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Travelzoo Reports Second Quarter 2024 Results

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NEW YORK, July 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Travelzoo® (NASDAQ: TZOO):

Revenue of $21.1 million, consistent year-over-yearConsolidated operating profit of $4.0 millionNon-GAAP consolidated operating profit of $4.8 millionCash flow from operations of $3.1 millionEarnings per share (EPS) of $0.23

Travelzoo, the club for travel enthusiasts, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024. Consolidated revenue was $21.1 million, consistent year-over-year. In constant currencies, revenue was $21.2 million, up from $21.1 million year-over-year. Travelzoo’s reported revenue consists of advertising revenues and commissions, derived from and generated in connection with purchases made by Travelzoo members, and membership fees.

Net income attributable to Travelzoo was $2.9 million for Q2 2024, or $0.23 per share, compared with $0.17 in the prior-year period. Net income attributable to Travelzoo from continuing operations was $2.9 million for Q2 2024, or $0.23 per share, compared with $0.17 in the prior-year period.

Non-GAAP operating profit was $4.8 million. Non-GAAP operating profit excludes amortization of intangibles ($88,000), stock option expenses ($0.7 million) and severance-related expenses ($30,000). Please refer to “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and the tabular reconciliation below.

“We will continue to leverage Travelzoo’s global reach, trusted brand, and strong relationships with top travel suppliers to negotiate more exclusive offers for members,” said Holger Bartel, Travelzoo’s Global CEO. “With more than 30 million members, 8 million mobile app users, and 4 million social media followers, Travelzoo is loved by travel enthusiasts who are affluent, active, and open to new experiences.”

Cash Position
As of June 30, 2024, consolidated cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash were $13.2 million. Net cash provided by operations was $3.1 million.

Travelzoo North America
North America business segment revenue remained consistent year-over-year at $14.1 million. Operating profit for Q2 2024 was $3.7 million, or 26% of revenue, compared to operating profit of $3.8 million in the prior-year period.

Travelzoo Europe
Europe business segment revenue increased 1% year-over-year to $6.0 million. In constant currencies, Europe business segment revenue increased 1% year-over-year. Operating profit for Q2 2024 was $512,000, or 9% of revenue, compared to operating loss of $239,000 in the prior-year period.

Jack’s Flight Club 
Jack’s Flight Club is a membership subscription service in which Travelzoo has a 60% ownership interest. Revenue from unaffiliated customers increased 9% year-over-year to $1.1 million. The number of premium subscribers increased 19% year-over-year. Jack’s Flight Club’s revenue from subscriptions is recognized ratably over the subscription period (quarterly, semi-annually, annually). Non-GAAP operating profit for Q2 2024 was $25,000. Non-GAAP operating profit excludes amortization of intangibles ($59,000) related to the acquisition of Travelzoo’s ownership interest in Jack’s Flight Club in 2020.

New Initiatives
New Initiatives business segment revenue, which includes Licensing and Travelzoo META, was $23,000. Operating loss for Q2 2024 was $184,000.

In June 2020, Travelzoo entered into a royalty-bearing licensing agreement with a local licensee in Japan for the exclusive use of Travelzoo’s brand, business model, and members in Japan. In August of 2020, Travelzoo entered into a royalty-bearing licensing agreement with a local licensee in Australia for the exclusive use of Travelzoo’s brand, business models, and members in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. Under these arrangements, Travelzoo’s existing members in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Singapore will continue to be owned by Travelzoo as the licensor. Travelzoo recorded $7,000 in licensing revenue from the licensee in Japan in Q2 2024. Travelzoo recorded $11,000 in licensing revenue from the licensee in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore in Q2 2024. Licensing revenue is expected to increase going forward.

Members and Subscribers 
As of June 30, 2024, we had 30.8 million members worldwide, consistent with June 30, 2023. In North America, Travelzoo had 16.1 million unduplicated members as of June 30, 2024, down from 16.2 million as of June 30, 2023. In Europe, Travelzoo had 9.2 million unduplicated members as of June 30, 2024, consistent with June 30, 2023. Jack’s Flight Club had 2.2 million subscribers, including premium subscribers, as of June 30, 2024, consistent with June 30, 2023.

Discontinued Operations
In March 2020, Travelzoo decided to exit its Asia Pacific business and operate it as a licensing business going forward. Consequently, the Asia Pacific business has been classified as discontinued operations.

