Eighth Term Legislative Council First Meeting - Hong Kong

Eighth Term Legislative Council First Meeting - Hong Kong

This photo shows a scene at the first meeting of the eighth-term Legislative Council in Hong Kong, south China, Jan. 14, 2026. TO GO WITH "Hong Kong pledges all-out efforts in fire aftermath, mulls reform to strengthen building safety" Photo by Chen Duo/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Eighth Term Legislative Council First Meeting - Hong Kong

Eighth Term Legislative Council First Meeting - Hong Kong

John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), attends the first meeting of the eighth-term Legislative Council in Hong Kong, south China, Jan. 14, 2026. TO GO WITH "Hong Kong pledges all-out efforts in fire aftermath, mulls reform to strengthen building safety" Photo by Chen Duo/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

SOUTH AFRICA-CAPE TOWN-PRESIDENT-STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS

SOUTH AFRICA-CAPE TOWN-PRESIDENT-STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS

(240209) -- CAPE TOWN, Feb. 9, 2024 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his 2024 State of the Nation Address in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa, Feb. 8, 2024. Ramaphosa said on Thursday that an end to frequent load shedding -- a local term for power cuts -- in the country is "finally within reach." In addition to ending load shedding, Ramaphosa noted, the ongoing reforms and efforts will also enable South Africa to improve its logistics system, to achieve water security and ultimately to create jobs. (Photo by Xabiso Mkhabela/Xinhua)

SOUTH AFRICA-CAPE TOWN-PRESIDENT-STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS

SOUTH AFRICA-CAPE TOWN-PRESIDENT-STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS

(240209) -- CAPE TOWN, Feb. 9, 2024 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his 2024 State of the Nation Address in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa, Feb. 8, 2024. Ramaphosa said on Thursday that an end to frequent load shedding -- a local term for power cuts -- in the country is "finally within reach." In addition to ending load shedding, Ramaphosa noted, the ongoing reforms and efforts will also enable South Africa to improve its logistics system, to achieve water security and ultimately to create jobs. (Photo by Xabiso Mkhabela/Xinhua)

Hong Kong to lower stamp duty on stock transfer

STORY: Hong Kong to lower stamp duty on stock transfer DATELINE: Oct. 26, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:24 LOCATION: HONG KONG, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of speech scene 2. various of Hong Kong-related footage STORYLINE: China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will reduce stamp duty on stock transfer as part of efforts to bolster the stock market, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee said Wednesday. The stamp duty will be cut from the current 0.13 percent to 0.1 percent of the consideration or value of each transaction payable by buyers and sellers, respectively, he said. The target is to complete legislative procedures by the end of November, he added. He also proposed other measures to strengthen the competitiveness of the stock market, including reducing market data fees and exploring cutting trading spreads. The HKSAR is also planning to reform the growth enterprise market, Lee said, adding that the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) has proposed to streamlin

Scholars speak positively about China's efforts in advancing human rights

STORY: Scholars speak positively about China's efforts in advancing human rights DATELINE: June 22, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:10 LOCATION: Nairobi CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the scholar 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): TAMARA KUNANAYAKAM, Former Sri Lankan Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): AKMAL SAIDOV, First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): CAVINCE ADHERE, Kenya-based international relations scholar STORYLINE: Experts in various countries have spoken positively about China's efforts in promoting human rights at home and its contributions to advancing global human rights. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): TAMARA KUNANAYAKAM, Former Sri Lankan Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN "I think China's success in eradicating extreme poverty is a great achievement from the point of view of realization of human rights, but also in terms of an example of a country that has been able to, through its own p

China-U.S. cooperation benefits both countries, world: Chinese premier

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China calls for supporting Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks, offers humanitarian aid

STORY: China calls for supporting Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks, offers humanitarian aid DATELINE: March 11, 2022 LENGTH: 0:02:18 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1 various of the press conference STORYLINE: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday that utmost efforts should be made to support Russia and Ukraine in overcoming difficulties to carry forward ceasefire negotiations, and China supports and encourages all efforts that are conducive to a peaceful settlement of the crisis in Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference held after China's annual legislative session, Li said China is willing to work with the international community to play a positive role for the early return of peace in Ukraine. Calling the current situation in Ukraine "disconcerting," Li said the pressing task now is to prevent tension from escalating or even getting out of control. China calls for exercising utmost restraint and preventing a massive humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, Li said. China has put

H.K. legislature rejects Beijing-backed electoral reform package

H.K. legislature rejects Beijing-backed electoral reform package

Pro-establishment camp lawmakers leave the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on June 18, 2015, before the council votes on a Beijing-backed electoral reform package for the territory's upcoming leadership race. Pro-democracy camp lawmakers voted down the package, despite last-ditch efforts by the government and pro-establishment forces to ensure its passage. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo