Category: Foreign News

By Samuel Itsede

Amidst reports that former President Olusegun Obasanjo has decided to remain neutral and not campaign for any political party or presidential candidate in next year’s presidential election, his spokesperson, Mr. Kehinde Akinyemi yesterday vehemently denied the report insisting that Obasanjo cannot remain neutral ‘while Nigeria is being destroyed’.

In a statement yesterday, Akinyemi recalled that while Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was in Cairo, Egypt to attend the maiden edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair, IATF, of which he is Chairman of the Advisory Council, his attention was drawn to a report with the headline “Atiku: Obasanjo Shifts Political Gear to Neutral.”

According to him, “It is disingenuous, if not malicious, for anyone to suggest that Chief Obasanjo was being neutral when he chose not to use the Owu Convention as a platform for political campaign but instead adopt a communal and familial approach in talking to members of his Owu family.”
“For the records, and as accurately reported by some media organisations, what the former president said at the convention in Iwo was that while he would not impress any candidates on them, Nigerians should vote for credible candidates who will drive growth and development and make their lives better than it is now”, Akinyemi further stated.

Speaking further, the spokesman explained that Obasanjo’s statement did not suggest his neutrality, as he believes that, “only a fool will sit on the fence or be neutral when his or her country is being destroyed with incompetence, corruption, lack of focus, insecurity, nepotism, brazen impunity and denial of the obvious, Chief Obasanjo is no such fool nor is he so unwise.”

He state that the former president, who already declared his support for opposition presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, said he would not sit on the fence when he needs to be out and active for people to know where he stands in the best interest of Nigeria.

He urged Nigerians to stop complaining about their current situation and advised that they should and go out to get “beneficial change,” stating that, “they must know that such change will not come if they remain inactive just complaining and complacent and they allow themselves to be deceived by sycophants and enemies of Nigeria.”

“If they do not become active and get much needed change of the current administration to a government that will improve the economy, regain the confidence of investors and generally drive growth, development and economic progress with security, what is coming will be much worse than what Nigerians currently suffer.

“Chief Obasanjo said he would continue to speak against poor governance and nobody should manipulate his stance on the 2019 presidential election”, he added.

It would be recalled that former president Obasanjo was an ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he supported for the 2015 general elections.
He has, however, accused the president of nepotism, poor performance, and sectionalism and declared his support for Atiku Abubakar.
The presidency has however repeatedly asked Nigerians to ignore Obasanjo insisting that President Buhari’s performance in office was enough to earn him re-election.

By Feng Xuejun from People’s Daily

The national flags of China and Portugal are hung along the streets of Portugal’s capital Lisbon to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping. (People’s Daily/Wang Yunsong)

Adelino V M Canário in scientific research. (People’s Daily/Feng Xuejun)

Students of Confucius Institute at Aveiro University perform bamboo dance. (Photo/Xinhua)

