CM WEEKLY NEWS ISSUE 9 18.10.2021

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Association for Sri Lanka China Social and Cultural Co-operation

China launches its longest-ever crewed mission for space station construction SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST: 

Xi urges global transport cooperation, common development

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China to continue openingup, share opportunities with world: premier Li

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Webinars prior to the 7thChina-South Asia Friendship Organizations Forum (CSAFOF)



Sri Lanka will participate to the China (Sichuan) Asian Youth Exchange



China to send another 3 astronauts to its space station

Xi urges global transport cooperation, common development 3

Webinars prior to the 7thChina-South Asia Friendship Organizations Forum (CSAFOF) 5

China to continue opening-up, share opportunities with world: premier Li 2

tional situations, countries around the

P1

China launches its longest…..

CTGN China on Saturday launched the crewed

recycle and life support.

globe must exhibit the courage to tackle obstacles, as well as tolerance and inclu-

China to continue opening ..

siveness, determination in opening-up and sincerity in cooperation, Li said.

GUANGZHOU, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) --

The Chinese premier called on all parties

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on

to work together on COVID-19 re-

spaceship Shenzhou-13, sending three as-

Thursday that China's development is

sponse, uphold opening-up and coopera-

tronauts to its space station core module

propelled by opening-up and reform, and

tion to facilitate economic recovery, and

China will share its development opportu-

uphold inclusiveness to promote com-

nities with the world to achieve better

mon development.

Tianhe for a six-month mission.

About 582 seconds after the launch, Shen-

development.

On the Chinese economy, Li said that,

zhou-13 separated from the rocket and

Li made the remarks when delivering a

faced with a complex and stern interna-

entered its designated orbit. The crew

speech at the opening ceremony of the

tional environment, as well as multiple

members are in good shape and the launch

130th session of the China Import and

shocks from the pandemic and severe

Export Fair, or Canton Fair, in China's

flooding this year, China has risen to the

southern city of Guangzhou.

challenges and difficulties while main-

Peruvian President Pedro Castillo, Rus-

taining regular COVID-19 response.

commander and China's first spacewalker,

sian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin,

Li said the Chinese economy has sus-

Wang Yaping, the first Chinese female

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban,

tained a steady recovery, and the major

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri

economic indicators have been running

Yaakob, Cote d'Ivoire Prime Minister

within an appropriate range.

Patrick Achi and Secretary-General of the

Meanwhile, the recovery of the Chinese

Guangfu, a newcomer to space.

UN Conference on Trade and Develop-

economy is still unstable and unbal-

They are expected to set a new record for

ment Rebeca Grynspan attended the cere-

anced, with increasing challenges in

China's manned space mission duration,

mony via video link.

maintaining a smooth economic opera-

Founded in 1957, the Canton Fair is seen

tion, said Li, adding that China will act

is a complete success, the CMSA declared.

The three astronauts are Zhai Zhigang, the

astronaut to visit China's space station and carry out extravehicular activities, and Ye

exceeding the three months kept by the

as a significant barometer of China's for-

Shenzhou-12 crew from June to September

on a new development concept in keep-

eign trade. During the coming session,

ing with the new stage, foster a new pat-

this year.

around 7,800 companies will participate in

tern and advance high-quality develop-

After entering orbit, the Shenzhou-13

the fair offline, while around 26,000 com-

ment.

panies from home and abroad will partici-

China will focus on its own business,

pate online.

keep the economy running in an appro-

spaceship will conduct a fast automated rendezvous and docking with the in-orbit

Li said that, over the past 65 years, the

priate range, and promote the stable and

combination composed of the space station

Canton Fair has been through some ups

long-term development of the Chinese

core module Tianhe and the cargo craft

and downs but has never stopped, which is

economy, Li said.

a remarkable achievement.

The premier said China will rely on its

He said the history of the Canton Fair is a

industrial and market advantages to

Tianzhou-2 and Tianzhou-3. The astronauts will be stationed in the core module.

history of China's opening-up and integra-

deepen foreign economic and trade co-

They will have assignments including op-

tion into the world economy, and also a

operation.

erating mechanical arms, performing extra-

history of enterprises from all over the

He said China will keep its foreign trade

vehicular activities, and having module

world sharing China's development oppor-

policies consistent and stable, and con-

tunities and achieving mutual benefit and

tinue to import more quality products

win-win results.

and services.

transfer tests. They will also continue to

verify key technologies concerning astronauts' long-term stay in orbit, as well as

In the face of the resurgence of COVID19 and the profound changes in interna-

4

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech via video link at the opening ceremony of the Second United Nations Global Sustainable Transport Conference, Oct. 14, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Tao) BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) --

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thurs-

day called for advancing global transport cooperation and promoting common development amid world changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century.

