Month: August 2019

Technology strategist hails successful projects achieved through cooperation

The United States and China have benefited greatly from cooperation in science, technology and innovation, a senior Chinese science strategist said, lamenting the recent protectionist turn in the US.

Hu Zhijian, president of the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development, said an objective appreciation of such accomplishments would help ease recent technology and trade frictions and reveal new grounds for win-win cooperation between the countries.

Click Here: cheap kanken backpack

China and the US had been close partners in integrated research and development for most of the past four decades, Hu said.

From 2012 to 2015, the number of collaborative research projects involving Chinese and US institutions increased by more than 80 percent, according to a blue paper on China’s contribution to STI and global governance published by the academy last year. Chinese and US scientists had co-authored more than 55,000 papers by 2014.

Moreover, scientists from both countries had cooperated on climate change, clean energy, environmental protection, health, agriculture and other fields related to sustainable development and people’s livelihoods, the blue paper said.

It added that Chinese enterprises had set up research and development facilities in the US, while US companies had established more than 800 R&D centers in China covering industries including electronics, information technology, software, food manufacturing, cosmetics, home furnishing and finance.

“These interactions have created a flow of talent and know-how to provide better products and services for the people of both countries and the world,” Hu said.

Over time, China and US had developed different but crucial positions in the global industrial system and value chain, Hu said. The US was at the top, given its leading position in STI and emerging industries, while China was at the middle and lower end of the industrial and value chain, but striving to climb up.

Like Japan, Singapore, South Korea and other countries before it, China was improving its people’s living standards through education, trade, infrastructure investment and technologies.

“These feats mean China will inevitably close its gap with developed countries,” Hu said. “But it does not mean China wants to or is capable of challenging the US’s global dominance.”

Historically, China’s technological rise was not an issue that troubled the US, he said, because the US maintained its lead role by attracting the best talent from around the world to fuel its STI efforts – pushing new frontiers, making new products and climbing up the industrial value chain.

Nation should be fully prepared to fight an extended battle, says expert

Chinese officials and experts said that Washington’s plan to impose a 10 percent tariff on $300 billion worth of Chinese goods starting Sept 1 is irrational and irresponsible, hurts the interests of China and the world and is not in the long-term interests of the US.

The trade friction and new planned tariffs are harmful for both China and the United States, and the global economy overall, and this has been proven by capital markets around the world, according to Tong Jiadong, former vice-president of Nankai University in Tianjin.

China should be fully prepared to fight a long battle in order to win the opportunity of further development in the future, Tong said.

Click Here: cheap kanken backpack

Zhao Zhongxiu, president of Shandong University of Finance and Economics, said China is facing a strategic opportunity to turn pressure into positive growth momentum, as external pressure has become a normal circumstance.

“China has demonstrated the endurance of its economy through the trade dispute,” Zhao said, adding that disagreements in trade, technology and finance in the past have shown that countries can have trouble enduring such pressure if they don’t have their own strategic advantages.

Zhao suggested that China can rely on the development of high-tech industries to offset the economic impact brought by the trade friction and seize the opportunities generated by fast-growing industries such as information technology, aviation and artificial intelligence to expand the output value of high-tech industries and maintain a stable GDP growth rate.

China can also use its huge market, rich human resources and institutional advantages to achieve a higher level of opening-up and enlarge its trade volume with other partners such as the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations, the European Union, Russia and Brazil, said Yu Miaojie, an economics professor at Peking University’s National School of Development.

The 10-member ASEAN became China’s second-largest trading partner, after the European Union, in the first half of this year, overtaking the US for the first time since 1997, according to the General Administration of Customs.

The trade dispute with the US has also pushed Chinese manufacturers and service providers to expand their global presence via international industrial capacity cooperation, transit trade and other commercial activities at a faster pace, especially in economies participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, Yu said.

