China
China Hands Out Punishment After Airlines’ Bizarre Mid-Air Stand-Off
Reuters A passenger jet flies towards Hongqiao Airport in Shanghai August 23, 2011. More In airlines Air Tickets Regain Altitude as High Speed Rail Line Runs Late Video: Now Boarding – Tokyo to Taipei Real Orders for Chinese Commercial Jet? The Great Disturbance in China’s Airspace: Private Jets Congested Airport May Hurt Air China And you thought driving in China was treacherous . The country’s General Administration of Civil Aviation on Monday announced its punishment for privately held Juneyao Airlines Co. after an incident earlier this month in the skies above Shanghai in which a Juneyao flight crew refused to give way to a Qatar Airways jet that had issued a “mayday” call and requested immediate permission to land as it ran low on fuel. Juneyao, one of relatively few private carriers in an industry dominated by state-run airlines, was ordered to reduce its flight capacity by 10% and temporarily barred from going ahead with expansion plans as well as hiring foreign pilots. Officials also banned the flight’s captain, a South Korean citizen, from continuing work as a pilot in China, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The Qatar Airways flight, a Boeing 777 en route from Doha, had been circling above Shanghai Pudong International Airport due to bad weather, Xinhua reported. Authorities decided to divert it to the city’s smaller Hongqiao International Airport as it ran low on fuel. The Juneyao pilot refused six orders from the control tower to yield and allow the Qatari jet to land first. Both flights eventually landed safely, but the Civil Aviation Administration said the Qatar jet had only about 18 minutes worth of fuel left when it finally landed at Hongqiao. Juneyao Airlines in a statement posted to its website on Tuesday, said it “would seriously draw lessons” from the case, and said the airline took responsibility for the incident. The Civil Aviation Administration statement said China would discuss with Qatari authorities whether the Qatar Airways crew could have done a better job predicting the fuel problem. China’s private airlines in have struggled to gain market share against state-owned airline giants such as Air China Ltd., China Southern Airlines Co. and China Eastern Airlines Corp. The growing woes of high-speed rail in China, which have been plagued by concerns over safety in the aftermath of a deadly accident in eastern China last month, are breathing new life into regional air routes in China. Domestic airlines had steeply discounted regional flights in June as the much-touted Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail line prepared to open. But ticket prices have since returned to normal amid delays and safety concerns on the high-speed tracks . For his part, the Juneyao pilot claimed he’d also been running low of fuel, though the Civil Aviation Administration statement said his jet still had about 40 minutes left in fuel when it landed. “No matter the reason, it was wrong for the crew members of flight HO1112 not to carry out the instructions of air traffic controllers on Aug. 13,” the company said according to Xinhua. –Brian Spegele. Follow him on Twitter @bspegele .
- Reuters
- A passenger jet flies towards Hongqiao Airport in Shanghai August 23, 2011.
And you thought driving in China was treacherous.
The country’s General Administration of Civil Aviation on Monday announced its punishment for privately held Juneyao Airlines Co. after an incident earlier this month in the skies above Shanghai in which a Juneyao flight crew refused to give way to a Qatar Airways jet that had issued a “mayday” call and requested immediate permission to land as it ran low on fuel.
Juneyao, one of relatively few private carriers in an industry dominated by state-run airlines, was ordered to reduce its flight capacity by 10% and temporarily barred from going ahead with expansion plans as well as hiring foreign pilots. Officials also banned the flight’s captain, a South Korean citizen, from continuing work as a pilot in China, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
The Qatar Airways flight, a Boeing 777 en route from Doha, had been circling above Shanghai Pudong International Airport due to bad weather, Xinhua reported. Authorities decided to divert it to the city’s smaller Hongqiao International Airport as it ran low on fuel. The Juneyao pilot refused six orders from the control tower to yield and allow the Qatari jet to land first. Both flights eventually landed safely, but the Civil Aviation Administration said the Qatar jet had only about 18 minutes worth of fuel left when it finally landed at Hongqiao.
Juneyao Airlines in a statement posted to its website on Tuesday, said it “would seriously draw lessons” from the case, and said the airline took responsibility for the incident. The Civil Aviation Administration statement said China would discuss with Qatari authorities whether the Qatar Airways crew could have done a better job predicting the fuel problem.
China’s private airlines in have struggled to gain market share against state-owned airline giants such as Air China Ltd., China Southern Airlines Co. and China Eastern Airlines Corp.
