People's Daily Tonight: Podcast News (1/26/2018 Fri.)

This is People's Daily Tonight, your news source from China. 

______

China publishes Arctic policy, eyeing vision of 'Polar Silk Road'

China published a white paper on its Arctic policy Friday, pledging cooperative governance and elaborating a vision of "Polar Silk Road." China vowed to participate in Arctic affairs in accordance with the basic principles of "respect, cooperation, win-win result and sustainability." 

______

China up two spots in 2018 Bloomberg Innovation Index

China has climbed two places to 19th in the Bloomberg Innovation Index 2018. The recently-released measure of innovation showed that the US has dropped out of the top 10 for the first time. South Korea has maintained its top position for the fifth consecutive year.

______

Fire at hospital kills 37, injures scores in South Korea

A fire spread flames and smoke through a South Korean hospital Friday morning, killing at least 37 people, mainly from suffocation, and injuring nearly 130 others in one of the country's deadliest blazes in years. The dead included three hospital staff and several people in an intensive-care unit.

______

Japanese Foreign Minister to visit china

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono will pay an official visit to China from January 27 to 28, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced Friday in Beijing."It is Kono's first visit to China since assuming office. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will hold talks with him and exchange opinions on bilateral ties and issues of common concern," said Hua. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship.

______

Trump intended to fire Russia inquiry's special counsel but backed down report

US President Donald Trump had intended to fire Robert Mueller, special counsel for Russia investigation, last June but backed down. Trump's order did not go through because White House Counsel Don McGahn threatened to quit if the president insisted on doing it, according to a report from the New York Times.

______

China to develop high-speed maglev train with top speed of 600km/h

China will develop a prototype magnetic-levitation train with a top speed of 600 kph by 2020, according to its developers. A review committee consisting of 19 Chinese academicians and experts, approved on Thursday a technical plan to develop the high-speed maglev train and support facilities. The plan will add the 600 kph speed range to China's current transportation system.

______

Xiaomi beats Samsung in Indian market

Chinese brand Xiaomi has displaced Samsung as the top smartphone vendor in India, the world's fastest-growing major smartphone market. According to a market research, Xiaomi delivered nearly 8.2 million units in the fourth quarter of 2017 in India, while Samsung failed to maintain its lead, shipping just over 7.3 million smartphones to take second place, despite annual growth of 17 percent.

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

(Produced by Ni Tao, Qu Qiuyan and Zhao Dantong )