On the afternoon of November 17, local time, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Rio de Janeiro by special plane to attend the 19th G20 Leaders' Summit and pay a state visit to Brazil at the invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of the Federative Republic of Brazil. Upon his arrival at Galeão Air Force Base in Rio de Janeiro, senior Brazilian government officials warmly welcomed him. Brazilian Air Force buglers played a salute, and honor guards lined both sides of the red carpet. Xi Jinping delivered a written speech at the airport, extending sincere greetings and best wishes to the Brazilian government and people. Xi Jinping noted that he has visited Brazil four times and personally witnessed Brazil's development and changes over the past 30 years, feeling especially close to this warm land once again. China and Brazil are good friends with shared aspirations and good partners who move forward hand in hand. As two major developing countries in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, China and Brazil, though separated by vast oceans, attract and echo each other. In recent years, political mutual trust between the two countries has continuously deepened, practical cooperation has yielded fruitful results, people-to-people exchanges have flourished, and traditional friendship has gained new vitality in the new era. Globally, they have jointly voiced the just positions of the Global South, making significant contributions to promoting world peace and development. Xi Jinping pointed out that this year, the two countries are grandly celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Standing at an important historical juncture that builds on the past and opens up the future, I look forward to an in-depth exchange of views with President Lula on further enhancing China-Brazil relations, strengthening the alignment of their development strategies, and discussing international and regional issues of common concern. I believe this visit will further enhance strategic mutual trust between the two countries, deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and lead China-Brazil relations into the next "golden 50 years." I also look forward to attending the 19th G20 Leaders' Summit, and working with all parties to discuss major plans, seek common development, jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and promote the G20 to continue playing a greater role as an important platform for international economic cooperation. Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and other accompanying personnel arrived on the same plane. Chinese Ambassador to Brazil Zhu Qingqiao also welcomed them at the airport. When Xi Jinping departed from Lima after attending the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and concluding his state visit to Peru, Peruvian Prime Minister Adrianzén, Minister of Defense Astudillo, and others saw him off at the airport. On his way from the hotel to the airport, many local residents spontaneously gathered along the roads, waving to the motorcade. Overseas Chinese, representatives of Chinese-funded enterprises, and students waved the national flags of China and Peru, congratulating President Xi Jinping on the complete success of his visit.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the official inscription of China's Grand Canal on the World Heritage List. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the Grand Canal is the world's longest artificial canal, and the Grand Canal culture is an important component of excellent traditional Chinese culture. Efforts should be made in protection, inheritance, and utilization to allow the ancient Grand Canal to radiate new vitality in the new era. Keeping the General Secretary's instructions in mind, cadres and people along the canal have adhered to the principle of prioritizing protection, continuously inheriting and innovating the cultural connotations of the Grand Canal, and new progress has been made in the protection, inheritance, and utilization of the Grand Canal. The millennia-old Grand Canal is radiating new vigor and vitality. China's Grand Canal, stretching nearly 3,200 kilometers, has a history of over 2,500 years. It flows through eight provinces and municipalities, including Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, making it the largest, longest, and longest-lasting canal in the world. General Secretary Xi Jinping has always been deeply concerned about and focused on ensuring the ancient Grand Canal radiates new vitality in the new era. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly conducted inspections and research along the canal. The General Secretary pointed out that protecting the Grand Canal is the common responsibility of all regions along the canal. He exhorted everyone that the canal nourishes the cities and people along its banks, serving as a river of prosperity and happiness for the people along the canal. He expressed hope that everyone would jointly protect the Grand Canal so that it would always benefit the people. Under the guidance and promotion of General Secretary Xi Jinping, the eight provinces and municipalities along the canal have taken on common responsibility and fully protected the Grand Canal. Protection through ecological restoration: At the southern end of the Grand Canal, the Eastern Zhejiang Canal, which flows through Hangzhou, Shaoxing, and other places, has implemented a "river-city symbiosis" protection project, with coordinated governance of upstream and downstream, and left and right banks, clearing surrounding heavy industrial enterprises. In the Cangzhou section of the Grand Canal in Hebei, more than 20 ecological parks have been built. Through canal ecological water transfer and water system connection projects, groundwater levels have steadily risen, and ancient wells that had been dry for decades have resurged. At the northern end of the Grand Canal, Beijing has built the Green Heart Forest Park in the urban sub-center, which, together with the Grand Canal Forest Park, forms a national 5A-level Grand Canal Cultural Tourism Scenic Area. Provinces along the canal have fully established a river chief system, and the water environment is comprehensively monitored monthly. With the help of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal achieved full water connectivity for the first time in nearly a century in April 2023. Protection through cultural inheritance: The ancient Grand Canal has brought together canal transport culture, water conservancy culture, ship culture, and more, forming a brilliant cultural belt connecting ancient and modern times. In 2014, China's Grand Canal was inscribed on the World Heritage List; in 2021, the "Grand Canal National Cultural Park Construction and Protection Plan" was issued. The eight provinces and municipalities along the canal have protected more than 1,200 hydraulic relics, ancient canal sections, famous cities, and ancient towns through restoration, exhibition, and repair of material cultural heritage. Museums and cultural parks with the canal as their theme have also been built one after another. Yangzhou, Jiangsu, has established the Yangzhou University China Grand Canal Research Institute, the Grand Canal Intangible Cultural Heritage Park, etc., among which the China Grand Canal Museum and City Study are cultural landmarks for citizens and tourists. In Luoyang, Henan, residential buildings along the canal have been uniformly renovated, and ancient bridges and archways are interspersed, creating a harmonious blend of original ecological features and modern charm. The ancient course of the Sui-Tang Grand Canal has been transformed into the 48-kilometer-long Luopu Park and the Sui-Tang Grand Canal National Cultural Park, where people can stroll and immerse themselves in traditional Chinese culture. Protection through efficient utilization to promote high-quality development along the Grand Canal: Various regions along the canal have promoted mutual progress in protection and development by renovating and transforming canal waterways and upgrading infrastructure. A batch of smart ports and digital waterways are being accelerated, and the level of green shipping is continuously improving. Today, with bustling commercial activities and rich tourism formats, the cultural tourism industry along the canal is vibrant. The millennia-old canal, traversing ancient and modern times, continues to flow. As the protection, inheritance, and utilization of the Grand Canal continue to deepen, the ancient Grand Canal is constantly radiating new vitality in the process of Chinese modernization and will always benefit the people.
The remains of Comrade Liang Guanglie, an outstanding member of the Communist Party of China, a long-tested loyal communist fighter, and an outstanding leader in China's national defense construction and military work, who formerly served as a member of the Central Military Commission and State Councilor and Minister of National Defense, were cremated at Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing on November 18. Entrusted by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Li Qiang, Ding Xuexiang, Han Zheng, and others paid their last respects to Comrade Liang Guanglie at Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery on the 18th and extended condolences to his family. The hall of Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery was solemn, and mournful music played softly. At around 9:00 AM, Li Qiang, Ding Xuexiang, Han Zheng, and others slowly walked to the remains of Comrade Liang Guanglie amidst the mournful music, stood in silent tribute, bowed three times to his remains, and shook hands with Comrade Liang Guanglie's relatives one by one, conveying the deep condolences of General Secretary Xi Jinping and other central leaders. During Comrade Liang Guanglie's severe illness and after his passing, Comrades Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, Han Zheng, Hu Jintao, and others visited him in the hospital or expressed profound grief over his passing in various ways, and extended deep condolences to his family. Relevant leading comrades of the Party, the state, and the military paid their last respects or expressed condolences in various ways. Responsible comrades from relevant departments of the central and state organs, friends of Comrade Liang Guanglie during his lifetime, and representatives from his hometown also paid their last respects.
