Category Archives: Energy

Two new $1-million food prizes for innovation and sustainability announced in Stockholm

By Xuefei Chen Axelsson

STOCKHOLM. The world’s largest prize in the food arena has been established by the new Curt Bergfors Foundation in Sweden.  

The foundation will award two $1-million prizes –  the Food Planet Prize awards – annually. One prize will be awarded to an existing scalable solution for sustainable foods. The second will be awarded for innovative initiatives that could transform the global food sector.  

“These are challenges that we all need to engage in,” says Curt Bergfors, a renowned hospitality entrepreneur in Sweden. “Our food system is broken, and the planet is ailing. We are all part of the problem, and we must all try to be part of the solution. I want to contribute through the foundation and these awards”. 

Nominations for The Food Planet Prize are now open. The first prizes will be awarded later in 2020.  

The nominations will be evaluated by an international jury of leading scientists, policymakers, and entrepreneurs. The jury is chaired by Johan Rockström, executive director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Line Gordon, director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm University.  

“We need a food-system revolution or risk destabilizing our planet. The new Food Planet Prize is designed to contribute to this goal,” says Johan Rockström.  

“It is possible to feed 10 billion people a healthy diet, while maintaining a thriving biosphere. We want the Food Planet Prize to recognize the most important solutions that can scale rapidly,” says Line Gordon.  

The Curt Bergfors Foundation was established in 2019 to highlight the challenges in today’s food system and find new ways to redesign it for the future.  

“Food has to be partly reinvented all across the chain – from primary sourcing to food and waste management in homes and restaurants,” says Lars Peder Hedberg, Executive Board Director. 

 Background information on the food planet challenge: 

 • The world’s population is 7.8 billion. In 2030 it will be 8.5 billion and by 2050 close to 10 billion. With today’s food system, the world will not be able to feed a population this size without further compromising Earth’s climate and biodiversity.  

• Eradicating hunger by 2030 is one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Over 800 million people suffer from hunger and malnutrition. In recent years this has been rising after decades of progress. 

• The food system contributes to about a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions.  • The world uses about half of the available land on Earth for food production and about 70% of our use of freshwater is directed to agriculture.   

• The food system is the main driver of a mass extinction of life on Earth.  

The nomination process is now available for submissions at foodplanetprize.org. In addition to the Food Planet Prize, the foundation will also fund a professorship with a focus on transformation to a sustainable food system. The intention is for the professorship to be based at the Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University. 

The founding capital of 500 Million SEK is sourced from Mr. Bergfors’ private assets. Additional funding, up to a total of one billion SEK, is under consideration.    

For further information: 
foodplanetprize.org   
secretariat@foodplanetprize.org   

Johan Rockström, Jury Chairman, spokesperson for the Food Planet Prize 
chair@foodplanetprize.org   

Lars Peder Hedberg, Executive Board Director, spokesperson for the Curt Bergfors Foundation lars.p.hedberg@foodplanetprize.org 
+46 709 7559910

Xinjiang Photo Exhibition held in Stockholm

By Xuefei Chen Axelsson

STOCKHOLM, Nov. 27(Greenpost, chineseonline) — While the dark and rainy weather made people sad and lonely, a warm Xinjiang Photo Exhibition has been held in Stockholm recently.

The exhibition was held by Green Post(www.greenpost.se) and Chinese Online(www.chineseonline.se) in cooperation with China Europe Cultural Association and ABF(Swedish Workers Association) at the citykonferensen in Stockholm.

Xuefei Chen Axelsson, Chief Editor and photographer of Green Post and freelance journalist said the exhibition came against the background that she was invited to attend a journalistic trip to Xinjiang in August 2018 together with journalists from 13 countries along the belt and road routes. And after that she went to Xinjiang twice respectively in March to Turpan after the National People’s Congress and National Day celebration in Beijing to personally experience the atmosphere in Urumqi city, capital of Xinjiang Ugyor Autonomous Region.

“I was impressed by the journeys and felt that Xinjiang now is very safe to travel and the cultural and tourist resources were rich. During my journey, I can feel business in Grand Bazar is booming and the ugyors dancing and singing were wonderful. Thus, I like to share this feelings and impressions with all the people who are interested in Xinjiang. “said Chen Axelsson.

The purpose is to share the information about the living picture in Xinjiang. The exhibition focuses on Xinjiangs infrastructure such as the fast train, subways and wide road, busy business in Grandbazar, music and art, dancing, beautiful scenery and environmental protection.

To let people have a taste of Xinjiang music and song, Luan Dehan played violin Why the flower is so red.

Artist Zhu Yingying sang the song which was about love between a woman and a ugyor soldier and moved all the audience. A whole generation of people were moved by the film and the song in China’s 80s.

Duan Maoli, President of Swedish Anhui Sci-Tech and Commerce Association expressed his appreciation for the exhibition.

“I would like to say thanks to Xuefei for holding such an exhibition. The media under her leadership is a professional media. With this exhibition, we can see the beautiful Xinjiang and the safe Xinjiang. I like to say it should be A beautiful Xinjiang forever!”

Zhu Jinchuan, General Manager of Air China in Stockholm also looked at the exhibition.

He said it was impressive to see these photos. Watching these beautiful pictures let people feel the life there is quite colourful and it is easy to visit there with Air China because the airlines can fly there directly from Beijing. It can also fly directly to other cities.

Journalists from PROFOCA and FPA attended the exhibition. Swedish innovation entrepreneur Skycab manager Åker Aredal also attended the exhibition. He was quite excited to see President Xi’s photo with Ugyor people and even recalled the moment when he was with President Xi and presented him a letter.

During the exhibition, Xuefei Chen Axelsson also made a presentation about the pictures and added more pictures about the daily lives there in the Grand Bazar. She illustrated the stories behind every photo.

During the exhibition, Axelsson also answered some questions.

Many visitors said they learnt a lot about Xinjiang and felt glad that the situation is safe and secure and life is lively there. Some even said they like to visit Xinjiang some day.

