Latest news with #NationalPeople'sCongressStandingCommittee
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
China's top legislator calls for high-level development of innovative strategic partnership with Switzerland
Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, poses for a photo after his meeting with President of the National Council of Switzerland Maja Riniker (R) and President of the Council of States of Switzerland Andrea Caroni (L) in Switzerland, July 30, 2025. Image: Xinhua China's top legislator Zhao Leji called for jointly advancing the high-level development of the China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership during an official goodwill visit to the country from Monday to Thursday. Switzerland was one of the first Western countries that established diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China, said Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, during his meeting with President of the National Council of Switzerland Maja Riniker and President of the Council of States of Switzerland Andrea Caroni. Over the 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have jointly cultivated a spirit of cooperation featuring "equality, innovation and win-win," setting a model for cooperation between countries with different social systems, at different stages of development and of varying sizes, he said. China stands ready to work with Switzerland to implement the important consensus reached by leaders of the two countries and promote the high-level development of the China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership, Zhao said. He noted that mutual respect and mutual trust are important foundations for the long-term stable development of bilateral relations, and that China is willing to maintain the positive momentum of high-level exchanges with Switzerland and welcomes more Swiss leaders and parliamentarians to visit China to understand a real, multidimensional and comprehensive China. Respecting each other's core interests and major concerns is a valuable experience and the right approach to China-Switzerland relations, he said, adding that China appreciates Switzerland's commitment to expanding cooperation with China and hopes to strengthen exchanges and interactions to pool more positive energy for the development of bilateral relations. Switzerland is the first continental European country that signed free trade agreement with China, and bilateral economic and trade cooperation has grown rapidly since the deal came into effect, said Zhao, who also expects to jointly push forward negotiations on upgrading the free trade agreement and high-quality financial cooperation, as well as welcomes the expansion of investment in China by Swiss capitals. He also called for enhancing cooperation in arts, sports, education and between local governments to consolidate the social and public support for bilateral friendship. He expressed the hope that China and Switzerland, both important forces loving peace and advocating multilateralism, will continue to enhance multilateral coordination, jointly combat unilateralism and protectionism, and safeguard international trade rules and world economic order, so as to promote a more just and equitable global governance. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The NPC of China and the Swiss Federal Parliament have maintained long-standing friendly relations and made positive contributions to the development of bilateral ties and practical cooperation, he said. The two sides should further intensify friendly exchanges among legislatures, share and learn from each other's experience in legislation, supervision and other areas, timely formulate, revise and approve legal documents conducive to bilateral cooperation, and strengthen communication and collaboration within multilateral mechanisms such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union, he noted. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, visits the DSM-firmenich company in Switzerland, July 28, 2025. Image: Xinhua For her part, Riniker said that this year marks the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, while relations between the two countries have developed steadily and achieved fruitful results based on mutual respect, openness and goodwill. The National Council of Switzerland stands ready to strengthen cooperation with the NPC of China to play an active role in pushing for an upgrade of the free trade deal between the two countries, as well as promoting sustainable development, she said. Caroni, for his part, said that both countries adhere to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and firmly uphold multilateralism. Strengthening cooperation with China is of strategic significance to Switzerland, he said, adding that the Council of States of Switzerland looks forward to further strengthening exchanges and dialogues with the Chinese side to enhance mutual understanding and common development. CGTN Source: Xinhua News Agency
The Star
06-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Documentary on Lisbon Maru rescue premieres in Hong Kong
HONG KONG, July 6 (Xinhua) -- A premiere ceremony for the documentary "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru" was held in Hong Kong on Sunday to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The documentary was based on true stories of the Pacific War. In October 1942, the Japanese army requisitioned a cargo vessel "Lisbon Maru" to carry more than 1,800 British prisoners of war (POWs) from Hong Kong to Japan. In violation of international conventions, the Japanese army did not put any markings on the ship to indicate the POWs inside. Torpedoed by the U.S. army, the vessel sank in the waters off the Zhoushan Islands in east China's Zhejiang Province. Local fishermen risked their own lives to rescue 384 POWs under Japanese gunfire. "Hong Kong is where the story of the 'Lisbon Maru' began," Fang Li, producer and director of the documentary, told Xinhua. It was particularly significant to be able to show Hong Kong viewers the story and humanity behind the story on the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, said Fang, who spent eight years making the documentary. The historical episodes in the documentary are a reminder of hard-won peace and stability, Starry Lee, a member of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said at the ceremony. Remembering the past will help enable Hong Kong residents, especially the younger generation, to better understand patriotism, she said. The documentary will hit screens on July 24.
