous historically. Be sure to visit the picturesque Qingming Bridge.Wuxi cuisine is distinguished by its sweet taste. Wuxi-style soup dumplings are markedly sweeter than those found in Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing. Try them, as well as the famous Wuxi spare ribs, in one of the many local restaurants in either scenic area. Yuantouzhu, your main attraction on Day 2, is particularly worth a visit in March and April when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Head there early to avoid the crowd. If you have time to kill before catching your train back to Shanghai, consider visiting Donglin Academy, the birthplace of a famous couplet that epitomizes Confucian gentleman-scholar ideals:In my ears are the sounds of wind, rain and reading (风声雨声读书声，声声入耳);To my concern are the affairs of fa­mily, state and the world (家事国事天下事，事事关心).Not far from the entrance of the academy, you will find a map of the diamond-shaped old city labeled “Baixiang Liangxi,” or A Hundred Alleys of River Liang. Liangxi, Wuxi’s main river, gives the old city’s administrative district its name. Unlike Suzhou, Wuxi’s historic gems are a bit more hidden and await your discovery. Have fun following either route shown, or both!If you goThere are very frequent services from both Shanghai Railway Station and Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, and the journey takes under an hour.
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/travel/Macau-beyond-casinos-and-European-landmark-replicas/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Macau: beyond casinos and European landmark replicas</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<pubDate>Sat, 16 Dec 2023 00:02:24 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Louis Lee]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[Two leading Irish academics visited me recently after attending a large international conference in Macau.]]></description>
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		Two leading Irish academics visited me recently after attending a large international conference in Macau. My two friends raved about the state-of-the-art management of the conference venue, a glitzy five-star hotel in the Cotai Strip, at length before expressing their disappointment at being overwhelmed by casinos and European landmark replicas.I feel sorry for my friends, for those poor academics had precious little time to venture out of their conference venue environs. It is true that Macau can frequently feel overrun by tourists who are looking for fun and might not be interested in cultural explorations. But how can a city with almost 500 years of European cultural exchange disappoint in its cultural offerings? The following is a guide for a short but in-depth weekend trip to explore the rich history of Macau.Start with A-Ma Temple on the Macau Peninsula, the very spot that made Macau Macau. Legend has it that when early Portuguese navigators reached this corner of the Far East and asked the locals for their whereabouts, they mistook the answer Maa-gok, the temple’s Cantonese name, for the name of the place and named the peninsula Macau. The Temple, thought to be built before Columbus “discovered” the Americas, honors the Goddess of Seafaring Mazu. Opposite the temple stands the Maritime Museum, which is well worth a visit.The temple faces piers serving different trades along the Inner Harbor. Some are now defunct, the most noteworthy being perhaps Pier 11, where the Kwong Hing Tai Firecracker Company office building still stands. One hundred years ago, the major industry in tiny Macau was firecracker manufacturing. For a wonderful exhibition of this piece of Macanese history, make a special trip to the former site of the Iec Long Firecracker Factory on Taipa. Do not just stroll along Rua do Almirante Sergio, but also check out Rua do Dr Lourenco Pereira Marques, where plenty of seafood companies still operate.Continue walking northward along Almirante Sergio until you hit Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, which will lead you to the picturesque Largo do Senado, Macau’s most easily recognizable image together with that of the Ruins of Saint Paul’s. You will have plenty of time to explore those famous sites later on.About 100 meters onto Almeida Ribeiro, turn left on Rua de Cinco de Outubro, which commemorates Portugal became a republic on October 5, 1910. This street is as local as it gets: At Tai Long Fong Casa de Cha, you will find patrons enjoying dim sum to Cantonese Opera tunes performed by professionals and aficionados alike in the background. The dining experience is decidedly a throwback to the 1980s. Further down the street, you will find tea shops selling lychee red tea. This fragrant tea is not easy to find. It is an unmistakably Cantonese tea and is prepared by smoking tea leaves with lychee fruit. You will also find various traditional eateries, including Nam Peng Cafe, another throwback to times bygone, as well as the Ngao Kei curry house at the end of the street. Take your pick for lunch.Continue north at the end of the road and take the next right. The name Travessa dos Calafates (Caulkers Lane), just like the names of many other lanes and streets you have passed by, reminds you of those who have plied their trade in this area. You’ll see a small temple at the end of the lane, like the kind found throughout the Macau Peninsula. Meander up the stairs to its left, and you will be amazed by your vista. You will find three more temples of various deities, including the Monkey King and the God of Marriage and Love. You will find offerings made by Macanese singles hoping for love around the Lantern Festival in February.Continue your climb up to Camoes Garden, which pays homage to Luis Vaz de Camoes, who wrote part of his Portuguese epic poem “Os Lusiadas” in a cave right here. Look not only for his statue but also for mosaics depicting sections of the epic.Find your way to the garden’s main entrance, to the left of which you will see traces of a whole different kind of deity. The British East India Company church and cemetery — an Anglican cemetery in overwhelmingly Catholic Portuguese Macau — is noteworthy for three reasons: the grave of the missionary Robert Morrison, author of the first Chinese-English dictionary; the grave of the English painter George Chinnery, whose seminal watercolor paintings of Guangzhou (Canton as it was known then) are a valuable record of south China in the 19th century; and the graves of British officers who fought in the First Opium War, which was launched by Britain against China in 1840 and led to what Chinese historians describe as China’s “century of humiliation,” a series of colonial military engagements as well as the Japanese invasion.Camoes Garden is only 10 minutes away from the famous Ruins of Saint Paul’s. Join the throngs of tourists in exploring the architecture, if not shopping, down the steps from the church. Alternatively, visit the nearby Macau Museum right in the historic Mount Fortress. Two other hidden gems of the peninsula are the murals inside the Guia Chapel at the Guia Fortress, which overlooks the Outer Harbor (as it faces the Pacific Ocean), and the Penha Hill, which was once the seat of the Macanese Archbishop. The chapel dates from 1622.Finish your trip with a hearty Macanese dinner — Chinese-Portuguese fusion cuisine with a long history — at Restaurante Litoral and A Lorcha restaurant, both a stone’s throw from A-Ma Temple, or the more earthy and local A Vencedora restaurant. Booking is necessary for the former two.Tips:There are 12 flights from Shanghai Hong­qiao and Pudong international airports daily. An alternative is the overnight sleeper train D941, which departs from Shanghai Hong­qiao Railway Station at 7:55pm and reaches Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, at 8:27 the following morning. Zhuhai station is within walking distance of the Zhuhai-Macau border. D941 runs only from Friday to Monday, and the same applies to its return service, D942, which leaves Zhuhai at 6:14pm and reaches Hongqiao at 7am the next day.