More lively photos in Grand Bazar and Turpan.

Photo and text by Xuefei Chen Axelsson

photo by Xuefei Chen Axelsson

Chinese Ambassador Gui Congyou on China’s Achievements and Challenges

By Xuefei Chen Axelsson

October 1 marks the 70th anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China. Upon this date, Xuefei Chen Axelsson had an exclusive interview with Ambassador Gui Congyou on Sept. 14, 2019.

Stockholm, Sept. 16(Greenpost) – Chinese Ambassador Gui Congyou has said that Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, CPC, through unremitting efforts and hard work of the past 70 years, have experienced profound economic and social transformation from a poor and weak China to a relatively healthy wealthy society。This is a historic leap forward towards our goal of realizing the great rejuvenation  of China. 

Ambassador Gui made this remark during an exclusive interview with Xuefei Chen Axelsson, chief editor and founder of Green Post(www.greenpost.se) , a Swedish Chinese media aiming at promoting sustainable development in Sweden and building bridge between China and Sweden. 

“Over the past 70 years, especially over the past 40 years of development, over 1.3 billion people have all used mobile phones and internet in addition to having enough food and clothes.  China’s contribution to world economic development surpasses 30 percent.  China continues to be the second largest destination of foreign direct investment. China becomes more open minded and more confident than before. Such a China will create more opportunities for the world. ” said Gui. 

A series of figures show that Chinese people’s disposable per capita income has increased nearly 60 times more than that in 1949, 20 times more than that in 1978. China’s average life expectancy reaches  77 years old and over 800 million people have been lifted out of poverty. 

“China has been a good member in safeguarding the world peace, a good peace builder, development contributor and international order keeper.” 

Gui said that China has planned to completely eliminate absolute poverty by 2020 and realize modernization by 2035 and basically reach the middle developed countries level by 2050 and followed this road map to go forward step by step. 

He said during this process, China also initiated the Belt and Road initiative and helped those countries who like to join this initiative and shared Chinese technologies and innovations, for example the Beidou Navigation system. 

Talking about challenges ahead, Gui said the Chinese average GDP has not reached ten thousand dollars yet, which is less than 20 percent of the Swedish average GDP. Chinese development is not very balanced and western regions still need further development while eastern regions have developed much better. 

By the end of next year, China still needs to eradicate the absolute poverty by 10 million people(which is equivalent  almost the whole Swedish population). 

Gui said China still faces the challenge of enjoying a better environment in some areas in China. But Chinese people are determined to solve its problems and challenges while developing further with higher quality. Through 70 years of development experiences, Chinese people are confident that they will realize their development goal along with achieving the United Nations 2030 development goals. 

On Sino-Swedish relations,  Ambassador Gui spoke highly of bilateral relations. 

“About 260 years ago, Swedish Gothenburg Boat sailed to China and opened a marine route to China. Sweden became the first western country to establish diplomatic relations with China and signed technical cooperation agreements with China.”

During the new development era, China and Sweden have become the largest trade partners with each other between Nordic countries and Asia. 

So far there are 9000 Chinese students studying in Sweden and becoming the largest number of overseas students group.  In addition to Air China, Eastern Airline also opened direct flight between Stockholm and Shanghai coping with the increasing number of tourists.  China EU express also opened its maiden voyage with Swedish timber export to China last year. 

About his impression on Sweden, Ambassador Gui said that Swedish King Carl Gustav VXI told him to visit all over Sweden and have a good look when he met the King.  And he did visit up north to the countryside, down to the south and east and west of Sweden. He felt Sweden is really beautiful. 

He found Swedish people’s awareness of environmental protection and climate is high. And most of them are very friendly. 

“I think Sweden and China are mutually complementary in green tech cooperation and environmental protection. We can deepen the cooperation in this and other  fields. ” said Gui. 

About the question with media, Ambassador Gui said that media is a bridge between the two sides by expressing opinions and stances of the two sides. Only when he found some media facts were not correct, he would like to point out the facts which provide with true information.

“I found those incorrect information show that the writer has never been to China or get a full picture about China. China has really made great progress over the past years. With the rapid development of new technology, such as internet and high speed train,  China’s progress for the better also speeded up. Welcome Swedish media to visit China and have a good look. ” said Ambassador Gui. 

Full Chinese version please see the following link.

Video: Water Expert Josh Weinberg: Remarkable to provide clean drinking water for over one billion people in China

By Xuefei Chen Axelsson

STOCKHOLM, Aug. 30(Greenpost) — China has made remarkable progress in fighting against water pollution and it is a great achievement to provide clean drinking water for over one billion people in China. Meanwhile, there are still a lot of challenges for China to face, says Josh Weinberg during an interview with Greenpost’s journalist Xuefei Chen Axelsson during the World Water Week held in Stockholm between Aug. 25-30.



Upon the National Day on October 1 in China, Weinberg wishes everyone a Happy National Day and continues to make progress in building a clean and beautiful country in China.

Video: Swedish Water Expert Jan Lindqvist: What China has done is extraordinary and unprecedented

By Xuefei Chen Axelsson

STOCKHOLM, Aug. 30(Greenpost) — Jan Lindqvist, a senior expert working in Stockholm International Water Institute went to China in December 1979 for the first time. He has recalled his experience then and told us that China has made extraordinary and unprecedented progress since then. Greenpost’s chief editor Xuefei Chen Axelsson has interviewed him on the opening plenary session day during the World Water Week in Stockholm. Please watch the video.

Professor Jan Lindqvist said he actually studied Economics but he got a professor job in water department in Linköping University because water issue is not just about water itself, it needs engineers, biologists and economists and many others to solve the complicated water issues.

Professor Lindqvist led a project called from Field to Fork and called on people to stop wasting food and live a healthy lifestyle in modern times.

He said with the increase of population and the expansion of production and consumption, how to balance the individual needs with the limitation of natural resources on us is also an important issue for us to think about and choose the right and healthy way to live.

