Monetary easing to boost growth: expert

China's decision to cut both interest rates and banks' reserve requirements ratio (RRR), effective Sunday, will help stabilize the economy and send a positive signal to the capital and property markets, experts said. The People's Bank of China (PBC), or central bank, slashed both its one-year deposit and lending rates by 0.25 percentage points. It also lowered the RRR, the amount of reserves banks are required to hold, by 0.5 percentage points for banks with sizable lending to rural areas, agriculture as well as small and micro businesses. In a statement on Saturday, the central bank said that the cuts were aimed at lowering borrowing costs and stabilizing growth. "Stabilizing growth is the fundamental reason behind the rare move of cutting interests rates and the RRR at the same time," Zhou Jingtong, a senior analyst at the Bank of China, told the Global Times Sunday. The last time the central bank cut both interest rates and the RRR on the same day was in December 2008, when China's GDP growth slowed to 6.8 percent in the fourth quarter of that year from 9 percent the previous quarter amid the global financial crisis. "Although some economic indicators for May have showed signs of stabilizing, the Chinese economy still faces downward pressure, and social financing costs are still high," Zhou said. The cuts lowered deposit and lending rates to 2 percent and 4.85 percent, respectively. The central bank said it chose to make a targeted RRR cut instead of a universal RRR cut because the banking system still enjoys ample liquidity following an overall RRR cut in April. "The targeted RRR cut also reflects the efforts of central authorities to adjust the economic structure," Zhou said. The targeted RRR cut is expected to inject 470 billion yuan ($75.7 billion) into the economy, China Merchants Securities estimates. "This is not surprising given that real activity indicators remain weak in April and May, and show that China's economy may have missed 7 percent growth in the second quarter," Liu Ligang, chief China economist at ANZ Banking Group, wrote in a note. The National Bureau of Statistics is scheduled to release second-quarter and half-year GDP figures in July. The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), a government think tank, said on Friday it projects that China's GDP growth will slow to 6.93 percent in the second quarter from 7 percent in the first quarter. CASS said in a report that a batch of government support policies will gradually take effect starting the third quarter and help the Chinese economy achieve its annual growth target of around 7 percent. The rates and targeted RRR cuts will also help stabilize the equity market, analysts said. China's A-shares market saw its biggest one-day drop in seven years on Friday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index dropping by 7.4 percent and the smaller Shenzhen Component Index also falling by 8.24 percent. "The move will help regain investor confidence, and avoid systemic financial risks brought by heavy selloffs," said Zhu Zhenxin, an analyst at Minsheng Securities. "The market will remain bullish but at a slower pace." Compared to uncertainties in the stock market, the housing market will benefit more from the central bank's move, Yan Yuejin, research director of Shanghai-based E-house China R&D Institute, told the Global Times Sunday. He said the latest interest rate cuts mean a home-buyer who takes out a 20-year loan of 1 million yuan will be paying 141 yuan less every month. "The cuts will also lower the funding costs of property developers, stimulate home sales and lower the inventory of unsold houses," Yan said. China's housing market has showed signs of recovery this year after a downturn in 2014, backed by several interest rates cuts and support measures. Analysts said they expect more monetary easing measures in the second half of the year. Liu said he believes the central bank will cut the RRR by another 1 percentage point before the end of the year if capital outflow matches the first quarter's pace. China's inflation rate is likely to stay at 1.5 percent in 2015, so there's still room to lower interest rates in the second half, analysts at China Merchants Securities said.

Key legal framework laid for China-initiated AIIB

Delegates of the 57 prospective founding countries of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) on Monday gathered in Beijing for the agreement signing ceremony, which will lay the legal framework for the China-initiated multilateral institution.The 60-article agreement outlined the financial share of each member, policy making, business and operational systems, and governance structure. The AIIB is designed to finance infrastructure building in Asia. Australia was first to sign the agreement in the Great Hall of the People. The AIIB will have authorized capital of 100 billion US dollars. Asian countries will contribute up to 75 percent of the total capital and be allocated a share of the quota based on their economic size. China, India and Russia are the three largest shareholders, with a voting share of 26.06 percent, 7.5 percent and 5.92 percent, respectively. China does not seek a veto power in the bank, Vice Finance Minister Shi Yaobin said in an interview with Xinhua, adding that the country's stake and voting share in the initial stage are "natural results" of current rules, and may be diluted as more members join. The Beijing-headquartered bank will start operation at the end of the year under two preconditions: At least 10 prospective members sign the agreement, and the initial subscribed capital is no less than 50 percent of the authorized capital.

Signing of AIIB agreement is historic step: President Xi

President Xi Jinping said Monday the signing of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) agreement is a historic step forward in building the China-initiated multilateral bank."The signing of the document reveals the commitment of the parties involved in the founding of the AIIB, as well as their solidarity, cooperation, openness, inclusiveness and quest for common development," Xi told representatives of the 57 prospective founding countries. The 60-article agreement specified each member's share as well as the bank's governance structure and policy-making mechanism. The bank will have authorized capital of 100 billion US dollars, and Asian and Oceanian countries will contribute up to 75 percent of the total capital. Each member will be allocated a share of quota based on their economic size. China, India and Russia are the three largest shareholders. China proposed the AIIB to boost Asia's infrastructure improvement, interconnectivity and regional cooperation. "The founding countries have reached a high-quality agreement today. As long as all parties stick to the spirit of multilateral cooperation, we can make the AIIB a new platform that features openness, inclusiveness and mutual benefits, and contribute to Asian infrastructure development," said the president. Vice-President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of Federal Department of Economic Affairs Johann Schneider-Ammann; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of New Zealand Bill English; and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of the Republic of Korea Choi Kyung-hwan were speakers at the meeting with Xi on behalf of other representatives. They lauded the China-proposed AIIB as timely and important, adding that along with the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, the bank would help address regional infrastructure bottlenecks and capital constraints, and enhance regional trade connections and interconnectivity. In particular, they said, the proposals would assist countries with weak infrastructure and they believe the AIIB will become a pragmatic and efficient member among international financial institutions. Xi said that since China's reform and opening up, its economic and social development has benefited from the support of multilateral banks such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank as well as other countries. "China's development would not have been possible without Asia and the world," he said. "As China grows stronger, we are willing to make our due contribution to world development," Xi said. "We will continue to support existing multilateral banks, and by proposing the AIIB, we also hope to promote current institutions to better meet the requirement of their member countries and global economic system changes," he said. The China-proposed AIIB and Belt and Road Initiative aim at solving practical issues of the region, Xi said, adding the AIIB will complement current global financial institutions. "China will make joint efforts with various founding countries to build a professional, efficient and clean multilateral bank, and jointly contribute to Asia and world economic prosperity," Xi said.

China urges US to take objective view of South China Sea

China on Monday urged the US side to take an objective view of the South China Sea issue and stop making irresponsible remarks to incite tension and antagonism."We hope the US could ignore the element of allies or no allies and view the issue simply from the rights and wrongs," said foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying at the daily press briefing. Hua's remarks came after US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken claimed China's land reclamation projects in the area are "a threat to peace and stability". Blinken recently referred to China' s construction activities in the South China Sea as "unilaterally and coercively changing the status quo". Hua said China's recent construction activities are entirely on its own islands and reefs, and it is totally different in nature from some countries' seizure of Chinese islands and building facilities there. "There is no such thing of China unilaterally and coercively changing the status quo," said Hua. She added that China has never recognized the so-called'status quo' resulting from some islands and reefs of China's Nansha islands being illegally occupied by other countries. She called on the US side to respect China's national sovereignty and rights and interests, stop making irresponsible remarks that incite tension and antagonism, and do more that are truly conducive to maintaining regional peace and stability. "That's also good for its own interests," She said.

