China opposes U.S. report on Chinese military
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei has expressed "firm opposition" to a Pentagon report that misrepresents China's military development.
Hong Lei's comment came after the U.S. Department of Defense released its annual report on Chinese military and security development,which focused on China's defense spending increase, and overlooked China's peaceful defense policy.
The 96-page report questioned the transparency of China's defense spending.
Hong Lei said the Pentagon report questioned the normal defense construction of China as well as its legitimate behavior to safeguard territorial sovereignty and security interests.
He said the groundless speculation on China's military development is made with ulterior motives.
Japan urged to correct mistakes as D-Day remembered
China has again urged Japan to reflect on its aggression past and correct mistakes with practical actions as international D-Day commemorations are held.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei says China again urges Japanese leaders to face up to and remember its aggression past, correct mistakes with tangible actions and win the trust of Asian neighbors and the international community.
World leaders gather for D-Day anniversary
World leaders have joined hundreds of veterans in Normandy, France to mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
French President Francois Hollande launched the commemorations by paying tribute to those who died on a day that changed the world.
Following Hollande, US President Barack Obama addressed the gathering, saying the battlegrounds of Normandy represent "democracy's beachhead".
British Queen Elizabeth II and Russian President Vladimir Putin were among nineteen heads of state in France for the commemorations.
Putin-Poroshenko meeting important for reaching "ceasefire" over Ukraine: French FM
French Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius says the meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin with Ukrainian President-elect Petero Poroshenko on the sidelines of D-Day landings ceremony was "important" for "reaching a ceasefire" in Ukraine.
Fabius says the aim is to reach rapidly a ceasefire that could prompt many other things.
On the sidelines of a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day Allied landings, Russian and Ukrainian leaders held their first talk since the standoff over Ukraine strained diplomatic relations between Moscow and Europe.
U.S. confirms another citizen held in DPRK
The United States has confirmed another American citizen has been detained in North Korea, bringing the number of Americans held by the Asian country to three.
North Korea says Jeffrey Edward Fowle, who entered the country as a tourist on April 29, was detained for hostile acts.
This is the third U.S. citizen that has been detained in North Korea.
The U.S. State Department issued a travel warning last month, advising U.S. citizens against traveling to North Korea, even by joining a group tour, to avoid the risk of being detained.
Xi calls for unity, greater contribution of overseas Chinese
President Xi Jinping has called for unity and a greater contribution from Chinese nationals overseas to realize national rejuvenation.
Xi Jinping made the remarks at the 7th Conference for Friendship of Overseas Chinese Associations attended by more than 500 representatives from 119 countries and regions.
He said as long as the overseas Chinese are united, they can play an irreplaceable role in realizing the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation as they are patriotic and rich in capital, talent, resources and business connections.
Premier Li urges reform implementation
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has urged central and local authorities to actively and fully implement reform policies.
While noting China's economic growth, employment and inflation are all within a proper range, Li Keqiang said risks and challenges are not to be overlooked as downward pressure remains "relatively high".
He stressed that development remains the major task, and urged authorities to implement policies already in place and make targeted moves to address new problems.
7 million college applicants to be admitted
About three quarters of prospective students taking the annual national college entrance exam this year will gain admission according to the Ministry of Education.
A total of over 9 million people have registered for the exam to vie for 6.9 million vacancies in universities and colleges. Last year's admission rate was just over 75 percent.
The number of candidates from rural areas has increased by 260,000 this year, thanks to a set of encouraging government policies.
The exam, known as the "gaokao", takes place today and tomorrow.
China-South Asia Expo begins in SW China
The second China-South Asia Expo is underway in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, to promote all-round cooperation and development in the region.
The five-day expo is expected to attract exhibitors and buyers from 46 countries and regions and 24 domestic provinces and municipalities. |