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/Kenya-cashes-in-on-Chinas-newfound-love-of-avocados-with-seafood-next/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Kenya cashes in on China’s newfound love of avocados, with seafood next</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplement]]></category>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Dec 2023 00:00:42 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Li Qian]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[Lu Cuifeng is out to delight the palates of the Chinese with food sourced from Kenya.]]></description>
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		Lu Cuifeng is out to delight the palates of the Chinese with food sourced from Kenya.Vice chairwoman of the China-Africa Business Council, she arranged the first avocado exports from Kenya to China last year. This year, her sights are set on octopus, squid and other seafood.“China is definitely a huge market,” said Lu, an entrepreneur who has been doing business with African countries for nearly 15 years.Called the “African queen” by her friends, she first engaged with the continent in a logistics role.“It all just evolved so naturally,” she said.Chinese infrastructure projects in Kenya, such as development of railways and ports, have unlocked market opportunities for players in the industry chain.In 2009, Lu expanded her business network with the establishment of Shanghai Smart Cargo Supply Chain Management Co, which focuses on engineering, procurement and construction services.The company now has offices in more than 10 African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa.“Basically, we transported construction materials and equipment for Chinese firms involved in African infrastructure projects,” Lu said.China-Africa relations have grown closer since the 2013 launch of the “Belt and Road” initiative — an ambitious Chinese program to foster economic and cultural ties with Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe.“It’s time to bring something back from Africa to China,” Lu said, explaining the new focus on agricultural products like coffee, nuts and fruits. “They are what Chinese consumers like.”In 2015, she established Shanghai Greechain Information Science &amp; Technology Ltd to export agricultural products from Africa to China. Her most prominent deal to date is the export of Kenyan avocados.China is now the second-largest market for African agricultural exports, and Kenya is the largest exporter of avocados on the continent.Avocados, relatively unknown in China until more recent years, have been gaining popularity in China. Though the domestic market is dominated by avocados from South America, Lu said the Kenyan fruit is bigger in size and better in taste.“Kenya’s climate is tailor-made for avocados to grow,” she said.In 2018, Greechain introduced Kenyan avocados at the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai. They attracted a lot of attention.A trade delegation led by Kenya’s president signed an agreement with Greechain to export Kenyan agricultural products to China.In August 2022, the first shipment of fresh avocados from Kenya was shipped to China.“It took us nearly three-and-a-half years,” Lu said. “The business was new to everyone, and the whole process was beset with difficulties.”It took the company more than half a year to negotiate tariff reductions with Chinese customs, finally getting them cut from 30 percent to 7 percent.Quarantine was another big issue.“We introduced technology that helped Kenyan producers fumigate in order to meet China’s strict pest control standards,” she said.Currently, China takes nearly 30 percent of Kenya’s avocado exports.The trade has increased Kenya’s foreign-exchange earnings and benefited the country’s farmers, Lu said. Kenyan agricultural authorities estimate avocado exports to China will increase the annual income of local farmers by 30-50 percent.Richard Wafula, one of Greechain’s partners in Kenya, is certainly reaping the benefits.He began planting avocados in 2019, after learning about the enormous demand for the fruit in the Chinese market. Currently, he owns more than 5,500 avocado trees.“I’m very optimistic about the market,” he told People’s Daily.Avocado farmer Richard Tuwei has expanded the size of his orchard to meet the rising demand from China.“In the past, I had to borrow money to pay for my children’s education,” he told the newspaper. “Now my income is enough to cover my family’s expenses. Our lives have been greatly improved.”China has granted market access to 16 agricultural products from 11 African countries, and offered zero-tariff treatment for some poorer countries.Tang Renjian, China’s minister of agriculture and rural affairs, said agricultural investment by Chinese enterprises in Africa reached 12.8 billion yuan (US$1.8 billion) by the end of 2021, creating more than 30,000 jobs.“As we earn from Africa, we should also repay Africa,” Lu said.Her company employs hundreds of locals in Africa. In Kenya and Tanzania, nearly one third are women.
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/Marathon-king-declares-China-to-be-the-future/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Marathon king declares China to be the future</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplement]]></category>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Dec 2023 00:00:42 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ma Yue]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[Eliud Kipchoge is probably one of the best-known Kenyan celebrities in China, especially among sports followers.]]></description>
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		Eliud Kipchoge is probably one of the best-known Kenyan celebrities in China, especially among sports followers.The double Olympic champion and long-time world record holder is widely considered the world’s greatest marathon runner, not only because of his running performances, but also his contribution to the promotion of the sport and care for youngsters.The marathon king’s last visit to Shanghai was in October during which he interacted with primary school students, and led a group of local runners for a 2-kilometer run along Suzhou Creek in Putuo District. He also visited Beijing in the same week to promote running.“It’s great to be back in China where I have the opportunity to meet so many fans who share the same love of running,” he said. “I get so much energy from meeting all of these wonderful people, which fills me with motivation when I start training for my next race.”Kipchoge said his visits to China were always pleasant and he was impressed by its thrilling running culture and the increase in runners in China over the years.In previous visits, he tended to talk more about his running and training regimes. But in his most recent visit, communication with local runners and encouraging more people into regular sports activity was his major interest.“For me, marathon is life, and China is the future. With such a great population and the increasing runners, especially youngsters, it has to be the future,” he said.“One of my favorite things about running is that it unites us all. It fades differences, and sharing our passion brings us together,” he added.Though Kipchoge has yet to take part in a formal marathon competition in China, the 39-year-old expressed his interest in running on Shanghai streets, just like many of his compatriots.With the Chinese public’s recognition of healthy lifestyles, running has been attracting an increasing number of enthusiasts, and the number of running competitions has also soared.Data released by the Chinese Athletics Association show that the number of marathon and related road running events nationwide has increased from 51 in 2014 to 1,828 in 2019 — an increase of more than 30 times in five years.Inviting foreign elite runners to participate has become common practice for domestic marathon organizers. It can improve the overall performance level of the event, while help to motivate local runners and enhance international communication.Kenyan runners are popular invitees, who frequently create new records for domestic marathon events. In the last Shanghai Marathon on November 25, Kenyan runner Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba created a new course record of 2:05:35, breaking the previous record (2:07:14) held by his compatriot Paul Lonyangata since 2015.Participating in marathons around the world, including China, can open up more possibilities for Kenyan athletes.For a star runner such as Kipchoge, popularizing correct running knowledge and training methods has been an important task that he is also happy to participate in during his many trips to China.The world’s fastest marathon runner for a long period, Kipchoge’s world record was broken by his 23-year-old compatriot Kelvin Kiptum earlier this year, with a new world record of 2 hours and 35 seconds in Chicago, beating Kipchoge’s 2:01:09 that he set at last year’s Berlin Marathon.“I believe I can break the record again, because sports have no limits,” Kipchoge observed.
