Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng Meets with Director of the U.S. White House National Drug Control Policy Office
Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng Meets with Director of the U.S. White House National Drug Control Policy Office
On January 22, Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, held a meeting with the Director of the U.S. White House National Drug Control Policy Office, Gupta. The two officials engaged in frank and in-depth discussions regarding bilateral cooperation in the field of drug control.
During the meeting, Ambassador Xie stressed the need for both sides to adhere to the spirit of mutual respect, rule of law, and professionalism. He also urged the promotion of cooperation in various areas of drug control, practical law enforcement collaboration, and the facilitation of stable, healthy, and sustainable development in China-U.S. relations. Director Gupta expressed his commitment to implementing the consensus reached during the meeting between the leaders of the two countries.
The discussions between the Chinese and U.S. officials are expected to pave the way for enhanced cooperation and coordination in combating the global drug trade. Both nations recognize the urgency and complexity of the issue and emphasize the importance of international collaboration to address the challenges posed by drug-related crimes. It also serves as another step forward in strengthening the bilateral relationship between China and the United States.
Guangdong’s GDP Surges to 13 Trillion Yuan as 25 Provinces Release Last Year’s Economic Figures
In a recent release of economic data, 25 provinces in China have disclosed their respective GDP figures for the previous year. Among them, Guangdong Province has emerged as a frontrunner, surpassing the milestone of 13 trillion yuan, solidifying its position as a powerhouse in the nation’s economy.
Additionally, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces have also performed exceptionally well, exceeding growth expectations. Jiangsu is approaching the same milestone with a growth rate of 5.8%. Similarly, Shandong and Zhejiang have achieved impressive growth rates of 6%, reaching the 9 trillion yuan and 8 trillion yuan thresholds respectively. Among the 25 provinces, 15 provinces outperformed the national average growth rate of 5.2%.
With the convening of local “Two Sessions” in 2024, various provinces have started unveiling their major economic data for 2023 along with their economic development targets for the year ahead. As of now, 25 provinces have published specific GDP figures for 2023, with 20 of them setting growth targets for 2024 in their government work reports. As China moves forward, these provinces will undoubtedly play crucial roles in driving economic progress and fostering innovation. The government’s focus on promoting high-quality development and nurturing emerging industries will further bolster their economic performance and contribute to the overall prosperity of the country.
Cristiano Ronaldo Apologizes to Chinese Fans for Match Postponement
In a recent turn of events, the much-anticipated matches featuring Riyadh Victory’s China Tour, including games against Shanghai Shenhua and the Zhejiang team, have been postponed due to Cristiano Ronaldo’s health reasons. The matches were originally scheduled to take place on January 24 and 28 at the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre Stadium.
On the evening of the 23rd, Ronaldo made a heartfelt apology at a press conference. “I want to apologize to the Chinese fans. I love China, and I wanted to play for you,” he said.
“I’ve been playing for 23 years, and injuries are inevitable, which saddens me deeply. The Chinese fans have always been in my heart.”
In response to the postponement, the event organizers have announced that they will soon open a no-conditions refund channel. They will compensate for the actual cost of plane tickets and hotel expenses incurred by fans, to whom they extend their apologies.
There has been a number of high-profile friendlies between internationally well-known teams and Chinese clubs lately. Messi has just finished a tour to China with the Argentinian national team last year. However, those events were generally criticized as poor organized and overpriced. The Ronaldo incident seems to, once again, prove the amateur nature of Chinese game organizers.