Ambassador Zhang Jun, permanent representative of China to the United Nations, told media on Friday that the US announcement further deviates from the right track and US consumers are paying more.

“Practices of unilateralism, protectionism and bullying hurt the world … and will not solve the problems of the US,” Zhang said.

He said China is not fighting for itself alone, but also for an open, transparent, nondiscriminatory multilateral trading system.

Walter Mondale, formerly US vice-president under president Jimmy Carter, joined signatories to a letter expressing concern over US trade policies. Mondale, along with 100 others, added his name to an open letter to US President Donald Trump and Congress over the weekend.

“We are deeply concerned about the growing deterioration in US relations with China, which we believe does not serve American or global interests,” the letter states.

The Ministry of Natural Resources on Thursday ordered an investigation into how the hit TV romance Go Go Squid! featured a map incorrectly showing China’s borders.

The TV series, focusing on groups of young people in cybersecurity competitions, used the map in an episode identifying where the final round of an international cybersecurity tournament will be held.

According to the ministry, mistakes on the map used in the teleplay include that it incorrectly delineated the boundaries of the southern areas of the Tibet autonomous region, and the colors for Taiwan and Hainan islands were different from other parts of China.

The dotted line to indicate Chinese islands in the South China Sea was also missing.

The problematic map, in a scene lasting 15 seconds, was first found by netizens as the episode was aired on Wednesday.

The ministry noticed the report and issued a statement on its website saying that the map had not been submitted for official review and approval before the show aired last month.

So far, the map has been removed from the TV romance at video platforms such as Tencent Video.

Its leading actor Li Xian and actress Yang Zi also responded on Weibo by defending the integrity of China’s territory.

Some State media, including People’s Daily, posted correct maps with the hashtag “Right way to open Chinese map” on Weibo and called on people to learn China’s territory better.

Click Here: cheap kanken backpack

The ministry announced on its website that a nationwide program will be held at the end of this month to educate the public about national territory and the map of China, as well as how to use the map correctly.

Arsenal are said to have opted against exercising an option to match an offer for the 21-year-old midfielder, allowing him to move to San Siro

AC Milan have completed the signing of Ismael Bennacer from Empoli for a reported €16 million (£14m/$18m) fee.

Bennacer has signed a five-year contract at San Siro after his former club Arsenal were understood to have refused to take up an option to match the offer made by Milan.

The 21-year-old midfielder joined the Gunners from Arles in 2015 but made just one first-team appearance – in a 3-0 EFL Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in 2015 – and was sold to Empoli following a loan spell with Tours.

He went on to make 77 appearances for the Tuscany outfit, playing a key role in their promotion to the Italian top-flight in 2018, though he was unable to prevent them from being relegated last term. 

Bennacer, who represented France at youth level, was named Man of the Competition after supplying three assists during Algeria’s triumphant Africa Cup of Nations Campaign and has represented the national team 17 times since his debut three years ago.

He has followed Rade Krunic in swapping Empoli for the Rossoneri in the close season, while Theo Hernandez joined from Real Madrid.

Bennacer’s arrival comes three days after the San Siro side confirmed the signing of Rafael Leao from Lille for a reported fee of €35m (£32m/$39m).

Click Here: large kanken backpack

Meanwhile, they are also close to bringing 23-year-old Flamengo defender Leo Duarte to Italy, as the Brazilian side’s head coach, Jorge Jesus, said last week that a deal has been reached between the two sides.

Duarte is said to have already had a medical exam and the €11m (£10m/$12m) move is expected to be announced soon.

As well as new arrivals, Milan have bid farewell to several players in a busy period for the club, with Cristian Zapata, Ignazio Abate and Riccardo Montolivo all leaving after their contracts ended.

Also, club icon and former defender Paolo Maldini was given the technical director job this close season, while Zvonimir Boban was appointed chief football officer.

After spending eight years with the Spanish side, the right-back will continue his career in Brazil alongside the former Barcelona star

Dani Alves could have some competition for the right-back spot with Sao Paulo.

Following the former  Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona star’s move to the Brazilian club, former Atletico Madrid defender Juanfran has decided to follow him.

Juanfran enjoyed a hugely successful eight-year spell with Atletico, becoming a fan favourite in one of the best periods in the club’s history as Diego Simeone built one of the most dominant back-lines in all of Europe. 

Juanfran won La Liga in his time with Atletico and twice found Europa League glory, though the club’s quest for a Champions League crown came up short with Atleti having twice lost out in the final during his time there. 

“Juanfran will face the challenge of playing in South America, participating in the Brazilian championship and feeling the indescribable atmosphere of the Morumbi [stadium],” read a Sao Paulo statement.

The 34-year-old was offered a new deal with Atletico, having signed a one-year extension last year, but he opted to move on after falling out of favour at the Wanda Metropolitano, and says he wants the experience of playing in Brazil. 

“I was born, raised and have played all my life in Spain. I wanted to live this dream of playing in Brazil,” he said.

The move to follow another right-back to the Brazilian club could be something of a shock, but the two players offer very different skillsets, with Alves known as much for his attacking quality as for his defending while Juanfran scored just three league goals across the course of his time with Atletico.

While Alves signed on until December 2022, Juanfran’s contract runs until the end of 2020, with both players hoping to help the club jump up the league standings in the coming weeks. 

Sao Paulo sit fifth in the Brazilian table, eight points back of league leaders Santos. 

Click Here: Mini backpacks cheap

The two clubs will face off in a crunch clash next Saturday, and Sao Paulo still have plenty of time to close the gap on the leagues with just 12 of 36 rounds having been played in the current season. 

The forward has been linked with a move to La Liga and says he needs to give his family some security for the future

Radamel Falcao has admitted that he is “studying” offers to move away from Monaco, with the club having declined to offer him an extension to his current contract.  

Click Here: Mini backpacks cheap

The forward has just one year remaining on his deal and the 33-year-old is looking for more security for his future.  

The Colombian netted 15 times in Ligue 1 last season, the joint-fifth best in the league, but Monaco struggled throughout the campaign and finished 17th in the table.  

Despite the struggles of the club, Falcao backed himself to play at a high level for “many years” during the second half of the campaign, though it now appears he may have to move away from the French side to do so.  

“The truth is that I still have a year of contract and the club did not offer me an extension,” he said after Saturday’s 1-0 friendly win over Sampdoria. 

“So I have to think about my future, my family.  

“I am studying the offers I have been offered. These are good opportunities for my career.  

“I have to think about my family.” 

Among the clubs linked with the forward are Galatasaray and Valencia, and though Monaco have maintained that only an extraordinary offer would be good enough to sign him, Falcao says he believes the club understand his position on wanting to move on.  

“I still have only one year of contract and it’s complicated for a player of my age,” he said.  

“I think the club understands my position to give my family some peace for the future.” 

Falcao is still expected to be the primary scoring option for Monaco as the new season approaches. 

The club signed winger Gelson Martins, who spent the second half of last season with them on loan, to a permanent deal in the summer, but have not added another forward with the quality to be a direct replacement for their aging veteran. 

Monaco get their season underway next Friday with a clash against Lyon, a club who finished third in the table last season and will be looking to go even better this term. 

The Red Devils ended their preparations with a 2-2 draw against Milan in Cardiff, leading to a penalty win which took them to six successive victories

Manchester United have ended their pre-season with six wins from six, with Saturday’s coming with the asterisk of having been achieved with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out success following a 2-2 draw with AC Milan in Cardiff.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side ended the last Premier League campaign with a shocking run of form which culminated in a 2-0 home defeat to already-relegated Cardiff City, yet they head into next Sunday’s 2019-20 opener against Chelsea with a greater degree of momentum thanks to their summer exploits.

