Blackstone and CPP Investments agree Abn AirTrunk acquisition | FinanceAsia

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Blackstone Real Estate Partners, Blackstone Infrastructure Partners, Blackstone Tactical Opportunities, and Blackstone’s private equity strategy for individual investors, along with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board ( CPP Investments ), have agreed to acquire AirTrunk, an Asia Pacific ( Apac ) data center firm, in a deal worth around A$ 24 billion ($ 16 billion ).

The sum includes both capital expenditures for devoted projects and debt. &nbsp,

The sellers are Macquarie Asset Management ( MAM ), Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investment Board ( PSP Investments ) and other investors. In April 2020, a MAM consortium purchased an 88 % stake in AirTrunk for about A$ 3 billion. &nbsp,

While a spokeswoman for Blackstone told&nbsp, FinanceAsia it is not providing&nbsp, a malfunction of the collateral percent, CPP Investments said in a company statement that it would be acquiring 12 % of AirTrunk. CPP Investments said it has info center joint ventures and opportunities in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore, in addition to the US.

The package, if completed, may be Blackstone’s largest expense in Apac. The Australian Foreign Investment Review Board has approved the exchange.

AirTrunk is the largest information centre program in Apac, with a reputation across Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. According to a statement from Blackstone, it has more than 800 megawatts ( MW) of customer commitments and is the owner of land that can support over 1GW of regional growth. AirTrunk agreed a record sustainability-linked loan ( SLL ) of A$ 4.6 billion last year. &nbsp,

Jon Gray, president and chief operating officer of Blackstone, said:” AirTrunk is another important step as Blackstone seeks to be the top digital infrastructure investment in the world across the ecology, including data centers, strength and associated services” .&nbsp,

” Digital system is experiencing unprecedented demand driven by the Artificial revolution as well as the broader digitization of the business,” said Nadeem Meghji, world co-head of Blackstone Real Estate.

They added:” Prior to AirTrunk, Blackstone’s portfolio consisted of$ 55 billion of data centers including facilities under construction, along with over$ 70 billion in prospective pipeline development. To more accede to its progress, we look forward to working with the top management team at AirTrunk.

As we get the next wave of progress from cloud providers and AI and support the energy transition in Apac, Robin Khuda, chairman and chief executive officer of AirTrunk, stated:” This deal shows the strength of the AirTrunk system in a strong performing business.”

We look forward to working with Blackstone and CPP Investments, gaining from their size money, industry experience, and extensive network across the various local markets, which will help assist AirTrunk’s expansion, Khuda continued.

This investment marks yet another milestone in our broader data center approach, according to Max Biagosch, top managing director, global head of Real Property, and nose of Europe for CPP Investments, in a speech from CPP Investments. Our infrastructure and real estate teams seamlessly collaborated to underwrite this investment, which is a great example of close collaboration across the fund.

According to a statement from Blackstone, approximately$ 1 trillion in US capital expenditures will be expected over the next five years to be made to build and facilitate new data centers, and another$ 1 trillion in US capital expenditures will be made, according to a statement from the company. &nbsp,

Blackstone has invested in both the debt and equity of other data center companies, including&nbsp, QTS, Coreweave and Digital Realty. &nbsp,

The Hanam Data Center was acquired by Macquarie Asset Management via Macquarie Korea Infrastructure Fund earlier this year in the Greater Seoul Area of South Korea. The sale price was KRW734 billion ($ 530 million ), however, including the transaction cost and additional capital required to complete the remaining mechanical, electrical and plumbing works at Hanam IDC, the total sale size was KRW918 billion.

¬ Haymarket Media Limited. All rights reserved.

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Terahertz chips are key to the future of 6G – Asia Times

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Envision a future where online relationships are not only lightning-fast but even wonderfully credible, even in crowded places.

This perception is fast approaching truth, thanks to new study on thz communications technologies. These advancements are expected to change cellular communication, especially as 6G becomes the next wave of sites.

I’m an expert who specializes in studying photonics, the production and detection of light and various electromagnetic waves. My coworkers and I have created a silicon geometrical beamformer device for this study.

The silicon’s geometric and beamformer terms, respectively, refer to the physical characteristics that help the device convert thz waves into directed beams.