The growing woes of high-speed rail in China, which have been plagued by concerns over safety in the aftermath of a deadly accident in eastern China last month, are breathing new life into regional air routes in China. Domestic airlines had steeply discounted regional flights in June as the much-touted Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail line prepared to open. But ticket prices have since returned to normal amid delays and safety concerns on the high-speed tracks.
For his part, the Juneyao pilot claimed he’d also been running low of fuel, though the Civil Aviation Administration statement said his jet still had about 40 minutes left in fuel when it landed.
“No matter the reason, it was wrong for the crew members of flight HO1112 not to carry out the instructions of air traffic controllers on Aug. 13,” the company said according to Xinhua.
–Brian Spegele. Follow him on Twitter @bspegele.
In recent years, China has re-invigorated its support for leading state-owned enterprises in sectors it considers important to “economic security,” explicitly looking to foster globally competitive national champions.
In 2006, China announced that by 2010 it would decrease energy intensity 20% from 2005 levels.
The government has also focused on foreign trade as a major vehicle for economic growth.
Nevertheless, key bottlenecks continue to constrain growth.
Technology, labor productivity, and incomes have advanced much more rapidly in industry than in agriculture.
The technological level and quality standards of its industry as a whole are still fairly low, notwithstanding a marked change since 2000, spurred in part by foreign investment.
The market-oriented reforms China has implemented over the past two decades have unleashed individual initiative and entrepreneurship, whilst retaining state domination of the economy.
Globally, foreign investment decreased by almost 40 percent last year amid the financial downturn and is expected to show only marginal growth this year.
From January to June, the ODI in financial sectors was up by 44 percent to $17.9 billion, and in July alone, the ODI recorded $8.91 billion, the highest this year.
It also aims to sell more than 15 million of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in the world each year by then.
China’s challenge in the early 21st century will be to balance its highly centralized political system with an increasingly decentralized economic system.
Agriculture is by far the leading occupation, involving over 50% of the population, although extensive rough, high terrain and large arid areas – especially in the west and north – limit cultivation to only about 10% of the land surface.
China is the world’s largest producer of rice and wheat and a major producer of sweet potatoes, sorghum, millet, barley, peanuts, corn, soybeans, and potatoes.
Fish and pork supply most of the animal protein in the Chinese diet.
Coal is the most abundant mineral (China ranks first in coal production); high-quality, easily mined coal is found throughout the country, but especially in the north and northeast.
China’s leading export minerals are tungsten, antimony, tin, magnesium, molybdenum, mercury, manganese, barite, and salt.
Coal is the single most important energy source in China; coal-fired thermal electric generators provide over 70% of the country’s electric power.
The east and northeast are well served by railroads and highways, and there are now major rail and road links with the interior.
More here:
China Hands Out Punishment After Airlines’ Bizarre Mid-Air Stand-Off
Business
Gordonstoun Severs Connections with Business Led by Individual Accused of Espionage for China
Gordonstoun school severed ties with Hampton Group over espionage allegations against chairman Yang Tengbo. He denies involvement and claims to be a victim of political tensions between the UK and China.
Allegations Lead to School’s Decision
Gordonstoun School in Moray has cut ties with Hampton Group International after serious allegations surfaced regarding its chairman, Yang Tengbo, who is accused of being a spy for the Chinese government. Known by the alias "H6," Mr. Tengbo was involved in a deal that aimed to establish five new schools in China affiliated with Gordonstoun. However, the recent allegations compelled the school to terminate their agreement.
Public Denial and Legal Action
In response to the spying claims, Mr. Tengbo publicly revealed his identity, asserting that he has committed no wrongdoing. A close associate of Prince Andrew and a former Gordonstoun student himself, Mr. Tengbo has strenuously denied the accusations, stating that he is a target of the escalating tensions between the UK and China. He has claimed that his mistreatment is politically motivated.
Immigration Challenges and Legal Responses
Yang Tengbo, also known as Chris Yang, has faced additional challenges regarding his immigration status in the UK. After losing an appeal against a ban enacted last year, he reiterated his innocence, condemning media speculation while emphasizing his commitment to clear his name. Gordonstoun, on its part, stated its inability to divulge further details due to legal constraints.
