A large-scale China-French food and cultural exchange program will premiere on Saturday night on various channels and new media platforms operated by China Media Group (CMG) and French media outlets.
Named "Peak Food Moment – China French Chef King Competition", the TV program, jointly launched by the CMG and the French Embassy in China, will be simultaneously broadcast on new media platforms of the CMG such as CCTV-2, CCTV Video, and CCTV.com.
The program consists of 10 episodes, each lasting 60 minutes, featuring 20 emerging chefs from both China and France competing in the culinary showdown.
Distinguished diplomats, renowned cultural scholars, and expert food critics will together judge the delectable creations, with winning dishes earning a coveted spot on the "China-France Chef Master Menu."
The year 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. It is also the year of China-French cultural tourism. The program aims to promote cooking culture and bring the Chinese and French peoples closer to each other.
CMG to air China-France culinary competition program
CMG to air China-France culinary competition program
The former president of the European Central Bank (ECB) Jean-Claude Trichet provided insights into the ECB's recent monetary policy and the ongoing economic challenges during an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on the sidelines of the three-day Bund Summit which opened in Shanghai on Thursday.
Trichet praised the ECB's decisive actions in addressing the surge in inflation in the Eurozone that dropped from over 9 percent two years ago to 2.2 percent this August.
"First of all, I think really that the ECB did its own work and job quite well, obviously, because we had a surge of inflation in Europe and as well as in the world, at least in the U.S. and in many, many countries, which was very dramatic. The central banks and the ECB in particular did not practice benign neglect. They took seriously the problem, and after perhaps a small number of months of hesitation, they decided to cope with the situation and they increased rates 10 times, successively 10 times, which of course they had never done before. By the way, at the same time, the U.S. Fed was increasing interest rates 11 times. So in both cases, I would say the central banks have been very responsible," he said.
Despite the reduction in headline inflation, Trichet acknowledged the persistence of core inflation which dropped slightly from 2.9 percent in July to 2.8 percent in August. Looking ahead, he anticipated that the ECB might continue to adjust interest rates cautiously, aligning with market expectations.
"I would say at the present moment, when I look at the situation of the European, they are, as well as other central banks, on their way to have a soft landing. I expect them to continue to diminish rates, probably next time this month, we will see. I don't want to substitute to the governing council. They will take a good decision, I'm sure, but it's largely anticipated by markets," Trichet said.
Former ECB chief provides insights into EU monetary policy
