Malaysian King to Visit China at Xi Jinping's Invitation
At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Malaysian King Ibrahim will pay a state visit to China from September 19 to 22.
🇨🇳 中文
🇺🇸 English
2024-9-18 Xinwen Lianbo Text Version
High-Level Opening-Up Fuels China's Modernization Drive
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Only an open China can become a modernized China." For 75 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the country has continuously explored a path of opening up with Chinese characteristics. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has been building a new system of a higher-level open economy at a new starting point, forming a new pattern of wider, broader, and deeper opening up, continuously expanding the development space for Chinese modernization. In Shenzhen, on the coast of the South China Sea, the total inbound and outbound flow of people and vehicles accounts for nearly half of the national total, and the total trade volume accounts for one-tenth of the national total, with an annual output value exceeding 1.7 billion yuan per square kilometer on average. On the coast of the East China Sea, in the Lingang New Area of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, construction progress at the Tesla Shanghai Megapack Gigafactory has reached 45% in just three months since its groundbreaking. In Horgos Railway Port in Xinjiang, on the western frontier, it takes an average of two hours to complete the transshipment of an inbound return China-Europe freight train, and more and more "Made in China" products are heading from here to Central Asian and European markets. Today's China is undergoing tremendous changes every moment. Looking back 75 years ago, China was "poor and blank." The scale of goods trade was only 1.13 billion US dollars in 1950, and by 2023, it had jumped to 5.9 trillion US dollars, maintaining its position as the world's largest goods trading nation for seven consecutive years. Foreign exchange reserves were only over 100 million US dollars at the beginning of the founding of New China, and now they exceed 3 trillion US dollars, ranking first in the world for 19 consecutive years. Outbound investment has achieved a leap from zero to hundreds of billions of US dollars. Today, foreign investors have cumulatively established over 1.2 million enterprises in China, and two-way investment ranks among the top. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in the face of major changes unseen in a century, General Secretary Xi Jinping has personally planned, deployed, and promoted the implementation of a series of major strategic measures for opening up, building a new system of a higher-level open economy. From establishing free trade pilot zones to building free trade ports, the country has increased institutional opening up; from promoting the optimization and upgrading of goods trade, innovating mechanisms for service trade development to developing digital trade, the country is accelerating the construction of a strong trading nation; from the China International Import Expo, China International Fair for Trade in Services, China International Consumer Products Expo to the Global Digital Trade Expo, international platforms for sharing, openness, and cooperation have been built for the world; the great initiative of jointly building the "Belt and Road" has been proposed, promoting the building of an open world economy with Chinese solutions. Today's China adheres to promoting high-quality development through high-level opening up, steadily expanding institutional opening up in terms of rules, regulations, management, and standards, with increasing vitality in opening up. This month, the 2024 national negative list for foreign investment access was officially released, clearing all restrictions on foreign investment access in the manufacturing sector and further expanding opening up in the service sector. The "zero tariff" policy for medicines and medical devices in the Hainan Free Trade Port was officially released, further expanding the scope of "zero tariffs." Today, the policy system for the Hainan Free Trade Port has been initially established, and its customs closure operation has entered a critical phase. Meanwhile, 22 free trade pilot zones have formed a new pattern of reform and opening up covering the east, west, south, north, and central regions, integrating coastal, inland, and border areas. Today's China is more actively engaged in independent and unilateral opening up. It has taken the initiative to lower tariffs, with the overall tariff level dropping to 7.3%, lower than the 9.8% commitment made upon WTO accession. It has built a high-standard free trade zone network, increasing the number of free trade agreements signed externally from 10 to 22. Opening up has changed China and benefited the world. On the large screen of the Chongqing Inland Port dispatch center in the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, a "great artery" connecting the world is drawn with Chongqing as the coordinate. Today, the logistics network of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in the western region covers 523 ports in 124 countries and regions worldwide, and China-Europe freight trains directly reach Europe. Since the "Belt and Road" initiative was proposed, over three-quarters of the world's countries and more than 30 international organizations have joined the "Belt and Road" family, driving nearly a trillion US dollars in investment and becoming a widely welcomed international public good and international cooperation platform. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made comprehensive arrangements for improving the system and mechanisms for high-level opening up. It further shortened the negative list for foreign investment access, promoted comprehensive pilot demonstrations for expanding opening up in the service industry, allowed the establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and other places, and fully implemented the negative list for cross-border service trade. A more open China will provide new opportunities for world development with new achievements in Chinese modernization.
