CPH Post China supplement 2019

SPECIAL EDITION

CHINA

PANDA: CHINA-DENMARK 2019

PANDA HOUSE, COPENHAGEN ZOO

Image: Courtesy of BIG

AMBASSADOR'S REMARKS

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mid the boom of firecrackers a year has come to an end, and the spring wind has wafted warm breath to the wine. We wave our hands to the fruitful 2018 and usher in the promiseful 2019.

2018 marks the beginning of China putting into action the guiding principles of the 19th CPC National Congress. The Chinese government and people resolutely implement the strategic plan of 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, whereby we constantly advance law-based governance, comprehensively deepen reform, continue expanding opening up,

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making head-way towards securing a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

The year 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up. The 40 years of practice beholds to the fact that reform and opening-up have not only fundamentally transformed China’s performance, influencing contemporary China in a decisive way, but also crucially swaying the world as a whole, contributing to the shared development of China and the outside world. With constant and sound economic growth, a prosperous and

AMBASSADOR'S REMARKS

stable society, China’s annual average contribution to global economic growth has stayed above 30 percent, providing reference to other developing countries in pursuit of growth and governance. China is making significant contribution in various fields including peace-keeping, anti-terrorism, addressing climate change and disaster-relief, offering a peaceful option in resolving international and regional hotspot issues.

The year 2018 marks the harvest year for China’s diplomacy. Major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics is breaking new grounds. China successfully held the 2018 Boao Forum for Asia, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Qingdao, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit, and the First China International Import Expo. The Belt and Road Initiative is witnessing sound and steady development. China is ever more proactive in safeguarding free trade and economic globalization, building a community with a shared future for mankind.

The year 2018 also marks the 10th anniversary of China-Denmark Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

We are glad to see ever-frequent high-level exchanges, ever-deepening political trust, ever-fruitful cooperation, which pushes forward with the implementation of China-Denmark Joint Work Program. Through the year, the two sides have staged a number of celebrating activities, playing out the symphony of ChinaDenmark friendship. We offered mutual support to major diplomatic events such as the 1st China International Import Expo, the 1st P4G summit and the 18th international anti-corruption conference. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik, the Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Development Cooperation, Minister for Culture and Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs, Minister for the Environment and Food paid their successful visits to China. Meanwhile, Minister Wang Zhigang, Director Chen Guomeng visited Denmark. Bilateral visits of vice ministerial level and above number nearly 50. All these speak of the depth and width of our bilateral ties. The celebration of the 10th anniversary of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is colorful and well-received. The Happy Chinese New Year Celebration brought Chinese festival warmth to locals in winter. The Peking opera version of Hamlet exhibited special charm combining Eastern and Western art styles. The Second China Denmark

Regions and Cities Forum was successfully convened in Aarhus, facilitating cooperation in fields such as green solutions, health and eldercare, as well as sustainable agriculture and food. China-Denmark green maritime technology round-table meeting was successfully held in Shanghai in December. We are glad to see that with joint efforts, our partnership is enjoying an ever solid political consensus, ever popular support and ever strong economic ties, with its content constantly enriched.

The year 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. China is in a crucial phase of Securing a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and pushing forward its economic restructuring. China is firmly committed to deepening reform and opening wider, developing an open economy at a higher level, making new ground in pursuing opening up on all fronts. Looking at the international stage, the trend toward openness and integration among countries is unstoppable despite ups and downs in the global economy. China firmly upholds free trade and the rules-based multilateral trading system in its efforts to ensure strong, balanced, sustainable and inclusive growth of the global economy. China Denmark Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is entering a new decade, making a new historic starting point, with new opportunities for our bilateral relations. I am really glad that the Panda House in Copenhagen Zoo is undergoing smooth construction. And I am expecting the arrival of the two envoys of giant pandas, making their contribution to our exchanges and friendship. We are willing to work with our Danish friends in pooled efforts to continuously expand common interests, enhance consensus in policies and concepts, and strengthen complementary cooperation so as to build an even brighter future for our Strategic Partnership.

We are embracing the Jihai Year of Pig really soon.

On behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Denmark, I would like to take this opportunity to convey our best wishes to all our friends. May your dreams come true. May ChinaDenmark Comprehensive Strategic Partnership ever more fruitful!

H.E. Ms. Deng Ying AMBASSADOR OF CHINA IN DENMARK

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CHINA’S REFORM AND OPENING UP

CHINA’S REFORM and opening up

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up. Over the past 40 years, the country has transformed itself from a largely agricultural nation into the second largest economy in the world. The Chinese people, under the strong leadership of the CPC, worked hard with persistence, achieved epic accomplishments and brought great changes to China.

REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS OF POVERTY ALLEVAIATION IN 40 YEARS

40 years after reform and opening-up: China's GDP increased 82 times to $12.24 trillion in 2017, or 15% of global economy, making it the world's second-largest economy.

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FOUR MAJOR DIPLOMATIC EVENTS HELD IN CHINA IN 2018

CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER HIGHLIGHTS CHINA'S FOUR MAJOR EVENTS IN 2018

The year 2018 kicks off efforts to implement the decisions of the 19th Party Congress. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the diplomatic career takes new steps and makes new strides. The main highlights of China's diplomatic calendar in 2018 include four events.

The Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference was held in Hainan this April and focused on reform and opening-up. In this 40th anniversary year of reform and opening-up, we reviewed China's successful experience and sketched new possibilities for reform and opening-up in the new era.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit was held in Qingdao this June and focused on revitalizing the Shanghai Spirit. The expanded SCO rededicates itself to the Shanghai Spirit of mutual trust and benefit, equal-footed consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development. The summit sets the SCO on a new journey of consolidation and growth.

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit was held in Beijing this September and focused on the Belt and Road Initiative.

A great opportunity for African brothers and sisters to participate fully in the BRI, the Summit gives new impetus to the China-Africa comprehensive strategic partnership.

The first China International Import Expo was held in Shanghai this November and focused on further market opening. China embraces the world with open arms and enormous market potential.

The opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) annual conference is held in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, April 10, 2018.

(Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

The 18th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is held in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, June 10, 2018. Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired the meeting and delivered a speech. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

The Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2018. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech titled "Work Together for Common Development and a Shared Future" at the opening ceremony of the summit. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

Chinese President Xi Jinping takes group photos with foreign leaders before the opening ceremony of the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 5, 2018.(Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

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ECONOMY

China’s Economy: On the whole stable and making good progress For the first three quarters of the year 2018, China’s GDP grew by 6.7%, including a 6.5% growth registered for the third quarter, meeting the targeted goal for growth. Grain output for the whole year is projected to surpass 600 million tons. Some 11.07 million new jobs have been created in towns and cities, hitting the annual goal ahead of schedule.

Judged by the main economic indexes, from GDP growth, job creation, consumer prices and international balance of payment to companies’ profit margins, government fiscal revenue and productivity, China’s economy is truly performing well within the reasonable range. This has given a solid foundation for delivering the development goals for the whole year. Compared with other major economies, China still ranks among the world’s top in terms of GDP growth.

2018 is the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up. The Chinese government has taken a series of measures to further open its market. During 5-10 November, the first China International Import Exposition (CIIE) has been held in Shanghai. The CIIE was proposed by the Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping, which represents a significant move of China to fight against protectionism, and safeguard free trade and multilateral trading system. During the first CIIE, there were a total of 172 countries, regions and international organizations, more than 3,600 companies and over 400, 000 professional purchasers; prospective deals have reached 57.8 billion USD. Organized by Royal Danish Consulate

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General in Shanghai, Confederation of Danish Industry, State of Green and Food Nation, over 20 Danish companies attended the Danish Country Pavilion and the Business Exhibition.

The 2nd Session of CIIE will be held in Shanghai in November next year. We sincerely invite the Danish companies to the event and benefit from the Chinese market.

2018 is a big and fruitful year for China-Denmark economic and commercial cooperation.

In the first three quarters, the import and export of goods reached 9.2 billion USD, increasing by 0.2%. The bilateral investment keeps strong momentum. The Sino-Danish Investment Working Group Meeting was held

in Copenhagen. In May, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Denmark (CCCD) was established. In the latest World Bank Doing Business Report, China moved up 32 places in the ease of doing business ranking from last year.

Danish companies show stronger confidence in their investment in China. This year, there are four new direct flights between China and Denmark, which will greatly facilitate our economic and commercial exchanges.

Looking forward to the future of the Chinese economy, we have every reason to be confident. The fundamentals for sound and stable growth of the Chinese economy remain unchanged. The necessary production factors for high-quality development remain unchanged.

And the overall momentum of long-term stability and progress remains unchanged.

China’s capacity for macro-economic regulation is growing, as efforts to deepen reform across the board have unleashed new drivers of growth. With the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) being further implemented, two-way investment and trade between China and the BRI partner countries have continued to gather pace. All in all, the favorable conditions are in place for the long-term, healthy and steady growth of the Chinese economy.

