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Living a day … Duran Duran in 1982 (from left) … John Taylor, Andy Taylor, Nick Rhodes, Simon Le Bon and Roger Taylor. Photograph: Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty ImagesAs they reissue their Halloween album Danse Macabre, we rate the best of a band who went from Birmingham to blazer-clad world domination
By Alexis PetridisThu 10 Oct 2024 09.34 EDTLast modified on Thu 10 Oct 2024 13.41 EDTShare20. (Reach Up for the) Sunrise (2004)The first Duran Duran single in 19 years to feature all five members of their classic early 80s lineup updated their sound with a house beat courtesy of producer Jason Nevins. It’s hard not to be swayed by its ebullient optimism: like the reunion itself, it was fun while it lasted.
19. Someone Else Not Me (2000)Pop Trash wasn’t among Duran Duran’s classic albums, but this single was great. The lyrics offer weary, and very Roxy Music-esque, after-the-party melancholy. More surprising was the hint of summer of love-era Beatles in its DNA: perhaps its commercial failure was down to the fact that it didn’t really sound like Duran Duran.
18. Skin Trade (1986)A change in sound that their audience clearly weren’t ready for – there’s a distinct R&B tone to proceedings and a dose of Prince in Le Bon’s falsetto vocals – Skin Trade sounds more impressive now than it did on release. It’s hard not to admire the boldness of the sonic shift; the sleazy ambience works. There’s an echo-laden Larry Levan 12in remix too.
17. Pressure Off (2015)The resurgent Nile Rodgers did not merely coproduce – along with Mark Ronson and Kanye collaborator Mr Hudson – but played Get Lucky-ish guitar. And with Janelle Monáe on vocals, too, Pressure Off goes all-out for contemporary relevance. The bid failed commercially, but the track yields artistic dividends: a frothy, funky blast.
View image in fullscreenSimon Le Bon with Duran Duran at Wembley Stadium, London, in 1983. Photograph: Ilpo Musto/Shutterstock16. The Reflex (1984)Not the greatest Duran Duran song, but one of their greatest-sounding singles. Rodgers throws everything at it, including percussive thunder, steel drums, and the stammering “n-n-n-n-nineteen”-style sampled vocal, which was then the dernier cri in cutting-edge pop technology, but now automatically dates a track to somewhere between 1984 and 1986.
15. Future Past (2021)In the 21st century, Duran Duran have benefited from the attentions of a younger generation of collaborators: from Mark Ronson and Erol Alkan to Tove Lo. Here, it’s Graham Coxon assisting with the songwriting, with winning results: moody, epic, with a lyrical mention of the most un-Duran-ish locale of Brownsea Island in Dorset.
14. Is There Something I Should Know? (1983)A song Andy Taylor claimed took “10 minutes to write”: what it lacks in depth it makes up in brash pop immediacy. And, if nothing else, the line “You’re about as easy as a nuclear war” perfectly reflects an era when it felt as if the topic of imminent mutually assured destruction was crowbarred into everything.
13. Night Boat (1981)Most of Duran Duran’s eponymous debut stuck to the post-punk disco blueprint of its singles, but Night Boat is the exception. It’s not exactly understated, but it’s certainly darker, more atmospheric and – with its lengthy instrumental intro – less pop. Winningly, it was written by Le Bon while waiting for a night bus.
12. The Wild Boys (1984)Originally written for a prospective film version of William Burroughs’s book of the same name – scheduled to be directed by Duran Duran video-maker Russell Mulcahy – The Wild Boys ended up plonked in the middle of live album Arena. Rhythmically influenced by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, bolstered by a £1m video, it made considerably more sense as a single.
11. Come Undone (1993)A chugging breakbeat – somewhere between baggy and trip-hop – underpins a song similar in downcast mood to its predecessor, Duran Duran’s 90s comeback single Ordinary World. It’s tempting to suggest that, had Ordinary World not existed, Come Undone would have restored them to the charts anyway – it’s certainly good enough.