Li Qiang Chairs State Council Executive Meeting
Premier Li Qiang of the State Council presided over a State Council executive meeting on September 18 to study measures to promote the development of venture capital, hear a report on this year's grain production situation and agricultural work, deliberate and adopt the "Regulations on the Commendation of Martyrs (Revised Draft)," and deliberate and adopt the "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Export Control of Dual-Use Items (Draft)." The meeting pointed out that venture capital is crucial for scientific and technological innovation, industrial upgrading, and high-quality development. It is necessary to quickly remove bottlenecks and obstacles in all links of "fundraising, investment, management, and exit," support eligible technology-based enterprises to list at home and abroad, vigorously develop equity transfer and M&A markets, promote pilot programs for in-kind stock distribution, encourage social capital to establish market-oriented M&A parent funds or venture capital secondary market funds, and promote a virtuous cycle in the venture capital industry. It is necessary to promote state-owned capital to become more responsible long-term and patient capital, and improve relevant policies and measures for state-owned capital investment, assessment, fault tolerance, and exit. It is necessary to consolidate the institutional foundation for the healthy development of venture capital, implement key measures for capital market reform, improve capital market functions, and further stimulate the vitality of the venture capital market. The meeting pointed out that since the beginning of this year, all regions and relevant departments have consistently focused on grain production and agricultural work, effectively responding to adverse effects such as floods and droughts. Summer grain output reached a new historical high, and autumn grain harvest is promising, with sufficient supply of "vegetable basket" products. It is necessary to meticulously organize and carry out "three autumns" grain production, strengthen disaster monitoring, early warning, and prevention, coordinate mechanized harvesting, and ensure a good autumn grain harvest. Early research and formulation of grain purchase and storage policy plans are needed, the minimum purchase price for new season wheat should be announced as soon as possible, and the soybean processing subsidy policy should be improved to protect farmers' enthusiasm for growing grain. Support for cattle and sheep farming should be increased, and a batch of relief policies should be quickly implemented to help farmers overcome difficulties. The meeting deliberated and adopted the "Regulations on the Commendation of Martyrs (Revised Draft)," pointing out that strengthening the commendation of martyrs reflects the Party and the State's remembrance of heroes and care for martyrs' families. It is necessary to do a good job in serving and supporting martyrs' families, giving them more care and attention in life and work, and helping them solve practical difficulties. It is necessary to strengthen the protection and management of martyrs' memorial facilities, make good use of valuable red resources, strengthen publicity and education, and create a strong atmosphere of respecting heroes and striving for dedication throughout society. The meeting deliberated and adopted the "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Export Control of Dual-Use Items (Draft)." The meeting also discussed other matters.
