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Associated Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Inaugural Global Business Summit in Jakarta convened to advance sustainable BRI Infrastructure Cooperation for SDGs
JAKARTA, Indonesia, May 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 'Inaugural Global Business Summit on Belt and Road Infrastructure Investment for Better Business Better World and Sustainable Development Goals' (the Summit) officially opened on May 25 in Jakarta. The Summit is co-hosted by the Government of Indonesia, the United Nations Global Compact 'Sustainable Infrastructure for the Belt and Road Initiative to Accelerate the SDGs' Action Platform (UN Global Compact BRI for SDG Action Platform), THK Forum, United in Diversity Foundation (UID), the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), UN Global Compact Network Indonesia (IGCN), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). In keynote addresses, UN Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua emphasized the imperative for 'low-carbon, resilient, and universally accessible infrastructure' while the UN Assistant Secretary General, and Executive Director of UN Global Compact Sanda Ojiambo outlined four strategic priorities for businesses: adopting science-based decarbonization targets, prioritizing circular economy principles, engaging local communities, and leveraging blended finance. Xiamen Airlines Chairman Zhao Dong highlighted the pivotal role of aviation connectivity in advancing the 'Air Silk Road'. The summit yielded substantive outcomes, including the launch of the report Transition Finance for Sustainable Development of Traditional Industries and nine cross-sector initiatives spanning green energy transition, SME empowerment, and global health cooperation. A landmark Joint Statement by the UNGC BRI for SDG Action Platform High-Level Steering Committee reaffirmed BRI's role as a global public good for infrastructure investments and business participation, committing to sustainable development through responsible business and multi-stakeholder partnerships across sectors including healthcare, energy, telecommunications, construction, manufacture, transportation, food, agriculture and digital infrastructure. Four expert roundtables addressed critical themes: sustainable supply chains in green minerals, healthcare innovation, ESG compliance, and green industrial park development. Marking the 75th anniversary of China-Indonesia diplomatic ties, UN resident coordinator's office in Indonesia and China joined hands with UN Global Compact company participants to co-launch Sino-Indonesia Corporate Communities Action Network for sustainable development to enhance sustainable communities and SDGs. Business leaders endorsed establishing an annual business summit mechanism to ensure BRI projects align with SDGs and promote international standard and private sector best practices. The summit concluded with a unified call to action, underscoring shared responsibility in building an inclusive, climate-resilient future through strengthened BRI collaboration. This inaugural event has established a new paradigm for public-private partnerships in sustainable infrastructure development, setting the stage for long-term, principled cooperation. Photo - Logo - View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE UN Global Compact
The Star
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Chinese arrivals to Penang surge by 218%
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang International Airport (PIA) saw a remarkable surge in Chinese tourist arrivals, with a staggering 218.86% increase in 2024 compared to the previous year, solidifying China's position as a key foreign market for the state. State tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the number of Chinese tourists arriving through international arrivals at Penang International Airport in 2022, 2023 and 2024 were 5,918, 37,711 and 120,245 respectively. 'This increase proves that China continues to be one of the main foreign markets for Penang,' he said during the state assembly sitting here yesterday. Wong (PH-Paya Terubong) said that the state government, alongside its agencies, is persistently working to explore the tourism market in China through various initiatives. The latest effort includes enhancing direct air access by collaborating with airlines to increase the number of direct flights between China and Penang. He said currently there are direct flights from four of the five busiest airports in China to Penang, namely from Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu. He said from August 2023 to April this year, seven new flights have been introduced from various cities in China to Penang International Airport (PIA). These include services by Xiamen Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, AirAsia, Hong Kong Express and Sichuan Airlines, while several chartered flights from China were also arranged to meet increasing demand, proving that China continues to be a primary tourism market. He said the state government is also carrying out aggressive marketing campaigns on social media platforms and tourism websites. 'This includes participation in tourism exhibitions in China to build tourism trade networks. 'In addition, efforts are being made to advertise on platforms that are popular with Chinese tourists,' he said, adding that Penang has also collaborated with online travel agencies in China to offer attractive travel packages. He said familiarisation trips are being organised for travel agents, media and influencers from China. 'This programme is being conducted to introduce firsthand experiences in George Town, Penang Hill, Balik Pulau and Seberang Perai, as well as other gastronomic attractions,' he said. He added that the Xiaohongshu platform is increasingly important in tourism promotion strategies, especially to attract tourists from China and the Mandarin-speaking community.
