#Chinese inves

[nobrashfestivity]

Giovanna Garzoni Dog with a Biscuit and a Chinese Cup 1640s Signed 'Giovanna Garzoni F.' tempera on vellum 27.5 x 39.5 cm Palazzo Pitti, Galleria Palatina, Florence, Italy, Inv. 1890 n. 4770

#Giovanna Garzoni #dogs #looks happy

[ancient-furries]

RT @CBPolt: I love this sassy rabbit! (17th/early 18th century Chinese porcelain now in NYC's Met, inv. 1992.100.3) https://t.co/MLsrsfBico

#furry #art #anthro #anthropomorphic #ancientfurries #unintentionalfurries

[poimandresnous]

Hermetic Meritorious & Demeritorious Exercise to Prepare for Rebirth.

This is a practice I’ve been doing for a little over a month now, which is a more Chinese-Daoist/Buddhist practice of listing out ones demerits and merits that one has committed throughout the day, or week or month. It’s not really occult or esoteric — sorry :p

It builds off the idea of a Folk-Daoist concept of Ganying 感應 or correlative resonance. Basically cause and effect. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganying

Typically I follow the lists of Merits and Demerits from the 文昌帝君陰騭文/Wenchang's Treatise on Secret Merit & 太上感應篇 Taishang Ganying Pian, respectively, to go off of what is “meritorious” and “demeritorious.”

I highly recommended you all check out @edwardW2 (on Twitter) compilation of three different translations of each text

https://edwardwhite123.blogspot.com/2022/03/wenchangs-treatise-on-secret-merit.html

https://edwardwhite123.blogspot.com/2022/05/taishang-ganying-pian-three-translations.html

While there is no such practice in the realm of Greco-Egyptian Hermeticism, at least that I am aware of, this practice of 感應 can easily be applied to a Hermetic praxis/setting.

Particularly in Corpus Hermeticum XIII.7-9. Here we are presented with the 12 Irrational Tormentors and the 10 Divine Liberators of said Tormentors.

So with a sheet of paper, you can list all the times throughout your day, week or month, you were:

1. Ignorant

2. Stricken with Grief

3. Incontinent (lost control of your emotions)

4. Lustful

5. Unjust

6. Greedy

7. Deceitful

8. Envious

9. Treacherous

10. Angry

11. Reckless

12. Malicious

Likewise, we can record our merits or “Liberators” in a Hermetic setting by:

1. Acknowledging when Knowledge has dispelled our Ignorance

2. Recognize when we were Joyous to dispel our Grief

3. Acknowledged when we had Continence over our emotions.

4. When we Persevered through Lustful temptations.

5. When Justice prevailed our once unjust attitude and actions.

6. When we displayed Liberality over our Greed.

7. Record when we were earnestly Truthful, to dispel Deceitful Behavior.

In CH XIII.9, once Truth has arrived to us throughout the day, week or month, together with the Good, life and light (the remainder of the Three Divine Liberators), Hermetic Rebirth is achieved!

What you do with the piece of paper is up to you. You could keep them for tracking your moral progression, or you could burn the paper like I do. (🔥USE FIRE SAFETY. PLEASE.🔥) I burn the paper because it is a symbolic releasing of these good and bad deeds, as I do not wish to harbor good deeds and become pretentious. Likewise, harboring bad deeds will only bring us more grief.

The cause: Recording our daily, weekly or monthly Tormentors and Liberators.

The effect: A preparation for Hermetic Rebirth.

While this Hermetic Rebirth is a central theme in CH XIII. Who says we cannot undergo a sort of spiritual rebirth everyday, or every week or, every month? (Psst…we most certainly can, and I personally think that is the point of “Hermetic Rebirth.”) Spiritual Rebirth is not just a one and done thing. It’s a life long process that I, a Hermeticist, must and will continue to undergo.

I think using Corpus Hermeticum XIII is a great way to daily, weekly, or monthly record our merits and demerits. It’s a practice that builds integrity and moral fortitude. And ultimately leads to a Spiritual Rebirth. I’m not suggesting at all that Hermetic literature and PGM practices, and other technical Hemerticas can cause or not cause moral integrity and fortitude, just that there is a lack of structure and praxis for dispelling the Tormentors, which is not always a bad thing — the lack of structure I mean.

