China's High-Level Opening-Up Drives New Western Development Pattern
General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that the western region plays a crucial role in the overall situation of national reform, development, and stability. It is necessary to consistently implement the policies and measures promoted by the CPC Central Committee for the great development of the western region, and further form a new pattern of great protection, great opening-up, and high-quality development. Embarking on a new journey of development, the western region insists on promoting great development through great opening-up, continuously improving the level of opening-up both domestically and internationally, accelerating the construction of an open economic pattern, and striving to write a new chapter in the great development of the western region in the construction of Chinese modernization. In the first half of this year, the western region achieved a series of new advancements in high-level opening-up. The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor saw 5,536 sea-rail intermodal trains, a year-on-year increase of 22.7%. The total import and export volume of the 12 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in the western region reached 1.93 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.2%. The western region accounts for 72% of the country's land area and 27% of its population, playing a pivotal role in the overall situation of national reform, development, and stability. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has visited all 12 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in the western region. He emphasized the need to promote great development through great opening-up and improve the level of opening-up in the western region both domestically and internationally. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee made systematic deployments for improving the institutional mechanisms for high-level opening-up, proposing that opening-up must promote reform, enhance opening-up capabilities in expanding international cooperation, and build a new system for a higher-level open economy. This points the way for further advancing the open development of the western region. Standing at a new starting point of development, cadres and people in the western region are diligently studying and implementing the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, promoting great development through great opening-up, and continuously unleashing new development momentum. At the construction site of the Pinglu Canal, a key project of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, construction is in full swing. The main part of the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, which will make it the shortest and most economical sea outlet for China's southwestern region. With a coordinated plan and a networked layout, the western region is breaking the "one-acre three-fen land" mindset, guided by the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" initiative, and working together to create an open passage spanning east to west and north to south. To the south, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor crosses mountains and seas, and its logistics network now covers over 500 ports in more than 100 countries and regions worldwide. To the west, China-Europe freight trains cross mountains and deserts, reaching over 200 cities in more than 20 European countries, accounting for about half of the total number of trains. To the east, the Yangtze River Golden Waterway connects the central region and the Yangtze River Delta, and direct river-sea shipping routes are accelerating towards normalized operation. The western region is also leveraging institutional innovation to facilitate high-level opening-up. Ningxia continues to deepen economic and trade cooperation with Arab countries, establishing the "China-Arab Technology Transfer Center," and facilitating the signing of over 90 scientific and technological cooperation agreements between China and Arab countries; Yangling Agricultural High-tech Industrial Demonstration Zone in Shaanxi Province is collaborating with countries like Kazakhstan on modern agriculture, having built 10 overseas agricultural technology demonstration parks. The Kashgar Area of Xinjiang Pilot Free Trade Zone has established a TIR (International Road Transport Convention) assembly center, where companies can complete customs procedures and then travel through multiple countries without changing vehicles or transshipping goods. Sichuan recently released and implemented a strategy to upgrade its Pilot Free Trade Zone, enhancing "single window" functions and exploring the establishment of cross-regional data sharing and collaborative business, accelerating reform and innovation in five major areas, including trade facilitation and industrial agglomeration. Driving great development through great opening-up, the western region embraces the world while actively serving and aligning with major regional strategies. This year, Yunnan and Shanghai are working together to accelerate the co-construction of the Pudong New Area-Kunming Science and Technology City. Leveraging its proximity to the China-Laos Railway freight station, the science and technology city is联动式 importing industries from the Yangtze River Delta, with 49 enterprises having signed agreements in the first batch. Gansu and Tianjin recently reached cooperation agreements on 112 projects in fields such as new energy and new materials, with a signed investment of nearly 15 billion yuan. In Chongqing, a car parts project invested by an eastern enterprise with 300 million yuan recently completed its factory construction. Chongqing has undertaken over 1,300 such industrial transfer projects in the first half of the year, with a total signed investment exceeding 600 billion yuan. Based in the west, looking at the whole country, and connecting with the world, continuously improving the level of opening-up both domestically and internationally, the great development of the western region in the new era is bound to write a new chapter in the construction of Chinese modernization.
