24-hour news update Page 27

On March 27, the province's first forest ticket, the "Wuling Forest Ticket" (No. ZXWLLP2026001), was successfully issued in Zhuxi County, Shiyan City.

Hubei Daily (Reporter Xu Yingfeng, Correspondents Guo Jun, Li Zhenhai) On March 27, the province’s first forest ticket, the “Wuling Forest Ticket” (No. ZXWLLP2026001), was successfully issued in Zhuxi County, Shiyan City. This forest ticket corresponds to 111.6 acres of rare nanmu forest, with a face value of 2 million yuan. This marks a breakthrough in the "realization" of forestry assets in our province, and also provides a reference for solving the dilemma of "it is difficult to get rich by guarding the green mountains" through institutional innovation.

On March 27, the province's first forest ticket, the "Wuling Forest Ticket" (No. ZXWLLP2026001), was successfully issued in Zhuxi County, Shiyan City.

Zhuxi County is located in the core water conservation area of ​​the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. It has 4.3311 million acres of forest land, with a forest coverage rate of 83.2%, and a solid ecological foundation. However, for a long time, fragmented forestland management and vague asset valuation barriers have caused this green water and green mountains to fall into a vicious cycle of "rich resources but economic backwardness". Social capital does not dare to enter the forest, and forest farmers have difficulty monetizing the forest land. Forestry development is trapped in the double dilemma of "difficulty in financing and difficulty in monetization".

"The core of forest vouchers is to give sleeping forest resources an 'ID card' to enter the capital market." Li Kewen, a member of the Party Committee of the Zhuxi County Forestry Bureau, said that this type of stock certificate is issued by the state-owned forest farm, which splits the forestry project funds into standardized shares. After subscribing, investors can receive an annual pre-dividend of 4%. After maturity, the net profit can be distributed according to the shareholding ratio, and they can also apply for repurchase at the original price of the forest farm or a pledge loan, allowing social capital to "advance and retreat freely."

The single forest ticket was issued by Shuangzhu Forest Farm in Zhuxi County and has a term of 20 years. Two local companies, including Hubei Senyuan Forestry Development Co., Ltd., were the first to subscribe for all shares.

"We are optimistic about the long-term value-added space of the nanmu industry, and more importantly, the win-win ecological value and economic value achieved by this model." Yan Xuehui, chairman of Hubei Senyuan Forestry Development Co., Ltd., said that subscribing for a share of 1 million yuan is both an investment and a fulfillment of social responsibility.

Behind institutional innovation is the standard guarantee of the entire chain. Zhuxi County took the lead in promulgating the first "Forest Ticket Management Measures (Trial)" in Hubei Province, establishing a complete system from issuance, trading to supervision, and resolving investment risks and ensuring the operation of forest tickets through negative lists, independent accounting, and buy-back mechanisms. At the same time, the local government signed a 2 billion yuan forestry comprehensive credit agreement with rural commercial banks, making forest tickets a "leverage" to mobilize financial capital into the forest.

On March 27, the Zhuxi County Forestry Bureau signed a 2 billion yuan forestry comprehensive credit agreement with local rural commercial banks.

"The exploration of Zhuxi County has provided a replicable and scalable path for mountainous areas to revitalize forestry resources." Xia Xiangrong, director of the Development and Reform Department of the Hubei Provincial Forestry Bureau, commented that the forest ticket system not only realizes "resources become assets, assets become capital, and capital becomes capital." The closed loop of "gold" has also built a virtuous cycle of "ecological improvement, financial enhancement, industrial efficiency improvement, and forest farmers' income increase", breaking the contradiction between ecological protection and economic development, and writing a vivid footnote for the implementation of the concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are gold and silver mountains".

On March 30, the Lijian-2 launch vehicle successfully made its first flight in the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone, ushering in a new member of the Lijian series of launch vehicles.

What are the characteristics of this newly unveiled launch vehicle? What is the significance of this first flight? What tasks will it serve in the future? Experts on the development of the Lijian-2 launch vehicle explained this.

On March 30, the Lijian-2 Yaoyi carrier rocket was successfully launched at the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone. Photo by Wang Jiangbo

Build a rocket like building blocks

The Lijian-2 launch vehicle adopts a universal, combined, and modular design. Each main part is an independent module that can be flexibly combined to achieve "building a rocket like building blocks."

For example, the Lijian-2 launch vehicle is equipped with 10 liquid rocket engines of the same type. Among them, the 9 engines installed in one sub-stage are completely interchangeable. At the same time, the rocket core first stage and booster adopt a 3.35-meter diameter configuration. This modular design allows key components such as tanks and engines to be rolled back up and interchangeable like car parts.

In the future, different modules can be flexibly matched to create different versions of the rocket to achieve various configurations such as bare rods or bundled with 2 or 4 boosters, covering the low-Earth orbit capacity range of 2 tons to 20 tons.

Lian Jie, deputy chief engineer of the China Aerospace Lijian-2 launch vehicle, said that this rocket research and development model of "developing one type and expanding three types" can realize the sharing of design, modules, testing, supply chain and production lines, general assembly plants, technical area plants, launch stations, etc., which will help shorten the development cycle of multi-type rockets, reduce research and development costs, and improve rocket production efficiency.

In order to further reduce launch costs, the Lijian-2 launch vehicle will be equipped with the Liqing-2 reusable engine in the future, and adopt a cluster recovery scheme, that is, the core first stage and the booster will not be separated and will be recovered together. Lian Jie said that this recycling method can make the recycling part account for a higher proportion of the entire rocket, more efficiently spread the cost of the entire rocket launch, and provide stronger support for large-scale constellation deployment.

On March 30, the Lijian-2 Yaoyi carrier rocket was successfully launched at the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone. Photo by Wang Jiangbo

New plan for "space delivery"

In this launch, the Lijian-2 carrier rocket carried a space test spacecraft.

Yang Haoliang, commander-in-chief of the China Aerospace Lijian-2 launch vehicle, pointed out that this mission verified the feasibility of the new cargo launch solution, which means that China’s layout of space cargo transportation capabilities is no longer limited to a single model and a single path, but has begun to form a systematic pattern supported by multiple types of launch vehicles, mutual backup, and flexible deployment.

