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Here are today’s picks from our editors.
China, UAE agree to lift ties to comprehensive strategic partnership
China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday decided to upgrade their bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
The decision was made as visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks here with UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The two countries pledged Friday to strengthen their people-to-people exchanges. They agreed to set up cultural centers in each other, launch joint cultural projects, and participate in each other's cultural activities. They will also step up regular dialogues on tourism cooperation and long-term cooperation between their major cultural organizations.
The two nations also agreed to expand mutual investment and tap the potential of cooperation in areas like clean and renewable energy. The two sides agreed that oil and gas cooperation is an important pillar for bilateral practical cooperation, said the document. (Xinhua)
Xi's visit significant to future of China-Senegal ties: Senegalese president
Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to Senegal will be a historic one with great importance to the future of bilateral ties, said Senegalese President Macky Sall on Thursday.
China-Senegal relations have maintained sound development over recent years, with bilateral practical cooperation bearing rich fruit and a series of large cooperation projects either completed or in steady progress.
In an interview with Chinese media, Sall said he and his country are deeply honored to welcome Xi on his visit, the first by a Chinese head of state in nine years and Xi's first to a West African country.
The two countries, he said, have upgraded bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership through joint efforts and will continue to enhance their relationship within the framework of China-Africa cooperation.
"We have many expectations for President Xi's visit," said the Senegalese president.
The Senegalese leader applauded the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, saying it developed from the ancient Silk Road, and that the initiative will traverse oceans and continents and connect people across the world. (Xinhua)
WTO review of China's trade policies successful: MOFCOM
The seventh World Trade Organization (WTO) review of China's trade policies, held in Geneva, was a complete success, a Chinese commerce official said Thursday.
"The routine policy review has received high attention as 70 WTO members spoke at the meeting, which set a new record," Gao Feng, Ministry of Commerce spokesperson, said at a press conference.
The overwhelming majority of WTO members praised China's policy direction and development, and the contribution to the multilateral trading system, Gao said, citing mutual growth opportunities due to China's steady economy, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the upcoming Shanghai International Import Expo.
China has earnestly fulfilled its member obligations and continuously pushed forward high-level opening-up measures, setting an example for promoting free trade, Gao said. (CGTN)
US moves to roll back endangered species protections
The Trump administration has sparked alarm among environmentalists by proposing to roll back protections for threatened animals under the US Endangered Species Act.
One proposed change, announced on Thursday by the Interior and Commerce Departments, would remove a sentence that aims to separate economic impacts from decisions about animal protection.
Other provisions would vary protections for animals on a case-by-case basis.
The proposals are now open for a 60-day public comment period and may become law by year-end.
Environmental advocates said they vigorously oppose the proposed changes, describing them as attempts to strip a decades-long tradition. (CGTN)
South Korean court sentences Park Geun-hye to eight more years in jail
A South Korean court has sentenced ex-president Park Geun-hye to eight more years in prison for illegally taking off-book funds from the state spy agency and interfering in elections during her term in office, Yonhap reported.
The court handed Park six years on spy fund charges, and two further years in jail for interfering in elections during her term in office. The court also ordered her to pay up 3.3 billion won ($2.91 million).
Park is already serving a 24-year jail sentence following a court decision on April 6. (CGTN)
Japanese man gets 23 years for killing Chinese sisters
The Yokohama District Court of Japan sentenced a man to 23 years in jail on Friday for the murder of two Chinese sisters.
Iwasaki Ryo denied the charges, saying he was only "doing the sisters a favor.”
The bodies of the sisters were discovered in a suitcase in a Japanese forest.
Prosecutors said that Iwasaki "had committed a planned and extremely violent crime," and demanded that he be sentenced to death. (People’s Daily app)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day.
How many emirates are the United Arab Emirates comprised of?
(Answer: Seven.)
Today’s quote is an Arab proverb.
“A tree begins with a seed.”
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Terry Guanlin Li, and Raymond Mendoza)