Xi's Speech to Olympic Delegation Hailed as Call to Build Sports Powerhouse
On the afternoon of the 20th, General Secretary Xi Jinping met with all members of the Chinese sports delegation to the 33rd Summer Olympic Games at the Great Hall of the People and delivered an important speech. He emphasized that at the Paris Olympics, you united as one, fought tenaciously, strived for excellence, and fulfilled your mission, achieving the best results in China's history of participating in the Summer Olympics abroad, realizing a double harvest in both competition results and spiritual civilization, and winning honor for the motherland and the people. On behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, the General Secretary welcomed everyone back triumphantly, extended warm congratulations and sincere condolences, and conveyed cordial greetings to comrades on the national sports front. Members of the Chinese sports delegation to the Paris Olympics and a large number of workers on the sports front who attended the meeting said that they would bear in mind the General Secretary's instructions, guard against arrogance and rashness, make persistent efforts, and make new contributions to building a sports powerhouse. On the afternoon of the 20th, the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People was filled with a festive and warm atmosphere. General Secretary Xi Jinping met with all members of the Chinese sports delegation to the Paris Olympics, shaking hands and talking cordially with them. Amidst warm applause, General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech. He pointed out that the excellent achievements of the Chinese sports delegation are not only a concentrated embodiment of the development and progress of China's sports undertakings, but also a microcosm of the achievements of Chinese modernization, fully demonstrating the strength of China in the new era. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the excellent achievements of the Chinese sports delegation carried forward the Chinese sports spirit and the Olympic spirit, allowing the Chinese national spirit and the spirit of the times to shine, vividly interpreting the Chinese spirit in the new era. The General Secretary also made arrangements for the tasks of the new Olympic preparation cycle. Everyone said that they would always remember the General Secretary's instructions and the people's trust, unite and cooperate, fight tenaciously, and strive for self-improvement, demonstrating the confident, optimistic, enthusiastic, and friendly temperament of the young generation of China and the open, inclusive, and aspiring style of China in the new era. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that competitive sports and mass sports complement each other. He hoped that comrades would improve the comprehensive strength of competitive sports, promote the vigorous development of national fitness and youth sports, and make new contributions to building a sports powerhouse. Workers on the sports front said that they would take General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions as guidance, adhere to the people-centered development of sports, and lay a solid foundation for people's health through the construction of a sports powerhouse on the new journey of comprehensively promoting Chinese modernization.
CCTV Commentary: Strive for New Achievements in Building a Strong Sports Nation
Our station broadcast CCTV Quick Review "Make New Contributions to Building a Sports Power".
Li Qiang Holds 29th Regular Meeting with Russian PM, Pays Official Visit to Moscow
At the invitation of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council arrived in Moscow by charter plane on the afternoon of the 20th local time, where he will hold the 29th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of government and pay an official visit to Russia. The Russian side held a grand welcoming ceremony for Li Qiang at the airport. The military band played the national anthems of China and Russia. Accompanied by senior Russian government officials, Li Qiang reviewed the honor guard. State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council Wu Zhenglong and other accompanying personnel arrived on the same plane. Vice Premier of the State Council He Lifeng and State Councilor Shen Yiqin, who had arrived in Moscow earlier to participate in the China-Russia regular prime ministerial meeting, greeted him at the airport. Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui also greeted him at the airport. Li Qiang said that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Putin, the China-Russia relationship in the new era has shown new vitality and vigor, setting an example for a new type of international relations and relations between neighboring major powers. Since the beginning of this year, the two heads of state have met twice, making top-level designs and strategic arrangements for the new development of China-Russia relations at the historical new starting point of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. My visit to Russia is to implement the consensus of the two heads of state, carry forward the friendship between generations, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation. I believe that with the joint efforts of both sides, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era will have an even brighter future.
2024 Global Overseas Chinese Convention for Promoting China's Peaceful Reunification Held in Hong Kong, Wang Huning Sends Congratulatory Letter
The 2024 Global Overseas Chinese Conference for Promoting China's Peaceful Reunification was held in Hong Kong on August 20. Wang Huning, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, sent a congratulatory letter, extending warm congratulations on the convening of the conference and sincere greetings and good wishes to the participating representatives. Wang Huning stated that for a long time, the vast number of compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese have upheld national righteousness, actively participated in the movement against "Taiwan independence" and for reunification, and made positive contributions to promoting cross-Strait exchanges and integration in various fields, strengthening international society's adherence to the One-China principle, and advancing the process of peaceful reunification of the motherland. He expressed hope that organizations for promoting reunification at home and abroad and patriotic friends from all walks of life would take this conference as an opportunity to widely build consensus, gather wisdom, and pool strength, injecting new impetus into the development of the anti-"Taiwan independence" and pro-reunification movement in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and overseas. Wang Huning stated that a strong and unified country has always been the destiny of all Chinese people, including our Taiwan compatriots. We have always adhered to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, unswervingly implemented the Party's overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era, grasped the overall situation of cross-Strait relations from the overall interests and long-term development of the Chinese nation, and unswervingly advanced the process of peaceful reunification of the motherland. He hoped that the vast number of compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese would grasp the historical trend, uphold national righteousness, jointly oppose "Taiwan independence" and promote reunification, firmly hold the destiny of the Chinese nation in the hands of the Chinese people themselves, create a beautiful future of national reunification, and share the great glory of national rejuvenation. The conference was hosted by the Hong Kong Association for the Promotion of China's Peaceful Reunification. The conference adopted the "Hong Kong Declaration 2024." Afterwards, guests from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and overseas held sub-forums around the themes of "Actively integrating into the overall national development and actively promoting cross-Strait integrated development," "Leveraging the power of youth to promote national reunification," and "How to better inherit and develop traditional Chinese culture in the new era."
Driving High-Quality Development Series Press Conference: Financial Services for Real Economy Further Improved
The State Council Information Office held a series of press conferences on promoting high-quality development today (August 21). The National Financial Regulatory Administration introduced the new achievements in promoting high-quality economic development by the banking and insurance industries. A relevant official from the National Financial Regulatory Administration stated that currently, China has formed a multi-level, wide-coverage, and differentiated financial institution system, with the banking industry's asset size ranking first globally and the insurance market size ranking second globally. Since the beginning of this year, the total amount of financial support for the real economy has steadily increased, and its structure has been further optimized. As of the end of July, the outstanding balance of RMB loans was 251 trillion yuan, an increase of 13.5 trillion yuan from the beginning of the year. Among them, loans for manufacturing, high-tech industries, core industries of the digital economy, and inclusive small and micro enterprises all significantly exceeded the average growth rate of various loans. While effectively promoting high-quality economic development, the banking and insurance industries have seen steady and positive development this year, with controllable risks, and their main operating indicators and regulatory indicators are all within a healthy and reasonable range. The National Financial Regulatory Administration stated that it will further accelerate the construction of a technology finance system that adapts to technological innovation and promote a virtuous cycle of "technology-industry-finance." At the same time, it will strengthen support for key areas of the green, low-carbon, and circular economy, and promote the development of inclusive finance, pension finance, and digital finance to better support economic and social development.
6th China-Africa Media Cooperation Forum and China-Africa Think Tank High-Level Dialogue Held in Beijing
On August 21, the 6th China-Africa Media Cooperation Forum and the China-Africa Think Tank High-Level Dialogue were held in Beijing. Participating guests stated that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and African leaders, China-Africa relations have entered a new stage of jointly building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit will soon be grandly held, which will be another grand event to strengthen China-Africa friendship and solidarity. Media and think tank professionals should promote the concept of sincerity, real results, affinity, and good faith, carry forward traditional friendship, and jointly tell the story of China-Africa cooperation and development, contributing to China-Africa's joint advancement of modernization. Participating guests believed that the modernization achievements made by China and Africa indicate that developing countries have the right and ability to independently explore their own unique paths to modernization based on their national conditions. Modernization should be placed on the priority agenda of China-Africa public opinion narratives and think tank research, providing intellectual and public opinion support for "Global South" countries to solve the difficulties of modernization.
China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Yields Fruitful Results
The State Council Information Office held a press conference on the 20th. A relevant person in charge of the Ministry of Commerce introduced that the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit will be held in Beijing from September 4 to 6. In recent years, China-Africa economic and trade practical cooperation has achieved fruitful results in many fields. It is reported that China has maintained its position as Africa's largest trading partner for fifteen consecutive years. In 2023, China-Africa trade reached 282.1 billion US dollars, an increase of nearly 11% compared to 2021. China's trade with nearly half of African countries saw year-on-year growth of over two digits, and the trade volume repeatedly hit new highs. As of the end of 2023, China's direct investment stock in Africa exceeded 40 billion US dollars. In the past three years, Chinese enterprises have created over 1.1 million local jobs. Over the past decade, Chinese enterprises have cumulatively signed engineering contracts in Africa worth over 700 billion US dollars and completed business volume exceeding 400 billion US dollars, implementing a number of landmark projects and "small but beautiful" projects in transportation, energy, electricity, housing, people's livelihoods, and other fields, effectively driving local economic and social development.
Multiple Regions Actively Respond to Heavy Rainfall
In recent days, some areas in Northeast and South China have experienced heavy rainfall. Localities and departments have actively responded, and the Central Meteorological Observatory continued to issue blue warnings for heavy rain and strong convective weather today (August 21). In western Liaoning Province, heavy rainfall starting on the 19th caused damage to multiple townships, with severe damage to infrastructure such as power supply, communications, and transportation. Local authorities organized rescue forces, dispatching helicopters and assault boats to fully search and rescue trapped people. As of noon today, all townships and villages in Jianchang County, Huludao City, have been contacted, and a total of over 50,000 people have been safely evacuated throughout the city. Currently, the local authorities are urgently working on clearing roads and streets. Today, the National Commission for Disaster Reduction and Relief launched a national Level IV emergency response for Liaoning and dispatched a working group to the disaster area to inspect the disaster situation and guide relief and assistance work. Today, some areas in South China experienced rainfall. Guangdong today implemented measures such as speed limits, route adjustments, and cancellations for some trains on the Guangshan High-speed Railway and Guangzhou-Shenzhen Intercity Railway. The Ministry of Water Resources held a meeting today to analyze and judge the situation. Affected by rainfall, from 8 a.m. yesterday to 8 a.m. today, 19 new rivers in Hebei, Liaoning, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Guangdong, Fujian, and other places experienced floods above the warning level. Among them, 5 rivers experienced floods above the guaranteed level. The Ministry of Water Resources guided local authorities to do a good job in dike inspection and defense, and safe flood control of reservoirs.
Domestic News in Brief
2024 World Robot Conference Opens, Over 60 New Products Debuted The 5-day 2024 World Robot Conference opened today (August 21) in Beijing, with over 60 new products making their debut, including over 20 domestic humanoid robot prototypes, setting a new record for previous sessions. The conference also features forums, expos, competitions, and other activities, highlighting technological innovation and application effectiveness, and for the first time, a frontier innovation exhibition area has been set up. The conference will also host several supporting activities focusing on supply-demand matching, investment and financing matching, etc. First Batch of National Key Private Investment Project List Released The reporter learned from the National Development and Reform Commission that to continuously expand private investment, the first batch of national key private investment project list for 2024 has been released, including 189 projects, mainly covering 12 industries such as manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and mining. Domestic Commercial Aircraft ARJ21 Begins "Around Qinghai-Tibet Plateau" Demonstration Flight Today (August 21), a COMAC ARJ21 aircraft took off from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in Sichuan and arrived at Hongyuan Airport in Aba, Sichuan, beginning its "around Qinghai-Tibet Plateau" demonstration flight. Afterwards, it is also planned to fly to multiple high-plateau airports in Tibet, Sichuan, Qinghai, and Gansu, to further verify the high-altitude operating performance of the ARJ21 aircraft and more comprehensively meet the operating requirements in high-altitude areas. China Safely and Orderly Replaces Power Batteries of Old New Energy Public Buses The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and seven other departments recently jointly issued an announcement that China will guide enterprises to safely and orderly replace the power batteries of old new energy public buses. Relevant enterprises operating new energy urban public transport vehicles should strictly control safety, and the waste power batteries generated from replacement should be handed over to recycling service points. Preliminary estimates indicate that there are currently about 100,000 old new energy public buses in China that meet the conditions for battery replacement. Supreme People's Court Issues Judicial Interpretation on Punitive Damages for Food and Drugs The Supreme People's Court today (August 21) issued a judicial interpretation on punitive damages for food and drugs, making provisions for protecting consumer rights and "knowing fakes and buying fakes" claims, supporting claims for ten times the price as punitive damages for purchasing counterfeit or substandard food and drugs within the scope of living consumption needs. At the same time, it regulates malicious high-amount claims, continuous purchase claims, and repeated claims. 2024 China-ASEAN Education Exchange Week Opens in Guiyang Today (August 21), the 2024 China-ASEAN Education Exchange Week opened in Guiyang, Guizhou, focusing on the theme of "Deepening Education Cooperation, Promoting Cultural Exchange, and Working Together for the Future," concentrating on displaying new achievements in China-ASEAN education exchange and cooperation, deeply promoting "education + innovation model" and "promoting production through learning and research," and exchanging and sharing experiences and achievements in higher education, vocational education, and other fields. National Film Bureau and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement The National Film Bureau today (August 21) signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. The two sides will work together to innovate in many aspects, including the creation, production, distribution, and promotion of domestic films, expanding film market consumption, supporting the upgrading of film infrastructure and technological development, improving the film industry chain, and enhancing the international influence of Chinese films, promoting the construction of a strong film nation. The 31st Beijing International Radio, Film and Television Exhibition Opens The 31st Beijing International Radio, Film and Television Exhibition opened today (August 21) in Beijing. The exhibition, with the theme of "All Media, Ultra High Definition, Strong Intelligence," attracted 506 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions at home and abroad, comprehensively displaying the latest achievements of radio, television, and film technology industries across the entire chain. First China Xinjiang Folk Art Season Launched in Urumqi Last night (August 20), the first China Xinjiang Folk Art Season was launched in Urumqi. 47 folk art troupes from across the country, about 1,800 folk art performers, participated in parade performances. Through performances such as gongs and drums, ethnic characteristic songs and dances, and acrobatics, a new platform for national ethnic folk art exchange was innovatively built.
Israeli Military Strikes Sidon in Southern Lebanon, Palestinian Media Reports Fatah Official Killed
According to Palestinian media reports today (August 21), the Israeli military attacked the southern Lebanese city of Sidon today, killing Khalil Maghda, an official of an armed faction affiliated with the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah), in the attack. The report stated that this was the first such Israeli attack on a Fatah official since the current round of Israeli-Palestinian conflict began. Israeli Defense Minister Says Israeli Military Focus Shifting to Israel-Lebanon Border Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on the 20th that the Israeli military's operational focus is gradually shifting from the Gaza Strip to the Israel-Lebanon border area. The Israeli Defense Forces said today that the Israeli military attacked Hezbollah targets in the eastern Lebanese Beqaa Valley and southern Lebanon. The Lebanese Hezbollah armed group issued a statement today saying that its fighters shelled Israeli military positions near the Zar'it barracks in northern Israel. Its members also fired multiple rockets at the Israeli military's Tsnobar logistics base in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Palestinian Armed Faction Says Israeli Military Attacked School Sheltering Palestinians, Israeli Military Says it Struck Hamas Command Center The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) issued a statement on the 20th saying that the Israeli military launched an airstrike on a school in northern Gaza City that was used to shelter displaced people, killing at least 12 Palestinians. The Israeli Defense Forces, however, stated that a Hamas command center was hidden inside the school. Israeli Prime Minister Unsure of Ceasefire Agreement, Hamas Says Israel Continues to Obstruct Negotiations Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on the 20th that he was unsure whether a ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement in the Gaza Strip would be reached, and Israel's top priority remains to eliminate Hamas. On the same day, Hamas issued a statement saying that the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal did not conform to the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2735. Hamas criticized Israel for continuously obstructing the negotiation process.
Russia Claims Control of Key Donetsk Transport Hub, Ukraine Reports Fierce Fighting in Pokrovsk Direction
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on the 20th that the Russian army has taken control of Novgorodskoye village, one of the largest villages in the Toretsk district of Donetsk, which is a strategically important transportation and logistics hub. The Russian Ministry of Defense also stated today (August 21) that Russian air defense systems destroyed 45 Ukrainian drones flying towards Moscow and other areas. The Ukrainian side stated on the 20th that fighting was intense in the Pokrovsk direction on that day, and the border areas of Sumy Oblast were continuously shelled by Russian artillery. Russia Claims Establishment of Army Groups in Kursk and Other Three Regions, Ukraine Claims Russia Attempts to Prevent Ukrainian Troops from Advancing into Russian Territory Deputy Head of the Main Military-Political Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces Apty Alaudinov stated on the 20th that the Russian army has stopped Ukrainian military operations throughout Kursk Oblast, and the Russian army is retaking settlements controlled by Ukrainian forces. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on the 20th the formation of three new army groups in Belgorod, Kursk, and Bryansk Oblasts. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov held a meeting on the same day, stating that a 24-hour direct communication channel has been established between the commanders of the three army groups, the heads of the three regions, and the Russian Ministry of Defense to address military security issues in border areas. Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi stated on the 20th that the Ukrainian army continues to advance in the Kursk region, and the Russian army is conducting mobile defenses and redeploying troops from other directions, attempting to prevent Ukrainian forces from further advancing into Russian territory. Russia Claims US, UK, and Other Intelligence Agencies Participated in Preparing Ukrainian Operations in Kursk Oblast The Press Bureau of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service announced on the 20th that Ukrainian operations in Kursk Oblast were prepared with the participation of US, UK, and other intelligence agencies. Relevant personnel also conducted joint training at training centers in the UK and Germany. On the 20th, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the US Chargé d'Affaires in Russia to protest the illegal entry of American journalists into Kursk Oblast and the evidence of the involvement of American private military companies in Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that all so-called foreign "experts" and mercenaries who illegally cross the border will become legitimate targets for the Russian armed forces.
International News in Brief
Iran says it will not hastily retaliate against Israel. Regarding the attack in Tehran that killed former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesperson Ramezan Sharif said on the 20th that Iran would not take hasty retaliatory actions against Israel, and Iran might not repeat past strategies. Iran is conducting a comprehensive assessment of the situation to make a mature and accurate decision. Protests Erupt at US Democratic Convention Site The Democratic National Convention is being held in Chicago. From the 19th to the 20th, thousands of protesters held demonstrations in various parts of Chicago, opposing the US government's military support for Israel and demanding an end to the war in the Gaza Strip. Clashes erupted between police and protesters. According to US media reports, at least 80 people have been arrested. The reports state that protests are expected to continue. Canadian Wildfire Smoke Affects Parts of Europe and the United States The European Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service reported on the 20th that smoke from wildfires in northern Canada has drifted across Ireland and the UK, and spread to France and other European countries, affecting local air quality. According to US media reports, Canadian wildfire smoke has also affected parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin in the United States. Data from the Canadian fire department shows that as of 4:00 PM Beijing time today (August 21), there are over 830 active wildfires in Canada, with more than half of them out of control.