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<ul class="summary-list"><li>Fenty Beauty is releasing a collaboration with Netflix's hit animated series "Arcane."</li><li>"Fenty Beauty x Arcane: The Legends Vault" is schedule for release on November 2 and is priced at $250.</li></ul>Rihanna's <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fenty-beauty-best-products-worst-ones-not-to-get-2024-10">Fenty Beauty</a> is making a big bet on nerdworld, collaborating with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-arcane-riot-games-league-of-legends-2021-11">Netflix's "Arcane"</a> for its new "Fenty Beauty x Arcane: The Legends Vault" collection.News of the tie-up comes as "Arcane," the animated action series based in the Riot Games' "League of Legends," is set to release its highly anticipated second season in November.According to Fenty Beauty's website, the collaboration vault is meant to showcase how "glam + animation collide." The box set also features characters from "Arcane" like Jinx, Vi, Mel and Caitlyn.Products offered under the new collection include five limited edition shades of Fenty's existing "Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer." The new shades are "Kaboom," "Rebel Rais'r," "Risky Rulin,'" "Rogue On Riche$," and "Morphic Melt," and range from shimmery gold to hot fuchsia.The line also includes products like a cobalt blue mascara, a gold highlighter, and a gold liquid eyeliner. "I've always been inspired by powerful women and storytelling, and Arcane really brings that to life," Priscilla Ono, a makeup artist from Fenty Beauty, said of the collaboration in a video released by the makeup brand last week."In collaboration with Arcane, I wanted to capture the essence of its characters through makeup," she added.In the promotional video, Ono and Riot Games' creative producer Kiahna Manker further discussed how Fenty-style designs made it into the season's art.The duo talked about how Vi, one of the series' core characters, had a distinct makeup design that artists incorporated into its art boards.The "Arcane" vault retails for $250. It is set to launch on November 2, according to Fenty Beauty's Instagram post.This is not Rihanna's first foray into the world of gaming. In 2023, she collaborated with Roblox, an online gaming platform, to allow players to make their own "Gloss Bomb" lip gloss.While the Roblox collaboration was virtual, Rihanna later <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@fentybeauty/video/7382709915824983339?lang=en">released</a> a physical product in June — the limited edition lip gloss shade, "Major Flex." Netflix has also collaborated on other projects for some of its hit shows, like its partnership in May with cosmetics company Lush for its hit period romance series "Bridgerton."The first season of "Arcane," released in 2021, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/netflixs-league-of-legends-series-arcane-surges-in-popularity-2021-11">topped Netflix's charts</a> as the No. 1 English-language series globally from November 15 to November 21, with viewers watching 38.4 million hours of the show that week, according to the streamer.The second season is set to drop in three parts on November 9, 16, and 23."Arcane" is but one of Netflix's recent gaming-related content offerings. In 2022, the platform released a live-action show based on the hit game franchise Resident Evil. It's also invested in animated shows, like the 2023 breakout show "Blue Eye Samurai."Outside of Netflix, gaming is solidly in the spotlight — and the nerdworld business is thriving. "League of Legends," the game on which "Arcane" is based, is in the final stages of its 2024 World Championship.The "League" matches have been held in two European cities so far, to sold-out arenas. On Sunday, two heavyweight Korean teams, T1 and Gen.G, faced off in Paris at the Adidas Arena in Paris, and T1 came out on top.T1 will now head to London's O2 Arena in Wembley for the Worlds 2024 final, versus China's BiliBili Gaming.In another corner of nerdworld, animated series based on games are also topping the charts. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/critical-role-dungeons-dragons-sold-out-live-show-wembley-arena-2023-9">Critical Role,</a> a US company known for its long-running "Dungeons &amp; Dragons" campaigns and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/critical-role-2025-tenth-anniversary-multi-stop-international-tour-2024-10">sold-out arena shows,</a> just released the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-critical-role-8-cofounders-turned-game-amazon-hit-2024-10">third season of its Amazon-backed animation</a>, "The Legend of Vox Machina." And Amazon is doubling down on its nerdworld bet, too, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/legend-of-vox-machina-season-4-renewed-critical-role-amazon-2024-10">greenlighting a fourth season of the show</a> for Prime Video.Representatives for Netflix, Riot Games, and Fenty Beauty didn't respond to requests for comment from Business Insider, sent outside business hours.

Rihanna's Fenty Beauty is about to release a $250 makeup kit in collab with one of Netflix's biggest animated hits

