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China’s effort helping drive greener future

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BEIJING, March 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from chinadaily.com.cn:

While blasting narratives that accuse China of “overcapacity” in green energy sectors, Liu Jieyi, a seasoned diplomat and senior official of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said that “many countries are exporting what they produce best, and you cannot call that ‘overcapacity'”.

Liu, a member of the Standing Committee and vice-chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, made the remarks in an exclusive interview with China Daily that covered a wide range of topics, including high-level opening-up, new quality productive forces and China’s whole-process people’s democracy.

The recent hostile narratives on China’s so-called “overcapacity” have targeted the country’s clean energy products, such as solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles and lithium batteries.

“If you measure the future needs of the world for green energy — at least according to the International Energy Agency’s projection — we are still falling short of the need to cope with climate change for green energy,” Liu said.

“Therefore, it’s not a matter of ‘overcapacity’. It’s a matter of more extensive use of green energy,” he added.

If one puts the label of “overproduction” and “overcapacity” on a country that is exporting to meet the needs of other countries, “then we have many such countries”, he said. “You cannot treat China differently simply because China is providing something that the world needs.”

He noted that many other countries welcome such a contribution from China with open arms, and “it is not right to confuse such competitiveness with ‘overproduction'”.

“The best thing would be to rise above narrow national interests and political considerations behind this trade protectionism and to work together with China … for the sake of a cleaner future for future generations,” he said.

Regarding high-level opening-up, Liu said the CPPCC National Committee has done a lot by holding seminars and consultations to look at ways that China can “achieve a greater degree of integration of the Chinese economy and global economic growth”, and it has contributed to policy recommendations and formulation.

“We look at what improvements we can make to pilot free trade zones, to different areas where we can open up and provide more and better market access,” he said when referring to the removal of restrictions on foreign direct investment in the manufacturing sector and giving greater market access to the service trade.

“Also, we are cutting short the negative lists,” he said. “We have provided great certainty in this very uncertain international environment.”

In response to growing global attention on China’s cutting-edge sectors and its pursuit of new quality productive forces, Liu cited the unique strength of the CPPCC National Committee in pooling talent and wisdom.

“It has members coming from different fields and professions — from academia, enterprises and people with background in government,” he said, noting that many members from scientific and technological sectors are leading experts in new quality productive forces including big data, artificial intelligence, biotechnology and quantum technology.

The members carry out consultations on the basis of investigations and research, including visits to factories, research labs and universities, Liu said.

“They try to find ways to further develop such productivity and, in the process, to make sure that younger generations are brought on board,” he added.

Noting that the CPPCC is a special consultative body, Liu said it is an important part of the country’s whole-process people’s democracy in terms of consultations and supervision.

He cited as an example a consultation held by the CPPCC on farming, with a live video feed from a sugarcane farm to the meeting venue in Beijing. “The participants, members and government officials in the consultations — some of them were ministers — could talk directly with the producers and farmers in the field.

“In this way, what happens at the grassroots is fed into the consultation process, is fed into either the implementation or the formulation of policy,” he said.

The CPPCC has exchanged frequent visits with other nations and international organizations, and Liu noted that the foreign guests coming to Beijing have often asked “what Chinese modernization is”, “why China has been successful in maintaining decades of robust economic development and social stability”, and “what the secret behind such success is”.

“The exchanges would look at these facts and the underlying logic of the success achieved by China,” he said, adding that the CPPCC will expand exchanges with counterparts in the international community.

“When they know more about whole-process people’s democracy and how to incorporate in it the people’s wisdom and strengths, they see that indeed there is a very good way for developing countries to move forward in today’s world,” Liu said. “They also see things in China’s success that are inspirational in their consideration of their way forward.”

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chinas-effort-helping-drive-greener-future-302396785.html

SOURCE chinadaily.com.cn

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MasonMade Ventures Founded to Transform Facilities Management

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Serial Entrepreneurs Launch Firm to Disrupt FM Industry through Software Solutions and Highly Technical Trades

NEW YORK, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Serial entrepreneurs Joseph Scaretta and Moses Carrasco announce the launch of MasonMade Ventures, an operational holding company that invests in, acquires, and expands critical infrastructure businesses. The firm’s investment strategy aims to solve complex industry gaps with a focus on software solutions and highly technical infrastructure trades in underserved markets such as fire suppression, material handling and vertical transportation. 

“Our firm is built by founders for founders, together solving gaps within our industry,” Co-CEO, Joseph Scaretta, said.