Central Delegation Briefs on Third Plenary Session of 20th CPC Central Committee
Members of the Central Lecturing Group for Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee delivered in-depth lectures in Ningxia and Heilongjiang, and engaged in interactive exchanges with grassroots cadres and the public. Tao Ling, a member of the Central Lecturing Group and Deputy Governor of the People's Bank of China, recently delivered a lecture report in Yinchuan. Tao Ling systematically lectured on and thoroughly expounded the spirit of the Plenum, covering the great significance of the Plenum's convening and the importance and necessity of further comprehensively deepening reform. Cai Fang, a member of the Central Lecturing Group, Chief Expert and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences National High-end Think Tank, delivered a lecture report in Harbin. Cai Fang focused on studying and implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech at the Plenum and the Plenum's "Decision," providing key interpretations on profoundly understanding the great significance and far-reaching impact of the Plenum. Cai Fang also visited Harbin Institute of Technology to interact and exchange views with teachers and students on building institutional mechanisms to support comprehensive innovation.
Deepening Education Reform, Accelerating High-Quality Education System
The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee emphasized that education, science and technology, and talent are the fundamental and strategic pillars of Chinese modernization, and that comprehensive reform of education should be deepened. What reform measures will be taken next to accelerate the construction of a high-quality education system? Today (August 9) in "Authoritative Interview," we will hear from our correspondent's exclusive interview with Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng. Huai Jinpeng stated that since entering the new era, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core, China has built the world's largest and quality education system, with the popularization of education at all levels reaching or exceeding the average level of high- and middle-income countries. From meeting the demand for "quantity" to achieving an improvement in "quality" is one of the key directions for China's deepened comprehensive education reform moving forward. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee proposed to coordinate the integrated reform of education, science and technology, and talent institutional mechanisms. Huai Jinpeng stated that universities are the concentrated intersection of education, science and technology, and talent, and should leverage the leading role of higher education, focusing on three aspects to promote reform: enhancing independent talent cultivation capabilities, supporting high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement, and serving national economic and social development strategies, thereby helping to improve the overall effectiveness of the national innovation system. Huai Jinpeng stated that the Plenum made an overall deployment for comprehensive education reform, and the education system will focus on implementing it in five aspects.
China Secures 5 More Golds at 33rd Summer Olympics, Chang Yuan Wins China's First Women's Boxing Gold
From last night (August 8) to now, Beijing time, the Chinese sports delegation has won 5 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze medals at the Paris Olympics. Among them, Chang Yuan won China's first Olympic gold medal in women's boxing. In the women's 54kg boxing final at the Paris Olympics early this morning, Beijing time, Chinese boxer Chang Yuan competed against a Turkish opponent. From the first round, Chang Yuan's on-site performance was superior, repeatedly forcing her opponent to the side of the ring and delivering consecutive punches. After three rounds, Chang Yuan defeated her opponent with a total score of 5:0 to win the championship. This is China's first Olympic gold medal in women's boxing history. In the canoe sprint event, Chinese athletes Liu Hao and Ji Bowen won the gold medal in the men's 500m double canoe final. This is the third time the Chinese canoe team has won this event's gold medal, following the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In the recently concluded women's 500m double canoe competition, Chinese athletes Xu Shixiao and Sun Mengya won the gold medal. In the diving men's 3m springboard final, two Chinese athletes, Xie Siyi and Wang Zongyuan, both showed extremely high standards, ultimately winning gold and silver. The Chinese diving team has already won 6 gold medals at this Olympics. In weightlifting, Chinese athlete Luo Shifang, participating in her first Olympics, broke three Olympic records in the women's 59kg category and won the championship with a total score of 241kg. In the men's speed climbing event, Chinese athlete Wu Peng achieved his personal best and won a silver medal. In the women's freestyle wrestling 53kg category, Chinese athlete Pang Qianyu won a bronze medal. Chinese athlete Liang Yushuai won a bronze medal in the men's 68kg taekwondo competition. In athletics, in the men's 4x100m relay preliminary, the Chinese team, consisting of Deng Zhijian, Xie Zhenye, Yan Haibin, and Chen Jiapeng, advanced to the final as group winners. In the women's shot put qualifying round, Chinese athletes Gong Lijiao and Song Jiayuan both advanced to the final. In the rhythmic gymnastics individual all-around qualifying round, 21-year-old Chinese athlete Wang Zilu successfully advanced to the final. This is also the first time in history that a Chinese athlete has entered the Olympic final for this event.
