Chinese manufacturers redefine excellence at Olympic Games

Chinese manufacturing has undergone a remarkable transformation, with numerous Chinese companies not only meeting but also exceeding international standards across a wide array of industries. This impressive advancement has enabled Chinese manufacturers to establish new benchmarks and gain global recognition for their exceptional capabilities.

As the official supplier of 3x3 basketball and table tennis flooring for the Paris Olympics, Enlio has become the top choice for global sports events thanks to its superior product quality and innovative capabilities.

Liu Jiajia, research and development director of Enlio, said that the superior quality of their products stands as a resounding endorsement of the company's remarkable manufacturing prowess.

"In terms of performance, there have been significant upgrades in reducing hardness, enhancing anti-slip properties, and improving impact absorption to protect athletes. The second aspect is the product's eco-friendliness. We are currently collaborating with FIBA on research into bio-based materials," said Liu.

Developed by Enlio, this rubber elastic flooring is the world's first sports flooring to be officially certified by FIBA 3x3. Through close collaboration with international sports organizations, Enlio continuously refines its products to meet the demands of sports events in different countries and regions.

"The cooperation will delve into jointly developing products. We aim to ensure high professionalism and superior product quality. We are committed to elevating 'Made in China' to a recognized brand and ensuring that the world takes notice," said Hao Lihui, overseas general manager of Enlio.

In 2008, at the Beijing Olympics, ZKC Barbell made its debut, breaking a six-Olympics-long monopoly held by Japanese companies in barbell supply. Now, ZKC is set to serve the Olympics for the fourth time. The company's continuous technological advancements and consistently superior product quality have made it a favorite on the international stage.

"The primary objective of the research and development is to enhance the performance of weight plates by refining the rubber formulation and manufacturing processes. This includes optimizing the material ratios to improve tear resistance, lifespan, aging resistance, density, and hardness. The innovative integration of core materials with the rubber through a proprietary one-step molding technique not only speeds up production but also addresses the issue of weight plate imbalance," said Zhang Yi, deputy general manager of ZKC Barbell.

The competition weight plates from China now boast a weight error margin of less than 0.5 percent, surpassing the International Weightlifting Federation's standard of 1 percent.

Additionally, the bending value of the barbell shaft is within 0.2 millimeters, an improvement of 0.3 millimeters over the standards set by the International Weightlifting Federation.

"The company devotes approximately 15 percent of its annual sales to research and development, making it the sole enterprise dedicated to establishing a production line specifically for weight plates. We continuously enhance product quality in terms of technical specifications, safety, and environmental sustainability," said Zhang Zhiguo, general manager of ZKC Barbell.

In addition to Enlio and ZKC Barbell, several other Chinese companies have demonstrated their manufacturing capabilities at the Paris Olympics. From cutting-edge competition equipment to athlete gear, Chinese manufacturing has set a new benchmark for excellence in quality and innovation.

Chinese manufacturers redefine excellence at Olympic Games

Chinese manufacturers redefine excellence at Olympic Games

The World Food Programme (WFP) has urged safe passage for food aid to Sudan's North Darfur and South Kordofan states, which are experiencing most fierce conflict, massive displacement and looming famine.

For the first time in months there are multiple WFP convoys of food aid heading to Zamzam in North Darfur, where famine was confirmed, and Kadugli in South Kordofan, according to a statement released by the WFP on social media on Thursday.

Sudan has been gripped by a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since mid-April 2023.

The government said on Wednesday that 28.9 million people in Sudan need humanitarian assistance due to the ongoing civil war, among whom 16.9 million are in need of life-saving humanitarian assistance, requiring about 840,000 metric tons of assistance in the next two months.

Since April this year, both sides of the armed conflict in Sudan have engaged in a protracted struggle for control over North Darfur State, with the capital city, Al-Fashir, becoming the focal point of the dispute.

The ongoing fighting has resulted in a serious humanitarian disaster in the region. Both parties have repeatedly launched large-scale shelling in Al-Fashir city, causing significant damage to civilian infrastructure, including markets and residential areas, and resulting in numerous civilian casualties.

Most local medical facilities have ceased operations, leading to an extreme shortage of medical supplies. Many injured patients have lost their lives due to the inability to receive timely medical care.

On Wednesday, the Sudanese government decided to extend the opening of the Adre border crossing with Chad for three months to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the war-affected population in the country.

"I lost my brother, my brother, until now I don't know where he died or not. I don't know where. And also I have [lost] my child. Until now I never see them, I don't know where. I ask the people [on the] Internet where is my family," a relocated Sudanese resident said while interviewed in a camp near Chad–Sudan border.

According to UN estimates, about 25.6 million people -- more than half of Sudan's population -- face acute hunger amid the ongoing conflict, including over 755,000 on the brink of famine.

Since April of this year, the conflict in Al-Fashir has displaced over 410,000 residents, while the total number of displaced individuals in the Darfur region exceeds 5 million.

Among them, approximately 700,000 have crossed the border into the neighboring Chad to seek refuge.

"Every one of us suffering and lost a couple of his family. Some of them are dead, some of them till now they didn't found where there. They didn't have something to eating or to drinking or to make themselves healthy and whatsoever. This is a major problem that we are suffering in this camp," another displaced Sudanese resident said.

According to the WFP's statement, the food assistance including nutritional supplies for children and other relief materials will be delivered to approximately 50,000 people.

"The message is these convoys have to reach their final destination. We have to get to these populations. We're asking everybody involved along those roads to give us free passage so that we can assist these populations," said Alex Marianelli, WFP's deputy country director in Sudan.

WFP urges safe passage for food aid to war-affected Sudanese states