CP Seeding Social Impact, in collaboration with CP China, spearheaded the promotion of Thai Products at the China International Import Expo 2023 (CIIE), held in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
The 6th edition of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) concluded officially on November 10th, 2023. As one of the Thai representative companies participating in the exhibition, the CP Group has been an integral part of CIIE for six consecutive years. Notably, this year’s participation was distinguished by the unveiling and presentation of a Thai products under the theme “Buy Global, Sell Global.”
This product selection, curated through the collaboration of CP China and CP Seeding, encompasses safe and high-quality products from Thai producers, such as brands related to agriculture and aquatic products like Kreungton, Planeat, Younger Farm, and Green Ville.
The CP China’s booth, known as Zhengda Exhibition Hall, garnered significant popularity and attention, particularly in the exhibition area dedicated to food and agricultural products. Over the six days of the exhibition, esteemed guests from various countries visited the booth, engaging in business negotiations and collaborations. The Zhengda Exhibition Hall booth also received high media attention.
Said by Mr. Aekachai Tangrattanavalee, Managing Director of CP Seeding, currently both CP-owned and non-CP-owned Chinese factories are now developing Thai RTE/RTC/RTH products, hence we strongly believe that there is a huge opportunity gap for Thai ingredients, i.e. sauce and seasoning, which could be their choices for production use.
Moreover, some of Chinese e-commerce parties are now seeking for easy-to-consume Thai products which are considered as a product fit for Chinese e-commerce platform. Therefore, we are looking forward to striking such excited and challenging tasks to facilitate Thai entrepreneurs in Chinese market expansion in the near future.
Especially, CP China also organized activities within the booth, encouraging attendees to share their thoughts on the displayed products. General consumer feedback revealed a strong interest and appreciation for Thai products, especially in the categories of fruits, sauce and seasoning, and confectionery.
CP Seeding Social Impact surely applies this positive response to contribute and work closely with Thai entrepreneurs towards the enhancement of product development and marketing strategies for Thai brands.
CP Seeding recognizes that the participation in CIIE this year marks a crucial step in raising awareness of Thai products among Chinese consumers and business professionals from diverse international backgrounds. CP Seeding team was receiving a cohesive support from CP China team in the matter of facilitation on effective public relations and negotiations with numerous partners in the HoReCa and E-Commerce business sectors in China.
The company is confident that Thai products can continue to develop, expand markets consistently, and achieve sustainable growth through collaborative efforts with CP Group’s global connection.
Carabao Conglomerate Releases 5 beer variants through 2 Beer Brands “Carabao” and “Tawandang”, Ready to Compete in Thailand’s 260-Billion-Baht Beer Market
The new beer brands exemplify the high benchmarks set by Tawandang German Brewery, as they declare their commitment to “setting a new benchmark” within the beer industry, ensuring that Thai people enjoy a global experience.
In line with the standards of Tawandang German Brewery, these beer brands introduce 5 distinct beers, setting a new benchmark in Thailand’s beer market.
The latest product launch underscores the motto “World-class product, World-Class Brand,” as it introduces the growth-driving beers with the aim of expanding into international markets, propelling the company’s associated companies into the global arena.
Pioneering a fresh distribution network in Thailand, both beer brands are now directly supplied to small-scale distributors, ensuring swift delivery to consumers while preserving product quality, flavor, and freshness.
A substantial investment of 4,000 million baht has been allocated for the construction of a state-of-the-art beer production facility in Chainat province. This facility is equipped with world-class production technology, exclusively employing imported international standard machinery. In its initial year, the factory is projected to produce 200 million liters.
The company’s sports marketing strategy has been expanded through the launch of the “Experience the World Class, Cheer for Football, Cheer for Bao” campaign, offering participants the opportunity to win tickets for the 2023/24 Carabao Cup Final, ensuring a once in a lifetime experience for football supporters right at the stadium.
Sathien Sathientham, Chief Executive Officer of Carabao Conglomerate, disclosed that the company has dedicated substantial resources over the past two decades to introduce two beer brands, “Carabao” and “Tawandang,” as they prepare to make their mark on the Thai beer market, valued at 260 billion baht, the largest segment in the beverage industry of Thailand.
