Chinese employees will receive an additional two days off, including an extended Lunar New Year celebration. While two public holidays are being lengthened by a day, the continued existence of the widely disliked 'holiday swap' system dampens excitement.

On Tuesday, China declared that the number of public holidays for the next year will be increased by two days, bringing the total to 13.

Starting next year, the duration of the Spring Festival will increase from three days to four, incorporating Lunar New Year's Eve into the festivities.

The customary May 1 Labour Day celebration will be prolonged to include the subsequent day as well.

Outside of public holidays, employees in China generally receive between five to 15 days of annual leave. Many choose to schedule these days following significant national celebrations like the Lunar New Year or the National Day in October to maximize their vacation period.

While many nations have similar customs, China specifically employs a system called tiaoxiu, or "holiday swap," which involves adding typical days off, such as weekends, to the public holiday period to prolong the vacation.

Donald Trump's Victory Could Spell Trouble for Taiwan's Defense Budget

Taiwan may encounter unrealistic demands from the incoming U.S. President, who has urged the nation to significantly boost its defense expenditures.

This has raised immediate concerns regarding Taiwan's capacity to fulfill these requirements and obtain essential military support from the United States as the island confronts an escalating menace from the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Trump stated that Taiwan needs to contribute more towards its defense expenses, suggesting that American backing depends on Taipei's financial input.

During a podcast with Joe Rogan on October 25, Trump claimed that Taiwan is "stealing our chip business," reiterating his view that the island should contribute more to receive American support.

For the government of Taiwan's pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), these expectations are almost impossible to meet.

Experts believe that achieving a 10 percent GDP growth target is likely unattainable, but there is a strong bipartisan agreement in the U.S. advocating for a spending target of 3 to 5 percent, which will be more difficult to disregard.

South China Sea: Beijing Releases Updated Map of Sansha Amid Escalating Dispute Over Islands

Shortly after Manila passes legislation concerning sea lanes, Sansha, established to reinforce China's territorial claims in disputed areas, receives updated maps and postal codes.

The city includes two contested archipelagos – the Paracels and the Spratlys, referred to in Chinese as Xisha and Nansha Islands, respectively – along with a submerged atoll.

On Sunday, the Ministry of Natural Resources unveiled a revised city map that now includes the districts of Xisha and Nansha, established in 2020, which had been omitted from earlier editions.

Established in 2012, Sansha is a city in China's southern island province of Hainan, formed to reinforce China's territorial claims over the resource-abundant South China Sea.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs has allocated administrative region codes to both districts. These identifiers are utilized for census and administrative functions, and are commonly found as the initial six digits on the identity cards of individuals born and registered in that region.

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Historical Significance, Economic Value, and Military Strategy: The Reasons Behind Beijing's Interest in the South China Sea

In a distinct announcement on Sunday, China Post declared that the Nansha district of the city has been assigned new postal codes. Additionally, it was stated that three populated islands within the Xisha district—Woody Island, Tree Island, and Jinqing Island—will maintain their current postal codes.

Zhuhai Car Incident: China Enhances Safety Measures Amidst Search for Potential Threats

Authorities have increased police patrols to reassure the public following the incident on Monday evening, an official reports.

Authorities have launched an investigation and are searching for those responsible for the attack, a Guangdong official reported. They noted that security measures have been strengthened, particularly in densely populated locations.

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Homage Paid to Victims of Fatal Vehicle Assault in Southern China

"The Guangdong official stated, 'We've deployed additional police forces from various cities to Zhuhai. The main goal is straightforward – it's important that the visibility of police is enhanced, making the public feel more secure.'"

An additional representative from Guangzhou stated that in response to directives from the Chinese leadership, the authorities are taking steps to avert similar incidents.

"The Guangzhou representative emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, 'In light of the tragic event in Zhuhai, this has become our main focus.' They explained that the individual involved in the Zhuhai incident reportedly faced personal relationship challenges, leading to the current initiative to pinpoint and support local residents undergoing similar issues. The goal is to prevent any similar occurrences."

An additional official from Guangdong emphasized the importance of ensuring public safety following the incident.

