26 killed in suicide bomb attack in south of Iraq's Baghdad

Up to 26 people were killed and 90 others wounded on Friday in a suicide bomb attack at a football field in a town south of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, a local police source said. "The latest reports said that 26 people were killed in the suicide bombing," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. The attack occurred in the evening when a suicide bomber detonated his explosive vest among a crowd of people during a football game at the pitch in the town of Iskandriyah, some 50 km south of Baghdad, the source said. The mayor of the town, Ahmed al-Khafaji, was among the killed and Hassoun Hussein, the local leader of the Shiite militia Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, was among the wounded, the source said. Iskandriyah is part of the once restive area, dubbed Triangle of Death, which is a cluster of towns scattered north of Babil's provincial capital city of Hilla, some 100 km south of Baghdad. Earlier, an UN Assistance Mission for Iraq report estimated 7,515 were killed and 14,855 injured in the armed conflicts in Iraq last year.

AIIB president: patient in waiting for US decision

Jin Liqun, president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, said on Friday that he is patient in waiting for the United States to decide on whether to join the bank. "Even if you decide not to join, that does not mean we cannot work together," Jin said in a panel discussion with other multilateral bank leaders at the Boao Forum for Asia, which runs from Tuesday to Friday in Hainan Province. The AIIB, a not-for-profit multilateral development bank initiated by China, was officially established in December last year with 57 founding members. Jin said that there are more than 30 countries waiting to join and that "the new members problem will be solved by the end of this year." The AIIB has good cooperation with other multilateral development banks, said Jin, adding that the world economy is so big that there is room to support new development banks. He compared the establishment of the AIIB to the opening of a new restaurant on a street to meet growing demand. "I strongly believe AIIB should not be a new hotspot for the frictions between China and the United States. It is actually just the contrary. AIIB should be a new platform for China, the United States, Japan and many other countries to work together," he said. Jin said there were indeed concerns over issues such as governance when the bank was first proposed, but China has earned the trust of others and cooperation has been good. "You cannot talk people into believing you. You have to convince people by your performance," Jin said. The AIIB will adopt the practice of universal procurement to create a level playing field for all, he said. Leaders of other multilateral development banks agree there is room to support the arrival of new development banks. Leslie Maasdorp, vice president and chief financial officer of the New Development Bank, said the new institutions have adopted a more democratic way of working together, with no one having veto power. Maasdorp said that the emerging market is under-represented in terms of governance at large multilateral institutions, but this does not mean that the institutions are rival bodies, as they all have similar objectives such as supporting infrastructure and sustainable development. "We are working closely together with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank because, as you know, there is such a big demand for infrastructure. There is not enough capital to fill all the gaps in terms of funding," he said. The Asian Development Bank estimates that Asia alone needs 800 billion US dollars of infrastructure investment per year from now to 2020.

Time to Renew and Energize China-Czech Ties

At the invitation of President Miloš Zeman, I will be paying my first state visit to the Czech Republic as the Chinese President. I look forward to having in-depth exchange of views with President Zeman and other Czech leaders on boosting bilateral ties and on major international and regional issues. The Czech Republic is known for picturesque landscape, rich cultural heritage and talented people. I visited this country in the 1990s and was deeply impressed by the hard work and ingenuity of the Czech people, dynamic economic and social progress and the Bohemian culture nourished by the Vltava river. The Czech Republic is one of the first countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 67 years ago, the traditional friendship between our countries and peoples has gone from strength to strength. In the 1950s, a well-known Czech painter Zdeněk Sklenář came to China and became good friends with Wu Zuoren, Qi Baishi and other renowned Chinese painters. After returning to his country, Zdeněk Sklenář drew many illustrations of Monkey King, regarded fondly as a unique variation of the image of this popular character. Krtek is the first foreign cartoon series introduced to China. The chubby, kind-hearted and courageous little mole became immensely popular among China's young audience. Bedřich Smetana's symphonic cycle Má Vlast and Jaroslav Hašek's The Good Soldier Švejk are also familiar masterpieces to the Chinese public. In recent years, China-Czech relations entered a period of fast growth. In a short span of two years, President Zeman and I met four times and reached broad common understanding on strengthening high-level exchanges, deepening strategic mutual trust and intensifying exchanges and cooperation across the board. At the end of 2015, the two governments signed an MOU on jointly promoting the "Belt and Road" initiative, which created even wider prospects for bilateral exchanges and cooperation in all fields. For many years in a row, China has been the Czech Republic's largest trading partner outside the European Union and the Czech Republic China's second largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe. In 2015, our bilateral trade topped US$11 billion. Our cooperation in nuclear power, finance, aviation, science and technology and agriculture scaled new heights both in level and scale. Many Chinese and Czech companies have investments and booming business operations in each other's countries. Our people-to-people and cultural exchanges are flourishing. The Czech Republic is an attractive destination to Chinese tourists, who made a record number of more than 300,000 visits here in 2015, making tourism a bright spot in China-Czech cooperation. Today, the Czech Republic hosts the first traditional Chinese medicine research center in Central and Eastern Europe. Cooperation on film and TV production is gaining momentum. The 2022 Winter Olympics to be held in China also offers a great opportunity for sports exchanges between our two countries. This visit also marks my first trip to a Central and Eastern European country (CEEC) as China's president. With our deep-rooted friendship, political good-will and popular support as a strong basis, China and CEECs launched "16+1" cooperation, which has since made solid progress. Over the past four years, under the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit, inclusiveness and openness, China and CEECs have built new cooperation mechanisms and platforms. Thanks to these efforts, China-CEECs cooperation is entering a maturing phase and delivering early harvests. Our cooperation on the "Belt and Road" initiative and efforts to strengthen synergy between China and the EU in their development strategies will create even greater impetus and potential for "16+1" cooperation. The EU is China's comprehensive strategic partner. In March 2014, during my visit to the EU headquarters, the EU leaders and I agreed to develop partnerships for peace, growth, reform and civilization, pointing the strategic direction for China-EU relations. Last year, marking the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the two sides decided to promote synergy between the "Belt and Road" initiative and the Investment Plan for Europe and set up the China-EU co-investment vehicle and the Connectivity Platform, broadening the new framework of China-EU practical cooperation. China-EU relations are at their best period in history and are presented with unprecedented historic opportunities of further growth. China and the EU are both deepening structural reforms to unleash greater social and economic vitality. People in China are now striving to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, advance towards the "two centenary goals" of development (i.e. to double 2010 GDP and per capita income and finish the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects by the time the CPC celebrates its centenary in 2021 and to turn the PRC into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious by the time it celebrates its centenary in 2049) and realize the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation. The Outline of the 13th Five-Year Plan for Social and Economic Development, which was recently promulgated, calls for innovative, coordinated, green, open and inclusive development and sets forth the targets of maintaining stable growth, upgrading the growth model and economic structure, aiming at a medium-to-high growth speed for the coming five years. The EU is working to keep the momentum of economic recovery and boost its economic competitiveness. Such a high complementarity in our development strategies and great potential of our cooperation hold out great promise for the future of China-EU relations. China will join hands with the EU for win-win cooperation, and together contribute to world economic development. China-CEECs cooperation and China-EU relations need to be underpinned by strong bilateral relationships. This is an opportune time for the development of China-Czech relations. I look forward to working with Czech leaders to further enhance bilateral relations and push for new progress in "16+1" cooperation and China-EU relations. — We should enhance political mutual trust and establish a clear direction for the development of our ties. As people say in China, a tree can grow tall only when its roots are strong. China and the Czech Republic should consider upgrading the bilateral relationship in due time, adopt a strategic and long-term perspective, follow the principle of mutual respect and equality, and render firm support to each other on issues concerning our core interests and major concerns, to ensure long-term sound and stable development of bilateral ties and set the right direction for our relations. — We should better align our development strategies to tap the potential of cooperation. The MOU of cooperation on the joint development of the "Belt and Road" between China and the Czech Republic offers fresh opportunity for the two countries to better align our development strategies and plans, and prepare the ground for identifying major cooperation projects for early harvest. — We should enhance economic cooperation for the benefit of our people. More than 30 years of reform and opening-up has sharpened China's competitive edge in terms of capital, technology and equipment, especially in railway and nuclear plant construction. Situated in the heartland of Europe, the Czech Republic enjoys advantageous location, strong industrial foundation and unique strengths in machining, automobile manufacturing and aero-industry. China hopes to cooperate with the Czech side to carry out industrial capacity cooperation in the manufacturing sector, and on that basis, expand practical cooperation in such areas as finance, telecommunications, smart industry, nano technology and environmental protection, to deliver greater fruits of this mutually beneficial cooperation to our two peoples. — We should encourage people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The Chinese and Czech peoples have long admired and appreciated each other's civilization and culture, and such exchanges have boomed in recent years. We should expand exchanges in culture, education, film and television, tourism and health sectors, encourage young people and students to interact more with each other to renew our traditional friendship. — We should step up regional cooperation by bringing into play the role of multilateral platforms. The Czech Republic has actively supported and participated in China-CEECs cooperation, demonstrating its important role by spearheading health cooperation and cooperation at sub-national levels. We hope to work together with the Czech Republic and other CEECs to make the "16+1" a premier framework for regional cooperation. — We should strengthen China-EU cooperation for a better future. China and the EU should follow the trend of peace, development and win-win cooperation, further synergize development strategies, enhance communication and coordination in the international arena and work for new progress of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership. Let us work together to renew and energize the development of China-Czech ties and usher in a bright new era of China-CEECs cooperation and China-EU relations.

