This is People’s Daily Tonight, your news source from China. I’m David Nye in Beijing.
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China's national legislature starts annual session
The 13th National People's Congress, China's national legislature, opened its second session Tuesday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state were present at the opening meeting, which was attended by nearly 3,000 NPC deputies.
Li Keqiang delivered the government's work report on behalf of the State Council to the legislature.
Li said though China faced a complicated and challenging environment rarely seen in many years with the economy under new downward pressure, the nation managed to accomplish main targets for economic and social development in 2018. (Xinhua)
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DPRK top leader back in Pyongyang after trip to Vietnam
The leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Kim Jong-un, returned to Pyongyang early Tuesday morning after a trip to Vietnam.
Kim held talks with US President Donald Trump in Hanoi on Feb. 27-28 before his two-day official goodwill visit to Vietnam.
During the second Kim-Trump summit, the two leaders "had a constructive and candid exchange of their opinions over the practical issues arising in opening up a new era in improving DPRK-US relations. (Xinhua)
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China sets 2019 GDP growth target at 6-6.5 pct
China has set a GDP growth target of 6 to 6.5 percent for 2019.
That’s according to a government work report ahead of the annual legislative session.
The report said China hopes to maintain consumer inflation at around 3 percent and create over 11 million urban jobs.
The surveyed urban unemployment rate is projected to stay around 5.5 percent, while the registered urban unemployment rate within 4.5 percent.
The report added China's economy outperformed the official 2018 goal of "around 6.5 percent" by expanding by 6.6 percent. (Xinhua)
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APEC aims to bolster global trade, says Chilean FM
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation or APEC forum aims to help bolster global trade.
That’s according to Chilean Foreign Minister Roberto Ampuero.
He said the bloc of Pacific-facing countries "can once again become a key driver and an important contributor to strengthening the architecture of global trade.
As the rotating president of the bloc in 2019, Chile is set to host a year-long series of events leading up to next year's APEC forum. (Xinhua)
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Xiongan New Area to begin large-scale substantial construction
The Xiongan New Area in north China's Hebei Province will start large-scale substantial construction, as the top design of the area has been completed.
More than 200 teams and 1,000 experts from China and abroad have participated in the planning.
In April 2017, China announced the establishment of Xiongan New Area about 100 kilometers southwest of Beijing.
A master plan of the fundamental guidelines for the development, construction and management of the area was approved in January. (Xinhua)
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House Democrats launch aggressive new Trump probe
Democrats launched a sweeping new probe of President Donald Trump.
It’s an aggressive investigation that threatens to shadow the president through the 2020 election season with potentially damaging inquiries into his White House, campaign and family businesses.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said his panel was beginning the probe into possible obstruction of justice, corruption and abuse of power .
He said the committee is sending document requests to 81 people linked to the president and his associates.
Democratic leaders have pledged to investigate all avenues and review special counsel Robert Mueller's upcoming report before trying any drastic action. (AP)
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Tokyo court grants ex-Nissan chief Ghosn bail: media
And a Tokyo Court granted ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn bail.
It's a shock decision that could see the auto tycoon freed after more than three months in detention
The court reportedly set the bail at $9 million, but prosecutors are likely to appeal the decision and could even file additional allegations against Ghosn to keep him from leaving detention.
Ghosn will be required to remain in Japan and is subject to various measures intended to prevent him from potentially destroying evidence or fleeing the country. (AFP)
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And that’s People’s Daily Tonight. Thanks for joining us.
(Produced by David Nye and Qiao Wai)