Yang Shigou: Building a Great Wall for the Nation's Maritime Frontiers
Yang Shiguo, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a professor at Harbin Engineering University, is one of the founders of China's acoustic engineering discipline and established China's earliest acoustic engineering major. He equipped China's ships and marine equipment with "thousand-mile eyes" and "favorable ears," building a strong Great Wall for China's vast maritime territory. This was Academician Yang Shiguo, already 91 years old, still working on the front lines of scientific research in 2022. Under his leadership, Harbin Engineering University has achieved a series of original and landmark results in the field of acoustic engineering, witnessing the development and growth of China's acoustic engineering. Hydroacoustics, simply put, is the study of underwater acoustic properties. In water, only sound waves can propagate over long distances, and the sonar equipment developed from this is an indispensable item for naval vessels of various countries. In the 1950s, "hydroacoustics" was still a blank discipline in China. To meet the needs of the country, Yang Shiguo, who graduated from Tsinghua University with a major in physics, came to Harbin Military Engineering Institute, the predecessor of Harbin Engineering University, and began researching "hydroacoustics" from scratch. With the ambition of serving his country, Yang Shiguo established China's first comprehensive acoustic engineering major, integrating science and engineering, at Harbin Military Engineering Institute, and participated in training China's first batch of acoustic professionals; he was the first in China to develop underwater acoustic positioning systems, laying a solid foundation for the positioning system of the "Jiaolong" manned submersible. Academician Yang Shiguo dedicated his life to "listening to the sea for the country," achieving a series of disruptive results in the field of hydroacoustics, equipping China's underwater weapons with "thousand-mile eyes" and "favorable ears," and building a solid "underwater national gate." At the age of ninety, he still stood firm on the podium, teaching students, and was revered by students as "the academician who stands firm to the end." On March 19 this year, the 93-year-old Mr. Yang passed away due to ineffective medical treatment.
China's Sports Sector Achieves High-Quality Development
The State Council Information Office held a press conference today (September 18) morning on the theme of "Promoting High-Quality Development," introducing the high-quality development of China's sports industry and new progress in building a strong sports nation since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. A relevant official from the General Administration of Sport of China introduced that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China has actively implemented the new development philosophy, coordinated and promoted the high-quality development of the sports industry, and created a new situation in building a strong sports nation. In terms of national fitness, relevant systems and policies have been continuously improved, public services for national fitness have been continuously upgraded, and the problem of "where to exercise" for the public has been gradually alleviated. In terms of competitive sports, from 2012 to 2023, China won a total of 1,244 world championships and broke world records 161 times. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the overall scale and added value of China's sports industry have increased significantly. From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the added value of the sports industry reached 15.4%. In 2023, the total import and export volume of China's major sports service trade reached 52.89 billion yuan, an increase of 178% over the previous year. At present, China has basically formed a sports industry system led by competitions and performances, and fitness and leisure, with the co-development of sports venue services, sports training, sports manufacturing, and sports media.
93rd Anniversary of September 18th Incident Marked by Commemorative Events
On the 93rd anniversary of the September 18th Incident, various memorial activities were held across the country to remember history and cherish peace. This morning (September 18), in Shenyang, Liaoning, the "Do Not Forget September 18th" bell ringing and alarm ceremony was held in front of the incomplete calendar monument at the "September 18th" Historical Museum. More than a thousand people, including representatives of old soldiers and comrades who participated in the Anti-Japanese War, representatives of families of martyrs of the Anti-Japanese War, military personnel, and young students, attended the ceremony. They jointly rang the warning bell 14 times, representing the 14 years of arduous struggle of the Chinese nation in the bloody Anti-Japanese War. This morning, air raid sirens sounded simultaneously in many places, including Guiyang in Guizhou, Changchun in Jilin, Zhangjiakou in Hebei, and the Siyang section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, to collectively mourn the revolutionary martyrs who bravely sacrificed for the independence of the Chinese nation and the liberation of its people, and to commemorate the deceased compatriots. Remember history, cherish the martyrs. At the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, descendants of Nanjing Massacre survivors and representatives of military academy students jointly rang the Bell of Peace. At the Martyrs' Cemetery in Chengdu, Sichuan, more than 200 students, led by retired soldiers, held a solemn ceremony and conducted a "Youth Lecture Hall" ideological and political class to express their high respect for heroes. In front of the Hundred Regiments Offensive Monument in Yangquan, Shanxi, young students laid flower baskets for the revolutionary martyrs. Learn from history, cherish peace. Today, the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Northeast Martyrs Memorial Hall, the Former Site of the Eighth Route Army Guilin Office, and the New Fourth Army Headquarters Memorial Hall in Nanchang, among others, held various themed activities, where people reviewed revolutionary history and remembered the martyrs by visiting exhibitions. Today, in military camps, in front of monuments, and at training grounds, officers and soldiers revisited history and remembered the martyrs. Various units, through various forms of memorial activities, further motivated the vast number of officers and soldiers to strengthen their skills and remain committed to winning.