Exclusive | Zhuhai car incident: Victims describe noise 'similar to an earthquake', unable to flee in time, says witness

A participant in a local fitness group reports that an SUV unexpectedly rammed into pedestrians from behind as they walked along a path in the southern Chinese city.

A devastating vehicle assault in Zhuhai, a city in southern China, claimed the lives of numerous individuals. One survivor likened the incident to an earthquake, recounting how an SUV unexpectedly plowed into a crowd of people who were engaged in physical exercise.

Authorities reported that on Tuesday evening, an incident that stunned the nation resulted in 35 deaths and 43 injuries.

A 47-year-old local resident, who requested to be referred to only by his last name, Chen, reported on Wednesday that he was participating in a walking exercise with a group on a fitness and running trail near a local sports stadium when the attack occurred Monday night.

Chen managed to get away as he was positioned on the outskirts of the group; had he been in his typical central spot, his chances of survival might have been slim.

He informed the Post that on most evenings, hundreds of walking enthusiasts from six distinct groups gathered there to exercise, estimating that there were about 300 people present at the time.

Around 7:30 in the evening, the group started their hike on the path. However, within 20 minutes, they were startled by a noise resembling a rock tumbling down a mountain, just as an SUV barreled towards them without any sign of deceleration.

Exclusive | Zhuhai Vehicle Incident: Witnesses Describe Sudden Impact, Liken Noise to 'Earthquake'

A participant from a local fitness group reported that an SUV unexpectedly rammed into individuals from behind as they were utilizing a path in the southern Chinese city.

A survivor likened the vehicular assault that took the lives of numerous individuals in Zhuhai, a city in southern China, to "an earthquake." The individual recounted how an SUV unexpectedly plowed into a crowd from behind as they were engaged in physical exercise.

Authorities reported that on Tuesday evening, an incident that has stunned the nation resulted in 35 fatalities and 43 injuries.

A 47-year-old local resident, who preferred to be referred to by his last name Chen, stated on Wednesday that he was working out with a group of walkers on a fitness and running trail near a local sports stadium when the attack occurred Monday night.

Chen narrowly avoided disaster as he was positioned on the fringe of the crowd. Had he been in his typical central spot, his chances of survival could have been much slimmer.

He informed the Post that nearly every evening, hundreds of walking enthusiasts from six distinct groups gathered there for exercise, estimating the crowd at about 300 people at that time.

Around 7:30 in the evening, the group started their hike along the path. However, within 20 minutes, they were startled by a noise resembling a rock tumbling down a mountain, just as an SUV barreled toward them, showing no signs of slowing down.

China's US$35.5 billion research fund requires greater focus to succeed in the high-tech competition, says minister

Education Minister Huai Jinpeng updates the NPC Standing Committee on the achievements of the funding program, noting that further efforts are needed.

Education Minister Huai Jinpeng updates the NPC Standing Committee on the achievements of the funding program, noting that further efforts are needed.

China's approach to talent development requires significant reform to align with Beijing's goal of becoming a leading force in education. Additionally, the nation's universities are not as attractive to international students and scholars as those in other countries, according to reports presented to the highest legislative body.

During a recent session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), Education Minister Huai Jinpeng emphasized the need for the country to investigate innovative methods for establishing academic fields.

He emphasized that these should more accurately align with national strategies and promote global academic exchanges and collaborations, according to a statement on the NPC’s website about the November 5 meeting.

"The initiation of reforms in our educational sector encounters significant obstacles. Our universities struggle to attract international talent, lagging behind institutions abroad," stated Huai, as per the announcement, which provided no further details.

Beijing has implemented stricter controls on information and global interactions lately, citing heightened espionage threats from the US and its allies. This move has sparked criticisms of China’s universities both domestically and internationally.

Huai pointed out that insufficient depth in the teaching of STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and generative artificial intelligence has hindered Beijing's ability to engage in global educational governance.