Addressing via video link the opening ceremony of the Second United Nations Global Sustainable Transport Conference in Beijing, Xi called for "writing a new chapter featuring connectivity of infrastructure, unfettered flows of trade and investment, and interactions between civilizations."

The conference, scheduled from Thursday to Saturday, will underscore the importance of sustainable transport to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Representatives from 171 countries gathered online and offline for the three-day meeting.

Stressing that transport is the artery of the economy and a bond between civilizations, Xi said transport has facilitated economic integration and people-to-people exchanges, and turned the world into a close-knit global village.

"Only with openness, inclusiveness and connectivity can countries reinforce each other's efforts and achieve win-win results," Xi said.

He urged efforts from all countries to strengthen both hard connectivity of infrastructure and soft connectivity of institutions and rules, and develop fourdimensional connectivity of land, sea, air and the Internet.

He highlighted the importance of common development. To achieve common prosperity, efforts should be made to enhance North-South and South-South cooperation and scale up support for developing transport infrastructure in the least developed countries and landlocked developing countries, Xi noted.

He called for deep integration of new technologies like big data, the Internet, artificial intelligence and blockchain with the transport sector, as well as more efforts to foster a green and low-carbon way of transport.

Transport is responsible for around a quarter of direct CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion, according to statistics from a United Nations (UN) report on sustainable transport.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called on countries across the world to join forces to build more sustainable transport systems and accelerate the decarbonization process of the entire transport industry.

"All stakeholders have a role to play," the UN chief said at the opening ceremony.

Liu Zhenmin, under-secretary-general for the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, viewed the ongoing transport conference as an opportunity for knowledge-sharing, collaboration and dialogue necessary to advance progress in sustainable transport.

China has constantly expanded global cooperation in the transportation field and supported developing countries including African and Latin American countries in capacity building and technical training, according to a report on China's sustainable transport development released on the official website of the UN conference Thursday.

Xi announced that China will set up a Global Innovation and Knowledge Center for Sustainable Transport, as a contribution to global transport development.

"China will continue to hold high the banner of true multilateralism, and stay connected with the world and abreast with the times. This way, we will contribute more to global development while pursuing our own development," Xi said.

China to continue opening.. commerce will be established before the end of the year, realizing full coverage of all cities in Guangdong.

Li said the development of new business forms such as overseas warehouses will be accelerated and overseas smart logistics platforms will be promoted.

China will step up international cooperation on trade digitization and develop a group of pacesetter zones for the digitization of global trade in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and other areas, said the premier.

On optimizing China's business environment, Li said China

will further shorten the negative lists on the market access of foreign investment, zero out the manufacturing items on the negative list in pilot free trade zones, and keep easing access to the services sector.China will ensure the high-standard implementation of the post-establishment national treatment for foreign investors, said Li, adding that foreign investors will be supported in increasing investment in such areas as medium and high-end manufacturing and modern services and in the central and western regions.

"Foreign-invested firms are encouraged to undertake commissioned research and development business and projects in Chi-

na's National Science and Technology Plan," he added.

China will continue to earnestly implement the Foreign Investment Law and its supporting regulations, resolutely combat intellectual property violations, and foster a level playing

ones, are treated as equals, Li said.

On international economic and trade rules, Li said China is open to and welcomes all regional free trade arrangements that conform to WTO principles.

China will work with all relevant parties for the early entry into force and implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), actively promote the process of joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for TransPacific Partnership (CPTPP), said Li, adding that China will conclude more high-standard free trade agreements and strengthen cooperation in emerging areas such as global digital and green governance.

Li underlined that reform and opening-up is China's basic national policy as well as the fundamental power that propels China's development, now and into the future.

Foreign leaders spoke highly of the Canton Fair's role in promoting international trade and investment cooperation, and facilitating the global economic recovery in the post-pandemic era.

They expressed their confidence in China's economic development prospects and said that they will encourage companies from their countries to expand cooperation in China to better share China's development opportunities and inject new energy into the

Asia-Pacific region and the global economic recovery.