Portugal has a long history of marine culture and rich experience in the exploitation of marine resources, Chinese President Xi Jinping noted in a signed article on Portuguese media.
He said China and Portugal should strengthen Blue Partnership, facilitate cooperation in marine research, ocean development and protection, port logistics and other areas, and grow blue economy together to better harness the vast ocean to the benefit of future generations.
China and Portugal have identified marine aquaculture as an important area for bilateral cooperation on marine science and technology during the 8th meeting of the China-Portugal Joint Commission on Science and Technology Cooperation held in Lisbon on December 14, 2017.
A Portuguese research team led by Adelino V M Canário, director of Portugal’s top marine science research institute – Center for Marine Science (CCMAR) at University of Algarve, has cooperated with many Chinese scientific research institutes and universities, carrying out a series of studies on key marine resources including mussel, sea cucumber, and clam to seek new technological breakthrough in green and sustainable aquaculture.
The cooperation between Canário and Chinese institutes dates back to 2012, when Portugal was deeply affected by the European sovereign debt crisis and troubled by an insufficient budget for scientific and research.
At an international conference, Canário learnt China’s strong support to enhance scientific and technological innovation, as well as the country’s constantly optimized innovation environment and improved independent innovation capability.
Later, Canário had an opportunity for academic exchange in China upon recommendation, and in 2014, he started working as a distinguished professor at Shanghai Ocean University.
Portugal and China can share information in such areas as marine scientific research, marine exploitation, and marine protection, noted Canário, adding that he hopes the two countries can set up more joint research centers for marine scientific and technological innovation, so as to enhance capacity complementation in scientific research, and facilitate exchanges of scientific personnel.
Carlos Guedes Soares, director of Center for Marine Technology and Ocean Engineering (CENTEC) at University of Lisbon, is a leader of a research team on safety performance of China’s innovative ship – dual-use vessel for river and sea. The project is another vivid example of marine cooperation between China and Portugal.
The dual-use vessel, which can be used in both river and sea, exempts people from the trouble of changing vessels at ports, enhancing capacity of containers and improving efficiency.
The sea-river 1100 TEU container vessel was built according to the contract signed in China’s Wuhan Shipping Exchange in 2017. It can not only cut cost by around 30 percent for containers from central China’s Wuhan to Shanghai, but also improve the capability to cope with extreme weathers and waves at sea.
Portugal has advantages in fundamental theoretical research on marine science, expressed Soares, adding that ocean engineering research is helpful in improving the logistics capability along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which is conducive to the infrastructure construction of the Belt and Road
China has abundant talent resources, and the Chinese government has been placing increasingly great importance and support to scientific research projects, bringing the country to the world’s forefront in terms of scientific and technological innovation environment, said Soares.
Soares believes that his team will benefit from the cooperation with their Chinese partners.
President Xi expressed in his signed article that China hopes to make concerted efforts with Portugal to take forward the Belt and Road Initiative and build a partnership of common development.
“As Portugal lies at an important intersection of the land and maritime silk roads, our two countries are naturally positioned to cooperate under the Belt and Road,” Xi said in the article.
Portugal has responded actively to the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi since its inception, said, Ambassador Pedro Sanchez Da Costa Pereira, Director General for Foreign Policy of the Portuguese Ministry of the Foreign Affairs. , in an interview with People’s Daily.
Located at the west end of the Eurasian continent, Portugal is endowed with the unique advantage of boosting connectivity around the world, said Pereira, noting that the ports of Portugal can serve as important junctions of the Belt and Road.

“葡萄牙港口可以成为一带一路重要节点”
人民日报记者冯雪珺
　
葡萄牙拥有悠久的海洋文化和丰富的开发利用海洋资源的经验。习近平主席在葡萄牙媒体发表署名文章表示，中葡要积极发展“蓝色伙伴关系”，鼓励双方加强海洋科研、海洋开发和保护、港口物流建设等方面合作，发展“蓝色经济”，让浩瀚海洋造福子孙后代。
2017年12月，在中国—葡萄牙科技合作联委会第八次会议上，中葡政府将海水养殖确定为海洋科技领域的重要合作内容。阿尔加夫大学海洋科学研究中心是葡萄牙最著名的海洋科学研究机构之一。研究中心主任阿德利诺·卡纳里奥率团队与多家中国科研机构和高校合作，开展了一系列针对贻贝、海参、蛤蜊等重要水产养殖对象的研究，希望在绿色可持续水产养殖模式上，寻求技术突破。
卡纳里奥与中国的合作缘分始于2012年。当时葡萄牙还深陷欧债危机的影响中，科研机构的经费紧张。在一次国际会议上，卡纳里奥了解到，中国近年来大力支持科研创新，创新环境不断优化，自主创新能力大幅提升。在同行的引荐下，卡纳里奥很快得到了去中国学术交流的机会，并于2014年成为上海海洋大学特聘教授。
卡纳里奥表示，在海洋科研、海洋开发和保护等领域，葡萄牙可以与中国实现信息共享。“希望建立更多的葡中海洋科技创新联合研究中心，希望加强科研能力互补，促进更多科研人员交流。”
葡萄牙工程院院士、里斯本大学海洋科技与工程研究中心主任卡洛斯·格德斯·苏亚雷斯和他的团队正积极参与中国新型船只——江海直达船的安全性研究，成为两国海洋合作的又一个生动案例。
江海直达船克服了以往“海船不能入江，江船无法入海”的问题，不用在港口换船航行，提高了集装箱承载量，提升了运输效率。2017年，在中国武汉航运交易所签约建造的“1100标箱江海直达集装箱船”，不仅可以让武汉至上海的集装箱运输成本下降30%左右，还有效提高了船舶应对海上极端天气、波浪的能力。
苏亚雷斯表示，葡萄牙在海洋科学基础理论研究方面具有优势。在“一带一路”基础设施建设方面，海洋工程研究有助于提高21世纪海上丝绸之路沿线的物流能力。
苏亚雷斯坦言，“中国不仅拥有丰富的人才储备，中国政府对科研项目的重视和支持也与日俱增，中国的科技创新环境位居世界前列。”苏亚雷斯相信，“我们将从同中方的合作中获益。”
习近平主席指出，希望中葡共建“一带一路”，做携手发展的伙伴。葡萄牙是连接陆上丝绸之路和海上丝绸之路的重要枢纽，中葡开展“一带一路”合作具有天然优势。
葡萄牙外交部对外政策总司长佩德罗•佩雷拉对本报记者表示：“自习近平主席提出‘一带一路’倡议以来，葡萄牙一直积极响应。葡萄牙位于欧亚大陆西端，具有独特的连通优势，葡萄牙港口可以成为一带一路重要节点。” 

By Zhao Jiaming

Portugal has been an important hub of the land and marine Silk Roads since ancient times, witnessing its historic friendship with China.

