Xinhua News Agency Latest News

North Macedonia's CPI rises 3.5 pct in October

SKOPJE, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- North Macedonia's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 3.5 percent year-on-year in October, according to the State Statistics Office (SSO) report released on Thursday.

Items essential to daily life saw notable price increases: mineral water, soft drinks, and juices were up by 12.1 percent year-on-year, vegetables rose by 11.9 percent, and tobacco prices climbed 10.8 percent.

Conversely, prices for electricity, gas, and other fuels declined by 1.7 percent year-on-year, with liquid fuels seeing a sharp drop of 17.7 percent, offering some relief to household expenses.

The CPI saw a monthly decrease of 0.7 percentage point in October, suggesting that inflation has peaked and is beginning to ease.

Inflationary pressure has been gradually diminishing, with December 2023 showing a 9.4 percent year-on-year increase, compared to 14.2 percent in December 2022.

An increase in average salaries, which rose by 13.2 percent year-on-year in August, may help offset the higher cost of living, according to the SSO. ■

2024-11-08 23:09:15
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]

China Focus: China revises law to strengthen protection of cultural relics

BEIJING, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday adopted a revised law to strengthen the protection of its abundant cultural relics.

Lawmakers voted to pass the updated Law on the Protection of Cultural Relics during a session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee. The revised law will take effect on March 1, 2025.

Governments at all levels are required to prioritize the protection of cultural relics and properly balance economic development, social progress, and relic preservation to ensure their safety, according to the law.

Infrastructure projects and tourism development must prioritize cultural relic protection, strictly implementing regulations on preservation and safety management to prevent destructive construction and excessive commercialization, it adds.

China has been placing increasing emphasis on the protection of its cultural relics. The country is currently conducting a national census of cultural relics, which is set to run through 2026.

China is home to over 760,000 immovable cultural relics, 108 million pieces or sets of state-owned movable cultural relics, 40 World Cultural Heritage sites, and four mixed cultural and natural heritage sites, the government revealed in September.

The law stipulates that governments at the county level and above should strengthen cultural relics surveys and special investigations to gain a comprehensive understanding of cultural relic resources and their protection status.

The law also toughens penalties for violators. Organizations that cause significant damage to cultural relics will face fines of up to 10 million yuan (about 1.39 million U.S. dollars).

It further authorizes cultural relics regulators to carry out supervision and inspection in accordance with the law and to take relevant administrative enforcement measures against illegal activities.

"BRINGING RELICS TO LIFE"

Highlighting the need to "bring cultural relics to life," the law stipulates that, while ensuring the safety of cultural relics, priority should be given to social benefits through the effective utilization of cultural relic resources.

The law also encourages the digitalization of cultural relics protection, including the digital collection, display, and utilization of cultural relic resources.

...

2024-11-08 23:08:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]

Hezbollah fires 5 rockets at central, northern Israel: sources

JERUSALEM, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah fired about five rockets toward central and northern Israel on Friday, setting off air raid sirens in 53 Israeli cities and communities, according to Israeli sources.

The Israeli military said in a statement that most rockets were intercepted, though one struck the Upper Galilee. The state-owned Kan TV news reported that one rocket hit a residential home in Kafr Yasif, an Arab community northeast of Acre city, northern Israel.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, according to the Israeli Magen David Adom rescue service.

Hezbollah has yet to confirm the attacks.

The attacks came two days after a barrage of about 120 rockets were fired by Hezbollah at northern and central Israel throughout Wednesday, as Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem earlier vowed to fight until victory over Israeli forces.

These developments took place amid ongoing cross-border conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which began over a year ago and has sharply escalated since late September. ■

2024-11-08 22:35:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]

Kenyan football coach jailed for life for abusing young boys

NAIROBI, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- A Kenyan court on Friday sentenced a former football coach to life imprisonment and ordered him to pay almost 90 million shillings (700,000 U.S. dollars) in fines for abusing young boys in his care and possessing child pornography.

The convicted suspect, Peter Mureithi, will spend an additional 110 years in jail if he fails to raise the fine.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said it had successfully tabled evidence in a Kilifi court in coastal Kenya implicating Mureithi in the defilement of young boys.