Tiangong Views China, Moonlight Shines on Tiangong
The Shenzhou-18 taikonaut crew, orbiting 400 kilometers above Earth in the Chinese Space Station, looked down upon China from Tiangong and captured the illuminated landscape of the motherland during the Mid-Autumn Festival, experiencing the joyous scene of national prosperity, peace, and family reunion. During the holiday, when the space station passed over China, the taikonauts photographed the brightly lit and colorful night view of the Chinese land from space. The taikonauts' Mid-Autumn Festival feast was exceptionally rich, including beef with potatoes, braised pork ribs, creamy chicken with rice, water chestnut glutinous rice cakes, mixed vegetables, and more. The ground support team had prepared personalized Mid-Autumn delicacies in advance according to each taikonaut's taste preferences. Currently, the Shenzhou-18 crew has been in orbit for nearly five months, and multiple space science experiments and test missions are progressing smoothly. Subsequently, the taikonaut crew will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of New China in orbit and will continue to lead everyone to view China from Tiangong, documenting the myriad wonders of the Chinese land from a space perspective.
Mid-Autumn Festival Sees Over 629 Million Cross-Regional Trips
Reporters learned today (September 18) from the Ministry of Transport that during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, the total cross-regional movement of people nationwide exceeded 629 million person-times, with an average daily of nearly 210 million person-times, a 31.1% increase compared to the same period last year. The national railway system transported an average of 13.94 million passengers daily, with an average of 11,513 passenger trains operating daily. In terms of civil aviation, in addition to traditional popular routes, moon-gazing tours to small and medium-sized cities were favored, and airport passenger throughput in autumn tourist destinations such as Jiayuguan, Turpan, and Altay significantly increased year-on-year.
Festival Features Boost Holiday Spending
During this Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, the festive features and highlights were prominent, new consumer products were introduced, and the reunion economy, coupled with the holiday effect, strongly stimulated market vitality. According to data monitored by the Ministry of Commerce, during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, seasonal foods, health consumption, and smart consumption were highly favored. Sales of green organic foods and communication equipment by key monitored enterprises increased by 18.1% and 5.7% year-on-year, respectively. Healthy mooncakes with low oil and low sugar, and new-style mooncakes became mainstream in the market. During the holiday, the policy of replacing old consumer goods with new ones showed tangible results, with a cumulative total of over 1.04 million applications for car trade-in subsidies nationwide, driving new car sales of approximately 130 billion yuan. The commercial system utilized 640 million yuan in central subsidies to support about 600,000 consumers in purchasing nearly 800,000 units of eight categories of home appliances, driving sales of over 3.3 billion yuan. Sales of home appliances by key monitored retail enterprises increased by 7.9% year-on-year. During the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, diversified consumption scenarios merged and promoted each other, with reunion dinners, moon-gazing garden tours, lantern viewing, and exhibition viewing being popular service consumption. Sales of catering enterprises monitored by the Ministry of Commerce increased by 6.5% year-on-year, and county-level homestay bookings increased by 1.2 times compared to the previous week. Traditional Chinese style makeup and creative photography were also popular featured service consumption. During the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, national online retail sales of physical goods increased by 8.9% year-on-year, and consumption in key business districts maintained steady growth. In Beijing, sales of key monitored department stores, supermarkets, specialty stores, catering, and e-commerce businesses reached 4.67 billion yuan. In Hubei Province, the cumulative transaction volume of the retail and catering industries reached 20.655 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 7.96%. According to data from the Data Center of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the total number of domestic tourist trips nationwide was 107 million, an increase of 6.3% compared to the same period in 2019 (on a comparable basis); total domestic tourist spending was 51.047 billion yuan, an increase of 8.0% compared to the same period in 2019.