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/Chinas-expertise-in-rice-breeding-set-to-increase-food-supplies-in-Africa/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>China’s expertise in rice breeding set to increase food supplies in Africa</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplement]]></category>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Dec 2023 00:00:42 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Li Qian]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[A research center in Shanghai has developed hybrid rice suitable for use in Africa to help improve food self-sufficiency on a continent often beset by drought.]]></description>
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		A research center in Shanghai has developed hybrid rice suitable for use in Africa to help improve food self-sufficiency on a continent often beset by drought.The water-saving and drought-resistant rice, developed by the Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, may be approved as market-ready next year after six years of trials in Kenya, said Liu Zaochang, head of the center’s Africa program.“We are probably the first in China to breed hybrid rice for Africa,” he said. “Starting with Kenya, we are promoting several rice varieties to 11 African countries, especially Botswana, where rice hasn’t been grown in nearly 50 years.”John Kimani, a rice breeder from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, said the aromatic rice has an exceptional flavor, and the plants are highly productive, drought-resistant and water-saving.“In terms of marketability, they are ideal,” he said. “We are thrilled at the prospect of releasing them for widespread cultivation.”Research of the hybrid rice dates back to the early 2000s. One goal was to reduce the amount of water needed for cultivation, especially given periodic droughts suffered in Africa.The center’s chief scientist, Luo Lijun, began research on the new strains of rice, with nearly 50 varieties developed.The new breeds can save more than 50 percent of the water normally needed for cultivation and eliminate the need for 30 percent of fertilizers used. The strains also help reduce emissions harmful to climate.Kenya has been trialing the rice in test fields.In 2016, center staff went to Kenya to meet with representatives from the United Nations Environment Program.“The program’s African office was very interested in water-saving, drought-resistant rice because it helps address urgent food needs on the continent,” Liu said.Kenya has 100,000 hectares of paddy fields, which annually produce about a third of the nation’s 300 tons of rice consumption.“It’s almost impossible for them to fill the gap by expanding the size of paddy fields due to covenants under the Convention on Wetlands,” Liu said. “And turning hillsides into rice fields is expensive.”Kenya imports rice from South America and Southeast Asia to fill the nation’s demand. It also wants to become more self-sufficient in rice and other food production.The visit to Kenya resulted in an agreement between the UN agency, the Shanghai gene center and the Kenyan agricultural organization.In 2017, the first batch of hybrid seeds was planted in a trial field west of the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. Two more sites were later added – one at the border of Kenya and Uganda; the other in the port city of Mombasa.“Results exceeded the expectations,” Liu said. “The hybrid rice was shown to save water and need less fertilizer, while producing higher yields that are resistant to rice blast spores.”Kimani from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization said the higher productivity was obvious to the 200 local farmers participating in the trials.“Now we can get about 5 tons per hectare compared with 500 kilograms from previous rice breeds,” he said.Increased productivity means higher incomes for farmers, he added.“Previously, the rice they grew was just enough to feed themselves,” he explained. “In the future, they will be able to sell the surplus in the marketplace.”
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/Marathon-king-declares-China-to-be-the-future/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Marathon king declares China to be the future</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplement]]></category>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Dec 2023 00:00:42 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ma Yue]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[Eliud Kipchoge is probably one of the best-known Kenyan celebrities in China, especially among sports followers.]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		Eliud Kipchoge is probably one of the best-known Kenyan celebrities in China, especially among sports followers.The double Olympic champion and long-time world record holder is widely considered the world’s greatest marathon runner, not only because of his running performances, but also his contribution to the promotion of the sport and care for youngsters.The marathon king’s last visit to Shanghai was in October during which he interacted with primary school students, and led a group of local runners for a 2-kilometer run along Suzhou Creek in Putuo District. He also visited Beijing in the same week to promote running.“It’s great to be back in China where I have the opportunity to meet so many fans who share the same love of running,” he said. “I get so much energy from meeting all of these wonderful people, which fills me with motivation when I start training for my next race.”Kipchoge said his visits to China were always pleasant and he was impressed by its thrilling running culture and the increase in runners in China over the years.In previous visits, he tended to talk more about his running and training regimes. But in his most recent visit, communication with local runners and encouraging more people into regular sports activity was his major interest.“For me, marathon is life, and China is the future. With such a great population and the increasing runners, especially youngsters, it has to be the future,” he said.“One of my favorite things about running is that it unites us all. It fades differences, and sharing our passion brings us together,” he added.Though Kipchoge has yet to take part in a formal marathon competition in China, the 39-year-old expressed his interest in running on Shanghai streets, just like many of his compatriots.With the Chinese public’s recognition of healthy lifestyles, running has been attracting an increasing number of enthusiasts, and the number of running competitions has also soared.Data released by the Chinese Athletics Association show that the number of marathon and related road running events nationwide has increased from 51 in 2014 to 1,828 in 2019 — an increase of more than 30 times in five years.Inviting foreign elite runners to participate has become common practice for domestic marathon organizers. It can improve the overall performance level of the event, while help to motivate local runners and enhance international communication.Kenyan runners are popular invitees, who frequently create new records for domestic marathon events. In the last Shanghai Marathon on November 25, Kenyan runner Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba created a new course record of 2:05:35, breaking the previous record (2:07:14) held by his compatriot Paul Lonyangata since 2015.Participating in marathons around the world, including China, can open up more possibilities for Kenyan athletes.For a star runner such as Kipchoge, popularizing correct running knowledge and training methods has been an important task that he is also happy to participate in during his many trips to China.The world’s fastest marathon runner for a long period, Kipchoge’s world record was broken by his 23-year-old compatriot Kelvin Kiptum earlier this year, with a new world record of 2 hours and 35 seconds in Chicago, beating Kipchoge’s 2:01:09 that he set at last year’s Berlin Marathon.“I believe I can break the record again, because sports have no limits,” Kipchoge observed.
