Month: November 2024

On October 21, the International Communication Conference on Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture and the unveiling of the Huiqiao Health Service Center took place in Guilin, Guangxi. This event attracted experts from Germany’s University of Oldenburg, representatives from Switzerland’s Huaxia Traditional Chinese Medicine School, students from the Swiss institution engaged in cultural exchanges in China, and international students from Guilin Medical University. The gathering aimed to enhance the international exchange of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) culture.

According to reports, Guilin is home to approximately 150,000 returned overseas Chinese and their relatives, with around 200,000 Chinese nationals living abroad in over 70 countries and regions. In an effort to provide high-quality TCM health services to this community, with the support of the United Front Work Department of the Guilin Municipal Committee, the Guilin Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, the Guilin Health Commission, and the Guilin Overseas Chinese Federation, the Guilin TCM Hospital established the Huiqiao Health Service Center.

This new center aims to create a comprehensive health service platform that integrates health management, medical care, and rehabilitation, ensuring the well-being of overseas Chinese and their families. Additionally, by showcasing the unique advantages of TCM in healthcare, wellness, and rehabilitation, the center aspires to become a new platform for disseminating Guilin’s TCM culture to the world, enabling broader recognition and understanding of TCM.

Yilin Yi, president of the Guilin Returned Overseas Chinese Federation, emphasized that the establishment of the service center is a key initiative to promote the Huiqiao brand and serves as an important livelihood project for the overseas Chinese community. By offering meticulous and high-quality health services to returned overseas Chinese and their families—both in Guilin and abroad—the center aims to convey the warmth and evolving changes of their hometown. Moreover, it seeks to use this occasion to foster widespread dialogue and cooperation with international partners, working collaboratively to build a broader platform for the promotion and appreciation of TCM culture. This initiative aims to spread constructive outcomes of exchanges and contribute to mutual understanding and a shared global health community.

Professor Henning Ritter from the University of Oldenburg highlighted the deepening collaboration between his institution and the Guilin TCM Hospital in recent years. Their partnership has led to the establishment of Asia’s first breast center certified by the European Society of Breast Imaging (EUSOMA). Professor Ritter noted their growing understanding of TCM practices and reported that they have started implementing acupuncture anesthesia techniques in their treatments. He expressed hopes for further collaboration with Guilin TCM Hospital and other medical institutions to enhance patient care.

In recent years, Guilin has actively engaged in the Belt and Road Initiative, conducting TCM exchanges with over 20 countries and regions. The Guilin TCM Hospital has formed a friendly hospital relationship with the University of Oldenburg, promoting TCM culture in Germany. The Huaxia Traditional Chinese Medicine School has set up an internship base at the Guilin TCM Hospital, sending foreign medical students annually to learn TCM techniques and culture. Additionally, Guilin Medical University and the Guilin TCM Hospital have collaborated to establish a “Understanding China” practical education base, offering diverse TCM learning, experiencing, and clinical practice opportunities for international students, thus fostering their love and understanding of TCM as it continues to reach a global audience.

On October 15, the International Communication Forum of the 2024 China New Media Conference took place in Changsha, focusing on the theme “Building a More Effective International Communication System.”

During the forum, prominent media figures, scholars, and representatives from overseas brands engaged in discussions regarding how to adapt to the complex international public opinion landscape, improve international communication effectiveness, and understand the principles of global messaging. The goal was to enhance China’s international communication influence, the appeal of Chinese culture, the friendliness of China’s image, the persuasiveness of Chinese narratives, and the capacity to guide international public opinion.

As one panelist noted, “The strength of communication determines influence, and having a voice is synonymous with having control.” Strengthening international communication capacity is not only a strategic necessity for outward publicity but also an urgent task. Accelerating the construction of a more effective international communication system is crucial for securing a global narrative that matches China’s comprehensive national strength and international status, allowing China’s voice to resonate worldwide and to better showcase a truthful, dimensional, and comprehensive view of China, thereby protecting the nation’s image and interests.

