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Photo taken on Oct 5, 2021 shows a decorative installation near the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue for the China International Import Expo (CIIE), in East China’s Shanghai. [Photo/Xinhua]

SHANGHAI — The fifth China International Import Expo, set to be held a month from now, is in its final preparation stage with foreign companies eager to gain access to more market opportunities.

The expo, to be held in Shanghai, is on schedule despite the recurring impact of COVID-19, and will showcase the country’s commitment to further opening up its massive market for shared growth.

As the fifth CIIE approaches, exhibits are arriving in Shanghai via various means. On Sept 20, the first shipment of inbound exhibits, with a declared value of 560 million yuan ($78.70 million), cleared customs at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

The China-Europe freight train has also become a popular choice for transportation among companies attending the CIIE, said Wang Jinqiu, chairman of Shanghai Oriental Silk Road Multimodal Transport, adding that this is the second year that the service has been used to deliver products to the CIIE in Shanghai.

According to Shanghai Customs, the peak of exhibit arrivals is expected to occur in October.

Shanghai Customs said it will continue to optimize the clearance process for exhibits and provide safe, convenient and efficient customs clearance services.

Sun Chenghai, deputy director of the CIIE Bureau said the work of inviting enterprises to participate in the fifth CIIE had been completed and positive progress is being made in terms of setting up exhibitions.

Thousands of miles away, Roy van den Hurk, general manager of Theland Global R&D at Milk New Zealand Dairy, is busy applying for his visa to attend the coming 2022 expo.

“China’s huge consumer market helps foreign trade enterprises like us to find opportunities in the green food industry and promote global economic recovery,” said van den Hurk, who has participated in the event three times before.

The expo has helped the New Zealand company to embark on the “fast track” of development in China, van den Hurk noted, as Theland products are now even available on the shelves of supermarkets in small counties in central and western China.

Data shows that more than 280 of the world’s top 500 enterprises and industry giants will participate in this year’s CIIE, with nearly 90 percent of the participants from last year also joining this year.

Will Song, global senior vice-president and China chairman at Johnson & Johnson, said that over the last four years the company had debuted dozens of products at the CIIE, and this year at the fifth expo it will unveil about 40 new products to China.

China’s Vice-Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping said the CIIE has given full play to its role as a window for building a cooperation platform for those engaged both at home and abroad, and has become a place for exhibitors to debut their new global products, cutting-edge technologies and innovative services.

BEIJING — China has ramped up its tax and fee incentives and supporting policies to enterprises, a move that has not only offered a “timely rain” to companies in financial drought but also served as a shot in the arm for the economy.

Official data from the State Taxation Administration showed that China’s tax refunds as well as tax and fee cuts and deferrals had exceeded 3.4 trillion yuan (about $478 billion) by Sept 20.

The total consists of approximately 2.21 trillion yuan worth of value-added tax credits that had been refunded to taxpayers, 591.6 billion yuan of tax and fee cuts, and 632.6 billion yuan of deferred tax and fee payments.

The combined tax and fee incentives have been vital in bailing out businesses in difficulty. A waste management firm based in Ji’an city of Jiangxi province in the east of China, for instance, had been seeing negative profit margins before May, according to the company’s financial chief Zhang Leshan.

However, after receiving a tax rebate of 10.48 million yuan in May and an exemption of 160,500 yuan that was refunded to its account, the company’s monthly profits have rebounded to positive territory and reached 2.86 million yuan.

Zhang also said that the company’s monthly operating costs have lowered 5.3 percent. “It is estimated that the company would see a 25-percent yearly increase in whole-year business revenue.”

Animal husbandry firm Zhonghong Sanrong Group Co Ltd enjoyed a tax refund totaling about 500,000 yuan in July.

“We used the money to purchase soybean pulp, brown rice and other raw materials for broiler feed. After three months, the chickens were sold at a good price and farmers have reaped a harvest,” said Sang Shujun, the legal representative of the company.

A survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that 90 percent of firms that received tax refunds since the policy was implemented believed that their cash flow had improved.

On top of these inclusive tax and fee incentives, an executive meeting of China’s State Council last week decided to temporarily defer payments of certain government-levied charges and deposits to further ease the burden on market entities, especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, self-employed households and manufacturing firms.

Li Xuhong, a senior researcher with the Beijing National Accounting Institute, said that the tax and fee policies implemented in 2022 mainly center on support for key enterprises, such as the sci-tech, manufacturing and micro, small and medium-sized firms, and aim to precisely “drip irrigate” market entities experiencing financial strain.

As policies and measures to stabilize the economy continue to take effect, and the negative effects of heatwaves wane, China’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the manufacturing sector has bounced back to expansion territory, according to NBS figures.

The PMI for the manufacturing sector came in at 50.1 in September, above the boom-bust line of 50, and up from 49.4 in August.

Data showed that the confidence of manufacturing companies strengthened in September, with the sub-index for production and operation activity expectation standing at 53.4, up 1.1 points from the previous month.

“The foundations of economic recovery will be further consolidated, as supporting policies continue to take effect,” said Fu Linghui, an NBS official.

On September 30th, Shan Qiangqian, secretary of the CPC Wuhu municipal committee, and Ning Bo, deputy secretary of the CPC Wuhu municipal committee and mayor, held a meeting with Wang Chuanfang, vice president of BYD Co., Ltd., and witnessed the signing of the cooperation agreement between Wuwei municipal government and BYD on the new energy auto parts project. Municipal officials Zhang Dong, Hou Mingwen, Cai Yi and Wu Ruixin attended the meeting.

Shan Xiangqian said that as a leading enterprise in the new energy vehicles (NEVs) industry, BYD has a complete industrial chain and strong R&D and production capacity and is an important partner for Wuhu to develop new energy and intelligent networked vehicle industries. We will fully support BYD’s investment in industries and projects in Wuhu, provide high-quality development environment for the enterprise with efficient services. It is hoped that BYD and Wuhu will work together to promote the high-quality development of the new energy industry, creating a model of cooperation between the city and the enterprise.

Ning Bo said that BYD’s NEVs project is of great significance to the industrial development and urban construction of both Wuwei and Wuhu. We will make all-out efforts to improve the project services, ensure the flow of resources, and do everything necessary for the rapid advancement and early production of the project.

Wang Chuanfang said that Wuhu has unique geographical advantages and sound industrial environment, and is an ideal city for enterprises to achieve their development goals. BYD will focus on the ecological construction of the new energy industry, strengthen the flow of resources into Wuhu, promote complementary advantages of the industry, and strive to achieve mutually beneficial and win-win development.

It is learned that BYD plans to invest in the construction of a new energy passenger car parts and battery parts production base in Wuwei City, with a total investment of about 8 billion yuan. It is planned to start construction in October 2022 and is expected to be put into production in June 2023.

Translated by Wang Mengxiao from Foreign Affairs Office of Wuhu Municipal People’s Government

A smart cabin attracts visitors at a Chery event on Sept 16, 2022. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese carmaker Chery is to spend 100 billion yuan ($14.25 billion) in five years to sharpen its competitive edge in such fields as electrification and smart cabin features.

It will also build a network of six research facilities in China, North America, South America, Europe as well as Central Asia, employing over 20,000 engineers, said the carmaker.

The Wuhu, Anhui province-based company unveiled the plan, called Yaoguang 2025, on Friday, which involves 13 core technologies including vehicle platforms, smart driving and electrification.

The carmaker also presented a concept vehicle at the event, showcasing Chery’s ideas in the aspects.

Chery Chairman Yin Tongyue said the Yaoguang 2025 plan is a new effort for the company, marking the start of its transition into a global technology company.

As part of the plan, Chery is building three platforms for electric vehicles, including one for premium vehicles.

Yin said the company will launch a model in September 2023, which will rival Tesla’s products.

