
Brunei has achieved 5G connectivity, e-payment system, and digital identity, says minister
These advancements ensured that Brunei stayed at the forefront of new technologies, continued to attract quality investments and provided benefits to businesses, Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah, minister at the Prime Minister's Office and second minister of Finance and Economy, said at the Brunei Business Conference 2025.
He said that over the years, Brunei has undertaken significant steps to streamline its policies and regulations, creating a more investor-friendly environment. - Xinhua
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The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Belarus conducts exercise of radio technical troops
MINSK, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Belarus is hosting a large-scale exercise involving its radio technical troops, with the aim of enhancing the readiness and operational capabilities of its air defense forces, the Belarusian defense ministry said Friday. The drills focus on detection, tracking and identification of aerial targets using advanced radar and communication systems. The exercise simulates various scenarios, including airspace monitoring under challenging conditions, rapid response to potential threats, and coordination with other branches of the armed forces. Personnel are practicing the deployment and operation of radar equipment, electronic warfare measures, and data exchange protocols. Meanwhile, they are practicing the deployment of a control system that is new to Belarus, local media reported. The exercise is scheduled for July 23 to 25, and over a dozen areas are involved in the maneuvers.


Borneo Post
7 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Qinghai-Tibet Plateau a timeless magnet for travelers
An aerial photo taken on July 16, 2025 shows the scenery of Zhaxi island scenic area of Namtso Lake, the world's highest saltwater lake in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. – Xinhua photo LHASA (July 26): Dressed in vibrant outfits, Li Xiaochao and her daughter beamed at the camera, joyfully exclaiming: 'We're at Namtso, and we're so excited!' The dazzling blue lake shimmered behind them, framed by the snow-capped Mount Nyainqentanglha. Located in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Namtso Lake is regarded by Tibetans as the 'heavenly lake'. Standing at an elevation of 4,718 meters, it is the highest saltwater lake in the world. Traveling all the way from Cangzhou in north China's Hebei Province, Li and her group spent the past week exploring some of Xizang's most famous landmarks, including the Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace, the Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon, and the Mount Qomolangma scenic area. 'This is actually my second time in Xizang, and my first visit was back in 2008,' Li said. 'The changes over the past 17 years have been incredible. The development here has been rapid, the locals are as warm and welcoming as ever, and the infrastructure has improved tremendously. 'Even after all these years, my experience this time has been just as wonderful,' she added. Renowned for its breathtaking scenery, Namtso Lake attracted 5.11 million domestic and international tourists between 2014 and 2024. 'As of mid-July this year, we have welcomed about 150,000 tourists,' said Zhang Longquan, chairman of the Namtso Lake scenic area protection and development company, noting that the company's revenue has boosted local livelihoods by creating jobs, such as hiring herdsmen to provide horses and yaks for tourists, and by distributing dividends to them. 'I earn about 9,000 yuan (about US$1,259) per month without having to work far from home,' said Sigya, 26, a resident of a nearby village. To better protect the lake's ecosystem, the company has upgraded the surrounding infrastructure, including introducing eco-friendly public toilets and electric sightseeing buses. 'Wildlife diversity in the area has significantly increased in recent years,' Zhang said. An aerial drone photo taken on July 19, 2025 shows a view of the Sapukonglagabo Mountain in Biru County, Nagqu City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. – Xinhua photo About 500 km away, the Sapukonglagabo Mountain scenic area in Biru County, Nagqu City, is famous for its magnificent snow-capped mountains, spectacular glaciers, and abundant wildlife. Its main peak soars to nearly 7,000 meters above sea level. Wang Liming and her family, who have been on a road trip through several provinces, arrived at the scenic area on Saturday. 'Despite the challenges of altitude sickness, the stunning landscapes of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau always leave us in awe. 'The climate here is wonderful and the intangible cultural heritage performances by Tibetan artists are truly unique,' said Wang, who comes from northeast China's Liaoning Province. 