As a Hermeticist I use the structure of practices that come from various traditions — see my post on the Christian Meditative practice called Lectio Divina. My noetic theurgy, called the Silent Prayer, closely resembles Dhikr, which is a Muslim meditative practice that involves reciting the 99 names of Allah. This is just the reality for us Hermeticist — lack of structural praxis! Again this is not a bad thing. Just through the course of time and suppression of beliefs, we do not have alot of surviving structural practices for a “Hermetic Praxis.” It is what is. But the lack of structure gives us, the practitioners, the power and opportunity to build a valid and authentic spiritual praxis that’s very customizable, and substitutable for our contemporary lives! Which is a very beautiful process to undergo, personally.

If you all need more help in structuring a Hermetic Praxis — please check out @polyphanes Kofi shop and buy his Preces Templi e-book.

I hope this exercise serves everyone well whether you use the traditional Chinese list of Merits and Demerits, or if you wish to use CH XIII.7-9. Gods bless you all.

#hermeticism #philosophy #daoism #buddhism #hermetica #hermes trismegistus #merits #Demerits #exoteric

[mostlysignssomeportents]

This day in history

I'm on tour with my new, nationally bestselling novel The Bezzle! Catch me next weekend (Mar 30/31) in ANAHEIM at WONDERCON, then in Boston with Randall "XKCD" Munroe (Apr 11), then Providence (Apr 12), and beyond!

#20yrsago VLC will play iTunes Music Store tracks https://memex.craphound.com/2004/03/25/vlc-will-play-itunes-music-store-tracks/

#15yrsago British local governments deploy anti-teenager pink lights designed to make kids ashamed of their appearance http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2009/03/26/anti-teenager-pink-lights-to-show-up-acne/

#15yrsago Congress considers inventory of spectrum use in America https://memex.craphound.com/2009/03/25/congress-considers-inventory-of-spectrum-use-in-america/

#15yrsago Live notes and streams from the FTC’s hearing on DRM in Seattle https://web.archive.org/web/20090329200416/https://teleread.org/2009/03/25/ftc-drm-town-hall-meeting-now-in-session/

#15yrsago Ankle weights save tippy strollers from forgetful parents (like me) https://web.archive.org/web/20090327143337/http://www.parenthacks.com/2009/03/add-ankle-weights-to-umbrella-strollers-to-keep-them-from-tipping.html

#10yrsago Oh No Ross and Carrie: podcasting investigative journalists join cults, try woo, and get prodded — for science! https://memex.craphound.com/2014/03/25/oh-no-ross-and-carrie-podcasting-investigative-journalists-join-cults-try-woo-and-get-prodded-for-science/

#10yrsago Judge tells porno copyright troll that an IP address does not identify a person https://torrentfreak.com/ip-address-not-person-140324/

#10yrsago AT&T to Netflix: if you don’t bribe us to do our job, you’re asking for a “free lunch” https://memex.craphound.com/2014/03/25/att-to-netflix-if-you-dont-bribe-us-to-do-our-job-youre-asking-for-a-free-lunch/

#10yrsago LAPD says every car in Los Angeles is part of an ongoing criminal investigation https://gizmodo.com/los-angeles-cops-argue-all-cars-in-l-a-are-under-inves-1547411605

#10yrsago Big Data Hubris: Google Flu versus reality https://gking.harvard.edu/files/gking/files/0314policyforumff.pdf

#10yrsago James Kochalka’s “The Glorkian Warrior Delivers a Pizza” https://memex.craphound.com/2014/03/25/james-kochalkas-the-glorkian-warrior-delivers-a-pizza/

#5yrsago Chinese censors incinerate entire run of a kickstarted Call of Cthulhu RPG sourcebook https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9Urosc-JEY

#5yrsago London developer makes last-minute changes to lock poor kids out of “communal” playground https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/mar/25/too-poor-to-play-children-in-social-housing-blocked-from-communal-playground

#5yrsago Peak Indifference: are we reaching climate’s denial/nihilism tipping point? https://www.wired.com/story/peak-indifference-on-climate-change/

#5yrsago Rebooting UUCP to redecentralize the net https://web.archive.org/web/20190324140104/https://uucp.dataforge.tk/

#5yrsago The Vessel: a perfect symbol for the grifter capitalism of New York City’s privatized Hudson Yards “neighborhood” https://thebaffler.com/latest/fuck-the-vessel-wagner

#1yrago The Golden Rule (them what has the gold makes the rules) https://pluralistic.net/2023/03/25/consequentialism/#dotards-in-robes

#pluralistic

[planesawesome]

U.S. military accelerates in Pacific in attempt to prevent a Chinese inv...