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EDUCATION

China’s Education & Education Cooperation and Exchange between China and Denmark

With a history of over 5,000 years, China has a tradition of respecting teachers and honoring the teaching profession since ancient times. Ancient Chinese education not only played a significant role in passing down and developing Chinese civilization, but also made tremendous contributions to the civilization of the world.

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EDUCATION & CONSULAR SERVICE

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ince the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Chinese Government has attached great importance to the educational cause and the setting up of a new socialist education system to enhance people's educational attainment. The state safeguards the basic right to education of the people and loses no time in developing and improving a new system of education by developing schools of all types and levels to foster well-developed successors of the socialist cause.

To meet the needs of economic and social development and the challenges of the rapid progress of world science and technology, China has formulated and implemented the strategy of "revitalizing the country through science and education" and put the development of education as a strategic priority in the socialist modernization drive.

The consolidation rate of compulsory education of 9 years hits 93.4%, while the gross enrollment rate of higher education institutions hits 42.7%.

AT PRESENT, CHINA HAS:

15.780.000 TEACHERS

265.000.000 STUDENTS

512.000 SCHOOLS

CONSULAR SERVICE EDUCATION COOPERATION AND EXCHANGE BETWEEN CHINA AND DENMARK HAS HAD A GREAT DEVELOPMENT IN THE RECENT DECADE

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In Septemebr 2006 China and Denmark signed agreement on mutual recognition of academic degrees. Now more than 3000 Chinese students studying in Denmark and more than 1200 Danish students studying in China

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Currently, there are more than 2000 Danish students and pupils studying Chinese, and a growing number of Chinese studying Danish.

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In April 2010 the Sino-Danish Center was established in Beijing.

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At present SDC has 208 Danish teachers,119 Chinese teachers, 244 Danish students and 368 Chinese students.

Chinese diplomacy has always upheld the interest of the people. It is committed to defending national sovereignty, security and developing interest. Consular service is one of the most important parts of Chinese diplomacy, which endeavors to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals, enterprises and legal entities, provide assistance and convenience for foreign trade, cultural and personnel exchange. In 2017, the number of Chinese people going overseas reached 146 million, over 60 times that in 1978. This dramatic change benefits from the deepening of reform and opening up and people’s improved living standards as well as the best use of diplomatic resources by Chinese government including its embassies and consulates to provide facilitation for citizens and enterprises to develop overseas.

In recent years, the Chinese Embassy in Copenhagen has made great efforts in improving the quality of service at counter, upgraded hardware and software facilities, set up efficient online application platform for applicants, offering timely assistance to those in trouble and green channel for those in urgent need. The endeavor has won acclaim from far and wide. To better service people living faraway from the capital, the Embassy has provided on-site service in cities like Alborg, Soenderborg, Aarhus and Odense on a regular basis.

It is our sincere hope that our work would facilitate trade, cultural and personnel exchanges between China and Denmark. We would provide necessary assistance for visitors to China.

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DEFENSE

Chinese Military’s International Operation and Cooperation

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Chinese military has, in seeking win-win cooperation, been actively providing security products and services to the international community, and exploring a model international cooperation with Chinese characteristics.

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DEFENSE

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The Chinese military has participated in a great number of joint drills, training exercises and military competitions

he Chinese peacekeeping troops in Lebanon have cleared tens of thousands of landmines and explosives in the Death Belt along the Lebanon-Israel broder, demonstrating China’s strength with practical actions. Since 2008, the PLA Navy has deployed 29 convoys to the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia, which escorted over 6500 Chinese and foreign vessels, guaranteeing their complete security. The taskforces are therefore hailed as the Most Reliable Guardian in the Gulf of Aden. On 1st August 2017, China’s first support base overseas, the PLA Support Base in Djibouti opened, which will enable China to better fulfill international obligations, including conducting escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and humanitarian aid. In 2017, a PLA Navy fleet paid a visit to Sri Lanka, but found that the country was suffering a severe flood. The Chinese officers and sailors extended a helping hand immediately, dispatching a medical team and handing over relief materials. This fully demonstrated the deep friendship between the peoples of China and Sri Lanka. In July 2017, the Chinese military dispatched the PLA Peace Train medical team to Laos for the first time. The team provided free medical services to 3627 persontimes of military personnel, 432 person-times of military families and 2477 person-times of local residents. They conducted 16 surgical operations and handed over 20000 boxes of medicine. They also provided medical institutions of the Lao People’s Army with a thousand sets of medical

equipment devices, medicines and training appliances, opening a new chapter of pragmatic exchange and cooperation between the two militaries.

In April 2018, the first Defence Ministers’ Meeting of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) since the organization’s expansion was held in Beijing. The defence leaders exchanged views on the current regional security situation and prospects for world peace, discussed ways and means to enhance defence and security cooperation among the member states and agreed that the SCO should support building a community with a shared future for mankind with strengthened defence and security cooperation.

Over the past year, the Chinese military has participated in a great number of joint drills, training exercises and military competitions.

These include the joint drills between the Chinese and U.S. militaries on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, the joint naval drills between China and Russia, the joint training exercises between the air forces of China and Parkistan and the international military competitions. Such events not only provide training grouds to the PLA, but also boost friendship and mutual trust, and demonstrate the PLA’s will and willingness to safeguard world peace and regional stability through cooperation.

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SCIENCE

A glance at China’s science and technology development

Over the recent years, China has witnessed dramatic changes in science and technology. The S&T strengths is being enhanced along with economic rise, underpinning the improvement of China’s comprehensive national strengths. Particularly since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the innovation-driven development strategy has been implemented on all fronts, the reform on S&T system further deepened, R&D input increased continuously, innovation vitality stimulated, major outcomes created constantly and relevant systems improved gradually. China is witnessing rapid S&T development, becoming a big STI country with global impact.

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SCIENCE

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ince reform and opening–up, the R&D expenditure has seen sustained and rapid growth. In 2017, it stood at 1.7606 trillion yuan, 123 times that of 1991. And the annual average growth rate reached 20.3% from 1992 to 2017, 5.3 percentage points higher than annual average GDP growth rate in the same period. This has provided strong funding guarantee for STI development in China.

R&D intensity (the ratio of R&D expenditure to GDP) is an internationally used core indicator for reflecting the S&T input of a country. In recent years, the R&D intensity has reached higher and higher levels. It exceeded 1% for the first time in 2002, reached 2.02% in 2014 and rose to 2.13% in 2017. China has generally surpassed the average level of 15 EU countries , reaching the level of medium-developed countries.

For a greener future for the mankind, China is willing to explore the path of sustainable development with Denmark

Over the 40 years since reform and opening-up, China has put in place a series of development programs in multiple areas such as basic research (973 Program), hi-tech research (863 Program), science infrastructure and transformation of S&T achievements, set up an open and unified national management platform of S&T programs and contributed to a huge leap in S&T strengths. The constantly increasing S&T input has dramatically improved science infrastructure, leading to a well-established research environment consisting of mega-science equipment and devices, state key labs, science data libraries, industrial technology platforms and enterprises’ technology centers. Research infrastructure has been improved continuously.

Thanks to the support of National Major S&T Projects and National High-tech R&D Program, China has made great hi-tech achievements like synthetic aperture radar satellite, new energy vehicle, ShenZhou manned spaceship, Beidou navigation satellite, Haidou unmanned submersible and Jiaolong manned submersible etc.

THE SINO-DANISH COOPERATION IN S&T 2018

The bilateral cooperation in science and technology has contributed significantly to the China Denmark comprehensive strategic partnership.

Under the framework of the MoU on cooperation in science, technology and innovation signed by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and Innovation Fund Denmark, more than 20 programs in water and renewable energy fields are expected to be cofunded by the two nations in 2018.

The cooperation of training yong talents has been facilitated, Shenzhen city will hold the UNLEASH in 2019 funded by Carlsberg Fundation which gathers 1,000 young talent to collaborate on solutions to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The R&D investment of Chinese high-tech companies in Denmark is increasing year by year, Huawei, BGI, ShanghaiElectric and other more Chinese companies have started businesses in Denmark, and many of which have set up local R&D centers.

For a greener future for the mankind, China is willing to explore the path of sustainable development with Denmark. On Sep. 19-20, the Chinese Minister for Science and Technology attended the P4G (Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030) Copenhagen Summit 2018, he expressed China's willingness to adhere to a global perspective in a positive and open manner and strengthen cooperation with the international community in the field of sustainable development.

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REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

A glimpse of Tibet’s development

ECO AWARENESS ENHANCED IN LHASA Since the launch of the publicity work on the pilot project of urban household garbage classification in Chengguan District of Lhasa City, all sectors of society and community residents have been mobilized to actively participate in garbage classification, effectively advocating a green, environment-friendly, low-carbon and civilized life style, and continuously raising people's awareness of "civilized life starts from me and everyone participates in garbage classification".

WOMEN’S LIVES IMPROVED THROUGH BETTER PARTICIPATION

ECONOMIC GROWTH BRINGS BENEFITS From January to September, Tibet has achieved a regional GDP of 104.403 billion yuan, an increase of 9 percent from that of the same period last year and the region is ranked second in growth rate alongside Guizhou Province.