View image in fullscreenThe band on a bullet train in Kyoto, Japan, in April 1982. Photograph: Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images10. The Chauffeur (1982)The rest of the Rio album is in glorious Technicolor, but The Chauffeur feels as if it’s shot in noir-ish monochrome. The spirit of Japan, a key inspiration for Duran Duran, hangs over its brooding mood. This being Duran Duran, it still packs a big pop melody, but its moodiness marks it out as their best deep cut.
9. Notorious (1986)The Notorious album wasn’t quite the triumphant comeback fans were expecting: it says something about how big Duran Duran were that selling 1m copies constituted a crushing disappointment. That notwithstanding, the funky title track still sounds pretty impressive, with its Rodgers production boosting some very prickly and defensive lyrics.
8. Rio (1982)Overshadowed by its video, but its the video was a statement in itself: a journey away from the post-punk Blitz Kids into more orthodox aspirational glamour. That seems to be the point of the monster-chorused Rio too: the lyrics don’t seem to mean much, beyond mentioning a jet-set locale. And John Taylor’s bass line is amazing.
7. Planet Earth (1981)Released a few weeks after Spandau Ballet’s debut single, Planet Earth cannily positioned Duran Duran at the heart of the new pop zeitgeist: the lyrics mentioned the phrase “New Romantic”. Still, dropping buzzwords doesn’t guarantee a hit, but a killer tune and a hip Roxy Music-in-space sound did.
6. New Moon on Monday (1984)The subtlest, most Bowie-esque (someone had definitely been listening to his version of China Girl) and, frankly, best single from Seven and the Ragged Tiger, the album on which Duran Duran’s excesses started to affect their quality control. New Moon on Monday seems to have been oddly forgotten, overshadowed by its brasher contemporaries.
View image in fullscreenRoger Taylor, Nick Rhodes, Andy Taylor, Simon Le Bon and John Taylor in Sydney, Australia, in 2004. Photograph: Alan Pryke/Newspix/Rex Feature5. A View to a Kill (1985)A collaboration with John Barry that came about after John Taylor drunkenly approached Bond producer Cubby Broccoli and offered him “a fiver” to let Duran Duran write a theme tune. It’s by far the most memorable 80s Bond theme – and the only one ever to reach No 1 in the US.
4. Save a Prayer (1982)Expensive videos undoubtedly had a part to play in Rio’s success, but that shouldn’t detract from how well written the songs were. Save a Prayer’s pop melodies are so finely turned that it’s easy to miss that it appears to be about a male sex worker falling in love with a client.
3. Hungry Like the Wolf (1982)Duran Duran on making Rio: ‘We’re still trying to work out what it means’Read moreThe appealingly cocky sound of a band intent on conquering America, certain they know how to do it. Hungry Like the Wolf has been polished until virtually every sound on it feels like a hook: the synth arpeggio, the guitar riff, the verses that sound like choruses, the spoken-word asides.
2. Ordinary World (1992)The song that Le Bon said “saved the life of the band” was an old-fashioned arena-sized power ballad with a fabulous melody, and just enough ethereal synth to remind you who was behind it. The fact that it was made when Duran Duran were down on their luck somehow amplified its world-weary mood.
1. Girls on Film (1981)Incredibly, the premier teen-pop magazine of the 80s initially didn’t think Duran Duran were likely to become pop idols, because, as Smash Hits editor David Hepworth put it, “they came from Birmingham, and they looked a bit desperate”. This song that made it apparent that they would, while also singlehandedly setting Duran Duran apart from the mass of New Romantic bands that engulfed the UK charts in 1981. It remains the most exciting thing they ever made, its choppy distorted guitar as close as they got to achieving their original “Chic-meets-the-Sex-Pistols” blueprint. Its chorus is a six-note call sign; its lyrics are unable to decide whether they think the fashion world is an exploitative nightmare or a glamorous world to aspire to.
Danse Macabre De Luxe is released 11 October, and in single-CD and vinyl boxset editions on 25 October. Duran Duran play Madison Square Garden, New York, on 31 October

