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China's GDP grew by 5.5 percent year-on-year in the first half of the year to 59.3 trillion yuan ($8.3 trillion), posting a steady economic rebound, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Monday. In the second quarter, the economy rose by 6.3 percent compared with a year earlier, up from 4.5 percent in the first quarter of the year. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, China's GDP increased by 0.8 percent in the second quarter of the year, the NBS said. Figures released by the NBS showed China's value-added industrial output, a gauge of activity in the manufacturing, mining and utilities sectors, grew by 4.4 percent in June from a year earlier after a 3.5 percent rise in May. In the first half of the year, value-added industrial output grew by 3.8 percent compared to the same period last year, while in the first quarter, it rose by 3 percent from a year earlier. Retail sales, a key measurement of consumer spending, grew by 3.1 percent year-on-year in June, down from the 12.7 percent growth in May. In the first half of the year, retail sales rose by 8.2 percent compared to the same period last year, while in the first quarter,…

China's Hainan Airlines to ground female flight attendants who are 10% 'overweight' China's Hainan Airlines, a five-star airline rated by Skytrax, has been accused of introducing a strict weight control policy for its female flight attendants. The policy mandates immediate grounding if their weight exceeds the "standard limit" by 10 percent. The weight control requirement is included in a guideline on professional image screening and control issued by Hainan Airlines to its cabin crew in early June. The guideline outlines specific body size and weight control standards for female flight attendants at different levels. According to a civil aviation employee, Hainan Airlines' weight requirement for female flight attendants is unprecedented in the domestic aviation industry. A legal expert interviewed by the media expressed concerns over the airline's regulation, saying that it imposes additional labor obligations on employees without following proper legal procedures, raising suspicions of its legality. In addition to their regular job responsibilities, Hainan Airlines' announcement explicitly states that the introduction of body and weight requirements for female flight attendants is based on the significance of maintaining a professional image. The airline emphasizes that as a prominent representative, Hainan Airlines should serve as a captivating business card to the…

BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese yuan weakened against a basket of currencies last week, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System (CFETS). The CFETS yuan exchange rate composite index, which measures the yuan's strength relative to a basket of currencies, went down 0.49 points from the previous week to 97.65, according to the CFETS. The index compares the yuan with the value of 24 currencies, including the U.S. dollar, euro and Japanese yen. Last week also saw an index that measures the yuan against the Bank for International Settlements currency basket edge down 0.49 points from the previous week to 102. The index measuring the yuan against the Special Drawing Rights basket lost 0.33 points week on week to 93.74.Original link

An inheritor of intangible cultural heritage from Qiuqiao town in Huaian, East China’s Jiangsu Province, who organized foreign apprentice acrobats to illegally cross the border into China, received a three-year jail sentence with probation of five years and was fined 110,000 yuan ($15,582) in April, the China Youth Daily reported on Thursday. The offender named Yan Qiang (pseudonym) born in the 1980s who organized multiple illegal border-crossings of 18 young foreign apprentice between China and Myanmar between 2016 and 2021 and obtained illegal gains of over 800,000 yuan, was handed the prison sentence on April 3 this year. Born in a local most famous family of acrobats in Qiuqiao town, Huaian, Yan became the fourth generation of acrobat inheritor of his family in June 2007, and was named the acrobatic inheritor of intangible cultural heritage project of Huaian district in December 2018. The intangible cultural heritage of Qiuqiao acrobatics appeared in the late 1800s and was enhanced and promoted by Yan Qiang’s grandfather in the 1970s. The acrobatics troupe had been performing in Huaian and surrounding areas for many years. In its heyday, the Qiuqiao acrobatics developed into over 50 troupes with over 1,500 practitioners and a supporting cast of…Original link

JIUQUAN, May 29 (Xinhua) -- China is looking forward to and welcomes the participation of foreign astronauts in the country's space station flight missions, said the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the CMSA, made the remarks ahead of the launch of the Shenzhou-16 crewed spaceship, which is scheduled for 9:31 a.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, and will take place at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. During the development and construction of China's space station, the country has carried out various forms of exchanges and cooperation with many foreign space agencies and international organizations. "On the one hand, China is steadily pushing forward the planned cooperation projects with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, the European Space Agency and other organizations. On the other hand, China has actively expanded exchanges with emerging space nations, focusing on in-orbit scientific experiments and applications, and joint flights for astronauts to the space station," Lin said. In addition, China has been actively engaged in discussions and the making of regulations pertaining to issues like space environment governance, space traffic management, and the development and utilization of space resources. These efforts have contributed to addressing common…Original link

COVID-19 infections have ranked as the most prevalent virus in Beijing for four weeks after overtaking the city's influenza cases in late April, according to the COVID-19 weekly reports released by the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control on Wednesday. According to the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, the number of cases involving 16 kinds of notifiable infectious diseases across Beijing has risen to 25,544 from May 15 to May 21, a four-fold increase compared with the number from April 24 to April 30. Respiratory infectious diseases accounted for 96.5 percent of the 25,544 cases. The Health Times affiliated to People's Daily reported that Beijing's influenza cases had topped COVID-19 ones since February 6, but were then overtaken by COVID-19 infections from April 24. Influenza cases were overtaken by infectious diarrhea ones and have dropped to the third place from May 15 to May 21. China's top respiratory disease expert Zhong Nanshan said on Monday at the 2023 Greater Bay Area Science Forum that a new COVID-19 infection wave in 2023 will likely peak in late June at about 65 million cases per week. According to Zhong, a small wave of COVID-19 infections at the end of…

The Civil Aviation Administration has shortened the suspension time of international flights linked to COVID-19 cases from Sunday to better promote the economic development and international exchanges. According to the latest notice issued by the administration on Sunday(7th, August, 2022), when the airline has five confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection on a single inbound flight and the confirmed passengers make up 4 percent of the flight's total inbound travelers, the flight will be suspended for one week. The flight will be suspended for two weeks if the number reaches 8 percent. The suspended flight shall not be used for other routes. Early in April 2021, the administration updated its "circuit breaker mechanism" on regular international inbound passenger flights following the nation's epidemic control and prevention policy. According to the mechanism updated then, the airline with five confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection on one single inbound passenger flight had two options to restrict its future operations. It could choose to suspend the flight for two weeks from the fourth week after the flight entered the domestic airspace and the other option was to operate the flight with passenger load under 40 percent of the capacity for four weeks from the fourth…

Beijing, however, offers no timeline for Indian students China’s Premier Li Keqiang has said all international students may return to China as the country considers increasing international flights more than two years into the pandemic. Tens of thousands of foreign students, including several thousand Indian medical students, have been awaiting a return to China to resume their studies, with many expressing concerns about their ability to graduate as they remain stranded overseas. Speaking at a World Economic Forum dialogue with global business leaders, Mr. Li, the second-ranked leader, said China “will make its COVID control measures more targeted and well-calibrated under the premise of ensuring safety against COVID infections, including steadily improving visa and COVID testing policies, and further resuming and increasing international passenger flights in an orderly way.” “All international students may return to China to continue their studies should they so wish, and outbound commerce and trade activities and cross-border travel for labour services will be advanced in an orderly fashion,” he added. Officials, when asked about Mr. Li’s comments, did not, however, offer a timetable. “We welcome the return of Indian and other foreign students to China and will make corresponding arrangements,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin…Original link

1. Chinese mainland reports 75 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland Friday reported 75 locally-transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 31 in Gansu, 16 in Anhui and 15 in Guangdong, the National Health Commission said Saturday. https://english.news.cn/20220716/3276a2893f1c4ff0abb2078f87091544/c.html   2. China's retail sales continue to see upward trend after gaining 3.1% in June China's retail sales witnessed positive growth after a consecutive two-month decline, and officials forecast that it will maintain an upward trend in the second half of this year, reflecting China's consumption power shrugging off the impact of epidemic. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202207/1270610.shtml 3. China: Heat wave to linger for next several weeks The deadly scorching heat wave that has lasted for more than 30 days and affected over 900 million people is forecast to linger for the next few weeks. https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202207/16/WS62d20157a310fd2b29e6ca8a.html 4. Chinese NEV brand gaining foothold in Europe China's production and sales of NEVs have topped global rankings for seven consecutive years since 2015. The country's accumulated sales of NEVs amounted to 11.08 million units by the end of May, compared to 20,000 at the end of 2012. http://english.news.cn/20220715/7b9072a3905b42c5bb61f476c3460401/c.html 5. G20 finance leaders seek consensus to overcome global economic threats The third G20 Finance…

https://youtu.be/xTYNuGD2JPU 1. China’s H1 GDP expands 2.5% as economy braves mounting challenges China's economy has braved a series of challenges posed by domestic COVID-19 outbreaks and a worsening global environment, posting 2.5 percent year-on-year growth in the first half of 2022, official data showed on Friday. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202207/1270605.shtml   2. China, Greece should enhance ties in all areas to excellent level of political bond This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Greece. Over the past half century, the two countries have forged a friendship and close cooperation in a wide range of fields including investment, trade, tourism, and culture. In 2018, Greece joined China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), under which the two countries have seen a mutually beneficial strengthening of bilateral ties. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202207/1270551.shtml   3. Chinese mainland reports 64 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland Thursday reported 64 locally-transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 30 in Gansu and 17 in Guangdong, the National Health Commission said Friday. https://english.news.cn/20220715/d58642870998496b9c28b029c71a5e72/c.html   4. China creates over 6.5 million urban jobs in H1 China created a total of 6.54 million jobs in its urban areas in the first half of…

https://youtu.be/KvehxN1yAL0   1. China to further communicate with more countries to increase overseas flights China will enhance communication with countries to increase international flights during the second half of this year, an official from Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said on Tuesday, as China relaxes inbound travel restrictions. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202207/1270330.shtml   2. Several Chinese cities temporarily seal off residential compounds amid COVID flare-ups Several Chinese cities have temporarily sealed off parts of city areas to curb the spread of the latest COVID-19 flare-ups, including Lanzhou in Northwest China's Gansu Province and multiple cities in Central China's Henan Province. Other regions, in face of the new round of virus spike especially the Omicron subvariant BA.5, rolled out targeted measures including the suspension of off-line school activities. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202207/1270461.shtml   3. China, South Korea make ‘positive progress’ in talks for 2nd phase FTA despite ‘disturbing factors’ China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Wednesday that China and South Korea have made “positive progress” in the second-phase China-South Korea FTA talks in areas such as cross-border trade in services, investment and financial services. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202207/1270474.shtml   4. China's foreign trade grows at double-digit pace in June with resilient outlook China's foreign trade saw a double-digit…

https://youtu.be/FArtK2TfVmQ 1. Universities Sent Emails to Students to Return to China According to the latest news, the COVID condition in China is getting better now, so different Chinese universities started sending emails to International students to return to China. But universities mentioned some conditions for international students to follow strictly. Universities are asking for the willingness of the students to travel on their own expenditures. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/D9r1AIRCoR2HOYGPahZ51w   2. Japan's ex-leader Shinzo Abe dies from gunshot, 'biggest political incident in post-WWII Japan' Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, 67, died hours after being shot by a gunman on July 8 in western Japan's Nara, where he was making a campaign speech for the parliament's upper house election to be held on Sunday. Analysts described Abe's assassination as the biggest political incident in Japanese politics since the end of World War Two. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202207/1270076.shtml   3. China's infrastructure investment accelerates amid policy support In the face of mounting uncertainties in the international landscape and domestic COVID-19 resurgences, China has positioned infrastructure investment as a policy priority to revive the economy while securing sustainable growth. https://english.news.cn/20220708/b3044e0ab55d43e7a1c85b5f16b8e0c5/c.html   4. China's June SME activities pick up as economy recovers The performance of China's small and medium-sized…

https://youtu.be/lqWUVHBMiaE   1. Chinese mainland reports 69 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases The Chinese mainland Monday reported 69 locally-transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases. A total of 266 local asymptomatic carriers were newly identified on Monday in eight provincial-level regions, including 179 in Anhui and 66 in Jiangsu. https://english.news.cn/20220705/3771405450134159bdaafdb68ffeef40/c.html   2. China: Technology improving agriculture With new technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data, smart agriculture is expected to bring about essential changes to traditional agriculture in China, an expert said. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202207/05/WS62c39225a310fd2b29e6a61c.html   3. China proposes 6 programs with Lancang-Mekong countries despite ‘customary’ Western provocation of ties China on Monday proposed six programs which will benefit the Lancang-Mekong countries aside from China, namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, including cooperation plans in agriculture, water resources, digital economy, aerospace, education, and public health, as Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting (LMC) in Bagan, Myanmar. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202207/1269760.shtml   4. Chinese, US senior officials hold video talks over economic issues Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chief of the Chinese side of the China-U.S. comprehensive economic dialogue, held a video conversation…