"This systematic capability is of great significance for ensuring the long-term stable operation of the space station and improving the safety and reliability of cargo transportation." Yang Haoliang said that this will further enhance the resilience and elasticity of China's space cargo transportation.

Future partner "space shuttle"

Up to now, the Lijian-1 launch vehicle, the first member of the "Lijian" family, has carried out 11 flights. Its 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit has a carrying capacity of 1.5 tons and focuses on batch launches of small satellites. The newly added Lijian-2 launch vehicle has a carrying capacity of 8 tons in a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit, which can support the rapid deployment of China's low-orbit satellite Internet constellation.

In order to further improve launch efficiency, the Lijian-2 carrier rocket will later partner with the Lixun-1 upper stage to implement satellite launch missions.

The upper stage is vividly called the "space shuttle", and the satellites are its "passengers". In many cases, if the target orbit of the satellite is relatively high, it may be difficult for the rocket to send it directly into the target orbit. Instead, the satellite will be sent to its "starting station" in space. If the satellite wants to reach the "terminal station", it needs to change its orbit by itself. With the help of the upper stage, the satellite can be "one-stop" sent to a higher target orbit, reducing the satellite's own fuel consumption, thereby extending the satellite's life.

Lian Jie said that the Lixun-1 upper stage has the capability of deploying multiple satellites and multiple orbits, which can significantly expand the orbital coverage of the Lijian-2 launch vehicle and meet the requirements for multi-satellite and off-orbit deployment in medium and high orbits. (over)

In Arabic, Mandeb means "Gate of Tears", which is intended to describe the danger of traveling through this place.

This strait is about 100 kilometers long and 32 kilometers wide. About 6 million to 7 million barrels of oil pass through it every day. It is one of the busiest straits for global oil trade and is generally regarded as the world's second largest energy chokepoint.

Especially after the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf oil-producing countries were forced to use the Bab el Mandeb route as the only remaining export channel.

Today, this "door" is completely within the range of Houthi armed missiles and drones.

What is even more worrying is that if the two major throats of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait are cut off at the same time, the impact will be far beyond imagination.

"Hormuz itself is one of the most critical energy channels in the world, and once the Bab el-Mandeb Strait fails again, the efficiency of the Gulf-Red Sea-Suez trunk line will collapse significantly." Wang Lei, an assistant researcher at the Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told Sanlihe.

He analyzed that this will push the market to a stage of "close to panic, but still constrained by fundamentals". The focus of market pricing is no longer just how much oil the world produces, but whether the oil can safely reach buyers.

In other words, the system will not "return to zero in an instant", but will shift from mainline transportation to a state of "few bypasses, higher costs, and lower efficiency"; the oil market will shift from traditional production logic to the logic of accessibility, insurability, and shipability.

If this route is disrupted, ships will be forced to take longer detours. According to an analysis by the UAE's "The Nation", this will extend the voyage by 10 to 15 days, resulting in significant additional costs.

Wang Lei analyzed that the additional costs mainly come from four parts-fuel consumption caused by longer voyages, chartering costs caused by longer turnovers, insurance costs caused by higher risks, and inventory financing costs caused by goods staying at sea for longer.

"If the four rise together, oil prices will easily slide from fundamental pricing to pricing driven by sentiment and liquidity."

The market is paying for safety and detours with real money.

The most intuitive manifestation is that the global energy market has been hit again.

On March 30, the price of Brent crude oil futures in London exceeded US$116 per barrel, approaching the highest intraday record since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war.

Experts warn that oil prices could soar to as high as $150 a barrel if the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is blocked or severely disrupted.

However, if the Bab el-Mandeb crisis strikes, it will affect far more than just oil.

"The entire Red Sea Corridor carries about 30% of the world's container traffic." Kieran Tolat, a trader at GMS, a world-renowned shipping agency, said that as the southern gate of the Red Sea and Suez Corridor, the threat to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait will affect container transportation, bulk and dry cargo transportation, insurance premiums, and overall shipping operations in Asia and Europe.

According to the Associated Press, about 12% of global merchandise trade passes through the strait, with major commodities ranging from cereals to toys to electronic products.

For many shipping companies, this route is the fastest and most cost-effective link between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean.

Right now, the items in ordinary consumers’ shopping carts may be stuck on this route. When the "Gate of Tears" really sheds tears, the numbers on consumer bills around the world are the most authentic proof.

("Sanlihe" Studio)

China News Service, Nanning, March 30 (Reporter Huang Yanmei) The School of International Communication of Guangxi University for Nationalities was inaugurated on the 30th. This is the first international communication school among universities in Guangxi, and it will strive to create a high ground for cultivating international communication talents, a theoretical innovation platform and a practical cooperation hub for ASEAN.

On March 30, the School of International Communication of Guangxi University for Nationalities was inaugurated. The picture shows the unveiling ceremony. Photo courtesy of Guangxi University for Nationalities

Guangxi is the only province in China that is adjacent to ASEAN on land and sea. It is the frontier and window for China to open up and cooperate with ASEAN. Wei Shizhen, president of Guangxi University for Nationalities, said that the establishment of the School of International Communication is another important measure for the school to proactively serve the national strategy and deepen the ASEAN education characteristics. The School of International Communication of the school will actively build a comprehensive talent training system that "understands communication, speaks foreign languages, knows the region, and is good at practice" to deliver more high-quality applied international communication talents with international adaptability.

Guangxi University for Nationalities is one of the Ministry of Education’s first batch of national foreign language non-common language undergraduate talent training bases and the Ministry of Education’s first batch of national and regional research bases. It has been deeply involved in ASEAN non-common language education since 1964. It has a doctoral degree authorization point for first-level disciplines in foreign languages ​​and literature. It has 7 ASEAN national language undergraduate majors. It has built 3 Confucius Institutes in Laos, Thailand, and Indonesia. It has hosted various foreign-related trainings for more than 15,000 people, and has a profound foundation of international exchanges and cooperation. The School of Communication of the school has accumulated rich experience in teaching, scientific research and talent training in the fields of news communication, cross-cultural communication and other fields.