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/Chinas-expertise-in-rice-breeding-set-to-increase-food-supplies-in-Africa/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>China’s expertise in rice breeding set to increase food supplies in Africa</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplement]]></category>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Dec 2023 00:00:42 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Li Qian]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[A research center in Shanghai has developed hybrid rice suitable for use in Africa to help improve food self-sufficiency on a continent often beset by drought.]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		A research center in Shanghai has developed hybrid rice suitable for use in Africa to help improve food self-sufficiency on a continent often beset by drought.The water-saving and drought-resistant rice, developed by the Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, may be approved as market-ready next year after six years of trials in Kenya, said Liu Zaochang, head of the center’s Africa program.“We are probably the first in China to breed hybrid rice for Africa,” he said. “Starting with Kenya, we are promoting several rice varieties to 11 African countries, especially Botswana, where rice hasn’t been grown in nearly 50 years.”John Kimani, a rice breeder from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, said the aromatic rice has an exceptional flavor, and the plants are highly productive, drought-resistant and water-saving.“In terms of marketability, they are ideal,” he said. “We are thrilled at the prospect of releasing them for widespread cultivation.”Research of the hybrid rice dates back to the early 2000s. One goal was to reduce the amount of water needed for cultivation, especially given periodic droughts suffered in Africa.The center’s chief scientist, Luo Lijun, began research on the new strains of rice, with nearly 50 varieties developed.The new breeds can save more than 50 percent of the water normally needed for cultivation and eliminate the need for 30 percent of fertilizers used. The strains also help reduce emissions harmful to climate.Kenya has been trialing the rice in test fields.In 2016, center staff went to Kenya to meet with representatives from the United Nations Environment Program.“The program’s African office was very interested in water-saving, drought-resistant rice because it helps address urgent food needs on the continent,” Liu said.Kenya has 100,000 hectares of paddy fields, which annually produce about a third of the nation’s 300 tons of rice consumption.“It’s almost impossible for them to fill the gap by expanding the size of paddy fields due to covenants under the Convention on Wetlands,” Liu said. “And turning hillsides into rice fields is expensive.”Kenya imports rice from South America and Southeast Asia to fill the nation’s demand. It also wants to become more self-sufficient in rice and other food production.The visit to Kenya resulted in an agreement between the UN agency, the Shanghai gene center and the Kenyan agricultural organization.In 2017, the first batch of hybrid seeds was planted in a trial field west of the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. Two more sites were later added – one at the border of Kenya and Uganda; the other in the port city of Mombasa.“Results exceeded the expectations,” Liu said. “The hybrid rice was shown to save water and need less fertilizer, while producing higher yields that are resistant to rice blast spores.”Kimani from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization said the higher productivity was obvious to the 200 local farmers participating in the trials.“Now we can get about 5 tons per hectare compared with 500 kilograms from previous rice breeds,” he said.Increased productivity means higher incomes for farmers, he added.“Previously, the rice they grew was just enough to feed themselves,” he explained. “In the future, they will be able to sell the surplus in the marketplace.”
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/A-Kenyan-student-in-Shanghai-90-percent-of-me-is-Chinese/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>A Kenyan student in Shanghai: ‘90 percent of me is Chinese’</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplement]]></category>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Dec 2023 00:00:42 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Li Qian]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[Noah Namwamba, a graduate student at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, has immersed himself so deeply in life in China that he sometimes worries family and friends back home in Kenya can’t immediately place]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		Noah Namwamba, a graduate student at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, has immersed himself so deeply in life in China that he sometimes worries family and friends back home in Kenya can’t immediately place him when he returns.He reckons “90 percent of me is Chinese” after spending seven years in Shanghai. He has a coterie of Chinese friends, speaks Mandarin, loves Chinese food, watches Chinese films and has visited most provinces in China.“Everything is different,” he said of his wide-ranging China experience. “You go to Guangdong and people are speaking Cantonese, which is so different from Shanghai dialect. When I went to the Inner Mongolia and saw the local writing, it was something I didn’t know existed. Someone told me it was actually used on the Chinese currency renminbi. I thought I understood China, but gradually I began to feel that I didn’t know anything.”Namwamba was born and raised in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. He recalls watching kung fu movies as a child, calling Jet Lee an icon among the young in his native country.“Jumping from a table and doing a Jet Lee kick as a kid was considered something to be proud of,” he said. “So, growing up watching Chinese dramas and films was how I learned about China. The image of China painted in our minds was of a country where people were practicing kung fu everywhere. And some people in Kenya still have that perception even to this day.”When he first came to China in 2016, one of his first trips was to the Shaolin Temple in central China’s Henan Province, which was regarded as the birthplace of kung fu.Namwamba recalls how he was studying at the University of Nairobi in 2013. His department was on the third floor, one floor above the Confucius Institute at the school.“I used to skip the second floor,” he said, with a sheepish grin, “but along the way, I listened to Kenya students there speaking fluent Chinese. It sounded so nice.”The germ of a dream to go to China took root. He began studying Chinese at the Confucius Institute. With his ear for languages, Namwamba easily passed the HSK (Level II) test, which led to his enrollment in a one-semester Chinese language course at Fudan University in Shanghai.When the plane carrying him landed at Pudong International Airport in September 2016, Namwamba was overcome by amazement.“Is this real, I kept asking myself,” he said. “It was a very strange but joyful sensation. I’m finally here in China!”He is currently working on a PhD in new media studies at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.“China has become my home, and I love it,” he said.That endearment is reinforced the more Namwamba’s Chinese roots expand.He said he’s made so many Chinese friends over the years that he’s lost count of them. “There are maybe more than 2,000 Chinese contacts on my WeChat account,” he said.Food has been part of the delight of living in China. His favorites are Shandong dumplings, Xinjiang barbecue and Xi’an roujiamo, a Chinese-style burger.“I have learned a lot,” he said. “But one thing that is very obvious — China is a nation of creative, smart people, who are open to new ideas, people and challenges.”Namwamba said he is especially impressed by the nation’s embrace of advanced technologies.