भारतीय रोज़ नई ख़बरें – Page 17 – भारतीय रोज़ न्यूज़ भारत की सबसे अधिकारपूर्ण, समय पर और विश्वसनीय समाचार सलाहकार वेबसाइट है

800,000 copies of pirated film, TV works seized in crackdown

Promotional materials for Chinese movie YOLO Photo: Courtesy of Douban

China’s Ministry of Public Security has recently revealed that more than 40,000 cases of copyright infringement and counterfeiting were handled nationwide in 2023, involving the seizure of products like bootleg films and forged food brand packaging.

Investigations targeting these fraud cases were carried out under a nationwide special operation called “Kunlun 2023.” The operation continues in 2024 with the unchanged goal of fighting “intellectual property infringement.”

The operation hit a new milestone in February. A total of 800,000 films, predominately bootlegs of movies like YOLO and Article 20, were seized by police departments in the provinces of Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangsu.

The bootleg films were those that debuted during the 2024 Chinese Spring Festival holiday. They were mainly shared illegally online. Besides bootleg video recordings and pirated disk versions of these movies, 230 online shops illegally distributing such contents were included in the crackdown.

Cultural policy expert Song Weiping told the Global Times that such unlawful bootleg films sustain a “lucrative yet unethical market.” Taking bootleg films as an example, he noted their prices online are usually “much less than half” of the price for a cinema ticket, the expert emphasized.

“Some of those films were even circulated for free. Also, story-based films are more easily to be devalued in the pirate market since they do not boast the same visual effects that are exclusive to cinematic blockbusters,” Song remarked.

The unlawful reproduction of films is a topic that can always spark a wide spectrum of public debate in China. Xue Zhiqian, a popular Chinese singer was slammed by netizens in February on the internet after he snapped photos of the film Pegasus 2 in a cinema and then posted them on China’s X-like Sina Weibo.

Although law expert Xu Xinmin told the Global Times that a few individual photos can hardly constitute copyright infringement, netizens’ criticism of Xue is still trending, especially posts accusing him of being “ignorant of copyright’s importance” and “misleading the public.”

“Copyright infringement is extremely harmful to creative works, including art, films and so forth. To protect a work’s copyright is not the author’s own responsibility, but also that of the creative industry,” Xu told the Global Times.

Other than taking care of the film sector, the special operation also included crack down on intellectual property infringement related to sectors such as software, makeup, food and household appliances.

A total of 1,168 counterfeit hair dryers imitating a popular English brand were seized by police. The profit of sales of such counterfeits reached more than 40 million yuan ($5.5 million). In Central China’s Henan Province, four food processing spots were discovered that specialized in making counterfeit seasoning products of a popular Chinese food brand.

Those results were achieved through a close collaboration between China’s Ministry of Public Security and its deployed sub-provincial organs throughout the country.

“Such a deployment enlarges the scope of discovering potential crimes, and also reveals China’s nationwide efforts in cracking down on piracy,” Xu told the Global Times. The expert also added that these cases were chosen to be revealed around World Intellectual Property Day (WIPO) to show China’s dedication to protecting intellectual property rights. WIPO falls annually on April 26.

GT Voice: Weakening yen sends signal of danger to central banks

The rate of the yen against the US dollar was displayed in the trading room at foreign exchange brokerage Gaitame.com Co. in Tokyo, Japan, on April 25, 2024. Photo: VCG

Many Asian currencies have been hit this year by the strength of the US dollar, and it seems especially so for the Japanese currency. The yen hit a fresh 34-year low against the dollar on Thursday. This added to market pessimism, which had already been exacerbated by the recent depreciation of the currency.

A day earlier, the yen weakened to the 155 range against the US dollar, marking the first time since June 1990 that the yen had crossed the psychologically important 155 level. Although a depreciation of the yen is likely to make Japanese exports more competitive, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages, because Japan relies heavily on imports for energy, food and raw materials.

In general, the yen’s depreciation will increase the import costs of these items, exacerbate already-high imported inflation and force enterprises to cut production capacity.

The decline in the yen comes after stronger-than-expected US inflation data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve may be not in a rush to cut interest rates and the US dollar will remain strong over the coming months. In addition to the yen, some other Asian currencies are under pressure.

For instance, the South Korean won recently breached a key psychological mark of 1,400 versus the dollar, the weakest since late 2022. The stronger dollar has also weighed on other Asian currencies such as the Thai baht and Malaysian ringgit.

