Xi Jinping Meets US Secretary of State
On the afternoon of April 26, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. President Xi pointed out that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. Over the past 45 years, China-U.S. relations have gone through ups and downs, providing us with many important insights: the two countries should be partners, not rivals; they should help each other succeed, not harm each other; they should seek common ground while reserving differences, not engage in vicious competition; and they should be true to their word and resolute in their actions, not say one thing and do another. The three major principles I put forward—mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation—are both a summary of past experience and a guide for the future. President Xi emphasized that three weeks ago, I had a phone call with President Biden, during which we discussed considerations for stabilizing and developing China-U.S. relations this year, and I suggested that both sides should value peace, stability, and trust. I also stressed that "one who achieves great things can also accomplish small ones." The world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. How to respond to these changes is a question for our times and for the world. My answer is to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, which has become a banner of China's diplomacy and is welcomed by many countries around the world. The Earth is only so big, and humanity faces so many common challenges. The ancient Chinese said, "People in the same boat should help each other." I think what is needed now is "people on the same planet should help each other." Human society is closely interconnected, sharing weal and woe. Countries are intertwined with each other, and everyone should build the greatest consensus for achieving win-win and multi-win outcomes. This is China's fundamental starting point for viewing the world and China-U.S. relations. I have always believed that major countries should act like major countries, with broad-mindedness and responsibility. China and the United States should set an example in this regard, take responsibility for world peace, create opportunities for the development of all countries, provide public goods for the world, and play a positive role in global unity. President Xi emphasized that during my meeting with President Biden in San Francisco, I proposed five pillars: jointly fostering a correct perception, jointly managing differences effectively, jointly advancing mutually beneficial cooperation, jointly shouldering responsibilities as major countries, and jointly promoting people-to-people exchanges. These are the main pillars that should support the edifice of China-U.S. relations. Once the major principles are set, other issues will be easier to handle. China is willing to cooperate, but cooperation should be reciprocal. We are not afraid of competition, but competition should lead to common progress, not a zero-sum game. China adheres to non-alignment, and the U.S. should not engage in "small circles." Both sides can have their own friends and partners, but they should not target each other, oppose each other, or harm each other. China welcomes a confident, open, prosperous, and developing United States and hopes that the U.S. can view China's development positively. President Xi emphasized that there is a Chinese saying: "If you don't advance daily, you retreat daily." The same applies to China-U.S. relations. The stabilization of China-U.S. relations has not come easily. It is hoped that both teams will continue their efforts, actively implement the "San Francisco Vision" reached between me and President Biden, and truly stabilize, improve, and move forward China-U.S. relations. Blinken first conveyed President Biden's greetings to President Xi, stating that since President Biden's meeting with President Xi in San Francisco, both sides have made positive progress in bilateral exchanges, anti-drug efforts, artificial intelligence, and people-to-people exchanges. The world today faces many complex challenges that require cooperation between the U.S. and China to address. During my visit to China, all sectors of American society I encountered in China also hoped to see an improvement in U.S.-China relations. The U.S. does not seek a "new Cold War," does not seek to change China's system, does not seek to contain China's development, does not seek to oppose China through alliances, and has no intention of conflict with China. The U.S. adheres to the One-China policy, hopes to maintain communication with China, earnestly implement the San Francisco consensus reached by the two heads of state, seek more cooperation, avoid misunderstandings and misjudgments, responsibly manage differences, and promote stable development of U.S.-China relations. President Xi asked Blinken to convey his greetings to President Biden. Wang Yi attended the meeting.
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Xi Jinping Signs Presidential Orders
Chinese President Xi Jinping signed Presidential Orders No. 22, 23, and 24 on April 26. Presidential Order No. 22 states that the "Degree Law of the People's Republic of China," adopted at the Ninth Session of the Standing Committee of the Fourteenth National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China on April 26, 2024, is hereby promulgated and shall come into effect on January 1, 2025. Presidential Order No. 23 states that the "Customs Law of the People's Republic of China," adopted at the Ninth Session of the Standing Committee of the Fourteenth National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China on April 26, 2024, is hereby promulgated and shall come into effect on December 1, 2024. Presidential Order No. 24 states that the "Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Amending the 'Law of the People's Republic of China on Agricultural Technology Popularization,' the 'Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Minors,' and the 'Biosecurity Law of the People's Republic of China'," adopted at the Ninth Session of the Standing Committee of the Fourteenth National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China on April 26, 2024, is hereby promulgated and shall come into effect on the date of promulgation.
