People's Daily Tonight: Podcast News (4/05/2018 Thur.)

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

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Chinese ambassador urges US to terminate 301 investigation

Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai on Wednesday urged Washington to abandon its "unilateral and protectionist practices" and terminate the Section 301 investigation as early as possible.

Cui made the remarks while meeting with US Acting Secretary of State John J. Sullivan. 

Cui also reiterated China's position on the economic and trade differences between the two countries, saying that the US side shall seek a solution through dialogues and consultations with the Chinese side.

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Boao Forum sets new starting line for peaceful development, win-win cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Boao Forum for Asia on April 8.

He will also attend a host of other activities during the four-day forum in the southern island province of Hainan.

His attendance of China's first big home-field diplomatic event this year is of great significance to promote major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, build the community with a shared future for Asia and mankind, and advance peace and development for mankind.

2018 marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up.

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Brazil Supreme Court rejects Lula's bid to delay prison

The Supreme Court of Brazil on Thursday rejected former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's bid to delay a 12-year prison sentence for corruption, a ruling that could upend presidential elections in Latin America's biggest country.

The 6-5 ruling means that Lula - who was Brazil's most popular leader on record and is the frontrunner ahead of the October 7 polls - could be arrested within days.

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S.Korean fighter jet crashes in southeastern region

A South Korean military fighter jet crashes in  the country’s southeastern region.

The F-15K fighter jet took off from a military air base in Daegu city, Gyeongsang province at 1:30 pm local time.

It crashed in Chilgok county in the same province southeast of Seoul.

The jet was on its way back to the air base after finishing a mission, when the accident occurred.

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Trump to deploy National Guard to border with Mexico

US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Wednesday, authorizing the deployment of the National Guard to the border with Mexico, citing a crisis situation.

The memo asks Defense Secretary James Mattis to support the Department of Homeland Security in securing the southern border and stop the flow of drugs and criminals.

It gives 30 days to the agency heads to submit a report on their findings, along with an action plan.

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UK can't ignore 'legitimate questions' over spy poisoning: Moscow

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Thursday London cannot ignore Moscow's "legitimate questions" over the poisoning of an ex-spy, as he called for a "substantial and responsible" probe into the case.

The UN Security Council is due to discuss the spiralling diplomatic crisis between Russia and the West.

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Boeing voices concern about US-China trade war impact on aerospace industry

US top aircraft manufacturer Boeing Company (Boeing) Wednesday expressed deep concern about the ongoing trade dispute between the US and China, which is likely to escalate into a major trade war that will negatively impact the aerospace industry.

The tariff battle between the US and China "could do harm to the global aerospace industry," Boeing said in a short statement released on Wednesday, adding "We will continue in our own efforts to proactively engage both governments and build on the recent assurances by US and Chinese leaders that productive talks are ongoing." 

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And that’s People’s Daily Tonight. Thank you for joining us.

(Produced by Ni Tao, Qu Qiuyan and Qiao Wai)