Xi highlights openness in APEC address 

The Chinese president is calling for efforts to advance regional economic integration and establish a high-level free trade area in the Asia-Pacific region at an early date.

Xi Jinping made the remarks while attending the latest Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting via video link.

The president highlighted the importance of openness in regional cooperation, calling for upholding open regionalism.

He also stressed the guiding role of the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040, which focuses on the building of an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community.

China, U.S. in communication on the two presidents meeting: MOFA

China has confirmed that it is maintaining close communication with the United States on arrangements for a meeting between the two heads of state.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin calls on both sides to work together for a successful meeting between the two presidents to bring bilateral ties back on the right track of sound and steady development. 

Xi Jinping and Joe Biden have held phone talks in September and on the eve of this year's Spring Festival.

Press conference introduces guiding principles of party plenum

The 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China introduced the guiding principles of its sixth plenary session on Friday.

The four-day session adopted a landmark resolution on the major achievements and historical experiences of the CPC's 100 years of endeavors.

Beijing 2022 test events well underway

The organizers for Beijing 2022 say the test events designed for next year's Winter Olympics are well underway.

So far, several international competitions and test activities within the "Experience Beijing" program have been completed. 

Speaking to the media on Friday, officials said the remaining events will be held as planned within the year.

They also said COVID protocols tailor-made for the Winter Olympics have proven effective through the events, while volunteer training will be among priorities for the next phase of preparation.

Beijing Stock Exchange to start trading on Nov. 15

The newly-established Beijing Stock Exchange has announced that it will start trading on Monday.

The launch of trading comes just two months after Chinese President Xi Jinping announced plans for the new bourse, which is designed to serve small and medium-sized enterprises.

Eighty-one companies will see their shares traded on the bourse in the first batch of listings.

More than 4 million investors will be eligible for trading on the new exchange. Over half of them are newly qualified.

Chinese consumers spend big over Singles' Day shopping spree

Alibaba's e-commerce platform Tmall generated 540 billion yuan, or about 85 billion U.S. dollars, in gross merchandise volume during the annual shopping bonanza from Nov. 1 to 11.

Data from Alibaba shows that 78 brands registered 10 million yuan to 100 million yuan in GMV.

Police clear bomb threats at U.S. universities

Buildings at several U.S. universities have been evacuated following reports of bomb threats.

The threats were leveled at New York University, the University of Southern California (USC) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Law enforcement agencies have determined the evacuated buildings are safe.

It's not clear if the threats were related.

The incidents came just days after multiple Ivy League schools, including Yale and Columbia, received similar bomb threats.

U.S. authorities didn't deem any of the threats credible.

ISS welcomes new crew of 4 to station

Four astronauts have arrived at the International Space Station after a 21-hour flight in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. 

They will spend the next six months in orbit and host two groups of visiting tourists during that period.