Switzerland

• Major Tianjin convention center establishes green tone with inaugural activity (China Daily)
• Spain edge 10-man Switzerland in shoot-out to reach Euro 2020 semis (Xinhua)

Foreign Policy

• China a 'welcome friend' for reconstruction in Afghanistan: Taliban spokesman (SCMP)
• Xi congratulates 5th anniversary of South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund, ISSCAD (People's Daily)
• China, UAE vow to enhance parliamentary cooperation (Xinhua)
• China spells out wartime conscription plans for first time (SCMP)
• China urges global efforts to tackle 'biggest' cybersecurity threat posed by the US (People's Daily)
• Update: Xi's call for correct views on differences between China, EU 'a timely guidance' for ties amid downward spiral: experts (Global Times)
• 60 Russian diplomats visit CPC museum, 'show recognition of achievement' (Global Times)
• Highlights of foreign congratulatory messages on CPC's 100th founding anniversary (Xinhua)

Domestic Policy

• Tencent's AI technology to find pulsars 'FASTER' (Global Times)
• Wuhan Reports 52 Covid Cases in Arrivals From Afghanistan (Caixin)
• Research center on Xi's thought on ecological progress established (Xinhua)
• China bans super skyscrapers, putting a ceiling over new buildings that exceed 500 metres, citing safety concerns (SCMP)
• Top political advisor stresses united front's role in China's development (Xinhua)
• China launches new meteorological satellite (China Daily)
• Xi leads China's final sprint to achieve milestone Xiaokang goal (Xinhua)

Beijing

• Greek PM accepts Beijing Winter Olympics invite ahead of Euro boycott vote (SCMP)

Guangdong

• HK, Macao talent attracted to work, live in Guangdong (China Daily)

Tibet

• Diverse crowd attends CPC symposium in Tibet (China Daily)

Xinjiang

• Why Western mudslinging has failed to dampen Xinjiang cotton (People's Daily)

Hongkong

• Reports of tech giants threatening to leave Hong Kong over privacy law 'misleading', says gov't (HKFP)

Macau

• Appeals Court Increases Sentences in Fraud Case Related to Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (Caixin)

Taiwan

• Japanese politicians slammed over 'wrong and dangerous' remarks on Taiwan, urged to learn lesson from history (Global Times)

Economy

• Cross-Border Digital Payments Trial to Start by Year-End (Caixin)
• China to tighten rules for firms listed overseas to enhance data protection (Global Times)
• China takes Didi off app stores 2 days after Beijing announces cybersecurity review (SCMP)

DPRK

• China, US reps have phone call on Korean Peninsula issue (China Daily)

Mongolia

• The fourth batch of 30,420 of the Pfizer-Comirnaty vaccines arrived in Mongolia (GoGo Mongolia)
• Mongolia, Hong Kong to cooperate in creative industry (Montsame)
• Golomt Bank submits its plan to be publicly traded (Montsame)

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Major Tianjin convention center establishes green tone with inaugural activity (China Daily)
2021-07-08
Zero carbon buildings graced the inaugural expo held at the National Convention & Exhibition Center (Tianjin) from June 24 to 27. The China Building Science Conference and Green Intelligent Building Expo saw featured products and services from some 500 domestic and foreign providers across the entire chain of building industries, exhibition products, materials and applications with innovative, conservation-savvy and eco-friendly components. The exhibition took place in the first phase of the center with an indoor area of 200,000 square meters and hosted 150,000 visitors over the four-day event. […] Other countries have also shown their eagerness to tap into market potential in low-carbon building industries in China. Bernardino Regazzoni, Swiss ambassador to China, said via video at the opening ceremony that Switzerland expects to join hands with net-zero energy building sector, and participate in formulating standards for such buildings in China. He said the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland signed an MOU with China's Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development last year to boost energy-saving buildings, because Switzerland "shares the same vision with China in its move to reduce carbon dioxide, and expects to support its move in model zero energy emissions". […] ^ top ^

Spain edge 10-man Switzerland in shoot-out to reach Euro 2020 semis (Xinhua)
2021-07-03
Three-time European champions Spain needed to fight until penalty shootout to see off 10-man Switzerland in St Petersburg on Friday, reaching the semifinals of the Euro 2020 by 4-2. The two teams tied in 1-1 in regular time and couldn't split after the extra time. But Spain finally wrapped it up by winning the penalty shot 3-1. Spain led after eight minutes when Jordi Alba's low shot outside the box was deflected by Swiss midfielder Denis Zakaria's leg, leaving goalkeeper Yann Sommer helpless but watching the ball whooshing into net. In the 55th minute, Zakaria nearly cancelled his own goal but his shot was inches wide. Xherdan Shaqiri then nailed it as the Swiss captain calmly pushed Remo Freuler's pass into net from close range in the the 68th minute. But Switzerland's momentum was short lived as Freuler was sent off in the 77th minute with a straight red hard for a sliding challenge on Gerard Moreno. Switzerland manager Vladimir Petkovic promptly made two changes and the 10-man Switzerland were tough enough to drag Spain into extra time. Spain flooded to attack, but Sommer, who blocked French strike Kylian Mbappe's penalty shot last Monday, pushed himself forward by making amazing saves one after another. In a dramatic penalty shootout, Spain captain Sergio Busquets stepped up first but hit the left post. Although Rodri also missed the target as Sommer dived to the right direction to block the shot. Switzerland could not kill another giant as they missed three penalty shots and Mikel Oyarzabal scored the decider for Spain. Spain will face the winners between Belgium and Italy in London's Wembley Stadium next Tuesday. ^ top ^

China a 'welcome friend' for reconstruction in Afghanistan: Taliban spokesman (SCMP)
2021-07-09
The Taliban sees China as a "friend" to Afghanistan and is hoping to talk to Beijing about investing in reconstruction work "as soon as possible", the group's spokesman Suhail Shaheen said on Wednesday. In an exclusive interview with This Week in Asia, Suhail said the Taliban now controlled 85 per cent of the country and that it would guarantee the safety of Chinese investors and workers if they were to return. "We welcome them. If they have investments of course we ensure their safety. Their safety is very important for us," he said by phone. Suhail also said the Taliban would no longer allow China's Uyghur separatist fighters, some of whom had previously sought refuge in Afghanistan, to enter the country. The Taliban would also prevent al-Qaeda or any other terrorist group from operating there. The interview comes as the Taliban advances in Afghanistan's northern provinces following the near complete withdrawal of US troops from the country. US intelligence agencies believe the government in Kabul is now likely to collapse within six months of the withdrawal, allowing the Taliban back into power 20 years after it was overthrown. The US invaded the country after the September 11, 2001 attacks carried out by al-Qaeda in New York and Washington, claiming the Taliban had been sheltering the terrorist group. Suhail said following the departure of US troops it was "necessary [to] hold talks" with China, the biggest investor in Afghanistan. "We have been to China many times and we have good relations with them," Suhail said. "China is a friendly country that we welcome for reconstruction and developing Afghanistan." Afghanistan has the world's largest unexploited reserves of copper, coal, iron, gas, cobalt, mercury, gold, lithium and thorium, valued at over US$1 trillion. In 2011, the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) won a US$400 million bid to drill three oil fields for 25 years, containing roughly 87 million barrels of oil. Chinese firms have also gained rights to mine copper at Mes Aynak in Logar province, some 40km southeast of Afghanistan's capital, Kabul. China blames a separatist Uygur group that it refers to as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) for terrorist acts in its restive western province of Xinjiang. While some experts have cast doubt on whether a group with that name exists, it is widely accepted that in the 1990s some Uygurs left China for Afghanistan with the intention of establishing a guerilla insurgency. The US removed ETIM from its list of terrorist organisations last year, drawing the ire of China. "People from other countries who want to use Afghanistan as a site [to launch attacks] against other countries, we have made a commitment that we will not allow them in whether it's an individual or entity against any country including China," said Suhail. […] Andrew Small, a senior transatlantic fellow with the German Marshall Fund's Asia Programme, said China's relationship with the Taliban was "longstanding", going back to the group's time in government. The Taliban ruled the country from 1996 to 2001. "I first wrote about it many years back when I became aware of the secret meetings that had been taking place in Pakistan even after the US invasion and before other countries' contacts with the Taliban had been normalised," said Small. China had in one sense been a "friend" by maintaining diplomatic contacts with the Taliban, he said. However, he said that now China would "be very cautious about any new investments or commitments to Afghanistan". "Whatever benign language the Taliban use, China remains highly concerned about the security situation there," said Small. He said China's biggest concern in its dealings with the Taliban had always been whether it was sheltering Uygur separatists. In the late 1990s, Beijing worried that the Taliban government was providing a haven for Uygur militants who had fled Chinese crackdowns in Xinjiang and set up training camps in Afghanistan. An understanding between China and the Taliban on the Uygur issue dated back to Beijing's exchanges with Mullah Omar, the late leader of the Taliban who died in 2013, said Small. "How strictly the Taliban are willing or capable of enforcing this understanding is a separate question though – there have always been doubts about that on Beijing's part, which is one of the many reasons why, even though they have reached these agreements with the Taliban, there is a lot of trepidation about them on China's part," said Small. Beijing was also concerned about security risks spilling over into its own territory because Afghanistan shares a 90km border with Xinjiang. On Thursday, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the problems in Afghanistan were practical challenges facing both China and Pakistan. "China, along with Pakistan, is willing to continue support for all parties in Afghanistan to seek a political solution through dialogue that leads to ethnic reconciliation and long-lasting peace," Wang said. The US last weekend abandoned Bagram air base, the longtime staging ground for its military operations in the country, effectively ending America's longest war. The Pentagon says the withdrawal of US forces is 90 per cent complete. Afghan government forces, no longer backed by US-led Nato troops, have shown signs of collapsing, with soldiers abandoning their posts, and have often had to retreat, at times into neighbouring countries like Tajikistan. Washington agreed to withdraw in a deal negotiated last year under President Joe Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump. Biden overruled military leaders who wanted to keep a larger presence to assist Afghan security forces and prevent Afghanistan from becoming a staging ground for extremist groups. In April, he ordered all US forces to withdraw by September 11, the 20th anniversary of the al-Qaeda attacks. The commander of US troops in Afghanistan, General Austin Miller, warned last week that the country may be headed towards a civil war. The US intelligence community believes the Afghan military is weak and that the Kabul government's prospects for survival in the short term are not good. But the idea of the Taliban in power has also stoked fears among women that they will once again be oppressed, stopped from working and that young girls will be banned from going to school. Rights groups said Taliban insurgents had forced people out of their homes in northern areas that they had captured and have expressed concern for the safety of women. Suhail claimed girls would be allowed in classrooms. "In the districts that we control, schools are open and girls are allowed to attend," he said. He also appealed to the international community for financial assistance to help pay teachers, civil servants and local officials. "The Kabul government has stopped paying their salaries... in the areas that we control," he said. ^ top ^