For 6G, which telecommunication companies intend to introduce around 2030, optoelectronic frequencies are important. Current mobile networks ‘ radio frequency band is becoming more and more congested.

The somewhat vacant part of the electromagnetic spectrum between radiation and infrared can be used as a solution by terahertz waves. These higher wavelengths are capable of storing a lot of information, making them ideal for the data-intensive uses of the future.

beams shoot out from a chip with angled circuits
Ultrafast thz columns are spread around an experimental device represented in this instance. Image: Wenhao Wang, Guillaume Ducournau, and Ranjan Singh via The Talk

Our device divides a thz signal from a single source into 54 smaller signs, which are then guided through 184 little streams with 134 sharp goes. Each beam may transmit and receive data at speeds of 40 to 72 gigabits per second, many times stronger than yesterday’s 5G network.

We created a particular micro honeycomb pattern to create roads for the photonic waves using artificial intelligence. The range of channels produces powerful, focused beams that span the chip’s whole 360 degrees.

This enables a telephone or other mobile device to obtain the high-speed signal anywhere near a Wi-Fi modem or other communication device using the chip. We created four production beams from a streaming HD video’s input signal, which was then used to demonstrate the device.

Beamformers in cellular network

In 4G and 5G networks, lower-frequency signs have a shorter range than lower-frequency ones. Transverse high-frequency signals are perfectly directed by transistor beamformers to assure they reach their intended destination without loss or degradation.

Beamformers are crucial to the upcoming cellular communication technology. Unlike conventional antennas that broadcast indicators blindly, beamformers focus signals in certain directions, boosting both performance and reliability. Our technology makes sure those beams have protection in all directions.

This focused strategy not only extends the transmitter variety but also improves its excellent, yet over long lengths. As the earth adds billions of connected devices, beamformers are likely to be essential for managing steady connections by reducing intervention.

A potential with thz beamforming

Terahertz beamforming cards have a significant impact on daily living. For instance, these chips may help immersive virtual and augmented reality experiences without any slowdown or allow for a 4K ultrahigh definition movie to be downloaded in as few seconds as it did with today’s Wi-Fi, as opposed to 11 minutes.

Beyond amusement, they could create real-time lenticular communication a fact, where people appear as vivid holograms. Smart cities could use this technology to effortlessly organize emergency responses and transportation systems, and hospitals could benefit from distant surgeries where doctors may use mechanical devices from afar to manage their care.

By overcoming the difficulties of high-frequency message transmission, the optoelectronic beamforming device represents a major step forward on the path to faster, more reliable wireless connection.

Ranjan Singh is professor of electronic executive, University of Notre Dame

This content was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original post.

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Blackstone and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board agree bn AirTrunk deal | FinanceAsia

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Blackstone Real Estate Partners, Blackstone Infrastructure Partners, Blackstone Tactical Opportunities, and Blackstone’s private equity strategy for individual investors, along with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, have agreed to acquire AirTrunk, an Asia Pacific ( Apac ) data center firm, in a deal worth around A$ 24 billion ($ 16 billion ).

The sellers are Macquarie Asset Management ( MAM ) and Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investment Board ( CPP Investments ). MAM bought a 88 % stake in AirTrunk in April 2020 for a valuation of around A$ 3 billion. &nbsp,

A spokeswoman for Blackstone told&nbsp, FinanceAsia it is not providing&nbsp, a collapse of the equity ratios. The AirTrunk will remain 12 % owned by CPP Investments, according to the statement. CPP Investments said it has information center joint ventures and assets in major centers in Apac, including Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore, and the US.

The package, if completed, may be Blackstone’s largest expense in Apac. The Australian Foreign Investment Review Board has approved the deal.

AirTrunk is the largest information centre program in Apac, with a reputation across Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. It owns property that will allow for over 1GW of regional development and has more than 800MW of customer commitments.

This is Blackstone at its best, according to Jon Gray, president and CEO of Blackstone.” We are using our international platform to capitalize on our highest faith design. Another significant development comes as Blackstone strives to be the world’s largest buyer in modern infrastructure, including power, data centers, and related services.