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Xi Jinping Exchanges Congratulatory Messages with Tanzanian President on 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Ties
On April 26, Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Xi Jinping pointed out that the traditional friendship between China and Tanzania was forged by the elder generations of leaders of the two countries. Over the past 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-Tanzania relations have withstood the test of international vicissitudes and grown stronger over time. In recent years, political mutual trust between the two countries has been continuously consolidated, and cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results, becoming a model of South-South cooperation. Standing at a new historical starting point, I am willing to work with President Hassan to carry forward the traditional friendship between China and Tanzania, turn the common dream of development and rejuvenation of the two countries and the grand blueprint of Belt and Road cooperation into reality, continuously enrich the substance of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, and make greater contributions to building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. Hassan stated that over the 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Tanzania and China, the solidarity, friendship, and sincere cooperation between the two countries have continuously deepened. Both sides respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and support each other in bilateral and multilateral affairs. Tanzania admires China's epoch-making achievements in economic and social development, expresses deep gratitude for China's support in the field of development, and will unswervingly support major initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative, strengthening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Tanzania and China.
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Xi's Chongqing Inspection Tour Sparks Enthusiastic Response: Striving for Greater Achievements in China's Modernization Drive
General Secretary Xi Jinping recently inspected Chongqing and delivered an important speech, emphasizing further comprehensively deepening reform and opening up, striving to build a major strategic pivot for the development of the western region in the new era and a comprehensive hub for inland opening up, and continuously writing new chapters of Chinese modernization in Chongqing. The vast number of cadres and people in Chongqing expressed that under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, they will fulfill their duties, work hard, and strive for excellence, making new and greater contributions to comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization. General Secretary Xi Jinping first inspected the Chongqing International Logistics Hub Park. The General Secretary emphasized that logistics is the "arteries" of the real economy. Building the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor is of great significance for promoting the formation of an opening-up pattern featuring "land-sea linkages at home and abroad, and East-West mutual assistance." The Chongqing International Logistics Hub Park is the departure station for China-Europe freight trains and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor rail-sea intermodal trains, with 62 international train routes covering over 500 ports in more than 100 countries. At the Chongqing Railway Container Center Station, the General Secretary had cordial exchanges with truck drivers, train drivers, stevedores, and station management personnel. Building the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle is a major strategic decision made by the CPC Central Committee. Currently, the two cities of Chengdu and Chongqing have jointly identified 35 industrial cooperation demonstration parks, with combined revenue exceeding 1.6 trillion yuan in 2023. The General Secretary emphasized that Chongqing and Sichuan should cooperate closely, continuously improve their development capacity, and jointly sing the "twin cities" song in the new era in the west. The Minzhu Village Community in Xiejiawan Sub-district, Jiulongpo District, is an old residential area that began renovation in early 2022. General Secretary Xi Jinping visited the community to inspect the renovation and convenience services, and listened to reports on improving grassroots governance efficiency and reducing burdens on the grassroots. Currently, the community focuses on the needs of key groups such as the elderly and children, implements grid-based management, and provides refined services to residents. Improving the modernization level of urban governance is a major issue that General Secretary Xi Jinping has always focused on. Chongqing's Digital Urban Operation and Governance Center includes 1 municipal center, 41 district and county (development zone) centers, and 1,031 town and sub-district centers. During his inspection of this center, the General Secretary pointed out that it is necessary to scientifically plan and construct big data platforms and network systems, strengthen joint command and multi-party coordination, and effectively improve execution. From building a modern industrial system to expanding high-level opening up, from modern governance of megacities to promoting integrated urban-rural development, General Secretary Xi Jinping put forward new requirements for Chongqing's development. The vast number of cadres and people expressed that they will be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and demonstrate greater achievements in the process of comprehensively advancing Chinese modernization.