Going on a road trip is often synonymous with adventure, freedom, and discovery. While India offers a plethora of scenic routes and diverse landscapes, sometimes the wanderlust extends beyond borders. <keyword id="15530433" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="International-road-trips-from-India" source="Orion">International road trips from India</keyword> open up a world of possibilities, allowing travellers to witness different cultures, cuisines, and landscapes. From neighbouring countries reachable by road to far-flung destinations accessible via overland routes, here's a detailed guide to <keyword id="21293965" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="international-road-trips" source="keywords">international road trips</keyword> you can take from India. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Nepal: The Himalayan Odyssey" comment="subhead" text="Nepal: The Himalayan Odyssey">Nepal: The Himalayan Odyssey</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="1" msid="110247304" hostid="261" sizebytes="1754543" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Traverse the winding roads of the Himalayas on a road trip from India to Nepal.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Distance from India: Varies depending on the starting point. Visa Requirement: Indian citizens do not require a visa to enter Nepal. Nepal, home to the majestic Himalayas, offers an exhilarating road trip experience. From the bustling streets of Kathmandu to the serene lakes of Pokhara, every mile is a revelation. The journey typically begins from the bordering Indian states of Uttar Pradesh or Bihar. The scenic drive through the Terai plains gradually ascends into the foothills of the Himalayas, providing breathtaking views of terraced fields, lush forests, and snow-capped peaks. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Bhutan: The Land of the Thunder Dragon" comment="subhead" text="Bhutan: The Land of the Thunder Dragon">Bhutan: The Land of the Thunder Dragon</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="2" msid="110247310" hostid="261" sizebytes="2128757" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Discover the mystical charm of Bhutan on an unforgettable road journey from India.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Distance from India: Approx. 500-700 km from bordering Indian states. Visa Requirement: Indian citizens require a permit to enter Bhutan. A kingdom situated in the Eastern Himalayas. The journey offers a blend of spirituality, culture, and natural beauty. Starting from Indian states like West Bengal or Assam, travellers cross the border into Bhutan, where pristine landscapes, ancient monasteries, and traditional Bhutanese architecture await. The winding roads offer panoramic views of verdant valleys, cascading waterfalls, and Himalayan peaks, providing a soul-stirring experience. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Myanmar: The Road Less Travelled" comment="subhead" text="Myanmar: The Road Less Travelled">Myanmar: The Road Less Travelled</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="3" msid="110247330" hostid="261" sizebytes="1615519" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Go on an offbeat adventure to Myanmar from India&amp;#39;s northeastern states.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Distance from India: Approx. 1,400-1,800 km from northeastern Indian states. Visa Requirement: Indian citizens require a visa to enter Myanmar. Embarking on a road trip to Myanmar from northeastern India is an offbeat yet rewarding journey. Travellers can start from states like Manipur or Mizoram, traversing through lush landscapes and remote villages. The route passes through the Moreh-Tamu border crossing, offering a glimpse into Myanmar's rich cultural heritage, ancient temples, and bustling markets. From the ancient city of Mandalay to the serene shores of Inle Lake, each stop along the way unveils a new facet of Myanmar's beauty. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Thailand: Land of Smiles" comment="subhead" text="Thailand: Land of Smiles">Thailand: Land of Smiles</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="4" msid="110247345" hostid="261" sizebytes="1953038" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Experience the Land of Smiles on a road trip from India to Thailand&amp;#39;s vibrant landscapes.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Distance from India: Approx. 3,000-3,500 km from northeastern Indian states. Visa Requirement: Indian citizens require a visa to enter Thailand. Take on an epic road trip from India to Thailand, traversing through diverse landscapes and vibrant cultures. The journey begins from northeastern states like Assam or Manipur, with travellers crossing into Myanmar before entering Thailand. The route passes through scenic regions of northern Thailand, including the cultural hub of Chiang Mai and the historic city of Ayutthaya. From bustling markets to tranquil beaches, Thailand offers a sensory overload of experiences for road trippers. Also read - <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The Silk Route: A Historic Expedition" comment="subhead" text="The Silk Route: A Historic Expedition">The Silk Route: A Historic Expedition</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="5" msid="110247353" hostid="261" sizebytes="1773243" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Explore the historic Silk Route, connecting civilizations from India to Europe.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Distance from India: Varies depending on the route taken. Visa Requirement: Multiple visas are required depending on the countries traversed. For the adventurous at heart, the Silk Route presents an opportunity to go on a historic expedition spanning multiple countries. Starting from India's northeastern states, travellers can follow the ancient trade route that once connected Asia to Europe. The journey passes through countries like Myanmar, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and beyond, offering a glimpse into diverse cultures, landscapes, and civilisations along the way. From the rugged terrain of the Pamir Mountains to the ancient cities of Samarkand and Bukhara, the Silk Route road trip is a voyage through time. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="London: The Transcontinental Adventure" comment="subhead" text="London: The Transcontinental Adventure">London: The Transcontinental Adventure</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="6" msid="110247373" hostid="261" sizebytes="1717988" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Dream of distant horizons as you plan a transcontinental road trip from India to London.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Visa Requirements: Travellers going on a road trip to London from India will require a Schengen visa or a UK visa, depending on the route chosen and the countries traversed. Distance from India: Approx.11,000 to 12,000 kilometres Taking on a road trip from India to London is a transcontinental odyssey that captivates the imagination of intrepid explorers. While the allure of traversing diverse landscapes is undeniable, it necessitates meticulous planning, including obtaining visas and permits. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="China: Exploring the Middle Kingdom" comment="subhead" text="China: Exploring the Middle Kingdom">China: Exploring the Middle Kingdom</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="7" msid="110247380" hostid="261" sizebytes="1813636" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Unravel the mysteries of the Middle Kingdom on a road journey to China from India.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Visa Requirements: Travellers embarking on a road trip to China from India will require a Chinese tourist visa. Distance from India: The distance from India to China via road varies depending on the chosen route and starting point. While direct road access between India and China is not feasible due to geographical and political constraints, overland routes through neighbouring countries offer adventurous travellers a glimpse into China's diverse landscapes and ancient civilisations. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Preparation and Tips:" comment="subhead" text="Preparation and Tips:">Preparation and Tips:</cmsannotation> <ul><li>Ensure your vehicle is well-maintained and equipped for long-distance travel.</li><li>Obtain necessary permits and visas well in advance.</li><li>Research border crossing procedures and entry requirements for each country.</li><li>Pack essentials such as navigation devices, spare tyres, first-aid kits, and sufficient supplies.</li><li>Familiarise yourself with local traffic rules, customs, and driving conditions.</li><li>Embrace spontaneity but plan your route and accommodations in advance.</li><li>Respect local cultures, traditions, and environments along the way.</li></ul>Going on an international road trip from India is not just about reaching a destination; it's about immersing yourself in the journey, forging connections, and creating memories that last a lifetime. So, fuel up your adventurous spirit, buckle up, and hit the road to explore the world beyond borders. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Frequently asked questions" comment="subhead" text="Frequently asked questions">Frequently asked questions</cmsannotation> 1. Is it safe to go on an international road trip from India? While international <keyword id="1600077" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Road-trips" source="Orion">road trips</keyword> offer incredible experiences, safety should always be a priority. Research your route thoroughly, including potential risks, road conditions, and travel advisories. Ensure your vehicle is well-maintained and equipped with necessary safety features. Additionally, carry essential documents, emergency supplies, and travel insurance for added security. 2. What documents do I need for an international road trip from India? The required documents vary depending on the destination(s) you plan to visit. Typically, you'll need a valid passport, appropriate visas or permits for each country you'll be crossing, vehicle registration, international driving permit (IDP), and vehicle insurance. Research and obtain all necessary paperwork well in advance to avoid any last-minute complications. 3. How do I plan accommodations for an international road trip? Planning accommodations for an international road trip involves researching and booking hotels, guesthouses, or campsites along your route. Utilise online booking platforms or travel apps to find accommodations that suit your preferences and budget. Consider factors such as location, amenities, and availability, especially during peak travel seasons. 4. What should I pack for an international road trip from India? Packing essentials for an international road trip includes clothing suitable for varied climates, travel documents, personal hygiene items, medications, first-aid kit, navigation devices (maps or GPS), roadside emergency kit (spare tyre, jumper cables, flashlight, etc.), snacks, water, and entertainment (books, music, etc.). Tailor your packing list based on the duration of your trip and the destinations you'll be visiting. 5. How do I navigate border crossings during an international road trip? Navigating border crossings requires careful planning and adherence to the immigration and customs regulations of each country you'll be entering. Research border crossing procedures, opening hours, required documents, and any applicable fees or permits. Arrive prepared with all necessary paperwork, maintain patience during border formalities, and be respectful of local authorities. Stay informed about any recent changes or restrictions that may affect your journey. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/india/article/10-ultimate-road-trip-routes-in-india/articleshow/109620234.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">10 Ultimate road trip routes in India for 2024</a>