” Digital system is experiencing unprecedented demand driven by the Artificial revolution as well as the broader digitization of the business,” said Nadeem Meghji, world co-head of Blackstone Real Estate.

They added:” Prior to AirTrunk, Blackstone’s portfolio consisted of$ 55 billion of data centers including facilities under construction, along with over$ 70 billion in prospective pipeline development. To further accede to AirTrunk’s progress, we look forward to working with its top-notch management team.

The deal, according to Robin Khuda, founder and CEO of AirTrunk, demonstrates the strength of the AirTrunk program in a strong-performing field as we prepare for the upcoming wave of development from cloud services and AI and aid the transition to energy in Apac.

We look forward to working with Blackstone and CPP Investments, gaining from their size money, industry experience, and extensive network across the various local markets, Khuda continued,” We look forward to working with them.”

In a statement from CPP, senior managing director, global head of Real Property, and head of Europe, Max Biagosch, stated:” This investment adds another step to our broader data center plan, further expanding our footprints in the region for the benefit of CPP donors and beneficiaries. It is also a fantastic illustration of close collaboration between the fund’s infrastructure and actual estate teams working smoothly up to underwrite this investment.

According to a speech from Blackstone, approximately$ 1 trillion in US capital expenditures will be expected over the next five years to be made to build and promote new data centers, and another$ 1 trillion in US funds expenditures will be made, according to a declaration from the company. &nbsp,

Blackstone has invested in the debt and equity of several other data centre firms, including Coreweave and Digital Realty, the fastest-growing data center company in the world, and QTS. &nbsp,

¬ Capitol Media Limited. All rights reserved.

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China’s Belt and Road hasn’t fast-tracked Africa’s cities – Asia Times

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American officials have grown significantly drawn to Chinese investment and borrowing over the past 20 years.

These opportunities are made quickly and apparently with less restrictive requirements than traditional funding sources. Some even suggest that China’s strategy aligns more strongly with American interests.

This attitude was summarized by the past president of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade, in 2008:

China’s response to our needs is just better adapted than the sluggish, if occasionally patronizing post-colonial strategy of Western investors, donor organizations, and non-governmental organizations… China has assisted African countries in constructing infrastructure projects in record time.

African leaders attending this year’s 8th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing will, no doubt, want to get more Foreign finance and investment. Every three years, the platform, which serves as the cooperation mechanism between the American nations and China, takes place. It aims to promote politics, business, protection and purchase relations between China and Africa.

Beijing has given American nations more than US$ 170 billion in provides and loans since the summit’s annual meeting in 2000. This has included bridges, ports and industrial road.

These opportunities have, among other things, begun to actively shape the nation’s cities. And the investment that African leaders want for the future is even more urgently required to make American cities more successful, livable, and sustainable.

Discussions at the annual Africa Urban Forum in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia’s cash, are centered on the issues facing towns. This event’s goal is to influence and promote diverse people settlement development.

Although possible coincidental, the juxtaposition of these events serves as a reminder that American cities need the investment Beijing seeks.

As an urban economist with a focus on funding public infrastructure and services, I’m interested in understanding why Africa has n’t benefited from Chinese investments and how to reverse this trend in my comparison of Africa’s and China’s urbanization experiences.

The power of equipment

China has influenced Africa’s industrialisation through the Belt and Road Initiative. This system project, which was launched in 2013, aims to establish a system of trade and economic links connecting China and the rest of the world.

As of December 2023, 44 of 54 African nations had signed on to the Belt and Road Initiative. According to estimates, China has contributed 2.5 times more to the development of African network through this program than the West has combined.

Significant multiple consequences can be had by investing in infrastructure on economic growth and development. In the short term, it generates demand for goods and services, particularly in design.

Over the long term, if well-planned and executed, it may increase economic growth and development. This is especially true when it comes to purchases in urban equipment. Cities are known for facilitating the exchange of input between businesses and local organizations, as well as the promotion of domestic and export areas.

China’s experience at home has shown how this can be done. China built the most substantial high-speed rail network in the world in less than ten years, for prices that are up to a second lower than those in other nations.

And between 1980 and 2000, China constructed over 184 fresh ships, some in cooperation with foreign firms, to ease the export of goods it was producing in its expanding market.

China’s change from a generally economic market to the second-largest economy in the world has been aided by these huge infrastructure investments. This move through urbanization and industrialization, in move, has helped China raise more than 800 million people out of poverty since 1978.

What has n’t worked

American nations have yet to fully realize the potential advantages of China’s system investments for urbanization. Some of the Belt and Road Initiative’s most expensive purchases are still unconnected and could turn into” white animals.”

These include Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway. To fund it, the Kenyan authorities took on higher levels of debt. However, the route’s business practicality depends on whether or not it expands to Rwanda and Uganda.

In Uganda, another instance is the road between Entebbe aircraft and Kampala, the capital city. The Chinese built it, and it was funded. One of the most expensive streets per mile in the world is the program’s rising costs, which has resulted in its cost-per-kilometer record. If the road does n’t draw much more traffic and generate enough toll revenue, repaying the Chinese loans will be difficult.

The other problem with some Chinese-financed projects refers to long-term preparing.

Addis Ababa’s industrial light road, for instance, was constructed for$ 470 million and began operating in 2015. The Ethiopian state is now struggling to maintain the program because it has overestimated the costs of operation and maintenance.

The light rail, which is transporting a fraction of the people compared to initial forecasts, requires an estimated$ 60 million in maintenance.

Funding

Due to the lack of transparency with China’s banking, critics have labeled these kinds of projects as “debt-trap diplomacy.” In essence, they assert that China is purposefully providing loans to American nations with terms that are challenging to recover, making borrowers obligated to turn over their assets in default.

However, there are three things to consider. Second, business loans from Western organizations or multilateral organizations also account for the majority of lending to many African nations.

Next, China is concerned about the viability of its debt and the payments of its loans. For this reason, its financing to African countries in terms of the Belt and Road Initiative dropped by 55 % between 2021 and 2022 from$ 16.5 billion to$ 7.5 billion.

Eventually, this narrative disregards the influence of American leaders in approving and negotiating Chinese financing deals.

Governments and president ratify these loans and approve them by American ministers. Hence, African leaders are held accountable for making wise investment choices on the part of citizens whose income will need to be used to pay off.

China’s knowledge

It is now crucial to assess what has been effective and identify areas for improvement with the over 20 years of Chinese investment in Africa’s rapidly urbanizing and possible much more to come.

China possesses reputable knowledge in urbanization. It has new experience guiding an industrial change similar to the one taking place in Africa right now. This change occurred in addition to a decline in poverty and economic change.

So it has a role in shaping American industrialization, benefiting both sides. But it’s up to American leaders to champion their interests.

Astrid R N Haas is alternative doctor, University of Toronto

This content was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original post.

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China’s new global charm offensive: vocational training for the world, but is there a catch?

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Some Chinese-funded programs, similar to the character of GIPU’s Qinggong sessions in Singapore, have been introduced in recent years. &nbsp,

These include the” Chinese Workshop” backed by the Chinese Education Ministry’s Center for Language Education and Cooperation,” Modern Craftsman College” led by Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and” Dayu College” run by Yellow River Conservancy Technical Institute. &nbsp,

The Guangxi authorities announced in February that it had secured state aid to build 17″ Modern Craftsman Colleges” throughout Southeast Asia to illustrate the pace of expansion. To day, at least six of these universities are now operating in places such as Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

The aim is to teach “technical experts who are well-versed in Chinese technology, understand Chinese design and are familiar with Taiwanese products”, wrote Mr Peng Binbai, chairman of the Chinese Education Ministry’s Department of Vocational and Adult Education, in a Jul 15 content published in a magazine dedicated to China’s international learning market.

Mr. Peng praised the expansion of China’s foreign education industry, highlighting the advantages of expanding vocational training programs abroad, and expressing strong support for the establishment of more of these initiatives. &nbsp,

Vocational education is essential for national development as Taiwanese companies expand their international reputation and take part in building worldwide capacities. By creating a training system that combines useful skills with educational credentials, it should meet the specific skills requirements of these businesses, he wrote. &nbsp,

He also noted that China was “rapidly advancing” and Luban sessions had a” important position” to sing in countering American influence and destruction.

