Belitung Geopark Officially Becomes Global Geopark

The UNESCO Global Geopark Council (UGGC) designated the Belitung Geopark as a Global Geopark at the 211th Session of the UNESCO Executive Council which was held virtually, and chaired from Paris, on April 15, 2021.

At the meeting, together with the Belitung Geopark, there were 7 other nominations recommended by the UGGC to be designated as a new UNESCO Global Geopark, as quoted from a written statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sunday, April 18, 2021.

The UGGC trial took place on 8-9 December 2020. The corona virus pandemic caused the UGGC to not be able to evaluate all proposed geoparks.

The Belitung Geopark, which is located in the province of Bangka-Belitung, is one of the priorities in the discussion and has received positive recommendations for inclusion in the UNESCO Global Geopark list.
UNESCO recognizes the geological diversity of Belitung Island and the surrounding islands. This diversity includes landscapes, rocks, minerals, geological and tectonic processes, as well as the evolution of the earth in Belitung.

The Belitung Geopark is considered to be unique with its linkages between geological, biological and cultural aspects. The unique geological landscape of Belitung Island is home to a variety of flora and fauna, some of which are only found in Belitung, such as the Hampala fish and Toman fish. This biodiversity is used by the people of Belitung, including the use of herbal plants.

Through the UNESCO Global Geopark Program, Indonesia can utilize the Global Geoparks Network and the Asia Pacific Geoparks Network to share experiences and practices in managing sites by prioritizing aspects of education, science, local community empowerment, and sustainable development.

Belitung Geopark, is the 6th Indonesian national geopark included in the UNESCO Global Geopark list. Previously, there were Toba, Batur, Ciletuh, Gunung Sewu and Rinjani Caldera Geoparks. Indonesia also has many natural and cultural properties that are included in the UNESCO list, including 9 cultural and natural heritage sites and 18 biosphere reserves.

# Ant Group Allegedly Wants To Get Rid Of Jack Ma To Avoid Government Pressure
Financial technology giant Ant Group is reportedly trying to remove Jack Ma from the company in order to reduce pressure from the Chinese government. According to a Reuters report, Ant Group is looking for ways to get Jack Ma to sell his stake and give up control of the company.

A source close to the government and two people with ties to the company told Reuters that Ant Group had met with Chinese business regulators. During the meeting, the government signaled that removing Jack Ma could reduce state surveillance of the company.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Ma offered to hand over a portion of Ant's stake to the Chinese government in November last year.

Officials from the central bank, the People's Bank of China (PBOC), and the financial regulator China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) held talks between January and March with Ma and Ant separately. The possibility of Jack Ma leaving the company is a topic of conversation.
A spokesman for the Ant Group denied that they had ever considered divesting Jack Ma's shares. "The divestment of Mr Ma's stake in Ant Group has never been the subject of discussion with anyone," he said in a statement quoted by Reuters on Sunday, April 18, 2021.

It is not yet known whether Ant Group and Jack Ma will continue discussing the divestment of shares. "The company hopes that Ma's shares, which are worth billions of dollars, can be sold to investors who are in Ant or e-commerce affiliate Alibaba Group Holding Ltd without involving an external entity," said one of the sources associated with the company.

But a second source with ties to the company said that during discussions with the government, Jack Ma was told he would not be allowed to sell his shares to entities or individuals close to him. Another option is to transfer the shares to Chinese investors close to the government. "Every step will require the approval of the Chinese government," said both sources.

An Ant Group spokesman did not provide any comment from Ma. Meanwhile, Alibaba returned the question to Ant. Jack Ma's office did not respond to a Reuters request for comment via Ant. The State Council Information Office, PBOC and CBIRC, also did not respond to requests for comment.

Jack Ma's relationship with the Chinese government was in the spotlight earlier this year. Jack Ma had disappeared after criticizing China's financial regulatory system.

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# Chinese Government Remove Alibaba Group's UC Browser from the App Store
China removed Alibaba Group's UC Browser browser from the App Store after being criticized at the state television's annual consumer protection event for including medical advertisements by unqualified companies.

China has tightened up