He said electrification will become a driving force of the company, adding that Chery’s NEV marque, now called iCar, will grow its sales to 1 million units.

Chery is one of the major Chinese carmakers. It sold 749,000 vehicles in the first eight months this year, up 30 percent year-on-year. The carmaker’s sales goal for this year is 1.5 million units.

“130,000 house purchase subsidy has received, I’m really happy!” As a real beneficiary of Wuhu’s talent policy, Mr. Ruan felt it hard to calm down for a long time after receiving the housing subsidy. It is reported that the first phase of housing subsidies for young talents in our city has been paid recently, and 803 people have received the first batch of housing subsidies.

This year, the city issued “Wuhu young talent house purchase subsidies issued implementation rules”. According to the detailed rules, since June 30, 2018, college graduates under 35 years old introduced by enterprises in the administrative region of our city (excluding central enterprises in Wuhu, provincial state-owned enterprises, and urban partner units shall implement according to relevant regulations) and continuously participate in social insurance lawfully, who do not have their own housing in Wuhu can enjoy housing purchase subsidy. Graduates with bachelor’s degree or above will be given a housing subsidy of 12% of the purchase price up to 200000 yuan. The first subsidy is 7% of the purchase price. The remaining 5% will be paid in equal amounts over five years. Graduates with junior college (including secondary vocational schools and technical colleges) will be given a housing subsidy of 10% up to 200000 yuan. The first subsidy is 5% of the purchase price. The remaining 5% will be paid in equal amounts over five years. Couples can enjoy a maximum of 400000 yuan.

The reporter learned from the Municipal Talent Group that the first batch of 1457 applications for housing subsidies for young talents in the city were accepted. After the joint review and confirmation of the Municipal Housing and Urban Rural Development Bureau, the Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, the Municipal Self regulatory Bureau, the Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau, the Municipal Taxation Bureau and other departments, the website of the Municipal Housing and Urban Rural Development Bureau and the Ziyunying talent service platform announced that the first batch of 803 people met the requirements. The first subsidy fund was 66.6447 million yuan, of which 34 couples enjoyed policy superposition. The second batch of 264 talents is expected to complete publicity and subsidy distribution before September 30.

Since last year, our city has accelerated the implementation of the main strategy of giving priority to talent development, vigorously promoted the “double recruitment and double introduction” project, launched the “Ziyunying Talent Plan”, took the lead in establishing a talent development group in the province, and made every effort to build a city that needs talents. Under the leadership of the Municipal Organization Department (Municipal Talent Office), the city’s talent work has achieved remarkable results. From January to August this year, 48000 college students were recruited to work and start businesses in Wuhu.

Translated by Yuan Mengwen from Foreign Affairs Office of Wuhu Municipal People’s Government

The China-Germany New Energy Vehicle Industry Development Forum,which is the main forum of the 2022 World Manufacturing Congress, was held in Hefei on Sept 21.Cai Yi, Vice Mayor, made a promotion for industrial development in Wuhu.

Wuhu is one of the first batch of pilot cities for the promotion and application of new energy vehicles and the second batch of pilot cities for the coordinated development of national smart city infrastructure and smart connected vehicles. Since the “14th Five-Year Plan”, the city has clearly listed new energy and intelligent connected vehicles as the first industry, and continues to give full play to the comprehensive advantages of strong vehicle driving capacity, complete supply chain, solid foundation for scientific and technological innovation, and strive to build an industrial cluster with strong influence. From January to August this year, the city’s new energy vehicle production of 195,400 reached a year-on-year growth of 129.8%; It sold 166,000 units, up 200% year on year. Wuhu will spare no efforts to grasp the outbreak period of the industrial window, support the expansion of scale, encourage cross-border integration, enhance enterprise brand, improve industrial supporting facilities, guide listing financing, strive to create an optimal industrial development environment, continue to promote the “investment attraction and talents recruitment” project, and effectively enhance the core competitiveness of the industry.

