Global supply chain promotion report reveals global connectivity reaches historic levels

A major report on supply chain released by China on Tuesday indicates that the level of global supply chain connectivity has increased significantly in recent years, boosting the confidence of global business insiders and experts in the stability of global supply chain.

The 2024 Global Supply Chain Promotion report was unveiled on Tuesday during the ongoing China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).

As the flagship publication of the event, the report offers an in-depth analysis of the latest trends, challenges and development in global supply chains.

Alongside the report, two new indexes were introduced: the Global Supply Chain Connectivity Index (GSCCI) and the Global Supply Chain Promotion Index (GSCPI).

The GSCCI is the world's first comprehensive index measuring global supply chain connectivity. It is based on over 1.26 million pieces of high-quality data from international organizations such as the World Bank, the World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund, as well as statistical authorities from major economies and global databases.

Meanwhile, the GSCPI, the world's first index to quantitatively assess the level of global supply chain promotion, is based on a multi-layer calculation of over 50,000 pieces of authoritative data from international organizations. This index reflects the changes in the global supply chain promotion system in recent years.

Foreign attendees at the releasing ceremony have fully affirmed the report and two indexes, saying that they are expected to play a positive role in promoting the connectivity and stability of the global supply chain.

"[The report and indexes are] something that is done honestly, academically, scientifically in a way where we in partner countries can use it not only for information but to benchmark what we're doing in transport and logistics and to improve and upgrade what's going on," said Alaa Ezz, secretary general of the Union of African Chambers.

"We actually welcome the innovative approach that they have undertaken in analyzing the global supply chains and in these tools and initiatives that actually complement our shared plan on global supply chain resilience and transparency," said Clarice, an expert on trade facilitation and economic policy with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Zhou Jinzhu, director of the Department of International Trade Research at the CCPIT, further elaborated on the groundbreaking index.

She stated that the index responded to the major concerns of the global business community about the extent of global supply chain connectivity in the context of bilateral and multilateral trade and economic rules and different policies of the world's major economies.

"We fully considered the degree of connectivity of the global supply chain itself when designing the primary indicator of the Global Supply Chain Connectivity Index. The index has risen from 0.271 in 2014 to 0.731 in 2023, indicating that global supply chain connectivity is at a historical high. Our data shows that there is an inherent momentum toward connection within the global supply chain, and its current connectivity level is relatively strong historically. The economic globalization reflects the will of the people," Zhou said.

Taking the smart vehicle chain as an example, the expert explained how the report and indexes can outline the industry development trends and risks, and help businesses better understand the evolving global supply chain landscape.

"Power battery is a much concerned segment in the upstream of the smart car supply chain. The global production concentration for power batteries is actually increasing, with China, the United States, and Europe now able to meet their production needs through local manufacturing. Moving to the midstream of the supply chain, we see intensified market competition and rising production cost pressures, which accelerates the survival of the fittest among car manufacturers," said Zhou.

Themed "Connecting the World for a Shared Future," the second China International Supply Chain Expo opened in Beijing on Tuesday and will run through Saturday.

Compared to the previous edition in 2023, this year's event boasts a higher number of exhibiting companies, more international participants, and a larger crowd.

With the 620 companies and institutions on board from 69 countries, regions, and international bodies, the lineup includes 78 Fortune Global 500 firms, 86 Chinese Fortune 500 entities, and an anticipated attendance of professionals from over 100 countries in political, business, and academic spheres.

Global supply chain promotion report reveals global connectivity reaches historic levels

China's space station is operating stably and demonstrating significant efficacy, according to a report released by the China Manned Space Agency on Monday.

The agency, which compiled the report to "mark the two-year anniversary of the space station's full establishment," said that such a report will be released annually based on the progress of the ongoing space missions.

It is the first report released by China detailing the progress made in scientific research and applications related to the country's space station over the past two years.

The report highlights 34 representative scientific research and application results selected from previously returned samples, research data, in-orbit experiments, and notable progress in scientific and application projects as well as various science promotion activities, showcasing China's capabilities and innovative spirit in the field of space technology.

Of the representative results, 13 are related to space life and human research, 12 are related to microgravity physical science research, and nine are related to new space technology and application research.

As of Dec 1, a total of 181 scientific and application projects had been carried out in orbit, with nearly two tons of scientific materials delivered and close to 100 types of experimental samples returned, generating over 300 terabytes of scientific data and obtaining more than 150 patents.

Notable achievements include the world's first rice and ratoon rice germplasm resources developed in space, and the first human embryonic stem cells differentiated into hematopoietic stem/precursor cells in space.

From 2020 to 2022, China carried out 12 flight missions to build a world-class space station.

The space station features independent innovation, overcoming more than 200 critical technology difficulties, with new technologies and products making up over 90 percent of the project and achieving full independent control of core components.

China's space endeavor has consistently set new records. In 2024, the Shenzhou 18 crew spent 192 days in orbit, breaking the record for the longest single flight time by Chinese astronauts.

Shenzhou 19 crew's extravehicular operations lasted nine hours, setting a world record for the duration of a single extravehicular activity in space.

As Shenzhou 19 crew has been on board China's space station for two months, a new round of material extravehicular exposure tests is set to begin. During the mission, the crew will conduct 86 experiments on space science and technology.

According to a national plan for space science missions and space research from 2024 to 2050 released in October, China aims to implement thousands of scientific and application projects across 32 research themes over the next decade.

"As a national space laboratory, China's space station is designed and equipped with a group of scientific research facilities that meet international advanced standards," said Gu Yidong, the chief expert of space science for China's manned space program.

China's space station operating stably, demonstrating significant efficacy: report