Xi congratulates Hung's election as KMT leader

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Saturday congratulated Hung Hsiu-chu for being elected the chairperson of Kuomintang (KMT). Xi said in his message to Hung that he hoped the two parties shall keep the overall national interest and the well-being of the compatriots in mind, and continue to adhere to the 1992 Consensus and oppose "Taiwan independence." The CPC and KMT should consolidate the foundation of mutual trust, strengthen communication and interaction, jointly safeguard the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and, with one heart, strive to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Xi said. In her reply to Xi's message, Hung expressed gratitude for Xi's congratulation. The compatriots on both sides of the Strait are all parts of the Chinese nation, Hung said. She hoped the two parties could further strengthen mutual trust and deepen cooperation on the basis of the 1992 Consensus to create more benefits for compatriots on both sides of the Strait.

Myanmar military chief vows to cooperate with gov't in transition

Myanmar's Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing vowed on Sunday to cooperate with the government to ensure a smooth transfer of power. Min Aung Hlaing made the remarks at a military parade held in the capital to mark the 71st Armed Forces Day. The general warned of two main obstacles in democracy implementation, which are weakness in observing discipline, rules and regulations, and existence of armed insurgency. He stressed that the military will safeguard the country, take care of the people and assist the government in implementing steady development. President-elect U Htin Kyaw, nominated by the National League for Democracy (NLD) which won the Nov. 8 general election, will be sworn in at a ceremony on Wednesday. Noting that the armed forces are tasked to lay a good foundation for democratic transition and maintain a stable period of transition, he said the military will not tolerate such acts as deviation from the good foundation for transition that may lead to loss of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and disintegration of the union. He stressed the role of military in domestic peace efforts which resulted in the signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA) in October last year, while calling on the remaining non-ceasefire armed groups to follow suit. Myanmar's Armed Forces Day was originally known as the Resistance (against Fascist) Day.

Trump opens Pandora’s box in US

Donald Trump, front-runner to be the GOP's candidate for the upcoming US presidential election, encountered a major protest at his campaign event in Chicago on Friday evening. Over a thousand people, both his supporters and opponents engaged in a physical confrontation, which was quelled by police who arrested a number of people. Fist fights among voters who have different political orientations is quite common in developing countries during election seasons. Now, a similar show is shockingly staged in the US, which boasts one of the most developed and mature democratic election systems. Trump's mischief has overthrown a lot of conventional norms of US political life. His remarks are abusively racist and extremist, which has left an impression on the US public that he is intentionally overthrowing political correctness. Trump's rise was not anticipated by most analysts and observers. At the beginning of the election, Trump, a rich, narcissist and inflammatory candidate, was only treated as an underdog. His job was basically to act as a clown to attract more voters' attention to the GOP. However, knocking down most other promising candidates, the clown is now the biggest dark horse. Trump is the last option for the GOP establishment. If he wins the primaries, the GOP will face a bitter dilemma. On the one hand, it will be a big compromise to GOP values, and the party takes a major risk of losing the game if they choose Trump as their candidate for president; on the other hand, if the GOP refuses to choose Trump, he might run as an independent candidate and split the vote, in which case, the GOP will also stand no chance in the final game. The rise of Trump has opened a Pandora's box in US society. Trump's supporters are mostly lower-class whites, and they lost a lot after the 2008 financial crisis. The US used to have the largest and most stable middle class in the Western world, but many are going down. That's when Trump emerged. Big-mouthed, anti-traditional, abusively forthright, he is a perfect populist that could easily provoke the public. Despite candidates' promises, Americans know elections cannot really change their lives. Then, why not support Trump and vent their spleen? The rise of a racist in the US political arena worries the whole world. Usually, the tempo of the evolution of US politics can be predicted, while Trump's ascent indicates all possibilities and unpredictability. He has even been called another Benito Mussolini or Adolf Hitler by some Western media. Mussolini and Hitler came to power through elections, a heavy lesson for Western democracy. Now, most analysts believe the US election system will stop Trump from being president eventually. The process will be scary but not dangerous. Even if Trump is simply a false alarm, the impact has already left a dent. The US faces the prospect of an institutional failure, which might be triggered by a growing mass of real-life problems. The US had better watch itself for not being a source of destructive forces against world peace, more than pointing fingers at other countries for their so-called nationalism and tyranny.