China’s blue and white porcelain, which was first shipped to Portugal centuries ago, inspired a fusion of Chinese and local techniques, producing a unique form of art Azulejo. Portuguese custard tarts baked by Chinese pastry chefs have become a new delight for Chinese consumers.

Stories like these reveal the common aspiration of the people for peace, cooperation, openness and win-win results throughout history.

Currently, China-Portugal relations are at the best time in history. The two countries have held frequent high-level exchanges, continuously enhanced political mutual trust, and comprehensively carried out practical cooperation in various fields. Over 300,000 visits are exchanged between the two countries every year.

The year 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties, and their bilateral relations are facing historic opportunities.

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa noted that Portugal is willing to take the historic opportunities to actively participate in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, enhance strategic alignment of the two countries, expand openness and cooperation, and accelerate common development.

He also stressed that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to his country would expand the prospect of Portugal-China cooperation and create a brighter future.

Portugal is the final stop of Xi’s Europe and Latin America tour during which his footprints have spanned Eurasia and been left in the banks of the Atlantic Ocean.

Renewing friendships, negotiating cooperation, and advocating for development, Xi expounded on the Chinese persistence in reform and opening up, peace and development, as well as win-win cooperation, and contributed to the building of a community with shared future for mankind. As a result, the Chinese President received wide approval from the international community and attention from global media.

Xi’s visits were regularly broadcasted by local TVs. Spanish King Felipe VI called the Chinese president’s visit to Spain a new and important milestone; President of Argentina Mauricio Macri shared multiple achievements of Xi’s visit to Argentina with his major officials; President of Panama Juan Carlos Varela noted that Panama will stick to the one-China policy and expressed his recognition of Xi’s major proposals such as the building of a community with shared future for mankind.

Portugal’s Cabo da Roca is a cape which forms the westernmost extent of continental Europe. The ancient silk trade once left its mark there. It is believed that today’s friendly and win-win cooperation between China and Portugal will set sail again and usher in new chapters.

扬帆远航 谱写华章

人民日报记者 赵嘉鸣

自古以来，葡萄牙就是陆海丝绸之路的重要枢纽，也是友好历史的见证者。从古老的中国青花瓷漂洋过海来到葡萄牙，同当地瓷器制作技术相融合，形成了独具魅力的“葡萄牙蓝”，到今天中国厨师烘焙出的葡式蛋挞成为中国老百姓新的美食选择，葡萄牙和中国的一段段情缘，揭示了古往今来人们对和平、合作、开放、共赢的共同愿望。

当前，中葡两国关系正处于历史最好时期。两国高层往来频繁，政治互信不断加强，各领域务实合作全面展开，每年双向人员往来超过30万人次……明年是中葡建交40周年，两国关系正面临历史性发展机遇。葡萄牙总统德索萨说，葡方愿抓住历史性机遇，积极参与共建“一带一路”，加强葡中发展战略对接，加深开放合作，加快共同发展。他还强调，习近平主席对葡萄牙的国事访问定将开辟葡中合作更广阔前景，创造更辉煌未来。

葡萄牙是此次习近平主席出访的最后一站。一路走来，习近平主席的足迹跨越亚欧大陆、到访大西洋两岸。习近平主席叙友谊、谈合作、倡发展，阐释中国坚持改革开放，坚持和平发展、合作共赢理念，为推动构建人类命运共同体凝聚共识，受到国际社会普遍赞誉和各国媒体广泛关注。到访国电视台新闻频道滚动播发习近平主席到访的消息和画面。西班牙国王费利佩六世说，习近平主席的访问“是一个新的重要里程碑”；阿根廷总统马克里同主要阁僚分享了习近平主席访阿取得的多项成果；巴拿马总统巴雷拉表示，巴拿马坚定奉行一个中国政策，赞同习近平主席提出的构建人类命运共同体等重要理念……

葡萄牙西部的罗卡角是欧洲大陆最西端，古老的丝绸贸易曾经在这里留下历史的印记，今天的友好合作、发展共赢扬帆远航、谱写华章。

By Radar Staff

Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra have walked down the aisle in a Western-style wedding in her native India. As PEOPLE Opens a New Window. originally reported, the singer, 26, and actress, 36, said their “I do’s” at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

The marriage came just four months after they got engaged Opens a New Window. this July. Chopra, 36, looked radiant in a custom Ralph Lauren wedding gown, with Jonas, the bridesmaids, and groomsmen also sporting the designer’s clothing.

