Xi Jinping Holds Ceremony to Welcome Timor-Leste President
Chinese President Xi Jinping held a welcoming ceremony for East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People on the morning of the 29th, local time. A 21-gun salute was fired in Tiananmen Square. Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, attended the welcoming ceremony. Accompanying Horta on his visit to China were the Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and the Ambassador to China. The military band played the national anthems of East Timor and China. Horta inspected the Guard of Honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in the company of Xi Jinping. The two heads of state returned to the rostrum to watch the parade of the Guard of Honor. Horta's state visit to China was at the invitation of Xi Jinping.
Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Timor-Leste President
On the morning of July 29, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi Jinping pointed out that Mr. President is a founding father of East Timor and a pioneer of the friendly cause between China and East Timor. Your visit is the first state visit by a President of East Timor to China, which has important historical significance. China and East Timor have a long-standing traditional friendship. China was the first country to recognize East Timor's independence and establish diplomatic relations with it. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have always treated each other with sincerity and helped each other, setting a model of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and common development between countries with different political systems, development levels, and historical cultures. Two weeks ago, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was successfully held. China will further comprehensively deepen reform, promote high-quality development, and high-level opening up, which will bring new impetus and new opportunities for global economic development and bilateral cooperation. China is willing to work with East Timor to push the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries to a new level and better benefit the two peoples. Xi Jinping emphasized that China is willing to work with East Timor towards the goal of "three higher" to guide the long-term stable development of bilateral relations. First, firmly support each other and build higher-level bilateral relations. China firmly supports East Timor's efforts to safeguard national unity and social stability, and is willing to comprehensively deepen strategic coordination and development cooperation with East Timor, safeguard the sovereignty and security interests of both countries, and move towards the general direction of building a community with a shared future. Second, adhere to mutual benefit and win-win results, and carry out higher-quality practical cooperation. Focusing on cooperation in four key areas: industrial revitalization, infrastructure construction, food self-sufficiency, and improvement of people's livelihoods, and taking the signing of the cooperation plan for the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" as an opportunity, strengthen the alignment of development strategies, share experience and technology in water conservancy construction, water-saving irrigation, disaster prevention and mitigation, implement agricultural cooperation such as rice cultivation, and promote cooperation in fisheries and poverty reduction, to help East Timor's independent and diversified economic development. Third, jointly promote the cause of the "Global South" and carry out higher-level multilateral cooperation, promote the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. China is also willing to carry out more bilateral and trilateral cooperation with East Timor within the frameworks of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Horta stated that he has visited China many times since 1976 and has personally witnessed the tremendous changes that have taken place in China. Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has eliminated absolute poverty, which is a human miracle. Facing the profoundly evolving world situation, China firmly upholds multilateralism, proposed the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" and a series of important global initiatives, and facilitated reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as various Palestinian factions, making important contributions to regional and world peace and development, demonstrating China's role and influence as a peaceful and responsible global power. He thanked China for its long-term valuable support for East Timor's economic and social development and its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. East Timor hopes to further consolidate and develop its comprehensive strategic partnership with China, strengthen cooperation in areas such as food security and infrastructure construction, and help East Timor achieve independent national development. East Timor firmly adheres to the One-China principle, believes that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory, opposes "Taiwan independence," opposes external interference, and supports all China's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The South China Sea issue should be resolved independently by the countries concerned through negotiation, and East Timor is willing to work with China and other countries in the region to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea. I highly appreciate President Xi Jinping's great concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, which embodies the wisdom of ancient Eastern civilization, and I am willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China within multilateral frameworks. After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of the cooperation plan for the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" and multiple bilateral cooperation documents in areas such as agriculture, green development, digital economy, and air transport. The two sides issued the "Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste on Deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership." Before the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcoming ceremony for Horta at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. A 21-gun salute was fired in Tiananmen Square, and honor guards stood in formation to salute. The two heads of state ascended the rostrum, and the military band played the national anthems of China and East Timor. Horta, accompanied by Xi Jinping, inspected the Guard of Honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and watched the parade. At noon that day, Xi Jinping held a welcoming banquet for Horta at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Wang Yi participated in the above activities.
Xi Jinping Meets with Italian Prime Minister
On the afternoon of July 29, President Xi Jinping met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Italy are located at opposite ends of the ancient Silk Road. The long-standing friendly exchanges between the two countries have made important contributions to the exchange and mutual learning of Eastern and Western civilizations and the development and progress of human society. The spirit of the Silk Road, with its core of peaceful cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning, and mutual benefit, is a common wealth of China and Italy. Currently, the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. Countries connect and advance together, while isolation and division lead to decline. China and Italy should uphold and promote the Silk Road spirit, view and develop bilateral relations from historical, strategic, and long-term perspectives, and promote the steady and long-term development of China-Italy relations. Xi Jinping emphasized that the sound and stable development of China-Italy relations is in the common interests of the two countries and their peoples. Despite the continuous profound changes in the current international situation, China's willingness to attach importance to and develop good China-Italy relations has not changed, the win-win nature of China-Italy cooperation has not changed, and the friendly sentiments between the two peoples have not changed. The two sides should carry forward the tradition of friendly exchanges and continue to understand and respect each other's chosen development paths. China and Italy have complementary industrial advantages and are opportunities for each other. The two sides should adhere to mutual openness and cooperation. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has just concluded. China will continue to advance high-level opening up, inject strong impetus into Chinese modernization, and bring new opportunities for expanding cooperation with Italy and other countries. China is willing to work with Italy to optimize and upgrade traditional cooperation in trade and investment, industrial manufacturing, scientific and technological innovation, and third-party markets, and explore cooperation in emerging fields such as electric vehicles and artificial intelligence. China welcomes Italian enterprises to invest in China and is willing to import more high-quality Italian products, hoping that Italy will also provide a fair, transparent, safe, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises to develop in Italy. The two sides should cherish the achievements of civilizational mutual learning, promote the two-way promotion of cultural inheritance and innovation, and promote closer ties between the two peoples. China supports Italy in hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics and hopes that Italy will provide visa facilitation measures for Chinese citizens traveling to Italy. Xi Jinping emphasized that in the era of economic globalization, only by adhering to open cooperation in global industrial and supply chains can win-win development be achieved. China adheres to the path of peaceful development, never seeks hegemony, and is willing to share development opportunities with all countries. It is hoped that Italy will understand and support China's development concept and play a constructive role in promoting stronger dialogue and cooperation between China and Europe and promoting the positive and stable development of China-Europe relations. Meloni stated that she was pleased to visit China as agreed after their meeting in Bali in November 2022. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Italy and China and the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death. As ancient civilizations, Italy and China have always admired and learned from each other. In the profoundly evolving international situation, China, as an important major country, plays an irreplaceable role in addressing global challenges. Italy attaches great importance to China's international status and role, and is willing to inherit the long-standing Silk Road spirit, develop a closer and higher-level partnership with China, open a new chapter in the comprehensive strategic partnership between Italy and China, and make new contributions to world peace and progress. Italy firmly adheres to the One-China policy, hopes to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China, explore more potential, deepen cooperation between the two countries in trade and investment, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence and other fields, strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and promote more Italian products to enter the Chinese market. Italy opposes "decoupling" and protectionism, and is willing to play an active role in promoting the deepening and strengthening of relations between the European Union and China. The two sides issued the "Action Plan of the People's Republic of China and the Italian Republic on Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2024-2027)." Wang Yi participated in the meeting.