Premier Li Keqiang’s government work report is very down to earth

BEIJING, March 5 (Greenpost) — The 13th National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s national legislature, opened its second session Tuesday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state were present at the opening meeting, which was attended by nearly 3,000 NPC deputies.

Li Keqiang delivered the government’s work report on behalf of the State Council to the legislature for deliberation.

Li said though China faced a complicated and challenging environment rarely seen in many years with the economy under new downward pressure, the nation managed to accomplish main targets for economic and social development in 2018.

Looking to 2019, Li said it is necessary to sustain healthy economic development and maintain social stability to create a pivotal underpinning for completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China with outstanding accomplishments.

Invitation to the 3rd China (Shenzhen) Innovation & Entrepreneurship International Competition· Stockholm(Sweden)Division 【深创赛国际赛瑞典分站赛】在资本寒冬,这里有一个和深圳的冬天一样温暖的比赛

北欧绿色邮报网受权发布:

Invitation to the 3rd China (Shenzhen) Innovation & Entrepreneurship International Competition· Stockholm(Sweden)Division

【深创赛国际赛瑞典分站赛】在资本寒冬,这里有一个和深圳的冬天一样温暖的比赛

 

中国深圳创新创业大赛第三届国际赛于2018年12月1日正式启动。大赛集聚海外优质项目,整合创新创业资源,协助海外创新创业项目对接中国高新产业资源,开拓中国市场,实现互利共赢。

The 3rd China (Shenzhen) Innovation & Entrepreneurship   International Competition has officially been launched on December 1st,   2018. The competition will attract numerous high-quality overseas start-up   projects, in order to integrate innovation and entrepreneurship resources to help   foreign innovators and entrepreneurs connect with Chinese hi-tech industrial   resources, thus expanding the Chinese market for win-win results.

大赛简介Brief introduction of the competition

本届大赛于2018年12月1日到2019年2月28日期间接受报名,2019年3月将在全球9个国家的10个城市分别举办10场海外分站赛,同期专业赛启动项目初选。2019年4月,海外分站赛和专业赛晋级的100多个优秀项目将集聚深圳,瞄准大赛最高荣誉和奖项,通过专业赛决赛、行业决赛和总决赛展开多轮激烈角逐。

 

大赛总奖金为1120万元人民币,分别是海外分站赛决赛(总奖金290万元)、专业赛(总奖金150万)、行业决赛(总奖金250万元)和总决赛(总奖金430万元),其中单个选手将有机会获得共计140万元的大赛奖金。大赛除设置丰厚的奖金外,还为优质创业项目提供产业奖励、科技金融、项目孵化等政策支持。

 

Registration for the competition is open from December 1st, 2018 to February 28th, 2019. In March 2019, Overseas Division Competitions will be held in 10 cities across 9 countries, and the preliminary round for the Professional Competition will start at the same time. As a result, more than 100 outstanding projects selected from the Overseas Division Competitions and Professional Competition will meet in Shenzhen in April 2019 and compete for the final awards.

 

The competition offers a total prize pool of RMB 11.2 million (1.43 million Euros), including RMB 2.9 million (370,000 Euros) for Overseas Division finalists, RMB 1.5 million (190,000 Euros)  for Professional finalists, RMB 2.5 million (320,000 Euros)  for Industrial finalists and RMB 4.3 million (550,000 Euros) for grand champion. Each contestant may stand the chance to win a total prize of RMB 1.4 million (180,000 Euros) . In addition to the prizes, the competition also provides high-quality entrepreneurship projects with support such as industrial incentives, financial technology and project incubation.

 

今年的大赛特点有:

Highlights of this year’s competition include:

 

  1. 创新开放,链接全球创新高地

本届国际赛继续链接全球创新项目集聚的城市和地区,扩大办赛规模。在上届大赛设置9个海外分站赛的基础上,新增西班牙马德里分站赛。大赛海外分站赛数量达到10个,分别是:澳大利亚悉尼、加拿大多伦多、德国柏林、以色列特拉维夫、日本东京、瑞典斯德哥尔摩、西班牙马德里、美国波士顿、美国硅谷和英国伦敦。

  1. Innovation and opening up to connect the global highlands of innovation.

This year’s international competition will continue to further connect global cities and regions. A new session of the Overseas Division Competitions has been added to the previous nine sessions and will be held in Madrid (Spain). Therefore, there will be a total of ten sessions of the Overseas Division Competitions, which will be held in Sydney (Australia), Toronto (Canada), Berlin (Germany), Tel Aviv (Israel), Tokyo (Japan), Stockholm (Sweden), Madrid (Spain), Boston (U.S.A.), Silicon Valley (U.S.A.) and London (U.K.).

 

  1. 优化专业,贴合深圳产业发展

为大力实施创新驱动发展战略,形成梯次发展的产业结构和新的竞争优势,本届国际赛在原有互联网、先进制造、电子科技、生物与生命科技、材料与能源(含节能环保)5大行业赛基础上,针对深圳市支柱产业的发展,设置物联网、人工智能、金融科技3大专业赛。符合专业赛参赛条件的项目在报名参加行业赛的同时,可报名参加专业赛。

 

  1. Optimized competition categories tailored towards the industrial development in Shenzhen. 

In order to implement its innovation-driven development strategy and promote Shenzhen’s industrial structure, this year’s competition has added three new Professional Competition Categories to last year’s five Industrial Competitions Categories. They are:

 

Professional Competitions:

1) Internet of Things

2) Artificial Intelligence

3) Financial Technology

 

Industrial Competitions:

1) Information and Communications Technology

2) Advanced Manufacturing

3) Electronic Science and Technology

4) Biology and Life Science and Technology

5) Materials & Energy (including energy conservation and environmental protection).

 

Contestants may register projects under both Professional Competitions and Industrial Competitions, provided that they meet the required conditions.

