भारतीय महासागर समाचार – Page 25 – भारतीय महासागर समाचार भारत की सबसे अधिकारी और विश्वसनीय वास्तविक समाचार सलाहकार वेबसाइट है।

Beijing sees increase in terrestrial wildlife species

The number of terrestrial wildlife species in Beijing has increased from 608 to 612, including 519 bird species, the Beijing Municipal Forestry and Parks Bureau said Saturday.

The newly added four species are all birds, which are the black baza, the Oriental magpie-robin, the black-throated bushtit and the Himalayan cuckoo.

Located along the bird migration route between East Asia and Australasia, Beijing has been a frequent stop for many rare and endangered birds, such as the oriental stork, Chinese merganser and white-tailed sea eagle during this spring migration season, showcasing the ongoing ecological improvements in the Chinese capital, according to a staffer with the bureau.

Over the years, the city has strengthened the development of natural protected areas such as forests, wetlands and geological parks, creating a comprehensive system that effectively protects over 90 percent of its major wildlife and habitats.

(Cover image via CFP)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency

Unveiling secret recipe behind the Tianshui malatang craze

In Tianshui, an ancient city nestled within China’s Gansu province, a portion of traditional street food has recently taken the country by storm, drawing culinary adventurers from every corner to experience its fiery delight.

Tianshui malatang — with its mixture of boiled meat and vegetables seasoned with mouthwatering scarlet chili oil — has gone viral online.

Wu Zhigang, the owner of a beloved local malatang restaurant, finds himself at the epicenter of this spicy phenomenon. Amid the bustling frenzy, Wu’s daily life has transformed dramatically, with his revenue skyrocketing and sleep dwindling to a mere four hours per night.

Despite the overwhelming workload brought by the influx of visitors, Wu’s joy at the economic gains shines through. What’s the secret recipe for his success? Click the video to learn.

Could AI give this little girl a voice?

03:16

WATCH: Meet Everly, the little girl searching for her voice

Everly Paddock loves making friends. She’s five years old and attends kindergarten in Ontario, Canada.

It’s an exciting time in her life. There are new faces, new ideas and new adventures around every corner. But making friends isn’t easy without a voice.

Everly’s vocal cords have been partially paralyzed for most of her young life. She struggles to raise her voice above a whisper, even when she tries to shout.

“You see it at school,” says Everly’s father, Jeff. “She’ll go up to anyone and start a conversation. Most kids will be open to that. But after a few seconds, they realize they have no idea what she’s saying. So her circle of friends is slowly moving away.”

A parent’s pain

Everly was born nearly 16 weeks premature. She could not breathe on her own, so doctors inserted a special tube down her throat.

They hoped she wouldn’t need it for more than a few weeks. The reality was very different.

“They would take out the tube, but then her oxygen levels would fall and you could tell she was struggling to breathe,” says Jeff. “They tried to remove it on eight different occasions, but they had to re-insert it again and again.”

Everly battled to breathe on her own after she was born 16 weeks premature. /Jeff Paddock

Doctors had to perform emergency surgery after failing to reposition the tube during one of these procedures. They took the decision to insert a device in Everly’s trachea – a move which freed up her airways by bypassing the upper part of her throat.

Everly’s voice was severely restricted while the trachea device was in place. Her parents expected that to change when doctors removed it last August.

Instead, they got some devastating news – Everly’s vocal cords had suffered serious damage. It’s not clear when exactly this happened, but Jeff thinks it’s the result of repeated attempts to insert the breathing tube when she was a baby.

“We were heart-broken when we were told about the vocal cord damage,” says Jeff. “I remember how long we had to wait to hear her say, ‘I love you.’ We just miss the things parents always expect to do with their children.”

A voice for the voiceless

Everly has already had seven operations to help correct the damage to her throat. Jeff is worried that another major surgery could do more harm than good. The options are limited. But there is hope on the horizon.

Chinese scientist Dr Jun Chen has built a device which could offer a voice to the voiceless. Chen worked with his team at the University of California Los Angeles, building on technology which he developed in 2020. He thinks his ‘voice patch’ could change millions of lives.

“This device produces speech using a system based on muscle movement,” says Chen. “I really hope this work will help people with voice disorders and vocal cord injuries.”

The ‘voice patch’ could help people to speak despite vocal cord injuries. /Jun Chen Lab/UCLA

Flexing some ‘machine muscle’

People use their vocal cords to produce soundwaves and, ultimately, speech.

But vocal cords aren’t the only part of the speaking process. People also mobilise certain muscles in their throats. Chen’s patch relies on prompts from those muscles, allowing users to speak even if their vocal cords aren’t working normally.

Each movement generates a unique electric signal. Artificial Intelligence (AI) interprets that signal, matching it with a word in its database. The device then transmits sound in a voice that the user chooses.

“We will use machine learning,” says Chen. “First we will build up a personalized database of words for the user. They’ll be able to wear the patch once that’s in place.”

The patch measures just over one square inch and sticks to the skin. /Jun Chen Labs/UCLA

Chen included eight participants in the trial phase of his research. They were told to mouth several basic sentences in silence – phrases such as ‘How are you doing today?’ and ‘I love you!’

The results suggest the AI can identify the correct word 95-percent of the time. There is a slight delay between muscle movement and speech, but Chen says that could disappear as the technology evolves.

“I would estimate that right now there’s a delay of about a second. Eventually users will not feel any delay. That is the ultimate goal.”

‘It would be a game-changer’

Chen says the device could be on the market in the next three to five years. That means Everly may have to wait a while before she can try it out. But her father is already gearing up to explore the possibilities.

“I think it will be a game-changer if it works for Everly,” says Jeff Paddock. “I can’t even begin to describe how it would change daily interactions and activities. She’s at a young age, so it would make a huge impact.”

Jeff turns to Everly, a smile stretching across his face. “What would you think if we could get a ‘band aid’ that would give you a little bit more of a voice? Would you like that?”

His daughter thinks for a second, and then responds with “Yeah.” Jeff follows up, asking “Could you give me your loudest voice?”

Everly doesn’t hesitate this time. “Yeah!” Her voice strains to get the words out; they seem to prick at her throat as they come off her tongue. But her eyes tell a story of their own. This little girl has a lot of love in her heart.

Now, she needs a voice to share it.

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Water-splashing festival celebrated in southwest China

People splash water on each other to wish for good fortune during the traditional water-splashing festival held at an ethnic village in Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, April 12, 2024. /IC

A woman is soaked during the traditional water-splashing festival held at an ethnic village in Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, April 12, 2024. /IC

People at an ethnic village in southwest China’s Kunming are celebrating the traditional water-splashing festival! They splash water on one another during the festival to symbolize the washing away of bad luck and bringing good luck.

The water-splashing festival is not only an important event for ethnic groups such as Dai, De’ang, Bulang, and Achang people in Yunnan Province, but has also been included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage of China.

Exploring beautiful Wormhole Library in South China’s Hainan

The Wormhole Library in Haikou Bay, Haikou City, south China’s Hainan Province, April 13, 2024. Fu Zisi/CGTN

The Wormhole Library in Haikou Bay, Haikou City, south China’s Hainan Province, April 13, 2024. Gao Ning/CGTN

Facing the South China Sea, the Wormhole Library is located in Century Park, along the coastline of Haikou Bay in south China’s Hainan Province. This unique piece of architecture features openings of various sizes that allow natural light to permeate the interior while also facilitating natural ventilation.

This elegantly curved pavilion, evoking the imagery of a wormhole, serves as a multifaceted space. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in reading, enjoy serene sea views and partake in open-air performances, providing a peaceful retreat from the everyday hustle and bustle.

China-Laos Railway expands international passenger service with additional train pair

First train between Xishuangbanna of China and Luang Prabang of Laos departures from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, April 13, 2024. /CFP

Chinese and Lao railway authorities on Saturday launched one more pair of trains for the China-Laos Railway’s international passenger service.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. The 1,035-km railway connects China’s Kunming with Vientiane in Laos.

The newly added pair of trains run between Xishuangbanna of China and Luang Prabang of Laos, two popular tourist destinations, according to China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.