Xi Jinping Issues Important Instructions on Veteran Affairs, Emphasizing Effective Resettlement, Service, Education, Management, Role Activation, and Rights Protection of Veterans
The National Conference on Veterans Affairs was held in Beijing on the 29th. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, issued important instructions on veterans affairs, extended warm congratulations to the commended model units and individuals, and expressed sincere greetings to comrades engaged in veterans affairs. Xi Jinping emphasized that veterans are valuable assets of the Party and the state, an important force in promoting Chinese modernization, and veterans affairs concern reform, development, stability, and the cause of strengthening the military. In the new era and on the new journey, veterans affairs must demonstrate new responsibilities and new achievements. We must adhere to the guidance of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the spirit of the 20th and Third Pl Plenary Sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, implement the policy of serving economic and social development and serving national defense and military construction, focus on the needs of advancing Chinese modernization and the expectations of veterans, further comprehensively deepen reforms, continuously improve the organizational management system, work operation system, and policy and institutional system, and effectively resettle, service, manage, utilize, and safeguard the rights and interests of veterans, so that soldiers become a respected profession in society and veterans become respected people in society. It is hoped that the vast number of veterans will always maintain the true colors of revolutionary soldiers, strengthen their beliefs, devote themselves to the country, strive for achievements, and make new and greater contributions to building a strong country and realizing national rejuvenation in an all-round way through Chinese modernization. State Councilor Chen Yiqin conveyed Xi Jinping's important instructions and delivered a speech at the conference. She stated that General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions fully embody his high regard for veterans affairs and his cordial care for the vast number of veterans. It is necessary to conscientiously implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions, focus on the construction of Chinese modernization, further comprehensively deepen reforms, demonstrate new responsibilities and new achievements in serving the strong country and military, improving service and support levels, and preventing and resolving risks, lead the vast number of veterans to actively participate in the practice of modernization construction, and continuously open up a new situation for the high-quality development of veterans affairs. The conference commended 397 national model veterans, 100 national model units for veterans affairs, and 80 model individuals. Miao Hua, a member of the Central Military Commission, attended the conference.
Zhao Leji Meets Separately with Timor-Leste President and Italian Prime Minister
Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, met separately with East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Beijing on the 29th. When meeting with Horta, Zhao Leji stated that China and East Timor are traditional friendly neighbors. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Horta, the two countries have established a comprehensive strategic partnership, and bilateral relations have achieved leapfrog development. China is willing to work with East Timor to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, uphold and practice the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness, enhance mutual trust and friendship, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, and promote new and greater development of bilateral relations. The National People's Congress of China is willing to continue to maintain close friendly exchanges with the National Parliament of East Timor, strengthen exchanges of experience in state governance, such as legislation, supervision, and deepening reforms, and better serve the development and revitalization of their respective countries and the development of bilateral relations. Horta stated that China is East Timor's most important partner for cooperation and development. East Timor firmly adheres to the One-China principle and is willing to deepen cooperation in various fields, strengthen exchanges between legislative bodies, and better benefit the two peoples. On the afternoon of July 29, East Timorese President Horta visited Tiananmen Square to lay a wreath at the Monument to the People's Heroes. When meeting with Meloni, Zhao Leji stated that in recent years, under the guidance and promotion of President Xi Jinping and Italian leaders, pragmatic cooperation between China and Italy has continuously expanded, bringing tangible benefits to the two countries and their peoples. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy. The two sides should maintain a good momentum of exchanges, write a new chapter in the development of China-Italy relations, and inject more positive energy into the development of China-Europe relations and world peace and stability. The National People's Congress of China is willing to fully leverage the role of the regular exchange mechanism with the Italian Parliament, carry out multi-level, wide-ranging, and multi-channel friendly exchanges, and provide legal guarantees for pragmatic cooperation between the two countries. Meloni stated that Italy-China relations are long-standing and stable, bridging the gap to enhance friendship between East and West throughout brilliant history. She hoped that the legislative bodies of the two sides would strengthen exchanges, promote cooperation in trade, economy, culture, and other fields, and promote the healthy and stable development of Italy-China and Europe-China relations. Wang Dongming participated in the above meetings.