The Star
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
China proves key market for Penang as tourist visits surge in 2024, says govt rep
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang International Airport (PIA) saw a remarkable surge in Chinese tourist arrivals, with a staggering 218.86% increase in 2024 compared to the previous year, solidifying China's position as a key foreign market for the state. State tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, said the number of Chinese tourists arriving through international arrivals at Penang International Airport was 5,918 in 2022, 37,711 in 2023, and 120,245 in 2024. "This increase proves that China continues to be one of the main foreign markets for Penang," he said during the state assembly sitting on Monday (May 19). Wong (PH-Paya Terubong) said the state government, through its agencies, continuously strives to explore the tourism market in China through various measures, including the strengthening of direct air access through strategic collaborations with airlines to increase direct flights from China to Penang. He said currently there were direct flights from four of the five busiest airports in China to Penang, namely from Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu. He said that between August 2023 and April this year, seven new flights have been launched from cities in China to PIA. These include services by Xiamen Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, AirAsia, Hong Kong Express, and Sichuan Airlines. He added that several chartered flights from China were also arranged to meet increasing demand. He also said this proves that China continues to be a primary tourism market for the state. He said the state government was also carrying out aggressive marketing campaigns on social media platforms and tourism websites. "This includes participation in tourism exhibitions in China to build tourism trade networks. "In addition, efforts are also made to advertise on online platforms popular among Chinese tourists. He said the state government also collaborated with China's Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) and airlines, aiming to offer attractive travel packages and facilitate access to tourism sites on offer. He said familiarisation trips are being organised for travel agents, media, and influencers from China. "This programme is conducted to introduce firsthand experiences in George Town, Penang Hill, Balik Pulau, Seberang Perai, as well as other gastronomic attractions," he said. He added social media platform Xiaohongshu (also known as Little Red Book) is increasingly important in tourism promotion strategies, especially to attract tourists from China and the Mandarin-speaking community. Penang tourism is also actively promoted on Xiaohongshu. Numerous content about Penang, such as street food, heritage architecture, picturesque spots, and local culture, have been shared by users and influencers on the platform.
Malay Mail
19-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
More direct flights, digital push drive 219pc jump in Chinese tourists to Penang
GEORGE TOWN, May 19 — Penang experienced a significant 218.86 per cent increase in tourist arrivals from mainland China last year compared to 2023, the state legislative assembly heard today. State executive councillor for tourism and creative economy Wong Hon Wai disclosed this while saying China is a crucial tourism market for Penang. 'The hike in tourist arrivals from China to Penang is a result of initiatives implemented by the state government, such as securing more direct flights between major Chinese cities and conducting aggressive promotions through digital platforms,' he said. Wong reported that total arrivals from China through the Penang International Airport (PIA) reached 120,245 passengers in 2024, a substantial rise from 37,711 passengers in 2023 and just 5,918 passengers in 2022. 'This proves that China continues to be a primary tourism market for our state,' he said in reply to a question from Ong Ah Teong (DAP-Batu Lanchang) regarding the state's strategy for exploring the Chinese tourist market. Elaborating on connectivity, Wong said seven new direct flight routes from China to Penang were launched between August 2023 and April this year. These include services by Xiamen Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, AirAsia, Hong Kong Express, and Sichuan Airlines. He added that several chartered flights from China were also arranged to meet increasing demand. 'We are using various promotional methods such as participating in tourism exhibitions in China, advertising in popular online platforms, and collaborating with online tour agents and flights to offer attractive packages,' Wong explained. He also said that the state has organised familiarisation trips for travel agents, media representatives, and influencers from China. These trips specifically aimed to promote diverse locations such as George Town, Balik Pulau, Penang Hill, and Seberang Perai. Wong also noted that the Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) social media platform is being actively utilised to attract younger tourists and the Mandarin-speaking community, with viral content highlighting Penang's street food, heritage architecture, and popular photo spots. 'We have also introduced engaging new tourism products, such as 'kebaya tourism' packages where visitors can dress in traditional kebaya while touring popular spots, and 'durian tourism' tailored for Chinese visitors who love the fruit,' he said. Wong affirmed the state's commitment to strengthening its tourism sector to ensure Penang remains a preferred destination for international tourists, especially those from China.