An initial investment of 4,000 million baht has been allocated for the construction of a beer production facility in Chainat Province. The facility is outfitted with cutting-edge production technology, featuring imported machinery from overseas.
It boasts a production capacity of around 400 million liters. The initial phase will involve a pilot production of 200 million liters, which represents the largest investment ever made in the industry.
According to the CEO, the company has extensively adopted an integrated marketing strategy with the aim of swiftly capturing the affection of consumers across the nation. In terms of market positioning, both brands will operate within the economy and standard segments, which collectively constitute more than 90% of the beer market share.
“Carabao” will be positioned within the economy to the standard segment, whereas “Tawandang” will occupy the standard to premium segment, catering to the diverse needs of consumers across all demographic groups. The objective is to establish a presence as one of the top three key players in the beer market.
The primary objective for market penetration is to provide top quality beer at an affordable price, while also introducing fresh alternatives to the market. The company is leveraging its expertise gained from managing the Tawandang German Brewery enterprise to offer customers across the nation a chance to sample their offerings.
Sathien Sathientham, Chief Executive Officer of Carabao Conglomerate
As Thailand’s top microbrewery, Tawandang German Brewery has established a reputation for its exceptional and one-of-a-kind German beer flavor. With over 20 years of experience, they have served more than 10 million satisfied customers.
The two beer brands will adhere to the German Beer Purity Law – a set of regulations that require the use of only malt, hops, and yeast in the brewing process. As a result, the aroma and flavor of the beers will closely resemble those sold at Tawandang German Brewery. This adherence to standards is unique in the Thai beer market and is “setting a new benchmark” for the Thai beer market.
“The market for beer is dominated by a small number of major brands, limiting the options available to consumers. Despite a strong demand for high-quality beer, many of the best options are imported and come at a premium price, making them inaccessible to most. This creates a gap in the market that remains untapped,” said Sathien.
By addressing this gap in the market and offering new options to meet consumer needs, he stated that the Carabao Conglomerate has an opportunity to establish itself as one of the top three players in the beer market. Additionally, our goal is to elevate the standard of beer consumption in Thailand by producing high-quality, authentic German-style beer that meets world-class standards in taste, quality, and production processes. This aligns with our vision to revolutionize the beer industry in Thailand.
“This market entry is unique because the Carabao Conglomerate is launching five different variants of beer simultaneously, including two under the Carabao brand (Lager and Dunkel) and three under the Tawandang brand (Weizen, Rosé, and IPA). This is the first time in the Thai beer industry that such a diverse range has been introduced at once. The objective is to provide Thai consumers with greater access to world-class beer options.”
The CEO of Carabao said this launch also serves as a testament to the production capabilities of our world-class brewery in Chainat Province, equipped with imported machinery. By demonstrating our ability to produce a range of high-quality beers.
“We are further reinforcing our position as a “World-class Product, World-class Brand” company. With this advanced production potential, we are capable of producing a diverse range of beers.”
However, Carabao Conglomerate faces a challenge as the beer market is dominated by key players that hold more than 80% of the market share. As a result, the primary strategy in the initial phase will be to educate the market about the new standard of third-party beers and to encourage consumers to try a beer that meets world-class criteria and introduce them to alternative beers that are loved all over the world. It’s about the distinctive tastes and strengths that differ from existing options in the market.
Carabao Conglomerate has invested its largest marketing budget in the past 20 years since the launch of the energy drink “Carabao Dang” and prepared a comprehensive marketing campaign across all channels. One of the key marketing strategies is the decision to extend Carabao’s contract with the English Football League (EFL) as the main sponsor of the Carabao Cup for a further three years from its original expiry in 2024. This will see Carabao continue as the main sponsor of the English League Cup until 2027, which is the longest sponsorship term in EFL history.
To further implement its global sports marketing strategy, a major campaign has been launched. The “Experience the World Class, Cheer for Football, Cheer for Bao” campaign will give everyone a chance to enjoy a world-class football experience and watch world-class football matches from the sidelines.
Consumers have the chance to travel to England to watch the Carabao Cup 2023/24 Final. This campaign is sure to drive the trend, attract consumers to engage with the brand, and further strengthen its position as a “World-class product, World-class brand”.