Li Qiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, visited and inspected the China Architectural Technology Exhibition on November 18. He emphasized the need to thoroughly implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions on housing and urban-rural development, empower Chinese construction with scientific and technological innovation, focus on building safe, comfortable, green, and smart good houses, promote the construction of a new model for real estate development, and better meet the people's demand for high-quality housing. The China Architectural Technology Exhibition, with the theme of "Technology Empowers a Better Life, Innovation Leads Chinese Construction," is currently being held in Beijing. Li Qiang walked into the exhibition hall and visited sample houses of newly built good houses and renovated old houses, as well as new rural housing products for beautiful countryside. Li Qiang emphasized that China's housing development is currently shifting from "having or not having" to "being good or not." Guided by the goal of improving residents' living quality and happiness, and considering different living habits, age groups, and economic capacities, especially new demands such as aging-friendly and child-friendly designs, good house construction should be promoted in accordance with local conditions, starting from functions, quality, and experience. It is necessary to strengthen standard leadership and technological empowerment to build new houses into good houses, and also to transform old houses into good houses through scientific renovation. During the inspection, Li Qiang observed sample rooms of "house-car-network" integrated green smart residential products, photovoltaic walls, etc., listened to introductions of new technologies and applications such as handling robots and aerial building machines, and inquired in detail about house design, construction technology, construction costs, and supporting services. Li Qiang pointed out that the application of new-generation information technology, new materials, new energy, equipment manufacturing, and other advanced technologies is fostering architectural and energy revolutions. It is necessary to vigorously promote scientific and technological innovation, make greater efforts in green, intelligent, and industrialized transformation, comprehensively improve design, construction, and maintenance levels, and promote the high-quality development of the real estate and construction industries. While viewing exhibitions such as the historical preservation and urban renewal project of Jianguo East Road in Shanghai and the "original demolition and original construction" modular good house at Huapichang Hutong No. 8 in Beijing, Li Qiang stated that urban renewal is an important task facing urban construction today and holds huge development potential. It is necessary to combine improving people's livelihoods with expanding domestic demand, strengthen multi-faceted collaboration, promote planning innovation, improve standards and norms, increase policy support for good house construction, and effectively carry out the renovation of old urban residential areas, urban villages, and dilapidated houses to improve living environments. In urban renewal, it is necessary to fully listen to and respect public opinions, strengthen the protection and inheritance of historical and cultural heritage, jointly build harmonious cities, and share a beautiful life. Wu Zhenglong accompanied the inspection.
At the invitation of Portuguese Parliament President Aguiar-Branco, Spanish Congress President Armengol, and Greek Parliament President Tasoulas, Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, will pay official friendly visits to Portugal, Spain, and Greece from November 21 to 30.
The first meeting of the Sixth Council of the China Overseas Friendship Association was held in Beijing on November 18. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attended and delivered a speech. He stated that to do a good job in united front work concerning Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese in the new era, it is necessary to be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, adhere to broad unity and solidarity, uphold the banner of patriotism, and leverage the role of united front work for Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese in winning hearts and minds, so as to extensively pool hearts, build consensus, gather wisdom, and muster strength for advancing Chinese modernization. Wang Huning stated that since entering the new era, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core, the Party and the country have achieved historical accomplishments and undergone historic transformations, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has shown unprecedented bright prospects. The great achievements of the motherland's development are condensed with the dedicated support and contributions of compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese. He expressed hope that the China Overseas Friendship Association and its council members will better undertake their responsibilities for advancing Chinese modernization and share the great glory of the motherland's prosperity. It is necessary to better contribute to the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao, comprehensively, accurately, and unswervingly implement the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and the Basic Law, and support Hong Kong and Macao in better integrating into the overall national development. It is necessary to better unite efforts for the complete reunification of the motherland, adhere to the One-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, do more to promote cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, and integrated development in various fields across the Strait, and resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and interference by external forces. It is necessary to better contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind, and actively promote exchanges and mutual learning among different cultures and civilizations. Before the meeting, Wang Huning met with all the representatives attending the conference. Shi Taifeng attended the above activities and delivered a work report on behalf of the Fifth Standing Council of the China Overseas Friendship Association. The conference elected Shi Taifeng as the president of the China Overseas Friendship Association, and elected 25 vice presidents and 221 standing council members.
The Ministry of Finance released the latest data today (November 18), showing that in October, national general public budget revenue increased by 5.5% year-on-year, and the growth rate continued to rebound. From January to October, national general public budget revenue totaled 18,498.1 billion yuan. After excluding the impact of special factors, national revenue maintained steady growth. In terms of expenditure, from January to October, national general public budget expenditure reached 22,146.5 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 2.7%, ensuring basic livelihood and key area expenditures. As of the end of October, local governments had cumulatively issued 3.9 trillion yuan in new special purpose bonds, with an issuance progress of 98%, specifically invested in more than 30,000 projects with strong economic and social benefits, promoting the steady development of local economies and societies. In addition, the replacement of existing implicit debts is proceeding in an orderly manner. The Ministry of Finance has allocated a debt limit of 6 trillion yuan to various localities, and some provinces have already started issuing work.