Tax Relief Exceeds 1.6 Trillion Yuan in H1 to Boost Sci-Tech Innovation, Manufacturing
The latest data from the State Taxation Administration shows that in the first half of this year, tax and fee reductions and refunds for major policies supporting scientific and technological innovation and manufacturing development amounted to 1.6526 trillion yuan, effectively and strongly supporting the development of market entities. According to the data, in the first half of the year, tax and fee reductions and refunds from policies supporting increased investment in science and technology and technology transfer, such as the R&D expense super deduction, totaled 797.2 billion yuan; tax reductions of 191.6 billion yuan from policies supporting the cultivation and development of high-tech enterprises and emerging industries, such as the 15% corporate income tax rate for high-tech enterprises, provided strong support for scientific and technological innovation and manufacturing development.
China Consolidates Achievements in Poverty Alleviation
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs announced today (August 9) that since the beginning of this year, through coordinated efforts from all parties, the achievements in poverty alleviation have been continuously consolidated and expanded, firmly holding the bottom line of preventing large-scale return to poverty. Since the beginning of this year, farmers' incomes in poverty-stricken areas have maintained relatively rapid growth. In the first half of the year, the per capita disposable income of farmers in poverty-stricken counties reached 7,947 yuan, a real increase of 6.8%, 0.2 percentage points faster than the national rural average. The 25 provinces with monitoring and assistance tasks for preventing a return to poverty scientifically adjusted the scope of monitoring and carried out normalized monitoring and assistance. As of the end of June, over 60% of the monitored individuals nationwide had stably eliminated their risks, and the remaining individuals had also implemented 1-3 assistance measures. Employment assistance measures continued to be strengthened. Annual stable employment tasks for 2024 were assigned by province, and the anti-poverty employment offensive action and "Yulu Plan +" employment promotion action were deeply carried out. As of the end of June, the number of poverty-stricken people employed reached 32.741 million, stabilizing over two-thirds of the income of the poverty-stricken population. Industrial assistance measures were also continuously advanced. The proportion of central government's financial assistance for rural revitalization used for industrial development remained above 60%. As of the end of June, a total of 194.565 billion yuan in small loans for poverty-stricken people had been issued, promoting the establishment of interest linkage relationships between new agricultural business entities and nearly three-quarters of the poverty-stricken population.
National Railway Fixed-Asset Investment Reaches 410.2 Billion Yuan Jan-Jul
Reporters learned from China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. that from January to July this year, national railway fixed asset investment reached 410.2 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.5%, further improving the scale and quality of China's railway network. Building on the record-high national railway fixed asset investment in the first half of the year, in July, key railway project construction continued to advance steadily. The Rizhao-Lankao High-speed Railway was fully opened for operation, further reducing the travel time between the Shandong Peninsula urban agglomeration and the Central Plains urban agglomeration. The Xuancheng-Jixi High-speed Railway, the Huinong-Yinchuan section of the Baotou-Yinchuan High-speed Railway, and the Zhenjiangguan-Huangshengguan section of the Chengdu-Xining Railway in Sichuan began joint commissioning and testing, while the Hangzhou-Wenzhou High-speed Railway began trial operation.
