The 26th China Mining Conference and Exhibition opened in north China's Tianjin Municipality on Tuesday, with the goal of promoting international cooperation in the mining sector for win-win outcomes. The four-day event, themed "Promoting Mining Cooperation for a Better Future," is expected to attract nearly 400 exhibitors from over 30 countries and regions. Over 23 forums and 12 product and brand promotion sessions are set to be held during the event. After years' development, the event has become a platform for global mining industry to hold dialogs and seek investment and business opportunities.
"China is a major mining producer, importer, processor and consumer. This is determined by the country's economic structure, which features domestic trade foreign trade," said Che Changbo, Secretary of China Mining Association. The global mining industry is increasingly shifting its focus toward the new energy sector, with demand for key materials like bronze, lithium, nickel and cobalt expected to quadruple over the next 20 years.
"China has taken a leading role in solar energy development, which raises the bar for new energy storage batteries. We are now accelerating the development of new energy storage batteries and new energy vehicles, which will not only affect the vehicle industry, but more importantly, the future energy," said Che.
On Monday, reports on China's mineral resources and global mining development were released, which suggest that artificial intelligence, big data, satellite and remote sensing and the Internet of Things technologies could be applied into the mining industry to help conserve resources and achieve sustainability.
China's mining conference, exhibition opens in Tianjin
John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), on Tuesday welcomed the white paper "Hong Kong: Safeguarding China's National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems" released by the State Council Information Office.
Lee said in a statement that he will fully support and implement the content and requirements of the white paper.
The white paper detailed how the fight for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong is an unrelenting one. Lee said that since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the manipulation of anti-China agitators in Hong Kong and hostile external forces had long stalled legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR, creating destabilizing opportunities.
Today, while Hong Kong is making every effort to boost the economy, pursue development, undertake construction and improve people's livelihood, it must be remembered that national security risks still exist among us and can arise all of a sudden, he added.
The white paper stated that the central government has the fundamental responsibility for national security matters concerning Hong Kong. Lee expressed support and gratefulness for the central government's decisive act at a critical moment in Hong Kong, formulating the national security law in Hong Kong at the state level for the HKSAR's promulgation and implementation locally.
The national security law in Hong Kong ended the state of defenselessness regarding national security that had persisted for over two decades since Hong Kong's return, and ended the "black-clad violence" prevailing in Hong Kong at the time, Lee said, adding that the HKSAR government has been combating acts and activities endangering national security with full force and in accordance with the law, and as a result, order returned to the community.
The white paper illustrated the HKSAR's achievements in fulfilling its constitutional responsibility for safeguarding national security. Lee said that the national security law in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance function as an integral whole to build a solid shield for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, effectively protecting the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents in accordance with the law and providing a solid foundation for Hong Kong's security and development.
The white paper stated that Hong Kong is progressing from disorder to stability and prosperity. Lee said that under the auspices of the national security law in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, Hong Kong society is stable and prosperous, the normal lives and development of the people of Hong Kong are firmly guaranteed, and international rating agencies continue to give Hong Kong positive assessments.
The white paper laid down the practical requirements of creating high-standard security for the high-quality development of the "one country, two systems." Lee said that Hong Kong must work under the guidance of a holistic approach to national security, firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, safeguarding of national security throughout the entire process of the implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle.
Lee said that security is the prerequisite for development, and development is the guarantee of security. The HKSAR government will steadfastly safeguard national security and promote economic development and is committed to advancing the high-quality development of the cause of "one country, two systems" under the auspices of high-level security, and to achieving high-level security through high-quality development.
HKSAR chief executive welcomes white paper on Hong Kong's efforts in safeguarding national security