Depreciation pressure limits central banks’ room to maneuver on monetary policy, forcing them to consider interest rate hikes, although the tightening of monetary policy will have a negative impact on these economies.

In 2023, GDP growth in many developing countries in Asia rebounded from the impact of COVID-19. Many economists believe that this trend will continue. The Asian economy was forecast to grow by about 4.5 percent in 2024, faster than in 2023, and to remain the largest contributor to global economic growth.

We hope that growth of 4.5 percent can be achieved, but at a time when Asian currencies are being hit by a delayed Federal Reserve easing cycle and sustained strength in the dollar, depreciation pressures add uncertainty to the recovery of the Asian economy.

Some economists believe that raising interest rates to increase government intervention in the foreign exchange market is not a fundamental solution. The region’s tumbling currencies suggest that it’s crucial to strengthen industry and supply chains in Asia to withstand external shocks such as a strong dollar.

There is no need to deny that the risk of a financial crisis has risen in some Asian countries, especially those with small economies. The question is, can they afford a stronger greenback, accelerated capital outflows and higher borrowing costs?

Faced with uncertainties, Asian economies also need to consider enhancing financial cooperation and diversifying the currency composition of their reserves.

In Asia, the yuan has become one of the alternatives to the US dollar in trade settlements. China’s relatively steady economic development and robust trade with Asian countries have laid a solid foundation for the yuan to be accepted by those countries.

The yuan is facing renewed depreciation pressure after stronger-than-expected US inflation bolstered the dollar, but China is fully capable of stabilizing the market and keeping the yuan steady at a reasonable and balanced level. Other Asian countries should consider expanding currency swaps between the yuan and their currencies.

There is a solid foundation for a stable and improving Chinese economy throughout this year. China is anticipated to make more contributions to safeguard regional financial stability amid recent currency depreciation in some Asian countries.

Unfair finger-pointing

Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

Global car producers in launch fever for NEV models at Beijing auto show

Photo: Li Hao/GT

After a four-year absence of its offline show, China’s largest auto show, or 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, which kicked off in Beijing on Thursday, has regained global attention. Global players such as Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz are signaling their entry into NEVs on a large scale, highlighting their confidence in the Chinese market.

Such moves are in contrast with the so-called “overcapacity” cited by some US officials, which primarily pertains to industries such as electric vehicles (EVs). Chinese market observers said that it’s groundless to hype the overcapacity narrative, because the production capacity of NEVs to meet consumers’ upgrading demand remains insufficient.

A total of 44 models from the Volkswagen Group’s brands are on display at the ongoing show, 11 of which are making their debuts, according to information that Volkswagen Group shared with the Global Times. Among the total, there are 18 NEV models.

The group said it is accelerating the process of electrification. Starting from 2026, at least eight pure electric models specially developed for the Chinese local market will be launched. By 2030, the group will provide at least 30 pure electric models in the Chinese market.

Such moves are shared by other global players. BMW and MINI, the two brands under the BMW Group, brought their new models on Thursday, including BMW’s BEV model- the new BMW i4 had its world premiere, and MINI’s first all-electric crossover – the all new, all electric MINI Aceman, also made its world debut in Beijing.

Electrification, digitalization and sustainable development are the current major trends in the automobile industry. The BMW Group’s goal is to achieve more than 50 percent of sales from electric vehicles by 2030, said Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board of BMW AG, in Beijing on Wednesday night.

Mercedes-Benz brought 21 new models to the show, including the world’s first pure electric G-Class off-road vehicle. Maybach’s first mass-produced pure electric model, the Maybach EQS pure electric sport utility vehicle, hit the Chinese market at the show.

Photo: Li Hao/GT

China is the world’s second-largest market for G-class off-road vehicles. We will increase our input in the Chinese market and build our electric era with Chinese speed, said Hubertus Troska, member of the board of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

Automakers from China and abroad are set to unveil 117 new models versus 93 at last year’s show in Shanghai, while a total of 278 NEVs will go on display, seven more than last year, according to the organizers.

The timing of the show comes as China’s NEV market shows fast development. Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers showed that NEVs accounted for 30 percent of cars sold in China in the first two months of this year.

“Four years ago, when I came here, the NEV models of Chinese brands accounted for a large part of the show, but this time, many foreign companies are actively promoting their NEV products,” a visitor surnamed Li told the Global Times on Thursday.