During the initial period, the additional trains run four days a week, every Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The whole trip has six stations and takes approximately five hours. Passengers can make the round trip between the two locations within one day.

Saturday marked the first anniversary of the launch of the China-Laos Railway’s international passenger service.

A year ago, the China-Laos Railway launched its international passenger service, with one pair of trains running between Kunming in China and Vientiane in Laos.

Within the past year, the international service of the China-Laos Railway transported 180,000 cross-border passengers from 87 countries and regions, according to China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency

Dear readers: “Would you name a baby monkey?”

A female grey snub-nosed monkey infant is pictured when she reaches 13 days old at the wildlife rescue center of Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve in southwest China’s Guizhou Province, April 2, 2024. /Photo provided to CGTN

A photo shows the grey snub-nosed monkey family. From left to right are the infant’s sister Qianbao, the female infant, its mother Fanfan and father Tiantian, on April 2, 2024. /Photo provided to CGTN

A photo shows a female grey snub-nosed monkey infant at 8 days old at the wildlife rescue center of Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve in southwest China’s Guizhou Province, March 28, 2024. /Photo provided to CGTN

A female grey snub-nosed monkey infant is pictured at two days old in its mother’s arm at the wildlife rescue center of Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve in southwest China’s Guizhou Province, March 22, 2024. /Photo provided to CGTN

We require our dearest innovative readers to name this new baby to the wildlife rescue center of Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve in southwest China’s Guizhou Province.

Grey snub-nosed monkey mother Fanfan and father Tiantian gave birth to a female infant on the evening of March 21, 2024. The newborn is now in a healthy condition. The parents were originally from the wild and sought refuge at the center due to prior injuries.

The Guizhou grey snub-nosed monkey is one of China’s most treasured endangered species, with only approximately 800 remaining worldwide, mainly inhabiting the mountainous forests of Fanjingshan at elevations of 500 to 2,000 meters above sea level.

The species was designated as a national first-level protected animal in 1989 and classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2008.

China’s top legislator meets DPRK leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang

Zhao Leji (R), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee, shakes hands with Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), in Pyongyang, DPRK, April 13, 2024. /Xinhua

Zhao Leji, chairman of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee, met Kim Jong Un, the top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), in Pyongyang on Saturday.

Zhao, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, led a party and government delegation on an official goodwill visit to the DPRK from Thursday to Saturday. He attended the opening ceremony of the “China-DPRK Friendship Year” during the visit.

During Saturday’s meeting with Kim, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, Zhao said China and the DPRK have been good neighbors for 75 years, fighting side by side, sharing a common future and promoting common development.

The two countries celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2024.

Zhao said under the new situation, China is ready to work with the DPRK to promote greater development of bilateral relations.

The CPC and the Chinese government have always viewed China-DPRK relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, he said. “It is our unswerving policy to maintain, consolidate and develop the traditional friendly cooperative relations between China and the DPRK.”

China is willing to work with the DPRK under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, promote pragmatic and mutually beneficial cooperation to achieve new results, continue to strongly support each other and safeguard both sides’ common interests, said Zhao.

China is willing to coordinate closely with the DPRK to jointly organize various activities of the “China-DPRK Friendship Year,” he added.

Kim said it is the unswerving policy of the WPK and the DPRK government to consolidate and develop the traditional friendly cooperative relations between China and the DPRK.

The relations between the two countries are constantly developing to a higher stage in accordance with the requirements of the new era, he said.

The DPRK is ready to strengthen cooperation in various fields and exchange experience in state governance with China to deepen traditional friendship and write a new chapter in DPRK-China relations, said Kim.

Can the EV market succeed without China?

29:42

With China’s commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Europe and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in Beijing this week, concerns of overcapacity in the EV market have been top of the agenda around the world.

But is there overcapacity in China’s electric vehicles market? With the need for more electric powered cars only growing as the world seeks to hit tough net zero targets, where is the sector really headed?

In this edition of The Agenda, Juliet Mann speaks to Tu Le, Founder and Managing Director of Sino Auto Insights and Bill Russo, Chief Executive of consultants Automobility to find out.