Egypt appoints first ambassador to Israel since 2012

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi appointed on Sunday a new ambassador to Israel for the first time since 2012, official MENA news agency reported.Sisi appointed diplomat Hazem Khairat as new ambassador to Tel Aviv to replace his predecessor Atef Salem, whom Egypt recalled in late 2012 over an Israeli deadly offensive on the Palestinian Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Salem is appointed as new ambassador to Cuba. The appointments came within a massive diplomatic reshuffle approved by Sisi on Sunday, including Yasser Reda as new ambassador to Washington, Foreign Ministry's spokesman Badr Abdel-Atty as new ambassador to Berlin, diplomat Alaa Youssef Hassan as general consul in London. The reshuffle also included Nasser Hamdy as new ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Wael Gad to the United Arab Emirates, Yasser Atef to Kuwait, Abu Bakr Hefni to Ethiopia, Hatem Seif-al-Nasr Vatican, Mahi Abdel-Latif to Norway. Although both Egypt and Israel see Hamas as a threat, Egypt has been a key mediator in reaching a truce between Israel and Hamas in August 2014. The truce brokered by Sisi came after a 50-day Israeli war on the enclave that killed nearly 2,200 Palestinians, mostly civilians, while attacks by Gaza militants killed 73 on the Israeli side, mostly soldiers. An Egyptian court has separately listed Hamas and its armed wing al-Qassam Brigades as terrorist groups, yet another court annulled the ruling on the part of Hamas earlier in June, a verdict that was welcomed by the Palestinian influential movement.

S. Korea reports 3 more MERS infections, 2 deaths

South Korean reported three more cases of infection with the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and two deaths on Monday, bringing the total contagion cases to 172 and the death toll to 27. Among the three new cases was the 171st patient, who tested positive 10 days after the incubation period of two weeks, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The 60-year-old woman was infected after visiting an emergency room of the Samsung Medical Center in Seoul for three days through May 29. Two more infectees passed away, raising the fatality rate to 15. 7 percent. The two men of old age already suffered from other illnesses like cancer. Seven more patients were released from hospitals as they recovered after being infected, raising the total discharge number to 50. The number of those quarantined slid from 4,035 on Sunday to 3, 833 on Monday, keeping a downward trend for four days in a row.

China opens new route for Indian pilgrims to Tibet

China on Monday opened a new route along the Himalayan Nathu La Pass for pilgrims from India traveling to Tibet, to further promote religious exchanges between the two countries.The first group of 43 Indian nationals entered Tibet Autonomous Region, southwest China, via this pass at 10 a.m., starting a 12-day pilgrimage to the sacred religious sites of Mount Kangrinboqe and Mapam Yumco Lake in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet. Free jackets, backpacks and blankets were provided to the pilgrims by Chinese authorities upon their arrival. "This new route is safer, more convenient and comfortable than the former one," said Dong Mingjun, vice chairman of Tibet regional government, at the pass. It will shorten the pilgrimage time from more than 20 days to about eight, he added. Le Yucheng, the Chinese ambassador to India, said the pass was the result of a consensus reached by both Chinese and Indian leaders when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India in September. It will promote mutual understanding and communication between the peoples of the two countries, he said. Le traveled from New Delhi to Nathu La Pass for the occasion. "We hope to use this opportunity to strengthen strategic mutual trust between China and India, expand cooperation in all fields, promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges, properly handle our divergences, boost common development, and take the bilateral relations of our two countries to a new historical level," Le said. According to Indian media, around 250 pilgrims, in five groups of 50, will travel to Tibet along the new route this year. Among the first group, some pilgrims had dropped out for health reasons. Another 18 groups of 60 pilgrims will undertake the pilgrimage along the old route. Tarun Vijay, president of the Parliamentary Group on India China Friendship, said the new route marked a milestone in the bilateral relationship, and it has global significance. "It is a moment of mutual trust," he said. "We are grateful to President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their efforts." The new route will be an enduring symbol of the people-to-people ties between India and China, said Shrila Datta Kumar, counsellor from the Indian Embassy to China. Amarnath, 70, from Mumbai was among the first group of pilgrims. "It is my first time traveling to Tibet, and probably my last time. I thank the Chinese government for the warm welcome," he said. The Nathu La Pass sits 4,545 meters above sea level and is wedged between Tibet's Yadong County in Xigaze Prefecture, and India's Sikkim State. It was the shortest land pass for trade between China and India, and also the highest altitude land pass for trade. The pass was closed for more than 40 years. It was reopened in 2006, but for trade only. Indian nationals have made the pilgrimage to Tibet every year since 1981. China has welcomed almost 80,000 Indian pilgrims in the past decade alone. The pilgrims traditionally climb over the Qang La Pass, which sits 5,200 meters above sea level on the China-India-Nepal border, to reach their destination. The road is steep and usually covered by snow. Relations between India and China are on a continuous growing path. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China this May, following Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India last year.

Abe's war statement may be in unofficial form: media

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe planned to issue a statement to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, but the format may fall into an unofficial one due to its possible historical revisionism color and potential criticism from neighboring countries, local media reported on Monday.The prime minister would not seek the cabinet approval for the statement in a move to keep Abe's personal nature highlighted in the statement, Kyodo News reported, citing an unnamed government official. The statement is likely to be issued in a format of Abe's personal opinion. Official statements like the 1995 "Murayama Statement" and 2005 "Koizumi Statement" were all approved by then Japanese cabinets with signatures from all cabinet members, reflecting the Japanese government official stance on a certain issue. Since some lawmakers within Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its small ruling coalition partner the Komeito Party required the prime minister to keep using the wordings of " heartfelt apology" and "aggression and colonial rule" in his upcoming statement, Abe is mulling to issue the statement without cabinet approval so as to make no compromise on the content of the statement. "The prime minister does not necessarily have a particular preference for the format. What is more important is the content," Kyodo quoted the official as saying. Abe reiterated that he will not use the key wordings expressed in the previous statements issued in 1995 and 2005, but neighboring countries including China and South Korea urge Abe to firmly uphold the core wordings in the previous official government statements which offered an apology for Japan's wartime barbarities to victim countries. A statement without cabinet approval may allow the prime minister to say his statement is not an update of the previous war anniversary statements, Kyodo cited the source as saying, but analysts pointed out that the move may not prevent the statement from being criticized by neighbors. Japan's Nikkei Daily also reported that the government also has a plan suggesting the prime minister to issue the statement ahead of the sensitive date of August 15, which marks the end of WWII.

Mount Sinabung erupts in N Sumatra, Indonesia

INDONESIA-NORTH SUMATRA-MOUNT SINABUNG-ERUPTION

People watch the Mount Sinabung spewing ash in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, June 19, 2015. (Xinhua/Tanto H.)

U.S. black church massacre investigated as domestic terrorism

WASHINGTON, June 19 (Xinhua) -- The black church massacre in Charleston, South Carolina where nine black churchgoers were killed by a white gunman, was being investigated by the U.S. Justice Department as a potential act of domestic terrorism, the federal agency said on Friday. "The department is looking at this crime from all angles, including as a hate crime and as an act of domestic terrorism," Justice Department spokeswoman Emily Pierce said in a statement. It was the first time the Justice Department indicated that it would investigate the case as a possible act of domestic terrorism. It had previously announced that a hate crime investigation into the case was being carried out. Earlier on Friday, suspected shooter Dylann Roof was charged with nine accounts of murder for the mass shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Wednesday night. Although Roof's motive was still under investigation, people familiar with him said he was obsessed with the idea of segregation. "He said he wanted to start a civil war. He said he was going to do something like that," Roof's roommate Dalton Tyler told the U.S. TV network ABC News in an interview. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, a group dedicated to fighting racial hatred, factors such as an ailing economy, an influx of nonwhite immigrants and the election of the nation's first black president have in recent years fueled racial hatred. The group said that since 2000, the number of hate groups across the country has increased by 30 percent to 784 in 2015. Data offered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation showed that the blacks are more likely to be victimized in hate crimes compared with other race and religion groups, with more than 50 out of one million black citizens becoming the victim of a racially-motivated hate crime in 2012. Related: Commentary: Black Church massacre a grim reminder of failed U.S. gun policy WASHINGTON, June 19 (Xinhua) -- With 18 months left in office and a hostile Congress fully controlled by Republicans who don't budge on sabotaging his agenda, U.S. President Barack Obama has made it clear with aggressive push in many domains that there is no way he would become a "lame duck" who frets over waning clout. Yet, when it comes to dealing with rampant mass shooting in the country, which in his words "doesn't happen in other places with this kind of frequency", Obama almost appeared resigned in his latest speech on gun violence that all he could say was that "at some point", America would have to reckon with the ugly fact. If not for anything else, the mass shooting at Black Church on Wednesday night that killed nine black people by a 21-year-old white man in Charleston, South Carolina, served as a grim reminder that how the authorities' inaction on gun violence could continue to hurt the U.S. public. Full story Obama calls for reckoning on gun violence after South Carolina hate crime shooting WASHINGTON, June 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday expressed anger over a black church massacre in the southeastern U.S. city of Charleston and said the country has to face the fact that rampant gun violence only happens in the United States. "I don't need to be constraint about the emotions that tragedies like this raise," said Obama in his first speech after the shooting spree at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. "To say our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families ... doesn't say enough to convey the heartache and the sadness and the anger that we feel." Full story

