Top US and Chinese trade officials met in Shanghai on Wednesday for talks in a bid to end a year-long trade war, despite low expectations for progress and combative remarks from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-tears-into-china-on-twitter-as-trade-talks-resume-239492">US President Donald Trump</a>.

As US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin landed in the Chinese commercial hub on Tuesday, Trump accused Beijing on Twitter of stalling, and warned of a worse outcome for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/huawei-warns-on-us-ban-after-china-smartphone-sales-drive-first-half-revenue-239507">China if it continued to do so</a>.

This week's meetings, the first in-person trade talks since a G20 truce last month, come as an official survey showed China's factory activity shrank for the third month in a row in July, underlining the growing strains placed on the world's second-biggest economy by the trade war.

Vice Premier Liu He met and shook hands with Lighthizer and Mnuchin at Shanghai's Xijiao State Guest Hotel in front of media on Wednesday morning ahead of the day's negotiations, but the officials did not make any public remarks.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/fresh-us-china-trade-talks-to-end-trade-war-239425/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

The trade row has dragged on for more than a year, with the world's two largest economies slapping billions of dollars of tariffs on each other's imports, disrupting global supply chains and shaking financial markets.

The Shanghai talks were expected to centre on "goodwill" gestures, such as Chinese commitments to purchase US agricultural commodities and steps by the United States to ease some sanctions on Chinese telecoms equipment giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd.

Trump had said on Twitter that China appeared to be backing off on a pledge to buy US farm goods, and he warned that if China stalled in the hope that he wouldn't win re-election in the November 2020 US presidential contest, the outcome will be worse for China.

"The problem with them waiting ... is that if &amp; when I win, the deal that they get will be much tougher than what we are negotiating now ... or no deal at all," Trump said.

China's state-owned Global Times tabloid said that US negotiators should show sincerity and hold "reasonable expectations" after making "unrealistic demands that infringe upon China's sovereignty and dignity".

It said that if "Washington still holds the illusion that Beijing will somehow cave in and compromise on issues concerning sovereignty and other related core interests to reach a deal, then no deal is fine".

The US and Chinese delegations were scheduled to have had dinner at Shanghai's historic riverfront Fairmont Peace Hotel on Tuesday night, but both teams avoided the media and did not make public comments.

The US Commerce Department put Huawei on a national security blacklist in May, effectively banning US firms from selling to Huawei, a move that enraged Chinese officials.

Trump had agreed last month to allow some sales to Huawei in a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but so far, US semiconductor and software makers are still mostly in the dark about the administration's plans.

In Sao Paulo on Tuesday, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said decisions on license applications by US firms to resume some sales to Huawei could come as early as next week.

Top US and Chinese trade officials met in Shanghai on Wednesday for talks in a bid to end a year-long trade war, despite low expectations for progress and combative remarks from US President Donald Trump.

Top US and Chinese trade officials met in Shanghai on Wednesday for talks in a bid to end a year-long trade war, despite low expectations for progress and combative remarks from US President Donald Trump. As US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin landed in the Chinese commercial hub on Tuesday, Trump accused Beijing on Twitter of stalling, and warned of a worse outcome for China if it continued to do so. This week's meetings, the first in-person trade talks since a G20 truce last month, come as an official survey showed China's factory activity shrank for the third month in a row in July, underlining the growing strains placed on the world's second-biggest economy by the trade war. Vice Premier Liu He met and shook hands with Lighthizer and Mnuchin at Shanghai's Xijiao State Guest Hotel in front of media on Wednesday morning ahead of the day's negotiations, but the officials did not make any public remarks. Watch Video: The trade row has dragged on for more than a year, with the world's two largest economies slapping billions of dollars of tariffs on each other's imports, disrupting global supply chains and shaking financial markets. The Shanghai talks were expected to centre on "goodwill" gestures, such as Chinese commitments to purchase US agricultural commodities and steps by the United States to ease some sanctions on Chinese telecoms equipment giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd. Trump had said on Twitter that China appeared to be backing off on a pledge to buy US farm goods, and he warned that if China stalled in the hope that he wouldn't win re-election in the November 2020 US presidential contest, the outcome will be worse for China. "The problem with them waiting ... is that if & when I win, the deal that they get will be much tougher than what we are negotiating now ... or no deal at all," Trump said. China's state-owned Global Times tabloid said that US negotiators should show sincerity and hold "reasonable expectations" after making "unrealistic demands that infringe upon China's sovereignty and dignity". It said that if "Washington still holds the illusion that Beijing will somehow cave in and compromise on issues concerning sovereignty and other related core interests to reach a deal, then no deal is fine". The US and Chinese delegations were scheduled to have had dinner at Shanghai's historic riverfront Fairmont Peace Hotel on Tuesday night, but both teams avoided the media and did not make public comments. The US Commerce Department put Huawei on a national security blacklist in May, effectively banning US firms from selling to Huawei, a move that enraged Chinese officials. Trump had agreed last month to allow some sales to Huawei in a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but so far, US semiconductor and software makers are still mostly in the dark about the administration's plans. In Sao Paulo on Tuesday, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said decisions on license applications by US firms to resume some sales to Huawei could come as early as next week.

US, China trade talks begin amid Trump's threat of 'tougher' deal ahead

After reports emerged that the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-treasury-secretary-mnuchin-says-trump-could-ease-up-on-huawei-if-trade-talks-advance-225724"> US government had written</a> to the external affairs ministry last month warning the government that companies found supplying equipment or other products of American origin to Huawei could face "punitive action", ministry of external affairs(MEA) spokesman Ravish Kumar said the matter was being debated.

"We will be guided by our economic and security consideration," MEA spokesman Ravish Kumar said.

Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei had recently said that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-obtains-46-commercial-5g-contracts-in-30-countries-225175">US ban on its products </a>had hit revenue by $30 billion. The United States has put Huawei on an export blacklist citing national security issues. The Trump administration has been working the back channels with its allies in Europe and Asia to bar Huawei from various countries, including its 5G network

"We did not expect they would attack us on so many aspects," Ren said, adding,"we cannot get components supply, cannot participate in many international organisations, cannot work closely with many universities, cannot use anything with US components, and cannot even establish connection with networks that use such components."&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-us-tries-to-arm-twist-india-over-huawei-228821/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

The ban has already led Alphabet Inc's Google and British chip designer ARM to limit its relationship with Huawei.

However, the Chinese company has been defiant in face of the US ban asserting that it could roll out its Hongmeng operating system (OS) after its phones were cut off from updates of Google's Android OS in the wake of the ban.

However, Russian President Putin has backed China over the Huawei row declaring that US moves were aimed at weakining China.

"Regarding attack on Huawei. How did it come about? And what's the intention? There's one and only intention: restriction of China's development. China has become a global competitor of another global power, United States," Putin said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that China is ready to share its expertise on 5G with other countries. &nbsp;

After a meeting between Xi and Putin in Moscow earlier this month, Russia's top mobile phone operator MTS and China's Huawei signed an agreement to develop 5G technology in Russia and to hold test launches this year and in 2020.

After reports emerged that the US government had written to the external affairs ministry last month warning the government that companies found supplying equipment or other products of American origin to Huawei could face "punitive action", ministry of external affairs(MEA) spokesman Ravish Kumar said the matter was being debated.

After reports emerged that the US government had written to the external affairs ministry last month warning the government that companies found supplying equipment or other products of American origin to Huawei could face "punitive action", ministry of external affairs(MEA) spokesman Ravish Kumar said the matter was being debated. "We will be guided by our economic and security consideration," MEA spokesman Ravish Kumar said. Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei had recently said that US ban on its products had hit revenue by $30 billion. The United States has put Huawei on an export blacklist citing national security issues. The Trump administration has been working the back channels with its allies in Europe and Asia to bar Huawei from various countries, including its 5G network "We did not expect they would attack us on so many aspects," Ren said, adding,"we cannot get components supply, cannot participate in many international organisations, cannot work closely with many universities, cannot use anything with US components, and cannot even establish connection with networks that use such components." The ban has already led Alphabet Inc's Google and British chip designer ARM to limit its relationship with Huawei. However, the Chinese company has been defiant in face of the US ban asserting that it could roll out its Hongmeng operating system (OS) after its phones were cut off from updates of Google's Android OS in the wake of the ban. However, Russian President Putin has backed China over the Huawei row declaring that US moves were aimed at weakining China. "Regarding attack on Huawei. How did it come about? And what's the intention? There's one and only intention: restriction of China's development. China has become a global competitor of another global power, United States," Putin said. Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that China is ready to share its expertise on 5G with other countries. After a meeting between Xi and Putin in Moscow earlier this month, Russia's top mobile phone operator MTS and China's Huawei signed an agreement to develop 5G technology in Russia and to hold test launches this year and in 2020.

Will be guided by our economic and security consideration: Ministry of external affairs on Huawei row

&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-trade-war-chinas-exports-fall-to-three-year-low-imports-slip-for-third-straight-month-201889">China's exports</a> unexpectedly returned to growth in May despite higher <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-hopes-to-reach-migration-deal-with-the-united-states-as-tariffs-loom-223935">US tariffs</a>, but imports fell the most in nearly three years in a further sign of weak domestic demand that could prompt Beijing to step up stimulus measures.

Some analysts suspected Chinese exporters may have rushed out shipments to the United States to avoid new tariffs on $300 billion of goods that President Donald Trump is threatening to impose in a rapidly escalating trade dispute.

But Monday's better-than-expected export data is unlikely to ease fears that a longer and costlier US-China trade war may no longer be avoidable, pushing the global economy towards recession.

China's May exports rose 1.1% from a year earlier, compared with market expectations for a modest decline, customs data showed.

"We expect export growth to remain positive in June, likely supported by continued front-loading of US-bound exports, but it should then tumble in the third quarter when we expect the threatened tariffs to be imposed," economists at Nomura said in a note to clients.

"Therefore, we believe Beijing will likely step up its stimulus measures to stabilise financial markets and growth."

Business distortions related to April's cut in the value-added tax (VAT) may also have eased, helping export readings, Nomura added.

Analysts polled by Reuters had expected May shipments from the world's largest exporter to have fallen 3.8% from a year earlier, after a contraction of 2.7% per cent in April.

While China is not as dependent on exports as in the past, they still account for nearly a fifth of its gross domestic product.

Trade tensions between Washington and Beijing escalated sharply last month after the Trump administration accused China of having "reneged" on promises to make structural changes to its economic practices.

Trump on May 10 slapped higher tariffs of up to 25% on $200 billion of Chinese goods and then took steps to levy duties on all remaining $300 billion Chinese imports. Beijing retaliated with tariff hikes on US goods.

Trump has said he expects to hold a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a G20 leaders' summit late this month, but analysts such as Capital Economics believe the chances of a lasting trade deal are receding as both sides appear to be digging in for a long battle.

Trade sanctions are spreading from goods to services, Capital Economics noted last week, with China issuing a warning to citizens about risks of travelling in the United States and US lawmakers pushing to tighten visas for Chinese students.

Damage from the trade war along with a broader softening in global demand will make 2019 the worst year for trade since the financial crisis a decade ago, with only 0.2% growth, according to economists at ING.

China's trade surplus with the United States, a major irritant for Washington, widened to a four-month high of $26.89 billion in May, from $21.01 billion in April, Monday's data showed.

Exports to the US fell at a more moderate pace of 4.2 per cent after dropping 13.2 per cent in April, while China's imports of U.S. goods declined 26.8% from a year earlier.

Imports Fall worst in almost 3 years

China's May imports were much weaker than expected, falling 8.5 per cent, the sharpest drop since July 2016. That left the country with a trade surplus of $41.65 billion for the month.

Analysts had forecast imports would fall 3.8%, reversing an expansion of 4% in April, which some had suspected was related to the reduction in the VAT.

Highlighting sluggish demand, imports of copper fell. The red metal is widely used in construction, electrical goods and manufacturing and is considered a bellwether for the health of an economy.

For January-May, China's total exports rose just 0.4% from a year earlier, while imports declined 3.7%.

More support measures expected

As trade pressures intensify, analysts believe China will loosen policy further in months ahead to shore up economic growth.

Investors are also watching to see how much Beijing allows the yuan to weaken to offset higher US tariffs. The tightly-managed currency has depreciated nearly 3 per cent against the dollar since trade tensions flared in early May and are nearing a closely watched support level.

