A Shared Path | A railway that unlocks countless opportunities

STORY: A Shared Path | A railway that unlocks countless opportunities DATELINE: Oct. 18, 2023 LENGTH: 00:05:30 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: ECONOMY STORYLINE: Laos Laos, the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, has been longing for ways to reach out to the world. Leave home village and have far-reaching vision. --Lao proverb 32-year-old Sida Phengphongsawanh is a train maintenance worker at the Laos-China Railway Company. She's been dreaming of becoming a train driver. The job on the China-Laos Railway has brought her one big step closer to her dream. Kunming, China SOUDNBITE (Lao): VIENGXAY PHOUDTHAVONG, Lao internet celebrity "Hello, I'm Viengxay Phoudthavong. Conductors on the train have all undergone training sessions. They can speak both English and Laotian." 32-year-old Viengxay Phoudthavong is a Ph.D. student in China's Yunnan, a province bordering Laos. For him, pursuing studies and a career in China has been a dream come true. On his social media account, Viengxay often shares interes

European businesses look to tap potentials in cooperation with China

STORY: European businesses look to tap potentials in cooperation with China DATELINE: April 29, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:26 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of China and Europe 2. SOUDNBITE 1 (English): TOMASZ SZYPULA, President of board of PTAK Warsaw Expo 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Hungarian): ERNO PETO, President of the Hungarian-Chinese Chamber of Economy 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): SILVA STIPIC KOBALI, Director of Business Internationalization Center at Croatian Chamber of Economy 5. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): BENOIT BAZIN, CEO of Saint-Gobain Group, France STORYLINE: Some European business insiders are looking to seek cooperation in the Chinese market, saying that China's economic recovery will bring broad prospects for growth. China achieved a growth rate of 4.5 percent year on year in the first quarter this year, beating previous forecasts by many institutions. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): TOMASZ SZYPULA, President of board of PTAK Warsaw Expo "The Chinese market, the Chinese economy is growing up rap

Mending intra-Arab ties to boost regional stability, says Syrian official

STORY: Mending intra-Arab ties to boost regional stability, says Syrian official DATELINE: April 28, 2023 LENGTH: 00:03:07 LOCATION: Damascus CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the interview with Xinhua 2. SOUDNBITE 1 (Arabic): AYMAN SOUSAN, Syrian assistant foreign minister 3. SOUDNBITE 2 (Arabic): AYMAN SOUSAN, Syrian assistant foreign minister 4. various of the interview with Xinhua 5. SOUDNBITE 3 (Arabic): AYMAN SOUSAN, Syrian assistant foreign minister 6. SOUDNBITE 4 (Arabic): AYMAN SOUSAN, Syrian assistant foreign minister 7. various of the interview with Xinhua 8. SOUDNBITE 5 (Arabic): AYMAN SOUSAN, Syrian assistant foreign minister 9. SOUDNBITE 6 (Arabic): AYMAN SOUSAN, Syrian assistant foreign minister STORYLINE: A senior Syrian official said that restoring normal relations between Arab countries, particularly the Syrian-Saudi relations, will promote stability in the region and protect the "national security" of Arab countries. SOUDNBITE 1 (Arabic): AYMAN SOUSAN, Syrian assistant foreign m

Indonesian expert hails China's innovation performance

STORY: Indonesian expert hails China's innovation performance DATELINE: April 23, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:45 LOCATION: Jakarta CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of street views in China 2. various of China's technology 3. SOUDNBITE (English): CHRISTINE SUSANNA TJHIN, Director of Strategic Research, Gentala Institute in Indonesia STORYLINE: An Indonesian expert has said that China's performance in innovation has contributed to the country's economic growth. China's economic performance has gotten off to a strong start, with its gross domestic product (GDP) growing 4.5 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of this year. Last year, China moved up to the 11th spot in the Global Innovation Index 2022 released by the World Intellectual Property Organization, marking an impressive climb of 23 places from its 2012 ranking. China is now on a par with the U.S. in terms of the number of top 100 science and technology clusters, with 21 each. SOUDNBITE (English): CHRISTINE SUSANNA TJHIN, Director of Strategic R

