Tag International

Pilot modern farming with e-tractors: Volkswagen Group Africa announces the start of operations of a multifunctional facility in Africa

The GenFarm Project is a holistic ecosystem of e-powered mechanised farming service for rural areas in Africa as well as mobility solutions

Empowerment Hub is a key component of the GenFarm Project and will supply clean energy and business spaces, trials of e-tractors and trainings for the local farmers

The project is piloted by Volkswagen Group Innovation Centre Europe and Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda in partnership with the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and other partners

Kariega/Kigali –Volkswagen Group Africa has announced the start of operations of its multifunctional facility to pilot modern farming with e-tractors in Africa. The facility is in Gashora, Rwanda, about 60km from the capital, Kigali.

The GenFarm Project is a holistic ecosystem of e-powered mechanised farming service for rural areas in Africa that is reliable, sustainable and environmentally friendly. It also provides mobility services for transportation of goods and people. In June 2023, Volkswagen Group Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Rwanda to provide land for the establishment of the GenFarm Project.

“We are growing our footprint in Africa and regard Rwanda as a key growth market. This project demonstrates our commitment to sustainable practices and highlights our ability to provide mobility solutions to the rural community in addition to the urban community currently serviced by our Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda business. The GenFarm Project fosters technological innovation and aligns with Volkswagen Group’s strategy to generate meaningful value for both society and the environment through sustainable mobility,” said Martina Biene, Volkswagen Group Africa Chairperson and Managing Director.

The GenFarm Project is piloted in Rwanda in partnership with Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda and Volkswagen Group Innovation Centre Europe.  The Empowerment Hub (e-Hub), currently a pre-Hub built around specifically equipped standard containers while in the initial phase, will be a key component of the GenFarm. Preparation for the construction of the actual e-Hub is underway and is expected to be operational by the first half of 2025. Equipped with photovoltaic power system and the energy storage system, the e-Hub will supply clean energy, storage space and business space to the cooperatives. This includes space for their service operations, e-tractor services, and e-scooter services. Volkswagen Group Africa facilitates the stakeholder steering committee and reviews post pilot expansion possibilities.

Volkswagen Group Innovation Centre Europe supplies the e-tractors and provides equipment for the project from Wolfsburg in Germany while Volkswagen Mobile Solutions Rwanda is the catalyst in operating the pilot hub and provides input and support to the operations.

The Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Innovation, Dr. Nikolai Ardey described how the GenFarm operates. “We want to offer various services in the empowerment hubs. Farmers can book an e-tractor including a trained driver for affordable sustainable farming. The unique selling point of the project is the use of the battery swap system. In this way, the battery becomes part of the hub’s energy infrastructure as well as energy storage for the tractor,” said Ardey.

The GenFarm Project is supported jointly by the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. RICA is an entity which combines research, education and extension services to train Rwanda’s next generation of farmers and agriculturists. On behalf of the German government, GIZ among others is acquiring the necessary machinery for the e-tractors and assessing necessary services the hub is planned to provide for local farmers.

All partners bring unique expertise and contributions to the GenFarm Project.

The pilot phase of the project will benefit cooperatives in Gashora which is in the Bugesera district.

Over the last 30 years, Rwanda’s economy has developed significantly. The agricultural sector has remained pivotal in improving livelihoods of Rwandans and sustaining the country’s economy. The agricultural sector currently accounts for 25% of the national Gross Domestic Product.

Ends

30,000 Marathon Enthusiasts Ignite the Beauty of Dalian with Their Run

At 7:30 on October 20th, the 34th Dalian Marathon kicked off, with 30,000 marathon enthusiasts successively dashing past the starting line. They crossed the city, running passionately in the cool weather, while being cheered on by enthusiastic citizens along the course.