Income Taxes
A provision of $1.3 million for income taxes was recorded for Q2 2024, compared to an income tax expense of $1.1 million in the prior-year period. Travelzoo intends to utilize available net operating losses (NOLs) to largely offset its actual tax liability for Q2 2024.

Share Repurchase Program
During Q2 2024, the Company repurchased 800,000 of its outstanding common stock.

Looking Ahead 
For Q3 2024, we expect growth in revenue year-over-year, albeit at a smaller pace than in 2023. However, there could be unexpected fluctuations. We also expect for Q3 2024 higher profitability year-over-year. For 2025, we expect substantial growth in revenue as a result of additional revenue from membership fees.

In December 2023, we announced the introduction of a membership fee for Travelzoo beginning January 1, 2024. We recognize membership fee revenue ratably over the subscription period. Legacy Travelzoo members as of December 31, 2023, which represent more than 95% of members, are exempt from the fee during 2024. Therefore, we do not anticipate membership fee revenue from these members before 2025.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Management calculates non-GAAP operating income when evaluating the financial performance of the business. Travelzoo’s calculation of non-GAAP operating income, also called “non-GAAP operating profit” in this press release and today’s earnings conference call, excludes the following items: amortization of intangibles, stock option expenses and severance-related expenses. This press release includes a table which reconciles GAAP operating income to the calculation of non-GAAP operating income. Non-GAAP operating income is not required by, or presented in accordance with, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). This information should be considered as supplemental in nature and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Conference Call
Travelzoo will host a conference call to discuss second quarter 2024 results today at 11:00 a.m. ET. Please visit http://ir.travelzoo.com/events-presentations to

download the management presentation (PDF format) to be discussed in the conference callaccess the webcast

About Travelzoo
We, Travelzoo®, are the club for travel enthusiasts. Our 30 million members receive exclusive offers and one-of-a-kind experiences personally reviewed by our deal experts around the globe. We have our finger on the pulse of outstanding travel, entertainment, and lifestyle experiences. We work in partnership with more than 5,000 top travel suppliers—our long-standing relationships give Travelzoo members access to irresistible deals.

Certain statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, expectations, prospects and intentions, markets in which we participate and other statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts. When used in this press release, the words “expect”, “predict”, “project”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “seek” and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including changes in our plans, objectives, expectations, prospects and intentions and other factors discussed in our filings with the SEC. We cannot guarantee any future levels of activity, performance or achievements. Travelzoo undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

Travelzoo
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Three months ended

Six months ended

June 30,

June 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Revenues

$         21,141

$         21,128

$    43,126

$    42,729

Cost of revenues

2,520

2,880

5,160

5,571

Gross profit

18,621

18,248

37,966

37,158

Operating expenses:

Sales and marketing

9,386

10,142

17,984

19,438

Product development

603

518

1,169

1,008

General and administrative

4,621

4,315

9,211

8,728

Total operating expenses

14,610

14,975

28,364

29,174

Operating income

4,011

3,273

9,602

7,984

Other income, net

176

479

315

829

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

4,187

3,752

9,917

8,813

Income tax expense

1,267

1,091

2,772

2,469

Income from continuing operations

2,920

2,661

7,145

6,344

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

2

Net income

2,920

2,663

7,145

6,344

Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest

(7)

37

(18)

45

Net income attributable to Travelzoo

$           2,927

$           2,626

$      7,163

$      6,299

Net income attributable to Travelzoo—continuing operations

$           2,927

$           2,624

$      7,163

$      6,299

Net income attributable to Travelzoo—discontinued operations

$                —

$                  2

$           —

$           —

Income per share—basic

Continuing operations

$             0.23

$             0.17

$        0.54

$        0.41

Discontinued operations

$                —

$                —

$            —

$           —

Net income per share—basic

$             0.23

$             0.17

$        0.54

$        0.41

Income per share—diluted

Continuing operations

$             0.23

$             0.17

$        0.54

$        0.40

Discontinued operations

$                —

$                —

$           —

$           —

Net income per share—diluted

$             0.23

$             0.17

$        0.54

$        0.40

Shares used in per share calculation from continuing operations—basic

12,895

15,275

13,191

15,485

Shares used in per share calculation from discontinued operations—basic

12,895

15,275

13,191

15,485

Shares used in per share calculation from continuing operations—diluted

12,976

15,337

13,300

15,557

Shares used in per share calculation from discontinued operations—diluted

12,976

15,337

13,300

15,557

 

