Chinese leaders meet ROK president, calling for stronger ties
Chinese leaders have pledged to push China's strategic relations with South Korea to a new high as they met with visiting South Korean President President Park Geun-hye.
Premier Li Keqiang called on the two countries to take a longer view and a more aggressive attitude, deepen cooperation in trade and the economy, investment, finance and new energy, and speed up the construction of the Free Trade Area (FTA).
In regards to the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Li Keqiang said China's stance on seeking a nuclear-free peninsula is consistent, clear and firm.
China would like to make joint efforts with the international community, restart the six-party talks at an early date, safeguard the peace and stability of the peninsula and promote development and prosperity in Northeast Asia.
Park is in Beijing for her first state visit to China since taking office in February.
China, India have enough wisdom to resolve differences: premier
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang says China and India have "enough wisdom" to resolve their differences.
He said this during his meeting with Indian National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon, who was in Beijing to attend the 16th round of border talks between special representatives from China and India.
Li Keqiang said both sides should view the border issue from an overall and strategic perspective.
He called on the two sides to strengthen communication in a bid to narrow their differences on the border issue and work together to safeguard peace and stability in the border area.
Chinese premier expresses confidence in achieving growth goals
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang says the conditions are right and China has the ability to realize the major economic and social development goals for this year.
While meeting with overseas personages attending the 3rd Global Think Tank Summit in Beijing, Li Keqiang said the country can also achieve healthy and sustainable growth in the long-term by improving the quality and efficiency of growth.
The premier exchanged views with the attendants on international relations, the global economy and regional integration.
China opposes U.S. remarks on Xinjiang attack: FM spokeswoman
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying says China hopes the United States will avoid using a double standard when discussing terrorism.
She made the comment in response to a question about U.S. remarks regarding a violent attack that occurred on Wednesday in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
The spokeswoman said the Chinese government protects the rights of people of all ethnic groups in accordance with law, including their freedom of religion.
China hopes the U.S. will work with the international community to fight terrorism and enhance international anti-terrorism cooperation.
PBOC to maintain "prudent" monetary policy: Zhou Xiaochuan
China's central bank chief says it will continue to implement prudent monetary policies.
However, Zhou Xiaochuan also says preemptive adjustments and fine tuning will be conducted in an appropriate way when necessary.
He says the bank will work with other departments to guide financial institutions to maintain reasonable lending level.
Multiple tools will also be used to adjust liquidity and keep the market stable overall.
China sex tape official and blackmailers jailed
A former government official embroiled in a sex video scandal has been sentenced to 13 years in jail for bribery in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.
55-year-old Lei Zhengfu was found to have appeared in a sex video that was posted online in November.
The woman in the video was found to be hired by property developers.
Lei reportedly asked another property developer to pay hush money of 3 million yuan to the blackmailers.
Prosecutors say this money amounted to a bribe.
Meantime, six people involved in the case have received jail terms ranging from 18 months to ten years for blackmailing government officials.
The woman in the sex video, Zhao Hongxia, has been given a jail term of two years with a two-year reprieve.
Rudd wants to see speedy FTA talks with China
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says he'd like to see a conclusion of Australia's free trade agreement negotiations with China.
Rudd made the comments at his first news conference after being sworn in as prime minister on Thursday.
Meantime, Rudd has reassured the Chinese side, saying China does not need to worry about the impact of the Australian agricultural industry on its domestic market given its limited size.
1 killed, 70 injured in clashes in Egypt's Alexandria between rival protesters
One was killed and some 70 others were injured on Friday in clashes between opponents and supporters of Egypt's Islamist-oriented President Mohamed Morsi in the coastal city of Alexandria.
Reports say most of the injured are in serious conditions.
This is the fifth death across Egypt over the past week, as the country is set to witness massive anti-Morsi protests in two days.
Mandela's condition continues to improve: ex-wife
Former South African President Nelson Mandela's condition continues to improve.
Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Mandela said this after an announcement by President Jacob Zuma that Mandela's condition had improved, but he was still in a critical condition.
Old Summer Palace relics returned to China
Two bronze relics stolen from China in 1860 have been returned by their French collector.
The sculptures, a rat and a rabbit head, are part of the original 12 bronze heads of zodiac animals which graced a water-clock fountain in the old Summer Palace in Beijing.
They are set to be put on display at the National Museum of China in Beijing.
The heads were stolen by British and French troops who ransacked the Old Summer Palace or Yuan-mingyuan in 1860.
So far, seven parts of the group sculptures have been sent back to China.
The other five remain unaccounted for. |