Author: tnpump.com

On October 24th in Shenyang, the “Jinzhou Regional Central City Development Plan” was officially released and is now in effect. This comprehensive plan aims to position Jinzhou as a regional hub, driving development in western Liaoning and extending its influence to Heilongjiang, western Jilin, eastern Inner Mongolia, and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, according to information shared during a press conference by the Liaoning Provincial Government on October 23rd.

Jinzhou has unique advantages as a regional hub, historically providing services related to industrial concentration, population aggregation, and information flow to neighboring areas. Looking ahead, the city aims to leverage its central role further, fostering a new pattern of resource sharing, differentiated development, complementary advantages, and cooperative win-win relationships. This approach is expected to enhance the overall economic strength and competitiveness of the region.

At the conference, representatives highlighted that a regional central city functions as a comprehensive system, integrating industry accumulation, population concentration, and the flow of funds and information. The plan serves as a new blueprint for Jinzhou’s economic and social development, characterized by its strategic, comprehensive, and foundational nature, which will support higher quality, more efficient, fairer, safer, and more sustainable development.

Jinzhou is committed to advancing the construction of a regional central city by focusing on the development of “one hub, two centers, and two high grounds.” This includes establishing a national-level logistics hub, a modern port industry center, a technology innovation center, and fostering a highland for regional cultural, sports, and tourism integration, along with new consumer markets.

Wang Xinyu, the Deputy Secretary of the Jinzhou Municipal Party Committee and the Mayor, emphasized the city’s focus on integrating port, industry, and urban development. He described Jinzhou’s work on creating a modern logistics hub system, transforming Jinzhou Port, and establishing a green energy base, all aimed at forming a “channel + logistics + network + industry” model. Furthermore, he noted the city’s commitment to upgrading industries through high-end, intelligent, and green transitions, while fostering strategic emerging industries and future-oriented sectors to build a modern industrial system unique to Jinzhou.

Wang also pointed out that Jinzhou is a vital link between North China and Northeast China, an important port city in the Bohai Sea region, and a strategic gateway along the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor. Building this regional central city will enhance stability in the supply chain, reduce logistics costs, and establish Jinzhou as a new source and gathering place for emerging industries. This aligns with the goal of initiating a new cycle of domestic and foreign trade that connects the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Northeast China, and the China-Mongolia-Russia as well as China-Japan-South Korea corridors. Moving forward, Jinzhou seeks to collaborate with neighboring cities to establish a mechanism for shared development, actively pursuing breakthroughs in comprehensive revitalization efforts.

In a recent speech delivered to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, Lorie Logan, President of the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank, shared her insights on the Federal Reserve’s future monetary policy, indicating that further interest rate cuts are expected. She emphasized that there is no reason for the Fed to refrain from continuing to reduce its balance sheet.

Logan stated, “If the economy develops in line with my current expectations, a strategy of gradually lowering policy rates to more normal or neutral levels could help manage risks and achieve our objectives.” While she acknowledged the economy’s strength and stability, she also pointed out the rising risks in the labor market and persistent challenges to the Fed’s inflation targets, suggesting that significant uncertainty still looms.

A considerable portion of Logan’s remarks focused on the Fed’s ongoing balance sheet reduction process, known as quantitative tightening (QT). Since 2022, the Fed has been unwinding its portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and Treasury bonds that were acquired to provide relief and stabilize markets during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fed has decreased its holdings from a peak of $9 trillion to approximately $7.1 trillion, with officials noting that there is still room to advance this process further.

Logan expressed her belief that there is no immediate need to halt these efforts, highlighting that both quantitative easing and interest rate cuts reflect the normalization of monetary policy. She pointed out, “Currently, liquidity appears to be quite ample,” and added, “Signs indicate that the supply of liquidity remains plentiful, not just sufficient, as money market rates continue to be significantly lower than the Fed’s reserve balance rate.”