Inner Mongolia Leverages Resources to Boost Cultural Tourism
Inner Mongolia fully leverages its resource advantages, continuously enriches its tourism product offerings, and promotes the high-quality development of its cultural tourism industry. These days, the "Grassland Tour" Nadam Fair for tourists opened in Gegentala Grassland, Inner Mongolia. Tourists from all over gathered in the grassland to watch competitions, enjoy folk customs, and taste local delicacies, fully enjoying the coolness of the summer grassland and the unique frontier charm. Inner Mongolia boasts beautiful natural scenery and abundant cultural tourism resources. This summer, Inner Mongolia launched 10 exquisite summer tourism routes, connecting natural landscapes such as vast forests, grasslands, wetlands, and deserts. To further optimize the tourist experience, Inner Mongolia has accelerated the connection between its road network and tourist attractions, with all 303 3A-level and above scenic spots in the autonomous region now accessible by road. In Otog Front Banner, Ordos City, the local government has constructed three high-standard beautiful rural roads that integrate transportation and tourism, connecting 6 national-level tourist attractions, 7 red training and education bases, and 140 red research and study sites, radiating and driving thousands of farmers and herdsmen to benefit from "tourism income." This year, Inner Mongolia also continues to launch new consumption scenarios, such as "My Date with the Grassland" and "My Home in the Grassland," cultural and tourism characteristic products that have stimulated public consumption enthusiasm. In the first half of this year, Inner Mongolia received 122.1079 million domestic tourists, a year-on-year increase of 32.94%; driving consumption of 170.057 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 43.50%.
Domestic News Briefs
China's CPI Rose 0.5% Year-on-Year in July. The latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics shows that in July, China's overall price level continued to show a stable and rising trend, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increasing by 0.5% both year-on-year and month-on-month, and the year-on-year increase widening. Affected by factors such as insufficient market demand, the Producer Price Index (PPI) decreased by 0.2% compared to the previous month. Profits Improved for SMEs in Multiple Industries in July. The China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises announced today (August 9) that the China Small and Medium Enterprise Development Index for July was 88.9, the same as in June. Among the eight major sectors of the national economy, the profitability index increased in six industries, including information transmission software, social services, and construction. Confidence in SME development is recovering, market expectations are improving, and enterprise costs are decreasing. China Accelerates Review and Approval of Innovative Drug Clinical Trials. The National Medical Products Administration recently announced that the review and approval of innovative drug clinical trials included in the pilot program will be compressed from the previous 60 working days to 30 working days, aiming to optimize the review and approval mechanism and promote the quality and speed of innovative drug research and development in China. Yangtze River Mainline Ports Handled Over 2.2 Billion Tons of Cargo from January to July. The Yangtze River Navigation Affairs Administration announced today (August 9): From January to July, the Yangtze River mainline ports completed a cargo throughput of 2.26 billion tons, a year-on-year increase of 4.3%; container throughput reached 15.22 million TEUs, a year-on-year increase of 3.4%; and container rail-water intermodal transport reached 360,000 TEUs, a year-on-year increase of 21.0%. The 4th China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo Opens. The 4th China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo opened today (August 9), with over 300 exhibitors from 8 countries and regions participating. A series of activities such as a wine carnival and a wine competition will also be held during the expo. Currently, the planting area of wine grapes in the eastern foothills of Helan Mountain in Ningxia exceeds 600,000 mu, accounting for nearly 40% of the national total. "High-End Interview" to Air Exclusive Interview with Nobel Laureate in Economics Maskin Tonight. The "High-End Interview" program on CCTV News Channel will broadcast an exclusive interview with Nobel laureate in economics Eric Maskin tonight (August 9). Maskin stated that China's reform and opening-up have made astonishing progress, and China's development of new productive forces demonstrates forward-looking vision, expressing hope for active human cooperation to solve global problems. The program will also be simultaneously launched on new media platforms such as CCTV News, CCTV Video, and CCTV.com.
CPC Delegation Visits South Africa, Uruguay, Chile
The CPC delegation has recently visited South Africa, Uruguay, and Chile, meeting and engaging in exchanges with local political dignitaries, party leaders, and heads of international organizations to deeply publicize the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. Participants expressed their intention to further strengthen inter-party exchanges, promote practical cooperation in various fields such as economy, trade, and culture, and push for greater development in China-Africa and China-Latin America relations.
