China
China’s First Aviation Biofuel Test
An hour-long flight around Beijing late last month by an aging jumbo-jet signaled the Chinese aviation industry’s hitch aboard a growing worldwide trend: fueling aircraft with plant oil. The 20-year-old Air China 747-400 was powered in part by a biofuel produced from a shrub called jatropha . The flight was deemed a success by Chinese aviation regulators, who represent an important global constituency that coordinates 15,000 commercial flights per day and one of the fastest-growing markets. Particularly important, industry officials said, was that the entire project was conducted in China, starting with the planting of jatropha shrubs in the mountains of Yunnan province. “This is China making sure it is comfortable with it,” Marc Allen, president of Boeing Co.’s China division, said in an interview Tuesday. “It’s proving out commercial viability.” Since an inaugural 2008 Air New Zealand flight powered by biofuel, carriers around the world have tested jatropha-based fuel as a cleaner alternative to traditional kerosene jet fuel. Jatropha is hailed by supporters as something of a wonder-plant for the oil that can be extracted from its seeds. Supporters emphasize it grows where other plants don’t and isn’t edible, therefore doesn’t leave anyone hungry the way biofuels from crops like corn might do. A drawback: The cost is twice that of traditional fuel. In recent months, jatropha blends, now governed by a global standard , have fueled jet flights over the Atlantic and even powered fighter planes. For selected European carriers, biofuel is becoming part of the everyday operation, in particular at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Deutsche Lufthansa AG . China’s one-hour flight on Oct. 28 in the airspace above Beijing was run in coordination with a number of companies, plus the General Aviation Administration of China. The plane was operated by Air China and powered by United Technologies Corp. Pratt & Whitney engines – though only one of four was running the biofuel blend. Honeywell International Inc. and PetroChina Co. cooperated on the fuel production. Boeing’s Mr. Allen cheered the flight as an “A-Z biofuels test,” from “growth and harvest up through take off and landing.” He quipped, “This is about biofuels with Chinese characteristics.” While Beijing hasn’t fixed plans for widespread adoption of aviation biofuels – and it faces logistical challenges in doing so – the test bodes well for relatively quick rollout of the program if the government chooses to do so. Spurring the efforts were presidential-level Sino-U.S. agreements dating to 2009 to cooperate on biofuels, as well as private-public partnerships. The rush into biofuels by the global aviation industry reflects a firestorm of protest from environmentalist groups that charge the carbon footprint associated with high-speed flight remains too high. Some scoff at biofuel-powered flight, saying it often amounts to PR gimmickry by carriers. Others suggest it is a temporary response to high crude oil prices. Some critics worry arable land for growing food will be threatened and argue that biofuel production isn’t necessarily as clean as proponents contend. But the trend is taking hold, according to Honeywell’s chairman and chief executive officer, Dave Cote, who recently told investors he had expected the “brilliant idea” to be hamstrung by infrastructure challenges. “It’s accelerating a lot faster than I expected largely because of pull from the aviation industry as they start worrying about carbon footprint and how do they reduce emissions and all that kind of thing,” Mr. Cote said. The use of jatropha-based fuel could have particular appeal in China, which has plentiful swathes of dry and barren land to devote to growing the plant. PetroChina has planted nearly 200,000 hectares worth of jatropha in various locations around the country, a company executive told the state-run Global Times last week , adding that China boasted more than 58 million hectares of barren mountain land suitable for the plant, also known as the tung tree. While the test underscores how China is warming to biofuels and eager to clear its own skies, it is pushing back aggressively on Europe’s strategy to tax the carbon emission of air carriers, as are regulators and carriers in many other countries . Aviation enthusiasts usually clamor for seats on inaugural flights but China’s biofuel test plane carried only three: the pilots. Flight Captain Zheng Weimin, according to the China Daily, said everything went fine. “I detected no obvious difference in engines powered by the biofuel blend and conventional jet fuel,” he said. – James T. Areddy. Follow him on Twitter @jamestareddy
An hour-long flight around Beijing late last month by an aging jumbo-jet signaled the Chinese aviation industry’s hitch aboard a growing worldwide trend: fueling aircraft with plant oil. The 20-year-old Air China 747-400 was powered in part by a biofuel produced from a shrub called jatropha . The flight was deemed a success by Chinese aviation regulators, who represent an important global constituency that coordinates 15,000 commercial flights per day and one of the fastest-growing markets. Particularly important, industry officials said, was that the entire project was conducted in China, starting with the planting of jatropha shrubs in the mountains of Yunnan province. “This is China making sure it is comfortable with it,” Marc Allen, president of Boeing Co.’s China division, said in an interview Tuesday. “It’s proving out commercial viability.” Since an inaugural 2008 Air New Zealand flight powered by biofuel, carriers around the world have tested jatropha-based fuel as a cleaner alternative to traditional kerosene jet fuel. Jatropha is hailed by supporters as something of a wonder-plant for the oil that can be extracted from its seeds. Supporters emphasize it grows where other plants don’t and isn’t edible, therefore doesn’t leave anyone hungry the way biofuels from crops like corn might do. A drawback: The cost is twice that of traditional fuel. In recent months, jatropha blends, now governed by a global standard , have fueled jet flights over the Atlantic and even powered fighter planes. For selected European carriers, biofuel is becoming part of the everyday operation, in particular at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Deutsche Lufthansa AG . China’s one-hour flight on Oct. 28 in the airspace above Beijing was run in coordination with a number of companies, plus the General Aviation Administration of China. The plane was operated by Air China and powered by United Technologies Corp. Pratt & Whitney engines – though only one of four was running the biofuel blend. Honeywell International Inc. and PetroChina Co. cooperated on the fuel production. Boeing’s Mr. Allen cheered the flight as an “A-Z biofuels test,” from “growth and harvest up through take off and landing.” He quipped, “This is about biofuels with Chinese characteristics.” While Beijing hasn’t fixed plans for widespread adoption of aviation biofuels – and it faces logistical challenges in doing so – the test bodes well for relatively quick rollout of the program if the government chooses to do so. Spurring the efforts were presidential-level Sino-U.S. agreements dating to 2009 to cooperate on biofuels, as well as private-public partnerships. The rush into biofuels by the global aviation industry reflects a firestorm of protest from environmentalist groups that charge the carbon footprint associated with high-speed flight remains too high. Some scoff at biofuel-powered flight, saying it often amounts to PR gimmickry by carriers. Others suggest it is a temporary response to high crude oil prices. Some critics worry arable land for growing food will be threatened and argue that biofuel production isn’t necessarily as clean as proponents contend. But the trend is taking hold, according to Honeywell’s chairman and chief executive officer, Dave Cote, who recently told investors he had expected the “brilliant idea” to be hamstrung by infrastructure challenges. “It’s accelerating a lot faster than I expected largely because of pull from the aviation industry as they start worrying about carbon footprint and how do they reduce emissions and all that kind of thing,” Mr. Cote said. The use of jatropha-based fuel could have particular appeal in China, which has plentiful swathes of dry and barren land to devote to growing the plant. PetroChina has planted nearly 200,000 hectares worth of jatropha in various locations around the country, a company executive told the state-run Global Times last week , adding that China boasted more than 58 million hectares of barren mountain land suitable for the plant, also known as the tung tree. While the test underscores how China is warming to biofuels and eager to clear its own skies, it is pushing back aggressively on Europe’s strategy to tax the carbon emission of air carriers, as are regulators and carriers in many other countries . Aviation enthusiasts usually clamor for seats on inaugural flights but China’s biofuel test plane carried only three: the pilots. Flight Captain Zheng Weimin, according to the China Daily, said everything went fine. “I detected no obvious difference in engines powered by the biofuel blend and conventional jet fuel,” he said. – James T. Areddy. Follow him on Twitter @jamestareddy
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China’s First Aviation Biofuel Test
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
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