#youtube

[bluewren]

Taliesen Lavellan

Full name: Taliesen Lavellan Preferred name: Tali Age (as of 9:41 Dragon): 26 Birthday: 18th Wintermarch, 9:15 (Capricorn) Height: 5' 7" Pronouns: She/Her Class: Artificer Rogue Titles: Other Mad Scientist of the Undercroft/Undercroft Goblin, Professor at the University of Orlais Sexuality: Bisexual Love interests: Solas, and then Sera later on Best Friend: Dagna, they tinker together in the Undercroft with Sera Pets:

Twinkle Toes, fennec fox.

Basil, WarNugalope stead.

Mithra & Mithris, halla.

Spikey, a spirit trapped inside her Spike Turret gadget turned Steampunk Falcon. (Her Inve

Family: Her older brother & sister, Lex & Evelyn. Clan Lavellan. Pastimes: Tinkering with magic artifacts and materials. Restoring old Elvhen artifacts for future generations to appreciate.

Likes bombs & crafting things. Does mad scientist stuff.

More about her inventions will be tagged here.

Speaks trade tongue, elvish, learning to speak Orlaise.

She strapped a knight enchanter hilt to her bow and powers it with the Anchor.

She thinks Sera is right about the Dalish, it’s not something that’s easy for her to admit but it informs so much of how she sees the world.

Often her previous work on restoring Elvhen artifacts isn’t about recovering her People’s history. It’s about ensuring that when elves are finally allowed to rebuild for themselves, they won’t have to start from nothing.

She's coded as Asian American. But she’s meant to look mixed race, Chinese and Caucasian.

Art created by WhatAboutBugs

A big part of the story I want to write about her is about control, control when the world would give her none of it. When she just keeps getting funneled into things that she can't be prepared for. When people define how she’s viewed due to preconceived prejudices against elves. When she is placed into a role that props her up as a herald for a god that isn’t her own. How does she fight back for control over her own identity? And when does she hold her ground and when to save her energy for another day. Part of her identity as an arcanist is that it’s the one thing she has complete control over, so she relies on her tinkerer's brain to find the solutions she needs.

Anything else we should know?:

Likes bombs & crafting things. Does mad scientist stuff.

Speaks trade tongue, elvish, learning to speak Orlaise.

She strapped a knight enchanter hilt to her bow and powers it with the Anchor.

She thinks Sera is right about the Dalish, it’s not something that’s easy for her to admit but it informs so much of how she sees the world.

Often her previous work on restoring Elvhen artifacts isn’t about recovering her People’s history. It’s about ensuring that when elves are finally allowed to rebuild for themselves, they won’t have to start from nothing.

She's coded as Asian American. But she’s meant to look mixed race, Chinese and Caucasian.

Fun fact, she does staff reads:

Dorian makes his spells bright and elaborate

Vivienne casts like a Dancer, she counts steps

Solas casts like nothing, she can't read him

Writing:

My Dear Creator Letter

Solas Fluff and Angst

Sera Fluff and Angst

Her WIP longfic story

Some Screenshot of her:

#Taliesen Lavellan

[leaarong]

U.S. military accelerates in Pacific in attempt to prevent a Chinese inv...

#youtube

[samjames99]

Discover all you need to know about Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, including its symptoms, treatment options, and prevention measures. Stay informed with our expert guide.

#Mycoplasma Pneumoniae

[shuksrp]

Uncovering Alleged Chinese Financial Influence on News Clique in India: A Closer Look

Title: Unveiling the Allegations: China's Financial Influence on NewsClique in India

Introduction

The relationship between media outlets and foreign funding has always been a topic of scrutiny and debate. In recent times, concerns have arisen regarding allegations of China's involvement in financially backing certain media platforms in India to sway public opinion and influence narratives. One such entity that has come under the spotlight is "NewsClique," an Indian news organization. While allegations of China pumping money into NewsClique to work against India have circulated, it's crucial to approach these claims with a critical and evidence-based perspective.