Domestic News Snippets
The 3rd Global Digital Trade Expo will be held in Hangzhou on September 25. Reporters learned from a press conference held by the State Council Information Office today (September 18) that the 3rd Global Digital Trade Expo will be held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, from September 25 to 29, showcasing new technologies, products, services, and scenarios in the field of digital trade, with leading enterprises from 32 countries and regions participating. The first inbound exhibit for the 7th China International Import Expo arrived in Shanghai and cleared customs today (September 18). The first inbound exhibit for the 7th China International Import Expo, an electric three-wheeled concept car, arrived in Shanghai today (September 18). For this expo, Shanghai has implemented 18 customs clearance facilitation measures, allowing for full-process digital supervision of exhibits' entry and exit. China's guidelines for smart port construction released. The General Administration of Customs and nine other departments recently released guidelines for smart port construction, relying on the integrated digital base of the International Trade "Single Window" and utilizing advanced facilities, equipment, and new-generation digital technologies to build world-class modern ports. By 2035, modern ports will be basically completed. China will improve the construction of a three-tier elderly care service network at the county level. Reporters learned from the Ministry of Civil Affairs today (September 18) that China will improve the three-tier elderly care service network at the county (district), township (street), and village (community) levels. It will build county-level integrated elderly care service platforms, create "one-stop" windows for elderly care services at the township (street) level, and set up functions such as short-term care, daytime care, elderly meal assistance, and home services at the village (community) level. During the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, over 2.7 billion express parcels were collected and delivered nationwide. According to the State Post Bureau, during this year's Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, 1.307 billion express parcels were collected nationwide, and 1.407 billion express parcels were delivered. Among them, mooncakes, seafood, and fruits had relatively high delivery demand. Hengqin Guangdong-Macao Deep Cooperation Zone operational for three years, over 42 million cross-border entries and exits. According to statistics from Zhuhai Border Inspection Station, in the three years since the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao Deep Cooperation Zone was officially launched, there have been over 42 million cross-border entries and exits of people and over 5.02 million vehicles, with annual growth rates of 94.6% and 55.1% respectively. Among them, Macao residents accounted for approximately 10 million person-times, about 23.6% of the total number of entries and exits, a year-on-year increase of 126.8%. China-Europe freight trains operated 13,056 trips from January to August. Reporters learned from China Railway Group that from January to August this year, China-Europe freight trains cumulatively operated 13,056 trips, transporting 1.399 million TEUs of goods, representing year-on-year increases of 12% and 11% respectively. Since the beginning of this year, the number of China-Europe freight trains has exceeded 1,600 trips per month for six consecutive months, injecting new impetus into the development of China-Europe trade. The 2024 Mid-Autumn Festival box office reached 389 million yuan. According to statistics from the National Film Administration, the national box office for the 2024 Mid-Autumn Festival reached 389 million yuan, with 9.57 million moviegoers. Among them, the box office for domestic films was 332 million yuan, accounting for 85.35%. Typhoon "Prasan" expected to make landfall in China tomorrow. Affected by the residual circulation of this year's Typhoon "Bebinca" (the 13th typhoon), today (September 18), Henan, Shandong, and other places experienced heavier rainfall. In addition, this year's Typhoon "Prasan" (the 14th typhoon) is expected to make landfall along the coast from Yuhuan to Xiangshan in Zhejiang tomorrow afternoon to evening, and then gradually weaken. Affected by it, from tonight to September 20, parts of Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Shandong, and other regions will experience moderate to heavy rain, with localized torrential rain or heavy downpours.
