Fluffy Labubu monster’s Thailand tour a sign of surging Chinese toy trend in Southeast Asia

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Labubu’s commerce strategy in Thailand even aligned “perfectly” with the government’s plan to help travel for international tourists by waiving visas for those travelling from 93 countries and territories, it added.

” This includes Chinese tourists, who are an important group for the Thai tourism industry, allowing them to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days” .&nbsp,

Thailand and China signed a joint immigration waiver agreement in January to help travel and tourism between the two nations, which became effective on March 1. &nbsp,

Sermsak Pongpanit, Thailand’s tourism and sports minister, reported on Monday ( Jul 8 ) that the monster mascot’s trip is expected to help Thailand reach its goal of 8 million Chinese visitors this year. &nbsp,

He added that the Labubu plan would encourage Chinese tourists to travel there after 3.5 million people arrived in the state in the first five weeks, according to regional news outlet Nation Thailand.

SUCCESS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Other than Pop Mart, another Chinese toy companies have enjoyed significant victory in Thailand. According to Global Times, 52TOYS opened its first store in the nation in December of last year and saw its first month’s revenue reach 3 million yuan ( US$ 412, 540 ). &nbsp,

Like Pop Mart, 52Toys has collaborated with various existing businesses and characters such as Tom and Jerry, Disney, and Manga set Crayon Shin-chan as part of their choices. &nbsp,

The company claimed that Thailand has grown to be a significant market for Chinese toy manufacturers to export to other countries due to the country’s large population of young people, their high consumption potential, as well as their current popularity of such products, and the presence of nearby developers in the Thai market. &nbsp,

Now, Pop Mart has 18 real stores across Southeast Asia, with seven stores in Singapore only. Wen Deyi, president of Pop Mart’s global section, stated to Global Times that the company anticipates Southeast Asia to become its “fastest-growing marketplace.” &nbsp,

Labubu’s reputation has even reached Singapore. Pop Mart released a limited release Merlion Labubu lanyard last month that was exclusive to Singapore. The keychain, which has since sold out, was retailed at S$ 37.90 ( US$ 28.07 ). &nbsp,

But, listings on the e-commerce program Carousell resulted in the keychain being resold for nearly 10 times the original price. &nbsp,

Labubu is n’t the only character driving Pop Mart’s popularity. The toys company held its second POP Toy Show outside of China last year in Singapore. The celebration, which ran for seven years in Beijing and Shanghai, is set to return to Singapore in August. &nbsp,

The company’s success has likely spurred on competitors ‘ ambitions. &nbsp,

According to 52TOYS, it was necessary to enter the Singaporean market in order to create a reputation in Southeast Asia, according to a report from Global Times. &nbsp,

The toy company explained that Singapore has “influential and beaming effects” on the place, and 52Toys may expand its appearance in Southeast Asia through Singapore’s business. &nbsp,

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Maldives’ delicate balancing act in geopolitical tug-of-war between India and China

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Muizzu has visited both China and India this month, as well as the US, according to Einar Tangen, a senior fellow at the Chinese think container Taihe Institute. This indicates that the country wants to balance relations on all fronts.

” China would like to see it ( Island ) remain negative… And the Islands have very wisely decided that they’re going to be no- aligned”, he said.

According to ISAS ‘ Palit, Muizzu’s administration is likely beginning to realize that” India out” and its significant dependence on China is not a viable long-term decision for the country. Months after taking office, the organization is likely beginning to realize this.

There are drawbacks to China’s extreme proximity. He said it’s important to fence and maintain as much balance as possible between the competing corporate interests in the area.

He added that while a possible free trade agreement between the Islands and China might raise hospitality, it might also eliminate a lot of practice responsibilities, which are another major source of income.

” Tourism is not an totally responsible statement. According to him, it is crucial for the Maldives to ensure that their heavy tourism reliance does not reduce ( other income )

” I’d venture to say that the Maldives is starting to notice that a more balanced approach is statistically, carefully, and financially possible, and it’s probably going to stick with it.”

As the Islands continues to evolve in its role in global politics as a result of its commitment to bilateral cooperation and safeguarding its self-reliance.

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Made-in-China short films must secure approval to be screened overseas, says the country’s film regulator

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Two months after a Chinese film screened worldwide sparked a heated debate over the tough measures taken under the country’s zero-COVID policy, made-in-China short films may now obtain permits before showing abroad.

