Three-minute news, Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Domestic:

1) Xi Jinping replied to a letter from Central Asian students at China University of Petroleum (Beijing), encouraging them to make greater contributions to promoting the development of relations between China and Central Asian countries. On the afternoon of May 15, Xi Jinping held talks with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during the latter's state visit to China.

Isaias Afwerki laid a wreath at the Monument to the People's Heroes in Beijing. The journal "Seeking Truth" published an important article by General Secretary Xi Jinping, "Speech at the Fourth Collective Study of the Political Bureau of the 20th Central Committee".

2) Ministry of Science and Technology: We must build a national innovation system that is in line with high-level technological self-reliance and self-improvement; currently, China has established scientific and technological cooperation relations with more than 160 countries and regions. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and nine other departments launched the "Million Employment Internship Positions Recruitment Plan".

3) [Rule of Law] In 2022, public security organs nationwide cracked down on 74,000 economic crimes, recovering more than 23.6 billion yuan in economic losses. Feng Aimin, former deputy director of the Shanxi Daily Press Group, is under investigation. An official involved in "sending indecent information in a work group" is suspected of committing a crime and has been expelled from the party and removed from office, and has been transferred to judicial organs. Liang Chengyun espionage case first instance verdict: sentenced to life imprisonment. Chongqing police cracked down on more than ten credit card repayment software, involving 60 billion yuan. Anhui reported 10 cases of violations of discipline and law in the field of grain purchase and sale. The parties involved in the Tangshan "peasant woman assaulting police" case insisted that they were acting in "self-defense", police: comprehensive investigation.

4) China Disabled Persons' Federation: By the end of 2022, 10.455 million disabled people were included in the minimum living security program, and there were 72,700 full-time special education teachers nationwide. The theme of the 33rd National Day for Assistance to Disabled Persons was announced as "Improving the social security system and caring service system for disabled persons, and promoting the comprehensive development of the cause of disabled persons".

5) Zhong Nanshan: About 80% of people in China have been infected with the new coronavirus, about 1.1 to 1.2 billion people, and should take medicine promptly after infection.

6) In 2022, China's manufacturing scale has ranked first in the world for 13 consecutive years, and 65 manufacturing enterprises were included in the 2022 Fortune Global 500 list. Ministry of Commerce and National Development and Reform Commission: Promote the improvement and expansion of the housekeeping service industry from six aspects.

7) Agricultural departments at all levels strengthened field management and consolidated the continued improvement of wheat growth. A bumper summer grain harvest is in sight, with 4.39 million mu of wheat in Yuncheng, Shanxi Province, showing good growth.

8) [Military] The systematic nursing capacity building of the whole army medical and health institutions is steadily advancing. The Qi Jiguang ship set sail to carry out a far-sea and far-range internship and visit mission, and will visit four countries including the Philippines.

9) [Hong Kong and Macao] On May 15, HKEX held the "Mutual Access" launch ceremony in the Financial Convention Hall.

John Lee: "Mutual Access" northbound trading will officially go online, symbolizing another important milestone in the integration of the two places' financial markets. Hong Kong Tourism Board: About 2.89 million tourists visited Hong Kong in April, a month-on-month increase of about 18%. More than 1.19 million Hong Kong residents have signed to support the proposed plan to improve regional governance. Jay Chou's Hong Kong concert was packed inside and outside the venue, and the "concert economy" helped Hong Kong's recovery. The mutual recognition and exchange of driving licenses between the mainland and Macao officially came into effect on May 16.

10) [Taiwan] Taiwan poll: More than half of the people on the island oppose the DPP's continued rule in 2024. Taiwan media: The Taiwan authorities' "anti-China preparations" have frightened the island's economy. The Taiwan military confirmed that the US will provide Taiwan with US$500 million in weapons, mainly "Stinger" missiles.

International:

1) Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, paid a formal friendly visit to Morocco.

Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. From June 2, China and the Philippines will mutually implement RCEP tariff reductions. The US Congressional-Executive Commission on China recently held a hearing on Hong Kong issues and issued a report. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin: Urge the US to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs. Wang Wenbin: Syria's return to the Arab League is a welcome event.

2) Asia faces the "roasting" test of super high temperatures! Excess deaths and premature deaths may occur, Vietnamese experts: All parties need a great sense of urgency. Russian media: China is building a new model of relations with Central Asian countries.

3) Not canceling the Asian trip? White House: Biden will attend the G7 Hiroshima summit as planned. Former US prosecutor: Trump may receive judicial education. The US banking crisis may spread, and spillover risks are attracting attention. North American Aerospace Defense Command: The US military intercepted six Russian aircraft near Alaska. Major US cities are experiencing a wave of well-known brands closing stores, US politicians: Frequent crime is the main reason. A mass shooting occurred at a gathering in Yuma, a border city in Arizona, USA, seven people were shot, two of whom died, and the shooter is at large. The United States reported its first case of a highly contagious, drug-resistant skin infection. North American box office: "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" topped the North American weekend box office chart, grossing approximately US$213 million.

4) The US purchased US$1 billion of enriched uranium from Russia, Russian media: Russia's production capacity accounts for nearly half of the world, the US has no choice. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said that any supplies containing weapons to aid Ukraine will become legitimate targets for Russia. An official of the Russian State Duma: Belarusian President Lukashenko is just sick and is doing fine.

5) Russian media: Ukrainian President Zelensky hinted that he would postpone the election. Zelensky's visit to Europe received a large military "gift package", with Britain sending hundreds of drones. After visiting Germany, Zelensky unexpectedly appeared in France and received a new round of military aid promises. France said it plans to train several battalions of Ukrainians in the coming weeks and equip them with dozens of armored vehicles and AMX-10RC light tanks.

Zelensky's visit to Germany: He didn't realize his phone was left in the car until he got on the helicopter.

6) Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, urged the Yoon Suk-yeol government: Diplomacy should not be questioned as to "whether it is acting on behalf of Japan's interests". Japanese media: US military bases impose a heavy burden on Japan, and Okinawa residents have protested one after another. Sudden! A woman carrying suspected explosives approached the US consulate in Okinawa and was arrested for suspected obstruction of official business. The price index of Japanese companies continues to fall.

7) Graduated from Harvard, popular among young people, Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the Thai Move Forward Party, announced that he won the election and is preparing to form a new government.

Turkish elections: Erdogan received 49.6% of the vote in the presidential election and failed to win in the first round. Two candidates for the Turkish presidential election entered the second round of voting.

8) UK media: The British Army's efforts to recruit more female soldiers have failed. The conflict in Sudan has resulted in 676 deaths, and the Sudanese Civil Aviation Authority has extended the closure of its airspace.

9) The Nepalese army has sent a mountaineering team to clean up waste on Mount Everest.

Finance and Securities:

1) The People's Bank of China will issue a set of 2023 auspicious culture gold and silver commemorative coins on May 20. The set includes 8 coins, 2 of which are heart-shaped.

3) State Administration of Foreign Exchange: China's foreign exchange market operated steadily in April. Multiple banks officially adjusted the interest rates of two types of deposits from May 15, with some banks lowering rates by as much as 55 basis points. The business of 12 bank wealth management subsidiaries, which had been declining for nearly 6 months, has seen a rebound, increasing by 1.2 trillion yuan in April.

4) The Shanghai Stock Exchange will hold a symposium on the financial industry to discuss promoting the improvement of valuations in the financial industry. Ethylene glycol options and styrene options have been listed on the Dalian Commodity Exchange, achieving full coverage of futures and options instruments in the chemical sector of the Dalian Commodity Exchange.

5) Great news for Northeast China! Jilin has opened up access to the sea, and Vladivostok, Russia, will become a transshipment port for China's domestic trade.