Pager Explosions in Lebanon Kill 12, Injure Over 2,700
On the afternoon of September 17 (Beijing time, evening of September 17) local time in Lebanon, pager explosions occurred in multiple locations, including the southern suburbs of Beirut, the eastern Bekaa Valley, and the south of the country. According to Lebanese Public Health Minister Abiad today (September 18), the explosions have killed 12 people, including two children, and injured 2,700 to 2,800 people, with nearly 300 of them severely wounded. Abiad also stated that relief supplies from multiple countries are arriving in Lebanon. Hezbollah of Lebanon issued a statement on September 17, saying that pagers carried by several members of the organization exploded that afternoon, killing at least two Hezbollah members and injuring many people across the country. Hospitals in Beirut and other cities were crowded with the wounded. In these explosions, Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani sustained minor injuries. According to Lebanese media reports, Hezbollah militants have been widely using pagers recently to avoid Israeli tracking; sources say that this batch of pagers that exploded was recently received by Hezbollah. Hezbollah claims Israel is responsible for the explosions, Israeli military makes no statement. Hezbollah armed forces stated they are investigating the cause of the explosions and accused Israel of being responsible for the explosions, saying that Israel will be punished for this. The Lebanese Foreign Ministry condemned Israel for launching a cyber attack and taking serious and deliberate escalatory actions to expand the conflict. Lebanon decided to initiate a complaint procedure against Israel to the UN Security Council. As of now, the Israeli official has not commented on the explosions. According to an Israeli military spokesperson, IDF Chief of Staff Halevi met with senior officers on the evening of September 17 to assess the situation. US State Department spokesperson Miller said at a press conference on September 17 that the United States was not involved in the explosions, had no prior knowledge, and did not know who was responsible. Multiple parties worry that the explosions will lead to an escalation of the situation in the Middle East. UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Pernille Dahler Kardel issued a statement saying that the incident "marks a deeply worrying escalation." The foreign ministries of Iran and Syria strongly condemned the incident, calling it a terrorist crime committed by Israel against Lebanese civilians. The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) condemned Israel's "aggression" as another escalation of the situation. Egypt, Jordan, and other countries stated that further escalation of the situation in the Middle East should be prevented. According to Lebanese media reports, medical teams and medical supplies from Iraq arrived in Beirut today. Currently, Lufthansa has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, Beirut, Lebanon, and Tehran, Iran, while Air France has already suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut.
Russia Claims Destroyed Ukrainian Tanks, Ukraine Reports Repelling Russian Attacks
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated today (September 18) that Russian air defense systems shot down 54 Ukrainian drones in Kursk, Bryansk, and other regions of Russia. The Russian Ministry of Defense also stated on September 17 that in the battles in the Kursk direction, Ukrainian tanks, armored vehicles, and other equipment were destroyed. In addition, Russian forces attacked Ukrainian troops and advanced deeper in the Kharkov and Donetsk directions. The Ukrainian Armed Forces stated today that Ukrainian troops continued to repel Russian attacks in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhovo directions. According to British media reports on September 17, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he would support a decision if countries such as the UK and France allowed Ukraine to use long-range missiles to strike Russian territory. According to Russian media reports on September 17, Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin warned that if NATO countries made such a decision, Russia would retaliate with more powerful weapons.
International News Snippets
Iranian President Meets Russian Security Council Secretary. Iranian President Pezeshkian met with visiting Russian Security Council Secretary Shoigu in Tehran, the capital, on September 17. Pezeshkian expressed hope for strengthening and deepening relations with Russia, stating that cooperation between the two countries would better address relevant sanctions and unfair measures. Shoigu conveyed a message from Russian President Putin stating that Russia's position on cooperation with Iran on regional issues remains unchanged. Floods in multiple European countries, at least 22 dead. Multiple European countries have recently experienced severe weather, including heavy rainfall. According to British media reports, as of now, floods and other disasters have caused at least 22 deaths in countries such as Poland, Romania, and the Czech Republic. In the severely affected areas of northeastern Czech Republic, 15,000 people have been evacuated. Parts of Poland and Austria have declared a state of disaster. Japan's trade deficit for two consecutive months. Preliminary statistics released by Japan's Ministry of Finance today (September 18) show that Japan's trade deficit in August was 695.3 billion yen (approximately 34.8 billion RMB), marking a trade deficit for two consecutive months. By country and region, Japan's exports to the EU in August decreased for five consecutive months, and exports to the United States turned to a decrease for the first time in 35 months. This year, Japan has experienced trade deficits in several months, with only March and June achieving a trade surplus.