Using artificial intelligence technology, people are online superimposed onto obvious images or videos in deepfake pornography. The perpetrators of the new wave of deep-fake crimes have reportedly used social media platforms like Instagram to save or screen-capture victims ‘ photos, which were then used to produce video. This has sparkedContinue Reading
According to Chinese media reports, Kishida reportedly wanted to meet Yoon and inform him that closer ties may continue under the incoming administration. According to the National Office in Seoul,” Prime Minister Kishida eagerly sought to discuss the future course of development between the two countries” as he prepared toContinue Reading
In the same vein, vendors in Gansu Province discovered calcium metabisulfite-soaked cleaned goji berries to keep the fruit’s vibrant red color.  ,
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.  ,
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.  ,
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.  ,
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.  ,
The investigation’s findings and any following steps will be made available to the public right away, it added.  ,
Local food safety authorities reported that the same steps were being taken to set up a joint investigation staff in the local Gansu state.  ,
According to CCTV, the local government’s laws prohibit the use of potassium metabisulfite and its subtitles when producing goji berries.  ,
EXPANDING INFLUENCE On Monday, President Xi Jinping met with Democratic Republic of the Congo Felix Tshisekedi, state news agency Xinhua said. China has a significant presence in the DRC, where it is keen on tapping vast natural resources including copper, gold, lithium and rare earth minerals. But it has grappledContinue Reading
SEOUL: South Korean police said on Monday (Sep 2) they had launched an investigation into encrypted messaging platform Telegram for allegedly “abetting” the distribution of so-called deepfake porn, including explicit images of teenagers generated by artificial intelligence (AI). Deepfake porn includes explicit content where the faces of individuals are digitally superimposedContinue Reading
STRUCTURAL FACTORS As consumers and workers adapt to the structural changes in an economy urbanising rapidly in the coming decade, many overweight Chinese could cross the obesity threshold, doctors say. “The economic downturn in China could lead to an increase in the consumption of low-quality foods, such as fast food,Continue Reading
In a separate case, Ko and the TPP have also acknowledged that campaign funds during the presidential campaign were misreported. Ko said last week he would temporarily step down as party chairman while that case is investigated and apologised to party supporters. Ko has been widely expected by Taiwan mediaContinue Reading
SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for developing health, science and education facilities in rural areas alongside factories, state media KCNA reported on Monday (Sep 2), amid concerns over economic hardships and poor living conditions. Kim convened a high-level meeting on Saturday as the ruling Workers’ PartyContinue Reading
TOKYO: Japan lodged a protest with China after one of its naval survey vessels entered Japanese waters on Saturday (Aug 31), the second incursion into its territory by the Chinese military in less than a week. An uptick in Chinese military activity near Japan and around Taiwan in recent years hasContinue Reading
However, both inbound and outbound travel have yet to fully return to pre-pandemic levels, lagging behind at around 85 per cent compared with traffic before global borders were shut about four years ago.
Despite sluggish international air travel numbers, officials said China could expect to see record-high air passenger trips this year, reaching 700 million on the back of strong domestic demand.
Airports are also bustling with activities as business and travellers return.
At Beijing’s Daxing International Airport, a new maintenance facility for business jets has just opened its doors. It includes a 5,000 sqm air-conditioned and heated hangar that can accommodate as many as eight business jets at any one time.
The airport, one of the newest international gateways to China, was built with the aim to become one of the world’s busiest.
But the COVID-19 pandemic threw a spanner in the works. Just months after starting operations in 2019, its service was suspended when all its flights were rerouted to Beijing Capital International Airport due to pandemic restrictions. It resumed operations in January last year.
Paul Desgrosseilliers, general manager of aviation service ExecuJet Haite, said the opening of the maintenance facility signifies business and general aviation has finally taken off at Daxing.
“It’s one of the only international airports that has unique dedicated space for business jets. So there’s huge growth potential in terms of the development here,” he added.
It is not just foreign arrivals that are slow to return to China. Chinese travellers are also making fewer trips overseas.
Shukor Yusof, founder of Endau Analytics, said the appetite for international travel has not recovered due to spending power and rivalry with the United States.
“The Chinese have become more aware about spending money overseas. The yuan has weakened compared to pre-pandemic levels,” he said.
“There is also a decline of at least 50 per cent of flights coming in from North America. That’s primarily because of geopolitics, and I suspect that will be the case until there is more clarity, until the US presidential elections in November.”
With ongoing tensions in the Middle East and Europe, as well as the recent surge in mpox cases, the global aviation industry is bracing itself for turbulence.
Still, analysts said China may be better placed to weather the currents with its domestic tourism.
“The Chinese have the advantage of having a large hinterland. They don’t really need the outside world to sustain the aviation business for the airlines,” said Yusof.