U.S. black church massacre investigated as domestic terrorism

WASHINGTON, June 19 (Xinhua) -- The black church massacre in Charleston, South Carolina where nine black churchgoers were killed by a white gunman, was being investigated by the U.S. Justice Department as a potential act of domestic terrorism, the federal agency said on Friday. "The department is looking at this crime from all angles, including as a hate crime and as an act of domestic terrorism," Justice Department spokeswoman Emily Pierce said in a statement. It was the first time the Justice Department indicated that it would investigate the case as a possible act of domestic terrorism. It had previously announced that a hate crime investigation into the case was being carried out. Earlier on Friday, suspected shooter Dylann Roof was charged with nine accounts of murder for the mass shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Wednesday night. Although Roof's motive was still under investigation, people familiar with him said he was obsessed with the idea of segregation. "He said he wanted to start a civil war. He said he was going to do something like that," Roof's roommate Dalton Tyler told the U.S. TV network ABC News in an interview. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, a group dedicated to fighting racial hatred, factors such as an ailing economy, an influx of nonwhite immigrants and the election of the nation's first black president have in recent years fueled racial hatred. The group said that since 2000, the number of hate groups across the country has increased by 30 percent to 784 in 2015. Data offered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation showed that the blacks are more likely to be victimized in hate crimes compared with other race and religion groups, with more than 50 out of one million black citizens becoming the victim of a racially-motivated hate crime in 2012. Related: Commentary: Black Church massacre a grim reminder of failed U.S. gun policy WASHINGTON, June 19 (Xinhua) -- With 18 months left in office and a hostile Congress fully controlled by Republicans who don't budge on sabotaging his agenda, U.S. President Barack Obama has made it clear with aggressive push in many domains that there is no way he would become a "lame duck" who frets over waning clout. Yet, when it comes to dealing with rampant mass shooting in the country, which in his words "doesn't happen in other places with this kind of frequency", Obama almost appeared resigned in his latest speech on gun violence that all he could say was that "at some point", America would have to reckon with the ugly fact. If not for anything else, the mass shooting at Black Church on Wednesday night that killed nine black people by a 21-year-old white man in Charleston, South Carolina, served as a grim reminder that how the authorities' inaction on gun violence could continue to hurt the U.S. public. Full story Obama calls for reckoning on gun violence after South Carolina hate crime shooting WASHINGTON, June 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday expressed anger over a black church massacre in the southeastern U.S. city of Charleston and said the country has to face the fact that rampant gun violence only happens in the United States. "I don't need to be constraint about the emotions that tragedies like this raise," said Obama in his first speech after the shooting spree at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. "To say our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families ... doesn't say enough to convey the heartache and the sadness and the anger that we feel." Full story

Russia harbors no aspirations to become superpower: Putin

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Russia is not striving to become a superpower and only seeks to develop equal relations with other countries, President Vladimir Putin said Friday. "Russia does not claim some sort of hegemony or ephemeral superpower status," Putin told the ongoing Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum here. Moscow has started to resolutely and persistently, rather than aggressively, protect its interests, Putin said, adding that Russia "wants equitable relations with all members of the international community." While accusing Western countries of imposing their standards and models on others, Putin said Russia always proceeds with mutual respect and looks for "common solutions to common problems." Referring to Russia-U.S. relations, Putin hoped that joint efforts by both countries in fighting against common threats, like terrorism, drug trafficking and so on, could serve as the foundation for restoring the bilateral relationship. On the Ukraine crisis, Putin reiterated that not only Russia, but also Western countries should exert influence over the conflicting sides in the country, while the Minsk agreements signed in February should be fully implemented in order to settle the crisis in a peaceful and political way. As Russia has been slapped with sanctions by the West over its alleged intervention in the Ukraine crisis, Putin insisted that political pressure should not influence business and economic cooperation. Putin pointed out that the sanctions war is inflicting damage on both Russia and the West, however, he said that the Russian economy is not in a catastrophic state. In the near future, Russia could ensure an economic growth at the average global rate of about 3.5 percent, an annual labor productivity growth at 5 percent and annual inflation at 4 percent, he said. Noting that the Russian government is consistently trying to solve domestic economic problems and create a liberal and favorable business climate, Putin said Russia is ready to develop with all countries in the world on a reciprocal basis. Related: Putin vows to strengthen liberal economic climate in Russia St. PETERSBURG, Russia, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Russia is not going to respond to the Western sanctions by closing off its market, but on the opposite, will improve business climate with greater openness and freedom, President Vladimir Putin said Friday. "Russia will create the most possible liberal, predictable and transparent conditions for the investors," Putin told a session at the ongoing Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum here. Full story Russia, China do not form blocs against anyone: Putin St. PETERSBURG, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Russia and China do not build any military-political blocs or seek "friendship against someone", President Vladimir Putin said Friday. "China and Russia are not creating any military blocs or alliances against anybody...We are in the process of building an alliance to safeguard our national interests," Putin said. Full story

Tourism industry in SW China's Sichuan increases family income

　　Photo taken on June 15, 2015 shows an inside view of a local Tibetan style hotel in Riji Village at Yajiang County, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Since July of 2014, 13 of the whole 64 households started a business of running rural Tibetan style hotels in Riji Village, which is proximate to the No. 318 national way, a main road leading to Tibet with fine scenery. The tourism industry here has increased family income for local villagers.(Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing)

China urges efforts to look for solutions, not trouble on AIIB

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman on Thursday urged "some countries" to help look for solutions rather than trouble as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) aims to fill the gap in infrastructure investment in Asia."The mission of the AIIB is to help developing economies in the region resolve their practical problems in pursuit of common development and prosperity," Spokesman Lu Kang said at a daily news briefing. "Toward the practical problems faced today, the right attitude [for us] should be to work together to find a way rather than look for trouble to set back the efforts to resolve the problems," said the spokesman. Lu said that most Asian countries are developing countries in need of investment in infrastructure. It is a good thing if there are more options to finance infrastructure, Lu said, adding that that is why the AIIB proposal has won widespread support. China and the other 56 founding members from both Asia and beyond are willing to work together to boost development, he said, adding that it is a pleasure to know that more countries want to join the financial institution. "It is understandable that some countries cannot join the AIIB now," Lu said. "However, it is quite unacceptable that some countries who do not want to join keep looking for trouble," he added.