After the opening ceremony, Li inspected some domestic and foreign exhibition pavilions and listened to their briefings on businesses.

field where all businesses, both domestic and foreign-invested

Zhao Lijian: China always maintains that vaccines, as a powerful weapon in the fight against

COVID-19, should benefit more people around the world as a global public good to the

maximum extent. This is what we said and what we did. So far, China has provided more

than 1.4 billion doses of vaccines to more than 100 countries and interna-

Vaccines should not be used as a tool for political propaganda or selfish gains: China FM Spokesperson Phoenix TV: It is reported that the US recently claimed that it has provided more

vaccines around the world than every other country in the world combined, and that unlike China and Russia and others, the US is not asking a single thing in return. Do you have any comment?

in vaccine R&D and production, especially developed

countries, should take concrete actions to fulfill their vaccine assistance commitments and

increase the accessibility and affordability of COVID-19 vaccines in developing countries.

This is an important manifestation of their responsibility as major countries.

tional

organizations, and will step up efforts to provide two billion doses to the world this year. On

top of the US$100 million donation to COVAX, China will donate an additional 100 million

doses of vaccines to fellow developing countries within this year.

In the meantime, we believe that fighting the pandemic is the shared responsibility of all

countries. Countries that are strong

As for the remarks made by the US side, I want to say that vaccines are used to prevent and

curb the epidemics and save lives, and should not be used as a tool for political propaganda.

or selfish gains. It is hoped that the US could honor its vaccine aid promise at an early date, instead of offering a Barmecide feast to developing countries.

of this month The President,ASLCSCC, also states that the webinarsare co-hosted by CPAFFC and Organization for South Asian Regional Friendship and Cooperation with China (OSARFCC).

OSARFCC President Mr. Anoop Baththarai Indrananda AbeysekeraPr esident -

The

Anoop Baththarai President OSARFCC

th

7 China-South Asia Friendship

Organizations Forum (CSAFOF) is scheduled for this December, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) reveled.

Mr,Indrananda Abeysekera, President of the Association for Sri Lanka-China Social

and

(ASLCSCC)

Cultural said

Cooperation

prior

to

the

WEEKLY

vide fruitful preparation ahead of the

nized another three webinars to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of Chi-

na.The first webinar organized onJuly 31st under the theme “CPC in 100 years – President Xi Jinping’s Historical Speech at Anniversary

CM

NEWS that this webinars will pro-

CSAFOF, ASLCSCC will orga-

100th

told

of

CPC's

7thCSAFOF forum.

Webinars will focus on Exploring how CPC has won complete victory in the fight against poverty, Study-

ing the experiences and inspirations of China's economic development, Promoting harmony among civilizations through dialogue and exchanges.

founding and views”.The second webinar will be held on the 29th

CGTN, 11 Oct Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Monday that the U.S. should clarify an incident involving a U.S. nuclear submarine, including the exact location of the incident, the intention of the U.S. navigation, details of the incident, what the submarine collided with, whether it caused nuclear leakage, and whether it damaged the local marine environment.

China urges U.S. to clarify nuclear submarine collision incident

The U.S. should show a responsible attitude and make a detailed explanation of the accident as soon as possible to give a satisfactory account to the international community and regional countries, Zhao added.

Arjun Rupasinghe

Prabhavi De Silva

(ASLCSCC)- 16 Oct

Vinura Gamage

Danushki Prabhani Almeida

Isuru Hapuarachchi

erty alleviation has been solidly car-

Guests and youth representa-

ried out in Liangshan Prefecture,

tives from Asian countries will

To incr ease the under standing of

which has brought earth shaking and

also share their practices in im-

the poverty alleviation and its

gratifying changes to economic and

proving people's living stand-

achievements in Liangshan Prefec-

social development and the improve-

ards, so that we together will

ture, to learn from each other among

ment of people's livelihood.

promote a better life for the people of Asian countries.

Asia countries and together to strive for a better life for Asian people, Si-

During the event, guests will visit

chuan People’s Association for

relevant enterprises, industrial parks

Ms.Danushki Prabhani Al-

Friendship with Foreign Countries

and villages in Xichang City and

meida, Mr.Arjun Rupasinghe,

( SIFA) will host the event of China

Zhaojue County to feel the rapid de-

Ms.Prabhavi De Silva, Mr.Isuru

(Sichuan)-Asian Youth Exchange on

velopment of local economy and so-

Hapuarachchi and Mr.Vinura

October 21st , 2021 Association for

ciety. Discussions with local villag-

Gamage will participate online

Sri Lanka-China Social and Cultural

ers, cadres, entrepreneurs and em-

to the China (Sichuan)-Asian

Cooperation (ASLCSCC) has ar-

ployees will be arranged for better

Youth Exchange.

ranged five young representatives to

understanding of the practice of vari-

attend this event.

ous social forces participating in

Ms.Danushki Parbhani Al-

poverty alleviation. Meanwhile, the

meida, a student of Yaan Poly-

Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture

China (Sichuan) Asian Youth Ex-

technic College (Sichuan) and

in Sichuan Province is the largest Yi

change Conference will be held

also the Council member of

inhabited area in China. Since the

online, with village first Secretary,

Sithawaka Provincial council

founding of new China, it has crossed

township mayors and the youth rep-

will deliver a speech on coun-

the Millennium and directly entered

resentatives of Sanhe village sharing

ty’s social and economic devel-

the socialist society from the slave

stories in their efforts to turn Liang-

opment and her contribution to

society. In recent years, targeted pov-

shan Prefecture into a new look.

the well-being of the people.

China to send another 3 astronauts to its space

station female taikonaut to work in the country's CGTN 15 Oct

Mongolia Autonomous Region taking

Three Chinese astronauts, or taikonauts –

the return capsule.

Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guang-

Zhai Zhigang

fu – will head onboard Shenzhou-13 space-

Born in October 1966, Zhai was the

craft to the core module of China's space

first Chinese taikonaut to conduct a

station at 00:23 on October 16 Beijing Time

spacewalk, making China the third

(1623 GMT on October 15), the China

country in the world to master the

Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced

technology for extravehicular activi-

on Thursday during a press briefing.

ties.

The Shenzhou-13 mission is the second of

As the most experienced crew mem-

four manned missions for the construction

ber of Shenzhou-13, he will be the

of China's space station, Tiangong.

commander of the mission.

The trio will stay in space for six months,

Zhai was admitted to the first batch of

the longest ever in-orbit duration for taiko-

taikonauts in 1998. He was among

nauts.

the final groups to train for the Shen-

The launch will be carried out with a Long

zhou-5 and Shenzhou-6 flights, but

March-2F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan

finally flew aboard the Shenzhou-7

Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

spacecraft.

All facilities at the launch site are in good

During the Shenzhou-7 mission in

condition, said Lin Xiqiang, deputy director

September 2008, Zhai served as the

of the CMSA.

commander of the spacecraft. He

After entering orbit, the spaceship will con-

performed a landmark 20-minute

duct a fast automated rendezvous and dock-

spacewalk with the help of Liu Bom-

ing with the in-orbit space station core mod-

ing, who later became one of the

ule Tianhe.

Shenzhou-12 crew.

The taikonauts will live and work in the

Wang Yaping

core module according to the same timeta-

Born in 1980, Wang was China's first

ble as on Earth, said Lin.

millennial taikonaut and the second

After six months, they will return to the

female taikonaut to go to space.

Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner

She will become the first Chinese

space station, and also the first to conduct extravehicular activities, according to the CMSA. In May 2010, Wang was selected to be a member of the second batch of taikonauts.

In June 2013, Wang and two other crewmates, Nie Haisheng and Zhang Xiaoguang, were sent to space aboard Shenzhou-10. She gave a lecture about space during the mission through a live broadcast, a first for China, reaching and inspiring millions of school children across the country.

Ye Guangfu Ye, also born in 1980, was selected for the second batch of taikonauts in 2010 and qualified for manned space flight in 2014. This will be his maiden flight in space.

He was previously an air force pilot with 1,100 hours of jet fighter flight time. He also took the European Space Agency's underground astronaut training course, dubbed CAVES, in June 2016.

Ye speaks fluent English and is regarded as one of the key taikonauts to host foreign counterparts when China's space station becomes fully operational.

8

zhou-3 cargo ship in September.

Shenzhou-13 mis-

The Tianzhou-3 cargo ship delivered

sion astronauts

including one extravehicular spacesuit

enter Tianzhou-3

activities, space station platform materi-

cargo spacecraft

The Tianhe core module, Tianzhou-2

supplies for the Shenzhou-13 mission, for backup, supplies for extravehicular als, payloads and propellants. and Tianzhou-3 cargo spacecraft have formed a complex operating in orbit.

What is China doing with the Shen-

The three Shenzhou-12 taikonauts spent

zhou-13 mission?

three months in space and returned to

The major tasks of the mission include:

Earth in September.