MasonMade offers a unique co-CEO model that pairs industry experts with operations and business development specialists, providing portfolio companies with the autonomy to operate independently while benefiting from strategic guidance, operational efficiencies, and scalable growth opportunities. As self-made entrepreneurs with two successful private-equity exits, Scaretta and Carrasco believe in a people-first culture where the investors actively support leadership teams by strengthening core capabilities while supplementing with complimentary skills.

“At MasonMade, we are dedicated to creating an environment where the businesses we serve can thrive,” Carrasco, Co-CEO and founder, said. “We will be partners in the growth of each company in our portfolio – to empower and enable facilities management entrepreneurs who have built their own companies from the ground up.”

MasonMade is not your average holding company. It is founded on a legacy of success and with the entrepreneurial vision of Scaretta and Carrasco who have been pushing boundaries since they first joined the facilities management industry in 2003 with their start-up Empire Facilities.

“Our firm is built by founders for founders, together solving gaps within our industry,” Scaretta, who serves as Co-CEO and founder, added. “We are back to disrupt the facilities management industry once again by driving sustainable growth in our portfolio companies while setting new standards of excellence to shape the future of the industry.”

MasonMade offers extensive industry expertise, strategic financial guidance, and a people-first approach. The leadership team’s dedication to fostering a people-first culture was reflected by multiple appearances on the Inc. 5000 list. Their commitment to making a lasting social impact is evidenced through philanthropic initiatives including Pop Ups for Good and the Young Entrepreneur Challenge, which will be relaunched in 2026.

The team at MasonMade Ventures is strengthened by the leadership of Desiree Russo and Rob Baird. Russo, who has 20 years of operational experience and innovative leadership in facilities management, is a Partner and will serve as Senior Vice President of Portfolio Operations. Baird, who specializes in optimizing financial structures and driving operational efficiencies, is also a Partner and will serve as Chief Financial Officer.

For more information about MasonMade Ventures, please visit MasonMade.co.

About MasonMade Ventures
MasonMade Ventures is an operational holding company founded by Joseph Scaretta and Moses Carrasco. The firm focuses on investing in and expanding businesses that provide critical infrastructure support services. With a people-first philosophy, forward-looking vision, commitment to operational excellence and dedication to entrepreneurial success, MasonMade is redefining the facilities management industry.

Media Inquiries:
Joseph Scaretta
Co-CEO & Founder
MasonMade Ventures
media@masonmade.co

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SOURCE MasonMade Ventures

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Northwestern Medicine and Vitestro Collaborate to Advance Autonomous Robotic Phlebotomy

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Collaboration to Address Global Staffing Shortages and Set a New Standard for Automated Diagnostic Blood Collection

CHICAGO and SAN FRANCISCO, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Northwestern Medicine, Chicago’s premier integrated academic health system, and Vitestro, a pioneer in autonomous robotic vascular access and diagnostic blood collection, today announced a multi-year collaboration to advance automation in phlebotomy and transform the patient experience.

As part of this collaboration, Northwestern Medicine will participate in a multicenter clinical trial validating the performance and safety of Vitestro’s Aletta™—the world’s first Autonomous Robotic Phlebotomy Device™ (ARPD™). The goal of the study is to generate key clinical evidence to support adoption of automated phlebotomy as a scalable solution for U.S. hospital and outpatient blood draw centers.

“At Northwestern Medicine, we are dedicated to pioneering innovations that elevate patient care and operational excellence,” said Gary A. Noskin, MD, senior vice president, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, and president, Northwestern Medical Group. “Our collaboration with Vitestro is a step forward in transforming diagnostic testing by automating venous blood collection. Through this relationship our goal is to improve efficiency, enhance sample integrity, and redefine the patient experience through cutting-edge technology.”

By automating and standardizing blood collection, this collaboration aims to:

Address critical phlebotomy workforce shortages by providing a scalable, automated solution.Enhance operational efficiency and patient throughput in high-volume hospital outpatient settings.Improve sample quality and integrity, reducing errors associated with manual venipuncture.Expand access to high-quality blood collection while enhancing patient comfort and overall care.

“We are privileged to collaborate with Northwestern Medicine in setting a new standard for laboratory automation,” said Brian Joseph, Co-founder of Vitestro. “Vitestro’s mission is to empower hospitals and laboratories with transformative robotic solutions that drive efficiency, improve clinical outcomes, and elevate the patient experience. This collaboration will further validate the role of automation in modernizing blood collection.”

As Chicago’s premier integrated academic health system, Northwestern Medicine offers patients access to world class, compassionate care at 11 hospitals and more than 200 diagnostic and ambulatory sites.

