This is People’s Daily Tonight, your news source from China.
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US continues to pressure Huawei, ZTE
The US Federal Communications Commission will vote on regulatory recommendations for Huawei and ZTE next month.
This, as the US continues its ban on the two Chinese telecommunications equipment manufacturers.
The FCC chairman said the US would ban rural telecom operators from sourcing communications products that pose a threat to US national security, such as China Huawei and ZTE.
He recommended that qualified telecommunications operators requesting FCC funds remove existing equipment and services from specific networks from their networks. (People's Daily app)
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New Zealand eGate services extended to S.Korean passport holders
The eGate services are extended to eligible ePassport holders from the Republic of Korea, announced New Zealand government on Wednesday.
Minister of Customs Jenny Salesa said on Wednesday that New Zealand will be even more attractive for Korean tourists following the new approach, "eGate access means travel will be quicker and more convenient for tens of thousands of Korean visitors arriving and departing each year," said Salesa.
The eGates are an automated passport control system available at international airports in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.
Korean visitor numbers to New Zealand rose from 53,000 in 2014 to 87,000 in 2018. (Xinhua)
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China makes progress on water pollution treatment in Bohai Sea
China has made progress in the comprehensive treatment of pollution in the Bohai Sea by strengthening supervision and steady reform.
By the end of September, the number of unqualified fifth-class water quality sites in the Bohai Sea coastal waters was down to two from 10 in June.
Thirteen coastal cities and districts along the Bohai Sea have begun detecting and handling sources of pollution at each of the estuaries, in line with a work plan released by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment in February. (China Plus)
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BYD posts weak profit growth in Jan.-Sept.
China's leading new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer BYD reported weak profit growth in the January-September period as its sales slowed in the third quarter.
Net profit edged up 3.1 percent year on year to 1.57 billion yuan in the nine months, BYD said in its quarterly financial report filed to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.
The manufacturer has been a bright spot in the country's automobile industry, but its decreased new energy vehicle sales from July to September dented its earnings.
Its sales in the fourth quarter are expected to miss forecasts amid weak automobile demand, scaled-back subsidies and more fierce competition from gasoline-powered vehicles, it said.
Following the earnings report, shares of BYD closed Wednesday morning down 5.85 percent to 44.39 yuan in Shenzhen. (Xinhua)
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British PM says snap election will be tough
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson predicted a tough election in about six weeks.
This, after lawmakers in the House of Commons voted for a snap general election on Dec. 12.
Legislators voted 438 to 20 to endorse the British government's bid for the general election, a major victory for Johnson.
Johnson had suffered repeated defeats in the House of Commons over his Brexit efforts after taking office in July. (Xinhua)
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US House of Representatives passes bill sanctioning Turkey over Syria
US House of Representatives on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a bill aimed at slapping sanctions on Turkey over its military offensive in northern Syria.
The vote was 403 to 16, with only 15 Republicans and one Democrat voting against the measure.
The bill is the latest Congress effort to disapprove of US President Trump's decision to withdraw US forces from northern Syria as Turkey launched an operation in the area targeting Syria's Kurdish forces.
If enacted, the bill will forbid US arms sale to Ankara for use in Syria, identify senior Turkish officials for their role in the military offensive against the Kurds and sanction foreigners providing arms to Turkish forces in Syria. (Xinhua)
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Guideline targets bad behavior in rural areas
And grassroots authorities should intensify efforts to curb old customs and bad behavior in rural areas to reduce waste and extravagance on occasions such as weddings or funerals.
That’s according to a guideline released by 11 central government departments.
The guideline said it expects a more civilized society in rural areas within three to five years.
It said the spread of outdated practices and customs will be effectively controlled, and new practices such as frugality in ceremonies and respecting elders will be more prominent in rural areas. (China Daily)
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And that's People's Daily Tonight. Thanks for joining us.
(Produced by David Nye and Bai Yuanqi)