The Board of Directors of Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) has approved the distribution of interim dividends of 8.40 fils per share for the first half of 2024.

In a disclosure to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) on Tuesday, Yahsat said that the dividends are equivalent to 8.40% of the nominal value of the share, representing AED204,940,703 to be paid to the shareholders registered as at the closing of business day on Thursday, 12 September, 2024.

South Africa is grateful for the manner in which China conducts its relationship - with recognition, respect and due regard for one another - not only with South Africa but also with the rest of the African continent, said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who described it as a relationship of good quality.

Ramaphosa made these remarks at a media briefing in Beijing on Thursday during his state visit to China, during which he is attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) which runs from Wednesday to Friday.

"Without comparing China with any other part of the world, we have found China to be very progressive in its relations with Africa, and we are very appreciative of the FOCAC relationship we have as a continent, because we see it foster a mutually beneficial relationship," the South African president said in response to a question from the Global Times. 

Ramaphosa also briefed the media of the purposes and achievements of his visit to China. During his stay in China, the two countries announced the elevation of bilateral ties to an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era.

Ramaphosa said that South Africa is interested in receiving more investment from China in electric vehicles, which he believes to be the future. He emphasized that South Africa is not being lobbied by the West to reject investment from China and would like those countries not to impose their will on South Africa, a country eager to foster economic development. 

"We want to remain sovereign politically and economically, and when it comes to foreign policy as well. Our view is that our journey to developing our economy should not be held back by anxieties and fears that some countries have about other countries with which we have relationships," the president said. 

Ramaphosa recognized that China has a lot of experience and technological capabilities that it can share with South Africa. 

"We are pretty straightforward and say we want to learn. We want to see how China has reached this level of great development. They already have done exactly what we are seeking to do. So our presence here is to draw from the history of their experience and the journey they have traversed," he said. 

The state visit also provided an opportunity for the two sides to exchange views on pressing regional and global issues, he noted. As South Africa prepares to assume the presidency of the G20 in 2025, this dialogue is essential for shaping the future of multilateral cooperation, said the South African president. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Chairman of Sudan's Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

In Nairobi, the bustling capital of Kenya, one name is widely known and revered - Mr. Wifi. This nickname refers to Zhou Tao, the founder of Ahadi Corporation. Zhou's company is dedicated to offering affordable internet services and stands as a shining example of how China's "small and beautiful" livelihood projects are elevating China-Africa ties.
In 2020, Zhou and his team set sail on an ambitious digital odyssey with their visionary project, Konnect Internet. By integrating Wifi technology with the local optical fiber network, they brought cost-effective wireless broadband network services to local communities where high-speed internet remains a luxury rather than a necessity.

For many Kenyans, the digital divide seemed too wide to surmount. A family of three in Nairobi might spend around $25 per month on internet services, which is a big amount for households earning between $100 and $400 monthly.

However, Konnect Internet is trying to change the situation. 

By offering 50 gigabytes (GB) of data for $5 per month, it provides internet access at a rate much cheaper than what has been previously available. This groundbreaking affordability has greatly reduced the financial burden on Nairobi's low-to-middle-income families, giving them access to the vast and exciting world of the internet.

Small projects, big impact

In recent years, Chinese-funded "small and beautiful" livelihood projects in Africa have captured the spotlight alongside flagship megaprojects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). From nurturing agricultural innovation to boosting digital technology and green energy, these efforts have reaped tangible economic and social benefits, accelerating Africa's modernization.

Zhou told the Global Times that his firm has created over 5,000 jobs for local communities. "As of August, we have attracted more than 1.2 million users," he said, adding that he expects their service to reach more than 10 million people in Kenya and expand to 10 other African countries within the next five years.

"China's technology edge, large-scale production advantages, and the backing of BRI policies, coupled with Africa's immense market potential, has create a fertile ground for Chinese firms to achieve further growth on the continent," Zhou added.

Zhou's vision goes well beyond mere connectivity, embracing a wide range of local innovations. His company has also introduced a user-friendly community e-commerce platform and logistics services. 

Among their developments is a shared water dispenser that pairs high-flux water filters with QR code payments, giving residents easy access to clean, affordable drinking water. Additionally, they are creating a free mobile payment system to further promote digital transactions and improve financial accessibility.

