> Alibaba Group Holding is scaling down its metaverse operations, according to a source familiar with the matter, making it the latest Big Tech company to pull back resources from the once-popular sector.

> Dozens of employees at Yuanjing, the metaverse unit of e-commerce giant Alibaba, have been laid off, as part of a restructuring that aims to optimise and improve efficiency in the organisation, the source said.

> The lay-offs, which were first reported by Chinese media on Friday, affected Yuanjing’s operations in both Shanghai and Hangzhou, capital of eastern Zhejiang province. Yuanjing, which had received “billions of yuan” in investment, previously employed a few hundred workers, according to a report by online news outlet AI Jingxuanshe.

> The source, however, said the Alibaba unit will continue to exist, with a focus on metaverse applications and tools, as well as providing metaverse-based services to customers.

Archive link

https://archive.vn/H1jGO

> China has extended its unilateral visa-free policy to more countries, providing visa-free treatment to travelers holding ordinary passports from nine countries, namely: Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein and South Korea, as of November 8, 2024, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday.

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> The last four years have been hard on China’s superrich and if Xi’s team doesn’t change course many more will become extinct.

Archive link

https://archive.is/gNdbC

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cross-posted from: https://lemmygrad.ml/post/6021242

> Thoughts on this writing of Mao's? > > It's about 45 minutes long or thereabouts. > > "Oppose Stereotyped Party Writing" > > Seems good for me as a Communications major.

I tried asking on reddit, but tbh everyone is an asshole over there and were not giving me very detailed answers

This is gonna be a fairly complex question with a fairly complex answer, I know. A few things to preface to reassure that I'm not dashing into this without thinking.

1.I am not moving tomorrow. I'm getting my degree in my home country first, and then moving. (Obviously I will ask again when the time comes, since policies and situations can change)

2.I am planning on learning and becoming proficient(if not fluent) in Chinese

3.Im planning on taking internships and will have a degree in an industrial field, so I won't be completely unqualified for potential positions.

4.I know china isn't luxury gay space communism

Anyway, what I wanted to ask is a few subquestions in relation to one big overall question.

A.What is the process from getting from my country (the usa) to China going to be like? I mean, obviously I'm flying, but I've never moved countries before so I want to know what I'll need to do beforehand, how long the process will take, and what might prevent me from going in the first place

B.Is there any specific locations in China that you would recommend? Personally I'm thinking either Shanghai or Chongqing, however I generally just don't know where I'd fit in to start. I understand if I might not be perfect for a recommendation, but if there are some ideas that I could he presented with, I would greatly appreciate it, and I can always move to a different area later

(Edit:I'm also from an area with very few natural disasters. Should I move somewhere more inland, or northern, since I don't have experience in preparation and evacuation and such)

C.What is the process and what should I expect for getting a job? I live in the US, so how do I go about getting a job offer from a Chinese company to get a work visa. What would make me more viable as a canidate (besides language skills and a degree and experience, obviously)

D.The great firewall and such. How worried should I be about what I say, both in person and on social media? Also, how much access will I have to the non-chinese world? I've been told there might be access to VPNs, but I feel like that defeats the purpose of the great firewall, no?

E.Services. How does getting access to Healthcare, legal services, etc. Go when I'm not a citizen?

F.How worried should I be about day to day life and crime? How much more/less worried should I be about getting mugged/assaulted/burglarized (obviously depending on the area.)

G.How do I deal with the inevitable culture shocks I'll have?

And finally

H.Will there be any possibility of me obtaining Chinese citizenship? If yes, how long will it take, and what will and won't be available for me for the time im not a citizen? I checked the naturalization law, and it says if I'm stateless I can apply for citizenship if I'm "settled," but I dont exactly know what that means.

I think that covers everything. I'll add as much detail about myself as I am willing to share online (which isn't a ton). Thank you in advance for any help in this matter.

what is love？

https://archive.ph/9lhiY

https://archive.is/xM2wx

> China’s first domestically built 300-megawatt heavy-duty gas turbine – used for generating electricity and powering warships – has passed an ignition test.

> It marks a key milestone for the Chinese technology, which was said to lag behind that of the West by about 30 years when the project began in 2016. The team’s rapid progress has closed that gap in less than a decade.

> Developed by China United Heavy-Duty Gas Turbine Technology Co, the first prototype of the gas turbine was completed in February.