The singer’s groomsmen included Chopra’s brother Siddharth and his three brothers, Joe, Kevin, and Frankie.

Jonas’ dad, Paul Kevin Jonas Sr., officiated Saturday’s Christian ceremony, where the couple exchanged wedding bands by Chopard.

Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra have walked down the aisle in a Western-style wedding in her native India. As PEOPLE Opens a New Window. originally reported, the singer, 26, and actress, 36, said their “I do’s” at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

The marriage came just four months after they got engaged Opens a New Window. this July. Chopra, 36, looked radiant in a custom Ralph Lauren wedding gown, with Jonas, the bridesmaids, and groomsmen also sporting the designer’s clothing.

The singer’s groomsmen included Chopra’s brother Siddharth and his three brothers, Joe, Kevin, and Frankie.

Jonas’ dad, Paul Kevin Jonas Sr., officiated Saturday’s Christian ceremony, where the couple exchanged wedding bands by Chopard.

PHOTOS: Nick Jonas Sells His Hollywood Hills Mansion For $3.4 Million — See Inside! Opens a New Window.

But as Radar previously reported, Chopra’s friend Meghan Markle, who is pregnant Opens a New Window. , was unable to attend. Jonas had previously given Chopra a dazzling diamond Tiffany & Co Opens a New Window. . engagement ring. On Sunday, he and his bride will continue their wedding celebration with a Hindu ceremony to honor her faith.

Before the wedding, the two celebrated Thanksgiving in India together. They also held an Hindu pre-marriage ritual called a puja ceremony before the nuptials. But that wasn’t all–Chopra also had a mehndi ceremony in which henna designs were applied to her hands and feet in the days before tying the knot with Jonas.

Jonas proposed to Chopra this summer while the two were in London celebrating her 36th birthday, RadarOnline.com confirmed. A source said at the time of the “Jealous” singer, who went solo after leaving the Jonas Brothers band, “I don’t think any of us ever saw him this happy.”

Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra have walked down the aisle in a Western-style wedding in her native India. As PEOPLE Opens a New Window. originally reported, the singer, 26, and actress, 36, said their “I do’s” at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

The marriage came just four months after they got engaged Opens a New Window. this July. Chopra, 36, looked radiant in a custom Ralph Lauren wedding gown, with Jonas, the bridesmaids, and groomsmen also sporting the designer’s clothing.

The singer’s groomsmen included Chopra’s brother Siddharth and his three brothers, Joe, Kevin, and Frankie.

Jonas’ dad, Paul Kevin Jonas Sr., officiated Saturday’s Christian ceremony, where the couple exchanged wedding bands by Chopard.

PHOTOS: Nick Jonas Sells His Hollywood Hills Mansion For $3.4 Million — See Inside! Opens a New Window.

But as Radar previously reported, Chopra’s friend Meghan Markle, who is pregnant Opens a New Window. , was unable to attend. Jonas had previously given Chopra a dazzling diamond Tiffany & Co Opens a New Window. . engagement ring. On Sunday, he and his bride will continue their wedding celebration with a Hindu ceremony to honor her faith.

Before the wedding, the two celebrated Thanksgiving in India together. They also held an Hindu pre-marriage ritual called a puja ceremony before the nuptials. But that wasn’t all–Chopra also had a mehndi ceremony in which henna designs were applied to her hands and feet in the days before tying the knot with Jonas.

Jonas proposed to Chopra this summer while the two were in London celebrating her 36th birthday, RadarOnline.com confirmed. A source said at the time of the “Jealous” singer, who went solo after leaving the Jonas Brothers band, “I don’t think any of us ever saw him this happy.”

PHOTOS: Meghan Markle Celebrates Her 37th Birthday With Prince Harry – See The Photos Opens a New Window.

Jonas’ wife is ten years older, but the Radar insider had noted, “Age isn’t a factor for him—he’s madly in love.” The couple first began communicating in 2016 via Twitter, but were just friends until this year.

In early June, fans knew the romance was the real deal when Chopra accompanied Jonas to his cousin Rachel Tamburelli’s New Jersey wedding. They’ve since been spotted at the U.S. Open in New York and celebrating his 26th birthday in Texas.

