People in Beijing are spending less time at work than they did 20 years ago but also less time on leisure activities, according to a new survey. The average resident's work time was six hours and two minutes per day last year, a decrease of 27 minutes from 1996, according to the Annual Report on China's Leisure Development, which was released on Wednesday. The findings are based on questionnaires completed by about 830 Beijing residents last year and more than 430 in 1996. The survey also found that the average time respondents spent on daily necessities, such as sleeping and eating, increased by 82 minutes to 11 hours and 58 minutes. The time spent sleeping rose by 43 minutes to eight hours and 58 minutes, while time for eating went up by 29 minutes to one hour and 56 minutes. Women tended to spend more time sleeping, both in 2016 and 1996, according to the report, which was compiled by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Tourism Research Center. The change in how people spend their time arises from several factors, according to Wang Qiyan, director of Renmin University of China's Leisure Economy Research Center, who led the study. The development and improvement of science and technology has led to a surge in production efficiency, which enables people to work less and rest more, said Wang, a professor of statistics. In addition, after decades of continuous, high-speed economic growth since reform and opening-up in 1978, the economy has gradually slowed in recent years. And people have also changed to their own pace of living and tried to enjoy life. The survey also found that housework, including shopping, cooking and tidying up, take up less time for Beijing residents than in the past, although the one hour and 47 minutes a day spent on housework last year is only five minutes less than 20 years ago. Wang said the emergence of online shopping and the development of the logistics sector have provided more convenience to residents and contributed to lesstime for housework. The wide use of electrical appliances, such as microwave ovens, as well as the increasing popularity of takeout food, has greatly reduced the time people spend cooking meals, Wang added. [email protected]wristband comcheap silicone wristbands ukuv braceletbatman wristbandcustom made rubber bracelets
HONG KONG - Export index of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the second quarter of 2018 (2Q18) climbed to a 29-quarter high, indicating positive sentiment among local exporters for the first time in 12 months.Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) announced on Wednesday that the HKTDC Export Index, made to reflect exporters' confidence, stood at 54.1 in 2Q18, up from 49.4 in 1Q18. The results suggest that Hong Kong exports are likely to sustain their growth momentum over the near term.The index monitors the current export performance of Hong Kong traders and gauges their near-term prospects. Readings above 50 indicate positive sentiment, while readings below 50 indicate negative sentiment.Among major sectors, the indices for electronics and machinery performed exceptionally well, reaching 55.2 and 54.9 respectively in 2Q18, the highest levels since early 2013. Toys continued its uptrend seen in the last two quarters, rising to 53.2. Clothing, while staying in contractionary territory, also showed signs of improvement in 2Q18 with a 17-quarter high reading of 43.6.Overall, Hong Kong exporters have shown a strong reversal in sentiment, HKTDC Director of Research Nicholas Kwan said, adding that despite the mixed performances across sectors, exporters are generally positive about the outlook for major export markets.
