IN BRIEF (Page 2)

Governance volume two is published

The second volume of the book Xi Jinping: The Governance of China has been published in Chinese and English language editions. The new publication brings together 99 of Xi's speeches, conversations, instructions and letters between Aug 18, 2014, and Sept 29 of this year, Xinhua News Agency said. The first volume, published in September 2014, has had a total circulation of 6.5 million copies in 23 languages in more than 160 countries and regions as of September, according to the Beijing-based Foreign Languages Press, the book's publisher. Since the publication of the first volume, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has put forward a range of groundbreaking new concepts, thoughts and strategies that enrich the Party's theories. In the second volume, the articles included are categorized into 17 topics. The use of 29 photos of Xi as well as some annotations make it more reader friendly. The new volume shows the development and main concepts of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It also highlights the wisdom and solutions offered by the Party for developing a community with a shared future for mankind and for promoting peace and development, according to Xinhua.

Exhibition on POW camp to visit US

An exhibition will travel to the United States to tell the stories of Allied troops held at a Japanese prisoner of war camp in Shenyang, China, during World War II. Comprising about 200 photographs and dozens of duplicate artifacts, the exhibition presents the prisoners' difficult lives at the Mukden POW Camp, also known as Shenyang World War II Allied POW Camp. The exhibition will be open to the public from Nov 21 to Dec 5 at the WWII Pacific War Memorial Hall in San Francisco. Besides photos, exhibits include diaries and cartoons the prisoners created while in captivity. The artifacts were donated by veterans and their descendants. The exhibition is called The Forgotten Camp because the camp and its history were not widely known until researchers drew attention to it in 2003, says Fan Lihong, curator of the exhibition and director of the Site Museum of the Shenyang camp.

Forex up 9th month in a row in October

China's foreign exchange reserves rose slightly in October, capping nine consecutive months of increases, thanks to effective capital flow management and improving economic fundamentals, analysts say. Also, major fluctuations in the scale of the reserves are unlikely in the coming months, they say. The reserves rose by $700 million (603 million euros; ￡532 million) last month to $3.109 trillion, compared with an increase of $17 billion in September, according to central bank data released on Nov 7. It was the first time the nation's reserves have climbed for nine months in a row since June 2014, and it marked the highest level since October last year. The State Administration of Foreign Exchange said appreciation of non-US dollar currencies against the dollar and rising asset prices kept China's reserves basically stable in October. "China's foreign exchange supply and demand were basically balanced in October," the forex regulator said.

Shanghai gets center for teacher training

UNESCO voted to support the creation of a teacher education center at Shanghai Normal University during the international agency's recent 39th general conference in Paris. The motion passed without debate. The center, the first Category 2 center under the auspices of UNESCO in China, will substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers in developing countries through international cooperation. Category 2 centers are funded directly by the member states where they are located, but their scope goes beyond the country's boundaries. The center in Shanghai will provide suggestions for innovative projects and policy improvements to UNESCO member states. Through the establishment of the center, Shanghai will cooperate in UNESCO's Education 2030 Agenda, which aims to wipe out poverty through sustainable development by 2030. Education was recognized in the agenda by the international community as an essential element for the success of its goals - ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

New United Front head stresses CPC spirit

The new head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, You Quan, said on Nov 7 that department workers must study and implement the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress to better serve the country. You, 63, who made the remark while presiding over a meeting, said that non-Party members, non-Party intellectuals and representatives of new social classes should study the spirit of the congress. You is also a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee. Members of the United Front Work Department must always be in line with the CPC Central Committee, with General Secretary Xi Jinping at the core, in thought, politics and action, he said. Socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era that provides a larger platform and demands more from members of the United Front, You said. He said he hoped members would combine individual expertise and career pursuits with State development to contribute to the progress of the Party and the country.

Premier hails strong ties with Finland

China would like to further promote cooperation with Finland in innovation, clean energy, environmental protection and occupational education, said Premier Li Keqiang on Nov 6. Li made the remarks when meeting with Maria Lohela, speaker of the Parliament of Finland, who was paying a visit to China. "The relations between our two countries have been at the forefront of the relations between China and North European countries for many years. We also are encouraged by the fact that our cooperation in various fields has been going from strength to strength," Li said. China is willing to further cooperate with Finland in advantageous areas such as innovation and clean energy to make a brighter future, Li said. Over the past three decades, China has achieved substantial social and economic achievements by opening-up and reform, the premier said.

Boao Forum talks about smart cities

The 2017 Boao Forum for Asia Development Summit (Macao) was held on Nov 6 with the theme of "Smart city construction and the development of the Asian region". Zhou Wenzhong, secretary-general of the Boao Forum for Asia, said at the opening ceremony that the Macao Special Administrative Region is one of the most open trade and investment economies, and also an important platform for communication and cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Ancient luxury baths discovered

Archaeologists recently found three 2,000-year-old luxury baths in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, the local heritage department said on Nov 6. Three ancient city sites, dating to different dynasties, were discovered by a team at the archaeological site of the ancient city of Liyang, according to Liu Rui, a researcher on the team. Liyang, a capital in the Qin and Han dynasties, is now located in the Yanliang district of Xi'an. Three baths and a fireplace have been excavated at one site.

Air Force aerobatics team to show prowess

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force's August 1st Air Demonstration Team departed on Nov 6 for the United Arab Emirates to take part in the Dubai Airshow, which is scheduled to run from Nov 12 to 16. The team will also visit Pakistan after the show and stage aerobatic performances in that country on Nov 20, according to the PLA Air Force. Seven J-10 aerobatic fighter jets embarked on the trip. Shen Jinke, spokesman for the PLA Air Force, said the force is ready for pragmatic exchanges and cooperation in more fields.

(China Daily European Weekly 11/10/2017 page2)