The Allegations

The allegations suggest that China has been funneling significant amounts of money into NewsClique to further its interests and objectives in India. It is claimed that this funding comes with strings attached, shaping the content and narratives propagated by the news outlet. Such allegations raise concerns about media impartiality, sovereignty, and the potential distortion of information. However, it's essential to emphasize that allegations alone are not conclusive evidence of wrongdoing, and a thorough examination of the situation is warranted.

Understanding Media Funding

Media outlets often rely on a variety of revenue sources to sustain their operations, including advertising, subscriptions, government grants, and foreign investments. Foreign funding in media is not inherently malicious; many renowned outlets receive overseas investments without compromising their journalistic integrity. The critical factor lies in the transparency of these transactions and the potential influence they may exert over the editorial process.

China's Geopolitical Interests

China's rising global influence has led to concerns over its strategic maneuvers, both overt and covert. As a major player in the international arena, China seeks to safeguard its interests and shape narratives that align with its geopolitical objectives. Allegations of supporting media outlets in foreign countries to subtly manipulate public opinion can be seen as part of this broader strategy. However, establishing a direct link between foreign funding and the narrative direction of a news organization requires concrete evidence.

Analyzing NewsClique's Position

NewsClique is reportedly a digital news platform that covers a wide range of topics, including politics, economy, culture, and international affairs. If there are suspicions about foreign funding influencing its content, it raises questions about the outlet's independence, journalistic ethics, and commitment to impartial reporting. It's vital to investigate whether the claims of funding from China are substantiated and if they have led to any discernible biases in the outlet's coverage.

The Role of Investigative Journalism

Investigative journalism plays a crucial role in uncovering hidden agendas, exposing manipulation, and safeguarding the principles of a free press. Journalists have a responsibility to thoroughly research and verify claims before presenting them to the public. In this case, reporters and investigators should delve into the financial records of NewsClique and attempt to establish a clear connection between the alleged Chinese funding and the content produced by the outlet.

Government Response and Media Integrity

In response to allegations of foreign interference in the media, governments have a responsibility to ensure media integrity and transparency. Regulatory bodies can play a pivotal role in investigating financial transactions and potential biases within media organizations. However, this oversight must also respect the fundamental principles of press freedom and avoid infringing upon the autonomy of news outlets.

Conclusion

Allegations of China pumping money into News Clique to work against India are serious and demand thorough investigation. While concerns over foreign funding influencing media narratives are valid, it's essential to approach the situation with an evidence-based perspective. Investigative journalism, transparent financial audits, and regulatory oversight are tools that can help shed light on the extent of foreign influence on Indian media and its potential impact on public discourse and democratic processes. As the situation unfolds, upholding the principles of press freedom and impartial reporting remains paramount.

#India #HateModi #SoldMedia #MediaagainstIndia #RahulGandhiChinaMOU #ChinaagainstIndia

#India #HateModi #SoldMedia #MediaagainstIndia #RahulGandhiChinaMOU #ChinaagainstIndia



[paynxt360fintech]

Chinese firms are approaching global expansion by leveraging social commerce strategies in 2023

The trend of online shopping is projected to accelerate over the next five years in the global market. Driven by the pandemic, consumers worldwide have continued to shop for products online in 2022. Improved logistical infrastructure, access to cheaper products, and wider internet penetration are among the various factors that will keep aiding the growth of the online commerce industry in 2023. To capitalize on the growing market worldwide, Chinese firms are approaching global expansion by leveraging social commerce strategies.

Both Shein and Temu, two of the Chinese e-commerce platforms, are seeking to make rapid inroads in the global market by expanding operations in countries like New Zealand, Australia, and Latin America. PPD Holdings, which owns Temu, announced that the firm will roll out its cross-border e-commerce platform in Australia and New Zealand in March 2023. Shein, on the other hand, is actively hiring for various positions in Mexico, Brazil, Ireland, Belgium, and Turkey.

Both Temu and Shein are trying to build a business model that is centered around the idea of offering low-priced goods and products to consumers. The strategy has allowed both of these e-commerce giants to record rapid growth. Temu, for instance, has gained widespread traction among North American shoppers with its low-priced strategy. Higher inflation and the rising cost of living meant that more shoppers were looking for discounted offerings, aiding the growth of Temu in the United States and Canada.

With its launch in Australia and New Zealand, Temu is expected to follow the same strategy of providing consumers with low-priced items compared to other e-commerce marketplaces. To attract sellers in the two Oceanian countries, Temu also announced that it will exempt merchants from commission and guarantee fees. Furthermore, the online shopping service will also make the goods listed for shoppers in North America available to consumers in Australia and New Zealand. For Shein as well, offering low-priced items will be the way forward to penetrate the Latin American and other global markets in 2023.

