Latest news with #Zhang
Business Insider
4 hours ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings (MTLHF) was downgraded to a Hold Rating at CLSA
In a report released yesterday, Yifan Zhang from CLSA downgraded Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings (MTLHF – Research Report) to a Hold, with a price target of Yen800.00. Confident Investing Starts Here: According to TipRanks, Zhang is an analyst with an average return of -4.0% and a 64.71% success rate. Zhang covers the Basic Materials sector, focusing on stocks such as Kansai Paint Co, Nippon Paint Holdings Co, and AGC. The word on The Street in general, suggests a Hold analyst consensus rating for Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings.
Business Upturn
a day ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Fenjiu Captivates Milan at 2025 Chinese Brands Going Global Worldwide Tour
MILAN, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The '2025 Chinese Brands Going Global· Worldwide Tour' kicked off in Milan, Italy, with Chinese liquor giant Fenjiu taking center stage. Themed 'New Quality Leads, Brands Set Sail,' the event was guided by the Consulate General of People's Republic of China in Milan, hosted by the Global Times, and co-organized by Fenjiu International and the China Chamber of Commerce in Italy. It aimed to promote Chinese brands on the global stage and highlight their cultural significance. Fenjiu, a leading representative of Chinese baijiu culture, showcased its commitment to quality and cultural heritage. With its rich history, innovative spirit, and strategic approach, Fenjiu is poised to make a significant impact on the global stage, bridging the gap between 'Chinese-famous liquor' and 'world-famous liquor.' Zhang Weidong, General Manager of Shanxi Xinghuacun Fenjiu International Trade Co. Ltd., stressed that food and wine have long served as important 'ambassadors' between China and Italy. He noted that while Italian wines and pizza are popular in China, Chinese baijiu, such as Fenjiu's Zhuyeqing liquor, has also gained a foothold in Italy, with a presence in Milan for over 40 years. Zhang highlighted that Fenjiu's international success is not just about quality but also about culture. 'Our products represent not only Chinese quality but also the rich Chinese culture,' he said. Fenjiu has chosen to align with international standards and blaze a trail for the industry, leveraging its consistent quality and unique brewing techniques to tell a powerful story of globalization. According to Zhang, Fenjiu's approach to global expansion includes two key paths: cultural immersion and market penetration. The company has used overseas Chinese networks to drive local consumption and has entered the local bar scene through cocktail mixology, creating a buzz among international consumers. To date, Fenjiu has expanded to over 60 countries and regions, with more than 100 distributors, 9,000 retail outlets, and 180 duty-free stores worldwide. Geng Xiewei, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of Consulate General of People's Republic of China in Milan, noted that Chinese liquor companies have developed unique internationalization models by leveraging overseas Chinese networks and integrating with local cultures. 'Fenjiu's successful entry into the Italian market through localization strategies sets a positive example for other Chinese brands,' he said. Cheng Xuan, President of the China Chamber of Commerce in Italy and General Manager of ICBC Milan Branch, described Europe as a 'crucible' for global brands. He noted that the EU's high standards for product quality and environmental protection have helped Chinese companies build a reputation for excellence. Additionally, European consumers' preference for high-quality products has encouraged Chinese brands to launch premium offerings, fostering brand value and market positioning. At a roundtable discussion on 'Chinese Brands Going Global,' Huo Xiaoli, Italy Business Director of Fenjiu International, shared insights on the company's strategies in Europe. She emphasized that brand internationalization is not just about exporting products but also about cultural dialogue and value resonance. In Italy, Fenjiu has focused on cultural engagement, hosting tastings, participating in international spirits fairs, and organizing Sino-Italian liquor cultural exchanges. These efforts aim to break cultural barriers and showcase Fenjiu's unique brewing wisdom and flavor profile. Fenjiu has also adopted a 'key cities + core channels' strategy, entering major international cities like Milan and Rome and partnering with high-end Chinese restaurants, gourmet supermarkets, and cocktail associations. Additionally, the company has engaged with younger consumers through innovative marketing campaigns. Fenjiu's international journey began in 1992 with the establishment of its import-export company. Since then, it has continuously led Chinese baijiu in international standards and quality control. In recent years, Fenjiu has accelerated its globalization efforts, opening experience centers in Cologne, Singapore, and Macao, and becoming the official liquor of the 2023 BRICS Summit in South Africa. Company: Global Times OnlineContact Person: Qin jing Email: [email protected] Website: Telephone: 010-65361101 City：Beijing