"Further to the life imprisonment sentence, Mureithi was fined 90 million shillings or, in default, serve an extra 110 years in prison for child pornography, being in possession of videos with obscene images of a minor aged 11 years, trafficking in persons for the purposes of exploiting them sexually contrary to Section 3(1) as read with Section 3(5) of the counter-trafficking persons Act No. 8 of 2010," the DPP said.

Kilifi Principal Magistrate Ivy Wasike sentenced the coach after he was found guilty of abusing the minors who had been under his care as their coach.

The prosecution detailed to the court how the accused, who managed a football team consisting of players under the age of 15, would recruit the minors and offer their families financial support as a way of buying their silence for his actions.

The offenses were committed between 2022 and 2033 around the Mwembe Tayari area in the Malindi sub-county in the coastal part of the country.

The suspect has 14 days to appeal against the sentence. ■

2024-11-08 22:49:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]

Roundup: Increased volatility in global stock markets amid U.S. presidential election

BEIJING, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- With Donald Trump's declaration of victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, expectations surrounding Trump's policy proposals became a key factor influencing global financial market activity.

Major global stock markets experienced significantly heightened volatility, with U.S. stock markets rising notably, European markets generally declining, and Asia-Pacific markets seeing more declines than gains.

On Wednesday, the three major indices of the New York Stock Exchange opened sharply higher, maintained strong performance throughout the session, and closed with significant gains, setting new record highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 3.57 percent, the S&P 500 increased by 2.53 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite Index climbed by 2.95 percent.

Market expectations that Trump would relax financial regulations upon election drove a sharp rally in U.S. financial stocks. Shares of JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo surged by 11.54 percent and 13.11 percent, respectively. Additionally, Tesla's stock rose considerably, closing up by 14.75 percent as Tesla CEO Elon Musk is perceived as a staunch Trump supporter.

Trump has advocated for lowering corporate tax rates within the United States while adopting protectionist measures, including raising tariffs. The market expects these policies to benefit small and medium-sized U.S. businesses, leading the Russell 2000 index to soar by 5.84 percent on Wednesday.

The market widely anticipates that the next U.S. administration will strongly promote the oil and gas sector, boosting the energy stocks. However, expectations of policy adjustments regarding new energy development have created significant headwinds for companies in this field. Shares of hydrogen fuel cell company Plug Power plummeted by 21.83 percent on Wednesday.

Some analysts believe that the U.S. stock market's strong performance this year, coupled with the recent surge, may indicate an overreaction from investors to the election outcome. This could lead to significantly increased volatility in the U.S. stock market.

...

2024-11-08 22:47:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]

Xi Story: Presidential visit to county museum draws attention to study of ancient texts

WUHAN, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- On Monday afternoon, the museum of Yunmeng County in central China's Hubei Province received a special guest.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, accompanied by curators and history pundits, stepped into the museum, where a bamboo and wooden slips exhibition was being held.

Xi was immediately attracted to the brownish objects on display. The slips, dating back to the dynasties of Qin (221-207 BC) and Han (202 BC-AD 220), served as the primary writing medium in ancient China before the widespread adoption of paper. Inscribed with legal codes, mathematical content or family letters, they offer a glimpse into the society and lives of people in China's early history.

Among the most prominent slips is a set showing laws of the Qin Dynasty and its predecessor, the Qin state. One of these slips carries a provision that bans the cutting down of trees in early spring -- except for the making of coffins. It is known to be China's earliest law on environmental protection.

Other laws, such as restrictions on official dinners and a requirement for clear marking of prices, suggest that China already had a sophisticated legal system more than 2,200 years ago.

"These ancient slips are very precious and serve as crucial physical evidence of China's history," said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

He stressed the need for intensified archaeological research and sound protection of cultural relics, so as to preserve fine traditional culture and boost cultural confidence.

Lu Jialiang, an associate professor specialized in Qin and Han scripts and history at Wuhan University, expects increased public interest in the obscure study of ancient bamboo and wooden slips, which he describes as an archaeological "back seat."

"General Secretary Xi's visit makes me believe that our research and study are receiving more attention and support," Lu said.

COUNTY MUSEUMS IN THE LIMELIGHT

Likewise, Xi's visit has once again drawn attention to county-level museums, many of which are at the forefront of the country's archaeological field research and rural relic protection.

...