In addition to extensive marketing activities, another significant strategy is a focus on distribution networks. All five beers will be distributed through the Carabao Conglomerate network of retail stores, including CJ More, which has 1,000 branches nationwide, and Tookdee shop, which has over 5,000 stores nationwide. They will also be distributed through mobile vehicle units in all 31 distribution centers with access to retail stores nationwide, including modern trade and traditional trade channels, which the company gives importance to.
The company has prepared a restructuring of its distribution network of all goods in its portfolio to coincide with the unveiling of the two beer brands. It directly distributes items to district-level distributors nationwide. This helps to shorten the distribution process, allowing items to reach retail outlets or grocery stores across the country more rapidly. It also makes it more convenient for consumers to find high-quality, tasty items.
Sathien added that another key strength that gives the company confidence that both beer brands will be well accepted by customers is the robust brand reputation, particularly the Carabao brand, which is well-known not just within Thailand but also on an international scale. At present, our products are exported to 42 countries, spanning all continents.
Furthermore, our role as the primary official sponsor of the EFL Cup football competition, rebranded as the ‘Carabao Cup’ since 2017, has significantly heightened international recognition of the Thai brand.
The Tawandang brand has gained recognition as a microbrewery, being the first and most comprehensive of its kind in Thailand, with over two decades of existence. The Carabao Conglomerate aspires to expand the export of its beer products to international markets, with a particular focus on countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, where Thai restaurants are the most abundant worldwide.”
Currently, the beer market in Thailand is showing a consistent growth trend, driven by the ongoing economic recovery. The Carabao Conglomerate’s entry into this market is expected to mark a movement in market dynamics, as the company introduces a new standard of beer with a range of diverse options. From the market’s overall value, which now exceeds 500 billion baht in the alcohol sector.
The company’s goal is for beer to serve as a significant driver, propelling the growth of the alcohol product category and, in turn, acting as a catalyst for the further expansion of the market.
V2V Co., the authorised importer and marketer of Ichiran Ramen in Thailand since 2020, issued an apology and clarification regarding the issue of non-fresh ramen Ichiran noodles and the origin of soup base in their pop-up store in Thailand.
The official statement, released on the evening of November 16, addresses the following points:
1. The noodles served at the pop-up store are not fresh ramen noodles but rather dried ramen noodles of the same quality as those found in Ichiran’s boxed products. These noodles are imported directly from Japan to facilitate convenience in preparation at the pop-up store, and they are selected and packed by Ichiran.
2. The soup base used is made from the head stock of Kamadare ramen soup. This soup base is prepared, packed, and sent directly from Ichiran in Japan.
3. The type of Chashu pork and the cooking methods are adjusted to suit the pop-up store in each country. The quality is ensured through the selection process by Ichiran’s chefs from Japan.
4. The special menu is packaged as sets for individual ramen bowls, enhanced with Japanese chefs who prepare the Chashu pork and other additional toppings. This ensures a consistent and high-quality taste in every bowl, different from directly using the boxed products.
“As the official importer and distributor of Ichiran products in Thailand, Ichiran Thailand emphasizes its commitment to delivering high-quality products and services to Thai consumers. The company apologizes for any confusion caused by the miscommunication and reaffirms its dedication to meeting the expectations of Thai consumers who appreciate the taste of Ichiran ramen,” it stated.
Ichiran is one of the most well-known chains specializing in tonkotsu ramen, having exported their ramen and unique dining style to cities abroad.
Considered the best tonkotsu ramen in the world, ICHIRAN began in 1960 as a family-owned ramen stall in Fukuoka in Western Japan. Since then, President and CEO Manabu Yoshitomi has grown the business to 83 locations throughout Asia and three in New York City.
It has just open ICHIRAN Pop-Up Store at Central World, 3rd floor, Nippon Market Zone (Old Isetan), November 11 – 26, 2023.
Light Up Your Loy Krathong Festival With An Innovative Seven-course Thai Tasting Menu At Ekkaluck
Chef Wuttisak “Wut” Wuttiamporn will transport discerning diners on a creative culinary journey with the finest ingredients, artfully presented
Bangkok, Thailand – EKKALUCK, the innovative dining destination at Madi Paidi Bangkok, Autograph Collection, is inviting couples, families and friends to come together and experience an enchanting evening this November as it celebrates Loy Krathong, Thailand’s captivating “Festival of Lights.”