“I use WeChat, Eleme, Taobao, Meituan, Dingdong Maicai — all these apps are so ubiquitous,” he said, adding that tech giants like Alibaba and Tencent are global game changers.“Kenyans also use Taobao,” he said. “I asked family members back home to use WeChat because that’s the best way to contact me easily.”Tecno, according to him, is currently the most popular brand in Kenya, and the whole of Africa as well.“It’s a smartphone brand made by China specifically for Africa,” he said. “You can’t buy it outside of the continent. Its camera works so well with us because we have darker skin and it can take brighter photos.”In addition, local languages are included on the affordable phone.“Africans trust no other brand other than Tecno,” he said. Besides apps and gadgets, China’s construction and infrastructure projects have also become a common sight in Kenya, he said.“We now have a lot of highways built by China, and they all have signals in Chinese, like 限速 (xiansu, speed limit),” he said. “The toll stations also have Chinese characters, and apartments constructed by Chinese companies have Chinese names in pinyin.”Perhaps the most prominent project of all is the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, commonly known as SGR.Built with Chinese technology and to Chinese standards, the 480-kilometer railway began operating in 2017. It is Kenya’s largest infrastructure project, connecting East Africa’s largest port city of Mombasa with Nairobi in a trip that takes about four hours.That compares with a bus trip that takes about 12 hours, he said.“Cargo trains that connect Mombasa to Nairobi can easily move on to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi other landlocked African countries,” he said. “It’s much cheaper to move goods by rail than by air freight.”Namwamba said he has been dazzled by China’s focus on innovation and the array of technologies that has produced.“China is investing so heavily on technologies,” he said. “Just look. After ChatGPT came out, there was a Chinese version of it a few days later. In terms of technology, there’s no way that China will be left behind.”Namwamba said he doesn’t think any other country can compare China in its efforts to develop new media, in particular, short-form content platforms.“China has Douyin, Kuaishou, Xiaohongshu,” he said. “I can’t even name all of them. Each one of them has its own unique characteristics targeting a particular group of users. That level of competitiveness and innovation gives China a leading role in the development of new media formats and applications.”Namwamba said he wants to use new technologies to help Kenyans learn about China and vice versa.“China and Kenya have a great relationship, but I want to help move that relationship from government and corporate entities to a people-to-people bridge,” he said. “That’s my goal. That’s my dream.”At the 2018 China International Import Expo, he worked with a team of translators assisting a presidential delegation from Kenya. He said he told President Uhuru Kenyatta that the two nations “can be like a family.”In 2022, Namwamba was invited to give a speech at the World Youth Development Forum.This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Kenya, highlighted by China’s “Belt and Road” initiative that is expanding trade and cultural ties to Central Asia, Africa and beyond.“It’s not about connecting China to the world,” he said. “It’s actually a way of connecting different countries in one loop and enabling cooperation between different people, different cultures and different countries on every level. It’s a community of shared values.”
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/A-Kenyan-student-in-Shanghai-90-percent-of-me-is-Chinese/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>A Kenyan student in Shanghai: ‘90 percent of me is Chinese’</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplement]]></category>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Dec 2023 00:00:42 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Li Qian]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[Noah Namwamba, a graduate student at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, has immersed himself so deeply in life in China that he sometimes worries family and friends back home in Kenya can’t immediately place]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		Noah Namwamba, a graduate student at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, has immersed himself so deeply in life in China that he sometimes worries family and friends back home in Kenya can’t immediately place him when he returns.He reckons “90 percent of me is Chinese” after spending seven years in Shanghai. He has a coterie of Chinese friends, speaks Mandarin, loves Chinese food, watches Chinese films and has visited most provinces in China.“Everything is different,” he said of his wide-ranging China experience. “You go to Guangdong and people are speaking Cantonese, which is so different from Shanghai dialect. When I went to the Inner Mongolia and saw the local writing, it was something I didn’t know existed. Someone told me it was actually used on the Chinese currency renminbi. I thought I understood China, but gradually I began to feel that I didn’t know anything.”Namwamba was born and raised in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. He recalls watching kung fu movies as a child, calling Jet Lee an icon among the young in his native country.“Jumping from a table and doing a Jet Lee kick as a kid was considered something to be proud of,” he said. “So, growing up watching Chinese dramas and films was how I learned about China. The image of China painted in our minds was of a country where people were practicing kung fu everywhere. And some people in Kenya still have that perception even to this day.”When he first came to China in 2016, one of his first trips was to the Shaolin Temple in central China’s Henan Province, which was regarded as the birthplace of kung fu.Namwamba recalls how he was studying at the University of Nairobi in 2013. His department was on the third floor, one floor above the Confucius Institute at the school.“I used to skip the second floor,” he said, with a sheepish grin, “but along the way, I listened to Kenya students there speaking fluent Chinese. It sounded so nice.”The germ of a dream to go to China took root. He began studying Chinese at the Confucius Institute. With his ear for languages, Namwamba easily passed the HSK (Level II) test, which led to his enrollment in a one-semester Chinese language course at Fudan University in Shanghai.When the plane carrying him landed at Pudong International Airport in September 2016, Namwamba was overcome by amazement.“Is this real, I kept asking myself,” he said. “It was a very strange but joyful sensation. I’m finally here in China!”He is currently working on a PhD in new media studies at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.“China has become my home, and I love it,” he said.That endearment is reinforced the more Namwamba’s Chinese roots expand.He said he’s made so many Chinese friends over the years that he’s lost count of them. “There are maybe more than 2,000 Chinese contacts on my WeChat account,” he said.Food has been part of the delight of living in China. His favorites are Shandong dumplings, Xinjiang barbecue and Xi’an roujiamo, a Chinese-style burger.“I have learned a lot,” he said. “But one thing that is very obvious — China is a nation of creative, smart people, who are open to new ideas, people and challenges.”Namwamba said he is especially impressed by the nation’s embrace of advanced technologies.“I use WeChat, Eleme, Taobao, Meituan, Dingdong Maicai — all these apps are so ubiquitous,” he said, adding that tech giants like Alibaba and Tencent are global game changers.