Global Focus | Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel via video link in Beijing, and more

2021-10-14 18:25:54 source: CGTN, Xinhua, Zhejiang News


Editor's Notes: Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met on October 13, what did they say during the meeting? Worldwide, in the face of changing climate, what will Russia do? Let's take a look at today's Global Focus.


1. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel via video link in Beijing


On October 13, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel via video link. They reviewed the development of China-German and China-EU relations in recent years in a friendly atmosphere and had an in-depth exchange of views over relevant issues. 


As the Chinese people put a premium on friendship, said Xi, China will not forget old friends and will always keep the door open for Merkel, voicing the hope that Merkel will continue supporting the development of China-German and China-EU relations.


For her part, Merkel said she remembered all the exchanges she had with Xi over the past more than 10 years, and they had candid and in-depth discussions on issues of common concern, which have enhanced mutual understanding and promoted the sound development of Germany-China relations and EU-China cooperation.


2. China-Singapore connectivity initiative sees 192 cross-border financing projects inked


A total of 192 cross-border financing projects worth 17.16 billion U.S. dollars have been linked within the framework of a China-Singapore connectivity initiative as of Tuesday, according to official data.

 

The China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity aims to conduct pilot cooperation in various fields. The agreements under the initiative mainly fall into four categories: financial services, air transportation, logistics, and information and communications technologies.


3. (COP15) National park system highlights China's nature conservation efforts


China on October 12 officially designated the first group of national parks, a move to further improve the national park system amid the country's efforts of nature conservation. 


Home to nearly 30 percent of the key terrestrial wildlife species found in China, the parks that include the Sanjiangyuan National Park, the Giant Panda National Park, the Northeast China Tiger, and Leopard National Park, the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, and the Wuyishan National Park cover a protected land area of 230,000 square km. Each park represents a typical ecological function.


Establishing a national park system is an innovative policy design for China, with the purpose of restoring natural habitats and protecting endangered species.


4. Chongyang Festival: The Chinese legacy of filial piety


Respecting and taking care of the elders, specifically one's parents, is regarded as a legacy through China's 5,000 years of civilization. The concept of filial piety goes back to 400 BC when it was mentioned in the early works by renowned ancient philosophers. 


Chongyang, or Double Ninth Festival, is celebrated on the 9th day of the ninth month on the lunar Chinese calendar, which falls on October 14 this year. It has long been a day for the Chinese to show care and love to the elderly. 


Busy working children would spend the day at home catching up with older relatives, with Chinese President Xi Jinping leading the way.


5. The 2021 grand memorial ceremony for Xuanyuan Huangdi is held in Jinyun County, Lishui


At 9:50, October 14, at Xiandu Huangdi Ancestral Memorial Temple in Jinyun County, Lishui, Ge Huijun, Chairman of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of CPPCC ascended the altar, walking towards the center of the altar. Facing the statue of Huangdi, she bowed three times. The ceremony began following the announcement made by Ge.


6. U.S. inflation remains elevated in September amid supply chain disruptions


U.S. inflation remained elevated in September as supply chain disruptions have persisted for months, the Labor Department reported on October 13. The consumer price index (CPI) increased 0.4 percent in September after rising 0.3 percent in August. Over the past 12 months through September, the index increased 5.4 percent, slightly up from the 5.3 percent pace for the 12-month period ending August, the department said. 


7. Russia committed to carbon neutrality by 2060: Putin

Russia will aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, President Vladimir Putin said on October 13 at the plenary session of the Russian Energy Week.


Despite the fact that there is still much work to be done, Russia strives to transition to a carbon-neutral economy no later than 2060, the Kremlin reported the president as saying.


Putin called climate protection a common task for humanity, saying that tackling this challenge requires joint efforts from specialists, public associations, and states themselves.


8. Mexico, U.S. agree to reopen border in November

The governments of Mexico and the United States agreed to reopen their common border in November, following vaccination progress against COVID-19, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced on October 13.


"The northern border will be opened. We will have normalcy on our northern border as of Nov. 1," Lopez Obrador said during his daily press conference from the National Palace in Mexico City.


The Mexico-U.S. border has been closed to "non-essential" traffic since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The closure imposed restrictions on travel for tourism or shopping but did not affect trade or other essential crossings, such as transit for goods and for work or health reasons


9. UN chief asks for 3.12 bln USD for 2022 budget

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on October 13 asked for nearly 3.12 billion U.S. dollars as the world body's regular budget for 2022.


"To fully implement the mandates entrusted to us, we will require a total of 3.12 billion U.S. dollars before re-costing, which represents a net reduction of 2.8 percent compared to 2021, despite additional activities and mandates," he told the Fifth Committee of the UN General Assembly, which handles budgetary affairs.


The proposed budget covers a total of 10,005 posts or a net increase of 46 posts over 2021. Most of the added posts (43) would be for the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees to support education, health care, and general assistance, he said.


10. Experts hail Chinese wisdom in environmental governance 


Experts in many countries have hailed Chinese wisdom in environmental governance, including striking a balance between protecting biodiversity and developing the economy.