Cuba-US talks on restoring ties hit speed bumps

Six months have passed since Cuba and the United States astonished the world with their surprise decision to discuss restoring diplomatic ties, but the results of the talks seem to be quite underwhelming so far.On Dec. 17, 2014, Cuban President Raul Castro and his US counterpart, Barack Obama, simultaneously announced in Havana and Washington the beginning of the negotiations after over a year of secret contacts. Delegations from the two countries have held four rounds of talks,driven by the prospect of reopening embassies in Washington and Havana, a once imminent possibility which seems to be distant now, especially considering the recent domestic opposition against Obama's decision and the fact that no date is set for future talks. Much of the early momentum in negotiations hit speed bumps as conservative US lawmakers have opposed engaging Cuba, and are doing what they can to stymie any progress so as to keep decades-old travel and trade bans on Cuba in place. The neo-cons and anti-Cuba representatives were also proposing a restriction on funds to block the re-opening of embassies earlier this month. But they have their counterweight in the Engage Cuba Coalition, a newly-formed group composed of bipartisan legislators, trade groups, non-profits and others who support normalizing ties with Cuba. The group plans to mobilize public opinion in favor of opening up to Cuba, such as launching a 30-second TV spot "highlighting the outdated restrictions on Americans that deny them the right to travel and conduct business in Cuba," the coalition said on its website. In addition, the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC), which represents more than 90 companies and state and national organizations, is actively lobbying for greater trade with Cuba. The USACC "is calling on senators to block any legislative efforts attempting to reverse progress made to date in regard to the expansion of trade and travel to Cuba," Cuba's state daily Granma reported earlier this week. While the different ideological camps in the United States struggle to sway public policy towards Cuba, the island has its own concerns about opening up to greater US influence and a larger diplomatic presence. Following the May 21-22 bilateral talks in Washington, Cuba's lead negotiator Josefina Vidal said the next challenge would be getting the United States to abide by Vienna Convention rules on "the conduct of diplomats" and "the functioning of a diplomatic mission." As it is, Washington's stripped-down diplomatic outpost in Cuba, the US Interests Section in Havana, actively organizes, trains, encourages, finances and supplies anti-government groups on the island, Vidal has complained. Speaking to the press recently about his encounter with Obama at a regional summit in Panama earlier this year, Castro said, "I specifically said to the president that what worries me most is that (US diplomats) will continue doing the illegal things they do now." Those concerns need to be addressed in step with US progress towards a cohesive Cuba policy. So in all likelihood, there is going to be a lot more negotiating before a breakthrough can be achieved.

White gunman attacks black church, kills 9

The 21-year-old white man suspected of shooting dead nine people at a historic black church in the southeastern US city of Charleston has been captured, as federal authorities opened a hate crimes probe.Dylann Roof, identified as the suspect, was taken into custody during a traffic stop in Shelby, North Carolina, about a four-hour drive from the scene of the mass shooting, Charleston Police Chief Gregory Mullen announced. Churchgoers had gathered for a prayer meeting in the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Wednesday evening in Charleston, South Carolina when the shooter walked in, sat in the congregation for about an hour, then opened fire, Mullen said earlier. Roof is from an area near Columbia, the South Carolina state capital, the Post and Courier newspaper reported. A picture on Roof's Facebook page showed him wearing a black jacket with patches of the apartheid-era South African flag and the flag of white-ruled Rhodesia, which is now part of Zimbabwe. The latest mass shooting came at a time of heightened racial tensions in the US, after several high-profile killings of unarmed black men at the hands of white police led to riots and a national debate on race. Three men and six women were killed in the attack and several other people were wounded. "At this point, we have nine victims in this hideous crime," Mullen told journalists. "I do believe it was a hate crime." Among the dead was the church's pastor Clementa Pinckney, who was also a South Carolina state senator, fellow politician Marlon Kimpson told US media. Officers also investigated a possible bomb threat after the shooting, but several hours later gave the all-clear. A Justice Department spokesperson said a hate crimes probe had been opened, with FBI agents working in tandem in with local police. Charleston is known locally as "The Holy City," due to its large number of churches and historical mix of immigrant ethnic groups that brought a variety of creeds to the city on the Atlantic coast. "This is the most unspeakable and heart-breaking tragedy," Mayor Joseph Riley said. According to its website, the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, founded in 1816, is the oldest such church in the southern US. Because of the shooting, Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush canceled campaign events that had been planned for Thursday in Charleston. "Governor Bush's thoughts and prayers are with the individuals and families affected by this tragedy," his campaign said in a statement. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, who had been in Charleston earlier Wednesday, tweeted her condolences. "Heartbreaking news from Charleston - my thoughts and prayers are with you all," she wrote.

MOD discusses defense white papers on Japan visit

A press delegation from China's Ministry of National Defense (MOD) led by its spokesperson Geng Yansheng visited Japan's Ministry of Defense on Tuesday and Wednesday and the two sides exchanged opinions on their respective defense white papers and publicity work, the MOD announced on Thursday.Experts said the move put the 2014 four-point agreement between China and Japan in which they pledged dialogues on a variety of topics - including defense - into practice but that the two sides need to make further efforts to reduce mutual suspicion. The two sides reached a consensus that such exchanges can enhance mutual understanding during the two-day talks. The MOD delegation said it hoped that the Chinese military could be presented more objectively in Japan's defense white papers and urged the Japanese side to stop playing up the Chinese military threat." The communication mechanism between the publicity departments of the two defense ministries was established in 2010, but was suspended in 2012 after Japan unilaterally "nationalized" the Diaoyu Islands. "The exchange is part of the dialogues stressed in the four-point agreement reached during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November 2014," said Lü Yaodong, director of the Department of Japanese Diplomacy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The two sides will gradually resume political, diplomatic and security dialogues and build mutual political trust, said the 2014 agreement. The Chinese side proposed the meeting to introduce its white paper, Japan's Kyodo News reported. "The voluntary offer demonstrated China's sincerity to remove misunderstandings about its military strategy," Lü said. The Japanese side expressed its hope that China could make its deployment of equipment and troops "more transparent," Kyodo reported. "Japan's concerns [about China's military power] cannot be dismissed via such exchanges as military matters are by no means fully transparent,"said a Beijing-based expert who requested anonymity.

Beijing urges Hong Kong to focus on economy

Graphics: GT China's central government on Thursday urged Hong Kong to focus on economic development and improve people's livelihood, as the already struggling local economy has been affected by political disputes in the past year. The political split is believed to have resulted in the local legislature's failure on Thursday to pass a political reform proposal on universal suffrage. The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council said it hopes the regional government would promote unity, prosperity and stability in Hong Kong, while the liaison office of the central government in Hong Kong also urged the region to end partisanship and work together for a better economy and people's livelihood, reported the Xinhua News Agency. Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying vowed at a briefing after the veto that the regional government will work to introduce policies in the coming two years that would provide better public services and economic development. He also said he hopes all sectors of society can arrive at a consensus on social and economic issues. Meanwhile, analysts and lawmakers said they are concerned over possible obstacles to economic development in the region as uncertainty and disputes in the political arena keep haunting Hong Kong. "Pan-democratic lawmakers may continue to hijack government bills that would benefit the economy and people's livelihood by filibustering to stall and block them," local lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun told the Global Times Thursday. Yin Hongbiao, a professor with the School of International Studies at Peking University, told the Global Times that political uncertainty may remain in Hong Kong after the veto with different sides unable to reach a consensus over conflicting opinions. Such uncertainty is very likely to have a negative impact on the local economy, as investors prefer political stability, Yin warned. "Discussions on political reform in Hong Kong have left a great impact on social stability and have also interfered in the development of the economy. The local government has no other choice than to improve people's livelihood," Zhang Dinghuai, a professor at the Contemporary Chinese Politics Research Institute of Shenzhen University, told the Global Times. Last year's month-long Occupy protest has left a lasting effect on Hong Kong's economy, especially on tourism, the retail business and the transportation sector with an estimated economic loss of HK$10 billion ($1.29 billion), Guo Wanda, deputy head of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, wrote on news portal china.com.cn earlier. Retail sales during the first quarter of the year dropped 2.3 percent year-on-year, according to Hong Kong government statistics. Wang Zhenmin, dean of Tsinghua University Law School, said Hong Kong began to turn its attention from the economy to politics in 1997 and instead could have developed more giant technology and Internet companies, reported the Hong Kong-based Ta Kung Pao. "It was deeply involved in political disputes when other cities were rapidly developing," Wang said. According to a report issued by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in May, Hong Kong has fallen behind its neighboring Chinese mainland city of Shenzhen in Guangdong Province in comprehensive economic competitiveness as the second most competitive city in China. "The gap between Hong Kong and mainland cities is narrowing. Hong Kong should take this opportunity to cooperate with the mainland in order not to get marginalized as free trade zones are on the rise in the mainland," read the report, adding that Hong Kong should attach importance to the role of government and forge social consensus.

