CHINA MIRROR WEEKLY NEWS 11TH ISSUE

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Association for Sri Lanka China Social and Cultural Co-operation

SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:

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Steer China-U.S. ties back to right track

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Opening of the water purification Plant at Tantrimale, Anuradhapura

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Xi Jinping's works published in languages of SCO countries.

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China makes new progress in developing COVID-19 drugs, some in clinical trials

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Chang'an Sports Park in Dongguan, South China's Guangdong province, on Aug 13, 2020.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Joe Biden via video link, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 16, 2021. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) 2

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Thematic Briefing on the Sixth Plenary Session of the Nineteenth CPC Central Committee

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Chinese FM calls for

opposing division through solidarity, promoting development through 4 cooperation

Xi calls for sound, steady China-U.S. relationship BEIJING, Nov. 16 (Xinhua)

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called for developing a sound and steady China-U.S. relationship during a virtual meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden.

Xi said China and the United States should respect each other, coexist in peace, pursue win-win cooperation, and manage domestic affairs well while shouldering international responsibilities.

Xi pointed out that both China and

the U.S. are at critical stages of development, and the "global village" of humanity faces multiple challenges.

As the world's two largest economies and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China

and the U.S. need to increase com-

international environment, includ-

munication and cooperation, each

ing finding effective responses to

run their domestic affairs well and,

global challenges such as climate

at the same time, shoulder their

change and the COVID-19 pan-

share of international responsibili-

demic.

ties, and work together to advance

China and the U.S. should respect

the noble cause of world peace and

each other, coexist in peace, and

development, Xi said.

pursue win-win cooperation, Xi

This is the shared desire of the peo- said, expressing his readiness to ple of the two countries and around work with President Biden to the world, and the joint mission of

build consensus and take active

Chinese and American leaders, he

steps to move China-U.S. rela-

said.

tions forward in a positive direc-

Xi stressed that a sound and steady

tion.

China-U.S. relationship is required

Doing so will advance the inter-

for advancing the two countries'

ests of the two peoples and meet

respective development and for

the expectation of the internation-

safeguarding a peaceful and stable

al community, Xi added.

Steer ChinaU.S. ties back to right track BEIJING, Nov. 18 (Xinhua)

The candid, constructive, substantive and productive meeting between Chi-

nese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden, has once again charted course and injected impetus for the development of China-U.S. ties.

During Tuesday's meeting via video link, Xi compared China and the United States to two giant ships sailing in the ocean, and said that it is important for the two sides to keep a steady hand

on the tiller, so that the two giant ships will break waves and forge ahead together, without losing direction or speed, still less colliding with each other.

For the two ships' safe voyage, mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and winwin cooperation are the important principles.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the United States, overall relations between the two countries have seen steadfast development despite some ups and downs, and have become one of the world's most important bilateral relationship.

To make sure that the two "giant ships"

the COVID-19 pandemic.

will not lose direction or speed, let alone

Thus, the two countries should choose

colliding with each other, the two sides

mutual benefit over zero-sum game or the

should respect each other's social system

I-win-you-lose approach as the two coun-

and development path, respect each oth-

tries' interests deeply intertwine.

er's core interests and major concerns,

That makes cooperation one and the only

and respect each other's right to develop-

direction for the two ships sailing forward

ment. No conflict and no confrontation is

together. Besides, mutual benefit and win-

also a line that both sides must hold.

win cooperation are the source of energy

Xi said on Tuesday that the most im-

powering the development of China-U.S.

portant event in international relations

relations so that the two ships will not

over the past 50 years was the reopening

lose speed.

and development of China-U.S. relations,

At present, the combined gross domestic

which has benefited the two countries

product of China and the United States

and the whole world.

exceeds one third of the world's total, and

A sound and stable China-U.S. relation-

the two countries contribute more than 50

ship is required for advancing the two

percent to the global economic growth.

countries' respective development and

Their cooperation of mutual benefits pro-

for safeguarding a peaceful and stable

vides both economies and the world econ-

international environment, including

omy with continuous growth momentum

finding effective responses to global

and development opportunities.

challenges such as climate change and

11

Chinese FM calls for opposing di-

vision through solidarity, promoting development through cooperation BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday stressed the need for unity and cooperation for all countries, calling for dialogue to manage differences.

Wang made the remarks when delivering the speech, "Opposing Division Through Solidarity, Promoting Development Through Cooperation," via video link at the Global Town Hall themed, "Managing Competition, Conflict, and Cooperation in a Pandemic World."