Editor: He Zhenzhen

read more

23220152 Global Focus | Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel via video link in Beijing, and more public html

Editor's Notes: Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met on October 13, what did they say during the meeting? Worldwide, in the face of changing climate, what will Russia do? Let's take a look at today's Global Focus.


1. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel via video link in Beijing


On October 13, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel via video link. They reviewed the development of China-German and China-EU relations in recent years in a friendly atmosphere and had an in-depth exchange of views over relevant issues. 


As the Chinese people put a premium on friendship, said Xi, China will not forget old friends and will always keep the door open for Merkel, voicing the hope that Merkel will continue supporting the development of China-German and China-EU relations.


For her part, Merkel said she remembered all the exchanges she had with Xi over the past more than 10 years, and they had candid and in-depth discussions on issues of common concern, which have enhanced mutual understanding and promoted the sound development of Germany-China relations and EU-China cooperation.


2. China-Singapore connectivity initiative sees 192 cross-border financing projects inked


A total of 192 cross-border financing projects worth 17.16 billion U.S. dollars have been linked within the framework of a China-Singapore connectivity initiative as of Tuesday, according to official data.

 

The China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity aims to conduct pilot cooperation in various fields. The agreements under the initiative mainly fall into four categories: financial services, air transportation, logistics, and information and communications technologies.


3. (COP15) National park system highlights China's nature conservation efforts


China on October 12 officially designated the first group of national parks, a move to further improve the national park system amid the country's efforts of nature conservation. 


Home to nearly 30 percent of the key terrestrial wildlife species found in China, the parks that include the Sanjiangyuan National Park, the Giant Panda National Park, the Northeast China Tiger, and Leopard National Park, the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, and the Wuyishan National Park cover a protected land area of 230,000 square km. Each park represents a typical ecological function.


Establishing a national park system is an innovative policy design for China, with the purpose of restoring natural habitats and protecting endangered species.


4. Chongyang Festival: The Chinese legacy of filial piety


Respecting and taking care of the elders, specifically one's parents, is regarded as a legacy through China's 5,000 years of civilization. The concept of filial piety goes back to 400 BC when it was mentioned in the early works by renowned ancient philosophers. 


Chongyang, or Double Ninth Festival, is celebrated on the 9th day of the ninth month on the lunar Chinese calendar, which falls on October 14 this year. It has long been a day for the Chinese to show care and love to the elderly. 


Busy working children would spend the day at home catching up with older relatives, with Chinese President Xi Jinping leading the way.


5. The 2021 grand memorial ceremony for Xuanyuan Huangdi is held in Jinyun County, Lishui


At 9:50, October 14, at Xiandu Huangdi Ancestral Memorial Temple in Jinyun County, Lishui, Ge Huijun, Chairman of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of CPPCC ascended the altar, walking towards the center of the altar. Facing the statue of Huangdi, she bowed three times. The ceremony began following the announcement made by Ge.


6. U.S. inflation remains elevated in September amid supply chain disruptions


U.S. inflation remained elevated in September as supply chain disruptions have persisted for months, the Labor Department reported on October 13. The consumer price index (CPI) increased 0.4 percent in September after rising 0.3 percent in August. Over the past 12 months through September, the index increased 5.4 percent, slightly up from the 5.3 percent pace for the 12-month period ending August, the department said. 


7. Russia committed to carbon neutrality by 2060: Putin

Russia will aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, President Vladimir Putin said on October 13 at the plenary session of the Russian Energy Week.


Despite the fact that there is still much work to be done, Russia strives to transition to a carbon-neutral economy no later than 2060, the Kremlin reported the president as saying.


Putin called climate protection a common task for humanity, saying that tackling this challenge requires joint efforts from specialists, public associations, and states themselves.


8. Mexico, U.S. agree to reopen border in November

The governments of Mexico and the United States agreed to reopen their common border in November, following vaccination progress against COVID-19, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced on October 13.


"The northern border will be opened. We will have normalcy on our northern border as of Nov. 1," Lopez Obrador said during his daily press conference from the National Palace in Mexico City.


The Mexico-U.S. border has been closed to "non-essential" traffic since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The closure imposed restrictions on travel for tourism or shopping but did not affect trade or other essential crossings, such as transit for goods and for work or health reasons


9. UN chief asks for 3.12 bln USD for 2022 budget

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on October 13 asked for nearly 3.12 billion U.S. dollars as the world body's regular budget for 2022.


"To fully implement the mandates entrusted to us, we will require a total of 3.12 billion U.S. dollars before re-costing, which represents a net reduction of 2.8 percent compared to 2021, despite additional activities and mandates," he told the Fifth Committee of the UN General Assembly, which handles budgetary affairs.


The proposed budget covers a total of 10,005 posts or a net increase of 46 posts over 2021. Most of the added posts (43) would be for the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees to support education, health care, and general assistance, he said.


10. Experts hail Chinese wisdom in environmental governance 


Experts in many countries have hailed Chinese wisdom in environmental governance, including striking a balance between protecting biodiversity and developing the economy.


Editor: He Zhenzhen

]]>