But what will the Norwegian have really learned from his team’s performances in pre-season? Goal looks at five of the key lessons…

Press is best

The new style of play which Solskjaer has injected this summer sees United looking far more forceful and vibrant.

With Anthony Martial appearing first choice to lead the line for the first time in over three years in a fluid interchange with Marcus Rashford, the Reds have shown a willingness to defend from the front with a high press which has put opposition sides on the back foot for long spells.

Far from sitting in and inviting pressure as often happened under Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, Solskjaer’s United look set to be a far more dynamic prospect when they lose the ball. They are far fitter, for a start, allowing them to maintain a higher tempo for longer than in recent years.

It finally feels like United are about to play a style of football which suits the modern game, with the draw with Milan coming after a notable drop in the rhythm from previous fixtures. That, if anything, was a timely lesson learned.

Wan-Bissaka is the real deal

‘The Spider’ has made an immediate impact as a Manchester United player.

His £50 million ($60m) arrival had many initially questioning whether the 20-time champions had spent too much on a right-back with only 46 senior appearances to his name, but it has taken him almost no time to prove he has what it takes to be a United star for years to come.

The 21-year-old’s cool head in the tackle and willingness to get forward and cause issues in the opposite half have been among the features of pre-season. And for a club who have been without a regular recognised right-back for at least half a decade, Wan-Bissaka is a luxury nobody at Old Trafford is taking for granted.

Maguire is exactly what they need

Solskjaer used six different centre-backs over the six summer games and, while they conceded only three goals in total, there remained a sluggishness about some of their defending. Beyond Victor Lindelof, there is no truly outstanding candidate to be a Manchester United starter at the heart of the back four, and Eric Bailly’s long-term injury hardly helps matters either.

So the news that Harry Maguire is a medical away from officially becoming a United player could not have been better timed.

While many have grievances over the £80m ($97m) cost of the England man, few can claim that he is not an upgrade on what Solskjaer currently has at his disposal.

Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo are each candidates to make way having failed to convince in recent years, while Axel Tuanzebe could get some game time this season having completed a loan apprenticeship at Aston Villa.

But Maguire is ready now, and United will gain a lot from his commanding style.

They’re not the same without Pogba

The often-stagnant performance against Milan came as more evidence that United without a fit and firing Paul Pogba are just not the same side.

The Frenchman missed the game in Cardiff due to a back spasm and the Reds looked sluggish and low on ideas for long spells. Whereas in previous games they had seen Pogba provide an extra dimension to their attacking game, prompting all sorts of runs from the front four, United no longer had the same edge when on the ball.

It would appear now that Pogba will remain at United for at least one more year, with his talk of seeking “a new challenge” having not come to anything amid a rocky summer for Real Madrid. And that can only be good news for United, because when the World Cup winner is at the top of his game he can be one of the most destructive players in world football.

The kids are alright

United took Mason Greenwood, Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong and James Garner with them on the tour to Australia and Asia after all four had become more involved in the first-team set-up following Solskjaer’s arrival at the club last December.

During their time away, Garner, Greenwood and Gomes all notched their first senior goals and Chong also starred for spells, justifying the manager’s faith in the club’s existing young talents.

Greenwood in particular appears primed to play a large role in United’s squad this season after netting against both Leeds United and Inter, and then slotted home unbothered from the penalty spot in front of 65,000 in Cardiff on Saturday.

Gomes, another spot-kick scorer at the Principality Stadium, could also feature quite heavily, especially if Solskjaer decides to rotate his side for the demanding Europa League campaign.

And on the evidence of the last six games, United will be well served to give some of their stars of the future plenty of chances in the nine months that await.

Click Here: Mini backpacks cheap

Older residential buildings make life tough for those with limited mobility

China plans to install more than 20,000 elevators by the end of this year to promote accessibility for the disabled and senior dwellers of old residential buildings that have limited modern equipment.