At a press conference on October 15, 2023, in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning answered questions from reporters regarding the recent return of giant pandas from the United States.

A reporter inquired about the family of four giant pandas that had been living in Atlanta, stating that “Lun Lun” and “Yang Yang” had returned to China on October 13, while “Bao Li” and “Qing Bao” were set to depart for the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., on the 15th.

Mao confirmed that “Lun Lun,” “Yang Yang,” and their twin daughters returned home safely and in good health. She mentioned that “Bao Li” and “Qing Bao” departed early this morning on a chartered flight to the United States.

Chinese experts will accompany the two pandas as they adjust to their new environment. Mao encouraged the public to follow their daily lives through various platforms. She emphasized that both the Chinese and American sides are committed to ensuring the health and safety of the pandas in accordance with international cooperation standards for panda conservation. Furthermore, experts will make regular or occasional visits to conduct evaluations and provide guidance.

Mao expressed optimism that this latest round of international panda conservation cooperation between China and the U.S. would build on existing successful collaborations, contributing to global biodiversity protection and enhancing friendship between the peoples of both countries.

The chancellor is set to announce a revenue-raising budget designed to reset Britain’s public finances
Michael Savage Policy EditorSat 19 Oct 2024 15.00 EDTLast modified on Sat 19 Oct 2024 15.03 EDTShareRachel Reeves is set to use one of the most pivotal budgets of recent times to call on businesses to pay more tax to help restore the NHS, amid warnings that the health service has been left with a £9bn hole in its finances.
The chancellor is expected to stake her reputation on a tax-­raising budget designed as a reset of the public finances. She has already had to deal with cabinet skirmishes over funding unveiled alongside the statement. However, Reeves is understood to believe that the public will accept a multibillion-pound hike in business taxes if it is linked to repairing the health system’s finances.
The Observer has seen new research, commissioned in the run-up to the budget by an influential thinktank with close links to the Treasury and No 10, that suggests overwhelming support for using an increase in national insurance contributions (NICs) for employers to fund extra resources for the NHS.
Seven in 10 voters said they would approve of the move if the money raised was used to increase spending on the health service, according to a poll of more than 6,000 people commissioned by Labour Together.
Only 18% said they would disapprove. The measure was particularly popular with a crucial group who switched from the Conservatives to Labour at the last election. About 82% of the group said they approved of it.
View image in fullscreenUK health secretary Wes Streeting has agreed about £4bn in health service wage rises with the chancellor. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPAThe news comes with sources warning that the NHS needs an additional £9bn this financial year just to stand still, compared with the settlement it was left by the previous government.
The figure includes about £4bn in increased wages agreed by Reeves and the health secretary, Wes Streeting, after a recommendation by the independent public sector pay body. The remainder comes from the 2.9% rise needed simply for the NHS to maintain its current performance because demand is growing.
Sources across Whitehall said Reeves was putting the NHS front and centre of what is shaping up to be one of the most consequential budgets of recent decades.
“The Conservatives crashed the economy and then they ran away, leaving the NHS with spending plans that were total fiscal fiction,” said a Treasury source.
Reeves has had to unveil the budget alongside agreeing the immediate spending plans for government departments, a process that led to huge fallout among several cabinet ministers last week.
Some MPs remain fearful about what may happen to unprotected departments, with concerns that a Treasury desperate to find savings could opt to reduce the taxpayer subsidy applied to rail fares. That would see ticket prices go up and undermine Labour’s argument that it wants to tackle the cost of living crisis.
Government figures said it was now important to show people that tax rises were needed to reset the public finances and rebuild the health service. “We have to clear the decks,” said a source. “This is about revealing the real state of the public finances and how we begin to fix them.”
While Reeves appears increasingly likely to sell an increase to employer NICs as a significant element in restoring the health service, she is already facing accusations of breaching Labour manifesto commitments as she uses a series of tax rises to bolster the public finances.
The Tories state that a multibillion-pound increase in employer NICs, as well as a proposed £7bn two-year freeze on income tax thresholds, would both breach the Labour election manifesto.
However, government sources argue that the two measures meet the party’s pledge not to increase VAT, income tax or national insurance on “working people”. A Treasury source said: “We don’t comment on tax speculation.”
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The flurry of potential tax rises, including cuts to inheritance tax allowances and higher capital gains tax on share sales, comes amid signs that Labour is losing its grip as the party seen as best placed to handle the economy.
Budget 2024: what taxes could Rachel Reeves raise?Read moreThe latest Opinium poll for the Observer shows Labour has narrowly lost its lead on improving voters’ financial situations. It led the Tories by 6 percentage points on the issue in July, but now trails the party by a point. It also lags behind the Conservatives by 1 point on “running the economy”, having led by 9 points after the election.
Yet it still retains a lead on improving public services, spending government money efficiently and bringing down the national debt and deficit.
“Labour’s honeymoon ended a long time ago, but the chances of the budget turning things around look slim unless there’s a mighty rabbit to pull out of the hat,” said James Crouch, head of policy and public affairs at Opinium. “The government should expect a turbulent couple of weeks.”
There has been speculation that the NHS will receive real-terms increases of between 3% and 4%, though officials would not be drawn on the figure.
Siva Anandaciva, chief analyst and an interim director of policy at the King’s Fund, said it was crucial that higher funding came alongside serious reform. “It is unlikely that any government would be able to give the NHS ‘enough’ right now to tackle all the serious funding pressures that have built up over the previous years,” he said.
“A funding increase of 4% above inflation would be a significant increase compared with the years of austerity the NHS endured during parts of the last decade.
“Many agree that the NHS needs to reform and modernise how it works. So even if the funding on the table is unlikely to be ‘enough’, the government will need to show that the extra investment it is providing – at no small political cost if this funding comes in part from higher taxes – is being used to support reforms to how the NHS works, rather than just paying for more of the same.”

