On the morning of April 16, President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Xi Jinping noted that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Germany. Over the past decade, despite significant changes in the international landscape, China-Germany relations have consistently developed steadily, with cooperation in various fields continuously consolidated and deepened, providing impetus for the respective development of both countries. Currently, the world is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, and human society faces increasing risks and challenges. To address these issues, cooperation among major countries is indispensable. China and Germany are the world's second and third largest economies, and the significance of consolidating and developing China-Germany relations extends beyond the bilateral scope, having an important impact on the Eurasian continent and even the entire world. The two countries should view and develop bilateral relations from a long-term and strategic perspective, working together to inject more stability and certainty into the world. Xi Jinping emphasized that both China and Germany have made significant contributions to the progress of human civilization. There are no fundamental conflicts of interest between China and Germany, and neither poses a security threat to the other. China-Germany cooperation benefits both sides and the world. The more volatile the world, the more both sides should enhance the resilience and vitality of their relationship, adhere to cooperation as the main theme and development as the general direction of China-Germany relations, and firmly grasp the positioning of China and Germany as comprehensive strategic partners. China's policy towards Germany remains highly stable and consistent. Both sides should continue to engage in close exchanges with an open mind and enhance strategic mutual trust. As long as both sides adhere to mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences, exchanging and learning from each other, and win-win cooperation, bilateral relations will surely continue to move forward steadily and far. Xi Jinping pointed out that the industrial and supply chains of China and Germany are deeply intertwined, and the markets of the two countries are highly interdependent. Mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Germany is not a "risk," but rather a guarantee for the stability of their relationship and an opportunity to create a better future. Whether in traditional fields such as machinery manufacturing and automobiles, or emerging fields such as green transformation, digitalization, and artificial intelligence, the two countries have enormous potential for win-win cooperation that needs to be explored. Both sides should carry forward the distinct feature of mutual benefit and win-win results, and achieve each other's success. China's exports of electric vehicles, lithium batteries, photovoltaic products, etc., have not only enriched global supply and alleviated global inflationary pressure, but also made great contributions to global climate change response and green and low-carbon transformation. Both China and Germany are built on industry and support free trade and economic globalization. Both sides should be vigilant against the rise of protectionism, adhere to a market-oriented and global perspective, and view the issue of production capacity objectively and dialectically based on economic laws, engaging in more discussions on cooperation. China adheres to the basic state policy of opening up, and hopes that Germany will provide a fair, transparent, open, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises to develop in Germany. China and Germany have many commonalities on the issue of world multipolarization. Multipolarization should essentially involve mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among countries with different civilizations, different systems, and different paths. China and Germany should carry out independent multilateral cooperation to promote the international community to take practical actions to better address global challenges such as climate change, unbalanced development, and regional conflicts, and make more contributions to the balance and stability of the world. Scholz stated that currently, Germany-China relations are developing well, with close exchanges at all levels and in all fields between the two sides. Both sides successfully held intergovernmental consultations and high-level dialogues in strategic, financial, and other fields, and will also hold dialogues on climate change and green transformation. Over the past two days, I and representatives of German businesses visited Chongqing, Shanghai, and other places, and personally felt the great achievements of China's economic development in recent years, and were deeply impressed by the close and excellent cooperation between German and Chinese businesses. Germany is willing to continue to strengthen bilateral relations with China, deepen bilateral dialogue and cooperation in various fields, and promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges in education, culture, and other fields, which is crucial for both Germany and China and the world. Germany is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China, jointly address global challenges such as climate change, and is committed to upholding the multilateral international order and promoting world peace and development, not advocating confrontation. Germany opposes protectionism and supports free trade. As an important member of the European Union, Germany is willing to play an active role in promoting the healthy development of EU-China relations. The two leaders also exchanged in-depth views on the Ukraine crisis, stating that both China and Germany are committed to observing the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, opposing