Jonas told Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show about their romance, “I think we just knew it was right and jumped right in.”

Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, who presided over the end of the Cold War and routed Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi army died on Friday night at the age of 94, a family spokesman said.

Bush, the 41st president of the United States, lived longer than any of his predecessors. His death at 10:10 p.m. Central time was announced in a statement issued by longtime spokesman Jim McGrath.

Bush lost a chance for a second term after breaking a no-new-taxes pledge. But his son who bears his name, came in as the 43rd President after the era of Bill Clinton .

The death was also announced by his family Friday night on Twitter.

“George Herbert Walker Bush, World War II naval aviator, Texas oil pioneer, and 41st President of the United States of America, died on November 30, 2018. He was 94 and is survived by his five children and their spouses, 17 grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and two siblings,” the former president’s office said in a statement.

“He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Barbara; his second child Pauline “Robin” Bush; and his brothers Prescott and William or “Bucky” Bush.”

His son George W. Bush, who served as the country’s 43rd president, released a statement of his own from the family.

“Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died,” George W. Bush said. “George H. W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41’s life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens.”

Bush was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital with a blood infection on April 22 — two days after the funeral for his wife of 73 years, former first lady Barbara Bush.

He is survived by his five children, including former President George W. Bush and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

Bush was with his wife when she died at the age of 92 on April 17.

“He of course is broken-hearted to lose his beloved Barbara, his wife of 73 years. He held her hand all day and was at her side when [she] left this good earth,” a statement from his office said after her death. “But it will not surprise all of you who know and love him, that he also is being stoic and strong, and is being lifted up by his large and supportive family.”`

Reuters

Being an indispensable trade partner to China in Europe, the Chinese government in collaboration with Spain, has embarked on the construction of new belt and roads.

Spain is the most prolific trade partnert of China in Europe, as China remains her largest non-EU trade partner of Spain, with a bilateral trade estimated to over $30 billion.

The Belt and Road Initiative is a bond linking more and more Chinese and Spanish, which the Yiwu-Madrid freight route is an example.

The 13,052-kilometer railway starts from eastern China’s city of Yiwu, which is the longest among all China-Europe freight routes, and also the one that crosses countries with the highest cargo load factor. In addition, it is the longest freight train route in the world as well.

According to the General Manager for Imports at Zhejiang China Commodities City Group Company, He Jinfa, “It takes a minimum of 16 days for the train to arrive in Madrid from Yiwu, which opened a safe, efficient, convenient and green logistics channel for China-Spain trade exchanges.”

Currently, three trains run on the track from Yiwu to Madrid every week, and one operates the other way around.

So far, 13 autonomous communities, as well as major seaports and inland ports of Spain have established cooperation with the rail route for joint development of the cargo service.

Available reports show that Yiwu’s imports from Spain hit $10.1 million last year, 106.97 percent higher from a year ago, and showing a three-fold increase in the transaction between Spain and Yiwu when compared with that of 2014.

Vice President of CEOE, a Spanish institution which represents the business community, Juan Lazaro, stated that “China-Europe freight trains are creating opportunities for Spain.”

Apart from the China-Europe cargo service, the investment from Chinese enterprises to major Spanish ports in recent years also contributed to the rapid growth of Spain’s trade with China as it has largely improved the operational efficiency of these ports.

On June 12, 2017, China’s shipping company COSCO Shipping Ports, signed a deal with Noatum Ports Holdings, NPH, the largest operator of container terminals in Valencia, Spain, to buy 51 percent equity of the latter.

“Chinese team brought advanced management and operation mode, creating new opportunities and benefits for the Spanish port city and its people,” said Mar Chao, Commercial and Business Development Director of the Port Authority of Valencia.

The NPH handled a total of over 3 million twenty-foot equivalent units, TEUs, in the first 10 months of this year, registering a 12.8-percent growth year on year.

It handled 326,000 TEUs in May alone, the best single-month performance since the establishment of the company.

CEO of NPH, Sun Kai, noted that “At present, the company has 416 employees, only 3 of whom were sent from China. Along with more than 1,000 positions from labor outsourcing, the company has created over 1,500 jobs for the local community.”

Also in 2016, Spanish telecommunications company Telefonica started cloud services in Brazil, Mexico and Chile by adopting cloud technologies and experiences of Chinese tech giant Huawei.

In 2017, Chinese oil and gas enterprise Sinopec and Spanish-based general contractor Tecnicas Reunidas S.A. established the consortium Al Zour Refinery in Kuwait.