Xi congratulates 5th anniversary of South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund, ISSCAD (People's Daily)
2021-07-08
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent a congratulatory letter on the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund and the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development (ISSCAD). Over the past five years, the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund has actively supported developing countries to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, respond to humanitarian crises, and achieve poverty reduction and development, Xi noted. The ISSCAD is committed to sharing national governance experience between China and other developing countries and training high-calibre government management talents for the developing countries. "The fund and the ISSCAD have played an important role in advancing South-South cooperation," Xi said, stressing that China is ready to work with other developing countries to further release the potential of South-South cooperation and share development opportunities. It is hoped that the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund will continue to help developing countries achieve sustainable development, and ISSCAD will continue to build high-calibre talent training bases and research exchange platforms for developing countries to make greater contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi said. China International Development Cooperation Agency and the Ministry of Commerce jointly held an event Thursday in Beijing to mark the 5th anniversary of the fund and the institute. ^ top ^

China, UAE vow to enhance parliamentary cooperation (Xinhua)
2021-07-08
China's top legislator Li Zhanshu held talks with Saqr Ghubash, speaker of the Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), via video link on Wednesday, and both sides pledged to enhance exchanges between legislative bodies. Li, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said China and the UAE, as good friends and good partners, have made every effort to promote bilateral relations, with the deepening of political mutual trust, fruitful results on economic and trade cooperation, and closer people-to-people exchanges. Cooperation in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic has become a new highlight of bilateral relations, he added. Li said the construction of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the UAE has made substantial and significant progress, which not only benefits the two countries and their peoples, but also establishes a model of mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation between China and the Arab and Islamic countries. Li noted that, in accordance with the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two countries, China and the UAE should continuously enhance strategic communication as well as the synergy of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the UAE's 50-year national development plan. The two sides should strengthen mutual political support, firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns, jointly safeguard the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms of international relations, and jointly safeguard the fundamental and long-term interests of developing countries. He called on the two sides to carry out anti-epidemic cooperation, promote vaccine cooperation to benefit more countries, and deepen practical cooperation in other fields. Li stressed that the NPC attaches great importance to strengthening exchanges and cooperation with the Federal National Council of the UAE, and hopes that the two sides will further promote friendly cooperation between the two countries in various fields. He called on both sides to timely approve and revise legal documents that are conducive to the development of bilateral relations so as to provide legal guarantees for cooperation in BRI and other fields. Saqr Ghubash expressed thanks to China for providing important support to its fight against the pandemic, saying that the Federal National Council of the UAE stands ready to deepen friendly exchanges with the NPC and make positive contributions to promoting bilateral relations, advancing pragmatic cooperation and enhancing the friendship between the two peoples. ^ top ^

China spells out wartime conscription plans for first time (SCMP)
2021-07-07
Retired Chinese military personnel would be a top priority for conscription in wartime, according to draft regulatory changes released by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs on the weekend. The proposed changes to the country's conscription regulations spell out for the first time how authorities would enlist veterans and other conscripts while the country was on a war footing. Under the regulations, the State Council or the Central Military Commission would issue mobilisation orders and hand responsibility for drafting soldiers to government and military agencies at various levels. Military veterans would be a target group and could rejoin their original unit or be posted to a similar position elsewhere, according to the draft. Authorities would have to help the veterans join up with those units. "During wartime, the transport department and workers shall give priority to enlisted soldiers; other organisations and personnel should also help them," the regulations said. The draft regulations were posted on the ministry's official WeChat account on Sunday for public feedback. The last revisions were made in 2001 and the regulations were first introduced in 1985. Besides wartime enlistment, the draft also covers the creation of an interministerial system for conscription, and efforts to institutionalise the process as part of China's digital government build-up. Song Zhongping, a former People's Liberation Army instructor, said revisions were needed to reflect broader changes in the world and to better prepare China for emergencies. "What's more, the new section about enlisting soldiers during wartime can make the process more comprehensive. It fits to the actual needs of China, because enlisting veterans in the military can quickly boost troops' ability if China fights a war," Song said. The release of the draft comes as China's ties with major Western countries and its neighbours decline over various issues, from territorial claims to human rights. In January, Chinese President Xi Jinping, who also heads the Central Military Commission, stressed the need for "full-time combat readiness" and said the People's Liberation Army must use frontline frictions to improve troops' abilities. And in March, Xi said the Chinese military must be "prepared to respond" to complex and difficult situations as the country grappled with security challenges. ^ top ^

China urges global efforts to tackle 'biggest' cybersecurity threat posed by the US (People's Daily)
2021-07-07
China's Foreign Ministry on Monday called on the international community to jointly expose and reject the US' effort to jeopardize global cybersecurity and undermine international rules, calling the US "the biggest threat to global cybersecurity." At a regular press briefing in Beijing, Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the ministry, highlighted the US' well-documented track record of stealing information and data around the world, while cracking down on other countries' companies under the banner of "protecting cybersecurity." Wang's comment came after Microsoft Vice President Tom Burt said during a hearing at the US Congress on June 30 that in the past five years, US law enforcement agencies issued 2,400 to 3,500 confidentiality orders annually to the company to gain access to its user data without effective supervision by US courts. Asked about Burt's testimony, Wang said that time and again, it has been demonstrated that it is the US itself that forces companies to open "back doors" and illegally obtain user data. "The US is in fact the biggest threat to global cybersecurity," Wang said, adding that for a long time, the US has used its technological prowess to spy on its own people and people around the world, steal all kinds of data, and infringe on all kinds of privacy. After the 911 terror attack, the US' Patriot Act required US internet companies to provide user information on a regular basis, drawing attention from countries around the world. In December, France's National Commission on Informatics and Liberty said that the French sites of Google and Amazon stored users' information without their prior permission and without specifying its use. Also, Ireland earlier asked Facebook to stop transferring EU user data to the US. From the Snowden incident nearly a decade ago to the recent revelation that the US was spying on senior officials of its "allies" through undersea cables, it has been repeatedly shown that the US itself is a world renowned thief of secrets, said Wang. Meanwhile, the US is cracking down on other countries' companies in the name of "protecting cybersecurity," which fully exposes the US' real intention to suppress competitors and preserve its internet hegemony, he added. "We urge the international community to jointly expose and resist the US' actions that undermine global cybersecurity and international rules," Wang said. ^ top ^