Exploring the world on wheels: International road trips from India

<ul class="summary-list"><li>China announced on Sunday that it's planning to raise its retirement age.</li><li>Experts say it's a move that's been needed for a long time, despite fierce backlash online.</li></ul>Buried under scores of paragraphs, a single line in a new document from Beijing has shaken China's workforce.The country's leaders, who convened last week to discuss their economy's direction, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/202407/content_6963770.htm">revealed dozens of resolutions</a> on Sunday — including their desire to raise the standard retirement age.No specifics were given, and the resolution said any changes would emphasize being "voluntary and flexible." Still, the signs are clear: Beijing is finally ready to shift a rule that's governed lives for over six decades.The move is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-wants-raise-retirement-age-people-not-happy-retire-60-2024-7#:~:text=The%20party%20plans%20to%20raise,Chinese%20social%20media%20site%20Weibo">deeply unpopular</a>, as it has been in other countries, such as <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://apnews.com/article/france-protests-retirement-age-macron-strikes-1abb098b104f2b7094e51e650218771d">France</a>, where workers protested a similar verdict in 2023.People in China have taken the statement as the beginning of the end for a monolith of working life as they've known it since the 1950s.As of Thursday, the hashtag "retiring late" has surged to 130 million views on Xiaohongshu, China's version of Instagram. People took their complaints this week to Weibo, China's version of X, in similar threads, which were later censored.But experts and think tanks have long said this is a policy change that an aging China desperately needs.<h2 id="b9f85057-4406-46ab-bf84-cb4c35c75535">China's low retirement age</h2>Women with blue-collar jobs in China can retire and collect pension checks as early as 50, and those in offices can leave the workforce at 55. Even the retirement age of 60 for Chinese men is below the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/ca401ebd-en/1/3/3/6/index.html?itemId=/content/publication/ca401ebd-en&amp;_csp_=9d37797bd84847326841f27f588be463&amp;itemIGO=oecd&amp;itemContentType=book#:~:text=linklink%20copied!-,Normal%20retirement%20age,years%20(hence%20around%202064).">world's average of about 64.</a>"This was the standard set in 1951, but it's outdated because if we look back, the life expectancy at birth was 43 in 1950 and then 48 in 1958," Sabrina Luk, an assistant professor of social sciences at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, told Business Insider.China's life expectancy has now soared to 75.4 years for men and 80.8 years for women, according to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.stats.gov.cn/sj/ndsj/2023/indexeh.htm">official government statistics.</a>"This change was probably 20 years overdue," Shaun Rein, the founder of Shanghai-based China Market Research Group, told BI."It's ridiculous that people would graduate from college or from a vocational school at age 22, work for 28 years, and then be retired for another 30 to 40 years," he added.Luk, who researches aging in Asia, said Beijing could look at creating a national standard in retirement ages across genders. It's currently running a lopsided policy of letting women retire up to 10 years earlier despite them living significantly longer on average than men."In almost every country, women outlive men by about four years on average," she said. "In China, the women live more than five years longer than men."Some think tanks, including the state-run <a target="_blank" class="" href="http://cisscass.com/fazhanbginfo.aspx?ids=23&amp;fl=1">Chinese Academy of Social Sciences</a>, have forecast that the country will aim for all workers to retire at 65. There is no official word yet on the new retirement ages or whether they will be standardized.<h2 id="b4bdc3a4-30a8-441e-be43-cac3fd1263a0">The pension problem</h2>Key to the retirement overhaul are China's pension funds.Most Chinese workers receive a state pension, which can be boosted by retirement funds from employers and personal contributions. The state fund is by far the most relied upon by workers.But the country, like the rest of East Asia, is aging rapidly. An estimated <a target="_blank" href="https://www.who.int/china/health-topics/ageing">254 million of its people</a> are over 60, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-aging-superaged-society-demographic-crisis-catch-up-2023-2">and that number is expected to grow by 2040 to 400 million</a>, or more than the entire US population."This is a big problem for China," Gu Qingyang, an associate professor of public policy at the National University of Singapore, told BI. "The state fund depends on government budgets, and this is highly dependent on the whole economy. And we all know China's current economic performance is not that good."With more retirees to support and a dwindling young workforce to feed the funds, China fears it will run out of money to give out. CASS estimated in 2019 that pension reserves <a target="_blank" class="" href="http://cisscass.com/yanjiucginfo.aspx?ids=26&amp;fl=3">may drain completely by 2035.</a>And that was before the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/shanghai-lockdown-surreal-photos-ghost-town-amid-covid-lockdown-2022-4">zero-COVID mandate</a>, when local governments — who are typically responsible for funding state pensions — spent years pouring billions into lockdowns, quarantine centers, testing facilities, and swab kits.By the time China emerged from its marathon against the coronavirus, some pensions were already running a deficit. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/31/economy/china-pension-protests-aging-society-intl-hnk/index.html#:~:text=Thousands%20of%20elderly%20people%20have,local%20officials%20reverse%20the%20decisions.">Anger spilled onto the streets</a> in early 2023 when at least four major cities started cutting medical benefit payments.Delaying when people can start getting their checks could help relieve the financial crunch, though it's still unclear if China plans to push back the pension age with the retirement age.Experts say that either way, Beijing will need more than a simple policy change to fix its crisis."Can raising the retirement age really ensure a sustainable pension system? That's a question mark," Luk said. "It's not that easy."<h2 id="d0c85144-f0f2-4e06-a84e-e83f465b1a8c">China's youth feel betrayed — should they?</h2>The partially censored backlash on social media — and the lack of street protests — shows China's youth perhaps feel the most disadvantaged by a higher retirement age.Many are already underpaid or unemployed in a languishing economy, and there is a belief that letting older employees work longer will starve younger generations of jobs."Young people can't find jobs and are not allowed to leave school, and old people are worked so hard that they are not allowed to retire. What kind of mess is this?" a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://weibo.com/3569165071/Opa0FnVKl?refer_flag=1001030103_">Shanghai-based investment blogger wrote on Weibo.</a>"What about the employment rate of young people? If young people can't find jobs and can't support themselves, how can they get married and have children?" <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://weibo.com/7311299492/OoC22n6tE?refer_flag=1001030103_">another investment blogger wrote.</a>The change has also spawned hundreds of memes on Xiaohongshu, such as <a target="_blank" class="" href="http://xhslink.com/TlRSKQ%EF%BC%8C%E5%A4%8D%E5%88%B6%E6%9C%AC%E6%9D%A1%E4%BF%A1%E6%81%AF%EF%BC%8C%E6%89%93%E5%BC%80%E3%80%90%E5%B0%8F%E7%BA%A2%E4%B9%A6%E3%80%91App%E6%9F%A5%E7%9C%8B%E7%B2%BE%E5%BD%A9%E5%86%85%E5%AE%B9%EF%BC%81">one popular video</a> depicting an old man working as a Louis Vuitton retail assistant.However, experts say it is precisely the younger generations who stand to gain the most."The pension system is basically what the younger generation is producing to support the older generation," Gu said. "The tax burden on them would have been very heavy."For many women, the changes estimated by think tanks could eventually see them working an extra 15 years. Still, Rein of China Market Research Group thinks the decision will have a net positive for them."If you had a man and a woman who are both 46, and she's going to retire in four years, who are you going to promote?" he said.