Source : Gordonstoun cuts ties with business chaired by man accused of spying for China
Business
China Dismantles Prominent Uyghur Business Landmark in Xinjiang – Shia Waves
The Chinese government demolished the Rebiya Kadeer Trade Center in Xinjiang, affecting Uyghur culture and commerce, prompting criticism from activists amid concerns over cultural erasure and human rights violations.
Demolition of a Cultural Landmark
The Chinese government recently demolished the Rebiya Kadeer Trade Center in Urumqi, Xinjiang, a vital hub for Uyghur culture and commerce, as reported by VOA. This center, once inhabited by more than 800 predominantly Uyghur-owned businesses, has been deserted since 2009. Authorities forcibly ordered local business owners to vacate the premises before proceeding with the demolition, which took place without any public notice.
Condemnation from Activists
Uyghur rights activists have condemned this demolition, perceiving it as part of China’s broader strategy to undermine Uyghur identity and heritage. The event has sparked heightened international concern regarding China’s policies in Xinjiang, which have been characterized by allegations of mass detentions and cultural suppression, prompting claims of crimes against humanity.
Rebiya Kadeer’s Response
Rebiya Kadeer, the center’s namesake and a notable Uyghur rights advocate, criticized the demolition as a deliberate attempt to erase her legacy. Kadeer, who has been living in exile in the U.S. since her release from imprisonment in 2005, continues to advocate for Uyghur rights. She has expressed that her family members have suffered persecution due to her activism, while the Chinese government has yet to comment on the legal ramifications of the demolition.
Source : China Demolishes Uyghur Business Landmark in Xinjiang – Shia Waves
China
China Expands Nationwide Private Pension Scheme After Two-Year Pilot Program
China’s private pension scheme, previously piloted in 36 cities, will roll out nationwide on December 15, 2024, enabling workers to open tax-deferred accounts. The initiative aims to enhance retirement savings, address aging population challenges, and stimulate financial sector growth.
After a two-year pilot program, China has officially expanded its private pension scheme nationwide. Starting December 15, 2024, workers covered by urban employee basic pension insurance or urban-rural resident basic pension insurance across the country can participate in this supplementary pension scheme. This nationwide rollout represents a significant milestone in China’s efforts to build a comprehensive pension system, addressing the challenges of a rapidly aging population.
On December 12, 2024, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, together with four other departments including the Ministry of Finance, the State Taxation Administration, the Financial Regulatory Administration, and the China Securities Regulatory Commission, announced the nationwide implementation of China’s private pension scheme effective December 15, 2024. The initiative extends eligibility to all workers enrolled in urban employee basic pension insurance or urban-rural resident basic pension insurance.
A notable development is the expansion of tax incentives for private pensions, previously limited to pilot cities, to a national scale. Participants can now enjoy these benefits across China, with government agencies collaborating to ensure seamless implementation and to encourage broad participation through these enhanced incentives.
China first introduced its private pension scheme in November 2022 as a pilot program covering 36 cities and regions, including major hubs like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an, and Chengdu. Under the program, individuals were allowed to open tax-deferred private pension accounts, contributing up to RMB 12,000 (approximately $1,654) annually to invest in a range of retirement products such as bank deposits, mutual funds, commercial pension insurance, and wealth management products.
Read more about China’s private pension pilot program launched two years ago: China Officially Launches New Private Pension Scheme – Who Can Take Part?
The nationwide implementation underscores the Chinese government’s commitment to addressing demographic challenges and promoting economic resilience. By providing tax advantages and expanding access, the scheme aims to incentivize long-term savings and foster greater participation in personal retirement planning.
The reform is expected to catalyze growth in China’s financial and insurance sectors while offering individuals a reliable mechanism to enhance their retirement security.
| This article was first published by China Briefing , which is produced by Dezan Shira & Associates. The firm assists foreign investors throughout Asia from offices across the world, including in in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, and India . Readers may write to info@dezshira.com for more support. |
Read the rest of the original article.
- Gordonstoun Severs Connections with Business Led by Individual Accused of Espionage for China
- China Dismantles Prominent Uyghur Business Landmark in Xinjiang – Shia Waves
- China Expands Nationwide Private Pension Scheme After Two-Year Pilot Program
- How a scandal over sanitary pads is shaping feminist activism in China
- Yakult Unveils Restructuring Plans for Its China Operations | ESM Magazine
- Italy’s Strategic Shift Towards China After Exiting the Belt and Road Initiative