UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday hailed the substantial conclusion of Version 3.0 ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (FTA) upgrade negotiations, saying that it will promote global free trade and economic growth.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) announced on Thursday at the sidelines of the 27th ASEAN – China Summit in Vientiane, Lao the substantial conclusion of ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 Upgrade Negotiations.
The construction of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area was completed in 2010, and Version 3.0 FTA negotiations began in November 2022.
The upgraded FTA covers nine areas, including both existing areas of the China-ASEAN free trade agreement and emerging areas with huge potential for cooperation between the two sides, much to the delight of Southeast Asian businesses.
In response to a media query, the UN chief said at a press conference that the United Nations welcomes the agreement that promotes global free trade.
"We are totally committed to first of all, guarantee that we have only one global economy with one only set of rules, one global internet, and that fragmentation must be avoided at all costs. So what brings people together within this global economy, all the agreements that are made in order to increase free trade, in order to create conditions for economic growth to be boosted. All these (China-ASEAN) agreements are from all these perspectives, all is welcome," Guterres said.
UN chief hails substantial conclusion of Version 3.0 China-ASEAN FTA upgrade negotiations
UN chief hails substantial conclusion of Version 3.0 China-ASEAN FTA upgrade negotiations
UN chief hails substantial conclusion of Version 3.0 China-ASEAN FTA upgrade negotiations
Leaders In Future Tech+ (LIFT+), a large-scale documentary program focused on youth sci-tech innovation, made for integrated-media, was officially aired on Oct 3 by China Media Group (CMG).
Starting Oct 3, the program is set to air every Saturday at 17:30 on CMG's CCTV-4 channel and be simultaneously presented across its Yangshipin new media matrix.
The program, jointly produced by China Media Group, the Ministry of Education, and the municipal government of Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, brings together resources from industry, academia, research, and investment sectors to make a comprehensive showcase of the thriving ecosystem and dynamic growth of China's youth-led sci-tech innovation.
Since its launch, LIFT+ has held 15 preliminary rounds spanning 10 cities across China. Following a rigorous selection process involving nearly 500 registered enterprises and innovation teams, 100 groups of young innovators -- with an average age of 28 -- gathered in Nanjing to embark on a journey of growth, bridging technology with capital and connecting creative ideas with industry.
The premiere episode of the program uses a documentary-style perspective to chronicle the journeys of 22 teams of young innovators who unanimously passed the preliminary selection. A panel of "Youth Innovation Ambassadors" -- comprising over a dozen academicians, industry experts, and heads of leading investment firms -- is set up to help the young innovators take the center stage.
LIFT+ has demonstrated significant effectiveness in empowering the industry. Through multiple rounds of selection and a series of implementation-focused events, the program has secured investment intentions totaling over 485 million yuan (nearly 72.5 million US dollars) across 34 participating sci-tech enterprises. Furthermore, its collaboration with the city of Nanjing has led to 31 businesses setting up shop there.
CMG airs documentary program on youth sci-tech innovation