'The exhaustion of the long drive was absolutely worth it.' Drolma, a local resident of Biru County, spent her weekend picnicking with family in the scenic area. 'We are so happy to see more tourists from home and abroad visiting Xizang. Many locals have jumped on the tourism bandwagon, increasing their incomes as the industry grows,' she added. 'The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as 'world's third pole,' spans vast regions including Xizang and Qinghai Province, boasting unique natural resources and magnificent landscapes that have long captivated global travelers,' said Luo Hui, an associate researcher of the China Tibetology Research Center. 'In recent years, the central government and local authorities in Xizang have vigorously promoted the high-quality development of the tourism industry. 'Through measures such as introducing supportive policies, creating distinctive tourism brands, and optimising diverse travel routes, they are striving to make the region a world-class tourist destination,' Luo added. In the first half of this year, Xizang saw 31.28 million tourist visits, up 11.67 per cent year on year, according to the regional culture and tourism department. Of the total, inbound tourist arrivals surged 31.2 per cent to 196,400. Tourism revenue in the region totaled 31.55 billion yuan in the same period, marking a 10.18 per cent year-on-year increase. – Xinhua China Mount Nyainqentanglha Namtso Lake tourism Xinhua


Borneo Post
7 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Long-stay tourism boom ignites ‘cool economy' in China highlands
An aerial photo taken on July 18, 2025 shows a local Yizu Dage team performing during a parade show on the ancient street of Nanzhao in Weishan Yi and Hui Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. – Xinhua photo KUNMING (July 26): At his guesthouse in southwest China's Kunming, Zhang Cheng wiped down the counter in preparation for the next wave of arrivals, as the country's highland summer migration unfolded, a seasonal drift measured not in days but in months. 'Since summer began, we've had almost no vacancies,' he said. A steady stream of guests from the sweltering nearby regions of Sichuan and Chongqing is replacing the usual ebb and flow of tourists in this capital city of Yunnan Province. As scorching heat blankets much of China, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces, with average summer temperatures of 15 to 21 degrees Celsius, are experiencing the explosive growth of 'cool summer residencies'. Yunnan alone hosted 2.8 million long-stay visitors in the first half of 2025, a surge of 45.4 per cent year on year. These visitors stayed an average of 91 days, 11 days longer than the previous year. In the province's Qujing City, famed for its cooler summers, companies like Licheng Residential Leasing are transforming idle homes into managed residences. This summer, Licheng has provided over 100 beds and three meals daily through contracted residential homes in the city's Niujie community, hosting over 200 guests so far. Industry experts believe that traditional tourism often funnels spending into transportation and tickets, limiting local economic benefits, whereas tourism engaging local residents retains more spending within the community. In Qujing, for example, dining accounts for 40 per cent of long-stay visitors' spending, vastly exceeding the 10 per cent typical of short-stay tourists. The city welcomed 2 million long-stay visitors last summer, peaking at 270,000 daily, generating 23.6 billion yuan (around US$3.3 billion) in revenue. Leveraging its national forest park, Xishui County in Guizhou has developed 28 summer residence projects across six townships, now housing 36,000 households, mostly from other provinces. Since June, hotels and homestays have reported peak seasons. Dai Bin, head of the China Tourism Academy, highlighted the shift of the tourism model 'from simply leveraging cool climates to integrating culture, wellness and learning'. He cited the example of children joining forest rangers for plant identification in a nature science camp while parents learn local crafts, as well as one in Yunnan's Dali that combines cool air with holistic healing through yoga in the forest. Recognising the potential, China's National Development and Reform Commission issued guidelines in 2023 to boost summer tourism, urging better products and infrastructure. According to Rao Xiangbi, deputy director of Yunnan's culture and tourism department, long-stay visitors now flock not just from nearby Sichuan and Chongqing, but increasingly from Guangdong, Zhejiang, and even the northernmost Heilongjiang Province, with over 80 per cent being young and middle-aged people. Experts from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation have noted that such climate-adaptive tourism is a growing necessity globally and is poised to become a defining future trend as climate change intensifies. – Xinhua China highland Kunming Summer tourism Xinhua