Xi sends congratulatory letter to fourth World Media Summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory letter to the Fourth World Media Summit, which opened in Beijing on Monday.

He says the media sector shoulders an important social responsibility to help build consensus in the world.

He has called on guests at the event to promote people to people as well as cultural exchanges.

China, ASEAN establish comprehensive strategic partnership

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have established a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Chinese President Xi Jinping made the remarks on Monday while chairing a summit to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations via video link.

He has hailed the good-neighborly friendship and win-win cooperation between China and ASEAN over the past 30 years.

"These 30 years have witnessed intensive development of economic globalization and profound changes in the international landscape. These 30 years have also seen China and ASEAN seizing opportunities of the times and achieving leapfrog development in our relations."

The Chinese President has called for fostering a closer community with a shared future for China and ASEAN.

ASEAN-China Special Summit releases joint statement

A joint statement has been released at the special summit to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations.

It says that, as close neighbors, ASEAN-China relations over the past 30 years have significantly grown and matured in tandem with both sides' development.

In 2020, China remained ASEAN's largest trading partner for 12 consecutive years, while ASEAN became China's largest trading partner.

Trade between China and ASEAN has skyrocketed by 85 times since the two sides established their dialogue relations in 1991.

In the first half of this year, bilateral trade between China and ASEAN continued robust expansion, registering a 38 percent year-on-year growth.

China-Cambodia FTA to take effect on Jan. 1, 2022

The free trade agreement signed between China and Cambodia will take effect on January 1, 2022.

China's Ministry of Commerce says the agreement brings the proportion of zero-tariff products in goods trade between the two countries to more than 90 percent.

The agreement was officially signed on October 12 last year.

China to improve policy support for SMEs

China will further improve supportive policies to help small and medium-sized enterprises tide over difficulties.

A central government circular says these enterprises are facing rising corporate costs and operational difficulties due to higher raw material prices, high logistics costs, sporadic resurgences of COVID-19, and power cuts in some areas.

It has outlined relief policies such as increasing funding support and furthering tax and fee reductions.

Iran's humanitarian aid arrives in Afghanistan's eastern province

The first batch of humanitarian assistance sent by Iran has reached Afghanistan's eastern province of Nangarhar.

The consignment includes six tons of rice and four tons of medicines.

Afghan officials say the aid will be distributed to needy families, including those who suffered in a recent terror attack at a mosque in the province.

The World Food Program and the United Nations Children's Fund have warned of a humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan if the international community fails to send assistance to the country ahead of winter.

At least five dead, more than 40 injured after vehicle plows into crowd in U.S. city Waukesha

At least five people died and more than 40 others were injured after a vehicle plowed into a crowd in the city of Waukesha, in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, on Sunday.

Some of the injured, including minors, are being treated at area hospitals following the incident.

The local police department says a person of interest is in custody.

The incident reportedly happened on Sunday afternoon when a red SUV broke through the barriers and sped into the roadway where the Christmas parade was taking place.

Americans urged to get vaccinated for Thanksgiving as COVID-19 cases increase

The chief medical adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden is urging Americans to get vaccinated or a booster shot for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday as COVID-19 cases are climbing in the country.

Anthony Fauci says about 60 million people in the country who are eligible to get the jabs have not been vaccinated.

Data from The New York Times shows that nationally, the seven-day average for COVID-19 cases is more than 90,000 in the United States.

Chinese, U.S. form mixed team for table tennis event

Chinese and American players will team up for the mixed doubles event of the World Table Tennis Championships Finals that will be held from November 23 to 29 in Houston.

China's Lin Gaoyuan and Wang Manyu will partner with American players Lily Zhang and Kanak Jha, respectively.

It will be the first time the competition is held in the United States.