China on Friday handed over the first batch of about 460 metric tons of rice, as part of nearly 2,000 metric tons of grain, to help Zambia tackle the impacts of the 2023/2024 drought, with three subsequent batches expected to arrive.
The handover ceremony, held at the offices of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) in the Zambian capital of Lusaka, was attended by Wang Sheng, minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Zambia, and Gabriel Pollen, national coordinator of the DMMU.
Wang said in his speech that the successful delivery of the first batch of rice aid underscores China's commitment to the longstanding friendship and all-dimensional cooperation with Zambia.
Wang further said China is dedicated to implementing the consensus reached by the two leaders last September and working with Zambia to promote the modernization of the two countries.
For his part, Pollen said China's generous donation is a testament to international solidarity and cooperation, with the timely contribution to alleviate the food insecurity of people affected by the drought, particularly in hard-hit areas.
"Zambia suffered the devastating effects of the 2023/2024 drought, but to see China come on board now with 1,870 metric tonnes of rice to help with the immediate food assistance the government is currently embarking upon is a reflection of the commitment I think that China shares with our government, to make sure that we deliver the food to where it is required," he said.
Zambia experienced a severe drought during the 2023/2024 rainy season due to extreme weather conditions caused by El Nino. The drought affected crop production in 84 of the country's 116 districts, leaving about six million people in need of food assistance.
China provides rice aid to help Zambia tackle drought-induced hunger
Smart innovations are driving the upgrade of China's manufacturing industry, said Nan Cunhui, chairman of Chinese smart energy solutions provider CHINT Group, on Saturday.
As a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, China's top political advisory body, Nan made the statement at a group interview on the sidelines of the ongoing 4th session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing, saying that CHINT Group's development over the past four decades is a good example of industrial transformation.
"The transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry cannot be achieved without technological innovation that integrates digitalization with intelligentization. Over the past more than 40 years of innovative growth, CHINT Group has evolved from a traditional electrical equipment manufacturer to a new energy solutions provider, and now to a comprehensive energy service provider. Each step of its transformation has been driven by technological innovation and digital integration which foster sustainable development," Nan said.
CHINT Group began its journey as a switch producer in 1984 and has gradually evolved into a major global smart energy solution provider. Today, the company integrates the entire industrial chain of power generation, storage, transmission, transformation, distribution and use.
From the extremely cold areas of Finland to the deserts of Saudi Arabia and the tropical rainforests of Ecuador, CHINT has expanded its footprints to over 100 countries and regions.
Since 2006, CHINT has ventured into the photovoltaic new energy field, quickly establishing international competitiveness in the development, design, investment, construction, operation and maintenance of photovoltaic power plants.
Nan said his company has been combining AI with the green energy industry and developing key technologies such as new-type energy storage.
"We keep making breakthroughs in key technologies such as virtual power plants, new-type energy storage and solid-state transformers, while steadily enhancing capabilities in intelligent manufacturing, green manufacturing, and service-oriented manufacturing. In our factories, the entire process, from order placement to product delivery, is driven by data and algorithms. This has reduced overall operating costs by 20 percent and increased efficiency by 50 percent," he said.
Nan said CHINT has shared its smart transformation with many small-sized companies in the country.
"In recent years, CHINT Group has leveraged AI and cloud platform technologies to develop industry-specific large models, leading supplier partners to carry out digitalized transformation, and promoting common growth of small, medium-sized and micro enterprises," he said.
China's fourth session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee opened on Wednesday and is scheduled to run through March 11.
Innovation drives transformation of manufacturing industry: CPPCC member