Retiring at 50 has long been a guarantee for parts of China's working class — until now

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Officials in China are boosting property sector relief measures to blunt the impact of Evergrande's collapse. </li><li>The property giant was ordered by a Hong Kong court to liquidate this week. </li></ul>Policymakers in China have rolled out new measures to guard the property sector against the fallout from the collapse of property developer Evergrande, which a Hong Kong court ordered to liquidate this week. Beijing announced its latest real estate "cure kit", which includes a new loan worth 330 million yuan ($46 million) to a state-backed development as part of the government's newly introduced "project whitelist" mechanism, China's <a href="https://www.stcn.com/article/detail/1109631.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">state media reported on Wednesday</a>.The "project whitelist," initiated by China's Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, is meant to support a list of real estate companies eligible for credit, debt, and equity financing. Thanks to the mechanism, officials in Nanning, a city in Guangxi, extended the project whitelist to 107 developments, including a state-backed project securing a loan from China Mingsheng Banking Corp. Chongqing, in the southwest, has its own whitelist with 314 projects requiring 83 billion yuan in financing, <a href="https://www.cs.com.cn/cj2020/202401/t20240131_6388411.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China Securities Journal reported</a>. In a separate effort, China is <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/chinese-major-cities-ease-home-purchase-limits-boost-sales-2024-01-31/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lifting home-buying curbs for houses</a> in two of its major cities, Suzhou and Shanghai, followed soon by Guangzhou. Previously, residents in Suzhou were only allowed to buy up to three apartments with less than 120 square meters (1,291 square feet), and single non-Shanghai homeowners weren't allowed to buy homes in certain areas, per Reuters.The new measures are part of a wider <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-economy-outlook-real-estate-property-banks-crisis-debt-default-2024-1">series of economy-boosting initiatives</a>, especially in the real estate sector, which constitutes one-quarter of the country's economy. The crisis in the property sector stems from huge debt and overbuilding in the last decade, which has resulted in a liquidity crisis for many property developers, including Evergrande. The firm is the world's most indebted real estate developer, with $300 billion in liabilities. The company's troubles sent <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-housing-market-explainer-cost-debt-wealth-evergrande-impact-2021-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">country's property sector</a> into a tailspin starting in 2022 when it defaulted on some of its offshore bonds. On Monday, a Hong Kong court <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-property-real-estate-crisis-unlikely-rescue-evergrande-offshore-creditors-2024-1">ordered Evergrande's liquidation</a> after two years of attempted restructurings.China is moving mountains to hold the real estate sector's crisis from pouring into other sectors. The government introduced its largest "economic first aid package" in two years, including <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/china-economy-outlook-liquidity-pboc-stimulus-stock-market-yuan-2024-1?_gl=1*198m1st*_ga*ODAxNTgzMjcxLjE3MDU5NTE2MDY.*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTcwNjcwNDE3OS41NS4xLjE3MDY3MTI3MTAuMTIuMC4w">a $140 billion liquidity injection into the banking system</a> via a reduction in reserve requirements.Bloomberg also reported last week that officials are mulling a massive stock-market rescue package, as well as propping up stocks by banning big investors from lending certain shares for the purposes of short selling.

China rolls out fresh property relief measures to stem the fallout from Evergrande's meltdown

