CPC initiates election process for delegates to 20th national congress

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has released a circular for the election of delegates to the Party's 20th national congress.

The CPC will convene its 20th national congress in Beijing in the second half of next year.

Xi-Biden meeting sets tone for China-U.S. trade talks: commerce ministry

China's Ministry of Commerce says the virtual meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden has set the tone for economic and trade communication between the two countries. 

A spokesperson says the meeting has chartered the course for the development China-U.S. relations. 

During the meeting, China and the United States agreed to maintain close contact and bring bilateral ties back on the right track of sound and steady development.

China inaugurates national anti-monopoly bureau

China has inaugurated the national anti-monopoly bureau.

The government department is located in the same building as the State Administration for Market Regulation.

Gan Lin has been appointed as the head of the bureau.

China's Guizhou launches first direct China-Europe freight train service

The first direct China-Europe freight train service linking Guizhou and the Russian capital has gone into operation. 

Loaded with goods including guitars, electronics and ceramics, the inaugural train is expected to arrive at its destination on Dec. 3.

The new route will take about 15 days, compared to 53 days by the sea.

Guizhou is planning to launch more China-Europe freight train services to destinations including Poland and Germany.

Merkel warns against decoupling with China

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned Germany and the European Union against severing connections with China. 

In an interview with Reuters, the outgoing chancellor said decoupling will be damaging. 

Merkel is now acting in a caretaker capacity until a new coalition government is formed.

She visited China 12 times as German chancellor.

Munich cancels Christmas market again because of COVID-19

Munich has canceled its Christmas market for a second year in a row because of COVID-19.

Germany is reporting more than 52,000 new infections amid a new wave of the pandemic.

AstraZeneca COVID-19 antibody drug offers 83% protection over six months

AstraZeneca says that studies show its antibody drug cocktail offers 83 percent protection against COVID-19 over six months.

The Anglo-Swedish company says the real advantage of the injected therapy is as a preventative shot.

AstraZeneca also said that a separate study in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 shows that a higher dose of the drug cut the risk of symptoms worsening by 88 percent when given within three days of first symptoms.

UNESCO works with China to improve girls' education and support African nations: director-general

The UNESCO director-general says the organization is working closely with China on supporting applications for African sites to gain heritage status as well as promoting education for girls.

Audrey Azouley has been re-elected to the post and speaks highly of China's role at UNESCO.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of UNESCO.