Noting that we're still in the middle of a raging pandemic, Wang said countries must join hands to build consensus and form synergy due to the current situation. The world is far from being tranquil, and the risks of group politics and cold-war confrontations are on the rise.

He called for all parties to stay committed to solidarity and oppose division, remain committed to the win-win approach instead of a zero-sum mentality, stay committed to boosting common development through cooperation, and stay committed to managing differences through dialogue.

"China and the United States are the world's largest developing and developed countries.

Whether they can manage their relations well bears on the future of the world. That's the 'question of the century,' and the two countries must come up with a good answer together," Wang said.

He noted that President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden had a constructive, indepth, candid, wide-ranging and substantive meeting on Tuesday. It is hoped that the United States will match its critical statements, including not fighting a new Cold War, not seeking conflict or confrontation, and not supporting "Taiwan independence" with specific policies and real actions, he stated.

"Only in this way can the China-U.S. relationship achieve steady and long-term

growth and benefit both countries and the resolute the actions against 'Taiwan inwhole world," Wang added. dependence' are, the more hopeful we can be that a peaceful reunification will Regarding mutual respect as a basic pre- be achieved. In turn, the more possible for the Taiwan Strait to be peaceful and condition for state-to-state relations, stable, and consequently, more peace Wang said all countries should understand and respect each other in the spirit and prosperity in Asia and the Pacific," he explained. of inclusiveness, rather than act condescendingly or even impose their will on others.

Wang reiterated that China supports ASEAN's community building, supports Peaceful coexistence is an inherent prin- ASEAN centrality in regional architecciple in state-to-state interactions, Wang ture, and supports ASEAN in playing an even bigger role in the Asia-Pacific resaid. He added that no conflict, no confrontation, and maintaining peaceful co- gion. existence should be the sensible choice that both China and the United States "We have taken note that ASEAN has must firmly uphold. "This is also the independently put forth its own Outlook right way for big countries with different on the Indo-Pacific, highlighting that it social systems to get along with each will uphold the concepts such as openother." ness, transparency, inclusivity, equality, mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual "Win-win cooperation is the right direc- benefit, and keep to the important principles of respect for sovereignty and nontion of history. Globalization is an irreintervention," Wang said. He added that versible trend of the times. Those who these concepts and principles are compractice isolationism and protectionism patible with the purposes of the UN will hurt both themselves and others.

Charter, and align with the thinking beWith their interests deeply intertwined, hind China's foreign policy.

China and the United States will both lose in any zero-sum game." He elaborated further, saying that only by pursuing Wang also said China and ASEAN will mutual benefit and common development convene a special summit to commemocan the two countries achieve steady and rate the 30th anniversary of their diasustained growth. logue relations in two days, and the meeting will be an important milestone.

"There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China. We will "The summit will further help strengthen strive for the prospect of peaceful reunifi- and upgrade China-ASEAN relations, cation with utmost effort. But we will marking new strides to build a closer absolutely not tolerate any 'Taiwan inde- China-ASEAN community with a shared pendence' moves that aim to separate the future. It will also make new and greater country and will without question not contributions to peace, stability and accept any attempt to create 'two Chinas' prosperity in the region," he added. or 'one China, one Taiwan' in the world," Wang emphasized.

Noting the CPC convened the sixth plenary session of its 19th Central Commit"I hope that you will all agree that the tee a week ago, Wang said the Plenum more unequivocal the opposition against reviewed the major achievements and 'Taiwan independence' is, and the more historical experience of the Party over the past century.

Opening of the water purification Plant at Tantrimale, Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong, the Ambassador of China in Sri Lanka and other officials of the embassy paid homage to Sri Maha Bodhiya at the Anuradhapura on 18.11.2021 before commencing activities to donate water purification plant at Tantirimale.

Thereafter Ambassador Qi and the delegation paid homage to Ruwanweliseya and obtained blessings from the Chief Prelate Ven.Pallegama Hemarathana Thero , the Chief Incumbent of Ruwanweliseya .

Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association (SLCBFA) constructed a water purification plant at Sri Pushparama Viharaya, Sandamaleliya, Thanthrimalee in Anuradhapurya District, under the program “Suwa Diviyata Pendothak” to assist needy villagers who are suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) with the financial assistance from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka. .

This Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant project was initiated by Ven.Dr kallanchiyea Ratnasiri thero, the chief incumbent of the historical Abhayagiri Temple of Anuradhapura; in which , Ven Ven Fa-Xian thero resided in the 4th Century,

which is indeed one of the key mile stones of Sri Lanka-China Buddhist links .