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Li Qiang Presides Over State Council Executive Meeting
Premier Li Qiang presided over a State Council executive meeting on April 26, where he heard a report from the General Office of the State Council on the special inspection and research into optimizing the business environment, and deliberated and adopted the "Regulations on Disciplinary Actions for State-Owned Enterprise Managers (Draft)" and the "Decision on Adjusting and Improving the Catalog of Industrial Product Production Licenses." The meeting pointed out that optimizing the business environment is an important抓手(effective measure) for boosting social confidence, stimulating market vitality, and enhancing development momentum. It is essential to focus on the overall development situation and continuously strive to create a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and international, ensuring tangible results. Regarding the problems discovered during the inspection and research, relevant localities and departments should attach great importance to them, focusing on the pain points and difficulties in promoting fair competition, protecting the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises, breaking market barriers, expanding opening up, and optimizing government services, and propose practical and effective measures to genuinely solve them. Follow-up supervision should be strengthened, and "look back" inspections should be carried out in due course to ensure that all problems are rectified. For the opinions and suggestions collected during the inspection and research, relevant departments should analyze and study them one by one according to their respective responsibilities and actively absorb them when formulating and issuing policies. Typical experiences and practices should be summarized and promoted in due course. The meeting deliberated and adopted the "Regulations on Disciplinary Actions for State-Owned Enterprise Managers (Draft)." The meeting pointed out that strengthening supervision and management of state-owned enterprise managers is conducive to promoting their performance of duties according to law and clean conduct, and to the long-term development of state-owned enterprises. Law enforcement and accountability should be strictly enforced, combining the implementation of the regulations with rectifications identified during inspections, and firmly investigating and punishing illegal acts and holding those responsible accountable. Daily supervision should be strengthened, focusing on key areas and personnel, and frequently occurring problems, in accordance with the illegal acts stipulated in the regulations, to nip problems in the bud. A holistic approach should be adhered to, deeply advancing the reform and enhancement of state-owned enterprises, further improving mechanisms and plugging loopholes. The meeting pointed out that the production license system is an important institutional guarantee for the quality and safety of industrial products. For high-risk products that involve people's lives and property safety and public safety, research should be promptly conducted to include them in production license management and formulate implementation rules, strengthening access management and source control. Post-license supervision should be strengthened, severely cracking down on illegal and irregular acts related to quality and safety, and urging enterprises to genuinely assume primary responsibility for product quality. For industrial products whose production license management has been canceled, quality and safety risk monitoring should be strengthened, and random inspections should be intensified to effectively eliminate quality and safety hazards. Measures such as product 3C certification and national mandatory standards should be coordinated, and a batch of key and urgently needed standards should be formulated and revised as soon as possible, so as to drive quality improvement through standard enhancement. The meeting also discussed other matters.
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Li Qiang Signs State Council Order Promulgating Regulations on International Cruise Ship Port Calls and Supplies in Chinese Ports
Premier Li Qiang recently signed a State Council decree promulgating the "Regulations on Port Supply for International Cruise Ships in Ports of the People's Republic of China," which will take effect on June 1, 2024. The Regulations consist of 16 articles, mainly covering the following aspects: First, defining the scope of application. It stipulates that foreign-flagged cruise ships and Chinese-flagged cruise ships operating international routes shall apply the same rules when obtaining necessary supplies and related services during their stay in Chinese ports. Second, clarifying work requirements. It specifies the responsibilities of relevant departments under the State Council and local people's governments, and requires enhanced information sharing, coordinated cooperation, and service guarantees for international cruise ship port supply. Third, facilitating the supply of materials. Fourth, clarifying customs clearance facilitation measures. Fifth, balancing development and security. Adhering to the holistic view of national security, it stipulates that international cruise operators and providers of port supply materials and related services shall not endanger China's national security or harm public interests, and shall comply with Chinese laws and regulations during port supply activities.
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Ninth Session of 14th NPC Standing Committee Concludes in Beijing
The Ninth Session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) concluded its meeting on the morning of April 26 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Chairman Zhao Leji presided over the closing meeting. The meeting voted to adopt the Degree Law, the Customs Law, and the Decision on Amending the Agricultural Technology Popularization Law, the Law on the Protection of Minors, and the Biosecurity Law. The meeting voted to adopt the NPC Standing Committee's Decision on Approving the "Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Mauritius," the Decision on Approving the "Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the People's Republic of China and Nepal," the Decision on Approving the "Extradition Treaty between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Senegal," and the Decision on Approving the "Extradition Treaty between the People's Republic of China and the Hellenic Republic." The meeting also voted to adopt the report of the NPC Standing Committee's Credentials Committee on the qualifications of individual deputies. In addition, the meeting voted on relevant appointments and removals. After the completion of the voting matters, Zhao Leji delivered a speech. Zhao Leji said that this session deliberated nine draft laws and one draft decision, adopted three of them, heard and deliberated two reports from the State Council, decided to approve four treaties, adopted the report on deputy qualifications review and relevant appointments and removals, successfully completing all scheduled tasks. Zhao Leji pointed out that in accordance with the spirit of the Second Session of the 14th NPC, the 2024 work priorities of the NPC Standing Committee and the legislative, oversight, and deputy work plans have been adjusted and improved, reviewed and adopted by the Chairperson's Council, and officially printed and implemented. We must earnestly implement them, fulfill our duties according to law, and spare no effort to achieve the annual goals. Zhao Leji emphasized that it is necessary to continuously deepen theoretical study, consolidate and expand the achievements of thematic education, thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and in conjunction with the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the National People's Congress, summarize and promote the historical inevitability, advantages, effectiveness, and practical experience of the people's congress system. It is essential to adhere to serving the central task and the overall situation, based on the duties and positioning of the NPC, meticulously plan and solidly carry out work in legislation, oversight, deputy affairs, and foreign exchanges. In-depth investigations and research should be conducted, closely integrating research with NPC work to improve the quality and efficiency of work. We must be pragmatic and realistic, grasp objective laws, maintain a good mental state and work style, and implement this year's tasks one by one. Attention should be paid to leveraging the professional expertise of deputies and expanding and deepening their participation in the work of the Standing Committee and special committees. The requirements for the four-organ positioning must be implemented, comprehensively strengthening the self-construction of the Standing Committee and the party building of the NPC, and carrying out party discipline education in accordance with the arrangements and requirements of the Party Central Committee to promote the high-quality development of NPC work. After the closing meeting, the 10th special lecture of the 14th NPC Standing Committee was held, presided over by Chairman Zhao Leji. Sun Ninghui, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a researcher at the Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered a lecture titled "The Development of Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Computing."
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CPPCC Holds Remote Consultative Conference on "Deepening Multi-Scenario Application of Artificial Intelligence to Enhance High-Quality Development of Modern Industries"
The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held a remote consultation meeting in Beijing on April 26. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, presided over the meeting. He stated that since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has accurately grasped the trend of the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, and has regarded new-generation artificial intelligence as a driving force for promoting leapfrog scientific and technological development, optimizing industrial upgrading, and overall productivity enhancement, making solid strides in fostering new quality productive forces, building a modern industrial system, and promoting high-quality development. The CPPCC should thoroughly study and comprehend General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on the development of artificial intelligence and the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, so as to enhance the pertinence and effectiveness of its suggestions. Wang Huning stated that the CPPCC members should track the progress of China's artificial intelligence development and application, deepen research on important issues such as promoting basic research and original innovation in the field of artificial intelligence, the deep integration of artificial intelligence and industrial development, the deep application of artificial intelligence in areas such as people's livelihoods and social governance, and artificial intelligence governance and international cooperation. They should strive to put forward targeted and actionable policy recommendations to help artificial intelligence better empower the construction of a modern industrial system and high-quality development, and better create and serve the people's beautiful lives. Eight CPPCC members and two experts spoke via video link from the CPPCC National Committee机关 (headquarters), Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Anhui venues, as well as Beijing, Guangdong, and other locations. They believed that it is necessary to strengthen forward-looking and guiding research to drive the integrated development of artificial intelligence through high-level and large-scale applications. Data and computing power elements should be shared and integrated. Policies that incentivize AI innovation and ethical norms and safety standards for key professional scenarios should be improved, so as to develop a modern industrial system with high quality. Responsible comrades from the Cyberspace Administration of China, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology introduced relevant情况 (information) and exchanged views with CPPCC members.
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Li Xi Inspects Jiangsu
Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, conducted a research tour in Jiangsu from April 22 to 25. He emphasized that discipline inspection and supervision organs must thoroughly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important thought on the Party's self-revolution, earnestly implement the work arrangements of the Third Plenary Session of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, solidly carry out Party discipline education, strive to improve their enforcement capabilities, and push forward the comprehensive strict governance of the Party, the building of a clean government, and the anti-corruption struggle in depth, so as to firmly uphold the "Two Establishes" and resolutely achieve the "Two Maintains" through concrete actions of fulfilling their duties. Li Xi visited Nanjing University to learn about the progress of Party discipline education and held a symposium to hear opinions and suggestions on improving discipline inspection and supervision work in universities. He pointed out that carrying out Party discipline education is a major deployment made by the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. As an important front for comprehensively strict governance of the Party, universities should promote in-depth and solid Party discipline education with a high sense of political responsibility, organize teachers and students who are Party members to thoroughly study the "Regulations on Disciplinary Actions of the Communist Party of China," and effectively solve problems of not paying attention to, not understanding, and not mastering Party rules and disciplines. It is necessary to prioritize strict political discipline and political rules, adhere to and strengthen the Party's overall leadership over universities, and resolutely implement the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education. It is essential to grasp Party spirit, Party conduct, and Party discipline together, strengthen the construction of school style, academic integrity, and teacher ethics, eradicate the soil and conditions for corruption, and create a clean and upright environment for teaching and educating people. It is necessary to deepen the reform of the discipline inspection and supervision system in universities and continuously improve the level of performing duties in accordance with rules, disciplines, and laws. In Shizhu Lin Community in Liuhe District, Nanjing, and Luxiang Village in Wuzhong District, Suzhou, Li Xi had in-depth exchanges with cadres and the public, listening to their opinions and suggestions on rectifying Party style, enforcing discipline, and fighting corruption. He pointed out that the Party's mass discipline is an important guarantee for maintaining the Party's flesh-and-blood ties with the people and consolidating the Party's governing foundation. It is necessary to organically combine Party discipline education with the concentrated rectification of misconduct and corruption issues around the masses, make great efforts to punish "petty corruption," earnestly solve the urgent difficulties and worries of the masses, and promote Party members and cadres to enhance their awareness of serving the masses and ensure that the Party Central Committee's good policies for benefiting the people and enriching them are implemented effectively. At Nanjing Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. Smart Factory, Yangzhou COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry Co., Ltd., and Suzhou Nano Technology Co., Ltd., Li Xi requested discipline inspection and supervision organs to fulfill their political supervision duties and promote the implementation of the Party Central Committee's deployment requirements for developing new quality productive forces. Li Xi also visited the Museum of Modern Chinese History, the China Grand Canal Museum, and the Pingshan Hall Clean Governance Education Base, emphasizing the need to promote the integrity ideas in excellent traditional Chinese culture and continuously deepen the construction of clean government culture in the new era. During the research tour, Li Xi visited the Yuhuatai Martyrs' Cemetery in Nanjing, paid respects to the martyrs' sculptures and monument, and requested discipline inspection and supervision cadres to inherit the red gene, forge loyalty to the Party, and earnestly fulfill the responsibilities entrusted by the Party and the people.
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Han Zheng Attends and Addresses Opening Ceremony of Chengdu World Horticultural Exposition 2024
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng attended and delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Chengdu International Horticultural Exhibition in Chengdu, Sichuan, on April 26. Han Zheng stated that five years ago, President Xi Jinping pointed out in his important speech at the Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition that China is willing to work with all countries to jointly build a beautiful Earth home and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, which has received active responses from countries around the world. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, the Chinese government has continuously promoted green development, allowing the people to enjoy blue skies, white clouds, clear waters, green mountains, and the fragrance of birds and flowers, contributing approximately one-quarter of the world's new greening area and making active contributions to promoting the sustainable development of human society. Han Zheng emphasized that the world today still faces global environmental issues such as climate change and biodiversity protection, and the realization of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals remains a long and arduous task. All countries should join hands and work together to jointly promote modernization where humanity and nature coexist in harmony. Han Zheng proposed three initiatives. First, jointly build the foundation of ecological civilization. The ecological environment should be regarded as the foundation of human survival and development, respecting, conforming to, and protecting nature, and guiding the whole world to jointly build an ecological civilization. Second, jointly discuss governance and response strategies. The global governance concept of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits should be upheld, jointly improving the environmental governance system, exploring and forming sustainable development solutions, and promoting more pragmatic results in global ecological governance. Third, jointly paint the beauty of our Earth home. As the largest developing country in the world, China will actively assume international responsibilities commensurate with its development level and capabilities, strengthen dialogue on ecological civilization with all parties, and carry out extensive cooperation in areas such as biodiversity and climate change. The exhibition, themed "Park City, Beautiful Homeland," was attended by about 1,000 representatives from 54 countries and regions. Before the opening ceremony, Han Zheng toured the exhibition park, listened to reports, and took a group photo with the main Chinese and foreign guests attending the event.
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Shenzhou-18 Manned Spaceship Successfully Launched, Two Crews Meet in Space
Yesterday (April 25) at 8:59 PM, the Long March 2F Y18 carrier rocket, carrying the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship, was successfully launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, and the three astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu successfully entered space. Today at 3:32 AM, the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship completed autonomous rapid rendezvous and docking with the space station complex, and the two astronaut crews met in space. About 10 minutes later, the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship successfully separated from the rocket and entered its predetermined orbit, with the astronaut crew in good condition. The three Shenzhou-17 astronauts in the space station watched the entire launch process of Shenzhou-18 in real-time. Today at 3:32 AM, the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship successfully docked with the radial port of the Tianhe core module of the space station, with the entire docking process lasting approximately 6.5 hours. Subsequently, the three astronauts began to enter the Tianhe core module of the space station from the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship. At 5:04 AM, the Shenzhou-17 astronaut crew, who were on orbit, successfully opened their "door" to welcome the Shenzhou-18 astronaut crew to the "Tiangong" space station. Afterwards, the two astronaut crews took a "family photo" and jointly reported their safety to the people of the whole country who were concerned about them. Subsequently, the two astronaut crews will conduct an on-orbit rotation in the space station. During this period, the six astronauts will work and live together in the space station for approximately five days, completing various pre-determined tasks. The Shenzhou-17 astronaut crew is scheduled to return to the Dongfeng landing site on April 30. During their work and life in the space station, the Shenzhou-18 astronaut crew will conduct multiple extravehicular activities, carry out experiments and applications in fields such as microgravity fundamental physics, space materials science, space life science, space medicine, and aerospace technology, and complete tasks such as installing space station debris protection reinforcement devices, and installing and retrieving extravehicular payloads and extravehicular platform equipment.
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Domestic News Snippets
"China's Annual Report on Combating IPR Infringement and Counterfeiting (2023)" Released: The State Council Information Office held a press conference today (April 26), where the Office of the National Leading Group for Building a Strong Country through Quality released the "China's Annual Report on Combating IPR Infringement and Counterfeiting (2023)." The report presented the measures and achievements of China's efforts in combating IPR infringement and counterfeiting in 2023 from seven aspects, including continuous optimization of top-level design and a more完善 (sound) legal framework. China's Intellectual Property Protection Continues to Strengthen: Today (April 26) marks World Intellectual Property Day, and this year's theme is "Intellectual Property and the Sustainable Development Goals: Building Our Common Future with Innovation and Creativity." The National Intellectual Property Administration held an open day event. As of the end of 2023, the number of valid domestic invention patents (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) in China reached 4.015 million, making China the first country in the world to exceed 4 million valid domestic invention patents. Beijing Zhongguancun Comprehensive Bonded Zone Ready for Operation: The Beijing Zhongguancun Comprehensive Bonded Zone successfully passed national official acceptance today (April 26) and is ready for operation. It is the first comprehensive bonded zone in the country characterized by "R\&D innovation." National (Hangzhou) Short Video Base Unveiled, Series of High-Quality Creation Programs Released: The National (Hangzhou) Short Video Base, jointly built by China Media Group and the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, was unveiled today (April 26) in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. The two sides will leverage the base to utilize their distinctive advantages in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other areas, building a new hub for cultural leadership, technological innovation, and industrial agglomeration. The second season of "China Short Video Conference" and other high-quality creation programs were simultaneously released. "Leaders Talk" to Broadcast Exclusive Interview with Suriname President Santokhi Tonight: Tonight (April 26), China Media Group's CCTV News Channel's "Leaders Talk" program will broadcast an exclusive interview with Suriname President Chan Santokhi. President Santokhi expressed gratitude for the opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative to regional development. He looks forward to achieving win-win cooperation between Suriname and China in a broader range of areas. The program will also be simultaneously launched on new media platforms such as CCTV News, Yangshipin, and https://www.google.com/search?q=CCTV.com.