The fever of foreign car producers for NEVs in China is in contrast with the so-called overcapacity hype by some Western countries, in which they focus on the growth of Chinese manufacturing in new industries represented by EVs, lithium-ion batteries and solar panels.

There is no such thing as “overcapacity” in China’s NEV sector. As a matter of fact, the production capacity of NEVs to meet consumers’ upgrading demand remains insufficient, Wu Shuocheng, a veteran automobile analyst, told the Global Times on Thursday.

“I do not think that China has excess capacity. It’s better to look at the China’s NEV market from a dynamic and developmental perspective. Through market competition, there will be elimination of outdated production capacity in the sector,” Wu said.

The Ministry of Commerce also slammed so-called overcapacity on Thursday. He Yadong, spokesperson of the ministry, said that the issue of production capacity must be based on the background of economic globalization, and fully consider the reality of the global division of labor and international markets.

From a global perspective, there is no overcapacity, but rather a shortage in the new-energy sector. Currently, the development of green, low-carbon and environmentally friendly new energy is an important global response to climate change, He said.

Global players all emphasize the importance of the Chinese market, and they bolster their competitive positions through local partnerships and innovation.

Volkswagen Group said that it is focusing on its local development capacities and its partnerships with local tech companies and manufacturers such as Horizon Robotics, Thundersoft and XPENG.

“We are accelerating our electric offensive with additional products for new segments. In this way, we are taking advantage of opportunities in the rapidly growing e-market,” Ralf Brandstätter, board member for the China region and CEO of Volkswagen Group China, told the Global Times.

Photo: Li Hao/GT

Graphics: China’s EV ‘overcapacity’ accusations unfounded, data reveals market realities

Recently, some Western politicians and media outlets claimed that Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers’ rapid development was driven by subsidies. They say that excess production capacity is impacting the world market, although China’s current production capacity is far from meeting market demand.

China Passenger Car Association data shows that from 2019 to 2023, China’s car exports accounted for only 15.9 percent of domestic production. The ratio of exports to production is far lower than in other car-producing nations such as Germany, Japan and South Korea. According to Bloomberg analysis, in the EV sector, the capacity usage rates of the majority of China’s leading auto exporters are considered normal.

Graph showing China’s ratio of exports to production is far lower than other car-producing countries such as Japan and Germany. /Designed by Li Jingjie

Overcapacity essentially happens because there is not enough market demand for the products being produced.

However, in the case of EVs, the reality is just the opposite.

Almost 14 million new electric cars were registered globally in 2023, and electric car sales in 2023 were 3.5 million higher than in 2022, a 35 percent year-on-year increase, according to a report published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Tuesday, indicating that growth remains robust as electric car markets mature.

According to the China Automobile Dealers Association, China’s vehicle inventory alert index, which reflects the inventory pressure on automobile dealers, declined 5.8 percentage points month on month in March this year. The IEA report notes that sales of EVs in China have remained robust. It projects that sales are set to grow by almost 25 percent in 2024 compared to last year, reaching around 10 million.

China’s vehicle inventory alert index from 2022 to 2024. /Designed by Li Jingjie

On April 23, a commentary in the Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung (New Journal of Zürich) argued that the West’s complaints about China’s “overcapacity” are both hypocritical and shortsighted. Instead of hyping the “Chinese threat,” the Western industrialized countries would do better to face up to the competition, benefit from good and affordable products and push for equal market access in exchange for more Chinese green energy products entering the European market, the article suggests.

(Cover: An electric vehicle. /CFP)

China’s Space Day: Unveiling upcoming space missions in 2024

China launches its Gravity-1 solid rocket from a mobile sea platform off Haiyang City, east China’s Shandong Province, January 11, 2024. /CFP

China announced on its Space Day (April 24) that the Shenzhou-18 crewed spaceship will be launched on Thursday, and the country is projected to make about 100 space launch missions in 2024, setting a new record in its space history.

Starting in 2016, China chose April 24 as its Space Day to mark the launch of its first satellite Dongfanghong-1 into space on April 24, 1970. The country carried out 67 space launch missions last year, ranking second in the world after the U.S., and put 221 spacecraft into space, and it is striving to make about 100 space launch missions this year.

