logo
How is vocational education today forging the craftspeople of tomorrow?

How is vocational education today forging the craftspeople of tomorrow?

Korea Herald03-06-2025
BEIJING, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Finding Answers in China from China.org.cn:
As China's economic structure continues to upgrade, the demand for new-type skilled workers is growing rapidly. Vocational education is gaining increasing social recognition. How is vocational education developing in China? Can it meet the needs of the times and cultivate high-caliber technical professionals?
In this episode, Sinologist Elsbeth van Paridon, also an editor at CICG Americas, travels to Jiangsu — one of China's economic powerhouse provinces — to find the answers.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

CGTN: How China's economy remains vibrant despite U.S. tariff war
CGTN: How China's economy remains vibrant despite U.S. tariff war

Korea Herald

time26-07-2025

  • Korea Herald

CGTN: How China's economy remains vibrant despite U.S. tariff war

BEIJING, July 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to hold economic and trade talks with the United States in Sweden later this month, the strength and resilience of the Chinese economy is in the limelight once again. This round of talks, mutually agreed upon by both nations, is not only a diplomatic engagement but also a testament to China's enduring economic vitality in a complex international environment. Recent statistics underscore the robustness of China's economy. In the first half of 2025, the GDP grew by an impressive 5.3 percent year on year, surpassing market expectations despite global headwinds. This number reflects more than temporary growth; it exhibits the structural resilience and adaptability of an economy that continues to evolve and upgrade. Domestic demand emerged as the cornerstone of growth, contributing 68.8 percent to GDP expansion in this period. Initiatives such as large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-in programs have effectively stimulated spending, cushioning China's economy from external shocks. In the first five months of 2025 alone, China's consumer goods trade-in program generated 1.1 trillion yuan ($153.1 billion) in sales, surpassing the figure for entire 2024. Boosted by the program, China's retail sales of consumer goods grew 5 percent year on year in the past six months – 0.4 percentage point faster than the growth recorded in the first quarter. While external uncertainties have introduced some pressure, China's trade diversification and the steady output of high-tech manufacturing and service industries have provided strong support to the economy. Though China's trade with some Western countries declined, its trade with Belt and Road partners, ASEAN countries, the European Union, and African nations saw respective increases of 4.7 percent, 9.6 percent, 3.5 percent, and 14.4 percent in the first half of 2025. This expansion of trade relationships has helped China reduce its reliance on any one market, lessening the impact of some Western economies' protectionist policies. China's resilience reverberates beyond its borders. As a crucial driver of global growth, China's steady economic performance boosts international market confidence and provides a stabilizing influence amid global uncertainties. Through continued focus on quality growth and opening up, China offers the international community a reliable engine for shared prosperity. A recent report from the U.S.-China Business Council indicates that 82 percent of American companies operating in China turned a profit in 2024. Though many cited the uncertainties in China-U.S. relations and tariffs as their main worry, the Chinese market continues to be crucial for them. Trade tensions pose obstacles, yet they have not crippled the resilience in the Chinese economy. The upcoming Beijing-Washington talks in Sweden demonstrate China's willingness to tackle differences via negotiations. While obstacles remain, China's ability to sustain growth, adapt to changing global landscapes, and engage constructively with international partners signals a future of shared opportunities and mutual advancement.

How grassroots governance fuels development of one of China's top 100 districts
How grassroots governance fuels development of one of China's top 100 districts

Korea Herald

time25-07-2025

  • Korea Herald

How grassroots governance fuels development of one of China's top 100 districts

BEIJING, July 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A group of experts and scholars in fields of economic development and social governance recently gathered in Beijing to explore how Yuhang District in Hangzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province advanced common prosperity through grassroots democratic consultation piloted in Xiaogucheng Village over 20 years, and try to drew inspiration from its success. Over the past two decades, Xiaogucheng Village has evolved from "village affairs decided by collective discussion" to a model of "public matters resolved by public deliberation", refining its approach through continuous practice. The Xiaogucheng Village Party Committee has consistently championed democratic consultation, tackling issues from livability improvements to village development. This increasingly clearer development path has spurred social harmony and stability, rapid economic development, rising living standards, and enhanced urban and rural environment. In 2024, the village's collective income reached 12.18 million yuan, with per capita disposable income hitting 58,414 yuan, representing a 38-fold and 9.16-fold increase, respectively, compared to 2005. "The principle of 'public matters resolved by public deliberation' is deeply rooted and flourishing in Yuhang," noted a district official. For 20 years, Yuhang District has honed its "village matters decided by collective discussion" approach, fostering a new pattern of grassroots governance featuring co-creation, joint management, and shared benefits. This foundation has become a driving force for high-quality regional economic development. In 2024, Yuhang District's GDP grew six percent year on year to 335.567 billion yuan, retaining its position as Zhejiang's largest economy by output and leading Hangzhou in growth rate. Rural per capita disposable income rose 6.2 percent year on year to exceed 58,000 yuan, marking the district's eighth consecutive year at the top of Hangzhou's comprehensive evaluations. From Xiaogucheng Village's local success to Yuhang's district-wide achievements, the "public matters resolved by public deliberation" model has demonstrated the dynamic power of grassroots democratic practices with Chinese characteristics in fueling high-quality social and economic development.

New Charities Aid Foundation study finds people in wealthy countries donate significantly less than low-income countries
New Charities Aid Foundation study finds people in wealthy countries donate significantly less than low-income countries

Korea Herald

time21-07-2025

  • Korea Herald

New Charities Aid Foundation study finds people in wealthy countries donate significantly less than low-income countries

LONDON, July 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- People in low-income countries are twice as generous as those in high-income countries when it comes to supporting people in need and charities, according to new research by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). CAF's new World Giving Report uses insights gathered from more than 50,000 people to explore what drives giving at a global level and across 101 countries. The research introduces a generosity measure to compare countries, assessing the amount of money donated as a proportion of income. People in low-income countries give away an average of 1.45% of their income to good causes, compared to 0.7% in high-income countries. In Africa, people donate an average of 1.54% of their income to good causes, compared to 0.64% in Europe. Nigeria is the most generous country, where people give an average of 2.83% of their income to charities, religiously or to people in need. However, three G7 countries have some of the lowest levels of donations as a proportion of income (France 0.45%, Germany 0.39%, and Japan 0.16%). Across the world, those aged 35-44 donated almost 1.5 times as much of their income as those over 65-years (1.18% vs 0.83%). Worldwide, the most popular cause is children and young people, supported by 29% of people, and a top cause in every continent. One in four (26%) donors supported humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts and people in Asia (16%) were the most likely to support environmental causes. Most people donate to make a difference to a cause they care about (65%). Nearly a fifth (18%) are inspired by something they saw on the news, and social media is the top way people discover new charities (14%). Globally, people tend to trust and value local charities the most, followed by national and then international charities. The research also finds that people are more generous when their government encourages giving. When a government encourages giving, people are also more likely to trust and think of them as more important to society. Neil Heslop, CAF's Chief Executive, said: "Around the world, social purpose organisations are facing severe financial headwinds. Traditional funding models need to change as patterns of behaviour evolve and governments cut back on their aid and development spending with philanthropy seeking to respond. "Individual giving remains the cornerstone of generosity. Yet there is wide disparity, with the most dynamic cultures of giving often in countries where the populations are also much in need. "It is notable that giving does not necessarily correlate with wealth or even security, but rather on the perception of necessity – and very often we perceive those closest to us to be most in need. During these challenging times, there is much we can learn about the power of connection, and the nature of compassion for our fellow citizens, whether they be across the street or around the world."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store