From 22nd – 29th November 2023, Chef Wuttisak “Wut” Wuttiamporn will present a sensational “7-Course Tasting Menu” which is inspired by the spirit of Loy Krathong. Each stage of this epicurean adventure will showcase timeless Thai flavors with a unique, contemporary twist.
Guests will be greeted with Wai, EKKALUCK’s signature Caesar salad which is inspired by the traditional Thai greeting. This will be followed by two sublime seafood plates: Krathong Tong Tuna Tartare, a classic tuna tartare with Vietnamese coriander & smoked olive oil, and Mok Pla Hi Ma, curried snow fish fillet baked in a banana leaf, served with fermented fennel, rice paddy herbs & dill.
Chef Wut’s gastronomic talent will be on show as he elevates the popular dish of Peek Gai Sapparod, chicken wings with a pork & pineapple stuffing & caramelized Phuket pineapple sauce, before Nuea Tun Gub Tom promises succulent eight-hour braised Australian short beef ribs, accompanied with garlic, shimeji mushrooms, dried chili & brown onion soup with Thai herbs. Moo Grob Tua Lan Toa Bod, crispy pork with green pea purée & vermouth jus, is a symphony of taste and texture.
Discerning diners then have a choice of main courses that highlight the finest ingredients from land and sea: Ka Praow Prik Hang Nuea, Australian wagyu beef tenderloin (MB 6/7) with basil & dried chili jus, or Pla Kha Min, grilled turbot fillet with turmeric beurre blanc. This epicurean odyssey concludes with the EKKALUCK Oats Bar, an original dessert bar of Pathum Thani homthong banana with a parmesan tuile, butter cookie crumble & vegan salted caramel ice cream.
With live music from traditional Thai instruments, this enchanting dining experience will bring the spirit of Loy Krathong to life. Guests can also enliven their evening with a choice of red, white, sparkling or sweet Thai wines from GranMonte, and a series of specially crafted Loy Krathong cocktails.
Choose from Krathong, a creative concoction of Chalong Bay Thai rum, dragon fruit juice, bael juice & lime juice, or Mali, which blends Nasan white rum with lime juice, grapefruit & jasmine syrup. For the perfect digestif, GranMonte will also present its Red Jungle Grappa.
The “Loy Krathong 7-Course Tasting Menu” is priced at THB 3,500++ per person, and Marriott Bonvoy members get a 10% discount. The special cocktails are available for THB 390 each.
For more information and to book your table, please click, call +66 (0) 2 127 5999, email [email protected] , or follow us on LINE @ekkaluckbangkok.
Thanakorn Vegetable Oil Products is proactively aligning with health trends by endorsing sunflower oil manufactured using state-of-the-art production technology, ensuring outstanding quality and environmental friendliness.
As the year draws to a close, it marks the transition from the rainy season to the onset of winter. During this time, one of the most popular tourist experiences is a visit to the “sunflower fields,” where vast expanses of vibrant yellow flowers stretch as far as the eye can see in numerous renowned tourist destinations.
In addition to serving as a popular tourist attraction, sunflowers also hold significant economic importance for farmers. These versatile flowers are in high demand in the market. The oil extracted from sunflower seeds, commonly known as “sunflower oil,” is renowned for its health benefits. It is certified as a nutritious and health-promoting oil. As a result, this type of oil continues to gain popularity.
Petch Wanglee, the Managing Director of Thanakorn Vegetable Oil Products Company Limited, which produces and distributes “Cook Vegetable Oil,” a key subsidiary of the Poonphol Group (PPG), has disclosed that the Group stands as the foremost purchaser of agricultural commodities in the nation.
This includes both soybeans and sunflowers, crucial raw materials in vegetable oil production. Notably, sunflowers are a significant component of their procurement, with an annual average of 7,000 tons sourced from local farmers out of a total sunflower production of 8,200 tons per year. This purchase represents 85% to 90% of the total sunflower purchase.
The company places a strong emphasis on the meticulous selection of raw materials, which are subsequently refined using state-of-the-art techniques. This high-quality oil maintains its clarity and does not form any precipitates, even when stored in cooler environments. What sets this sunflower oil apart is its rich content of unsaturated fatty acids, which are essential for the body.