 

  1. 创投汇聚,融聚资源共赢未来

参与本届国际赛的创投机构达40家。由深创投、松禾资本、东方富海、同创伟业、青橙资本等多家知名投资机构领衔,与大赛直接对接,组合形成总额250亿元人民币的创投资金池,对大赛优秀项目进行组合投资。在分站赛比赛期间,我市的投资机构、投资人将担任评委、导师,深入到各个国家和比赛地区,开展项目对接活动。所有参赛项目均可通过大赛投资对接服务平台获得社会资本的投资机会。同时,精选2家银行机构开展以“投融贷”“人才贷”等多种形式的金融服务方案,丰富落地企业在融资方面的多元选择,帮助参赛者更快发展。

 

  1. Gathering of venture capital investment and integration of resources. 

Up to 40 venture capital organizations will participate in the international competition. A number of renowned investment organizations represented by Shenzhen Capital Group, Shenzhen Green Pine Capital, Oriental Fortune Capital, Cowincapital and Green Orange Capital will connect directly during the competition and form a venture capital fund pool of RMB 25 billion (3.2 billion Euros) to carry out portfolio investment on outstanding competition projects. During the division competitions, investment organizations and investors from Shenzhen will serve as judges and supervisors and engage in project connections in different countries and divisions. All participating projects will be provided with social capital investment opportunities through the investment connection service platform of the competition. Meanwhile, two banks will be selected to offer various forms of financial service solutions such as “investment and financing loans” and “talent loans” so as to offer more options to the settling companies in terms of financing and facilitate the development of contestants.

 

比赛流程Schedule of the Competition

CONTENT DATE
Application Deadline February 28th
Division Competition The End of March
Internet Industry Finals April 10th
Electronics Industry Finals April 10th
Life Science Industry Finals April 10th
Advanced Manufacturing Industry Finals April 10th
Materials & Energy Industry Finals April 10th
Finals April 12th
Award Ceremony April 12th

 

大赛奖金Cash Prizes

CATEGORY PRIZE AMOUNT BONUS
Finals  First prize 1 RMB 1,000,000 (~€ 128,300)
Second prize 3  RMB 500,000 (~€ 64,000)
Third prize 6  RMB 300,000 (~€ 38,500)
Industrial Finals  First prize 1  RMB 150,000 (~€ 19,300)
Second prize 2  RMB 100,000 (~€ 12,900)
Third prize 3  RMB 50,000 (~€ 6,400)
Overseas Division

Competitions

 First prize 1  RMB 100,000 (~€ 12,800)
Second prize 2  RMB 50,000 (~€ 6,400)
Third prize 3  RMB 30,000 (~€ 3,800)

 

参赛资格Applications & Requirements

1)拥有创新成果和创业计划的海外高层次创业团队或个人;

2)计划赛后6个月内在深圳注册成立企业;

3)参赛项目的产品、技术或相关专利归属参赛人员,与他人无产权纠纷,因侵权产生的责任由参赛者自负;

4)获得历届深圳市在海外举办的大赛以及中国深圳创新创业大赛国内赛、国际赛奖项的选手不能重复参加本届大赛。

 

The Participants (Teams or individuals) should:

1) be those who have innovation achievements and business plans;

2) have plans of entrepreneurship in Shenzhen after the competition;

3) should possess full ownership of all rights related to the product, the technology and the patent, have no property dispute with any other person, and assume full responsibility caused by any possible infringement;

4) those who had won prizes in previous competitions held overseas by Shenzhen or awards in domestic or international of previous China (Shenzhen) Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competitions cannot participate in this Competition.

 

组织单位 Organizations

指导单位

国家科技部(国家外国专家局)

 

主办单位

深圳市人民政府

 

承办单位

深圳市人力资源和社会保障局

深圳市科技创新委员会

深圳市宝安区人民政府

 

瑞典斯德哥尔摩分站赛执行机构

深圳中欧创新中心

 

瑞典斯德哥尔摩分站赛合作机构

瑞典皇家理工学院 KTH

瑞典国家科学研究院 RISE

北欧华人创新创业协会

 

瑞典斯德哥尔摩分站赛支持机构

深圳市驻欧洲海外高层次人才联络处

瑞典卡罗林斯卡医学院 KI

瑞典光电子联盟 Photonic Sweden

华大智造MGI

Nordic Match

瑞中企业家协会

瑞典中国学生学者联谊会(CSSASE)

芬兰华人科技协会

北欧绿色邮报网

Nhack

北欧科萃

北欧中国初创论坛

 

Guiders:

Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government

 

Sweden Division Hosts:

Shenzhen Human Resources and Social Security Bureau

Shenzhen Baoan District People’s Government

Shenzhen Municipal Commission of Science and Technology Innovation

 

Sweden Division Organizer:

Shenzhen China-Europe Innovation Center

 

Sweden Division Partners and Supporters

Royal Institute of Technology

Research Institutes of Sweden

Nordic Chinese Association for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Shenzhen European Office Guangdong Province, P. R. China

Karolinska Institute

PhotonicSweden

MGI

Nordic Match

Sweden-China Entrepreneur Association

CSSASE

Association of Science and Technology in Finland

Greenpost.se

Nhack

Nordic Apiary

Nordic-China Startup Forum

 

报名方式Registration

报名时间

Registration Time

2018年12月1日-2019年2月28日

December 1st, 2018 – February 28th, 2019.

 

 报名地址:

Register now!

http://cn.itcsz.cn

 

也可以长按识别下方二维码报名

scan the QR code below to register now!

 

瑞典分站赛联系人

Contact person

Mirror Chen

T:+86 135 1063 2856

E:chenjingru@intebridge.com

 

James Zhou

T:+86 135 3069 0880

E:zhouxiang@intebridge.com

 

Svensk-kinesiskt samarbete kan digitalisera världens skogsindustri

Av Xuefei Chen Axelsson

STOCKHOLM, Dec. 30 (Greenpost) — Det svenska innovationsbolaget OTMETKA utvecklar system för att individuellt märka och spåra timmer i en automatisk process. Spårbarhet av timmer handlar inte bara om att säkerställa att virke avverkas lagligt och från rätt plats, utan också om en transaktion av data och därmed pengar. Nu vill OTMETKA bland annat med kinesisk hjälp digitalisera världens skogsindustri med sin smarta lösning.

