Three-minute news, Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Domestic

1) Xi Jinping emphasized at the National Conference on Ecological and Environmental Protection the need to comprehensively advance the construction of a beautiful China and accelerate the modernization of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. On the afternoon of July 18, Xi Jinping held talks with Algerian President Tebboune at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during the latter's state visit to China. Premier Li Qiang met with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the morning of July 18.

2) National Development and Reform Commission: Consumption in the catering and tourism sectors has exceeded pre-pandemic levels. Policies to restore and expand consumption will be formulated and issued as soon as possible. The NDRC will improve the mechanism for reasonable wage growth and gradually increase the proportion of labor remuneration in primary distribution.

3) [Rule of Law] The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Organs Work Committee issued the "Working Rules for the Disciplinary Committees of the Central and State Organs Departments". In the second quarter of 2023, procuratorial organs recorded 61,707 major incidents of interference and intervention, a 19% increase from the first quarter. Sun Guoxiang, former vice chairman of the Liaoning Provincial People's Congress, was sentenced to life imprisonment in the first instance. Four people related to the cover-up of the Fuxin coal mine accident in Liaoning are under investigation. Xiao Xing, deputy general manager of China Pacific Insurance Group Co., Ltd., is under investigation. Yang Zhengyi, former vice governor of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, is under investigation. Zhang Shaojian, former deputy director of the Sichuan Provincial Administration Bureau of the Giant Panda National Park, was expelled from the Party and removed from public office for serious disciplinary violations and illegal activities. Hou Jinxi, former deputy general manager-level researcher of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China's office, is under investigation.

4) The National Development and Reform Commission will hold regular symposiums with private entrepreneurs.

5) The 2023 China Internet Civilization Conference was held in Xiamen, Fujian Province on July 18. Li Shulei, head of the Central Propaganda Department, attended and delivered a keynote speech. The conference released the "China Internet Civilization Development Report 2023".

6) National Intellectual Property Administration: As of the end of June this year, the number of valid invention patents in China was 3.683 million, and the number of valid invention patents in the core industries of the digital economy was 1.6 million. Severe crackdowns on malicious registration and hoarding of trademarks resulted in 249,000 cases being cracked down on from January to June. Multifaceted measures are being taken to comprehensively promote the pilot program for open patent licensing.

7) Yang Liwei: China is developing a new generation of spacecraft that can carry 4 to 7 people. The domestically produced large amphibious aircraft "Kunlong" AG600 has the capability to perform fire-fighting missions.

The daily peak regulation of six cascade power stations on the main stream of the Yangtze River has broken the historical record.

8) [Military] Defense Minister Li Shangfu met with former US Secretary of State Kissinger in Beijing on July 18. Arrows pierce the clouds! A certain brigade of the 83rd Army recently conducted live-fire shooting drills.

During the "Northern Joint-2023" exercise, Japan is closely watching: The Chinese Navy fleet passes through the Tsushima Strait.

9) [Hong Kong and Macau] The National Immigration Administration issued "Several Entry-Exit Management Service Measures to Actively Support and Promote the Development of the Hengqin Guangdong-Macau Deep Cooperation Zone" on July 18. The Wenjindu Port will resume cross-border bus services from Hong Kong to Shenzhen at 7:00 am on July 19. Ho Iat Seng, Chief Executive of Macau: Optimizing the industrial structure will inject new impetus into Macau's development. 38 students from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau conducted internship exchanges at the Palace Museum.

10) [Taiwan] A group of teachers and students from mainland universities visited the China Culture University headquarters in Taiwan on July 18. Young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait jointly presented a folk music performance, and students from both sides held an exchange meeting.

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council: Starting July 20, mainland spouses' relatives can visit Taiwan for family reunions via the "Mini-Three Links". Will the US repurchase and send retired US-made missiles to Ukraine? Taiwan's defense department denies reselling.