Epoch Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Major South Korean Theater Abruptly Cancels Human Rights Film Festival Bookings
On the eve of the 5th Seoul Larkspur International Film Festival ( The abrupt decision came from MEGABOX Dongdaemun, the official screening venue of SLIFF, one day before the festival's opening on May 30, affecting multiple films documenting the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP's) human rights abuses. Organizers said they were shocked, and filmmakers said they were outraged. 'This is the first time I've seen something like this happen in Korea,' said Heo Eun-doh, SLIFF's general director and chief curator. 'A theater unilaterally canceling international human rights films—there's no question this was due to external pressure.' MEGABOX is one of Korea's largest theater chains, with more than 100 locations nationwide. According to the SLIFF organizers, they had provided all the materials to the Dongdaemun branch, had signed a contract, and had paid the full rental fee upon the approval that had been stamped by MEGABOX headquarters. Heo told The Epoch Times that his team had been monitoring ticket sales and had found that everything suddenly vanished. 'When we called, they told us, 'We don't support festivals with political nature,'' he said. Related Stories 5/30/2025 5/30/2025 Ticket sales for the festival began just the night before, on May 28, and some showings—including the May 31 screening of ' 'State Organs,' a 76-minute documentary produced by Peabody Award-winner Raymond Zhang, follows the perilous search of two families for their missing loved ones in China, according to the film's synopsis, revealing evidence of state-sanctioned forced organ harvesting, a practice unique to China that involves the killing of the organ donor. Zhang spent Zhang refuted the political allegations by the Megabox theater. 'This is not a political film—it addresses universal values such as humanity and human rights,' he said. 'I believe the sudden cancellation in Korea was driven by interference from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). When the film was screened in Taiwan, I received over a hundred threatening emails and messages and was targeted by pro-CCP cyberattacks. I didn't expect similar tactics to appear in South Korea.' Threats of mass shootings, bomb detonations, and systematic hacking were Other films affected by the last-minute cancellation include ' Despite the setback, Zhang emphasized his belief in South Korean society. 'I still believe Korea is a free and democratic country, and its citizens won't be swayed by this kind of pressure,' he said. 'Violation of Artistic and Expressive Freedom' SLIFF is the only film festival in South Korea dedicated to global human rights issues, according to Heo. He said that he and his team had spent a whole year preparing for the film festival, and described the last-minute cancellation as a devastating blow to the festival and a serious violation of free expression, attributing the cancellation to outside political pressure. 'This was not an internal decision. This was a forced shutdown—clearly influenced by external forces. It's a serious violation of artistic and expressive freedom,' Heo said. He said that what is happening now in South Korea is similar to what happened in Hong Kong in 2019, as depicted in 'Revolution of Our Times.' He said this documentary on Hong Kong's democracy movement serves as an example of why these films matter. 'No one has the right to strip away artistic or expressive freedom. And I believe the Korean public understands that. Think about it—a theater unilaterally labeling international human rights films as 'political' and pulling them while tickets are still on sale? There's no way this came from Koreans themselves,' he said. Heo pledged to keep fighting. 'We will not be silenced. We will not back down. We will stand firm, and in the end, we believe justice will prevail,' he said. 'If we remain silent in the face of this kind of censorship, we're not just giving up on art—we're giving up on democracy itself. This cannot be brushed aside. We will make sure the truth is known throughout South Korea and call on people to stand with us. That is our unwavering position.' The film festival organizers have managed to screen 'State Organs' for one listing in KBS Hall, Seoul, on May 30. The documentary has screened in the United States, Japan, and Taiwan, and is The Epoch Times reached out to the Megabox Dongdaemun branch, but the call was not answered. An Jing contributed to this report.
Black America Web
2 days ago
- Politics
- Black America Web
Missouri Supreme Court Reinstates Abortion Ban Despite Voters Repealing It
Source: ANGELA WEISS / Getty In the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade with the Dobbs decision, many states in the Deep South and Midwest wasted no time in implementing restrictive abortion bans. Missouri was one such state, with state legislators passing an abortion ban that effectively criminalized the practice in every circumstance save for a medical emergency. While Missouri voters rejected the abortion ban through a ballot measure last year, a ruling by the Missouri Supreme Court has reinstated the abortion ban statewide. NBC News reports the state Supreme Court found Judge Jerri Zhang used the wrong standards in her ruling that allowed abortions to continue in the state. Zhang's ruling stated that she was allowing abortions to continue as she believed that advocates would eventually prove successful in the case, either way. The state court ordered Zhang to vacate her prior ruling and utilize the standards they laid out in the ruling, which are centered around determining whether harm would result from allowing abortions to resume in the state. From NBC News: The state emphasized in its petition filed to the state Supreme Court in March that Planned Parenthood didn't sufficiently prove women were harmed without the temporary blocks on the broad swath of laws and regulations on abortion services and providers. On the contrary, the state said Zhang's decisions left abortion facilities 'functionally unregulated' and women with 'no guarantee of health and safety.' Among the regulations that had been placed on hold were ones setting cleanliness standards for abortion facilities and requiring physicians who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at certain types of hospitals located within 30 miles (48 kilometers) or 15 minutes of where an abortion is provided. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said in a statement that 'today's decision from the Missouri Supreme Court is a win for women and children and sends a clear message — abortion providers must comply with state law regarding basic safety and sanitation requirements.' Source: ANGELA WEISS / Getty Despite the majority of Missouri voters casting their ballots to enshrine abortion rights in the state's constitution, that has not stopped state Republicans from doing their damndest to ignore the will of the people. The focus on 'sanitary measures' seems to be less rooted in genuine concern and more a continuation of the ways state Republicans have tried to hyper-regulate abortion to make access more difficult. Even in the wake of the ballot measure, Republican legislators have introduced bills that would classify abortion pills as controlled substances and legislation that would treat abortion as homicide. They have even gone so far as to introduce another ballot measure that would reinstate the abortion ban with added exceptions for rape and incest. (which I'm sorry, but it's ACTUALLY INSANE that they didn't even have those to begin with.) The 'pro-life' moves by state legislatures nationwide have proven to be quite fatal. The infant mortality rate rose for the first time in 20 years after Roe v. Wade was repealed, and many of these abortion bans went into place. Like everything awful in America, the abortion bans have had disproportionate effects on Black women. In Missouri, Black women are 2.5 times more likely than white women to suffer fatal complications related to pregnancy. It's a similar story in Texas, which saw a 38% increase in deaths of Black mothers in the wake of the state's abortion ban. In fact, in every state with an abortion ban, Black women are statistically more likely to suffer fatal pregnancy-related complications than any other demographic. Numbers like those are why I can't stand the moral grandstanding of pro-lifers, as it's clear they're not pro-life. They just want to exert control over a woman's body. The politicians who talk a big game about the sanctity of life are the same ones who vote against free school lunches, stricter gun control, and expanded healthcare. The numbers show that these abortion bans have resulted in both higher infant and maternal mortality rates, yet I doubt that's going to do anything to change the minds of the legislators who impose these bans. That doesn't sound too pro-life to me. In fact, it sounds like quite the opposite. SEE ALSO: They Scared: Target, Walmart Warn Investors About Consumer Boycotts California Teen Spurs Outrage With Racist Promposal SEE ALSO Missouri Supreme Court Reinstates Abortion Ban Despite Voters Repealing It was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dreams cut short, Chinese students anxious and angry over ‘aggressive' US visa ban plans
Kiwi Zhang, a computer science student from China, was full of hope for his academic future in the United States – until his visa was revoked at the US border last week. The first-year PhD student at a university in central US had just presented his research at a conference in Asia. He was returning to the US after a brief visit home when his American dream was abruptly cut short. According to Zhang, he was detained at the border for 48 hours by US officials, who confiscated his phone and laptop, and searched his belongings. He said they questioned him about his ties to the Chinese Communist Party and meetings with friends while in China. At the end of the interrogation, Zhang said he was deported and barred from the US for five years, on suspicion of having shared his research with the Chinese government – an allegation he denies. He is now back in China and mulling his next steps. 'I never imagined this could happen to me,' said Zhang, who – like everyone CNN spoke to for this story – asked to use a pseudonym out of fear of retaliation. 'I didn't know things would get this extreme after Donald Trump returned to office. His administration is jeopardizing my academic future, and I feel powerless to defend my rights.' Now, many Chinese students studying in the US fear they could meet the same fate, after President Trump's administration vowed on Wednesday to 'aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.' The announcement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio was brief and vaguely worded, but it sent shock waves through China, triggering widespread confusion, anxiety and fear among current and prospective students and their families, as well as strong opposition from Beijing. Student chat groups lit up with messages of disbelief. Education consultants were flooded with panicked phone calls. Many students aired their frustration and anger on social media. At a regular news conference Thursday, China's foreign ministry accused the Trump administration of using ideology and national security as a 'pretext' for the 'politically motivated and discriminatory' move. Suddenly, hundreds of thousands of young Chinese minds, drawn by the prestige of a world-class education and the allure of the American dream, found themselves facing a stark reality: the future they had worked so hard for now hangs in the balance, held hostage by the whims of a US administration that increasingly views them – and their homeland – as a threat. 'What strikes me is how tiny individuals are in the tide of history – career plans can collapse overnight,' said Joyce, who received an offer from her dream school, Harvard, to pursue a master's degree in architecture. Her visa from her undergraduate program in the US is still valid for another year, but she did not dare to return to China for the summer, worrying that she might be denied reentry at the US border. 'I can't help wishing I'd grown up in a golden age of US-China relations,' she said. For decades, China's brightest minds have flocked to America, as their home country played catch-up with the world's leading superpower. Until last year, Chinese students made up the largest group of international students in the US, contributing significantly to the economy and helping America maintain its competitive edge in scientific research and technological innovation. But as strategic rivalry between the two nations intensifies, mistrust has deepened. Both sides have ramped up national security measures and grown more protective of their advanced technologies – particularly in sensitive sectors with military implications. During his first term in 2020, Trump introduced a ban that effectively denied US visas to graduates in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields from Chinese universities believed to be linked to the military. Within just three months, more than 1,000 Chinese nationals had their visas revoked, and the order remained in place under former President Joe Biden. It's unclear how quickly or widely the new revocations will be carried out. But the fear is palpable in CNN's interviews with Chinese students. Studying in a country that has long held itself up as a beacon of freedom, many were too afraid to speak openly under their real names – a fear all too familiar to those back in China. They include David Yang, whose heart sank when he saw Rubio's announcement. 'This is just too surreal,' said the second-year PhD student in theoretical chemistry at a top university in the Midwestern US. 'When the news broke, some classmates said they were working on their final assignments but completely lost the motivation to continue. I felt the same way,' he said. In recent weeks, Yang has found it nearly impossible to focus on his research, simulating how molecules interact with each other in the human body. Instead, he's been glued to the news, anxiously tracking Trump's escalating war on elite universities and international students, trying to gauge whether he might land in the crossfire. Last week, the Trump administration barred Harvard University from enrolling international students, accusing the prestigious institution of 'coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party,' among other allegations. Although a federal court has since blocked the move, the State Department soon followed with a diplomatic cable instructing US embassies and consulates worldwide to halt new student visa appointments. As Yang scrolled through the headlines, periods of anxiety would suddenly hit, and he found himself compulsively refreshing news sites over and over. 'I felt sad, lost and helpless. It's been incredibly stressful,' he said. 'The constant policy changes bring so much uncertainty into our lives. It really impacts productivity and, over time, takes a toll on your mental health – and for me, it already has.' Worried about his visa, Yang is planning on canceling his trip home this winter. His major could well fall under what Rubio called 'critical fields' and – like millions of Chinese students – he's a member of the Communist Youth League, a youth branch of the 99-million-strong Communist Party for those aged between 14 and 28. In China, most students are Youth League members by the time they finish high school, or have party members among family and friends – thanks to the party's ubiquity across government and business, as well as cultural and social sectors. 