Chinese authorities on Sunday unveiled a plan to support the growth of the non-ferrous metals industry, targeting an average annual growth of around five percent in the sector's value-added output from 2025 to 2026.
In 2025 and 2026, China expects the output of 10 major non-ferrous metals to grow by around 1.5 percent annually, according to the plan jointly issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and seven other government departments.
The plan also outlined tasks, including raising the annual output of recycled metals to over 20 million tonnes, providing more high-end products and improving the industry's green and low-carbon development.
To foster the industry's stable growth, the plan put forward measures such as seeking breakthroughs in developing ultra-purity metals and new advanced rare earth materials, and promoting the application of rare metals in emerging sectors like integrated circuits and artificial intelligence.
For recycled metals, China will support the establishment of resource recovery bases and strengthen the comprehensive utilization of scrap materials, including those from decommissioned batteries and photovoltaic modules.
China is also rolling out a series of stabilization measures targeting 10 key industries, namely, steel, non-ferrous metals, petrochemicals, chemicals, building materials, machinery, automobiles, power equipment, light industry and electronic information manufacturing, which are vital to maintaining stability in the industrial economy and the broader national economy.
China unveils plan to support growth of non-ferrous metals industry
Hong Kong's first astronaut lifted off into space on Sunday, sparking a wave of enthusiasm for space exploration in the special administrative region, while inspiring a new generation to look to the stars.
The Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 23:08 (Beijing Time) on Sunday. The crew members include Lai Ka-ying, the first astronaut and payload specialist from Hong Kong to join a national space mission, whose achievements have motivated many Hong Kong residents.
"I feel so happy and thrilled. This is the first time a Hong Kong astronaut has gone to space, and to see a true Hong Konger, who is also a mother of three, just really touches my heart," said Chow, a local resident.
The successful spaceflight of Lai has especially captivated the younger generation to dream bigger about the future.
"I want to be an astronaut, because I want to discover more things about space," said a young student surnamed Chow.
"I have seen things related to spaceflights of astronauts. I hope when I grow up, I could receive training and go to space myself," said another student surnamed Koo.
To meet public expectations, the Hong Kong Space Museum has updated its space-themed exhibition with the latest development of the Shenzhou-23 mission, extending the display until July 6. Parents are seizing the moment to enrich their children's knowledge.
"At his age, I want him to be exposed to a wide range of information. With all the recent astronaut news, I brought him here specially to see for himself. We will also check out a film about space knowledge at the planetarium. I hope he can get more out of this from an early age," said Cheung, a father.
"We just watched the Shenzhou-23 launch at home with my son last night, and decided to take him to the Space Museum," a mother surnamed Chun shared.
"I saw on TV that so many people were cheering for the launch. When the rocket was launched, fire burst out from its body. I was really happy they succeeded," said Chun's son.
Hong Kong's first astronaut ignites citywide enthusiasm over space exploration