– Morgondagens 4G/5G kopplar upp skördarna alltmer. Vet vi värdet på varje avverkad skogskubikmeter är det lätt att inse att digitaliseringen av skogen är en miljardindustri, säger Bengt Sörvik, CEO och grundare av OTMETKA, ett svenskt bolag med många patent inom skogsindustrin.

Varje år avverkas bara i Sverige skog för 35–40 miljarder SEK och under 2017 uppgick sågverksindustrin samlade exportvärde till 26,7 miljarder SEK. I princip all skog i Sverige är underkastad miljöcertifiering, FSC eller PEFC. Därmed finns också krav på att redovisa timrets ursprung, vilket idag sker med administrativa och ineffektiva pappersmetoder.

– Vi digitaliserar skogen ned på varje enskild stock och helt automatisk. Det är fel att dyrt insamlad produktionsinformation bara kastas bort efter att trädet är uppkapat till timmer, säger Sörvik.

Bygger på gammal beprövad teknik
OTMETKAs system för individmärkning av timmer bygger på en enkel, beprövad och äldre teknik med stämpelyxa. Det är en yxa som användes förr för att märka timmer då det flottades på älvarna till sågverken. Det var innan vägnät och lastbilstransporter var utbyggda.

Genom att skapa en matris av vridbara stansar i fasta lägen skapar OTMETKA en i princip oändlig nummerserie där tre saker kombineras: 1) positionen där trädet växte, 2) produktionsdata från skördarens dator och 3) en unik kod för varje enskild stock. Det patentskyddade systemet heter OtmetkaID och skapar globala, unika koder. När stocken kommer till sågverket läses den av med kamerateknik.

Global molnbaserad lösning för skogen
OTMETKAs affärsidé är att sälja teknik och information som licensierade tjänster via molnlösningar, som alla inom industrin enkelt kan koppla upp sig mot. Genom att erbjuda egna lösningar, men även partners plats i affärsmodellen, räknar bolaget med att bygga ett ekosystem av tjänster med ett övergripande mål om att effektivisera skogsbruket och använda råvaran ännu bättre.

– Då svenskt och finskt skogsbruk leder utvecklingen i världen och OTMETKAs metod kan appliceras över hela världen, räknar vi med att intresset kommer att växa snabbt. Vi tecknade nyligen ett samarbetsavtal med Salzburgs universitet i Österrike om att införa utökade biometriska analyser av stockens egenskaper ihop med OtmetkaID, säger Sörvik.

Huawei ny teknikpartner 
Just nu håller OTMETKA på att få sitt internationella genombrott. Bolaget har bland annat slutit avtal med franska globala certifieringsbolaget Bureau Veritas om att bygga en fullständig Blockchain-lösning från skogen via sågverksindustrin till slutkunden. Nyligen har också heminredningsjätten IKEA bjudit in OTMETKA till IKEA Bootcamp, för det ska hjälpa till att säkerställa råvarans ursprung.

Via kinesiska ambassaden har OTMETKA också träffat tekniktunga Huawei, som har flera nya tekniska lösningar inom skogsindustrin baserade på uppkopplad mobil internetteknik. Här hoppas Bengt Sörvik på ett samarbete för att ta fram nya produkter och tjänster:

– Huawei är en stark teknologi partner med entreprenörsanda och globala ambitioner. Vi på OTMETKA kan erbjuda Huawei våra djupa kunskaper inom skoglig artificiell intelligens, AI.

Tillbaka till rötterna i Kina
OTMETKA har också tagit de första kontakterna med Bank of China, via Counselor of Commerce Mr Han Xiaodong. Även kontakter med tre kinesiska skogsorganisationer – China Wood Protection Industry Association, China Timber & Wood Distribution Association och China National Forest Products Industry Association – är tagna.

– Det vore kul om våra olika tagna kinesiska kontakter kunde utvecklas till ett affärsmässigt och tekniskt samarbete. Min far föddes 1921 i Shanghai då min farfar arbetade på det svenska företaget Ekmanska Handelshuset i staden. Själv deltog jag i 1987 års Swedish Mount Everest-expedition från den norra sidan, en officiell expedition med inbjudan från de kinesiska myndigheterna. Vi klättrade nästan samma led som den stora kinesiska expeditionen gjorde 1963, säger  Sörvik.

Analysis: How Chabahar Survived US Sanctions?

By  Shoaib Rahim

STOCKHOLM,  Nov. 28 (Greenpost)–The United States imposed new sanctions, dubbed as toughest ever, on Iran on November 5. However, Afghanistan and India have received certain waivers from these sanctions. The exemptions allow India to continue to develop Chabahar port and construct its related railway link to Afghanistan’s border. Further, both Afghanistan and India would continue to import petroleum products from Iran. The exemption of Chabahar was stated to be related with the economic development, reconstruction assistance and humanitarian relief of Afghanistan. However, there are many reasons beyond Afghanistan factor that made the waivers less of a surprise.

In 2003, India agreed with Iran to make investment and develop Chabahar port in Iran on Gulf of Oman. However, the project was crawling owing to the US sanctions on Iran. In spite of US dissent, India went on to spend $135 million to construct Zaranj- Dilaram highway that links Kabul– Hirat highway with Chabahar port and completed it in 2009. In August 2015, sanctions on Iran were eased while tri- lateral agreement was signed among Afghanistan, India and Iran in May 2016.

The continued, albeit bumpy, progress on Chabahar port is not a surprise given its strategic significance. Chabahar occupies unique geo- political and geo- economic status in the light of regional and global politics. Chabahar competes with Chinese funded Gawadar port on the lines of strategic encirclement theory as well as provides gateway to India to reach Central Asia as part of its competition with China. Despite this, China has remained a strong supporter of the port due to its close political and economic ties with Iran. On the other hand, while US has continued to tighten the noose around Iran, it has had to show flexibility towards the project. This is mainly because these projects have potential to strengthen India geo- economically and geo- politically in line with its strategy to support India vis-à-vis China.

