BEYOND Expo 2024 featuring cutting-edge technologies concludes in Macao

The fourth BEYOND International Technology Innovation Expo (BEYOND Expo 2024) came to a conclusion in China's Macao Special Administrative Region on Saturday.

The four-day event, organized by the Macao Technology General Association, showcased the latest advancements and trends in technological innovation across various sectors, attracting over 20,000 participants from across the world.

The sci-tech expo, with an exhibition area of nearly 100,000 square meters and almost 1,000 exhibitors, focused on three areas: consumer technology, life sciences, climate and low-carbon technology.

During the expo, activities such as startup competitions and thematic forums also took place, giving participating companies and entrepreneurs important platforms to display their technological advancements and expand their business.

Yan Qingxi, an exhibitor from China's leading AI company iFLYTEK, said, "This is the third time in a row that we’ve participated in the expo. We have brought some products related to large-scale (AI) models this time. Attending this expo helps advance the implementation of our AI (projects) in Macao and the (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao) Greater Bay Area."

"Participating in this expo allows us to connect with a variety of resources both locally and internationally. We've also learned more about the benefits for young entrepreneurs to start businesses in Macao and Hengqin (an economic cooperation zone in Guangdong Province near Macao) and the relevant supportive policies. This makes us more confident about launching projects in Macao and Hengqin," said another Chinese exhibitor Long Pinfu.

"It's a very good platform for startups to come and showcase their technologies and innovation. So, I think it brings all of them in one space. And there is a lot of amazing side panels and panels happening. So, you get a lot of insights on what is happening in different industries and different sectors," said an international exhibitor Mach at the expo.

BEYOND Expo 2024 featuring cutting-edge technologies concludes in Macao

China's consumer price index (CPI), a main gauge of inflation, was up 0.3 percent year on year in May, and it is expected to continue growing moderately in the future based on the price trend, according to officials on Monday.

At a press conference in Beijing, officials from the National Bureau of Statistics briefed the situation of CPI in May and gave the prediction over its trend in the future.

Liu Aihua, a spokeswoman of the National Bureau of Statistics, said that the consumer price in May had three characteristics.

First, it kept flat in the year-on-year increase.

"In May, CPI rose 0.3 percent from a year earlier, staying flat from the previous month. Of which, food prices fell by 2 percent year on year, with the decline 0.7 percentage points narrower than the previous month, while non-food prices increased 0.8 percent, 0.1 percentage points lower than April. Service price grow by 0.8 percent, the same as the previous month," said Liu.

Second, the consumer price showed a slight seasonal decline from the previous month. On a monthly basis, the CPI inched down 0.1 percent in May. The decrease was smaller than the 0.2-percent drop on average in the same period of the last 10 years.

Third, the core CPI rose moderately. In May, the core CPI apart from food and energy was up 0.6 percent year on year, keeping a moderate upward trend.

"Regarding the trend of CPI in the future, based on the current price trend of food, manufactured consumer goods and services, CPI will continue to rise moderately. For food, as a large number of seasonal fruits and vegetables being put on market, food price will remain at a seasonal low. In terms of manufactured consumer goods, its total supply is sufficient, which is conducive to the stability of prices. As for service, its price is expected to continue rebounding as demand for services further recovers," Liu said.

China's CPI expected to continue growing moderately in future: official