Latest news with #ShanghaiAcademyofSocialSciences
The Star
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
MCA partners with Shanghai-based institute to address youth issues
MCA Public Policy and People's Livelihood Research Advisory committee chairperson Datuk Dr Monna Ong Siew Siew (middle left) shaking hands with Institute of Sociology at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences director Professor Li Jun, joined by Malaysia and China delegates during the official visit to the academy. PETALING JAYA: A joint partnership between MCA and a Chinese educational institution will further explore issues and challenges involving youth, says Datuk Dr. Monna Ong Siew Siew. The joint effort with the Institute of Sociology at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences would include organising seminars, conferences and forums, along with a five-year research project focused on youth-related issues, added the chairperson of MCA's Public Policy and People's Livelihood Research Advisory committee. Ong said the mutual agreement was signed on Sunday (May 11). 'This agreement marks an essential step in strengthening both institutions' academic collaboration and mutual understanding. 'These initiatives aim to promote dialogue and the sharing of academic knowledge and resources,' she said in a statement on Monday (May 12). Ong said key challenges faced by young people in Malaysia and Southeast Asia in the digital age era were discussed at the International Symposium on the Digital Society and Youth Development. She highlighted that although Malaysia's internet usage rate has reached 96.8%, there remains a more than 30% gap in advanced digital skills between urban and rural students. 'This limits the ability of many youths to compete and succeed in a digital world. 'The digital environment is changing how young people are likely to think and feel, with potential overuse of virtual platforms raising concerns about mental health. 'According to UNICEF, more than half of youths report a clear gap between how they present themselves online and who they are in real life, which can lead to a disconnect that contributes to stress and anxiety,' she added. To address the issues, Ong said a shared vision was reached to build a resilient, fair and forward-thinking digital ecosystem for youth. Among the proposed strategies were making digital citizenship education a standard part of school curricula, teaching students how to evaluate information and use media responsibly and establishing support systems in schools to build mental resilience. This includes 'Digital Mental Health Watchpoints' that use AI tools and mental health indicators to monitor and respond to students' digital habits and well-being. Ong also said that young people should be encouraged to transition from passive consumers to active creators by developing 'community digital learning spaces' to enhance their sense of belonging and creativity. 'There is also a need to strengthen Asean regional collaboration by aligning policies in important areas like cybersecurity and data governance,' she said. Several Malaysian scholars also contributed to the forum, including Associate Professor Dr. Yee Mun Chin from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR); Associate Professor Dr. Yew Wong Chin from Tunku Abdul Rahman; Sabah MCA Youth state chairman Roger Yapp Kah Chong and Dr Martin Paul Davies, Principal of Henry VIII College Malaysia.
The Age
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
Want to visit China without any hassles? Do it on a ship
China's best-known sights, such as the Terracotta Warriors, Forbidden City, most famous bits of the Great Wall and Guilin's superb landscapes, are all inland. Don't be misled into thinking China isn't a cruise destination, however. Think about it, and it should come as no surprise that China's coastline is packed with oodles of history, venerable port towns and pulsating megacities that showcase the nation's mind-boggling economic development, of which Shanghai is the most spectacular. The cruise market in China showed a sharp rebound in 2024. Admittedly, much of that was driven by the domestic cruise market, which the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences estimates could be worth CNY550 billion ($119 billion) by 2035. Adora Magic City, the first large cruise ship built in China, became profitable within two months of its launch in January 2024, an unheard-of achievement in the business. But what about international cruisers? Well, if you're looking for a worry-free way to see China then you'll find an increasingly wide range of options. International cruise lines are being encouraged to visit China by government policy and infrastructure development, boosted by visa-free entry that was introduced in May 2024 for cruise passengers. Many cruise lines now call at Chinese ports, generally on itineraries between South-East Asia and Japan, or around Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, among them Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Silversea and Windstar. One of the big players is MSC Cruises, which returned to China in March 2024 after a pandemic-related hiatus. MSC Bellissima homeports in Shanghai.
Sydney Morning Herald
01-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Want to visit China without any hassles? Do it on a ship
China's best-known sights, such as the Terracotta Warriors, Forbidden City, most famous bits of the Great Wall and Guilin's superb landscapes, are all inland. Don't be misled into thinking China isn't a cruise destination, however. Think about it, and it should come as no surprise that China's coastline is packed with oodles of history, venerable port towns and pulsating megacities that showcase the nation's mind-boggling economic development, of which Shanghai is the most spectacular. The cruise market in China showed a sharp rebound in 2024. Admittedly, much of that was driven by the domestic cruise market, which the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences estimates could be worth CNY550 billion ($119 billion) by 2035. Adora Magic City, the first large cruise ship built in China, became profitable within two months of its launch in January 2024, an unheard-of achievement in the business. But what about international cruisers? Well, if you're looking for a worry-free way to see China then you'll find an increasingly wide range of options. International cruise lines are being encouraged to visit China by government policy and infrastructure development, boosted by visa-free entry that was introduced in May 2024 for cruise passengers. Many cruise lines now call at Chinese ports, generally on itineraries between South-East Asia and Japan, or around Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, among them Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Silversea and Windstar. One of the big players is MSC Cruises, which returned to China in March 2024 after a pandemic-related hiatus. MSC Bellissima homeports in Shanghai.