Update: Xi's call for correct views on differences between China, EU 'a timely guidance' for ties amid downward spiral: experts (Global Times)
2021-07-06
Chinese President Xi Jinping held a virtual summit with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday, calling on China and Europe to expand consensus and cooperation for the two sides to play an important role in tackling the global challenges. Mutual respect and sincere cooperation are much needed in today's world than ever, not a confrontational stance and zero-sum mentality, Xi told the two European leaders. Over the past 100 years, the Communist Party of China has united the Chinese people and led them to a path of development that conforms to China's national conditions and is universally supported by the people, Xi said, noting that China and the EU should correctly view each other's differences and rationally deal with divergences and firmly grasp the general direction of China-EU relations. China is willing to work to push forward the 23rd EU-China summit while holding high-level dialogues covering strategy, trade, people-to-people exchanges, digital and climate change, Xi said at the virtual summit. Given the epidemic control situation, China will also streamline channels for people exchanges, Xi said, noting that China is steadfast in expanding the opening-up and he hopes that the EU will provide Chinese companies with a fair, transparent and nondiscriminatory business environment in accordance with market principles. Xi's emphasis on holding a correct understanding about each other's differences as the first thing during the online summit is a direct warning to Europe's recent misperception of China and interference in Chinese internal affairs, which can also be interpreted as timely guidance for future China-EU ties, Cui Hongjian, director of the Department of European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Monday. "Also, the frequent interactions between the US and the EU in June alerted the potential risk of the EU being misled by the US' biased ideology against China. The summit also showed that China hopes that China-EU bilateral ties should be based on an independent strategy and out of the EU's real development interests," Cui said. Xi also urged upholding multilateralism and abiding by the international system and UN Convention as well as international relations norms. Countries should negotiate on different issues in a peaceful way, and China is willing to ensure that work on the biodiversity convention and climate change convention yields positive results, leading the WTO reform to the correct direction, while supporting the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. "The second half of the year should be a valuable period for the two to return to the track of cooperation, given many areas to cooperate on their agenda, such as climate change and biodiversity, G20, and medical cooperation - typical areas with mutual support -scheduled in upcoming months," Cui said. China-EU relations have seen some ups and downs in recent months. For instance, the European Parliament voted to freeze the China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) in May, putting the brakes on ratifying the massive deal that is envisioned to assist the 27-nation bloc's economic recovery amid lingering COVID-19 woes. In March, the Council of the European Union imposed restrictive measures on four Chinese nationals and one entity as a reaction to the alleged mistreatment by China of its minority Uygur population in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. And in response to the EU move, the Chinese government hit back with tit-for-tat countermeasures by sanctioning 10 individuals and four entities that have spread rumors and lies about Xinjiang. China has also been a trending topic in the latest communication between the EU and the US. During US President Joe Biden's 8-day trip to Europe in June, the US had tried to fix transatlantic relations, and reach some vague consensus with his G7 and NATO allies on confronting China. The timing of Monday's online meeting is significant as Merkel plans to visit the US and Macron is in need of China's support ahead of next year's election, Wang Yiwei, director of the institute of international affairs at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Monday. "Both of them have seen the unreliability and volatility in US policies. They know that China is a reliable partner in dealing with issues like climate change," he said. Both French and German leaders echoed Xi's pledge to expand the cooperation and consensus between China and the EU, expressing the support for the China-EU CAI. France will continue pushing forward cooperation with China in a practical manner, and welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in France, and is willing to maintain communication with China on a number of issues such as WTO reform, climate change and biodiversity, Macron said. Merkel said that Germany is willing to strengthen cooperation on equal vaccine production and distribution as well as resumption of trade and people exchanges. There are many areas where China and the EU can work together, and the two sides should increase dialogues in order to reduce divergences, she said, noting that she hopes the China-EU investment deal can be ratified soon. The three leaders also exchanged views on Africa-related topics, and China has already provided COVID-19 vaccines to over 40 African countries and the African Union Commission, actively supporting the continent's localized vaccine production. Africa, as mentioned in the summit, can also be a key target of combined efforts on issues such as fighting the epidemic and debt relief which can be a key discussion at the G20, according to Chinese experts. Xi repeatedly stressed the need to practice a people-centered philosophy of development during his speech at the CPC's 100th anniversary, and such philosophy is surely what the EU values in their culture. This is an example of how to "find a common ground for strategic partnership", Wang said. ^ top ^

60 Russian diplomats visit CPC museum, 'show recognition of achievement' (Global Times)
2021-07-06
Sixty diplomats from the Russian Embassy in Beijing led by Russian Ambassador to China Andrey Denisov visited the Museum of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Monday following CPC centennial celebrations on Thursday. Analysts told the Global Times on Monday that such a ceremonious visit not only reflects the two country's close friendship, but also shows Russia's recognition of the achievements of the CPC. Denisov told the Global Times on Monday after visiting the museum that he is "very happy" to visit the museum for the second time and hopes there will be a third and fourth time because the museum has "a lot of interesting things" to look at. "I was pleasantly surprised to see myself in several photographs [in the museum]," he said. The museum features unique documents, photographs and videos, telling about the history of the formation and development of the CPC. Some of the halls show photographs dedicated to the development of relations between China and Russia. "It is important for Russian diplomats to know China in depth. We learned about the great story of the establishment of the CPC and its development, which is a crucial part of modern Chinese history," Egorov Georgy, press officer of the Russian Embassy, told the Global Times on Monday. Yang Jin, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday that "Through the visit, the two countries' governments would have deeper mutual understandings, which is beneficial for bilateral cooperation and development." At the 9th World Peace Forum hosted on Sunday in Tsinghua University, Denisov defended China and the CPC when a foreign diplomat accused the CPC of imposing its own ideology on others. "If somebody gives me just one example of CPC imposing its ideology on anybody outside Chinese borders, I will be very grateful," he said. China and Russia are witnessing stronger ties when the US is trying to unite its allies to pursue unilateralism and confrontation in the world. Alexander Lukin, head of Department of International Relations at Higher School of Economics in Moscow, told the Global Times that American politicians thought they could still control the world and punish those who do not conform to their position. "Their policy of pressure and containment has only stimulated the coordination between Russia and China, and made their strategic partnership stronger," he said. "Russia-China relations are developing in all areas. There is no sphere of relations in which our cooperation would not develop. Our relations are characterized by mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual consideration of each other's interests. This is the essence of our current relationship," Denisov noted. The ambassador told the Global Times that he also attended the celebrations in Tian'anmen Square on July 1 and listened to the speech made by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission. "The next goal is 2049, the PRC's centennial, and I have no doubt about the tasks the Party sets for the country, and what the General Secretary sets for the Party will be fulfilled," said the ambassador. On July 16, China and Russia will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. The two countries agreed to extend the friendship treaty on June 28 when President Xi held a video meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. ^ top ^

Highlights of foreign congratulatory messages on CPC's 100th founding anniversary (Xinhua)
2021-07-04
Leaders of foreign political parties and governments have been extending warm congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). In messages addressed to General Secretary Xi Jinping of the CPC Central Committee or to the CPC Central Committee, they spoke highly of the remarkable achievements and important contributions to the world the CPC has made in the past century, especially since the 18th CPC National Congress, and expressed their full confidence that the CPC will make greater achievements. The following is an edited summary of some of these messages. Leader of the Barbados Labour Party and Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley noted that a political party with a glorious history of 100 years is worthy of admiration and high praise, and the CPC has greatly improved the lives of the Chinese people, which should be learned from by other countries. Puan Maharani, chair of the Political and Security Affairs of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, also speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, said that under the strong leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping, the CPC will continue to bring lasting peace and prosperity to the Chinese people. She expressed hope that the two countries will continue to deepen the friendly cooperation and better benefit the people of the two countries and the region. Ishwar Pokhrel, general secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist) and former deputy prime minister of Nepal, said that Nepal and China are good neighbors, friends, and partners of mutual trust, adding that for a long time, his party has maintained close and constructive exchanges with the CPC, and mutual trust and cooperation between the two sides have been deepening. Wlodzimierz Czarzasty, president of Democratic Left Alliance and deputy speaker of the Polish lower house of parliament, noted that General Secretary Xi Jinping has led China to demonstrate outstanding leadership in upholding social fairness, justice, and long-term stability and solving global challenges, and is committed to building a better world of development, peace and happiness. Dinesh Gunawardena, leader of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna and foreign minister of Sri Lanka, said that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics provide reference and wisdom for promoting Sri Lanka's socio-economic growth. Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of Komeito of Japan, hailed the CPC as rare and admirable for its long history against the background of the turbulent international situation and wished the CPC greater achievements in the future. ^ top ^