According to the China Film Administration ( CFA ), the submission process must occur at least 20 working days before the screening event. Additionally, it stated that applicants must be made by producers or the legal representative who submitted the movie to outside events.

In addition to the discharge permit for the movie, CFA’s see required applications to include the event’s name in both Chinese and English. &nbsp,

The show’s date and location of the screen event, as well as a description of the show’s articles, must also be included, according to the state- run Global Times. &nbsp,

Effectively, the China Film Administration’s ( CFA ) decision makes Chinese short films subject to the same standards as domestically produced feature-length films hoping to be shown abroad.

What criteria does a small picture meet, according to the CFA. A little picture is defined as an “original action image that has a running period of 40 minutes or less, including all funds,” according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the US.

The movie bank’s most recent rule comes after a Chinese film about COVID- 19 shutdowns sparked heated debate at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP ).

The film, which was called An Unfinished Film and was directed by Chinese producer Lou Ye, had a particular screen on May 16 at the annual event.

The movie has not been approved for public viewing in China, according to SCMP, and its material has been censored electronically.

According to Global Times, the fresh regulations were in line with the 2017 Chinese Film Industry Promotion Law. According to Chinese regulators, the law promotes the development of the nation’s film industry by promoting” socialist primary values” and regulating the film industry.

Under that policy, videos are not allowed to include any information that “jeopardises China’s unity, king, or territorial integrity … damages China’s integrity, dignity, and interests”, as well as hurt “national sentiments or destroy national solidarity”. &nbsp,

Without a federal permit, those who produce movies may face fines and become subject to a five-year ban from the industry. &nbsp,

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Silicone mask-wearing criminals in China spark security concerns; e-commerce platforms censor product searches

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SINGAPORE: They’re often used in Hollywood, and are a recurring and perhaps properly- worn essence of the Mission Impossible movie.

Realistic silicone face masks are now in the spotlight in China in response to recent capers committed by criminals while wearing them, causing calls for tighter oversight as a result of concerns that they could become the inmates ‘ routine, particularly given how accessible they are.

Foreign e-commerce platforms like Taobao and Pinduduo have stepped up the search for these masks as analysts warn that the products may help criminals escape verification or even make identification fraud or imitation by bypassing facial reputation systems.

CNA conducted tests to discover that rubber face masks may be quickly delivered from China to other Asian locations, such as Singapore. But experts say there is n’t cause for alarm.

” I think that if ( like a mask is purchased and used to commit a crime, or to attempt to commit a crime, then that is definitely going to be an offence,” said Mr. Chung Ting Fai, the leader of an namesake law firm with a focus on intellectual property and business regulation in both China and Singapore.

But at present there have been no such cases ( in Singapore ), so this has not been an issue, “he told CNA.

UNMASKING Thieves

Silicone faces have recently been the subject of controversy and public concern in China, as a result of local media reports on many thefts where the perpetrators used them.

In March, four homes in Shanghai were broken into and over 100, 000 yuan ( US$ 13, 760 ) in valuables stolen. When police apprehended the suspect, they learned that it was a gentleman in his 40s who had used a silicone mask to disguise himself as an elder person.

Final month, a burglar broke into five rural communities in southeast Jiangsu state, stealing 30, 000 chinese price of goods. He reportedly used a rubber mask on hand to fend off the police if necessary while posing as an electronic worker.

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Dam breach triggers floods in central China

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Automobiles other than those assisting with disaster prevention are prohibited from passing through during the control period, according to a statement from the center on the social media platform Weibo. President Xi Jinping “urged all- out rescue and relief job to protect women’s existence and property”, Xinhua reported on Saturday.Continue Reading

China mulls drone-only island blockade while the US plans drone-only intervention in Taiwan

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After several simulated wars, Chen’s team discovered that deploying more or higher- performance&nbsp, drones&nbsp, did not necessarily offer better results. When the number and size of drone formations in a combat grid area surpassed a certain point, they could successfully impose their will over the island and its surrounding waters, thwarting international aid, and imposing sanctions on the island.

” More increasing the number of monitoring robots will enhance fight capacity, but the change is never significant”, the experts wrote.

Chen leads the testing and analysis of autonomous systems and their&nbsp, operating use&nbsp, at a military center in the coastal town of Huludao, Liaoning province. The National University of Defence Technology and Tsinghua University supported this analysis.

