CGTN头条新闻2022 北京2022年奥运会时间表最终版本发布（在线收听）

Final version of Beijing 2022 schedule released

President Xi sends message of sympathy to Tonga's King over volcanic eruption

Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a message of sympathy to Tonga's King Tupou VI over the destruction caused by the volcanic eruption and tsunami in the country.

He says China is willing to provide assistance to help in Tonga's disaster relief and rebuild efforts.

At least 3 killed in Tonga's violent volcanic eruption, tsunami

Tonga's government has confirmed three deaths from the undersea volcanic eruption and tsunami that thrashed the South Pacific island nation on Saturday.

Local telecom operator Digicel says international telephone connectivity was temporarily restored in the country. However, the connection later failed.

With clean water a concern, the government is advising people to drink only bottled water.

U.N. relief officials say authorities have removed a thick coat of ash from an international runway, paving the way for the arrival of emergency aid.

Owen Poland reports

China's central SOEs report solid profits growth in 2021

China's centrally-administered state-owned enterprises saw solid growth in net profits last year.

These profits went up nearly 30 percent from a year ago to hit 1.8 trillion yuan, or over 280 billion U.S. dollars.

The central SOEs raked in 36 trillion yuan in combined revenues in 2021, an increase of about 20 percent year on year.

Their spending on research and development expanded 16 percent to over 900 billion yuan.

China unveils plan to improve transportation networks by 2025

China plans to further improve its transportation network in the next three years.

The country has unveiled a plan outlining major targets for the development of the network by 2025.

High-speed railways will stretch to 50-thousand kilometers in 2025, up from 38-thousand in 2020.

China's Tianjin reports 14 new local COVID-19 cases

The city of Tianjin reported 14 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases on Tuesday.

Among the new infections, 12 are mild cases while the other two are moderate.

As of Tuesday, 326 locally transmitted cases had been detected in the latest resurgence.

Tianjin will launch a fourth round of citywide nucleic acid testing early Thursday morning, aiming to curb the further spread of infections.

The testing is scheduled to be completed in about 24 hours.

Japan declares quasi-emergency state for Tokyo, 12 other areas amid Omicron surge

Japan declared a COVID-19 quasi-state of emergency for Tokyo and 12 other prefectures on Wednesday, as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been spreading rapidly in these areas..

The new measures will mean about a third of Japan's 47 prefectures are subject to stricter curbs.

Under the quasi-state of emergency, restaurants and bars will be asked to close early and stop or limit the serving of alcohol.

Gunmen kill 220 persons in central Nigeria in 17 days: governor

Nigerian authorities say at least 220 people, including civilians and security personnel, lost their lives in the first 17 days of this year in armed attacks in the country's Niger state.

Gunmen attacked 300 communities in the state between Jan. 1 and Jan. 17, and at least 50 of those attacks led to casualties.

About 200 people have been abducted.

China has granted visas to some U.S. officials: FM spokesperson

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian confirmed on Wednesday that China has granted visas to some U.S. government officials for the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Zhao says the U.S. delegation is comprised of a large number of government officials, including those from the State Department, and many of them hold diplomatic or service passports.

Final version of Beijing 2022 schedule released

The Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee has released the final version of the competition schedule for the Winter Games, following the approval of the IOC.

The Games are scheduled to take place from February 4 to 20, with 109 medal events across seven different sports.

Several preliminary events will be held starting from two days before the opening ceremony.

Beginning on February 2, the curling mixed doubles round robin contests will be staged as the very first events of the Games.

Team China will take on Switzerland in the competition.

The very first medal of the Games will be produced on February 5 in the cross-country skiing women's skiathlon event.

The final of the women's cross-country skiing 30 kilometer mass start free style will see the last gold medal, taking place on Feb 20.