Participants at the forum agreed that building a more effective international communication system is a systematic endeavor. Yu Tao, Vice Director of the China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration, emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities in the new media era while proactively addressing the challenges brought by technological advancements. He highlighted the need for coordinated action across various aspects of communication, including participants, content, and channels, to combine professional methods with diverse resources, thereby enhancing the global presence of Chinese culture.

Zhao Chengxin, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the Hunan Provincial Committee, provided an example of innovation in international storytelling. He noted that Hunan Television has pioneering efforts such as the Mango TV International App, which aims to reach 260 million overseas users, and the establishment of the Gold Mango satellite channel in Africa, targeting over 10 million specific audiences. Zhao emphasized enhancing Hunan’s international communication capabilities through focused foreign publicity projects, leveraging a combination of platform building, high-quality content creation, and channel cooperation.

Wei Jianhua, Deputy Director of the International News Editing Department at Xinhua News Agency, argued that Chinese media must adapt their international communication strategies to new realities, striking a balance between hard and soft messaging. He pointed out that in certain discussions, the audience has become more segmented, leading to a scenario where each party communicates in their own way.

Zhang Qiong, Deputy Director of the Chongqing Municipal Publicity Department, discussed the role of local media in serving the national agenda for foreign publicity. She emphasized the importance of telling China’s story effectively by utilizing existing channels while continuously innovating. This includes developing an international communication working system in Western China to bolster inland openness and creating integrated media platforms that facilitate international exchanges.

“High-quality international communication content is essential for presenting a truthful, comprehensive view of China,” said Luo Siyu, a senior researcher at Renmin University of China. He pointed out that through ongoing technological innovations and global strategies, along with authentic stories of the Chinese people, China can enhance the credibility of its message on the world stage.

The forum also highlighted collaborative efforts such as the establishment of the Ghana Golden Mango Channel, a partnership between Hunan Broadcasting System’s international channel and Ghana’s digital television entity, aimed at fostering cultural exchange and economic cooperation through national-level platforms. The channel plans to broadcast a drama portraying Yuan Longping’s dream of hybrid rice to its African audience.

Opoku James White, Deputy Editor and Chief Host of the Ghana Golden Mango Satellite Channel, stressed the need to convey China’s narrative in ways that resonate with African audiences, highlighting that understanding of China among African nations is still limited. The channel aims to provide objective information about China while exploring integrated e-commerce models that combine television shopping, e-commerce platforms, and new media promotions.

Over the years, the China Journalists Association has been refining its mechanisms, building platforms, and integrating resources to assist various stakeholders in accelerating the establishment of a distinctively Chinese international communication system, showcasing new prospects and initiatives in enhancing international communication effectiveness.

In conclusion, the guests acknowledged that this International Communication Forum has created a valuable platform for collaboration and idea exchange, uniting diverse perspectives and efforts to advance the cause of international communication and cultural exchange.

On October 18, the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra presented its concert, “Charming France,” at the Shanghai Symphony Hall as part of the 23rd China Shanghai International Arts Festival. The concert featured special guest Alexander Baty, a renowned French trumpet player, who brought an authentic French musical experience to the Chinese audience.

The program included pieces by prominent French composers such as Francis Poulenc’s “Animal Fables,” André Jolivet’s “Little Concerto for Trumpet, Piano, and Strings,” and Claude Debussy’s masterpiece “La Mer.” These three works not only showcased the elegance and poise of French culture but also highlighted the distinct musical styles of their creators. Notably, the first two pieces received their Chinese premieres at this concert.

Poulenc, a member of France’s “Les Six,” holds a significant place in French music. His “Animal Fables,” composed in 1942 and inspired by 17th-century La Fontaine fables, celebrates the French national spirit and culture. Through exquisite orchestration, Poulenc vividly depicts eight scenes, revealing his humorous and whimsical compositional style.

Jolivet, a notable 20th-century French composer influenced by Schoenberg, is known for his use of atonality and Eastern modalities. His “Little Concerto for Trumpet, Piano, and Strings” features innovative harmonies and timbres that produce a unique soundscape.

