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Here are today’s picks from our editors.
Xi calls for strengthening Party leadership over law-based governance
President Xi Jinping on Friday called for strengthening the centralized and unified leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) over advancing law-based governance in all areas.
Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, chairman of the Central Military Commission, and head of the Commission for Law-based Governance of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks while presiding over the first meeting of the commission.
Efforts should be made to unswervingly promote socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics and enable the rule of law to better play its role of guarantee for a solid foundation, stabilized expectations and long-term interests, Xi said.
Documents including the commission's working rules and its work priorities in 2018 were adopted at the meeting. (People's Daily app)
China, US hold 'constructive, candid' talks on trade issues
At the invitation of the US, a Chinese delegation held "constructive and candid" exchanges on economic and trade issues of mutual concern with their US counterparts in Washington from Aug. 22 to 23, an official statement said Friday.
"Both sides will keep in contact about the future arrangement," China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on its website.
The Chinese delegation was led by Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative Wang Shouwen, while the US delegation was led by David Malpass, Under Secretary for International Affairs of the US Department of the Treasury. (Xinhua)
Morrison sworn in as Australian PM after Turnbull ousted from office
Scott Morrison rode a wave of late momentum to become Australia's 30th prime minister on Friday, as his colleagues in the ruling Liberal Party deciding that the Sydney member of parliament (MP) represented a greater chance of electoral success than his main challenger, Peter Dutton.
Morrison defeated Dutton, 45 votes to 40, for the Liberal Party leadership, with the third challenger, Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop, eliminated in the first round of voting.
Morrison is the son of a policeman who wears his political ambition and conservative credentials proudly.
One of his biggest hurdles lies in his foreign policy regarding the landmark free trade deal between Australia and Indonesia, a document that both nations were on the brink of signing after years of negotiations. (Xinhua)
S. Korean court raises ousted president Park's sentence to 25 years
A South Korean appeals court increased the sentence for former president Park Geun-hye by one year to 25 years in prison on Friday, in a corruption case that toppled her from power in 2017.
The court also fined Park 20 billion won ($17.86 million) after finding her guilty of charges including bribery and coercion, according to Yonhap.
The verdict came after a lower court convicted her of corruption and sentenced her to 24 years in prison with an 18 billion won ($16 million) fine on April 6, while prosecutors appealed against the decision and sought a tougher sentence.
Park became South Korea's first democratically elected leader to be forced from office when the Constitutional Court removed her over a scandal that landed the heads of two conglomerates, including Samsung, in jail. (CGTN)
Pompeo, Lavrov discuss Syrian situation over phone
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov over the phone to discuss the ongoing challenges in Syria and the US’ "serious concerns" related to the possible military activity in Idlib, the US State Department said.
According to a statement issued by the State Department, Pompeo asked Lavrov to support efforts in the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, as well as efforts "to hold the Syrian regime accountable for its use of chemical weapons."
As the Syrian army is poised for a possible battle on the last major rebel stronghold in Syria, the US, France, and Britain on Tuesday warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against using chemical weapons, saying that "we remain resolved to act if the Assad regime uses chemical weapons again." (People's Daily app)
China beats Japan in men's 4x100m medley at Asian Games
China outpaced pre-Games favorite Japan in the men's 4x100m medley relay by 0.04 seconds to take the last gold medal in the swimming competition at the Asian Games on Friday.
Led by three-time Asian backstroke champion Xu Jiayu, breaststroker Yan Zibei, butterflier Li Zhuhao, and freestyler Yu Hexin, China won the medley event in 3:29.99, shattering the Games record 3:31.37 set by China four years ago in Incheon.
Japan came in second at 3:30.03 and Kazakhstan third with 3:35.62. (People's Daily app)
Bei Bei the Giant Panda turns three
Giant panda Bei Bei celebrated his third birthday at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington D.C. on August 22.
The panda was treated to a special ice cake decorated with his favorite foods, including apples, sweet potatoes, and bamboo.
Bei Bei was born to great fanfare in 2015 and quickly turned into a tourist favorite at the National Zoo, with crowds lined up to catch a glimpse of the newborn giant panda.
Giant pandas are one of the world's most endangered species, with only 300 in captivity and some 1,600 in the wild. (People's Daily app)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
Who made the discovery of Radium?
(Answer: Marie and Pierre Curie in 1898.)
Today’s quote is from English scientist Charles Darwin.
“A man's friendships are one of the best measures of his worth.”
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, and Raymond Mendoza)