France ends systematic quarantine of people testing positive for COVID-19

STORY: France ends systematic quarantine of people testing positive for COVID-19 DATELINE: Feb. 3, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:00 LOCATION: Paris CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Parisian streets 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (French): DENIS, Resident 3. SOUDNBITE 2 (French): JEAN-BAPTISTE, Resident STORYLINE: The French government has relaxed health restrictions, citing a marked improvement in the coronavirus epidemic. From Feb. 1, people testing positive for COVID-19 will no longer need to be systematically quarantined. Asymptomatic contacts of cases will also no longer be required to be tested the day after being informed. In a press statement, the French Health Ministry said that the relaxation of restrictions was due to the very low circulation of the virus in France itself and abroad. France's approach is similar to that of other European countries. According to data, the number of infections did drop in one month, from an average of over 20,000 to less than 5,000 per day. SOUNDBITE 1 (French): DENIS, Resid

80-year-old Syrian woman tries to keep traditional silk knotting, dyeing

STORY: 80-year-old Syrian woman tries to keep traditional silk knotting, dyeing DATELINE: Dec. 30, 2022 LENGTH: 00:03:00 LOCATION: Damascus CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of Shamsa Bilal working 2. SOUDNBITE 1 (Arabic): SHAMSA BILAL, Traditional silk crafter 3. various of Samar Nassan working 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): SAMAR NASSAN, Traditional silk crafter 5. various of Ahmad Dbaik at his shop 6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): AHMAD DBAIK, Traditional silk store owner 7. various of Dbaik at his shop STORYLINE: The 80-year-old Shamsa Mohammad Bilal is trying to keep the Syrian traditional art of silk knotting and dyeing alive as long as she stays alive. In the past, people in Hama used to buy silk dresses for their brides and significant others as a form of extravagance and lavishness. However, with the accelerating pace of life and the tough economic situation, this craft has almost died as people started searching for cheaper and more modern options. Bilal has taken part in many training courses to teach

A great island guardian | Stories shared by Xi Jinping

STORY: A great island guardian | Stories shared by Xi Jinping DATELINE: Dec. 8, 2022 LENGTH: 00:03:55 LOCATION: NANJING, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Kaishan Island 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): WANG SHIHUA, Wang Jicai's wife 3. various of the Kaishan Island 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): WANG LIPING, a friend of Wang Jicai 5. various of the Kaishan Island 6. SOUDNBITE 3 (Chinese): SUN LIANGKUI, Sentry of the militia post on Kaishan Island STORYLINE: Wang Jicai started guarding on Kaishan Island in China's Jiangsu Province in 1986 with his wife, Wang Shihua. In the following 32 years, he guarded the island resolutely despite hardships until he died on duty. The story is shared by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Kaishan Island Guanyun County, Jiangsu Wang Jicai, former head of a militia post on Kaishan Island in east China's Jiangsu Province and his wife, Wang Shihua dedicated all their youth to the lonely strategic outpost in the Yellow Sea. Wang died of illness on duty in 2018. In August, 2

Chinese modernization to stimulate steady development in Asia-Pacific: observers

STORY: Chinese modernization to stimulate steady development in Asia-Pacific: observers DATELINE: Nov. 18, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:13 LOCATION: Bangkok CATEGORY: POLITICS/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Thailand 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): LESLIE SOEMEDI, CEO of Master Steel, Indonesia 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): CHERDCHAI CHAIVAIVID, Director-general, Department of International Economic Affairs, Thailand's Foreign Ministry 4. SOUDNBITE 3 (Thai): KRIENGKRAI THIENNUKUL, 2022 APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Chairman 5. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): ADEM FARAH, Vice President and General Secretary of Prosperity Party, Ethiopia 6. SOUNDBITE 5 (English): ROBERT LAWRENCE KUHN, Chairman of Kuhn Foundation 7. various of the development of China STORYLINE: The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit was held Thursday in Bangkok, Thailand. Experts have hailed China's role in driving regional economic integration, saying it will stimulate steady development in the Asia-Pacific region. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): LES

Xi's speech at G20 summit encouraging: observers

STORY: Xi's speech at G20 summit encouraging: observers DATELINE: Nov. 16, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:02 LOCATION: Jakarta CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Bali, Indonesia 2. various of the 17th summit of the G20 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SELCUK COLAKOGLU, Director of the Turkish Center of Asia Pacific Studies 4. SOUDNBITE 2 (English): CHRISTINE SUSANNA TJHIN, Director of Strategic Research, Gentala Institute in Indonesia 5. SOUDNBITE 3 (English): BRYANT TJAHJONO GOZALI, CEO of PT Bolong Media Indonesia 6. various of the development of China STORYLINE: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday delivered a speech titled "Working Together to Meet the Challenges of Our Times and Build a Better Future" at the 17th summit of the Group of 20 (G20) in Bali, Indonesia. Experts and observers spoke highly of Xi's speech, saying it's timely and very important for global development. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SELCUK COLAKOGLU, Director of the Turkish Center of Asia Pacific Studies "Chinese President Xi Jinping put forw

