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This is People’s Daily app. 

Here are today’s picks from our editors.

Xi: Marine economy and research key to China’s development

Chinese President Xi Jinping said developing the marine economy and research is key to building a strong nation. He said this while inspecting the Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology in Qingdao City, east China’s Shandong Province, Tuesday morning.

Xi Jinping listened to a briefing by Guan Huashi, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, on the research and development of marine pharmaceuticals. Xi also pointed out that marine economy and technology is an important area for future development.

Xi left Qingdao on Tuesday afternoon and went to Weihai City, where he visited the Museum of the Sino-Japanese War and an ancient fort of the Beiyang Navy. (CGTN -  People’s Daily app)

Beijing condemns Washington's establishment of Taiwan office

China firmly opposes any form of official exchanges and contact between the US and Taiwan, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said at a Wednesday press conference. 

On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry voiced opposition toward the move, urging the US to correct its wrong practice and honor its pledge made to China on the Taiwan issue.

The remarks came after the opening of a new office complex at the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Tuesday morning, attended by US Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Culture Affairs Marie Royce. 

"The US side should abide by the One-China Principle and regulation of the China-US three Joint Communiqués so as to avoid damaging bilateral ties and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," said Ma.  (CGTN- People’s Daily)

Italy summons French envoy as migration row escalates

Italy summoned France’s envoy on Wednesday and angrily rejected French criticism of its immigration policies, escalating a diplomatic standoff that widens one of Europe’s main political fault lines.

Italian Economy Minister Giovanni Tria also canceled a meeting with his counterpart in Paris, a day after French President Emmanuel Macron said Rome had acted with “cynicism and irresponsibility” by closing its ports to a migrant ship. 

“We have nothing to learn about generosity, voluntarism, welcoming, and solidarity from anyone,” Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, told the Senate. 

France said it has received no formal request from Italy for an apology, and said it believed a planned meeting between Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in France on Friday would go ahead. (Reuters)

Georgian Prime Minister Kvirikashvili resigns

Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili resigned on Wednesday amid a disagreement with the leader of his ruling party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is the richest man in the ex-Soviet republic.

“I think this is the moment now when the leader of the party should be given an opportunity to form a new cabinet,” Kvirikashvili said in a statement.

Ivanishvili, 62, a former prime minister, made a political comeback in May, becoming again the chairman of Georgian Dream amid tensions among party members over a range of issues.

Kvirikashvili, 50, has been prime minister since 2015. Under the constitution, the whole cabinet has to resign along with the prime minister. (Reuters)

VW fined one billion euro by German prosecutors over dieselgate

Volkswagen was fined one billion euros over diesel emissions cheating in what amounts to one of the highest ever fines imposed by German authorities against a company, public prosecutors said on Wednesday.

The German fine follows a US plea agreement from January 2017, when VW agreed to pay a criminal fine of $4.3 billion dollars to resolve criminal and civil penalties.

“Following thorough examination, Volkswagen AG accepted the fine and it will not lodge an appeal against it. Volkswagen AG, by doing so, admits its responsibility for the diesel crisis and considers this as a further major step toward the latter being overcome,” it said in a statement. (Reuters)

Guess co-founder quits after sex assault probe

Paul Marciano, co-founder of the Guess fashion brand, resigned Tuesday in the wake of an investigation into sexual assault claims.

Marciano "exercised poor judgment in his communications with models and photographers and in placing himself in situations in which plausible allegations of improper conduct could, and did, arise," Guess said in a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) filing.

Two independent investigators looked into allegations of "inappropriate comments and texts, and unwanted advances including kissing and groping," Guess said.

"We are pleased at today's news and yet, much more remains to be done if Guess truly wants to be a brand that stands for respect for women," said lawyer Lisa Bloom, who represented four of the alleged victims. (AFP)

US, Mexico and Canada to host 2026 World Cup

The US, Mexico and Canada won the right to host the 2026 World Cup after easily beating Morocco in a vote by FIFA member nations on Wednesday.

The North American bid received 134 of the 203 votes, while Morocco polled 65 in the ballot at a FIFA Congress held in Moscow on the eve of the 2018 World Cup.

Football's showpiece event will return to the North American continent for the first time since 1994 when the US hosted the tournament.

Delegates had been faced with a clear choice – the joint North American bid boasts modern, established stadiums and well-developed transport links underpinned by Mexican football fervor. (AFP)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

Today’s quote is from Chinese philosopher Confucius.

“Silence is a true friend who never betrays.”

And now for our question of the day:

Q: Who invented the cell phone?  

(American engineer Martin Cooper invented the cell phone in 1973 when he worked at Motorola.)

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, and Ziyi Zeng.)