Analysts do not expect a surprise devaluation from China like one in 2015, which could risk capital outflows and further angering Washington, but some believe more yuan weakness is inevitable if the trade war drags on.

Separate data on Monday showed China's foreign exchange reserves rose unexpectedly in May, suggesting the central bank has intervened only lightly to cushion the recent fall in the yuan.

The central bank has cut banks' reserve requirements (RRR) six times since early 2018 and guided some interest rates lower while urging banks to lend more and keeping ample amounts of liquidity in the banking system.

A growing number of analysts believe it could cut benchmark interest rates in the event of a full-blown trade war, especially if the US Federal Reserve eases policy first.

Beijing also has leaned more heavily on fiscal stimulus than in past downturns, possibly due to high levels of debt left over from past credit sprees. It has fast-tracked infrastructure projects, cut taxes for companies and raised export tax rebates.

The economy has yet to get back on firm footing, however. Factory activity in May contracted more than expected amid weak demand at home and abroad, an official survey showed.

Citing heightened trade uncertainties, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last week cut its 2019 economic growth forecast for China to 6.2%, which would mark the country's weakest expansion in 29 years.

China's exports unexpectedly returned to growth in May despite higher US tariffs, but imports fell the most in nearly three years in a further sign of weak domestic demand that could prompt Beijing to step up stimulus measures.

China's exports unexpectedly returned to growth in May despite higher US tariffs, but imports fell the most in nearly three years in a further sign of weak domestic demand that could prompt Beijing to step up stimulus measures. Some analysts suspected Chinese exporters may have rushed out shipments to the United States to avoid new tariffs on $300 billion of goods that President Donald Trump is threatening to impose in a rapidly escalating trade dispute. But Monday's better-than-expected export data is unlikely to ease fears that a longer and costlier US-China trade war may no longer be avoidable, pushing the global economy towards recession. China's May exports rose 1.1% from a year earlier, compared with market expectations for a modest decline, customs data showed. "We expect export growth to remain positive in June, likely supported by continued front-loading of US-bound exports, but it should then tumble in the third quarter when we expect the threatened tariffs to be imposed," economists at Nomura said in a note to clients. "Therefore, we believe Beijing will likely step up its stimulus measures to stabilise financial markets and growth." Business distortions related to April's cut in the value-added tax (VAT) may also have eased, helping export readings, Nomura added. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected May shipments from the world's largest exporter to have fallen 3.8% from a year earlier, after a contraction of 2.7% per cent in April. While China is not as dependent on exports as in the past, they still account for nearly a fifth of its gross domestic product. Trade tensions between Washington and Beijing escalated sharply last month after the Trump administration accused China of having "reneged" on promises to make structural changes to its economic practices. Trump on May 10 slapped higher tariffs of up to 25% on $200 billion of Chinese goods and then took steps to levy duties on all remaining $300 billion Chinese imports. Beijing retaliated with tariff hikes on US goods. Trump has said he expects to hold a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a G20 leaders' summit late this month, but analysts such as Capital Economics believe the chances of a lasting trade deal are receding as both sides appear to be digging in for a long battle. Trade sanctions are spreading from goods to services, Capital Economics noted last week, with China issuing a warning to citizens about risks of travelling in the United States and US lawmakers pushing to tighten visas for Chinese students. Damage from the trade war along with a broader softening in global demand will make 2019 the worst year for trade since the financial crisis a decade ago, with only 0.2% growth, according to economists at ING. China's trade surplus with the United States, a major irritant for Washington, widened to a four-month high of $26.89 billion in May, from $21.01 billion in April, Monday's data showed. Exports to the US fell at a more moderate pace of 4.2 per cent after dropping 13.2 per cent in April, while China's imports of U.S. goods declined 26.8% from a year earlier. Imports Fall worst in almost 3 years China's May imports were much weaker than expected, falling 8.5 per cent, the sharpest drop since July 2016. That left the country with a trade surplus of $41.65 billion for the month. Analysts had forecast imports would fall 3.8%, reversing an expansion of 4% in April, which some had suspected was related to the reduction in the VAT. Highlighting sluggish demand, imports of copper fell. The red metal is widely used in construction, electrical goods and manufacturing and is considered a bellwether for the health of an economy. For January-May, China's total exports rose just 0.4% from a year earlier, while imports declined 3.7%. More support measures expected As trade pressures intensify, analysts believe China will loosen policy further in months ahead to shore up economic growth. Investors are also watching to see how much Beijing allows the yuan to weaken to offset higher US tariffs. The tightly-managed currency has depreciated nearly 3 per cent against the dollar since trade tensions flared in early May and are nearing a closely watched support level. Analysts do not expect a surprise devaluation from China like one in 2015, which could risk capital outflows and further angering Washington, but some believe more yuan weakness is inevitable if the trade war drags on. Separate data on Monday showed China's foreign exchange reserves rose unexpectedly in May, suggesting the central bank has intervened only lightly to cushion the recent fall in the yuan. The central bank has cut banks' reserve requirements (RRR) six times since early 2018 and guided some interest rates lower while urging banks to lend more and keeping ample amounts of liquidity in the banking system. A growing number of analysts believe it could cut benchmark interest rates in the event of a full-blown trade war, especially if the US Federal Reserve eases policy first. Beijing also has leaned more heavily on fiscal stimulus than in past downturns, possibly due to high levels of debt left over from past credit sprees. It has fast-tracked infrastructure projects, cut taxes for companies and raised export tax rebates. The economy has yet to get back on firm footing, however. Factory activity in May contracted more than expected amid weak demand at home and abroad, an official survey showed. Citing heightened trade uncertainties, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last week cut its 2019 economic growth forecast for China to 6.2%, which would mark the country's weakest expansion in 29 years.

China exports grow despite US tariffs; imports slump most in nearly three years

With a cryptic message about UFOs and a picture of a missile launcher, China's military has hinted that it has carried out a test of a new missile, after images of an object streaking towards the sky circulated on Chinese social media.

The People's Liberation Army typically does not announce new missile tests, but occasionally drops hints about what it is up to, amid a massive modernisation push championed by President Xi Jinping to ramp up combat capabilities.

On Sunday, footage circulated on China's Weibo microblogging service of an object travelling up into the sky, leaving a white trail behind it, over the Bohai Sea, partly closed at the time for military drills.

That caused some Chinese internet users to wonder if it was a UFO, though most thought it was probably the test of a new underwater-launched ballistic missile.

In a short post on its official Weibo account late on Monday, the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force showed a picture of what looked like a road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile launcher against a night sky.

"Do you believe in this world there are UFOs?" it wrote in the caption, without offering further explanation.

The navy then chimed in on its Weibo account with a picture of a missile being launched from underwater heading off into the blue sky above, with a similar caption: "Do you believe in UFOs?"

Defence publication Janes said on its website that the weekend pictures could have been China's next generation submarine-launched ballistic missile, the JL-3.

The Ministry of Defence did not respond to a request for comment.

The development of the nuclear-armed JL-3 is being closely watched by the United States and its allies as it is expected to have a longer range than its predecessor and will significantly strengthen China's nuclear deterrent.

In its latest annual survey of China's military modernisation, the Pentagon said last month the new missile would likely to be fitted on China's next generation nuclear missile submarines. Construction is due to start in the early 2020s. 
&nbsp;

With a cryptic message about UFOs and a picture of a missile launcher, China's military has hinted that it has carried out a test of a new missile, after images of an object streaking towards the sky circulated on Chinese social media.

With a cryptic message about UFOs and a picture of a missile launcher, China's military has hinted that it has carried out a test of a new missile, after images of an object streaking towards the sky circulated on Chinese social media. The People's Liberation Army typically does not announce new missile tests, but occasionally drops hints about what it is up to, amid a massive modernisation push championed by President Xi Jinping to ramp up combat capabilities. On Sunday, footage circulated on China's Weibo microblogging service of an object travelling up into the sky, leaving a white trail behind it, over the Bohai Sea, partly closed at the time for military drills. That caused some Chinese internet users to wonder if it was a UFO, though most thought it was probably the test of a new underwater-launched ballistic missile. In a short post on its official Weibo account late on Monday, the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force showed a picture of what looked like a road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile launcher against a night sky. "Do you believe in this world there are UFOs?" it wrote in the caption, without offering further explanation. The navy then chimed in on its Weibo account with a picture of a missile being launched from underwater heading off into the blue sky above, with a similar caption: "Do you believe in UFOs?" Defence publication Janes said on its website that the weekend pictures could have been China's next generation submarine-launched ballistic missile, the JL-3. The Ministry of Defence did not respond to a request for comment. The development of the nuclear-armed JL-3 is being closely watched by the United States and its allies as it is expected to have a longer range than its predecessor and will significantly strengthen China's nuclear deterrent. In its latest annual survey of China's military modernisation, the Pentagon said last month the new missile would likely to be fitted on China's next generation nuclear missile submarines. Construction is due to start in the early 2020s.

UFO with a white trail? China's military hints at new missile test amid social media storm

As new US tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods kicked in on Friday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-rallies-on-hopes-for-us-china-trade-deal-217381">China's commerce ministry</a> said it "deeply regrets" the move by the Trump administration even as it vowed to take "necessary countermeasures".

"The eleventh round of China-US high-level economic and trade consultations is underway and we hope the US and the Chinese side can meet each other halfway," the statement said.

The commerce ministry, however, did not elaborate on the "countermeasures". US and Chinese officials completed their talks on the first day when the two sides met in Washington on Thursday.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/no-end-to-us-china-trade-war-217290/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The US and &nbsp;Chinese officials are due to meet again on Friday for the second day of talks to resolve the trade dispute.

China's top trade negotiator Liu He said that an increase in US tariffs on Chinese goods "won't solve anything".

"Both the Chinese and US economies, in some ways, are part of a complete industrial chain. Everyone will get hurt. As both sides have now run into issues during the negotiations, we shouldn't harm the innocent," Liu said.

"The interests of the broader masses have been damaged, and we feel regretful. So we hope we can find the best way to a solution," he added.

However, as the talks got underway, President Trump said China had sought to "renegotiate the deal", adding, "we can't have that."

Trump warned that if the two sides fail to make a deal, the US would go back to manufacturing products that China now makes. "It'll be the old-fashioned way, the way we used to do it: We made our own product."

Trump did add that&nbsp;he had received a "beautiful" letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping to keep hopes alive in the contentious talks.

Markets around the world were hit even as several market experts still hope a last minute deal would&nbsp;be reached by the warring sides. US stock indexes closed lower on Thursday ahead of the trade talks.

As new US tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods kicked in on Friday, China's commerce ministry said it "deeply regrets" the move by the Trump administration even as it vowed to take "necessary countermeasures".

As new US tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods kicked in on Friday, China's commerce ministry said it "deeply regrets" the move by the Trump administration even as it vowed to take "necessary countermeasures". "The eleventh round of China-US high-level economic and trade consultations is underway and we hope the US and the Chinese side can meet each other halfway," the statement said. The commerce ministry, however, did not elaborate on the "countermeasures". US and Chinese officials completed their talks on the first day when the two sides met in Washington on Thursday. The US and Chinese officials are due to meet again on Friday for the second day of talks to resolve the trade dispute. China's top trade negotiator Liu He said that an increase in US tariffs on Chinese goods "won't solve anything". "Both the Chinese and US economies, in some ways, are part of a complete industrial chain. Everyone will get hurt. As both sides have now run into issues during the negotiations, we shouldn't harm the innocent," Liu said. "The interests of the broader masses have been damaged, and we feel regretful. So we hope we can find the best way to a solution," he added. However, as the talks got underway, President Trump said China had sought to "renegotiate the deal", adding, "we can't have that." Trump warned that if the two sides fail to make a deal, the US would go back to manufacturing products that China now makes. "It'll be the old-fashioned way, the way we used to do it: We made our own product." Trump did add that he had received a "beautiful" letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping to keep hopes alive in the contentious talks. Markets around the world were hit even as several market experts still hope a last minute deal would be reached by the warring sides. US stock indexes closed lower on Thursday ahead of the trade talks.

Deeply regret US tariffs, will take 'necessary countermeasures': China

More Than 60 Countries Including India Are Taking Part In China's Naval Parade. The Parade Is Organised To Celebrate 70 Years Of Chinese Navy

Gravitas: 70th anniversary of Chinese Navy: President Xi kicks off multinational Naval Parade

China on Thursday sent a new marine satellite into orbit.

