On April 9, the 9th Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) was held in Honduras, the rotating presidency. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the summit. Xi Jinping pointed out that the world is currently undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, and the "Global South," including China and Latin American and Caribbean countries, is growing stronger. CELAC adheres to independence, self-reliance, and strengthening through unity, playing an important role in safeguarding regional peace and stability, promoting development cooperation, and advancing regional integration. He sincerely wished the Latin American and Caribbean countries and their people greater achievements on the path of development and revitalization, and greater contributions to enhancing the solidarity and cooperation of the "Global South." Xi Jinping emphasized that China-Latin America relations have withstood the test of international vicissitudes and entered a new stage of equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness, and benefit for the people. Political mutual trust between the two sides has deepened, practical cooperation has continued to expand, and people-to-people exchanges have become increasingly close, benefiting the people of both China and Latin America and setting a good example for South-South cooperation. China is willing to work with regional countries to promote new developments in the building of a China-Latin America community with a shared future. This year, China will host the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing, welcoming all CELAC member states to China to participate, discuss development plans, jointly promote cooperation, and contribute wisdom and strength to address global challenges, promote global governance reform, and safeguard world peace and stability.
The Central Conference on Foreign Affairs with Neighboring Countries was held in Beijing from April 8 to 9. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the conference and delivered an important speech, systematically summarizing the achievements and experience of China's neighboring diplomacy since the new era, scientifically analyzing the situation, and clarifying the goals, tasks, and approaches for neighboring work in the coming period. Ambassadors stationed abroad and experts and scholars believe that in the increasingly complex international situation, China, as always, has rooted itself in and contributed to its neighborhood, committed to building a community of shared future with neighboring countries, achieving common development hand in hand with them, and injecting positive energy into a turbulent world. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized in his speech the need to focus on building a community of shared future in the neighborhood and strive to create a new situation for neighboring work. Attending ambassadors stationed abroad stated that they should be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, examine the neighborhood from a global perspective, and strive to advance relations between China and neighboring countries. With the concepts and principles of good neighborliness, amity, prosperity, sincerity, affinity, mutual benefit, inclusiveness, and a shared future, China advocates and promotes the building of a community of shared future in the neighborhood, using its own development to promote the development of its neighbors. Today, China has reached consensus on building a community of shared future with 17 neighboring countries, signed Belt and Road cooperation agreements with 25 neighboring countries, and become the largest trading partner of 18 countries. Political mutual trust and interest integration between China and its neighboring countries have deepened, embarking on a bright path of good neighborliness, friendship, cooperation, and win-win outcomes. Currently, China's relations with its neighbors are at their best period since modern times, while also entering an important stage where the regional landscape and global changes are deeply intertwined. Facing the profound changes unseen in a century, with the rise of unilateral protectionism, the backlash against economic globalization, and the severe challenges of increasing instability in the international order, China firmly holds high the banner of building a community with a shared future for mankind, working hand in hand with neighboring countries to create a better future, injecting more stability and bringing more hope to the world.
Tibet and Ningxia are diligently implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speeches at the two sessions, leveraging their resource advantages, adhering to ecological priority and green development, accelerating the layout of green and low-carbon industries, and promoting high-quality economic development. Tibet adheres to ecological priority and promotes green and low-carbon development of the plateau economy. These days, a new round of tree planting and afforestation is underway for the Lhasa North-South Mountain Greening Project. This greening project is Tibet's first large-scale mountain ecological restoration project, with a plan to complete 2.0672 million mu of afforestation in ten years, further strengthening the ecological security barrier. Full protection of the plateau ecosystem and continuous construction of green development methods are underway. This year, Tibet will launch pilot projects for forest and grassland carbon sink development and trading, build agricultural industrialization consortia, develop smart agriculture and animal husbandry, and continue to save energy and reduce carbon in key areas such as industry, urban and rural areas, transportation, and public institutions. At the same time, it will make full use of water, wind, and solar resources to develop clean energy industries, promote the construction of 1.2 million kilowatts of wind power and 750,000 kilowatts of concentrated solar power projects, build a new power system demonstration zone and a clean renewable energy utilization demonstration zone in Tibet, injecting new impetus into Tibet's high-quality development. Ningxia actively cultivates green productivity and accelerates sustainable development. Recently, the "Green Power Town" shared energy storage power station, a key supporting project for the Minning Town master plan in Ningxia, entered its final debugging phase. This energy storage power station is equivalent to a super-large "power bank," converting new energy generation from surrounding photovoltaic and wind power sources. Once operational, it will meet the production and living electricity needs of over 60,000 people in Minning Town, with an estimated annual consumption of 647 million kilowatt-hours of green electricity and a reduction of 220,300 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Currently, Ningxia's green power park is accelerating construction, and green production and living methods are rapidly taking shape. In pastoral areas, intelligent breeding is being explored, forming new ecological breeding methods. In Shizuishan, an old industrial city, the former coal cinder mountain has become a popular tourist destination for citizens. Ningxia is using new energy development as an engine to drive industrial transformation and upgrading, accelerating the creation of trillion-yuan emerging industrial clusters such as wind energy, solar panels, and new energy storage.