Travelzoo
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

June 30,
2024

December 31,
2023

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$             12,567

$            15,713

Accounts receivable, net

13,220

12,965

Prepaid income taxes

998

629

Prepaid expenses and other

1,726

1,461

Total current assets

28,511

30,768

Deposits and other

223

1,115

Deferred tax assets

3,102

3,196

Restricted cash

675

675

Operating lease right-of-use assets

5,873

6,015

Property and equipment, net

499

578

Intangible assets, net

1,686

2,091

Goodwill

10,944

10,944

Total assets

$             51,513

$            55,382

Liabilities and Equity

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$               5,212

$              4,546

Merchant payables

16,708

20,622

Accrued expenses and other

4,217

3,658

Deferred revenue

3,207

2,044

Income tax payable

1,070

766

Operating lease liabilities

2,389

2,530

Liabilities from discontinued operations

24

24

Total current liabilities

32,827

34,190

Long-term tax liabilities

6,323

4,681

Long-term operating lease liabilities

6,342

6,717

Other long-term liabilities

376

911

Total liabilities

45,868

46,499

Common stock

124

136

Tax indemnification

(9,537)

(9,537)

Note receivable from shareholder

(1,753)

(1,753)

Additional paid-in capital

439

Retained earnings

17,083

19,508

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(4,951)

(4,607)

Total Travelzoo stockholders’ equity

966

4,186

Non-controlling interest

4,679

4,697

Total stockholder’s equity

5,645

8,883

Total liabilities and equity

$             51,513

$            55,382

 

Travelzoo
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

Three months ended

Six months ended

June 30,

June 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

$            2,920

$            2,663

$     7,145

$     6,344

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

175

467

558

945

Stock-based compensation

688

432

783

828

Deferred income tax

(12)

30

(27)

(38)

Loss on long-lived assets

10

10

Net foreign currency effects

(14)

(36)

(11)

(33)

Provision of loss (net recoveries) on accounts receivable and refund reserves

26

(117)

(7)

(829)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

(150)

3,516

(385)

3,888

Prepaid income taxes

(390)

610

(327)

1,017

Prepaid expenses, deposits and other

(49)

2,325

533

2,485

Accounts payable

(295)

(1,072)

713

(2,393)

Merchant payables

(1,101)

(4,013)

(3,779)

(8,604)

Accrued expenses and other

478

(534)

1,450

377

Income tax payable

224

234

278

234

Other liabilities

556

600

753

1,419

Net cash provided by operating activities

3,056

5,115

7,677

5,650

Cash flows from investing activities:

Proceeds from repayment of note receivable

74

113

Purchases of property and equipment

(48)

(46)

(83)

(157)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

(48)

28

(83)

(44)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Repurchase of common stock

(6,557)

(4,684)

(10,429)

(4,870)

Exercise of stock options and taxes paid for net share settlement of equity awards

(299)

(299)

Net cash used in financing activities

(6,557)

(4,983)

(10,429)

(5,169)

Effect of exchange rate on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(73)

211

(311)

382

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(3,622)

371

(3,146)

819

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

16,865

19,826

16,389

19,378

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$          13,243

$          20,197

$   13,243

$   20,197

 

Travelzoo

Segment Information from Continuing Operations

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

Three months ended June 30, 2024

Travelzoo North

America

Travelzoo
Europe

Jack’s
Flight Club

New
Initiatives

Consolidated

Revenues from unaffiliated customers

$       14,015

$         6,004

$         1,099

$              23

$          21,141

Intersegment revenues

119

(53)

(66)

Total net revenues

14,134

5,951

1,033

23

21,141

Operating profit (loss)

$         3,717

$            512

$            (34)

$          (184)

$            4,011

Three months ended June 30, 2023

Travelzoo North

America

Travelzoo
Europe

Jack’s
Flight Club

New
Initiatives

Consolidated

Revenues from unaffiliated customers

$       13,642

$         6,462

$         1,011

$              13

$          21,128

Intersegment revenues

491

(575)

84

Total net revenues

14,133

5,887

1,095

13

21,128

Operating profit (loss)

$         3,753

$          (239)

$              97

$          (338)