The program came as the country marks the seventh anniversary of a landmark regulation introduced by the central government to boost physical accessibility in new facilities and buildings.

Launched by the China Commission of Promotion of Publicity for the Undertakings of Chinese Disabled Persons earlier this year, the program has seen 2,000 installations completed in a number of provinces including Jiangsu, Yunnan and Henan, according to the commission’s deputy secretary-general Xu Gang.

Xu, while speaking at a news conference on Friday, said the program is expected to help tens of millions of senior and disabled inhabitants of old residential buildings and is crucial for their equal participation in society.

“The input into an accessible environment … is a major symbol of social progress,” he said.

Xu said China has an estimated 85 million people with disabilities craving for accessible designs. The need was also fueled by the country’s fast-aging population.

The National Statistics Bureau said in January that China had almost 250 million people age 60 and above, accounting for 17.9 percent of its population.

A 2016 survey conducted by the Office of National Working Commission on Aging found more than 40 million seniors had limited or no capacity to take care of themselves.

Chen Zhenhua, head of the office’s information technology department, said Chinese seniors have an average eight years of poor health before they reach a life expectancy of 77 years old, and many are victims of bone and joint diseases.

“That has seriously affected seniors’ mobility and social participation,” he said.

In 2016, the office, alongside the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and dozens of other departments, issued a guideline on creating a senior-friendly environment, which kicked off a flurry of programs aimed at renovating old residential buildings with limited accessibility for vulnerable groups.

China had about 170,000 such old communities nationwide, and about 5 million elevators are needed to improve living conditions for more than 42 million families, the vice-minister of housing and rural-urban development Huang Yan said at a news conference early last month.

As of last year, more than 10,000 elevator installations have been finished, and another 11,000 elevators were either under construction or going through the approval process, she said.

In addition, China also renovated almost 3 million homes for families of disabled people between 2016 and last year, according to a white paper released last month by the State Council Information Office.

Champagne house Ruinart’s collaboration with Brazilian artist Vik Muniz is just one way the brand continues to push the creative envelope.

When champagne house Ruinart gave Sao Paulo-born artist Vik Muniz carte blanche to conjure his own creative vision of the venerable maison of bubbles, Muniz went straight to its foundations: the earth, the vineyards and the roots of the vines themselves – from which Frederic Panaiotis, Ruinart’s cellar master, also takes inspiration for his craft. “I take it as a great positive that you can find this project a little bit edgy,” says Ruinart’s president, Frederic Dufour. “One of the objects was to bring some modernity to the brand.”

Ruinart is the dark horse of the champagne world – and yet a leading light. For a start, it’s the first established champagne house in the world. Forget what you thought you knew about Dom Perignon divining bubbles in a cellar; Ruinart is 290 years old this year.

“We are nearly 300 years old,” says Dufour. “So you need to shake the brand a little sometimes, but only insofar as it tells something that is important to the ongoing evolution of the story to us.”

Skateboarding is thriving now, but it’s taken the hard work of dedicated and bruised practitioners to build up momentum, Xing Wen reports.

A low rumble, punctuated by the rhythmic “click, click, click” caused by the grouting between paving slabs. A scrape, a sharp “CLACK”, silence, and a clatter, followed by the return of that monotonous rumble… It’s a soundtrack heard on nearly every street in almost every corner of the world.

It is the music of defiance and rebellion, of freedom and youth. It’s a song that parents hate and that evokes dollar signs in the minds of osteopathic doctors.

Yet, in Tokyo next year, it will be one of the loudest played pieces in the concerto of the Summer Olympics. Skateboarding has finally arrived on the biggest stage in the world-and China is looking for a front-row seat.

These days, young people skateboarding wherever the street furniture forms ramps, bumps, rails and ledges may be common-along with hearing slang terms like “lock in” and “drop in”-but, the development of skating culture in China is a 30-year story.

Click Here: Liverpool Mens Jersey