Private funds encouraged in ecological protection CHINA is set to encourage and support private capital in ecological protection and restoration, according to a circular released by the General Office of the State Council. Some regions have suffered serious damages and degradation in ecosystems and thus need wider social participation in ecological protection and restoration, the circular stated. To attract private funds, the circular has mapped reforms and detailed requirements on participation mechanisms and supportive policies. SF Airlines deploys planes for shopping spree SF Airlines, China’s largest air cargo carrier, has deployed more than 60 freighters to serve the rocketing express delivery demands from the country’s major shopping spree, according to the cargo airline Wednesday. These all-cargo freighters are in place to ensure efficient air delivery during the annual logistics peak around the “Double 11” online shopping spree, said Shenzhen-based SF Airlines. Alongside deploying freighter capacity, the cargo airline has also added more than 10 new routes to meet demands and link diverse regions with the country’s eastern region, a major cluster of e-commerce. Tentative deals worth US$70b signed at 4th CIIE A TOTAL of US$70.72 billion worth of tentative deals were reached for one-year purchases of goods and services at the fourth China International Import Expo (CIIE), which concluded Wednesday, said CIIE Bureau Deputy Director Sun Chenghai. This year’s CIIE is the first to feature an online country exhibition, offering digital pavilions for 58 countries and three international organizations. The total number of visits to the online exhibition exceeded 58 million, Sun said. More than 2,900 firms from 127 countries and regions participated in this year’s business exhibition, which covers a record area of 366,000 square meters. Tencent posts slowest revenue growth since listing SHENZHEN-BASED gaming and social media giant Tencent Holdings posted its slowest revenue growth since it went public in 2004 Wednesday. Tencent’s third-quarter revenue climbed 13 percent to 142.4 billion yuan, slightly below expectations, and was the slowest quarterly growth since the company went public in 2004, Refinitiv data showed. Net profit rose 3 percent to 39.5 billion yuan (US$6.18 billion), the company said in a statement. | 