BEIJING, Nov. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The 31st APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Lima, Peru, concluded on Saturday, with leaders of 21 member economies calling for enhanced free trade and greater connectivity. Facing unprecedented global risks and challenges that cannot be addressed by any single economy alone, Asia-Pacific economies are expected to engage in closer cooperation to withstand turbulence and build a community with a shared future for mankind. In an interview with Global Times (GT) reporter Qian Jiayin, Cynthia Sanborn (Sanborn), director of the Center for China and Asia-Pacific at Universidad del Pacífico in Peru, said that APEC serves as a useful platform for developing business contacts and opening new opportunities for trade.

GT: The theme of this year’s APEC meeting is “Empower, Include, Grow.” Why do you think this theme was chosen for the APEC meeting in Peru? How has the APEC mechanism contributed to the development of Latin American countries?

Sanborn: I think that the primary objective is to “overcome existing differences among the group” of member economies – including the US, China, Russia, among others – aimed at bridging existing differences. This collaborative effort seeks to establish a roadmap toward an integrated global economy.

Inclusion holds particular significance in this theme, as organizers are committed to fostering active engagement from sectors within these societies that have traditionally been marginalized in national and global forums. These sectors include women, Indigenous communities and young people.

In evaluating the developmental impact of this forum, it is important to note that only three Latin American countries – Peru, Chile and Mexico – are members of APEC. As small open economies and major commodity exporters, Peru and Chile have benefitted enormously from their early participation in diverse international forums dedicated to free trade and globalization. Their opening to Asian markets and trade has significantly contributed to their economic growth and development. 

Today, China stands as the largest trading partner for both Peru and Chile, underscoring the significance of these ties. Peru, for instance, has established trade agreements with 14 of the 21 APEC member economies. Furthermore, participation in APEC has facilitated the involvement of Latin American countries in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, reinforcing their commitment to regional integration and trade expansion.

In addition, APEC serves as a useful platform for developing business contacts and opening new opportunities for trade.

GT: The Chinese-invested and built Chancay Port was opened on November 14, marking another iconic project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Latin America. What are your views on the future prospects of Chinese investment in Peru and Latin America?

Sanborn: It is important to emphasize the significant potential and interest within Latin America for expanding Chinese investment, particularly in high value-added sectors that can drive sustainable development. While certain countries, like Brazil, are not formal participants in the BRI, they nonetheless attract substantial Chinese investment in critical areas such as renewable energy and electric vehicle production, underscoring the strategic importance of these partnerships. Peru, with the development of the Chancay Port, also stands ready to be a logistic and maritime trading hub, connecting all of South America with Asia, as well as creating a special economic zone in which such value-added industries can be developed.

GT: APEC has long worked to eliminate trade barriers in the Asia-Pacific region. However, given the rise of protectionism and the severe challenges facing the multilateral trading system, how do you think the APEC multilateral framework should respond to these challenges?

Sanborn: The rise of protectionism is a pressing concern for countries in Latin America. We have free trade agreements with over half of APEC members, including key partners such as the US and China. We remain hopeful that these agreements will be respected across political transitions, preserving the mutual economic benefits they provide. In this context, forums like APEC are crucial for keeping the discussion of fair and open trade on the table, serving as vital platforms to advocate for a rules-based multilateral trading system.

GT: With APEC and G20 being held in Latin American countries, issues like the rise of the Global South and global governance have again become key topics of focus for participants. What does the rise of the Global South in global governance mean? 

Sanborn: The evolving role of the Global South in global governance has become an important topic of discussion, with Latin American leaders having contributed to the demands of developing countries for a redefinition of global institutions and for greater attention to issues such as climate change, inequality, and social and environmental justice. Yet, it is also clear that the countries commonly grouped under the “Global South,” including those in Latin America, do not form a monolithic bloc and often differ in their perspectives and policies. 

On global issues like the crises in Gaza and Ukraine, Latin American countries hold a range of views, reflecting the region’s diverse political landscapes and priorities. Navigating the path toward transformative change in global governance while respecting the varied standpoints and complex realities of these nations remains an ongoing challenge.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/apec-crucial-for-a-rules-based-multilateral-trading-system-302307939.html

SOURCE Global Times

HANGZHOU, China, Nov. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Dahua Technology, a world-leading video-centric AIoT solution and service provider, today introduced a series of smart education solutions under the theme “Student-centered Learning, Innovative School Management, and Intelligent Student Safety” at an online event. These solutions, accompanied by new educational products, aim to empower global education through advanced technology and digital transformation.