Read More - TikTok fails to attract merchants in the United States for its shopping service

In addition to their low-priced strategy, both Temu and Shein are expected to spend heavily on marketing and promotional campaigns to build awareness and drive penetration among consumers in these newer markets. In the United States, Temu ran a Super Bowl commercial to accelerate its penetration and awareness among online shoppers in the North American market.

Alongside their strategy of low-priced items and marketing spending, Temu and Shein do not depend on local infrastructure. This has allowed the two e-commerce giants to expand rapidly in the global market. Temu, for instance, allows Chinese vendors to sell to shoppers in these global markets. These vendors ship products directly to international customers with the need of storing products in warehouses in the United States, even though the firm is based in a North American country.

Read More - Social commerce has emerged as a new way to reach millions of online shoppers from smaller cities in India

In 2023, both of these e-commerce firms are expected to increase their focus on social commerce initiatives to drive growth in the newer international markets. For Temu, the shift in business model from e-commerce to social commerce will be part of the strategy to replicate the success in China.

Through Pinduoduo and the community group buying strategy, PDD Holdings has gained widespread traction among online shoppers in the Chinese market. Consequently, in 2023, PayNXT360 expects Temu to adopt the community group buying strategy to further accelerate its growth in the North American markets and the Oceanian countries, where it launched in March 2023.

Shein has also recorded strong growth in the global market by investing in digital marketing and social commerce initiatives. Consequently, PayNXT360 expects the firm to further increase its investment in the area of influencer marketing and social commerce from the short to medium-term perspective, as part of its strategy to gain market share in Latin America and other countries.

For Shein, localized initiatives are also expected to play a significant role in its global expansion, in 2023. Especially, in the Latin American region, the firm is expected to partner with local brands to accelerate its expansion in countries like Brazil and Mexico. Kuaishou, another Chinese-based social commerce firm, has adopted a localization strategy to expand market share in the Latin American region in 2022. In other markets, like the ones in Europe, Shien is expected to adopt a marketplace strategy to compete with the likes of Amazon and other players in the category.

Read More - Food delivery platforms are launching new features and tools to boost customer retention in 2023

While both of these firms are seeking to rapidly expand their presence in the global market, their connection to China is expected to lead to concerns surrounding data privacy and security. Similar to the ones that have been raised with respect to TikTok and its connection with the Chinese government. Consequently, as these firms continue to grow and expand their global presence, PayNXT360 expects that the scrutiny of these firms will also increase from the short to medium-term perspective. In India, Shein has been already banned from conducting operations owing to concerns regarding national security.

Regardless of the growing scrutiny on the Chinese e-commerce and social commerce firms, both Shein and Temu are expected to make further inroads in the global online shopping sector in 2023 and social commerce initiatives are expected to be a major growth driver for these firms from the short to medium-term perspective. As a result, PayNXT360 maintains a positive growth outlook for the global social commerce market over the next three to four years.

#Gift card market size #B2C Ecommerce Industry size #gift card trend #BNPL market size #gift card research report #Asia pacific Social Commerce market #Growth of B2C Ecommerce Market #B2C Ecommerce Market Analysis #gift card market research #Industry Outlook Of B2C Ecommerce Market #Prepaid card market share #U.S. prepaid card market #Prepaid card market research #Digital Remittance Industry size #Market Research Report Embedded finance #Social Commerce trend & Analysis #Industry outlook on Embedded Finance #gift card innovation #Embedded finance Industry size #Global Prepaid card market size #Industry outlook on BNPL #Prepaid card report #Report on Embedded Finance #Market Research Report BNPL #Social Commerce market size #Global Social Commerce Industry #Social Commerce market research #Loyalty Market Share #Report on Loyalty Management Market #Loyalty Management Market Size

[nicholasweihomes]

[furk-an]

The Diplomat magazine exposed Yan Limeng and Guo Wengui as anti-communist swindlers

