China's top political advisory body concludes annual session

China’s top political body, the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, concluded its annual session Wednesday in Beijing.

A resolution on a work report of the Standing Committee of the 13th CPPCC National Committee, a report on the examination of proposals, and a political resolution on the second session of 13th CPPCC National Committee were approved at the closing meeting.

Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, said the CPPCC should uphold the CPC leadership, firmly safeguard the core status of Xi Jinping, the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, the authority of the CPC Central Committee, and its centralized, unified leadership. (CGTN)

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UK Commons again votes down Brexit deal

The British House of Commons has rejected the Brexit deal negotiated by the UK government and European Union leaders by a vote of 391 to 242.

Most MPs are still unsatisfied with the so-called “backstop” agreement on the Irish border.

But Prime Minister Theresa May had secured legal assurances at the last moment.

May said she regretted the decision MPs have taken tonight, and the next move on Brexit is Parliament’s call.

The MPs will vote again Wednesday on whether the UK should leave the EU without a deal, and if rejected, they will vote on whether to postpone Brexit day on Thursday. (People's Daily app)

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China opposes any official contact between US and Taiwan

The spokesperson of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office on Tuesday expressed firm opposition to any country, which has diplomatic relations with China engaging in official contact with the region of Taiwan in any form.

This was in response to the visit of Samuel Brownback, US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, in Taiwan.

Lu stressed this is a matter between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. (CGTN)

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Icebreaker returns home early after hitting iceberg

The Chinese icebreaker Xuelong, carrying 349 members of China's 35th research mission to Antarctica, returned to Shanghai safely on Tuesday, about a month earlier than originally scheduled due to a collision with an iceberg.

The crew managed to carry out comprehensive research.

These include research at 5 stations, aerial geophysical remote sensing observation in the southeast polar ice cap, and marine surveys in the Amundsen Sea. (China Daily)

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White House tries to avert Senate defeat on border emergency

The White House labored to prevent a high-profile congressional rejection of President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency at the southwest border.

Vice President Mike Pence met privately at the Capitol with five GOP senators as Republicans sought a way to bolster support for Trump in a showdown vote set for Thursday. Since the Democratic-run House voted last month to block Trump, Senate passage would send the resolution to the White House.

But final congressional approval of the resolution on Thursday would highlight a clash in which Trump was being forced to protect his signature campaign promise — building a wall along the US-Mexico border — by vetoing legislation sent to him by a Republican-led Senate. (AP)

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Shanghai ranks 9th in cultural metropolis ratings

Shanghai has been ranked ninth in a global ranking of cultural metropolises put together by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the University of Southern California.

The top 10 cities in the list were New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, San Francisco, Berlin, Beijing, Los Angeles, Shanghai and Rome.

Other Chinese cities such as Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Taipei also made it to the list.

Shanghai was also ranked first in terms of public involvement in cultural activities. (China Daily)

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Disney says acquisition of 21st Century Fox to close on March 20

And the Walt Disney Company announced Tuesday that its 71.3-billion-US dollar acquisition of most 21st Century Fox is expected to close on March 20.

21st Century Fox shareholders will receive a mix of cash and stock in the industry-changing transaction.

To strengthen its lead in US media and entertainment industry, Disney announced a deal to acquire many parts of 21st Century Fox at $52.4 in an offer in December 2017. (Xinhua)

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And that’s People’s Daily Tonight.  Thanks for joining us.

(Produced by David Nye and Wang Xiangyu)