It is reported that the School of International Communication of Guangxi University for Nationalities will adhere to the principles of complementary advantages, resource sharing, and mutual benefit, actively align with local development strategies, and assist local foreign cultural exchanges and international communication capacity building. The college will also take the initiative to undertake projects such as international communication talent training, cross-cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, and training for ASEAN foreign-related cadres. It will rely on overseas Confucius Institutes and other platforms to create a distinctive communication brand and enhance the school's international influence and service regional development capabilities for ASEAN. (over)

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, March 30 (News Analysis): Squall lines, hail, thunderstorms and strong winds appear frequently. Why is the wind and rain in the south so violent?

Xinhua News Agency reporter Liu Shiping

Starting from the night of March 28, the first large-scale severe convective weather this year occurred in southern my country. Thunderstorms, strong winds, heavy rain, and hail took turns. Squall lines and tornadoes also appeared in weather forecasts and warnings. Why was the storm so violent this time? Where are there still risks of severe convective weather? The reporter interviewed relevant experts from the China Meteorological Administration on the 30th.

"This round of severe convective weather began on the night of the 28th, and a squall line system moving from west to east first appeared in Yunnan." Zhang Tao, chief forecaster of the Central Meteorological Observatory, said that on the morning of the 29th, thunderstorms with magnitudes 8 to 10 occurred in Guizhou, with some areas reaching magnitude 11 or above. During the day on the 29th, strong convective weather occurred in Guangdong and Guangxi. During the day on the 30th, thunderstorm winds of magnitude 8 to 10 occurred in central and southern Guangdong, with local magnitudes of 11 to 12.

An extremely destructive squall line can be understood as a group of thunderstorms arranged in a linear or strip shape. Along the squall line, violent weather phenomena such as thunderstorms, heavy rain, strong winds, hail, and tornadoes can occur. From appearance to disappearance, the typical life history of a squall line is only 6 to 12 hours, but it often leaves traces with its huge destructive power.

Meteorological monitoring shows that several squall line systems hundreds of kilometers long from north to south have appeared in the Guangdong and Guangxi regions, bringing with them short-term heavy rainfall and thunderstorms and strong winds, sweeping from west to east. Central and southern Hunan, Jiangxi and other places also experienced local thunderstorm winds of magnitude 8 to 10, with local levels reaching magnitude 11 to 12. Large hail occurred locally in western and southern Guangxi.

Relevant experts from the China Meteorological Administration said that the formation of severe convective weather is the result of the synergy of a variety of meteorological conditions. Abundant water vapor conditions are its "material basis", unstable atmospheric structure is the "key prerequisite" for its formation, and strong upward motion is the "power engine" triggered by it. In addition, the blessing of terrain will also help its formation and development.

"The strongest convection in this weather process is mainly in the warm area. Driven by high- and low-altitude jet streams, multiple squall line convections are repeatedly generated, causing strong winds and rains. This is the strongest convection process this year." Zhang Tao said.

Zhang Tao said that the weather development of this round of strong convection is very complex, and it is sudden and local. Although it has been predicted in advance that most areas from the eastern part of Southwest China to the south of the Yangtze River have the possibility of severe convective weather, there is great uncertainty about which place will be affected.

At present, this round of severe convective weather in the south is still continuing. The Central Meteorological Observatory issued a blue warning for heavy rain and a yellow warning for severe convective weather at 18:00 on the 30th. It is expected that from 20:00 on the 30th to 20:00 on the 31st, there will be thunderstorms and strong winds above level 10 in some areas in southern Jiangxi, northern Guangxi, and northern Guangdong, with the maximum wind force reaching level 11 or above. Some areas in southern Jiangxi, northern Guangxi, central and northern Guangdong and other places have short-term heavy precipitation weather with hourly rainfall greater than 50 mm, and the maximum can reach more than 60 mm.

According to the forecast, in the next ten days, the southern region will face multiple rounds of rainfall and frequent severe convective weather. It is necessary to pay attention to the impact of local heavy rainfall and wind and hail on transportation, spring plowing and sowing, urban operations, etc., and to prevent secondary disasters such as local flash floods, geological disasters, and farmland waterlogging.

Zhang Tao reminded that in terms of short-term heavy rainfall, the main thing is to prevent short-term waterlogging in urban and rural areas. In mountainous areas, we must be highly vigilant about secondary disasters such as flash floods, landslides, and debris flows. In terms of thunderstorms and strong winds, be wary of falling objects from high-rise buildings and avoid narrow passages where the "narrow tube effect" may occur, where the wind force will increase instantly. At the same time, we must prevent secondary injuries caused by the collapse of large trees and billboards.

CNR News from Taiyuan on March 30 (Reporter Yin Lincen) On the evening of March 28, a fire broke out in a building near Qinxian North Street, Xiaodian District, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province. On March 30, reporters rushed to the scene of the incident again and observed that the fire building had been completely sealed, and the accident investigation team was organizing experts to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the fire.

Staff are conducting a comprehensive investigation of the burning building (Photo by Yin Lincen, reporter of CCTV)

On-site: The building is closed for removal of burning garbage, and objects fall from time to time on the facade.

Reporters at the scene of the incident saw that a cordon had been set up around the building where the fire occurred, and only relevant staff were allowed in and out. Garbage removal trucks come and go from time to time in the cordoned area to transport combustion residues cleared from the building. The damaged facade of the building still has burning objects falling off from time to time. The community has posted risk notices around the building, stating that the loose facade will be removed as soon as possible to restore traffic safety.

The community has posted risk notices in the surrounding area (Photo by Yin Lincen, reporter of CCTV)

Subdistrict Office: The aftermath of business closures will be arranged in a unified manner

Some businesses in the fire-damaged building are currently closed. Staff at the Pingyang Road Subdistrict Office in Taiyuan City told reporters that all current work efforts are basically focused on the treatment and treatment of the victims and injured. Issues such as when businesses will resume operations and compensation during the suspension period will need to wait for a few more days for unified arrangements.

Some businesses are closed (Photo by Yin Lincen, reporter of CCTV)

Expert: The cause of the accident is complicated and we are fully investigating

The reporter saw at the scene that many staff members were entering and exiting the building holding professional instruments. According to an expert who is conducting on-site inspections, a comprehensive investigation of the fire-damaged building is currently underway, and relevant materials are being tested. Experts said that the cause of the fire was complicated and called on the public not to believe or spread rumors, and to wait calmly for the final investigation results.