“Kenyans also use Taobao,” he said. “I asked family members back home to use WeChat because that’s the best way to contact me easily.”Tecno, according to him, is currently the most popular brand in Kenya, and the whole of Africa as well.“It’s a smartphone brand made by China specifically for Africa,” he said. “You can’t buy it outside of the continent. Its camera works so well with us because we have darker skin and it can take brighter photos.”In addition, local languages are included on the affordable phone.“Africans trust no other brand other than Tecno,” he said. Besides apps and gadgets, China’s construction and infrastructure projects have also become a common sight in Kenya, he said.“We now have a lot of highways built by China, and they all have signals in Chinese, like 限速 (xiansu, speed limit),” he said. “The toll stations also have Chinese characters, and apartments constructed by Chinese companies have Chinese names in pinyin.”Perhaps the most prominent project of all is the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, commonly known as SGR.Built with Chinese technology and to Chinese standards, the 480-kilometer railway began operating in 2017. It is Kenya’s largest infrastructure project, connecting East Africa’s largest port city of Mombasa with Nairobi in a trip that takes about four hours.That compares with a bus trip that takes about 12 hours, he said.“Cargo trains that connect Mombasa to Nairobi can easily move on to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi other landlocked African countries,” he said. “It’s much cheaper to move goods by rail than by air freight.”Namwamba said he has been dazzled by China’s focus on innovation and the array of technologies that has produced.“China is investing so heavily on technologies,” he said. “Just look. After ChatGPT came out, there was a Chinese version of it a few days later. In terms of technology, there’s no way that China will be left behind.”Namwamba said he doesn’t think any other country can compare China in its efforts to develop new media, in particular, short-form content platforms.“China has Douyin, Kuaishou, Xiaohongshu,” he said. “I can’t even name all of them. Each one of them has its own unique characteristics targeting a particular group of users. That level of competitiveness and innovation gives China a leading role in the development of new media formats and applications.”Namwamba said he wants to use new technologies to help Kenyans learn about China and vice versa.“China and Kenya have a great relationship, but I want to help move that relationship from government and corporate entities to a people-to-people bridge,” he said. “That’s my goal. That’s my dream.”At the 2018 China International Import Expo, he worked with a team of translators assisting a presidential delegation from Kenya. He said he told President Uhuru Kenyatta that the two nations “can be like a family.”In 2022, Namwamba was invited to give a speech at the World Youth Development Forum.This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Kenya, highlighted by China’s “Belt and Road” initiative that is expanding trade and cultural ties to Central Asia, Africa and beyond.“It’s not about connecting China to the world,” he said. “It’s actually a way of connecting different countries in one loop and enabling cooperation between different people, different cultures and different countries on every level. It’s a community of shared values.”
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/A-Kenyan-student-in-Shanghai-90-percent-of-me-is-Chinese/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>A Kenyan student in Shanghai: ‘90 percent of me is Chinese’</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplement]]></category>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Dec 2023 00:00:42 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Li Qian]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[Noah Namwamba, a graduate student at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, has immersed himself so deeply in life in China that he sometimes worries family and friends back home in Kenya can’t immediately place]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		Noah Namwamba, a graduate student at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, has immersed himself so deeply in life in China that he sometimes worries family and friends back home in Kenya can’t immediately place him when he returns.He reckons “90 percent of me is Chinese” after spending seven years in Shanghai. He has a coterie of Chinese friends, speaks Mandarin, loves Chinese food, watches Chinese films and has visited most provinces in China.“Everything is different,” he said of his wide-ranging China experience. “You go to Guangdong and people are speaking Cantonese, which is so different from Shanghai dialect. When I went to the Inner Mongolia and saw the local writing, it was something I didn’t know existed. Someone told me it was actually used on the Chinese currency renminbi. I thought I understood China, but gradually I began to feel that I didn’t know anything.”Namwamba was born and raised in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. He recalls watching kung fu movies as a child, calling Jet Lee an icon among the young in his native country.“Jumping from a table and doing a Jet Lee kick as a kid was considered something to be proud of,” he said. “So, growing up watching Chinese dramas and films was how I learned about China. The image of China painted in our minds was of a country where people were practicing kung fu everywhere. And some people in Kenya still have that perception even to this day.”When he first came to China in 2016, one of his first trips was to the Shaolin Temple in central China’s Henan Province, which was regarded as the birthplace of kung fu.Namwamba recalls how he was studying at the University of Nairobi in 2013. His department was on the third floor, one floor above the Confucius Institute at the school.“I used to skip the second floor,” he said, with a sheepish grin, “but along the way, I listened to Kenya students there speaking fluent Chinese. It sounded so nice.”The germ of a dream to go to China took root. He began studying Chinese at the Confucius Institute. With his ear for languages, Namwamba easily passed the HSK (Level II) test, which led to his enrollment in a one-semester Chinese language course at Fudan University in Shanghai.When the plane carrying him landed at Pudong International Airport in September 2016, Namwamba was overcome by amazement.“Is this real, I kept asking myself,” he said. “It was a very strange but joyful sensation. I’m finally here in China!”He is currently working on a PhD in new media studies at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.“China has become my home, and I love it,” he said.That endearment is reinforced the more Namwamba’s Chinese roots expand.He said he’s made so many Chinese friends over the years that he’s lost count of them. “There are maybe more than 2,000 Chinese contacts on my WeChat account,” he said.Food has been part of the delight of living in China. His favorites are Shandong dumplings, Xinjiang barbecue and Xi’an roujiamo, a Chinese-style burger.“I have learned a lot,” he said. “But one thing that is very obvious — China is a nation of creative, smart people, who are open to new ideas, people and challenges.”Namwamba said he is especially impressed by the nation’s embrace of advanced technologies.“I use WeChat, Eleme, Taobao, Meituan, Dingdong Maicai — all these apps are so ubiquitous,” he said, adding that tech giants like Alibaba and Tencent are global game changers.“Kenyans also use Taobao,” he said. “I asked family members back home to use WeChat because that’s the best way to contact me easily.”Tecno, according to him, is currently the most popular brand in Kenya, and the whole of Africa as well.“It’s a smartphone brand made by China specifically for Africa,” he said. “You can’t buy it outside of the continent. Its camera works so well with us because we have darker skin and it can take brighter photos.”In addition, local languages are included on the affordable phone.