CPPCC Holds Bi-Weekly Consultation Session on Deepening University Education Reform and Enhancing Independent Talent Cultivation; Wang Huning Presides
The 22nd bi-weekly consultation meeting of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) was held in Beijing on the 29th. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China 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 as its core has attached great importance to education work, deeply implemented the strategy of strengthening the country through education, solidly promoted the reform of higher education, comprehensively improved the quality of independent talent cultivation, and promoted historical achievements in higher education and talent cultivation in the new era. It is necessary to deeply study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's series of new ideas, new viewpoints, and new conclusions on comprehensively deepening reform, implement the deployment of deepening comprehensive education reform by the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, enhance the pertinence and effectiveness of performing duties and offering advice, and serving the overall situation, and promote the consultation and deliberation to better focus on and exert efforts towards further comprehensively deepening reform. Wang Huning stated that the vast number of CPPCC members should deepen their research on issues related to higher education reform and independent talent cultivation, and put forward more precise, pragmatic, and effective policy recommendations. It is necessary to deeply publicize and explain the decision and deployment of coordinating and promoting the integrated reform of education, science and technology, and talent systems and mechanisms, and widely build consensus on reform. It is necessary to base themselves on their own positions, leverage their own advantages, and actively assist in the reform and development of higher education and independent talent cultivation. Ten CPPCC National Committee members and experts spoke. They believed that it is necessary to anchor the goal of building a strong country through education, strengthen ideological and political guidance, adhere to the correct direction of cultivating people, deepen higher education reform, establish a through mechanism between basic education and higher education, promote innovation in university talent cultivation models with artificial intelligence, strengthen the integration of industry and education, and the integration of science and education, consolidate demand-driven and interdisciplinary empowerment to cultivate top innovative talents, and build an international scientific and technological innovation platform and a high-level talent cultivation system to lay a solid talent foundation for the development of new productive forces. Responsible comrades from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology introduced relevant situations and held consultations and exchanges with CPPCC members.
Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee: Central Preaching Group Promotes Spirit in Various Regions and Departments
Members of the Central Lecturing Group for studying and implementing the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee gave lectures in various regions and departments, and interacted with cadres and the public at the grassroots level. Yin Li, a member of the Central Lecturing Group, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee, delivered a lecture report in Beijing today (July 29). In his report, Yin Li made a comprehensive and systematic exposition and lecture, combining it with Beijing's actual situation, from profoundly understanding the great significance of the plenary session, and deeply studying and comprehending the new ideas, new viewpoints, and new conclusions on comprehensively deepening reform. Yin Li also interacted with enterprise representatives, grassroots cadres, and the public, and deeply studied and publicized the spirit of the plenary session on issues such as scientific and technological innovation. He Lifeng, a member of the Central Lecturing Group, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice Premier of the State Council, delivered a lecture report at the Ministry of Commerce today. He emphasized that it is necessary to deeply study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the "Decision" of the plenary session, effectively unify thinking and actions with the decisions and deployments of the plenary session, and ensure the implementation of various reform tasks in the business sector. Zhang Guoqing, a member of the Central Lecturing Group, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice Premier of the State Council, delivered a lecture report at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology today. He profoundly expounded the great significance of holding the plenary session and making the "Decision," and elaborated on the background, orientation, and connotation of the major reform measures proposed in the "Decision," requiring the industrial and information technology system to accelerate the implementation of reform tasks to provide strong impetus and institutional guarantees for promoting new industrialization. Yuan Jiajun, a member of the Central Lecturing Group, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Secretary of the Chongqing Municipal Party Committee, delivered a lecture report in Chongqing today. Yuan Jiajun deeply expounded and interpreted the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and comprehensively and accurately understood the general goal, major principles, and major measures of further comprehensively deepening reform proposed in the "Decision" of the plenary session. Recently, Yuan Jiajun also visited industrial parks, scientific and technological innovation enterprises, and other places to give on-site lectures on the spirit of the plenary session and interact with frontline cadres and employees.