A Long March-4B rocket sent the HY-2B satellite into orbit at 06:57 from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi province.

The HY-2B is a remote sensing satellite. It will capture real-time marine data together with the HY-2A satellite launched seven years ago.

The new satellite will also form a network with the subsequent HY-2C and HY-2D for marine environment monitoring.

"The three satellites run in orbit at the same time but on different courses. Therefore, we can timely get marine information and give a 24-hour accurate forecast of a region and monitor its dynamics," said Ma Shijun, consultant of the HY-2 satellite project.

The HY-2B satellite can precisely observe dynamic factors of ocean such as sea level, wind and temperature, so mariners can get more accurate travel information.

The satellite can also automatically recognize global ships and collect relevant information.

"By monitoring ships in the oceans, we can know how many ships are on the sea, where are the most crowded places across the oceans. We can know ship distribution at ports and on shipping routes. It is very helpful to navigation," said Ma.

China on Thursday sent a new marine satellite into orbit. A Long March-4B rocket sent the HY-2B satellite into orbit at 06:57 from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi province.

China on Thursday sent a new marine satellite into orbit. A Long March-4B rocket sent the HY-2B satellite into orbit at 06:57 from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi province. The HY-2B is a remote sensing satellite. It will capture real-time marine data together with the HY-2A satellite launched seven years ago. The new satellite will also form a network with the subsequent HY-2C and HY-2D for marine environment monitoring. "The three satellites run in orbit at the same time but on different courses. Therefore, we can timely get marine information and give a 24-hour accurate forecast of a region and monitor its dynamics," said Ma Shijun, consultant of the HY-2 satellite project. The HY-2B satellite can precisely observe dynamic factors of ocean such as sea level, wind and temperature, so mariners can get more accurate travel information. The satellite can also automatically recognize global ships and collect relevant information. "By monitoring ships in the oceans, we can know how many ships are on the sea, where are the most crowded places across the oceans. We can know ship distribution at ports and on shipping routes. It is very helpful to navigation," said Ma.

Watch: China launches satellite to track marine data in real-time

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao<a href="http://www.wionews.com/central-asia/yawn-cams-blood-pressure-trackers-on-chinas-hong-kong-zhuhai-macau-bridge-172967"> bridge officially opened for traffic</a> on Wednesday as several passengers were seen going through China's Zhuhai border through the facial recognition systems.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pix-president-xi-inaugurates-worlds-longest-sea-bridge-connecting-hong-kong-macau-zhuhai-172915">Also See:&nbsp;President Xi inaugurates world's longest sea bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macau &amp; Zhuhai</a>

Chinese president Xi Jinping had opened the mega bridge on Tuesday which is touted as the world's largest bridge. Chinese authorities had started working on the bridge in December 2009 and it was finally completed in July last year.

The over 55 km bridge links China's Zhuhai city with Macao which was built under the "one country, two systems" policy. The project was jointly undertaken by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.

The bridge built on the Pearl River delta showcases China's latest techological design with "yawn cams" meant to track a driver's sleep pattern including blood pressure and heart rate.

While opening the bridge, Xi lauded the people asserting that the brige embodied "spirit of surmounting all obstacles".&nbsp;

&nbsp;"It is in this way that socialism with Chinese characteristics has been developed. It is in this way that the principle of 'one country, two systems' has been implemented," Xi said during his speech.

After the ceremony, Xi toured and inspected the bridge in a vehicle.

Han Zheng, vice premier of China said that the bridge will help improve personnel and trade exchanges among Guangdong, Hong Kong&nbsp;and Macao while adding that it will also enhance the comprehensive competitiveness of the Pearl River delta.

The bridge officially opened to the public at 9am on Wednesday.

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge officially opened for traffic on Wednesday as several passengers were seen going through China's Zhuhai border through the facial recognition systems.

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge officially opened for traffic on Wednesday as several passengers were seen going through China's Zhuhai border through the facial recognition systems. Also See: President Xi inaugurates world's longest sea bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macau & Zhuhai Chinese president Xi Jinping had opened the mega bridge on Tuesday which is touted as the world's largest bridge. Chinese authorities had started working on the bridge in December 2009 and it was finally completed in July last year. The over 55 km bridge links China's Zhuhai city with Macao which was built under the "one country, two systems" policy. The project was jointly undertaken by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. The bridge built on the Pearl River delta showcases China's latest techological design with "yawn cams" meant to track a driver's sleep pattern including blood pressure and heart rate. While opening the bridge, Xi lauded the people asserting that the brige embodied "spirit of surmounting all obstacles". "It is in this way that socialism with Chinese characteristics has been developed. It is in this way that the principle of 'one country, two systems' has been implemented," Xi said during his speech. After the ceremony, Xi toured and inspected the bridge in a vehicle. Han Zheng, vice premier of China said that the bridge will help improve personnel and trade exchanges among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao while adding that it will also enhance the comprehensive competitiveness of the Pearl River delta. The bridge officially opened to the public at 9am on Wednesday.

Watch: Passengers pass through Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge via facial recognition system

In a first, China's Hunan TV on Sunday broadcast a programme named Studying Xi in the New Era as a quiz show on prime time.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cpc-thinking-of-strengthening-military-for-new-era-president-xi-160369">Also Read:&nbsp;CPC thinking of strengthening military for </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cpc-thinking-of-strengthening-military-for-new-era-president-xi-160369">new</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cpc-thinking-of-strengthening-military-for-new-era-president-xi-160369"> era, says President Xi</a>

The youth channel which is reportedly the second most watched channel in China will be airing five episodes on Xi's political journey.

The Communist Party of China had amended the constitution to remove the term-limit for President Xi after he was given another term last year. Xi's philosophy has been enshrined in the Chinese constitution making him the only leader after Deng Xiaoping to share the honour.

The quiz is reportedly based on Xi's achievements, the Communist party's philosophy and information on Marxism, Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. The contestants are required to give a speech on Xi's thoughts during the programme.

The questions in the quiz show is not asked by any quizmaster but through a robot named “2050” who is said to have travelled in time and come back from the future of a “rejuvenated China”.

The show is resplendent&nbsp;with flashy lights and music with an excited crowd ringing throughout the programme.

Xi rose to power in five years ago replacing Hu Jintao, is the son of a Communist Party veteran is considered among one of the most influential leaders in the world.

In a first, China's Hunan TV on Sunday broadcast a programme named Studying Xi in the New Era as a quiz show on prime time. Also Read: CPC thinking of strengthening military for new era, says President Xi The youth channel which is reportedly the second most watched channel in China will be airing five episodes on Xi's political journey.

In a first, China's Hunan TV on Sunday broadcast a programme named Studying Xi in the New Era as a quiz show on prime time. Also Read: CPC thinking of strengthening military for new era, says President Xi The youth channel which is reportedly the second most watched channel in China will be airing five episodes on Xi's political journey. The Communist Party of China had amended the constitution to remove the term-limit for President Xi after he was given another term last year. Xi's philosophy has been enshrined in the Chinese constitution making him the only leader after Deng Xiaoping to share the honour. The quiz is reportedly based on Xi's achievements, the Communist party's philosophy and information on Marxism, Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. The contestants are required to give a speech on Xi's thoughts during the programme. The questions in the quiz show is not asked by any quizmaster but through a robot named “2050” who is said to have travelled in time and come back from the future of a “rejuvenated China”. The show is resplendent with flashy lights and music with an excited crowd ringing throughout the programme. Xi rose to power in five years ago replacing Hu Jintao, is the son of a Communist Party veteran is considered among one of the most influential leaders in the world.

Now, a quiz show on President Xi in China

PM Modi arrived in China's eastern port city of Qingdao today to attend the 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit with Pakistan also in attendance.

Modi was welcomed by Chinese officials and he also received a guard of honour upon his arrival at the airport.

Although PM Modi is not slated to meet Pakistan leaders officially, but he may meet them unofficially, according to India's Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in China's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Qingdao?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Qingdao</a>, he will be attending the SCO Summit & will hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. <a href="https://t.co/ZzzuiBvGrT">pic.twitter.com/ZzzuiBvGrT</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1005355661817860096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Before leaving for the summit, the Indian prime minister said he would be discussing "terrorism, separatism and extremism" with other leaders, including "commerce, customs, law, health and agriculture".

During the summit, PM Modi will be holding bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping which would be their second meeting after Wuhan where the two leaders had met for an "informal summit".

SCO members &nbsp;India, Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are expected to sign the Qingdao Declaration which aims to resist global terror activities.

Established in Shanghai in 2001, the SCO accounts for over 60 per cent of the Eurasian landmass, nearly half of the world's population. The summit aims to make joint efforts to maintain and ensure peace, security and stability in the region including promotion of trade, research and technology.

The summit will conclude on Sunday.

During the summit, PM Modi will be holding bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

PM Modi arrived in China's eastern port city of Qingdao today to attend the 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit with Pakistan also in attendance. Modi was welcomed by Chinese officials and he also received a guard of honour upon his arrival at the airport. Although PM Modi is not slated to meet Pakistan leaders officially, but he may meet them unofficially, according to India's Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in China's #Qingdao, he will be attending the SCO Summit & will hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. pic.twitter.com/ZzzuiBvGrT — ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2018 × Before leaving for the summit, the Indian prime minister said he would be discussing "terrorism, separatism and extremism" with other leaders, including "commerce, customs, law, health and agriculture". During the summit, PM Modi will be holding bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping which would be their second meeting after Wuhan where the two leaders had met for an "informal summit". SCO members India, Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are expected to sign the Qingdao Declaration which aims to resist global terror activities. Established in Shanghai in 2001, the SCO accounts for over 60 per cent of the Eurasian landmass, nearly half of the world's population. The summit aims to make joint efforts to maintain and ensure peace, security and stability in the region including promotion of trade, research and technology. The summit will conclude on Sunday.

PM Modi arrives in China to attend SCO summit

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said Sunday trade talks have been "friendly and frank" as the US and China continued with the second day of negotiations in Beijing aimed at de-escalating tensions between the two sides.&nbsp

The world's two largest economies have been at loggerheads over trade and industrial practices for months with the talks under way in the Chinese capital the third formal round of negotiations.&nbsp

The discussions are intended to ease tensions after Washington said it would follow through with tariffs on Chinese imports despite a truce reached between the two sides in the US last month.

"Our meetings so far have been friendly and frank, and covered some useful topics about specific export items," Ross told the Chinese trade team led by Vice Premier Liu He, President Xi Jinping's right-hand-man on economic issues.

Liu offered the US team a "special welcome" to Beijing for the talks.

The visit comes as fears of an all-out global trade war intensified after the European Union, Canada and Mexico drew up retaliatory measures to Washington's stinging steel and aluminium tariffs that came into effect on Friday.

On Saturday, Washington's main allies delivered a unified message of shock and dismay at a Group of Seven ministerial meeting, urging President Donald Trump to rescind the punishing metal tariffs.

The planned US sanctions on Beijing include restrictions on Chinese investment, export controls and 25 per cent tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese tech goods.

China has threatened to hit back with tit-for-tat tariffs on tens of billions of dollars in US goods.

But it has also taken conciliatory measures to address some of the Trump administration's concerns and insisted that it hopes to avoid a damaging trade war.

Ross and the large American delegation had dinner Saturday evening with their Chinese hosts.

"It has been a great pleasure to spend yesterday with you and we are especially grateful for last night's dinner," Ross said as he met with Liu at the Diaoyutai state guesthouse.

Washington's positions in the trade talks with Beijing have shifted as Trump's team of hardliners and more mainstream advisors compete to push their views.&nbsp

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who announced the tariff truce with China, said at the G7 summit in Canada that the US was pushing for "structural changes" to the Chinese economy.

"If there are structural changes that allow our companies to compete fairly, by definition that will deal with the trade deficit alone," Mnuchin said Saturday, according to Bloomberg News.

The world's two largest economies have been at loggerheads over trade and industrial practices for months with the talks underway in the Chinese capital the third formal round of negotiations

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said Sunday trade talks have been "friendly and frank" as the US and China continued with the second day of negotiations in Beijing aimed at de-escalating tensions between the two sides. The world's two largest economies have been at loggerheads over trade and industrial practices for months with the talks under way in the Chinese capital the third formal round of negotiations. The discussions are intended to ease tensions after Washington said it would follow through with tariffs on Chinese imports despite a truce reached between the two sides in the US last month. "Our meetings so far have been friendly and frank, and covered some useful topics about specific export items," Ross told the Chinese trade team led by Vice Premier Liu He, President Xi Jinping's right-hand-man on economic issues. Liu offered the US team a "special welcome" to Beijing for the talks. The visit comes as fears of an all-out global trade war intensified after the European Union, Canada and Mexico drew up retaliatory measures to Washington's stinging steel and aluminium tariffs that came into effect on Friday. On Saturday, Washington's main allies delivered a unified message of shock and dismay at a Group of Seven ministerial meeting, urging President Donald Trump to rescind the punishing metal tariffs. The planned US sanctions on Beijing include restrictions on Chinese investment, export controls and 25 per cent tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese tech goods. China has threatened to hit back with tit-for-tat tariffs on tens of billions of dollars in US goods. But it has also taken conciliatory measures to address some of the Trump administration's concerns and insisted that it hopes to avoid a damaging trade war. Ross and the large American delegation had dinner Saturday evening with their Chinese hosts. "It has been a great pleasure to spend yesterday with you and we are especially grateful for last night's dinner," Ross said as he met with Liu at the Diaoyutai state guesthouse. Washington's positions in the trade talks with Beijing have shifted as Trump's team of hardliners and more mainstream advisors compete to push their views. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who announced the tariff truce with China, said at the G7 summit in Canada that the US was pushing for "structural changes" to the Chinese economy. "If there are structural changes that allow our companies to compete fairly, by definition that will deal with the trade deficit alone," Mnuchin said Saturday, according to Bloomberg News.

'Frank' trade discussions in Beijing: US commerce secretary

The White House said today <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/on-labour-day-india-china-troops-meet-at-the-border-exchange-sweets-134113">that PM Modi and Chinese President Xi </a>Jinping's meeting last week when they met for an "informal summit" was a "good thing".

"I certainly think it's always good when other world leaders are getting along," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said.

Modi and Xi met for<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-wont-force-india-to-accept-belt-and-road-project-says-chinese-vice-foreign-minister-133409"> two days last week in Wuhan </a>as the two leaders agreed to improve ties understand each other's point of view on military and civilian matters, especially along the Line of Actual Control(LAC).

"And, certainly, when we can cooperate, that's definitely a good thing. We have a great relationship with both countries and hope to continue to do so," Sanders told reporters at the news briefing.

US's reaction comes even as the Trump administration is engaged in trade talks with China after the US president imposed stiff tariffs against Chinese goods last month. The US trade team arrived in Beijing on Thursday as Trump said his country was seeking trying to negotiate a "level playing field on trade".

A week after Xi and Modi meeting at Wuhan, the two countries decided to setup a military "hotline" similar to the one between DGMos of India and Pakistan. The move was part of Xi and Modi's &nbsp"strategic guidance" to their forces in order to defuse tensions along the Line of Actual Control(LAC).

The hotline was already in the works since 2013 and was endorsed by Modi during his visit to China in 2015. Both sides decided to take up joint projects in Afghanistan as India and China tried to find common ground in South Asia.

Modi and Xi met for two days last week in Wuhan as the two leaders agreed to improve ties

The White House said today that PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting last week when they met for an "informal summit" was a "good thing". "I certainly think it's always good when other world leaders are getting along," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. Modi and Xi met for two days last week in Wuhan as the two leaders agreed to improve ties understand each other's point of view on military and civilian matters, especially along the Line of Actual Control(LAC). "And, certainly, when we can cooperate, that's definitely a good thing. We have a great relationship with both countries and hope to continue to do so," Sanders told reporters at the news briefing. US's reaction comes even as the Trump administration is engaged in trade talks with China after the US president imposed stiff tariffs against Chinese goods last month. The US trade team arrived in Beijing on Thursday as Trump said his country was seeking trying to negotiate a "level playing field on trade". A week after Xi and Modi meeting at Wuhan, the two countries decided to setup a military "hotline" similar to the one between DGMos of India and Pakistan. The move was part of Xi and Modi's "strategic guidance" to their forces in order to defuse tensions along the Line of Actual Control(LAC). The hotline was already in the works since 2013 and was endorsed by Modi during his visit to China in 2015. Both sides decided to take up joint projects in Afghanistan as India and China tried to find common ground in South Asia.

Modi-Xi meeting a good thing, always good when world leaders get along: White House

As US carriers Theodore Roosevelt appeared in the South China Sea, China's President Xi in a surprise visit in the area inspected the Chinese Navy.

Several naval vessels including aircraft groups of carrier-borne helicopters, anti-submarine patrols were part of the inspection team.

China's first aircraft carrier Liaoning was also present during Xi's visit.

The Chinese navy review involved 48 warships, 76 aircraft, and over 10,000 officers and sailors.

China is involved in long-ranging disputes with several countries around the South China Sea including Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Indonesia over claims to the islands.

The US has over the past one year sent its Naval feet in the South China Sea even as China has criticised the move.

US warships have been regularly conducting "freedom of navigation" operations near the South China Sea islands with several Naval warships sailing across the area in the presence of the Chinese navy.

China's first aircraft carrier Liaoning was also present during Xi's visit.

As US carriers Theodore Roosevelt appeared in the South China Sea, China's President Xi in a surprise visit in the area inspected the Chinese Navy. Several naval vessels including aircraft groups of carrier-borne helicopters, anti-submarine patrols were part of the inspection team. China's first aircraft carrier Liaoning was also present during Xi's visit. The Chinese navy review involved 48 warships, 76 aircraft, and over 10,000 officers and sailors. China is involved in long-ranging disputes with several countries around the South China Sea including Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Indonesia over claims to the islands. The US has over the past one year sent its Naval feet in the South China Sea even as China has criticised the move. US warships have been regularly conducting "freedom of navigation" operations near the South China Sea islands with several Naval warships sailing across the area in the presence of the Chinese navy.

Watch: President Xi reviews Chinese Navy in South China Sea

Japan's foreign minister was in South Korea for a rare visit Wednesday, armed with a list of issues Tokyo wants to push onto the agenda of a looming summit between North and South Korea.

The first such visit in more than two years comes at a time of frenetic diplomatic activity in Northeast Asia, ahead of the North's planned summits with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and US President Donald Trump.&nbsp

North Korea's young leader Kim Jong Un met Chinese President Xi Jinping in his first overseas trip last month.

Japan has largely remained on the sidelines, with suggestions last month of the third summit between Kim and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe quickly petering out.

Instead, Tokyo has found itself forced to rely on the US and South Korea to tackle its concerns regarding the North, which last year test-fired several missiles that flew over Japan, sparking security concerns.

Tokyo's top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said "it is extremely important that Japan, the US, and South Korea share information and coordinate closely" ahead of the two summits.

Foreign minister Taro Kono will meet with his South Korean counterpart Kang Kyung-wha on Wednesday morning.&nbsp

As well as Pyongyang's "nuclear and missile issues", Kono has said he will try to ensure that "the abduction issue will be talked about in the North-South summit".

He was referring to Japanese citizens abducted by the North's agents in the 1970s and 80s in a bid to train spies in Japanese language and customs before overseas missions.

The North regularly excoriates Japan over its brutal 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean peninsula.

But ties between the South and Japan have also remained sour for years due to the controversy over historical issues left unresolved -- including Korean women forced into sexual slavery for Japanese troops during World War II.

Seoul has urged Tokyo to take legal and moral responsibility, while Japan says that the issue was resolved when the two nations reached a controversial deal in 2015 to offer compensations to the victims.&nbsp

Suga said Japan's foreign minister would seek to boost a "forward-looking" bilateral relationship despite the row.

Kim is set to meet Moon on April 27 for a third-ever summit between the two neighbours, and is expected to talk with Trump in May or early June.

Japan -- a key Asian ally of the US and host of 50,000 American troops -- had long supported Trump's hardline position to press Pyongyang to abandon its widely-condemned nuclear and missile weapons programmes.

But Trump's sudden decision to open dialogue with Kim reportedly stoked concerns over whether Japan was being ignored in the regional push to engage the unpredictable North.

The first such visit in more than two years comes at a time of frenetic diplomatic activity in Northeast Asia, ahead of the North's planned summits with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and US President Donald Trump

Japan's foreign minister was in South Korea for a rare visit Wednesday, armed with a list of issues Tokyo wants to push onto the agenda of a looming summit between North and South Korea. The first such visit in more than two years comes at a time of frenetic diplomatic activity in Northeast Asia, ahead of the North's planned summits with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and US President Donald Trump. North Korea's young leader Kim Jong Un met Chinese President Xi Jinping in his first overseas trip last month. Japan has largely remained on the sidelines, with suggestions last month of the third summit between Kim and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe quickly petering out. Instead, Tokyo has found itself forced to rely on the US and South Korea to tackle its concerns regarding the North, which last year test-fired several missiles that flew over Japan, sparking security concerns. Tokyo's top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said "it is extremely important that Japan, the US, and South Korea share information and coordinate closely" ahead of the two summits. Foreign minister Taro Kono will meet with his South Korean counterpart Kang Kyung-wha on Wednesday morning. As well as Pyongyang's "nuclear and missile issues", Kono has said he will try to ensure that "the abduction issue will be talked about in the North-South summit". He was referring to Japanese citizens abducted by the North's agents in the 1970s and 80s in a bid to train spies in Japanese language and customs before overseas missions. The North regularly excoriates Japan over its brutal 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean peninsula. But ties between the South and Japan have also remained sour for years due to the controversy over historical issues left unresolved -- including Korean women forced into sexual slavery for Japanese troops during World War II. Seoul has urged Tokyo to take legal and moral responsibility, while Japan says that the issue was resolved when the two nations reached a controversial deal in 2015 to offer compensations to the victims. Suga said Japan's foreign minister would seek to boost a "forward-looking" bilateral relationship despite the row. Kim is set to meet Moon on April 27 for a third-ever summit between the two neighbours, and is expected to talk with Trump in May or early June. Japan -- a key Asian ally of the US and host of 50,000 American troops -- had long supported Trump's hardline position to press Pyongyang to abandon its widely-condemned nuclear and missile weapons programmes. But Trump's sudden decision to open dialogue with Kim reportedly stoked concerns over whether Japan was being ignored in the regional push to engage the unpredictable North.

Japan Finance Minister to voice North Korea concerns in rare Seoul visit

Chinese state media on Monday attacked critics of ending presidential term limits, which effectively now allows President Xi Jinping to stay in office indefinitely, saying the key to China&#39;s path was following the Communist Party.

China&#39;s largely rubber-stamp parliament on Sunday overwhelmingly voted to amend the constitution, scrapping term limits and adding clauses to further strengthen the party&#39;s already dominating role in politics.

In the run-up to the vote, critics on Chinese social media attacked the move and drew parallels to North Korea or suggested a Mao Zedong-type cult of personality was forming. The party only announced the proposals last month.

In an editorial, widely-read tabloid the Global Times said Western political theories were of no use to China.

&quot;We are increasingly confident that the key to China&#39;s path lies in upholding strong Party leadership and firmly following the leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core,&quot; it said.

&quot;In these years we have seen the rise and decline of countries and particularly the harsh reality that the Western political system doesn&#39;t apply to developing countries and produces dreadful results.&quot;

The official China Daily reiterated a point previously made by the party&#39;s People&#39;s Daily that the amendment did not &quot;imply lifetime tenure for any leader&quot;.

&quot;Yet some people in the West insist otherwise, even though it is only through specious speculation that they claim to know better,&quot; the English-language paper said.

Such people - it did not name names - have a deep-rooted ideological bias against China and have made one failed prediction after another about China, it added.

&quot;Their erroneous judgements are only a litany of short-sighted calumnies against the party and the nation.&quot;

While social media accounts of major state media outlets either disabled their comments section or only made visible comments praising the party, some words of dissent did manage to make it past the censors.

&quot;How is it that socialism which is praised has become a monarchy making law?&quot; wrote one user on the Twitter-like Weibo micro-blogging site.

&quot;Why have they not released the voting tally?&quot; wrote another.

Only two &quot;no&quot; votes were cast, with three abstentions, from almost 3,000 delegates in parliament.

The US-based group Human Rights in China said there were huge risks in allowing such a concentration of power.

