Following in the footsteps of Marco Polo

BEIJING, Aug. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily

My name is Vienna Cammarota. I'm a hiker from Italy. I have been a fan of Italian traveler Marco Polo since childhood, which later led me to become a tour guide. Years of hiking have helped me maintain good health. Even at 75, I still have no need for reading glasses.

About 20 years ago, my interest in China was sparked by a student from Beijing who stayed in my home. The connections we made and the friendships we developed ignited my curiosity about China.

Following that, I found myself drawn to The Travels of Marco Polo, reading it over and over again to understand China through its vivid descriptions. The depiction of the ancient Silk Road in the book particularly fascinated me.

In 2018, the idea of retracing the ancient Silk Road came to me, which inspired me to map out a journey covering 22,000 kilometers from Venice to Beijing, passing through 15 countries in three to four years. At first, my children thought it was unrealistic for me to complete such a long journey in my seventies. However, as they observed my detailed planning, they came around and gave me their full support.

More support came from those I had never met before. Upon conceiving this idea, I published my proposal on the internet in the hope of securing sponsorship. Shortly after, Zhu Yuhua, president of Associazione Cina-Italia di Shanghai (ACIS), reached out to me after seeing the information and expressed his readiness to offer support. He even planned a detailed itinerary and route and arranged for a volunteer team especially to assist me - a team that turned out to be my greatest support during this journey.

My journey began on April 26, 2022, as I departed from Lazzaretto Nuovo island in Venice, with my family and friends giving me a warm send-off. My backpack, weighing 16 kilograms, contained The Travels of Marco Polo, the Venice city flag, and a Chinese sachet, among others.

For more than two years, I overcame practical challenges and psychological pressures, trekked through mountains and waters, and traversed cities and villages across different countries. Along the way, I have gained insights into the history, culture, and customs of each country I visited. As I delved into the remains of the ancient Silk Road, I was struck by the vast changes our world has experienced.

As of now, I have traveled through 14 countries, including Italy, Serbia, Türkiye, Iran, and Kazakhstan.

At every stop, I engaged in deep conversations with local people. These interactions not only enhanced my understanding and appreciation of different ethnic groups and cultures but also provided me with a more comprehensive and insightful perspective on the ancient Silk Road.

Whether it was Cinci Han Caravanserai in Safranbolu, Türkiye, the existing caravanserais in Iran, or the well-preserved historical sites in Khiva, an ancient city in Uzbekistan - all of these evoked the past splendor of the ancient Silk Road.

Just as Chinese President Xi Jinping noted, the ancient Silk Road is a route that greatly boosted the flow of goods, spread of science and technology, interaction of ideas, and integration of diverse cultures on the Eurasian continent.

As I journeyed along this historical route, I witnessed that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), carrying forward the legacy of the ancient Silk Road, has benefited more and more people across different countries. Many livelihood projects built by China, including highways, railways, and cross-sea bridges, have brought tangible results to the people in Belt and Road partner countries.

In Croatia, I saw the Peljesac Bridge, constructed by a Chinese enterprises consortium, realizing the centuries-old dream of connecting the south of Croatia with the rest of the country. In Uzbekistan, I visited the Pengsheng Industrial Park, the first investment project by a Chinese private enterprise in Uzbekistan, where Chinese drip irrigation technology had been introduced for large-scale vegetable cultivation, leading to substantial reductions in labor costs. In Tajikistan, I saw Chinese enterprises revitalizing the China-Tajikistan highway.

Lu You, a renowned poet in China's southern Song dynasty (1127-1279), once said, "What is learned from books is superficial after all. Wisdom comes from real life." I completely agree with this idea.

Over 700 years ago, Marco Polo amazed Europe with his detailed chronicle of a 24-year journey across Asia, which invoked Westerners' aspirations for China.

Today, walking on the same "golden ancient route" with Marco Polo's book in hand, I felt a deep sense of pride. Looking back on my journey, I want to tell friends of my age: Be brave in pursuing your dreams - nothing is impossible!