Lee Sedol defeats AlphaGo for 1st time in 4th Go match

South Korean Lee Sedol, the world champion of the ancient Chinese board game Go, on Sunday defeated Google's computer program AlphaGo for the first time in the fourth of a historic five-game match. The final winner of the best-of-five match was already determined as the Go-playing program won the third consecutive game on Saturday, but Lee raised his score to 3-1 with the first victory over machines. One million US dollars in prize will be donated to charities. The "match of the century" drew attention from around the world as it was seen as a representative match between humans and artificial intelligence (AI). Lee's victory defended the last remaining pride of human Go players as Lee achieved his goal of winning at least one game. One commentator said Lee's victory was a proof that AI hasn't surpassed humans completely, and another commentator said the fourth match revealed AlphaGo's weak points also shown in the previous game. The first victory of the human champion came as the computer program made many "questionable" moves in the middle of the match, which commentators said must be mistakes and algorithm errors. Such moves, which were also displayed in the previous matches, proved to be a strategy for a "bigger picture" in hindsight that had not been found in the human Go world, so it made the match unpredictable until near the end. Keeping his dominating position until the end, Lee eventually defeated AlphaGo as the AI resigned after exchanging 180 moves for nearly five hours in the fourth match that started from 1:00 p.m. in Four Seasons hotel in Seoul. The final match will be held in Seoul on Tuesday after a one-day break.

China eyes maritime judicial center

China will create an "international maritime judicial center" to help protect its sovereignty and rights at sea, China's top judge said on Sunday. In a work report at the annual meeting of China's National People's Congress, Chief Justice Zhou Qiang said courts across China were working to implement a national strategy to develop China into a "maritime power." "(We) must resolutely safeguard China's national sovereignty, maritime rights and other core interests," he said. "(We) must improve the work of maritime courts and build an international maritime judicial center." Few details were provided on the judicial center, when it would start operating, its location or the kind of cases it would have jurisdiction over. Zhuang Deshui, deputy director of the Research Center for Government Integrity-Building at Peking University, told the Global Times that setting up such a center is necessary for China. However, Zhuang noted that the center requires a "top-level design" and proper training of maritime law experts. According to the chief justice, some 16,000 maritime cases were heard by Chinese courts last year, the most in the world. The country is also home to the largest number of maritime courts in the world, he added. Earlier reports said some 225,000 cases involving over 70 countries and regions had been handled by China's maritime courts from 1984. One notable case, Zhou said, involved the Chinese fishing boat Minxiayu 01971, which suffered damage in a collision with a Panamanian-flagged cargo ship in waters off the Diaoyu Islands in September 2014. The owner of the Chinese ship filed the case before the Xiamen maritime court in southeastern China, which ended in mediation. The case clearly demonstrates China's jurisdiction over the region, the chief justice said.

‘No plan yet’ for green cards to overseas ethnic Chinese

China has no plans to issue a special type of permanent residency card for overseas Chinese, the head of the State Council's Overseas Chinese Affairs office said on Sunday. Previous media reports quoted an official from the Zhongguancun Science Park in Beijing as saying that the district plans to allow ethnic Chinese with foreign citizenships to enjoy permanent residency or other benefits in China to attract overseas talent. "There has been no plan yet to issue an ethnic Chinese [permanent residency] card. But to my understanding, many overseas Chinese are paying close attention to this card, which brings convenience to their work and life in China. Therefore, we also pay a lot of attention [to the card]," said Qiu Yuanping, director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, said in an interview before the third plenary meeting of the fourth session of China's 12th National People's Congress on Sunday. "We will continue to communicate and cooperate with relevant departments to promote such a program," Qiu noted. In July 2015, 12 measures were introduced in Shanghai, followed by 20 measures launched by the Zhongguancun Science Park in Beijing in March 2016, to lower the threshold and streamline the application process for foreign talent who wish to apply for the Chinese "green card." China forbids dual citizenship. From 2008 to 2014, only 1,306 foreigners were given a Chinese "green card."

TV documentary exposes US double standards on human rights

The state-run China Central Television on Sunday aired a documentary that reveals the United States' double standards on human rights-related issues, whereby the US pokes its nose into other countries' internal affairs while leaving many of its own problems unsolved. Based on extensive media reports both inside and outside the US, and interviews of many human rights experts from China, the US, France, Canada, Russia and Switzerland, the 45-minute TV program revealed the US trampling on American people's human rights in all walks of life. In 2015, more than 560,000 people across the United States were homeless, 25 percent of whom were under age; the country's primary women's prison Lowell Correctional Institution, where 2,696 convicts are held, is rampant with corruption, torture of prisoners, and sexual abuse; women are subject to sexual harassment and sexual assaults of different forms, and career women subject to discrimination at work, the documentary showed, citing media reports. Of teenagers aged 15 and above who succumb to injuries in the States, one quarter die in shooting incidents; the Federal Bureau of Investigation forces Internet companies to provide clients' information without a court approval, according to the documentary. The United States has been using double standards on practically every human rights-related issue, which is showcased both by its invasion of citizens' privacy through online surveillance and civilian deaths caused by its drone attacks in Pakistan, Yemen and other countries, it showed. For a very long time, the United States has been quite condescending, with the belief that it has the best system and human rights record, and as a result, it tends to find fault with other countries, Ji Hong, researcher with the Institute of American Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said in the program.