&quot;Ending the two-term limit ignores the painful lesson of the Mao era and exposes the Chinese people again to the massive human suffering, abuses and national catastrophe that could result from unaccountable power concentrated in the hands of one person,&quot; Sharon Hom, the group&#39;s executive director, said in a statement.

In an editorial, widely-read tabloid the Global Times said Western political theories were of no use to China

Chinese state media on Monday attacked critics of ending presidential term limits, which effectively now allows President Xi Jinping to stay in office indefinitely, saying the key to China's path was following the Communist Party. China's largely rubber-stamp parliament on Sunday overwhelmingly voted to amend the constitution, scrapping term limits and adding clauses to further strengthen the party's already dominating role in politics. In the run-up to the vote, critics on Chinese social media attacked the move and drew parallels to North Korea or suggested a Mao Zedong-type cult of personality was forming. The party only announced the proposals last month. In an editorial, widely-read tabloid the Global Times said Western political theories were of no use to China. "We are increasingly confident that the key to China's path lies in upholding strong Party leadership and firmly following the leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core," it said. "In these years we have seen the rise and decline of countries and particularly the harsh reality that the Western political system doesn't apply to developing countries and produces dreadful results." The official China Daily reiterated a point previously made by the party's People's Daily that the amendment did not "imply lifetime tenure for any leader". "Yet some people in the West insist otherwise, even though it is only through specious speculation that they claim to know better," the English-language paper said. Such people - it did not name names - have a deep-rooted ideological bias against China and have made one failed prediction after another about China, it added. "Their erroneous judgements are only a litany of short-sighted calumnies against the party and the nation." While social media accounts of major state media outlets either disabled their comments section or only made visible comments praising the party, some words of dissent did manage to make it past the censors. "How is it that socialism which is praised has become a monarchy making law?" wrote one user on the Twitter-like Weibo micro-blogging site. "Why have they not released the voting tally?" wrote another. Only two "no" votes were cast, with three abstentions, from almost 3,000 delegates in parliament. The US-based group Human Rights in China said there were huge risks in allowing such a concentration of power. "Ending the two-term limit ignores the painful lesson of the Mao era and exposes the Chinese people again to the massive human suffering, abuses and national catastrophe that could result from unaccountable power concentrated in the hands of one person," Sharon Hom, the group's executive director, said in a statement.

Chinese state media defends removing presidential term limits

China signalled today it was hardening its stance on dissent in Taiwan and Hong Kong, where it faces growing frustration with the increasingly authoritarian government of President Xi Jinping.

In a report to the opening session of the annual National People&#39;s Congress in Beijing, Premier Li Keqiang warned China &quot;will never tolerate any separatist schemes&quot; in Taiwan, amid growing tensions between the mainland and the self-ruled island.

The warning to the almost 3,000 members of the mostly ceremonial legislature followed the omission of language supporting the political autonomy of Hong Kong and Macau that had featured prominently in previous years.

The report said Beijing would continue to uphold its &quot;one China&quot; principle and promote &quot;peaceful growth&quot; relations with Taiwan under the 1992 consensus, which agrees that there is only one China without specifying whether Beijing or Taipei is its rightful representative.

Beijing will also &quot;advance China&#39;s peaceful reunification&quot;, Li said.

But, he added, it &quot;will never tolerate any separatist schemes or activities for &#39;Taiwan independence&#39;.&quot;

China still sees Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification and has cut off official communications with Taipei because President Tsai Ing-wen refuses to acknowledge the democratic island as part of &quot;one China&quot;.

China voiced anger last week after the US Senate passed a Taiwan travel bill to encourage visits between Washington and Taipei &quot;at all levels&quot;.

Washington cut formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979 in favour of Beijing. But it maintains trade relations with the island and sells it weapons, angering China.

The report also hinted at a hardening stance towards dissent in the semi-autonomous cities of Hong Kong and Macau, which Beijing rules under the principle of &quot;One country, two systems&quot;.

Last year the section of the report on governing the former European colonies said they would be allowed &quot;a high degree of autonomy&quot;, a statement in keeping with past years, but this year&#39;s report omitted the phrase.

While this year&#39;s report referred to the &quot;One country, two systems&quot; concept, it no longer said it would &quot;steadfastly&quot; apply the principle.

The change may seem minor but silence speaks volumes in a system where government documents are edited down to the last comma.

Hong Kong has been governed under a &quot;one country, two systems&quot; deal since 1997, when Britain handed the territory back to China.

This allows residents rights unseen on the mainland, including freedom of speech and a partially directly elected legislature, as well as an independent judiciary.

But there are fears these freedoms are under threat from Beijing.

Tanya Chan, a pro-democracy lawmaker in the city, said the omission of the mention of Hong Kong people governing themselves was no mistake.

&quot;I don&#39;t think any omission is without purpose, especially when Hong Kong people are concerned about autonomy and the whole system,&quot; she said.

&quot;I worry about whether the Chinese government still respects these very important promises,&quot; Chan added, predicting more &quot;serious and overt&quot; intervention by Beijing.

Claudia Mo, also a pro-democracy legislator, said the &quot;one country, two systems&quot; deal was already dead. &quot;They are just confirming it,&quot; she added.

In a report to the opening session of the annual National People's Congress in Beijing, Premier Li Keqiang warned China 'will never tolerate any separatist schemes' in Taiwan

China signalled today it was hardening its stance on dissent in Taiwan and Hong Kong, where it faces growing frustration with the increasingly authoritarian government of President Xi Jinping. In a report to the opening session of the annual National People's Congress in Beijing, Premier Li Keqiang warned China "will never tolerate any separatist schemes" in Taiwan, amid growing tensions between the mainland and the self-ruled island. The warning to the almost 3,000 members of the mostly ceremonial legislature followed the omission of language supporting the political autonomy of Hong Kong and Macau that had featured prominently in previous years. The report said Beijing would continue to uphold its "one China" principle and promote "peaceful growth" relations with Taiwan under the 1992 consensus, which agrees that there is only one China without specifying whether Beijing or Taipei is its rightful representative. Beijing will also "advance China's peaceful reunification", Li said. But, he added, it "will never tolerate any separatist schemes or activities for 'Taiwan independence'." China still sees Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification and has cut off official communications with Taipei because President Tsai Ing-wen refuses to acknowledge the democratic island as part of "one China". China voiced anger last week after the US Senate passed a Taiwan travel bill to encourage visits between Washington and Taipei "at all levels". Washington cut formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979 in favour of Beijing. But it maintains trade relations with the island and sells it weapons, angering China. The report also hinted at a hardening stance towards dissent in the semi-autonomous cities of Hong Kong and Macau, which Beijing rules under the principle of "One country, two systems". Last year the section of the report on governing the former European colonies said they would be allowed "a high degree of autonomy", a statement in keeping with past years, but this year's report omitted the phrase. While this year's report referred to the "One country, two systems" concept, it no longer said it would "steadfastly" apply the principle. The change may seem minor but silence speaks volumes in a system where government documents are edited down to the last comma. Hong Kong has been governed under a "one country, two systems" deal since 1997, when Britain handed the territory back to China. This allows residents rights unseen on the mainland, including freedom of speech and a partially directly elected legislature, as well as an independent judiciary. But there are fears these freedoms are under threat from Beijing. Tanya Chan, a pro-democracy lawmaker in the city, said the omission of the mention of Hong Kong people governing themselves was no mistake. "I don't think any omission is without purpose, especially when Hong Kong people are concerned about autonomy and the whole system," she said. "I worry about whether the Chinese government still respects these very important promises," Chan added, predicting more "serious and overt" intervention by Beijing. Claudia Mo, also a pro-democracy legislator, said the "one country, two systems" deal was already dead. "They are just confirming it," she added.

China signals hardened stance on Hong Kong, Taiwan

President Donald Trump says he thinks it&#39;s great that China&#39;s president now holds that office for life and muses that maybe the US will do the same someday.

&quot;He&#39;s now president for life. President for life. No, he&#39;s great,&quot; Trump said. &quot;And look, he was able to do that. I think it&#39;s great. Maybe we&#39;ll have to give that a shot some day.&quot;

Trump&#39;s remarks came during a luncheon for Republican donors today at his South Florida estate. CNN reported the remarks based on a recording it obtained.

Trump criticized his Democratic presidential opponent Hillary Clinton, repeated his view about &quot;a rigged system,&quot; and called the invasion of Iraq &quot;the single worst decision ever made.&quot; He referred to former President George W. Bush as &quot;another real genius.&quot;

Trump has repeatedly said that his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, should carry out investigations into Clinton, and has often&nbsp;voiced&nbsp;on to Twitter for not taking what he views as appropriate steps to probe Clinton&#39;s actions involving her private email server.

Xi&#39;s push to abolish term limits means he will likely remain the most influential leader of the emerging superpower for life and have more time to dedicate to his quest to rejuvenate China&#39;s influence at the expense of the US.

It&nbsp;raises questions about America&#39;s long-term approach to China, and the possibility that an emboldened Xi will view himself as having even more leeway to aggressively assert territorial claims in the South China Sea and Chinese political and economic influence in Asia and beyond.

Trump's remarks came during a luncheon for Republican donors today at his South Florida estate

President Donald Trump says he thinks it's great that China's president now holds that office for life and muses that maybe the US will do the same someday. "He's now president for life. President for life. No, he's great," Trump said. "And look, he was able to do that. I think it's great. Maybe we'll have to give that a shot some day." Trump's remarks came during a luncheon for Republican donors today at his South Florida estate. CNN reported the remarks based on a recording it obtained. Trump criticized his Democratic presidential opponent Hillary Clinton, repeated his view about "a rigged system," and called the invasion of Iraq "the single worst decision ever made." He referred to former President George W. Bush as "another real genius." Trump has repeatedly said that his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, should carry out investigations into Clinton, and has often voiced on to Twitter for not taking what he views as appropriate steps to probe Clinton's actions involving her private email server. Xi's push to abolish term limits means he will likely remain the most influential leader of the emerging superpower for life and have more time to dedicate to his quest to rejuvenate China's influence at the expense of the US. It raises questions about America's long-term approach to China, and the possibility that an emboldened Xi will view himself as having even more leeway to aggressively assert territorial claims in the South China Sea and Chinese political and economic influence in Asia and beyond.

'Maybe we'll have to give that a shot someday,' Trump after Xi's move to consolidate power

China&nbsp;is set to name Liu He, a Harvard-trained economist who advises President Xi Jinping, as a vice premier overseeing the economy and financial sector, five sources familiar with the development said.

Liu&#39;s promotion would be part of a wider government reshuffle following the 19th Communist Party Congress in October last year, during which Xi laid out his vision for&nbsp;China&#39;s long-term development, and elevated his key allies.

At the Congress, 66-year old Liu - a trusted confidant of Xi and his top adviser on economic policies - was elected into the 25-member Politburo, the second-highest tier in Beijing&#39;s political power structure after the seven-member Politburo Standing Committee.

Xi has vowed to fend off &quot;major risks&quot; in the world&#39;s second-largest economy over the next three years as he seeks to cement the country&#39;s position as a leading global power.

&quot;He (Liu) is likely to take overall control of&nbsp;China&#39;s economic policies and financial issues,&quot; said a source, declining to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Liu, who heads the General Office of the ruling Communist Party&#39;s Central Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs, is likely to succeed Ma Kai, one of&nbsp;China&#39;s four vice premiers, the sources said.

Ma has been in charge of macroeconomic policies and the financial sector. The 71-year-old Ma was left out of the Politburo in October, suggesting he is likely to step down soon.

Liu is also set to replace Ma as head of the cabinet-level Financial Stability and Development Committee (FSDC), three of the sources said.

The committee was set up in November to improve supervision coordination among regulators to fend off financial risks.

The State Council Information Office, the government&#39;s public relations arm, did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment.

Well Qualified

Sources said Liu is well qualified for the new job given his deep understanding of&nbsp;China&#39;s economic issues, and his role in communications between&nbsp;China&nbsp;and US leaders.&nbsp;

Liu, who gained a master&#39;s degree in public administration at Harvard&#39;s Kennedy School of Government in 1995, is widely seen masterminding Xi&#39;s supply-side reform drive to cut excess factory capacity and upgrade the economy.

Liu, who speaks fluent English, won a top Chinese economics study award in 2015 for his research on the global financial crisis.