In 2018, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China led financing to encourage Chinese and Spanish enterprises to build photothermal power plants in Dubai.

On Oct. 16 this year, China Three Gorges Corporation and Spanish constructor ACS Group agreed to jointly develop and construct the 1,100-megawatt Inga III Hydro-electric Dam in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is another successful cooperation between Chinese and Spanish companies to expand third-party markets.

In recent years, enterprises from the two countries have conducted batches of projects in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America through financing, labor division, technology cooperation and consortiums.

Secretary of State of Trade from Spain’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism Xiana Margarida Mendez Bertolo told People’s Daily that third-party market would be a focus of China-Spain cooperation.

Chinese and Spanish enterprises enjoy complementary advantages in multiple aspects, she said, adding that they can not only enhance cooperation in third-party markets in Latin America and Africa, but also jointly explore the markets of other Belt and Road countries and regions.

Citizens from Madrid take photos with a promotion board of the Yiwu-Madrid train. Photo by Jiang Bo from People’s Daily

Overseas Chinese in Madrid welcome visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo by Du Shangze from People’s Daily

By Mark Moore

With the government teetering on the possibility of a partial government shutdown in nine days, US President Trump said he would be “totally willing” to allow that to happen if Congress does not fully fund his much-touted wall on the southern border.

“I don’t do anything… just for political gain,” Trump told Politico in an interview published Wednesday. “But I will tell you, politically speaking, that issue is a total winner. People look at the border, they look at the rush to the police, they look at the rock throwers and really hurting three people, three very brave border patrol folks — I think that it’s a tremendous issue, but much more importantly, is really needed. So we have to have border security.”

The US president said he is “firm” that he get $5 billion for the wall, which he used as a major campaign theme during his presidential run while claiming Mexico would pay for it, setting up a showdown with Democrats leading to the Dec. 7 deadline.

Even more, Trump said the $5 billion would only cover the physical border. “The number is larger for border security,” he said.

He threatened to veto any spending bill that doesn’t include the funding.

US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats would back $1.6 billion for border security they negotiated with their Republican colleagues — but not a penny more.

“We are for strong border security. We’ve made numerous proposals,” Schumer told reporters Tuesday. “If there’s any shutdown, it’s on President Trump’s back.”

Any delay in funding could interrupt operations for Homeland Security, Justice Department, State Department and numerous other government agencies.

“Left to our own devices, the Senate and House could come to an agreement,” Schumer said. “The Republicans are in control of the presidency, the House and the Senate. A shutdown is on their back.”

US House Republicans met with Trump at the White House on Tuesday and afterward said they have the president’s back on the matter.

“The president has been very clear that he needs $5 billion to properly secure the border. We need to be there for him and make sure this gets signed,” House Majority Whip Steve Scalise said after the meeting.

Sen. Richard Shelby, the Republican head of the Appropriations Committee, suggested approving the full $5 billion but spreading it out over two years.

The debate is being carried out as a caravan of Central American migrants at the US-Mexico border has been making headlines.

Members of the group — including women and children — rushed a border crossing at San Ysidro, Calif., on Sunday, resulting in Border Patrol agents firing tear gas at the crowds to disperse them.

By Huang Fahong from People’s Daily

A series of cultural exchange activities between China and Panama, as well as between China and Latin America were held on Nov. 21 and 22 at Latin American Parliament headquarters, Panama City.
Sharing the stories of China-Latin America and China-Panama relations, cooperation and friendship, these activities, including the inauguration ceremony of the China Pavilion and a China-Panama photo exhibition, received wide attention from the local community.
The China Pavilion, jointly built by China’s State Council Information Office and Latin American Parliament, is the latest outcome of China-Latin America cultural exchanges, while the photo exhibition vividly showcased the natural beauty, unique cultures, and long-lasting friendship of China and Panama.
President of the Latin American Parliament Elias Castillo and President of Panama’s National Assembly Yanibel Abrego attended the activities. They believe that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to Panama will serve as a milestone on China-Panama relations.
Panamanian people are looking forward to his visit, and sincerely hope that the heads of state of the two countries can jointly map out a new blueprint of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.
As an important gate of Latin America, Panama will actively participate in the Belt and Road construction, and make greater efforts to promote the building of the community of a shared future between China and Latin America. It is hoped that more high-level cultural exchanges can be held in Panama, so as to bring China and its culture closer to the Panamanian people.
The China Pavilion at the Latin America Parliament is the 19th China Pavilion that China has built in the world, and the fourth one in Latin America after those in Peru, Mexico and Cuba.
The design of the pavilion incorporates both traditional and modern features, showcasing Chinese culture while adopting Latin American cultural elements. The pavilion collects over 2,000 books, audios, and videos on China’s economy, politics, culture, society, ecology and technology which are available in four languages, including Chinese, Spanish, English and Portuguese. It is a new platform for Latin America to have a comprehensive understanding of China.
On Nov. 21, a story-sharing secession on China-Panama friendship was held at Panama’s Chinese-Panamanian Cultural Center. Organized by the government of Guangzhou, southern China’s Guangdong province, the event attracted about 300 governmental officials, scholars, teachers, students, and overseas Chinese.
Under the theme of “Belt and Road links China and Panama, win-win cooperation leads to development”, 6 speakers shared wonderful stories of the sustaining friendship between Chinese and Panamanians based on their personal experiences, looking into the bright future to be brought by the joint construction of the Belt and Road.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s books, Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, are displayed at the China Pavilion, Latin America Parliament. Photo by Huang Fahong from People’s Daily