1. Test of key technologies used to assem-

After completion of the Shenzhou-13

ble the new space station, like robotic arm

manned mission in April 2022 and a

-assisted cabin redocking and manually

comprehensive evaluation of the entire

controlled telerobotics;

system of the project, China will carry

2. Two to three spacewalks to install a

out the remaining six missions to com-

robotic arm adaptor and suspension sys-

plete a fully-operational space station by

tem used for future space station assem-

the end of next year.

bling works;

It will first launch the Tianzhou-4 cargo

3. Further verification of life support tech-

spacecraft and then the Shenzhou-14

nologies that can safeguard taikonauts'

crewed spaceship, with Tianzhou-4 to

health, life and work for six months;

deliver supplies for the Shenzhou-14

4. Scientific experiments and demonstra-

crew.

tions in areas such as space medicine and

During the Shenzhou-14 crew's stay in

microgravity;

orbit, the Wentian and the Mengtian lab

5. Comprehensive performance and com-

modules will be launched to dock with

patibility assessment of all systems.

the Tianhe core module.

China's space station to be completed by end of 2022

The Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft and the

China has planned a total of 11 missions

Shenzhou-15 spaceship will then be

to complete the construction of its space

launched to begin the in-orbit rotation of

station over 2021 and 2022, namely three launches of space station modules, four

cargo vessel flights, and four manned missions.

The Shenzhou-13 is the fifth mission this year, following the launch of the Tianhe core module in April, Tianzhou-2 cargo craft in

May, Shenzhou-12 crewed spaceship in June and Tian-

the crew in the space station.

Lin said that after the six missions, the China Space Station Telescope will be launched into the same orbit as the space station and carry out a sky survey mission independently. The telescope will make short dockings at the space station for replenishment and maintenance.

Xinjiang exhibition displays over 200 intangible

cultural heritage projects CTGN 16 Oct An intangible cultural heritage exhibition entitled"Xinjiang Is a Wonderful Land" opened on Thursday at the Xinjiang Art Museum in Urumqi City, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur

Autonomous Region, and will run through October 19.

The exhibition features 209 masterpieces of representative intangible cultural heritages, among which 115 are from 19 provincial-level regions and cities, and 94 from Xinjiang. The event is co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the People's Government of the Xinjiang

Uygur Autonomous Region. Some 111 national projects are on display, including Beijing kite-making skills, Mongolian Tovshuur music and Clay Figure Zhang of Tianjin, as well as 54 provincial or autonomous region-level projects, such as Weifang embroidery and stone carving painting.

The exhibition mainly consists of themed exhibitions, lectures and exchanges.

Chinese taikonauts conducting the Shenzhou-13 spaceflight mission have successfully entered the Tianzhou-3 cargo spacecraft, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

Shenzhou-13 mission astro-

nauts enter Tianzhou-3 cargo spacecraft

Chinese FM makes fourpoint proposal to tackle Afghan issues

The experience from the past 20 years shows that a country should choose its development path based on its condition, he said, adding that imposition of ideologies and military intervention to intervene in other's internal affairs will only lead to constant turbulence and severe humanitarian disasters.

Wang called on the G20 to respect Afghanistan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and let the Afghan people decide their destiny and contribution to the region's peace, stability, prosperity and development.

with the Afghan side in a rational and pragmatic manner and support the country to establish an inclusive political structure and sound domestic and foreign policies.

Stressing that the fundamental way to settle the Afghan issue is to help the country realize a peaceful reconstruction and a sound economic and social development, Wang appealed countries should lift their unilateral sanctions against Afghanistan.

International financial institutions should also enhance financial support to facilitate Afghanistan's poverty alleviation and infrastructure constructions, Wang added.

Four proposals

Third, the Chinese foreign minister reiterated its zero-tolerance attitude towards terrorism. He called for concrete actions to ensure Afghanistan stayed away from terrorism and proposed a united front for the international community to counterterrorism.

Fourth, the international community should reach consensuses and work jointly to push forward the establishment of relevant mechanisms of Afghanistan, Wang pointed out, adding that he recognized the UN's central role in providing humanitarian assistance and maintaining peace and stability in Afghanistan.

First, Wang called on the international community to focus on people's livelihoods with humanitarian support to help the Afghans overcome difficulties such as food shortcomings, the COVID19 pandemic and lack of medical supplies.

China has announced it will provide Afghanistan with 200 million yuan in emergency assistance for mostly food, materials for winter, medicines and COVID-19 vaccines. The first batch of supplies has already been delivered, Wang said, as he urged countries that created the crisis to take on responsibilities to avoid new humanitarian crises in the country.