He was also widely seen by political analysts as being behind the voice of an unnamed &quot;authoritative person&quot; who wrote in the People&#39;s Daily, the party&#39;s mouthpiece, in May 2016 warning about risks from the country&#39;s debt-driven growth model.

Liu, who is also vice minister of the cabinet&#39;s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) -&nbsp;China&#39;s top economic planner - has played a behind-the-scenes role in drafting economic policies and reform plans.

In a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, Liu said&nbsp;China&nbsp;will roll out fresh market-opening measures this year and added such measures will exceed outside expectations.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Liu, like Zhou Xiaochuan,&nbsp;China&#39;s central bank head, stands out among Chinese bureaucrats because of his grey hair. Many top officials dye their hair jet-black.

Zhou, the longest-serving central bank chief since the establishment of the People&rsquo;s Republic of&nbsp;China&nbsp;in 1949, is expected to retire soon. Zhou, who has been running the central bank since 2002, will turn 70 this year.

Liu has been closely following Xi on regional tours and meetings with foreign leaders. When then-US National Security Adviser Tom Donilon visited Beijing in 2013, Xi introduced Liu as &quot;very important to me&quot;, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Liu and Xi have similar backgrounds - both their families were purged during the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution, and both their fathers were senior officials.

&ldquo;Without the reflection on the catastrophe of the Cultural Revolution, it is impossible for&nbsp;China&nbsp;to have today&#39;s economic growth,&rdquo; Liu said in an article published in 2017.

A source with ties to the leadership said Xi and Liu knew each other during their teens, and have kept in touch over the years.

Liu got a master&#39;s degree in industrial economy from Beijing&#39;s Renmin University in 1986 and later joined the State Planning Commission - the predecessor of NDRC.

China is set to name Liu He, a Harvard-trained economist who advises President Xi Jinping, as a vice premier overseeing the economy and financial sector, five sources familiar with the development said

China is set to name Liu He, a Harvard-trained economist who advises President Xi Jinping, as a vice premier overseeing the economy and financial sector, five sources familiar with the development said. Liu's promotion would be part of a wider government reshuffle following the 19th Communist Party Congress in October last year, during which Xi laid out his vision for China's long-term development, and elevated his key allies. At the Congress, 66-year old Liu - a trusted confidant of Xi and his top adviser on economic policies - was elected into the 25-member Politburo, the second-highest tier in Beijing's political power structure after the seven-member Politburo Standing Committee. Xi has vowed to fend off "major risks" in the world's second-largest economy over the next three years as he seeks to cement the country's position as a leading global power. "He (Liu) is likely to take overall control of China's economic policies and financial issues," said a source, declining to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. Liu, who heads the General Office of the ruling Communist Party's Central Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs, is likely to succeed Ma Kai, one of China's four vice premiers, the sources said. Ma has been in charge of macroeconomic policies and the financial sector. The 71-year-old Ma was left out of the Politburo in October, suggesting he is likely to step down soon. Liu is also set to replace Ma as head of the cabinet-level Financial Stability and Development Committee (FSDC), three of the sources said. The committee was set up in November to improve supervision coordination among regulators to fend off financial risks. The State Council Information Office, the government's public relations arm, did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment. Well Qualified Sources said Liu is well qualified for the new job given his deep understanding of China's economic issues, and his role in communications between China and US leaders. Liu, who gained a master's degree in public administration at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government in 1995, is widely seen masterminding Xi's supply-side reform drive to cut excess factory capacity and upgrade the economy. Liu, who speaks fluent English, won a top Chinese economics study award in 2015 for his research on the global financial crisis. He was also widely seen by political analysts as being behind the voice of an unnamed "authoritative person" who wrote in the People's Daily, the party's mouthpiece, in May 2016 warning about risks from the country's debt-driven growth model. Liu, who is also vice minister of the cabinet's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) - China's top economic planner - has played a behind-the-scenes role in drafting economic policies and reform plans. In a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, Liu said China will roll out fresh market-opening measures this year and added such measures will exceed outside expectations. Liu, like Zhou Xiaochuan, China's central bank head, stands out among Chinese bureaucrats because of his grey hair. Many top officials dye their hair jet-black. Zhou, the longest-serving central bank chief since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, is expected to retire soon. Zhou, who has been running the central bank since 2002, will turn 70 this year. Liu has been closely following Xi on regional tours and meetings with foreign leaders. When then-US National Security Adviser Tom Donilon visited Beijing in 2013, Xi introduced Liu as "very important to me", according to the Wall Street Journal. Liu and Xi have similar backgrounds - both their families were purged during the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution, and both their fathers were senior officials. “Without the reflection on the catastrophe of the Cultural Revolution, it is impossible for China to have today's economic growth,” Liu said in an article published in 2017. A source with ties to the leadership said Xi and Liu knew each other during their teens, and have kept in touch over the years. Liu got a master's degree in industrial economy from Beijing's Renmin University in 1986 and later joined the State Planning Commission - the predecessor of NDRC.

China to name Harvard-trained Liu He as vice premier overseeing economy: Sources

Citizens of Yugan county in rural south-east China are being asked to replace images of Jesus&nbsp;Christ with that of President Xi Jinping.

Local officials have told people that if they want to reap good benefits from government policies they should take down pictures of Christ and put up president Xi Jinping&#39;s instead.&nbsp;

The officials assure&nbsp;them that&nbsp;Jesus Christ will not drag them out of poverty or cure their illness, but that the Chinese Communist Party will.

According to the Washington Post, a social media account in Yugan County revealed that in a village about 624 posters preaching Christianity was replaced by images of President Xi.&nbsp;

The move shows the long-prevailing cult of the&nbsp;Communist China&#39;s first leader, Mao Zedong, whose picture was in every home.&nbsp;

The ruling Communist Party in China led by President Xi aims to end poverty by 2020, as its top priority.

Through their campaign president Xi tries developing a strong foothold of the party in the grass root level of society.&nbsp;

Yugan county, located in the Jiangxi province, has the largest number of Christians. The county also has the highest number of poverty-stricken people.&nbsp;

The campaign which had been running across the county since March focusses on teaching Christian families about the different measures taken by the party for eradicating poverty. It aims to spread to the people about the concern president Xi had shown for their well being, said Qi Yan, the chairman of the Huangjinbu people`s congress.

The people were also told about how the party was supporting agriculture and removing poverty.&nbsp;

&quot;Many rural people are ignorant. They think God is their saviour. After our cadres` work, they`ll realise their mistakes and think: we should no longer rely on Jesus, but on the party for help,&quot; he added.

The chairman of the&nbsp;Huangjinbu people`s congress also told that&nbsp;the township government had distributed more than 1,000 portraits of President Xi.All the posters&nbsp;had been&nbsp;put up by the villagers.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Local officials have told people that if they want to reap good benefits from government policies they should take down pictures of Christ and put up president Xi Jinping's instead

Citizens of Yugan county in rural south-east China are being asked to replace images of Jesus Christ with that of President Xi Jinping. Local officials have told people that if they want to reap good benefits from government policies they should take down pictures of Christ and put up president Xi Jinping's instead. The officials assure them that Jesus Christ will not drag them out of poverty or cure their illness, but that the Chinese Communist Party will. According to the Washington Post, a social media account in Yugan County revealed that in a village about 624 posters preaching Christianity was replaced by images of President Xi. The move shows the long-prevailing cult of the Communist China's first leader, Mao Zedong, whose picture was in every home. The ruling Communist Party in China led by President Xi aims to end poverty by 2020, as its top priority. Through their campaign president Xi tries developing a strong foothold of the party in the grass root level of society. Yugan county, located in the Jiangxi province, has the largest number of Christians. The county also has the highest number of poverty-stricken people. The campaign which had been running across the county since March focusses on teaching Christian families about the different measures taken by the party for eradicating poverty. It aims to spread to the people about the concern president Xi had shown for their well being, said Qi Yan, the chairman of the Huangjinbu people`s congress. The people were also told about how the party was supporting agriculture and removing poverty. "Many rural people are ignorant. They think God is their saviour. After our cadres` work, they`ll realise their mistakes and think: we should no longer rely on Jesus, but on the party for help," he added. The chairman of the Huangjinbu people`s congress also told that the township government had distributed more than 1,000 portraits of President Xi.All the posters had been put up by the villagers.

China asks Christians to replace image of Christ with President Xi's

China will raise foreign ownership limits in financial firms in a step granting access to a tantalizing multi-trillion dollar financial services market, as the world&rsquo;s second-biggest economy seeks to position itself as a major global finance hub.

The move announced on Friday by vice finance minister Zhu Guangyao, comes a day after U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated calls for better access to Chinese markets in meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Xi is driving broad economic reforms by opening up China&rsquo;s capital markets, internationalizing the yuan currency, and seeking technical know-how through the pursuit of massive inbound and outbound investments.

The latest changes include raising the limit on foreign ownership in joint-venture firms involved in the futures, securities and funds markets to 51 percent from the current 49 percent.

They will take effect immediately following the drafting of specific related rules, Zhu told a news conference, adding China is &ldquo;formulating a timetable and roadmap for financial sector reform and opening up&rdquo;.

The foreign business community gave a cautious welcome to the news.

&ldquo;Financial services further opening definitely has been high on our list,&rdquo; said Ken Jarrett, President of American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai.

&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a step in the right direction. We&rsquo;ll have to see the detailed rules. In China, you always have to pay attention to the fine print to see how quickly it moves, but to finally ease up on the cap is something that is welcome.&rdquo;

Peter Alexander, managing director of Z-Ben Advisors, a Shanghai-based consultant for the fund industry, sees Friday&rsquo;s announcement as a measured step towards bigger changes down the road.

&ldquo;This is part of a methodical and deliberate process. We fully expect foreign asset managers at some point in the next several years to have full control of their own ventures.&rdquo;

The plan to ease ownership restrictions comes as Beijing faces mounting pressure from Western governments and business lobbies to remove investment barriers and onerous regulations that restrict overseas companies&rsquo; operations in its markets.

During his trip to Beijing this week, Trump said that trade between the two nations was unfair, and called for greater market access for U.S. companies.

&ldquo;We really have to look at access, forced technology transfer, and the theft of intellectual property, which just, by and of itself, is costing the United States and its companies at least $300 billion a year,&rdquo; Trump said.

&ldquo;Both the United States and China will have a more prosperous future if we can achieve a level economic playing field. Right now, unfortunately, it is a very one-sided and unfair one.&rdquo;

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

Reuters reported on Tuesday that China planned to allow global banks to take a stake of up to 51 percent in their onshore securities ventures for the first time and tie up with local non-financial firms.

China has been sluggish to give foreign players more access to its financial sector, but has promised to quicken the pace as foreign investment into Asia&rsquo;s economic powerhouse slows.

China has implemented strict capital controls to contain capital outflows, while opening up new channels for foreign money to come into the domestic markets.

Foreign financial firms are still small players in the financial sector, and the sheer size of the market is a big lure for overseas players.

Foreign banks account for just 1.4 percent of the total 181.7 trillion yuan ($27.37 trillion) of banking assets in China, according to a 2017 study by KPMG. Their average returns on assets and on equity, were about half the level of their domestic rivals, said the study.

UBS, which holds a 25 percent interest in domestic firm UBS Securities Co Ltd, said the changes were an important step in further opening up China&rsquo;s financial sector.

&ldquo;China is a key market for UBS and, as indicated previously, we continue to work towards increasing our stake in UBS Securities Co Ltd&rdquo;, said Eugene Qian, Chairman of UBS China Strategy Board and Member of the Asia Pacific Executive Committee.

A spokesperson for JPMorgan, which sold its 33.3 percent stake in its China securities JV to First Capital in December 2016, said the company &ldquo;welcomes any decision made by the Chinese Government that looks to liberalize its financial sector further&rdquo;.

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

Some industry watchers said the changes are too little too late.

&ldquo;This looks good, but in reality it is pretty small and it is too late,&rdquo; said Keith Pogson, head of the Asia financial services team at EY.

&ldquo;If you are an international investment bank, you will be there for the sake of your global franchise and having it as part of your network, not because you think you will make much money in China.&rdquo;

All the same, markets reacted positively to the news, with insurers and futures-related firms rallying strongly.

