1. Chinese, French leaders vow to strengthen bilateral cooperation
Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday agreed to enhance political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and advance the reform and improvement of global governance.
Macron is on his fourth state visit to China, which reciprocates Xi's state visit to France last year on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations. The two heads of state held talks, jointly met the press and attended and addressed the closing ceremony of the seventh meeting of China-France Business Council.
2. Death toll rises to 159 in Hong Kong fire: police
The death toll in the blaze in Wang Fuk Court had risen to 159 by 2 pm on Wednesday, with 31 still missing, the Hong Kong Police Force told reporters.
Alice Mak Mei-kuen, secretary for home and youth affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, said on Thursday that the living allowance for families affected by the Tai Po fire has been increased from 50,000 Hong Kong dollars (about 6,423.98 U.S. dollars) to 100,000 Hong Kong dollars per household.
The HKSAR government has so far distributed 10,000 Hong Kong dollars in emergency subsidies to each of the 1,929 families. Social workers from the Social Welfare Department of the HKSAR government have so far reached out to over 1,700 affected households, offering emotional support, coordinating supplies, and practical daily assistance.
3. China urges Japan to retract erroneous remarks, stop fobbing off
China urges the Japanese side to learn the lessons of history, do soul-searching, take seriously what it has heard from the Chinese side, simply retract the erroneous remarks as it should and take practical steps to honor its political commitments to China, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday.
"On issues of principle, an evasive attitude will not get the Japanese side anywhere," Lin said at a regular news briefing.
Lin said the Japanese side keeps hiding and fudging its position on the Taiwan question. Whenever asked, the Japanese side simply would not mention the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender -- all of which made clear that Taiwan be restored to China, nor the four political documents that serve as the political foundation of China-Japan relations, nor the political commitment made by the Japanese government to the one-China principle, he said.
Lin said all the Japanese side has done is dodging the issue by claiming that its position "remains unchanged," adding that not even once has the Japanese side fully articulated what exactly that position is.
4. China launches global drug price registration system
China on Tuesday launched a medicine price registration system, providing price registration and inquiry services for global pharmaceutical companies both online and offline.
This means that Chinese pharmaceutical enterprises will have a "price pass" when going global, as the platform https://chinamedreg.com.cn offers an authoritative, standard and transparent price authentication that is recognized globally.
5. China launches reusable rocket, second stage enters planned orbit
China launched a reusable carrier rocket on Wednesday from northwest China. The second stage of this rocket managed to enter the designated orbit, but recovery of its first stage failed.
The Zhuque-3 rocket blasted off from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone.
Its first-stage booster suffered anomalous combustion during recovery, failing to achieve a soft touchdown on the landing pad. The recovery test was unsuccessful, and the specific cause is under investigation.
6.‘Zootopia 2' box office tops 2 billion yuan in China, sets new record for imported animated films
Disney's "Zootopia 2" has surpassed 2 billion yuan (approximately $280 million) at the Chinese mainland box office, becoming the highest-grossing imported animated film in the country's history and breaking several other records.
Since its simultaneous release with North America, the film's earnings in the Chinese mainland have far outpaced its North American performance, making China its largest box office market worldwide.
"Zootopia 2" has been released in 57 countries and regions since Nov. 26. Data from online platforms showed that as of 5 p.m. on Dec. 1, its global box office had reached $818 million, with the Chinese mainland contributing $278 million, or 33.9 percent of the worldwide total.
7.6.0-magnitude quake hits NW China's Xinjiang: CENC
A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck Akqi County in Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, at 3:44 p.m. Thursday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).
The epicenter was monitored at 41.13 degrees north latitude and 78.40 degrees east longitude. The earthquake struck at a depth of 10 km, the CENC said.
8.World's longest civil aviation route launched between China, Argentina
China Eastern Airlines flight MU745 landed at Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, on Thursday afternoon local time. This only non-stop direct passenger route between China and Argentina covers a total distance of 20,000 kilometers, setting a new record for the world's longest single civil aviation flight.
The new route shortens travel time between China and South America by more than four hours, offering passengers a more comfortable and convenient travel experience.
9. China holds first national civil service exam since raising eligibility age cap
China on Sunday launched its first national civil service examination since elevating the eligibility age cap beyond 35.
More than 3.7 million people are taking the annual exam in a bid to secure positions with the country's central authorities and their branches. This means roughly 98 applicants are competing for one available post on average.
10. China-Laos Railway boosts regional tourism, trade connectivity
The China-Laos Railway has handled over 62.5 million passenger trips and more than 72.5 million tonnes of cargo since its launch four years ago, injecting strong momentum into regional economic and social development, the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. said Tuesday.
Stretching 1,035 kilometers from Kunming in southwest China's Yunnan Province to the Lao capital of Vientiane, the railway has enhanced regional connectivity and served as a new driver of regional economic growth, the company said.
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