International

1) Wang Yi met with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry in Beijing.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Since the outbreak of armed conflict in Sudan on April 15 this year, the situation has become increasingly severe. China will provide 10 million yuan worth of material assistance to Sudan. A tourist bus carrying Chinese tourists overturned in Vietnam, resulting in 4 deaths. The front of the vehicle was severely deformed. The Chinese consulate responded urgently.

2) China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Geng Shuang called on the international community to work together to prevent the Ukrainian situation from spiraling out of control. The UN Secretary-General deeply regrets Russia's decision to suspend the Black Sea grain export agreement. Russian Foreign Ministry: Continuing to implement the Black Sea grain export agreement is "meaningless". UN Secretary-General: Sustainable development is at risk, and countries need to strengthen action. Pakistani expert: China's initiative brings multiple opportunities to the world.

3) The Semiconductor Industry Association urged the Biden administration not to further impose export restrictions on China. US Secretary of State Blinken urged the Senate to quickly approve the nominations of more than 60 State Department officials, including 38 ambassadors. Federal Reserve survey: More and more Americans are being rejected for loan applications, with the proportion rising to its highest level in five years. US economist: Refugees stem from war, and war stems from the US. A "data rebellion" erupts in the US: Hollywood, the literary world, the press, and social media are resisting AI. US media: US F-35s will go to the Middle East to fill the gap in "high-end military capabilities". The US military will send more warships and fighter jets to the Strait of Hormuz. American astronomers have discovered three candidate dark stars based on data from the Webb Space Telescope.

4) Russian Ministry of Defense: Ukraine attempted to launch 28 drones to attack facilities in Crimea. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy: Will do everything possible to continue exporting grain through the Black Sea. Ukrainian media: Russian forces used drones to attack Odessa. Russian media: Ukrainian Defense Minister Reznikov advocated for constitutional amendments to allow the establishment of NATO bases in the country. Belarusian border security forces said they intercepted a Ukrainian reconnaissance drone in the Gomel region.

5) British media: The British Chief of the Defence Staff said that Britain is dismantling captured Russian armored vehicles "to understand their secrets".

6) The fourth anniversary memorial service for the Kyoto Animation arson attack was held, and the trial will begin in September. The Philippines established its first sovereign wealth fund with an initial amount of US$9 billion.

7) Solomon Islands Prime Minister hits back at US and Australian criticism of China-Solomon Islands cooperation: You shouldn't be afraid.

8) Soaring tomato prices in India lead to murder: Two farmers guarding their crops were killed in one state within seven days. A five-story residential building in northern Cairo, Egypt collapsed on the morning of July 17, local time, and the death toll has risen to 13.

Finance and Securities

1) Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing emphasized at the national video and telephone conference on the mobilization and deployment of the deepening and upgrading action of state-owned enterprise reform that we should focus on national needs, focus on key breakthroughs, and solidly advance the deepening and upgrading action of state-owned enterprise reform.

2) National Development and Reform Commission: Promote the accelerated merger and reorganization of key industries such as steel.

3) Ministry of Commerce: China's service consumption has seen a strong recovery in the first half of this year, and consumption is expected to continue its upward trend in the second half. The Ministry of Commerce and 13 other departments support enterprises in using artificial intelligence and other technologies to accelerate the research and development of smart home appliances and other home products.

4) The permanent site of the Zhongguancun Forum will be completed and put into use in the second half of the year, creating a national-level platform for global technological innovation exchange and cooperation.

5) China Evergrande Group has been subject to forced execution exceeding 7.1 billion yuan, with a cumulative forced execution exceeding 38.8 billion yuan. SMIC changes CEOs again after two years, with Liu Xunfeng appointed as chairman. Will WeChat accounts that haven't been used for a long time be reclaimed? Tencent customer service responds: WeChat accounts with money will not be cancelled.

6) Yesterday's closing prices:

Shanghai Composite Index 3197.82/-0.37%

Shenzhen Component Index 10972.96/-0.34%

ChiNext Index 2200.62/-0.31%

Hang Seng Index 19015.72/-2.05%.