Dalian wins many laudatory titles, such as “Global Livable City”, “Culture City of East Asia”, “Best Tourist City in China” and  “Top Ten Most Livable Cities in China”. Because of this, the Dalian Marathon, or “Da Ma”, has attracted many marathon enthusiasts at home and abroad to enter the race. This event, which started in 1987, is the earliest marathon in China to reach a scale of ten thousand participants, and it enjoys a high reputation and influence at home and abroad.

As an A1 marathon certified by the China Athletics Association, this year’s Dalian Marathon has embraced smart event organization by introducing face recognition and intelligent material collection systems to provide runners with an efficient and convenient race experience. While BeiDou satellite technology offers precise technical support for the safe conduct of the event, enabling accurate monitoring and management. Along both sides of the course, there are also distinctive cultural cheering stations featuring war drums for cheering, photo check-in-spots, cheerleading performances, folk music bands, square dancing, etc., as well as Dalian intangible cultural performances such as Danxian Paiqu (single-stringed plucked ballad), Taiping Drum Dance, Changsuihua Drum Dance (long tassel flower drum dance), and Dalian Puppet Shows.

This year’s event features three categories: full maranthon, half marathon, and fun run. The 42.195 km full marathon route starts from the fashionable and modern Donggang Business District, passes through centuries-old Zhongshan Square, crosses Zhongshan Road, the main road of the city. It then takes a turn at the vast Xinghai Bay, followed by a sea-crossing bridge, and returns via the tree-lined Huihua Avenue and the “century-traversing” tram. There is absolutely wonderful view where you look that you can appreciate the sunrise emerging from the ocean, the seafood feast with a romantic date, lighthouses connecting with windmills, and the fusion of classical and modern elements, all which will provide you an unforgettable running experience in Dalian.

In order to enhance the city experience for them, Dalian has also introduced a range of preferential cultural and tourism policies, which will last until the end of October. This year, there are a number of newly “updated” urban experience projects in Dalian-Dongguan Street, which bears witness to the city’s development and transformation. Strolling through it, it seems to experience the century-old history of old Dalian. The nationally popular “Gangdong Fifth Street”, known for its beautiful images of “large ships and skyscrapers in the same frame”, is hailed as the most beautiful road in Dalian. Visitors can take a walk by the seaside at Suoyu Bay and listen to the passionate cheers from the China League One stadium. Additionally, one can board the luxurious yacht “Laohutan” departing from the old Dalian Port pier, enjoying the scenic views and delicious food from the deck.

Experienced runner Kanji ITO, who came specially from Japan to participate in the Dalian Marathon, told reporters that this is already his second time taking part in the event. “Every section of the course is particularly beautiful; it feels as if we are running through a painting! Dalian’s citizens are especially enthusiastic, cheering us on throughout the entire race. At the start, I also saw many well-known runners from abroad, which is a testament to the strong appeal of the Dalian Marathon.”

Contact: Li Wosha

Tel.:0086-13998436347

E-mail:dl_ wxb@126.com

The 2024 Ningbo Open Kicks Off

On October 14, the main event of the 2024 Ningbo Open officially commenced! After partnering with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) for the first time last year, the Ningbo Open has been upgraded to a WTA 500 event this year, reflecting Ningbo’s increasingly open attitude toward the world.

According to statistics from the International Tennis Federation (ITF), there were 87.18 million people participating in tennis globally in 2021, with China ranking second only to the United States, accounting for 22.9 percent of the world’s total tennis population. Furthermore, China boasts the second-largest number of tennis courts in the world, totaling 49,767.

Since the first tennis court was built in Ningbo in 1987, the sport has flourished in the city. Today, Ningbo hosts tennis events of three major international associations: WTA, ATP, and ITF.

As the most professionalized sport, the three major international tennis associations have strict requirements for competition venues. In 2023, the inaugural Ningbo Open filled the gap of WTA tour events in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai region, showcasing Ningbo’s capacity to host world-class tournaments. One year later, the event was upgraded, placing Ningbo alongside cities such as Washington, D.C., Abu Dhabi, and Berlin as a host of WTA 500 events.