'The vast majority of people in China have some connection to the Communist Party – so this is essentially the same as condemning all Chinese students with a single stroke,' Yang said. Zhang, the student whose visa was revoked at the border, said US officials asked whether anyone in his family was a member of the Communist Party. He told them both of his parents were. They then questioned him about his own affiliation with the Communist Youth League, he said. 'I said I've never had any connection with them. The Communist Youth League charges us seven or eight yuan (about $1) a year, but there are no activities at all. But the officials said: 'You are lying.' I honestly didn't know what to say. I could only sit there, stunned,' Zhang said. Facing potential deportation in the middle of their hard-won education, some Chinese students are considering other options. Ella Liu, a math undergraduate at the University of Michigan, is visiting family in the southern city of Guangzhou before her summer research project in the US starts next month. 'Me and my parents are all praying that I won't be banned from entering the country in June,' she said. Liu was drawn to the US by its academic freedom and resources. But if the hardline visa policy continues, she might consider transferring to another university in Europe or Hong Kong. 'I am very determined to study mathematics and there are also many excellent math resources in other countries, such as in France,' she said. Like many Chinese students, Liu comes from a middle-class family. Her parents saved for years for her to attend college in the US, where tuition and living costs can run to more than $80,000 – much more than getting a degree in Europe or Asia. Some Chinese students are already looking elsewhere. In recent years, the number of Chinese students in the US has steadily declined from a peak in the 2019-2020 school year – a drop that coincides with the Covid-19 pandemic but also increasing friction between the two governments. Nelson Urena Jr., co-founder and director of college counseling at an education management firm in Shanghai, said that for years many Chinese families saw American universities as the 'gold standard' for college education. Since around 2018, however, he has noticed more interest from students and parents alike in universities in the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, as well as the semi-autonomous Chinese city of Hong Kong. 'A lot of families were concerned legitimately about their children's safety, and then also just the rhetoric of, you know, whether they're welcome in the US,' he said, citing issues such as gun violence and racist hostility or even violence against Asian people. 'More recently, I think people are starting to see the growing disconnect between the US and China, and feeling like maybe things are going to be more difficult for them – from getting the visa to making payments for tuitions.' Rubio's announcement Wednesday also vowed to 'revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications' from China, including Hong Kong. Since then, Urena has been inundated by phone calls from anxious students preparing to start their college education in the US. But he didn't have a ready response for them. 'It's just a lot of uncertainty right now. The students are trying to figure out what to do…The options are very limited at this point – Do they do a gap year? Do they go to university elsewhere? Do they have to go back to the application process?' he said. Nevertheless, for some Chinese parents, the allure of American higher education has not worn off. Arno Huang, a 56-year-old businessman from China's coastal Fujian province, still wants to send his kids to the US for graduate schools after they finish undergraduate studies in Hong Kong. 'The US represents one of the most civilized, developed, and open places for humanity. Although US-China relations are currently strained, smart people still recognize this fact,' said Huang. Having kids studying in the US gives a family 'face,' he said, using a common Chinese phrase to refer to good reputation or social standing. 'Once their child is in the US, they can proudly tell others, 'Look how successful my son is!'' Zichen Wang, a research fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, a non-government think tank in Beijing, lamented a seemingly bygone era, when Chinese officials, entrepreneurs and scientists alike were trained in the US – especially those who played key roles during China's reform and opening-up era that began in 1978. 'When they returned to China, they brought back not only professional knowledge and credentials, but also a deep respect and admiration for America as an open and inclusive society,' he said. 'I believe many Chinese people see what makes America great not merely as its economic or military strength, but its openness – its world-class universities, its confidence in the marketplace of ideas, and its ability to attract top global talent,' Wang added. 'That, at least in my view, is what many people around the world truly admire about the United States.'