$            3,273

Six months ended June 30,
2024

Travelzoo North

America

Travelzoo
Europe

Jack’s
Flight Club

New
Initiatives

Consolidated

Revenues from unaffiliated customers

$       28,288

$       12,584

$         2,199

$              55

$          43,126

Intersegment revenues

74

29

(103)

Total net revenues

28,362

12,613

2,096

55

43,126

Operating profit (loss)

$         8,155

$         1,894

$          (133)

$          (314)

$            9,602

Six months ended June 30,
2023

Travelzoo North

America

Travelzoo Europe

Jack’s Flight Club

New Initiatives

Consolidated

Revenues from unaffiliated customers

$       28,209

$       12,540

$         1,959

$              21

$          42,729

Intersegment revenues

682

(766)

84

Total net revenues

28,891

11,774

2,043

21

42,729

Operating profit (loss)

$         8,269

$            218

$              52

$          (555)

$            7,984

 

Travelzoo

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Information

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Three months ended

Six months ended

June 30,

June 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

GAAP operating expense

$   14,610

$   14,975

$   28,364

$   29,174

Non-GAAP adjustments:

Amortization of intangibles (A)

88

389

405

787

Stock option expenses (B)

688

431

783

827

Severance-related expenses (C)

30

56

30

95

Non-GAAP operating expense

13,804

14,099

27,146

27,465

GAAP operating profit

4,011

3,273

9,602

7,984

Non-GAAP adjustments (A through C)

806

876

1,218

1,709

Non-GAAP operating profit

4,817

4,149

10,820

9,693

Media Contact:
Investor Relations:
ir@travelzoo.com

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Huawei Wen Tong: 6G Needs to Embrace AI for Shaping Future Network

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SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — At the 6G Conference held in Istanbul, on September 24, 2024, Dr. Wen Tong, Huawei Wireless CTO, delivered a keynote speech on 6G standardization and innovation. With the release of the ITU-R 6G vision framework, the 3GPP will start 6G standardization in 2025. “6G is a new generation of mobile technology, not a simple upgrade of 5G, it should bring new value to users,” said Dr. Tong, “6G is a true intergenerational technological disruption. 6G standard, key technologies, and network architecture should be re-defined based on application scenarios and requirements from 2030 to 2040. 6G should not be another way to implement 5G. Instead, 6G should embrace the AI revolution with a quantum leap and generate new values for the consumers. In this way, 3GPP standards can truly realize the 6G vision and create greater value for the entire industry.”

Centered “6G Standardization Direction” and “6G Innovation Driving Force”, Dr. Tong shared important views on the future architecture, terminal development, and key technologies of 6G.

In terms of architecture design, 6G should go beyond Service-Based Architecture and move towards Application-Driven Network.

5G has already achieved market success and continues to evolve towards 5G-Advanced. 6G will not simply reuse 5G network architecture, without generational and fundamental innovations, which will limit the mobile industry’s aspiration and imagination to dive the innovation in the 6G era. 6G must have obvious cross-generational characteristics and technical breakpoint.

On the core side, reusing the 5G core network will hinder the innovation in AI. We should use Agentic-AI based technology to re-architect 6G Core that goes beyond 5G Service-Based Architecture and support the foundational capabilities of AI, Sensing and NTN , and thus evolve towards the Application Driven Network .

In terms of terminal evolution, 6G user device calls for a breakthrough to lead the success of the entire industry chain.

It is the law of the mobile industry to drive the evolution of the market with the pioneering technology. The 6G networks and 6G terminals must meet the requirements of consumers and vertical industries in the 6G market phase from 2030 to 2040.

Currently, smartphones are evolving to AI terminals to usher in the mobile AI era. In post-MBB era, breakthroughs in terminal technologies will be the key to the evolution of the mobile industry. Therefore, 6G user device calls for a breakthrough towards “Full-AI”, thus to drive 6G network upgrade and the success of the entire industry ecosystem.

In terms of technology development, AI will become a key enabler for 6G with network paradigm shifting.

Twenty years ago, the Internet was the enabler of the technology innovations. Mobile communications embraced the Internet and achieved great business success. Today, AI maybe the disruptive enabler of the latest technology innovations.

