This issue is an overall combing of hot news during the Spring Festival, updating important information at home and abroad for you in a timely manner!
A lot of things happened during the Spring Festival, and new developments happened to immigrants in the United States, Greece, and Canada, is it a good thing or a bad thing for us? In addition, China continues to be conducive to globalization and is visa-free with 59 countries.
Japan's nominal GDP has fallen out of the top three in the world, how is the Japanese economy, is it a pit or an opportunity for investment and immigration?
Last week, OpenAI released another blockbuster "bomb", which may profoundly change the world. And the creative team also has Chinese.
Many people once again lamented "why did SORA not appear in China", and we seem to have missed the opportunity to catch up with the United States again.
There are also Chinese friends who are far away overseas should also be careful of telecom fraud, such a tragedy has happened recently.
Spring Festival blockbuster news
1.OpenAI has once again subverted the industry, and there are Chinese in the SORA team.
2.Japanese companies made money and Japanese stocks rose, but nominal GDP fell out of the top three in the world and was overtaken by Germany.
3.What is the impact of the big move on U.S. immigration in March?
OpenAI is disrupting the industry once again
There are Chinese in the SORA team
Once again, China missed the opportunity to catch up with the United States.
OpenAI recently released a number of artificial intelligence production in 60 seconds**, OpenAI text to ** toolFor the first time, SORA's achievements were presented to the world。It is named after the Japanese word for "sky", which means "unlimited creative potential".
Text-to-** AI tools are nothing new. However, most of the previous tools need to be based on keywords when usingProduce each sheet in the Frame by Frame, and then connect the ** together. The disadvantage of this technique is that once it is too long, there may be ** character changes or other incoherent problems.
And the first advantage of SORA is that it breaks through the problem of length and coherence
The window of the moving train is occasionally blocked, and the reflection of the characters in the train appears briefly.
In the past, the ** watchability of AI production was low, just like a novice who just knew how to edit, and it took a look at his head**, but now not only the aesthetics have been greatly improved, but it is also more difficult for you to find that it is done by AI.
This revolution means that the industry will be reshuffled again, heralding a new industrial revolution, and it has also made the creative team SORA the center of the spotlight and attracted the attention of the world.
In less than 48 hours, the entire creative team was picked up, with 13 people, led by fresh doctors, and post-00s participated, including 3 Chinese, one of whom graduated from Peking University with a bachelor's degree.
yufei guo, thisChinese researcherVery mysterious, although he did not leave a resume, he has left a name in OpenAI's two recent big projects.
GPT-4 Technical Report:
Dall·e 3 Technical Report:
Li Jing graduated from Peking University with a bachelor's degreeand then obtained a Ph.D. in physics at MIT. Postdoctoral research in collaboration with Yann Lecun at FAIR.
He is currently working as a researcher at OpenAI, including multimodal learning and generative models, and was involved in the development of DALL·E 3.
Ricky Wang is a Chinese engineer, graduated from UC Berkeley with a bachelor's degree, worked at Meta for many years, and joined OpenAI in January this year.
Many countries are extremely concerned about this innovation, worried that they will not be able to keep up with the new technological revolution, but OpenAI is actually not open, from GPT-4 to SORA, and the technical details are rarely announced.
In the process of constantly picking up public information, people found that many Chinese people were involved, such as the developers behind GPT-4, the seven teamsMore than 30 Chinese.
Thinking of the fact that only 20% of Qingbei students return to China, the remaining 80% of students are unwilling to return to China, and the recent scandal of Huazhong agricultural students jointly reporting their mentors, people can't help but ask, what is wrong with our scientific research field?
One is low-pay, everyone has to survive, if other places hand over better branches, how can individuals refuse?
Second, the status is lowIf you have less money, but you have the right to speak about scientific research, maybe it is not so uncomfortable, but the administrative leaders of schools and scientific research institutes have the final say, and scientific researchers are more obedient to the arrangement, and they know where to go compared with each other;
Third, in recent years, there have been many problems in higher education, there are rampant academic valves, academic fraud, and teacher misconduct, which also makes many students sigh that they are doing scientific research in ChinaIt's too complicated, to engage in relationships, take projects, and not concentrate on academics.
However, I believe that the overall environment will get better and better, but we need to pay attention to some core issues, such as why these people are buried in the country and become talents when they go outside? Why do we need foreign universities to train talents for us?
Orange is born in Huainan is orange, and born in Huaibei is orange, so why? It's time to understand the importance of the environment.
Japanese companies make money and Japanese stocks rise
However, nominal GDP fell out of the top three in the world
On the 15th local time, the preliminary statistical results released by the Cabinet Office of Japan showed that Japan in 2023Real GDP grew by 19%, but nominal GDP in dollar terms is $4.2 trillion, while Germany announced last month that its 2023 GDP was $4.5 trillion.
Germany has replaced Japan as the world's third-largest economy, it is not that the German economy is really outperforming Japan, mainly because of the depreciation of the yen against the dollar, in fact,The German economy shrank by 03%
Why is the GDP ranking crossed?
First, as everyone knows, Japan took the initiative to cut interest rates and depreciated against the dollar;
The second isHousehold consumption and investment by Japanese companiesThere has been a decline on both fronts. Although the increasing profitability of Japanese companies has also supported stock prices**, the benefits of corporate performance growth have not been passed on to household income and expenditure.
Real wages of employed workers in Japan have fallen for nine consecutive quarters, and wage increases have not exceeded price increasesConsumption has declined
In addition,Although Japanese companies are eager to invest, the actual production facilities have not increased。According to the Bank of Japan's December 2023 report, capital investment plans for industries of all sizes increased by 126%。
However, constraints such as labor shortages and delays in factory construction have hindered the completion of investmentsInvestment has also declined, and finally negative GDP growth in October and December 2023.
But skimming the rankings, you'll find:Japan's economy is actually growing。In 2023, real GDP growth will remain positive for three consecutive years. This compares to a nominal GDP growth rate of 57%, which is even higher than China's 46%, the first time since 1977 that it has caught up with China.
With the gradual recovery of the new crown epidemic, the development of the Japanese economy will continue, or the negative interest rate will be eliminated and then the interest rate will be raised to end deflation, then this year will also be a good period for investment and immigration in Japan, we have prepared a guide to investment and immigration in Japan, welcomeReply to [Japan].for information.
The March U.S. immigration backlog was slow
What is the impact of the shutdown of Form B?
The U.S. immigration schedule for March 2024 was released, and it was rare that there was not much movementOnly EB-1 Form A and EB-4 (Religious and Other Persons with Special Needs) are advanced
It is also important to note that Table B will be discontinued in March 2024!!
ps：1.Any schedule date with "no change" in this table means that there is no change from the previous month;
2.Form A: Publication of the date on which the green card may be issued;
3.Table B: The earliest date you can start filing a 1-485 change of status.
Tables A and B refer to the Visa Bulletin Board published by DOS (**) each month, indicating the bulletin board for each immigrant visa category.
The so-called priority date, look at Table A, if yoursThe priority date is earlier than the Form A cut-off date on the visa bulletin board, then your schedule is up.
WhileTable B is for the purpose of improving efficiency, without changing the entire immigrant visa quota system, to add some benefits to immigrant applicants.
For example, immigration applicants who have not yet arrived but have arrived on Form B can get temporary status in the United States in advance; It can also start the interview process at the embassy or consulate to improve the efficiency of visa issuance; Last year, the USCIS under Biden added another big benefit to overage children, relaxing the Table B lock-up age limit.
In addition, this time there is something to pay attention to:USCIS Announces the Closure of Employment-Based Immigration Category B Priority Date in March!
Form B is open for early filing of I-485 for applicants who are able to obtain a visa in the current fiscal year. Once USCIS deems that the I-485 is sufficient to use up the quota of visas that should have been issued for the current fiscal year, Form B can be closed.
The shutdown was most likely due to the large number of I-485 petitions filed in January of this year, when employment-based immigration moved sharply.
So don't panicJust wait for the next fiscal year to open againHowever, this shutdown also shows that we must hurry up and prepare.
Here is a separate talk about EB-5 investment. The closure of Table B means that for investors who want to live in the U.S. first ($500,000), it means that they will have to wait for the next fiscal year.
But for friends who are interested in the New Deal (starting in March 22), thenThere is still a chanceThe new bill ($800,000 invested in specific regions) is still non-backlogged, let alone restricted by Table B
So, interested applicants should seize the opportunity! With the increase in applications, it is certain that the backlog will appear soon.
New investors also need to realize that there is no official backlog, which does not mean that there will be no backlog for filing I-526 now, so friends who have plans should arrange it as soon as possible, and they can come to usStay up-to-dateLearn about the U.S. Immigrant Investor Approach, we have high-quality programs, and start consulting today.
Other immigration news
news1. Nationals from 59 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States and Japan, can enter Hainan without a visa
The National Immigration Administration issued an announcement that from February 9, 2024, people from Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Greece, the United States, Canada, Brazil, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and other countries will be allowed to enter Hainan without a visa for no more than 30 days for business, visit, family visits, medical treatment, exhibitions, sports competitions and other needs (except for work and study reasons). Such relaxation is a preparation for the Hainan Free Trade Port. Last year, Hainan began to carry out customs closure operationsBy the end of 2025, the entire province of Hainan is expected to transform into another unique economy that is close to the level of a special zone.
2. Greece's "** visa" may rise to 800,000 euros
On February 8, local time, Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis delivered a speech in parliament, saying that he was considering significantly raising the investment threshold for "** visa". Specifically,The investment threshold for urban centres and islands could be raised to €800,000。But Mitsotakis also pointed out that the €250,000 threshold can still be retained in areas where there is no housing pressure.
