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BANGKOK J.R. Richard Jersey , July 11 (Xinhua) -- Experts attending the ongoing meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) hailed the Belt and Road Initiative as a new approach for Asian regional cooperation here on Tuesday.
Proposed by China in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, aiming at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes of Silk Road.
Most of the attendees noted that today's world is beset by thorny issues such as weak global economic recovery and growth and intensifying trade protectionism.
Jusuf Wanandi, senior fellow and co-founder of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies from Indonesia, said the Belt and Road Initiative has drawn up an ambitious blueprint in connectivity.
The Belt and Road Initiative is far more than a purely economic initiative, but a way of thinking and new solution for development, according to Chen Namchaisiri, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries.
Chen said the initiative has brought countries along the Belt and Road routes new types of economy such as e-commerce. ""People's life will be changed, once they have chances to join the supply chain of e-commerce,"" he added.
Surakiat Sathirathai, former deputy prime minister of Thailand, noted that the China's vision of connectivity is highly compatible with Thailand's national strategy.
He told Xinhua that the concept of digital connectivity sits well with Thailand's much-touted 4.0 strategy, which aims to pull the country out from middle-income trap through innovation industry. Under the initiative, Thailand and China will embrace further cooperation at a higher level.
The conference brought together approximately 300 leaders from various communities to brainstorm new approaches and challenges to Asian regional cooperation and identify new opportunities of cooperation in different sectors.
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Traditional playthings are perhaps becoming a thing of the past in China, as technology advances globally and incomes rise nationally. Shi Jing and Wei Tian in Shanghai report.
Smarter toys for smarter girls and boys.
That seems to be the mantra of Chinese parents who are buying more high-tech playthings for their kids to learn from, according to industry research.
Traditional infant and construction toys remained the top sellers on Amazon China's 2013 toy sales list. Each accounted for 25 percent of last year's sales.
But "smart toys", such as jigsaw puzzles and electronic gadgets, are rapidly catching up. Each accounted for 20 percent of last year's sales.
"Urbanites' demand for toys is beginning to change as incomes and quality of life improve," Hong Kong Trade Development Council Research Greater China principal economist Billy Wong said.
"There's a shift away from traditional, medium- or low-quality, battery-operated toys, construction sets and decorative toys toward innovative electronic toys and intelligent toys as well as upmarket plush and decorative cloth toys.
"High-tech electronic toys have caught on in recent years. Interactive, electronic toys with relatively high technology have emerged as mainstream items. Another growth area is smart toys that inspire imagination and creativity, and enhance in-hand manipulation skills. Toys for both learning and fun are well received by children and parents alike. Regardless of the children's age, parents' main motivation is to develop their intelligence and inspire their creativity and imagination."
Guangdong Alpha Animation and Culture Co Ltd, China's largest traditional toys and games manufacturer by market share, according to the data firm Euromonitor International, offers plenty of electronic toys, such as talking hippopotamuses and cashiers, and even a miniature "learning tablet" for 2-year-olds.
Leading international toymakers are also stepping into this market niche. Hasbro's Furby, a toy that has been around since 1998, was one of the best-sellers last Christmas. The owl-like robotic figure has a new incarnation, with more expressive LCD eyes and even its own Apple and Android apps. The updates were developed to add another dimension of interactivity, taking into account that many youngsters now spend as much time on tablets as they do running around.
The tech trend was evident at this year's Hong Kong Toy Fair, one of the industry's biggest happenings.
Children make toy block constructions at an animation show in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. Traditional construction toys remained the top sellers on Amazon China's 2013 toy sales list, accounting for 25 percent of last year's sales. Li Zhong for China Daily Children drive battery-powered toy cars at an international toy and animation exposition in Beijing. Electronic toys accounted for 20 percent of toy sales in China last year, according to a report by Euromonitor International. Zhao Bing for China Daily Children play online games in Taiyuan, Shanxi province. High-tech electronic toys and online games have caught on in recent years. Provided to China Daily A boy plays a cat's cradle game with an adult in Dongyang, Zhejiang province. This traditional kids' game is now seldom played. Bao Kangxuan for China Daily . Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Cheap Replica Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Football Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys