China-Switzerland FTA a "strong signal" against protectionism: premier
Premier Li Keqiang says a just-signed free trade agreement (FTA) between China and Switzerland sent the world a strong signal against trade protectionism and will serve as a positive example for China-Europe cooperation.
In his meeting with Swiss Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann in Beijing, Li Keqiang says the FTA, the first of this kind inked between China and a country in continental Europe, is a milestone in the China-Switzerland relations.
He says advancing freedom and convenience in trade and investment could be "a good remedy" for the difficult recovery of the global economy.
The premier says China supports a multi-lateral trade system and is willing to work with all related parties to achieve progress in Doha round negotiations and help stabilize and revive world economy.
Senior military official urges resolute fights against terrorism
A senior military official has urged armed forces in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to resolutely combat terrorism and safeguard stability in Xinjiang.
Fan Changlong, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks during an inspection tour to the armed forces in Xinjiang.
He asked the armed police to tighten security measures in crucial areas, intensify patrols, and keep high alert to cope with emergencies.
He said to steadfastly maintain ethnic unity and social stability in Xinjiang is the obligatory responsibility of the armed forces.
S China river polluted by thallium, cadmium
Government authorities of Fengkai County, south China's Guangdong Province, have warned that water in a section of the Hejiang River has been tainted by pollution upriver.
An initial investigation suggests that the pollutants are thallium and cadmium.
Both thallium and cadmium are toxic to human beings.
A further investigation is under way to determine the source of the pollutants.
Egypt's ElBaradei not yet appointed as PM: presidential media advisor
Egypt's newly-appointed presidential media adviser has denied the appointment of opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei as the country's interim prime minister.
Boeing 777 plane from ROK crashes on landing in San Francisco, casualties unknown
An Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 flying from Seoul, the Republic of Korea (ROK), has crashed while landing and burned at San Francisco International Airport, California of the United States, with parts spread on the runway.
The Federal Aviation Administration of the United States confirmed that the plane was on flight 214. The accident was technically termed as "crash landing."
Local TV footage showed that the top of the fuselage of the plane was burned out, its tail was also gone, but the two wings appeared intact. Authorities ruled out possibility of terrorism in the accident.
No further information, as for details such as the number of people aboard the plane, the casualties of the accident and the cause of the accident, is available at the moment.
Nicaragua, Venezuela presidents say they are willing to grant asylum to Snowden
Nicaragua and Venezuela have decided to grant asylum to former US National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden on different occasions.
The offers come just one day after Bolivian President's plane was rerouted earlier this week over speculation that the ex-NSA contractor was on board.
The abrupt and disrespectful move has been denounced in unison by South American leaders.
WikiLeaks is reporting that Snowden is currently believed to be stuck in the transit area of a Moscow airport, and has made requests for sanctuary to six new countries.
He had been turned down by most of the 20 countries from which he has sought political asylum.
1 killed, 37 injured in blast in Lahore, Pakistan
At least one person was killed and 37 others injured when a remote-controlled blast hit a food street in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore on Saturday night.
Sources say the hospital had received one body and 37 injured people following the blast. Five out of the injured were in critical conditions.
Local Urdu TV channel Dawn says altogether 4 people were killed and 37 injured, out of which eight remained in critical condition.
But there is no official confirmation about the figures reported by the channel.
No group has claimed responsibility for the blast yet.
S.Korea, DPRK show differences over top agendas
South Korea and North Korea showed differences over top agendas that should be discussed at the working-level talks being held Saturday at the truce village of Panmunjeom.
A South Korean official says Seoul proposed to discuss first how to bring back finished goods and materials out of the suspended industrial park at North Korea's border town of Kaesong.
Seoul demanded Pyongyang should express its position on the damages done to 123 South Korean companies at Kaesong caused by North Korea's unilateral action, urging Pyongyang to guarantee the prevention of recurrence of such accidents.
Without mentioning the recurrence prevention, north Korea insisted on discussing first how to maintain and repair facilities at Kaesong vulnerable to humidity during the rainy season. |