At present, President Trump’s Afghanistan and South Asia strategy announced in August 2017, underscored increased role for India in Afghanistan, which was warmly welcomed by both Kabul and New Delhi. Given the fact that India’s land route access to Afghanistan is barred by Pakistan, it is Chabahar that would provide a gateway to India to reach Afghanistan and ensure its desired economic and development assistance. In turn, Afghanistan would provide India land route access to Central Asia. These interventions align with the maneuvers to increase India’s influence in Central Asia to counter that of China in the region.

An important aspect in the India- US relations is the Russian factor. India has maintained delicate balance in its relations with Russia and the US. Despite close strategic bonding with the US, India has managed to preserve its historical economic, military and diplomatic ties with Russia amid turbulent US- Russia relations. For instance, the pendulum of India’s multi –billion- dollar arms trade with both countries swings either sides in spite of changing political- economic dynamics. Moreover, it was mainly Russia that pushed for the membership of India in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), an important regional platform. Therefore, any decision of the US that would restrict economic gains of India might affect India’s presence in current US orbit.

The waiver on oil imports granted to India also revolves around Chabahar. India is one of the top four oil importers world- wide while Iran ranks third on its list of suppliers. Therefore, in response to US pressure to cut oil imports from Iran to Zero by November 4, India made its intentions clear to defy and go against them, almost one month ahead of the deadline. Further, India’s stance to continue to buy oil from Iran at this critical juncture has implications for strengthening relations of the two countries and pave the way for long term partnership, including smooth implementation and operationalization of Chabahar.

Alternatively, India could have moved to other countries to meet its oil demand. However, Iran had already threatened that if India shifted to other countries as a consequence of sanctions on its oil trade, it would lose special privileges at Chabahar port. On the other hand, Afghanistan relies on Iran for transit route and imports including oil. The sanctions would might have disrupted trade and transit tries leaving a struggling Afghan economy in tatters. Hence, the exemption gives the country a sigh of relief.

Here, it is worth mentioning that China has expressed its support and interest in Chabahar from time to time. If Iran is frustrated with India at any stage and consequently engages China in Chabahar, it would severely dent the planned strategic gains of India around the project.

The unique strategic status of Chabahar earns it exemption from the toughest ever sanctions of the US.  However, the remaining sanctions would plague Iran’s economy. Therefore, while the project survives the sanctions, it would be hard for an economically weakened Iran to accelerate the pace and work together with India to fully operationalize the port and reap its economic gains.

Shoaib Rahim (Development Economics 2012) is an Afghan, Macro-economist, University Lecturer, TedX Speaker and Youth Activist. He founded ‘Gaheez – The Rising Afghanistan’, an initiative to engage youth in the development of Afghanistan.

The views expressed here only represents the view of the author.

Government proposes new powers for police to intervene in use of drones in certain cases

By Xuefei Chen Axelsson

STOCKHOLM, Nov. 8(Greenpost)–The police need greater powers to intervene in the use of unmanned aircraft, or drones. At the moment, the police have a limited capability to respond to security threats caused by drones. On 8 November, the Government submitted to Parliament a proposal for amending the Police Act, according to a statement from the government reaching here.

“Unmanned aircraft systems have become very popular, and this has created new kinds of security threats for which we aim to prepare with this proposal. Drones can be used for preparing or committing offences, such as covert filming or photography or industrial espionage. In addition, inexperienced or reckless drone users may pose a risk to their environment,” says Minister of the Interior Kai Mykkänen.

In future, the police could intervene in the use of drones when this is necessary to maintain public order and security, for example. Greater powers are also necessary for preventing offences and safeguarding significant state events.

The aim of the proposal is improve safety and security in society. The police could, if necessary, intervene in the use of drones by using force or such technical equipment that helps to disturb the connection between the drone and its remote control system or to take over control of the drone remotely. The police could forbid the use of drones, for example at the scene of an accident to prevent drones equipped with cameras being used to take photos or videos of victims of the accident and/or to prevent the disturbance of the work of the authorities.

Building sustainability 2018 held in Stockholm 绿色建筑大会在斯京举行

Xuefei Chen Axelsson

STOCKHOLM, Oct.24(Greenpost) — Building sustainability 2018 opened in Stockholm on Wednesday with co hosts of Stockholm Stad and Sweden Green Building Council.

Jeanette Reuterskiöld, President of Sweden Green Building Council spoke at the opening.

Anna König Jerlmyr, Financeborgrarråd, Stockholms City also spoke at the opening.

Monica von Schmalensee, arkitect of White arkitects gave a presentation about the sustainable future cities.

Then Svante Axelsson, National Coordination Fossilfree Sweden, Agneta Wannerstrom, Group leader on sustainable business development, Malin Löfssjögård, VD Svensk Betong, Swedish cement sector and Helen Axelsson, energy and environment director of processing owners in steel sector talked about the future in fossilfree competitivity.

Emma Hult, Environment party official talk about housing policies.

And then in the housing sector, Anders Sjelgreen, general director of housing agency, Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd,  VD of Swedish building industry, Maria Pleiborn, from WSP, Robert Vangstad from Nyhem Bostad, Claudia Wörmann, SBAB and HEnrik Friman from Andelsowner company M2 talked about how they will help realize fossilfree society.

Building sustainability 2018 will last two days to 25th and then on 26 there will be study visits to see how to build green buildings.

2018绿色建筑大会在斯德哥尔摩开幕。斯德哥尔摩市长安娜叶密尔出席并讲话。

会议主题就是讨论如何通过绿色建筑助推瑞典实现取消化石燃料的计划实施。100多位演讲者,200多代表参加了会议。

大会会期两天,第三天将到实地考察。

视频:桂从友大使出席一带一路高峰论坛和BRIX成立大会

北欧绿色邮报网报道(记者陈雪霏)– 中国驻瑞典大使桂从友9月28日出席第二届一带一路峰会和一带一路执行小组成立大会并发表重要讲话。请看视频实况:

桂从友大使讲话。 Ambassador Gui spoke at BRI summit.

