Briefs | Cross-border RMB settlement hits new high

Cross-border settlement in Chinese currency in south China’s Guangdong Province hit a new high in 2019, said a local branch of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), the central bank. Cross-border renminbi (RMB) settlement in the trade hub grew to 3.26 trillion yuan (about $464 billion) in 2019, thanks in part to the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, according to the PBOC Guangzhou branch. In 2019, cross-border RMB settlement occurred in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area reached 2.32 trillion yuan, up 17.3% from 2018. In July 2009, China approved a pilot program for cross-border trade settlement in RMB, embarking on the internationalization process of the Chinese currency.

Guangzhou seizes 820kg of drugs in 2019

Police in China’s southern city of Guangzhou seized 2,983 drug dealers and cracked down 2,750 drug cases in 2019, local office of narcotics control commission said on Sunday, reporting the annual crime figures. Altogether 820 kilograms of drugs were seized, with more than 2 tonnes of drug-making materials confiscated, the office said. A total of 13,425 drug users were found, and 6,748 were sent to mandatory rehab, according to the office. Throughout the year, customs authorities across Guangdong province reported several major drug busts. Cross-border teams involving authorities from Macau, Hong Kong and the mainland disrupted syndicate activities also trading in illegal narcotics.

Helicopters, drones help ease China’s travel pressure

Helicopters and drones are lending a helping hand in easing transportation pressure during China’s annual travel rush. To help guarantee smooth journeys, transportation authorities have begun using drones and helicopters to patrol expressways in the cities of Guangzhou, Zhaoqing and Shaoguan in southern China’s Guangdong Province, reported state media Xinhua. The vehicles can track traffic accidents quickly and help assist rescue workers to avoid traffic jams, according to transportation police in Guangdong. Authorities estimated that about 3 billion trips will be made during this year’s 40-day “chunyun,” or Spring Festival travel rush from January 10 to February 18, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.