Editor's Notes: We often hear big names delivering speeches or sending messages. Meanings often lay behind these messages. Today's Global Focus will keep you well informed of what's happening by guiding you through some of the messages sent by some of the big names.

1. Xi Jinping, sent a congratulatory letter to the 2021 North Bund Forum.

On November 4, Xi Jinping, president of China sent a congratulatory letter to the 2021 North Bund Forum.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the shipping industry is an important guarantee for the development of international trade and serves as an important link for friendly relations among people around the world. With the spread of Covid-19, the shipping industry has played an active role in fighting the pandemic, promoting trade recovery, and maintaining the stability of the supply chain and industrial chain. China is willing to work with other countries around the world to overcome the difficulties, following the new trend of green, low-carbon, and smart shipping development, deepening cooperation in international shipping affairs, making every effort to restore and ensure the smooth flow of the global industry chain and supply chain so as to promote the healthy development of the international shipping industry and contribute to the building of a community of shared future for mankind.

The Forum was unveiled in Shanghai with the theme of “Openness and Inclusiveness, Innovation and Reform, Win-win Cooperation-Embracing Future Development and Restructuring of International Shipping”

2. China handed over a new batch of coronavirus vaccines to Egypt 

On November 3, Liao liqiang, Chinese Ambassador to Egypt met with Ghaffar, Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and acting Minister of Health, in Cairo. The two sides jointly signed a certificate of handover of a new batch of coronavirus vaccines and held a special press conference. Liao Liqiang said that up to now, China has assisted Egypt with four batches of the Covid-19 vaccine, and also delivered 33.5 million doses of vaccine to Egypt through commercial procurement and local production.　　　　

3. Chinese Vice Premier Han stresses pandemic prevention and control in Beijing 2022 preparations

With less than 100 days to go before the 2022 Olympic Winter Games opens, Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng on Thursday urged the organizers to make pandemic prevention and control a priority in the final stages of preparation.

"The preparatory work has progressed smoothly, and a solid foundation was laid for hosting the Winter Olympics as scheduled," Han said.

4. (CIIE) Record number of U.S. companies attend China's import expo

About 200 U.S. companies are attending the fourth China International Import Expo (CIIE) that kicked off Thursday night in Shanghai, hitting a new high, the CIIE Bureau told Xinhua.

From 2018 to 2020, the number of U.S. companies attending the CIIE increased from about 180 to 198, and their total exhibition area has been one of the largest among all participating countries and regions, said the bureau.

Many iconic industry leaders have become regulars at the event. Multinational conglomerate Honeywell, a fourth-time exhibitor at CIIE, has expanded its booth area to more than twice that of last year, showcasing innovative technologies in aviation, smart manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics.

5. Paris, London hold talks to ease tensions over fishing dispute

Britain's Brexit Minister David Frost and French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clement Beaune held talks in Paris on Thursday to try to ease tensions over a fishing row between the two countries.

However, Beaune said afterward that a lot of work remains to be done since significant differences remain.

According to French media, the main sticking point during Thursday's talks was the interpretation of the post-Brexit agreement on fishing. France has accused the UK of imposing tougher requirements for issuing fishing permits.

Last week, the French Ministry of the Sea retaliated by announcing that from Tuesday, British fishing vessels will be banned from docking in six French ports in Hauts-de-France, Normandy, and Brittany. It also said France would strengthen sanitary, customs, and safety checks on British ships and lorries.

However, French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently ruled out these retaliatory measures, saying: "It is not while we are negotiating that we will impose sanctions."

A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the press on Thursday that the French had agreed not to "proceed with these threats."

"Both sides are keen to have further discussions," he added.

According to Beaune, further talks will be held early next week. 

6. UN chief condemns attack injuring 10 peacekeepers in CAR

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday strongly condemned the attack by members of the presidential guard of the Central African Republic (CAR) which wounded 10 peacekeepers.

Through a statement attributable to his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, the UN chief "emphasizes that attacks against United Nations peacekeepers may constitute a war crime. He calls on the Central African authorities to spare no effort in investigating and promptly holding accountable the perpetrators of this unacceptable attack."

"The secretary-general wishes a speedy and full recovery to the wounded peacekeepers and civilians and reiterates his gratitude to the people and the Government of Egypt for their contribution to peace and stability in the Central African Republic. The secretary-general also expresses his deep condolences to the bereaved family of the Central African civilian who was killed during the incident," it said.

The presidential guard shot at peacekeepers of the mission, known as MINUSCA, in Bangui on Monday. The police officers from Egypt landed at Bangui's airport earlier in the day. They are part of the periodic rotation and deployment of troops in the country. 

Editor: He Zhenzhen