Briefly

Tech firms launch streaming standards

Alibaba, Bytedance and Tencent, all Chinese tech giants, have jointly released a new set of low-latency streaming standards to provide users with a better video streaming experience on mobile platforms. In recent years, mobile users have had an increasing demand for real-time broadcasting with low latency in streaming sports, games, online courses and e-commerce. However, despite a fast network, the livestreaming is still slow. Soccer viewers often see the goal on their phones later than the TV audience. The new open standard will reduce the traditional time lag from three to six seconds to less than one second, the companies said.

CDB raises support for spring farming

The China Development Bank, a development financial institution, has set aside 20 billion yuan ($3.2 billion) in special loans to shore up this year's spring farming. The loans will be used to facilitate agricultural production and help ensure the steady supply of important agricultural and related products, the bank said. Financial support will focus on the procurement, circulation and distribution of agricultural production materials, as well as the production and supply of grain, oil, vegetables, meat and other farm produce.

Meet focuses on rare earths sector order

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said on Friday relevant authorities concerned convened a meeting with several key rare earth producers on Thursday. Market players were asked not to speculate or hoard products amid the current price surges. The enterprises invited included China Rare Earth Group Co Ltd, China Northern Rare Earth (Group) High-Tech Co Ltd and Shenghe Resources. The enterprises concerned were told to do the following: enhance a sense of responsibility; ensure the safety and stability of industrial and supply chains; strengthen self-discipline; further regulate activities of production, operation, transaction and product circulation; improve the pricing mechanism of rare earth products; promote the sustainable and healthy development of the rare earth industry.

Xinhua - China Daily