People's Daily Tonight: Podcast News (4/12/2018 Thu.)

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

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No negotiation yet between Chinese, US officials on trade friction

China says no negotiations are ongoing with the US on their trade frictions.

A Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman says there are principles to follow in negotiations, but the US shows no sincerity.

He added that China's continued opening-up measures have nothing to do with the ongoing trade frictions.

He stressed that China will fight relentlessly if the US insists on unilateralism and trade protectionism.

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Flowers on the Moon? China's Chang'e-4 to launch lunar spring

China's Chang'e-4 lunar probe is expected to do many things unprecedented in space history after its launch later this year.

These include touching down softly on the far side of the Moon and taking the first flowers to blossom on the lifeless lunar surface.

The probe will carry a tin containing seeds of potato and a small flowering plant related to cabbage and mustard.

Researchers hope the seeds will blossom on the Moon, with the process captured on camera and transmitted to Earth.

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Speaker Ryan will leave behind new tax code, busted budget

US House Speaker Paul Ryan says he's leaving Congress.

But he says he's achieved one of his career goals—to rewrite the tax code.

Under his leadership, Republicans never tried to implement the deep cuts his budget called for, particularly his vision of turning Medicare into a voucher-like program for future retirees.

Instead, the House passed steep tax cuts while increasing spending, setting the government on a path to rising deficits.

The Congressional Budget Office says the tax bill and last month’s $1.3 trillion spending bill would add more than $2.6 trillion to the national debt over the coming decade.

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China urges restraint on Syria issue

China urges restraint on Syria issue.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman says China has been keeping in touch with the US, Russia and other UN Security Council members, as well as other countries and regions on the latest developments in Syria.

The Kremlin says communication lines between American and Russian forces in Syria are "active".

Prior to this, Russian officials said that their military will deploy troops in the Syrian town of Duma, and will shoot down missiles fired by the US and its missile launchers. 

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Former Chongqing Party chief Sun Zhengcai stands trial for bribery

A former secretary of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China is being tried for bribery in Tianjin.

Sun Zhengcai is also a former member of the Political Bureau of the 18th CPC Central Committee.

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World trade growth expected to remain strong in 2018 at 4.4%: WTO

The World Trade Organization says global trade is expected to remain strong, with the merchandise trade growing by 4.4 percent in 2018 and 4.0 percent in 2019.

Its annual forecast says the continued expansion depends on robust global growth and government support for the right trade policies. 

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Chinese art troupe to visit N.Korea to promote ties

And a Chinese art troupe leaves for North Korea on Friday to attend the April Spring Friendship Art Festival.

The April Spring Friendship Art Festival is a major international cultural exchange event hosted by North Korea.

This visit takes place shortly after the historic meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

During their visit, the National Ballet of China will perform classic ballets Red Detachment of Women and Giselle.

(Produced by David Nye, Han Xiaomeng and Liang Peiyu)