Tencent's AI technology to find pulsars 'FASTER' (Global Times)
2021-07-09
Chinese technology giant Tencent and the National Astronomical Observatories under China's Academy of Sciences (CAS) will jointly launch a "stellar exploration plan" to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to assist the nation's 500-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) in the search for pulsars and the exploration of the universe. The joint plan will be based on the leading computer vision technology of Tencent's lab and the leading computing capacity of Tencent Cloud, said Pony Ma Huateng, founder and CEO of Tencent, through a WeChat voice message on Thursday at the 2021 World Artificial Intelligence Conference held in Shanghai. Detecting pulsars has great practical value, aside from being a major help in better understanding the universe. These neutron stars, with their extremely stable spinning nature, could serve as natural lighthouses for human deep space exploration, Zhang Shuangnan, a senior professor with the Institute of High Energy Physics, CAS and principal investigator of the institute's Gamma-ray Burst Polarimeter - POLAR project, told the Global Times. As of May, China's FAST, more commonly known as the "Sky Eye," had detected 201 pulsars, including some of the faintest, as well as 40-millisecond pulsars and 16 binary pulsars. Leveraging AI, Tencent Cloud can help process the huge data received from FAST and find clues to pulsars through visual AI analysis. According to Tencent, such AI technology is expected to play a key "prescreening" role to streamline scientists' analysis of the vast load of data captured by the Sky Eye every day. "It will take only three days to process work that previously took a year," Tencent insiders told the Global Times on Thursday. Computer vision is a field of AI that trains computers to interpret and understand information from digital images, videos and other visual inputs. "In the past year, AI has brought more and more convenience to life in areas such as medical care, urban governance and non-contact services. But in the field of AI, what remains unknown is greater than the known. "We must make AI technology knowable, controllable, usable and reliable. We have to outsmart the increasingly powerful AI technology to keep it in check," said Ma. Meanwhile, the National Astronomical Observatories did not comment on the Global Times' request for further details on this collaboration.  ^ top ^

Wuhan Reports 52 Covid Cases in Arrivals From Afghanistan (Caixin)
2021-07-08
Fifty-two travelers arriving in central China's Wuhan tested positive for Covid-19 in one of the largest clusters of imported infections recorded in China, the Hubei provincial health authority reported Wednesday. The travelers flew from Afghanistan to Wuhan Friday on a chartered flight operated by Xiamen Air. Among the positive cases, 22 were confirmed with Covid-19 while 30 were asymptomatic, the Hubei health commission said. The flight, MF8008, was an emergency chartered flight to evacuate Chinese nationals from Afghanistan amid the country's worsening security situation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday. The patients were hospitalized and their close contacts were put under quarantine, the ministry said. China, the first pandemic epicenter, faces mounting pressures to contain imported cases as the country has largely kept the domestic outbreak under control. The task becomes more complicated with the spread of highly transmissible new variants around the world. In June, an Air China flight from South Africa to Shenzhen reported 32 infections. All the patients were found to have the highly transmissible new Delta variant of the coronavirus. ^ top ^

Research center on Xi's thought on ecological progress established (Xinhua)
2021-07-08
China on Wednesday announced the establishment of a research center on Xi Jinping's thought on ecological progress under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE). The center, approved by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, is a major strategic move to encourage all Party members and the whole society to thoroughly study and implement Xi's thought on ecological progress, according to the inaugural meeting held in Beijing. The meeting called for scientific planning, high-standard design, efficient leadership and work mechanism for the center, and stressed efforts to form a team of high-end experts to lead the study, research and publicity of the Party's innovative theory. The center should also strive to make continuous breakthroughs in the study of major issues and actively promote academic innovation, the meeting said, stressing efforts to turn theories into practices to support the country's environmental protection. ^ top ^

China bans super skyscrapers, putting a ceiling over new buildings that exceed 500 metres, citing safety concerns (SCMP)
2021-07-07
China, home to almost half of the world's 100 tallest buildings, has sounded the death knell on new super skyscrapers, as concerns of an oversupply of commercial offices combine with fears that the blind pursuit of altitudes over the past three decades may have compromised construction safety. New buildings taller than 500 metres (1,640 feet) will no longer be approved, while towers exceeding 250 metres must be strictly limited, and structures taller than 100 metres must strictly match the scale and the fire rescue capacity of their locations, according to an order issued late on Tuesday by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country's top planning agency. The order, two months after the unexplained wobbling of the 72-storey SEG Plaza in Shenzhen, would halt – at least for the time being – the construction boom that has led to mainland China being home to five of the world's 10 tallest 500-metre structures, all completed in the past six years. Still, the ceiling may not have much impact on the commercial property market, as the most popular floor plates lie somewhere between 180 and 200 metres, said Knight Frank's research director Martin Wong. "Companies look for location, quality and whether their buildings are energy efficient and sustainable, not merely for heights," Wong said, adding that developers in mainland China began to change their strategies and mindsets for sustainability about five years ago. The proliferation of super skyscrapers correlate to high vacancy rates, as developers vie to find tenants to fill their space. "The taller the buildings the smaller the floor plate per floor," said Wong. "Most commercial buildings are between 180 and 200 metres, as that height provides the optimal floor plate to attract tenants, especially those that are involved in new-economy or hi-tech industries, the sectors that are expanding the fastest right now." Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, each city boasting one of the world's 10 tallest buildings, also have the highest commercial vacancy rates in the country, totalling 7.9 million square metres of empty space in the second quarter, equivalent to 29 blocks of the International Commerce Centre (ICC), Hong Kong's tallest building. "Building quality, specifications, efficiency, design and accessibility are typically more important than heights in terms of generating higher rents," said Savills' China research head James Macdonald, adding that good views or panoramas do occasionally command higher rents. "There has also been the trend of developers building smaller [towers] that can be leased or sold to companies as their own corporate headquarters, allowing for dedicated access and signage." The Shanghai Tower, completed in 2015, is China's tallest building, standing 632 metres on the eastern banks of the Huangpu river that cuts through the nation's commercial hub. With 128 floors topped by the world's highest hotel, the 20 billion yuan (US$3.14 billion) building struggled for years to fill its 576,000 square metres of space (6.2 million square feet), not including 380,000 square metres on the ground. Ant Group, an affiliate of this newspaper's owner Alibaba Group Holding, occupies four floors in the building. Second on the list is the 115-storey Ping An Financial Center, completed in 2017 in the southern Chinese technology hub of Shenzhen, the home base of China's largest insurer. Chow Tai Fook Enterprise (CTF), the privately held controlling shareholder of Hong Kong's New World Development, has developed and lent its name to two Chinese super skyscrapers. The 111-storey Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre stands 530 metres in the Guandong provincial capital in seventh place globally, holding joint position with its sibling Tianjin CTF Finance Centre in the eastern Chinese seaport. The Tianjin tower, completed in 2019, is the newest addition to the world's 10 tallest buildings. At about 5 metres for every storey, 250-metre buildings will have about 50 floors, said Wong, adding that the most sought-after floor plates are about 20,000 square feet per floor. In Shenzhen, new-economy enterprises have each been taking up between 10,000 and 100,000 square metres (1.07 million square feet) of office space, according to JLL. At least 20 super skyscrapers are on the drawing board in China, six of them taller than 500 metres, some scheduled for completion as soon as 2022. The tallest among them is the 597-metre Goldin Finance 117 tower in Tianjin, developed by the debt-strapped Goldin Financial Holdings, which received a bailout from Hong Kong's richest man Li Ka-shing last July. The 128-storey building is due for completion in 2022. China Evergrande, the world's most indebted property developer at one stage, has its 518-metre Evergrande International Financial Centre under construction in the Anhui provincial capital of Hefei, scheduled for completion in 2025. The bamboo-shaped building features 128 floors. ^ top ^

Top political advisor stresses united front's role in China's development (Xinhua)
2021-07-06
China's top political advisor Wang Yang Monday stressed the role of the united front in China's future development at a symposium held in Beijing. Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, made the remarks when meeting with representatives of all parties in the united front. The united front is a significant way for the CPC to unite the people and pool their strength, Wang said. He called on all members to fully understand the CPC's duty and original aspiration. Wang stressed that the united front should be ready to provide wisdom whenever required by the Party and the country, and that relevant work must be carried out under the Party's leadership. In the new era, the united front shoulders greater responsibilities of uniting people of all political parties, ethnic groups, sectors and regions, noted Wang. ^ top ^

China launches new meteorological satellite (China Daily)
2021-07-05
China sent a new meteorological satellite into planned orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Monday morning. The satellite, Fengyun 3E (FY-3E), was launched by a Long March 4C rocket at 7:28 am (Beijing Time), and this was the 377th flight mission of the Long March rocket series, according to the China National Space Administration. Equipped with 11 remote sensing payloads, FY-3E will be the world's first meteorological satellite in early morning orbit for civil service. It is designed with a lifespan of eight years and will mainly obtain the atmospheric temperature, humidity, and other meteorological parameters for numerical prediction applications, improving China's weather forecast capacity. It will also monitor the global snow and ice coverage, sea surface temperature, natural disasters, and ecology to better respond to climate change and prevent and mitigate meteorological disasters. In addition, the satellite will monitor solar and space environments and their effects, as well as ionospheric data to meet the needs of space weather forecasts and supporting services. The satellite and rocket were developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology. It operates under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. ^ top ^

Xi leads China's final sprint to achieve milestone Xiaokang goal (Xinhua)
2021-07-04
July 1, 2021 is a date that will go down in history. As the Communist Party of China (CPC) marked its centenary, China was declared to have reached a milestone development goal. Atop Tian'anmen Rostrum, President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, announced that China has achieved building a moderately prosperous society, or Xiaokang, in all respects. In the traditional Confucian sense, Xiaokang describes a state whereby, although there is imperfection, everyone is adequately provided for. It was reintroduced into political discourse in the 1970s, and the CPC has since led efforts to turn this concept into reality. Over the past eight years, the CPC Central Committee with Xi at the core oversaw the final push that transformed China into a Xiaokang society in all respects. Building a prosperous society has been the Chinese people's common aspiration for millennia. In the early years of China's reform and opening up, the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping first used Xiaokang to describe Chinese modernization, and proposed building a Xiaokang society. After the Chinese people no longer had to worry about feeding and clothing themselves and saw their lives generally improve, the Party laid out plans to further build China into a Xiaokang society "in all respects." At the 18th CPC National Congress in November 2012, the Party announced that China had entered a decisive stage of attaining this goal. Soon afterward, Xi was elected general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. "By the time the CPC marks its centenary, a moderately prosperous society in all respects can definitely be achieved," Xi said when visiting an exhibition in the National Museum of China, after taking over the helm of the Party. The theme of the exhibition was "Road to Rejuvenation." Xi said achieving the Xiaokang goal on time represents "a solemn promise that our Party has made to the Chinese people and to history." He often told cadres that "time and history wait for no one" and urged them to go all out. He also set the standards and made specific requirements for achieving the goal. For a Xiaokang society, all aspects of modernization, including the economic, political, cultural, social and ecological domains, should be developed in a coordinated fashion, Xi said. It needs to cover all domains, the entire population and all regions, he added. A long-term view must be adopted, he said, adding that it is not a "game of numbers" or a "game of speed." Led by Xi, the Party has played a pivotal role in the pursuit of the Xiaokang goal. Party secretaries throughout the ranks assumed the responsibility of poverty relief. Work teams and cadres were sent to the countryside to fight poverty on the front lines. The Party also played a key part in all key spheres concerning Xiaokang, such as finance, cyberspace and national security. Xi made eradicating rural poverty the basic mission and symbolic benchmark of achieving the Xiaokang goal. When he took over the Party's top job, China still had a large number of rural people living under the poverty line. Xi took charge of directing the national fight against poverty, put forward the "targeted poverty alleviation" strategy, and personally visited all 14 contiguous poor areas across the country. He presided over seven key central-level poverty relief symposiums and made over 50 trips to check problems and progress on the ground. "Not a single ethnic group, family or individual should be left behind," Xi said. Efforts have paid off. In February 2021, Xi declared that China had eliminated absolute poverty, lifting all the remaining 98.99 million rural poor out of poverty. But Xiaokang is not all about income. A good life calls for a good environment. Since 2012, the CPC Central Committee with Xi at the core has given greater priority to ecological advancement, and waged a war on pollution with a scale and ferocity never seen before. In his domestic inspections, Xi would visit mountains, rivers, lakes, wetlands and grasslands to ensure that all parts of the natural environment are well protected. For example, since 2016, he has visited the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, convened three symposiums and repeatedly stressed putting ecological restoration before development for regions along the Yangtze. Eleven provinces and municipalities have since carried out overhauls in the past five years, leading to a comprehensive makeover of the river basin's ecology. Significant progress has been made in other areas as well. In 2020, 87 percent of all days across 337 major cities saw good air quality readings, while the proportion of surface water with fairly good quality reached 83.4 percent, up from 66 percent five years ago. Xi also concerned himself with many other factors affecting the lives of the people: rural toilet renovation, urban garbage sorting, food security, affordable medicines, equal public services for urban and rural residents, the right amount of homework and tutoring for students. He devised plans and pushed through reforms to bring more benefits to the people in delivering on the Xiaokang goal. Building a Xiaokang society in all respects represents an intermediate step in China's pursuit of modernization. Xi said "in all aspects" is what makes the goal much more difficult to achieve. Culture, public health, rule of law and science are all part of it. He led the formulation of policies and initiated reforms to let cultural activities blossom, promote fairness and justice, and construct a strong public health system. He also led reforms to increase the country's urbanization rate to over 60 percent and build unified basic health insurance and pension systems that cover both urban and rural residents, among other moves to close the urban-rural gap. Xi has encouraged farmers to grow distinctive rural industries and use online platforms to market their products. "There will always be some hundred million rural people. We can't have prosperous cities on one hand and dilapidated countryside on the other," he said. Under Xi's watch, China has made major breakthroughs in science and technology, in the fields of quantum communication, artificial intelligence, 5G and high-speed trains. Innovation has become a key driving force for high-quality development. The economic transformation and upgrading have also sped up, with emerging new industries, new business forms and new models. China is also opening up wider. It has expanded pilot free trade zones, accelerated the building of the Hainan free trade port, and hosted a series of events such as the China International Import Expo and the China International Consumer Products Expo. The country has seen thriving economic and trade exchanges with Belt and Road countries. A Xiaokang China is one that is innovative, full of vigor, beautiful and open. Looking ahead, the Chinese people are marching in confident strides toward building a great modern socialist China and achieving national rejuvenation. ^ top ^

Greek PM accepts Beijing Winter Olympics invite ahead of Euro boycott vote (SCMP)
2021-07-08
Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will attend the Beijing Winter Olympics in February, breaking ranks with other EU members ahead of an expected non-binding resolution in the European Parliament calling for a diplomatic boycott of the Games because of alleged human rights abuses in China. In a phone call with Xi Jinping on Wednesday, Mitsotakis accepted the Chinese leader's invitation to attend the 2022 Games, according to the official readout from Athens. A statement from China's foreign ministry said the two leaders also discussed strengthening ties between China and the EU. Xi said China hoped to deepen cooperation with central and eastern European countries through the Belt and Road Initiative and delivered a similar message to Czech President Milos Zeman in a separate phone call on Thursday. The conversations followed Lithuania's exit from the 17+1 grouping of China and countries in the region, citing poorer than expected trade benefits. The European Parliament is set to vote on Thursday on the resolution calling for EU institutions and member states to "decline invitations for government representatives and diplomats to attend, unless the Chinese government demonstrates a verified improvement" in its human rights record, according to a draft of the motion seen by the South China Morning Post. Greece, which has struggled with a decades-long debt crisis, has notably embraced relations with China in recent years, despite growing scepticism among EU states towards Beijing. This has included an active Greek role in Xi's signature belt and road infrastructure scheme which has placed Piraeus – said to be the oldest port in Europe – under the control of China's state-owned shipping giant Cosco. In 2017, Greece also blocked an EU statement at the UN criticising China for its human rights record. But concerns over human rights in China – including its alleged repression of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang and political crackdown in Hong Kong – have increasingly come to the fore in Europe, with political momentum building for punitive actions such as a boycott of the Winter Games, set to run from February 4-20 in Beijing. In March, the EU sanctioned Chinese officials over "serious human rights violations" linked to China's detention of Uygurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang – the first sanctions it has placed on China since Beijing's bloody crackdown on Tiananmen Square protesters in 1989. China responded with counter-sanctions on 10 European individuals and four entities, sparking anger among EU member states and leading to the European Parliament's suspension of a landmark investment deal between the two sides. Xi spoke with his German counterpart Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday in support of the frozen investment agreement, but the two European leaders expressed "serious concerns about the human rights situation in China" during the call, according to readouts from Beijing and Paris. A number of countries – including the US, Britain, Canada and the Netherlands – have described China's actions in Xinjiang as amounting to genocide, a label that Beijing has protested vociferously. No government has yet confirmed it will not send diplomatic representatives to next year's Games. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated in May that Washington would be "talking to allies and partners about their views on the Olympics" in the months ahead. Xi raised the Winter Olympics in a call with Finland's President Sauli Niinisto in June, according to China's foreign ministry statements. But while the Chinese read-out quoted Niinisto as saying the country would "actively participate" in the games, the Finnish official statement on the call did not mention the Olympics as a topic in their conversation. Some leaders have publicly expressed unease with the idea of a boycott of the Winter Olympics, or the lesser version of a diplomatic boycott. Prime Minister Boris Johnson told his country's parliament on Wednesday that while Britain had "led the world in condemning human rights abuses in Xinjiang and putting sanctions on those responsible", he was "instinctively, and always have been, against sporting boycotts". ^ top ^

HK, Macao talent attracted to work, live in Guangdong (China Daily)
2021-07-09
The Zengcheng District Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, has taken the lead in the province in providing living allowances to young Hong Kong and Macao professionals who are employed in the district. The bureau released a statement saying it recently approved such allowances, valued at 10,000 yuan ($1,540), to four young people from Hong Kong who work in the district. The measure will help young people from the two special administrative regions better integrate into Guangzhou and other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The bureau is soliciting public opinion on the decision, and the allowance will be delivered to the four Hong Kong young people in mid-July, if everything goes smoothly, according to the statement. In addition to the living allowance, the Guangzhou Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security said it is introducing preferential policies and regulations to attract more Hong Kong and Macao young people to work in Guangzhou and help them find their way in the city in the coming months. Guangzhou welcomes more young people from Hong Kong and Macao to contribute to its economic development, the bureau said in a statement. The Guangzhou bureau promises to further simplify procedures for these people to start businesses and apply for jobs in the months to come to promote coordinated and integrated development in the Greater Bay Area, which includes nine Guangdong cities as well as Hong Kong and Macao. At the provincial level, Guangdong is offering more than 9,000 jobs to graduates from Hong Kong and Macao and encouraging them to register for examinations this year in an effort to speed up the integration of Greater Bay Area cities. The Organization Department of the Communist Party of China Guangdong Provincial Committee and the Guangdong Department of Human Resources and Social Security jointly announced in a statement on Thursday that university and college graduates from the two SARs can apply online for jobs from July 19 to 21. Qualified candidates will be required to take their examinations on Aug 22. Graduates from Hong Kong and Macao will get the same treatment and benefits as local residents after recruitment, the statement said. To attract young Hong Kong and Macao graduates, Guangdong is planning to offer young employees from Hong Kong and Macao a monthly living allowance of no more than 1,000 yuan for up to 18 months, it said. Li Yiwen, who works at Huashang Education Group, said that she was glad to receive the living allowance and that it reflects the local government's care for Hong Kong and Macao young people working in Zengcheng. Li is from Hong Kong. "The allowance boosts my income and allows me to have more opportunities to experience the culture of the Greater Bay Area," she said. Li said she thinks that working in Guangzhou would yield even greater prospects, particularly in the internet industry and entrepreneurship. And working and living in Guangzhou is more convenient, she said. "In Hong Kong, employers rarely provide accommodations for their employees, and the monthly cost of accommodations is at least 6,000 yuan. Plus, workers usually have to spend a long time on their daily commute," she said. "My company provides my accommodations, which cost me only 100 yuan a month, and it takes me only five minutes to walk to work, saving me lots of time," Li said. Another Hong Kong resident surnamed Chen said she, too, was happy to receive the living allowance. "The good working and living climates in Guangzhou will help attract more young people from Hong Kong to start business and work in the Greater Bay Area cities," she said. ^ top ^

Diverse crowd attends CPC symposium in Tibet (China Daily)
2021-07-08
Representatives from all walks of life in the Tibet autonomous region, including recipients of honorary Party titles, exemplary Party workers, excellent grassroots officials and rural members, attended a symposium on Tuesday in Lhasa to celebrate the centennial of the Communist Party of China. Wu Yingjie, Party secretary of Tibet, listed the major achievements the region has made under the leadership of the CPC over the years and said that without the Party, there would be no new socialist Tibet and no happy life for the region's people today. Eight representatives from different walks of life were invited to give speeches. Dawa, Party secretary of Chungling village in Neyul Lhoba ethnic township in Tibet's Manling county, noted that his village is located in a border area and its residents were of the Lhoba ethnic group. "Half a century ago, our villagers lived in remote valleys, in the mountains and in forests, and people suffered from hunger and misery all the time," Dawa said. "After the democratic reform of Tibet in 1959, and especially since the 18th CPC National Congress, people's livelihoods improved dramatically, thanks to a series of preferential policies." His village has been developing tourism to generate income for its residents in recent years. It has seen annual collective income growth of more than 500,000 yuan ($77,000) annually for five consecutive years. In 2020, the village's total collective income hit more than 5.5 million yuan, and the per capita disposable income reached 25,000 yuan, he said. "Now, all residents benefit from the tourism industry in our village, and they have become wealthy and happy," Dawa said. "We are more confident and determined to follow the Party's directions. We are grateful for the kindness of the Party and will never betray it." Sonam Tsering, a village official of Lhasa's Nyangdran Street, said he was born in the new Tibet and has grown under the care of the red flag. "I have witnessed Tibet's growth from poverty to the leap in development. I think the changes in two generations in my family reflect the improvement of all the region's rural residents," Sonam Tsering said. He said his fellow villagers have happy lives, which includes tap water, cellphones and good houses for most. "All the families in the village have paved roads. The majority own cars. And people have received the benefits of good education policy, medical care and social security provided by the government." ^ top ^

Why Western mudslinging has failed to dampen Xinjiang cotton (People's Daily)
2021-07-09
In a textile plant in the city of Shihezi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, machines with 100,000 spindles rumbled to spin cotton into yarn. "We are producing at full capacity as Xinjiang yarn is in heavy demand from downstream companies," said the production director of the plant. "Our yarn sales have rebounded markedly in the past few months and we have little inventory left." Despite the Xinjiang cotton boycott instigated by some Western politicians under the pretext of "forced labor," the region's cotton and textile industry has shown resilience by further tapping markets and winning over more customers with its superior quality. Xinjiang is the largest cotton growing area in China. The region's cotton output hit 5.16 million tonnes in 2020, accounting for 87.3 percent of the total in the country, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Demand for Xinjiang cotton has continued to increase as stocks decreased in recent months, according to the China Cotton Association (CCA). By the end of May, the inventory turnover of commodity cotton in 43 warehouses in Xinjiang stood at 1.97 million tonnes, down by 502,700 tonnes over end-April. "There's an upside about Western boycott of Xinjiang cotton: it gets a lot of free publicity," Zhou Run, head of a cotton farmers' cooperative in Shihezi, said in a lighter vein. "Many farmers are willing to grow cotton because of the handsome income and the high mechanical picking rate," said Zhou, noting that a member of his cooperative rented 133 hectares of cotton farmland this year. The West's mudslinging campaign has not only put Xinjiang cotton under the global spotlight but also drawn many consumers to its high quality, which is attributed to ample sunshine, arid weather and significant temperature differences between day and night. Many apparel companies are proud to show off their use of Xinjiang cotton as a signature of high quality. Chinese brand Li-Ning has been putting "made of Xinjiang cotton" on their price tags. A cotton sample is even attached to some products. "After the boycott, many teenagers have come to our store specifically asking for clothes made of Xinjiang cotton. Sales can go over 100 pieces a day," said Huang Qiuyan, a saleswoman in a Li-Ning store in Shihezi. Textile products made of Xinjiang cotton are also popular at Chinese stores of Japanese retailer Muji, which has said it would continue to use Xinjiang cotton as no proof of forced labor has been found. On many e-commerce platforms, "made in Xinjiang" or "shipped from Xinjiang" were highlighted as sales boosters. The CCA expected the country's cotton consumption to expand about 5.9 percent year on year in the 2020-2021 period. In the first four months of this year, China's export volume of cotton textiles and garments hit 19.7 billion U.S. dollars, up 44 percent year on year, according to China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles. The growth rate is also 11 percentage points higher than that of total textiles and garments exports over the same period. "Despite the impact of the Xinjiang cotton boycott, the demand for Chinese cotton products in the international market is very strong," said Zhang Xi'an, deputy director of the chamber. In late April, the CCA launched an initiative to promote the sustainable development of China's cotton, after signing deals with leading domestic cotton producers, some of them in Xinjiang. The initiative aims to establish China's sustainable cotton standard and certification system, promote domestic cotton consumption and expand its global market share. "China's cotton has contributed a lot to the global cotton industry and we deserve fair treatment and due respect," said CCA director Gao Fang. ^ top ^

Reports of tech giants threatening to leave Hong Kong over privacy law 'misleading', says gov't (HKFP)
2021-07-07
Foreign media reports that US tech and social media giants threatened to pull out of Hong Kong over fears of a new anti-doxxing law were "out of context," misleading and confusing to the public, the government said on Tuesday. The comments came after the Wall Street Journal reported that tech giants including Google, Facebook and Twitter threatened to stop providing services to Hong Kong if the government continued its plan to criminalise behaviours linked to the malicious publishing of private or identifying data. In a letter written by the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), an industry group with members including the three companies, the proposed law was called a "completely disproportionate and unnecessary response," which could harm free expression or make "innocent acts of sharing information online" unlawful. The coalition also wrote in the letter that "the only way to avoid these sanctions for technology companies would be to refrain from investing and offering their services in Hong Kong, thereby depriving Hong Kong businesses and consumers, whilst also creating new barriers to trade." In a response to media enquiries, the AIC clarified that none of its members had plans to leave the city, HK01 reported. The AIC also said that the Wall Street Journal's report was out of context and "inaccurate." The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, in a statement released on Tuesday, said that AIC's letter "made no mention of the stance of individual company members nor are there companies planning to retreat from Hong Kong, an issue already clarified by the AIC." "We are willing to listen to the views of the AIC and other relevant stakeholders, and will strive to submit the Amendment Bill in relation to doxxing acts to the Legislative Council within this legislative year," the bureau's statement read. Under proposed amendments to the Personal Data Protection Ordinance, which were submitted to the legislature in May, companies which fail to remove doxxing data from their platforms could face a fine of up to HK$100,000, and their employees could be jailed for two years. In May, Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Erick Tsang also warned that Hong Kong employees of such overseas-based websites could face arrest. Anyone found to have committed doxxing may face a fine of up to HK$1 million and five years in prison. Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Tuesday that the tech giants' concerns were unwarranted, and would be proven wrong. "It is preferable to be able to assuage concerns and worries during the legislative process but sometimes through practice — such as the national security law forum yesterday — we can see that the national security law did not lead to situations as described by people who smeared it. It is the same for the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance." ^ top ^

Appeals Court Increases Sentences in Fraud Case Related to Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (Caixin)
2021-07-03
An appeals court in Hong Kong has raised the sentences of 11 laboratory workers at a contractor who were found guilty of falsifying test results for materials used to build the 55-kilometer Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the world's longest sea crossing. They are among the 18 workers of Jacobs China Ltd. who were convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud in 2019 and handed down sentences or community service orders. However, their sentences were increased to up to two years in prison after the city's judicial authorities deemed the original punishments to be too light and sought a review. A three-judge bench at the Court of Appeal of the High Court handed the sentences Friday after the review. Citing a written judgment, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) said in a report that this case was "particularly serious" compared to other cases of its kind. The judges wrote that the original sentences imposed on the defendants were "too lenient and had gravely and unreasonably" differed from the jail terms of their accomplices who pleaded guilty earlier on. The 11 involved in the conspiracy include eight site laboratory technicians and three laboratory assistants of Jacobs China. In May 2017, the ICAC detained 21 Jacobs China workers for allegedly faking test results for materials used to build the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge between 2013 and 2016. Among them, a total of 18 people were charged with conspiracy to defraud. In January 2019, their first trial began at the Hong Kong High Court. Six of them pleaded guilty and were jailed for 21 to 32 months. Among the remaining 12 who were convicted, six were sentenced to three to 24 months in prison, four were given two to eight months with a two-year suspension, and two were ordered to do free community service for no more than 10 days. The Hong Kong Department of Justice subsequently filed an appeal, seeking a review of the dozen people's sentences as the judicial authority argued the punishments were "too lenient" and did not reflect the defendants' involvement in the conspiracy and the responsibilities they should bear. The appeal was heard this April. According to the July judgment posted on the website of Hong Kong Judiciary, the case was "particularly serious" as the defendants' actions would "significantly" undermine public confidence in the quality and safety of the bridge. Given the scale and importance of the bridge, it was an "extremely severe crime" to defraud public officials and let them verify the bridge's concrete quality by using the false test reports, the judgment said. The Court of Appeal eventually decided to increase the jail terms of 11 defendants to up to two years and upheld the original sentence for the other defendant who has already served one year behind bars. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is a signature project in an ambitious Beijing initiative to integrate the Pearl River Delta region. It puts the three cities of Zhuhai, Macao and Hong Kong within an hour's commute of each other, with a total cost of more than 127 billion yuan ($18.8 billion). The bridge opened for service in 2018 after nearly nine years of construction. ^ top ^

Japanese politicians slammed over 'wrong and dangerous' remarks on Taiwan, urged to learn lesson from history (Global Times)
2021-07-07
Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, who recently said Japan would defend the island of Taiwan together with the US if a war erupts cross the Taiwan Straits, was slammed by the Chinese Foreign Ministry as wrong and dangerous, with experts saying that the politician's political manipulation looks pale in the face of national strength. Aso, who is also a cabinet member of Japan's national security council, said on Monday that a Chinese mainland "invasion" of Taiwan could be viewed as a "existential crisis situation," which would allow Tokyo to deploy its Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to exercise collective self-defense, media reported. Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said on Tuesday that Aso's remarks are "extremely wrong and dangerous," and gravely undermine the political foundation of China-Japan relations. Zhao mentioned the history of the Japanese militarists' invasion of China in the 20th century, saying "today's China is not what it was then" but the Japanese have not learned the lessons of history deeply. We will never allow any country to interfere in the Taiwan question by any means. No one should underestimate the Chinese people's firm determination, firm will and strong ability to safeguard national sovereignty, Zhao said. Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed strong determination and confidence in reunification and the defeat of secessionists, in his speech at a grand ceremony to mark the centennial of the CPC on July 1. Senior Japanese officials have recently issued outrageous statements related to the island of Taiwan. On June 24, Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said the island's peace and stability are directly linked with Japan. Also in June, Japanese Vice Defense Jinister Yasuhide Nakayama told a US think tank that it is necessary to protect Taiwan as a "country." Analysts said Aso's remarks are a reflection of political instability in Japan ahead of House of Representatives elections in autumn. Moreover, China does not mind teaching Japan a lesson to ensure it will not be dominated by extreme politicians, who may think they can provoke China at no cost with the US as its backer. Zhu Qingxiu, a Japanese studies researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday that given that Suga is not a strong figure, factions within his Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) want to assert their presence ahead of the election. Aso, the former prime minister who briefly held power in 2008, also has political ambitions to run for the LDP presidency. From the perspective of national strategy, the expert said that Japan, as the US' ally, is trying to seek leverage from both cross-Straits tension and China-US confrontation. Playing the Taiwan card may bring ties between Japan and the island of Taiwan closer, which also meets the US need in Japan's role under the Indo-Pacific strategy, Zhu said, noting that some may mistakenly assume that the Chinese mainland will tolerate Japan over the Taiwan question. Some analysts said that despite the pressure from the US, the right to interpret the "existential crisis situation" lies with Japan. If Japan decides to attack China, the People's Liberation Army will have the right to strike back and is able to paralyze the SDF's offensive capability. The possibility of Japan directly entering a war is low, and logistical support may be the main form, as many provisions of its domestic security law may not be activated, Zhu said. Katsunobu Kato, Japanese government's top spokesperson, said on Tuesday that he did not know the details of Aso's remarks and declined to comment, Japanese media reported. ^ top ^

Cross-Border Digital Payments Trial to Start by Year-End (Caixin)
2021-07-08
A trial of cross-border payments using central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) is expected to begin by the end of 2021, Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) Chief Executive Eddie Yue said. The test will involve banks and exchanges in Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates, Yue said Tuesday at a seminar in Hong Kong. He addressed an update on the multi-CBDC program to Agustín Carstens, the general manager of the Bank of International Settlements (BIS). The HKMA, the city's de facto central bank, initiated the program in 2019 by working with the Bank of Thailand to build a prototype of the platform, known as the "m-CBDC Bridge." The program has progressed smoothly and entered a second phase in February as the People's Bank of China and the central bank of the United Arab Emirates joined, along with the BIS as the project coordinator, Yue said. The results of the phase two study are expected to be disclosed in a few months, Yue said. If everything goes well, cross-border payments will be available in real time across four jurisdictions. "If that is successful, it will actually go a long way in advancing a cross-border payment solution for everybody," he said. Stock exchanges in Hong Kong and Thailand as well as 30 banks in Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland, Thailand and the UAE will participate in the third phase by putting real-time transactions on the platform, Yue said. "If phase three proves to be successful, we can actually commercialize it," Yue said. The m-CBDC Bridge project aims to facilitate real-time cross-border foreign exchange transactions in a multi-jurisdictional context and explore cross-border business use cases employing both domestic and foreign currencies. The HKMA says it expects the project to solve problems associated with cross-border fund transfers including inefficiencies, high costs and complex regulatory compliance. Hong Kong is also helping the Chinese mainland to test its digital yuan for cross-border payments. The central bank chose Bank of China (Hong Kong) Ltd., the local subsidiary of Bank of China Ltd., for the pilot program. ^ top ^