Hezbollah Claims 'Iron Dome' Strike, Israeli Army Reports Airstrikes in Southern Lebanon
The Lebanese Hezbollah armed group announced on August 8 that it had attacked Israeli Iron Dome system launch platforms using rockets and heavy shells. The Israeli military stated that it had shelled the sources of rocket launches from Lebanon. From August 8 to the early morning of August 9, the Israeli military also carried out airstrikes against Hezbollah armed personnel and military buildings in several areas in southern Lebanon. According to Israeli media reports, the Israeli security cabinet held a meeting on August 8 and approved the Israeli military's authority to take autonomous action and be prepared for pre-emptive strikes before Iran or the Lebanese Hezbollah armed group respond. The U.S. Central Command stated on August 8 that U.S. F-22 fighter jets had arrived in the relevant area of responsibility of the Central Command on that day, but did not disclose the specific location or number. Yemen's Houthi rebels stated they are about to launch a counterattack against Israel. Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said on August 8 that the Houthi forces would soon launch a counterattack in response to Israel's previous airstrikes on Hodeidah and other areas. He also emphasized that the Houthi forces would maintain coordination with other members of the "Axis of Resistance" and take joint action. Israeli Attack on Two Schools in Gaza City Kills 15. The Palestinian emergency services in the Gaza Strip said on August 8 that Israeli forces attacked two schools in Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip, which housed a large number of displaced people, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens. The Israeli military claimed that these two schools were used by Hamas as command and control centers. On the evening of August 8, relevant mediators called on Israel and Hamas to resume negotiations in Doha or Cairo on August 15 to bridge all remaining differences and immediately begin implementing the agreement. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office issued a statement in the early morning of August 9, stating that Israel agreed to resume Gaza ceasefire negotiations. As of now, Hamas has not yet responded.
Russia Claims Repelling Ukrainian Forces in Kursk, Ukraine Reports Strikes on Russian Weapon Concentration Areas
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated today (August 9) that Russian forces continued to thwart Ukrainian attempts to enter Kursk Oblast, destroying Ukrainian equipment in border areas. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations stated today that Kursk Oblast has entered a federal state of emergency. In addition, Russian forces destroyed 75 Ukrainian drones over several regions and 7 Ukrainian unmanned boats in the Black Sea. The Governor of Russia's Lipetsk Oblast stated that the region was subjected to a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack early this morning, causing power outages in some areas. The Ukrainian Armed Forces stated on August 8 that fierce fighting took place in the Pokrovsk direction that day, and Ukrainian forces repelled some Russian attacks. Ukrainian forces also carried out multiple strikes on areas where Russian personnel and weapons were concentrated.
International News Briefs
Japan's Miyazaki Prefecture Earthquake Injures 16. The magnitude 7.1 earthquake that occurred off the coast of Hyuganada in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, on August 8 has so far resulted in 16 injuries in Miyazaki, Kagoshima, and Kumamoto prefectures, and the collapse of multiple houses. Local media reported that the earthquake also caused landslides in some parts of Kagoshima Prefecture. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, as of early morning today (August 9), another magnitude 5.3 earthquake and several tremors around magnitude 4 occurred in Hyuganada. The Meteorological Agency advised the public to be aware of the possibility of further earthquakes in the coming period. Bangladesh Interim Government Sworn In. Bangladesh's interim government, led by economist Muhammad Yunus, was sworn in today (August 8) in the capital Dhaka. The interim government members include Chief Advisor Yunus and 16 advisors. Yunus stated that maintaining law and order would be their top priority, and the new government would protect Bangladesh's continued progress. Maui Wildfire Cleanup Continues One Year Later. One year has passed since the devastating wildfire on Maui, Hawaii, last August. CCTV reporters observed during their visit to the severely affected Lahaina area on August 8 that cleanup efforts are still underway, and over half of the local area remains closed off. Except for a few residents whose homes have begun reconstruction, most of the affected population still lives in temporary housing. The impact of the wildfire on local tourism continues.