司马南眼中的全能神

伪神的前半生

伪神的前半生

一个人与全能神的战争

Amazing clouds sea scenery over Jingmai Mountain in SW China

Photo taken on May 26, 2015 shows the sea of clouds a

t Jingmai Mountain in Pu'er City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Yang Zongyou)

Shangjin ancient town: best preserved ancient town in Hubei

　A man sells homemade bean curd, or Tofu, at Shangjin ancient town in Yunxi County of central China's Hubei Province, May 31, 2015. The almost 1,800-year-old Shangjin ancient town, which is located at northwestern Hubei, is the best preserved ancient town in Hubei due to its remote site. (Xinhua/Du Huaju)

Children play on an alley of Shangjin ancient town in Yunxi County of central China's Hubei Province, May 30, 2015. The almost 1,800-year-old Shangjin ancient town, which is located at northwestern Hubei, is the best preserved ancient town in Hubei due to its remote site. (Xinhua/Du Huaju)

Doraemon exhibition held in Beijing

　A girl poses for photos with figures of Doraemon during an exhibition of the 45th anniversary of Japanese manga series Doraemon at a shopping mall in Beijing, capital of China, June 1, 2015. The exhibition will last for three months. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli) Girls take selfies with figures of Doraemon during an exhibition of the 45th anniversary of Japanese manga series Doraemon at a shopping mall in Beijing, capital of China, June 1, 2015. The exhibition will last for three months.

Painting exhibition of Li Jin to be held in Shanghai

　　Painter Li Jin speaks at the press conference of his painting exhibition in Beijing, capital of China, June 2, 2015. The exhibition would be held in Shanghai Long Museum from September 10 to October 10. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)

Lotus flowers bloom in Huangshan City, China's Anhui

　　Photo taken on June 9, 2015 shows a blooming lotus flower at Chengkan Village in Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Shi Guangde)

DPRK fires 3 short-range missiles into eastern waters: Yonhap

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) test-fired three short-range missiles into its eastern waters, Yonhap News Agency reported Sunday citing the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The DPRK launched what were believed to be short-range "KN-01" missiles for 26 minutes from 4:21 p.m. (0721 GMT) from its Wonsan area, a major port on the DPRK's east coast, according to Yonhap. The missiles flied about 100 km, it said. It was the DPRK's third test-firing of the KN-01 missiles this year after launching them in February and May. The South Korean military was quoted as saying that the test- launch was conducted to improve accuracy of those missiles. It said it was closely monitoring the movement of DPRK forces to prepare for possible provocations. The KN-01 is a short-range missile of the DPRK that can be operated as ground-to-ship and ship-to-ship missiles.

Former Chinese top legislator Qiao Shi dies at age 91

Qiao Shi, former chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, died of illness in Beijing at 7:08 a.m. on Sunday, according to an obituary from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Qiao, 91, was extolled in the obituary as an excellent Party member, a time-tested and loyal communist soldier, and an outstanding proletarian revolutionist, statesman and leader of the Party and the state. Qiao served as chairman of the NPC, China's top legislature, from 1993 to 1998. He was also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. He also served as head of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection from 1987 to 1992, promoting the building of a clean Party and improving anti-corruption laws and rules. "His death is a great loss for the Party and the people," read the obituary. Chinese Internet users have lighted up candles online to say goodbye to the legend statesman. "Farewell, Committee member Qiao, we'll always remember you," an user wrote on Sina Weibo, Chinese equivalent of twitter. Glorious political life Born in 1924 in Shanghai, Qiao joined the CPC in 1940. Later, he led Shanghai students in revolutionary movements as the head of the underground CPC committee of Tongji University, as well as other functions, according to the obituary. Shortly after the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, Qiao assumed a series of positions, spanning from Hangzhou municipal CPC committee official, to president of an iron and steel research institute. During the 10-year "Cultural Revolution" starting 1966, Qiao suffered from "cruel political persecution" and was once isolated for inexplicable investigation and detention. In 1978, after the "Cultural Revolution" ended, Qiao became deputy head of the International Department of the Central Committee of the CPC and later the head. During that time he promoted communication between the CPC, communist and socialist Parties of other countries, according to the statement. Qiao became director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee in 1983, where he transitioned the Office from a focus on class struggle to economic development following the reform and opening-up policy. After Qiao became head of the CPC Central Committee Organization Department in April, 1984, he helped build a legion of young cadres, and implemented Party policies regarding the country's once-persecuted scholars and professionals, bringing them back to social esteem. He was appointed head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee in 1985. Two years later in 1987, Qiao became a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and began to assume the position as head of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. He became chairman of the NPC Standing Committee in March 1993. He supervised revisions to the Constitution so that the theory of building socialism with Chinese Characteristics has been written into the Constitution as a guiding principle. He also oversaw legislation works for a series of economic laws so that the legal framework of socialist market economy could take shape, the statement said.

Women vie for Taiwan vote

Hung, deputy head of the island's "legislature," won an average of 46.2 percent in three polls. KMT rules state that Hung had to secure at least 30 percent in the polls to enter the "presidential" race. The results, which were released by KMT Secretary-General Lee Shu-chuan on Sunday, were based on three polls conducted by different pollsters on Friday and Saturday, with each required to use a sampling of 1,200 people. Hung's nomination still has to be confirmed by a convention of KMT party delegates next month. The opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has endorsed the candidacy of its chairwoman, Tsai Ing-wen, for the 2016 election on April 15. Battle between two women The latest survey conducted by Taiwan-based Apple Daily showed that 54.91 percent of those polled support Hung's candidacy in the upcoming "presidential election." Although there was a possibility that many pro-DPP respondents chose Hung in the polls to prevent the KMT's more influential figures from overshadowing Tsai, the polls still indicated strong support for Hung, Hu Benliang, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Taiwan Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), told the Global Times. "The high support rate is partly because she demonstrates rare qualities of courage and responsibility when the KMT heavyweights, including the KMT chairman, Eric Chu Li-luan, refused to run for fear they would lose to the DPP," Hu said. "Besides, Hung has clear political views on issues like cross-Straits ties while Tsai dodged it," Chang Ya-chung, an international relations professor at National Taiwan University, told the Global Times. Hung, who opposes "Taiwan independence" and supports a cross-Straits peace agreement with the Chinese mainland, has made headway in articulating cross-Straits relations while Tsai was ambiguous about her policy. When asked about her stance on cross-Straits ties and the 1992 Consensus, Tsai only said the DPP will "maintain the status quo." Hung's clear stance is conducive to the "structural stability" between the two sides, which is a prerequisite for further economic cooperation when explaining to Taiwan people about the ties, Chang said, adding that Hung will keep economic ties with the mainland open. In 2014, trade across the Straits reached $198.31 billion while the island's trade surplus with the mainland was $105.77 billion, the Xinhua News Agency reported in January. "Her advocacy will also press the DPP to clarify its policy toward the mainland, forcing it to seek a middle path between its consistent position of 'Taiwan independence' and Hung's standpoint," Li He, deputy director of the Beijing-based National Society of Taiwan Studies, told the Global Times. Although Tsai seems more popular, Hung is creating pressure on Tsai, Wang Jianmin, a cross-Straits scholar at CASS, told the Global Times on Sunday. Born into humble beginnings, Hung has been called "Little Hot Pepper" for her outspoken and fiery style, which contrasts sharply with Tsai, who belongs to a "stratum" of "bureaucratic privilege," Wang said. Experts said they predict a rare competition between the two women against the backdrop of a male-dominated political culture, if Hung is nominated. "With more equal rights granted to women, the electorate has attached greater attention to their capabilities to maintain social stability than their gender," Li said. Permit-free policy to mainland Also on Sunday, Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, announced the Chinese mainland plans to lift the entry permit visa for Taiwan residents. Taiwan residents must currently apply for a visa-like entry permit to visit the mainland. The plan to offer the permit-free policy was announced as Yu promised to "continue to create better conditions for cross-Straits exchanges." "The plan showcases the mainland's openness toward Taiwan as Taiwan's economy increasingly depends on trade with the Chinese mainland," Li said. The Chinese mainland has become Taiwan's largest trading partner, biggest importer and second largest exporter, contributes most to the island's trade surplus, Taiwan-based Central News Agency reported. "In addition, the permit-free policy will enhance people-to-people exchanges across the Taiwan Straits. Even the DPP will be forced to accept the trend," Hu said.

Manila incites anti-China sentiment in documentary

The airing of a documentary aimed squarely at South China Sea disputes is a means to incite anti-Chinese sentiment in the country, a misstep which reflects Manila's complete misjudgment over the surrounding political and security situations, experts warned Sunday. The first episode of the three-part documentary, called "Karapatan sa Karagatan" (Maritime Rights), was aired on state-run Television Friday and features interviews that accuse China of "stealing Philippines land and resources." The video was jointly launched by the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs, Presidential Press Office and the official Philippines News Agency. The Philippines government is attempting to expand the disputes with China over the South China Sea through the documentary by winning more support from its people and the international community, especially the US, said Wang Xiaopeng, an expert in maritime and border studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "But its inappropriate handling of the issue will be harmful to the country and also jeopardize regional security and stability. The country is making excuses for the US to deepen its involvement over South China Sea disputes," Wang said. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III has made several "China-threat" remarks in speeches and interviews. During a visit to Japan in early June, Aquino likened China to Nazi Germany, hinting at similarities between Beijing's activities in the South China Sea and Nazi Germany's expansionist moves before World War II. The Philippines has been involved in provocative acts in the South China Sea in the past years - from illegally occupying China-owned islands to detaining Chinese fishing vessels, to increasing the number of servicemen on disputed islands. A significant factor behind all these acts is the Philippines' misconception that countries like the US and Japan will back it up, said Ren Xiao, director of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University. However, the Philippines is very wrong in holding that belief, as countries like the US are seeking a very different purpose in the region - a rebalance to the Asia-Pacific, experts said. "Pinning hopes on the US to achieve its purpose will only harm the Philippines itself, as the US would abandon the Philippines immediately if it adjusts its current policy in the Asia-Pacific region," Wang said. Trade and economic cooperation between the Philippines and its surrounding countries will be greatly affected, and in the long term, the deepened conflicts between China and the US would disrupt regional security, he said. The way forward is for Manila to hold direct talks with Beijing and skip the irrelevant parties of the US and Japan, however this has now become unlikely due to an aggressive Philippines government, Ren said. Analysts also believe that Aquino may try to win support for the presidential election in 2016 by preaching the "China-threat." Recently, the Philippines attempted to broaden influence in the international community by filing an arbitration case against China and also made unwarranted accusations over China's activities in the South China Sea at the at the 25th Meeting of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which was held at the UN headquarters in New York last week. China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, Wang Min, rebutted the accusations Friday and said that the country is trying to deceive the international community and pressure China into making compromises and concessions on issues concerning its sovereignty and territorial integrity. "Let me make this very clear to that country here: Its calculations are totally wrong. China's will to safeguard her sovereignty and territorial integrity is rock firm. No matter what and how much they say at this meeting or any UN venues, they will never get their way," Wang said.

German prosecutor drops probe into US phone tapping charges

Germany's chief prosecutor has dropped a probe into the alleged tapping of Chancellor Angela Merkel's mobile phone by US intelligence agencies, his office said Friday. The suspected surveillance and rampant online spying by the US National Security Agency (NSA) revealed by fugitive US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden badly strained US-German relations. The German chief prosecutor Harald Range said he had put an end to his year-old probe, citing a lack of hard evidence that would stand up in a court of law. "The Chief Federal Prosecutor has closed the investigation over suspected spying on a mobile phone used by the chancellor by US intelligence services ... because the allegation cannot be proven in a legally sound way under criminal law," a statement said. Media reports in October 2013 said that the NSA had tapped Merkel's mobile phone - a claim Washington appeared to confirm later when US officials said the cellphone was no longer a target. Merkel phoned US President Barack Obama and in public told Germany's traditional post-war ally that "spying between friends just isn't on." The German prosecutor's office on Friday said that the "vague" US comments did not legally amount to proof of past spying activity. "The vague statements made by leaders of the United States of America on a possible monitoring of mobile telecommunications of the chancellor by a US intelligence service ('not any more') are not sufficient for a description of the activities," the statement said. The prosecutor's statement also said that "the documents published by the media so far, derived from Edward Snowden, contain no solid legal evidence of monitoring of the chancellor's mobile phone." Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert would not comment directly on the prosecutor's decision but insisted that "it was never about her mobile phone, it was about all citizens." The NSA affair had highlighted "disagreements we have with partners about how to keep the balance between the need for security and the protection of private data," he told a press conference. The NSA spy claims had led to the most strained US-German relations since the 2003 US invasion of Iraq. In July 2014, after two more cases of suspected US spying emerged, Berlin expelled the CIA station chief. Early this year, however, media reports charged that Germany was not just a victim, but that its BND foreign intelligence service has helped the NSA spy on targets such as the French government, European Commission and Airbus Group. Merkel has repeatedly defended the need for German intelligence to cooperate with its US counterparts to combat terror threats. At a G7 summit in Germany last weekend, Merkel and Obama met for a Bavarian-style breakfast, complete with pretzels, beer and music, to drive home the enduring strength of transatlantic ties. Merkel described the US as Germany's "friend and essential partner" despite their occasional "differences of opinion." The prosecutor meanwhile said that "the possible massive collection of the telecommunications data of the German population by British and US intelligence services remains under observation."

‘Comfort women’ files unearthed by archivists

A batch of document papers in Japanese about "comfort women" were recently unearthed in Northeast China, China News Service reported Friday. The files, which are believed to reveal further details of the atrocities committed by the Imperial Japanese Army during WWII, were discovered in the northeastern Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces. The documents were later transferred to authorities in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region as the cases depicted in the documents took place in the region. Government agencies are currently working to translate all the documents. The latest discovery came after the Jilin Provincial Archives announced last year for the first time that it has unearthed records confirming that the Japanese government procured "comfort women" using funds designated for public spending during Japan's occupation of China (1937-1945). The 25 files on "comfort women" include two investigative reports, two telephone records and 21 documents on troops forcing women into sexual slavery. One of the reports, written on 1938, revealed that in the space of just 10 days, 8,929 Japanese soldiers "visited comfort stations" in Zhenjiang, East China's Jiangsu Province.

MERS infections in S. Korea increase to 138 with 12 more cases

Infections with the Middle East Respiratory syndrome (MERS) in South Korea increased to 138 on Saturday with 12 more cases added, while the death toll from the viral disease rose to 12, the health ministry said. Among the 12 new cases were four people who caught the virus from 16th patient at Daecheong Hospital and Konyang University Hospital in the central city of Daejeon between May 22 and May 30, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Two cases were infected from the 14th patient at the emergency room of the Samsung Medical Center in Seoul for two days from May 27. One of the new cases was an ambulance driver contracting the virus while transporting the 76th patient on June 5 and June 6, marking the first contagion case outside of hospitals. The remaining cases were estimated to have taken the virus at the Samsung hospital. The epidemiological study is under way for them as the test results came late at night. The 118th female patient, 67, died of the MERS infection, bringing the total death toll to 12. The fatality rate was 10.1 percent, topping the 10-percent level first since the patient zero was discovered on May 20.