With less than 11% saturated fatty acids, it is an ideal choice for individuals seeking to manage their cholesterol levels. Additionally, this sunflower oil boasts a high vitamin E content of 20%, making it a beneficial choice for overall health. Its abundance of vitamin E in combating free radicals, slowing down the aging process, among other advantages.
At present, Thanakorn Vegetable Oil Products Company Limited holds the position of being the country’s second-largest vegetable oil extraction facility. It specializes in the production of vegetable oils marketed under the brand name “Cook,” which includes a range of high-quality vegetable oils such as soybean oil, sunflower oil, and canola oil.
Furthermore, the company produces high quality soybean meal which is a key raw material for animal feed production. Besides, it manufactures various products derived from soybeans, including lecithin distillate and acids extracted from soybean oil.
To cater to the health-conscious demands of consumers, the company has embraced a range of environmentally friendly production technologies to foster an eco-friendly production approach throughout its manufacturing processes. It has established itself as a pioneer in Asia by adopting the Ice Condensing Vacuum System (ICS) in its refining process.
This is aimed at achieving the highest quality vegetable oil while simultaneously reducing energy consumption and distillation time. This cutting-edge technology allows the company to maintain the exceptional quality of its vegetable oil products. Such a dedicated effort has yielded impressive outcomes, including the Green Industry Level 5 Award from the Ministry of Industry, which marks the company as the first and only vegetable oil producer to achieve this esteemed award.
A significant goal for the company is to transition into a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions organization. To achieve this, the company is implementing ongoing strategies for environmental management through the “Green Business Roadmap.” This plan relies on quantitative assessments of resource utilization, pollution levels, and environmental impacts on the global ecosystem, all based on the principles of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
Hotels and resorts in Bangkok, Phuket, Phang Nga, and Chiang Rai provide thousands of meals and food boxes to disadvantaged communities, as part of efforts to alleviate hunger and reduce food waste
Bangkok, Thailand: November 2023 – Marriott International has marked World Food Day 2023 in Thailand with a series of highly worthwhile activities at its hotels and resorts, including serving thousands of nourishing meals to disadvantaged people in local communities all across the kingdom.
Created by the United Nations, World Food Day falls annually on 16 October with the long-term goal of eradicating global hunger. To mark this important occasion, the associates at Marriott’s properties in Bangkok, Phuket, Phang Nga, and Chiang Rai joined forces with charitable partners to provide meals to underprivileged families, while also reducing food waste.
In Bangkok, 16 of the group’s hotels came together with Scholars of Sustenance (SOS Thailand), Marriott’s long-term partner, to stage a major food distribution event. Hosted at Rama VIII Bridge, the event donated 17,343kg of surplus food from the hotels and other private sectors, which was used to create and serve 72,840 meals to local people, including 1,500 meals from Marriott properties.
Marriott also partnered with SOS Thailand in Phuket and Phang Nga, to donate excess food to disadvantaged people in these two southern provinces. A total of 12 hotels and resorts were represented at the event, which saw Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort coordinate a total of 156,316 meals – 3,000 of which were contributed by Marriott. SOS Thailand then distributed these nourishing meals to over 100 communities across Phuket.
Finally in Chiang Rai, Thailand’s northernmost province, Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort hosted the Le Méridien X Art Home event, part of the Best of Chiang Rai Series, a cultural showcase that brought together art, crafts and cuisine from local enterprises. Staged in partnership with the VV Share Foundation, the Aim Aok Aim Jai project also donated 105 meals to the Akha PaKuk Church, which supports people from the low-income Akha hill-tribe village.
“Sustainability and social responsibility are woven into every aspect of Marriott’s operations in Thailand, and nutrition is a key aspect of this. By helping to alleviate hunger and malnutrition among the most vulnerable members of society, we can also reduce our overall food waste by 50 percent, which, in turn, cuts our carbon footprint. Our World Food Day activities are a wonderful example of this strategy in action,” said Ms. Tina Liu, Chair of Marriott’s International Business Councils Thailand and General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok.
“At Marriott, our Serve360 philosophy empowers our associates to give back to our local communities. Food insecurity should not still be a problem in the 21st Century, and we are in a unique position to help resolve it. By coordinating with like-minded local partners such as SOS Thailand, we can help to ensure that no child or family goes hungry,” commented Mr. Daryn Hudson, Co-Chair of Marriott’s International Business Councils Thailand and General Manager at Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort.