During the interview, nearby residents recalled to reporters that on the evening of March 29, the burning building had rekindled. Fortunately, the fire was small and fire rescue personnel arrived quickly and extinguished the fire without causing any new casualties.

As of press time, the aftermath and investigation of the accident are still in progress.

China News Service, Haikou, March 30 (Reporter Wang Ziqian) The peak of Qingming Festival sweeping is approaching. The reporter learned from the press conference on the 2026 Qingming Festival sweeping work in Hainan Province on the 30th that the province’s emergency and fire departments have taken multiple measures to do a good job in preventing and extinguishing forest fires during the Qingming Festival.

Li Haiming, director of the Fire Prevention and Control Management Division of the Hainan Provincial Department of Emergency Management, said that currently, Hainan Province has entered a period of high forest fire risk. During the Tomb-Sweeping Festival, due to the combined effects of fire for sacrificial sweeps, fire for outings, and high temperature weather, the situation of forest fire prevention and extinguishing is severe and complex.

He said that according to the forecast of the meteorological department, before the Qingming Festival and during the holidays, the forest fire risk meteorological level will be high in most areas of Hainan Island, with the forest fire risk meteorological level in Danzhou and Baisha reaching level 5 (extremely flammable). There are more windy days, making it easy for fires to spread and difficult to put out. During the Qingming Festival, traditional behaviors such as burning incense, paper, and setting off firecrackers are still common in Hainan. In addition, the number of people going outing and camping in the mountains has increased, making it more difficult to control wild fires, and the risk of fires caused by illegal use of fire has increased significantly.

Hainan's forest areas are vast and scattered, and it is difficult to inspect some remote mountainous areas and scattered cemeteries. Grassroots prevention and control forces need to be further decentralized, and the task of building a comprehensive fire prevention line is arduous. Li Haiming said that according to data from previous years, the number of fires in Hainan Province increased significantly during the Qingming Festival compared with normal days, and fire prevention work is urgent.

He said that in order to prevent and control the occurrence of forest fires during the Qingming Festival, the Hainan Provincial Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief Committee Office will carry out inspections and inspections on forest fire prevention and firefighting during the Qingming Festival, and coordinate forestry, public security and other departments to "check at the sight of smoke, punish at the sight of fire, and arrest violations" for illegal use of fire in the wild, so as to reduce the occurrence of fires from the root cause. The province's emergency response system will strictly implement the 24-hour duty and leadership system, quickly initiate emergency response in case of fire, and promptly dispatch the nearest team for disposal.

Zhang Gang, deputy chief of the Hainan Provincial Fire and Rescue Corps, said that the fire rescue department has established a "1+1" forest fire fighting force system, that is, a cross-city and county reinforcement force to fight forest fires, with a total of 18 fire echelons and 440 people; a cross-provincial forest fire reinforcement force, including 10 vehicles of the Haikou Fire Rescue Mobile Detachment with 200 people, and the Provincial Fire Rescue Corps with 26 vehicles of 200 people. The fire echelon teams are scientifically and rationally deployed for disposal.

He said that in order to consolidate emergency response capabilities, Hainan's fire rescue teams are equipped with a total of 361 fire-fighting fire trucks; more than 850 fire-fighting equipment such as wind-powered fire extinguishers, portable water fire-fighting devices, mobile water cannons, and fire-fighting robots; more than 300 communication equipment such as satellite portable stations, satellite phones, and reconnaissance drones; and more than 360 pieces (sets) of water supply equipment such as remote water supply, high-power motor pumps, and mobile water bladders. (over)

China News Service, Chengdu, March 30 (Shan Peng) The Sixth Congress of the Sichuan Provincial Committee of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade was held in Chengdu on the 30th. At the meeting, Lu Furong, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Sichuan Council for the Promotion of International Trade, pointed out in his work report that the Sichuan Council for the Promotion of International Trade will focus on major national strategies and promote Sichuan’s high-level opening up to the outside world.

Sichuan's open development has entered a critical period of leaps and bounds, and is transforming from an inland hinterland in a geographical sense to an open frontier in a functional sense.

The report shows that in the past five years, the Sichuan Council for the Promotion of International Trade has established a regular exchange mechanism with 237 international organizations and business associations in 86 countries and regions around the world, and has received a total of 341 batches of 3,042 overseas delegations. It has deeply promoted the construction of Sichuan's southbound cooperation platform and reached 150 cooperation intentions in key areas such as new energy, food and beverages, warehousing logistics, and cross-border e-commerce. It has conducted 58 economic and trade exchange activities with 42 countries (regions) including Russia, Pakistan, Singapore, Chile, and South Korea. A cooperation network radiating from Sichuan to major markets around the world is getting denser and denser.

The scene of the Sixth Congress of the Sichuan Provincial Committee of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. Photo courtesy of Sichuan Council for the Promotion of International Trade

Lv Furong pointed out that at present, the world is undergoing major changes unseen in a century, the restructuring of global industrial and supply chains is accelerating, the contradiction between trade protectionism and economic globalization is highlighted, and a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation are developing in depth, profoundly reshaping the global trade pattern. Sichuan has major national policies to enhance effectiveness, as well as unique scientific and educational resources, industrial foundation and market space. The Sichuan Trade Promotion System will give full play to the advantages of being both an official and a citizen to help Sichuan's business community expand the space for international cooperation.

Specifically, in terms of expanding the global partner network, Sichuan will focus on the west and south, consolidate ASEAN, South Asia, Central Asia and other markets, actively connect with developed economies such as the United States, Australia, Japan and South Korea, and emerging markets such as Africa and Latin America, and build a diversified market network; deepen liaison and cooperation with relevant institutions in Sichuan from Hong Kong and Macao; actively integrate into regional cooperation frameworks such as the China-Pakistan, Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor, and give full play to the institutional role of the Sichuan Liaison Office of the China-Pakistan, China-ASEAN, and China-South Asia Business Councils.

In terms of building a high-energy open platform, we will undertake high-quality activities such as the 2026 China-Singapore International Commercial Dispute Resolution Forum, and prepare for the 2027 Global Business and Law Conference; we will strengthen the role of the Sichuan Office of the China-U.S. Enterprise Cooperation and Docking Project (CMP) and tighten ties with the U.S. business community.