Promoting High-Quality Development Series Press Conference: China's Intellectual Property Sector Achieves Breakthrough Progress
The State Council Information Office held a series of press conferences on promoting high-quality development today (July 29). The head of the National Intellectual Property Administration introduced the overall situation of reform and development in the field of intellectual property. As of June this year, the number of valid domestic invention patents in China reached 4.425 million, and the proportion of invention patents held by enterprises increased to 72.8%, indicating more active enterprise innovation. China has deeply implemented special actions for the transformation and utilization of patents. In the first half of this year, the number of patent transfers and licenses by universities and research institutions nationwide increased by 22.2% year-on-year, and a number of high-value patents were rapidly put into practice in high-end, intelligent, and green industrial scenarios. From January to May this year, the total import and export value of intellectual property royalties reached 180 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 14.1%. China's intellectual property services have been comprehensively improved to benefit people and enterprises. The average examination period for invention patents has been reduced to 15.7 months, and the average examination period for trademark registration has remained stable at 4 months, both reaching internationally advanced levels under similar examination systems. China's international intellectual property cooperation has contributed to high-level opening up. As of June this year, the number of valid foreign invention patents and registered trademarks in China reached 919,000 and 2.135 million respectively, maintaining stable growth.
The 33rd Summer Olympic Games: Chinese Sports Delegation Wins Two More Golds
As the Paris Olympics entered its third competition day after the opening, Chinese athletes Yang Hao and Lian Junjie won the gold medal in the men's synchronized 10m platform diving final. In the just-concluded men's 10m air rifle shooting final, Chinese athlete Sheng Lihao added another gold medal for the Chinese team. In addition, Chinese athlete Huang Yuting won a silver medal in the women's 10m air rifle shooting final. In the archery women's team final, the Chinese team, consisting of Li Jiaman, Yang Xiaolei, and An Qixuan, won another silver medal. In the swimming event, Chinese athlete Zhang Yufei won a bronze medal in the women's 100m butterfly. In the surfing competition, as the first Chinese surfer to appear in the Olympic arena, 15-year-old Yang Siqi defeated her opponent in the second round to advance to the top 16, achieving a breakthrough for Chinese surfing.
Shenzhou-18 Crew's "Space Business Trip" Halfway Complete, Missions Progressing Smoothly
The Shenzhou-18 crew has been in orbit for three months since its launch on April 25 this year. Currently, astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu are in good physical and mental condition, and multiple space science experiments and test missions are progressing smoothly. Yesterday (July 28), the China Manned Space Agency released the latest in-orbit video of the Chinese space station: the three Shenzhou-18 astronauts recently completed a series of weightlessness protection experiments, including research on bone loss prevention technology. Through instruments and equipment such as bone loss countermeasures, ultrasonic detection, and neuromuscular stimulators, they specifically ensured the physical health of astronauts during their time in orbit and guaranteed the smooth conduct of various space experiments and test missions. In addition, the astronaut crew also conducted tests on changes in eye-hand coordination ability in the space station to further study the changes in astronauts' fine motor control stability, accuracy, and coordination, which will provide references for subsequent mission procedures and human-computer interaction design. Currently, the Shenzhou-18 astronaut crew has been in orbit for over 90 days. With the coordinated efforts of space and ground, they have successfully completed two extravehicular activities, and the experimental and test projects undertaken in the fields of space material science, space life science, and space medicine are steadily advancing.
