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San Francisco offers vacant downtown spaces rent-free to lure retailers

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      China

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      San Francisco offers vacant downtown spaces rent-free to lure retailers

      2024-09-06 02:17 Last Updated At:06:17

      The city of San Francisco in the United States is offering vacant spaces rent-free to attract small business owners to rejuvenate the downtown areas.

      San Francisco's office vacancy rate recently hit a record high of nearly 37 percent. To address the problem, the city is implementing what some consider extreme measures through the 'Vacant to Vibrant' initiative, which was launched last October. The program has selected nearly 30 local businesses to date and offers up to six months of rent-free space.

      The owners of Paper Son Coffee applied for the program, and are now at the new location serving up locally roasted coffee that incorporates Asian flavors.

      "Streets were always packed before COVID and now it's like a ghost town. So it's nice to get some vibrancy in some communities, the shops open," said a customer named Mano Gilman at the coffee shop.

      This prime location was empty for three years before Paper Son Coffee moved in with no rent pay for six months.

      "Six months, no strings attached. You can leave if you want to. It is a statement from the landlord. That's super generous, honestly," Alexander Pong, co-owner of Paper Son Coffee told China Global Television Network (CGTN).

      Hungry Crumbs makes freshly baked stuffed cookies and the shop is filled with locally produced beverages and art.

      Its founder Mo Ali said the initiative changed the traditional business model.

      "I think it's based on the conversation that you have with the landlord. Some folks would just pay a flat fee or a percentage based on revenue generated. I think it's an exciting time just to kind of revise what the business model is, as opposed to like a flat fee," he said.

      Rent based on revenue was not an option for jeans store Holy Stitch, which was in the first "Vacant to Vibrant" cohort.

      "I was given a month to month option thereafter with the rent that everyone knew I or hoped that I could pay for it rather. I maybe was ambitious thinking the possibility of doing that. But it definitely at times - not felt like a set up - but indicative of how small businesses need different kinds of support than just a space," said founder Julian Prince Dash.

      Now, Holy Stitch has evolved into a for-profit business that creates original clothing.

      "You can think about it like an ice cream shop. Buy it as is, or you can go to the other section and put toppings on it that include rhinestone, silkscreens,” said Dash.

      San Francisco offers vacant downtown spaces rent-free to lure retailers

      San Francisco offers vacant downtown spaces rent-free to lure retailers

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      Chinese embassies hold receptions to celebrate upcoming Spring Festival

      2025-01-21 21:46 Last Updated At:22:07

      Festive receptions were held by Chinese embassies to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival, with the promotional video for the 2025 China Media Group (CMG) Spring Festival Gala unveiled to add festive atmosphere to the events.

      The Spring Festival centers around the Chinese New Year, which lands on Jan. 29 this year, ushering in the Year of the Snake.

      The Chinese Embassy in Tajikistan hosted a Spring Festival reception on Jan. 20 for overseas Chinese in Tajikistan. Nearly 300 people, including representatives of overseas Chinese groups such as the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Tajikistan, the Federation of Overseas Chinese, teachers and students from the local Confucius Institute, and international students in Tajikistan, gathered to celebrate the coming of the Year of the Snake.

      In his speech delivered at the reception, China's Ambassador to Tajikistan Ji Shumin said that China's high-quality development and high-level opening-up have injected certainty and stability into a turbulent and changing world. China-Tajikistan cooperation in various fields has been promoted across the board, and the development of bilateral relations has reached a new level. Looking forward to 2025, China-Tajikistan relations will shine with new vitality and bring more benefits to the people of both countries, said the ambassador.

      The promotional video for the 2025 CMG Spring Festival Gala was played in a loop at the reception. By watching the video, guests felt the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival and the unique charm of Chinese traditional culture.

      At the reception, overseas Chinese in Tajikistan performed a variety of cultural programs created by themselves. The joyous lion dance, the melodious guzheng performance, and the passionate Tajik eagle dance added a great deal to the festive atmosphere.

      The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, the Federation of Philippine-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Philippine-Chinese Associations, and the Philippine-Chinese Chamber of Commerce jointly held a Spring Festival reception on Jan. 19. More than 1,000 people from the Philippine government, Congress, overseas Chinese, people from all walks of life, and foreign diplomatic envoys to the Philippines gathered to celebrate the festival.

      Huang Xilian, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, extended New Year greetings to people from all walks of life in China and the Philippines, saying that the Spring Festival is a common festival for the people of many countries, including China and the Philippines, and has been listed as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO. He said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines, and he hopes that both countries will cherish and maintain the bilateral relations for greater benefits to the people of the two countries.

      Philippine Vice President Sara Z. Duterte and Louise Araneta-Marcos, wife of Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., extended new year greetings via video link. Duterte said that the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China is of great significance, and she looks forward to the two countries working together to create a harmonious and prosperous future. Marcos said that the Philippines-China relations have been developing continuously for decades, which truly reflects the long-term friendly relations between the people of the two countries.

      The promotional video for the 2025 CMG Spring Festival Gala was played at the reception. The festive atmosphere and gorgeous stage design attracted the attention of all the guests present.

      Chinese embassies hold receptions to celebrate upcoming Spring Festival

      Chinese embassies hold receptions to celebrate upcoming Spring Festival

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