the use of nuclear weapons or attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities, properly resolving international food security issues, and observing international humanitarian law. Xi Jinping emphasized that under the current circumstances, to prevent the conflict from spiraling upwards or even getting out of control, all parties should jointly commit to restoring peace as soon as possible. To this end, the following principles should be observed: First, prioritize the overall situation of peace and stability, and do not seek self-interest. Second, de-escalate the situation, and do not add fuel to the fire. Third, create conditions for restoring peace, and do not further intensify conflicts. Fourth, reduce the negative impact on the world economy, and do not undermine the stability of global industrial and supply chains. China is not a party to or participant in the Ukraine crisis, but has always been promoting peace talks in its own way. China encourages and supports all efforts conducive to the peaceful resolution of the crisis, and supports the timely convening of an international peace conference recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation from all parties, and fair discussion of all peace proposals. China is willing to maintain close communication with all relevant parties, including Germany, on this matter. The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern, such as the Israel-Palestine conflict. Both sides agreed that UN Security Council Resolution 2728 should be implemented, preventing the escalation of the situation and avoiding further deterioration, ensuring unimpeded and sustainable humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, supporting an early negotiated settlement of the Palestinian issue on the basis of the "two-state solution," and calling on influential countries to play a constructive role in maintaining regional peace and stability and promoting a comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue as soon as possible. After the meeting, Xi Jinping and Scholz took a walk and had lunch together, engaging in further in-depth exchanges on a wide range of topics. Wang Yi participated in the meeting.
The 8th issue of "Qiushi" magazine, published on April 16, features an important article by Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, titled "Strengthen the Protection and Inheritance of Cultural Heritage and Promote Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture." This is an excerpt from important discourses by General Secretary Xi Jinping from August 2013 to September 2023. The article emphasizes that Chinese civilization has a long and unbroken history, shaping our great nation. Cultural relics and cultural heritage embody the genes and bloodline of the Chinese nation, and are non-renewable, irreplaceable excellent Chinese civilization resources. They belong not only to our generation but also to future generations. We must earnestly implement the Party Central Committee's work requirements of prioritizing protection, strengthening management, excavating value, effective utilization, and making cultural relics come alive, comprehensively enhancing the level of cultural relic protection and utilization, and cultural heritage protection and inheritance. The article points out the need to let cultural relics speak, history speak, and culture speak. Systematically sort out traditional cultural resources, making cultural relics collected in the imperial palace, heritage displayed on the vast land, and characters written in ancient books all come alive. Strengthen the protection and utilization of cultural relics and the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage, and improve the level of cultural relic research, interpretation, and dissemination. Deeply explore, inherit, and innovate excellent traditional rural culture, allowing China's long-standing agrarian civilization to display its charm and splendor in the new era. Strengthen support and assistance for the inheritance of national quintessence and the protection of intangible cultural heritage, strengthen research on ethnic minority history and culture, and forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. Promote revolutionary culture, inherit red genes, and effectively protect, manage, and utilize revolutionary cultural relics. Create a strong social atmosphere for inheriting Chinese civilization, educating and guiding the public, especially young people, to better understand and identify with Chinese civilization, and enhance their ambition, integrity, and confidence in being Chinese. The article emphasizes that the world is composed of diverse civilizations, and China is one of the countries with the oldest history and culture in the world. Chinese civilization has always appreciated mutual understanding and respect among different civilizations. We must strengthen cultural exchanges with all parts of the world, jointly promote cultural prosperity and development, cultural heritage protection, and exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, practice the Global Civilization Initiative, and inject deep and lasting cultural strength into the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
On the afternoon of the 16th, Premier Li Qiang held a welcoming ceremony for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's official visit to China at the East Gate Plaza of the Great Hall of the People. State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council Wu Zhenglong and others attended the welcoming ceremony. The military band played the national anthems of Germany and China, and a 19-gun salute was fired. Scholz, accompanied by Li Qiang, inspected the Guard of Honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Afterwards, the two premiers watched the march-past of the Guard of Honor.