Zhou's forward-thinking efforts not only tackle the immediate needs of residents while paving the way for a more interconnected and efficient community.

Countless stories like Mr.Wifi are quietly blooming across this vast land of hope, weaving together a rich tapestry of mutually beneficial China-Africa economic cooperation and painting a vibrant picture of shared prosperity.

In 2020, Li Yi, a former McKinsey consultant, traded her high-flying career for the sun-drenched fields of Kenya. With a vision as grand as the African horizon, she co-founded FarmWorks, an ambitious agricultural venture dedicated to empowering local smallholder farmers.

FarmWorks offers services from seeds and fertilizers to cutting-edge cultivation techniques and sales support, creating a complete agricultural value chain. This initiative has not only equipped local farmers with modern farming practices and boosted their household incomes but also successfully allowed them to export premium produce.

Li told the Global Times that she aspires to unlock the vast local market with a scalable, sustainable business model in Kenya.

"Our self-operated farm stands as a 'demonstration field' for skills training, conducting plant research, testing the latest technologies, installing equipment, and prepping our staff," Li said, adding that if successful, the model will be introduced to their partner smallholders.

Starting a business in Africa is no easy feat, but it's a thrilling journey full of opportunities, Li said. She proudly highlighted their pioneering work last year - partnering with the International Potato Center to build Africa's first solar-powered sweet potato storage facility.

"The facility uses solar energy and a water recycling system for power to maintain sweet potato quality. This sustainable innovation has been both exciting and deeply rewarding for me." Li told the Global Times.

Capacity building

A recent report from China-Africa industry groups reveals that Chinese investment in Africa is shifting from traditional sectors like manufacturing and infrastructure to emerging fields such as healthcare, logistics, e-commerce, and agricultural processing.

This transition demonstrates that China-Africa economic cooperation under the BRI goes beyond relocating outdated industries; it focuses on forging innovative solutions tailored to the unique contexts and needs of both regions, according to the report.

African countries have witnessed a rising demand for technology transfer and capacity building in recent years, aligning with Chinese investment trends and BRI's broader objective of empowering locals through knowledge sharing and skill development, Zhang Jian, president of the Zambia Overseas Chinese Association told the Global Times.

Kassim Mohamed, a young Kenyan who once faced unemployment, set his new life path when a Chinese company in Kenya, Huawen Food, offered him a job. He pointed to the concrete benefits of such investment, noting that "Chinese companies have brought in lots of jobs, increased people's paychecks, and boosted local businesses, from hotels to shops."

In 2022, China gave green light to the import of wild Kenyan aquatic products that meet customs requirements, paving the way for stronger China-Arica blue economy cooperation. 

Riding the wave, Jinzai Food Corporation, the parent company of Huawen Food, set up a seafood processing factory in Kenya, bringing in advanced production methods and technologies to help cultivate the local industry chain and boost local employment. In 2023, this factory created over 150 local jobs, the company said. 

Now, the gateway to China-Africa blue economy cooperation is being opened further. 

China has partnered with nearly 20 African nations in aquaculture and commercial fishing, producing around 300,000 tons of seafood annually. Official projections show that by 2030, Africa's blue economy is poised to surge to $405 billion.

Mwangi Wachira, former economist at the World Bank and advisor to the Government of Kenya, told the Global Times that Africa, with its young population, expanding middle class, and abundant natural resources in high demand, is becoming a major driver of the global economy.

'Blue ocean' market

Transsion, China's mobile phone manufacturer, exemplifies Wachira's insights through its remarkable success in Africa. From the vibrant streets of Nairobi to the bustling neighborhoods of Lagos, the largest port city of Nigeria, Transsion's advertisements are impossible to miss.

In the second quarter of this year, the company captured more than 40 percent of the African smartphone market, maintaining its crown as the top player, according to data from market research firm Canalys.

This notable success can largely be attributed to the company's push for deep-rooted localization to meet the unique needs of the African market. "We have developed a local data production system that is both affordable and top-notch, powering multilingual voice assistants and translation tools," Arif Chowdhury, co-founder of Transsion Holdings, told the Global Times.