2024-11-08 22:32:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]

Globalink | New insights on ancient legacies from Beijing's World Classics Conference

The first World Conference of Classics is underway in Beijing! Participants, including scholars and cultural figures from around the world, are gathered to explore classical civilizations. Click to discover fresh insights into East-West dialogue on ancient wisdom.■

2024-11-08 22:28:32
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]

Long March-8 rocket rehearses at China's first commercial space launch pad

BEIJING, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- China's new-generation medium-sized rocket, the Long March-8, concluded a successful full rehearsal Friday at the country's first commercial space launch site.

The rehearsal was conducted at the No. 1 launch pad, located in the city of Wenchang on south China's island province of Hainan, according to the rocket's developer, China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

A Long March-8 rocket is scheduled to be launched around the end of this year, marking the inaugural mission for the new commercial launch pad.

Construction work on the Hainan commercial space launch site commenced in July 2022, and it is now the country's first launch site dedicated to commercial missions.

Making its maiden flight in December 2020, this rocket type has bridged the gap in China's ability to launch 3 to 5 tonne payloads into sun-synchronous orbits.

During the week-long drill, the Long March-8 rocket on the launch pad underwent subsystem and compatibility assessments, thorough inspections, emergency response exercises, as well as simulations of fueling and propellant dumping.

Also, the CASC is advancing the development of 4-meter-diameter and 5-meter-diameter reusable rockets to meet the growing demand in the commercial space market, with their first flights scheduled for 2025 and 2026, respectively.

China's commercial space industry expanded from 800 billion yuan (about 112 billion U.S. dollars) in 2019 to 1.9 trillion yuan in 2023. The market scale is expected to reach 2.34 trillion yuan by the end of 2024, according to an industry report. ■

2024-11-08 22:23:15
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]

China's top legislature condemns Philippine's so-called Maritime Zones Act

BEIJING, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, on Friday expressed firm opposition to and strong condemnation of the Philippines' introduction of the so-called Maritime Zones Act.

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the NPC said in a statement that the act is an attempt by the Philippine to enforce the illegal arbitral award on the South China Sea issue in 2016 through its domestic legislation, and a serious infringement upon China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.

The legislation, in disregard of the Chinese side's strong opposition and serious representations, has illegally included China's Huangyan Dao and most of the islands and reefs of China's Nansha Qundao, and their relevant waters, into the Philippines' maritime zone.

Noting that China has sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and their adjacent waters, as well as Zhongsha Qundao, including Huangyan Dao, and their adjacent waters, and that China has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters, the NPC statement urged the Philippines to immediately cease their illegal actions that infringe upon China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

It also called for an immediate halt to any unilateral actions that could escalate the South China Sea disputes and complicate the situation.

"It is imperative for the Philippines to cease their deliberate and wrong actions that undermine the overall interests of the bilateral relationship between the two countries and the peace and stability in the South China Sea," the statement said.

The statement also noted that the 2016 arbitration, unilaterally initiated by the Philippines, had violated international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The then arbitral tribunal had no jurisdiction over the issue, and the award, in breach of relevant law, is illegal and null.

China neither accepts nor recognizes the award, and will never accept any claim or action based on it, the statement said, adding that China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea shall under no circumstances be affected by the award. ■

2024-11-08 22:22:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]

15th edition of Dakar Biennale of Contemporary African Art opens

DAKAR, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Thursday inaugurated the 15th edition of the Dakar Biennale of Contemporary African Art (Dak'Art).

At the event's opening in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, Faye paid tribute to "the late artists who left their indelible mark on the organization of the Biennale of Contemporary African Art."

He also expressed his delight at the participation of "all the creators of this 15th edition of the Biennale, the 129 artists in the unique official program, including the three national pavilions and those in the 'OFF' event, which extends the geographical limits of the Biennale beyond Dakar."

Their "fraternal" presence illustrates the international vocation of the Dakar Biennale, stressed Faye, reaffirming his commitment to "the promotion of ethics for a Senegal resolutely and sustainably committed to economic and social progress."

Moustapha Ndiaye, president of the Dak'Art Steering Committee, said that the cultural event was a key lever and a living example on which the new authorities could draw to achieve the cultural objectives set out in the new public policy reference framework "Senegal Vision 2050."

The United States and Cape Verde are the guest countries of honor at the 15th edition of Dak'Art, whose theme is "the wake." It will run until Dec. 7. ■

2024-11-08 22:18:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]

Think tank sees fruitful prospect of China-Nigeria ties

ABUJA, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The recently elevated relations between China and Nigeria are expected to yield strong results, scholars said at a symposium at the University of Abuja on Thursday, emphasizing the potential for deeper cooperation.