Culture, Education, Sports and Entertainment

1) A book titled "In-depth Study and Implementation of Xi Jinping's Important Statements on Water Control," compiled by the Ministry of Water Resources, was recently published by the People's Publishing House and distributed nationwide.

2) More than 30 literary works have been selected for the China Writers Association's "New Era Rural Transformation Creation Plan".

3) The 31st National Youth Patriotic Education Reading Activity, themed "Embarking on a New Journey, Becoming a Good Successor," was launched in Beijing on July 18.

4) Ministry of Education: The special recruitment event for 2023 college graduates who have not yet found employment is expected to provide more than 200,000 job postings.

5) More than half of the summer movie season has passed, with box office breaking records. Industry insiders: The trend is expected to continue.

6) 47 original works by 36 world-class art masters, including Monet, Van Gogh, Modigliani, and Miró, are on display at the Meet Museum·Beijing 798.

7) Quan Hongchan, despite competing in two events in one day and feeling "very tired," still advanced strongly to the women's platform diving final at the World Championships. Chinese Football Association: Wei Shihao suspended for 6 games for verbally abusing the referee. The first batch of overseas representatives for the Chengdu Universiade arrived in Chengdu on July 17.

Life Services

1) Beijing's undergraduate general batch admission admission lines announced: Peking University minimum 683, Tsinghua University minimum 685. The new site of the Beijing Yanqi Lake Applied Mathematics Research Institute opens. The Beijing 798 Art District undergoes comprehensive upgrades.

2) Jiangsu: 2148 summer care classes "protect" teenagers and children. A female citizen (50 years old) in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, ignored warnings and rode her bicycle into a flooded culvert, drowning. In Wenling, Zhejiang, a person suddenly jumped off the tracks just as a train was entering the station! Police: Investigation underway.

3) Typhoon Talim made landfall in Zhanjiang, Guangdong around 10:20 pm on July 17, with maximum winds near the center reaching 13 levels. The typhoon brought a large amount of oysters and seafood, with citizens in Shantou, Guangdong, using sacks to collect them.

Did Typhoon Talim wash a whale ashore? Official: No relevant feedback received. Over 400 trees fell in Beihai, Guangxi, due to Typhoon Talim. Hainan lifts typhoon level 4 warning as Typhoon Talim weakens into a tropical storm. Hainan plans to support homebuyers in using provident fund to pay for down payments.

4) Yunnan Tourism Bureau responds to travel agencies banning reporters and lawyers from joining tours: Currently verifying and investigating, denying claims of inaction. Dali Prefecture Governor issues a stern warning: Tourism reputation must not be ruined by a few lawbreakers. Official uses foul language to demand media delete citizen comments; Zhengzhou Education Bureau: The official has been severely criticized.

5) Online rumors of "40,000 returning students" in Xi'an? Xi'an Municipal Education Bureau responds: Seriously untrue. Returning students only account for 3.5%.

6) Huangshan Scenic Area does not provide boiling water for instant noodles? Staff response: Eating instant noodles is discouraged due to the soup damaging the soil. A villager in Yunnan digs up a 3.2 kg giant wild mushroom! Netizens: The mushroom is so big, one pot won't be enough. Turpan City, Xinjiang, experiences continuous high temperatures, with the surface temperature of the Flaming Mountains reaching 80℃.

7) "Talim" continues to affect Guangxi, Guizhou, and Yunnan; high temperatures persist in Xinjiang. From 8 pm on July 18 to 8 pm on July 19, parts of most areas of the Yangtze River-Huaihe River Basin, the Jianghan Plain, the Yangtze River Delta, eastern and southern Southwest China, most of South China, and Taiwan Island will experience moderate to heavy rain, with parts of southwestern Guizhou, southeastern Yunnan, and western Guangxi experiencing heavy rain or torrential rain.