*Says sizeable number of illegal arms originally belonged to governmentChuks Okocha and Linus Aleke in Abuja
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, yesterday, said the spread of illicit small arms and light weapons was a major threat to national security, which worsened insurgency, banditry, and other violent crimes.
Ribadu spoke during an exercise for the destruction of illicit arms at Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).He said a large amount of weapons used by criminals in the country originally belonged to government, but they ended up in the hands of criminals through the activities of corrupt security personnel.
The arms destruction exercise was organised by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms And Light Weapons, Office of the National Security Adviser (NCCSALW-ONSA).
Ribadu commended the President Bola Tinubu government for giving the centre the necessary support to ensure the safety of Nigerians.
He said, “Today’s exercise is a clear evidence of that renewed resolve and marks a significant milestone in our efforts to decisively tackle the scourge of illicit small arms and light weapons in our great country.”
Ribadu pointed out that a sizeable number of illicit arms being used to commit crimes in the country originally belonged to the government.
He explained that the weapons ended up in the hands of non-state actors due to corrupt elements within the security agencies.
The NSA stated, “We have to find a way of putting a stop to this. We must, if we want to recover our country and live in peace and stability.
“The worst human being is a policeman or a soldier who will take arms from his own formations and sell it or hide it out for the bad people to come and kill his own colleagues.
“We must fight these people, but also there are merchants of death and evil from outside the world.
“The proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons remains a major threat to our national security, exacerbating issues such as insurgency, banditry and other violent crimes.”
Ribadu added, “All illicit arms, not only unserviceable, all illicit. Any weapon that is taken out there, that is through illegal process.
“We have laws that govern ownership of small arms. If you do not follow it, it is an illegal arm and it is supposed to be destroyed completely.”
Earlier in his address of welcome, Director General of NCCSALW, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Babatunde Kokumo (rtd), said over 2,400 illicit weapons, comprising a mix of unserviceable, decommissioned, and recovered arms, were destroyed during the exercise. He also revealed that the weapons were mopped up by the military, police and other security agencies across the country.
Kokumo said Nigeria will not tolerate the illegal trafficking and possession of small arms and light weapons.
He said yesterday’s exercise was a testament to the federal government’s determination to safeguard national security and foster peace across the country and the West African sub-region.
Kokumo stated, “By permanently removing these arms from circulation, we reduce the risk they pose to our communities and send a clear message: Nigeria will not tolerate the illegal trafficking and possession of small arms and light weapons.
“It is also important to state that the national centre has in its custody some recovered/captured illicit SALW still undergoing tracing as well as investigations and legal processes. These include the illicit weapons handed over to the centre by the Nigeria Customs Service. These categories of weapons would be destroyed on completion of the proceedings during subsequent routine destruction exercises.”
He said the exercise was in line with the provisions of Article 17 of the ECOWAS Convention on small arms and light weapons as well as the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in SALW.
Kokumo stated that the frameworks underscored the importance of transparent documentation and responsible disposal of recovered arms, to ensure they did not find their way back to the hands of criminal elements.

On October 17, during a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced that UK Minister of State for Development Andrew Mitchell is set to make an official visit to China from October 18 to 19, following an invitation from Wang Yi, a member of the Politburo and the Foreign Minister of China.