In terms of optimizing international exchange activities, we will successfully organize a series of self-branded activities such as the Sichuan-South Asia and Southeast Asian Countries Industrial and Commercial Development Cooperation Conference and the Sichuan Trade Promotion International Exchange Activities at a high level, and carry out precise docking around Sichuan's advantageous industries; coordinate and organize the Sichuan special events of the 2027 World Expo in Belgrade, Serbia, and the 2030 China Pavilion at the 2030 World Expo in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and tell the "Sichuan Economic Story" well. (over)

When you mention the Czech Republic, what is your first reaction? Is it the white pigeons in Prague Square, Kafka’s absurd novels, the delicate emotions in Kundera’s works, or the mellow and refreshing Czech beer?

Yes, this is a developed country with a per capita GDP exceeding US$30,000. It is a top student in the European Union and a holy land of literature and art in the hearts of countless people.

After all, this is the place where healing animations like "The Mole's Tale" were born. It has the magnificent Prague Castle and the Golden Lane full of literary and artistic atmosphere. Everywhere is hidden in the romance and heaviness of Europe.

Prague Old Town Square

But what you may not know is:

XVideos, one of the world's largest adult websites that you have browsed secretly, has its parent company WGCZ's headquarters not in the United States or Japan, but on Krakow Street in the center of Prague. 70% of Europe's adult content comes from this small country, which is smaller than Chongqing. One in every 10,000 Czechs has filmed adult films, which is six times the rate in the United States.

According to expert estimates, Czech adult content generates hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue, accounting for approximately 0.2% of the country’s total GDP.

So the question is, why has this European country with hundreds of years of literature and art gradually become a globally recognized "land of erotica"? I checked some information and will briefly chat with you.

This is not a stereotype, it's true

Many people say that "Erotic Country" is just a media stereotype? Stop deceiving yourself—sets of data and well-documented cases are in front of you, and they are far more outrageous than you imagine.

In 1990, the Czech Republic had just liberalized social control, and the first pornographic magazine "LEO" was launched. According to industry statistics at the time, the monthly sales of this magazine reached 480,000 copies within half a year.

You must know that the total population of the Czech Republic at that time was only 10 million, which was equivalent to 1 out of every 20 Czechs purchasing pornographic content every month. Such a penetration rate would be outrageous in any country, and it directly laid the foundation for Czech society’s high acceptance of pornographic content.

And this is just the beginning. According to 2023 statistics, the Czech Republic has 86.19 adult actors per million people, ranking first in the world; the second is Hungary with 62, and the third is only 14 in the United States. Yes, you read that right, the Czech Republic’s data is six times higher than that of the United States.

Some attentive netizens even drew up a "Prague Filmmaking Holy Land Tour Map" based on the astonishing amount of film viewing, marking in detail every corner of the city where adult films have been filmed.

Maps drawn by netizens

What is even more staggering is its mature industrial chain.

The town of Cheb, only an hour's drive from the German border, was once a spa resort where aristocrats from the Austro-Hungarian Empire gathered. Now it has become a famous "erotic town" in Europe – nearly a hundred brothels gather here, forming a 60-kilometer-long "sex industry corridor". One-third of the town's GDP comes from the porn industry.

Every weekend, there is an endless stream of tourists coming from Dresden, Germany via the E55 highway. The roadside billboards even scroll with the words "Slow down, there are beauties ahead." The nightclubs on the street all have German signboards, and the waiters can skillfully use six languages ​​to solicit business. The hotel prices double on weekends, and even German companies regard this place as the first choice for "team building".

The capital, Prague, is even worse. There are more than 200 legally registered erotic establishments in the city center, including strip clubs, filming studios, and massage parlors. Many of them are located in the tourist area next to the Charles Bridge. Tourists can see eye-catching signs when passing by, but the local police mostly turn a blind eye.

What’s even more outrageous is that Czech castles, schools, hotels, and even well-known tourist attractions in the country have all been used as shooting scenes for adult movies, without any taboos.

Krakow Street in the center of Prague

Nothing can best reflect social tolerance than the local political ecology.

In 1990, the Czech Republic established the world's first pornographic political party to formally participate in parliamentary elections – the "Independent Pornography Initiative" (NEI). The core of its party platform is to promote the comprehensive legalization of the pornographic industry.

The party had only 4,000 members in its early days. It not only gave away free "organ newspapers" full of pornographic photos and novels, but also held extensive "sex culture seminars" across the country.

In the 1992 Czech general election, the party unexpectedly won 90,000 votes, equivalent to 1 out of every 100 voters who voted for it, which was enough to show how tolerant Czech society was to the porn industry at that time.

In 2017, a local TV station in the Czech Republic launched "Bikini Weather Forecast", in which a female anchor wore a bikini to report on the weather, occasionally adding slightly sexually suggestive jokes, and the ratings increased fivefold.

Local netizens commented one after another, "This is what a weather forecast should be like." No one thought it was vulgar, but instead thought it was novel and interesting. This has also become a vivid epitome of the openness of Czech sexual concepts.

Promotional materials for the Independent Porn Initiative Party

The 2024 poll data is even more convincing – 62% of Czech young people aged 18-30 believe that "sex work is a normal occupation, no different from waiters and programmers", and only 18% think it is "degenerate".

What’s more worth mentioning is that among Czech officials, not only are senators talking about their favorite types of adult films in public interviews without scruples, but even former President Miloš Zeman was exposed to having adult videos on his computer. If officials are like this, the attitude of ordinary people can be seen.

Three dimensions, revealing the secrets of the porn industry

Seeing this, you will definitely be curious: Why? Why did the Czech Republic become the "Erotic Country"?

In fact, this is not because the Czechs are inherently "more erotic", but because the three layers of logic of culture, law, and economy are superimposed on each other, which ultimately pushed this country to the position of "a land of erotica".

First of all, the most unbelieving country in Europe has long since lost its moral shackles on sex.

The Czech Republic is one of the most secular countries in Europe. This deep-seated secularization has completely freed sex from the moral shackles of religion and has become an ordinary need that does not need to be covered up.

Survey data from Pew Research shows that 72% of Czechs have no religious beliefs and 66% do not believe in God.

