World leaders congratulate Xi Jinping on election as Chinese president

World leaders have sent their congratulations to Xi Jinping on his election as Chinese president.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he believes joint efforts with President Xi will help promote bilateral cooperation in various fields.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the election shows the support of the Chinese people for Xi Jinping, while the ongoing session of China's top legislature helps push forward China's socialist development in the new era.

Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith said he looks forward to steady progress in the partnership between his country and China.

The King of Cambodia and leaders of Italy, Serbia, Argentina, Venezuela, the Central African Republic and the Comoros also sent congratulatory messages.

China-Europe trade grows steadily

Official figures show that trade between China and Europe has been growing steadily.

China's customs authorities say the European Union continues to be China's second-largest trading partner.

From January to October last year, imports from European countries into China rose by more than four percent to surpass 406 billion dollars.

China's SMEs report improving business activity in February

Industrial data shows China's small and medium-sized enterprises experienced a further increase in activity in February.

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Index came in at 89.6 last month.

The figure, although still lower than the boom-and-bust line of 100, was the highest since August 2021.

Korean Air to increase flights on China routes

Korean Air, South Korea's flag carrier, says that it will increase its flights to China starting from March 17.

Flights between South Korea and China will rise from 13 times per week to 84 times per week by the end of March and 99 times per week in May.

The airline also says it will offer more convenient schedules between airports in South Korea and major cities in China, such as Beijing and Shanghai.

Russia launches massive attack on Ukraine's military infrastructure

Russia unleashed an overnight attack on Ukraine and temporarily knocked Europe's biggest nuclear power plant off the grid.

The Russian Defense Ministry said it launched hypersonic missiles that destroyed critical military infrastructure in Ukraine, including drone bases and carriages full of foreign-made weapons.

Russia said the strike was retaliation for a cross-border raid last week.

Ukraine said its forces intercepted some missiles and drones and repelled a Russian attempt to encircle Bakhmut in the country's east.

Russia and Ukraine traded blame over a brief power outage at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on Thursday. Power has since been restored.

Sweden, Finland discuss NATO accession with Turkiye

Sweden, Finland and Turkiye have held talks in Brussels to discuss progress about admitting the two Nordic countries to NATO.

The three countries on Thursday agreed to meet again in the same format ahead of the NATO summit in July.

Several dead in Hamburg shooting

Several people have been killed after a shooting at a Jehovah's Witness church in the German city of Hamburg.

Police say they believe the perpetrator acted alone and is among the dead.

The incident occurred on Thursday evening, with seven people reportedly killed and eight others wounded.

Norfolk Southern CEO testifies before U.S. lawmakers over disaster

The chief executive officer of Norfolk Southern has testified before a U.S. Senate committee.

Alan Shaw answered tough questions from lawmakers on last month's train derailment and chemical spill in Ohio and what his company plans are to make things right.