TAIPEI -- Manufacturers in Taiwan expected their business outlook to improve slightly in the coming six months, while the service sector saw a lukewarm future in the same period, indicated the latest readings by Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (TIER) Monday.In its latest business outlook survey in February, the think-tank TIER said 43.1 percent of responding manufacturers expected better business in the coming six months, up 12.5 percentage points from the previous month, while 9.9 percent of respondents perceived a worsening outlook, down 8.4 percentage points from previous month.The manufacturing composite indicator for February 2019 adjusted for seasonal factors on moving average, moved up to 91.29 points from a revision of 89.68 points in January. The benchmark of 100 points was set in 2006.For the service sector, the TIER service sector composite indicator for February 2019 adjusted for seasonal factors weakened to 92.05 points, down 0.21 points from the previous correction.In addition, the TIER construction sector composite indicator for February 2019 adjusted for seasonal factors swung back to a slight increase by 0.41 points to reach 94.04 points in February, compared with a downward revision by 1.13 points at 93.59 points.Analyzed by sub-industries, the sentiments for 14 sectors, including yarn spinning mills, industrial chemicals, chemical raw materials, porcelain and ceramic product makers and automobile parts makers, worsened in February and will continue to in the coming six months.The sentiments for seven sub-sectors, including chemical products manufacturers, cement product makers, bankers and insurers, faltered in the February survey but are expected to improve over the next six months.The outlook worsened in February for 24 sub-industries, including food and edible oil manufacturers, and the sentiments are expected to remain unchanged in the coming six months. order rubber bracelets cheapfree rubber braceletsrubber band wristband makerdebossed rubber wristbandscustom medical bracelets
Wu Qian, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, addresses a press conference held on Thursday. [Photo from Sina Weibo] BEIJING - A new type of tank, the type 15 lightweight tank, has been commissioned by China's army, a military spokesperson said Thursday. Wu Qian, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a regular press conference. The spokesperson also revealed that in 2018, China has conducted nearly 40 joint drills and training sessions with over 30 countries, deepening friendship and mutual trust with other militaries. Such operations have been carried out with more in-depth exchanges, greater focus on real combat conditions and improved systems, Wu said. Regarding preparation for the 7th International Military Sports Council Military World Games, Wu said a total of 10,049 people from 93 countries, including 9,122 competitors and officials, 389 referees and 172 media staff, had signed up for the event scheduled for October 2019 in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province. In a review of China's naval escort missions, the spokesperson said that over the past 10 years, China has sent 31 fleets and over 26,000 officers and soldiers, escorting more than 6,600 Chinese and foreign ships and successfully rescuing or aiding over 70 ships. The fleets also carried out other missions, such as the evacuation of Chinese nationals from war zones, the search for the missing flight MH370 and supplying fresh water to Maldives, the spokesperson said.