Compared with Poland next door, 90% of the people believe in Catholicism. The two countries are only separated by a wall, but the religious binding force on sex is very different. Poland is influenced by Catholic teachings and is very secretive about sexual topics, while the Czech Republic has completely gotten rid of this restraint and regards sex as an innate instinctive need.

This secular tendency is even more obvious among young people – 91% of Czech young people aged 16-29 consider themselves atheists. For them, the "sexual taboos" in religion have long been in vain.

streets of prague

In the eyes of Czechs, sex is a common need like eating and sleeping. What is there to be ashamed of?

There was even a Czech adult film company that held a "Porn Weekend" event in Prague. Not only could the audience film the scene with their mobile phones, but as long as they had a health certificate, they could also directly participate in the filming. For completing two 15-minute videos, men could get 200 euros and women 400 euros. There was an endless stream of participants at the scene.

What’s even more interesting is that this openness is not new to recent decades. Kundera has long said: "The deconstruction of hypocrisy is the Czech people's way of resisting totalitarianism."

During the socialist period, although the government could control people's work, thoughts, and income, it could not interfere in the hidden corners of private life. As a result, sex has become the last place for ordinary people to escape control and release themselves. It is also like a silent but powerful resistance.

In "The Unbearable Lightness of Being", the protagonist Thomas's emotional entanglements with different women, and Theresa's tolerance and struggle. Many people think this is an artistic exaggeration of the novel, but in fact it is a true portrayal of Czech people's daily sexual attitudes.

In their eyes, sex and love are two different things. This attitude has continued into Czech society today.

Even as early as the Middle Ages, Prague was already Europe's "Free City" – businessmen, travelers, and artists gathered here. An open red light district had already appeared in the city. This open tradition has lasted for hundreds of years, laying the groundwork for the prosperity of today's erotic industry.

Prague streets

Secondly, the government does not prohibit or encourage it, but it will collect taxes.

Cultural tolerance alone is not enough. The "gray tolerance" of the law provides an excellent space for the survival and development of the pornographic industry. Czech law uses a set of "grey operations" unique to the world: individual sex trafficking is legal, while organizing prostitution and acting as a pimp are illegal.

To put it bluntly, if an individual takes orders and operates independently, the police will not interfere; but if someone hires someone to do the business and acts as a middleman to take a commission, it is illegal.

This kind of regulation not only perfectly avoids the controversy of "legalization of the porn industry", but also gives the industry enough space to survive, and also allows many underground industries to survive openly in the name of "personal business".

What is even more surprising is that the government has also recognized the legality of this profession through judicial decisions. On October 8, 2025, the Czech Supreme Court (NSS) pronounced a landmark case:

A sex worker evaded taxes by not declaring her sex trade income, and the tax department recovered about 1.8 million Czech crowns (approximately RMB 570,000).

She appealed against the verdict. The lower court supported her claim and held that "income that violates public order and good morals should not be taxed." However, the Supreme Court eventually overturned this judgment and made it clear that "income from sex work is not explicitly excluded from the scope of taxation by law and is no different from other work income. Tax evasion is illegal."

This verdict is equivalent to an official stamp of approval – sex work is a serious profession, and as long as you make money, you must pay taxes according to law.

According to estimates by Rozkoš bez rizika, a non-governmental organization that serves sex workers, there are approximately 13,000 sex workers in the Czech Republic, most of whom are single mothers. This ruling has also indirectly recognized their professional status.

This is also the core reason why XVideos parent company WGCZ is headquartered in Prague.

The office building in the doorway is WGCZ, the parent company of XVideos

In Western European countries, adult platforms have to face strict content censorship and endless copyright litigation, and operating costs remain high. In the Czech Republic, as long as the content is voluntarily shot by adults, they will not be held accountable, and operating costs are ridiculously low.

Compare Germany – although sex work is completely legalized, practitioners need to apply for licenses and pay high taxes. A sex worker has to pay several hundred euros in taxes every month. In contrast, in the Czech Republic, there are no such cumbersome requirements. Therefore, many German practitioners have moved to the Czech Republic, and operating costs have been directly reduced by 2/3.

To put it bluntly, the Czech Republic has long become a tax haven for global erotic capital and a "safe haven" for adults in the adult industry.

Third, what is the industry that will emerge from poverty after shock therapy?

The law has given living space, and culture has laid a foundation for tolerance. The economic transformation in the 1990s has become the trigger for the explosion of the pornographic industry. Many people join this industry not voluntarily, but because of poverty.

Czechs in the Velvet Revolution

In the 1990s, after the Velvet Revolution, Czechoslovakia split into two countries: the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The Czech Republic immediately implemented "shock therapy", privatizing state-owned enterprises overnight, and a large number of factories closed down and went bankrupt. The main industries for female employment, mainly textile factories and garment factories, almost completely collapsed. Hundreds of thousands of women were unemployed and found it difficult to find a way to make a living.

There was a piece of news that shocked the whole country at that time and is still mentioned repeatedly by foreign media today:

Zdanka Podkapova, the former backbone of the Czech national gymnastics team, has won four national championships in her 10-year career. On the court, she is tall and has a delicate face. She is the "dream goddess" of countless people. However, after retiring, she was unable to find a suitable job, and eventually had to move to the adult film and television industry.

In fact, before retiring, she took photos for the pornographic magazine "Penthouse" and became one of the magazine's most popular Czech girls. After retiring, she joined the adult industry. In her own interview, she said: "I want to support my mother, and I have no other choice."

Zdanka’s experience is the epitome of countless Czech women at that time.

Czech traditional industries such as automobiles and electronics have long been dominated by men. Only 20% of employees in the automobile industry are female, and only 11% in the electronics industry. Most of them are low-paying assembly line positions. Many women find it difficult to find high-paying jobs and even find it difficult to maintain a basic life.

Zdanka Podkapova

What is even more distressing is that in the Gypsy community, poverty forces many girls to join the sex industry.

There is a girl named Helena who was sold by her parents at the age of 16 and forced to pick up guests in the town of Duby. The town of Duby is only 6 kilometers away from Germany and has become a gathering place for German tourists. The girls here dress coolly and even stop cars to solicit business. Everything seems "natural", but there is endless helplessness hidden.

At this time, Western capital sensed business opportunities.

They found that most Czech girls are beautiful and can speak English. The daily salary for filming adult films is only 50 US dollars, which is 1/10 of that in the United States. The cost of filming an adult film is as low as 1/10 of that in the United States.

As a result, a large number of American pornographic companies flocked to Prague, and there were temporary shooting bases all over the suburbs, which could shoot 3 or 4 films a day. Czech local filmmakers also found that making adult films was more profitable than literary films, and they joined in one after another. First-class shooting technology, beautiful natural scenes, and beautiful actors made Czech adult films quickly popular throughout Europe.

The unique geographical location has added fuel to the porn industry.

The Czech Republic is located in the center of Europe, only an hour's drive from wealthy countries such as Germany and Austria, and the price of erotic services is only 1/3 of that in Western Europe. This has given rise to popular border sex tourism, with the towns of Cheb and Duby being the most typical representatives.

During the 2006 World Cup in Germany, this kind of border sex tourism reached its peak.

After watching the game, a large number of fans drove an hour to the Czech border town. Local sex workers were booked half a month in advance. Many practitioners' income in one weekend was equivalent to their usual monthly income. This also allows more Czechs to see shortcuts to "make money quickly", further promoting the expansion of the porn industry.

The scene of the so-called "European Adult Summit"

In general, the Czech porn industry was not born – it was a combination of long-term poverty, the influx of Western capital, and a unique geographical location that spurred it on, and it became a "survival choice" for many people when they had no other choice.

Behind the prosperity is the nightmare of Eastern European girls

Of course, the Czech porn industry is by no means a "utopia". Behind its prosperity lies the darkest nightmare of human trafficking in Eastern Europe, which is also soaked in the blood, tears and despair of countless girls.

Data from Eurostat show:

The Czech Republic is the number one destination for human trafficking in Eastern Europe. More than 2,000 women are lured here every year, more than half of whom are minors. The youngest practitioner in the underground industry is only 14 years old. This data has also been reported by China News Network and other authoritative media, pointing directly to the darkness behind the glamor of the Czech porn industry.

Human traffickers' tactics are simple but deadly, and they succeed every time.

They posted false advertisements in small towns in Ukraine, Romania and other countries – "Recruiting restaurant waiters, monthly salary of 3,000 euros, including food and accommodation", accurately capturing the mentality of local girls who want to escape poverty.

Many inexperienced girls believed it and came to the Czech Republic with high hopes. However, upon arrival, their passports were taken away, their personal freedom was restricted, and they were forced to accept guests. They had to receive more than 100 guests a month. If they resisted at all, they would be beaten and threatened.

In films produced in Prague, "young men and women are forced to go to sea to make a living" has almost become a standard paradigm

In 2022, the Czech police cracked a major case that shocked Europe.

A Czech porn company lured 18 Ukrainian girls to come to the Czech Republic using "fashion photoshoots" as bait. After the girls signed the contract, they discovered that the so-called "fashion photoshoots" were actually adult films.

When they refused to film, the company immediately threatened them with the contract, requiring them to pay 100,000 euros in liquidated damages. Many girls were unable to repay and were forced to shoot dozens of films. It was not until the police destroyed this criminal den that they were able to regain their freedom.

After reading these cases, it is not difficult to understand that what many people think of as “voluntary” is nothing more than a lack of choice due to poverty.

In 2023, Czech women's rights organizations held a protest in front of Prague's erotic club, holding slogans that said "Poverty is not voluntary", bluntly stating that many sex workers do not really want to join this industry, but are forced by life. This is essentially the exploitation of women, and girls from the Gypsy community are the direct victims of this exploitation.

The older generation of Czechs hate this industry even more.

More than 70% of the elderly who have experienced the socialist period are opposed to the porn industry. They believe that this industry has turned the Czech Republic into "the brothel of Europe" and is a national shame.

In 2023, an old party member took to the streets to protest, holding a sign that read "Our country is not for sale," expressing the aspirations of countless older generation Czechs.

Prague’s “hidden corners”

In addition, public health risks are becoming increasingly prominent. Underground practitioners are not registered and do not undergo regular physical examinations, resulting in the sexually transmitted disease transmission rate in the Czech Republic being twice the European average. The HIV infection rate has continued to rise in recent years, becoming a major problem plaguing Czech society and further amplifying the negative impact of the porn industry.

How is the Czech Republic now?

In recent years, the Czech porn industry has also undergone changes, and online has become a new development trend.

During the epidemic, offline pornographic venues were forced to close, and a large number of practitioners turned to online. Today, the number of OnlyFans creators in the Czech Republic ranks third in Europe. Many girls can earn up to 50,000 euros a month, far exceeding the salary levels of local doctors and lawyers. This has also attracted more young people to actively join the online porn industry.

At the same time, XVideos parent company WGCZ has also continued to grow. Today, its Prague headquarters has more than 300 employees. It pays tens of millions of euros in taxes to the Czech government every year, becoming a major local taxpayer and even getting the acquiescence of the local government. After all, this considerable tax can also provide certain support for the economic development of the Czech Republic.

Under pressure from the European Union, the Czech government has also begun to strengthen supervision of the porn industry, closing more than 120 underground porn venues, arresting dozens of traffickers, and tightening border inspections. The number of cases of luring girls has dropped significantly compared with previous years.

But even so, the hidden danger of human trafficking still exists and has not been completely eradicated.

Czechs participating in winter swimming

Nowadays, the porn industry has long become a label that the Czech Republic cannot shake off.

More and more tourists come to the Czech Republic. In addition to visiting castles and tasting beer, many people come here for the erotic industry. Erotic tour groups in Prague have become a new tourism category. There are even travel agencies that specially launch "erotic experience tours" to attract tourists from all over Europe.

Polls in 2024 show that more than 50% of Czechs support the legalization of sex work. They believe that this is a free choice for individuals and the government should not interfere too much, while only 30% are opposed.

What’s more worth mentioning is that in 2004, when the Czech Republic joined the European Union, an adult film actress named Dolly Bust announced her candidacy for the European Parliament. She made no secret of her profession and even put forward the campaign slogan of “love each other and reproduce the next generation together.” Although she ultimately lost the election, it was enough to show Czech society’s tolerance for porn practitioners.

