Fresh Start: Podcast News (4/26/2018 Thu.)

Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People’s Daily app.

Here are today’s picks from our editors.

China welcomes US Treasury Secretary’s visit for trade talks

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang on Wednesday said China is willing to meet with US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to discuss economic and trade talks.

On Sunday, China’s commerce and foreign affairs ministries said they received information that Mnuchin planned to make a trip to Beijing and that they are open to meet with him.

Last week, US President Donald Trump said that Mnuchin and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will travel to China "in a few days." (People’s Daily app)

China opposes South China Sea motion adopted by Canada Senate

The Chinese Embassy says Canada is not a party to the South China Sea issue.

A spokesman says the motion casts a shadow over China-Canada relations.

He added that some outside forces are not willing to see the gentle breeze and calm waves in the South China Sea and try to stir up trouble and muddle the waters to destroy the hard-won peaceful and stable situation of the region. (People’s Daily app)

China appreciates Kim Jong Un’s visit to embassy, hospital after road accident

China appreciated that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang to express his condolences and visited injured Chinese citizens in the hospital after a major road accident, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.

Thirty-two Chinese tourists and four North Korean citizens were killed in the accident that occurred on Sunday evening in North Korea.

China and North Korea are in close communication and coordination at present, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said, adding that any related progress will be advised without delay. (Xinhua)

Preparation work nearly finished for inter-Korean summit

The South Korean presidential office announced on Wednesday that preparation work for the upcoming summit between South and North Korea has entered its final stage.

Renovations for the House of Peace have been completed in time for Friday’s event, which includes new furniture and amenities to accommodate South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said the summit will be a good chance to confirm North Korea’s commitment to denuclearization.

The North and the South staged a joint rehearsal of the summit on Wednesday, one day after Seoul held one on its own. A final and more complete walk-through will be held on Thursday. (People’s Daily app)

Macron warns against trade war between allies

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday pleaded for free and fair global trade between allied nations in a speech to the US Congress.

Macron added that a trade war among allies would not be consistent with their mission, history, and current commitments for global security.

US trade sanctions on European steel and aluminum will begin in the coming weeks unless US President Donald Trump agrees to sign a waiver. If he refuses, some fear a full-fledged trade war. (People’s Daily app)

European Commission approves acquisition of Saxo Bank by Geely

The European Commission said on Wednesday it has approved the acquisition of sole control over Saxo Bank, one of Denmark's biggest banks, by Geely Financials Denmark.

Saxo Bank is an online investment bank that offers worldwide online trading and investment services and banking services in Denmark.

Geely Financials Denmark is part of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, a Chinese multinational company that is active in the automotive manufacturing industry. (People’s Daily app)

Government plans financial court in Shanghai

The Chinese government is considering plans to set up a financial court in Shanghai, which could handle disputes and provide a better business environment for foreign and domestic investors.

The proposal was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress for reading on Wednesday. Shanghai was chosen as the location for the court because of its recent rise in financial cases and its high number of financial institutions.

The intermediate-level court will focus on a series of civil and administrative disputes relating to finance, including loans, insurances, securities and those against financial authorities, the draft said. (People’s Daily app)

Disney apologizes for Avengers 3 China event fiasco

A Walt Disney Studios executive recently apologized to disappointed fans and media outlets who attended the Avengers: Infinity War event at the Shanghai Disney Resort last week.

Attendees complained on social media about limited tickets being given to diehard Marvel fans, Chinese entertainers who had nothing to do with the film taking the spotlight away from the film’s stars, and safety concerns at the event itself.

The executive said they would learn from the experience and find more appropriate ways to promote their films in the future.

Avengers: Infinity War will hit Chinese theaters nationwide on May 11. (People’s Daily app)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

Today’s quote is from Greek philosopher Socrates:

“Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued.”

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Raymond Mendoza, Ziyi Zeng, and Terry Guanlin Li.)