Visitors attending the inauguration ceremony of the China Pavilion are viewing photos of China’s natural landscapes. Photo by Huang Fahong from People’s Daily

Panamanian students play Chinese song Mo Li Hua with traditional Chinese musical instruments, erhu, at a story-sharing secession on China-Panama friendship. Photo by Huang Fahong from People’s Daily.

系列人文交流活动助力中国与巴拿马关系深入发展
人民日报记者 黄发红
11月21日至22日，“中国馆”揭牌仪式、“美丽中国 美丽巴拿马”图片展等人文交流活动在巴拿马城拉美议会大厦举行。共话中拉、中巴合作，共叙中拉、中巴友谊，引起了当地民众高度关注和热烈反响。
中国国务院新闻办与拉美议会合作建设的“中国馆”正式开馆，是中拉人文交流结出的最新硕果。“美丽中国 美丽巴拿马”图片展生动展现了中巴两国美丽的自然风貌、独具特色的风俗文化和源远流长的美好情谊。
拉美议会议长卡斯蒂略、巴拿马国民大会主席阿夫雷戈卡斯蒂略等出席活动的人士表示，习近平主席访问巴拿马对于巴中关系具有里程碑意义，巴各界人士热烈欢迎习近平主席来访，衷心期待巴中两国领导人共同描绘双方互利共赢的新蓝图。巴拿马是进入拉美的重要门户，将积极参与“一带一路”建设，为推动中拉命运共同体做出更大努力。希望这种高水平的人文交流活动更多地在巴拿马举办，让巴拿马人民近距离感受中国和中华文化。
拉美议会“中国馆”是中国在全球建成的第十九个中国馆，也是继秘鲁、墨西哥和古巴之后，在拉美地区设立的第四个中国馆。中国馆的整体设计兼顾传统与现代，凸显中华文化特色，同时适当融入拉美文化元素，配备了介绍中国经济、政治、文化、社会、生态、科技等方面的图书和音像影视作品2000余种，涵盖中、西、英、葡4种语言，为拉美地区全面深入了解中国提供了新平台。
　　21日下午，由广东省广州市主办的中巴友好故事会在中巴文化中心举行，巴国民大会议员和来自两国的政府官员、专家学者、师生代表以及华侨华人等共约300人参加。6位演讲者以“‘一带一路’连中巴·合作共赢谋发展”为主题，结合自己的亲身经历和心路历程，讲述中巴人民友谊历久弥新的精彩故事，展望共建“一带一路”的美好愿景。

拉美议会“中国馆”书架上摆放的《习近平谈治国理政》。本报记者 黄发红摄

前来参加开馆仪式的外国嘉宾观看电子展示屏上中国风景图片。本报记者黄发红摄

在中巴友好故事会上，巴拿马学生用二胡演奏曲目《茉莉花》。本报记者黄发红摄
 

By Lu Ya’nan from People’s Daily

The value-added output of new industries, new types of business and new business models was about 12.96 trillion yuan (about $1.87 trillion) in 2017, accounting for 15.7 percent of China’s GDP, up 0.4 percentage points from 2016, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Thursday.

In current prices, China’s new economy grew 14.1 percent in 2017, outpacing the GDP growth in current price by 2.9 percentage points, according to the NBS.

New economy refers to new industries, new types of business and new business models emerged in economic activities. And the value-added output of a new economy is the final result of the new economy-related activities of all resident units in a certain period of time in a country (or region).

Last year, the output of new industries, business types, and models in the primary and secondary industries reached 599.8 billion yuan and 5.43 trillion yuan, accounting for 0.7 percent and 6.6 percent of the country’s GDP respectively.

The value-added output of the service sector was 6.93 trillion yuan, accounting for 8.4 percent of the country’s GDP last year, up 0.4 percentage points from 2016. New economic output in the service sector expanded 17 percent in current prices in 2017.

2017年中国“三新”增加值近十三万亿元

人民日报记者陆娅楠

国家统计局22日对外公布，根据《新产业新业态新商业模式统计分类（2018）》和《新产业新业态新商业模式增加值核算方法》，经核算，2017年全国“三新”经济增加值为129578亿元，相当于GDP的比重为15.7%，比上年提高0.4个百分点。按现价计算的增速为14.1%，比同期GDP现价增速高2.9个百分点。

“三新”经济是新产业、新业态、新商业模式的简称，是经济中新产业、新业态、新商业模式生产活动的集合。“三新”经济增加值是指一个国家（或地区）所有常住单位一定时期内进行“三新”经济生产活动的最终成果。

分三次产业来看，我国第一产业“三新”经济增加值为5998亿元，相当于GDP的比重为0.7%；第二产业“三新”经济增加值为54253亿元，相当于GDP的比重为6.6%；第三产业“三新”经济增加值为69326亿元，相当于GDP的比重为8.4%。第三产业“三新”经济增长迅速，增加值现价增速为17.0%，相当于GDP的比重比上年提高0.4个百分点。

By Shaiq Hussain and Haq Nawaz Khan

A suicide bomber killed 25 people at a market in northern Pakistan just hours after gunmen assaulted the Chinese Consulate in the southern city of Karachi, killing four.

The two attacks on opposite sides of the country were likely unconnected, but they underline the myriad security challenges Pakistan faces, including those from separatists as well as from Pakistani Taliban based in the northern border regions.

The attacker in the northern Orakzai district drove a motorcycle into the heart of a weekly market in the town of Kalaya and then blew himself up, according to Reuters.

Pakistani authorities have long battled militants in these remote regions near the Afghan border. The region has also been marked by tension between Sunni and Shiite Muslims, and the blast was near a Shiite mosque that may have been the target.

Video images from the scene show volunteers and rescue officials gathering dead bodies up from the weekly Friday market where people had been buying vegetables, household items and warm clothes when the blast took place.

“There was a big bang that rocked the whole town. Nothing was clear in the smoke, and there cries and screams from the market,” said Ashraf Ullah, 42, a local merchant. “Many bodies were unrecognizable from damage by the blast. There were dead bodies all around.”

The blast came hours after police in Karachi foiled a morning assault by three gunmen against the Chinese Consulate, which left two policemen, two civilians and the gunmen dead.

The assault took place at about 9 a.m., when the gunmen tried to enter the consulate located in the city’s upscale Clifton area but were stopped by policemen and security guards at the checkpoint, local police officials said.

In addition to the exchange of gunfire, eyewitnesses told Pakistan’s Dawn news channel they heard an explosion. The footage broadcast on TV showed smoke rising from the Chinese consulate building.

“Three attackers have been killed in the exchange of fire with our forces. All the Chinese diplomats and other staff at the consulate are safe, and they remained unharmed during the attack,” Amir Shaikh, senior police official, told journalists on the scene. Because of the quick response of police and guards, the terrorists couldn’t reach the diplomats, he said, adding that the operation has been completed, but a search was still underway to see if there were any other suspects.

According to Pakistani news channels, a separatist group, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack. The group opposes China’s projects in the province and has previously attacked Chinese workers in Baluchistan, a Pakistani province at the heart of the mega project, the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The $62 billion port and transportation corridor would connect far western China with the Indian Ocean via Kashmir’s lofty mountain passes.

Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the assault.

“The incident is part of conspiracy against Pakistan and China economic and strategic cooperation,” said a statement from his office. “However, such incidents will never be able to undermine Pak-China relationship that is mightier than Himalaya and deeper than Arabian Sea.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang condemned the attack and demanded that “the Pakistani side take practical measures to protect the safety of Chinese institutions in Pakistan.”

The embassy in Islamabad, meanwhile, stressed the countries’ close ties, saying “any attempt to undermine the China-Pakistan relationship is doomed to fail.”

Hassan Askari Rizvi, a Lahore-based security analyst, said the attack was aimed at just that, undermining ties between the two countries, noting that Chinese nationals had been attacked in the past.

“The terrorists want to create panic and fear, and an attack on a diplomatic mission creates international headlines,” he said. “Such attacks show the threat of terror is still very much there and it’s far from over.”