Beijing continues to optimize its ecological environment, focusing on the "Garden City" spatial layout, deeply implementing the Green Beijing strategy, and striving to build an ecological capital embraced by forests, accompanied by parks, integrated with gardens, and harmonious and livable. Currently, Beijing is in its best season for viewing colorful foliage, with layers of forests dyed in vibrant colors across the city, woodlands, and mountainous areas. In Beijing Badaling National Forest Park, over 50,000 colorful leaf trees and the winding Great Wall form a magnificent and grand spectacle; in major urban parks and city streets, ginkgo trees create crisscrossing "golden avenues," attracting citizens and tourists to take photos. Regarding ecological civilization construction as a major event for the capital, a practical matter for people's livelihoods, and an important matter for development, Beijing now boasts 1,065 various parks, truly earning its reputation as a "City of A Thousand Parks." The coverage rate of green spaces within a 500-meter service radius has reached 91%, allowing citizens to easily enjoy "seeing green when they step out." Beijing is building a "Garden City" to connect green spaces with urban and rural residential areas. In the second phase of Aobei Forest Park, pink muhly grass recently became a popular attraction, becoming a hot spot for suburban tourism. This area was built without fences from the beginning and has now become a large suburban park. Recently, Ritan Park has been transformed into a garden-style neighborhood, forming a new look of "city within a landscape, landscape within a city." This year, Beijing selected 300 overpasses along various ring roads and important connecting lines to implement vertical and three-dimensional greening. In the next five years, 5,000 kilometers of greenways will be built, creating more green leisure corridors for citizens and upgrading greening quality. Currently, Beijing's energy consumption, water consumption, and carbon emissions per 10,000 yuan of GDP remain at the optimal level among provincial-level regions nationwide. The beautiful vision of "mountains covered with colorful forests, plains blending blue and green, and urban and rural areas filled with birdsong and floral fragrance" is becoming a reality across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
This morning (November 18), temperatures were low in central and eastern regions, with minimum temperatures dropping below 0°C in most parts of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei. Today, some parts of northwestern China experienced rain and snow, with Ningxia receiving its first snowfall of the winter. Affected by this, some expressways in Yinchuan, Wuzhong, Guyuan, and other areas implemented temporary traffic controls. In Gansu's Wuwei, Gannan, Qingyang, and other areas, local temperatures dropped by more than 10°C, and expressways such as Wuma and Lianhuo experienced snow and road icing. Local authorities activated emergency plans for snowy and rainy weather to ensure smooth traffic. Xining, Haixi Prefecture, and other areas in Qinghai issued yellow warnings for road icing, and transportation and maintenance departments promptly cleared snow to ensure smooth traffic. The National Meteorological Center predicts that under the combined influence of a cold front and Typhoon "Man-yi," southern China will experience heavy rainfall over the next two days, with moderate to heavy rain and localized downpours in parts of Guangdong, central and eastern Guangxi, and Hainan Island. Meteorological departments remind the public to take precautions against the adverse effects of strong winds and heavy rain on travel.
China's express delivery volume exceeds 150 billion pieces this year. The latest data from the State Post Bureau shows that as of November 17, express delivery volume has exceeded 150 billion pieces. Thanks to the accelerated upgrading of infrastructure in the express delivery industry, the growth rate of express delivery business volume in central and western regions has surpassed the national average, with provinces like Gansu and Shaanxi seeing growth rates exceeding 40%. Tianzhou-7 cargo spacecraft re-entered the atmosphere under controlled conditions. Yesterday (November 17) at 9:25 PM, the Tianzhou-7 cargo spacecraft re-entered the atmosphere under controlled conditions. Most of the spacecraft's components ablated and destroyed during re-entry, with a small amount of debris falling into a predetermined safe sea area. On November 10, Tianzhou-7 successfully separated from the space station complex and successfully released a youth science popularization satellite during its independent flight. Major China-Saudi energy cooperation project launched. Chinese petrochemical giant Sinopec announced today (November 18) that the second phase of the Fujian Gulei Petrochemical Project, a major energy cooperation project between China and Saudi Arabia, has officially commenced. The project has a total investment of 71.1 billion yuan and will build more than 30 large-scale refining and chemical units. Upon its full completion and operation in 2030, it will be able to process 16 million tons of crude oil annually and provide over 10 million tons of high-end chemical products. 44 national medical teams dispatched to central and western regions for巡回医疗. According to the National Health Commission, from September to November this year, a total of 44 national medical teams were dispatched to central and western provinces such as Shanxi and Guizhou to carry out巡回医疗 (mobile medical services). They mainly provided guidance to municipal and county hospitals, improving the local doctors' awareness of standardized diagnosis and treatment and their clinical technical skills, bringing quality medical services closer to the public. The 2024 World Shipping Summit held in Hong Kong. The fourth World Shipping Summit was held today (November 18) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. With the theme of "Navigating Cycles, Integrating for the New," this conference focused on the latest policies, hot topics, and trends in the shipping industry, exploring new opportunities and challenges facing the shipping industry amidst major changes in global trade and transportation.
On November 17, local time, Chinese President Xi Jinping published a signed article titled "Good Friendship Across Thousands of Miles, Sailing Together Towards a Shared Future" in the Brazilian newspaper "Folha de S.Paulo." People from all walks of life in Brazil stated that President Xi Jinping's signed article fully affirmed the glorious journey of bilateral relations over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, and proposed to grasp the general direction of China-Brazil friendship, cultivate new momentum for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Brazil, and strengthen the foundation of friendship between the two peoples, which will lead the bilateral relationship into a new "golden 50 years."
Lebanese media reported that Israeli forces air-raided targets in downtown Beirut, the Lebanese capital, on November 17, killing four people, including Mohammed Afif, a media official of Hezbollah. On the evening of November 17, Hezbollah confirmed Afif's death in the Israeli attack. The Israeli military announced on November 17 that its artillery forces had recently crossed the Lebanon-Israel border to conduct military operations. This marks the first time Israeli artillery forces have crossed the border into southern Lebanon since the Israeli ground offensive against Hezbollah militants began. Hezbollah militants stated on the same day that they had carried out over 1,300 military operations against Israeli targets in the past two months, repelling 25 Israeli ground offensives and 28 border incursions.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on November 17 that Russian forces continued to advance deep into Ukrainian defenses in the Donetsk region, and also repelled Ukrainian personnel attempting to break through in Russia's Kursk Oblast. The Ukrainian military stated that Ukrainian forces repelled Russian attacks in Kharkiv and other areas. The Ukrainian side also stated that due to damaged power facilities, nationwide power rationing would be implemented in Ukraine on November 18. US media reported that the US allows Ukraine to use US long-range weapons to strike deep into Russia; Russia states it will respond harshly. Several US media outlets reported on November 17 that US President Biden had authorized Ukraine to use US long-range weapons to strike deep into Russia. The White House has not yet confirmed this. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated on the same day that Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously expressed his stance on the matter. Putin said in September that if the West allowed Ukraine to use long-range missiles to strike targets inside Russia, it would change the nature of the events, and Russia would make appropriate decisions. Leonid Slutsky, Chairman of the Russian State Duma's Committee on International Affairs, stated on November 17 that the US decision would lead to a serious escalation of the situation, and Russia would respond with the utmost severity.
Finland holds its first large-scale NATO artillery exercise. On November 17, NATO member armies conducted live-fire artillery exercises in Finland. This is the first large-scale NATO artillery exercise held in Finland since it joined NATO last year. In addition, according to a statement released on the Finnish Navy's official website, the "Cold Wind 24" exercise, hosted by the Finnish Navy, is scheduled to begin today (November 18) in southern Finland and the Baltic Sea. Wildfires spread again in the northeastern United States. According to US media reports on November 17, due to strong winds, a wildfire in the border area between New York State and New Jersey has recently accelerated its spread and crossed containment lines. Local fire officials said that over 160 homes have been affected, and residents have been evacuated. Recently, wildfires have been raging in many parts of the northeastern United States, with several states under wildfire alerts last weekend.
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