Stephen Brawer spoke about BRI at the BRI summit and  BRIX establishment ceremony.

Kitty Smith spoke at BRIX and BRI summit in Stockholm.

Ali Kammandeh spoke at the BRIX establishment ceremony.

Liu Ying shared her experience in helping Swedish company to enter China successfully.

Host Hussein, Askary.

 

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2018 awards to scientist who finds the power of evolutionwin 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

By Xuefei Chen Axelsson

STOCKHOLM, Oct.3(Greenpost) — Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has announced the winner of 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Goran Hansson, Permanent Secretary  said the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2018 with one half to

Frances H. Arnold, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA

“for the directed evolution of enzymes”

and the other half jointly to George P. Smith, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA and Sir Gregory P. Winter, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK

“for the phage display of peptides and antibodies”.

According to a statement, the power of evolution is revealed through the diversity of life. The 2018 Nobel Laureates in Chemistry have taken control of evolution and used it for purposes that bring the greatest benefit to humankind. Enzymes produced through directed evolution are used to manufacture everything from biofuels to pharmaceuticals. Antibodies evolved using a method called phage display can combat autoimmune diseases and in some cases cure metastatic cancer.

Since the first seeds of life arose around 3.7 billion years ago, almost every crevice on Earth has filled with different organisms. Life has spread to hot springs, deep oceans and dry deserts, all because evolution has solved a number of chemical problems. Life’s chemical tools – proteins – have been optimised, changed and renewed, creating incredible diversity.

This year’s Nobel Laureates in Chemistry have been inspired by the power of evolution and used the same principles – genetic change and selection – to develop proteins that solve mankind’s chemical problems.

One half of this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded to Frances H. Arnold. In 1993, she conducted the first directed evolution of enzymes, which are proteins that catalyse chemical reactions. Since then, she has refined the methods that are now routinely used to develop new catalysts. The uses of Frances Arnold’s enzymes include more environmentally friendly manufacturing of chemical substances, such as pharmaceuticals, and the production of renewable fuels for a greener transport sector.

The other half of this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry is shared by George P. Smith and Sir Gregory P. Winter. In 1985, George Smith developed an elegant method known as phage display, where a bacteriophage – a virus that infects bacteria – can be used to evolve new proteins. Gregory Winter used phage display for the directed evolution of antibodies, with the aim of producing new pharmaceuticals. The first one based on this method, adalimumab, was approved in 2002 and is used for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel diseases. Since then, phage display has produced anti-bodies that can neutralise toxins, counteract autoimmune diseases and cure metastatic cancer.

We are in the early days of directed evolution’s revolution which, in many different ways, is bringing and will bring the greatest benefit to humankind.

The Laureates

Frances H. Arnold, born 1956 in Pittsburgh, USA. Ph.D. 1985, University of California, Berkeley, USA. Linus Pauling Professor of Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering and Biochemistry, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA.

George P. Smith, born 1941 in Norwalk, USA. Ph.D. 1970, Harvard University, Cambridge, USA. Curators’ Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA.

Sir Gregory P. Winter, born 1951 in Leicester, UK. Ph.D. 1976. University of Cambridge, UK. Research Leader Emeritus, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK.

Prize amount: 9 million Swedish krona, with one half to Frances Arnold and the other half to be shared between George Smith and Gregory Winter.

They will receive their prize from the hands of Swedish King Karl XVI Gustaf on Dec. 10.

视频:中国进出口商品交易会和中国国际进口博览会推介会在斯德哥尔摩举行

北欧绿色邮报网报道(记者陈雪霏)– 在瑞中企业家协会和北欧创新中心协调组织下,中国进出口商品交易会和中国国际进口博览会推介会14日上午在斯德哥尔摩斯喜来登大饭店成功举办。

瑞中企业家协会会长、北欧创新中心负责人张巧珍首先致欢迎辞。她说,广交会从1957年成立,已经走过了 61个年头,可以说,广交会,是伴随着新中国成长的 国际贸易盛会,也是见证中国改革开放的 国际贸易盛会。

几十年来,广交会加强了中国与世界的贸易往来,已成为中国外贸 第一促进平台。瑞中企业家协会、北欧创新中心,作为北欧企业与企业之间,企业与政府之间的信息交流、互帮互助、共赢发展的友谊桥梁与北欧创新孵化平台,我们非常荣幸,能够参与举办这次广交会推介活动。我们致力于优选并帮助适应中国资本和产业定位的北欧企业走进中国,愿意为寻求中国资金和中国市场的北欧项目,提供 产业政策解读、落地融资、市场化运营等的解决方案。广交会 一定是一个能够让您的企业和产品走进中国及亚洲市场最好、最便捷的平台。

中国驻瑞典大使馆商务处韩晓东参赞在欢迎辞中说,中瑞之间的贸易已经从以往的贸易逆差转向贸易顺差。这说明中国人民的生活水平提高了,对瑞典的产品需求增大了。因此,他欢迎瑞典企业到中国去参加广交会和中国进口贸易博览会。对于那些还没有报上名的,也可以参加11月13日在斯德哥尔摩举行的中瑞之间的绿色发展大会,期间也会涉及中瑞之间的贸易合作。

瑞中贸易委员会秘书长索德斯特罗姆在致辞中对中国对外贸易中心代表团的到来表示欢迎,她说,尽管现代社会有很多媒体,但是,都不能取代面对面的交往。广交会和中国进口博览会都为瑞典企业提供了很好的贸易和采购机会。因此,她呼吁瑞典企业和采购商到中国去参加广交会和中国进口博览会。她说,华为,沃尔沃也都是他们的会员。