Translated by Yuan Mengwen from Foreign Affairs Office of Wuhu Municipal People’s Government

On September 8th, Shan Xiangqian, Secretary of the CPC Wuhu Municipal Committee attended the ground-breaking ceremony of Yaoshi new materials project and key projects in Wanzhi District in the third quarter, and witnessed the signing of Xinyi carbon-free project. Chen Shibin, president of Jiangsu Pacific Quartz Co., Ltd. and Anhui Yaoshi New Material Technology Co., Ltd, and Dong Qingshi, Chief Executive Officer of Xinyi Glass Holdings Limited attended the ceremony.

The total investment of 33 key projects that kicked off construction in Wanzhi District reaches 22.08 billion yuan, covering aviation & aerospace, auto parts, intelligent household appliances, new materials, people’s livelihood and other fields. Anhui Yaoshi New Material Technology Co., Ltd. specializes in producing supporting aviation and aerospace equipment. The company has invested a project in Wuhu, which has a total investment of about 10 billion yuan and covers an area of about 800 mu. Quartz glass fiber production base and special electric light source material research base will be built in the first and second phases of the project. Yaoshi New Materials Industrial Park and the whole industrial chain of high-purity quartz materials and products will be built in the third phase of the project. Once the project is put into production, annual sales revenue of 5 billion yuan and taxes of 500 million yuan will be realized.

Xinyi Carbon-free Clean Energy Big Data Center and Rural Revitalization Demonstration Project were invested and established by Xinyi Solar (Hong Kong) Holdings Limited. With a total investment of 168 million US dollars, the project plans to develop Wuhu data center cluster so as to further bridge the gap between eastern and western regions in computing resources, and integrate the big data of Xinyi Group’s photovoltaic projects in all parts of the country into the data center in Liulang Town, Wanzhi District, building the first green big data center in Anhui province.

Translated by Wang Mengxiao from Foreign Affairs Office of Wuhu Municipal People’s Government

On September 8th, Shan Xiangqian, Secretary of the CPC Wuhu Municipal Committee attended the ground-breaking ceremony of Yaoshi new materials project and key projects in Wanzhi District in the third quarter, and witnessed the signing of Xinyi carbon-free project. Chen Shibin, president of Jiangsu Pacific Quartz Co., Ltd. and Anhui Yaoshi New Material Technology Co., Ltd, and Dong Qingshi, Chief Executive Officer of Xinyi Glass Holdings Limited attended the ceremony.

The total investment of 33 key projects that kicked off construction in Wanzhi District reaches 22.08 billion yuan, covering aviation & aerospace, auto parts, intelligent household appliances, new materials, people’s livelihood and other fields. Anhui Yaoshi New Material Technology Co., Ltd. specializes in producing supporting aviation and aerospace equipment. The company has invested a project in Wuhu, which has a total investment of about 10 billion yuan and covers an area of about 800 mu. Quartz glass fiber production base and special electric light source material research base will be built in the first and second phases of the project. Yaoshi New Materials Industrial Park and the whole industrial chain of high-purity quartz materials and products will be built in the third phase of the project. Once the project is put into production, annual sales revenue of 5 billion yuan and taxes of 500 million yuan will be realized.

Xinyi Carbon-free Clean Energy Big Data Center and Rural Revitalization Demonstration Project were invested and established by Xinyi Solar (Hong Kong) Holdings Limited. With a total investment of 168 million US dollars, the project plans to develop Wuhu data center cluster so as to further bridge the gap between eastern and western regions in computing resources, and integrate the big data of Xinyi Group’s photovoltaic projects in all parts of the country into the data center in Liulang Town, Wanzhi District, building the first green big data center in Anhui province.

Translated by Wang Mengxiao from Foreign Affairs Office of Wuhu Municipal People’s Government

On September 7th, a research team came to Wuhu to inspect the pilot work of integrated elderly care and medical services in the city by listening to introductions, referring to materials, conducting on-the-spot inspection and interviews.