Last week, the President of the United States, <keyword id="19919748" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="joe-biden" source="keywords">Joe Biden</keyword>, announced significant tariffs on a range of <keyword id="20139085" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chinese-products" source="keywords">Chinese products</keyword> to protect American workers from unfair trade practices. The targetted measures include a 100% tariff on <keyword id="6354973" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicles" source="Orion">electric vehicles</keyword>, a 50% tariff on semiconductors and solar cells, and a 25% tariffs on batteries, steel and aluminium products, some critical minerals, and essential health equipment like medical gloves, syringes and needles. In his address from the Rose Garden of the White House, Biden said America can continue to buy any kind of car they want, "but we're never going to allow China to unfairly control the market for these cars. Period." He claimed that the Chinese government has been investing state funds in various Chinese companies for years, spanning industries across the above-mentioned sectors. How does this brewing geopolitical <keyword id="20736760" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="trade-war" source="keywords">trade war</keyword> impact <keyword id="20742235" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-firms" source="keywords">Indian firms</keyword>? Experts say the impact could be in two ways, benefitting some sectors, while harming the few others. Let’s start with the bad news. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Threat to Indian firms" comment="subhead" text="Threat to Indian firms">Threat to Indian firms</cmsannotation> Beijing offers significant subsidies on most of these products, leading to surplus production that exceeds domestic and even regular export demand. Subsequently, Chinese companies are known to flood the global markets with surplus products at unreasonably low prices, forcing local manufacturers out of business in many countries, including <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>. A prime example of this in practice can be found in the steel sector, where weak domestic demand is pushing the world’s largest steel producer China to offload surplus production into Indian markets at cheaper prices. Indian steel manufacturers are already struggling to compete with a glut of cheaper Chinese steel, with shipments nearly doubling year-on-year in the financial year ending March 2024. “India is already under grave threat of import because all major steel consuming economies are shutting their doors on these steel producing countries. We are highly vulnerable to surging and predatory import,” said Alok Sahay, secretary general of the Indian Steel Association, to Reuters. Global trade experts say that a majority of Chinese products are sold at unreasonably low prices in global markets because the companies in these sectors do not have to worry about profits. They are heavily subsidised by the Chinese government. <keyword id="20279291" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Steel-Authority-of-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Steel Authority of India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Steel Authority of India">Steel Authority of India</keyword>’s (SAIL) chairman Amarendu Prakash also said that they are keenly watching Chinese imports after the US tariff increases. Additionally, China has been accused of employing anti-competitive strategies like compelling foreign companies to transfer their technology in order to operate in China. These factors have led to the US effectively shutting its door on several Chinese products through heightened tariffs, and other developed markets like Canada are also likely to follow suit. White House also emphasised that it continues to consult with its partners and allies who are facing similar threats from China’s unfair trade practices and are keen on taking action. If more and more global markets restrict entry of Chinese products, the risk of the majority of such products being dumped in neighbouring India increases drastically. Trying to block Chinese excess production "is like squeezing a balloon. It shrinks in one place and pops out in another," William Reinsch, a trade expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, tells Reuters. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="An opportunity also arises" comment="subhead" text="An opportunity also arises">An opportunity also arises</cmsannotation> While some products risk being dumped into the Indian market, in a few other cases, Indian firms could benefit from fresh openings in the lucrative US market. "Of the products affected, India has opportunities in face masks, PPE, syringes &amp;needles, medical gloves, aluminium, iron, and steel. Opportunity may come in China also with retaliation, provided we have market access in products targeted by China," Ajay Sahai, Director General of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), told ANI. However, China is not likely to retaliate against the US tariffs at the moment, say experts, though the country’s Ministry of Commerce said it would take 'resolute measures to safeguard its own rights and interests' "China's economy is fragile. With household spending and the property market on the wane, manufacturing for export markets is one of its few bright spots. Beijing will not want to cut off its nose to spite its face. More broadly, China is desperately trying to encourage new foreign investment. Rash retaliatory action could spoil its case," Moody's Analytics explained in a recent report. Out of China's USD 420 billion exports to the US, only USD 18 billion is impacted due to the latest hike in tariffs — representing slightly over 4% and therefore considered marginal. But Sahai says that this market will continue to grow with time and provides an opportunity to India and other competitors to chip in the supply gap. Ajay Srivastava, the founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), also echoes Sahai’s opinions. He emphasised that the increased duties on Chinese face masks, syringes, needles, medical gloves, and natural graphite offer a substantial opportunity for India, as quoted by ANI. "By ramping up production and export of these in-demand products, India could enhance its trade footprint in the US market," he added. In terms of products like electric vehicles and semiconductors, India remains a net importer, and therefore, may not be in a position to capitalise right now. In the long term, however, as India begins semiconductor production at scale in 2025, there will be opportunities to export some of it to the US and other European countries, offering fresh impetus for domestic manufacturing. As the security risks associated with importing Chinese semiconductors prompts more and more trade barriers from the Western countries, demand for supply from India is likely to grow. Efforts are already underway for the establishment of four large semiconductor plants in India, with three located in Gujarat and one in Assam. Last fiscal year, Indian exports to the US dipped marginally by 1.32 per cent to $77.5 billion as against $78.54 billion in 2022-23. The new development now gives an unique opportunity to turn the tide over the next few years. Overall, some sectors like steel and aluminium do face a serious challenge due to the fresh US tariffs on Chinese products. However, the development will open new avenues for Western market entry and expansion for several other products. (With inputs from agencies)

US-China tariff war could benefit several sectors in India while harming a few others

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The US military recently tested its experimental QUICKSINK weapon that's designed to sink warships.</li><li>The munition gives the US Air Force more strike options in the maritime domain.</li></ul>A US Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber recently used a new anti-ship weapon to sink a decommissioned warship in the Pacific and a cargo ship off the coast of Florida.The US military hails this experimental weapon, called QUICKSINK, as a low-cost way to defeat surface vessels that gives American forces more strike options in the maritime domain.However, in a potential future clash between the US and China in the Pacific, this weapon may not be the ideal munition to take on Beijing's growing fleet of increasingly modern and capable surface combatants.The weapon isn't standoff and can't be launched from great distances, which would potentially make the American bombers dropping it vulnerable to enemy sea- and land-based air defenses.<h2 id="6b9b3b0c-bbff-4b7f-a211-fecba80fde9c">A low-cost strike option</h2>The Air Force has long lacked sufficient anti-ship capabilities due to its focus on land-attack missions, and experts say the QUICKSINK program underscores the service's intention to enter the sea-denial space.<div type="image" title="A US Air Force B-2 Spirt receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker in the sky over northwest Missouri in August 2018." height="1438" width="2156" msid="112428097" hostid="261" sizebytes="79220"></div>This experimental weapon was first tested a few years ago and most recently in a pair of tests in July, one during a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/b-2-bomber-sank-warship-pacific-new-anti-ship-bombs-2024-7">series of live-fire drills</a> off the coast of Hawaii last month and another in the Gulf of Mexico. The weapon's development comes amid a broader, military-wide effort to pursue anti-ship capabilities.QUICKSINK pairs existing Joint Direct Attack Munition guidance kits with new seeker technology that allows the weapon to target stationary and moving targets — like ships — with precision. According to the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://afresearchlab.com/technology/quicksink/">Air Force Research Laboratory</a>, the goal is to replicate the combat potential of a submarine with an aircraft that can cover a much larger area.QUICKSINK undoubtedly gives the US military more strike options in the maritime domain at a lower cost, and the new bomb's development appears to address the military's growing concerns about China's substantial and increasingly capable naval forces. If Washington and Beijing were to ever go to war, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-combat-experience-against-threats-china-banking-on-2024-2">anti-ship capabilities</a> would probably play a critical role.Before QUICKSINK, Chinese forces at sea would mainly have to worry about the threat of a nearby aircraft carrier, surface combatant, or submarine, Bryan Clark, a former US Navy officer and defense expert at the Hudson Institute, told Business Insider. Now, Beijing has to think about the possibility of being attacked by US bombers, too.Even if there aren't any "naval forces around," he said, the Chinese navy "might still be under threat from Air Force bombers that can essentially range globally."<div type="image" title="F-15 GBU-31 JDAM bomb Quicksink" height="1333" width="2000" msid="112428093" hostid="261" sizebytes="185742"></div>But there are risks. In a conflict, experts say that QUICKSINK — and the aircraft launching it — would still be vulnerable to defeat. That's because China maintains a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-air-defense-weapons-wicked-problem-for-us-air-force-2023-11">significant air-defense network</a> along its coastal areas, and has modern destroyers and cruisers with sophisticated surface-to-air missile systems that could extend this shield."QUICKSINK is a short-range, 'direct attack' weapon, which means their launching aircraft must release them in fairly close proximity to their designated targets," Mark Gunzinger, a retired Air Force colonel who flew the B-52 Stratofortress, told BI.That proximity "can significantly increase risk to fighters and bombers — even stealthy aircraft — that use them to attack targets equipped with modern air defenses, such as [People's Liberation Army] surface action groups, or amphibious ships operating in areas that are covered by highly capable integrated air-defense systems," he said.QUICKSINK <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.twz.com/new-look-at-air-forces-ship-killing-smart-bomb-in-action-seeker-details-revealed">reportedly</a> has a range of around 15 miles, and experts say it lacks the maneuverability and survivability features necessary to evade Chinese air defenses, though an intercept may still be challenging given the nature of the weapon. A bigger potential problem is that at that range, air defenses could easily target a US bomber, creating an incredibly unideal situation for American pilots.<h2 id="874bf1a8-38d2-45e5-b74a-adcb3297f261">Building up anti-ship capabilities</h2>There are still situations where QUICKSINK could be quite effective. For instance, out in the open ocean, a US bomber could target a small Chinese surface action group with limited air defenses that could be overwhelmed and neutralized, Clark said. Less protected supply and support ships could also be potential targets for the weapon.<div type="image" title="China Type 055 destroyer Nanchang" height="1340" width="2000" msid="112428100" hostid="261" sizebytes="207220"></div>"It's an important tool in the toolkit," Clark said, explaining that it makes sense for the Air Force to pursue the capability since it's an inexpensive adaptation of an existing weapon and there are not any additional costs needed to buy or modify aircraft.The weapon "seems like a pretty low-cost way to create another avenue of threat for Chinese naval forces to consider," he said.QUICKSINK is not the only initiative indicative of the Air Force's desire to increase its maritime strike capabilities.Gunzinger, the director of future concepts and capability assessments at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, said the Air Force is also trying to acquire as many of the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile, or LRASM, as possible.The Navy says that the LRASM is a "precise, stealthy, and survivable cruise missile" capable of offensive anti-surface warfare. This particular missile is the ideal air-launched weapon for maritime warfare, but it's rather costly at over $3 million a piece.The Air Force remains interested in developing more affordable munitions for maritime strikes. And while QUICKSINK fits some of the criteria, it ultimately lacks some of the characteristics that would otherwise make it a front-running weapon of choice in battle."QUICKSINK could be another arrow in the Air Force's quiver of anti-ship munitions," Gunzinger said. "But it is unlikely to become its mainstay weapon for maritime strikes in contested operational environments."