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Israeli Media: PM Approves Ground Operation Plan in Rafah
According to Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation on April 25, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) plan to conduct a ground operation in Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip. The report stated that the Israeli military informed the war cabinet meeting on the same day that preparations had been completed, and Israel is expected to "soon" ask Palestinian civilians to evacuate from Rafah. Meanwhile, The Times of Israel reported on the same day that the IDF had deployed dozens of tanks and armored vehicles along the border between Israel and the southern Gaza Strip. Palestinian Side Accuses U.S. of Supporting Escalation of Gaza Crisis: Palestinian Presidential Spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh issued a statement on April 25, saying that Israel's ground military operation in Rafah would lead to more Palestinian civilian deaths and displacement, and that the continuous military and economic support from the United States to Israel, as well as its use of the veto power in the UN Security Council, made the U.S. an accomplice to genocide. Continued Exchange of Fire Near Lebanon-Israel Temporary Border: From April 25 to 26, the exchange of fire continued near the temporary border between Lebanon and Israel. According to Lebanese media reports, the southern Lebanese town of Ayta al-Shaab was attacked with Israeli white phosphorus bombs, causing wildfires, and Lebanese southern hydraulic and electricity infrastructure was also attacked by Israel. The Israel Defense Forces stated that several towns on the Israeli side were attacked by Hezbollah militants, and the IDF dispatched warplanes to strike Hezbollah's infrastructure and military facilities. Yemen's Houthi Rebels Claim Attacks on Israeli Cities and Ships: Additionally, Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed on April 25 that they used missiles to attack the southern Israeli city of Eilat, as well as Israeli ships sailing in the Gulf of Aden.
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US Q1 Economic Growth Slows Significantly, Falls Short of Expectations
The U.S. Commerce Department's first estimate data released on April 25 showed that the real gross domestic product (GDP) of the United States grew at an annualized rate of 1.6% in the first quarter of this year, a significant slowdown compared to the fourth quarter of last year and the lowest level since the second quarter of 2022. U.S. media reported that this figure was much lower than expected. At the same time, U.S. inflation was higher than expected, and its upward momentum intensified. U.S. media analysis suggests that factors such as a widening U.S. trade deficit, reduced business inventory investment, and cooling consumer and government spending dragged down overall economic growth. Reports also stated that the slowdown in the U.S. economy reflects the pressure high interest rates are placing on the economy.
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Bank of Japan Maintains Interest Rates
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) decided today (April 26), after concluding its two-day monetary policy meeting, to keep its policy interest rate unchanged, maintaining the short-term interest rate at 0-0.1%, and to continue purchasing government bonds. The BOJ also raised its projected increases for Japan's core consumer price index for both fiscal years 2024 and 2025. BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda stated at a press conference today that Japan will maintain an "accommodative financial environment."
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Russia Claims Downing Ukrainian Drones, Ukraine Claims Striking Russian Air Defense Systems
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on April 25 that Russian forces have gained advantageous positions in multiple directions, including Donetsk and Kharkiv, and have struck Ukrainian foreign mercenary units, multiple rocket launcher systems, electronic warfare stations, and ammunition depots, shooting down approximately 200 Ukrainian drones. On the same day, Ukraine stated that its forces engaged in nearly 100 battles with Russian forces in directions such as Avdiivka, Bakhmut, and Lyman, striking Russian personnel and equipment concentration areas, air defense systems, and other targets.