“Africans trust no other brand other than Tecno,” he said. Besides apps and gadgets, China’s construction and infrastructure projects have also become a common sight in Kenya, he said.“We now have a lot of highways built by China, and they all have signals in Chinese, like 限速 (xiansu, speed limit),” he said. “The toll stations also have Chinese characters, and apartments constructed by Chinese companies have Chinese names in pinyin.”Perhaps the most prominent project of all is the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, commonly known as SGR.Built with Chinese technology and to Chinese standards, the 480-kilometer railway began operating in 2017. It is Kenya’s largest infrastructure project, connecting East Africa’s largest port city of Mombasa with Nairobi in a trip that takes about four hours.That compares with a bus trip that takes about 12 hours, he said.“Cargo trains that connect Mombasa to Nairobi can easily move on to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi other landlocked African countries,” he said. “It’s much cheaper to move goods by rail than by air freight.”Namwamba said he has been dazzled by China’s focus on innovation and the array of technologies that has produced.“China is investing so heavily on technologies,” he said. “Just look. After ChatGPT came out, there was a Chinese version of it a few days later. In terms of technology, there’s no way that China will be left behind.”Namwamba said he doesn’t think any other country can compare China in its efforts to develop new media, in particular, short-form content platforms.“China has Douyin, Kuaishou, Xiaohongshu,” he said. “I can’t even name all of them. Each one of them has its own unique characteristics targeting a particular group of users. That level of competitiveness and innovation gives China a leading role in the development of new media formats and applications.”Namwamba said he wants to use new technologies to help Kenyans learn about China and vice versa.“China and Kenya have a great relationship, but I want to help move that relationship from government and corporate entities to a people-to-people bridge,” he said. “That’s my goal. That’s my dream.”At the 2018 China International Import Expo, he worked with a team of translators assisting a presidential delegation from Kenya. He said he told President Uhuru Kenyatta that the two nations “can be like a family.”In 2022, Namwamba was invited to give a speech at the World Youth Development Forum.This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Kenya, highlighted by China’s “Belt and Road” initiative that is expanding trade and cultural ties to Central Asia, Africa and beyond.“It’s not about connecting China to the world,” he said. “It’s actually a way of connecting different countries in one loop and enabling cooperation between different people, different cultures and different countries on every level. It’s a community of shared values.”
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/Kenya-cashes-in-on-Chinas-newfound-love-of-avocados-with-seafood-next/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Kenya cashes in on China’s newfound love of avocados, with seafood next</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplement]]></category>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Dec 2023 00:00:42 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Li Qian]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[Lu Cuifeng is out to delight the palates of the Chinese with food sourced from Kenya.]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		Lu Cuifeng is out to delight the palates of the Chinese with food sourced from Kenya.Vice chairwoman of the China-Africa Business Council, she arranged the first avocado exports from Kenya to China last year. This year, her sights are set on octopus, squid and other seafood.“China is definitely a huge market,” said Lu, an entrepreneur who has been doing business with African countries for nearly 15 years.Called the “African queen” by her friends, she first engaged with the continent in a logistics role.“It all just evolved so naturally,” she said.Chinese infrastructure projects in Kenya, such as development of railways and ports, have unlocked market opportunities for players in the industry chain.In 2009, Lu expanded her business network with the establishment of Shanghai Smart Cargo Supply Chain Management Co, which focuses on engineering, procurement and construction services.The company now has offices in more than 10 African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa.“Basically, we transported construction materials and equipment for Chinese firms involved in African infrastructure projects,” Lu said.China-Africa relations have grown closer since the 2013 launch of the “Belt and Road” initiative — an ambitious Chinese program to foster economic and cultural ties with Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe.“It’s time to bring something back from Africa to China,” Lu said, explaining the new focus on agricultural products like coffee, nuts and fruits. “They are what Chinese consumers like.”In 2015, she established Shanghai Greechain Information Science &amp; Technology Ltd to export agricultural products from Africa to China. Her most prominent deal to date is the export of Kenyan avocados.China is now the second-largest market for African agricultural exports, and Kenya is the largest exporter of avocados on the continent.Avocados, relatively unknown in China until more recent years, have been gaining popularity in China. Though the domestic market is dominated by avocados from South America, Lu said the Kenyan fruit is bigger in size and better in taste.“Kenya’s climate is tailor-made for avocados to grow,” she said.In 2018, Greechain introduced Kenyan avocados at the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai. They attracted a lot of attention.A trade delegation led by Kenya’s president signed an agreement with Greechain to export Kenyan agricultural products to China.In August 2022, the first shipment of fresh avocados from Kenya was shipped to China.“It took us nearly three-and-a-half years,” Lu said. “The business was new to everyone, and the whole process was beset with difficulties.”It took the company more than half a year to negotiate tariff reductions with Chinese customs, finally getting them cut from 30 percent to 7 percent.Quarantine was another big issue.“We introduced technology that helped Kenyan producers fumigate in order to meet China’s strict pest control standards,” she said.Currently, China takes nearly 30 percent of Kenya’s avocado exports.The trade has increased Kenya’s foreign-exchange earnings and benefited the country’s farmers, Lu said. Kenyan agricultural authorities estimate avocado exports to China will increase the annual income of local farmers by 30-50 percent.Richard Wafula, one of Greechain’s partners in Kenya, is certainly reaping the benefits.He began planting avocados in 2019, after learning about the enormous demand for the fruit in the Chinese market. Currently, he owns more than 5,500 avocado trees.“I’m very optimistic about the market,” he told People’s Daily.Avocado farmer Richard Tuwei has expanded the size of his orchard to meet the rising demand from China.“In the past, I had to borrow money to pay for my children’s education,” he told the newspaper. “Now my income is enough to cover my family’s expenses. Our lives have been greatly improved.”China has granted market access to 16 agricultural products from 11 African countries, and offered zero-tariff treatment for some poorer countries.Tang Renjian, China’s minister of agriculture and rural affairs, said agricultural investment by Chinese enterprises in Africa reached 12.8 billion yuan (US$1.8 billion) by the end of 2021, creating more than 30,000 jobs.“As we earn from Africa, we should also repay Africa,” Lu said.Her company employs hundreds of locals in Africa. In Kenya and Tanzania, nearly one third are women.
