China’s Free trade zones

China had set up 18 free trade zones since 2013. In the first half of 2020, the total import and export volume of the FTZs reached $324.72 billion. Today, China announced the plan for three new ones, including Beijing.
China’s 18 existing FTZs were established to attract foreign capital, boost regional development and improve trade. The nation is now allowing more provinces join this bold experiment.
According to the plan, Beijing’s FTZ aims to build the city into a globally influential technology and innovation center, in tandem with the accelerated development of the services and digital economy sectors. 

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HY-2C satellite


China successfully launched its HY-2C ocean-observation satellite into planned orbit on Monday afternoon via a Long March-4B carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in North China’s Shanxi Province. , forming a network with HY-2B and subsequent HY-2D satellites to carry out 24/7 all-weather high precision monitoring of maritime data.

World’s first quantum secure direct communication system

A Chinese research team has implemented the world’s first quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) system. The breakthrough provides a promising solution to counter threats in the area of communication security.

Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences revealed at the 2020 ZGC Forum on Saturday that they have implemented the world’s first QSDC system.

The present system can operate with a communication rate of 4kb/s at a distance of 10 kilometers, bringing QSDC further toward practical applications.

China issues rules for unreliable entity list

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Saturday issued rules for a widely anticipated unreliable entity list mechanism that could severely punish foreign entities and individuals who undermine China’s national interests, in a move that is believed to counter the US’ relentless crackdown campaign against Chinese businesses. 

The list would include foreign entities or individuals who undermine China’s sovereignty, security and development interests and those who violate market principles by cutting off normal transactions with Chinese firms, organizations or individuals, according to the rules issued by MOFCOM.

The Ministry did not release specific foreign entities or individuals that will be put on the list.

Foreign entities added to the Unreliable Entity List could be restricted or prohibited from engaging in China-related import or export activities and investing in China, according to the provisions. 

Relevant personnel of the entity may also be restricted or banned from entering China and their work permit and residence status could also be restricted or revoked. Foreign entities could also face a fine and other “necessary measures.”

Both sides can play the game.


Hundreds of thousands of migratory birds have been found dead in New Mexico

Biologists at New Mexico State University are trying to find out why hundreds of thousands of migratory birds have been found dead across the state.The mystery started August 20 with the discovery of a large number of dead birds at the US Army White Sands Missile Range and White Sands National Monument, according to Martha Desmond, a professor at the university’s department of fish, wildlife and conservation ecology.What was first believed to be an isolated incident turned out to be a much more serious problem when hundreds more dead birds were found in regions across the state. including Doña Ana County, Jemez Pueblo, Roswell and Socorro.