Myanmar to select president

A vendor displays various shirts bearing the portrait of Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi with slogans "freedom to lead" and "our leader" at the headquarters of the National League for Democracy party in Yangon on Thursday. Photo: AFP The pragmatic approach of Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD) party is conducive to future Sino-Myanmar ties, analysts said Thursday as Myanmar is poised to select its first democratically elected president after decades of military rule. The NLD on Thursday named a longtime aide to Aung San Suu Kyi as the country's likely next president. U Htin Kyaw, 69, a close advisor to Aung San Suu Kyi, was formally named as a candidate during a session of the lower house. Under Myanmar's election system, three presidential candidates are nominated respectively by the two houses and the military. After the candidates have been vetted by a parliamentary commission, both houses will come together to vote in a joint session, with the winner elected president and the two losing nominees becoming vice presidents. Because the NLD has a comfortable majority in both chambers it effectively controls two of the nominations. The NLD also nominated Henry Van Thio, a member of the Chin ethnic group from Chin state, in the country's northwest bordering India and Bangladesh, as its candidate from the upper house. Aung San Suu Kyi is banned from running for president by Myanmar's constitution as her sons hold British passports. She previously said she would be "above the president" if her party won the election. "The NLD led by Suu Kyi so far has adopted a pragmatic approach in handling relations with neighboring countries like China," Zhuang Guotu, head of the Center of Southeast Asian Studies at Xiamen University told the Global Times on Thursday. "A pragmatic approach" includes recognition of China's importance in Myanmar's foreign relations as well as in providing substantial help, especially in terms of economic development, Zhuang said. He also noted the future relationship between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will have more influence on China's ties with Myanmar. "After the new government takes office, Myanmar will increasingly integrate into ASEAN, which is to say the new government will handle many issues involved in China-Myanmar relations based on the overall stance of ASEAN," Zhuang said. While the future of China-Myanmar relations is overall positive, many "potential unstable factors" in China-ASEAN relations, such as the South China Sea issue and the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, may impact the relationship between China and Myanmar, according to Zhuang. Confident future Regarding the China-Myanmar friendship as "strong and dynamic," China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told media on Tuesday that China has "every confidence" about "Myanmar's future" and "the future of China-Myanmar relations." When asked about the prospects of the Myitsone Dam project which is jointly invested by China and Myanmar, Wang admitted that "there are some difficulties in the cooperation" and stressed that "these are 'growing pains' which the two sides will continue to manage in an active and appropriate way." Commencing in December 2009, the construction of the Myitsone Dam project was suspended in 2011 after opposition from local residents, conservationists, scholars and political activists. With an installed capacity of 6,000 megawatts, the hydropower project is estimated to yield 29,400 million kilowatt-hours a year on completion. On Wednesday, Hantha Myint, head of the NLD's economics committee, was quoted by AFP as saying that "a potential redesign of the multi-billion dollar Myitsone hydropower project in northern Kachin state was on the cards." "A government led by Aung San Suu Kyi would be more likely to restart [many cooperation projects between the two countries], as she knows the value of such projects for Myanmar," Zhuang said. Stabilizing the north Peace and stability in northern Myanmar is likely to top the agenda for the new government, experts said. In January, the first Myanmar Union Peace Conference, held in the country's capital Nay Pyi Taw, failed to reach any agreement. Eight ethnic groups joined the conference, the Xinhua News Agency reported. In general, the policy direction of the NLD is clear and helpful to solve the country's ethnic minority issue, said He Shengda, an expert on Southeast Asian affairs at the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences. Peace and stability in northern Myanmar would help resume the suspended Chinese investments in this region, which consequently could benefit China-Myanmar relations, according to He.

Hong Kong uni student union pres stumbles to explain Nazi salute in viral photo

Zhou Shufeng (right), student union president at Chinese University of Hong Kong, delivers what appears to be a Nazi salute while posing for a photo with his friend. Photo: hk01.com A Hong Kong university student leader who sparked outrage on social media over a viral photo of him delivering what appears to be a Nazi salute has downplayed the controversy. "'I did it because my friend asked me to. The gesture can be interpreted in many ways, such as imitating Superman flying,' said Zhou Shufeng, student union president at Chinese University of Hong Kong,'' local media outlet hk01.com reported on March 9. Zhou, who appears flashing the straight armed salute next to a friend, explained the photo was taken to celebrate his friend's graduation from university. "I had no intention of disrespecting anyone," Zhou wrote on his Facebook page on March 9, adding he does not support Nazism and condemns their actions during World War II. The photo was first spotted by an offended student at the university from overseas, who alerted hk01.com. The school's Office of Student Affairs called the photo "inappropriate" and may be "offensive to others." The university has since contacted the students to "remind them to respect different cultures," media reported.

Chinese firm wins $1.3b rail contract in Chicago

China's train making giant has won a $1.31 billion deal to build rail cars for Chicago, its second major supplier deal in the US. CRRC Corporation's contract is not only the largest rail car order in Chicago's history but also the largest railcar export project by a Chinese enterprise in a developed country, according to a statement the CRRC sent to the Global Times on Thursday. Analysts said winning the bid for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) rail car project is a sign that China's rail technology has advanced over the years and is now in a leading position in the world. According to the CRRC, the city of Chicago awarded the contract to build 846 railcars to CSR Sifang America, a subsidiary of the CRRC. The CTA's base order is for 400 cars, with an option to purchase the balance in the future. The CTA launched its bid in 2014 in an attempt to replace half of the city's old rail cars, according to a CRRC statement. There are 8 underground rail lines in Chicago. The CTA said the new cars will have stainless steel bodies, LED lighting and signages, and AC power propulsion for a smoother, quieter ride. The new rail cars, once delivered, will significantly reduce the average age of CTA rail cars and are expected to save the CTA about $7 million annually in reduced maintenance costs and reduced use of power. As part of the bid, CSR Sifang has also pledged to build a brand new rail car assembly facility in Chicago, the first of its kind in 35 years. The facility is expected to generate 170 jobs, and represents an investment of $40 million. Prototype models are expected to be complete in 2019, and the cars will go into service in 2020, the CRRC said. "Building factories overseas helps the company fend off costs caused by pollution and resource consumption," Wang Mengshu, a railway expert at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, told the Global Times Thursday. Meanwhile, the company faces challenges as the demand for railway projects in the US is not as high as expected, experts said. "The US may not be the ideal market for railway exports," Zhao Jian, a railway professor at Beijing Jiaotong University told the Global Times on Thursday. "Demand for railway projects is not big in the US, as the US railway system is already mature." Chugging along China is involved in multiple overseas rail projects currently under construction, including a $5.5 billion project in Indonesia, a 470 kilometer-long railway between China and Laos, an 800 kilometer-long railway in Thailand, and a 300 kilometer-long railway between Hungary and Serbia, according to a statement posted on the website of the State Council Information Office on February 3. Wang noted that China's rail technology is in a leading position compared to other countries, which lures a growing number of partners around the world. "The next step is to improve rail track maintenance by offering advanced training to local workers," said Wang. The Chinese government has taken a series of measures to boost railway construction. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stated in this year's government work report that the government will invest more than 800 billion yuan ($123 billion) on railway infrastructure development this year. This is similar to the 824 billion yuan investment in railway infrastructure construction in 2015, but significantly higher than investment before 2013, according to a report Moody's sent to the Global Times on Thursday. The CRRC, a merger of former rivals China CNR Corporation and CSR Corporation, won its first US contract in October 2014 when CNR was awarded a $567 million deal to supply 284 subway train cars to Boston, Reuters reported on Thursday. The CTA did not respond to inquiries about the new facility as of press time.

