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Finnish elevator maker KONE anticipates growing momentum in China

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      China

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      Finnish elevator maker KONE anticipates growing momentum in China

      2024-10-29 17:40 Last Updated At:20:17

      Finnish elevator giant KONE has expressed long-term confidence in the Chinese market, viewing the country as "tantamount" to the company's future growth, said Joe Bao, managing director of KONE Greater China.

      Bao made the remarks as Finnish President Alexander Stubb arrived in Beijing on Monday for a four-day state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.

      Monday marks the 74th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Finland.

      Over the past two decades, China has emerged as Finland's largest trading partner in Asia, and is home to 250 Finnish firms.

      KONE has made significant inroads into the Chinese market since its entry in 1996, with China now its largest market and Kunhsan, a city neighboring Shanghai, housing its biggest manufacturing hub.

      Bao said China's rapid urbanization over the past decades has provided KONE with opportunities, and the firm stays committed to helping make Chinese cities "taller, greener and more accessible."

      Despite concerns over a slowdown in fixed-asset investment and the property market, Bao expressed optimism about the future demand for elevators in China.

      "I would say there are a lot of fluctuations in the market today, but I think it's a very short-term part of our economic cycle. I think long-term, I'm very bullish about the sector's growth and sustainable growth going forward. Today, China has over 10 million elevators and escalators in use and it [has] the youngest elevators and escalators of any country in the world with over 90 percent being less than 20 years old. It's really about safety and quality, and how can we leverage our leadership in digital to really maintain that," he said.

      Regarding the Finnish president's state visit, Bao highlighted Finland's pioneering role in establishing the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

      "Finland was one of the first Western countries to establish bilateral ties with China, and over the last 74 years there's been great growth in the cooperation between the two countries, particularly in trade and economics. If you think about KONE, we've supported and been part of Finnish presidential visit since the late 1980s. And when we established ourselves in 1996 in Kunshan, one of the goals was to really grow and be part of China, 'China for China.' Today we employ over 20,000 employees across China, and we service over 600,000 elevators and escalators. So for us being part of China is tantamount to our growth, and I think for the future I see that as only growing momentum," he said.

      President Stubb led a large delegation with three ministers to China, where he was scheduled to hold talks with Xi and meet other senior officials respectively on bilateral ties and issues of mutual concern.

      Finnish elevator maker KONE anticipates growing momentum in China

      Finnish elevator maker KONE anticipates growing momentum in China

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      China's Chongqing innovates urban drainage with "sponge city" model

      2025-05-16 15:22 Last Updated At:15:37

      Bishan District in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality is setting a new benchmark in urban drainage through its innovative "sponge city" model.

      Bishan District was selected in February 2017 as a pilot for climate adaptation, and has developed itself into a sponge city.

      By utilizing permeable bricks, the ground is enabled to absorb water more effectively, enhancing natural infiltration. In addition, rain gardens function as natural reservoirs, while school rooftops have been transformed into verdant green spaces.

      Overall, this innovative approach not only helps mitigate urban flooding, but also contributes to improving the local microclimate -- an exemplary model of ecological urban development.

      "What is a 'sponge city'? It's an urban development concept that treats the city like a giant sponge -- absorbing water when it rains and releasing it when needed. The system is highly flexible," said Tang Chuandong, a planning designer of the Western Branch of the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design.

      Over the recent years, Bishan District has developed mini sponge systems.

      "Solid buildings and hard ground aren't very adaptable when it comes to climate change. For that reason, we incorporated sunken areas into industrial park designs to create rain gardens -- mini ecological sponge systems," Tang said.

      When it rains, water is collected in these gardens and is filtered through vegetation, soil and sand layers before being stored in underground tanks. Multiple small sponge systems beneath large buildings help disperse, manage and store rainwater more effectively. Additionally, Bishan District's sponge city initiative has made the ground more permeable.

      "We've laid permeable bricks with a certain porosity. This allows rainwater to seep into the ground, thereby reducing surface water buildup," said Tang.

      Tang also highlighted the ecological benefits of transforming school rooftops into lush green spaces.

      "Typical rooftops are just bare concrete. But when building a sponge city, like here at the school, aside from the greenery around us, we also green the rooftop. The area most exposed to sunlight is our rooftop, right? We turned the roof into a green sponge system by laying down soil, scattering seeds, and growing grass. It's like giving the rooftop a 'green jacket'. Doesn't it feel cooler?" he said.

      "Don't underestimate the small green roof. As the Chinese saying goes, 'No good deed is too small to be done.' One roof may have limited impact, but if many buildings, or an entire city, adopt green roofs, the effect on urban climate regulation could be extremely substantial," said Tang.

      China's Chongqing innovates urban drainage with "sponge city" model

      China's Chongqing innovates urban drainage with "sponge city" model

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