Artistic Director Zhang Yi shared with reporters, “Poulenc’s works have not been widely performed in China. His ‘Animal Fables’ is an underrated gem that creatively expresses a literary genre through music. Jolivet’s concerto is quite a challenge for trumpet players, as trumpet concertos are rarely seen on the symphonic stage. It’s quite meaningful to present this work at the festival.”

Additionally, the concert included an encore piece, “Me and You,” composed by the famous composer Chen Qigang, which substitutes the trumpet for the male vocal and the violin for the female vocal. Zhang Yi noted the historical connection between French musicians performing the theme song for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and this summer’s Paris Olympic Games, serving as a sincere blessing for peace and a good life.

Celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations between China and France, this year’s festival showcased a variety of French masterpieces, including a solo concert by French violinist Renaud Capuçon, “Anti-Gravity Body” produced by the Chaillot Theatre National de la Danse, and the visual theater “A Taste of Napoleon” by the Théâtre des Esprits. Zhang Yi emphasized that diverse artistic forms will provide audiences with multiple perspectives, deepening their engagement with the vibrant and multifaceted French culture.

In a recent town hall meeting at the Bisi Rodipe Event Center in Ijebu-Ode, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State emphasized that his administration is committed to inclusive development across all regions of the state as part of the 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the upcoming 2025 budget. “No part of Ogun State has been overlooked in our developmental projects,” he stated, highlighting that initiatives are equally spread across the three Senatorial Districts.

Governor Abiodun praised the contributions of various stakeholders during consultations for the 2024 budget, revealing plans for significant road reconstruction in the Ogun East Senatorial District. The roads set for reconstruction include Imoro-Imegun-Opopo, Igbeba-Eid praying ground to Prison, Imoru road in Ijebu-Ode, and the Odelewu-Ladeshi-Ishiwo road.

The Governor, represented by his Chief Economic Adviser and Finance Commissioner, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, acknowledged the financial pressures facing the administration but maintained that over 64 kilometers of rural roads are under construction statewide. “These rural road projects are vital for enhancing infrastructure, ensuring easy access to rural areas, and improving agricultural productivity,” Abiodun remarked.

In addition to road improvements, Abiodun shared that the administration is collaborating with Lagos and Oyo State governments to enhance security along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway by procuring 25 patrol vans and surveillance drones. He also noted the construction of the Gateway International Agro-cargo Airport, which is expected to establish Ogun State as a key logistics hub in the region, leveraging resources like the Africa Quality Assurance Center.

Governor Abiodun reported that his administration has successfully completed over 600 kilometers of roads statewide, with 243.3 kilometers in the Ogun East Senatorial District alone. Notable completed projects include Chris-Ogunbajo-Erunwon road and various internal roads within Olabisi Onabanjo University, along with ongoing work on Alaran River’s double self-culvert in Ijebu-Ode.

During the meeting, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, revealed that the recent town hall meetings generated 377 input suggestions, with 90% incorporated into the budget. He assured that the remaining inputs would be addressed in the 2025 budget and the MTEF.

Local monarchs, including Oba Toye Alatishe of Ososa and Oba Abdul-Rasaq Adenugba of Ago-Iwoye, expressed their gratitude for maintaining the town hall meeting initiative, which fosters community engagement in budget planning. They pledged their continued support for the administration’s vision and goals. Various trade unions, associations, religious organizations, and traditional leaders contributed valuable insights for the 2025 budget, further emphasizing the collaborative effort behind Ogun State’s development strategy.

In a recent interview, Olivia Chen and Pauline Ang, co-founders of the canned boba tea brand Twrl, shared their mission to promote their products in light of recent discussions around cultural appropriation sparked by actor Simu Liu. Liu criticized a Quebec-based entrepreneur for selling boba tea in a way he deemed disconnected from its Taiwanese roots, referring to it as “cultural appropriation.” This controversy has led to new developments for Chen and Ang, as Liu’s investment team expressed interest in potentially investing in Twrl.

Olivia Chen, of Taiwanese-American descent, revealed that after watching Liu on the Canadian show “Dragons’ Den,” she decided to create a TikTok video to highlight that there are other options available in the market, like Twrl. She stated, “I wanted to push for these conversations and educate some people in the process.”

Liu, who is a guest investor on Canada’s CBC show “Dragons’ Den,” remarked on the lack of connection between the entrepreneur’s packaged boba products and their Taiwanese heritage, criticizing their claim of having made the traditional drink “better.” He decided against investing, stating he wanted to support a business that respects and honors the cultural heritage he values. Liu’s comments ignited considerable discussion, leading to the Quebec entrepreneur’s public apology and a withdrawal of investment from backers who had initially pledged a million Canadian dollars.

Chen expressed her concern that the boba tea manufacturer in question seemed to be entering the space simply to capitalize on market opportunities without a genuine love for boba tea. She believes that discussions around these issues can have positive outcomes, saying, “I want to channel the energy that everyone is focused on and ask: ‘Do other entrepreneurs like myself have a chance to rise up?’”

Twrl continues to collaborate with tea farmers from Japan and China, ensuring that their boba ingredients are sourced from Taiwan and that their packaging is designed in collaboration with Asian artists. Their beverages, featuring flavors like ube and hojicha, are available in Sprouts supermarkets, Whole Foods locations across ten states, and on Amazon. Chen mentioned that additional investment could significantly accelerate their marketing efforts, allowing the brand to reach a wider audience.