  1. Airport Cancels Foreign's Ticket as Aggressive Behavior Sichuan Airlines canceled a foreign national's air ticket from Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province to Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Saturday night after the traveler refused to comply with anti-epidemic requirements and acted aggressively toward airline staff, according to a notice posted by Qingdao International Airport on Sunday. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/-kVSnPI7CvhV6VzBtsA-Pg 2. UAE Students Return, More Airlines Resume Flights to China More airlines are resuming international flights to and from China, and it is likely that July will see the largest number of international flights since pandemic restrictions were placed on international air travel in early 2020. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/W53t9kgzPfSuhFojeT6eZw 3. Yellow River protection at heart of guideline An outline on the protection and sustainable development of the Yellow River basin was released recently, ensuring the safe handling of one of China's most important watercourses until the middle of the century. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202207/04/WS62c23ea5a310fd2b29e6a1d7.html 4. Bringing on the summer tourism heat This summer, it is just not temperatures that are expected to soar in China－domestic travel demand is expected to rebound from the monthslong impact of the resurgence of local COVID-19 cases. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202207/04/WS62c23b43a310fd2b29e6a1aa.html 5. Better education being provided for China's ethnic groups Specialized cultural and education…

  https://youtu.be/vtPMderhKhk 1. Typhoon Chaba makes landfall in China's Guangdong Chaba, the third typhoon of the year, made landfall in the coastal area of Maoming City in south China's Guangdong Province at around 3 p.m. Saturday. https://english.news.cn/20220702/2438eb80959844d5b7c4a6ec0f2feec6/c.html   2. China, Solomon Islands see security cooperation progress China and the Solomon Islands have seen achievements in their security cooperation. A demonstration of joint police training was held on Friday, with the local police force of the island country showcasing their new skills acquired from the Chinese police officers. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202207/1269575.shtml   3. "Fly in Limbazi" air show held in Latvia "Fly in Limbazi" air show held in Latvia https://english.news.cn/20220703/64bdf29ec72c425aba5f97839f32f7f9/c.html   4. Magnificent Huangshan Mountain appreciated by the world With its highest altitude at more than 1800 meters and covering 1,200 square kilometers, Huangshan Mountain has remained one of China's most magnificent mountains since ancient times for its pine trees, stones, sea of clouds and springs. It was listed as World Cultural and Natural Heritage by the UNESCO in 1990. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202207/02/WS62c00291a310fd2b29e69f93.html   5. Inbound Travelers to Undergo Monkeypox Screening Inbound travelers will undergo a monkeypox screening along with COVID-19 testing during their quarantine period, the National Health Commission said. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Up4CN3o5Zx4ziNYHpZB8sw   6. China…

  https://youtu.be/cAITtusklu4   1. Chongqing, Chengdu record 20,000 China-Europe freight train trips China-Europe freight trains handled by the two cities has topped 20,000 since Chongqing and Chengdu launched the service in March 2011 and April 2013, respectively, according to local authorities. http://english.news.cn/20220630/30c07708d38c4904924f46d953d6a8c5/c.html 2. Graduate founds pen brand in SW China's Guizhou Yuan Jian sorts out finished pens at his studio in Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, July 1, 2022. The 27-year-old Yuan Jian is this year's graduate of the Key Laboratory of Advanced Manufacturing Technology of the Ministry of Education at Guizhou University. Yuan founded his own pen brand in 2020. After years of development, the team of Yuan has developed over 20 types of pens. Yuan hopes that he and his team would build an international pen brand in the future. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu) https://english.news.cn/20220702/c39c71dc225e4d14941d0bc0184f10cf/c.html 3. Summer travel rush kicks off across China China is expected to see 520 million railway trips during the upcoming summer travel rush kicking off on Friday, according to the country's railway operator. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202207/01/WS62beb0d9a310fd2b29e69dc2.html 4. Infographic: 10 years of industrial and IT development in China https://govt.chinadaily.com.cn/s/202206/20/WS62afde31498ea2749279b16e/10-years-of-industrial-and-it-development-in-china.html 5. WeChat Bans Accounts for Trading NFTs and Digital Currencies WeChat has included digital assets and virtual…

https://youtu.be/H3QHrIhNoe8   1. Hong Kong celebrates 25th anniversary of return to motherland July 1 is the celebration day for the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. https://english.news.cn/20220701/3a160af1c9ed4975b3e83ca4da28437d/c.html 2. China's non-manufacturing PMI back to expansion territory in June The purchasing managers' index (PMI) for China's non-manufacturing sector came in at 54.7 in June, up from 47.8 in May, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Thursday. https://english.news.cn/20220630/a6446c80fef041aca5957accd911db3c/c.html 3. China to use policy-based, developmental financial instruments to support major projects, expand work-relief programs in key projects China will adopt policy-based and developmental financial instruments to support the development of major projects, in an effort to expand effective investment and spur employment and consumption, according to the decision made at the State Council's Executive Meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202207/01/WS62be50dba310fd2b29e69bc0.html 4. Latest on COVID-19 pandemic: Mainland reports 12 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases, 151 local asymptomatic cases http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202207/01/WS62be403fa310fd2b29e69ac5.html 5. China’s future aircraft carrier program ‘depends on security needs’: defense ministry China will take national security needs and the development of equipment technology into consideration for the country's future aircraft carrier program, the Chinese Defense Ministry said on Thursday, after China's 80,000 ton-class, electromagnetic catapults-equipped third aircraft carrier,…

https://youtu.be/t8OfWC1O-nQ 1. Govt takes steps to save tourism as summer peak season nears The domestic tourism market is hoping for a robust recovery as authorities release more supportive policies and measures to help the market overcome the current pressures. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202206/30/WS62bcec5aa310fd2b29e69685.html   2. China further eases requirements for China-bound passengers Chinese Embassies in Iraq, Argentina, Poland, and Uruguay have adjusted some requirements for applying the Health Code for China-bound passengers. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/_MssoMt8lrIUIpbQdNP6-Q   3. Shanghai to reopen cultural, tourism venues Shanghai will gradually reopen museums, art galleries and all types of indoor and outdoor A-level tourist attractions across the city from July 1, while cinemas and performance venues will be gradually opened to the public from July 8, the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism said on Wednesday. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202206/1269385.shtml   4. China to hand over completed new parliament building to Zimbabwe Zimbabwe's new parliament building, constructed and fully funded by China as a gift to the southern African country, is now complete and ready for occupation. https://english.news.cn/20220630/3cf746ca58304b818be8209937852465/c.html   5. Not confirmed news: Government is preparing for the entry of Indonesian students recently https://twitter.com/Stephrtanto/status/1542093713656381440   6. Taiyuan University, Chongqing Jiaotong University, USTC called their students to come in China https://twitter.com/engr_Ambarsriya/status/1542105372554674177

https://youtu.be/8s352PpuH7Y 1. China capable of coping with the unexpected in meeting growth target: economic planner China is capable of coping with all kinds of unexpected changes to ensure healthy, sound and sustainable economic development, the country's top economic planner said Tuesday. https://english.news.cn/20220628/ebb988f1dda7493e855cfd4488c8e2a5/c.html   2. China's rural vitalization breathes new life into agriculture, villages China has always put agriculture and rural areas high on the agenda of its economic work. Rural vitalization, proposed in 2017 as a key move to develop a modernized economy, has breathed new life into China's agriculture and villages. https://english.news.cn/20220628/29a8621d11ea43349452136d22e53245/c.html 3. China: Efforts urged to stabilize employment Premier Li Keqiang has urged efforts to stabilize employment amid the new downward pressure facing the nation's economy, saying that policies and measures to stabilize economic growth should focus on ensuring the vitality of market players to enable them to stabilize employment. https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202206/29/WS62bb8da8a310fd2b29e69210.html 4. Iran, Argentina’s applications to BRICS underscores pursuit of development, solidarity Iran's application to the BRICS mechanism, following a similar move by Argentina, is a move that Chinese analysts believe underscores the pursuit by developing and emerging countries of development not disturbance, of true multilateralism not ideological confrontations, and of solidarity not division. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202206/1269270.shtml   5. Turkey…

https://youtu.be/_vA6F798NAI 1. A closer look at China's May economic data, China's economy is gradually moving on. China's economy is gradually moving on from the impact of COVID-19 with improvements in a number of key indicators, showing renewed signs of its gradual recovery in May. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202206/27/WS62b8e04ba310fd2b29e68a06.html 2. Jakarta-Bandung HSR No.1 casting yard completes box girders erection The No.1 casting yard of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) on Monday completed the erection of 1,018 box girders, laying a solid foundation for the completion of the railway project in June 2023. https://english.news.cn/20220627/f5e6426a7abe439895b3374b2f533d22/c.htmlhttps://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202206/1268966.shtml 3. Update: China's industrial profits improve on rebounding factory activities. Profits of China's major industrial companies saw a narrower decline in May as factories in the world's second-largest economy restarted production lines as business sentiments improved, official data showed Monday. https://english.news.cn/20220627/41610b6b09094324b74b486da03a4f55/c.html 4. Flu spreads rapidly in southern China, possibly linked to COVID-19 controls: experts The positive rate of the influenza viruses dominated by the influenza A (H3N2) subtype in southern China has continued to rise, with some regions seeing a spike in cases surpassing that of winter, according to data released by the Chinese National Influenza Center (CNIC). https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202206/1269161.shtml 5. At least 40 found dead in truck in San Antonio, Texas.…

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