Fresh Start: Podcast News (6/08/2018 Fri.)

Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People’s Daily app.

Here are today’s picks from our editors.

China, Kyrgyzstan upgrade ties to boost cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Kyrgyz counterpart Sooronbai Jeenbekov signed a joint communique on Wednesday in Beijing to boost their ties from a strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership. 

Xi suggested the two countries explore new ideas to strengthen coordination in strategic development and policies, look for more common grounds to gain profits and growth, well plan key cooperative projects and areas, and expand trade and investment.

The Chinese President also emphasized the necessity of improving security collaboration with Kyrgyzstan, in an effort to combat the three evil forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, as well as organized cross-border crimes. (CGTN)

China to award PRC friendship medal for first time

Approved by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the first friendship medal of the People's Republic of China will be awarded on Friday.

According to the law on national medals and honorary titles, friendship medals, one of the highest state honors, will be presented to foreigners who have made outstanding contributions to China's socialist modernization drive, in promoting exchange and cooperation between China and the world, and in safeguarding world peace.

Xi will present the first friendship medal at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday afternoon. China Central Television will broadcast the event live. (Xinhua)

1,881 receive a Chinese “green card” over the last two months

Since China's State Immigration Administration began its operation in April, it has issued nearly 1,900 green cards to foreigners thanks to an optimized application process.

The administration said the improvements to the green card system are vital in attracting talent to China to continue its development.

Together with other relevant departments, the administration will provide more convenient services for green card holders when dealing with financial affairs, education, medical treatment, and other amenities. (People’s Daily app)

Russia is a firm supporter of China’s Belt and Road Initiative: Putin says

Russia has always been a firm supporter of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Russian President Vladimir Putin told CGTN in an exclusive interview.

The Belt and Road Initiative was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 to create a common community with a shared future for mankind. According to Putin, the initiative matches Russia’s efforts to establish alliances throughout the Eurasian economy.

“President Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative incorporates concepts of the economy and humanity. The essence of the Initiative is to develop both the economy and infrastructure,” Putin said. (CGTN – People’s Daily app)

Trump trade war threat sets up G7 summit clash

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron put US President Donald Trump on notice Thursday, saying that they would not be intimidated by trade war talks during the upcoming G7 summit in Canada.

Trump comes to this week's summit touting an America First agenda that hits US allies with stiff tariffs and threatens multilateral free trade deals. Macron said the Group of Seven’s goal is to have open discussions among allies, but that he expects Trump to derail talks about climate change and trade.

These feelings were shared by other G7 members, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who said it will be difficult to agree on a joint communique during the two-day meeting and that there should be “no compromise for its own sake.” (AFP – People’s Daily app)

99 people killed in Guatemala volcano eruption

The death toll from the eruption of the Fuego volcano in Guatemala has risen to 99 as more bodies were found Wednesday, according to Guatemala's National Forensic Sciences Institute.

The eruption, which took place on Sunday, stands as the country's most violent in over a century. Nearly 200 others remained missing as of Tuesday. (Xinhua – People’s Daily app)

Guangzhou plans to allow manned self-driving car tests

On June 4, the Communications Commission of Guangzhou Municipality issued a notice asking the public’s opinion about road testing for autonomous vehicles. This is the first mention of manned tests for self-driving vehicles in China.

According to the notice, enterprises that want to conduct these tests must meet at least six requirements, which includes purchasing extensive traffic accident liability insurance for each vehicle, showing a history of safe driving tests, and taking the main responsibility for the tests.

Previous reports say that cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen have issued regulations on self-driving tests, but none of them mentioned manned tests for self-driving vehicles. (People’s Daily app)

Earliest animal footprints found in China

The earliest known footprints left by an animal on Earth, dating back at least 541 million years, have been uncovered in China, according to a study released on Wednesday.

Scientists say it is unclear what kind of tiny creature left the tracks and found no nearby fossils to continue their study. The tracks were found in the Yangtze Gorges area of South China.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Virginia Tech in the US. (AFP – People’s Daily app)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

Today’s quote is from English poet Robert Browning:

“Love is energy of life.”

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, and Raymond Mendoza.)