From January to September, the per capita disposable income of urban residents in Tibet was 25,613 yuan(3686 US dollars), an increase of 9.7 percent. The per capita disposable income of rural residents was 7,138 yuan(1027 US dollars), an increase of 11 percent. The income growth rate of urban and rural residents ranks first in the country, and is significantly higher than the country’s economic growth rate.

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In the past five years, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region has collected over 20 million yuan (2.9 million US dollars) for all kinds of employment training for women, and offered a total of more than 560 training sessions to help more than 20 thousand impoverished women to become entrepreneurs or get work.

EQUAL EDUCATION PROMOTED In 2010, Tibet achieved complete region-wide compulsory nine-year education and the illiteracy rate among young adults fell to 1.2 percent. In 2012, Tibet launched the balanced development of compulsory education.

At present, Tibet has introduced and implemented 40 student financial aid policies, including funding policies for pre-school and compulsory education as well as comprehensive projects. According to statistics, during the period of the “Twelfth Five-Year Plan”, Tibet implemented a total of 10.02 billion yuan in student financial aid and supported 7 million students.

In recent years, women have enjoyed policies such as financial subsidy loans for new businesses, free health screenings for two types of cancers, congenital heart diseases and hydatid disease, bonuses for pregnant women who choose hospital births, focused care for orphans and elderly people and women's rights protection in village land rights registration, etc. in Tibet.

In recent years, Tibetan women's cause has improved in all areas, with women's employment rate at more than 40%, more equal education among the genders, lowered mortality rate for pregnant women of 102 in 100 thousand, lowered mortality rate for children under five-years-old of 13.7%. More women have participated in politics than ever before, more women are involved in social insurance programs, and women in poverty has drastically reduced in number, and women's lives have improved greatly.

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What are your greatest strengths compared to your competitors?

Our greatest strength is definitely our employees. Many of them have been with us for 10, 15 and 20 years. They are skilled, loyal, motivated and hard-working. This ensures a very low rate of staff changes for our clients. We also have a very flat organisation where fast reaction and fast decision-making in day-to-day operations provides efficient, flexible and high-quality services.

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How does the catering and canteen side of the business fit in with the cleaning side?

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What kind of consultancy and analysis do you offer?

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CHINESE NEW YEAR

The Chinese Spring Festival and Happy Chinese New Year 2019

Commonly referred to as ‘Guo Nian’(meaning Spending the New Year). The Spring Festival is the Chinese New Year in the lunar calendar. Falling on the 1st day of the 1st lunar month, often one month later than the Gregorian calendar, the Spring Festival is the most ceremonious and joyfully celebrated traditional festival in Chinese folk culture. It is also regarded as an intangible cultural heritage of China

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ccording to the Chinese zodiac cycle, the coming year of 2019 will be the Year of Pig which starts from February 5, 2019. In Chinese culture, pig is associated with gentleness and affluence. People born in the Year of Pig are optimistic and energetic, and are believed to be blessed with good fortune in life.

tivities as traveling, planting trees, among others, to spend a healthy, fashionable and environmental friendly new year.

When the Spring Festival is approaching each year, Chinese people would take any trouble to go back home in order to spend the festival with parents and family members and pay tributes to ancestors. With rich festival food served including Jiaozi (dumplings), the whole family will enjoy the reunion, engaged in pleasant conversation and sharing those beautiful prospects for the coming new year.

As one of the biggest celebrations co-held

by Chinese Embassy in Denmark and Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, ‘Happy Chinese New Year’ is an influential cultural brand created by Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China in 2010, which is quite popular around the world now.

Since 2002, celebrations for the Chinese New Year have been launched in Denmark for 17 years. Performances by professional art troupes from China touring around Denmark during Chinese New Year are major events for ‘Happy Chinese New Year’ in Denmark and have been well-received

by Danish audience.

In addition to traditional folk activities in celebration of the Spring Festival, Chinese people have recently developed such ac-

Performance of the year 2019 in Denmark will be put on by Art Troupe of China Federation of Literary and Art

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Circles (CFLAC) which excels at acrobatics and group dancing. China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC) is a national non-governmental organization, aiming to promote the development and prosperity of literature and arts of China.

The acrobatic and dancing group of CFLAC Art Troupe are prestigious teams in China which have participated in many important cultural events and been awarded various prizes. Their works combine traditional Chinese dancing style and fascinating acrobatic skills, and thereby providing the audience with unique esthetic and cultural experience. Cosponsored by Embassy of the Chinese Embassy in Denmark and the local governments of Horsens, Sønderborg, Bycirklen and Aarhus, the ‘Happy Chinese New Year’ performances will be held in Copenhagen, Horsens, Sønderborg, Ballerup and Aarhus during 21-27 January 2019.