In a recent development, U.S. officials revealed for the first time that North Korea has dispatched at least 3,000 soldiers to Russia, where they are undergoing training, potentially for deployment in Ukraine. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin described the situation as “very, very serious,” particularly if North Korean forces were preparing to engage in combat alongside Russian troops, as alleged by Kyiv. However, he noted that the specifics of their involvement remain uncertain.

“There is evidence that there are DPRK troops in Russia,” Austin stated during a press briefing, referencing North Korea by its formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. White House spokesperson John Kirby later confirmed that these North Korean troops had been transported by ship from the Wonsan region in North Korea to Vladivostok, Russia, in early to mid-October. From there, they were sent to three military training sites in eastern Russia.

Kirby emphasized that if these troops were deployed to engage in fighting against Ukraine, they would be considered legitimate targets. “They’re fair game,” he asserted. “The Ukrainian military will defend themselves against North Korean soldiers the same way they’re defending themselves against Russian soldiers.”

In South Korea, lawmakers reported that North Korea had pledged to provide a total of about 10,000 troops, with deployment expected to be completed by December, according to intelligence briefings. The current estimate of 3,000 troops is double the previous figures regarding the number of North Korean soldiers in Russia.

Park Sun-won, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee, noted that signs of troop training within North Korea had been detected as early as September and October. He indicated that these troops appear to be adapting to various training facilities in Russia.

Austin suggested that the potential deployment of North Korean forces could signal deeper issues within the Russian military, particularly regarding manpower shortages, following extensive casualties on both sides in the ongoing conflict.

The Kremlin has previously dismissed South Korean claims about troop deployment as “fake news,” while a North Korean UN representative described them as “groundless rumors” during a meeting in New York. Despite their denials of weapons transfers, Moscow and Pyongyang have expressed intentions to strengthen military ties, culminating in a mutual defense treaty signed during a summit in June.

In a previous report, South Korea’s national intelligence service indicated that North Korea had already sent 1,500 special forces personnel to Russia, likely for combat after completing training. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also accused Pyongyang of preparing to send 10,000 soldiers and has urged international allies to respond to the evidence of North Korean involvement in the conflict.

Lee Seong-kweun, a South Korean lawmaker, commented on North Korean authorities’ efforts to control information regarding troop deployments and reported relocations of the families of these soldiers to prevent rumors from spreading. Additionally, reports suggested that Russia had recruited a significant number of interpreters for the North Korean troops while providing training in military equipment, including drones.

“Russian instructors have found that while North Korean soldiers possess excellent physical attributes and morale, they lack understanding of modern warfare techniques, like drone strikes,” Lee noted, cautioning that this could lead to high casualties if they were sent to the frontlines.

U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, indicated that over 600,000 Russian troops have been either killed or wounded in the conflict. Austin speculated that the North Korean deployment could reflect a serious shortage of Russian recruits, implying that President Vladimir Putin may be in a more precarious situation than many realize.

On Tuesday, the South Korean presidential office urged an immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops from Russia and warned that it might consider providing lethal weapons to Ukraine if military cooperation between North Korea and Russia escalates further.

During a recent press conference held by the State Council Information Office, a representative from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology reported that the industrial economy in China has been operating smoothly in the first three quarters of the year, with ongoing optimization of the industrial structure and a rapid development of new productive forces. The recently released GDP data for the same period indicates that the industrial sector has performed impressively, achieving both quantitative growth and qualitative improvements, which have significantly supported the stability of China’s economic growth and underscored the resilience of its economy.

Stable industrial growth has solidified the positive momentum in the economic recovery. Industry serves as the foundation of the national economy and is a crucial engine for economic development. In the first three quarters, China’s industrial sector maintained steady growth, with a reported year-on-year increase of 5.8% in value-added output among large-scale industries, outpacing GDP growth by one percentage point and contributing nearly 40% to the overall economic growth. From an industry perspective, 38 out of 41 major industrial sectors reported increased value-added output compared to the previous year, representing a growth rate of 92.7%. Regionally, 28 out of 31 regions experienced a year-on-year increase in output. The fact that over 90% of industries and regions in the industrial sector are seeing growth provides strong support for reinforcing the positive trajectory of China’s economic recovery.