> The biggest gas turbine currently operating is the SGT5-8000H made by German company Siemens. It weighs in at 390 tonnes – about the same as an Airbus A380 – and its 375MW capacity is equal to the combined turbocharged engine power of 1,300 Porsche 911 cars. Yet the precision of its core blades is maintained within the thickness of a hair.

> The gas turbine ignited on Monday is comparable to the mainstream models in service globally, known as F-class. It has an operating temperature of around 1,400 degrees Celsius (2,552 Fahrenheit) and a capacity of 300MW.

> The goal of building an F-class 300MW heavy-duty gas turbine was listed in the government’s “Made in China 2025” plan to upgrade hi-tech industries and reduce dependency on imports, and an even more advanced 400MW turbine is targeted by 2030.

> “We must persistently continue our efforts and leverage the advantages of China’s national system,” Jin said. “[Also] ensure the research resources are there, allow researchers to focus solely on tackling key problems, and fully commit to validating the overall performance and reliability of the system.”

Archive link

Western observers often express cynicism towards China's self-proclaimed "Whole-Process People's Democracy" without fully grasping its distinct characteristics and underlying principles. While Western liberal democracies prioritize periodic elections, China argues this approach is inherently limited, susceptible to corruption, and ultimately fails to truly represent the people's will.

In contrast, the Chinese model envisions democracy as an ongoing, pervasive force woven into the fabric of governance and daily life. This "whole process" approach emphasizes continuous engagement between the government and its citizens, fostering policies that are more responsive to evolving needs guided by active public engagement rather than solely during election cycles.

The engagement manifests in institutions like the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the national level, where representatives from diverse social groups and regions contribute to policymaking. At the grassroots level, residents' committees and village committees empower citizens to participate in local decisions impacting their daily lives, from development projects to community services.

Furthermore, numerous channels exist for citizens to oversee government actions. These include reporting corruption or misconduct by officials and providing feedback and suggestions. Importantly, China's 100 million Communist Party members, deeply embedded within society, are tasked with understanding and responding to the needs and desires of the people, further strengthening accountability.

In practical terms, "whole-process" democracy in China fosters a culture of continuous dialogue, consultation, and collaborative problem-solving between the government and its citizens. It's an approach that prioritizes tangible outcomes over procedural adherence. The focus lies on the practical results of governance, such as "delivering sustained, stable, and sound national development," rather than solely relying on electoral processes to determine democratic legitimacy.

Originally a communist term contrasting with "bourgeois democracy," "people's democracy" highlighted the limitations of capitalist states that, despite offering formal political rights, perpetuated economic inequality and upheld the dominance of the capitalist class.

While the meaning has evolved, it retains the core principle of prioritizing the welfare and will of the masses over the interests of elites or special interest groups. As articulated in the Qiushi article, China's policies must "truly reflect the people's concerns, embody their aspirations, promote their wellbeing, and meet their desire for a better life."

Rather than viewing society as merely a collection of individuals, the society is seen as an organic entity with its own existence and importance. Just as a complex biological organism relies on a nervous system and brain to coordinate its various organs, a complex society requires a central planning mechanism to harmonize its diverse functions. This perspective underscores the article's emphasis on "fostering social harmony" as a fundamental objective of China's democratic model.

Last point, which I'm sure many of you will be asking themselves is: "yes that's all good and well, but is it really a democracy if people can't choose their rulers?"

Because the Chinese system offers numerous avenues for citizen participation in policy and governance beyond simply electing leaders, the concept of "official" differs significantly from Western notions. Within China's whole-process democracy, officials are viewed as executors of the people's needs and will, rather than detached decision-makers.

These officials are selected based on their proven track records and meritocratic exam results, not through campaign prowess or appeals to narrow interest groups. Their legitimacy stems not from electoral victory, but from their effectiveness in implementing policies that reflect and serve the public interest. This system prioritizes continuous legitimacy earned through tangible achievements, rather than periodic validation through the ballot box.

The West often champions "diversity," but frequently confines itself to superficial variations within a narrow spectrum of acceptable thought. China, however, presents a truly divergent model – a profound difference in philosophical foundation and societal structure. Rather than reacting with fear or dismissal, we should embrace this contrast. China offers an invaluable mirror, reflecting a different vision of societal organization and prompting critical self-reflection. Engaging with this alternative perspective is not merely an intellectual exercise; it is crucial for navigating an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

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