6G should embrace the AI revolution with a quantum leap. However, 6G networks should not be limited to generative AI, Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and Embodiment-AI are the main directions of future AI development. Therefore, AGI should run through the whole process of sensing, reasoning, decision, and action of terminals, wireless networks, and core networks of 6G, to welcome the arrival of a new network paradigm.

At the end, Dr. Tong Wen emphasized the relationship between 5G and 6G: “The global 5G deployment is on the rise and evolving to 5G-Advanced, which not only meets the current requirements of operators, but also protects their investment. Therefore, 6G technologies should not overlap with 5G in technologies and market space. The specifications, technologies, and architecture of 6G must be based on the scenarios and requirements from 2030 to 2040. We should focus on true generational technology disruption, embrace the new opportunities brought by AI, expand the mobile industry in the next generation.”

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Global Times: China’s GDI, GSI, and GCI foster global cooperation, address urgent challenges

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BEIJING, Sept. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In an era marked by unprecedented global transformations, the world stands at a critical crossroads, grappling with deepening deficits in peace, development, security, and governance. As humanity faces unparalleled challenges during this tumultuous period, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, has put forth a solemn call to action through the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). 

The three pivotal initiatives address the pressing issues of our time, offering viable pathways and robust support for the building of a global community of shared future. Rooted in the rich historical experiences of the CPC’s century-long struggle and infused with the wisdom of China’s traditional culture, these initiatives are expected to unite the world in the pursuit of common progress and stability.

To offer a deep understanding of the GDI, the GSI, and the GCI, and elaborate on their significance on a global scale, the Global Times is launching series of articles featuring engaging stories and in-depth interviews to provide our readers with a comprehensive insight into the three initiatives. 

From ‘Convention of Peking’ to ‘Beijing Declaration’

In April 2022, President Xi proposed the GSI to promote universal security while delivering a keynote speech via video link at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2022. The initiative is a global public good offered by China, as well as a vivid illustration of the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind in the security field.

On July 23, 2024, 14 Palestinian factions gathered in Beijing and signed the Beijing Declaration on Ending Division and Strengthening Palestinian National Unity after participating in reconciliation talks mediated by China, a lively demonstration of the GSI’s function in practice, which many international observers hailed China for having “made something impossible possible,” and regarded it as a milestone in the Middle East reconciliation process. 

“Palestinian unity is key to the realization of Palestinian statehood and China is committed to facilitating it,” read an article on news outlet Al Jazeera.

“The Palestinian question is at the core of the Middle East issue. Over the past years, China has put forward proposals and taken action to address the Palestinian question with Chinese wisdom and solutions,” stated the article. 

China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular media briefing on July 24, that “China firmly supports the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights, and supports the people of Middle East countries in holding their future in their own hands. China will continue to advance the GSI and make more contribution to peace and stability in the Middle East.” 

On the day that the “Beijing Declaration” was signed, many Chinese people hailed the important step in peace in the Middle East and shared the sentiment “Because we have been caught in the rain, we want to hold an umbrella for others” on social media platforms. 

They recalled the history that 164 years ago, the Qing government was forced to sign the humiliating “Convention of Peking” in 1860, which included ceding territories and paying indemnities. That dark era saw China reduced to a semi-feudal and semi-colonial society, when bullying by foreign powers and frequent wars tore the country apart and plunged the Chinese people into an abyss of great suffering. After a strenuous fight, the CPC has closely united and led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to work hard for a century to put an end to China’s national humiliation, guiding the country to progress and prosperity. 

The past suffering is not merely a reminder of a dark history; it has also made the Chinese people more sympathetic to the suffering of others and has deepened their understanding of the value of peace. 

Turkish Ambassador to China İsmail Hakkı Musa hailed the significance of the GSI in an exclusive interview with the Global Times. “The GSI has its own rations. It focuses on sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and [the] peaceful settlement of the disputes. You may have noticed that too many people – too many analysts – defended the idea that, for example, the role assumed by China between the approach of Saudi Arabia and Iran was a kind of application or practice of this initiative,” Musa said.

“We all know that this approach is a good thing. Lesser tension in that region is an important contribution to the world peace,” he stressed. 

In practice, China is not only playing an unselfish, active role in the brokering of peace in the Middle East while some other countries ignore human lives for selfish interests, but has also become an important force in maintaining world peace. 

Since the restoration of its legitimate seat in the United Nations, China has faithfully fulfilled its international legal obligations as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. 

Currently, China is the second-largest contributor to the UN’s regular budget, the second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, and the largest troop-contributing nation among the permanent members of the Security Council. China actively participates in negotiations and the formulation of rules on global security issues in various fields, including international arms control and preventing nuclear proliferation. 

It also collaborates with various parties in non-traditional security areas such as counter-terrorism, biosecurity, and food security. In the face of ongoing hotspot issues, China is committed to playing the role of a responsible major power.

Right to development

In the heart of Africa, where the sun shines brightly and the needs of the people are as vast as the savannah, a new story of development is unfolding. It’s a tale of “small but beautiful” projects born from ChinaAfrica cooperation, ranging from crop cultivation and maize growth and combating the region’s hunger issue, to clean energy projects that provide affordable new energy, and to the Luban Workshop, which offers training to many in Africa. 

The implementation of these “small and beautiful” projects echoes the GDI’s call for sustainable and people-centric growth.

Three years ago, Xi proposed the GDI at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, calling for the building of a consensus in pursuing development, promoting shared growth, and helping accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

China achieved the goal of eradicating absolute poverty 10 years ahead of the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, making significant contributions to global poverty alleviation efforts. Internationally, China is fully committed to development, actively sharing its development opportunities and experiences with other countries, especially with those in the Global South. 

Since the initiative was proposed, the content has been consistently substantialized, with its implementation mechanisms becoming more refined over time. This has led to the gradual establishment of practical cooperation within its framework, providing China’s approach to addressing the development gap in Global South countries.

At the just concluded 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the China-Africa Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation within the Framework of the Global Development Initiative was released. 

“Since the launch of the GDI, China and Africa have joined forces and mutually supported each other in exploring paths toward modernization, further implementing the China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035, advancing the nine programs to a high standard, as well as completing 175 ‘small and beautiful’ livelihood cooperation projects,” read the statement. 

More than 30 African members of the FOCAC have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI and the Global Development Promotion Center Network to put in place an efficient working mechanism and platform for alignment in development policies, coordination of development resources, and facilitation of joint actions.

Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, CEO of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development in Pakistan, told the Global Times that he believes that the GDI, which advocates that development “holds the master key” to solving problems and ensuring sustainable peace, is what the world is desperately seeking now. He noted that apart from Africa, other Global South countries are benefiting from the GDI and China’s development dividends.

“Without sharing the dividends of development, we cannot preach ethics, and the dream of peace will remain a dream. Without cooperation, concrete programs, and the allocation of financial resources, we cannot achieve these goals. China is cognizant of this reality and has launched numerous programs and provided financial support such as $4 billion to the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund,” he said. 

Musa noted to the Global Times that “China initiated the concept of the ‘right to development.’ The GDI also offers action-based policies and result-based projects.” 

According to China’s Foreign Ministry, over the last three years, the GDI has made remarkable achievements. Over 100 countries and some international organizations have given support to or taken part in the initiative. More than 80 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI. China has set up a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, which has financed over 150 programs. The Global Development Promotion Center Network is bringing more members on board. 

“The GDI was put forward by China, but its opportunities and benefits are shared by the world. On the path toward development and prosperity, no country or individual should be left behind. This is the vision of the GDI, as well as the goal advocated by the UN,” Mao Ning said at a regular media briefing on September 20, 2024.

Respect for diverse civilizations

In March 2023, Xi proposed the GCI for the first time at the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting, advocating for the respect of the diversity of world civilizations, the promotion of common values for all humanity, the emphasis on the inheritance and innovation of civilizations, and the strengthening of international cultural exchange and cooperation. 

The initiative is another major public product offered to the world by China after the GDI and the GSI. It sends a sincere call to the world to deepen the dialogue of civilization exchanges and promote the progress of human civilization through inclusiveness and mutual learning, contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to promote a higher level of international cooperation, experts said. 

Shahbaz Khan, director of the UNESCO Regional Office, told the Global Times that the GCI aligns with UNESCO’s mission to foster respect for cultures worldwide, particularly those that possess outstanding universal value.

China now boasts 59 World Heritage sites, including the Beijing Central Axis, a “remarkable example” of urban heritage that showcases advancements from the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) to the present day, Khan said.

In recent years, China has enhanced communication and coordination with UNESCO, working with all parties to promote the implementation of the United Nations’ Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations, strengthening dialogue and exchange among civilizations, and increasing the sharing of values, concepts, and experiences behind the policies of various countries, jointly exploring solutions to global challenges and issues. 