What a 22-year-old Czech OnlyFans creator said in an interview is very representative – I make money with my own body, I don’t steal or rob, and I make more than people who sit in offices. I feel very proud, this is my job.” Such thoughts are not uncommon among Czech young people.

Prague’s street fashion brand “life is prono”

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Many people call the Czech Republic "degenerate", saying that the country is completely ruined, and believe that the prosperity of the pornographic industry is a sign of moral decay. But if you think about it carefully, does the Czech Republic’s label of “Erotic Country” really equate to depravity?

It is just the most authentic appearance of a highly secular society after getting rid of the moral shackles of religion. Sex is no longer a taboo or an unspeakable shame. It is an ordinary need and an ordinary industry, just like eating and working, and is accepted by most Czechs.

Of course, its problems cannot be ignored – human trafficking, female exploitation, regulatory loopholes, and public health risks. These are unavoidable pain points and problems that the Czech government needs to continue to work hard to solve.

But it is undeniable that it has at least brought the industry that was originally hidden underground into the light, and reduced the possibility of more underground crimes through taxation and supervision. This may be more realistic than those countries that criminalize sex work, but have spawned more underground human trafficking and violent crimes.

Prague Old Town Square

We are always accustomed to treating sex as a scourge, avoiding it when talking about it, labeling it as "shameful" and "vulgar". But the Czechs have long understood that sex is the same instinctive need as eating and sleeping. There is nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of. Respecting everyone's choice may be the true foundation of a pluralistic society.

You may not accept this kind of Czech Republic, but you cannot deny that this is what a real and diverse society should be like – there is light, there is shadow, there is active choice, and there is also helplessness.

We passionately invite all managers/founders/CEO friends to place serious advertisements on our official account:

First of all, the recent follower increase and reading data of this account are really good, and the basic data is guaranteed;

Secondly, the fans of this account are relatively high-quality, and almost all of them are active fans in the strict sense who are typed out through code;

Third, at least at this stage, the account owner is still in the state of "talking less, living well, not being clingy, and asking for cheap prices." The opportunity cannot be missed, and it will never come back. If it becomes popular in the future, it will be expensive, really!

The Philippines is a bit "sophisticated" these days.

Not long ago, Philippine President Musk also publicly shouted to China that he hoped to restart China-Philippines cooperation in oil and gas development in the South China Sea. Marcos vowed that the reset of Philippines-China relations will definitely happen, and it is happening now.

Philippine President Says He Hopes to Restart China-Philippines Oil and Gas Cooperation

However, at the same time, the Philippine military is making trouble against China. Recently, at a defense forum in Paris, France, Philippine Defense Secretary Teodoro suddenly attacked China in front of representatives from many countries, claiming that China "ignored the 2016 arbitration award."

It needs to be made clear here that the so-called "2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award" mentioned by the Philippine Defense Secretary is a completely useless piece of paper. China has made it clear from the beginning that it will not accept or recognize the ruling. The reason is very simple. This ruling was completely unilaterally promoted by the Philippines. China was not involved from the beginning to the end, and the ruling does not have any legal effect.

The Philippine military is making trouble out of nothing by using this as an excuse. This is completely opposite to Marcos's attitude of seeking cooperation.

To understand the attitude of the Philippine military, one cannot avoid a core variable—the United States.

For a long time, the Philippine military has had a very close relationship with the United States and is highly dependent on it for training, equipment and intelligence systems. In this context, the Philippine military has become the "spokesperson" of the United States to some extent. Therefore, we can see that whenever there are signs of easing of relations between China and the Philippines, the Philippine military will always step on the brakes. After all, once China-Philippines relations truly stabilize, the US military presence and influence in the Philippines will be weakened.

Defense Secretary Teodoro

Interestingly, there were previous rumors that the CIA had secretly supported the Philippine military to launch a coup to overthrow the Marcos government, and promised to elect Philippine Defense Secretary Teodoro to serve as the president of the "caretaker government" after the event was completed, while the Chief of Staff of the Philippine Army was responsible for serving as the Minister of Defense.

Although the Philippine military quickly denied the news, judging from its actual performance, the Philippine military is indeed gradually strengthening its political influence: it frequently speaks out on foreign policy, dominates public opinion on security issues, and continues to increase cooperation with the United States. Nowadays, he does not even pay attention to the words of his country's President Marcos, and he has a vague intention to dominate the foreign affairs of the Philippine government.

What is even more intriguing is another recent move by the Philippines in military cooperation—the introduction of Japan.

A few days ago, Commander Brawner of the Philippine Armed Forces stated that the Japanese Self-Defense Forces will send a "large force" to participate in this year's "shoulder-to-shoulder" exercise between the United States and the Philippines. Relevant news shows that the number of Japanese combatants participating in the exercise is between 1,000 and 1,500. This is the first time since World War II that such a large number of Japanese combat soldiers have entered the Philippines.

Japanese Self-Defense Forces will go to Philippines to participate in exercises

You know, during World War II, Japan occupied the Philippines for several years, causing extremely serious casualties, with the total number of people at least 1 million. Now, the Philippines has taken the initiative to allow Japanese combat forces to enter the mainland. This is not only "leading the wolf into the house", but also a "humiliation" to the country's history.

Putting all the clues together, it can actually be seen very clearly: the Philippine government is in an extremely chaotic state – at the presidential level, it is trying to ease relations and strive for interests; while at the military level, it continues to intensify confrontation and bind the United States. The two forces are superimposed together to form not a balance, but a tear. The most direct result is that Philippine policies have become increasingly unstable and unpredictable.

This is precisely the reason why China has responded so coldly to the Philippines’ cooperation signals. The Philippines is willing to ease relations with China and hopes to restart cooperation, which China certainly welcomes. But the problem is that the Philippines' stance is too contradictory.

If a country sends signals of cooperation while constantly creating confrontational issues, then the outside world will naturally wonder: What do you really want?

Looking at a deeper level, the real problem in the Philippines now is not its relationship with China, but the changes in the internal power structure – when the military becomes more and more powerful, and when external forces become more and more in-depth, it will be difficult for the country's strategic direction to maintain stability.

To put it more bluntly: In the Philippines today, it is not that there is no chance to improve the situation, but that it has not even figured out "where to go." If this situation continues, then the so-called "seeking cooperation with China" is likely to remain just words; and only the innocent Filipino people will really pay the price.