A new experimental US Air Force bomb can sink warships, but the question is if it's the right weapon for a war with China

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11892748" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="china" source="Orion">China</keyword> put stringent measures in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 at the <keyword id="12090559" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="winter-olympics" source="Orion">Winter Olympics</keyword>.</li><li>Photos and videos show waiters and bartenders serving food and drinks in full <keyword id="12380744" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ppe" source="Orion">PPE</keyword>.</li></ul>Photos and videos show waiters and bartenders wearing full personal protective equipment inside the Olympics bubble ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics.Reuters correspondent Mari Saito shared a video of a hotel bartender wearing full PPE as they made a cocktail, saying it had "EXTREMELY dystopian vibes."She shared another video of a hotel bar staff member wearing full PPE, and described a "feeling of overall dislocation." It is not clear if it was the same hotel as the video of the bartender.Reuters photos also showed waiters at at hotel in the Thaiwoo Ski Resort serving food and cleaning in full protective gear on Monday:<div type="image" title="A waiter in full PPE serves a man" height="1282" width="2000" msid="89321880" hostid="261"></div><div type="image" title="A waiter wears full PPE while cleaning a table." height="1362" width="2000" msid="89321886" hostid="261"></div>China has created a "closed-looped" cocoon for its Olympic villages to try and stop the spread of COVID-19.<a href="https://www.insider.com/beijing-olympic-village-photos-china-bed-rooms-food-2022-2#the-olympic-village-in-beijing-is-powered-by-solar-energy-1">As Insider's Marielle Descalsota previously reported</a>, this includes robot waiters, as well as keeping athletes and staff in isolation bubbles and away from the general population.The Winter Olympics' opening ceremony takes place on Friday.

Surreal photos and videos show hotel bartenders and waiters in full PPE in China's draconian Olympic bubble

<ul><li>Indian scientists have suggested a method to convert the <keyword id="34567" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="plastic">plastic</keyword> used in <keyword id="2493103" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="personal-protective-equipment">personal protective equipment</keyword> (PPE) into renewable liquid fuels, an advance that could help mitigate the problem of dumped PPE, currently being disposed of at unprecedented levels due to the COVID-19 pandemic. </li><li>According to the study, published in the journal Biofuels, billions of items of disposable PPE can be converted from its plastic state into biofuels using a high-temperature chemical process called pyrolysis. </li><li>According to the researchers, when these plastic materials are discharged into the environment they end up in landfill or oceans, as their natural degradation is difficult at ambient temperature. </li></ul> Indian scientists have suggested a method to convert the plastic used in personal protective equipment (PPE) into renewable liquid fuels, an advance that could help mitigate the problem of dumped PPE, currently being disposed of at unprecedented levels due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the study, published in the journal Biofuels, billions of items of disposable PPE can be converted from its plastic state into biofuels using a high-temperature chemical process called pyrolysis. Sapna Jain, lead author of the study from The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, noted in a statement that the transformation into biocrude -- a type of synthetic fuel -- "will not just prevent the severe after-effects to humankind and the environment but also produce a source of energy". "Presently, the world is focusing to combat COVID-19, however, we can foresee the issues of economic crisis and ecological imbalance also. We have to prepare ourselves to meet the challenges which are forcefully imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, so as to maintain sustainability," Jain said. She said the disposal of PPE is a concern owing to its material -- non-woven polypropylene (plastic) -- adding that these are being designed for single use followed by disposal. According to the researchers, when these plastic materials are discharged into the environment they end up in landfill or oceans, as their natural degradation is difficult at ambient temperature. "They need decades to decompose. Recycling these polymers requires both physical methods and chemical methods," Jain said. She said the proposed strategy is a suggestive measure addressing the anticipated problem of disposal of PPE. In the study, the scientists explored the current policies around the disposal of PPEs, their polypropylene content, and the feasibility of converting them into biofuel. They focused on the structure of polypropylene, its suitability for PPE, why it poses an environmental threat, and methods of recycling the plastic material. Based on their analysis, the scientists call for the PPE waste to be converted into fuel using pyrolysis -- a chemical process for breaking down plastic at high temperature between 300 to 400 degree Celsius for an hour without oxygen. "Pyrolysis is the most commonly used chemical method whose benefits include the ability to produce high quantities of bio-oil which is easily biodegradable," study co-author Bhawna Yadav Lamba said. "There is always a need for alternative fuels or energy resources to meet our energy demands. The pyrolysis of plastics is one of the methods to mitigate our energy crisis," Lamba added. She said the challenges of PPE waste management and increasing energy demand could be addressed simultaneously by the production of liquid fuel from PPE kits. "The liquid fuel produced from plastics is clean and has fuel properties similar to fossil fuels," Lamba said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/zerodha-valued-itself-at-1-billion-hurun-unicorn-startups-list-bumps-it-up-to-3-billion-but-founder-says-valuation-doesnt-matter/articleshow/77347721.cms">Zerodha valued itself at $1 billion, Hurun unicorn startups list bumps it up to $3 billion but founder says valuation doesn't matter</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/tech-mahindra-wants-25-30-of-its-employees-working-from-home-permanently-by-june-2021/articleshow/77346959.cms">INTERVIEW: Tech Mahindra wants 25-30% of its employees working from home permanently by June 2021 — CFO explains how they got to that number</a>