Following the welcoming ceremony, Premier Li Qiang held talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Li Qiang stated that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Germany. Thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, China-Germany relations are currently developing smoothly overall, and dialogue and cooperation have achieved positive progress. President Xi Jinping met with the Chancellor this morning (April 16), charting the course for the further development of China-Germany relations. China is willing to continue to work with Germany to enhance understanding and mutual trust through dialogue, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results through cooperation, and promote China-Germany relations to continuously reach new heights and yield new results. Li Qiang pointed out that both sides should fully leverage the role of various levels of dialogue mechanisms, such as the China-Germany intergovernmental consultation, to comprehensively plan and coordinate the advancement of various cooperation efforts, promote more optimized and balanced bilateral trade development, create new growth points for cooperation such as new energy vehicles, further expand personnel exchanges, and provide greater support for exchanges and cooperation in local, cultural, sports, scientific, and educational fields. China will continue to provide a better business environment for German and other foreign enterprises to invest and operate in China. It is hoped that Germany will relax restrictions on high-tech product exports to China and take practical measures to provide a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises in Germany. The issue of production capacity should be viewed objectively and dialectically from a market-oriented and global perspective, based on economic laws. It is hoped that the European side will uphold market-oriented and fair principles and use trade remedy measures prudently. Scholz stated that China is an important partner for Germany. Germany is willing to strengthen dialogue and communication, deepen practical cooperation, promote people-to-people exchanges, and jointly address global challenges such as climate change, so as to achieve greater development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Germany and China. Germany opposes trade protectionism and is willing to work with China to create a fair competitive environment. Both sides unanimously agreed to implement the outcomes of the 7th China-Germany intergovernmental consultation and continue to deepen cooperation in fields such as economy, trade, investment, and science and technology. After the talks, the two premiers jointly witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation documents, including those on automated and connected driving.
On the 16th, Premier Li Qiang attended a symposium of the China-Germany Economic Advisory Committee in Beijing with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and exchanged views with the participating entrepreneurs. More than 20 entrepreneurs from China and Germany attended the meeting. Li Qiang stated that China, as the largest developing country, and Germany, as Europe's largest economy, represent important opportunities for each other's development. China is willing to work with Germany to expand, optimize, and strengthen bilateral economic and trade cooperation, to better benefit the people of both countries. Both sides should work together to continue the fine tradition of practical cooperation, maintain an open and fair market environment, and expand the space for mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation. Enterprises from both countries should strengthen industrial and innovation cooperation, continuously cultivate new growth points for cooperation, and achieve greater development. The Chinese government is willing to work with the German government to provide more policy support to make cooperation between enterprises of both sides smoother and more efficient, and promote the sustained, stable, and healthy development of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. Li Qiang stated that the current upward trend of the Chinese economy is continuously consolidating and strengthening. China's determination to expand high-level opening-up will not change, and its steps will not stop. China will continue to shorten the negative list for foreign investment access and implement national treatment for foreign-invested enterprises. We are continuously adjusting and optimizing arrangements for cross-border data flows and other aspects, and will continue to regularly listen to the opinions of foreign-invested enterprises and actively respond to and address their reasonable demands. China will continue to take practical measures to encourage more foreign enterprises, including German enterprises, to come, stay, and develop well. It is hoped that entrepreneurs from both countries will actively promote China-Germany cooperation and, at the same time, play a bridging role, contributing to enhancing mutual understanding and trust between the two countries. Scholz stated that China is Germany's most important economic and trade partner, and the economic and trade ties between the two countries are close, benefiting both sides. Germany attaches importance to maintaining and developing Germany-China economic and trade relations, opposes "decoupling," and will further deepen Germany-China economic and trade exchanges and expand practical cooperation. Germany welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in Germany. After the symposium, the two premiers jointly met with reporters. Wu Zhenglong participated in the above activities.