“Phlebotomy remains one of the last manual processes in laboratory medicine, and automation presents a pivotal opportunity to transform it,” said Gregory S. Retzinger, MD, PhD, Medical Director of Pathology Clinical Services, Northwestern Memorial Hospital. “This collaboration goes beyond evaluating autonomous robotic phlebotomy — it has the potential to solve urgent staffing challenges and redefining the future of laboratory medicine.

“We are proud to partner with Northwestern Medicine’s visionary leadership, who recognize the future in phlebotomy automation,” said Bob Gerberich, CCO of North America at Vitestro. “Their commitment, along with the work of our other U.S. clinical trial partners, will be instrumental in establishing a new standard in total laboratory workflow automation. This collaboration marks a defining moment in making autonomous blood collection an integral part of modern healthcare.”

About Northwestern Medicine
To learn more about Northwestern Medicine, please visit NM.org.

About Vitestro
Vitestro is a global leader in medical robotics, headquartered in the Netherlands, with deep expertise in engineering, robotics, and commercialization in both the U.S. and international markets. The company has developed and launched the world’s first and only CE-marked Autonomous Robotic Phlebotomy Device™ (ARPD™), setting a new benchmark for diagnostic venous blood sampling. By integrating advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and imaging technology, Vitestro delivers precision, efficiency, and an enhanced patient experience. While Aletta has not yet received FDA approval, Vitestro is actively preparing for regulatory approval in the U.S. and global expansion.

For more information, visit vitestro.com. 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/northwestern-medicine-and-vitestro-collaborate-to-advance-autonomous-robotic-phlebotomy-302404767.html

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Capital Credit Union Modernizes Operations and Positions for Growth with Jack Henry

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Credit union selects Jack Henry for long-term stability and support

MONETT, Mo., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Jack Henry™ (Nasdaq: JKHY) is pleased to announce that Capital Credit Union converted to Jack Henry’s Symitar® platform and complementary products to support its future growth. 

The credit union dates back to 1936, founded by state employees meeting in the North Dakota Capitol building with a mission to support financial well-being and provide reliable credit. Over the years, the credit union flourished, through organic growth and mergers to expand its reach and impact. Today, Capital Credit Union has over $800 million in assets, and it remains dedicated to supporting the financial success of its more than 32,000 members.

After experiencing eightfold growth in 18 years, the credit union’s existing core platform could no longer support its long-term growth objectives. It was crucial for Capital to find a provider that could enhance support and service while also positioning them to meet increased demands related to security and data encryption. The institution was impressed by Jack Henry’s strong reputation as the largest core provider for credit unions over $1 billion in assets and a leader in the $250 million to $1 billion asset segment. Capital Credit Union also valued Jack Henry’s dedication to, and reputation for, exceptional customer service and support.

“Our decision to convert to Jack Henry is an investment in the future of our organization and members,” said Kurt Schmidt, Chief Information Officer of Capital Credit Union. “We’re pleased with how thorough, responsive, and efficient the Jack Henry team has been, both from a technical and training perspective. While it’s still relatively early for us in the conversion process, Jack Henry’s user-friendly experience will empower more employees to work directly with the technology in areas important to us. This should help us with competitive differentiators while helping us free up resources that can be used to offer even stronger member benefits and service.”

The credit union moved to an outsourced core model, trusting Jack Henry’s comprehensive, broad-based system to maintain its technology while enabling employees to focus on meaningful differentiators and member service. For example, they’ve worked on increasing member security from a holistic perspective, along with additional workflow solutions and advanced reporting capabilities to improve their member experiences. By consolidating under one vendor, they gained integrated solutions and streamlined support, helping their technology and teams work more efficiently together. 

“We appreciate when credit unions like Capital Credit Union choose us for our innovation and service, which have been core to both our culture and success,” added Brynn Ammon, President of Credit Union Solutions at Jack Henry. “Capital Credit Union has been a cornerstone of its community for 90 years, and we are honored to be the technology provider of choice to help them continue that legacy.”

About Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.® 
Jack Henry™ (Nasdaq: JKHY) is a well-rounded financial technology company that strengthens connections between financial institutions and the people and businesses they serve. We are an S&P 500 company that prioritizes openness, collaboration, and user centricity – offering banks and credit unions a vibrant ecosystem of internally developed modern capabilities as well as the ability to integrate with leading fintechs. For more than 48 years, Jack Henry has provided technology solutions to enable clients to innovate faster, strategically differentiate, and successfully compete while serving the evolving needs of their accountholders. We empower approximately 7,500 clients with people-inspired innovation, personal service, and insight-driven solutions that help reduce the barriers to financial health. Additional information is available at www.jackhenry.com.

 

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SOURCE Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

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