Nuke security law to be made

China's nuclear security law has been included in its legislation plan, which analysts believe would strictly regulate the booming industry, as well as provide legal grounds to maximize the energy structure. "By coming up with a nuclear security law, public concern over nuclear security will be addressed and China's commitment to the international community will be fulfilled," Yuan Si, deputy head of the Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), said at a press conference during the third session of the 12th NPC on Thursday. Yuan's remarks come on the heels of a statement made by Nur Bekri, head of the National Energy Administration and deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, on Sunday that "there is no clear timetable for the construction of inland nuclear power plants." "We are still carrying out extensive research and soliciting public feedback," said Nur. A lack of a law on nuclear security in China is incompatible with its status as a nuclear state. The legislation will not only regulate the safe use of nuclear energy but also safeguard national security in a broader sense, He Zuoxiu, a theoretical physicist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told the Global Times. "The new regulation may include rules to cope with terrorist activities against nuclear facilities, or to set up non-nuclear zones, where certain areas will be nuclear-free," He said. "As China promotes low carbon energy to reduce pollution form coal-fired generators, the nuclear security legislation is timely, and can specify the requirements for building and running nuclear power plants," Zhou Dadi, vice director of the China Energy Research Society, told the Global Times. The Chinese mainland operates 30 nuclear power-generating units with a total capacity of 28.31 gigawatts. 24 more units with a total capacity of 26.72 gigawatts are under construction, ranking first in the world, Xu Dazhe, director of the China Atomic Energy Authority, said at a press conference in January. Zhou said the nuclear power plants account for only 2 percent of the country's total power requirements while the average global proportion is 14 percent, adding that China is in a great position to develop its nuclear projects. The legislation may also curb the rapid expansion of nuclear power plants which has led to safety and public concerns, experts said. The Chinese government put the brakes on nuclear power plant approvals after the Fukushima accident in Japan in 2011, calling for safety checks on nuclear power plants. Approval procedures were restarted in 2012 under pressure from increasing domestic demand for power.

Human rights should not be politicized: Chinese diplomat

Chinese diplomat Fu Cong stressed in Geneva on Thursday the need to depoliticize the human rights forum so as to safeguard the Human Rights Council's (HRC) integrity. "We must maintain the credibility and authority of the international human rights mechanism and reverse the current trend to politicize human rights," he said following the release of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein's annual report. "We should also insist on making national governments as the main driving force to mainstream human rights issues," Fu added, while urging the High Commissioner to refrain from making subjective comments which are not backed by factual evidence. "China is a country governed by law. Fighting crime by law is our judicial sovereignty. Nobody is above the law," said Fu, who is the deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland. The diplomat called out rampant prison abuse in the United Staets, especially in the Guantanamo facility, while deploring widespread gun violence and deep-rooted racism prevalent in the country. Fu also called out large-scale eavesdropping carried out by US authorities, drone attacks killing innocent civilians and the conduct of US troops on foreign soil. Referring to the issue of "comfort women" during WWII, Fu said: "We advise the United States and Japan to deeply reflect on themselves rather than interfere in the internal affairs of other states in the pretext of human rights." The remarks were made during an interactive dialogue with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on his annual report, part of the 31st HRC session which ends on March 24.

Xinjiang underground preaching sites shut down: Islamic leader

One of the top Islamic leaders in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region said they closed all underground preaching sites, as schools have been established to educate clerics on government policies on religion, and have stamped out terrorism-related material.

There is at least one official preaching site or class in almost all of Xinjiang's 14 prefectures, each of which train at least 50 people, said Abudulrekep Tumniyaz, deputy director of the Xinjiang Islamic Association. He said that in the city of Hotan, preaching classes have been set up to educate 150 people. The clerics are not only taught the Koran but government policies on religion as well, said Tumniyaz, who is also dean of the Xinjiang Islamic Institute, a Urumqi-based college that offers bachelor's degrees and short-term courses. China has 10 Islamic institutes including one in Beijing. Tumniyaz noted that his college began to enroll more high school graduates in recent years and they have decided to further expand enrollment. The institute's five-year course is made up of 70 percent religious studies and 30 percent general knowledge, including studies on political affairs, Tumniyaz added. Since the graduates eventually become Islamic clerics, Tumniyaz stressed that political studies weigh less but remain a crucial part. He called for local religious leaders to serve as good examples for followers in religious, political and legal affairs, especially as the nation strives to eliminate poverty in the next five years. "As a patriotic religious leader, I have been thinking about how to unite religious people under the guidance of the regional government and Party committee, and how to upgrade their professional skills in religious, political and legal affairs," Tumniyaz said. Tumniyaz added that some of the 29,000 religious leaders in Xinjiang have made achievements in their respective fields and should be adopted as role models for their followers, not only in religious guidance but also in secular life. Xinjiang launched a campaign to promote correct Islamic religion culture in 2014 by educating believers every Djumah Day, "so that [believers] can form one head with one heart," Tumniyaz said. "Xinjiang residents are now fully aware that terrorism, separatism and extremism do not involve religion nor ethnicity. Terrorism-related videos are long gone under our strict crackdown. It is time to gradually work to remove them from the people's mind," he said. As a deputy of the 12th National People's Congress, Tumniyaz said he proposed over a dozen of bank branches in Xinjiang as some local residents have complained about the scarcity of banks and the inconvenience of traveling to neighboring counties.

China consolidates Xisha Islands in South China Sea

Observers said China is strengthening its sovereign control over the South China Sea following an announcement Monday by officials of the southernmost Hainan Province of the building of piers and restoration work on the Xisha Islands. "The construction of piers on Qilian Yu and restoration of Beidao Island are now underway. The improvement of infrastructure has protected the islands' ecological environment, while the restoration work has significantly strengthened the islands' capability against waves and erosion," Xiao Jie, mayor of Sansha city, who is also a delegate of the current National People's Congress, told a conference in Beijing on Monday. The city was officially established in 2012, with its seat of government in Yongxing, the largest island of the Xisha chain in the South China Sea. Xiao's response came after Hong Kong-based Ta Kung Pao reported on Monday that China is planning to reclaim land on Qilian Yu, a subgroup of the Xisha Islands. "The island construction on Qilian Yu will improve China's influence in the South China Sea, as well as to maintain regional stability," Liu Feng, a Hainan-based expert on South China Sea studies, told the Global Times on Monday. Chen Xiangmiao, a research fellow at the National Institute for the South China Sea, told the Global Times that the on-going construction work is for civil use alone. Apart from that, some islands do not have standardized infrastructure, which has prompted the government to carry out construction work to improve the residents' livelihood, Chen noted. As a subgroup of islands under Sansha city's administration, Qilian Yu currently has up to 300 residents, most of whom are living on its third biggest island, Zhaoshu Island, the Hainan Daily reported. "The lack of space is one of the biggest obstacles to Sansha city's development. Qilian Yu's future construction may focus on land reclamation to expand its land area," Liu said. According to Liu, facilities will be built on the islands for environmental protection and scientific research, while tourism and fishery resources in the region will be developed. "Some of Sansha's government agencies are also likely to be stationed on the islands once construction is completed, which makes it easier for governance," Liu said. Meanwhile, transportation among the islands is a priority plan. Piers and ferry boats may become the primary means to connect the islands, Liu added. "By promoting tourism, infrastructure and fishery projects on the islands, China will have greater influence in the South China Sea, as to spur development and stability in the region," Liu said. Protecting interests At Monday's conference, Luo Baoming, the Party chief of Hainan Province, reiterated China's sovereignty over the South China Sea, claiming that some fishermen's activities in the region are mainly for "protecting their livelihood." "Fishermen only account for a small portion of Hainan's population. To protect their livelihood, they need self-defense training," Luo told the conference. Meanwhile, Li Guoliang, vice governor of Hainan, said that 45 base stations were established in the South China Sea, with its network covering 15 islands. He also recommends that China increase its investment in telecommunication infrastructure in remote regions to maintain national strategy and interests. "Due to current tensions in the South China Sea, we should strengthen island construction for civil use as a powerful response to the Western media's hype about the islands' militarization, and to improve China's influence in the region," Liu told the Global Times.

EU, Turkey mull new proposals to tackle migrant crisis

The European Union (EU) and Turkey on Monday discussed new proposals to tackle the exacerbated migrant crisis which was imperiling the bloc's passport-free policy. The scheduled half-day EU-Turkey summit which gathered European leaders and Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was prolonged into late Monday. Media reported that Davutoglu surprised his European leaders with new proposals. Ankara asked extra 3 billion euros (3.30 billion US dollars) from the EU for aid to help stem the massive migrant flows as the country was hosting millions of refugees, mainly from war-torn Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, who were keen to cross Turkish border to seek asylums in Europe. Brussels already promised to provide 3 billion euros to Ankara to tackle the migrant crisis in November last year. But the Turkish side complained ahead of the summit that the EU has not delivered the fund yet. Turkey reportedly promised to make more efforts to help solve the EU's migrant crisis at the summit. Crucially, Davutoglu outlined proposals to resettle one Syrian refugee in Europe for every Syrian returned to Turkey from the Greek islands. European officials were investigating whether a one-for-one resettlement program was "legally and logistically possible", media reported. Turkey has 2.7 million refugees and other hundreds of thousands of refugees were waiting on the other side of the border, said Davutoglu at a NATO press conference after his meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. "Many of them (refugees) are trying to go to Europe," Davutoglu said. "Before coming here we worked on a new package of proposals...in order to discourage new refugees to cross Turkey." "With these new proposals we aim to rescue refugees, discourage those who misuse and exploit their situation and find a new era in Turkey-EU relations," he added. Turkey also wanted to speed up its accession process to the bloc. On his arrival Monday morning, Davutoglu told reporters that the summit could be a "turning point" for its membership bid. "Turkey is ready to be a member of the EU as well," he said. Europe was experiencing the worst migrant crisis after the Second World War. Greece, a front line country in the migrant crisis, was currently seeing some 2,000 refugees arriving on its shores each day.

Mainland shows determination, goodwill in cross-Strait relations

A clear message was sent out from the top legislature's annual session that the Chinese mainland has strong determination and sufficient goodwill in the development of relations across the Taiwan Strait. A report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang Saturday said the mainland will continue to adhere to the 1992 Consensus as the political foundation for cross-Strait ties and will promote exchanges in diverse fields with Taiwan compatriots. Later that day, President Xi Jinping expounded on the mainland's firm stance when joining a group of lawmakers from Shanghai. STEADFAST DETERMINATION "Only by accepting the 1992 Consensus and recognizing its core implications can the two sides have a common political foundation and maintain good interaction," Xi said. The 1992 Consensus clearly defines the nature of cross-Strait ties, and is the basis for the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties in the long run. Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who won Taiwan's leadership election in January, remains ambiguous about her stance on the 1992 Consensus, just stating that she wishes to "maintain the status quo." Chang Wu-yueh, head of the graduate institute of China studies at Taiwan's Tamkang University, said that Xi's words reiterated the significance of the 1992 Consensus in the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations "Without this foundation, it will be extremely hard to maintain the status quo. Meanwhile, the mainland has steadfast determination to address the issue of 'Taiwan independence'," Chang said. In his speech, Xi vowed to resolutely contain "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities in any form, safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity and never allow the historical tragedy of national secession to happen again. "Our policy toward Taiwan is clear and consistent, and it will not change along with the change in Taiwan's political situation," Xi told legislators. Teng Che-wei, head of the Taipei-based non-governmental organization Cross-Strait Public Affairs Association, said that neither side of Taiwan Strait should sabotage the common foundation, or else exchanges across the Strait will suffer. "Tsai has been emphasizing the status quo, but status quo cannot be grown in the air. There must be concrete measures to maintain it," Teng said. GOODWILL FOR FUTURE EXCHANGES Xi also said the Chinese mainland will further promote cross-Strait cooperation and exchanges in all fields, deepen economic and social integration, and enhance the sense of a community of common destiny. The peaceful development of cross-Strait ties needs not only high-level interactions, but also mutual understanding and mutually beneficial exchanges at the grassroots level, according to Chang. "The mainland hopes that bonds between people on both sides of the Strait are not influenced by political divergence and exchanges in all aspects can continue to improve," he said. Micky Chen, chairman of the Management Institute in Taipei, said economic and trade exchanges between two sides of the Strait showed strong momentum in recent years and are still moving forward. Last year, tourists from the mainland accounted for 40 percent in total tourists to Taiwan. The mainland is also Taiwan's largest destination of investment and export. "In recent years, the economic and trade ties is becoming more and more intertwined with other facets of cross-Strait relations, including educational and cultural exchanges," according to Chen. Xi said the results of the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties should be safeguarded by compatriots from both sides. A latest achievement of cross-Strait ties is the return of the head of a 1460-year-old marble Buddha statue back to the mainland 20 years after being stolen. In 1996, the statue's head was chopped off and disappeared from a tower in north China's Hebei Province. In 2014, a follower in Taiwan bought the statue's head at auction and donated it to Master Hsing Yun, founder of the Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan. Hsing Yun decided to reunite the head and the body, and escorted the statue's head to Beijing late last month himself. The head of a Buddha statue can be chopped off, but the spirit of the Buddha cannot. It's just like the cross-Strait ties, Hsing Yun said. "The sea can not sever our historical bond, nor can it cut off our connection and blood lineage," he said. "The common Chinese cultural traditions can not be chopped off by external forces."