CHINA INTERNATIONAL IMPORT EXPO

China is sharing its development dividend via CIIE

More than 3,600 companies from over 150 different countries were represented in the exhibition halls when China International Import Expo (CIIE) – the first international import trade fair ever held in China – opened its doors to Chinese buyers at the beginning of November. Held in Shanghai, CIIE covered an area of 300,000 square metres – or the equivalent of 42 football pitches.

By Erik Schoon Translation: Stephen Gadd The trade fair – which in many people's eyes marked a development in China's economy from being export and investment-based to becoming more consumer-orientated – was visited by around 400,000 Chinese buyers. They flocked around the enormous halls to close deals with foreign suppliers of everything from basic foodstuffs and raw materials to high-tech manufacturing equipment, cars and medicine.

China has become a significant importer of foreign goods and services. Chinese economists forecast that the country's total imports over the next 15 years will exceed an

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incredible 40,000 billion US dollars – around 261,000 billion kroner – split 75 percent on goods and 25 percent on services. That is a gigantic cake to be shared amongst the world's companies …

A STEP IN THE REFORM PROCESS

on the road – and there a lot of them – are mostly well-known western makes such as Volkswagen, Mercedes and Audi. It's obvious to anyone that China has invested heavily in opening the world's doors to trade. CIIE in Shanghai was just the latest step in that process.

There's a world of difference from the China that 40 years ago to the high-tech nation that opened its doors to the world at the Shanghai fair. On the way from the hotel in the city centre to the hall you pass endless rows of enormous skyscrapers that thrust heavenwards with dozens of stories. The cars

Five years ago China launched the 'Belt and Road Initiative' that is basically a massive investment in international infrastructure designed to make transportation of goods over land and water with China's trading partners in Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe more flexible. New harbours, roads and

CHINA INTERNATIONAL IMPORT EXPO

DENMARK WELL-REPRESENTED

Photo: chinadaily.com.cn

Denmark was well represented amongst the many companies at the fair. We export everything from biscuits and baby formula to supermarket concepts and transport to the world's second-largest economy, that at present encompasses more than 1.3 billion consumers with constantly growing purchasing power. Chinese consumers have a lot of confidence in Danish goods. That can be largely explained by the fact that Denmark is a strong brand that the Chinese know primarily for its national author Hans Christian Andersen (who is big in China), for badminton and for its queen.

other installations to further trade are being built in 60 countries that together represent more than half of the world's population and account for around 25 percent of the world's total turnover. It is said that more than 1,000 billion US dollars will be invested in the 'Belt and Road Initiative' – or the 21st Century Silk Road, as the project is often called.

When China's president Xi opened CIIE at the beginning of November under the slogan 'New era, shared future', he emphasised that the fair ought to be seen as “an important expression of the fact that China is now taking initiatives to open its markets to the world”. It was also blatantly obvious that China would do anything in the country's power to combat the growing wave of protectionism and unilateralism in the world that according to Xi, is the greatest threat towards the globalisation and free trade that China so badly wants.

The line-up attending the event include top politicians from countries such as Russia, Pakistan, Czech Republic, South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia with the presence of top bosses from big companies such as – Microsoft, Google and Facebook.

In connection with CIIE the arrangers had taken the initiative to set up a number of parallel events in the shape of congresses with invited guests from the political sphere as well as the business world, research and the press. The themes for these events covered issues such as 'Trade and Openness', 'Trade and Innovation', 'Trade and Investment', as well as 'How do you build up and communicate an open world economy?'.

The keynote speakers included people like the Microsoft founder Bill Gates, CEO and head of the board of directors of L'Oréal Jean-Paul Agon as well as the president of Ford, Jim Hackett.

In general, the exhibitors did well at the first large Chinese import trade fair. According to them, the stands were busy and many deals were made – according to the arrangers, during the 6 days of the fair contracts were signed to the value of almost 60 billion dollars … and the exhibitors are already hard at work to secure a stand for CIIE 2019.

Something really happens when more than a billion consumers have money to spend and added to that, broadening possibilities to spend it on imported goods ...

CHINA special edition

19

ECOLOGY

Chongming

Shanghai's new environmentally-green face

In the delta of the Yangtze river there are three low-lying islands squeezed in between the delta's northern and southern banks. Historically speaking, these islands are relatively new. They first saw the light of day above the yellow waters as small sandbanks only around 400 years ago. From a geological perspective, this is merely the blink of an eye ago.

