CHINA STATE PLANNER deputy director Liu Dan said on the 20th at a press briefing the agency will continue opening public, industry and major-project scenarios to boost private-sector participation. It will work with relevant ministries, local governments, central SOEs and private companies on a series of matchmaking activities to convert scenario access and innovation opportunities into higher private investment and a larger private sector.

On Oct. 19, Jiang Wei, vice-chair and secretary-general of the China Iron and Steel Association, met André Gerdau Johannpeter, chairman of Brazilian steelmaker Gerdau. They discussed China‑Brazil steel industry developments, steel demand trends and countermeasures, the green low‑carbon transition, and measures to deepen bilateral industry exchange and cooperation.

Chile's foreign ministry said on Oct 19 it will resume consular services at its mission in Venezuela effective immediately. Initially the service will focus on issuing passports and national ID cards to Chilean residents in Venezuela and opening appointments for other consular matters. From Oct 26 two consular offices will progressively resume processing passports, ID cards, travel authorizations, notarizations and civil registry services for births, deaths and marriages.