China to tighten rules for firms listed overseas to enhance data protection (Global Times)
2021-07-07
China will strengthen rules and regulations for domestic businesses listed in overseas exchanges to enhance protection of data security and toughen crackdown on securities violations, according to a top guideline issued on Tuesday, the latest step in China's widening campaign to protect cybersecurity. Coming as Chinese regulators stepped up probe of some US-listed Chinese firms such as Didi Chuxing over user data security, the guideline further underscored China's firm resolve to tackle cybersecurity risks posed by listings of Chinese firms in overseas exchanges, analysts said. Specifically, China will improve rules and regulations for data security, cross-border data flow and management of classified information, according to the guideline jointly issued by the General Office of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council. The guideline also vowed to amend the rules covering Chinese companies' overseas fundraising and IPOs, as well as take measures to cope with risks related to Chinese companies that are listed overseas. The guideline came just two days after China's top cybersecurity regulator on Sunday ordered app stores to remove ride-hailing app Didi Chuxing, which just launched its IPO in the US last week, over cyberscurity issues. "The Didi incident is only a flash point, reflecting regulators' efforts to address a series of national security issues exposed by the internationalization of China's digital industry," Hu Qimu, chief research fellow at the Sinosteel Economic Research Institute, told the Global Times on Tuesday. In the process of listing overseas, the lack of relevant reviews may lead to related security problems, endangering public safety, or even national security, said analysts. As of May 5, there were 248 Chinese companies listed on the three largest US exchanges, with a total market capitalization of $2.1 trillion, according to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission. "Many internet technology companies have been listed overseas, giving foreign investors greater access to the core of their operations and easier access to relevant data. Under such circumstances, the economic and national security risks arising from the cross-border flow of data, a major product of the digital economy, cannot be ignored," Hu said. The high-level guidance on Tuesday will mobilize all relevant regulatory departments and institutions to take swift measures to enhance protection of cybersecurity related to firms listed in overseas exchanges, analysts said. "Such a high-level document won't target a single enterprise," Wang Peng, an assistant professor at the Gaoling School of Artificial Intelligence at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Tuesday. "But Didi's security problems are certainly covered in the guidance. A large number of Chinese companies listed overseas and internet innovation enterprises are actually faced with the same data security problems as Didi," Wang said. Apart from enhancing data protection, China will also impose tougher penalties for securities crimes, while enhancing the quality and efficiency of criminal investigations of major cases, according to the guideline on Tuesday. ^ top ^

China takes Didi off app stores 2 days after Beijing announces cybersecurity review (SCMP)
2021-07-05
China's cyberspace administrator has ordered ride-hailing service provider Didi Chuxing off the country's app stores until future approval after correction and review, just two days after the regulator launched a cybersecurity review into the company and four days after its blockbuster initial public offering (IPO) in New York. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said in a short statement on Sunday that Didi's app, often referred to as the Uber of China, has seriously violated the country's laws and regulations through the improper collection and usage of user information. As such, the agency has told China's app stores to remove the app indefinitely, one of the harshest punishments for an internet company. The administration also that it has ordered Didi to take corrective measures and to comply with regulations, a hint that it could be restored to app stores in the future. Didi has stopped new user registrations as of July 3, but existing users already have the app installed, including passengers and drivers, can continue to use the app, according to a statement posted on the company's official Weibo account on Sunday. In the statement, Didi also thanked Chinese regulators for helping the company investigate risks and promised to make a serious effort to rectify any wrongs by protecting "user privacy and data security". The reason for the investigation announced on Friday remains unclear. Didi, like many lifestyle services, collects information such as telephone numbers, payment information, real-time location and travel routes, as well as drivers' identity card information for authentication and verification purposes. Zhai Wei, a law professor at East China University of Political Science and Law in Shanghai, said the statement on Sunday has revealed that Didi has serious problems in collecting and using users' personal information. "This shows that the supervisory authority has at least confirmed that Didi has violated the users' information rights. This behaviour not only violates the cybersecurity law but also violates the personal rights of users, which may trigger lawsuits from users," Zhai said. The harsh punishment comes after the cyberspace security review office, an obscure unit of the powerful administration, announced a cybersecurity review into Didi on Friday, saying it had stopped Didi from registering new users, which was announced the same week of Didi's IPO on the New York Stock Exchange. It is also not clear whether the punishment on Sunday is directly related to the security review. In its brief statement on Friday, the CAC said the probe was launched "to prevent risks regarding national data security and to maintain national security". The office said the probe was conducted in accordance with the National Security Law, the Cybersecurity Law and the Measures for Cybersecurity Review, but it did not mention any specific clauses Didi is suspected of violating. The probe marks the first time Beijing has publicly cited national security as a reason for launching an investigation into one of the country's tech giants. In Didi's filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ahead of the New York listing, the company highlighted the risks posed by increasingly active regulators, especially in the areas of antitrust and privacy protections, going so far as to say the business could be "materially and adversely affected". Under China's Measures of Cybersecurity Review, which went into effect in June 2020, Beijing has many possible reasons to target a company: the misuse or destruction of information infrastructure, mishandling of data, or even supply interruptions resulting from "political, diplomatic and trade factors". A review generally takes up to 45 working days to complete, but that period can be extended. The time spent preparing documents submitted by the target of the investigation is not counted as part of the 45 working-day review period. Big Tech companies have recently faced mounting regulatory pressure from Beijing in other areas, most notably from multiple antitrust-related investigations and fines. The State Administration of Market Regulation has been busy looking into monopolistic behaviour and price irregularities. At the same time, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has regularly named and shamed apps for misconduct in collecting user information and other wrongdoings. In the latest batch announced on June 8, the ministry named 83 apps with problems including Microsoft's suite of mobile office apps. Didi's removal from app stores sparked wide discussion on China's social media. A topic on Weibo related to the news has been viewed more than 510 million times as of Sunday evening. "If Didi really leaked our information, the punishment of removing from app stores is too light," another Weibo user commented. Some are worried about how they will get around without the service. "Am I going to delete Didi? But our city is dominated by Didi, it's hard to find a replacement," a Weibo user commented. ^ top ^

China, US reps have phone call on Korean Peninsula issue (China Daily)
2021-07-07
Liu Xiaoming, the Chinese government's special representative on Korean Peninsula affairs, had a phone conversation on Tuesday with Sung Kim, the US State Department's special representative for Democratic People's Republic of Korea policy. Liu briefed Kim on Beijing's view on the outcome of the US' recent policy review toward the DPRK. He stressed the political settlement process of the Peninsula issue should be advanced by following the dual-track approach and the phased and synchronized principle. Washington should attach importance to resolving the legitimate concerns of Pyongyang and support reconciliation and cooperation between Pyongyang and Seoul, Liu added. Kim said the US is committed to resolving the Peninsula issue through diplomatic means, it expects to resume dialogue and contacts with the DPRK as soon as possible and it supports the improvement of relations between the DPRK and the Republic of Korea. ^ top ^

The fourth batch of 30,420 of the Pfizer-Comirnaty vaccines arrived in Mongolia (GoGo Mongolia)
2021-07-08
The fourth batch of 30,420 of the Pfizer-Comirnaty vaccines arrived in Mongolia today with MIAT flight. 85,410 doses arrived on June 30 85,410 doses on June 23 84,240 doses arrived on June 16 Up to date, 285,300 doses of the total of 2.5 million Pfizer-Comirnaty vaccine arrived in Mongolia through the agreement signed by the Government of Mongolia and Pfizer Inc (Pfizer / Biontech) LLC. The 2.35 million doses of the vaccines are purchased through the grant funding of the Project for Strengthening Capacity of Mongolia to Cope with the COVID-19 and Other Public Health Emergencies Agreement signed between the UNICEF and the Embassy of Japan on March 11, 2021. ^ top ^

Mongolia, Hong Kong to cooperate in creative industry (Montsame)
2021-07-07
General Consul of Mongolia to Hong Kong G.Jargalsaikhan met with Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of Hong Kong Edward Yau Tang-wah yesterday. During the meeting, the sides shared views on the further development of cooperation in trade and economy, and intensification of bilateral cooperation in tourism and cultural industries. In particular, they agreed to open up new opportunities to work together in the film industry and explore the possibilities of co-production. The sides concurred to work with Southeast Asian countries to boost trade, investment and business through active participation in regional integration within the Belt and Road Initiative. Moreover, the Secretary invited Mongolian side to participate in the Belt and Road 2021 International Trade and Investment Forum which will be held in Hong Kong in September. It is also planned during the meeting to study Hong Kong's experience of developing small and medium enterprises and supporting startup companies, and organize joint events. ^ top ^

Golomt Bank submits its plan to be publicly traded (Montsame)
2021-07-04
The Parliament of Mongolia adopted amendments to the Banking Law on January 29, 2021. According to the amendments and the "Temporary regulation on developing, implementing, reporting, and monitoring, a bank's plans to restructure of the bank as publicly traded company and change its shareholding structure, and plans" for the implementation of its restructuring, must be submitted for review to the Bank of Mongolia and Financial Regulatory Commission by July 1, 2021. Golomt Bank submitted its plan for becoming a Publicly Traded Company to the Bank of Mongolia and Financial Regulatory Commission on June 29, 2021. In the process of offering shares to the public, Golomt Bank is cooperating with the best, prestigious international and domestic organizations, as the main underwriter "Mirae Asset Securities Mongolia" LLC, as the assistant underwriter "Golomt Capital" LLC, as a legal advisor "Financial Law Consulting" LLC, as an external evaluation organization KPMG LLC, and as a financial auditor PWC LLC. Golomt Bank firstly introduced an international payment card system and delivered the first MasterCard and Visa cards to its customers. Therefore, has been a pioneer in the field of innovative products and services such as the first international payment card system, internet banking, 24-hour banking service, Western union money transfer, ATM, Smart banking service, and SocialPay digital wallet. Golomt bank's every service introduced to the market, aims to take the development of the Mongolian banking and financial sector to a new level and become a world standards Mongolian bank. ^ top ^

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