By Erik Schoon Translation: Stephen Gadd

T

he islands now cover an area of just over 1,400 square kilometres. The main one, Chongming, that the entire district is named after, is by far the largest of the three and is also the largest island in the world formed by old river sediment.

Just as one might expect, the land doesn't rise much above the water-level and it is shot through in all directions by wetlands,

20 CHINA special edition

streams and canals. The earth is rich and fertile. The climate is sub-tropical and there is plenty of precipitation. Because of this, Chongming has all the natural prerequisites for a fertile agricultural sector and that has also traditionally been the main occupation on the islands, combined with fishing in the river and the South China Sea that broadens out just beyond the delta.

ECOLOGY

GEOGRAPHICAL RESTRICTIONS

Like most of the other smaller islands in the world, Chongming has been restricted by its geography. This was changed as if by magic in December 2011, when the Shanghai-Chongming Expressway was opened – a six-lane motorway bridge that extends for more than 45 km and that has integrated the island as a natural part of the world's largest city Shanghai.

Now, Chongming and the island's almost 700,000 inhabitants are less than an hour's drive away from the centre of Shanghai and the regional authorities have big plans for the area. From and including the 13th Five Year Plan that was made public in 2016, the development goal for the district has been to turn Chongming into a “Worldclass environmentally-green island”.

AMBITIOUS PLANS

Chongming comprises almost 20 percent of the district of Shanghai's total area. The island is a vital part of the efforts to turn the city greener as fast as possible – and the plans are ambitious.

In the detailed action plan for the island, the move towards sustainable development has been planned down to the very last detail. Not only the island's farming and fishing, but also every aspect of its inhabitants' lives are going to be reorganised towards environmentally sustainable development. These plans are expected to be realised by 2035 and by that time, the island should serve as an important source of inspiration for sustainable development for the whole world. In the process, it is envisaged that the amount under forestation on the island increases, the air becomes cleaner and that the natural areas on and around

the island become even more valuable as stop-over points for migratory birds and habitats for the Chinese sturgeon – a local fish whose scarcity has given it the dubious honour of being described as “the panda of the water”.

A DEMONSTRATION SITE

There can be absolutely no doubt that Shanghai is aiming very high with the plans to put Chongming on the world's environmentally-green map. It is obvious that the area is already being used both as a demonstration site and development area for lots of new environmental technology. As a visitor to the island you notice a huge amount of local pride in the project. You are reminded everywhere and from all sides how farming can be carried out without spraying with pesticides or how hard they are pushing on with renewable energy.

But there is even more at stake than that.

During our short visit to the island in November, the whole development project was presented to us in a shiny, brand-new 30,000 square metre building built solely for the purpose of showing off the project to its best advantage. The green city area – for that is the most apt description of Chongming's future role as a part of

Shanghai – will improve the environment in the entire region, be in the forefront when it comes to new initiatives in the field and not least, strengthen its role as the place where busy people from the inner city can find peace and tranquillity in nature.

A SHOWCASE TO THE WORLD

That the Chinese also want to show Chongming off to the rest of the world is perhaps not so surprising. They are already doing it for local tourists, with a number of collective farms where families can take holidays, youth camps and summer camps. But soon, things will take on an entirely different dimension. In 2021 the 10th Chinese Flower Fair will take place in Chongming. The exhibition area will stretch over 10 square kilometres. There will be a sea of flowers. Exhibitors and visitors from all over the world will flock to the fair. Undoubtedly it will be a completely unreal spectacle… and everything will also be environmentally-green!

Publisher: CPH POST . Editor: Hans Hermansen • Journalists: Erik Schoon, Lissen Jacobsen • Layout: CPH POST Info: hans@cphpost.dk • Tel: +452420 2411

CHONGMING – THE CHINESE FOOTBALL FACTORY

Whether it is something in the fresh air, healthy food or just the fact that the whole island is flat as a football pitch is something that can only be speculated about, but the fact is that the island in the Yangtse supplies talented footballers to Chinese teams to a degree out of all proportion to the size of its population.

CHINA special edition

21

COPENHAGEN ZOO

Furry little charmers on the way to Copenhagen

By L Jacobsen

In 2019 two giant pandas will take possession of their brand-new, architect-designed panda enclosure at Copenhagen zoo. BIG Architects and Schønherr Landskabsarkitekter are behind the new design and great weight has been placed on animal welfare, architecture, aesthetics and providing a good experience for visitors. CPH Post obtained a sneak preview of the 'panda experience' in Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in the Chinese metropolis of Chengdu, where they are working intensively to save the endangered species.

