A scorching heat wave hit most parts of Bangladesh last month, with the country experiencing its hottest April on record, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department said on May 1.
According to the meteorological department, this year the heat wave covered around 80 percent of the country, and such an unbroken and expansive heat wave has never been seen before.
Since April, temperatures in Bangladesh have shot up nationwide, with daytime highs surpassing 40 degrees Celsius in most areas over the past two weeks. Due to the stifling heat, the country's education ministry has closed schools nationwide for two weeks starting from April 20, resulting in an estimated 32 million students staying at home to attend online classes.
"It's disgustingly hot in this temperature because we have never experienced this type of weather beforehand. In this situation, we should avoid the time period from 12 a.m. to 3 p.m., because that's the time when it's mostly hot," said a Bangladeshi student Suhama.
April typically sees the highest temperatures of the year in the country, with temperatures rising continuously in recent years, the meteorological department said. This year, the April heat wave has been longer and hotter than in the past 59 years, due to global warming and climate change. Currently, the heat wave has shown no sign of easing.
Heatwave persists in Bangladesh as April temperatures hit record high
Heatwave persists in Bangladesh as April temperatures hit record high
The popularity of China's new energy products in the global market stems from their trailblazing innovation and market adaptation in catering to the consumer needs, rather than driven by government subsidies, which embodies the market principle of survival of the fittest, said He Yadong, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, on Thursday.
Chinese companies have been assiduous in research and development in the new energy sector more than two decades. Through fierce market competition, they have formed unique advantages, He told a regular press conference, nothing that China's new energy market is fully competitive, which results in the "survival of the fittest" and the continuous emergence of high-quality enterprises and products.
With regard to industrial subsidy policies, the spokesperson said such practices originated from the West, and are widely adopted by countries all over the world.
China's industrial subsidy policies abide by the WTO rules and adhere to the principles of fairness, transparency and non-discrimination, he continued, adding that all enterprises operating in China can enjoy the same benefits.
"By contrast, the United States and Europe have significantly hiked subsidies in recent years, applying massive exclusive and discriminatory practices, and set up numerous obstacles to block Chinese products from entering relevant markets. These are typical protectionist practices in breach of the basic principles of the WTO," the spokesperson said.
He also said that China's new energy products are a contribution, rather than a threat to the world," adding that the country's high-quality new energy products have enriched the global supply, promoted the green and low-carbon process, and helped achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
It is estimated that each new energy vehicle cuts carbon emissions by around 1.66 tonnes per year. China exported 1.2 million new energy vehicles in 2023, which will help reduce carbon emissions by about two million tonnes annually.
The development of China's new energy industry has promoted the widespread application and industrialization of green, digital, artificial intelligence and other technologies, and spawned new technologies, adding new momentum of growth to the global economy.
Popularity of China's new energy products stems from trailblazing innovation, market adaptation: spokesperson