China firmly opposes US sanction against ZTE

China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to US sanction against China's telecommunication equipment maker ZTE Corp, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Tuesday in a statement. "The US move will severely impair normal commercial activities of the Chinese firms. China will continue to engage with the US side on the issue," according to the statement. Earlier on Monday, China's Foreign Ministry urged United States to revoke its decision to avoid damage to trade cooperation and bilateral relations.

Dalai Lama not religious leader: official

The Dalai Lama was not a religious leader after he betrayed his country, a senior official from the Tibet Autonomous Region said in Beijing on Monday, which experts believe is a reconsideration by the central government of the status. "He was no longer a religious leader after he defected his country and betrayed its people," Baima Chilin, deputy Party chief of the autonomous region, told the press at the fourth Session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC). "If the Dalai Lama wants to return to China, he must give up 'Tibet independence,' and must publicly acknowledge Tibet and Taiwan are inseparable parts of China and that the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government" said Baima Chilin. Xiong Kunxin, an ethnic studies professor at the Minzu University of China, told the Global Times that Baima Chilin's remarks show the central government's attitude towards the Dalai Lama's identity, who had long been considered a religious leader. "The reconsideration came about after the central government realized the Dalai Lama's commitment to oppose the Chinese government, and his support of separatism was unlikely to change," Zhang Yun, a researcher at the Research Center on Tibetology, told the Global Times. The legitimacy of the Dalai Lama's status as a religious leader was no longer acknowledged by the central government as he has failed to fulfill his obligation to inherit and spread Buddhism and continued his separatist activities, said Xiong. Also at the meeting, Wu Yingjie, deputy Party chief of Tibet, said contact between entertainment celebrities and the Dalai Lama and his clique is unacceptable, adding that they need to take responsibility for their behavior. A report on tibet.cn in February said mainland actor Hu Jun attended religious activities in northeastern India, where two major members of the Tibetan government-in-exile were seen in the same picture with them. At the meeting, delegates from Tibet wore badges of portraits of China's leaders, including Chairman Mao Zedong and President Xi Jinping. Another Tibet official explained that it has been their habit after the 50th anniversary of the founding of the autonomous region in 2015.

Open Internet must be controllable

After the Chinese cyberspace watchdog shut down the social media accounts of Ren Zhiqiang, an active and outspoken "opinion leader" on the Internet who was the former head of a large State-owned real estate company, Western media has criticized China for cracking down on free speech. Some new rules released by the authorities in early February which clarified the management of online publications made the headlines again with interpretations that "self-media" is about to collapse. Worries are permeating across the public discourse. It is obvious that the Chinese government has been determined to straighten out online discourse. The dishonest ways highlighted by hyping and distorting information to reap profits will be discouraged. This trend should be wisely embraced instead of being countered. China and the Western hemisphere can hardly find common ground while arguing about freedom of speech. It is not from the context of the argument that we can find the answer, or which side gets more support across the globe right now. Freedom of speech is actually an essential part of the competition between two different systems. Only practice - which side can achieve better development under different systems - can tell which is right. Now, China doesn't have much reference to support its argument, either from inside or outside. No one can guarantee if China completely unleashes the Internet, whether the country can sustain its positive development. Without an alternative, China has to explore its own way and steer its course by referring to what other countries are doing. There is not an absolute philosophy that can dominate the enormous and complicated Internet affairs. We should always stick to the truth. China must be open and active toward the era of Internet. We need to embrace innovations and take on the risks caused by uncertainties. Meanwhile, the process of an all-around opening of the Internet should be in control, because it cannot contradict or jeopardize China's strategic security. Gradual and controllable opening has become a guiding principle for China to govern its Internet affairs. China is heading to opening-up, but it won't do so without rules and reasons. China has achieved a lot with the power of the Internet, boasting certain Internet giants that are rarely seen except in the US. The Internet has also become a forum of public opinion, where opinions are communicated across a wide spectrum. It is inevitable that controversies about freedom of speech have emerged, and a lot of "opinion leaders" have sprung up. The Chinese Internet is still in a beta phase to test how the diversity of public discourse can shape society. The profile and pace of China's Internet development should be well understood by active and influential Internet users. They should dare to make breakthroughs, but also insist on some bottom lines.

Job seekers face greater pressure from slowdown in 2016: official

People seeking employment in China may face greater pressure to find a job this year as the country's economy continues to face downward pressure, a senior official said on Monday. Yin Weimin, minister of human resources and social security, said Monday at a press conference that China will experience a complicated job market in 2016 as some workers will be laid off as the government moves to reduce overcapacity. In the coal and steel industries, some 1.3 million and 500,000 people will be affected. Yin said pressure to find a job will also increase as the number of younger job-seekers - mainly college graduates - will rise to 7.65 million this year, 160,000 more than in 2015. China's working-age population - those aged between 16 and 59 - has dropped by 4.87 million to 910 million, or 66.3 percent of the total population, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Monday. In 2014, the NBS said China had 915 million workers, down 3.7 million from 2013. Huang Wenzheng, a former Harvard University assistant professor and expert on demographics, told the Global Times that the decline in the working-age population will lead to a decline in consumption, which will further hit China's economy. Huang also predicts that China's population may begin shrinking by 2023, and recommends that the family planning policy be abolished, which was relaxed beginning January 1 to allow all couples to have two children. As China gradually loses its population advantage, the country should further increase labor productivity to offset this, Zhai Zhenwu, an expert at the China Population Association, told the Global Times. "The most urgent task is to adjust the industry structure and enhance innovation," agreed Li Jianmin, a professor on population at Nankai University. NBS data shows that China's labor productivity stood at 76,978 yuan ($11,746) per person in 2015, a 6.6 percent increase from the previous year and the fifth consecutive annual gain, indicating a more productive economy, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Tokyo to provide Manila defense aid

Japan will provide defense equipment and technology to the Philippines, which will disturb the peace in the South China Sea, experts said. The Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the agreement he signed with Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa in Manila on Monday consolidates the Asian countries' "mutual desire to enhance our respective defense capabilities" and "to contribute to regional peace and stability," the Associated Press (AP) reported on Monday. Gazmin was quoted by AP as saying that the agreement serves as a framework for the transfer of defense equipment and technology, with details to be settled in future talks. An official from the International Press Division of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed with the Global Times on Monday that the two countries signed the agreement, aiming to enhance defense equipment and technology jointly produced and developed by Japan and the Philippines. The agreement would not only "reinforce ties between the two countries but would also enhance the defense capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines needed to address Philippine security concerns and to contribute to regional peace and stability," reported the Philippine news site update.ph on Monday. Since Japan is very concerned with the sea lanes in the South China Sea, its support to the Philippines and containing China are beneficial to Japan after taking advantage of the conflict between China and the Philippines, Lian Degui, deputy director of the Center for Asia-Pacific Studies at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, told the Global Times. Lian said Japan also intends to ease the pressure in the East China Sea and its move has met the expectations of the US, which has repeatedly asked its allies like Japan to increase their presence in the South China Sea. Lü Yaodong, director of the Institute of Japanese Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that since Japan's security bills to be enacted in March will allow the country's Self-Defense Force to exercise collective self-defense, Japan is finding opportunities to cooperate with countries in the South China Sea to contain China. However, Japan's move to alienate China from its neighboring countries violates the four-point agreement signed by the two countries before Chinese President Xi Jinping met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in November 2014, and shows the hypocrisy of the Abe administration, Lü said. The Philippines is the first country from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations with which Japan has concluded such an agreement, update.ph reported on Monday. A senior Philippine security official said the new agreement "opens the doors to a lot of opportunities beyond the confines of mere equipment transfer or sale," AP reported on Saturday.