And as she focuses on the future of EVs, she also speaks to Kiva Allgood from the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains at the World Economic Forum to find out why the sector can only really work if we move towards a truly circular system.

Hainan Expo accelerates release of local consumption potential

Editor’s note: Zhang Deyong is a research fellow at the National Academy of Economic Strategy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the author’s opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN. It has been translated from Chinese and edited for brevity and clarity.

The fourth China International Consumer Products Expo, themed “Share open opportunities, Co-create a better life,” kicked off in the island province of Hainan on April 13 and will last till April 18. It is also known as the Hainan Expo.

As China’s first major international exhibition in 2024 and one of the important initiatives of the Ministry of Commerce’s “Year of Consumption Promotion,” this consumer products expo will take multiple measures centered around promoting consumption to attract global visitors, gather premium consumer goods worldwide, steer emerging consumer trends and invigorate new consumer vigor.

People gather around the healthy consumption sub-exhibition area of the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo in Qionghai, south China’s Hainan Province, April 12, 2024. /CFP

Drawing crowds

Unlike the previous expos, this expo will be held across the whole island of Hainan for the first time, adopting a “1+N” format of having one main venue and multiple sub-venues. In addition to the main venue at the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center in Haikou, the provincial capital, new sub-venues such as yacht exhibitions, duty-free shopping and international health venues will be set up in Haikou and Boao.

It is expected to feature more than 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions. The United Kingdom (UK), Mongolia and Malaysia have sent national exhibition groups for the first time.

With the largest exhibition area in history, the Hainan Expo attracts not only global merchants eyeing the vast Chinese market but also many consumers who enjoy high-quality, diverse and personalized consumption.

This feast of consumption gathers various exhibitors and consumers, directly connecting the supply side with the demand side. Their exchanges will foster a vibrant consumption ambiance and ignite people’s enthusiasm for spending.

Volunteers filming a video at the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center, Hainan Province, China, April 11, 2024. /CFP

Creating opportunities

In order to maximize its role in driving consumption and combine with Hainan’s unique local advantages, the consumer products expo has meticulously arranged exhibition layouts, activities and more to amplify its influence, attractiveness and innovation, as well as to cultivate new consumption scenarios, business forms and hotspots.

The main exhibition area focuses on the world’s top trendy consumer goods, involving digital services and service consumption, jewelry, high-end food and health care, fashionable lifestyle consumption, and Chinese-style trendy products; themed activities include the Global Consumption Innovation and Duty-Free and Tourism Retail Conference, smart home-themed (whole house intelligence) activities, Hainan free trade port cross-border financial themed activities, and “She Power” fashion consumption activities.

Assisted by the Hainan free trade port’s visa-free policy for 59 countries, procurement teams from more than 10 key countries and regions including the UK, Singapore, South Korea and Japan and over 100 executives from top companies worldwide will partake in business activities such as negotiation and contract signings, seamlessly integrating Hainan’s locational advantages with strengthened exhibition and investment attraction efforts.

Yachts waiting to be launched for the Hainan Expo Yacht Show in Haikou, Hainan Province, China, April 11, 2024. /CFP

Warming the market

Hainan has positioned itself as an international tourism consumption hub, which is of strategic significance. With the guidance of the “Year of Consumption Promotion,” the consumer products expo will serve as a driver and catalyst, further enhancing consumption confidence, unlocking consumption potential and driving sustained and positive recovery of consumption.

Countries such as Ireland, France, the UK and Spain will showcase a batch of premium niche consumer brands with distinctive characteristics yet to penetrate the Chinese market.

A series of activities such as Ireland as the guest of honor and “British Brand Day” will be held.

There are also themed and featured activities such as global consumer innovation and new product debuts.

Meanwhile, Haikou will issue special duty-free consumption vouchers for the expo.

These initiatives to stimulate consumption through the expo will form a “consumer expo +” effect, infusing warmth into the local consumption market, effectively accelerating the release of local consumption potential, meeting consumers’ multi-level consumption needs for cost-effective products and playing the optimal role of consumption as the “anchor” for economic development.