America's contribution, sacrifice in China's anti-fascism war remembered

China always remembers the contribution and sacrifice made to it by the United States and the American people during the World War II, said a leading Chinese military official in Washington Friday. "We always remember the history and treasure the peace," said Fan Changlong, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, during a meeting with the Flying Tigers' veteran J.V. Vinyard, "In the difficult times of the war against Japanese aggressors, we received strong support from the United States and its people." This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. The Flying Tigers, officially known as the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, were formed in 1941 and led by US General Claire Lee Chennault to help China drive out invading Japanese troops. From 1942 to 1945, China and the United States jointly operated the Hump, or the "death route" over the Himalayan mountains, to transport military supplies from India to southwest China. Fan said the "Flying Tigers" air squadron and some American military generals are among the familiar names to the Chinese people. He also praised General Chennault's leadership in the war. Vinyard, 91, who used to fly over the Hump for more than 100 times, appreciated the Chinese government's remembrance of their efforts during the war. "I remember very vividly our days and I was very proud I was able to take part in the final victory," Vinyard said, "I further appreciate the fact that even today, the Chinese people remember us so well." Fan also met with Nell Calloway, the granddaughter of General Chennault, the son and daughter of Captain Paul C. Domke, who were among the US Army Observation Group to Yan'an during the World War II. "We need to remember our history together, how we serve together and we fought together," said Calloway. "We need to use this background of working together like brothers to win a war to decide how we can work together in peace to change our further."

China restores 800-year-old Buddhist statue

Photo taken on June 13, 2015 shows the restored statue of "Qianshou Guanyin" in Dazu County, southwestern Chongqing Municipality. Chinese experts have completed restoration of a famous 800-year-old Buddha statue after seven years of work. Visitors now could see a new appearance of the "Qianshou Guanyin", a statue with 1,000 hands, in Dazu County. (Xinhua/Liu Chan) Chinese experts have completed restoration of a famous 800-year-old Buddha statue after seven years of work. Visitors now could see a new appearance of the "Qianshou Guanyin", a statue with 1,000 hands, in Dazu County, southwestern Chongqing Municipality. The restoration program began in 2008 and cost about 60 million yuan (9.8 million US dollars). Workers restored 830 hands and 227 instruments, using one million gold foils, consolidating the dated pieces of the statue and thoroughly cleaning it. It is the largest restoration project on the statue,which underwent repairs at least four times in history. The project is expected to help the Qianshou Guanyin keep glowing for at least 50 years, said Zhan Changfa, a researcher of the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage, who is in charge of the project. The statue, 7.7 meters high and 12.5 meters wide, was carved during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 to 1279). It is a masterpiece among thousands of individual rock carvings in the grottoes in Dazu. The carvings date back as early as the Tang Dynasty (618-907). They were listed as major World Heritage sites by UNESCO in 1999. Over the centuries, the sculpture's color had faded, some of the gold foils peeled off, cracks appeared. Heritage authorities will continue to monitor the statue's condition and take timely measures to prevent damage and pass its beauty to the next 800 years, said Tong Mingkang, deputy head of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, at a ceremony marking the completion of restoration on Saturday.

China securities watchdog bans illegal share financing, limits margin trading

China's securities watchdog has reiterated that brokerages should not help illicit share financing, amid rising concerns on highly-leveraged capital in a bullish stock market. Securities companies were asked not to help illegal lending to share purchases, according to an announcement of China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) released Friday. The regulator has been seeking to de-leverage the rampant market, which was propped up by steady investor confidence and rapidly-growing margin trading. A draft rule was released by the CSRC on Friday, confining the volume of margin trading conducted by each brokerages to four times their net capital and demanding the clients should be fully aware of the risks in this business. The CSRC said it aimed to strengthen risk management and protect investors' interests. Any violation including insider dealing and activities that facilitate illegal trading is prohibited, the draft said. China's benchmark Shanghai Composite Index surged over 60 percent from the beginning of the year, while margin trading also rose high to more than 2 trillion yuan from slightly above 1 trillion yuan at the end of last year. Through margin trading, stock investors can borrow a maximum of fourfold their own capital from brokerages, boosting shares but also adding to bubbles. The authority is soliciting public opinion on the draft, which, CSRC spokesperson Deng Ge said, will improve current system, prompt orderly business and ensure a stable market.

31 suspected MERS cases tested negative in HK

Hong Kong's health authorities on Thursday said 31 out of 33 suspected cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported in the 24 hours till Wednesday noon have tested negative. Controller of the Center for Health Protection Leung Ting-hung said at a press briefing this morning that no confirmed case of MERS has been found in Hong Kong so far. Starting from Thursday, the center will update the number of suspected cases of MERS twice a day, Leung said, adding that transparency will be maintained when notifying the public. He urged the public not to forward unconfirmed information about the disease on the internet, which would lead to unnecessary panic and could be violating the law. A suspected case involving a 22-year-old woman who attended a private clinic in Tsing Yi, the New Territories of Hong Kong, on Wednesday was among the 31 negative cases. The case had triggered panic in town. Fourteen new confirmed cases were reported in South Korea on Thursday, bringing the total number to 122. Most of them involved patients visiting hospitals or medical institutes in the country.

Investigation team to probe cause of Eastern Star wreck

China has formed a special investigation team to find out what caused the cruise ship Eastern Star to capsize in the Yangtze River - killing hundreds - earlier this month, the State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) said on Wednesday. The team is composed of officials from the Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Civil Affairs, China Meteorological Administration as well as officials from Hubei Province and Chongqing Municipality. More than 20 experts in the fields of meteorology, ship building, maritime safety, maritime traffic management and law were also invited to join the investigation. The team has interviewed survivors, crew members, witnesses, travel agents and other people who are linked to the ship. It has so far compiled more than 200 transcripts that include a total of 500,000 words. SAWS also said it had invited meteorologists from Peking University, Nanjing University, the Chinese Society of Sciences and the China Meteorological Administration to analyze the weather conditions at the time of the disaster. The team is also going through more than 200 documents, including the Eastern Star's design blueprints and its shipping certificates. SAWS said on its website that it plans to build models of the ship and run simulations as a variety of factors contributed to the shipwreck. Chinese leaders have demanded the disaster be "thoroughly" investigated. The Ministry of Transportation also vowed to probe the case and promised there would be "absolutely no cover-up or concealment." Also on Wednesday, the China Insurance Regulatory Commission said more than 92 million yuan ($15.7 million) in compensation will be paid to the relevant parties, including the victims' families. As of Wednesday morning, rescuers had identified 323 items retrieved from the ship. Authorities said family members can collect these items if they provide proper ID documents. The Eastern Star capsized in a section of the Yangtze River in Jianli, Hubei Province on June 1 with 456 people on board. As of Wednesday, 434 have been confirmed dead and 14 survived. On Tuesday, police in Nanjing found a body floating on the Yangtze River. The body has been sent to a forensic lab for DNA identification. It is as yet unknown whether the body belongs to one of the disaster victims.

