Chinese, Lao presidents exchange messages on 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping has exchanged congratulatory messages with his Lao counterpart over the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

President Xi says he stands ready to work with Thongloun Sisoulith to implement the action plan on the China-Laos community with a shared future and consistently promote the building of such a community in the next 60 years.

The Lao president thanked China for its help during the COVID-19 pandemic and expressed his willingness to work with China on the sustainable development of the China-Laos community with a shared future.

Over 2,000 brands to participate in China consumer products expo

Around 2,000 local and international brands will participate in the first China International Consumer Products Expo in Hainan next month.

Over 800 of them are domestic companies that include Huawei, Gree and Moutai.

International brands such as Swatch, Shiseido and Tesla have all confirmed their participation. 

The exhibits range from traditional Chinese handicrafts, new energy vehicles, Chinese liquors to e-sports equipment and other consumer products.

The expo is expected to attract more than 10,000 merchants and over 200,000 visitors.

Canton Fair concludes online in China's Guangdong

The 129th session of the China Import and Export Fair has concluded online with nearly 2,000 intended orders placed by domestic buyers.

The 10-day event also known as the Canton Fair received over 35 million visits on its official website, and its livestreaming programs attracted 880,000 viewers.

The fair also facilitated communication between domestic buyers and hundreds of exhibitors from 28 countries and regions to help them explore the Chinese market.

26,000 participating companies submitted nearly 208 million exhibits at the fair.

China-ASEAN Business Center unveiled in south China's Guangxi

The China-ASEAN Business Center has officially opened in the Nanning Area of the Guangxi Pilot Free Trade Zone.

It aims to provide one-stop services for China-ASEAN economic cooperation.

The center provides services including trade and investment, legal consultation, as well as cooperation in science and technology innovation.

Nearly 30 business associations, enterprises and international institutions have settled in the center.

China aims to launch Chang'e-6 lunar probe around 2024

China says it aims to launch the Chang'e-6 probe to collect samples in the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the far side of the moon around 2024.

China launched the Chang'e-5 probe in 2020, successfully bringing back over 1,700 grams of moon samples.

The country will carry out lunar resource exploration, scientific research and technological experiments during the Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8 missions, aiming to build a prototype scientific research station on the moon by 2030.

China's new recombinant COVID-19 vaccine starts human tests

Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinopharm has commenced phase-1 and phase-2 clinical trials for its new recombinant COVID-19 vaccine in central China's Henan Province.

The vaccine is developed by Sinopharm's subsidiary China National Biotec Group.

It is CNBG's third COVID-19 vaccine candidate approved for human trials.

Japan to open large vaccination centers in Tokyo

Japan is planning to open large vaccination centers in Tokyo and Osaka in the coming weeks in a bid to speed up its inoculation drive.

The center in Tokyo is expected to be able to vaccinate about 10,000 people per day.

The Japanese government has come under sharp criticism for its sluggish vaccination rollout.

Only about one percent of the population has been vaccinated.

A state of emergency has come into effect in areas including Tokyo and Osaka, as Japan struggles to contain a resurgent pandemic just three months ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Indonesian missing submarine found in Bali water, all 53 crew dead

All 53 people on board the Indonesian submarine that went missing in waters off Bali have been confirmed dead.

The wreckage of the submarine was located on the sea floor.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has offered his condolences to the families of the crew members.

The 44-year old submarine lost contact on Wednesday as it prepared to conduct a torpedo drill. 

Zhang Weili loses strawweight title to Rose Namajunas

Chinese fighter Zhang Weili has lost her strawweight title to American challenger Rose Namajunas during Ultimate Fighting Championship 261 in Jacksonville, Florida.

A left high-kick from Namajunas concluded the match in 1 minute, 18 seconds.

Zhang says she will seek a rematch as soon as possible.

Zhang Weili became the first Chinese champion in UFC history in 2019 with a knock-out victory in 42 seconds over Jessica Andrade.