RTHK
13-05-2025
- Business
- RTHK
China, Brazil sign cooperation documents
China, Brazil sign cooperation documents Presidents Xi Jinping and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva hold talks in Beijing. Photo: Reuters China and Brazil on Tuesday signed 20 cooperation documents during Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's state visit to China. He also held talks with President Xi Jinping. In a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, the two leaders witnessed the signing of cooperation documents covering the fields of development strategy alignment, science and technology, agriculture, digital economy, finance, inspection and quarantine, and media. The two countries also issued a joint statement on the Ukraine crisis. According to the statement, China and Brazil welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal to start peace talks and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's positive response. It added that Beijing and Brasilia hope Russia and Ukraine will start direct dialogue as soon as possible, which is the only way to end the conflict. Lula on Tuesday also met other state leaders such as Premier Li Qiang and National People's Congress Standing Committee chairman Zhao Leji. Zhao said Beijing is willing to strengthen strategic collaboration with Brazil. (Reporting by Xinhua)
South China Morning Post
30-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
New law to protect China's private enterprise can spur greater growth
China's private enterprises have long been the key engines for growth, job creation and technological innovation. Still, it is a wonder they thrived at all in an environment of regulatory murkiness. Advertisement The lack of clarity has left them with a reputation as a neglected stepchild when compared to favoured state-owned enterprises, and exposed them as easy targets of fines and fees by local governments keen to replenish their dwindling coffers. At long last, China's parliament has provided some welcome legal clarity. The Private Economy Promotion Law, crafted to provide legal protection and promotion of the non-state sector was passed yesterday by the National People's Congress Standing Committee and is due to take effect on May 20. The law was to have been a highlight of the March meetings of parliament and its top advisory body, but was delayed. This was due not to cold feet, but because Beijing recognised the need to reassure the private sector it was providing genuine measures to address their concerns rather than lip service. Advertisement The law now promises to promote fair market competition, encourage private sector involvement in science and technology development, and protect their economic rights and interests. Its passage confirmed the Communist Party's long-term support for the development of the private sector, and its core role in national rejuvenation efforts. It already produces more than 60 per cent of GDP, 70 per cent of hi-tech innovation and 80 per cent of urban jobs.
South China Morning Post
16-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong urged to make Northern Metropolis ‘special zone' to speed up work
Hong Kong authorities should designate the Northern Metropolis as a 'special zone' with a separate approval mechanism to speed up development, the city's sole delegate to the nation's top legislative body has said. Advertisement Starry Lee Wai-king, a member of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, also discussed mounting criticism of CK Hutchison Holdings over its Panama Canal ports sale with key Beijing offices posting scathing commentaries about it, saying businesses should keep the country's interests in mind when making deals. In an interview televised on Sunday, Lee noted the slow pace of construction in the Northern Metropolis, especially the Hong Kong part of a new innovation hub co-developed with Shenzhen in Hetao. 'The Northern Metropolis should become a 'special zone within the Special Administrative Region' and have a special approval process,' said Lee, who recently returned from Beijing after attending the country's key annual political meetings, known as the 'two sessions'. 'For example, it usually takes 10 years to build a railway or three years to complete the bidding. Can we make it happen in one year if needed?' Advertisement The government's Northern Metropolis blueprint aims to transform 30,000 hectares (74,130 acres) in the New Territories into a new economic growth centre and housing hub.