The 23rd Chairpersons' Meeting of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee was held on the morning of April 16 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Chairman Zhao Leji presided over the meeting. The meeting decided that the 9th Session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee will be held in Beijing from April 23 to 26. The Chairpersons' Meeting suggested that the 9th Session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee review the draft Degree Law and the draft Tariff Law; deliberate on the bill from the Chairpersons' Meeting to submit the revised draft of the National Defense Education Law for review; deliberate on the bills from the State Council to submit the revised draft of the Accounting Law, the revised draft of the Statistics Law, the draft Energy Law, the draft Atomic Energy Law, the revised draft of the Anti-Money Laundering Law, the draft amendments to three laws including the Agricultural Technology Popularization Law, and the draft decision on authorizing the State Council to temporarily adjust the application of relevant provisions of the Food Safety Law in the Hainan Free Trade Port; deliberate on the bills from the State Council to submit for approval the "Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Mauritius," the "Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the People's Republic of China and Nepal," the "Extradition Treaty between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Senegal," and the "Extradition Treaty between the People's Republic of China and the Hellenic Republic." The agenda for the 9th Session of the Standing Committee, as suggested by the Chairpersons' Meeting, also includes: deliberating on the State Council's report on the environmental situation in 2023 and the completion of environmental protection goals, and the report on the research and handling of review opinions on the special report on the management of state-owned assets of financial enterprises and the situation of rectification and accountability; deliberating on the report of the NPC Standing Committee's Credentials Committee on the qualifications of individual deputies; and deliberating on relevant appointments and removals. The Chairpersons' Meeting reviewed and adopted the 2024 work priorities of the NPC Standing Committee and its plans for legislation, supervision, and representative work, and reviewed and adopted the key supervision topics for suggestions from the Second Session of the 14th NPC. At the Chairpersons' Meeting, Liu Qi, Secretary-General of the NPC Standing Committee, reported on the draft agenda and schedule for the 9th Session of the Standing Committee. Relevant deputy secretaries-general of the NPC Standing Committee, and responsible persons of relevant special committees of the NPC and relevant working committees of the Standing Committee reported on relevant topics.
Major economic indicators released by the National Bureau of Statistics today (April 16) show that in the first quarter, production demand grew steadily, employment and prices were generally stable, and the national economy continued its upward trend, achieving a good start. According to preliminary calculations, in the first quarter, GDP reached 29,629.9 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.3%, with several core indicators showing steady growth. In terms of investment, in the first quarter, national fixed asset investment was 10,004.2 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4.5%, 1.5 percentage points faster than the full year of last year; investment in high-tech industries and high-tech services both maintained double-digit growth. In terms of consumption, in the first quarter, total retail sales of consumer goods were 12,032.7 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4.7%, and service retail sales grew by 10.0%; the widespread application of new technologies such as big data, the internet, and the Internet of Things led to online retail sales of goods, reflecting the development of new business models, continuing to maintain double-digit growth. Consumption contributed 73.7% to economic growth. In terms of imports and exports, in the first quarter, the total value of goods imports and exports was 10,169.3 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.0%, and the trade structure continued to optimize. New achievements were made in innovation and development. In the first quarter, the added value of industrial enterprises above designated size nationwide increased by 6.1% year-on-year, and the added value of high-tech manufacturing above designated size increased by 7.5% year-on-year, 2.6 percentage points faster than the fourth quarter of last year. New industries and new products flourished, with the output of products such as charging piles, 3D printing equipment, and electronic components increasing by about 40% year-on-year. Employment and prices remained generally stable. In the first quarter, the average surveyed urban unemployment rate nationwide decreased by 0.3 percentage points compared to the same period last year, and the employment situation generally improved. Consumer prices remained flat year-on-year, and national per capita disposable income nominally increased by 6.2% year-on-year.
The 135th Canton Fair entered its second day today (April 16). This Canton Fair showcases advanced manufacturing achievements, with over 1 million new products on display, over 250,000 products with independent intellectual property rights, and over 90,000 intelligent products such as brain-computer interface smart bionic hands and AI translation machines. Among the exhibiting enterprises at this Canton Fair, over 5,500 are national high-tech enterprises, manufacturing single-item champions, and specialized, refined, unique, and new "little giant" enterprises, an increase of 20% compared to the previous session. Many exhibiting enterprises are bringing new products, new technologies, and new processes, expanding into broader international markets with new quality productive forces.