By Lissen Jacobsen Translation: Stephen Gadd

I

n 2019 the giant pandas Mao Sun and He Xing are expected to arrive at Copenhagen Zoo. Giant pandas only live in the wild in China but have been lent to 14 zoos worldwide by now. But the giant panda is a species under threat, and synergy between the work of all the research centres and improving their natural habitat is essential. At Chengdu Research Base they research and breed giant pandas, just as they do in other centres in the province of Sichuan and in two other provinces.

Humans are the biggest threat to the animal's population but at the same time, essential for their survival.

22 CHINA special edition

SO CUTE

It's a fantastic experience coming up close to real, live black and white giant pandas at the research centre that also functions as a zoo for the animals. It has become a great tourist attraction. I managed to grab a place in the front row at an enclosure containing two pandas – perhaps a mother and her cub. The smaller panda appeared to be sleeping but the large one stood up, took a drink of water and strolled towards a little mound. Here, she climbed up with quite some agility considering her size, selected a piece of bamboo, lay on her back and began to eat one of

COPENHAGEN ZOO EVERYONE CAN AND SHOULD JOIN IN

Both Chinese people and tourists from all over the world flock to the centres' zoological gardens where they also do a great deal to teach both visitors and local people how and why it is important to preserve the worlds' endangered species in their natural environments.

And everything that is done for the giant pandas also helps other endangered species.

the day's many meals. Then the smaller one came lumbering over and I felt as though I'd witnessed a special moment between the two of them.

Everything seemed to be slightly in slow motion and it was fascinating.

EATING NON-STOP

The research centre's work is essential to save the giant panda, that is considered one of the most charming of the many endangered species in the world. The giant panda has also become a symbol for endangered species in general because since 1961, the World Wildlife Fund has used it as its logo. Its chubby, cute appearance, with its distinctive black and white fur, pronounced black rings around its dark eyes and the fact that it can sit and lie just as we do, makes it look so sweet.

With its extra thumb or sesamoid bone it can grasp the bamboo tightly and peel the leaves off, and a panda's day is more or less fully taken up with finding enough bamboo when it lives in the wild. Here, it is rather easier because they are of course fed using a special dietary scheme.

It takes many kilos of bamboo every day – around 45 for a fully-grown male. When they are not eating, they sleep – preferably up in a tree, where they seem to thrive lying on a couple of branches.

A NEED FOR SPACE

There are a number of reasons why the existence of the giant panda is under threat. Firstly, they need a lot of space – preferably around 10,000 square metres to find enough food, so they prefer to live alone. So it is necessary to build corridors in the forests that connect the bamboo thickets in the Chinese cloud forests, as they are called. They are found at a height of 1,500-3,500

metres spread over six mountain ranges in three provinces, in Sichuan as well as in Gansu and Shaanxi.

In addition, the female giant panda is only fertile for a couple of days a year and when the animals are so spread out, there is not always a male panda ready to breed in the neighbourhood. In that way, the chance may be missed for that year. In captivity they don't necessarily feel like breeding at the same time and generally speaking, may have even less interest in breeding than they have in the wild. This has been observed in Chengdu and the other research centres.

A GROWING POPULATION

Attempts have been made to put males and females together who were both ready to breed but it has not always succeeded. After many tries, it has been decided to inseminate the females with sperm from different males. Gradually, the natural breeding program is becoming a success, leading to one panda cub being born every second year per female panda. The newborn cubs are incredibly small, only weigh around 100-200 grammes and many don't survive in the wild.

The panda centre that opened in 1987 has become one of the largest tourist attractions and it has been optimally arranged for the animals. The paths are flanked by bamboo and fern hedges, here are lawns, streams and ponds and each enclosure for one or two pandas is laid out so that it is as close to the animals' natural environment as possible, with trees, bushes, cliffs and caves. You can also see the red panda which is not a bear but looks more like a fox, as well as birds, butterflies and hundreds of insects.

Scientific research is not enough to preserve the giant panda. An important part of the work is to educate and teach visitors, local people and everyone that they can be part of creating the fundamental improvements for preserving and protecting the natural environment for the giant pandas and other endangered animals.

The giant panda population in China, which is the only place where they live wild, has in fact increased over the last few years and there are now around 2,200-2,500 in all. This is very much down to the work of the centres. Giant pandas are something special and in Chinese culture, represent peace and harmony. Their calmness and black and white colours mirror the ying and yang, and its obvious cuteness factor has intensified interest in the animal and made it into a tourist attraction.

CHINA special edition

23

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