The launches include the maiden flight from China’s first commercial spacecraft launch site, which is now under construction in the city of Wenchang, in south China’s island province of Hainan, in addition to more satellite lift-offs to form constellations.

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the country’s rocket series developer and the leading force of the country’s space industry, is scheduled to make nearly 70 space launch missions, putting over 290 spacecraft into space in 2024.

It will implement the first flight tasks of Long March-12, and complete two cargo spaceship missions, two crewed launch missions, and two crewed return missions for China’s space station. The Long March-12 is China’s first single-core stage liquid launch vehicle with a diameter of 3.8 meters. It has a two-stage configuration propelled by six liquid oxygen/kerosene engines.

The new rocket is designed with a carrying capacity of not less than 10 tonnes in near-Earth orbit and not less than 6 tonnes in 700-km sun-synchronous orbit, which will improve the country’s transport capability in low-orbit satellite constellations and sun-synchronous orbit. The Long March-12 will be launched in the country’s first commercial spacecraft launch site.

In the first half of this year, China launched Queqiao-2, a relay satellite for communications between the far side of the moon and Earth, and it is scheduled to launch the Chang’e-6 lunar probe, a mission to collect samples from the far side of the moon, the first of its kind in human history.

In 2024, the CASC strives to continuously promote the development of more than 200 spacecraft, including the new-generation near-Earth manned spacecraft, the Chang’e-7 lunar probe, the Tianwen-2 probe for asteroid sampling and the geostationary microwave probe satellite.

Scientific instruments from France, Italy and the European Space Agency/Sweden will be onboard the lander of the Chang’e-6 mission, with a Pakistani payload on the orbiter, according to the China National Space Administration. A detection satellite for ocean salinity, an electromagnetic monitoring satellite and an astronomical probe co-developed by China and France are also on CASC’s task list.

New partners for International Lunar Research Station

On this year’s Space Day, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) also declared that more partners, including one country and two international organizations, will participate in the construction and operation of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).

The latest progress on the ILRS program, which was initiated by China, was revealed at the launch ceremony of the Space Day of China in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province.

The new partners of the ILRS include Nicaragua, the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization and the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences. China will collaborate with these three parties on various issues concerning the ILRS, including its demonstration, engineering implementation, operation and application, according to the CNSA.

The officials at the CNSA have signed agreements and memorandums of understanding on the cooperation on the ILRS with relevant officials from the three sides.

The building of the International Lunar Research Station will be carried out in three phases, with a basic model of the station expected to be completed by around 2030.

According to the CNSA, the research station will operate autonomously for a long period of time, with short-term human participation.

(With input from Xinhua)

BJIFF: French Film Week celebrates 60 years of bilateral ties

As China and France continue to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, French Film Week has taken center stage at the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), treating audiences to a vibrant showcase of Gallic cinema.

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From timeless classics to the latest works by emerging filmmakers, 30 films will be screened at theaters across Beijing. This cinematic extravaganza serves as a captivating window into the nuances of French culture, from its artistic sensibilities to its social dynamics.

“I would consider a movie ticket as being akin to a plane ticket, where you go to the cinema and discover another world,” said Isabelle Glachant, Unifrance’s Greater China representative. She mentioned that French Film Week was a good opportunity to discover France, as well as French talent.

A still from the film “A Real Job” /Photo provided to CGTN

One of the highlights will be a screening of “A Real Job,” which joins the list of nominees for the prestigious Tiantan Awards at this year’s BJIFF.

“People can empathize with the films’ content no matter where they are. Despite the structural and cultural differences between our two countries, there are many things that can bring us together, and cinema is one such bridge,” said Thomas Lilti, director of “A Real Job.”

Film cooperation between China and France has a long and rich history, exemplified by the joint production of “The Magic of the Kite” in 1958, which became the first co-production between China and another country.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and France, with a series of cultural events are being held to celebrate the occasion. In addition to French Film Week in Beijing, Paris will also host a Chinese Film Festival later in the year.

French director Christian Carion expressed his confidence that French films would continue to captivate Chinese audiences, just as Chinese films screened in many parts of France have resonated with local audiences there.

French Film Week allows Chinese audiences to immerse themselves in the rich cinematic traditions of France. It is a testament to the power of art to bring people together while also fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation between the two nations.