Transsion's supply chain, sales network, and after-sales service are also highly localized, with over 90 percent of its African workforce being local, according to Chowdhury. 

"Africa is the world's last 'blue ocean' market with over a billion people and a continent with the youngest population structure," Chowdhury noted, saying that the sweeping global digital transition is uncovering bright growth prospects for Africa's mobile internet industry.

From lush rice fields to the deep blue sea and the digital tech frontier, China-Africa economic cooperation is thriving across a wide range of sectors. This partnership vividly embodies the common aspirations and tireless efforts of both sides to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

China announced on Thursday its ten new partnership actions to jointly advance modernization with Africa, including a commitment to launch 1,000 "small and beautiful" livelihood projects across the continent in the coming years.

Trailblazers like Zhou and Li have felt the vibrant pulse of the African market and are gearing up to make their even deeper mark in this land of hope. 

"Africa is not a place where you can just snap your fingers and strike it rich," Li said, adding that she is nevertheless thrilled to tackle new challenges and is deeply inspired by the chance to make a real difference in local people's lives.

"For me, entering Africa means more than business, it's about having the patience and determination to truly put down roots in this promising land," Li said.

Grain enterprises across China's major agricultural provinces have purchased more than 60 million tons of summer grain now, an increase of approximately 4 million tons year-on-year, the Xinhua News Agency reported, citing the latest data released by the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration.

The purchase volume has remained at a relatively high level over the recent years, the report said.

The progress of summer grain purchases is proceeding smoothly. Wheat purchases in Central China's Henan and Hubei provinces, and East China's Jiangsu and Anhui provinces are nearing completion, while the progress in North China's Hebei Province, East China's Shandong Province, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is between 70 to 80 percent.

And the early indica rice purchases in Central China's Hunan Province and East China's Jiangxi Province have almost come to an end.

This year, the government continued to implement the minimum purchase price policy in the major wheat and rice producing regions, effectively guiding grain purchases by grain enterprises, Li Guoxiang, a researcher from the Rural Development Institute, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday.

“This policy played a crucial role in preventing difficulties for farmers in selling their grain and curbing excessive price drops, making a significant and successful contribution to the summer grain purchases,” Li said.

The initial forecast for the 2024 summer grain purchases was approximately 70 million tons, a slight increase compared to 2023, people.cn reported in May, citing Tang Cheng, an official with the administration.

China's output of summer grain totaled 149.78 million tons in 2024, an increase of 3.63 million tons, or 2.5 percent, over the 2023 level, the National Bureau of Statistics said on July 12.

Although extreme weather events have become more frequent in recent years, “their impact on China’s grain production has been limited,” Li said.

The expectation of a bumper grain output throughout the year has not changed, Li noted.

The School of Future Technology under Tianjin University has recently opened a new major specializing in brain-computer interfaces (BCI), with a major recruitment process underway, the Global Times learned. It marks the first Chinese university to do so, as the development of BCI technology has entered a critical stage of innovation breakthrough and application expansion and China is therefore in a thirst for “diversified, interdisciplinary” talent, the university said in a statement shared with the Global Times on Friday. 

The new program adopts a “secondary selection” from the new students enrolled in Tianjin University. The selection procedures include comprehensive test and experts’ interview, and admissions will be based on the combined results from those processes. 

In terms of the curriculum, the new BCI major will provide lessons involving medicine, electrical and information engineering, covering the entire industrial chain from the basic theory underpinning BCI, related device systems as well as translation and market application, the statement read.  

The program will also adopt a unique training model through research training and collaborative education training between academia and industry companies. It aims to cultivate a new generation of engineers and scientists who possess the ability to design, manufacture, and develop future bio-intelligent electronic interfaces, and who can lead the advancement of China’s BCI technology and industry development.

BCI is one of several cutting-edged tech fields at the forefront of global technology. 

Industry insiders said that at the current stage, individual countries are still developing core BCI technology and tentatively applying it in commercial settings. China has an edge in areas such as core component device, and it is expected that with government policy support and concerted efforts, as well as an amassing talent pool, the country will achieve breakthrough in certain directions such as non-invasive BCI technology.

In July, China is mulling over establishing a BCI standardization technical committee under its Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), aiming to guide enterprises to enhance industrial standards and boost domestic innovation.

China's new-energy vehicle (NEV) sector is still on a robust upward trajectory, with industry insiders projecting production and sales both to exceed 10 million units by November this year, with sustained growth of 10-20 percent annually in the future.

Fu Bingfeng, executive vice president of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, said on Saturday that China's NEV production and sales will surpass 10 million units each by November, compared with 9.5 million units for all of 2023, cls.cn reported on Sunday.

This bullish forecast follows the sector's impressive performance in the first half of the year, a success that industry experts attributed to sustained strong domestic and international demand, despite trade protectionist suppression from some Western countries.

Experts said that as the industry shifts into a smart technology-driven era, the introduction of new technologies and products will supercharge upgrades across the entire NEV supply and value chains, further enhancing industry prosperity.

"This trend is also fueling rapid expansion in the upstream NEV supply chains, such as battery production and installation, highlighting the sector's development potential," Fu noted.

At the 2024 World EV & ES Battery Conference held on Sunday, Miao Wei, a national political advisor, said that NEV sales in China are expected to exceed 11 million units this year, with a 10-20 percent growth rate annually until domestic annual sales reach 20 million units.

Miao also projected that the penetration rate of NEVs will exceed 50 percent by 2026, meaning that a majority of consumers will opt for NEVs when purchasing passenger cars.

China's NEV market has greatly expanded in recent years thanks to innovation that lowers manufacturing costs and improves performance, Zhang Xiang, secretary-general of the International Intelligent Vehicle Engineering Association, told the Global Times on Sunday.

At 08:02 on Saturday, the Philippine ship 9701 weighed anchor and continued its provocations at China's Xianbin Jiao (also known as Xianbin Reef) in the South China Sea. In response, the Chinese coast guard ship 5205 lawfully issued verbal warnings and conducted monitoring and control measures, according to the China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday.

At 12:06, the Philippine ship deliberately rammed into the Chinese ship 5205 in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, causing a collision for which the Philippines bears full responsibility, CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun said.

China once again urges the Philippines to face reality, abandon illusions, and immediately withdraw their illegal ship, as this is the only correct path forward. The Philippines should not misinterpret the situation, provoke conflicts, or escalate tensions, otherwise, the consequences will be solely borne by the Philippine side, the spokesperson warned.

The CCG reiterated China's indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao, or Nansha Islands, including Xianbin Jiao, and their adjacent waters. China will take necessary measures to resolutely thwart any provocative acts of infringement and firmly defend the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the spokesperson said.

Since mid-April, the Philippine Coast Guard ship 9701, also known as BRP Teresa Magbanua, has been illegally and harmfully anchored in the lagoon of the Xianbin Jiao.

The Philippines' long-term anchoring at Xianbin Jiao constitutes illegal occupation, which does not change the legal status of the occupied territory, according to Zhang Qiyue, a research fellow at Shanghai Institute for International Studies.

The Philippines has seriously infringed on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, violating the basic principles of the United Nations Charter for the peaceful resolution of international disputes, and gone against the spirit of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which promotes peaceful use of the seas, Zhang stressed, noting that this action has caused serious damage to international legal norms and the rule of law.

In response to the illegal intrusion of Philippine vessel 9701 into Xianbin Jiao, China has shown a high degree of restraint by refraining from taking forceful measures against it, and only implementing necessary control measures to prevent the vessel from staying long-term, said Chen Xidi, a research fellow at China Institute for Marine Affairs, noting that China has been actively communicating with the Philippine side throughout this situation.

This fully demonstrates China's sincerity in adhering to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, not expanding and peacefully resolving disputes, Chen said. "In sharp contrast, the Philippines continues provocations by deliberately ramming into the Chinese ship. The Philippines is the one undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea, and violating humanitarian principles," Chen noted.

In fact, the Philippines is not concerned about the safety of its ships, aircraft, and personnel at Xianbin Jiao, nor does it care about the "freedom" and "stability" of the South China Sea, Chen noted. "The only thing the Philippines cares about is whether its actions in the South China Sea are aggressive and attention-grabbing enough, and whether it can win the 'favor' and 'support' of certain countries outside the region," Chen said.

