People's Daily Tonight: Podcast News (3/4/2019 Mon.)
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This is People’s Daily Tonight, your news source from China. 

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Cooperation best option for China, US: spokesperson

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A spokesperson of China’s 13th National People’s Congress said cooperation is the best option for China and the US, while a confrontational relationship would serve neither side's interests.

Zhang Yesui said it is natural for China and the US to have differences, but it does not necessarily lead to confrontation.

He added that the interests of the two countries are deeply intertwined.

He also said China is firm in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests. (Xinhua)

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Death toll rises to 22 as tornadoes, severe storms hit south US

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A tornado roared into the US state of Alabama and killed at least 22 people and injured several others.

It’s part of a severe storm system that caused catastrophic damage and unleashed other tornadoes around the US Southeast.

Drones equipped with heat-seeking devices had scanned the area for survivors.

But the dangerous conditions halted the search late Sunday. (AP)

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Chinese yuan strengthens slightly last week

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China's currency, the yuan, strengthened slightly against a basket of currencies in the last trading week.

The China Foreign Exchange Trade System index came in at 95.14 at the end of last week. 

This marked an increase of 0.29 points from a week ago.

The index compares the yuan to the values of 24 currencies, including the US dollar, euro and Japanese yen.

It was expanded from a basket of 13 currencies in 2016. (Xinhua)

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Properties destroyed, more under threat as wildfires rip through SE Australia

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Intense bushfires have destroyed up to nine structures, including homes, in the southeast Australian state of Victoria over the weekend.

A number of communities remained under threat on Monday.

Authorities warned residents to take shelter if they have not yet evacuated.

Dozens of suburbs spent the day nervously listening for updates on whether fires would spread their way. (Xinhua)

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Li awards China first medal in 2019 Winter Universiade

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Defending champion Li Zhonglin scored 87.77 points to take the silver in the freestyle skiing men's aerials on Sunday.

It was China’s first medal at the 2019 Winter Universiade.

Maxim Burov of Russia took the gold with 119.91 points and his compatriot Ruslan Katmanov got the bronze.

The 20-year-old world champion Burov hurdled two of the most difficult jumps in perfect form. (Xinhua)

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Philippines' Duterte reiterates plan to rename country

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has reiterated his plan to change the name of the country.

In a speech late Sunday night, Duterte said he had no specific name yet in mind.

Under the Philippine constitution, he said the Congress may, by law, adopt a new name for the country, and shall take effect only upon its ratification by the people in a national referendum.

Last month, he first floated the idea to name his country "Maharlika" in a bid to move away from its colonial past. (Xinhua)

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China a 'high priority market' for 60% of US firms: report

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And over 60 percent of American companies in China consider the country a high priority market.

That’s according to an American Chamber of Comerce in China report.

Despite trade tensions, 62 percent of surveyed companies say they prioritize the Chinese market for global investment.

AmCham China chairman Tim Stratford said a healthy domestic consumption market and significant improvements in the business environment make China the top priority market for international investments. (China Daily)

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

(Produced by David Nye and Qu Qiuyan)