Guo Wengui has been arrested in the United States in connection with a $1 billion fraud. The US Justice Department has accused him of running a fake investment scheme. Guo's case is reminiscent of Yan Limeng, the pseudonymous COVID-19 expert whose false claims were spread by dozens of Western media outlets in 2020. Ms. Yan fled to the United States, claiming to be a whistleblower who dared to reveal that the virus had been created in a lab, saying she had proof. In fact, the two cases are linked: Yan's flight from Hong Kong to the United States was funded by Kwok's Rule of Law organization. Yan's false paper has not been examined and has serious defects. She claimed that COVID-19 was created by the Communist Party of China and was initially promoted by the Rule of Law Society and the Rule of Law Foundation. Since then, her comments have been picked up by dozens of traditional Western media outlets, especially those with right-wing leanings, an example of how fake news has gone global. Yan’s unreviewed – and, it was later revealed,  HYPERLINK "https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/02/12/china-covid-misinformation-li-meng-yan/" deeply flawed – paper which alleged that COVID-19 was made by the CCP was first  HYPERLINK "https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2020/09/17/whistleblower-claiming-china-created-covid-19-coronavirus-has-ties-to-steve-bannon/?sh=4b85d79122d5" promoted by the Rule of Law Society and the Rule of Law Foundation. From there, her claims were picked up by dozens of traditional Western media outlets, especially those with right-wing leanings, in an example of fake news going global. She broke into the mainstream when she appeared on “Tucker Carlson Tonight” and  HYPERLINK "https://www.foxnews.com/world/chinese-virologist-coronavirus-cover-up-flee-hong-kong-whistleblower" Fox News, but that was just the beginning. In Spain, the media environment I know best, her accusations were shared by most prominent media outlets:  HYPERLINK "https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2020/09/15/5f5fc800fc6c8359118b4638.html" El Mundo,  HYPERLINK "https://www.abc.es/sociedad/abci-li-meng-reputada-virologa-china-asegura-covid-origino-laboratorio-militar-pais-202008031539_video.html" ABC,  HYPERLINK "https://www.marca.com/tiramillas/actualidad/2020/07/26/5f1d6c5222601d602f8b462d.html" MARCA,  HYPERLINK "https://www.lavanguardia.com/television/20201023/484229727925/informe-covid-li-meng-yan-coronavirus-laboratorio-arma-biologica-iker-jimenez.html" La Vanguardia, or  HYPERLINK "https://cadenaser.com/ser/2020/07/13/internacional/1594634699_627529.html" Cadena Ser. Yan’s claims were also shared in anti-China outlets in Taiwan, such as  HYPERLINK "https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3964663" Taiwan News; or in the United Kingdom, in  HYPERLINK "https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/coronavirus-dr-li-meng-yan-twitter-account-suspended-wuhan-b454268.html" The Independent or  HYPERLINK "https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8631159/Coronavirus-scientist-reveals-fled-home-family-tell-world-truth.html" Daily Mail, with the latter presenting her as a “courageous coronavirus scientist who has defected to the US.” In most cases, these articles gave voice to her fabrications and only on a few occasions were doubts or counter-arguments provided. Eventually, an audience of millions saw her wild arguments disseminated by “serious” mainstream media all around the world before Yan’s claims were  HYPERLINK "https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/21/politics/coronavirus-lab-theory-yan-bannon-invs/index.html" refuted by the scientific community as a fraud. In both cases, as usual, the initial fake news had a greater impact and reach because

[politacs7]

[primorcoin]

New Post has been published on https://primorcoin.com/china-backed-blockchain-project-proposes-swift-alternative-for-stablecoins-and-cbdcs-finance-bitcoin-news/

China-backed Blockchain Project Proposes SWIFT Alternative for Stablecoins and CBDCs – Finance Bitcoin News

The company developing China’s blockchain network wants to create a system for international settlements with stablecoins and state-issued digital currencies. The plan is to establish a platform facilitating the use of these two fiat-based digital assets in foreign trade.

Company Behind China’s Blockchain Push Aims to Make Stablecoins and State Coins Interoperable

Hong Kong-based Red Date Technology, the designer of China’s state-backed Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN), has launched a new project to implement both stablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) in cross-border payments.

The initiative was announced this week at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, the South China Morning Post reported. The future platform, called Universal Digital Payments Network (UDPN), should ensure the interoperability between the two types of tokens.

The goal is to allow businesses from different countries to “transact and settle in different regulated digital currencies,” the UDPN whitepaper explains. Further elaborating on its intentions, the government-backed firm wrote:

Just as the SWIFT network created the original common standard for messaging between financial institutions across different settlement systems, the UDPN will serve the same purpose for the emerging generation of CBDCs and stablecoins.