” With the rise of the East and the decline of the West becoming notable trends … ( Such schemes ) play a crucial role in countering Western containment, it ( also ) supports China’s educational ambitions and aids the advancement of national diplomacy, while facilitating the global expansion of Chinese enterprises”, he said.

GOODWILL EFFORT And CHARM OFFENSIVE? &nbsp,

Criticism has been poured at Beijing’s efforts to expand its technical programs abroad, which have raised concerns about government freedom and financial transparency. &nbsp,

Similar things can be drawn between Confucius Institutes and Confucius Institutes, which were severely depressed in the US in 2019 due to their charges that they were Chinese advertising resources. Since 2004, these schools have promoted Chinese language and culture abroad through school partnerships, operating in Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America.

Although China continues to view them as systems for cultural exchange, issues about Chinese state control and safety issues have caused their closing in the US, Canada, and Europe.

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Line-towed barges allowed to move to and from Pasir Panjang Terminal at night to boost port efficiency

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Starting on Wednesday ( Sep 4), line-towed container ships will be able to travel to and from Pasir Panjang Terminal at night as part of efforts to increase terminal performance. &nbsp,

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore ( MPA ) stated in a media release on Wednesday that this was previously only permitted at Brani and Keppel Terminals, where the navigational traffic is less complicated. &nbsp,

Following the four-month prosecution of the new measure with six boat operators, MPA and PSA Singapore completed the new rule. &nbsp,

Between 7pm and 6:30am, boats will be able to carry vessels in and out of the Port of Singapore and nearby ports, including those for transhipment.

On average, each line-towed boat you have the equivalent of 300 standard shipping vessels. &nbsp,

” By enabling more containers to be delivered on barges throughout the day at Pasir Panjang Terminal, this measure will improve connectivity with regional ports, ( and ) enhance port efficiency”, said MPA. &nbsp,

Additionally, it said, it may shorten the amount of time box and feed vessels spend at seat and the require for pots to be transported between land terminals. &nbsp,

The initiative is a part of MPA’s continued attempts to evaluate its rules and regulations to lower company costs, time to run, and improve resource efficiency while ensuring security. &nbsp,

CNA originally reported in May that shipping disruptions in Singapore had more than doubled. In order to make more timely sales, some local businesses afterwards learned in July that some local businesses were switching from ocean to air transport. &nbsp,

In response to a parliamentary inquiry in July on the sufficiency of Singapore’s waterways to control severe goods congestion, Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat claimed that the Red Sea crisis had increased” the needs and difficulty” of container management at Singapore’s slot.

In consequence, box warships were staying in the slot long, which shortened the time for receiving vessels and created congestion at the berths, he added. &nbsp,

The Port of Singapore handled an estimated 23.82 million common shipping containers, according to MPA, in the first seven months of 2024.

Container levels increased by 6.1 % over the same period last year, it added. &nbsp,

According to MPA, the average wait time for pot seats at ports was shortened to less than one evening in July. &nbsp,

These enhancements are attributable to MPA and PSA, it continued, citing the recurrence of garden spaces and berths at Keppel Terminal as illustrations.

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China threatens retaliation against Dutch, Japanese – Asia Times

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Chinese state media and leaders have threatened to fight against the Netherlands and Japan, urging them to reject Washington’s calls to impose stronger controls on Chinese device exports.

Beijing may get matching countermeasures, such as “imposing trade restrictions or looking for alternative suppliers, and reevaluating its assistance with the Netherlands in more international areas,” according to The Global Times, a spokesperson for the Chinese Communist Party.

The remarks come after Bloomberg reported on August 29 that Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof will likely not maintain some ASML licenses that will be used and sold in China when they expire at the end of the year. &nbsp,

Citing individuals familiar with the matter, the statement said the French government’s decision, which may include ASML’s top-of-the-line DUV printing machines, comes after some pressure from the United States. &nbsp,

The Biden administration reportedly considered using the FDPR to enjoin China from exporting products made of US-produced technology. &nbsp,

” We are in talks, good talks, and we are also watching out very specifically for the economic interests of ASML,” Schoof told Reuters on August 30.” Those needs to be weighed against other risks and the economic interests are extremely important,” Schoof said. &nbsp,

” ASML is for the Netherlands an extremely important, innovative industry that should not suffer under any circumstances, because that would damage ASML’s global position”, he said.