Statistics indicate that the 2023 Ningbo Open attracted a remarkable total of 5.192 million viewers both online and offline, demonstrating its immense appeal. Throughout the event, players became a hot topic of conversation among locals. Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova’s heartfelt remarks after the match further highlighted her fondness for the city. On X (formerly Twitter), Kvitova enthusiastically shared photos from her time competing in Ningbo with the caption “Ni Hao from Ningbo,” effectively conveying the warmth of the city to a broader audience.

Players also had the opportunity to experience the cultural charm of Ningbo during the event. Intangible cultural heritage items such as gold and silver embroidery, paper cutting, bamboo weaving, and Meiyuan stone carving captivated competitors like Romanian player Jaqueline Cristian.

Ningbo’s long history and diverse culture will surely shine on this international stage. As Zheng Jie, vice president of the Chinese Tennis Association, noted, Ningbo’s ability to host such a high-profile international event with top-ranked participants further affirms its potential to develop into a prominent sports city. Among the four gentlemen’s sports, tennis ranks the highest in popularity, with ATP and WTA events gaining widespread recognition.

By focusing on high-quality sports events, Ningbo aims to promote the harmonious coexistence and mutual empowerment of its cultural, tourism, and sports industries. As the popularity of tennis continues to rise, Ningbo is creating diverse consumption scenarios, allowing visitors to transition from simply “watching a match” to actively “exploring the city.”

Research indicates that once a country’s per capita GDP surpasses $8,000, the sports industry will experience rapid growth. This year, Ningbo has hosted prestigious international events such as the Badminton Asia Championships 2024, the Ing Cup World Go Championship, and the AVC Beach Volleyball Continental Cup. Looking ahead, the city is also set to host the ISSF Shooting World Cup in 2025 and the IWF World Championships in 2026.

Contact: Zou Xin

Tel.: 0086-18658268882

E-mail: 410285758@qq.com

Delegation of International Communication Experts and Foreign Media Outlets Visit Zhongshan to Experience the City’s Hustle and Bustle

Delegation of International Communication Experts and Foreign Media Outlets Visit Zhongshan to Experience the City’s Hustle and Bustle

Recently, the “World Comes to Zhongshan” delegation of international communication experts and foreign media outlets, organized by the CICG Academy of Translation and Interpretation, visited the most representative tourist attractions in Zhongshan, gaining a deep understanding of the city’s rich cultural and tourism resources and the development of its cultural and tourism industry.

Yakou Village is an “Internet famous village” in Zhongshan, receiving over 2.5 million tourists in 2023. Relying on the local tourism resources, the village has innovated its development concept and explored a new model of “beautiful countryside construction” by creating a number of new attractions that integrate agriculture, culture, and tourism. These new attractions include homestays, a food street with restaurants made of containers, Internet famous markets, and a seafood street. Guo Wenhai, Secretary of the Zhongshan Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), pointed out that in recent years, Yakou Village has relied on its location, ecology, and culture to promote the integrated development of agriculture, culture, and tourism, and has achieved significant results. Yakou Village has become a beautiful scenic spot in Zhongshan, attracting more and more tourists from the Greater Bay Area.

Caobian Village is one of the well preserved ancient villages in Zhongshan. In this national 3A-level scenic spot—the third highest rating of scenic spots in China—which has won multiple national honors such as “Beautiful Countryside Construction Demonstration Village” tourists can not only experience the pastoral scenery, but also gain a deeper understanding of its profound historical and cultural heritage. Currently, the village is utilizing its rich and unique local culture and resources to create a tourism incubation demonstration base featuring “rural tourism and study,” and attracting tourists through various activities.

The development of the tourism industry in Caobian and Yakou villages is just a microcosm of Zhongshan’s efforts to create a new cultural and tourism consumption scene. Xiao Zhanxin, mayor of Zhongshan, stated that the city will focus on enriching tourism products, optimizing tourism services and stimulating tourism consumption to create a cultural and tourism city in the Greater Bay Area.