Ramay noted that the GCI, together with GDI and GSI, “negates the idea of superiority and present the vision of equality and equity built on respect for diversity and cultures. The vision categorically highlighted the need for a fair and just system where everyone (country or human) can pursue the dream of development and peace.” 

“These initiatives promote the idea of resolving conflicts or disputes through dialogue and development to strengthen peaceful and cooperative co-existence. Thus, the world welcomed the initiative, especially the Global South,” he said. 

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202409/1320506.shtml

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-times-chinas-gdi-gsi-and-gci-foster-global-cooperation-address-urgent-challenges-302261752.html

SOURCE Global Times

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The pioneered intelligent airborne detection technology by State Grid Zaozhuang Power Supply Company

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ZAOZHUANG, China, Sept. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The traditional manual detection is likely to be made towards the phase A in the lower layer; while the intelligent airborne detection is actually made towards the phase A in the upper layer. This represents the comparison result for the discharge hidden danger of the No. 23 tower insulator of the 10 kV cement plant line in the 110 kV Tendong Substation outgoing line by different detection methods, yet the accurate judgment brought by the innovative application of unmanned aerial vehicle airborne ultrasonic partial discharge detection technology.

By the end of August 12, the application of the self-developed UAV airborne ultrasonic partial discharge detection technology by State Grid Zaozhuang Power Supply Company has reached a year, during which, a total of 450 unmanned aerial vehicles were detected, 63 hidden hazards of partial discharge were identified, leading to a reduction of 37 equipment failures, the reduction of the power distribution network fault outage rate by 68%, and improving the power supply reliability rate to 99.982%.

According to Zhang Jianhua, Director of the Operation and Maintenance Department of Zaozhuang Power Supply Company, this technology is initiated in China, rewriting the tradition and passivity of power distribution network partial discharge fault investigation by hearing voice manually over a long time, and leaping into the era of intelligent imaging diagnosis. As the capillaries of the large power grid connecting thousands of households, the current average height of the distribution network tower is 15 to 18 meters, and both the insulators and cable heads on the top of these towers are important detection parts, the improvement in traditional manual detection methods is badly needed. To this end, they, by boldly integrating UAV with local imaging inspection technology, used the advantages of UAV multi-angle close-range inspection to carry out partial discharge inspection, innovated and broadened the technical dimension of aerial patrol, took the lead in enabling accurate collection of voiceprint local release data, and completed demonstration of putting the technology into practical application.

Innovation is not as simple as one plus one, the technology research took a year. Since June 2022, by means of hardware structure transformation and multi-algorithm fusion optimization, they have successively overcome a range of problems such as the inability of traditionally partial discharge inspection to lock the discharge part, the partial discharge detection of UAV propeller noise interference, and the geographical conditions of inspection, and enabled the high-quality and efficient partial discharge imaging detection of the power distribution network. In July 2023, the technology was put into trial use, and later in December of the same year, it was inspected and accepted by the State Grid Shandong Electric Power Company.

During the trial use, the Zao Zhuang Power Supply Company, by giving full play to its advantages as being directly managed and operated by State Grid Corporation of China, coordinated 162 power distribution network lines, and allocated 35 UAVs for the seven power supply centers affiliated to it in a unified manner, and trained 26 drone pilots. Beyond that, it repeatedly carried out technical verification and optimization in the trial use, reducing the time to inspect the base tower 1 from 25 minutes to 15 minutes, indicating an efficiency improvement by 1.8 times compared to the traditional manual inspection, making the accuracy reach 100%.

Instead of revolving around the tower, staring at the equipment for a long time, and being anxious but unable to do anything, Li Yanlin, the specialist staff from Operation and Maintenance Department of Zaozhuang Power Supply Company expressed the pleasure that thanks to the intelligent airborne detection technology, the partial discharge failures found in the power distribution network could be eliminated as soon as they are identified, leading to the great transformation of the operation and maintenance of distribution network from “eliminating present problems” to “preventing them before they are present”, and the formation of a sound situation of intelligent operation and maintenance.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/the-pioneered-intelligent-airborne-detection-technology-by-state-grid-zaozhuang-power-supply-company-302261739.html

SOURCE State Grid Zaozhuang Power Supply Company

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