17 artificial intelligence pilot zones built CHINA has built 17 national artificial intelligence (AI) innovative development pilot zones, a Chinese official has said. Li Meng, vice minister of science and technology, made the remarks at the International AI Cooperation and Governance Forum 2021 hosted by Tsinghua University on Dec. 4 and 5. In 2019, China started to build a new generation of national AI innovative development pilot zones, relying on local governments to carry out technology demonstrations, policy pilots and social experiments. Small, medium airports get policy boost CHINA will make efforts to sustain the smooth operation of small and medium-sized civil airports, an integral part of public infrastructure, according to the civil aviation authorities. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) will continuously implement support policies and give subsidies to those airports with an annual passenger throughput of less than 2 million, according to the CAAC. The support policies and subsidies will help ensure their safe, smooth and continuous operation, especially those airports in remote and border regions with inconvenient transportation. All the moves are expected to boost their roles in sustaining regional economic development and facilitating people’s travel, said the CAAC. Iron ore imports hit highest in 16 months CHINA’S iron ore imports rose 14.6 percent in November from a month earlier to hit their highest since July 2020, customs data showed yesterday, although a sluggish steel market damped demand for the raw material. The world’s biggest consumer of iron ore brought in 104.96 million tons last month, up from October’s imports of 91.61 million and were also up 6.9 percent from a year ago, data from the General Administration of Customs showed. The jump in imports, dominated by products from Australia and Brazil, outstripped market expectations amid cooling iron ore prices and slack demand for steel. Listed firms rush to divest property businesses LISTED companies in China are increasingly divesting real estate businesses amid stricter regulatory scrutiny of the industry, according to filings and domestic media. Tightened lending curbs in the real estate industry early this year has exacerbated financial troubles at some property developers, triggering sector-wide liquidity stress. | 