The optimization and upgrading of industrial structures have unleashed momentum for high-quality development. Economic growth embodies an organic unity of both quality and quantity. In recent years, China has progressively advanced the optimization of its industrial structure and the upgrading of its industries. Notable achievements have been made in the high-end, intelligent, and green development of manufacturing. In terms of high-end manufacturing, there was a 9.1% year-on-year increase in value-added output in the high-tech manufacturing sector, exceeding the growth rate of all large-scale industries by 3.3 percentage points. Furthermore, there has been significant growth in smart devices and products, with production of virtual reality devices and smartphones increasing by 11.0% and 10.5%, respectively. The renewable energy sector is also flourishing, with production of charging stations, new energy vehicles, and solar cells rising 57.2%, 33.8%, and 12.8%, respectively. These figures indicate a continuous emergence of new drivers for high-quality development, accelerating the creation of new competitive advantages in the economy.

Rapid growth in industrial investment underscores the strong momentum behind economic development. Investment is one of the “three drivers” propelling economic growth, and it plays a critical role in this respect. In the first three quarters, industrial investment experienced rapid growth, with data showing a 12.3% increase in secondary industry investment; manufacturing investment rose by 9.2%, while high-tech manufacturing investment grew by 9.4%. The aerospace and machinery manufacturing sectors saw investments increase by 34.1% and 10.3%, respectively. The upsurge in investment reflects growing expectations and confidence among business entities, which will continuously foster endogenous momentum for economic development and enhance the vitality of China’s economy.

Despite a challenging external environment and evolving domestic economic conditions, China’s industrial sector has still demonstrated solid performance, highlighting the country’s strong resilience and risk endurance capabilities. It also reflects a steadfast confidence and determination to promote high-quality development. However, the industrial sector continues to face numerous challenges, necessitating further comprehensive reforms, enhanced innovation, and consolidation of the economic recovery foundations. Accelerating efforts toward industrial transformation and upgrading, while leveraging the industrial sector as a stabilizing force, is critical. With the rapid implementation of policies like “two new” and “two heavy” initiatives, we can expect these policy effects to continue being unleashed, injecting greater momentum for both China’s industrial high-quality development and global economic growth.

On October 23rd, Eastern Airlines flight MU5988 played a crucial role in transporting a 16-year-old boy who had suffered a severed finger from Baoshan, Yunnan to Kunming for urgent medical treatment. Thanks to the close cooperation between air and ground teams, the flight landed at Kunming Changshui International Airport 31 minutes ahead of schedule, providing valuable time for subsequent treatment.

During the flight, the crew received a sudden notification from Baoshan Airport just before takeoff. It informed them that a 16-year-old boy needed immediate assistance after his finger was accidentally severed by a machine and that he would be traveling with his parents.

Upon receiving the urgent message, the chief flight attendant promptly reported the situation to the captain and implemented necessary safety measures. At 21:38, the young passenger and his accompanying family members boarded the plane smoothly. The crew swiftly communicated with surrounding passengers to arrange for the injured boy and his family to sit in the front row of economy class to minimize the risk of further injury.

The flight took off on schedule at 21:53 and landed safely at Kunming at 22:34, significantly ahead of the planned time. Ground staff were already waiting at the gate to assist with the arrival. As the cabin door opened, the flight crew prioritized the boy and his family for disembarkation, allowing ground support personnel to swiftly assist them, ensuring precious time was saved for the boy’s treatment.

As of now, the boy has undergone surgery for the severed finger and is currently under observation in the hospital.