35 fatalities as vehicle crashes into spectators in a Chinese city, suspect in custody, according to police

Individual allegedly drove into a group exercising near a stadium in Zhuhai

Individual allegedly drove into a group exercising near a stadium in Zhuhai

Approximately thirty-six individuals lost their lives in a vehicular assault on a gathering of people in Zhuhai, a city in southern China, on Monday. The authorities referred to the event as a “significant malevolent incident”.

On Tuesday evening, the Zhuhai police department announced that 35 individuals lost their lives after a 62-year-old man, identified by his surname Fan, drove an SUV into a group of people outside a stadium at 7:48 PM on Monday.

According to police, the individuals were working out when the incident occurred, and the vehicle was in a zone where cars are prohibited.

The authorities have not disclosed the identities of the victims.

Zhuhai police stated that the assailant was halted and transported to a hospital following a suicide attempt. He was comatose, under medical care, and "incapable of undergoing police interrogation."

Taiwanese regulatory body criticizes coastguard over the fatalities of mainland Chinese fishermen

The coastguard maintained that it adhered to proper protocols in the event that occurred close to the mainland coast in February.

For several months, Taiwan's coastguard has justified its actions, claiming they were consistent with legal standards, and charged the mainland fishing vessel with trespassing into restricted waters.

The Control Yuan, tasked with supervising government activities, issued a directive for "corrective action" in an uncommon decision stating that the coastguard had "greatly breached various rules" and was responsible for "major derelictions of duty."

In an announcement made on Monday, the regulatory agency reported that the coastguard violated cooperative mission rules by sending out only one patrol boat instead of the mandated two. Additionally, it neglected to reinstall four onboard video cameras that had been taken off the boat in 2022.

Despite the patrol boat being equipped with a handheld camera, the agency indicated that utilizing it in the midst of a high-speed chase would have posed a danger.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping recently visited an island that faces Taiwan following military blockade exercises conducted by the

Exclusive | Prominent Beijing Financial Expert Poised to Join Hong Kong Liaison Office: Insiders

Qi Bin, who serves as vice-president and deputy chief investment officer at Beijing's sovereign wealth fund, is slated to arrive in Hong Kong this week.

According to informed sources, one of the top financial experts from Beijing's sovereign wealth fund is poised to take up a position at the central government's liaison office in Hong Kong.

Qi Bin, aged 57, who holds the positions of vice-president and deputy chief investment officer at China Investment Corporation (CIC), is anticipated to visit Hong Kong this week.

Multiple sources have informed the Post that he is poised to be appointed as a deputy director at the Hong Kong liaison office, which would elevate the senior state banker to vice-ministerial status. Presently, the office is managed by four deputy directors.

According to a source, Qi is anticipated to oversee economic matters at the office, serving as a crucial link in aligning economic and financial strategies between the mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).

"Beijing is dispatching a highly esteemed financial expert, who has a wide-ranging background in financial regulation and a deep grasp of the global financial markets, to Hong Kong. This move demonstrates its firm dedication to bolstering Hong Kong’s position as a global financial hub,” another source noted.

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Xi's impassioned speech outlines economic goals for China's leaders, forgives past errors

Global Influence | After Trump's Victory, What Lies Ahead for US-China Relations?

In this edition of the Global Influence newsletter, we explore the responses to the US election outcome and anticipate the incoming president's next moves.

However, the friendly diplomatic facade conceals the potential tensions and conflicts that are expected to emerge following Trump's January inauguration.

In mainland China, Taiwanese publications face delays as censorship intensifies

Publishing professionals in mainland China report that increased regulatory measures have significantly hindered the release of Taiwanese literary works since 2019.

In August 2018, the Taiwanese author Lung Ying-tai released a compilation of essays in mainland China, which primarily explored her deep affection for her mother. The book quickly rose to bestseller status.

Lung, who held the position of Taiwan's culture minister from 2012 to 2014, achieved remarkable sales of nearly 300,000 copies of her book in mainland China. This is particularly impressive given the country's stringent publishing censorship.

Three years on, the scenario has shifted dramatically in mainland China, where publishing new Taiwanese literature has become a challenging task for book editors due to increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies.

The limitations have significantly impacted Taiwanese publications, which typically enjoy considerable popularity among readers from mainland China.