Critical Flood Control Period: All Regions and Departments Respond with Full Effort
In recent days, frequent heavy rainfall has hit Hunan, Liaoning, Jilin, and other places. Local authorities and departments have been fully engaged in emergency rescue and disaster relief efforts, and properly resettled affected residents. Due to the rising water level of the Juan River, a tributary of the Xiang River, three breaches occurred continuously in Xiangtan County, Hunan, from July 28 to this afternoon (July 29). At Sixin Dike in Guoqiaoxin Village, Yisuhe Town, Xiangtan County, the breach is currently about 79 meters long. Provincial, municipal, and county levels have mobilized forces to carry out resident evacuation and emergency rescue work. More than 1,200 people, including armed police, militia, China Anneng, and social rescue forces, have been dispatched, and more than 1,000 Party members and cadres at the county, township, and village levels have been mobilized to participate in rescue and relief efforts. As of 7 am today, more than 3,800 residents from the affected Xinxiang Village and Xinhu Village have all been safely evacuated. Xiangtan County immediately arranged four schools as temporary resettlement sites, providing basic living materials and medical assistance for the evacuated residents. Due to continuous heavy rainfall, communication was interrupted and transportation was blocked in some villages in Zixing City, Chenzhou, Hunan. As of now, all villages with interrupted communication have resumed connectivity, and damaged roads and other infrastructure are still being repaired. This morning, local authorities airlifted drinking water, food, and other daily necessities to areas with blocked transportation by helicopter and evacuated some stranded residents. In Liaoning, 17 rivers have experienced significant water level rises. The local water resources department has dispatched 90 reservoirs on a point-to-point basis, guided key areas such as Shenyang and Benxi to conduct dike inspections and hazard investigations, and organized various localities to drain water from over 2.1 million mu of farmland. In response to the significant water level rise in the Yalu River, more than 10,000 residents in dangerous areas in Dandong, Liaoning, have been evacuated from early yesterday morning to noon today. In Jilin Ji'an, heavy rainfall caused mudslides and landslides, and local authorities urgently evacuated all residents from dangerous areas. As of this afternoon, 24 out of 31 road and bridge damage blockages have been repaired. The Office of the National Commission for Disaster Reduction, the Ministry of Emergency Management, and the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration have urgently allocated 110,000 pieces of central disaster relief materials to support the disaster-stricken areas in Liaoning, Jilin, Hunan, and Shaanxi provinces in doing a good job of emergency relocation and basic living assistance for affected residents.
2024 China Cyber Civilization Conference to Be Held in Chengdu, Sichuan
The State Council Information Office held a press conference today (July 29), where relevant officials from the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Central Civilization Office, and Sichuan Province introduced the preparations for the "2024 China Cyber Civilization Conference." The conference, with the theme of "Promoting the Spirit of the Times and Building Cyber Civilization," will be held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, from August 28 to 29. It will include an opening ceremony and main forum, 11 sub-forums, and an online interactive guidance activity titled "Let the Light of Science and Technology Illuminate Cyber Civilization." Currently, all preparatory work is basically ready. According to reports, the conference will also release outstanding cases of cyber civilization construction in 2024, a cyber civilization family tradition initiative, and a series of achievements in cyber civilization construction.