H.E. The Qi Zhenhong, The Ambassador of China in Sri Lanka handed over the Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant on 18th November 2021, in the presence of Ven.Dr Kallanchiyea Ratnasiri thero and Mr.Ajith Dharmawardena, Snr Vice President of SLCBFA to Ven Viharagama Sangalathna Thero , the Chief Incumbent of Sri Pushparama Viharaya, Sandamaleliya, Thanthrimale at the Abahagiri Viaharya . This plant will immensely assist villagers of Tantrimale at Anuradhapura District, who are in dire need of drinking water and suffering from CKD. Thereafter paid homage to the statue of Fa-Xian thero at the Abhayagiri Temple reminiscing the contribution made by the Master Fa-Xian to the development Sri Lanka -China Buddhist friendship in 412 A.D .

Thematic Briefing on the Sixth Plenary Session of the Nineteenth CPC Central Committee Hosted by International Department, Central Committee, communist Party of China 19 Nov 2021

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“The global and Asian coffee cultivation, product formats and consumer markets have undergone major changes this year.”

Says Asian Coffee Association.

19 Nov 2021 Recently, more than 20 countries from China, the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Brazil, Ethiopia, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and other countries have participated in the “epidemic The topics discussed at the Asian Coffee Association’s annual meeting with the theme of "Coffee Dynamics" learned that the global and Asian coffee cultivation, product formats and consumer markets have undergone major changes this year. It is estimated that the global coffee production in 2021/22 will drop from 10.17 million tons in 2020/21 to 8.5 -9 million tons, and the consumption will remain above 10 million tons. At present, the global coffee inventory has also reached the lowest level in history, less than 2 million tons. In particular, there is basically no inventory of certified coffee, and there will be a shortage of global coffee supply.

In 2020/21, China's coffee planting area will be about 1.5 million mu; coffee production will be 135,000 tons. According to data from the General Administration of Customs of China, the import volume

of coffee beans from January to June 2021 increased by 104.3% year-on-year to 61,800 tons, an increase of 76% yearon-year. It is estimated that the import volume in 2021 will increase to more than 200,000 tons on the basis of about 171,000 tons or 28,500 thousand bales in the 2020 coffee year.

China is the world's largest manufacturer of coffee machines. Its exports are mainly low-end products and its imports are mainly mid-to-highend products. In 2020, China’s total import and export of coffee machines was 93,288,200 units, an increase of 5.48% over the previous year, of which 769,700 units were imported and 92,518,500 units were exported. The market size reached US$2.024 billion in imports and exports. It is expected in 2021. The coffee machine market will reach 2.3 billion U.S. dollars.

Thematic Briefing on the Sixth Plenary ...

Xi Jinping's works published in languages of SCO countries .

CGTN 18 Nov

Publishing houses from 17 countries have partnered with Beijing-based Foreign Languages Press, the publisher of the third volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China," for translating the book into different languages for publication.

The countries include Albania, Poland, Romania, Belarus, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Nepal, Laos, Bangladesh, Thailand, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia.

The book, first published in Chinese

and English on June 30, 2020, records the practices of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core in leading the whole Party and Chinese people to make new and major advances in various undertakings of the Party and the country since the 19th CPC National Congress in 2017.

"Xi Jinping: The Governance of Chi-

na" has three volumes, translated into 33 languages, and distributed in over 170 countries and regions.

The Chinese publisher said it is also working on the translation and publishing process of the French, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, German, Japanese, and Portuguese versions of the third volume.

pipes with a diameter of about 25 centimeters, providing physical materials for further studies on the drainage system of the ancient construction.

tends about 30 meters from west to east with a width of about six meters. It is the first time archaeologists have found such road and track remains at the site, said the institute.

The No. 14 foundation site, which covers more than 1,800 square meters, is believed to have been used in the middle to late Western Zhou Dynasty period and is of great importance for further research on the architecture functions, construction techniques and the capital layout of the dynasty.

Drainage pipe, ancient road unearthed in NW China's Xi'an CGTN 19 Nov

Earthenware pipes unearthed from the ruins of Haojing in the city of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China, November 18, 2021. /CFP Relics of drainage pipe, road and rut remains have been found in the ruins of Haojing, an ancient capital city dating back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC), in today's Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, according to the provincial academy of archaeology.

