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Here are today’s picks from our editors.
Xi says China to implement eight major initiatives with African countries
President Xi Jinping on Monday said China will implement eight major initiatives with African countries in the next three years and beyond, covering fields such as industrial promotion, infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation, and green development.
Xi made the announcement in a keynote speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
On industrial promotion, Xi said a China-Africa economic and trade expo will be set up in China and Chinese companies are encouraged to increase investment in Africa.
On infrastructure connectivity, Xi said China will work with the African Union to formulate a China-Africa infrastructure cooperation plan and support Chinese companies in taking part in Africa's infrastructure development by way of investment-construction-operation or through other models.
On trade facilitation, Xi said China will increase imports, especially non-resource products, from Africa and support African countries in participating in China International Import Expo.
On green development, Xi said China will undertake 50 aid projects on green development, and ecological and environmental protection.
On capacity building, Xi said China will set up 10 Luban Workshops in Africa to offer vocational training for young Africans.
On health care, Xi said China will upgrade 50 medical and health aid programs for Africa.
On people-to-people exchanges, Xi said China will set up an institute of African studies and enhance exchanges with Africa on civilization.
On peace and security, Xi said China will set up a China-Africa peace and security fund and continue providing free military aid to the African Union. (Xinhua)
China lifts 740 mln rural poor out of poverty since 1978
China has lifted 740 million people in rural areas out of poverty from 1978 to 2017, roughly 19 million each year, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Monday.
The poverty ratio in rural areas dropped 94.4 percentage points during the same period with an average annual decrease of 2.4 percentage points.
NBS data shows that China's poverty relief achievements have contributed to more than 70 percent of global poverty alleviation efforts in the past 40 years.
Within five years, over 68 million people were lifted out of poverty in China.
The country aims to lift another 10 million out of poverty this year and eradicate poverty by 2020. (Xinhua-People's Daily app)
PLA Navy holds submarine rescue drill in East China Sea
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy conducted a submarine rescue drill in the East China Sea on Saturday.
The drill involved frigates, submarines, rescue vessels and anti-submarine aircraft from multiple PLA Navy forces.
The drill simulated submarine malfunctions, including breakdowns in communication with headquarters.
Rescue forces practiced various emergency relief scenarios using air and sea capabilities.
The submarine's crew also practiced survival drills. (Xinhua - Global Times)
UAE announces first astronauts to go to space
The United Arab Emirates has selected its first two astronauts to go on a mission to the International Space Station, Dubai's ruler said Monday.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed al-Maktoum named the new astronauts as Hazza al-Mansouri, 34, and 37-year-old Sultan al-Neyadi.
Sheikh Mohammed, the UAE's vice president and prime minister, last year vowed to send four Emirati astronauts to the space station within five years.
The oil-rich Gulf nation has already announced plans to become the first Arab country to send an unmanned probe to orbit Mars by 2021, naming it "Hope". (AFP)
Phone ban rings in new French school year
Texting under the table should be a thing of the past after French children returned to class Monday following a nationwide ban on mobile phones in schools.
The new rule, a campaign pledge of President Emmanuel Macron, was brought in under a law passed in July which for primary and junior schools also banishes tablets and smart watches.
High schools, which teach students aged 15 to 18, can introduce partial or total bans on electronic devices as they reopen after the summer break, though this will not be obligatory.
Proponents say the law, which has prompted vigorous debate, will reduce distraction in the classroom, combat bullying, and encourage children to be more physically active during recess. (AFP)
First joint China-Africa film launched in Beijing
The first joint China-Africa feature film Ebola was launched in Beijing on August 29 following the opening of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) 2018 Beijing Summit.
Jonathan Jian Shen, Chairman and CEO of Shinework Pictures, said that the project team consisting of Chinese and Ghanaian filmmakers spent over a year interviewing dozens of Chinese medical team members that assisted Africa and African people who were infected by Ebola and cured by the Chinese medical staff.
The film script will be completed this year, and location shooting in Africa will be completed in 2019. Its premiere will be held in 2020 on the 20th anniversary of FOCAC. (People's Daily app)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
Where is the Red Sea?
(Answer: The Red Sea is an extension of the Indian Ocean, located between Africa and Asia.)
Today’s quote is from American businessman Steve Jobs
“Great things in business are never done by one person. They're done by a team of people.”
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon and Terry Guanlin Li)