By Okey Ikechukwu
Our people say that the man holding the rope with which a goat is being taken to the market often gets blamed if the goat fetches a low price at the sales. Some would accuse him of walking the goat so fast while going to the market that it lost much weight. Others would murmur that he did not allow the goat to feed or drink any water while they were on their way to the market.
It would not matter to the grumblers at such moments that a goat cannot gain enough weight to attract a markedly high price in the market just because you stopped to feed it while on your way to the market. No one will also remember at such moments that a sensible person will not stop on the way to the market to feed his goat or chicken, because to do so would be to miss the opportunity to make a good early morning bargain, or even to make any sales at all.
Bringing the foregoing around to what I consider the predicament of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) today, it must be said here that the man is not solely, or directly, responsible for the fate of the Naira today. He is no magician. Even if he is one, his magic can only work when fiscal and monetary policies find themselves backed up by improved national productivity. Thus magic, and the ability to perform miracles, won’t pass muster as viable tools for anyone who wants to be taken seriously in the banking industry. It is a job of records, of economic variables, of fluctuating indices and of policy-driven twists and turns.
Were we not all thoroughly alarmed when the Naira rose precipitously about a year ago? Were we not also excited when, inexplicably, it began to bounce back; and came as far as about 900 Naira to the US dollar? Many people cheered gleefully, even if somewhat apprehensively. And then, the national currency sneaked off when no one was looking (or were some people expecting it?) and headed downhill again.
Let us go back to a conversation that occurred on this page on February 10, this year, wherein it was said that the forces arrayed against Cardoso, his team and also the Naira include the following: “(1) A volatile economic and political environment, (2) Elite consumption patterns, (3) Overall low national productivity, (4) Limited public understanding of fiscal and monetary policy issues, (5) Incredibly high demand for the dollar and, very importantly, (6) The new-found use of the dollar as a major Store of Value, the way people used to buy houses under property speculation.”
In the above-mentioned piece, we went even further back to an earlier intervention of 15 November, 2021, titled “What the CBN Cannot Do”. The point made then, which is still so painfully relevant today, and which is partly responsible for the crises of the moment is this: “The CBN cannot do much about the value of the Naira, for as long as we produce very little to attract corresponding inflows, consume much that is not produced here and retain a monocultural economy”.
The point remains that only the diversification of the economy, redemption of our national road infrastructure, reversal of the current state of insecurity in the land, rescuing the power sector, making realistic and sustainable investments in education and health, among other critical interventions, can save the national currency, the national economy and the people. The decisions and interventions that would deliver all that cannot be tea party matters.
Without denying the impact of the floating of the Naira on our fortunes today, we must also frankly admit that the general insecurity and banditry of the last 15 years substantially undermined the nation’s massive investments in agriculture. With banditry laying waste massive farmlands, reducing farmers’ access to their farmlands and effectively reducing the overall availability of farm produce, only food scarcity would follow.
Added to the foregoing is the fact that large farming communities are displaced in many places. Thus, much of financial outflows into the agricultural sector in the last couple of years do not yield the expected returns. That is why it will take a while for the originally projected gains in terms of food availability, food security and forex earnings from food exports to materialize.
That is also why the conversation about diversification of the national economy, especially with agriculture in focus, must also simultaneously address insecurity and national social infrastructure. We must also note that investment in agriculture is not quite the same thing as the purchase of tractors and other agricultural equipment, no! Many states of the federation cheerfully mistake investments in health and education infrastructure for actual investments in “education” and “health services”. They do not consider that new buildings designated as health centres, new school buildings, new classroom blocks and massive stockpiling of teaching equipment are only the evidence of procurement contracts. Nothing more.
Such infrastructure, important as they are, cannot, on their own, give you health or educational services. You need doctors, teachers, etc., to make that happen. In other words, it takes capacitated human capital for development to take place. An investor who spends money setting up new baking ovens and launching them is not a baker. Bakeries need bakers who know about baking to produce and deliver edible bread.
When state governments and corporate Nigeria simply import furnishing materials for their new public and private facilities, they have no idea how much damage they are doing to the state resources, the national currency and the economy. And when misapplied funds are retired under the heading “investment in health” or “education and human capital development,” the people and Nigeria are swindled. But we are digressing again.
If today the value of the naira is not looking very impressive, it is not because someone’s “village people” have cast a spell on us all. If many big and small businesses have lost value and shut down, it is because of high replacement cost for goods sold out and their inability to obtain long-term facilities that would make sense in a Third World economy. If Cardoso cannot wave a magic wand to change the value of the Naira, it is not because he and his family are not buying from the same market as everyone else.
A weakened Naira means that the “replacement cost” for what you sold before the naira lost value will now cost you more if you wish to replace it. It also means that the same amount of money cannot buy you exactly the same quantity of goods you sold earlier and which you now wish to replace. So, your business shrinks and shrinks further. Whichever way you look at it, or whatever you decide to do, you really cannot get enough money to “replace” the same number of things you have sold. The result is reduced capacity utilization, job losses and much more; because your original business capital can only get you a fraction of what you have sold. You will then have plenty of redundant shop space, reduced workforce. It is as simple as that.
It was said here, back then: “A nation with a predominantly consumption-drive economy cannot suddenly catapult itself into the Neverland of foreign exchange El Dorado. You make money from what you produce and sell, or from what you can do and be paid for. You also buy with what you have earned from either goods or services. You get paid nothing when you produce nothing. You spend more than you earn when you produce and sell far less than you buy. The person who produces nothing and earns nothing, but buys a lot, must be getting the money for his purchases from somewhere…. And to borrow is to get credit for present needs, with payment deferred to a future date, right?
It is largely because we are consuming more than we are producing, and also buying more than we are selling, that the speculation for “phony money” and profits without productivity have overrun the land. Thus arises the predicament of nations and individuals with “unbalanced” market profile and appetites. Thus, also stands the crisis of the Nigerian state and economy today, in bold relief. It need not continue to be so. Increased productivity, ingenious monetary, fiscal and other regulatory mechanisms, in addition to significant increase in national productivity, will see us out of the woods; but not like first thing tomorrow morning.
Truth be told, our monocultural economy, or overdependence on one major source of foreign exchange revenue, is a drawback that can only be remedied by real diversification of the economy. We need to produce more, have more local abundance and export more, for increased social security and foreign earnings. We should worry about the impact of our energy problems on overall national productivity. We cannot expect sudden economic good fortune when the foreign exchange outflows for all sorts of things, including furniture and kitchen napkins, is continuously rising at the same time that foreign exchange inflows are shrinking steadily.
That is why it would take much more than Cardoso, or the CBN, to make the national currency look good. We are in turbulent waters, and the naira is in it with us. Our people say that the swimmer who finds himself in the midst of very turbulent currents, and who resolves to swim all day in order to prove his mettle should remember that he is not a fish. Even the fish usually finds its comfort zone in quieter sides of any fast flowing river.
QUOTE:
The forces arrayed against Cardoso, his team and also the Naira include the following: “(1) A volatile and economic political environment, (2) Elite consumption patterns, (3) Overall low national productivity, (4) Limited public understanding of fiscal and monetary policy issues, (5) Incredibly high demand for the dollar and, very importantly, (6) The new-found use of the dollar as a major Store of Value, the way people used to buy houses under property speculation.”

