Int'l conference on salt-affected soils kicks off in E China

STORY: Int'l conference on salt-affected soils kicks off in E China DATELINE: Sept. 7, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:15 LOCATION: WEIFANG, China CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: various of the conferenceSOUNDBITE 1 (English): MURRAY WATT, Minister of Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and ForestrySOUNDBITE 2 (English): MARIAM BINT MOHAMMED SAEED HAREB ALMHEIRI, Minister of UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment STORYLINE: International conference on salt-affected soils kicked off Wednesday in Weifang, a city in east China's Shandong Province. Themed "Salt-affected Soils and Food Security", the conference has attracted more than 180 representatives home and abroad. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MURRAY WATT, Minister of Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry "I hope this conference will help establish critical connections and prompt discussion among policy-makers, food producers, scientists and practitioners for the sustainable management of salt-affected soils. I'd like to thank Ch

Newly-appointed principal officials of incoming gov't pledge to lead Hong Kong from stability to prosperity

STORY: Newly-appointed principal officials of incoming gov't pledge to lead Hong Kong from stability to prosperity DATELINE: June 20, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:53 LOCATION: HONG KONG, China CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: various of the press conferenceSOUNDBITE (Chinese): JOHN LEE, Incoming Chief Executive of HKSARaerial view of HK STORYLINE: Incoming Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee and the newly-appointed principal officials expressed their gratitude for the central government's appointment during a press conference held on Sunday. Lee and the governing team of the HKSAR's sixth-term government said that they will lead Hong Kong in ushering in a new chapter from stability to prosperity. Lee expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the central government for accepting and approving his nominations in accordance with the Basic Law of the HKSAR. The 26 appointed principal officials comprise 21 politically accountable and five non-politically accountable

China reiterates supportive position for internal solution to political crisis in Sudan

STORY: China reiterates supportive position for internal solution to political crisis in Sudan DATELINE: May 27, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:25 LOCATION: Khartoum CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: various of press conferenceSOUNDBITE 1 (English): MA XINMIN, Chinese Ambassador to SudanSOUNDBITE 2 (English): MA XINMIN, Chinese Ambassador to Sudan STORYLINE: China on Thursday reiterated its position supporting an internal solution to the political crisis in Sudan. The remarks were made by the Chinese Ambassador to Sudan Ma Xinmin during a press briefing at the premises of the Chinese Embassy in Khartoum, saying that China's position on Sudan's problems was consistent and clear-cut. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MA XINMIN, Chinese Ambassador to Sudan "China supports the people of Sudan in solving problems independently and has confidence in Sudan's wisdom and ability to handle its internal affairs well." The Chinese ambassador further commended the level of cooperation between China and Sudan. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MA XINMIN,

China ready to work with Australian Labor government to promote ties: FM spokesperson

STORY: China ready to work with Australian Labor government to promote ties: FM spokesperson DATELINE: May 23, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:52 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: various of press conferenceSOUNDBITE (Chinese/English interpretation): WANG WENBIN, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson STORYLINE: Australia's Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese was sworn in on Monday as the country's 31st prime minister. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a press briefing on Monday that China is ready to work with the Australian Labor government to promote the sound and steady growth of the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership. SOUNDBITE (Chinese/English interpretation): WANG WENBIN, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson "We noticed that Mr. Albanese has led the Labor Party to a federal election victory. We offer our congratulations. In the 1970s, the Australian Labor government made the correct choice of establishing diplomatic relations with China, making a historical con

China's low-carbon development highlighted at 1st Green Hydrogen Global Assembly

STORY: China's low-carbon development highlighted at 1st Green Hydrogen Global Assembly DATELINE: May 19, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:19 LOCATION: Madrid CATEGORY: TECHNOLOGY SHOTLIST: various of the conferenceSOUNDBITE 1 (English): MALCOLM TURNBULL, GH2 Chair and former Australian Prime MinisterSOUNDBITE 2 (English): MALCOLM TURNBULL, GH2 Chair and former Australian Prime Ministervarious of hydrogen energy development in China STORYLINE: The first Green Hydrogen Global Assembly took place in Barcelona's International Convention Center on Tuesday and Wednesday, aiming to promote green hydrogen as a net-zero alternative to fossil fuels. Organized by the Green Hydrogen Organisation (GH2) and the Spanish government, a major new initiative launched was a Green Hydrogen Standard to accredit hydrogen produced without associated greenhouse gas emissions. Describing China as "a green hydrogen powerhouse", the GH2 organization devoted a number of sessions to China. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MALCOLM TURNBULL, GH2 Chair

Carrie Lam says to render all assistance, support to John Lee in forming six-term HKSAR gov't

STORY: Carrie Lam says to render all assistance, support to John Lee in forming six-term HKSAR gov't DATELINE: May 9, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:09 LOCATION: Hong Kong CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: various of the media conferenceSOUNDBITE (Cantonese): CARRIE LAM, HKSAR Chief Executivevarious of the media conference STORYLINE: Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said on Monday that the current-term HKSAR government will render all the necessary assistance and support to John Lee in forming the six-term HKSAR government. Lam made the remarks at a media session after meeting Lee, HKSAR's six-term chief executive designate, who won a total of 1,416 votes, surpassing the threshold of 750 votes to win the chief executive election of the HKSAR on Sunday. Lam said HKSAR's sixth-term chief executive election was the third, and the final, of the first round of three major elections since the improvement to the HKSAR's electoral system, and thus was a very important occasion.