The China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises announced today (April 10) that the China Small and Medium Enterprises Development Index for the first quarter was 89.5, up 0.5 points from the fourth quarter of last year, reaching its highest level since 2020. The survey by the China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises shows that the development expectations of SMEs generally improved in the first quarter, and costs decreased slightly, leading to a significant improvement in corporate profits. By industry, SMEs in social services, industry, transportation, and information transmission software performed best. In addition, the operating rate of SMEs continued to rise in the first quarter, with the proportion of fully operational enterprises increasing by 11 percentage points compared to the fourth quarter of last year.
Reporters learned today (April 10) from several banks that commercial banks are accelerating the implementation of share repurchase and increase-holding loans. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Merchants Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of China, China Construction Bank, and Bank of Communications, among others, have all granted credit lines exceeding tens of billions of yuan. Preliminary estimates indicate that since April, the market's demand for new share repurchase and increase-holding loans is approximately 200 billion yuan. Currently, listed companies receiving bank support include not only central and state-owned enterprises but also numerous private enterprises, involving various sectors such as advanced manufacturing, biomedicine, and high-end equipment. To support the stable development of the capital market, the People's Bank of China announced the creation of a special re-lending facility for share repurchases and increase-holdings in September last year, guiding banks to provide loans to listed companies and major shareholders to support their share repurchases and increase-holdings.
Currently, a number of major projects across the country are progressing in an orderly manner, contributing to high-quality economic development. Transportation infrastructure construction is making solid progress. The main structure construction has begun for the Jiamusi-Tongjiang Railway expansion and renovation project in Heilongjiang, a key project in China's 14th Five-Year Plan for railway development. This project is a trunk railway primarily for freight, with some passenger service, and its operation will further enhance the transportation capacity of the Tongjiang railway port. The Chongqing section of the Yichang-Fuling High-Speed Railway has recently entered the main engineering construction phase. The Yichang-Fuling High-Speed Railway starts in Yichang, Hubei, and ends at Changshou North Station of the Zhengzhou-Chongqing High-Speed Railway, forming an important part of China's "eight vertical and eight horizontal" high-speed rail network along the Yangtze River. In the future, the travel time from Chongqing to Yichang will be shortened from more than 4 hours to just over 2 hours. In the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the T20 segment of the main tower of the Shiziyang Bridge, part of the Shiziyang Channel, has completed concrete pouring. As a result, the construction height of the main towers on both the east and west sides has exceeded 100 meters. The Shiziyang Bridge is a suspension bridge design, with a main tower design height of 342 meters, equivalent to 110 stories high, and upon completion, it will become the world's highest double-deck suspension bridge. As the weather warms up, the G331 project of the Jilin Province Border Opening Tourism Corridor has recently resumed construction across its entire length. The project, totaling 1,240 kilometers, passes through 4 regions including Tonghua and Changbai Mountain, and 9 border counties (cities, districts). It is planned to be fully open to traffic by October 1. The construction of a number of water conservancy projects is also accelerating. As one of the 150 major water conservancy projects nationwide, the Huatanzi Reservoir in Guizhou is currently undergoing dam abutment excavation. The reservoir has a total storage capacity of 113 million cubic meters and, upon completion, will effectively solve the domestic water needs of over 330,000 people. At the Phoenix Mountain Reservoir in Guangde, Anhui, a key water conservancy project during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, corridor construction on both the left and right dam sections has fully commenced, and the project has entered the main dam structure construction phase. Upon completion, the reservoir will enhance flood control capabilities for several surrounding towns and effectively irrigate 500,000 mu of farmland.