For more information about Marriott’s Serve360 program, please visit serve360.marriott.com.
President Joe Biden offers a host at the heads of delegation dinner at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, at the Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday made America’s case to national leaders and CEOs attending the Asia-Pacific summit that the United States is committed to high standards in trade and to partnerships that will benefit economies across the Pacific.
“We’re not going anywhere,” he declared.
Fresh off his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Biden also told business leaders that the U.S. was “de-risking and diversifying” but not “decoupling” from Beijing. But he did not mince words in suggesting the U.S. and friends in the Pacific could offer businesses a better option than China. He also noted that U.S. economies had invested some $50 billion in fellow Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation economies in 2023, including in clean energy technologies, aviation and cybersecurity.
“This is not all kumbaya but it’s straightforward,” Biden said. “We have real differences with Beijing when it comes to maintaining a fair and level economic playing field and protecting your intellectual property.”
President Joe Biden speaks after the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework family photo at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Biden sought to send a clear message about American leadership as business leaders grapple with the risks of doing businesses in the midst of wars in the Middle East and Europe and a still shaky post-pandemic economy. He was also spending time Thursday letting Indo-Pacific leaders know that the U.S. is committed to nurturing economic ties throughout the region.
The meeting comes less than three months after Biden hosted Kishida and Yoon for a historic summit at the Camp David presidential retreat. Japan and South Korea have been historically bitter rivals, but the two leaders have sought to look past decades of tension because of shared concerns about growing regional threats from North Korea and an increasingly assertive China. Japan colonized the Korean Peninsula between 1910 and 1945.
Biden in his remarks to the CEOs sought to highlight his administration’s efforts to strengthen ties with the region. APEC members have invested $1.7 trillion in the U.S. economy, supporting some 2.3 million American jobs. U.S. companies, in turn, have invested about $1.4 trillion in APEC economies.
President Joe Biden, from left, Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah pose for a family photo at the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Later, during talks with APEC leaders at a working lunch, Biden spoke about efforts funded by his Inflation Reduction Act to fight climate change and improve sustainability and clean energy infrastructure in the U.S. At a dinner for the APEC delegations, he challenged his fellow leaders to “harness the power of the Pacific” for a “future of greater prosperity and dignity for all.”
The U.S. hasn’t hosted the annual leaders’ summit — started in 1993 by President Bill Clinton — since 2011. The group met virtually in 2020 and 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Leaders did gather in Bangkok last year, but Biden skipped the summit because his granddaughter was getting married, and he sent Vice President Kamala Harris in his place.
The annual conference brings together heads of nations and other top economic and diplomatic leaders. Biden told those who gathered Wednesday evening at a welcome party that today’s challenges were unlike those faced by previous APEC leaders.
Biden also sought to underscore that he was seeking to responsibly manage the United States’ strained relationship with China one day after he and Xi sat down for more than four hours of talks at bucolic Filoli Estate outside of San Francisco.
“A stable relationship between the world’s two largest economies is not merely good for the two economies but for the world,” Biden said. “A stable relationship. It’s good for everyone.”
Demonstrations in and around APEC continued Thursday. Hours before leaders were to gather at the Moscone Center for the summit, protesters calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war were detained by police after shutting down all traffic over a major commuting bridge heading into San Francisco.
After decades of trade built on the premise of keeping prices low, accessing new markets and maximizing profits, many companies are now finding a vulnerable global economy. The Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts aren’t helping matters.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed frailties in their supply chains. Climate change has intensified natural disasters that can close factories. The Israel-Hamas war and Ukraine’s defense against the Russian invasion have generated new financial risks, and new technologies such as artificial intelligence could change how companies operate and displace workers.
Xi too, met with American business leaders — at a $2,000-per-plate dinner Wednesday evening. It was a rare opportunity for the business leaders as they seek clarification on Beijing’s expanding security rules that could choke foreign investment.
“There is plenty of room for our cooperation, and we are fully able to help each other succeed and achieve win-win outcomes,” he told them, according to an English-language translation.
Xi did not address the APEC CEOs meeting but instead sent a lengthy “written speech” in which he wrote that “forcing uniformity will not advance cooperation in the region” and declared that China was looking for stability during a moment of “turbulence and change” in the world.