Disposed PPE could be turned into biofuel, say Indian scientists

<ul><li>Several incidences of abusive behavior across the country show that health workers are facing unexpected problems while battling the deadly Coronavirus pandemic. </li><li>There were reports that quarantined people in Delhi misbehaved with the nurses. </li><li>In Indore, a shocking video of an angry local mob attacking healthcare workers and civic officials was recorded on camera. </li></ul>A couple of weeks ago, the whole country was cheering the frontline warriors of the coronavirus fighting the battle for all of India. However, several incidences of abusive behaviour across the country explains that these healthcare workers are facing unexpected problems while battling the deadly Coronavirus pandemic. "Occupants were unruly since morning and made unreasonable demands for food items. They misbehaved and abused staff at the quarantine centre. They started spitting all over and on persons working/attending them including doctors. They also started roaming around the hostel building,” said Deepak Kumar, CPRO, Northern Railway. On April 1, a few participants of Tablighi Jamaat, who have been put in quarantine facilities in Delhi, sang obscene songs and misbehaved with healthcare staff and spat at the doctors and nurses. In Indore, a shocking video of an angry local mob attacking healthcare workers and civic officials was recorded on camera. Moreover, 100 other locals were abusing the health workers who came to take the samples. Seven people were arrested in this incident for injuring two female doctors in Taatpatti Bakhal area of Madhya Pradesh. <div type="twitter" handle="anandrai177" handlename="Dr.ANAND RAI" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1242484839447588865/8P1qAi2b_normal.jpg" favoritecount="3206" retweetcount="2005" status="Attack on doctors during sample collection in tatpatti bakhal, indore. This is shameful,how we will work in this a… https://t.co/WSDRle8pke" createdat="1585763521000" id="1245408589931397121"></div>Separately, a doctor and other health workers in Hyderabad were also assaulted by the relatives of a 49-year old who succumbed to coronavirus. Indian health authorities are fighting against the stigma and taboo that has been in India for a long time. If there’s anything that India has learnt in the last few years is that mob mentality spreads like wildfire. There’s no sealing the panic and unruly behaviour Whatsapp rumours can cause. Facing the danger Apart from the abuse, healthcare workers are facing serious dangers too. Most doctors lack PPE kits that can protect them from catching infection as they come in contact with the infected. They are also frustrated with the fact that many people take the transmission and contraction casually. “There have been some isolated incidents that have been unfortunate and that have lowered the morale of the community, when they are not given the kind of cooperation they want. They could be comfortably sitting at home, being on social media, watching TV. But, they are risking their lives and one would expect everyone to come together and be responsible and would cooperate,” Anupam Sibal, group medical director and senior pediatrician with the Apollo Hospital Group Moreover, the scale of this outbreak can also cause trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder. These people have been separating themselves from their families to prevent infection, resulting in anxiety and depression. The long hours and stressful work isn’t helping either. While India is yet to deal with any such cases, a<a href="https://ourcommunitynow.com/news-local/colorado-er-doctor-brings-comfort-dog-to-hospital-to-soothe-health-care-wokers"> hospital in Colorado in the US</a> brought comfort dogs to soothe the team of doctors fighting coronavirus which allows them to calm down while meditating with the dog. In India however few measures are being taken to calm the nerves. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/videos/misc/indians-got-so-excited-about-janta-curfew-they-failed-its-purpose-in-battling-coronavirus/videoshow/74961421.cms">Coronavirus cases in India </a>

Indian doctors have an unexpected problem while battling Coronavirus

<ul class="summary-list"><li>China's economy isn't in good shape – and it could get even worse with a plunging yuan. </li><li>The country is already grappling with depressed growth and a deepening property crisis. </li></ul><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-economy-crash-recession-growth-retail-sales-inflation-deflation-covid-2023-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China's economy</a> is in bad shape already – and it could get another jolt from a plunging currency.The yuan will extend its losses by about 3.1% from current levels to a 16-year low of 7.40 against the dollar by the end of the year, the French bank Societe Generale predicts. RBC Capital Markets sees it weakening to 7.30 in the same period.The Chinese currency has already dropped almost 4% so far this year to about 7.17, after a slump twice that size in 2022.The yuan's deepening losses reflects falling investor confidence in the world's second-largest economy, as it grapples with multiple challenges. Growth is sputtering, the <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/china-property-crisis-evergrande-81-billion-loss-housing-economic-slowdown-2023-7">property market is facing a worsening crisis</a>, youth <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-youth-government-jobs-iron-bowl-unemployment-2023-3?r=US&amp;IR=T">unemployment has hit a record high</a> and the country's local governments are facing mounting debt troubles."The weakening economy and falling current account surplus are headwinds for the yuan," strategists at RBC Capital led by Elsa Lignos wrote in a recent research note."China's multi-year long property and construction boom has ended definitively, and policymakers are unwilling to reflate it. The moribund property and construction sectors have become a major drag for the economy," they added.The Asian economy expanded 6.3% in the second quarter from a year earlier – below analysts' expectations., according to the latest figures. The recent data trends suggest the government's efforts to revitalize the economy after years of ultra-strict COVID lockdowns <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-economy-crash-inflation-deflation-trade-exports-growth-global-recession-2023-7">haven't delivered the desired results</a>."The pandemic hangover is plaguing China's recovery," Moody's Analytics economist Harry Murphy Cruise said in a research note.A tumbling yuan could add to the country's economic woes – a weakening exchange rate would make imports costlier and erode the current-account surplus, which dropped to $81.5 billion in the first quarter from $103.1 billion in the previous three months. It could also hurt the sentiment of foreign investors."Our forecasts look for USD/CNY at 7.40 at the end of this year," Kit Juckes, a strategist at Societe Generale, wrote in a research note.International investments in China are faltering, despite Beijing sending a "come and invest here" plea to the West. Global investors, companies, and governments spent just $20 billion in China in the first quarter of this year, compared to the $100 billion spent in the same period in 2022. Read more: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/china-property-crisis-evergrande-81-billion-loss-housing-economic-slowdown-2023-7">Evergrande's whopping $81 billion loss is almost triple Iceland's GDP - it's a reflection of China's deepening property crisis</a>