The drainage pipe was uncovered in the foundation of the No. 14 building on its central-south edge, which was excavated between 2019 and 2020, the institute said on Wednesday.

Over three meters long, the pipe ruins are made of four round earthenware

Meanwhile, an ancient road with a 12meter-long and eight-centimeter-deep vehicle rut was also discovered in the recent excavation. About 1.4 meters above the existing surface, the road ex-

China makes new progress in developing COVID-19 drugs, some in clinical trials CGTN 18 Nov

In a boost to its fight against COVID-19, China is accelerating the development of drugs while promoting vaccination.

A combination therapy of monoclonal antibodies BRII-196 and BRII-198 jointly developed

by Tsinghua University, the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen and Brii Biosciences has shown promising results for nonhospitalized COVID-19 patients at high risk of clinical progression to severe disease.

"Our body produces a lot of antibodies, but not all of them have antiviral properties. The goal of our research is to select the strongest and best antiviral antibodies to develop drugs for treatment," Professor Zhang Linqi of Tsinghua's School of Medicine told Science and Technology Daily in a recent interview.

Zhang said the team screened the two highly active and complementary antibodies from hundreds isolated from the blood of convalescent COVID-19 patients.

"The BRII-196/BRII-198 medicines have been used in the clinical treatment of over 700 patients in China, and the clinical trials data at home and overseas shows the medicines could reduce severe symptoms and mortality by 78 percent," he said.

Brii Biosciences has submitted an emergency use authorization (EUA) filing of the therapy to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on a rolling basis, and also submitted an interim report of phase III clinical trials overseas to the Center for Drug Evaluation of China's National Medical Products Administration.

DXP-604, a new neutralizing antibody

drug, has also been approved at the Beijing Ditan Hospital for compassionate use, an option to treat patients with life-threatening conditions with medical products outside of clinical trials when no other treatments are available.

The drug, developed by a research team from Peking University led by Professor Xie Xiaoliang and Beijing DanXu Pharmaceuticals, can protect against COVID-19 variants with a lower production cost – about onethird of other candidates, Xie told Science and Technology Daily.

According to Xie, the drug is now under phase II clinical trials in China, and they have contacted Sinopharm, the state-owned pharmaceuticals maker, to promote phase II and III clinical trials overseas.

Proxalutamide, an oral androgen receptor antagonist developed by China's Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited, has been granted emergency use authorization in Paraguay.

The company said Proxalutamide is the only small-molecule oral drug that has entered a phase III multi-regional clinical trial (MRCT) for treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

More than 100 sites in 14 countries participate in this MRCT clinical trial, which has been greenlighted/approved by authorities in China, the U.S., the Philippines and Brazil, said Tong Youzhi, chairman and chief executive

officer of Kintor. "We continue to seek approvals by regulatory agencies in European and Asian countries."

A COVID-19 specific immunoglobulin, which is a polyclonal antibody, developed by Sinopharm. / CFP Sinopharm has also announced the development of two COVID-19 drugs that could reduce the impact of the virus.

Countries around the world are also seeking antiviral drug treatment for COVID-19.

The UK has become the first country in the world to approve a COVID-19 drug.

Known as molnupiravir, it is jointly developed by Merck & Co Inc. and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics.

It is recommended for use in "people with mild to moderate COVID-19 and at least one risk factor for developing severe illness, such as obesity, older age diabetes, and heart disease," Reuters reported.

Another pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has applied to the U.S. FDA for EUA of its antiviral COVID-19 pill Paxlovid, a combination of a new molecule, PF-07321332, and HIV antiviral ritonavir.

It could be available by late this year or early next given the timeline between the application and subsequent authorization.

Experts, business leaders say BRI promotes global development Cairo-based Egyptian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said that the BRI has proven successful and contributed significantly over the past years to the development and modernization of the economic and developmental infrastructure of many member countries.

The contribution made by the BRI has proven in a practical way that the initiative is based on cooperation, the exchange of benefits and common interests, Helmy said.

Sheriff Ghali, professor of political science at Nigeria's University of Abuja, said that the BRI has become a popular platform for international cooperation, and has continuously supported African countries to improve infrastructure, including transportation and electricity.

Aerial photo taken on April 10, 2019 shows the Lotus Tower, built under the Belt and Road Initiative, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Xinhua/ Guo Lei) BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)

Chinese President Xi Jinping's important speech at a high-level symposium on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has outlined the blueprint and direction for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, scholars and business leaders around the world have said.

They also commended the BRI for boosting the common development and benefitting peoples along the routes.