Chongqing continues to consolidate its achievements in poverty alleviation, steadily enhancing rural industrial development, building beautiful and harmonious villages, and promoting new progress in rural revitalization. In April, as spring deepens, the traditional Chinese medicinal herb "Huangjing" in Huaxi Village, Zhongyi Township, Shizhu County, Chongqing, is seeing a bumper harvest. This year, Huangjing can sell for about 10 yuan per jin (approx. 0.5 kg), and villagers are harvesting it with joy on their faces. Huaxi Village is located in the Wuling Mountains, characterized by many mountains and little arable land. Through planting Huangjing, the village has established an industrial chain from seedling cultivation to deep processing, with an estimated increase in income of 5 million yuan this year. To continuously consolidate the achievements of poverty alleviation, Chongqing has focused on "local specialties" in recent years, implementing a trillion-yuan ecological specialty industry cultivation action, with nearly two-thirds of the rural revitalization衔接 funds allocated to industrial development. Today, Fuling's pickles, Yongchuan's Xiuyacha spring tea, Tongnan's lemons, Wushan's crispy plums, and Fengjie's navel oranges have all established markets domestically, becoming pillar industries driving local farmers' employment and income growth. In 2023, Chongqing's per capita disposable income for rural residents exceeded 20,000 yuan. To build livable and beautiful villages, Chongqing has also used the "Bayu Beautiful and Harmonious Villages Demonstration Creation Action" as a抓手 (grasp) to systematically implement three major renovation and rectification projects for rural toilets, sewage, and garbage. While purifying and beautifying rural housing, it has further promoted the comprehensive improvement of rural construction and governance levels. To date, Chongqing has cumulatively built 1,482 beautiful and livable villages above the municipal level, and over 100,000 "most beautiful courtyards"; it has created 6 national rural governance demonstration towns and 60 demonstration villages.
The National Cultural Heritage Administration announced today (April 16) in Huainan, Anhui, significant progress in the "Archaeological China" major project, focusing on new archaeological discoveries at the Wuwangdun tomb. Preliminary judgment indicates that the Wuwangdun tomb is the largest, highest-ranking, and most complex large-scale Chu king-level tomb discovered to date. Archaeological surveys and explorations have confirmed that the Wuwangdun tomb currently preserves important relics such as the main tomb, accompanying tombs, sacrificial pits, and a chariot and horse pit extending 148 meters, with the entire cemetery covering an area of over 2,100 mu (approximately 140 hectares). Since 2020, archaeologists have focused on excavating the main tomb, discovering over 300 wooden figurines, sets of bronze ritual vessels, and finding and collecting over 100 sentences of ink-written text, nearly a thousand characters, on the coffin lid boards; the number and variety of exquisite lacquerware are unprecedented.