A reporter inquired about China’s perspective on the current state of UK-China relations, especially with the recent announcement of the minister’s visit. Mao Ning emphasized that both China and the UK are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major global economies. He remarked that a stable and developing relationship between the two nations serves their mutual interests and contributes to global cooperation in addressing significant challenges, ultimately promoting peace and development worldwide.

Mao pointed out that this visit marks the first trip to China by a cabinet minister from the new UK government. The discussions will revolve around implementing the important consensus reached during the leaders’ phone call in August, focusing on enhancing strategic mutual trust and deepening cooperation across various sectors. He expressed China’s willingness to work with the UK, maintaining a partnership approach, fostering open collaboration, and promoting mutually beneficial outcomes to ensure the steady progress of UK-China relations.

Recently, the American Dream Mall hosted a spectacular opening ceremony for the “Hong Kong Meets America – Pop Art Exhibition.” This event, organized by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, featured the renowned Hong Kong artist Prudence Mak and her beloved creative brand, Chocolate Rain. The exhibition showcases twelve giant inflatable installations and vibrant 3D character models, seamlessly blending iconic symbols from both Hong Kong and New York, creating an immersive experience that celebrates cultural fusion.

The opening ceremony drew an impressive lineup of VIPs, including Maisie Ho, the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York; Mr. Ma Xiao Xiao, Deputy Consul General of the Chinese Consulate in New York; Anson Law, Chief Representative of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s New York and London Offices; William Leung, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York; Ranjit Unnithan, Director of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion; Linda Ho, Marketing Manager for the Hong Kong Tourism Board in New York; Prudence Mak, the founder and creative force behind Chocolate Rain; and Laura DeSwart, Senior Vice President of American Dream. Together, they participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, energizing the atmosphere and marking the grand opening of the exhibition.

Hosted on the American Dream stage, the exhibition displayed various eye-catching 3D artworks, including landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and yellow taxis representing New York, as well as Hong Kong’s Tian Tan Buddha and Star Ferry. The event also highlighted oversized inflatable replicas of Hong Kong street foods such as pineapple buns, egg tarts, and Hong Kong-style milk tea, which left attendees in awe.

Beyond showcasing stunning artworks, the exhibition featured a series of interactive activities and DIY workshops. This allowed visitors of all ages to engage in the joy of creation. Children beamed with pride while adults rediscovered the innocence of their childhood. Long lines formed at activity stations, as enthusiastic participants used their creativity to craft personalized keepsakes. These unique creations not only served as mementos of a delightful experience but also celebrated individual creativity.

The success of the “Hong Kong Meets America – Pop Art Exhibition” at the American Dream Mall has garnered enthusiastic feedback from many attendees, turning it into a rare cultural exchange feast. This event reaffirms that American Dream is not just an ideal shopping destination but also a prime venue for world-class cultural activities, providing a platform for experiencing and exploring diverse cultures. Stay tuned for more exciting developments at American Dream Mall, where shopping, entertainment, cuisine, and culture come together to deliver delightful surprises.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a preliminary evaluation of nearly 35,950 Ford Flex vehicles in the U.S. due to potential issues with the rearview camera. The agency has received around 23 reports alleging that the rearview camera images in the 2019 model may appear blank, distorted, or flipped.

In another development, Catalent has agreed to sell its oral drug development and small-scale manufacturing facility located in Somerset, New Jersey, to private contract pharmaceutical manufacturer Ardena. Financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, but it is expected to be finalized by early 2025. Ardena stated that this facility will aid in the commercialization of its oral medications, and it currently employs approximately 200 scientists and technicians.

In the realm of finance, General Motors (GM) has signed a long-term credit card partnership agreement with Barclays Bank. This collaboration allows customers to earn and redeem rewards points for new Buick and Cadillac vehicles, as well as other offerings, including electric cars. Barclays will acquire the credit card program’s receivables from the current issuer next year, as Goldman Sachs transfers its GM credit card business to Barclays. The GM credit card program will continue to be issued exclusively under the Mastercard brand.

On the economic front, S&P Global Ratings warns that defaults on sovereign debt in emerging markets are likely to become more frequent over the next decade. Struggling with substantial debt burdens and elevated borrowing costs, these poorer nations face significant challenges. Despite a global decline in interest rates and some countries like Zambia and Sri Lanka on the brink of averting default, many nations still lack adequate funding to service their foreign currency debt, and their avenues for securing funds are dwindling. S&P highlights that “with rising debt levels and increased interest rates on hard currency debts, we can expect sovereign foreign debt defaults to occur more frequently in the next decade.”

