Xi Jinping Arrives in Lima for APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and State Visit to Peru
Local time, on the afternoon of November 14, President Xi Jinping arrived in Lima by special plane, at the invitation of Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, to attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay a state visit to Peru. Upon Xi Jinping's arrival at the Jorge Chavez International Airport in Callao, Lima, Peruvian Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén and other senior officials warmly greeted him. Local students presented flowers to Xi Jinping and extended a warm welcome in Chinese. Honor guards stood in formation on both sides of the red carpet to salute him. Xi Jinping delivered a written speech at the airport, extending sincere greetings and best wishes to the Peruvian government and people. Xi Jinping pointed out that the friendship between China and Peru has a long history and is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Peru was one of the first Latin American countries to establish diplomatic relations with New China. In recent years, China-Peru relations have continued to deepen. Political mutual trust between the two sides has been steadily consolidated, and major cooperation projects have been progressing smoothly, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries. He expressed confidence that with the joint efforts of both sides, this visit would elevate the China-Peru comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level and achieve more new results in practical cooperation in various fields. He also looked forward to attending the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and working with all parties to make new contributions to building an open Asia-Pacific economy, promoting world economic growth, and building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future. Accompanying personnel including Cai Qi and Wang Yi arrived on the same plane. John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Song Yang, Chinese Ambassador to Peru, who had arrived earlier, also greeted him at the airport. On his way from the airport to the hotel, overseas Chinese, representatives of Chinese-funded enterprises, international students, and local people lined the roads, waving the national flags of China and Peru, holding red banners with slogans like "A complete success for President Xi Jinping's visit to Peru!" and "Long live China-Peru friendship!", beating gongs and drums, and performing dragon and lion dances to warmly welcome Xi Jinping. During his flight from Beijing to Lima, Xi Jinping's special plane made a technical stop in Gran Canaria, Spain. The Spanish central government's plenipotentiary representative to the Canary Islands and local senior officials greeted him at the airport.
Xi Jinping Attends Welcome Ceremony Hosted by Peruvian President
Local time, on the afternoon of November 14, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte held a grand and warm ceremony at the square in front of the Peruvian Presidential Palace to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping on his state visit to Peru. Since last year, President Xi Jinping and President Boluarte have met twice. This visit is expected to further consolidate political mutual trust between China and Peru, deepen practical cooperation, promote mutual learning between civilizations, and better benefit the people of both countries. In early summer, Lima was bathed in sunshine and blooming with flowers. Escorted by the Peruvian ceremonial cavalry, Xi Jinping arrived at the Presidential Palace and was warmly greeted by President Boluarte. Boluarte held a grand welcoming ceremony for Xi Jinping at the square in front of the Presidential Palace. The two heads of state shook hands with each other's accompanying personnel. Xi Jinping, accompanied by Boluarte, reviewed the honor guard, and the military band played the national anthems of China and Peru.
Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Peruvian President
Local time, on the afternoon of November 14, President Xi Jinping held talks with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte at the Presidential Palace in Lima. In early summer, Lima was bathed in sunshine and blooming with flowers. Escorted by the Peruvian ceremonial cavalry, Xi Jinping arrived at the Presidential Palace and was warmly greeted by President Boluarte. Boluarte held a grand welcoming ceremony for Xi Jinping at the square in front of the Presidential Palace. The two heads of state shook hands with each other's accompanying personnel. Xi Jinping, accompanied by Boluarte, reviewed the honor guard, and the military band played the national anthems of China and Peru. After the welcoming ceremony, the two heads of state held talks. Xi Jinping pointed out that this was his third visit to Peru and his third meeting with President Boluarte within a year. Many Peruvian people spontaneously gathered along the roads, waving and expressing welcome, which made him deeply feel the friendly sentiments of the Peruvian people towards the Chinese people. China and Peru are both ancient civilizations. The profound accumulation of ancient civilizations has endowed China and Peru with wisdom and broad-mindedness, enabling them to see the direction of historical progress, conform to the trend of the times, always adhere to treating each other as equals, mutual respect, mutual trust, and mutual learning, becoming a model of unity and cooperation between countries of different sizes, systems, and cultures. Over the 53 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, especially since his first state visit to Peru in 2016, with the joint efforts of both sides, China-Peru trade and investment cooperation have grown rapidly, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries. Both sides should summarize their experiences, promote the upgrading and improvement of practical cooperation between the two countries, constantly elevate the China-Peru comprehensive strategic partnership to new levels, and better benefit the people of both countries. Xi Jinping emphasized that both sides should align their development strategies, tap into cooperation potential, and foster a new pattern of practical cooperation, strengthening the "two-wheel drive" of trade and investment, promoting the "two-wing synergy" of traditional and emerging industries, and facilitating the "two-chain integration" of industrial and supply chains. China is willing to continue expanding imports of high-quality agricultural products from Peru and encourage capable Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Peru, making due contributions to local development. Both sides should coordinate and promote cooperation in traditional areas such as mineral energy, infrastructure, transportation, and communications, and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, green shipping, electric vehicles, and the photovoltaic industry. China is willing to encourage Chinese enterprises to participate in Peru's infrastructure "hard connectivity" and promote "soft connectivity" through smart customs. The timely completion of the first phase of the Chancay Port project by Chinese enterprises, despite difficulties, fully demonstrates China's determination to engage in long-term strategic cooperation with Peru. China is willing to work with Peru to fully leverage the geographical advantages of Chancay Port, create a new China-Latin America land-sea corridor starting from Chancay Port, and explore the establishment of a three-dimensional, diversified, and efficient interconnected network from the coast to the inland, from Peru to other Latin American countries, thereby driving the overall development and integration of Latin America and the Caribbean region. China supports the establishment of a sister city relationship between Suzhou and Chancay and is willing to exchange experiences on industrial park construction with Peru, expand cooperation in cross-border service trade, e-commerce, and other fields, and leverage cluster and linkage effects to reinforce confidence in long-term friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Peru with more practical results. China is also willing to establish Luban Workshops and Chinese Language Workshops nearby, in line with Peru's development needs, to carry out vocational education cooperation and provide localized talent and intellectual and technical support for Peru. Xi Jinping stressed that both sides should strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance strategic mutual trust, firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns, and strengthen cooperation in areas such as anti-corruption and combating illegal fishing. They should shoulder the historical responsibility of mutual learning among civilizations, advocate strengthening international dialogue among civilizations, and explore the establishment of a global network for civilization dialogue and cooperation. They should strengthen cultural policy alignment and deepen exchanges and cooperation in culture, arts, education, and cultural heritage protection. China is willing to increase scholarship quotas for Peru. He expressed hope that the youth of both countries will understand and bond with each other, passing on the China-Peru friendship from generation to generation. Xi Jinping pointed out that Asia-Pacific countries are deeply integrated economically, and strengthening unity and cooperation to maintain regional stability and prosperity is in the common interests of the Asia-Pacific family and the Global South. Both China and Peru advocate multilateralism and oppose protectionism. China fully supports Peru's host work and is willing to work with all parties to ensure the success of this APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and advance the building of an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future. China is also willing to continue strengthening communication and coordination with Peru within the framework of the China-CELAC Forum to make positive contributions to the development of China-Latin America relations. Boluarte warmly welcomed President Xi Jinping's visit, stating that Peru and China are two ancient civilizations, and historically, a large number of Chinese people have made positive contributions to Peru's national construction, and the people of both countries share deep friendship, being friendly brothers and friends. China has long been Peru's most important trading partner, and especially since the two sides began cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, fruitful results have been achieved in various fields, fully demonstrating the firm commitment of both countries to pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation and common development. During President Xi Jinping's visit, the two sides signed several important cooperation agreements, including the protocol for upgrading the Free Trade Agreement, which will strongly promote the further development of bilateral economic and trade relations and cooperation in various fields. In particular, the opening of Chancay Port, realizing "from Chancay to Shanghai," will become an important bridge between Latin America and Asia and a significant engine for Peru's economic growth, strongly promoting more efficient and convenient connectivity and trade between Peru and other Latin American countries with China and even Asia, contributing to the sustainable development of both countries and the region. Peru welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Peru and participate in important cooperation projects in infrastructure, resources and energy, and transportation. She reiterated that Peru firmly adheres to the One-China principle. Peru is willing to strengthen inter-civilizational exchange and mutual learning, as well as people-to-people exchanges and cooperation with China, and closely facilitate youth and personnel exchanges. She thanked China for its important and valuable support for Peru in hosting this APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. Peru adheres to multilateralism and looks forward to strengthening communication and coordination with China within frameworks such as APEC to contribute to achieving long-term peace, stability, development, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. President Xi Jinping's visit will undoubtedly be an important milestone in bilateral relations, opening a new chapter in the Peru-China comprehensive strategic partnership, enabling the people of both countries to jointly build and share a more lasting and prosperous future, and promoting the building of a Peru-China community with a shared future. After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of the "Cooperation Plan between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Peru on Jointly Building the Belt and Road" and the "Protocol for Upgrading the Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Peru," and witnessed the exchange of various bilateral cooperation documents in areas such as economy and trade, industrial investment, industrial parks, education, and green development. The two sides issued the "Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Peru on Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership." That evening, Xi Jinping attended a welcome banquet hosted by President Boluarte. Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and others participated in the above activities.
Xi Jinping and Peruvian President Virtually Attend Chancay Port Opening Ceremony
Local time, on the evening of November 14, President Xi Jinping and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte jointly attended the opening ceremony of the Chancay Port via video link at the Presidential Palace in Lima. Xi Jinping and Boluarte listened to reports from the heads of transportation departments of both countries and jointly watched a video of the Chancay Port project. Representatives from both China and Peru at the project site requested instructions from the two heads of state to commence port operations. The two heads of state issued the command, announcing "Port Open!" At Chancay Port, COSCO Shipping's "COSCO Shipping Peru" and "New Shanghai" began unloading operations, while the "Tengfei" sounded its horn and sailed away, and unmanned container trucks busily traversed the area. Warm applause erupted at the scene. The two heads of state delivered speeches. Xi Jinping congratulated Chancay Port on its successful opening and paid tribute to the constructors of both countries for overcoming epidemic difficulties, working together, and completing all tasks with quality and quantity. Xi Jinping pointed out that in just a few years, a modernized port has risen, which is inspiring and encouraging. Chancay Port is not only a deep-water port but also the first smart and green port in South America. Its completion will bring substantial benefits to Peru, create a large number of employment opportunities, and strongly consolidate Peru's gateway status connecting land and sea, and linking Asia and Latin America. More than 2,000 years ago, the ancestors of the Chinese nation sailed across stormy seas, forging a maritime Silk Road connecting East and West. More than 500 years ago, the Inca ancestors of Peru braved difficulties, traversed mountains and ridges, and built the Inca Trail, which ran from north to south across the Andes Mountains. Today, Chancay Port is becoming a new starting point for the "New Inca Trail of the New Era." "From Chancay to Shanghai," what we are witnessing is not only the rooting and blossoming of the Belt and Road Initiative in Peru but also the birth of a new land-sea corridor between Asia and Latin America in the new era. Xi Jinping emphasized that both sides should work together to build, manage, and operate Chancay Port well, continuously improving its capacity and service levels. They should actively explore the model of "channels driving logistics, logistics driving economy and trade, and economy and trade driving industries," adhere to the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, and empower the common development of Pacific Rim economies, including China and Peru, so that it truly becomes a path to prosperity and happiness for Peru and the broader Latin American and Caribbean countries, achieving mutual benefit and win-win results in a broader space, and bringing more tangible gains and satisfaction to the people of all countries. Boluarte stated that the opening of Chancay Port is a historic moment that fills all Peruvians with pride. This grand project, jointly built by Peru and China under the Belt and Road Initiative, marks a crucial step for Peru towards its goal of becoming an international shipping and trade hub, helping Peru become an important gateway connecting Latin America and Asia, and also strongly promoting Latin American integration and prosperous development. The port will open a new chapter in Peru's economic development, further enhance Peru's competitiveness, and bring more well-being to all Peruvians. She thanked China for its trust and support! "From Chancay to Shanghai," this "New Inca Trail of the New Era" will build a bridge of fusion between two ancient civilizations and a bridge of deepening friendship between two friendly nations. Long live China! Long live Peru-China friendship! Chancay Port is located 80 kilometers north of Lima, the capital of Peru, and is a key project in the joint construction of the Belt and Road between China and Peru. After its opening, the single-trip sea transport time between China and Peru will be shortened to 23 days, saving over 20% of logistics costs, and will create more than 8,000 direct employment opportunities for Peru annually. Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and others participated in the event.
Xi Jinping Sends Congratulatory Letter to 2024 World Chinese Language Conference
On November 15, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the 2024 World Chinese Language Conference and congratulated the Confucius Institute on its 20th anniversary. Xi Jinping pointed out that language is a tool for human communication, a vehicle for cultural transmission, and a bridge for enhancing understanding. The Chinese language embodies the thousands of years of civilization and wisdom of the Chinese nation and is an important public cultural product China contributes to the world. It is China's responsibility as the mother tongue country to support and serve the international community in carrying out Chinese language education well. Xi Jinping emphasized that international Chinese language education is widely welcomed, demonstrating the charm of openness and inclusiveness, the value of mutual learning, the spirit of win-win cooperation, and the joint efforts of Chinese and foreign individuals. He expressed hope that the World Chinese Language Conference would uphold fundamental principles and innovate, strengthen connectivity and integration, build consensus among all parties, and strive to build bridges of language commonality, mutual understanding and trust, and mutual learning among civilizations, making new and greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind. The 2024 World Chinese Language Conference, organized by the Chinese Ministry of Education, opened in Beijing on the same day. Its theme was "Connectivity and Integration, Inheritance and Innovation," with over 2,000 government officials, university presidents, experts, scholars, teacher and student representatives, and foreign envoys from more than 160 countries and regions attending the conference.
Ding Xuexiang Visits Azerbaijan
From November 12 to 13, Ding Xuexiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, paid an invited visit to Azerbaijan. In Baku, he met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and held talks with Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev. During his meeting with Aliyev, Ding Xuexiang first conveyed President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings and good wishes. Ding Xuexiang stated that in July this year, President Xi Jinping and President Aliyev jointly announced in Astana the elevation of China-Azerbaijan relations to a strategic partnership, with political mutual trust continuously consolidated and relations becoming increasingly mature. China is willing to work with Azerbaijan in a spirit of sincere mutual trust, equality, and mutual benefit to further strengthen political guidance, deepen all-round cooperation, and promote the continuous development of China-Azerbaijan relations from a new starting point and at a high level. Ding Xuexiang congratulated Azerbaijan on the successful hosting of the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, stating that China is willing to work hand in hand with Azerbaijan to jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, promote regional and world peace, stability, development, and prosperity, and build a community with a shared future for mankind. Aliyev asked Ding Xuexiang to convey his sincere greetings to President Xi Jinping. Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan and China are true strategic partners. Azerbaijan supports the series of important concepts and initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping and is willing to actively build the "Belt and Road" with China, elevating bilateral relations to a new level. He expressed readiness to work closely with China to support multilateralism and promote fairness and justice in the international community. During his talks with Mustafayev, Ding Xuexiang stated that both sides should implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, firmly support each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns, enrich the connotations of the strategic partnership with more practical cooperation results, and better benefit the people of both countries. He urged deepening economic and trade investment cooperation, sharing development opportunities, allowing more high-quality Azerbaijani products to enter the Chinese market, and supporting Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Azerbaijan. He called for deepening energy cooperation and jointly promoting the development of clean energy. He also emphasized deepening interconnectedness to ensure the safe, stable, and smooth operation of China-Europe freight trains and jointly building the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor. Furthermore, he called for deepening cultural and people-topeople exchanges, carrying out cooperation in culture, education, science and technology, and tourism, and promoting neighborly friendship and people-to-people connectivity. Mustafayev stated that Azerbaijan firmly adheres to the One-China principle and believes that the Chinese people will surely achieve national reunification. Azerbaijan greatly admires China's world-renowned great achievements in construction and is willing to further align development strategies with China, deepen cooperation in various fields, and promote the continuous leapfrog development of bilateral relations.
Han Zheng Attends and Addresses Opening Ceremony of 2024 World Chinese Language Conference
On November 15, Vice President Han Zheng attended the opening ceremony of the 2024 World Chinese Language Conference in Beijing, where he read out President Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter and delivered a speech. Han Zheng stated that President Xi Jinping attaches great importance to international Chinese language education, has repeatedly encouraged overseas Chinese language learners to be envoys for promoting cultural exchanges and people-to-people friendship between China and foreign countries, and specially sent a congratulatory letter to this conference. Chinese is one of the official languages of the United Nations and one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. As the mother country of Chinese, China has always regarded serving and supporting Chinese language education in various countries as an unshirkable responsibility. The flourishing international Chinese language education has opened an important window for people around the world to learn Chinese, built a bridge of communication for enhancing friendship between China and peoples of various countries, and also provided a broad platform for promoting exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations. Han Zheng pointed out that China has proposed and actively practiced the Global Civilization Initiative, committed to strengthening international cultural exchanges and cooperation. China attaches great importance to international Chinese language education and language exchange cooperation and will, as always, vigorously support Chinese language education in various countries, helping more overseas people learn Chinese language and culture, and understand a real, comprehensive, and multi-dimensional China. He emphasized the need to strengthen connectivity and coordination to jointly build a more inclusive international Chinese language education; advance integrated development to jointly build a more resilient international Chinese language education; inherit valuable experience to jointly build a higher quality international Chinese language education; and adhere to fundamental principles while innovating to jointly build a more vibrant international Chinese language education. He expressed hope that Chinese and foreign institutions and international Chinese language educators would utilize the World Chinese Language Conference platform to fully exchange ideas, build consensus, and contribute wisdom and strength to promoting the high-quality development of international Chinese language education and enhancing mutual understanding and friendship among peoples, as well as promoting exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations. Tozik, Chairman of the Belarus-China Friendship Association and former Deputy Prime Minister, and Hang Chuon Naron, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, and other Chinese and foreign representatives spoke at the conference. Before the conference, Han Zheng visited the exhibition of innovative achievements in international Chinese language education and Confucius Institutes.
China's Economy Stabilizes and Progresses in October, Key Indicators Show Significant Rebound
At a press conference held by the State Council Information Office today (November 15), data released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the national economy in October maintained stable and progressive operation, with a significant rebound in key economic indicators. In October, industrial output and investment maintained stable growth. From an industrial perspective, in October, the value added of industrial enterprises above designated size increased by 5.3% year-on-year, maintaining relatively fast growth. Among these, the upgrading and development trend of the manufacturing industry was evident, with the value added of high-tech manufacturing increasing by 9.4% year-on-year in October, significantly faster than the overall growth of industrial enterprises above designated size. From an investment perspective, from January to October, fixed asset investment increased by 3.4% year-on-year, maintaining a 3.4% growth level for three consecutive months, indicating increasing stability in investment growth. Among these, investment in high-tech manufacturing grew rapidly, effectively promoting industrial upgrading and development. Market sales and the service industry showed a significant rebound. In October, total retail sales of consumer goods increased by 4.8% year-on-year, accelerating by 1.6 percentage points compared to the previous month. The service production index increased by 6.3% year-on-year, accelerating by 1.2 percentage points compared to the previous month, accelerating for two consecutive months. Among these, the production indices for the financial industry, real estate industry, and wholesale and retail industry all showed significant rebounds. Market confidence was boosted. In October, the consumer confidence index increased by 1.2 percentage points compared to the previous month. At the same time, the capital market warmed up, with both the trading volume and turnover of stocks in the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges increasing by approximately 1.5 times year-on-year in October, indicating a gradual recovery of investor confidence. In October, the sales area and sales amount of commercial housing significantly improved, and the real estate market is moving towards stabilizing and recovering.
China-Europe Freight Train Services Exceed 100,000 Trips, Boosting High-Quality Belt and Road Cooperation
As a landmark brand of the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Europe Railway Express has maintained safe, stable, and smooth operations since its launch, with steadily growing cargo volumes. Today (November 15) morning, the 100,000th China-Europe Railway Express train departed from Tuanjiecun Station in Chongqing. At 10:20 AM today, the X8083 China-Europe Railway Express train departed from Tuanjiecun, Chongqing, bound for Duisburg, Germany. This marks a cumulative total of over 100,000 China-Europe Railway Express trains operated, transporting over 11 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) of goods, with a value exceeding 420 billion US dollars, achieving new results in the high-quality development of the China-Europe Railway Express. This year, over 17,000 China-Europe Railway Express trains have been operated, an increase of 11% year-on-year; the Trans-Caspian China-Europe Railway Express operates regularly; and the full-schedule China-Europe Railway Express service has expanded from Xi'an and Chengdu to Chongqing, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Yiwu, and other locations, becoming the preferred choice for foreign merchants to transport high-end products such as new energy vehicles. The increasingly fast China-Europe Railway Express has fostered many new logistics, trade, and industrial parks along its routes, providing a large number of employment opportunities for local communities. At the Port of Duisburg in Germany, over 100 logistics companies have been attracted by the China-Europe Railway Express. Currently, the China-Europe Railway Express has reached 227 cities in 25 European countries and connected over 100 cities in 11 Asian countries, with its service network basically covering the entire Eurasian continent.
China Adds 7 New "Best Tourism Villages" to UNWTO List
Beijing time, this morning (November 15), at the 122nd session of the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization held in Colombia, the list of "Best Tourism Villages 2024" was announced. China had 7 villages selected, the highest number of any country. The 7 newly selected World "Best Tourism Villages" from China are: Azheke Village in Yunnan, located in the core area of the Hani Terraces World Cultural Heritage site; Guanyang Village in Fujian, characterized by Minnan culture, Hakka culture, and Tulou architecture; Shibadong Village in Hunan, the birthplace of the "targeted poverty alleviation" concept and known as a window to observe rural development in the Chinese modernization style; Taoping Village in Sichuan, located in the core area of the National Qiang Cultural Ecological Protection Zone and an important node on the Tea Horse Road; Xiaogang Village in Anhui, one of the main birthplaces of China's rural reform; Xitou Village in Zhejiang, the inheritance site of the Chinese Longquan Celadon firing technique, an intangible cultural heritage representative list item; and Yandunjiao Village in Shandong, located in Asia's largest wintering habitat for swans. The local villagers' traditional seaweed houses, built with stone walls and seaweed roofs, are warm in winter and cool in summer, and are known as "living specimens of Chinese ecological architecture." The 7 selected villages are highly representative in terms of region, culture, and development model, serving as vivid examples of the diversified and integrated pattern of Chinese civilization, China's achievements in ecological civilization construction, and the role of rural tourism in driving rural revitalization.
Tianzhou-8 Cargo Spaceship to Launch Today at 11:13 PM
According to the China Manned Space Agency, the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft is scheduled to be launched at 11:13 PM today (November 15) from China's Wenchang Space Launch Site. Currently, the Long March-7 Y9 carrier rocket has completed propellant loading. Tianzhou-8 has enhanced its pre-launch cargo loading capacity, further increasing the flexibility of launch and flight control missions, and is carrying multiple new experimental payloads. This noon, pre-launch cargo packages, including fresh fruits and vegetables, refrigerated consumables, and experimental items, were successively loaded into the cargo hold of Tianzhou-8. Currently, the China Space Station complex has completed the state adjustment work before rendezvous and docking, making all preparations to welcome Tianzhou-8.
33rd Olympic Games Chinese Sports Delegation Report Meeting Held in Beijing
The Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and the General Administration of Sport of China held a report meeting for the Chinese Sports Delegation to the 33rd Olympic Games this afternoon (November 15) at the Great Hall of the People. At the meeting, Huang Yuting, Liu Huanhua, Pan Zhanle, Sun Longfei, Zhang Jianwei, Cao Yuan, Zhang Yufei, and Ma Long vividly recounted, based on their personal experiences, the Chinese Sports Delegation's journey of striving to win honor for the motherland and its people at the Paris Olympics, and fondly recalled the glorious moments when Chinese athletes competed with dedication and shone at the Olympics. Their stories of struggle and their spirit of perseverance deeply inspired the audience. At the Paris Olympics, the Chinese Sports Delegation united as one, fought tenaciously, strived for excellence, and fulfilled its mission, winning 40 gold medals, 27 silver medals, and 24 bronze medals, achieving China's best historical performance in an overseas Summer Olympic Games, realizing a "double harvest" of competitive results and spiritual civilization, bringing honor to the motherland and its people, and greatly inspiring the patriotism of Chinese people at home and abroad, boosting national spirit, and consolidating the strength to forge ahead.
Tang Renjian, Former Party Secretary and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Expelled from Party and Public Office for Serious Violations
Recently, with the approval of the CPC Central Committee, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission conducted a disciplinary review and investigation into Tang Renjian, a member of the 20th CPC Central Committee and former Secretary of the Leading Party Group and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, for severe violations of discipline and law. Investigations revealed that Tang Renjian lost his ideals and convictions, betrayed his original mission, and failed to effectively implement the CPC Central Committee's decisions and deployments concerning "agriculture, rural areas, and farmers." He disregarded the spirit of the eight-point frugality rules, illicitly accepted gifts and money, and repeatedly accepted banquets and travel arrangements. He sought benefits for others and accepted money and valuables in cadre selection and appointment. He used his power to provide assistance for his relatives' business activities and tacitly allowed his close staff to seek private gains by leveraging his authority. He made blind decisions in poverty alleviation and illicitly interfered with judicial activities. His family conduct was improper, and his moral character was corrupt. His greed expanded, and he used his official position to seek benefits for others in business operations, project contracting, and job adjustments, and illegally accepted huge amounts of money and valuables. Tang Renjian seriously violated the Party's political discipline, organizational discipline, integrity discipline, work discipline, and living discipline, constituted serious job-related violations, and is suspected of bribery. Moreover, he showed no restraint after the 18th National Congress of the CPC, making his case serious and with a negative impact, thus warranting severe punishment. In accordance with relevant regulations, including the "Regulations on Disciplinary Actions of the Communist Party of China," the "Supervision Law of the People's Republic of China," and the "Law on Disciplinary Sanctions for Public Officials of the People's Republic of China," after deliberation by the Standing Committee of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and review by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, it was decided to expel Tang Renjian from the Party; the National Supervisory Commission shall remove him from public office; his qualification as a delegate to the 20th National Congress of the CPC shall be terminated; his illicit gains shall be confiscated; and his suspected criminal issues shall be transferred to the procuratorial organs for review and prosecution in accordance with the law, with the related assets transferred together. The decision to expel him from the Party shall be affirmed at a plenary session of the Central Committee.
Domestic News Briefs
The 1 trillion yuan ultra-long-term special treasury bonds for 2024 have all been issued. The Ministry of Finance today (November 15) conducted the third re-issuance of the sixth tranche of ultra-long-term special treasury bonds for 2024, with a term of 30 years and an issuance amount of 50 billion yuan, at a coupon rate of 2.19%. To date, a total of 22 tranches (or re-issuances) of ultra-long-term special treasury bonds for 2024 have been issued, with a total issuance amount of 1 trillion yuan, to support "two major" constructions and "two new" initiatives. The policy support scope for urban village renovation has been expanded to nearly 300 cities. The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the Ministry of Finance recently jointly issued a notice, clarifying that the policy support scope for urban village renovation has been expanded from the initial 35 megacities and super-large cities with over 3 million permanent urban residents, to nearly 300 prefecture-level and above cities; urban village renovation projects in prefecture-level cities that can achieve financial balance and have mature expropriation and compensation plans can all be included in the policy support scope. The 19th China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair opened today (November 15) in Guangzhou, with nearly 2,000 enterprises and international organizations from 35 countries and regions worldwide participating. 1,877 domestic and foreign small and medium-sized enterprises showcased their innovative achievements in high-end equipment, electronic information, new materials, and other fields. "High-Level Interview" will air an exclusive interview with Brazilian President Lula tonight. Tonight (November 15), the CCTV News Channel's "High-Level Interview" program will air an exclusive interview with Brazilian President Lula. Lula stated that he looks forward to President Xi Jinping's attendance at the G20 Rio Summit and his state visit to Brazil, believing that China's modernization experience is worth learning from. The program will also be simultaneously available on new media platforms such as CCTV News, CCTV Video, and CCTV.com.
President Xi Jinping's Signed Article Elicits Enthusiastic Response in Peru
People from all walks of life in Peru expressed that President Xi Jinping's signed article highly affirmed the profound friendship between the two countries, characterized by mutual learning between civilizations, historical echoes, and mutually beneficial cooperation. It also outlined a beautiful blueprint for the development of Peru-China relations, which will undoubtedly better benefit both countries and their peoples.
Israeli Military Claims Strikes on Armed Targets in Southern Lebanon; Lebanon Claims Strikes on Israeli Military Base
According to Lebanese media reports, from November 14 to 15, the southern suburbs of Beirut and the eastern city of Baalbek were subjected to multiple Israeli airstrikes, resulting in casualties. Buildings near Beirut International Airport were attacked, and explosions occurred. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated today (November 15) that on the evening of November 14, the IDF attacked several buildings and command centers of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon. Hezbollah claimed that from November 14 to 15, its forces launched rockets at the base of Israel's elite Golani Brigade's administrative headquarters. The Syrian military stated that Damascus and other areas were subjected to Israeli airstrikes, resulting in 15 deaths. The Syrian military issued a statement on November 14, saying that Israeli airstrikes on residential buildings in Damascus and its suburbs on that day resulted in 15 deaths and 16 injuries. The Syrian Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the Israeli attacks, which caused numerous civilian casualties in Syria. The IDF claimed on the same day that the targets of its attacks in Syria were command centers of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), among others.
International News Briefs
Russia claims to have destroyed Ukrainian ammunition depots, while Ukraine claims to have repelled some Russian attacks. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on November 14 that Russian forces struck Ukrainian personnel and equipment concentration areas in 142 locations, destroying Ukrainian tanks, howitzers, and other equipment, as well as electronic reconnaissance stations, ammunition depots, and other facilities. Russian air defense forces shot down 78 Ukrainian drones. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated on the same day that Russian forces launched dozens of attacks on Ukrainian positions in the directions of Kupyansk, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and other areas, and Ukrainian forces repelled some of the attacks. The EU imposed a large fine on Meta. The European Commission stated on November 14 that it would fine Meta 797 million euros for "abusing its dominant position in personal social networking services and online advertising markets," violating EU antitrust regulations. Meta subsequently issued a statement saying it would appeal the European Commission's decision. Wildfires rage in the northeastern United States. Due to dry weather and strong winds, wildfires continued to rage in the northeastern United States on November 14. A wildfire spreading in the border area between New York State and New Jersey has scorched over 20 square kilometers. Multiple wildfires are also burning in Massachusetts. Meteorological departments have also issued warnings for parts of Connecticut, stating that the fires could spread rapidly.