Not just the Netherlands, which is a supplier country, is under increased pressure. According to another Bloomberg report from Monday, some senior Chinese officials threatened to sue Japanese companies if Tokyo tightened its chip export controls.

According to the report, Toyota Motor’s executives privately expressed concern that Beijing would restrict its access to crucial minerals that are essential for automotive production. The US has so far refrained from using the FDPR against its allies, it added, saying it would prefer to reach a diplomatic solution with them. &nbsp,

Coverage of the curbs

From January 1 this year, the Dutch government stopped granting licenses for the shipment to China of ASML’s most advanced DUV immersion lithography systems ( NXT: 2000i, NXT: 2050i and NXT: 2100i and subsequent systems ). &nbsp,

However, ASML is still required to provide these Chinese chip makers with maintenance services and parts while Chinese chip makers can still purchase these devices from outsider nations. &nbsp,

By the end of August, the Biden administration would expand the coverage of its FDPR, which was first implemented in 1959 and controlled the trading of US technologies. &nbsp,

They claimed that Washington might use the FDPR to stop China from obtaining high-end high-bandwidth memory ( HBM ) chips made in South Korea and chip-making equipment made in the Netherlands and Japan via countries like Israel, Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan. As of now, the US has not yet announced these curbs.

Washington has been pressing the Dutch government to impose a cap on the amount of maintenance services that ASML offers Chinese clients since last year. Less than five advanced DUV lithography machines are likely to be targeted by the curb. &nbsp,

The impact of the ban on China’s chip industry will be significant, according to Chinese state media and commentators, because the affected machines are essential for producing 7-nanometer chips. &nbsp,

” If ASML stops providing maintenance services and parts to China, some DUV lithography machines may have to stop working from next year”, Jiefu, a Chongqing-based IT columnist, says in an article published on Monday. ” Those producing high-end chips with multiple exposures will break down first”

He claims that it will be a lose-lose situation for both ASML and the Chinese semiconductor industry.

In an opinion piece published on September 1st, the Global Times stated that” This is a strategic move by Washington to further antagonize China and stop its development.” ” It will exacerbate the widening rift in China-US and China-Netherlands relations, increasing global geopolitical instability”.

The article further stated that Amsterdam is currently weighing the economic benefits of ASML’s decision to impose export restrictions on China. It claimed that attempts to strike a balance show that the US’s containment strategy toward China has come to its limits. &nbsp, &nbsp,

Former Taiwanese ambassador to New Zealand Dale Jieh Wen-chieh claims in a TV program in Taiwan that the US can ask Germany to halt the exports of Zeiss lenses to the Netherlands and that the US can force ASML to stop fixing high-end DUV lithography in China because it owns the ultraviolet technology ASML requires. &nbsp,

In the upcoming years, Jieh says it’s unlikely that the Shanghai-based Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp ( SMIC ), which reportedly produces 7nm chips for Huawei Technologies using multiple exposures, will be able to circumvent US restrictions. &nbsp,

However, a Hunan-based commentator says that Russians should not be overly worried because Chinese chip makers will eventually discover how to repair expensive DUV lithography, just as Russia can still purchase US chips through various unofficial channels. &nbsp,

Read: China’s Nvidia ‘ collapsing in a heated funding dispute

Follow Jeff Pao on X: &nbsp, @jeffpao3

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‘Packed like sardines’: Some Golden Mile Tower tenants concerned about parking situation on upper floors after fire

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Automobiles” PACKED LIKE SARDINES”

LHN Group, which operates and owns the Golden Mile Tower car garden through its conglomerate LHN Parking, confirmed to CNA that it is working with the authorities to find the cause of the fire. &nbsp,

The business apologized for the pain the consumer caused by the company saying it was unable to provide more information as investigations are in progress. &nbsp,

The team acknowledges common concerns and may work closely with the appropriate events and authorities to resolve any issues and to take additional safety measures where necessary.