Exploring ancient towns of Jiangnan

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Strolling through the ancient towns of Jiangnan, or regions south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, visitors can not only experience the charm of pavilions, small bridges, flowing water and fragrant ancient trees, but also understand the historical context and appreciate traditional Chinese culture through the preserved cultural relics and ancient buildings. Let’s follow Caroline Wu on a walk through some historical and cultural sites and witness the discoveries made by experts in the restoration and protection of these ancient towns.

Jiaoxi Town: How yellow stones make a water town unique

A view of Jiaoxi Town, Changzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, April 21, 2024. Du Junzhi/CGTN

Editor’s note: Tourism is booming in China. Every April, picturesque water towns and historic blocks in its southern and eastern regions become popular destinations. To understand how historic towns empower China’s tourism industry, CGTN presents “Old Town, New Life,” a series that tells fresh stories of well-preserved old towns, and shows how younger generations are reshaping their culture.

As a latecomer to China’s collection of well-known water towns, Jiaoxi Town looks a bit strange.

Just like the typical water towns portrayed in traditional Chinese paintings and literature, Jiaoxi features houses with black tiles, stone bridges and well-connected waterways. But looking from afar, the bottom half of its buildings’ walls resemble neatly arranged chocolate chip cookies.

According to local experts, the “cookies” are yellow stones which were quarried from the town’s surrounding mountains. The yellow stones are hard and heavy, making them particularly effective at repelling moisture.

Yellow stones used to build houses in Jiaoxi Town, Changzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, April 21, 2024. Du Junzhi/CGTN

Located in Changzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Jiaoxi is often regarded as the northernmost of China’s water towns in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. In 2018, it was part of a joint application to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The protected area of the old town is about 9.5 hectares.

Local historian Shao Zhiqiang said that Jiaoxi’s inclusion helped highlight the varied architectural features and diverse cultural characteristics of China’s water towns.

Shao added that Jiaoxi was once a waterway trade hub for Changzhou’s merchant ships heading to and from the Yangtze River. And in the time of war, its location also attracted the rich and the literati who escaped from the north.

A man sketches buildings in Jiaoxi Town, Changzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, April 21, 2024. Du Junzhi/CGTN

Jiaoxi’s rivers, streets and houses have seen the town’s rise and fall over its history of 1200 years. More than 600 buildings in the town were built in the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties. In 2019, Changzhou launched a project to protect the special architecture of Jiaoxi.

“The town was pretty depressed when the project first started,” said Zhang Quanfeng, senior architect at Architects & Engineers Co., Ltd. of Southeast University. “We’ve found about 200 houses that were built with yellow stones in Jiaoxi.”

Over the past five years, Zhang and his team, along with the local government, have carefully studied the ancient houses in Jiaoxi and developed tailored restoration plans based on their current conditions. To preserve the unique architectural style of using yellow stones, they also found several inheritors of the craft.

“The youngest craftsman was in his seventies at that time,” said Zhang, adding that they finally managed to give new life to a traditional method which uses yellow stones, lime and straw. So far, the restoration of 10 key buildings has been completed.

Residents make dumpling balls with different kinds of fillings in Jiaoxi Town, Changzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, April 21, 2024. Du Junzhi/CGTN

The improvement of infrastructure and public service facilities in Jiaoxi is part of the restoration process, so that the living environment of the more than 2,200 residents can be enhanced.

Zhang also pointed out that nearly all shop owners in the town are natives who sell local delicacies. He said residents are encouraged to protect and restore the town’s historic features.

For example, the town’s oldest tofu shop has been passed down for seven generations. Yao Xiaosong, 68, said he feels proud that his family has passed on Jiaoxi’s tofu-making craft over the years.

Yao Xiaosong, inheritor of Jiaoxi’s tofu-making craft, Jiaoxi Town, Changzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, April 21, 2024. Du Junzhi/CGTN

“The starting point for the preservation of Jiaoxi Town is the restoration and inheritance of its traditional Chinese culture,” said Shao, the local historian. “As for the development of tourism, it should be a natural result.”

Embracing the great outdoors at Mount Siguniang

From ancient forests to alpine tundra and snow-capped peaks, there’s plenty on offer for the outdoor enthusiast at Mount Siguniang in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. /CGTN

UNESCO-listed Mount Siguniang in southwest China’s Sichuan Province offers some fantastic trekking routes that are suitable for everyone, from beginners to avid hikers. There is also the opportunity for serious mountaineers to ascend its four snow-capped peaks.