This season, Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani made history by achieving an unprecedented “50 home runs and 50 stolen bases” milestone. The ball from his 50th home run fetched an astounding $3.6 million at auction, and with fees, the final amount reached $4.392 million. Surprisingly, the winning bidder turned out to be a Taiwanese company, Yu Shih Capital, which has revealed its identity.

Ken Goldin, founder of the auction website, shared on October 24 that there were bidders from four different countries for the historic ball. “In the end, it was won by a Taiwanese company. They love baseball and Shohei, and they hope to share this collection with the world. They will reveal their identity after the World Series,” Goldin stated.

The news sparked speculation among Taiwanese baseball fans, but prominent figures such as Ku Cheng-liang, president of the Asian Baseball Federation and chairman of the Chinese Taipei Baseball Association, and Chang Kuo-wei, chairman of Starlux Airlines, both denied being involved.

Yu Shih Capital, focused on algorithmic trading, took the initiative to respond with a statement saying, “The ball commemorating Ohtani’s 50 home runs is a coveted treasure among baseball fans worldwide. We are honored to bring this historically significant baseball back to Taiwan and share this moment in history.”

Tanaka Yusuke, president of a Japanese shopping site, had publicly expressed his intention to return the ball to Ohtani and had placed multiple bids during the auction, but his budget was capped at $3.5 million. Although a Taiwanese company ultimately won the bid, many Japanese netizens felt relieved, believing there might still be a chance to see the ball.

Yu Shih Capital also expressed their intent to continuously gather collectible items through AI systems and is eager to collaborate with institutions in both Taiwan and Japan for public exhibitions, allowing fans to have close encounters with the prized memorabilia.

With this victory, Yu Shih Capital has garnered attention, prompting Japanese companies to apologize to fans for not securing Ohtani’s 50 home run commemorative ball. It has been reported that Yu Shih Capital operates with its own funds and does not seek outside investments, engaging in algorithmic trading across various domestic and international markets, including ETFs, warrants, futures, and options. Allegedly, their day trading volume ranks among the top ten in strength.

Industry insiders note that such companies are primarily algorithmic trading firms, typically backed by wealthy individuals, indicating a growing trend of affluent investors seeking expert assistance in managing their operations in Taiwan over recent years.

On October 27, Buckingham Palace announced that despite King Charles III undergoing treatment for cancer, plans are still underway for a comprehensive overseas visit schedule for him next year.

Earlier this year in February, the British royal family revealed that King Charles III had been diagnosed with cancer and had begun routine treatment, which necessitated a pause in his public engagements. The royal family indicated that the king has adopted a “completely positive” attitude toward his treatment, expressing eagerness to return to his official duties as soon as possible. Since then, his public appearances have been notably limited.

In October, King Charles III and Queen Camilla embarked on a nine-day visit to Australia and Samoa, marking the first time he has traveled abroad since his diagnosis. Reports stated that his medical team accompanied him during this trip.

Upon the conclusion of the visit, the royal family announced that they are currently making progress on plans for next year’s overseas engagements, expressing confidence that the king will resume his full travel schedule. The royal family emphasized that King Charles III is “very pleased and determined” to continue his overseas visits, further demonstrating his commitment to his responsibilities.