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Here are today’s picks from our editors.
China, Germany agree to further intensify bilateral ties
Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier agreed Monday to further intensify the all-round strategic partnership between the two countries, to make bilateral cooperation yield more fruits that benefit both nations, both peoples, and the world peace and prosperity.
Noting that the world is undergoing complicated and profound changes, Xi said China and Germany share the same or similar views on many issues.
The two nations need to continue enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation to benefit both peoples as well as bring more stability to the world, said Xi.
Xi called on both nations to summarize the successful experiences of bilateral cooperation and continue to surpass ideological differences and respect each other's development paths.
For his part, Steinmeier said Germany is satisfied with the development of Germany-China relations and willing to enhance dialogue and mutual understanding, expand consensus, narrow differences, intensify coordination in international affairs and uphold free trade. (Xinhua)
China court bans iPhone sales in patent dispute: Qualcomm
A Chinese court ordered a nation-wide ban on iPhone sales in a patent dispute between US chipmaker Qualcomm and Apple, according to a Qualcomm statement Monday.
The statement said the Fuzhou Intermediate People's Court had granted Qualcomm's request for two preliminary injunctions against four subsidiaries of Apple, ordering them to stop selling the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone 10.
The China case is based on patents which enable consumers to adjust and reformat the size and appearance of photographs, and to manage applications using a touchscreen, Qualcomm said.
In a statement to AFP, Apple said Qualcomm's effort was a "desperate move by a company whose illegal practices are under investigation by regulators around the world." (China Plus)
Ex-chairman of Straits Exchange Foundation Chiang Pin-kung dies at 86
The former chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) passed away in Taipei, Monday evening at the age of 86, SEF reported.
Chiang Pin-kung led the Kuomintang's first official delegation on the Chinese mainland in 2005, and strengthened the relationship between the mainland and Taiwan.
In May 2008, Chiang was elected chairman of SEF, and when he retired in September 2012, Lin Join-sane was elected as his successor. (People's Daily app)
Top EU court rules UK can change mind over Brexit
The European Union's top court ruled Monday that Britain can change its mind over Brexit, boosting the hopes of people who want to stay in the EU that the process can be reversed.
The European Court of Justice ruled that when an EU member country has notified its intent to leave, "that member state is free to revoke unilaterally that notification."
Britain voted in 2016 to leave the 28-nation bloc, and invoked Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty in March 2017, triggering a two-year exit process.
The Luxembourg-based ECJ said that given the absence of any exit provision in Article 50, countries are able to change their mind in line with their own constitutional arrangements and that such a move "reflects a sovereign decision." (AP)
Alibaba takes control of film group in $160 million share purchase
Alibaba Group will raise its stakes in Hong Kong-listed Alibaba Pictures from the current 49 percent to 51 percent, the two companies said in a joint statement Monday.
Alibaba Pictures will issue one billion new shares to Alibaba at 1.25 Hong Kong dollars, valuing the exchange at roughly 1.25 billion Hong Kong dollars (159.9 million US dollars), the e-commerce firm said.
Alibaba Pictures, which listed in 2016, operates under Alibaba's Digital Media and Entertainment business. (CGTN)
Evergrande chairman becomes richest person in China
With a personal wealth of $36.7 billion, Hui Ka Yan, chairman of real estate developer Guangzhou Evergrande Group, is now the richest man in China.
Hui's fortune puts him ahead of Alibaba chairman Jack Ma ($35.4 billion) and Tencent founder Pony Ma Huateng ($35.3 billion), according to the Forbes Real-Time Billionaires List.
China's three richest men currently rank respectively 20th, 21st and 22nd in the global ranking. (China Daily)
EU prolongs sanctions against Congo ruling party candidate
The European Union has prolonged sanctions against Congolese President Joseph Kabila's chosen successor just two weeks before a historic election in the resource-rich Central African country.
EU headquarters said Monday that travel bans and asset freezes will be renewed for a year against Congo's ruling party candidate Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary and 13 other people.
Shadary was sanctioned by the EU last year for obstructing Congo's electoral process and a crackdown against protesters angry over the long-delayed vote. (AP)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
What does a pteridologist study?
(Answer: Ferns.)
Today’s quote is from French writer Voltaire (1694-1778).
“Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon and Elaine Yue Lin.)