Information

01. Cloud computing enters “golden time” in China

October 12, 2017 (China Daily) — With artificial intelligence booming across the world, cloud computing as its supportive infrastructure enters the "golden time" for development.The Economic Information Daily reported that the wide use of AI cannot happen without cloud computing, which helps improve efficiency hardware usage and avoid idleness and waste of the resources. And this reflects in the price: cloud computing provides the same services for RMB 1 yuan that traditional IT companies offer for RMB 4 yuan. In July, the State Council, China’s cabinet,issued guidelines on AI development, and AI projects and other areas related to AI have also been proposed.

02. ASEAN urges mobility of workers

October 12, 2017 (China Daily) — The World Bank says ASEAN countries can do more to increase mobility of workers moving from one country to another to further integrate the bloc and its economy. As ASEAN seeks further integration,its members should lower barriers for their workers to move in and out of one another’s countries, said the World Bank.In doing so, they can reap bene fi ts by spreading talent and know-how around ASEAN, one of the world’s fastest-growing regions.

03. Alibaba to launch global research academy

October 12, 2017 (China Daily) — Alibaba Group Holding Ltd announced the launch of a global research academy that it hopes will join the ranks of, and potentially outrival, Bell Labs and Microsoft Research. The investment of RMB 100 billion yuan (US$ 15.2 billion) over three years in the Alibaba DAMO Academy takes the internet giant one step closer to fu lfi lling its ambition to serve 2 billion people in two decades. During the company’s annual computing conference in Hangzhou,Zhejiang province, Jack Ma said the investment will help it get a head start in the internet of things, quantum computing,fi ntech and human-machine interaction.

04. Small and medium-sized enterprise fair draws eager participation of overseas players

October 13, 2017 (China Daily) — A brace of seminars and summits focusing on the key problems small and mediumsized enterprises face have attracted global of fi cials, leading economists and entrepreneurs to exchange their views at the 14thChina International Small and Medium Enterprise Fair. The sign ifi cant event is being held in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province in southern China, beginning from Oct. 10. One of its highlights is an Asia-Europe Meeting seminar focusing on multi-dimensional support for financing SMEs. ASEM is an organization established in 1996 to foster cooperation between the two continents — and facilitate international dialogue.

05. World Bank onside with Belt and Road Initiative

October 14, 2017 (China Daily) — The World Bank supports the Belt and Road Initiative and will work with countries to leverage the initiative’s full bene fi ts. During the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, an array of leaders expressed strong support and optimism for the Belt and Road Initiative, launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 and described as the largest infrastructure project in history. The Belt and Road Initiative aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along and beyond the ancient Silk Road trade routes.development strategies and promote closer cooperation in various areas.

06. Thailand eyes China to grow MICE trade

October 14, 2017 (China Daily) — The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) recently launched a campaign to promote three major cities — Pattaya, Hua Hin and Bangkok— as its latest destinations for MICE (meetings, incentives,conferencing and exhibitions) events in a bid to attract more trade from China. The marketing campaign, entitled "Thailand Connect Your Vibrant Journey to Business Success", was launched in Bangkok with the aim of attracting more Chinese business visitors and strengthening the country’s position as the leading MICE destination in the region.

07. Vietnam opens convention center for APEC Leaders’ Week

October 15, 2017 (Xinhua) — The Ariyana Convention Center,a key venue of the Asia-Pac ifi c Economic Cooperation (APEC)Leaders’ Week slated for Nov. 6-11 in Vietnam’s central Da Nang city, was inaugurated in the presence of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Connected with the Furama Da Nang International Convention Palace, the Ariyana Convention Center becomes Vietnam’s biggest international conference complex which has a total of 5,000 seats. The center and the nearby palace will serve most of the week’s events, including the APEC CEO Summit. Leaders from 21 APEC member economies, and some 10,000 Vietnamese and foreign delegates are expected to attend the events.

08. Chinese environmental companies tap Belt and Road markets

October 16, 2017 (China Daily) — China’s 44 environmental companies have signed 149 contracts in 54 countries, 60%of which are involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, citing latest data of E20 Institute of Environmental Industry. These contracts involve sewage treatment, solid trash treatment, air pollution, soil pollution and noise but half of these contracts are about sewage treatment. However, in 2016, only RMB 1.57 billion yuan (US$ 238.8 million) were invested in Belt and Road countries, a marginal proportion of China’s entire overseas direct investment. The E20 institute predicted that the global environmental market size is about RMB 7.5 trillion yuan, while Chinese environment sector might account for less than 15%.