Epoch Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
After Freezing Out Boeing, Beijing Appeals to US Companies
China's commerce ministry said on April 29 that the regime is willing to support normal business cooperation with American companies, days after Chinese airlines canceled Boeing aircraft orders amid a tariff standoff with the United States. The Chinese commerce ministry also blamed the halt in plane deliveries on U.S. tariff hikes. It urged Washington to 'listen to businesses' and restore 'a stable, predictable environment for trade and investment,' claiming tariffs had undermined the stability of global industry and supply chains and disrupted the air-transport market. U.S. officials have not responded to the latest statement publicly. The plea came just days after the Chinese regime ordered Chinese airlines to suspend purchases of Boeing aircraft and returned three newly built 737 MAX jets to the United States. The planes—two for Xiamen Airlines and one for Air China—have already been flown back, and Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg confirmed last week that Chinese airlines have stopped accepting deliveries. Related Stories 2/28/2025 1/19/2025 While retaliating against U.S. duties, Beijing is quietly compiling a list of U.S.-made goods to be exempted from its own 125 percent retaliatory tariffs and has asked companies to identify critical imports they need duty-free, according to American Chamber of Commerce in China President Michael Hart. Hart said that tariff waivers already cover some pharmaceuticals. Meanwhile, the chief executive of French aircraft engine maker Safran said that Beijing had granted tariff exemptions on 'a certain number of aerospace equipment parts,' including engines and landing gear. In a separate, low-key step to blunt the trade-war fallout, Chinese regulators published a revised 'negative list' on April 24 that trims the number of sectors closed or restricted to foreign investors to 106 from 117. The new list effectively opens 11 additional industries to overseas capital at a time when U.S. tariffs are adding strain to an economy already hobbled by weak consumption and a deep property-sector debt crisis. Since President Donald Trump began his second term in January, the United States has raised duties on Chinese goods by 145 percent, pushing effective rates on some items to 245 percent. In response, Beijing imposed a blanket 125 percent tariff on U.S. imports. Boeing Shrugs Off the Standoff—for Now Boeing Although the first-quarter figures do not yet reflect China's freeze, the Trump administration in March The major government contract likely contributed to the company's optimistic outlook. During the first-quarter earnings call on April 23, Boeing's CEO said jets once earmarked for China can be redirected 'to people who want them,' noting that the order backlog now tops $500 billion. 'We are not going to continue to build airplanes for customers who will not take them,' he U.S.-based economist Davy J. Wong told The Epoch Times that Beijing's decision to block Boeing deliveries amounts to 'strategic self-harm.' He said China's home-grown C919 airliner still relies on U.S. and European avionics, engines, and hydraulics, making a full decoupling impossible. Politically driven cancellations could stall C919 production and maintenance, 'deepening doubts about the reliability of China's aviation market,' Wong said, adding that lessors, financiers, insurers, and suppliers might now reassess China's stability as a long-term partner. 'Most of China's fleet is still Boeing,' Wong said, noting that cutting off access to maintenance, parts, and upgrades would drive up costs and strain the entire civil aviation system. He said a litmus test would be Xiamen Airlines, a near-exclusive Boeing operator. If its orders are fully canceled, the dispute will have moved beyond tariffs into 'a full confrontation over industrial leadership and geostrategic positioning,' an escalation Beijing may not actually want, he said. Shen Ming-shih, a research fellow at Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research, told The Epoch Times that the Chinese cancellation of aircraft delivery will sting less than Beijing hopes. 'Global demand for the 737 MAX remains strong, production slots are sold out for years, while China accounts for only about 10 percent of Boeing's commercial backlog,' he said, meaning Boeing can likely place the returned jets with new buyers quickly. Cheng Mulan, Luo Ya, and Reuters contributed to this report.