Recently, 12 departments, including the Ministry of Commerce, jointly issued the "Action Plan for Promoting Healthy Consumption," deploying key tasks in ten aspects, including improving healthy eating consumption, enriching fitness and sports consumption scenarios, and enhancing service capabilities for the silver economy market. It supports local construction of sports parks, fitness trails, national fitness centers, and public football fields, encourages airports, parks, and shopping centers to introduce micro-gyms, and deepens the implementation of "sports events entering scenic spots, streets, and business districts," "traveling with sports events," and "outdoor sports, vibrant mountains and rivers" initiatives. It supports age-friendly renovations for elderly households, research and development of age-appropriate products and supplies, and promotes age-friendly renovations of scenic spot equipment and facilities. It accelerates the construction of rehabilitation hospitals, nursing homes, and palliative care institutions, and supports medical and health institutions in carrying out integrated medical and elderly care services.
With the gentle spring breeze, it's a great time for people to go out and enjoy nature. Appreciating cultural relics and visiting ancient sites, cultural and museum venues have become popular choices for citizens to go out. In Beijing, the Palace Museum has launched a new exhibition, "Music and Forest Springs - Chinese and Foreign Garden Art Exhibition," where over 200 precious cultural relics are displayed amidst the red eaves and green tiles, showcasing the landscape spirit of Chinese classical gardens and the unique connotations of Chinese civilization. At the Luoyang Ancient Tombs Museum, the newly launched immersive fantasy tour is very popular among young people. In the restored and displayed sites, visitors can personally touch the walls and bricks, admire brick carvings and murals up close, and even interact with "ancient people" played by professional actors, uncovering more historical stories through puzzles and plot interpretations. In recent days, the number of daily visitors has exceeded 10,000. In Wuhan, the Yellow Crane Tower scenic area also welcomed a peak in visitors. While enjoying the ancient architectural style, people can also participate in the "Dreaming Back to Li Bai" interactive performance and compose poems with "Li Bai." In addition, archaeological parks such as the Lingjiatan site in Anhui, Anji Ancient City in Zhejiang, and Yeyang Spring and Autumn Park in Fuzhou organically integrate natural beauty with traditional culture, offering study tour activities such as pottery making and simulated cultural relic restoration, allowing children to experience the rich charm of traditional culture in a fun way.
The National Meteorological Center predicts that under the influence of a strong cold front, from April 11 to 12, most parts of central and eastern China will experience strong winds, sand and dust, and a temperature drop. This process will be long-lasting, widespread, and potentially disastrous. North China will experience sustained strong winds, rare for this time of year, with gusts reaching 9-11级别 (Beaufort scale), and Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, and other areas may see gusts of 12-13级别. Some areas in eastern Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning will experience blizzards. Hunan, Anhui, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, and other areas will have thunderstorms with gusts of 9-11级别. The National Meteorological Center today (April 10) upgraded its warning to an orange alert for strong winds, a blue alert for sandstorms, and a blue alert for severe convective weather. The China Meteorological Administration initiated a Level 3 emergency response.