Syria's fragile truce continues, amid fresh progress

Syria's fragile cessation of hostilities was largely holding on Monday, with progress made on the military and humanitarian aspect amid new political prospects, according to media reports. Three days into the US-Russia-backed truce, the capital Damascus was largely peaceful on Monday, with no shelling sound or known military operations. The truce, which started on Saturday, has reflected an international will to build a momentum to resolve Syria's nearly five years of conflict. Still, as the truce excludes the Islamic State (IS) and the Nusra Front, clashes continued against those groups on several fronts, mainly in the northern province of Aleppo. Last week, the IS cut off the only road connecting the government-controlled parts of Aleppo with other Syrian provinces in the central and the southern region. The attack severed Aleppo completely from other cities, pushing the government forces to unleash a counter-offensive to recapture the road. A Syrian military source declared on Monday that the Syrian Armed Forces have completely restored the road to Aleppo "after eliminating the last gathering of the IS." On the humanitarian level, Muhannad al-Assadi, a media spokesman of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, told Xinhua that as many as 51 aid trucks entered the town of Muadamiyeh near Damascus on Monday, the first shipment to enter the town since the ceasefire began on Saturday, and the third this month. Entering relief aid to besieged areas across the country was a main international demand along with the cessation of hostilities plan. Meanwhile, the exiled opposition renewed accusations that Syrian government forces were breaching the truce in some areas. Riad Hijab, the opposition's general coordinator, wrote a letter to the UN secretary-general detailing the alleged breaches of the truce, saying his group recorded breaches of the agreement in 26 different areas of Syria. The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Monday it monitored seven breaches of the truce by the militant groups over the past 24 hours, "including an attack by terrorists of l-Nusra Front through using artillery against units of popular protection in the surroundings of al-Ashrafiyah town in Aleppo countryside." Russia said the IS was targeting the road connecting the central province of Hama and Aleppo, which "obstructs the delivering of humanitarian aid to the residents of Aleppo and neighboring cities." UN Special Envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura said "every time there has been an incident, that has been -- so far -- contained." However, he did not specify how many incidents have been reported. "We could have had much worse news, frankly," de Mistura said, adding if the truce continued, it "would be a major booster in confidence-building and trust." "The first gesture of believing in each other, or at least believing that there is a nonmilitary solution, is the reduction of violence," he said. The UN envoy further said the International Task Force, co-chaired by Moscow and Washington, was set to meet Monday afternoon in Geneva to evaluate allegations of a range of breaches. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also said Monday that there have been some incidents but the ceasefire was generally holding. "As of now I can tell you that by and large the cessation of hostilities is holding even though we have experienced some incidents," he told reporters in Geneva on Monday. Also, Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary-general of NATO, said the cease-fire in Syria is "largely holding," expressing some concerns about the Russian military buildup in Syria. Making the comments on a visit to Kuwait on Monday, Stoltenberg said "We are concerned about the significant Russian military buildup we have seen in Syria, with the ground troops, with the naval forces in the eastern Mediterranean and with air forces conducting airstrikes and so far they have mainly targeted not IS but other opposition groups." Aside from monitoring the breaches, a Russian official made new remarks on Monday, with a clue of what Russia may think about the future of Syria. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told a news briefing on Monday that Syria could become a federal state if that model works in the country. Syria has yet to comment on the fresh Russian remarks, but the government always maintains that any change in Syria must be subject to the choice of the Syrian people only.

china's manufacturing activity falls to four-year low

China's manufacturing activity has fallen to its lowest level in four years, pointing to the need for more policy support to bolster economic growth and push structural reforms. The purchasing managers' index (PMI) came in at 49, down from January's 49.4, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing said on Tuesday. A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 reflects contraction. The figure contracted for a seventh straight month in February and it was the lowest reading since November, 2011, as China is seeking new economic growth engines amid a campaign to cut industrial overcapacity. NBS statistician Zhao Qinghe attributed the retreat to slowing factory activity during the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday in early February, as well as the trimming of industrial capacity. In breakdown, the sub-index measuring production stood at 50.2, down 1.2 points from a month earlier, and that for new orders settled at 48.6, down 0.9 points. A separate survey by financial information service provider Markit sponsored by financial media company Caixin also showed deterioration in Chinese manufacturers' operating conditions. The Caixin General China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), edged down to 48 in February from January's 48.4. "The index reading for all key categories, including output, new orders and employment, signaled that conditions worsened, in line with signs that the economy's road to stability remains bumpy," said He Fan, chief economist at the Caixin Insight Group. The disappointing data came after China's economy grew by 6.9 percent year on year in 2015, its lowest annual expansion in a quarter of a century. "The economy is still in the phase of bottoming out," said Zhang Liqun, researcher with the State Council's Development Research Center, adding that the weak data in February is not necessarily indicative of a trend as there are seasonal effects at work, with the holiday disrupting production activities. Chen Zhongtao, analyst with the China Logistics Information Center, pointed out some bright spots behind the weak data that may show restructuring efforts are bringing about positive changes. These included the fact that the PMI raw materials purchase price index jumped 5.1 points to 50.2, returning to expansion for the first time since August 2014, consistent with the recent rebound in upstream industrial prices. Meanwhile, the business activity expectations index jumped 13.5 points to 57.9, more than the seasonal rise in the past few years, suggesting manufacturer expectations improved. Zhang forecast that the economy would stabilize as the effects of various pro-growth policies filter through. Authorities' growth-supportive policy stance was reinforced on Monday as the central bank announced it would lower the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for commercial banks by 0.5 percentage points, the first such cut this year. Speaking during two days of meetings in Shanghai between financial ministers and central bankers of G20 economies, Finance Minister Lou Jiwei said he saw more room to expand fiscal policy and predicted an increased budgetary deficit this year. "Looking ahead, fiscal policy will likely become more expansionary in 2016, with the actual fiscal deficit ratio expected to expand further from 2015's 3.5 percent. Monetary policy will likely remain loose," said China Int. Capital Corp in a report.