Canada, U.S. hold trade talks

STORY: Canada, U.S. hold trade talks DATELINE: May 6, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:18 LOCATION: Ottawa CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: various of the press conferenceSOUNDBITE (English): MARY NG, Canadian Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development STORYLINE: Trade officials of Canada and the United States held talks Thursday in Ottawa. According to an announcement made at a press conference, Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, hosted the United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai for the first of two days of bilateral talks, which began Thursday afternoon. Ng said that the pair would be heading to the Greater Toronto Area on Friday to hold meetings with businesses that are key to the export relationship with the United States. Ng said the discussions will focus especially on the manufacture of electric vehicles. SOUNDBITE (English): MARY NG, Canadian Minister of International Trade, Export

UN chief calls for 4-day pause in fighting in Ukraine during Easter

STORY: UN chief calls for 4-day pause in fighting in Ukraine during Easter DATELINE: April 20, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:04 LOCATION: UN Headquarters CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: various of "Knotted Gun" sculpturevarious of the press conferenceSOUNDBITE 1 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-GeneralSOUNDBITE 2 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General STORYLINE: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for a four-day humanitarian pause in fighting in Ukraine to allow for the opening of humanitarian aid corridors during the Orthodox Christian Holy Week. Guterres spoke to reporters standing in front of the "Knotted Gun," or "Non-Violence," an iconic sculpture of a large gun, the barrel of which is tied in a knot. The sculpture is the first thing that many visitors to UN headquarters in New York see as they enter the compound and symbolizes the world body's commitment to world peace. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General "Today, I am calling for a four

Turkey announces new tax cuts to fight high inflation

STORY: Turkey announces new tax cuts to fight high inflation DATELINE: March 30, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:14 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: various of the press conferenceSOUNDBITE (Turkish): RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish Presidentvarious of street view STORYLINE: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday announced value-added tax (VAT) cuts on several products to fight inflation. The VAT cuts included mostly necessities, such as hygiene products and medical equipment, Erdogan said at a press conference after a cabinet meeting. SOUNDBITE (Turkish): RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish President "We have decided to reduce the VAT on products such as detergent, soap, toilet paper, napkins and baby diapers from 18 percent to 8 percent." The government will also reduce the financial burden on the construction industry by cutting the VAT on landed property to 8 percent, the president added. In the agricultural sector, the country will reduce VAT to 1 percent on all kinds of certifi

Parts of wreckage, human remains recovered at China plane crash site: official

STORY: Parts of wreckage, human remains recovered at China plane crash site: official DATELINE: March 23, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:00 LOCATION: NANNING, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: various of press conferenceSOUNDBITE (Chinese): ZHENG XI, Head of the fire brigade of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region STORYLINE: An official told a press briefing Wednesday that some human remains and parts of the wreckage of the China Eastern Airlines passenger plane that crashed into a mountain in Guangxi on Monday have been recovered at the crash site. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): ZHENG XI, Head of the fire brigade of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region "By 7 p.m. Wednesday, rescuers from the brigade have covered a search area of 46,000 square meters. Parts of the plane wreckage and some human remains have been recovered and handed over to the investigation team." Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nanning, China. (XHTV)

Russia urges U.S. to explain purpose of biological labs in Ukraine

STORY: Russia urges U.S. to explain purpose of biological labs in Ukraine DATELINE: March 10, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:02 LOCATION: Moscow CATEGORY: POLITICS/MILITARY SHOTLIST: various of the press conferenceSOUNDBITE 1 (Russian): MARIA ZAKHAROVA, Russian Foreign Ministry spokespersonSOUNDBITE 2 (Russian): MARIA ZAKHAROVA, Russian Foreign Ministry spokespersonvarious of street view in Moscow STORYLINE: The Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that Washington must explain to the international community the purpose of U.S.-funded biological laboratories in Ukraine. SOUNDBITE 1 (Russian): MARIA ZAKHAROVA, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson "We remember for how many years and with what bloody results, they (the United States) searched for various types of chemical, biological, bacteriological weapons and so on all over the world, actually occupying lands and killing people." Zakharova said that Kiev has recently begun erasing traces of these biological programs. SOUNDBITE 2 (Russian): MARIA ZAK