World's Largest Clean Energy Corridor Sees Approximately 9.4% Increase in Q1 Power Generation. Reporters learned today (April 10) from China Three Gorges Corporation that in the first quarter of this year, the world's largest clean energy corridor, consisting of six power stations on the main stream of the Yangtze River, including Three Gorges, Baihetan, and Wudongde, cumulatively generated approximately 57.68 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, an increase of about 9.4% year-on-year. China's Advertising Industry Revenue Exceeds 1.5 Trillion Yuan for the First Time. Data released by the State Administration for Market Regulation today (April 10) shows that in 2024, the advertising business revenue of public institutions and enterprises above designated size across the country exceeded 1.5 trillion yuan for the first time, reaching 1546.41 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 17.9%. The average annual growth rate during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period reached 13.1%. China and IAEA Sign Country Programme Framework for Technical Cooperation. The China Atomic Energy Authority and the International Atomic Energy Agency recently signed the Country Programme Framework for Technical Cooperation in Beijing. Over the next five years, the two sides will deepen cooperation within the IAEA's technical cooperation framework, focusing on nuclear safety and security, energy and industry, and basic nuclear research. SCO Sustainable Development Investment Promotion Event Held. The SCO Sustainable Development Investment Promotion Event was held today (April 10) in Tianjin, attended by nearly 400 government and business representatives from SCO member states, observer states, and dialogue partners. A total of 18 key projects from 8 countries were signed, covering crucial areas such as new energy, new materials, and infrastructure, with a total signed value of 4.795 billion yuan. China Discovers New Mineral Species: High-Purity Quartz Ore. The Ministry of Natural Resources today (April 10) issued the "New Mineral Species Announcement," declaring high-purity quartz ore as China's 174th new mineral species. High-purity quartz ore refers to rock from which high-purity quartz sand with a silicon dioxide purity of no less than 99.995% can be obtained through beneficiation and purification. It is an indispensable key basic material for strategic emerging industries such as semiconductors and photovoltaics. Cross-Border Freight on China-Laos Railway Maintains Growth in Q1. Reporters learned from Kunming Customs that in the first quarter of this year, goods imported and exported via the China-Laos Railway amounted to 1.508 million tons, with a value of 4.19 billion yuan, representing year-on-year increases of 9.2% and 17.5% respectively. Since the opening of the China-Laos Railway in December 2021, the total volume of imported and exported goods via the railway has exceeded 12 million tons, with a value exceeding 50 billion yuan. Chinese Scientists Reveal Water Content in Lunar Mantle on Far Side of Moon for First Time. Recently, based on lunar samples retrieved by Chang'e-6, Chinese scientists for the first time studied and found that the water content in the lunar mantle on the far side of the Moon is less than 2 micrograms/gram, revealing that the lunar mantle on the far side of the Moon is drier than that on the near side. This research provides crucial support for estimating the total water content on the Moon and for studying its origin and subsequent evolution. Guangxi Cangwu-Rong County Xunjiang Bridge Completed Today. Today (April 10), the Xunjiang Bridge connecting Cangwu and Rong County in Guangxi was successfully joined. The bridge, with a total length of 1,688 meters, is a key controlling project for the Cangwu-Rong County Expressway. After its opening, the travel time between the two places will be shortened from about 2 hours to just over 50 minutes. Xiliao River Mainstream Achieves Full Flow. Reporters learned from the Ministry of Water Resources that today (April 10), significant progress was made in the ecological water replenishment dispatch for the Xiliao River in spring. As the mainstream's water flow reached the Jiaolai River Estuary in Tongliao City, Inner Mongolia, successfully connecting with the downstream water channels, the Xiliao River mainstream, which had been dry for 27 years, achieved full flow for the first time. Beijing Pinggu International Peach Blossom Festival Kicks Off Today. Today (April 10), the Beijing Pinggu International Peach Blossom Festival kicked off. A series of activities will be held, including singing in the sea of flowers, themed parades, and intangible cultural heritage cultural and creative events, presenting a spring feast combining flower viewing, gourmet food, and culture for tourists. Beijing Pinggu has for the first time jointly launched cross-regional peach blossom tourism routes with areas such as Nyingchi in Tibet and Changde in Hunan. Xinjiang Hotan's Million Livestock Begin Spring Migration. Recently, herdsmen in Cele County, Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang, located at the northern foot of the Kunlun Mountains, drove their livestock to spring pastures in the Kunlun Mountains at altitudes above 3,500 meters. This year, over 1.2 million livestock in Hotan Prefecture are participating in the spring migration, which will continue until mid-May.
