China targets 10 pct annual advertising growth through 2030

China aims to grow its advertising industry by an average of about 10 percent annually through 2030 under a five-year plan announced on Tuesday that calls for digital innovation and closer links with manufacturing, consumer businesses and agriculture.

The plan was issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation and six other government agencies. It calls for greater use of digital technology, stronger creative capabilities and more training, while seeking to help other industries reach customers and build brands.

Advertising revenue reported by public institutions and enterprises above a designated size reached 2.05 trillion yuan (about 307 billion U.S. dollars) in 2025, double the level in 2020, according to the market regulator. China has also established 30 national advertising industry parks and a number of provincial parks.

Hong Qunlian, director of the service industry research office at the National Development and Reform Commission's Institute of Industrial and Technological Economics, said advertising can support businesses well beyond placing commercials.

"When it comes to advertising, people often think of commercials on television or other media. However, advertising services can play a role at every stage of industrial upgrading. Under the plan's 'Advertising Plus' initiative, the industry can offer integrated services ranging from market analysis and brand positioning to creative planning and promotion across media. That helps companies identify demand and use promotion to turn their strengths in product quality and technology into brand value," Hong said.

The plan also calls for continued efforts to promote agricultural products, build rural brands and expand online sales.

"As I see it, one step is to direct more advertising resources to rural areas and use public-service ads to promote local specialty farm products. Another is to connect advertising with e-commerce to expand sales of agricultural products and increase farmers' incomes," Hong said.

Iran's Persian Gulf and Strait Authority (PGSA) announced on Monday that it had added 122 vessels to its non-compliance list for the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian media.

Citing a statement from the authority, Iranian media reported that action has been taken against more than 40 vessels. Nineteen vessels are currently in talks with the authority, seeking either to stay off the list or to be removed from it. Two vessels have agreed to fulfill the authority's terms and have been removed from the list. The authority noted that nearly 30 ships have received warnings. They will be placed on the blacklist if they fail to carry out necessary rectification measures. The PGSA said it will offer assistance to vessels that voluntarily address their violations.