New China Life Insurance jumped nearly 6 percent after the announcement, while Ping An Insurance &nbsp;advanced more than 4 per cent and China Pacific Insurance Group&nbsp;rose over 3 percent.

China will drop foreign ownership restrictions on local banks and asset management companies, Zhu said.

Full foreign ownership of local firms involved in the futures, securities and funds markets will not be permitted until after three years, while full overseas ownership of insurance firms will be allowed only after five years.

For most foreign investment banks, including the likes of Goldman Sachs, the prospect of playing in a huge market seemed too good to pass up.

&ldquo;We welcome today&rsquo;s announcement and look forward to playing a greater role in China&rsquo;s capital markets,&rdquo; a spokesperson for Goldman Sachs said.

&nbsp;

The move announced on Friday by vice finance minister Zhu Guangyao, comes a day after U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated calls for better access to Chinese markets in meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping

China will raise foreign ownership limits in financial firms in a step granting access to a tantalizing multi-trillion dollar financial services market, as the world’s second-biggest economy seeks to position itself as a major global finance hub. The move announced on Friday by vice finance minister Zhu Guangyao, comes a day after U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated calls for better access to Chinese markets in meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi is driving broad economic reforms by opening up China’s capital markets, internationalizing the yuan currency, and seeking technical know-how through the pursuit of massive inbound and outbound investments. The latest changes include raising the limit on foreign ownership in joint-venture firms involved in the futures, securities and funds markets to 51 percent from the current 49 percent. They will take effect immediately following the drafting of specific related rules, Zhu told a news conference, adding China is “formulating a timetable and roadmap for financial sector reform and opening up”. The foreign business community gave a cautious welcome to the news. “Financial services further opening definitely has been high on our list,” said Ken Jarrett, President of American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. “It’s a step in the right direction. We’ll have to see the detailed rules. In China, you always have to pay attention to the fine print to see how quickly it moves, but to finally ease up on the cap is something that is welcome.” Peter Alexander, managing director of Z-Ben Advisors, a Shanghai-based consultant for the fund industry, sees Friday’s announcement as a measured step towards bigger changes down the road. “This is part of a methodical and deliberate process. We fully expect foreign asset managers at some point in the next several years to have full control of their own ventures.” The plan to ease ownership restrictions comes as Beijing faces mounting pressure from Western governments and business lobbies to remove investment barriers and onerous regulations that restrict overseas companies’ operations in its markets. During his trip to Beijing this week, Trump said that trade between the two nations was unfair, and called for greater market access for U.S. companies. “We really have to look at access, forced technology transfer, and the theft of intellectual property, which just, by and of itself, is costing the United States and its companies at least $300 billion a year,” Trump said. “Both the United States and China will have a more prosperous future if we can achieve a level economic playing field. Right now, unfortunately, it is a very one-sided and unfair one.” Reuters reported on Tuesday that China planned to allow global banks to take a stake of up to 51 percent in their onshore securities ventures for the first time and tie up with local non-financial firms. China has been sluggish to give foreign players more access to its financial sector, but has promised to quicken the pace as foreign investment into Asia’s economic powerhouse slows. China has implemented strict capital controls to contain capital outflows, while opening up new channels for foreign money to come into the domestic markets. Foreign financial firms are still small players in the financial sector, and the sheer size of the market is a big lure for overseas players. Foreign banks account for just 1.4 percent of the total 181.7 trillion yuan ($27.37 trillion) of banking assets in China, according to a 2017 study by KPMG. Their average returns on assets and on equity, were about half the level of their domestic rivals, said the study. UBS, which holds a 25 percent interest in domestic firm UBS Securities Co Ltd, said the changes were an important step in further opening up China’s financial sector. “China is a key market for UBS and, as indicated previously, we continue to work towards increasing our stake in UBS Securities Co Ltd”, said Eugene Qian, Chairman of UBS China Strategy Board and Member of the Asia Pacific Executive Committee. A spokesperson for JPMorgan, which sold its 33.3 percent stake in its China securities JV to First Capital in December 2016, said the company “welcomes any decision made by the Chinese Government that looks to liberalize its financial sector further”. Some industry watchers said the changes are too little too late. “This looks good, but in reality it is pretty small and it is too late,” said Keith Pogson, head of the Asia financial services team at EY. “If you are an international investment bank, you will be there for the sake of your global franchise and having it as part of your network, not because you think you will make much money in China.” All the same, markets reacted positively to the news, with insurers and futures-related firms rallying strongly. New China Life Insurance jumped nearly 6 percent after the announcement, while Ping An Insurance advanced more than 4 per cent and China Pacific Insurance Group rose over 3 percent. China will drop foreign ownership restrictions on local banks and asset management companies, Zhu said. Full foreign ownership of local firms involved in the futures, securities and funds markets will not be permitted until after three years, while full overseas ownership of insurance firms will be allowed only after five years. For most foreign investment banks, including the likes of Goldman Sachs, the prospect of playing in a huge market seemed too good to pass up. “We welcome today’s announcement and look forward to playing a greater role in China’s capital markets,” a spokesperson for Goldman Sachs said.

China widens foreign access to its giant financial sector

Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat on Saturday said there is nothing new in Chinese President Xi Jinping&#39;s call to the country&#39;s army to be ready to fight and win wars.

Commenting on this, General Rawat said, &quot;Every army has to prepare for a conflict. That is the task of every army. There is nothing new anybody is saying. I also have to keep preparing. In peacetime, we all train and prepare for any eventuality. So, there is nothing new in that.&quot;

The Army Chief&nbsp;unveiled the statues of Field Marshal KM Cariappa, and Padma Bhushan and Distinguished Service Order (DSO) awardee General Kodendera Subayya Thimayya, at Cauvery College in Karnataka&#39;s Kodagu District.

Recently, President Xi twice instructed the Chinese armed forces to improve their combat capabilities and readiness for war.

On October 27, he urged the country&#39;s army to develop itself into a world-class military by the mid-21st century.

He was addressing military officers after being re-elected as CPC Central Committee General Secretary and Central Military Commission (CMC) Chairman at the 19th National Congress of the CPC.

On Friday, the Xinhua news agency quoted President Xi, as saying that &quot;The CMC should lead the armed forces to be ready to fight and win wars, and to undertake the missions and tasks of the new era entrusted to them by the party and the people.&quot;

His repeated calls for war preparedness left defence experts speculating about its impact on India-China relations, especially after the recent Doklam standoff.

The Doklam standoff started on June 16, 2017, when Chinese troops with construction vehicles and road-building equipment began extending an existing road southward in Doklam, a territory which is claimed by both China as well as Bhutan. Indian troops objected to this advance and saw it as an act of Chinese aggression.

Finally on August 28, both India and China announced that they had disengaged their troops in Doklam.&nbsp;

General Rawat said there is nothing new in Chinese president 's call to country's army to be ready to fight and win wars

Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat on Saturday said there is nothing new in Chinese President Xi Jinping's call to the country's army to be ready to fight and win wars. Commenting on this, General Rawat said, "Every army has to prepare for a conflict. That is the task of every army. There is nothing new anybody is saying. I also have to keep preparing. In peacetime, we all train and prepare for any eventuality. So, there is nothing new in that." The Army Chief unveiled the statues of Field Marshal KM Cariappa, and Padma Bhushan and Distinguished Service Order (DSO) awardee General Kodendera Subayya Thimayya, at Cauvery College in Karnataka's Kodagu District. Recently, President Xi twice instructed the Chinese armed forces to improve their combat capabilities and readiness for war. On October 27, he urged the country's army to develop itself into a world-class military by the mid-21st century. He was addressing military officers after being re-elected as CPC Central Committee General Secretary and Central Military Commission (CMC) Chairman at the 19th National Congress of the CPC. On Friday, the Xinhua news agency quoted President Xi, as saying that "The CMC should lead the armed forces to be ready to fight and win wars, and to undertake the missions and tasks of the new era entrusted to them by the party and the people." His repeated calls for war preparedness left defence experts speculating about its impact on India-China relations, especially after the recent Doklam standoff. The Doklam standoff started on June 16, 2017, when Chinese troops with construction vehicles and road-building equipment began extending an existing road southward in Doklam, a territory which is claimed by both China as well as Bhutan. Indian troops objected to this advance and saw it as an act of Chinese aggression. Finally on August 28, both India and China announced that they had disengaged their troops in Doklam.

President Xi's 'win wars' cry not new: Indian Army chief

Has the standoff over Doklam deflated the Chinese balloon?&nbsp;Deflated yes, not punctured.

It&#39;s vital, we understand the difference.

India has deflated the perception assiduously propagated by the Chinese media that their country is America&#39;s equal. If that was the case, what explains the Indian wall it has run up against on the Doklam plateau.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>China has dredged up artificial islands, laid airfields and stocked up with every manner of weapons and equipment.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=China has dredged up artificial islands, laid airfields and stocked up with every manner of weapons and equipment." target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

The same Indian wall is being closely watched across a broad swathe of the South China Sea where China has dredged up artificial islands, laid airfields and stocked up with every manner of weapons and equipment. The wall has drawn the attention of South China Sea littoral states which are unable to stand up to China&#39;s naval muscle or are seduced by its money power.

But this has only deflated the Dragon not punctured it.

China watchers say - the debate in Beijing is probably about their lack of proper appreciation of the environment.&nbsp;Meaning, the PLA did not anticipate the manner in which India would respond to the move to lay a road through the Doklam Plateau.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Until now all India-China standoffs have been &#39;strictly bilateral&#39;, meaning it has always been about one side claiming territory held or claimed by the other.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Until now all India-China standoffs have been 'strictly bilateral', meaning it has always been about one side claiming territory held or claimed by the other." target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

That tells us something about Chinese military thinking, an element of overconfidence perhaps, which encouraged the perception that India would stand down. Are we being unfair here? Until now all India-China standoffs have been &#39;strictly bilateral&#39;, meaning it has always been about one side claiming territory held or claimed by the other. In that sense, India standing up for a third country may have appeared far-fetched.

What&#39;s clear is that the Chinese will neither forgive nor forget what India has done to them in Doklam.

China analysts like Jayadev Ranade believe the politicians in Beijing are under pressure from the PLA to take off the restraints and allow them to go against India. Apparently, some of this pressure is emanating from the Western Theatre Command tasked with securing the Indian frontier which also includes Bhutan.

What, therefore, can they be expected to do? That&#39;s hard to predict but China watchers say Beijing&#39;s Mandarins will try to extract their pound of flesh from India perhaps not now, maybe later at a time and place of their choosing.&nbsp;The location could range anywhere from Ladakh and Himachal to Arunachal and even Sikkim. A former Northern Army Commander Gen. H.S. Panag has hinted this could even take place sometime in winter, could involve China&#39;s range of rocket artillery and even cyber weapons.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>It&#39;s interesting to examine the efforts by President Xi Jinping to transform the lumbering, a top heavy land dominated military into a nimble integrated force capable of fighting and winning &#39;local wars under hi-tech conditions&#39;.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=It's interesting to examine the efforts by President Xi Jinping to transform the lumbering, a top heavy land dominated military into a nimble integrated force capable of fighting and winning 'local wars under hi-tech conditions'." target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

Ranade believes any action by the Chinese would be limited in scope and duration with the aim of teaching India a lesson. In that context, it&#39;s interesting to examine the efforts by President Xi Jinping to transform the lumbering, a top heavy land dominated military into a nimble integrated force capable of fighting and winning &#39;local wars under hi-tech conditions&#39;.&nbsp;

Srikanth Kondapalli, who teaches China at Delhi&#39;s Jawaharlal Nehru University, says, &quot;The objective is not to occupy territory but paralyse the adversary and for this, you need the concentration of firepower, air force, artillery in one area of mobilisation. They are raising 40 Rapid Response Units and an airborne corps for transporting troops.&quot;

The dilemma for President Xi is whether his newly transformed military can be trusted to deliver in a limited action against India. More important, can the military ensure this does not escalate, that India does not escalate? The word from military analysts here is India will escalate!

China watchers say Beijing will try to extract their pound of flesh from India perhaps not now, maybe later at a time and place of their choosing.