As planned, I will reach China this summer, a destination I have long yearned for. With my dream about to be fulfilled, I am brimming with excitement. I hope to follow in Marco Polo's footsteps, gain a deep understanding of today's China, and continue to sow seeds of friendship along the way.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Following in the footsteps of Marco Polo

Following in the footsteps of Marco Polo

Following in the footsteps of Marco Polo

Following in the footsteps of Marco Polo

Following in the footsteps of Marco Polo

SINGAPORE, Sept. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hiring sentiments in Singapore gain momentum as employers gain confidence, reveals the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey.

Out of the 525 employers in Singapore surveyed about their hiring plans for the October to December period, 46% plan to hire, 17% anticipate a decrease in their staffing levels, while 36% do not expect any change. The Net Employment Outlook (NEO) after seasonal adjustment is +29%, growing 9% from last quarter, but weakening 7% year-over-year.

Used internationally as a bellwether of economic and labor market trends, the NEO is calculated by subtracting the percentage of employers who anticipate reductions in staffing levels from those who plan to hire.

Employers in eight of nine sectors expect to increase headcount, with the most competitive sector being Financials and Real Estate, with a NEO of +64%, rising 49% from last quarter and 18% since the fourth quarter of 2023.

"The growing emphasis on quantum and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies within financial institutions is anticipated to fuel job creation in Singapore's Financials and Real Estate sector," comments Ms. Linda Teo, Country Manager of ManpowerGroup Singapore. "Overall, the fourth quarter of 2024 signaled a gradual improvement in the labor market. That said, we are at a tipping point where the economy and job market could either move towards recovery or face a further slowdown. Given Singapore's open economic landscape, it remains to be seen if hiring optimism will continue amid global uncertainties."

Besides employment outlooks, the report also shed light on Singapore employers' sentiment on the Gen Z workforce, strategies for retention and diversity and inclusion, as well as the ESG skills gap.

"While employers may believe they hold the power in negotiations, as the competition for skilled talent intensifies, employers may need to rethink their negotiating tactics," Ms. Teo says. "Employers who want to attract and retain skilled talent should be willing to demonstrate flexibility and a willingness to meet the needs of their employees so they can position themselves as employers of choice."

Employment Outlooks Across the Asia Pacific

To view complete results for the fourth quarter 2024 ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, visit: www.manpowergroup.com.sg/meos. The next survey will be released in December and will report hiring intentions for the first quarter of 2025.

ABOUT THE SURVEY

The ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey is the most comprehensive, forward-looking employment survey of its kind, used globally as a key economic indicator. The Net Employment Outlook is derived by taking the percentage of employers anticipating an increase in hiring activity and subtracting from this the percentage of employers expecting a decrease in hiring activity.

SURVEY METHODOLOGY

The methodology used to collect NEO data has been digitized in 42 markets for the Q4 2024 report. Survey responses were collected from July 1-31, 2024. Both the questions asked, and the respondent profile remain unchanged. The size of the organization and sector are standardized across all countries and territories to allow international comparisons.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding labor demand in certain regions, countries, industries, and economic uncertainty. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements due to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These factors include those found in the Company's reports filed with the SEC, including the information under the heading "Risk Factors" in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which information is incorporated herein by reference. ManpowerGroup disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking or other statements in this release, except as required by law.

ABOUT MANPOWERGROUP SINGAPORE

Established in 1995 in Singapore, ManpowerGroup works with a range of manufacturing, resources, mining, transport and logistics, government, blue chip investment and retail banks, IT vendors and outsourcers, telecoms service providers and infrastructure, utilities and engineering services companies. In Singapore, the ManpowerGroup suite of solutions is offered through Manpower®, and Talent Solutions. More information on ManpowerGroup Singapore is available at: www.manpowergroup.com.sg

ABOUT MANPOWERGROUP 

ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing, and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands – Manpower, Experis, and Talent Solutions – creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across more than 75 countries and territories and has done so for more than 75 years. We are recognized consistently for our diversity – as a best place to work for Women, Inclusion, Equality, and Disability, and in 2024 ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the 15th time – all confirming our position as the brand of choice for in-demand talent.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Employers Gain Confidence in Q4 2024, with Businesses in Financials and Real Estate Leading the Way: Latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey