The Sunday Mail
Manyika Kangai
China imposes key controls on key metals
China has announced that it will impose controls on exports of some gallium and germanium products from August 1 to protect China’s national security. This is according to a statement released on Monday by China’s Ministry of Commerce. Exporters of eight gallium and six germanium products will need to apply for licences from the ministry if they want to start or continue to ship them out of the country, and will be required to report details of the overseas buyers and their applications. The metals are key materials for high-speed computer chips and electric vehicles, as well as for the defence and renewable energy sectors. About 40 percent of the world’s germanium, a metal even rarer than gold, is in China, which accounts for over 67 percent of global supply. China has the largest resources of gallium, known as the “backbone of the electronics industry”, and it produces about 95 percent of global supply.
China condemns US arms sale to Taiwan
China’s Ministry of National Defence stated that China firmly opposes US arms sales to China’s Taiwan region in response to an arms deal approved by the US State Department, which consists of selling Taiwan ammunition and logistics supply support. Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, China’s Defence Ministry spokesperson, said that the arms sale is in total disregard of China’s core interests, grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs and deliberately elevates tensions in the Taiwan Strait. China urged the United States to abide by the One-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiques and cease its arms sales to Taiwan, stop all forms of military collusion with Taiwan and honour its commitment to not supporting “Taiwan independence”.
Tan added that arms sales to Taiwan are pushing people on the island toward catastrophe and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army remains highly vigilant at all times, and will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
China names new party chief for central bank
Pan Gongsheng, a deputy governor of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), has been appointed Communist Party chief of the central bank.
The 59-year-old veteran banker is also party secretary and director of China’s foreign exchange regulator – the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE). Pan will replace 66-year-old Guo Shuqing as PBOC party secretary, according to a brief statement on the central bank’s website citing a memo from the organisation department of the Central Committee, the party’s top policymaking body.
PBOC governor Yi Gang, 65, who has held that post since 2018, will also be stepping down. Pan is expected to take Yi’s place as governor, as appointments of party posts usually precede government positions.
China registers record output of NEVs
China’s 20 millionth New Energy Vehicle (NEV) rolled off the production line on Monday in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, creating a remarkable milestone for the country’s NEV sector. The car was produced by GAC Aion New Energy Automobile. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology during a ceremony in celebration of the new record held in Guangzhou. China registered its first NEV project in 1992 and its current production and sales volumes for NEVs have both ranked first worldwide for eight years in a row. In the first five months of this year, the country produced over three million units and sold 2,94 million units of NEVs, up 45,1 percent and 46,8 percent year-on-year, respectively.
Chinese start-up launches humanoid robot
Fourier Intelligence, a Chinese tech start-up specialising in rehabilitation robotics and artificial intelligence, unveiled its first-generation humanoid robot at the ongoing World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on Thursday.
The Shanghai-based company is venturing into general robotics to cash in on the huge market opportunities in the coming years. Standing at 1,65 metres tall and weighing 55kg, the robot, named GR-1, can walk at 5km per hour and carry a load of up to 50kg. With human-like motion control, it can walk on two legs, avoid obstacles, ascend and descend a slope with stability, and withstand shocks. With the help of cognitive intelligence provided by ChatGPT-like tools, the robot can interact with humans while performing a variety of movements and tasks. General-purpose humanoid robots can be used in an array of scenarios including industrial production, rehabilitative care, scientific research, and household services. The start-up began the humanoid robot programme in 2019 after acquiring underlying technologies in fields like sensors and bionic structures.
*Manyika Kangai has over 15 years of experience facilitating and advising on China-Africa trade and investment deals. Feedback +27743487997/ www.muvambi-sa.co.za