瑞典投资促进署亚太区负责人佛雷德里克. 乌登费尔德 (Fredrik Uddenfeldt)也在推介会上致辞。他说,中瑞贸易非常强劲。瑞典向中国的出口已经超过对美国的出口。瑞典在中国的企业也增加了100多家,达到600多家。中国成为制造业的最佳选择,有些产品质量甚至超过了欧洲国家。广交会是个很有名气的品牌,希望大家能够抓住机会参加。

瑞典国家孵化器主席和银雪平孵化中心的CEO莱纳.米兰德( Lena Miranda)说,现在是中瑞之间真正做生意的时候了,人们不愿意到中国去只是学习考察,中国人来瑞典也不想只是考察,而是想真正做生意。因此,广交会和中国进口博览会,就是真正做生意的平台和机会,希望大家能去参加。

最后,也是最重要的是中国对外贸易中心副主席叶继奖先生对中国进出口贸易交易会和中国国际进口博览会的推介发言。

叶继奖先生说,中国政府致力于推动开放型世界经济的发展,中国正在更多地融入世界。世界的发展也离不开中国。61年来,广交会已经成为中外经贸交流合作的重要桥梁和纽带。在新形势下,广交会将进一步提高国际化、专业化、市场化、信息化水平,更好地发挥对外开放平台作用,为推动中国开放型经济发展、促进开放型世界经济发展做出新的更大贡献。

他说,中国目前是全球第一大货物贸易出口国,越来越多的中国产品在质量、技术和服务等方面已达到全球先进水平。广交会一直是采购中国产品的最好平台,是中国展会历史最长,规模最大,到会采购商最多且国别范围最广、商品种类最全,成交效果最好的展会,迄今已成功举办了123届。

截至到2018年5月3日,第123届广交会采购商到会20万3346人,来自214个国家和地区。为5年来最高水平,其中来自瑞典的采购商有667人。近年来,广交会已由过去单项出口平台升级为进出口相结合,买全球、卖全球的双向国际贸易平台。

第124届广交会将于10月15日至11月4日分三期在广州-中国进出口商品交易会展馆举办,欢迎各位企业家报名参加。

叶先生说,首届中国进口博览会将于今年11月5-10日在上海举行,有中国商务部和上海市人民政府联合主办。目前,已有来自五大洲的130多个国家和地区的2800多家企业确认参加企业展。国家贸易投资综合展展区已有80个国家和3个国际组织确认参加,70多个国家已确定了展示内容,涵盖货物贸易、服务贸易、产业状况、投资旅游以及特色产品等。

进口博览会同期将举办虹桥国际贸易论坛,论坛开幕式同时也是首届中国国际进口博览会的开幕式。广交会和进口博览会将为瑞典的参展企业提供开拓中国市场、拓展国际发展的最佳舞台,为双边贸易进一步增长提供巨大舞台。

他诚挚欢迎瑞典企业家到中国去参加广交会和进口博览会。

在推介会开幕之前,瑞中企业家协会会长张巧珍,中国对外贸易中心副主席叶继奖,瑞中合作委员会秘书长索得斯特罗姆,瑞典国家孵化器主席米兰达,瑞典投资促进署亚太区负责人乌登费尔德和中国驻瑞典大使馆商务参赞韩晓东等嘉宾进行了亲切交谈。

嘉宾致辞后,出席会议的瑞中企业家们积极进行了交流。100多个企业家出席了今天的推介会。

图文/陈雪霏

English version.

China likes to attract more Swedish buyers and sellors to “Canton Fair” and Shanghai CIIE Fair

Chinese navy commander talks cooperation in visit to Russian Arctic

The two navies have drilled together in the Baltic and Mediterranean seas in recent years.

 

China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning takes part in a military drill of Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy in the western Pacific Ocean, April 18, 2018. The Liaoning is similar to Russia’s aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov. (Reuters / stringer)

Last year, China and Russia held a joint naval exercise in the Baltic Sea. Now, during a visit by a top Chinese admiral to Severomorsk, the main base of Russia’s Northern Fleet, the two nations have discussed possible forms of between that fleet and China’s navy.

China has the world’s third largest navy, while Russia is the second largest after the United States. Since 2012, China and Russia have teamed up on several naval exercises. While the Chinese navy earlier has focused its area of influence near its own backyard, Beijing sailed warships to exercise with Russia in the Mediterranean and Black Sea in 2015 and in the Baltic Sea in 2017.

A possible future Barents Sea and Arctic exercise is not explicitly mentioned in the press release following Monday’s meeting in Severomorsk between Vice-Admiral Shen Jinlong of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy and Vice-Admiral Nikolay Yevmenov of Russia’s Northern Fleet.

“The parties discussed a set of issues related to the response to existing threats in the World Oceans, possible practical forms of cooperation in the interest of strengthening maritime security,” the Northern Fleet’s press release after the meeting reads. The meeting is called a “working visit”.

China is currently developing its navy to be capable of worldwide operations. Among other warships, four aircraft carriers are scheduled to be completed by 2025. Today, the only aircraft carrier in operation is the Liaoning, a vessel originally laid down in 1985 for the Soviet navy. With the breakup of the Soviet Union, though, construction was halted and Ukraine announced it for sale. In 1998, the Chinese navy bought it and completed it in 2012 as a training vessel.

The Northern Fleet has Russia’s only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov which is of the same class as Liaoning.

Admiral Kuznetsov is currently moored for extensive long-term repair at naval yard No. 35 Sevmorput in Murmansk. The work will last at least until 2022. Meanwhile, Russia’s naval fighter jet pilots have no real aircraft carrier at sea to practice takeoffs and landings.

One solution for the Northern Fleet’s pilots could be to team up with China for training on Liaoning, some military experts have been speculating in Russian media.

Whether joint training on China’s aircraft carrier was on the table for discussion in Severomorsk during the visit by Shen Jinlong’s is not known. The commander of the People’s Liberation Army Navy was after the meeting invited on board the Northern Fleet’s nuclear-powered multi-purpose Oscar-II class submarine Voronezh.