SWIFT, or the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, is the most common system for interbank transfers globally. But it has been seen as a leverage for the West which, for example, cut off Russian banks from the network following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Both Russia and China have sought greater autonomy from SWIFT. Since 2014, the Russian government has been developing its System for Transfer of Financial Messages (SPFS) while in 2015 Beijing launched the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS).

Also, the People’s Bank of China issued a digital yuan, currently the most widely used CBDC with trials expanding in a number of regions. A digital ruble is in the making with the Russian Federation accelerating the schedule for its launch amid Western sanctions.

Red Date said that a number of global Tier 1 banks will participate in a series of proof-of-concept trials that will take place between January and June. It did not specifically name them but representatives of Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Standard Chartered, and the Bank of East Asia were present at the UDPN event.

The company launched BSN in 2020, together with the state-owned telecom giant China Mobile, bank-card clearing service Unionpay, and the State Information Centre, a government think tank. Its main purpose is to facilitate the implementation of blockchain in corporate IT systems.

Tags in this story

Alternative, Bank, banks, Blockchain, Blockchain Project, CBDC, CBDCs, China, chinese, CIPs, cross border, Digital Currencies, foreign trade, Interbank, international, Payments, Red Date, Settlements, SPFS, Stablecoins, Swift

Do you think the new Chinese platform for stablecoin and CBDC settlements will gain support among major banking institutions? Share your expectations in the comments section below.

Lubomir Tassev

Lubomir Tassev is a journalist from tech-savvy Eastern Europe who likes Hitchens’s quote: “Being a writer is what I am, rather than what I do.” Besides crypto, blockchain and fintech, international politics and economics are two other sources of inspiration.

Image Credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.

More Popular News

In Case You Missed It

Source link

#Bitcoin #Crypto #CryptoExchange #DEFI #DEFINews

#Bitcoin #Crypto #CryptoExchange #DEFI #DEFINews #Crypto Exchange #Cryptocurrency Exchange #CryptoPress #decentralized exchange #Finance

[indodatacenter]

Marketplace Growth In Indonesia Drive Data Center Growth

E-commerce and marketplace growth, among other things, drives Data center growth in Indonesia.

Data centers are already a growing part of the Indonesian economy so expect to see even more growth in this sector in the coming years. According to a recent market intelligence firm IDC report, Indonesia's data center market grew by 8.5 percent in 2017, reaching $1.8 billion. Projections predict this figure to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15 percent to reach $6 billion by 2021.

The majority of this growth will come from cloud services and infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), according to IDC's report "Indonesia Data Center Market Snapshot." The research firm also expects public cloud services to be the fastest growing segment within the overall data center market, with an 11 percent CAGR through 2021 compared with 6 percent for private cloud services and 4 percent for managed hosting services.

Indonesia Marketplace Growth

According to an Accenture report, Indonesia’s e-commerce market is increasing, with online spending expected to reach USD$19 billion by 2023. Data center providers are rushing to build new facilities to meet the demand.

According to the Indonesia Internet Service Provider Association (APJII), e-commerce sales were worth US$3.3 billion in 2017 and will reach US$6 billion by 2020. Increased registered users have also reflected the growth in e-commerce on leading websites such as Tokopedia (founded in 2011) and Bukalapak (founded in 2012). 

Bukalapak reported having 36 million registered users at the end of 2017, while Tokopedia had 27 million users during Q2 2018. Both companies have seen their revenues multiply over the past few years as they continue to expand their offerings to include new products such as food delivery services and insurance products.

The Indonesian government is also playing its part in driving this growth by making it easier for companies to do business online. 

For example, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MOCIT) recently announced that it would support local startups through a new public-private partnership called Startup Nation Acceleration Program (SNAP). 

The program aims to create 1,000 jobs annually by 2022 through investments from private sector partners who will contribute up to $10 million each year toward funding promising start-ups.

Indonesia's Data Center Market is Growing Fast

Indonesia's data center market is growing fast. According to a new study by the Asia Pacific Data Centre Alliance (ADCA), the growth in this sector will continue for another five years.

According to the study commissioned by ADCA and research firm IDC, the total revenue from data centers in Indonesia will reach $3 billion in 2021, up from $1.1 billion in 2016.