The Museum of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen is a must visit tourist destination in Zhongshan, and the opening of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link has led to record breaking daily visitor arrivals at the museum. In Zhongshan City during holidays, there are long queues of customers waiting outside specialty restaurants and vehicles from cities on the east bank of the Pearl River Estuary can be seen everywhere. Lin Ruixi, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Zhongshan Municipal Committee and Head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Zhongshan Municipal Committee, said that the opening of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link has attracted the world’s attention to the Greater Bay Area and the the Pearl River Estuary once again. The “golden channel” has brought more Internet traffic to the city, showing the outside world the excellent development results of a new “Internet famous city.” Nowadays, citizens of Shenzhen and Zhongshan can cross the link to see different sceneries. Faced with the “sky high Internet traffic” brought by the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, Zhongshan is strengthening the integrated development with Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macao on the east coast of the Pearl River Estuary in the planning and development of cultural and tourism industries.

Contact: Albert Huang

Phone: 008610-68990638

E-mail: 1713543383@qq.com

Delegation of International Communication Experts and Foreign Media Outlets Visits Emerging Industry Enterprises in Zhongshan, Guangdong Province

On October 9, 2024, the delegation of international communication experts and foreign media outlets, themed “The World Comes to Zhongshan” and organized by the CICG Academy of Translation and Interpretation, visited several representative enterprises in Zhongshan’s emerging industries to experience the development of these innovative sectors.

At the Sinoscience Fullcryo (Zhongshan) Equipment Manufacturing Co. Ltd., delegation members learned about a large hydrogen liquefier capable of producing five tons of liquefied hydrogen per day. This facility was jointly developed, designed, and manufactured by the company and the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, achieving the domestic production of large hydrogen liquefiers, with overall performance reaching international advanced levels. Zhongshan has prioritized the hydrogen energy industry and has nurtured several leading enterprises and research institutes in low-temperature technology, thus forming a relatively complete hydrogen energy industrial chain.

At the Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, the delegation received insights into several groundbreaking drugs developed by the institute that are pioneering in both China and globally. The institute is currently working on more than 60 new drugs, with seven of them undergoing clinical trials. This initiative reflects Zhongshan’s commitment to creating a national-level comprehensive platform that integrates biopharmaceutical research and development, technological breakthroughs, platform services, and industrial incubation, all aimed at promoting high-quality development in the biopharmaceutical and health industries within the Greater Bay Area.

During last year’s Hangzhou Asian Games, tens of thousands of spectators benefited from seamless video streaming and video calls through a robust 5G network, supported by Tongyu Communication Co. Ltd., based in Zhongshan. The delegation learned that as China’s pioneering manufacturer of base station antennas, the company has established two overseas production bases in India and Thailand, along with six international branches. Its base station antennas are extensively utilized in over 60 countries and regions and have earned certification as a global supplier from leading telecom equipment manufacturers such as Huawei, ZTE, and Ericsson.

At FCourier, a company specializing in the research, development, operation, and management of high-performance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), flight control systems, and artificial intelligence products, the delegation observed the test flights of two types of UAVs up close. Known for their exceptional performance, the company’s electric vertical take-off and landing fixed-wing UAVs with retractable rotors are sold in multiple Middle Eastern countries. They are effectively applied in various fields, including emergency firefighting, public safety, and energy inspection, and serve as an example of China’s high-end manufacturing going global. Zhongshan aims to gather over 300 relevant enterprises in the industrial chain, achieving an industrial scale exceeding 10 billion yuan, and is committed to establishing a distinctive low-altitude manufacturing industry, which is poised to be a key growth driver for the city’s economy.

Contact: Albert Huang

Tel.: 008610-68990638

E-mail: 1713543383@qq.com