The researchers claimed that” the analysis and evaluation of simulation results may reveal the weaknesses of combat scenarios and yet overcome strategies, helping to refine combat issues and combat scenario design.”

Additionally, they intend to evaluate the simulation’s findings in the real world.

A conflict strategy that is disconnected from actual army testing is unfortunately only be a castle in the air, Chen wrote.

But while China has been testing its drone- just battle plans, the US military next month revealed&nbsp, its unique blueprint&nbsp, to employ swarms of drones in the Taiwan Strait, in a strategy dubbed” Hellscape”.

These robots are intended to counter any attempt by the Army to get on&nbsp, Taiwan, thus sparing US deaths.

In an interview that was made available on June 10, US Indo-Pacific Command head Admiral Samuel Paparo told The Washington Post,” I want to turn the Taiwan Strait into an unmanned hellscape.”

Though the US government’s drone warfare methods and capabilities remain defined, Paparo said that under the&nbsp, Hellscape plan, the drones- both in the air and in the water- had “make their lives absolutely miserable for a month, which buys me the time for the rest of everything”.

” I ca n’t tell you what’s in it. But it’s real and it’s deliverable”, Paparo said of the plan.

Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesman for the Chinese defense ministry, called the US strategy” crazy and inhumane.”

” Those who clamor for turning others ‘ homeland into hell should get ready for burning in hell themselves,” he said in Beijing last week.

China is a global leader in capacity and technology for manufacturing drones. According to Bloomberg, Chinese drones make up 70 % of the American industrial and consumer markets, and 30 % of the total.

According to a Wall Street Journal report in April, &nbsp, Chinese drones&nbsp, have shown superior performance compared to American drones during battle in Ukraine.

However, the US military claims that the PLA would be deterred by the use of thousands of drones in the Hellscape plan.

” My job is to ensure that between now and 2027 and beyond, the US military and its allies are capable of prevailing”, Paparo said.

This article was first published on&nbsp, SCMP.

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Beijing urges Manila to swiftly find, ‘punish’ perpetrators after Chinese national kidnapped, killed in the Philippines

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In a kidnapping circumstance that prompted Beijing’s political interference, China is urging the Philippines to immediately apprehend and” greatly condemn” the murders of a Chinese citizen.

The Chinese embassy in the Philippines stated in a statement on Tuesday ( Jul 2 ) that it had recently received an appeal for assistance in the Southeast Asian nation for a Chinese national.

The consulate said it soon cooperated with local authorities in legislation enforcement and immediately assisted the defendant’s home in reporting the situation to the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Kinnapping Group.

Additionally, it interacted diplomatically to request a sharp save and protect Chinese citizens ‘ health and property rights. At the same time, the ambassador helped the defendant’s home to mind to the Philippines. &nbsp,

But the man was gradually killed, apparently along with a Chinese- American who had also been kidnapped, the consulate said. Both have yet to be identified.

Both persons were top executives at two distinct Chinese medical device companies, according to the Chinese media outlet Hongxing News. They apparently arrived in the Philippines on June 20 to look for company opportunities, but they were abducted and killed on June 24.

The consulate stated in a statement on Tuesday that it has been providing the home with consular assistance. Additionally, it has made images to the Spanish government, urging it to increase its efforts in handling the case and to” swapply apprehend and punish the psychopaths.”

Foreign residents were also instructed to be aware of their health when traveling to the Philippines and to immediately contact the embassy for assistance in the event of an incident.

Specialists in the Philippines have not yet made any comments on the event.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said his country had “provide guidance to our military in Manila to carefully follow up on the case and ensure everything is handled” when asked about the situation during a regular press conference on Tuesday. &nbsp,

In the Philippines, there have recently been reports of Taiwanese citizens being kidnapped. According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the majority of these cases have been related to illegal playing as well as telecoms and internet scams.

Four Spanish police officers were detained in Manila in early June for extorting four foreigners, including a Malaysian and three Chinese nationals, for payment.

The four international travellers were traveling in a car when officials riding motorcycles flagged it over, according to reports in the media. Finally, a group of armed men dragged them into a vehicle.

Two of the travelers made it out of the crowd and alerted the police. The other two were freed overnight after the payment of a 2.5 million Philippine peso ( US$ 42, 565 ) ransom.

Six Chinese citizens were kidnapped from their residence in Metro Manila in October 2023. According to SCMP, four people were killed, and two more, a lady and her baby, are still missing.

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