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		<link>http://www.shanghaidaily.com/supplement/Kenya-railroad-boosts-trade-prosperity/shdaily.shtml</link>
		<title>Kenya railroad boosts trade, prosperity</title>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplement]]></category>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Dec 2023 00:00:42 +0800</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lu Feiran]]></dc:creator>
		<description><![CDATA[A railway line through the vast savanna of southeastern Kenya is a source of pride for the Chinese who built it and the locals who use it.]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		A railway line through the vast savanna of southeastern Kenya is a source of pride for the Chinese who built it and the locals who use it.The Nairobi-Mombasa Standard Gauge Railway, which connects the nation’s capital with its biggest seaport, celebrates its sixth anniversary this year as China and Kenya mark 60 years of diplomatic relations.Lemme Deche is corporate communications officer for the Africa Star Railway Operation Co. He has traveled on the railway, known locally as RSG, eight times as a passenger and once as corporation communications officer for the company.Indeed, the construction of the railway led to his employment after eight years jobless.“Before the railway came into operation in 2017, there was almost zero traffic on the current route, apart from buses,” he told Shanghai Daily. “I was jobless with zero income, and I never imagined that I would be working for the railway one day.”The Chinese have a saying: “To get rich, build roads first.”The Kenya railroad is the largest infrastructure program in Kenya since its independence in 1963 and is considered a success story in China’s ambitious “Belt and Road” program – an initiative to forge closer economic and cultural ties with Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe.The railroad was built by China Road &amp; Construction Corp and is financed by low-cost loans from the Exim Bank of China. State-owned Kenya Railways Corp, which owns the railway, contracts its operations and maintenance to Africa Star, a subsidiary of the Chinese company.The US$3.8-billion first phase from Mombasa to Nairobi was completed in 2017. Two years later, a second phase from Nairobi to Naivasha opened.The entire railroad stretches for 600 kilometers and handles an average 10 passenger trains and about 17 freight trains a day, with design speeds ranging from 80 to 120 kilometers an hour.By the end of November, the railway had transported over 11.6 million passengers and nearly 30 million tons of cargo, without any accidents.“The railway is very popular in Kenya because it’s convenient and economical,” said Chen Tianpeng, deputy general manager of Africa Star. “It provides ideal transport for people who want to holiday in coastal areas of the country. Air travel is expensive, and long-distance buses are slow. The rail line is so popular that passengers usually need to reserve tickets at least a week in advance. Tickets for the Christmas holiday season have already been booked out.”Apart from tourism, the railway has become an economic lifeline in Kenya. It allows local companies to transport their products to and from connecting seaports and manufacturing hubs cheaply.“And in times of crisis, the railway is used to transport emergency supplies,” Chen said. “A good example of that was during the COVID pandemic, when the railway carried medical supplies in Kenya and to inland countries of eastern Africa.”To Deche, the best part of the train trip is the stunning natural scenery along the route. “The train passes through national parks, affording views of forests, wild animals, mountains and rivers — natural habitat that the construction plan had vowed to conserve,” he said.The pledge to preserve native wildlife habitat was one of the biggest challenges faced by construction teams.Wen Xinlan, project manager of Head Office of the Standard Gauge Railway Project, who oversaw construction, said that a wildlife conservation team was created to study the animals and plot their migratory pathways on the savanna.“The team, including three Chinese experts and a local guide, walked around the Tsavo National Park for half a year. They studied different animal species and the landscapes that sustain them on their migratory paths to determine how the rail line should be designed and routed.”The largest wildlife park in Kenya, Tsavo National Park covers more than 20,000 square kilometers — 17 times the area of New York City. The park is home to the world’s largest wild elephant herds, numbering more than 20,000 elephants, as well as other animals such as giraffes, zebras, lions and antelopes.The experts chose giraffes as a standard because of the animal’s height to design “underpasses” for the animals to use on migration. The height of bridges was raised and watering holes were installed for the animals. Fences on both sides of the railways minimized the risk of animals wandering onto the tracks.After the railway was put into service, Chinese engineers stayed on to manage operations and maintenance. They trained Kenyan employees, who now number nearly 3,000.In the future, the railway is expected to extend to Malaba, on Kenya’s western border with Uganda, and probably further connect more with railway networks in eastern Africa to benefit more inland countries.Earlier, Kenya’s President William Ruto said the railway has sparked discussions among neighboring countries about ways of expanding East-West (African) ties.
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