On October 25, in a shocking incident reported from Fall City, King County, Washington, a 15-year-old boy has been accused of shooting and killing his parents and siblings. He faces five counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder.

According to information from the King County Prosecutor’s Office and reports from media outlets such as the Seattle Times, the tragic shooting occurred early on the morning of October 21 at a residential home in southern Fall City, resulting in five fatalities and leaving one person injured. The victims include 43-year-old Mark Humiston and his 42-year-old wife, Sarah, along with their three children: 7-year-old Catherine, 9-year-old Joshua, and 13-year-old Benjamin. The sole survivor, an 11-year-old girl, managed to escape after being shot.

On October 24, the King County Prosecutor’s Office formally charged the 15-year-old suspect with five counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder. Local media, referencing court documents filed in King County Superior Court, reported that on the day of the incident, the suspect called 911, claiming that his 13-year-old brother had shot the family and then killed himself. However, a neighbor reported a different story; the injured 11-year-old girl ran to their door, frantically ringing the bell and stating that her family had been shot by her 15-year-old brother. This brave girl, wounded, had played dead to escape through a window and witnessed her brother checking for signs of life among the victims.

Court documents indicate that the suspect used a Glock handgun typically locked away by their father. While the 13-year-old had a gunshot wound to the head and was found with the firearm on his chest, medical examiners confirmed he was shot from a distance of two feet. Police suggest that the suspect staged the scene to make it appear as though his brother was the shooter. The motive behind this horrific act has not yet been established, but investigators discovered that the suspect had been struggling academically, having failed multiple exams at school.

So far this year, the “Gun Violence Archive” reports that more than 13,800 people have lost their lives to various forms of gun violence in the United States as of October 25.

Recently, a surge of videos mocking a well-known entrepreneur has appeared on various short video platforms. In these clips, the entrepreneur humorously critiques hot topics such as traffic jams and game regulations, even interspersing some colorful language, which has sparked extensive online discussion.

However, these mockery videos aren’t actually the entrepreneur’s own words; rather, they are AI-generated voiceovers created by users who have employed AI software to replicate the entrepreneur’s original voice. The realistic nature of these audio clips has led many to believe they are authentic.

While AI technology has brought many conveniences to our lives, it has also raised significant concerns. For instance, the AI voice synthesis technology allows anyone to produce a convincingly lifelike audio clip with just a few clicks. Yet, some videos have crossed the line into inappropriate territory, misappropriating others’ voices to create pranks or spread misinformation, leading to negative societal consequences.

Generating an AI audio clip now takes only around 20 seconds. Our investigation into social media revealed that many users are sharing tutorials on how to create such videos. Most of these clips are based on a sophisticated voice model application, where creators upload any individual’s audio segment as training material. The AI then learns to clone that voice, enabling other users to simply input text and generate audio in the same voice.

Following the instructions on this site, I created a voice model of the aforementioned entrepreneur by inputting a 100-word text. Within approximately 20 seconds, an AI audio clip that closely resembled the entrepreneur’s voice was ready. As of now, this voice model has been used nearly 800,000 times, generating over 44.5 million characters.

Notably, other public figures have experienced similar misappropriation of their voices. At the end of September, a purported drunk recording of a certain livestream platform owner circulated online, depicting the individual as dismissive towards consumers. This incident sparked significant controversy for the platform. However, police later determined that the audio was fabricated using a large AI model.

An industry insider explained that AI technology has become so adept at mimicking audio samples—considering factors like tone, speed, emotion, accent, and vocal style—that it can produce voices almost indistinguishable from the originals, both to human ears and through other verification methods.

“From the early days of obvious fakes to today’s indistinguishable forgeries, we have entered an era of deepfakes,” said Liu Xiaochun, associate professor at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and director of the Internet Rule of Law Research Center. He highlighted that unauthorized use of someone else’s voice for AI-generated products, especially for public figures, can lead to misunderstandings, infringe on personal information security, and disrupt the online ecosystem.