In addition, he arguesThe investment in the "** visa" should not compete with an ordinary apartment, and said that ** will intervene in this issue. **Also want to place this type of propertyLimited to long-term rentalsUses.
3. PTE has officially become one of the accepted achievements for Canadian immigration
On January 30, local time, the Canadian immigration department announced that the Pearson Test of English (PTE) has officially become a language test in Canadian immigration applications. PTE is an English proficiency test jointly developed by Pearson and GMAT, and was launched in 2009. The PTE test is similar to the TOEFL, which is finally scored by the computer, and the score is valid for two years from the date of the test.
4. Chinese citizens can apply for a 10-year multiple-entry business, tourism and family visit visa in Brazil
From February 19, 2024, China and Pakistan will issue visas valid for up to 10 years and allowed for multiple entries for each other's stays of up to 90 days for citizens of each other's countries entering each country for business, tourism or family visits. If necessary, the visa may be extended, provided that the total period of stay does not exceed 180 days within 12 months of the first entry.
5. After the visa exemption, the number of Chinese tourists coming to Singapore skyrocketed by 15 times
Since the visa-free Singapore on Chinese New Year's Eve, the number of Chinese tourists entering the country has doubled. According to the report of Shanghai border inspection data, three days after the release of the visa-free policy, about 10,000 people entered Singapore visa-free at the Pudong airport port alone, 15 times more than the same period last year. Visitors mainly come from Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hangzhou. As of February 8, the number of bookings of Chinese tourists booking travel to Singapore increased by more than 960% year-on-year, and Ctrip's word-of-mouth list was released on February 11, with Singapore's hot spot index as high as 998. The search growth has reached 1300%.
6. Bali charges an "island fee" for international tourists, which is nearly 70 yuan each time
On February 14, Bali** Province charged a "landing fee" of IDR 150,000 per person per person entering Bali from other countries or other provinces in Indonesia, and the payment is valid for multiple entries and exits within Indonesia (60 days). The relevant person in charge said that the purpose of this move is:To protect Bali's culture and environment, there is no need for local tourists to pay this feeIt can also be said that it is an island tax.
7. Confess! Chinese students may be sentenced to 23 years in prison after a car accident
On February 13, Du Yuhao, a Chinese student at the University of California, San Diego, admitted in court that he attacked a police officer with a gun after a car accident two years ago. Previously, he refused to plead guilty on the grounds of insanity. In 2022, Du Yuhao hit the isolation pier on the highway due to improper driving, and the patrol police rushed to the scene. After pleading guilty, Du Yuhao was charged with ** attempted crime and attempted seizure of law enforcement officers**, both of which were enough to face him up to 23 years in prison.
8. The daughter of the Chinese ship king in the United States died in a car accident
During the Spring Festival, 50-year-old Zhao Anji, the CEO of Fumao Group, died in a car accident. She comes from the most famous Chinese family in the United States, and her father Zhao Xicheng is known as the "Chinese Ship King" in the United States, and founded the American Fumao Group, which is the world's largest bulk shipping company. He also serves as co-chair of the Advisory Board of the Asian American Association and a member of the Young Leaders Forum of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, where he is committed to building bridges between East and West.
The Zhao family is famous for their children's education, and their six daughters are all from prestigious American schools, and the eldest daughter Elaine Chao has served two terms as Secretary of the U.S. Federal Department of Labor, becoming the first Chinese-American minister in U.S. history and a model for Asian-Americans to successfully struggle in the United States.
9. The Greek Chinese accompanied the mother to go bankrupt in a thought
The Greek Chinese accompanying mother suffered from telecom fraud and was defrauded of nearly 3 million yuan. **Acquaintance with her through a WeChat group claiming to be a Greek Chinese, at first it was just a daily interaction, and then she deliberately introduced the topic to life pressure, investment and financial management, etc., even if she was wary, it was still difficult to prevent. After more than half a year of interaction to gain trustIn the end, she not only emptied the funds on hand, but also took out a loan of nearly 2 million yuan. However, after she said she wanted to redeem the principal to repay the loan, ** immediately lost contact. At present, after reporting to the police, the money is still not recoverable.
10. A new base will be built at the Texas border to manage illegal immigration
On Feb. 16, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said a new base of operations for 1,800 National Guard members would be established in his border city of Eagle Pass to increase the number of soldiers in the state in the border city and further manage illegal immigration. In January, the state refused to comply with an order from the Supreme Court and the federal government to dismantle part of the barbed wire fence along the state's border, instead erecting more barbed wire and engaging in a standoff with the Federal Border Patrol.
11. More and more Asian-American employees are taking Spring Festival vacations, even if they are non-local holidays
A growing number of Asians say that although Chinese New Year is not a corporate holiday, they are also off on that day. Previously, California and New York have made the Spring Festival a legal holiday. The Lunar New Year includes the "Spring Festival" in China and Vietnam, the "New Year" in South Korea, etc., and is celebrated by about 2 billion people around the world.