It did not respond to inquiries about the greatest number of cars allowed on each floor and the way the vehicles were parked in accordance with its rules. &nbsp,

Since 2018, several vehicles appeared to be permanently parked on degrees four, five, and six, according to Joseph ( not his real name ), who owns two models in Golden Mile Tower. &nbsp,

” The entire floor is full of cars. If you count, it’s about 100 to 150 vehicles”, he said, adding that they were mostly novel and unregulated cars. &nbsp,

On these surfaces, Joseph noted that there are more cars than there are parking spaces for them, and that other guests or tenants are unable to enter or leave without passing through these lots. &nbsp,

He was concerned that the building’s architectural integrity would be impacted by the weight on the third, fifth, and sixth flooring, which were constructed in the 1970s. Joseph continued,” Joseph, I frequently could n’t find available car park lots despite paying for season parking.”

With the vehicles parked so tightly together, it could also be a fire hazard, he told CNA. &nbsp,

Joseph claimed that OneService helped him and another residents report concerns about the vehicles, which were “packed like fish” to the government in 2018. &nbsp,

The Municipal Services Office advised them to get in touch with Golden Mile Tower’s control in order to resolve the issue in the reaction seen by CNA. &nbsp,

” We also did n’t follow up because there’s nothing we can do, since it’s privately owned”, Joseph said. &nbsp,

Because they usually take the train to work every time, Rachel ( not her real name ), who works in one of the stores in Golden Mile Tower, told CNA.

They were shocked to see pictures of the vehicles parked close to each other on the fifth floor after the fire started. &nbsp,

The majority of visitors would playground on the second or third floor, according to Rachel, who knew that the third to seventh floors were primarily occupied by vehicles owned by car leasing or dealership companies. &nbsp,

But often, these unregistered vehicles also occupy the second floor and users may raise the issue, she added. &nbsp,

” With regards to health, everybody will be concerned today. But since it’s under the car park control, there’s little we can really do”, she said. &nbsp,

” Hopefully, this will be a reminder to them that they need to be a bit more careful” .&nbsp,

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China launches probe into goji berry contamination after claims of chemical use

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In the same vein, vendors in Gansu Province discovered calcium metabisulfite-soaked cleaned goji berries to keep the fruit’s vibrant red color. &nbsp,

In addition, the CCTV report revealed that some retailers were using dangerous business sulphur, which contains a lot of arsenic, to preserve the bright red color of the berries in bad weather. &nbsp,

In 2023, China exported almost 12, 000 kilograms of the grain, with Vietnam and Hong Kong among the top sites, according to a South China Morning Post record. &nbsp,

China has recently experienced its subsequent food security controversy in recent months. After it was reported that ship trucks were used to carry cooking oil and toxins without being cleaned between load, in order to save money, a scandal broke out in July. Two vehicles were detained, and three businesses were fined as a result of it igniting a lot in China. &nbsp,

A special task force was established to research the goji berry pollution claims, the local government of Qinghai announced in a statement on Monday. ” Those found guilty of unlawful actions may be severely punished according to the law,” the statement read. &nbsp,

The investigation’s findings and any following steps will be made available to the public right away, it added. &nbsp,

Local food safety authorities reported that the same steps were being taken to set up a joint investigation staff in the local Gansu state. &nbsp,

According to CCTV, the local government’s laws prohibit the use of potassium metabisulfite and its subtitles when producing goji berries. &nbsp,

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Video games are the next front in US-China tech war – Asia Times

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Black Myth: Wukong, a movie Chinese video game, sold more than 10 million copies in the first few weeks of its release past month, and the Asiatic power has hailed its success as a soft-power triumph.

Nevertheless, as a Chinese language states,” the purpose of the drunk lies not on the wines, but on other purposes”.

In response to US silicon trade restrictions that aim to stifle Chinese AI analysis, China’s entry into the gaming sector also serves a “harder” form of energy.

Black Myth: Wukong, a tale set in the Ming dynasty, takes people on a quest of wars and treasures inspired by ancient Chinese myth.

The wide, high-budget game is the first Taiwanese production on this scale to accomplish for global success. Black Myth: Wukong, a studio run by technical large Google and produced and published by Game Science, illustrates how popular culture can uphold the advertising compulsion to “tell China’s account well.”

