News

1. The report shows that there are nearly 5 billion global social network users
According to quarterly internet statistics reports, nearly 5 billion people (4.88 billion) are active on social networks, accounting for 60.6% of the world’s total population. Some regions are still far behind: in Central and East Africa, only 1 out of 11 people use social networks. In India, less than one-third of people register accounts on social media platforms. The report shows that global users spend 2 hours and 26 minutes a day on social networks, but the difference is significant: Brazil has 3 hours and 49 minutes, Japan has less than 1 hour, and France has 1 hour and 46 minutes.

2. The Russian Central Bank announces an increase in key interest rates to 8.5%
On the 21st local time, the Central Bank of Russia announced that it would raise the key interest rate by 100 basis points to 8.5%. The Russian central bank stated that the current annual rate of price growth has exceeded 4% and is continuing to rise. Due to limited labor resources and other reasons, the growth of domestic demand has exceeded the increase in production capacity, continuously exacerbating inflationary pressure and increasing inflation expectations.

3. Malaysia’s foreign trade declined in the first half of the year
According to data released by the Malaysian Department of Statistics on the 20th, Malaysia’s total foreign trade in the first half of this year was 1288 billion ringgit (approximately 4.56 ringgit per US dollar), a decrease of 4.6% compared to the same period last year. The Malaysian statistics department stated that the decline in foreign trade in the first half of the year was mainly due to a slowdown in global economic growth and a decrease in commodity demand.

4. Argentina officially announces its decision to establish a consulate general in Chengdu
Recently, the Argentine government issued Decree 372/2023 signed by President Fernandez through an official announcement, announcing that based on close bilateral relations and the growing demand of Argentine overseas nationals, it decided to open a consulate general in Chengdu, the China, to further strengthen bilateral trade and cultural ties, and promote Argentina’s national image in the region.

5. EU and Tunisia sign an agreement to jointly combat illegal immigration
Recently, the European Union and the North African country Tunisia signed a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of a “strategic and comprehensive partnership”. Based on this, the EU will provide conditional economic assistance to Tunisia, while the latter agrees to cooperate with the EU to strengthen the fight against illegal immigration, including strengthening the coordination of search and rescue operations, and strengthening border control.

6. “Stacked with Chinese photovoltaic modules”! The Energy crisis makes Europe “sweep”, and China’s photovoltaic exports continue to grow
The warehouses in Europe are filled with Chinese photovoltaic modules, “according to research results released by research company Resta Energy on the 20th by Quartz Financial Network. Currently, the accumulated value of Chinese made solar modules accumulated in Europe is about 7 billion euros, far exceeding the current actual demand. In the past five years, the expenditure on photovoltaic imports in Europe has almost quadrupled. Since 2023, China’s monthly exports of photovoltaic modules to Europe have been higher than the same period last year, with exports even increasing by 51% year-on-year in March. According to data from the China Photovoltaic Industry Association, the total export volume of China’s photovoltaic products in the first half of this year is preliminarily estimated to exceed 29 billion US dollars, an increase of about 13% year-on-year. The largest market in Europe accounts for about 50%, with a growth rate of over 40%

7. China will resume its unilateral visa exemption policy for Brunei citizens
According to the official account of the Chinese Embassy in Brunei, the Chinese government has resumed the 15 day visa free entry policy for Brunei citizens who hold ordinary passports to do business, travel, visit relatives and friends, and transit in China since 0:00 on July 26, Beijing time.