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Here are today’s picks from our editors.

Chinese president meets UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay

President Xi Jinping on Monday met with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Audrey Azoulay in Beijing.

While welcoming UNESCO Director-General Azoulay for her first visit to China, Xi said the future and destiny of people all over the world were increasingly linked closely.

"In the new era, China adheres to cultural self-confidence, vigorously develops educational, scientific, technological and cultural undertakings, and improves the quality of civility," Xi said. "China also upholds the concept of 'a world of great harmony' and harmonious coexistence, and advocates mutual respect, greater exchange and stronger mutual understanding for different cultures."

Azoulay thanked China for its firm support for UNESCO and spoke highly of cooperation between the two sides, saying she appreciated China's commitment to multilateralism. （Xinhua）

China launches emergency response mechanism for Typhoon Son-Tinh

The National Meteorological Center (NMC) activated a level IV emergency response on Tuesday for the Typhoon Son-Tinh approaching China's southern provinces Hainan and Guangdong.

Son-Tinh, the ninth typhoon this year, is expected to make landfall in the coastal regions of Hainan and Guangdong on Wednesday morning, the center warned.

In China's four-tier severe weather warning system, red is the most severe alert, followed by orange, yellow and blue. (People’s Daily app)

EU, Japan sign major trade deal in 'message against protectionism'

Japan and the EU signed a sweeping free trade deal Tuesday saying they were sending a "clear message" against protectionism, as Washington puts up barriers and threatens a trade war.

The deal signed in Tokyo is the largest ever negotiated by the EU and creates a massive free trade zone, eliminating tariffs for everything from Japanese cars to French cheese.

It also provides a stark counterpoint to US President Donald Trump's aggressive "America First" protectionism, which has seen Washington impose trade tariffs on allies and rivals alike.

"We are sending a clear message that we stand together against protectionism," EU Council President Donald Tusk said after the agreement was signed. (AFP)

Unified table tennis team of S. Korea and N. Korea wins 1st victory in preliminary of int'l event

A unified table tennis team of South Korea and North Korea won its first victory in the preliminary of the Seamaster 2018 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour Platinum Korea Open hosted by the South Korean side.

North Korea's Choe Il and South Korea's Yoo Eunchong won the first victory of the united Korea team, defeating Alvaro Robles and Galia Dvorak of Spain 3-2 at Hanbat Gymnasium in the central city. With the victory, they advanced to the round of 16.

It was the first time in 27 years that the two Koreas formed a joint table tennis team, marking the fourth joint inter-Korean sports team in history. (Xinhua)

Police warn Chinese abroad of telecom fraud

The Ministry of Public Security on Tuesday called on Chinese citizens traveling and living abroad to be alert to telecom fraud.

"Operators of such fraud often impersonate staff of Chinese embassies or consulates abroad and trick victims into transferring money to designated bank accounts by claiming that the victims are involved in criminal cases and might be deported," the ministry statement said.

"In some cases, after manipulating victims to leave their residential areas to lie low and cut off contact with family and friends, offenders ask their families for ransom, pretending the victims are kidnapped."

Police urged citizens to be vigilant of any phone calls, emails and social media contact demanding their name, family status and bank account numbers or requiring them to transfer money. (Xinhua)

Phuket announces measures to reassure Chinese tourists after deadly accident

In the wake of a deadly boat accident that killed 47 Chinese, the governor of Phuket announced Tuesday a host of measures to reassure tourists that the Thai resort island is a safe destination.

The measures including increased safety inspections of boats, mandatory safety communication bracelets for all boat passengers, and an app for tourists that tracks dangerous weather and traffic conditions.

Governor Norraphat Plodthong introduced the measures at Chalong port in Phuket, saying, "There are many boats whose qualifications are unauthorized. We will implement regional regulations to optimize the management of vessels," said the governor.

In addition to communication bracelets, Phuket officials will equip all vessels of more than 25 passengers with communication signal device provided by AIS, a telecom operator in Thailand. (People’s Daily app)

First students from BRI countries graduate from CUG

99 international students from countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative such as Pakistan, Vietnam and Laos graduated from China University of Geosciences, Wuhan in Hubei Province.

These international students were the first graduates since CUG established the Silk Road Institute of the International Education College in 2015. With subjects including geology, minerals, energy, environment and space science, CUG built a platform for high-end education training and an interconnectivity platform to cultivate talent pools.

Su Hongtao, deputy dean of the International Education College, said in the future the university will continue to focus on key areas of education, and develop majors conducive to the needs of BRI countries. (China Daily)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

What are two major rivers that flow through China?

The Yangtze River and the Yellow River.

Today’s quote is from Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu.

"If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles."

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, and Terry Guanlin Li.)