Enhancing Learning Experiences

Dahua’s Smart Classroom Solutions include DeepHub smart interactive whiteboards, which integrate with video and audio systems to enable hybrid learning. With one-click recording, classroom content can be saved in real time, allowing students to catch up on lessons they missed. Equipped with gamification features, DeepHub fosters active learning. Additionally, a mobile lab training cart provides real-time, 4K demonstrations, combining theory and practice to enhance engagement and overcome visibility challenges.

Smarter School Management

To improve efficiency, Dahua has developed automated attendance solutions that use AI technology to track attendance accurately, saving valuable class time. The Dahua Smart Examination Solution offers identity verification and electronic device detection, reducing proctor workload by 50% and enhancing examination integrity. The One-Card/One-Face System facilitates fast access and integrates payment for campus amenities, and the Dahua Smart Parking Solution streamlines vehicle management, saving users an average of 10-20 minutes per session.

Advanced Campus Security

Dahua’s intelligent security systems create a safer campus environment with access control that regulates entry, AI-based behavioral analysis to detect threats, and cameras with sound and light alarms for restricted areas. The Dahua monitoring center integrates video surveillance with AR technology, providing real-time alerts and data to improve security decision-making. A VR Patrol System also automates security patrols, reducing human error and enhancing coverage. The Multi-School Management System links schools within a region to provide coordinated responses to potential threats, improving response efficiency by up to 50%.

New Educational Products

Dahua also unveiled several new products tailored for education:

Classroom Camera: This PTZ camera supports classroom recording, online exam monitoring with AI, and automatic attendance based on class schedules.DSS Pro EDU: A web-based system with an attendance module, DSS Pro EDU integrates with school management systems to streamline attendance tracking and reporting.DeepHub Interactive Whiteboards: The ST420-S3 model offers NFC login, Wi-Fi 6, enhanced audio, and advanced whiteboard functions like handwriting recognition. The ST473 model, featuring capacitive touch, a 48-megapixel camera, and voice tracking, provides an interactive and high-definition learning experience.Audio System: Dahua’s professional-grade audio system includes MIMO technology, echo and noise reduction, and wireless microphone charging, delivering high-quality sound for both online and hybrid learning.Lab Training Cart: With 4K resolution, multi-screen display, and local storage, the mobile lab cart enhances practical learning by ensuring detailed and clear visuals.

This event highlights Dahua’s dedication to shaping the future of education through intelligent solutions. Following this launch, in-person education summits will be held in Brazil, Indonesia, and the UAE to help more customers improve educational quality and campus management through Dahua’s tailored products and solutions.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/co-creating-intelligent-education-dahua-unveils-comprehensive-education-solutions-and-products-302307962.html

SOURCE Dahua Technology

Eco-friendly tolling system combats congestionInfrastructure-light system requires less construction and maintenanceSuccessful urban and nationwide systems operated by Kapsch TrafficCom

VIENNA and NEW DELHI, Nov. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Congestion and traffic-based pollution are increasingly serious issues around the globe, and in India. Indian authorities are battling millions of hours wasted in traffic and increasingly toxic air, while resources to maintain road infrastructure are dwindling. 

Satellite tolling is an efficient and effective way to address these critical challenges, and the Indian Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is currently working on such a solution. The technology, using GPS, Galileo, and other global satellite data, provides highly accurate, infrastructure-light tolling adaptable to different environments, from urban centers to national toll networks.

Kapsch TrafficCom is one of the front runners pushing the technology. The solution combines flexibility, low operational costs, and rapid scalability, enabling clients to charge vehicles based on real-time geolocation, regardless of road or jurisdiction. For India, satellite tolling is the optimal choice to manage the ever-growing amounts of traffic moving along its enormous highway and road network.

Kapsch TrafficCom’s satellite tolling system has already proven successful in regions like Norway and Bulgaria. The platform is data protection-compliant and offers exceptional data privacy protections, ensuring only necessary geolocation data is collected and stored.

“In Bulgaria, we achieved the first go-live within 11 months and are now managing 16,000km of road,” explains Carolin Treichl, EVP EMENA at Kapsch TrafficCom. “Our solution doesn’t just calculate distance-based charges. It empowers cities and nations to manage congestion, reduce pollution, and replace declining fuel tax revenues with a fair road user charge.”

Full release: Press | Kapsch TrafficCom

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