Has the standoff over Doklam deflated the Chinese balloon? Deflated yes, not punctured. It's vital, we understand the difference. India has deflated the perception assiduously propagated by the Chinese media that their country is America's equal. If that was the case, what explains the Indian wall it has run up against on the Doklam plateau. China has dredged up artificial islands, laid airfields and stocked up with every manner of weapons and equipment. × The same Indian wall is being closely watched across a broad swathe of the South China Sea where China has dredged up artificial islands, laid airfields and stocked up with every manner of weapons and equipment. The wall has drawn the attention of South China Sea littoral states which are unable to stand up to China's naval muscle or are seduced by its money power. But this has only deflated the Dragon not punctured it. China watchers say - the debate in Beijing is probably about their lack of proper appreciation of the environment. Meaning, the PLA did not anticipate the manner in which India would respond to the move to lay a road through the Doklam Plateau. Until now all India-China standoffs have been 'strictly bilateral', meaning it has always been about one side claiming territory held or claimed by the other. × That tells us something about Chinese military thinking, an element of overconfidence perhaps, which encouraged the perception that India would stand down. Are we being unfair here? Until now all India-China standoffs have been 'strictly bilateral', meaning it has always been about one side claiming territory held or claimed by the other. In that sense, India standing up for a third country may have appeared far-fetched. What's clear is that the Chinese will neither forgive nor forget what India has done to them in Doklam. China analysts like Jayadev Ranade believe the politicians in Beijing are under pressure from the PLA to take off the restraints and allow them to go against India. Apparently, some of this pressure is emanating from the Western Theatre Command tasked with securing the Indian frontier which also includes Bhutan. What, therefore, can they be expected to do? That's hard to predict but China watchers say Beijing's Mandarins will try to extract their pound of flesh from India perhaps not now, maybe later at a time and place of their choosing. The location could range anywhere from Ladakh and Himachal to Arunachal and even Sikkim. A former Northern Army Commander Gen. H.S. Panag has hinted this could even take place sometime in winter, could involve China's range of rocket artillery and even cyber weapons. It's interesting to examine the efforts by President Xi Jinping to transform the lumbering, a top heavy land dominated military into a nimble integrated force capable of fighting and winning 'local wars under hi-tech conditions'. × Ranade believes any action by the Chinese would be limited in scope and duration with the aim of teaching India a lesson. In that context, it's interesting to examine the efforts by President Xi Jinping to transform the lumbering, a top heavy land dominated military into a nimble integrated force capable of fighting and winning 'local wars under hi-tech conditions'. Srikanth Kondapalli, who teaches China at Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University, says, "The objective is not to occupy territory but paralyse the adversary and for this, you need the concentration of firepower, air force, artillery in one area of mobilisation. They are raising 40 Rapid Response Units and an airborne corps for transporting troops." The dilemma for President Xi is whether his newly transformed military can be trusted to deliver in a limited action against India. More important, can the military ensure this does not escalate, that India does not escalate? The word from military analysts here is India will escalate!

Doklam was a setback, China keen on teaching India a lesson

China is investigating its top social media sites, including WeChat and Weibo, for failing to comply with cyber laws, the latest step in the country&#39;s push to secure the internet and maintain strict Communist Party control over content.

President Xi Jinping has made China&#39;s &quot;cyber sovereignty&quot; a top priority and has also reasserted the ruling party&#39;s role in limiting and guiding online discussion. Surveillance is being further tightened ahead of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party later this year, when global attention will be on news coming from the world&#39;s No.2 economy.

Apart from Tencent Holdings Group WeChat and Weibo, China&#39;s Cyberspace Administration said it was also investigating Baidu forum site Tieba over failing to comply with strict new laws that ban content which is obscene, violent and deemed offensive by the Communist Party.

&quot;Users are spreading violence, terror, false rumours, pornography and other hazards to national security, public safety, social order,&quot; the regulator said on its website.

Baidu said it felt &quot;deep regret&quot; over the content and will &quot;actively cooperate with government departments to rectify the issue and increase the intensity of auditing&quot;.

Tencent and Weibo did not respond to requests for comment.

Shares of the Hong Kong-listed firm were in the red after the news, down almost 5 per cent. Investors will now be waiting to see how shares of the US listed firms react.

Just last month, all three were asked to carry out immediate &quot;cleaning and rectification&quot; at a meeting with authorities who cited examples of illicit content, including rumours about party officials and misrepresenting Chinese military history.

Prior to the meeting, Weibo was asked to partly close its video site over violations, wiping out a total $1.3 billion worth of stock between Weibo and parent firm Sina.

In recent months, regulators have taken severe and unprecedented moves to shutter content and media across a variety of platforms. In May, it released regulations for online news sites and network portals that expanded curbs on content and required all services to be overseen by party-sanctioned editorial staff.

It has taken down popular celebrity gossip social media accounts and there has also been a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/science-tech/apple-abstains-its-chinese-users-from-accessing-vpn-18430">sweeping campaign to remove virtual private network apps</a> that allow users to circumvent China&#39;s so-called &#39;Great Firewall&#39; and access foreign websites.

Western social media websites like Facebook and Twitter are banned by the country&#39;s censors, which in turn has helped drive up the popularity of home-grown messaging app WeChat and microblogging service Weibo.

WeChat and Weibo have about 940 million and 350 million monthly active users, respectively.

President Xi Jinping has made China's 'cyber sovereignty' a top priority and has also reasserted the ruling party's role in limiting and guiding online discussion

China is investigating its top social media sites, including WeChat and Weibo, for failing to comply with cyber laws, the latest step in the country's push to secure the internet and maintain strict Communist Party control over content. President Xi Jinping has made China's "cyber sovereignty" a top priority and has also reasserted the ruling party's role in limiting and guiding online discussion. Surveillance is being further tightened ahead of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party later this year, when global attention will be on news coming from the world's No.2 economy. Apart from Tencent Holdings Group WeChat and Weibo, China's Cyberspace Administration said it was also investigating Baidu forum site Tieba over failing to comply with strict new laws that ban content which is obscene, violent and deemed offensive by the Communist Party. "Users are spreading violence, terror, false rumours, pornography and other hazards to national security, public safety, social order," the regulator said on its website. Baidu said it felt "deep regret" over the content and will "actively cooperate with government departments to rectify the issue and increase the intensity of auditing". Tencent and Weibo did not respond to requests for comment. Shares of the Hong Kong-listed firm were in the red after the news, down almost 5 per cent. Investors will now be waiting to see how shares of the US listed firms react. Just last month, all three were asked to carry out immediate "cleaning and rectification" at a meeting with authorities who cited examples of illicit content, including rumours about party officials and misrepresenting Chinese military history. Prior to the meeting, Weibo was asked to partly close its video site over violations, wiping out a total $1.3 billion worth of stock between Weibo and parent firm Sina. In recent months, regulators have taken severe and unprecedented moves to shutter content and media across a variety of platforms. In May, it released regulations for online news sites and network portals that expanded curbs on content and required all services to be overseen by party-sanctioned editorial staff. It has taken down popular celebrity gossip social media accounts and there has also been a sweeping campaign to remove virtual private network apps that allow users to circumvent China's so-called 'Great Firewall' and access foreign websites. Western social media websites like Facebook and Twitter are banned by the country's censors, which in turn has helped drive up the popularity of home-grown messaging app WeChat and microblogging service Weibo. WeChat and Weibo have about 940 million and 350 million monthly active users, respectively.

Now, China to control local social media content

China loves peace but will never compromise on defending its sovereignty, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday while marking 90 years since the founding of the People&#39;s Liberation Army.

China has rattled nerves around Asia and globally with its increasingly assertive stance in territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas and an ambitious military modernisation plan.

Relations with self-ruled Taiwan have also worsened since Tsai Ing-wen from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party won presidential elections there last year. China considers Taiwan a wayward province, to be brought under Beijing&#39;s control by force if necessary.

Xi, speaking at the Great Hall of the People, made no direct reference to any particular territorial dispute, as he sought to assure that China&#39;s intentions were peaceful, but also show that China would not be bullied.

&quot;The Chinese people love peace. We will never seek aggression or expansion, but we have the confidence to defeat all invasions,&quot; Xi said in comments carried live on state television.

&quot;We will never allow any people, organisation or political party to split any part of Chinese territory out of the country at any time, in any form,&quot; he said. &quot;No one should expect us to swallow the bitter fruit that is harmful to our sovereignty, security or development interests.&quot;

The army has been a central target of Xi&#39;s wide-ranging anti-corruption campaign, with several senior military officers, including Xu Caihou, Guo Boxiong, and Gu Junshan, being felled for graft since Xi came to power.

Xi said that, after five years&#39; hard work, the PLA had successfully &quot;remodelled&quot; its organisational and power structure, as well as its public image.

A reshuffle of the military&#39;s senior ranks at a key five-yearly Communist Party congress in the autumn is expected to further strengthen his grip, and Xi repeatedly reaffirmed the Party&#39;s &quot;absolute leadership&quot; over the army.

&quot;To build a strong military, [we] must unswervingly adhere to the Party&#39;s absolute leadership over the armed forces, and make sure that the people&#39;s army always follow the Party,&quot; Xi said.

Quoting Chairman Mao Zedong, the founder of modern China, Xi said: &quot;Our principle is that the party commands the guns, and the guns must never be allowed to command the party.&quot;

China has not fought a war for decades and the government insists it has no hostile intent, but simply needs the ability to properly defend the world&#39;s second-largest economy.

China&#39;s armed forces, the world&#39;s largest, are in the midst of an ambitious modernisation programme, which includes investment in technology and new equipment, such as stealth fighters and aircraft carriers, as well as cuts to troop numbers.

&quot;The People&#39;s Army must be brave enough to change and innovate, not at any time must it become rigid or stagnate,&quot; Xi said.

Some of the military reforms have been controversial at home. Sources with ties to the military say Xi&#39;s announcement at the 2015 parade to cut 300,000 troops has caused unease within the ranks.

On Sunday, Xi presided over a large military parade at the remote Zhurihe training base in China&#39;s northern Inner Mongolia region, where he inspected troops from the back of a jeep.

China has not fought a war for decades and the government insists it has no hostile intent, but simply needs the ability to properly defend the world's second-largest economy

China loves peace but will never compromise on defending its sovereignty, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday while marking 90 years since the founding of the People's Liberation Army. China has rattled nerves around Asia and globally with its increasingly assertive stance in territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas and an ambitious military modernisation plan. Relations with self-ruled Taiwan have also worsened since Tsai Ing-wen from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party won presidential elections there last year. China considers Taiwan a wayward province, to be brought under Beijing's control by force if necessary. Xi, speaking at the Great Hall of the People, made no direct reference to any particular territorial dispute, as he sought to assure that China's intentions were peaceful, but also show that China would not be bullied. "The Chinese people love peace. We will never seek aggression or expansion, but we have the confidence to defeat all invasions," Xi said in comments carried live on state television. "We will never allow any people, organisation or political party to split any part of Chinese territory out of the country at any time, in any form," he said. "No one should expect us to swallow the bitter fruit that is harmful to our sovereignty, security or development interests." The army has been a central target of Xi's wide-ranging anti-corruption campaign, with several senior military officers, including Xu Caihou, Guo Boxiong, and Gu Junshan, being felled for graft since Xi came to power. Xi said that, after five years' hard work, the PLA had successfully "remodelled" its organisational and power structure, as well as its public image. A reshuffle of the military's senior ranks at a key five-yearly Communist Party congress in the autumn is expected to further strengthen his grip, and Xi repeatedly reaffirmed the Party's "absolute leadership" over the army. "To build a strong military, [we] must unswervingly adhere to the Party's absolute leadership over the armed forces, and make sure that the people's army always follow the Party," Xi said. Quoting Chairman Mao Zedong, the founder of modern China, Xi said: "Our principle is that the party commands the guns, and the guns must never be allowed to command the party." China has not fought a war for decades and the government insists it has no hostile intent, but simply needs the ability to properly defend the world's second-largest economy. China's armed forces, the world's largest, are in the midst of an ambitious modernisation programme, which includes investment in technology and new equipment, such as stealth fighters and aircraft carriers, as well as cuts to troop numbers. "The People's Army must be brave enough to change and innovate, not at any time must it become rigid or stagnate," Xi said. Some of the military reforms have been controversial at home. Sources with ties to the military say Xi's announcement at the 2015 parade to cut 300,000 troops has caused unease within the ranks. On Sunday, Xi presided over a large military parade at the remote Zhurihe training base in China's northern Inner Mongolia region, where he inspected troops from the back of a jeep.

President Xi says China loves peace but won't compromise on sovereignty