Domestic News Briefs
National environmental quality continued to improve in the first half of this year. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced today (July 29) that national environmental quality continued to improve in the first half of this year. The average proportion of days with good or excellent air quality in key cities was 82.8%, a year-on-year increase of 1.4 percentage points; the average PM2.5 concentration was 33 micrograms/cubic meter, a year-on-year decrease of 2.9%. In the first half of the year, among the 3,641 national surface water assessment sections, the proportion of excellent water quality was 88.8%, a year-on-year increase of 1.0 percentage points. "China-Africa Digital Cooperation Development Action Plan" released today (July 29), the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and government departments from 26 African countries jointly released the "China-Africa Digital Cooperation Development Action Plan." All parties will take cooperative actions in six major areas: digital policy, digital infrastructure, digital innovation, digital transformation, digital security, and digital capabilities. In the next three years, they will jointly build 10 digital transformation demonstration projects and jointly train 1,000 digital talents. Comprehensive capabilities of county hospitals continuously improve, targeted assistance continues to advance. The National Health Commission announced today (July 29) the results of the 2023 national county hospital medical service capability assessment. The assessment shows that the comprehensive capabilities of county hospitals nationwide continue to improve, with over 90% of county hospitals reaching the capabilities of Level 2 hospitals, and more than half reaching the capabilities of Level 3 hospitals. Targeted assistance continues to advance, with two-way referrals reaching 8.32 million person-times. "Global Opportunities of China's New Era of Deepening Reform" Dialogue and China-Spain Cultural Exchange Event held in Madrid. Local time on July 29, China Media Group's "Global Opportunities of China's New Era of Deepening Reform" Dialogue and China-Spain Cultural Exchange Event were held in Madrid, Spain. The event focused on dialogue about the global development opportunities brought by China's comprehensive deepening of reform and further advancement of Chinese modernization in the new era, and reached multiple practical cooperation agreements in media, film, art, and other fields. China Media Group also reached multiple cooperation agreements with the World Tourism Organization, the City of Madrid, and the Spanish Professional Football League on the same day. Phased achievements made in rectifying "TV nesting charges" and complex operations. The National Radio and Television Administration announced today (July 29) the achievements of the second phase of work to rectify "TV nesting charges" and complex operations. As of June 30, convenient TV viewing has been realized in 2.52 million hotel rooms nationwide; the industry has initially achieved one remote control for TV viewing, basically realized 7-day free playback of central and provincial TV live channels for cable TV and IPTV, and the broadcasting and control management of Internet TV has been optimized and strengthened.
Israeli Army Attacks Multiple Locations in Southern Lebanon; Hezbollah Claims Attacks on Israeli Military Positions
According to news released by Lebanese civil defense forces today (July 29), an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon killed 2 people and injured 3. According to Israeli media reports, Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on southern Lebanon late on the 28th. On the same day, the Israeli security cabinet authorized Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Gallant to decide on the manner and timing of their response to the attack on a stadium in the occupied Golan Heights against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. According to news released by Hezbollah militants in Lebanon on the 28th, their members attacked Israeli military positions, outposts, and other targets near the Lebanon-Israel border. Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati called for a complete ceasefire in southern Lebanon on the 28th to prevent the current situation from escalating. Multiple European and American countries issued travel advisories regarding the situation in Lebanon. Relevant agencies in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and other countries have issued urgent travel advisories to their citizens regarding the situation in Lebanon. In addition, airlines from France, Germany, and other countries announced today that they would suspend some flights to and from Beirut in the coming days.
International News Briefs
Putin says he will respond in kind to US missile deployment in Germany. Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a Russian Navy Day event on the 28th that the long-range precision-guided weapons the United States plans to deploy in Germany would place important Russian government, military, and industrial facilities within their range. If the US insists on such actions, Russia will abandon its unilateral moratorium on the deployment of intermediate- and short-range missiles and respond in kind. The United States and Germany issued a joint statement on the 10th saying that the United States would begin deploying long-range precision-guided weapons in Germany in 2026. Russia has repeatedly protested strongly against this. UK government says the country has no money left, two parties blame each other. British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will present the results of the fiscal assessment to Parliament today (July 29). A statement from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office said the assessment would show that Britain has no money left, criticizing the previous government's policies for causing chaos in the economy and public services. According to British media reports, sources from the ruling Labour Party said the assessment found a funding gap of about 20 billion pounds. In response, the Conservative Party refuted that Labour was looking for excuses to push for tax increases. Over 100 large wildfires still burning across the US. According to news released by the US National Interagency Fire Center on the 28th, as of that day, 103 large wildfires were burning across the US, with a burned area exceeding 8,130 square kilometers. Among them, California's largest wildfire this year, "Parker," is still spreading, with only 12% of the fire contained. 66 buildings in the area were destroyed, and about 4,200 buildings were threatened. The "Deqi" wildfire in Oregon has also burned an area exceeding 1,100 square kilometers.