At Huakang smart Elderly Care Center in Jiujiang District, the research team went into the nursing ward, living quarter, multi-functional activity hall and other areas to learn more about the work flow, medical staff, and the management of software and hardware facilities of the center, and appraised the service mode of integrated elderly care and medical services combining disease prevention, medical treatment, rehabilitation care and living care. In front of the big screen of the smart elderly care cloud platform, they learned about the digital construction of medical care and diagnosis and treatment services, and praised the relevant achievements.

The research team said that according to the principle of taking social benefits as the core and sustainable development as the goal, we should strengthen the scientific management of medical and elderly care institutions, improve the working mechanism of medical and elderly care linkage, continuously enhance the professional service level and service supply capacity. We should constantly expand the number of managers, professional and technical personnel and nursing staff in medical and elderly care institutions, encourage and attract more resources to flow to the integrated elderly care and medical services, and promote the orderly flow of professionals. We should speed up the digital construction of medical care, give full play to the influence of medical care institutions, promote the cultural and ethical spirit of respecting and loving the elderly, and constantly improve the elderly’s sense of well-being.

Translated by Wang Mengxiao from Foreign Affairs Office of Wuhu Municipal People’s Government

Villagers have a meal outside a tent in Xingfu village of Shimian county, Ya’an city, Southwest China’s Sichuan province, Sept 10, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

Sichuan province announced the termination of its highest response level to the recent earthquake as of 6 pm on Monday, shifting the focus to restoring infrastructure and resuming daily life in the quake zone.

The magnitude 6.8 quake on Sept 5 caused 93 deaths and left 25 missing in Sichuan’s Luding county and neighboring areas.

According to the local rescue headquarters, 55 of the deaths occurred in the Ganzi Tibetan autonomous prefecture, where Luding is located, while 38 were reported in the city of Ya’an, as of 5 pm on Sunday.

Among the missing were nine people in Luding and 16 in Shimian county of Ya’an.

Sichuan authorities announced the termination of the province’s Level I response at a news conference in the town of Moxi, in Luding, on Monday. It said that while efforts to rescue the severely injured and locate missing people will continue, attention will also be given to providing sufficient supplies to people living in the quake zone and restoring electricity, water and telecommunication infrastructure, the provincial authorities said.

Also on Monday, a mourning ceremony for compatriots killed in the earthquake was held simultaneously in Moxi and Shimian.

At 12:52 pm, the exact time that the earthquake occurred, an air defense siren sounded over Moxi, and everyone observed three minutes of silence for those who died in the quake.

Then some leaders from Sichuan and the People’s Liberation Army’s Western Theater Command presented flowers for the victims and expressed their sorrow.

According to the Sichuan Provincial Commission of Health, 423 people who were injured in the quake had been transferred to hospitals as of 4 pm on Sunday.

Among them, the first three earthquake-injured patients were discharged from Ya’an Municipal People’s Hospital on Sunday, the provincial health authority said.

Many places have gradually resumed business. Shops with a green label, which designates that the building has been evaluated and is safe, opened in Moxi on Sunday. Shoppers found a variety of daily necessities, and water, power and telecommunication service resumed in all six villages in Moxi on Sunday, according to CCTV.

In addition, students in some villages returned to schools.

Visitors to Aiguo village of Wanggangping township in Shimian witnessed activities in temporary classrooms of Wanggangping Township Second Primary School, where 106 students resumed classes on Sunday. The school was badly damaged by the earthquake.

“When the earthquake took place, the students were having lunch, and the teachers present promptly transferred them to a safe area, counted the number of people and found no casualties,” school Principal Mao Chengjun said.

Most teachers and students felt uncomfortable on the first night following the earthquake, and they only had a sense of security after the rescue team arrived, he said.

After the quake, the Sichuan Forest Fire Rescue Team moved the students’ school bags, textbooks and daily necessities out of the damaged building. Forest firefighters from the city of Panzhihua, Sichuan, removed benches from the damaged classrooms and completed construction of temporary classrooms in a resettlement building in the village of Aiguo.