Track laying for the Shanghai-Chongqing-Chengdu High-Speed Railway Wuhan-Yichang section began today (April 16). The Wuhan-Yichang section of the Shanghai-Chongqing-Chengdu High-Speed Railway has a total length of 313 kilometers and is designed for a speed of 350 kilometers per hour. It is planned to be completed and put into operation next year. Once completed, the travel time from Wuhan to Yichang will be reduced from nearly 2 hours to about 1 hour. The World Internet Conference Digital Silk Road Development Forum was held today in Xi'an. The World Internet Conference Digital Silk Road Development Forum was held today (April 16) in Xi'an, with the theme of "Connectivity and Shared Prosperity," attracting guests from nearly 50 countries, regions, and international organizations. The forum focused on discussions around three topics: "Digital Connectivity for Jointly Building the Silk Road," "Silk Road E-commerce International Cooperation," and "Digital Villages and Sustainable Development." A nationwide special rectification campaign to address complex hotel TV operations launched. Today (April 16), the National Radio and Television Administration, together with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and other departments, launched a nationwide special rectification campaign for complex hotel TV operations. This campaign aims to simplify hotel TV systems and improve guests' TV viewing experience. Continuous rainfall in Jiangnan and other areas; vigilance against severe convective weather needed. In recent days, southern China has experienced frequent heavy rainfall and strong convective weather, with rainfall in southern Jiangnan and eastern South China being higher than the same period in previous years. The National Meteorological Center predicts that from tonight (April 16) to tomorrow, rainfall will continue in the south, with heavy to torrential rain in some areas of Chongqing, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang. Meteorological departments remind the public that this round of rainfall has strong convective conditions, and local residents need to be wary of the adverse effects of severe convective weather. The three-episode TV documentary "Civilized Wind in the New Era" premieres tonight. The three-episode TV documentary "Civilized Wind in the New Era" will begin airing tonight (April 16) on CCTV-1 at 10:30 PM. The film showcases the solid progress, rooting, and deep public penetration of new era civilization practices across the country through real-life examples, figures, and stories, demonstrating the vibrant practice of cadres and the public actively striving for goodness and a better life.
The Israeli war cabinet met again on April 15 to discuss response measures to Iran's drone and missile attack on Israel on April 14. According to Israeli media reports, the meeting decided to respond strongly to Iran but hoped to avoid triggering a full-scale war, with specific response methods to be coordinated with the United States. Reports stated that the Israeli war cabinet is scheduled to continue meeting on April 16 to discuss the matter. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian stated on April 15 that Iran does not wish for regional tensions to escalate, but "if Israel seeks adventurism, Iran will immediately respond with a stronger and broader response." Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani stated that Iran's actions on April 14 were a response to Israel's bombing of Iran's consulate building in Syria and were legitimate self-defense based on the UN Charter.
The "International Symposium on the Concept of Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations" was held in France. The "International Symposium on the Concept of Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations" was held on April 15 at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France. Over 200 guests from more than 40 countries, regions, and international organizations, including UNESCO officials and representatives from member states, engaged in in-depth discussions. Participants called for promoting the spirit of inclusiveness, coexistence, mutual appreciation, cooperation, and exchange, to advance exchanges and mutual learning among human civilizations and peaceful development. Palestinian media reports Israeli airstrikes in Rafah and other areas. Palestinian media reported today (April 16) that Israeli airstrikes in the vicinity of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip caused casualties today. In addition, Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip and Beit Hanoun and Jabalia in the north also came under Israeli attack. After the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, a large number of displaced residents from northern Gaza began to return home. An Israeli army spokesperson stated on April 15 that the northern Gaza Strip remains a dangerous combat zone and urged Gaza residents not to return to the northern areas. Russia claims more advantageous positions, Ukraine claims striking Russian command posts. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on April 15 that Russian forces had taken more advantageous positions along the front line in the Donetsk direction. Russian forces reportedly destroyed a British-made L119 howitzer for the first time and shot down 270 Ukrainian drones. Russian forces also destroyed a Ukrainian battalion-level command and observation post. Ukraine stated that its air force carried out strikes on several concentrations of Russian personnel and military equipment, command posts, and ammunition depots. The Paris Olympic torch lighting ceremony held in Greece. The Paris Olympic torch lighting ceremony was held today (April 16) at the stadium and the Temple of Hera in the ancient Olympia archaeological site in Greece. On April 27, the Olympic flame will leave Greece by boat and arrive in Marseille, France, on May 8. French President Emmanuel Macron stated on April 15 that if security risks are too high, the plan to hold the Olympic opening ceremony on the Seine River might be abandoned. Historic building catches fire in Copenhagen, Denmark; spire collapses. One of Copenhagen's iconic buildings, the nearly 400-year-old Old Stock Exchange, caught fire today (April 16). The fire engulfed the spire on the building's roof, which has since collapsed. No casualties have been reported. The building currently houses the Danish Chamber of Commerce. The building was undergoing renovation when the fire broke out.
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