Lastly, Adobe has begun the public rollout of an AI model capable of generating videos from text prompts, entering the competitive landscape of generative AI aimed at revolutionizing the film and television production industry. This technology, known as the Firefly Video Model, will compete with Sora, launched by OpenAI earlier this year, as well as video tools announced by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, and Meta Platforms in recent months. Facing larger competitors, Adobe is betting on training its model using proprietary data to ensure that the generated outputs can be legally utilized in commercial projects.

In an interview about the recent challenges faced by major German luxury car manufacturers, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, it’s clear that the downturn in sales during the last quarter is heavily influenced by the changing consumer spending habits in their largest market, China. According to a report by Bloomberg, BMW experienced a 13% decline in global sales in the third quarter, with sales in China plummeting by a staggering 30%, marking their largest drop in over four years. Likewise, Mercedes-Benz saw a 13% drop in sales in China, with sluggish demand for high-end models like the S-Class and Maybach contributing to an overall sales decrease of 3% during the same period.

The struggles in the Chinese market are further compounded by a slowdown in electric vehicle sales growth across Europe, leading both BMW and Mercedes to issue profit warnings. Tensions in U.S.-China trade relations may also pose challenges for these leading manufacturers. Following the European Union’s decision to impose tariffs of up to 45% on electric vehicles manufactured in China, Beijing may retaliate by considering increased tariffs on higher displacement vehicles from Europe. Last year, exports of German vehicles with engines over 2.5 liters to China reached $1.2 billion.

Despite the overall decline in sales across all regions, BMW managed to find a silver lining with their electric vehicles. Models such as the i4 and iX1 saw a substantial sales increase of 10%, reaching 103,440 units in the third quarter, setting them apart from Mercedes-Benz, which faced a 31% drop in electric vehicle sales, totaling 42,500 units. However, Mercedes did see a 10% increase in plug-in hybrid sales, buoyed by strong demand in the U.S. market.

Mercedes-Benz’s push for electric vehicles has not gone as planned, particularly in Asian markets where the reception has been lukewarm. Younger drivers in China are increasingly gravitating toward domestic brands, attracted by their more advanced digital and entertainment features.

In related news, sources indicate that Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares is preparing to present a management restructuring plan to the board this week, which could impact various sectors including finance, regional operations, and individual brands. During a two-day meeting, the board will likely also discuss Tavares’ future, as Stellantis Chairman John Elkann has reportedly begun searching for potential successors.

Stellantis has also issued a profit warning, and the bleak outlook has raised questions about its corporate governance. With Tavares’ contract set to expire in early 2026, he is aggressively pursuing cost-cutting measures in an effort to regain control after a series of setbacks. However, it remains uncertain whether the board will back Tavares’ restructuring plan, as their focus shifts to optimizing performance in the lucrative U.S. market.

On October 15, the list of the “Top 50 Specialized Manufacturers of Construction Machinery in China for 2024” was unveiled in Changsha, with China Railway Construction Heavy Industry, Zhejiang Dingli, and Tongli Heavy Industry taking the top three spots.

According to industry standards, the construction machinery sector encompasses 18 major product categories. Companies that primarily focus on one or two categories are referred to as specialized manufacturers. Data indicates that over 80% of manufacturers in the global construction machinery industry operate within these specialized fields. China has witnessed a surge of specialized manufacturers in this sector, which are not only regarded as “specialized, precise, and new” enterprises but also stand as invisible champions on both national and global stages.

On the same day, the “Top 5 Global Tunnel Equipment Manufacturers for 2024” list was also released, featuring China Railway Construction Heavy Industry, Germany’s Herrenknecht, and Sweden’s Atlas Copco in the top three positions. Known as the “King of Construction Machinery,” tunnel boring machines are a significant focus for China Railway Construction Heavy Industry, which holds the distinction of being the first company in China to receive a top-level production qualification for full-face tunnel boring machines. After earning the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s award for being the champion product in this category from 2019 to 2021, they have maintained their championship status for 2022-2024 through rigorous industry and market evaluations.