The World Trade Organization held its first annual Goods Council meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on the 9th. China expressed serious concern about the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" imposed by the United States and their detrimental effects. China pointed out that the U.S.'s so-called "reciprocal tariffs" far exceed its bound tariff levels committed to the WTO, and unilaterally imposing arbitrary discriminatory tariffs severely violates the fundamental principle of Most-Favored-Nation treatment in the WTO, which is typical unilateralism, protectionism, and bullying behavior. This not only does not help resolve trade imbalance issues but also backfires on the U.S. itself, severely disrupting the international trade order. 46 WTO members spoke under this agenda. The European Union stated that the U.S.'s so-called "reciprocal tariffs" severely undermine the fundamental principles of the WTO and do not help resolve trade imbalances. The United Kingdom, Canada, and others criticized the U.S. move for disrupting the international trade order, undermining the stable operation of global industrial and supply chains, and harming the interests of producers and consumers in all countries, including the United States.
People from many countries stated that the US tariff policy hurts itself and also impacts the stability of the global economic order. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said today (April 10) that the US tariff policy is harming itself. French Minister of Economy and Finance Eric Lombard said on April 9 that the US tariff policy will lead to slower economic growth and higher prices in the US itself. French central bank governor Villeroy de Galhau said on the same day that the US is punishing its own economy. Czech President Petr Pavel criticized the US approach as crude and beneficial to no one. Martin Wolf, chief economics commentator for the Financial Times, wrote that the US tariff policy will neither help reduce its trade deficit nor have a profound impact on the global economy. Trade protectionism is ineffective and harmful, and the US itself may be the most severely affected in the end. A report released by JPMorgan Chase Bank on the evening of April 9 stated that even if the US government partially suspends tariffs, there is still a 60% chance that the US will fall into recession. The report said that the US government's continued policy chaos on trade and fiscal issues has hit investor confidence. According to US media reports, Professor Wolfer of economics and public policy at the University of Michigan pointed out that the US government fundamentally misunderstands how trade works. For the US, more manufacturing does not mean a better economy.
The 9th Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) was held in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, on the 9th. The summit adopted the "Tegucigalpa Declaration," opposing unilateral coercive measures that violate international law, including restrictive measures that hinder international trade. Honduran President Xiomara Castro called on Latin American countries to unite to deal with the turbulent situation caused by unilateral US measures in her opening speech. On the same day, leaders of various countries spoke at the summit, criticizing US unilateral actions. Brazilian President Lula stated that the US government's "arbitrary imposition of tariffs" undermines international economic stability, and the US seeks to restore its old hegemony in the Latin American and Caribbean region. Bolivian President Arce stated that he firmly opposes new protectionism imposed by superpowers that affects the development of other countries.
Israeli media reported that the Israeli army expanded the buffer zone in southern Gaza. According to Palestinian media reports, the Israeli army launched airstrikes on Gaza City in northern Gaza and Khan Younis in southern Gaza from April 9 to 10, killing dozens and injuring dozens. Israeli media reported on April 9 that the Israeli army has occupied the Morag corridor between Rafah and Khan Younis in southern Gaza, continuously expanding the buffer zone, and plans to include all of Rafah. Russia claims to have struck Ukrainian military-industrial targets, Ukraine claims to have repelled Russian attacks. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on April 9 that the Russian army struck Ukrainian tactical missile production facilities, drone assembly workshops, and other targets, and shot down over 300 Ukrainian drones. The Russian Ministry of Defense also stated that Russian energy infrastructure in Kursk, Rostov, and other areas was attacked four times by the Ukrainian army from April 8 to 9. Ukraine stated on the same day that the Ukrainian army repelled Russian attacks in the direction of Pokrovsk and other areas, and struck Russian airfields, drone assembly and storage sites, and other targets. German CDU/CSU and SPD Announce Joint Coalition Agreement. On April 9, the German CDU/CSU and SPD announced their joint coalition agreement, covering the goals and implementation paths for the ruling coalition in economic, financial, foreign affairs, and other aspects for the next four years, as well as cabinet position allocation. The agreement still needs to be approved and signed by the parties' internal bodies. German CDU leader and CDU/CSU Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz stated that after the agreement is signed, the Bundestag will hold the Chancellor election in the week starting May 5. Dominican Republic Collapse Death Toll Rises to 184. The Dominican government announced on April 9 that the roof collapse at an entertainment venue in Santo Domingo has caused 184 deaths. According to a statement issued by the Dominican government, the focus of rescue efforts has shifted to finding the bodies of the victims. After that, relevant government departments will strictly follow procedures to determine the cause of the accident.
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