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Here are today’s picks from our editors. 

China expected to maintain GDP growth at 6.6 percent in 2018: CASS report

China’s economic growth is expected to be capped at around 6.6 percent this year, and 6.3 percent in 2019, according to the Blue Book of China’s Economy released by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) on December 24th.

China’s economy will stay at a reasonable range under the new normal in stable employment and commodity prices. The book predicted the country’s economy is not likely to suffer a “hard landing.”

China will also witness a rally in export growth, stable trade deficits, and stable growth of resident income, the Blue Book said. (People's Daily app) 

Huawei chairman refutes speculations on security and 5G services

Despite external pressures, Chinese tech giant Huawei achieved solid results last year, especially on its 5G network services, Liang Hua, who became Huawei’s Chairman in March, told reporters on Tuesday.

So far, the company has attained 26 commercial contracts for 5th generation wireless systems, and signed cooperation agreements with more than 50 global business partners, Liang said in his first round- table interview with reporters as chairman.

Liang rebuked “security threat” speculations, saying that Huawei will prove itself and maintain consumer trust through facts and hard work. (People's Daily app) 

Trump vows no end to shutdown until wall funded

US President Donald Trump vowed Tuesday he would not reopen the government until he gets $5 billion to fund his border wall, as the partial government shutdown dragged into a fourth day.

Trump's demand for a physical barrier on the US-Mexico border -- a pillar of his election platform -- has been rejected by Democrats and some Republicans.

Trump reaffirmed a claim made on Twitter Monday that he had approved a contract for the construction of a 115-mile wall in Texas, although the White House has not offered any details on the project.

He said he would visit the border stretch at the “end of January for the start of construction." (AFP)

China’s branch-line jet airliner ARJ21 conducts first manned cross-water flight

On December 25, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) and the HNA Group jointly held a demonstration flight for China’s latest domestic passenger airliner ARJ21-700 in Haikou, the capital city of South China’s Hainan Province. The flight test was the first manned cross-water demonstration for of the ARJ21-700 aircraft.

It was reported that HNA Group will take Urumqi Air as the main operating body of ARJ21, giving full play to the adaptability of the ARJ21 aircraft under different climate conditions, thus expanding the scope of operations.

Urumqi Air, a subsidiary of HNA Group, is the third airline in China to operate the ARJ21-700 aircraft after Chengdu Airlines and Genghis Khan Airlines. (People's Daily app) 

Somber Christmas, prayers in tsunami-hit Indonesian region

The Christmas holiday was somber with prayers for tsunami victims in the Indonesian region hit by waves that struck without warning Saturday night.

Markus Taekz said his Rahmat Pentecostal Church in the hard-hit area of Carita did not celebrate with joyous music.

Instead, he said only about 100 people showed up for the Christmas Eve service, usually attended by double that number, because many people had left the area for the capital, Jakarta, or other areas away from the disaster zone.

Church leaders called on Christians across Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, to pray for victims of the tsunami. (AP) 

South Korea to fine BMW $10 million for engine fire oversight

South Korea says it will fine BMW almost $10 million dollars and file a criminal complaint against the company with state prosecutors over an allegedly botched response to dozens of engine fires reported throughout the country.

Transport Ministry officials in Seoul said the investigation panel concluded after a five-month review that the German automaker deliberately tried to cover up technical problems and moved too slowly to recall vehicles after around 40 of its vehicles ignited this year.

BMW recalled 172-thousand vehicles in July and October due to the fires caused by a faulty exhaust gas component.

The company said there were no reports of injuries linked to the fires. (China Plus) 

'Crouching Tiger' star Chow Yun-fat vows to donate fortune

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" star Chow Yun-fat may be a heavyweight from the golden era of Hong Kong cinema, but the famously frugal actor has vowed to donate his vast wealth to charity after he dies.

Multimillionaire Chow, 63, joined the Forbes list of highest paid actors in the world for the first time in 2015, and has pledged to give away his entire fortune, reportedly worth $715 million dollars.

"You can't bring the money in your bank account with you after you die," he said, adding his wife "strongly supports" his decision. (AFP) 

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

Which soft drink company was the first to have ads featuring Santa?

(Answer: Coca-Cola.)

Today’s quote is from British playwright James M. Barrie (1860-1937).

"The praise that comes from love does not make us vain, but more humble."

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon and Elaine Yue Lin.)