Xi to attend China-France-Germany leaders' climate summit via video link

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the China-France-Germany leaders' climate summit via video link in Beijing on Friday, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. 

It'll take place before U.S. President Joe Biden hosts a Leaders Summit on Climate next week where he invited 40 world leaders.

China to monitor Japan's plan to dump nuclear wastewater, vows to protect consumers

China's Ministry of Commerce says it will closely monitor the developments in Japan's decision to release wastewater from the Fukushima power plant into the ocean. 

It also pledged to ensure the safety of Chinese consumers by carefully assessing threats posed to agriculture, fishery-related products and trade activities.

Spokesperson Gao Feng reiterated China's concern over the Japanese government's unilateral decision.

Hong Kong embraces 1st national security education day after related law takes effect in 2020

Hong Kong has marked its first National Security Education Day after the law on safeguarding national security in the Special Administrative Region came into force last year.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said at a ceremony that Hong Kong residents, like all compatriots in China, share the obligation to safeguard national sovereignty, unification and territorial integrity.

Lam added that Hong Kong's government has introduced the bill on improving the local electoral system to the legislature.

Canton Fair opens online with record exhibits

The 129th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, has kicked off online with a record number of products on display.

Nearly 26,000 exhibitors have submitted more than 2.7 million exhibits.

Organizers are expecting the 10-day event to help domestic foreign trade firms receive more orders and boost the global economic recovery.

The latest session will also reserve a special display area for rural vitalization, which will help businesses in less-developed regions explore overseas markets.

Ministry: China-US trade surges in Q1

China-US trade grew rapidly in the first quarter of this year as economic recovery picks up pace in both countries. 

China's exports to the United States soared by almost 63 percent year-on-year between January and March of this year, while its imports jumped by 58 percent. 

A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce says that the economic and trade structures of the two sides are highly complementary, and there is huge potential for cooperation.

He called on both sides to promote economic and trade cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and equal treatment.

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry visits China for talks on COP26

U.S. special presidential envoy John Kerry is visiting China and he will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua in Shanghai.

A statement from the Chinese foreign ministry says the two sides are expected to exchange views on climate change cooperation as well as the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference, which will be held in Glasgow this November.

John Kerry's visit in China will last until Saturday.

20 million coronavirus vaccine doses administered in Beijing

Beijing has administered more than 20 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines as of noon on Thursday.

Over 7.5 million people have been fully inoculated with two doses.

64 percent of the people aged 18 and above have received the first shot of vaccine in the Chinese capital. 

Meanwhile, nearly 1.3 million people aged 60 and above have been inoculated, with the eldest one being over 100 years old.

Cancelling Tokyo Olympics an option if COVID-19 situation worsens: LDP Secretary-General

An official from Japna's ruling Liberal Democratic Party says that cancelling the Tokyo Olympic Games this summer could be an option if the COVID-19 situation continues to worsen.

Tokyo began the 100-day countdown to the Games on Wednesday.

Earlier this week, the capital area, along with Kyoto and Okinawa, were added to a list of regions where tougher anti-virus measures have come into effect.

Manned spacecraft, carrier rocket for Shenzhou-12 mission arrive at launch center

The manned spacecraft and carrier rocket for the Shenzhou-12 manned space mission have arrived at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

The spacecraft and the Long March-2F carrier rocket are now undergoing final assembly and testing at the launch site.

The astronauts for the Shenzhou-12 mission are receiving intensive training.

All facilities at the launch site are in good condition, and all systems that will be involved in the mission are undergoing orderly preparations.

Australia to withdraw remaining troops from Afghanistan

Australia will withdraw its remaining 80 military personnel in Afghanistan, following the U.S. announcement that it will pull out from the country to end its longest war. 

The withdrawal comes as the Afghan government and the Taliban have been holding talks to try to reach a political settlement to end decades of conflict.

U.S. President Joe Biden earlier said his country will withdraw its 2,500 troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11.