In September, China and Nigeria elevated bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership during a state visit by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on the sidelines of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

At the symposium, scholars expressed optimism that the new level of cooperation between the two countries would bolster development for their peoples.

"When we say comprehensive strategic partnership, it involves a lot of things, such as building mutual trust. Apart from that, there are also issues of mutual partnership and cooperation for development," Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, founder of the Center For Contemporary China-Africa Research In Nigeria and co-host of the symposium, told Xinhua.

"With this, China is going to join hands with Nigeria in developing Nigeria's divergent sectors, such as science and technology transfer, culture, connectivity through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and a whole lot of things, including agriculture and industrialization," said Ibrahim, who is also a professor of politics and international relations at the University of Abuja.

The event, organized by the center and the Chinese Embassy in Abuja, gathered academics, policymakers, and representatives of civil society organizations. ■

2024-11-08 22:16:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]

Yemen's Houthis claim downing another U.S. MQ-9 drone

SANAA, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group said Friday that it has shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone over northern Yemen's Al-Jawf province.

"Our air defenses succeeded in shooting down an American MQ-9 drone, which was carrying out hostile missions in the airspace of Al-Jawf province at dawn today, Friday," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

"The downing of this drone brings the total number of the same type of drones that we have shot down since November 2023 to 12," he said.

There has been no comment yet from the U.S. military over the alleged downing.

The Houthis and the U.S. military have been attacking each other since November last year, when the Houthis began targeting what they said were "Israeli-linked" ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to show solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Since January, the U.S.-British naval coalition stationed in the region has conducted regular air raids and missile strikes against Houthi targets to deter the group.

The Houthi group has seized several northern provinces since late 2014 after it forced the internationally recognized Yemeni government out of the capital Sanaa in a civil war. ■

2024-11-08 22:11:15
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]

China summons Philippine ambassador over so-called "Maritime Zones Act" and "Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act"

BEIJING, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China has issued a statement on the Philippines signing into law the so-called "Maritime Zones Act" and "Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act," and summoned the Philippine Ambassador to China to make serious protests, a foreign ministry spokesperson said here Friday.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks in response to a related query at a daily news briefing.

Mao stressed that the so-called "Philippine Maritime Zones Act" illegally includes China's Huangyan Dao and most of the islands and reefs of China's Nansha Qundao, and their relevant waters into the Philippines' maritime zones.

The act also aims to further solidify the illegal arbitral award on the South China Sea in the form of domestic legislation, Mao said, adding that this move severely violates China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.

"We strongly condemn and firmly oppose it," Mao said.

She said that China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea are solidly grounded in history and the law, comply with international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and will not be affected by the "Philippines Maritime Zones Act".

"The so-called arbitral award on the South China Sea is illegal, null and void. China does not accept or recognize it. We oppose and do not accept any claim or action based on the award," Mao said.

Noting that the Philippines seeks to justify its illegal claims and actions in the South China Sea by approving the so-called "Maritime Zones Act" in the name of implementing UNCLOS, Mao said that this is illegal, null and void. This so-called legislation seriously violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and will make the situation in the South China Sea more complex.

"China will firmly oppose any infringement activities and provocations by the Philippines in the South China Sea based on the act," she noted.

...

2024-11-08 22:08:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]

Xi to attend APEC meeting, G20 Summit, visit Peru, Brazil

BEIJING, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima and pay a state visit to Peru from Nov. 13 to 17 at the invitation of President of the Republic of Peru Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra, foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Friday.

Xi will attend the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro and pay a state visit to Brazil from Nov. 17 to 21 at the invitation of President of the Federative Republic of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Hua said.

President Xi's attendance at this year's APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting fully demonstrates the great importance China attaches to Asia-Pacific economic cooperation, said Mao Ning, another foreign ministry spokesperson, at a regular press briefing.

"At present, world economic growth lacks momentum, and economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region faces new challenges," Mao said, adding that it is hoped the region will continue playing its role as an engine for world economic growth.

Xi will deliver a speech at the meeting, expounding on China's measures to deepen reform and opening up and its policies and propositions on advancing Asia-Pacific cooperation, Mao said.