In the list of the “Top 100 Global Construction Equipment Manufacturers,” 19 Chinese companies made the cut, 11 of which are specialized manufacturers. Notably, three large comprehensive manufacturers—XCMG, Sany Heavy Industry, and Zoomlion—ranked among the top ten global manufacturers. From a regional perspective, nine companies from Hunan province, including Sany Heavy Industry, Zoomlion, China Railway Construction Heavy Industry, and Sunward Intelligent Equipment, also made it into the top 100.

These statistics highlight not only the overall competitiveness of China’s construction machinery industry but also the strength of regional clusters, indicating a significant rise of the industry on the global stage. After over 20 years of development, Chinese construction machinery products have fully replaced imports. According to Sun Zhe, editor-in-chief of China Construction Machinery Magazine, the recent years have seen a deepening of overseas expansion for China’s construction machinery industry, with products widely recognized by international clients. Currently, overseas revenue accounts for nearly 50% of the industry’s total.

The “Top 50 Specialized Manufacturers of Construction Machinery in China for 2024” and the “Top 5 Global Tunnel Equipment Manufacturers for 2024” lists were jointly published by the organizing committee of the Global Top 50 Construction Equipment Manufacturers Summit, China Construction Machinery Magazine, and the Xixi AM Media Group.

On October 14, two customized public bus routes officially launched in the Hunan Free Trade Zone’s Chenzhou area and Chenzhou High-tech Zone, marking a significant step in enhancing convenience for local businesses. This initiative is a direct response to company feedback, reflecting the park’s commitment to a “one-stop service” model aimed at better addressing the needs of enterprises.

According to a spokesperson from the management committee of the Hunan Free Trade Zone and Chenzhou High-tech Zone, upon receiving requests for improved public transportation options from businesses in the area, the park immediately collaborated with Chenzhou Public Transportation Group to develop an infrastructure optimization plan and upgrade transportation capacity.

To create a top-notch business environment that is market-oriented, legally sound, and internationalized, the Free Trade Zone in Chenzhou and the High-tech Zone introduced a service mechanism called “One Thing, One Time.” This initiative aims to streamline services, enhance the effectiveness of support for companies, and ensure their needs are met efficiently.

The “One Thing, One Time” service approach involves a comprehensive restructuring and optimization of existing work processes. This includes establishing a centralized service mechanism known as the “Seven Ones”: one comprehensive service center, one management ledger, one hotline for complaints, one channel for issue assignment, one promotional handbook, one procedural assistance system, and one consistent assessment method. This framework allows businesses to express and resolve their concerns with minimal hassle, ideally requiring them to visit only once.

Liu Xiang, a representative from SANY Heavy Energy Equipment (Chenzhou) Co., Ltd., enthusiastically shared, “I just completed the necessary approval procedures for our export trade. It was surprisingly easy; the ‘One Thing, One Time’ service is incredibly convenient!” He noted how quickly the park facilitated connections with the regulatory bodies and provided a liaison to help navigate the process.

Another business leader, Tan Shuai from Chenzhou Highstar Nonferrous Metals Co., Ltd., posed a question regarding the necessity of upgrading their facilities, potentially needing to purchase or lease space. The service specialists provided immediate support by creating a case file, drafting a transfer request, and intervening on the same day to expedite approval for their expansion project, ensuring it aligned with the park’s industrial development goals and safety standards.

To support the effective implementation of the “One Thing, One Time” service model, the Hunan Free Trade Zone and Chenzhou High-tech Zone have strengthened their information technology infrastructure. They launched the “Chenzhou New Service” platform and established a hotline office for enterprise concerns, digitally managing inquiries to ensure real-time progress tracking and accountability. This establishes a feedback loop where issues reported by companies are documented, assigned, addressed, and evaluated efficiently, ensuring an enterprise only needs to report a problem once.

A staff member from the service center stated, “These technological advancements have facilitated cross-departmental and cross-level data sharing and collaboration, significantly enhancing service efficiency and processing speed.”

To ensure the “One Thing, One Time” service model is effectively realized, the park provides monthly reports on departmental compliance with the service delivery framework. Should the implementation falter, the park’s disciplinary committee promptly intervenes to maintain high service standards.

Since its launch in September, this service model has successfully provided expedient support to numerous local businesses. The enterprise hotline has received and processed over 70 inquiries and requests, compiling a total of 207 business concerns from various channels, of which 176 have been resolved, and 31 are currently being addressed.