Religion used as excuse for extremism and terrorism: Kazakhstan president

Extremist groups are using their religion to justify acts of violence and terrorism, Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev said Wednesday. In his opening speech at the Fifth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Wednesday in Kazakh capital Astana, President Nazarbayev said the trust that has been built in the decades since World War II has been lost. Describing Islam as a "tolerant" religion, Nazarbayev said that it was "blasphemous" to use it as an excuse for extremism and terrorism. "The destruction of centuries-old cultural heritage sites in Iraq and Syria cannot be called anything else but anti-humane acts," he said. Kazakhstan can be a model for religious freedom, added Nazarbayev, "The key foundation is tolerance and openness." Attended by 80 delegations from 42 countries, the two day inter-religious meeting, which takes place once every three years, is aimed at shaping resolutions for global threats and challenges through communication among religious leaders. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced his belief that the congress is convened at a time when "a dialogue is needed more than ever" against a dramatically changing global security landscape, as the world has witnessed acts of terror perpetrated by militant groups such as Islamic State, Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab and Al Qaeda. He said that the world's religious leaders must therefore speak up and provide a common ground for peacemaking and problem solving at the conference and during the their daily teaching their followers, for "a harmonious society can never be taken for granted, it has to be nurtured day after day." Deputy chairman of the Buddhist Association of China, Jamyang Luosangjiumei Tudanquejinima, has echoed the calls, saying that religion advocates peace and justice, but it has been used over time to foment conflicts and upheaval. "This has aroused the common concern of the religious leaders across the globe," he noted.

Senior CPC official meets Aung San Suu Kyi

Wang Jiarui, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met on Wednesday with Aung San Suu Kyi, chair of Myanmar's National League for Democracy (NLD). They exchanged views on relations between the two parties. Wang is vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee. It is Suu Kyi's first meeting with Chinese leaders in Beijing. She is on a five-day China trip from Wednesday to Sunday. She left Yangon for Beijing earlier Wednesday for her first visit to China at the invitation of the CPC. China hopes this visit will strengthen communication and understanding between both sides and further their friendly cooperation in various fields, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei earlier.

China reprimands US over Taiwan meeting

China has reprimanded the United States for hosting the head of Taiwan's opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which is known for its advocacy of Taiwan independence. DPP chair Tsai Ing-wen recently concluded a US visit during which she was received for a meeting at the State Department headquarters. "The move went against the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait and harmed peaceful development of cross-Strait ties," said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, at a regular press conference Wednesday. Complaining that the meeting "sent a wrong signal to the island's separatist forces," Ma urged the United States to adhere to the one-China principle and oppose Taiwan independence. "We firmly oppose any person engaging in any form of Taiwan independence separatist activities in the international arena," he said. Tsai discussed cross-Strait relations during her US visit but -- according to Ma -- failed to make clear what her stance was on the issue. "People of both sides need a clear answer from the DPP," Ma said. "The Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to one China and cross-Strait ties are not relations between countries," he added, before warning, "Once the foundation is shaken, peaceful development of cross-Strait relations will be no longer maintained."

PLA official in key US talks

Top Chinese military official Fan Changlong is expected to meet US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter in Washington on Thursday as part of the two nations' continuing military dialogue to defuse potential tensions and avoid miscalculations. Analysts predicted that ongoing controversies involving the two countries, including the South China Sea issue and cyberspace security, will be crucial talking points at the meeting. Fan, vice-chairman of the Communist Party of China's Central Military Commission (CMC), arrived in the US on Monday for a five-day visit before traveling to Cuba. He started his tour in San Diego with a stop at the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier. He then visited two military bases in California on Tuesday. Fan was due to visit the US Army base at Fort Hood in Texas on Wednesday, and before heading to Washington, DC, Fan is scheduled to visit a Boeing factory in Seattle. Fan will meet with officials from the White House and the State Department, according to China Central Television (CCTV). It remains to be seen whether Fan will meet US President Barack Obama. Fan's predecessors held talks with former president George W. Bush in 2006 and with Obama in 2009. Despite growing tensions between China and the US around security issues in the past few years, military exchanges have been steady. Three senior CMC officials have visited the US since 2013, including defense minister Chang Wanquan. Fan's visit is believed to be the first by a CMC vice-chairman in six years, and analysts said that this proves the continuous efforts to carry on the dialogue mechanism and more confidence-building measures to boost military cooperation, such as visits to important military infrastructure. Previous media reports showed that visiting US military officers have been granted access to several People's Liberation Army (PLA) navy and air force bases as well as the headquarters of the Second Artillery Force, which is under direct control of the CMC. PLA Navy Commander Admiral Wu Shengli visited the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier and the USS Thomas Jefferson nuclear-powered submarine in 2013 during a visit to the US, while Chuck Hagel, former US secretary of defense, also boarded the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning last year on a visit to China. By visiting Boeing, a typical civil-military integrated company, military leaders may exchange experiences on how to develop their defense industry based on civil industry, a Beijing-based military expert who requested anonymity, told the Global Times. "The US is good at civil-military integration. Many civil industries in the US have helped develop advanced weapons based on high technology. Meanwhile, China has been working to promote civil-military integration," said the expert. Amid recent tensions between Washington and Beijing regarding the South China Sea, the disputed waters will remain a hot topic during the meeting between Fan and Carter, but neither will relax their positions regarding island construction in the South China Sea, according to Shi Yinhong, a professor of US studies at the Renmin University of China. Carter and other top US officials have recently castigated China over its push to build artificial islands in the South China Sea. At this year's Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore that ended on June 1, Carter also called for an immediate end to land reclamation by countries in the region, and accused China of being out of step with international rules, AFP reported. Obama earlier this month also warned Beijing over its tactics, saying territorial disputes could not be solved by "throwing elbows." "Meanwhile, both countries have shown intent to prevent further deterioration of the South China Sea issue, such as how to prevent ship collisions," Shi noted, adding that the US will not take more aggressive measures other than dispatching surveillance aircraft or ships to the region due to previous talks on the issue. China and the US have signed memorandums of understanding of notice on major military operations as well as codes on unplanned encounters at sea last year, which is "pragmatic cooperation," Lu Yin, an associate research fellow on military strategy at the University of National Defense, told the Global Times. "This can guarantee a channel for communication during conflicts or during crises," Lu said. "The South China Sea issues may seem an obstacle to the bilateral military relationship, but the two countries are working to realize benign interaction," Lu said. "There should be more cooperation than conflicts." Cyberspace security will also be brought up in the meeting, as it is one of the top concerns of the US, according to Han Hua, an associate professor and an arms control expert at Peking University. "But more importantly, top military leaders of the two countries will work to reassure each other of their military strategies, as the US is concerned about the Chinese military's modernization efforts and Beijing keeps an eye on US military deployment in the Asia-Pacific region," Han told the Global Times.

G7 expresses concerns over Ukraine, pressing for implementation of ceasefire

The Group of Seven (G7) expressed Monday concerns over the recent increase in fighting in Ukraine, urging all sides to fully respect and implement the ceasefire and withdraw heavy weapons. The heads of state and government of Canada, France, German, Italy, Japan, Britain and the United States made the remarks in a joint declaration Monday after two days of talks in southern Germany. "We are concerned by the recent increase in fighting along the line of contact; we renew our call to all sides to fully respect and implement the ceasefire and withdraw heavy weapons," said the declaration. Leaders of the seven industrialized countries reiterated their full support for efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, particularly in the framework of the Normandy format and the Trilateral Contact Group. They also called on all sides to fully implement the Minsk agreements signed in February 2015. With respect to Ukraine's reform efforts, the G7 group urged the Ukrainian leadership to decisively continue the necessary fundamental transformation in line with IMF and EU commitments. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working together with international financial institutions and other partners to provide financial and technical support as Ukraine moves forward with its transformation. They also agreed on establishing a Ukraine support group, which aims to advance Ukraine's economic reform process through coordinated advice and assistance. "We expect Russia to...use its considerable influence over the separatists to meet their Minsk commitments in full," said the G7 in its statement, as for Russia's roll in solving the Ukraine conflict. The world leaders recalled that the lifting of sanctions against Russia is linked to "complete implementation of the Minsk agreements and respect for Ukraine's sovereignty," adding that the G7 group stands ready to take further restrictive measures if necessary. Speaking at a press conference after the summit, US President Barack Obama said there had been some discussions about what steps might be taken against Russia if the situation in Ukraine escalates, pointing out at the same time that the leaders hope the Ukraine conflict could be solved without imposing further sanctions.