Experts urged the Philippine side not to harbor any illusions about the illegal occupation of Xianbin Jiao, nor to repeatedly test China's bottom line. Otherwise, it will only waste time and be of no benefit to the resolution of the dispute.

"The only way to solve the dispute is for the Philippine side to withdraw its coast guard ship and other vessels as soon as possible, and restore peace and stability in the South China Sea," Zhang said.

On Friday, China released an on-site investigative report regarding the ecological system of the coral reefs in the South China Sea's Xianbin Jiao, revealing the coral reef ecosystem in Xianbin Jiao is generally in good health, in response to allegations made by the Philippines this year, which groundlessly accused China of reclaiming an artificial reef around Xianbin Jiao that led to widespread coral bleaching.

The Chinese Olympic delegation at the Paris Olympic Games is off to a golden start, securing two gold medals on the first morning of the 16-day competition. 

Chinese shooting pair Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao clinched the first gold medal by defeating their South Korean counterparts, Keum Ji-hyeon and Park Ha-jun, in the 10-meter air rifle mixed team gold medal match. 

Chinese athletes' remarkable achievement also won a congratulatory message from State Councilor Shen Yiqin, on behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council.

"We are thrilled to hear that our athletes Huang and Sheng have won the first gold medal for the Chinese delegation at the Summer Olympics in the 10m air rifle mixed team event," Shen wrote in the message. 

"On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, I extend warm congratulations to the winning athletes and the Chinese sports delegation."

"We hope that the Chinese sports delegation will remember its mission and live up to the expectations of the Party and the people... Work hard to bring greater honor to our country and people and make further contributions to building China into a sporting powerhouse," said Shen.

Nearly half an hour later after the shooting duo's win, female diving pair Chang Yani and Chen Yiwen added another gold for China with a convincing performance in the women's synchro 3-meter springboard final, scoring 337.68 points.

Chinese fans took to social media to express their delight over the athletes' achievements, but they also found shooter Sheng's Weibo username particularly interesting. 

The 19-year-old's Weibo name, "guangkao ganfan jiu," literally means "winning just by eating." This has now gone viral, with topics like "win a gold medal just by eating" trending widely.

Diver Chang, 22, a five-time world champion, had been missing an Olympic gold medal until today. Recovering from a major shoulder injury earlier this year, she delivered a stellar performance alongside her teammate, winning the event with a 23.04-point lead over US divers Sarah Bacon and Kassidy Cook.

However, the morning wasn't all good news for China. Veteran fencer Sun Yiwen, the defending Olympic women's epee champion, was eliminated in the first round by Japan's Miho Yoshimura with a score of 14-13. 

Despite this, Chinese fans erupted in support for the veteran.

"That's how competitive sports is! She has already won a gold medal in this event! No matter what, she is still an Olympic champion in my heart!" a Weibo user, Lingdong Weixu, commented.

China's Li Yuehong claimed the gold medal in the men's 25m rapid-fire pistol event at the Paris Olympics, with his teammate Wang Xinjie winning bronze. This marks China's 20th gold medal at these Games.

As a three-time Olympian and world record holder, 34-year-old veteran Li had previously won two Olympic bronze medals. This year's competition was particularly tough, featuring top competitors.

In the qualification round, Li and Wang ranked second and fourth, respectively, after the first stage. Both scored 294 points in the second stage, with Li finishing first in qualification with a total score of 588 and Wang second with 587.

"This breakthrough belongs to everyone in our team. The feeling of achieving it is about not letting down the trust everyone placed in us," Li said in a post-competition interview.

Li won bronze medals at both the Rio and Tokyo Olympics and is also a two-time Asian Games gold medalist and the world record holder in the men's 25m rapid-fire pistol event.

At the 2023 World Shooting Championships, Li won his first individual gold medal in the men's 25m rapid-fire pistol event, securing a spot for the Chinese shooting team at the Paris Olympics. He also won gold medals in both individual and team events at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.

Li believes shooting is very similar to Confucian thought. "We need to focus on our own inner selves and compare ourselves to our own standards, rather than trying to surpass others. The goal is to overcome ourselves," he said.

"This breakthrough belongs to every member of the team. I'll give the gold medal as a birthday gift to my wife; she'll love it," Li added.