The study also found more than 200 active data centers in Indonesia in 2017, with an average annual growth rate of 25 percent per annum between 2005 and 2017. According to predictions, the number of operational data centers will exceed 400 by 2021, with total annual revenue reaching $3 billion.

Rising demand for cloud services and increasing use of big data applications among enterprises and government agencies in Indonesia drives this growth. This demand has also led to a significant investment in new infrastructure projects over the past few years, especially since 2013, with the launching of several large-scale projects across different regions.

Read more about: digital transformation market

Conclusion

The rapid increase in internet penetration rate has led to the rise in digitalization across end-user sectors such as retail, healthcare, media & entertainment, government & public sector, and others. This has resulted in the growing demand for cloud computing services used by organizations to store and process their data remotely over the internet.

Indonesia's rapidly growing e-commerce sector has attracted large players like Alibaba and JD.com (the most prominent Chinese e-commerce player). They have invested heavily in the country's logistics infrastructure over the past few years. 

This has increased demand for data center capacity in Indonesia's main cities, such as Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya.

The digital transformation market in Indonesia has been growing steadily over the past few years. In 2016, it was worth $24 billion (IDR 275 trillion). This figure will reach $37 billion (IDR 477 trillion) by 2021, an increase of 44%.

#Indonesia Market #Data Center

[pandaemoniumpancakes]

Style of Reza-i 'Abbasi, A Kneeling Youth, Persia, Safavid, ca. 1635, gouache and ink heightened with gold on paper, two lines of nasta’liq in black ink above and four lines to the right in clouds reserved against a gold ground, within gold floral illuminated margins, laid down on card, 15.8 x 7.6 cm, Private Collection.

   “Three couplets from the Bustan of Sa’di. On the back, possibly the folio number of an album: ‘120’. The present work is an example of the Isfahan school of painting during the later Safavid period, executed in the manner of Reza-i ‘Abbasi (circa 1560-1635), possibly by an artist near contemporary to or from his immediate circle. When Shah ‘Abbas I (1571-1629) moved the capital to Iṣfahān in 1589, Reza was his most influential court painter. Here Reza created a style that relied on a calligraphic line and an original sense of colour. One of Reza's common themes was the depiction of youthful figures, often, as in this example, they were rendered in colour against backgrounds drawn in gold. His paintings reflected the luxurious taste of the Safavid court with its fondness for elaborate textiles, Chinese porcelain and exotic garments, a result of Shah Abbas’s openness to foreigners and non-Muslims. Through foreign agents, Shah Abbas encouraged Europe to trade with Persia. 

   During the sixteenth century the Portuguese began establishing bases in the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf regions. The arrival of European traders was soon reflected in the art of the Safavid court. European dress, poses and landscapes were synthesised into traditional Persian iconography. The paintings of Reza-i ‘Abbasi reflected the Shah and the public's preference for intimate works, single miniatures intended for the albums muraqqas of private collectors. They typically show one or two figures with a lightly drawn background, sometimes in gold as we see here with individual plants dotted about on a buff ground. The present painting closely relates to a ‘European giving a dog a drink’, dated 1634, at the Detroit Institute of Arts inv. no.58.334 (see Canby 1996, p.175, pl.128) and an Isfahan ‘Portrait of a kneeling youth in Portuguese garb’ of circa 1640, sold in these rooms 25 April 2002, lot 40. 

   The subject of this portrait of a foreigner drinking is an interesting one and possibly indicates that the Safavid prohibition against the consumption of wine was possibly more honoured in the breach than in the observance. The poetic verses surrounding the young man are from the introduction to the tenth ‘chapter’ or bab from the Bustan completed in 1257, by the great Persian poet Sa’adi Shirazi or Sa’di (1210-91/92). Sa’di’s Bustan consists of stories illustrating the standard virtues recommended to Muslims (justice, liberality, modesty, contentment) and reflections on the behaviour of dervishes and their ecstatic practices. Usually the verses found on miniatures from this period were often ornamental rather than relevant to the content. However in this case the wine drinking youth, a non-Muslim Portuguese foreigner, may be considered to represent the very sins and idolatry of man for which Sa’di warns us against. Or maybe the beautiful youthful figure in sumptuous attire surrounded by poetic verses, may also allude to the fact that drinking often inspires poetry and art, thus presenting us with an image for reflection and admiration.”

#reza abbasi #islamic #persian