Many users engaging in AI audio synthesis primarily for entertainment are often unaware of the legal risks involved. In the comment section of an “AI Voiceover Tutorial” video, one learner asked, “Isn’t this infringing on rights?” The content creator replied, “Everyone’s doing it; if the platform flags it, just delete it.”

Lawyer Zhang Qingxin from Beijing Yingshan Law Firm analyzed that, similar to a person’s likeness, an individual’s voice is unique and integral to their personality rights. Creating and uploading AI audio without consent, whether for commercial gains or entertainment, infringes on those rights. If the content created is illegal or violates public morals, it could also infringe on someone’s reputation.

In April, Beijing’s Internet Court ruled on the first AI-generated voice personality rights infringement case in China. The voice artist claimed that their work was misappropriated by a short video platform to generate AI voice products, significantly violating their voice rights. The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff, awarding damages of 250,000 yuan.

During the trial, the defendant argued that AI-generated audio differs from human voices in terms of personal rights and that technology typically applies watermarks to distinguish AI voices from human ones. However, the court maintained that the AI voice bore a high level of similarity to the plaintiff’s, likely prompting listeners to associate it with the plaintiff. Therefore, the protection of natural persons’ voice rights extends to AI-generated audio when it is recognizable.

“This ruling is significant in clarifying the boundaries around AI-generated voices,” Liu said.

As technology advances, experts emphasize the need for legal frameworks to keep pace. A report released in April by Tsinghua University’s Center for New Media Research indicated a staggering 99.91% increase in AI-related rumors regarding the economy and businesses. Experts advocate for clear regulations to guide the ethical use of AI technology.

Zhang Qingxin highlighted that AI voice tool providers cannot remain passive. They need to take proactive steps to control the quality of source materials and supervise generated content, improving operational guidelines and cooperating with authorities to trace the origin of illegal audio.

In September, the National Internet Information Office issued a draft guideline proposing that platforms providing online content dissemination services must implement measures to regulate AI-generated content, including necessary identification features and encouraging users to disclose whether their published content includes AI elements.

“As content distribution service providers, platforms like short video channels must fulfill their responsibilities,” Liu suggested. Beyond prompting users to label AI content, platforms should establish mechanisms to identify and trace AI-generated materials. If they detect counterfeit content or receive complaints, platform rules should empower them to require timely labeling of such content, enforce deletions if labels are absent, and impose penalties like account bans for severe violations.

In a recent visit to Turpan, renowned for its scorching Flame Mountain, the “Ten Thousand Voices of Xinjiang” team, composed of outstanding authors, embarked on an immersive journey into the heart of Xinjiang. This group, made up of key editors and influencers from various national and regional news outlets, began their exploration on October 9th under the warm morning sun.

Their day was filled with cultural discoveries, starting with the ingenious Qanat irrigation system, a remarkable feat of ancient engineering that rivals the Great Wall and the Grand Canal. Wu Siyiao, a travel blogger from Guangzhou, expressed her excitement, saying, “I can’t get enough of this place. I will definitely come back. As I listened to the guide explain the Qanat system, I was captivated. I plan to create a video specifically about it to share the wisdom and creativity of our ancient people with a wider audience.”

The adventure continued at the Turpan Museum, where visitors marveled at stunning fossils and ancient imagery depicting Fuxi and Nuwa. Lina, a Russian host from Huaqiao University, shared her feelings on the experience: “I felt the weight of China’s history here. The exhibits showcased the diversity of Xinjiang’s culture. I hope to visit Xinjiang more often to gain a deeper understanding.”

Amid their journey, Park Dayi, a first-year blogger from South Korea known for his food adventures, exclaimed with excitement while passing by Flame Mountain, “I can’t believe the Flame Mountain from ‘Journey to the West’ actually exists! The red rock formations are truly fascinating.” He quickly shared a video with friends back in Korea, stating, “They’re thrilled and eager to know more about Xinjiang. This place has given me so many surprises!”