Saeed Chaudhry, director of the Islamabad Council for International Affairs, said that joint efforts and win-win cooperation are the main traits of the BRI. During the past eight years, participating countries have gained sustainable benefits under the BRI, he said, adding that thanks to its participation in the

BRI, Pakistan has improved its infrastructure, established power projects to tackle the electricity shortfall, restored industries and generated employment opportunities.

Constanza Jorquera, an Asia expert in Chile, noted that in his speech at the symposium, President Xi highlighted cooperation in health, green development, digital industry and innovation.

Many countries participating in the BRI are developing countries, which are seriously affected by the COVID19 pandemic, she said, adding that promoting cooperation in health is conducive to fighting COVID-19.

Diaa Helmy, secretary-general of

Photo taken on Oct. 21, 2021 shows the Bangabandhu BangladeshChina Friendship Exhibition Center (BBCFEC) in Purbachal on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh. (Xinhua)

Steer China-U.S. ties ….

The U.S. side should fully grasp the fact that any attempt to politicize China-U.S. economic and trade issues, abuse and overstretch the concept of national security to suppress Chinese businesses, will harm the wellbeing of the two countries and that of the world as a whole.

The two "giant ships" also need to avoid collision. Therefore, the two sides need to well manage their differences and sensitive issues to prevent bilateral ties from getting derailed or out of control. It is only natural for the two countries to have differences. The key is to manage them constructively so that they do not magnify or exacerbate.

Washington should have been clearly aware that respect for each other's core interests is the political foundation for the development of ChinaU.S. relations.

To be more specific, issues concerning Taiwan, Hong Kong, Tibet, Xinjiang and the territorial sea bear on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as its core interests

and concerns. On these major issues, there is no room for compromise and

At present, China-U.S. relations are

China allows no interference from ex-

at a historical juncture. The meeting

ternal forces.

of the two presidents is conducive to enhancing understanding of each

Reducing misunderstanding and mis-

other's intentions and can improve

calculation is also imperative to pre-

the world's positive expectations for

vent the two "giant ships" from crash-

China-U.S. relations.

ing into each other.

Looking into the future, the United During their meeting, Xi explained to

States should shoulder its historic

Biden China's development path and

responsibilities as a major country

strategic intentions, and elaborated on

in the world, meet China halfway,

Beijing's position on democracy, world

take concrete actions to carry for-

order, China-U.S. trade ties, energy

ward the spirit of the meeting be-

security and climate change, among

tween the two heads of state and

others. He told the U.S. president that

steer China-U.S. relations back to

the Chinese people have always loved

the right track of sound and steady

and valued peace; that opening-up is a

development, for the benefit of the

fundamental state policy and a hall-

two peoples and the rest of the

mark of China; and that drawing ideo-

world.

logical lines or dividing the world into

After all, the world is big enough

different camps or rival groups will

for the two countries to develop

only make the world suffer.

individually and collectively.

falls for half a year and gets as deep as 2 meters, attracts tourists from home and abroad.

Cars for sale are parked in a parking lot at an automobile factory in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province As winter approaches, the ginkgo trees in Yuquan Temple in Dangyang, central China's Hubei Province, have taken on a golden look as leaves turning yellow with sunlight flooding on them. (Xinhuanet/Fang Zixuan

Chang'an Sports Park in Dongguan, South China's Guangdong province, on Aug 13, 2020.

Several snows since the start of the winter have turned China's Snow Town in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang province, into a frosty wonderland After several snows since the start of winter, China's Snow Town in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang province, is enjoying its signature season. As of Tuesday night, some areas in town had accumulated snow depths of more than 30 centimeters. Snow-capped farm houses, trees and surrounding mountains have turned the town into a white fairy wonderland. Famed for its farm-based tourism, the town, where snow typically

Skyscrapers border a lush green landscape in Shenzhen's central business district. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Photo taken on Aug. 15, 2021 shows a view of the NingboZhoushan Port in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province.

(Photo by Suo Xianglu/Xinhua)

NEWS CONTRIBUTION Embassy of China in Sri Lanka, CPAFFC, CAFIU, Chinese Media PUBLISHER

D30, Matha Road, Manning Town Colombo 8 Sri Lanka Executive Editor Indr ananda Abeyseker a

Phone: +94 112695772 +94 710885588

714925151

E-mail: chinamirrorsl@gmail.com chinamirrorsl@yahoo.com Editor in Chief Madushan Kular athne 22.11.2021