“The region cannot and should not be an arena for geopolitical rivalry, still less should it be plunged into a new cold war or camp-based confrontation,” Xi wrote.
Separately, Xi on Wednesday signaled that China would send the U.S. new giant pandas, just a week after three from the Smithsonian National Zoo were returned to China, much to the dismay of Americans. There are only four pandas left in the United States, at the Atlanta Zoo.
Biden and Xi understand that the complicated ties between the two nations have major global impacts. Their meeting Wednesday at a Northern California estate was in part an effort to show the world that while they are global economic competitors, the U.S. and China aren’t rivals seeking conflict.
Xi, though, was gloomy about the state of the post-pandemic global economy. China’s economy remains in the doldrums, with prices falling due to slack demand from consumers and businesses.
“Industrial and supply chains are still under the threat of interruption, and protectionism is rising,” Xi said. “All these are grave problems.”
President Joe Biden greets China’s President President Xi Jinping at the Filoli Estate in Woodside, Calif., Wednesday, Nov, 15, 2023, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference. (Doug Mills/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
White House officials said Biden has been bolstered by signs that the U.S. economy is in a stronger position than China’s and that the U.S. was building stronger alliances throughout the Pacific.
Part of that is through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, announced during a May 2022 trip to Tokyo. It came six years after the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal that was signed by 12 countries.
The new framework has four major pillars: supply chains, climate, anti-corruption and trade. There won’t be any official trade deals to announce — the “framework” label allows Biden to bypass Congress on any agreements reached with the 13 countries. Biden celebrated that work on three of the four pillars had been completed.
“Put simply, my colleagues and I are driving a race to the top, among nations in the Indo-Pacific,” Biden said.
While U.S. allies are still are looking to hammer out comprehensive trade agreements with Washington, Biden administration officials are underscoring that IPEF has helped the U.S. and partners take action at a far faster clip than traditional trade deals.
“Most trade negotiations take years to complete,” said Mike Pyle, Biden’s deputy national security adviser for international economics. “The issues that are at the cutting edge of the global economic conversation, issues like supply chains, clean energy, good government —- we have struck agreements around them in just 18 months, with a full set of IPEF partners.”
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Associated Press writers Josh Boak in Washington and Janie Har and Didi Tang in San Francisco contributed to this report.
Police car is parked outside a hotel in Bangkok’s Bang Na district where a Taiwanese man is found dead inside his room on Nov. 16, 2023.
BANGKOK — Police on Thursday said they arrested two suspects in the death of a Taiwanese man who was found tied up and beaten in his hotel room.
Commander of Metropolitan Police’s investigation unit Teeradet Thammasuthee said two suspects, believed to be foreign nationals, were taken into custody and brought to Bang Na Police Station for questioning. No charges have been filed against them, Pol. Maj. Gen. Teeradet added without giving other details.
Police officers brought two foreign men to Bangna Police Station for questioning, with an interpreter joining in the investigation.
The body of the 48-year-old Taiwanese man was found by a hotel staff on Thursday morning in a ransacked hotel room in Bangkok’s Bang Na district. His body was lying face down with his limbs tied up and his face wrapped with plastic tape. The man was believed to have been dead for approximately eight hours, though the cause of death is yet to be determined.
Police said there appeared to be a fight inside the room and the victim’s personal belongings, including his computer and mobile phone, were missing. Two safes that were left inside the room were seized as evidence.
Police said there appeared to be a fight inside the room.
According to hotel staff, the victim had checked in alone on Tuesday, though on the night before he was found dead, CCTV footage captured two men entering the room before leaving. Another man could also be seen on the same floor as the victim’s room. It is not immediately clear whether the men seen in the footage are the same individuals being questioned by police.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Teeradet said investigators are trying to establish the purpose of the victim’s visit to Thailand and rule out whether his death is connected to his past conviction for human trafficking and fraud in Taiwan.
Tourists line up for check-in before departure at International Airport in Siem Reap province, Cambodia as it opened Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
SIEM REAP, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia on Thursday inaugurated its newest and biggest airport, a Chinese-financed project meant to serve as an upgraded gateway to the country’s major tourist attraction, the centuries-old Angkor Wat temple complex in the northwestern province of Siem Reap.
The Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport is located on 700 hectares (1,730 acres) of land about 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Angkor Wat and boasts a 3,600-meter- (11,810-foot) long runway. It can handle 7 million passengers a year, with plans to augment it to handle 12 million passengers annually from 2040.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, center, cuts the ribbon to inaugurate the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, in Cambodia, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
The airport began operations Oct. 16, with the first flight to land coming from neighboring Thailand. The old airport it replaces was about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from the famous tourist site.
Thursday’s inauguration was presided over by Prime Minister Hun Manet, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian, the governor of China’s Yunnan province, Wang Yubo, and other officials.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hun Manet said the old airport was located too close to the Angkor temples and it was feared that vibrations from passing flights were damaging their foundations.
A Bayon carpet statue made of copper is displayed in the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport in Cambodia as it opened Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Tourism is one of the main pillars supporting Cambodia’s economy. According to the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia received some 3.5 million international tourists in the first eight months of 2023, while for the whole of 2019 — the last year before the coronavirus pandemic — it received some 6.6 million foreign visitors.
“Hopefully, 2024 will be the year of the beginning of the advance and rebirth of the tourism sector in our Siem Reap province,” Hun Manet said.
China is Cambodia’s most important ally and benefactor, with strong influence in its economy, shown by numerous Chinese-funded projects, hotels and casinos in the capital, Phnom Penh, and elsewhere around the country. China’s state banks have financed airports, roads and other infrastructure built with Chinese loans. More than 40% of Cambodia’s $10 billion in foreign debt is owed to China.
Tourists line up for check-in before departure at International Airport in Siem Reap province, Cambodia as it opened Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
The new airport, built at a cost of about $1.1 billion, was financed by Angkor International Airport (Cambodia) Co., Ltd., an affiliate of China’s Yunnan Investment Holdings Ltd, under a 55-year build-operate-transfer deal.
Yunnan governor Wang Yubo, speaking for the Chinese government, said the airport’s launch showed the deep friendship between the people of the two countries, while promoting bilateral economic ties.
The project is part of the Belt and Road Initiative, the ambitious program that involves Chinese companies building transportation, energy and other infrastructure overseas funded by Chinese development bank loans. Its goal is to grow trade and the economy by improving China’s connections with the rest of the world in a 21st-century version of the Silk Road trading routes from China to the Middle East and onto Europe.
Another Chinese-funded airport is being constructed at a cost of $1.5 billion to serve the capital. The new Phnom Penh international airport, formally known as the Techo International Airport, is set on 2,600 hectares (6,425 acres) and scheduled for completion in 2024.
A plane stands parked in the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, in Cambodia as it opened Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023.(AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Pol. Lt. Gen. Witthaya Sriprasertphap, Commissioner of the Police Consumer Protection Division, together with representatives of the Food and Drug Administration, announced on November 16, the arrest of an international network promoting the sale of powdered milk with exaggerated benefits.
Prior to the discovery, officials had found four websites advertising the sale of OVISURE GOLD milk powder and touting exaggerated benefits such as protecting the heart and blood vessels, preventing diabetes, increasing intelligence, relieving joint and shoulder pain within 3 days, preventing osteoporosis and reducing the bitterness of tea.
It was claimed that the products were imported and certified from the United States. The use of images of the former national football player “Piyapong Pue-on” in the advertisement enticed many people to buy and consume the products.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Witthaya said he ordered the collection of evidence before obtaining a court warrant to search commercial buildings and two residences in Chonburi province. During the search, 43,411 items were seized, including unregistered milk powder, food supplements, unregistered herbal products, medical equipment and various tools totalling more than 40 million baht.
According to the investigation, the suspects were part of a network backed by Vietnamese investors. The products were secretly imported from Vietnam and stored in rented buildings before being distributed. When customers placed orders, the administrators of the Facebook pages sent information to the Vietnamese group, which then packaged the products and shipped them to customers in Thailand.
Eight Vietnamese nationals have been arrested in connection with the case. They are accused of jointly selling mislabelled food, selling prescription drugs without authorisation and engaging in an unlicensed activity.
“Financial investigations revealed that from August 2016 until today, within only three months, a turnover of over 175 million baht was recorded in the accounts. As a result, efforts are being intensified to prosecute the network of investors and those involved,” said Pol. Lt. Gen. Witthaya concluded.