As the sun began to set, the sound of an enchanting melody drifted from the entrance of the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, where the group encountered a music-loving Uyghur elder. The participants donned traditional Uyghur caps and bonded over music, with the cheerful tunes telling stories of the harmonious lives of Xinjiang’s diverse communities.

Reflecting on their quest to share the authentic stories of Xinjiang and uncover its beauty, the “Ten Thousand Voices of Xinjiang” journey came to a close for this leg, with eager anticipation for what the next destination would unveil.

On October 22, during an interview with a representative from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, we learned about the exciting launch of the sixth season of the Global Chinese Language University Student Short Poetry Competition. This initiative invites submissions from current students at universities worldwide, as well as graduates from the past three years.

This year, in addition to its traditional category for original short poems, the competition has introduced a new category specifically for AI-generated short poetry. Each category includes both modern and classical styles, aiming to provide a platform for Chinese-speaking university students globally to engage in poetic expression, fostering the rich heritage of Chinese poetry. Modern poems must not exceed 14 lines, while classical poems are limited to 140 characters, with prize money totaling over 100,000 RMB.

Since its inception in 2014, the short poetry competition has operated under the theme “Everyone Should Write a Good Poem in Life,” encouraging young students to craft their own verses. After five successful seasons, this event celebrates a decade of participation from over 2,000 universities and 60,000 students, resulting in more than 100,000 submissions and a staggering 500 million views of related topics. Notable high-quality poems have been published by both Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press and the People’s Daily Publishing House.

Du Hao, the chief organizer of the sixth season and a member of the graduate student union at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, emphasized the importance of keeping traditional Chinese culture vibrant. “For contemporary youth, creating excellent poetry can resonate with and inspire readers while encouraging them to re-examine the depth of Chinese culture. Previous grand prize winners, such as ‘Visiting an Old Friend’s Home’ and ‘I Am One of the Many Events That Age My Parents,’ serve as great examples.”

Zhang Sisi from the university’s publicity department highlighted the significance of artificial intelligence in today’s tech landscape: “AI represents a crucial force driving technological revolution and industrial change, influencing our ways of living. As we celebrate the competition’s tenth anniversary, we’re thrilled to introduce the AI poetry category, encouraging participants to explore imaginative landscapes with AI technologies, showcasing the innovative interplay between youth creativity and AI.”

The Global Chinese Language University Student Short Poetry Competition, founded by students at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, is a major cultural event. Notably, it features a live-streaming mechanism for showcasing shortlisted works, shared through the official accounts of the university’s graduate student union on platforms like Weibo.

The 2024 competition is hosted by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and guided by the China Writers Association’s Poetry Journal, alongside other poetry organizations. It is organized by the university’s graduate student union and the competition’s committee.

On September 27, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York. According to a report by CNN, he issued a stark warning to the UN regarding the safety of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), urging Secretary-General António Guterres to withdraw the troops. In fact, UNIFIL had stated on October 12 that Israel had requested their departure from their positions in southern Lebanon, but the forces unanimously decided to remain.

In a video statement on October 13, Netanyahu said, “I want to speak directly to UN Secretary-General Guterres: It is time for you to withdraw UNIFIL from Hezbollah’s strongholds and conflict zones.”

He emphasized that Israel had repeatedly requested the redeployment of UNIFIL, but these requests had been denied. Netanyahu claimed that the presence of UNIFIL was “intended to provide a human shield for Hezbollah.” He added, “By refusing to withdraw UNIFIL, you are making these troops hostages to Hezbollah. This endangers the lives of both Israeli forces and UNIFIL personnel.”

Netanyahu expressed regret over any harm caused to UN peacekeepers, stating, “We are doing everything we can to prevent such harm. But the simple and necessary way to ensure this is to withdraw UN peacekeepers from dangerous areas. This should be done immediately.”