This is People’s Daily Tonight, your news source from China.
_____
Chinese yuan weakens to 6.6595 against US dollar on Wednesday
There appears to be no stopping the slide of China’s currency.
The central parity rate of the renminbi or yuan shed 98 basis points to close at 6.6595 against the US dollar on Wednesday.
In China's spot foreign exchange market, the yuan is allowed to rise or fall by 2 percent from the central parity rate each trading day.
The central parity rate of the yuan against the US dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of interbank trading each business day. (Xinhua)
_____
Top political advisor meets Taiwan media group delegation
Top Chinese political advisor Wang Yang met with a delegation from Taiwan led by Tsai Eng-meng, the chairman of Want Want China Times Group, in Beijing.
Wang said no forces could block the pursuit of national reunification, and the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle, will be firmly upheld.
Wang vowed to resolutely oppose and deter separatist activities for "Taiwan independence," promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, and advance the process toward the peaceful reunification of China. (Xinhua)
_____
Fresh navy video shows Thai cave boys in 'good health'
A new video of a youth football team trapped in a Thai cave shows the boys laughing and saying they are well.
This, after divers discovered them nine days after going missing.
Thai authorities say the focus is to build up the boys' physical and mental strength.
They say areas of the cave remain submerged and the murky waters are very difficult to navigate. (AFP)
_____
Boss of China's conglomerate HNA dies in French accident
The co-chairman of the HNA Group has died.
The company said 57-year-old Wang Jian died after an accident on Tuesday in France.
Wang fell during a business trip in Provence.
The company didn’t provide any details about Wang’s sudden death. (People's Daily app)
_____
US eases some restrictions on ZTE until August 1
The US will allow Chinese telecommunications giant ZTE to temporarily engage in certain business activities until August 1.
The order will allow ZTE to engage in some transactions to support and maintain equipment and networks, provide service and support for existing ZTE phones, receive disclosures about cyber security and vulnerabilities, and make or receive payments. (People's Daily app)
_____
Belt and Road dispute settlement mechanism discussed at Beijing forum
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and law society called on countries involved in the Belt and Road initiative to improve international rules-based systems and establish dispute settlement mechanisms to fairly protect the rights of all parties.
The ministry said parties participating in the BRI are encouraged to promote laws to enhance cooperation related to financing, taxation, transportation, intellectual property rights, labor and counter-terrorism.
The statement also proposed the establishment of treaty-based mechanisms or institutions to prevent and resolve disputes and to strengthen mutual recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters. (Global Times)
_____
Rainstorm hits more Chinese cities
Andtorrential rains batter several provinces in China, leaving multiple casualties and affecting tens of thousands of people.
At least seven people were killed in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province in flooding and landslides caused by continuous downpours since Sunday.
Strong precipitation has hit more than eight cities in western and northeastern Sichuan.
______
And that’s People’s Daily Tonight. Thanks for joining us.
(Produced by David Nye, Jiang Zhuqing and Chi Jingyi)