China is grappling with slumping growth, a property crisis and debt woes - the next jolt could come from the yuan hitting a 16-year low

<ul class="summary-list"><li>China used the labor of persecuted <keyword id="45300" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Uighur">Uighur</keyword> people to make <keyword id="2493103" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="personal-protective-equipment">personal protective equipment</keyword> (<keyword id="1676024" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="PPE">PPE</keyword>) that was then exported to the US and other countries, a new <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/19/world/asia/china-mask-forced-labor.html">New York Times report found.</a></li><li>Many Chinese factories use a work program to recruit Uighur employees, The Times reported, which experts say is forced labor.</li><li>China has detained at least one million Uighurs in detention camps, which it euphemistically bills as "re-education" camps, and keeps Uighurs under strong surveillance.</li><li>Previous reports have found that companies like Nike and Apple have also worked with suppliers that use Uighur labor. The US recently blacklisted those suppliers.</li></ul>China has sent US and other countries personal protective equipment (PPE) that was made through the labor of the persecuted Uighur Muslim minority, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/19/world/asia/china-mask-forced-labor.html">The New York Times reported</a>.The Times identified companies across China that use Uighur labor to make PPE that is then exported to other countries.One example cited by The Times was a shipment of face masks sent to a medical-supply company in the state of Georgia from a Chinese factory where more than 100 Uighurs were sent to work.Some of those companies are using a government-backed labor programme to send Uighurs to work in their factories, which experts say amounts to using them as forced labour.Amy K. Lehr, the human rights director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told The Times: "The rural poor that are being put into factory work are not going by choice.""These are coercive quotas that cause people to be put into factory work when they don't want to be — and that could be considered forced labor under international law." Forced or compulsory labor is <a href="https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/forced-labour/publications/WCMS_342966/lang--en/index.htm">prohibited</a> under international human rights law.<div type="image" title="n95 mask" height="1388" width="1999" msid="77089141" hostid="261"></div>China bills the program as a chance for Uighurs to improve their lives.A spokesman for China's Embassy in the US told The Times that the program helps "local residents rise above poverty through employment and lead fulfilling lives."The Times — which examined photos, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/asia/100000007226041/china-coronavirus-masks-uighur-labor-ppe.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">videos, government documents</a>, satellite images, and shipping data — and found that the number of PPE companies in China's <keyword id="46500" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Xinjiang">Xinjiang</keyword> region, the heartland of the Uighur people, had increased from four before the pandemic to 51.And 17 of those take part in the government's Uighur labor program, though much of what they make is consumed within China, rather than exported abroad.It is part of China's wider persecution of Uighurs. The country has <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wuhan-coronavirus-xinjiang-uighur-squalid-detention-camps-2020-1">detained at least one million Uighurs in dire detention camps</a> in what it euphemistically calls "re-education camps," and has put them <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/leaked-documents-how-china-operates-xinjiang-detention-centers-2019-11">under extreme surveillance measures</a>.Reports also say that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-uighur-monitor-home-shared-bed-report-2019-11">ethinically Chinese men are sent to the homes of Uighur women whose husbands were sent to the prison camps</a>, and that those men frequently sleep in the same beds as them. China is also reportedly ordering them to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/uighur-muslims-made-redecorate-homes-look-more-chinese-report-2020-1">redecorate their homes to make them look more Chinese</a>.<div type="image" title="FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2019, file photo, a man holds a sign during a rally to show support for Uighurs and their fight for human rights in Hong Kong. People from western China who are targets of a Chinese government crackdown say they have been threatened and harassed in the United States. Those fleeing the crackdown on the predominantly Muslim Uighur ethnic group typically receive U.S. asylum. But Uighurs tell The Associated Press and human rights groups they still afraid amid threats aimed at them and their families back in China. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)" height="1991" width="2987" msid="77089145" hostid="261"></div>Uighur labor has been connected to other products exported to the US.The Associated Press reported in 2019 that a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/badger-sport-drops-china-factory-over-reported-forced-uighur-labor-2019-1">Chinese clothing factory used cheap or free labor from Uighurs</a>, leading North Caroline sportswear company Badger Sport to cut ties with the factory.A March report from the <a href="https://www.aspi.org.au/report/uyghurs-sale">Australian Strategic Policy Institute</a> also said that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-forced-uighur-labor-iphone-factory-2020-3">Apple suppliers in China used the work of Uighurs that were forced to move and work in Chinese factories.</a>The US this month <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-blacklist-chinese-companies-over-xinjiang-human-rights-abuses-2020-7">put 11 Chinese companies on a blacklist</a> over their alleged ties to human rights abuses towards Uighurs. These included companies that supplied companies like Apple and Nike.The Australian institute's report also said that Uighur work was in the supply chain of companies like Nike, BMW, and Amazon.US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cbp-seize-human-hair-extensions-made-in-xinjiang-uighur-labor-2020-7">seized a shipment of human hair extensions</a> earlier in July that are believed to have been manufactured in Xinjiang. Trump <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com.au/uighur-china-detention-centers-activists-urge-accountability-2020-2">moved in June to punish Chinese officials</a> for the country's treatment of Uighur Muslims.China's ambassador was over the weekend confronted with footage purporting to show blindfolded Uighurs being led into trains in China. He said that it may show a normal prisoner "transfer."<h2><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/19/world/asia/china-mask-forced-labor.html">Read the full report from The New York Times &gt;&gt;</a></h2>

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