CGTN 13 Oct The Group of 20 (G20) should leverage its characteristics and strengths to contribute to the peace, stability and prosperity of Afghanistan and the region, Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative Wang Yi, also Chinese state councilor and foreign minister, said on Tuesday.

Wang made a four-point proposal on tackling pressing issues on Afghanistan, including the humanitarian crisis and terrorism, at an extraordinary G20 leaders' summit on the crisis in the country.

Second, Afghanistan should stay comAccording to Wang, Afghanistan is at a crossroads with both opportunities and chal- mitted to an open, inclusive path of development, Wang said, suggesting lenges, difficulties and hopes. the international community engage

China supports the Afghans to realize a peaceful and prosperous future in their country and is ready to work with all parties to help Afghans open up a new chapter in their country's history, Wang stated.

The meeting is being convened by Italy, the current seat of the rotating G20 presidency, via video link.

Afghanistan with its neighbors' efforts.

The meeting should also strengthen communication and coordination with other multilateral mechanisms related to Afghanistan to form greater synergy, he added.

For his part, Abdollahian said that the new Iranian government will earnestly implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state and firmly push forward the comprehensive cooperation plan between Iran and China.

China reiterates firm support for reviving Iran nuclear deal CTGN 16 Oct

China supports the resumption of negotiations to revive the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated on Friday during a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.

China understands Iran's legitimate position of safeguarding its national interests on the nuclear issue, Wang told his Iranian counterpart. He said China is willing to work with Iran and other parties to push the negotiations in a direction that advances regional peace and stability, Wang said.

that no matter how the international and regional situation changes, China will make efforts for greater development of the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership.

Noting that the phone conversation between the two heads of state in August has charted the course for bilateral relations, Wang said China is willing to continue to work with Iran to firmly support each other on issues concerning their respective core interest and major concern, oppose unilateral bullying acts and defend international fairness and justice.

The first meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan's neighboring countries is both timely and necessary, and it has been welcomed and valued by relevant parties, Wang said.

Iran is committed to the resumption of negotiations on the JCPOA, he said, adding that all relevant parties should fulfill their obligations.

The U.S. government under former President Donald Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018 and unilaterally reimposed sanctions on Iran. In response, Iran gradually stopped implementing parts of its commitments to the agreement from May 2019. Tehran has reiterated that it will "re-embrace" its reduced commitments, in case Washington does the same.

The JCPOA Joint Commission began to meet offline on April 6 in Vienna to continue previous discussions about a possible return of the United States to the deal. After six rounds of talks which ended on June 20, serious differences remain between Iran and the United States on restoring the deal.

China supports the Iranian side in hosting the second meeting, he said, and hoped the meeting could maintain sound momentum, give full play to the advantages of neighboring countries and highlight their distinctive features so as to contribute to the long-term stability of

The Chinese foreign minister also stressed

Chinese military slams U.S., Canadian warships transit in Taiwan Straits

China's military on Sunday condemned the United States and Canada for sending warships through the Taiwan Straits last

spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Sunday.

The Eastern Thater Command of the PLA organized naval and air forces to track and monitor the warships in the whole course, added Shi. week, saying their provocative acts have seriously damaged peace and stability in the region, said Senior Colonel Shi Yi,

The spokesperson stressed that troops of the PLA Eastern Theater Command are ready to respond to all threats and provocations.

China's gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 9.8 percent year on year in the first three quarters of 2021, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed Monday.

Shanghai, registering a GDP of 3.87 trillion yuan ($599.08 billion) last year, delivered the strongest economic performance among Chinese cities, according to a report by Chinese financial news outlet Yicai.

Beijing also witnessed its GDP exceed 3 trillion yuan to 3.61 trillion yuan and took the second spot, followed by Shenzhen and Guangzhou.

Magnificent! Take a look at the spectacular natural scenery of the Mahuangliang Loess Geopark in Yulin City, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Covering an area of 37 square kilometers, the geopark has several distinct landscapes, represented by steep cliffs, a gorge lake and red hills

The Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center (HHRRC) on Sunday achieved a record double-season yield of 1,600 kilograms per mu (1 mu equals 667 square meters) in southern rice areas in Hengnan, Central China's Hunan Province.

President XiJinping has called for developing archeology with Chinese features, style and ethos.

Xi made the remarks in a congratulatory letter on the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the YangshaoCulture and the beginning of modern archeology in the country .

As a youth representative to the Biodiversity Conference, Chu Wenwen, 27, also known as the "Beaver Princess," lives a life which is similar to a Disney character, surrounded and liked by wild animals.

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