China's growth an inherent part of globalization: Australian sociologist

STORY: China's growth an inherent part of globalization: Australian sociologist DATELINE: July 25, 2022 LENGTH: 0:01:50 LOCATION: SYDNEY, Australia CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of David Goodman working in his office 2. SOUDNBITE 1 (English): DAVID GOODMAN, Director of China Studies Center at University of Sydney 3. various of China's development achievements 4. SOUDNBITE 2 (English): DAVID GOODMAN, Director of China Studies Center at University of Sydney STORYLINE: For renowned sinologist and sociologist professor David Goodman, China has been a constant source of inspiration both for his research and life, a country that has a deep history and is undergoing rapid modernization. Recalling his life and work in China over the past 40 years, Goodman says that Chinese people have a strong sense of unity while maintaining a huge diversity across the country. SOUDNBITE 1 (English): DAVID GOODMAN, Director of China Studies Center at University of Sydney "I can't think of anywhere else in the world, w

Experts say profit-seeking private prisons in U.S. hotbeds for modern slavery

STORY: Experts say profit-seeking private prisons in U.S. hotbeds for modern slavery DATELINE: July 12, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:18 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1.SOUDNBITE 1 (spanish): RAUL GUILLERMO BENITEZ, Researcher at Investigations Center about North America at the UNAM University in Mexico City 2.SOUNDBITE 2 (English): STEPHEN NDEGWA, International relations lecturer, United States International University (USIU-Africa) 3.SOUNDBITE 3 (English): STEPHEN NDEGWA, International relations lecturer, United States International University (USIU-Africa) 4.SOUNDBITE 4 (English): ROMARILYN RALSTON, Program Director of California State University's Project Rebound STORYLINE: Experts from around the world have slammed the profit-seeking private prison system in the United States, saying that inmates in these prisons have fallen victim to modern slavery. The United States has less than 5% of the world's population. However, it has almost a quarter of the world's prisoners. Due to the financial burd

Chinese artist devotes herself to making traditional knot buttons

STORY: Chinese artist devotes herself to making traditional knot buttons DATELINE: June 24, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:49 LOCATION: FUZHOU, China CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1.various of Qipao workshop 2.SOUNDBITE (Chinese): XU DONGFANG, Inheritor of traditional knot button art 3.SOUDNBITE (Chinese): LIAN XIAOLAN, Customer 4.various of Ms. Xu and children at a learning session 5.SOUNDBITE (Chinese): XU DONGFANG, Inheritor of traditional knot button art STORYLINE: The knot button is a distinctive feature of traditional Chinese apparel, widely used in garments like Qipao, or cheongsam. In east China's Fuzhou, an artist born in the 1980s is making efforts to carry forward the art of making knot buttons. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): XU DONGFANG, Inheritor of traditional knot button art "When I was a kid, my grandmother had this kind of knot buttons on her clothes, and she liked to embroider in her free time. So I began to be interested in handmade artifacts and the little ornaments on clothes. After I graduated from college

Living cost soars in Europe as annual inflation hits new highs

STORY: Living cost soars in Europe as annual inflation hits new highs DATELINE: April 22, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:26 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: SOCIETY/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of street views in Britain 2. SOUDNBITE 1 (English): LEO SCOTT, Resident in the UK 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): BILLY MCGRANAGHAN, Founder of British charity Dads House 4. various of street views in Spain 5. various of Torrijas, a traditional Spanish dessert STORYLINE: Living cost is surging across Europe, as inflation rates hit new highs in many countries. Britain's Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 7 pct in the 12 months to March 2022, hitting a new 30-year high. SOUDNBITE 1 (English): LEO SCOTT, Resident in the UK "And me and my mother were talking about this. Now they're in America. I'm in England. On each side of the pond, we're all feeling it. Price hike with energy bills and also food." Dads House, a British charity, sees donations go down, as more and more people are in need. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): BILLY MCGRANAGHAN, Found