The Chinese president's attendance at the G20 Summit demonstrates China's firm support for multilateralism and the great importance China attaches to G20 cooperation, Mao said, adding that Xi will deliver a speech at the meeting and have in-depth exchanges of views with leaders of other countries.

She said it is widely expected that the G20 will play its role as the premier forum for international economic cooperation, inject impetus into world economic growth, and chart the course for improving global economic governance.

On Xi's upcoming visit to Peru, Mao said since the establishment of diplomatic relations 53 years ago, China and Peru have strengthened political mutual trust and achieved fruitful results in Belt and Road cooperation.

During the visit, Xi will hold talks with his Peruvian counterpart to exchange in-depth views on bilateral relations and cooperation in key areas.

...

2024-11-08 22:07:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]

"From energy-saving lights to smart home appliances, low-carbon lifestyle has been integrated into every aspect of my life in China," said Klee, a Russian young man who has lived in China's Dalian for 12 years. #GLOBALink

2024-11-08 22:04:04
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]

"Chinese schools" sow seeds of hope for students in war-torn Iraq

With the completion of 53 new schools built by a Chinese company in Iraq's Al-Muthanna Province, over 50,000 Iraqi students now can have access to modern, fully functionally school facilities.

2024-11-08 22:01:32
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]

Xinhua News | Xi, Mattarella meet representatives attending China-Italy cultural cooperation conference, university presidents dialogue

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Friday jointly met with representatives attending the China-Italy Cultural Cooperation Mechanism Conference and the Dialogue between Chinese and Italian University Presidents in Beijing. #XinhuaNews

2024-11-08 22:02:17
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]

Meeting held to boost modern urban planning, construction for Beijing

BEIJING, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- A raft of concrete efforts were outlined at a Friday meeting for the urban planning and construction of China's capital city Beijing.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and also director of the Capital Planning and Construction Committee (CPCC), attended the plenary meeting of the CPCC and delivered remarks.

The meeting underlined the importance of further modernizing the urban governance system and capacity, enhancing the comprehensive preservation of historic urban areas, and tapping into the positive results following the inscription of Beijing Central Axis on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

It also outlined efforts to advance urban upgrading, accelerate the renovation of run-down residential compounds, and implement the coordinated spatial planning of modern metropolitan area around the capital city. ■

2024-11-08 21:58:15
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]

Food security more important than narrow politics: Malaysian official

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Engaging with a broad range of trade partners to ensure Malaysia's food security is of greater importance than taking sides in geopolitical tensions, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Mohamad Sabu said on Friday.

Diversifying sources of food imports, including expanding beyond traditional suppliers of wheat to include Russia, will make Malaysia more resistant to shocks caused by unforeseen events, Mohamad said in a press briefing after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) here for grain supply between Melewar Industrial Group and Russia's Grain Exporters Union.

"It is important that various players in the production, distribution, and supply develop and maintain strong working relationships to ensure continuity at all times so Malaysia has a broad network of global suppliers for essentials such as agriculture and food products in our pursuit to provide food security," he said, adding that Malaysia is also eying imports of other grains including barley and corn.

The MOU aims to secure the long-term supply of grain from Russia to be used in various food products in Malaysia and was co-witnessed by Russia's Ambassador to Malaysia Naiyl Latypov.

Mohamad added that as a neutral and independent trading nation, Malaysia aims to strengthen business relations with Russia, expand the country's geo-economic space and demonstrate that Malaysia upholds the principles of openness and business-friendliness.

For his part, Latypov said the two countries have been working towards closer cooperation, especially in agriculture and trade, and the MOU paves the way for further deepening of trade ties.

"We are confident that this partnership will open new horizons and lay the foundations for long-term success. Ahead of us lies productive work, joint projects and the achievement of our common goals," he said. ■

2024-11-08 21:57:15
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]

Kremlin says too early to discuss warming Russia-U.S. ties

MOSCOW, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- It is too early to discuss prospects for improving Russia-U.S. relations, local media reported Friday, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

He said Russian President Vladimir Putin remains willing and open to dialogue with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump but arranging a time would come later.

The spokesman recalled that during the election campaign, Trump mentioned that he intended to contact Putin personally.

During his speech at the plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club Thursday, Putin said he congratulated Trump on winning the U.S. presidential election and that he was ready to hold discussions with Trump. ■

2024-11-08 21:56:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]