China's bulk commodity price index continued its upward trend in November, marking the seventh straight month of month-on-month gains and outperforming the same period last year, according to the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP).
The index stood at 114.1 points in November, up 0.8 percent from October and 1.6 percent higher than the same month last year, according to data released by the CFLP on Friday.
Among the 50 major types of commodities monitored by the federation, 25 saw prices rise on a monthly basis.
The strongest gains were recorded in lithium carbonate, coke, and corrugated paper, up 15 percent, 7.2 percent and 7.1 percent, respectively.
By sector, the sub-index for non-ferrous metals prices went up 1.4 percent month on month, supported by the rapid growth of the global new energy industry and the steady expansion in China's high-tech manufacturing sector.
Energy and agricultural product prices rebounded month on month by 1.2 percent and 0.9 percent, respectively, driven by rising seasonal heating demand and tighter supplies of certain farm produce.
China's bulk commodity price index rises for 7 consecutive months
China's bulk commodity price index rises for 7 consecutive months
Amid the rubble and relentless hardship of the Gaza Strip, a young displaced musician refuses to let war silence his strings, playing every day to bring fleeting moments of joy to those around him.
Samih Al-Madhoon, a resilient young performer who is still only 18-years-old, has been left displaced at the Al-Shati Camp in Gaza, but his love for music burns strongly and gives him a sense of hope for the future, despite whatever challenges lie ahead.
The Israel-Hamas conflict saw him lose his home and most of the things he held dear in life, including having to leave behind his beloved musical instrument.
"I tried to stay consistent with my playing and my talent, and to stay continuing in this path, but unfortunately during this period of displacement I lost my oud. I lost my instrument, and I lost many things that belong to me in music. And I lost [the ability to play] musical notes," he said. However, when he finally returned to playing, holding his cherished oud in his hands once more, he said he cried at once again being able to express himself through music.
Al-Madhoon has continued his musical career with a sense of determination, persistence, and talent that belies the chaos he has witnessed all around him.
He said he wants to use his music to comfort his peers who are currently living in harsh conditions, and he is seen regularly performing to others as he looks to ease people's pain all around him.
"Through music, I deliver my voice and the voice of the people of Gaza Strip, and the people of Palestine in general, that we are people who love life and peace. During this period, during the war, I play to comfort them, to make them a little happier, and to change their mood," he said.
The young performer still hopes that he will be able to live a peaceful life and perhaps one day get the chance to pursue his musical dreams on bigger stages, instead of amid the ruins and rubble of the destroyed streets of Gaza.
"My wish is to live in safety and peace, build new houses for us, rebuild the home, rebuild my memories with music, return to learning music, and to be on big stages. And I hope that I can leave to complete my studies outside the Gaza Strip and become a maestro in music," he said.
Gaza musician bravely keeps on playing to deliver sounds of joy amid devastation
