Fresh Start: Podcast News (5/25/2018 Fri.)
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Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People’s Daily app.

Here are today’s picks from our editors.

China unveils plans to deepen reform, opening-up in Free Trade Zones

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China announced upcoming initiatives in deepening reform and opening-up as new Free Trade Zones in three coastal areas will be established to create a better business environment, pushing forward a more comprehensive level of global accessibility.

The Free Trade Zones in Guangdong, Tianjin and Fujian will focus on high-quality development, supply-side structural reform, institutional innovation, and risk prevention, according to China’s State Council.

A better business environment that is law-based, international and accommodating will take shape in the new zones.

China launched its first FTZ in Shanghai in 2013. The following year, Guangdong, Tianjin and Fujian were allowed to set up the second group of FTZs. (Xinhua – People’s Daily app)

China’s Foreign Minister urges US to stick to one-China policy

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Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday that Washington should abide by its commitment to the one-China policy.

Wang made the remarks while speaking at a press conference in Washington D.C. with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Wang noted that the Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as China's core interests.

Pompeo said the United States' one-China policy remains unchanged and the US policy on this issue is consistent, when asked by a reporter whether there had been any changes to the one-China policy as the US recently has carried out a series of negative actions on the Taiwan issue. (Xinhua – People’s Daily)

Trump cancels Singapore summit with Kim

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US President Donald Trump on Thursday called off a planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, even after North Korea followed through on a pledge to blow up tunnels at its nuclear test site.

Referring to a scheduled June 12 meeting with Kim in Singapore, Trump said in a letter to the North Korean leader, "Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it would be inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting."

Trump called it "a missed opportunity" and said someday he still hoped to meet Kim. (People’s Daily app)

North Korea confirms demolition of nuclear test site

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On Thursday, North Korea confirmed its Punggye-ri nuclear test site had been demolished as tunnels were exploded and all entrances had been completely closed, according to Korean Central News Agency. 

A small group of international journalists selected by North Korea witnessed the tunnel demolition, which Pyongyang said was proof of its commitment to end nuclear testing.

Pyongyang invited journalists from China, Russia, the US, Great Britain and South Korea to let them witness the dismantling of its underground nuclear test site, where all of its six nuclear tests were conducted.

The apparent destruction of what North Korea says is its only nuclear test site has been widely welcomed as a positive step toward resolving tension over its weapons. (Xinhua – People’s Daily app)

Burkina Faso breaks diplomatic ties with Taiwan

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Burkina Faso has cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan, Foreign Minister Alpha Barry said on Thursday.

The government of Burkina Faso decides, as of May 24, to sever its diplomatic relationship with Taiwan,” said the foreign minister in a statement to the press.

"The President of Faso Roch Marc Christian Kabore instructed me as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation to make all necessary arrangements for the closure of our embassy in Taipei and that of Taiwan in our country," said the minister.

In April, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying reiterated the one-China principle, urging relevant African countries to join the family of China-Africa friendship and cooperation. (Xinhua – People’s Daily)

US to expel Venezuelan diplomats

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The US State Department on Wednesday announced it would expel two senior Venezuelan diplomats in reciprocation over Venezuela's recent expulsion of two US diplomats.

State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said that the two South American diplomats include the ambassador of Venezuela in D.C., and the deputy consul general at the consulate in Houston, Texas.

The two diplomats have been given 48 hours to leave the US. (Xinhua – People’s Daily)

Scientists discover how breast cancer hibernates

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Scientists have discovered that through the process of autophagy dormant breast cancer cells are able to reemerge with lethal force, according to a study published Tuesday.

The cancer cell partially shuts down and enters a state similar to hibernation.

In experiments with human cells and mice, researchers showed that disabling the process with drugs or gene manipulation crippled the cancer cells and inhibited their capacity to spread.

The discovery, reported in the journal “Nature Communications,” provides a promising target for the development of breast cancer therapies, the study said. (Xinhua – People’s Daily app)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

Today’s quote is from Chinese philosopher Lao Zi.

“Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.”

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