Blockbuster gambling with Chinese features

Despite criticisms in the West media, the game is a powerful social export and a vehicle for Chinese social soft power, as I have previously stated.

As exemplified by a well-known article circulating on Taiwanese social media platforms, it is a source of national pride for Chinese players who are tired of playing game in international settings:

你曾在大马士革骑过马
在美国西部小镇开枪决斗
也在埃及当过刺客
现在
你终于可以回到家乡
做自己的英雄

Or in English ( my translation ):

You again rode a mare in Damascus,
In a small American city in the West, two people fight with weapons.
even acted as an murderer in Egypt.
Now
You may go home in the end.
And be your own warrior

Chinese gaming economy at its height

Gambling is not a new form of government assistance in China. For example, Beijing Municipal Government issued guidelines in 2019 to help make it the “international funds of online activities” and use games as a moderate to tell powerful Chinese stories.

Greater policies adopted in 2021, 2022, and 2023, which aim to promote the development and expansion of high-quality activities that are compatible with Chinese culture and values, have strengthened the “go world” strategy for gambling.

Black Myth: Wukong was created for the more expensive and exclusive system and PC gaming markets, both of which demand more sophisticated software and hardware, in contrast to the previous successes with smart gaming. More money has been poured into China’s gaming sector to create significant projects as a result of the game’s success.

China is the nation’s largest single sector for games, but home restrictions such as repression, limits on children’s game moment, and controls on in-game spending and gambling have curbed revenue for Taiwanese game developers. In reply, they are looking to world markets.

Blockbuster sport development can be a winner-takes-all company, and the high development costs suggest resources usually concentrate among major companies. Therefore, China may need to travel a long way to truly dominate the world entertainment industry.

Hardware is a major obstacle, especially given the technological prowess and the need for developing and producing it, particularly in terms of supply of innovative cards. This is the essential linchpin for electronic China’s worldwide supremacy.

Heavy-duty game hardware

Foreign policymakers, tech firms, members of the entertainment industry and players are acutely aware of the components bottlenecks resulting from the US-China technology war. The US has placed limits on the trade of sophisticated chips to China over the past two years.

The regulations apply to cards that can be used for AI, but they also apply to high-end video game like Black Myth: Wukong.

The game is promoted by American chip manufacturer Nvidia, which is the market leader in graphics processing units ( GPUs ) required for cutting-edge graphics and machine learning. Nvidia boasts it helped raise Black Myth: Wukong’s design and engineering to the highest amounts.

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A person may have a Nvidia GPU like the RTX 4090, which costs upward of A$ 3, 000 to fully experience the show’s photos. Players may also make their PCs with several AI-powered “upscaling” solutions, such as Nvidia’s DLSS or alternatives made by rival chipmakers AMD and Intel.

Chinese game developers and players are left without domestic options as a result of American companies producing the best GPUs and upscaling technologies.

China has made significant investments in its domestic chip-making capabilities. However, it is not yet competitive when it comes to the advanced chips needed for cutting-edge gaming, which are also useful for AI and military applications.

In accordance with its comprehensive national security plan, China has targeted chipmakers in the Netherlands and South Korea.

Serious games

The realms of semiconductor microchips, computer gaming and national security are deeply intertwined. The expansion of the gaming sector will result in a rise in demand for advanced chips, opening up a market for increased manufacturing capabilities. Industry-driven, bottom-up initiatives will proceed alongside state-led, top-down investments.

It is no wonder that social media influencers and affiliated Chinese state media outlets have all been promoting the game. It does more than just support the Chinese gaming industry or deliver compelling Chinese stories ( and, in doing so, inspire Western players to become more knowledgeable about Chinese culture and Chinese players to take pride in their own culture ).

The game is a part of China’s strategic strategy to defeat the odds by upholding Mao’s advice to” circle the cities from the countryside.” The short-term focus on video games ‘” countryside” is for the long-term goal of taking over the” cities” of advanced chip manufacturing.

Haiqing Yu is professor at the School of Media and Communication, RMIT University

The Conversation has republished this article under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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